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72,294 | ccee5ad054d49fdf90091f8eeb617b16efb11a5a | (CNN) -- When Petra Kvitova won her first grand slam title and the season-ending championships in 2011, big things were expected of the Czech tennis player. It's been a bumpy ride since, as the Czech struggled to live up to expectations last year, but Saturday's victory in the Dubai Tennis Championships final is evidence that the 22-year-old is getting back on track. Kvitova overcame a mid-match scare to beat last year's French Open finalist Sara Errani 6-2 1-6 6-1 to become the first player from her country to win the $2 million tournament. "I'm glad how I'm playing right now -- that's the important thing for me," said Kvitova, who had not won two matches in a row at a WTA event since August before last week's Doha tournament. "I'm not thinking this is a turning point for me. Yes, it was a lot of great players here and it was hard to beat them, but I'm still just thinking about my game. That's the priority." It was the former Wimbledon champion's first title in six months, and her biggest since the WTA Championships in Istanbul, as the world No. 8 took home the $442,000 first prize. It capped a big week for Kvitova, who beat former world No. 1 and 2011 Dubai champion Caroline Wozniacki in the semifinals after ending the title defense of fourth-ranked Agnieszka Radwanska following a straight-sets win over Ana Ivanovic. She has bounced back from a shock second-round loss to British teenager Laura Robson at January's Australian Open and a surprise defeat by French wild-card entry Kristina Mladenovic at the Paris Open, winning both matches as the Czechs thrashed Australia in the first match of their Fed Cup title defense. Fifth seed Errani, ranked one place higher than Kvitova, was blown away in the first set but bounced back to take the second as she adopted a more aggressive game and won six games in a row. However, the Italian was unable to maintain that momentum and win her first title this year, and seventh of her career. "I knew I had to keep fighting for every ball, because she was really on fire in the second set and continued that in the third too," said Kvitova, whose coach missed the tournament to go on holiday. "I was just thinking to not give up and just fight for every point. When it was 2-1 and she missed a volley, I think that was a turning point for me. "I was quite down after the second set. I just tried to stay positive and just play." Both players had reached the quarterfinals of the previous tournament in Qatar, where Kvitova lost to new world No. 1 Serena Williams and Errani was beaten by her predecessor Victoria Azarenka. "This court is very fast, so it's not my favorite court and it's tough for me to play on this court, so making the final is a very good tournament for me," Errani said. Doha champion Azarenka and runner-up Williams both pulled out of Dubai due to injuries -- the Belorussian before the tournament, and the American just ahead of her opening match. On the men's ATP World Tour, sixth-ranked Tomas Berdych will play No. 8 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in Sunday's final of the Marseille Open. Kvitova's compatriot Berdych beat Russian qualifier Dmitry Tursunov 6-2 6-1, while Tsonga was similarly dominant as he defeated fellow Frenchman Gilles Simon 6-2 6-2. World No. 4 David Ferrer has reached the final of the Copa Claro in Argentina, where he is defending his title. The Australian Open semifinalist beat compatriot Tommy Robredo 6-3 6-2 on Saturday, while Stanislas Wawrinka beat yet another Spaniard in Nicolas Almagro, winning 6-3 7-5. The Swiss third seed reached his first final since January 2011, and has a 3-6 record in title matches. | World No. 8 Petra Kvitova triumphs in $2 million Dubai tournament .
Czech beats seventh-ranked Italian Sara Errani 6-2 1-6 6-1 in Saturday's final .
It is her first title in six months and the 10th of the 2011 Wimbledon winner's career .
Her compatriot Tomas Berdych plays Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in Sunday's Marseille Open final . |
15,564 | 2c3752e9c520bf929723eaff4a2a4a68d48644af | By . Andrew Levy . PUBLISHED: . 18:43 EST, 3 April 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 04:36 EST, 4 April 2012 . A Sainsbury's campaign offering to ‘Feed your family for £50 a week’ has been banned for misleading shoppers. The high-profile adverts claimed a family of four would be able to eat three healthy meals a day on a recession-busting budget. But customers complained that the meal plans did not provide sufficient calories, meaning additional food would have to be bought. Under fire: The supermarket giant has been told it was in breach of rules with its 'misleading' advertisements . They said the weekly cost did not include a number of ‘store cupboard’ ingredients that had to be purchased separately. They were also concerned that a warning that the weekly plans were not suitable for children under four was buried in the terms and conditions. The Advertising Standards Authority has now ruled that the supermarket was in breach of rules including those covering misleading advertising, substantiation and prices. The watchdog said that the TV, press and online adverts must not be used again in their current form. The decision is an embarrassment for Sainsbury’s at a time when it is fighting to erode Tesco’s dominance as the country’s number one supermarket. An ASA spokesman said: ‘Because the ads claimed that readers could meet all their family food needs for a week for £50, when that was not the case, we concluded that Sainsbury’s had over-claimed and that the ads were misleading on this point. ‘The published meal plans also listed store cupboard ingredients which were not included in the headline price of £50, such as olive oil, dried mixed herbs, fresh garlic, mustard, tomato puree, stock cubes and plain flour. ‘We understood that a significant number of consumers would have to buy ingredients in addition to those listed on the meal plans, bringing the cost above £50. ‘Because we considered that the ads implied the advertised meals plans were suitable for children under four years of age when that was not the case, and because we understood that customers with children under four would therefore have to alter the meal plans and buy additional food for that age group, we concluded that the ad was misleading.’ The campaign ran throughout May and June last year and followed the company’s Jamie Oliver-led ‘Feed your family for a fiver’ adverts, which started in 2008. Adverts included pictures of three meals with the words: ‘28 breakfasts, 28 lunches, 28 dinners, 1 happy family.’ Shoppers were urged to ‘follow our meal plan, three meals a day, seven days a week’. Celebrity endorsement: Chef Jamie Oliver has backed a previous Sainsbury's campaign challenging shoppers to feed their family for fiver . But food experts voiced concerns about . the plans, which worked out at 60p per meal per person. The average . prison meal costs £2.10. Toast and sandwiches featured heavily, including three breakfasts of toast and jam in one weekly plan. They . said the meals provided only around 1,600 calories a day. Other . warnings included a lack of fruit and the poor nutritional balance of . some meals. Defending the campaign yesterday, Sainsbury’s said the meals were not intended to provide all the calories needed every day and were supposed to be supplemented by drinks and snacks. But nutritionist Helen Money branded the meal plans irresponsible. ‘If you didn’t read the terms and conditions you would end up losing weight, which can have a dangerous impact on your health if you’re healthy or underweight,’ she said. ‘It also increases the risk from some underlying health conditions. Men are meant to have around 2,500 calories, so it’s 1,000 calories less than they should be having, which is equivalent to losing 2lb a week. That is at the top end of weight loss recommendations.’ Sainsbury’s said it had developed the meals with the British Nutrition Foundation and there had been only six complaints out of four million customers who became involved with the initiative. It declined to say whether it would run the campaign again, although the meal plans were still available online yesterday. A spokesman added: ‘We are surprised and disappointed that the ASA has come to this judgment as it does not reflect the feedback we have had from our customers. ‘Our “Feed your family for £50” campaign has been very popular and resonated with customers who clearly understood that a small handful of ingredients in the meals plans would have come from their store cupboards. ‘We worked closely with independent experts and still believe that our meal plans provide nutritious and tasty family meals in a cost-effective way.’ | Customers claimed supermarket's claim did not provide sufficient calories .
ASA ruled Sainsbury's was in breach of advertising rules . |
101,276 | 0e88f11cf850100765fd2394ae921103d1b5f4e2 | By . Nazia Parveen . PUBLISHED: . 10:47 EST, 11 March 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 20:46 EST, 11 March 2013 . Allegations: Dr Humayun Iqbal is accused of molesting two junior colleagues at a hospital in Newcastle . A senior doctor groped a trainee surgeon before telling her, ‘well that’s what juniors are for isn’t it?’, a medical tribunal has heard. Dr Humayun Iqbal, 40, had been conducting a private anatomy lesson when he allegedly forced himself upon the woman and tried to steal a kiss before putting his hand down her blouse. When his junior colleague protested and told him to get off, Iqbal is said to have replied: ‘I have to practise for my wife’, later adding: ‘At the end of your rotation you will be begging for it.’ The woman, known as Dr B, was one of two junior female colleagues molested by Iqbal while he was working as a registrar, a General Medical Council hearing has been told. The fitness to practise panel heard that Iqbal ‘manipulated’ his victims and behaved inappropriately towards them under the charade of teaching. Peter Atherton, counsel for the GMC, said: ‘In each of these cases Dr Iqbal manipulated his victims by the offer of teaching and learning assistance to them. ‘Common to both is the emotional and mental turmoil that they both then experienced. ‘In particular their great concern was how they were going to deal with this unexpected, totally inappropriate behaviour at the start of their careers. ‘Of course they were both anxious to make a good impression on their seniors and equally they were most concerned for their personal reputation.’ The alleged incident involving Dr B occurred in December 2009 after Iqbal invited her for ‘further teaching’ in an empty coffee room. Peter Atherton, GMC counsel . Iqbal asked the woman an anatomy question and when she answered correctly he hugged her before tightening his embrace and then forcibly kissing her, it was alleged. Mr Atherton said: ‘Her reaction was to object and rebuke him for what happened but he started to say totally inappropriate things such as ‘‘I have to practise for my wife’’ and ‘‘well that’s what juniors are for isn’t it?’’ ‘He also invited her to attend a course with him in Canada. When she made it clear his advances were not welcome he said ‘‘at the end of your rotation you will be begging for it’’.’ Later, after she moved hospitals, Iqbal allegedly sent the junior surgeon an offensive text which prompted her to make a formal complaint against him. The text said: ‘A good boss is like a bra – always supportive and never lets you down, a bad boss is like Pampers – always stuck to your a***.’ The second alleged victim, known as Miss A, was a nurse practitioner who had just started training at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle upon Tyne. Iqbal was said to have lured her to a lecture theatre in November 2009 under the pretext of ‘demonstrating relevant anatomy’ before fondling her breast. The woman was left feeling ‘like a rabbit caught in the headlights’ as a result of Iqbal’s unwanted sexual advances and made an entry in her diary saying: ‘Awful day. Iqbal.’ She told the hearing: ‘He was drawing pictures of lungs and different incisions, he touched me on the back first, below my right shoulder blade and moved his hand right around towards the front. ‘He moved his hand from the back to the front, my right breast. I was just a bit shocked. I don’t know, he could have drawn it on the diagram. I just moved away and I sat back. ‘My heart was racing. I felt like a lump of jelly. I knew I had gone bright red, blushing, and he asked me if I had allergies – he touched my left cheek and I said ‘‘no’’.’ Following the incident the woman lost weight, suffered sleepless nights and struggled to do her work, it was claimed. 'Totally inappropriate': The General Medical Council was told at a hearing in Manchester that Iqbal had 'manipulated' his alleged victims by offering to teach them . She added: ‘I just felt very uncomfortable because he touched me. I had . just started working there and I didn’t want to cause any trouble. I . just wanted to get on with him.’ Miss A reported the incident after she attended an interview with a . consultant the following February and confessed her spell at the . hospital had been ‘unhappy’ because of Iqbal. A nursing colleague of Miss A told the hearing in Manchester: ‘She said . she had had a terrible experience after a day in theatre with Dr Iqbal. She said he had behaved inappropriately with her and she was frightened. It had had quite an impact on her. ‘She demonstrated on me what he had done and I felt uncomfortable, she . was touching me in that area so I felt embarrassed, it wasn’t a . lingering it was a hand sweep. ‘She lost a lot of weight and she said she wasn’t sleeping and she was struggling in her work.’ In a subsequent hospital trust disciplinary proceeding relating to both . women, Iqbal claimed Dr B had made ‘profoundly racist’ comments towards . him. He claimed he had only taken her to the coffee room to tackle her . over a complaint made about her work. His allegations are firmly denied . by Dr B. Iqbal, from Ponteland, Newcastle, denies misconduct. The hearing continues. Sorry we are unable to accept comments for legal reasons. | Dr Humayun Iqbal accused of molesting two junior colleagues .
Said to have told trainee surgeon: 'I have to practice for my wife'
Accused of fondling the breast of a nurse practitioner .
Iqbal, 40, denies misconduct while a registrar at a Newcastle hospital . |
72,067 | cc420b84092b955c5fbec93d9c016a90c9319fdf | Nigel Farage today said immigrants suffering from ‘life-threatening diseases’ should not be allowed into Britain. The Ukip leader defended his call for foreigners suffering from HIV to be banned from moving to the UK – and said he would stop ‘people with tuberculosis too’. Douglas Carswell, the party’s first MP, was left struggling to defend the remarks today after using his victory speech late last night to urge his party to speak with ‘compassion’. Mr Carswell’s highly respected father Wilson Carswell also diagnosed the first confirmed cases of HIV/AIDS in Uganda and inspired the character Dr Garrigan in Giles Foden's novel The Last King of Scotland. Scroll down for video . Douglas Carswell urged Ukip to show 'compassion' - just hours before Nigel Farage was forced to defend remarks calling for all immigrants with 'life threatening diseases' to be blocked from coming to the UK . Ukip's new MP Douglas Carswell faced a barrage of questions over Nigel Farage's remarks about HIV . Mr Carswell was born and grew up in Africa where both his parents worked as doctors. On a walkabout in Clacton today, Mr Carswell said: ‘I agree with everything that Nigel has said and we need an Australian type immigration system.’ HIV charity the Terrence Higgins Trust said the UKIP leader's remarks displayed a ‘new level of ignorance’. ‘The idea that having HIV should be used as a black mark against someone's name is ridiculous and shows an outrageous lack of understanding of the issue,’ the charity's chief executive Rosemary Gillespie said. She added: ‘In bracketing those living with the condition with murderers, and suggesting there is no place for them in his vision of Britain, Mr Farage has stooped to a new level of ignorance. He should be truly ashamed.’ But Mr Farage defended the remarks, originally published in the magazine Newsweek Europe. He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the UK's public services could not cope with extra demand created by people with severe medical conditions coming to Britain. He said: ‘We want people to come who have got trades and skills, but we don't want people who have got criminal records - and we can't afford people with life-threatening diseases. ‘I do not think people with life-threatening diseases should be treated by our National Health Service and that is an absolute essential condition for working out a proper immigration policy. ‘We have leading cancer experts in Britain saying the burden now of treating overseas people is leading to huge shortages in the system.’ He added the UK should follow similar bans he said were in place in the United States and Australia. About 40 per cent of new HIV diagnoses in 2013 were of people born outside the UK, according to Public Health England. Tory defector and UKIP candidate for the parliamentary seat of Rochester and Strood, Mark Reckless, said he did not believe there should be a blanket ban on people with HIV entering the country. He added he believed the Mr Farage's comments, as reported by Newsweek Europe, were misleading. In the film 'The Last King of Scotland' actor Forest Whitaker plays the brutal Ugandan dictator Idi Amin . Set in Uganda the film features James McAvoy (left) as 'Dr Garrigan' - inspired by Mr Carswell's father Wilson Carswell who diagnosed the first confirmed cases of HIV/AIDS in Uganda . Dr Wilson Carswell - Douglas Carswell's father - was the inspiration behind the character of the Scottish doctor in the film 'The Last King of Scotland' A patient from overseas suffering from HIV is entitled to lifelong treatment on the NHS. Thanks to a change in policy, an HIV-positive migrant could go and see their GP complaining of something as innocuous as a cold – and end up costing the NHS hundreds of thousands of pounds. This is because in a bid to prevent the spread of the disease, the Coalition in 2012 decided to treat all foreigners with HIV, even if their cases were not emergencies. The NHS now offers expensive £20,000-a-year antiretroviral drugs to all non-British residents in England with the disease, including failed asylum seekers and students on temporary visas. The average lifetime treatment cost for an HIV-positive person runs to hundreds of thousands of pounds. And once here, if a migrant or asylum seeker has HIV or Aids, it is hard to remove them. This is because failed asylum seekers from countries with poor medical systems can claim that sending them back would condemn them to die and so fight removal on the grounds that it would be a breach of their human rights. It is not known how many patients are affected or how much the policy has cost the Health Service in total. But doctors have warned that the cost to the NHS of ‘health tourism’ could be billions of pounds. In his interview with Newsweek Europe Mr Farage is quoted as saying immigrants from outside Europe are ‘discriminated against because we have an open door into Europe today’. Mr Farage added: ‘If you're an Indian engineer, say, your chances of admission are limited. UKIP want to control the quantity and quality of people who come.’ The UKIP leader then went on to define what he meant by ‘quality’. ‘It's simple. That Latvian convicted murderer shouldn't have been allowed here. Yes and people who do not have HIV, to be frank. That's a good start. And people with a skill.’ ‘What are those words inscribed under the Statue of Liberty? 'Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses . . . ' What you're saying is: 'Bring me your electricians, your merchant bankers and your guys without HIV'.’ ‘There are 190 countries in the world,’ Mr Farage added, ‘that operate like that’. A caller to Mr Farage’s phone-in show on LBC called Charlie told Mr Farage that he was ‘ramping up the fear makes people hide’ and accuses him of ‘playing the race card’. She said she was not a ‘drain on the health service’ just because she has HIV. But Mr Farage said: ‘If we turn the national health service, and the clue is in the name, if we change it to the global health service, we are going to have a serious problem with resources.’ In the interview with Newsweek Europe, published today, Mr Farage said it was wrong that the ‘chances of admission’ of highly qualified engineers from India were limited. ‘Ukip want to control the quantity and quality of people who come,’ he said. Referring to convicted killer Arnis Zalkalns, who is suspected of murdering London schoolgirl Alice Gross, he added: ‘It’s simple. That Latvian convicted murderer shouldn’t have been allowed here.’ Asked whether ‘quality’ meant people without a homicide conviction, he answered: ‘Yes. And people who do not have HIV, to be frank. That’s a good start. And people with a skill. That is what Britain should do.’ He went on to say: ‘I have never said that we should not take refugees. We have a proud record of accepting refugees, and that must be continued.’ Nearly 20 Tories backed an unsuccessful amendment to the Government’s Immigration Bill earlier this year – which would have required anyone coming to settle in Britain to prove that they were not HIV positive or carrying Hepatitis B. In 2010, Barack Obama overturned a 20-year-old US travel and immigration ban against people with HIV. Currently around 60 countries bar the entry of HIV-positive people, according to the United Nations. The list includes the Bahamas, the Kingdom of Brunei, Equatorial Guinea, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Russia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sudan, the UAE and Yemen. | Farage says Britain should not accept immigrants with HIV or tuberculosis .
Call comes hours after party's new MP urged Farage to show compassion .
Carswell's father diagnosed the first confirmed cases of HIV/AIDS in Uganda .
Wilson Carswell inspired 'Dr Garrigan' in 'The Last King of Scotland' film .
A bill forcing immigrants to prove they didn't have HIV was defeated this year .
HIV charities attacked Farage and said ban has 'no impact on epidemic' |
170,581 | 68d0fcab53a6a5ccdf161534b1e72ecad752783a | She's the world's second richest model, runs her own company and cares for a toddler but you'll never catch Miranda Kerr with so much as a hair out of place when she leaves the house in the morning (and returns after a long day at work). What's her secret? 'Be productive,' says the glossy supermodel as she shares her regimented daily regime. Writing on her Kora Organics blog, she said: 'Introducing a few activities into your working week will assist with managing stress and may also help you be more productive.' Scroll down for video . Secrets to a better life: Miranda Kerr, who is something of a lifestyle guru, has shared her top tips for having a more productive day . The 31-year-old then goes on to share her top tips for being as productive as her. The first piece of advice? Start the day nutritiously, which she says helps keeps your energy levels up and assists concentration. Miranda loves to whiz up her beloved green juice. 'Green cold pressed juices are packed with live, whole ingredients so it’s an instant health hit to the bloodstream,' she said. 'The chlorophyll contained in cold pressed green juices can help keep your blood healthy and are very oxygenating. Green juices are high in vitamins and minerals making them great contributors to clear skin and bright eyes.' Getting off to a good start: Miranda starts the day with a green juice, which, she says, is packed with chlorophyll and nutrients . Beauty secrets: As well as stating the obvious ('get a good night's sleep'), Miranda describes dry body brushing your partner as a 'fantastic health practice to exfoliate dry skin and boost circulation . She also recommends going on a brisk 20-minute walk or even walking to work if you can because, she says, it's better for you and the environment. If life is getting too much for you, Miranda's simple piece of advice is 'take a break'. 'Download a meditation practice on your iPhone or smartphone, there’s so many wonderful apps that are free and cater for short work breaks and stress relief,' she says. As well as stating the obvious ('get a good night's sleep'), Miranda describes dry body brushing your partner as a 'fantastic health practice to exfoliate dry skin, increase circulation and improve the drainage of toxins via the lymphatic system'. Out in the open: She also recommends going on a brisk 20-minute walk or even walking to work if you can because, she says, it's better for you and the environment . Holistic Miranda also explains she likes to carry a small Rose Quartz crystal with her in her handbag. She explains: 'Rose Quartz is a pink coloured crystal believed to have heart-healing properties. It encourages healthy self-love, and can bestow compassion, forgiveness and acceptance. Rose Quartz is also soothing, calming and reduces stress and tension.' Such a fan of the crystal is Miranda that she's added the unique vibrations of Rose Quartz to all of her KORA Organics skincare products. The filtered water in the products is infused with the energy of the Rose Quartz crystal, so that vibration of love and intent flows through the crystals, into the products and onto you, she explains. | Miranda, 31, has shared tips for having a productive lifestyle .
Says it's important to get out in the fresh air and meditate .
Infuses all of her skincare products with rose quartz . |
266,867 | e5a75e7e5bc933874b297071ec75c22e995fc3e8 | By . Steve Nolan . PUBLISHED: . 13:17 EST, 21 March 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 20:27 EST, 21 March 2013 . Writ: Physiotherapist Paul Edwards, pictured, is suing the firm behind Willows Farm Village and Park after breaking his back on a trampoline in May last year . The Bank of England's in-house physiotherapist has launched a £300,000 compensation claim against a children's theme park after breaking his back in a trampolining accident. Paul Edwards, who provides physio for Sir Mervyn King and some of the nation's other top bankers, fractured his spine on a visit to Willows Farm Village and Park near St Albans, Hertfordshire. The incident happened in May last year. Mr Edwards, 40, from Chesham in Buckinghamshire, claims that he struck his back while bouncing because the trampoline was 'positioned too close to the ground below it'. He is suing park owners Bowmans Farms Ltd - who advertise that visitors to Willows Park will experience 'acres of fun' - for a minimum of £300,000 in damages. In a High Court writ, Mr Edwards says he was 'using a trampoline which he was permitted to use and was using it in a normal manner' when he injured his back. Mr Edwards, who runs his own physiotherapy clinic . in Chorleywood, Hertfordshire, with his wife Nicky, as well as working . for the Bank of England since 2008, had an annual membership to Willows Farm Village and the accident happened during a family visit to the park on a Sunday. The writ says: 'Mr Edwards was using a trampoline...when, after jumping upwards and then landing on the stretched fabric of the trampoline, he struck the ground beneath the fabric and suffered a serious injury to his back. 'His injuries were caused by negligence or breach of an implied term of the contract that the trampolining facilities would be safe for him to use,' it is alleged. Businessman: Mr Edwards, pictured with his wife Nicky, runs his own physiotherapist in Chorleywood, Hertfordshire, as well as working for the Bank of England . Popular attraction: The Willows Farm Village website describes the park as 'acres of fun' Mr Edwards also claims that staff at the theme park had 'positioned the trampoline on a slope...so that it was too close to the ground below it, failed to place the trampoline on level ground (and) failed to ensure that there was sufficient distance between the stretched fabric component of the trampoline and the ground below it.' According to the writ, Mr Edwards suffered 'a serious injury to his back including a wedge compression fracture of the 12th thoratic vertebra.' In their defence to the action, Tanja Neuhof, for Bowmans Farms Ltd, said the company 'admits primary liability' for Mr Edwards' accident, but 'reserve the right to allege contributory negligence against him.' Miss Neuhof added that the company makes no admission regarding Mr Edwards's injury or his current medical complaints. Employer: Mr Edwards has provided physiotherapy at the Bank of England, pictured, since 2008 . Important service: Mr Edwards provides physio for outgoing Bank of England Governor Mervyn King, pictured, and other top bankers . | Paul Edwards broke his back at Willows Farm Village and Park, Herts .
He is suing park owners Bowmans Farms Ltd for a minimum of £300,000 .
Mr Edwards had an annual membership to the park when he was injured . |
154,905 | 54306e7ed87abac2e463232f1e161b8a79be16de | Jordan Higgins (pictured), son of former world champion Alex Higgins, has been jailed for 18 months after admitting robbery . The son of former world snooker champion Alex 'Hurricane' Higgins has been jailed today for carrying out a dawn robbery on a newsagents. Jordan Higgins, 31, was high on drink and drugs when he snatched a haul of cigarettes worth £1,500 from a display shelf after he and a masked accomplice burst into the shop in Cheadle, Greater Manchester. During the attack Higgins stormed round the back of the counter and grabbed Steven Gee by the throat and pushed him onto a stool. He then emptied the cigarettes off the shelves into a duvet cover before running off and escaping in a getaway car. He was arrested after his DNA was matched to the crime scene. The robbery last January occurred after Higgins - who has a string of convictions - battled a lengthy drug and alcohol problem during which he was admitted to a rehabilitation clinic at the age of just 14. He was also said to have struggled living in the shadow of his late father who died aged 61 in 2010 after battling throat cancer. At Minshull Street Crown Court today, the late snooker star's former wife Lynn and daughter Lauren wept in the public gallery as Jordan - who was given the middle name Alexander - was locked away for 18 months after admitting robbery. Sentencing Judge John Potter told him: 'Regrettably this is not the first time you find yourself standing in the dock of a criminal court for a criminal offence. 'You do have previous convictions recorded against you which I have considered carefully including previous for alcohol, causing loss to others by way of damage and assault. 'You knew what was going on and knew the robbery was to take place. You have targeted somebody simply trying to earn a living. 'He was alone so was vulnerable. You ran away and as you did you discarded your scarf and glove and further analysis on the DNA was recovered linking you to the commission of the offence. 'I accept your remorse is now genuine and at the time you were riddled with the associated difficulties and problems that alcohol and drug addiction brings to people but as you know that is absolutely no excuse for your behaviour. 'I accept you are somebody who has had a difficult upbringing and you have had to live in the glare of publicity with a father, that according to the testimonials, was hardly the proper role model to a son. 'But that is also no excuse to target Mr Gee as you did. I view this so serious only immediate custody is appropriate.' Earlier Andrew Long prosecuting said the robbery began when Higgins, from Cheadle, and his accomplice drew up in a car and burst in wearing scarves over their faces. Tragedy: Alex Higgins, left and right, is considered one of the snooker greats, but he struggled with drinking, gambling, and drug use until his death in 2010 . He added: 'The defendant grabbed Mr Gee by the throat and walked him backwards squeezing his throat and dragged him to a stool behind the counter. 'The two men then set about trying to steal the cigarettes. The other man got a duvet and put the cigarettes in and both men pulled the shelf off the display and took it towards the car. 'Mr Gee pressed the silent alarm and when they left the shop he locked them out. They left the shop with the tray, leaving the duvet behind with around £1,500 of cigarettes. 'They got back in the car and drove away at speed but crashed it. The defendant was the passenger in the car which was bearing false registration plates. 'The two men ran through the gardens and the police were able to follow where some items were discarded including the scarf worn by the defendant. The passenger side airbag was also deployed. The glove, mask and airbag had the defendant's DNA on.' Jordan Higgins was high on drink and drugs when he snatched a haul of cigarettes worth £1,500 from a display shelf after he and a masked accomplice burst into the shop (pictured) in Cheadle, Greater Manchester . In mitigation defence counsel Estelle Parkhouse said: 'He was under the influence of drugs and alcohol and the CCTV demonstrates this is a less sophisticated robbery. 'He wasn't thinking very clearly. Prior to Christmas he lost the employment he had for three years and in addition his long term relationship had broken down. 'He then started using drugs and alcohol to block out the difficulties. She added: 'He has lived in the shadow of his father's fame and success and unfortunately it has been a life of constant scrutiny. The pressures placed upon him have been difficult to bear. At 14 years old he went to the Priory for misuse of alcohol. 'After that, unfortunately, his misuse escalated and he started using Class A drugs. This offence is wholly out of character. She went on to explain how he had led a 'troubled childhood that was 'far from a charmed existence. During the attack Jordan Higgins stormed round the back of the counter and grabbed Steven Gee (pictured) by the throat and pushed him onto a stool . 'His father's behaviour is described in the letters by his sister and mum. He was exposed to alcohol and drugs from an early age and has an addictive personality but since the offence he has addressed his problem with drugs. 'He has a very close relationship with his mother and sister and an incredibly close relationship with his grandparents who are in their 80s. 'His grandfather was by far a more appropriate father figure than his father was. This offence wasn't committed because he needed money but he can't provide an explanation as to why he got involved. He is disgusted by his behaviour and is genuinely sorry for the harm caused.' After the case Mr Gee, 51, described the 'very scary' experience of being robbed in his shop. 'I didn't know if they had weapons or if they were prepared to really hurt me or what. The police were here within minutes but I was very shaken up,' he said. 'I was very surprised more than anything when I heard who it was who did it. Unfortunately the way his dad's life panned out could have affected this young man. Losing any loved one affects people differently. In a way I feel sorry for him.' Jordan was born a year after his father - who came to be known as 'The People's Champion' - won the World Snooker Championship in 1982 during which the star sobbed as he hugged then-wife Lynne and one-year-old daughter Lauren. The Hurricane had already been World Champion and runner-up in 1976 and 1980. He won the UK Championship in 1983 and the Masters in 1978 and 1981, making him one of nine players to have completed snooker's Triple Crown. He was also World Doubles champion with Jimmy White in 1984, and won the World Cup three times with the All Ireland team. Jordan was born a year after his father - who came to be known as 'The People's Champion' - famously won the World Snooker Championship in 1982. Alex Higgins is pictured next to his daughter and wife Lynn . But tragically Higgins snr's career subsequently crumbled under a litany of fines, bans and court-cases. He was left penniless after losing his luxury house in Cheshire to the taxman and was eventually stopped from seeing Jordan and Lauren following his divorce with Lynn. He was a heavy smoker, struggled with drinking and gambling and admitted to using cocaine and marijuana. Diagnosed with throat cancer in 1998, Higgins died of the illness in his Belfast home on 24 July 2010. Jordan was a pallbearer at his father's funeral alongside snooker stars Jimmy White and Ken Doherty. | Jordan Higgins, 31, and accomplice robbed shop in Cheadle, Manchester .
They burst in at dawn, pushed over owner and stuffed cigarettes into duvet .
Jailed for 18 months at Minshull Street Crown Court after admitting robbery .
His late father, Alex, is considered one of snooker's greatest ever players .
Died in 2010 after years struggling with alcoholism and gambling addiction .
Jordan Higgins 'lived in the shadow of his father’s fame,' the court heard .
Defence lawyer reveals he attended Priory for misuse of alcohol at just 14 .
Letters written by his mother and sister describe his 'father's behaviour'
Higgins jnr was 'exposed to alcohol and drugs from an early age' court told . |
279,893 | f69521afd0c35cf89ccca6ebad06a00a1bd36d1f | The family of missing toddler William Tyrell have endured a heart-rending Christmas, with a stockpile of unopened presents from locals serving as a sombre reminder of his disappearance. Members of the Kendall Services and Citizens Club in NSW gave a collection of gifts and Spiderman merchandise to his parents in the hope that the three-year-old will soon be found. One of the senior officers in the investigation has said the family remain heartbroken at William's baffling disappearance almost four months ago. After news that homicide detectives are now leading the investigation, an expansive search of the surrounding areas has led them to believe that the boy did not wander away on his own accord, reports The Sunday Telegraph - with one neighbour suggesting he could have been kidnapped. Scroll down for videos . William Tyrell was last seen wearing his favourite Spiderman costume when he disappeared on September 12 . Lead investigator superintendent Paul Fehon points to the house where three-year-old William Tyrell was last seen on the Mid North Coast of NSW . 'They indicated to me that Christmas was just a quiet silent time at home, the emptiness of having a void in their house,' lead investigator Superintendent Paul Fehon, from Port Macquarie Local Area Command, told The Sunday Telegraph. 'That's been unopened presents, not able to share the festivities, to see a smile on young William's face to receive gifts or presents like any other normal child.' Supt Fehon said a lack of evidence to support the potential scenarios has left investigators baffled. 'It's got to be either adventure that's turned into misadventure, or human intervention. Because we're not finding anything on that side, we've got to be open to the possibility of human intervention,' he said. His parents have also made a poignant announcement: 'We pray that 2015 brings William home.' Supt Fehon said police were considering the importance of a walking track which starts at the end of Benaroon Drive where William disappeared and leads into the nearby Kendall cemetery. Supt Fuhon has revealed the Tyrell family have endured a heart-rending Christmas . Members of the Kendall Services and Citizens Club gave a collection of gifts and Spiderman merchandise to William's parents in hopes the missing three-year-old will appear soon . Homicide detectives have taken over the investigation of William Tyrell who disappeared on September 12 . For the first time he has also outlined a detailed account of the sequence of events before William's disappearance. His grandmother, mother and four-year-old sister were enjoying a relaxing morning on the driveway of his grandmother's property. Dressed in his favourite superhero costume, William was playing a game of hide-and-seek with his sister. He was dashing around the side of the house before reappearing with a smile and returning to his his family. When he ran around out of view at about 10.25am on September 12, his mother did not check on him until 10.30am, when she went around the corner looking for him and he was nowhere to be seen. Neighbours watched the family frantically scouring the area and calling out his name, before they contacted police shortly afterwards. It comes after news that homicide detectives have joined the investigation into William's disappearance. Lead Investigator superintendant Paul Fehon said a lack of evidence to support any scenario has left investigators stumped . One neighbour saw William’s distraught mother pacing the quite street after William went missing. Afterwards, his father, who had been at the shops, returned and instantly joined into the search. The family had visited Kendall before, with locals recalling seeing them the previous December. Another neighbour said the community has been rocked by William’s disappearance, with children no longer allowed to ride their bikes or visit the local store without supervision. William was last seen in the front yard of his grandmother's house at Kendall, on the NSW mid-north coast . Investigators have now also outlined a detailed account of the sequence of events before William's disappearance . In a major turn for the investigation, murder squad officers are now leading inquiries - meaning the case is no longer a missing persons investigation. Homicide Squad boss Detective Superintendent Michael Willing told the Sunday Telegraph that the investigation had taken a new direction. 'We want to do a thorough investigation to determine what's happened to William and obviously we need to consider the worst case scenario,' Supt Willing said. A NSW police spokeswoman confirmed to Daily Mail Australia that homicide detectives are now leading the investigation. 'The homicide squad are involved to ensure thorough investigation but we have no evidence to suggest any particular scenario at this stage,' a police spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia. Detectives have spoken to every person they could locate who was in Kendall that day when the little boy disappeared at Benaroon Drive about 10.30am, five minutes after he was last seen by his grandmother and mother. He had been playing with his four-year-old sister. Detectives, who found no trace of William during an intense nine-day search and were concentrating their investigation on the theory that William was abducted, have previously described the case as 'astonishing'. Searches combed bushland surrounding the home of missing toddler William Tyrell's grandmother . Police have spoken to everyone they could locate who was in Kendall on the day little William disappeared . A huge search of surrounding properties and bushland failed to find a trace of the boy. One lead police have investigated is a report of a 'well-dressed, well-spoken' man who reportedly asked a local shopkeeper for directions to Batar Creek Road, which leads to Benaroon Drive, on the morning William disappeared. William's family thanked searchers for their hard work. 'Thank you does not seem like the right sort of word to express our gratitude and heartfelt warmth we feel towards each and every one of you,' a statement from the family said. 'We have been completely overwhelmed with the way the public, SES, Surf Life Saving, RFS and the Police have rallied together to find our little Spiderman William.' Anyone with any information about William's disappearance is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 . | Three-year-old William Tyrell has been missing for nearly four months .
Detectives are now adamant that he did not wander away on his own .
But a lack of evidence to support any scenario has left them stumped .
Locals from Kendall have donated a collection of gifts in his honour .
Investigators have outlined the sequence of events before the event .
Homicide detectives have taken over the investigation of missing toddler .
He was last seen in his grandmother's front yard at Kendall .
He was last seen wearing his favourite Spiderman costume and sandals . |
168,225 | 65961456d11269a4191a41b0f0a0f2d92fcb6907 | ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- Waves of severe thunderstorms streaked through downtown Atlanta on Saturday, hours after a tornado left a trail of destruction through the heart of the city. An Atlanta sidewalk is heaved up by an oak tree toppled in Friday night's storm. A swath of uprooted and broken trees, downed utility lines, peeled-off roofs and collapsed brick walls marked the path of the tornado that struck around 9:40 p.m. Friday. "This was clearly a tornado," Lans Rothfusz of the National Weather Service's Peachtree City, Georgia, office said. He rated the storm an EF-2 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, meaning it packed top winds of 130 miles per hour. Utility and cleanup crews worked Saturday to restore traffic lights, clear streets and remove tons of debris in the city's business district after Friday night's unusual urban storm. Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin and Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue declared states of emergency. Police in Atlanta were urging people to stay away from downtown, fearing shattered glass and hanging metal would continue to fall from buildings as new storms rolled through. See a map of the downtown damage » . A heavy thunderstorm prompted another tornado warning as it plowed across Atlanta just south of downtown Saturday afternoon. More storms were seen forming in Alabama and heading toward Atlanta. At least two people were killed Saturday afternoon as the same line of storms destroyed structures elsewhere in northern Georgia. Trees blown down in Friday night's storm crushed a row of houses in the city's historic Cabbagetown district just east of downtown. Initial estimates from the mayor's office said at least 20 of the historic homes were damaged or destroyed by the tornado. Atlanta police Maj. Renee Propes urged people to stay away from Cabbagetown. See photos of the destruction » . "We appreciate the fact that people may want to help," Propes said. "But, in most instances, they are hindering our efforts and possibly putting people and property at risk." The top floor collapsed at one building in the Fulton Cotton Mill Lofts, a 104-year-old industrial complex redeveloped into residences. Police officials said everyone was out of the structure and surrounding buildings and all residents in the lofts had been accounted for. Watch firefighters search building » . Across the street, headstones were toppled in the historic Oakland Cemetery. About 10,000 customers were without power Saturday morning, according to Georgia Power, but by about 5:35 p.m. Saturday that number had mushroomed to 41,000 customers statewide. Crews were working to restore power but were pulled back when waves of bad weather threatened. Earlier, Georgia Power spokesman John Sell said more than 40 power poles were broken by Friday night's tornado. Some customers will not have power restored until Sunday, Sell said -- and it could be even longer if weather hinders crews' efforts. Watch a report on problems amid the cleanup » . Part of Atlanta's MARTA mass-transit rail system was shut down because of damage east of downtown. The twister is the first to strike downtown Atlanta since record-keeping began in the late 1800s, said Laura Griffith, a National Weather Service forecaster. On March 24, 1975, a tornado hit the city's Buckhead area, including the governor's mansion, she said. Three people died and more than 150 were injured. The weather service said Friday's tornado plowed a path about 6 miles long and 200 yards wide. The twister appears to have first struck several houses and churches in the Vine City neighborhood west of the business district, then moved on to the Georgia Dome, CNN Center, Centennial Olympic Park and Cabbagetown. A brick apartment building in Vine City was roofless Saturday morning. Curtains waved through broken windows high up the cylindrical 73-story Westin Peachtree Plaza hotel downtown. Gaping holes were torn in the roof of the Georgia World Congress Center, and an auto parts warehouse just east of downtown partially collapsed. Watch a stairway become a waterfall » . Although tens of thousands of people were in the path of the storm -- many in town for a major college basketball tournament -- there were no known deaths and just one life-threatening injury, police said. About 30 people -- one of them a firefighter -- were treated at hospitals, mostly for minor cuts, scrapes and bruises, police said. The American Red Cross reported about 70 people were using one shelter it established, and a second was added later in the morning. The storm struck the 71,000-seat Georgia Dome at 9:45 p.m. during a Southeastern Conference tournament basketball game. It shattered windows and tore roofs from buildings -- including CNN Center -- before continuing into several residential neighborhoods. Mahsud Olufani, an Atlanta painter and sculptor with a studio in Cabbagetown, said, "It looks like a bomb went off, it looks like World War III." A large hole could be seen in the 14th floor of a high-rise dorm at Georgia State University in downtown Atlanta. Students were evacuated from the area on buses. The storm interrupted a Southeastern Conference game between Alabama and Mississippi State. "It was actually in overtime, and the game was getting exciting, and I thought people from the Alabama side were hitting the bleachers trying to get some noise going," said basketball fan Lucas Shields. "All of a sudden the TV went out, the overhead clock stopped working, and you hear that distinctive noise of a train." Amanda Reimann, an iReporter and University of Georgia cheerleader, said she and her teammates heard a loud noise. "It sounded like the fans were banging on the seats or stomping their feet, but it kept up and got a lot louder," she said. "Then the ceiling of the Dome started waving, the giant TV screens were waving, and light fixures and dust started falling. "My teammates and I thought it was a bomb but our coach came running for us and a security guy and said it was a tornado. We all ran for the locker room." Watch what happened inside the dome » . The game resumed about an hour later, but a later game between Kentucky and Georgia was postponed. A professional basketball game at Philips Arena next door was not disrupted, but the thousands attending that game also had to make their way home through the storm debris. Police closed several streets in the vicinity of CNN Center because of glass and other debris. Two of Centennial Olympic Park's towering Olympic torches were toppled and a performance pavilion was destroyed. Watch a man pick through the debris » . Inside CNN Center, water poured through the damaged roof into the building's atrium. Glass shattered, and parts of the building filled with dust. Virtually all of the windows facing Centennial Olympic Park on the Omni Hotel, which is adjacent to CNN Center, were shattered. Visitors to the hotel were moved to the facility's exhibition hall at street level. Watch scenes of the destruction » . CNN moved its national desk operation to another location Saturday after parts of the ceiling fell in, and CNN International aired domestic programming. Windows also shattered in the CNN.com newsroom, and CNN's library was damaged. Slabs of metal and insulation material were strewn on the streets outside. Heaps of bricks and drywall were pushed up against cars. Street signs were bent in half. The city's St. Patrick's Day celebration and the SEC parade set for Saturday morning were canceled. SEC tournament games were to be moved to the Alexander Memorial Coliseum at Georgia Tech in Atlanta's undamaged Midtown area. E-mail to a friend . | Mayor, governor declare states of emergency .
Police urge people to stay away from damaged neighborhood .
Strong thunderstorm prompts new tornado warning in Atlanta .
Storms kill two elsewhere in northern Georgia . |
47,026 | 847bf21072e7a1b776a12d9537db378ecac6a36c | By . Sophie Jane Evans . PUBLISHED: . 09:48 EST, 22 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 11:45 EST, 22 October 2013 . This is the incredible moment a 100ft jet of water shot into the sky after technicians accidentally punctured a water main. The high pressure water rocketed into the air in Malden Fields in Bushey, Hertfordshire - sending stones, litter and other debris sky high. It was let loose by technicians from Affinity Water, who had been carrying out work on the mains pipe. Scroll down for video . Powerful: The 100ft jet of water shot into the sky after technicians accidentally punctured a water main . Breathtaking: The high pressure water rocketed into the air in Malden Fields in Bushey, Hertfordshire . It is believed that a build-up of high pressure caused the 21-inch pipe to rupture. Shocked locals caught the jet of water on camera as it burst out of the main at about 3pm yesterday. It blasted into the sky, before crashing to the ground - sending water gushing through the surrounding streets. Resident Harry Jonson, 66, said he and his neighbours were told to stay indoors to avoid being injured by the enormous jet. 'I looked at my window and saw a massive water spurt, just like a fountain,' he said. Wreaking havoc: A fire crew from Watford Fire Station were called to the scene to try to control the burst pipe . 'We were told to stay indoors as the water was so powerful it was blowing rocks into the air. 'I've never seen anything like it before.' A fire crew from Watford Fire Station were called to the scene to try to control the burst pipe. Today, an Affinity Water spokesman said: 'We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused to customers by a burst 21-inch raw water main. Scene: Technicians from Affinity Water observe the mains pipe, which burst at about 3pm yesterday . 'As the pipe was carrying "raw" untreated water, no customers have had their supply affected and no traffic management has been required whilst repairs take place. 'We would like to thank our customers for their patience while we carry out these repairs.' The spokesman added that repairs were expected to be completed today. | The high pressure water blasted 100ft into the air in Bushey, Hertfordshire .
Rocks, litter and other debris were sent flying through the sky .
