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265,181 | e3748a79f99547ba92c358608039cca562f89561 | By . Travelmail Reporter . Two thirds of Brits are greeted by rain when they return home after a holiday in the sun abroad, according to a survey. Passengers landing at Manchester and Glasgow airports are more likely that anywhere else in the UK to face stormy skies when they fly back from a warm trip overseas. And, despite grey clouds being a usual feature of the UK skyline, some 67 per cent of holidaymakers are inappropriately dressed for the British weather. Welcome home! The poll of more than 2,000 British adults who had been on a sunshine break in the past 12 months was conducted by online travel agency www.sunshine.co.uk. When asked: ‘When your return flight home landed in the UK after your hot holiday abroad, was it raining?’ two fifths of the respondents said ‘yes’. Two thirds of these, 65 per cent, said that this was despite the fact they had returned home to the UK in a summer month of June, July or August. Anyone who returned to rain was asked what airport they had landed at when flying back to the UK, which revealed Manchester to be the most common answer, followed by Glasgow. Summer clothing: Half of Brits wear their holiday outfits on the plane home - despite being greeted by rain . And more than two thirds of the total respondents admitted that they were inappropriately dressed when they landed back at a UK airport, wearing clothes suited for their holiday but not for the British weather. More than half of these were wearing flip flops or sandals, whilst 39 per cent admitted to having either shorts, a dress or a skirt on. While 43 per cent of the respondents taking part said it took them on average seven days to adjust to the British weather again. Chris Clarkson, Managing Director of sunshine.co.uk, said: ‘When you’ve just started to get used to the scorching heat abroad, there’s nothing worse than landing back in the UK to single figure temperatures and rain, rain and more rain. ‘It’s always best to expect the worst when dressing for a flight home to the UK, meaning closed toe footwear and at least a light jacket in your hand luggage. 'It’s not a nice thought, but no one can every truly rely on the British weather... even in summer!' | Passengers at Manchester and Glasgow more likely to face grey clouds .
Survey questioned more than 2,000 Brits who had holidayed in past year .
43% claim it takes seven days to readjust to British weather after break . |
38,517 | 6cebe295983227a894af9586fcfb2942f40ecec0 | By . Tom Gardner . PUBLISHED: . 07:52 EST, 11 May 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 09:56 EST, 11 May 2012 . The England football team has long been seen as one of the best supported squads in the world. But it now faces the prospect of being deserted by fans ahead of this summer’s European Championship in Ukraine amid safety concerns and general apathy. Mounting fears that local racist hooligans may use the major event to target fans from ethnic minorities and a spate of terrorist attacks are thought to have added to factors putting off supporters. Shunned: Only a tiny number of England fans look set to go to the Donbass Arena stadium, in Donetsk, Ukraine to support the Three Lions in Euro 2012 . Of the 9,000 official supporters tickets . made available through the Football Association, just 2,000 have been sold for England's opening game against France on June 11 at the Donbass Arena, in the former mining city of Donetsk. And only 1,000 more tickets have been sold for the game against hosts Ukraine in the country's capital Kiev on June 15. The dismal figures will be the lowest turnout ever for the Euro competition. Assistant chief constable Andy Holt, who is leading the British police involvement in the tournament, warned that England supporters could be goaded by local racist thugs. He said: 'It may be a flashpoint for some sort of disorder if fans feel they are being unfairly treated.' He said there was little intelligence that England fans were planning on causing trouble, adding: ‘The reality is that the overwhelming majority of England fans heading to Euro 2012 are there to support the national team and the game of football. Fears: The threat from terrorism, which Ukrainian security forces have been training to prevent, and concern racist hooligans might target England fans all look to put supporters off . ‘Those who engage in any trouble must realise that they will feel the full force of local policing laws. 'Anyone involved in football-related trouble can also expect to face a football banning order when they return to the UK." England's recent run of poor performances in international tournaments also looks to have dented support. A Football Association spokesman said: ‘We are pleased with the England fans members who have bought tickets to support England in Ukraine.’ The FA says it has been liaising with fans and authorities over safety concerns and believes many more supporters will be getting tickets directly from UEFA. A record 70,000 fans headed to Germany to support England during the 2006 World Cup. Loyal: England could once count on some of the most loyal and fervent fans in the world, seen here at the World Cup in Germany 2006, but recent poor form and lack of results has dented support . But confidence in safety at this tournament has been hit by a series of devastating terrorists attacks. UEFA have played down the threat of trouble and tried to reassure fans that security measures for Euro 2012 are adequate despite a series of explosions in the Ukrainian city of Dnipropetrovsk. At least 27 people were injured in the blasts, which local authorities are believed to be treating as the work of terrorists. Four explosions have been reported in Dnipropetrovsk, with a tram stop and railway station among the apparent targets. Dnipropetrovsk was initially set to be a host city for Euro 2012 but was replaced in 2009 by Kharkiv. It is located around 240 miles from Kiev, the destination of the tournament final. | Only 2,000 out of 9,000 tickets sold for opening fixture in Ukrainian mining town . |
76,002 | d790285bbbd8b8c17671274ced69109c81dc03d6 | By . Rosie Taylor . PUBLISHED: . 19:51 EST, 2 September 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 01:47 EST, 3 September 2013 . A landscape painting bought in a £30 ‘job lot’ has been uncovered as a Constable worth £250,000. The postcard-sized work was valued by art experts live on BBC Breakfast yesterday, in front of astonished owner Rob Darvell. Mr Darvell, 45, was given the painting by his father when he helped him clean out his house last year. Causing a stir: The postcard-sized work was valued by art experts live on BBC Breakfast yesterday, in front of astonished owner Rob Darvell . He had bought it with a collection of other paintings at an auction in Canterbury a decade ago, after he saw a faint signature on its gold frame and suspected it might be interesting. Art expert Curtis Dowling, who appeared on the BBC show to promote the upcoming series of Treasure Detectives, said: ‘It’s a Constable and it’s never been seen properly before, so it’s part of history, it will cause a stir and become a celebrity item. A painting of John Constable - a Romantic painter of the late 18th and early 19th centuries . ‘A large section of the art world will be salivating to get their hands on it.’ Mr Darvell, a graphic designer from east London, said: ‘I was so nervous (before the valuation) that my heart was beating like crazy. ‘Now I’m in a state of shock. This news is everything I was hoping for and more.’ The painting depicts a landscape in . summer with trees in the foreground and rolling hills in the background, . set against a blue sky with a few white, fluffy clouds. John . Constable was a Romantic painter of the late 18th and early 19th . centuries, who is most known for his landscape paintings of the Suffolk . countryside. One of his most famous works, The Hay Wain, was targeted by an alleged Fathers4Justice protestor in June. A . photograph of a young boy with the word ‘Help’ written on it was glued . to the painting in front of lunchtime visitors at the National Gallery. Paul Douglas Manning, 57, from Sheffield was charged with criminal damage. A gallery spokesman said no lasting harm was caused to the painting. One of his most famous works, The Hay Wain, was targeted by an alleged Fathers4Justice protestor in June . | The painting was valued by art experts live on BBC Breakfast in front of owner Rob Darvell .
The 45-year from east London was given the painting by his father last year . |
253,863 | d495f46ca68e579f4ced99b57f776a12cef8a544 | Scott Arfield hopes Burnley can emulate Crystal Palace and recover from a poor start to retain their place in the Premier League. The Clarets have failed to win any of their opening nine games and have the worst record of any team in the top four flights of English football. Last season Palace lost nine of their first 10 games but a stunning revival over the second half of the season saw them finish 11th, 12 points clear of the bottom three. Scott Arfield celebrates Burnley's first goal of the season against Chelsea, the only time they have been ahead . Arfield has been one of his side's better performers, but Burnley are still yet to win a league game this season . Midfielder Arfield sees no reason why Burnley cannot turn their season around, saying: 'We saw that last season with the likes of Palace. We can take a lot of belief out of that and hopefully we can get that win and kick-start us. 'I don't think we've been too far away. Palace away and Sunderland at home were two in particular that we could have got the three points in each game. 'We were under no illusions how hard this season was going to be and it's just that elusive win. Hopefully we can get there. I think we've given a good account of ourselves over the duration of the games and that's the main aim. 'The mood in the camp is exactly the same as it was last year when we were winning. You want to win every game but there's a realism about that. The Burnley midfielder says Crystal Palace's turnaround last season has inspired their sqaud . Manager Sean Dyche and assistant Ian Woan look on as Burnley continue to search for three points . 'On a Saturday, when you go home you reflect on the game - did you do your best? - and I think everybody in the team can say that.' Arfield celebrates his 26th birthday on Saturday with a trip to the Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal. On paper, it is another daunting challenge, but Arsenal have not won at home in the league since the opening day of the season and needed a late equaliser to draw with Hull two weeks ago. Burnley have already drawn with Manchester United, and Arfield hopes being major underdogs can play into his side's hands. 'There are games that are not in your division,' he said. Burnley have conceded 16 goals in their first nine league games, and have scored only five times . Samuel Eto'o scores the first of his two goals against Burnley in last week's 3-1 win for Everton . 'There's a league within a league and then you go through certain games and think that's where you're going to pick up points. But it doesn't always happen like that and that's why you need to look at every game the same. 'When you go to Arsenal you need to stick to your game plan. We know how good they are and what quality they possess as a team and individually, but I think if we go there and stay compact and stay in the game then you never know what can happen.' One of the best moments of Burnley's season came via the boot of Arfield, who put them 1-0 up against Chelsea in the opening game at Turf Moor. Burnley will be up against quality in Arsenal on Saturday, with the likes of Aaron Ramsey and Alexis Sanchez . Crystal Palace picked up important points against top teams last season, and Burnley need to do the same . The Blues came back to win, and it remains the only time during the campaign so far that the Clarets have been ahead in a game. Arfield has looked one of the most likely sources for goal-shy Burnley, always willing to have a long-range shot with his powerful right foot, and he is desperate to add to his tally. 'It's one of the aspects that I'm dying to do,' he said. 'Last season I got nine and I was off this season in the first game. If the penalty goes in at Palace, I'd have been up to two already. 'You get fewer chances than you do in the Championship and when you get them you need to put them away. I think we've been a bit naive at times in front of goal.' | Burnley have picked up just four points in nine games .
Newly promoted side yet to win their first game in the league .
But Arfield insists Sean Dyche's side are keeping the faith .
Burnley travel to Arsenal on Saturday . |
269,297 | e8d3ba7349f0cab9b6defcddad3f13054d85bd8d | Prince Harry (pictured) has decided never to fly a combat helicopter again . He once described his role as an Apache pilot fighting the Taliban as ‘the best experience ever’. But Prince Harry has now decided never to fly a combat helicopter again. The Prince, who spent five months in the cockpit of a gunship in Afghanistan, has opted to hang up his flying goggles, even though the Army is short of pilots. Prince Harry, 30, or Captain Wales as he is called in the Forces, was expected to return to the skies with the Army Air Corps after arranging the Invictus Games – the Olympic-style event for wounded service personnel held in London last year. But The Mail on Sunday can reveal he has told military top brass he wants to continue working with injured troops before returning next year to his parent regiment, the Blues and Royals. This summer Harry will join a team of injured soldiers as they walk across Britain in aid of the charity Walking With The Wounded. A senior source said: ‘Prince Harry has plotted his career path and he’s not going back to flying Apaches. 'Even though he loved the job in Helmand province and excelled in combat operations against the Taliban, he has effectively grounded himself. ‘A major factor was the amount of training he would be required to do to command an Army Air Corps squadron – a post that includes flying Apaches. 'He would also have needed to do a couple of rather draining desk jobs to prepare himself for such a leadership role. ‘Harry weighed this up and reached a decision. He knew it was no longer viable for him to go back to the Corps and try to climb that ladder. 'The opportunity for more Apache action had passed.’ Prince Harry, who is fourth in line to the throne, was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Blues and Royals in April 2006. For security reasons he was refused permission to deploy to Iraq in 2007. The following year he secretly went to Afghanistan and served with a Household Cavalry reconnaissance unit until news of his presence leaked on foreign news websites and he was ordered back to Britain. Contrary to media reports at the time, he received no extra protection and was involved in many skirmishes with the enemy. Later in 2008 he transferred to the Army Air Corps in an attempt to become an Apache pilot. Action man: Prince Harry is pictured at the cockpit of his Apache in Helman province, Afghanistan in 2012 . In February 2012 he completed a £2.5 million training programme and was sent to Afghanistan as a co-pilot gunner in September that year. Five months later he was interviewed by the media and attracted controversy for suggesting he had killed insurgents, and for likening his participation in combat operations to playing computer games. Asked if he had killed, he replied: ‘Yeah, so lots of people have. Everyone’s fired a certain amount. If there’s people trying to do bad stuff to our guys we’ll take them out of the game. 'I’m not out here on a free pass.’ An Army spokesman said: ‘We would not comment on the future careers of any of our officers.’ | Prince Harry, 30, has taken decision never to fly a combat helicopter again .
The Prince spent five months in the cockpit of a gunship in Afghanistan .
Had been expected to return to the skies after arranging Invictus Games .
Sports event for wounded service personnel was held in London last year .
But he wants to continue working with injured troops before returning next year to his parent regiment . |
196,750 | 8a9d18fdf779caee3c6829174d99be16b0dd3d01 | By . Helen Collis . PUBLISHED: . 07:50 EST, 11 September 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 09:31 EST, 11 September 2013 . Bulgaria is closing its investigation into one of the most notorious Cold War assassinations - the killing of exiled dissident Georgy Markov with the poisoned tip of an umbrella on London's Waterloo Bridge. Markov, a writer, journalist and opponent of Bulgaria's then communist regime, died on September 11, 1978 after a stranger shot a poisoned pellet into his leg. Prosecutors have failed to identify, arrest or charge anybody for the crime, known as the 'Bulgarian umbrella', and so they announced today that the case would now be closed. Unsolved murder: For 35 years mystery has surrounded the whereabouts of Georgy Markov's killer, and now Bulgaria is closing the case on the assassination of the former BBC journalist . Bulgarian defector Markov, a broadcaster for the BBC overseas Service, was murdered on Sept 11, 1978 . 'The probe will be abandoned as of tomorrow, when the absolute statute of limitations of 35 years will expire,' the prosecutors' office spokeswoman Rumiana Arnaudova said. 'To overcome the statute of limitations, we need to have a suspect for the crime arrested, charged or put on a search list. As of the moment, we have not established the perpetrator and neither of the above actions are undertaken,' Arnaudova said. British police have their own investigation of the affair. According to accounts of the incident, Markov, who defected to the West in 1969, was waiting for a bus when he felt a sharp sting in his thigh. The bus stop (right) where Bulgarian dissident Georgi Markov was murdered by a Ricin spiked umbrella in 1978 . A stranger fumbled behind him with an umbrella he had dropped and mumbled 'sorry' in a foreign accent before walking away, hailing a cab and disappearing. After the umbrella attack, Markov . returned to his office, but quickly fell ill and was taken to hospital . that night with a high fever. He died three days later of what is believed to be ricin poisoning, for which there is no antidote. Writer and dissident Markov had reportedly enraged the . Communist regime with broadcasts on the BBC's Bulgarian Service which . mocked dictator Todor Zhivkov. Georgi Markov was jabbed with an umbrella which fired a poison pellet into his leg as he crossed Waterloo Bridge . The home of Georgi Markov, murdered Bulgarian writer in Lynette Avenue, Clapham . Five years ago, the Bulgarian daily Dnevnik published an investigation into communist-era secret police files which identified Markov's suspected assassin as an agent code-named 'Piccadilly' . The files show how the agent had 'special training' from Bulgaria's secret police and received two medals, several free holidays and $30,000 after Markov's death, Dnevnik said, adding that Markov's case was discussed with the KGB in Moscow. In 2008, Bulgarian prosecutors extended the investigation by five years, hoping that access to communist era secret police files would help solve the case. And earlier this year, prime suspect Francesco Gullino, 66, who was known by his Communist handlers as 'Agent Piccadilly', was tracked down by a Bulgarian film-maker and interviewed. Georgi Markov, murdered Bulgarian writer, is pictured on his way to England on a train from Germany in 1971 . Georgi Markov, murdered Bulgarian writer is pictured with his wife, Annabel Markov at a Kensington Register Office in July 1975 . He lives in a rundown flat in Wels, a small Austrian town where he works as an antiques dealer. He . was named in Bulgarian files as their only agent in London when the . regime's secret services – backed by the KGB – had Markov . 'liquidated'. Gullino . left Britain the day after the attack and flew to Rome, where it is . alleged he stood in a particular spot in St Peter's Square in order to . send a signal to his Bulgarian handler. In March, in an interview with director Klaus Dexel,= for his documentary 'Silenced: The Writer Georgi Markov and The Umbrella Murder,' Gullino admitted . he was 'probably' in London at the time of Markov's murder – although . he denies involvement in the plot. He . also refused to answer whether he was a spy – despite the huge evidence . in Bulgarian security archives – simply commenting that there were . 'thousands of Google searches' saying that he was one. Markov had lived . in Clapham, South London since fleeing Bulgaria in 1969. Francesco Gullino known as Agent Piccadilly was quizzed by a film-maker this year about his involvement in the assassination of Markov, which he repeatedly denied. Bulgaria said police files which led investigators to Gullino, brought no clarity over who was the killer . Asked by filmmakers if he is still in . contact with his Bulgarian contact from the 1970s, he declined to give a . straight answer, replying with a smile: 'This is an intimate question. Is it forbidden to talk to such people? Is it not good to work with . foreign countries' secret services?' Bulgarian . journalist Anthony Georgieff, who has also been on the trail of Gullino . for two decades, said: 'In reality, if the British authorities wanted . to arrest him they probably could. But there is a lot of embarrassment . surrounding this case. 'The . British allowed a defector to be murdered right under their noses and . then the killer escaped. I think that might explain their reluctance to . vigorously pursue it.' But in spite of this new information coming to light, Bulgarian authorities say they have not reached any clarity about the identity of the killer. | Bulgarian dissident Georgy Markov died days after being jabbed with a poison-tipped umbrella as he crossed Waterloo Bridge in 1978 .
After 35 years, and no suspects, Bulgaria is closing the case on the assassination of the former BBC journalist .
They say information that came to light this year following the release of secret police files has not brought any clarity on the identity of the killer . |
123,759 | 2c015cf6dc3660752902d32e0eeba2518d52d343 | By . Tamara Cohen . PUBLISHED: . 00:05 EST, 15 May 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 03:33 EST, 16 May 2012 . Planning a street party or a day out to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee? You may want to make sure you have an umbrella, some warm clothing – and an indoor option. The cold and wet weather is set to last into June, forecasters have warned, and it’s threatening to rain on the royal parade up and down the country. Yesterday, as snow fell as far south as the Midlands and the bitterly cold May weather continued to disappoint, fears were raised of a washout for the Jubilee next month, when 1.5million wellwishers will turn out to see the Queen and millions more will take part in street parties. Mayday: Walkers faced snow on the moors above Teesdale in County Durham yesterday . What a catch: Hailstones fell in London yesterday afternoon due to the unseasonably cold weather . As Her Majesty continues her 4,000 mile tour across the UK on the first weekend of June, it is likely to be cloudy, with heavy rain and below average temperatures in the south. Street parties could be ruined by the weather and motorists have been warned to expect traffic chaos over the four-day weekend, with more than eight million expected to hit the roads on June 1. And it means there is little prospect of respite from the current grey skies and chilly weather, which led to snow showers in Teesdale in County Durham and parts of Wolverhampton yesterday. An intense burst of chilly air from the Arctic was blamed for the unseasonable weather, as temperatures plummeted to just 1c (34f) overnight. Elsewhere yesterday, heavy rain flooded roads in Cambridgeshire, stormy seas soaked walkers on the promenade in Scarborough, North Yorkshire and hail pelted large areas of London. Chilly: Cold northerly winds brought in wintry showers to higher ground, including the Pennines, Shropshire, parts of Wales and Scotland . Wintery: Pedestrians in Birmingham were left hoping their umbrellas could cope as the season's poor weather continued with a hail storm hitting the city . A woman in her 50s was left fighting for her life with serious head injuries after she was crushed by a metal fence which blew down in strong winds in Kidderminster, Worcestershire, at around lunchtime. Witnesses saw a huge gust of wind rip the fence from its hinges and on to shoppers. Temperatures reached highs of just 12c (54f) during the day, though they are predicted to pick up towards the end of the week. While snow does regularly fall in May in Scotland and high ground areas such as the Pennines, it is fairly unusual to see it dusting areas of lower ground. Met Office forecaster Charlie Powell said: ‘We saw sleet and snow showers around eight or nine o’clock in the morning in north-east England and the north-west Midlands, coming in from the Arctic and Scandinavia. ‘They were very intense showers and cold air, so the snow hit low ground areas, but it quickly melted and we are expecting dry weather on Wednesday, though still chilly. ‘Temperatures should pick up to around average by Friday or Saturday at around 16c (61f) in the south.’ Cold northerly winds also brought wintry showers to higher ground, including the Pennines, Shropshire, parts of Wales and Scotland. University lecturer Neil Farrington, 41, was walking his dogs in Castleside, near Consett, County Durham, when the snow fell yesterday. The father of three said: ‘It lasted for 20 minutes and it came down quite heavily with big flakes. ‘It was quite a sight to behold, then it turned to rain and the snow on the ground disappeared. My oldest son was supposed to be playing cricket tonight so he was not best pleased.’ Lovely weather: The tennis courts at Alderley Edge Cricket Club in Cheshire were well and truly out of use as wintery weather saw hail and sleet settling on the playing surface . Cold: Hail and sleet cover the ground near Alderley Edge Cricket Club in Cheshire on Tuesday afternoon as cold weather gripped the country and summer remained on hold . Unseasonal: The cricket season will have to be delayed looking at the amount of sleet and hail that has settled on the pitch at Alderley Edge Cricket Club in Cheshire . Chris Burton, a forecaster for MeteoGroup, said: 'It is late to snow and it has happened because northerly winds brought colder air down from the Arctic and Scandinavia. 'We have showers that can turn wintry on higher ground.' Meanwhile in the south, floods swamped roads in Essex and Cambridgeshire. Drivers have been taking a risk by driving through flooded country roads to avoid a 27-mile detour to reach the village of Welney in the Cambridgeshire Fens. The road across Welney Washes was closed for the first time in two years and the only other way into the village means a long drive through narrow country lanes. A tractor drives through flood water in Welney, Cambridgeshire, after the area was deluged in rain and hail . Water world: Heavy rain last night led to the A130 near Chelmsford, Essex, to flood . Spectrum in the sky: A rainbow forms over Swansea Bay in south Wales yesterday morning . Dennis Birch, who runs The Lamb and Flag pub in Welney, said: 'It's a 27-mile detour to reach us without going through the floods which adds an extra hour to people's journeys and they have to use more petrol. 'The floods make it difficult for us as we rely on passing trade.' Forecasters warn Britain will be hit by the latest cold snap this week for up to a month. Many parts of the country are facing several weeks worth of night-time frost, freezing winds, hail and heavy rain. A jet stream over Europe is stopping warm air arriving from the Continent and causing arctic conditions to blow across the country. The north of the country will be the worst hit as temperatures plummet to -6C with snow expected across the Pennines and Cumbria while the south faces days of rain and blustery winds. Jonathan Powell, forecaster with Vantage Weather Services, said: 'It looks like this is going to continue well into June. Summer is really on hold, with no sign of it in the near future. 'Temperatures are well below where they should be for the time of year and snow, ice and conditions more akin to the middle of November are going to stick around into the first two weeks in June. Unexpected: A man in Birmingham with his collar turned up against the chilly weather leaves tracks in the freshly fallen hail which hit the city's streets on Tuesday . 'We are in for a very wet, cool and miserable time, with no sign of summer on the way.” The Met office said the brief warm spell over the weekend was down to an area of high pressure which drifted over the UK but has now been replaced by northerly air from Scandinavia and northern Europe. Showers are expected to have hit all parts of the country by Thursday and to continue well into June. It comes in stark contrast to scenes around the UK at the weekend as Britons made the most of the nice weather, heading to local beaches and parks. Spray: A couple walk their dogs along the stormy seafront in Scarborough, North Yorkshire . Nine tawny owlets in their aviary after being taken in at HART Wildlife Rescue in Alton, Hampshire. The spring of drought, gales and flooding has taken its toll on wildlife . Rough conditions: Holidaymakers brave the weather with a walk along the pier in Whitby, North Yorkshire . | Cold northerly winds bring wintry snow showers to higher ground in north .
Heavy rain in south causes flooding in Essex and Cambridgeshire .
Hail hits Birmingham and sleet settles on the ground in Cheshire .
Fears the wintery spell could continue, putting a dampener on Jubilee celebrations . |
211,973 | 9e8337b6dd18d59919c81e53bb9927185d7fdc5b | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 06:49 EST, 17 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 08:33 EST, 17 October 2013 . First the tortoise beat the hare and now it seems they can pack a mean punch too. Footage has emerged of this real-life ninja turtle defending its territory against cats who dare to sit on its lawn. And as this video shows, it really does have turtle power. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO . Get off my land: The angry tortoise squares up to the cat to defend its territory . Despite being only a third of the size of his opponent, the furious tortoise charges at one cat with its mouth wide open and an angry look in its eye before giving him a nip on its tail. As the cat tries to fight back, the tortoise, which is remarkably quick on his webbed feet, gives the feline the run around before chasing it off its turf. It isn't too long before another moggy thinks he can take on the aggressive creature. One flip and it could all be over. But this tortoise is having none of it and shows him who is boss. The amusing video was taken by Salvelio Mayer in his back garden in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. He uploaded the footage onto YouTube and the clip has had more than six million views . Turtle power: This tortoise is on a mission to show cats exactly who is boss . The ginger cat is no match for this real-life ninja turtle who stands up to his much larger opponent . No match: Another cat is given its marching orders to get off the tortoise's patch of lawn . Mr Mayer said: 'Basically, we live next to a nature reserve in the centre of Port Elizabeth. 'We have a variety of strange and wonderful animals that visit our garden every now and then. 'One . of them is this tortoise and once it is in our garden it takes . ownership of the entire space and tends to attack any intruder - be it a . neighbour's cat or my wife Louise sitting next to the pool. 'It also goes for the lawnmower thinking that it's a giant tortoise eating his grass. 'We haven't given the tortoise a name because it comes and goes from the park and I can't really tell how old it is.' | Salvelio Mayer filmed tortoise in his Port Elizabeth garden in South Africa .
Footage has been viewed more than six million times on YouTube . |
85,204 | f1a3833ace1d573c78db20753e8b28241844d707 | By . Sara Nathan, Iona Kirby, Kimberley Dadds and Hanna Flint . PUBLISHED: . 08:29 EST, 13 January 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 02:56 EST, 14 January 2013 . Celine, Cher... Britney? With Miss Spears reportedly on the brink of signing a lucrative deal to perform in Las Vegas, she could become the next legendary diva in the gambling capital of the world. Set to make a fortune if this deal goes ahead, it would see the X Factor US judge relocate to Sin City to perform in her own headline show. And after announcing her split from . agent and fiancé Jason Trawick, Britney's name could be lighting up the . Vegas strip a whole lot sooner. Scroll down for video . Heading for Vegas? The former Mouseketeer is likely being wooed to star in her own long-running show at the Colloseum at Caesar's Palace since that is where Cher and Celine Dion also held lucrative residencies . According to TMZ, the 31-year old has been negotiating with one of the Caesar group hotels, with sources close to the negotiations confirming . that, 'the deal is a go.' 'There are several stipulations that could throw a monkey wrench in the deal, but it's basically done.' Apparently one of the issues holding up the agreement is the actual performance and what it will involve. At the moment there is supposedly no consensus on if she will perform in . one place on certain nights a week, or also appear in other hotel . function across the resort such as nightclubs. However, if these sources are correct, Britney could end up the top . earner in Vegas with her deal worth more than Celine's $100 million a . year. Diva: Britney could become the highest paid female performer in Las Vegas if the deal goes through . Vegas . baby! Dion scored $100 million a year to headline her show and Cher . earned $60 million a year for three years at the Colloseum . The singer's split from her fiance Jason was confirmed to Mail . Online yesterday, and since, it has been revealed that she's already . returned her $90,000 engagement ring. Spears returned the 3.5 carat Neil Lane ring of her own volition as Jason had not asked for it back, according to TMZ. They . also quash rumours that Britney bought the ring herself; according to . to the website it was owned lock, stock and barrel by Jason. It's over: Britney Spears has split from fiance Jason Trawick after a year-long engagement . Hinting at the break-up: Britney was pictured without her engagement ring one week ago during a Los Angeles outing . Still friends: The pair were last pictured together last month and their relationship apparently became more of a friendship, with them sleeping in separate bedrooms . Under California law, the ring must . be returned unless the man called the engagement off... as Britney and . Jason mutually agreed to part, the singer is doing the right thing. The couple announced their engagement in December 2011, after confirming they were dating in May 2010. A . source told Mail Online that the pair had been sleeping in separate . bedrooms and their once strong relationship had fizzled into more of a . friendship. Britney said in a statement: 'Jason . and I have decided to call off our engagement. I'll always adore him and . we will remain great friends.' Keeping close: Britney assures fans that she and Jason will 'remain great friends' and added that she will 'always adore him' Jason added: 'As this chapter ends for us a new one begins. I love and cherish her and her boys and we will be close forever.' Britney's . representative Jeff Raymond told Mail Online: 'Britney Spears and Jason . Trawick have mutually agreed to end their one-year engagement. 'As two mature adults, they came to the difficult decision to go their separate ways while continuing to remain friends.' Jason . also acted as Britney's manager, and the pop star has now changed . management, indicating the pair are also severing ties in their business . relationship. Jason has reportedly resigned as Britney's . co-conservator, but her father Jamie Spears will remain as conservator. Further reports claim Jason has already moved out of the home the couple shared together, according to Radar Online. Severing all ties: Jason used to act as Britney's manager but the star, seen with Jason in October, has now changed management . According to the official statement released today, the 31-year-old pop star put in her resignation for the talent competition series on Friday. 'I had an incredible time doing the show and I love the other judges and I am so proud of my teens but it's time for me to get back in the studio,' Britney said, referring to her eighth album. 'Watching them all do their thing up . on that stage every week made me miss performing so much! I can't wait . to get back out there and do what I love most.' However, the Grammy winner's team has reportedly already begun 'serious talks' for lucrative sitcom and Las Vegas concert deals. 'It was a very difficult decision': Britney Spears is rumoured to be planning Vegas show after confirming she quit The X Factor on Friday . While other sources claim the pair split over their differing opinions about wanting more children. TMZ.com claim Britney was keen to increase her brood and have children with Trawick, but he wasn't keen to do so. The . website states that Jason is 'in another place' and doesn't want to . start a family - although 'loves' her boys Sean Preston and Jayden . James, her sons with ex Kevin Federline. TMZ . also claims the pair argued as Trawick felt being with Spears 'took . away his individuality', while he wanted to expand his business and take . on more clients - something Spears allegedly wasn't happy with. The split announcement comes the same day as Britney confirmed she had quit her role as a judge on the X Factor. According to TMZ, Spears and her . people have been in serious negotiations with one of the Caesars group . properties for 'a while.' The former Mouseketeer is likely . being wooed to star in her own long-running show at the Colloseum at . Caesar's Palace since that is where Cher and Celine Dion also held . residencies. Dion scored $100 million a year to . headline her show and her previous A New Day show grossed more than $400 . million over five years. Cher also struck a lucrative deal with the casino where she performed for three years at $60 million a year. Working on her eighth album: The 31-year-old pop star said she was very proud of her teens but 'it's time for me to get back in the studio' An insider noted that Britney could probably rake even more than either of the other pop legends in her deal. Spears' team is also reportedly looking into possible sitcom appearances. A Radar Online source said: 'Britney's manager, Larry Rudolph, is reading television scripts that the singer could accept. Britney's dad, Jamie feels that having his daughter on a sitcom would be a good fit for her. 'Britney needs to be kept busy, and a structured environment such as a television sitcom would be a natural fit for her. She actually has very natural comedic talents and is very funny, in an airhead sort of way.' Simon Cowell, 53, was reportedly disappointed with his $15 million contracted employee on the talent competition since he wanted 'crazy Britney, but he got boring Britney.' According to Us Weekly, the network 'paid all that for her to say "amazing" and offer half-claps' for her four protegees. The December 20 second season finale was watched by only 9.6 million viewers, down 18 percent from the first season finale. Diamonds . aren't this girls best friend: Britney returned her $90,000 ring even . though Jason never asked for it back, it's been reported . | Her deal is said to be worth more than Celine's $100 million a .
year.
Couple announced their engagement in December 2011, 19 months after confirming they were dating .
Sources claim the pair split over her wanting to have more children . |
92,759 | 035245373a13b46866365dd0dec6f68c295287fa | By . Jill Reilly . PUBLISHED: . 10:30 EST, 16 August 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 10:36 EST, 17 August 2012 . For most young people the summer months mean the end of studying, but also the start of a lowly-paid temp job...unless you're one of the 'rich kids of Instagram.' For them the lazy weeks include trips to exotic lands on private jets, blissful days by their private pool and riding around in their customized sports cars. They use the photo app Instagram to parade snippets of their luxurious lifestyles which are usually funded by the bank of mum and dad. Splash in the ocean: A 'rich kid' speeds down an inflatable slide into the sea off a suitably luxurious boat . Feeling hungry? Feast fit for a king (or a young prince) This snap is accompanied by the words: 'Thanks @VinnyTheChef by brockieboy #personalchef #mansions' Their boastful photos hit the the headline a few months ago and once again Tumblr have collected the best of the best, labelling it simply ‘Rich Kids of Instagram’ and letting the pictures speak for themselves. No matter how busy they are enjoying the moment - be it sliding off Daddy's yacht, tucking into a feast of food or riding an elephant on safari, the number one rule for the rich kids of Instagram is to take a photo. The latest offering from Tumblr include an eye-watering drinks bill from the playground of the rich and famous, a 'rich kid' being blasted into the sky using a water jet-pack and a golden weapon - presumably gold-plated if the rich kids live up to their name. Their new way of showcasing their life even has its own hashtag on Twitter - RKOI (Rich Kids Of Instagram). Life in the fast lane: Public transportation isn't an option when there is a Bentley at your disposal . Lazy days by the pool in the summer sun is a key perk to a big bank balance . Ferrari fingers: A key facet to living the life of luxury is driving a suitably glamorous car . But life isn't always rosy for the rich kids - they can get in trouble for over-sharing their ostentatious lives. Last week the billionaire CEO of the computer giant Dell Inc has learned the hard way that money cannot buy a sense of security, especially when efforts to keep the family safe are being thwarted from within - by his own daughter. Michael Dell’s 18-year-old daughter, Alexa, has been posting potentially too much information on social networks - last week, she posted a photo of her . brother, Zachary, on Rich Kids of Instagram . depicting the magnate’s son devouring a luxurious buffet on his way to . Fiji. Opulent bath: This snap was captioned: 'Dom and Moet bottles in the bath. AMEX gold too' Exotic holidays are a must: The photo on the left, read :'On safari. @maddylouisej by paigeamber. ' The snap on the right shows designers bracelets, with the hashtags #armcandy #cartier #hermes . Rich boy's toy: Having fun with a water jet pack . Unlike most young web users eager to . open their lives to the world with little or no regard for privacy, Ms . Dell happens to be the daughter of a tycoon worth $15.9billion who . occupies the 41st slot on Forbes Magazine’s Billionaires’ List. His daughter’s online over-sharing . likely did not sit well with Mr Dell, who pays about $2.7million a year . for the security protection of his family, according to Dell’s . regulatory filings. By Friday, Alexa Dell’s Twitter . account has been shut down for unspecified reasons. Dell officials have . declined to comment on whether security concerns were behind the move. Life of luxury: 'Just hanging out at home' by spencer nicolee #mansion #wealth . Tipple in the sunshine: One lucky swimmer alcohol being poured into his mouth as his friend jumps into the water....naked . Golden life: One of the photos taken on Instagram show a weapon coated in gold...probably gold leaf if these 'rich kids' are life up to their name. The caption reads: '#Versace gold plated AK47 $9,000' Just our tiny back garden with a sea view: A girl looks out to the ocean as her photo is snapped on Instagram . Money is no object: A bill from Nikki Beach in St Tropez equals an eye-watering amount, but that is no deal to an 'Instagram Rich Kid' | Summer for the 'rich kids of Instagram' equals trips to exotic lands on private jets, blissful days by their private pool and riding around in their customized sports cars . |
110,294 | 1a31ff620cb01285b97217ecf1eaccae172f4c43 | New York (CNN) -- Fox News and potential presidential candidate Ben Carson went their separate ways last week. Is Fox host and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee next? The tension between Huckabee's current job and possible future job has been laid bare in a number of recent news stories. Huckabee, who sought the Republican nomination for president in 2008, is clearly considering a second run -- which would mean he'd have to give up his Saturday night show on Fox News. On Wednesday, Fox News executive vice president of programming Bill Shine indicated that a decision might be made soon. "We are taking a serious look at Governor Huckabee's recent activity in the political arena and are evaluating his current status," Shine said in a statement to CNN. "We plan on meeting with him when he returns from his trip overseas." Due to Huckabee's trip, this Saturday's edition of his show has already been taped. The show, titled "Huckabee," typically draws about 1.3 million viewers on Saturdays, making it a valuable platform for anyone who might want to run for office in the future. Fox News has been a home for any number of prospective candidates in the past, including Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum, and Sarah Palin. The cable channel has a policy that requires a person's contract to be terminated if the person forms an exploratory committee. Sometimes it severs ties with political types before they even take that step. Last week Carson -- who has been mulling a presidential bid -- confirmed that his paid contributor arrangement with Fox had been terminated. "Fox News felt I needed complete independence to fully examine my options," Carson said in a statement. "My departure has been thoroughly amicable and is in the best interest for both Fox News and myself." Carson was just a paid commentator -- Huckabee has a much higher profile on Fox, given that he has a weekly program. The Washington Post reported on Wednesday that Huckabee is "reconnecting with activists," seeking staff members and meeting with potential donors in advance of a potential presidential race. "Advisers are already scouting real estate in Little Rock, Ark., for a possible presidential campaign headquarters," The Post reported. Huckabee acknowledged in an interview with The Post that he has "obligations in broadcasting" and thus "I have to be very careful about this." A few weeks ago, in an interview with RealClearPolitics, Huckabee described how his show on Fox had helped him on the future-campaign trail in Iowa and elsewhere. Eight years ago, "they didn't recognize me, and that was true all over the country," he said. "And now I come back, and I've been in these people's homes every week." (Imagine the envy that some other prospective 2016 presidential candidates probably feel while reading that.) Media Matters, a liberal watchdog group that scrutinizes and criticizes Fox, said Wednesday that "Huckabee has provided just as much evidence he plans to run for president as Carson" and called on Fox to drop Huckabee. "If the network is actually serious about not wanting to keep political candidates on its payroll, it should suspend Huckabee," the group said in a statement. | Fox News said Wednesday that the network is reviewing Mike Huckabee's political activity .
Huckabee has a show that airs on the network on Saturday nights .
Huckabee is also considering another run for the GOP nomination for president . |
72,181 | cc9631379d72d4c826f4d4e4f40564b8733911d6 | Washington (CNN) -- Preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon is a national security interest of both Israel and the United States, President Barack Obama said Sunday in calling for continued diplomatic efforts but also pledging that all options -- including a military effort -- remain viable. "All elements of American power" remain an option to stop Iran from becoming a nuclear power, including "a military effort to be prepared for any contingency," Obama told the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), a pro-Israel lobby group. At the same time, Obama made clear that he preferred diplomacy over war both as a principle and in the case of Iran, and he warned that "too much loose talk of war" with Iran only benefits the Iranian government by driving up the price of oil. The remarks came against a backdrop of growing international concern that Israel may attack an Iranian nuclear facility. Israel and the United States accuse Tehran of seeking nuclear weapons despite the Iranian regime's insistence that its program is for peaceful purposes. Obama's speech was intended to allay concerns in Israel and in the American Jewish community that he lacked commitment to support an Israeli attack. The president stated his policy was not containment of a nuclear Iran, but preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. At the same time, he emphasized that Iran "should not doubt Israel's sovereign right to make its own decisions about what is required to meet its security needs." While Obama's position was consistent with his past pronouncements, his specific reference to preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon -- rather than the capability of building a nuclear weapon -- maintained what some consider to be a difference from Israel's position. Israeli officials say that if Iran was able to enrich weapons-grade uranium, it would potentially cross the "red line" of nuclear weapons capability that Israel fears. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet with Obama on Monday at the White House to discuss that issue and others before speaking at the AIPAC conference. In a statement issued after Obama's speech, Netanyahu expressed appreciation for the president's position that all options were on the table to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. "I also appreciated the fact that he made clear that when it comes to a nuclear-armed Iran, containment is simply not an option, and equally in my judgment, perhaps most important of all, I appreciated the fact that he said that Israel must be able to defend itself, by itself, against any threat," Netanyahu said. To Trita Parsi, the president of the National Iranian American Council who wrote the book "Treacherous Alliance - The Secret Dealings of Iran, Israel and the United States," Obama' s speech showed that a difference continues to exist between the United States and Israel on Iran. Israel "argues that the only acceptable guarantee that Iran does not get a nuclear weapon is for Iran to have no enrichment program," Parsi said in an email. "The Obama administration puts the red line not at enrichment -- which is permitted under international law -- but at nuclear weapons. This is a clearer, more enforceable red line that also has the force of international law behind it." In his remarks Sunday, Obama defended what he called his administration's consistent record of supporting Israel economically, diplomatically and militarily -- including U.S. military assistance and blocking anti-Israel efforts at the United Nations. Noting the current political season in the United States with an upcoming election in November, Obama also said U.S. support for Israel should be a bipartisan issue. He dismissed criticism of his record by Republicans, saying "it's not backed up by the facts." "There should not be a shred of doubt by now, when the chips are down, I have Israel's back," Obama said to applause. Before Obama spoke, Republican operative Liz Cheney said during a panel discussion that no U.S. president had done more to undermine Israel than Obama. David Harris, the executive director of the American Jewish Committee, said he doubted Obama's speech would satisfy everyone. While some will embrace Obama's core message of an ironclad commitment to Israel, others will question why Obama didn't go further in specifying his intentions regarding Iran, Harris said. In addition, Harris said he expected the Republican presidential candidates, when addressing the conference this week, to "mince few words on Iran," something that is easier to do "as they don't have to directly bear the consequences of their words." In an unusual move last week, the Democratic National Committee sent out a video aimed at fending off potential Republican attacks over Obama's Israel policies. Earlier Sunday at the opening of the AIPAC conference, Israeli President Shimon Peres accused Iran of plotting to control the Middle East, and warned "it will be stopped." Israel "does not seek" war, Peres said, adding: "Peace is always our first option. But, if we are forced to fight, trust me, we shall prevail." Speaking just before Obama, Peres said,"The United States and Israel share the same goal: to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. There is no space between us. Our message is clear: Iran will not develop a nuclear weapon." "Iran is an evil, cruel, morally corrupt regime," Peres said. "It is based on destruction. It is an affront to human dignity. Iran is the center, the sponsor, the financier of world terror. Iran is a danger to the entire world. It threatens Berlin as well as Madrid, Delhi as well as Bangkok." Israel blames Iran for recent attacks apparently aimed at Israeli diplomats in Thailand and India. "Iran's ambition is to control the Middle East, so it can control a major part of the world's economy," Peres said. "It must be stopped. And it will be stopped." Obama has argued that a military attack on Iran may not be the key to resolving nuclear concerns. "At a time when there is not a lot of sympathy for Iran and its only real ally, (Syria) is on the ropes, do we want a distraction in which suddenly Iran can portray itself as a victim?" Obama said last week in an interview with The Atlantic. He made the same contention Sunday, saying history showed that the only way to truly halt nuclearization is when countries halt their programs themselves. In his speech Sunday, Peres helped create a welcome reception for Obama. "I know your commitment to Israel is deep and profound," Peres said. "Under your leadership, security cooperation between the U.S. and Israel has reached its highest level. Ladies and gentlemen, we have a friend in the White House." The remarks may help shore up election-year support for Obama among Jewish voters. In his later remarks, Obama praised Peres as a leader and a living example of Israel's history and values, and announced he would award Peres the presidential Medal of Freedom -- America's highest civilian honor -- at the White House later this year. The audience responded with a long ovation that Obama joined from the podium, and Netanyahu later said in his statement that he congratulated Peres on the Medal of Freedom and called it "a great honor for the State of Israel." While the prime minister is the head of Israel's government, Peres holds some authority as president including serving as head of state and appointing some senior officials. On the other major issue of U.S.-Israeli relations, Peres also called the principle of a two-state solution with Palestinians "a paramount Israeli interest." He noted that he meets "from time to time" with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad. "They need and they want peace. I believe that peace is possible. They are our partners for peace. Not Hamas." Peres also had a message for Syrians facing a violent crackdown on an uprising against the regime. "The Middle East is undergoing its greatest storm in history, with horrible bloodshed in Syria, where a tyrant is killing his people, killing his children," Peres said. "I admire the courage of the Syrian people. And I wish them peace and freedom from the depths of all of our hearts. In spite of the storm, we have to reach out to the young generation in the Arab world, to those who strive for freedom, democracy and peace." CNN's Josh Levs, Kevin Flower, Joe Sterling and Gabriella Schwarz contributed to this report. | NEW: Prime Minister Netanyahu says he appreciates Obama's remarks on Iran .
An analyst says Israel and President Obama differ over defining Iran's nuclear threat .
Obama says he prefers diplomacy but keeps all options available .
