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116,765 | 22beec39e29ac6bfd48b2f4918b86b7a1382a70e | Security officials in Brisbane are grappling with the first major security breach ahead of this weekend's G20 summit, with two projectors, reportedly disguised as security cameras, found inside the restricted zone. The projectors were going to be activated by remote control to beam anti-G20 slogans onto walls around the summit venue at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, The Courier-Mail reports. In a statement to Daily Mail Australia, Queensland Police said the devices were installed prior to new security restrictions. Scroll down for video . The G20 meeting in Brisbane will be guarded by thousands of police officers from around Australia . Sniffer dogs, pictured already on patrol in Brisbane . The dummy cameras were found by police this week, just days out from the start of the gathering of world leaders on Saturday, the paper said, quoting a police source. The paper said it was believed the cameras could be activated by mobile phone. World leaders, including U.S. President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin are expected to converge on Brisbane at the weekend. Authorities have declared significant part of the city's CBD surrounding the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre a restricted area. Illustrated: The restricted area at the G20 . | Officials discover remote controlled projectors, disguised as security cameras, inside the restricted zone .
A huge swathe of the Brisbane CBD will be in lockdown this weekend as world leaders fly in .
US President Barack Obama and Russian president Vladimir Putin are among the leaders expected to attend . |
166,778 | 63a8af6bcc0f208621f70ca7ab42543d9daadf54 | A druid refused to pay for his items at a small shop in a North Wales town because staff refused to tell him the total in Welsh. Archdruid Dr Robyn Lewis, 83, was at the Spar store in Pwllheli where he wanted workers to speak to him in the native language. However, the shop's owner said that the situation had been 'completely blown out of proportion'. Police were called after Dr Lewis - former Archdruid of the Gorsedd, a group that promotes Welsh literature, poetry and music - was given the option of paying £58.62 for his shopping or leave. Disgruntled: Police were called in after former Archdruid Dr Robin Lewis refused to pay for his shopping at a store in North Wales after the cashier asked him to pay in English . Police called in: The Spar shop in Pwllheli, North Wales. Police officers were called after Dr Lewis refused to pay for his shopping or leave . But the first officer that arrived on . the scene could not speak Welsh and so back up had to be called to deal . with the situation. Dr Lewis says that he wanted to be answered 'in my own language, in my own country.' He said that the cashier spoke to him in Welsh until it came to pay. He had expected her to say 'pum-deg-wyth punt, chwedeg-dau', but instead she said the figure in English. Dr Lewis said: 'I asked her to repeat it in Welsh but she said it again in English. 'I told her I'd asked her to repeat it it in Welsh but she said it (in English) for the third time.' The supermarket manager was called in an attempt to appease Dr Lewis and resolve the situation, but when Dr Lewis refused to pay or leave, police were called in. A non-Welsh speaking officer then arrived and had to call for back-up. Dr Lewis said: 'It was sorted out by me being given another Welsh-speaking cashier whom I spoke entirely in Welsh. 'I paid and left. Honour was satisfied. Scene: Police were called to the Spar store in the small town of Pwllheli, in North West Wales . Native: Dr Robyn Lewis pictured in his former guise as the Archdruid of the Gorsedd, a group which promotes Welsh language literature, poetry and music . 'All I wanted was an answer in my own language, in my own country.' Conrad Davies, who owns the Spar shop, said that the cashier was left upset by the incident. He said: 'The customer was not happy so we had to call the police as he refused to pay for his goods. 'The situation was completely blown out of proportion and left our member of staff extremely upset.' | Former Archdruid Robyn Lewis refused to pay at the Spar in Pwllheli, Wales .
Police were called in after a store manager was unable to appease Dr Lewis .
An officer had to call for back up because he didn't speak Welsh .
Dr Lewis eventually paid for his shopping and left the store . |
210,219 | 9c3fc3f1d664ba161e8c299796506753a77ce83c | Marines at Camp Leatherneck in south-western Afghanistan will lose one of their four hot meals starting this Saturday, according to Marine Corps officials. The camp will lose the midnight ration service, known as 'midrats', the one meal of the day where all the troops gather together to eat. The meal serves as breakfast for the Marines at the beginning of their midnight-to-midday shift, and dinner for those coming off their midday-to-midnight shift. The idea of forgoing their hot meal rankles with some, including one Marine who declined to be named, whose email to his wife was shared with NBC News. Not quite home-cooked: An MRE (Meal, Ready to Eat), which are now replacing some hot meals at bases in Afghanistan . 'This boils my skin,' he wrote. 'One of my entire shifts will go 6.5 hours without a meal. If we need to cut back on money I could come up with 100 other places.' 'Instead, we will target the biggest contributor to morale. I must be losing my mind. What is our senior leadership thinking? I just got back from flying my ass off and in a few days, I will not have a meal to replenish me after being away for over nine hours.' Registered dietitian and Captain Christina Deehl told CNN that U.S. troops will never go hungry, and that the moves are logistical, not budget-related. 'We would never deprive the soldier of adequate nutrition and that's just all there is to it,' she said. Instead of hot cooked meals, soldiers have access to MREs (Meal, Ready to Eat). These pre-packaged meals contain all the energy and nutrients a soldier needs to meet one-third of their Recommended Daily Allowance. To go: A marine eats a Meals, Ready to Eat (MRE) breakfast, which contains one-third of the Recommended Daily Intake of calories and nutrients for an adult in the military . 'When we initially entered Iraq and Afghanistan, soldiers were eating MREs every day until we were logistically established. Once again when we draw down and pull out, we will see a similar trend,' Deehl explained. 'The fact is our force in Afghanistan is shrinking fast and all the creature comforts and services deployed military-members have grown accustomed to over the past decade are going to be reduced,' Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Cliff Gilmore to NBC News. 'When serving we are challenged to endure different things - to face different challenges - over time. But we're an odd bunch, we Marines - probably no surprise that we'll complain more about losing the sandwich bar on the way out than we did about getting shot at on the way in.' Camp Leatherneck is one of a reported 17 bases facing cuts to their hot meals, and families back home are worried about how the lack of hot food will affect morale. According to the U.S Army, a MRE provides one-third of the Military Recommended Daily Allowance of vitamins and minerals. A typical MRE looks like this: . 'Psychologically, midrats is probably the most important of all the meals because that’s the big social time - where first (shift) crew is coming off and second (shift) crew is coming on,' Babette Maxwell, founder and executive director of Military Spouse Magazine, the wife of a Navy pilot and an advocate for service members and their families told NBC News. 'That's where you get the esprit de corps, the camaraderie. It's not just the food you're taking away, it's their social sustenance.' The base, which is located in Afghanistan’s south-western Helmand Province, flanked by Iran and Pakistan, will also be losing its 24-hour sandwich bar. Concerned military advocates and family members recently launched a Facebook page called Breakfast for Bagram . to gather food donations that can be sent to troops in Afghanistan. The . page states: 'We are here to help collect and send non-perishable . breakfast type foods to the deployed troops on the 17 bases in . Afghanistan that are not currently serving breakfast 'hot chow' and midnight chow due to the budget cuts.' The loss of cooked meals isn't popular, but it's a reflection of the huge draw-down of U.S. troops from the country, where they've been established for more than 10 years. The U.S. Army's 'support services', such as the people who prepare food, 'need to go home before the people who provide the security which enables those services,' Gilmore told NBC News. 'This is a natural outcome of the draw-down process unrelated to sequestration or the ongoing budget issues back in the States.' More than 30,000 U.S. service members will return from Afghanistan over the coming months until the U.S. hands responsibility back to Afghan forces in 2014. | Soldiers at Camp Leatherneck have lost the midnight rations, or 'midrats', where troops beginning a shift and others ending theirs come together for a hot meal .
Soldier's families say it's bad for morale and camaraderie among troops and others suggest the U.S. is rationing due to financial problems at home .
Officials say the cut-backs have nothing to do with budget cuts, but are part of the gradual withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan .
Marines will have four prepared meals a day until Saturday, when it will be cut to three, and eventually two . |
250,346 | cffe46e246e3816e7b8f535707b2ac964ce8c775 | (CNN) -- Country music fans are loyal and they don't like to see their legends fall. Randy Travis, one of the genre's most revered traditional singer-songwriters, was arrested this week after being found naked, smelling apparently of alcohol and lying on a remote roadway in northern Texas, authorities said. In a genre largely led by artists who can achieve chart-topping tunes and high-grossing concert tours, industry consultants and radio station personalities say Travis, 53, faces significant challenges ahead and should first address whatever issues may have led to this incident. Country's unique "cradle to the grave" fan base will likely stick with Travis, one industry expert told CNN. "Country music fans are notorious for their loyalty," said Wade Jessen, senior chart manager for Billboard in Nashville. "They tend to live the artist's lives with them -- good, or bad, (but) only up to a point." Country singer Travis arrested, accused of DWI . Some say Travis may have reached that point Tuesday evening. Travis was driving his black 1998 Pontiac Trans Am, which went off the north side of a highway just west of Tioga, Texas, where he resides, and struck several barricades in a construction zone, said Texas Highway Patrol Trooper Mark Tackett. Travis was found naked, Tackett said. When the singer was brought to Grayson County jail at 3 a.m., after a hospital visit, he still didn't have clothes, Sgt. Rickey Wheeler said. "He was given a paper suit, which is a jail uniform made out of paper," Wheeler told CNN. Travis was charged with driving while intoxicated and felony retaliation, after allegedly threatening to fatally shoot highway patrol troopers who responded to a concerned caller who notified authorities of "a man lying in the roadway" Tuesday. The incident happened just six months after he pleaded no contest to public intoxication in another case. The singer's camp has not responded to CNN requests for comment. Travis, of course, isn't the first country star to run into problems. Hank Williams and George Jones were known for their tumultuous lifestyles and drinking. Jones even earned the moniker "No Show Jones" because he missed so many performances. "The difference is George Jones had his clothes on," said country radio consultant Joel Raab. And it's certainly not the first time a celebrity from any genre has found himself in the middle of a personal and public relations challenge. R&B star Chris Brown worked his way back up the charts after he was convicted three years ago of assaulting ex-girlfriend Rihanna. Former "Two and a Half Men" star Charlie Sheen is back on television after a very public firing and meltdown. Susan Keel, a Nashville-based publicist who has represented country singers, said Travis should postpone his current tour and issue a statement indicating he is getting help. "He should apologize to the officer, the public, friends and fans to indicate he will get his life back on track," said Keel. Travis burst onto the country music scene in 1986 with "Storms of Life." The North Carolina-born singer's debut album sold nearly 4 million copies and made him a star of the "new traditional" scene. Travis was in his heyday from the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s, recording such classics as "Diggin' Up Bones" and "Forever and Ever, Amen." His baritone voice and songs and even his retro wardrobe harkened to a traditional country style. Julie Stevens, now program director at KRTY in San Jose, California, said Travis and George Strait came in like a breath of fresh air during the mid-1980s, when country radio stations were suffering low ratings. "It was horrible," said Stevens. "We were just coming out of John Travolta and the whole 'Urban Cowboy' thing." Travis ran out a string of successful songs and albums. "The two of them together saved the format," Stevens said. "I don't know why George endured and Randy didn't." Travis eventually moved toward gospel music and today he largely plays smaller venues, including casinos. Strait, meanwhile, is still bringing large crowds to arenas. While he has a predictable sound, according to Billboard's Jessen, Strait "is very adept at making it sound fresh from album to album." "I don't think we can blame Randy Travis' decline on the format," Jessen said. Long time since a hit record . Observers point out that Travis hasn't had a top-selling record for a decade. Finding one now could give him a needed boost. "He has to make a hit record that will work on country radio with today's country fans," said Raab. "You would be hard-pressed to find a Randy Travis song on a contemporary country radio station today." An estimated 2,000 stations, most of them "contemporary," are considered the primary marketing vehicle for country music, Jessen told CNN. Listeners ages 25 to 54 are the key demographic, and successful musicians keep the songs coming. "If you take it in general terms, Randy Travis is considered a veteran artist," said Jessen. "Randy doesn't have singles on the radio all the time. Current artists have a new single on the radio all the time. They tour and record. They tour and record. They tour and record." Still, Travis has won seven Grammy Awards, five Country Music Association awards, 10 Academy of Country Music statuettes, 10 American Music Awards, seven Music City News awards, and eight Dove Awards from the Gospel Music Association, according to his website. He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and has been a member of the Grand Ole Opry since 1986, according to his website. Travis' last major hit came in 2002 with "Three Wooden Crosses," a song about faith and redemption. There are three wooden crosses on the right side of the highway, . Why there's not four of them, Heaven only knows. I guess it's not what you take when you leave this world behind you, . It's what you leave behind you when you go. Travis "was able to tell it with sincerity and it was a hit," Jessen said. Jess Wright, program director and on-air personality at WFRE in Frederick, Maryland, said her station plays some traditional country songs favored by the likes of Travis. "If it is not the right song, it is hard to find the right place to play it," Wright told CNN. Raab provides consultant services to 27 stations, a few of which are "classic" -- meaning they play songs from the 1950s to the 1990s. He spoke Thursday with an individual at one such station. While they discussed Travis' most recent incident, they never discussed whether his songs should be taken off the air. "I don't think the legacy of his music is necessarily tarnished by what he did," said Raab. Difficulties include lawsuits . The past two years have been difficult ones for Travis. He divorced his longtime wife in 2010. According to a lawsuit filed earlier this year, Elizabeth Travis remained his personal manager until she terminated the agreement in 2011 -- without proper notice, the suit alleges. Randy Travis countersued in May, contending Elizabeth Travis divulged confidential information about him in order to damage his reputation and career. He did not provide specifics. In February, the legendary performer was arrested for public intoxication while sitting in his car in front of a church in Sanger, Texas. "I apologize for what resulted following an evening of celebrating the Super Bowl," Travis told CNN in a statement after that arrest. "I'm committed to being responsible and accountable, and apologize for my actions." With fewer songs on radio, Travis primarily reaches his fan base by touring, said Jessen. "An old rule in country music, men like to be sung about and women like to be sung to. Randy has done both." "His diehard fans are going to stay with him through this," Jessen said. "They will wish him well and stay tuned to the news." "Country music fans don't like to see their legends fall." Keel said the country music industry still considers Travis a legend. "This is a very supportive community and a forgiving community," she said. Comments: How did such a talented guy end up with a mug shot like that? CNN's David Ariosto and Michael Martinez contributed to this report. | Randy Travis faces charges after traffic incident .
Industry consultants said he should address issues .
Travis has seen reduced radio play in recent years .
Travis pleaded no-contest in previous incident, is involved in civil litigation . |
275,846 | f1584ed34c8348c9a623d7ccfb6aa12159732ccf | Finnmark, Norway (CNN) -- Millions of people know Clement Clarke Moore's poem "The Night Before Christmas," written in New York in 1822 and believed to describe Santa's mode of transportation, a reindeer-driven sleigh, for the first time. But Santa's reindeer have a story and a history all of their own, one tied to the oldest indigenous culture in Northern Europe and accelerated by an American entrepreneur whose principal intention was not delighting children around the world, but creating an appetite for what he hoped would become a mealtime staple as ubiquitous as beef. For thousands of years here in the snowy Arctic of northern Norway, reindeer have been a symbol and a way of life for the Sami, Northern Europe's oldest surviving indigenous people, spanning parts of Norway, Finland, Sweden and the Kola Peninsula of Russia, in an area that is known as Sapmi. (They are also called Laplanders.) About 10 percent of Samis still herd, with the bulk of the reindeer population found in Kautokeino and Karasjok, Norway, where even today the reindeer are herded up into the mountains for the long winter and brought down again in spring. The Sami are some of the most tenacious people on earth -- the cowboys and cowgirls of the tundra, deeply in tune with nature and able to deftly move and guide huge herds of animals during brutal winters over vast expanses. To many, there are no better herders in the world. Reindeer first came to Alaska, via Siberia, through the work of an Alaskan missionary named Sheldon Jackson. In the mid-1800s, many Inuit were starving due to the commercial overfishing of whales, the core of the Inuit diet, for whale oil. Consumed with the idea finding an alternative food source for this culture, Jackson turned to the idea of reindeer herding and husbandry. Thanks to Jackson's lobbying, the U.S. government agreed, appropriating funds to support seeding the plan by knowledge transfer of expert herders to the Inuit, starting with a short-lived attempt with Siberians, and later, the Sami. And so in 1898, more than 100 Sami reindeer herders and their families, and nearly 600 reindeer, made the passage from the north of Norway to the United States, ending up in Alaska to introduce reindeer herding, Sami style, to America. While reindeer are at the heart of traditional Sami culture, the idea of a jolly, gift-giving Santa Claus flying around with his herd has no part in their history or tradition. The two ideas collided in popular culture via a businessman in Alaska named Carl Lomen. When the reindeer came to Alaska and began to flourish, Lomen, a native of Minnesota, saw the commercial, mass-market possibilities of reindeer meat and fur for the United States and sought to promote it aggressively. Lomen was as much a clever marketer as a businessman, and in 1926 he conceived, along with Macy's department store, a promotional Christmas parade led by Santa, his reindeer, a sleigh and several Sami herders in their vibrant traditional dress. Eventually, similar parades were held in cities around the country, and a meme was born. Lomen is said to have further accelerated his marketing efforts by planting fake children's letters in local newspapers, the fictitious children asking for Santa and his reindeer to visit their towns. In the 1920s, the Lomen Reindeer Co. owned more than a quarter-million reindeer, and Lomen became known as "the reindeer king." But reindeer meat never took off in America for many reasons, most notably pressure from the cattle lobby and changes in laws about who could own reindeer in the U.S. -- the right eventually going in 1937 to indigenous American cultures, excluding even the Sami. (The law was reversed 60 years later.) Lomen's company was forced out of the reindeer business as a result, but his marketing efforts unleashed a worldwide obsession with Santa and created a common narrative now known around the world, and even elaborated on: Rudolph, the most famous reindeer of all, was not based in mythology or literature stemming from an indigenous culture, but was instead concocted as a character in a coloring book distributed in 1939 by the now-defunct Montgomery Ward department stores. As a Sami descendant, I became curious about the origin of Santa and his gang of reindeer last year on the Arctic tundra, where I experienced firsthand how difficult it can be to rig up even one reindeer. Forget flying. As beautiful and majestic as the reindeer are, they can be skittish, and the idea of rigging eight together and making forward progress seemed ambitious, even in a children's poem. For a sled, only one reindeer is the Sami tradition, but sometimes more are used when pulling supplies. I've queried many herders about the feasibility of eight reindeer -- it is possible in the right hands, but not common. And these days in Sapmi, the snowmobile has replaced the reindeer for transportation purposes, anyway -- something Santa may want to consider. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Laura Galloway. | Reindeer are a way of life for the Sami people of Northern Europe, says Laura Galloway .
An Alaskan missionary helped bring reindeer to North America in the 1800s, she says .
Galloway: In the 1920s an American businessman tried to popularize reindeer meat .
His marketing campaign helped create the indelible image of Santa and reindeer, she says . |
1,994 | 05c1ee8da74613178c14535fb199e3e0484bd014 | Washington (CNN) -- Lenient enforcement of a law requiring U.S. citizens to have passports when re-entering the country at land border crossings has heightened the risk that an imposter might get in, according to a government report released Monday. Under the law, which took effect in June 2009, U.S. citizens must show passports or some other authorized travel documents like a military ID when returning to the United States. Those who don't are supposed to undergo further screening to confirm their citizenship. But, during a phase-in period that now has stretched over 18 months, very few travelers have been referred to secondary screening, the report from the Homeland Security department's inspector general's office found. That assertion -- the study concluded -- "increases the risk that someone could enter the U.S. under false pretense of citizenship." The federal Customs and Border Protection agency, though, contends that the program is working, adding that it believes it is better to encourage compliance gradually then to enforce it right away. The inspector general's report is one of the first to look at compliance with the new passport law, which is known as the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. The law impacts all U.S., Canadian and Bermudian citizens, who previously were able to enter the United States at checkpoints along the Canadian and Mexican borders without passports. On a typical day, some 700,000 people arrive at U.S. land borders, trying to get into the country. But every day, authorities say, some 4 percent -- or 28,000 people -- do not have the required documents. In an effort to implement the law without clogging international borders, Customs and Border Protection instituted a phase that it called "informed compliance" to transition the law into effect over time. It sought compliance through a carrot-and-stick approach, by promising the benefit of speedier travel and punishment of secondary screening and travel delays. The results have been mixed. Compliance has been greatest along the northern border, where 98 percent of travelers had the appropriate documents, the inspector general's report says. Along the southern border, compliance has been spottier, with an average of 93 percent of travelers having required documents. Compliance is lowest at Texas border crossings, where 91 percent of travelers had everything they needed. The report suggests that the threat of slower travel has not led to higher compliance, noting that compliance rates have leveled off over time. The inspector general says the non-compliance rate could spell trouble when Customs and Border Protection seeks "full compliance" with the law, saying the latter agency does not have the resources to process large numbers of non-compliant travelers through secondary screening. As an example, it said the workload among secondary inspectors at the El Paso, Texas, border crossing could increase 125 percent with "full compliance" of the law. As the San Ysidro crossing in California -- the busiest land border crossing in the United States -- officials have only eight computer workstations at which to process an estimated 1,834 secondary inspections per day. "Processing this number of travelers with these few computer workstations may cause considerable traveler delays," the report says. In a letter to the inspector general, Customs and Border Protection officials took issue with the statement that the passport law's full benefits will not be felt until the final "full enforcement" phase takes effect. The agency said the program is working, adding that it believes it is better to encourage compliance then to enforce it at this time. "Travelers are never admitted until identity, citizenship and admissibility are established to the satisfaction of the inspecting officer," the agency said. "In the event that a traveler does not possess a (passport or other authorized document), the inspecting officer will use all available documentary and system information, as well as oral questioning and inspection techniques, to establish identity and citizenship." | A Homeland Security department IG report looks at enforcement of a new passport law .
The study finds that many people get in the U.S., by land, without required documents .
Compliance rates are much higher along the Canadian border than the Mexican one .
The border patrol agency says its phased-in compliance effort is working . |
153,884 | 52e47ba8f53d0f6829b8252ea32bf41b693aee9f | Children around the world have been recreating the nativity in countless school plays during the build up to Christmas. But they may have to get rid of the cardboard donkeys and straw-covered floor next year if a theologian's claims are true. Minister and academic Reverend Ian Paul insists Jesus Christ was not born in a stable, but in a busy room in a family home. Scroll down for video . The image of Jesus being born in a stable has adorned thousands of stained-glass windows, paintings and Christmas cards, but a Christian scholar has suggested the idea may be a myth born of poor translation . He says the misconception comes from poor translation of the original Greek text, which made it sound as if the birth took place amid farm animals in a barn or stable. The Greek word 'kataluma', he says, was wrongly translated as 'inn'. In fact, he claims, the word means 'private room' or 'lodging'. He says the misunderstanding wrongly suggested Mary and Joseph were turned away from a hostel-like building, instead of, as he claims, being put up in communal area in the family home because there was no room just for them. In Rev Paul's interpretation of the Bible story, Joseph, returning to Bethlehem, would have been received by distant relatives. Because his relations' guest room was already full, the family would have stayed in the main family room, where Jesus was born, Rev Paul says. The traditional view of Jesus's birth surrounded by donkeys and cows has been recreated countless times . But Rev Ian Paul says the idea came from a mistranslation which made it sound like Mary and Joseph were turned away from an inn, so had to settle for a stable . The Reverend wrote on his blog: 'What does it mean for the kataluma to have "no space"? 'It means that many, like Joseph and Mary, have travelled to Bethlehem, and the family guest room is already full, probably with other relatives who arrived earlier. 'So Joseph and Mary must stay with the family itself, in the main room of the house, and there Mary gives birth.' Research by YouGov released today found that 65 per cent of the British public believe Jesus lived. But a majority of people, 55 per cent, think that Jesus was not born to a virgin mother, compared to 24 per cent who think he was. The most widely believed detail of the Christmas story is that the new born baby Jesus was laid in a manger, which 47 per cent of people believe to be true compared to just 29 per cent who do not. The survey revealed just 37 per cent believe that the three wise men were guided by a star and brought gifts and 28 per cent believe an angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds. He says the layout of homes at the time meant that animals were fed in manger-type arrangements at the edge of the family room. He added: 'The most natural place to lay the baby is in the straw-filled depressions at the lower end of the house where the animals are fed. 'The idea that they were in a stable, away from others, alone and outcast, is grammatically and culturally implausible. In fact, it is hard to be alone at all in such contexts.' Rev Paul, an Honorary Assistant Professor at the University of Nottingham, says the mistranslation is important, not just for children's plays, but because it can change the way the story is interpreted. He added: 'In the Christmas story, Jesus is not sad and lonely, some distance away in the stable, needing our sympathy. 'He is in the midst of the family, and all the visiting relations, right in the thick of it and demanding our attention. This should fundamentally change our approach to enacting and preaching on the nativity.' Father-of-four Rev Paul initially trained in maths at Oxford University and worked in business for Mars chocolate before training for ordination. Modern-day Bethlehem. Rev Paul says it is inconceivable that Palestinians in the time of Jesus would have allowed the family to stay in an out-building . Luke 2: 4-8 (New International Version) 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, . 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. | Christ traditionally seen as having been born in a stable next to animals .
But scholar says that is a myth born out of a mistranslation of Greek .
He says Joseph's distant relations would have put family up for the night .
The Bible actually claims there was no guest room for them, he says .
Instead, they would have stayed in a family room, where Jesus was born . |
280,932 | f7ed6e3a9575bc55a2a6f7df140ecd3dbe296b51 | A pair of hungry thieves got a little more than they bargained for when police spotted them eating quiche in a cafe that had closed for the day. Upon realising they had been caught red-handed, the two men armed themselves with knives and had to be talked out of the 50-seater Cafe@Marshalls in Berwick-upon-Tweed by police negotiators. They eventually gave themselves up after five hours and were arrested for aggravated burglary. Angela Marshall, who runs the cafe with her husband Howard, went to the scene at 1am on Monday when she heard about the stand off and was told that they just wanted some flan. Hungry: The thieves broke into Cafe @Marshalls, in the early hours of Monday in an apparent attempt to steal some quiche sparking a five hour stand off with police . The men were eventually brought out of the cafe and arrested at 6am. Mrs Marshall said: 'Apparently they were hungry and wanted some quiche. There was a little bit of money in the till, but I think they just wanted food and then it got out of hand. 'It obviously must be very good quiche.' Shocked: Howard and Angela Marshall who own the leisure shop where Cafe @Marshalls is based . According to Mrs Marshall, there was around 15 police cars surrounding the store when she arrived shortly after 1am. She said: 'There was negotiators and all sorts. They had riot gear on and Tasers. 'From what I can gather the men had smashed a window and climbed through it. The police were driving past and saw two lads in the cafe and called back-up. 'But when they saw the police they grabbed some knives and started threatening them. 'They were in there a long time and they trashed the cafe.' Northumbria Police confirmed that two men, aged 21 and 20 have been arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary. A force spokesman said: 'The two men were armed with knives, refused to come out of the premises and threatened police. 'After speaking with officers two men, aged 21 and 20, were arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary. No one was injured during the incident.' Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article. | Police disturbed two men as they broke into the cafe in Northumberland .
But the men armed themselves with knives and refused to leave .
Officers armed with Tasers and dressed in riot gear were called in .
Trained negotiators attempted to coax the men from the cafe .
Two men, aged 20 and 21, were eventually arrested at around 6am . |
143,070 | 4503bcb7e2d0e2a9f1c145c599b81ecd8dd011eb | Washington (CNN) -- A deeply divided Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that criminal defendants who receive inadequate legal advice on pretrial plea bargains can have their sentences overturned, equating that with an unconstitutional and ineffective assistance of counsel. The separate 5-4 decisions in a pair of cases from Michigan and Missouri will have a huge, immediate impact on the 97% of federal convictions and 94% of state convictions that stem from guilty pleas. "This court now holds that, as a general rule, defense counsel has the duty to communicate formal offers from the prosecution to accept a plea on terms and conditions that may be favorable to the accused," said Justice Anthony Kennedy, joining four of his more liberal colleagues. "When the defense counsel allowed the offer to expire without advising the defendant or allowing him to consider it, defense counsel did not render the effective assistance the Constitution requires." In a rare oral dissent delivered from the bench, Justice Antonin Scalia called the majority decision "absurd" and "unheard-of." In unusual detail, the opinion lays out specific guidelines to defense counsel, saying they must relay plea bargain offers from the prosecution, regardless whether the lawyer believes them to be proper. The case from Michigan involved Blaine Lafler, convicted of assault with intent to murder and other charges, after shooting and seriously wounding a woman. The state twice offered to dismiss two of the charges, and recommended a reduced sentence in return for a guilty plea. Lafler claims he rejected the offers after his lawyer convinced him the prosecution could not prove the most serious charge. The defendant was convicted and received 185 to 360 months behind bars. In Missouri, Galin Frye was charged with driving on a revoked license. Three previous convictions on the same charge meant he could be sentenced to up to four years in prison. Court records shows he was not told about two pretrial plea bargain offers that would have reduced his jail time. A week before his preliminary court hearing, the man was again arrested on the same offense. With no deal on the table, he subsequently pleaded guilty and received three years imprisonment. "There appears to be a reasonable probability Frye would have accepted the prosecutor's original offer of a plea bargain if the offer had been communicated to him," Kennedy said in his ruling, "because he pleaded guilty (later) to a more serious charge, with no promise of a sentencing recommendation from the prosecution." Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan supported Kennedy, who again proved to be the "swing" vote for the majority. Both cases were sent back to lower courts to sort out the new sentencing guidelines. In his dissent, Scalia warned criminal defendants will now flood courts with new claims of bad legal representation. "The court today embraces the sporting chance theory of criminal law, in which the state functions like a conscientious casino operator, giving each player a fair chance to beat the house, that is, serve less time than the law says he deserves," he said. "And when a player is excluded from the tables, his constitutional rights have been violated." He added, "In today's cases, the court's zeal to bring perfection to everything requires the reversal of perfectly valid, eminently just convictions," Scalia said. "It is not wise; it is not right." Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito joined all or part of the dissent. The cases are Lafler v. Cooper (10-209) and Missouri v. Frye (10-444). | Defense attorneys have a duty to give good advice on plea deals, the court rules .
They must do so to provide "the effective assistance the Constitution requires"
In dissent, Justice Scalia calls the decision "absurd" and "unheard-of" |
15,543 | 2c2abb860ddac1df1d938f6c35c2289a3871f4d5 | As far as creative punishments go, this one is pretty good. Or bad. A video of a US couple telling their son he has Ebola as a joke has gone viral with nearly two million views in two days. But it's divided viewers over whether it's a hilarious joke or cruel trick to play on a child. It was originally posted on social media site Vine by Tevyn Demmings with the caption: 'When you lie and tell a bad ass kid they got Ebola #funny #Ebola' Uh-oh: The little boy appears visibly worried as his mother takes his temperature while wearing a mask . Joke: She shows the thermometer to the father, who is off-camera and says: 'Look at his temperature!' In the brief clip, the mother, seen wearing a mask over her mouth and holding a thermometer, says: 'Look at his temperature!' She shows it to the father, who is off-camera, who immediately declares: 'Oh hell no! He got Ebola!' At this point, the boy screams in terror and bursts into tears at the news while his younger brother runs off. It was subsequently uploaded to YouTube, where the prank has divided viewers, with some proclaiming it is 'cruel' and 'heartless' and others defending it as 'hilarious'. One user commented: 'It's not the prank that boils my blood, but the fact they recorded it then uploaded it to the public on the web as a light-hearted joke.' Another said: 'God forgive me, but I'm laughing so loud. Poor baby.' The father proclaims 'he got Ebola!' at which point the boy lets out a wail of terror and bursts into tears . Cruel? His little brother, seen in the lower right corner, runs off despite his sibling's distress . There's no consoling the little guy, who continues to cry after his 'diagnosis' of the disease . | Mother in a mask holds up a thermometer and says: 'Look at his temperature!'
An unseen man declares 'he got Ebola' as boy bursts into tears . |
212,526 | 9f339c7f01af42c412ea5ae7b27ace190250416b | By . Tim Shipman, Deputy Political Editor . Commons Speaker John Bercow claims some female MPs have stopped attending Prime Minister's Questions . Commons Speaker John Bercow has claimed that women MPs have stopped attending Prime Minister’s Questions because of the rowdy atmosphere. He said that several female politicians have been put off by the ‘histrionics and cacophony of noise’ when David Cameron is quizzed every Wednesday. Mr Bercow suggested that ‘seasoned parliamentarians’ boycotted the frequently boisterous sessions out of embarrassment, while other women did not want to take part in the session because it was ‘so bad’. He said: ‘I think it is a big deal. I think it is a real problem. A number of seasoned parliamentarians, who are not shrinking violets, not delicate creatures at all, are saying, “This is so bad that I am not going to take part, I am not going to come along, I feel embarrassed by it. ‘People with a lot to contribute are reluctant to engage because they think that the histrionics and cacophony of noise are so damaging as to cause them to look elsewhere. But I’m sorry if some of those people are lost to the chamber because they think, “I’m not going to take part in that atmosphere”.’ But defence minister Anna Soubry, who sits on the back row of the green benches among the ‘awkward squad’ of MPs, warned that Mr Bercow was perpetuating ‘old fashioned’ views of women by singling them out. She told the Mail: ‘I’m getting very concerned about these stereotypical views of female MPs. Some of the most vocal people in PMQs are women on both sides of the chamber. ‘The Eagle sisters for Labour are more than robust and perfectly able but my goodness they can dish it out. ‘From my vantage point I regularly see Fiona Mactaggart heckling. Emily Thornberry can bellow with the best of them. A lot of the people the Speaker tells off are Tory women: myself, Claire Perry and Therese Coffey. David Cameron speaks during Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons. The Speaker say some MPs boycot the session . ‘I’m sure there are people on both sides who don’t like this aspect of the Commons but it’s got nothing at all to do with sex. I think it’s completely wrong. ‘I’m rather concerned by this idea and the constant reinforcement of the stereotype that all women are shrinking violets. It’s a very old fashioned view of us.’ Former MP Louise Mensch said that women MPs ‘all love PMQs’ and said Mr Bercow should ‘call a few more women’ to ask questions. She added: ‘I am a fan of the Speaker, but he’s wrong on PMQs and wrong that women are tea-sipping flowers with the vapours.’ MP Anna Soubry has hit back saying Mr Bercow was perpetuating 'old fashioned' views . Mr Bercow said Parliament was ‘spray painting its own shop window’ by appearing to generate more noise than the band Deep Purple. He has also written to David Cameron and Labour leader Ed Miliband over his concerns about the raucous nature of Prime Minister’s Questions, warning it is putting off voters. Yesterday he revealed they have both written back ‘but there’s not yet much by way of a specific commitment’. | Speaker says rowdy atmosphere means female MPs stay away from PMQs .
Claims they are put off by 'histrionics and cacophony of noise .
But several female MPs have hit back saying his views are 'old fashioned' |
197,324 | 8b640146a760a797407e0c21a118cdd52dd023b1 | LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- The newly named lawyer for Michael Jackson's children makes her first court appearance Monday as a judge decides if he'll approve a contract between Jackson's estate and concert promoter AEG Live. Michael Jackson's estate will be the subject of a court hearing today. Jackson's mother, Katherine Jackson, who has custody of the three children, objected to provisions of the deal that would give AEG Live a share of rights to video of her son's final rehearsals. Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff appointed estate law expert Margaret Lodise last week to represent the children after he decided their interests might sometimes conflict with their grandmother's. Despite warnings by estate lawyers that a delay could cost millions of dollars, Beckloff delayed his decision on the AEG Live contract one week to give the children's new lawyer time to weigh in on the deal. The contract would provide for an exhibition of Jackson memorabilia that would travel to at least three cities, according to Kathy Jorrie, a lawyer for concert promoter AEG Live. "The longer we wait, the more time passes, frankly, the less interest there will be on the part of the public to come see it," Jorrie said. The judge has already approved a contract to allow Columbia Pictures to use video that AEG Live shot of Jackson's last rehearsals for a documentary due out this fall. Columbia is a division of Sony Pictures. Sony Pictures said it would deliver the movie -- "This Is It" -- to theaters starting October 30 "with the full support of the estate of Michael Jackson." Court papers filed last week revealed that Columbia Pictures would pay a minimum of $60 million for the rights to make the Jackson movie. Katherine Jackson's lawyers, while endorsing the movie deal, have objected to terms given to AEG, saying they are too generous to the company. Jackson's lawyers objected to the estate's agreement to let AEG recover all its expenses from that money, then take 10 percent of the remainder. It also gives the company a perpetual share of the profits from the video rights. AEG Live's lawyer said the company had made many concessions to the estate and could not make more. The judge previously has said he might approve the contracts even over Katherine Jackson's objection. Jermaine Jackson, Michael Jackson's older brother, told CNN's Larry King recently that he likes the deals, which he said could bring in nearly $100 million into the estate. Katherine Jackson and Michael Jackson's three children are the main beneficiaries of the estate, which is controlled by Jackson's former lawyer, John Branca, and longtime Jackson friend and music executive John McClain. Branca and McClain were named in Jackson's will as executors. Katherine Jackson is considering a challenge of their control of the estate. | Judge appointed attorney for interests of Michael Jackson's children .
Discussion between estate, AEG Live is ongoing .