Shocked locals captured the incredible moment on camera . |
14,776 | 29e2fe291d1af0ac33eeee0df4787001b7f6d8fd | When renowned zoologist Dian Fossey, the inspiration behind the film Gorillas in the Mist, was murdered in 1985 there were just 250 mountain gorillas left in Africa’s Virunga mountains. But 27 years on, numbers of the gentle giants have doubled, thanks to a group of doctors that her work inspired. The Gorilla Doctors, formed as the . Virunga Veterinary Center a year after Fossey's death, take care of . injured and critically ill gorillas and provide medical treatment and . quarantine of orphans, with as many as eight gorillas cared for . at any one time. Scroll down for video . Quarantine: A young orphaned Gorilla with Dawn Zimmerman (left) and another gorilla doctor in a sanctuary in Rwanda . Caring: A close up of one of the Gorilla Doctors holding the hand of an adult mountain gorilla as part of the Village of Hope project in Rwanda . Orphan: Isangi with Dr. Martin Kabuyaya of the Gorilla Doctors at Virunga National Parkís Senkwekwe Centre in Rumangabo, Congo . Treatment: Villagers watch the Gorilla Doctors treating an adult mountain gorilla as part of the Village of Hope project in Rwanda . Starting out with the first Gorilla Doctor - Dr James Foster - the group now employs 16 vets and operates across three countries - the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Uganda. The group rescue gorillas from poacher's snares or when they have been exposed to potentially fatal human viruses, darting the animals with antibiotics or drugging them and operating on the jungle floor. They have been led for the past 13 years by Dr Mike Cranfield, a faculty member of the Wildlife Health Centre of the University of California Davis and divides his time between Maryland Zoo in Baltimore and central Africa. But he admits that there are dangers working with such large animals. He said: 'If the gorilla screams when darted, there is usually chaos and the silverbacks rush in to protect them.' His 'closest call' came after darting a mother with a sleeping drug so he could treat her sick infant. He said: 'Because it was so young I tried to work on it without anaesthetising it but it kept screaming and screaming.' Emergency treatment: Gorilla doctors treat an adult Mountain Gorilla . Wounded: Dr Magdalena Braum (far right) and Dr Eddy Kambale (far left) remove a bullet from the leg of an orphan Grauer's gorilla confiscated from poachers in Congo, Africa . Gentle: A young gorilla chewing on a branch in the Virunga mountains in Congo. The number of mountain gorillas has doubled since the Gorilla Doctors group was founded in 1986 . Playful: An adult Mountain Gorilla seen with a baby in the Virunga mountains in Congo - the gentle giants have doubled in number since 1985 thanks to a group of gorilla doctors . 'A silverback had circled by and here I was holding his screaming baby. This silverback was probably about 10 yards from me and was getting very, very close to charging. 'It was one of those moments when our eyes caught and it could have gone either way and it would have been pretty severe. 'So, I just quietly put the baby on the mother and backed off until the trackers and guides were able to come around in a circle to protect me.' The Gorilla Doctors have carried out more than 150 medical interventions on wild gorillas and adopted more than 20 orphans, many of whom need 24-hour-care suffering from dehydration, mental distress and wounds . Dr Dawn Zimmerman and Dr Eddy Kambale are among the doctors who inspect these young mountain gorillas and Grauer’s gorilla at the Senkwekwe sanctuary in Congo. The Gorilla Doctors’ outstanding work continues to see mountain gorilla populations rise, while other great apes, such as orangutans, decline. Gentle giant: An adult mountain gorilla is seen during the Village of Hope project in Rwanda . Looked after: The Gorilla Doctors have carried out more than 150 medical interventions on wild gorillas and adopted more than 20 orphans . Cute: Two young wild Grauer's gorillas seen playing in Kahuzi-Biega National Park in Congo . Rescuers: The doctors swoop in to rescue the gentle giants when they are trapped in poacher snares or exposed to deadly human viruses . The last four years have seen the vets and scientists employ increasingly advanced techniques, which they hope will help all critically endangered species, not just gorillas. The regions the Gorilla Doctors operate in are also one of the most turbulent in the world and has been marred by genocide and war. In the past six months the team have been unable to monitor the gorillas because M23 rebels, locked in a battle with Congolese government forces, have taken over much of the Virunga National Park. They cannot say if any Gorillas have been killed in crossfire or hunted for meat during this period. However, Dr Cranfield believes most of the fighters see the financial and altruistic benefits of protecting the gorillas, and will not harm them indiscriminately. Aside from increasing the gorilla populations, his proudest achievement is seeing talented African vets ‘blossoming’ and becoming independent. Dr Cranfield hopes they can eventually double the population of mountain gorillas to more than 1,500. It is expensive work at an estimated cost of £600,000 per year but Dr Cranfield believes it is worth every penny. He added: 'It is extremely important to safeguard the mountain gorillas, our close relatives, for so many reasons, if not just as a symbol that conservation can work and save a magnificent species but also as a financial treasure to the host countries.' You can support Gorilla Doctors by giving a donation and follow them on Facebook . | The number of mountain gorillas has been on the rise since the formation of the Gorilla Doctors a year after the death of Dian Fossey in 1985 .
The group cares for injured and orphaned gorillas in three African countries . |
231,219 | b75a36f69bef349b592565adf62c4ca0d0057e6e | (CNN) -- Activision Blizzard is set to launch a new "Call of Duty" game for consoles alongside an ambitious digital platform later this year, Activision Publishing CEO Eric Hirshberg said on the company's earnings call Monday. Executives have expressed an especially keen excitement about the new platform features. They named "Call of Duty" as one of the two "significant investments" that Activision is making, which will include the company's largest marketing campaign, Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick said on the call. (The other investment is in PC developer Blizzard, which is working on "Diablo III" and a new massively multiplayer online game franchise unrelated to "World of Warcraft.") "This year's 'Call of Duty' initiatives will result in the best 'Call of Duty' experiences we have created to date," Kotick said. In addition to paid features integrated into the platform, "You will see a lot of new services and capabilities that will be provided free of charge to all of our customers," he said. The "Call of Duty" online service has been in development for two years under the name Project Beachhead, Hirshberg said. The company created a separate group, also called Beachhead, to focus full attention on the project, Kotick has said previously. Activision will begin briefing reporters in San Francisco later this week about the project under nondisclosure agreements. The company plans to make a formal announcement in the next several weeks, Kotick said. Still more details are expected in June for the Electronic Entertainment Expo. That a new entry in the "Call of Duty" series will be released this year isn't a bombshell. Activision has introduced a new game in that franchise each year since 2005. The most recent, "Call of Duty: Black Ops," was the top-selling game in the United States and Europe over the last three months. "Black Ops" still draws fervent crowds for its multiplayer features and continues to sell well. But that experience has been hampered by Sony Computer Entertainment's shutdown of the PlayStation Network, with the online gaming service approaching three weeks of downtime this week. Activision intends to release a download package for "Black Ops" in the next three months. "Hopefully the situation will be resolved by then," Hirshberg said. Cliff Bleszinski, the design director for Epic Games, which makes another popular shooting franchise called "Gears of War," said he has doubts about "Call of Duty's" viability. "'Call of Duty' is doing well right now, but if I was one of the owners of that property, I'd be concerned about potential fatigue," he said in a recent interview. This year's new installment may be called "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3" and debut in November, according to a report in the Los Angeles Times. "The game has exceeded every internal milestone," Hirshberg said on Monday's call. | Activision Blizzard plans to release a new "Call of Duty" game this year .
It will include a new social-network platform that's been in the works for two years .
"Call of Duty" is one of Activision's two "significant investments" |
13,640 | 26a9354e0273e4f7b6252c00ec77d66268839296 | By . Sam Webb . PUBLISHED: . 15:34 EST, 7 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 16:22 EST, 7 October 2013 . An illegal armourer has been jailed for a raft of firearms and drugs offences, including possessing two handguns and hundreds of bullets. Today at Maidstone Crown Court, Thomas Keatley, 28, of Sussex, was sentenced to nine years and four months after he was found with two handguns, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, gun-making equipment and a large quantity of cannabis. Keatley, arrested as part of an investigation by the Metropolitan Police Service's anti-gun Trident Gang Crime Command, was sentenced to five years for one count of possession of a prohibited weapon - a Forehand & Wadsworth double action .38 gate loading revolver. Weaponsmith: Thomas Keatley has been jailed for nine years for a string of firearms and drug offences . He also got three years for one count of attempting to manufacture a prohibited weapon, namely an improvised single shot pistol. These sentences are to run consecutively. Keatley, who pleaded guilty in June, was also sentenced to one year for one count of manufacturing ammunition and four months for one count of possession of cannabis, which will run concurrently. On the evening of Friday, June 7, Trident officers, with the assistance of MPS specialist firearms officers and Kent Police, stopped Keatley's vehicle in Dartford, Kent. He told officers: 'I know why you're here, it's in the glove box.' They opened it to find a Morrison's carrier bag containing the revolver, manufactured between 1871 and 1890. Three days later officers searched a garage linked to Keatley in Crawley, Sussex. Archaic: One of the guns in his possession was a 19th Century Forehand & Wadsworth double action .38 gate loading revolver . During the two-day search of the garage a partially-homemade firearm, a substantial quantity of ammunition and items connected with the manufacturing of firearms were seized. The haul included a complete, improvised brass-barrel, single-shot pistol with a 'blueprint' on how to make the firearm and hundreds of bullets and cartridge cases. There was also equipment to make home-made ammo. Other items seized included a pistol magazine, a rifle clip, four dummy cartridges, two bottles of smokeless propellant for loading into shotgun and handgun cartridges, bullet lubricant and assorted gun care products. The partially-constructed single shot pistol found in the garage . As well as hundreds of rounds of ammunition, Keatley had gun-making equipment and a large quantity of cannabis . A USB memory stick was also hidden in a block of wood. It contained 18 manuals, taken from the internet, on how to make both handguns and machine guns, as well as ammo. Bank account enquiries showed Keatley had purchased the majority of the firearms items recovered from the garage, including the reloading tools, online during the latter months of 2012 from stores in both America and the UK. Detective Inspector Paul Dorey, Trident Gang Crime Command, said: 'This is a significant result for Trident and the MPS together with Sussex and Kent Police. 'The seizure of the firearms, gun-making equipment and bullet cartridges has without doubt prevented lethal weaponry entering the hands of criminal networks operating in London and the Home Counties. An officer said the seizure has 'without doubt prevented lethal weaponry entering the hands of criminal networks operating in London and the Home Counties' 'On arrest, Keatley looked to hide behind firearm legislation to prevent prosecution. He stated he had purchased the antique revolver from a registered firearm dealer in Kent and as such, it was not a prohibited firearm. 'However when the weight of evidence was compiled against him he had no choice but to change his stance and admit to all firearm charges. 'This operation also demonstrates how Trident, and our police colleagues from around the UK, will work across both county and borough boundaries in order to arrest and place before the courts criminals who are involved in gun crime and gang-related criminal activity.' Chief Superintendent Paul Morrison, Sussex Police, said: 'This was a significant seizure which can only make the streets of the country safer. It demonstrates how police forces can work together to disrupt serious criminality. 'We were glad to assist our colleagues from the Met in the search and recovery of the firearms and equipment at the garage.' | Thomas Keatley, 28, was arrested as part of an anti-firearm police sting .
He owned an archaic revolver and had made a single-shot pistol .
Keatley also manufactured ammo and had manuals on guns . |
138,473 | 3f1496cd547a1978c20ee6fae4e9b03443492c94 | By . Rob Cooper . PUBLISHED: . 06:04 EST, 7 May 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 09:59 EST, 7 May 2013 . This is the amazing collection of the world's most wonderful hot air balloons - and it includes everything from Coca Cola bottles to space shuttles and polar bears. They are all produced by Cameron Balloons, in Bristol, who make between 150 and 200 every year as the world's leading hot air balloon company. The company is owned by Scottish aeronautical engineer Donald Cameron, 73, who designed and flew western Europe's first modern hot air balloon in 1967 with a group of friends at the Bristol Gliding Club. One small step for man, to create one giant hot air balloon: A replica of a Nasa space shuttle which was created by Cameron Balloons in Bristol . They carried out their first test flight at the Weston on the Green RAF base in Oxfordshire, and Mr Cameron was hooked. Within four years he had quit his job as an engineer and started designing balloons full time. Now his company employ 67 people and they produce an incredible selection of balloons which they sell around the world. His daughter Hannah Cameron is one of the company's directors. The company was even responsible for the Breitling Orbiter 3 - the first balloon to fly around the world non-stop in 1999. Custom design: A hot air balloon designed to look like a polar bear which was created by Cameron Balloons. A balloon like this is made out of around 3,000 square metres of fabric . Wacky creation: A Bertie Bassett Liquorice Man, left. With the basket it stands at 51 metres tall and the fabric used would make up to 1,340 suits. Right is a custom-designed Scottish-piper balloon . Over the years they have created balloons designed to look like shopping trolleys, newspapers, Darth Vader, Thomas the Tank engine, a Harley Davidson and the FA Cup for clients. A recent Ben & Jerry's ice cream cone that they created measures 28.5metres tall when fully-inflated and 21.4metres across at its widest point. In total, it required 3,809 square metres of fabric. If the area inside was to be filled with ice cream, it would take 2.3million kilograms of the tasty treat to fill it up. The creations take around 12 weeks complete from the day the order is placed to when it is ready to fly. Bigfoot: This balloon is designed to look like a shoe, and has each of the laces fitted. The tiny weaved basket can be seen underneath . Childrens' favourite: A Thomas the Tank Engine balloon designed by Cameron Balloons takes off at daybreak near Tower Bridge in central London . Terrifying: A Darth Vader balloon gets ready for take off, let, while this is the face of a Van Gogh made for a Dutch beer company (right) The company's cheapest balloons are designed to hold three or four people and cost £20,000 but the high-end custom models are priced at in excess of £50,000. Hannah Cameron, director, said that a team of 16 people work on each of the projects. 'The first thing we do is hold a face-to-face meeting with the person who is buying the balloon to find out exactly what they want and exactly what colours they want us to use,' she said. 'At this point we make a 2D visual with 3D characteristics so they can see what it will look like from every angle once made. We can also produce a 3D scale model which is small enough to sit on a desk so it gives a clear idea of what it will look like. Fairytale: Mickey Mouse shows off a Disney castle balloon designed by the Bristol-based firm . 'The next stage is production. The bulk of the balloon is made from ripstop nylon which is a very lightweight material. Some specialist fabrics are used at the mouth and at the top of the balloon. 'During the production process we use everything from a pair of scissors through to specialist cutting equipment. It takes 16 of our staff about 12 weeks to produce a balloon.' A basic model will use about 1,000 square metres of fabric and three kilometres of thread - although more specialist models use three times as much. Cameron Balloons, based in Bedminster, Bristol, are the world's largest balloon manufacturer. Up for the cup: A 38 metre tall model of the FA Cup which is made out of 3,664 metres of fabric and would cover over half the Wembley pitch if it was flattened (left) and (right) a newspaper is turned into a hot air balloon . Terrifying! A T-rex style hot air balloon which is so intricately designed that each of its teeth are filled with air and inflated as well (left) and children's favourite Rupert the Bear (right) For founder Mr Cameron, it all began in July 1967 when his first balloon - the red and white striped Bristol Belle - took off from Weston on the Green. His daughter Hannah said: 'My father enjoyed gliding and he had heard of a balloon being used in the military in the US and he wrote off to them. A man who had flown it wrote back to him about it. 'He thought it would be fun to make one of them and learn to fly it over here. So applying what he had been told and some good science he created one for himself. 'At the time there were no hot air balloons in Europe so the story caused a sensation.' Remarkable: A balloon designed to look like a Formula One Car which was created by the Bristol-based company for the Australian Grand Prix. Around 85 per cent of the balloons made by the British company are exported . Two very different birds: The company produce between 150 and 200 balloons a year - including this Eagle, left, and an Angry Bird balloon, right . Weird creations: They have made all types of balloons - from world-record-breaking balloons - to weird and wacky shapes, film characters, space shuttles and even an upside-down balloon . Udderly incredible: A winged cow floats through the sky (right). This is one of the Bristol-based company's most wacky creations . Balloons over Bristol: The Sky above Bristol is a sea of colour during the annual ballooning festival held every August . The balloon was made out of ripstock nylon - just as modern ones are today - and is still kept in the Cameron Balloons headquarters. Ms Cameron said: 'Ballooning is one of these amazing things. Even a straightforward balloon - people will stop and wave, and take photographs. 'It's the best way to fly. The views from a balloon are incredible - you can see for miles and miles. 'I've been flying since I was three-years-old and it's much more interesting than flying in a plane. There's a bit of chance to it as well - you're never quite sure where you're going to end up. Measured approach: The material is selected for the latest hot air balloon to roll off the Bristol production line. The bulk of each balloon is made out of lightweight ripstock nylon . Stitch-up: A woman uses a sewing machine to stitch together the panels of fabric which will make up a balloon. Even a small one uses three kilometres of stitching . She said that the company has produced some amazing models over the years. 'One of my favourite ones is the Tyrannosaurus rex. When it's inflating or landing you can be chomped by its teeth. We've done all sorts, from a full Scottish pipe major, a lightbulb, Disney castles and UFOs. 'The hard ones to design are the very tall and slim ones or the slim horizontal ones. You need to bulk them out to get more volume, without compromising the design. 'A Coke bottle is technically hard to do - as it's tall and thin, you have to make the balloon so big to counteract that, while still being true to the customer's wishes.' Production process: One of the member's of staff works on a new wicker basket for one of the smaller balloons which holds around three people (left) while a woman works on the sewing machine (right) Production: Two workers in the factory in Bedminster, Bristol, at work on their sewing machines . Family firm: Hannah Cameron, director at Cameron Balloons, with the fabric the company use. Her father Donald, a Scottish aeronautical engineer, created the company . | Cameron Balloons make between 150 and 200 hot air balloons every year .
Company was started by Donald Cameron, 73, who made western Europe's first ever modern hot air balloon in 1967 .
Small balloon is made from 1,000 square metres of fabric and three kilometres of fabric . |
67,060 | be3cc6a1a19d99232ef8170cffaa458bbc6e7683 | (CNN) -- Public attitudes about HIV and AIDS have changed dramatically since the first AIDS cases were reported 30 years ago. But in many parts of the world, the stigma is still powerful. CNN Hero Patricia Sawo, a pastor and AIDS activist in Kitale, Kenya, recently spoke with CNN's Kathleen Toner about how much has changed since she was diagnosed with HIV -- and how much work remains to be done. Kathleen Toner: What was the stigma like when you tested positive for HIV in 1999? Patricia Sawo: It was hard in those days. No one wanted to take care of people with AIDS. So for me, that was the worst part of it. I was going to die, and die alone. And I was worried not only for myself, but for my children. I was afraid. The stigma was the painful part of it. After I went public, within one week, I lost my job, my husband lost his job ... the landlord wanted us out of his house. If I'd died in those days, I was not going to die of AIDS. I was dying of the stigma. Toner: You mentioned your children. Did the stigma impact them? Sawo: My kids went through it because people knew I was HIV-positive. I remember one day I visited my children in school, and they were crying because their friends wouldn't play with them. Their parents had told them not to, because they said they might get infected. I was testing my children so they would know their own HIV status. So I told them (to tell the other children) that your parents are better than their parents, because at least they know their status and you know your status. Their parents probably don't even know their status, so they are the ones who are at risk. It caused a big problem in the school. But I had decided to educate the community. Toner: Tell me some of the other ways you're trying to change people's attitudes in your work as an AIDS activist. Sawo: I do a lot of work in the church. Before I tested HIV-positive, I personally believed that HIV was a disease for sinners. So for me, HIV was about people outside the church. I believed it, I preached it, and I thought if they changed their lives -- even if they are HIV-positive -- God would heal them. In 2002, I realized my attitude was wrong. HIV is not a moral issue. It is a virus which, with the correct information and knowledge, can be taken care of. So the church must change its attitude. The church leaders must change their way of preaching. Today, I do pastors workshops and train church leaders. I take them through HIV information and lead them to be able to begin congregational responses on HIV and AIDS. As church leaders, we need to shepherd and take care of the people, and that's why we need all information of all kinds. I'm also a trained HIV counselor and peer educator. There are also young people that I've mentored. I've taken them through accepting their status (as HIV-positive). And there are many young people that now go out in schools. They are teachers that I've helped who even speak about their HIV status in schools. Toner: You're doing so much work. Has the situation improved? Sawo: Things have gotten better where stigma has been reduced, because there, people have accurate information. But there are areas where people don't have the knowledge and look at it as a punishment or curse, or maybe as a traditional illness or taboo. ... We have to educate. Toner: What is your hope for the future? Sawo: My dream is that finally we will have an AIDS-free world. With the information that we have now, HIV is something we can deal with. People don't have to die of AIDS. HIV is something that can end with the people who have it. With the right information, attitude change and access to treatment, HIV can end with us. There's still a lot of work to do, especially in Africa. But HIV is something that we can overcome. See the full story on CNN Hero Patricia Sawo: Church leader reverses stance on HIV, reaches out to those affected . | CNN Hero Patricia Sawo, a pastor in Kitale, Kenya, was diagnosed with HIV in 1999 .
She said she and her family were treated like outcasts -- even her children .
Sawo is trying to educate people that HIV "is not a moral issue" |
244,391 | c847d06cbf36806cdfa600b0734dc23e81b654cd | By . Michael Zennie, Associated Press and David Mccormack . PUBLISHED: . 06:17 EST, 20 February 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 11:11 EST, 21 February 2013 . A federal jury awarded crime writer Patricia Cornwell nearly $51 million Tuesday in her lawsuit against her former financial management company and a former principal in the firm. It found New York-based Anchin, Block & Anchin LLP were to blame for the best-selling author's money problems, not her lavish spending which included $5m on private jets and a $40,000 per month lease at Trump Tower. Despite earning over $10million a year in book sales, Cornwell is reportedly down to her last $13 million and has been forced to sell off her helicopter, sports cars and several homes in a bid to reduce her debt. Crime fiction author Patricia Cornwell (pictured right with partner Staci Gruber) is at the centre of an epic legal battle against her accountants . Cornwell said she was thrilled with the verdict, saying: 'God bless justice. It's a huge relief and it's been a huge ordeal.' Lawyers for the New York firm and former principal Evan Snapper had said there was no money missing from Cornwell's accounts. They blamed losses on the economic downturn and what they called Cornwell's extravagant lifestyle, which included Ferraris, helicopters and a temporary apartment in New York City she rented for $40,000 per month. But Cornwell, 56, testified that Anchin moved her from a conservative management strategy to an aggressive one without her permission. She said she fired the firm in 2009 after discovering that her net worth was a little under $13 million, despite having eight-figure earnings in each of the previous four years. She had said the firm caused her to miss a book deadline for the first time in her career when it failed to find her a suitable place to write after renovation work on her house in Concord went on much longer than expected. 'This was very destabilizing. I really lost my ability to focus and concentrate. I did not know what the book was about anymore,' Cornwell said. The lawsuit said the missed deadline caused Cornwell to lose one year's income: about $15 million in non-recoverable advances and commission. Cornwell's relationship with Anchin began in 2004. Cornwell said Anchin agreed to manage all her money and the assets of her company, Cornwell Entertainment Inc. The lawsuit alleged negligence and breach of contract. Author Patricia Cornwell, with spouse Staci Gruber to her right, leaves federal court in Boston after taking the stand in her lawsuit against her former financial management company . The case has shed a fascinating light on the writer, revealing her past relationships as well as her spending. Papers submitted to the court revealed she l had a lesbian affair with a leading British police chief when the pair became ‘smitten’ with each other. But the crime writer, 56, broke off the liaison and later told detectives that Caroline Nicholl, a former chief superintendent with Thames Valley Police, was a threat to her. The American’s relationship with Miss Nicholl was revealed in US court papers alleging that financial managers wasted her multi-million dollar fortune. The women met through a mutual friend and their affair started when Miss Nicholl invited the writer to do research in Milton Keynes, where she was in charge of policing 17 years ago. Miss Nicholl, 57, said: ‘Yes, we did have a relationship. It lasted a matter of months. We must have seen each other probably no more than ten times. ‘She was very smart, self-effacing and charming, and clearly was enamoured that I was a police chief. She thought the uniform was amazing. ‘I didn’t know who she was. I’d never read any of her books. So I was expecting an old biddy or something. ‘The next time we met was when she was on a book tour in London. I invited her up to Milton Keynes because she liked to do research. She was smitten with me and I was smitten with her.’ According to the documents filed in Boston, Miss Cornwell said the affair ‘ended badly’. Cornwell has been forced to sell off a number of luxury sports cars including a Ferrari . The crime writer spent $5million on private jets to ferry her across the country . Defense lawyer James Campbell . said Cornwell's money worries were due to her extravagant lifestyle . which included spending $1,000-per-day on a car service, a $10 million . renovation project at her Massachusetts estate and the $1.2 million . purchase of a Florida condo. The best-selling crime author also . spent $40,000 a month for an apartment at Trump Tower in New York City, . $200,000 in taxes alone for her customized, personal helicopter, . $5million for private jets to ferry her across the country and . $11million for private estates in Concord, Massachusetts. She also had . several employees, including one who was paid $100,000. The trial has cast a harsh spotlight on the intensely private 56-year-old. Cornwell lives with her longtime partner, Harvard University neuroscientist Staci Gruber. 'Where . did the money go? Ms Cornwell and Dr Gruber spent the money,' said . Campbell. 'You have to consider the large lifestyles involved, the . spending habits, impulsive buying.' Cornwell's . crime novels, most of which follow Virginia forensic examiner Kay . Scarpetta, have made Cornwell a nationally-recognized name. Her books - . which lean heavily on the use of forensic science - are credited as a . major influence for the TV show 'CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.' Her novels, including 'Postmortem,' 'Cruel and Unusual' and 'Book of the Dead' have sold more than 100million copies worldwide. This is not the first time Cornwell . has begrudgingly found herself in the spotlight. In the early 1990s, . Cornwell had an affair with Margo Bennett, a married . FBI agent, which came out years later after Bennett's estranged husband . was arrested and convicted for the attempted murder of his wife and the . abduction of her pastor. Wildly popular: Most of Cornwell's novels center around Virginia medical examiner Kay Scarpetta. The novels, which have sold 100million copies worldwide, are credited with introducing the forensic science crime genre . Cornwell has also publicly . revealed that she struggles with bipolar disorder. Her lawyer argues . that she hired Snapper and his firm to insulate herself from her money . and that Snapper knew this and took advantage of her over her . four-and-a-half-year relationship with the company. 'This case is, at its core, about trust,' her lawyer, Joan Lukey, told . the jury. 'There is no amount of money that is enough to properly . compensate her for what Anchin, Block and Anchin did. Cornwell fired the firm after discovering in July 2009 that the net . worth of her and her company, despite having earning above $10million in earnings per . year during the previous four years, was a little under $13million, the . equivalent of only one year's net income. She also claims in the lawsuit that Anchin had borrowed several . million dollars, including mortgages for property and a loan for the . purchase of a helicopter, and had lost millions by moving her from a . conservative investment strategy to high-risk without her permission. She said she also found checks written for expenses she never . authorized, including a $5,000 check for a bat mitzvah gift to Snapper's . daughter from Cornwell, she alleges. Cornwell says problems caused by Anchin and Snapper were so . distracting that they caused her to miss a book deadline for the first . time in her career and cost her $15 million in non-recoverable advances . and commissions. After Cornwell filed the lawsuit in 2009, Snapper pleaded guilty to . violating campaign finance laws by buying $50,000 in tickets to an Elton . John concert benefiting Hillary Rodham Clinton, using Cornwell's money. He paid a fine. Cornwell, a Virginia native, is politically connected herself - though she has preferred to support Republican candidates in the past. She reportedly summered with President George H.W. Bush in Kennebunkport, Maine, and has close family ties to evangelist Billy Graham - even acting as a spokesperson for the family. Lawyers for Anchin and Snapper deny Cornwell's claims. During opening . statements at the trial, attorney Campbell described Cornwell as . 'a demanding client' who 'tends to push off responsibility and assign . blame when things go off track.' 'I do what I do when and how I do it,' she allegedly wrote in an email to Snapper read by Campbell to the jury. Cornwell said one of Anchin's primary functions in 2006 was to ensure that locations were arranged where she could write without distraction while her home was undergoing reconstruction. She said Snapper leased a series of expensive apartments, including one at Trump Tower in New York, that she had to leave long before leases expired because of construction, privacy or other issues. In the lawsuit, Cornwell openly acknowledges her struggles with bipolar disorder, an illness she said has contributed to her belief that she needs other people to manage her business affairs and investments. She said Anchin was aware of her illness. | Patricia Cornwell, 56, sued Anchin, Block & Anchin LLP and money manager Evan Snapper, claiming she lost untold millions .
Federal jury awards her $51million after agreeing that her personal account was mismanaged and her spending was not to blame .
But her lavish sprees included $5m for private jets, $11m estate, personal helicopter and $40,000 per month on a Trump Tower apartment . |
111,018 | 1b2837ae0524a62476e63fad8da8244d8611e8f5 | London (CNN) -- Protesters enraged by a Parliament vote to triple university tuition rate caps, attacked a car carrying Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Thursday night. The demonstrators broke a window and tossed paint on the car, however neither royal family member was injured in the attack. 'We can confirm that their Royal Highnesses' car was attacked by protesters on the way to their engagement at the London Palladium this evening," a spokesman for the prince said. "Their Royal Highnesses are unharmed." A wire photo of the royal couple, dressed in evening wear, shows startled expressions on their faces as they sit in their Rolls-Royce before exiting for a Royal Variety Performance. The high-profile incident came late in day of violent protests that left at least 12 officers and 43 demonstrators hurt. The attack followed a vote in the House of Commons to approve a plan to raise the existing cap on tuition rates charged by universities from £3,000 to £9,000. In U.S. dollars, that's a nearly $10,000 increase -- from roughly $4,700 to $14,000. Lawmakers approved the plan in a 323-302 vote. The measure awaits approval by the House of Lords and a signature by the queen before it can become law. The vote ended hours of debate inside Parliament and an all-day protest by thousands of demonstrators outside who said the plan will price many students out of a university education. Supporters say the tuition cap hike is needed to cut the government's massive deficit. Parliament Square was relatively quiet late Thursday as mounted police pushed back the last knot of protesters. "Extreme violence currently being directed towards officers is hindering attempts to allow nonviolent protesters to leave the containment area," police said. Prime Minister David Cameron said the level of violence was unacceptable. In recent weeks, the proposal has spawned multiple public protests, set off tremors within the nation's coalition government and prompted a back-seat revolt among some Liberal Democrats in Parliament. Liberal Democrats are lesser partners in a coalition government ruled by Conservatives. The London protest started out peacefully Thursday, but grew more tense with the winding down of debate in the House of Commons. By late afternoon, police on horseback attempted to push back throngs of protesters moving on Parliament. Students reacted by throwing sticks and setting off fireworks. After the vote, riot police were called out to quell disturbances in Trafalgar Square, including the setting afire of a Christmas tree. Before the fire was set, a demonstrator was seen climbing the tree. One officer was hospitalized after falling from his horse and another suffered a serious neck injury after being knocked unconscious, the Metropolitan Police said. Four other officers required unspecified hospital treatment. The police service announced the arrest of 26 protesters on charges ranging from arson and assaulting a police officer to drunk and disorderly conduct. London's Metropolitan Police condemned many of the protesters. "This has nothing to do with peaceful protest. Students are involved in wanton vandalism, including smashing windows in Oxford and Regent Streets," the department said late Thursday on its website. "Innocent Christmas shoppers are being caught up in the violence and disruption. Protest organizers had urged demonstrators to show restraint. Earlier this month, police arrested a total of 153 people following another protest at Trafalgar Square during which students damaged a police van, set small fires and spray painted and smashed government building windows. One final-year student, standing in front of police lines outside Parliamen on Thursday, told CNN he was there out of solidarity with students who may be priced out of a place at university. "We're all here because we're passionate about this. We feel betrayed," he said. Prior to vote, another protester screamed, "Nick Clegg ... you're a sellout! You have betrayed us!" The protester was referring to the British deputy prime minister and Liberal Democratic Party architect of the coalition government. The government is headed by Prime Minister David Cameron, a conservative. Clegg supports the tuition increase plan. At least a dozen other party members, including deputy party leader Simon Hughes, said they oppose it. Supporters say the tuition cap hike is needed to help pay down the government's massive debt. They argue the increase is not mandatory, that universities would not be bound to charge university students the full £9,000. Under the new plan, students wouldn't have to start paying off their school loans until they begin earning at least £21,000, about $32,600, a year. Students currently must start paying off their loans once they reach a £15,000 (roughly $23,300) threshold. CNN's senior international correspondent Dan River contributed to this report. | 12 officers, 43 protesters injured in scuffles .
London police decry "wanton vandalism"
Protesters attack car carrying Prince Charles and Camilla .
Riot police called to quell violence after British parliament approves tuition cap hike . |
16,707 | 2f5a5871c3a67ce7f950c846249171e08acdd573 | TV producer Tim Robinson who is suing Marks and Spencer after wrongly being accused of shoplifting from one of their stores . A former BBC TV producer is to sue Marks and Spencer for £100,000 after he was wrongly accused of shoplifting and marched through one of their stores in handcuffs. Award winning Tim Robinson, 51, who has worked on programmes such as Timewatch and Digging for Britain, was then locked in a police cell for six hours as police investigated claims he had stolen pork chops. Now the Oxford graduate, who was released without charge, is claiming compensation of £100,000 for false imprisonment, defamation, emotional distress and mental suffering. He is also claiming back all the money he believes he spent at the store close to his home over the past 13 years, together with £20,000 in interest. Private security guards approached Mr Robinson as he shopped at the Camden Town branch of Marks and Spencer in North London in May. He was then taken to the stairwell in front of neighbours where he claims two 'threatening and rude' security staff accused him of stealing £60 worth of peppered steak and a barrel of pork over two weeks previously. They then called the police and allegedly claimed Mr Robinson was being 'physically threatening'. But it was only when police compared his photo from security cameras with the meat thief that they spotted the blunder. Mr Robinson today said: 'I feel appalled at how I was treated. I was just wandering through the shop - it's very close to my house. A security guard came up to me and said could he have have a word with me. 'He showed me a still of myself and said is this you? He said to come to the back of the shop and we'll talk about it. His manner was threatening. 'They said I had stolen food from the shop. I said I had no idea what they were talking about. They had an array of stills with them but they only showed me two of myself taken on a different date. 'They had these stills of the criminal with different coloured hair and at least fifteen years younger. The only similarity is that we're both male, white and slim. It's unbelievable. What on earth were they doing putting photographs of me and mixing them up with photographs of a criminal?' He added: 'They didn't even have the decency to take me somewhere private. They said I would have time to look at the photographs later. They were very threatening and very rude. 'The first thing the policeman said was "why did you tell me this is an emergency? He isn't physically threatening". 'The police said I could have an interview there and then but I said I wasn't prepared to say anything until a solicitor was there. 'I was handcuffed and marched through the shop in front of everyone, in front of my neighbours. I was made to get into the police van on Camden High Street. 'I was put into the back of the police van with the grille, all my belongings taken. And then they took a mug shot.' Mr Robinson says he shopped in the Camden Town branch of Marks and Spencer for over 12 years and is also claiming back all of the money he claims he has spent at the store . Mr Robinson's partner, who is a City lawyer then turned up at the police station where he was told he had been identified as a shoplifter. He explained: 'I was really shocked, I actually burst into tears when I spoke to the duty solicitor. 'She said that the police told her they had incontrovertible evidence that I committed this crime. She was saying that it would be better to admit to the crime. I thought I was having some kind of memory lapse. I thought I was bonkers.' But he added he was only let go when officers re-examined the photos of him and the thief and realised they had the wrong man and said: 'The police didn't look carefully enough at the photographs. It clearly wasn't me. 'She apologised afterwards after it and said that she had never seen anything like this. 'The writ is composed of three main parts, defamation, false imprisonment, and basically an abuse of trust. 'I'm an Oxford graduate, I'm in a very fortunate position. Just imagine what could have happened to a person without these sorts of advantages. 'I'm just determined this doesn't happen to someone else. I want M&S to change the way they operate.' A spokeswoman for Marks and Spencer said: 'As this is part of ongoing legal proceedings, it would be inappropriate for M&S to provide any comment at this time.' A Camden Police spokesman confirmed they were called to the shop on May 19 after staff reported they had found believed responsible for thefts on May 2. The spokesman added : 'A 51-year-old man was taken to a north London police station where he was interviewed under caution. No further action was taken on the man.' | Tim Robinson was shopping in M&S when he was approached by security .
Was accused of shoplifting and was marched through store handcuffed .
Taken to a police station where he was locked in a cell for six hours .
Eventually released when CCTV revealed store had made a mistake .
Is now suing the retailer for £100,000 for false imprisonment and distress .
Also claiming back all the money he believes he has spent in the store . |
216,760 | a49ea839f98e3088b02a8ad402376151af3e721f | England captain Wayne Rooney says he was glad to see the younger players taking to the international challenge set by Estonia. The Manchester United forward scored his side's only goal as Roy Hodgson's Three Lions beat Estonia 1-0 in Tallinn, and kept their 100 per cent record in Euro 2016 qualifying intact. 'We said before the game it would be tough, and they would put men behind the ball, and tonight it was,' Rooney told ITV. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Roy Hodgson lead his England team on to the pitch in Estonia . Wayne Rooney was reportedly about to be substituted when he scored this free-kick for the Three Lions . Roy Hodgson's England captain Rooney scores the opening goal against 10-man Estonia on Sunday evening . Rooney shoots at goal from a free-kick as England keep their Euro 2016 qualifiying record intact in Estonia . Rooney kisses his hands and raises them to the sky after putting England 1-0 up against 10-man Estonia . Rooney's goal ensured England beat a 10-man Estonia side to keep their Euro 2016 qualifiying record intact . 32 - Jagielka, Lambert . 29 - Baines . 28 - Rooney, Cahill . 27 - Hart . 26 - Lallana . 24 - Henderson, Delph . 23 - Welbeck . 22 - Wilshere . 21 - Oxlade-Chamberlain . 19 - Chambers, Sterling . 'Thankfully we got the goal, and we managed to get the points. It was close, so I was focusing on trying to get it up and over the wall as quick as I could, and thankfully it's gone in. 'We are playing well. The pleasing thing tonight is, with a young team who knew it was going to be tough, we hung in there and got the goal. 'We saw the game out well, and we are always learning as a team. It's nights like tonight that will help us.' It was reported Hodgson was preparing to substitute Rooney for Liverpool striker Rickie Lambert, but the former Everton starlet seemed to be unaware of the swap when asked after the match. 'I've shown over the years that I am always capable of scoring goals, and thankfully I've done that again tonight,' he replied. England manager Hodgson denied he was planning to bring Rooney off before the captain's winning goal in the 73rd minute after ITV claimed a form had been handed to the fourth official to make the change. Hodgson looks on during England's Euro 2016 qualifying match with Estonia on Sunday evening . Hodgson watches as England and Estonia go up against each other in Tallinn in the Group E match on Sunday . Rooney took to Instagram after the match to say his 'good young team' are 'looking forward' to the other games . 'I was in discussions with other members of my staff, I don't know about forms going in,' said Hodgson. 'No doubt you're going to produce some evidence in a minute about a form going in, but that wasn't my intention. We were going to put Rickie Lambert on and we were discussing which of the forwards to take off. 'I hadn't made up my mind, it was probably more likely to be Danny Welbeck and it had to be Danny in the end because he tweaked his ankle.' Rooney, England's captain, tries his luck against Estonia in the Euro 2016 Group E clash earlier in the game . Rooney is chased by Karol Mets during the match as England tried to keep their 100 per cent record intact . Hodgson added Welbeck's 'rolled ankle' was of no concern and that the Arsenal striker should be fine by the weekend. The England boss did, however, admit that he found it frustrating to be all square after 45 minutes. 'To come in at half-time, after playing like that, at 0-0 there was an air of frustration,' Hodgson added. 'We had so many opportunities in and around the box, you think we had to take one, and we didn't. 'Thankfully we took one in the second half and it's four wins in a row, five clean sheets, these are things not to be sniffed at.' Estonia's Ragnar Klavan chases England captain Rooney before being sent off with a second yellow card . Klavan gets shown a second yellow card resulting in him being sent off against England during the qualifier . | Wayne Rooney: 'The pleasing thing tonight is, with a young team who knew it was going to be tough, we hung in there and got the goal'
The England captain scored a 73rd-minute free-kick against 10-man Estonia .
England manager Roy Hodgson denies Rooney was about to substituted .
Ragnar Klavan, arguably Estonia's best player, was sent off after 48 minutes . |
218,725 | a722f540dca1898e994fc60e350a97e033fbe0db | (CNN) -- The Etch a Sketch was in full effect at the first presidential debate in Denver on Wednesday night. Mitt Romney put forward a strong performance, transforming back into his 2002 Massachusetts moderate mold, a belated advocate of bipartisan leadership. It would have had a lot more impact if it hadn't contradicted almost every policy statement Romney has made on the campaign trail since he started running for president. This flip-flopping is a force of habit, but it was used to great effect, reflecting a campaign and a candidate finally focused on the general electorate. President Obama, in turn, had an objectively weak debate. The president was more professor than preacher, a budget wonk getting lost in paragraphs of detail rather than concisely punching back. He fulfilled the political truism that incumbent presidents have bad first debates because they are comparatively unprepared and overburdened by budgets and other details of governing -- as President Reagan did in his disastrous first 1984 debate. The trick of communicating policy is to distill it to memorable concise concepts. That happened far too rarely, and when it did, it seemed to be off the cuff, winning Obama points for authenticity but few for debate prep. Opinion: Romney shakes up the race . The audacity of the Etch a Sketch was evident in the first 15 minutes of the debate, when Mitt Romney said, "I will not reduce the taxes paid by high-income Americans." It was an eye-popping assertion, almost as if the candidate hadn't been listening to his own campaign rhetoric -- especially if you'd been following Romney's campaign rhetoric for the past 18 months or more. (Remember that "Etch A Sketch" entered the campaign lexicon in March, when Romney adviser Eric Fehrnstrom signaled on CNN that Romney could transform his primary campaign message for the general election.) The pattern continued with Romney asserting that after repealing Obamacare, he would advocate the implementation of his own individual mandate plan -- "And the best course for health care is to do what we did in my state" -- but it would be state by state, along a federalist model. Romney did not hesitate to play the MediScare card -- the most discredited Democrat tactic against entitlement reform, but apparently acceptable if it is done by a Republican trying to win Florida. Happily, for hypocrisy watchers, this move also scored worst with the focus group of undecided voters conducted by CNN's Erin Burnett in Denver during the debate. The litany of flip-flops increased when the candidates' policy positions were pushed for specifics. It was a necessary goal that wasn't aided by the too often unfocused moderation of veteran newsman Jim Lehrer, who did not need a 12th presidential debate under his belt. Among the gaps was the question of whether Romney supports ending "too big to fail" -- which might mean breaking up the big banks, and/or restoring safeguards from the 1933 Glass-Steagall banking reform act, repealed in 1999 -- or simply repealing the 2010 Dodd-Frank law, which regulates Wall Street. On that issue, as well as on Obamacare, it was not clear what Romney would put in place of the laws he plans to repeal. Romney seemed to indicate he would end oil company subsidies if corporate rates were lowered enough -- that's news to Exxon, I'm guessing. Romney said Obama should have backed the Bowles-Simpson Commission's deficit reduction proposals (I agree), but did not back the recommendations of that panel himself. Opinion: Romney wasn't stellar, but Obama fell short . He advocated a balanced deficit reduction plan but refused to raise any revenue -- and perhaps unwisely said he'd kill "Sesame Street" icon Big Bird in the process. His enthusiasm for budget cutting does not square with his commitment to increasing military spending to 4% of GDP. Likewise, he wasn't pressed -- by Obama or Lehrer -- to specify the loophole closures which Romney said would make his 20% tax cuts revenue-neutral for top income earners. Whenever Lehrer did try to assert himself as a moderator, Romney reflexively bristled -- he is not a man who likes being told he has to conform to other people's rules. The president's strategic decision to try to find rhetorical common ground on policy at the outset came across as passive rather than conciliatory. His correct pressing on the fact that many of Romney's stated economic plans "do not add up" got lost in paragraphs rather than topic sentences. To be fair, Obama had a few good lines -- dismissing Romney's economic plan by saying "math, common sense, and our history shows us that's not a recipe for job growth." His pushback on Wall Street reform was also memorable: "Does anybody out there think that the big problem we had is that there was too much oversight and regulation of Wall Street? Because if you do, then Gov. Romney is your candidate. But that's not what I believe." But Romney exceeded expectations and put forward a confident debate performance that was especially impressive given its disregard for his own past policy positions. Romney shone in the moments he discussed the generational theft of deficits and debt. In contrast, Obama did not come ready for combat, even in a Jed Bartlett egghead way. Assessments of presidential debate performances tend to evolve over the next day, reflecting a combination of spin, fact-checking and conventional wisdom. This first debate will be subject to the same evolution, as partisans on both sides try furiously to spin the debate in their direction. A flip-flop ad, contrasting past statements with debate statements, could be effective for either campaign. It's worth remembering that many swing voters who have lives were watching the high-stakes season-ending baseball games, instead of obsessively trolling Twitter for debate commentary. Opinion: It wasn't just Romney who won . In the search for honest brokers -- patriots, not partisans -- we can only hope that the truth, ever elusive, will win out in the end, because we ultimately get the government we deserve. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of John Avlon. | John Avlon: Romney's effectiveness overshadowed his many flip-flops .
He says GOP candidate broke with his more conservative positions, aimed for the center .
President Obama failed to make an effective case for his policies, Avlon says .