Israeli President Peres praises Obama's "deep and profound" commitment to Israel . |
115,654 | 213f16a56f5f153e5dde1313570b519e6cb4df61 | (CNN) -- What if browsing the internet felt like playing an arcade game? That's the idea behind a new website called OneTrueFan, which awards points -- and potentially real prizes -- to people just for trolling around online. The site, which opened to the public late Wednesday and launched at a conference hosted by the blog TechCrunch earlier this week, intends to apply the idea of "check-ins" to online media consumption. Smartphone apps like Foursquare and Gowalla popularized the idea of check-ins, which broadly refers to the act of telling people you're at a certain location or that you're doing a certain thing at that moment. It's a concept that's gone mainstream only recently. Facebook, with its 500 million members, picked up on the idea when it launched its "Places" feature in August. Foursquare and others let users "check in" to bars, restaurants and parks. Other apps like GetGlue let people check in while they're watching movies or reading books. Now those same mechanics are coming to the internet at large. After users install a Firefox plug-in for OneTrueFan, the site automatically checks you in each time you visit a new website. If it's your first time on the site, you get 10 points; if you've been there before, you get 1 point for each new page you visit within a certain domain. Those who share a link -- on Twitter, Facebook or Delicious, the bookmarking site -- are awarded with five points. People whose links actually drive traffic back to that website get one point for each click. The scores reset every two weeks. But who cares, right? What do these points actually mean? Eric Marcoullier, who co-founded OneTrueFan with business partner Todd Sampson, says the points create a sense of competition and community among users and could also result in real prizes. Those who visit a certain site most often are given "One True Fan" status, similar to the "mayor" status people achieve on Foursquare if they frequent a certain venue more often than anyone. People who have installed the OneTrueFan plug-in automatically see who is winning the race to be the biggest fan of that page. The also see the faces of other internet heads who happen to be look at the page at that time. Marcoullier says this creates an ambient feeling of community -- much the way shopping in a crowded store makes a person feel part of a group. "When you think about it, browsing the Web is an inherently sterile, isolated experience, but there are people at the same sites you go to," he said. "And it's not like you're going to sit there and talk to them while you're browsing." Instead, he added, it's nice just to know they're there. The site awards digital "patches" to people who complete certain challenges. For instance, if a person visits 1,000 different internet domains, he or she is awarded the "browser" patch. Sharing 100 links gets you the "broadcast" patch, and visiting five social networking sites in one day gets you the "socialite" patch. All of this feeds into the competitive spirit of the site, Marcoullier said. OneTrueFan does not let users contact each other through the site, but the service links in with peoples' Twitter and Facebook accounts, so users could get in touch that way if they wanted, he said. And as for the sites you'd rather the world not see that you visited? Users can undo check-ins on a particular site and their entire check-in history there will be deleted from OneTrueFan's servers permanently, Marcoullier said. The site does not save its users' entire browsing histories, he said. It only lists links that users have shared publicly on Facebook, Twitter and Delicious -- as well as whether a person gained or lost "One True Fan" status on a website. As for the real rewards, some stores give freebies or discounts to people who become mayors of locations on Foursquare. In much the same way, Web companies will be able to offer prizes to the people who achieve "One True Fan" status on their sites, Marcoullier said. For example, a tech-focused website might offer the top user a free iPod or a chance to preview an invitation-only site, he said. Marcoullier believes his plug-in makes the Web more social and fun. It's part of the coming "gamification" of our lives. OneTrueFan only had 700 "alpha" users as of Wednesday, before it launched to the public, he said. Those users had to request invitations to get an "alpha preview" of the new website. It's not the only new site trying to push the idea of website-based check-ins. Badgeville, which was a finalist in a contest for innovative startup companies at the TechCrunch Disrupt event this week, aims to work with media companies to develop loyal website users using similar techniques. "The Badgeville Platform offers turnkey widgets & an API that allow media sites, publishers, brands, marketers, and community managers to leverage game-based techniques to create highly engaging web experiences," the site says in an introductory blog post. "Users are rewarded with real-time achievements and reputation that help publishers achieve specific pre-defined and measurable business goals." Philly.com and TechCrunch are among Badgeville's current customers, according to a press release about the company. BigDoor Media is another company trying to sell game-like features to websites. It's unclear, however, how users will react to these new services. In a post on the blog ReadWriteWeb, Ethan Stillman says that the new sites that are adding "game mechanics" to websites are doing a better job than their predecessors, but that adding games to Web browsing can go terribly wrong. "Bad game mechanics are worse than no game mechanic because of that one jarring moment when your user realizes just how crappy the game mechanic is," he writes. "And it's at that moment when you have absolutely no control over where their mind wanders off to. They are flying free and you're just a speck on the radar." He adds: "This is going to get nutty, and awesome, very quickly." | The idea of the "check in" is coming to the internet .
The term once referred to the idea of telling friends where you are .
Now it applies to sharing the websites you're visiting .
OneTrueFan, Badgeville and BigDoor Media are among those competing . |
207,175 | 983d0ae1a923379838205f33618877f6f1508f83 | By . Emma Reynolds . PUBLISHED: . 08:12 EST, 7 June 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 04:24 EST, 8 June 2012 . A former soldier who bravely took on penny-pinching NHS bosses in his fight to get a drug that could save his life has died of terminal cancer aged 37. Mark Bannister, from Gainsborough in Lincolnshire, spent six months of his precious time trying to obtain the drug Avastin - but by the time he got it, it was too late. Wife Karen, 33, revealed how her husband was forced to lie to doctors to get hold of the life-prolonging treatment that had been denied to him because of a cruel postcode lottery. Torn apart: Mark Bannister, pictured with wife Karen and children Sophie and Thomas, died on Monday after a nine-year battle with cancer . The father of two succumbed to the brain tumour he had been battling for nine years at around 6am on Monday morning, with his wife at his side. Grieving Mrs Bannister paid tribute to . her husband, who served in Northern Ireland and Bosnia during nine years . in the army, saying: 'The Avastin didn’t have any effect but we had to . fight for six months in order to get it. 'In all that time his tumour had been . growing. In the end, he had to claim he was living at another . address in order to get the treatment. 'Who knows what would have . happened if he had got the drug sooner - I truly believe it would have . helped him. 'He was forced to lie. We were told his . chemotherapy wasn’t working and he had to either let the tumour grow or . have the Avastin - we didn’t have a choice. The only way we could get the drug was . for Mark to register at a doctor in Sheffield and say he was living at a . friend’s address. 'Within 24 hours his application had been approved and within a week he was having his first treatment. 'How can it be so easy for some people . to get it and other people are told they can’t have it at all? Brave: Mr Bannister fought in the army fro nine years before he was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2003 . 'The . system is completely unfair. We felt bad about lying, but we had gone . down the moral route and spent six months fighting for nothing. 'We had to lie while Mark was still . alive, but I don’t care who knows now. I would urge anyone else who is . going through the same thing to do what we did. 'I only wish we had done it sooner.' In December it was reported how Mark’s long battle with cancer had culminated in a fight for Avastin after his consultant said it could give him vital time with his daughter Sophie, seven, and son Thomas, five. But NHS bosses refused to fund the medicine, even though it was readily available to patients just 15 miles from where Mark lived. The 37-year-old was first diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2003 but after a long and determined battle he was told in August 2011 that his cancer had spread. Avastin, which works by preventing the blood vessels reaching the tumour and costs £21,000 for a ten-month course, was his last hope. Without it, doctors said he had just 12 months left to live. But letters to the Cancer Drugs Fund as well as East Midlands Specialised Commissioning Group were knocked back. The drug is not currently ‘readily approved’ as a treatment by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (Nice), which means funding for it sits with the Cancer Drugs Fund. NHS Lincolnshire said decisions to fund treatments are based on clear clinical evidence, cost-effectiveness, the benefit to patient and consideration of national guidance. A spokesman from EMSCG said in December: 'We were sorry to hear about this patient’s individual circumstances. Unfortunately, we are unable to comment further on individual cases. 'Currently, Avastin is not readily approved by Nice guidance and therefore funding for treatment that falls outside of Nice sits with Cancer Drugs Fund. 'Decisions about whether to fund drugs from the Cancer Drugs Fund are made solely by cancer specialists.' Helpless: Mrs Bannister said her terminally ill husband was forced to lie to doctors to get the life-prolonging treatment he had been denied because of a postcode lottery . A statement from the East Midlands Cancer Drugs Fund read: 'The panel is clear that it made the correct clinical judgement. It was a judgement made on purely clinical grounds and not in any way for financial reasons. 'Of the 10 Cancer Drugs Funds in England, the vast majority do not fund the use of Avastin for the treatment of Glioblastoma. Indeed EM CDF is aware that only two routinely fund this treatment. 'The East Midlands CDF committed £10,025,749 to be spent on cancer drugs up to the end of March 2012. The EMCDF processed 766 applications and 94 per cent of all requests were supported.' NHS East Midlands does not fund Avastin for brain cancer patients, but NHS Yorkshire and the Humber does. This means it is available for patients just 15 miles away in Scunthorpe, and in Sheffield where Mark had all of his cancer treatment, but not in Gainsborough. With an uncertain future ahead of them, the Bannisters renewed their vows last November on their tenth wedding anniversary. Mrs Bannister said: 'The nearest surgery where Mark would have been allowed the treatment was just five miles away. Mark could have walked it.' Grief: By the time Mr Bannister got the drug in February, his cancer was too advanced for it to have any effect . Mr Bannister’s application was approved in February but his cancer, which he had fought since the age of 29, was already too advanced for the drug to have any affect and was affecting his balance and coordination. His wife said: 'I know he’s been poorly and we all knew it would happen at some point, but it is still such a shock. 'He fell over on Thursday and he fell against the bedroom door so I had to call an ambulance to come and get him out but he only went into hospital because the paramedics were worried about his neck. 'He was supposed to be coming out but they couldn’t discharge him because of the bank holiday. 'As far as we were concerned, he was coming home. He had been tired over the last few weeks but he had still been his normal self. 'When he was in hospital he had been laughing and joking with the nurses and giving them stick like he always has done, but then he started complaining of head pains and he was put on stronger painkillers. 'After that he was a lot drowsier and when I took the kids into see him on Sunday night he was sleeping peacefully. Then I got the call to say he had taken a turn for the worse in the early hours of Monday morning. 'As he died, I was holding him and cuddling him and telling him I loved him. Only a few more days and it would have been exactly nine years since his diagnosis.' In the last year, the family have tried to pack as many memories into the time Mark had left, taking their children on holidays to Butlins and on days out. Before his death, Mrs Bannister prepared memory boxes for Sophie and Thomas, leaving them special photographs and medals from his time in the army. His wife added: 'I don’t think his death has sunk in yet. I don’t think I totally believe it. I still have to break it to the children and I don’t know what I will say to them. Because they are still so young they won’t understand it for a while until they realise he’s not coming home. 'I won’t know what words I will use to tell them until I actually have to say them. 'Mark has written them both letters saying how much he loves them and how he is sorry he won’t get to see them grow up. He was such a loving husband and father, there was nothing he wouldn’t have done for his family. 'People often complain about the smallest things, but Mark never once complained, he was so brave. 'Even after he got the Avastin he continued to campaign against the postcode lottery on behalf of others and I want to continue to do the same. It’s what he would have wanted.' | Father of two spent six months battling to get drug Avastin .
Postcode lottery meant he could not get medicine that was available to patients living just a few miles away .
Eventually lied about address to get treatment - but it was too late . |
216,309 | a4086c175236b9c43964ce5070bbf7d4db6b8a0c | Washington (CNN) -- The path to the White House is paved with former frontrunners -- or maybe call them buzzleaders, since we're three years away from 2016 and nobody is officially running for president yet. Time magazine has put three different GOP lawmakers on its cover. First it was Marco Rubio. Then it was Rand Paul. Now it is Chris Christie. Don't forget to sprinkle that seasoning over all the sugary buzz surrounding Christie, who was emphatically reelected as New Jersey governor this week. The foreshadowing was evident as he sailed to victory and a second term. There's no doubt Christie is mulling a run for president. "I know that if we can do this in Trenton, New Jersey, then maybe the folks in Washington, D.C., should tune in their TVs right now and see how it's done," he said during his victory speech, suggesting he had found the right mix to work together with Democrats and rise above partisan rancor. He was even more pointed with CNN's Jake Tapper when he suggested that Republicans have veered away from a winning path and onto an ideological one. Where does Christie go next? "I think that the party's got to focus on winning again," Christie said from his campaign bus Tuesday, sending a clear message to conservative idealists and the tea party. "You know, sometimes, I feel like our party cares more about winning the argument than they care about winning elections. And if you don't win elections, you can't govern. And if you can't govern, you can't change the direction of a state, like we have done in New Jersey." The big question, assuming he does run for president, will be whether he can get conservatives he doesn't see eye-to-eye with to support him in order to get to a general election. The Christie narrative goes like this: The dynamic New Jersey Republican has flourished as a red governor in a blue state. He's defied unions and enacted conservative policies without doing something too drastic, the way Mitt Romney did with health insurance reform. He's shown a willingness to work with Democrats. He showed leadership after Superstorm Sandy. There's no doubt about it: Chris Christie won a huge victory Tuesday. And the way the media works these days, a big win for a governor like Christie makes him the odds-on favorite to be the Republican nominee for president in 2016, three years from now. Until he isn't. Wait for it. Or just ask Rubio about working across party lines in Washington. Rand Paul isn't much known for working with Democrats, but his buzz has faded lately as he's dealt with a plagiarism scandal. And he has competed with Sen. Ted Cruz for attention with the most conservative bulwarks of the party. When moderates fight back: GOP civil war could be brutal in 2014 elections . Christie's relationship with social conservatives, a key GOP constituency, could be frustrated. He laid down his sword, for instance, when it became clear that courts would allow same-sex marriage in California. But conservatives in Iowa aren't ready to reject him simply because he lost the battle over same-sex marriage. "He accepted, I'll say it, the position of gay marriage existing in New Jersey," said Rep. Steve King, a Republican from the key state of Iowa. He said economic issues will be more important. "We've had to make accommodations for that in Iowa. We have some experience with that. But he didn't endorse gay marriage. And the tea party themselves, I've been in many discussions with them and tried to argue to the contrary, they say we want to stay with the economic and the constitutional issues. Not the social agenda." And don't forget: Romney, the Republicans' 2012 presidential nominee, was governor of the first state to allow same-sex marriage when courts there OK'd the practice back in 2004. Christie has got the cover of Time this week. Back in February, it was Rubio pictured confidently on the cover of that publication with the bold headline, "The Republican Savior: How Marco Rubio became the new voice of the GOP." Back then -- just this past February -- Rubio was the young senator with tea party credentials and a willingness to work across the aisle. The Rubio narrative is just as compelling as Christie's. The son of Cuban immigrants came to Washington on a tea party wave and staked his career on a bold and politically courageous effort to rewrite the nation's immigration laws. He sought to heal a perceived rift between Republicans and Latinos and bring millions of undocumented immigrants out of the shadows. It was a tortured process, but the Senate did, four months after Rubio was featured on the Time cover, pass 68-32 the immigration bill he helped write. It took mostly Democratic votes to do it, however. And Rubio's tea party cred was hurt. Election Night 2013: Christie wins big, Virginia provides drama . Now that bill on which Rubio spent so much political capital is, as he told CNN's Dana Bash on Wednesday, "stuck." And Rubio is the first to admit he has paid a political price with Republicans for working with Democrats and supporting a pathway to citizenship. "I was in favor of immigration reform. It had nothing to do with politics of it, although it may have some political implications. It was because it was the right thing to do for our country." The more conservative House of Representatives won't touch Rubio's bipartisan bill, which has put him in the tough position of potentially having to support something less expansive in order to get anything done. "What comprehensive bill on anything is going to get passed around here right now?" he asked. "We can't even get a farm bill passed." Farm bills, FYI, are normally bipartisan and easily ratified. But not this year, with a stubborn Congress and a divisive president. "People think Washington is gross," he said of the current atmosphere. Later, Rubio told Bash he doesn't yet know of any senators running for president (meaning him), but he hopes his experience in Washington won't be a permanent liability. "You can work in Washington without being of Washington," he said. "Luckily, I haven't been here long enough to believe that what goes on here is normal." | There's no doubt Christie is mulling a run for president .
The big question will be whether he can get conservatives to support him .
Sen. Marco Rubio's prominent profile has led to complications for the potential 2016 contender . |
188,283 | 7fd0d7744832333228c53a6b55b0fcceaac099ce | By . Richard Shears . A North Korean military officer has been executed with a mortar shell blast for disrespecting late 'Dear Leader' Kim Jong-il by drinking alcohol during the 100-day mourning period. South Korean media claim Kim Chol, the secretive state’s former vice minister of the army, was forced to stand on a spot that had been targeted with a mortar on the orders of Kim Jong-un. The North Korean leader, who took over from his father after his death in December last year, demanded Kim Chol was 'obliterated', with 'no trace of him behind, down to his hair' in January. No fun: Throughout the mourning for Kim Jong-il, pictured with his youngest son and new North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, all pleasurable activities, including drinking, were banned . tears for 'Dear Leader': Women mourning during the state funeral procession of late North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, who died on 17th December 2011 . It followed the North Korean regime's decision to order its 25 million population to abstain from pleasurable activities – . including drinking alcohol - in honour of Kim Jong-il. As an initial crack down on pleasure, anyone found to be not showing extreme distress in the hours after the dictator’s death were dealt with severely by being sent to six months in labour camps, according to reports leaking from the Stalinist nation. It was claimed that anyone who failed to turn up at organised mourning events within two days of the burial service were sent to a labour camp and punishment was also meted out to anyone who even made a mobile phone call out of the country. But when the mourning period to mark Kim’s burial was over and the strict ‘no pleasure’ 100 days followed, anyone who raised a glass of alcohol was in danger of receiving a death sentence. According to South Korea’s Chosun Ilbo newspaper, Kim Chol was one of those who failed to resist the chance of having a drink. Funeral procession: The mourning period after the death of Kim Jong-il lasted 100 days . Cry, or else: North Koreans cry and scream as they lament the loss of Kim Jong-il - those who did not follow the strict rules of mourning were severely punished . And while he was the most senior official reported to have been arrested and executed, the South Korea newspaper reporter that a number of other generals were shot after being found guilty of drinking and being involved in sex scandals. In total, 14 senior party, government and military officials were said to have been ‘purged’ on the direct orders of Kim’s son and new leader Kim Jong-un. It was claimed by sources outside the country that the mourning periods had created a ‘vicious atmosphere of fear’ which have spilled over to daily life almost a year after Kim Jong-il’s death. South Korean lawmaker Yoon Sang-hyun told the Chosun Ilbo paper that the executions were probably not over. ‘It seems that the purges will continue for the time being, as Kim Jong-un is tightening his grip on power,’ he said. | Senior military official broke the rules of mourning Kim Jong-il .
During the 100-day mourning period North Koreans were forced to abstain from pleasurable activities - including drinking . |
204,194 | 94581a8aae49b755d27e99bf99cb4c394d0d09ab | By . Mia De Graaf . PUBLISHED: . 18:34 EST, 4 March 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 02:33 EST, 5 March 2014 . Pleaded: John Jenkin, 24, today pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Alice McMeekin and Katie Jenkin . A man axed to death his mother and sister just two days after he was taken to a mental health unit following a suicide attempt, a court heard today. John Jenkin, 24, took a cocktail of LSD, whisky and painkillers then tried to drown himself in a river and slash his wrists, before passers-by called 999. Following a 90-minute examination by a psychiatric nurse at Furness General Hospital, Cumbria, he was released and went on to kill Alice McMeekin, 58, and Katie Jenkin, 20, at their family home. Today he pleaded guilty to two counts of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility. He denied their murders. Preston Crown Court heard that psychiatric experts agreed Jenkin was suffering from a schizophrenic disorder at the time of the offences in Millom on June 8 last year. Sentencing was adjourned until Thursday to hear medical evidence and decide whether he should be subject to a hospital order or a custodial term. Anthony Cross QC, prosecuting, said the defendant had made an attempt on his life on June 6. 'He did so by taking 15 Co-codamol tablets, a significant amount of whisky and he took two tablets of LSD,' said the barrister. 'Having taken that combination of intoxicants he went to the banks of a river in Millom and tried to drown himself.' That bid was unsuccessful and once back on shore he then attempted to slash his wrists, said Mr Cross. He was seen by two witnesses and was later taken to the Dane Garth Mental Health Unit, attached to Furness General. Mr Cross said: 'He was described as . having a medium risk of both grandiosity and worthlessness, and a medium . risk of a detrimental affect of drug misuse. 'But no other mental health problems are noted or recorded.' Katie Jenkin (right) was found dead at her family home in Millom, Cumbria, on June 8 . Psychiatric experts for defence and prosecution agreed Jenkin was suffering schizophrenic disorder that day . After killing his mother and sister on the morning of June 8, Jenkin was arrested in 'rather bizarre circumstances' at the scene of the suicide bid, the court was told. He was found naked by police and had engaged in 'extremely bizarre behaviour'. Mr Cross said the Crown had found no evidence to indicate that the killings were carried out while he was immediately affected or intoxicated with illicit substances. But he invited the judge, Mr Justice King, to consider whether the use of drugs taken in the preceding days had aggravated the offences. Mr Justice King said the matter 'was and is a grave case' whereby the defendant took an axe and 'on any view brutally killed the two victims'. Jenkin is being treated at maximum-security Ashworth Hospital in Merseyside. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article. | John Jenkin took LSD, whisky, painkillers and attempted suicide days before .
Passers-by called 999, he was taken into psychiatric hospital on June 6 .
Released same day then on June 8 killed mother and sister at family home .
Pleaded guilty to manslaughter and denied murder at Preston Crown Court . |
5,727 | 10436005ccbe0551cd13acae52101f57873e9eea | Naoma, West Virginia (CNN) -- Recovery crews worked in a West Virginia coal mine Monday, hoping to bring out by late afternoon the last nine bodies remaining there out of the 29 miners who died in an explosion a week ago, officials said. Authorities redirected airflow in the mine to decrease methane levels that had impeded recovery efforts on Sunday, said Jama Jarrett, spokeswoman for the West Virginia Office of Miners' Health, Safety and Training. Thirteen bodies were removed Sunday, and rescue teams re-entered the mine around midnight. Officials predicted the remaining nine bodies would be removed by 4 or 5 p.m. Monday, Jarrett said. While a state and federal investigation began immediately after the blast at the Upper Big Branch South Mine, officials cannot fully study conditions inside the mine until the bodies are removed, said Jimmy Gianato, West Virginia director of homeland security. The U.S. flag will be lowered to half-staff at all federal buildings in West Virginia for a week to honor the miners, according to a proclamation signed Monday by President Obama. Hours after rescue efforts at the mine turned into a recovery operation Saturday, Obama urged a thorough investigation into the cause of the explosion, saying, "We cannot bring back the men we lost. What we can do, in their memory, is thoroughly investigate this tragedy and demand accountability." Crews on Saturday found the bodies of the last four miners who were unaccounted for after the blast. The death toll previously had stood at 25. The mining disaster was the worst in the United States since 1972, when 91 miners died in a fire at the Sunshine Mine in Kellogg, Idaho. West Virginia Sen. Jay Rockefeller, in an audio message released Sunday, offered prayers for those affected by the explosion and the families of the dead, and praised the perseverance of the rescue workers. "You have our deepest sympathies, our deepest support," Rockefeller said, "and please know that all of us grieve for your loss." Obama plans to meet with Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis and a Mine Safety and Health Administration official to hear their initial assessment of what caused the blast, along with their recommendations for steps the federal government should take to improve safety. Richmond, Virginia-based Massey Energy Co., which owns the mine, said in a statement released Friday that it will conduct "extensive" reviews of the mine accident "to ensure that a similar incident doesn't happen again." Some have pointed to Massey's safety record in the wake of the blast. But the company said the mine has had less than one violation per day in inspections by MSHA and added the rate is "consistent with national averages." Most of the blast victims were working in an area where long-wall cutting was taking place. The technique uses a large grinder to extract the coal and creates large amounts of coal dust and methane gas, both of which are explosive. West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin said Saturday that even though the cause of the explosion is unclear, there needs to be a focus on better ventilation and on sensors to alert mine personnel when gas levels become dangerous. "We are going to get to the bottom of this, because families should never have to pray, as they send their loved ones to work every day, that those loved ones will in fact return," Rockefeller said Sunday. "Our heroic coal miners have lost too many brothers and too many sisters, and now we must stop all of this." CNN's Rachel Streitfeld contributed to this report. | NEW: Officials hope to have all bodies removed by late afternoon Monday .
Nine bodies remain in West Virginia coal mine after 13 removed on Sunday .
Explosion has prompted renewed questions about mine safety .
President Obama to meet with safety officials over cause of the mine explosion . |
131,636 | 363448ef7f898ee28164ad73486b2eaac3cadeb1 | A toddler who was born with no face is being given the chance to live a normal life thanks to the help of the same surgeon who separated Bangladeshi-born conjoined twins Trishna and Krishna. Three-year-old Yahya El Jabaly was born with no eyes, a hole in the middle of his face where his nose should be and no upper jaw. The Moroccan born toddler, who lives in a small village six hours from Casablanca, was born deformed after complications in the womb stopped the bones in his face from fusing together. Scroll down for video . Yahya El Jabaly was born with no eyes, a hole in the middle of his face where his nose should be and no upper jaw . The three-year-old boy lives in a small village six hours from Casablanca,in Morocco with his parents . Despite his incredibly rare condition, Yahya managed to survive and grow into a happy and healthy toddler through the support of his adoring mother and father. However socially, he is automatically an outcast as his appearance is considered too confronting for many. The toddler's face is covered up whenever he leaves his small village and, due to lacking the roof of his mouth, he is unable to speak and can only communicate through grunts. Yahya's plight first went global when the father of his closest friend took to Facebook, pleading for medical professionals to help the boy lead a normal life. Despite being happy, healthy and adored by his parents (pictured) the toddler's face is covered whenever he leaves his town due to his appearance being too confronting for many . 'I just want my child to look as normal as possible so he can go outside and play with the other kids,' his father said . From across the world, the post was read by Fatima Baraka, a Melbourne breast cancer survivor who was born in a village close to Yahya's. 'He's entered my heart...I'm so in love with this little boy,' Ms Baraka told Channel Seven's Sunday Night. 'There was a big phone number in red [on the post], it was quite obvious that it was a cry for help of some sort and I found myself reaching for the phone and calling the number. 'He [Yahya's father] said "I just want my child to look as normal as possible so he can go outside and play with the other kids".' Fatima Baraka, a Melbourne breast cancer survivor, heard of his story on Facebook and took it upon herself to help Yahya by flying him to Australia . 'There was a big phone number in red, it was quite obvious that it was a cry for help of some sort and I found myself reaching for the phone and calling the number,' Ms Baraka said of the message which was posted by Yahya's neighbour . Ms Baraka took it upon herself to search for a surgeon who would be willing to transform Yahya's face and soon found Melbourne reconstructive surgeon, Tony Holmes who separated Bangladeshi-born conjoined twins Trishna and Krishna. She then travelled to Yahya's home where she met the toddler and his family for the first time before bringing them to Australia. 'I was quite shocked. I didn't think I would be shocked but I was,' Ms Baraka said of her first meeting with the family. 'I was a little bit horrified to be honest.' Dr Tony Holmes, who separated Bangladeshi-born twins Trishna and Krishna, will operate on Yahya in December . He completed a range of tests on Yahya in Melbourne, including CT and MRI scans, to see if he was suitable for surgery . Yahya and his parents also met Dr Holmes after being flown to Melbourne where the three-year-old underwent a range of developmental tests from CT scans to MRI's, to confirm how his brain functions and if he was suitable for surgery. Despite the serious risks involved, Dr Holmes soon agreed to operate on the toddler. 'He may not die if we don't operate on him, but he might if we do,' Dr Holmes told Channel Seven's Sunday Night. The operation will bring the two sides of Yahya's skull together and shape him a nose from his own skin . 'I believe that it’s the right of everybody to look human and this kid doesn't look human,' Dr Holmes said . 'I believe that it’s the right of everybody to look human and this kid doesn't look human.' Yahya will undergo surgery in December, when Dr Holmes plans to bring the two sides of his skull together and build him a nose with his own skin. There is also a chance that the toddler will be able to speak after the procedure due to his vocal chords remaining intact. 'We're not experimenting on him, we want to get a good result,' Dr Holmes said. | Yahya was born with no eyes, a hole in the middle of his face where his nose should be and no upper jaw due to complications in the womb .
Melbourne woman, Fatima Baraka, read of his story on Facebook and took it upon herself to try to find a way to help him .
The three-year-old was flown to Melbourne to meet surgeon, Tony Holmes who separated Bangladeshi-born twins Trishna and Krishna .
The Moroccan born toddler will undergo surgery in December .
Dr Holmes will attempt to bring the two sides of his skull together and build him a nose with his own skin . |
28,496 | 50d9a93e44bc8ef5e460dd37b80a43a1a15a3eb0 | By . Victoria Woollaston . PUBLISHED: . 11:52 EST, 20 June 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 12:42 EST, 20 June 2013 . Microsoft has scrapped plans to restrict used games on its Xbox One console after widespread criticism. The decision came after rivals Sony announced its cheaper PlayStation 4 would not limit gamers to only playing new software. Microsoft will now remove any DRM - digital rights management - banning any trade-in and used games from its next-generation Xbox One, which was unveiled last month. Microsoft has scrapped plans to restrict used games on its Xbox One console following widespread criticism. Don Mattrick, President of Microsoft Interactive announced the plans on the Xbox Wire blog, pictured. The company will now remove any digital rights management banning second-hand titles from its Xbox One console . Microsoft's Don Mattrick announced the following changes on the backtracking Xbox Wire blog: . An internet connection will not be required to play offline Xbox One games. After a one-time system set-up with a new Xbox One, you can play any disc based game without ever connecting online again. There is no 24-hour connection requirement and you can take your Xbox One anywhere you want and play your games, just like on Xbox 360. Trade-in, lend, resell, gift, and rent disc based games just like you do today. There will be no limitations to using and sharing games, it will work just as it does today on Xbox 360. In addition to buying a disc from a retailer, you can also download games from Xbox Live on day of release. If you choose to download your games, you will be able to play them offline just like you do today. Xbox One games will be playable on any Xbox One console -- there will be no regional restrictions. Don Mattrick, President of Microsoft Interactive, said the company had 'heard loud and clear' what fans had to say. Writing on the Xbox Wire blog, Mattrick said: 'You told us how much you loved the flexibility you have today with games delivered on disc. 'The ability to lend, share, and resell these games at your discretion is of incredible importance to you. 'Also important to you is the freedom to play offline, for any length of time, anywhere in the world. 'Trade-in, lend, resell, gift, and rent disc based games just like you do today - there will be no limitations to using and sharing games, it will work just as it does today on Xbox 360. 'While we believe that the majority of people will play games online and access the cloud for both games and entertainment, we will give consumers the choice of both physical and digital content. 'We have listened and we have heard loud and clear from your feedback that you want the best of both worlds.' Sony gaming boss Jack Tretton said: 'PS4 will not impose any new restrictions on your use of PS4 game discs.' The decision by Microsoft does come at a price though as Bill Gates' company have now scrapped any plans to offer discounts when trading-in download-only games. Microsoft's Xbox One will launch in November. It has improved voice recognition and gesture controls, built-in Skype features and multi-tasking Snap Mode. Microsoft originally planned to restrict the use of second-hand games but has now backtracked . Microsoft unveiled the Xbox One during a . press event in May with pricing and more specific detail announced later at the E3 conference in Los Angeles. The compay initially was planning to let game publishers set the rules for reselling games to retailers. 'We designed Xbox One so game publishers can enable you to trade in your games at participating retailers,' the company posted on the Xbox news Web site. 'Microsoft does not charge a platform fee to retailers, publishers, or consumers for enabling transfer of these games.' The company also clamped down on gamers being able to share titles with friends. Microsoft said no fees will be charged when games were transferred but gamers could only share games with people who have been on their friends list for at least 30 days. And each game could only be given once. Microsoft's Don Mattrick, pictured, said on the Xbox Wire blog announcing the company's U-turn over the Xbox One used games policy: 'We have listened and we have heard loud and clear from your feedback that you want the best of both worlds' And although Microsoft said the Xbox One didn't need to be connected constantly, gamers were told they would only be able to play offline for up to 24 hours on a main console, or one hour if logged onto someone else's console when accessing their games and media from the cloud. Between the two events the company was forced to write a blog post explaining what would happen with used games on the console. The Xbox One goes on sale in November priced £429 while Sony's PlayStation 4 will cost £350. When unveiling details of the Xbox One, Microsoft said it would be completely . controlled using voice recognition and hand gestures, and with the new . Instant Switching feature users can ask the Xbox to 'watch TV', 'open . Internet Explorer' or use it to change channels quickly without having . to find the remote control. Microsoft's Xbox One also comes with a . multi-tasking Snap Mode that lets users run more than one service at . any one time, such as watch a film while checking emails on Internet . Explorer. Microsoft executives touted the Xbox One as a replacement for the set-top box. It was also revealed that Xbox Live - the online game and media centre - . will no longer limit users to 100 friends and that Microsoft points will be . scrapped in favour of real money. Attendees await the start of the Microsoft Xbox E3 2013 Media Briefing in Los Angeles. At the event, bosses confirmed the new console will cost $499 or £429 - and the Xbox 360 will be updated to look more like an Xbox One . | Gamers WILL be able trade-in, lend, resell, gift, and rent discs and there will be no limitations to using and sharing games on the Xbox One .
There is no longer a 24-hour connection requirement to play games online .
The company said the decision was made as a result of customer feedback .
Rival Sony announced earlier this month its cheaper PlayStation 4 console would not limit gamers to only playing new software . |
79,124 | e04872314000d0be3a1b68012a898b6cb3b7a746 | Dan Evans, pictured, admitted hacking phones at the Sunday Mirror and the News of the World . A journalist who hacked more than 1,000 voicemails was spared jail yesterday after he gave evidence against former Downing Street spin doctor Andy Coulson. Dan Evans, 38, admitted hacking phones at the Sunday Mirror and the News of the World and said former tabloid editor Coulson sanctioned the hacking. He was given a 10-month sentence for hacking some 200 celebrities and politicians, and for illegal payments to public officials and perverting the course of justice, but the sentence was suspended for a year. Mr Justice Saunders said he was not sending Evans to prison because he had admitted his crimes and had agreed a deal with the Crown Prosecution Service to give evidence against others. Evans was a witness during the recent trial in which Coulson, 46, was convicted and given an 18-month jail sentence for phone hacking. Evans claimed he was recruited to the News of the World in 2005 to target the voicemail messages of celebrities and politicians and said the illegal hacking was so widespread that ‘even the office cat’ knew. He admitted two charges of hacking and also confessed to paying a prison guard for information about Soham murderer Ian Huntley, and paying a policeman for details about EastEnders actor Steve McFadden. The information included a tip that former school caretaker Huntley was an avid fan of BBC1 show Strictly Come Dancing, the Old Bailey heard. Evans, a married father-of-two, also pleaded guilty to lying in a witness statement in a High Court case brought against the now defunct Sunday tabloid by interior designer Kelly Hoppen, in which he denied attempting to hack her phone in 2009. Mr Justice Saunders ordered Evans to complete 200 hours of unpaid community service and but said he would spare him a prison sentence. He said: ‘In the circumstances of this case and in particular the co-operation that Mr Evans has given and has agreed to give the police and the prosecution in the future, as compared with the lack of co-operation of others, I do feel able to suspend the sentence.’ Dan Evans was spared jail after he gave evidence against former Downing Street spin doctor Andy Coulson, pictured . In a separate case, a chauffeur and three security guards who worked for News International were cleared of an alleged cover-up over the phone hacking scandal. The four men were accused of conspiring with Rebekah Brooks and her husband Charlie to pervert the course of justice – a charge which Mr and Mrs Brooks were acquitted of at their trial. The CPS said it would offer no evidence against the men and they were formally acquitted, after spending more than two years on bail. | Dan Evans admitted hacking phones at Sunday Mirror and News of the World .
He also said former tabloid editor Andy Coulson had sanctioned the hacking .
Evans given 10-month sentence for hacking phones, suspended for a year .
Spared jail as he admitted crimes and helped Crown Prosecution Service . |
194,534 | 87d2a7bff9ec946edd4686073b45d5e05ad99f3c | Amid a swirl of diplomatic maneuvering, President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel met at the White House on Monday to evaluate the prospects of reviving an elusive peace plan to end the conflict between Ukraine and pro-Russian separatists. Hanging over the discussions was a potential split between Obama and Merkel on sending Ukraine defensive weapons to wage a more effective fight against the rebels. The White House has said Obama is reconsidering his opposition to arming Ukraine given a recent surge in violence, while Merkel has adamantly opposed such steps. Obama said Monday that a 'decision has not yet been made' as to whether the U.S. would provide Ukraine with lethal, defensive weapons and that he continues to hope that diplomacy will prevail. UPresident Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel hold a joint press conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC on Monday. Obama said a 'decision has not yet been made' as to whether the U.S. would provide Ukraine with lethal, defensive weapons and that he continues to hope that diplomacy will prevail . President Barack Obama, right, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, left, hold a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House on Monday morning before participating in a joint press conference together and a working lunch . The U.S. and Europe have largely been in lockstep in their response to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, raising the prospect that the public divide on lethal aid was merely a tactic to push Russian President Vladimir Putin to accept a peace plan. Merkel and Obama stressed on Monday at their joint press conference that their countries were united on the issue of Russian aggression. The U.S. President said that even though his country and the European countries it is aligned with may disagree tactically on how to approach Russia if peace talks fail, they are 'completely unified' on the broader issue. 'We stand up for the same principles of inviolability of territorial integrity,' Merkel said in her remarks, according to the White House's translation. The German Chancellor admitted that the coalition working to secure a peace agreement with Russia has 'suffered a lot of setbacks' but said she still sees no military solution to the situation in Ukraine. 'We have to put all our efforts in bringing about a diplomatic solution,' she said. Obama said he too favors peace talks and hopes sanctions will weaken Russia enough to bring Putin to the table. But if diplomacy fails, Obama said, the U.S. will look at all available options, including lethal weapons. After a German reporter referred to him as 'Nobel Laureate Obama,' per a translation, and asked where is 'red line' is on the issue, Obama refused to provide a specific timeline and said a decision would come about as part of an 'ongoing analysis' of Russia's encroachment on Ukraine. He later said of the decision before him, 'The measure by which I make these decisions is: "Is it more likely to be effective than not?" And that is what our deliberations will be about.' 'We are not looking for Russia to fail. We are not looking for Russia to be surrounded and contained and weakened.' Obama explained. The United States' preference, he said, is for a 'strong, prosperous, vibrant, confident Russia that can be a partner with us.' 'Unfortunately,' he said, Russia made a decision that is not only 'bad for them strategically' but bad for Europe and for the world. 'In the face of this aggression and these bad decisions, we can't simply try to talk them out of it,' Obama continued. 'We have to show them that the world is unified in imposing a cost for this aggression. 'And that's what we're going to continue to do,' he added. U.S. soldiers who are elements of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment and Polish 12th Mechanised Brigade soldiers march during a partner training with Polish 12th Mechanised Brigade at the Drawsko Pomorskie military training area in Drawsko Pomorskie, Poland, near the Ukraine, on Monday. Over the next few weeks, the US soldiers will conduct training as part of so-called 'Stryker Detachment', and then from March 12 will take part in the exercises with 1st motorized infantry battalion of the Polish 12th Mechanised Brigade . Merkel and French President Francois Hollande met with Putin and Ukrainian leaders last week and announced a new summit meeting for Wednesday in Minsk. The United States will not be at the table when French and German leaders meet with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and Putin in an attempt to breathe life into a much-violated September peace plan. Merkel said Monday, however, that her country has been in 'very, very close contact' with the U.S on sanctions and they have been in 'very close cooperation, very close coordination.' She told reporters that she and Hollande were looking to bring about a ceasefire with talks and at least create conditions in which civilians not dying. 'I myself would not be able to live with not having made this attempt,' she said of this week's meeting. If a point in time comes in which it becomes clear that 'success is not possible,' however, then the United States and Europe will have to come together and discuss next steps, she noted. The European Union decided Monday to temporarily hold off on slapping more sanctions on Russians and Ukrainian separatists while awaiting the outcome of the peace talks. 'The principle of the sanctions is maintained but the application will depend on what happens on the ground,' French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said during a break in talks with EU foreign ministers in Brussels. The meeting in the Belarusian capital takes place with Merkel and Hollande deeply opposed to arming Ukraine in its bid to push back the separatists that NATO and the United States insist are being armed by Russia, which also has troops fighting in the eastern Ukraine. Opponents of arming Kiev believe that could open a proxy war between Washington and Moscow. Merkel and Hollande insist the only way to end the conflict is through diplomacy. 'It must be possible to find — not through military conflict but at the negotiating table — a balance of interests inside Ukraine that guarantees both the integrity of the state and the appropriate scale of autonomy' for the separatists, said German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen. Russian President Vladimir Putin, center, French President Francois Hollande, right, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have talks in the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, on Friday . Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and French President Francois Hollande, enter a hall for their and German Chancellor Angela Merkel's talks in the Kremlin. Talks among the leaders of Russia, France and Germany on a peace initiative for Ukraine ended early Saturday and will resume on Wednesday . Secretary of State John Kerry, on NBC's Meet the Press on Sunday, said that he, too, was working for a diplomatic solution but was ambiguous on arms for Kiev. 'I have no doubt that additional assistance of economic kind and other kinds will be going to Ukraine. And we do so understanding that there is no military solution,' he said. 'The solution is a political, diplomatic one. 'But President Putin's got to make the decision to take an off ramp. And we have to make it clear to him that we are absolutely committed to the sovereignty and integrity of Ukraine no matter what,' Kerry said in response to a direct question about sending arms. At the Munich Security Conference over the weekend, Vice President Joe Biden had stopped short of explicitly addressing possible arms deliveries. 'We will continue to provide Ukraine with security assistance not to encourage war, but to allow Ukraine to defend itself,' he said. Meanwhile, Democratic and Republican members of Congress on the House of Representatives' Armed Services Committee were said Monday to be creating legislation that provides for 'defensive lethal assistance' for Ukraine. A congressional aide told Reuters that the committee's chairman and ranking member were 'far along in discussions' on the issue. Both chambers of the legislative branch unanimously passed legislation in December authorizing an arms shipment to Ukraine and Obama gave the bill his approval. The legislation gave him the authority when to send weapons, however, and some members of Congress are agitated that he's not yet acted. 'The Ukrainian people do not have time for President Obama’s “strategic patience," ' South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham said Monday after Obama and Merkel's press conference, taking aim at a term used by the administration in a document outlining the principles that will guide the president's foreign policy decisions during his remaining two years in office. 'It is time for President Obama to quit equivocating and quickly provide Ukraine the defensive weapons it needs,' he said. Graham, a Republican who has announced that he's considering a presidential bid, said 'Obama’s continual weakness in the face of aggression is making the world a more dangerous place.' 'His reluctance to provide defensive weapons – which Ukraine desperately needs to protect themselves against Russian intervention – is another low point in a presidency which has many to choose from,' Graham charged. The current situation 'once again shows that under President Obama’s leadership it is better to be America’s enemy than her friend,' he continued. 'It’s a sad fact that our enemies are seldom challenged while our friends are constantly undercut and abandoned.' More than 5,300 people have been killed since fighting began in April, according to a U.N. tally, and the bloodshed has markedly increased over the past two weeks. On Monday, a powerful explosion rocked a chemical plant and set it on fire outside the separatist stronghold of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine. Rebels said the plant was hit by government shelling. | Obama said Monday that a 'decision has not yet been made' and he continues to hope that diplomacy will prevail .
If it fails, Obama said, the U.S. will look at all available options, including lethal weapons; He would not provide a timeline for a decison .
Merkel and France's president have adamantly opposed such steps and will meet with the heads of Ukraine and Russia this week .
If it becomes clear that 'success is not possible,' however, then the United States and Europe will have to discuss next steps, Merkel noted .
GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham said the situation in Ukraine shows that under 'Obama’s leadership it is better to be America’s enemy than her friend' |
101,186 | 0e67bde9e898e6e0a0ef66fa78e7d34d6f541dc6 | By . Mark Duell . It might not be the most flashy of cars in which to perform a ram raid - but this criminal got what he wanted, even though he was caught four months later and jailed for life. Wayne Colligan, 43, drove his Nissan Micra into the Halifax building society in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, to grab almost £70,000 as staff loaded the cashpoint, before driving off. One bank worker was left on the floor with damaged ligaments after she was forced to jump out of the vehicle’s path, before Colligan shouted ‘This is a f****** raid’ and stole £68,450 in less than a minute. Scroll down for video . Ram raider: Wayne Colligan, 43, drove his Nissan Micra into the Halifax building society in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, to grab almost £70,000 as staff loaded the cashpoint, before driving off . Scary: One bank worker was left on the floor with damaged ligaments after she was forced to jump out of the careering vehicle's path, before Colligan shouted 'This is a f****** raid' and stole £68,450 . Sentenced: Wayne Colligan (left) was jailed for life, while his accomplice David Cope (right), 49, who played 'a minor role' by acquiring the vehicles for the raids, was given four years . Julia Faure Walker, prosecuting, said: . ‘Colligan’s method was to ram a car into the bank doors at speed while . bank staff were replenishing the cash machines. A Ford Ka was used for . observation.’ She said . during the robbery on January 24 last year, Colligan ‘reversed a Nissan . Micra into Halifax and stole £68,450’. While inside, she said he moved . to the passenger side and got out. He . shouted: ‘This is a f****** raid - no-one say or do anything, then . no-one will get hurt’. Colligan then ‘picked up the ATM cartridges from . the floor, got back into the Nissan Micra and drove away’. Colligan . was caught by armed Flying Squad officers on May 8 last year after . attempting an identical ram raid at an HSBC bank on Wanstead, east . London, using a specially-adapted Citroen Berlingo. The . internal cage had been removed and a plank as large as ‘a railway . sleeper’ ran the length of the van, to increase its ramming potential. Daylight robbery: The car is stationary inside the Halifax bank after reversing through the glass doors . Reckless: A shadowy figure in a balaclava is just visible climbing into the driver's seat . Getaway: The Nissan Micra then screeches away from the scene of the crime in Welwyn Garden City . Gone: The thief speeds away from the high street bank along the pavement, before rejoining the road . Colligan, who was wearing two sets of . gloves and armed with a loaded pistol, admitted he was ‘bang to rights’, . adding: ‘It’s a fair cop’. He was sentenced to life imprisonment and ordered to serve at least seven years and eight months. Firearm: Colligan was caught last year, wearing two sets of gloves and armed with a loaded pistol (pictured) Accomplice David Cope, 49, who played ‘a minor role’ by acquiring the vehicles for the raids, was given four years. Judge . Nicholas Cooke QC said: ‘Attacks on high street banks in broad daylight . terrify the public and bank employees. The offending at the heart of . this indictment amounts to professionally planned commercial robbery. ‘You . are a professional criminal, and as carrying a semi-automatic pistol . clearly illustrates, potentially a very dangerous man. It is agreed by . all parties that you are liable to a mandatory life sentence.’ Colligan . had been released early on licence from an 11-year sentence for robbing . a Halifax bank in Harold Hill, Essex, back in 2003. The . judge commented: ‘The reality is it [the gun] has a round in the breach . and the slide is back, therefore it is very close to firing condition’. He added that the failed raid in Wanstead was ‘in literary terms at least, within the shadow of Snaresbrook Crown Court’. In . 2006, Colligan was accused of involvement in the shooting of Cameron . Black, a close friend of ex-prime minister John Major, who had tried to . foil a raid in Southgate, north London. Railway sleeper: Colligan was caught by armed Flying Squad officers last year after attempting an identical ram raid at an HSBC bank on Wanstead, east London, using a specially-adapted Citroen Berlingo (pictured) Previous case: In 2006, Colligan was accused of involvement in the shooting of Cameron Black (pictured), a close friend of ex-Prime Minister John Major, who had tried to foil a raid in Southgate, north London . Mr Black, a godfather to Mr Major’s son, James, survived his injuries and prosecutors dropped their case against Colligan after a jury failed to agree a verdict. 'The offending at the heart of this indictment amounts to professionally planned commercial robbery' Judge Nicholas Cooke QC . Colligan’s then associate, career criminal Wayne Ellis, 39, of Manor Park, east London, later received 15 years for the point-blank shooting. Colligan, of Grays, Essex, admitted two counts of conspiracy to rob, one count of possessing a firearm with an intent to commit an indictable offence, possession of an imitation firearm, possession of ammunition without a licence and possession of a firearm. Cope, of Dagenham, east London, admitted two counts of conspiracy to rob. | Wayne Colligan drove his car into Halifax branch in Welwyn Garden City .