Executors have deal in mind, Katherine Jackson has expressed objections . |
98,799 | 0b3e2e7e38f8d5259ae4eb9ec747d8fbe194312f | Islamic State targets in Iraq are being 'hit hard' by Australian military aircraft. The Australian Air Task Group (ATG) has flown 144 sorties since September, including bombings of bases, equipment and vehicles operated by IS, also known as ISIL. Australians have been involved 144 missions since September, deploying 25 bombs and hitting 14 targets. The ADF confirmed that 11 of those targets had been completely destroyed. They could not confirm which terrorists had been killed by the air raids, nor if any of them were IS terrorists from Australia. The ADF’s chief of Joint Operations Command, David Johnston also announced that 200 soldier will be deployed in Baghdad to give assistance to counter terrorism units, advising them on their battle against the IS. Incredible photographs show the RAAF aircrafts in action and refueling mid-air as they hover above Iraq. The revealing images also show a Combat Officer preparing for the mission in Iraq as part of Operation Okra. Chief of Joint Operations, Vice Admiral David Johnston, said the task group had been operating at a 'high tempo' for the past month. Scroll down for video . A Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft refuels from a RAAF KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport aircraft over Iraq during an Operation Okra mission . In October, F/A-18F Super Hornet strike aircraft used laser and GPS-guided bombs to damage and destroy a large number of ISIL targets . 'Operations provided by coalition aircraft in support of the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) are slowing ISIL's progress,' he said in a statement on Wednesday. 'While some areas in the west and north are being contested by ISIL, with gains and losses by ISF and Kurdish Peshmerga forces, ISIL capability continues to be hit hard.' It is the first time Australia has led the charge in a multinational attack, managing to 'seamlessly' form the partnership with 'just two weeks notice', according to Director General of Air Operations, Air Commodore Joe Iervasi. A total of 437 strike missions have been deployed by the Coalition in Iraq and Syria. The 400-personnel strong Australian Air Task Group are said to be 'hitting the Islamic State hard' and slowing their progress . The ATG comprises 400 personnel, six Super Hornets, one Wedgetail command and control aircraft and a refueller . Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18F Air Combat Officer prepares for a combat mission in Iraq as part of Operation Okra . A Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18F Super Hornet taxis for another mission in Iraq. The Australian Air Task Group (ATG) has flown 144 sorties since September, including bombings of bases, equipment and vehicles operated by IS . The director of general air operations says, 'the mission was a great success, every weapon was on time, and on target' In October, F/A-18F Super Hornet strike aircraft used laser and GPS-guided bombs to damage and destroy a large number of ISIL targets. RAAF personnel have also planned and led attacks against ISIL targets in Iraq, coordinating aircraft from several nations. 'The mission was a great success,' said director of general air operations, Air Commodore Joe Iervasi. 'Every weapon was on time, and on target.' The ATG comprises 400 personnel, six Super Hornets, one Wedgetail command and control aircraft and a refueller. A Royal Australian Air Force Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft, the E-7A Wedgetail, takes off . Chief of Joint Operations, Vice Admiral David Johnston, said the task group had been operating at a high tempo for the past month . | Islamic state is being 'hit hard' by Australian military aircraft who have used bombs to destroy a number of targets .
Chief of Joint Operations says the October mission was 'a great success' with 'every weapon on time and on target'
The Australian Air Task Group has flown 144 sorties since September to IS bases, equipment and vehicles .
The statement says that the operation is slowing the Islamic State's progress .
F/A-18F Super Hornet strike aircraft used laser and GPS-guided bombs were used in October's mission .
The ATG comprises 400 personnel, six Super Hornets, one Wedgetail command and control aircraft and a refueller . |
181,255 | 76a59fcfccd9ba8bf8a391ccce1cf6fb001f17f5 | By . Mark Duell . UPDATED: . 10:12 EST, 18 July 2011 . A replica taxi used in TV game show ‘Cash Cab’ struck and killed a pedestrian in Canada after finishing production for the day. A 61-year-old man from Surrey, British Columbia, died in hospital after being hit by the mock yellow cab on Friday night in Vancouver. The accident happened as a producer was driving the vehicle back to a storage facility after filming had ended for the day. Successful: 'Cash Cab' is a show broadcast in North America on the Discovery Channel that originated in Britain in 2005 and features a replica yellow taxi . ‘Cash Cab’ is broadcast in North America on the Discovery Channel, originated in Britain in 2005 and features a replica yellow taxi. It sees unassuming people who flag down the cab become instant contestants on a game show, answering trivia questions for cash prizes. Circumstances leading to the accident are still being determined and no charges have been filed yet, a Vancouver police spokesman said. There were no witnesses to the incident, which happened in the city's Downtown Eastside area on East Cordova Street, he said. Street: A 61-year-old man from Surrey, British Columbia, died in hospital after being hit by the mock yellow cab in Vancouver on East Cordova Street . The driver of the vehicle remained at the scene and the taxi is now being held by investigators, reported the Vancouver Sun. 'Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim and his friends and his family. My heart also goes out to the driver of the vehicle, a member of our technical staff, who is shaken and devastated by this tragic accident, as is our entire team' Andrew Burnstein, president of Castlewood Productions . Andrew Burnstein, president of Castlewood Productions, which produces the show in Canada, said the entire team was ‘shaken and devastated’. ‘Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim and his friends and his family,’ he said. ‘My heart also goes out to the driver of the vehicle. '(He's) a member of our technical staff (and) is shaken and devastated by this tragic accident, as is our entire team.’ Yellow Cab GM Carolyn Bauer told the Vancouver Sun that her firm allows the production company to use their logo on the vehicle. Popular show: It sees unassuming people who flag down the cab become instant contestants on a game show, answering trivia questions for cash prizes . But she added: ‘It wasn't one of our drivers, it wasn't one of our taxis.’ The victim is not being identified at the request of the family. The Canadian version of ‘Cash Cab’, hosted by licensed taxi driver and comedian Adam Growe, has been broadcast by Discovery Channel Canada since 2008. The U.S. version, now filmed in New York and Chicago, has been broadcast on the Discovery Channel since 2005. | 61-year-old Canadian killed by yellow production taxi .
He was struck in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside .
Producers say whole team is 'shaken' by incident .
Game show sees contestants answer questions in cabs . |
67,807 | c0571290614fba277f5771a49c524dfedf5008f6 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 14:33 EST, 12 June 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 14:41 EST, 12 June 2013 . A woman got a nasty surprise after she bit into a Burger King hamburger recently and found a razor blade inside. Yolanda Orozco, 46, ordered the burger at her local Burger King in Willits, California. She had already taken a bite when she noticed the shiny object between the burger and the cheese. Yolanda Orozco, 46, got a nasty surprise after she bit into a Burger King hamburger in Willits, California recently and found a razor blade inside . ‘I bit off of it, I checked for onions and then I saw a razor blade in there,’ said told KXTV. Orozco contacted police who as part of their investigation toured the local restaurant’s kitchen. Officer Mark McNelley of the Willits Police Department was shocked to find three other blades in close proximity to food. Employees told officers that they use the razor blades for cleaning purposes. Orozco said she had already taken a bite when she noticed the shiny object between the burger and the cheese . Rather than malicious intent, McNelley . determined that Orozco had been the victim of an accident that could . have easily been prevented. Win no laws broken, the Willits Police Department closed its investigation, but the Mendocino County Department of Environmental Health has stepped in. Their inspectors have recommended that the restaurant improves training and introduces a better system for tracking and storing blades. The Burger King Corporation issued a statement, reading: 'Food safety is a top priority for BURGER KING restaurants globally. Burger King Corp. has strict food handling and guest policies and procedures in place that all crew members are required to follow. The incident happened at Yolanda Orozco's local Burger King in Willits, California . 'Franchisees are responsible for . implementing these policies and emphasize the proper food safety . procedures to all crew members.' The franchisee, who independently owns and operates this restaurant, is fully cooperating with the Willits Police Department. According to Orozco, management from the restaurant has contacted her . 'They've called me and offered to see what I need. But right now, I'm just really paranoid,' Orozco told KXTV. Officer Mark McNelley of the Willits Police Department was shocked to find three other blades in close proximity to food . | Yolanda Orozco had already taken a bite out of her burger when she noticed the blade between the burger and cheese .
A police investigation found several more razor blades sitting around in the BK's kitchen that were used to clean surfaces . |
124,925 | 2d7816283653e7117646379f2b5d220a1191c96c | Jakarta, Indonesia (CNN) -- Indonesia's latest attempt to charge a fiery Islamic cleric on terrorism charges was swiftly adjourned moments after it started in a south Jakarta court Thursday. Abu Bakar Ba'asyir could face the death penalty under fresh charges, which include planning and/or inciting a terrorist act and involvement in a paramilitary training camp discovered last February in Aceh province. However, proceedings were postponed to Monday after his lawyer argued that they were not given enough time to respond to the court summons. The 72-year-old waved and smiled to hundreds of his supporters, who chanted "God is great." Ba'asyir was first detained in August for suspected links to a militant training camp raided by authorities in Aceh in early 2010. Police said the suspect and his organization, the Jamaat Tawhid Anshoru or JAT, were involved in setting up the camp. The militants were preparing to launch attacks similar to the one in Mumbai 2008, and assassination attempts on Indonesian government officials, authorities have said. But the lawyers have called the case weak and a fabrication. This was going to be his third trial. In the first two, prosecutors tried to link the elderly cleric to the 2002 bombings in Bali and the 2003 hotel bomb attack in Jakarta. The courts found him guilty of minor charges, and sentenced him to 25 months. He was released in June 2006. "This trial is very significant, because if the Indonesian government failed to provide a strong unshakable court evidence, they will use this as a weapon, an ammunition to gain more recruits," said Noor Huda, founder of Jakarta's Institute of International Peace Building, which aims to reform radical inmates. "Ba'asyir is clearly a symbol, he gains certain level of celebrity among jihadist, he's very strong, he has a strong charisma to build networks." Ba'asyir is known for his fiery rhetoric. He was accused of being the spiritual leader of Indonesia's homegrown terror network, Jemaah Islamiyah, which inspired many of those involved in the bombings . He has denied all the allegations and often blamed a U.S.-led conspiracy to put him behind bars. | Abu Bakar Ba'asyir faces the death penalty if found guilty .
Charges include planning and inciting a terrorist act .
He is also accused of taking part in a paramilitary training camp .
He denies all the allegations . |
194,857 | 883cc89a1e1aee655c0790b6c6e923d3e1cb7e2e | (CNN) -- Adam Mayes -- accused of murder and kidnapping in a case involving a Tennessee mother and her three daughters -- has died, FBI spokesman Joel Siskovic said late Thursday. The two sisters he allegedly kidnapped were found alive, law enforcement sources said. There had been conflicting reports about whether Mayes was dead or alive after he reportedly shot himself in Union County, Mississippi. Daniel McMullen, FBI special agent in charge in Jackson, Mississippi, said that officers with the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol and state Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Parks rescued Alexandria and Kyliyah Bain, "alive and unharmed." "Preliminary reports indicate that Mr. Mayes shot himself in the head and was later pronounced dead," McMullen told reporters. The two surviving sisters "are suffering from the experience of being out in the woods and from being kidnapped. They are suffering from dehydration and exhaustion, but appear OK," a federal law enforcement source on the scene told CNN. Mayes, 35, was suspected of abducting Alexandria, 12, and Kyliyah, 8, from their Whiteville, Tennessee, home, in late April, and killing Jo Ann Bain and her eldest daughter, Adrienne, 14. The FBI on Wednesday put Adam Mayes on its list of 10 most wanted fugitives. The reward for information leading to Mayes' arrest stood at $175,000 on Thursday. Authorities responded Thursday evening after someone called to report what they believed may have been Mayes' vehicle, a law enforcement source close to the investigation said. A task force was nearby and as they approached, Mayes stood up and shot himself in the head, the source said. The two girls were not near him at the time. Mayes and his wife, Teresa Mayes, had been charged with two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of especially aggravated kidnapping. He faced an additional count of making a false report, according to arrest affidavits filed in Tennessee. Adam Mayes' mother-in-law told HLN's Nancy Grace on Thursday that he may have believed he was the father of the two young girls he was accused of abducting. "He believes they are his children," Josie Tate told Grace. Tate, who lives in Chatsworth, Georgia, tearfully pleaded for Mayes to return Alexandria and Kyliyah Bain and turn himself in. "You've had a chance to live life. They haven't," Tate said. "Give them that chance." Police said Teresa Mayes told them she was in the Bains' garage when Adam Mayes killed Jo Ann and Adrienne Bain. Teresa Mayes' lawyer, Shana Johnson, said Thursday that her client last saw Mayes and the Bain girls in Mississippi on April 27. The Mayes family and the Bain family are connected through Adam Mayes' sister Pamela, who used to be married to Jo Ann's husband, Gary Bain, the lawyer said. Johnson told HLN she was "happy" and "relieved" the girls had been found alive. In affidavits, investigators said the Mayeses drove the bodies of Jo Ann and Adrienne Bain to Union County in northern Mississippi, where they were discovered Saturday in a shallow grave behind the house of Adam Mayes' mother in Guntown, Mississippi. Adam Mayes' mother, Mary Frances Mayes, has been charged with four counts of conspiracy to commit especially aggravated kidnapping. Adam Mayes was last seen May 1 in Guntown. While the search was centered around his hometown, he also had connections to Arizona, Texas, Florida and the Carolinas, the FBI said. Bobbi Booth, Mayes' sister-in-law, told CNN's Anderson Cooper on Thursday night that she's "overwhelmed right now." "All I'm (thinking) about now is that the children are safe," said Booth. "Thank you, God, for letting those children come home." Booth described Adam Mayes as "aggressive, abusive, crazy obviously." But Booth said she never had an inkling Mayes would be accused of kidnapping and murder. "I never dreamed that he would do this," she said. CNN's Rich Phillips and Joe Sutton, and HLN's Natisha Lance, Mike Brooks and Josey Crews contributed to this report. | Reports indicate Adam Mayes shot himself in head, FBI says .
Two abducted sisters were found alive in Mississippi .
Adam and wife Teresa Mayes were charged with kidnapping and murder . |
27,787 | 4ebd4f8d5d4f2d36a15667bd97cecbaaa9bc3f02 | One of the men who helped shape Twitter has claimed a technology revolution means that traditional relationships will soon be a thing of the past. Chris Messina, who coined the now-ubiquitous Twitter hashtag, helping it achieve enormous popularity, has said the world has changed so much people no longer need a single partner. Messina, who used to work for Google, said that the increasing wealth of the Western world means people no longer need partners to meet their basic needs and care for offspring. Scroll down for video . Theory: Chris Messina, pictured above, set out how he thinks technology will change relationships in a blog . Writing in a blog post for CNN Money, he then argues that internet phenomena like dating websites and Tinder-like hookup apps mean that many people can find a ready supply of partners. Messina says he lives out his theory with his partner, who whom he has a 'committed' relationship - but one in which both people are free to see others. He wrote: 'We're committed to each other, but have a porous boundary around our relationship, meaning we've agreed that it's OK for either of us to express romantic feelings toward other people or to be physically intimate with other people, so long as we're honest and transparent about our intentions with one another. Path to non-monogamy? Messina said hookup apps, like Tinder, above, could change social norms . 'These things don't diminish the integrity of our relationship. Rather, they deepen our understanding of each other's wants and desires, and give us the space to grow independently, without growing apart.' Messina termed the catalyst for the predicted social change Big Dating - and said it could be as fundamental as the invention of the computer. According to the tech guru, the constant connections and the rise of mass-use apps like Snapchat, where you post to large audiences rather than individuals, feed in to the idea of having multiple partners. He wrote: 'Big Dating unbundles monogamy and sex. It offers to maximize episodes of intimacy while minimizing the risk of rejection or FOMO [fear of missing out]. 'Today's most interesting apps (Snapchat, Secret, et al) are designed to support Big Dating, offering discreet, asynchronous, anonymish, non-exclusive communications. 'Multiplied against algorithms that optimize the pool of potential partners for connection (requiring no more than swipe left, swipe left, swipe right to operate), romantic partners are now more fungible [interchangeable] than ever.' Messina, an early adopter of Twitter, though not an employee, made his contribution to social media history by suggesting users type a # symbol before key terms to organize posts. The trend took off, providing an easy way for users to make sense of sometimes-chaotic feeds and find posts they were interested in, and quickly became part of the internet's vernacular. | Chris Messina, who came up with Twitter feature, said traditional models for relationships are obsolete .
Said he has 'committed' relationship - but both of them see other people .
Claimed easy hook-ups apps and communication will change norms . |
198,898 | 8d78de6142203b65ce90bb5a6b944d382a7971ee | (Rolling Stone) -- Maybe you thought since Adam Sandler is playing boy-and-girl twins in "Jack and Jill" that the movie would be double the fun. Ha! On a scale of 1 to 10 on the laugh meter, "Jack and Jill" is a negative 10. A total bust, a stupefyingly unfunny and shamelessly lazy farce packed with cringe-worthy jokes and overt product placement. L.A. ad exec Jack Sadelstein (Sandler the guy) is gritting his teeth over a holiday visit from his loudmouthed, overweight twin Jill (Sandler in drag, showing an unfailing grasp of the obvious). The siblings pick at each other relentlessly between Jill's bouts with farting and dropping chimichanga bombs. No peace, even with the help of Jack's peacemaker wife (Katie Holmes looks so trapped in this thankless role you ache to save her). It's odious to watch the movie make fun of Jill's looks, weight, and flatulence problems only to switch gears into gooey sentiment at the end and tell us we should love her. "Jack and Jill" wants to have its hypocrisy and eat it too. Look, I'm not a Sandler hater. He was terrific in Judd Apatow's "Funny People" and Paul Thomas Anderson's "Punch-Drunk Love." And I still treasure fun memories of "Billy Madison" and "Happy Gilmore," made before Sandler turned cynical and contemptuous of his audience. "Jack and Jill" plays like the kind of crap Sandler's comedian character skewered in "Funny People." The plot is a stew of half-baked ideas that quickly turns rancid. Jack has problems at work; his company will go under if he can't persuade Al Pacino to play himself in a Dunkin' Donuts commercial. Watching the Oscar winner bust a move and freestyle rap while he extols the virtues of sipping a Dunkachinno is to witness desperation incarnate. Sandler and director Dennis Dugan must have something on "The Godfather" to make him lower himself to these depths. "Burn it," says Pacino after watching the commercial Sandler creates. "No one must ever see this." The same goes for the movie. Rolling Stone rating: Zero stars . See the full article at RollingStone.com. Copyright © 2011 Rolling Stone. | On a scale of 1 to 10 on the laugh meter, "Jack and Jill" is a negative 10 .
Jack is gritting his teeth over a holiday visit from his loudmouthed twin Jill .
The plot is a stew of half-baked ideas that quickly turns rancid . |
146,611 | 499b31ceed909f8acb7cc3ee80de6c289475f340 | Washington (CNN) -- President Barack Obama complained Tuesday that he doesn't get out much. Then he noted he doesn't have to when B.B. King and Mick Jagger come to play a concert at his house. The blues and rock legends were at the White House for a PBS performance series in the East Room honoring the history of blues music. A lineup of top blues performers past and present offered a selection of standards that displayed all the raw elements of a distinctly American musical genre originating from the days of slavery. Obama even got in the act. When goaded by blues giant Buddy Guy, he sang a verse of the rollicking finale "Sweet Home Chicago." Earlier, Obama described the genre as a form of oral history that bore witness to the struggles of African-Americans. "The blues reminds us that we've been through tougher times before," Obama said. "That's why I'm proud to have these artists here not just as a fan but also as the president because their music teaches us that when we find ourselves at a crossroads, we don't shy away from our problems. We own them. We face up to them. We deal with them. We sing about them. We turn them into art. And even as we face the challenges of today we imagine a brighter tomorrow." Blues music, Obama said, "speaks to something universal," because "no one goes through life without joy and pain, triumph and sorrow," and the blues encompasses all of that "sometimes with just one lyric or just one note." "In Performance at The White House: Red, White and Blues," scheduled in February as part of Black History Month, featured longtime blues greats King and Guy playing with contemporary musicians Shemekia Copeland, Trombone Shorty, Keb' Mo' and Gary Clark Jr. The evening also recognized the British blues invasion of the 1960s with performances by rock pioneers Jagger and Jeff Beck. Renowned rockers Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks of the Allman Brothers Band also took part, along with Susan Tedeschi, a blues guitarist and singer who is married to Trucks and forms a Grammy-winning band with him. Most of the assembled performers took the stage for an opening rendition of "Let the Good Times Roll," after which the 86-year-old King -- playing ringmaster from his seat at center stage -- offered his encouragement for the president's re-election bid. "Mr. President, I've been praying for you for three years, and I want you to keep your job," King said to applause. Republican candidates blast Obama . The event was emceed for PBS by actress and singer Taraji Henson, who commented on the somewhat surreal juxtaposition of the evening's lineup and setting. "I never dreamt in a million years that I would ever say these next five words, and certainly never thought that I'd be saying them right here at the White House, but, ladies and gentlemen, Mick Jagger," Henson said in introducing the original Rolling Stone. In appropriate rock star fashion, Jagger ran onstage to dance and sing "I Can't Turn You Loose" backed by the "house" band led by Booker T. Jones. Before his second number -- a cover of the Howlin' Wolf song "Commit a Crime" performed with fellow Brit Beck -- Jagger talked about his introduction to the blues as a young man in England with the music of Sonny Boy Williamson. Recounting how Williamson visited London and even dressed the part in bowler hat with umbrella in hand, Jagger added: "He said those English boys, they want to play the blues real bad, and they do -- real bad." Copeland and Tedeschi then joined Jagger to provide background vocals on his Rolling Stones hit "Miss You." In a tribute to the roots of the blues, Copeland and Clark performed a moving version of "Beat Up Guitar," and Clark followed with "Catfish Blues" and Mo' did a solo version of "Henry." Tedeschi, Trucks and Haynes played a tribute to Etta James with a powerful rendition of her classic "I'd Rather Go Blind," and Jagger returned to join Guy, Beck and Clark for blues standard "Five Long Years," originally written and recorded by Eddie Boyd. The finale brought the entire ensemble on stage one more time to serenade the president and first lady with the tribute to their hometown, with Obama welcoming them as the "White House Blues All Stars." The roughly 200 guests, including Cabinet members Kathleen Sebelius, John Bryson and Jacob Lew, stood and clapped at Obama's prompting, then shrieked when the president took the microphone after Guy called him out about his recent impersonation of singer Al Green. "I heard you singing Al Green," Guy said, waving for Obama to indulge him. "You started something. You got to keep it up." Obama did, a bit hesitant at first and then gaining gusto, offering the microphone to King at one point to help him finish the verse. While Obama's voice may have lacked the power of the other performers, it was a presidential musical performance unseen since Bill Clinton on the saxophone. | White House tribute ends with Obama singing along to "Sweet Home Chicago"
B.B. King, Mick Jagger, Buddy Guy and others perform in the East Room .
Obama says blues music "speaks to something universal"
The event was a PBS special in its White House performances series . |
207,287 | 985f8fa7c3f3ad873bfbb828509c24862b4514ec | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 23:13 EST, 6 September 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 23:13 EST, 6 September 2013 . An artwork that has been on display for sixteen years has been draped in black cloth and may be removed after years of complaints from Hawaiian elders. Artist Hans Ladislaus' 'Forgotten Inheritance', which features human bones in sand, has been on display at the Hawaii Convention Center since 1997. However the Hawaii Tourism Authority which runs the center has succumbed to persistent opposition from native Hawaiian descendents who say the use of exposed ancestral bones is disrespectful. Controversy: Native Hawaiians have complained about the 'cultural insensitivity' of artist Hans Ladislaus' work 'Forgotten Inheritance' ever since it was installed at the Hawaii Convention Center in 1997, but only now are their wishes being honored . Removal: The Hawaii Convention Center has covered Hans Ladislaus' controversial artwork with black cloth - and may remove it permanently - after decades of complaints from native Hawaiians . The wall art was controversially covered up on Wednesday night during the 12th annual Native Hawaiian Convention. Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation executive director Moses Haia represents Paulette Ka'anohiokalani Kaleikini, a . recognized cultural descendant of the area, who has complained repeatedly to the . Hawai'i Tourism Authority about the piece. 'I don't know what the motive of the artist was with respect to what was depicted,' Haia told Hawaii News Now. 'I certainly know that in Hawai'i and given our cultural practices – when it comes to malama iwi, which is taking care of our ancestral bones, that it's a significant sign of disrespect. 'Based upon her cultural responsibility to malama iwi, [Kaleikini] met with what I believe was certain individuals with the Hawaii Tourism Authority that runs the Convention Center and requested, based upon her cultural practices, that panel be taken down because of what it stood for.' Opponents: Native Hawaiian descendent Paulette Ka'anohiokalani Kaleikini (left) and her lawyer Moses Haia say the artwork's use of ancestral bones is offensive . It is not clear why the center has now decided to uphold the complaints of elders, particularly as none of the highly respected committee members - including Native Hawaiians - objected to the work when it was selected and commissioned in 1996. State Arts Foundation officials say . they've been trying unsuccessfully to arrange a meeting with Ladislaus – . who now lives on the mainland – and Convention Center officials, Native . Hawaiian burial stakeholders and others offended by the artwork. Creative: Artist Hans Ladislaus' wall sculpture 'Forgotten Inheritance' has been on display at the Hawaii Convention Center since 1997 . 'The State Foundation has long hoped the situation could be resolved by ho'oponopono in a spirit of understanding and cooperation. We still do,' Oahu Commissioner of the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, Peter Rosegg, told Hawaii News Now. Hawai'i Tourism Authority CEO Mike McCartney said action was being taken to replace the artwork. 'The HTA is working with the State Foundation to replace a piece of artwork in the Hawai'i Convention Center,' he said, according to KITV.com. 'It is important for us to honor and perpetuate our host culture and we are looking to include more pieces by Native Hawaiian artists.' However Rosegg said the piece, which is permanently mounted, could be destroyed if it's removed. KITV.com also reported the federal Visual Artists Rights Act prohibits the state foundation from altering or covering part or all of a work without the artist permission. | An artwork that has been on display at the Hawaii Convention Center since 1997 has been covered in black cloth .
Native Hawaiian elders have complained the use of ancestral bones in Hans Ladislaus' 'Forgotten Inheritance' is culturally insensitive .
The Hawai'i Tourism Authority is working to find a replacement artwork . |
283,682 | fb8149a228308070be22bce2ceb26b62ea7ba333 | (CNN) -- Mysterious explosions. Unexplained shaking. Something's going on in Clintonville, Wisconsin, but nobody seems to know what it is. The sounds -- variously described as rattling pipes, clanging metal, thunder or firecrackers -- have continued on and off since early Sunday night in just one part of the small town of 4,600, located about 180 miles northeast of Madison. Accompanying the sounds are vibrations that have shaken homes and household objects in the northeast corner of town, city manager Lisa Kuss said. The sounds were loud enough Monday morning that a CNN journalist could hear them during a cell phone conversation with Kuss. The baffling phenomenon does not appear to have caused any significant damage or injuries, according to Kuss. Workers peered into manhole covers and utility crews tested for leaking natural gas and other problems, but no one has yet to find anything amiss, Kuss said. Geologists and the military don't seem to have any quick answers, either, she said. U.S. Geological Survey records show no seismic activity anywhere in Wisconsin Sunday or Monday. "It's like we're imagining things but it ain't, because we're all out and talking to find out what's going on," Clintonville resident Verda Shultz told CNN affiliate WLUK. Absent any better explanations for the sounds and sensations that have, well, rattled, the town, residents were left to their own devices to come up with explanations. "My bet is on gremlins," one Facebook user jokingly posted to WLUK's Facebook page. Alien machinery buried for millennia, countered another. No, said one one tongue-in-cheek Twitter user. It's clearly mole men launching their attack on the surface dwellers. While the Wisconsin sounds have yet to be explained, mysterious booming noises are not all that unusual. Recent media accounts include reports from North Carolina, Idaho, Tennessee and others. U.S. Geological Survey scientist David Hill even published a paper in 2011 called, "What is That Mysterious Booming Sound?" In it, he said such sounds are so commonplace in upstate New York, they earned the nickname "Seneca guns." They're also well enough known to be named by residents of Belgium, the countries around the Bay of Bengal, Italy and Japan, among other places, he wrote. While the specific source of such sounds is rarely found, natural explanations abound, Hill said. One possible explanation is gas explosively escaping from underground rock formations. Another is a rock burst, which can happen when mining or quarrying uncovers long-buried rock, suddenly relieving stress and resulting in "locally loud, explosive reports." Others include meteorites, a phenomenon known as "booming sands" or even distant thunder, sounds that Hill wrote can be carried for significant distances under proper atmospheric conditions. CNN's Kara Devlin contributed to this report. | NEW: Booming sounds may be mysterious, but not particularly uncommon .
Residents of Wisconsin town began reporting unexplained sounds Sunday night .
Shaking or vibrating sensations accompany the sounds .
City officials say they don't know what's going on . |
30,960 | 57f8a81ab0725fb2010f6dcdb582813de2c03b00 | Australia's largest native title claim covering much of the Cape York peninsula in Queensland's far north has been lodged in the Federal Court in Brisbane. The claim covers 14.6 million hectares of land, a larger area than all of England, taking in all of the areas of the Cape not already under native title as well as some inland waters. The Cape York Land Council lodged the claim on Thursday on behalf of nine traditional owners. If finalised - a process expected to take several years - it will mean that all significant activity, including mining and development, will require consent from traditional owners. A landscape near Lakefield, Cape York, which is part of the largest native title claim in Australian history lodged in the Federal Court in Brisbane on Thursday . The claim covers 14.6 million hectares of land, a larger area than all of England, taking in all of the areas of the Cape not already under native title as well as some inland waters . 'This means the traditional owners of the Cape will be the real masters of development and use of their lands,' Cape York Land Council chair Richie Ah Mat said in a statement. Indigenous people will be able to reconnect with country as well as grow the local economy, reducing welfare dependency, he says. Mr Ah Mat says individual groups will still have a say over their land. Olkola elder Mike Ross, one of the claimants, says it will allow Aboriginal people to make decisions over their ancestral lands. 'Coupled with the transfer of freehold, this native title claim makes our historic ties to the land clear,' he said, adding that the region was under pressure from miners and other interest groups. Traditional owner Mike Ross, one of nine owners who lodged the claim with the The Cape York Land Council . The Bauxite mine in Cape York. If finalised, it will mean that all significant activity, including mining and development, will require consent from traditional owners . Mr Ross, who is the chairman of the Olkola Aboriginal Corporation, was in Cooktown this week to celebrate the transfer of more than 600,000 hectares of Cape York pastoral land back to his people. It's hoped that by lodging a single claim for Cape York the native title process, which in some cases has taken decades to finalise, will be resolved within a few years. The Cape York Land Council says it has undertaken extensive consultation and will continue to work with traditional owners. | Cape York Land Council lodged the claim in the Federal Court on Thursday .
It covers 14.6 million hectares of land in the Cape York peninsula .
If finalised, all development will require consent from traditional owners .
600,000 hectares of Cape York land was returned to the traditional owners this week . |
215,093 | a274b37e1a2e9c0a898d845a5211cdb46c679c34 | The Indian government is to dig up a ruined palace after a Hindu seer dreamt that tonnes of gold were buried underneath. The Archaeological Survey of India is now sending a team of archaeologists to the village of Daundia Khera in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh. They are due to start digging on Friday said Praveen Kumar Mishra, the head archaeologist in the state. Golden opportunity: The search for treasure has begun near this temple in Daundia Khera village . Yogi Swami Shobhan Sarkar says the gold he dreamt of belonged to a nineteenth-century ruler, Rao Ram Bux Singh. He says he wants it in government hands to help India recover from an economic crisis. 'I . cried the day I realised that India is going to collapse economically,' the seer told the Mail Today newspaper. The dead ruler's spirit has . been roaming the palace and asking for the gold to be dug up, he added. 'It is a hidden treasure for the country.' Not all Hindu leaders are so keen to . put bullion into the Reserve Bank of India's vaults. Temples sitting on . about half as much gold as in Fort Knox are resisting efforts by the . central bank to audit their holdings. Indians . buy as much as 2.3 tonnes of gold, on average, every day - the weight . of a small elephant - and what they don't give to the gods is mostly . hoarded. Investigate: The archaeologists plan to dig two 100-square-metre blocks beside the palace . That is costing the economy dear, since India has few gold mines. Gold imports totalled $54 billion in the year ending on March 31, 2013, a major factor in swelling the current account deficit and undermining the rupee. Swami Sarkar's dream haul of 1,000 tonnes would be enough to replace all of India's imports for a year and would be worth at least $40 billion. The archaeologists plan to dig two 100-square-metre blocks beside the palace. Mishra, however, warned that there was as yet no proof that any treasure lay beneath the soil of Daundia Khera village. 'We are still searching for the exact location and whether there is any treasure. It is all in the future,' he said. 'We often just find pottery and metal antiquities, like agricultural tools or kitchen tools.' | Archaeological Survey of India sent a team to the village of Daundia Khera .
They are due to start digging on Friday in attempt to find the gold .
Yogi Swami Shobhan Sarkar saw the gold in a dream .
He says he dreamt the gold belonged to 19th ruler Rao Ram Bux Singh . |
138,048 | 3e8c58234f42f8e232428b540b9b10129d405da6 | (TIME.com) -- Pepsi's latest refresher claims to fend off fat. But is a healthy soda an oxymoron? "Pepsi Special," the new drink distributed by Pepsi's partner in Japan, Suntory Holdings Limited, contains dextrin, a dietary fiber that dissolves in water and is found in fiber supplements such as Benefiber. Eaten appropriately, in fiber-rich foods such as vegetables and fruits, fiber helps to regulate the digestive system, lower cholesterol and may lower the risk of heart disease. A Suntory news release claims the drink acts by "suppressing the absorption of fat" and can inhibit the rise in triglycerides after a meal, making it, potentially, the first "healthy" soda. Because of these purported health benefits, Pepsi Special has received the label "FOSHU" in Japan, a government designation that stands for "Food for Specified Health Uses." A Japanese government website states that "FOSHU" products are meant to be consumed "by people who wish to control health conditions, including blood pressure or blood cholesterol." Spokespeople for Pepsi did not provide more information about the "low-calorie" drink. TIME: Soda machines will post calorie counts on vending machines . As odd as the fiber-packed cola sounds, however, it's not the first to debut in Japan. Kirin, the Japanese beer company, launched the country's first "FOSHU" beverage with dextrin in the spring called Kirin Mets Cola, a sugar-free beverage geared towards "health conscious" men in their 30s. Is there anything to the dextrin trend? A 2006 study conducted by researchers from the National Institute of Health and Nutrition in Tokyo found that rats fed both dextrin and fat absorbed less fat than the rats who did not eat the fiber. But that research, alas, wasn't extended to people. In fact, too much dextrin could make you sick. "Studies of humans ingesting dextrin suggest short-term risks including stomach pain, gas, and bloating," says Lilian Cheung, editorial director of Nutrition Source, the Harvard School of Public Health's nutrition website. "The long-term risks have not been studied." Dr. Walter Willett, chair of nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health, added in an email statement: "Unless Pepsi can provide data from controlled studies in humans to the contrary, their claim should be regarded as bogus and deceptive." In fact, Pepsi may face challenges if it decides to bring Pepsi Special to the United States, since the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tends to frown on such potentially suspect nutrient-boosting of essentially unhealthy products in an attempt to make them healthier. In fact, its regulations specifically discourage such fortifying: . "The Food and Drug Administration does not encourage indiscriminate addition of nutrients to foods, nor does it consider it appropriate to fortify fresh produce; meat, poultry, or fish products; sugars; or snack foods such as candies and carbonated beverages." "You shouldn't add good things to bad things because that could encourage people to eat something that isn't healthy for them," said Michael Jacobson, Executive Director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), a food safety and nutrition consumer advocacy group. TIME: Cutting out soda curbs children's weight gain, studies show . In the U.S., soda companies have been called out for making exaggerated health claims about their sugary drinks. CSPI recently sued 7UP's parent company Dr Pepper Snapple Group for making specious health claims about its Cherry Antioxidant, Mixed Berry Antioxidant, and Pomegranate Antioxidant varieties, arguing that drinking a soda with a small amount of Vitamin E is not as healthy as consuming antioxidants from fruits, as the company implied. (The company decided to discontinue the line.) In 2008, the FDA sent a letter to Coca-Cola, arguing that the company "misbranded" its "Diet Coke Plus" because it did not provide enough nutritional information to justify the word "plus." So as appealing as it sounds to down a healthy dose of fiber from a can, health experts say it's probably best to get your daily allotment from food if you want to truly take advantage of the good things fiber can do. "I would assume it's a soda and treat it that way," Vandana Sheth, a registered dietitian in the Los Angeles area and spokesperson for The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, says about the beverage. "Whole grains, vegetables, barley, beans, lentils have significant positive effects like lowering blood glucose, and some of that will make you feel more full. It is also more satisfying to chew and swallow real food rather than to drink a beverage." TIME: Study shows too much sugar increases heart risks . Not to mention that guzzling soda and sugary drinks contributes to health problems like obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and may raise blood pressure as well. "Adding a fiber to a drink made from caffeine, caramel coloring, phosphoric acid, sugar, and high fructose corn syrup doesn't make it healthy," says Alissa Rumsey, a dietitian at New York Presbyterian Hospital and spokesperson for the New York State Dietetic Association. "If people think they're going to lose weight by drinking a beverage like this, then they are more likely to drink more soda and therefore consume even more calories." Which would simply make any of the purported health benefits fizzle out. This story was originally published on TIME.com . Pepsi's Fat-Fighting Soda: Too Good to Be True? © 2012 TIME, Inc. TIME is a registered trademark of Time Inc. Used with permission. | Pepsi's "Pepsi Special" contains dietary fibers that help lower cholesterol and digestion .
Pepsi may run into the FDA, which discourages boosting essentially unhealthy drinks .
Soda companies have been criticized for making health claims about their drinks . |
190,965 | 834b279b4ffea2e6818150450ac3a48b0e2a9a7b | Former two-weight world champion Ricky Burns claimed his legal battle with Frank Warren had 'seriously affected' his boxing after the case ended with both sides declaring victory. Burns, who is managed by Alex Morrison, was ordered to pay Warren unpaid commission over a manager agreement following a High Court hearing. But the judge ruled that Warren was not entitled to anything for the Scot's decision to end their promoter agreement despite claiming lost profits of at least £1.8million. The judge, Mr Justice Knowles, also ruled that Frank Warren Promotions owed Burns £102,000 purse money but said the Coatbridge fighter was unlikely to receive a penny from the liquidated company. Ricky Burns said that his legal battle with Frank Warren 'seriously affected' his boxing . Burns joined Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing on March 11, 2013, amid frustration over two postponed fights and unpaid earnings from his WBO lightweight win over Kevin Mitchell in September 2012. After two unconvincing defences, he lost his title to the classy Terence Crawford and has failed to impress in his comeback fights. In a statement, Burns said: 'The pressure that this case has put on me over the last 18 months has been immense and seriously affected me in and out of the ring.' The written judgement stated that the judge would decide how much Burns owed Warren for the management fees if the figure was not agreed. Matchroom claimed the figure was £73,000 while Warren described the amount as 'substantial'. Burns left Warren (above) to join up with a new promoter in Eddie Hearn in 2013 . The judge ruled that the now liquidated Frank Warren Promotions owed Burns £102,000, but not Warren personally. He added in his written judgement: 'From what I heard in evidence about about FWP and its liquidation it is unlikely that any sums will actually be paid by FWP to anyone, including Mr Burns.' However, Burns has vowed to pursue that sum with the British Boxing Board of Control, with Matchroom calling for the promoter's licence to be suspended. 'I will now be actively pursuing the BBBoC and Frank Warren to make sure that my outstanding fight purse gets paid in full,' the 31-year-old said. Warren's claim for £1.8million damages was described as 'fanciful' by the judge, who said that any lost profit would have been less than the amount owed to Burns for the Mitchell fight. The judge added that 'even though Mr Burns was not entitled to terminate the promoter agreement on March 6, 2013, I am quite clear he would have been entitled to shortly after that'. | Ricky Burns has been in a legal battle with former promoter Frank Warren .