Avlon: Romney shone when he discussed the generational theft of deficits and debt . |
98,279 | 0a89644d453ff24ad9dbe65e3ff4863fd2982dbb | By . Deni Kirkova . PUBLISHED: . 05:54 EST, 8 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 06:40 EST, 8 October 2013 . Employees who work through lunch appear less tired at the end of the day if they had the freedom to choose how they spent their break. According to a new study, socialising over lunch may not be the best way to unwind during the day if it's with the wrong crowd. Those who spent their lunch mingling with co-workers, or if the boss was around, felt less relaxed at lunch and more tired at the end of the day. Working through lunch may not be so bad, especially when employees choose to do so without pressure . This is because conversations may be about work, and . employees may be more careful about what they say and the impression . they make with their colleagues, according to John Trougakos, an associate professor and co-author of the study. Researchers at the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management concluded working through lunch may not be so bad, especially when employees choose to do so without pressure. 'We found that a critical element was having the freedom to choose whether to do it or not,' said John Trougakos, an associate professor and co-author of the study. 'The autonomy aspect helps to offset what we had traditionally thought was not a good way to spend break time.' Researchers asked employees what they had done during their lunch breaks over 10 days. They then followed up with the participants' co-workers to report how tired their colleagues appeared by the end of each workday. The authors found that while working through lunch did result in employees appearing more tired, the effect was reduced when employees felt it was their decision. The study revealed that socialising also led to higher levels of fatigue, which researchers attribute to whether or not workers feel free to decide if they want to socialise and who they're socialising with. Relaxing activities during lunch, freely chosen by workers, led to the least amount of reported fatigue at the end of the day. Trougakos said while many might assume lunchtime socializing is a good way for employees to relax, that's not necessarily the case if they mingle with other employees in the company cafeteria or if the boss is around. In those instances, Trougakos said conversations may be about work, and employees may be more careful about what they say and the impression they make with their colleagues. 'You're hanging out with people who you can't necessarily kick back and be yourself with,' Trougakos said. Workers may not relax if they mingle with other employees in the company cafeteria or if the boss is around . Regardless of how it is achieved, researchers believe organisations that don't provide opportunities for their workers to recover from work during the day risk lower employee effectiveness and productivity, leading to burnout, absenteeism and higher staff turnover. The study, co-authored by University of Toronto Ph.D. student Bonnie Cheng, and professors Ivona Hideg of Wilfrid Laurier University in Ontario, Canada, and Daniel Beal of the University of Texas-San Antonio, is scheduled to be published in the Academy of Management Journal. | University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management studied workers .
Found they felt more tired if forced to work through lunch .
Felt less relaxed if socialising while boss is around .
Autonomy, and allowing workers to recover, is key . |
86,721 | f61c2c2036923e3cb2a8da3267794bf7beefefb9 | By . Julian Robinson . Journalist Mazher Mahmood suggested ‘sex for payment’ in exchange for a film part during his botched sting on singer Tulisa Contostavlos, court documents have revealed. The former X-Factor judge also suspected her personal psychic was recruited by The Sun to ‘influence events’. She even believes her drink was spiked as the 'Fake Sheikh' Mazher Mahmood plied her with tequilas during a binge at a central London hotel. Scroll down for video . Pop star Tulisa Contostavlos is pictured walking out of Southwark Crown Court yesterday . The revelations come as it was revealed she will open up about her 'horrific' ordeal in a BBC3 documentary to air next week. Tulisa was cleared of helping to supply Mahmood half an ounce of cocaine worth £800 to secure a Hollywood role. The ex N-Dubz star was alleged to have brokered the deal for the journalist while he was posing as a wealthy Bollywood filmmaker named Samir Khan. She was promised a starring role in a Slumdog Millionaire style rags-to-riches story alongside Leonardo DiCaprio. During pre-trial argument which can now be reported, Tulisa’s barrister Jeremy Dein QC, attempted to have the case thrown out before it went to trial. In documents, submitted to Judge Alistair McCreath Mr Dein claimed Mahmood and his team used a variety of tactics to entrap Tulisa, including ‘sex for payment’ with the journalist. Following a meeting in Las Vegas, Tulisa was 'desperate to obtain the part' in the film, the court heard. There are claims within court documents that the so-called 'Fake Sheikh', right, suggested 'sex for payment' in exchange for a film part during his botched sting on the singer . On 10 May 2013, Tulisa met the undercover reporters at London’s Metropolitan Hotel for what turned out to be a six-hour drinking session. ‘Throughout the evening, Samir and his teams were plying TC (Tulisa) and her companions with alcohol, in particular Mojitos and Platinum tequila shots,’ the document states. ‘Samir commented on the expensive drinks he was ordering, but encouraged TC and her party to drink. ‘He and his associate were, unbeknownst to TC, not in fact consuming alcohol; all the while they were cajoling and persuading [their] victims to drink so much they became intoxicated. ‘As a consequence of drink, the events of the evening have become blurred for TC. Tulisa, pictured, is to reveal her 'horrific' ordeal during a BBC3 documentary . Former X Factor judge Tulisa Contostavlos will open up about her 'horrific' ordeal in a BBC3 documentary to air next week. The singer, 26, told yesterday, after her trial for allegedly brokering a drugs deal collapsed, how a year of her life had been 'ruined'. Cameras have been following the former N-Dubz singer since the story appeared in the Sun on Sunday. The documentary, to be broadcast on Monday, will also feature Contostavlos talking to programme makers about her experience after the judge formally threw out the case. BBC3 channel editor Sam Bickley said: 'BBC3 has had exclusive access to Tulisa all the way through her ordeal and this hour long documentary will bring you her true story, as events unfolded.' Yesterday the singer issued a scathing broadside at undercover reporter Mazher Mahmood, who was the main prosecution witness, after a judge said there were 'strong grounds' to believe he had lied on the witness stand and 'had been manipulating the evidence'. The Sun on Sunday suspended the journalist known as the Fake Sheikh amid questions over whether he could now face a perjury investigation. Contostavlos, who had denied brokering a drugs deal, appeared on the steps of the court and called the case 'a horrific and disgusting entrapment by Mazher Mahmood and the Sun on Sunday newspaper'. She previously appeared in BBC3 documentary Tulisa: My Mum And Me, about being a carer for her mother, who suffers from a mental illness. The show airs at 10pm on BBC3 on Monday night. ‘She recalls parts, but not all. Her recollection as to detail is inevitably impaired. ‘There was discussion of a very wide range of topics. At one stage, TC referred to her problems with depression and the assistance she had in falling asleep from occasional use of ‘weed’. ‘Thereafter, Samir referred repeatedly to weed, and encouraged discussion of it.’ The document continues: ‘In the thick of these events, TC was accompanied to the lavatory by Nish (Mahmood's colleague). There, Nish told TC that she could expect a fee of £3.5m for her part in the film. ‘Nish pretended that she really wanted TC to get the part and commented that TC needed to show she was suitable for the role. ‘Nish said words to the effect that TC should remember her past. ‘This was highly manipulative conduct designed to lure TC into further drug-related talk and activity, while creating an enormous financial incentive for her to do so. ‘TC responded to Samir’s luring and ‘egging on’ by talking further about cocaine, believing that this was what Samir wanted to hear, she hoped to increase her prospect of securing the part by doing so, and believed she could. Tulisa, centre, found fame with her band N-Dubz, she founded with her cousin Dino 'Dappy' Contostavlos, left, and Richard 'Fazer' Rawson, right, who had their first hit in 2007 . ‘TC’s talk of involvement and connection with cocaine was similarly made up by her, but well received by Samir. ‘This was done to please the film-makers, to increase her prospects, not because it was true. ‘In addition, TC recalls that Samir diverted the conversation to celebrity prostitution, with reference to someone known to Samir. ‘TC understood Samir to be hinting at sex with TC for payment. ‘There was a stage of events when Nish attempted to ‘prise’ GV away from the party, suggesting that it would be best if the businessman were left with TC and [friend] Michelle who, by now, was extremely drunk. ‘GV was fearful for TC’s safety if left alone with Samir and he resisted the suggestion.’ The reporter went on to talk about ‘liking white girls’ before ‘Nish eventually suggested that TC go to Samir’s bedroom alone’. ‘Again, TC perceived that sex for payment was being suggested. She declined the offer.’ Mr Dein went on to claim that Tulisa believed her drinks had been spiked that evening. Yesterday, Tulisa’s trial collapsed after Judge McCreath concluded Mahmood’s lies had fatally undermined the prosecution. Mahmood had told the court during legal arguments last month that he had not discussed a witness statement given by his driver Alan Smith. However, while under cross examination on Thursday Mr Mahmood confessed to speaking with Mr Smith about his statement which was later changed to drop Contostavlos’ comments on drugs. News UK announced yesterday Mahmood was ‘suspended pending an immediate internal investigation’ after claims he lied to the court. Contostavlos of New Southgate, north London, denied being concerned in the supply of class A drugs. Michael Coombs of Enfield, north London, pleaded guilty to supplying a class A drug to another but was acquitted by the jury. | Singer cleared of organising £820 drug deal between friend and reporter .
She believed Mazher Mahmood was a powerful Hollywood producer .
Court documents claim Fake Sheikh 'sex for payment' with the journalist .
Former X-Factor judge suspected her psychic was recruited by newspaper .
She also believed her drink was spiked during six-hour drinking session .
Tulisa to reveal in BBC documentary how year of her life has been 'ruined' |
84,489 | efb2a1d6926b215ec929cb937e8ab478462769f7 | An American homeowner desperate to sell his $10million mansion has offered a $50,000 bonus to anyone who is able to find a buyer. The resident of the 100-acre 'Harmony Mountain' has decided to get rid of the property after spending $24.5million building the dream house, which has five bedrooms, 12 bathrooms and enough space to park ten cars. He has now offered a cash incentive of $50,000 to whoever manages to sell the place, currently on the market in Philadelphia for $9,995,000, which includes a $2 million art collection. Scroll down for video . Mansion: The resident of the 100-acre 'Harmony Mountain' has decided to get rid of the property after spending $24.5million building the dream house . Plush: The property is currently on the market in Philadelphia for $9,995,000, which includes a $2 million art collection . Meditation room: The 16,000 square foot property comes complete with a meditation room, a 100-gallon waterfall shower, an outdoor amphitheatre and impressive hand painted canvas ceilings . Eco-friendly: Only eco-friendly materials were used during the construction, including Jerusalem limestone, Maple flooring and hand-rubbed Venetian plaster walls . For sale: The homeowner, who spent $24.5million building the dream house, has offered a cash incentive of $50,000 to whoever manages to sell the place . The 16,000 square foot property comes complete with a meditation room, a 100-gallon waterfall shower, an outdoor amphitheatre and impressive hand painted canvas ceilings. The property is a 40 minute helicopter ride away from New York, situated on the highest point in the county. Its current owner spent four years building the property, using more than 40 craftsmen and artisans. Only eco-friendly materials were used during the construction, including Jerusalem limestone, Maple flooring and hand-rubbed Venetian plaster walls. For maximum security the first floor master suite is also fitted with bulletproof glass. A Sotherbys International Realty spokesman said: 'Harmony Mountain is a retreat unlike any other. Costly: The current owner of the $10million mansion spent four years building the property, using more than 40 craftsmen and artisans . Vision: A Sotherbys International Realty spokesman said: 'The homeowner had a specific vision for this residence, a place where materials and cultural elements from around the world flow together to create one harmonious environment' Location: The property is a 40 minute helicopter ride away from New York, situated on the highest point in the county . Bedrooms: The impressive property includes five bedrooms, 12 bathrooms and enough space to park ten cars . 'The homeowner had a specific vision for this residence, a place where materials and cultural elements from around the world flow together to create one harmonious environment. 'Approach the house from the dramatically lit winding driveway and you know that you are embarking on a journey. 'The serenity of its location stays with you throughout your experience. 'The Italian-influenced architectural lines of the home draw from the owner's cultural background mixed with Eastern architecture.' Idyllic setting: The $10million mansion's location offers some impressive views of the surrounding countryside . Approach: A Sotherbys International Realty spokesman said: 'Approach the house from the dramatically lit winding driveway and you know that you are embarking on a journey' Bonus: The spokesperson for Sotherbys reiterated that it was not unusual for agents who sold properties to be handed commission . The spokesperson for Sotherbys reiterated that it was not unusual for agents who sold properties to be handed commission. He explained that usually owners hand over three per cent commission to whoever manages to sell their property. But on this occasion, the owner, who is keen to sell, is offering an extra $50,000, or 0.5 per cent, to the successful seller. He said: 'The $50,000 is an additional bonus to the three per cent commission offered by owner, usually you need to be a real estate licensed person to get paid in the US.' | American homeowner offers $50,000 bonus to anyone who sells mansion, on the market in Philadelphia for $10million .
Resident of 100-acre 'Harmony Mountain' has spent $24.5m on the house but has now decided to get rid of it .
The 16,000 sq ft property includes a meditation room, a 100-gallon waterfall shower, and an outdoor amphitheatre . |
39,998 | 70dd659ba6fff566432e01e8934de1939b567cc9 | By . Laura Clark . Pupils are not learning to think for themselves because teachers are ‘playing safe’ and setting work that is too easy, an adviser to Prince Charles will warn today. Many youngsters are not being stretched at school because staff shy away from topics that are too theoretical, according to Bernice McCabe, a headmistress and co-director of the Prince’s Teaching Institute. Some teachers may be bowing to the ‘tyranny of league tables and targets’, fearing they will lose ground in the rankings if the material they cover is too challenging. 'Tyranny of league tables': Headmistress Bernice McCabe with Prince Charles in 2005. Mrs McCabe recently helped the Government shape its new, more rigorous national curriculum . In music, for example, many teachers fail to introduce pupils to crucial aspects of music theory such as time signatures and scales because they are trying to ensure lessons are accessible to all. This has led to Ofsted branding some classes ‘unchallenging, demotivating and sometimes dreary’. Mrs McCabe, head of North London Collegiate, a high-performing private girls’ school, will deliver the warning as she welcomes delegates to the Prince’s 18th course for teachers. In a keynote speech at Cambridge University, she will describe how the Prince set up the institute 12 years ago to allow teachers to improve subject knowledge. Mrs McCabe will tell teachers their role is to help children learn to make critical judgments of their own. But she will claim pupils ‘will be less likely to think for themselves if you are too accommodating’. She will warn teachers against ‘playing safe and submitting to the tyranny of league tables’, adding: ‘It is all too easy as a teacher to fall back into the familiar routines, opt for the safe topics, stay within your comfort zone. But what excitement is there in that? If it’s too easy, there is little gained. ‘Teaching is a matter of leading your pupils to higher ground, until they have the confidence to continue climbing by themselves. ‘It is the job of the teacher to motivate, to make difficult things accessible and enjoyable.’ Mrs McCabe recently helped the Government shape its new, more rigorous national curriculum for primary and secondary schools. Ofsted last year reviewed a three-year Government drive to raise standards of music education, following a damning report. It said that despite the programme, most of the schools inspected were still ‘unduly worried that pupils might not enjoy lessons that included music theory’. It added: ‘Sadly, the laudable wish for musical learning to be relevant, accessible and enjoyable too often ends in a curriculum that is unchallenging, demotivating and sometimes dreary.' Primary education is more important than secondary in helping poor children succeed, a study claims. Drives to improve primary learning in the 1990s have led to better GCSEs years later, says the Institute for Fiscal Studies, while secondary policies have had less of an effect. Poor pupils in London were up to 50 per cent more likely to get five good GCSEs in 2012 than those elsewhere in England, says the study. It suggests literacy and numeracy hours – which were introduced in London primary schools first – are the main reason for this. | Teachers are ‘playing safe’ and setting work that is too easy .
Warning from Bernice McCabe, co-director of Prince’s Teaching Institute .
Some teachers may be bowing to the ‘tyranny of league tables and targets’
Mrs McCabe helped shape the new, more rigorous national curriculum . |
282,428 | f9cd250b0920565c56fb4af16d4c0c1e2857ef3e | Washington (CNN) -- President Barack Obama called Sunday for Americans to perform community service in honor of Nelson Mandela's 92nd birthday. "On behalf of the United States, I wish Nelson Mandela a very happy 92nd birthday," Obama said in White House statement, referring to the former South African president who spent 27 years in prison before leading his country from white-minority rule to all-race democratic elections. "We are grateful to continue to be blessed with his extraordinary vision, leadership, and spirit. And we strive to build upon his example of tolerance, compassion and reconciliation.," Obama said of Mandela, who is known around the world by his clan name, "Madiba." Obama noted that Sunday was the first annual Nelson Mandela International Day, as proclaimed by the United Nations. "I encourage us all to heed the call to engage in some form of service to others, in honor of the 67 years of sacrifice and service Madiba gave to us," Obama's statement said. "We strive to follow his example of what it means to truly give back to our communities, our nations, and our world." | President Obama offers birthday wishes to Nelson Mandela .
The former South African president turns 92 on Sunday .
Obama calls on Americans to perform community service in honor of Mandela . |
215,096 | a275a7b062cfd2293d290dc58077f8ec370bf2b6 | By . Sophie Jane Evans . PUBLISHED: . 03:59 EST, 26 September 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 04:42 EST, 26 September 2013 . Social housing repair workers at a cash-strapped council have received a staggering £3.7million in bonuses in less than two years, it has been revealed. An investigation has been launched after Homes for Haringey staff at Haringey Council in north London were found to have pocketed the astonishing amount, despite huge budget cuts. One employee in the Labour-run authority's social housing arm's repairs department received a bonus of £54,292 for work carried out between April 2012 and March this year. Bonus time: Social housing repair workers at Haringey Council (pictured) in north London have received a staggering £3.7million in bonuses in less than two years, despite huge budget cuts . This was on top of a basic salary of between £25,970 and £28,068 a year, according to figures obtained by local newspaper the Ham & High. During the last financial year, repairs staff took home £2,626,534 - a year in which Haringey repairs service (HRS) smashed its budget by an incredible £1.53million. Several staff have now been suspended as the inquiry into the 'level of earnings for some operatives' is carried out, a council source said. Concerned: Lib Dem Councillor Richard Wilson has demanded an investigation to expose the truth . One worker, who did not want to be named, said: 'What they have had to do [to counteract the overspend] is change the way working is done and innocent people have lost their jobs for it.' The bonus system was introduced by Homes for Haringey . in October 2011 to 'improve productivity, quality and residents' satisfaction with repairs'. It is not known how much the repairs service - set up in April 2006 - thought it would pay out when it introduced the scheme in one of the most deprived areas of England. A Homes for Haringey spokesman said the massive budget-busting sum spent in 2012/13 would 'not impact on the repairs service Homes for Haringey offers tenants and leaseholders'. He said: 'During 2012/13, we carried out more than 53,000 repairs on behalf of our tenants and this did lead to an overspend on the repairs budget in 2012/13. 'We have now launched an improvement project - overseen by the Homes for Haringey board and a recently appointed a new senior manager for repairs - that is helping us to drive down costs while continuing to improve customer satisfaction.' But Councillor Richard Wilson, housing spokesman for Haringey's Liberal Democrat opposition, demanded an investigation to expose the truth. Cllr Wilson said: 'I am very concerned . that bonuses paid to repairs staff have soared to more than £2million - . whilst at the same time many local council tenants and leaseholders are . tightening their belts and struggling to make ends meet. 'I have received many complaints from residents about housing repairs not being done promptly or correctly so I am very surprised that such high bonuses have been paid. 'This is public money that should have gone on housing services for local people.' Homes for Haringey manages about 20,000 houses for the council. | Repair workers at Haringey Council in north London have received a staggering £3.7million in bonuses in less than two years .
One employee bagged a bonus of £54,292 for work carried out between April 2012 and March 2013 .
Last year, the council's social housing repairs service smashed its budget by more than £1.5million . |
281,154 | f8360175050087a22c752d6122589c27157d0cba | This week, the world's largest gathering of AIDS doctors and experts is converging on Washington for the 19th International AIDS Conference. It marks the first time in 22 years that the biannual event will be held on U.S. soil, possible only because a 25-year-old travel ban preventing HIV-positive people from entering the country was lifted by President Barack Obama in 2009 and went into effect a year later. The significance of that move is not lost on researchers all over the country. More than 25,000 doctors, scientists, AIDS activists, politicians, philanthropists, drug company representatives, people living with HIV and heads of state from around the world are attending the weeklong conference. There's a lot going on: research on how to prevent HIV infection, treatment as prevention and, for the first time in a long time, talk about a "cure." In fact, one of the main themes is the launch of "Towards an HIV Cure": a global scientific strategy by an international working group of 300 researchers who are developing a road map of sorts, outlining priorities for finding a cure for the disease that has claimed approximately 30 million lives worldwide. Timeline: 30 years of AIDS -- Moments to remember . Their goal: figuring out why the virus lives indefinitely in certain cells, which tissues it lives in, how to get the immune system to kill it and what kind of drugs can get rid of it. "We are trying to both inspire people about the possibility that this might happen someday but trying to be realistic, and the realistic part is that we have to do some fundamental basic science first," said Dr. Steven Deeks of the AIDS Research Institute at the University of California, San Francisco. "Most reasonable people would say it's at best 50-50 that we're gonna get a cure, so we don't want to over-hype this. We're excited, we think it's possible, we think it's worth pursuing, but don't expect anything in the near future." Gay, bisexual men at high risk for HIV . One man in particular, Timothy Ray Brown, has pushed the limits of possibility. He's known as the Berlin patient, the only person said to have been "cured" of HIV/AIDS. "I've been tested everywhere possible," said Brown, who now lives in San Francisco. "My blood's been tested by many, many agencies. I've had two colonoscopies to test to see if they could find HIV in my colon, and they haven't been able to find any." In 2007, Brown, an HIV-positive American living in Berlin, was battling leukemia and needed a bone marrow transplant. His doctor searched for a donor with a rare mutation that makes it resistant to HIV. The transplant not only cured his cancer, it appears to have cured his HIV, because the virus is no longer detectable. But Brown's case is rare. The procedure is extremely dangerous because a patient's immune system has to be wiped out in order to accept the bone marrow transplant. Using a bone marrow transplants to treat HIV is not a feasible treatment for most patients; only 1% of Caucasians -- mostly Northern Europeans -- and no African-Americans or Asians have this particular mutation, researchers say. Quilt displays an American tragedy . Last month, five years after Brows was "cured," reports surfaced that traces of the virus had been found in his blood. Deeks says that doesn't matter. "Clinically, he has been cured. He stopped his drugs five years ago, his HIV tests are turning negative, we cannot find with standard measurements or even really super-sensitive measurements any virus anywhere, so from a clinical perspective, he is cured," Deeks said. "There's an academic debate as to whether every single virus is gone, but from Timothy's perspective, he shouldn't care." Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, is one of the foremost experts on HIV and AIDS and believes that Brown's case is a "proof of concept" that the battle against the disease can advance beyond daily drug cocktails. Deeks leads the global collaboration with Dr. Francoise Barre-Sinoussi of the Pasteur Institute in Paris, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in medicine for the discovery of HIV, along with her colleague Luc Montagnier. She says that by working together, they can get the job done faster. "What we are sure is that we think it's reasonable today to say it's feasible to have a cure. A functional cure. I believe that if we work like in the early years of HIV, all together, we can move forward very fast as well for an HIV cure." But what will a cure look like? There are two schools of thought. With a "functional" cure, the virus is controlled, and transmission would not occur. A "sterilizing" cure would eliminate the virus from the body entirely. On Wednesday, Dr. David Margolis, an AIDS researcher at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, is presenting results on a small study of eight patients treated with Vorinostat. It is used to treat lymphoma, a cancer of the lymph nodes and bloodstream. "We just have to start doing these studies and trying to make progress, and I think the big change in the last few years is that you can talk about it now, and we can start to work on it seriously rather than doing the scientific work surreptitiously but not using the 'cure' word because everybody thought that was irresponsible or ridiculous." Margolis says everything is on the table to try. "The assumption is, it's going to be complicated and difficult and involve multiple approaches, not 'take a pill and we're done.' " French researchers are studying 12 HIV-positive people called the Visconti patients. According to Barre-Sinoussi, they were treated immediately after being exposed to HIV and have been able to control their virus naturally. Promising results from that study will also be presented. "These patients have been treated very early on by the classical antiretroviral treatment during the acute phase of infections. They stopped their treatment, and now they are naturally able to control their infections with treatment anymore. They remain HIV-positive but they don't transmit to others, so it's also prevention." Researchers also hope to learn some important lessons from a group of infected men and women called elite controllers. "They do not irradiate their virus," Barre-Sinoussi said. "But they are capable to naturally control their infection because they never receive any antiretroviral treatment. They have an undetectable viral load." While small trials like these aim to find a cure, efforts to prevent infection have also made great strides. Last year, multiple studies showed that transmission of the virus can be reduced significantly -- up to 96% -- by giving antiretroviral drugs to the uninfected partners of people with the disease. It's called PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis. FDA approves Truvada for prevention of HIV/AIDS . For Barre-Sinoussi, all the pieces of the puzzle are important to future success, and she is hopeful of a cure in her lifetime. Brown, who believes that he is cured, is banking on it. "It means that this is a case in point that the disease can be cured. I don't wish what I went through on my worst enemy, but I'm hoping that it can be done in a more simple way, that can be translated to a cure for the entire world, all people that have HIV." | The 19th International AIDS Conference is in Washington this week .
This is the first time in 22 years that the conference has been in the United States .
Global researchers are developing priorities for finding a cure . |
250,660 | d066fa40e7a5f7d89fc0a6e3aad33b0b67429f2f | Behind a Victorian shop front in the Cockney heartland of London's East End hides an urban agriculture initiative that claims to be the world's first farm in a shop. The aptly-named FARM:shop sits along a busy main road next to a ragtag bunch of more conventional retail outlets, most of which are in various phases of decay. There are chickens grazing on the rooftop -- seemingly oblivious to the red double decker buses roaring past below. Inside are fish tanks filled with Tilapia; mushrooms sprouting in the basement; fruit blooming in a polytunnel greenhouse; and endless rows of herbs and salad leaves growing from the hydroponic troughs that line the shelves. "I think places like FARM:shop can reconnect people with their food," says engineer and co-founder Paul Smyth. "We've had this separation of countryside and city living ... So the connection has been severed between what you eat and how it's grown." While the ethos is community focused, the shop's interior is more like a laboratory than a local gardening center. White low-energy strip lights facilitate the growth of vegetables in lieu of sun rays, and the cabbage patch looks more like a cluster of giant Petri dishes than an allotment. "We've been learning as we go with most of this technology," admits Smyth. That said, the shop -- which opened in 2011 -- is already a modest commercial success. Having diversified into a grocery store, cafe, rentable office and events space, it now employs two staff and is turning a profit -- all of which is ploughed back into the business. "We've experienced a great amount of goodwill and enthusiasm about the project. People just want to come off the street, learn how to raise a fish; look after a chicken; grow some food -- and that means you get a more people-powered agriculture," says Smyth. Infographic: The secret life of drinking water . While few would contest the rehabilitative social value of projects like FARM:shop, its founders argue it could be the start of something much more: A radical new approach to ecologically sustainable agriculture. "If you're growing food directly where it's eaten, there's less refrigeration ... less energy use through transport and distribution," claims Smyth. He says FARM:shop could be scaled up and replicated in cities around the world to help reduce the enormous carbon emissions linked to food production. It's a pressing issue. According to a 2008 Greenpeace report, the food industry is responsible for creating 30% of the world's total annual carbon emissions. "The dominant food production system is based on fossil fuel at every level," says Dr Martin Caraher, Professor of Food and Health Policy at London's City University. "It needs oil to make the fertilizer; oil for the farm; oil for the food processing; oil for the packaging and oil to transport it to the shops," he adds. Among these stages, transport, processing and packaging account for the lion's share of pollutants. The U.N. Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) estimates that between 65% to 85% of food-related emissions in the Western hemisphere is created once produce has left the farm. "This is why these type of projects are much more than feel-good gimmicks, they are absolutely vital as part of a diverse array of sustainable agriculture systems that we must pursue further," says Olivier de Schutter, the U.N.'s special rapporteur on the right to food. For De Schutter, the fact that food is often produced thousands of miles away from where most people live represents an irrational system, both from an ecologic and economic perspective. "Rising fuel prices and the increasing concentration of the population in urban areas is bringing about serious logistical problems for the delivery of food," he says. "Traffic congestion, high refrigeration costs and, after all that, poor quality produce." Food destined for the UK alone travels 30 billion kilometers a year -- adding 19 million tonnes of CO2 to the atmosphere -- according to international development agency Practical Action. It's also easy to overlook the damage inflicted on local ecosystems and economies -- a large portion of which are in the developing world -- as a consequence of current industrial-scale agriculture practices. "The system is not working," says Florence Egal, chairman of the Food for Cities network. "Big agribusiness disrupts natural resource management with its demand for monoculture crops, synthetic packaging and habitat contamination from factory waste." Read related: Farm in the city could be supermarket of the future . Both Egal and de Schutter agree that, even on a vastly escalated scale, initiatives like FARM:shop are unlikely to resolve the food sustainability issue by themselves. "Right now, no-one is saying you're going to feed nine billion people like this," says Egal. "But agriculture reform is an incremental process requiring many solutions -- and growing perishable, fresh produce near to where it's consumed seems like one very sensible step." Back in east London, Smyth is optimistic about the future. "FARM:shop itself is experimental, it will always be our laboratory at the heart of our ideas. But going forward we'll be looking at bigger sites, scaling up, growing more food and selling more food together -- and if we get those kind of sites we're really confident we can roll this out and make a real lasting difference." | London urban farming project claims to be world's first ever farm in a shop .
All produce, including fish, eggs, vegetables, herbs and salad, grown under one roof .
Food analysts say urban farming key cog in sustainable agriculture practices . |
186,572 | 7da836eead6d59ca5969f606a3ec6539e5a021fc | By . Associated Press . Up to three feet of snow was dumped onto the Rockies on Monday when a spring storm hit Colorado. The snow began falling on Mother's Day in Colorado and caused some power outages as it weighed down newly greening trees. It was a stark contrast to New York City, which saw temperatures soar to 80 degrees Fahrenheit on Sunday and Monday for a sunny start to the week. Spring storm: A man shields himself from the snow and wind with an umbrella on Sunday at Aggie Greens in Fort Collins, Colorado . That's snow fun! A two-year-old chocolate lab mix, gets ready to pounce on a tennis ball at City Park in Fort Collins, Colorado on Monday . Much of Interstate 80 in southern Wyoming was closed today after severe thunderstorms and tornadoes hit the Midwest. A flash flood watch was in effect for portions of Oklahoma and Arkansas, where more than 4 inches of rain were possible. Residents in eastern Nebraska were also cleaning up from Sunday's thunderstorms and twisters, which ripped roofs off homes and toppled buildings, but caused no major injuries. People in the western Panhandle woke up to a blanket of heavy, wet snow. In Wyoming, a 180-mile stretch of I-80 was closed between the Nebraska state line and Rawlins. Another 200 miles of eastbound I-80 between the Utah state line and Rawlins also was closed because of snow and blowing snow. Truck stops in southeastern Wyoming were full of stranded truckers. Basking in the heat: With a section of the Manhattan skyline in the background, people row around the lake in Central Park on Monday . New York state of mind: Meanwhile, celebrities like Hugh Jackman and Debeorra-Lee Furness (pictured) were enjoying the heat in Central Park on Sunday . Among those affected by the outages . was Denver International Airport, where some escalators and elevators . temporarily stalled Monday morning. Airport spokeswoman Julie Smith said a backup generator spared the airport any major problems. At . least 27 arriving and departing flights were canceled due to the . weather, but Smith said there were no major delays. Crews were working . overnight to de-ice runways. The lingering snow slowed down Monday morning's commute in the Denver area but driving conditions were worse in the mountains. The weather appears to be to blame for at least one fatal crash Sunday on U.S. Highway 285 southwest of Denver. Fun in the sun: A man uses sticks and a rope to make enormous bubbles in Central Park in the warm weather on Monday . Spring in bloom: Snow covers spring flowers in Denver, Colorado, on Monday, May 12 . Dangerous routes: A Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad passenger train arrives in Silverton, Colorado on Sunday in the snow . The . highway was one of the worst for accidents in the storm. Two law . enforcement cruisers were also hit along the road in less than an hour . responding to other crashes. In Nebraska, officials said the storms . damaged homes and businesses in or near Sutton, Garland, Cordova and . Daykin, knocking out power. Parts of Illinois, Indiana and Iowa, were . hit by strong thunderstorms and hail, which also caused some power . outages. 'May snow certainly . isn't unheard of here in Colorado, even down in the Denver metro area,' said David Barjenbruch, a National Weather Service meteorologist in . Boulder. 'If we see the . total accumulations that we are anticipating from this storm, we are . certainly going to see a top 10 May snow event for the Denver metro . area.' Storm clouds can be seen forming just south of McPherson, Kansas on Sunday . Playing in the snow: Colorado resident Brian Pryor takes a shower of snow as he clears the tree limbs in front of his home on University Hill in Boulder . In the West, high . winds at the bottom of the storm sent dust blowing across Arizona and . New Mexico, and the Los Angeles area had been under 'red flag' fire . warnings, with authorities saying blazes could quickly spread out of . control under low humidity, gusty winds and dry conditions. The storm is the result of a low-pressure system moving east colliding with a cold air mass from the north. While . temperatures were expected to drop below freezing Monday night, . spring-like weather was expected to return to the Rockies by Tuesday. Smashed cars and belongings litter the surroundings of a house in Cordova, Nebraska on Monday after several tornadoes moved across the state on Sunday . Debris is cleared from downtown Sutton, Nebraska on Monday after a tornado touched down in town on Sunday . | Snow began falling on Mother's Day in Colorado and caused power outages .
Much of Interstate 80 in southern Wyoming was closed today after severe thunderstorms and tornadoes hit the Midwest .
New York saw temperatures soar to 80 degrees Fahrenheit on Sunday and Monday . |
107,053 | 16147c8cf9f14110f8b4b06d61b5c4cec85d7080 | (CNN) -- Less than a month after suffering serious burns in a propane grill accident, sports broadcasting pioneer Hannah Storm returned to TV Tuesday, hosting Southern California's historic Rose Parade. Storm, host of ESPN's morning "SportsCenter," was using a propane gas grill outside her Connecticut home three weeks ago when it exploded, ABC said, causing her first- and second-degree burns. Storm lost her eyebrows, eyelashes and much of her hair, according to the network. "Can't begin to thank you all enough for your kindness and support," Storm tweeted Tuesday before the parade. On Monday she tweeted, "Especially thankful this New Year's!" The only on-camera evidence of her accident was Storm's bandaged left hand, which was visible at the beginning of the parade broadcast. "The healing process has begun, and you look as good as ever," said her co-host, Josh Elliott, Storm's former partner at ESPN. "The best medicine is being with you," she said. In an interview with ABC's World News, Storm described the accident. She checked on the propane grill on a chilly night and discovered the flame had been blown out. "The cover of the grill was open so I assumed ... that there wouldn't be any gas in the air. Well, propane is actually heavier than air and especially in cold weather it tends to sit on top of the grill, pool inside," she said. "So the second I relit the flame -- after I turned the gas off ... it was a wall of fire, a huge explosion. So much force that it blew the doors of the grill completely off. "A neighbor clear across the street had thought a tree had fallen through his roof, that's how loud the explosion was, and it happened in a split second," she said. "And immediately I was on fire, so my hair was on fire, my chest and the whole top of my shirt was on fire. I didn't know what to do other than -- I'm left handed -- reach and just get the shirt off of me as quickly as possible. "I yelled inside to my 15-year-old daughter who was in the kitchen, 'Mommy's on fire! You have to call 911!' " Storm said, becoming choked up. Before Tuesday's Rose Parade broadcast, she spent an hour in the makeup room and wore false eyelashes and hair extensions, she said. At one point during the parade broadcast, Storm added a personal note as a float honoring the parade's president -- a nurse -- passed by. "Thanks to all the great nurses at Westchester burn unit" who have "been to my house every day for the last couple of weeks helping me be here today," Storm said. Celebrating its 124th year, the parade has made Pasadena famous with its magnificent, colorful floats decorated with rose and other flower petals, stems and leaves. The parade's theme this year was "Oh, the Places You'll Go," a tip of the hat to children's author Dr. Seuss. Related: Chinese and American marching bands unite for Rose Parade . An Atlanta native and Notre Dame alum, Storm pioneered her way into the world of sports journalism. She began her career in the early '80s, when the TV sports industry hired few women. "I literally couldn't get anyone to hire me," she told Forbes.com in 2009. "Having a woman do sports was seen as too risky." Her persistence led to on-air sports jobs at CNN and NBC -- where she covered high-profile events including the Olympics, baseball's World Series and the Wimbledon tennis championship. Later, Storm hosted CBS News' "Early Show," where she transcended sports and interviewed newsmakers such as Barack Obama and George W. Bush. Storm, who was born with a port wine-stain birthmark underneath her left eye, founded a charitable organization that helps children with debilitating and disfiguring vascular birthmarks. CNN's Sarah Aarthun and Michael Martinez contributed to this report. | Storm describes yelling to daughter 'Mommy's on fire...Call 911!"
Storm hosts the Rose Parade just weeks after suffering propane burns .
She was burned at her Connecticut home while using an outdoor grill .
Appearing with a bandage, Storm tweets thanks to supporters . |
149,658 | 4d819e6eb25a6235eb0dd6a04f3edbcd183a1d36 | (CNN) -- The government shutdown is in its second week, and the public debate in the United States is centered around how the crisis will be resolved and who is to blame. What do the polls say? What are the implications for the Republican Party, for House Speaker John Boehner and President Barack Obama? Not many are talking about the international implications. But they could be significant. Many in the international community have argued the U.S. government is dysfunctional or even broken. Friends are questioning whether America can be relied on or whether partisan politics will prevent it from acting when called upon. And with this comes some fear. America's adversaries may come to believe that they can act without consequence -- that America will, in the end, trip over itself. These perceptions are extremely dangerous, both for the United States and the rest of the world. They will limit American deterrence and weaken America's partnerships as friends and allies start to wonder whether the United States has their back. America has long been critiqued internationally both for doing too much and too little. In a study Chatham House is conducting on elite perceptions of the United States, many in Europe cast aspersions on the United States for its actions in Iraq and Afghanistan (wars into which the U.S. pulled others) or its use of drones. They also condemn America's perceived lack of leadership in Syria. They want Washington to act but cannot agree how. It is a no-win situation for America. One thing they are clear on: Europeans (and others, particularly in Asia) want a strong United States. One that provides moral leadership and enforces global norms. One that can be called upon to act, particularly in tough situations. Instead, events in recent weeks have only reinforced the international perception that America is in decline. The "declinist" debate has been raging for years, driven in large part by America's diminishing percentage of global gross domestic product (as against China's rise in particular). However, with the recent economic recovery, such views were wavering, and the strength of U.S. innovation, entrepreneurship and technology, coming on top of the energy revolution, were persuading some that the United States was once again on the rise. In recent weeks however, these arguments have been overcome by the pictures of gridlock and weakness in Washington. First it was the story that Obama was "saved" by Russian President Vladimir Putin from an embarrassing loss in a congressional vote to attack Syria over its suspected use of chemical weapons. Then came the shutdown. And, for those in the private sector in particular, a developing fear that, come October 17, when the United States needs to raise its debt ceiling, it will instead drive itself and the world's economy off a cliff. The idea of America as a secure, stable, predictable state, where investment cannot fail to be reimbursed, would suffer a significant blow. Holders of Treasury bonds would no longer be assured of their returns. Chinese efforts to weaken the position of the dollar as the only reserve currency would get a boost. Investors would no longer have the gold-standard U.S. guarantee. But while perceptions are extremely important, they are not reality. As Sunday's anti-terrorist operations in Somalia and Libya show, America will act when it wants to. While the U.S. Treasury bond may seem less secure, it is still far stronger and better guaranteed than that of any other large economy. A nation moves when its interests, capabilities and will are engaged. America's interests have not changed. Its capabilities are still vastly superior to those of most other nations. The only question is America's will. Many internationally will continue to question U.S. power and influence. Its adversaries will surely continue to test these. America's allies and friends will be made nervous over its perceived decline. But while the Washington gridlock and partisan politics make action tougher and more costly -- make it harder for America to rally friends and share burdens, and to deter and dissuade opponents -- it would nevertheless be dangerous to underestimate the United States. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Xenia Dormandy. | Xenia Dormandy: Shutdown, default threat have global implications and world is worried .
She says perception that America is broken makes allies doubt support, hurts deterrence .
She says world may disagree with U.S. on some issues but wants it to remain strong .
Dormandy: U.S. capabilities far superior to most other nations -- only question is America's will . |
162,364 | 5dec56121f5ede6d804ea4f1d57877a3e314a8eb | (CNN) -- The Australian federal government has approved a plan to dump 3 million cubic meters of dredge spoil in the Great Barrier Reef Park. The dredged material will come from the proposed expansion of the coal port at Abbot Point, south of Townsville on the Queensland coast. Final approval came from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, and is subject to "strict conditions." The proposal, while controversial and opposed by environmental groups including Greenpeace, had already been approved by Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt last month. Tony Abbott's government has come under fire for a raft of environmental decisions lately, including an election pledge to rescind expansion of Tasmania's World Heritage-listed forest reserve which has united environmental campaigners and the forestry industry, who see the plan as unworkable and damaging in the long term. The reef is the largest living structure on the planet, and is a hugely diverse ecosystem stretching 2,300 kilometers along the Queensland coast. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park is 345,000 square kilometers in size and home to thousands of species of coral, fish, molluscs, jellyfish, sharks and whales. A statement released by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority said the proposal was in line with directives to limit development of ports on the coast to existing facilities. "As a deepwater port that has been in operation for nearly 30 years, Abbot Point is better placed than other ports along the Great Barrier Reef coastline to undertake expansion as the capital and maintenance dredging required will be significantly less than what would be required in other areas," said Dr Russell Reichelt, Authority Chairman. "It's important to note the seafloor of the approved disposal area consists of sand, silt and clay and does not contain coral reefs or seagrass beds." The Authority's General Manager for Biodiversity, Conservation and Sustainable Use, Bruce Elliot echoes the statement, saying that the environmental safeguards -- 47 in total -- insisted upon by the Authority would protect the reef and seagrasses, along with the social and heritage uses of the marine park. "By granting this permit application with rigorous safeguards, we believe we are able to provide certainty to both the community and the proponent while seeking to ensure transparent and best practice environmental management of the project," he said. The plan has attracted widespread criticism and WWF Australia spokesman Richard Leck said the approval from the marine park authority marked a "sad day for the reef and anyone who cares about its future." The Great Barrier Reef was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1981 and environmental group Greenpeace warned that the move to allow dumping in the park may lead to that organization listing the site as "in danger" this year. "This go-ahead for dumping is one more body blow for the Reef which further threatens marine life, its World Heritage status and Australia's tourism and fishing industries," Greenpeace Reef Campaigner Louise Matthiesson said on the group's website. "Green lighting the reef's destruction makes a mockery of the Authority's charter which obliges it to protect the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and the World Heritage Area." | Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority approves plan to dump millions of tons of dredge spoil .
Waste material will come from the expansion of a coal port .
Environmental groups decry decision . |
89,213 | fd338f55f4d89a32b07b8e8b4ed5b728f3fbfdbd | By . Anna Edwards . PUBLISHED: . 06:59 EST, 2 August 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 03:45 EST, 3 August 2012 . Jailed: Driver Alecia Brown crashed her Peugeot car and flipped it 8 feet into the air, instantly killing her friends Donna Morgan, 22, and Faye McKoy, 24 . A drunk single mother who killed her two best friends when she ploughed her car 90mph into a motorway gantry has been jailed for 22 months. Alecia Brown, 24, left two children orphaned when she lost control of her Peugeot and careered 8ft through the air before smashing into the huge steel frame on the M1 motorway. Her friends, young mum Donna Morgan, 22, and aspiring model Faye McKoy, 24, who was pregnant, were killed instantly in the crash last August. The friends had enjoyed a night out at . Groove nightclub in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, when Brown decided to . drive back to their homes in Northampton after drinking a strong . cocktail. Leicester Crown . Court heard that as well as being drunk, Brown was speeding and . uninsured when she tried to exit the M1 at Junction 15a at 90mph at 3am . on August 13, last year. Passengers Faye and Donna were not wearing seatbelts and were killed on impact. Brown was pulled alive from the mangled wreckage and suffered fractures to her pelvis, femur, spine and skull. Brown . pleaded guilty to two counts of causing death by dangerous driving and . was jailed for 22 months for each count to run concurrently. She was also disqualified from driving for five years. Judge Philip Head told Brown, who appeared in court on crutches: 'You only had a full licence for just six months. 'Two months before this you took out insurance which was on a dishonest and fraudulent basis, telling lies about yourself and driving record experience. 'It was described as a catastrophic error of judgement that you tried to execute that turn. 'But you were under the influence, travelling very high speeds over some considerable distance which was no error of judgement.' Fatal accident: After a night out, Faye McKoy, (left) who was pregnant, and Donna Morgan (right) were killed instantly in the horrific smash when Brown drove them both home . The court heard a back-calculated blood test found Brown, from Northampton, would have had 115mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood - far over the limit of 80mg. James Wing, prosecuting, said: 'As she got to the junction at a speed calculated at 90mph, she was on the verge of passing the slip road exit when at the last moment, she made what can only be described as a catastrophic error of judgement. 'She decided she was going to make the turn even though she was going far too fast and had far too little time. 'In attempting to make a turn far too drastic for the speed she was going, the car mounted the ramp, travelled through the air, going at about 8ft above the ground, and smashed directly into a steel gantry. 'Every part of the car was damaged.' After the case, Donna and Faye's mother's expressed outrage at the 'insultingly low' sentences. Elaine Morgan, who is now caring for Donna's 20-month old son, Du-Reece, said: 'I was under the impression a sentence was to both prevent re-offending and act as a deterrent. 'I feel neither purpose was served by this insultingly low sentence. 'By handing out only 22 months, the judge is saying Donna and Faye's lives were only worth 11 months apiece and the baby meant nothing, even though the judge stated that this was not simply an error of judgement. 'Needless to say I was devastated with the outcome.' Faye's mum Sarah York, who is now looking after three-year-old Krystelle, said she had been looking forward to becoming a grandparent again. She added: 'Almost 12 months have passed and now justice may seem to have been done, but my pain, my grief goes on for life. 'For someone to lose just a mere 22 months of their liberty for being the sole person responsible for taking three innocent lives beggars belief and yet they call it justice. 'But no amount of justice would ever be enough. For at the end of the day it doesn't change anything. 'It does not give me my daughter or grandchild back or Donna back to her family, and so we must go on, feeling empty, betrayed and forever trying to fill a void that can never be filled. 'I will always, with every beat of my heart, mourn the loss of my precious daughter, my best friend, my rock and the grandchild I never got to hold or cherish.' Adrienne Lucking, mitigating, said: 'As far as the woman in the dock in concerned, she expresses remorse, shame and regret.' | Passengers were killed instantly on the M1 .