43-year-old stole £68,450 while staff loaded cashpoint, before driving off .
One worker on floor with damaged ligaments after jumping out of its path .
Colligan jailed for life while accomplice David Cope, 49, given four years . |
130,237 | 345aa2a7c4b8b1999a045e7bb89aaf04f94dafba | By . Jaya Narain . PUBLISHED: . 04:45 EST, 1 May 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 19:42 EST, 1 May 2013 . An innocent man falsely accused of being a flasher by two vindictive girls spoke of his ‘living nightmare’ yesterday after the pair were jailed. The two teenagers told police that they were in a car when Jason McCue, 34, approached them and exposed himself. The father of two was arrested a couple of days after the alleged incident in June last year. He was forced to give DNA samples, his fingerprints were taken along with intimate body samples before he was charged with indecent exposure. Jailed: Ella Cooper and Lucie Rhimes, both 18, who invented the claims against father-of-two Jason McCue . Lucie Rhimes and Ella Cooper, both 18, backed up their allegations by making detailed statements to the police. Facing two years in jail for indecent exposure, Mr McCue was hauled before magistrates three times. At the third hearing the distraught Mr McCue again maintained his innocence and was told he would face trial by jury at Crown court. But just before the trial was set to begin in January, Rhimes confessed that the whole story had been made up. Rhimes of Chorley, Lancashire, admitted she had tried to frame Mr McCue after he had a disagreement with one of their families. At Preston Crown Court, Rhimes, 18, and Cooper, 18, of Preston admitted perverting the course of justice and were each jailed for eight months. After his name was finally cleared, Mr McCue revealed how the malicious allegations had turned his life upside down and that he had suffered a breakdown. He said: ‘I’ve been through months of pure hell. If they wanted to ruin me, it worked. ‘The false accusations have caused mayhem for me and my family, and the doctor has had to sign me off with depression.’ Mr McCue, a builder, said: ‘Things like this can ruin a man’s life, and people should know the massive impact it’s had. 'I’ve been feeling embarrassed and ashamed for something I’ve not even done, because it’s easy for people to jump to conclusions. ‘My mum [who lives in Australia] is ill with cancer and I had been planning to look after her, but I couldn’t leave the country until this was sorted out. Imagine how that felt. False claims: Lucie Rhimes, 18, is believed to have invented the claims to smear Mr McCue following a long-running dispute . ‘These girls may have thought it was some kind of joke but it was not a joke for me – things got well and truly out of control.’ Mr McCue had been walking down a street in Ashton-on-Ribble, Lancashire, when he saw Cooper at the wheel of her car at traffic lights with Rhimes in the passenger seat. Later, Cooper told her mother that Mr McCue had approached their car and exposed himself, and police were called in. Officers were eventually alerted to the lies just days before the Crown court trial was due to start. Prosecutors offered no evidence against Mr McCue and a formal not guilty verdict was recorded. Smear: Lucie Rhimes was jailed after admitting perverting the course of justice . His partner Donna Masterson, 39, said: ‘There was never any doubt in my mind about Jay’s innocence, but people point the finger. 'It’s affected the whole family. It’s put a strain on our relationship. ‘Jay has been ill, and I have children who have to go to the same school as the girls’ families. I’d still have liked to have seen these girls get longer sentences. They didn’t show any remorse the whole time. ‘No matter what the vendetta someone has against a family, you cannot do that to someone. It’s the worst thing that someone can say about a man.’ She added: ‘When we found out that the case had been dropped just before it was meant to go to court, it was the best feeling ever. ‘It was great, knowing that the truth was out and the record had been set straight.’ Sentencing the pair, Judge Anthony Russell QC said: ‘In this case the most serious aspect is that an innocent man was wrongly charged with an unpleasant offence which has caused him distress and anguish, and affected his personal life and employment opportunities because, unfortunately, when mud is thrown it sticks. ‘This was an offence motivated by malice. You caused this man to suffer for a six-month period.’ | Jason McCue was wrongly charged with indecent exposure after false claims .
He was on bail for seven months before teenagers admit making it all up .
Lucie Rhines and Ella Cooper, both 18, jailed for eight months each .
The builder said: 'I've been through months of pure hell' |
193,202 | 8620b84b19034473eed32d3965f953ef5971b320 | By . Beth Stebner and James Nye . PUBLISHED: . 08:39 EST, 4 May 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 11:22 EST, 4 May 2012 . The woman at the centre of a 'too fat to fly' controversy has announced that she is suing Southwest Airlines, which refused to allow her on a flight because of her size. New Orleans resident Kenlie Tiggeman is taking on the airlines controversial 'Customers of Size' policy which requires passengers to buy a second seat if they can't fit between the 17-inch wide armrests. In her quest to seek an injunction against the Dallas-headquartered carrier, Ms Tiggeman alleges that Southwest ignored her 'constitutional rights' and demonstrates 'discriminatory actions towards obese customers'. Scroll down for video . Too fat to fly? Kenlie Tiggeman is suing Southwest Airlines after being told she was too large to have only one seat for the second time in six months . Conflict: Ms Tiggeman, left, now 120lbs lighter, was on a layover with her mother, Joan Charpentier, right, when they said they were singled out by an official in front of some 100 other passengers because of their size . Should airline passengers be required to buy a second seat if they can't fit between 17-inch wide armrests? While she is not seeking monetary damages from the airline, Ms Tiggeman has claimed that she wants to enact an industry wide standard for rules to be put in place clearly stating the official policy of all U.S air companies. 'We need to know what the rules are,' she said. 'We need to know if we need one seat or two, because this eyeballing happening at the gate is incredibly discriminatory, and it's so unnecessary.' Ms Tiggeman rose to national . prominence last year when a Southwest Airlines employee declared that . she was 'too fat to fly,' and asked her to buy a second seat. Before and after: Ms Tiggeman, seen before she took her first flight in April 2011, and weighing around 300lbs, left, and a more recent photo, after she lost around 120 pounds, right . Making progress: Tiggeman, pictured after significant weight loss in New York's Times Square, wrote on her blog: 'Some days are easy, and some are a struggle' The political strategist, along with her mother, Joan Charpentier, were on a layover in Dallas . when they said they were singled out by an official in front of some 100 . other passengers because of their size. 'The gate agent came up to me and he asked me how much I weighed, what size clothes I wore,' Ms Tiggeman told ABC News. 'He said that I was too fat to fly, that I would need an additional seat, and he was really sort of crass about the whole thing.' She added: 'There was no privacy.' Weigh in: Southwest says any passenger who cannot fit comfortably in their 17-inch seats with both armrests down must purchase another seat . Policy: More than 90 per cent of the time, 'customers of size' receive a refund for their second seat, a Southwest spokesperson said . At the time, Ms Tiggeman said she weighed between 240 and 300 pounds. She said the agent 'didn't know what the policy was,' so a supervisor was brought in to assess the situation. According to Southwest’s website, the definitive gauge for a Customer of Size is fairly simple – the armrest. ‘It serves as the boundary between seats, which measure 17 inches wide. Customers who are unable to lower both armrests and/or who encroach upon any portion of the adjacent seat should proactively book the number of seats needed prior to travel.’ Southwest requested that its employees use sensitivity when addressing customers of size, noting it’s difficult to hold a private conversation in a crowded airport. The airline encourages passengers to proactively purchase additional seats, the website reads, in order to avoid ‘embarrassing conversations.’ The airline said that in 98 per cent of cases, the customer of size may obtain a refund because the flight is not full. Source: Southwest Airlines . However, the supervisor was unaware of the airline's policy as well, Ms Tiggeman said. Following the incident, which Tiggeman blogged about on her website alltheweigh.com, a Southwest executive apologised, refunded her ticket, and offered flight vouchers. Flying on the same airline twice more Tiggeman suffered no more embarrassments until Thanksgiving last year when she had to go through a similar experience. 'Something has to change. I just need some consistency,' said Tiggeman to WDSU.com. Responding to the impending law-suit, a spokesman for Southwest Airlines offered some advice. 'The best case scenario is for the customer to notify us of any special needs ahead of time,' said Brandy King. 'If providing the additional seat does not result in our having to deny another customer boarding, we will refund the ticket to the customer at no charge, which happens more than 90 percent of the time.' In fact, the airline said on their website that in 98 per cent of cases, the customer of size may obtain a refund because the flight is not full. Struggle: For Ms Tiggeman, pictured three years ago when she weighed 400lbs, the two incidents with Southwest Airlines were hurtful after she battled hard to lose weight . Motivation: A picture taken from Kenlie Tiggeman's blog alltheweigh.com which helped convince her that she needed to lose weight . Wide load? Director Kevin Smith was famously asked to leave a 2010 Southwest flight . In February 2010, director Kevin Smith famously was told he was ‘too wide for the sky.’ According to his Twitter feed, he was removed from the Southwest flight because he was deemed a safety risk. The Jay and Silent Bob director was given a $100 voucher by the airline and boarded another flight. Southwest later reached out to apologise. The airline also booted a thin flier from one of their seats in July of 2010 on a Las Vegas-to-Sacramento flight so an obese 14-year-old could have her seat. ‘It didn’t seem right that I should have to leave to accommodate someone who had only paid for one seat,’ she told the Sacramento Bee at the time. A Southwest spokesperson later told the Bee: ‘We know this was awkward and we should have handled it better.’ The airline later apologised to the woman. At the time of the incident, . Southwest said they clearly stated in their ‘Customers of Size’ policy . that passengers who cannot fit within the 17-inch armrests must purchase . an additional seat. According to Southwest’s website, the . definitive gauge for a Customer of Size is fairly simple – the armrest. ‘It serves as the boundary between seats, which measure 17 inches wide. 'Customers who are unable to lower . both armrests and/or who encroach upon any portion of the adjacent seat . should proactively book the number of seats needed prior to travel.’ Southwest requested that its . employees use sensitivity when addressing customers of size, noting it’s . difficult to hold a private conversation in a crowded airport. The airline encourages passengers to . proactively purchase additional seats, the website reads, in order to . avoid ‘embarrassing conversations.’ While Tiggeman's crusade continues many passengers feel that they are being attacked by airlines. Spirit Airlines announced this week that passengers might have to pay up to $100 for a carry-on bag, meaning any larger hand luggage could be charged for. However, the issue of size and passengers is clearly still emotive. 'I don't want the person next to me on top of my seat, or coming underneath the armrest because I've paid for my whole seat,' said MeMe Roth, the founder of National Action against Obesity. On the flip-side, Brandon Macsata, a passenger rights spokesman wants greater acceptance shown to overweight people. 'These aren't durable goods being shipped from point A to point B,' said Macsata. 'This isn't cattle being shipped to a livestock farm.' While her suit against Southwest Airlines continues, Tiggeman wants it to be known that she isn't an advocate for obesity. In fact, her blog records her current weight loss which at the moment is over 100 pounds down from what it was in April 2011. 'While we may not be born with an innate privilege of flying on a plane, as paying consumers we do have the right to fly if we’re willing to follow the rules,' said Tiggeman. 'And in order to do that, we need to know the rules.' Watch video here . video platformvideo managementvideo solutionsvideo player . | New Orleans resident Kenlie Tiggeman was told by airline worker that she was 'too fat to fly' - twice .
Now she's suing Southwest Airlines, alleging that they violated her 'constitutional rights' and humiliated her in front of other passengers .
Has since lost up to 120lbs from her heaviest weight - between 240 and 300 pounds . |
127,199 | 306b72ede960eab4af89cc641cfb739139fd6984 | (CNN) -- As with many murder-suicides, the gunman in the Newtown, Connecticut, shooting took to his grave the reasons that compelled him to kill more than two dozen people before taking his own life in the second-deadliest school shooting in U.S. history. But those who knew the shooter struggled to reconcile the difference between the quiet, withdrawn 20-year-old without a criminal record and the man who wore black fatigues and a military vest and brought death to Sandy Hook Elementary School Friday. Police say the shooter, Adam Lanza, killed his mother, Nancy, in their home before walking into the school and fatally shooting 26 more people -- 20 of them children no older than 7. The rampage ended when Lanza apparently took his own life in a classroom. With him were three firearms: a semiautomatic .223-caliber rifle made by Bushmaster and two handguns, a Glock and a Sig Sauer. Connecticut law requires gun owners to be at least 21. The guns, authorities said, belonged to his mother. Police have yet to disclose whether they know a motive for the attack, which has left those who knew Lanza trying to discern whether anything in his past could have foreshadowed the present. "He was a shy kid, quiet," said Alan Diaz who knew Lanza several years ago. "He would sometimes stand in the corner. We knew he was socially awkward and we just accepted it. But he was never threatening." Diaz told CNN that he tried many times to to talk to Lanza to "try to include him." Comforting survivors: 'Hug them' and 'cry with them' 'Definitely the challenge of the family' Lanza moved to Connecticut from Kingston, New Hampshire, with his parents and older brother Ryan, according to a booklet for Newtown's Bennetts Farm neighborhood. He enjoyed soccer, skateboarding and video games, the publication said. In September 2009, when Lanza was 17, his mother and father divorced, court documents show. What happened in the young man's life after that isn't clear, except that he continued to live in Newtown. His father, Peter Lanza, remarried and moved to an area not far from the town, an official said. Peter Lanza was questioned by authorities after the shooting, as was Adam Lanza's 24-year-old brother, Ryan. Authorities have offered few details about Adam Lanza. He had no known criminal record, a law enforcement official said. One of Lanza's aunts, Marsha, described him as a "quiet, nice kid" who had issues with learning, she said. Her husband is Lanza's paternal uncle. "He was definitely the challenge of the family in that house. Every family has one," she told CNN affiliate WLS. "They have one. I have one. But never in trouble with the law, never in trouble with anything." She said Lanza's mother "battled" with the school board and had to home-school her son. "She had issues with school," said the aunt, who lives in Crystal Lake, Illinois. "I'm not 100% certain if it was behavior or learning disabilities, but he was a very, very bright boy. He was smart." Slain Connecticut principal just implemented new security system . A 'genius' Alex Israel was in the same class at Newtown High School with Lanza and lived a few houses down from him. "You could definitely tell he was a genius," Israel told CNN, adding she hadn't talked with him since middle school. "He was really quiet, he kept to himself." Alan Diaz said he was in the Technology Club with Lanza at Newtown High School. The group broadcast sports and other school events at school, and worked on computers. Because Diaz was one of the few students at school who talked to Lanza, Diaz said, he thought Adam probably considered him a friend. "Eventually he started opening up more to us on the tech team, telling us jokes even," Diaz recalled. "I never would have thought he was capable of something like this," he said. "I once wondered that if he became isolated he might hurt himself, but never another person." Diaz recalled that Lanza loved to wear khakis with a belt and green plaid shirt. "He had a briefcase, really a laptop bag all the time," Diaz recalled. "He was smart. I would call him a genius." Lanza took honors classes and once taught other students how to build a computer. "He was really into it and very good at that class," Diaz said. Diaz ran into Nancy Lanza, Adam's mother, not too long ago, he said. "When I talked to Nancy that time, about how he was doing, she said he's been going to the (gun) range a lot recently," Diaz said. "That he'd taken that up as a hobby." As a 13-year-old, Lanza would occasionally ride the bus to school, often sitting in the back, usually alone, said his former bus driver. "He didn't sit with the other kids and didn't seem to have any friends," said Marsha Moskowitz, 52, who said she drove Lanza to school for three years. "He was quiet, a very shy and reserved kid," she said, noting that Lanza was one of the older kids on the bus and did little to interact with the others. "No 13-year-old wants to ride the bus to school. It's kind of embarrassing for them." The shooter's mother was also a quiet woman, said Moskowitz, though she admits she had limited interactions with her. A 'polite' mother . "I didn't know (Nancy) as well as the other parents, but she was always very polite," said Moskowitz, who said she's been devastated by the news. How do we stop the violence? A relative told investigators that Lanza had a form of autism, according to a law enforcement official, who spoke under condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the investigation. But a national autism committee cautioned against speculating about a link between autism and violence. "Autism is not a mental health disorder -- it is a neurodevelopmental disorder," said the Autism Research Institute's Autistic Global Initiative Project. "The eyes of the world are on this wrenching tragedy -- with 1 in 88 now diagnosed, misinformation could easily trigger increased prejudice and misunderstanding." A former classmate told CNN affiliate WCBS that Lanza "was just a kid" -- not a troublemaker. "I don't know who would do anything like this," the ex-classmate said, before walking away distraught. "This is unspeakable." Lanza's father was also at a loss for explanation. He sent his condolences to the families of victims in a statement released Saturday. "Our family is grieving along with all those who have been affected by this enormous tragedy," Peter Lanza said. "No words can truly express how heartbroken we are. We are in a state of disbelief and trying to find whatever answers we can." In New Hampshire, relatives of Nancy Lanza released a statement in which they, too, expressed shock and sadness. "On behalf of Nancy's mother and siblings we reach out to the community of Newtown and express our heartfelt sorrow for the incomprehensible and profound loss of innocence that has affected so many." How you can help . CNN's Susan Candiotti, Mary Snow and Lisa Desjardins reported from Newtown, Connecticut. CNN's Tim Lister, Terry Frieden, John King and Greg Botelho also contributed to this report. | Former classmates say Adam Lanza was quiet and withdrawn .
Police have not said what the motive for the mass shooting might have been .
Lanza had no known criminal record .
"We are in a state of disbelief," Lanza's father says . |
198,896 | 8d77eb3f3ac27466b7db264119c39c48dc1ee8c2 | By . Ben Spencer . PUBLISHED: . 06:30 EST, 9 January 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 06:30 EST, 9 January 2014 . There are only enough honeybees in Britain to properly pollinate a quarter of the country’s crops, scientists claim. Destruction of huge swathes of grassland and the use of agricultural chemicals have caused a spiralling drop in the populations of honeybees, which are vital for food production. Professor Simon Potts of the University of Reading, who led the research project, said: ‘We face a catastrophe in future years unless we act now.’ Destruction of huge swathes of grassland and the use of agricultural chemicals have caused a spiralling drop in the populations of honeybees, which are vital for food production . The research, published in the journal PLOS One, found that Europe has 13.4million too few honeybee colonies to properly pollinate all its crops. Bee populations have plummeted as their meadowland habitats were concreted over and their wildflower food supply killed by herbicides. Previous studies have estimated that the number of British honeybees have halved over the last 25 years. Scientists think the bee shortfall is leading to reduced crop yields and they warn that in future farmers may have to look at mechanical or hand pollination. Professor Potts added: ‘Wild pollinators need greater protection. Research by the University of Reading found that Europe has 13.4million too few honeybee colonies to properly pollinate all its crops. The maps show the capacity of national honeybee colonies to supply demand for pollination services, in 2005 (e) and 2010 (f) ‘They are the unsung heroes of the countryside, providing a critical link in the food chain for humans and doing work for free that would otherwise cost British farmers £1.8billion to replace.’ Overall, the 41 European countries studied have only two-thirds of the honeybees they need. But the problem is particularly acute in Britain, where there are only 275,000 colonies – a quarter of the one million colonies needed to maximise yields. A bee colony can vary in size from 20,000 to 60,000 bees. Professor Potts said the demand for insect . pollinators is increasing as demand grows, particularly for oil crops . such as oilseed rape and sunflowers. Previous studies have said that the number of British honeybees have halved over the last 25 years. Scientists think the bee shortfall is leading to reduced crop yields and they warn that in future farmers may have to look at mechanical or hand pollination . He . said:‘Farmers are encouraged to grow oil crops, yet there is not . enough joined-up thinking about how to help the insects that will . pollinate them. ‘We need . a proper strategy across Europe to conserve wild bees and pollinators . through habitat protection, agricultural policy and farming methods – or . we risk big financial losses to the farming sector and a potential food . security crisis.’ Dr . Tom Breeze, who conducted the research, said insect pollinators add . £37million a year to the value in increased yields of just two varieties . of British apples. | Destruction of huge swathes of grassland .
and the use of agricultural chemicals have caused a spiralling drop in .
the populations of honeybees .
Europe has 13.4million too few honeybee colonies to pollinate all its crops .
The University of Reading has warned humans face a catastrophe in future years unless they protect the population of bees . |
229,630 | b55ac7de0afaf0ad257c7addd4da5092d7752eb1 | By . Associated Press and Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 17:29 EST, 11 January 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 19:32 EST, 11 January 2013 . One man shouted 'Rot in Hell, Holmes!' at movie massacre suspect James Holmes today after a judge delayed the alleged mass shooter's arraignment. Steve Hernandez's daughter Rebecca Wingos was killed during the slaughter in an Aurora, Colorado movie theater last summer during a premiere of the new Batman movie, The Dark Knight Rises. When Judge William Sylvester announced Holmes would not have to enter a plea on his charges of murder and attempted murder until March, the crowd of family and victims became noticeably angry. And when the hearing ended, Hernandez yelled, 'Rot in hell, Holmes!' Scroll down for video . Rage: Steve Hernandez, right, shouted in disbelief as the arraignment of his daughter's alleged killer, James Holmes, was put off for two months . The judge . reconvened the proceeding to talk to Hernandez, who apologized . and promised there would be no more outbursts. The judge was . sympathetic. 'I am terribly sorry for your loss and I can only begin to imagine the emotions that are raging,' Sylvester told him. Sylvester ruled Thursday night that prosecutors had presented sufficient evidence at a preliminary hearing to proceed toward trial on charges that James Holmes killed 12 people and injured 70 others at a suburban Denver movie theater on July 20. Sylvester had asked Holmes if he . objected to the delay and defense attorney Tamara Brady answered for . him, saying he did not. Defense lawyers didn't say why they wanted to . delay entering a plea. One possible reason could be to . seek a mental health evaluation by a doctor of their choosing. Lawyers . for Holmes have said he is mentally ill, raising the possibility of an . insanity defense. If Holmes had entered an insanity plea today, an evaluation would be done by state doctors. Sick: Holmes took pictures of himself dressed as the Joker before allegedly committing mass murder . Prosecutors objected to the delay and said they were ready to move ahead. Sylvester said he understood . their position but wanted to make sure he did not do anything that could . lay the grounds for an appeal. 'We want to avoid at all costs doing anything improper,' the judge said. Following the hearing, District . Attorney George Brauchler, who took office this week, didn't . specifically address the delay but said he wanted to 'protect the . interests of all involved in this case.' If Holmes, 25, is convicted of . first-degree murder, he could face the death penalty. Prosecutors have . not said whether they would pursue that sentence. Grief: Victims and family members leave an Aurora courtroom today . Loss: Chantel Blunk, center, walks into court. Blunk's husband Jon was killed during the shooting. The hearing capped an emotional . week in which the public, including victims and their families, got the . first look at evidence gathered against Holmes and heard police officers . describe attempts to save the wounded. During the preliminary hearing, . witnesses testified that Holmes spent weeks amassing an arsenal and . planning the attack at a midnight showing of 'The Dark Knight Rises,' and that he took photos of himself hours before the shooting, including . one that showed him grinning with a handgun. They also detailed an elaborate . booby trap set up at Holmes' apartment designed to explode at the same . time the theater attack occurred several miles away. Prosecution witnesses testified . that Holmes began acquiring weapons in early May, and by July 6 he had . two semi-automatic pistols, a shotgun, a semi-automatic rifle, 6,200 . rounds of ammunition and high-capacity magazines that allow a shooter to . fire more rounds without stopping to reload. Holmes' lawyers called no witnesses during the hearing. Scene: The movie theater where the massacre occurred . Another possibility in the case . is that either side could argue that Holmes is not mentally capable of . assisting in his own defense. If that happens, the judge would order a . mental competency evaluation. Sylvester also can order an evaluation if . he has his own questions about Holmes' competence. In the case of the Tucson, Ariz., . shooting that killed six people and wounded 13, including then-Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, Jared Loughner was initially ruled incompetent to . stand trial. However, after a year of treatment, Loughner was ruled . competent, the case proceeded, and he entered guilty pleas. If Holmes ends up pleading not . guilty by reason of insanity, Sylvester would also order a psychiatric . evaluation by doctors at the state hospital. A jury would consider that . evaluation, along with testimony by expert witnesses, any other . court-ordered evaluations and other evidence, in deciding at a trial . whether Holmes is or is not guilty by reason of insanity. If found not guilty by reason of . insanity, Holmes would be committed to the state mental hospital for . treatment. His case would be reviewed every six months. He conceivably . could be released if he ever is deemed no longer insane. "Insanity is what this case is . going to turn on," said Denver criminal defense attorney Dan Recht. "This is not a whodunit case." | Shouting occurred at the end of hearing .
Judge tells father, 'I am terribly sorry for your loss'
Holmes never said a word, had his lawyer answer for him .
Won't be back in court until March . |
130,026 | 34174090045dd71968ef0a58312d32c3481f1064 | I once wondered why we indigenous peoples of North America must break it down when it comes to why something is anti-Native American. On the whole, people can recognize what's anti-black, anti-gay, anti-Latino, anti-Asian, and so on: But when it comes to racism directed at Native Americans, we, the first peoples of this continent, are left having to explain why Indian mascots and painting your face red at a Cleveland Indians game denigrate us. Years of studying and observing this situation have led me to an unfortunate conclusion: People have been conditioned to ignore racism directed at Native Americans. But, I'm not sure I can consciously blame them ... at least not all of them. Think about it: Thanks to Hollywood, I'm supposed to have long hair, bronze skin and a very limited vocabulary. Courtesy of Thanksgiving and Halloween, it's possible someone might believe it's "just in good fun" to dress in faux Native American garb and play Indian. So when I walk in a room, nobody looks at me and sees a Native American. Why? Because people have been conditioned to believe I look, act, and even talk a certain way, and believe playing Indian is OK. Lo, it's not. So here's the solution: We are going to be seen. As social media and the web continue to grow exponentially, so too do the voice and face of Native America. The National Congress of American Indians has just launched yet another campaign to put our faces and those of our allies in the public eye. NCAI's hashtag, #ProudToBe, is a video and photo campaign that uses the web and demonstrates that we are more than a costume. We are more than a mascot. In fact, the second half of the campaign against the dehumanization of Native Americans in the form of sports mascots is aptly called "#NotYourMascot." And many of this nation's leaders have joined in the growing chorus of conscientious objectors who see Indian mascots for what they are: racist. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Sen. Maria Cantwell, and Washington, D.C., Councilman David Grosso have each been photographed holding signs that read "#ProudToBe Standing With #NotYourMascot." And, according to the folks at the National Congress of American Indians, more photos continue to stream in. Grosso, who's a Washington Redskins season ticket holder, recently told me he predicts the team name will, in fact, be abolished in the next five years. "Ultimately we're going to have to right this wrong," he said. "The word 'redskins' has never been used in a positive way. It's been a racist and a derogatory term since forever." Sen. Reid told me: "The degrading team name inflicts pain on Native American populations. The name is going to change; it's only a question of when. The NFL and Dan Snyder have to realize they are on the losing side of history." Opinion: NFL may throw flag on N-word, but what about the 'R-word'? Several days ago, I was asked: "Why are you picking on the Redskins? What about the Cleveland Indians or the Atlanta Braves?" First, the term "redskins" is a pejorative, a racial slur. We are told by our elders that the eastern Algonquian word for woman is shunksqaw, and that "squaw" in the English usage came to signify that part of the woman the settlers wanted during negotiations. It's a pejorative. It always has been, just like the word "redskins." The term "Indian" isn't a racial slur, even though it's incorrect; and neither are the terms "brave" or "warrior." But that's missing the point. When the status of a Native American is demoted to that of a caricature, we are objectified and diminished as a people. We become entertainment, not fellow citizens. How are you supposed to take me seriously if all you see is the stereotypical image of the Hollywood or sports mascot Indian? Courtesy of the Web, we are no longer out of sight. We are no longer canceled out of the American conversation. Also, more Native Americans live in urban settings than ever before. More than 70% of us work, live and thrive in big cities. Native Americans on reservations have smartphones and laptops, so geographic isolation is slowly becoming a thing of the past as well. And we use these new technologies to speak out against the macro- and micro-aggressions directed at Native Americans. Today, we are lawyers, doctors, teachers, business owners, professional athletes, artists, and maybe your neighbor next door. We are proud to be Diné, Lakota, Choctaw, Crow, Cherokee, Ojibwe, Cheyenne, Navajo, Zuni, and many more. And so the momentum builds against the racism aimed at us, leaving the question: Will you tell your children or grandchildren you are on the side of the Native American and allies who believe we deserve the same respect afforded to others? Or will you tell them we were just a group of politically correct Indians and Indian-lovers who were infringing on other people's privilege? Right. The Redskins fan, the Indians fan, the Braves fan -- they're upset because they demand said privilege. We're upset because we demand respect. | Simon Moya-Smith: People recognize prejudice, but not against Native Americans .
Moya-Smith: Hollywood, Thanksgiving inspire "playing Indian" caricatures .
He says "redskins" is a racist slur, "braves" and "warriors" are denigrating stereotypes .
Moya-Smith: Campaign is on to put real Native Americans in the public eye . |
102,707 | 105f7534a0203ca1dcef8acb4b61415e626a1bb8 | (CNN) -- A semi collided with an Amtrak train east of Reno, Nevada, on Friday, killing two people, officials said. The truck crashed into the side of the train at a public railroad crossing, according to Amtrak. Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Danny Lopez said two people died in the accident: one person on the train and one in the semitrailer. Amtrak said it had reports of multiple injuries but could not immediately confirm that anyone had been killed. Amateur video taken after the crash showed huge plumes of black smoke wafting from the train as a fire burned. Passengers and crew members stood outside. Emergency responders were on the scene, and buses were being sent to pick up stranded passengers, Lopez said. The train carried about 204 passengers and 14 crew members. It was headed to Emeryville, California, from Chicago. | An Amtrak train and a semi crash east of Reno .
One person on the train and one in the truck died, authorities say .
Other people were injured, Amtrak says .
The train was headed to Emeryville, California, from Chicago . |
151,548 | 4fed1a92b30e761f0d6c14817c667ee046c44644 | By . Eleanor Crooks, Press Association . Fourth seed David Ferrer became the first top-10 man to go out of the US Open in a third-round loss to France's Gilles Simon. Ferrer, whose relentlessness is legendary, really struggled in hot and humid conditions in New York and went down 6-3 3-6 6-1 6-3. Having made 10 straight grand slam quarter-finals, the 32-year-old has now failed to get past the third round at the last two. Defeat: Fourth seed David Ferrer is out of the US Open after his third-round defeat to Frenchman Gilles Simon . It was an overdue big win at a slam for the talented Simon, whose only previous appearance in the fourth round at Flushing Meadows came in 2011, when he lost to John Isner. Ferrer said: 'It was a tough match today. There is a lot of humidity, very sunny, and it was not easy for me. 'I was not good with my fitness. He was better.' Comfortable: Gilles Simon won 6-3 3-6 6-1 6-3. in humid conditions in New York . Fourth round: Simon's only previous appearance in the fourth round at Flushing Meadows came in 2011 . | David Ferrer out of US Open .
Fourth seed lost to Gilles Simon in third round at Flushing Meadows .
Spaniard struggled in humid conditions in New York . |
115,476 | 21030e4dc596309eabd06f25e739448a5083ad28 | (CNN) -- Bradley Wiggins all but secured his maiden Tour de France victory on Saturday with a storming ride in the 19th and penultimate stage of the race from Bonneval to Chartres. The 32-year-old Sky team rider crossed the finish line in first place, completing the 53.5-kilometer time trial in one hour, four minutes and 13 seconds. The win extends Wiggins' overall lead to nearly three-and-a-half minutes over his teammate Chris Froome, and more than six minutes over Liquigas rider Vincenzo Nibali who is third. "I don't know what to say. Only one more day to go, and I've won the yellow jersey," Wiggins said. "I've a lot of emotions and a lot of relief it's finished. It's a dream come true, but I've been working to win this for the past five years. The job is done, almost," he added. Sunday's final stage to Paris does not traditionally involve a contest for the coveted yellow jersey meaning Wiggins has virtually guaranteed his place in history as the first British rider to win the Tour. Dave Brailsford, manager of the Sky team said: "We made it our objective to win this race within five years with a clean, British rider, and that's what we've done. It might be a surprise to everyone else, but it's not a surprise to us." Defending champion Cadel Evans had another disappointing day. The Australian finished the stage in seventh place overall, nearly 16 minutes behind Wiggins. Following his stage win, Wiggins' wife, Cath tweeted: "Right everyone I am calling it. Operation drink as much champagne as you can. GO." | Bradley Wiggins on the brink of claiming Britain's first win in Tour de France .
Sky team rider wins penultimate stage of race to extend lead over nearest rivals .
Barring disaster, 32-year-old will be crowned champion in Paris on Sunday . |
53,708 | 98551cecda840992db16dd992f6993b84d13d4ca | By . Suzannah Hills . PUBLISHED: . 05:36 EST, 25 September 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 05:40 EST, 25 September 2013 . Plot: Dominic Di Chiera, 50, ordered thousands of pounds of expensive equipment on BBC accounts to embarrass his boss . A BBC technical operations manager used the corporation’s account to order nearly £8,000 worth of specialist electrical equipment during an act of 'revenge' against his manager after his contract was terminated. Former BBC News team leader Dominic Di Chiera, 50, sought to blow his boss’s budget to embarrass him at a time of severe staff cuts after finding out his contract wasn't being renewed. But his spending spree was picked up by his manager who tracked the orders back to Di Chiera who was then arrested. Australian-born Di Chiera pleaded guilty . to seven counts of fraud by false representation, namely fraudulently . using a BBC account to make purchase orders totalling £7,773.63 between . June 4 and 26. Di Chiera, who joined the beeb in January last year after fourteen years at Channel 4, was sentenced yesterday to a twelve-month community order with 200 hours community service work. He was also ordered to pay £1,000 compensation to the BBC. Hammersmith Magistrates’ Court heard how Di Chiera ordered a 3D Blu-ray player, LED televisions, a mobile phone, camera drive and other electrical items after finding out his contract wouldn't be renewed. Four items were recovered by police when they searched his matrimonial home in Battersea, London, but the court heard he hid the rest around the BBC building. Prosecutor Miss Louise Burnell told the court: 'Di Chiera was making fraudulent purchase orders for electrical equipment using the BBC account and having many of the items delivered to his home address.' The court heard how his manager, Huw Davies, noticed a suspicious order made on the BBC account just days before Di Chiera's contract was due to terminate on June 30. Caught out: Di Chiera's manager spotted a 'suspicious order' on the accounts and tracked it back to him . 'It was reported to an investigating . manager and the purchase order history revealed Mr Di Chiera had used . the account on behalf of the BBC and many orders were delivered to his . home address.' The court was told Di Chiera admitted the items had been delivered to his home and blamed the stress of his contract coming to an end for his 'silly' actions. The police were called and Di Chiera’s home was searched the same day and he was later questioned by officers. 'He said he had hidden many of the items within the BBC, but it is a mammoth task to search the building for them and the items have not been recovered.' Di Chiera told the probation service Mr Davies had put him under huge pressure and he was working sixteen-hour days at the BBC. He felt whatever he did was not sufficient to satisfy management and said the frauds were an act of 'revenge' to make his boss look bad by going over budget. Sentenced: Di Chiera was ordered to carry out 200 hours of community service after pleading guilty to seven counts of fraud at Hammersmith Magistrates Court . Di Chiera’s lawyer Juleun Lim told the court: 'None of these items were retained by him. He’s ordered them and they have been put back into circulation in the BBC stock. 'His motivation was to effect negatively his manager over the budget and make him look bad so that when the budget was reviewed there would be an overspend. 'His manager was treating him very unfairly and putting a tremendous amount of pressure on him and he likens it to being bullied. 'His work was good and when he was told his contract would not be renewed the pressure got to him and to use his words: "I suffered a mental breakdown." 'He is sorry he acted in the way that he did and he does wish to make amends. 'He is unemployed and actively seeking work in the same field.' Di Chiera was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £60 victim surcharge. He was employed at a variety of BBC sites and has also worked for Channel 4 and BSkyB. | Dominic Di Chiera, 50, wanted to blow his boss's budget to embarrass him .
But his manager spotted a 'suspicious' order on the accounts .
Di Chiera was arrested and admitted seven counts of fraud at court .
He has been ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid community service . |
165,568 | 621d155d9098ac3e65269afd89c2090ce2823c81 | (CNN) -- Facebook's privacy problems have been in the news ... again. Although complaints may have started deep in the blogosphere, even Time Magazine has made them its cover story. In response, Facebook announced a new privacy model to address complaints that it's too darn hard to actually navigate privacy settings on Facebook. (Well, duh.) It's not yet clear whether Facebook's changes will satiate the Facebook citizenry (let alone the rabid critics), but the conversations about privacy settings tend to emphasize only a fraction of the core concerns. Facebook rightfully believes that it's important to give users control over their settings, to empower them to make decisions about what's accessible. But Facebook can also be condescending, suggesting that they know what's best for their users because they have so much data about them (which they do). Unfortunately, Facebook's data tells them a lot about what people do but little about why they do it. They know that people aren't quitting Facebook, but that doesn't mean that users aren't frustrated or concerned (or would be if they understood what was happening). Don't get me wrong -- the privacy settings are confounding even for the most experienced digerati and I'm very glad that they're addressing this fundamental issue. But in doing so, I hope that they realize that the main reason for so much public outrage goes beyond privacy settings. The issue is fundamentally about trust and informed consent. When people share information with Facebook, they become vulnerable to Facebook. They trust Facebook to respect their interests. Facebook has the power to expose people in ways that make their lives really miserable. Because of that power, it's crucial that they stop telling users what's best for them and start engaging in a more meaningful dialogue. Changing things and then forcing users to opt out is manipulative. Instead, they should be seeking informed consent -- actively working with users to help make sure that they understand what's at stake in their choices. It is unacceptable for a company like Facebook to trick people into "consenting" to make their data more visible than they might think that it is. People should be able to understand Facebook's changes and have choices available that allow them to make appropriate decisions. When Facebook changed its privacy settings in December, far too many people clicked on through without realizing that a few mouse clicks meant that they were exposing their status updates to the world. Many people may know exactly how not-private their Facebook profile or updates are. But do they? I recommend using ReclaimPrivacy to scan your privacy settings. Keep in mind that "Everybody" is more than the people searching for you on Facebook -- this includes every company or individual who wants to use your information for any purpose. In many ways, it's more accessible than simply posting something on a public website and waiting for Google to find it. And keep in mind that "Friends-of-Friends" means more than the people that you'd invite to a birthday party. I talked with a young woman who vowed that she'd never friend her mother; she didn't realize that if she friended her aunt and her aunt friended her mother than "Friends-of-Friends" included her mother. Do people really know who is included in their "Friends-of-Friends?" Facebook doesn't just need to fix its privacy settings. It needs to fix its attitude and repair its relationship with its users. Facebook isn't just a space for users to share; it is built on the backs of people and profits off of the data people entrust to them. An abusive relationship is simply unacceptable. Facebook must go beyond paternalism and start empowering users to help guide the future of the service. It starts with committing to an opt-in approach to changes and developing features that allow users to have complete transparency as to how their data is exposed to, and used by, third parties. It then requires innovating ways to actively engage participants. Facebook built a platform for mass sharing, but if it wants to change the world, it must also develop mechanisms for informed participation. With great power comes great responsibility. | Facebook's data says what people do but little about why they do it .
When people share info with Facebook, they become vulnerable to Facebook .
Do people really know who is included in their "Friends-of-Friends?" |
222,906 | ac8ec35c3a974a73490077123d03f5885d018352 | Inside one of the many busy open markets in Kampala, rows of hanged trousers and dresses swing in midair, casting a shadow over the colorful stacks of unsorted clothes sitting on rickety wooden stalls. Amidst the hustle and bustle, bargain-hunting shoppers rummage through the large piles of printed t-shirts, short-sleeved blouses and retro jackets in search of a great deal. This is the Ugandan capital's version of a thrift store, fully stocked with second-hand garments from the West. Here, European-made clothing, American sports jerseys and designer labels are all offered at discount prices, turning second-hand markets like this into a prime destination for cheap garments. "Things from U.S. and UK, London, they are nice," says Karol, owner of a local second-hand market stall. "My customers keep on coming." Short-term gain, long-term pain? The sale of Western cast-offs starts with charities in European and North American countries that earn money by offloading donated clothes they cannot find buyers for. The unwanted used clothes often end up in landfills. Increasingly, however, they are also being purchased by wholesalers, who then sort, label and package them into containers for export to different markets. A large portion of these previously owned clothes ends up in market stalls across Africa -- according to an Oxfam report, used garments account for over 50% of the clothing sector by volume in many sub-Saharan African countries. For customers in Kampala's bustling markets, however, this is no dumping ground. Instead, these clothes are as desirable as they are affordable. "Yes, the price is right and the clothes are still looking good," says Brenda, a local shopper. In the beginning, it appears to be a win-win situation for everyone involved; Western charities receive much-needed revenue, African buyers with weak purchasing power get low-priced, well-made clothing, and merchants find eager customers for their merchandise. But some experts say that the mass influx of cheap hand-me-downs from the West could have a much more negative impact. "The long-term effect is that countries such as Malawi or Mozambique or Zambia can't really establish or protect their own clothing industries if they are importing second-hand goods," says Andrew Brooks, lecturer at King's College London and co-author of a study called "Unravelling the Relationships between Used-Clothing Imports and the Decline of African Clothing Industries." "Your t-shirt may be quite cheap for someone to buy, but it would be better if that person could buy a locally manufactured t-shirt, so the money stays within the economy and that helps generate jobs," he adds. Watch video: Cashing in on second-hand clothes . Big business . Analysts say textile industries are relatively easy to develop and, as success stories like South Korea showcase, can provide the first step in the ladder towards economic growth. A booming clothing sector is labor intensive, generates national revenues through taxes and, ultimately, can help end dependency on aid. But in Africa, the introduction of trade-liberalization policies and the opening of economies in the 1980s and 1990 allowed both second-hand and cheap new imports, especially from Asian countries, to enter markets across the continent. This undermined growth opportunities for many local industries and led to the closure of several African clothing factories, say experts. According to a 2006 report, textile and clothing employment in Ghana declined by 80% from 1975 to 2000; in Zambia it fell from 25,000 workers in the 1980s to below 10,000 in 2002; and in Nigeria the number of workers fell from 200,000 to being insignificant. Meanwhile, second-hand became a highly lucrative industry across African markets. Whilst exact continent-wide figures are hard to come by, global used clothing exports from OECD countries stood at $1.9 billion in 2009, according to 2011 U.N. Comtrade data. Yet Brooks claims the figure is an underestimation, largely because of the widespread smuggling of used clothes that occurs in many countries, as well as trans-shipments that are not documented in official statistics. "The best estimate that probably gives the value of the global trade of second-hand clothing would be about $3 billion," he says. "Obviously, that's the import cost and once things are sold on retail, [it's] probably twice that," he adds. Read this: 'Africa's tallest building' set for $10 billion tech city . Hard to compete . For many people across Africa's fashion industries, this curtails local new-clothing production and prevents their sector from growing. Designer Sylvia Owori, who's been in business in Kampala for more than a decade, says it's very difficult to rival the second-hand market. "Probably 90% of the clothing people are buying in the whole country are second-hand clothes," says Owori. "It's a multimillion dollar industry -- so, as a small fish, how are you going to start to compete with that?" To deal with the problem, a number of African countries have banned imports of second-hand clothes in recent years as part of efforts aimed at protecting their national textiles industries. Amongst them are the continent's two biggest economies -- South Africa and Nigeria -- while many more are also debating restrictions. But there's also another threat to the local industries: Chinese imports that are even cheaper than the Western hand-me-downs and locally made clothes. Read this: 'China can transform Africa' "One of the problems is that these local clothing industries are often more expensive than clothing that's produced in Asia," says Brooks. "So if you ban second-hand clothing sometimes this gets replaced with imports of clothing from China or elsewhere in the Far East." Back in Owuri's shop, the designer says she is resigned to the reality of her competition. She adds, however, that she looks forward to the day that homegrown businesses like her own prevail. "As much as I don't like second-hand clothes to be in the market, I don't have an alternative," she says. "I cannot make enough clothes to support a population of 33 million. So we need to actually first grow the manufacturing and production side of the business locally for us to say, 'OK, all the other stuff can't come in.'" Brooks says that whilst used t-shirts, jeans and dresses can satisfy a basic need for affordable clothing, they ultimately help keep people in poverty. "Second-hand clothing maintains the status quo," he says. "It doesn't help the poor get richer, it just keeps things as they are at the moment." | Previously owned clothing is big business in Africa .
But mass influx of second-hand clothes from the West damages local industries .
Designers say cast-offs are preventing their businesses from growing .
Several African countries have banned imports of second-hand clothes . |
177,744 | 721abd0e59d59c94e2b4a5a3ff19f7c895e91981 | A fellow television dad is weighing in on the numerous allegations of sexual assault that have been leveled at Bill Cosby over the past few months. Alan Thicke, who starred in Growing Pains and was a producer on Cosby's variety show Cos back in the 70s, said in a recent interview; 'There is no doubt in my mind Bill Cosby was a bad boy.' This despite the fact that Thicke also states in the interview that he still considers Cosby a friend. Scroll down for video . Opening up: Alan Thicke (left) has said that he believes some of the allegations of sexual assault against his friend and former coworker Bill Cosby (right) are 'no doubt' true . 'When there’s that much conversation. When there’s that much smoke, there must be some fire,' Thicke told the Toronto Star. 'I’m sure that Bill must have been a bad boy. I think the issue will be to what degree.' That being said, Thicke was also quick to point out that he never once witnessed any of this behavior from Cosby. 'In my history with Bill, I saw absolutely nothing of the controversy around him now,' said Thicke. 'I just saw a guy who was doing his job.' And while he is quick to praise Cosby for all he contributed to the world of comedy, and for being 'one of the guys who really rescued the sitcom,' Thicke also says that he is not sure how to 'move forward' in his relationship with the actor, noting that he has not spoken to him since women began coming forward last October claiming they were drugged and raped by the comedian. Cosby meanwhile is continuing his North American stand-up tour, seemingly oblivious to the protesters who have begun gathering outside his shows. That being said, the actor just suffered another major blow as a result of these allegations, with NBC revealing earlier this month that they would not be moving forward with a previously announced show featuring the actor. 'Fifteen women came out and accused him of what they accused him of,' said NBC Entertainment Chairman Bob Greenblatt. He also said it was 'safe to say' the network would never again work with Cosby in any capacity. In other recent developments, Cosby's lawyer Martin Singer announced last week that he had evidence the actor was in New York City on the night model Chloe Goins has accused him of drugging and sexually assaulting her at the Playboy Mansion. Goins, who claims she was attacked by Cosby in 2008, is the first woman to come forward whose allegations did not fall outside the statue of limitations. | Actor Alan Thicke revealed in a recent interview that he believes some of the allegations of sexual assault against Bill Cosby are true .
Thicke, who says he considers Cosby a friend, worked as a producer on his show Cos in the 70s .