Scot left Warren in 2013 and joined up with Eddie Hearn .
Burns was frustrated over postponed fights and unpaid earnings . |
187,836 | 7f3b0ed41df6820845db510b1daf31d9fae828fc | (CNN) -- World No. 3 Roger Federer ended a seven-year wait for a second World Tennis Tournament title after beating Juan Martin del Potro in the Dutch city of Rotterdam. The 16-time grand slam winner made light work of his clash against the Argentinian third seed, winning 6-1 6-4 in just one hour and 26 minutes. Federer's triumph was his 71st career title and means 2012 becomes the 12th straight year in which he has captured an ATP tour crown. The Swiss, who also won here in 2005, said in a courtside interview: "It's incredible that it took me seven years to come back and defend my title, I hope the next time is not so long. But if it is, then it means I'll be playing for another seven years." "This title marks a great start to the season. My team made a lot of sacrifices. It's been an amazing week for us." Of his opponent, who beat him in the 2009 U.S. Open final, Federer said: "Juan Martin had a great week. He's playing great tennis. I hope to see you at the (November) World Tour Finals." Federer, who took his record to 9-2 over Del Potro, blew his opponent away in the opening set, racing into a 5-0 lead after only 28 minutes and securing the opener 6-1 shortly after. Del Potro rallied in the second set, and forced Federer to save a clutch of break points, but the 30-year-old secured the decisive break in the fifth game to seal the match. It marks a return to form for Federer who came into the tournament on the back of two defeats -- to Rafael Nadal in the semifinals of the Australian Open and American John Isner in the Davis Cup. In South America, Spain's Nicolas Almagro retained his Brazil Open crown with a 6-3 4-6 6-4 victory over Italy's Filippo Volandri. The top seed and world no. 11 hit 18 aces as he made it 11 career titles, all of which have come on clay. | Roger Federer defeats Juan Martin del Potro to win World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam .
World No. 3 beats Argentinian 6-1 6-4 in one hour and 26 minutes to seal victory .
It is Federer's second Rotterdam title, seven years after first triumph .
Spain's Nicolas Almagro defends Brazil Open title beating Italy's Filippo Volandri . |
91,329 | 017577f0a73f0bccf62e0866912ff2ff62536c13 | By . Steph Cockroft . An academic who stripped off in front of 200 students during a lecture has been let off with a warning. Dr Ian Lamond, an events management lecturer at Leeds Metropolitan University, stripped down to his underpants in an apparent attempt to teach his first-year students how to pitch to clients. The 51-year-old began the striptease by draping his jacket over the front row of desks where the students were sitting. Scroll down for video . Dr Ian Lamond, 51, an events management lecturer at Leeds Metropolitan university, stripped off down to his underpants while teaching first-year students - but has been let off with a warning . The academic, who reportedly carried out the stunt in a bid to teach the students how to pitch to clients, draped his jacked over the front row of desks before removing the rest of his clothes - except for his underpants, glasses and socks . Photos then show the lecturer undoing his purple shirt and tie, before removing his trousers - until he was stood wearing just glasses, grey underpants and socks. But Dr Lamond has been left off with a warning, following an investigation by Leeds Metropolitan University. In a statement, the university said: 'An internal investigation has taken place. The University has clarified its expectations in lecture delivery and so the matter is now closed.' Dr Lombard did not want to comment on the incident, but did not deny any of the claims. He said: 'The university is a big institution. All communication must go through them. I am happy for my response to come through them.' A source added: 'He is still in post. He has been given a warning but no sanctions.' The bizarre incident took place while Dr . Lamond was taking a lecturer in front of events management students . about how to pitch to clients. Stunned students went online soon after the incident, with one tweeting: 'I literally have no idea what is going on right now, why is my lecturer semi naked.. and now painting his face white..' And another told her friend: 'Ian Lamond is stripping and shaving to try and convey a point but I really have no clue what is going on!' A video of the incident was also posted online. It shows students chuckling in their seats as Dr Lamond marches around the front of the lecture hall, holding up his clothes. No students complained directly about the lecturer's behaviour but the university launched an investigation after spotting the picture on Twitter. Students in the lecture began tweeting their surprise as the incident unfolded . Another tweeted her friend say Dr Lamond was carrying out the performance to 'convey a point' - but that she had no idea what was going on . He was not suspended from the role during the investigation, but was not teaching during most of the interim period due to most students having finished for summer. Dr Lamond completed his PhD in . arts and culture policy at Sheffield Hallam University in 2012 and has . since studied political activism while lecturing on the £9,000-a-year . university course. In a recent interview with a careers website, he boasted about his '(cough) "athletic physique"'. Telling . the website about his job, he said: 'What I am really enjoying is the . combination of lecturing, particularly when I'm in-front of a cohort of . 200 plus events students in one of the larger lecture theatres, and . research. It's that voracious curiosity and performer in me I guess. An investigation was launched by Leeds Metropolitan University, pictured above, after the incident. A spokesman said the university had 'clarified its expectations in lecture delivery' 'Unless you are passionate you cannot enthuse your students, your colleagues and, importantly, yourself.' Chris McGovern, Chairman of the Campaign for Real Education, criticised both the lecturer and the university. He said: 'University lecturers should focus on teaching students rather than on stripping for them. 'This episode brings higher education into disrepute. It illustrates an arrogant contempt for students; many of whom make sacrifices to attend university and incur considerable debt. 'Equally worrying is that Leeds Metropolitan University has recently had its standards and quality confirmed by “The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA). 'This means it can market itself under the QAA Quality Mark to prospective student in the UK and abroad.' | Dr Ian Lamond, 51, stripped off during an events management lecture .
Stunned first-year students began tweeting photos and videos of the stunt .
Striptease was apparently in a bid to motivate students with pitch ideas .
Leeds Metropolitan investigated incident but said matter is now closed .
It added: 'The university has clarified its expectations in lecture delivery' |
268,934 | e8600e90221ba1482923763543671df248e5f748 | Amber Vinson, who caught Ebola while treating the first patient diagnosed in the U.S., has revealed that her engagement ring was incinerated during the hazmat clean-up. The 29-year-old ICU nurse said on Thursday that the ring, given to her by fiancé Derrick Markray, was destroyed along with the binder where she kept the details and arrangements for her wedding next year. The ring was lost amid many of Miss Vinson's personal possessions at her home in Dallas, Texas, which were burned by hazmat clean-up crews to prevent the spread of Ebola. Scroll down for video . Nurse Amber Vinson, 29, contracted Ebola last month but has since recovered from the virus. Miss Vinson is due to marry fiancé Derrick Markray (pictured on June 22) next year. Mr Markray is a former college football star who went on to the New Orleans Saints. She admitted that she was crushed when Ebola clean-up crews destroyed her engagement ring (pictured) She told CNN: 'I was crushed. It's a thing, but it has sentimental value to me... We've got to rebuild.' And losing the ring may have been for nothing after infectious disease expert Dr William Schaffner told ABC that some bleach would have killed any trace of the virus which touched the jewelry. The nurse could look on the bright side on Friday, however, after she got a kiss and a hug from former president George W. Bush who visited her and her colleagues. Bush dropped by Texas Health Presbyterian in Dallas where he posed for pictures with dozens of delighted doctors and nurses. Dallas calmly marked the end of its Ebola crisis on Friday, when the last of the 177 people who were being monitored for symptoms of the deadly virus were to be cleared at midnight. Miss Vinson caught Ebola while treating 'patient zero' Thomas Eric Duncan in October at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas. Amber Vinson, right, a nurse who was infected with Ebola after treating a sick patient, gets a hug from former President George W. Bush on Friday at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas . Miss Vinson, 29, looked bashful as she spoke with former president George W Bush today in Dallas . Bush posed for a picture with doctors and nurses at Texas Health Presbyterian on Friday after he dropped by to thank them for their hard work during the Ebola crisis . Former President George W Bush warmly greets Amber Vinson at Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas on Friday. The city calmly marked the end of its Ebola crisis on Friday, when the last of the 177 people who were being monitored for symptoms of the deadly virus were to be cleared at midnight . She said on Thursday that she wasn't careless or a risk-taker and defended her decision to board a flight shortly before being diagnosed. She described her worst days fighting the Ebola virus in a special quarantine unit as a 'blur' where she felt awful and was unsure she would survive. Some have criticized the ICU nurse for her decision to fly from Texas to Ohio on October 10 after she treated Duncan. Nurse Vinson flew to her home state for the weekend to plan for her wedding next year to former college football star Derrick Markray. She told Today on Thursday that she would never have put anyone at risk and was never told by her ICU management team or the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) that it was unsafe to travel. The nurse said she was completely healthy and 'felt great' when she landed in Cleveland, Ohio, to visit her mother, Debra Berry. She told People Magazine: 'I hung out with my mom and her dog, and we ordered pizza and relaxed. The next day, I went out to the bridal store with some of my bridesmaids and we had a great time.' Miss Vinson was pictured last month being transferred to Emory hospital in Atlanta, Georgia after being diagnosed with the Ebola virus = . She said that while in Ohio she learned that her fellow ICU nurse, 26-year-old Nina Pham, had contracted Ebola and that the news 'floored her'. Miss Pham worked the day shift caring for Mr Duncan, a Liberian national who had traveled to the U.S. at the end of September, before Miss Vinson took over on the night shift. Miss Vinson said: 'I was afraid for myself, for my family, because I did everything that I was instructed to do, every time, and I felt like, ''If Nina can get it, any one of us could have gotten it.''' Miss Vinson said reports that she had been feeling 'weird' before she boarded her return flight were 'completely false' and deeply hurtful. She checked her temperature multiple times before boarding the plane and it was normal. 'I never felt ''weird,''' she said on Thursday. 'I felt fine, I felt completely normal.' Due to her concern, Miss Vinson called Texas Health before boarding her return flight and was once again cleared to travel. It was only once she landed in Dallas that she discovered that she had a temperature of 100.3F and reported to the hospital. When her fever became worse and she developed sickness and diarrhea, Miss Vinson said she knew that she had developed Ebola. She told People that her mom was strong but the news deeply-affected her fiancé. "I was sitting next to Derrick, and I saw one big tear hang from his eye and fall... I rubbed his back and then I turned around and cried,' she told People. Miss Vinson, 29, is pictured above during her Ebola treatment at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. She was declared free of the virus on October 28 . She said her condition initially worsened and that she prayed to God to save her life. But as she began to feel better she was able to contact family and friends via Skype and sent text messages with her colleague Nina. She said reports that she had traveled with Ebola symptoms had left her feeling 'terrible'. 'I'm not careless, I don't take risks. I'm an ICU nurse... I embrace protocol and guidelines because in my line of work it's a matter of life and death,' she said. The nurse admitted that she had not been given thorough training before treating Mr Duncan in the highly contagious stages of the Ebola virus. She described the training to People as 'a crash-course education'. She said: 'We did not get much training. The first time I put on the protective equipment, I was heading in to take care of the patient. We didn't get training in putting on and taking off the equipment... so we could feel comfortable with it.' Miss Vinson said that after treating Mr Duncan, she would dream about work and going over every little detail of her care while continually taking her temperature. The 29-year-old was infected while caring for Mr Duncan who died at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas on October 8. She told People that his death left her 'distraught'. She inserted catheters, drew blood, and dealt with Duncan's body fluids, all while wearing protective gear. Ebola is only caught through contact with the bodily fluids of someone who is contagious. Miss Vinson didn't show symptoms before flying to Cleveland, Ohio on October 10. She reported her temperature to the CDC, as part of self-monitoring guidelines, on October 13, and was cleared to fly back to Dallas. The next day, the nurse developed a temperature, and on October 15, she tested positive for Ebola. In Ohio, 163 people were monitored due to contact or potential contact with Miss Vinson in a bridal shop and on flights. To date, no cases of Ebola have been reported. She was initially treated at her own Dallas hospital before being transferred to a specialized unit at Emory in Atlanta, Georgia. Miss Vinson received blood plasma from Ebola survivor Dr Kent Brantly. She was declared free of the disease on October 28 and said on Thursday that she is feeling good but gets 'a little tired as the day goes on'. A family friend set up a GoFundMe account which has raised $20,000 for Miss Vinson. The nurse said that she would absolutely treat someone with Ebola again as it is her duty to take care of anyone that she sees is suffering. Her colleague Nina Pham, 26, who also was infected with Ebola was released on October 24 from the National Institutes of Health in Maryland after being declared virus-free. | The 29-year-old ICU nurse said the ring, given to her by fiancé Derrick Markray, was destroyed to prevent the spread of Ebola .
Miss Vinson, 29, caught the deadly virus from Thomas Eric Duncan but recovered after being treated at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta .
Some criticized the ICU nurse for her decision to fly from Texas to Ohio on October 10 after she had treated Duncan .
She said on Thursday she would never put anyone at risk and was never told by Texas Health hospital or the CDC not to travel . |
230,935 | b706a66961515be81682ec2187d957b5fca86c61 | Disturbing footage has been shared on social media, showing young Australian men and women from a community in South East Queensland engaging in fight club-style street brawls. The video shows a compilation of brawls, as fighters throw punches, pull hair and tackle one another on the streets of Cherbourg, a town in the Burnett region of Queensland. One fight shows two young women bare-foot in the middle of the road, as dozens of onlookers, including children, witness the two throwing punches, pulling each other's hair and swinging each other towards the ground. A horrific video shows a compilation of street brawls, as fighters throw punches, pull hair and tackle one another on the streets of Cherbourg, an Indigenous town in the Burnett region of Queensland . In another video, a spectator shouts 'That's it! That's it!', as a shirtless man in red pants jumps up and throws a punch at a man wearing gloves and dressed in all black. The first man is knocked to the ground in a matter of seconds. The fighters, both male and female who appeared to be Indigenous, look as young as 13 and are surrounded by a large group of onlookers, cheering the them on, whilst filming the horrific 'event'. The video was reportedly placed on a Facebook page, according to ninemsn.com.au and has since been removed from the social networking site. Queensland police said violent behaviour is not tolerated and the video is currently under investigation. 'It is understood that some of the incidents depicted in the video are more than six months old and were not reported to police at the time. 'It is often the case that police are unaware of these incidents until they are later uploaded onto social media outlets.' This year other videos of violent fighting videos in Indigenous communities surfaced on a Facebook page, promoting street fights in towns identified as Toomelah, Moranbah, Cairns and Toowoomba,SBS reports. One fight shows two young women bare-foot in the middle of the road, as dozens of onlookers, children included, witness the two throw punches at each others jaw . They hustle down the street pulling each others hair and eventually swing each other towards the ground . A spectator shouts 'That's it! That's it!', as a topless Indigenous man in red pants jumps up and throws a punch to a man wearing gloves and dressed in all black . The topless man is knocked to the ground in a matter of seconds . The video was reportedly placed on a Facebook page and has since been removed from the social networking site . | Young Australians have been filmed punching on, as onlookers cheer on the fighters, screaming 'That's it! That's it!'
The street brawls took place in a small community of Cherbourg, South East Queensland .
One video shows a man being knocked out in the middle of the street .
Another shows two women swinging punches and pulling each other's hair .
The video has reportedly been posted on a Facebook page and since been removed . |
91,930 | 0241a7f0f0396183efff8b3afd0b01c01596753d | In the aftermath of a fine victory, Hearts left Rangers to ponder an old truth. In football, as in life, you reap what you Sow. Rebuilt and remoulded in the post-script to relegation and administration, Hearts laid down a marker for the Championship season with a display of composure and menace. They may have lost their keeper Neil Alexander for a month with a fractured cheekbone sustained in a clash with his own player. Delight: Osman Sow celebrates his last-gasp winner while Nicky Law wheels away in delight after making it 1-1 . But in defence their central defenders Danny Wilson and Alim Ozturk dominated Kris Boyd and Kenny Miller while, in attack Osman Sow, a 6ft 4in Swedish striker starting his first competitive match in over a year, struck a deserved injury-time winner. ‘Osman has come in and shown his qualities,’ said head coach Robbie Neilson afterwards with marked understatement. ‘He needs more fitness but he has pace, strength, good technique and an eye for goal and I think he’ll scare a lot of defenders this season.’ He certainly frightened the life out of Lee McCulloch and Marius Zaliukas. Ally McCoist was critical of the defending for both Hearts goals, the first a meat and drink header from skipper Danny Wilson from a corner in 52 minutes. The home team believed they had claimed a late point when Nicky Law responded to howls of derision over his sponsors’ man of the match award by hooking an equaliser as the board went up for six minutes of added time. Yet, incredibly, Hearts scored straight from kick-off by exploiting the departure of Rangers right-back Ricky Foster to attack the area where his replacement Darren McGregor should have been. Sow took a couple of touches and slotted a composed finish low in the net for 2-1. ‘Of course it’s unacceptable,’ said McCoist afterwards. ‘They always say you are at your most vulnerable after you score but, to be honest, I’ve never been on the receiving end of that. ‘To have got back into what was a hard game against a team who will be one of our main rivals for the league this year, it was really disappointing.’ Concentration: Hearts skipper Danny Wilson gestures to members of his team during the game at Ibrox . Asked if McGregor should have been quicker taking up position, McCoist opted to spread the blame. ‘If you see Darren, he’s coming across and maybe he’s not had much time to react to it, but we had plenty in our team who could have got back and the whole process of losing that goal was very disappointing.’ For Sow, all of this was remarkable stuff. After joining Crystal Palace last summer he failed to start a single game. Yet his performance and goal here showed signs of real promise. Laid back so as to be almost horizontal, he was completely unconcerned when Rangers equalised and Ibrox roused itself for an anticipated Rangers winner. ‘I just thought: “This is our three points,” he said. ‘I still believed. The atmosphere was great, but all three points are the same in the end. ‘I’m just happy we got them here, it was good to get a win as early as possible.’ Clinical: Law fires home from close range to give Rangers a foothold back into the game . Almost the prototype Craig Levein striker – tall, powerful – Sow didn’t need much persuading to join Hearts. Rangers supporters, by contrast, were left to ponder if this is the kind of imaginative signing they might make if they had a scouting network. ‘I was a free agent and had some other opportunities to go back to Sweden. But I want to make my career here in the UK,’ said Sow. ‘My last competitive game was maybe a year ago last summer for Syrianska in the Swedish league before I joined Palace. This was my first start in a while.’ The afternoon began with a warm tribute to the late Sandy Jardine as Rangers honoured the man who played over 800 games for the club by renaming the Govan Stand in his honour. Former team-mates from the club’s European Cup Winners’ Cup triumph of 1972 gathered around the centre circle. For only the second time since his resignation from the Rangers board in protest at Craig Whyte’s stewardship of the club, John Greig attended a match at Ibrox. Deserved: Hearts took a 1-0 lead courtesy of Wilson early on in the second half . The gesture was a one-off to honour Jardine albeit he declined the invitation to join the Barcelona Bears on the pitch. After 27 minutes he did make an appearance on the large Ibrox screens to unanimous acclaim. By then Rangers had wasted chances to take the lead. In 18 minutes David Templeton, one of four former Hearts players in the Rangers starting 11, blew the best one by far. Lewis MacLeod, one of the brighter players for Rangers, did well to create a shooting chance for Miller. The former Scotland man’s prodded shot spun up towards the back post after an Alim Ozturk block, falling perfectly for Templeton to head inexplicably over the bar from eight yards. He only had to hit the target. Provocatively, Hearts coach Neilson had spoken pre-match of training with 10 men against 11, because in his view ‘that’s how it is’ against Rangers at Ibrox. It looked for a time as if his mind games might become a prescient prediction. Respect: Rangers fans hold up cards to make a mosaic in the newly renamed Sandy Jardine stand . Jordan McGhee was booked early in the game and before 35 minutes were played the dangerous Sow and Kevin McHattie had joined him in the book. Around the same time, however, the visitors began to settle and play some football. Sow’s lofted cross from the left in 41 minutes deserved more than a weak downward header from Billy King. And Hearts had loud calls for a penalty before half-time after some fine passing ended in King crumpling to the deck under a challenge from Law. Referee Craig Thomson said no penalty. But Hearts were growing in stature. They began the second half boldly and claimed the lead in 52 minutes with a simple goal. King’s corner in front of the Bill Struth Main Stand looped into the area, picking out the leaping figure of Hearts skipper Wilson. The defender’s downward header took a nick off Lee Wallace, but silenced Ibrox as it nestled in the back of the net. Downbeat: Ally McCoist shakes hands with counterpart Robbie Neilson after a disappointing start to the season . Hearts lived dangerously thereafter, but nowhere near as perilously as McCoist might have liked. Rangers, frankly, created precious little. Neilson’s side survived a desperate penalty box scramble in 57 minutes when MacLeod’s corner was turned towards goal by Lee McCulloch, then Kris Boyd, before Hearts somehow managed to whack the ball clear through a forest of flailing legs in desperate circumstances. They weren’t out of the woods yet. In 66 minutes goalkeeper Neil Alexander was stretchered from the field following a clash of heads with Ozturk, his own defender. Scott Gallacher, the replacement who left Rangers by mutual consent last season, was hastily summoned from the bench. He probably expected a rougher ride than he got. He was finally beaten in injury time when Law hooked the home team level after Miller knocked down a long, raking, Wallace long ball. By allowing Sow to run free from the kick off, however, Rangers made a pig’s ear of the situation. The goalscorer’s display here suggested bad pig puns could be a feature of the Championship season. | Summer signing Osman Sow scored a last-gasp winner for Hearts at Ibrox .
Nicky Law thought he had salvaged a point for Rangers with a late equaliser .
The away side were good value for the three points after a dominant display . |
53,465 | 97a6650645098433da4c946ee8b1786664754ea2 | By . Tom Kelly and Mark Duell . PUBLISHED: . 06:00 EST, 12 June 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 02:44 EST, 13 June 2013 . Runaway teacher Jeremy Forrest told a 14-year-old schoolgirl ‘I love you’, days before kissing her in his classroom, a court heard yesterday. A few weeks later, the married 30-year-old had sex with her at his cottage while his wife was away. He also researched the maximum jail sentence he could get for sleeping with his pupil, Lewes Crown Court was told. Teacher in the dock: Jeremy Forrest's 15-year-old pupil, giving evidence by videolink, described how their relationship had developed from a kiss in the classroom to sex at the cottage he shared with his wife . When he realised the affair was about . to be exposed he fled to France with his lover and spent eight days on . the run before being caught and returned to Britain, the jury heard. A filmed police interview with the schoolgirl soon after they were found last September was played to the court yesterday. In it, the teenager described how . after becoming close during a school trip to the US last February they . began exchanging frequent Twitter and text messages, which gradually . became more flirtatious. She said late in April 2012 he sent her a message on Twitter saying: ‘I’ve got something to tell you tomorrow.’ Educational establishment: In the days leading up to the kiss, the teenager said she attended Bishop Bell Church of England School (pictured) in Eastbourne, East Sussex, early - specifically to see him . The schoolgirl added: ‘I went into . school early in the morning. He just said he was in love with me. I said . the feeling is the same. That’s when things became serious.’ She described turning up early to school for four consecutive days in May until there was a time when they could be alone. Asked about their first kiss, she . said: ‘I do remember one day being in his classroom, it was just me and . him and he said, “I really want to kiss you”, and I said, “I really want . to kiss you too”, because that’s what I wanted. ‘It got to the point where there was only so much of a friendship you could have before it developed into something else. On trial: The girl was 14 at the time of the alleged kiss with 30-year-old Jeremy Forrest (pictured today outside Lewes Crown Court in East Sussex) ‘It ended up being in his classroom.’ Shortly after she turned 15, the maths teacher took her to his house in Ringmer, East Sussex, while his wife, Emily, was away. She said he showed her around the house, including the marital bedroom, before cooking her dinner. They watched TV together and spent the night side by side in the spare bedroom, but not having sex, the court heard. They continued to meet outside school . and exchange more intimate texts and photos, including one of her . dressed in just her underwear and a hooded top, the court heard. She said: ‘It got to the point where kissing each other like that, it became not enough.’ The youngster returned to Forrest’s . home in July last year, while Mrs Forrest was seeing her parents, and . this time they had sex for the first time, she said. She had told her . mother she was seeing a friend when it happened. The schoolgirl said: ‘The whole thing was pretty quick. When it came to it, I don’t think we spoke that much about it. ‘I remember after not feeling guilty . or that I had done anything wrong. We used contraception every single . time. Obviously it was a big thing for me. It should probably have been . bigger, but I was not that affected by it.’ She added that Forrest seemed nervous about having sex, but ‘after having sex for the first time there was pressure off’. They continued to have sex at his . home, in local hotels and in his Ford Fiesta and also went on day trips . to the Bluewater shopping centre near the M25 in Kent and Hastings in . East Sussex. She said ‘He wanted me to meet his parents. I think they’d seen a picture of me.’ On one occasion, she said Forrest told . her his wife had become angry after discovering the youngster’s nail . varnish at the marital home. She said Forrest had previously said he and his wife had split up. Entrance: Jeremy Forrest arrived at Lewes Crown Court today with a guard for the third day of his trial . He then told her how Mrs Forrest . reacted when she found the cosmetics, she said, adding: ‘She was angry, . because they had split up but they were still married, and that’s when . he told her he was seeing someone else. ‘The fact that he has a wife has . always been a problem for me. I was like, “Why are you with me?” You’re . meant to be in love with the person you marry.’ Pupils anger . The couple discussed their age gap and . the fact that he was a teacher, but to her it was never a major . concern, she said, adding: ‘I have never felt what me and Jeremy have . done was wrong, it feels so right. ‘I can understand why it’s wrong . because of the law but it didn’t feel wrong. To him, it wasn’t about age . and it didn’t matter to him what age I was because he just liked me as a . person. It didn’t worry me because we were in love. We still are. ‘If he was caught he could lose his . job and we would be separated from each other. It was an issue, but . something we knew in a few years wouldn’t be. ‘Because I’m 15 people think I don’t know what’s going through my head. I know my own mind, I know what I want.’ Forrest was also aware of the . consequences he faced and even looked up how long he could be jailed for . having sex with an underage pupil, she added. ‘Obviously he knew what could happen, losing his job and getting into trouble. That was just a risk he wanted to take.’ She said they would have minor rows about classmates talking to her or texting her because they thought she was single. Their secret relationship came to light after the police were tipped off and confiscated her phone, the court heard. Forrest picked up the schoolgirl the . following evening and they drove to Dover to catch a ferry, it was . alleged. She said: ‘I think he was panicking a lot, just the look on his . face. ‘He looked very anxious, very worried . and frustrated in a way because we knew we were going to be caught for . something that we didn’t think was wrong.’ On the ferry Forrest threw his phone . into the sea to prevent them being traced. They later drove to Paris . where they dumped their car before taking a train to Bordeaux where . Forrest began to relax. The schoolgirl said they did not watch . TV and had ‘no idea how big the story of their disappearance had become . in Britain’. She said: ‘It was more of a jokey thing, saying, “Will we . be on the news?”.’ But after spotting an online story . about them as he was checking football results on his local paper, he . began to panic again. ‘He said, “I’m going to go to prison. We are going . to be caught. I’m never going to see you again”,’ she said. ‘I had to reassure him a lot that everything was going to be fine. ‘He was just really worried that his family would disown him.’ Forrest was finally caught by local police after eight days on the run. Hearing: Lewes Crown Court (file picture) heard that police were alerted to the relationship after a tip-off . She said: ‘I was trying to break free . but he just stood there like it was expected. I mouthed “I love you” to . him and he mouthed it back.’ She saw him one last time as they were . driven away in separate cars from the police station after giving their . statements to French police. She said: ‘His face was just blank. He had no expression.’ Forrest denies one count of child abduction. The trial continues. Sorry we are unable to accept comments for legal reasons. | Court hears Jeremy Forrest, 30, told girl his marriage was 'hollow sham'
But he was allegedly still sharing a cottage with his wife Emily Forrest .
Sussex schoolgirl said she was aware she was under the age of consent .
Forming relationship with her was 'risk he was willing to take', court told . |
264,273 | e24aee01a67d6238176cfe301fee874ca060b9e0 | It's not the Occupy Wall Street protesters yelling "mic check" who are bugging Newt Gingrich at his events these days. It's the attack ads occupying the airwaves in Iowa. A new spot from the pro-Mitt Romney super political action committee Restore Our Future starts with the simple question: "Know what makes Barack Obama happy?" The answer: "Newt Gingrich's baggage." In the ad, luggage bearing the names of the former speaker's past liabilities then spills out onto an airline baggage carousel. "Newt has more baggage than the airlines," the ad says. The spot doesn't mention Gingrich's personal baggage. But it might as well. Gingrich has demanded that Romney call on the super PAC to pull its negative ads. "I object to lies. I object to negative smear campaigns," Gingrich said Tuesday. But Romney makes no apologies. "If you can't stand the relatively modest heat in the kitchen right now, wait until Obama's hell's kitchen shows up," Romney said in New Hampshire on Wednesday. Unfortunately for the former speaker, it's about to get hotter. The 2012 campaign is now a high stakes version of Pac-Man. In the battle of Romney versus Gingrich, guess who the ghost is? The Restore Our Future super PAC is not only run by former Romney political operatives. It also is funded in large part by big donors who still work at Romney's former investment firm, Bain Capital. None of this is a mystery to Gingrich. "We need to understand that these are his people, running his ads, doing his dirty work, while he pretends to be above it," Gingrich said Tuesday. According to an analysis of disclosure forms from Restore Our Future conducted by the nonpartisan government watchdog Center for Responsive Politics, the pro-Romney super PAC has spent $430,380 on ads in Iowa. That's more than the $325,770 spent by the Romney campaign. Combined, they are outspending Gingrich in Iowa by more than seven to one. Bain employees have given $1.25 million to Restore Our Future. Contrast that to the $84,500 contributed by Bain employees directly to the Romney campaign. Contributions to federal candidates are limited to $2,500. There are no limits on donations to super PAC's. That's part of what makes them super. In its landmark 2010 decision in the case of "Citizens United vs. the Federal Election Commission," the U.S. Supreme Court green-lighted the activities of super PAC's, effectively allowing them to legally raise and spend unlimited amounts of money. Viveca Novak with the Center for Responsive Politics said Bain's connection to "Restore Our Future" gives Romney a clear advantage in the race. "He automatically has access to extraordinary amounts of money through these individuals who are connected to securities and investment firms, which are part of the world he used to inhabit," Novak said. Romney has suggested he has no legal authority to pull the super PAC spots. "My goodness, if we coordinate in any way whatsoever, we go to the big house," Romney said in an interview on MSNBC's "Morning Joe." Novak said Romney could do more. "If Romney wanted to he could call a press conference and call on the super PAC to take down the ad," Novak said. Romney defended "Restore Our Future" by pointing to the pro-Obama super PAC, Priorities USA, which has already started attacking his campaign. That PAC, run by former White House Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton, has one spot featuring a now infamous photo of Romney during his days at Bain. The picture shows Romney in a suit stuffed with money. As Romney has pointed out, the president's advisers have set their fundraising goal at $1 billion. The Romney campaign said its own spots are positive. Its latest ad stars Romney's wife, Ann, who extols the virtues of good moral character. "If you really want to know how a person will operate, look at how they've lived their life," Ann Romney says in the ad. That sounds like another subtle swipe at Gingrich, who has a new ad featuring his wife, Callista. "From our family to yours, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year," she says in the spot. With super PAC fever spreading, a little holiday cheer doesn't hurt. | "Super" political action committees are spending millions of dollars on ads in Iowa .
One group supporting Romney has been attacking Newt Gingrich .
A recent Supreme Court ruling allows those PACs to spend unlimited money in a campaign . |
239,226 | c1b8da47d2c54227944c6f904a7e679079538c5d | By . Daily Mail Reporter . Rain can often stop play during a baseball game. But at a recent game at Parkview Field in Fort Wayne, Indiana, a water 'geyser' erupted on the pitch, forcing the game to be halted. The amusing incident occurred when in a sprint to catch a foul ball Fort Wayne TinCaps (San Diego Padres affiliate) infielder Fernando Perez ran into a sprinkler during the game against the Great Lakes Loons (Los Angeles Dodgers affiliate). Scroll down for video . Rain can often stop play during a baseball game. But at a recent game at Parkview Field in Fort Wayne, Ind., a water 'geyser' erupted on the pitch, forcing the game to be halted . The damaged hose shot water high into the air, raining down on the TinCaps pitching staff and fans - many of them children on school field trips, reported Indiana News Center. The fountain of water halted the game for 18 minutes while the flow was stopped. One the area around the bullpen mopped up the game continued and the Loons beat the TinCaps, 15-4. The amusing incident occurred when in a sprint to catch a foul ball Fort Wayne TinCaps (Padres affiliate) infielder Fernando Perez ran into a sprinkler . He ran into a sprinkler during the game versus the Great Lakes Loons (Dodgers affiliate) The busted hose shot water high into the air, raining down on the TinCaps pitching staff and fans--many of them children on school field trips . The ensuing geyser halted the game for 18 minutes while the water was stopped and the area around the bullpen mopped up . | Water 'geyser' erupted on the pitch, forcing the game to be halted .
The amusing incident occurred at Parkview Field in Fort Wayne, Indiana . |
131,071 | 357e7bda5fd9042ff8244d07d8e481703bb73eb5 | (CNN) -- The Muslim cleric who once described Britain as a toilet has launched an appeal to avoid extradition to the United States on terrorism charges, a representative for the High Court in London said. The representative would not give more details of the appeal or the grounds for it, or talk about other suspects included in the appeal. Abu Hamza al-Masri faces a potential life sentence in America after nearly a decade of legal battles. He was convicted in a British court and jailed in 2006 for a variety of terror-related crimes. Al-Masri was born in Egypt in 1958 and gained citizenship in Britain through marriage in the 1980s. He once worked as a London nightclub bouncer. He has a hook for a hand and only one eye, the result of fighting against the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. In 1997, he became the imam of a north London mosque, where his hate-filled speeches attacking the West began to attract national attention. His followers included Richard Reid, the so-called shoe bomber, who attempted to blow up a Miami-bound passenger airplane three months after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Al-Masri has called the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center "a towering day in history" and described former al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden as "a good guy and a hero." He also described the Columbia space shuttle disaster as "punishment from Allah" because the astronauts were Christian, Hindu and Jewish. The shuttle disintegrated on re-entry to Earth in February 2003, killing all seven people aboard. | Abu Hamza al-Masri's hate-filled speeches at a London mosque inspired followers of al Qaeda .
Al-Masri was convicted on various terror related crimes in 2006 in Britain .
He's fighting extradition from England to the U.S., where he is facing a possible life sentence . |
48,858 | 89ecceb1ed0d68685a18088720b17a670ef4ec9f | By . Lucy Osborne . PUBLISHED: . 08:41 EST, 26 February 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 18:39 EST, 26 February 2014 . A retired company director shot his wife and dog before turning the gun on himself after admitting to having an affair. Donald Knight, 78, and his wife Mary, 77, were found dead at their £500,000 luxury farmhouse by daughter Sarah on May 1 last year. Mr Knight confessed to his GP that he had been seeing another woman while his wife visited the hairdresser. Donald Knight shot his wife, Mary, on her birthday before killing the family dog and then shooting himself . The couple were found dead at their £500,000 luxury home in picturesque Loddington, Northamptonshire . He . shot his wife on her birthday, before shooting dead the couple’s pet . dachshund, Daisy, in the garden of their family home in picturesque . Loddington, Northamptonshire. Using . a shotgun, he then shot himself in the face and bled to death from . ‘catastrophic injuries’ on the patio of the house they had built . together ten years earlier. Mrs Knight was found slumped in her chair in . the lounge, with four gunshot wounds, including two to the side of her . head. An inquest in . Northampton was told that in the weeks before the tragedy the father of . two had visited his GP and admitted to having an extramarital . relationship. Dr Joanne Marie Warcaba, who was also a family friend, . said Mr Knight, former boss of a freight company set up by his family, . confessed to seeing another woman while his wife visited the hairdresser . on Fridays. The inquest into the deaths was held at Northampton General Hospital . He said he . ended the affair after two weeks and it is not known whether he had told . his wife. ‘Mr Knight was clinically depressed and I prescribed him . anti-depressants to deal with this feeling,’ said Dr Warcaba. The . hearing was told that Mr Knight was also struggling to cope with . running the farm at the family property and confessed he had . contemplated suicide. The . couple’s youngest daughter, Sarah Knight, told how despite her father . being financially well-off he was convinced he was running out of money . and wanted to downsize properties. She . said her father – who was his wife’s full-time carer – had also . convinced himself he had cancer despite being in good health. Miss . Knight, 48, who lived in an annex at her parents’ farm, said her . mother’s health had deteriorated after she underwent an operation to put . a stent in her heart. Police were called when the couple's daughter, Sarah, found Mary Knight slumped in her chair in the lounge . ‘She had gained a lot of weight and needed to do regular exercise but could not move around without help,’ she said. ‘My . father was worried about the finances but he could afford to do . whatever they wanted. He had convinced himself they were running out of . money. ‘He had mood swings and he got old very quickly. He was worried that the farm was too big and wanted to downsize to a bungalow.’ A friend told the inquest she believed the tragedy was a suicide pact in a ‘final act of love’ so the Knights could be together. Christine . Percival, 64, who knew the couple for more than 20 years, said Mr . Knight talked to her and her husband Peter, 73, about feeling suicidal. Mrs . Percival said Mrs Knight had overheard this and joked: ‘If it does get . too much then you should shoot me first and then yourself.’ Knight was the former chairman at Kettering haulage firm Knights of Old and retired about 16 years ago . Asked . what she thought when she heard the couple had been shot she added: ‘I . wondered if it was a suicide pact. This would have been a final act of . love so they would be together.’ Northamptonshire . Coroner Anne Pember recorded a verdict that Mrs Knight had been . unlawfully killed while Mr Knight had killed himself. ‘I . believe when Mr Knight was feeling low and depressed,’ she said. ‘Not . only did he take his own life, he made a decision that his wife, of whom . he was the main carer, should die as well on her birthday. ‘At a time in his life when Donald Knight was feeling low, he did not wish to live.’ Mr . Knight’s family ran an international distribution company that was set . up by one of his ancestors, William Knight, in 1865. He was described by . people in the village where he lived as a ‘pillar of the community’. The . couple had another daughter, Susan, 53. In a statement released shortly . after the deaths, their family said: ‘We are devastated by this tragic . news and wish to thank people for their kind words. ‘Donald . and Mary loved each other’s company. They were lovely parents and . grandparents whose passing is a massive loss to our lives.’ | Donald Knight and wife Mary were found dead at their £500,000 luxury home in picturesque Loddington, Northamptonshire .
Inquest heard Mrs Knight was discovered in her chair in the lounge with four gunshot wounds by her daughter, Sarah, 49, who called police .
Her husband's blood-soaked body was found outside on the patio .