Uninsured driver jailed for 22 months and banned for five years . |
188,966 | 80bb3cbcb21de0282151f2002c0aee61149c00b0 | Manama, Bahrain (CNN) -- Nearly 60 Bahraini activists turned out Wednesday in downtown Manama calling for the release of hunger striker Abdulhadi al-Khawaja. His daughter, Zainab al-Khawaja, stood at the front of the crowd and accused the government of torture. Police pushed protesters out of the marketplace, known as the Souk, and used stun grenades in an attempt to clear the crowd. Reporters were kept behind the police line during the protest and were told that the protest was illegal. Al-Khawaja, 52, was arrested in April 2011 for his role in anti-government protests that began a month earlier with demands for political reform and greater freedoms in the Sunni-ruled, Shiite-majority nation. In June, Bahrain found him and seven other Shiite opposition activists guilty of plotting to overthrow the country's royal family. The government has said he can appeal his life sentence during a hearing April 23. Last week the human rights group Amnesty International asked for al-Khawaja's release, saying in a statement that Bahrain's "determination to persecute him seems to override any consideration for justice or humanity." Zainab al-Khawaja said last week that her father was having trouble breathing and was harassed by hospital staff and security guards. "His tone and the way he was speaking was like he was saying goodbye," she said on April 10. "We're not sure if we'll ever see him again." The United Nations last week urged Bahrain to consider transferring the detainee, who holds Danish citizenship, to Denmark on humanitarian grounds, but a judicial panel has said al-Khawaja does not meet the conditions to be transferred into Danish custody, according to the Bahrain News Agency. On Wednesday, al-Khawaja's hunger strike entered its 70th day. | Nearly 60 Bahrain activists turn out Wednesday in downtown Manama .
Police push protesters out of the marketplace and use stun grenades .
Abdulhadi al-Khawaja is entering his 70th day on a hunger strike .
He was convicted last year of attempting to overthrow the royal family . |
269,010 | e87ea26c57e7c803dfc7e96fd28dd1b363e98b57 | By . Hugo Gye . PUBLISHED: . 04:54 EST, 15 January 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 11:46 EST, 15 January 2014 . A murder mystery could be solved after eight decades as scientists use modern DNA techniques to identify the unknown victim of a gruesome 1930 killing. Psychotic killer Alfred Rouse smashed an unidentified man over the head with a mallet, then placed his body in a Morris Minor and set the car on fire in a botched attempt to fake his own death. He never revealed the identity of the victim - but relatives of William Briggs, a man who disappeared around the same time, are convinced that their ancestor was the murdered man. Now a group of forensic scientists are examining a sample of the victim's DNA in an attempt to establish the details of the case 83 years on. Killer: Alfred Rouse murdered an unidentified man after suffering a head wound during the First World War . Crime scene: Rouse's Morris Minor was found burning near Northampton with a man trapped inside . Rouse made legal history by being convicted of murder even though no one knew who the victim was. He had suffered a head wound during the First World War, causing a personality disorder which made him 'a promiscuous rake with an enormous sexual appetite'. The 36-year-old had fathered at least two illegitimate children during his post-war career as a travelling salesman, and had been hit by enormous debts which he apparently wanted to escape by faking his death. On November 6 1930, Rouse battered a man . over the head near Northampton, then put him in his own Morris Minor, . surrounded the body with his belongings and set the vehicle on fire. Buried: Campaigners believe that the victim, buried in this grave, could have been missing man William Briggs and are conducting DNA tests on his remains . He tried to escape from the scene, but two young men who were running to investigate the blaze bumped in to him nearby. Rouse fled to Cardiff but was tracked down by police who had used the car's number plate to link it to him. He was arrested, put on trial and . hanged for murder - but he would not reveal the name of the man he had . killed and took the secret to his grave. The victim was buried in the grave of an 'unknown man' in a Northamptonshire cemetery, and has lain there ever since. Shortly . before the killing, Mr Briggs had left his London home for a doctor's . appointment, but disappeared and was never seen again. His . family grew to believe that he had somehow crossed paths with Rouse, . and in 1957 they asked Northamptonshire Police to re-open the murder . investigation. However, the case was not classified as a cold case because the perpetrator had been brought to justice. A few years ago, Mr Briggs's great-niece Samantha Hall was told of the family's campaign while researching her background. 'My . nan showed me newspaper clippings together with letters that her aunt . had written in 1957, in an attempt to re-open the murder case,' she . said. 'My family were convinced that William was Rouse's victim. 'It also seemed plausible that, with the advent of new technologies, we may still have a chance of positive identification.' Mystery: Rouse, who was apparently trying to fake his own death, never revealed the identity of his victim . Mitochondrial DNA, or 'mtDNA', could prove the key to identifying the remains of Alfred Rouse's murder victim. The genetic material is found in the mitochondria of cells rather than their nuclei, and is transmitted in the womb rather than during the reproductive process - meaning that everyone's mtDNA is an exact copy of their mother's. People have much more mtDNA than nuclear DNA, meaning that it is often used to identify long-dead corpses because it is more likely to remain present in the body decades later. Another advantage of mtDNA is that because it is passed solely from mother to child, rather than being mingled with genetic material from fathers, it remains stable down the generations, providing a more secure link between ancestors and descendants. In the past, it has been used to identify the remains of outlaw Jesse James and Russian tsar Nicholas II, by comparing their mtDNA to that of distant relatives. She was put in touch with a team of forensic scientists at the University of Leicester, which famously identified a medieval skeleton found in a car park as the body of King Richard III. Researchers were able to obtain a tissue sample taken from the victim during a post-mortem examination carried out in a pub near the murder scene. The sample and the victim's jawbone were archived in the London Hospital Medical College, now part of Queen Mary University. 'Fortunately, the scientists obtained a full single male mtDNA profile from the slide to compare to the family,' said a spokesman for the team. 'It's been very interesting and rewarding working on such a famous local murder case. 'It was a unique investigation to be involved in, as the perpetrator had been identified long ago and brought to justice while the victim's identity remained unknown. 'The scientific and criminological expertise at the University of Leicester and Northumbria University, working together with the police, could provide answers to this family after 83 years.' Scientists are due to reveal their results on BBC1's The One Show at a future date. A spokesman for Northamptonshire Police said that its cold case review team would discuss the findings, and could exhume the victim's remains for further DNA testing. | Alfred Rouse killed unidentified man near Northampton in botched attempt to fake his own death .
He was hanged for the murder but took victim's identity to his grave .
Family of missing man William Briggs believe he was the murder victim .
Forensic scientists are examining DNA from crime scene to find the truth . |
114,834 | 2032dd6a314e5dfe109eda77b5ee26e7adda5ea6 | Frank Lampard finally got the chance to meet his New York City team-mates on Tuesday as they prepared to take on St Mirren in a friendly at Manchester City's academy stadium. After agreeing a contract with the MLS side in July, Lampard joined Manchester City on loan in August, on a deal initially reported to be until January, where he would then join up with his New York team-mates to prepare for the American season, beginning in March. Lampard's City deal now runs until the end of the Premier League season, therefore meaning that the former Chelsea midfielder had not met his New York team-mates due to his Premier League commitments in Manchester. Frank Lampard (wearing black, third right) poses for a picture with his New York City team-mates ahead of their friendly in Manchester . 1 - Unknown, 2 - Jeb Brovsky, 3 - Thomas McNamara - 4, Patrick Mullins, 5 - Sebastian Velasquez, 6 - Andrew Jacobson, 7 - Ned Grabavoy, 8 - Unknown, 9 - David Villa, 10- Connor Brandt, 11 - Matthew Dunn, 12 - Josh Williams, 13 - Jason Hernandez, 14 - Khiry Shelton, 15 - Chris Wingert, 16 - Akira Fitzgerald, 17 - Andre Rawls, 18 - Frank Lampard, 19 - Adam Nemec, 20 - Joshua Sanders, 21 - Kwame Watson Siriboe, 22- Javier Calle, 23 - Tony Taylor, 24 - Andres Mendoza, 25 - Kwadwo Poku, 26 - Mehdi Ballouchy . Lampard agreed a deal to join New York City in July, but later joined Manchester City on a short-term deal - now running until May . In preparation for their first competitive match, against Orlando on March 8, coach Jason Kreis and his New York City players have travelled to London to play two friendlies, giving Lampard a chance to meet his new colleagues. Alongside a picture on his Facebook page, the 36-year-old former England man said: 'Great to finally meet all my NYCFC teammates! Good luck to the lads for the game against St Mirren today and we all look forward to giving New York a team to be proud of!' Included in the line-up for the photo is former Barcelona and Spain forward David Villa, the most high-profile of Lampard's new team-mates stateside. The majority of the squad wore blue hooded tops for the snap, with Lampard posing in a black New York-branded jacket. Lampard (left), in action for Manchester City against former club Chelsea on January 31, with whom he spent 13 years as a player . After leaving Chelsea and agreeing a deal with New York City, Lampard joined Manuel Pellegrini's Manchester City on a short-term deal . The friendly against Scottish outfit St Mirren, followed by another against Danish side Brondby on February 15, will take place in the brand new Manchester City Football Academy Stadium, a 7,000-seat £200million venue. Speaking ahead of the friendlies at the beginning of January, New York City coach Kreis told the club's official website: ‘St Mirren and Brondby will provide top-class opposition for us ahead of our first competitive MLS game against Orlando on March 8. ‘We’re delighted to be taking on such strong opposition at a very important stage of our pre-season.’ | Frank Lampard agreed a contract with New York City in July, before joining Manchester City on loan in August .
His Manchester City deal now runs until May, so Lampard hasn't had a chance to meet his new team-mates .
New York City are in England to play two pre-season friendlies, giving Lampard the chance to meet his new side .
Lampard posted a picture on Facebook, alongside a message wishing New York luck for their friendly on Tuesday . |
14,091 | 27fcef21c89e5bbf61ec25933d782b1dc6900779 | By . Wills Robinson . Police have released chilling CCTV footage of a gun point robbery in Brooklyn which shows the horrified store clerk crying out in fear. The suspect entered a Metro PCS store on Rockaway Avenue just before 7 pm Monday and immediately pulled a gun on the woman behind the counter, according to officers. The footage, released in a bid to catch the thug, shows him walking into the store with his head bowed below a black baseball cap before launching the callous attack. Scroll down for video . Raid: The suspect walks into the store wearing a white shirt, trousers and baseball cap . Robbery: Before reaching the counter, he moves his hands towards his waistband, keeping his head down . The unidentified man approaches the counter and begins to reach into his waistband to grab the gun. After pulling the weapon out and pointing it at the woman behind the till, she screams in shock. She then takes a bundle of cash and a mobile phone out from behind the counter and hands it to the raider, who then calmly leaves the shop. Police say the man made off with a Galaxy S3 cell phone and $100. The suspect has been described as a black male in his 40s and is approximately 5ft 7ins. He last seen wearing the white clothing caught in the footage and dark shoes. Terrifying: He then points the gun at the store clerk, causing her to cry out in shock . Demands: The man then points at the register and prompts the woman to take out cash and a phone . The man, said to be in his 40s, entered the Metro PCS store on Rockaway Avene in Brownsville, Brooklyn . | The suspect entered a Metro PCS store on Rockaway Avenue in Brownsville .
Immediately pulled out the gun and pointed it at woman behind the counter .
Demanded she hand over a Galaxy S3 cell phone and $100 in cash .
The clerk cried out in fear after the weapon was aimed in her direction . |
20,060 | 38f0b9a2c9e9a6c61c840668fdfe553678990f7a | West Milford, New Jersey (CNN) -- For Gary Oppenheimer, 2007 was a year of plenty. His backyard garden produced a bountiful harvest with a surplus of spaghetti squash, melons, pumpkins, tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers for his family. At the end of the season, Oppenheimer had 40 pounds of excess fresh produce -- and nowhere to take it. "Nobody wanted more," he said. "My wife wouldn't let me bring any more in the house, and I didn't want it wasted." So Oppenheimer took the produce to a local food pantry at a battered-women's shelter. When he dropped off the food, he was struck by the response he got from the shelter worker. "[She] thanked me profusely, and as I left she said, 'Now we can have something fresh to eat,' " Oppenheimer recalled. "That stuck with me because I remember walking away thinking, 'What? They have canned stuff only all the time?' " The experience ultimately led Oppenheimer, 57, to create a way for gardeners across the country to easily share their excess produce with hungry families in their communities. In 2008, Oppenheimer became the director of the West Milford Community Garden in West Milford, New Jersey. He learned that toward the end of the summer, plots were often abandoned and good food was sometimes left to rot. He tried to find a list of his town's local food pantries online where the extra produce could be donated. A Google search showed the nearest food pantry was in another town, 25 miles away -- when in fact there were six food pantries in Oppenheimer's town of West Milford. Oppenheimer knew he had stumbled upon a gap in information that could rescue fresh produce from a wasteful end and potentially save lives. "I realized that if I'm having this problem as a gardener, then other people across the country must be having the exact same problem," he said. "I got up the next morning, and I went on the internet, and I grabbed the domain of AmpleHarvest.org." He reached out to food pantries across the country through social networking, food banks, master gardeners, faith organizations and other groups to encourage them to sign up for inclusion in his database of food pantries. Oppenheimer enlisted the help of Web designers and in May 2009, AmpleHarvest.org was rolled out nationally. The free online resource enables food pantries to register and be listed in a central nationwide directory, and makes it possible for American gardeners to easily find the local pantries where they can donate extra produce. Do you know a hero? Nominations are open for 2010 CNN Heroes . "The country is loaded with gardeners who have more food than they can possibly themselves use," Oppenheimer said. "AmpleHarvest.org gives them the ability to easily, quickly get that food to somebody who genuinely, really needs it." According to the Department of Agriculture, nearly 15 percent of American households have difficulty meeting their food needs. Those who rely on food pantries are often surviving on canned and processed foods. But with 41 million U.S. households growing fruits and vegetables, according to the National Gardening Association, Oppenheimer is helping green-thumbed Americans share healthier options with their neighbors in need. "Whether it's a hanging tomato plant off your apartment terrace, or a garden ... or whether you run a farm, we all have food that's left behind," Oppenheimer said. "That's the food that ... we can get into the system to help diminish hunger in the country." Nearly 2,000 food pantries across the United States are now registered on the site. Timothy Lesko recently received fresh produce from a food pantry that had items from AmpleHarvest.org donations. Lesko said the fresh vegetables will help his family eat more healthfully. "Me and my wife are trying to have my son be as healthy as possible. [At] the grocery store, the food's expensive, and it's hard to buy the healthier foods because we don't always have the money," Lesko said. "It would be nice to see if more people could farm at home and bring whatever extra they have for the pantry." Although Oppenheimer cannot track the amount of produce that has been donated to food pantries, he said he's received messages from numerous pantries and clients across the country who've been given food as a result of AmpleHarvest.org. He also has heard from growers who continue to donate because the website led them to local pantries. And as the food pantries continue to see results, Oppenheimer hopes his efforts will turn into a lifelong commitment for the gardeners. "The point is to get it so that people will find it's easy and convenient to get in the car and to drop off that bag of tomatoes or carrots or apples, and then to make it a part of their regular routine, hopefully for the rest of their gardening lives." Want to get involved? Check out the AmpleHarvest.org website and see how to help. | New Jersey man created way for gardeners to share extra produce with the hungry .
Website AmpleHarvest.org connects gardeners nationwide with food pantries .
Nearly 2,000 food pantries across the U.S. are now registered on the site .
Do you know a hero? Nominations are open for 2010 CNN Heroes . |
1,370 | 03eb9bd8c09400e9c5ab36495230693ac515aa93 | For 50 years the Hartland carnival march has been accompanied by the sprightly sound of the town’s brass band. But this year, for the very first time, the band will not be marching. They have been stopped in their tracks by potholes. Concentrating on their instruments and reading music means they will not be able to pay attention to dodging holes in the road. Danger: Councillor Brian Redwood pictured with the Hartland Town Band in front of potholes in the road . Concern: The musicians say they could trip over the potholes while playing their instruments . The town is already known by locals as a dangerous place to walk or cycle, but the musicians are even more concerned because they are unable to watch the road while reading music. The band's chairman Charlie Jeffrey has written to Devon County Council, saying that the roads are so bad they are pulling out of the Hartland Carnival scheduled for August 9. 'Hartland Town Band is one of the many organisations in this rural community which provides the glue which holds the community together,' he wrote. 'This year is a centenary of the Hartland Carnival and the condition of the roads in the village itself has become too dangerous for our own visiting bands to be able to march safely.' The band was originally founded before the First World War, and has marched in the parade every year since 1961. There are 25 members of the ensemble, many of them in their 70s and one as old as 89. Anger: Flugelhorn player Rosalind Toase, centre, is concerned that their instruments could be damaged . Action: The council has so far failed to fill in the potholes because it does not have enough money . Flugelhorn player Rosalind Toase, who has played with the band for 20 years, said the group had no choice but to cancel their plans. 'Some of these potholes are so big you can see right through the tarmac to the earth below,' she said. 'The problem is that we're looking at our music the whole time so we can't see where we're going. We're not aware at all of what our feet are stepping on. 'If one of us was to put a foot in a hole we would probably end up losing a tooth and having our instrument damaged beyond repair. 'We've got people in their 70s marching - it wouldn't be very pretty to see them take a tumble. 'Hopefully the council will do something about it before August and we can perform.' Film: The band's troubles resemble the plot of the 1996 hit Brassed Off, pictured . Brass bands first emerged in Britain in the 19th century, and were originally associated with working-class industrial communities. Many of the bands had their origins in workplaces - above all coal mines and factories - while others were linked to anti-alcohol temperance movements. The Salvation Army is also known for its brass bands, which play public concerts to raise money for charitable causes. Some bands compete in contests, with regional competitions which eventually produce a national champion. The standard brass band feature a mixture of cornets, horns, trombones, euphoniums and tubas, as well as drummers. They tend to play a mixture of music composed specifically for brass and classical or pop tunes which have been adapted to the band's capacity. The band's plight bears some resemblance to 1996 film Brassed Off starring Ewan McGregor, which features a colliery band whose future is threatened by the closure of the coal mines. District councillor Brian Redwood said he was shocked by the news, and urged local authorities to repair the road as quickly as possible. 'To think that Hartland Town Band may not be in this year's procession is unbelievable,' he said. 'It will be a huge shame if the band does not perform and are obstructed by the plague of potholes in this area.' Devon County Council admitted that it did not have the resources to deal with the state of the town's roads. 'More than 12,000 potholes have been reported by the public or found by highway inspectors so far this year,' a spokesman said. 'In response the council has tripled the number of pothole repair teams working across the county. 'It's a harsh reality that the council simply does not have the funds to carry out all the works we would wish.' | Members of the Hartland Town Band march through the streets every year .
But they are refusing to join the parade because road is covered in potholes .
Elderly musicians are worried they could trip up while playing instruments . |
117,366 | 23901a483de70bfcb93c4444842c17aee588fca5 | By . Pa Reporter . AC Milan insist they have not received an offer from Liverpool for their striker Mario Balotelli. Balotelli played almost three seasons at Manchester City before being sold to Milan for £17m in January 2013. The Anfield club are chasing a replacement for Luis Suarez following his move to Barcelona, but Milan chiefs are adamant no bid has come in from Merseyside for the Italian striker. VIDEO Scroll down to see Mario Balotelli take on the Ice Bucket Challenge . Going nowhere: AC Milan insist that no bid has been made for Mario Balotelli by Liverpool . Tough act: The club are seeking a replacement for Luis Suarez following his move to Barcelona . 'At this time we have not received any offer from Liverpool for Balotelli,' AC Milan club administrator Adriano Galliani said to Gazzetta dello Sport. 'Hence, there is no negotiation. 'We will see as the transfer market ends on September 1.' He scored 14 goals in 30 league appearances for Milan last season but the Rossoneri finished a disappointing eighth and will not play in Europe this term. Busy summer: Mario Balotelli played for Italy at the World Cup as they crashed out at the group stage . Previous: And he has experience in the Premier League after nearly three years at Manchester City . The 24-year-old, who is under contract with the Italian outfit until June 2017, has been linked with a move away from the San Siro this summer. Milan president Silvio Berlusconi said previously he came close to selling Balotelli to an unnamed English club before the World Cup. Balotelli scored one goal in three appearances for Italy in the tournament in Brazil. VIDEO New signings excellent - Rogers . | Milan say no offer has been received from Liverpool for Balotelli .
Brendan Rodgers' side chasing a replacement for Luis Suarez .
Balotelli played for nearly three seasons at Manchester City . |
265,215 | e38168041cd2d8026e4c78d2820c0b21f1e64a9d | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 04:20 EST, 31 May 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 10:51 EST, 31 May 2012 . Wanted: Police have issued a Canada-wide warrant for Rocco Luka Magnotta in connection with severed limbs sent to Canadian offices . A low-budget porn actor suspected of sending dismembered body party to offices across Canada allegedly filmed himself hacking his victim's body up with an ice-pick and then posted the sickening video online. Luka Rocco Magnotta, 29, is the subject of a massive manhunt after a man's maggot-ridden torso was found in a locked suitcase by his Montreal apartment block. The sickening 'snuff video' footage, called '1 Lunatic 1 Ice Pick' and uploaded last week, shows a naked male tied to a bed frame being attacked with both an ice pick and a kitchen knife. The Best Gore website says the film, which is unclear where or when it was filmed, then shows the victim being stabbed and having his throat slashed to the soundtrack of True Faith by New Order. He is later decapitated, dismembered and sexually assaulted. It is believed he was already dead when the camera started rolling. The man in the video, whose face is never revealed, then goes on to play with the corpse's body parts in a 'sexual manner'. Doubt was initially cast on the veracity of the film but police have now confirmed 'it depicts the actual crime', the National Post reports. Police believe a festering foot from the body was then mailed to Canadian Conservative Party's HQ, and a hand was found at a postal warehouse, both in Ottawa, Ontario. Officers believe he could also be behind a sickening video posted online where kittens are tortured and killed. The animal-cruelty video, filmed two years ago, shows a man looking like Magnotta placing two kittens inside an airtight bag and using a vacuum cleaner to suck out the air. In distressing scenes, too graphic to be posted on MailOnline, the cleaner is then switched on and the air is slowly sucked out of the bag. The mewing kittens can be seen wriggling around and clawing to escape as the polythene tightens around them. Search: Local news reports have identified Magnotta, 29, as a low-budget adult film star . Wanted: Luka Magnotta is believed to be behind a gruesome video showing the murder of a man . After switching off the cleaner, the sick teen opens the bag and proudly holds up the body of one of the kittens for his camera, before displaying them on his bed. Yesterday, police in masks combed through the blood-soaked Montreal studio apartment where the torso was discovered. A blood stained mattress remained there after they left. Police Commander Ian Lafreniere said: 'For most of the officers that were there all night long this is the kind of crime scene they've never seen in their career.' He said they are investigating the possibility that other body parts might have been mailed, and believed the suspect and the victim knew each other. The packages with the foot and the hand, he added, had been mailed to Ottawa from Montreal. But it was not clear why. Lafreniere added: 'As a father, I would have trouble sleeping at night knowing that the suspect was in my neighborhood.' Investigation: An internal shot of Magnotta's apartment, outside of which a maggot-ridden torso was found in a suitcase . Vacant: The tenant of the apartment, Luke Magnotta, has not been seen since the body parts were sent . Crime scene: Luka Magnotta's apartment in Ottawa, Canada . Manhunt: Magnotta is also known by the names Eric Clinton Newman and Vladimir Romanov . Police said Magnotta is also known by the names Eric Clinton Newman and Vladimir Romanov. They described him as white, 5ft 8in tall, with blue eyes and black hair. His internet presence indicates he is a bisexual porn actor and model. Police discovered the severed foot after Jenni Bryne, a top political adviser to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, opened a bloodstained box at Conservative party headquarters on Tuesday. When Bryne opened the box, a foul odor overcame the office. 'It was such a horrible odour. I'm sure many of us will not forget it,' Conservative Party spokesman Fred DeLorey said. Police said the package was addressed to the Conservative Party of Canada and not to a specific person. Canada Post would not comment on the discoveries. Hazardous material: A police officer carries a yellow bag with the bloody package that contains the festering foot mailed to Conservative Party headquarters on Tuesday . Scene: Sick idea: The Tories have said they believe that, even though the package was addressed to Conservative Party headquarters, the foot was not a political message . Eric Schorer, the manager of the building where the suspect lived, said Magnotta had been living there for about four months but had not been seen around in a while. He said there were never any complaints about noise in the unit, and that Magnotta passed a credit test to rent there. 'He seemed like a nice guy,' Schorer said. Richard Payette, who lived across the hall from Magnotta, said the door of Apartment 208 was left open for part of the day yesterday, with an overwhelming smell drifting out into the hallway, like bad meat. For nearly two years, Magnotta's name has been notorious among animal-rights activists looking for a man who tortured and killed cats and posted videos of it online. Friendly: This video, posted online two years ago, shows a man who looks like Magnotta appearing to be caring for the cats (he disguised his face) Sickening: But the man then seals the bag, attaches the vacuum cleaner hose and sucks the air out of it . In 2009, he posted an article online entitled How to Completely Disappear and Never Be Found; it shares a six-step process for escaping and changing an identity. It is not the first time he has been in the news. Magnotta previously complained his life had been ruined by rumours he was dating Karla Homolka, who raped and killed teenage girls. Reports add he may have spread the rumours himself, The Canadian Press reported. Magnotta has no criminal record. | Luka Rocco Magnotta, 29, subject of massive Canada-wide manhunt .
Man's torso found in suitcase outside his Montreal apartment block .
Shocking video called '1 Lunatic 1 Ice Pick' posted online last week .
Shows man beheading and then sexually assaulting victim .
Police confirm the graphic footage depicts the actual crime .
Also believed to be behind kitten torture and murder video . |
174,778 | 6e3706ee67819b77b9c4550d445684781af04c59 | Norway has become the latest country to consider stripping citizenship from extremists who travel abroad to fight jihad. The government said it was important to send 'a strong signal' to people thinking about leaving the country to join terror groups. It came as London Mayor Boris Johnson called for British citizens travelling to Iraq and Syria to join the Islamic State (ISIS) to be automatically stripped of their passports. In echoing that call, Norway's Minister of Children and Equality, Solveig Horne, said the government will 'turn over every stone' to prevent its citizens from becoming radicalised. 'Strong signal': Norway's Minister of Children and Equality, Solveig Horne (left), has echoed calls by London Mayor Boris Johnson (right) for extremists who travel abroad to fight jihad to be stripped of their citizenship . She told The Local: 'We will begin discussion about introducing regulations on revocation for any citizen causing serious damage to vital government interests or who has volunteered to serve in foreign military services. 'This is a strong signal to people wanting to take part in terror operations and wars.' Other countries, including Denmark and the Netherlands are looking at similar measures. Earlier this week, Mr Johnson said Britain must take on ISIS to 'try to close it down now', warning that doing nothing would mean a 'tide of terror will eventually lap at our own front door'. The mayor, who has overall responsibility for the Metropolitan Police, called for new laws that would mean anyone visiting Iraq and Syria would be automatically presumed to be terrorists unless they had notified the authorities in advance. The issue has been pulled into sharp . focus for many Western governments after the brutal killing of U.S. journalist James Foley by an Islamic State fighter dubbed 'jihadi John'. Sickening: Tackling extremism has been pulled into sharp focus for many Western governments after the brutal killing of U.S. journalist James Foley by an Islamic State fighter dubbed 'jihadi John' (above) Writing in his Daily Telegraph column, Mr Johnson said: ‘Young men such as this killer are famously told that if they die in "battle" they will be welcomed in heaven by the sexual ministrations of 72 virgins. ‘Many of them believe it - even though scholars have suggested that the reference to "black-eyed virgins" is in fact a promise of 72 raisins. 'I suspect most of us don't give a monkey's what happens to this prat in heaven, whether he meets virgins or raisins - we just want someone to come along with a bunker buster and effect an introduction as fast as possible.' However, he was roundly criticised for his comments. Richard Barrett, a former MI6 security chief, said the threat from ISIS was ‘unproven’ and needed to be better understood before new laws were rushed through. Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg added that new legislation to combat the threat posed by British jihadists returning from the Middle East would not remove the danger from Islamic State extremists. | Norway says it will 'turn over every stone' to prevent radicalisation .
Boris Johnson has called for Brits who join ISIS to lose passports . |
27,081 | 4ccf348801c92cc502c58770ae944fe12de41b74 | (CNN) -- We've all wondered what it's like to die. Now there's a game that claims it can fulfill our curiosity, without actually killing us. "Samadhi -- 4D Experience of Death," is a morbid "escape room" game that uses dramatic special effects to bring players close to what its creators imagine is an experience of death. When it opens in Shanghai in September 2014, it will invite participants to compete in a series of challenges to avoid "dying." Losers get cremated -- or are at least made to lie on a conveyor belt that transports them through a fake funeral home incinerator to simulate death rites. The faux cremator will use hot air and light projections to create what the organizers call "an authentic experience of burning." After "cremation," participants are transferred to a soft, round, womb-like capsule, signifying their "rebirth." And the winner? "He'll also have to die of course," says the game's fatalistic co-founder Ding Rui. As in life, he explains, "everyone will die eventually, no matter what they've survived." Life and death . Ding and his partner Huang Wei-ping went to great lengths researching their game, investigating the cremation process that typically awaits 50% of Chinese people after death. The pair visited a real crematorium and asked to be sent through the furnace with the flames turned off. "Ding went in the crematory first and it was stressful for me to observe from the outside," says Huang. "The controller of the crematory was also very nervous; he usually just focuses on sending bodies in, but not on bringing them back out." When it came to Huang's turn, he found it unbearable. "It was getting really hot. I couldn't breathe and I thought my life was over," he said. The pair say realism is essential to provoke participants into thinking about life and death. They'll operate the game while also running Hand in Hand, an organization that specializes in providing hospice support to dying patients in an oncology hospital. Soul searching . Huang says his interest in death emerged during a period of soul searching after a lucrative but spiritually unrewarding career as a trader. "China made me rich, but it didn't teach me how to live a rich life. I was lost," he says. He went on to study psychology and volunteered to help in the aftermath of a 2008 earthquake in China's western Sichuan province, launching Hand in Hand shortly after. "It opened a new door for me -- I went there to help but I was also saved." Ding, meanwhile, had undertaken his own search for a meaning to life by organizing seminars with experts on the subject. "I invited 'life masters' from different religions and other fields to come and talk about what life is," he says. "I did that for two years before realizing that, instead of sitting here and listening passively, I could also do something." That was when the two hooked up to create the "4D Experience of Death." Morbid curiosity . The pair were initially unsure of the appetite for their morbid concept, even though similar ventures have already opened in South Korea and Taiwan. Voluntary work in a hospice showed them that few people wanted to confront the idea of death, even when it was at hand. "The saddest part of the job wasn't seeing the patients passing away but how the families refused to face death -- the final days with their loved ones consisted of kind but shallow lies," says Ding. "We lack understanding of death and the fear can become so overwhelming." To sound out the idea, Huang and Ding first started a fundraising campaign on jue.so, the Chinese version of Kickstarter. "We received more than RMB 410,000 ($67,000) in three months, surpassing our target," says Huang. "It turns out many people in China are curious about death." Ding says they hope the experience will promote "life education" -- prompting people to ask questions about what they are doing with their lives and guiding them to face death in a personal way. "There aren't any model answers in life and death education, unlike those courses that teach you to be rich and successful," says Huang. "It is more important for people to experience it personally." "I was in a car crash once and the only thought in my mind then was 'why didn't I buy insurance?'" says Huang. "It wasn't what I had imagined for the final moments of my life. That romantic idea of having a flashback of one's entire life in the last moments before death -- that did not happen." Samadhi -- 4D Experience of Death will be completed at the end of August and is scheduled to open in September. Sessions will be conducted in Chinese. Tickets RMB249 ($40). 101-104, Building 2, Gongyi Xintiandi, 105 West PuYu Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai . | "Samadhi -- 4D Experience of Death" uses special effects to recreate an imagined experience of death .
The death-themed game was created to provoke people into considering the meaning of life .
"Samadhi" creator: "China made me rich, but it didn't teach me how to live a rich life" |
227,614 | b2b7fe311e1d6e940458730aba67463b926a1e84 | (CNN) -- Over the past decade, an increasing percentage of Americans lost health insurance coverage because they couldn't afford it. As a family physician, I have seen the devastating effects of losing health insurance. Without it, patients die unnecessarily. Since passage of the Affordable Care Act, it is heartwarming to see patients gain insurance, get healthier and catch up on health care services they were unable to obtain before. But it is heartbreaking to see the Herculean efforts to eliminate subsidies that made it possible for these working Americans to finally afford health insurance. Recently, there have been two opposing court of appeals rulings on a crucial aspect of the ACA. The first, if it eventually prevails, would not allow about 4.5 million people who gained subsidized insurance in the federal exchanges to get financial assistance. Thankfully, a different court of appeals found just the opposite. FAQ: What the Obamacare court decisions mean for you . There will be no shortage of court challenges trying to chip away at the Affordable Care Act, but gutting the ACA would just strip patients of their means to obtain cancer treatment and other life-saving health care. Two years ago, I diagnosed a 52-year-old uninsured man with Stage IV colon cancer, which took his life. Months earlier, he had noticed blood in his stool and had been scheduled for a colonoscopy. Without health insurance to pay for this costly test, he postponed it while waiting for financial assistance to help him buy health insurance coverage. It is likely that a health insurance subsidy would have saved his life. Appeals courts differ on Obamacare; Supreme Court case likely . Another patient, diagnosed with Stage I breast cancer on a routine mammogram, said to me: "Doc, I don't care whether I have to eat beans and rice every day for the rest of my life, I am saving every cent to hold onto my health insurance because it will save my life!" She is now cancer-free and living a full and meaningful life. Health insurance saves lives. When Massachusetts expanded health insurance coverage through policies similar to Obamacare, the state death rate fell by nearly 3% in the four years after the law went into effect. The decline was steepest in counties with the highest proportions of poor and previously uninsured people. Study: Obamacare gave 10 million Americans health insurance . In other states with populations similar to Massachusetts, the death rate was largely unchanged. For every 830 people who gained health insurance in Massachusetts, one life was saved. Nationally, this 3% decline in mortality among adults under age 65 translates to about 17,000 fewer people dying each year. Health insurance matters for health and well-being. Americans with health insurance are far more likely to receive primary and preventive care as well as timely and appropriate care for chronic conditions. Without health insurance, Americans have significantly more unmet health care needs and higher rates of delayed care. When faced with illness, the uninsured are forced to make an impossible choice: incur unaffordable health care costs or gamble on their health, forgoing needed care. The Affordable Care Act enables millions of uninsured Americans to gain coverage and finally shed the fears of what might happen to themselves and their families if faced with this impossible choice. Watchdog: Fake applicants got Obamacare subsidies . Let's keep moving forward with covering the uninsured in this country, there's no time to waste. The millions of dollars being spent in courts across the country to challenge the ACA and to eliminate insurance subsidies for working Americans might be better spent to create subsidies ensuring access to health insurance coverage that saves lives. I have been involved in efforts as a physician-scientist working to discover new cures for the American epidemic of "uninsurance" and finding new treatments for our nation's "inequitable access to care" disease. Recently, I heard several top scientists debating whether we should keep asking the question: "Does health insurance matter?" Consider the following two questions. Are you willing to drop your health insurance policy immediately and go without health insurance indefinitely? Are you willing to enroll in a study where you are randomized to receive health insurance or go without health insurance for a long period? If your answer to either or both of these questions is "no," then we should stop asking whether insurance matters and move forward toward insuring every American. There's no time to waste in court battles. Americans are dying unnecessarily. And, the U.S. health care system has plenty more problems in need of immediate and urgent attention, including the primary care workforce shortage, the unsustainable costs of care and the disparities in health care access. Let's get people insured. | Before Obamacare, Jennifer DeVoe saw people lose insurance and suffer .
Today, she sees patients gain insurance, get healthier, and get care they couldn't afford before .
She laments "Herculean efforts" to end subsidies for working Americans to finally get insured .
DeVoe says court battles are a waste of time: Americans are dying unnecessarily . |
204,465 | 94b62d03b72f53d11bcd82b8fa7977bf43729ae6 | By . Ellie Zolfagharifard . It can be easy to judge someone based on their taste in music. Heavy metal-fans, for instance, are often thought to share a common sense of alienation, oppression and anger, with their music giving them an outlet for their rage. It’s a stereotype that’s reinforced by the genre’s roots with metal gaining popularity throughout the 1960s and 1970s in economically ravaged, deindustrialised areas. But while heavy metal may have once . appealed to alienated working-class males, today the music enjoys its . greatest popularity in the most advanced, wealthy, and knowledge-based . areas of the world. This map tracks the number of heavy metal bands per 100,000 residents using data from the Encyclopaedia Metallum. It shows how the genre holds less influence in the post-industrial places of its birth, but remains extremely popular in wealthy, safe and stable Scandinavian countries . Writing in City Lab, Toronto-based Richard Florida highlights a map that tracks the number of heavy metal bands per 100,000 residents using data from the Encyclopaedia Metallum. It shows how the genre holds less influence in the post-industrial places of its birth, but remains extremely popular in wealthy, safe and stable Scandinavian countries. Some people believe the dark, cold days of northern Europe reflect heavy metal’s emotional darkness and fury. Some people believe the dark, cold days of northern Europe reflect heavy metal's emotional darkness and fury accounting for its popularity in the region. Pictured is Swedish metal band Opeth . Mr Florida, and his Martin Prosperity Institute colleague Charlotta Mellander, examined the connections between heavy metal and a range of economic and social factors to uncover a pattern. They found that the number of heavy metal bands per country was linked with the nation’s economic output, level of creativity and entrepreneurship. A higher share of adults that hold degrees, as well as better levels of human development, well-being, and satisfaction with life, were all related to a larger fan base for heavy metal. Ms Mellander, who is Swedish, claims Scandinavia’s love for heavy metal bands is directly related to the government's efforts to put compulsory music training in schools. This, she claims, has created a generation able to meet metal’s technical demands. ‘While new musical forms may spring from disadvantaged, disgruntled, or marginalised groups,’ added Mr Florida, ‘It is the most advanced and wealthy societies that have the media and entertainment companies that can propagate new sounds and genres, as well as the affluent young consumers with plenty of leisure time who can buy it.’ Heavy metal music fans are often labelled as angry and unruly - but how close is this to the truth? A study by Westminster University has attempted to find out by digging deep into what makes metal aficionados tick. Psychologist . Viren Swami asked 219 women and 195 men living in the UK to fill out . surveys about their personality after listening to and rating 10 heavy . metal tracks. The . research, published in Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the . Arts, focused on contemporary metal music characterised by heavy guitar . riffs, double-bass drumming, complex rhythms and extreme tempos. By . matching music preference to the personality traits, Professor Swami . found that ‘openness to experience’ was a major factor in enjoying heavy . metal. Perhaps . more surprising however, was the fact that those with a strong . preference for metal were more likely to have lower self-esteem. Metal heads also had a higher-than-average need for uniqueness, and lower-than-average levels of religiosity. A higher share of adults that hold degrees, as well as better levels of human development, well-being, and satisfaction with life, were all related to a larger fan base for heavy metal. Pictured at fans at a Anthrax gig . | Map highlights the number of heavy metal bands per 100,000 residents .
It shows how the genre holds less influence in post-industrial areas .
It remains popular in wealthy, knowledge-based Scandinavian countries .
Popularity is linked to a higher share of adults that hold degrees, as well as better well-being and satisfaction with life . |
227,094 | b20febc3e959ff4bdd36b563e58eb5637a479c1a | In a world of instant communication, where you can easily find dates online and share intimate pictures in seconds, barely a day goes by without someone being 'caught out' with an illicit image to the wrong person. Just this week we've seen Kelly Brook's (now ex) man David Mcintosh accused of sending inappropriate messages to an ex and Conservative MP Brooks Newmark was forced to resign from his post as Minister for Civil Society after he sent pictures of himself in paisley pyjamas to a reporter posing as a woman on What's App. Is sexting cheating? Kelly Brook dumped fiancé David McIntosh over his alleged texts to ex-girlfriend . It's hardly the first time a celebrity has been involved in such scandal. In 2010, Vernon Kay hit the headlines after he was accused of sending x-rated texts to glamour model Rhian Sugden, but his wife Tess Daly decided to stand by him. In the same year, the comedian Jason Manford stepped down from his presenting role at The One Show when he was caught out exchanging sexy Twitter messages with a female fan - he and his wife have since split. But what are the guidelines on sexting? Is it cheating if you don't make physical contact? The subject has fired up debate with This Morning's Agony Aunt believing that sending suggestive messages to another person while in a relationship should always be avoided. Speaking on the ITV show today, she said: 'Adultery is not necessarily the end of a relationship, neither is sexting. 'Is it a good idea though? No it is not. 'I am on the end of receiving letters, and I get them in droves, it seems to be a compulsion. Brooks Newmark has resigned as Minister for Civil Society after he sent pictures of himself in pyjamas to an undercover reporter . 'Now you can play out your fantasy on the internet, but it's not just a fantasy. 'Partners feel that something that should be intimate has been shared with someone else. 'I remember talking to a man who had been caught in flagrante on the internet and he said to me in injured tones that he was only mucking about - it's this schoolboy and schoolgirl idea that it is only mucking about, but it isn't.' Jason Manford was caught out exchanging sexy Twitter messages with a female fan in 2010 . However, it's easy to see how both women and men can get confused, because while for many sexting is a clear violation of a relationship, for others it is just a bit of harmless fun. Journalist Sally Windsor who was also speaking on today's This Morning episode believes that people shouldn't be punished for a few suggestive messages if their partner finds out. She said: 'I think there is a threshold here that hasn't been crossed, I don't think it is anywhere near as bad. 'He (Brooks Newmark) shouldn't be punished. 'Had he crossed the line and something had gone on, then yes, he should be punished. 'But we shouldn't put digital cheating on a par with actual cheating. It's not ideal, but is it the end of a relationship? No. 'I think everybody does it or has done it at some point. 'He may have done that, taken a step back and realised he had gone too far. 'What about things like emoticons and writing 'xxx', where do we stop if we call this adultery? If we're saying that this is digital cheating.' Finding some middle ground, Sexpert and MailOnline columnist Tracey Cox believes that all couples need to clearly define where their lines in the sand are before a relationship gets serious. That way both parties know if they are doing something wrong. She said: 'Everyone has their own definition of what constitutes cheating - which is why you need to spell out, specifically, what counts as infidelity for you when you're in a monogamous relationship. In 2010, Vernon Kay sent racy texts to glamour model Rhian Sugden while still married to his wife Tess Daly (left) 'I always tell people, ask yourself this 'What would my partner think, if they could see me right now?', doing whatever it is they're doing. 'If their partner wouldn't like it, consider it cheating. 'Even though there's no physical contact, sexting is still sharing intimate, sexual words or images with someone other than your partner. 'So yes, it is cheating, though I think most of us would prefer it to cheating in person - though neither are ideal!' Watch Denise Robertson and Sally Windsor debate sexting on www.itv.com/thismorning . | Brooks Newmark sent photos of himself in pyjamas to undercover reporter .
David McIntosh is alleged to have sent messages to his previous girlfriend .
Vernon Kay and Jason Manford were similarly caught out in 2010 .
Agony aunt Denise Robertson says sexting is still cheating .