He also pointed out that he never witnessed any behavior to back up these claims of sexual assault when he worked with Cosby . |
21,801 | 3df3a64f986937476210c463ed18767bc4a098ad | (CNN) -- Australia captain Ricky Ponting was reprimanded Wednesday by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for damaging a television after being dismissed at the World Cup. Ponting had made 28 in his side's match against Zimbabwe at the Gujarat Stadium in Ahmedabad Monday when he was run out attempting a second run. Clearly angry with himself as he walked off, Ponting reacted with fury when he saw a replay of the incident on a television in the dressing room. He hurled a piece of his equipment which bounced off his kit bag and hit the corner of the LCD screen. Initial reports inaccurately claimed Ponting had smashed up the television with his bat, but the damage he caused did prompt an official complaint from the Gujarat Cricket Association. A statement released to CNN from the ICC, said Ponting had accepted a Level 1 charge, which carries a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of his match fee. "Ricky knows that his action was in breach of the code, involving a brief moment of frustration," said match referee Roshan Mahanama. He added: "It was clear that the damage he caused was purely accidental and without malice, he apologized shortly after the incident at the ground and immediately agreed to pay for the damage." Ponting was found to have breached an ICC rule which relates to "abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an international match". Despite the incident, Australia comfortably won their Group A opener by 91 runs as the 36-year-old Ponting bids to be the first man to captain a side to three straight World Cu triumphs. Australia play New Zealand in Nagpur Friday in their second group clash. In Wednesday's action on the field, Pakistan crushed Kenya by 205 runs in Group A, recovering from the loss of two early wickets in Hambantota in Sri Lanka. Kenya did not assist their cause by conceding 46 extras as Pakistan scored 317 for 7 in their 50 overs with half centuries for Kamran Akmal, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq and Umar Akmal. Captain Shahid Afridi then took five wickets for 16 as Kenya crumbled to 112 all out for a second straight loss after going down by 10 wickets to New Zealand in their opener. | Ricky Ponting reprimanded by the ICC for damaging dressing room television .
Australian captain reacted angrily after being run out during match against Zimbabwe .
Pakistan beat Kenya by 205 runs in their Group A opener in Sri Lanka . |
74,583 | d36ff163975e1fc812224c4d8acbaaa7fde586f1 | By . Rob Cooper . PUBLISHED: . 07:01 EST, 3 January 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 12:43 EST, 3 January 2014 . A group of gypsies who were facing eviction from their illegal camp are claiming it would breach their childrens' human rights if they are forced to move on. The 78 Irish travellers - who hail from just four families - were told to leave their camp in Hardhorn, Lancashire, by the Court of Appeal in October. A four-year legal battle has already left taxpayers with an estimated legal bill of £200,000. Eviction: The gypsies moved onto the site in Hardhorn, Lancashire, overnight in a 'military-style operation' four years ago - after the council offices had closed for the weekend . Appeal: The group are applying to the Supreme Court for permission to appeal their case. They claim eviction would breach the human rights of 39 children living on the land . But they are now applying for permission to take their case to the Supreme Court which will delay their possible eviction further. They have argued that being kicked off the land would 'violate' the human rights of their 39 children living on the site as their health and educational prospects would be adversely affected. The gypsies moved in four years ago after launching what neighbours said was a 'military-style operation' after the council offices had closed for the weekend in November 2009. One local said: 'If these people had . been good neighbours then we would have been happy to accommodate them . but the fact is they have been terrible neighbours. 'The site is a terrible mess, their dogs are forever barking and they have generators running all night. 'The . villagers have complained about these people poaching rabbiting and . roaming all over their land then harassing them and being rude when told . to behave. 'The numbers of . travellers there changes all of the time. At times there has been up to . 60 caravans on the land. They are illegally there and their behaviour . has been hugely disruptive.' The Court of Appeal ruled that there could be no further appeals - but lawyers for the travellers applied to the Supreme Court for permission for the case to be heard. Gypsy site: The council has spent £200,000 attempting to evict the travellers from the site which has been given its own postcode - enabling the inhabitants to claim benefits . It had been hoped that enforcement action could begin today but the attempt to appeal has delayed it. Allan Oldfield, chief executive of Fylde Council, said they had spent £200,000 fighting the case. Inspectors have been carrying out weekly visits to the site and said over Christmas there were 43 caravans present. Mr Oldfield said: 'We are so frustrated with the legal system that is allowing this to continue. When we had to tell the residents they were distraught. We now have to face yet another legal process and it is so frustrating. 'We were told by the High Court that there was no possibility of further appeal but they have found a loophole and the Supreme Court is now considering a possible appeal. 'We have been advised that any action we take would be unsafe until everything has resolved itself. Gypsy site: The camp, which shot up overnight in November 2009, is situated on the outskirts of Hardhorn, Lancashire . 'This is a fight that has taken more than four years and cost taxpayers more than £200,000. It has been out of our hands for three years. 'But now to hear that there are more delays is difficult to take. It is totally irrelevant that the people concerned are travellers. They have broken the law and set up a camp on the land. They are using expert lawyers to drag the situation on.' The saga began in November 2009 after a field in the village - which featured in BBC’s Gardeners World - was sold by a farmer to a travelling family from West Yorkshire. The group of 30 adults and 40 children - mainly from Irish and Scottish families - moved in and immediately began work laying foundations under outdoor spot lights. The council were later granted an injunction banning the travellers from bringing more caravans onto the land. In 2010, the site was given a postcode after the travellers applied to the court saying they needed it to help fire and ambulance crews find them in an emergency. The ruling also meant they could apply for state benefits, plus utilities including gas electricity and water. Gypsy site: The group were supposed to leave by today but have stayed put while they wait to see whether the Supreme Court will consider their case . The travellers then applied for planning permission to stay on the fields for good and proposed to install further utility buildings, cesspools, fencing and hardstandings. Fylde Council refused the group retrospective planning permission and issued an enforcement notice instead demanding that they move off the site. An inspector at a planning inquiry also ruled that they had to leave. The group were given until last July to quit - but lodged an appeal at the last moment. In October Lord Justice Richards, sitting in the Court of Appeal, ruled the visual impact on the previously unspoilt landscape, road safety concerns and the site’s large scale compared to the nearby village, outweighed the group’s pressing need for a stable home. He ruled no further appeals could be heard. But on November 5 the travellers asked for permission to take their case to the Supreme Court. The court does not recovene until January 13. Members of the gypsy group have said they have been given 'no option' but to keep fighting. In a statement Terry Kelly said: 'We will stay until the bitter end. The council is saying we have to leave but they have offered us nowhere else to go. 'There’s a lot of kids and elderly people but none of that has been taken into consideration.' | Gypsies moved on to site in 'military-style' operation overnight four years ago - after council offices had closed for the weekend .
They were ordered to leave the site by the Court of Appeal .
But they have now applied to the Supreme Court for permission to appeal .
'Health and education of children will be affected if they are ordered to leave'
Council has spent £200,000 fighting the case since November 2009 . |
254,658 | d5a62fdd1ed2405ee54179321a83687bb00fa3a2 | A woman who torched her council home just a fortnight after moving in because she 'didn't like her new neighbours' - comparing her new estate to TV show Shameless - has been jailed. Wenman has more than 80 previous convictions, most of them for dishonesty . Leesa Wenman moved into her new home in Harlow, Essex, at the end of July last year after being rehoused by Harlow District Council – but in under a fortnight was having rows with neighbours. Chelmsford Crown Court heard how the 32-year-old was arrested soon after her flat burst into flames on August 6 - just a fortnight after she moved in. The court heard how neighbours called 999 when they spotted plumes of smoke coming out of Wenman's flat window and that it took firemen 30 minutes to douse the flames, which caused £20,000-worth of damage. Neighbours believed that Wenham, a mother-of-one, was still in the flat and broke down the door to rescue her. But she had climbed out of the window after starting two fires in her bedroom and gone to stay with a friend in Stile Croft a mile away - but was arrested soon afterwards. Carolyn Gardiner, prosecuting, told the court that Wenman was 'not happy' with her new home and said she had argued with neighbours just before the blaze started. She told the court: 'Neighbours smelled smoke, it smelled like plastic was burning. They realised Wenman's flat was on fire. 'This defendant had motive – she had fallen out with her neighbours.' Neighbour Kerry Roche told the court that Wenman had told her she hated living in the new house 'within a week' of moving in, saying she told her she 'did not get on with the neighbours'. Another neighbour said Wenman had told her it was 'like living in the Shameless estate but worse'. The jury heard how two fires were started in the bedroom, with investigators finding burn marks on the floorboards and skirting board. The jury heard how two fires were started in the bedroom, with investigators finding burn marks on the floorboards and skirting board . Chelmsford Crown Court was told Wenman has more than 80 previous convictions, most of them for dishonesty but 19 for failing to obey court orders and she was jailed for 30 months. Neighbours, speaking last week after Wenman was jailed on September 25, said Wenman had said the estate was 'disgusting' and compared it to the fictional Chatsworth council estate in the TV show Shameless. One, who asked not to be named, said Wenman had told her she 'hated the place' within a week of moving in. She said: 'Leesa said the estate was disgusting and said it was like the estate on Shameless. 'She was not happy about being moved here at all and made it very clear she wanted to get out.' Wenman would have been sentenced to seven years in jail but for her diagnosis of Huntington's Disease in 2009. Both her father and her older sister have the condition and are now in care homes. Clare Dowse, defending Wenman, said: 'The diagnosis is a devastating one and particularly for a young woman because, as is well known, it is a disease which is progressive and eventually fatal. 'She must now face the fact that the disease is not going to go away and there's no cure for it so she has to await the same fate as her sister.' Miss Dowse added: 'The defendant's concern is that while she serves any sentence her physical condition may deteriorate to the extent she will not recognise her daughter, who is 10 soon, or interact with her when she is released.' She said that Wenman had been in foster care from her early teenage years and at the age of 13 she started drinking and taking drugs, stealing to feed both those habits. Judge Anthony Goldstaub said that he was reducing her prison term due to her illness. | Leesa Wenman moved into new home in Harlow, Essex at end of July 2013 .
Wenman, 32, was arrested on August 6 after her home caught fire .
Wenman has more than 80 previous convictions, most of them for dishonesty .
Fires started by Denman caused £20,000-worth of damage.
Neighbour said Wenman had told her it was 'like living in the Shameless estate but worse' |
110,514 | 1a771cc29e6fb3345882b6dd41ba55ec3307a847 | (CNN) -- World No. 1 Tiger Woods lamented a "rough day" after equaling the second-worst score of his professional career on Saturday. The American carded a seven-over-par 79 as he posted a triple bogey and two doubles in his opening nine holes at the Memorial Tournament, to be 16 shots off the lead as he struggled in the windy conditions. "It was a rough day," the defending champion told the PGA Tour website. "It was tough out there from beginning to end." Woods had seemed in good shape to end his five-year wait for a 15th major title at this month's U.S. Open, with four wins already in 2013, but his form at Muirfield Village in Ohio has been his worst this season -- carding 71 and 74 in the opening round of a tournament he has won five times. "It's just one of those things where I'm sure I'm not the only one who struggled out there," said Woods, playing his first tournament since his public spat with Sergio Garcia -- who was accused of a racist remark after saying he would serve Tiger "fried chicken" in response to a question about their argument at last month's Players Championship . "The conditions were tough -- when I missed it cost me," Woods added. "I caught the wrong gusts at the wrong time, made a couple bad swings and all in all it just went the wrong way." Starting on the back nine, Woods posted 44 by the turn -- his worst effort on the PGA Tour. He hit back with three birdies but then dropped two more shots, including a bogey at the last hole. "We didn't hit that many bad shots starting out the day and the next thing you know we are quite a few over par," he said. "It was a tough day. I tried to fight back on the back nine, just didn't quite materialize." World No. 2 Rory McIlroy also struggled in the third round, undoing his good work having earlier completed a weather-delayed 69 that meant he made the halfway cut. The Northern Irishman carded 75 -- three better than his opening 78 -- as he ended the day tied for 64th, two shots ahead of Woods but 14 behind leader Matt Kuchar. Kuchar posted his second successive round of 70 to claim a two-shot lead from fellow Americans Kevin Chappell (68) and Kyle Stanley (73). Kuchar is in form after finishing second at last week's Crowne Plaza Invitational, while he won the World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship in February. Halfway leader Bill Haas dropped to a tie for fourth with Matt Jones and 2010 Memorial winner Justin Rose of England after slumping to 76. Meanwhile, Matteo Manassero stayed in contention for a second successive European Tour title despite faltering at the Stockholm Masters on Saturday. The 20-year-old Italian, who last week became the youngest winner of the tour's flagship PGA Championship, carded one-under 71 to be tied for third in Sweden -- four shots behind leader Mikko Illonen of Finland. | Tiger Woods struggles with seven-over-par 79 at PGA Tour's Memorial Tournament .
World's top golfer is 24 shots off the lead following a difficult third round .
He posts the worst opening nine-hole score of his professional career .
Second-ranked Rory McIlroy also down the field after just making the cut . |
88,582 | fb6692faf8d2bd695114d14020939561b68dcd25 | Cambridge United are set for a massive £1.7m windfall after their heroic FA Cup draw with Manchester United on Friday - and it looks like they're planning to put the money to good use. The League Two side, who defied the odds to stop Louis van Gaal's lavishly-assembled team, are planning to install new toilets at the Abbey Stadium with the cash. The U's have already raked in £250,000 from the goalless draw and have further TV revenue and a split of the Old Trafford gate receipts to come from next Wednesday's replay. Delighted Cambridge United fans celebrate their draw with Manchester United - the club plan to install proper toilets at their Abbey Stadium ground with the cash earned from their FA Cup heroics . Cambridge chairman Dave Doggett plans to install new toilets, tea bars and hospitality areas at the Abbey . And as club chairman Dave Doggett revealed, they're now flush with success: 'Hopefully we can get the stadium done and start putting in some proper toilets. 'Some toilets and tea bars and more hospitality... that's what we will do.' The Abbey Stadium has been the club's home since 1932 and is crumbling in places, but the unexpected revenue will enable Cambridge to spruce up their ground. It is particularly important for the club after plans for a new ground at nearby Trumpington were turned down by the local council back in 2013. Cambridge defender Josh Coulson celebrates at the end of Friday night's goalless draw with Man United . Cambridge fans celebrate after earning a lucrative replay at Old Trafford next week . The Cambridge players celebrate their unlikely draw at the full-time whistle as Man United were held . Instead, they will redevelop their traditional home with plans set to be unveiled soon. Manager Richard Money said the money would certainly come in handy: 'Ahead of this, we were on a plan to build this club up slowly, bit-by-bit. 'After all, we have been out of the League 10 years. The replay means we can now sprint quicker than we thought. It is a huge step. 'We are still looking over our shoulder trying not to get into trouble. But who knows? 'The top seven in this league means you can get promoted and we have to try.' Cambridge manager Richard Money said the club can accelerate their plans with the money . Man United boss Louis van Gaal looks distinctly unimpressed by his team's performance at the Abbey . | Cambridge United will install new toilet at their ground with FA Cup cash .
The League Two side held Man United to a goalless draw on Friday night .
Televised replay at Old Trafford could earn them up to £1.7m .
Chairman Dave Doggett wants to install toilets, tea bar and hospitality .
Cambridge will be staying at Abbey Stadium after new ground rejected .
The ground has been the club's home since 1932 . |
228,689 | b41bf5b6a141f97328691ab4efbc364e2f7917eb | By . Nelson Groom for Daily Mail Australia . A New Zealand man could face up to five years in prison for allegedly stealing another surfer's board in Bali. Richard James Wackrow, 40, was detained at Ngurah Rai International Airport Bali on Friday and charged with stealing the board and other items worth a total of about $700 from US tourist Mary Olejniczak, 43. Scroll down for video . Richard James Wackrow, 40, was detained at Ngurah Rai International Airport on the island of Bali . Wackrow, pictured here in a prison cell, is refusing to speak to authorities until he receives a lawyer . North Kuta police chief Ronny Riantoko Eppang told 3 News, 'The victim lost a surfboard, a Samsung cellphone and two Rip Curl watches, worth a total of Rp 7.5 million' ($AUD 703.82) Police said Wackrow had lived in Australia for the past eight years and was trying to return there when he was arrested. Police said he had slept at Olejniczak's house on the night before the alleged theft. Wackrow is refusing to speak with authorities or police until a lawyer is appointed for him. A spokesperson for the The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade told Daily Mail it was aware of Wackrow's arrest and that officials from the New Zealand Embassy in Jakarta were providing him with consular advice. If he is found guilty, Wackrow faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. According to North Kuta police, Wackrow stole a surfboard, a Samsung cellphone and two Rip Curl watches, worth a total of $AUD703.82 . Ngurah Rai International Airport, where Wackrow was detained last Friday. He was allegedly flying back to his home in Australia . | Police allege Richard Wackrow stole the board and other items from his friend, US tourist Mary Olejniczak .
Wackrow was arrested at Ngurah Rai International Airport on Friday .
He was arrested as he left Bali for his home in Australia .
Wackrow is refusing to speak to authorities until he receives a lawyer .
The New Zealand government is providing consular assistance . |
265,874 | e45ddf3f3fd42369f7fea7106eee9d35909c9f0c | CABANATUAN CITY, Philippines (CNN) -- Typhoon Parma crossed the northern tip of the already storm-battered Philippines over the weekend, triggering landslides that killed at least 12 people, local media reported Sunday. Residents paddle boats through the streets of Santa Cruz, south of Manila. At least three other deaths related to the storms were confirmed earlier. Among the latest victims were children ages 8 and 10, a local reporter who was at the scene of both landslides told CNN. The storm is expected to stall for at least three days north of Luzon -- the largest of the Philippine islands -- dumping more rain on the island nation still reeling from a typhoon last week, said CNN meteorologist Ivan Cabrera. Heavy rains will remain, but wind will not be much of a factor, Cabrera said. At 11 p.m. ET on Saturday, Parma had maximum sustained winds of 120 kph ( 74 mph), Cabrera said. Aid agencies were in the area assisting survivors. "There are many uprooted trees, as well as down power lines, making roads impassable in some areas," said Wilma Lacaden, a member of the World Vision organization, in a statement. "Homes constructed of light materials were blown away. In many areas, there is no electricity, and rivers have overflowed, making some towns and villages inaccessible." World Vision staffers handed out food and candles to 200 families on Saturday night, and plan to assist another 350 families in nearby Zambales on Sunday, distributing relief packs of food and water, the statement said. Parma, known locally as Typhoon Pepeng, made landfall Saturday afternoon in a rural region of fishermen and farmers in Luzon. Tens of thousands of people fled their homes for safer shelter. Winds whipped the coastline and felled power lines in northernmost Cagayan Province. Debris littered the roads, making evacuations more difficult. Read about the fate of a farming community in Cagayan . Parma avoided a direct hit on heavily populated Manila. In the capital city on Sunday, it was sunny, Manila resident Arturo Fidelino said in an e-mail to CNN, adding the last few days have been "grueling" for Filipinos. "After those two horrendous typhoons ... we've got to start picking up the pieces and move on," he said. "Easy for me to say and for those who were not worst hit by the devastation, but too difficult for those whose houses were wiped out, furniture destroyed and relatives and loved ones nowhere to be found." However, he said people have banded together to help one another, and it "has made me realize that the 'bayanihan spirit' (part of Filipino culture where neighbors help each other) among Filipinos is still alive and kicking. All along I thought that it has just been part of our history and not part of this present times. I was mistaken." Fidelino wrote his 73-year-old mother had to be evacuated when her home flooded. The typhoon is expected to dump as much as 8 to 20 inches of rain in areas still water-logged from last week's Typhoon Ketsana. That storm resulted in the heaviest rainfall in 40 years and at one point, 80 percent of Manila was submerged. Ketsana, which swallowed whole houses and buses, killed 246 in the Philippines. An additional 38 are missing, the National Disaster Coordinating Council said. The storm affected nearly 2 million people. CNN's Eunice Yoon and Pamela Boykoff in Cabantuan City, and Josh Levs in Atlanta contributed to this report. | 15 dead in Philippines from Typhoon Parma, local media report .
Storm heads to sea after crossing northern Philippines .
Tens of thousands of Filipinos sought shelter in evacuation centers .
The biggest threat was rain in areas water-logged by Typhoon Ketsana . |
199,931 | 8ed4ac9bce18bc46a61e106aebab1c2e595c3247 | Every year, more than 200,000 African children are born with sickle-cell anemia -- around 150,000 of those in Nigeria. At the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), rows of young women line up inside the antenatal clinic. Many of them suffer from sickle-cell anemia, the world's most common hereditary blood disorder. They are here to see Dr Bosede Afolabi, a specialist practitioner who has dedicated much of her working life to studying the disease and how it affects pregnant women and their babies. "We have the highest number of people suffering from sickle-cell disease in the world," explains Afolabi, an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology who consults twice a week at LUTH. Her mission is to use her knowledge to cut maternal mortality in Nigeria. Around one in four people in the West African country carries the sickle cell gene -- around 40 million people -- and virtually everyone has lost a relative or a close friend to the disease. Read also: Fighting cancer with cell phones . Sickle-cell anemia, which is also referred to as SS disease, is an inherited form of anemia -- a condition in which there aren't enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen throughout the body. Normally, red blood cells are flexible and round, moving easily through blood vessels. In sickle-cell anemia, however, the red blood cells become rigid and sticky and are shaped like sickles or crescent moons. These irregularly shaped cells can get stuck in small blood vessels, which can slow or block blood flow and oxygen to parts of the body. Poor blood oxygen levels and blood vessel blockages can result in chronic acute pain syndromes, severe bacterial infections and tissue death, according to the World Health Organization. The sickle-cell trait has a partial protective effect against malaria, and this could explain its high prevalence levels in tropical parts of Africa. For a child to be born with the condition, both parents must carry a sickle-cell gene, which is passed from one generation to the next. "If somebody with a trait marries another person with a trait, there's an one in four chance that the offspring will have SS," explains Afolabi. Read also: 'Women will change the world' At LUTH, she sees patients and passes on her knowledge to duty registrars as well as conducting key research on a disease that affects both women and children before, during and after birth. "Very few people are doing research in pregnancy in SS women," says Afolabi. "What I'm doing is adding to the body of knowledge that exists and putting on some more, especially since physiological research in pregnancy is not very common. "It's strange because even ... in the States you do have quite a number of African-Americans that get pregnant with sickle-cell, but the research even from there is not that much at all in pregnancies." Afolabi says that life expectancy for people with sickle-cell disease is still fairly low -- around late 40s or early 50s. But she is quick to point out that many advances have been made in recent decades. "Things have changed since the 1940s," she says. "About 40, 50 years ago it wasn't even getting close [to their 50s], so a lot of people weren't even getting pregnant ... because they couldn't live long enough to get pregnant -- a lot of them died in childhood." Afolabi studied at the Obafemi Awolowo University in Ife before moving to the UK to further her knowledge and gain work experience. She could have stayed in Europe to carve out a successful career but Afolabi decided to go back to Nigeria and help improve things in her home country. "I just had to come back because I felt that this is where I'm needed, this is where I can make a difference," she says. "I really love what I do. It can be frustrating because sometimes we have electricity problems ... but the fact that we save so many lives ... because of the work we do, I think that's the most fulfilling thing for a doctor." Read also: Off-road bikers race to save lives in rural Africa . Afolabi says it can be tough to convince women of the importance of giving birth in a professional healthcare environment. "We know now that one of the ways we can reduce maternal mortality effectively is by having women deliver in healthcare institutions or at least with skilled healthcare," she says. Afolabi adds that she's driven by her passion to make pregnancy safer and reduce the stress that women go through while pregnant. "I would really love the incidents of maternal mortality in my country to be so much more reduced than it is now," she says. "Because of my work with women with sickle-cell and pregnancy, I would like to get to a stage where, not only would it be that the mortality in pregnancy is zero ... I'd also like to try to find out how to improve the perinatal health as well, the health of their babies so that they would have larger babies and not have so much of mortality," she adds. "That is a tough call ... to change that around is a feat but I plan to continue to work on it for as long as I can." | Dr Bosede Afolabi is a Nigerian helping pregnant women with sickle-cell anemia .
Every year around 200,000 babies in Africa are born with sickle cell .
Around one in four Nigerians carries the sickle cell gene . |
147,126 | 4a3b7c82198db2d93eb49467291b0e8f808134bb | By . Matt Chorley, Mailonline Political Editor . PUBLISHED: . 02:59 EST, 17 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 07:13 EST, 17 October 2013 . A milk rota in a Whitehall office was marked ‘restricted’ by mandarins obsessed with security and playing James Bond. An official also landed in hot water for leaving a document marked ‘restricted’ on a printer, even though it was the only thing written on the sheet of paper. Cabinet office minister Francis Maude said the farce had to end because Whitehall had failed to move with the times. Sensitive: A document on what days different milk was bought for civil servants to make tea and coffee was marked 'restricted' by over-zealous security officials . Now the Government's security classifications are to be dramatically streamlined in a bid to improve communication and save millions of pounds. In future all documents will be either top secret, secret or official - after ministers condemned the old six-tier system as a Cold War relic. Mr Maude ordered the shake-up after learning that a document detailing on what days full fat, semi-skimmed and skimmed milk was bought for civil servants to make tea and coffee was marked 'restricted' by over-zealous security officials . He also found emails could not be sent between the Foreign Office and the Ministry of Defence because their servers worked on different security levels. Instead, staff had to run between the buildings with printouts. The old markings of unclassified, protected, restricted and confidential are being merged into a new ‘official’ band. Secret and top secret will remain in place. Spooks: Ministers said the view of spies like James Bond, pictured, passing top secret documents around Whitehall had not moved with the times . Mr Maude said: ‘Most people’s image of government security classifications is of M sliding Bond a buff-coloured folder stamped TOP SECRET. ‘But where Bond’s cutting-edge gadgets and cars have moved with the times, our security processes are beginning to show their age. ‘The existing system is confusing and often misapplied. ‘When I heard that a milk rota had been marked as “Restricted” I knew things had to change,’ he wrote in The Independent. ‘One of my team even got in trouble for leaving a document marked “Restricted” on the printer – even though it was otherwise entirely blank.’ Farce: Cabinet Office Francis Maude said he was dismayed at the way blank or innocuous documents were treated as secret . Most staff will now be issued with ‘off the shelf’ computers and mobile devices - such as those used by hospitals - rather than more specialist kit. A laptop with government encryption costs around £7,000 a year to run, whereas in future one to deal with ‘official’ documents could cost £1,000. A Cabinet Office source said the reforms were expected to save ‘many millions of pounds’. More than 700,000 civil servants and military personnel will begin using the new markings from April, with the rest of the public sector following later. Mr Maude is understood to have handed back his top-security government computer and mobile equipment, and now uses devices with lower encryption. For documents that require a higher level of protection, he apparently only has paper copies. Mr Maude added: ‘Whitehall uses a security classification system designed decades ago. ‘We are changing that and introducing a new system fit for the digital age. It will speed up decisions, make it easier to share information and save hard-working taxpayers' money. ‘There has been a tendency to over mark documents rather than to manage risk properly. ‘This can devalue the basic security principles. ‘We think the most important and sensitive materials should be protected as 'Top Secret' or 'Secret' but for other information the new 'Official' category, with its renewed emphasis upon personal responsibility and accountability, will be appropriate for most of what government does.’ | A blank sheet of paper left on a printer was treated as a security breach .
Officials were forced to run around Whitehall with printouts of emails .
Minister Francis Maude says security staff must move with the times .
Six document categories to be cut to just three: official, secret, top secret .
More staff to have 'off the shelf' computers and mobile phones . |
205,312 | 95c74877e430924b37309faba140b8ee49b4faf9 | (CNN) -- Fox News host Bill O'Reilly says his review of famed Harlem restaurant Sylvia's is being taken out of context and was not racist. Fox News host Bill O'Reilly says his comments about a Harlem restaurant have been taken out of context. On his September 19 radio show, O'Reilly said he took civil rights leader Al Sharpton to the Lenox Avenue fixture and "couldn't get over the fact that there was no difference between Sylvia's Restaurant and any other restaurant in New York City." "I mean, it was exactly the same, even though it's run by blacks, primarily black patronship," he told listeners. "It was the same, and that's really what this society's all about now here in the U.S.A. There's no difference." And later, speaking with National Public Radio correspondent and Fox analyst Juan Williams, O'Reilly said there "wasn't any kind of craziness at all" during his dinner with Sharpton: "There wasn't one person in Sylvia's who was screaming, 'M.F.-er, I want more iced tea.' " "It was like going into an Italian restaurant in an all-white suburb in the sense that people were sitting there and they were ordering and just having fun," he continued. Watch reaction to O'Reilly's comments » . The comments, part of a broader discussion on the persistence of prejudice in American society, were circulated by Media Matters for America, a left-leaning media watchdog group that has been highly critical of O'Reilly. Other media organizations then picked up the comments. But on his Fox News television program Tuesday night, O'Reilly said the remarks were being distorted. "Anybody who listened to it ... would, I think, have appreciated the discussion for being an exposition of why people are afraid not only of blacks but of everybody they don't know," he said. Elsewhere in the September 19 program, O'Reilly said he was trying to reassure whites -- such as his grandmother, whom he said had an "irrational fear" of blacks -- that rap-star stereotypes of African-Americans "are not true." "This is what white America doesn't know, particularly people who don't have a lot of interaction with black Americans," he said. "They think the culture is dominated by Twista, Ludacris and Snoop Dogg." Williams defended O'Reilly during O'Reilly's Tuesday night show. He said portraying O'Reilly's comments as racist was "rank dishonesty." "It's outrageous, because the discussion we had was about how too often the images on TV are these rappers glorifying drugs, glorifying violence, degrading women," Williams said. But Suzan Johnson Cook, a former Clinton administration official, said O'Reilly sounded surprised that a black crowd was so civil. "Was he expecting people to be jumping all over the place?" she said on CNN's "Out in the Open" on Tuesday. "It's very sad that, in 2007, a man who influences so many people, number one, has that kind of ignorance, who has not been exposed to our culture." And Sharpton, who is scheduled to appear on O'Reilly's television program Wednesday night, said he has had dinner with the voluble host twice. He told CNN that O'Reilly "said nothing at dinner that time or the time before that was offensive to me." "I don't know the whole context of it," he said. "What I've read was certainly not complimentary. And I think that if I said that -- anything halfway like that -- about other races, people would not take it as complimentary and they'd jump all over me -- probably some of his colleagues at Fox. "But at the same time, I've been quoted out of context," he continued. "That's why I want to ask him what was the context." Sharpton said he was already scheduled to appear on O'Reilly's program to discuss the "Jena 6," the black Louisiana teens charged with beating a white classmate amid racial tensions in a small town. "I happen to think the future of the criminal justice system is a little more important than me and Bill O'Reilly having dinner in Harlem," he said. In a written statement, Bill Shine, Fox's vice president for programming, added, "This is nothing more than left-wing outlets stirring up false racism accusations for ratings. It's sad." E-mail to a friend . | Fox News Host Bill O'Reilly says his comments about restaurant were distorted .
Said Harlem restaurant was "exactly the same" as those in white neighborhoods .
O'Reilly visited famed restaurant Sylvia's with civil rights leader Al Sharpton .
Sharpton: O'Reilly "said nothing at dinner ... that was offensive to me" |
258,333 | da606a765ab849a170683917329aa961a8da7245 | The House of Lords refused to share catering services with MPs because they were worried about the quality of champagne, it has been claimed. A plan to merge to management of bars and restaurants in both Houses of Parliament was jettisoned after peers expressed fears of being forced to drink cheap bubbly, according to a former Commons chief. While the Lords and MPs share IT, cleaning and archive services, reaching agreement on champagne purchasing was seen as a step too far. The House of Lords refused to merge catering contracts with the Commons because they 'feared that the quality of champagne would not be as good if they chose a joint service' A group of MPs is examining the way the House of Commons is run, following the row over John Bercow's plan to install an Australian woman as Clerk. But one of the biggest differences has emerged over their taste in fine wines. Former Clerk Sir Malcolm Jack revealed the tensions between the two Houses of Parliament when the committee took evidence. He insisted that 'joint services must be a good idea' and they already exist in ICT and the running of the estate. 'Nevertheless, there are historical differences between the Houses.' He said there had been a long running argument – lasting 20 or even 50 years – about whether the elaborately decorated Pugin Room, complete with a crystal chandelier and deep red carpets, belongd to the Commons or the Lords. Sir Malcolm added: 'The person in charge of catering came with proposals to provide a joint catering service, and it was eventually thrown out in the House of Lords because the Lords feared that the quality of champagne would not be as good if they chose a joint service.' Former Labour Cabinet minister Jack Straw, chairman of the Commons governance committee, was taken aback by the claim, asking: 'Did you make that up? Is that true?' Governance committee chairman Jack Straw expressed astonishment at the revelation about champagne from former Commons Clerk Sir Malcolm Jack (right) The Lords and Commons already share IT, cleaning and archive services, but catering was seen as a step too far . But Sir Malcolm insisted it had happened. 'Yes, it is true, he said. 'It should not be beyond the wit of man, Chair, to brigade the services together and deliver them differently. Former Lib Dem minister David Heath, who sits on the committee, remarked: 'You can never underestimate the capacity for self-parody in this place.' Since 2010 the House of Lords has bought in more than 17,000 bottles of champagne at a cost of £265,770. It is the univalent of five bottles each for every peer. The stunned MPs returned to the topic later, when DUP MP Ian Paisley wondered whether the Lords' fears about the quality of champagne in the Commons was justified, the Observer reported. 'I feel compelled to ask: were they right about the champagne?' Mr Paisley said. Sir Malcolm insisted: 'I don't think they were; we were very careful in our selection.' The champagne row caused such a storm that MPs raised it again at a later hearing of the committee, as they grilled Lord Rogers, who stood down as Clerk of the Commons this year after reports of rows with Mr Bercow. Lord Rogers warned of 'suspicion' between the two Houses over the prospect of joint working. 'You also need to look at where it will really make a difference. 'It would be very difficult to get a joint catering service. I must be very careful for a number of reasons what I say here.' Mr Paisley asked if he was referring to the dispute over champagne, but Lord Rogers refused to get drawn into it. 'No, I am not going into the quality of the champagne. People are very possessive about some services. Catering is an absolute classic.' However, a Lords spokesman said: 'The House of Lords would not reject a merger of catering services with the House of Commons simply on the supply of champagne. 'The House of Lords catering department and subsidy is significantly smaller than that of the House of Commons, and it is not clear that any merger would produce savings in the costs of the House of Lords. All alcohol sold in the House of Lords is sold at a profit.' | Peers rejected plan to merge contracts over fears about their bubbly .
Commons and Lords already share IT, cleaning and archives contracts .
But meddling with their meals was seen as a step too far for the Lords .
Ex-Clerk Sir Malcolm Jack insisted Commons tipples were up to scratch .
But House of Lords insists champagne was not a deal breaker . |
10,988 | 1f435c7e0a970ee86709de4f124435115c3a8b12 | (CNN) -- The use of chemical weapons in Syria is a "tragic mistake" but Italy will only participate in military action with the approval of the United Nations Security Council, according to the country's finance minister. Fabrizio Saccomanni, a member of Italy's coalition government under Prime Minister Enrico Letta, told CNN that Italy "firmly" condemns the use of chemical weapons on Syrian civilians. Referring to a possible U.S.-led military strike on Syria, he said: "That doesn't mean that we will oppose other types of action by other countries, but we think it is important to continue to cooperate." Saccomanni's comments come as members of U.S. Congress are due to debate support for military action in Syria. President Barack Obama says the U.S. has "high confidence" that Syria used chemical weapons - the strongest position the U.S. can take short of confirmation. Britain, France, and Germany have said their intelligence backs up the same conclusion although elsewhere, doubts remain. Saccomanni added: "There is... continuous attention also to the humanitarian aspects of the crisis and I think Italy, like other countries, has committed humanitarian funds and aid to Syria." Italy's economic pain . Saccomanni was speaking to CNN amid fears Italy's coalition government could collapse following the sentencing of former Prime Minister and coalition partner Silvio Berlusconi for tax fraud. Berlusconi -- leader of the center-right party The People of Freedom -- is facing a four-year sentence and there are fears this could destabilize an already fragile government. Asked if the coalition could fail, Saccomanni said: "I hope it doesn't." Saccomanni added: "It is a possibility, but the probability of it happening is decreasing day by day." The country is also struggling with spiraling unemployment and a high national debt, resulting in a deep recession. But following a spate of positive data out of the eurozone, Saccomanni, formerly the Bank of Italy's deputy governor, expects the country's economic prospects to improve next year. He said that Italy's new coalition government is ready to restart investment in infrastructure projects and energy efficient technologies to put the eurozone's third-largest economy back on the path to growth. Saccomanni blamed the lack of training for young people, in subjects such as computer science, and Italy's insufficient investment in new technologies as the reason for the country's lack of competitiveness. CNN's Isa Soares and Oliver Joy contributed to this report . | Italian Finance Minister Fabrizio Saccomanni told CNN that Italy "firmly" condemns the use of chemical weapons .
Saccomanni's comments come as members of U.S. Congress are due to debate support for military action .
U.S. President Barack Obama says he has "high confidence" that the regime is to blame for the use of chemical weapons .
Saccomanni also said he hoped the fragile coalition government did not fall . |
179,955 | 75011fd50bc5934e6c201f25fa490533372e71e6 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 08:37 EST, 19 July 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 09:20 EST, 19 July 2013 . Allergy: Jenny Pomeroy died from a severe reaction to the venom of a fire ant sting . A 65-year-old woman has died after having an allergic reaction from a fire ant sting as she relaxed by her swimming pool in Georgia. Jenny Pomeroy, who went into anaphylactic shock after being stung at her condo last week, died in hospital from complications related to the reaction. The grandmother, who had been chief executive of a blind charity for 17 years, knew she was allergic to the ants' venom and carried an autoinjector, but she couldn't be saved. 'This is just so hard to believe and unexpected,' Laurie Irby, who worked with Mrs Pomeroy at Prevent Blindness Georgia, told ABC News. Mrs Pomeroy, who was chief executive officer of the Atlanta charity, had been treated in hospital 20 years ago after an allergic reaction to the ants. 'Jenny knew that she was allergic to fire ants and was always very aware of her surroundings,' Ms Irby said. For most people, a fire ant sting will cause welts, itching and swelling, but for those who are allergic to the venom, it can cause vomiting, difficulty breathing and swallowing and, in extreme cases, a fatal drop in blood pressure. Mrs Pomeroy carried an epinephrine autoinjector, which quickly delivers life-saving drugs into the blood stream, and her husband immediately called 911 when his wife was stung at their condo after work. A statement released to neighbors at her Buckhead condo said: 'We all feel the terrible sorrow for the loss of our close personal friend and board president.' Close: Grandmother Jenny Pomeroy, left, with her family, has been remembered for her selfless nature . The co-chairmen of Prevent Blindness Georgia, Scott Pastor and Amy Hutchinson, released a statemement on Tuesday saying: 'Jenny . will forever be remembered as an innovative thinker and a selfless, . dedicated leader in Atlanta and across the state of Georgia. We will . miss her deeply.' Atlanta has a big problem with fire ants, which are believed to have arrived in the U.S. in the 1930s on board trade ships. They can now be found in 13 states, including Georgia, and are believed to be the number one cause of insect bites in the U.S. They bite their victim to get a good grip before injecting the venom. For people with an allergy, the reaction becomes more severe with age. However, an allergist at the Atlanta Allergy and Asthma clinic, said many people were not aware that those who are allergic to the venom can be given a course of treatment to build up their immunity. Venomous: Fire ants are believed to be the number one cause of insect bites in the U.S. 'The best treatment is allergy . shots because they're very effective at helping . patients build a tolerance so that when they're stung again, they don't . have a reaction,' Dr Stanley Fineman said. The shots carry small but increasing doses of the venom to help patients build up an immunity over five years. More than 500,000 Americans seek emergency treatment for insect stings each year and about 40 are killed from insect sting anaphylaxis, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. | 65-year-old grandmother had severe allergy to insect venom .
Invading species is number one cause of insect bites in the U.S . |
134,483 | 39f1ff2794f0afbd077884f4b9563270e0e2f4b4 | Negotiators paid a $1.6 million ransom for the release of a German-American journalist who was kidnapped in Somalia and held for two years and eight months, a commander of pirates who held him said Wednesday. A German spokeswoman would not confirm that money was paid for the freedom of Michael Scott Moore and U.S. policy prohibits paying ransoms. Moore is 'doing well' and receiving medical care, Germany's Foreign Ministry said. Somali pirates on Tuesday freed a German-American journalist and writer, Michael Scott Moore, two and a half years after he was kidnapped in the war-torn Horn of Africa nation . Moore is 'doing well' and receiving medical care, Germany's Foreign Ministry said . Moore, 45, was flown to Kenya's capital after being freed in Somalia on Tuesday. A special German Foreign Ministry crisis group and German federal police had worked 'very closely' with U.S. authorities to win Moore's freedom after he was kidnapped on Jan. 21, 2012, while researching a book on piracy, foreign ministry spokeswoman Sawsan Chebli told The Associated Press in Berlin. 'Given the circumstances, he's doing well,' Chebli said. She would not comment on what led to his release or on reports that a ransom had been paid, beyond saying 'the German government cannot be blackmailed.' A German spokeswoman would not confirm that money was paid for the freedom of Michael Scott Moore and U.S. policy prohibits paying ransoms . The U.S. military in Africa refused to comment on whether the American military was at all involved in the case or if it would be involved in transporting Moore back to the United States. The Somali pirates negotiated with Somali intermediaries acting on behalf of Germany, Bile Hussein, a pirate commander in the coastal town of Hobyo, told AP. He said pirates grew tired of holding Moore and were increasingly concerned the U.S. would attempt to use force to secure the journalist's freedom. A special German Foreign Ministry crisis group and German federal police had worked 'very closely' with U.S. authorities to win Moore's freedom after he was kidnapped on Jan. 21, 2012 . Just four days after Moore was kidnapped in the northern Somali town of Galkayo as he was driving from the airport, U.S. Navy SEALs rescued an American and a Dane in a nighttime raid while killing all nine of their guards. The two had also been kidnapped in Galkayo, on Oct. 25, 2011. Moore had freelanced for Germany's Der Spiegel. He holds both German and American citizenship and is a native of Redondo Beach, California . Chebli said Moore was at the German Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, on Wednesday. German officials there denied Moore was present. | German spokeswoman would not confirm money paid for Michael Scott Moore's freedom and U.S. policy prohibits paying ransoms .
Moore is said to be 'doing well' and receiving medical care .
Moore was kidnapped in January 2012 while researching a book on piracy . |
148,046 | 4b6fdc83b3e16a7b9aa64b240d3728b1d2313542 | The second suspect in the Boston Marathon bombings was taken into custody Friday night, bringing to an end a massive manhunt in the tense Massachusetts capital worried by warnings the man was possibly armed with explosives. After announcing the arrest on Twitter, Boston police tweeted: "CAPTURED!!! The hunt is over. The search is done. The terror is over. And justice has won. Suspect in custody." Authorities confirmed the man in custody is 19-year-old Dzhokar Tsarnaev, who escaped an overnight shootout with police that left his older brother Tamerlan Tsarnaev -- the other man wanted in the bombings -- dead. The younger Tsarnaev was in serious condition, Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis said at a news conference. He was being treated at Boston's Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, hospital spokeswoman Kelly Lawman said. Tsarnaev was cornered late Friday as he was hiding on a boat in a backyard of Watertown, a suburb of Boston. Police were alerted to his whereabouts by a man who went outside after authorities lifted an order for residents to stay inside during the manhunt. The resident saw blood on a boat in the backyard, Davis said. He then lifted up the tarp covering the boat and "saw a man covered with blood," he said. It was that call that resulted in an arrest less than a week after two bombs exploded near the finish line of the Boston Marathon, shocking the nation and leaving a city on edge. "There was an exchange of gunfire, and I don't know if he was struck," Davis said of the suspect. Authorities, using a bullhorn, had called on the suspect to surrender: "Come out with your hands up." Tsarnaev, according to authorities, refused to surrender. "We used a robot to pull the tarp off the boat," David Procopio of the Massachusetts State Police said. "We were also watching him with a thermal imaging camera in our helicopter. He was weakened by blood loss -- injured last night most likely," Tsarnaev was taken into custody after authorities rushed the boat, Davis said. Closing a chapter . The standoff and subsequent arrest came just minutes after authorities indicated during a news conference that a manhunt for the suspect appeared to come up empty. Authorities had cast a wide net for the suspect, virtually shutting down Boston and its surroundings after a violent night in which authorities say the brothers allegedly hurled explosives at pursuers, after killing Massachusetts Institute of Technology police Officer Sean Collier and hijacking a car. "We've closed an important chapter in this tragedy," President Barack Obama said in a televised address. Even so, he vowed to seek answers to the motive in the attack and find out whether the suspects received any help to carry out their plot. The government is invoking the public safety exception to question Tsarnaev, meaning in cases of national security a person can be questioned without being read their Miranda rights, a Justice Department official told CNN on condition of anonymity. The official is not authorized to publicly discuss the matter. U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz told reporters the "government has that opportunity right now" to invoke the public safety exemption but stopped short of declaring it would take that step, saying only the suspect was in the hospital. Republican Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham called for Tsarnaev to be held as an enemy combatant. 'Glad it's over' Word of the arrest spread quickly in suburban Watertown, where residents took to the streets to cheer the news that suspect had been arrested. "Thank you. Thank you. It was our pleasure," members of the Boston SWAT team said over a loudspeaker. Mary Sullivan was walking her black Labrador earlier Friday night when gunshots rang out in her neighborhood. "I'm glad it's over," she said. "The city and the people have gone through so much pain over these irrational decisions of these young men." Bombing connection . The manhunt began late Thursday just hours after the FBI released photos of the two suspects in the marathon bombings. "Investigators are recovering a significant amount of homemade explosives" from the scene of the shootout, Procopio told CNN. It was not immediately clear what explosives were recovered, but the discovery followed a tense night in which authorities say the brothers allegedly hurled a homemade grenade and five pipe bombs at pursuers after killing an officer and hijacking a car. Tamerlan Tsarnaev, 26, was wearing explosives and a triggering device when he died, a source briefed on the investigation told CNN on condition of anonymity. The manhunt brought Boston to a near standstill. The Boston Red Sox announced they were postponing Friday night's game against the Kansas City Royals "to support efforts of law enforcement officers." NHL's Boston Bruins also postponed its game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The city's subway, bus, Amtrak train and Greyhound and regional Bolt Bus services were shut down. Taxi service across the city also was suspended for a time during the manhunt. Every Boston area school was closed. Boston's public transit authority sent city buses to Watertown to evacuate residents while bomb experts combed the surroundings for possible explosives. Initially, authorities said the brothers started their rampage by robbing a convenience store. By late Friday, the Middlesex District Attorney's office backtracked on the allegation, saying an investigation determined that the robbery at a 7-Eleven was unrelated. Officer killed . The violent hours leading up to the capture began in Cambridge, across the Charles River from Boston, MIT officer Collier was shot and killed while he sat in his car on Thursday night, the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office said in a statement. The two suspects, according to authorities, then hijacked a vehicle at gunpoint in Cambridge, telling the driver that they were the marathon bombers, a law enforcement source told CNN. At some point, apparently at a gas station, that source said, the driver escaped. Police, who were tracking the vehicle using its built-in GPS system, picked up the chase in Watertown. The pursuit went into a residential neighborhood, with the suspects throwing explosives at police. A shootout erupted and ultimately one bomber -- later identified as Tamerlan Tsarnaev -- got out of the car. Police shot him, and his brother ran over him as he drove away, according to the law enforcement source, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Richard H. Donohue Jr., 33, a three-year veteran of the transit system police force, was shot and wounded in the incident and taken to a hospital, a transit police spokesman said Friday. The officer's condition was not immediately known. Another 15 police officers were treated for minor injuries sustained during the explosions and shootout, Jennifer Kovalich, a spokeswoman for St. Elizabeth's Medical Center, said. Suspects background . Police believe the brothers are the same men pictured in images released Thursday by the FBI as suspects in the marathon bombing that killed three people and wounded dozens on Monday. At least 58 people remained hospitalized, including three in critical condition, according to a CNN count. The men are shown in the images walking together near the marathon finish line. The first suspect -- apparently Tamerlan Tsarnaev, according to authorities -- appears in the images wearing a dark hat, sunglasses and a backpack. The second suspect, wearing a white cap, police said, is the one who remained at large throughout Friday until he was taken into custody Friday night. But the mother of the Tsarnaev brothers refused to believe they were involved in the marathon bombings and subsequent shootout. "It's impossible for them to do such things. I am really telling you that this is a setup," Zubeidat Tsarnaeva told state-run Russia Today from Dagestan. "My son would never keep it in secret. ...If there is anyone who would know it would be me. He wouldn't hide it. But there was never a word." The brothers came from the Russian Caucasus region and moved to Kazakhstan at a young age before coming to the United States several years ago. "My youngest was raised from 8 years in America. My oldest was really properly raised in our house. Nobody talked about terrorism," their mother said. The suspects' parents recently returned to Dagestan in the Caucasus region after living in the United States for about 10 years because they were "nostalgic," the father, Anzor Tsarnaev, told Russian state-run Zvezda TV. He accused someone of framing his sons. "I don't know who exactly did it. But someone did." A federal official told CNN that Dzhokar Tsarnaev came to the U.S. as a tourist with his family in the early 2000s and later asked for asylum. He became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2012. Tamerlan Tsarnaev was not a naturalized citizen, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. He came "a few years later" and was lawfully in the United States as a green-card holder. Tamerlan Tsarnaev had studied at Bunker Hill Community College and wanted to become an engineer, according to those who knew him. He then took a year off to train as a boxer. 'I don't understand them' The official said that a posting on a social media site in the elder brother's name included the comments: "I don't have a single American friend. I don't understand them." Dzhokar Tsarnaev attended Cambridge Rindge & Latin, a public high school, said Eric Mercado, who graduated a year behind the suspect. Mercado said Tsarnaev had worked at Harvard University as a lifeguard. "We hung out; we partied; we were good high school friends," Mercado told CNN. "We're all, like, in shock. We don't really understand. There were no telltale signs of any kind of malicious behavior from Dzhokar. It's all coming as a shock, really." Mercado said he lived a block away from the suspect and did not know his older brother. Dzhokar Tsarnaev is currently registered as a student at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, which ordered its campus evacuated on Friday. The school is located 65 miles south of Cambridge, just west of New Bedford. Larry Aaronson, Dzhokar Tsarnaev's neighbor and a former teacher at the high school Tsarnaev attended, called him a "wonderful kid." "He was so grateful to be here, he was compassionate, he was caring, he was jovial," Aaronson told CNN. | 58 people remain hospitalized from Monday's bombings, according to a CNN tally .
