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68,626 | c29aa28680ac654db6bebff269e08df8b789281e | (CNN)My son Jason Rezaian and his wife were taken at gunpoint from their apartment in Iran more than 200 days ago. Since then, he has been languishing in a jail with no firm trial date in sight. Our patience has been exhausted. It is time to release my son or let him face a fair trial. Jason Rezaian, The Washington Post's Tehran bureau chief, was taken with his wife, Yeganeh, from their apartment on July 22. Jason, a dual Iranian-American citizen, has been at Evin Prison, held on suspicion of somehow posing a security risk to Iran. Yeganeh was released in early October, and through November she was permitted three phone calls and two visits each week. But last month, she was only permitted one brief visit. In a meeting December 22 with two members of Jason and Yeganeh's interrogation team, I was informed: "The West has an unfair view of us (the Iranian Revolutionary Guard). We do not rape, we do not torture; we do not waterboard. We are not Guantanamo. ... We do everything by Islamic, true Islamic law." When I visited my son in Evin on Christmas Day, he told me: "I will be a model prisoner if I am granted my rights under Islamic law. Rights attributed to Imam Ali, a fair and just man. And I don't believe I've been granted any of them: the right to meet with my attorney, my trial scheduled in a timely manner, and visitation rights with my wife." Following my trip, Iranian newspapers -- moderate and hard-line alike -- highlighted that I had met with Jason twice. Last weekend, in Munich, Germany, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif commented on his role in that process. But while I sincerely appreciate Zarif's "humanitarian" efforts, as well as the orchestrating of Jason's one telephone call to me for Thanksgiving Day, the fact is that as a dual citizen and therefore Iranian mother, it is my right to visit my son in prison. In fact, in the early months, I was told the Iranians were asking Jason, "Where is your mother?" when I wasn't there all the time because they are so accustomed to seeing mothers waiting outside the prison gates. Yet in January, I was given no assurances of permission for further visits. Iran's ways are often inscrutable. There are apparently three separate security apparatuses, and Jason seems now to have been handed off to a legal branch (the judiciary) that appears to be taking its time scheduling his trial. Iran's Constitution spells out that once a prisoner's file is completed, the prisoner is to be moved to a public ward, where he can interact with others and have access to a telephone. Furthermore, once assigned to a court, a trial date must be set within 60 days. As his file was sent in early January, the case should be heard in early March. And yet there are rumblings that Jason's case will not be heard until after Nowruz, the Persian New Year, which is on the first day of spring, March 21. Anyone with knowledge of Iran knows that nothing happens during the two weeks following Nowruz, a period when even newspapers don't publish, so it can only be assumed his trial date might not be set before April 6. All this is taking a huge toll on Jason. It weighs heavily on him knowing how much his wife, his brother, their families and our relatives in the United States and Iran are worrying about him. And it deeply pains him to know that this situation has come about because of suspicions -- no matter how baseless -- about his contacts and associations. All this frustration is compounded by the knowledge that the length of his detention far exceeds that of other American journalists in Iran. This week, Iran is celebrating the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution. It is traditionally a time when pardons are granted and prisoners are released on bail to visit with their families. Jason is fully aware of this. Whatever the unknown charges against him may be, surely Jason is at the least entitled to regular visits from his wife and phone calls with his mother? Our family has been exceedingly patient during these seven months. We have been respectful of Iran, of its laws and its procedures. But our patience ran out some time ago, and it is difficult, nearly impossible, to maintain respect for a system under which someone who was born and raised American is being detained "as an Iranian" even as his rights under Iran's own laws are being so flagrantly violated. I am calling on Iranian Human Rights Minister Mohammad Javad Larijani, Javad Zarif, President Hassan Rouhani and the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, to ensure that Jason's rights are observed. Please review the evidence and release my son or ensure that he receives a fair trial immediately. It is long past time. | The Washington Post's Jason Rezaian has been detained in Iran since July .
Mary Rezaian: Time to release my son or let him face a fair trial . |
41,950 | 764fdc37649c21b2a33a23bcdfe58849bdd70c2f | When Eric Barrett was born his mother was devastated as she was told he might not survive, and would be imprisoned in his own body - unable to walk or talk. He was put in intensive care for a couple of months before eventually being diagnosed with cerebral palsy, a physical disability that affects movement and posture. But on Monday the 16-year-old surprised everyone when he climbed 1,437 steps to the summit of Sydney's iconic Harbour Bridge. Thanks to sheer determination and years spent learning to walk from scratch, Eric stood 134m above sea level with 30 of his closest friends and family, with his achievement screened live on national TV by Channel 10. 'It felt surreal and amazing to reach the top,’ Eric told Daily Mail Australia after walking for the longest time in his life so far. Scroll down for video . Eric Barrett (front left) climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge with Studio 10 reporter David Robinson (back right) on Monday after his mum Karen (front right) was told when he was born he would never be able to walk . His mother Karen was by his side for every one of the remarkable steps over the two and a half hours. 'It was absolutely exhilarating, it was just a bit surreal that we got there to be honest,’ she added. ‘I didn’t think he would ever walk. I had no thought about it all because I didn’t want to disappoint him at all or myself. ‘He’s exhausted now and he’s not saying much. You know Eric is tired when he stops talking,’ she laughed, as they drove back to their home inTerrigal, a suburb on the Central Coast region of New South Wales. Doctors told Karen that her son would be imprisoned in his own body after he was born . Eric was diagnosed with cerebral palsy - a physical disability that affects movement and posture . Karen came up with the idea for Eric to climb the Harbour Bridge around six months ago, four years after he took his first step, because she wanted do 'something that was a bit of challenge for him and also give back to the community’. Network Ten's morning show Studio 10 helped make his dream a reality. Karen doesn't get treatment for Eric from the doctors who once told her that her son would never walk, instead opting to use alternative treatments and therapist Luke Waters - who started working with him many years ago. She says doctors are amazed when Eric returns for his yearly X-rays and shows them just how far he has come. Eric trained with Luke for six days a week, in the gym and walking up stairs, to climb the bridge. ‘He put in a lot of hard work,’ Karen said. Karen said her son always had a sparkle in his eye even as a baby . While growing up, Eric had to learn how to crawl properly before he could even contemplate learning to walk . However, the teen has essentially been training his whole life - since he had to learn how to crawl properly again and eventually take his first steps just four years ago. ‘We went left off field and right back to the basics, retraining the brain pathways and repeating movements over and over again. He used to bunny hop when he crawled around and we had to teach him to crawl properly,’ Karen explained. ‘With every bit he got he had to learn the next step… He built on everything he did every step of the way,’ she added. Eric climbed the bridge with 30 of his friends and family. Here he is shown with his younger sister Presley and a younger brother Tommie . The 16-year-old has a passion for sports, especially basketball, and wanted to raise money for young athletes . Eric's mum (second left) says 'he put in a lot of hard work' to learn to walk . Eric spent 12 years of his life in a wheelchair and now that wheelchair is stowed away in the garage gathering dust. Surgery and therapy helped him along the way but Karen points out 'there is no magic pill'. She attributes his unbelievable achievement to his determination and strong character. ‘He never complains about training sessions, he looks forward to them and wants to do it. If he had a personality that whinged he wouldn't be up on his feet – he’s the one that’s done it.' Eric was joined on the Harbour Bridge by Studio 10 reporter David 'Robbo' Robinson. He told Robbo 'the views are amazing' and therapist Luke said 'the smile on his face says enough'. All funds raised by the walk will go to the Donnica Clarke Foundation, which offers financial and moral support to young athletes, across all sports from the Central Coast region of New South Wales. To donate please visit the website Eric Gives Back. All funds raised by Eric's bridge walk will go to the Donnica Clarke Foundation . | Eric Barrett, from the Central Coast, was in a wheelchair for 12 years .
He was diagnosed with cerebral palsy while in intensive care as a baby .
Doctors told his mother Karen he would never walk or talk .
But four years ago he took his first step after years of retraining his brain .
On Monday he climbed 1,437 steps to raise money for a local charity .
'It felt surreal and amazing to reach the top,' Eric told Daily Mail Australia . |
87,554 | f86b853e91090f9cd66f090dffea90c524df13ab | By . Leslie Larson and David Mccormack . PUBLISHED: . 00:19 EST, 3 February 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 02:06 EST, 3 February 2013 . Two days before President Barack Obama's first trip outside Washington to promote his gun-control proposals, the White House tried on Saturday to settle a brewing mystery by releasing a photo to back his claim to be a skeet shooter. Obama had set inquiring minds spinning when, in an interview with The New Republic magazine, he answered ‘yes’ when asked if he had ever fired a gun. The admission came as a surprise to many. ‘Yes, in fact, up at Camp David, we do skeet shooting all the time,’ Obama said in the interview released last weekend, referring to the official presidential retreat in rural Maryland, which he last visited in October while campaigning for re-election. Guns a blazing: The White House released this picture, taken on Aug. 4, of the president skeet shooting after skeptics questioned Mr Obama's claim that he enjoyed shooting at Camp David . Former White House senior adviser David Plouffe took to Twitter to mock those who might claim the photograph of President Obama shooting a firearm is fake . White House communications director Dan Pfeiffer joined in the teasing by posting the Obama pic from his official Twitter account . George W. Bush looks to the sky during a dove hunt in Hockley, Texas in 2004 . Asked whether the entire family participates, the president said: ‘Not the girls, but oftentimes guests of mine go up there.’ Then on Saturday morning, the White House released the photo of Obama . shooting at clay pigeons at the presidential retreat at Camp David in . Maryland. Former White House senior adviser David Plouffe couldn't resist mocking those who might claim the photograph of President . Obama shooting was fake and tweeted: 'Attention skeet birthers. Make our day - let the photoshop conspiracies begin!' White House communications director Dan Pfeiffer also joined in the teasing and tweeted the picture of the President with a shout-out to the 'skeeters' - namely people who might claim the image is false. Both men received a large amount of online abuse for their attempts at humor. The image of a U.S. president holding a gun is certainly nothing new. A number of men who have held the highest office in America have been pictured holding guns, from Theodore Roosevelt to George W. Bush. President Bill Clinton holds a Colt AR-15 rifle during a ceremony at the White House in 1994, where he launched efforts to pass the assault weapons ban . President George H. Bush displays a rifle given to him as a gift, in Billings, Mont. in 1992 . The shooting range at Camp David was installed by President Dwight Eisenhower in the 1950s. The retired Army general enjoyed shooting and even brought visiting dignitaries, including Prince Charles, to join him. Presidents . John F. Kennedy, Jimmy Carter and George H.W. Bush are among the former . U.S. leaders who have also been photographed packing heat. Mr Obama's predecessor, 43rd . President George W. Bush, is an avid hunter who enjoyed the sport at . his ranch in Crawford, Texas - which was dubbed the 'Western White . House' during his tenure. His Vice-President, Dick Cheney, also . enjoyed the practice but landed in a tight spot when he accidentally hit . his shooting companion, Texas millionaire Harry Whittington, while . quail hunting on a Texas ranch in February 2006. The image of President Obama shooting at clay targets was released at a time when he is pushing a package of gun-control measures in response to the Newtown, Conn., school shooting. The National Rifle Association, which has rejected Obama's proposals, scoffed at the photo. ‘One picture does not erase a lifetime of supporting every gun ban and every gun-control scheme imaginable,’ said Andrew Arulanandam, the organization's spokesman. President Jimmy Carter sights down the barrel of a shotgun in Atlanta in 1984 . Presidential pastime: John F. Kennedy skeet shooting at Camp David with actor David Niven and Washington Post editor Ben Bradlee in May 1963 . The NRA opposes Obama's call for . Congress to ban assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines . and says requiring background checks for all gun purchases would be . ineffective because the administration isn't doing enough to enforce . existing gun laws. Asked . at Monday's press briefing how frequently Obama shoots skeet and . whether photos existed, White House press secretary Jay Carney said he . didn't know how often. Pictures may exist, he said, but he hadn't seen . any. ‘Why haven't we heard about it before?’ Carney was asked. ‘Because . when he goes to Camp David, he goes to spend time with his family and . friends and relax, not to produce photographs,’ Carney said. Obama is accompanied almost everywhere by at least one White House photographer. Carney declined to comment on the decision to release the photo, which he had announced on Twitter. The . release appeared to be part of a strategy to portray Obama as . sympathetic to gun owners and opponents of his gun-control measures who . argue the proposals would infringe on an individual's Second Amendment . right to bear arms. Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, Allied invasion chief, fires a Browning light machine gun using his hip as a mount, during an inspection of an infantry unit in England in 1944 . President Calvin Coolidge shoots at clay pigeons at his vacation home on the Brule at Superior, Wis, in 1928 . A top official with the National Skeet Shooting Association said the photo suggests Obama is a novice shooter. ‘This . isn't something he's done very often because of how he's standing, how . he has the gun mounted,’ said Michael Hampton, executive director of the . San Antonio-based association. Hampton . said Obama's remark about ‘skeet shooting all the time’ and the White . House photo would have met less skepticism had the president spoken . about his hobby months before this new debate over guns in the U.S. ‘Once it becomes controversial and there's problems, to talk about it then, that's where it becomes very debatable and is not being received as well as if he would have done this six months ago,’ Hampton said. In interview, appearing in The New Republic's Feb. 11 issue, Obama said gun-control advocates should be better listeners in the debate over firearms, which was sparked by the December killing of elementary school pupils in Connecticut. He also declared his deep respect for the long tradition of hunting in this country. ‘I have a profound respect for the traditions of hunting that trace back in this country for generations. And I think those who dismiss that out of hand make a big mistake,’ Obama said. President Theodore Roosevelt, posing as an 'outdoorsman' points his rifle during a studio photo session, date unknown . ‘Part of being able to move this forward . is understanding the reality of guns in urban areas are very different . from the realities of guns in rural areas. And if you grew up and your . dad gave you a hunting rifle when you were 10, and you went out and . spent the day with him and your uncles, and that became part of your . family's traditions, you can see why you'd be pretty protective of . that.’ 'So it's trying to bridge those gaps that I think is going to be part of the biggest task over the next several months. And that means that advocates of gun control have to do a little more listening than they do sometimes,' Obama said. His gun control measures also have met resistance on Capitol Hill. In Minneapolis on Monday, Obama plans to make remarks and discuss his proposals with local and law enforcement officials during a stop at the police department's special operations center. He's also expected to hear from community members about their experiences with gun violence. Obama announced his proposals in mid-January, about a month after the Dec. 14 shooting deaths of 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. | The White House has released a picture of President Obama shooting at the Camp David range .
The shooting range at presidential retreat was installed by Eisenhower in the 1950s .
George W. Bush is an avid hunter who enjoys the sport at his ranch in Texas, which was dubbed the 'Western White House' during his tenure .
Presidents .
John F. Kennedy, Jimmy Carter and George H.W. Bush are former .
U.S. leaders who have also been photographed packing heat .
Obama's shooting stance was described as that of a novice by the National Skeet Shooting Association . |
70,114 | c6c9afce5ef7d511b179e05ae593256c15514b24 | HAMILTON, Bermuda (CNN) -- Four Chinese nationals of Uyghur ethnicity who had been held at the U.S. military's Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, detention facility have been resettled in Bermuda, officials said Thursday. Attorney General Eric Holder says the U.S. is "extremely grateful to the government of Bermuda." "Above all, this was a humanitarian act," Bermudan Premier Ewart Brown told CNN in an interview at his Cabinet office in Hamilton, Bermuda. "We don't see it as quid pro quo." The four were twice cleared for release -- once by the Bush administration and again this year, according to a Justice Department statement. They were among 17 Uyghur detainees at the facility set up to hold terror suspects. The four were flown by private plane Wednesday night from Cuba to Bermuda and were accompanied by U.S. and Bermudan representatives as well as their attorneys, according to Susan Baker Manning, part of the men's legal team. President Obama has pledged to close the Guantanamo facility, raising questions of what will happen to the more than 200 remaining detainees. A political backlash against bringing any of the detainees to the United States has increased the focus on sending them to other countries. Brown said he read an article on the issue of the Guantanamo Bay detainees' fates in The Washington Post while he was in Washington for a White House meeting in May. He said he decided to put an offer to the U.S. government "on the table." He said Bermuda, a British colony, told London of its intentions, but not until late in the process. Britain must approve the transfer for it to be permanent, Brown said, adding that he believes the issue may raise tension between Bermuda and Britain. The issue is controversial because of China's opposition to the Uyghurs being sent to any country but China. Uyghurs are a Muslim minority from the Xinjiang province of far-west China. The 17 Uyghurs had left China and made their way to Afghanistan, where they settled in a camp with other Uyghurs opposed to the Chinese government, the Justice Department said in its statement. They left Afghanistan after U.S. bombings began in the area in October 2001 and were apprehended in Pakistan, the statement said. Watch concerns about resettling the Uyghur detainees » . "According to available information, these individuals did not travel to Afghanistan with the intent to take any hostile action against the United States," the statement said. Manning said the 17 were picked up as a matter of circumstance and never had terrorist training. They left China because they did not agree with the government, she told CNN. However, China alleges the men are part of the East Turkestan Islamic Movement -- a group the U.S. State Department considers a terrorist organization -- that operates in the Xinjiang region. East Turkestan is another name for Xinjiang. China on Thursday urged the United States to hand over all 17 of the Uyghurs instead of sending them elsewhere. The Chinese statement followed an offer by Palau, a Pacific island nation, to accept the Uyghur detainees. The Xinjiang region of 20 million people is largely populated by ethnic Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities who have traditionally opposed Beijing's rule and clamored for greater autonomy. A senior U.S. administration official told CNN the State Department is working on a final agreement with Palau to settle the matter of the 13 remaining Uyghur detainees. Issues to be worked out include how to transfer the Uyghurs to Palau and how much money the United States would give the men for resettlement, the official said. The official said the average in such cases is $100,000 per person. The United States will not send Uyghur detainees cleared for release back to China out of concern that they would be tortured by Chinese authorities. China has said no returned Uyghurs would be tortured. Palau said it will take in the ethnic Uyghur detainees for humanitarian reasons and because of the "special relationship" between Palau and the United States. Palau, with a population of about 20,000, is about 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers) southeast of Manila in the Philippines and about 4,600 miles (7,400 kilometers) west of Hawaii. It has received nearly $900 million in U.S. aid since independence in 1994, according to congressional auditors, and depends on Washington for its defense. In 2006, five other Uyghur detainees were transferred to Albania, according to the Justice Department, which said it has no reports they took part in any post-resettlement criminal behavior or terrorist activities. Since 2002, more than 540 detainees have departed Guantanamo for other countries, including Albania, Algeria, Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Belgium, Denmark, Egypt, France, Great Britain, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Libya, Maldives, Mauritania, Morocco, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Sudan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Uganda, the United Kingdom and Yemen, the Justice Department said. CNN's Brian Vitagliano and Don Lemon contributed to this report. | NEW: Bermudan premier: "Above all, this was a humanitarian act"
Uyghurs are native Chinese Muslims; the detainees were apprehended in Pakistan .
China urges U.S. to hand over all 17 Uyghurs held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba .
Official says U.S. still negotiating with Palau to take remaining 13 Uyghurs . |
131,226 | 35b1b663856428e9cb76650fef9a14e6f6d0fd14 | Al Ram, West Bank (CNN) -- The Faisal al Husseini football stadium was packed, two hours before kick off, with a noisy sea of Palestinian flags and white hijabs. Football matches are always a big deal in the West Bank, but this game was more significant than most. 10,000 women had flocked to the stadium, on the outskirts of East Jerusalem and a mere few meters from the separation barrier that snakes around the West Bank, to watch a historic football match few would have believed possible just a few years ago: the Palestinian women's national team were to play Jordan in their first ever home international. Both teams gave laps of honor before the start of the game to mark an occasion that is rare in the Middle East. Football is hugely popular amongst women in the region but the development of the game has largely been held back by a social conservatism that disapproves of women playing what are deemed 'men's' sports. In Kuwait, attempts to set up a women's national team was met with outrage in the country's parliament. The move was halted after Waleed al Tabtabae, a hard line Islamist MP who chairs a committee charged with weeding out 'phenomena strange to society' decided that a women's football team was 'un-Islamic'. "Committee members expressed their indignation...and total rejection of the idea of the women's football team on the grounds that football is not suitable for women," Tabtabae told the Kuwait Times. The UAE has only this year launched its own national team. A handful of teams exist in Saudi Arabia, although they are confined to the more liberal university campuses and have to be played in front of small, women-only crowds. In Iran women are banned from attending football matches and have to wear the hijab when they play, even in tournaments abroad. The Palestinian team has had its own, unique problems to deal with. Set up in 2003 at Bethlehem University, Israeli movement restrictions meant it was impossible to practice on the West Bank's sole grass pitch in Jericho. Instead, they had to train on a concrete handball court and play against local boy's teams. The only way the national team could play was to travel to nearby Jordan, but that created its own problems as it was difficult for players from Gaza to get permission to leave. Since the 2007 Hamas takeover of the Gaza Strip, it became even harder for women to take part. But the hardest part was convincing the families, both Christian and Muslim, in conservative strongholds like Nablus and Jenin to allow their daughters to play football. "At first it seemed weird, women playing football in our society because it has a male mentality," said Honey Thaljieh, the team's 25-year-old captain when I interviewed her in 2007. "Some families had problems sending their daughters to play football, some still face problems." Yet two years on they have a Futsal league (an indoor version of the game), a national stadium to play in and a string of international tournaments to attend. The team even attempted to qualify for the 2011 World Cup, but narrowly missed out on reaching the second round. "We go to the villages now and tell them [the parents] that it is not forbidden to play. Most of the team is now Muslim," explained Rouqaya Takrouri, the 45-year-old national team manager, who hoped the Jordan match would spur a new recruitment drive, inspiring some of the thousands of female spectators to believe they could play football too. "We are talking to every woman now. We send out letters that say: 'Now is your time.' Last year we had six clubs, now we have 14." For Thaljieh the match was particularly poignant. Since captaining the team she has fought for recognition within her own community, dedicating her life to the women's game by vowing not to get married or start a family until she retires, a controversial move in Palestinian society. As the game has grown, Thaljieh has become something of a symbol for women's rights in the region and has been feted by everyone from Cristiano Ronaldo to FIFA president Sepp Blatter who presented Thaljieh with FIFA's inaugural development award at the FIFA World Player Gala earlier this year. Standing pitch side, she couldn't hide her smile when asked just how far she thought the game had come in two years. "It is still difficult sometimes," she admitted. "But this has broken all the rules for women here. This was a big event to get both women and men together in Palestinian society. In a way, today was like a marriage between the Palestinians." To put the match in context, as many as 16,000 people crammed in to watch Palestine and Jordan play. When the US women's team last played at home, a 1-0 victory over Canada in New York last July, just 8,433 fans turned up. But not everyone in attendance was there for football. Outside several thousand men who couldn't get in clambered on to surrounding rooftops, others scrambled up nearby wire fences, whilst some even crowded on top of a parked bus. Although a different type of union was on their minds. "All these men are here to see the women and I'm here to see the chicks too," admitted Abdullah Alawad, a 20 year old architecture student. "Maybe the girls are here to see the guys too," he added rather hopefully. The game itself was a surprisingly tetchy affair, with two players stretchered off after being on the receiving end of several crunching tackles, much to the anger of the Jordanian team's (male) coach. His mood wasn't helped when Palestine won two dubious penalties. A late Jordanian equalizer secured the 2-2 draw they deserved. But for the women watching, the result was less important than the game itself. After the final whistle both sets of players hugged and embarked on another lap of honor in front of an ecstatic crowd. "We want to prove that we are better than the men at football," explained Asala el Wazeer, an 18 year old student who stood with her friends in the crowd. "It has taken us years to get to this point. We are very proud of the [Palestinian] team." In a way, she was right. Palestine had played Jordan in the first ever men's international exactly one year previously. They only managed to score once. But for Thaljieh, held aloft on the shoulders of her team mates in front of a crowd that included the Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Dr. Salam Fayyad, the match sent a powerful message to the outside world. "This is important and shows the world that we don't care about the barriers and the checkpoints," Thaljieh shouted over the noise. "We have shown the world that we can fight, but that when we fight, we fight through peaceful play." | Palestinian women's national football team play Jordan in historic first home match.
10,000 women turn up at the Faisal al Husseini stadium in East Jerusalem.
Thousands of men turned away and watch game from near by rooftops.
Women's football has suffered in the Middle East due to social conservatism. |
250,728 | d07cf810a53b798bb0f860ee19824bac2b23e49b | A probe into whether a controversial police and crime commissioner was properly insured during a car crash has been widened amid claims an investigating officer was obstructed. Ann Barnes, who earns £85,000-a-year as Kent's crime tsar, was driving her Mercedes sports car when she was involved in a collision in Dartford two months ago. The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is already probing whether she committed a criminal offence by not having proper insurance to cover business use of her own car. But today the police watchdog said its team is now examining whether a police officer was 'obstructed in the execution of their duty' when initial inquiries into her insurance cover were being made by her force, Kent Police. Fresh investigation: The Independent Police Complaints Commission has said it will consider if a police officer was 'obstructed in the execution of their duty' after Ann Barnes crashed her Mercedes, pictured . New probe: Kent PCC Ann Barnes, pictured with battle bus 'Ann Force One', is being probed over whether she was properly insured in a crash . Mrs Barnes’s latest troubles began on September 16 when her soft-top Mercedes crashed into another car and then a tree as she drove to a meeting in Dartford. She suffered only minor injuries and later tweeted: ‘Not feeling too bright today, but OK.’ If Mrs Barnes is prosecuted on a charge of driving without insurance, she could be fined £300 and hit with six penalty points on her licence. An IPCC spokesman said: 'The IPCC is investigating whether the police and crime commissioner for Kent, Ann Barnes, may have committed a criminal offence by not having in place appropriate insurance to cover business use of her own car when she was involved in a road traffic accident on 16 September 2014. 'The investigation will also determine how long the relevant insurance was not in place, if that is the case, and how many miles the PCC travelled on business use while uninsured. 'The IPCC is also investigating whether a police constable was obstructed in the execution of their duty when initial inquiries into the PCC's insurance cover were being made by Kent Police.' The office for Mrs Barnes, who was shaken but uninjured in the crash, said no comment would be made on the latest update from the IPCC until after its investigation had ended. Ann Barnes has faced calls to resign and has at times been widely ridiculed since she took office in 2012. Her first major gaffe came when she appointed Paris Brown, then aged 17, as Britain's first youth crime commissioner. But Paris Brown later resigned from the £15,000-a-year job after making offensive comments on her Twitter feed. She wrote the offensive messages on her personal Twitter account, which also included boasts about her sex life, violence, drinking binges and drugs. In trouble: Kent Police and Crime Commissioner Ann Barnes with her 'Onion' diagram explaining police priorities, but when asked to explain what it meant she said: 'Oh God, I've got no idea' Repeat: The Cutting Edge documentary producer also asked her to name crimes towards the outer rings of the onion and again said, 'no idea' Pressure: The storm over the documentary culminated in a rented plane flying over Maidstone, where she works, dragging a banner reading '#annbarnesout - resign'. Then later Miss Brown's replacement was temporarily suspended over allegations of a relationship with a married former councillor. On her documentary: 'The only reason I agreed to do the documentary was to help people better understand the role of police and crime commissioner. It is very complex and there are lots of challenges. Unfortunately I don't think the programme did that and I'm deeply sorry'. When asked about her job:'Oh dear, what is a police commissioner? Right, well it's not . the Police Commissioner, it's the Police and Crime Commissioner. 'It's . a strange job because there is actually no description at all - there . are certain responsibilities you have to do, but there is no actual job . description.' On . what her 'Crime Onion' meant: 'Oh God, I've got no idea - I can't tell . you actually - I wasn't thinking I'd be talking about the actual onion . (the concentric circles) as we call it - umm I don't know know really - . everything's important.' On . her Ann Force One battle bus: 'My budget is £317million, £15,000 is . money well spent - I could have had a top of range Mercedes, but it's . not my image.' Mrs Barnes was then seen driving her personal Mercedes. On resignation of Paris Brown: 'I was not recruiting an angel. I was not recruiting a police officer. I was recruiting a young person, warts and all. It is personally sad for Paris and her family' In June Mrs Barnes said she was 'deeply sorry' for her 'toe-curling' appearance on a fly-on-the-wall television documentary about her job - but refused to quit. She was filmed saying she had 'no idea' what her taxpayer-funded job entailed in an hour-long Channel Four show branded a 'disaster from start to finish'. Mrs Barnes was widely criticised for her performance on Meet The Police Commissioner where she was compared to David Brent and accused of making Kent Police a 'laughing stock'. The storm culminated in a rented plane flying over Maidstone, where she works, dragging a banner reading '#annbarnesout - resign'. The documentary, aired on May 29, showed Mrs Barnes travelling in a van she dubs 'Ann Force 1 and bringing her dogs into the office. In one clip Mrs Barnes was seen drawing an onion in an attempt to explain what types of crime Kent Police prioritises. But when asked what the rings meant she said: 'Oh God, I've got no idea - I can't tell you actually - I wasn't thinking I'd be talking about the actual onion (the concentric circles) as we call it - umm I don't know know really - everything's important.' She is then asked: 'So what would be an example of the kind of crime on the outside of that ring?', to which she replies that he had 'no idea'. The documentary, aired on May 29, showed Mrs Barnes travelling in a van she dubs 'Ann Force 1' and bringing her dogs into the office. She said: 'My budget is £317million, £15,000 is money well spent - I could have had a top of range Mercedes, but it's not my image.' Turned sour: Ann Barnes appointed Paris Brown as Britain's first youth crime commissioner but she resigned after it emerged she boasted about her sex life, violence, drinking binges and drugs online . But later in the documentary she then pulled up at her office in her top of the range soft-top Mercedes. In one scene she was also filmed painting her 'flaky nails'. | Ann Barnes' soft-top Mercedes collided with another car and a tree .
Kent police commissioner was allegedly driving without proper insurance .
Now investigators will probe if police officer was 'obstructed in the execution of their duty'
Mrs Barnes under renewed pressure after her documentary 'fiasco'
There were calls for her to resign over her 'crime onion' and other gaffes .