A friend said the couple had joked about taking their own lives, with Mrs Knight saying: 'If it does get too much then you should shoot me first'
For confidential support call the Samaritans in the UK on 08457 90 90 90, visit a local Samaritans branch or click here for details . |
168,633 | 6622249c20d3d17a0b2399c4ee7993093235baff | By . Elliott Bretland . Follow @@EllBretland . Everton had to settle for a 2-2 draw against local rivals Tranmere in the Toffees' first game of pre-season. The Premier League side had led with just minutes to go before Rovers midfielder James Rowe latched onto a cross to draw the hosts level. Everton had taken the lead on 26 minutes when Steven Naismith stretched to poke home Luke Garbutt's cross past goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams. Opener: Everton frontman Steven Naismith stretches to poke the Toffees ahead against Tranmere . Ahead again: Leon Osman celebrates after restoring Everton's lead against League Two side Tranmere . Tranmere: Fon Williams, Holmes, Ihiekwe, Holness, Woodards, Richards, Laird, Gill, Power, Kirby, Stockton. Scorers: Stockton, 63, Rowe, 87. Everton first half XI: Joel, Browning, Garbutt, Duffy, Distin, Lundstram, Barry, Kennedy, Naismith, Pienaar, McAleny. Everton second half XI: Joel, Coleman, Stones, Alcaraz, Hibbert, McCarthy, Gibson, Osman, McGeady, Long, Hope. Scorers: Naismith, 26, Osman, 70. Frontman Cole Stockton drew Tranmere level shortly after the hour mark as he chipped the ball over Everton goalkeeper Joel. Roberto Martinez's side restored . the lead seven minutes later as Leon Osman took advantage of some poor . defending to convert Aiden McGeady's corner before Rowe levelled late on. The Toffees made 10 changes at half-time as every outfield player was replaced after the interval. Darron Gibson returned to the Everton line-up following a long-term knee injury sustained last October while Seamus Coleman was taken off with a sore hamstring. Stretching: Tranmere's Michael Ihiekwe attewmpts to block Conor McAleny's ball into the box . Aerial duel: New Tranmere defender Marcus Holness gets the better of goalscorer Naismith in the air . All smiles: Everton boss Roberto Martinez leads his team having arrived at Prenton Park . | Everton kick off pre-season with 2-2draw against local rivals Tranmere .
Steven Naismith put Toffees ahead before Cole Stockton equalised for hosts .
Leon Osman restored Premier League side's lead before James Rowe levelled late on .
Darron Gibson returned from long-term knee injury while Seamus Coleman was taken off as a precaution with a sore hamstring . |
9,721 | 1b813bfc5f135cd9f616937c73c4f679f98f348d | By . Louise Boyle . A nine-year-old girl who reportedly was found stuffed in a refrigerator on Monday had been dead since January, investigators said today. Ayahana Comb, who suffered from cerebral palsy, weighed just 14lbs when she was discovered at the Happy Home Apartments in Houston, Texas. A neighbor, who was concerned that he hadn't seen the little girl in a few months, went to check on the apartment earlier this week. He found the front door unlocked and no one at home, so went inside and discovered the little girl's body wrapped in a blanket in a refrigerator drawer. Scroll down for video . Ayahana Comb, nine, was discovered dead in the refrigerator at her mother's home in Houston, Texas where it is believed she had been hidden for five months . The little girl's mother Amber Keys told police that her daughter stopped breathing one night in January and that she could not resuscitate her. The mother said she did not know what to do with the body. She has not been charged . Father Armand Comb said that he had no indication from Ayahana's mother Amber (pictured right) that there was any problem with his daughter (center). The couple also had a younger daughter, aged five (pictured left) Firefighters who responded to 911 calls on Monday declared the nine-year-old dead at the scene. An autopsy is being conducted to determine the cause of death. The little girl's condition required that she use a wheelchair and was bottle fed. According to KHOU, her mother Amber Keys told police that her daughter stopped breathing one night in January and although she tried CPR, she was unable to save her. Miss Keys said that she didn't know what to do with her daughter's body. She turned herself over to authorities on Tuesday and has not been charged. Ayahana's five-year-old sister is now in the care of social services. A custody hearing has been scheduled so that the girl can be placed with a family member. Estella Olguin, a spokeswoman with Child Protective Services, told Chron.com that CPS had no previous contact with the family. Kathi Combs, the girl's grandmother, told KHOU: 'It's devastating to everyone. We loved her. All loved her.' The girl's father Armand Comb said that he had no idea his daughter was dead and claimed to have seen her just two months ago . The girl's father Armand Comb told KHOU that his daughter suffered from cerebral palsy and even though she couldn't communicate or walk, she was always happy. Mr Comb claimed that he last saw his daughter two months ago and she appeared to be in good health. He said that he last spoke to his ex-girlfriend Miss Keys on Monday and that she gave him the impression that everything with Ayahana was fine. Mr Comb said: 'She was talking like she was there with them.' MailOnline was awaiting a response from the Houston Police Department. The dead girl was found in the refrigerator of a home at The Happy Home Apartments (pictured) in Houston, Texas on Monday. Investigators believe that she had lain there for five months . Ayahna Comb suffered from cerebral palsy and was confined to a wheelchair (pictured) and had to be bottle-fed . | Ayahana Comb's body was discovered at the Happy Home .
Apartments in Houston, Texas on Monday .
A neighbor found her .
body wrapped in a blanket inside a refrigerator drawer .
Mother Amber Keys told police her daughter stopped breathing one night in January and she was unable to resuscitate her .
Miss Keys said she did not know what to do with her daughter's body. The mother has not been charged with any crime . |
40,820 | 7320a0cd8bfb151404200ada3f69ecfc83abc7f4 | By . Anna Gault . PUBLISHED: . 15:03 EST, 6 June 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 01:42 EST, 7 June 2013 . As the wife of a proud Scotsman, her attempt at a Caledonian burr should be pitch perfect. But Claire Forlani, who is married to actor Dougray Scott, makes a mealy-mouthed attempt in her latest advert for a leading whisky. She plays a temptress in the Dewar’s whisky promotion, which have drawn criticism because of the 40-year-old English-Italian’s cringe-inducing accent. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO . Unconvincing: Forlani's hammy acting and poor attempt at a Scottish accent have been the subject of criticism . Stereotype: Forlani rolls her 'R's in an attempt to get master the regional accent and refers to a man called 'Angus' US audience: The campaign for Dewar's has not been released outside the States. The agency behind the ad has defended Forlani . The latest advert, for Dewar’s . Highland Honey blend, shows Forlani standing at the window of a . brick-facade apartment, looking seductively into the camera and purring: . 'You should be asking yourself - what is sweetness without a little . bite?' Oddly, the actress is then stung by a bee that lands on her finger. She uses her stung finger to stir her glass of whisky, and tastes the blend. She then looks behind her into the apartment and says to a character off camera: 'Be careful Angus.' Screen Siren: Forlani has had success in the past starring opposite Brad Pitt in the 1998 film Meet Joe Black . Scotland's favourite export: Dougray Scott, 47 from Fife and has come close to bagging the role of Wolverine and James Bond . The advert is Dewar’s third featuring Forlani, the first being released in October 2012 and a second in December 2012. The campaign, which is only aired in America, has Forlani referring to a mystery man named Angus at the end of each commercial. The . first two Dewar’s ads drew criticism for Forlani’s ropey Scottish . accent and the script, which talks confusingly about the benefits of . being serious and going too fast. The . American ad agency Opperman Weiss, which created the campaign, explains . that Forlani entices drinkers as 'Dewar’s siren' with the 'presence of a . queen and the mouth of a gangster'. Lost in translation: Dougray Scott had an overly-formal British accent when he appeared on US show Desperate Housewives . Criticism: Viewers expected Forlani's accent to be better considering she had been married to a Scot for six years . They said: 'She has a strong, . commanding grip over the edgy, underground world and exudes her power . through her piercing attitude, cutting tongue and entrancing beauty. 'She draws the viewer in from the moment she is seen, enticing men and pulling them into her clandestine world.' Viewers from both sides of the Atlantic took to online forums to berate the original commercial. One annoyed American commented: 'Scots accents have been butchered in countless US shows and movies, but I tend to think of those as US attempts to fake a Scots accent. 'This is a Scottish distillery using a Brit to “sound” Scottish to the US audience. Just seems wrong.' Another poster said: 'I’m Scottish and that’s painful - she really overdoes rolling the Rs and her pronunciation of ‘benefits’ is very weird. 'But this ad wouldn’t go out in Scotland as is, since whisky is never sold as “Scotch” in Scotland. 'I really don’t understand the last bit - I can’t make out what she says, not least because it’s in a faux Irish accent. 'Whether it’s actually meant to sound like a Scottish accent, or it’s meant to sound like a Scottish person doing a bad Irish accent, I have no idea.' | Married to Scottish actor Dougray Scott for six years .
Campaign shown in America slated by hundreds of viewers who complained online . |
176,575 | 7098bc223e7c222f9856624a548de614e90e0a6f | By . Martin Robinson . UPDATED: . 12:56 EST, 3 November 2011 . The son of celebrated architect Richard Rogers and River Café chef Ruth Rogers has drowned in a bath while on holiday in Tuscany. Bo Rogers, 27, died at the home of a friend in the coastal . town of Lido di Camaiore, near Lucca, as revealed by the Daily Mail's Richard Kay. Italian police believe the death was from natural causes. Tragedy: Bo, 27, pictured here with his mother Lady Rogers, has drowned at a friend's home in Tuscany . Lord Rogers is considered one of the great architects . of the age, and his designs have included the Millennium Dome, the Lloyd's . Building and Terminal Five at Heathrow Airport. Bo, who attended the American School in London from the age of six, at one stage worked for his father's architectural practice. He had been staying in a house in Vernazza in the north of Italy, which was recently hit by severe flooding. Loss: Lord Rogers and his wife, pictured this year. The couple have an older son, Roo, who lives in New York . As a result of the floods, he went to stay instead with friends in Lido di Camaiore. Italian police said: 'The . body has been released to the family but as a matter of course, in the . unusual circumstances, toxicology tests have been taken and the results . will be known at the end of next week.' Lord Rogers, 78, has three sons from his first marriage and two by Ruth: Bo and his elder brother Roo, 35, an ecological entrepreneur who lives in New York. According to friends, the family will not be bringing Bo's body home to Britain and he is expected to be buried in Italy. There is to be a private funeral followed by a 'celebration of his life'. Lido di Camaiore is 50 miles from Florence . where Lord Rogers was born and where he is now creating a . £29million shopping and arts complex. Another blow: For Ruth Rogers (right) Bo's death follows the loss of her River Café co-proprietor Rose Gray from cancer early last year . This family tragedy comes less than two years after the death from cancer of Lady Rogers' close friend Rose Gray, with whom she opened the River Café in Hammersmith in 1987. River Café is . considered one of the country's leading restaurants, producing celebrity . chefs Jamie Oliver, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and Tobie Puttock. Its Italian cuisine is said to . have revolutionised British eating habits and the restaurant became the . 'canteen' of choice for New Labour figures such as Tony Blair and Peter . Mandelson. In 2009 Lord Rogers was awarded the Royal Institute of British Architects (Riba) Stirling Prize for Maggie's Centre, a unit for cancer patients in Hammersmith, west London. That year he also quit as an aide to London mayor Boris Johnson because he felt he was being 'blocked' in his work to design and deliver public spaces in London. Natural causes: Bo Rogers was staying with friends in Tuscany, pictured, after having to move because of flooding in northern Italy . | Bo Rogers was staying with a friend when he was found dead .
Italian police say death was from natural causes . |
249,334 | cea5f36c300ef65afa25f0f4fb7b740fcc80e152 | Ruling: British soldiers may not hold their enemies in Afghanistan as prisoners for longer than 96 hours, Mr Justice Leggatt ruled yesterday . British soldiers may not hold their enemies in Afghanistan as prisoners for longer than 96 hours because to do so would breach their human rights, a judge ruled yesterday. It means that Taliban chieftains captured by British troops must be freed to fight again within four days. The judgment – which followed claims brought by four Taliban commanders now held in Afghan jails – alarmed military chiefs and politicians. They believe soldiers should not be asked to fight and die on the battlefield according to the letter of human rights law. The 117-page High Court ruling by Mr Justice Leggatt means that the European Convention on Human Rights, and the UK’s Human Rights Act, which made the convention part of British law, apply wherever British troops are fighting. The judge said that by detaining Taliban leader Serdar Mohammed for 106 days beyond the legal 96-hour limit, Britain had breached his right to liberty. Taxpayers will now have to pay compensation running into tens of thousands to Mohammed and three other captives involved in the case. The ruling also opens the way for many other Afghan detainees to sue for compensation, with British law firms likely to be queuing up to help them. There will also be high legal costs for the taxpayer. Two legal firms represented the Taliban prisoners on no-win no-fee deals, and the case involved 11 barristers. The MoD is likely to face a six-figure bill.The case revolved around the arrest and detention of Serdar Mohammed in April 2010. He said he was irrigating his family’s fields in Helmand province when British soldiers from a helicopter arrested him. Mohammed said he was then blindfolded, assaulted and bitten by a military dog. Jail: It means that Taliban chieftains captured by British troops must be freed to fight again within four days . But Ministry of Defence lawyers said that British soldiers trying to capture a Taliban commander landed under heavy fire, and then gave chase to Mohammed and a second insurgent, whom they killed. Mohammed was bitten by a dog sent in to dig him out of a field after he refused to surrender. Soldiers found a rocket propelled grenade launcher and two rounds of ammunition for it abandoned along the trail down which he had fled. The prisoner was held by the British and questioned for nearly a month. Because Afghan authorities had no room in their prisons for him, he was held by the British until finally handed over to Afghan authorities on July 25, 2010. Lawyer: The judgment - which followed claims brought by four Taliban commanders now held in Afghan jails - alarmed military chiefs and politicians. Above, lawyer Phil Shiner represented three of the Afghans . The judge said it was ‘clear law’ that the Human Rights Act binds the armed forces in Afghanistan. He said: ‘The UK Government had no legal basis either under Afghan law or in international law for detaining [Serdar Mohammed] after 96 hours.’ After the case, Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said the MoD would appeal against the ruling. ‘We cannot send our armed forces into battle with both hands tied behind their backs,’ he warned. ‘Our troops must be able to detain our enemies who aim to maim and kill UK service personnel and innocent civilians. It cannot be right for the European Convention on Human Rights to apply on the battlefield, restricting the ability of our troops to operate in combat.’ Warning: Chief of the General Staff General Sir Nicholas Houghton said: 'Our freedom to conduct detention operations' is 'vital to our ability to protect the lives of innocent civilians and our forces' Chief of the General Staff General Sir Nicholas Houghton said: ‘Our freedom to conduct detention operations and to exploit detainees for intelligence is vital to our ability to protect the lives of innocent civilians and our own forces.’ A spokesman for Leigh Day, which represented Mohammed, said British troops will have to be instructed in human rights law. he three other Afghans were represented by Public Interest Lawyers, run by Left-wing solicitor Phil Shiner. In another case last month, the MoD said that Iraqi witnesses – represented by the firm – ‘dishonestly’ accused British soldiers of war crimes in Iraq because they were motivated by compensation. Yesterday Mr Shiner said: ‘This is a judgment of profound importance. It tells the MoD again that no matter how they try to avoid accountability for the UK’s actions abroad, international human rights law will apply and, thus, UK personnel must act accordingly.’ But Douglas Carswell, Tory MP for Clacton, said: ‘This is another illustration of what has gone wrong with our country.’ The four-day detention limit applies only to prisoners taken in Afghanistan. This is because the standard operating procedures of the UN-mandated International Security Assistance Force, the umbrella under which British armed forces serve in the country, sets a detention period of 96 hours. After this a prisoner must be released or handed to Afghan authorities. British ministers authorised detention beyond this time in November 2009, when it became clear that British courts were ready to ban prisoner handovers to the Afghans because of the risk of torture. Anywhere else in the world, detention periods would be likely to be set locally, but British forces would still have to comply with the human rights convention. Article Five of the convention says detainees must be brought ‘promptly’ before a judge and given a trial within a ‘reasonable time’. A judge would decide what was ‘prompt’ or ‘reasonable’. | Mr Justice Leggatt made the 117-page High Court judgement yesterday .
Ruled that British soldiers may not hold enemies for more than 96 hours .
This is because to do so would breach Afghan prisoners' human rights .
It means Taliban chieftains must be freed to fight again within four days .
It followed claims brought by Taliban commanders held in Afghan jails . |
88,956 | fc735c6ef0f8e09a93ff1cbc636a04250bf7a771 | Nathaniel Clyne and Jonjo Shelvey are the surprise call-ups by Hodgson for his England squad. The Southampton right-back has not won a cap for England, but his strong displays this season have earned him a place. On his inclusion, Hodgson said: 'He's impressed us for a while. Even before the World Cup he was a name we were constantly considering, but there were others in front of him then. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Roy Hodgson discusses Daniel Sturridge club v country row . Southampton right-back Nathaniel Clyne has been named in Roy Hodgson's England squad . Jonjo Shelvey, who won his first England cap in 2012, has also been called up to Roy Hodgson's squad . 'Now we've lost Glen Johnson and Kyle Walker. John Stones played there but we're looking for someone else who would be an interesting candidate for the right-back post. He was considered even before the last two matches, this time he's asked to come.' Hodgson revealed that Swansea midfielder Shelvey was in a similar position. 'He's another player like Clyne who's constantly in our thoughts and discussions. 'The way we're looking to play could suit him. He's had an excellent start to the season and he's there on merit because of his form and qualities he possesses.' Shelvey revealed the call-up is a proud moment and that his family are delighted by the news. England manager Hodgson claimed Clyne and Shelvey have constantly been in his thoughts . 'It’s fantastic to be called up by England at any level, but to be called up to the senior side is a very proud moment for me, said the midfielder. 'I’ve just spoken to my family and they’re all over the moon. 'It’s nice to be recognised for my performances in recent weeks. Hopefully I can show everyone what I can do in the upcoming international matches. My main focus is on the game against Newcastle this Saturday, but I am looking forward to training with England on Monday. 'It’s a big thing for me and my family. There will be a lot of my relatives in the crowd supporting me. A lot of it is down to Garry Monk and the coaching staff here with the way they have got us playing. We have earned a lot of praise for that. During the last international break there was only about eight of us here training, so it’s a credit to everyone at Swansea for earning international recognition.' Sportsmail columnist Jamie Carragher tweeted after the squad was announced: 'Delighted for Shelvey call up to the England squad didn't quite happen at Lfc but shows how regular football can help players development.' The former Liverpool defender later added: 'Thought there may have been an outside chance for Downing as he's doing well in a diamond system at West Ham, which England will use.' Arsenal left-back Kieran Gibbs has also been named in Hodgson's squad along with Gunners team-mates Danny Welbeck, Jack Wilshere and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Arsenal defender Kieran Gibbs has also been called up for the Euro qualifiers against San Marino and Estonia . Goalkeepers . Fraser Forster (Southampton), Ben Foster (West Brom), Joe Hart (Manchester City) Defenders . Leighton Baines (Everton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Nathaniel Clyne (Southampton), Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal), Phil Jagielka (Everton), John Stones (Everton) Midfielders . Fabian Delph (Aston Villa), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Adam Lallana (Liverpool), James Milner (Manchester City), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Jonjo Shelvey (Swansea), Raheem Sterling (Liverpool), Andros Townsend (Tottenham), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal) Strikers . Rickie Lambert (Liverpool), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Danny Welbeck (Arsenal). | Nathaniel Clyne and Jonjo Shelvey earn call-ups to England squad .
Arsenal defender Kieran Gibbs also named in Roy Hodgson's team .
Southampton's Clyne has impressed for the Saints this season .
Shelvey's one and only England cap came in 2012 . |
13,949 | 278b425f83e92dab14ec4120d85ba1a9cb7ee18d | By . Jill Reilly . PUBLISHED: . 05:25 EST, 16 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 07:59 EST, 16 December 2013 . After being deaf for more than 50 years a father finally heard his daughter sing for the first time. Ken Stehle, from St. Peters, Mo., has recently been fitted with a new technology that allows him to hear the world around him. But he had never heard his daughter Ashley sing with her choir at Villa Duchesne High School until last weekend. Fresh lease on life: Ken Stehle, from St. Peters, has recently been fitted with a new technology that allows him to hear the world around him . Mr Stehle received a new hearing aid that requires him to wear a receiver around his neck. The new technology also requires Ashley to wear a special microphone, reported KSDK. Her voice is then picked up by Ken's receiver and transmitted to his hearing aid. First: The father had never heard his daughter Ashley sing with her choir at Villa Duchesne High School until last weekend . Technology: Mr Stehle received a new hearing aid that requires him to wear a receiver around his neck . The pair were not sure it would work, but tested it out at the school's Christmas concert where Ashley sang Daddy Please Come Home For Christmas as a surprise to her father. 'He was just closing his eyes and listening to my voice,' Ashley told the news channel. 'He didn't really care if he was seeing me because he has always seen me. He wanted to hear me and that was just awesome.' There has been a surge of such clips in recent years as scientists have developed ever more ingenious ways of helping deaf people to hear. Many are given surgically implanted cochlear implants, which provide a sense of sound to people who are deaf or severely hard of hearing and are often referred to as 'bionic ears'. A video of an eight-month-old baby hearing for the first time using the electronic implant went viral, with viewers describing the moment as 'magical'. Another moving video showed 29-year-old Sarah Churman hearing fully for the first time using the implant. The American woman, who had been wearing hearing aids from the age of two but was only able to hear very quiet noises, was able to talk about it to a fascinated world. | Ken Stehle has been deaf for more than 50 years .
He heard his daughter for the first time last weekend .
New hearing aid requires Mr Stehle to wear a receiver around his neck . |
32,312 | 5be376d88c731e1f77da01c1fa64d629dfe2c7dc | (CNN) -- When Bobbi Brown introduced her eponymous lipstick line to Bergdorf Goodman back in 1991, she never expected all 10 pinky-brown shades to fly off the shelves in just one day. Since then, the trailblazing makeup mogul has built a billion-dollar empire by making women look and feel beautiful in a natural way. Her cosmetics adorn the faces of VIPs such as Michelle Obama and Katie Holmes, as well as the Duchess of Cambridge, who wore the brand on her wedding day. With stores in 68 countries today, the company has grown from a mail-order business in the early 90s to a staple in women's makeup bags from London to Beijing. "When I started the company, my mission was to make a lipstick that looked like lips, because most of the lipsticks on the market looked artificial, they were greasy and they smelled bad," Brown told CNN's Poppy Harlow. "I wanted to create something that looked natural, and that worked with a woman's skin tone and her lip color," she adds. Brown's love affair with makeup started as she watched her mother's beauty rituals in their suburban Chicago home. But her true entrepreneurial streak came from her Russian immigrant grandfather, who worked his way up to become a successful car dealer: "I grew up watching Papa Sam in his dealership and I learned so much. He was an amazing role model," she says. School was never the focus of Brown's attention, and when she wanted to drop out of the University of Arizona after her first year, her mother asked her a question that would determine the course of her life: "If you could spend the day doing whatever you wanted, what would you do?" "Go to the mall and play with makeup," came the answer. After earning a degree in theatrical makeup at Emerson College in Boston, Brown moved to New York City, showing her portfolio to anyone and everyone. Living the life of a fledgling makeup artist, her talent and perseverance paid off. Soon she was working on high-profile magazine shoots, eventually landing a Vogue cover with Naomi Campbell -- her first big break. "I'll never forget it," recalls Brown. "It was Naomi Campbell's first cover and the photographer was Patrick Demarchelier. It was shot on the beach early in the morning, and you never know if it's a cover or not, but when I heard it was, I was beyond (excited)," she says. While her makeup artist career was burgeoning, Brown was frustrated by the lack of wearable, natural looking shades amid the fuchsia lipsticks and electric blue eye shadows which dominated the 1980s: "Everything was artificial and fake. It just did not look right to me," she says. A chance meeting with a Kiehl's pharmacist during a fashion shoot led to the creation of her first lipstick, Brown Lip Color, in her signature chocolate-based tones. Four years later, the company she started with just $10,000 was beating cosmetics giant Estee Lauder in major department stores. Brown soon got a call from Leonard Lauder, the scion of the makeup empire started by his mother Estee, offering to buy her company. She accepted, under the condition that she retained all creative control, and today it is estimated that Bobbi Brown products account for about 10% of all Estee Lauder sales. "You know, I think that women will always need their basics," Brown says, explaining how her business managed to weather the financial downturn of recent years. "They will always need their tried and tested things, they are not going to forgo makeup. Maybe they'll forgo the trendy things that come out every season, they don't need it. But most women still need what they need," she adds. When it comes to her role in an industry which has been heavily criticized for making women feel self-conscious, Brown says: "Everyone I know in the beauty industry, not just the people that work in my company, is really there to make products that make women look and feel better, they devote their lives to it. I think the biggest problem is that the Internet now shows everything. So if you are going to be an actress or a supermodel, you are unusually photogenic, you are unusually thin, that is not what all women are," she says. Brown still beautifies the faces of models in all her advertising campaigns, but her business interests are not limited to cosmetics. She has partnered with Safilo, a leading Italian eyewear brand, to design a range of glasses, and has recently been appointed as Editor-in-Chief of Yahoo's new beauty section. Read more: The dress that launched a $7 billion empire . "I'm trying to create a space that is empowering, that's teaching, that's fun, with a sense of humor, that's visually exciting and cool," she says, "but mostly, a place that will give women real answers to not just beauty but lifestyle and empowerment, and everything it means to be a successful, happy woman. And I hope a man, too, I have things planned for men as well," Brown adds. The entrepreneur has also channeled her energy into philanthropy, starting the Pretty Powerful Campaign for Women and Girls, where 100% of the purchase price of a limited edition product goes to programs helping disadvantaged women and girls around the world. The company also sponsors Dress for Success, a global charity which offers unemployed women career advice and professional attire for job interviews. Brown's youthful face and eyes exude humor, and she fosters a homey atmosphere in her headquarters in New York's trendy SoHo. Large windows flood the pastel-colored space with sunlight, and there are regular yoga sessions. "There are dogs and kids that come in, and I love having this atmosphere, it's who I am," she says. The make-up mogul jokingly describes herself as a Type A personality -- hardworking and efficient, yet able to unplug from the daily grind: "I enjoy things that are not about my work, I enjoy my husband, my kids and nephews, my 'entourage,' as I call them. And whether it's family vacations or trips, I'm able to let go," she says. However, the 57-year-old is not ready to hang up her brushes any time soon. "I'm bad at golf and even worse at tennis," she quips, adding that she doesn't feel she has reached her pinnacle yet. "So many things happened in my career which were important moments, from my first Vogue cover to getting into Bergdorf Goodman and Harrods, and finally when Leonard Lauder called, but then things just continued to happen. "So, I haven't made it yet," she concludes. Read more: Marina Abramovic, the sorceress who creates art out of thin air . Read more: Inside Tory Burch's billion dollar fashion world . | Makeup magnate Bobbi Brown started her company with $10,000 in 1991 .
Today, the Bobbi Brown brand is worth nearly a billion dollars .
Her cosmetics are worn by the likes of Michelle Obama and Kate Middleton . |
235,786 | bd374f82aa88540d594f71753d5256255fa70192 | By . Rob Waugh . PUBLISHED: . 07:49 EST, 27 July 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 07:49 EST, 27 July 2012 . The space agency Nasa has put multi-billion observatories into orbit to study the stars - but its latest space telesope may be a little more budget-friendly. Nasa scientist Maxim Markevitch and his team aim to build an X-Ray telescope based on rolls of plastic tape - inspired, Markevitch says, by Scotch tape. ‘I remember looking at a roll of Scotch tape and thinking, 'was it possible to use the same design for capturing hard X-rays,' said Markevitch. ‘I talked with a few people, and to my surprise, they didn't see any principal reasons why it couldn't be done.’ Stuck together with Sellotape? Maxim Markevitch claims that a telescope made of sticky tape could be a viable new way to look for X-Rays from the distant galaxy . Markevitch and a team of X-ray optics . experts at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland, have begun . investigating the feasibility of fashioning a low-cost mirror from . plastic tape and tightly rolling it like the sticky adhesive commonly . found in most homes and offices. ‘Maxim's Scotch tape idea is in an . early stage,’ Zhang said. ‘In the next year, we will know whether it has . a chance of working.’ If it does, it could prove . ‘game-changing for hard X-ray astronomy,’ Markevitch said. ‘It could . significantly reduce the cost of building large mirrors, bringing within . reach the possibility of building a mirror with 10 to 30 times greater . effective area than current X-ray telescopes.’ With funding from NASA's Center Innovation Fund, the team now is pursuing Markevitch's ‘early-stage’ idea and has already begun testing candidate materials that could be fashioned into a rolled mirror capable of collecting X-rays — in itself a challenging proposition. To capture these ever-elusive photons, the mirrors must be curved and nested inside a cylindrical optical assembly. The rounded geometry allows the high-energy light to graze their surfaces, much like a stone skimming the surface of a pond. X-Ray universe: Over the past few decades, NASA has launched several X-ray observatories sensitive to lower-energy ¿soft X-rays,¿ including the Chandra X-ray Observatory, which took this picture . ¿I remember looking at a roll of Scotch tape and thinking, 'was it possible to use the same design for capturing hard X-rays,' said Markevitch . Over the past few decades, NASA has launched several X-ray observatories sensitive to lower-energy ‘soft X-rays,’ including the Chandra X-ray Observatory. They discovered and imaged the faint, diffuse X-ray signal from a variety of astrophysical sources dominated by thermal emission, such as galaxies and clusters of galaxies. Other missions, like NASA's Swift satellite, were sensitive to higher-energy gamma rays, but they lacked imaging capabilities. ‘There remains a large and totally unexplored discovery space of faint, diffuse nonthermal astrophysical objects emitting at high X-ray energies,’ Markevitch said. One class of objects waiting to be better understood is cosmic rays — highly energetic subatomic particles generated in deep space — that reside in galaxy clusters and other large-scale structure in the universe. Scientists believe that cosmic rays and the magnetic fields between galaxy clusters can alter the physics within galaxy clusters. A better understanding of these physics could reveal more about the birth and evolution of the cosmos, Markevitch said. To study cosmic rays, however, observatories would have to be tuned to hard X-rays. Although NASA's recently launched Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) and Japan's New X-ray Telescope, also known as Astro-H, are sensitive to hard X-rays, Markevitch said they only ‘will graze the surface of this discovery space. ’Because the signal is so faint, only an imaging X-ray telescope with a collecting area 30 times larger than that of NuSTAR, working with current and future radio telescopes, could do the job, Markevitch said. ‘However, to our knowledge, nothing of the kind is planned or even proposed in the U.S. or elsewhere because of the cost something like this presents,’ he said. The only solution then is developing a new technology that would dramatically reduce the cost of building X-ray optics and increase the size of the light-collecting area. ‘If we can build a mirror that's big enough, this might be the way to go,’ he said. | New X-Ray telescope built from rolls of plastic tape .
Design inspired by roll of Sellotape .
Could offer new way to view 'hard X-Rays' |
161,214 | 5c66da07ff0e66fc717c8c46bd52ded00a6e007f | England captain Chris Robshaw will make his return from injury when Harlequins host Aviva Premiership opponents Leicester on Saturday. The Quins flanker has been sidelined since he suffered a shoulder injury almost five weeks ago. His comeback comes less than a month before England launch their RBS 6 Nations campaign by tackling Wales in Cardiff. Chris Robshaw will return from a shoulder injury when Harlequins take on Leicester Tigers on Saturday . Robshaw and girlfriend Camila Kerslake at a Superdry fashion launch on Thursday . Robshaw's comeback comes a month before England open their RBS 6 Nations campaign in Wales . Robshaw features in Quins' starting line-up this weekend, packing down alongside back-row colleagues Jack Clifford and Nick Easter. In further good news for England head coach Stuart Lancaster, Quins skipper and national team prop Joe Marler is also back from injury, and he joins Robshaw in the starting XV. | Chris Robshaw will return in Harlequins' Premiership match with Leicester .
The England captain has been sidelined for 5 weeks with a shoulder injury .
Comeback comes a month ahead of 6 Nations opener with Wales . |
26,320 | 4a9c8934513451550c21a0ac5b59be31ab280968 | North Korea tour company, Experience North Korea, is showing for the first time at next week's World Travel Market in London. Not only is the Shanghai-based operator facing the usual challenge of promoting trips to the unpopular Communist country, but now, it's attempting to do so when North Korea has just closed its borders due to the Ebola scare. Nevertheless, the tour company remains optimistic ahead of their four day stint at the ExCeL exhibition centre. Shanghai-based North Korean tour company, Experience North Korea, will show for the first time at next week's World Travel Market exhibition in London . The company will be faced with a particularly hard sell this year as the unpopular Communist country has just closed its borders in the wake of the world Ebola scare . Nathalie Armengol, the owner of Experience North Korea, says: 'While we have not yet been given a timescale for the reopening of the border, we have been reassured it is a temporary issue until measures are put in place.' North Korea has never been a particularly easy sell as a tourist destination, as visitors are unable to travel there on their own and there are no mobile phone communications. Upon arrival, government tour guides accompany visitors at all time. Still, Armengol insists that visits are 'not only possible, but safe.' 'We want to change people's minds about North Korea,' she says. 'People are really surprised when they visit. You have to respect the rules and stay with your guides but you will see amazing beauty and untouched nature.' However, owner of Experience North Korea, Nathalie Armengol, insists that the border will open again soon . Nathalie insists visits to North Korea are 'safe' and that the tour company hopes to 'change people's minds' Many who visit North Korea are also surprised by the untouched nature and countryside, Nathalie says . The four-day travel trade exhibition begins on Monday, November 3 and is one of the largest tourism events in the world. A recent holiday confidence survey released ahead of the World Travel Market shows that there is a growing desire among job-secure Britons to plan overseas holidays within the next 12 months. But potential holidaymakers are still keeping an eye on their wallets - the amount individuals are expected to spend on trips will likely increase only marginally. From foreign exchange company First Rate Exchange and the Institute of Travel & Tourism, the survey showed that 10 per cent of the 5,017 adults polled planned to take more holidays over the next 12 months. 37 per cent intend to take two trips abroad compared with a figure of 35 per cent a year ago. But 24 per cent felt their holiday plans could be affected should interest rates rise. | Experience North Korea will show for first time at World Travel Market .
However, North Korea has just closed its borders due to Ebola concerns .
Nevertheless, the company insists it's 'only temporary' and that the unpopular Communist country is 'safe' to visit . |
81,957 | e842a7b68a84ba86a9035c7d5aa160114e3824f0 | By . Zoe Szathmary . A woman who was lured into seven years as a prostitute now works with at-risk youth has spoken out to warn that sex trafficking can happen to anyone. Jasmine Marino-Fiandaca, speaking to SeaCoastOnline, said 'It's very real, and it's happening in your back yard, to girls from all backgrounds, whether middle class or lower class. 'I'm a white girl from America, and it happened to me.' Marino-Fiandaca said she was just 18 years old when she was 'groomed' into sex work by a supposed 'boyfriend' and lured away from her family. 'He groomed me,' she told the website. 'He bought me fancy clothes and shoes, spent money on me. He drove a Mercedes. I felt very special. He said, "You could make a ton of money if you just worked in these massage parlors."' Scroll down for video . Survivor: Jasmine Marino-Fiandaca, pictured, endured seven years in sex trafficking before she was able to leave . Soon enough, Marino-Fiandaca found herself working at a Connecticut massage parlor. 'It was disgusting and exciting at the same time,' she said, describing her first shift ever to SeaCoastOnline. 'Here I was 18 and I just made $80 in 20 minutes.' Marino-Fiandaca was soon trapped, she said, when her 'boyfriend' forced her to hand over her earnings after every shift. When she tried to leave, she endured physical and verbal abuse. 'He would be very violent,' Marino-Fiandaca told SeaCoastOnline. 'Either that, or he would sit me down for hours and scream at me, humiliate me. He'd tell me I was no good, that I was ugly, that no one would ever love me. And he had a gun on him at all times.' The man later ordered her to work at the more upscale Danish Health Club in Kittery, Connecticut, she said. 'The couches were cushy; there was a big-screen TV,' she told the website. 'The customers were a little cleaner, a better class of man. Most were business men. And the prices were higher. Each time was $250.' Redeemed: Marino-Fiandaca shared this cryptic photograph on her Facebook page . Marino-Fiandaca told SeaCoastOnline she stopped working at the 'health club' before it was raided, but soon discovered she was pregnant. Her 'boyfriend' reportedly ordered her to get an abortion. Marino-Fiandaca told the site that over six months she was able to hide enough money and make an escape. Though her pimp later found her, she did not return to sex work. She did, however, develop drug problems with OxyContin and heroin. 'I lost my apartment,' she said. 'I slept on park benches, in people's cars. My family wouldn't talk to me. My parents said, 'it's over.' I loved my grandparents dearly and I couldn't see them.' Marino-Fiandaca told SeaCoastOnline she stopped taking drugs in 2007, and has been working since then with at-risk teenagers to prevent more stories like hers. 'Shame is what keeps you quiet,' she told the site. 'Shame keeps you secretive, because it's too intense. You're only as sick as your secrets. As long as you keep quiet, you can never be free. I want to tell young girls that they're treasured — because no one else is telling them.' | Jasmine Marino-Fiandaca spent seven years as a prostitute in New England .