"CAPTURED!!! The hunt is over" police tweet after second suspect is in custody .
Investigators find ''significant amount of homemade explosives,'' a police official says .
Slain suspect was wearing explosives when he died, source tells CNN . |
36,737 | 68189c021b148527c2bf459a79a5d2f6104c8785 | Princeton, New Jersey (CNN) -- Christine O'Donnell shocked the political establishment last week with her victory in the Republican Senate primary in Delaware against Rep. Mike Castle. Like most Tea Party activists, O'Donnell has embraced the anti-Washington rhetoric that has been popular among congressional candidates in the current political climate. She and other conservatives have criticized fellow Republicans, like Castle, for having become too comfortable in the nation's capital, too willing to work through the normal political process and to compromise on core principles. "The people of Delaware have spoken. No more politics as usual," she said upon declaring victory. This kind of anti-Washington rhetoric usually works well on the campaign trail, but it tends to vanish once a candidate is elected and starts the new job. Ever since Vietnam and Watergate shook public confidence in our government institutions, many Democrats and Republicans have defined themselves in opposition to the very job that they hope to win. In most of these cases, they have then abandoned their own ideals after being confronted with the realities of governing. Most recently, Barack Obama won the presidency with a campaign that emphasized change and rejected a political system that he said was broken. During the Democratic primaries, Obama had differentiated himself from Sen. Hillary Clinton by blasting her for an "Inside the Beltway" mentality, depicting her as someone who, like her husband, was too willing to cut deals and too cozy with the interest groups that lurk on K Street. Yet President Obama dropped most of his reform agenda soon after entering office. When pushing for signature legislation such as health care and financial regulation, the administration and Congress cut deals with the interest groups he once derided. Democrats and Republicans have continued to scramble for private dollars to fund their campaigns. The political process looks very much the same in 2010 as it did in 2008. The Republican freshmen who took control of Congress in 1994 with similar promises also came to adapt to the ways of Washington. After the shutdown of the federal government that resulted from the budget standoff with President Clinton, many of the freshmen tempered their outlook as they compromised on issues such as Medicare. They also mastered the parliamentary procedures they once decried and developed ties with interest groups to advance their agenda. By 2006, the Republicans, who in their "Contract with America" had promised to "transform the way Congress works," looked very much like the establishment. The political process is more than a backdrop to decision-making. The process constrains what politicians can and can't do. For example, the fact that the campaigns are financed with private money ensures that lobbyists and interest groups wield influence. Unless Congress passes government reforms such as publicly financed elections to change that process, Tea Party politicians will either have to deal with it or languish. Furthermore, the separation of power and the nature of the legislative process require compromise to achieve legislation. It is misguided to condemn politicians for practicing a quintessentially American political art. The president and Congress must agree on legislation, other than rare moments when there is a super-majority to override a veto. The internally fragmented House and Senate must also reach agreement through a deliberative process filled with procedural traps such as the filibuster. A Tea Party Republican can complain all he or she wants about compromise, but on Capitol Hill, a new member of Congress is unlikely to get anything done without cutting a deal. Finally, voters in both red and blue states depend on federal spending. Although Tea Party candidates castigate earmarks, government spending and pork barrel politics, all of those who are victorious will represent constituencies profoundly affected by the money that Congress allocates every year. In Alaska, the political birthplace of Sarah Palin and the scene of another recent Tea Party victory, the state has depended on federal dollars for jobs and infrastructure. Indeed, the Southern and Western states, which have been the home to the conservative movement since the 1970s, have depended on military contracts since the Cold War as a pillar of their economy. Voters should be extremely skeptical about the kinds of promises that candidates such as O'Donnell are making. They have seen this movie before, and they know how it ends. In the end, voters should pay less attention to the anti-Washington rhetoric and take a closer look at the specific policies that these candidates hope to pursue. Doing so will allow voters to make a more realistic assessment of what their victories would mean for the nation. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Julian E. Zelizer. | Julian Zelizer says anti-D.C. candidates promise to change the ways of the capital .
He says President Obama didn't deliver the political reform he promised .
Republicans elected in 1994 also abandoned anti-Washington promises, he says .
Zelizer: Getting things done in Washington requires compromise . |
105,392 | 13e2c000b9f4869b22f6af049afe2e04a5230d43 | Cem Duzgan, 21, was shot 11 times as he played a game of pool with his friends at the Clapton FC Club in Hackney, east London on October 5 2009 . Four men who shot an innocent victim 11 times with a sub-machine gun in a botched revenge killing have been jailed for a total of 114 years. Cem Duzgan, 21, was shot in the head, body, arms and legs as he played a game of pool with his friends at Clapton Football Club in Hackney, east London, on October 5 2009. The victim, who lived with his family in Islington and worked as a sales assistant at a clothes store in Croydon, died at the scene, Scotland Yard said. The court heard the murder was part of a spate of violent tit-for-tat incidents - including other killings - that took place around that time between the Tottenham Turks and the Hackney Turks gangs. Just three days before Mr Duzgan's murder, another man was shot and killed in a targeted attack while driving a car in Tottenham. The prosecution case was that Mr Duzgan was killed in revenge, though he was not thought to be the intended target. Blaize Lunkula, 28, of no fixed address, who was found guilty of murder on February 27 at the Old Bailey, was sentenced to life imprisonment, to serve a minimum of 35 years. Another three men found guilty the same day were also sentenced. Yusuf Arslan, 24, of no fixed address, was sentenced to life imprisonment, to serve a minimum of 33 years. Ndombasi Makusu, 27, of no fixed address, was sentenced to life imprisonment, to serve a minimum of 28 years. And Christian Barabutu, 22, also of no fixed address, was jailed for a minimum of 18 years. The court heard that the gunman - Lunkula - gained access to the Turkish social club with the help of an accomplice who held open a pair of secure air lock doors. People inside became aware something was happening and Mr Duzgan went to investigate the lobby area. Lunkula opened fire, shooting 11 bullets . through the victim's head, body, arms and legs. Ballistics experts . later estimated the weapon was less than 30cm from Mr Duzgan's head when . it was fired. Blaize Lunkula (top left), Yusuf Arslan (top right), Ndombasi Makusu (bottom left) and Christian Barabutu (bottom right) have been jailed for the murder of innocent victim Cem Duzgan, in an execution-style killing as part of a gang feud, police said . Lunkula had travelled to the scene with Makusu and Barabutu, who had been involved in planning and organising the shooting. Mobile phone analysis found that all the defendants had dumped their phones shortly after the murder and did not use them again. Before the killing they had been in contact with each other frequently. The phone evidence also pinpointed Lunkula, Makusu and Barabutu as being in the area of the club at the time of the shooting. The other defendant Arslan remained away from the scene, having been the earlier 'organiser' and present at a 'council of war' when the revenge attack was planned. Acting Detective Sergeant Simon Franklin, the case officer for the homicide and major crime command, said: ‘The victim was simply enjoying a night out with friends when he went to investigate a disturbance. ‘Sadly this decision cost him his life as he became unwittingly caught up in a bitter and violent rivalry between two gangs operating in the area.’ The Mac 11 machine gun used was not recovered but ballistics experts were able to prove it had been used in two other shootings linked to Hackney Turks premises in 2009. | Cem Duzgan, 21, was shot 11 times with a sub-machine gun in Hackney .
He was playing pool with friends at a social club when he was murdered .
Police said the execution-style killing was result of a feud between gangs .
Four men were jailed for a total of 114 years for his murder in October 2009 . |
96,759 | 0885ebe79b7eb65475b88e693c43671a88093fec | By . Chris Pleasance . Updated: . 02:10 EST, 23 July 2014 . British pilot Chris Wilson, 39, died with 19 others when the plane he was controlling plummeted from the sky . A plane crash which killed a British pilot in Africa may have been caused by passengers panicking over an escaped crocodile, an inquest heard yesterday. Chris Wilson, 39, died alongside 18 others when the jet he was co-piloting plunged to the ground during a routine flight across the Congo. First Officer Wilson died instantly, alongside fellow pilot Danny Philemotte, and no cause for the crash has ever been established. But today an inquest into his death . heard a stampede may have broken out over an escaped crocodile in the . cabin, which saw passengers surge forward, causing the plane to plummet. The only . surviving passenger claimed the reptile spooked a cabin crew member, who . ran towards the cockpit causing the passengers to follow. Assistant Coroner David Dooley read out an email from Chris’s dad Rob to Congonese officials. 'Rob . Wilson said he had spoken to the original investigator on site who said . that there was a gentleman who came up with a story about a crocodile,' he wrote. 'There is apparently a video of the crocodile being taken out of the plane. 'They think it may have frightened the cabin crew member and she ran forward, with the other passengers following. 'The weight shift caused by the panic may have affected the plan causing it to stall.' He added: 'It would have been a maximum of two or three feet in length. 'We . don’t know if one was being carried for certain, although it was . apparently quite normal for animals and chickens to be carried on the . plane, it was used like a taxi in this regard.' The . inquest, at Gloucester Coroner’s Court, heard that Chris had moved to . the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2010 after giving up his job as a . cabin crew member with a British airline to follow his dreams of . becoming a commercial pilot. He began to fly for local company Filair to carry out the required 1,000 hours of flying needed to get a licence. Chris had already completed one stint with the company, and on June 24 went back for another three month attachment. Today an inquest into Wilson's death heard that the crash may have been caused by passengers stampeding to the front of the plane after a crocodile escaped from a passenger's holdall . Gloucester Coroner's Court heard that Wilson was flying with African airline Filair to train for his licence, but had told family members he didn't want to work there because it was dangerous . But . he became more and more concerned about the state of the airline and . the flying ability of Mr Philemotte, who also owned the company. In . a statement read to the court, Chris’s brother Martin said: 'Every time . he flew with Mr Philemotte there was always one incident or another. 'He said he didn’t want to fly with him anymore. He said if it wasn’t for the fact they could see where they were going . they wouldn’t ever get anywhere because Philemotte couldn’t read the . instruments. 'He said he didn’t know how Philemotte was still alive his flying was so bad.' Chris . also told his brother how passengers would walk around, making the . plane unstable, and would stand up when they were supposed to have their . seat belts on. It was also . commonplace for passengers to take animals on planes, the inquest heard, . and local media reports at the time claimed the crocodile had escaped from a passenger’s holdall. 'He didn’t really want to go back there but he wanted to get his flying hours in,' Martin added. The . inquest heard Chris had been flying from the capital, Kinshasa, to . Bandundu airport on August 25, 2010, when the tragedy happened. The . small plane, which was full to capacity with passengers, was beginning . its descent to land when it suddenly 'fell out the sky like a leaf'. A number of different explanations had been put forward for the sudden crash, but none had been proven, the inquest was told. The inquest heard that animals were commonplace on flights as people often took chickens on board to take them to market. The crocodile was thought to be between two and three foot and was stored in a holdall . Wilson who was piloting a Let 410 turbo prop (pictured) at the time of the crash, said co-pilot and airline owner Danny Philemotte was so bad at flying he he was surprised he hadn't killed himself already . Mr . Dooley said evidence had been put forward about a fuel shortage, the . over-loading of the plane, pilot error, an engine failure, maintenance . issues and a mass surge of passengers to the front of the plane. Timothy . Atkinson, an air accident investigator, said he had reviewed the . evidence given to him by Congolese authorities but was unable to draw . any definitive conclusions because they had not handed over the black . box. He said: 'To date we have no information from the black box reader, it has been almost four years since the accident. 'The aircraft struck a mud and brick building with a straw roof, and it came to a rest against another one on the ground. 'The most likely explanation I can find is that the aircraft stalled, or was in a spin prior to impact. 'There is no evidence suggesting an engine failure although I cannot be sure without looking at the plane. 'It . would reinforce the idea that the accident appears to have the . hallmarks of a stall and spin, which may have been from a variety of . causes. Essentially, it fell out of the sky.' The court heard sabotage of the plane may also have been a possibility as rival companies fiercely competed for business. Mr . Dooley said there was not enough evidence to conclude any one of the . factors had caused the crash, and said contradicting evidence had been . presented. Recording an open conclusion, he said: 'Problems . with direct witnesses and problems with the black box have only . resulted in vague guesses as to what happened with this crash. 'All . we have are possibilities rather than probabilities. I don’t believe . any further efforts could have been made to obtain any more . information.' | Pilot Chris Wilson, 39, died in Congo in 2010 after plane fell from the sky .
Inquest heard crash may have been caused by escaped crocodile in cabin .
Two or three foot animal could have been hidden in passenger's luggage .
Coroner told people regularly took animals such as chickens on flights .
Other options could include sabotage by another company or fuel shortage . |
140,065 | 4117ca8007626619c3de9717bac2b559a88d266f | They're ready to say ‘eh-oh’ to a whole new generation of viewers. The Teletubbies are staging a comeback – sending much-loved characters Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po on new adventures more than a decade after the series ended. The show for pre-schoolers will return for a further 60 episodes on BBC digital channel CBeebies. Programme makers say it will be ‘visually enhanced’ with a ‘contemporary look’ along with computer animation. Pictured from left are Po, Dipsy, Laa Laa and Tinky Winky, who will soon all be back on the BCC digital channel . There will also be some CGI animation used in the production. Originally created by production company Ragdoll, the rights have gone on to be acquired by DHX Media. The new series is to be made by TV firm Darrall Macqueen, which has been behind children's TV shows Baby Jake and Topsy And Tim. Darrall Macqueen executive producer Maddy Darrall said working on . the show was 'like being handed the television crown jewels'. New shows: The Teletubbies on top of the Tubbytronic Superdrome in Teletubbyland. No shows have been made for 10 years even though it was always popular with children . CBeebies controller Kay Benbow said: 'Teletubbies is an enduringly popular series with our youngest viewers, although no new episodes have been made for over 10 years. 'I think that now is the right time to create new episodes of this much-loved, iconic show for the current CBeebies audience. 'I’m sure they will engage with and delight in the activities of Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa Laa and Po, in the same way that children and parents did when they first appeared on our screens.' | Popular children's show going into production with 60 new episodes planned .
New production comes 13 years since the original show stopped filming .
Memorable characters Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa Laa and Po all to return .
Producers say planned version will feature CGI animation and new look . |
84,707 | f058cfab2111ff13dedd358adb32dda69659658b | Washington (CNN) -- Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney is trying to shift into high gear, but elections experts say his campaign seems to be stuck in second. With just weeks before the nominating conventions and his national debut before a broader electorate, Romney's struggles to make the case that he is best equipped to pull the nation out of the economic doldrums could derail his quest for the presidency. Romney's biggest challenge? Turning the conversation back to the weak economy and poor job growth and away from President Barack Obama's re-election campaign's attacks on his tenure at private equity firm Bain Capital and refusal to release more tax records. Romney has stalled at this. Given the ailing economy, Romney should be faring much better, political experts say. "One way to measure this is -- given the conditions of the country and the economy -- one would think the challenger would be ahead and he's not," said CNN senior political analyst David Gergen. His tax plan, the release of which was intended to offer a punctuation mark on how he'd handle the economy, was criticized by the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center. The plan would provide large tax cuts to the very wealthy while increasing the tax burden on the lower and middle classes. It would make it tough to recoup lost government revenue, according to the Brookings study. And those campaign attack ads from Obama's campaign and those supporting it aren't helping. According to a CNN/ORC International poll of likely voters released Thursday, Romney's unfavorable rating jumped to 48% from 42% a month ago, a drop which followed a period in which the Obama campaign hammered the GOP presidential hopeful with a deluge of advertising and news stories about his time at Bain and calls for Romney to release more of his tax records, which he has refused to do. Obama now leads Romney by seven percentage points in the poll with 52% of registered voters questioned in the survey saying that they'd vote to re-elect the president and 45% backing Romney. Worse, political experts say, is the somber news for Romney that only 45% of those polled by CNN said that the economy would get better if Romney were elected -- two percentage points below Obama's number. A recent Fox news poll has Obama garnering 49% of the vote and Romney 40% if the election were held today. Obama's lead in that poll comes from an 11% lead among independent voters. In a Quinnipiac University/CBS News/New York Times swing state poll released recently, more than 50% of voters in the battleground states of Pennsylvania and Ohio said they do not feel Romney "cares about the needs and problems of people" like themselves. More than 50% of voters polled in those two states said Obama cares about their needs and problems. "I think the Obama campaign is outmaneuvering the Romney campaign. They've kept him on the defensive on his taxes and on Bain, which is a key foundation for his campaign," Gergen said. "This rat-a-tat of advertising, this avalanche of advertising has taken a toll." And in some cases, Romney has also been his own worst enemy, said Marc Hetherington, political science professor at Vanderbilt University. "Romney hasn't helped himself by not putting these issues to bed with the tax situation and has allowed these issues to linger," Hetherington said. "This could have been a two-day story. That's time we're spending not talking about what Romney wants to talk about, which is the economy. He's put himself in a tough box here." Romney will have to pull out all the stops if he wants to change the narrative the Obama campaign has crafted, political experts say. "He has to capture the agenda back and remind people, 'I'm the businessman who made a lot of money, and I can help you make lots of money,'" Hetherington said. "If he doesn't do that soon these ideas people have about him will harden. "Every step Romney makes — including his running mate — has to be getting back to where Obama is weak, and that's the economy." But there are pitfalls in Romney's choice. "(Former Alaska Gov. Sarah) Palin is a classic example," said Matthew Continetti, author of "The Persecution of Sarah Palin: How the Elite Media Tried to Bring Down a Rising Star." "You see a motivating force for conservatives. Palin was electrifying. The downside is, is the candidate ready to have the spotlight shined on them? Are they ready for the tough questions such as Palin with Katie Couric? Are there holes in the biography that can be filled in by myth?" Romney's best bet to help him shore up his conservative bona fides and flagging support is to choose someone who appeals to middle-class white voters without college degrees who understands them, Continetti said. The types of voters who have been hard hit by the economic downturn live in swing states and are the target of the Obama campaign's ads on what it casts as the human costs of Romney's financial success. It's a big task. The Obama campaign has tried to define Romney before he's had a chance to do it for himself. As a result, Romney's convention speech will be more important than ever, Gergen said. "It's going to be his first chance to introduce himself to the country in terms of values and lay out his plan for the future... He's got to do that to close up this gap," Gergen said. "It's now clear that Romney can't win this election by default. It's not an apple that's going to fall into his lap because the economy is weak. He's got to take it away from (Obama)." CNN's Paul Steinhauser, CNNMoney's Charles Riley and the CNN Political Unit contributed to this report . | GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney's campaign has struggled to gain traction .
President Barack Obama's campaign attack ads have taken a toll .
Polls show Romney lags on what experts say should be his strongest area: the economy .
Romney will have to choose a strong running mate, give great convention speech . |
273,202 | ede6ed4b4b554622d8f4a248e38a7b691177c5b6 | Seoul, South Korea (CNN) -- The suspected cyberattack that appeared to target South Korean banks and broadcasters Wednesday originated from an IP address in China, South Korea's Communications Committee said in a statement Thursday. The attack damaged 32,000 computers and servers of media and financial companies, the committee said. South Korean officials are analyzing the cause and are working to prevent any further damage, the committee said. The attack infected banks' and broadcasters' computer networks with a malicious program that slowed or shut systems down, officials and the semiofficial Yonhap News Agency said. Suspicion immediately fell on North Korea, which has recently renewed threats to go to war with the South amid rising tensions over Pyongyang's nuclear weapons and missile testing and international efforts to stop them. South Korea's military stepped up its cyberdefense efforts in response to the widespread outages, which hit nine companies, Yonhap reported, citing the National Police Agency. Government computer networks did not seem to be affected, Yonhap cited the National Computing and Information Agency as saying. A joint team from government, the military and private industry was responding, a presidential spokeswoman said, according to Yonhap. A South Korean official close to the investigation told CNN that malicious computer code spread through hacking caused the outages. How the hackers got in and spread the code remains under investigation, and analysts are examining the malware, the official said. U.S. flies B-52s over South Korea . Wednesday's attack is consistent with what North Korea has done in the past, said Adam Segal, a cybersecurity expert with the Council on Foreign Relations. "It's happened before in similar circumstances where there have been tensions on the peninsula," Segal said. South Korea has accused the North of similar hacking attacks before, including incidents in 2010 and 2012 that also targeted banks and media organizations. The outages come amid heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula, with the North angrily responding to a recent U.N. Security Council vote to impose tougher sanctions on Pyongyang after the country's latest nuclear test last month. Last week, North Korea invalidated its 60-year-old armistice with the South. It has threatened to attack its neighbor with nuclear weapons and has also threatened the United States. The armistice agreement, signed in 1953, ended the three-year war between North and South but left the two nations technically in a state of war. The saber-rattling prompted the United States to deploy B-52 bombers to conduct high-profile flyovers of its South Korean ally and announce that it would deploy new ground-based missile interceptors on its West Coast against the remote possibility that North Korea could strike the United States with long-range weapons. Under threat, South Koreans mull nuclear weapons . Last week, North Korea complained that it was the victim of "intensive and persistent virus attacks" from the United States and South Korea, according to KCNA, the official North Korean news agency. Yonhap said Wednesday's outages affected three broadcasters, four banks and two insurance companies. The three broadcasters -- KBS, MBC and YTN -- reported varying levels of trouble containing the virus. While the networks remained on the air, cable network YTN said editing equipment had been affected and it expected to experience broadcasting problems, Yonhap reported. Computer networks stopped working entirely at three banks -- Shinhan, Nonghyup and Jeju -- around 2 p.m. Wednesday, Yonhap reported, citing the National Police Agency. Another financial institution, Woori Bank in Seoul, reported it was able to fend off a hacking attack about the same time. The banks that were affected reported problems with a variety of systems, including Internet banking, ATMs and telecommunication services, and some branches stayed open late because of the slowdown, Yonhap said. CNN's K.J. Kwon reported from Seoul, Jethro Mullen reported from Hong Kong and Michael Pearson wrote from Atlanta. Judy Kwon and Hilary Whiteman in Hong Kong contributed to this report. | NEW: Attack traced to IP address in China, officials say .
North Korea has staged similar attacks in the past, expert says .
Banks, broadcasters targeted; government networks unaffected, Yonhap reports .
South Korean military steps up its cyberdefense efforts in response . |
23,480 | 42b24400d4f013572062b60cd57fff40faebf125 | The books are so old that the only safe way to clean them is with a vacuum cleaner. So each volume in the 40,000-strong library at Longleat House has to be taken down from the shelves and thoroughly dusted down in a process that can take anything up to 15 minutes per book – and years for the whole collection. But staff at the Marquess of Bath’s home in Wiltshire aren’t using the family Dyson for this spring clean. Careful clean: A team of workers with mini-vacuums are cleaning the 40,000 books accumulated over 500 years in the 7 libraries of Longleat House in Wiltshire . They’ve been given small hand vacuums that are delicate enough not to damage the books – some of which date back 500 years. The entire process takes years to complete and so staff at Longleat House near Warminster, have divided it up into sections. They started by slowly sucking the dust from the pages of the 4,500 books in the Green Library and have now moved on to the Ante Library, where there are 3,000 books. Each one takes between three and five minutes to clean depending on age, size, and how delicate it is. The group is focusing on the shelves nearest to the visitors’ areas because crowds walking past have created more dust. Arduous task: It takes two teams of four staff 3-15 minutes to delicately hoover the dust from each book using specially adapted low suction vacuum cleaners . The first library at Longleat dates back to the 16th century when the house was built by Sir John Thynne and some of his books still feature in the enormous collection. The oldest tome at the house dates back to 1470 and there around around 130 others printed before 1500. Other fascinating books include Shakespeare’s First Folio and the earliest English cookbook, the ‘Book of Cookery’ printed by Pynson in 1500. Matthew Baalham, assistant librarian said: ‘We concentrate on the books which are closest to where visitors walk as this creates more dust. Slow progress: Staff started with the 4,500 books in the Green Library and have now moved on to the Ante Library, where there are 3,000 books . ‘We use special, low-suction vacuum cleaners and it takes between three and fifteen minutes to clean each book depending on age, size and how delicate it is. ‘Some exceptionally large and dirty books take longer. ‘I’d say the key requirements are concentration, attention to detail, and diligence, as well as knowing how to clean the books in a particular way. ‘The main feature of the vacuum cleaners is that they have sensitive suction levels, if they were any stronger the books could be damaged. ‘They also have the technology to stop any mildew spores that are sucked into the vacuum from getting back out and spread around.’ | Staff at the home of Marquess of Bath to vacuum 40,000 books .
Takes eight staff 3-15 minutes to hoover the dust from each book .
The oldest book at Longleat House dates back to 1470 . |
11,960 | 21f25b7c06a2db0492e106cbd027c4de8079e4e9 | Beijing (CNN) -- Vladimir Putin is seeking China's support in Russia's standoff with Western powers over Ukraine. In a rare phone conversation, Putin briefed his counterpart in Beijing, President Xi Jinping, on "Russia's position on the issue and measures Russia had taken to tackle the crisis," the state-controlled Xinhua news agency reported Wednesday. President Xi said the situation in Ukraine is "highly complicated and sensitive," which "seems to be accidental, (but) has the elements of the inevitable." He added that China believes Russia can "push for the political settlement of the issue so as to safeguard regional and world peace and stability" and he "supports proposals and mediation efforts of the international community that are conducive to the reduction of tension." The Chinese leader's comments followed similarly guarded statements by Chinese diplomats earlier this week, which neither criticized nor supported Moscow's actions over Ukraine. Unsurprisingly, Russia has attempted to depict China's position as more supportive than it actually is. In describing an earlier phone call between the foreign ministers of China and Russia, the foreign ministry in Moscow said Monday that there was "a broad convergence of views between Russia and China in connection to the situation in Ukraine and around it." READ MORE: Russia threatens Western assets . In fact, China's foreign ministry spokesman provided more nuanced statements. "It is China's longstanding position not to interfere in others' internal affairs," Qin Gang said in a regular press briefing over the weekend. "We respect the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine." Qin did not criticize Russia for sending troops into Ukrainian territory but he repeated China's call for dialogue to resolve the standoff. Referring to the demonstrations in Ukraine's capital last month that culminated in the removal of pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych, he said: "We condemn the recent extreme and violent acts there and have been urging the relevant parties in Ukraine to resolve their internal disputes peacefully." OPINION: Why Putin's move is no surprise . Asked if China recognized the new Ukrainian government, he replied: "This requires a judgment to be made based on the laws of Ukraine." Spokesman Qin's equivocation shows the delicate balance China is trying to strike to maintain good relations with Russia without alienating itself completely from the United States and Europe. Russian bulwark . To be sure, there is no love lost between China and Russia. At the height of the Cold War in the 1960s, China and the former Soviet Union -- the two largest Communist states in the world -- were bitter ideological enemies. At one point, Moscow reportedly deployed an estimated 500,000 troops along its border with China. As for Washington's strategic partnership with China, it had been rooted largely in a shared enmity toward a common enemy -- the Soviet Union. Relations only started to thaw towards the end of the 1980s when Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev visited Beijing. But the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe, which led to the collapse of the Soviet empire itself, turned a new page in Sino-Russia relations with trade quickly replacing rhetoric. For more than two decades, Moscow has been Beijing's major supplier of military equipment, some of which has been instrumental in the modernization of the People's Liberation Army, while China also relies on Russia to satisfy its huge thirst for energy, and has been the main beneficiary of the Russian Eastern Siberia -- Pacific Ocean oil pipeline. READ MORE: Same crisis, different versions . China also considers Russia to be a necessary bulwark against the U.S. and European Union influence around the world, often standing with Moscow on matters at the United Nations. "In the past, China and Russia have often worked together to block international action (often led by the West) to address global crises, by claiming their respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty," said Paul Haenle, director of the Carnegie-Tsinghua Center of Global Policy in Beijing, noting their recent veto of sanctions against the Syrian regime. "In practice, this mutual cooperation is more closely related to Moscow and Beijing's interests than their adherence to the principle of non-interference. China has supported Russia in its sphere of influence, such as in the Syrian crisis, expecting that Russia would support China's interests in Asia, on issues such as North Korea. "The blatant hypocrisies in Russia's policies and actions have been evident this week as Russia invaded Ukraine while continuing to oppose further sanctions or action in Syria out of respect for Syria's territorial integrity and sovereignty." China's balancing act . Yet China seems likely to remain noncommittal over Ukraine. "China may think its interests are better served by continuing to avoid taking a clear stance, hoping that it will be well positioned whatever the outcome," said Haenle. "But given China's enhanced influence and power, the international community increasingly looks to China for a more principled approach and to take a leadership role to help resolve international crises, not simply position itself to be in the most advantageous situation when it is all said and done." Other China watchers believe Beijing's stance may be rooted in issues closer to home, noting that the country does not want to give the appearance of backing a separatist movement, given its own problems with ethnic tensions, primarily in the western regions of Tibet and Xinjiang. READ MORE: China's restive far west . "China does not want to take a position that will haunt it domestically," said a Chinese analyst who declined to be identified because he is not authorized to speak on the record on the topic. "China has its own challenges concerning ethnic relations and even separatist groups. It has to take a cautious even-handed approach." Ukraine interests . China will also be considering its considerable interests in Ukraine too -- especially its economic ties with the now deposed government in Kiev. Bilateral trade last year reached $10 billion, making China Ukraine's second largest trade partner, according to Xinhua. "China has significant interest in Ukraine's future stability," added Haenle. "China is an important trading partner of Ukraine's and last December formed a strategic partnership with Ukraine, committing billions of dollars in investment in Ukraine's infrastructure, aviation, energy, agriculture, and finance industries. China is also Ukraine's military industry's largest customer; China bought its first aircraft carrier from Ukraine." Shen Dingli, professor of International Relations at Shanghai's Fudan University, believes a pragmatic China would be open to working with the fledgling administration in Kiev. "If the current Ukraine government can hold on," Shen explained, "then China may work on its relations with the new Kiev government, as it is more important to keep its stakes, including economic and defense links, with the new regime." Whichever way the Ukraine crisis turns, other analysts believe China could benefit from it. "Ukraine will need China's economic cooperation, whether it's a friend of the EU and the U.S., or of Russia," said Wenfang Tang, of the University of Iowa. "Meanwhile, facing greater pressure and potential sanctions from the West, Russia will be happy to strengthen its relationship with China." Wang Andi in Beijing contributed to this report. | China's president: Situation in Ukraine is "highly complicated and sensitive"
Russia has attempted to depict China's support as more unequivocal than it actually is .
Beijing attempting to balance relationship with ally Russia as well as West .
Analyst: China also has strong strategic and commercial ties with Ukraine . |
64,158 | b637cb7ad4d4a475fa055c83f30cf7c3d5569f66 | Business is booming in Colorado's mountain resorts, and the addition of recreational marijuana stores this year has attracted customers curious about legalized pot. But there's mounting anxiety that ski towns have embraced stoner culture a little too much, potentially damaging the state's tourism brand. That worry flared up in two resort towns last week. In Breckenridge, residents voted overwhelmingly to force downtown's lone dispensary off Main Street to a less-visible location. And just up the road in Granby, town officials used a property annex to prevent the first dispensary from opening there. The fear is that some families — a mainstay of the ski tourism industry — will stop vacationing here. Pack up: Last week, residents in Breckenridge, Colorado voted to move this dispensary off Main Street to a less-visible location . Bad for business? Colorado's number two industry is tourism, and those in the business fear that the legalization of pot could have an impact on families vacationing in the state. Above, a picture of skiers and snowboarders eating lunch at the base of Breckenridge on December 11, 2014 . 'It's not a morality issue, or that we think marijuana is bad,' said Breckenridge councilman Gary Gallagher, who supported legal marijuana but also voted to force the Breckenridge Cannabis Club out of downtown. 'Marijuana, it is not in this country's DNA yet. It's a little bit too early.' So far, there's no indication that legal pot has damaged tourism, Colorado's number two industry. The state notched a record $17.3 billion in tourism spending the year after legalization, with a record 64.6 million visitors, and state tourism officials say 2014 is poised to top last year's record. But it's an open question whether pot has anything to do with it. Officials cite the improving economy and the weather, with healthy snow totals historically being the most significant driver for mountain visits. The state and its marijuana industry are barred by law from advertising weed out of state, and the head of the Colorado Tourism Office says the state isn't tracking the role of marijuana in tourist behavior. 'It's all anecdotal,' Al White said. 'I have heard from some angry parents who said they'll never come back to Colorado because of marijuana. And I've also heard from people who say they came to Colorado just to see the marijuana. Safe haven: However, legalization is also driving tourism to the state. A report in july found that 90 per cent of recreational marijuana sales in mountain resort communitites were made by out-of-state visitors. Above, two customers from Texas smell strains of marijuana at the Breckenridge Cannabis club last Thursday . 'Too soon': Moving the Cannabis Club off Main Street, was not a 'morality' issue, Breckenridge councilman Gary Gallagher said. 'Marijuana, it is not in this country's DNA yet. It's a little bit too early.' Above, a pot store employee talks with customers inside the soon-to-move out Breckenridge Cannabis Club . 'At the end of the day, it may be having a modest effect, but it's not huge either way.' The recent friction isn't the first time officials have moved to lower marijuana's profile. The nation's largest ski operator, Vail Resorts, made headlines over the last year tearing down makeshift shelters built illicitly in hard-to-reach areas and used by stoners to 'get safe,' mountain slang for toking up out of the cold and away from ski patrollers. Resorts across the state are dotted with the so-called smoke shacks, and some of them are decades old. 'We will continue to communicate that consumption of marijuana is illegal in public and on federal land,' Vail Resorts' Russ Pecoraro said in a statement about destroying the shacks in its four areas, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Vail. Still, at rates greater than their urban neighbors, mountain communities backed marijuana legalization in 2012, including Breckenridge, an early and enthusiastic support base, and there's no doubt that recreational pot has had an effect on ski towns. Shhh: Colorado is not allowed to advertise legalized marijuana outside the state, but out-of-towners are allowed to but it when they travel there. Above, snowboarders ride a lift at Breckenridge, in Colorado . Any change? The state has yet to conduct a report studying the impact of tourism since the legalization of marijuana. Above, this December 11, 2014 photo shows skiers and snowboarders take a run at Breckenridge . Support base: The resort towns were overwhelmingly in favor of legalization when the issue came to a vote in 2012. In this December 11, 2014 photo, snowboarders ride a lift at Breckenridge, in Colorado. A state-produced July report on the new marijuana industry concluded that 90 per cent of recreational sales in mountain resort communities go to out-of-state visitors. The influx of shoppers - and camera crews that have become frequent sights as they work on pot-themed news stories and documentaries - has prompted a lively debate among residents about how pot is changing their resorts. 'Whether you're pro-marijuana or against marijuana, you have to be concerned about how tourists react to seeing it,' said Bob Gordman, a Breckenridge retiree who voted to move the dispensary. Others say the marijuana novelty will die down naturally and that resort towns shouldn't worry about dispensaries or the souvenir shops that put 'Rocky Mountain High' puns on T-shirts. 'In five or 10 years, it'll be no big issue,' said Bill Kiser, a Breckenridge retiree who voted to keep the dispensary on Main Street. 'Why don't families get turned off when they go on vacation and see a bar and people drinking alcohol? Because they're used to it,' Kiser said. 'People will eventually get used to this, too.' | Residents in Breckenridge, Colorado voted in favor of forcing the town's lone dispensary off Main Street to a less-visible location last week .
Tourism officials in Colorado fear families may stop vacationing in Colorado because of legalization .
However, business appears to be booming, since last year a record 64.6 million tourists flocked to the skiing mecca . |
75,820 | d70047a64405b690881f3607adf386ec90c6db35 | ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (CNN) -- Nearly a year after assassins killed Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, her widower won the country's presidential election and hailed his triumph as a victory for democracy. "I feel democracy has been vindicated," Asif Ali Zardari told CNN. "I feel we are coming closer to her [Benazir Bhutto's] mission of total democracy in Pakistan. And we shall take the oath of office of President in the name of Shahid Benazir Bhutto, and that will be a momentous occasion for all the democratic forces in the world." Zardari, 53, had been the front-runner in the race to replace former President Pervez Musharraf, who was forced to resign last month. Zardari is to be inaugurated on Tuesday and would take office the same day. Watch an analyst discuss the election » . The election was not by public vote, but rather by lawmakers in the two houses of the National Assembly and in the four provincial assemblies around the country. Under Pakistan's constitution, the president is elected by a majority vote. Watch Zardari discuss his challenges » . According to the chief election commissioner of Pakistan, Qazi Muhammad Farooq, Zardari received 481 votes. Retired Chief Justice Muhammad Saeed Uzaman Saddiqi received 153 votes and Senator Mushahid Hussain received 44 votes, Farooq said. "The democracy talks, and everybody hears," Zardari said in a televised address Saturday evening. "And to those who would say the People's Party or the presidency would be controversial under our guardianship and under our stewardship, I would say, listen to democracy." The president-elect said he would hand over many responsibilities to the parliament. "Parliament is sovereign, this president shall be subservient to the parliament," he said in the televised address. Watch why not everyone is celebrating Zardari's win » . "It is the philosophy of ... Benazir Bhutto, in which we believe, which says democracy is the best revenge," Zadari said. "She taught us how to live. She taught us how to do politics." The pro-American Zardari will rule a nuclear power threatened by Islamic militancy and economic turmoil. The Taliban are resurgent in Pakistan and the country's economy is tanking. Zardari took over Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party (PPP) after her death late last year. His party had been confident of a win, saying Zardari had the support of three of the four provincial assemblies -- which would be crucial in helping Zardari forge the alliances he needs to tackle the country's main problems. Hussain, who was a close aide to the ex-president, was representing Musharraf's Pakistan Muslim League-Q. The party had painted him as a candidate who represented the middle class and has a clean track record -- in contrast to Zardari, who spent 11 and a half years in jail on corruption charges that he refutes. Siddiqui was nominated by the Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N), led by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Musharraf resigned under intense political pressure last month as the ruling coalition began taking steps to impeach him. He had swept to power in 1999 in a bloodless coup. The chairman of the upper house of the assembly, Mohammedmian Soomro, has been acting president in the meantime. Saturday's election came one day after Pakistan's Supreme Court reinstated three of its judges who Musharraf ousted in November, following his imposition of emergency rule. The PPP had formed a coalition with Sharif's party, the PML-N, but the coalition split apart August 25. The PML-N had set that date as a deadline for the government to honor its promise to reinstate the judges who were fired. The PPP, which led the coalition, said it believed the coalition should focus on picking a successor for Musharraf before it decided on reinstating the judges. At least 60 judges were arrested after Musharraf issued his order. Some were jailed, others placed under house arrest. Security around the National Assembly building in Islamabad was tight, with police on the roof and at the gates and riot police on site. As the voting took place, a suicide car bomb exploded in northwestern Pakistan, killing at least 25 people, including eight police officers, local police spokesman Fazal Karim said. Eight-one others were wounded. The explosion happened at a checkpoint on the outskirts of Peshawar, about 4 miles (7 kilometers) from the Provincial Assembly in Pakistan, where some of the presidential voting was taking place. Peshawar is the capital of Pakistan's North West Frontier Province. The province is near Pakistan's border with Afghanistan and is rife with Islamic extremists. CNN's Senior International Correspondent Nic Robertson contributed to this report. | NEW: Zardari: "Democracy vindicated," president is subservient to parliament .
Asif Ali Zardari, widower of ex-PM Benazir Bhutto, elected Pakistan president .
At least 25 dead following explosion in turbulent NW Pakistan region .
The pro-U.S. Zardari will rule a nuclear power threatened by Islamic militancy . |
151,199 | 4f7e3adc896250996ce3bac1f4656d735d0174da | By . Paul Donnelley . Coca-Cola Life, a naturally sweetened drink with a third less sugar and calories than its regular cola which will be launched in September . Coca-Cola is to launch a naturally sweetened drink with a third less sugar and calories than its regular cola as part of government and industry-wide efforts to tackle obesity. Coca-Cola Life will go on sale in Britain in September following a pilot in Argentina and Chile, making it the first new Coca-Cola since Coke Zero was launched in 2006. It will also be sold in a green can. The new cola is sweetened with a blend of sugar and stevia leaf extract, and a 330ml can will contain 89 calories. A regular 330ml can of Coca-Cola contains 35 grams of sugar, or 39% of an adult’s GDA (guideline daily amount). Coca-Cola Life will contain 22.1 grams or 25% of an adult’s GDA. The two other Coca-Cola drinks, Coke Zero and Diet Coke, contain no calories. Stevia leaf extract is naturally sourced from the stevia plant, which is native to South America. Currently, Coca-Cola Great Britain uses stevia leaf extract as a sweetener in its Sprite and Glaceau vitamin water brands. Coca-Cola said that the new drink was part of its commitments to offer consumers reduced, low and no-calorie options – adding that it was the ‘most recent example in a series of initiatives by the company to inspire happier, healthier lives’. The company is a signatory to the Government’s Responsibility Deal, under which the food and drink industry has pledged to promote and healthier diet and make changes to their products, and Coca-Cola has committed to reduce the average calories per litre in its range of sparkling drinks by 5 per cent by the end of 2014. Other than introducing stevia extract to Sprite, it has launched smaller 250ml cans across the Coca-Cola range and recently announced a £20 million anti-obesity fitness drive in 70 parks in Britain. Early this year, a group of health experts launched a campaign to reduce the amount of sugar added to food and soft drinks as part of an effort to reverse the UK’s obesity and diabetes crisis. Action on Sugar said that the food industry would easily achieve a 20 to 30 per cent reduction in the amount of sugar added to products, which it said would result in a reduction of approximately 100 calories per day or more in those who are particularly prone to obesity. The real thing: a regular 330ml can of . Coca-Cola (left) contains 35 grams of sugar, or 39% of an adult’s GDA, whereas Coke Zero - or Bloke Coke - is calorie free . It said the reduction could reverse or halt the obesity epidemic and would also have a significant impact in reducing chronic disease. Coca-Cola Europe president James Quincey said: ‘We are pleased to add Coca-Cola Life to the Coca-Cola portfolio in the UK. ‘It complements our existing brands and is well-positioned to meet changing lifestyle trends, providing people with a great-tasting, lower calorie cola sweetened from natural sources. ‘With Coca-Cola Life, we have innovated to provide consumers with a new option with fewer calories. We were early signatories to the UK Government’s Responsibility Deal and as we work with others across society to address the public health challenge of obesity in the UK and across Europe, we will continue to take actions that help people balance their lifestyles.’ Coca-Cola Life will be available in a 330ml can, 500ml bottle and 1.75L bottle. | Coca-Cola Life will go on sale in September after pilot in Argentina and Chile .
The new cola is sweetened with a blend of sugar and stevia leaf extract .