Furore over role started after her youth crime tsar resigned over tweets . |
262,535 | e011879444ef563b61d39e4698eef60ba80d0e77 | By . Lydia Warren . PUBLISHED: . 08:25 EST, 14 August 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 08:53 EST, 14 August 2012 . A teenager who attracted national attention when her racy high school yearbook photo was rejected for being too revealing has been arrested at a house party - along with her mother. Sydney Spies, 18, allegedly tried to stop police arresting her mother, Denise 'Miki' Spies, who attempted to run away when authorities found teenagers drinking alcohol in her home. Police arrived to find numerous underage drinkers with a beer keg, liquor bottles and cups of alcohol at the home in Durango, Colorado, . at 11.20 p.m. on Sunday, authorities said. Scroll down for video . Caught: Sydney Spies, left, shot to fame after her racy yearbook photo was rejected by her school. She has now been arrested along with her mother, Denise 'Miki' Spies, right, at a party at their home . When partygoers spotted the police, they . hopped over a chain-link fence in the back garden and ran up a steep . hill behind the house, The Durango Herald reported. Police approached Miki Spies, 45, and she allegedly refused to give her name or date of birth. She then 'broke into a full sprint for her front door', according to an incident report. Officers chased her to her bedroom where she tried to slam the door. After a struggle, she was arrested. Her daughter had allegedly tried to stop police from catching her mother. When the teen was arrested for obstructing a police officer and put in a patrol car, she attempted to escape. 'She nearly kicked me in the groin,' an officer wrote in his report about the teenager's struggle. Her mother was charged with contributing . to the delinquency of a minor and misdemeanor counts of obstructing a . police officer and resisting arrest and released on $10,000 bond. Uproar: Spies had submitted this photograph for the yearbook but the committee deemed it inappropriate . The younger Spies was also released, on $500 bond. On Facebook page on Monday evening, she posted: 'I just love being targeted. What a bunch of BS.' But it's not the first arrest for her mother, who was charged with resisting arrest, obstructing a police officer and trespassing for making noise in a church park early on June 24, records show. As she was arrested, she began yelling that police were only called because she was a lesbian and shouted obscenities about Christians at the church's pastor, who had asked her to be quiet. As police carried her to the car, she went limp and appeared as if she had been drinking. 'She . asked how long I had been a police officer,' an officer said in the arrest report. 'I answered that I was . approaching my seventh year. She then said, "Well, you suck at it".' Not shy: The exposure following the scandal led to a small movie role in a Syfy movie for Spies . She has pleaded not guilty to all three charges and has a pre-trial conference on Tuesday. It . is not the sort of attention Spies wished to garner after hitting . headlines for the provocative photograph that was rejected by the . yearbook committee at Durango High School in January. When she submitted a second . photograph - of her wearing a strapless dress - the group rejected it . again, claiming she was showing too much skin, and she and her mother . challenged the decision. Amid the furor, Sydney and her mother . protested outside the school and appeared on the Today show to discuss . the photograph, which shows her wearing just a short yellow skirt and a . black shawl. 'I honestly think it describes who I . am,' Sydney told Today host Matt Lauer. 'People can take it however they . want, but I'm an outgoing person, and I really do think it's artistic.' The exposure landed the aspiring model and actress a role in a movie on the Syfy channel, which will air on Halloween. Speaking out: Sydney and her mother on the Today show after the story broke in January. Her mother allegedly tried to run away from police when they found underage drinkers in her home . Protest: The Spies challenged the yearbook committee decision by protesting outside the school . She will play a character named 'Missy' in . the science-fiction station for a movie called . American Horror House, Spies revealed earlier this year. Sydney Spies told the Westwood newspaper in Denver: 'The head of the Syfy network said he wanted me to be in a movie. So they got hold of me and my mom and flew me out to Louisiana.' She has now completed her senior year but decided not to attend her graduation ceremony. Instead, she has been focusing on her prospective career as a model and actress although these latest photographs - mugshots - are perhaps not what she had in mind. See below for video . | Sydney Spies, 18, shot to fame over provocative photo earlier this year .
Arrested on Sunday for 'obstructing police officers' at house party .
Police 'found numerous teens drinking when Spies mother was at home'
Denise 'Miki' Spies attempted to run away from police but was arrested .
Sydney Spies tried to escape the police car once caught .
Will feature in a movie later this year off the back of racy photo scandal . |
186,538 | 7d9d8fa467a41eb98e18adc8a158c8a3129939ca | It’s a tentative anchors away for the world’s first floating start-up as more than 250 companies have expressed interest in joining Blueseed, a massive ship anchored in international waters off the coast of California’s Silicon Valley. The concept of the visa-free metropolis is simple – allow entrepreneurs from any country to do business near Silicon Valley, even if they cannot acquire a United States visa. Blueseed says that start-ups from 52 different countries are expressing interest, a positive sign in getting the conceptual ship out into the open. Scroll down for video . Floating an idea: A drawing provided by Blueseed shows a ferry docking next their proposed floating city outside of San Francisco . Interested parties: Out of 252 interested companies, Blueseed says that nearly 30 per cent are from the U.S., followed by India, the UK, Australia, and Canada . Nearly 30 per cent of start-ups interested are from the U.S., though India, the UK, Australia, Canada, and Spain also expressed interest. Blueseed will charge around $1,600 monthly rent, and requires a cut of around 6.5per cent of company shares. While the massive ship offers hope for entrepreneurs wanting to do business in America, there is still little momentum for so-called start-up visas, which would allow those whose businesses earn more than $100,000 in venture capital to stay in the country indefinitely. The company’s website states that only a passport is needed to live and work aboard the vessel, and that it will collect no taxes. 'A lot of people say, "I'd like to go to Silicon Valley" but there is no way for them to do it,' said Max Marty, Blueseed CEO and co-founder, told the AP in an interview earlier this year. Marty, the son of Cuban immigrants, thought of the ship after listening to international classmates of his at the University of Miami business school lament about having to leave the U.S. after graduation. Politicians have wrangled with the issue, but efforts to change the system have stalled. A life on the ocean waves: Another proposed design for Blueseed's floating start-up city, apparently modelled on a huge container ship . Live to work? This third artist's impression shows how luxurious live-work units would sit along side container storage areas and a helipad . Residents . would be ferried ashore with temporary business or tourist visas, which . are easier to get, to meet with investors, collaborators, partners and . others. Mr Mutabdzija said the ability to have face-to-face meetings . cannot be underestimated when trying to gain trust - and secure funds - . from investors. 'Yes, we . live in an interconnected age with Skype and other video conferencing. But if you want to grow a company, physical interactions are of . paramount importance,' Mr Mutabdzija said. 'We're a startup. We ran into . this. Some people said if you're not within a 20 mile radius, we won't . talk to you.' The proximity . to high-tech's center, Silicon Valley, is also important. 'The talent, . the money, the expertise and a cultural acceptance of risk. Elsewhere if . it doesn't work out, you're a black sheep and the funds dry up,' Mr . Mutabdzija said. The ship would be a remodeled cruise ship or barge that Blueseed leases or owns. It would have all the high-tech amenities expected of a start-up incubator and the look of employee-friendly Internet giants Facebook and Google, famous for their modern campuses complete with gourmet cafeterias, exercise facilities and an environmentally-sustainable design. A live-work space would cost about $1,200 a month. Urbanists: More than ever, technology entrepreneurs are choosing the urban charms of San Francisco over the sprawl of neighboring Silicon Valley; Blueseed's CEO hopes talent will also be drawn to their ship . Logistical support, including food and other supplies, would come from local businesses along the coast, helping the economies of Half Moon Bay and San Francisco, though it hasn't been determined exactly which port Blueseed would use. A helicopter would also be available for emergencies. Critics deride the ship as a publicity stunt, and say investors would be better served contributing to ventures that help Americans create businesses. 'I would say the whole thing is a perfect metaphor for how in corporate America the practice to grow talent and incubate business locally is drifting away - quite literally,' said Bob Dane, of the Federation for American Immigration Reform, which advocates for limited immigration. But supporters of foreign entrepreneurship say immigrants are responsible for some of the most successful businesses in the world and if the U.S. doesn't try to attract them, others will. 'The ship may sound like a crazy idea but it illustrates how seriously flawed the immigration system here is,' said John Feinblatt, who runs Partnership for a New American Economy, which advocates for immigration reform. The organization published a report in June that said 40 percent of Fortune 500 companies were founded by immigrants or their children. Feinblatt said countries including Chile, Singapore and the United Kingdom have programs to attract immigrant entrepreneurs. 'While the U.S. is driving people away, other countries are welcoming them with open arms,' he said. 'If you miss out on them, you miss their talent, their ideas and ultimately the jobs that they create and the taxes that they pay.' Vision for the future: Blueseed founders Dario Mutabdzija, left, and Max Marty, right, stand on the pier at San Francisco. They hope to raise between some $30million to fund their ambitious scheme, with the launch planned for late 2013 . Christopher S. Bentley, a spokesman with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, said the agency has not seen the proposal and it's premature to comment. Maritime experts say such an idea is feasible, but very costly. 'A good single point mooring costs in the millions of dollars but it could restrain a ship-shape vessel in quite severe storms and in deep water,' said Bil Stewart, CEO of Houston-based Stewart Technology Associates, an engineering consultancy specialising in offshore and marine structures. 'But it would be prudent if the vessel had its own propulsion if you had a Pacific hurricane come along,' Stewart added. Blueseed's idea has started gaining steam. Silicon Valley investor Peter Thiel, a founder of PayPal, announced he would lead Blueseed's financing search. Mr Thiel has been a big supporter of 'seasteads' - self-ruling cities on the ocean - and both Mr Marty and Mr Mutabdzija worked at the Seasteading Institute. Blueseed wants to raise $10million to $30million over the next year and a half. The goal would be to launch in late 2013. | Blueseed says more than 250 companies from 52 countries expressing interest in floating business ship .
Harboured in international waters, meaning only a passport - no visa required . |
139,702 | 40a899c9ebb8da44b26275737769eefd10ba830b | By . James Chapman . PUBLISHED: . 19:43 EST, 5 February 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 02:46 EST, 6 February 2013 . Jeremy Browne will condemn cultural sensitivities for hindering the fight against forces marriages, honour crimes and genital mutilation . Immigrant communities cannot adopt a ‘pick ’n’ mix approach’ to living in a liberal democracy, a Home Office minister will insist today. Liberal Democrat Jeremy Browne will attack multicultural doctrines which have meant the state turning a blind eye to so-called ‘honour crimes’, forced marriage and female genital mutilation. He will condemn ‘misplaced cultural sensitivities’ for a failure to tackle such issues in Britain. Speaking at an event in the House of Lords, Mr Browne will warn that ‘thousands – perhaps hundreds of thousands’ of women and girls in this country are not enjoying the proper ‘benefits of living in our liberal society’. He will add: ‘That is not because of some accident or oversight. It is because of a deliberate rejection of the emancipation revolution and the equal opportunities now afforded to women and girls. ‘This situation is wrong. It is unacceptable for the individual women and girls whose freedom and opportunities are stifled. 'And it is wrong for our society. There cannot be a pick’n’mix approach to living in a benign liberal country. The benefits must be universal, without exceptions or exemptions. ‘I do not believe that cultural relativism provides an excuse to opt out of our shared liberal social settlement. Everyone should enjoy the freedom to make their own choices, without the fear of social coercion.’ Mr Browne will insist that forced marriage has ‘no place’ in British society, pointing out that the victims are ‘overwhelmingly young women and girls’. Up to 8,000 young women a year are being pushed into marriage without their consent in Britain, it is feared. Their families are mainly from Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and East Africa. Mr Browne says fears over offending minorities have dogged the fight against forced marriages . Currently, the authorities have to try to prove that other laws, such as kidnapping, false imprisonment, harassment or assault, have been broken by those responsible. But Mr Browne will say the Coalition will create a specific criminal offence making it illegal to force a child or grandchild into a marriage against their wishes. Ministers argue a blind eye has been turned to extremism for too long for fear of offending minorities. Some schools have even refused to put up posters advising pupils about forced marriage for fear of causing offence or being branded racist. Mr Browne will also express alarm about the ‘abhorrent’ practice of female genital mutilation, citing evidence that around 20,000 girls in Britain are at risk. | Multiculturalism should not allow crimes like forced marriages, says minister .
Lib Dem Jeremy Browne says equality must apply to all .
It is 'unacceptable' to stifle freedom and opportunities for women and girls . |
33,166 | 5e4b1a7513183a5e28d85272ec1b20958293c276 | (CNN) -- Gross is everywhere. It's in the food we eat: in the cheese that shares chemical properties with bad breath and stinky feet and in the bread that is leavened by microbial excretions. It's in nature: in the viruses that make us sick, in the monstrous shape of reptiles and deep-sea fish and in the terrible parasites that torment them. Of course, we ourselves might be the greatest source of grossness. We carry it with us, in our blood and guts. Anytime someone's insides end up outside, you are definitely in the presence of the gross. It seems obvious that our repulsion from the gross is rooted in our fear of death. We may pretend that we are our own masters, but deep down we suspect we are really the victims of nature and fate. The things we spurn as gross are the things that rub that dismal knowledge in our face. 5 ways Japan will surprise you . But fear is only half the story. Old medical devices may look like implements of torture, but they were used for healing. Gruesome medical specimens show us the miraculous functioning of the human body. Horrific germs and grotesque insects embody nature's endless ingenuity, its ability to exploit any niche and fill the empty spaces with living things. If it's true that the universe can be known in a grain of sand, then it can also be known through the gross -- and that's much more entertaining than staring at a tiny bit of gravel. If you resist the impulse to flinch and take the gross on its own terms, you will unlock a universe of discovery and even enjoyment. Here are seven of my favorite gross places in America to jump start your own journey of "grossological" discovery. Hit the trail: 7 gorgeous hikes . Mütter Museum, Philadelphia . The nation's undisputed monarch of medical museums began with a donation from Dr. Thomas Dent Mütter to the College of Physicians of Philadelphia in 1858. In 1912, the enlarged collection was moved to its present location, where it continued to serve physicians as a pathological reference collection. Today it is a monument to 19th-century medicine. Its clubby, dark wood and brass interiors practically define the steampunk aesthetic. Within the glass cases is a Noah's ark of medical curiosities. Flier's alleged 50-day bender ends badly . There is a human skull collection; examples of diseased organs, either preserved in jars or cast in wax models of remarkable delicacy. Admittedly, the collection of teratological specimens (mutants) requires a strong stomach. But even the most sensitive can enjoy the Chevalier Jackson Foreign Bodies Collection, a cabinet filled with more than 2,000 swallowed objects removed by a single laryngologist. There are also examples of tanned human skin, which has no medical value, but is totally cool. My personal favorite is the Soap Lady, a woman whose body posthumously underwent complete saponification -- which means that all the fat in her body turned into soap. That can really happen. The museum is open daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. World's Largest Fungus, Malheur National Forest, Oregon . Don't be fooled by an ordinary looking mushroom. Beneath it broods an ancient horror that has been growing quietly for thousands of years. A Malheur National Forest cluster of Armillaria ostoyae, or honey mushroom, is part of the world's largest fungus, which engulfs 3.4 square miles -- that's 2,200 acres -- of Oregon's national parkland. This massive mushroom is estimated to weigh 7,567 to 35,000 tons, which would make it the largest living organism in the world. But that doesn't sound nearly as gross as being the largest fungus. Now for the letdown: The bulk of this behemoth resides underground in a stringy network of roots called a rhizomorph. The only visible traces are the mushrooms that sprout in the fall. They may not look like much but once you know their dark secret, you can't help but see them in a new, sinister way. The U.S. Forest Service website has more information about the fungus and its forest home. Necropolis by the Bay, Colma, California . In this community of 1,800 souls, the dead outnumber the living 900 to 1. Colma's demographic imbalance is the result of its unofficial role as San Francisco's necropolis. This relationship started in 1900, when land became so scarce in San Francisco that the City Council decided to remove all its dead and build on the decommissioned cemeteries. The dispossessed dead were transferred to new digs in Colma -- for a service charge of $10 a head. Those whose next of kin couldn't come up with the cash were less ceremoniously reinterred in collective, unmarked graves. With 73% of its land zoned today for memorial parks, Colma is less a city than a network of roads connecting its many cemeteries. (Even the number of cemeteries within city limits is debatable, although most sources place the count at 17.) The Colma Historical Association offers cemetery tours by appointment, and members will be happy to show you the final resting places of Wyatt Earp, Joe DiMaggio, Levi Strauss and other famous Americans who now call Colma home. Perhaps this attraction is more morbid than gross, but let's not split hairs: It's a pleasant Halloween-season outing in a beautiful part of the nation. Indiana Medical History Museum, Indianapolis, Indiana . How many medical museums are on the site of an old insane asylum? Built in 1897, the Old Pathology Building was the research wing of the Indiana State Hospital for the Insane. Physicians there studied the brains of deceased patients, trying to identify the physical causes of mental illness. Some of the more colorful diagnoses they came up with include: pathological jealousy, Mexican War excitement, religious anxiety and a little-known ailment called "husband in California." A significant number of patients, however, suffered from general paresis, a neurological condition caused by advanced syphilis. Today, the beautifully restored museum building is a perfect replica of a turn-of-the-century pathology laboratory. You can see a sampling of gruesome medical and autopsy tools in their native environment, but, of course, the grossest highlight is the human brain collection. This consists of some 80 samples, mostly sliced in cross section and preserved in glass slides, which display various neurological injuries. The Indiana Medical History Museum is open to the public Thursday through Saturday. Leila's Hair Museum, Independence, Missouri . Some things seem universally gross, say, the smell of rotting flesh. Other things elicit a variety of responses. Old hair gives some people in intense case of the heebie-jeebies. Leila Cahoon is not one of them. She is the proprietor of the nation's only museum dedicated entirely to hair art. Nearly forgotten today, hair craft was popular with Victorians, who wove jewelry and decorative lace out of human hair. Often these pieces were kept as mementos of dead or absent loved ones. Sometimes successive generations would add to the lacework to create a genealogical record, much like a family bible. The hair museum has more than 2,000 items that reach back to the 17th century. Creepy as you might find these pieces, you cannot deny their artistry. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Berkeley Pit, Butte, Montana . This unintended artificial lake is an expanse of tranquil water four miles around and tinted an impossible shade of rich cordovan red. As luminous and vast as the Montana sky above, it is a sight of unearthly, inhuman beauty. But it is undeniably gross. The secret to the Berkeley Pit's beauty is pollution. Lots of it. For 27 years, it was the site of intensive strip mining, which removed more than a billion tons of earth and valuable ores. When mining ceased in 1982, ground water began to rush into the pit, bringing with it an infusion of acids and toxic heavy metals. Today the Berkeley Pit is the crowning jewel in the nation's largest contiguous federal Superfund site. How dangerous is the pit? Back in 1995, a flock of misdirected snow geese alit on its banks. The next morning, 342 were dead. Remarkably enough, you can visit the pit. Obviously kayaking and water skiing are out of the question. But there is an observation platform where you can watch at a safe distance. It's open from March to November. For more information, go to www.visitmt.com and search for "Berkeley Pit." Morbid Anatomy Library, Brooklyn, New York . This library and private collection of weird art and antique medicine cum gallery and lecture space hosts occasional classes in anthropmorphic taxidermy. That's the resurrected Victorian craft of dressing dead animals in adorable little outfits and posing them in human activities. The bunny school houses and kitten croquet parties of a more genteel era, however, have been updated to mouse burlesque dancers, skateboarders and drunken poets. Visits can be scheduled to the library by appointment. | Gruesome medical specimens show the miraculous functioning of the human body .
A museum cabinet is filled with 2,000-plus swallowed objects removed by a single doctor .
Under Oregon parkland, there's a huge mushroom estimated to weigh up to 35,000 tons .
The dead outnumber the living 900-to-1 in the community of Colma, California . |
42,807 | 78b5b0f236edf7455960bf03ffb8fe0f5562c001 | Stuart Lancaster declared that England are making progress despite slumping to a series defeat following New Zealand's 28-27 victory at the Forsyth Barr Stadium. The rivals produced three tries apiece in a breathtaking second Test in Dunedin but it was a devastating third-quarter spell that enabled the All Blacks to extend their triumphant run to 16 matches. Ben Smith, Julian Savea and Ma'a Nonu crossed to establish a 28-13 lead after England had entered the interval 10-6 up, a scoreline which failed to fully reward their dominant first half. Agonising: Manu Tuilagi (right) and England lost both matches narrowly to give New Zealand the series . Positives: England head coach Stuart Lancaster (left) and Andy Farrell (right) remain upbeat despite defeat . Mike Brown darted over in the 72nd minute to offer hope of a fightback that quickly faded and Chris Ashton's injury-time try merely offered pride in defeat. 'We're disappointed to have come away with nothing having worked so hard. We put ourselves in a position to win after the first half,' Lancaster said. 'We have high expectations on this tour and having lost the first game so narrowly we wanted to level the series and take it to a decider in Hamilton. 'But they are high-quality opposition and after another week together you could see the improved cohesion in their performance. 'There were one or two errors in our game which presented them with opportunities, but overall the positives far outweigh the negatives. 'Overall I felt the backline created a lot of opportunities as a group. The frustration for us is not finishing the opportunities. Try: All Black centre Ma'a Nonu (centre) races away to score one of three New Zealand tries . Close: Marland Yarde scored the first of England's three consolation tries against New Zealand . 'Scoring three tries in Dunedin is not a bad return so we are moving in the right direction but still, we didn't quite finish the deal. 'It's decision-making at the highest level that we need to look at and that's probably the next step we need to take with the team.' England were magnificent in the first half and established an early 10-0 lead through Marland Yarde's try and five points from Owen Farrell. Yarde's pace and strength troubled the All Blacks, as did Billy Twelvetrees' distribution and vision, but the tourists' dominance was not reflected on the scoreboard. And when New Zealand eased through the gears in a clinical 11-minute spell started when Twelvetrees gave the ball away, enabling the magnificent Smith to score, they had cantered out of sight. 'We were pushing the pace in the first half and in the second half the All Blacks showed why they're the world champions,' defence coach Andy Farrell said. 'Their speed of thought and the speed at which they played the game was outstanding. Defeat: England captain Chris Robshaw looks dejected following the 2-0 series loss to New Zealand . Fierce: New Zealand perform the Haka before the second Test against England in Dunedin . 'Their core skills are excellent as well. That we got ourselves back into the game when we could have conceded a barrage of points says everything about us.' The experiment of playing Manu Tuilagi on the wing was unsuccessful on this occasion with the Leicester Tiger, who was tackled by Smith just short of the line after a 60-metre run, failing to make an impact. When asked whether he would persevere with Tuilagi in the number 14 jersey, Lancaster said: 'We'll wait and see really, we'll have to assess the game. We won't make the decision until Wednesday.' New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen celebrated an important series triumph over an England team he rates highly. Tough: England's Billy Twelvetrees (second left) competes in the air with All Black Cory Jane (second right) Tackle: Nonu (left) tries to evade the grasps of Danny Care (centre) and Joe Marler (second right) 'We certainly played better than in the first Test but we needed to because England were a lot better too. It was a great Test match,' Hansen said. 'The ball was thrown around and everyone would have left satisfied with what they saw. 'Any series win is important for us. There's still another game to go and there's been nothing in it in the first two games. 'We're playing one of the best sides in the world and managing to come out on the right side of the result. 'We're learning about ourselves and about England, so that is useful information. 'England have always been a team we enjoy playing, particularly of late because they've been real contests. They're right up there.' | All Blacks' win gives them an unassailable 2-0 lead in three-match series .
Lancaster said he could see the 'improved cohesion in the performance'
Defence coach Andy Farrell praises New Zealand's 'core skills'
Marland Yarde, Mike Brown and Chris Ashton scored for England .
Ben Smith, Julian Savea and Ma'a Nonu with New Zealand tries .
The third and final Test will take place in Hamilton next Saturday . |
149,309 | 4d1294c56edc0ca4cac338f5df57e78060e118fe | By . Anthony Bond . PUBLISHED: . 16:26 EST, 12 September 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 09:53 EST, 13 September 2012 . Despite the excitement surrounding the new iPhone5, many users will be left frustrated as it includes a controversial new 'docking connector' which will render thousands of Apple accessories obsolete. With the new model, Apple is ditching the docking port connector it's used for iPods, iPhones and iPads for nearly a decade in favor of a smaller, narrower one. The newer, slimline port means that . thousands of current Apple accessories will need a potentially clunky . adapter to work with the 'iPhone 5' - or become unusable. According to the website Gizmodo, the new . 'Lightning to 30-pin' adapter will cost about £18 while a 0.2m cable . version of the adapter will cost £24. Scroll down for video . Controversial: Despite the excitement surrounding the new iPhone5, many users will be left frustrated as it includes a controversial new 'docking connector' which will render thousands of Apple accessories obsolete . The new 'Lightning' dock: While providing . somewhat of a disconnect for previous users, the new port is faster and . can be plugged in either way up . Bye bye 4S, hello 5: Phil Schiller, Apple's . senior vice president of worldwide marketing, shows off the iPhone 5 for . the first time . There will be adapters . available so that the new phone will be able to connect to sound docks . and other accessories designed for the old phones. Speaking at today's launch, Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide marketing, said: ' ‘The iPhone from its start used the 30 pin connector, and it has served us well. A lot has changed and it is time for the connector to evolve - and our new connector is called Lightning.’ Many fans were . left angry last month when images allegedly showing the iPhone 5's new design . leaked out, showing the traditional 30-pin dock connector - used for . charging, syncing files and pumping audio to hi-fis - had been . re-designed into a smaller shape. Change: This picture is believed to show a prototype case for the new iPhone, with its new connector design which is set to make every existing accessory completely obsolete . Old and new: The current iPhone is shown with the prototype of the iPhone 5's outer casing . The new port looks similar to micro . USB, the standard supported by all other phone manufacturers - however . it is very unlikely that Apple will support this standard, despite moves . by the EU to get all phone companies to rally around one type of cable. Apple's version has a triangle-shaped wedge at one end, which should stop users plugging in the cable the wrong way round. Mac . fans may spot a superficial similarity to a Firewire port, which is . used to transfer raw video footage and larger files at high speed. Popular: But iPhone users could found themselves seriously out of pocket if they want to upgrade their device . Useless: The $850 Bang & Olufsen BeoSound 8 is designed to work with the current iPhone's design . The . 'nano-SIM' slot, containing the SIM card which connects a phone to the . carrier network, has also been redesigned to be thinner, although this . will be unlikely to cause much disruption to users as networks will . provide replacements SIMs if necessary. There . are also rumours, reported on iMore, that the iPad 3, which was . released in the Spring, will get a slight tweak this Autumn to brink the . dock connector in-line with the rest of the range. Obsolete: The B&W Zeppelin speaker, left, and the Bose Sounddock 10, right, are other pricey gadgets which will have to be upgraded before they will work with the iPhone 5 . | Apple is ditching the .
docking port connector it's used for iPods, iPhones and iPads for .
nearly a decade in favor of a smaller, narrower one .
Newer, slimline port means .
thousands of current Apple accessories will need an adapter to work with the 'iPhone 5' - or become unusable . |
6,843 | 136d7ced37865f0ea3900475bc73d33f30a510c7 | (CNN) -- Don't ask Jerry Seinfeld about race. In a recent interview with Buzzfeed on "CBS This Morning" the comedian was asked about the fact that most of the guests on his Web series "Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee" have been white males. Seinfeld's initial response was "It really pisses me off." "People think [comedy] is the census or something, it's gotta represent the actual pie chart of America," he said. "Who cares?" With his Super Bowl commercial, Seinfeld is back on the radar, but his comments come at the same time as debate about diversity in comedy. "Saturday Night Live" hired its first black female cast member in years after an outcry over the show's lack of diversity. Gawker writer Kyle Chayka writes that by Seinfeld saying, "I have no interest in gender or race or anything like that," the comic "seems to suggest that any comedian who is not a white male is also not funny, though he's also likely fed up with the amount of bad comedy he's been forced to sit through in his (waning) career." "Which is too bad, because Seinfeld is downplaying the work of everyone from Richard Pryor and Bill Cosby to Aziz Ansari, Mindy Kaling, and Eddie Huang, who are all in various stages of their own sitcoms that just might turn out to be the next 'Seinfeld,' " Chayka writes. It's not the first time Seinfeld has faced criticism regarding racial issues. When his hit NBC series "Seinfeld" ended in 1998, the Los Angeles Times had a feature about how it was a "nonevent" for many in the black community because it had never seemed to capture the black audience because of a perceived lack of diversity. "Observers said that the lack of 'Seinfeld' fever among blacks is mainly attributable to the almost total absence of minority characters on the New York-based sitcom," reported Los Angeles Times writer Greg Braxton. "Some supporting characters -- including an attorney modeled after defense lawyer Johnnie L. Cochran Jr. -- have been featured in the last few seasons, but many said the show is still seen as a program that excludes minorities." | Seinfeld questioned about lack of diversity on his Web series .
The comic said he has no interest in gender or race .
It's not the first time he's been criticized regarding diversity . |
149,945 | 4dda93ae6314805d78fe316e8bb4c8f87f5c0352 | Islamist leader Osama bin Laden was blind in one eye, according to his successor at the head of terrorist network al-Qaeda. Ayman al-Zawahiri made the claim in an hour-long account of the life of bin Laden, who was killed in a U.S. Navy Seal raid on his compound in Abbotabad, Pakistan, last year. In a video entitled Days With The Imam, uploaded to an radical Islamist website, al-Zawahiri also reveals that bin Laden was a one-time member of the Muslim Brotherhood. Terror mastermind: Osama bin Laden was blind in one eye, according to a video account of his life recorded by Ayman al-Zawahiri, his successor at the head of al-Qaeda . Zawahiri revealed 'for those who do not know' that Saudi-born bin Laden was left blind in his right eye after an accident during his youth. He also revealed that the terrorist mastermind was expelled from the Saudi branch of the Muslim Brotherhood for insisting on waging jihad - holy war - against the Soviet Union in Afghanistan. It is claimed that bin Laden traveled . to the Pakistani city of Peshawar, near the border with Afghanistan, to . deliver cash to the Taliban, but then defied the Brotherhood's orders to . join the armed struggle. Jihadist: Zawahiri made the claim in a video posted online, part of a series about bin Laden . The connection to the Brotherhood is especially controversial since their ascent to power in Egypt following that country's revolution against the U.S.-backed military establishment that had run the country for decades. Zawahiri’s latest video posted on a jihadist forum appeared to be around two months old as he offered greetings to Muslims for the start of the fasting month of Ramadan which ended on August 20, reported Al Arabiya News. Earlier this month Zawahiri's brother gave an interview to news network CNN in which he outlined his personal 'peace plan' he said could lead to a rapprochement between Islamists and the West. Speaking on the eve of the anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks, Mohamed al-Zawahiri said he and his brother are ideologically inseparable. 'Our people like death, the same way others like life,' he told reporter Nic Robertson. 'But we do not want to get into this endless cycle of violence. We like for the others and us to live peacefully.' Later he says, 'The portrayal of my brother's ideologies and mine: that it’s blood thirsty, barbaric, or terrorist, is not true at all.' Hideout: Pakistani authorities finally tore down the Abbottabad compound where bin Laden was slain in February this year . Bin Laden was killed on May 2, 2011 by U.S. commandos in a daring night raid in Abbottabad that left the Pakistani military angry it had not been consulted. While much of the world cheered the death, Pakistan fumed over what it called a violation of its sovereignty. The compound where bin Laden was hiding out was finally demolished in February. | Ayman al-Zawahiri also reveals Bin Laden was a one-time member of the Muslim Brotherhood . |
26,554 | 4b682a94c0983424d7a4c8330b821357b55181ce | By . Helen Lawson . PUBLISHED: . 14:22 EST, 17 August 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 08:36 EST, 18 August 2012 . A man who was caught on camera beating pigs to death at a 'hell hole' farm was jailed today for animal cruelty. Geoffrey Towell, 54, was seen hitting five sows with a plastic pipe - beating one of the sows 35 times. He also killed three pigs by smashing them on the head with a metal bar and using unnecessary force. His colleague James Dove, 27, was filmed hitting sows with a plastic pipe and throwing pigs over a barrier. Both men were filmed picking up pigs by their ears and dropping them on the ground at Harling Farm in Norfolk. The undercover investigator who captured . the abuse footage - too graphic to be shown in full below - branded the farm a 'hell hole' and said he saw . 'suffering and death' he will never be able to forget. Scroll down for video - EXTREMELY GRAPHIC CONTENT . Campaign group Animal Equality filmed terrible scenes of animal cruelty at Harling Farm, Norfolk, for two months last summer . An undercover investigation revealed horrific animal cruelty at Harling Farm, Norfolk . One emaciated pig was filmed with a hernia clearly protruding from its body in a case that ranked 'among the worst cases of animal cruelty' the district judge at Norwich Magistrates' Court had ever heard . Shamed farm owner Stephen Brown took his own life after the abuse to his animals was uncovered . Towell was jailed today for 18 weeks and Dove was handed a suspended jail sentence for animal cruelty. The horrific abuse was uncovered in secret filming by campaign group Animal Equality. The footage showed workers beating pigs with iron bars, battering piglets, scraping knives across their backs and smashing animals onto concrete floors. More than 200 hours of sickening footage and 300 photographs were collected by the charity’s investigator. The evidence, gathered over two months last summer, also exposed long term neglect and horrific brutal animal torture. The case was described as 'among the worst cases of animal cruelty I have seen' by a district judge at Norwich Magistrates' Court. Shamed Harling Farm owner Stephen Brown, 52, shot himself in the head in a suspected suicide on Valentine's Day this year, three days after the investigation was released to the media. The farm had been certified by the Red Tractor food quality scheme - which claims to ensure food is produced ethically and to 'high standards of safety'. The Red Tractor label is supposed to give food quality assurances to customers and retailers. It is still being investigated which stores stock meat from Harling Farm. The undercover investigator recounted the horrific moment Towell battered a pig to death with an iron bar. He said: 'Geoff grabbed the handle from the gate as usual and smashed it over the head of one of the sick piglets. 'It took him several blows before he finally cracked the skull, sending the animal into spasm. 'He then shouted at me to help him throw the animal into the dead bin. 'It took me a few seconds to react as I just cannot get used to him doing this. 'The blood was pumping out of the animal’s head, and pieces of brain. 'I got hold of the leg and the blood went all over my boots, the floor and the dead bin. 'As soon as the piglet was inside the bin, Geoff put the lid on and walked away.' Towell from East Harling, Norfolk, pleaded guilty to five counts of cruelty to pigs and piglets, contrary to Animal Welfare Act 2006. Farm worker Geoffrey Towell has been jailed for 18 weeks for his part in the terrible abuse inflicted on animals at Harling Farm, pictured, while colleague James Dove received a suspended jail sentence . He also pleaded guilty to one charge of failing to protect pigs from pain and suffering, contrary to the Animal Welfare Act 2006. Towell also admitted using unnecessary force to handle piglets and one charge of failing to protect pigs from pain and suffering, by lifting pigs by the ears and dropping them from waist height. He was jailed for 18 weeks and banned from the keeping, managing, husbandry, care or control of farm animals for 10 years. Dove, from Wymondham, Norfolk, who now works as a lorry driver, pleaded guilty to two charges of cruelty by kicking and hitting sows with a plastic pipe and throwing pigs over a barrier. He also pleaded guilty to two charges of failing to protect animals from suffering by lifting pigs by the ear and leg, dropping them to the ground and kicking them while moving them. He was given an eight week jail sentence, suspended for a year, and ordered to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work. In mitigation both workers told Norwich Magistrates’ Court they were sorry for their actions, that they had received no training and they had asked for help. A third farm worker accepted a formal caution from the RSPCA. Chief Inspector Mark Thompson, the RSPCA’s farm animal welfare officer, said: 'The cruelty meted out by these two men was sickening. 'They showed absolutely no respect or compassion for the pigs in their care and instead treated them with hostility, violence and aggression. 'This repulsive behaviour is a huge blow for farmers who are going the extra mile for animal welfare.' | Geoffrey Towell, 54, jailed for 18 weeks after undercover filming revealed horrific abuse at Harling Farm, Norfolk .