Says she was just 18 years old when she was 'groomed' into sex work by a supposed 'boyfriend'
Described her first experience as 'disgusting and exciting at the same time'
Now spends her time working with at-risk youth to prevent sex trafficking and exploitation . |
19,010 | 35cfa433f2f225a1caf020c901b76fcf98800ea2 | By . Zoe Szathmary . and Reuters . A University of Alabama athlete died after protecting his girlfriend from a collapsing wall on Monday evening. A retaining wall collapsed on men's swimming and diving team member John Servati, 21, while he stayed in an off-campus home's basement with a friend, WSFA reports. He was taken to DCH Regional Medical Center and later pronounced dead. Anna Rae Gwarjanski, captain of the University's women's swimming and diving team, tweeted that Servati managed to hold up the wall and save his girlfriend's life that night, Al.com reports. Scroll down for videos . Hero: John Servati, pictured, died on Monday evening. Servati was reportedly able to save his girlfriend's life before a retaining wall collapsed on top of him . Scholar-athlete: Servati, a member of the men's swimming and diving team at the University of Alabama, was a successful business major with a 3.55 GPA . 'John Servati died a hero. Held up a concrete wall long enough for his girlfriend to get out from under it before it collapsed again on him,' she said. 'John's mom told our team this morning he always wanted to be an Alabama swimmer, and he always wanted to be a hero. He accomplished both.' Servati was a business student from Tupelo, Mississippi, according to his University bio page, and scored at the SEC Championships. A successful student, he was also listed as having a 3.55 GPA in 2013. 'John Servati was an extraordinary young man of great character and warmth who had a tremendously giving spirit,' UA head coach Dennis Pursley said in a statement. 'During this incredibly difficult time, our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and to all who had the good fortune to know him. He will forever be in our hearts and a part of the Crimson Tide legacy.' 'John definitely had a genuine heart,' Alabama swimming and diving team captain Phillip Deaton said . 'John definitely had a genuine heart,' team captain Phillip Deaton added. 'He was a carefree guy who always had this huge smile on his face. He was my training partner for three years and I can tell you that while he liked to goof around and have fun, when he stepped up on the block he was intensely focused - he was a competitor and an amazing teammate. As a team, we are doing the best we can right now.' Servati was among an estimated 34 killed across six states due to tornadoes unleashed by a ferocious storm system that razed neighborhoods and threatened more destruction in heavily populated parts of the U.S. South on Tuesday. Support: Women's team captain Anna Rae Gwarjanski shared these messages after learning of Servati's death . 'John's mom told our team this morning he always wanted to be an Alabama swimmer, and he always wanted to be a hero. He accomplished both' women's captain Anna Rae Gwarjanski said . In Arkansas and Mississippi, the hardest hit states, there have been 27 confirmed storm-related deaths and more than 200 people injured over the last three days as tornadoes reduced homes to splinters, snapped trees like twigs and sent trucks flying through the air like toys. Deaths were also reported in Oklahoma and Iowa on Sunday, and Alabama and Tennessee on Monday. Makeshift shelters have been set up for thousands of families forced out of their homes while the National Guard, local police and residents who had lost all their possessions sifted through the rubble looking for more victims. | Swimming and diving team member John .
Servati, 21, was staying with a friend at an off-campus home when a .
retaining wall collapsed on top of him .
Reportedly held up wall to save girlfriend's life before it collapsed again .
Was among an estimated 34 killed across six states due to tornadoes . |
81,961 | e845ad55383497159a5a70d5d783a05d34c3d814 | By . Peter Rugg . PUBLISHED: . 14:30 EST, 2 November 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 10:09 EST, 3 November 2012 . As St. Clairsville High football star Michael Ferns raced towards the end zone there was nothing in front of him but his 12th touchdown of the season. So fans were all the more shocked when the Ohio teen stopped only one yard from the end zone, and purposely stepped out of bounds. The only people who weren’t confused were his team-mates, who immediately understood that Ferns had just sacrificed glory so that a teammate could honour his recently passed father. Scroll down for video . Tragedy: Only two days before his football game, Logan Thompson's father Paul died of a stroke at 44 . Just two days before the team’s game against Edison High, Logan Thompson, a devoted freshman varsity player who’d never played in a single game, had lost his father to a stroke at age 44. Thompson’s father, Paul, has suffered the stroke while unconscious in the bathroom as his sons got ready for school. Logan battered down the door with a baseball bat to get to him and the paramedics came, Paul was sadly pronounced dead at a local hospital. ‘In that instant, Logan stopped being a kid,’ his mother, Daniele, told ESPN. ‘He made grown-up decisions. In the blink of an eye his world changed and he went from being and adolescent to a young man.’ Teammates: Star player Michael Fern knew how devoted Thompson¿s family was to football and wanted to find a way to ease his teammate's suffering . Before the visitation or the funeral, Logan had a football game to attend. Though Logan typically spent his varsity games on the bench, he knew his father would’ve wanted him to go. Until the last quarter of the October 5 game, the time passed like any other game for Logan, supporting his team from the sidelines. Unbeknown to Logan, the team’s coach Brett McLean had secretly urged his top players to stop short of the end zone if they had a chance, allowing grieving freshman a chance to final score. Michael Fern: With only one yard to the end zone, Fern stepped out of bounds stopping the game and setting up Logan Thompson for his first touchdown . The plan was almost foiled by two referees, who at first ruled that Fern had actually scored a touchdown. They finally relented after teammates came rushing on to the field to protest their own touchdown. As the team regrouped, McLean yelled for Logan. ‘You’re going in at running back,’ McLean told him. ‘Tell them to run 26 Power.’ When the boy, a linebacker who only rarely played wide receiver, looked at his couch in shock, McLean offered some last words of encouragement before sending him on to the field. Bench warming: Logan, a freshman who'd never scored a touchdown, spent most games on the sidelines until his teammates executed their plan . ‘It’s easy,’ he said. ‘Just follow Michael Ferns’ big butt.’ On the next play Thompson was given the ball and darted straight into the end zone through a five-yard gap between the right guard and tackle. ‘It felt like slow motion,’ Thompson told reporters. ‘I saw this humongous hole. I don’t think our line has blocked this well all season.’ Ferns went to Thompson and hugged him. Shocked: Fans who's never seen Logan's number 17 jersey on the field had no idea what to make of the last second entrant . At one end zone St. Clairsville principal Walt Skaggs broke down while at the other At the other McLean was wiping away tears. In the stands, Logan’s brother, Landen, texted Daniele: ‘Mom, Logan scored a touchdown.’ ‘Looking straight up into the sky after scoring my first varsity touchdown’ Thompson later wrote on Twitter. ‘I know the old man was watching! Love and miss you so much daddy.’ | High school star gives up chance to score his 12th touchdown of the season .
Thompson scored on his first appearance for St.Clairsville High following the death of his father .
Fans watching had no idea what was going on as the team executed their tribute . |
129,869 | 33de837a1d88a298828ebd400212d0b41974d099 | By . Damien Gayle . PUBLISHED: . 07:50 EST, 3 April 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 11:19 EST, 3 April 2013 . Survivor: Alyssa Wilcynski was stabbed 40 times - . including through the heart - by a stranger wielding a rusty knife who . followed her into her block of flats . A woman stabbed 40 times by a stranger wielding a rusty steak knife miraculously survived - despite the blade piercing her heart. Alyssa Wilcynski, 35, who lives in the Mott Haven neighborhood of the Bronx, was attacked by an unknown man wielding a rusty knife as she entered her apartment complex. The 35-year-old only survived the apparently random butchery after emergency open-heart surgery, as well as operations to repair her ravaged stomach and kidneys. Her husband Patrick Sotomayor, 38, yesterday called for the capture of the attacker, telling the New York Post: 'I want him off the street - he's an animal.' Ms Wilcynski had been returning home on the night of March 15 when, she said, a stranger followed her into the building, where she lives with her husband. She had climbed almost to the sixth floor of the block of flats when the man set upon her with the corroded blade, repeatedly stabbing her all over her body. Bravely, Ms Wilcynski tried to fight back by biting her assailant on his neck and his forearm. He responded by battering her around her head with his fists. 'It knocked me out for a split second,' said Ms Wilcynski yesterday. 'He must have thought I was dead. 'I knew I was going to die.' Ms Wilcynski's life was saved after a neighbor found her lying in a pool of blood and knocked on the door of the couple's flat to alert her husband. Lifesavers: Medics at the nearby Lincoln Hospital carried out open-heart surgery on Ms Wilcynski, as well as operations on her stomach and kidney, to repair her ravaged body after the horrendous attack . Paramedics rushed the gravely injured woman to Lincoln Hospital, where surgeons rushed to repair the damage done to her internal organs. She needed operations on her heart, stomach and kidneys. After suffering such a savage attack, there is no information on Ms Wilcynski's current condition - aside from the fact she defied her attacker by surviving the horrendous ordeal. 'God was with me, because I didn’t die,' she said. | Alyssa Wilcynski, 35, was stabbed with a rusty steak knife at her Bronx apartment complex; blade brushed her heart .
She only survived after extensive surgery to her heart, stomach and kidneys .
Stranger who carried out the vicious attack is still at large . |
40,427 | 721c1c9cfa1f675817697d8a56e361011be79327 | By . Rupert Steiner . PUBLISHED: . 17:40 EST, 17 May 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 17:40 EST, 17 May 2013 . Global vision: Tim Steiner, chief executive of Ocado, said the comapny has held talks with global retailers . Ocado has held talks to expand abroad and transform itself into the next big star of the technology industry. The retailer, which has been described as the Amazon of food for its cutting-edge warehousing and delivery system, is in talks to license its know-how around the world. Shares in the Hatfield-based firm, which was started by three former Goldman Sachs bankers 13 years ago, soared 32 per cent as it announced its first new contract since signing a deal with Waitrose in 2000. In a move that could transform its fortunes, Ocado has signed a 25-year distribution contract with Morrisons which it will operate in tandem with Waitrose. Ocado will provide systems that will become the backbone for the online debut of Britain’s fourth largest grocer. Morrisons will pay to use Ocado’s hi-tech warehouse and delivery system to distribute its products. The chain is fighting to catch up with rivals including Tesco and Asda, who have sold groceries over the internet for years. Ocado chief executive Tim Steiner told the Mail he think grocers will move from developing their own expensive systems to renting communal versions. He said the Morrisons move is the start of growing the Ocado business into new areas. ‘We have held talks with global retailers who are interested in our systems,’ said Mr Steiner. ‘Wherever you go around the globe experts say the most advanced retail system has been created by Ocado. Businesses from Asia, North America, Europe and Australasia have come to talk to us. They don’t need to reinvent what we’ve done already.’ Ocado, which has still to turn a profit, has created an automated warehouse filled with robots and conveyor belts and owns the software that powers it. It also has sophisticated technology that routes its vans around the country to avoid peak traffic and road works so that deliveries arrive in time for specific hour slots. Expanding: Ocado has created an automated warehouse filled with robots and conveyor belts and owns the software that powers it . Ocado’s systems have been compared to American technology giant Amazon, which also uses state-of-the-art technology to cut costs and deliver books and other mainly non-food items efficiently. It too rents out its platform to third parties and provides the backbone for Marks & Spencer’s website. Mr Steiner said: ‘There are many different ways we could utilise our intellectual property. ‘We could just sell it under licence, form a joint venture, or operate our own system in a new territory ourselves.’ Ocado was founded by Mr Steiner, Jason Gissing and Jonathan Faiman in April 2000 and by October had entered into the branding and sourcing arrangement with Waitrose. It started commercial delivery service in January 2002, operating initially in St Albans and Hemel Hempstead. By May 2005 its delivery area expanded to cover more than 10million households. Unlike rivals, it hires computer experts to work in-house, rather than buy in existing programmes. Projects listed on its website include robots with 3D vision and intelligent machines that can adapt quickly to follow fast-changing instructions. ‘We are continuing to invest millions in our state of the art technology, and to develop software systems and algorithms to solve an array of complex problems,’ the company says on a website dedicated entirely to the company’s science and innovation. | Company in talks to license its know-how around the world .
Signs 25-year distribution contract with Morrisons .
Chief executive Time Steiner believers grocers will rent delivery systems . |
8,503 | 180092a5c702495a1d2865e29269b10f0ec236a6 | By . Laura Silver for MailOnline . Sworn enemies tend to fight like cats and dogs. The two popular pets are notorious for their mutual dislike. But Gertrude the pitbull and Earnestine the tabby are far more interested in cuddling like cat and dog in this adorable video. Sadly there's no room for the owner in this relationship and he lurks in the background as the two friends groom each other. Having won the feline's affection, the pitbull sits calmly on the sofa and sets aside his instincts to chase the cat. Cats are known to groom their human companions as a sign of affection, but this owner doesn't look like he's getting a share of the love any time soon. Earnestine the kitten and Gertrude the pitbull display unusually friendly behaviour between a cat and dog . | Animal kingdom adversaries have a cuddle in this cute video .
Infamously fierce pitbull melts as the kitten strokes and then licks his nose .
Owner looks left out as Gerturde and Earnestine become best mates . |
285,007 | fd4ddefbfe67a96e3449cff337ea5102875b63a9 | (CNN) -- Cardinals from around the world gathered in Michelangelo's masterpiece the Sistine Chapel this week for a conclave to elect a new pope. The historic process is filled with pomp and ceremony and so shrouded in secrecy that its very name means "under lock and key." But it's a curious idiosyncrasy that, in an era when one of Benedict's XVI's final acts was to send a message via Twitter -- and his predecessor ordered that the Sistine Chapel be swept for recording devices -- the conclave's election of Pope Francis was announced on Wednesday evening by white smoke from burning ballot papers. Black fumes earlier signified an inconclusive vote. And until the official announcement of "Habemus Papam -- we have a new pope" -- was made around an hour later, it was a modest little stove and chimney that stole the show. The Vatican says the cast iron stove is "cylindrical in shape with a narrower upper portion" and approximately one meter high. "It has a door in its lower section enabling ignition, a valve for manual regulation of the draft and an upper door through which the documents to be burnt are introduced. The dates of election to the papacy and the names of the last six pontiffs are stamped on the upper cap of the stove." CNN's senior Vatican analyst John Allen said the "oldish-looking" stove and its attached chimney were introduced to preserve the independence of the conclave process. "The whole purpose of the secrecy is to protect the cardinals from outside influence," he said, the theory being that details of the ballot papers could expose the cardinals to repercussions or other pressures. The Vatican's constitution requires a two-thirds majority to elect a new pope. On the first day of the conclave, one voting session is held: on other days the cardinals vote twice in the morning and twice in the afternoon. If a second ballot must be taken immediately, the first bundle of ballots and any private notes are burned with the second. The cardinals chosen to be scrutineers are responsible for burning the ballots, with help from the secretary of the College of Cardinals and masters of ceremonies, who are allowed to enter the chapel after voting has concluded. Depending on how long the cardinals take to agree, pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square could be reading smoke signals for days on end. And those signals haven't always been particularly clear. Read more: How is a new pope elected? Frederic Baumgartner, professor of history at Virginia Tech University and author of "Behind Locked Doors: A History of the Papal Elections," said that before the 1800s, "beginning to unbar doors and window was taken as a symbol that the election was complete. There was also mention of noise from where the cardinals were locked in and the firing of cannons at Castel Sant' Angelo." In the 19th century, Baumgartner said, there was mention of smoke being "taken as meaning that there had been no election - and that they were burning the ballots after scrutiny. The smoke was described often as yellow. What I get from the sources that I was reading from the 1800s is that when they didn't see smoke then they were hopeful." But the first reference to the different meanings of white or black smoke occurred at the 1903 conclave. "The primary reason they went for the black and white smoke was because there was confusion in the crowds as to what was going on," Baumgartner explained. But the confusion didn't stop there. Interactive: Selecting a pope . Priest and archivist Fr. Nicholas Schofield said that in the event of an inconclusive ballot, wet straw had traditionally been added to the fire to make the smoke black. But uncertainty around the results of a 1958 conclave had led to the introduction of chemicals to make the color of the smoke more obvious. Nonetheless, CNN's senior Vatican analyst, John Allen, said smoke from the fire "normally comes out an indistinct grey at the start." At the 1978 conclave that resulted in the election of Pope John Paul II there were some false alarms and John Paul II later specified that the bells of St. Peters be rung to signify a successful election. "The problem with that is that bells go off at the Vatican all the time." At Pope Benedict XVI's election in 2005, Allen recalled, bells had rung out at the same time as smoke came from the Sistine Chapel chimney, but it transpired that they were just marking the top of the hour. The confusion occurred despite the introduction that year of an auxiliary smoke-emitting device aimed at improving the visibility of the smoke. "In order to improve the draft, the vent is preheated by means of electric resistance and it's equipped with a ventilator for use if necessary," the Vatican said in a statement. Ahead of this year's conclave, spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said the chemical technique had been improved to ensure a clear color signal. Once the senior cardinal deacon appears on the balcony overlooking St. Peter's Square to formally announce the election of a new pope and his name, the little stove's time in the spotlight should be over and the focus will then move to the pope elect. "He's supposed to act as if it's a difficult decision and then he has to be fitted with his vestments," Baumgartner said, estimating the appearance might come about an hour after the smoke signal. "If a man was really conflicted about the job, he may take a little longer." Baumgartner said that he was not aware of any wrong announcements about a new pope being made in modern times - but there had been some in the past. "There used to be a tradition that the Romans [residents of Rome] would go and ransack the dwelling of the cardinal that was elected -- on the grounds that he didn't need it anymore. There was at least one example of the Rome's residents ransacking the house of the wrong cardinal, during the 400-500 years the tradition was followed. "Not only did he not become pope but he didn't have anything left in his house." Read more: Clues to be found in next pope's moniker . | Conclave ballots and voting notes are destroyed in a stove placed in the Sistine Chapel .
Chemicals are added to color the smoke to signify whether the ballot has been successful .
White smoke means a pope has been elected, black means the ballot was inconclusive .
John Paul II ordered that the bells of St. Peter's should also be rung if a pope was elected . |
143,627 | 45b8ab6cfca29bd794a284308dc30984782efb14 | By . Associated Press Reporter . and Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 18:19 EST, 4 January 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 18:53 EST, 4 January 2014 . David Charles: The 21-year-old from Indiana allegedly stole human brains from a medical history museum . A 21-year-old man who allegedly stole human brains from a medical history museum has been arrested after another man who bought them online alerted authorities. Indiana's David Charles was arrested on December 16 after investigators were tipped off by Brian Kubasco, from San Diego, who became suspicious about six jars of brain tissue he'd bought on eBay for $600. Marion County court documents allege Charles broke into the Indiana Medical History Museum several times between September 7 and October 16 and stole jars of preserved human tissues, including brain samples, from long-dead psychiatric patients. The museum is on the grounds of a former state psychiatric hospital, Central State Hospital, which closed in 1994. The museum's director executive director, Mary Ellen Hennessey Nottage, said the tissues are from autopsies spanning from roughly the 1890s to the 1940s. 'A museum's mission is to hold these materials as cultural and scientific objects in the public interest. To have that disturbed - to have that broken - is extraordinarily disturbing to those of us in the museum field,' she told The Indianapolis Star. Indianapolis police had investigated several break-ins at the museum's storage facility before Kubasco helped lead police to Charles. Kubasco called the Indianapolis museum after noticing labels on the containers that he bought on eBay, court documents state. The Indiana Medical History Museum: The brains were stolen from this museum which is located on the grounds of a former state psychiatric hospital, Central State Hospital . Stolen: About 60 human brains were reportedly stolen from the museum and 48 have been returned . Indianapolis police detectives traced the transactions and eventually spoke to the seller, Austin Rector. Police said that Rector had obtained the brain matter from Charles. Charles was busted during a police sting after Rector, the eBay middleman, arranged a meeting in a parking lot. A man who drove Charles to the scene - 19-year-old Joshua Milan - allegedly reached for a handgun and was tackled by officers. Court documents also state that the day before his arrest, Charles had stolen 60 jars of human tissue from the museum. NBC Los Angeles reports 48 jars of human brain matter were recovered by police and returned to the medical museum. Nottage said she's grateful much of the stolen material has been returned and that she spoke to Kubasco who tipped off the cops. 'He just said he liked to collect odd things,' she told The Star. Charles faces charges of theft, marijuana possession and paraphernalia possession, according to court documents. It is not clear if Milan, or others involved in the sting or sale of the human brains, will also be charged. | David Charles, 21, allegedly stole 60 human brains from an Indiana museum .
He was arrested after a San Diego man who bought six brains on eBay suspected they were stolen and tipped off police .
Cops arrested Charles during a parking lot sting .
About 48 brains have been returned to the Indiana Medical History Museum . |
178,026 | 72759e376a997d85615beb8ed84d7f3984e258af | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 22:26 EST, 22 September 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 06:51 EST, 23 September 2013 . Bunny 'boiler': Tina Sandlin, 36, was strung out on meth when she was arrested for killing the family pet rabbit . A Florida woman who decapitated a pet bunny rabbit in front of her two children while strung out on meth will not go to prison. Tina Sandlin, 36, pleaded no contest to animal cruelty and child abuse on Friday and has been sentenced to one year in an inpatient drug rehabilitation centre. Bay County Sheriff's deputies arrested Sandlin last year after they found her holed up under a mobile home in Southport, Florida. She went into hiding after she brought her children into her bedroom in mid-July so they could see her cut off the rabbit's head with a knife, according to NY Daily News. The children later told police that their mother held the rabbit by the ears as it kicked its legs in a failed effort to free itself. The kids did not immediately tell anyone about their pet's bloody death but eventually alerted their father. Her husband told officers that Sandlin merely shrugged her shoulders and said she slaughtered the pet because she was bored, when he confronted her. Decapitated: Sandlin killed the bunny rabbit, not pictured, by cutting off its head with a knife in front of her two young children . He added that their children, now 7 and 4, had nightmares about the incident. Sandlin left the house and did not contact her family for about a month. Officers say she admitted to the killing after they took her into custody. Judge Elijah Smiley sentenced her to five years' probation, including 18 months on drug offender probation. Her probation may be terminated after 30 months if she meets a set of requirements. Sandlin is forbidden from contacting her husband or children while in the facility. She may be able to have contact with the kids again after being leaving rehab and remaining sober for 90 days, said the Daily News. But the children's counselor will establish the terms of the visitation. Share what you think . The comments below have not been moderated. LMM, . In the USA, . 13 hours ago . Linda, Austin - I agree but if prison life wasn't as tolerable I really think that it would be a deterrent. Why should they sit around all day, watch TV, sleep on a bed, and get three meals prepared a day. Make it hot or cold, hard labor and basic food. And wood bunks. I truly believe many people would stay above the law once released. Linda, . Austin, . 18 hours ago . In prison, this woman would only get worse AND she'd cost the state a whole lot of money, eventually to get out and re-offend. She might get better if she stays on the track the judge set forth. Meth creates monsters. P.S. Where does it say in the story that this woman was on "welfare"? P.P.S. Rich people and middle class people are just as capable of cruel and heinous behavior as is someone on "welfare". ChipOC, . Boerne TX, United States, . 18 hours ago . Sounds like the judge tried to get her help. armor, . seattle, United States, . 19 hours ago . i m bored let me break her neck she should rot in prison then hell . gramps, . New Hampshire, . 22 hours ago . Another strung out drug addict welfare queen. I feel badly for the children who have to live with this as their "mother" and the memories of what she did. MNTRYJOSEPH, . Hollywood, United States, . 22 hours ago . Child and animal abuse! She should rot in prison, she is unfit to raise children! Make an example out of her! Heisenberg, . Albuquerque, United States, . 23 hours ago . She is the picture of good health. Thank heavens the democrats are outlawing cigarette smoking and legalizing street drugs such as pot. You have to love the world's liberals (i.e. idiots) they have .proof that no rules or personal responsibilities are the path to prosperity and a great life, . - JackO , Philly, 23/9/2013 13:30 ----------------> Try and focus. Meth is illegal for this very reason, not because people smoke pot or cigarettes. hisprk, . Breck, United States, . 23 hours ago . Florida is a helluva drug ! hisprk, . Breck, United States, . 23 hours ago . Florida is a helluva drug ! mike, . Kentucky, United States, . 1 day ago . Not really a prison crime anyway is it. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. | Tina Sandlin pleaded no contest to animal cruelty and child abuse .
She was strung out on meth when the killing occurred last year .
Sandlin grabbed the rabbit's ears while she cut off its head with a knife .
Her husband says the children have nightmares over it .
He said she told him she did it because she was 'bored'
The mother-of-two has been sentenced to one year in an inpatient drug rehabilitation centre . |
112,690 | 1d651f983bccaef93a33eef777c936c92074e4f6 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 16:56 EST, 13 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 03:22 EST, 14 October 2013 . Burger addict: Randall W Miller, 31, led police officers on a car chase because he wanted to 'finish his Big Mac' An Ohio man who nearly hit a pedestrian took police officers on a car chase out of a McDonald’s drive-through because he wanted to ‘finish his Big Mac’. The 31-year-old Randall W Miller, from Hinckley, was chased by Brunswick police after a pedestrian reported that an SUV was speeding and nearly hit him at an intersection on September 28. Police found the SUV exiting a McDonald’s drive-thru near Center Road, swerving outside his lane. They attempted to stop Miller, but he continued driving, eventually stopping a short while later at Grafton Road, according to Fox 8. According to police, Miller apologised saying he was too drunk and wanted to eat his Big Mac burger before stopping. He continued to eat the sandwich during the stop until he was asked to complete field sobriety tests. Police said Miller admitted to drinking 10 to 15 beers and added that it ‘wasn’t worth the trouble’. Big Mac: The driver refused to pull over until he could finish his burger . Car chase: Police officers drove after Miller when he came out of a McDonald's drive-through in Brunswick, Ohio, on September 28 . A breathalyser test showed that Miller had a blood alcohol content level of .255, which is more than three times the legal limit in Ohio. Police officers also said they found an open beer and several beer cans in the car. Miller was cited and faces charges for failure to comply, operating a vehicle while intoxicated, driving under suspension and no operator’s license. | Randall W Miller, 31, from Hinckley, almost hit a pedestrian while speeding .
Police officers chased him out of the drive-through in Brunswick .
He stopped further down the road saying he kept driving because he wanted to finish his burger .
Miller had an alcohol content level three times the limit .
Police said he admitted to drinking between 10 and 15 beers . |
98,040 | 0a37ecc017255c85d84b92110bc9fe79b16c2687 | By . Martyn Halle . PUBLISHED: . 17:00 EST, 9 March 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 17:00 EST, 9 March 2013 . Two skin cancer drugs previously denied to NHS patients are now saving lives after finally getting the green light from the Government’s drugs rationing body. Yervoy and Zelboraf have been approved by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence – which initially said they were too expensive – and are now being offered to patients whose tumours have spread to other parts of the body. This once meant almost certain death. The drugs are being hailed as one of the biggest breakthroughs in treating advanced malignant melanoma in three decades. Green light: The drugs, previously considered too expensive for NHS patients, was given the go-ahead by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence . The Mail on Sunday campaigned for the drugs to be offered to all NHS patients. At the time of our campaign, one cancer doctor said: ‘Yervoy can prolong patients’ lives, possibly for years. Some people from the first UK trials in 2007 are still alive.’ Dr James Larkin, a medical oncologist at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London, who ran clinical trials of Zelboraf, has seen tumours in patients’ livers shrink and in some cases disappear altogether. ‘There had been a perception among doctors that melanoma was different and impossible to treat,’ he said. ‘This drug shows that isn’t the case and at last we have hope in our fight against this terrible cancer.’ Zelboraf is one of a new class of ‘personalised’ medicines and will help the 50 per cent of malignant melanoma patients who carry a particular genetic mutation of the disease. Saving grace: Drugs Yervoy and Zelboraf will be able to prolong a malignant melanoma cancer patients life, possibly by years . Although it isn’t a cure, it has been shown to extend life from nine months to 16 months, opening up the prospect that malignant melanoma, similar to some other cancers, could be contained, if not cured. Charlie Jones, 24, suffering with malignant melanoma that spread to his stomach and kidney, was given just days to live ten months ago. Oncologists at the Christie Hospital in Manchester gave him the chance to try Zelboraf and there was an almost immediate response. The tumours stopped growing and then began to shrink. The drug has kept the disease at bay and has given Charlie hope for the future. ‘I have become stronger and stronger,’ he says. ‘I feel a lot better – like the old me.’ Paul Lorigan, Charlie’s oncologist at the Christie Hospital in Manchester, said: ‘There have been, until now, a large number of patients for whom we could do no more. Now we have options where for years there was nothing.’ | Drugs Yervoy and Zelboraf given NHS approval .
Initially considered too expensive for NHS patients .
Biggest break in skin cancer treatment in 30 years . |
117,816 | 241f012ff13fb4efe26ce639fe4b6fd6817faa28 | By . Paul Donnelley . PUBLISHED: . 17:09 EST, 12 March 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 17:37 EST, 12 March 2014 . Fighter ace Squadron Leader Billy Drake's Second World War medals have sold at auction for an incredible £84,000 – triple the original estimate. The Battle of Britain veteran shot down at least 25 enemy planes and was awarded ten medals and a bar – including a Distinguished Service Order (DSO), Distinguish Flying Cross (DFC) and bar and the American DFC for his air combat skills. Auctioneers Bonhams expected the lot to fetch up to £30,000 when they went under the hammer today but the London-born ace's medals soared way past the estimate. Sq Ldr Billy Drake pictured during the war . The sale helped bring the total of the lot - ‘Military Medals: The Property of a Gentleman’ - to £570,036. Other medals under the hammer included a Distinguished Flying Cross from 1941, a 1939-1945 Star with Battle of Britain bar, and Air Crew Europe Star with France and Germany bar, an Africa Star with North Africa bar. Sq Ldr Drake was born in 1917 to an English father and Australian mother, and was educated in Switzerland before joining the RAF before his 18th birthday. On the outbreak of war, he saw service in the Battle of Britain, and over North Africa, Italy and Normandy. Flying Hurricanes he had countless clashes with the Luftwaffe over the skies of France before his first enemy kill on April 19, 1940 when he downed a Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter while providing air cover for the British Expeditionary Force. For gallantry: Sq Ldr Billy Drake's medals, which were auctioned at Bonhams and reached £84,000 - triple what they were expected to fetch . When the Blitzkrieg was launched in May, Sq Ldr Drake shot down three Dornier 17s and helped destroy another in just three days. Despite a stint in a French hospital after being forced to bail out after his Hurricane was shot up, he returned to his squadron in England and taught fighter pilots before joining 213 Squadron out of Tangmere during the Battle of Britain. Flying a Spitfire, he helped to bring down a bomber and damaged a number of others. In December he was awarded a DFC. He earned his silver gilt and enamel DSO in 1942 during his time as a fighter pilot in charge of 112 Squadron in North Africa where he destroyed more than 17 enemy aircrafts – including two Stuka dive bombers and two transport aircraft on the ground. The Supermarine Spitfire was one of the aeroplanes responsible for defeating the Luftwaffe in the Battle of Britain . The Hurricane first flew in November 1935 and 14,533 were produced between 1937 and 1944 . Sq Ldr Drake – a distant relative of Sir Francis Drake – was promoted to wing commander and posted to Malta in charge of a Spitfire wing. His winning streak continued destroying six enemy aircrafts and picked up an American DFC in the same year for his ‘courage and audacity’ protecting USAAF bombers attacking Sicily. Back in wartime Blighty, he commanded a Typhoon Wing and attacked German V-1 Doodlebug launch sites in Pas de Calais, and went on to become a respected instructor at the RAF Fighter Leader's School. He ended the war behind the desk in America but on his return to the UK was made Deputy Commander at Biggin Hill and later went to HQ SHAEF to serve in the Operations Room. He took part in the 1945 Battle of Britain flypast. He passed away on August 28, 2011, aged 93. John Millensted, the head of the coins and medals department at Bonhams, said: ‘The medals achieved a great result and far exceeded our expectations on the day. We still owe an awful lot to the efforts of those who served in the Second World War.’ | Sq Ldr Billy Drake was awarded ten medals and bar and saw action over North Africa, Italy and Normandy as well as being one of the Few .
Joined RAF before his 18th birthday and took charge of a Spitfire wing in Malta .
Flew Spitfires and Hurricanes and commanded a Typhoon wing . |
156,178 | 55de8ff0f9762c62926c2bd313c6eff86a96fca4 | (CNN) -- Angelina Jolie delivered a special message to fans in a video posted to YouTube: She's got chickenpox. The illness has left her unable to attend the premiere for her newly directed movie "Unbroken." It's the second time this week that an image of the actress has made headlines. A photo of her appeared on Wednesday giving a seemingly uncomfortable hug to a movie executive caught up on the Sony Pictures hacking scandal. In the video, Jolie wears a white tank top, and pink spots speckle her face, neck and upper body. "I just wanted to be clear and honest about why I will be missing the 'Unbroken' events in the next few days, which is that I found out last night that I have chickenpox. So, I will be home itching and missing everyone. And I can't believe it cause this film means so much to me," she says in the video published to Universal Studios Entertainment's verified Facebook page on Friday. "I just can't believe it!" She laughs in irony on the video. She lifts her hands in a helpless gesture and waves to the camera. "I am heartbroken to miss our premiere," she said in a separate statement. The movie . Jolie worked on the film, which she also produced, for two years, Universal said, wishing her a speedy recovery. "Unbroken" is a parable of perseverance told in the true life story of American Olympic runner Louis Zamperini, who also suffered mistreatment as a Japanese prisoner of war in World War II. Zamperini died at age 97 in July. His family is expected to attend the premiere. That hug . On Wednesday, Jolie and Sony Pictures co-chairwoman Amy Pascal greeted one another with an awkward hug that was caught on camera. In the photo, Jolie is leaning away and appears to have a cold look on her face. Sony was the target of a recent hacker attack, which made public internal emails with embarrassing content. Some contained guileless chatter about actors, including comments by Sony producer Scott Rudin saying Jolie was "minimally talented" and a "spoiled brat" with a "rampaging...ego." Speculation stirred in the Internet that this may have been behind the apparent discomfort in Jolie's embrace with Pascal. CNN's Lisa Emmanuel contributed to this report. | Jolie delivers the news with disappointment in a video posted to YouTube .
She is wearing a tank top; the camera concentrates on blemishes on her upper body .
It is the second time an image of her has made headlines in a week .
Her film "Unbroken" is a parable of perseverance based on a true story . |
195,400 | 88f04997457e1d451542753d7311dd118a5829c8 | (CNN) -- An employee of a subcontractor laying fiber optic cable hit a 2-inch gas line with an underground boring machine about an hour before an explosion killed one person at a popular restaurant in Kansas City, Missouri. Fire Chief Paul Berardi told reporters the subcontractor, Heartland Midwest, called 911 at 4:55 p.m. CT to report the accident. Authorities do not know what caused the leaking gas to ignite, according to Rob Hack, chief operating officer of Missouri Gas Energy. "But all the damaged points to ignition inside the restaurant," he said. One body was pulled Wednesday from the debris at JJ's restaurant, a popular place near Country Club Plaza, a locale with upscale shops and restaurants. Officials said Wednesday afternoon they believed there were no more missing people or undiscovered bodies. "The people stage has basically concluded," Mayor Sly James told reporters. Authorities were moving into the investigation phase, he said. The explosion occurred just after 6 p.m. Tuesday. One female employee was reported missing after the blast, but Fire Chief Paul Berardi said it was too early to confirm the identity of the victim, whose body was found near the restaurant's bar area. At least 15 people were injured in the blast. Six people remained hospitalized Wednesday, three in critical condition, Berardi said. Berardi released a timeline of events that began with the subcontractor calling 911 shortly before 5 p.m. local time to report the accident. A Missouri Gas Energy employee showed up about 20 minutes later and, after some initial readings on gas-measuring devices, called for backup, Hack said. MGE employees on the scene went into businesses and asked people to leave because levels were above the state's threshold for gas concentrations in the air. The gas company also brought in excavating equipment to try to vent the pipe, but the explosion occurred before they could alleviate the problem. Three of the company's workers were hospitalized, Hack said. 'I thought I was going to die' The odor of natural gas led to the early closure of JJ's restaurant, but hostess Deidre Estes and other employees weren't in a rush to leave, unaware of the danger they were in. Then, "Boom! And everything was black," Estes told CNN affiliate KCTV. The blast ripped the roof off of the restaurant. "I thought I was going to die. Honestly, I thought I was trapped in there," Estes told KCTV. "I saw the flames, and I was scared I was going to burn up. And then with all my might, I got this strength and lifted the rubble off." A utility crew investigating the odor had suggested that the restaurant close, but gave no sense of urgency or the potential for an explosion. The mayor confirmed that the fire department responded to a call about the gas odor, about 50 minutes before the blast, but left the scene after being told by the utility company that everything was under control. "When these situations exist, the fire department defers to the expertise of any utility who is there," James said. Debris was stacked 3- to 4-feet high where the restaurant once stood. Among the rubble was the gas company's destroyed backhoe. Watch video of the explosion's aftermath . Jennifer Carter, who was in the restaurant, told CNN affiliate KSHB that a man who had a hand-held device came in before the blast and told her and 10 others to leave. Employees had already turned off appliances after smelling gas, she said. Carter complied. She was just a few blocks away when she heard the explosion. The gas sent flames a few stories high into the night sky. More than 100 firefighters responded, Berardi said. Dr. Leonardo Lozada heard the explosion a block and a half away at St. Luke's Health Systems, where he is chief physician. "It was pretty loud. I just heard it; it wasn't that traumatic," he said. The restaurant's owner, James Frantze, was in Oklahoma at the time of the blast. A message on the restaurant's Facebook page made a simple request of patrons: . "Please keep our friends and families in your hearts and prayers." CNN's Carma Hassan, Mariano Castillo and Ben Brumfield contributed to this report. | NEW: Gas company workers detected high levels in the air before asking people to leave .
Search for bodies called off as accident investigators move in .
The natural gas explosion leveled popular restaurant about 6 p.m. CT Tuesday .
Worker describes being trapped near flames to CNN affiliate . |
164,709 | 60f9f1a9b95bc4adaaad6e10bcb0f8dade50da96 | By . Michael Zennie . Joseph Crabtree, 17, is believed to have killed his mother before taking his own life . A shocking mother-son suicide pact in suburban Tulsa, Oklahoma, led a 17-year-old prep school student to shoot dead his 50-year-old parent before turning the gun on himself, police have revealed. Detectives say they will never know for certain how Joseph Crabtree and his mother Kimberly died in their home on Tuesday - but there was no sign of forced entry or struggle. Police believe that Joseph killed his mother and then killed himself. Investigation had led cops to the conclusion that they both were in agreement about their deaths, the Tulsa World reports. Joseph had attended the prestigious Cascia Hall Preparatory School, a $11,000-a-year private academy. He recently transferred to Bishop Kelley High School, a Catholic high school that charges similar tuition. Police said they do not know what prompted Joseph and Kimberly Crabtree to decide to end their lives. In . 2008, Joseph C. Crabtree, Joseph's father and Kimberly's husband, died . of heart failure at age 52. He ran a massive chain of car dealerships in . Connecticut until 2007, when his company abruptly closed its doors amid . allegations of fraud and threats of a criminal investigation by the . state Attorney General. An obituary reveals that the elder Crabtree also had another son and a daughter. It is not believed they were home at the time Joseph and Kimberly died. A relative called police on Tuesday night after she had been unable to reach Kimberly or Joseph and no one answered the door when she went to the home. Police entered the house in a quiet suburban neighborhood and found the two dead. 'Last night after learning of Joe’s death, many of his former classmates asked to gather at our chapel to support each other in dealing with this tragic loss,' Roger Carter, the headmaster of Cascia Hall, said in a message to parents and students, according to the World. Reverend Brian O'Brien, the president of Bishop Kelley, called the deaths 'very tragic.' The mother and son were found dead in their suburban Tulsa home after police were called for a well-being check . | Joseph Crabtree, 17, and mother Kimberly Crabree, 50, were found dead in their Tulsa home .