A 330ml can of Coca-Cola contains 35g of sugar, Coca-Cola Life 22.1g . |
207,942 | 9938b4acf25bd56f3ad2753da90a90a29dda4d0d | By . Niamh Walsh . PUBLISHED: . 20:49 EST, 23 February 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 20:56 EST, 23 February 2013 . It was billed as the tough cop-tough cop double team – veteran Miriam O’Callaghan and rising star Claire Byrne – that would wring the truth out of the protagonists in the big stories of the day. But the first controversy of RTÉ’s revamped current affairs flagship Prime Time pitched the two hosts against each other – and it was the younger woman who came off the winner. Both main anchor Miriam and newcomer Claire arrived for the first show wearing red. But in a breach of protocol and good manners, which observers say should have meant the younger woman being asked to change what she was wearing, sources have revealed that it was Miriam who was asked to change her outfit. Claire Byrne is given permission to stand out in red, while current affairs queen Miriam blends into the background in a blue blouse . RTÉ insiders have told the Irish Mail on Sunday that producer David Nally asked Miriam to change her clothes. ‘David came onto the studio floor and said, “Girls, you are both in red”. He turned to Miriam and asked her would she change her outfit. Miriam appeared not too happy and basically said, “Are you serious?” But she went ahead and changed.’ RTÉ have played down the incident, a spokeswoman saying that Miriam changed because she was wearing a red jacket and it was easier for her to swap outfits. ‘Claire and Miriam were dressed in similar colours, variations on red and pink. Claire had a red dress and Miriam was wearing a pinky-red jacket. We shot the promo [a short publicity clip promoting what would be on the programme later that evening] but it didn’t look right with the women in similar colours,’ she said. Miriam looking brighter in a scarlet red dress and black boots . ‘As Miriam was wearing a jacket, it was logical to ask her just to take it off. And she did so professionally and without any fuss at all. There was no issue.’ However, sources in RTÉ say Miriam was less than happy at being asked to change. The on-set exchange has become the talk of Donnybrook. Industry sources have also remarked that Miriam subsequently went on air in a blue blouse that made her almost invisible against the blue screen backdrop in the Prime Time studio. ‘Television rules dictate that you never wear the same colour as the background because the person basically disappears,’ said one. ‘If you look at the pictures of Miriam she is not clearly defined from the waist up as her blue blouse blends in with the blue screen behind her. In contrast, Claire’s red dress really stood out.’ It is understood that RTÉ presenters are no longer dressed from the station wardrobe but now wear their own clothes on air. This can give rise to co-presenters turning up in similar styles or colours, causing clashes – though the station’s conservative culture appears not to apply the same stricture to its hordes of sombre-suited male presenters. When it was announced last month that Miriam was to be joined by Claire and Pat Kenny in a merger of Prime Time and The Frontline, Miriam said she was delighted to welcome her new co-anchors. ‘I’m really looking forward to working with both of them. I know Claire well and we’ve done different events together. But it’ll be great to have two women in the Prime Time studio,’ she said at the time of the announcement. Reaction to the new format has been broadly positive but RTÉ has yet to release figures. Mother-of-eight Miriam has presented Prime Time since 1996 and has made the current affairs show her own. However, Claire, 36, is seen as RTÉ’s star-in-waiting and has been given experience in a variety of roles and formats, including a short run hosting The Daily Show with Daithí Ó Sé. She also has her own show on RTÉ Radio 1 at lunchtime on Saturdays. Approached by the MoS, she declined to comment about the colour clash, while Miriam also said ‘no comment’ when contacted. | Veteran broadcaster Miriam blended into the background .
Newcomer Claire Byrne shone out in her scarlet red dress .
A source said that RTE bosses made Miriam change her outfit to allow Claire to stand out . |
150,440 | 4e8223e6eafa2f504e7a222cbae5eb65a3d49908 | (CNN) -- The late Chris Benoit idolized the Dynamite Kid, who was half of a professional wrestling team famous in the 1980s for spectacular high-flying, acrobatic moves. Chris Benoit strangled his wife and suffocated his son before hanging himself in June. The Dynamite Kid and his partner, Davey Boy Smith, were known as the British Bulldogs. They were quick, agile and muscular, and in 1986 they won the World Wrestling Federation tag team championship. Young Benoit dreamed of wrestling like the Dynamite Kid, whose real name is Tom Billington. At the beginning of his career, Benoit adopted the Dynamite nickname and copied his idol's signature moves. In June, Benoit murdered his wife and young son before hanging himself. Investigators found testosterone, painkillers and anti-anxiety drugs in Chris Benoit's body, Georgia's chief medical examiner said a month later. When asked about Benoit's double murder-suicide, Billington told CNN, "It can make you aggressive, the steroids. But personally I wouldn't, you know, kill no bleeding kid, or wife either." Billington now lives in a public housing apartment outside Manchester, England. He has lost the use of his legs. A pin sticks out from one of his toes. Billington blames his wrestling life for doing this to him -- wrestling and the fact that he ignored doctors who told him to stop the punishment to his body. And from the steroids, he said. Billington told CNN that the steroids came from doctors, from friends, even from steroids meant for horses. He took them all, took a terrible pounding in the ring, and like his partner (who died at age 39 in 2002), began taking extensive amounts of painkillers. Benoit's death has refocused a media spotlight on the organization for which he wrestled, now known as World Wrestling Entertainment, and the man who has ruled wrestling for years, Chairman of the Board Vince McMahon. McMahon, appearing with Linda McMahon, his wife and WWE CEO, told CNN: "Nothing from the WWE, under any set of circumstances had anything to do with Chris Benoit murdering his family. How did we know Chris Benoit would turn into a monster." Read a full transcript of the McMahons interview . Vince McMahon defended the organization, saying its drug-testing policy was not just for show. "Our policy stacks up just as well as anyone else's in sport, although again emphasizing we are entertainment, and no one in entertainment, no one has this kind of wellness policy," McMahon said. Critics say McMahon pushes his stars and non-stars, works them too many nights per year and has encouraged the large physiques prevalent in modern wrestling. They say McMahon only looks at his employees as commodities, pawns in a huge business. His businesses are quite successful. About 16 million people a week tune into WWE TV shows. Two of their cable programs -- "Raw" and "Friday Night Smackdown" -- are weekly ratings giants. Pay-per-view specials generate an average of $100 million per year. When asked about the high number of former wrestlers who had died before they turned 50 years old, Vince McMahon said each person in the WWE bore responsibility for their own lives -- especially outside the arena. "If someone passes through our organization, it is not our responsibility for someone's personal activities," he said. He also said there isn't "any organization in the world, be it entertainment or be it sport, that can tell you that they are totally drug-free." Watch as a WWE wrestler says the perception of steroid use is wrong » . The McMahons said the WWE is taking steps toward improving its oversight of its athletes. Since the newest WWE drug screening program began in February 2006, more than 30 of the organization's wrestlers have been suspended, including two since CNN's interview with the McMahons. David Black -- who helped the NFL develop its drug program and now runs tests for the WWE -- says twice that number have tested positive and been given a warning. But Dr. Gary Wadler, a world-renowned expert in the study of drugs and athletes, says the WWE is not doing enough. "It certainly falls far, far short of where it needs to be," he said. "And there is a gold standard, and I measure all these sporting and entertainment activities against this gold standard. And [the WWE is] miles apart." Wadler, a longtime critic of McMahon, was referring to the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency in Colorado Springs, Colorado. U.S. athletes training for the Olympics are randomly tested and, if caught just once, face a two-year suspension from competition. If caught a second time, they can be banned for life. Black's programs test wrestlers four times a year. The first is a "baseline" test, according to the WWE. Black then tests for "nonmedical" uses, meaning that if an athlete has a prescription, he is cleared. "It's just a loophole that in my mind guts the entire program," said Travis Tygart, who heads the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency. McMahon denies that his wrestlers are pushed to use steroids. He says the average wrestler is lighter than in recent years. Watch one of the new WWE stars talk about being "straight edge" » . "There's an expression in our business, that here is where you make your money. It's your face, it's what you do with it," he said. "It's your personality, it's what you do with it. It's your delivery, your elocution. It's storyline, it's things, all those things that are theatrical as well as athletic in the ring." E-mail to a friend . CNN's Drew Griffin contributed to this report. | Vince McMahon: WWE has one of best drug-testing programs .
Wrestling boss tells CNN that individuals bear responsibility for actions .
Critics say WWE penalties for drug use are not harsh enough .
Wrestlers still can get drugs if they have prescriptions from doctors . |
11,668 | 2126bd38d22c80e4d7138efffc7412652a887e9b | By . Louise Boyle . PUBLISHED: . 17:49 EST, 16 April 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 20:45 EST, 17 April 2013 . A woman who was seriously wounded in the Boston Marathon bombings has made an emotional plea to find an unknown Afghanistan war veteran who stayed by her side during the horrific ordeal. Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick told a news conference on Tuesday that while meeting the injured at Tufts Medical Center he spoke to a young woman called Victoria, a student at North Eastern University. She had sustained a serious shrapnel wound to her leg in the first blast on Monday afternoon and was by her own description, 'completely hysterical'. Scroll down for video . Plea: Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick asked the public to help him find Army Sgt 'Tyler' who helped a seriously injured young woman following the Boston Marathon bomb blasts . Victoria said that she had been carried to a medical tent where she was comforted by a man called Tyler, an oil rig worker. He managed to calm the young woman over her injuries. A hospital spokeswoman said that Tyler told Victoria: 'You’re going to have a scar, but you’re going to be OK. It’ll be like my scar', according to the Boston Globe. Governor Patrick said it was unclear whether Tyler had been working in the medical tent or, like so many others, simply rushed to help the wounded. The Governor asked for the public's help to track down Tyler as Victoria desperately wanted to thank him personally after he was there for her in the midst of her distress. Anyone with information on 'Tyler' was asked to call 617-725-4000 so that he could be put in touch with Victoria. Help: Medical workers aid injured people near the finish line . Victoria is among 183 injured following the Boston Marathon terror attack including nine children. Among those wounded, 23 people are in a critical condition. Three people died in the bomb blasts - eight-year-old Martin Richard; Krystle Campbell, 29, and a Boston University graduate student who is yet to be named. The two bombs which wreaked the devastation were made from six-liter pressure cookers crammed with shards of metal, nails and ball bearings and stashed in black backpacks, police sources revealed on Tuesday. Ordeal: Ambulances sit outside the medical tent at the Boston Marathon finish area on Monday in the aftermath of two devastating bomb blasts . | Northeastern University student called Victoria sustained serious shrapnel wound to her leg during first bomb blast . |
277,261 | f337e06a70850f3e2d3be265228fe23798d1f078 | Families of two of the 20 first-graders killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting are suing the town of Newtown and its board of education, alleging security measures at the school allowed the attack to happen. The wrongful death lawsuit served on the town Friday is being filed by the parents of Jesse Lewis and Noah Pozner, who were among the children fatally shot December 14, 2012. The families are seeking unspecified damages in the lawsuit, which is expected to be filed in state Superior Court in Danbury in the coming weeks. Scroll down for video . Responsibility: The parents of Noah Pozner, (left) and Jesse Lewis (right) are suing the Newtown school board for the death's of their children in the December 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School . Terro: A Connecticut State Police officer runs with two woman and a student from Sandy Hook Elementary School. The women were evacuated after gunman Adam Lanza, 20, entered the building and fatally shot 20 children and six adults before taking his own life . Among the allegations is that Sandy Hook Elementary School had security policies and procedures in place that teachers weren't able to follow on the day of the killings. Classroom doors could only be locked from the outside with keys, leaving teachers vulnerable to intruders, and the front of the school didn't have security glass to protect against gunshots, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit alleges a teacher in one of the two classrooms where students were killed was a substitute, didn't have a key and didn't receive training on the security protocols. 'We are hopeful that the town of Newtown's elected and hired representatives will work with these families, who have already suffered, and continue to suffer, unimaginable loss, to help resolve this matter in the most efficient and constructive way possible,' Donald Papcsy, a lawyer for Lewis and Pozner's parents, said in a statement. 'As residents of the town, we all either have, or are going to have, students in our Sandy Hook schools, and we promote the idea of learning from the past and protecting our children in the future.' Neil Heslin, of Newtown, Connecticut and Scarlett Lewis, the parents of Jesse Lewis, the Sandy Hook first grader shot and killed by Adam Lanza in December 2012 . Devastated: Veronique Pozner, mother of Noah Pozner, is escorted to her car in Fairfield, Connecticut on Monday, December 17, 2012 - at the funeral of her son . Town Attorney David Grogins said the town was served with the lawsuit Friday. He declined further comment. School board members did not immediately respond to requests for comment Monday. The gunman, 20-year-old Adam Lanza, shot his way into the front entrance of the school, which was locked at the time, and killed the 20 children and six teachers, then shot himself to death, state police said. Before going to the school, he killed his mother in their Newtown home, state police said. Last month, the families of nine of the slain victims filed a lawsuit in state court against the maker and sellers of the Bushmaster AR-15 rifle that Lanza used in the shooting, saying the gun should not have been sold for civilian use because of its overwhelming firepower. The killings prompted a fresh debate on gun rights and last month the families of nine victims sued the maker of the gun that was used, an AR-15 assault weapon manufactured by Bushmaster, saying it should not have been sold to civilians. Reports by state police and the state child advocate said Lanza's parents, educators and others missed signs of how deeply troubled he was and opportunities to steer him toward more appropriate treatment for his mental health problems. Lanza's obsessions with firearms, death and mass shootings have been documented by police files, and investigators previously concluded the motive for the shootings may never be known. Last month it was announced that the parents of 10 children killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre have begun legal steps to sue the manufacturers of the AR-15 assault rifle Adam Lanza used to commit his December, 2012, massacre. Twenty first-graders were shot dead and six teachers during the shocking school shooting and 10 parents have filed court documents as of Monday indicating they plan to file wrongful death lawsuits. The filings were made in a probate court opening legal estates in their children's names and most of those parents checked a box on the forms saying they intend to file wrongful death actions, with themselves as administrators. | Lawsuit Filed by the parents of Jesse Lewis and Noah Pozner .
Claims the town was negligent for not installing classroom doors that could be locked from the inside .
Adam Lanza, 20, shot dead 20 first-graders and six teachers in the attack on December 14, 2012 . |
44,244 | 7cc2be898771ea33ce477b4b62a8f3c56b5cb2bf | Next announce Jourdan Dunn as the face of their brand new sister website, launching on Thursday. The High Street retailer's new venture, called LABEL, will stock brands featured on Next Directory, such as Warehouse, Oasis and Glamourous, all together in a clean, fresh and editorial style. Supermodel Jourdan, 23, from London, models some of the collection in an exclusive set of images. Jourdan, 23, from London, models Hobbs grey stripe tweed top £100 and . Hobbs pleated skirt £130 . Fashion-forward High Street brands feature alongside Lipsy, Superdry and Diesel, offering a one-stop shop for fashion and sportswear brands. The stunning images of Jourdan highlight the major looks of the season. Looking effortlessly cool in the sports luxe trend, Jourdan shows how paired down tailoring and casualwear separates can be mixed with sportswear. In terms of footwear, LABEL showcase British high-street classics . such as Hobbs and LK Bennett together with contemporary sports . essentials from Adidas and Converse. There choice in abundance and LABEL offers Next's top customer delivery service as standard. If you place your order before 10pm you'll receive it the very next day at no extra charge. Jourdan wears Warehouse coral top £38, In Wear black pattern trousers £78 and Nike sports bra £28 . LABEL stock this LK Bennett gold stripe top £130 and LK Bennett cream trousers £165 . Jourdan Dunn, no shrinking violet, has spoken out about racism in the industry to Miss Vogue. The mother of one, to four-year-old Riley, was the first black model to walk a Prada runway in over a decade in 2008. She has recently discussed being turned away from a casting because they 'didn't want any more black girls', and having a white make-up artist refuse to do her make-up. Jourdan wears Superdry denim jacket £70, Converse grey shorts £26 and Adidas swimsuit £27 . 'I don't know why people applaud designers for having just one ethnic model. It's not like only one type of woman loves fashion,' she tells Miss Vogue, which comes with the April issue of Vogue on sale today. 'I find it weird when [model] agents say, 'You're the only black girl booked for the show. Isn't it great?' Why is it great?' The comments come six months after Dunn backed Iman and Naomi Campbell's campaign for racial diversity on the catwalk. 'I want to talk about what goes on. A lot of people are scared to speak up,' she said at the time. Shop until 10pm from March 13 on www.thelabel.co.uk and receive your order the very next day with no extra charge. Jourdan wears Lipsy Hawaiian print dress £50 and Nike trainers £80 . | Next announce new website LABEL which stocks only branded items .
Features Warehouse, Oasis, Nike, Hilfiger and Glamourous .
Supermodel, 23, from London is the face of the new venture . |
268,223 | e768c1c5b3e72fdf9fad0363e673c97c3e4d678b | Lynda Bellingham died from colon cancer, which kills nearly 700,000 people worldwide each year . Lynda Bellingham died from colon cancer - the fourth biggest cancer killer worldwide, causing on average 694,000 deaths each year. In countries such as the UK and U.S., more than 80 per cent of cases occur in people aged 60 or over, such as Lynda. The actress and TV presenter had been diagnosed with colon cancer a little over a year ago. The disease later spread to her lungs and liver. Despite knowing she may only have weeks to live, her death was quicker than many had expected. Lynda, 66, was expecting to live until January 2015, and had planned to spend one last Christmas with her family. Writing in The Mail on Sunday last month, she said: ‘I would love to make one more Christmas, if possible, but I want to stop taking chemo around November in order to pass away by the end of January.’ Her death came just days after she made an emotional return to TV show Loose Women - where she used to be a panellist - for one final appearance. This morning, it was announced the much-loved actress and TV presenter died yesterday. Her husband Michael was by her side in a London hospital. Such a rapid decline is unusual, but not uncommon, oncologist Professor Karol Sikora told MailOnline. He said: 'It's how most cancer patients want to die - where the final episode is very short. 'It's not uncommon for people to be very well one day and die shortly afterwards. Scroll down for video . 'It is quite unusual for it to be as dramatic as just four days later, but it does happen.' He explained there are many reasons why cancer patients die. Ultimately, however, as the cancer grows, the burden becomes too much for the body. 'In the end, multi-system failure occurs - with vital organs such as the liver and kidneys slowing down and then packing up. 'No one knows exactly what causes it.' He added that different patients die at different stages of the disease. This may be the differences in biochemistry, or sometimes, a will to live. 'There are people who realise they aren't going to make it, just curl up and want to die. 'Then there are those who are the opposite - they want to make it to their daughter's wedding, make themselves live and die shortly afterwards.' Lynda's death came just days after the she made an emotional return to the TV show Loose Women for one final appearance, where she appeared lively and in good spirits . The spread of the cancer - known as metastasis - is very often what ends up killing patients. Metastasis is when cells from a tumour separate from it, find their way into the lymph system or the bloodstream, and spread throughout the body. Particular types of tumours often spread to particular organs. In bowel cancer patients, it tends to be the liver. This is because the main vein that drains the bowel goes to the liver, explains Professor Sikora, founder of Cancer Partners UK. This can disrupt the delicate balance of chemicals and salts in the body - with fatal consequences. When cancer spreads to the lungs, there is eventually insufficient healthy tissue to absorb oxygen. Cancer can block off part of the lung. This area may collapse and become infected, which can lead to death. 'However it is possible there was a medical emergency,' he adds. 'The bowel may have become obstructed - there could have been internal bleeding.' Cancer patients are also more likely to suffer from blood clots. If a clot gets into the lung, for example, it can trigger a pulmonary embolism, which can be fatal. Lynda, with sons Michael, Robert, her step-son Bradley and husband Michael, had wanted to spend one last Christmas with her family . Bowel cancer does also not respond as well to chemotherapy as some other cancers, such as breast, explained Professor Sikora. This is because it very quickly becomes resistant to it. Appearing on ITV's This Morning two weeks ago, Lynda discussed how she had planned to stop chemotherapy in November, due to the severe side effects she had suffered. She said: 'There's no getting away from it with chemo - the ulcers in your throat, the thrush, plus the fact I'd had major, life-saving surgery for a perforated colon. Colon cancer is also referred to as bowel cancer or rectal cancer. In countries such as the UK and U.S., more than 80 per cent of cases occur in people aged 60 or over, such as Lynda. People who are older, who eat a diet low in fibre and high in fat, those who are overweight and those who take little exercise are most at risk. Smoking, alcohol and a family history of the disease also increase the risk. The cancer can present itself in a number of ways, explains Dr Stuart Riley, a consultant gastroenterologist, and clinical director of the Bowel Cancer Screening Programme in South Yorkshire. ‘The usual symptoms are rectal bleeding, a change in bowel habits - usually looser stools, though it could also cause constipation or needing to go to the toilet more frequently - abdominal discomfort and anaemia.’ He says if any bleeding is accompanied by a change in bowel habits, or if any other signs persist for several months, then a ‘full clinical assessment’ should be carried out. This includes a colonoscopy - where a tiny camera is inserted into the colon. It’s also important to establish if a patient has a family history of bowel cancer as this can increase the risk. 'When you're in terrible pain, you make decisions.' She told hosts Phillip Schofield and Amanda Holden: 'I want my husband and children to see me off happy, contented. 'So I put the chemotherapy in a box. 'In this box, I could stop the chemotherapy after Christmas - I'm determined to hang on until Christmas. 'If my quality of life fades after that, I want to be able to open the box, make a choice and stop the chemotherapy.' She said before this, she'd had no control over the decision - but had struggled with the idea of refusing treatment offered. 'I don't want to look ungrateful,' she explained. 'The box [decision] is there to be used if I need it. 'If my quality of life remains as it is now [after Christmas], then why would I hasten my death? ' Yesterday, appearing on BBC Breakfast, she explained she had the option to resume treatment if her health improves. 'It's there on the table if I want it,' she said. Lynda also admitted today there were times when she lay awake wondering about the future. Speaking about her new book, There's Something I've Been Dying To Tell you, she said: 'The book is for everyone - every single day people are going through this. 'As my oncologist says, the smallest cancer cell can outwit the brightest oncologist.' In the piece she wrote for The Mail on Sunday last month, she described the devastating moment she was diagnosed. 'The pleasant gentleman in front of me visibly crumpled. He stared at his computer then seemed to pull himself up and looked me straight in the eye. ‘"I am so terribly sorry, I thought you had already been informed of your position. You have cancer of the colon, and lesions on your lungs and your liver".' 'I felt nothing except disbelief.' The actress said she had been ill the Christmas before and ended up in A&E. 'I had been having really bad indigestion and then diarrhoea quite badly, and I was short of breath. 'We finally saw a doctor who said that it was probably nothing and to take Omeprazole for a couple of weeks. I did, and everything seemed to clear up.' Months later, she was told there was a problem with a shadow on her liver - and see a colon specialist urgently. She wrote: 'The day finally came and those unforgettable words resounded round the surgeon’s office – "Now about your cancer Miss Bellingham", and, well, you know the rest by now.' The actress said recently: 'As my oncologist says, the smallest cancer cell can outwit the brightest oncologist' | Actress and TV presenter was diagnosed with colon cancer last July .
Disease later spread to her lungs and liver, before claiming her life yesterday .
Had said recently she was expecting to live until January 2015 .
As a result, she had planned to spend one last Christmas with her family .
Had also spoken at length about stopping chemotherapy .
Colon cancer is the fourth biggest cancer killer worldwide .
Disease is responsible for 694,000 deaths globally each year . |
113,636 | 1ea12c252c4c8479ccf486e4dd09cb24dc4fcae3 | By . Leon Watson . PUBLISHED: . 05:38 EST, 8 February 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 06:27 EST, 8 February 2013 . A schoolboy is in a medically induced coma after a fight with classmates who he and his family claim were bullying him. Sixth-grader Bailey O'Neil, from Darby Township, Pennsylvania, was involved in a fight four weeks ago at the Darby Township School. The honors student was struck several times in the face by another student and left with a fractured his nose before falling to the ground. Scroll down for video . Sixth-grader Bailly O'Neil is in a medically induced coma after a schoolyard fight with classmates who he and his family claim were bullying him . Bailey's . parents brought their son, who had a concussion, to the A.I. DuPont . hospital in Wilmington, Delaware, where he was treated and released. But his father Rob saw that something wasn’t quite right with their son when they returned home. 'He was sleeping. He was moody. He wasn’t himself. He was angry a little bit. He wasn’t really eating,' Mr O'Neil told ABC News. Just a few days later, Bailey started having violent seizures and needed to be hospitalized again. The seizures were so bad doctors at A.I. DuPont were forced to put Bailey in a medically induced coma nearly two weeks ago. ABC News contacted A.I. DuPont Hospital the staff said they were unable to provide an update on Bailey’s current condition because of privacy laws. Darby Township School's yard where Bailey was struck several times in the face by another student . Bailey's father Rob was concerned that something wasn¿t quite right with their son when they returned home . The school has turned the investigation over to local police and is cooperating fully with their efforts . 'Every day I’m trying to stay strong for him,' Mr O'Neil said. 'When you get into that hospital room and you’re looking at him, I would trade places in a heartbeat. It’s my buddy, you know.' Southeast Delco School District Superintendent Stephen Butz said the school has turned the investigation over to local police and is cooperating fully with their efforts. 'We take bullying seriously,' he said. 'We are very concerned about the medical condition of the student and our thoughts and prayers are with the family and students.' According to Bailey’s father, the boy who struck his son was suspended for two days following the incident, but police have not filed any criminal charges in the case. | Bailey O'Neil was involved in a fight four weeks ago and suffered seizures days later .
Doctors decided to put the sixth-grader into medically induced coma . |
176,455 | 706e0828412a9360b234109352c7aef4ba1c0e69 | (CNN) -- The Williams sisters cruised into the second round of the U.S. Open but their fellow former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki became the highest-profile casualty of the women's draw in New York. Wimbledon and Olympic champion Serena Williams defied windy conditions to thrash fellow American Coco Vandeweghe 6-1 6-1 in just 55 minutes on Tuesday to set up a match against experienced Spaniard Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez. "The match was so weird, the conditions were so tough, I couldn't really play my game. She couldn't really play her game. It's not the best opportunity to grade yourself," said fourth seed Williams, who also beat 2008 U.S. Open girls' champion Vandeweghe in the final of the Stanford tournament in July before heading back to Wimbledon for London 2012. Serena won the U.S. Open for the third time in 2008, and older sibling Venus is seeking to match that feat. The 32-year-old, unseeded after falling to 46th in the rankings after being diagnosed an auto-immune disease this time last year, began her bid by beating compatriot Bethanie Mattek-Sands 6-3 6-1. "There comes a point when you have to start realizing you can't play through everything," said Williams, who next faces a tough test in the form of German sixth seed Angelique Kerber. "For me that's been just about a year, year and a half that I've finally gotten smart." Wimbledon semifinalist Kerber, who beat Venus in Madrid and then at the Olympics, thrashed Britain's Anne Keothavong 6-2 6-0. "I have to put a lot of balls in the court and execute my game well if I want to win against her," Williams said. Wozniacki has dropped from the top of the rankings to ninth since last year's U.S. Open, and the Dane's hopes of winning a first grand slam title seem further away than ever. She reached the New York final in 2009, but on Tuesday lost 6-2 6-2 to 96th-ranked Romanian Irina-Camelia Begu to suffer her second successive first-round exit at a grand slam. "I think it's a temporary issue," said the 22-year-old, who played with a strapped knee after pulling out during hersemifinal at last week's New Haven tournament. "Hopefully it will get better quickly. It's frustrating to have some injuries, but it happens to everyone. It's just about moving on." Begu, who turned 22 on Sunday, was the WTA Tour's newcomer of the year in 2011 but has dropped from a career-high ranking of 38th. She will next play 58th-ranked Spaniard Silvia Soler-Espinosa, who reached the third round last year. Former French Open champion Francesca Schiavone was the other big name to depart on Tuesday as the Italian 22nd seed lost to American teenager Sloane Stephens -- touted by many as the natural successor to the Williams sisters. Stephens will next play 141st-ranked German Tatjana Malek, who reached the second round in New York for the first time. The 19-year-old has surged up the rankings to 44th, building on her third-round achievement at last year's U.S. Open with a similar showing at Wimbledon and a last-16 appearance at Roland Garros. Polish second seed Agnieszka Radwanska needed just 54 minutes to dispatch Russian debutant Nina Bratchikova 6-1 6-1. The Wimbledon finalist has lost in the second round at Flushing Meadows for the past three years, and this time faces unseeded Spaniard Carla Suarez Navarro -- who reached the last 16 in 2011. "I'm just very happy that I could give it my best in the first match. It's always difficult for the first match," said the 23-year-old, whose younger sister Urzsula lost to Italian 20th seed Roberta Vinci. "It's always a bit harder because the people expect you to play well and go far in the tournament. But I'm just trying not to really think about pressure and just do my best." Former world No. 1 Ana Ivanovic beat Ukrainian Elina Svitolina 6-3 6-3 to set up a clash with Sweden's Sofia Arvidsson. The Serbian 12th seed has never been past the fourth round in New York, her worst showing at the four grand slams. "My big goal is to break the fourth round and get into quarterfinals. Obviously that's something I'm working hard. It's not easy, but I really tried to focus on taking it one match at a time, because sometimes when you get overexcited it doesn't really work for you the way you hope for," she said. American 21st seed Christina McHale exited, losing 6-4 4-6 6-3 to 20-year-old Dutch debutant Kiki Bertens, while Austrian No. 29 Tamira Paszek and China's No. 32 Peng Shuai also departed. | Serena and Venus Williams reach second round at the U.S. Open .
Venus next faces German sixth seed Angelique Kerber in New York .
World No. 9 Caroline Wozniacki sufffers another early grand slam exit .
Polish second seed Radwanska through after easy first round win . |
146,013 | 48cc2e9bd09bc13def66b57bd5510cc967bcbbda | (CNN) -- Pamela Anderson is set to bring a little Hollywood glamor to motorsport after becoming part owner of a sports car racing team. The former Baywatch star has linked up with the Race Alliance team, which is competing in the inaugural FIA GT Series. The Playboy pin-up ventured into motorsport in March 2012 when her and occasional racing driver Markus Fux fronted the Downforce1 European Le Mans teams. Following the failure of that venture Fux and Anderson have teamed up with the Race Alliance team for the final three races of the GT Series' 2013 season. "We want to make Race Alliance a recognizable name and have looked for the best drivers possible," a spokesman for the team told Autosport.com. "The plan is to contest the full FIA GT Series next year, as well as the Nurburgring 24 Hours, and then look to NASCAR after that." In Vitantonio Liuzzi and Mathias Lauda the Austrian team boasts two drivers of considerable pedigree. F1 Inforgraphic: Deals on wheels . Liuzzi spent six years in Formula One, including one season with Red Bull, while his teammate Lauda is the son of Austria's triple F1 world champion Niki Lauda. Liuzzi and Lauda will be behind the wheel of a Ferrari 458 Italia when the team debuts in Slovakia this weekend. Three dates remain on the GT Series' 2013 calendar, with Spain and Azerbaijan hosting races after Slovakia. Competing against Anderson's team will be one led by rally driving legend Sebastian Loeb. The Frenchman won a record nine World Rally Championships in a row between 2004 and 2012 and now heads the Sebastian Loeb Racing team. | Pamela Anderson becomes joint owner of a racing team .
Former Baywatch star is fronting the Race Alliance FIA GT Series team .
Vitantonio Liuzzi and Mathias Lauda drive for the team .
Nine-time rally world champion Sebastian Loeb runs a competing team . |
80,118 | e31377b8a65f376459425eafde6427a34a3c5bce | (AOL Autos) -- The conventional wisdom, among most folks, anyway, is that buying a used car is usually something done out of necessity, by those on a budget -- that is, people who want, or need, to "move down" from the new-car market because a new model is simply out of their reach. Bottom line, the Lexus reputation is for high-end luxury, quality and long-term dependability. However, there is another category of used cars that appeal to those with a bit more disposable income: used luxury cars. For some buyers, the used-luxury market is a way of getting into that Lexus, Lincoln, Infiniti or Porsche you always wanted, without laying out $70,000 or $80,000 for something you're not actually going to live in. For others, scouring the used-luxury-car listings is a way of re-visiting the halcyon years of their youth. At this point, some of these used-luxe models have been around so long that they almost qualify as vintage throwback editions. Recently, Consumer Reports magazine issued its list of best and worst used cars, and divvied them up by price range. Using CR's recommendations as a guideline, here is a list of some of the best used luxury cars currently on the market in the $24,000-30,000 price range. 2005 & 2006 Acura MDX . A luxury SUV, the MDX is spacious, seats seven, and boasts distinctive styling and Acura's famed attention to detail. Plus, it packs some punch under the hood -- this generation was powered by 3.5-liter, 253-hp V6 matched to a five-speed automatic transmission. AOL Autos: Used Acura . Priced just right as a new vehicle, it included safety features like dual-stage front airbags, three-point seatbelts and adjustable head restraints for all seating positions. 2007 Acura RDX . A crossover vehicle that mixes sedan-like ride with SUV roominess, the '07 RDX offered unibody construction, leather upholstery, heated front seats, power moonroof, 18-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires, xenon HID headlights with foglamps and the 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine -- plus a five-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters on the steering wheel, and the patented SH-AWD (SH for Super Handling) system. 2006 & 2007 Acura TL . A mid-size, front-wheel-drive, four-door sedan powered by a 258-hp 3.2-liter V6, the Acura TL is a fine road machine. Actually, it was available for '06-'07 as both a TL and a higher-end TL Type S -- the latter of which sported an upgraded engine, a 286-hp 3.5-liter. Depending on trim level, you can find it with a five-speed automatic with a console-mounted lever or shift paddles on the steering wheel. 2007 Audi A3 . Audi designers have always shown a certain flair for dynamics, and that is evident here, in a sharply-engineered, handsomely-appointed vehicle that offers a fine balance between silky ride, nimble handling and zesty performance. This sporty compact was powered by a 200-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine in '07, and came standard with a six-speed manual and an optional Direct Shift Gearbox. AOL Autos: Used Audi . 2005 & 2006 BMW 3-Series . The 3-Series is another winning stable of cars, but Consumer Reports especially liked specific model years/versions/features in the 3-Series family: The 2005 RWD coupe and convertible; the '06 325i RWD sedan; the '06 330i RWD sedan and the '05 Z4. Depending on the model year and version, the standard engine ranged from a 184-hp 2.5-L to a 255-hp 3.0-L. AOL Autos: Used BMW . 2005 & 2006 Infiniti FX35 . Another of the many crossovers that have hit the market the last several years, the FX35 is one of the sportier editions. During these model years, the FX35 2WD came with a 280-hp 3.5-liter V6 and a five-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel-drive was standard, but AWD was also an option. Some spiffier features included leather seating surfaces, 18-inch wheels, dual-zone climate control with microfiltration and steering-wheel controls. AOL Autos: Used Infiniti . Infiniti G35 . The G35 is one of the more svelte sports-sedan beauties on the road, offering Infiniti's typical attention to detail and sporting attitude. Yes, it has four doors, but it handles like a sporty coupe, with its power coming from a finely-tuned 3.5-liter V6. Horsepower output is 280 for the automatic and 298 with the manual. Luxo amenities include leather upholstery, automatic climate control, steering wheel audio controls, illuminated visor vanity mirrors and high-intensity discharge (HID) xenon headlamps. Lexus . Any luxury-car aficionado knows that a Lexus is one of the most exquisitely-designed, high-performing chariots on the luxury-car market, and CR saw fit to include more than a half-dozen Lexus models on this list of recommended used luxury cars -- from the '02 SC and LX models, to the '03-'04 GX edition, '03 LS, '04 / '06 IS entries, '04-'05 RX model, '05 GS and '06 ES to ... well, you get the picture. Bottom line, given the Lexus reputation for high-end luxury, quality and long-term dependability, it's hard to go wrong with any of the above-named Lexus entries. And all have plenty of engine oomph and luxo-line amenities. AOL Autos: Used Lexus . 2007 Lincoln MKX . This luxury crossover vehicle debuted in '07 as a replacement for the Aviator, and made a big splash. A higher-end and pricier version of the Ford Edge, it seats five and is powered by a 265 hp 3.5-liter V-6 and comes with standard six-speed automatic tranny. Either FWD or AWD is available. One cool option was the glass-paneled roof dubbed the "Vista Roof." 2007 Lincoln MKZ . Also new for the '07 model year, this handsome and fully-loaded mid-size luxury sedan replaced the Zephyr. Under the hood purrs a muscular 263-hp V6 hitched to a six-speed automatic transmission. FWD is standard, but AWD is optional. Standard safety features include side-impact air bags in the front; curtain-style head protection airbags for all outboard positions; plus traction control and antilock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution. 2007 Lincoln Town Car . A venerated luxury car whose heritage goes way back, the Town Car still "has game" -- and is a far cry from the floaty boats your granddad drove in the '70s and '80s. It's still cavernous inside, but now boasts a much more refined design. It seats six comfortably and is powered by a 239-hp 4.6-liter V-8 that's linked to a four-speed automatic. The well-appointed cabin is trimmed in premium leather and burl walnut appliques. Available in Signature, Signature Limited, Designer and Signature L trim levels, you can find one to fit any taste. 1998 Porsche 911 . No, your eyes don't deceive you -- CR did include a primo, high-line vehicle like a Porsche 911 on its list of recommended used cars under $30,000. But, take note: This is the 1998 edition. But when you're dealing with quality of this level, even an 10-year-old vehicle has a lot of juice left in it. So, by "going vintage," driving enthusiasts can get into their car of their dreams without breaking the bank. In '98, the 911 was powered by a 3.6L H-6 282 hp engine. So, while it wasn't quite the road-burner it is today, is still packed plenty of thrust. 2007 Volvo S60 (FWD) Only a year old, the '07 used edition should still be in fine condition, and it boasts top-drawer performance, stylish design and Volvo's all-world safety features. The '07 S60 came in several trim levels, with an array of engine sizes, from the turbocharged 2.5-liter 208 hp job to the 2.3-liter 257-hp inline five-cylinder plant to the 2.5-liter high-pressure turbocharged and intercooled engine that churned out 300 ponies. Depending on the trim line, either a manual or automatic transmission can be had. 2006 & 2007 Volvo XC70 . The XC70 is a crossover vehicle, splitting the difference between an SUV and a wagon. And it's one of the finest crossovers on the road. It's all-wheel drive, and the latest used-model-year, the '07, was powered by a 208-hp turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-five-cylinder engine matched to a Geartronic five-speed automatic transmission that also offers manual gear selection. | Some buyers go to used-car market to get the luxury car they always wanted .
Consumer Reports magazine issues its list of best and worst used cars .
Infiniti G35 is one of the more svelte sports-sedan beauties on the road .
1998 Porsche 911 made the list of cars for under $30,000 . |
58,543 | a60592f68b707d1617b83c06ab05b7056071fdb4 | Daniel Sturridge has given Liverpool a boost after declaring that 'he feels good' as he steps up his recovery from injury. The 25-year-old took to social media on Monday to indicate the improvements made in his fitness levels by initially tweeting: 'I feel so good right now...' before uploading a picture via Instagram with Liverpool first-team physiotherapist Matt Konopinski. Accompanied with the caption 'Chilling with Matt.. Feeling good. No smiley smiley... Straight faced vibes with tired eyes,' Sturridge looks composed after revealing on Saturday that he expects to be fit for the Anfield outfit's next match away to Crystal Palace later in the month. Daniel Sturridge (right) took to Instagram on Monday to reveal that he is 'feeling good' after injury setbacks . Sturridge also tweeted his progress as he aims to face Crystal Palace later in the month . Sturridge (right) scored against Southampton in Liverpool's opening match of their Premier League campaign . Sturridge (top left) travelled to Madrid last week, but was not included in the matchday squad to face Real . VIDEO Rodgers hoping for swift Sturridge return . The Liverpool striker has been sidelined since September with a thigh injury suffered on England duty before sustaining a calf problem. But speaking ahead of Liverpool’s Premier League 2-1 defeat at home to Chelsea this weekend, Sturridge said he hoped to be available for selection for his side's first match after the international break. 'I'll be ready for that one, God willing,' Sturridge told BT Sport . Regarding his spell on the sidelines he added: 'It's the worst feeling to be honest but that's football. Everyone picks injuries up.' Sturridge has played only three times for Liverpool this term with his last outing in their 3-0 victory at Tottenham in August. Sturridge has been out of action since sustaining a thigh injury while he was on international duty . In his absence Brendan Rodgers' side have struggled - with the club currently 12th in the Premier League - and £16million summer signing Mario Balotelli still yet to break his goalscoring duck for the Reds in England's top flight. The 25-year-old was not included in England's squad for next week's Euro 2016 qualifier against Slovenia and Roy Hodgson said he did not speak to Rodgers about the striker's fitness. When asked if he had spoken to the Liverpool boss, Hodgson told Sky Sports News: 'No not at the moment but I have it in mind to do so of course. 'I was waiting to see what the situation would be with him (Sturridge). It's very good news to hear that he's travelled but of course before I select him again I would check with the player and the club that we were doing the right thing.' | Daniel Sturridge took to social media on Monday to post an injury update .
He has been out of action since September with thigh and calf problems .
25-year-old expects to be to face Crystal Palace on November 23 .
Liverpool lost 2-1 at home to Chelsea in the Premier League on Saturday . |
22,780 | 40ac9b65c947855e324379ca2d79bb1735141030 | By . Simon Tomlinson . PUBLISHED: . 07:42 EST, 14 December 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 12:59 EST, 14 December 2012 . It is often said that music can be good for your soul. Now one inventor has used that philosophy to create his very own coffin, complete with a built-in stereo. The CataCombo Sound System, which costs around £18,500, is aimed at music-lovers who don't want to rest in peace. Soul music: An inventor has designed a coffin that plays music for customers who don't want to rest in peace . Going underground: Customers can programme their own playlists into the £20,000 coffin before they die . Customers can compile their own personal playlists before they die and the music will be streamed into their coffin. And even when they have gone relatives can update the songs for their dearly departed via Spotify and a 'Catatomb app' using a touch screen built into the gravestone. The music is piped into the casket via two-way front speakers, 4in mid-bass drivers, 'divine' tweeters and 'a hell-of-an-8-inch subwoofer.' They are all powered by a custom 2.1 amp and fine-tuned to the coffin's unique interior acoustic space which is fitted with an external cooling system so they don't overheat. And the beat goes on: Relatives can even update the songs for their loved ones via Spotify and a 'Catatomb app' Sound of the underground: The inventor says the music is piped into the casket via two-way front speakers, 4in mid-bass drivers, 'divine' tweeters and 'a hell-of-an-8-inch subwoofer' The whole system is also completely soundproofed so it doesn't wake the dead lying nearby. Inventor Fredrik Hjelmquist of Stockholm, Sweden, said: 'Just because you are dead, you should not be deprived of the life-enhancing power of music. 'Some people believe that a beautiful melody can reach beyond our senses. Now you can expect nothing less than godlike comfort and heavenly sound from the catacoffin. 'This is designed to allow customers to . embrace their passion for music, in this life and the next. Hi-fi is my . biggest passion in life, and I will take it to the grave. 'Heavenly sound': The speakers are powered powered by a custom 2.1 amp and fine-tuned to the coffin's unique interior acoustic space which is fitted with an external cooling system so they don't overheat . Was afraid of death: Inventor Fredrik Hjelmquist (pictured) said he wanted to lighten up the idea of the afterlife . So Happy I Could Die (Lady Gaga) Dead To The World (Patti Smith) Song For The Dead (Queens Of The Stone Age) Life Will Be The Death Of Me (The Ordinary Boys) Funeral (Arcade Fire) Ain't no grave (can hold my body down) (Johnny Cash) Wanted dead or alive (Bon Jovi) Ashes to Ashes (David Bowie) Stairway to Heaven (Led Zeppelin) Going Underground (The Jam) Straw-bury Fields Forever (The Beatles) Knocking on Heaven's Door (Guns N' Roses) Anything by The Grateful Dead . 'People in Sweden are so stuck up about death - I wanted to give them something to laugh about. I was very afraid of death and I wanted to lighten it up a bit.' He said so far he had only invented his own personal musical coffin - but was ready to take orders for more. Father-of-two Fredrik, 48, said: 'This is genuine - I've already got my own ready, although I'm hoping I don't have to use it for a few years yet. 'My wife doesn't like to see it but I haven't yet put my final year on my gravestone.' Fredrik said the coffin would be powered by an electrical supply to the tombstone. The coffin is linked wirelessly to the . CataTomb tombstone which comes with a seven-inch touch screen LCD panel, . a 2.5 GHz Intel core processor and even a 4G Wireless internet . connection. His coffin features two tweeters, two mid-range speakers and a woofer with an amp in the gravestone linked by cable to the casket. He added: 'I've already had interest from a funeral parlour who think it will prove to be a hit.' Fredrik runs specialist hi-fi store Pause, one of the biggest in Stockholm. | Music pumped into coffin wirelessly into coffin via computerised tombstone .
Relatives can update soundtracks using Spotify and a 'Catacomb app'
Inventor: 'I was very afraid of death and I wanted to lighten it up a bit' |
241,128 | c429fe4b68ace99539e7561969f36699f42823db | Philadelphia (CNN) -- A Philadelphia judge threw out three of the seven first-degree murder charges against Dr. Kermit Gosnell, the abortion clinic doctor accused of performing illegal late-term abortions at a bedraggled facility. Common Pleas Court Judge Jeffery P. Minehart also tossed all five abuse of corpse charges levied against the 72-year-old physician for storing the feet of aborted fetuses in plastic containers in his defunct Women's Medical Society clinic in West Philadelphia. Minehart also dismissed one count of infanticide, the intentional killing of an infant. Gosnell originally faced eight counts of murder for the deaths of seven babies and a 41-year-old Virginia woman, Karnamaya Mongar, who died of an anesthetic overdose during a second-trimester abortion. He has pleaded not guilty. Authorities allege that some of the infants were born viable and alive during the sixth, seventh and eighth months of pregnancy and then were killed with scissors, which were used to cut their spinal cords. In Pennsylvania, abortions past 24 weeks are illegal unless the health of the mother is at stake. Victim's daughter offers emotional testimony in trial of abortion doctor . Defense attorney Jack McMahon has maintained that none of the infants was killed; rather, he said, they were already deceased as a result of Gosnell previously administering the drug Digoxin, which can cause abortion. "Digoxin, fetal demise, no heartbeat," barked McMahon, his mouth pressed in a flat line as he stood next to his client with a hand on his hip. "Everybody wants it to be something else, but that's the evidence." McMahon also argued that Gosnell was saving the jars containing fetal remains for DNA testing in possible rape cases and other study, he said. Along with an examination chair with stirrups facing the jury box, a sonogram machine and other medical devices are on display in the center of the courtroom. During the afternoon session, the courtroom swelled with onlookers, including members of a law class from nearby Drexel University and anti-abortion supporters who traveled from across the eastern seaboard. After Tuesday's proceedings, a priest and other spectators offered words of encouragement to prosecutors Joanne Pescatore and Edward Cameron. Day Gardner, founder and president of the National Black Pro-Life Union, who attended several days of the trial, said she is "disappointed" about the tossed charges. "The judge made his decision based on what he thinks they (prosecutors) can prove. That's the only thing we can hold onto," said Gardner, who traveled from Washington. "I'm here because this man preyed on poor women in the black community. He thinks no one should care, but I do." A grand jury investigation determined that health and licensing officials had received reports about Gosnell's practices for two decades but had taken no action, Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams said. When authorities searched Gosnell's office, they found bags and bottles holding aborted fetuses scattered throughout the building. Jars containing the severed feet of babies lined a shelf. Furniture and equipment was bloodstained, dusty and broken. The city's Chief Medical Examiner Sam Gulino told jurors this month that he had to examine the remains of 47 aborted fetuses that were stored in water jugs, pet food containers and a freezer inside the abortion clinic as part of the investigation into the charges against Gosnell. Medical examiner had to thaw fetal remains in Philly abortion doctor case . Minehart also dismissed six of the nine counts of theft by deception against Gosnell co-defendant Eileen O'Neill, 56, a medical school graduate who worked as a doctor at the Women's Medical Society. O'Neill, who did not have a medical license, is not charged with performing abortions but with participating in the operation of a "corrupt organization." Meanwhile, a gag order remains in place preventing attorneys or the jury from speaking to the media. If found guilty, Gosnell could be sentenced to death. | Dr. Kermit Gosnell accused of performing illegal abortions in Philadelphia .
He still faces four charges of first-degree murder .