Co-worker James Dove, 27, receives suspended sentence .
Farm owner Stephen Brown shot himself in the head after abuse was uncovered earlier this year . |
102,325 | 0fdfbfd3b60b481d1b7db396c58b548591cbc53d | (CNN) -- The Philippines' first major typhoon of the season has churned across the country, passing close to the sprawling capital Manila on Wednesday and killing at least 38 people. Typhoon Rammasun made landfall near Legazpi City on the country's east coast late Tuesday. The typhoon, known locally as "Glenda," prompted the evacuations of as many as 350,000 people from their homes in towns and cities across the country. Maria Ressa, Editor in Chief of the online news agency Rappler in Manila, said Wednesday morning that conditions in the city were extreme, with howling winds and strong rain. Several roofs had been ripped off by powerful winds. At about midnight Tuesday, the government announced one casualty -- a person killed by an electrical post that was uprooted. 37 other deaths, including a family of three in Lucena city, Quezon province, were announced by the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC). The Council added that there were ten people injured, and eight remained missing. The closest the eye of the storm got to Manila was about 25 km south of the city around 7 a.m. Wednesday (7 p.m Tuesday ET). 84% of the Metro area now has power restored. Concerns about flooding, landslides . Fears over storm surges eased as the typhoon began to move away from the city, weakening from a Category 2 storm to a Category 1, with maximum sustained winds of about 150 kilometers per hour. But concerns remained about the knock-on effects of the rain, including flooding and landslides. Marco Savio of Plan International spoke to CNN from Makati, Manila's business district early Wednesday morning. He said that, at that time, more than an inch of rain was falling per hour in the city, many areas of which are susceptible to flooding. "(The) majority are living in areas prone to floods. Schools are closed, offices and buildings (are) closed." According to a statement from the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the typhoon was expected to affect 43 million people spread across 22 provinces. Around 136,000 households within the affected area are in places highly susceptible to landslides and storm surge. Half of these households, the statement adds, about 342,200 people, are poor. Evacuations have taken place in vulnerable areas on a needs basis. The NDRRMC said that over 7,000 homes were completely destroyed, and almost 20,000 more damaged. Infrastructure also suffered, with 15 roads and four bridges becoming impassable. "A Task Force from the humanitarian community was set up to agree on additional measures to enhance our readiness to respond and remains on standby," UNOCHA Humanitarian Coordinator Luiza Carvalho said. Worst over for landfall city . As the storm passed Legazpi, James Reynolds, a freelance videographer who spent the night in the city, ventured out and saw what he described as a "community effort" to clear the fallen trees and power lines, and repair some of the property damage. "The buildings made of solid concrete are OK, but a lot of buildings, windows have been blown out, doors blown out and some of the lighter structures that people live in haven't fared so well but generally its not as bad as it could have been" he told CNN. The storm significantly intensified just before landfall into a much stronger system. It was expected to be of Category 2 strength but upon hitting land turned into a Category 3 storm, with sustained winds of 205 kilometers per hour. It lost strength as it moved across the island of Luzon. "People in this region have really been on edge since the events of Haiyan," Reynolds said. "The problem with this storm is that it seems to have caught a lot of people off guard." As the typhoon passed, he said that the anticipated storm surge in Legazpi "hadn't been an issue." The storm cut across the main island of the Philippines, hitting numerous population centers across southern and central Luzon. 11 provinces lost power although some were cut off for precautionary measures. The Philippines is hit by an average of eight or nine storms a year. Rammasun is the first to hit since last year's Typhoon Haiyan killed more than 6,250 people, left more than 1,000 missing and caused widespread destruction. Rammasun heads towards China . As the storm continues on past the Philippines, conditions over the South China Sea favor intensification. The storm could be a Category 3 as it gains strength over the sea and nears southern China. The storm is expected to brush the northern part of the Chinese island of Hainan on Friday evening local time (Friday morning ET) as a strong typhoon, likely still a Category 3. CNN's Samantha Mohr contributed to this report. | NEW: Government agency confirms 38 dead, 8 missing .
Typhoon Rammasun weakens into a Category 1 storm .
Relief agencies express concern about flooding, landslides .
As many as 350,000 people were evacuated from their homes . |
257,043 | d8b27ac9e60a7e62d978d9161fa0422e6267aee0 | By . Helen Pow . PUBLISHED: . 17:50 EST, 15 July 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 19:07 EST, 15 July 2013 . A child serial killer has confessed to murdering a 16-year-old boy 21 years ago and dumping his remains in a 58-foot deep lake. Lewis S. Lent Jr., who is serving a life sentence for a separate murder conviction, has described step-by-step how he kidnapped Jamie Lusher from a street in Westfield, Massachusetts on November 2, 1992, and cut short his young life before getting rid of the body in Greenwater Pond in nearby Becket. Police divers from Massachusetts and New York will begin searching for the teen's remains in the 80 acre pond tomorrow, hoping to give his family closure in the cold case. Killer: Lewis Lent, pictured in 1997, has confessed to the slaying of Jamie Lusher, 16, in 1992 . 'To this day, when I see a kid, a 16-year-old kid on a bike with black hair, I will instinctively look,' the victim's father, James Lusher, told reporters today, according to the Boston Globe. 'My closure is finding my son.' Hampden District Attorney Mark Mastroianni, Berkshire District Attorney David Capeless, State Police Colonel Timothy Alben and Westfield Police Captain Michael McCabe said in a joint press conference that Lent confessed to the killing in return for not being prosecuted for the crime. Lent was arrested and charged in January 1994 with kidnapping and assaulting Rebecca Savarese, 12, of Pittsfield. She managed to escaped and alert police. During three days of questioning, Lent confessed to the attempted abduction as well as to two child murders. He was convicted in the 1990 kidnapping and murder of James Bernardo, 12, of Pittsfield. He dumped the child's body in the woods about 250 miles from the town. Victim: The family of Jamie Lusher, pictured, are hoping to find remains of the boy in a pond in Becket, Massachusetts . Tears: Jamie Lusher's sister Jennifer Nowak, 38, of Westfield, left, wipes away a tear as she stands next to Berkshire County District Attorney David Capeless during a press conference on Monday . Pond: Divers will begin searching the Greenwater Pond in Becket, pictured, on Tuesday . He also pleaded guilty in New York to the kidnapping and murder of Sara Anne Wood, 12, of Frankfort, New York in 1993. But her remains have never been recovered, despite him drawing a crude map for investigators showing where he supposedly dumped the body. Mastroianni added at the press conference that Lent was also suspected in other unsolved crimes, despite being behind bars since the 1990s. 'Lent is someone who law enforcement here and in other places is very interested in,' he said. 'He is a subject that is on the radar for other cases. This information and the new information gathered from Lewis Lent has reinvigorated investigations.' Jamie Lusher's father said that while Lent obviously dumped his son's body in the pond to hide the evidence of his crime, his choice of where he laid the 16-year-old to rest offered some peace to the family. Hoping for closure: Lent, pictured in May 1996, told police he dumped Lusher's body in a pond in Becket, Massachusetts . Separate convictions: Lent, pictured, is serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole for separate child murders . 'Unwittingly, Lewis Lent put my son where he loved to be — he loved the mountains,' Lusher said. 'So, if in fact they never find anything, he's where he loved to be.' He added that closure was finding his son and that he wasn't bothered about Lent being prosecuted in the killing. 'I couldn't care less what happens to Lewis Lent,' he said. 'He can rot in hell, I don't care.' The boy's sister, Jennifer Nowak, agreed. 'There is no closure unless we have the person,' she said. 'We don't have anything. We've never had anything.' | Authorities announced today that Lewis S. Lent Jr. has admitted to the 1992 slaying of Jamie Lusher, 16 .
He described how he abducted the boy while he was bicycling to a relative's home, murdered him then dumped his remains in a pond in Becket, Massachusetts .
Divers will begin searching for any trace of the boy on Tuesday . |
193,394 | 865cb2dd29d2d4dc2614d12879a0cd2fcb9286db | Editor's note: The Rev. Robert Barron is Francis Cardinal George Professor of Faith and Culture at Mundelein Seminary and author of several books, including "Eucharist," "Word on Fire: Proclaiming the Power of Christ" and "The Priority of Christ: Toward a Post-Liberal Catholicism." Barron is the director of WordOnFire.org, a global media ministry based in Chicago, Illinois. For another view on this topic, read here. The Rev. Robert Barron says celibacy sets the priest apart as a symbol of the world to come. (CNN) -- The scandal surrounding the Rev. Alberto Cutie has raised questions in the minds of many concerning the Catholic Church's discipline of priestly celibacy. Why does the church continue to defend a practice that seems so unnatural and so unnecessary? There is a very bad argument for celibacy, which has appeared throughout the tradition and which is, even today, defended by some. It goes something like this: Married life is spiritually suspect; priests, as religious leaders, should be spiritual athletes above reproach; therefore, priests shouldn't be married . This approach to the question is, in my judgment, not just stupid but dangerous, for it rests on presumptions that are repugnant to solid Christian doctrine. The biblical teaching on creation implies the essential integrity of the world and everything in it. Genesis tells us that God found each thing he had made good and that he found the ensemble of creatures very good. Catholic theology, at its best, has always been resolutely, anti-dualist -- and this means that matter, the body, marriage and sexual activity are never, in themselves, to be despised. But there is more to the doctrine of creation than an affirmation of the goodness of the world. To say that the finite realm in its entirety is created is to imply that nothing in the universe is God. All aspects of created reality reflect God and bear traces of the divine goodness -- just as every detail of a building gives evidence of the mind of the architect -- but no creature and no collectivity of creatures is divine, just as no part of a structure is the architect. This distinction between God and the world is the ground for the anti-idolatry principle that is reiterated from the beginning to the end of the Bible: Do not turn something less than God into God. Isaiah the prophet put it thus: "As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my thoughts above your thoughts and my ways above your ways, says the Lord." And it is at the heart of the First Commandment: "I am the Lord your God; you shall have no other gods besides me." The Bible thus holds off all the attempts of human beings to divinize or render ultimate some worldly reality. The doctrine of creation, in a word, involves both a great "yes" and a great "no" to the universe. Now there is a behavioral concomitant to the anti-idolatry principle, and it is called detachment. Detachment is the refusal to make anything less than God the organizing principle or center of one's life. Anthony de Mello looked at it from the other side and said "an attachment is anything in this world -- including your own life -- that you are convinced you cannot live without." Even as we reverence everything that God has made, we must let go of everything that God has made, precisely for the sake of God. This is why, as G.K. Chesterton noted, there is a tension to Christian life. In accord with its affirmation of the world, the Church loves color, pageantry, music and rich decoration (as in the liturgy and papal ceremonials), even as, in accord with its detachment from the world, it loves the poverty of St. Francis and the simplicity of Mother Teresa. The same tension governs its attitude toward sex and family. Again, in Chesterton's language, the Church is "fiercely for having children" (through marriage) even as it remains "fiercely against having them" (in religious celibacy). Everything in this world -- including sex and intimate friendship -- is good, but impermanently so; all finite reality is beautiful, but its beauty, if I can put it in explicitly Catholic terms, is sacramental, not ultimate. In the biblical narratives, when God wanted to make a certain truth vividly known to his people, he would, from time to time, choose a prophet and command him to act out that truth, to embody it concretely. For example, he told Hosea to marry the unfaithful Gomer in order to sacramentalize God's fidelity to wavering Israel. Thus, the truth of the non-ultimacy of sex, family and worldly relationship can and should be proclaimed through words, but it will be believed only when people can see it. This is why, the Church is convinced, God chooses certain people to be celibate. Their mission is to witness to a transcendent form of love, the way that we will love in heaven. In God's realm, we will experience a communion (bodily as well as spiritual) compared to which even the most intense forms of communion here below pale into insignificance, and celibates make this truth viscerally real for us now. Though one can present practical reasons for it, I believe that celibacy only finally makes sense in this eschatological context. For years, the Rev. Andrew Greeley argued -- quite rightly in my view -- that the priest is fascinating and that a large part of the fascination comes from celibacy. The compelling quality of the priest is not a matter of superficial celebrity or charm. It is something much stranger, deeper, more mystical. It is the fascination for another world. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the Rev. Robert Barron. | The Rev. Robert Barron: Why does Church back practice that seems unnecessary?
He says he rejects the "marriage is spiritually suspect" defense of celibacy .
But celibacy sets the priest apart as a symbol of another world, he says . |
270,492 | ea5605773d6d9bd184f530d358572889a3a4704c | The United States government has denied Edward Snowden's claims that he was an undercover spy and had worked for both the CIA and NSA. National Security Adviser Susan Rice has spoken out in the wake of Snowden's first televised interview that aired on NBC Wednesday night. When asked if Snowden's claim was true, Ms Rice bluntly said: 'No'. 'Edward Snowden was a contractor working for the NSA and other elements of the intelligence community,' she said to CNN's Wolf Blitzer after being prompted with another question. His side: Edward Snowden told NBC's Brian Williams that he previously worked as an undercover operative for the CIA and the NSA, but the government has since denied those claims . 'Obviously he’s accused of sharing and disclosing, illegally, some of the most sensitive information of the United States government, allegedly, and our strong view is that rather than give television interviews, he ought to come home and have his day in court where he will be treated with all of the protections and fairness that our judicial system allows.' Speaking out: Susan Rice told CNN that Snowden never served in such capacities and he should come back to America to be brought to court . Her comments come after Brian William's full interview with Snowden aired, wherein he claimed to have had experience working as a government-backed undercover agent in addition to working later as an analyst and contractor for the NSA. 'I was trained as a spy in terms of the traditional sense of the word in that I lived and worked undercover, overseas, pretending to work in a job that I'm not, and even being assigned a name that was not mine,' he said to NBC. 'Now the government might deny these things, they might frame it in certain ways and say "Oh, well he's a low-level analyst" but what they're trying to do is they're trying to use one position that I've had in a career here or there to distract from the totality of my experience, which is that I've worked for the Central Intelligence Agency- undercover, overseas. I've worked for the National Security Agency- undercover, overseas- and I've worked at the Department of Defense as a lecturer at the joint-training academy where I developed sources and methods for keeping our people and information secure in the most hostile and dangerous environments across the world.' He went on to claim that before he turned over the documents to journalist Glenn Greenwald, he started to go through official channels to report his apparent concern over the NSA's surveillance programs. More evidence: Snowden said that he sent emails to his higher ups at the NSA before leaking, expressing his concerns, but the government took the unprecedented step on Thursday of releasing one email that went against his comments . In response, the government used their new Intelligence Community Tumblr to released one email that they had on file from Snowden. The email is dated April 8, 2013, and seems to be an inquiry about the definition of the scope of executive orders as dictated in part of his training. 'NSA has now explained that they have found one email inquiry by Edward Snowden to the Office of General Counsel asking for an explanation of some material that was in a training course he had just completed,' the IC On The Record Tumblr caption notes. 'The e-mail did not raise allegations or concerns about wrongdoing or abuse, but posed a legal question that the Office of General Counsel addressed.' Edward Snowden's email, dated Friday, April 5, 2013 . Hello, I have a question regarding the mandatory USSID 18 training. The training states the following: ----(U) The Hierarchy of Governing Authorities and Documents is displayed from the highest authority to the lowest authority as follows:U.S. ConstitutionFederal Statutes/Presidential Executive Orders (EO)Department of Defense (DoD) and Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) RegulationsNSA/CSS Directives and Policies USSIDs SID Management Directives and Policies Office Policies----I'm not entirely certain, but this does not seem correct, as it seems to imply Executive Orders have the same precedence as law. My understanding is that EOs may be superceded by federal statute, but EOs may not override statute. Am I incorrect in this? Between EOs and laws, which have precedence?Similarly, between DOD and ODNI regulations, which has greater precedence? Could you please clarify?Thank you very much, Ed . Official response, sender's name redacted, sent on Monday April 8, 2013Hello Ed,Executive Orders (E.O.s) have the "force and effect of law." That said, you are correct that E.O.s cannot override a statute.In general, DOD and ODNI regulations are afforded similar precedence though subject matter or date could result in one having precedence over another. Please give me a call if you would like to discuss further. Regards, [name redacted]Office of General Counsel . Full exchange: This email chain was released by a government-run blog on Thursday afternoon in an effort to discredit Snowden's claims that he sent emails showing he was concerned about NSA policies . | Snowden claimed that he worked for the CIA, NSA and Department of Defense at different points in his career .
National Security Adviser Susan Rice has shot down that theory and said that he never worked as a spy for any branch of the government .
In his first televised interview, he told how he tried going through official channels by emailing his boss about concerns before leaking .
Government released one email he sent asking a question about legal precedence- with no sense of concern . |
198,947 | 8d8dc167db683092ae6c528db4184dc8c22c5b4a | (CNN) -- A first-half hat-trick by Lionel Messi helped Barcelona to a 5-0 win over Mallorca at the Nou Camp on Saturday. The Argentina international opened the scoring after 13 minutes with a spot kick after Emilio Nsue had handled the ball in the penalty area. Eight minutes later he tapped in after a miscue from Adriano before completing his hat-trick on the half-hour mark, expertly guiding home a cross from Dani Alves. Twenty-year-old Issac Cuenca scored his first senior goal for the club five minutes into the second half, while Alves rounded things off with a superbly taken goal in injury time. A ninth-minute goal from Argentina striker Higuain earned Real Madrid a 1-0 win at Real Sociedad on Saturday night. The win puts them one point ahead of Barcelona at the top of La Liga with 25 points, although Levante will depose them if they win at Osasuna on Sunday. Two goals from Frenchman Sofiane Feghouli and one for Aritz Aduriz earned fourth-placed Valencia a 3-1 win over Getafe, while Villareal were comfortable 2-0 winners over Rayo Vallecano -- Bruno Soriano and Borja Valero scoring goals in either half. Meanwhile in Italy, Juventus remain top of Serie A after a 2-1 win at Inter Milan on Saturday. All the goals came in an action-packed first half with Juve taking an early lead thanks to a 12th minute strike from Mirko Vucinic. Maicon equalized for the hosts in the 28th minute, but it wasn't long before the visitors were back in front -- Claudio Marchisio scoring in the 33rd minute. The win gives Juve a two-point lead at the top of Serie A, but that will be reduced to one point if Udinese beat Palermo on Sunday. Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored twice as AC Milan beat Roma 3-2 at the Stadio Olimpico to send the reigning league champions up to second in the table. The Swedish striker opened the scoring in the 17th minute before Nicolas Burdisso equalized for the home side in the 28th minute. Alessandro Nesta restored Milan's lead two minutes later before Ibrahimovic made it 3-1 in the 78th minute to all but clinch three points. Bojan Krkic pulled one back for Roma three minutes before the end but it wasn't enough to deny the Rossoneri vital away points. Napoli lost ground with the league leaders as they went down to a 2-1 defeat at Catania. Edinson Cavani had given Napoli the lead after just 27 seconds, but goals from Giovanni Marchese in the 25th minute and Gonzalo Bergessio three minutes after the break were enough to earn the home side all three points. Napoli played half the match with 10 men after Mario Santana was sent off shortly before half time. | Messi scores hat-trick inside 30 minutes in 5-0 mauling of Mallorca .
Real Madrid go top of La Liga with a 1-0 win at Real Sociedad .
Juventus earn 2-1 win over Inter Milan; AC beat Roma 3-2 . |
93,825 | 04a574a7b1ee0d73676fb5a3ca3c6877d66e80a7 | By . Steve Robson . PUBLISHED: . 09:16 EST, 15 December 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 09:28 EST, 15 December 2012 . A married New York police officer has denied claims he skipped work to have an affair with a Wall Street executive while on duty. Long Island cop Mike Tedesco allegedly spent 100 nights with girlfriend Tara Obenauer while he should have been on shift. The pair would spend hours having sex, watching TV and napping together, the New York Post reported. Accused: Married cop Mike Tedesco allegedly spent 100 nights with his lover Tara Obenaeur when should have been on duty . Single mother Ms Obenauer says he would lounge around the house in his uniform, watch TV with her two children and bragged that he'd been skipping shifts for 22 years. Tedesco, who lives with his wife and children, would also use his police car to chauffeur her daughter and get ice creams for the children, she claimed. His tryst may have cost the taxpayers an estimated $25,000 - the equivalent to 300 hours' pay out of his $175,000 salary. Tedesco, 43, did not comment as he was led in to the District Attorney’s office early yesterday morning following his arrest. He was supported by his wife Sharon. He denies 80 counts of official . misconduct, 25 counts of falsifying business records, and four counts . of tampering business records. GPS records allegedly show he was dating the two women at the same time. He faces up to seven years in prison if . convicted. State Supreme Court Justice Anthony Marano set bail at $10,000 bond or $5,000 cash. Tedesco is due back in court on January 9. 'Ultimately, not every lapse in judgement amounts to a crime,' said his lawyer, Aida Leisenring. After Tedesco’s arraignment, Nassau District Attorney Kathleen Rice said he 'endangered the public with his selfishness' by reporting to his bosses that he was en route to calls — including a cardiac arrest — when in fact he was still at his lover's house for as long as a half an hour. 'He was late to calls and lied about his whereabouts. His crimes could have cost people their lives,' said Rice. 'He betrayed the public trust. He violated his oath.' When the pair first met, Ms Obenauer was undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer and about a month later they began a relationship. Tedesco was caught out when a suspicious neighbour blew the whistle. Suspicious: Neighbors called the police department because they thought it was unusual that a patrol car was parked in Ms Obenauer's Massapequa driveway so often . Ms Obenauer, from Massapequa, assisted Internal Affairs and has obtained an order of protection over fears he will seek retribution. Since the scandal emerged, Tedesco has put in for retirement and is currently collecting a state pension. Nassau has refused to grant him additional accrued pay -- but he is disputing that. Ms Obenauer is also suing Nassau county for $10 million for allowing Tedseco to seduce her under false pretenses. He had been a New York housing officer for four years before serving on the Nassau force for 17 years. Sorry we are unable to accept comments for legal reasons. | Married Mike Tedesco allegedly stayed with Tara Obenauer while on duty .
Patrol car tracked via GPS to show he was dating two women .
May have cost taxpayer's up to $25,000 of his time out of $175,000 salary . |
122,137 | 29e1f05c49355b56111e334897d6d478fe714c34 | (CNN) -- Hundreds of flights were canceled Wednesday nationwide -- including Chicago and Denver -- because of bad weather, airport officials said. Airlines reported 400 cancellations out of 1,700 flights daily at Denver International Airport because of a storm that was forecast to dump 7 inches of snow in the area, the airport said at 2:50 p.m. (4:50 p.m. ET). The announcement came before the heavy snow had arrived. Delays at the Denver airport averaged just over two hours and 15 minutes, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. And there would be no home runs flying out of Coors Field either, as snow prompted the postponement of Wednesday's night baseball game between the Colorado Rockies and New York Mets. The city's National Weather Service forecast calls for snow continuing into Wednesday night, when temperatures should dip to as low as 15 degrees. The weather should take a marked turn for the better later in the week, with a 49-degree high and mostly sunny skies predicted for Friday. Strong storm causes damage in Oklahoma . Other parts of Colorado -- specifically northern El Paso County, including Monument and Black Forest -- were under a blizzard warning through Thursday morning. The National Weather Service forecasts that communities in this area could see up to 6 inches of snow and winds averaging 20 to 40 mph, with gusts blowing at speeds of up to 60 mph. At O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, meanwhile, more than 300 flights were canceled because of strong rainstorms. The Chicago Department of Aviation reported the cancellations at 3:30 p.m. (4:30 p.m. ET), though the situation didn't necessarily get better as the day wore on. At 6 p.m., the FAA reported that flights were arriving more than four hours later than usual. Delays for flights that were still on -- both in and out of the busy Illinois airport -- averaged one hour or more. Airlines reported delays of 30 minutes or more at Midway, another Chicago airport, the city department said. The showers and thunderstorms hitting the region Wednesday are expected to continue into Thursday. The weather service said these storms could produce small hail and gusty winds in Chicago, in addition to heavy rains that could cause flooding. Video: What is dark lightning and how dangerous is it? Testing planes to withstand wild weather . CNN's Cristy Lenz contributed to this report. | NEW: There's a four-plus hour delay at Chicago's O'Hare airport; 300 flights canceled .
The Chicago area is hit with hail, strong winds and heavy rain .
400 flights are canceled in Denver due to snow .
A blizzard warning is in effects for parts of central Colorado . |
45,165 | 7f4e5aac515988cc6d483185ccf15c9c3cd861af | Washington (CNN) -- Washington police were investigating on Sunday whether an off-duty officer drew his gun in the midst of a snowball fight involving a couple hundred people. The Metropolitan Police Department said video from a local media outlet at the scene Saturday did not show the officer with his weapon drawn. However, authorities have since received "additional images and statements that would seem to support the allegation that the off-duty member did pull a gun," a police statement said. About 200 people from a D.C. neighborhood had gathered Saturday to brave a snowstorm for a massive snowball fight, CNN affiliate WJLA reported. "It was pretty fun," one unidentified participant told WJLA. "And then, you know, when the gun came out, uh, it just changed the tone of the thing a little bit." The off-duty, plainclothes officer was driving in the area of the snowball fight when several snowballs hit his vehicle, police said. The officer exited the vehicle and yelled at the crowd, WJLA reported; witnesses accused that officer of drawing his gun. A uniformed police officer who subsequently arrived was holding a gun at his hip, but he eventually returned it to his holster, video from WJLA shows. MPD Assistant Chief Peter Newsham said the uniformed officer was responding to a 911 call that someone -- apparently the plainclothes officer -- had a gun, according to WJLA. The uniformed officer holstered his weapon when he recognized the plainclothes officer, Newsham said, according to WJLA. The police statement said "there is no evidence that [officers] pointed any weapons in the direction of the crowd or at any individuals." | Plainclothes police officer accused of drawing gun at snowball fight in Washington, D.C.
"Images and statements ... would seem to support the allegation," police say .
About 200 people were in snowball fight when officer's vehicle was hit, police say .
Police: Separate, uniformed officer held a gun while checking report of armed person . |
219,373 | a7f3d757160ef65da65c8149a4c2764ca4915221 | Hong Kong (CNN) -- President Hu Jintao of China arrived in Hong Kong on Friday ahead the 15th anniversary of the territory's handover from Britain, an event likely to bring into focus the city's complex feelings about Beijing's influence. Hong Kong has prospered since its last British governor, Chris Patten, bade the territory a tearful farewell on July 1, 1997. It has benefited from its position as a financial and commercial gateway to China, riding the mainland's spectacular economic boom of the past two decades. But the economic rewards have been mixed with unease about Beijing's intentions for Hong Kong in the longer term, with concerns about possible threats to freedom of speech and the rule of law. Some Hong Kongers have also expressed reservations about the effect that mainland Chinese people are having on property prices and public services in the city. Nonetheless, Hong Kong has its own borders and immigration control, even with China. It has its own currency, its own police force and system of law courts. It has freedom of expression and demonstration to a degree unheard of anywhere on the mainland. This nuanced situation is expected to be reflected during Hu's three-day visit. He stepped off an Air China plane Friday onto a red carpet to be welcomed by a people wearing red caps and waving Chinese flags. The outgoing Hong Kong chief executive, Donald Tsang, greeted Hu at Hong Kong Airport, the state-run Chinese news agency Xinhua reported. Also present were other senior officials from the territory, notably the Beijing-backed chief executive-elect of Hong Kong, Leung Chun-ying. Leung, who has long-standing ties to the mainland, is set to take office on Sunday in Hu's presence. The Chinese president is scheduled to attend a string of other events over the next three days, including a flag-raising ceremony, a firework display and a parachute jump by members of the Chinese People's Liberation Army. Protesters have said they will follow Hu throughout his visit in order to bring attention to human rights abuses in China. They are planning a big demonstration on Sunday afternoon. One particularly sensitive issue for the protesters is the death this month of Li Wangyang, a high-profile dissident who had spent more than 20 years in jail following his support of the Tiananmen Square student protests in 1989. Li was found hanging in his hospital room in Shaoyang, Hunan Province, on June 6. The local authorities said he had committed suicide, a claim that friends of the deaf and blind labor rights activist have contested. Hong Kong government officials have also questioned whether Li could have committed suicide. The Chinese authorities are now investigating his death. The weather is also threatening to disrupt Hu's visit. Tropical Storm Doksuri was heading across the South China Sea on Friday toward the the Chinese coast near Hong Kong, according to the Hong Kong Observatory. The storm is expected to hit land overnight. CNN's Jethro Mullen, Tim Schwarz and Hilary Whiteman contributed to this report. | Hong Kong has prospered since Britain handed it over to China in 1997 .