Sexpert Tracey Cox believes every couple should make cheating guidelines . |
10,392 | 1d919e5ff861425bfb71d76fcc06e7e4ea8f258c | By . Harriet Arkell . PUBLISHED: . 04:40 EST, 10 December 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 05:54 EST, 10 December 2012 . When archaeologists unearthed the well-preserved tomb of a second-century Roman general that had lain under muddy clay for 1800 years, their find was hailed as the most important ancient Roman monument to come to light for decades. The burial place of Marcus Nonius Macrinus, the general who advised Emperor Marcus Aurelius and fought Germanic tribes in the second century, was found at Saxa Rubra, north of Rome, in 2008, and boasted marble pillars and Latin inscriptions. But despite the joy of historians who pored over the important ancient mausoleum, Italian authorities say it may now have to be reburied as they cannot afford the preservation works necessary to keep it open. Beautifully preserved: The tomb of Marcus Nonius Macrinus lay under thick clay for nearly 2000 years before being excavated in 2008 . Austerity measures mean cash for maintaining Italy's archaeological sites has been cut by 20 per cent since 2010, which means that unless a sponsor comes forward soon with the €2-3m (£1.6m-£2.4m) needed to preserve the ancient tomb, it will have to be be covered up. 'It is a painful choice but we cannot risk losing the monument,' Mariarosaria Barbera, Rome's archaeological superintendent, told the daily La Repubblica. 'The marbles can't face another winter [so] we must bury the site in order to preserve it.' Unlike Russell Crowe's character Maximus Decidus Meridius, Macrinus died a rich man after a long and successful career, and his extravagant tomb bears testament to that. With marble roof tiles, a panel carved with Latin script detailing his military career, which included a visit to Spain, and perfectly preserved carvings and friezes, the monument has lain under the thick clay of the nearby river Tiber, which has helped it stay in such good condition. Since it has been opened up, however, cracks have appeared in the stonework and the delicate letterwork has been discoloured by air pollution. 'The general who became a slave. The slave who became a gladiator. The gladiator who defied an emperor': Russell Crowe in the 2000 film, Gladiator . Darius Arya, an American . archaeologist who is campaigning to keep the monument open, said: 'This . is an extraordinary site, it blows you away. 'Burying these remains is a disaster - you wonder what is the point of archaeology.' Maria Grazia Vernuccio, of the heritage group Italia Nostra, told The Observer that cuts were threatening the condition of many historical sites including Pompeii and Villa Jovis, Emperor Tiberius' palace on Capri. She said: 'Over 40 per cent of Italy's archaeological sites are now closed due to lack of funds. Inspectors often cannot even get to the more remote sites in their cars because the ministry won't give them petrol and there is less money for guards to keep looters out.' Macrinus' tomb, which lies close to the ancient Via Flaminia which linked Rome to the Adriatic sea on the east coast, was attacked by looters shortly after it was uncovered in 2008. However the thieves were unable to carry the heavy piece of marble they wanted, and had to dump it nearby. As winter approaches, the filling-in work may begin any day soon. Daniela Rossi, the archaeologist who led the dig, said: 'There are more mausoleums waiting to be revealed along this stretch of the Via Flaminia. It's a gold mine we may never get to see.' Marcus Nonius Macrinus was born in Brescia, northern Italy . Born to a distinguished local family, Macrinus became a senator at around 25 and a consul 16 years later in around 154AD . Macrinus was a general and consul who led campaigns for Marcus Aurelius from 161AD to 180AD . He fought numerous battles against adversaries including the Germanic Quadi and Marcomanni tribes who invaded Italy . He became one of the Emperor's favourites and part of his inner circle, serving as proconsul in Asia . | Burial place of Marcus Nonius Macrinus was found near river Tiber in 2008 .
It will be filled in unless £2m can be found to protect it from winter weather . |
32,278 | 5bcffcc91b372ff4349cbce19f08d694d4347255 | Busty glamour model Lacey Wildd has raised $23,000 in donations from fans to take her size triple-L breasts up to Q cup. The 45-year-old, mother-of-six, from Miami, Florida, told the Sun Sentinel that the operation, her thirteenth in total, is set for early 2014. Plastic surgeons will insert implants weighing a total of 42pounds into her chest, seeing her claim title to the largest augmented breasts in the world. Living out her dreams: Busty glamour model Lacey Wildd has raised $23,000 in public donations to take her size triple-L breasts up to a Q cup . Currently the top spot is held by Maxi Mounds, who wears a U.S. size 42M bra. Ms Wildd said that she is ‘nervous’ about her surgery, paid for by internet donations, as medical experts have repeatedly warned her it’s not safe. Her chest is already so heavy at 21pounds, that she had to have an internal bra made of pigskin and her own muscle implanted into her torso. But the bubbly blonde insists that her ambition to increase the size of her breasts is actually for her children's welfare. Bigger? Ms Wildd said that she is 'nervous' about her surgery, paid for by internet donations . Embarrassing mum: Lacey Wildd's children - from left Brandan, Michael, Jenaveve, and Tori - desperately want her to stop having surgery . ‘I want to leave a legacy to my . children,' says Ms Wildd, who has six children ranging in age from six . to 29, plus a 25-year-old stepson. ‘My goal was never to be famous. My goal was to be able to take care of them, to be able to support them.’ ‘My goal was never to be famous. My goal was to be able to take care of my children, to be able to support them' She said growing up she was one of six children, and her mother was so poor they couldn’t afford a house with electricity or running water. ‘I want to provide for my kids and pay for a college education, so they have opportunities I didn't have,’ Ms Wildd previously said. With the additional TV appearances, film work and subscriptions to her website, laceywildd.net, she says her income has ‘quadrupled' since 2012 and she plans on retiring in three years time. However, Ms Wildd’s children, four of . which still live at home, say that her looks have seen them face . cyber-bullying and teasing at school. Transformation: As a child Ms Wildd says she . used to be a brunette tomboy, left, but today she is a peroxide blonde glamor model . Her . daughter Tori Glynn, 18, who appeared with her on MTV's True Life, . said: ‘She is kind of like too much, and she's not taking into . consideration that this is your project, this is your thing and not all . of ours.’ Tori and her siblings are also concerned about their mother’s health, and fear bigger implants will cause terrible side-effects such as stretching, tearing, or even an infection that might kill her. Tori previously said: 'I don't want my mom to have her boobs made any bigger. Living the high life: With the additional TV appearances, film work and subscriptions to her website, laceywildd.net, Ms Wildd says she has 'quadrupled' her income from 2012 . 'I think she isn't really thinking about our opinions. What if she dies? Is she taking that into consideration? 'Does she really care that her kids could be left alone?' Despite her children's concerns, Ms Wildd, real name Paula Simonds, is determined to have the procedure - which will take her closer towards her goal of becoming the world's biggest breasted model. 'It will increase my fame and earning . power considerably. I want to make the most of this opportunity, to give . my kids a good lifestyle.' Then and now: Lacey Wildd in 1990 after her first operation, left, and after surgery in 2001 . She has already made sacrifices due to her breast size: she can no longer exercise or even pick up her youngest daughter. She is forced to sleep on her side hugging a pillow because the weight of the implants is too heavy on her chest and she cannot have mammograms, instead having to rely on sonograms. Growing up in Illinois, Ms Wildd used to be a thin, brunette waitress and became a mother of two in her late teens. Cosmetic surgery carries the same general risks as all operations, including infection and blood clots. There's also a risk of bleeding and scarring. Problems that can occur immediately after breast reconstruction surgery include infection, fluid under the wound and pain and discomfort. If the area around the breast implant becomes repeatedly infected or fluid keeps building up, the implant may need to be removed. Sometimes, the flap of tissue that is used to make a new breast can die and will need to be surgically removed. Long-term problems that can develop after breast reconstruction surgery include the implant hardening and changing shape, fluid leaks from the implant making lymph glands swell and unequal-sized breasts due to changes in weight. 'I . wasn't making as much money as the blonde girls with the big boobs. I . had two kids to take care of on my own,' she Ms Wildd who has worked as a . tattoo artist, a veterinarian assistant and a marketer. Using . money from waiting on tables, ma Wildd saved up money for her first . implant, and at 21, she expanded from an A cup to a D. 'That . was the day that changed my life. It gave me a lot more confidence. The . way people noticed me. People wanted to be around me. I turned myself . into a Barbie,' she told the newspaper. She eventually moved to Las Vegas, where she worked as a showgirl and continued developing her figure. At . 26, she plumped up to a double D cup and three years later, she became a . triple D and had six more operations to expand her breast size. At 24 she increased to a K cup and last year, she ballooned to an L cup. The . surgery-addicted model, says she prepares her skin before implants to . avoid the risks of rupturing, and take every care to avoid dangerous . infections. Along with . breast augmentations, Ms Wildd has also had two tummy tucks, four full . body liposuctions, ab sculpting, lip implants, bottom implants and two . bottom lifts. Cosmetic and . reconstructive surgeon Dr Alberto Gallerani, based in Miami, previously . warned that Ms Wildd may be suffering from body dysmorphic disorder and . should not have further breast implants. 'The skin around her breasts is already extremely thin, and it would be too dangerous for her to undergo more surgery,' he said. Addicted: The glamour model has had 12 breast enlargements as well as tummy tucks, bottom implants and silcone implants in her lips . ‘I would advise she reconsider and seek help for her surgery obsession.' But Ms Wildd insists next year’s operation will be her last one. She . told the Sun Sentinel: "My major goal is to actually retire the boobs. I . never really wanted to be known for my boobs, I guess my boobs made me . famous. ‘I know a lot of people worry that I am hurting myself or my kids. I promise you, I am not.’ | The surgery will see Lacey Wildd, 45, claim title to the largest augmented breasts in the world .
Her 21lb breasts are already so weighty she has an internal bra implanted into her torso that is made of pigskin and her own muscle . |
174,795 | 6e3c7c99ca22066ccbc482f1438f76d712c15586 | The National Federation of Independent Business is one of the most influential small-business advocacy groups in the country. They battle against government regulation, higher taxes and, perhaps most famously, Obamacare. And they do it all as the self-described "voice of small business." But it turns out that the champions of Main Street America got more money last year from a group backed by billionaire industrialists Charles and David Koch than any other single source. NFIB and its affiliated groups received $2.5 million from Freedom Partners Chamber of Commerce, a conservative advocacy group with deep ties to the Koch empire. Of the five men that sit on the group's board, four are current or former employees of Koch companies and one is a friend of Charles Koch's. Freedom Partners gave the NFIB $1.5 million last year, the biggest single contribution the federation received, according to tax records. The Koch-backed group gave three other NFIB-affiliated group another $1 million, making Freedom Partners among the top two biggest contributors to those groups, records show. The big-money donations are raising questions about whose agenda NFIB is serving, that of mom-and-pop businesses or the captains of big industry. Lisa Gilbert of the government watchdog group Public Citizen said the NFIB is "taking the name of small business in vain." "The idea that Koch brothers money in some way is going to help small businesses is laughable," Gilbert said. "What they're buying is the ability to help set the agenda." And that agenda has included taking the lead on the lawsuit challenging Obamacare (NFIB v. Sebelius) that went to the U.S. Supreme Court. They also opposed increasing income tax rates on people making $250,000 or more, even though the vast majority of small businesses aren't affected by the rate hike. NFIB spokeswoman Jean Card said the organization brings in the bulk of its revenue, about $86 million, from dues its 350,000 members pay. Members, she said, set the group's agenda. Any suggestion to the contrary, is "simply not true." "We do what our members tell us to do. We've been doing it since 1943," she said. On taxes, the organization asked its members in 2010 if the federal government should extend all the Bush-era individual tax rates, 89% said yes. In November 2010 they asked members if Congress should repeal the Affordable Care Act and 93% said yes, Card said. Freedom Partners advocates for lower taxes and supports NFIB's work on reducing government regulations, group spokesman James Davis said. Many of the group's more than 200 members started small businesses. "Freedom Partners, many of the businesses that are represented -- and I can't prove this to you because I'm not going to give you a list of our businesses -- but they are small businesses," he said. "They aren't publicly traded companies." Robert Tappan, a spokesman for Koch Industries, said the company's roots are as a small business. "Koch supports small businesses all over the country through our relationships with our vendors and suppliers and we support wholeheartedly the fundamental mission of NFIB --principled entrepreneurship," he said. This isn't the first time NFIB has taken money from big corporate interests. In 2011, NFIB took $850,000 from the nation's top insurance industry trade group as part of a campaign to repeal a key Obamacare tax. The back-channel transfer by America's Health Insurance Plans to the NFIB allowed insurers to fund a much more politically popular ally in the fight against a tax on health care premiums. | National Federation of Independent Business advocates for small business .
However, it got $2.5 million from a group backed by the industrialist Koch Brothers .
Lisa Gilbert of Public Citizen: NFIB is "taking the name of small business in vain"
NFIB spokeswoman: Bulk of group's $86 million revenue comes from 350,000 members . |
82,692 | ea7acecced9f744b8ba6394fbe7fc4968af89353 | (CNN) -- Leave it to a scientist to spoil the fun about a cartoon fish. "Finding Nemo" was the Oscar-winning, box office animated smash about a clownfish who goes after his young son, who's been plucked from the sea and ends up in a fish tank in a dentist's office. Rare is the child who hasn't seen the movie. So wouldn't it be something if the film or its upcoming sequel accurately depicted the life of a clownfish, writes Patrick Cooney of The Fisheries Blog. Cooney knows his stuff. He's a fish biologist at North Carolina State University with 15 years of experience. His blog post Monday wondered if it would be so bad if Disney showed how clownfish often change sex. Yes, in real life, Nemo might become a woman. Clownfish are sequential hermaphrodites, which helps keeps the species going by keeping the number of adult females and males fairly equal. All young clownfish become male. And after they pair off, the dominant dude becomes a female. (Spoiler alert) This means that if Nemo's mom is killed (as are most of the clownfish) and Nemo hangs out with his dad after they are reunited, then one of them is going to become a woman (likely dad). Or if dad gets fished, then Nemo might become a girl when he pairs off with another male. "Although a much different storyline, it still sounds like a crazy adventure!" Cooney writes below the headline "Finding Nemo lied to your kids." Actually it sounds like he was just trying to use "Finding Nemo" for a little fish education. "We are just having some fun here pointing out the crazy life cycle of clownfish while associating it with something people are familiar with...Finding Nemo," the blog says in the comments (which correctly point out that fish don't actually talk). Perhaps there's still time the to work the lesson into the sequel, "Finding Dory," which is due in 2015. | "Finding Nemo" is about a clownfish's quest to rescue his son .
In real life, one clownfish changes sex when they pair up .
Biologist wonders would it be so bad if kids learned that in a fun cartoon .
There is a movie sequel planned for 2015 . |
197,104 | 8b200d6bf22edb435b02bd620231ce729930ff37 | By . Mike Dawes . England batsman Michael Carberry has signed a new three-year deal with Hampshire. The 33-year-old's existing deal expired at the end of the current campaign, but he is now committed until the end of 2017. Carberry, who opened during the winter's dismal Ashes series and faces an uncertain international future after being ignored by head coach Peter Moores this summer, said: 'It's taken some time but I'm pleased it's now done and dusted and I can now just concentrate on doing well for the club for the next three years and hopefully we can be successful. Eyes on the prize: Michael Carberry has signed a new three-yeal deal with Hampshire . 'If we can secure promotion this year in the County Championship that would be great, it would be nice to play Division One cricket again soon and hopefully I can continue to do well for the club by scoring some runs. 'Hopefully, we can win some more silverware before I finish all together and I'm looking forward to the next three years.' Hampshire director of cricket Giles White added: 'As well as being an extremely popular figure at Hampshire, Michael is a proven match winner and senior player that leads by example. It is great to have him around and playing his part in what promises to be an exciting period for the club.' | England batsman targets promotion to Division One .
Carberry's international future in doubt after poor Ashes series . |
65,359 | b9993ddd81f8265f01b88a74caa0772912749c38 | (CNN) -- Venezuela will nationalize the exploration and mining of gold and recall $11 billion in gold reserves from foreign banks, President Hugo Chavez said Wednesday. "We are going to start bringing the gold to our national bank," Chavez said in a conference call with several of the nation's financial leaders broadcast on state television. He added that Venezuela should diversify its investments, placing more of its reserves in countries such as Russia, China, Brazil and South Africa. "The time has come. The economies of Europe and the United States are sinking. Now we must see that the economies of China, Russia and Brazil are more solid," he said. Venezuelan leaders did not specify when they would begin bringing back gold reserves. "'We want to protect our assets that belong to the Venezuelan people," said Nelson Merentes, president of Central Bank of Venezuela, according to the state-run AVN news agency. "We are going to do it gradually, using a technique used worldwide to bring the gold, because they are physical bars that were deposited and we must certify that they are the same ones." Chavez detailed the gold reserves plan hours after announcing that he planned to issue a decree that will permit the takeover of a gold-rich area in southern Venezuela, according to AVN. Chavez said that the nationalization was necessary "because in that area there is anarchy, there are mafias, smugglers." Venezuela has as much as $12 billion in gold reserves, Chavez said, and "we cannot permit them to keep taking that from us." The Venezuelan leader said the moves would bring more money and stability to Venezuela. But at least one critic argued that Chavez was acting in his own self interest and placing the nation's resources at risk. Roger Noriega, a former U.S. assistant secretary of state, urged Venezuelans to rally "to oppose the looting of the nation's savings" in a blog post on the website of the conservative American Enterprise Institute think tank. Chavez and other leaders "are more concerned with their own fate than for the well-being of the Venezuelan people," he wrote. | "We are going to start bringing the gold to our national bank," Chavez says .
Chavez says a decree will allow the takeover a gold-rich area in southern Venezuela .
He says the moves will bring more money and security to Venezuela .
One critic describes the reserve relocation as "the looting of the nation's savings" |
194,515 | 87cc4f8bc260ca0088cdc4cbf70a9ae5a2e5a6a6 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . Last updated at 1:30 PM on 17th November 2011 . A convoy carrying the Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was pelted with eggs and rocks by a swarm of protesters in the Philippines. Around 100 members of the League of Filipino Students (LFS) stormed past police and threw red paint and eggs on vehicles in Clinton’s motorcade on Wednesday morning in Manila. The motorcade was driving away from the Malacanang Palace, where the 64-year-old had met with President Benigno Aquino III. Under attack: Filipino anti-riot police scuffle with protestors attempting to block US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's convoy near the gates of Malacanang presidential palace in Manila . Show of strength: Protesters burned and ripped U.S. flags during the incident . Seeing red: Anti-U.S demonstrators throw red paint balls at the convoy carrying U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Wednesday . The main body of the convoy turned around and took another route, while police and heavily armed presidential security troops cleared the protesters. The protesters attempting to block the convoy and kick the vehicles opposed a 12-year-old voluntary forces agreement between the U.S. and the Philippines. The agreement exempts U.S. military personnel charged with committing crimes in the Philippines from prosecution under Filipino law. Shortly after the incident, a protester disrupted a public forum with Clinton to urge an end to the pact. Clinton said the protest was a sign that 'people are unafraid to express themselves' in the Philippines. Flip flop cop: A policeman tries to detain a demonstrator who tried to block the convoy of visiting U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton . Anger: Tempers flared between the security staff and protesters . Angry protest: Protesters opposing the visit by Clinton attack her motorcade as a member of the security convoy struggles to stop them . The State Department confirmed the incident and said that Clinton's car was not hit. Deputy State Department spokesman Mark Toner said: 'The secretary's motorcade ran into a crowd of approximately 40 to 50 people, protesters. 'They threw objects at the lead vehicle - I believe it was eggs and paintballs, they maybe threw rocks - and the motorcade pulled out of that area and went to the next scheduled meeting place.' Chaos: A group of students clash with police as they kicked and hurled red paint on vehicles in Clinton's convoy . Protest: Clinton was in the Philippines for the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defence Treaty . Aggression: Police uses a shield to shove a demonstrator back during tghe scuffle . Clinton was in the Philippines for a commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defence Treaty. As part of that treaty, she signed the Manila Declaration binding the countries to work together on a variety of mutual interests. She also revealed she would provide a second warship to the ill-equipped Philippine military as it confronts China in increasingly tense territorial disputes in the South China Sea. Clinton's two-day stay in Manila, which culminated yesterday evening, also saw her holding a bilateral meeting with Filipino President Aquino III. She participated in a social media interview on live television at the city's National Museum, and meeting with the staff of the U.S. Embassy. And her windswept hair did not deter her from a speech in front of U.S. personnel aboard the warship the USS Fitzgerald. Calm before the storm: The protest followed Hillary Clinton's meeting with Philippine President Benigno Aquino III at the presidential palace in Manila . Signing the deal: Clinton yesterday also signed the Joint Statement of Principles on the Partnership for Growth in the Malacanan Palace in Manila . She then jetted off to Bangkok, Thailand, where she held a bilateral meeting with Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. While in Thailand, she pledged $10 million in aid and the assistance of a U.S. naval ship for flood ravaged Thailand. She announced the assistance after talks with the Thai PM, saying that the USS Lassen had docked at a Thai port with crew and helicopters to assist in recovery efforts and assess ways to restore the country's infrastructure. Honoured: Clinton spoke with U.S. personnel aboard the USS Fitzgerald after the ceremony commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Mutual Defence Treaty . Attention: U.S. personnel stood ready for Clinton as she boarded the warship in Manila . Her visit coincided with that of United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, who said he was 'deeply saddened and humbled' after viewing the affected areas, adding that the world body is ready to help the government's relief efforts. Clinton also visited an evacuation centre for Thai flood victims. She played with a toddler and asked a little girl if she was missing school, after exchanging the traditional Thai greeting known as 'wai'. She bowed deeply while pressing her palms together near the face – with some of the 1,400 evacuees currently living in the Ratchamangala National Stadium complex. The windy city: Clinton found it difficult to keep her hair out of her face as she spoke aboard USS Fitzgerald . Live: Clinton took part in a social media television interview at the National Museum in Manila . Following her whistle-stop stay in Thailand, she flew to Indonesia's Bali island for a summit, where a regional maritime dispute with China is expected to top the agenda. Clinton’s plane landed at Bali’s international airport in the capital Denpasar. She will hold talks with the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) whose leaders are meeting ahead of Saturday’s wider East Asia Summit. U.S. President Barack Obama will attend the summit which takes in Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand, and this year welcomes the US and Russia as new members. Gift: Clinton travelled from Manila to Bangkok, Thailand, where she was presented a garland by Thai Chief of Protocol Khanthong Unakul (left) Ritual: Clinton is shown respect, and returns it, to a Thai flood victim during her visit to flood-affected people housed in a Bangkok, Thailand, evacuation centre . Humanitarian: Clinton met and talked to victims of the Thailand flooding during her stay in Bangkok . Another day, another country: Following her whistle-stop tour in Thailand, Clinton travelled to Bali where she will attend the ongoing 19th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit . | Clinton was in Manila to commemorate 60 years of Mutual Defence Treaty .
Promised second warship for ill-equipped Philippine military .
Then visited Thailand to meet flood victims .
Pledged $10 million in aid and help of U.S. naval ship .
Now in Indonesian island of Bali for Southeast Asian Nations summit . |
227,246 | b240276e5072e0008e6d995093e385b2bb8baa5f | One-time Arsenal target suffers thigh injury to rule him out of tournament . Phillip Lahm, Manuel Neuer and Bastian Schweinsteiger yet to train . Christoph Kramer set to win crocked Bender's place . By . Richard Sharpe . Germany midfielder Lars Bender has been ruled out of the World Cup in Brazil with a thigh injury in another blow to coach Joachim Low's plans. Two days after Germany started their preparations in northern Italy, the Bayer Leverkusen player became the latest injury victim and pulled out of the 27-man provisional squad. The 25-year-old, who has scored four times in 17 international appearances and has attracted interest from Arsenal, picked up a 'combined' muscle and tendon injury in his right thigh in training on Thursday evening and will now leave the camp. Pain game: Lars Bender (L), pictured alongside Mats Hummels during a German training session in Italy on Thursday, will miss the World Cup after suffering a thigh injury . His bad luck follows that of his twin brother Sven, who failed to make the squad because of injury, and throws the door open for unexpected call up Christoph Kramer to claim a World Cup spot. 'When a player is ruled out so close before a tournament then it is very disappointing for everyone,' Low said in a statement. 'I feel personally very sorry for Lars because I know how much he wanted to be in Brazil.' Bender is the latest German to suffer injury with captain Philipp Lahm and first choice keeper Manuel Neuer out for days and still to arrive in Italy because of knocks. Doubts: Bayern Munich pair Phillip Lahm and Manuel Neuer (R) are yet to train with the Germany squad . Fellow Bayern Munich team mate Bastian Schweinsteiger is also yet to begin training with the team as he works on his fitness following a knee inflammation, while Real Madrid’s Sami Khedira is also just back from a cruciate ligament tear last year. Top striker Miroslav Klose is racing to get fit in time of the tournament after an injury-plagued season at Italy’s Lazio and has also yet to train with the team. Several other players, including regulars Mario Gomez and Ilkay Guendogan did not even make the provisional squad after failing to return to full fitness from long injury absences this season. The three-time World Cup winners have been drawn in Group G along with Portugal, United States and Ghana. Open door: Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Christoph Kramer is now in the frame to replace Bender in the Germany squad . | One-time Arsenal target suffers thigh injury to rule him out of tournament .
Phillip Lahm, Manuel Neuer and Bastian Schweinsteiger yet to train .
Christoph Kramer set to win crocked Bender's place . |
146,199 | 490bfd2de4ec78bf5adb1b6139806da1499b678d | (CNN) -- Pakistan on Sunday launched a military operation in a restive province near the border with Afghanistan in an attempt to "finish off" militants in the area "once and for all," Defense Minister Khawaja Asif told CNN. Asif said the operation, which included airstrikes early Sunday, was the government's second option, but negotiations with the Pakistani Taliban failed. On Monday, the Pakistani Taliban issued a statement calling on all foreign-run businesses, international airline companies and multinational companies to "wrap up their affairs (and) leave Pakistan immediately." The statement was issued by spokesman Shahidullah Shahid in response to the military's operation. Shahid said the Pakistani Taliban will meet any military operation with an equally damaging response and that "the government will yearn for talks and peace but will realize that it is now too late." Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif defended the operation to members of parliament on Monday, saying that the government had tried patiently to pursue peace talks. "On one hand we were pursuing dialogue, and on the other we were being targeted. We were pursuing talks, but from Islamabad courts to Karachi airport we were attacked." Sharif vowed that the operation would continue until terrorism is eliminated from Pakistan. Six soldiers were killed and three were injured Monday in an IED explosion, according to Pakistan's military. Two soldiers died in an exchange of fire that killed seven terrorists who were trying to flee, the Defense Ministry said. Earlier the military released a statement that said 50 suspected terrorists were killed in the airstrikes. The air raids were based on intelligence about the presence of foreign and local militants who were linked to last week's deadly attack on the Karachi airport, the military said. Asif said the Karachi airport attack was the "straw that broke the camel's back." Here's a look at what you need to know about Pakistan . Pakistani Taliban sources said jets dropped five bombs on the Degan area of North Waziristan. The target was a meeting of Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan members, the militant group said, but added that the number of casualties was unclear. "In this operation we will not differentiate between foreign and local militants," Asif said. "We are determined to finish them off, once and for all." Most of the fatalities in the strikes were Uzbek fighters, the military said. The raid took place in Degan and Datta Khel. Asif said the military hopes to conclude the offensive -- called Zarb-e-Azb in Urdu, which translates to "Strike of the Prophet's Sword" -- by the beginning of Ramadan on June 28. But it may take two or three months, he said, until "our land ... is free of this menace." He said it is a Pakistani-only operation and the United States hasn't been asked to assist with drone strikes. Northwestern Pakistan is home to loosely governed tribal areas. It's also a base for foreign fighters and a refuge for members of the Islamist militant Haqqani movement. Last week, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan claimed it carried out the airport attack, which resulted in an hours-long siege and left dozens dead, including the assailants. The militants said the attack was carried out with the Pakistani Taliban. There were reports that travelers were congregating in hotels and restaurants in towns like Bannu after being stranded due to a curfew that began Friday. Asif said the government will help out residents. "We are at war now. There will be inevitable fallouts," he said. "If there is blowback, we are ready and prepared to assist people who have had to flee from their homes." CNN's Zahir Shah Shirazi and Aliza Kassim contributed to this report. | NEW: Pakistan's Prime Minister justifies operations, saying talks failed .
7 Pakistani soldiers have died in the operation against militants near Afghan border .
Military says it conducted airstrikes based on intelligence on presence of militants .
The militants were linked to planning the Karachi airport attack, military says . |
50,404 | 8e962efade8db50fba94e93ad138db22c7fd1880 | By . Daily Mail Reporters . PUBLISHED: . 20:17 EST, 12 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 08:18 EST, 13 October 2013 . The viral sensation known as 'Kai, the hatchet-wielding hitchhiker,' who is accused of killing a lawyer last spring, has released a song online while awaiting trial in jail. Caleb 'Kai' McGillvary, 25, has been charged with beating to death a 73-year-old New Jersey man in May. He is being held in the Union County Jail on $3million bail. On Friday, McGillvary's supporter Terry Ratliff posted a YouTube video called Kai Live From Inside featuring a musical jailhouse performance by the accused killer. Scroll down for videos . Jailbird: Former Internet star Caleb 'Kai' McGillvary, 25, released a YouTube song from jail, where he has been held since July when he was arrested for murder . The nearly 7-minute clip begins with the muffled sound of McGillvary singing a composition he had written called 'Jubilee' over the phone, with the music set against a slideshow of photos from his earlier years and his adventures on the road. After concluding the performance of his country-inspired song, McGillvary explains to his listeners that he will continue keeping them abreast with his life on the inside with weekly YouTube updates. In August, the 25-year-old suspect was rushed to a hospital after suffering a self-inflicted wound in an apparent suicide attempt. Kai became an Internet celebrity after . he thwarted a deadly attack on a California woman with the help of his . hatchet last February. Staunch supporters: Following his arrest in May on a murder charge, McGillvary's many fans have been raising money for his defense fund . Promotional materials: Kai's friends have been distributing 'Free Kai' posters containing information on the donation page and the Facebook support groups . A video of McGillvary's interview after the incident has gone viral, spawning parodies and countless memes on social media sites, and earning his thousands of admirers. Following his arrest in May on a murder charge, McGillvary's numerous fans from across the country have been hard at work trying to raise money for his defense fund. Terry Ratliff, of Gerogia, who has emerged as one of Kai's staunchest supporters, set up an online fundraiser on the site GoFundMe.com, asking people to donate $70,000 to help the 25-year-old homeless man cover his legal fees. As of Saturday evening, Kai's online war chest boasted just under $4,225 in donations. Kai's friends also have been spreading the word about his predicament by distributing 'Free Kai' posters depicting the 25-year-old 'homefree' hitchhiker playing the guitar and advertising the donation page and the Facebook support group. Hospitalized: Caleb McGillvary, known as Kai, is pictured following his arrest in May. He was rushed to a hospital in August with self-inflicted wounds following a suicide attempt, officials have said . Despite appearances on Jimmy Kimmel and an immediate fan base, Kai's hero status suffered a blow after he was accused in July of beating 73-year-old lawyer Joseph Galfy to death at his home after they met in Times Square. Galfy's body was found two days later. Their earlier encounter was caught on surveillance video. The victim was found severely beaten and wearing only his underwear and socks by police, who went to his home to check on his well-being. In custody: Mugshot of Caleb 'Kai the Hitchhiker' McGillvary, 25, taken after his arrest in Philadelphia . Statements posted on McGillvary's Facebook page following the homicide indicated the encounter was sexual in nature. On his Facebook page, McGillvary's last post before he was arrested said: 'What would you do? if you awoke in a stranger's house and found you'd been drugged and sexually assaulted.' One friend who commented suggests 'hitting him with a hatchet' – and McGillvary's final comment on the post said: 'I like your idea.' Photos and a YouTube video from early March show the 24-year-old vagrant getting an elaborate tattoo on his right cheek which helped police apprehend him after a Starbucks barrista recognized it and told police. McGillivary was later booked into the Union County Jail on $3million bail. McGillvary, better known on YouTube and Facebook as Kai . Lawrence, Caleb Kai Lawrence and Kai Nicodemus, became an instant Internet celebrity . in February when he was featured on a California news report for saving three people . from 54-year-old Jett Simmons McBride by hitting him on the head with a . hatchet. The homeless hitchhiker, who describes himself as 'homefree,' was riding in a passenger seat with McBride when he said the man started making . racist comments and calling himself Jesus Christ. Murder investigation: McGillvary (left), 24, was arrested in connection to the killing of New Jersey lawyer Joseph . Galfy Jr (right), who was found dead in his Clark, NJ, home dead from a . blunt force trauma . Striking: Kai shows off his new face tattoo as he appears in court in July, where he pleaded not guilty . The incident culminated with the out-of-control driver slamming . into a black utility worker and pinning him against his truck. He then . allegedly attacked two women who came to the aid of the victim, at which point . McGillvary jumped into action and hit the assailant over the head with a . hatchet he had on him. McGillvary, sporting long shaggy hair tied with a bandanna, . later described his heroics in a hilarious, profanity-laced stream-of-consciousness . interview that instantly went viral online. Since the February incident, the 24-year-old self-described . surfer dude has been regularly writing about his adventures on the road on his . Facebook page under the user name 'Caleb Kai Lawrence Yodhehwawheh. Disturbing twist: 'Kai the hatchet welding hitchhiker,' whose real name is Caleb Lawrence McGillvary, is accused of killing a man just months after he was hailed as a hero for saving three people from a crazed man . Celebrity: McGillvary (left) became an Internet sensation in February after giving an interview about his hatchet heroics, and he was even invited by late-night host Jimmy Kimmel (right) to appear on his show . According to his Facebook page, Galfy was a founding partner . at the Rahway law firm Kochanski, Baron Galfy, P.C. Galfy's neighbors said the 73-year-old had been living alone . since his long-time partner died five years prior. According to . Galfy's obituary, he served in the Army from 1965 to 1970 as a major, . and got his Juris Doctor degree from Seton Hall University. Galfy served as the attorney for the Planning Board in Green Brook, and in his free time played in a wedding band for 25 years. | Caleb Lawrence McGillvary, 25, better known as Kai, had a friend post the 7-minute video on YouTube featuring his new song Jubilee .
Kai was arrested for the murder of Joseph Galfy Jr in Clark in May .
McGillvary wrote on Facebook a day after murder that he woke up in a strange house and discovered he was sexually assaulted by a man .
Kai's supporters have raised so far $4,224 for his defense - a fraction of the $70,000 goal . |
85,704 | f315e2d5c58ff479e58e9312736704db35190c72 | (CNN) -- In "Street Kings," Keanu Reeves' bad-boy cop Tom Ludlow may not play by the rules, but the film sure does. Keanu Reeves, second from left, and Forest Whitaker are shifty cops in "Street Kings." The movie is textbook Cop Noir. Directed by David Ayer, who wrote "Training Day" and directed "Harsh Times," from a script that originated with "L.A. Confidential" novelist James Ellroy, it's a story both men have told before and will doubtless return to again. Too bad that story -- the one about the constant struggle with an impure world, betrayal, disillusionment, retribution, all that jazz -- isn't told with much originality this time around. As Ludlow, a detective with a special LAPD vice squad, Reeves shoots first and asks questions much, much later. In his field the bad guys are easy to spot, and if Tom has to get his hands dirty, well, then he'll be careful to wipe away the residue before he calls it in. He works from the gut. We have Ludlow's number from the beginning: He wakes up, vomits, cleans his gun, and knocks back a couple of miniature bottles of vodka. Then he crashes a kidnappers' den and puts down four gangsters before they know what's hit them. "Don't worry," he tells the distraught little girls caged up in the back. "I'm a cop." It's probably superfluous to add that he's still nursing a grievous hangover from the wife who died in flagrante with a person unknown two or three years ago. It's also probably superfluous to mention that Internal Affairs (headed by Hugh Laurie) is beginning to sniff around Ludlow's unit. In particular, IA is talking to his ex-partner Washington (Terry Crews), a revelation that sends Ludlow reaching for his baseball bat. Before he can put Washington straight, though, his old pal is gunned down before his eyes by a couple of punks. Can Ludlow cover up his own potentially incriminating presence at the scene and still track down the cop killers? Hell, yes, even if he has to alienate everyone in the department before he's through. Reeves doesn't do much "acting" as such, but he doesn't need to: His performance is clean and spare, in synch with Ayer's clipped economy, and he has a doleful quality that goes some way to redeem a nasty and wretchedly naïve character. Alcoholism doesn't appear to have thrown off Ludlow's aim any, but it must have dulled his reasoning. A broody, intuitive detective should be able to piece together this boilerplate mystery without too much head-scratching, but Ludlow never stops to look even two steps ahead. (I guess he's not a James Ellroy fan.) But what he lacks in insight he makes up for in sheer determination, not to say blood-lust. In a neat touch, when it's time to cool off his public profile for a spell, the rogue cop is transferred to a desk in the complaints department -- surely his idea of purgatory, and, obviously, an utterly pointless occupation. Forest Whitaker boosts the energy level as Ludlow's paternalistic mentor, boss, and No. 1 fan: "You're the tip of the spear," he tells him. "Who else is going to hold back the animals?" Violent and cynical and a shade or two overdetermined, "Street Kings" ably demonstrates the pitfalls embedded in the pragmatics of "a necessary evil," or anyone who sets himself up as a law unto himself, but ultimately it can't conceive of a better alternative. After all, the rest is politics, a game that even the most hard-boiled anti-hero would never lower himself to enter. And, besides, he's seen it before. "Street Kings" is rated R and runs 107 minutes. For Entertainment Weekly's take, click here. E-mail to a friend . | "Street Kings" has been done better before, says CNN.com's Tom Charity .
Movie stars Keanu Reeves as rogue cop who finds self in awkward position .
Film is adequate, but no surprises for those who've seen "Training Day" |
102,238 | 0fbeed2a0de0ce37f0e844737a3f9a62d4875719 | (CNN) -- Anti-China protesters gathered Saturday in Tokyo and six other major cities in Japan to rally against what it calls an invasion of disputed islands that both claim are part of their territories. Protesters held up Japanese flags and chanted, "We will not allow Communist China to invade our territory." Beijing says the Diaoyu Islands and most of the South China Sea belong to China, disputing neighboring countries' claims. In Japan, the islands are known as the Senkaku. The rally was organized by Toshio Tamogami, a former Japanese chief of staff for the Self Defense Force. Japan rejects China's demand for an apology . "Senkaku Islands is Japan's traditional territory," Tamogami said. "If we don't protect it, China will make action to take it." Tamogami called China a "thief" and vowed to protect the islands. Beijing and Tokyo have been clashing over the arrest of a Chinese fishing captain by Japan off the disputed islands. The captain was accused of hitting two Japanese coast guard ships and obstructing public officers while they performed their duties. "I am very angry with China," said student Shohei Fukumoto. China should apologize and pay for the repair of the vessel because the captain was in Japan's territory when the accident happened, according to Fukumoto. Japan has since freed the fishing captain, who returned to a hero's welcome in China. Yoko Sakamoto, 55, said Japan has been too easy on China. "I 'd like to criticize Japanese government's weak attitude toward China and Senkaku Islands issue, rather than China itself," Sakamoto said. "We should get our national pride back." The captain's arrest prompted the suspension of diplomatic talks and canceled trips between the nations. Beijing has sought an apology and compensation over the arrest, which Tokyo has rejected. Japan has also demanded compensation for damage done to coast guard ships. Journalist Chie Kobayashi contributed to this report. | Protesters hold up Japanese flags and chant slogans against China .
Beijing says the Diaoyu Islands belong to China .
In Japan, the islands are known as the Senkaku . |
102,103 | 0f93978e931cebfe855040d078cdf4baa289875e | Newsreels showing the Duchess of Cambridge's great-great-great uncle greeting Prince William's ancestor has been uncovered. The British Pathe footage taken in 1927 shows Sir Charles Lupton, the lord mayor of Leeds, and his wife Isabella greeting the Queen's aunt Princess Mary. Even earlier newsreels of Sir Charles visiting the Leeds Pals Battalion in the Yorkshire Dales during the First World War have also been found. Ancestor: News reels of the Duchess of Cambridge's great-great-great . uncle Sir Charles Lupton (right) has been uncovered of him inspecting the . Leeds Pals Battalion in a camp near Colsterdale . The forebears of the Duchess, pictured last month, are featured in the black and white footage . Princess Mary was in Leeds to inaugurate a girls' week campaign for Hunslet Young Women's Christian Association. In the footage from 1915 Sir Charles, wearing his chain of office, bowler hat, suit and overcoat, inspects the soldiers accompanied by an officer, and in one shot is followed by a large entourage. He was joined by his three brothers, Arthur, Hugh and Kate's great-great grandfather Francis Lupton. Both Francis and Sir Charles were Trinity College Cambridge academics. It is not known which man in the entourage was Francis but his name was noted down by the original cameraman. Alastair . White, general manager of British Pathe, said: 'We often get contacted . by visitors to our website who are thrilled to find films of their . ancestors, their close family or even themselves as youngsters. 'We . knew we had many films of Prince William's family, but it was a real . surprise to find that we also have the Duchess of Cambridge's ancestors . and that they were meeting royalty.' Francis Martineau Lupton, Kate's great-great . grandfather (left) and Sir Charles Lupton, Kate Middleton's great-great-great uncle (right) Hugh Lupton followed in his brother's footsteps and also became lord mayor of Leeds. Fashions might have changed since the . 1920s but royal visits remain largely the same, and the Princess was . given a large bouquet of flowers as she left and her entourage drove off . in chauffeur-driven limousines. Links to the Lupton family were discovered by history teacher Michael Reed and his pupils in Australia in April this year during a class project. Sir Charles was the founder of the world's largest law firm DLA Piper. The class assignment also revealed that the Duchess' second cousin - thrice removed - is Newnham College graduate Lady Barbara Bullock. Mr Reed traced the Duchess's family line back five generations to the Marquess of Lansdowne and his brother Thomas FitzMaurice who lived at the Buckinghamshire stately home Cliveden with his wife Mary, 4th Countess of Orkney in the late 18th century. Pupils in Australia traced the Duchess' family tree back to the 18th century . | British Pathe found newsreel of Sir Charles Lupton meeting Princess Mary .
Footage from the First World War also shows him visiting troops . |
197,225 | 8b468f51878c5770a3604836b01e72c706beb7a3 | By . Steph Cockroft . and Mark Duell . Southern Britain is set to be battered by flash flooding this Friday two days before the remnants of Hurricane Bertha make landfall across the Atlantic. A yellow ‘be aware’ rain warning is in place for the South East on Friday due to an unconnected weather front moving in from the English Channel. It comes after residents in the North East had to battle with heavy downpours and flooding today in the first glimpse of a wave of wet weather. Commuters in Newcastle were seen driving through deep flooding as up to 1in (25mm) of rain fell in just three hours, causing flash flooding in some parts. But the heavy rain is expected to clear to make way for sunshine later today and tomorrow. Scroll down for video . Commuters in Newcastle woke up to flooded roads this morning after heavy rain and thundery showers poured down across the north of England through the night . The flooding is the first glimpse of the wet weather which is expected to hit the UK this weekend, as the tail end of an Atlantic storm moves across to Europe . Emergency services had to attend to several minor road collisions and . were called to help residents who could not deal with this morning's . flooding . In just three hours, there was 11m of rainfall recorded in Durham and 11.4mm in parts of Cumbria, as heavy rainfall hit across northern and eastern areas . The tail-end of Bertha is then . expected to hit by Sunday, after it has been battering the Caribbean . islands with gusts of more than 90mph. As . it moves across the Atlantic tomorrow, it is expected to 'intensify . rapidly' but will slow down and 'weaken' again as it moves further east. Although . it has now been downgraded to an ‘extra tropical storm,’ Bertha is . predicted to bring two days of heavy rain for the South. Met . Office deputy chief meteorologist Chris Tubbs said: ‘There is a 70 per . cent chance it will hit the South and 30 per cent in the North. ‘I don't think winds will be an issue but because this was a tropical storm at origin, there could be very heavy rain. ‘The areas particularly vulnerable are along the south coast, across the London area and East Anglia. The three-day forecast shows a mix of rain, sunshine and scattered . showers across most parts of the UK, with heavy rain due, particularly . in the south, on Friday . Pedestrians shelter under their umbrellas from the rain on Newcastle Quayside. Many streets in the city were left with surface water flooding after rainfall last night . The Met Office said most of the country would see sunshine and dry . weather on Thursday, before rain starts to hit London, The Midlands and . the south and south east on England on Friday . The Met Office said there was not an 'unusual amount' of rain for this . time of year but that, because it fell in a short period of time, it led . to flash flooding in parts of the country, including here in Newcastle . There is expected to be more 'persistent' rain in . the north of the country on Friday, while a wet weather warning could be . put in place for southern parts of the country . Punts in Oxford, which are in demand by tourists . over the summer holidays, were left waterlogged this morning after a . night of heavy rain . ‘There . will be heavy rain of up to 50mm (2in) in that period. If it falls in . between six and 12 hours there is a potential for floods.’ The . Met Office’s yellow warning on Friday was issued in Cambridgeshire, . East Sussex, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, London, Norfolk and Suffolk. It . alerted the public to ‘heavy, possibly thundery rain’ and a ‘risk of . disruption to travel due to standing surface water on some roads’. Bertha . is currently off the eastern seaboard of the US and is expected to move . across the Atlantic, with the remnants reaching Europe at the . weekend. But the Met Office . said its forecasts and those of other meteorological organisations show . the UK should miss any serious impacts’ from its tail end. The wet weather has already arrived in some parts of the country. Last . night in Carlisle, there was 0.97in (24.6mm) of rain recorded in six . hours, while parts of Cumbria saw more than 0.43in (11mm) fall in three . hours. Surfers in the water at Fistral Beach, Newquay, enjoyed the warm weather which spread across the south west today, after heavy rain in the area yesterday . After heavy rain on Tuesday, sunshine spread across the south west, including Cornwall. The sunshine . is expected to stay in the area until Friday, when rain is forecast . Forecasters said most areas would enjoy dry weather on Wednesday and . Thursday, with some sunshine and the odd heavy shower. Pictured: A dog basks in the . sunshine at Fistral Beach, Cornwall . This storm tracker shows Bertha moving across the Atlantic on Wednesday . and Thursday, before heading east towards the UK on Friday . This shows Bertha, shown in red, which has been downgraded from a . hurricane to a storm. The Met Office said it will lose momentum as it . leaves the warm seas and now has a 30 per cent chance of hitting the UK . This shows the direction of Bertha, which will cause a 'summer storm', consisting of blustery winds and rain, if it reaches the UK on Sunday evening . People flocked to Brighton beach yesterday afternoon to make the most of . the final rays of sunshine before a weekend of predicted wet weather . In Walkergate, . Newcastle, a number of commuters found themselves stuck in knee-high . rain water as they attempted to drive to work. Although . the Met Office said these measurements were 'not unheard of' at this . time of year, the sudden downpours did cause flash flooding. A spokesman said: 'The North East have experienced very heavy rain over the past 24 hours. ‘There were heavy showers in a short amount of time this morning which would have been what caused the flooding. 'The . rain is due to ease off and tomorrow will be a much brighter picture. It is going to be a dry night with clear spells and a fresh feeling.' Meanwhile, the heavy rain seen across eastern and northern parts of the country was expected to gradually clear today. In . other parts of the country, people will be able to enjoy mostly dry . weather today and tomorrow, with some sunshine and the odd heavy shower. | Commuters in Newcastle battled with heavy downpours and flooding today as thundery showers hit overnight .