Joseph's father died in 2008 after he was forced to close his car dealership empire amid fraud allegations . |
175,964 | 6fc3d715520c16ca3b7ba377cab213cc360b1043 | By . Snejana Farberov . PUBLISHED: . 01:24 EST, 23 August 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 05:51 EST, 23 August 2012 . When the ironically named Tiny the cat arrived at the Fredericton SPCA in New Brunswick, Canada, last December, the feline clocked in at heart-stopping 30.2lbs. Last week, however, the once-hefty kitty reached an important milestone when it was announced that he lost more than 10lbs thanks to a strict diet. According to LeeAnn Haggerty, the director of education and training at the Fredericton SPCA, it took a lot of hard work to bring Tiny’s weight down to the more reasonable 19.11lbs. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO . Big surprise: Tiny, left, and his buddy, Rapunzel, arrived in a cardboard box at a Canadian animal rescue center . Fat cat: When Tiny arrived at the Fredericton SPCA, he weighed in at 30.2lbs, or about three times the size of an average house cat . ‘When he came to the shelter, we knew this weight was a medical emergency, really that obesity in pets can be fatal; his weight was quite a concern,’ she told CBC News. Tiny, who at that point was about three times the size of an average house cat, was taken to Dr Nicole Jewett at Valley Veterinary Hospital, who created a special calorie-controlled weight-loss plan for him at a foster home. Cat with a plan: Tiny was put on a calorie-controlled weight loss regimen . Baby steps: Initially, Tiny would hardly walk, and even swatting at a feather wand would wear him out . Despite the impressive results, however, Tiny’s journey is far from over. The goal is for him to shed another two-four pounds. The drastic weight loss has been accompanied by a significant improvement in Tiny’s appearance and well-being, according to his veterinarian. When the pet first arrived at the center, his coat and eyes were dull, and he could only make a few steps at a time before he would have to lie down. Thanks to his new svelte physique, however, Tiny has become more playful and active. ‘He runs, he plays — it’s amazing,’ Haggerty said. Another . fringe benefit that came as a result of Tiny’s impressive slim-down is . popularity. One of his fans even created a clothing line for the . celebrity kitty. Breakthrough: On January 24, Tiny weighed in at just under 28lbs after shedding more than two pounds . Shedding pounds: Thanks to eating right and being more active, Tiny lost about 6lbs from his starting weight . On track: With his weight melting away, Tiny's coat became shiner and he started getting playful again . Getting trim: On June 12, The once-grossly overweight feline dropped to impressive 21.13lbs . Tartan fabric was sent to the SPCA with which they make signature Tiny ties and sell them on the site Etsy.com to raise medical funds for animals. According . to Haggerty, about 40-60 per cent of North American pets are . overweight, and in cats, it can lead to diabetes, arthritis, organ . issues and even death. Since January, the SPCA has raised about $5,700 through tie sales and donations to help sick pets in need. Celebrity status: One of Tiny's supporters has created a clothing line for the shrinking feline . Force for good: The SPCA created signature Tiny ties, which they sell online to raise medical funds for animals . Milestone: On August 16, Tiny reached an important benchmark when he was weighed in at 19.11lbs . When Tiny reaches his goal weight, the SPCA plans to organize a party for the occasion. It is likely that Tiny will permanently remain in the foster home where he has been staying since the beginning of his weight loss program. To donate money to the medical fund for animals in need, please click here. VIDEO: Watch Tiny the cat weigh in! | Tiny started out at 30.2lbs - about three times the size of average cat .
He was put on strict calorie-controlled diet .
On August 16, Tiny clocked in at under 20lbs .
Tiny has to lose another two-four pounds to reach goal weight .
Supporter created clothing line for Tiny and now the SPCA is selling ties to raise funds for sick pets . |
259,443 | dbddc873cea0b4820155770075846b7405e13d31 | By . Kimberley Dadds . PUBLISHED: . 20:14 EST, 25 August 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 03:36 EST, 27 August 2012 . It was the big news to hit the world of TOWIE on Wednesday when she finally decided to hang up her high heels and leave the show. Lauren Goodger has decided to open up about her decision to leave the reality programme and claims it is not to find her fortune elsewhere, but because of her weight insecurities. Goodger, 25, has revealed that she would feel so body conscious next to other slim cast-mates that she would want to hide parts of her body in front of the cameras. Free from TOWIE: Lauren has opened up about her reasons to leave The Only Way Is Essex, revealing she had enough of feeling insecure about her body on screen . She admits working with her skinny co-stars didn't help her feelings of paranoia. She told the Sunday Mirror: 'I felt under so much pressure. Most of the girls on TOWIE are quite skinny... Next to the others, I’d be panicking over whether my arms looked fat or how big I’d look if I was sitting down. 'I’d even beg producers to let me sit at a table so I could hide my legs underneath.' Lauren is now looking forward to 'a break' after constantly struggling with her weight issues since rising to fame on the reality show. Final scenes: She announced during the season six finale on Wednesday that she would be 'going away for a while' Since being put in front of the public eye Goodger has been subjected to internet trolls who have targeted over her fluctuating weight. And she's now had enough of crying her her body issues and being targeted for being on The Only Way Is Essex. She now feels it's the right time to move on after putting herself through the ups and downs of being a TOWIE star. Celebrations: Lauren is now looking forward to her next chapter and wants to stop crying over appearing on the programme and being targeted by internet trolls . Lauren is also feeling more body confident now she is a 'healthy size 12' but hopes to drop a bit of weight in the near future, admitting shed like to drop 'a stone and a half'. Goodger is rumoured to be taking up a role on Dancing On Ice now that she is free from the ITV2 show but she is still remaining tight-lipped about any signings. She told the newspaper that 'nothing's confirmed yet'. But one thing she will shed light on is the fact she's writing a book, although it won't be an autobiography telling all on her life and will instead be a guide about her life - battling with her weight and her relationship problems. | Said vile trolls would torment her on Twitter .
Next to other cast members, Goodger says she felt fat and unattractive .
'My problem is I can't resist going out for dinner, I love bread and butter' |
22,049 | 3e93f41c99b2cb81b0af1c77c28da2bd36fb1437 | By . Paul Milligan . PUBLISHED: . 04:26 EST, 27 November 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 10:58 EST, 27 November 2012 . Businessman Andrew Priest outside Macclesfield Magistrates' Court yesterday where he was accused of speeding, using threatening words or behaviour or causing criminal damage . A businessman unleashed a foul mouthed tirade at police in front of a class of children after he was stopped for speeding during a primary school project, a court heard yesterday. Andrew Priest, 39, who was late for a meeting, ranted at community police officers and staff when nine pupils clocked his sports car doing 37mph in a 30mph zone outside their school gates, it was claimed. The telecommunications company boss was said to have angrily performed a wheelspin into the school car park in his Audi A3 and told a PCSO: 'It’s a f****** joke, you’re PCSOs and not even proper pigs. Go and stop some more innocent people.' As the children looked on, Priest also allegedly argued about the accuracy of the speed gun and gesticulated angrily at a classroom assistant yelling: 'Is this what you f****** teach kids? What sort of school is this?' Later when told by a regular constable he would have to pay a £60 fixed penalty notice for speeding, Priest retorted: “I earn £80,000 a year so I can afford the ticket. My f****** solicitor will get me off. I’m going to f****** have you. You’re f*****, I’m going to make a complaint against you.' Priest was eventually handcuffed but he then allegedly grabbed the officer’s police hat and stamped on it before he was bundled into the back of a police van. The children were said to be so upset by his four letter outburst they had to be ushered back into the classroom at Gorsey Bank primary school in Wilmslow, Cheshire. A letter was later sent out to all parents detailing what happened. Details of the four letter rant emerged . as Priest, who lives in a £300,000 flat in Mobberley, Cheshire denied . speeding, using threatening words or behaviour or causing criminal . damage. The incident occurred in November last . year after the police officers were taking part in a 'school speed . watch' project with nine Year 6 pupils as part of Road Safety Week. Any motorists stopped speeding were . given the option of taking a fine, or explaining to children in a 'kids . court' at the school why they broke the speed limit. But . trouble began when Priest who was on his way to a meeting was pulled . over in his silver Audi A3 magistrates in Macclesfield heard. Priest was stopped by a PCSO and a group of schoolchildren involved in a project to tackle speeding . Teaching assistant Debra Barker told the hearing: 'He was very, very angry from the minute he was pulled over. He was aggressive and was using lots of ‘f’ words saying. ‘it’s not even f****** calibrated, it’s a laser’. 'I told the children the man had obviously had a bad day but they were worried and I kept trying to to reassure them. He said, ‘is this what you f****** teach kids? What sort of school is this?’ ... I felt very vulnerable and I felt awkward. 'He screeched into the car park. He drove his car forward, his wheels were spinning and he drove aggressively into the car park. 'He got out and walked up to the PCSO . and squared up to him. I thought it was going to come to fisticuffs and . he was going to punch him.' PCSO . Gareth Harding said: 'He was instantly argumentative and wouldn’t let . me show him the speed - instead saying the machine wasn’t calibrated. The telecommunications company boss told a PCSO: 'You're not even proper pigs. Go and stop some more innocent people.' 'He started gesturing towards the pupils. I warned him about his language and behaviour but he jumped out of the car came straight towards me and started swearing and shouting. 'The teacher clearly looked very concerned for the children, a lot of them were starting to get quite agitated, looking like they didn’t want to be there at all. A few of them were quite distressed.' PCSO Rebecca Wooley said: 'I explained that a speed gun had detected the speed he was going but he said he was not speeding and his speedometer had not shown him as speeding. 'He was angry and very irritated - his voice was raised and his demeanour came across as agitated. He made reference to the teacher and pointed and said ‘you want to teach your kids properly. The children were becoming more distressed, they weren’t used to that sort of behaviour, so I advised the teaching assistant to take them back into the school. The trial has been adjourned until January 21st 2013. Priest was allegedly clocked doing 37mph in a 30mph zone outside the Gorsey Bank primary school gates in his Audi A3 . Sorry we are unable to accept comments for legal reasons. | Andrew Priest was late for a meeting when his sports car was stopped as part of a primary school project about road safety .
He questioned the accuracy of the speed gun and yelled at a classroom assistant: 'What sort of school is this?'
He told community police officers: 'You’re PCSOs and not even proper pigs. Go and stop some more innocent people.' |
34,637 | 6266cc0ee7e8912c0140bf2f94943ff155ac4c70 | By . Helen Lawson . PUBLISHED: . 02:36 EST, 20 April 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 05:54 EST, 20 April 2013 . Four major supermarkets are cutting the price of petrol and diesel by up to 2p a litre from today - their lowest levels since January. Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons are slashing pump prices for the second time this week in response to lower wholesale fuel costs. Asda, which started a forecourt price war when it dropped prices on Tuesday, said customers would pay no more than 131.7p a litre for petrol and 135.7p a litre for diesel across the country. The AA said that Britain's drivers are victims of a 'postcode lottery' Supermarkets have slashed 2p off the price of petrol - their lowest levels since January . Mark Todd of Morrisons said: . ‘Wholesale prices are continuing to fall and that’s great news for . customers because we’re able to keep passing these savings on to them.’ AA president Edmund King said the price reduction gave drivers ‘a breath of optimistic spring air’. Supermarket cuts had already helped . push the average price of petrol down to 136.89p a litre earlier this . week - 3.02p lower than a month ago. With wholesale fuel prices falling, the AA said yesterday that average petrol prices could soon fall to about 134p a litre. The average UK price for unleaded petrol . has fallen 2.5 per cent in the past month - only half of the fall in the . wholesale price. At present, the cheapest petrol in the UK is in London at 136.1p a litre on average, while the most expensive is in Northern Ireland (137.8p a litre). Northern Ireland also has the dearest diesel (142.8p a litre), while Yorkshire and Humberside has the cheapest (140.8p), the AA said. Mr King said: 'Last April UK petrol consumption fell. In October it did the same. 'And in February the UK sold the lowest volume of petrol in 23 years of recording. 'In the past 12 months, oil and fuel price speculation has swung back and forth through the fuel market like a wrecking ball, smashing family budgets, pulverising fuel demand, and rocking the foundations of fuel retailer and other business viability.' 'The last 12 months have shown pump price volatility is more acute than ever, driven largely by speculation. 'At least, though, the current prices are going in the right direction.' | Asda cuts petrol price to 131.7p a litre and diesel to 135.7p a litre nationwide .
Average unleaded cost fell by 2.5 per cent - only half the drop in wholesale . |
210,466 | 9c9447886adbb136e11a020a9b21743b1006af88 | (CNN) -- With Fox's "Gotham," we have the chance to see Batman begin once more. The much-hyped fall series made its debut on Monday night, starting off with a storyline that's pretty familiar to Batman fans and non-fans alike: the death of Bruce Wayne's parents. "Gotham's" take on the scene was more violent than usual, but it also added a new twist. A young Selina Kyle (played by Camren Bicondova, and destined to become Catwoman) also witnessed the young couple being gunned down. Monday's premiere did give screen time to a young Bruce (David Mazouz) as he grieved the loss of his parents, but the future superhero isn't the real star of the show. That title belongs to Detective Jim Gordon, who's not yet a commissioner, as played by "The OC" and "Southland" star Ben McKenzie. Gordon arrives in Gotham City because it's where the action is, but he soon finds out that things are far more complicated. Crime bosses Fish Mooney (Jada Pinkett-Smith) and Carmine Falcone run the city's underworld, and Gordon's partner, Harvey Bullock, isn't exactly the most ethical cop around. But compared to McKenzie's straight-as-an-arrow Gordon, the villains are so far the best part of "Gotham." Fish and her lackey Oswald Cobblepot -- who's also called by the nickname he hates,"Penguin" -- were a treat to watch, as were the younger versions of Gotham bad guys Riddler and Poison Ivy during their very brief introductions. Thus far, McKenzie's Gordon seems like a one-note, righteous character, so we'll have to see if he gets fleshed out in future episodes. For critics, "Gotham" had a nice start but doubtful longevity. "Taken strictly on its own terms, the Fox series is a handsome, gritty crime drama, with Ben McKenzie as the idealistic young cop and Donal Logue as his grizzled, ethically compromised partner," Brian Lowry said in Variety's review. "Yet if the show is supposed to work for its peripheral connection to the Dark Knight and his colorful menagerie of villains before they became such ... well, that bat simply won't fly." Mike Hale at the New York Times tried to focus on the positive, pointing out that at the very least, "Gotham" has "consistent style." "If you're going to make yet another show or movie about an honest cop in a corrupt city," Hale said, "you'd better make it look good. (A)nd this Gotham City, with its nightmarish gothic skyline under perpetually gray skies, looks pretty good." Viewers on Twitter had mostly positive responses to the show -- and particularly its casting -- although not everyone was immediately sold. "Amazing cast. I was impressed because this isn't the type of show I would watch in the past," said KE Vargas Barrett. Added another fan, "I like the look and style. Characters known and unknown seem interesting. Glad Gordon was the focus. We'll see how it goes." Marcus Alan Sheperd, however, "was disappointed," he tweeted. "Good thing I follow a 3 episode rule." What did you think of the premiere? Share your views in the comments. | Much-hyped "Gotham" premiered Monday night on Fox .
The new series looks at Gotham City many years before the emergence of Batman .
The villains were the highlight of the first episode . |
171,215 | 6998a1f68bea9ea98bb02556cb8e00493c52bfaf | Even after the passion has faded a little, a goodnight kiss doesn’t seem too much to expect from your partner. But according to research, it probably is. Eighty per cent of couples no longer kiss each other good night, it found – because they’re so focused on getting to sleep. Looking away: The survey of 2,000 couples found that 90 per cent do not say 'I love you' before they turn the lights out and 46 per cent of Britons sleep with their backs to their partners . A quarter said they cannot bear their . partner to touch them in bed, while 90 per cent don’t even manage to say . ‘I love you’ before they turn out the lights. And such is their mission to get a good night’s rest that 46 per cent said they sleep with their backs to their partner. But that might not be as bad as it sounds. Corrine Sweet, a relationship . psychologist, said the back-to-back position shows innocence and trust – . and body language during sleep cannot be faked. She said: ‘Inevitably, once the first . flush of lust wears off, with couples naked and entwined, it is more . likely that the need for a good night’s sleep predominates, so sleeping . back to back becomes a favourable position in bed.’ Indeed, only 1 per cent of the 2,000 . couples surveyed by Travelodge said they sleep in what the researchers . called the ‘heroic romantic movie scene sleeping’ position, with the man . lying on his back and the woman’s head on his chest. Miss Sweet said: ‘Couples fall into habitual ways of sleeping together that suits their personalities and personal preferences. 'If something changes in how they sleep together, this can …cause concern for the other partner.’ Real life? The 'heroic romantic movie scene sleeping' position famously portrayed in the Eighties film When Harry Met Sally (Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal pictured), is just a position for the camera . | Research also finds 46% of Britons sleep with their backs to their partners .
People are most honest with their body language during sleep, expert says .
Sleep behaviour study of 2,000 couples carried out by hotel chain Travelodge . |
16,809 | 2fa50ac6eff59506da96118c8814ac32c2c522e6 | Animal rights group PETA has been accused of stealing a family's beloved dog, driving away and then killing it by the pet's distraught owners. Surveillance footage appears to show the animal rights group taking away Maya – a Chihuahua – from the front porch of her family's trailer in Parksley, Virginia. And according to Wilbur Cerate, whose daughter has been distraught since Maya left, two PETA representatives knocked on his door three days later to tell him his dog had been killed. Scroll down for video . Taken: Maya, the beloved chihuahua of the Cerate family in Parksley, Virginia, was reportedly taken by PETA representatives . Caught on camera: Wilbur Cerate recorded this footage of a van pulling up outside his house and a person walking away carrying something . Angry: Wilbur Cerate (pictured) reported PETAto police, but criminal charges were later dropped . By way of consolation, they offered the family a fruit basket, WAVY-TV reported. Cerate said: 'My chihuahua, when she sees my car, she come to me. That Saturday she did not come.' 'I was angry. I understand they pick up my dog, [sic] if it was in a tree or another place, but this is in my house.' Footage dated October 18 shows a PETA van pulling up to house's driveway. A woman is seen getting out, approaching the home, then leaving moments later with something in her arms. Despite dozens of requests for comment from local and national media, the group is yet to issue a statement on Maya's removal and death. Cerate reported PETA to the police, and the local sheriff filed larceny charges. Virginia has specific provisions in law for the theft of dogs or other domesticated animals. Silence: Peta has refused to respond to repeated request to explain the alleged actions . But after the case was passed on to the commonwealth attorney's office to handle, it was dropped because the evidence was not strong enough. PETA has a history of killing large percentages of the animals in its possession – a process it defends because it claims to be the 'shelter of last resort'. On its website, a statement says: 'When impoverished families cannot afford to pay a veterinarian to let a suffering and/or aged animal leave this world, PETA will help. 'When an aggressive, unsocialized dog has been left to starve at the end of a chain with a collar grown into his neck and his body racked with mange, PETA will spare him from dying slowly and miserably in someone's backyard.' But annual reports on PETA's track record caring for animals show that more than 97 per cent of creatures in its care were killed since 1998. Some 1,792 such animals were put to death at its headquarters in Norfolk, Virginia, in 2013 alone, pushing the total death toll, which has risen further since, beyond 31,000. | Family in Parksley, Virginia, say their chihuahua, Maya, was taken away .
Footage appears to show PETA van pulling up and removing pet .
Three days later Wilbur Cerate says group told him Maya was dead . |
156,283 | 5607916f03c179a7ea97876312a0258f4afa2181 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . House-hunters looking for a bargain might want to head to Lancashire as new research has found the area is the cheapest place to buy a in Britain. Three towns in the county - Blackburn, Blackpool and Oldham - have the lowest house prices in the country. A new study revealed that a deposit of just £14,470 will secure a home in Blackburn, compared to more than £70,000 in London. The cheapest area in Britain: House-hunters only need A £14,470 deposit to buy a property in Blackburn . Britain's most expensive area: Aspiring home owners need an average of £70,000 in savings to buy in London . Homebuyers in Blackpool need a deposit of just £15,707 and while those in Oldham need £16,386. Northern towns and cities dominate a list of areas where property deposits are lowest, including Bolton, Hartlepool, Bradford and Darlington. Analysis of 30 cities and regions in England and Wales shows the average deposit needed to put down is 20 per cent of the purchase price of a property - equating to an average of £26,468. But homebuyers in London need an average of £72,760 in savings or equity to secure a 20 per cent deposit. This is almost double the second most expensive area to buy, Reading, where buyers on average need deposits of around £39,789. Costly: Researchers surveyed 30 cities and regions in England and Wales to find the average deposit needed to buy a property in Britain - currently £26,468 . The research was commissioned by mortgage provider Castle Trust. Sean Oldfield, chief executive officer, said: 'Parents and grandparents are being called on more and more to help children with their first deposit and the proportion of the population owning their own home without family help is likely to continue to fall. 'Aspiring homeowners need alternatives to borrowing from family which is why the Government has launched a range of initiatives including NewBuy and FirstBuy. 'However, private companies need to play a role as well in offering innovative and affordable ways to help those who want to buy homes and Castle Trust is determined to play its part with housing investment and shared equity products.' 1.) Blackburn £14,470 . 2.) Blackpool £15,707 . 3.) Oldham £16,386 . 4.) Hartlepool £16,934 . 5.) Bolton £18,492 . 6.) Manchester £18,547 . 7.) Liverpool £18,767 . 8.) Bradford £18,807 . 9.) Wolverhampton £19,718 . 10.) Darlington £20,767 . 1.) London £72,760 . 2.) Reading £39,769 . 3.) Exeter and Devon £37,605 . 4.) Kent £36,590 . 5.) Cambridgeshire £36,030 . 6.) Gloucestershire £34,607 . 7.) Bournemouth £34,493 . 8.) Milton Keynes £30,654 . 9.) Southend-on-Sea £30,487 . 10.) Portsmouth £28,688 . | Blackburn in Lancashire is the cheapest place to buy a property in Britain .
London is the most expensive with buyers needing an average £70k deposit .
Reading is the second most expensive place to buy in the UK . |
28,921 | 5214075efc8c3785e3b9d77cffadb927474fe832 | (CNN) -- There are few Olympians who can say they redefined their sport, but that is what former Soviet gymnast Olga Korbut did at the 1972 and 1976 Olympics. She won balance beam, floor exercises and team competition gold as well as silver in the uneven bars at the Munich Games, and then team competition gold and balance beam silver four years later in Montreal. But she will be forever remembered for her "Korbut flip" -- a move so original and so groundbreaking that gymnastics would never be the same again. The maneuver involved standing upright on the upper uneven bar mid-routine and executing a backflip, catching the upper bar from underneath it -- a move that has since been made illegal in accordance with the Olympic gymnastics Code of Points. When she first performed the flip, at the age of 17 during a stunning routine at Munich, she was only awarded a score of 9.8, causing the onlooking crowd to go wild, jeering and booing at the judges for several minutes. "I always wanted to try something different, we tried a lot of things," Korbut told CNN at London's Royal Opera House. "When you're doing something things just happen -- like going back from the high bar to the low bar. That's how it worked." "After me, no one else did it. It had a risky element -- I had brought to gymnastics new gymnastics, new elements, not acrobatics. It is a mistake when it is said I brought acrobatics to the event." Game-changing . Many of the moves which are now integral to modern gymnastics can be credited to Korbut's influence. Pre-Munich, much emphasis had been placed on poise and elegance, while older and more experienced gymnasts made up the majority of the competition. Now the sport is more dynamic with its participants primarily comprising youngsters that are on the cusp of adulthood, like Gabrielle Douglas of the United States -- the 4 foot 11 inch 16-year-old, who has won two gold medals in London at her first Games. "If you see my routine from 1972 there's a lot of choreography, a lot of grace, and just a couple of new elements," said the 57-year-old Korbut, who acquired the nickname "The Sparrow from Minsk" after her first Olympic appearance. "I was inspired by no one. I'm serious. It was the 1960s, we didn't have TV -- I was just born into gymnastics." Human to Hero: Nadia Comaneci - Olympic gymnastics' first perfect 10 . Following a post-gymnastics career as a teacher and divorce after a 23-year marriage to a Belorussian folk singer, Korbut now lives in the U.S., which explains her calm, confident English. Her Munich routine might have been performed 40 years ago but the preparation she underwent to come so close to perfection is still ingrained in her memory. "I didn't have a specific preparation. I just did it over and over again," Korbut recalled. "You would just concentrate on what you've been doing for decades, and then show in just a moment what you've prepared for years and years. "And of course, you still enjoy it. When you touch the equipment ... that's it -- you're in." An inspiration . If much credit is given to Korbut's complex moves on the beam and bars for revolutionizing the sport, she also helped inspire a whole new generation of gymnasts. "When I became famous for my gymnastics, it brought a lot of people to the gym, a lot of people having to pay money," she said. "They were very talented, but money stopped the talented people attending gym. Unfortunately that was where it ended. Usually poor people have more of a hunger to work, I've seen it in life." Forbes has estimated that the annual cost of an under-18 training program to be an Olympic-level gymnast is $15,000, which requires gymnasts to either have parents with very deep pockets or be willing to make huge financial sacrifices. How Gabby Douglas charted her own destiny . But, if gymnasts can transcend those financial cost, there are other great rewards to be had. "You know what?" says Korbut, "to be in the Olympics is good, but to truly compete is great. It takes courage and hard work to compete. Everybody is a winner, I couldn't pick a best. Everyone who competes is great." "The Olympic Journey: The Story of the Games" is an exclusive exhibition running from July 28 to August 12 at the Royal Opera House in London. | Former Soviet gymnast Olga Korbut helped redefine the sport .
She won three Olympics gold medals in 1972 and one in 1976 .
She even has her own maneuver named after her -- the "Korbut flip"
Korbut is one of 20 Olympic greats honored at a new exhibition . |
201,603 | 910613139d821ac1963c035e1589c6b535c10487 | Actor Harrison Ford is said to be 'doing well' after his publicist . confirmed he broke his left leg while filming the latest Star Wars movie . The injury sustained by actor Harrison Ford on set of the latest Star Wars movie was a broken left leg, it emerged today. The 71-year-old is said to be 'doing well' after undergoing surgery for the injury, which took place after he was crushed by the Star Wars spacecraft Millennium Falcon. The actor, who was filming Star Wars: Episode VII at the time, was originally thought to have damaged his ankle during the mishap at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire earlier this month. But a spokesman for the star has now confirmed the injury was a broken leg. Although she did not give any further details of the accident, she said the actor was due to start rehabilitation soon and was looking forward to returning to work. Ford, who is returning to his role as Han Solo in the latest film, was working in the UK on the series when the accident unfolded. The actor, also known for his appearances in Indiana Jones, had to be airlifted to the trauma unit at John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford after a hydraulic door fell on him. His publicist said today: 'Harrison . Ford's left leg was broken in an accident. 'His surgery was successful . and he will begin rehab shortly. He's doing well and looks forward to . returning to work.' Police said the crush involved a garage door, but it is believed the accident involved the door . of the Millennium Falcon. Ford was about to start a scene involving the 111ft vehicle when the incident occurred. There were also fears the actor may . also have suffered further injuries to his chest and pelvis but this has not been confirmed. After the incident, his son Ben said that film crews might need to rearrange scenes to only show the actor from the waist up, due to the injury. His wife Calista Flockhart, best known . for her starring role in sitcom Ally McBeal, flew . from the US to be at her husband’s bedside. The accident took place at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire, . pictured, while the 71-year-old was filming Star Wars: Episode VII in . which he plays Han Solo . Disney, which owns Lucasfilm the company behind Star Wars, said after the incident that shooting would continue as planned while the star recovered. After the incident, a source told The Mirror: 'The initial . day or two after the accident it was hard to move things around but now . we have had more time we can juggle things, bring some scenes forward . and push others back. 'There are lots of other actors in the movie so it is not a disaster. We are confident the film can stay on schedule.' The actor, who also played Indiana Jones, was crushed on the set when a hydraulic door - believed to be from the spacecraft the Millennium Falcon - fell down and hit him . The £200million movie, which is being directed by JJ Abrams, has been earmarked for release in December next year, after filming began in Abu Dhabi in mid-May. Carrie . Fisher, who played Princess Leia Organa, and Mark Hamill - Luke . Skywalker - are also reviving their characters after more than 30 years. The action is set 35 years after the last film they all appeared in together - 1983’s Return of the Jedi. | The actor is 'doing well' after having surgery on his leg for the on-set injury .
Happened while he was filming Star Wars: Episode VII in Pinewood Studios .
Publicist said the Han Solo actor was looking forward to returning to work . |
113,667 | 1ea9544420ef4eaaa2b0a14aa1fdb2d09d2be871 | (RollingStone.com) -- Eddie Vedder's second solo album "Ukulele Songs" and a live concert film titled "Water on the Road" will both be released on May 31st, Vedder announced today. As the title suggests, "Ukulele Songs" will feature Vedder performing original songs and covers on his ukulele. Cat Power's Chan Marshall and Glen Hansard of the Frames and the Swell Season will guest on one track each, and the set will include a new recording of the Pearl Jam tune "Can't Keep." The album's first single "Longing to Belong" will be available in digital stores tomorrow. RollingStone.com: Contest: Choose the cover of Rolling Stone . "Water on the Road," Vedder's first solo concert film, was directed by Brendan Canty of Fugazi and Christoph Green at a pair of shows in Washington, D.C. in August of 2008. That set will include several songs from Vedder's soundtrack for the film "Into the Wild" along with early versions of "Ukulele Songs" tracks, covers and relatively obscure Pearl Jam numbers such as "Sometimes," "Driftin'" and "Around the Bend." See the original article at RollingStone.com. Copyright © 2010 Rolling Stone. | Eddie Vedder performing songs with Cat Power and Glen Hansard .
The album's first single "Longing to Belong" will be available in digital stores tomorrow .
"Water on the Road" was directed by Brendan Canty of Fugazi and Christoph Green . |
287,019 | ffe2aea6f8d8a62a99bd2c60e225dce9f651e157 | Baghdad (CNN) -- A barrage of attacks struck Monday across Iraq, killing at least 84 people and wounding more than 200, said officials, who likened the attacks to another outbreak last year. "Once again, murderers and criminals have carried out attacks against innocent civilians to add a new page to their black criminal record," Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said in a written statement. He called on security forces to "not let the killers catch their breath," and to pursue them "until they finish them." Some of the 21 reported bombings and shootings targeted police and security forces, while others targeted civilians. It was the worst wave of violence to strike the country in months, taking place on the halfway mark of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. "Today's attacks are eerily similar to the stream of large-scale, complex attacks that occurred here last year during Ramadan on August 25," said Maj. Angela Funaro, spokeswoman for United States Forces-Iraq. Officials believe last year's attacks were carried out by al Qaeda in Iraq "to shake the public's confidence in the capabilities of the ISF (Iraqi Security Forces) to defend this country," but it is too early to speculate about who may have been behind Monday's attacks, Funaro said in an e-mail. A posting Monday on a jihadist website praised the attacks against "Shiites, Christians, and the apostate Awakening Councils." The post did not include a claim of responsibility. Awakening Councils are made up of former Sunni militants now in the pay of the Iraqi government, which have been credited with helping reduce violence. They are also frequent targets of assassination attempts. The attacks come weeks after Iraq's political leaders agreed to request U.S. troops stay beyond a January 1, 2012, deadline to withdraw. While the United States pulled its combat troops last year, between 46,000 and 50,000 troops have remained to provide support and training. The United States is widely expected to agree to some kind of limited extension of training personnel and equipment. Last week, Muqtada al-Sadr, the influential Iraqi Shiite cleric staunchly opposed to U.S. troop presence, warned against the prospects of a "challenge" with any U.S. forces that may stay in Iraq. His Mehdi army militia was a major factor in the sectarian violence that erupted during the height of the war. Al-Maliki said Monday's attacks "cannot undermine the resolve of our citizens and our armed forces." Monday's violence ended a period of calm that began about the same time as Ramadan. Ministry of Interior officials called on security forces to ban people from parking their vehicles on the streets of cities targeted in the attacks, saying they feared more violence. In Tikrit, north of Baghdad, officials imposed a curfew on vehicles until further notice after a fatal suicide attack, officials with the Interior Ministry said. Funaro said Iraq forces requested U.S. assistance only in Tikrit, and added that U.S. forces "are prepared to assist in any capacity" in line with the security agreement in place. Two suicide bombers targeted security forces in Tikrit -- Saddam Hussein's hometown -- killing at least four policemen and wounding 11, the two officials said. The deadliest of Monday's attacks was a double bombing that targeted civilians on a busy street in central Iraq, authorities said. At least 37 people were killed when a car bomb followed by a roadside bomb exploded on the commercial street in Kut during morning rush hour, according to health officials and police, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release the information to the media. Sixty-five people were wounded in the attack, Dr. Dhiya al-Deen Jalil, the head of the health directorate in Kut, told CNN. In Twareej, near the southern holy city of Karbala, a car bomb exploded near a police station, killing at least eight people and wounding 20, two officials at the Interior Ministry told CNN. The officials also spoke on condition of anonymity for the same reason as the police. A string of explosions rocked Baghdad, killing at least three people and wounding 34, the officials said. Among the attacks were two car bombings that targeted an Iraqi army patrol and an Education Ministry convoy, the officials said. In Yusufiya, about 35 kilometers south of Baghdad, gunmen wearing Iraqi army uniforms entered a Sunni mosque around 9:30 p.m. and summoned seven worshipers by name to step outside the mosque and form a line, said an Interior Ministry official who was not authorized to speak to the news media. The gunmen then fatally shot the seven, who were members of a local Awakening Council. A bomb in a parked car in Najaf killed 11 people and wounded 50. Another parked car bomb in Kirkuk killed one person and wounded eight. A motorcycle rigged with explosives detained at an Iraqi police patrol in central Kirkuk wounded seven people. In Baquba, a suicide car bomb, another car bomb, and a shooting attack killed 13 people. Four roadside bombs exploded in Mosul, wounding five people. In the Sunni-dominated Anbar province, a man building a bomb in his house in Falluja inadvertently detonated it, killing his own 5-year-old son and wounding his wife and three other children, police and health officials in Falluja said. The man was later arrested. While violence in Iraq has fallen off in recent years, there has been an increase in attacks targeting civilians and U.S. and Iraqi security forces in recent months. Stuart Bowen, the U.S. official in charge of overseeing reconstruction in Iraq, said the country was more dangerous last month than it was the year before, according to an agency report to Congress in July. CNN's Chelsea J. Carter contributed to this report. | 84 are killed and more than 200 wounded, according to reports from across Iraq .
20 bombings and shooting attacks are reported .
Al-Maliki tells security forces to pursue the killers "until they finish them"
A jihadist website has a post praising the attacks, but no claim of responsibility . |
249,412 | cec296ec20ccde018ee3a789933fc61e15383d17 | The early bird may catch the worm, but it seems the late arrival has to settle for, well, a broken bit of twig. Still, this raven appeared to be making the best of the situation – lying on its back and playing with its new toy. The strange bird-brained behaviour was spotted by Jens Buddrich, 62, at a park in Schleswig, Germany. This raven appears to have got the wrong end of the stick as it uses the twig to play with rather than build a nest or simply perch upon . The bird can be clearly seen to be playing with the stick in the park in Schleswig, Germany . The nurse and amateur photographer, said: 'It was really unusual to watch this raven playing with the stick. 'It looked as if the bird was enjoying itself.' Yesterday bird behaviour expert Dave Paynter said this type of bird is known for playing around. The Reserve Manager at the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust in Slimbridge, Gloucestershire said: 'People often don't realise how amazing our common birds are. 'All the corvid family - including crows, magpies and ravens - are very intelligent and like many intelligent creatures they learn and challenge themselves through play.' He continued: 'At Slimbridge Wetland Centre we sometimes see whole gangs of crows using a stick for a game of tag. 'I've seen ravens flying upside down for no apparent reason, and I've even seen examples of raven leapfrog with a bird lying on its back whilst its mate repeatedly hops over it.' Experts say ravens are intelligent birds who challenge themselves with playing . | Raven caught lying on its back in the grass playing with a twig .
Amateur photographer captured the images in park in Schleswig, Germany .
Bird clearly appears to be enjoying itself with its new toy . |
9,481 | 1adf05dcc67dde2be6b8e9154d24343968414924 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 10:14 EST, 10 April 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 07:15 EST, 11 April 2013 . Drowned: Julia Niswender, pictured, was found dead in her bedroom on December 11 with the cause of death now ruled asphyxiation by drowning . A 23-year-old college student who was found murdered in her Michigan apartment last December drowned in her bathtub before being found lying in what authorities are describing as an unnatural position. Julia Niswender of Eastern Michigan University was found on December 11 after her roommate told police they hadn't seen her for days and she failed to show up to a Christmas party. Ypsilanti police have revealed Niswender died of asphyxiation by drowning with her locked bedroom also found disheveled and various items missing, the Detroit Free Press reports. Her death was immediately ruled a homicide despite few details released at the time of her mysterious death nearly four-months ago to the day. A $10,000 reward is now being offered for information in the case by Duvall Group Investigations PLLC, whose owner is a family friend. 'We are confident that the (Ypsilanti) Police Department will find justice for Julia and my family,' her mother Kim Turnquist told AnnArbor.com. 'We are just really hoping that this helps spread the word and helps catch whoever did this as soon as possible,' said Niswender’s twin sister, Jennifer. The twin was discovered lifeless in her bedroom along with evidence police immediately dubbed 'suspicious.' Aspiring broadcaster: Julia Niswender, pictured, was studying communications and wanted to be a broadcaster . Suspicious: Police said they found suspicious evidence surrounding Niswender's body . Police went to Niswender's apartment . at around 9:30 p.m. after her roommate called and asked them to check on . her welfare as she hadn't been seen for a number of days. The . communications major worked at Walmart part time and had failed to show . up at the supermarket's staff Christmas celebrations that night, . concerning colleagues. Officers arrived and called paramedics but she was pronounced dead at the scene. Ypsilanti police Detective Sgt. Thomas Eberts said immediately that police were treating Niswender's . death as suspicious, adding that the evidence found in her apartment led . to 'unanswered questions.' After the grisly discovery, the university sent out an alert to warn students of an incident near campus, Fox News reported. While she didn't live at the university, she shared a flat at the Peninsular Place Apartments, which are very near to the EMU campus. EMU police held a campus safety meeting the day after her body was discovered, taking questions from distraught students and offering safety tips to around 200 members of the community who showed up. Police asked students to take extra safety precautions, suggesting they avoid wearing . headphones while walking on campus, walk with a partner, call police . if they see something suspicious and to call authorities if they get . any unsolicited visitors. Twins: Friends and family members were flooding the Facebook page of Julia's twin, Jennifer, pictured right, with condolences after hearing the tragic news . Life cut short: A budding broadcaster, Niswender recently traveled to New York City to tour the NBC studios, pictured . Fan: Niswender, pictured centre, met her idol Anderson Cooper during a recent trip to New York . Crime scene: Niswender was found dead in her bedroom at the Peninsular Place Apartments, pictured . EMU officials also said they were adding extra police patrols. Niswender was described as a loving, outgoing and kind friend. She was a budding broadcaster who recently toured the NBC studios in New York City, where she met Anderson Cooper. Next to the picture she had taken with him, she wrote: 'Yup got a pic with Anderson Cooper :) gotta love NYC and yes i have a cheesy smile lo. (sic)' The young woman's twin sister, Jennifer, wrote a heartbreaking tribute to Julia on her Facebook page after her death, as condolences from friends and family members flooded her wall. 'No . one will ever understand what I am going through right now, but I just . want to say thank you to everyone who has been calling, texting, . emailing and posting and for all your support during this horrible . time,' she wrote. Distraught: Friends and classmates of Julia Niswender cried during a forum on campus security at the Eastern Michigan University after the murder . University alert: The university sent out an alert to warn students of an incident near campus after finding the body . 'Also, . thank you to everyone who stopped by to visit with my family and I. I . wish i could respond to each and everyone of you but words can't . describe how I feel. Julia was my twin, other half, and best friend. 'No . one will ever understand the bond we shared. I love her so much and . just don't know how I can go on. My beautiful sister didn't deserve . this. Justice will be served even if it is the last thing I do! The rest . of my life I will be living for her.' Speaking at the campus meeting, . University President Susan Martin choked up as she extended her . sympathies to Niswender's friends and family. 'Our job is to communicate directly . to you what we know and what we don't know,' she told students, many of . whom were in tears in the auditorium. One of Niswender's Walmart colleagues told Fox News the young woman was 'always smiling.' 'Best personality, loudest laugh, just wouldn't hurt anybody, always smiling,' Keith Logue said. | Eastern Michigan University student Julia Niswender's death ruled asphyxiation after found in a bathtub on December 11 .