However, some Hong Kongers are concerned about Beijing's intentions .
President Hu Jintao arrives in the territory at the start of a three-day visit .
He will mark the handover's anniversary but also be the focus of protests . |
61,965 | b004f0404556284d0437cc5c1ea3bbdcbb0a2cff | By . Simon Tomlinson . PUBLISHED: . 08:16 EST, 12 July 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 08:34 EST, 12 July 2013 . Drug dealers quite literally framed themselves after brazenly posing for photographs while kissing and counting their dirty money. Gang leader Michael Adegoke and mule Peter Cavanagh were part of a mob who netted £30,000-a-month from selling heroin and cocaine. Adegoke - nicknamed Flakey - used Cavanagh to deliver the drugs to the West Country and return to London with the profits. Busted: Drugs mule Peter Cavanagh pictured himself on a train holding a bundle of cash from a recent deal . Trail of evidence: Michael Adegoke, who led a gang which netted £30,000 a month from selling Class A drugs, counts his ill-gotten gains . Cavanagh, 26, took photos of himself brandishing a wad of cash on one of his train journeys back to the capital. They were caught when two of their female dealers were busted on the streets of Weston-super-Mare, Somerset. Addicts Tracey Carter, 37, and Isabel Cristiano, 46, were caught with cocaine hidden in their underwear and private parts. Police linked them to Adegoke and Cavanagh and found the damning photos on their mobile phones. All four pleaded guilty at Bristol Crown Court to conspiracy to supply heroin and cocaine. Adegoke, 21, from London, was jailed for five years. Sentencing of Cavanagh, of no fixed abode, was adjourned. Mule: Cavanagh would deliver the drugs to the West Country and return to London with the profits . Carter and Cristiano, both from Weston-super-Mare, were given two-year suspended sentences. Judge Julian Lambert told them: 'Each of you played a different role in what is a highly corrosive trade. 'Those of you who are addicts know the degradation that accompanies addiction. All of you bear a heavy burden of responsibility.' Charles Thomas, prosecuting, said the gang distributed Class A drugs into Weston for two months at the end of last year. Brought to justice: Cavanagh and the three other gang members pleaded guilty at Bristol Crown Court to conspiracy to supply heroin and cocaine . He said: 'The drugs would be delivered from London to members of the conspiracy who lived in Weston. 'Once sold at street level, the profits generated would be returned to the suppliers in London, either in cash or by the money being paid into specific accounts. 'Adegoke was the leading figure of the conspiracy, giving orders and instructions to others involved and receiving much of the cash that was generated. 'Carter and Cristiano, who were both drug addicts at the time, were street dealers in Weston. 'Cavanagh’s role was to act as a go-between from London to Weston and was the general factotum of Adegoke. 'He brought drugs to Weston and collected cash to take back to London and passed instructions to others.' Robin Shellard, mitigating for Adegoke, said he was an intelligent man 'in conflict between right and wrong.' Paul Cook, for Carter, said her beautician business foundered and she was looking for cash to buy Christmas presents for her children. Harry Ahuja, for Cristiano, said she was now drug-free. | Michael Adegoke and Peter Cavanagh used female dealers to peddle drugs .
Cavanagh, 26, photographed himself brandishing cash on train after deal .
They were caught when women were found with cocaine in their underwear .
Police linked them to the men and found damning pictures on their phones .
Adegoke, 21, jailed for five years for conspiracy to supply heroin and cocaine . |
120,969 | 285a10e66363f1367442a113c3bcaa0a3ab0b9bc | Everton’s record signing Romelu Lukaku can expect a rapturous welcome from supporters when he is presented at Goodison Park today ahead of team-mate Leon Osman’s testimonial against Porto. Lukaku, who completed a £28million move from Chelsea last week after a successful loan spell at Everton last season, will be joined on the pitch before kick-off by American World Cup hero Tim Howard, who has returned to Merseyside early to support Osman’s big day. Belgian striker Lukaku, 21, scored 16 goals for Everton last season and his return to Goodison Park on a permanent basis is a real mission statement by manager Roberto Martinez, who is looking for him to form a lethal partnership with rising England star Ross Barkley. Signal of intent: Roberto Martinez's Everton signed Romelu Lukaku for £28m from Chelsea . Happy to be here: Lukaku posted this picture on Instagram on Saturday ahead of the testimonial . Ovations: Lukaku will be presented at Goodison Park on Sunday along with USA World Cup hero Tim Howard . Lukaku decided to leave Stamford Bridge after Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho told him he would not be guaranteed first-team football following the £32m arrival of striker Diego Costa from Atletico Madrid this summer. The added presence today of goalkeeper Howard, who was given an extended break by Martinez following his exploits in Brazil over the summer, where he made a record 16 saves during defeat by Belgium in the last 16 of the World Cup, underlines the popularity of 33-year-old Osman, who made his Everton debut in 2003 and is one of the Premier League’s longest-serving one-club men. Proceeds from today’s 4pm kick-off will go to a number of charities, including the renowned Claire House Childrens’ Hospice which is located on the Wirral across the River Mersey from Liverpool. Legend: Leon Osman's testimonial is between Everton and Porto . | Lukaku will be presented ahead of Leon Osman's testimonial against Porto .
Tim Howard will join the Belgian striker after his World Cup heroics .
Lukaku signed for Everton in a £28m move from Chelsea . |
173,091 | 6c01696e9ad7b5bc61c2762bb14a8d43846355d0 | Sony announced on Friday that it will miss its stock market deadline for publishing its third-quarter earnings as a result of the Sony hack. The company will still brief analysts on February 4, as previously scheduled, but will only be able to provide estimated information from its movie division Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. The Wall Street Journal reports that the financial and electronics division will be finalized numbers but because of the scandal affecting the movie division it will not be able to provide those same amounts. Stocks table: This is an image of Sony's year to year stock table but the company is delaying the release of its final quarterly earning due to the destructive cyber-attack . 'The third-quarter figures for Sony as a whole won’t be final, because the movie segment can’t report them by the original deadline,' a Sony spokesman said. The movie company said that it would need to submit all final company earnings on March 31 when the original final deadline was February 16. Bloomberg reports that when the FBI told Sony that North Korea was behind the attack, they took their entire network offline including accounting and finances. The hack: North Korea is thought to have been behind the Sony Hack in response to the movie The Interview . The hack was in response to Sony's comedy about North Korea called, 'The Interview' starring Seth Rogan and James Franco. As a result of that hack, financial and accounting applications at Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. are not expected to be functional until early next month. The cost related to the hack may cost as much as $169 million Amir Anvarzadeh, a manager of Japanese equity sales at BGC Partners Inc. in Singapore, said. Anvarzadeh recommends buying shares of Sony. Sony Chief Executive Officer Kazuo Hirai said that financial damage to Sony from the hacking campaign would likely be limited. In a statement on Friday he said the impact would be 'light.' Shut down network: When the FBI told Sony that North Korea was behind the attack, they took their entire network offline including accounting and finances . | The company will still brief analysts on February 4, as previously scheduled, but will only be able to provide estimated information .
'The movie segment can’t report them by the original deadline,' a Sony spokesman said .
The cost related to the hack may cost as much as $169 million Amir Anvarzadeh, a manager of Japanese equity sales said .
Sony Chief Executive Officer Kazuo Hirai said that financial damage to Sony from the hacking campaign would be 'light' in the grand scheme . |
58,597 | a6349a38f15459bac42516ad65f336ef7525f86f | 'Political pressure': Ilan Ziv, who accused the BBC of 'incompetence' after they failed to show his documentary . The BBC has been accused of 'political naiveté' after dropping a controversial documentary which called into question the mass exile of Jewish people from Jerusalem in AD70 after their failed uprising against the Romans. The one-hour programme, Jerusalem: An Archaeological Mystery Story, was due to air on BBC4 last week but was scrapped at the last minute. Film maker Ilan Ziv accused the BBC of 'incompetence' and suggested they succumbed to 'conscious or subconscious political pressure' after they decided not to broadcast it. In a blog post, Mr Ziv said the decision to axe the programme was: 'Ultimately a sad saga of what I believe is a mixture of . incompetence, political naiveté, conscious or subconscious political . pressure and, I believe, a lack of courage of broadcasters . when they are faced with the complexity of the Middle East issue and the . intense emotions, fears and aggression it generates.' The Jews were expelled from Jerusalem following an uprising against the Romans, with hundreds of thousands killed and many more sent into exile. After the revolt there were still . pockets of Jews left living in Jerusalem, but the centre of gravity for . the Jewish people shifted to the Galilee. A Radio Times preview said the documentary, which questioned the scale of the exile, would have 'severe ramifications for relations in the region'. Dr Siam Bhayro, a University of Exeter senior lecturer in Early Jewish Studies, said the decision to axe the programme was 'strange', given the BBC's past record of airing controversial documentaries. And angry viewers took to the magazine's website to accuse the corporation of 'pandering to a small interest group.' Pat Heath wrote: 'Furious this has been pulled! After all the fuss last about how . "Public interest Arguments" for showing flagship documentary on North . Korea will be vehemently defended, but why is this quietly removed?' And samd11 added: 'Ridiculous pandering to a small interest group! The BBC used to . ask the tough questions.....now they cower in fear due to some . fundamentalist Zionists whose world vision is as warped as any other . fundamentalist religious group.' Controversial documentary: Jerusalem: An Archaeological Mystery Story questioned whether the Jewish exile from Jerusalem in AD70 ever happened . The . BBC denied that the film had been dropped because it was controversial . and said it 'did not fit editorially' with a series of historical . archeology films. However, Israeli-born Mr Ziv claimed a . 'mini political storm was brewing' at the Corporation in the days . before the documentary was due to broadcast. He claims he was told that the programme was 'delayed' in going out because he had not had enough time to review the final cut of his longer 104-minute film. Television viewers were angry after the BBC scrapped the documentary which was one of the Radio Times' picks of the day. Viewers accused the Corporation of pandering to small interest groups. They wrote on the Radio Times website: . samd11 wrote: 'Ridiculous pandering to a small interest group! The BBC used to ask the tough questions.....now they cower in fear due to some fundamentalist Zionists whose world vision is as warped as any other fundamentalist religious group.' Liam Loftus said: 'I agree with these comments, it looks like this show was pulled at the last minute to please some unnamed pressure group. How come unnamed groups get to dictate who and what we watch??????' Joseph Boulas added: 'Andy Marr said that, when joining the BBC, one has the "organs of opinion formally removed". Now I wonder if he got right what organs are removed...' Pat Heath said: 'Furious this has been pulled! After all the fuss last about how "Public interest Arguments" for showing flagship documentary on North Korea will be vehemently defended, but why is this quietly removed?' Meg Howarth wrote: 'The pulling of this programme reeks of censorship.' He described the situation as: 'A saga of well meaning programming executives who acquired the “courageous“ film they claim to love, believing that they can sneak it by with a “neutral title”. 'When they were “caught”, rather than face the criticism and be helped by the mountains of documents and dates I was ready to send them, they panicked like deer in the headlights not knowing what to do and eventually raised their hands in resignation.' Dr Bhayro said he was surprised that the BBC had decided to axe the show. ‘Although I have not seen the film, it would appear that the maker is not saying anything new - everyone knows that Jews continued to live in the Holy Land after AD70,' he said. 'But if the film maker is trying to argue that today's Palestinians are directly descended from the first century Jewish inhabitants of Judea, then his argument is deeply flawed and far too simplistic. 'Having said that, given their past record, it is precisely the sort of argument I would have expected the BBC to broadcast, so their decision is strange either way. 'After all, it is not like the BBC hasn't broadcast documentaries showing controversial points of view before. 'Indeed, it often seems like, to get a documentary on the BBC, you have to be saying something a bit bizarre or controversial - they are not really interested in the more solid, mundane or rigorous aspects of scholarship.’ Blog post: Ilan Ziv accused the BBC of 'incompetence' and suggested they succumbed 'conscious or subconscious political pressure' in this post after they axed his documentary . A Radio Times review of the programme said 'archeology is politics in the Middle East'. The reviewer added: 'The precarious . balance of Muslim, Jewish and Christian holy sites in the ancient heart . of Jerusalem is informed as much by what’s below ground as what’s above. 'Which . is why evidence revealed here, suggesting that the Jewish exile from . Jerusalem in AD 70 may never have actually happened, has such severe . ramifications for relations in the region.' The BBC showed a repeat of a documentary about Egyptologist Flinders Petrie last Thursday evening instead. A spokesman for the BBC today said they may show Mr Ziv's programme in the future. 'We . originally acquired Jerusalem: An Archaeological Mystery Story to . supplement BBC Four's season exploring the history of archaeology,' he . said. 'However, it was . decided that it did not fit editorially so we did not show the programme . as part of the season. Any future transmissions are under review.' ANALYSIS by Dr Siam Bhayro, Senior Lecturer in Early Jewish Studies, Exeter University . Jewish exodus: Painting of the Destruction of Jerusalem in 70AD by David Roberts . The ‘First Jewish War’ was a Jewish revolt against Roman rule in the Holy Land. It lasted around four years from AD66 to AD70, culminating with the conquest of Jerusalem and destruction of the Second Temple. Initially, the Romans suffered incredible losses, among the most costly the Empire ever experienced, which explains the level of retribution they meted out. It is estimated that Roman losses were at least 20,000, while Jewish losses numbered in the hundreds of thousands, with many more sold into slavery. After this war, the centre of gravity for the Jewish nation moved steadily further away from Jerusalem, ending up to the north in the Galilee. The historicity of these events is not disputed and is agreed upon by the three main monotheistic religions – Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The theological interpretations of these events may differ, but there’s no argument about the events themselves. | Film maker Ilan Ziv accuses the BBC of succumbing to political pressure .
Jerusalem: An Archaeological Mystery Story was due to air last Thursday .
BBC claims the documentary was axed because it 'did not fit editorially'
Viewers attack the Corporation for dropping the show .
Academic Dr Siam Bhayro says axing of the show is strange, given the BBC's past record of airing controversial documentaries . |
195,553 | 891c457ee09520c5364fa36835fbb19e9067dd76 | One of the UK's top competitive growers says he and his rivals are installing lasers and expensive alarm systems to ward off potential saboteurs . Growers of giant vegetables have been known to sleep by their vegetables to protect their prized assets from saboteurs. But it seems some of the UK’s top competitive gardeners are now finding increasingly high-tech ways to guard their humongous produce. One of the UK’s top competitive growers says he and his rivals are installing lasers and expensive alarm systems to ward off potential saboteurs. Kevin Fortey, who runs the Giant Veg website, said he has set up infrared lights in his poly-tunnel and greenhouse which are linked to an alarm in his house. The gardener from Cwmbran in South Wales said his rivals – including Ian Neale, who produced the worlds-largest swede – have also set up alarm systems. With prizes of up to £1000, competition particularly heats up before the UK National Giant Vegetable Championships at the Malvern Autumn Show in September. Last summer, BBC documentary ‘Allotment Wars’ revealed plot owners’ prized vegetables were being snatched and their sheds ransacked by rivals. Mr Fortey joked that they may have got the idea from Wallace and Gromit: Curse of the Were-Rabbit, where the animated characters set up an alarm system to protect their giant marrows from a giant rabbit. He told Waitrose Weekend: ‘If someone’s got something big growing for a show there’s competitive rivalry. ‘I think there is always the fear that something might happen. It’s in the back of your mind.’ In America, competition is so fierce that many growers sleep by their pumpkins in order to protect rivals from sabotage. In America, competition is so fierce that many growers sleep by their pumpkins in order to protect rivals from sabotage . Yesterday, he added : ‘Over the last couple of years, more and more people have been setting up alarm systems. It’s often so they can protect their expensive Keder greenhouses. ‘We have seen poly-tunnels being slashed – though we don’t know if it’s competitiors or just mindless thugs.’ Sharon Gilbert, communications manager at the Malvern Autumn Show, said she wouldn’t be surprised in the slightest if competitors were resorting to alarm systems. She said: ‘There is a lot of competition among growers - they are very, very serious with what they do. They keep their growing secrets close to their chests.’ Mr Fortrey, who entered a 12 stone 3lb marrow at the 2010 competition, is entering in to 20 of the 24 classes this year. | Kevin Fortey has infrared lights in his poly-tunneland greenhouse .
The gardener from Cwmbran in South Wales has also set up alarms .
UK National Giant Vegetable Championships takes place in September . |
108,057 | 17501b9acf96e5d4a252efb7a507a8638d0c2aa7 | Thousands of Twitter users were sent into a frenzy on New Year's Day after the Arizona Department of Transportation claimed to have spotted a family of Bigfoot. More than 3,000 people commented on surveillance footage tweeted by officials on January 1, which was captioned: 'We might have spotted a family of sasquatches on SR 260 near Heber this afternoon. What do you think?' The image showed six blurry dark figures in a line along the snowy roadside. However, excited followers investigated and found it to be nothing more than a row of trees. Spotted? Arizona Department of Transportation jokingly shared an image of trees calling them Bigfoot . One Bigfoot and UFO fanatic even made a YouTube video debunking the claim. As people raged on Twitter at the officials' idiocy, the department admitted it had been a joke. 'We always try to have a little fun with our Facebook and Twitter feeds,' department spokesman Tim Tait told ABC News. 'That way, we don't just post news about crashes and road conditions, but a little something to engage our audience in different ways. 'This posting was one of those efforts – something that caught our attention, and we thought it might make some people chuckle.' The alleged sighting in Arizona, which has the highest number of UFO sightings per capita, It would have been the first in living history of the folkloric creatures, which many scientists claim do not exist. Legendary beast sighting: This is the Facebook post that the Arizona Department of Transportation uploaded on New Years Day . Myth or real? The sighting would have been the first of the folkloric creatures in living history . In 1951 American Eric Shipton the footprint of a beast he called a yeti. Reports of his find prompted a spate of other 'sightings'. The Sasquatch Genome Project, an organisation in America, has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars investigating and researching potential sightings. A map produced in 2013 by a PhD research candidate recorded 3,313 sightings between 1921 and 2013, mostly on the western coast of the U.S. The scientific community is yet to be convinced that they are anything more than hoaxes or mistakes. | Arizona Department of Transportation tweeted photo of six figures .
Joked that it was a family of Bigfoot along SR260 near Heber, Arizona .
Thousands of Twitter users sent into a frenzy, officials said it was a joke . |
4,480 | 0ceda2e6f999339fe5dc986cfe01724eab6504cc | Tall, slender and beautiful, fashion models appear to have it all. But as these shocking images show, maintaining lovely looks can take a horrifying toll on health. And at the Lenny show at Rio de Janeiro Fashion Week, the scale of the problem became clear, as models strutted down the runway with just skimpy bikinis to spare their blushes. Proving that thin doesn't mean healthy, one model's buttocks seemed to be lacking in muscle tone - which some industry insiders say could be the result of skipping workouts and staying slim by eating very little. Less than toned: A model on the Lenny Niemeyer catwalk during Rio de Janeiro Fashion Week was slender but lacked muscle tone in her buttocks and thighs . 'It's . no secret that a bad diet, little rest, no exercise, caffeine and . smoking is not good for our bodies,' adds Sheldon Stringer, personal . trainer and owner of Urban Fitness Islington in London. 'The . main cause of cellulite is simple: a bad diet of fatty foods married . with long periods of not eating and dehydration or lack of water intake. 'A lot of people also . rely on other stimulants and sometimes even substitute food and water . for these stimulants. This will also lead to diminished muscle tone and . also promotes the development of cellulite. 'In . the case of these models, the stress of having to look their best, not . eating to try and remain slim and working long hours with little or no . rest, will result in cellulite build up as seen in these pictures. 'Due . to the lack of nourishment caused by their bad diets and their intense . schedules, their muscle mass is compromised as their bodies are starving . most of the time, which results in flabby or flat muscles.' Slender: The Lenny show saw numerous very thin girls take to the catwalk . The . new pictures come in the wake of revelations that models stay 'Paris . thin' by eating tissues and outrage caused by River Island's use of what . seemed to be a size zero model in its latest campaign. The tissue allegations appeared in . the memoirs of veteran fashion journalist Kirstie Clements, who was . sacked from her role as editor of Australian Vogue last May. According to Clements, she once spent three days on a shoot with a model but didn't see her eat a single meal. By the end of the trip, said Clements, the model was so exhausted and weak from lack of food, she could barely keep her eyes open. She also revealed that many starve themselves for days on end, endure regular stints on hospital drips and eat tissue paper in order to feel full. 'You know how you read interviews where models insist that they eat a lot? Not true,' added Clements. 'The only way they can get that thin is to stop eating. They eat tissue paper to stave off the hunger pangs – literally ball it up and eat it.' | Model appeared on the catwalk during the Lenny show in Rio .
Slack muscles of models said to be result of poor diet and no exercise . |
135,279 | 3afc07731330eae3f2d28c6a5fe6a63f0b31559b | Margot Robbie and Jonah Hill fall foul of autocue error . Elisabeth Moss blurts out 'oh sh**' Emma Thompson sends up stage frights by carrying drink on stage . Leonardo DiCaprio's mispronunciation of Philomena as Phil-o-MANIA starts trending on Twitter . By . Baz Bamigboye . PUBLISHED: . 20:29 EST, 12 January 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 06:19 EST, 13 January 2014 . Veteran British actress Jacqueline Bisset won the award for the most excruciating acceptance speech at the Golden Globes in LA on Sunday night. The star delivered a cringe-worthy TV moment after being named Best Supporting Actress in a TV Show, Miniseries or TV Movie for her BBC drama Dancing on the Edge. She beat out rivals Janet McTeer (White Queen), Hayden Panettiere (Nashville), Monica Potter (Parenthood) and Sofia Vergara (Modern Family) for the gong. Scroll down for video . Cringe: Jacqueline Bisset won the award for the most excruciating acceptance speech at the Golden Globes in LA on Sunday . When she first appeared on stage she was speechless for what seemed an age, before spluttering into a weird stream of consciousness ramble. 'I'm stunned,' she said, and went on to leave the audience and viewers rather gobsmacked too by her ramblings. In a car crash speech that was punctuated by long pauses, she swore and said she wanted to thank those who had given her 'pleasure and sh*t'. Shock: Bisset seemed genuinely surprised to win which may account for the strange incoherent speech . Tears: The actress was off her game from the beginning of the speech that started with a few tears . 'Bonkers' Bisset's incoherent speech sent the Twitterverse into a spin . The reaction on Twitter was swift and merciless, with some branding it 'bonkers' and the 'maddest acceptance speech in awards history'. Ellen DeGeneres quipped: 'I helped write Jacqueline Bisset's speech. Did you like it?' British TV writer Boyd Hilton wrote: 'Really hoping Bisset is still on stage silently staring when the show resumes after this ad break #GoldenGlobes' 'Bissett had such a long walk to the stage she dropped her marbles on the way. #GoldenGlobes,' Jack Guinness quipped mercilessly. Kate Walsh couldn't stand to watch and admitted: 'I ❤️Jacqueline bissett but I had to leave the room.' She won it: Jacqueline displayed her trophy for Dancing On The Edge . Gamut of emotions: Bisset was thrown by the win and her speech never came together . She's got it together: Bisset was altogether more composed as she showed off her trophy backstage . 'Oh sh**!' Elisabeth Moss made a blooper when she accepted her Best Actress in a Mini Series award . Piers Morgan chipped in to brand Bisset 'bonkers' and added: 'Maddest acceptance speech in awards history. Take a bow, Ms Bisset. #GoldenGlobes' Meanwhile Estelle wrote: 'Random . words. Random words. Paragraphs. Tips for life. Words of wisdom. Thank . you so much. Yeah. Lol #JacquelineBisset #thebestspeechsofar. Elisabeth Moss also had a slight stumble as she took the stage to accept her Best Actress gong for Top of the Lake, overcome with similar shock she exclaimed: 'Oh sh**!' Wolf of Wall Street stars Jonah Hill . and Margot Robbie got thrown off kilter when the wrong script ran on the . prompter at the Golden Globes, Hilll pointed the error out and Robbie . laughed. Luckily, they managed to save proceedings by checking their piece of paper. Awkward moment: Jonah Hill and Margot Robbie had to turn to an old-fashioned piece of paper after an autocue error . Making fun: Emma Thompson sent up awards show disasters by arriving on stage with shoes in one hand and a martini in the other . Emma Thompson parodied a stage disaster by arriving on stage with her heels in hand and a martini in another to present the Best Screenplay gong to Spike Jonze for Her. She threw her heels over one shoulder to present the cult favourite with his trophy for the Siri-based love story. Thompson, who looked stunning in gold, was obviously following P Diddy's advice that it'll be fine and over soon, as long as people 'keep drinking' as featured in this hilarious vine https://vine.co/v/hLKtWMIY3u3. Somebody who could probably have done with a stiff drink after he presented Best Actress to Cate Blanchett for Blue Jasmine, was Leo DiCaprio. Floored by Poehler and Fey's encouragement that the crowd should give him a warm welcome 'just like a supermodel's vagina' he pronounced Steve Coogan's Philomena as Phil-O-Mania, which drew a laugh at the Hilton and immediately started trending on Twitter. The 71st annual Golden Globes are airing live from the Beverly Hilton Hotel, with hosts Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. Starring role: The actress in the BBC drama Dancing on the Edge . Top prize: Chiwetel Ejiofor in 12 Years A Slave . BEST DRAMA12 Years A Slave . BEST MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICALAmerican Hustle . BEST DIRECTOR – MOTION PICTUREAlfonso Cuaron, Gravity . BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMACate Blanchett, Blue Jasmine . BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMAMatthew McConaughey, Dallas Buyers Club . BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICALAmy Adams, American Hustle . BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICALLeonardo DiCaprio, The Wolf of Wall Street . BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTUREJennifer Lawrence, American Hustle . BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTUREJared Leto, Dallas Buyers Club . Strong support: American Hustle was named Best Musical or Comedy . BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILMFrozen . BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILMThe Great Beauty . BEST SCREENPLAY – MOTION PICTUREHer - Spike Jonze . BEST ORIGINAL SCORE – MOTION PICTUREAlex Ebert, All Is Lost . BEST ORIGINAL SONG – MOTION PICTUREU2 Ordinary Love, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom . BEST TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMABreaking Bad . BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMARobin Wright, House Of Cards . BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMABryan Cranston, Breaking Bad . Extreme role: Matthew McConaughey was named Best Actor in a Drama for Dallas Buyers Club . BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY OR MUSICALAmy Poehler, Parks & Recreation . BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY OR MUSICALAndy Samberg, Brooklyn Nine-Nine . BEST MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISIONBehind The Candelabra . BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISIONElisabeth Moss, Top of the Lake . BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISIONMichael Douglas, Behind the Candelabra . Great Cate: Blanchett bagged Best Actress in a Drama for Blue Jasmine . BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISIONJacqueline Bisset, Dancing on the Edge . BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISIONJon Voight, Ray Donovan . BEST TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY OR MUSICALBrooklyn Nine-Nine . | Margot Robbie and Jonah Hill fall foul of autocue error .
Elisabeth Moss blurts out 'oh sh**'
Emma Thompson sends up stage frights by carrying drink on stage .
Leonardo DiCaprio's mispronunciation of Philomena as Phil-o-MANIA starts trending on Twitter . |
98,688 | 0b1595025ba9601984a63c1dca5d39e152f78257 | (CNN) -- A Guatemalan man accused in five rapes in Palm Beach County, Florida, has been extradited to the United States to face charges, officials announced Thursday. DNA evidence linked the suspect to the five victims, said Capt. Carol Gregg of the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office. Baltazar Gabriel Delgado Ros was extradited Wednesday after Palm Beach investigators worked to bring him back to the United States. Delgado Ros had moved back to Guatemala after trying to change his physical appearance with a close-cropped haircut, Gregg said. In 2011, he was arrested in Guatemala on charges in the attempted rape of a minor, Gregg said. The Florida rapes took place between April 2009 and September 2011. Convicted rapist caught after nearly 35 years on run . Serial killer and rapist 'Night Stalker; dead at 53 . | Guatemalan man is a suspect in five rapes in Palm Beach County, Florida .
DNA evidence linked the suspect to victims, authorities say . |
6,290 | 11da59bacbc2a4bc64f2e5e6a0d6da94832a2ee5 | By . Will Payne . and Sara Malm . The biological family of a little girl taken from her foster parents and returned to her jailbird father have branded her adoptive mom and dad, ‘selfish’ for fighting to get her back and vowed never to give her up again. Sonya, aged nine, had been in the care of Kim and David Hodgin, from Dickson, Tennessee for more than seven years, but she was recently handed over to ex-con John McCaul in Omaha, Nebraska. The Hodgin family have released a heart-breaking phone conversation, revealing Sonya’s desperate pleas, begging to be reunited with them. Scroll down for video . Heartbreaking: David and Kim Hodgin had been caring for Sonya, now nine, since before she was two years old, but were forced to see her forcibly returned to her biological father in January . Sonya, pictured with her adoptive father David Hodgin, has been returned to her biological father who served time in prison for transporting arms . Desperate pleas: The Hodgin family has released heartbreaking phone conversations in which Sonya begs to be reunited with them . And they have claimed the school girl, . "cried her eyes out", screaming, "Please don't let them do this, Daddy, . please, Mama, don't let 'em take me," when she was forcibly removed . from them. But a female . relative of McCaul – a convicted felon who served time for transporting . firearms – has hit back at the Hodgins, branding them "selfish" and . accusing them of not have the little girl’s best interests at heart. Speaking . from Omaha, Nebraska, the woman, who asked not to be named, said: ‘This . is not the way to do things. If you don’t get what you want you . shouldn’t behave like they are. ‘They . are spreading all kinds of dirt about John, but they don’t know him. Sonya should never have been with them in the first place. She wasn’t . treated badly. She’s the most important person in John’s life. ‘His . mother, Sonya’s grandmother, never gave up on her and has been fighting . to get her back all this time. Her real family love her. ‘What . is happening now is not in the best interests of the child. They are . foster parents, but they are plastering her picture all over the . internet and selling t-shirts with her face on to pay for lawyers’ fees. I have never seen that kind of behavior. Tragedy: Mrs Hodgin and her husband were just given three hours notice before their adoptive daughter was taken from their home in Dickson County, Tennessee and moved to Omaha, Nebraska . ‘John . has had to take Sonya into hiding because he is being targeted by . people. Some people stole his trash and tried to steal his truck. ‘I . feel sorry for the Hodgin’s because they have a relationship with Sonya . and if it was up to us, they would continue to see her, but they are . making that impossible, because they want to take her back permanently. ‘We . are never going to let that happen. She is family and families don’t . just give up on each other. They have no blood link to her. They have no . right to her and if you ask me, their lawyer needs to tell them to shut . their mouths.’ The . family member also revealed McCaul has been in prison for an armed . robbery as well as transporting a gun across state lines. But she . defended him saying: ‘John got into trouble when he was a kid, I’m not . going to deny that. ‘But the robbery was not his fault. He told some guys how to do a robbery, but he wasn’t with them when they did it. ‘It . was the same with the gun charge. He was running a security firm and he . wasn’t allowed to have a gun. A woman was in his car and she had one, . but it wasn’t in a holster, so as it was in her car, he was charged. ‘But he has served his time and has straightened up. He just wants to start a new life with his daughter.’ McCaul was in court in Tennessee on Friday after the Hodgins petitioned to have her returned to them on Sonya’s best interest. The family adopted her in 2008, but a Tennessee appeals court overturned that after McCaul was released from prison. In . a recording of a phone call made on January 30 this year, a day after . Sonya was moved from Dickson County to Omaha, she can be heard asking . for her adoptive parents to take her back.'What did you say, baby doll?' Mrs Hodgin can be heard asking in a recording of the phone call obtained by CNN. 'I want to you to come and get me', the young girl responds. During . the phone call, the last time the Hodgins spoke to her, Sonya also . describes her biological father's home as 'dirty, with mold and . cigarettes everywhere,' and although the man is 'nice' to her, the home . lacks clean water. Convicted felon: Sonya has no memory of her father Josh McCaul, left, but a court still ruled she should live with him . The Hodgins say they were given just three hours' notice before the young girl was taken from them.'Sonya's . crying her eyes out. Screaming bloody murder, "Please don't let them do . this, Daddy, please, Mama, don't let 'em take me,",' Mr Hodgin told . CNN. 'They took her bags, and that's the last that I've seen her,' Mrs Hodgin adds. McCaul had been awarded custody of his infant daughter in 2004 after Sonya's mother gave up her rights. However, . she has been living with the Hodgins since 2006 and they were able to . adopt Sonya after McCaul pleaded guilty to transporting firearms and was . sentenced to 15 years in federal prison. This . automatically terminated his parental rights as Tennessee state law . does not allow anyone incarcerated for more than ten years to have . rights to a child under the age of eight. But . his sentence was shortened to just eight years and he was able to . retain it upon his release from prison after claiming his parental . rights were illegally terminated. In . 2009, McCaul won an appeal claiming he did not voluntarily give up his . rights and the court did not follow due process in the adoption . proceedings. For the next five years, Sonya continued to live with the Hodgins on their Tennessee farm as the two sides fought for custody. In . January this year, a judge ruled that the nine-year-old should return . to her biological father, and a few hours later, she had been taken from . the Hodgins. DCS . spokesman Rob Johnson said earlier this year that while foster parents . often come to love the children in their care, the law is clear, 'Birth . parents have the right to raise their children.' | Sonya McCaul has been 'returned' to an ex-con father she did not know .