Authorities say some infants were born viable and alive .
Defense attorney says doctor administered abortion drug . |
248,484 | cd81565cf3558ff501aa3a0d9432e81e9c01c473 | The eight men cleaned cash for criminals from Middle East and Pakistan . By . Amanda Williams . PUBLISHED: . 09:26 EST, 2 June 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 12:22 EST, 2 June 2013 . A gang who laundered £19 million for foreign criminals has been jailed for more than 47 years. One of the gang was so brazen he sported a personalised 'ARO6ANT' number plate. The eight men cleaned dirty cash for criminals from the Middle East and Pakistan by funneling the money from drug deals through legitimate bank accounts. A gang who laundered £19 million for foreign criminals have been jailed for more than 47 years. One of the gang was so brazen he sported a personalised 'ARO6ANT' number plate . The eight men cleaned dirty cash for criminals from the Middle East and Pakistan by funneling the money from drug deals through legitimate bank accounts . Surveillance teams from the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) monitored the gang as they moved tens of thousands of pounds around the country in plastic carrier bags . The used a money laundering technique known as 'cuckoo smurfing', the court heard . One member of the gang, Jalil Ahmed, 36, bought the personalised number plate for his £60,000 silver Mercedes. Ahmed, of Solihull, West Mids., was jailed for eight years along with five other members of the gang in March after they were convicted of money laundering and drug offences. On Friday Abid Hussain, 45, and Arshad Hanif, 52, both from Leeds, were caged for two years each at Birmingham Crown Court after they were also found guilty of money laundering offences. Following the sentencing, restrictions were lifted to allow details of the case to be reported. The court heard the group worked with criminals in the Middle East and Pakistan to transfer drug money for crooks in the UK and Europe. Arman Zahir (left) of Solihull, West Midland, was jailed for ten years and Jalil Ahmed (right) of Moseley, Birmingham was jailed for eight . Hussain Aziz, 32, of Birmingham (left) was sentenced to six-and-a-half years. And Arshad Hanif, 52, of Leeds (right) two years . Surveillance teams from the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) monitored the gang as they moved tens of thousands of pounds around the country in plastic carrier bags. The used a money laundering technique known as 'cuckoo smurfing', the court heard. In the ruse, dirty cash was transferred through the accounts of legitimate and unwitting customers who were expecting genuine payments from overseas. Sahil Khan, 27, of Solihull, West Midlands (left) was given 12-and-a-half years and Abid Hussain, 45, of Leeds, (right) was handed two years . Gary Brockway, 41, of Stafford, was given two-and-a-half years and Khayam Naseem Chib, 31, of Kings Heath, Birmingham, (right) four years . The investigation resulted in the seizure of more than £730,000 and 1.5kg of heroin. Officers found the group had laundered about £19 million between January, 2011 and March 2012. Judge Simon Drew QC told property developers Hussain and Hanif: 'You have both lost your reputations within the community and suffered, no doubt, substantial public humiliation.' After the case Sarah Goodall, SOCA regional head of investigations, said: 'Money is the engine that drives organised crime and criminals such as these men are purely motivated by profit. 'The crimes that have been committed to generate the huge sums of cash that this group has helped to launder will have a lasting effect on local communities.' | One of gang was so brazen he had a personalised 'ARO6ANT' number plate .
The eight men cleaned cash for criminals from Middle East and Pakistan . |
103,262 | 11264cd5152726a5ac1448dd8ba69096339521d2 | Australia and India players alike embraced the 'Pink Test' on Thursday - an annual event when cricketers celebrate the life of Glenn McGrath's late wife. Jane McGrath died of breast cancer in 2008 and her husband, an Australian cricket legend, has celebrated her life on an annual basis since by wearing pink and encouraging his fellow professionals to sport the bright colour as well. Spectators at the Sydney Cricket Ground also wore pink during the third day of the fourth Test between Australia and India, with McGrath wearing a pink jacket. VIDEO Scroll down to watch SCG transformed in pink for Glenn McGrath Foundation 'Pink Test' Glenn McGrath (left), dressed in pink, shakes hands with Australia captain Steve Smith during 'Pink Test' day at the SCG . Brett Lee (left), injured Australia captain Michael Clarke (centre) and Shane Warne also embraced the McGrath Foundation's day . Warne (right) wore a pink Akubra hat and Lee carried an umbrella across the field as the players commemorated Jane McGrath . Tourists India also embraced 'Pink Test' day, with McGrath (right) shaking the hands of each of the players before the third day's play . A huge flag showing a picture of Jane McGrath, who died of breast cancer in 2008, was displayed in the stands at the SCG . India's Virat Kohli (left) shakes hands with McGrath before the beginning of the third day of the fourth Test in Sydney . McGrath, wearing a pink suit jacket and Stetson, drove across the field on a Segway before the day's play . Shane Warne and Brett Lee also wore pink suits - with the former even donning a pink Akubra - a traditional felt Outback hat - as the pair walked across the pitch. Injured Aussie skipper Michael Clarke was also present, wearing a pink tie. Former Aussie fast bowler Lee even tweeted: 'Watch the Cricket today @WWOS9. Very special day for all Aussies @glennmcgrath11 @McGrathFdn. Wait to you see what I'm wearing #PinkTest.' A huge flag was also displayed in the crowd - and a banner commemorating the life of Jane McGrath was on show. In a poignant moment, the Ladies' Stand at the SCG was renamed the Jane McGrath stand on Wednesday. The McGrath Foundation, which was set up a decade ago, has already raised more than 6.5million Australian dollars (£3.5m) - and the country's government have also announced they will donate another 2.5million Australia dollars (£1.35m) to the cause. The charity funds breast-care nurses so that they can offer their services to patients around Australia. (From left) Clarke, Mark Nicholas, Michael Slater, Warne, McGrath and Lee pose on the pitch in their pink suits and ties . Lee tweeted before the day's play encouraging Australians to tune in and celebrate the 'Pink Test' with them . Australia players walk out on to the field and are welcomed by worked and volunteers of the McGrath Foundation . The Ladies' Stand at the SCG was renamed the Jane McGrath Stand during the third day's play at the SCG . Warne (left), McGrath (centre) and Clarke pose for a photograph at the SCG on Thursday . McGrath (left) shakes hands with Nathan Lyon as the rest of the Australian players follow the spinner on to the field . More than 100 nurses have already been funded through the Foundation. India resumed day three at the SCG on 71 for one in their first innings, still some 501 runs short of Australia. Centuries from Steve Smith and David Warner helped to give the hosts a commanding first-innings score of 572 for seven declared. Furthermore, Australia already hold an unassailable 2-0 series lead after winning the first two Tests and a draw in Melbourne. McGrath (left) shakes hands with Chris Rogers (centre) as the other Australia players take to the field at the SCG . A female spectator at the SCG wears a pink hat and unusual sunglasses to commemorate 'Pink Test' day at the SCG . | India resumed day three of the fourth Test against Australia in Sydney on 71 for one, still 501 runs behind .
The players and spectators commemorated the Glenn McGrath Foundation's annual 'Pink Test'
Supporters and ex-players dressed in pink to remember McGrath's wife, Jane, who died of breast cancer in 2008 .
The McGrath Foundation has raised more than 6.5million Australian dollars (£3.5m) in the last decade .
Australia scored 572 for seven declared in first innings, with Steve Smith and David Warner both getting centuries . |
161,670 | 5d0a8bc57960cff69fcebeec2e840ff9aaab4ee3 | (CNN) -- "Now we'll never know whether Tony Soprano got whacked or not." This, believe it or not, was how somebody on a social networking site greeted last night's shocking news of James Gandolfini's death, at 51, of a heart attack while vacationing in Europe. The first thing you want to say to this is: Really? Six years have passed since the last episode of "The Sopranos" left the fate of its psychically damaged crime boss and suburban patriarch to speculation -- and you still want closure after all this time? Is that really the first thing you thought about after someone died so young, so unexpectedly? On the one hand, this sounds at best shallow and at worst callous. It is true, of course, that Tony Soprano, one of the great characters in American television and folklore, was indeed the role of a lifetime, for which Gandolfini was deservedly honored with multiple Emmys, unanimous acclaim and the type of reverberating legacy that is rarer than awards or praise. (It may be somewhat premature to call this immortality, but we'll see in another 30 years or so.) Appreciation: James Gandolfini, a pure actor . It is also true that in what turns out to have been a painfully brief time, Gandolfini had also distinguished himself in many roles on stage and screen in which his gruff, bearish demeanor proved adaptable enough to play everything from a well-heeled New York parent in the 2009 Broadway production of "God of Carnage" to the recalcitrant father of an aspiring rocker in "Not Fade Away," last year's movie-directorial debut of "Sopranos" creator David Chase. He could also veer into the offbeat with surprising results, making a poignant impression while giving wounded, anxious voice to one of the beasts in Spike Jonze's 2009 movie adaptation of "Where the Wild Things Are," a film I liked better than most of my fellow film critics did at the time. In last year's "Zero Dark Thirty" he made a deeper impression playing CIA director Leon Panetta than his relatively brief screen time would have suggested. It was the resume of the consummate character actor. And yet, it's just possible that only an actor as versatile and magnetic as Gandolfini could have rendered a character as complicated, forbidding and intimately familiar as Tony Soprano powerfully enough to have raised the bar for dramatic television. David Chase set the table for his quirky crime series by giving his menacing main character a streak of emotional vulnerability so deep and wide that he needed psychotherapy to cope with the consequences of his actions -- and the often trauma-inducing behavior of his family members. Galdolfini left his mark on New Jersey . And for all the tough talk, squalid activities and violent reprisals endemic to his profession, Tony was also flummoxed by life as a well-heeled New Jersey businessman trying to get his daughter into a decent college, his son into a better (less illicit) line of work and his wife to accept his peccadillos and keep the household together while he tried to keep his motley troops in line and the authorities at bay. One minute he could scare you (and his shrink) with his flashes of intense anger; the next minute he made you empathize with his obsessive fascination with the wildlife (ducks, bears, etc.) wandering into his spacious backyard. He was both a dedicated thug and a lost soul, a philandering sociopath who lugged his own unwieldy, twisted sense of propriety and honor. It was this tension between Tony's warring selves that, as much as any of the show's other virtues, kept millions of viewers riveted to "The Sopranos" for six seasons. It also broadened the possibilities for new dramatic series featuring lead characters with similarly conflicted morals and sordid deeds. In other words: Without Tony Soprano, there would be no Don Draper of "Mad Men" (created by "Sopranos" writer Matthew Weiner) or Walter White of "Breaking Bad." From the mouth of Tony Soprano: Best quotes . And without James Gandolfini bringing his own intelligence, charisma and intuitive graces to Tony Soprano's portrayal, television might have been more resistant to the deeper, more complex drama that has catapulted the medium to being the main event in American popular culture. Gandolfini, known among fellow actors and others for his generosity of spirit toward others, gave all of us a gift that will keep on giving for generations. The real regret, the awful, terrible knowledge that informed so many grief-stricken tributes online Wednesday, is not that we'll never know what happened to Tony Soprano at that last supper. It's that we'll never have a chance to see all the other wonderful gifts we would have received from the man who brought him to riveting, haunting life. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Gene Seymour. | Gene Seymour: James Gandolfini helped elevate the medium of dramatic television .
Without an actor of his gifts, the character of Tony Soprano might not have worked, he says .
Seymour: Complex, conflicted Tony Soprano paved the way for others such as Don Draper .
He says it's sad that we won't get to see Gandolfini make other dramatic breakthroughs . |
142,167 | 43d6759c3257cacf380afe0ab0a5efb03daf99a2 | By . Beth Stebner . PUBLISHED: . 06:55 EST, 19 September 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 07:01 EST, 19 September 2012 . A pastor at a mega-church has signed a plea agreement for his role in a relationship with a then-16-year-old church member after he was was charged with taking a minor across state lines. Dr Jack Schaap, 54, had been pastor of the First Baptist Church of Hammond in Indiana for 11 years, but was let go in July after a deacon saw a text on his phone from the teenager, allegedly with a picture of the two of them kissing. He was charged in criminal court yesterday after he admitted to adultery and 'improper behavior' with the teenager, who is now 17, leading a . board of deacons to fire him last month. Dismissed: Dr Jack Schaap, who was the pastor of First Baptist Church in Hammond for more than a decade, was let go in August . Big city: Shaap's wife, Cindy, second left, is the daughter of famed Baptist Rev Jack Hyles; here, they're pictured in front of Chicago's Buckingham Fountain . Caught: A deacon of First Baptist Church saw a picture on Schaap's phone from a teenage girl; the picture allegedly showed the two kissing . In the plea agreement, he admitted he . had sex with the girl, that she was under his care or supervision and . that he used a computer to persuade the girl to have sex with him . illegally. The court heard that Schaap had a . relationship between June 1 and July 30 with a girl who had not yet . turned 18, and took her from Indiana to Illinois to Michigan, according . to the criminal information. Schaap took the girl 'with the intent . that she engage in sexual activity for which (Schaap could) be charged . with a criminal offense', according to the Chicago Tribune. Prosecutors are seeking to forfeit a . number of items they believe he used when committing the crime, . including his iPad, iPhone, digital camera, voice recorder and two . computer flash drives. Schaap had been counseling the teenage girl, one former member of First Baptist Trisha Kee told CBS Chicago. The church did not confirm Ms Kee's statement, but issued a statement in August explaining why they fired him: ‘Our church grieves the need to take this action and the impact it will have on our people,' the statement read. 'We ask that everyone pray for the families involved, and pray that the situation will be handled in a Christ-honoring manner.’ The legal age of consent in the state of Indiana is 16, the lowest age allowed in any state. Eddie Wilson, the director of public relations for the church, told the Chicago Sun-Times that the church is in the process of finding a new pastor to lead the congregation. He added that Schaap and his wife Cindy are currently in seclusion to work out their marital difficulties. Cindy Schaap is the daughter of the late founder of the church, Rev Jack Hyles. Schapp's published books include Marriage: The Divine Intimacy and Dating . with a Purpose: Common Sense Dating Principles for Couples, Parents, and . Youth Workers. The pastor has received his fair share of criticism over the years due to some of his more controversial teachings. Last year, he was chastized for his views on women, believing them to be an inferior species and saying husbands should take charge of their wives and blasted Eve as being the sinner. He also said it would be a 'cold day in hell before I get my theology from a woman', adding: 'Your soul is going to hell because of what Eve did.' Long-running: Schaap, pictured preaching from the church's pulpit, had been pastor there since 2001, but was dismissed after a vote from the deacons . Place of worship: The First Baptist Church is located in Hammond, Indiana, and is partially housed in the old federal court building; its auditorium sits 7,500 . Roots: Schaap, pictured left, is married to Cindy Schaap, the daughter of the late Rev Jack Hyles, right, who founded the First Baptist Church in Hammond . Typically, mega-churches have more than 2,000 members or regular attendees, with several areas to listen to sermons, often with one or more pastors speaking during a Sunday service. Mega-churches are houses of worship with 2,000 or more members and weekly attendees. They have grown in popularity in recent years, and are mostly a phenomenon of modern times. According to the Hartford Institute for Religion Research, most current mega-churches were founded after 1955 after larger churches started to become more appealing to many church-goers. Many focus on ‘seeker services,’ which often offer little deep theology and instead appeal to sceptics and non-believers. They are also aimed at targeting younger audiences, often with the prospects of contemporary music and more casual settings than traditional churches. The denominations involved include Baptists, Methodists, and Nondenominational, as well as some Pentecostal churches. Many of them feature contemporary worship styles, with live music complete with worship band, and sometimes even an orchestra pit. Mega-churches have also received a fair amount of criticism, as some say they focus more on entertainment than on worship, and that large numbers detract the amount of time pastors can spend with the congregation. First Baptist itself is housed in the old federal courthouse building in Hammond, Indiana, and contains an auditorium that seats 7,500. Mr Wilson said that more than 15,000 people attend services at the weekend. Members of the mega-church have already expressed their shock at the pastor’s alleged actions. ‘The pastor been good to us,’ said Ronald Winston to WGN-TV. Mr Winston lives at the church’s mission. ‘He take care of the shelter. I don’t have no better opinion of him.’ Another member, Aranda White, said: ‘To me, he was teaching to word from the Bible. I have nothing bad to say about him.’ An informational meeting was held at the church at 7pm tonight to address the dismissal of Schaap, who has led the congregation since 2001. In the meeting of the congregation Wednesday night, church leaders said that Schaap admitted to having sex with one of the members of First Baptist Church when she was 16. The Times of Northwest Indiana reported that near the end of the meeting, Pastor Eddie Lapina said that he would serve as interim pastor as the church continues their search for a suitable replacement. Those filing out of the meeting bore grim faces, and few offered to comment for the paper. Those who did said that they would continue to pray for the family and for Schaap. More than 1,000 people attended the meeting. One member, Joseph Flores, said that he was feeling conflicted over the firing. ‘I’m glad to see they’re doing something,’ he told the Times, ‘but I hope they show the good he’s done for us, too. He straightened up this part of the city, and he’s done a lot for this community.’ | Jack Schaap, 54, has been pastor at First Baptist Church of Hammond in Indiana for 11 years .
Deacon 'found image of Schaap and teenage church member making out on pastor's phone'
Charged with taking a minor across state lines . |
58,960 | a7417b03249d4920d6cb27436de61d8376e36c39 | Moscow, Russia (CNN) -- Russia's president and the newly elected president of Ukraine signed a landmark agreement on Wednesday that signals an end to years of enmity between the two former Soviet republics. Russia agreed to a 30 percent drop in the price of natural gas sold to Ukraine, in exchange for permission to extend Russia's lease of a major naval base in the Black Sea port of Sevastopol, Ukraine, for 25 years. Seated side by side, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych announced the agreement at the end of a one-day summit in the eastern Ukrainian border city of Kharkiv. "We have indeed reached an unprecedented agreement," Medvedev said. "The rent [for the naval base] will be increased by an amount equivalent to that of the [gas price] discount." The agreement may bring an end to years of disputes over natural gas prices, which culminated in Russia turning off the pipeline to Ukraine. The gas dispute left Ukrainians and many Europeans who depend on Russian gas pumped through Ukraine shivering. Ukraine and Russia had been at odds ever since the "Orange Revolution" swept Yanukovych's anti-Russian predecessor Viktor Yushchenko to power in 2005. Throughout his time in office, Yushchenko repeatedly threatened to expel Russia's Black Sea Fleet from Sevastopol. The Russian military lease there was scheduled to expire in 2017. "The prolongation of the Black Sea Fleet's presence in Sevastopol is essential to Russia," Yanukovych said on Wednesday. "We understand that the Black Sea Fleet will be one of the guarantors of security on the Black Sea." The Kremlin-friendly Yanukovych, who hails from predominantly Russian-speaking eastern Ukraine, trounced Yushchenko in national elections in January. The Russian president said the new deal added a "concrete and pragmatic dimension," to centuries of relations between Ukrainians and Russians. Opposition groups in Ukraine, however, were quick to denounce the agreement. Former President Yuschenko's "Our Ukraine" party said the treaty would lead to the "Russification" of Ukraine. Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko said the agreement violated part of the Ukrainian Constitution, which forbids the country from hosting foreign military bases after 2017. According to a spokesman for the Russian president, the new accords will be submitted to the Russian and Ukrainian parliaments for ratification simultaneously on April 27. | Russia agrees to 30 percent drop in the price of natural gas sold to Ukraine .
In exchange, Russia can extend lease of a major naval base in a Black Sea port .
Ukraine and Russia had been at odds during previous Ukraine administration . |
141,384 | 42d1b1a3739210628c1a527b361df9db63a34d69 | Italy put aside their dismal showing at the World Cup in Brazil to cruise to a 2-0 victory over Holland at the Stadio San Nicola in Bari on Thursday. The Azzurri were knocked out of the World Cup at the group stage with just three points but goals from Ciro Immobile and Daniele De Rossi inside the first 10 minutes of this encounter gave Antonio a comfortable victory in his first match in charge. Guus Hiddink oversaw his first Holland match since 1998 but he will not have been impressed with what he witnessed. Bruno Martins Indi was dismissed after just nine minutes to allow De Rossi to net from the spot and double Italy's advantage, and Holland simply did not recover. VIDEO Scroll down for Antonio Conte takes part in The Ice Bucket Challenge . Double trouble: Italy captain Daniele De Rossi netted Italy's second goal from the spot as they beat Holland 2-0 at the Stadio San Nicola in Bari in a friendly on Thursday . Joy: Italy forward Ciro Immobile (left) sprints off in celebration after opening the scoring just three minutes into the match when he rounded the Holland goalkeeper . Easy does it: De Rossi (centre) turns to run off and celebrate after netting Italy's second goal from the spot following a foul from Bruno Martins Indi on Simone Zaza . Party time: De Rossi (left) sticks his arm in the air and swirls it around in celebration after the captain doubled Italy's advantage from the spot against Holland . Good start: Italy head coach Antonio Conte celebrated his first match in charge with a comfortable victory over Holland at the Stadio San Nicola in Bari on Thursday . Poor start: Guus Hiddink lost his first match as Holland manager since 1998 2-0 in a friendly to Italy at the Stadio San Nicola in Bari on Thursday night . Italy: Sirigu, Ranocchia, Bonucci, Astoria, Darmian (Pasqual 76), Marchisio (Verratti 62), De Rossi (Paraolo 67), Giaccherini, De Sciglio (Candreva 76), Immobile (Giovinco 76), Zaza (Destro 76). Subs not used: Buffon, Padelli, Perin, Ogbonna, Florenzi, Maggio, Quagliarella, Poli, Chiellini, El Shaarawy. Goals: Immobile (3), De Rossi (10). Booking: Verratti (73). Holland: Cillessen, Janmaat, De Vrij, Martins Indi, Blind, Wijnaldum, De Jong (Pieters 62), Sneijder, Kuyt, Van Persie (Narsingh 84), Lens (Veltman 13). Subs not used: Van Der Wiel, Van Dijk, Verhaegh, Afellay, Fer, Klassen, Depay, Krul, Zoet. Sending off: Martins Indi (9). The departure of Louis van Gaal, who inspired Holland to a semi-final in Brazil, to Manchester United also saw the removal of the in vogue 3-5-2 formation for the Dutch, who instead opted for a more fluid 4-3-3. Robin van Persie was joined in the starting line-up by new United team-mate Daley Blind, who signed for £14million from Ajax on transfer deadline day, as well as Newcastle United full-back Daryl Janmaat and former Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt. Bayern Munich star Arjen Robben was deemed unfit and did not even find himself on the bench. Italy, meanwhile, rested Juventus legend Gianluigi Buffon and instead started with Salvatore Sirigu in goal. Borussia Dortmund forward Ciro Immobile and debutant Sassuolo Zaza were chosen to lead the line in Mario Balotelli's absence - the £16m Liverpool striker was suspended for the match. And it was the home side who dominated the match from the off, with Immobile streaming through after just three minutes to open his account for Italy. After receiving a long ball through the middle, Immobile ran past Stefan De Vrij and Martins Indi before rounding Holland 'keeper Jasper Cillessen and stroked the ball home. But it would only get worse for the Dutch as seven minutes later they found themselves with a two-goal deficit and a man down. Zaza displayed his raw power to rush in behind Martins Indi and force the defender to drag him down inside the box. Martins Indi was the last man and had to go - and Hiddink could only watch from the bench as Italy captain De Rossi stepped up and slotted the ball into the bottom corner from the spot. The rest of the first half continued in much the same vein, with Italy missing guilt-edged chances through Mattia De Sciglio and Zaza. Holland did improve marginally in the second half although, in truth, they could hardly have performed much worse. Embrace: Ciro Immobile (centre) is hugged by his team-mates after the striker opened the scoring for Italy just three minutes into the clash with Holland on Thursday . Tackle: Holland midfielder Wesley Snejder (centre) is tackled by Italy's Marco Verratti, leading to a booking for the Azzurri star at the Stadio San Nicola in Bari . Off target: Robin van Persie (left) missed some key opportunities for Holland as they lost the first match of the post-Louis van Gaal era on Thursday against Italy . Familiar face: Manchester United's new £14million signing from Ajax Daley Blind (left) looks on as Italy's Simone Zaza (right) controls the ball during Thursday's friendly . Looking on: Newcastle United and Holland right-back Daryl Janmaat (left), Bruno Martins Indi (centre) and Italy forward Ciro Immobile run towards the ball on Thursday . All together now: The Italy starting line-up poses for a photograph before kick-off, with Salvatore Sirigu (right) chosen ahead of Gianluigi Buffon in goal for the Azzurri . Their best chance came when Azzurri defender Andrea Ranocchia could only clear a Kuyt cross straight to Blind, whose cushion header gave Van Persie a chance to score but he smashed his left-foot volley harmlessly past the post. Aside from a couple of Van Persie misses, there was little for the Dutch to be proud about. They were simply outclassed from the very first minute to the last. Italy's main threat all night had been the pace of Zaza and Immobile up front, but Leonardo Bonucci almost stole the headlines with a thunderbolt from 35 yards which forced Cillessen into a nervy parry. Conte can be pleased with his first match in charge. Hiddink on the other hand has a lot of thinking to do. Frustration: Holland midfielder Wesley Sneijder (left) claps his hands together, visibly annoyed, after he gives the ball away against Italy at the Stadio San Nicola in Bari . Deputising: Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu (pictured) was chosen ahead of Italy and Juventus legend Gianluigi Buffon for the match on Thursday . Opportunity: Emanuele Giaccherini (left) struggles to get into the Sunderland team at times but Antonio Conto elected to start the midfielder in his first match in charge . Competitive: Former Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt (centre) evades the challenge of Italy's Mattio De Sciglio (right) during the match at the Stadio San Nicola on Thursday . Acknowledgement: Italy coach Antonio Conte waves to the crowd before the start of his first match in charge of the national side against Holland on Thursday evening . | Ciro Immobile opened scoring after just three minutes for home side after he rounded the goalkeeper and slotted home .
Daniele De Rossi (10) doubled Italy's advantage from spot after Bruno Martins Indi sent off for a foul on Simone Zaza .
Antonio Conte's first match in charge of the Italian national side ends with a victory to relieve some World Cup misery .
Guus Hiddink's first match back in charge and Holland's first since Louis van Gaal left for Manchester United . |
82,669 | ea6b2408301d246be9c15e0419044a3a11644b78 | (CNN) -- Dallas Cowboys teammates Josh Brent and Jerry Brown Jr. were "like brothers" and "the best of friends," Brown's mother and grandmother said Monday, showing no ill will toward the man who may be responsible for the loss of their family member. The teammates were involved in a fiery weekend car crash. Brown was killed, and Brent was arrested on suspicion of intoxication manslaughter. He was released from jail Sunday on $500,000 bond. Asked whether she was angry when she heard that alcohol could have been a contributing factor in the crash, Brown's mother, Stacey Jackson, said that she was and that she feels for Brent and his family. "I was upset, but I realize, you know, our youth today are young and stupid. And we was all once that age and we done things that we are not proud of," she said during an interview on CNN's "Piers Morgan Tonight." "I know Josh Brent, and he's been part of our family since Jerry went to the University of Illinois. That's all I can do, is pray for him and his family because I know he's hurting just as well as we are because him and Jerry was like brothers." A Mercedes Brent was driving flipped and caught fire early Saturday in Irving, Texas, the Dallas suburb where the Cowboys are based. Police said the car was traveling at high speed when it hit a curb. "My heart, every part of me aches," Brown's grandmother, Theresa Clark, said on "Piers Morgan Tonight." "That young man, Josh. I pray, I pray for him too because he has feelings and he has a heart. And he loved Jerry. They were the best of friends. I have no ill feelings toward him," she said. "He was a beautiful friend." Brown, 25, was an outside linebacker on the Dallas practice squad. In a statement issued through his agent Saturday night, Brent said he was "devastated" over the accident and "filled with grief for the loss of my close friend and teammate, Jerry Brown." "I am also grief-stricken for his family, friends and all who were blessed enough to have known him. I will live with this horrific and tragic loss every day for the rest of my life," he said. Brent, 24, is in his third season with the Cowboys. The charge he faces is a second-degree felony that carries a potential two- to 20-year prison sentence with a maximum $10,000 fine. Brent pleaded guilty to a DUI charge in 2009, according to court records in Champaign, Illinois, where he played football with Brown at the University of Illinois. He received a 60-day sentence, a fine and 200 hours of community service. CNN's Lateef Mungin, Chandler Friedman and Greg Botelho contributed to this report. | The mother and grandmother of Jerry Brown Jr. appear on CNN's "Piers Morgan Tonight"
Brown, an outside linebacker on the Dallas practice squad, was killed in a weekend car crash .
His teammate, Josh Brent, was arrested on suspicion of intoxication manslaughter .
"My heart, every part of me aches," says Brown's grandmother . |
83,007 | eb60794ed62287c5de5a9db5db0ac067c91a41f2 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 09:43 EST, 3 February 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 17:34 EST, 3 February 2014 . There are many occupational hazards associated with working as a reporter - being yelled at, sued and the occasional death threat. Being carjacked usually isn't one of them. But such was the case at the weekend for Florida news reporter Josh Taylor, who was investigating an alleged property fraud in Sarasota. Taylor, who has worked at ABC for over ten years, was looking into a complaint made a 91-year-old woman who had rented a large home in Siesta Key for a family reunion that had been listed as having 11 bedrooms and being able to sleep 25 to 30 people. Not happy: A Florida woman, identified by officials as Jean Price, is caught on camera in a confrontation with ABC 7 reporter Josh Taylor . 'You're going to leave': Jean Price picks up the camera tripod of ABC 7 reporter Josh Taylor and loads it into his work car . Caught on camera: Jean Price gets into the car before driving away down the street . However the house has code violations and only has five bedrooms, according to ABC 7. With a listed price of $4500-a-week, the woman asked for her deposit refunded but was refused. Taylor was setting up his camera outside the house on Friday in an attempt to speak to the owner when he was approached by a woman, who came running from the property. With the camera rolling, the woman, identified by officials as Jean Price, put her hand over the lens and demanded he leave. 'You're going to leave!' Price can be seen yelling in the footage. When Taylor tells her it is a public road and he has a right to be there, Price picks up his tripod and packs it inside his ABC car. 'Ok, I'll just drive you f---ing car,' Price then says. She then gets inside the vehicle and drives down the street. And she's off: Jean Price takes off in the car of ABC 7 reporter Josh Taylor . She drives off down the street in Siesta Key, Florida . The car was left here, in a neighboring, with the keys inside . Price parked the car in another street nearby, leaving the keys inside. Taylor called the County Sheriff's Office, who will now charge Price with grand theft auto. A neighbor told ABC 7 that Price works for the man who owns the hom, a local chiropractor named Dr. Craig Siegal. Neither he or Price have commented on the incident. Taylor said that in his 12 years of reporting, he has never been carjacked. ABC 7 reporter Josh Taylor (left) was looking into a story owned by local chiropractor Dr Craig Siegal (right) Jean Price walks back to the house reporter Josh Taylor was investigating. The Sarasota Sheriff's Office says she will be charged with grand theft auto . See video here ... | ABC 7 reporter Josh Taylor was investigating an alleged property scam in Siesta Key, Florida, on Friday .
The house had been advertised as having 11 bedrooms but only had five and the tenant was refused a refund .
A woman, Jean Price, came running from the house and yelled at Taylor to leave .
Caught on camera, she is seen getting into Taylor's car and driving down the street .
Price will be charged grand theft auto, officials say . |
48,891 | 8a0976b5b0811c919669e8aed7274e1d0fa14679 | ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (CNN) -- Tuba Sahaab looks nothing like a warrior. She is a slight girl of 11, living in a simple home in a suburb of Islamabad. But in Tuba's case, looks are deceiving. "I want to give peace to my nation," Tuba Sahaab says, "I will fight for it." With her pen, Tuba is taking on the swords of the Taliban. She crafts poems telling of the pain and suffering of children just like her; girls banned from school, their books burned, as the hard-core Islamic militants spread their reign of terror across parts of Pakistan. A stanza of one of her poems reads: "Tiny drops of tears, their faces like angels, Washed with blood, they sleep forever with anger." Tuba is not afraid to express her views. Of the Taliban forcing young girls out of the classroom, she says: "This is very shocking to hear that girls can't go to school, they are taking us back to the Stone Age." Less than two hours from Tuba's home, the Taliban have control. The one-time holiday destination of the Swat Valley is now a no-go zone. Curfews are in place at all times. Militants kill with impunity. Human rights activists and people on the ground in Swat Valley speak of a place called "slaughter square" where the Taliban leave the bodies of their victims with notes saying "do not remove for 24 hours." No one touches the corpses out of fear of reprisals. Watch Tuba recite her poetry » . Tuba Sahaab refuses to be silent. As young as she is, she is wise and brave beyond her years. The young school girl is reaching a bigger audience, regularly appearing in the media. On the day we spend with her, Tuba and her mother appear on a talk radio program. Back home, she tells me how she would give her life for her country. "I want to give peace to my nation," she says, "I will fight for it." And Tuba has an inspiration: U.S. President Barack Obama. She prayed for his elections, she says. She sees in him the hope of peace in her own country. Tuba Sahaab has a dream to meet her hero. She can hardly contain her excitement. "I want to go the White Palace and show him my poems, show him what is happening and ask him to come to Pakistan and control it because he is a super power." Meeting and listening to Tuba Sahaab, it is easy to forget she is still a young girl. In her playground at school, Tuba dances and laughs with her friends. She loves writing her short stories (she has already published one book) and shows me a cartoon character she has created called "Tomato Man." Tuba's parents are proud of their daughter. They say they are not afraid even as she speaks out so publicly against the Taliban. Tuba is their only child but as her mother tells me, she is "worth more than seven sons and seven daughters." And Tuba has the dreams of any young child. She tells me she wants to be an astronaut and then one day lead her country. "I will do anything, if my life goes I don't worry, I just want to do something." "I think you will get the chance," I say. "Yes, if someone gives me the chance you will see what I can do." Of that, I have no doubt. | With her pen, 11-year-old Pakistani Tuba Sahaab takes on the swords of the Taliban .
She crafts poems on children in Pakistan oppressed by hard-core Islamic militants .
Girls have been banned from school, their books burned, as militants spread terror .
Refusing to be silent, despite the danger, she regularly speaks out in the media . |
53,905 | 98d47d7157d1cb66163986b94e442e0473369df0 | By . Meghan Keneally . PUBLISHED: . 16:53 EST, 20 August 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 07:09 EST, 21 August 2013 . A coroner's report reveals that journalist Michael Hastings had drugs in his system at the time of his fatal car crash in June. Hastings, who had reportedly been sober for over a decade before relapsing shortly before his death, had traces of amphetamine and marijuana in his blood when he died. The Los Angeles County coroner's report said that the drugs were not the cause of the fiery crash or his death, as that came due to the massive blunt force trauma that ensued. Clues: Michael Hastings had traces of amphetamine and marijuana in his blood when he died in a car crash . The Los Angeles Times also reports that his family were on their way from New York to California on the day of the crash because they wanted to have an intervention due to his relapse. The results of the toxicology report do not appear to be a surprise to Hasting's relatives, as the coroner added that 'his family was attempting to get (Hastings) to go to detox'. Relatives told the city officials that after 14-years of sobriety, the 33-year-old reporter that he began using drugs in the month leading up to his June 18 accident. A post that he wrote on his blog in 2009 confirms that timeline: 'I stopped using when I was nineteen. Good for me.' His relatives were not the only ones who knew that Hastings had begun using drugs again. Inferno: Skeptics came up with conspiracy theories about his death but the Los Angeles Coroner ruled that he died of a blunt force trauma, and died almost immediately after impact in the June 18 crash . Beyond Recognition: Authorities had to use a set of fingerprints on file with the FBI to identify his body . Police found a medical marijuana card in his wallet at the scene of the crash. Hastings, who made his name covering the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and effectively forcing the firing of former General Stanley McCrystal, was apparently given a prescription for marijuana to treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. In addition to covering warzones, he also lost his fiancee when she was killed in Baghdad, and he wrote a book about the experience. A number of conspiracy theories surfaced about his death immediately following the early morning June 18 accident as he was revealed to be working on a story about the CIA. In the know: Relatives were reportedly headed to Los Angeles to have an intervention for Hastings as he had relapsed and started using drugs. His widow, Elise Jordan, says his death was likely just a tragic accident . Surveillance footage near the crash site showed that Hastings was driving the car and sped up before the Mercedes flipped into a palm tree. His body was so badly burned that he had to be identified using a set of his fingerprints that the FBI had on file. The agency issued a statement shortly after the fact saying that at no point was he under investigation. His wife, Elise Jordan, spoke out after his death saying that she did not suspect foul play was involved. 'The LAPD still has an active investigation...my gut here is that it was just a really tragic accident and I'm very unlucky and the world is very unlucky,' she said at the time. | Relatives were on their way to Los Angeles to have an intervention for Hastings at the time of his death .
He had been sober for 14 years and started using the month before he died .
Coroner ruled the drugs were not the cause of the crash . |
27,031 | 4cadd0f56348be82c774928accef3084e04407c8 | By . Amanda Williams and Charles Walford . PUBLISHED: . 04:17 EST, 26 November 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 02:43 EST, 27 November 2012 . Apple has hit back in the increasingly bitter patent battle with Samsung by naming six more products in its lawsuit against its tech rival. The latest tit-for-tat move in the legal war between the two companies comes after Samsung filed papers at a US court . claiming that Apple's iPad mini, released this month, infringes . eight technology patents. Apple Inc has now asked a federal court to add six more products to its patent infringement lawsuit against Samsung Electronics Co, including the Samsung Galaxy Note II. The case is one of two patent infringement lawsuits pending in the U.S. District Court in San Jose by Apple against Samsung. An earlier lawsuit by Apple that related to different patents resulted in a $1.05 billion jury verdict against Samsung on Aug. 24. Tit-for-tat: Apple has added Samsung's Galaxy Note II (left) to its lawsuit after the Korean giant filed papers claiming that Apple's iPad mini, released this month, infringes eight technology patents . Apple is also seeking to add the Samsung Galaxy S III, running the new Android 'Jelly Bean' operating system, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 Wifi, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1, the Samsung Rugby Pro, and the Samsung Galaxy S III Mini, to its lawsuit, according to a court filing on Friday. 'Apple has acted quickly and diligently to determine that these newly-released products do infringe many of the same claims already asserted by Apple,' the company said in the filing. Samsung representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Apple filed the second lawsuit in February, alleging that various Samsung smartphone and tablet products including the Galaxy Nexus infringed eight of its patents. Samsung denied infringement and filed a cross-complaint alleging that Apple's iPhone and iPad infringed eight of its patents. A U.S. judge on Nov. 15 allowed Samsung to pursue claims the iPhone5 also infringes its patents. Last week Korean giant Samsung has asked a judge to add Apple's new 7.9-inch tablet to a list of products, including the iPod Touch 5, and the iPad 4, which it claims violate patents on radio signalling technologies. The rivals have filed cases against each other in more than 10 countries, each accusing the other of violating its patents. Last week Apple successfully applied to add Google’s latest mobile operating system, Android 4.2, Jelly Bean, to the case. In a minor victory for Samsung, on Wednesday, the judge ordered Apple to disclose the financial details of its patent licensing deal with HTC. A patent war has engulfed Samsun ang Apple, with the former even forcing its rival to disclose the financial details of its patent licensing deal with HTC . Apple and HTC signed a 10-year licence agreement earlier this month, but did not make the details public. But the court ordered Apple to produce a full copy of the settlement . agreement 'without delay', subject to an 'attorneys' eyes only' designation, meaning it will not be made public. Legal experts say the question of which patents are covered by the HTC settlement, and licensing details, could be instrumental in Samsung's efforts to thwart Apple's subsequent quest for a permanent sales ban on its products. Samsung has argued it is 'almost certain' that the HTC deal covers some of the same patents involved in its own litigation with Apple. It seeks to show Apple is willing to license its technology if the price is right. It has been speculated that HTC has agreed to pay Apple a royalty of up to $8 on each smartphone it sells, but the figure has been flatly denied by the firm’s chief executive. The settlement of Apple and HTC ended their worldwide litigation and brought to a close one of the first major flare-ups in the global smartphone patent wars. Apple first sued HTC in 2010, setting in motion a legal conflagration that has since circled the globe and engulfed the biggest names in mobile technology. | Apple has added Samsung's flagship Galaxy SIII phone to its patent infringement lawsuit .
Moves comes after Samsung asked a judge to add the 7.9-inch tablet to a .
list of products it .
claims violate licence agreements .
It includes the iPod Touch 5, and the iPad 4 . |
67,517 | bf8ace896e0c09541a3c10f0ee8065bfa646d908 | By . Eddie Wrenn . PUBLISHED: . 08:43 EST, 23 April 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 15:00 EST, 23 April 2012 . Bereft: Devastated husband John Wonfor said his wife Carol could still be alive if her suspicions had been acted on . A widower who claims medics misdiagnosed his wife’s cancer used her funeral to send a poignant message urging medical staff to listen to their patients. Devastated John Wonfor, 66, says his wife Carol repeatedly told her doctors that stomach pains they wrote off as irritable bowel syndrome and thyroid problems were actually cancer. Mrs Wonfor, 62, of Selby, North Yorkshire, was diagnosed with bowel cancer in September 2010 and operated on in October, but doctors couldn’t stop the disease from spreading and she sadly died earlier this month. Her husband, a retired glazier, has now sent a message to medical professionals at his wife’s service, using the flowers in her hearse to spell out the word ‘Listen’. The father-of-two and grandfather-of-five, who cared for his wife for 18 months before her death, said: 'I believe Carol was misdiagnosed severely. 'I don’t want to point the finger at one doctor or one nurse. I just want medical professionals to listen to their patients.' Mr Wonfor thinks that if doctors had listened to his wife, she could still be alive today. 'They could have just humoured her. It might have helped,' he said. 'The bottom line is people should listen. It doesn’t cost a bean to listen.' He explained that his wife first complained of stomach pains three years ago when they lived in Middlesex, where she visited doctors complaining of stomach pains, but was told she had a thyroid problem. But when they moved to Yorkshire two-and-a-half years ago, she visited The Beech Tree surgery to ask for investigations. The hearse carrying the coffin of Carol Wonfor stopped outside the GP's surgery to deliver the message . Mr Wonfor explained: 'My wife went to . the surgery when we moved up here and told them that she was sure there . was something more going on, and asked for a scan. 'But they told her that she didn’t qualify for one. Carol Wonfor, aged 62, died earlier this month after 18 months of chemotherapy . 'My . wife was a medical receptionist for 12 years. She felt like she had . seen people in this situation for years and now she was the one fighting . to be heard. 'She told me that she thought she might have cancer. Beech Tree said it was IBS but we know now it was cancer.' Mrs Wonfor was referred to an oncologist who realised the problem was something more sinister and sent her for a a scan. She was told she had bowel cancer and was started on a course of chemotherapy. Mr Wonfor said: 'Once Carol started receiving treatment, we had no complaints. Everyone who treated her or looked after her couldn’t have done more.' But after 18 months of chemotherapy, doctors told the couple there was nothing more they could do, as the cancer had spread to her liver and lungs. She eventually died of liver failure. Grieving friends and relatives remembered her at Brayton St Wilfred’s Church in Selby, where the hearse carrying her coffin and flowers spelling the word ‘Listen’ were driven to the Beech Tree surgery. Mr Wonfor said his wife never enjoyed her 'Bucket List' activities before her death such as seeing the Northern Lights and the Great Wall of China. The couple also hoped to travel in a renovated camper van that now sits abandoned on the driveway. Beech Tree practice manager Richard Gregory said: 'We have no comment to make.' 'Listen': The heartfelt message displayed in Mr Wonfor's garden before the funeral . | Carol, 62, passed away this month from bowel cancer .
Devastated widower says doctors ignored her belief she had cancer .
Grandfather-of-five uses funeral to send poignant message to GPs . |
136,156 | 3c26598204899b9a1246749e3287fc5fb2ca8c5d | Boris Johnson today called for the removal of the Tower of London's field of ceramic poppies to be delayed, to give more time for people to see the stunning display. The London Mayor has issued a direct plea to organisers to extend the exhibition beyond next week's deadline of November 12, when up to four million people are expected to have paid tribute at the display of 888,246 poppies in the Tower's moat on the bank of the River Thames. The vast installation, Blood Swept Lands And Seas Of Red by ceramic artist Paul Cummins, has captured the public imagination as the nation marks 100 years since the outbreak of the First World War. All of the poppies have been sold, at £25 each, with buyers hoping to have them in time for Christmas. Scroll down for video . Sea of red: Boris Johnson today called for the removal of the Tower of London's field of ceramic poppies to be delayed to give people more time to see them . Big draw: The huge popularity of the ceramic poppies at the Tower of London, pictured tonight, has exceed the expectations of organisers, with tens of thousands of people queuing during the day and night to catch a glimpse . Jaw-dropping: Members of the public stop to look at the ceramic poppies which form part of the art installation 'Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red' by artist Paul Cummins at the Tower of London, which has been commissioned to mark the centenary of the First World War . Charity money-spinner: All of the poppies have been sold, at £25 each, with buyers hoping to have them in time for Christmas. Poignant: More than 800,000 ceramic poppies have been planted in memory of British and Commonwealth soldiers killed in the First World War . Popular: Crowds flocked again to see the the vast memorial despite warnings not to come because of overcrowding . The installation has captured the public imagination as the nation marks 100 years since the outbreak of the First World War next Tuesday . National memory: By next week's deadline of November 12 up to four million people are expected to have paid tribute at the display . More time: Boris Johnson has called for the closure to be delayed to give more people chance to see the installation . Meaningful: Many visitors have travelled from across the country to catch a glimpse of the memorial in the moat of the Tower . The poppies have gradually been added in recent weeks, and has nearly reached completion ahead of Armistice Day on Tuesday, November 11. Historic Royal Palaces plans to then start the process of dismantling the exhibition. The poppies have been sold for charity, and people who have bought them have already been warned they will not get them until the New Year. But Mr Johnson has called for the closure to be delayed to give more people chance to see it, with many travelling from across the country to catch a glimpse. Mr Johnson told the Evening Standard said: 'The poppy field at the Tower is a unique and poignant focus of remembrance in this centenary year. 'It has grown rapidly in popularity, to such an extent that it is now a global visitor attraction. 'I'm keen to explore whether we can keep the exhibition open for longer, to give as many people as possible the chance to glimpse something so incredible, whilst easing the pressure on numbers.' Talks: A spokesman for the mayor said he was in discussion with Historic Royal Palaces about extending the exhibition for a further week. Sales: But Historic Royal Palaces said it was always the intention to begin sending the poppies to their new owners after Armistice Day . Memorial: By November 11, there will be 888,246 ceramic poppies at the site, one for each British and colonial death during the First World War . Dismantling: Eleven thousand volunteers will then begin removing the installation from November 12, Culture Minister Ed Vaizey said . Funds: Royal British Legion said it hopes the sale of the poppies - which were available to buy for £25 each - will raise in excess of £15 million . Delivery: Buyers of the poppies could be left disappointed if the arrival of theirs was postponed because of an extension to the memorial . The vast installation, Blood Swept Lands And Seas Of Red, wad created by ceramic artist Paul Cummins to mark the WWI centenary . Thousands of visitors have flocked to the Tower of London despite calls from organisers to cancel weekend visits because of overcrowding . By November 11, when the display is due to be dismantled, up to four million people are expected to have seen it . Tower Hill tube station has been closed and crowd control barriers set up to deal with the huge numbers of people who have flooded the area around the Tower of London moat . Many ignored the pleas to delay their visit, turning up in the droves during half term and every day since . London Mayor Boris Johnson, who sold poppies last week with actor Brian Blessed, has issued a plea to organisers to delay the process of removing the poppies . A spokesman for the mayor said he was in discussion with Historic Royal Palaces, the agency which runs the Tower of London, about extending the exhibition for a further week. But Historic Royal Palaces said today that it was always the intention to begin sending the poppies - which have been sold to raise cash for charity - to their new owners after Armistice Day on November 11. A spokeswoman said: 'We have been overwhelmed by the support from the public for Blood Swept Lands And Seas Of Red, our installation of ceramic poppies in the moat at the Tower of London. 'It has always been intended that the poppies will be in place until November 11 and after this time they will be cleaned and sent out to all those that have purchased them. 'The transience of the installation is key to the artistic concept, with the dispersal of the poppies into hundreds of thousands of homes marking the final phase of this evolving installation. 'We are currently planning further ways in which the Tower of London will be marking the coming years of the centenary and the legacy of the poppies in the moat.' The Queen and Prince Philip walked among the ceramic poppies last month, as volunteers continued the painstaking process of planting the thousands of poppies . When the poppy field was first launched in August, the Duchess of Cambridge was one of the first high profile visitors to the site . By November 11, there will be 888,246 ceramic poppies planted at the site, one for each British and colonial death during the First World War, which began 100 years ago. Eleven thousand volunteers will then begin removing the installation from November 12, Culture Minister Ed Vaizey said on Twitter. Royal British Legion said it hopes the sale of the poppies - which were available to buy for £25 each - will raise in excess of £15 million. Buyers of the poppies could be left disappointed if the arrival of theirs was postponed because of an extension to the memorial. Rehema Figueiredo, 23, from Balham, south London, who bought two, said she was expecting to receive hers not to long after Remembrance Day to pass them on as gifts. 'I bought two as presents for people who had relatives that were lost in the war and they will be most upset that they won't get their poppies in time. 'I bought mine maybe a month and a half ago so I've already been waiting that long for it to come and it's a bit disappointing to think that we will be waiting even longer.' The public were urged to postpone their visits to the poppy field last week due to overcrowding during the school half-term holiday. Phil Hufton, London Underground's chief operating officer, said Tower Hill station near the memorial had been 'extremely busy' and occasionally the station was being closed on police advice. Each night at sunset, the Last Post is played and a Yeomen Warder reads out the names of some of the Commonwealth soldiers who gave their lives in the First World War . Transport for London has urged visitors to the Tower of London to travel to nearby Tube stations Aldgate or Aldgate East or take the DLR to Tower Gateway. Commuters have also been asked to consider travelling to London Bridge and then walk, cycle or take a bus. Motorists have also been advised not to drive in the area. One beneficiary from the sale of the poppies, military charity SSAFA, backed the closure of the exhibition next week. A spokeswoman said: 'Its transience is part of the overall artistic concept. Given that around four million people are thought to have visited the poppies, we appreciate that Historic Royal Palaces now needs to fulfil its obligation to those who have bought a poppy, and thereby generously supported the charities who are benefiting from the proceeds from their sale.' | Extraordinary display of 888,246 ceramic poppies is due to be removed after Armistice Day next Tuesday .