Niswender, 23, was found dead in her locked bedroom described by police as disheveled with items missing .
Police have ruled her death a homicide but no suspects have been identified . |
286,005 | fe933d873f358970cd40198b181411d0b4810d6d | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 17:21 EST, 26 May 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 01:44 EST, 27 May 2013 . Spirit Airlines forced six passengers off a flight last week because stewardesses were reportedly 'intimidated' when they heard the group speaking Russian. The passengers, from San Diego, were on their way to an anniversary party in Las Vegas when they were told to leave shortly after taking their seats. A steward demanded that they leave, saying that the travelers had ignored requests to lower their voices. Scroll down for video . Insult: Sana Bitman and her husband Dmitri (left) along with another four passengers were kicked off a Spirit Airlines flight allegedly for speaking Russian . No fly zone: These three passengers, from San Diego, were also kicked off the flight because a stewardess allegedly found them 'intimidating' The group told News 10 that they did not hear requests to keep the noise down. One of the passengers Sana Bitman, who was kicked off the flight with her husband Dmitry, told the TV station: 'He [the steward] just said, ''This row needs to get up and leave now.'' It was humiliating to be treated that way.' Among the passengers who were removed from the flight were a business owner, teacher and accountant. The group said that they were later told by a Spirit Airlines employee that flight attendants had been intimidated when they heard the foreign language. Outrage: One of the passengers managed to film the Spirit Airlines employee who allegedly told them their use of Russian was 'intimidating' Grounded: The passengers missed their party and now plan to sue Spirit Airlines . The airline contends that the party had not listened to requests for them to keep quiet. In a statement to MailOnline, Spirit Airlines said: 'We are conducting a complete review and reaching out to the customers. 'Our preliminary review shows that the customers were asked to deplane for loud and disruptive behavior.' The passengers now plan to sue the airline. | Group from San Diego were on their way to Las Vegas for anniversary party .
Spirit Airlines says passengers were 'loud and disruptive' |
134,103 | 395dfa03d0aaf988b695b534355be40614c623a8 | After catching Sportsmail's eye during the World Cup, reporter Vanessa Huppenkothen was in Germany to interview compatriot Guillermo Ochoa. The Mexican journalist posed for pictures in a Schalke 04 shirt, and also interviewed her country's first choice goalkeeper. She made the trip to Germany especially to interview the keeper before his debut. Huppenkothen's father was a Mexican and German footballer, and even though she was born in Mexico City she has always been an avid fan of the Bundesliga. Ochoa was one of the stand-out performers for Mexico at the World Cup, and was particularly impressive in his side's 0-0 draw with Brazil. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Move over Adrian Chiles: Vanessa Huppenkothen back in action . Compatriots: Huppenkothen interviews Guillermo Ochoa before West Ham take on Malaga . Sam Allardyce's men will meet Malaga after beating German side Schalke on penalties after a 0-0 draw yesterday. The Hammers have endured a difficult pre-season - apart from yesterday's result, they have either lost or drawn every match they have played. Malaga, on the other hand, have only failed to win one of their four pre-season games. They beat Alan Pardew's Newcastle 3-1 in Germany yesterday. Schalke: The Mexican journalist posed wearing a Schalke 04 shirt the club she supports because of her father . Keeper: Guillermo Ochoa signed for Malaga after impressing at the World Cup with Mexico . Supporter: Her father was a Mexican German footballer, which is why she's an avid Bundesliga fan . | West Ham face Malaga in their pre-season friendly .
Vanessa Huppenkothen was there to watch the match .
Mexican journalist was also interviewing Guillermo Ochoa .
Ochoa signed for Malaga after the World Cup . |
109,741 | 1972527227f7c0b00b39746a24b4c22ed1703a83 | By . Emma Innes . PUBLISHED: . 10:07 EST, 11 July 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 10:07 EST, 11 July 2013 . A grieving father has been banned from the GP surgery he has attended for more than 60 years after raising concerns about GPs who failed to spot his son’s deadly brain tumour. Last week Malcolm Buckley, 62, spoke of his devastation that his son, Chris, 34, died of a brain tumour after being told his symptoms were caused by depression. He has now been left stunned after receiving a letter informing him he has a week to find a new doctor as his name is to be removed from the register at Robert Frew Medical Centre in Wickford, Essex. Malcolm Buckley has been banned from the Robert Frew Medical Centre after going public about his concerns that his son could have received better treatment if he had not been repeatedly misdiagnosed . The shock move came just days after Mr Buckley raised concerns about three of doctors at the surgery who treated his son. Mr Buckley said: ‘I’m convinced this is the direct result of me raising concerns about my son’s care in the local paper and the doctors clearly do not like any criticism. ‘People should be aware that if they complain about their GP, they could be struck off. ‘I have been at the surgery 62 years with no previous issues and could now struggle to find another practice.’ Mr Buckley claims he was given no warning of the removal - a move required by British Medical Association guidelines - and was handed ‘veiled threats’ about going to the press with his concerns. The senior councillor at Basildon Borough Council was shocked when he received the letter which stated: ‘Robert Frew Medical Centre has asked contractor services to remove your name from its list of NHS patients. ‘If you are not accepted by another . doctor then your name will be removed from your present doctor’s list on . July 16 when his responsibility for your treatment will cease.’ Mr Buckley’s son had seen three doctors . at the surgery over a year who prescribed him with anti-depressants and . sleeping tablets to deal with his developing symptoms. Chris Buckley, 34, died of a brain tumour in May after being told repeatedly that he was suffering from depression . It was not until Mr Buckley’s son lost the use of his hand that the tumour, which was the size of a tennis ball, was discovered following a trip to Basildon Hospital A&E. Despite a four-hour emergency operation to remove the bulk of the tumour, he died on May 2 this year. Taylor Wood Solicitors, speaking on behalf of Robert Frew Medical Centre, said: ‘The practice has removed Mr Buckley from its list because the doctor-patient relationship, based on trust and mutual respect, has broken down irretrievably. ‘The partners respected Mr Buckley’s right to complain - indeed we have continued to offer GP medical services throughout the complaints procedure. ‘Mr Buckley has articulated in no uncertain terms that he has no confidence in three doctors in the partnership. ‘The partners are on call in rotation and there may well be a situation when the only doctors available will be one or more of the three concerned. ‘Under these circumstances the . practice believes it is in Mr Buckley’s best interest and that of the . partnership that he register with another practice.’ Mr . Buckley’s son went to Robert Frew Surgery in Wickford, Essex, in . December 2011 because he was struggling to talk and could not remember . some words. Taylor Wood Solicitors, speaking on behalf of the surgery, said: 'The practice has removed Mr Buckley from its list because the doctor-patient relationship, based on trust and mutual respect, has broken down irretrievably' He visited the surgery with girlfriend Kelly McCain who had to speak for him because his speech had got so bad and was prescribed with antidepressant citalopram and sleeping tablets. His condition worsened over the New Year and he saw another doctor who prescribed more antidepressants. But by the end of January Mr Buckley was barely able to speak and he was referred to a mental health unit at Basildon Hospital. But when he got to the mental health unit, staff were unable to understand him and he left. When father and late mother, Sylvia Buckley, 59, noticed that he could not use his right hand they were told by NHS Direct to take him to A&E where the tumour was discovered. He was transferred to Queen's Hospital, Romford, where drugs improved his speech but two months later his situation deteriorated rapidly and he died. Malcolm Buckley believes his son may have received better treatment sooner if he had been properly assessed and diagnosed. A practice spokesman speaking on behalf of Robert Frew Surgery said: 'Even though Mr Buckley has spoken publicly, we are unable to discuss confidential details of patient care. 'The GMC conducted a thorough investigation and made no recommendations for action. We offer our sincere condolences to the family.' | Malcolm Buckley has been banned from Robert Frew Medical Centre .
He expressed concerns about treatment his son, Chris Buckley, 34, received .
Chris died of a brain tumour in May after being repeatedly misdiagnosed . |
245,559 | c9d5f7fdc50d7bfb5b7461fe5deb9635b59ed48c | By . Associated Press . PUBLISHED: . 23:28 EST, 8 November 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 12:33 EST, 9 November 2012 . Training day: Mario Swain, 33, was convicted of murdering Lola Nixon, 44, during a break-in at her Texas home in 2002 . A man described by a prosecutor as 'a serial killer in training' was executed Thursday in Texas for a woman's slaying during a break-in at her home a decade ago. Mario Swain, 33, received a lethal injection for killing Lola Nixon at her home in East Texas' Longview two days after Christmas in 2002. When asked by a warden if he had a final statement before his punishment, the condemned prisoner shook his head, closed his eyes and took several barely audible breaths. Within a moment, all movement stopped. Swain was pronounced dead 30 minutes later, at 6:39 p.m. CST. No family members or friends of Nixon were at the execution. Swain also had no relatives among the witnesses. Swain's attorney, James Volberding, said no late attempts were made in the courts to block the execution, the 13th this year in the nation's busiest capital punishment state. The U.S. Supreme Court last month refused to review the case, and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals last week rejected an appeal that contended a prison expert's testimony during the sentencing phase of Swain's 2003 capital murder trial was false and misleading. Swain declined media interview requests as his execution date neared. Evidence showed Swain threw the 46-year-old Nixon's body into the trunk of her BMW after killing her, drove to a remote area outside of the city about 120 miles east of Dallas and dumped it in the back seat of an abandoned car. Nixon missed a dinner engagement with friends on the night she was slain. Her friends called police when they couldn't reach her the next day, and officers who went to her home found the back door jimmied. Once inside, they saw blood throughout the house. A neighbor reported seeing an unfamiliar truck parked on the street the night before, and police tracked the vehicle to Swain. He initially blamed friends for the burglary, then led police to Nixon's body. Authorities determined she'd been beaten with a tire iron, stabbed and strangled. Big house: Swain was given a lethal injection at Huntsville Prison at 7pm Thursday evening . The tire iron was recovered from a trash container where Swain said he had thrown it. Evidence showed he used Nixon's credit cards and gave a piece of her stolen jewelry to a friend. Nixon's blood was found on Swain's clothing in the truck, along with her car keys and garage door opener. According to evidence and testimony at trial, Swain gathered information about women he wanted to rob and then would attack them, forcing them to inhale the anesthetic halothane and hitting them over the head with a wrench or shooting them with a stun gun. Lance Larison, a prosecutor at Swain's trial, described Swain as 'a serial killer in training.' 'A girlfriend told us he kept a list in notebooks of names and license plates of girls he would follow,' Larison said. 'I think he was working up to something.' It's not clear if Swain knew Nixon. She managed a Longview telephone call center where Swain once worked. One of Swain's trial lawyers, Rick Hagan, said the evidence and vivid testimony from those who say Swain robbed and attacked them hindered the defense's efforts to convince jurors to spare Swain from the death penalty. Larson said blood evidence in the case was 'consistent with a struggle' inside Nixon's home, where she lived alone. Deborah Hancock told the Longview News-Journal she and her husband were to have dinner with Nixon that Friday night after Christmas 2002. They stopped by Nixon's house with a carry-out package when she didn't arrive to eat with them. When their knocks went unanswered, they left the food at her front door. 'I can't believe it's been 10 years,' Hancock said. 'She was very outgoing and very direct, fun, lively. She was just one of a kind.' Swain's execution is to be followed by two more next week in Texas. | Mario Swain, 33, died of a lethal injection at 6:39pm CST .
Former girlfriend said he kept notebooks of the names and license plates of women he wanted to attack . |
6,114 | 1151e28352e5d92937eeefb9ede8ad63137b9a20 | (CNN) -- When it comes to rebooting Marvel's tale of an adolescent web crawler, Sony seems more than happy to sing the same old song with today's release of "The Amazing Spider-Man." Only 10 years have passed since Tobey Maguire started swinging through the urban jungle in "Spider-Man," and now Andrew Garfield is stepping into his flight path in what often feels like a straight-up remake. Considering how important the idea of evolution is to this story, is it unreasonable to expect something more inventive than the same origin tale? Note to Sony: The entire planet saw Sam Raimi's "Spider-Man," and you guys know this better than anyone! Copping iconic scenes from "Superman," "Batman" and "King Kong" only makes matters worse. Yes, there are variations; "Amazing" isn't a carbon copy. And, to some extent, there are improvements. The biggest plus point has to be Garfield, the Anglo-American actor who played Mark Zuckerberg's former friend and ally in "The Social Network." At 28, Garfield's slightly older than Maguire was when he played Peter Parker in 2002, but his combination of fresh-faced innocence, nervous agitation and wry humor is immediately appealing. Garfield's Peter is still very much a boy -- the prologue introduces him as a child, searching for the father he's about to lose. He's a good-hearted, curious kid who isn't prepared for the hormonal surges that sweep his body shortly after he's been bitten by a genetically modified spider in the research laboratory of one Dr. Curt Connors (Rhys Ifans). The next thing Peter knows, he's climbing the walls. He's stronger, stickier and getting a good deal further than he ever thought possible with Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone). Not surprisingly, director Marc Webb -- whose last film was the sleeper rom-com "(500) Days of Summer" -- employs a deft hand with the relationship scenes, and Garfield and Stone have a nice, frisky rapport. The dialogue scenes are light and "on point." But none of this can dispel the whiff of déjà vu. At least we get a new bad guy. When the semi-sympathetic Dr. Connors rashly doses himself into a poor man's Godzilla -- a Middle-aged Mutant Ninja Lizard -- Webb dutifully strings together three or four wham-bang set pieces, including a novel interlude in the sewers, where Spidey spins his own advance warning system, a welcome breath of presumably foul air after all his usual zip-lining antics. The action is mostly coherent and the CGI is a notch or four up from the first Sam Raimi movie, but not a significant advance on the last of them unless you're crazy for 3-D. (A couple of dizzying subjective close-ups do make the case for it -- but they're the exceptions.) This is yet another blockbuster sprinkled with numerous continuity errors, ridiculous coincidences, contrivances and gaping lapses in logic. To take just one minor example: An 8-foot reptile rampages across the Williamsburg bridge during rush hour, and no one gets a photograph? And just because it runs two-and-a-quarter hours doesn't mean you should expect the filmmakers to tie up loose ends. The sinister billionaire who is bankrolling Connors' work, some chap by the name of Osborne, remains ominously off-screen, and we never do find out what happened to Peter's parents. But I suppose that's not carelessness as much as it's confidence. "The Amazing Spider-Man" is slick and entertaining and artfully packaged, and Andrew Garfield is utterly engaging, so yes, you can count on seeing more of the same. Prepare to be unamazed. | "The Amazing Spider-Man" sings the same old song as its predecessors .
There are some improvements, with the best being Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker .
But none of its positives can dispel the whiff of déjà vu . |
8,392 | 17abcd15187a18677ce785e654c25b1bca29317f | Johannesburg (CNN) -- South African anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela successfully underwent hernia surgery Saturday, a family member told CNN Saturday. Mandela was "comfortable" and in "a satisfactory condition" Saturday, said the South African president, who referred to the medical event only as "a planned procedure." The 93-year-old likely will be discharged within the next two days, a Mandela relative told CNN. Considered the founding father of South Africa's democracy, Mandela became an international figure when he endured 27 years in prison for fighting racial segregation. He was freed in 1990, and three years later, he and then-South African President F.W. de Klerk won the Nobel Peace Prize. In 1994, Mandela was elected president, serving only one term as he had promised. On Saturday, President Jacob Zuma said Mandela was being treated for a "longstanding abdominal complaint." The president referred to Mandela by his affectionate clan name Madiba. "Madiba is fine and fully conscious and the doctors are satisfied with his condition, which they say is consistent with his age," Zuma said in a statement Saturday afternoon. "He was in good health before admission in hospital but doctors felt the complaint needed a thorough investigation. He underwent a diagnostic procedure as part of his ongoing medical management. We are happy that he is not in any danger and thank the doctors for their hard work and professionalism," Zuma said. A government official assured the public that Mandela's hospital stay was not an emergency. "People need not panic. This was planned ... Mandela has had abdominal pains for sometime," said Keith Khoza, a spokesman for the ruling African National Congress. Officials and family declined to name the hospital where the former president is undergoing treatment. Mandela last appeared in public in the closing ceremonies of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. He was hospitalized last year for treatment of an acute respiratory infection, and continued to receive treatment at home after doctors discharged him. Despite his rare appearances, Mandela retains his popularity and is considered a hero of democracy here. He spent 27 years in prison after being convicted of sabotage and attempts to overthrow the former apartheid regime. In a life fighting the racism of apartheid he went from being considered a terrorist to jailed freedom fighter to nation builder to elder statesman respected in the world's capitals. Clint Eastwood's 2009 film "Invictus," starring Morgan Freeman as Mandela, dramatizes Mandela's nation-healing presidency in the 1990s. Mandela relocated to his childhood town of Qunu last year, but moved back to his Johannesburg home earlier this year. At the time, Zuma said the move was because the home in his boyhood town was undergoing maintenance. Members of the public can send messages to Mandela through President Zuma to [email protected], officials said. CNN's Nadia Bilchik, Faith Karimi and Michael Martinez contributed to this report . | Mandela is "comfortable" and in "a satisfactory condition," president says .
Mandela had an operation for a hernia, relative says .
He should be released no later than Monday, relative says .
The former president last appeared in public in 2010 . |
147,598 | 4ad939f6cf56278460514196ccf945f9b69eab19 | By . Nick Pisa . PUBLISHED: . 10:50 EST, 25 May 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 15:01 EST, 25 May 2012 . Silvio Berlusconi's accountant brought an amazing £16million in cash to the former premier's luxury villa to pay girls who attended his infamous bunga bunga parties, a court has heard. The eye-watering sum was revealed by Berlusconi's grey-haired accountant Giuseppe Spinelli during two hours of questioning as the trial of the sleazy politician who is accused of paying for sex with a minor continues. Prosecutors believe dozens of women were given money, cars and jewellery in return for spending the night with him and in return for attending his bunga bunga parties. Prosecutors believe dozens of women were given money, cars and jewellery in return for spending the night with Silvio Berlusconi (above) and in return for attending his bunga bunga parties . The trial has already heard how women dressed as nuns and police officers before carrying out seductive pole dances for Berlusconi and two of his cronies. The venue for the parties was the basement in the billionaire media tycoon's villa at Arcore near Milan and Mr Spinelli told the court how he brought the money to the house from his office over a period between 2009 and 2010. As prosecutors showed him a long list of bankers drafts and withdrawals from the former prime minister's accounts Mr Spinelli said: 'I was just following the orders of Silvio Berlusconi. Every slip had to be personally signed by him and I would then take the money to Arcore.' One of the young women who attended Berlusconi's parties told the court that she dressed up as a burlesque version of U.S. President Barack Obama to entertain the former Italian prime minister. Marysthell Polanco also said she had dressed as prosecutor Ilda Boccassini. Boccassini, known as 'Ilda the Red' because of her hair colour and what Berlusconi says is her communist political sympathies, is one of the prosecutors in the ongoing trial. 'I dressed up as Boccassini with a toga to make him laugh, and also as Obama,' Polanco told the court. Polanco, a striking 28-year-old from the Dominican Republic, said the parties were innocent fun accompanied by burlesque, but not pornographic, entertainment. Berlusconi denies all wrongdoing. He had a close rapport with former U.S. President George W. Bush, earning several invitations to Washington and even to his Texas ranch, but he never was able to establish a similar relationship with Obama after repeatedly describing him - and later his wife - as 'suntanned'. 'During the week the girls would speak to me and tell me what they needed and then on a Monday I would go to Arcore where I had a meeting with him (Berlusconi) and he would tell me what amounts to put in the envelopes. 'He asked me to bring the money in cash and I would put it in the safe at the villa. In 2009 I brought around €7,665,000 while in 2010 I brought more than €12 million. 'Whenever large sums were needed I would forewarn the bank and they would break it down into smaller amounts for me. The money was for the girls daily living expenses and for bills, that sort of thing. We helped so many people and we still do. 'Some of these girls had come from overseas and had nothing. They all needed help.' Berlusconi is accused of paying for sex with underage minor Karima El Mahroug, also known as Ruby the Heartbreaker, in February 2010 when she was just 17 years old and therefore technically a minor. In Italy the age of consent is 14 but paying a woman under 18 for sex is seen as prostitution with a minor and punishable by up to three years in jail. Mr Spinelli said: 'I gave her less than €10,000, probably around €8,900. One day she came to my office and her face was al bruised and she said her flatmate had beaten her up so I gave her €3,000. 'Another time after I had spoken to Berlusconi about her, I gave her €5,000 and I think on two other occasions when she turned up at my office unannounced i gave her between €100 and €300.' Earlier the court had heard from another witness Natasha Teatino, a guest at the parties, who described how Berlusconi had 'paid numerous girls for sex' after an evening at the villa. Berlusconi is accused of paying for sex with underage minor Karima El Mahroug, also known as Ruby the Heartbreaker, in February 2010 when she was just 17 years old . She told the hearing of one evening in January 2011 and said: 'Silvio Berlusconi paid numerous girls for sex. There was about 20 girls, some were in swimming costumes and others were in their underwear. 'I didn't see anyone completely naked and there were only three men present Emilio Fede (TV news anchorman) and Mariano Apicella (Berlusconi's singing partner on their album) who sang and played his guitar.' Ms Teatino added: 'At the end of the evening some girls left but around half of the women, around ten or so, stayed. I left, I chose not to stay and a driver took me home. It was my choice, I wasn't specifically asked if I wanted to have sex but when I accepted the invitation I knew what was expected of me. If I had wanted to, I could have stayed. 'My friend Ariel Espinosa stayed the night and she told me that she had sex with Berlusconi in return for money but he didn't just pay for sex with money he also paid the rent for some of the girls as well in return. He paid for Ariel's rent.' She said: 'The girls were all semi naked. We were in the bunga bunga room as it was called in the basement. They would perform erotic dances and the prime minister would touch them. I was a little bit upset after the party because I didn't get an envelope like the other girls.' Berlusconi has insisted that nothing untoward happened at the parties which were simply 'elegant dinners' and belly dancer Miss El Mahroug, who he is accused of paying for under age sex with, has also insisted that nothing happened between them. Berlusconi is also accused of abuse of office, with prosecutors claiming he had Karima freed from police custody when she was arrested for theft by wrongly telling officers she was related to the then Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak. | Accountant's revelations during trial of politician accused of paying for sex with minor .
One woman 'dressed as burlesque Barack Obama during bunga bunga parties' |
138,316 | 3ee2919c93248af3cbfa9d712e8cb8224203ce12 | Becky Edwards from Cannock, Staffs. was so humiliated after becoming wedged in children's ride she lost more than half bodyweight . Supermarket worker Becky used Safeway discount card to stock up on pies and crisps . By . Deborah Andrews . PUBLISHED: . 05:13 EST, 17 May 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 06:57 EST, 17 May 2012 . A mother-of-two was shamed into losing more than 18 stone after getting stuck on a theme park ride.Becky Edwards was left a laughing stock when she became wedged in a carriage ride while enjoying a day out with her family three years ago. The 30-year-old from Cannock, Staffordshire, was so humiliated by her mishap that it forced her to change her unhealthy lifestyle - and lose more than half her body weight. She said: 'It was the most embarrassing day of my life. Everyone was staring at me. People were laughing and pointing at me. 'In a way, I'm glad it happened. I don't think I would have done anything about my weight otherwise.' 'It was the most embarrassing day of my life': Becky will never forget the moment she became stuck in a theme park ride . Healthy: Supermarket worker Becky once used her discount card to buy pork pies and sweets - now she eats low fat foods and grills instead of fries . Becky, who is a full-time mother, ballooned to a dress size 32 and a whopping 33 stone after years of gorging on junk food. She said: 'It started when I was in my late teens and I moved out of home into my own flat. I stopped eating proper meals. 'I got a job in Safeway and used my discount card to buy crisps, chocolates and cream cakes every day. I would stuff myself. 'I was working shifts and on my way home from work, I'd stop off at the chip shop.' On an average day, Becky would eat three bags of crisps, two chocolate bars, sandwiches, a pizza, sausage rolls, pork pies and Cornish pasties. Her weight spiralled out of control after she met husband Gary, 34, a factory worker, and gave birth to their daughter Lilly, now six. Becky said: 'When Lilly was a toddler, I started dieting. I tried different things - Weight Watchers, Slimfast - but nothing worked for me. 'I was always hungry and would fill up on anything I could grab. I was probably eating the same amount. 'I just got it into my head that I would never lose weight. I just thought ‘that's me' and hid myself in baggy clothes. 'I didn't own a full length mirror. I didn't want to see myself.' It wasn't until the day out at Drayton Manor Theme Park in Staffordshire that Becky got the wake-up call she needed. She said: 'Lilly was only three at the time and she wanted to go on every ride. I always avoided them.'I used to come up with excuses but she begged me to go on the cars with her. I didn't like seeing her upset so I gave in. Super mum: Thirty-three stone Becky Edwards was humiliated into losing more than half her body weight after getting stuck on a roller coaster at Drayton Manor theme park. 'As we went round, the wheel was cutting into my stomach. It was very uncomfortable. 'When the ride finished, I tried to stand up but I realised I was stuck. 'Lilly sat there waiting for me to get off. She shouted: ‘come on Mum, hurry up.' She wanted to go on the other rides. She was young and didn't understand what was happening. 'It was so embarrassing. My biggest fear was that they would have to call the fire brigade to cut me out.' After several minutes, Becky finally managed to free herself. She said: 'It felt like I was stuck forever. 'I grabbed Lilly's hand and walked towards Gary. There was a crowd of people looking at me.'I was hot and my face was bright red. 'Gary had seen everything but he knew it was best not to mention anything. We never talked about my weight. I think he was worried about upsetting me. 'After that, I refused to go on any more rides.' Liberating: Now Becky says she can go on any children's rides she likes . On the journey home, Becky tried to make a joke out of her misfortune. She said: 'I laughed it off. I said it was a kid's ride and adults shouldn't go on it but I was struggling to hold back the tears. 'As soon we got home though, I locked myself in the bathroom and cried. It really upset me. 'I hated my body and was ashamed at how fat I'd let myself get.' She also realised that her bad relationship with food could have fatal health implications. 'I was always breathless and at risk of having a heart attack. 'I'd cook a healthy meal for Lilly and Gary but I wouldn't eat it myself. I was setting a bad example. 'I decided I needed to do something if I wanted to see her grow up. I didn't want to leave her without a mum.' Becky joined her local Slimming World group and within a month she had lost a stone and a half.She said: 'You can eat what you want but you change how you cook things. I don't use oil and I grill everything. 'Anne my Slimming World leader has been brilliant. When I'm struggling she will always helps me. The group is like one big family. We all look after each other. 'When I fell pregnant with my son Harry, I had a break from Slimming World and put on two stone but as soon as he was born, I was back again.' In total, dropped nine dress sizes and has slimmed down to a healthier 14 stone. She hopes to lose a further two stone to reach her target. Becky says she still has flashbacks to that day but it hasn't stopped her going to the theme park. She said: 'We went to Drayton Manor a couple of weeks ago and I went on everything. 'Lilly said to me the other day: ‘You used to be fat, Mummy, but now you're not.' 'It made me feel so proud.' | Becky Edwards from Cannock, Staffs. was so humiliated after becoming wedged in children's ride she lost more than half bodyweight .
Supermarket worker Becky used Safeway discount card to stock up on pies and crisps . |
158,517 | 58ef5b4958549b539014ea0782f3f9972f49367a | (CNN) -- The governing body of Mexican football has banned five players from its national team after they failed drugs tests taken in late May before the start of an international tournament. Decio de Maria, Secretary General of the Mexican Federation of Football, announced the suspensions of national team members Guillermo Ochoa, Francisco Javier Rodriguez, Edgar Duenas, Antonio Naelson "Sinha" and Christian Bermudez at a Thursday news conference. De Maria blamed the failed drug tests on bad meat eaten by the players. The five tested positive for clenbuterol, a banned anabolic agent that can be found in meats. Mexican football officials contend the five players ingested the substance accidentally. The suspensions could be devastating to Mexico's chances at the Gold Cup, an international tournament currently under way that includes nations from North America, Central America and the Caribbean. Mexico is the tournament's returning champion. Samples of red meat have been collected from a restaurant the players had frequented and will be tested, according to the federation. The federation stated that a final decision on the players' status is pending the results of the tests. | The players test positive for clenbuterol, a banned substance .
Mexican soccer chief says players ingested bad meat .
The five Mexican national team players are out of the Gold Cup tournament . |
228,839 | b44ce27ad29a62e516ae7f1ac460de19f7e3e1f4 | David Villa struck twice to extend his record goal tally for Spain to 58 as the champions eased to a 2-0 win over El Salvador on Saturday in their final warm-up game before the World Cup in Brazil. Spain dominated the Central American minnows at the FedEx Stadium and barely broke into a sweat in securing a comfortable victory ahead of their opening Group B match against Netherlands in the city of Salvador on Friday. Vicente Del Bosque's team squandered a chance to take an early lead when Diego Costa was felled in the penalty area by goalkeeper Henry Hernandez and Cesc Fabregas smashed his fourth-minute spot kick over the crossbar. Cheeky: David Villa celebrates after scoring the opening goal for Spain against El Salvador . No hard feelings: Diego Costa (right) was quick to congratulate his strike partner . Target: Costa (right) brings the ball down on his chest during Spain's friendly win . Villa, whose goals helped propel Spain to their maiden world title in South Africa four years ago, came off the bench at the break and was in the right place to nod in a Sergio Ramos knockdown in the 60th minute. Another substitute, Sergio Busquets, crashed a long-range effort against the crossbar in the 80th minute before goalkeeper David De Gea made his debut for La Roja when he replaced captain Iker Casillas for the final 10 minutes. David Silva floated the ball into the area three minutes from time and Villa chested it down and fired into the corner on his 96th appearance. Missing in action: Cesc Fabregas put his fourth minute penalty well over the crossbar . Foul: Spain's Jordi Alba (left) is tackled by El Salvador's midfielder Arturo Alverez (right) Acrobatic: Alexander Larin (right) makes on overhead kick as Pedro Rodriguez looks on . Tough test: Spain struggled to break down El Salvador's defence on Saturday . On the run: Spain's Javi Martinez (right) dribbles the ball during the first half . | David Villa scores twice to hand Spain friendly victory .
Diego Costa wins late penalty for Vicente del Bosque's side .
Man United keeper David de Gea makes his Spain debut .
Cesc Fabregas misses first half penalty . |
4,246 | 0c3ceb5d6b6ff38c90efd58d87c0b52da434232d | By . Gerard Couzens . A British adventure-seeker on a round-the-world cycle trip has died after being hit by a 4x4 in Bolivia while her husband tailed her a few metres behind. Sharon Bridgman, 38, died instantly after being struck by the Toyota Land Cruiser on a dirt track near the world's largest salt flats - the famous Uyuni - in the south west of the country close to the border with Chile. She and husband Tim, from Zeal Monachorum near Okehampton, Devon, were nearly two years into a fundraising cycle trip for Cornwall-based disaster relief charity ShelterBox spanning 32 countries across three continents. Horror: Sharon Bridgman was killed after being hit by a 4x4 in Bolivia while taking part in a round-the-world charity cycle ride with her husband Tim . Tragedy: The 38-year-old died instantly after being struck by the Toyota Land Cruiser on a dirt track near the world's largest salt flats while her husband tailed around 200 metres behind . The couple were on the 19,000 mile-leg of the trip from south America to north Alaska when charity worker Sharon was struck from behind and knocked off her bike, just after 4.30pm on Saturday. The unnamed Bolivian man involved in the accident was arrested at the scene and is now in custody awaiting a court appearance. A local police spokesman said the accident happened after Sharon swerved to the left and caught the him by surprise. Last night members of Okehampton Cycling Club, which the couple have belonged to for nearly a decade, spoke of their shock at the news. Thumbs up: Mr and Mrs Bridgman pictured in Argentina last year at the start of their 19,000 mile-leg of the trip from south America to north Alaska which they were part-way through when she died . The couple, from Zeal Monachorum near Okehampton, Devon, were nearly two years into a fundraising cycle trip for Cornwall-based disaster relief charity ShelterBox spanning 32 countries across three continents . Club chairman Robert Szembek said: 'I only found out about the tragedy yesterday and am still in a state of shock. 'Everyone was following an Internet blog they were writing and they appeared to be having a great time and making lots of new friends. 'They'd already done what I would describe as some of the more dangerous countries on their route through Africa without any real problems. 'Tim had his bike stolen at one point and had to have a replacement flown out but that was the worst thing that had happened. 'My heart goes out to him. I haven't been able to talk to him but it goes without saying that he must be suffering immensely.' A friend added: 'They'd been cycling virtually non-stop since June 2012 but were going to break their journey in early July to come back to Britain for a friend's wedding. 'I don't know what he'll do now. All we've been told is that Sharon has been killed but we don't really know any more details than that.' The couple, pictured in Ushuaia in southern Argentina, were on the 19,000 mile-leg from south America to north Alaska when the charity worker was struck and knocked off her bike just after 4.30pm on Saturday . Adventurers: Mrs Bridgman wife her carpenter husband Tim in Nordkapp, Norway, on June 4, 2012, the first day of their rouind-the-world trip . Carpenter Tim set off with his wife from Nordkapp in Norway on June 4 2012. They cycled nearly 16,000 miles through 23 countries in Europe and Africa including Turkey, Egypt, Sudan and war-torn Ethiopia before arriving in Cape Agulhas in South Africa last November. They then took a plane to Ushuaia in southern Argentina to start their 19,000 mile ride, called the 'North to North cycle tour', to northern Alaska. Sharon, who did most of the writing, told in a diary entry on their travel blog posted just five days before Sunday's tragedy how they had spent a night on the outskirts of Chilean capital Santiago with firefighters before heading to meet a friend they had made earlier on their trip. She joked how Tim was taunted by a mosquito 'that had been on a three-week diet and was trying to catch up on many missed meals' in a farewell sign-off. Describing a hair-raising moment in an April 2013 post, written near the Ethiopian town of Sodo, Tim told how around 50 kids ran alongside them on a dirt track trying to grab their belongings from their bike and throwing stones at them. 'He must be suffering immensely': Mr Bridgman (pictured in Chile this year) is understood to be receiving support from British diplomats . He wrote: 'We were close to the edge of town when one hit Sharon on the head. 'It was the last straw. We stopped and tried explaining our thoughts to the adults but they just smiled and shrugged their shoulders. 'It was like riding through wild animals.' Sharon, who rode from Land's End to John O'Groats with her husband in 2005, had to give up impact sports several years ago because of serious back problems. The problems forced her to take seven months off work in 2007 and she had several spinal injections to help ease the pain. Speaking shortly before they set out, Tim said: 'Standing for a long period of time is still a problem but cycling seems to be the one thing that is okay. 'With determination and incredible support from family and friends over the years it has become managable enough to do this trip.' Ready to go: Mr and Mrs Bridgman arrive in Ushuaia, Argentina, to start their 19,000-mile ride, called the 'North to North cycle tour' to northern Alaska . Local police chief Marcelo Tejerina confirmed: 'Mrs Bridgman died just after 4pm on Saturday local time after being hit by a Toyota Land Cruiser driven by a Bolivian man on a dirt track near Villamar, around 125 miles south of Uyuni. She was killed instantly. 'Her husband who was cycling around 200 metres behind was unhurt. 'The driver stopped and called police. He has now been arrested and his vehicle impounded which is standard practice after a fatal road accident and he is in custody awaiting a court appearance scheduled to take place later today. 'Both the driver and the tourist were travelling in the same direction from Villamar to Uyuni and were about 125 miles from the Chilean border. 'Mrs Bridgman appears to have swerved to the left for reasons that are unclear and taken the driver by surprise.' British diplomats are understood to be assisting Mr Bridgman. His wife's body has been flown to the Bolivian capital La Paz ahead of its repatriation to the UK. The city of Uyuni is a major tourist draw for holidaymakers visiting the nearby salt flat, which sits near the top of the Andes at nearly 12,000 feet above sea level. It is the world's largest salt flat, covering more than 4,000 square miles and containing up to 70 per cent of the world's lithium reserves. At the time of her death, Sharon and her husband had raised just over £1,000 of their £10,000 target for ShelterBox. The charity provides emergency shelter and vital supplies to support communities around the world overwhelmed by disaster and humanitarian crisis. A Foreign Office spokesman said: 'We are aware of the death of a British national in Bolivia on April 26. 'We are providing consular assistance to the family at this difficult time.' | Sharon Bridgman died instantly in crash near the world's largest salt flats .
Husband Tim was tailing her when she was struck from behind by 4x4 .
Driver arrested at scene and is in custody awaiting a court appearance .