Nine-year-old had been living with Kim and David Hodgin since 2006 .
They were given two hours notice before she was removed from their care .
She now lives with her father, jailed for transporting arms, in Nebraska .
Sonya has been calling her adoptive parents, pleading to return home . |
41,693 | 759578c4e9c7b45b0bb617478a013e8125501ca3 | A boy’s brain tumour ‘the size of a clementine’ was missed by doctors - and only discovered after his mother threatened to get out her chequebook and pay for a scan. Miles Davis, aged five, had suffered tell-tale signs including prolonged bouts of vomiting over nine months, once being sick every day for 18 days. He also had problems with his balance and the pupils of his eyes were dilated. Cheryl Davis, 42, threatened to pay for a private brain scan after . NHS doctors were hesitant to give one to her son. Miles, five, . pictured centre with his mother and his two brothers Lucas and Edward, . eventually had a scan - showing a tumour which could have been . there since birth . But Miles’s illness was initially dismissed as a vomiting syndrome and he was discharged from hospital at least four times. Doctors were reluctant to send him for a scan because of the risk posed by radiation. Miles’s mother Cheryl Davis, 42, from Bicester, Oxfordshire, said the scan was eventually ordered only after she ‘threw her toys out of the pram’. She recalled: ‘I said, ‘I want a brain scan and I will pay for it. It doesn’t matter how much it costs. I will get my chequebook out now and I will pay for a scan. If it comes back clear, you keep the cheque. If it comes back with something on it then you are paying for it. ‘I said ‘Where can I go privately for a scan?’ The doctor said ‘You do not need to do that’, and I said ‘I do because I keep saying there is something wrong with his head and nobody believes me'.' Her son’s case comes after statistics were released by the World Health Organisation (WHO) showing that the number of young people dying from brain tumours in the UK is the highest in Europe. The 12-13 week average time it takes to diagnose cases in the UK is 50 per cent slower than some other European countries, the WHO adds. Last year, about 500 people aged 2 - 24 were diagnosed with brain tumours and 125 died. Miles eventually received a scan, paid for by the NHS, at Horton General Hospital in Banbury, Oxfordshire. The scan was delayed for two days until the Monday as the procedure was not carried out on weekends . Miles eventually received a scan at Horton General Hospital in Banbury, Oxfordshire, without charge and on the NHS. The scan was delayed for two days until the Monday, as the procedure was not carried out at weekends. Mrs Davis said: ‘I carried Miles in on Monday morning. He couldn’t even walk at that point. He could not stand up any more. I was holding him in my arms as he was being sick. He was out with the fairies. ‘A tumour the size of a clementine was found, which the doctors said may have been growing since birth.’ Miles was transferred to Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital where he underwent surgery two days later. Although critical of Miles’s care before the scan, Mrs Davis said that from the moment the tumour was discovered in 2010, she ‘could not praise highly enough’ the swift treatment given to Miles which included rounds of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. 'When we spoke to other parents, they . were all saying they had to fight to get their children referred to . hospital. Yet the quicker the diagnosis of brain cancer, the greater the . chances of survival’ Cheryl Davis . When the cancer returned in Miles’s spine in May 2013, the family faced an agonising decision between localised radiotherapy or wider treatment on his spine and brain which could attack any undetected cancers but also carried a risk of brain damage. They took the risk - and it paid off. Now aged nine and nicknamed ‘Smiley Miley’ because of his positive attitude, Miles has scans every three months to check the cancer has not returned. Mrs Davis is calling on GPs to change their attitudes on admitting children for brain scans. She said: ‘We had been going in and out of the GP’s office for two weeks. We kept being told that he could be looked after in the community and that they could see nothing wrong with him, it was just a virus. 'I was saying: ‘We have had [this sickness] a lot throughout the year’. I insisted on [Miles] being admitted.’ Mrs Davis believes many GPs are ‘too reluctant’ to refer children to hospital - potentially delaying diagnosis in cancer cases which can affect chances of survival. She said: ‘It was not just us. When we spoke to other parents, they were all saying they had to fight to get their children referred to hospital. Yet the quicker the diagnosis of brain cancer, the greater the chances of survival.’ A charity, the Children’s Brain Tumour Foundation, has been set up by her and her husband, to raise awareness and fund child brain tumour research. And Mrs Davis is also urging GPs’ surgeries to carry cards provided by the Headsmart campaign, which detail the symptoms of brain tumours. Concern about Miles’s case was echoed by Sue Farrington Smith, chief executive of Brain Tumour Research. She said: ‘This is yet another example of a family facing immense stress as a result of the lack of awareness about brain tumours. People tell us far too often: ‘I had to fight to get the scan we needed to diagnose what we suspected all along’.' A spokeswoman for Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs both the Horton General and the John Radcliffe hospitals, said: ‘Scans are undertaken when deemed clinically appropriate by the clinicians caring for the patient at the time. 'Clinicians always seek to avoid unnecessary exposure to x-rays in children.’ | Miles Davis, five, from Bicester, had bouts of vomiting for nine months .
Doctors were reluctant to order a scan due to the risks posed by radiation .
The scan was only arranged once his mother Cheryl threatened to go private .
It showed a tumour which doctors say could have been there since birth . |
23,104 | 418f6b9c4a5c65850ab4918e7760bc9053a01aa9 | The Champions League group stage reached the half-way point this week with a series of entertaining and goal-laden matches. We cast our eye over the eight groups to see who's cruising through and who still has work to do in order to reach the knockout stage. GROUP A . Italian champions Juventus have work to do if they are to avoid a repeat of last season's group stage exit. Their 1-0 defeat by Olympiacos on Wednesday night leaves them third in the group and heaps pressure on Massimiliano Allegri's side to get a result in the return match in Turin the week after next. The Greeks have looked strong at home and that has been enough to offset a 2-0 loss in Malmo and put them top of the group at the midway stage. Spanish champions and last season's runners-up Atletico Madrid lost in Greece on the opening matchday but back-to-back home victories have put them in a strong position. You would still back them and Juventus to advance, however. Olympiacos went top of Group A after their 1-0 win over Juventus on Wednesday . September 16 . Olympiacos 3 Atletico Madrid 2 . Juventus 2 Malmo 0 . October 1 . Malmo 2 Olympiacos 0 . Atletico Madrid 1 Juventus 0 . October 22 . Atletico Madrid 5 Malmo 0 . Olympiacos 1 Juventus 0 . November 4 . Malmo vs Atletico Madrid . Juventus vs Olympiacos . November 26 . Atletico Madrid vs Olympiacos . Malmo vs Juventus . December 9 . Olympiacos vs Malmo . Juventus vs Atletico Madrid . GROUP B . Real Madrid's masterful performance on Merseyside has put them on the brink of qualification for the knockout stages with three wins from three. The defending champions beat Basle 5-1 at the Bernabeu on matchday one and then recovered from an early scare to beat Ludogorets Razgrad 2-1 in Bulgaria. A win against Liverpool in the return match on November 4 will seal their progress. The Bulgarian debutants are actually second on goal difference following their 1-0 success over Basle this week, while Liverpool in third place and Basle in fourth also have three points. Liverpool's match with Basle at Anfield on matchday six still looks like being the decisive tie. Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid have a 100 per cent record in Group B and are favourites to advance . September 16 . Liverpool 2 Ludogorets Razgrad 1 . Real Madrid 5 Basle 1 . October 1 . Basle 1 Liverpool 0 . Ludogorets Razgrad 1 Real Madrid 2 . October 22 . Ludogorets Razgrad 1 Basle 0 . Liverpool 0 Real Madrid 3 . November 4 . Basle vs Ludogorets Razgrad . Real Madrid vs Liverpool . November 26 . Ludogorets Razgrad vs Liverpool . Basle vs Real Madrid . December 9 . Liverpool vs Basle . Real Madrid vs Ludogorets Razgrad . GROUP C . All to play for in Group C as Bayer Leverkusen, Monaco and Zenit St Petersburg battle for the two qualification slots. The German side seized top spot with their 2-0 win over Zenit on matchday three, while Monaco are second despite two drab goalless draws. In an open group, it looks as though Benfica are the fall guys, but that could change if they beat Monaco in the next round of fixtures. Bayer Leverkusen's players celebrate their opening goal against Zenit St Petersburg on Wednesday . September 16 . Monaco 1 Bayer Leverkusen 0 . Benfica 0 Zenit St Petersburg 2 . October 1 . Zenit St Petersburg 0 Monaco 0 . Bayer Leverkusen 3 Benfica 1 . October 22 . Bayer Leverkusen 2 Zenit St Petersburg 0 . Monaco 0 Benfica 0 . November 4 . Zenit St Petersburg vs Bayer Leverkusen . Benfica vs Monaco . November 26 . Zenit St Petersburg vs Benfica . Bayer Leverkusen vs Monaco . December 9 . Monaco vs Zenit St Petersburg . Benfica vs Bayer Leverkusen . GROUP D . Borussia Dortmund have raced away in this group, with Arsenal the favourites to join them following Wednesday night's dramatic late turnaround against Anderlecht. The German team have defied their poor league form to win all three matches so far, racking up nine goals without conceding. They will ensure their place in the last 16 if they complete the double over Galatasaray on matchday four. Lukas Podolski's late winner in Brussels has completely changed Arsenal's outlook and a win over Anderlecht at the Emirates in two weeks will put them in a very strong position. As a result of Wednesday's results, Anderlecht and Galatasaray are left scrapping for the Europa League consolation prize. Lukas Podolski's (left) late winner against Anderlecht has really helped their chances of getting through . September 16 . Galatasaray 1 Anderlecht 1 . Borussia Dortmund 2 Arsenal 0 . October 1 . Arsenal 4 Galatasaray 1 . Anderlecht 0 Borussia Dortmund 3 . October 22 . Anderlecht 1 Arsenal 2 . Galatasaray 0 Borussia Dortmund 4 . November 4 . Arsenal vs Anderlecht . Borussia Dortmund vs Galatasaray . November 26 . Anderlecht vs Galatasaray . Arsenal vs Borussia Dortmund . December 9 . Galatasaray vs Arsenal . Borussia Dortmund vs Anderlecht . GROUP E . Bayern Munich are cruising to top spot in Group E with their incredible 7-1 win in Rome opening up a five-point cushion at the top. Three points in the return match with Roma at the Allianz Arena in two weeks will ensure their progress and it is then a shoot-out between the Italians and Manchester City as to who will follow them. City, who surrendered a two-goal lead against CSKA Moscow on Tuesday, ideally need maximum points from their next two home games to advance. It is likely they will need to go to the Stadio Olimpico and get something on matchday six. Bayern's players salute their travelling fans after Tuesday night's 7-1 demolition of Roma . September 17 . Roma 5 CSKA Moscow 1 . Bayern Munich 1 Manchester City 0 . September 30 . CSKA Moscow 0 Bayern Munich 1 . Manchester City 1 Roma 1 . October 21 . CSKA Moscow 2 Manchester City 2 . Roma 1 Bayern Munich 7 . November 5 . Manchester City vs CSKA Moscow . Bayern Munich vs Roma . November 25 . CSKA Moscow vs Roma . Manchester City vs Bayern Munich . December 10 . Roma vs Manchester City . Bayern Munich vs CSKA Moscow . GROUP F . Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona look favourites to advance from this group, as was expected. The French champions stayed in top spot after their 1-0 win over APOEL in Cyprus this week and Barceona beat Ajax 3-1 to damage the Dutch challenge. If Lionel Messi and co can avoid defeat in the Amsterdam ArenA on matchday four, they will be pretty much there. APOEL and Ajax have yet to win in the group stage and will contest the Europa League spot. Edinson Cavani celebrates scoring PSG's winner against APOEL in Cyprus on Tuesday . September 17 . Barcelona 1 APOEL 0 . Ajax 1 Paris Saint-Germain 1 . September 30 . Paris Saint-Germain 3 Barcelona 2 . APOEL 1 Ajax 1 . October 21 . APOEL 0 Paris Saint-Germain 1 . Barcelona 3 Ajax 1 . November 5 . Paris Saint-Germain vs APOEL . Ajax vs Barcelona . November 25 . APOEL vs Barcelona . Paris Saint-Germain vs Ajax . December 10 . Barcelona vs Paris Saint-Germain . Ajax vs APOEL . GROUP G . Chelsea are in a strong position to advance as winners of Group G and a win in Slovenia against Maribor will pretty much ensure top spot. Schalke, who edged out Sporting Lisbon in a dramatic 4-3 win on Tuesday, are favourities to follow them and remain unbeaten. Maribor still have an outside chance while Sporting look down and out. Chelsea celebrate one of their six goals in the rout of Maribor at Stamford Bridge . VIDEO We are playing with confidence - Mourinho . September 17 . Chelsea 1 Schalke 1 . Maribor 1 Sporting Lisbon 1 . September 30 . Sporting Lisbon 0 Chelsea 1 . Schalke 1 Maribor 1 . October 21 . Schalke 4 Sporting Lisbon 3 . Chelsea 6 Maribor 0 . November 5 . Sporting Lisbon vs Schalke . Maribor vs Chelsea . November 25 . Schalke vs Chelsea . Sporting Lisbon vs Maribor . December 10 . Chelsea vs Sporting Lisbon . Maribor vs Schalke . GROUP H . Plenty still to play for in Group H with Porto, Shakhtar Donetsk and BATE Borisov all in with a shout. Shakhtar's 7-0 rout of BATE on Tuesday has put them second behind the Portuguese side and both looks well-placed to make it through. Bilbao's return to Europe's top competition has been a let-down, with a draw and two defeats so far. Porto are sitting pretty at the top of Group H, with seven points from a possible nine . September 17 . Porto 6 BATE Borisov 0 . Athletic Bilbao 0 Shakhtar Donetsk 0 . September 30 . Shakhtar Donetsk 2 Porto 2 . BATE Borisov 2 Athletic Bilbao 1 . October 21 . BATE Borisov 0 Shakhtar Donetsk 7 . Porto 2 Athletic Bilbao 1 . November 5 . Shakhtar Donetsk vs BATE Borisov . Athletic Bilbao vs Porto . November 25 . BATE Borisov vs Porto . Shakhtar Donetsk vs Athletic Bilbao . December 10 . Porto vs Shakhtar Donetsk . Athletic Bilbao vs BATE Borisov . | UEFA Champions League group stage reached half-way this week .
Italian champions Juventus are third in Group A following Olympiacos loss .
Manchester City find themselves behind Bayern Munich and Roma .
Bayern, Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund have 100 per cent records .
Nine teams remain unbeaten in the group phase so far . |
186,226 | 7d33455fd5b9c43f6156aec2160c7be06c3e50c9 | The Massachusetts mother who was found with the dead bodies of infants in her home may have feared her boyfriend, who she said didn't want any more children after their first two, according to her lawyer. Erika Murray, 31, was charged Friday with fetal death concealment and other counts after authorities found bodies in her vermin-infested home in Blackstone, near the Rhode Island border. Murray's lawyer, Keith Halpern, told The Boston Globe that Murray's boyfriend had told her he didn't want anymore children after their first two. Disturbed: The lawyer for Erika Murray, 31, said that his client 'couldn't figure out how to get out of the prison she created for herself' and was afraid after her boyfriend said he didn't want anymore kids . She secretly gave birth to the two, and in an effort to conceal that the children were hers, told her boyfriend she was babysitting them. 'Try to imagine the kind of fear and sort of loss of control over your life that would lead a woman to give birth to a child alone on the floor of her bathroom. That's was she was going through,' Halpern said. 'This terror just controlled her. She couldn't figure out how to get out of the prison she created for herself,' he added . Halpern said it's wasn't clear to him how much of the fear was attributable to the mental illness he believes Murray has and how much was due to real-life concerns. 'She is clearly mentally ill,' he said, 'because the lengths to which she went to try to hide these children...no one in their right mind would have done this.' Two weeks ago, state officials took custody of Murray's four children, ages 6 months to 13 years, after discovering the dirty conditions of the home. Confined: Investigators found the bodies of three infants in the home, after first finding a neglected infant covered in feces . Condemned: Police say soiled diapers were piled two feet high and in addition to the human infant bodies, there were remains of several animals . Prosecutors and neighbors said included soiled diapers piled up two feet high and the remains of several animals. A medical examiner is currently running tests to determine whether the infants died as newborns or fetuses, and how they died. Halpern says he's optimistic that testing will show the infants were stillborn, and that his client wasn't responsible for harming or killing them. 'I...am eager to see whether the forensic testing confirms that in fact the children that are deceased...were never born alive,' Halpern said. Halpern declined to discuss Murray's relationship with her boyfriend and whether she was scared because she believed he would harm her. He also declined to comment when asked what Murray told him about the three dead babies. The boyfriend hasn't been charged in connection with the dead infants or the conditions in the home, where he also lived. The children first came to the attention of police two weeks ago when a 10-year-old boy who lived in the house went to a neighbor and asked, 'How do you get a baby to stop crying?' said Tim Connolly, a spokesman for Worcester District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. The neighbor went with the boy and found the crying baby covered in feces, but no adults around. Police were called and notified the state Department of Children and Families, which removed the four children — ages 13, 10, 3 and 6 months — from the home. Murray was then charged with two counts of reckless endangerment, and the house was condemned. Based on interviews with the two older children, police got a search warrant and went back to the house. That's when they found the remains of three babies, one in a closet on Wednesday and two others on Thursday. Community members planned a vigil for Sunday evening to show support for Murray's children. | Erika Murray, 31, was charged Friday with fetal death concealment after officials found bodies in her bug- and rat-infested home in Blackstone .
Murray's lawyer, Keith Halpern, said Murray's boyfriend told her he didn't want anymore children after their first two .
Murray secretly gave birth to two children and told her boyfriend she was babysitting them .
Halpern says she's clearly mentally ill to have gone the lengths she did, and that 'The terror just controlled her' |
263,917 | e1d0099f43cf186bde4e96985417ceb12f90bb69 | By . Chris Foy . Follow @@FoyChris . England narrowly lost 20-15 to New Zealand after a late try by Conrad Smith extended the Kiwi's unbeaten run at Eden Park to 20 years. Here, Sportsmail's Chris Foy rates the two teams and gives his verdict on which England players deserve to start next week's second Test in Dunedin. ENGLAND . Mike Brown - 7Not his stellar best, often double tackled, but strong and feisty. VERDICT: Must start in Dunedin . Strength: Mike Brown wasn't at his best, but was a constant source of power for England . Marland Yarde - 7 . Tidy all-round game but rightly yellow carded late in second half. VERDICT: Did enough to stay in . Manu Tuilagi - 8 . Looks fit, fresh and hungry. Big threat to New Zealand defence. VERDICT: I want him on left wing . Kyle Eastmond - 7 . Some really nice touches, laid down a marker for the future. VERDICT: Billy Twelvetrees if fit . Too strong: Manu Tuilagi (centre) is stopped by the All Black defence during the Test match . Jonny May - 6 . Curate’s egg. Some good moments, must adapt to Test pace. VERDICT: Move Tuilagi to the wing . Freddie Burns - 7 . Composed, kicked his goals and justified Lancaster’s confidence. VERDICT: Farrell to start if fit . In the mix: Both Kyle Eastmond and Freddie Burns were in impressive form at Eden Park . Ben Youngs - 6 . Busy against top opponent. Second fumble nearly cost England dear. VERDICT: Danny Care returns if fit . Substitutes - 7 . Not a massive factor but Cipriani got on the front foot and kicked his penalty with aplomb. Joe Marler - 7 . Solid evening’s work and that short fuse seemed well under control. VERDICT: Good to go again . Battle: Joe Marler (centre) is tackled by Liam Messam (left) and Richie McCaw during England's defeat . Rob Webber - 7 . A standout effort. Good in the tight and line-out, extra option in loose. VERDICT: Dylan Hartley to return . David Wilson - 6 . Strong in scrum but oddly prone to fumbles for a good handler. VERDICT: Good to go again . Joe Launchbury - 7 . Good in the line-out, worked with calm efficiency. So reliable. VERDICT: One of the first names on the team sheet . Safe hands: Joe Launchbury was strong in the line-out on Saturday . Geoff Parling - 7 . Fine return after long time out of Tests. Ran line-out intelligently. VERDICT: Lawes to come back . James Haskell - 7 . Finished strongly for Wasps and maintained that form here. VERDICT: Tom Wood is first choice . Chris Robshaw (capt) - 8 . One of his best performances - and against McCaw as well. VERDICT: Will lead from front again . Ben Morgan - 7 . Very fine effort, carried very well and gave England go-forward. VERDICT: ...but Vunipola returns . Leader: England skipper Chris Robshaw (centre) put in one of his best performances . NEW ZEALAND . Israel Dagg - 6 . One slashing run in attack but unusually error-prone for such a quality player. Ben Smith - 7 . Made up for earlier handling errors with that brilliant try-scoring pass at the death. Conrad Smith - 8 . The old head knew exactly what was required in the 79th minute to score his try. Experienced: Conrad Smith scored the crucial 79th minute try for New Zealand . Ma’a Nonu - 6 . Not at his best by any means. Should have been yellow-carded for shirt-tugging early on. Cory Jane - 6 . Quiet night, few chances to shine, which is a testament to England’s pressure game. Aaron Cruden - 7 . Not without error but a very accomplished stand-in for the resting Dan Carter. Aaron Smith - 8 . Livewire, clever kicker, speedy delivery. New Zealand’s best player on the night. Star man: Aaron Smith of the All Blacks was one of the best players on the pitch at Eden Park . Tony Woodcock - 6 . Veteran World Cup-winning prop but England had the better of the front-row exchanges. Dane Coles - 6 . Has bulked up but still struggling at scrum time. New Zealand scrum improved when he departed. Owen Franks - 6 . Had his hands full in the tight and not seen in the loose as much as usual. Missing: Dane Coles (centre) struggled to impose himself when it came to scrum time . Brodie Retallick - 7 . Made that long second-half break and considerable line-out force. Good player. Sam Whitelock - 7 . Unsung workhorse as ever but tough going against an aggressive England pack. Stopped: England managed Richie McCaw well and kept the New Zealand captain relatively quiet . Liam Messam - 6 . Came second-best to England at the tackle area. Could drop out if Read returns. Richie McCaw (capt) - 7 . Quiet by his immense standards. England power at breakdown helped negate him. Jerome Kaino - 7 . Not a natural No 8. Great athlete and driving force - but at blindside flanker. | England captain Chris Robshaw was at his very best against New Zealand .
Stuart Lancaster's side fought valiantly but were beaten in the final stages .
Manu Tuilagi will be giving the All Blacks nightmares ahead of Dunedin . |
133,279 | 3854a17299348f8960a20fe62c09d0208805ee49 | An Egyptian court sentenced at least 528 supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood to death Monday on charges related to violent riots in the southern Egyptian city of Minya last August, including the murder of a police officer, the country's official news agency said. The riots took place after a deadly crackdown by security forces on two large sit-ins in Cairo, where demonstrators were supporting ousted President Mohammed Morsy. Will Egypt carry out sentence? While the official MENA news agency reported 528 death sentences, other Egyptian media said 529 people were sentenced to death. The semiofficial Ahram Online news site said it was the largest set of death sentences handed to defendants in the modern history of Egypt. Not all of the defendants are in custody, according to EgyNews. The defendants can appeal their sentences. The court also acquitted at least 16 other defendants. What is the Muslim Brotherhood? Report: Egypt's army-backed government resigns . Five killed in clashes between Egyptian police, Muslim Brotherhood protesters . | The charges are related to riots in the city of Minya last year .
The riots took place after security forces cracked down on protesters .
The defendants can appeal their sentences . |
57,357 | a2812e43a8867d5b0404304ff3aae1321f72b9a4 | By . Alex Ward . PUBLISHED: . 11:19 EST, 5 October 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 14:21 EST, 5 October 2012 . The jaws of death came swift and fast for an unsuspecting impala as it galloped toward a feline predator waiting in the wings. Blink and you would miss the gigantic leap a leopard made to ensnare the beast, flipping it high in the air as the leopard sunk its teeth into its neck. Once on the ground, the impala twitched as the leopard held tighter and dragged it away for a tasty meal. Scroll down for video . Jaws of death: A female leopard's patient wait was worth it as a herd of unsuspecting impala galloped towards her (she is crouched down on the left) Leopard leap: From crouching to flying, the leopard leapt up as the impala came close enough . Blink and miss it: The impala was flipped high in the air as the feline predator sunk her teeth into its neck in this video posted on YouTube and viewed more than 938,000 times since Tuesday . The incredible, cut-throat moment in the circle of life was captured by Martha van Rensburg and posted on YouTube where it has been viewed more than 938,000 times since it was posted on Tuesday. Ms van Rensburg was on a predator safari in MalaMala, a game reserve between Kruger National Park and the Sabi Sand Wildtuin in South Africa when she captured the incredible moment according to a MalaMala blog. The wilderness watchers spotted the well hidden female leopard and parked just five yards from it, waiting and watching for 30 minutes before a herd of skittish impala were spooked and ran start toward the predator on September 29. Midair catch: The leopard's jaws locked down on the impala's neck as the animals were flipped from the impact . Wilderness watchers: A group on board a 4x4 saw the breathtaking moments in MalaMala, a South African game reverse near Kruger National Park . Cunning cat: Leopards are elusive hunters capable of killing prey bigger than themselves . Eat in peace: Lions and hyenas have been known to steal a leopard's kill so to converse their prey, leopards often store their larger kills in trees where they can feed on them in relative safety . The blog said: ‘The wind was making the impala very skittish and even with sentries on the lookout, and one impala in particular looking directly at the leopard, they failed to see it.’ Leopards are some of the most secretive and elusive of the large carnivores, capable of killing prey bigger than themselves. Cunning hunters, leopards’ prey ranges from fish, birds and mammals such as baboons, warthogs. The smallest of the big four predator cats, lions and hyenas have been known to steal a leopard’s kill. To conserve their prey, leopards often store their larger kills in trees where they can feed on them in relative safety. Now watch the video . | Wilderness watchers saw a leopard leap up and catch an impala as it galloped toward the predator .
The leopard was crouching, hidden in the grass so the herd of impala did not notice it .