Rain will clear tonight and tomorrow, but more downpours is expected across country on Friday and Sunday .
Forecasters: Tail end of Atlantic storm Bertha has 70% chance of hitting South and 30% in North this Sunday . |
51,062 | 907c07da9fc02a67bd6bedfce92c5051699367aa | By . Rebecca Camber . UPDATED: . 11:41 EST, 24 January 2012 . On trial: Asil Nadir arrives at the Old Bailey, London, with his wife, Nur . It has been nearly 19 years since he famously fled British justice. But yesterday Asil Nadir finally went on trial for allegedly stealing £150million to fund his luxury lifestyle. The 70-year-old is accused of plundering his Polly Peck business empire to pay for lavish properties, cars and gifts for himself and his family, causing the firm to collapse nearly 22 years ago. The tycoon, who had at his disposal . five company cars including Bentleys and a Ferrari Testarossa, as well . as a company aeroplane, then fled as fraud investigators closed in. On . the eve of his trial in May 1993 he jetted off to his native Northern . Cyprus where he set up home. It . was not until August 2010 that Nadir flew back to London and was . re-arrested. Yesterday the former fugitive entered the Old Bailey . grinning as he prepared to go into the dock for the first time to face . 13 charges of theft. Nadir . stopped to shake hands and wave at supporters after arriving in a . presidential-style cavalcade. He was flanked by minders and accompanied . by his glamorous second wife Nur, 27. The . defendant sat calmly as the court heard how he raided the firm's . accounts to splash out on a string of million pound properties and . luxuries such as a new Mercedes for his first wife Ayshegul, cash for . his son Birol and livestock for a 'model farm' on a country estate in . Leicestershire. He even used the stolen cash to pay off his tax bill and debts, it was alleged. Nadir . is facing trial over 13 specimen counts of theft amounting to . £33million and $2.5million. But prosecutor Philip Shears, QC, said the . 'much bigger picture' was that he stole £146million and $6.4million in a . total of 64 transfers. The cash was allegedly taken between August 1987 and August 1990 from three accounts held by Polly Peck International (PPI), a major international conglomerate which had more than 200 subsidiaries trading in food, electronics, textiles and leisure and housed the Del Monte fruit business. Nadir is said to have ordered his henchmen to take out bags of bank notes, often totalling £100,000, from banks which he 'dishonestly routed away to benefit himself, his family or associates'. Mr Shears told jurors: 'Mr Nadir was chairman and chief executive of PPI. He was a man who wielded very considerable power over its operations and management and that of its subsidiaries, particularly in Northern Cyprus. In the dock: A court drawing shows Nadir on the opening day of his trial, where the Old Bailey heard he stole £150m from his business empire . 'Dishonest': Nadir and his wife Nur at court, where Nadir is on trial over allegations he stole £34million . 'We say he abused that power and helped himself to tens of millions of pounds of PPI's money. 'The time span of the counts is . between 1987 and 1990. That is a long time ago. Why are we trying . matters so long ago? The answer is simple. He was due to stand his trial . in late 1993 but in May of 1993 he fled the country to Northern Cyprus, . thus leaving the jurisdiction, only to return in August 2010. 'The funds were used in a variety of ways for the benefit of Nadir himself, his family and his associates.' Exit: Nadir leaves court this evening following the conclusion of the day's proceedings at the Old Bailey . The jury heard that Nadir hid . £7.5million he siphoned off from his firm in his mother, Safiye's, bank . accounts. The rest of the stolen cash went through a complex series of . transactions through companies in Switzerland and the Bahamas and a bank . he owned in Northern Cyprus, it was said. When the company folded owing more . than £550million, administrators found that the vast majority of cash . was held in Northern Cyprus. By December 1989, £202.6million – 81 . per cent of all Polly Peck's cash balances – was held by its Turkish and . Northern Cyprus companies. By the end of June 1990 this had risen to . £305.8million. When questioned about the cash . transfers, Nadir allegedly told his board it made good business sense . and that he needed to pay citrus growers for produce. Shortly before the firm collapsed in . October 1990, Nadir increased his salary from £200,000 to £350,000, the . court heard. Mr Shears said: 'When the administrators went to Northern . Cyprus they effectively found no cash at all, just a black hole. We say . there is a perfectly good explanation for that – it had gone. Mr Nadir . had stolen it.' The jury heard that Nadir was the . dominant force in the company which he built up from an ailing textiles . firm in the early 1980s. Mr Shears said: 'He directed its . affairs in an autocratic manner and refused to tolerate rival sources of . power in the management or to accept constraints upon his freedom of . action.' Unlike other businesses, PPI operated . with a single signatory system where only one member of the board could . authorise the transfer of funds as Nadir refused to 'surrender the power . to transfer funds'. But he relied on help from his alleged . accomplice, Elizabeth Forsyth, his 'personal financial officer' who was . managing director of South Audley Management (SAM) which ran most of . the money transactions. Jason Davies, another director of SAM, also . 'provided assistance to Nadir in his dishonest enterprise', the court . heard. They allegedly worked together to help . Nadir use PPI money to secretly buy £26.2million in PPI shares to prop . up its share price, which allowed the company to borrow more from banks, . helped maintain the value of Nadir's own shareholding and prevented . lenders forcing the sale of his personal stock. The court heard that Nadir also used the cash to invest in businesses he owned or controlled. They included a newspaper and . publishing company in Northern Cyprus, a Swiss computer firm he used to . get a Swiss residence permit, a Turkish airline, Baggrave Farm – a . country estate in Leicestershire – and Burley on the Hill, a hotel . development project in Rutland. Nadir, of Belgravia, denies 13 counts of theft. The trial continues. | Nadir denies 13 charges against him at start of Old Bailey trial .
Court hears most of the funds ended up in offshore companies based in Switzerland, the Bahamas and elsewhere .
Companies owned by Nadir's mother received £7.5m of the fraudulent money . |
59,540 | a9127de5251ac8a39841af06122929a4489282ed | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 10:21 EST, 15 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 11:03 EST, 15 October 2013 . A baby dramatically born on the bathroom floor of a Florida McDonald's restaurant on Monday is set to be known as 'Ronald', according to family. Heroic McDonald's staff assisted in the birth while a concerned 911 operator gave instructions over a mobile telephone as it became known the newborn was neither breathing nor moving. Paramedics arrived on the scene just as the baby boy took its first breath after the cool 911 dispatcher instructed the McDonald's staff to rub the baby's back. The baby's mother, 20-year-old Shardonnay Hill, had stopped at the Lake Wales restaurant, between Orlando and Tampa, on Monday morning on her way to a doctor's check-up with her grandmother. New mother Shardonnay Hill (left) and grandmother Barbara Albert (right) pictured in hospital after the birth of baby 'Ronald', born on the bathroom floor of a Florida McDonald's restaurant . But no one quite knew just what would happen as first-time mother Hill served up her own rush order in the popular fast food restaurant. 'I stopped to get a cup of coffee (and) she stopped to use the bathroom,' Barbara Albert, the woman's grandmother, told BayNews9. Albert said her granddaughter, sensing something was up with her soon-to-be-born baby, pleaded with staff: 'Go and get something.' Employees quickly responded to calls for help and placed cardboard boxes on the bathroom floor for the laboring mother to lie on. 'She can't have the baby over the toilet,' a McDonald's worker suggested, according to Albert. The McDonald's restaurant in Lake Wales, Florida, where a woman gave birth on the bathroom floor. The baby came 3 months early and will be known as 'Ronald' The McDonald's employees, identified as shift manager Catherine Page, Phylis Tirado, and Jessica Robtouch, swung into action. 'I have three boys but have never done anything like that before,' said Tirado, according to local blog The Daily Ridge. Albert said her granddaughter was just six months pregnant and the baby was born five minutes into the 911 call with the Polk County dispatcher. The baby was still in its amniotic sac when it was delivered and was not breathing, according to a recording of the call. Caller: 'The baby's out.' 911: 'The baby's completely out of her, still in the sack?' Caller: 'Should we bust it?' 911: 'Yes, go ahead and bust the sack.' Caller: 'Oh, the little baby's moving. There he is.' 911: 'Is the baby crying or moving?' Caller: 'Not yet.' 20-year-old Shardonnay Hill gave birth to a baby boy on the bathroom floor of a Florida McDonald's restaurant. The baby boy will be known as 'Ronald', according to family . 'The paramedics finally gotten there,' said Albert. 'At that time, I seen the baby changing color.' The baby's aunt said that considering the boy had been born in his mother's favorite restaurant he would be known as 'Ronald'. 'That's her favorite restaurant and we need to call him Ronald,' said Vanessa Richardson. 'That's what we need to call him. His nickname is going to be Ronald McDonald.' Vanessa Richardson, the baby's aunt, said the boy would be known as 'Ronald' after it was born on the bathroom floor of the family's favorite restaurant . Albert, now a great-grandmother, said . the baby's name on the birth certificate would be 'Joshua Murray'. 'I . just hope and pray that the baby will be okay,' said Albert. 'She's a . young mother, it's her first pregnancy, first baby. So she's upset.' Albert said the baby was transported from the restaurant at 416 West Central Avenue in Lake Wales to Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center in Davenport and was later airlifted to All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg. 'We wish the baby well and hope mom will bring him back to see all of us,' said the restaurant's assistant manager, Karen Davis. Mother Shardonnay Hill, 20, in a photo from her Facebook page. The Florida woman's baby was born 3 months before its due date with help from McDonald's workers and a 911 dispatcher . | Baby boy was born three months before his due date and rushed to a specialist hospital by helicopter .
Employees placed cardboard boxes on floor as 911 operator gave instructions over the phone .
Aunt says baby Joshua will always be known as Ronald and it's the family's favorite restaurant . |
205,871 | 9681d1eced3f0e8f5c5b9da6057b7a029812e782 | As the 2014 World Cup continues, Sportsmail will be providing you with all you need to know about every fixture in Brazil from team news and key battles to betting odds and Opta stats... Here is all the information you need for the first game in Group F between Argentina and Bosnia-Herzegovina . Venue: Estadio Jornalista Mario Filho, Rio de JaneiroKick-off: 11pm (7pm, Brazil time)TV coverage: BBC1, from 10.30pmOdds: Argentina 4/11, Draw 7/2, Bosnia-Herzegovina 17/2Referee: Joel Aguilar, El Salvador . Backing their boys: Argentina fans will hope to see their country win the World Cup in Brazil . Managers: Alejandro Sabella (Argentina) and Safet Susic (Bosnia-Herzegovina)Key clash: Lionel Messi v Emir Spahic . The Barcelona forward scored in his first meeting with Spahic, when the defender played for Sevilla in 2011. Spahic, 33, will not even be able to just focus on Argentina’s talisman, with Sergio Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain joining the four-time Ballon d’Or winner to make up a potent front-three. One to watch: Angel di Maria (Argentina) Outstanding for Real Madrid this season, di Maria’s role for his national side is equally important. Not only is the 26-year-old capable of gliding past defenders and chipping in with goals, he also has the discipline to track back and help his side defensively. This will be particularly important given Argentina’s potential weakness at the back. Head-to-head record: Played 2 Argentina Wins 2 . Threat: Angel Di Maria could be one of Argentina's danger men . Team News: . Lionel Messi takes centre stage in the World Cup on Sunday, facing Bosnia-Herzegovina in the Maracana with dreams of returning to the stadium for the final in four weeks' time. Argentina arrive in Rio with expectations running high, not least that Messi will produce the kind of displays that were absent in South Africa four years ago. Argentina have a wonderfully-talented attack, so much so that coach Alejandro Sabella could afford to leave Carlos Tevez out of his squad - but there are still question marks at the back, something readily admitted by Maradona, coach in 2010. That attacking strength is however causing a dilemma for coach Sabella. The coach has admitted that he favours a 5-3-2 formation - but he used a 4-3-3 set-up during the successful qualifying campaign, choosing not to squander his firepower. However, there have been indications in training this week that he is going to be more conservative against Bosnia, which means Gonzalo Higuain missing out. Much, of course, will depend on Messi but Bosnia coach Safet Susic's insists he has no plans to man-mark the four-times world player of the year. This will be Bosnia's World Cup debut, indeed their first major tournament having only played the first match as an independent nation in 1995 following the civil war and break-up of Yugoslavia. Argentina defender Federico Fernandez says they are acutely aware of the threat of Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko. Tough test: Lionel Messi is likely to be marked by Bosnia-Herzegovina's Emir Spahic . | Argentina are one of the favourites to win the World Cup .
Bosnia-Herzegovina are making their debut at the World Cup .
Lionel Messi is set to provide a threat for the South Americans .
Argentina have won nine and lost just one of their last 12 World Cup group games (D2), scoring 24 and conceding just four in total in this run.
La Albiceleste have only mustered two wins in their last nine World Cup games against European sides, drawing four and losing three.
Bosnia-Herzegovina are the only country making their World Cup debut in 2014. Since 1950, the best record for a side making their debut is third, achieved by Portugal in 1966 and Croatia in 1998.
Lionel Messi has only scored one goal in 571 minutes of World Cup football. Indeed only one of his 31 shots in the tournament has found the net.
Argentina have won both previous internationals against the Dragons (both friendlies), scoring seven and conceding none.
Alejandro Sabella’s side scored more goals than any other South American side in qualifying (35).
No player was involved in more goals than Edin Dzeko in the European qualifiers (14 – 10 goals, 4 assists).
Dzeko and compatriot Vedad Ibisevic both scored four headed goals in qualification; the strike partners scored all eight of Bosnia’s headed goals between them. |
216,770 | a4a124923cc13fe8dffccd95d9ec265a2d2d3f79 | By . James Rush . PUBLISHED: . 11:03 EST, 15 December 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 11:05 EST, 15 December 2012 . Just one day after the 'plague ship' arrived back in the UK, a second cruise liner hit by the norovirus vomiting illness has docked in the same port. The Azura arrived in Southampton this morning with passengers suffering from the bug after the Oriana initially brought 300 to the port with the illness yesterday. The latest ship, which has been carrying 3,059 passengers on an 11-night Iberia cruise, was due to leave later for a 12-night Christmas cruise to the Canaries. Sea sick: The Azura cruiseliner has brought ten people back to the UK with the norovirus bug following the 300 sufferers on yesterday's Oriana . Luxury: The atrium at the heart of the Azura has been billed as one of the ship's main features . Ten of those on the cruise which has just ended however have been struck down by the winter vomiting bug. P&O Cruises said: 'There has been an incidence of a mild gastrointestinal illness among the passengers on Azura. 'This illness is suspected to be norovirus, which is highly contagious and typically transmitted from person to person. 'Norovirus is common throughout the UK, Europe and North America and has affected a number of schools, hospitals, nursing homes and children’s day care centres.' Another P&O liner, the Oriana, was yesterday dubbed 'a plague ship' after around 300 passengers were struck by the virus. The ship, which carries 1,843 passengers, returned to Southampton yesterday from a 10-day Baltic cruise and left last night for a 23-night cruise in the eastern Mediterranean. 'Holiday from hell': Passengers arrived back from the Oriana cruise ship on Friday after hundreds were struck down with the vomiting bug . Hundreds of passengers who paid up to £1,429 for the Baltic tour of Christmas markets were struck down by the winter vomiting bug on the fateful cruise. Large parts of the ship were closed off to avoid the virus spreading further and passengers were quarantined as many were sick in corridors, theatres and restaurants. Those who fell ill were ordered to stay in their cabins and miss stop offs as the crew battled to contain the highly contagious virus, which also causes diarrhoea. 'Nightmare': Large parts of the Oriana were closed off to avoid the virus spreading any further . During the cruise, passenger Paul Gilman, 62, told the Daily Mail: 'People were falling like flies, yet the crew were trying to insist everything was fine. 'Everyone is saying, ‘this is a plague ship’. It’s a living nightmare.' Birmingham City Hospital yesterday told visitors to stay away after it was forced to close three wards due to the norovirus infection. Other hospitals have also taken to Twitter to caution visitors and potential patients. Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust tweeted: 'Please don't visit hospital until at least 2 days after last symptoms of #vomiting #diarrhoea #norovirus Stay home, rest & take fluids.' Recent figures from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) show more than 750,000 people could be affected by the outbreak of norovirus that has swept the UK. There have been 2,630 confirmed reports of norovirus so far this season, but for every reported case there are likely to be a further 288 unreported sufferers, the HPA said. It means 757,440 people could be affected by the stomach bug - representing a 72 per cent increase on the same period last year. The infection has led to the closure of dozens of hospital wards. Norovirus is highly contagious and can be transmitted through contact with an infected person or contaminated surfaces and objects. It is known to spread rapidly in closed environments such as hospitals, schools and nursing homes.Symptoms include sudden vomiting, diarrhoea or both, a temperature, headache and stomach cramps. The bug usually goes away within a few days. Although people can suffer from norovirus at any time of the year, activity increases in the winter months, with most cases seen between October and April. | Cruiseliner Azura brings passengers back from trip with vomiting bug .
Ship docked in Southampton just one day after 'plague ship' Oriana .
Was due to leave later on a 12-night Christmas cruise to the Canaries . |
218,211 | a680f90449561903f76a02144b9947020b660834 | British Airways is suspending all of its flights between London and two West African nations for the rest of the year as the region struggles to contain the worst ever outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus. The airline initially said it was halting its service between Heathrow Airport and Liberia and Sierra Leone until the end of August due to ‘the deteriorating public health situation in both countries’, but it confirmed that it is extending the suspension until 31 December. The decision was announced by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office in an updated travel advisory for Britons. Grounded: British Airways has extended its flight ban for two countries dealing with an Ebola outbreak . In a statement provided to MailOnline Travel, British Airways said: ‘The safety of our customers, crew and ground teams is always our top priority and we will regularly reassess the routes in the coming months. ‘Customers with tickets on those routes are being offered a full refund or a range of rebooking options.’ British Airways, the national flag carrier for the UK, normally operates four flights a week between Heathrow Airport and Monrovia, Liberia, with a stopover in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Air France has suspended its flights to and from Sierra Leone, and the French government has urged French nationals to leave Sierra Leone amid concerns about the epidemic that has killed more than 1,400 people in four countries. Several airlines have stopped flying into and out of Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria as they grapple with the worst outbreak since the virus was first detected in 1976. British Airways followed the lead of Emirates, which became the first major international airline to cancel flights, and African carriers Arik and ASKY. Epidemic: More than 1,400 have died during the worst Ebola outbreak since the virus was first detected . Kenya Airways and Korean Air Lines have also halted flights to the region. The current outbreak is believed to have started in Guinea last December. The World Health Organisation said the risk of transmission of Ebola virus disease during air travel is low and it does not recommend any ban on international travel or trade. The FCO is encouraging people to refer to the National Travel Health Network and Centre’s website before travelling to the affected countries, but it has not implemented any travel restrictions. The FCO issued a warning on its website: ‘You should carefully assess your need to travel to these countries. If you do decide to travel, you should make sure you have adequate arrangements in place for onward travel/exit and have adequate emergency health provision.’ Ebola is spread by close contact with organs or bodily fluids from an infected person or animal – living or dead – and there is no proven cure or vaccine. The highly transmissible virus causes haemorrhagic fever that kills as many as 60 per cent to 80 per cent of the people it infects in Africa. | British Airways says it has cancelled all flights until 31 December .
French government has urged its citizens to leave Sierra Leone .
World Health Organisation does not recommend any ban on travel or trade . |
85,592 | f2c4cdb07ef5b791c48e501e336aace267d163f6 | By . Tara Brady . PUBLISHED: . 12:04 EST, 19 September 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 05:01 EST, 20 September 2013 . Rights: Sudanese Amira Osman Hamed faces a possible whipping if she is found guilty in court after refusing to cover her hair . A Sudanese woman who is prepared to be flogged to defend the right to leave her hair uncovered in defiance of a 'Taliban-like' law has appeared in court. Amira Osman Hamed faces a possible whipping if convicted. Under Sudanese law her hair - and that of all women - is supposed to be covered with a 'hijab' but Hamed, 35, refuses to wear one. Her case has drawn support from civil rights activists and is the latest to highlight Sudan's series of laws governing morality which took effect after the 1989 Islamist-backed coup by President Omar al-Bashir. Her . lawyer Moezz Hadhra told AFP said: 'The defence asked the court that . the charges against this woman be withdrawn, and the court adjourned the hearing until October 4 while it considers the request.' In an interview earlier this month, she said: 'They want us to be like Taliban women.' She is charged under Article 152 which prohibits 'indecent' clothing. Hamed said she was visiting a government office in Jebel Aulia, just outside Khartoum, on August 27, when a policeman aggressively told her to cover her head. Hamed, a divorced computer engineer who runs her own company, said: 'This public order law changed Sudanese women from victims to criminals. 'This law is targeting the dignity of Sudanese people.' Amira Osman Hamed said she was visiting a government office in Jebel Aulia when she was told to cover her head . Hamed's case has drawn support from civil rights activists and is the latest to highlight Sudan's series of laws which took effect after 1989 . Defiant: Hamed says she is prepared to be flogged to defend the right to leave her hair uncovered . In 2009, the case of journalist Lubna Ahmed al-Hussein led to a global outcry and highlighted women's rights in Sudan. Hussein was fined for wearing trousers in public but she refused to pay. She spent one day behind bars before the Sudanese Journalists' Union paid the fine on her behalf. Ten other women rounded up with her in a restaurant were each given 10 lashes. | Amira Osman Hamed faces a possible whipping if convicted .
Under Sudanese law her hair is supposed to be covered with a 'hijab'
Case has been adjourned until October 4 . |
122,504 | 2a533bab92a516d2e4a9a0a0fba0bd82dd8cb90d | By . Olivia Williams . PUBLISHED: . 14:08 EST, 6 April 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 15:56 EST, 6 April 2013 . Talented artists were today putting the finishing touches to a series of music-themed sand sculptures ahead of a major exhibition that will last throughout the summer. The international Sand Sculpture Festival starts on Monday and has turned the Black Rock site in Brighton into a sand village of the world's biggest music stars. Around 4,000 tonnes of sand had to be shipped in to Brighton for the 20 artists to work with because the city's own beach is pebbly. The King lives on: Pedro Mira works on his lifelike Elvis sculpture . Age old rivalry: Anique Kuizenga reignites the Oasis v Blur debate with her nineties-themed sculpture . Painstaking: A detailed sculpture of Bob Marley including his trademark dreadlocks and facial hair . But undeterred, the sculptors have got to work on the theme of Sing-a-Song of Sculpture and The Beatles, Beethoven, Led Zeppelin, Elvis Presley and Adele are already visible. The work is a painstaking task to create the perfect sculpting block. Layer by layer, the sand is mixed with water and compacted into wooden boxes using heavy machinery. Classical icon: Beethoven looks vivid in the sand with a forbidding expression . Finishing touches: The X Factor panel get a their rough edges smoothed . Rebel: A mod on a motorbike rides into Brighton . Local legend: DJ Fatboy Slim is mixing records on the beach . Co-organiser and sculptor Nicola Wood said: 'A lot of people are convinced that we mix cement or glue into the sand. They are wrong. It really is just sand and water. The secret is in the preparation. It takes a great deal of strength and endurance to compact such volumes of sand.' Co-organiser Alec Messchaert added: 'We have 20 of the best sculptors in the world here in Brighton so we are confident that our debut exhibition here will be a hit.' The exhibition continues until September 30. Soulful: Sculptors managed to create a strong resemblance to power ballad singer Adele . Bootylicious: Michel de Kok works on Beyonce's famous hips . | Sandy sculptures pay homage to icons from Beethoven to Stevie Wonder .
Sculptors turned 4,000 thousands tonnes of sand into stunning art . |
146,589 | 49928546b3205edc7173f31ae1ea9fc7a0e5f1d2 | (CNN) -- Howard Stern said he almost retired a few months ago because he felt he'd proven everything he needed to in radio. In an interview on Tuesday's "Piers Morgan Tonight," Stern said he knew he had been wildly successful, and said to himself, "Really, why am I doing this anymore? It makes me crazy. I hate getting up early in the morning, and I don't particularly like doing the show." But, Stern told Morgan, he is "driven by a neurotic compulsion" to do his show. He also told Morgan about his desire to please his parents and says he was "rocked" a few years ago when his father, who worked in the radio business, called him a genius. But Stern said despite his father's praise he remains driven. "I think it's my identity," Stern said. "Like, this is who I am. This is what I do." Stern said he feels like he "hit a home run" after a particularly great show. "Like I'm Babe Ruth, you know?" Morgan also touched on the early days of Stern's radio program, when the show's outrageous stunts had never before been considered for -- and didn't necessarily translate to -- radio. "It occurred to me that to have a naked woman on the radio would be outrageous," said Stern. "And yet really who would it offend? It's all theater of the mind. You don't even really know if she's naked or not." Stern also pointed out that people often tell him that his program was the introduction of reality television. Despite naked women frequenting his studio, however, Stern confessed to being a homebody. "I don't like to go out," Stern said. "I don't like to leave the house. I like to stay home, but I'm fascinated by human behavior." One person's behavior he doesn't approve of is Jay Leno's. He said Leno "did a terrible thing to Conan O'Brien" when he went back to the "Tonight Show." "Jay (Leno) is insane," Stern told Morgan. "He's not fit to scrub David Letterman's feet. Yes, I don't know why he's beaten David Letterman in the ratings. It's beyond my comprehension. America must be filled with morons who at night lay in bed -- the ones who are watching him. They must be in a coma." When the discussion turned to politics, Morgan asked Stern what he thinks of the United States and what America has come to. "I love America," he said. "I love our freedom. And nowhere could a guy like me, a schlub like me have success with -- where would I get this freedom of speech? They don't allow this anywhere." Watch Piers Morgan Live weeknights 9 p.m. ET. For the latest from Piers Morgan click here. | Howard Stern says a "neurotic compulsion" drives him to continue his radio show .
Stern says he was "rocked" when his father called him a genius .
Stern on Jay Leno: The "morons" who watch him "must be in a coma" |
90,085 | ffd1594e7cb3961f11108570d58b4d7cf9d69379 | Washington (CNN) -- The government will provide $680 million in compensation to settle a class-action lawsuit by Native American farmers against the U.S. Department of Agriculture, according to a proposed agreement announced Tuesday. Under the agreement, which requires federal court approval, Native Americans can file claims for discrimination involving farm loans that occurred in the period from 1981-1999, said statements by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Attorney General Eric Holder. "Today's settlement can never undo wrongs that Native Americans may have experienced in past decades, but combined with the actions we at USDA are taking to address such wrongs, the settlement will provide some measure of relief to those alleging discrimination," Vilsack said in his statement. The $680 million will compensate eligible members of the class-action suits with valid claims, the statements said. The agreement has two payment tracks -- one provides $50,000 to those who provide substantial evidence of discrimination to an impartial adjudicator, and the other pays up to $250,000 to those who can show economic losses caused by discrimination. "Actual monetary awards are subject to reduction based on the amount of available funding and the number of meritorious claims," the statements said. The settlement also includes $80 million for debt relief, as well as other assistance for Native American farmers. In a White House statement, President Barack Obama called the agreement "an important step forward in remedying USDA's unfortunate civil rights history." The lawsuit alleged discrimination against Native Americans regarding their access to and participation in the Agriculture Department's farm loan programs, according to the statement. "This settlement marks a major turning point in the important relationship between Native Americans, our nation's first farmers and ranchers, and the USDA," said a statement by Joseph M. Sellers, the lead plaintiffs' attorney. "After three decades, Native American farmers and ranchers will receive the justice they deserve, and the USDA has committed to improving the farm loan system in ways that will aid Native Americans for generations to come." George and Marilyn Keepseagle, whose name is on the lawsuit against the government, said they were unfairly denied operating loans and had to sell portions of their sprawling farm on the Standing Rock Reservation in North Dakota. "This is a great day for us, not only for us but our people," Marilyn Keepseagle said. "It's been a long time brewing and finally today it came to a positive end. And I'm happy about that." She said she wants to use some of the money to pay off bills and to make much needed repairs to their home of 40 years. Claryca Mandan of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation, who is a member of the lawsuit, said she was unfairly denied farms loans in the past. Mandan and her husband still reside on land that was allocated by the Dawes General Allotment Act of 1887, which intended to settle Native American tribes and turn them into farmers and ranchers. "It definitely was long, and it definitely was worth it, to voice some measure of justice for our community," Mandan said of the settlement. "It's always a rare day and one we rejoice in. We are very happy to be put back on equal footing again with the rest of America." The settlement also calls for future changes to the USDA's farm loan program. It will create the Native American Farmer and Rancher Council, a new federal advisory committee, which lawyers said will bring together Native American and USDA officials to discuss the USDA's programs. "I think the leadership in the USDA genuinely wants to see them succeed," Sellers said, adding that it will take time to implement the changes. "But we have the mechanism that will begin the process of delivering these services to Native Americans so [with] the next generation of farmers, the USDA will be a better partner than it has in the past." He praised the leadership of Marilyn Keepseagle and Claryca Mandan and others, saying their perseverance showed such a case could succeed. "This illustrates the power of the individuals," Sellers said, adding they had "pursued this with great courage and determination, and it's a great tribute to them and others like them who may want to take on a mission like this." The agreement follows a similar settlement in February on behalf of African-American farmers against the USDA, known as Pigford II. However, that settlement depends on congressional appropriation of the necessary funds, which hasn't happened. Obama's statement called on Congress to authorize the more than $1 billion in funding for the Pigford settlement. Payment to the Native American farmers will come from the Judgment Fund maintained by the Department of Justice. The fund was established to provide monetary awards for court judgments and settlements against the government, and therefore needs no separate congressional authorization for the Native American farmers settlement. According to the 2007 Census of Agriculture, there are about 60,000 Native American farmers in the United States -- double the number of African-American farmers. | Plaintiffs say the long wait was worth it .
No congressional authorization required to pay settlement .
The agreement includes $680 million in compensation for discrimination .
The U.S. Department of Agriculture was sued in the class-action lawsuit . |
109,848 | 1997e48ea9d41eab044db22ac2d9c3d5c5b52691 | (CNN) -- Erik Roberts, an Army sergeant who was wounded in Iraq, underwent his 13th surgery recently to save his right leg from amputation. Imagine his shock when he got a bill for $3,000 for his treatment. Army Sgt. Erik Roberts was badly wounded in Iraq with two comrades in April 2006. "I just thought it was bull---- that I'm getting billed for being wounded in Iraq doing my job. I always put the mission first, and now that I was wounded in Iraq, they're sending me bills," he said. "I put my life on the line and I was wounded in combat, and I came back and they're not going to take care of my medical bills?" It's a level of outrage shared by his mother, as well as the doctor who performed the surgery. "It's hard to understand why we're not taking care of guys like Erik whose injuries are clearly related to their service. They deserve the best care of anybody," said Dr. William Obremskey, an Air Force veteran and surgeon at Vanderbilt Orthopaedics in Nashville, Tennessee. "For him to be responsible for $3,000, I think, is a little ridiculous or is uncalled for, particularly in this situation." His mother, Robin Roberts, put it more succinctly: "Why should any soldier pay one penny of a medical bill from injuries that occurred while they were fighting in a war? That's what really frustrates me." The Department of Veterans Affairs has now decided to pay his bill, but only after prodding from a U.S. senator who got involved after CNN brought it to his attention. Roberts, of Warren, Ohio, is one of more than 31,100 U.S. troops to have been wounded in Iraq. An additional 4,262 have died in the war. Roberts was wounded April 25, 2006, when roadside bombs tore through his Humvee in western Baghdad. Heat from the flames ignited the Humvee's ammunition, which popped off all around. See Roberts describe getting blown up » . Roberts and his buddies, A.J. Jefferson and Luke Murphy, were badly wounded and bleeding on the ground after jumping from the burning vehicle. They were saved by comrades who rushed to help them. "The truck automatically filled with smoke. There was fire coming from the middle of the truck. And I just feel my whole right side just like kind of explode," Roberts said. "I thought at that moment that my life was over, so I started praying." All three soldiers survived the attack, but Murphy lost his leg. Days later, on his 23rd birthday, Roberts returned to the States. He underwent a series of life-saving surgeries, including 12 different ones to repair his fractured right leg. A metal rod was inserted in his upper leg to help the fracture heal. He retired from the Army in October 2007, because of his war injuries, and enrolled in college last fall at Youngstown State University, majoring in finance and minoring in economics. But in December, he says, a golf ball-sized lump appeared on his wounded leg. He says he went to a Veterans Affairs hospital and was told not to worry about it. A few days later, he says, he went to the emergency room after the lump flared up more. A doctor there, he says, told him that the leg was badly infected and that it might have to be amputated. Desperate for help, his mother contacted the Army surgeon who had saved her son's life two years earlier. That doctor referred him to Obremskey, the Vanderbilt surgeon. The Robertses say the VA did not approve of them going outside the system. Erik Roberts says he had no choice -- it was have surgery or potentially lose his leg. "I thought my leg was more important than the usual bureaucratic mess," he said. His leg was saved. The $3,000 billed to Roberts wasn't for the surgery itself. It's a portion of the bill for six weeks of daily antibiotics to prevent the infection from coming back. His private insurance plan picked up the majority of the $90,000 in costs. Roberts has been administering the drugs himself -- up to seven IVs a day, with a nurse coming to his home once a week to check on him. At one point, his mom says, the insurance company suggested the war veteran should be put in a nursing home to receive the round-the-clock antibiotics. "Now why would you want to put an injured soldier who is 25 years old in a nursing home to get IVs?" Robin Roberts said. "He said, 'Send me home and teach me to do it myself.' " Roberts has also paid for his travel expenses from Ohio to Tennessee for treatment. He fears how much of the $57,000 surgery bill he will owe and how much he might be billed for his emergency room visit in December. His schooling has been put on hold because of his surgery and lengthy recovery. "These soldiers and young men and women fight for our country and our freedom, only to come back to have to fight for their health and their life back in the United States," Robin Roberts said. Dr. Obremskey said it's "frustrating" to hear about cases like Roberts'. He says the lesson from Roberts' story is "pretty obvious." "If they're injured in the service to our country, we should continue to take care of them even if they are discharged from active duty because of their injuries. Some mechanism ought to be available for them to obtain whatever care they need," Obremskey said. CNN on Wednesday contacted the office of Sen. Sherrod Brown, a Democrat from Roberts' home state of Ohio who serves on the Senate's VA committee. Brown's office had not heard of Roberts' case, but immediately reached out to the soldier and alerted the VA about his situation. In less than 24 hours, the VA got back to CNN. "The VA will be paying the bill," said VA spokesman Sean Nelson. The VA did not offer an explanation as to how something like this could happen. Brown's office issued a written statement, applauding the decision. "Sen. Brown is pleased to hear that Mr. Roberts will not have out-of-pocket costs for a service-connected injury. However, he believes it should not take the intervention of a U.S. senator for our veterans to receive the care they've been promised." Roberts said he appreciates the help. Despite everything he's experienced, Roberts -- who went into the Army just after high school -- said he would never trade in being a member of the 101st Airborne. "I will always be proud I served my country, and proud that I was able to wear that flag on my shoulder," he said. "I would defend this country against anyone, and I'm proud to wear that uniform." CNN's Thom Patterson contributed to this story. | Wounded soldier gets billed $3,000 for wounds suffered in Iraq .
"I put my life on the line ... and they're not going to take care of my medical bills?"
Army Sgt. Erik Roberts was wounded in April 2006; he's had 13 surgeries on his leg .
Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio urged the VA to act; VA agrees to pay bill . |
115,550 | 21189ea4c64ff99ebda756a23348a3afaca912e4 | By . Stuart Woledge . PUBLISHED: . 19:54 EST, 28 September 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 11:05 EST, 29 September 2013 . Three unidentified green shapes slowly rotate as they hover in the night sky over Wittenberge in Germany. As two triangular objects approach each other, they appear to be repelled as if opposite ends of a magnate. Suddenly, and without warning, one of them shoots off to the right at fantastic speed in an explosion of light, after apparently veering too close to its twin, which quickly fades to nothing. All that is left is a green circular dot. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO . The truth is out there: Could these images finally prove the existence of Unidentified Flying Objects? Could this finally be proof that we are not alone and UFOs do really exist? Probably not, according to former FBI special agent Ben Hansen. Mr Hansen, the lead investigator on Syfy Channel's Fact or Faked: . Paranormal Files series, told the Huffington Post that the objects in were 'too defined'. He said: 'The video has signs of night vision . fakery. It looks like they added a night vision video effect with a . green tint and even some "grainy noise" - the sparkling pixels which . are common when night vision is shot in near complete darkness. 'Even if they were using older night . vision technology, I would also expect the sky to be brighter and have . more information for analysis. Oscillating: The two triangular shaped objects slowly rotate as they move towards each other . Drawn together: The two triangular shaped objects slowly come together in the sky over Wittenberge . 'Even with the best technology, a . slight halo effect is detected. All of this is consistent with a CGI . effect being added (to the Germany video), instead of filming with true . night vision.' The identity of the person who made the video is unknown, leading Mr Hansen to further doubt its authenticity. He claimed that because videos such as this get re-posted so frequently, it is often impossible to figure out the identity of the person who recorded it. He added: 'This . often makes the Internet a hoaxer's amusement park. They don't have to . answer questions. They don't have to provide further details. This means they don't have to be very good liars.' Mr . Hansen also managed to track down a second version of the footage, . which he believed suggested the hoaxer behind it was testing to see . which version got the most views. Speed: Suddenly one of the triangles shoots out of the picture to the right, while the other gradually fades . Fades: All that is left in view is the mysterious circular green shape, but that too soon disappears . The video was posted to YouTube by UFOFilesTV, which describes itself as 'a new kind of UFO agency on YouTube'. The group has no doubt that the footage, captured on September 18 using a full zoom and night sight capability, is the real deal. Attached . to the video, the group has written: 'The filmer cannot explain this. He watched these UFOs... three 3 minutes before he got his camera. 'We . at the UFOFilesTV know these forms, or rather these lights, of older . sightings in Belgium. These UFOs are also known as TR-A or TR3-B. 'Apparently they originate from the US Air Force but nobody could verify this so far.' Authentic: According to the group that posted the video, it was taken using full night sight capability . | Three unidentified flying objects were supposedly seen in Wittenberge .
A video posted to YouTube has been endorsed by UFO group as authentic .
But the identity of the person who recorded the images remains a secret .
One expert believes the images are just another elaborate hoax . |
61,461 | ae919730c0750475949226e759f873cb441f3a6b | (CNN) -- When did it become a crime to admit that you -- as a parent -- put yourself first? Sure, supermodel Gisele Bundchen's haters are ready to pounce no matter what the gorgeous, successful, wealthy wife of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has to say. But the backlash surrounding her most recent comments about parenting -- how important it is as a mother to take care of yourself -- really got our attention because the issue is a powerful one in today's parenting. "You know how they say on the plane you have to put the oxygen mask on first and then put it on your child?" Bundchen told "The Sunday Times" in an interview about why she believes motherhood is her most important job. "So I think it is the same, as a mum, to take care of myself." "You can feel a bit guilty," she said. "But if I put my oxygen mask on first, if I'm feeling fulfilled and present and good about myself, then I'm going to be a much more patient, loving, understanding mother and wife. You have to fill your glass so that everyone can drink from it. That's how I feel." Why are we so quick to pass judgment the minute a mother professes to take time for herself? Is there something wrong with that? Admittedly, I have failed miserably when it comes to putting myself first ever since I became a mother more than eight years ago. Now, though, I see that "me time" has a direct correlation not only with my own mental health but my ability to be a good, loving and patient mother. So I say, "You go girl, Gisele." I only wish I had the same clarity years ago when my kids were small that she seems to have now. But removing Gisele from the debate, why are we still as a society so quick to roll our eyes and say "bad mother" when a mom admits to making herself a priority? "Of course moms need to take care of themselves first," said Cecily Kellogg, a mom of a 7-year-old who writes for Babble.com and hosts a blog at Uppercase Woman. "I am an individual first, and I happen to be lucky enough to have the job of also being a mom. But yes, self-care is critical." Kellogg said the Gisele controversy brought to mind a recent article titled "How American Parenting is Killing the American Marriage," about how parenting has almost become a religion in the United States. That, she said, is part of the problem. "I think motherhood in particular has been elevated by some elements of society to a religion full of zealots." We are too often told by society that we, as mothers, must be "the martyr" and put everyone's needs and desires before our own, said Jennifer Bosse, a mom of two small children and founder of the blog Defining My Happy. "We are supposed to go without for the sake of our family. It is implied that we have to give up our needs and passions to make room for others," she said. "And unfortunately there are a lot of women who are guilted into believing that this is just the way it is." But what makes us better parents, said Micky Morrison, a mom of two and founder of BabyWeightTV, is taking time for ourselves. "It's not selfish. It's as much a gift to our children as it is to ourselves to make ourselves happy." "If I'm sad, depressed or not feeling good about myself, (it) reflects on my kids. My daughter can sense when I'm unhappy and then she gets sad," said Trina Small, mom of a 4-year-old and founder of the blog The Baby Shopaholic. "Why shouldn't a mom take time for herself? So many women, like Rebecca Hughes Parker, a mom of three, including 9-year-old twins, and an editor and attorney, admitted learning the "hard way" that taking care of one's self does not preclude taking care of the children and being good at a job. In fact, as Hughes Parker says, "It enhances both things." "When I first had my twins and was working full time, I did not make time for myself at all," said Hughes Parker, who also has her own blog about parenting. "I did not see friends, exercise, sleep or eat enough. It led to a back injury." After physical therapy, yoga and realizing "more hours does not always mean better work," Hughes found herself much more centered when she had her third child six years later. Avital Normal Nathman, editor of the motherhood anthology "The Good Mother Myth," said, "We can't fully take care of others, if we're not devoting time to ourselves, especially in a world that prescribes so many roles to women in particular -- worker, mother, wife, daughter, caregiver, homemaker, etc." That said, Norman Nathman and other mothers across the country said that while Gisele and other women of privilege have the means, which could include a "bevy of help," to ensure their "me time," that is not the case for most women today. "The average woman simply doesn't have the same support in terms of childcare and also lacks the funds for various forms of self-care that Gisele values," said Norman Nathman, a mom of a 7-year-old and host of the blog The Mamafesto. "So, while the sentiment is lovely, the reality is very different for those not making a reported $128,000/day." Jennifer Alsip, a mom of two girls, ages 18 and 22, said she never took care of herself before her kids. As a single mom on a budget, there were plenty of times when she would forgo buying new clothes for herself, and sometimes eat less when food was scarce, so that her kids could be taken care of. "I don't think Gisele Bundchen has ever been put in a position of being hungry ... or needing to clothe your kids for school but not having enough money to do it, so she wouldn't know that sacrifice of putting your kids first." There is no question that hearing the "put yourself first" parenting advice from someone who has every resource on the planet to put herself first strikes people as out of touch, but regardless of the source, I still think it gets to a core problem of modern parenting. The debate reminded me of the firestorm of criticism that erupted after author Ayelet Waldman, in a 2005 column for the popular "Modern Love" feature in "The New York Times," said she loved her husband more than her children. Can you imagine what the response would have been if Bundchen admitted loving Brady more? What do you think people are so quick to criticize parents who put themselves first? Tell Kelly Wallace on Twitter or CNN Living on Facebook. | Gisele Bundchen was criticized after saying she puts herself first in a recent interview .
Taking care of herself, Bundchen says, makes her a better mother and wife .
Many women across the country say the supermodel is 100% right .