Couple were two years into a fundraising trip spanning 32 countries . |
286,383 | ff13b1fab585fef4bffae9359f987b747cc03cce | By . Alexandra Klausner . An overachiever who drove a sports car and was on track 'to become CEO of a company one day' was discovered dead an outhouse on April 19 where he was apparently seeking refuge from the cold. Gary Szarek of Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan quit his job working with computers at West Point University about 30 years ago when he didn't get a promotion and afterwards family says he became a recluse. Following his death by hypothermia inside a white portable toilet at the 9 Mile boat ramp in St. Clair Shores, family members learned that their estranged 65-year-old relative had been homeless and surviving any way he could. Gary Szarek, an overachiever turned reclusive homeless man was discovered dead inside a potable toilet where he died of hypothermia up to 4 months ago . A portable toilet in St. Clair Shores Where Gary Szarek, former Grosse Pointe Woods resident turned homeless man, was found dead by hypothermia . Police believe that Szarek could have died as early as December 8. Szarek's family home is Grosse Point Woods went through tax foreclosure in 2010 and Szarek had been living on the streets ever since. 'It was a sad situation,' said Szarek’s cousin, Debra Hunkins of Mayville, to The Detroit Free Press. 'He was a ... person who contributed to society. ... He was almost, like, ahead of his time, very personable, liked to dance. Then it was just totally different.' As soon as the story about Szarek circulated the media, family members, friends, and genealogists contacted investigators to gain whatever information they could. 'How nice of people to do that. It kind of restores your faith in people,' St. Clair Shores Police Detective Margaret Eidt said. An . investigation found that the Grosse Point Library had contact with . Szarek in October when he was forced to leave because he was eating in . the library and bathing in the bathroom. Szarek . would stay in the library and would also make money to survive by returning bottles to Kroger stores at Marter and . Jefferson and 9 Mile and Mack both in the St. Clair Shores. Eidt said that sometimes Szarek would get a donation of war, food and clothing from people who knew him. Eidt . told the Detroit Free Press that a resident at the Shore Club . apartments near the boat ramp that he often had a backpack which police . did not find. Szarek was found with $146 in his wallet, he had $20 in bottle returns and also had seven Mega Millions lottery tickets. The toilet was filled with trash and receipts dating back to December 8 when police think Szarek may Have died. Szarek was discovered in a portable toilet near the 9 mile boat ramp in St. Clair Shores pictured here . Szarek was discovered wearing a plaid green shirt, a hooded sweatshirt, a black windbreaker,a gray T-shirt, a pair of socks, boots, a hat, and mittens. Szarek slept in a black garbage bag. Szarek's cousin Debra Hunkins said that Szarek was never married and never had any children. 'For whatever reason, he was bypassed (for the promotion),' said Hunkins, who contacted police after hearing about her cousin’s death. 'When it happened, it caused some type of breakdown.' Hunkin said her cousin was on track to become a CEO of a company someday. She described him as 'intelligent.' After Szarek lost his house family members say they had no way of getting in touch with him. Szarek sent his aunt a Christmas card every year but after his aunt died five years ago, they 'had no way of knowing where he was or is he was alive.' Hunkins said that Szarek 'became a stranger to most of the family.' Szarek's brother in law Wayne Dulong said Szarek cared for his mother after his father died but once his mother died he split from his sister and Dulong never saw him again. Dulong sad that he believed Szarek had a mental illness and said that letters sent to Szarek's residence were all returned. 'It makes you sad,' Hunkins said. 'How do you connect with people like that when he couldn’t connect with his own (family). … We don’t know what he was thinking. We don’t understand.'The portable toilet where Szarek's decomposing body was discovered has been removed from the boat launch, cleaned, and secured with tape. | Gary Szarek, 65, quit his job at West Point University working with computers 30 years ago after he was not promoted .
Szarek became reclusive after being fired and after his house was foreclosed in 2010 he began living on the streets .
Family lost contact whit Szarek and say they believe he suffered from mental illness . |
102,250 | 0fc357d936cf46b45887424cd8702e30daf8b73d | The mystery as to why our galaxy’s supermassive black hole is dormant has stumped scientists for decades. But new evidence suggests that the ‘sleeping dragon’ was in fact active at some point- we just weren’t around to see it. Astronomers claim that the supermassive black hole erupted two million years ago in an explosion so immensely powerful that it lit up a cloud 200,000 light years away. Scroll down for video... Black holes eat matter from their surroundings and blow matter back. The way they do that influences the evolution of the entire galaxy . While scientists had previously predicted that such an outburst had occurred, this is the first time they have been able to say when it happened. The finding is a confirmation that black holes can 'flicker', moving from maximum power to switching off over, in cosmic terms, short periods of time. ‘Now we know when this sleeping dragon, four million times the mass of the sun, awoke and breathed fire with 100 million times the power it has today,’ said Professor Joss Bland-Hawthorn, lead author of the study published in the Astrophysical Journal. ‘It's been long suspected that our Galactic Centre might have sporadically flared up in the past. These observations are a highly suggestive “smoking gun”,’ said Martin Rees, Astronomer Royal, who was one of the first scientists to suggest that massive black holes power quasars. The evidence for the findings comes from a lacy filament of hydrogen gas called the Magellanic Stream. It trails behind our galaxy's two small companion galaxies, the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds. ‘Since 1996, we've been aware of an odd glow from the Magellanic Stream, but didn't understand the cause. ‘Then this year, it finally dawned on me that it must be the mark, the fossil record, of a huge outburst of energy from the supermassive black hole at the centre of our galaxy.’ The region around the galaxy's supermassive black hole and the black hole is called Sagittarius A* (pronounced Sagittarius A-star). It emits radio, infrared, ultraviolet, X-ray and gamma ray emissions. Flickers of radiation rise up when small clouds of gas fall onto the hot disk of matter that swirls around the black hole. But scientists had been puzzled by evidence contrary to this activity that revealed there was a cataclysmic event in the past. ‘In particular, in 2010 NASA's Fermi satellite discovered two huge bubbles of hot gas billowing out from the centre of the galaxy, covering almost a quarter of the sky,’ said Professor Bland-Hawthorn. The large image contains X-rays from Nasa's Chandra Observatory in blue and infrared emission from the Hubble Space Telescope in red and yellow. The inset shows a close-up view of our galaxy's supermassive black hole in X-rays only, covering a region half a light year wide . Earlier this year, computer simulations of the Fermi bubbles made by the University of California Santa Cruz controversially suggested that they were caused by a colossal explosion from Sagittarius A* within the last few million years. ‘When I saw this research I realised that this same event would also explain the mysterious glow that we see on the Magellanic Stream,’ Professor Bland-Hawthorn said. ‘Together with Dr Ralph Sutherland from Mount Stromlo Observatory and Dr Phil Maloney, from the University of Colorado, I calculated that to explain the glow it must have happened two million years ago because the energy release shown by the Santa Cruz group perfectly matched, to our delight, that from the Magellanic Stream.’ The realisation that these black holes can switch on and off within a million years, which given the universe is 14 billion years old means very rapidly, has been described by researchers as a ‘significant discovery’. Professor Bland-Hawthorn said it is certain that this event will happen again. ‘There are lots of stars and gas clouds that could fall onto the hot disk around the black hole,’ he said. ‘There's a gas cloud called G2 that astronomers around the world are anticipating will fall onto the black hole early next year. It's small, but we're looking forward to the fireworks.’ | For 20 years scientists had suspected that a huge outburst had occurred .
Evidence now suggests the black hole did in fact erupt two million years ago .
Explosion was so powerful that it lit up a cloud 200,000 light years away .
Astronomers predict that a gas cloud called G2 could cause activity in the black hole early next year . |
230,002 | b5d958006674c20c77a6f0614ff6620b9287d7f6 | By . Associated Press Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 23:53 EST, 30 November 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 23:53 EST, 30 November 2013 . Thanksgiving Day is no longer all about turkey: It's eating away at Black Friday shopping. U.S. shoppers spent $9.74 billion on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. That's a drop of 13.2 percent compared with last year, according to data released today by research firm ShopperTrak. The decline appears to show that more Americans shopped on the holiday itself: Combined spending on Thanksgiving and Black Friday, which had been considered the official start to the holiday buying season until this year, rose 2.3 percent to $12.3 billion. Rampage: Customers stormed the shoe department at Belk in Kinston, North Carolina, on Thanksgiving Day for early sales . The data reflects that Thanksgiving, which along with Christmas was one of two days a year that most stores were closed, is becoming an important day for major retailers. Black Friday is a time when big retailers open early and offer deep discounts, but a few started opening and offering those discounts on Thanksgiving a couple years ago. And this year, at least a dozen did so, with a few opening earlier in the holiday than they did last year. The National Retail Federation, a retail trade group, predicted that 33 million, or almost a quarter, of the 140 million people who planned to shop during the four-day holiday weekend that ends on Sunday, would do so on Thanksgiving. Analysts had questioned whether the holiday openings would steal sales away from Black Friday or result in people spending more overall. 'Retailers were pretty successful in drawing the consumers into the stores on Thursday,' said ShopperTrak founder Bill Martin, whose company counts how many shoppers go into about 40,000 stores in U.S. But 'Thursday's sales came at the expense of Black Friday's numbers'. Manic: Shoppers in the Macy's Herald Square flagship store in New York search for bargains on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving . The decline in sales on Black Friday was the second one in a row. Last year, sales on that day dropped 1.8 percent to $11.2 billion, though it still was the biggest shopping day last year, according to ShopperTrak. Despite the big drop this year, Shoppertrak's Martin said he thinks Black Friday will remain the biggest shopping day of the year for the tenth consecutive year. But if retailers continue to promote Thanksgiving as the start of the holiday buying season, he thinks the holiday will eventually surpass Black Friday in sales. 'We're just taking Black Friday sales and spreading them across a larger number of days,' Martin said. There will be a clearer picture of sales for the first holiday shopping weekend tomorrow when The National Retail Federation releases data. Overall, the retail trade group expects sales to be up 3.9 percent to $602 billion for the season, which encompasses the last two months of the year. That's higher than last year's 3.5 percent growth, but below the 6 percent pace seen before the recession. Bargain hunters: Dominicans shop for deals on 'Black Friday' at a mall in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic . Some retailers said the holiday shopping season is off to a good start. Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, said it sold two million TVs and 1.4 million tablets on the Thanksgiving, while Macy's said 15,000 people showed up to the 8pm opening of its flagship New York City store on the holiday. Edwin Molina, 30, a New Yorker who works in construction, waited with his wife in line for an hour at a Best Buy that opened at 6pm on Thanksgiving. He said he likes the holiday openings. 'It was better, less hectic,' he said. But not everyone liked the earlier start to the shopping season. Workers' rights groups and some shoppers led small protests to decry the way some store employees had to miss holiday meals at home. And as his wife shopped in a mall near Atlanta on Black Friday, Curtis Akins, 51, sat on a bench, lamenting the holiday openings. 'It's taking away from the traditional Thanksgiving,' Akins said. | U.S. shoppers spent $9.74 billion on Black Friday - a drop of 13.2 percent from last year .
More Americans are starting their holiday shopping on Thanksgiving Day . |
61,211 | addd1735e9c1596cfbf9e3d992f974c5e7ce1232 | The cream of Hollywood will descend on Dolby Theater this Sunday for the biggest night of the year. But amid the clink of champagne flutes, keen-eared stars may be able to hear the scuttling of cockroaches, a report claims. According to TMZ, the bars of the Beverly Hills venue are crawling with bugs and flies. Photographs taken inside Dolby Theater where the Oscars will be held on Sunday show dead cockroaches (pictured), stains, mold and flies just days ahead of the ceremony, according to TMZ . A mold-filled cup sits among boxes of Stella Artois in the venue where stars will attend the Oscars . Dirty: This is a video shot inside Dolby Theater that shows flies and mold in one of the bars . The news comes just days before the upper echelons of Hollywood descend on Dolby for this year's Oscars . The walls, it is claimed, are steeped in mold and dirt. And photos snapped inside show garbage strewn on the floor. A video filmed last year shows flies hovering over a half-full cup before panning across to dirty floors. Insiders who visited the site last week told TMZ conditions have not changed. Workers roll out the red carpet as preparations for the 87th Academy Awards get underway in Hollywood . Dina D'Angelo touches up Oscar statues as preparation . A sign advertises this Sunday's ceremony, featuring host Neil Patrick Harris . The venue was approved by health inspectors in June. During the 2013 awards ceremony, the glitz of the evening was dented slightly when a toilet pipe burst. Images released showed servicemen in tuxedos scrambling to clean up the large pool of water that spilled out across the floor of one of the foyers. | Video and pictures show dead bugs and mold in Dolby Theater .
Stars will descend on the Beverly Hills venue on Sunday for the Oscars .
During 2013 awards, one of the venues toilet pipes burst, flooded the lobby . |
181,799 | 776438695ffc724a1f66a5c3887fccc0907d5766 | The FBI has closed down a website selling a 'spyware' app which allowed people complete access to their victim's smartphones, including all calls and texts as well as operating the phone's microphone turning the device into a powerful bug. Federal investigators arrested Pakistani national Hammad Akbar, 31, from Lahore in Los Angeles on Saturday for selling his StealthGenie app, which was marketed as undetectable and untraceable. According to the indictment, the app allowed the interception of all incoming and outgoing calls on a mobile phone to be monitored in real time. It also gave the user complete access to all data on the victims phone while also allowing them to monitor all conversations within 15 feet of the handset. The FBI arrested Hammad Akbar in Los Angeles on Saturday after investigating the StealthGenie app . Akbar is CEO of InvoCode PVT Ltd who marketed the SmartGenie App which is at the centre of the investigation . The company boasted it had more than 100,000 'satisfied customers' for the $59.99 app before the website was blocked by the the FBI . Andrew McCabe, assistant director of the Washington Field Office said: 'This application allegedly equips potential stalkers and criminals with a means to invade an individual’s confidential communications. 'They do this not by breaking into their homes or offices, but by physically installing spyware on unwitting victims’ phones and illegally tracking an individual’s every move.' According to the FBI, users of the app only need to access the phone for a couple of minutes to install the software, which works on Apple, Android and Blackberry type handsets. The FBI said: 'StealthGenie’s capabilities included recording and intercepting calls and monitoring e-mails, text messages, voicemails, photos, videos, and calendar appointments. The software could also activate a victim’s phone to eavesdrop on conversations within a 15-foot radius. All the communications could be viewed on a web-based dashboard.' The app was developed by InvoCode Pvt Ltd who are based in Lahore, Pakistan, but the company had a data centre in Asburn Virginia. The FBI secured a court order on September 26 to temporarily take the service off-line while the investigation continues. According to the FBI: 'This is the first-ever criminal case concerning the advertisement and sale of a mobile device spyware app. Marketing for the app targeted people suspicious that their spouses or romantic partners might be cheating on them.' Leslie Caldwell, assistant attorney general of the Justice Department's Criminal Division said: 'Selling spyware is not just reprehensible, it's a crime. 'Apps like StealthGenie are expressly designed for use by stalkers and domestic abusers who want to know every detail of a victim's personal life – all without the victim's knowledge. The Criminal Division is committed to cracking down on those who seek to profit from technology designed and used to commit brazen invasions of individual privacy.' 'StealthGenie has little use beyond invading a victim's privacy' said U.S. Attorney Boente. 'Advertising and selling spyware technology is a criminal offense, and such conduct will be aggressively pursued by this office and our law enforcement partners.' StealthGenie customers could log onto the internet and monitor the victim's phone without their knowledge . According to the indictment, Akbar and his co-conspirators allegedly programmed StealthGenie to synchronise all the data from the victim's phone with their customer's account to all them access to the handset over the internet. Prosecutors allege: 'To install the app, a purchaser needed to obtain physical control over the phone to be monitored for only a few minutes. The purchaser could then review communications intercepted from the monitored phone without ever again having physical control over the phone. Akbar and others alleged designed SteathGenie to be undetectable to users of the phone.' The indictment claims that the app was designed for suspicious husbands or wives who suspected their partners of cheating or 'if they just want to monitor them'. According to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): ' The purchaser can review information transferred from the target mobile phone via an online portal. These intercepted communications are stored on the StealthGenie website. For example, a purchaser can log-in to the online portal to access information pulled from the user's phone such as messages, e-mail, photos, and phone calls. 'Mobile device spyware apps are developed and advertised as being invisible to targets and act in an undetectable manner. For example, an app can be installed to look like another type of app or file, such as a digital photo application. 'Therefore, it will be difficult for the non-expert user to determine whether or not spyware is on his or her phone.' According to IC3, anyone who suspects they may have spyware on their mobile phone should immediately perform a factory reset which will delete all data and apps installed after the handset was purchased. | StealthGenie allowed suspicious partners to monitor their partner's phone .
The app, which could be installed in five minutes, offered real-time data .
Users could listen into calls, track the GPS or operate its microphone .
FBI arrested Pakistani national Hammad Akbar, 31, in LA on Saturday .
Federal agents say this is the first prosecution for a mobile 'spyware' app .
Investigators said the user could track their victim's every move online .
The company claimed they had 100,000 customers for the $59.99 app . |
41,389 | 74ba9ecc02a4009d8ba2b13b8ed779d0421dd880 | By . Darren Boyle for MailOnline . US dog owners are involved in specialist 'boot camps' so owners can get fit while exercising their pets. Jill Bowers from California has engaged a team of personal trainers to help dog owners get fit. Ms Bowers, 38, said she developed the idea after she needed to lose three and a half stone. Dog owners meet on a daily basis in a park in Burbank, California for the 'Thank Dog! Bootcamp' Jill Bowers, pictured, developed her system after she lost 40lbs and was too tired to walk her dog . Dog owners get the opportunity to increase their fitness while training their pets . She noticed after engaging on a vigorous exercise regime, she was too tired to take her dog, Quinn, for a walk. The mother-of-two developed the 'Thank Dog! Bootacamp!' to increase her fitness and to help with the obedience of her dog. She said: 'I was 40 pounds overweight and as a dog trainer it's hard to train very hyper or aggressive dogs while being out of shape. 'I was unhappy with myself and joined a bootcamp style workout which is the only thing that has ever worked for me. 'And as I started to attend more classes, I lost the 40 pounds. 'But I would come home and be too tired to exercise my active dog, so I decided to come up with something that would combine the two. 'Something that would give me just as hard of a workout, but also including the dog so obedience training and exercise could be accomplished in just one hour.' Jill Bowers, said it is possible to improve your fitness and your dog's obedience in just one hour . Up to 12 dogs and their owners meet up in Burbank, Los Angeles on a daily basis for the boot camp . Ms Bowers has expanded her system across eight different locations as well as creating a smartphone app . Ms Bowers hosts the workouts in Burbank, Los Angeles five days a week with up to 12 dogs and their owners. She has also expanded her system to eight different locations across America and there is now even a smartphone app. She added: 'The dogs are involved in all cardio aspects, as well as being trained in obedience at the same time. 'We make sure that the owners keep moving while the dogs are instructed to do commands. 'Before they come to our classes all dogs and owners have to do a one on one consultation to learn some commands and cardio handling techniques. 'We have had great feedback and have helped so many people and their dogs.' Jill Bowers, left, with her doberman Quinn, needed a way of getting fit while exercising together . Jill Bowers shouts at her clients through a megaphone to incentivise them and make them work harder . Ms Bowers ensures that while the owners are keeping fit they have to issue commands to their dogs . Ms Bowers said it is difficult of a dog owner to control their hyper-active pet if they are overweight . | Jill Bowers created her Think Dog! Bootcamp after losing 40 pounds .
Ms Bowers said while working out she was too tired to take her pet walking .
So she developed her dog bootcamp where owners exercise with their pets .
Owners order issue pets with commands to help with their obedience .
Ms Bowers, from Burbank, Los Angeles has opened eight different centres . |
95,100 | 063118c926225aea1f2cc4d1c85a1838a5287bf1 | By . Alex Greig . PUBLISHED: . 23:08 EST, 6 March 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 23:08 EST, 6 March 2014 . Former NFL star Aaron Hernandez, 24, could face assault and battery charges after fighting another inmate who was handcuffed at the time. Hernandez, who has pleaded not guilty to the shooting murder of Odin Lloyd, 27, has been moved to a special isolation unit at the Briston County jail where he's being held. He was moved after the fight in late February and must stay in the unit for 30 days. New charges: Aaron Hernandez smiles as he sits with his attorneys during a hearing at Bristol Superior Court on Friday, February 7, 2014 . According to NECN, Hernandez is residing in a similar cell to his previous one but has had several privileges revoked. He spends 23 hours of the day in his cell which is furnished with a double bunkbed and stainless steel toilet. He takes all meals in his cell and cannot undertake any recreation unrestrained with handcuffs, waist-chain and leg irons. He is allowed three showers a week and one hour of recreation per day. Hernandez was not in cuffs at the time of the altercation with the other inmate. The pair had been exchanging taunts in the days leading up to the incident. Solitary: Hernandez is now being kept in an isolation area of the Bristol County jail where he's being held after assaulting a handcuffed inmate . Sheriff Thomas Hodgson told NECN that . a full investigation is underway to discover why the two inmates were . both out of their cells at the same time. 'I'm not happy that there may have been a breakdown in our system and our protocols,' he said. The other inmate is not facing charges. The sheriff's office has filed a complaint against Hernandez. A magistrate will decide if he will face a hearing. Hernandez has been in prison since June 26 awaiting trial for the death of Odin Lloyd. The former Patriots tight end is also being sued by the families of two men who were killed in a 2012 drive-by shooting outside a Boston nightclub. | Aaron Hernandez may face assault charge after fighting another inmate who was handcuffed at the time .
Hernandez has been moved to an isolation unit following the incident and will remain there for 30 days .
He spends 23 hours a day in his cell and is restrained with handcuffs and leg irons for one hour of recreation each day .
All meals are taken in his cell and he is permitted three showers per week .
The other prisoner will not be charged . |
161,797 | 5d367873095c83686505cd1942b48aa2b685136d | Phoenix, Arizona (CNN) -- Nearly 1,000 people rallied in scorching temperatures Saturday to speak out against people giving Arizona heat for its controversial new immigration law. "They're attacking Arizona as a state that's racist and Nazi, and we're here to say that, no, we're not. We're for what America stands for, the melting pot, equality for all," said rally organizer Dan Amato, who traveled from Pennsylvania to Arizona for the event. Organizers said they wanted to change the perception that supporters of SB 1070, and the law itself, are racist. Nearly half of the speakers at the event were of Hispanic or Mexican ancestry. The law allows police to ask for proof of legal residency when investigating a suspected crime. Critics say it will lead to racial profiling and prevent police from doing their jobs by undermining trust in the Latino community. City governments and organizations opposed to the law have targeted Arizona with protests and boycotts. Participants in Saturday's rally said they wanted to fight back by giving the state an economic boost. And they said they want other states to follow Arizona's lead by passing legislation to crack down on illegal immigration, claiming the federal government has refused to do the job. Protesters waved signs that read "Don't pander to non-citizens" and "Lawbreakers don't love America." More than 100 motorcyclists showed their support by circling the rally on their bikes. "It is about culture, not race, because the American culture, I feel, is under assault, because they are not embracing our culture," said Ruth Miller, another rally organizer. Carmen Morales, who traveled to the rally from New Jersey, stressed that not all Hispanics are against the new law. "This is about enforcing the law," she said. "It's about securing our borders." Other speakers included Republican state Sen. Russell Pearce, who sponsored the law, former Republican presidential candidate and Colorado Rep. Tom Tancredo, and Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio. "This new law, okay, it was passed. Let's hope it's enforced," Arpaio told CNN after his speech. "Because I'm going to enforce it. I'm going to arrest anybody that violates that state law and put them in my jail, not turn them over to the federal government." | Supporters of Arizona immigration law say they're not racist .
Rally was aimed at boosting the state's economy, supporting law .
Demonstrators say they hope other states will follow Arizona's lead .
Law allows police to ask for proof of legal residency when investigating crimes . |
268,753 | e81f8b80fcd90990de171549306d7a877daa06dc | By . David Wilkes . PUBLISHED: . 17:08 EST, 17 October 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 03:28 EST, 18 October 2012 . Devastated: Andrew and Claire Ashley have been ordered to rip down the £10,000 panels from the £750,000 grade II-listed property - despite insisting that they are only visible from the bottom of one neighbour's garden . Installing 18 solar panels on the back of the roof seemed the best way to go green while preserving the character of their listed home. But out of sight is not out of mind as far as Andrew and Claire Ashley’s local council is concerned. The couple have been ordered to rip down the £10,000 panels from the £750,000 grade II-listed property – despite insisting that they are only visible from the bottom of one neighbour’s garden. The panels will have ‘a significant visual impact which will diminish the special interest of the building, including its character and setting’, the council said in a report. ‘The energy-saving benefits that may be derived are not considered to outweigh the harm that would be caused.’ In addition, allowing them to remain would set a precedent which ‘could have far-reaching consequences for Wiltshire’s historic environment’. Last night, Mr Ashley, 47, a company director, said: ‘Our electricity bill has halved already – and the Government is encouraging people to do what we have done. If we have to pull them down we’ll be devastated.’ Mrs Ashley, 39, added: ‘A house on the other side of the village green where the building is not listed has solar panels on its roof and they are completely visible from the front. It doesn’t make sense.’ The couple live in a late 18th-century home in Aldbourne, Wiltshire, with their children Hugh, eight, and Annabel, 11. The panels were installed in February but the couple applied for planning permission retrospectively. Permission to keep all 18 was refused by Wiltshire council, as was a revised application to retain 15. Out of sight? : This picture shows the solar panels on the rear roof of the Ashley family home . Neighbours Juliette and Jonathan Martin objected in a letter to the council. But yesterday councillor Chris Humphries said: ‘I think the committee was splitting hairs.’ However, Hugh Bland, chairman of Aldbourne Parish Council’s planning committee, said: ‘They are on a listed building. They are highly visible from a neighbouring property and would be setting a precedent.’ Mr and Mrs Ashley are now considering whether to appeal. | Andrew and Claire Ashley have been ordered to rip down the .
£10,000 panels from the grade II-listed property .
The panels will have ‘a significant .
visual impact which will diminish the special interest of the building', said the local council . |
40,489 | 724782fedbe23e5419cc3d0055cc37bf83c78c3b | (CNN) -- A simple goal brought Alyssa Rieber to attend medical school at the University of Alabama at Birmingham 15 years ago. "Just helping people," she says. "And I know that sounds so trite, and that's what everybody says, but that's really why I wanted to be a doctor... to help people." Rieber says she loved the movie "Doc Hollywood" with Michael J. Fox, in which a doctor is sentenced to work in a small-town hospital. "I was like, 'That's what I want to do.' So I was all ready to move out into a small town and take care of everybody and be the town doctor. And then during my first few months of med school, things shifted quite a bit (when) I was diagnosed with cancer." Rieber says learning about the different types of cancer and the latest research inspired her to study oncology. But it was meeting the other cancer patients in the waiting room that cemented her career path. I found 'life's calling' after paralyzing injury . "Getting to know them and their stories ... I just decided that that's what I wanted to do." Rieber's cancer diagnosis was actually the result of an anatomy lesson three months into medical school. Her class was discussing an esophageal cancer patient who had a lymph node in his neck. "I was assigned to evaluate the lymphatics of the thorax and so this was my assignment for this one case. And I did it, I gave a presentation, all of that." The next week, she felt a lump in the same place the patient had it. "Of course, as a hypochondriac medical student, (I thought) I had esophageal cancer and I was going to die." It took a month before Rieber knew what exactly what she was dealing with. The diagnosis: Hodgkin lymphoma, a cancer of the lymph tissue found in the lymph nodes, spleen, liver, bone marrow and other sites, according to the National Institutes of Health. Rieber says she knew her prognosis was good and was determined to continue medical school while undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments. She went on to start a fellowship at one of the premier cancer centers in the world, the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, and she's never left. She now heads the oncology department at Houston's Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital. Having been a cancer patient has influenced how she interacts with patients, she says. Chopper crash survivor helps others heal with art . "I understand how they feel with the nausea. I understand how they feel when they don't want to eat and their family is pressuring them to eat," Rieber says. "Some people I tell that I had cancer, and some people I don't. It just depends on if it's going to help them in the situation." Rieber admits her personal experience makes her treatment style a little different. "I cry with my patients. I laugh ... I feel like I'm more emotionally connected with the patients. I'm a hugger, I'm a crier, and everybody knows it. And they're all used to it. And I think the patients like it." | Alyssa Rieber was a medical student when she was diagnosed with cancer .
She continued with school while undergoing chemotherapy and radiation .
She says her experience makes her treatment style a bit different . |
204,927 | 954f0defce0ffa36702a07e17f09e72b23a410fb | England goalkeeper Ben Foster has signed a new four-year deal with West Brom, the Barclays Premier League club have announced. The 31-year-old, who joined the Baggies permanently in 2012, also has an option for a further 12 months and is now effectively tied to the Hawthorns outfit until 2019. Foster has just returned from the World Cup where he won his eighth cap in the 0-0 draw with Costa Rica. Happy: West Brom goalkeeper Ben Foster has extended his contract with the club until 2019 . 'This is fantastic news for everyone connected with the club as Ben’s an extremely important player for us - both on and off the pitch,' said head coach Alan Irvine. 'He’s a great personality, a great character and leads by example. 'This is a magnificent signing for the club. 'Ben is one of the best keepers in the country, which he showed when he played really well for England against Costa Rica at the World Cup. 'Ben is extremely professional, which is infectious in training, as he demands high standards of himself and others.' Big stage: Foster was part of England's 2014 World Cup squad and played against Costa Rica . Foster initially signed for Albion on a season-long loan from midlands rivals Birmingham in 2011, keeping 10 clean sheets in 37 appearances and earning himself a full-time move. And the former Manchester United stopper is now hoping he can end his career at the Hawthorns. 'When I signed here permanently, I said this is the sort of club I could see myself finishing my career at,' he said. 'And that’s exactly how I felt when the club said they wanted to negotiate a new contract. 'It was something I wanted to get sorted as soon as possible. I’m very happy here. 'It was a very obvious and easy decision for me and my family.' Settled: Foster has talked about finishing his career at West Brom . Foster began his professional career at Stoke but never made an appearance for the Potters, instead going out on a series of loan moves before a 2005 transfer to United. Two seasons on loan at Watford followed and while Foster was touted by many to be Edwin van der Sar’s replacement at Old Trafford, he could never displace the Dutchman and moved to Birmingham in 2010. Relegation followed in 2011, prompting a move back to the top flight and the Hawthorns. New arrivals: West Brom have brought in Joleon Lescott and Andre Wisdom this summer . | Ben Foster commits long-term future to West Brom with new contract .
England international goalkeeper wants to end career at club .
Joleon Lescott, Brown Ideye and Sebastien Pocognoli have already signed .
Liverpool defender Andre Wisdom has signed on a season-long loan deal . |
119,391 | 26391d683d4166016bb0a8b5494c710d76896b91 | By . Lizzie Parry . PUBLISHED: . 09:40 EST, 28 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 15:16 EST, 28 December 2013 . It is a post-Cold War collaboration between the US and Russia, which has provided heat to millions of homes across America. But the little-known Megatons-to-Megawatts programme, which has seen 20,000 decommissioned Russian nuclear warheads transformed into nuclear energy in the US, has drawn to a close this month. The final shipment of low enriched uranium (LEU) was unloaded at the Port of Baltimore in Maryland on December 10 after a four-week journey by sea from St Petersburg. Scroll down for video . The little-known Megatons-to-Megawatts programme, has seen 20,000 decommissioned Russian nuclear warheads transformed into nuclear energy in the US, heating millions of homes . It was the last of the LEU converted from more than 500 tonnes of highly enriched uranium from the Russian warheads, deactivated under the 1991 START treaty at the end of the Cold War. The recycling and transfer of the uranium to the US was formalised in a 1993 agreement and has seen hundreds of shipments arrive in the US destined for the country's nuclear reactors. The programme has supplied nearly 10 per cent of all American electricity and around one in 10 light bulbs powered via the scheme in the last two decades. The shipment marks the end of the unprecedented programme, which has seen the US pay its former enemy $8billion (£5bn) in the last 20 years. The programme has supplied nearly 10 per cent of all American electricity and around one in 10 light bulbs have been powered via the scheme in the last two decades . The shipments are transported from St Petersburg to America by sea, before they are taken to the USEC Paducah plant to be converted into uranium pellets used to fuel nuclear reactors across America . The four cylinders of LEU was taken from . Baltimore to the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant in Kentucky, where it . will be turned into uranium oxide pellets destined for nuclear power . plants across the country. Towards . the end of the Cold War, Philip Sewell, a former deputy assistant . secretary at the US Department of Energy, was given the task of seeking . ways to collaborate with past enemies. His quest saw him travel through the Russian countryside, to military facilities, many of which were not on the map. Describing a typical scene, Mr Sewell said: 'Windows were broken, gates were not locked, and there were very few people around.' But . it was inside the crumbling, dilapidated buildings that the Russian . government stored the uranium from thousands of decommissioned nuclear . weapons. Concerned that the . material could so easily fall into the wrong hands, Mr Sewell and his . colleagues decided the situation was so dangerous that they needed to . negotiate with the Russians to persuade them to sell the surplus to the . US. Initially, the Russians refused. 'It . was a matter of pride, principle and patriotism,' said Mr Sewell. 'Even . though they didn't need that excess material, [and] they didn't have . the money to protect it, they didn't want to let go of it.' But the Russian nuclear industry needed funding and so the government yielded and a deal was struck in 1993. The United States Enrichment Corporation (USEC), is the US government agent responsible for implementing the historic agreement. Before . the uranium was shipped to the US, the bomb-grade highly enriched . uranium was converted and diluted into low enriched uranium. 'The Megatons to Megawatts Program made a . substantial contribution both to the elimination of nuclear weapons . material and to nuclear energy generation in the United States,' said US . Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz. 'Nearly every commercial nuclear reactor in the United States received nuclear fuel under the programme. 'This Agreement serves as an example of what the United States and Russia can achieve when we work together, and we are carrying this success forward into other nonproliferation activities with each other and with our international partners. 'For two decades, one in ten light bulbs in America has been powered by nuclear material from Russian nuclear warheads.' 'The 1993 United States-Russian Federation Highly Enriched Uranium Purchase Agreement has proven to be one of the most successful nuclear nonproliferation partnerships ever undertaken,' Secretary Moniz added. 'The completion of this "swords to ploughshares" program represents a major victory both for the United States and Russia.' National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden, said in a statement: 'The United States and Russia are commemorating the completion of one of the most successful non-proliferation programs in our history. 'The United States and Russia remain strongly committed to building on this success, and will continue to collaborate across various fields of nonproliferation, nuclear security and nuclear research and development.' The initiative has come to an end after Russia claimed the US was not paying enough for the uranium - which is roughly the equivalent value to 10 billion barrels of crude oil. While the Megatons-to-Megawatts programme has ended, Russia will continue to supply uranium to the US. A new 10-year programme is expected to supply around half the level of the previous scheme by 2015, with the option to increase it to the same level as the Megatons-to-Megawatts programme if both sides agree. The difference is that, under the new contract, the supply will no longer come from decommissioned warheads, but from Russia's commercial activities. The programme came to an end this month as the last shipment reached the US . The process began with the removal of the warheads and their highly enriched uranium metal components. At . plants in Seversk and Ozersk the components are ground down into metal . shavings, which are then heated and converted into a highly enriched . uranium oxide. That was . then heated to make a gas, which was mixed with a very low enriched . uranium material before it was diluted to less than five per cent . concentration the fissionable uranium-235 isotope, a level too low to be . of any military value but ideal for producing electric power. The . material is then transferred to 2.5-tonne steel cylinders, enclosed in . protective shipping containers and sent to a storage facility in St . Petersburg. After . completing its journey to America, the shipment is then taken to the . United States Enrichment Corporation (USEC) plant in Paducah, where it . is tested to ensure it meets the appropriate specifications. It . is then converted into uranium oxide pellets and fabricated into fuel . assemblies. delivered to plants across the US to be used in their . nuclear reactors to create energy. | In the last two decades 10 per cent of US electricity was fueled by the decommissioned Russian warheads .
The Megatons-to-Megawatts programme was agreed in 1993 and has seen 500 tonnes of old warheads converted into electricity .
Around one in 10 light bulbs have been powered through the scheme in the last 20 years .
Last shipment reached the Port of Baltimore from St Petersburg this month .
US Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz said programme has been instrumental in the elimination of nuclear weapons left over from the Cold War . |
254,107 | d4e533afbaac170775cb2715783567c3d0d7b826 | By . Anna Hodgekiss . PUBLISHED: . 08:00 EST, 8 January 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 09:48 EST, 8 January 2014 . A heartbroken ten year-old girl has recorded her own heart-rending song in memory of her sister who lost her fight against an inoperable brain tumour. Charley Holmes penned By Your Side as a touching tribute to her older sister Katy who died two years ago at the age of just 10. Charley, who also has a younger sister Scarlet, was devastated when Katy was diagnosed. Scroll down for a clip of the song . Tragic: Charley Holmes (left) penned By Your Side as a touching tribute to her older sister Katy who died two years ago at the age of just 10 . She insisted on helping with all of Katy's needs and her parents Paula and Dave said her 'cheerfulness, love and attention made a massive difference before Katy's death. Charley, of Penwortham, near Preston, Lancashire, started attending Step Into Music classes and wrote her song after her third week. She recorded it just before Christmas and it proved an instant hit with her family. Mrs Holmes said: 'We put it on. Then we played it again, then we put it on repeat. Support: Charley insisted on helping with all of Katy's needs when she was ill. Her parents said her 'cheerfulness, love and attention made a massive difference before Katy's death' 'Dave and I just fell apart. Charley has written down her innermost, deepest thoughts and turned it into a story. 'The team at the class have worked with her and helped her to make it into a beautiful song that anyone can relate to. 'We never expect her to do anything and always let her lead us. This was all her doing. 'She chose to write her feelings down. She chose to turn it into a song. She chose to record it.' She added: 'We're so proud of Charley - Katy will be beaming. Charley performing the song she wrote for her sister . If you were here with me nowI'd find a way to say somehowThe words that I should have saidNow I cannot hideNow I cannot hideI love youI miss youI wish I could see you again X2You never got to say goodbyeMy love for you will never dieOne day in the distant futureI'll be back by your sideI'll be back by your sideI love youI miss youI wish I could see you again X2Now that you have gone awayI wish that you'd come back one dayNow I'm all aloneI'm all tornI love youI miss youI wish I could see you again X4 . 'Charley said she feels like she is doing something very special to honour her sister and make her proud in a way she feels is the most loving. 'She also said it will help other children who have lost someone understand that they are not alone.' 'Proceeds from the song, which is available on iTunes and Google Play, will go to the Katy Holmes Trust. The Trust was set up and is dedicated to raising awareness of paediatric brain tumours. Singer Russell Watson and footballer Clarke Carlisle are patrons. For more information on the Trust, click here. | Charley Holmes lost her 10-year-old sister Katy two years ago .
Penned By Your Side as a tribute after starting music classes .
Mother: 'She has written down her innermost, deepest thoughts'
Proceeds from the song, which is available on iTunes and Google Play, will go to the Katy Holmes Trust . |
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