Posted on YouTube, the video has been viewed more than 938,000 times since Tuesday . |
1,182 | 03598a846a2093da1dcc95c785bf6fc8542a9d43 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 00:08 EST, 8 June 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 00:08 EST, 8 June 2012 . Though most of Congress is likely looking forward to the summer recess, the Federal Reserve chairman offered a grim warning as the Bush-era tax cut expiration date looms. ‘If you all go on vacation,’ Ben Bernanke said, ‘(Taxmaggedon is) still going to happen, so it’s important to be thinking about that and working with your colleagues to see how you might address that concern at the appropriate time.’ He spoke urgently of the Bush-era tax cuts that will cost taxpayers $130billion in increases if nothing is done to extend them. Grim warning: Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke warned Congress Thursday to make a decision on the Bush-era tax cuts that are set to expire . Arms crossed: Bernanke is pictured before testifying at a Joint Economic Committee hearing on economic outlook and policy on Capitol Hill in Washington . Speaking at the Joint Economic Committee, Bernanke painted a grim warning. ‘If allowed to occur…(it would) pose a significant threat to the recovery,’ he said. ‘If no action were taken and the fiscal cliff were to kick in its full size, I think it would be very likely that the economy would being to contract or possibly go even into recession.’ He also added that unemployment would again rise from its current high at 8.2 per cent. However, he said the Fed is prepared to take steps to boost the U.S. economy if it weakens. But he said Fed officials still need to study the most recent economic trends, including job growth. For now, Bernanke said he foresees moderate growth this year. He said he's mindful that all that could change, if Europe's crisis quickly worsened or U.S. job growth stalled. 'As always, the Federal Reserve remains prepared to take action as needed to protect the U.S. financial system and economy in the event that financial stresses escalate,' he told the Joint Economic Committee. The Fed could buy more bonds to try to further reduce long-term interest rates, which might encourage more borrowing and spending. Or it could extend its plan to keep short-term rates near zero beyond late 2014 until an even later date. Don't let it happen: He said that the tax cuts cannot expire, as more unemployment and even another recession could result . But most economists don't expect a major announcement at the Fed's next policy meeting June 19-20, despite signals this week from some other Fed members in favour of considering further action. For one thing, long-term U.S. interest rates have already touched record lows. Even if rates dropped further, analysts say they might provide little benefit for the economy. ‘If allowed to occur (Taxmaggedon) would pose a . significant threat to the recovery. If no action were taken . and the fiscal cliff were to kick in its full size, I think it would be . very likely that the economy would being to contract or possibly go even . into recession.' They say it's unlikely that many businesses and consumers who aren't borrowing now at super-low rates would do so if rates declined a bit more. And Bernanke could face pressure not to pursue further stimulus before the November election because such steps could be perceived as helping President Barack Obama win re-election. 'The Fed simulative effects have really run their course,' Obama's Republican opponent, Mitt Romney, argued in a television interview last week. John Ryding and Conrad DeQuadros, economists at RDQ Economics, said there was nothing in the testimony to 'tip Bernanke's hand' before the June meeting of the Fed's policy committee. 'Yes, the Fed chairman said the Fed stands ready to act if Europe poses a threat to the U.S. financial system or the economy,' they wrote in a note to clients. 'However, he gave no specifics.' An early rally on Wall Street faded after Bernanke signalled no immediate further steps from the Fed to help the economy. The Dow Jones industrial average had been up as much as 140 points. It closed up about 46 points, or 0.3 per cent. Presiding: Bernanke presides over a meeting of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, from second left to right, Federal Reserve Board of Governors: Janet Yellen; Elizabeth Duke; Daniel Tarullo; Sarah Raskin; Jeremy Stein; Jerome Powell . Many analysts are worried that the U.S. economy is suffering a midyear slump just as in 2010 and 2011. They're concerned in particular about the job market. From December through February, the economy added an average 252,000 jobs a month. But since then, job growth has slowed to a lacklustre 96,000 a month. In May, U.S. employers added just 69,000 jobs - the fewest in a year. Bernanke said the Fed is still assessing the most recent employment data. Like many economists, Bernanke suggested that a warm winter might have prompted some hiring that normally would have occurred later. That could have weakened hiring temporarily in the spring. If that's true, hiring might bounce back. Still, Bernanke said some of the winter hiring might have made up for excessive job cuts during the recession. If so, and if those companies have completed such 'catch-up' hiring, then stronger economic growth might be needed to boost hiring, Bernanke said. 'That is the essential question we will have to look at,' he told the panel. The government said last week that the economy grew at a sluggish annual rate of 1.9 per cent in the first three months of 2012. Paul Edelstein, an economist at IHS Global Insight, said he thought Bernanke didn't seem alarmed by the weak hiring in May. 'His view is that it isn't a sign that the economy is falling apart,' Edelstein said. Options: The Fed could buy more bonds to try to further reduce long-term interest rates, or it could extend its plan to keep short-term rates near zero beyond late 2014 . Bernanke's message to financial markets, Edelstein said, was, 'Don't expect anything drastic from the Fed at the June meeting.' That said, if the Fed does announce some new action at its meeting later this month, Edelstein said the most likely step would be to extend a program, known as Operation Twist, that will expire at the end of June. Under Operation Twist, the Fed sells shorter-term securities and buys longer-term bonds. As with other Fed bond purchases, the idea has been to drive down long-term rates so that mortgages, auto loans and other consumer and business loans become more attractive. The Fed's policy committee has been split between those who favor doing everything possible to strengthen the economy and reduce unemployment, and those more concerned about inflation risks. On Wednesday, Janet Yellen, the vice chairman of the Fed, Dennis Lockhart, the head of the Atlanta regional Fed Bank, and John Williams, president of the San Francisco Fed bank, all suggested that the Fed might need to do more to provide support. But Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas, warned at Thursday's hearing against more bond buying. He and other critics worry that ever-lower borrowing rates could eventually ignite inflation. 'It is my belief that the Fed has done all that it can do and has perhaps done too much,' said Brady, vice chairman of the committee. | Chairman of the Fed Ben Bernanke offered grim warning to Congress if they do nothing over Bush-era tax cuts that will expire .
Will cost taxpayers $130billion in additional taxes if nothing is done .
Spoke at Joint Economic Committee . |
192,804 | 859ab37f35b9df1bb571f5bf5614923b9268fce8 | By . Suzannah Hills . PUBLISHED: . 04:37 EST, 9 July 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 04:40 EST, 11 July 2013 . Hundreds have been evacuated from their homes as deadly mountain wildfires continue to rage through parched woodland in northern and southern Nevada this morning. A 24-square-mile blaze has forced more than 500 people out of homes in Mount Charleston some 25 miles . northwest of Las Vegas while other fires have broken out near Reno and Kearn. More than 750 firefighters, including 18 . elite Hotshot crews, today lost more ground to the raging wildfire fire named Carpenter 1 which was sparked by lightning striking dried woodland on July 1. Health risk: Smoke from the Carpenter 1 fire in the Spring Mountains range billows behind hotel-casinos on the Las Vegas Strip in Nevada yesterday . Warning: Officials have issued a health warning as large smoke clouds from the wildfire called Carpenter 1 surrounds Las Vegas . It comes just 24 hours after the funeral of 19 firefighters who lost their lives battling wildfires just 700 miles away near Yarnell, in Arizona on June 30. Smoke from the blaze near Mount Charleston created a towering white cloud that stretched northeast, visible from downtown Las Vegas. The Clark County Department of Air . Quality issued a health advisory that officials said would remain in . effect today through Sunday. An influx of firefighters and equipment including bulldozers, seven helicopters, four air tankers and a DC-10 jet fire retardant bomber arrived in the area as other fast-moving fires were reported across the state. A 27-square-mile fire has burned through the Pine Nut Mountains southwest of Reno while further south salt cedar trees have caught fire along the San Pedro River bed outside the remote community of Kearn. On fire: Smoke from the Carpenter 1 fire in the Spring Mountains range is illuminated by the setting sun last night as it billows behind the Stratosphere Casino Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada . Hidden under a smoke cloud: Smoke pouring from the fires in the Mount Charleston area west of Las Vegas can be seen over the city yesterday morning as more than 750 firefighters continue to battle the blaze . Ongoing battle: More than 750 firefighters, including 18 elite Hotshot crews, were battling the Carpenter 1 Fire some 25 miles northwest of Las Vegas, pictured . Pinal County Deputy Chief Steve Henry . said the new fire had claimed a home and two other structures. It also . threatened the local airport in the town of some 2,000 residents. Residents of a trailer park were evacuated as a precaution after the fire was reported early yesterday evening. It was unclear how it started. The Arizona Republic reported the fire had spread across 300 acres by late last night. In northern Nevada, the Bison Fire in the Pine Nut Mountains straddling the Douglas and Lyon county lines nearly doubled in size yesterday from a day earlier as it burned through tinder-dry brush, dead trees and pinion-juniper forests. By afternoon the fire was estimated at 17,500 acres, or more than 27 square miles. The mountain range also stretches into Carson City. Late in the day, fire officials closed popular back-country roads leading from the state capital into the mountains because of the fire's path. The blaze broke out on July 4 and firefighters initially hoped to have it contained Monday. But those ambitions were dashed Sunday when strong winds fanned the fire into an inferno that pushed to the northeast and created a towering, swirling smoke plume seen for miles. Spark: More than 9,000 acres of woodland has burned since lightning sparked the blaze in Carpenter Canyon on the Pahrump, Nevada side of Mount Charleston on July 1 . Raging wildfire: Smoke and flames from the Carpenter 1 fire are seen along a ridge-line in the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, Nevada, on July 6 . Badly hit: This map shows the areas in Mount Charleston affected by the Carpenter 1 fire and the temporary flight restriction zone over Las Vegas . No homes have been lost, but officials said several old structures burned in the Slater Mine area. More . than 700 firefighters battled winds, low humidity and steep terrain to . clear fire breaks through grass, pinion and juniper. Firefighters . lost ground yesterday on all of the Nevada fires, which each were about . 15 per cent contained. Fire managers expecting crews to spend a week on . both fire lines. No injuries were reported in the southern Nevada fire and no structures burned in the fire since it started on the west side of Mount Charleston near Pahrump and quickly spread east into rugged terrain reachable only on foot. Officials said yesterday that some $2.4 million had already been spent fighting the fire. Mount Charleston is a popular weekend getaway, where summer temperatures can be 15 to 20 degrees cooler than in Las Vegas, which has sizzled in the triple digits for more than 10 days. More than 400 homes in Trout, Kyle, Lee, Harris Springs and Lovell canyons were evacuated during the weekend, along with a Clark County-run youth correctional camp that houses 98 teenagers at a mountain elevation of almost 8,500 feet above sea level. Wildfires: This image shows the two large wildfires which have broken out in Reno and Mount Charleston in Nevada as firefighters have just managed to bring a huge blaze in Yarnell, Arizona, under control . A memorial dedicated to the 19 firefighters killed in the nearby wildfire is seen in Prescott, Arizona, yesterday . Patriotic: A motorcade of hearses carrying the remains of 19 members of the Granite Mountain Hotshots firefighting team, who were killed fighting the Yarnell Fire, drive along the crowd filled street around Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza in Phoenix, Arizona . State highways 156 and 157 were closed into the canyons, and evacuation shelters were set up at schools in Las Vegas and Pahrump. Crews were also working to protect about 100 non-residential structures including barns, sheds and corrals, Nichols said. Daytime high temperatures on the mountain were expected to decrease over the next few days after peaking at 90 degrees on Saturday, but firefighters were hampered by gusty winds and humidity levels in the single digits. The fire, named Carpenter 1, was declared a top priority nationwide due to its size and the value of homes and structures at risk, said Suzanne Shelp, a Forest Service spokeswoman. 'This fire, these last few days and going forward, is going to depend on the weather,' Shelp said. A community mourns: Grief reigned at the Fire Station No. 7 in Prescott, Arizona as they remember the 19 Granite Mountain Hotshot firefighters killed in a June 30 fires . Tragic: The Arizona fire killed the 19 expert firefighters without warning as winds shifted, whipping the fire all around them with no escape possible . | Firefighters are still battling wildfire near Las Vegas which started on July 1 .
$2.4million has already been spent trying to extinguish Mount Charleston fire .
Comes as more wildfires have been reported near Reno and in Kearn .
Funeral of 19 firefighters killed battling Arizona wildfire was held yesterday . |
171,088 | 697110eae63478917b1511f2ccb519b644ef6e02 | It may look like an innocuous ballpoint, but despite being disguised to look like a Parker pen it is actually a deadly weapon employed by a North Korean spy in an assassination attempt last year. Like something straight out of a James Bond film, the pen actually contains a deadly poison which, if injected, leads to almost instant muscle paralysis which in turn leads to suffocation and death. The weapon, demonstrated to CNN reporters by South Korea's answer to Q, was one of three found on a would-be assassin in Seoul who was targeting Park Sang-hak, an anti North Korea activist. Deadly: These innocuous looking pens are actually weapons employed by a would-be North Korean assassin assigned to kill Park Sang-hak, a pro-democracy activist . Sneaky: The pen actually injects a toxin which causes muscle paralyses and death within minutes . Potent: A second 'pen' weapon fires a poison-filled bullet which can pierce the skin . As well as the poison pen, Korean authorities also found a second weapon disguised as a Parker pen - but this time with a couple of clicks it fires a poison-filled bullet which can pierce the skin. The third is a flashlight, loaded with up to three bullets which, when demonstrated by forensics experts on camera, demonstrated extraordinary accuracy and effectiveness. Although the unnamed South Korean intelligence officer filmed says that the pen weapons are nothing new - Korean authorities have been using them for at least a decade, he says - the flashlight is completely new. And, far from matching the unmistakable intent of carrying a pistol, the trio of weapons are practically undetectable. New: A South Korean intelligence officer, whose identity was hidden by CNN, said that he had never seen a weapon such as this, disguised as an innocuous torch . Subterfuge: Instead of shining a light when switched on, the torch fires a bullet at its target . Testing: Forensics experts demonstrated what damage the torch weapon could potentially inflict . On target: The torch weapon was shown to be alarmingly accurate and deadly . The would-be assassin was arrested while allegedly on his way to kill Sang-hak, a former propaganda unit worker for the Kim Il Sung Socialist Youth league until 1999 when his father, a government spy, urged his family to defect to South Korea. Fighting for democracy in his homeland ever since, Sang-hak is chairman of Fighters for a Free north Korea, an organisation behind the release of two million balloons containing human rights and pro-democracy propaganda into North Korea. He was understandably shocked when shown the weapons which were almost used to try and kill him. He told CNN: 'You'd notice a gun, but these weapons are so innocuous, you can easily kill someone, I'd be dead immediately. 'I didn't believe they'd try and kill me on the crowded streets of Seoul, I thought the National Intelligence Service was over-reacting.' Now given round-the-clock police protection, Sang-hak says that he is undeterred in his fight for democracy despite the subterfuge tactics employed by those said to be out to get him. His would-be killer, named simply as Ahn, was sentenced to four years in jail earlier this year. Frisked: The weapons were found on a would-be North Korean assassin who was targeting high profile pro-democracy campaigner Park Sang-hak . Disguised: The South Korean intelligence officer who demonstrated the weapons had his identity protected by CNN . | Three deadly weapons were demonstrated by a South Korean intelligence officer .
The weapons were to be used in the assassination of prominent pro-democracy campaigner Park Sang-hak in Seoul . |
54,383 | 9a0c293f566117ca98df29881cb3c8d602ce3221 | The horrific details of the hazing that forced one New Jersey high school to cancel their football team's season have finally been revealed. A parent of a player in the football program at Sayreville War Memorial High School claims that seniors on the team would turn off the lights in the locker room, pin a freshman, stick their finger into the freshman's rectum and, at times, then put that finger in the young man's mouth. This happened on a near daily basis according to the report. Scroll down for video . Superintendent Richard Labbe said there will be a criminal investigation as there is 'enough evidence to substantiate that there were incidences of harassment, intimidation and bullying' on the football team . 'In the darkness, a freshman football player would be pinned to the locker-room floor, his arms and feet held down by multiple upperclassmen,' reports NJ Advance Media. 'Then, the victim would be lifted to his feet while a finger was forced into his rectum. Sometimes, the same finger was then shoved into the freshman player’s mouth.' One official also told ABC News, '[The freshmen] would live in fear of seniors and juniors. They would race to the locker room to get changed and get out before the older kids got there.' This was all uncovered when a parent of one child notified authorities about what was happening at the high school. Superintendent Richard Labbe said there will be a criminal investigation as there is 'enough evidence to substantiate that there were incidences of harassment, intimidation and bullying'. He added that these incidences took place 'on a pervasive level, on a wide scale level and at a level which the players knew, tolerated and in general accepted'. 'Based upon that information, we are canceling the remainder of the football season for the freshman, the junior varsity and varsity football programs,' Supt Labbe said. According to CBS New York, Supt Labbe explained that the school first learned of the allegations last week through an anonymous allegation made to the Sayreville Police Department. 'They informed me that upon preliminary investigation, the matter in the incidents that occurred or that were alleged to have occurred, or were of such a serious nature that they were forced to turn the case over immediately to the office of the Middlesex County prosecutor,' he added. No players have been suspended and Supt Labbe would not comment on whether any personnel will be fired. He said canceling the season sends a clear message that this sort of behavior will not be tolerated. 'This district and this board of education is making a unified stance to say 'no.' No to bullying,' he said. Supt Labbe added that in addition to the criminal investigation, the high school is also investigating to see if similar behavior took place within any other sports. Speaking to CBS New York's radio channel, some parents claimed canceling the football program is not fair to innocent players. 'The students can't play, it's a ding on the entire community, it's a ding on the high school,' one parent whose son is on the team said. The Middlesex County Prosecutor said it was investigating a report that seniors on the Sayreville High School football team hazed freshmen in various forms - some of which could be considered sexual assault . 'For all of them, the ones who are innocent, to have this taken away from them. They're being punished for something they did not do,' another parent added. A number of commentators on Twitter seemed to agree . I feel bad for those Sayreville players,' one person wrote. 'I couldn't imagine having something I work so hard for be taken away because of others poor choices.' But others praised Sayreville's zero tolerance approach to bullying. One person wrote: 'I'm so proud the district took a MAJOR stand against bullying.' 'Was the only choice the program had.' another wrote. 'People didn't want to listen and thought the sport should win out. Safety is priority.' Sayreville High School's football team - which one of New Jersey's top programs having won three sectional titles in four year - has already forfeited multiple games amid the hazing accusations, . Meanwhile, police are investigating former assistant coach of the Sayreville High School football team Charlie Garcia on drug charges. Garcia, 38, resigned from his position at the school after he was found with more than two boxes of steroids and more than a dozen syringes during a traffic stop late last month. According to NJ.com, he was charged with third-degree illegal possession of steroids, possession of hypodermic needles, driving with an expired license, failure to signal a lane change and possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle. | Sayreville War Memorial High School in New Jersey cancelled their entire football season earlier this week amid reports of hazing and bullying .
The hazing and bullying often had 'sexual overtones' according to a local official .
Now come reports that senior students were 'sticking their finger in the rectums of freshmen players, and then in their mouths' |
53,154 | 96c9d7cf9f0a813ca86bc47d645f0ed125c23ea7 | By . Sally Lee for Daily Mail Australia . Qantas' record $2.84 billion loss didn't come as a shock for a former flight attendant who worked 12 years for the company. Once known as the high-flying luxury airline, Mr Beddall says the iconic Australian brand fails to meet its high standards. Mr Beddall, who spent his career attending to the needs and whims of the rich and famous as a first class Qantas flight attendant, told Daily Mail Australia why The Flying Kangaroo is spiralling downhill and will continue to do so until the Australian government addresses 'the white elephant in the room'. Scroll down for video . Owen Beddall, a former flight attendant, wasn't surprised when Qantas announced its $2.84 billion loss . Mr Beddall met Russell Brand (left) and Katy Perry (right) during his time as a first-class flight attendant for Qantas . The little luxuries are missing . Mr Beddall says Qantas used to pride itself in being a luxury brand with 'the whole package'. 'When I started, we gave our amenity packs which had ear plugs, pajamas, face mist sprays, face masks, expensive moisturisers,' he said. 'The economy class got a little kit too and there was even something for the children.' Mr Beddall, who maintains contact with his former colleagues who currently work for the airline, says passengers have to specifically ask for such services which puts them in 'an awkward position'. This is one of the reasons why he believes passengers are no longer getting their value for money. 'Qantas has taken away the little intricacies and although that may not be the stand alone reason why people don't fly with them anymore, people are paying top dollar and they're not satisfied,' he said. Qantas services and staff are failing to meet the expectations of passengers . Staff morale is at an all-time low . Mr Beddall says his colleagues used to be proud of working for such a landmark Australian brand. 'They would put on their uniform with pride - just as if it was like a military uniform,' he said. 'But now they're embarrassed, fearful for their jobs and disheartened with the union.' He says there's an overall dark element surrounding staff and it's affecting passengers and their flight experience. Mr Beddell says management and the board - including Qantas Chief Executive Alan Joyce (pictured) - should be held responsible . Board and management are terrible … and refuse to take responsibility . And it all comes down to the board and management. Mr Beddell says both should be changed immediately with intervention from the government. 'We need to address the white elephant in the room,' he said. The government needs to intervene to help Qantas financially and also get rid of Alan Joyce [Qantas Chief Executive].' He also made mention that Qantas has 'forgotten its Australian identity'. 'Passengers felt like they were home flying with Qantas - they even got little jars of Vegemite - but that feeling of comfort isn't there anymore,' he said. 'And that's such a shame because Qantas is such a beautiful iconic Australian brand.' The running down of economy class . Mr Beddell says passengers in economy class are getting the short end of the stick if they fly with Qantas. 'With the prices that they pay, the normal passengers should be getting the same respect as business class and quite frankly they're not,' he said. 'Me as a consumer - I wouldn't pay top dollar when you're treated just the same, if not better, on other airlines for a cheaper price.' Qantas no longer has 'the whole package', Mr Beddall said . Poor service and staffing . This also includes the dwindling number of cabin crew on board Qantas flights compared to other carriers. 'There aren't enough staff on board to tend to the passengers and this is another huge factor,' Mr Beddall said. The staff are also 'disengaged' and often miss the attention to detail. 'We used to be an airline with 100 per cent customer satisfaction,' Mr Beddall said. 'Let's face it, it's not like this anymore for both passengers and staff.' So where's the airline going now? 'On a rapid downhill slide,' Mr Beddall told Daily Mail Australia. The retired Qantas flight attendant is now the author of Confessions of a Qantas Flight Attendant: True Tales and Gossip From The Galley. His tell-all memoir highlights of his 12-year career for Qantas. Mr Beddall highlights of his 12-year career for Qantas in his tell-all memoir . | Qantas has announced a $2.84 billion loss for the year ending June 30 .
Owen Beddall believes the iconic Australian brand is not longer considered as a luxury airline .
Mr Beddall says the staff morale is at an all-time low and the service is terrible .
The former Qantas flight attendant says the board and management should be changed .
Mr Beddall worked for Qantas from 2001 to 2013 . |
248,717 | cdd460ec3c9458f01df312aa1ac36383517b64e4 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 10:15 EST, 11 January 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 15:50 EST, 11 January 2013 . Protesters say they are willing to 'risk their lives' in what they are calling the 'Second Battle of Hastings'. Around 50 activists have set up tree huts and dug tunnels along the route of the planned £94million Bexhill to Hastings link road in East Sussex in an attempt to thwart workmen clearing the land. Work on the scheme began this month after Chancellor George Osborne last year committed £56million . towards the overall cost of the project. Determined: Protester Simon 'Sitting Bull' Medhurst in his tent and tunnel which opens onto the route of the planned road between Bexhill and Hastings . Around 50 activists have set up tree huts and dug tunnels along the route of the proposed £94m link road in East Sussex in an attempt to thwart workmen clearing the land . Defiant: Simon Medhurst guards his tent as he watches out for any challenge to his camp near Crowhurst; right, a 'tight and nasty' tunnel he built - so called because it is unsupported . But opponents have said construction of the road will destroy . the unspoilt Combe Haven Valley and represent a poor use of public . funds. It has also been claimed that building a . road so close to a site of special scientific interest (SSSI) would . damage ancient woodland housing protected species including dormouse and . bittern. Day and night, . male and female activists from protest group the Combe Haven Defenders . take turns to stand guard as bailiffs look to dismantle their sites. The . first protesters arrived in mid-December, with a small group even . keeping watch on Christmas Day in anticipation of the work re-starting. Left: Protesters take to the trees to prevent the new development, and right, a banner highlighting the cause . Plan: The proposed route of the new road between Bexhill and Hastings . They have been on site ever since, expanding their camps and securing their positions day by day. With a just a small tarpaulin tent for shelter and half a dozen sleep-deprived protesters, they are guarding half a dozen 300 to 400-year-old oak trees. Tunneler Simon Medhurst, who is not a Defender but has joined the protest, said: 'I've chosen this spot because it will give me 30 seconds at least to get in and bolt the door if the bailiffs come. 'Once inside, I reckon I've got enough supplies to last a month. Angry: Simon Medhurst is sitting tight in his makeshift camp which is made from layers of wood and canvas . Daniel Hooper, alias Swampy, was known for his environmental campaigning antics in the 1990s. Above, Swampy in a tunnel dug in the path of planned expansion at Manchester airport in 1997, which is where Medhurst met him . Medhurst said: 'I try to dig an oval-shaped hole which will hopefully support itself, it was perfected by the Vietnamese in the Vietnam War, and I'm willing to risk my life' 'I've got bottles of water, tinned food, torch batteries, books, a wee bottle and some plastic bags for you know what...' The 54-year-old activist from Kent, worked for many years as an RAF photographer on various assignments. However, his life-long love of nature has seen him on the frontline of some of the country's most high profile environmental protests. 'I was with Swampy in Manchester in 97 and was at Newbury and Fairmile', he said. Sitting Bull, as he is known in camp, has constructed his own accommodation near to the protesters' main base, from old tarpaulin and logs. Crates form the base layer of his temporary home with a thin mattress and sheets for warmth. To one side is a kitchen type area with packs of crisps, bottled drinks and boil in the bag meals for strength. The self-confessed novice tunnel digger, he says he owes all his knowledge to the website discodavestunnelguide.com . 'This one is known as a 'tight and nasty', which means it is unsupported. Fighting: The Combe Haven Defenders fly a banner over their camp to warn off road-builders . Keeping guard: Police officers attend the site of the illegal protest near Crowhurst . 'I try to dig an oval-shaped hole which will hopefully support itself, it was perfected by the Vietnamese in the Vietnam War, and I'm willing to risk my life.' He added: 'I just love nature and especially the trees. I always feel happier when I'm around them. We are prepared to do whatever it takes to stop this destruction. 'This is the second Battle of Hastings and we're not going to give in.' But supporters of the road, including East Sussex County Council and local business leaders, say it is vital to the regeneration of the most deprived economy in the South East. Council leader Peter Jones has said it will enable the building of up to 2,000 new homes, business park space of 50,000 square metres and create more than 3,000 jobs, as well as bring economic benefits worth £1 billion. It is also claimed that the road, which will link the outskirts of Bexhill and Hastings, will ease congestion and improve air quality on the busy A259 at Glyne Gap. Progress: Work is going on around the protesters to clear a path for the road . The local authority has said the scheme . has the backing of local people, with a consultation in 2004 finding . that out of more than 2,550 responses, only 419 (16 per cent) objected. Three protesters are due to appear in court charged with trying to obstruct the road-building. On Tuesday, a road was closed for five hours after unemployed Dominic Langford, of Cardiff, climbed a telegraph pole. He . was been charged with wilfully obstructing the highway and resisting . arrest and has been bailed to appear at Hastings Magistrates' Court on . January 22. Superintendent . Trevor Botting said contractors clearing trees and undergrowth for the . new road were able to continue working but there could have been a . hazard to traffic. Two . others, unemployed Oliver Sumerling, 26, of Carfield Avenue, Sheffield, . and Alex Etchart, 22, of Patshull Road, north-west London, have been . charged with obstruction and assault. They will appear at the same court . on the same date. Sorry we are unable to accept comments for legal reasons. | Fifty activists have set up tree huts and .
dug tunnels along the route of a planned £93m link .
road in East Sussex .
One protester said he was prepared to live in a tunnel for a month to prevent work being carried out . |
29,932 | 5519dbee6ff2002bea19141ec7195fbeeb1dc3e7 | For four years, beginning when she was just 13 years old, Madison Reed lived her life in front of cameras - only she did know about because her neighbor had secretly planted recording devices in her room. The Beaverton, Oregon, girl, who is now 18 years old, only found out about the outrageous violation of her privacy six months ago when he mother discovered a tiny camera stashed under a heap of papers in her bedroom. On Tuesday, 48-year-old-old Bradley McCollum, a one-time friend of the Reed family, pleaded guilty in Washington County circuit court to charges of burglary and invasion of personal privacy - both misdemeanors. Scroll down for video . Peeping Tom: Bradley McCollum, 48 (left), has pleaded guilty to charges of burglary and invasion of personal privacy - both misdemeanors - for videotaping his friend's young daughter, Madison Reed (right), for four years . Shocking find: In August, Madison's mother discovered a small camera hidden under some papers in her daughter's bedroom (pictured) As part of a plea deal, he is expected to be sentenced March 10 to two years in prison - a decision the victim and her parents have decried as a 'slap on the wrist.' Prosecutors said they did not have enough evidence to prove he was guilty of a sex crime, which means that upon his release McCollum will not be required to register as a sex offender. Speaking to KGW this week, Madison and her parents said McCollum is getting off too easy considering the heinousness of the crime, and all because under state law recording a minor with a hidden camera is not a felony. ‘It doesn't make sense at all because I don't know why it's not child pornography,’ Madison said. ‘I was underage at the time and the intent of what he did was so obvious. 'Slap on the wrist': As part of a plea deal, McCollum is expected to be sentenced March 10 to two years in prison, and he will not be required to register as a sex offender . A police investigation has revealed that in 2010, Bradley McCollum, a close friend and neighbor of the Reeds, planted a camera at his beach house to spy on Madison whenever the family visited him. Last July, McCollum slipped a second recording device into Madison's bedroom, taping hours of footage showing the teenage girl naked and in various state of undress. About two weeks later, Madison's father, Clark Reed, became alarmed when he spotted his friend near his daughter's room, and a short time later his wife came upon a camera smaller than a smartphone hidden under some papers on a dresser. Madison, who is now 18, says it has been difficult for her to get over the trauma, and to this day she cannot shake off the feeling that she is being watched. 'I don't like to think about it, but I think about it all the time. Like all day,' Miss Reed told the station, adding that in order to put her mind at ease her parents had taped the blinds in her room to the wall. Madison and her father, Clark Reed (right), said McCollum is getting off too easy because under state law, recording a minor with a hidden camera is not a felony . The Reed family are now pushing for state lawmakers to pass legislation that would upgrade hidden camera crimes to sexual offenses with stiffer penalties. Former Oregon state Representative Denyc Boles, a Republican from Salem, has proposed a bill that would make the charge of invasion of personal privacy an automatic felony if the victim is under 18 years and carry a maximum penalty of five years and prison. Boles' bill would also require people convicted of felony invasion of personal privacy to register as sex offenders if they have a prior sex crime conviction. | Bradley McCollum, 48, pleaded guilty to burglary and invasion of personal privacy for taping his friend's daughter beginning when she was 13 .
Madison Reed's parents discovered a tiny camera in the girl's bedroom in August 2014 .
As part of a plea deal, McCollum will be sentenced to two years in prison and will not be required to register as a sex offender .