Some women find it hard to take parenting advice from a woman who makes $128,000 per day . |
82,941 | eb348509f3a977e498acf9064390625182970621 | By . Matt Blake . PUBLISHED: . 10:37 EST, 31 May 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 11:52 EST, 31 May 2013 . Somali militants who claim to have shot down a US drone during a gunfight with African forces have published photographs of what appear to be its mangled remains. The Camcopter S-100, made by Austrian arms manufacturer Scheibel, crashed on Tuesday in southern Somalia, where African troops are fighting Islamist al Shabaab insurgents. Al Shabaab released the pictures through its English language Twitter account, boasting: 'This one will no longer be able to spy on Muslims again. So much for the empty rhetoric on the drone program!' Eye in the sky: Pictures appear to show the mangled remains of a Camcopter S-100, one of which crashed on Tuesday in southern Somalia, where African troops are fighting Islamist al Shabaab insurgents . Schiebel: The downed aircraft bears the insignia of Schiebel, the Austrian arms firm whose clients include the German, United Arab Emirate and US goverments . Boasting: Al Shabaab released the pictures through its English language Twitter account, declaring: 'This one will no longer be able to spy on Muslims again. So much for the empty rhetoric on the drone program!' Alongside another picture, the militant group added: 'This one is off to the scrap yard, Schiebel! You are fighting a losing battle. Islam will prevail.' MailOnline has been unable to independently verify the images. Although the United States does not . report its activities in Somalia, A Defense Department spokesman confirmed on Tuesday that a 'military remotely piloted aircraft crashed in a remote area near the shoreline of Mogadishu.' The US has increasingly turned to drones in recent years . to kill Somali and foreign al Shabaab fighters seeking to overthrow the Somali government and install Sharia rule. The Camcopter S-100: The US has increasingly turned to drones in recent years to kill Somali and foreign al Shabaab fighters seeking to overthrow the Somali government and install Sharia rule . Lower Shabelle region governor Abdikadir Mohamed Nur said that al Shabaab militants had shot at the aircraft over the town of Bulamareer for several hours before it crashed. 'Finally they hit it and the drone crashed,' Nur told Reuters. The insurgents confirmed that a drone had crashed but did not say if they had downed it. 'A U.S. drone has just crashed near one of the towns under the administration of the Mujahideen in the Lower Shabelle region,' al Shabaab said on a social media account. Militant: A member of Somalia's al Shabaab militant group sits during a public demonstration to announce their integration with al Qaeda, in Elasha, south of the capital Mogadishu, Somalia, in February last year . Western nations are worried that Somalia will sink back into chaos and provide a launchpad for Islamist militancy despite a fragile recovery after two decades of war. Last year, the Wall Street Journal reported that the Pentagon was seeking to send drones to Kenya as part of a $40 million-plus military aid package to help four African countries fighting al Qaeda and al Shabaab militants . Bulamareer residents said al Shabaab fighters had kept them away from the crash site. 'Al Shabaab fighters surrounded the scene. We are not allowed to go near it,' resident Aden Farah told Reuters. Al Shabaab, which is affiliated with al Qaeda, said in January 2011 that a missile launched from a drone had killed Bilal el Berjawi, a Lebanese al Shabaab fighter who held a British passport. Power base: Al-Shabaab, which means 'The Youth' in Arabic, was formed in 2006 as a radical offshoot of the Islamic justice system and is thought to have between to 9,000 and 15,000 members . Another missile killed four foreign militants south of the Somali capital Mogadishu in February 2012. Al-Shabaab, which means 'The Youth' in . Arabic, was formed in 2006 as a radical offshoot of the Islamic justice . system and is thought to have between to 9,000 and 15,000 members. But the group was driven out of Mogadishu in late 2011 and are struggling to hold on to territory elsewhere in the face of attacks by Kenyan, Ethiopian and African Union forces trying to prevent Islamist militancy spreading out from Somalia. Al-Shabaab wants to overthrow the . Somali government and controls large swathes of the country's southern . territory, where it is believed to have imposed its own strict form of . Sharia law. Their main targets are the TFG and the African Union Mission to Somalia (AU). However, . the group's popularity in Somalia is taking a turn for the worse due to . the recent drought, which many believe al-Shabaab intensified by . refusing entry to UN aid workers. | The Camcopter S-100, made by Austrian firm Scheibel, crashed on Tuesday .
Al Shabaab released pictures through its English-language Twitter account .
Pentagon confirmed a drone 'crashed' in Somali desert, but gave no cause . |
67,813 | c05c0c46282dfc56f97086c07b199c826c77486d | By . Ashley Collman . and Associated Press . Selfies usually mark happy occasions, but not for several University of Arizona fans who whipped out their camera phones Saturday night to mark their NCAA tournament loss with a frown. Those selfies were taken to the next level by the fact that police were quelling rioting fans in the background with pepper spray and pepper bombs. Right after the Wildcats one-point loss to Wisconsin in Anaheim, California, fans back home at the college's Tucson campus took the the streets in a disorderly display of disappointment. Scroll down for video . Sad selfie: Two University of Arizona fans document their disappointment after their basketball team lost to the University of Wisconsin on Saturday in the NCAA tournament . Antagonized: Photographer Andrew Brown documented the riots and said they were lighthearted until police arrived . Police action: The rioters threw beer bottles and firecrackers at the responding officers . Photographer Andrew Brown, 32, witnessed the riots while going to check-in on his girlfriend who works at a local shop. He said the mood was so light that several students were taking selfies on the street amid the riot, so he documented a few of the photos in action. 'Those pictures sum up the night,' Mr Brown told the New York Daily News. '(The rioting) wasn't anything nefarious. It was just college kids doing what they do.' 'They were excited they were getting that much attention,' he added. Rowdy scenes: One man confronts the line of advancing Tucson Police Officers as they try to disperse an unruly crowd of disappointed fans in Maingate Square . Pepper spray: Tucson Police Officers rush out of their line to take a man into custody who had been taunting them and riling up a crowd of fans in Maingate Square following Arizona's loss to Wisconsin 64-63 in the West Region NCAA final . Loss: Students clashed against Tucson Police officers on University Avenue Saturday . Tucson police Sgt Pete Dugan said crowds leaving bars and . restaurants near campus after the game filled University Boulevard and . wouldn't leave despite urging through a PA system and social media . declaring it an unlawful assembly. Police . brought in cruisers and a unit of officers with batons, helmets and . face masks to block the street when people started tossing beer bottles, . cans and firecrackers, hitting police vehicles and endangering . officers. Officers fired . pepper spray, pepper canisters and pepper balls, which disperse into the . air when they hit, Dugan said. No tear gas was used despite some . reports. Rounded up: 15 people were arrested in Saturday's riots, but only one person was taken to county jail . Another year: The Wildcats haven't made it to the Final Four of the NCAA tournament since 2001 . Not happy: The university issued a statement following the riots calling them 'disappointing' A witness, David . Kitaeff, told The Associated Press that the incident started innocently . with people taking photos, but then "people got in cops' faces." He said . fans were throwing drink cans at officers, whom he saw marching down . University Boulevard. In total, 15 people were arrested but only one person was booked at county jail. The university issued a statement calling the riots 'disappointing'. Arizona lost 64-63 to Wisconsin in the West Region final Saturday in Anaheim, California. | Disappointed University of Arizona fans started rioting after their Saturday night loss in the NCAA basketball tournament to the University of Wisonsin .
In the midst of the riots, several fans took lighthearted selfies of themselves which were posted to Instagram and Twitter .
Fifteen rioters were arrested, but only one was booked at county jail .
Arizona was defeated by Wisconsin 64-63 in the Western Region final . |
20,073 | 38f874b8834be123fe1e3be673ca3b6c2096637e | Alex Corbisiero knows he must usurp a world-class rival if he is to mark his latest injury comeback with a recall to England’s starting XV for the Six Nations. Northampton’s 26-year-old prop has returned early from shoulder surgery and will play against Newcastle at Franklin’s Gardens on Friday as the next step towards challenging Joe Marler for the national No 1 shirt. Corbisiero has endured a prolonged spell of medical misfortune, which has limited him to just four Test caps in the last two years — two of them for the triumphant Lions in Australia. Alex Corbisiero has recently returned to action having dislocated his shoulder against Bath in September . However, his spirit has not been broken by the setbacks which have disrupted his stellar career. ‘It’s very hard, but I focus on the controllables,’ he said. ‘I do everything I can to be in the best shape, to recover and be proactive about preventing injuries. 'I’ve had some bad luck, but it’s not going to dampen my heart. I’m looking to play each week, play my heart out, and — hope to God — avoid injury.’ In light of the latest injury, he added: ‘As I’ve got older and had to deal with some hard times, your mental toughness and maturity steps in. I focused on planning my rehab, planning my return and everything I needed to make sure I got back as quickly as possible. Joe Marler (centre), riding a challenge against Australia, has impressed for Harlequins and England in 2014 . Marler and Corbisiero provide healthy competition for England ahead of the Six Nations at prop . ‘That’s the mindset I had from day one: that there was no time to sit and pity myself. I have come back in the minimum time the surgeons would allow.’ Once he is back into his stride with champions Northampton, Corbisiero will set his sights on England, but Harlequins captain Marler will be difficult to shift from the front row. ‘Joe has been outstanding. He is one of the top performers in the world in his position,’ said Corbisiero. ‘With Joe playing so well, if I want to get back in I have to play better.’ Having missed the last two Six Nations through injury, his desire to be involved is a strong driving force. ‘It is more than frustrating to sit out and watch back-to-back Six Nations,’ he said. ‘Hopefully, if I do get myself healthy and put my hand up to be in that environment, I will make the most of it.’ Corbisiero starred for the Lions in their series victory over Australia in 2013 and scored a try in the third Test . The 26-year-old hopes to get back to his form during the victorious 2013 Lions Tour in Australia . | 26-year-old has endured a spell of injuries with four Test caps in two years .
Joe Marler of Harlequins is currently the No1 prop for England .
Corbisiero and Marler will vie to start in England's Six Nations campaign . |
125,014 | 2d98405a079aa44a31c798fb9d1f7e2fb9f673f9 | (CNN) -- Grammy-winning blues pianist Willie "Pinetop" Perkins died at his home in Austin, Texas, Monday, his official website said. He was 97. "It is with deep sadness that we announce Pinetop Perkins passed away," the web page said. The Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award winner scored solo success late in his seven-decade-long career, releasing 14 albums between 1988 and 2010. He was the oldest person ever awarded a Grammy. Before Perkins stepped into the spotlight, he played in Muddy Waters' band for 12 years, starting in the late 1960s. "In 1980, Pinetop and other members of Muddy's crew struck out on their own and formed the Legendary Blues Band," according to his online biography. He was born Joe Willie Perkins in Belzoni, Mississippi, on July 7, 1913. "Pinetop started out playing guitar and piano at house parties and honky-tonks," his biography says, "but dropped the guitar in the 1940s after sustaining a serious injury in his left arm." The Recording Academy, which presented Perkins with his lifetime Grammy praised the bluesman. "Whether performing solo or jamming with other notable talent, his charisma and energy stood out in every song," said Neil Portnow, president and CEO of the academy. "His legacy has informed and inspired so many generations, and will continue to do so for many more to come." | He was born Joe Willie Perkins in Belzoni, Mississippi, on July 7, 1913 .
Perkins won two Grammy Awards and a lifetime achievement award .
He played in Muddy Waters' band for 12 years .
Perkins releases 14 albums between 1988 and 2010 . |
121,587 | 2924132f893fe044fb0b988d729ff139a46be66c | By . Amanda Williams . PUBLISHED: . 05:18 EST, 5 January 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 09:45 EST, 5 January 2013 . U.S. bounty hunters should not be allowed to raise the wreck of one of Britain's greatest warships and take some of the millions of pounds of gold it contains, it has today been claimed. Leading archaeologists and descendants of the crew of HMS Victory, predecessor to Nelson's flagship, say that allowing it to be exploited for commercial gain would be a 'flagrant breach' of the military covenant and a betrayal of the more than 1,000 Royal Navy sailors who died. In 2008, the wreck was discovered by Odyssey Marine Exploration, a U.S. company, some 264 years after it sank in a storm off the Channel Islands. US bounty hunters should not be allowed to raise the wreck of the HMS Victory and take some of the millions of pounds of gold it contains, it has today been claimed . It is believed it could contain gold worth hundreds of millions of pounds and 100 bronze cannon. The Ministry of Defence has said recovery could go ahead under the 'auspices of a charity'. The Maritime Heritage Foundation, which was set up by Lord Lingfield, formerly Sir Robert Balchin a descendant of Admiral Sir John Balchen, the ship's commander, was founded for the purpose. It has submitted plans to the MoD and Department for Culture, Media and Sport and agreed a contract with Odyssey which would give the firm 80 per cent of the value of coins and bullion and 50 per cent of the value of cultural artefacts. The Government is expected to make an announcement soon on whether it will allow the proposals to go ahead. 'There is only one opportunity to gather . the unique evidence of our past from these 'time-capsules' of history . and this should not be squandered for short-term financial gain.' In a letter to the Daily Telegraph, Richard West, another descendant of Admiral Sir John Balchen, and Robert Yorke, chairman of the Joint Nautical Archaeology Policy Committee, said it 'represented the most inappropriate and distasteful kind of commercial exploitation.' They said that any finds raised from the ship would be sold on the antiquities market for private gain. They also said the Maritime Heritage Foundation had not got the relevant experience or discernible resources. The committee said: 'The JNAPC's position is that historic wrecks in international waters should not be salvaged or excavated for commercial gain. 'Only if a wreck is under severe threat, or there is a clear research objective, should excavation take place. Otherwise the wreck should be left in situ. Most of these wrecks lie in very deep water and excavation techniques at depth using remote operated vehicles (ROV's) are in their infancy. 'Salvage today will almost certainly lead to the unnecessary loss of irreplaceable historical information. There is only one opportunity to gather the unique evidence of our past from these 'time-capsules' of history and this should not be squandered for short-term financial gain.' Odyssey discovered the site nearly 100 km from where the ship was historically believed to have been wrecked on a reef near the Channel Islands . A cannon recovered from HMS Victory. It is believed it could contain gold worth hundreds of millions of pounds and 100 bronze cannon . HMS Victory was lost in 1744 under the command of Admiral Sir John Balchen. The direct predecessor and inspiration behind Nelson's flagship, Balchen's Victory was the mightiest and most technically advanced vessel of her age . Experts say that if Victory, which sank on duty in 1744, were a 20th century vessel, it would be protected by sovereign immunity. The vessel, predecessor of Nelson's famous flagship, went down in a storm off the Channel Islands in 1744, taking more than 1,000 soldiers to their deaths. Along with a bronze cannon collection, some believe the ship was carrying a large quantity of gold coins from Lisbon to Britain, which would now be worth a reported £500 million. The ship's location remained a mystery despite numerous searches, until Odyssey discovered the wreck in May 2008. The Florida-based firm found the site 330ft under the English Channel, nearly 65 miles from where the ship was historically believed to have been wrecked, near the Channel Islands. The Dutch financial publication Amsterdamsche Courant reported on November 18 1744, a month after the ship sank: 'People will have it that on board of The Victory was a sum of 400,000 pounds sterling that it had brought from Lisbon for our merchants.' It was also thought that large quantities of silver and gold coins would have been on board The Victory from enemy prize ships captured by Balchin, worth 120,000 pounds sterling at the time. The recovery of the ship would cost up to £25million. Last year during a debate on Victory, Lord Renfrew said that a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) convention said the excavation of wrecks should not be financed by selling the items recovered. The Cambridge University professor said to contravene it would be setting a terrible example. He added that there were 'major ethical issues' involved, and that the Government were giving a poor and ill informed lead internationally in their dealings with Britain's underwater heritage. Baroness Andrews, chairman of English Heritage, which sits on a committee to advise the MoD and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, said the charity was concerned about Odyssey's proposed plans to manage the site. She said: 'We do not believe that the proposals for the wreck are based on an adequate and authoritative assessment of its historical significance, nor a full understanding of the threats to and vulnerabilities of the site. 'We urge the Government to think hard about this, to recognise that our maritime heritage is an exceptional national asset, not an overseas commodity, and to act with resolve.' Because the wreck is in international waters, it is not protected, Lord Lingfield said. While he maintains that Odyssey is 'wholly reputable', it was at the centre of controversy after lifting 17 tons of silver coins from the wreck of a Spanish frigate sunk by the Navy in 1804 . It was ordered to return the cargo without compensation last year. A U.S. judge said the ship should have lain undisturbed. | In 2008, the wreck was discovered by Odyssey Marine Exploration, 264 years after it sank .
It is believed it could contain gold worth hundreds of millions of pounds and 100 bronze cannon .
Descendants of crew and experts say it could betray those killed to exploit it for commercial gain . |
79,065 | e01dc0df153548e28c7e69c3808fbe65fd2da1e0 | By . Francesca Infante . PUBLISHED: . 04:42 EST, 25 November 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 08:46 EST, 25 November 2013 . China's Foreign Ministry says it has . complained to the United States over its 'irresponsible remarks' about the territorial dispute with Japan over islands in the East China Sea. China's . Defense Ministry also called Japan's objections to its East China Sea . Air Defense Identification Zone 'absolutely groundless and unacceptable', . and said it had made solemn representations to the Japanese Embassy in . Beijing. But the remarks come as the latest in a continuing war of words over the air space of the disputed Senkaku islands, which has seen Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe brand China's plans unenforceable and dangerous. Dispute: Uotsuri Island is one of the five uninhabited islands at the centre of an increasingly hostile debate between Japan and China. Both countries name them as their own . Abe told a parliamentary session that China's declaration of an air defense identification zone alters the state of affairs in the East China Sea and escalates a tense situation. He said: 'The measures by the Chinese side have no validity whatsoever for Japan, and we demand China revoke any measures that could infringe upon the freedom of flight in international airspace. 'It can invite an unexpected occurrence and it is a very dangerous thing as well.' On Saturday, Beijing issued a map of the zone and a set of rules which say all aircraft must notify Chinese authorities and are subject to emergency military measures if they do not identify themselves or obey Beijing's orders. Abe said the measures one-sidedly impose rules set by the Chinese military on all flights in the zone, and violate the freedom to fly above open sea, a general principle under the international law. Abe also slammed China for showing the disputed islands, called Senkaku in Japanese and Diaoyu in Chinese, as Chinese territory in the zone. Since taking office almost a year ago, Abe has been spearheading a move to step up Japan's defense capability, citing threats from China's growing maritime and military presence in the region. Japan has had a similar zone since the 1960s. Violation: Japanese premier Shinzo Abe said the measures violate the freedom to fly above open sea, a general principle under the international law . South Korea also complained today about the Chinese zone, which includes the air space above a set of submerged rocks that are controlled by Seoul but also claimed by Beijing. South Korea's Defense Ministry summoned China's military attache in Seoul, saying the zone is unacceptable because it was drawn unilaterally, according to ministry officials. Defense Ministry spokesman Kim Min-seok said South Korea's control over the area remains unchanged and Seoul won't notify China when its planes pass through the region. In a statement on Sunday Chinese foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said that the zone's aim is to defend China's sovereignty and the security of its airspace and land. He said it is not aimed at any country and it does not affect freedom of overflight. But the move has not gone down well over seas and both US Secretary of State John Kerry and Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel have said the US is 'deeply concerned' about China's action. In a statement on Saturday Mr Kerry said: 'This unilateral action constitutes an attempt to change the status quo in the East China Sea. Warning: US Secretary of State John Kerry speaks to journalists in Bali. China has warned the U.S. to stay out of territorial dispute with Japan over South China Sea . 'Escalatory action will only increase tensions in the region and create risks of an incident.' Qin said China told US Ambassador Gary Locke on Sunday that the US should 'correct its mistakes and stop making irresponsible remarks on China.' Defense Ministry spokesman Yang Yujun said the ministry had complained to the US Embassy's military attache on Sunday evening. The US doesn't take a position on who has sovereignty over the islands but recognizes they are under Japanese administration. Along with a rise in its economic and military power in recent years, China has become more assertive over its maritime claims. China claims over the islands extend back hundreds of years. But Japan says it saw no trace of Chinese control of the islands in an 1885 survey and as a resultformally recognised them as Japanese sovereign territory in 1895. Japan then sold the islands in 1932 to descendants of the original settlers. After the Japanese surrender at the end of Second World War in 1945 islands fell under the control of the allied forces and were administered by the U.S. occupation force. But in 1972, Washington returned them to Japan as part of its withdrawal from Okinawa. | China issued a set of rules on Saturday which say all aircraft must notify them and are subject to emergency military measures if .
they do not .
But Japanese premier Shinzo Abe said the measures violate the freedom to fly above open sea, a general principle under the international law .
And on Saturday US Secretary of State John Kennedy said America is is 'deeply concerned' about China's action . |
99,833 | 0ca16f2b3444f67aa500a0da9266f32d79316b99 | A suicide attack in the Afghan capital, Kabul, on Thursday morning killed five people and wounded 33 others, including at least four children, said Hashmat Stanikzai, a police spokesman said. An explosive-laden car was detonated as a foreign embassy convoy was passing in the 9th District police zone, said Interior Ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqi. The UK Foreign Office said two of those killed worked for the British Embassy. One of the dead was a British national, a civilian security team member, and the second was an Afghan national working for the embassy, Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said in a statement. A second British member of the security team was injured, he said. "I condemn this appalling attack on innocent civilians supporting our diplomatic activity," Hammond said. "This outrage brings home to us once again the courage and perseverance of the people of Afghanistan and members of the international community who support them, who have lived together through decades of conflict." British security firm G4S confirmed in a statement that the security workers caught up in the blast were its staff and offered its condolences to their families and friends. "An investigation into the incident is under way and therefore we are unable to comment further at this time," it said. "Next of kin have been informed and we will continue to provide them with support." Police in Kabul had earlier said that at least one British diplomat was killed after a large explosion damaged a convoy of foreign embassy cars in the capital. The Taliban have claimed responsibility for the attack. Pictures from Mustafa Deveci, a witness at the scene, showed at least five vehicles damaged at the site of the blast with their windows blown out. In a separate incident, armed insurgents attacked the office of a nonprofit organization in Kabul late Thursday. Security forces killed two of the three attackers, Stanikzai said. A Nepalese national was injured, the police spokesman said. The Taliban issued a statement claiming responsibility for that attack, too. | In a separate incident, insurgents attacked a nonprofit organization in Kabul .
Security firm G4S says Briton killed in the blast was one of its staff .
Another victim was an Afghan national working at the British Embassy, UK says .
The Taliban claim responsibility for the suicide attack . |
188,075 | 7f910ea39c9ca4bf12c3143d49bc410e4a20b2a5 | By . Ruth Styles At London Fashion Week . PUBLISHED: . 07:11 EST, 14 September 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 16:30 EST, 15 September 2013 . PPQ's Amy Molyneaux and Percy Parker have never had a shortage of stars decorating their front row but now it seems the designers have decorating them in their sights. For this was a collection that screamed old-school Hollywood glamour, awash with starlet scarlet and frocks that practically demanded a red carpet. Gone were the pop prints and candy colours and in their place were magical chiffon gowns for grown-ups (were you watching Kate Middleton?) as well as neat nipped in dresses that barely touched the tops of models' thighs and are a dead cert for the red carpet at next year's BRIT Awards. Scroll down for video . Grown-up glamour: This was a collection made for the A-listers watching the frocks stream past . This was a collection made to impress the assorted celebrities lining the runway - and it deserves to succeed . But as the gowns streamed past, it became clear that Molyneaux and Parker, being Molyneaux and Parker, couldn't resist the odd quirky detail or, indeed, a touch of print. This time around, there were Prada-esque pop art florals given a touch of London grit by being set against gothic black. They were splashed over tiny dresses, on neatly wearable A-line skirts and all over the skirt of a fabulous gown, slashed to the thigh and given drama with flamenco-style ruffles. There were even a few polka dots, although unlike in seasons past, these were subtle and barely registered. But although the tropical print florals caught the eye, it was the jewel-coloured frocks in shiny silky purple, chiffon cadmium yellow and devilish crimson that were the real winners on the night. Low key: For once, prints didn't take centre stage . Gothic: The PPQ duo plumped for a distinctly wintry palette . Frock n' roll: Separates were few and far between . Detail: Vast flamenco style ruffles gave minidresses a modern edge, as did sheer chiffon and clean lines . Star-studded: Jo Wood, Chris Pine, Gabriella Cilmi, Lilah Parsons and Ellie Goulding look on during the show . Kept modern with puffed hemlines, vast flamenco style ruffles and the odd discreet sheer panel, this was a master class in the art of dressmaking. Separates were few and far between but this was one collection where it didn't really matter - certainly not to the A-listers looking on. Sitting watching the gowns go by was, as is usually the case with PPQ, a veritable galaxy of stars, among them singer Ellie Goulding, a puff-ball skirted Olivia Grant and Star Trek actor Chris Pine. But stellar though the front row was, the really out-of-this-world sight on offer were the clothes themselves. Grown-up, glamorous and very, very well executed, this was a collection teed up to impress the celebrities front row - and it deserves to succeed. Taking her inspiration from the deadly Atropa Belladonna flower, Maybelline makeup artist Karina Constantine created a striking beauty look for PPQ this season. She started by blending vivid purple cream eyeshadow over the eyelids of her models and then added a strong statement brow (Cara Delevingne inspired, anyone?). Using the new BrowDrama mascara is, she gave the girls a gothic lash look and slicked a thick line of eyeliner over their lids too. She coated lips with a dark shade of plum (Maybelline's Midnight Plum #338), before using a soft makeup brush to rub the colour into a velvety finish, a look we have spotted everywhere so far. The beautiful shades of mauve and indigo came together for a romantic, gothic s/s14 make-up look - time to start playing with purple! Special thanks to Jaguar and Murray Chauffeur Service for driving the Femail team round during London Fashion Week . | LFW favourites showed a glamorous collection with plenty of frocks .
Prints still featured but in smaller doses and on muted black .
Focus on grown-up gowns and pop star friendly fitted minidresses .
FROW included singer Ellie Goulding and Star Trek actor Chris Pine . |
264,238 | e2401f314e1ebd874142dc3e7e6d296d6872b8d8 | For many, Whatsapp's blue ticks are a welcome feature that let's users know exactly when their message has been read. For others, however, they have made it harder to ignore people - and the feature's release earlier this month led to a backlash from a number of disgruntled members. In response, Whatsapp now lets users disable these Read Receipts - but only if they're using an Android phone. The update is in beta, which means it is not a full, official release, and it requires users to install the Android APK. Once installed, users can disable the receipts - shown by blue ticks (pictured) - in the Privacy section of Settings. It is not known when the full update will be pushed out to all users, or other platforms . The update is in beta, which means it is not a full, official release, and it requires users to install the Android APK. Once installed, they can disable the receipts in the Privacy section of Settings. It is not known when the full update will be pushed out to all users, or when other platforms, including iOS and BlackBerry, will see the changes. Before the blue tick update, there were only two types of tick - a single grey tick meant the message had been successfully sent, and a double grey tick meant it had been delivered. The app update is available across all mobile platforms. From now, a single grey tick means the message has been sent, a double grey tick means it has been delivered, and two blue ticks mean it has been read. In a group chat, the blue ticks only appear when all participants in the group have read the message. To see what time the messages were read users can now press and hold down on a particular post. Selecting the Message Info option then reveals the time the message was read, and in the case of group messages, what time each member read it. Now, when a message has been sent, delivered and read, the double grey tick turns blue. In a group chat, the second ticks appear when all participants in the group have received the message. And two blue ticks only appear when all participants in the group have read the post. To see what time the messages were read users can now press and hold down on a particular post. Selecting the Message Info option reveals the time the message was read, and in the case of group messages, what time each member read it. WhatsApp rolled out the changes to all variations of its app, across iOS, Android, Windows Phone, Nokia S40, Nokia S60 and BlackBerry 10. Users need to update the app on their devices to see the changes. More information about the features can be found on WhatsApp's FAQ page. At the time, the changes divided opinion, especially on Twitter. In a group chat, blue ticks only appear when all participants have read the message. To see what time the messages were read, users can now press and hold down on a particular post and select the Message Info option. In the case of group messages, this reveals what time each individual member read it (pictured) Some users were concerned the update makes it harder for them to ignore others, and makes it easier for people to keep tabs on them. As @the_baba1 wrote: ‘So WhatsApp now shows blue ticks to indicate a message has been read. Now stalk with more vengeance.’ Twitter user @carpocarp said: ‘The WhatsApp blue tick is going to ruin friendships,’ while @archielbar added: ‘Those blue ticks will be the death of some of us!’ But not all Twitter users were concerned about the update - @tnicole91 explained: ‘I don’t get why some people are stressed about this new WhatsApp blue tick. WhatsApp explained the changes earlier this month, and revealed what the new check marks look like on an official blog post. Some users were concerned the update makes it harder for them to ignore others, and makes it easier for people to keep tabs on them . 'For me, if I don’t feel like replying, I just don’t.’ In an official blog post, WhatsApp tried to reassure users who may be concerned about why a person hadn't received or read their messages. ‘If you only see a single check mark next to your message, there is likely nothing wrong with WhatsApp or your phone,’ explained the developers. ‘There may be several reasons why your message has been sent, but not delivered to your chat partner such as their phone might be off, they could be sleeping, especially if they live in a different time zone, they might be experiencing network connection issues or they might have seen the notification on their screen, but did not launch the app - especially common if the recipient uses an iPhone.’ WhatsApp is owned by Facebook, which has a similar feature on its Messenger app. When a message is opened and read, a tick appears in the message list and the time it was 'seen' appears in the bottom right-hand corner of the post. Apple's iMessages also use this feature. To disable this, go to Settings and Messages and switch the Send Read Receipts to off. | WhatsApp added its blue tick read receipts at the start of November .
Now, a single grey tick means the message has been sent, a double grey tick means it has been delivered, and two blue ticks mean it has been read .
Android users can disable this feature by installing the Android APK .
The update is in beta, which means it is not a full, official release .
It is not known when the full update will be pushed out to all users, or when other platforms including iOS and BlackBerry will see the changes .
Opinion about the changes divided users on social networks . |
60,667 | ac71bb6d3cf2e73db250450d1fb964106f0ace97 | The New York hospital where the city's first Ebola patient is being treated has denied claims that hoards of health workers have called in sick out of fear of contracting the deadly virus. Bellevue Hospital Center, to which Dr Craig Spencer was admitted on Thursday, was said to have suffered a staff shortage on Friday after a high number of medics failed to turn up for work. According to The New York Post, the employees feared they might become infected with Ebola like the two Dallas nurses who treated victim Thomas Eric Duncan, who died on October 8. However, hospital spokesman Ana Marengo has now denied there was any sickout, saying that nurses are willing treating Dr Spencer in pairs, 'with one serving as a buddy watching the other'. Scroll down for videos . Denial: Bellevue Hospital Center (pictured), where Ebola victim Dr Craig Spencer is being treated, has denied claims that hoards of health workers have called in sick out of fear of contracting the deadly disease . Quarantined: Dr Spencer (left), who has tested positive for Ebola, and his fiancee Morgan Dixon (right), who is under observation for the virus, have both been contained at the hospital in Manhattan, New York . Victim: Dr Spencer (pictured, left, in a hazmat suit, and, right, in his LinkedIn profile picture), is a Doctors Without Borders volunteer who has recently returning from aid work in Ebola-stricken Guinea, West Africa . Dr Spencer, a Doctors Without Borders volunteer, was admitted to Bellevue after recently returning from aid work in Guinea, West Africa, which is Ground Zero for Ebola. He was found to have a 100.3-degree fever, one of the primary symptoms of infection, and later tested positive for the virus. He is currently undergoing treatment and is in a 'stable' condition. Earlier today, a source told the newspaper that nurses are 'terrified' to enter the 'isolation chamber' where Dr Spencer is being treated for Ebola. 'The nurses on the floor are miserable with a ''why me?'' attitude, scared to death and overworked because all their co-workers called out sick,' said the source. 'One nurse even went as far as to pretend she was having a stroke to get out of working there, but once they cleared her in the ER they sent her back up.' Dr Spencer, who remains in a stable condition, has reportedly been putting his medical skills to use by lecturing the staff about his treatment. In treatment: After being admitted to Bellevue, Dr. Spencer (pictured) was found to have a 100.3-degree fever, one of the primary symptoms of Ebola. He is currently undergoing treatment and is in a 'stable' condition . 'As a doctor, he knows a lot about medicine, so he would call the nurse's station all day and going back and forth to the doctors on what to do,' the source said. Visits are forbidden and the victim's fiancée and two friends - who had been in close contact with him in the days leading up to his diagnosis - have been quarantined as a precaution. His fiancée Morgan Dixon, 30, who lived with Dr Spencer, is also under isolation at the hospital. Although the victim's doctors would not go into detail about his condition, New York City Mayor Bill di Blasio said on Thursday night that the patient was 'in good shape.'. Panic: The medic visited this Brooklyn bowling alley, The Gutter, after returning from West Africa but before being admitted to hospital. Above, the press speak with Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams . Hazardous: Specialty cleaners remove barrels from the Harlem apartment of Ebola patient Dr Craig Spencer . Dr Spencer arrived in New York on October 17 - six days before he was admitted to hospital. During that time he went bowling in Brooklyn, rode the subway and took a taxi, walked Manhattan's High Line and went to restaurants. He reportedly started feeling ill on Tuesday, but the fever did not develop until Thursday. He promptly called officials at Doctors Without Borders, who then called New York's health department. Emergency health workers rushed to Spencer's apartment on West 147th Street, Manhattan's Harlem neighborhood, in full protective gear. Under pressure: Dr Spencer, who remains in a stable condition, has reportedly been putting his medical skills to use by lecturing the staff about his treatment. Above, people at the entrance of the Manhattan hospital . Tragic: Earlier reports said Bellevue hospital staff called in sick on Friday out of fear they might develop Ebola like the two nurses who treated victim Thomas Eric Duncan (pictured), who died on October 8 . He was taken to Bellevue about 1pm and his apartment was sealed off, with biohazard cleaners brought in. Earlier this month, nurses Nina Pham, 26, and Amber Vinson, 29, were diagnosed with Ebola after caring for victim Mr Ducan, a 42-year-old Liberian, at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital. They have both since been declared 'Ebola-free': Miss Pham has been released, while Ms Vinson is still receiving supportive care at Atlanta's Emory University Hospital in Georgia. According to the latest figures, the Ebola death toll has now struck at least 4,922, bringing the total of confirmed and suspected cases of the virus to 10,141. Now Ebola-free: Earlier this month, nurses Nina Pham (right), 26, and Amber Vinson (left), 29, were diagnosed with Ebola after caring for victim Mr Ducan, a 42-year-old Liberian, at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital . Most cases of the virus have been recorded in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, all in West Africa . Symptoms of Ebola include a fever, a headache, diarrhea, vomiting, muscle and joint aches and in some cases bleeding. These appear two to 21 days after exposure to the disease, the CDC said. Even if a person is infected, the virus can only be passed on once symptoms appear. It is transmitted through direct contact with the affected person's bodily fluids. | Dr Craig Spencer was admitted to Bellevue Hospital Center on Thursday .
He has been diagnosed with Ebola and is being treated in isolation ward .
Earlier reports claimed hoards of health workers called in sick on Friday .
They were allegedly fearful that they might become infected with disease .
However, Manhattan-based hospital has now denied there was a sickout .
Spokesman said nurses are willing treating Dr Spencer in teams of two .
Victim's fiancée, Morgan Dixon, has also been quarantined at the hospital .
Two nurses in Dallas contracted Ebola while treating Thomas Eric Duncan .
Mr Duncan, a 42-year-old Liberian, died earlier this month from the virus . |
166,327 | 630f5e71f5a1206b503f9b5cd051f18f768ca2b8 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . Last updated at 5:31 PM on 5th August 2011 . A fugitive sex offender who police want to question over the disappearance of a young nursing student Holly Bobo has been arrested. Victor George Wall, 43, who was convicted of molesting a child in Washington state more than 20 years ago, was found at his girlfriend's home in Duluth, Minnesota. Miss Bobo, 20, from Parsons, Tennessee, went missing four months ago after she was abducted from her home by a man wearing camouflage clothing. Abducted: Holly Bobo went missing from her home in April . Wall was asleep at the time, arrested without incident and booked into the St. Louis County Jail. He will be extradited to Tennessee. He used to live near Bobo's Tennessee home. Victor Wall, seen here in a 2007 mugshot, was arrested at his girlfriend's home . Bobo, a cousin of country music star Whitney . Duncan was last seen being dragged across the carport from her family . home towards a wooded area. Her heartbroken parents Dana and Karen Bobo have continued the search for their daughter but the case has remained unsolved. Her brother Clint Bobo, 25, told . police that he saw his sister outside the house with a man before she . was kidnapped at around 7.30am on April 13. Mr Bobo only saw the man from the back and . told police he believed at the time it was the University of Tennessee . student’s boyfriend. But shocked Mr Bobo later called 911 after he witnessed an attack and saw blood outside the home. Miss Bobo’s lunchbox was later found several miles away. Police had said they believe the man . who kidnapped Miss Bobo could live in or near the college student’s home-town . of Parsons. Officials have not yet reported any previous connection between Wall and Miss Bobo, reported Fox News. Miss Bobo was abducted as she was leaving . for university.She is 5ft 3in tall with shoulder-length blonde hair and . weighs around 110lbs. Help: Volunteers unloaded from trucks and trailers in April to begin searching along rural roads for evidence . Devastated: Her parents Dan and Karen Bobo made an appeal for anyone with details to come forward . She was wearing a pink shirt and light blue jeans at the time of her suspected abduction. Devastated family and friends have been working with police to try and find her. 'Please pray for her': Country singer Whitney Duncan, Holly's cousin, appealed on Facebook . Police conducted a grid . search of the area on horseback and used sniffer dogs and a helicopter . in a bid to find her. The missing student's parents Dan and Karen have made repeated pleas for help in finding their daughter. Barely able to contain his tears, Dan Bobo said earlier this year: 'We've got thousands of people, we've got friends and neighbours and people we don't even know helping us. When asked what he would say to his missing daughter he replied: 'I would tell her I love her, and tell her to call us. 'We are hopeful she is going to be brought back soon.' Speculating on who may have abducted his daughter, Mr Bobo added: 'The way it looks to me myself, it might have been somebody close. 'Somebody that kinda knew our routine, knew when she (Karen) left, when I left, when my daughter left to go to school, is what I kinda got in my mind, but I don't know that for sure.' Barely able to talk, Karen Bobo said: 'Holly I love you so much, please try and get back to us.' Miss Bobo's cousin, the country singer Whitney Duncan, also made an appeal at the time for help to her fans to pray for Holly's safe return. My cousin Holly was kidnapped this . morning,' she wrote on Facebook. 'Please pray for her & our family. This is really sad & shocking.' She tweeted: 'Lord have mercy. I feel . like I'm walking in a nightmare. Thanks for all the prayers and please . keep spreading the amber alert.' Happy: Holly Bobo seen here with her sister and the family dog before the disappearance . Wilderness: Search parties have been scouring the rural areas around Holly's home in the hunt for clues . Abduction: The family home in Darden, Tennessee, where Holly Bobo disappeared earlier this year . Bud Grimes, a spokesman for the University of Tennessee at Martin, said Miss Bobo was studying to be a licensed practical nurse through the Tennessee Technology Center. She was taking classes at the university's extension campus in Parsons, but was not a UT-Martin student. Family friend David Ivey, whose son went to high school with Miss Bobo, said the young woman has an 'angelic voice' and loved to show it off in talent contests at school. She also would sing solos at Corinth Baptist Church where she was a member, he said. Her pastor, Don Franks, from the Corinth Baptist Church, said he has known the young woman all her life and called her 'a fine young Christian girl' with the voice of an angel. | Holly Bobo went missing in April from her home in Parsons, Tennessee .
Convicted child molester Victor George Wall arrested in Duluth, Minnesota .
Family continue search for missing student as case remains unsolved . |
129,833 | 33d100a107224d5c9c5acf769f6d1ba085e222ac | By . Jack Doyle . PUBLISHED: . 19:53 EST, 17 January 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 19:53 EST, 17 January 2013 . Top police officers are in line for inflation busting pay rises of up to ten per cent. The bump could be worth up to £18,000 a year for Chief Constables at a time when the starting salary for a Constable was cut by £4,000 to £19,000. The fall of a fifth left starting salaries at the same level they were a decade ago and less than a trainee manager at McDonald’s. and sparked fury among rank-and-file officers. Both changes were among recommendations from the overhaul of pay and conditions proposed by former rail regulator Tom Winsor. Starting salaries for new police recruits have dropped £4,000 to £19,000, while top officers could get £18,000 more. File picture . Last night Steve Williams, chair of the Police Federation, said: ‘At a time when police budgets are being slashed and police pay is being reformed to the detriment of serving officers, we are amazed that PCCs will have the budget available to increase the salary of Chief Constables by 10 per cent.’ Coming months will see the appointment of top officers in around a quarter of forces, as incumbents retire or move to new jobs. Many were temporary appointments in advance of the elections for Police and Crime Commissioners last year. Last week Nick Gargan, former head of the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) was appointed as to head the Avon and Somerset force. The Police Federation chair said he is 'amazed' at the proposed wage hike . Yesterday acting Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall Police Shaun Sawyer was appointed to fill the job on a permanent basis. The new pay regulation, signed off by Home Secretary Theresa May, will allow PCCs to vary the existing starting salaries for Chief Constables by up to ten per cent. The pay levels for senior officers are set according to the size of the force they are commanding. At the top end are the West Midlands and Greater Manchester forces which came with a starting salary of £181,455 in 2010. The West Yorkshire chief earns £169,359 and Merseyside and Northumbria chiefs £157,260. Salaries are then staggered down to the lowest level, £130,044 for five smaller forces, including Gloucestershire, Lincolnshire and Warwickshire. The Home Office said it was right for PCCs to be given the ‘flexibility’ to change salaries, which they would have to account for to the electorate. The new arrangements for new recruits will see those with no experience seeing their starting salary cut by 17 per cent. Recruits with experience, such as those who have volunteered as a special constable, can earn up to £22,000 a year. Mrs May is yet to decide whether to accept another Winsor recommendation that would allow chiefs to sack under-performing officers. A Home Office spokesman said: ‘PCCs have been elected by the people to hold the police to account and it is only right they are given some flexibility on employing chief constables. ‘That is why independent reviewer Tom Winsor recommended chief officer basic pay could be raised or lowered by up to 10per cent when PCCs are recruiting new chief constables. ‘Our police reforms are introducing modern management practices at all levels of policing, giving the added flexibility required to forge a force fit for the 21st century.’ | Proposed wage rises come after junior police's pay is slashed .
Police Federation is 'amazed' at proposal .
Chief constables earn from £130,000 to £181,000 . |
181,780 | 775f08b0b1ec2cb89a001b5cc5e45164b2a10b57 | ROME, Italy (CNN) -- An Italian newspaper and magazine published excerpts of what they said were audio recordings of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi talking with an escort at the center of a corruption probe. Veronica Lario, the wife of Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, pictured, filed for divorce in May. The daily La Repubblica and its sister magazine L'Espresso said the recordings posted on their Web sites Monday were of Berlusconi and Patrizia D'Addario. She has said that an Italian businessman hired her and other women to attend parties at Berlusconi's homes. In June, D'Addario told CNN that she had turned the tapes over to a prosecutor in Bari, southern Italy. Through her attorney, she refused to comment on the authenticity of the excerpts released Monday. But in a statement carried by the Italian news agency ANSA, Berlusconi lawyer Niccolo Ghedini said the prime minister is challenging the "truthfulness and legality" of the recordings. "We can only regard the material as worthless, completely false and the result of invention," Ghedini said. "In any case, the act of its publication is an illegal act in itself, which will need to be pursued, and all legal actions will be taken against any body who publishes such material." Berlusconi, the 72-year-old media mogul-turned-prime minister, has denied the allegations. According to La Repubblica, the conversation between D'Addario and Berlusconi took place in October and November at the prime minister's house in Rome. It also published an excerpt of what it said was a conversation between D'Addario and Gianpaulo Tarantini, the businessman accused of hiring D'Addario and other escorts. Prosecutors in Bari, in southern Italy, are investigating allegations that Tarantini bribed health officials to buy prosthetics and other medical supplies from a company he and his brother own. Tarantini has denied any wrongdoing and says he brought women to the parties to make a "beautiful impression." "I have never paid money to those who accompanied me except for refunding their trip expenses," he said in a statement issued last month. "I exclude that the premier could have been aware of these reimbursements and I want to ask forgiveness for having involuntarily damaged him." Berlusconi's private life has been in the spotlight since his wife of 19 years, Veronica Lario, filed for divorce in May. The split followed reports that Berlusconi went to the birthday party in Naples of an 18-year-old girl, with whom Berlusconi has denied having an inappropriate relationship. And the Spanish newspaper El Pais has published what it said were photos of racy parties at Berlusconi's villa on the island of Sardinia, including one picture that showed scantily clad women. But despite the swirl of scandal, Berlusconi remains popular, consistently scoring approval ratings well over 50 percent. CNN's Hada Messia contributed to this report. | D'Addario refuses to comment on authenticity of excerpts released Thursday .
Berlusconi attorney calls act of publication "an illegal act"
La Repubblica: Conversation between D'Addario, Berlusconi took place at his home .
La Repubblica publishes alleged conversation between D'Addario, businessman . |
241,059 | c4158ca5b6fcafb4bc6f9eb7dfd8cd3787f220b6 | (CNN) -- A Florida woman whose nonstop hiccups vaulted her into the public spotlight, only to be ensnared later in a man's death, was found guilty Friday of first-degree murder. Jennifer Mee, 22, wept after the verdict was read in a Florida court, sometimes holding her head in her hands. She sobbed some more as she was led out of the room for a jail cell. Pinellas County Judge Nancy Moate Ley sentenced her to life in prison without parole and informed her she had 30 days to appeal. Mee was 19 when she was arrested in October 2010. Police said she met Shannon Griffin on a social networking site, then lured him to a vacant home days later. Authorities do not believe Mee or Griffin, a Wal-Mart employee who recently moved to Florida, knew each other prior to their online encounter. Mee led Griffin around to the back, where two men -- Laron Raiford and Lamont Newton -- were armed and waiting, authorities said. Griffin died after being shot multiple times with a .38-caliber revolver. All three suspects were arrested hours after Griffin's body was found. And all three were charged with first-degree murder, even Mee, although police indicated she didn't pull the trigger. Mee, Raiford and Newton had all been living together, according to police. According to CNN affiliate Bay News 9, Raiford was sentenced to life in prison last month and Newton has yet to stand trial. The spotlight on Mee after the arrest, and during her trial, stood in contrast to the attention she got in 2007. That's when she earned the nickname "Hiccup Girl" for having hiccups lasting more than a month, even appearing multiple times on NBC's "Today" show. Her desperate search for a hiccup cure included trying "sugar, peanut butter, breathing in a bag, having people scare me," she said in a photo slideshow posted on the St. Petersburg Times' website in February 2007. But after her hiccups faded, Mee continued to draw attention. In June 2007, local media reported she ran away from home. In January 2010, St. Petersburg police again issued a missing person report for Mee. CNN's Catherine E. Shoichet and AnneClaire Stapleton contributed to this report. | Jennifer Mee, 22, is found guilty of first-degree murder in a man's slaying .
She met the victim online and lured him to a home, where he was robbed and killed .
2 of her roommates were also arrested in the crime .