The vast installation, Blood Swept Lands And Seas Of Red, wad created by ceramic artist Paul Cummins .
Officials from Historic Royal Palaces has encouraged people to postpone weekend visits to ease crowds .
Up to 4million are expected to visit the First World War tribute - which will raise £11.2million for charity .
People have been urged to delay their visit until later in the day and avoid weekends to ease overcrowding .
Tube stations closed and crowd control barriers put up to deal with huge numbers of people visiting the site .
All of the poppies have been sold for £25, and many will be hoping to receive them before Christmas .
But London Mayor Boris Johnson has called for it to be extended beyond next week to give more people a glimpse . |
69,435 | c4de0f83e7432ab3db238bc1d537e72a802c52f8 | The Indian diplomat whose arrest sparked a diplomatic row with India has again been indicted by the federal government and faces arrest if she returns to the United States, federal prosecutors said Friday. Devyani Khobragade faces one count of visa fraud and one count of making false statements for allegedly lying on a visa application about how much she paid her housekeeper, according to the indictment filed in a Manhattan federal court Friday. An arrest warrant also was issued, said Jerika Richardson, spokeswoman for the United States attorney's office for the Southern District of New York. The fresh indictment comes just days after the original indictment against Khobragade was dismissed by a federal judge who agreed with her lawyers' assertion that she was protected under diplomatic immunity at the time of the first indictment. Federal prosecutors signaled Monday that a new indictment was likely. Khobragade, who left the United States in January, now works for the Indian Ministry of External Affairs in Delhi. Her attorney, Daniel Arshack, declined comment Friday. "The government of India will respond in due course," he said in a statement. She was originally arrested and strip-searched by federal agents in New York City in December 2013. On January 9, a federal grand jury indicted her on one count of visa fraud and one count of making false statements, the same charges she now faces. Khobragade filed a motion to dismiss the charges, claiming she was "cloaked in diplomatic immunity at the time of her arrest," according to court documents. A federal judge agreed on Monday, ruling that Khobragade was "appointed a Counselor to the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations, a position that cloaked her with full diplomatic immunity," according to court documents. She was appointed to that position on January 8, one day before her first indictment. "Even if Khobragade had no immunity at the time of her arrest and has none now, her acquisition of immunity during the pendency of proceedings mandates dismissal," U.S. District Judge Shira Scheindlin wrote. "The government may not proceed on an indictment obtained when Khobragade was immune from the jurisdiction of the court," Scheindlin ruled. Arshack on Monday said Khobragade was pleased "the rule of law has prevailed." India's external affairs spokesman, Syed Akbaruddin, issued a statement then welcoming the ruling. Khobragade's case drew international attention, with Indian officials demanding apologies from Washington, and the United States announcing it would withdraw one official from its embassy in New Delhi. | Devyani Khobragade is indicted on visa fraud and false statement charges .
Diplomat faces arrest if she returns to the United States .
Indictment comes days after court dismisses the original indictment against her .
Diplomatic immunity is key defense in Khobragade's case . |
158,619 | 590d42bb0850a5eb27714f8077c69dd5b5e686f8 | (CNN) -- The United States named Afghanistan a major non-NATO ally Saturday, clearing the way for the two countries to maintain a defense and economic relationship even as American combat troops withdraw. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced the designation during a surprise visit to Kabul. A day after the announcement, she will attend a gathering of international donors in Tokyo who will be asked to pledge financial support for Afghanistan after nearly all U.S.-led NATO troops pull out of the country by the end of 2014. The relationship is beneficial during the transition as both nations prepare for post-2014, according to Clinton. "It will open the door to Afghanistan's military to have a greater capacity and broader kind of relationship with the United States, and particularly the United States military," Clinton told reporters in Kabul. By granting such ally status, it makes Afghanistan eligible to receive military training and assistance, including expediting the sales and leasing of military equipment long after NATO troops leave. "There are a number of benefits that accrue to countries that have this designation," she said. "They are able to have access to excess defense supplies, for example, and they can be part of certain kinds of training and capacity building." Allegations: American generals delayed Kabul hospital abuse probe . The United States gave Afghanistan the designation as part of an Enduring Strategic Partnership Agreement signed in May by President Barack Obama and his Afghan counterpart, Hamid Karzai. Afghanistan joins Japan, Pakistan, Egypt, Israel and Australia, among others, granted major non-NATO ally status by the United States. Unlike NATO allies of the United States, who are bound together by a joint defense pact, there is no mutual defense guarantee as a non-NATO ally. Clinton made it clear the United States has no intention of abandoning Afghanistan after the troops withdrawal. "We will continue, of course, to protect Afghanistan from any efforts by insurgents and outsiders to destabilize Afghanistan," she said. Clinton and Karzai are headed to the meeting Sunday in Tokyo, where private and public donors are expected to pledge nearly $4 billion in aid for reconstruction. During the news conference, Clinton also hinted at thawing U.S.-Pakistani relations, which were virtually frozen after the killing of Osama bin Laden, U.S. claims that Pakistan failed to crackdown on insurgents conducting cross-border attacks in Afghanistan and Islamabad's demand that Washington apologize for the killing of 24 Pakistani soldiers in November 2011. Clinton apologized Tuesday for the killings, prompting Pakistan to allow trucks carrying supplies to NATO troops to cross from Pakistan into Afghanistan for the first time in seven months. "We were struck by the recent call from Pakistan's parliament that Pakistani territory shall not be used for any kind of attacks on other countries, and all foreign fighters, if found, shall be expelled from Pakistani soil," Clinton said during the news conference. "So we want to deepen our security cooperation with Pakistan." Clinton said there would be a meeting on the "ministerial level" between Pakistan, Afghanistan and the United States at the Tokyo gathering. The United States has not publicly said how much money it will pledge, though Clinton said Saturday that "of course the United States will be making a substantial commitment." There are questions, though, about whether private and commercial donors will commit to large handouts without a guarantee that money won't be siphoned off by corruption rampant in Afghanistan. Clinton told reporters that she was "encouraged by what she was hearing" about financial pledges at the Tokyo meeting, but conceded corruption was a major challenge. Poverty and corruption are widespread in Afghanistan. It came in 172nd out of 187 countries in the United Nations' 2011 Human Development Index, which ranks nations based on life expectancy, education and living standards. Questions were raised after the United Nations announced an investigation in June into its Afghanistan development fund that pays the salaries of Afghan police amid allegations of misuse of funds. "We take seriously any allegations of corruption that involve U.S. funds, and we are working with the United Nations to support the steps they have said they would take to address the concerns raised by donors about allegations of mismanagement of the Law and Order Trust Fund." Clinton said "mutual accountability would be discussed" at the meeting in Tokyo. First NATO trucks move into Afghanistan from Pakistan after 7-month closure . CNN's Greg Seaby and Chelsea J. Carter contributed to this report. | Other nations including Japan, Pakistan and Egypt have non-NATO ally status .
The status allows Kabul and Washington to maintain defense relations .
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton makes the announcement in Kabul .
She says the designation is beneficial as U.S. troops withdraw . |
185,110 | 7bcc0c2e56aa4f297029ecd7715b4f3d08572325 | (CNN) -- A small boy, perched on an open catwalk in a candy factory, falls to his death. No, it is not a macabre moment out of "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory." It is a true story told by social reformer Jane Addams, who founded Chicago's Hull House in 1889. Addams also described little girls who refused sweets as Christmas gifts that year. "They could not bear the sight of it," Addams wrote. "We discovered that that they had worked from 7 in the morning until 9 at night, and they were exhausted." These Dickensian scenes lasted in America from the late 19th century until 1938, when child labor was outlawed under the Fair Labor Standards Act. They are a sobering reminder of why the nation marks Labor Day. To most Americans, the first Monday in September means a three-day weekend and the last hurrah of summer, a final outing at the shore before school begins, a family picnic. But Labor Day was born in a time when work was no picnic. As America was moving from farms to factories in the Industrial Age, there was a long, violent, often-deadly struggle for fundamental workers' rights, a struggle that in many ways was America's "other civil war." It was a war fought when 12-hour days and six-day weeks were routine. Wages were low; there were no sick days, pensions or holidays. There was certainly no unemployment insurance. Any attempts at organizing were met by the combined wrath of business and government. The business of America was business. That conflict, a period in which thousands of workers died in America's unsafe and unsanitary factories and mines, and hundreds more died in riots and pitched battles over workers' rights, is the little-noted history behind this holiday. The first American Labor Day is dated to a parade organized by unions in New York on September 5, 1882, as a celebration of "the strength and spirit of the American worker." Their goals were simple: decent wages, an eight-hour workday and the right to organize. The September date was selected to provide a respite for workers and their families midway between July Fourth and Thanksgiving Day. By all accounts, the first Labor Day was a peaceful affair that drew tens of thousands of workers and their families to the city's Union Square Park. But the path to a national Labor Day holiday was no walk in the park. The federal Labor Day was created 12 years later, signed into law by President Grover Cleveland during his second term in 1894. It's not that Cleveland was a great friend of labor. In fact, he had just sent out troops to break a strike. During the economic depression known as the Panic of 1893, workers for the Pullman Car Co., one of the country's largest manufacturers, walked off their jobs when Pullman tried to cut wages, fire workers and evict them from their company-owned homes. They were joined by hundreds of thousands of workers in a nationwide walkout. Facing a strike that would shut down America's railroads, Cleveland dispatched 12,000 federal troops on the premise that the strike interfered with the U.S. Mail. In the ensuing violence, at least 13 strikers were killed. This was not the first time troops had been used against American workers. Federal soldiers, state militias and private armies, often from the Pinkerton Detective Agency, had used deadly force to break many 19th-century strikes. Some of these strikes had become pitched battles, like the Homestead strike of 1892 in Pennsylvania. There, men on both sides armed with rifles and cannons died fighting over keeping a union at a steel mill, a union that owner Andrew Carnegie and manager Henry Frick were determined to break. After crushing the Pullman strike, Cleveland thought that granting workers a Labor Day holiday was a sop that would appease them as he sought a third term. (It didn't work; he was denied the Democratic nomination in 1896.) Politicians and labor leaders were content to keep the holiday in September, far from the growing popularity of May Day as a commemoration of the "Martyrs of Haymarket Square," a group of union leaders executed -- unjustly, it was later proved -- after Chicago's deadly Haymarket Square Riots in May 1884. For unions, Labor Day proved a hollow victory. Most of the reforms they sought did not come about for nearly half a century. The Depression-era fair labor laws that were passed under Franklin D. Roosevelt finally set standards like the eight-hour day and an end to child labor. This history is worth remembering on Labor Day. But at a moment when American workers are battered by high unemployment, the Great Recession, a technology revolution in the workplace and globalization, there seems to be little to celebrate. And these economic forces are only part of the relentless pressures faced by America's work force. There is also a renewed war over labor in this country. It is being fought in battleground states including, most notably, Wisconsin, Ohio, New Jersey and Florida, where mostly Republican governors are wrangling with public employees over pay, pensions and more fundamental issues including the right of collective bargaining. Their sharp anti-union rhetoric has increasingly found receptive listeners who have been convinced that "spoiled" unions and public employees -- the people who fight our fires, teach our children and pick up our garbage -- are at fault for our budgetary woes and the sorry state of the economy. The fight has been vitriolic but well short of the violence of America's "other civil war." With that in mind, it is worth recalling President Abraham Lincoln's words during the dark early days of the real Civil War. "Capital is only the fruit of labor, and could never have existed if labor had not first existed," he told Congress in December 1861. "Labor is the superior of capital and deserves much the higher consideration," Today, the first Republican president's words would count as heresy in the GOP. But they are a sharp reminder that working men and women built this country and fought its wars. And their labors are worth more than a Monday holiday or the mean-spirited contempt they now face. They deserve, as Lincoln said, "the higher consideration." The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Kenneth Davis. | Ken Davis: Today, labor under fire. But war for workers' rights was long, deadly struggle .
There was child labor, 12-hour days, 6-day weeks, low wages, no sick days, holidays .
Soldiers, militias, private armies used deadly force to break 19th-century strikes .
Labor Day born in 1894, he says, but reform didn't come till FDR's fair labor laws . |
39,511 | 6f9c076dbe33b55d388243deb67ba9a9424b945e | Actress Emilia Clarke has been dragged into Russian politics after her picture was used to make a shock 'anti-rape' message by a Vladimir Putin mayoral candidate. The 26-year-old British star's image appears on a campaign advert in the industrial city of Yekaterinburg backing United Russia politician Yakov Silin. The sham online promotion identifies her as a local woman called Anya, 24, but the picture has been used without the permission of Game of Thrones actress. Misuse: British actress Emilia Clarke shot to fame from her role in HBO's hit series Game of Thrones . Politics: The sham online promotion identifies Emilia Clarke as a local woman called Anya, 24, but the picture has been used without the permission of Game of Thrones actress . 'Her' message on behalf of the Putin candidate states: 'I suddenly noticed that for the last couple of years I'm not afraid to walk at night in Yekaterinburg. 'I now have confidence that the city is safe, that no-one will attack me or rape me. 'It's so cool ... There are only few people on the streets, the streets have lights, the city is fresh and incredibly beautiful. Especially after it has been raining.' The makers of the advertisement admitted that the London-born actress - with credits including Triassic Attack, Spike Island, Shackled, Dom Hemingway, The Garden of Last Days, and Rosaline - had no knowledge of her photograph being used in the election campaign. Russian web users instantly noticed that the advertisement was a sham, and that Anya was the famous 'English rose' actress whose image was being used to promote a safe city message about the Urals industrial conurbation. They bombarded the site with sarcastic messages over the ploy in Russia's fourth largest city. Campaign: United Russia politician Yakov, 54, served in the Soviet army for 13 years. A Putin loyalist, he held in a number of positions in Sverdlovsk region - where he is now vice-governor - and the city of Yekaterinburg . One comment said: 'If you invent Anya, don't be so lazy and dig deeper in the photo-banks or Yandex (a Russian search engine) for some unknown actresses.' Star: Emilia Clarke is pictured here at a Game of Thrones premiere in Hollywood, California, in March . A blogger said: 'The fact is that in the first ten pages of Google picture search while looking for “beautiful young girl”, “beautiful girls” or “young beauties” certainly gives a lot of photos of Emilia Clarke and Selena Gomez. ‘But United Russia's PR people at least know who Selena Gomez is.' The unnamed authors of the campaign admitted of the stunt: 'We selected a famous and beautiful actress on purpose, to make it clear that this is a fantasy.' The administrator added: 'Next time we will write more clearly. Sorry.' They also claimed: 'Our internet post which was a fantasy with a photo of Emilia Clarke, famous for the TV series Game of Thrones, has caused a strange resonance.' And they insisted: 'We assure you, Daenerys Targaryen (a character played by Clarke), in this case is just a beautiful woman. ‘We don't claim that we have her support, even though we would not be ashamed to show her Yekaterinburg after implementation of the “Capital” programme.' This programme is the political campaign of would-be mayor Mr Silin, 54. His foe for mayor, Yevgeny Roizman, claims the 'black PR' of his rival shows his spin doctors think they are 'dealing with idiots' in the city. Mr Silin is not believed to have commented on the Clarke advertisement which appeared on a site backing his campaign. Mr Silin served in the Soviet army for 13 years. A Putin loyalist, he held in a number of positions in Sverdlovsk region - where he is now vice-governor - and the city of Yekaterinburg. | Emilia Clarke's image appears on campaign advert in Yekaterinburg city .
Sham online promotion identifies her as a local woman called Anya, 24 .
Image of 26-year-old star from London was used without her permission . |
89,548 | fe4384d23dcc4ee2a08246d00ddb223864f10295 | By . Shari Miller . Time for debate: Nick Clegg is calling for a review of drugs laws after his recent visit to Columbia . Nick Clegg is calling for Britain to undertake a major review of drugs laws after seeing first-hand the devastating consequences that rising cocaine demand has wrought upon Columbia. Despite robust legislation against A-class drugs, the deputy prime minister added that cocaine use has tripled in 20 years, while one in five young people have admitted to taking drugs in the last year. His calls for reformation come just a week after he visited Columbia, where he met President Juan Manuel Santos, as well as former paramilitaries, guerillas and human rights representatives. Columbia is just one of a number of Latin American countries that are demanding an alternative to the war on drugs. They argue military action does little to quell demand for drugs, but instead perpetuates conflict and violence. Writing in today's Observer, Clegg said: 'Many people in Britain and the rest of . Europe will be unaware of the impact drug use in western nations has on . countries on the frontline of the drugs trade.' He added: 'If Britain were fighting a war where . 2,000 people died every year, where increasing numbers of our young . people were recruited by the enemy and our opponents were always a step . ahead, there would be outcry and loud calls for change.' Instead, Clegg argues, Britain has resisted 'a proper debate' about the need for a change of strategy. He revealed the Lib Dems are conducting a review of alternative approaches adopted by other countries and said he wished to see the issue brought to the table in 2016, when the UN is due to hold a meeting to discuss potential drug reforms. Clegg wrote: 'The UK can lead the debate in Europe and . Europe can lead the debate in the world. But we must be prepared to . start afresh with a new mindset and be prepared to do things . differently.' The deputy prime minister's comments will be seen by some as designed to distance the Lib Dems from the Tories ahead of the next general election - and will dismay those who say reform will encourage drug taking. However, his pro-reform stance will bolster the argument of campaigners who say alternatives are needed to help not just drug users, but also countries like Columbia which have been heavily affected by the growing drugs trade. Impact: Clegg also saw the devastation wrought by drugs during his visit to Brazil in 2011 . War on drugs: Demand for Columbia's coca leaves, used to produce cocaine, are on the rise despite drugs laws (file pic) Just this week, Canada revealed one of its new approaches to the drug problem after Vancouver became home to the country's first crackpipe vending machines. Installed on the city's Downtown Eastside, the machines offer Pyrex crackpipes for only 25 cents and are intended to curb the . spread of disease among drug users. Kailin See, the director of the Drug Users Resource Centre in Vancouver argued that harm reduction strategies lead to overall decreases . in the infectious disease rates and make addicts more likely to get . treatment by introducing them to health professionals. 'This . is one piece of a larger puzzle,' See said. 'You have to have . treatment, you have to have detox, you have to have safe spaces to use . your drug of choice, and you have to have safe and clean supplies.' See . argued that as every new HIV or hepatitis case could cost taxpayers up . to $250,000 in medical treatment a mere 25 cents for a new pipe was a . bargain. Bargain: Addiction specialists say crackpipe machines could save taxpayers thousands in medical costs by curbing disease rates . | Deputy prime minister says cocaine use is on the rise, despite laws .
Claims war on drugs, in countries like Columbia, is not quelling demand .
Says Britain has resisted 'a proper debate' on alternative strategies . |
212,475 | 9f22fba82164d9fa3e65b77ea1cfda19eee8a977 | A Spring Break vacation in Florida ended in tragedy when a 62-year-old father of three fell to his death from a hotel balcony while chaperoning his daughter and her friends. Thomas Saunders, a veteran American Airlines pilot from Southlake, Texas, was pronounced dead at the scene outside Holiday Inn Resort in Panama City Beach Wednesday. Saunders' daughter Rachel Saunders and her four friends were sleeping in their hotel room when the 62-year-old man plummeted from a 12-story terrace. Tragic death: American Airlines captain Thomas Saunders, 62, was killed when he fell from a hotel balcony while chaperoning his daughter's Spring Break trip to Florida . Beach getaway: Saunders' 18-year-old daughter tweeted this image of Holiday Inn Resort in Panama City Beach where the group had been staying since last Sunday . Police do not suspect foul play. According to hotel management, the deadly fall was caused by a medical emergency and was not alcohol- or drug-related, the Star Telegram reported. An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death. Police were called to the hotel on Front Beach Road at around 9.30am Wednesday after getting reports about a balcony fall. Mr Saunders' lifeless body was discovered on the roof of the atrium. ‘All I could see was the shape of a body under the cloth,’ hotel guest Andrew Rulesh told The News Herald. ‘But it was pretty disturbing.’ Best friends: Rachel Saunders (right) went on vacation with her four friends, with her father (left) and his girlfriend acting as chaperones . Unbreakable bond: A devastated Miss Saunders shared this touching photo of her as a little girl in her father's arms . Struggling to copse: The 18-year-old woman has been tweeting about her loss since her father's deadly fall . Panama City Beach Police Capt. Robert Clarkson said Saunders and his girlfriend were in town to keep an eye on his 18-year-old daughter, Rachel, and her friends. According to his Facebook page, Mr Saunders, a graduate of Purdue University, spent 36 years flying commercial jets for American Airlines. Under Federal Aviation Administration rules, Mr Saunders still had three years to go until reaching the mandatory retirement age of 65. Rachel Saunders, a student at St Teresa's Academy in Kansas City, Missouri, expressed her shock and heartbreak on her Twitter page. 'I can't believe this... It doesn't even feel real,' she tweeted just hours after the tragedy. Cause of death: The management of the Florida hotel said the fall was related to a medical issue rather than alcohol or drugs . Later in the day, she added: 'I didn't know it was possible to feel this heartbroken.' Mr Saunders and the spring breakers arrived in Panama City Beach last Sunday and were supposed to stay for a week. On the first day of their vacation, his daughter posted several enthusiastic messages saying how much she loved the resort town, and she even shared a photo showing the ocean view from her room. Besides Rachel, Mr Saunders is survived by two older daughters and at least two grandchildren. In his free time, Saunders raced autocross cars as part of the Texas Region SCCA solo program. World Racing League posted on their Facebook page Thursday that the 62-year-old was a 12-time SCCA solo national champion. 'Always friendly and outgoing, always available to walk the course with novices or ride along with those looking to shave another 10th of a second, Tommy was one of those racers everyone liked and looked up to ,' the online tribute read. | Thomas Saunders, a father of three from Texas, was pronounced dead at Holiday Inn Resort in Panama City Beach, Florida .
Police say he fell 12 stories and landed on the lobby roof .
Hotel management said the fall was caused by a medical issue and neither alcohol nor drugs player a role in it .
Saunders worked as commercial airline pilot for 36 years and raced autocross cars as a hobby . |
138,399 | 3efd5b4415c39cb6ec2788f9ad8375e8fa592002 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . An Upstate New York mom diagnosed with a rare pregnancy-related . cancer following the premature birth of her twins daughters died Monday. 'Jenna fought this disease with everything she had and we are so proud . of her amazing courage and for blessing the world with two precious . little angels,' read a note from friends who operated a 'Prayers for Jenna' Facebook page. 'Until we meet again, we love you, gorgeous girl.' Jenna Hinman, 26, from upstate N.Y., passed away Monday two months after the premature birth of her twin daughters revealed she had a rare pregnancy-related cancer . Emergency: After Jenna struggled to breathe, doctors delivered her daughters, pictured, by emergency C-section. They were nine weeks early and weighed just 3 pounds each . Two months ago, Jenna . Hinman, 26, was rushed to hospital on when all of a sudden she . couldn't breathe and her husband, US Army Sgt. Brandon Hinman, called . 911. Doctors . quickly decided she needed an emergency C-section to deliver the girls, . Kinleigh and Azlynn, who were nine weeks early and weighed just 3 . pounds each. Because of their health, Jenna was . able to get just a quick glimpse of her newborns before they were . whisked away to NICU at Crouse Hospital in Syracuse where they'd all . been transferred. But that was the only time she saw them. Soon after delivery, the young mom began coughing up blood and her breathing troubles got worse. Sad: As Jenna, pictured right with her husband Brandon, saws he health quickly falter she was only able to get just a quick glimpse of her newborns before they were whisked away to NICU . On March 6, Jenna, pictured left and right, was placed in a medically induced coma and Brandon, who is based at Fort Drum, spent the remaining months of her life at her bedside . A GoFundMe to help cover the family's enormous medical expenses has raised more than $169,000 so far . Doctors . initially thought she had pneumonia, but she was later diagnosed with a . rare cancer called choriocarcinoma, which has filled her body with . tumors and lesions. On . March 6, she was placed in a medically induced coma and Brandon, who is . based at Fort Drum, is supporting her tirelessly as a team of local and . international doctors try to save her life. Her Facebook, which has attracted more than 266,000 'likes,' was covered in condolences as news of her death spread, the Daily News reported. 'Our prayers continue for Brandon and the twins,' one user wrote. 'RIP Jenna, you fought the fight and now it is time to rest.' A GoFundMe page established to help the family cover medical expenses has raised more than $169,000. 'Her lungs are so involved with tumor that they don't work. And right now they're not working at all,' Crouse Hospital oncologist Dr. Wiley Bunn told cnycentral.com as she struggled for life. She is received heavy doses of chemotherapy and an ECMO machine, which costs around $100,000 a day to run, was removing blood from her body, oxygenating it and pumping it back through her veins. Jenna left behind two beautiful daughters who've thrived after their premature birth . 'Jenna fought this disease with everything she had and we are so proud of her amazing courage and for blessing the world with two precious little angels,' read a note from friends who operated a 'Prayers for Jenna' Facebook page. The cancer forms in the placenta but spreads quickly. It is seen in fewer than one in 160,000 cases, Bunn said. Jenna's condition was touch and go from the start but she was able to speak to Brandon briefly during a moment of conciousness. 'I walked up to her bed and grabbed her hand and said 'honey it's me. I love you, you're doing great.' And as I was talking she shook her head yes,' Brandon told cnycentral two months before her passing.. 'That could be the last time I talk to my wife,' he said at the time. | Jenna Hinman, 26, from Upstate new York, was rushed to hospital on March 3 when all of a sudden she couldn't breathe .
Passed away Monday after two month struggle in a medically induced coma .
Her babies were delivered by emergency C-section .
Doctors initially thought she had pneumonia, but she was later diagnosed with a rare cancer called choriocarcinoma, which has filled her body with tumors and lesions .
The family is raising money for medical expenses on a Go Fund Me website . |
275,777 | f13e2b5ac4a9b6bacc9eb804938d1509e927e0f1 | For the better part of a decade, the world has seen an episodic stream of predictions that Iran was on the cusp of building a nuclear weapon and that an Israeli or American pre-emptive military strike was imminent. Alarming forecasts are again gaining currency because of a new assessment issued by the United Nations nuclear watchdog: The International Atomic Energy Agency reported last week that Iran appears to be trying to develop a nuclear weapon. The specter of a nuclear weapon in the hands of someone as erratic as Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad would weigh heavily on decision-makers in Israel, Saudi Arabia and Turkey and throughout the international community. If and when Iran is seen as becoming the world's 10th known nuclear power, many experts see danger mounting, whether from the "Iranian bomb" or from having to "bomb Iran." The prospect alone has been enough to muscle national security to the forefront of the 2012 U.S. presidential election, a contest that heretofore has focused on economic issues. As Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham recently put it, if Iran gets "a nuclear weapon, the world is going to go into darkness." Relying on satellite imagery and other information, the IAEA suggests that Iran has advanced nuclear weapons development at its Parchin military complex, about 20 miles southeast of Tehran. Experts estimate that Iran could make enough weapons-grade enriched uranium for a nuclear weapon within six months. Thus, even if Iran's claims of peaceful intent were true, Iran is shortening the timeline needed to achieve a nuclear-weapon breakout. Iran's checkered track record on nuclear transparency encourages worst-case analysis. No country agonizes over the threat posed by an Iranian nuclear weapon more than Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who once said, "It's 1938, and Iran is Germany," last week called an Iranian nuclear bomb a "grave, direct threat." The Israeli media have been filled with rumors about the growing likelihood of an assault on the Iranian program, analogous to the way Israel destroyed the Iraqi Osirak nuclear reactor 30 years ago or a Syrian nuclear reactor in 2007. Alas, military planners generally believe that any attempt to set back an Iranian nuclear program would be far more complicated than either of those surgical operations. Iran's secret, multilayered and entrenched nuclear facilities and forces would require repeated air attacks on myriad sites over time. Escalation could spiral out of control, while there would be no certainty about the demise of Iran's nuclear program. Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has vowed to hit any attacker with an "iron fist." But thus far, it remains a war of words. Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Israel has made no decision on whether to resort to force. While we may not be on the threshold of an Iranian nuclear weapon, that day appears ever closer. Several years ago, the International Institute for Strategic Studies published a dossier by a team led by Gary Samore, now the Obama administration's top nonproliferation official. That report concluded that if Iran were to throw caution to the wind, it could produce a nuclear weapon by about 2010. That date has come and gone. No one outside Iran's inner circle can be certain about whether and when Iran will become a nuclear-weapon state, but Tehran surely wants the outside world to continue guessing. Even a slower timeline suggests that Iran could almost surely produce a nuclear weapon between 2013 and 2018, placing the timing during the term of office being decided by the next U.S. presidential election -- or beyond. Accordingly, how to manage a recalcitrant Iran and how to support an ally, Israel, have become major features of the presidential campaign. A Republican debate on national security this past weekend provided a get-tougher-with-Iran set of policies that included more covert operations, support for Iran's political opposition, tighter economic sanctions, arming regional allies and deploying greater U.S. military might to the region. And, as Gov. Mitt Romney put it, "If all else fails, if after all the work we've done, there's nothing else we can do besides take military action, then of course, you take military action." As Romney and most of the Republican candidates see it, an Iranian nuclear weapon is unacceptable. "If we re-elect Barack Obama," the candidate said Saturday, "Iran will have a nuclear weapon." Of course, it is easier for candidates than for officials to talk about covert operations designed to sabotage Iran's nuclear program. And yet there are numerous reports that the United States or its allies have been behind clandestine attacks, whether against scientists working on Iran's nuclear program, the introduction of Stuxnet malware to thwart Iranian centrifuges or the recent explosion at an Iranian Revolutionary Guard ammunition depot or missile site near Bidganeh. One area in which many Republicans appear to differ with the president's policy is over the degree to which the United States should be supporting regime change by expanding the support for Iran's Green Movement, which rose in 2009 but has gone underground. Of course, one problem with trying to instigate a "Persian Spring" is that overt U.S. support for opposition could make regime opponents a bigger target and allow the regime to claim outside interference, rallying Iran around a more authoritarian government. Republican presidential candidates also called for stronger sanctions. For instance, some advocate sanctioning the Iran Melli Bank. However, it is unclear whether the United States could successfully pressure that institution, what effect it might have on Iran's nuclear program and how an attempt to close it might roil global oil markets and the fragile global economy. A better financial tourniquet might be to go after Iran as a money-laundering state, as this could lead to the entities making money for the regime's hard core. This Republican assault on America's Iran policy clearly caught Obama's attention. In the midst of hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Hawaii, he spoke about how sanctions on Iran had "enormous bite and scope." The president promised to "explore every avenue" and take no "option off the table," an apparent reference to the possibility of military force. Still, it remains to be seen whether any U.S. president might try to live with deterring an Iranian nuclear weapon the way North Korea's nuclear program has been deterred rather than shut down; one huge difference, however, is the wild card of what Israel would accept and do. Obama came to power promising to talk with Iran and North Korea. What he may not have bargained on was that neither government was interested in talking to his administration, at least not on Washington's terms. On the Korean Peninsula, officials expect further provocations from nuclear North Korea, and U.S. policy is now focused on deterrence and crisis management. There may still be time to avoid a nuclear Iran. Washington should double down on financial measures, support for political opponents, arms for allies and covert action. But the United States needs to be resolute, not reckless. It needs statesmanship, not sound bites. If Iran succeeds in brandishing nuclear arms, all Americans, and not just one political party, will feel the repercussions of a post-American era in which no outside power can act as a security guarantor. As America winds down its wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Iranian leaders no doubt perceive a vacuum of power. If Americans lack the stomach for a fight, then there is little in Iran's way of grabbing more power in a brittle region that features a weak Iraqi state and a shaky Arab world order. Iran's brazen opportunism may well be what precipitates the unthinkable: another major military operation in the greater Middle East. | Patrick Cronin: Iranian nuclear bomb would threaten stability of Middle East .
He says it's likely Iran could produce a bomb during next presidential term .
U.S. should still work to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, he says .
Cronin: If U.S. chose to live with deterring Iranian nuclear bomb, what would Israel do? |
251,795 | d1e74376f5e424c7cd79840e04ecdad3dbc15b13 | By . James Nye . PUBLISHED: . 08:25 EST, 1 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 13:56 EST, 1 October 2013 . John Daly has been sober since 2010, but that hasn't curtailed his exuberant sense of fun - as he proved on Sunday night when he teed-off a golf ball sitting on a tee placed in between a man’s teeth. Video posted online of the incredible feat of accuracy and skill shows the former wild-man of golf lining up the shot in the parking lot of Soulshine Pizza Factory in Nashville. The excited crowd sees a brave man lying down on the tarmac while two-time major winner Daly, 47, dressed in sandals, shorts, a red shirt and white Arkansas hat drives the ball clean off the tee, centimeters from his face. Scroll down for video . Ready, Aim: Golfer John Daly lines up his dangerous trick shot in the Nashville parking lot . Wild Thing: John Daly swipes the ball out of the mouth of the unidentified man in the parking lot of the pizza joint in Nashville . 'I walked up and I thought some dude got knocked out because he was lying on the ground. We got a little closer and saw that he had a golf tee in his mouth,' Pearce Harrison, who shared video of the stunt on Instagram, told the New York Daily News. 'He was kind of fumbling around with it for a good three or four minutes, trying to decide if he wanted to do it or not.' Harrison said that he was visiting the Soulshine Pizza Factory when the crowd gathered round Daly caused him to check out what was going on. However, some doubt that the video is real and may in fact just be a clever marketing or viral video ploy and the manager at Soulshine said that none of his staff recalled Daly being inside on Sunday. Grizzled: John Daly of the U.S. stands on the practice green during a practice round for the British Open golf championship at Royal St George's in Sandwich in 2011 . 'I think the ball hit a building across the street because we heard a crack,' said Harrison, a drummer the the band SkyHi said. 'But we went over there to see if it was in the street but didn't find anything.' Daly famously has endured a checkered career of ups and downs including alcohol abuse and stunning out-of-nowhere wins, leading to him being known as the 'Wild Thing'. He hasn't had a drink since 2010 and Harrison wanted to confirm this. 'He didn't seem drunk or anything. But everyone around him definitely was.' Previous: John Daly hits the ball held in place from the mouth of David Feherty on his Golf Channel show in 2012 . While there is no word yet from the man who let Daly smack the ball off his face, Daly does have previous with this kind of stunt. On David Feherty's show on The Golf Channel, in 2012, the host let Daly hit a ball out of his own mouth, and that seemed to work out just great. | Replicated famous Golf Channel stunt from 2012 when he hit the ball off tee held between host David Feherty's teeth . |
131,343 | 35da5ea9a4e47b204e77ef8ef3a80a9fd31b1ea2 | A ghostly image of former Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has appeared to workers digging out a new subway tunnel in Caracas. The South American strongman's successor Nicolas Maduro claims a portrait of the 58-year-old, who died from cancer in March, revealed itself on a wall at 2am one morning earlier this week. A workman managed to take a photograph of the 'apparition' on his mobile phone, El Universal reports him as saying, before the image then vanished back into thin air. Scroll down for video . Appearance: A ghostly image of former Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has appeared to workers digging out a new subway tunnel in Caracas. A workman managed to take a photograph of the 'apparition' on his mobile phone, before the image then vanished back into thin air . Maduro, who took control of the country in April, made the bizarre claim at a town hall meeting on Wednesday. The 50-year-old told the crowd: 'Look at this figure that appeared to the workers, it can talk to them [...] a face [...] who is that face?' 'A look, it is a look of the homeland that is on all sides, including on phenomenons that do not have an explanation,' he added. Claims: The South American strongman's successor Nicolas Maduro claims a portrait of the 58-year-old, who died from cancer in March, revealed itself on a wall at 2am one morning earlier this week . Vision: Maduro said he was inspecting excavation works on the city's new Metro Line 5 when one of the workmen showed him a picture . Skeptical: Many citizens have taken to social networking sites to slam Maduro's 'blatant propaganda' and 'shameless use of Chavez's memory' to win support . Maduro said he was inspecting excavation works on the city's new Metro Line 5 when one of the workmen showed him a picture. He told the President they 'were working, and all of a sudden it appeared here [...] a figure.' Maduro claimed the worker was able to take the snap before it disappeared from the wall. 'So just as it appeared, it disappeared, so you can see [...] that Chavez is everywhere, we are all Chavez,' Maduro added. Not everyone believes the leader's claims, however. Many citizens have taken to social networking sites to slam Maduro's 'blatant propaganda' and 'shameless use of Chavez's memory' to win support. Funeral: A vehicle carries the coffin with the remains of late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is accompanied by thousands of mourners during a parade through the streets of Caracas in March . | Nicolas Maduro claims the image is of the 58-year-old former president .
Hugo Chavez died from cancer in March following a long battle .
Image 'revealed itself on a wall at 2am one morning earlier this week' |
155,523 | 55065404462ce884691bdb991da66e8efb9033c9 | St Helens have signed Hull KR's Australian stand-off Travis Burns on a three-year contract from 2015. The Super League table-toppers say they have paid Rovers a transfer fee of £60,000 for the 30-year-old Burns, who is set to link up with his old Penrith Panthers team-mate Luke Walsh at Langtree Park. St Helens chairman Eamonn McManus said: 'Travis is a key signing for us and will bring both quality and depth to our half-back options and combinations. Travis Burns will join St Helens from Hull KR in a three-year deal from next year . 'He is a proven and experienced stand-off and will also bring directness and toughness as well as a strong kicking game.' Burns began his career at Manly and also played for North Queensland Cowboys and the Panthers before moving to Super League with Hull KR in 2013. He was forced to sit out the first month of last season due to a suspension carried over from the NRL for a high tackle, but went on to make 49 appearances in his two seasons at the KC Lightstream Stadium, scoring eight tries, 84 goals and two drop goals, and also played for the Exiles against England in the summer of 2013. Burns said: 'I want to thank the club, particularly Neil Hudgell and Mike Smith, for the opportunity to come to Hull KR. 'I was staring down the barrel of a long suspension in the NRL and they gave me the chance to come to a great club and made me and my family feel so welcome whilst we've been here. 'Leaving the club will be sad but it's a decision I had to make in the best interests of my family. We only get a small space of time in rugby league to do the best we can and the opportunity at Saints was in the best interests of both parties. 'I am really excited to be joining Saints. It will be great linking with my friend and former team-mate Luke Walsh and what is an exciting and strong squad.' Hull KR will now step up the search for a replacement for Burns, as well as Canberra-bound hooker Josh Hodgson, with chief executive Mike Smith currently in Australia on a scouting mission. Chairman Neil Hudgell said: 'Travis leaves with our best wishes. We sat down with him to discuss his plans for next season and beyond but whilst we were willing to open negotiations about a contract extension around Easter time next year, we weren't prepared to commit to a new deal before then. 'We understood his desire for stability with a second child on the way and we gave him permission to speak to other clubs. Saints made us an offer that was too good to turn down and we decided to accept it. 'We are now on the hunt for a new half-back and the fees received for both Travis and Josh Hodgson will be reinvested into the squad and will allow us to spend to the full salary cap next season.' | St Helens capture Travis Burns from Hull KR on three-year-deal .
Stand-off joins for £60,000 fee starting from 2015 .
Burns set to link up with his old Penrith Panthers team-mate Luke Walsh . |
186,810 | 7df39eed826ff14840c1e4d6f701aeecd7378537 | Ray Rice took the first step toward a possible return to the football field Tuesday evening when the NFL players' union announced it had filed an appeal of his indefinite suspension by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. Goodell initially had suspended the running back for two games without pay and fined him the equivalent of another game's pay. Rice was just a few days away from the end of the original suspension when the commissioner decided to increase the penalty to an indefinite suspension once he saw a video of Rice knocking out his now-wife with a punch earlier this year. Two suspensions amount to penalizing Rice twice for the same event, the National Football League Players Association said. The union said, "Under governing labor law, an employee cannot be punished twice for the same action when all of the relevant facts were available to the employer at the time of the first punishment." A third party should rule on the appeal, the union said. "The NFLPA appeal is based on supporting facts that reveal a lack of a fair and impartial process, including the role of the office of the Commissioner of the NFL," the union said in a written statement. "We have asked that a neutral and jointly selected arbitrator hear this case as the Commissioner and his staff will be essential witnesses in the proceeding and thus cannot serve as impartial arbitrators." The NFL did not immediately respond to a CNN request for comment. Whether the 27-year-old Rice suits up this season -- or ever again -- in an NFL uniform is still a large question. In the past, players appealing a suspension haven't been able to take part in games, so an immediate return is unlikely. And there is the matter of Rice being a man without a team right now. NFL's past penalties for domestic violence 'a different story' The former Baltimore Ravens star had his contract terminated by the team earlier this month in the wake of the disturbing video that shows him knocking out his Janay Rice on an elevator in a casino in Atlantic City on February 15. Rice still can apply for reinstatement next August if he doesn't win the appeal. But to get a chance to try out for a new team, he'll have to convince the commissioner that he's learned from his actions and paid a price. Then he'll have to convince a prospective club that he still has the skills that earned him three Pro Bowl selections. It is unclear how long the appeal process will take, but under the terms of an agreement between NFL owners and players a date for a hearing must be scheduled with 10 days of the appeal. "Typically, there has to be a fair level of discovery," George Atallah, the assistant executive director of external affairs for the players' union, said Monday. "There has to be a process by which we can both discover and present facts around his indefinite suspension. So there's no set timetable for that." Atallah said the appeal would be pursued "methodically." In August, after outrage over Rice's initial two-game suspension, Goodell announced a new league policy for domestic violence and other assaults. First-time offenders would be suspended at least six games and a second offense would draw a lifetime ban. But he didn't alter Rice's punishment at that time. Ray Rice hasn't spoken publicly since the indefinite suspension, but he texted CNN's Rachel Nichols a message last week: "I'm just holding strong for my wife and kid, that's all I can do right now." Can Ray Rice ultimately be forgiven? 'Sickening' video . TMZ Sports obtained two videos from the footage taken from surveillance cameras of the altercation with Janay Rice in Atlantic City. It posted the first one, which showed Rice dragging Janay Rice -- limp and face down -- out of the elevator, shortly after the incident. The in-elevator video showing the violent punch was put online September 8. Goodell told CBS last week that he was sickened by what he saw on the newly released video and that it was the first time he had seen the full scope of the incident. Timeline of key events in the Ray Rice case . He also deflected criticism of his handling of Rice's case and his initial lenient penalty for the domestic violence incident. "What we saw in the first videotape was troubling to us in and of itself," Goodell said last week. "But what we saw yesterday was extremely clear. It was extremely graphic and it was sickening." Later, the NFL announced that former FBI Director Robert Mueller would investigate how the league handled its investigation in the case. One thing at the top of his list likely is an Associated Press report that a law enforcement official said he sent a DVD with a copy of the punch video in a package to an unnamed NFL executive in April. A woman called from an NFL office phone to confirm receipt of the package, the AP reported, citing a voice mail played for a reporter. The league has said no one in its office had seen the video before September 8. Goodell explained in a memo to NFL team owners that the league believed it would have been illegal to obtain the video because it was part of a criminal investigation in New Jersey. TMZ executive producer Harvey Levin indicated that the website paid for the video from someone who worked at the now-shuttered casino. Rice was a three-time Pro Bowl selection in eight seasons. He played on the Baltimore Ravens' Super Bowl championship team in 2012 season. NFLPA President Eric Winston said Rice should be allowed to play again . "I think so. I think that we're all entitled to a second chance," said Winston, who played last season with the Arizona Cardinals. "Obviously he made a horrific mistake and he's paying for it. He's already disciplined once, and actually disciplined multiple times by the commissioner." NFL toughens domestic violence policy with six-game bans . | Ray Rice was released by Baltimore Ravens, suspended by the NFL .
Union: Running back was denied due process, penalized twice for same action .
Goodell suspended Rice for two games, then changed it after shocking video released .
NFLPA says it will call Goodell as witness, so he shouldn't preside over hearing . |
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