Reed family are pushing for legislation that would upgrade hidden camera crimes to sexual offenses with stiffer penalties . |
46,975 | 8452b9d9606ae0c4264cd58153a2d492823a8523 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 18:38 EST, 18 November 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 19:02 EST, 18 November 2013 . A Chicago doctor has been identified as the man who fell 23 floors to his death at a luxury Florida hotel on Sunday. Piotr Kulesza, 46, crashed through the glass ceiling of the Westin Diplomat Hotel in Hollywood at around 12.38am as horrified guests looked on. Dr Kulesza, a married pathologist, was killed instantly by the fall. Authorities have not yet determined whether his death was an accident, suicide or foul play. Scroll down for video . Dr Piotr Kulesza, 46, died instantly when he fell through the glass roof of the Westin Diplomat Hotel in Hollywood, Florida on Sunday . The roof at the luxury hotel in Hollywood, Florida was patched up with cardboard during the day on Monday after a guest fell to his death from the 23rd floor . The body of Dr Kulesza, a Northwestern University medical professor and physician at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, was identified by his wife Dr Agnieszka Ardelt who had traveled to Florida. Colleagues of the doctor, who was known as Peter, expressed their grief on Monday to Local 10. The news channel received a statement from Northwestern saying that Kulesza had been attending a conference at the hotel. He was originally from Warsaw, Poland and had worked at Johns Hopkins University and the University of Alabama before joining Northwestern in 2009. Witnesses said the tragic incident sounded like a 'bomb going off' before they saw the man, who was wearing a suit, lying on the lobby's marble floor. Shattered glass and debris littered the floor at the luxury hotel in Florida falling the doctor's fatal fall which was witnessed by several guests . Scene: The victim crashed through the roof of the atrium early on Sunday. Later in the day authorities continued to look for evidence as workmen replaced two eight-foot-square glass panes in the ceiling . Authorities continued to look for evidence as workmen replaced two eight-foot-square glass panes in the ceiling, and guests speculated about what had happened to the victim. As reported by the Sun Sentinel, Joel Medina of Hollywood Fire Rescue, said: 'There was glass and debris in the lobby. And there was damage to a pipe that caused the sprinkler system to go on.' The shocking incident occurred an hour after the culmination of a charity fundraiser at the hotel attended by around 600 guests.var nbcLP={};nbcLP.aRandomNumber=Math.floor(Math.random()*10000);nbcLP.currentPageLoc=encodeURIComponent(window.location.href);nbcLP.currentSiteLoc=encodeURIComponent(window.location.host);nbcLP.defaultWidth=652;nbcLP.defaultHeight=367;nbcLP.cmsID="232276491";nbcLP.vidPid="eeV7oIluyqgN";nbcLP.vidSec="news";nbcLP.vidSubSec="${nbc.subsection}";nbcLP.vidFrame=document.getElementById("nbcLP232276491");nbcLP.vidFrame.style.border="none";nbcLP.vidFrame.width=nbcLP.defaultWidth;nbcLP.vidFrame.height=nbcLP.defaultHeight;nbcLP.vidFrame.scrolling="no";nbcLP.vidFrame.src="http://www.nbcmiami.com/templates/nbc_partner_player?cmsID="+nbcLP.cmsID+"&videoID="+nbcLP.vidPid+"&width="+nbcLP.defaultWidth+"&height="+nbcLP.defaultHeight+"&sec="+nbcLP.vidSec+"&subsec="+nbcLP.vidSubSec+"&turl="+nbcLP.currentSiteLoc+"&ourl="+nbcLP.currentPageLoc+"&rand="+nbcLP.aRandomNumber; . Shocking: The man was pronounced dead at the scene after a 911 call was made at around 12.38am from the . Hollywood Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa (pictured in this file photo) This event was a tenth annual Fairy Tale Ball, with a Wizard of Oz theme, organized by the Diamond Angels of Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation. Cheryl Stasney of Knoxville, Tennessee, who was staying at the Westin, said: 'People were saying he was a speaker at a conference here - they said he jumped or was pushed off of the 27th floor.' Hotel general manager Ed Walls made a statement reported by the Sun Sentinel. 'We are deeply saddened by the tragic incident that occurred at the resort,' he said. 'The city of Hollywood police have our full cooperation and support during this time,' Mr Walls added. Speculation: Other guests at the hotel (as pictured in this file photo) discussed what could have happened to the victim . | Piotr Kulesza, 46, was killed instantly when he fell from the balcony of the Westin Diplomat Hotel in Hollywood, Florida . |
250,450 | d01d957b17da8c85016570de4e284bb0fe15c68b | By . Jill Reilly . PUBLISHED: . 13:31 EST, 7 October 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 05:23 EST, 8 October 2012 . The host of a Facebook party which ended in violent street chaos after it was shut down by police has vowed not to stop organising events. Officers were attacked with beer bottles and saw their vehicles smashed after being called to the party in Holland . Park on Brisbane's southside on Friday night. More than 500 people attended the gathering which was organised through Facebook. Packed party: The host of a Facebook party which ended in violent street chaos after it was shut down by police has vowed not to stop organising parties . 'I've learnt a lesson, but I'm not going to stop holding parties,' said one of the hosts, who gave his name as Ayad Fadil, 17, to the Courier Mail. 'But not at the house. I just want to say sorry again.' He told ABC News that he had hired 16 security guards for the event and attendees were charged 45-$10 entry. In the days before the party, a note was dropped into houses in Beddoes Street reading: . 'Dear neighbour, This is to inform you I will be hosting my sister's 16th birthday party. Warning: Before the party, a note was dropped into neigbours's homes in Beddoes St . 'There will be moderate music playing from 7pm to roughly 11pm. I hope this does not cause too much inconvenience to your night.' A number was also attached informing neighbours: 'If you have any concerns, please contact me,' and a number was written down. The host admitted that he had invited 200 people because his mother was at work, but the party invites had spread. Neighbours called police at 7pm, but according to authorities a large number of the people became unruly and started damaging vehicles and smashing bottles . It took police an hour to clear revellers from the party and two of their vehicles had to be towed from the scene. A neighbour told the Australian it was 'disgusting to watch' as the party-goers turned against police. 'What a huge drain on police resources when they could be doing something more meaningful,' she said. 'It's just obscene and so surprising for our area. Another neighbour Rashad Ali said there was also a party the previous week at the same house with more than 100 guests. He told ABC News the police presence seemed to agitate the crowd. 'Before the cops came the party was going good - [nobody] got injured, no bottles were thrown - but as soon as they came it was a whole different story,' he said. On Saturday morning council workers cleaned streets covered in broken glass. Metro South acting Detective Superintendent Geoff Sheldon told Courier Mail police . were investigating the party. This isn't a war zone, this is suburban Brisbane,' he said. 'We're so glad none of our officers were hurt.' Police arrested and charged a 17-year-old Wakerley man and a 19-year-old Wynnum West man with public nuisance. They also arrested a 16-year-old boy for being in possession of a dangerous drug. The two men will appear in Holland Park Magistrates Court on October 22. The 16-year-old will be dealt with under the provisions of the Youth Justices Act. | Officers were attacked with beer bottles and saw their vehicles smashed after being called to the party in Holland Park .
More than 500 people attended the gathering which was organised through Facebook and attendees were charged $5-$10 entry .
Three teens were arrested and will appear in court . |
246,507 | cb060a1511c8f2c625982c5e63bf3d8e600e97e6 | The search for an Australian grandmother, who has been missing for more than a month in India, has been ramped up, as local authorities investigate her 'unusual' disappearance. Toni Anne Ludgate, 75, was on a regular trip to India doing charity work in an ashram when her family became concerned after they had lost all communications with her. The Department of Foreign Affairs in Canberra have sent consular officials to Bangalore, where Ms Ludgate was last seen, to help local police with their investigation. Toni Ludgate (pictured right) with daughter Traci Harding (pictured left) Traci last spoke to her mum on her birthday on August 28 . Toni Ludgate (pictured) with two of her grandchildren was last seen getting out of a cab in Bangalore with an older lady on September 23 . The Sai Baba search team (pictured) have been on the ground, following leads to sourced as much information about Toni Ludgate's disappearance as possible . Her daughter, best selling author Traci Harding, who last spoke to her mother on her birthday on August 28, says she was reportedly last seen getting out of a cab with an older lady on September 23. 'The landlord of the lodge she was staying at, had reported she paid an extra five days rent before leaving in a cab with an older lady in Bangalore. After that we never heard from her,' she said. Ms Ludgate's bank account had also not been touched and her ticket home to Sydney was found in the apartment. 'I think when she didn’t get back to unit there were alarm bells.' 'That part of India has recently been hit by a tornado, communications have been down, so there's a lot going on.' Friends of Ms Ludgate at the Prasanthi Nilayam (Abode of Supreme Peace) ashram, where she regularly did volunteer work, have been on the case to find her since concerns were raised. Ms Harding says they took up the case, followed up on leads and even got their legal team involved. 'They really have been fantastic,' she said. She said they felt the crime scene, where her mother was last seen, had not been handled properly as the local authorities didn't have the capabilities to do an extensive search. Toni Harding's (pictured centre) family have been looking for her since September 23 when she was last seen. DFST consular officials and India's head of state have now got involved in an investigation to find her . Toni Ludgate (pictured right) with her daughter Traci Harding (pictured left) who says she couldn't ask for a better reaction with the past few days authorities in India and Australia getting involved in the search for her mother . That's when the call for help came out, for higher authorities to get involved. 'DFAT Canberra have come to the party,' said Ms Harding. 'Also a couple of days ago, Indian officers were notified and are seeking answers.' 'Head of the state (India) is looking at the case himself, sending his own team to reassess information. They have had a meeting with the police commissioner but I haven’t heard the outcome, just waiting on the investigation to advance,' she said. 'The past few days what they've been doing in India and Australia, I couldn't ask for a better reaction.' 'Consular officials are overseas in Chennai dealing with it, they have gone to Bangalore with the commissioner to be on the ground.' Earlier Ms Ludgate's family created a petition on change.org to persuade Foreign Minister Julie Bishop to approach the Indian government and try to get Indian federal police involved. It clearly worked with the government department now doing everything they can to follow on on the grandmother's disappearance. 'She was a complete sweetheart, when we were young everybody came to our place, they were always welcome, she was always taking care of people,' said Traci Harding (pictured right) of her mother Toni (pictured middle) A facebook page called 'Find Toni Ludgate' has also been put up to inform friends and loved one of any information that comes forward . A facebook page called 'Find Toni Ludgate' has also been put up to inform friends and loved one of any information that comes forward. 'Mum touched the lives of so many people, so we wanted to create somewhere for people to express their concerns, for people who knew her,' said Ms Harding. 'She was a complete sweetheart, when we were young everybody came to our place, they were always welcome, she was always taking care of people.' While not knowing what has happened to her mother, Ms Harding says she's trying not to panic and think positively that they will eventually find her. 'You can't just collapse into misery, your useless to everyone, I am dealing with it, like it is as a case.' 'There's been a huge outpouring of emotion from other people, which really gets you, but I've been dealing with it day by day and really staying calm,' she said. 'I hope we hear from her soon, that’s the hope.' | Search for Toni Ludgate, 75, who has been missing in India for more than a month, has ramped up .
The Department of Foreign Affairs in Canberra have sent consular officials to Bangalore .
India's head of state has had meetings with the police commissioner on Ms Ludgate's disappearance .
The grandmother of eight was on a charity work trip to India in an ashram when her family lost communications with her .
She was reportedly last seen getting out of a cab with an older lady on September 23 . |
186,124 | 7d08df00ef8b5d119d275e4ff39199be2b0b1422 | Forget the tuba and accordion. Put away the lederhosen, and keep the beer steins on the shelf. The vast majority of today's beer festivals have little in common with the traditional Oktoberfest celebration. As craft beer continues to rise in popularity, the trickle-down effect of that growth means more beer festivals popping up all over the United States. And the beer festivals of today offer a lot more than just drinking ales and lagers. Many offer live entertainment, educational workshops and even food pairings. Below are seven upcoming beer festivals that are setting the standard by which to measure all others. SavorNew York . Savor stands out from the pack with its thoughtful pairing of great food with exceptional (and often rare) beer. The festival takes place in New York this year, and apart from the chance to try great beer and food combinations, it gives attendees an opportunity to hang out and chat with the "rock stars" of the beer world. Chef Adam Dulye leads a team of culinary professionals who create the food pairings based on the flavor profiles of each beer being served. But perhaps the coolest thing about this event are the tasting salons, intimate educational (and drinking!) sessions where brewers speak on topics like "blending a barrel-aged sour beer" and "a taste of Virginia from the Brew Ridge Trail." The event takes place June 14 and 15, and tickets are on sale now. 8 best beer towns in the USA . American Craft Beer FestivalBoston . The American Craft Beer Festival is put on by the folks behind BeerAdvocate magazine. It's considered one of the best beer festivals in the country, and beer lovers flock from all over the world to attend this two-day festival in Boston. The festival serves more than 600 beers from 135 breweries and includes several beers that are brewed exclusively for the event: Once the beer is gone, so is the chance to ever have it again. It takes place on May 31 and June 1, and tickets are available online. Firestone Walker InvitationalPaso Robles, California . When people ask me "what's your favorite brewery?" my answer is inevitably either "the one I'm drinking right now" or "Firestone Walker." The California brewery has won several medals at beer competitions and has raked in numerous "brewery of the year" awards. But instead of resting on its laurels, it continues to champion craft beer with the Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Festival. The festival is described as "a day where we can all put down our sales and marketing pitches and simply commune and share our beers and stories with people who are truly interested in craft beer." The festival takes place June 1. Sadly for many, tickets sold out in a matter of hours. Mark your calendars for next year, beer lovers. Oregon Brewers FestivalPortland, Oregon . The 26th annual Oregon Brewers Festival is one of the longest-running and largest beer festivals in the country. It takes place in Portland over five days in July and draws more than 80,000 beer drinkers every year. The festival also includes live music, home brewing demonstrations and beer-related vendors. The all-ages festival is free to attend and even includes the Crater Lake Root Beer Garden, so the kiddos can get their drink on, too. For those consuming beer, this is a "pay as you drink" festival, and beer pours range from $1 to $4. I like this option because I rarely drink enough beer at a festival to justify the price of admission (that can hit upwards of $75). Burning CAN Beer FestLyons, Colorado . For all the canned beer lovers out there, there's the Burning CAN Beer Fest in Lyons, Colorado. This can-only beer fest is put on by the pioneers of the craft beer can movement, Oskar Blues. The festival features more than 30 breweries, a BMX dirt bike competition and live music. Oh, and it's all set against the backdrop of Rocky Mountain National Park. Go for the scenery and stay for the beer and entertainment. Tickets for the June 1 Burning CAN fest are available online. Paste UntappedDallas . Paste magazine has taken its love for indie music and craft beer and turned it into a series of festivals taking place throughout the country. Other beer festivals have live music, but let's be honest, it's usually local bands that provide background noise. Paste Untapped brings musicians and bands that are worth the price of admission alone. Add an awesome selection of craft suds, and it's easy to see why this is one of the most talked-about festivals of 2013. According to Paste, the next Paste Untapped is set for Dallas in September. Road trip, anyone? Nashville and Atlanta are slated to follow in October and November. The Festival Portland, Maine . No fancy or clever name is needed for this Portland, Maine, beer fest that's simply called The Festival. Most of the aforementioned beer festivals highlight American craft beer, and this one slightly deviates from the norm and offers mostly international beers. Presented by Shelton Brothers and 12 Percent Imports, this two-day beer festival includes limited releases like Cantillon Zwanze, an extremely rare beer out of Belgium. The Festival takes place on June 21 and 22, and tickets are still available for purchase online. Lastly, here's some tips to make sure you get the most out of your beer festival experience: . • Eat before (and during) the festival. Drinking on an empty stomach is never a good idea. • Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. A good rule of thumb is an ounce of water per ounce of beer. • Have a game plan before you attend. Or else you risk spending too much time wandering around looking for the Founders booth. • Try beers you've never had/cannot easily get. And make sure to hit those booths first before the beer runs out. • Get home safely. Many festivals offer free or discounted admission for designated drivers, and car services like Uber will sometimes offer discounts to festival attendees. What beer festivals are you most excited about this year? Let me know in the comments below. Cheers and happy drinking! | Paste magazine has organized a series of festivals featuring quality beer -- and music .
The Burning CAN Beer Festival in Colorado skips bottles for canned craft beer .
The Oregon Brewers Festival lasts five days in Portland . |
27,444 | 4dca7a331290b684158add079143f03feec3d062 | Detained: Francesco Schettino, captain of the Costa Concordia, was held last night along with his first mate over allegations of manslaughter and abandoning his ship . The captain of a cruise liner that ran aground with 4,000 passengers on board has been detained along with his first mate on allegations of manslaughter and abandoning his ship. Francesco Schettino was at least four miles off course when the Costa Concordia struck rocks off the island of Giglio, Tuscany, despite Italy's well-mapped sea lanes. One passenger has accused the captain of drinking in one of the ship's bars on the night the vessel ran aground, before taking control after the crash. Monique Maurek, 41, from the Netherlands, told The Sunday Telegraph: 'What scandalised me most was when I saw the captain spending much of the evening before we hit the rocks drinking in the bar with a beautiful woman on his arm. 'Most people didn't even have any idea of what the evacuation warning sound would be. 'It was only because some of us had already been on a cruise that we recognised that seven blasts of the horn was a signal to abandon ship.' Phil Metcalf, whose daughter Rose was one of the last people off the ship, said she had revealed the captain allegedly abandoned ship in the early stages of the evacuation, leaving his staff onboard. He told BBC Breakfast: 'Since the captain had left there was nobody, so everybody was left to their own devices hence some of the chaos, so obviously the crew took it upon themselves and decided in the absence of the captain to organise and try and help people.' Schettino told maritime investigators that charts showed he was in water deep enough to navigate and that he had struck an unidentified rocky outcrop of the island. Once the 52-year-old realised the extent of the damage he immediately tried to change route and head for the safety of Giglio harbour. But within minutes the vessel, owned by Costa Cruises, began to list dramatically reaching an angle of 20 degrees in just two hours. Off course: Investigators said the cruise ship was four miles from the normal shipping lanes when it struck a rocky outcrop off Giglio, Tuscany . The captain and his first office Ciro Ambrosio were detained last night at the police station in Porto Santo Stefano. Prosecutors . are investigating possible charges of multiple manslaughter and . abandoning the ship while passengers were still in danger. Schettino . was quoted by Italian news sources as saying: 'The area was safe, the . water was deep enough. We struck a stretch of rock that was not marked . on the charts. 'As far as I am concerned we were in perfectly navigable waters.' Francesco . Verusio, chief prosecutor in the Tuscan city of Grosseto, told ANSA . news agency the captain 'very ineptly got close to Giglio'. 'The . ship struck a reef that got stuck inside the left side, making it (the . ship) lean over and take on a lot of water in the space of two, three . minutes,' he said. Sources have said the captain, from Naples, had abandoned the ship at around 11.30pm local time - an hour after it struck a rocky outcrop and started taking on water - while the last passengers were not taken to safety until 3am yesterday morning. Schettino's lawyer, Bruno Leporatti, said: 'I'd like to say that several hundred people owed their life to the expertise that the commander of the Costa Concordia showed during the emergency.' He was taken to Grosseto's jail, where he will be held until next week when a judge will decide whether he should be released or formally put under arrest. In Italy, suspects can be held without charge for a few days for investigation. A judge must either validate the jailing, putting the suspect under arrest, or declare him free to go. Stricken: The Costa Concordia lists virtually over on its side after a massive hole was torn into its side when it struck rocks . Investigation: Sources have claimed the captain abandoned his ship hours before the last passengers were recovered from the vessel . Experts have said the captain may have been correct in his belief that his ship met its fate because of a power failure. Passengers . rescued from the stricken liner reported there had been a power . blackout and a large booming noise, which indicated the vessel may have . suffered an engine room explosion. Last . night Malcolm Latarche, editor of the global shipping magazine IHS . Fairplay Solutions, said the problem may have been caused by a . phenomenon known as 'harmonic interference'. Mr Latarche said it was possible the cruise liner experienced the same problem that saw the Queen Mary 2 lose power in September 2010 as she was approaching Barcelona. On that occasion, the QM2 was able to carry on into open sea. The expert said the harmonic interference – a type of power surge – could have caused a malfunction in the generators feeding the ship's six diesel electric engines with which the back-up systems could not cope. This would have caused the ship to lose navigational power and steering control and veer off course, he said. Asked for his assessment of the incident, Mr Latarche said: 'I would say power failure caused by harmonic interference and then it can't propel straight or navigate and it hit rocks.' He added that once a ship experienced problems with the electrical supply to its main propulsion motors, it could lead to a problem with steering. Run aground: The luxury cruise liner lies on its side just metres from the island of Giglio . Survivor: A South Korean passenger is covered in a space blanket by Italian firefighter after being rescued from the ship . Mr Latarche said: 'It seems that this may have happened quite close to land, in shallow water. When you can't steer you are going to run aground and hit rocks at some point.' The Costa Concordia, built in 2005, was designed to standards comparable with ocean liners. Even though it had a rounded hull compared to the stronger V-shaped hull fitted to the Cunard flagship QM2, experts say it was capable of crossing the rough seas of the Atlantic. Mr Latarche added: 'Although the damage caused to the ship was severe, there are many safeguards in the design of a state-of-the-art cruise ship to prevent it turning over. 'There is a second hull within the outer hull. Inside the inner hull there is a steel structure like an ice tray to contain the water and prevent it spreading through the ship. 'In this case, the Master rightly attempted to return it to the shore, but it seems to have keeled over because it hit shallow water on the coast. 'An ocean cruise ship is not designed to float in 20ft of water. It needs much more than that to remain upright.' Investigations: Italian Coast Guard personnel recover the black box from the Costa Concordia cruise ship . Disaster: Experts have said the cruise liner may have suffered power failure - caused by a power surge - causing it to veer off course . According to Mr Latarche, the fact that the average tonnage of cruise ships has doubled in the past decade makes a full-scale evacuation while at sea almost impossible. Under regulations introduced by the International Maritime Organisation in 2010, the very latest ships are now designed to be able to return to port even in the event of a major fire or loss of power on board, in order to make evacuation unnecessary. The Concordia was commissioned five years prior to the new rules but Mr Latarche said: 'Even if the most sophisticated ship in the world went into shallow water, the likelihood is it would turn on its side. 'This was a unique situation in which a number of circumstances all came together.' Last night, Italian investigators trying to establish the cause of the accident arrested the Captain, Francesco Schettino, and were considering bringing manslaughter charges. The investigators will study repair log books and fault reports for the vessel dating back several years. They will also examine the experience of the officers and crew and examine the roles played by everyone on the day that the liner came to grief. Since the Eighties the cruise industry has experienced a boom. More than 19 million passengers took a cruise last year and nine or more cruise ships of 100,000 tons or more have been built every year for the past decade. Although cruise ships appear to be top-heavy, most of their weight is at the bottom, while the structure towards the top is designed to be comparatively light. Traditionally, the vast majority of cruises have been taken by Americans to the Caribbean islands, but the Mediterranean market is rapidly expanding, with Italy the prime destination. Cruise liners are designed for pleasure voyages, in which the surroundings and the luxurious amenities are the major focus of the experience, rather than the transportation itself. As an industry, cruising has a safety record generally regarded as excellent. Over the past two decades, an estimated 90 million passengers have enjoyed a cruise without major incident. The overwhelming majority of deaths on cruise ships are from natural causes or suicides. Passenger ships – defined as any ship carrying more than 12 passengers – must comply with International Maritime Organisation regulations, which cover every aspect of the construction and operation. | Passenger claims captain was drinking in the bar on the night ship ran aground .
Costa Concordia was at least four miles off course when it hit rocks off island of Giglio .
Francesco Schettino and first mate Ciro Ambrosio face allegations of manslaughter and abandoning ship before other passengers .
Experts say crash may have been caused by engine failure triggered by 'harmonic interference' |
174,450 | 6dca5f04b158d738b84e51395016e12bfc93643c | Halloween is always a gamble - there's a fine line between comedy genius and complete social disaster. Fortunately for us, despite years and years of practice, there will always be those who never get it quite right. Whether it's the parents trying to save a few quid by making the costumes out of bin liners, or the others who try and recycle a Christmas costume, there are plenty of dodgy photos floating around in cyberspace. Scroll down for video . Who drew the short straw here? It's hard to tell. As the country gears up to celebrate Halloween, Femail features some of the most embarrassing attempts at costumes over the years . In other photo-friendly families, the urge to get a deal on a job lot of matching fancy dress proved too tempting. Or there are the mothers and fathers who were tempted to create a real pumpkin costume for their baby as a last minute solution. Video courtesy of Shaun Broyls . Thankfully, those involved have seen the funny side afterwards and many have shared their pictures for others to see. We've done a round-up of some of the best from Awkward Family Photos so the rest of the world can share in the laughs. Do YOU have a eye-poppingly cringe-worthy family picture that you'd like to share? Email us YOUR photo and story [email protected] . It's hardly any surprise this baby looks shocked - no matter how long you stare at the picture, you won't be able to decide if this man only wore this costume for Halloween . Farmyard fun, or is it? None of their smiles reach the eyes . This man paid a visit to his grandmother before heading on to a Halloween party, he may have borrowed a spare pair of tights in case of laddering too . Ever wondered what you're going to look like when you grow up? Just take a look at your mother . When the furniture looks spookier than you, it's a definite Halloween fail . The woman in the middle might be dressed as a candlestick, but hopefully nobody lit a real match near this lot . Halloween makes people do some odd things. No wonder the woman at the back is trying to hide . If you've tried this hard to make your Halloween costumes work, you must've known people would want a photo . It's hard to tell if the child is crying about the costume or the prospect of being boiled alive . Credit goes to this woman for going the extra mile with her Halloween photoshoot. Hopefully this was after she returned home from the party, not beforehand . This mummy costume would definitely have won first prize in the fancy dress competition, if only the child could have got to the venue . You're never too old for Halloween, although even the man on the TV in the background appears to be questioning the silver bra . This family didn't hold back on the cost of their costumes, so much so that there was no money left for the child . You know you've got a strong Halloween costume when you're the focal point in this room . There will always be one child who is forced to wear the Christmas fancy dress for Halloween . Nobody could accuse these two of laziness with the outfits . It doesn't seem like either of these two are up for a night of crime-fighting . These children were going for the sympathy votes on the trick or treat rounds . Yep, we're all thinking what you're thinking . The little girl on the left has every right to be looking that smug . The floating baby could well be the best Halloween costume of all time . We're not even really sure if this is Halloween . Choosing a pumpkin is meant to be fun . Did they run out of tin foil? | Halloween is always a gamble between comedy genius and social disaster .
Despite years of practice, there will always be those who never get it right .
Femail have selected some of the most cringe-worthy of the last few years . |
141,243 | 42a558742c436988a6ea9e02083094129395cde2 | By . Chris Greenwood . A Labour peer accused of historic child abuse may not face further questioning due to his rapidly failing health. The politician, who is in his 80s, faces more than 20 allegations of historic abuse at children’s homes. They include deeply disturbing complaints of rape and serious sexual assault while he was serving as an MP. Scroll down for video . The House of Lords: The peer faces allegations of sexual assault while he was working as an MP . But it was claimed yesterday that doctors have advised that he is unfit to be questioned because he has dementia. In an unusual move, police have not interviewed the suspect under caution or arrested him over the damaging allegations. Last night they insisted that their criminal investigation continues and a full file of evidence is yet to be handed to prosecutors. It will ultimately be for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to decide whether there is enough evidence and it is in the public interest to put him on trial. The Mail knows the identity of the peer, but has chosen not to name him as he has not been publicly identified by police. Those close to the case highlighted that the allegations faced by the Labour peer are more serious than those in the Cyril Smith scandal. The suspect faces allegations of rape and serious sexual assault spanning several decades. It is understood that as many as 25 victims have now come forward to police in the wake of national publicity around their operation. One source said: ‘Police have been shocked by the stories told by some of the victims and are determined to follow the evidence wherever it leads.’ Police are probing claims that he preyed on vulnerable young boys at care homes while working as an MP. Those close to the case highlighted that the allegations faced by the Labour peer are more serious than those in the Cyril Smith (above) scandal . The suspect is accused of using his hobby to get close to his victims and gain their trust. One man said he was seven years old when the politician visited his care home and entertained him and others. He told police the peer then took him aside and sexually assaulted him. He told the Daily Mirror: ‘That man humiliated me. He told me to undress then fondled me. It scarred me for life. ‘I complained previously and the police made a mess of it. But they are being very good now.’ Detectives have compiled a dossier of more than 20 complaints against the peer. It is understood that the historical allegations span several decades. It is understood his office in the Lords has been searched and computer equipment seized. His home has also been searched. A preliminary file has been passed to the CPS and prosecutors are expected to make recommendations on how to proceed in the autumn. Asked why the Labour peer has not been questioned formally, a police spokesman said it was for ‘operational reasons’. He said: ‘The inquiry continues. A decision on whether to bring charges will rest with the CPS, and so far we have not asked the CPS to make a charging decision.’ A CPS spokesman confirmed a ‘preliminary file’ has been received and lawyers are waiting for the full document. The peer was not available to comment at his London flat earlier this week. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article. | Politician, who is in his 80s, faces more than 20 allegations of child abuse .
Police probing claims he preyed on victims in children's home while an MP .
Suspect faces allegations of rape and sexual assault spanning decades .
Those close to case claim allegations are 'more serious' than Cyril Smith scandal . |
215,358 | a2c4616e214ef6116ab960540550f672055ffd02 | New York (CNN)An 80-year-old retired elementary school principal from Wurtsboro, New York, is planning to take his wife to Hawaii after he became the sole winner of the largest Mega Millions jackpot ticket claimed in the state's history, the New York Lottery announced Monday. Harold Diamond, a 39-year veteran of Monticello School District took the cash option on the $326 million jackpot, which will total $130,676,438 after taxes, according to the New York Lottery statement. Diamond purchased the life-changing ticket after voting on Election Day in November. As it became clear he and his wife, Carol, won't make it to dinner because of stormy weather, she insisted they stop and eat at the Valero and wait for the weather to clear. "I have to thank her with both barrels, because if it weren't for her insistence, we would not be here today," he said in the release. While eating at the Subway shop within the Valero, Diamond noticed the Mega Millions jackpot flashing on the Lottery terminal and decided to get ten $1 Quick Pick numbers for that evening's drawings. Diamond said he forgot about the ticket and remembered only when he heard people talk about it while playing golf, according to the New York Lottery news release. "I put the ticket in my wallet and forgot about it," he said. "I went to play golf the next day and the guys in the clubhouse were talking about the jackpot-winning ticket someone bought at a Valero on Route 302, and I thought, wait a minute -- I bought a ticket there last night! As soon as Diamond realized he was holding a lottery ticket from the shop, he rushed home to catch the evening news and saw that six numbers drawn matched the second set of Quick Pick numbers on his ticket, he said. "When I saw the last number, I yelled up to my wife I think we won a few bucks," he laughed, at the check awarding ceremony. Diamond said they proceeded to read the numbers back and forth to each other. "We were like in a daze, in a dither," he said. Diamond's win marks the 29th time a New Yorker has won the top prize on the multistate megajackpot game, which launched in 2002. "We couldn't be more thrilled. They were just a gem of a couple," said Carolyn Hapeman, spokeswoman for the New York Gaming Commission. Lottery ticket misprint leaves man without $500K . | Retired school principal wins $326 million Mega Millions jackpot .
Harold Diamond, 80, credits his wife for the win .
He bought the ticket after they pulled over for something to eat during bad weather . |
113,826 | 1edd5bd1cfe74c00b1c04787f2ffd218977c64ec | (CNN) -- The summer vacation season is already in full swing across the United States, and for many families that means loading up the car and heading to the beach. But as temperatures rise, so do the instances of air, road and railway congestion. With America on the move, the resulting traffic jams show the poor state of our infrastructure. Lane closures, potholes, flight and rail delays all have one thing in common: a lack of adequate investment in our transportation systems. The beleaguered Highway Trust Fund, which provides money for American roads, bridges and highways, is expected to go broke soon. The White House has just said it would support legislation for a short-term fix to keep the fund going through the height of the summer construction season. The federal dollars from the highway fund help supplement states' transportation projects across the nation to help keep travel routes safe, efficient and well maintained. This fund is vital in ensuring that U.S. roads and rails do not go from inconvenient to impassable. The fund relies primarily on revenue from the 18.4-cent-per-gallon gas tax and 24.4-cent-per-gallon diesel fuel tax. But because of a variety of factors -- from cars becoming more fuel-efficient, to states purchasing less gasoline from year to year, to the state of the gas tax (which has not been raised in 20 years) -- the trust fund is running on empty. 5 ways the highway crisis could affect you . If you think our roads, bridges and rails are in deplorable condition now, just think what would happen if the trickle of federal funding ever were to run dry. If Congress does not replenish the Highway Trust Fund quickly, ongoing projects will grind to a halt and new projects will be pushed back indefinitely. States depend on the money from the trust fund at levels ranging from 15% to 60% of their transportation projects. An empty Highway Trust Fund would affect the entire country, but certain states and projects could be hit especially hard. California, for example, has long depended upon federal dollars for miles of roads and bridges as well as many transit projects. Without the trust fund's capital, more than $2 billion worth of construction projects would be at risk. These projects range from road repairs to comprehensive transit rehabilitation projects and are of vital importance to the safety of California's transportation network. On the other side of the country, Rhode Island could be in dire straits, too. Our smallest state depends on around $200 million a year to keep its transportation hub a viable connector in the Northeast and Middle Atlantic states. Without this continued federal investment, delays in Providence could worsen, clogging the entire I-95 corridor. This is not just a coastal problem, either. In Missouri, a whopping 47% of highway and transit projects depend upon support from the Highway Trust Fund. The Missouri Department of Transportation has already been preparing to shut down many ongoing projects, with a spokesman saying: "We're going to be in virtually a maintenance-only mode, and even that is short of what we need to maintain our system." State and city governments rely on the investment from the Highway Trust Fund in order to make important projects a reality. However, without action from lawmakers in Washington, many projects could be delayed indefinitely and construction workers will be sidelined. This is not only bad for travelers -- it's bad for the economy. In fact, more than 700,000 construction jobs are at risk if the Highway Trust Fund goes broke. As the United States begins to see economic improvements following the Great Recession, a job market shock of this magnitude would be a huge step backward. Yet Congress seems poised to allow this to happen, a move that would directly affect millions of Americans -- especially those already frustrated with the delays they experience during this increasingly high-volume travel season. Americans must make Congress listen. One way is the "I'm Stuck" app, created by Building America's Future as a simple, fast and secure way for people to share travel frustrations with their representative or senator. If you find yourself stuck on a highway, the tarmac or a train station, this app allows you to take a quick photo and send a message to your lawmaker. It's a modern-day letter-writing campaign -- one that will be hard for Congress to ignore. American infrastructure is already in dire need of funding, and we cannot let Congress make the problem worse by letting the Highway Trust Fund run dry. The trust fund must be replenished as soon as possible -- but a long-term, comprehensive plan for infrastructure investment must become part of our country's legislative agenda. Congress needs to either raise the gas tax and index it to inflation or pass comprehensive tax reform that could include provisions to pay for long-term infrastructure investment. Lawmakers need to find a way -- where appropriate -- to bring in the private sector to assist and take advantage of the groundbreaking work being done at our great universities to use technology to improve our vital systems. While we are stymied on repairing our infrastructure, other countries are moving ahead with modern ports, highways and broadband. In order for the United States to stay competitive on an international level in the 21st century, we must invest in 21st-century infrastructure. The next time you are frustrated with a travel delay or stopped in traffic, pull out your cell phone and tell Congress to do its job. It just might be the wake-up call our government needs. | Marcia Hale: Summer travelers will find lane closures, potholes, flight and rail delays .