Mee shot to prominence in 2007 for her prolonged bout of hiccups . |
221,936 | ab43d7093ca408ac38be84ee91d975f45fae9149 | By . Damien Gayle . PUBLISHED: . 07:00 EST, 15 February 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 13:30 EST, 15 February 2013 . Pictures allegedly showing the new PS4 controller reveal the device will incorporate a touchscreen built into the middle of the familiar DualShock layout. Excitement over the next-generation console is building after Sony sent out invitations to an event on 'the future of the Playstation' to be held next week. A supposedly leaked image posted by games website Destructoid shows what appears to be an updated DualShock controller plugged into software development kit. Touch me: This apparently leaked image purports to show the controller for the hotly anticipated PlayStation 4, which Sony is expected to announce at an event to be held in New York City next Wednesday . The touchscreen is at the front, where the start and select buttons are found on the current generation of PlayStation controllers. The image appears to back up rumours circulating earlier this week which added L2 and R2 buttons have also been remodelled and improved. All eyes in the video games world are on Sony right now ahead of next Wednesday's event in New York City where the Japanese tech firm is expected to unveil the new PlayStation. Sony has kept its cards close to its chest regarding the expected launch, so far only officially releasing a teaser video via YouTube announcing date of the event and calling on gamers to 'be the first to know'. The video also promoted a Twitter hashtag, #Playstation2013, to which video game fans flocked to share their excitement about the forthcoming event. Asked about the purpose of the event, Masaki Tsukakoshi, a spokesman for the company said only: 'We will be talking about the PlayStation business.' Tantalising: A still from Sony's teaser video, published on YouTube on January 31, announcing the date of its event on 'the future of the Playstation' to be held in New York City next week . Console rival Microsoft is also believed to be gearing to launch its successor to the Xbox 360, though it is understood the Windows giant is likely to delay announcement of the machine until the E3 show in June. Observers expect it to be on the shelves in time for Christmas, which could mean a battle for supremacy between Microsoft and Sony as their next-generation consoles go head-to-head in the vital holiday season market. Due for an update: Microsoft is expected to announce the successor to its Xbox 360 console at June's E3, in time for a Christmas launch date . It has been more than six years since Sony launched the 70million-selling PS3, a longer gap than between it and its PS2 predecessor, adding to the anticipation that it will soon disclose its next gaming concept. The last time Sony held a PlayStation event, in January 2011, it presented a protoype of its handheld Vita console. Before that, it convened a gathering in 2005 two months after it first demonstrated the PS3 concept. A meeting in 1999 revealed designs for the PS2. Rumours surfaced last week that the new machine would be heavily focused on the cloud, which would put the Japanese firm's purchase last year of a leading cloud-based gaming company into perspective. Sony paid $380million for Gaikai in June last year. At the time Sony's chief executive, Andrew House, said: 'By combining Gaikai's resources including its technological strength and engineering talent with SCE's [Sony Computer Entertainment] extensive game platform knowledge and experience, SCE will provide users with unparalleled cloud entertainment experiences. 'SCE will deliver a world-class cloud-streaming service that allows users to instantly enjoy a broad array of content ranging from immersive core games with rich graphics to casual content anytime, anywhere on a variety of internet-connected devices.' The PlayStation Vita: The portable console, successor to the PSP, was unveiled the last time Sony held a PlayStation event, in January 2011 . As well as the touchpad controller, . the new console is expected to have an eight-core x64 AMD processor . (codenamed 'Bulldozer), 8GB of RAM, 2.2GB of video RAM, four USB ports . that use the new high-speed USB 3.0 standard, a Blu-ray drive, a hard . drive of 160GB, an Ethernet port, and both HDMI and optical outputs. Specs . for the next-generation Xbox are rumored to be comparable, with . insiders suggesting that it will also pack 8GB of RAM, HDMI connectors . and USB 3.0. However, video . gamers have been horrified by rumours that the Microsoft machine will . only work with the Kinect sensor plugged in and that it will only run . games registered to the machine - potentially blocking not only . second-hand games but also games borrowed from friends. The co-founder of Xbox has launched a scathing attack on Microsoft for 'five years of failure' - and claimed that Apple could ‘kill them’ at any given moment. Former Xbox engineer Nat Brown - who came up with the console’s name (albeit spelled xBox) - slammed Microsoft for failing to capitalise on innovations such as Kinect and making it difficult for developers to make and sell games on the device. The attack follows reports that Microsoft are likely to announce their Xbox 360 successor, codenamed Durango, at E3 in Los Angeles in June this year. Writing on his blog ilike.code, under the title ‘Stupid, Stupid xBox’, Brown said: ‘The past 5 years, and the last year in particular, have been simply painful to watch. 'Coasting on past momentum. Failing to innovate and failing to capitalize on innovations like Kinect. Touting strategic and market success when you’re just experiencing your competitor’s stumbling failure (yes, Sony, Nintendo – you are, I’m afraid, stumbling failures). 'A complete lack of tactical versus strategic understanding of the long game of the living room.’ The Playstation 4 could cost as little as £270 when it launches later this year, according to a report in a Japanese newspaper. The Asahi Shimbun reported that Sony's new gaming console will cost 40,000 Yen - which translates to about £270. However, UK gamers will have to factor in VAT, which adds a whopping 20 per cent to the price, taking the possible UK figure to around £325. Even at that price, the PS4 will be a bargain.The PS3 cost 60,000 Yen when it launched in Japan 2006. The new console is expected to be announced at a press conference in New York on February 20. If the price is as low as the rumours suggest, it could steal a march on Microsoft's next-generation Xbox console, which doesn't yet have a launch date. Microsoft's console, which could be named the Xbox 720, could be announced at the annual E3 gaming conference, held in Los Angeles in June. Observers expect it to be on the shelves in time for Christmas, which could mean a battle for supremacy between Microsoft and Sony. The launches are important for both companies, as gamers have moved away from consoles since the Xbox 360 and the PS3 débuted. More and more people have shifted to tablets and smartphones as a gaming platform. Analysts expect that tablets and other mobile devices will match the power and graphics of today's games consoles within a few years. Many are already able to run the kinds of 3D games that were once the exclusive preserve of those dedicated machines and high-spec gaming PCs. Last hurrah: The Garnet Red PS3. Sony are still actively marketing the console, and are releasing it in two different colours tomorrow . Azurite Blue: The 500GB 'super-slim' units may represent one last push of their current gen hardware . Despite next-gen rumours and stiff competition from mobile devices, Sony are still actively marketing the Playstation 3. The company today released the console in two different colours. The new limited edition Garnet Red and Azurite Blue 500GB 'super-slim' units seem to represent one last push of their current generation hardware. | Pictures show a device broadly similar to Sony's DualShock controller .
However the select and start buttons have been replaced by touchscreen .
Excitement is building over expected imminent launch of PlayStation 4 . |
98,442 | 0abea360d85d535f7ac9e2280e5c6d615cdb33e2 | In 1925, H. L. Mencken wrote an impassioned plea: "Prohibition has not only failed in its promises but actually created additional serious and disturbing social problems throughout society. There is not less drunkenness in the Republic but more. There is not less crime, but more. ... The cost of government is not smaller, but vastly greater. Respect for law has not increased, but diminished." This week marks the 79th anniversary of the repeal of Prohibition in December 1933, but Mencken's plea could easily apply to today's global policy on drugs. We could learn a thing or two by looking at what Prohibition brought to the United States: an increase in consumption of hard liquor, organized crime taking over legal production and distribution and widespread anger with the federal government. News: Pot smokers enter legal limbo in Washington, Colorado . Here we are, four decades after Richard Nixon declared the war on drugs in 1971 and $1 trillion spent since then. What do we have to show for it? The U.S. has the largest prison population in the world, with about 2.3 million behind bars. More than half a million of those people are incarcerated for a drug law violation. What a waste of young lives. In business, if one of our companies is failing, we take steps to identify and solve the problem. What we don't do is continue failing strategies that cost huge sums of money and exacerbate the problem. Rather than continuing on the disastrous path of the war on drugs, we need to look at what works and what doesn't in terms of real evidence and data. Opinion: The end of the war on marijuana . The facts are overwhelming. If the global drug trade were a country, it would have one of the top 20 economies in the world. In 2005, the United Nations estimated the global illegal drug trade is worth more than $320 billion. It also estimates there are 230 million illegal drug users in the world, yet 90% of them are not classified as problematic. In the United States, if illegal drugs were taxed at rates comparable to those on alcohol and tobacco, they would yield $46.7 billion in tax revenue. A Cato study says legalizing drugs would save the U.S. about $41 billion a year in enforcing the drug laws. Have U.S. drug laws reduced drug use? No. The U.S. is the No. 1 nation in the world in illegal drug use. As with Prohibition, banning alcohol didn't stop people drinking -- it just stopped people obeying the law. News: Marijuana advocates hope to rise from 'prohibition' About 40,000 people were in U.S. jails and prisons for drug crimes in 1980, compared with more than 500,000 today. Excessively long prison sentences and locking up people for small drug offenses contribute greatly to this ballooning of the prison population. It also represents racial discrimination and targeting disguised as drug policy. People of color are no more likely to use or sell illegal drugs than white people -- yet from 1980 to 2007, blacks were arrested for drug law violations at rates 2.8 to 5.5 times higher than white arrest rates. Prohibition failed when the American people spoke up and demanded its repeal. Today, the American people are showing their dissatisfaction with the war on drugs by voting for change, often in the face of federal law. Colorado and Washington recently became the first U.S. states to legalize recreational use of marijuana. Eighteen states and the District of Columbia allow the medical use of marijuana, and 74% of Americans support alternatives to locking people up for marijuana possession. How would our society, our communities and daily lives improve if we took the money we use running a police and prison state and put it into education and health? Treating drugs as a health issue could save billions, improve public health and help us better control violence and crime in our communities. Hundreds of thousands of people have died from overdoses and drug-related diseases, including HIV and hepatitis C, because they didn't have access to cost-effective, life-saving solutions. A Pew study says it costs the U.S. an average of $30,000 a year to incarcerate an inmate, but the nation spends only an average $11,665 per public school student. The future of our nations and our children should be our priority. We should be helping people addicted to drugs break their habits rather than putting users in prison. When it comes to drugs, we should focus on the goals we agree on: protecting our kids, protecting public safety and preventing and treating drug abuse and addiction. To help unlock barriers to drug reform, last June, I joined the Global Commission on Drug Policy, which is bringing global leadership to drug reform to make fact-based research public and draw attention to successful alternative approaches. Opinion: Mr. President, fix our broken drug policy . As part of this work, a new documentary, "Breaking the Taboo," narrated by Oscar award-winning actor Morgan Freeman and produced by my son Sam Branson's indie Sundog Pictures, followed the commission's attempts to break the political taboo over the war on drugs. The film exposes the biggest failure of global policy in the past 40 years and features revealing contributions from global leaders, including former Presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter. It is time we broke the taboo and opened up the debate about the war on drugs. We need alternatives that focus on education, health, taxation and regulation. If you ignore a serious problem, refuse to debate it and hope it will go away all by itself, you are very naive. The war on drugs has failed. It's time to confront the issue head on. Follow @CNNOpinion on Twitter . | Richard Branson: Prohibition caused damage in the same way the war on drugs has done .
Branson says if one of his companies is failing, he doesn't continue with failed strategies .
U.S. has the most prisoners in the world, he says, 500,000 of them for drug violations .
Branson: We need alternatives to jail that focus on education, health, taxation, regulation . |
271,644 | ebd728abddf392cea9aa126a1d2df80d9c710d1b | We've long known that a lack of sleep makes us feel irritable and crave carbohydrates, not to mention make our skin look dull. Now scientists say that just one week of poor sleep can disrupt hundreds of genes, increasing the risk of a host of life-threatening illnesses linked to stress, immunity and inflammation. The discovery could explain why lack of sleep is so bad for the health, they say. Sleep deficiency is associated with a host of conditions including obesity, heart disease and mental impairment . For the new study, researchers examined gene activity in 26 sleep-deprived volunteers. They found that insufficient sleep had an impact on more than 700 genes. Some had their activity dampened, while others became extra-active. Those affected included genes associated with the ‘body clock’ cycle, metabolism, and immune and stress responses. The scientists were led by sleep expert Professor Derk-Jan Dijk, from the University of Surrey, who described sleep as a ‘pillar of health’ - just like diet and exercise. The researchers wrote in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences: ‘Insufficient sleep is increasingly recognised as contributing to a wide range of health problems. 'Multiple studies have shown self-reported short sleep duration - defined in most studies as less than six hours - is associated with negative health outcomes such as all-cause mortality, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and impaired vigilance and cognition.' Indeed, sleep deficiency is associated with a . host of conditions including obesity, heart disease and mental . impairment. Sleep expert Professor Derk-Jan Dijk described sleep as a 'pillar of health' - just like diet and exercise . Prof Dijk’s team analysed RNA - the messenger chemical that delivers coded ‘instructions’ from the genes to cells - in the blood of volunteers. RNA can be used as a tool to measure gene activity. Participants were exposed to a week of poor sleep during which they slept no more than six hours a night. At the end of this time, they had to stay awake for around 40 hours while RNA samples were collected at three hourly intervals. The results were compared with the effect on the same volunteers of sleeping up to 10 hours a night for a week. Again, RNA samples were taken during a long period of wakefulness at the end of the study period. During the ‘sleep-restriction condition’ volunteers got an average of 5.70 hours sleep a night. The scientists noted: ‘Sleep obtained in the sleep-restriction condition was not sufficient to maintain alertness or performance.’ The findings may be relevant to many people living in industrialised societies, they said. For many thousands of Britons sleeplessness is a grinding fact of life - one in eight sleeps for less than six hours a night and more than a third suffer from insomnia at some time. The news comes just after scientists in Germany discovered that children who get a good night’s sleep have a boosted memory. The researchers at the University of Tuebingen, Germany, found that during deep sleep children have slower wave activity in their brains and that this is critical to the ability to learn, think and remember. Therefore, if sleep is disrupted, their ability to remember things they have learned will be affected. | Poor sleep can impact 700 different genes .
It is linked to stress, obesity and heart disease .
One in eight Britons sleep fewer than six hours a night . |
87,715 | f8e7bc895a52705d8b156bd61a5270f542c3a5f6 | For his 50th birthday, Jim Greenan was probably expecting a slap-up meal or a romantic break. Instead, all his wife Claire Potter gave him was a wicker box containing 50 brightly coloured pieces of paper. On each was written a small challenge to be done in order throughout the year. They ranged from the routine (baking a loaf), to the daring (skinny-dipping) and the bizarre (talking like a pirate, volunteering for a police identity parade). Scroll down for video . Taken out of the comfort zone: Jim Greenan with his wife Claire Potter and the box of challenges . Mr Greenan also had to try laughter yoga – a therapy using laughter – and to copy the art of October Jones, who photographs train passengers with cartoon heads superimposed on them. The tasks were devised to fit in around work, holidays and family life in Oxfordshire with the couple’s 15-year-old son and eight-year-old daughter. Miss Potter, a writer, said the idea was to make the year ‘unique and out of the ordinary’. She said: ‘As you get older it can be easy to get in a groove and this has really jolted him out of it.’ So on Mr Greenan’s 50th birthday last January, she presented him with the challenges. One of his favourites was photographing ten strangers, asking permission first, on a family holiday to Warsaw. Miss Potter said it gave them an ‘insight into life in Poland’. Mr Greenan's challenges included eating a whole lobster, left, and sending a message in a bottle, right . Oddly, it was one of the challenges designed to be relaxing and indulgent that caused schoolbook editor Mr Greenan his worst moment – taking a leisurely bath. Miss Potter said: ‘I ran him a bath but only put the hot water in. I told him to put some cold in but he didn’t hear me and scalded his foot. He then managed to pull the plug out and ended up sitting in a few inches of cold water. He got out and said it was rubbish.’ Mr Greenan said: ‘I do like the idea of challenging myself and I’m thinking about doing something bigger this year.’ Miss Potter said: ‘It has been a really good year seeing him try new things that take him out of his comfort zone.’ When she turned 50 in October, her present was more conventional – a bicycle. The couple held a joint 50th birthday party in July at which Mr Greenan played a song he had composed as one of his tasks. He has one challenge left – writing his wife a love letter with 50 things he likes about her. Miss Potter said: ‘I think I deserve that after coming up with all the challenges.’ He was also challenged to go skinny-dipping, left, and buy an item from a charity shop that he wouldn't normally wear, right . Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article. | All Claire Potter gave husband Jim was a a wicker box containing 50 brightly coloured pieces of paper .
On each was a small challenge to be done in order throughout the year .
They ranged from the routine (baking a loaf), to the daring (skinny-dipping)
Also had to try laughter yoga and volunteer for a police identity parade . |
102,873 | 10964a2f1bb1e367d6221c5fd15455f029e9ba3e | TEHRAN, Iran (CNN) -- Iran announced Wednesday that it successfully tested another "Sajil" missile, a surface-to-surface missile with a range that makes it capable of reaching parts of Europe. Image purportedly shows the test launch of Iran's new Sajil surface-to-surface missile. A similar test was carried out in November. U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said he understood Wednesday's test of the missile, with an approximate range of 1,200 miles, was successful. State media reported that the missile, a Sajil-2, was launched Wednesday morning from the northern Iranian city of Semnan and reached its target. The report did not say where it landed. The missile was test-fired successfully, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told a group of residents in Semnan province, state-run Islamic Republic News Agency reported. Ahmadinejad said the missile "met the predetermined target," according to the news agency. Gates said he could not confirm that it had hit the intended target. A White House official said the test is noteworthy. "I think it is a significant technical development," said Gary Samore, special assistant to the president on nonproliferation, in a Washington speech Wednesday. "Of course, this is just a test, and obviously there is much work to be done before it can be built and deployed. But I see it as a significant step forward in terms of Iran's capacity to deliver weapons," Samore said. "And I think it actually helps us in terms of making a case to countries like Russia, which were skeptical in the past whether Iran actually poses a threat. This is a very clear demonstration that Iran is moving in the direction of longer-range missiles." An Israeli official, meanwhile, said the test should be more of a concern to Europe than to Israel, since previous missiles tested by Iran could already reach the Jewish state. "If anyone had any doubt, it is now clear that the Iranians are playing with fire," Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon said Wednesday in an interview on Kol Israel Radio. "We know that the Iranians are developing capabilities of thousands of kilometers, that could reach the coasts of the United States." "The Iranian clock is ticking fast and it must be stopped," Ayalon said. White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said President Obama "expressed ... his great concern, his continued concern, about Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons capability and nuclear weapons technology." The Sajil is a new generation of surface-to-surface Iranian-made missiles that "demonstrates a significant leap in Iran's missile capabilities," Uzi Rubin, the former director of Israel's Ballistic Missile Defense Organization, told Jane's Information Group after the November test. "Regardless of the success of the test, this missile places Iran in the realm of multiple-stage missiles, which means that they are on the way to having intercontinental ballistic missile capabilities," he said. Sajil missiles are powered by solid fuel, which uses smaller containers and helps the rockets travel longer distances, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told the semiofficial Fars News Agency. Iran says the missiles have a range of almost 2,000 kilometers (1,243 miles). If that is true, the missile brings Moscow, Russia, Athens, Greece, and southern Italy within striking distance from Iran, according to Jane's, which provides information on defense issues. Gates said the missile was probably "on the low end of that range." After the November launch, the United States restated its objection to such tests, saying they violate Iran's obligations under United Nations Security Council resolutions. U.S. officials have cast doubt on the success of past missile test launches by Iran, including a rocket launch in August and a series of missile tests in July. Wednesday's reported test comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with U.S. officials in Washington to discuss how to deal with the potential of a nuclear-armed Iran. He met Tuesday with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Minority Leader John Boehner. Obama, who met with Netanyahu on Monday, stuck by his refusal to commit to an "artificial deadline" for Iranian negotiations on its nuclear program. But he also warned that he would not allow such talks, which he expects to accelerate after the Iranian presidential election in June, to be used as an excuse for delay. He said the United States is not "foreclosing a range of steps, including much stronger international sanctions, in assuring that Iran understands that we are serious." Netanyahu wanted a time limit for negotiations relating to such ambitions, with the threat of military action if no resolution is reached. Asked if the missile launch will dampen Obama's efforts to reach out diplomatically to Iran, Gibbs said, "The president and the prime minister [Netanyahu] both agreed on Monday that engaging the people and the leaders of the Islamic Republic of Iran, something that hasn't been tried for the past many years, is something that makes sense." Both Israel and the United States believe that Iran is seeking nuclear weapons under the guise of a civilian nuclear energy program; Tehran denies the accusation. Israeli leaders have pointed to Ahmadinejad's calls for the end of Israel as a Jewish state, and argue that quick action is needed. Netanyahu called Iran the biggest threat to peace in the region. "If Iran were to acquire nuclear weapons, it could give a nuclear umbrella to terrorists, or worse, could actually give [them] nuclear weapons. And that would put us all in great peril," he said. Obama is considered to have a more conciliatory approach to the Arab and Muslim world than Netanyahu. CNN's Shirzad Bozorgmehr, Pam Benson, Charley Keyes and Barbara Starr contributed to this report. | Iran says it fired a Sajil missile, which uses solid fuel and travels long distances .
Missiles have range that can reach Russia, Greece and southern Italy, Iran says .
U.S. official: Iran looking to increase sophistication of its missile program .
Israel: "It is now clear that the Iranians are playing with fire" |
103,089 | 10e46efd13851ac4f3cc4cda00ff970d510172b4 | Mauricio Pochettino is getting tough with his under-performing Tottenham squad and insists that player reputations mean nothing to him. The Spurs manager won his first four matches in charge at the club, after taking over in the summer, but has since lost two and drawn two. They now face a tricky tie against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday night in the Capital One Cup to turn that form around, where places for Saturday's north London derby against Arsenal are up for grabs. Mauricio Pochettino passes on instructions to his Tottenham side during the home defeat against Liverpool . Pochettino expresses his frustration during Tottenham's defeat to West Brom on Sunday . One of the difficulties the former Southampton boss faces is utilising a squad largely assembled under Andre Villas-Boas, in a period when chairman Daniel Levy sanctioned more than £100million worth of transfers after Gareth Bale moved to Real Madrid for a world record fee. Some of the larger deals included signing Roberto Soldado from Valencia for £26million Erik Lamela from Roma for £25.7million and Paulinho from Corinthians at a cost of £17million. But when asked if reputations meant anything to him, Pochettino replied: 'No, I select the team, but they, the players, show me. They are not different. We have 25 or 26 players and they are all in the squad. If I decide you play, you play, but the name is nothing for me when I pick my team.' Their recent poor form was particularly apparent in the shock slump at home to West Bromwich Albion on Sunday, when they lost 1-0 to a side bottom of the league. Pochettino revealed that he has been 'straight' with his players that the performance, in which they had 63 per cent possession but only one shot on target, was not acceptable. 'To build a winning mentality and a winning team, sometimes you need to lose, you need a big hit in your face to change sometimes the energy and realise that you need to fight every game,' Pochettino added, displaying an adept understanding of metaphor despite his, at times, patchy English. James Morrison scored the only goal of the game on Sunday as West Brom condemned Tottenham to defeat . The Tottenham manager celebrates their last-gasp winner at Upton Park on the opening day of the season . 'You need to fight every training session, you need to play like a team and you need to show more energy like a team in the competition.' The Forest match is the players' last chance to impress upon Pochettino that they deserve a place in the side for the derby match at the weekend. And the Argentine has no problem with dropping those who he feels are not playing to the standard he expects, regardless of their price tag. He added: 'We analyse every game and every performance and after we decide. For me, when I pick the best players for playing in each game, always I analyse how was the last performance. 'And I have no problem to pick different players in different competitions or if it's not in a good moment, if you need to change, you change. It's not a big problem.' | Mauricio Pochettino expects his under-performing Tottenham squad to raise their game after a poor run of form .
Tottenham have not win any of their last four games in all competitions .
They face high-flying Championship side Nottingham Forest in the Capital One Cup third round at White Hart Lane on Wednesday night . |
11,607 | 20fcd04b71ab46d921a274619b4cdb5d26e01bf3 | With every new I-phone software update comes the potential for problems and the iOS 7.1 released on Monday is no exception. Customer's say it's killing their phone batteries among other pesky glitches. The iOS7.1 is the first major update to Apple's newest operating systems for iPhones and iPads and the apple community is lamenting poor battery charges, disappearing contacts, bad Bluetooth connections, keyboards oriented the wrong way, and the list goes on, reports the Huffington Post. The new iOS 7.1 is draining the battery of even the newest version of Apple iPhone and iPad products . According to zdnet.com, the iOS 7.1 . is already on 21 per cent of all iPhones and iPads making it one of . the fastest changeovers to a new operating system in recent history. Despite . rigorous internal testing and five beta versions offered to Apple . developers, the battery seems to drop much faster than it did on the . iOS7. A twitter page dedicated to problems with the iOS7.1 has a collection of comments on the faults with the new update. 'iPhone has been unplugged 30 mins and already down to 92% battery' tweeted @Robbie Kimpton. 'I think I'd have to get that juice pack that gives me double battery life,' tweeted Timothy Tung Nguyen. 'Not knowing who you're texting,' tweeted @DanHallas . Users also took to Apple's discussion forum to voice their issues with the supposedly newer and better program. I've . had my phone for 3 months, never have dropped it once or anything of . the sort, if that matters. My battery drains to 50% within an hour or so . after intense use on the lowest level of brightness, and I seem to lose . about 5-7 percents when on standby for 5 hours or so,' said rainxwater. 'My . iphone 5s battery also drains fast after ios 7.1 update. Before the . update I get 24hrs moderate to heavy use. But now I only get 12 hours'. My . iPhone 5S has been draining like crazy since the iOS 7.1 Update. This . morning I woke up at 8:30, my phone was at 100%. It's now 10:40 and my . phone is at 85%,' said Mattyboy. Customers now wait to see if Apple will take charge over the system's battery problems. Users took to the apple forums to discuss the problem with apple's newest system update . Users notice a significant battery drop in the new iOS 7.1 . | The iOS 7.1 .
is already on 21 per cent of all iPhones and iPads making it one of .
the fastest changeovers to a new operating system in recent history .
Customers say it's killing their batteries among other glitches . |
260,252 | dd020f59bc996aadc0e7241fba128e21b95eaf4e | By . Derek Lawrenson . What’s that about Valhalla being a burial ground for legends? Maybe in Norse mythology, but clearly not for those of the golfing kind. To general astonishment and a fair level of hysteria, Tiger Woods showed up here in the nick of time on Wednesday and played the most watched nine-hole practice round in the history of the game. Was this the man who could barely lift himself off a buggy after withdrawing from the WGC Bridgestone Invitational on Sunday — the one whose hopes looked buried amid his latest injury setback? Fair play to his physio. Whatever he gets paid, he is worth it. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Tiger Woods say 'he feels good' ahead of US PGA Championship . Walk and talk: Tiger Woods, left, walks on the seventh hole with his swing coach Sean Foley . On track: Woods hits an approach shot during a practice round prior to the start of the 96th PGA Championship . Fighting fit: Woods arrives at Valhalla for his PGA Championship practice round . Smooth: The American golfer looked calm in his preparations, intent on recovering from injury . Like the last major at Hoylake, the USPGA will finish with an exciting par-five where it’s possible to score anything from an eagle to a double bogey. A vast amphitheatre behind the green can accommodate thousands of spectators with the entire hole visible. Reachable in two but well protected by a lagoon that runs its whole length and a deep bunker at the front of a devilish horseshoe green. Woods was in such good spirits he even spoke at length with the media before walking the back nine. ‘The only good thing about Sunday night was that I knew the pain was in a different place from where I had my surgery,’ he said. ‘What had happened is that the sacrum (a triangular bone at the base of the spine) had popped out and pinched a nerve. Once my physio popped it back in the pain went away. ‘I feel good. I feel fit and yes, I think I can win.’ Asked if there was a danger it could pop out again, he replied: ‘Sure. But you won’t find me jumping back into bunkers any more.’ Woods didn’t play in the Ryder Cup here in 2008 because he was recovering from yet more injuries — his knee and a broken leg on that occasion — but it sounded like a Ryder Cup when he walked to the practice ground. He hit a 20-yard chip and 10,000 people started cheering. Whatever happens to him over the coming months as he strives for a decent level of fitness, there will clearly be no shortage of people wishing him well. After warming up with a little pitching and a few short irons, he reached for the driver. Uh-oh. But he swung fairly hard and not only did it go straight, he didn’t collapse on his haunches. Steve Stricker, fresh from being chosen as one of Tom Watson’s Ryder Cup vice-captains, Medinah skipper Davis Love and young American Harris English accompanied Woods alongside the madding hordes — and that was just the media inside the ropes, wondering if they could trust their eyes. Empty space: There were doubts the former world number one would make it to Valhalla . Woods took a three-wood off the first tee and struck it true. The same with his iron approach and again at the second hole. At the third he played his first bunker shot in public since jarring his back while tumbling into the sand last Sunday. But that went well too. He splashed out and holed the three-foot putt. Beware the injured golfer? We will find out soon enough, given he is out this morning at 8.35 (1.35pm UK time) in the company of two more greats struggling to keep pace — Padraig Harrington and Phil Mickelson. ‘I think you saw out there that my speed through the ball is pretty good,’ said Woods. ‘It’s nice coming back to a place where I won (the 2000 PGA) but the greens are completely different so all my notes are of no use.’ The presence of Stricker was surely telling. People can say what they like about Woods and the Ryder Cup, but one of the reasons Woods is playing is surely to try to prove his health for Gleneagles, and find some semblance of form. Take it as read that Stricker will be like a personal captain for him. Woods admitted he wished he had been able to play a full practice round. Then again, given where he was on Sunday evening, it seems truly amazing that he’s here at all. Wherever you look, then, the game is certainly keeping us on the edges of our seats right now, isn’t it? Can’t wait for 8.35am. VIDEO WGC-Bridgestone Invitational Day 4 highlights . Injury: Woods injured his back playing this shot last week . | Woods was a major doubt for the US PGA starting in Valhalla on Thursday .
Former world No 1 confirms he will play through the risk if injury having suffered from back problems .
The 14-time Major winner's body appears to be paying the price for gruelling training regime of early career . |
66,724 | bd374e7534fc06d293700172d77cd5fd66170afb | It is not very often that you can get a camera this close to deadly molten lava - especially while it oozes into the Pacific Ocean. However, a 51-year-old extreme landscape photographer from Hawaii braved the rough waters during a brief period of calm and managed to capture the Kilauea volcano eruption in all its glory. The stunning footage - taken somewhere in between Waikupanaha and the Hawaii Volcano National Park, off the coast of the Big Island - is almost therapeutic to watch as fiery fluid plunges underwater where it will transform into land. A hot situation: Molten lava from the erupting Kilauea volcano pours into the Pacific Ocean off Hawaii . Recalling his time filming the scene in April 2013, Kawika Singson says: 'On this particular day the ocean was fairly calm and my window of opportunity was there, so I took it. 'You can also see this crazy thrill-seeking kayaker in the foreground. He probably was saying the same thing about me: "Who's that crazy dude with the camera?".' Molten matter is hotter than 1,650 degrees Fahrenheit (900 Celsius), according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Surrounded by clouds of poisonous smoke in the clip, the way the lava drools from Kilauea looks like something from the set of Game of Thrones. Seizing the opportunity: Hawaiian photographer Kawika Singson took advantage of the waters being calmer than normal and waded in to produce this footage in April 2013 . Daredevil: The 51-year-old remained only a short distance from the lava flow and made sure to wear protective gear to prevent burning . It's amazing to think that this hyperactive volcano - the youngest on Hawaii's Big Island - has been erupting continuously since 1983. Indeed, the way that the bright orange liquid contrasts against the blue palette of the ocean and sky, makes for one of the most powerful and picturesque visions that nature has to offer. Speaking to The Huffington Post, Kawika remembers just how difficult it was to get close to lava and the importance of keeping safe by staying 'on top of your game'. The daredevil says: 'The videos can only show you so much, but to actually be there, to feel the heat. ... The heat is one thing, but the gases are extremely toxic.' However, Kawika is very experienced in his field and owns all the right gear - including fireproof boots and long-sleeved clothing to prevent severe burning. 'Sometimes, after a day of filming, I shake my head and think, man, that was pretty stupid to do what I just did,' he adds. 'Still, that's not going to stop me from doing what I want to do.' 'Sometimes I think that was pretty stupid!' Looking back, the Hawaain local cannot believe some of the dangerous situations he puts himself into . | Kilauea volcano is one of the most active on Earth and has been erupting for over 30 years .
Hawaiian photographer takes a huge risk by filming its scorching lava flow off the coast of the Big Island .
The extraordinary footage taken in 2013 shows the lava pouring into the Pacific Ocean, leaving behind clouds of toxic fumes . |
57,456 | a2d4551e975c04213099867d78b1a3330e3af570 | It's a decision thousands of protesters feared. China's powerful National People's Congress Standing Committee voted Sunday to change the way Hong Kong picks its chief executive, ruling that only candidates approved by a nominating committee will be allowed to run. A top Chinese official made clear the candidates all must "love the country and love Hong Kong." The city's current leader insists it's a step in the right direction. "The majority of Hong Kong citizens, namely, the 5 million qualified voters of the selection of chief executive in 2017, will be able to cast their votes to select the chief executive," said Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying. Speaking at an event Monday to explain the NPC's decision, he added: "This is the first opportunity -- a very good opportunity -- for Hong Kong to have one man, one vote -- universal suffrage. This is something we should all feel proud of." But that's not how Hong Kong's pro-democracy Occupy Central movement sees it. The group has vocally pushed for elections in which any candidate can run for chief executive. For weeks, protesters have taken to the streets. In a statement on its website, the group slammed Beijing's decision as a move that stifles democracy and blocks people with different political views from running for office. "Genuine universal suffrage includes both the rights to elect and to be elected," the statement said. "The decision of the NPC Standing Committee has deprived people with different political views of the right to run for election and be elected by imposing unreasonable restrictions, thereby perpetuating 'handpicked politics.'" Scores of people -- including pro-Beijing groups and pro-democracy supporters -- gathered at the city's AsiaWorld-Expo Monday where the city's decision-makers were meeting. Local media reported chaotic scenes at the conference center as pan-democrats attempted to disrupt an address by Li Fei, deputy secretary general of the NPC Standing Committee. Freedoms eroded . Under the "one country, two systems" policy, the 7 million residents of Hong Kong -- defined as a "Special Administrative Region" of China -- are afforded greater civil liberties than those in the mainland. This reflects an agreement reached between China and the United Kingdom before the handover, which promised Hong Kong a "high degree of autonomy" for 50 years after its return. But the decision to change the way Hong Kong picks its leader comes amid increasing fears that those freedoms are being eroded. Currently, Hong Kong's leader is chosen by an election committee selected mostly by Beijing loyalists. Beijing brushed aside demonstrators' demands for a fully open election in 2017, saying the decision to change the system is in line with Hong Kong's basic law. Protesters demands are self-serving, one top official said. "Those people's so-called international standards are tailored for themselves," said Li Fei, deputy secretary general of the National People's Congress Standing Committee. "They are not the international standards, but their personal standards." Civil disobedience . Throngs of pro-democracy protesters rallied in central Hong Kong on Sunday to condemn Beijing's decision and promised there would be more protests. The threat of civil disobedience "is our bargaining power," Benny Tai, the organizer of Occupy Central, told CNN earlier this month. "They take us seriously, though they will never admit that." After a massive rally calling for democracy in the Chinese territory in July, hundreds of demonstrators -- including prominent lawmakers -- were arrested. Tens of thousands of demonstrators protesting Occupy Central marched in Hong Kong earlier this month. Local media swirled with reports of marchers getting paid or bused in to attend the pro-government march. The march's organizer said he took the accusations seriously and would investigate but maintained that no laws were broken. 'Paper tiger' But a commentary published Monday by the state-controlled Global Times dismissed this opposition and suggested Hong Kong's political reforms had come to a "foregone conclusion." "The radical opposition camp is doomed to be a paper tiger in front of Hong Kong's mainstream public opinion and the firm resolution of the central government," it said. "These radicals could indeed incite a group of people to rally with them but they are facing a powerful will and a strong legal framework that Hong Kong must remain stable. They will definitely be called to account if they resort to illegal confrontation. And if they raise objections in a legal way, their efforts will end in vain." Meanwhile, Fernando Chui Sai-on has been re-elected uncontested as Macau's chief executive. Like nearby Hong Kong, Macau is a "Special Administrative Region" of China, following its transition from Portuguese control in 1999. The territory has itself faced calls for greater democracy, though its constitution makes no mention of universal suffrage. A recent unofficial poll on this question was shut down by police and several pro-democracy organizers were arrested for allegedly breaching privacy laws. | Beijing says only candidates approved by a nominating panel can run to lead Hong Kong .
The city's current leader insists it's a step in the right direction .
Hong Kong's pro-democracy Occupy Central movement says it's a move that stifles democracy .
Protesters take to the streets in Hong Kong and vow more civil disobedience . |
32,313 | 5be440d6b2036e9f009fb33c32fe79901b2db215 | The U.N. Security Council voted unanimously Friday in favor of a resolution to condemn violence in Yemen, where demonstrators, government forces and rival factions have been embroiled in months of unrest. The 15-0 vote demands that Yemen allow peaceful demonstrations to take place and to end government crackdowns on civilians. U.S. Ambassador Susan E. Rice said the "Security Council sent a strong message to President (Ali Abdullah) Saleh that it is time to heed the legitimate calls of the Yemeni people for a peaceful and orderly transition toward a unified, stable, secure and democratic Yemen." "President Saleh has repeatedly pledged to sign the (Gulf Cooperation Council) initiative," Rice said. "Today, the Security Council made clear to President Saleh that his continued equivocation is weakening his country and imperiling a peaceful and democratic future for the people of Yemen. Friday's resolution does not, however, sanction the embattled leader. The proposed deal, which Rice noted, referenced a GCC-brokered accord, backed by the United States and European Union, whereby Saleh could resign from power in exchange for immunity from prosecution. Peter Wittig, German ambassador to the United Nations, said the resolution was "not ideal" but "can make a difference." "We would have liked to express those messages that are in that resolution even in a stronger and more unequivocal form, especially the strong call to President Saleh to step down," he said. Nobel Peace Prize winner Tawakkol Karman also weighed in Friday, calling the resolution "not sufficient." "They have to discuss about the ousting of Ali Saleh and that he has to be handed over to the authorities immediately," says the Yemeni activist who plans to stay in the United States "until I am able to submit Ali Saleh's case to the international tribunal." "But in general," she said of the resolution, "I would say it is good." U.N. director at Human Rights Watch Philippe Bolopio said the group welcome's "the long overdue condemnation of Yemeni government abuses," but Bolopio believes "the Security Council should have more clearly distanced itself from the GCC impunity deal." Earlier this week, several people were killed during clashes with Yemeni security forces after anti-government protests filled the streets of the country's capital. Crowds had marched through downtown Sanaa, where government forces allegedly gunned down protesters. Hundreds of security forces attempted to restrict the protesters' movements, and tear-gas canisters could be seen flying toward the crowd, said hospital director Mohammed Qubati. A senior U.S. official, speaking on condition on anonymity, said that Friday's resolution, introduced by Germany and the United Kingdom, would send a strong signal of urgency for political transition. The official said that unanimity is an indication of greater consensus on the council. Russia and China issued a rare double veto of a resolution condemning the violence in Syria this month. Security Council members have said a political solution in Yemen should be based on a initiative put forward by the GCC, a political and economic union of Arab states. | U.S. Ambassador Susan E. Rice said Saleh's "continued equivocation" weakens his country .
Resolution does not sanction embattled President Ali Abdullah Saleh .
Yemen has been engulfed in months of unrest .
U.N. Security Council vote demands that Yemen allow peaceful protests . |
236,135 | bdad2eb78edef93cf8839e9d799e22174e65e5ac | Dutch midfielder Leroy Fer has completed his move to QPR from Championship side Norwich. The 24-year-old, who has joined for £7million, has signed a three-year contract with Harry Redknapp's side. Fer spent just one season at Carrow Road after joining the Canaries from Eredivisie side FC Twente last summer. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Leroy Fer's brilliant dance with his new wife at their wedding . New boy: Leroy Fer shows off his No 10 QPR shirt after joining the club from Championship side Norwich . Fresh start: Fer seals his move to London while sat alongside his wife Xenia Schipaanboord . He becomes Redknapp's fifth summer signing following the arrivals of Jordon Mutch, Rio Ferdinand, Mauricio Isla and Steven Caulker. 'I can't wait to get started here. It was always my dream to stay in England, in the Premier League. QPR did well last season to come up and the squad is full of top players, so I'm delighted to be here,' Fer told qpr.co.uk. 'Harry told me I was a big target for him and when you hear that from a coach, you want to work with them and play for them. 'I'm just looking forward to showing what I'm capable of here at QPR.' Moving on: Fer spent just one season at Norwich before making the switch to QPR . Summer to remember: Fer helped Holland reach the World Cup semi-finals in Brazil . Redknapp, who watched his side suffer a 1-0 defeat to Hull in their opening game of the season, said: 'Leroy's arrival is a massive boost for us. 'He's another excellent signing and I'm delighted we've been able to get him to QPR. 'He played for Holland in the World Cup this summer and has all the attributes you'd be looking for from a central midfielder. 'He's just an outstanding midfield player - great physique, fine ability, he gets box-to-box. 'I'm really looking forward to integrating him into the squad.' VIDEO Staying in the Premier League is the aim - Redknapp . | Fer has signed a three-year contract at Loftus Road .
The midfielder spent just one season at Norwich .
He says he 'can't wait to get started' with Harry Redknapp's side .
The Dutchman will wear the No 10 shirt at QPR . |
118,572 | 251c35deae6072206544e4dd4903a55acac00a71 | By . Sami Mokbel . Follow @@SamiMokbel81_DM . Mario Balotelli wants £5million-per-year after tax to join Arsenal this summer. The Gunners have shown an interest in the Italy forward after learning he will be allowed to leave AC Milan this summer. Arsenal's interest in Balotelli had cooled after a move for Loic Remy progressed, but their attempt to sign the Queens Park Rangers striker has now been called off due to his wage demands. VIDEO Scroll down to watch some of Mario Balotelli's funniest (and strangest) moments . Back in action: Balotelli will travel with the AC Milan team for their pre-season tour of USA . And Arsenal are now set to revive their interest in Balotelli - but the forward's salary demands could be a stumbling block. The north London club have been quoted a £100,000-per-week net for his wages. In . addition to his wage package, the Gunners would have to fork out in the . region of £16m to prise him away from the San Siro. The . ex-Manchester City star is currently in New York with girlfriend . Fanny Neguesha, as he enjoys his time off after playing for Italy at the . World Cup. Winner: Balotelli celebrates scoring against England for Italy during the World Cup group stages . Him again: Former Man City star Balotelli (left) has been linked with a move to Arsenal . Having fun: Balotelli uploaded a picture of him and girlfriend Fanny Neguesha outside Empire State Building . He recently uploaded a series of . pictures to his Instagram account of himself working out, to prove he is ready for the start of the domestic season. Balotelli's girlfriend Fanny also posted a picture of them laden with shopping bags after a trip to a Puma store - with Arsenal's badge prominent on the wall behind him. Purchase: Balotelli's girlfriend Fanny Neguesha posted a picture of them shopping in a Puma store . | Former Manchester City star could be on his way back to Premier League .
Milan are keen to sell but Balotelli is demanding huge wages from Arsenal .
Gunners had been in talks to sign Loic Remy but that move broke down . |
199,601 | 8e6342587981fece4acc6e164040e894e3744cfd | By . Wills Robinson . PUBLISHED: . 14:31 EST, 2 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 14:38 EST, 2 October 2013 . Recognised: Russian President Vladimir Putin's efforts to stop a US strike on Syria were highlighted as part of the nomination . Russian President Vladimir Putin has been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize. The former KGB agent has been recommended by an activist group because he 'actively promotes settlement of all conflicts arising on the planet'. His attempts to prevent a US air strike on Syria after suspected chemical weapons attacks on civilians was also given as a reason behind the recognition. Despite being the main supplier of weapons to Bashar Al-Assad's regime, fellow politicans have rushed to his defense, with one claiming he is 'more worthy' than Barack Obama. Activist group The International Academy of Spiritual Unity and Cooperation of Peoples of the World put his name forward but made no mention of the violent campaigns he waged against the separatists in Chechnya or the war in Georgia. The letter of recommedationn read: 'Being the leader of one of the leading nations of the world, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin makes efforts to maintain peace and tranquillity not only on the territory of his own country but also actively promotes settlement of all conflicts arising on the planet' The New York Times reported. Russian singer and MP Iosif Kobzon, backed the nomination comparing his actions to that of the US President, who won the same prize in 2009. He told Interfax news agency: 'Barack Obama is the man who has initiated and approved the United States' aggressive actions in Iraq and Afghanistan. 'Now he is preparing for an invasion into Syria. He bears this title nevertheless. 'Our president, who tries to stop the bloodshed and who tries to help the conflict situation with political dialogue, is more worthy of this high title.' Prize: Putin has been put up for the award, despite being the main supplier of weapons to Bashar Al-Assad's regime and his responsibility for violent campaigns in Georgia and Chechnya . The prize is awarded to 'the person who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses'. Previous winners of the prize have included Martin Luther King, Mother Teresa and Desmond Tutu. The winner of this year’s prize . will be announced on October 11 and the deadline for the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize . nominations is in February. | Russian President's efforts to thwart a US strike on Syria recognised .
One supporter said he was 'more worthy' than President Obama .
Previous winners of the prize include Martin Luther King and Mother Teresa . |
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