Hale: Crumbling infrastructure because of inadequate funding is the reason .
Hale: Highway Fund is dwindling, resulting in job losses, terrible bridges, roads .
She says Congress needs to find a long-term solution to keep fund healthy . |
72,770 | ce5ba5110238d225394df833987db22b197dc93d | By . Jonathan McEvoy . Lewis Hamilton is better at making history than studying it. But he could surely see the folly in one famous old telegram sent from the baroque splendour of the Monte Carlo Casino: ‘Cracked the system. Send more money.’ Churchill, Onassis, and the future Edward VII all invested on the green baize in this chandeliered masterpiece. But even if a Briton called Norman Leigh waltzed out of the building with £387,000 in one week in 1966 — or £4.6million in today’s money — most gamblers leave with a hole in their pockets. Beating the system is simply not possible. Nor is it on the newly laid Tarmac of the square outside, with the Cafe de Paris on one corner, or on any part of the wiry streets that stage the Monaco Grand Prix. ‘Monaco is unlike anything else,’ said Hamilton. ‘You know death — not death — but the wall, is just there. That one small turn in too early and you’re gone. Brake a couple of metres too late and you’re in the wall. That’s why it’s the best track. There is no room for error.’ Ready to go: Lewis Hamilton poses for a picture with Nicole Scherzinger and Eurovision winner Conchita Wurst . Glamour couple: Hamilton and Scherzinger attend amfAR's 21st Cinema Against AIDS Gala . Even a slight brush with one of the barriers can spell the end of a driver’s race, such is the shell-like vulnerability of modern cars and tyres. That is what makes today’s qualifying session and tomorrow’s race unmissable. Form, says Hamilton, winner of the last four races, should prevail. It is a track where, despite some of his comments to the contrary, he has previously driven with conspicuous brilliance, in Formula One and in his soaring journey through the junior ranks. But he will not be the only high-stakes gambler in the Mercedes team. Nico Rosberg, who trails Hamilton by three points in what has turned into a private duel after only five races of a 19-round season, arguably must risk more again. Rosberg has been marginally outperformed by Hamilton at decisive moments this year, such as in qualifying, and starting on pole is more significant in Monaco. In form: Mercedes man Hamilton has won the last four races, and leads Rosberg by three points . Sailing away: Hamilton knows the importance of pole position to winning in Monaco . All eyes on me: The Brit has won the last four races, all with his team-mate Rosberg finishing second . Rosberg has shown remarkable fortitude, born of serene confidence, having been runner-up to Hamilton in Malaysia, Bahrain, China and Spain. It was announced on Friday that he has signed a two-year contract extension with Mercedes — a potential lift to his esteem. Another important boost could be that he won here last year from pole position, whereas Hamilton has yet to qualify fastest in Monaco during seven years in Formula One. ‘That’s true,’ said Hamilton, when reminded of the fact. ‘Jeez, I haven’t been on pole. I was on pole in Formula 3, and GP2, but, yeah, I didn’t even think of that. Damn. ‘In 2009 I had the chance to be on pole but I crashed. Last year, I wasn’t quick enough. This year, I know I’ve got the car. I don’t have an excuse.’ If Hamilton succeeds, it would surely be hard for Rosberg to retain the belief that he can emulate his father Keke by becoming world champion. Secret weapon? Rosberg wants to stop Hamilton's momentum and stay in touch in the world championship . Snap happy: The German signed a contract extension with Mercedes this week . Home from home: Rosberg grew up in Monaco and walked the roads, which form the track, to get to school . Sir Jackie Stewart, a three-time winner of the Monaco Grand Prix, said: ‘I wouldn’t discount Nico from winning the race. He’s got a really good mind, that boy. He lives in Monte Carlo. He’s come of age as a driver. ‘Getting pole and a good start is crucial. After that, winning in Monte Carlo actually isn’t that hard. The most important thing is not to make mistakes. The new turbo-powered engines make mistakes more likely. The power doesn’t come in as it does in a normally aspirated engine; it can come as a bit of a surprise.’ The season — as opposed to Hamilton — needs Rosberg to win and stimulate some rivalry. Ennui is already in danger of setting in. That is why we should welcome Hamilton’s comment that his humble origins in Stevenage make him ‘hungrier’ for success than Rosberg, with his gilded upbringing. Agree or not, it was a rebuke to the sterility of modern Formula One, in which corporate banalities trip off every tongue. | Lewis Hamilton looking for fifth straight victory in Monte Carlo .
Brit leads Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg by three points in standings .
Pole position will be crucial to determining race winner in Monaco . |
25,893 | 496336c069495fc07bce00beb12e72de7ae3d284 | Hollywood superstar Leonardo DiCaprio has taken over one of the world's largest superyachts in order to watch the World Cup in style. DiCaprio and more than 20 friends are said to have taken over the 482-foot Topaz, worth £400million, while staying in Brazil for the football tournament. The yacht is owned by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, deputy prime minister of the United Arab Emitates and owner of Manchester City FC. Scroll down for videos . Ahoy there: Leonardo DiCaprio borrowed superyacht, the Topaz, to ensure his friends get to enjoy the World Cup in style . In the spirit: On Thursday the Basketball Diaries star headed to the kick off game between Brazil and Croatia in San Paulo, Brazil . The Topaz was custom made for billionaire Sheikh Mansour in 2012, and is the the fifth largest superyacht in the world. The . imposing yacht was birthed in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on . Thursday while the Wolf of Wall Street star headed San Paulo to the kick . off game between Brazil and Croatia. Seen in the stands wearing a Brazilian scarf around his neck, the 39-year-old actor tried to keep a low profile as he watched the game. However, it was hard for his yacht to do the same considering its imposing size. It . is not clear whether DiCaprio and his friends have borrowed the yacht . from Sheikh Mansour or if they are renting it off the wealthy Man City . owner. Throwing a bash: Leo DiCaprio allegedly jetted 21 friends down to Brazil to watch the World Cup - so borrowed a yacht from Sheikh Mansour . Travel in style: More than a dozen sunloungers surround a helipad on thew gigantic yacht . Space to relax: When not watching the World Cup, Leo and his friends can enjoy some downtime on the pool on the yacht deck . Did the big pool get too crowded? Not to worry, there is another one on the other side . The 43-year-old . Sheikh, part of the royal family of Abu Dhabi, does not exactly need the money, with a personal wealth estimated . at around £2.9 billion and an estimated family fortune of £90 billion. Sheikh Mansour, who is the half-brother of the current president of the UAE, has two wives and five children. It appears Sheikh Mansour and the Hollywood star has been in contact about the vessel in the past, as this is not the first time Leo has thrown a party on the Topaz. In April this year, Leo teamed up with Jamie Foxx and Orlando Bloom to host an 80s themed party on the Topaz in New York. According to the New York Daily News, the 100 guests and over 80 crew members were 'sworn to secrecy' before the party started. It has not been confirmed whether the Sheikh is joining Leo and his friends in Brazil for the World Cup. Whoever is paying, if Leo or his guests tire of the football there is plenty for them to do on the Topaz. Boat of a Blue: The Topaz was custom made for Manchester city owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan in 2012 . Wealth and power: Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan is a member of the Abu Dhabi royal family and deputy prime minister of the United Arab Emirates . Not a runabout: The imposing 482-foot Topaz is birthed in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil . Ready for relaxation: A member of staff cleans up one of the sunlounger sofas on the middle sun deck . Get on it: The 482-foot yacht is being prepared for its guests as is lies moored in the harbour . Lots to do: Leo and his 20 friends can make the most of the amenities which includes a deck top jacuzzi, a swimming pool, fitness hall, cinema and large conference room . Topaz is understood to have been the work of British designer Tim Heywood, who has played a major role in producing some of the world's finest yachts. The stunning vessel features a deck top jacuzzi, a swimming pool, fitness hall, cinema and large conference room. And if getting to the games is a problem, the yacht also has not one, but two helicopter landing pad. Despite . it being a film about immense wealth, not even DiCaprio's character on . Wolf of Wall Street had a vessel quite like the Topaz. Leo's character Jordan Belfort lounges on the 'small' 145ft Lady M, a yacht available for hire for a breezy £74,000 a week. Famous: The ship was featured in one of the most recognizable scenes of the $300 million box office hit, where Leonardo DiCaprio's character throws cash and lobsters and federal investigators . Nadine: The yacht portrayed Jordan Belfort's actual yacht, which was called Nadine after his wife . | Leonardo DiCaprio 'borrows' yacht from Man City owner Sheikh Mansour .
Leo and 21 friends are reportedly staying on the yacht during World Cup .
The £400million, 482ft Topaz is the fifth largest superyacht in the world .
Launched in 2012, the vessel is currently moored in Rio de Janeiro . |
76,923 | da2c7c8b1d7a540acfb5b8e9472af703edce603e | By . Alex Ward . PUBLISHED: . 21:17 EST, 28 October 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 03:41 EST, 29 October 2012 . A would-be suicide bomber has been caught with explosives strapped to his body as police thwarted a terrorist plot in Afghanistan. The young militant, disguised in a police uniform, was arrested in Baghlan wearing a khaki vest concealing a deadly bomb. The teenager’s arrest on Friday came as another suicide bomber killed at least 41 people and injured 56 in a mosque as worshippers gathered for prayers marking a major Muslim holiday in Maimana, Faryab province some 220 miles away. Would-be bomber: Police arrest a young militant, disguised as a police officer, wearing a khaki vest concealing a deadly bomb on Friday as another bomber kills at least 41 people 220 miles away . The bomb strapped to the thwarted militant had the potential to kill dozens of innocent civilians. Provincial security chief Asadullah Shirzad said the man was the second would-be bomber to be arrested in the province in three days. Police officers restrained the man as his shirt was pulled open to reveal the vest as officers examine the bomb. The suicide attacker in Maimana, who some witnesses said was also wearing a police uniform, got past several security checkpoints before arriving at the mosque. The Taliban has been blamed as a Taliban spokesman said they were investigating who was responsible for the attack. Lal Mohammad Ahmadzai, spokesman for the police in the north of the country said almost half the dead were police. Deadly potential: Police examine the young militant's vest hiding the bomb which had the potential to kill dozens of innocent civilians . He said: ‘The suicide bomber detonated explosives when our countrymen were congratulating each other on the Eid holiday.’ He said that police chief General Abdul Khaliq Aqsai appeared to be the target. He said: ‘As soon as the police chief got in his vehicle, the bomber detonated his explosives.’ About 20 bodies, some in police uniform, lay in front of the mosque’s gates as smoke billowed above. 220 miles away: Afghan policemen stretcher away one of the casualties of the blast which took place in Afghanistan's relatively peaceful north, the same day the foiled plot was stopped . The attack, at around 9am local time . on the first day of Eid, came just before President Hamid Karzai . repeated his call for the Taliban to join the government. Violence . is intensifying across the country 11 years into the NATO-led war, . sparking concerns over how the 350,000-strong Afghan security forces, . often the target of the Taliban, will manage once most foreign troops . leave. The attack was the . latest in a series of deadly strikes in recent weeks against Afghan . army, police and government officials. The choice of targets suggests . that the insurgents are increasingly turning against Afghan authorities . and security forces now that NATO is drawing down toward a final . withdrawal of foreign combat troops in 2014. The aftermath of a suicide bomb attack on Friday at a mosque in Maimana, capital of Faryab province, in northern Afghanistan . | A young militant was arrested with bombs strapped to his body .
Arrest made on Friday as another suicide bomber kills at least 41 people 220 miles away in northern Afghanistan . |
115,383 | 20e4a291ef0a8d6be67c2f07a74a8fea658a3bb7 | Arrested: Gabriel Harris, was arrested at the restaurant in New Smyrna Beach, Florida . The wife of a man whose sad mugshot captured media attention this week is claiming police used excessive force against her husband after they went to a Taco Bell drive-through on bikes. Gabriel Harris, was arrested at the restaurant in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, just after 3am on Sunday. According to his arrest report, Harris was intoxicated when he got into an altercation at the drive-through after staff refused to take his order because he was not in a car. But his wife Sarah Haliburton says the pair had not been drinking and that police were unnecessarily brutal. She said officers pushed the 33-year-old into his bicycle and slammed his head onto the concrete, reports the Daytona Beach News Journal. She said her husband's glasses were bent and ended up on the ground next to his blood. Harris, she said, has had constant headaches since the altercation at the weekend and she is preparing papers to file a complaint about the officer's behavior and actions. She also says she believes the restaurant discriminated against the pair because they were on bikes. 'It was discrimination,' Haliburton said. 'We don't choose to drive a vehicle. The bicycles are our vehicles.' According to his arrest report, Harris was intoxicated when he got into an altercation at the drive-through after staff refused to take his order because he was not in a car. Filmed: Wife Sarah Haliburton says police were unnecessarily brutal and said the officers pushed her husband into his bicycle, slammed his head onto the concrete . 'Violent': She said the 33-year-old's glasses were bent and ended up on the ground next to his blood (pictured) 'They had two tacos ready and they said they would give it to us for free if we leave,' Haliburton said. 'I told them I want my complete order and that we would pay for it.' In a 9-1-1 call employees can be heard in the background saying the pair were shaking and trying to open a window. They are also heard saying the couple were taking pictures of the employees with a phone and they refused to leave when asked, according to the caller to 9-1-1. Police found Harris on a bicycle by the menu speaker, reports The Daytona Beach News-Journal. When police arrived they asked Harris to leave, but then spotted a red Swiss Army knife on his belt loop and tried to reach for it. Scene: Harris was arrested at this Taco Bell restaurant in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, just after 3am on Sunday . Harris then grabbed the officer's wrist and was wrestled to the ground and handcuffed. Haliburton said she does not understand why the officer tried to grab Harris' Swiss Army pocketknife attached to his pants by a carabiner clip because Harris did not act threateningly. Police say he suffered a scraped forehead as a result of the scuffle. Harris was booked into jail and charged with resisting arrest with violence. He was later released on $1,000 bond. Sunday's incident is Harris' second arrest in the past four months. He was arrested for resisting an officer without violence in early August, reports the Miami Herald. | Gabriel Harris, 33, was arrested at Taco Bell drive-through in Florida .
Staff refused to take his order because he wasn't in a vehicle, according to his arrest report .
Police scuffle ensued during which Harris scraped his forehead .
Charged with resisting arrest with violence - released on $1,000 bond . |
65,137 | b8f18cf2303742ad2e403cf47eac447291389edb | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 13:13 EST, 29 April 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 03:46 EST, 30 April 2013 . When mortgage banker Geoff Black is not stuck in the office, he is taking photos of his adorable twin girls. The proud father from Sacramento, U.S. picked up his first camera, a Nikon 90, when his daughters were born fours years ago and he has not stopped snapping them ever since. Fourteen cameras later and a lot of film, Mr Black has produced an intimate set of photographs showing his children blossoming from babies into beautiful young girls. Geoff Black was inspired to take up photography after his daughters Jamisen and Jackson were born . The pictures have been posted to photo sharing site Flickr which he calls 'The Ladies - Life with Identical Girls.' Speaking to My Modern Met, Mr Black said: 'I shoot for myself and for my family, to chronicle their lives. 'At first I was just trying to take pretty pictures of my kids. Then I learned a lot more about photography, I want to show their characters within the reality of our daily lives without it being mundane.' Mr Black decided to buy a camera after friends kept sending him pictures of their children on their mobile phones. Giggling: Jamisen and Jacksen having a laugh together as babies . Baby love: Throughout the past four years, Geoff Black has captured some of his children's most precious moments . Cute: Geoff Black picked up his first camera, a Nikon 90, which he used to take this photo . Proud: Jamisen and Jackson look on attentively as their father plays the guitar . Looking out for each other: The girls together on holiday as toddlers . Special moments: The pictures have been posted to photo sharing site Flickr . Happy Halloween: Geoff Black took this photo of his daughters dressed up as The Cat in the Hat on October 31, 2011 . Polaroid: Right before their father's eyes, the young babies have blossomed into young girls . Growing up: When Geoff Black is not working as a mortgage banker he taking photos of his twin daughters . Fourteen cameras later and a lot of film, Mr Black has produced an intimate set of photographs showing his children blossoming from babies into beautiful young girls . Sisterly love: Jamisen and Jacksen give each other a hug which was captured on camera by their father . From babies to superheroes: One of his daughters poses dressed up as Wonder Woman which features in a collection of intimate photos on Flickr . Precious moment: Right before Mr Black's eyes, the young babies have blossomed throughout their childhood . His favourite photo is one taken moments after the girls were born who are being cradled with their mother which is says represents love, relief and success. He describes Jamisen, or Baby A, as stubborn and bossy at times but sensitive who looks after her sister who was born one minute after her. Jacksen, or Baby B, is helpful and a listener whereas her sister has a mischievous side and will want to 're-write the rules'. | Geoff Black took up photography when his daughters were born .
Fourteen cameras later, he has produced an intimate set of snaps documenting his daughters' childhood . |
204,109 | 943d98a68e2c77628a87de716b8169a51755e104 | (CNN) -- In the quiet world of German politics, outspoken Social Democrat leader and Angela Merkel's main challenger, Peer Steinbrueck, is causing something of a storm. First there was the Italian blooper: he referred to Beppe Grillo and Silvio Berlusconi as the "two clowns who have won the Italian election." Ja, wir koennen! Can American-style campaign work in Germany? Admittedly one of the two, Grillo, had been a successful comedian before turning to politics. But still, the comment caused Italian president Giorgio Napolitano to cancel an official engagement in Germany. Then there was the interview with the Frankfurter Allgemeine newspaper, in which he claimed the German Chancellor's salary was too low for his liking -- which may not be the wisest comment if you are running for the post. Interactive: Who is running in German election? He then raised eyebrows even further by claiming Angela Merkel was getting extra political points for being female. And finally, there was that photograph: a portrait of the nation's would-be leader, raising his middle finger to the camera. On the cover of the Süddeutsche Zeitung, one of Germany's most widely-read newspapers. Peer Steinbrueck's nicknames range from "Problem-Peer" to "Peerlusconi." Still, they signal an improvement from the early days of the election campaign, when only a few would have recognized him at all. Although he had served as a federal minister in the past, he is currently a rank-and-file MP. And when you're trying to get noticed, even bad publicity is better than none. Could euroskeptics spoil Angela Merkel's election party? An economist by trade, Steinbrueck grew up in Hamburg and joined the political ranks shortly after graduating from university. He is an accomplished politician, having served as Minister-President of North Rhine-Westphalia, before moving into the federal sphere. Merkel, his rival in the election race, was once his boss: he served as finance minister in her first government, from 2005 until 2009: as Lehman Brothers collapsed and the Eurozone crisis started to bite, his political star rose. A sharp critic of the shadow banking system, he was responsible for Germany's bank rescue plan. "He has a reputation as an efficient manager of the fiscal crisis," writes researcher Michael Miebach. That, however, may not be viewed entirely positively by potential voters. "He does not define himself by making overly empathetic social statements," Miebach writes. "Quite the contrary, many social democratic activists regard him as a cold-hearted, pro-business technocrat." Is Germany playing beggar-my-neighbor with the eurozone? In the SPD election manifesto, he does promise to establish state-wide minimum wage and increase tax rates for top earners -- proposals rejected firmly by Merkel. But his critics argue that his promises don't come across as particularly honest, and he lacks popularity. "His public persona is [one of] perceived arrogance and [a] lack of connection with low-income households," says political scientist Patricia Hogwood. That is not good news for his party, the SPD. With a leader perceived by many as conservative, more voters appear to be shunning the SPD in favor of the more "radically" socialist party, Die Linke. Angela Merkel: Europe's Mrs. Nein . Observers say that throughout the campaign, Peer Steinbrueck has been everything Angela Merkel is not: cheeky, spontaneous, impulsive. But women in particular are not amused by his style, with 70% of female voters finding the middle finger incident "very bad," according to a Forsa Institute poll. Steinbrueck and his wife Gertrud, a former teacher (the couple has three children), have given joint interviews in an effort to boost his image among women. Moreover, his coalition past and image as a hard pro-business economist might deter the voters who are otherwise attracted to his personality. With polls predicting his party will secure just 26% of votes, he cannot afford to lose any more support thanks to further gaffes. | Social Democrat leader Peer Steinbrueck is Angela Merkel's main rival in the election race .
He served as finance minister in Angela Merkel's first coalition government from 2005 to 2009 .
The polls are predicting his party 26% of votes, he will need coalition partners if he wants to govern . |
6,054 | 1128da0a54cb2fee19fe2ea39894d6f40191aeb8 | By . Rob Cooper . PUBLISHED: . 04:32 EST, 21 July 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 05:34 EST, 21 July 2013 . A grandfather who saw Jill Dando moments before she was shot dead claims police ignored his evidence about the murder. Barry Lindsey said Miss Dando, 37, was confronted by her 'Mediterranean' killer on her doorstep in 1999 seconds before she was killed. Mr Lindsey, now 61, told detectives to search for an olive-skinned man - but he claims they were only interested in evidence linking Barry George to the murder. Released: Barry George wrongly served eight years in prison for the murder of Jill Dando before he was acquitted at a retrial. An eyewitness told police that Miss Dando's killer was in fact a man of Mediterranean appearance . Mr George served eight years behind bars for the killing before being acquitted after a retrial in 2008. The 53-year-old was recently denied up to £500,000 compensation for being wrongly jailed after the Court of Appeal agreed with a minister that Mr George was 'not innocent enough' to be eligible for a pay-off. Eyewitness Mr Lindsey told police in the days after the murder on April 26, 1999, that Mr George was not the man responsible for the murder outside the Crimewatch presenter's home in Fulham, west London. 'I told officers they needed to find a man with olive skin, dark hair and who looked like he was of Mediterranean origin,' he told the Sunday Mirror. 'But straight off, they said "We are looking at a local guy over this murder. He is called Barry George." They asked if I knew him and described what he looked like.' He added that when he told police that Mr George was definitely not the man responsible they 'didn't want to listen any more'. Victim: Miss Dando's real killer has never been identified after Mr George was acquitted of murder in 2008 . Mr Lindsey was driving past Jill Dando's home in a green Range Rover which he was taking to a friend's house in Wimbledon when he saw her. The father-of-five, who is a former print worker, claimed that he saw the television presenter arguing with a man. He added: 'I hit the brakes, stopped in the middle of the road and looked through the back window. I will never forget the look on her face. It was one of absolute terror - her face had gone as white as the coat she was wearing.' Although he considered intervening, Mr Lindsey decided to drove-off and heard a gunshot as he reached the end of the road. He didn't know who Miss Dando was until he saw the story about the murder on the news that evening and realised what he had witnessed. The eyewitness said the man had dark skin, looked Mediterranean, and was two stone lighter than Barry George. Murder scene: The road in Fulham, west London, where Jill Dando was shot dead on her doorstep in April 1999 . Killing: Police search the road in Fulham, west London, for clues after Miss Dando, 37, was shot dead on her doorstep . Although he was interviewed at length by police and taken back to the scene, Mr Lindsey never heard from officers again. Mr George said he fervently hopes he will live long enough to see Jill Dando’s killer brought to justice - but he very much doubts it will happen. 'The real murderer is out there somewhere but the police aren't looking for him,' he says. 'They needed someone to plug a hole and I was it – my life was disposable.' Barry and his sister Michelle Diskin strongly believe that police used his disabilities to reinforce the notion he was a weird, dangerously obsessive fantasist. He was born with brain damage which affects his short-term memory. Defeat: Barry George, left, was denied compensation for being wrongly jailed over the killing of Jill Dando, right . He also suffers from epilepsy and was . diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, which makes it difficult for him to . read people’s motives. 'The . police knew this but used it against him,' said Michelle. 'They would . never have been able to do this if he had Down’s Syndrome, say, or was . blind. I have to wonder whether they really believed he did it. 'You . see, at the time of the murder I was living in Ireland, my mother was . elderly and unwell and our father wasn't around. The police must have . thought that there was no one to fight for Barry, that a conviction . would be easy. ‘They . were so very desperate in all they did. They took cotton swabs to the . cavity walls of his flat looking for forensic evidence.' | Barry Lindsey claims Miss Dando was confronted by 'Mediterranean' man .
Seconds later she was shot dead on the doorstep of her home .
Father-of-five claims police were only interested in evidence linking Barry George to the murder in Fulham, west London, in 1999 .
Mr George served eight years before being acquitted at retrial . |
207,920 | 993235b01a75a2bfdc3d2940711d6047f2f796cb | South Africa head coach Heyneke Meyer has responded to last weekend's shock defeat by Ireland by making five changes to his starting XV to face England at Twickenham on Saturday. There are two new faces at half-back with Cobus Reinach and Pat Lambie coming in for Francois Hougaard and Handre Polland, while JP Pietersen replaces Cornal Hendricks on the right wing. Up front, Adriaan Strauss starts ahead of Bismarck Du Plessis and experienced flanker Schalk Burger starts ahead of Oupa Mohoje. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Heyneke Meyer: Adriaan, Schalk and JP will slot in easily . JP Pietersen (right) replaces Cornal Hendricks in South Africa's XV for their clash with England . Le Roux, Pietersen, Serfontein, De Villiers, Habana, Lambie, Reinach, Mtawarira, Strauss, J Du Plessis, Etzebeth, Matfield, Coetzee, Burger, Vermeulen . Replacements: B Du Plessis, Nyakane, Oosthuizen, Botha, Mohoje, Hougaard, Pollard, Hendricks . All five players to have been removed from last weekend's starting XV will begin the clash at Twickenham on the bench. 'We've accepted our performance against Ireland last weekend was not up to scratch and everyone in the touring squad has put up their hands and dug deep this week,' Meyer told SArugby.net. 'We've really worked hard at fixing the mistakes we made and the challenge is now to put that into action on Saturday. 'Pat started at Twickenham for us two years ago and did very well. He's playing well at the moment and I wanted to give him the opportunity to start. Pat is tactically very astute and even though he's still pretty young, he's got a lot of experience. Schalk Burger (left) will also start for Heyneke Meyer's side at Twickenham on Saturday . 'Adriaan, Schalk and JP have all started a number of Tests this year and they will slot in easily – we decided beforehand that we wanted to start all of these players in one of the first two Tests on tour. 'It's a big occasion for Cobus but he would not have been here if we didn't believe he could deliver the goods, and he'll be next to his provincial team-mate in Pat. 'As usual, we're also expecting our replacements to raise the intensity when they're sent on and Bismarck, who had a very good game in Dublin especially in the set-pieces, Oupa, Francois, Cornal and Handre will provide important cover off the bench.' VIDEO O2 Inside Line, Season 5 - Episode 2 . | South Africa lost to Ireland last weekend and face England on Saturday .
Head coach Heyneke Meyer has made five changes to his XV .
Adriaan Strauss and Pat Lambie among those set to start at Twickenham . |
219,282 | a7d7240e165e68f0eddd307b90c964a4a1f70db3 | Baghdad (CNN) -- Four people were killed and two were wounded when a so-called sticky bomb attached to a vehicle exploded Wednesday evening in the Ashhabi neighborhood of eastern Falluja, local police told CNN. The fatalities -- three Interior Ministry officials and a child -- included the director of the Falluja police intelligence department, the deputy police chief of the Garma police station, the police commissioner and a 7-year-old boy, police said. The wounded included a 5-year-old boy and a police official, police said. The children -- brothers -- were playing when the vehicle drove by carrying the four police officials, who had attended a funeral in eastern Falluja and were returning home when it detonated, police said. Iraqi security forces in Falluja were investigating the incident. The report of the blast came after bombings in three Iraqi cities over the previous day killed five people and wounded several others, police told CNN. In one, a colonel was driving from his home in Kirkuk to the town of Dibia, where he served as police commander. Dibia is about 12 miles north of Kirkuk, which is in the country's north. There has been longstanding sectarian tension among Kurdish, Arab and Turkmen people in Kirkuk. The colonel was Kurdish, but there was no immediate information on whether the bombing was tied to ethnic hostilities. Over a two-hour period in and around the capital, Baghdad, on Wednesday, three attacks wounded several people, police said. Attackers shot and critically wounded a police colonel while he was driving near Shaab stadium in the east. Five people were wounded in a roadside bombing north of the city in Taji. And a police commissioner was wounded when a sticky bomb attached to his car exploded. On Tuesday night, three people were killed in Baghdad when a car bomb exploded on a commercial street in the southwestern Saydiya neighborhood. City police said 15 others were wounded. In Ramadi, more than 60 miles west of Baghdad, a roadside bomb exploded near an Iraqi police patrol, and one police officer died. Ramadi is in the predominantly Sunni Arab Anbar province, an area engulfed by violence during the height of the Iraq war. This came after a bloody Sunday, when 17 bombs exploded across Baghdad, killing at least 19 people and wounding more than 80, Iraqi authorities said. The attacks were the latest in a spate in recent weeks that have raised concerns about Iraq's ability to protect itself. Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said he plans to meet this month with Iraqi political leaders to discuss whether to ask that U.S. troops remain in Iraq beyond the January 1, 2012, withdrawal deadline. The United Nations office in Iraq has expressed concern about recent violence targeting government and security officials. Al-Maliki has said al Qaeda and other terrorists are behind the killings, but he also has blamed political movements and security guards, and he has promised to pursue the attackers. | NEW: The casualties include a 7-year-old boy .
Three bombings within two hours in Baghdad wound several, police say .
A police officer in ethnically tense Kirkuk is killed Tuesday .
Three people are slain in southwestern Baghdad Tuesday . |
101,649 | 0f023adc27c45ec4999f02c94499b8ae5d1fbd40 | Jailed: Sergeant Alexander Blackman has been given a life sentence for murdering an Afghan insurgent in Helmand province . A Royal Marine who murdered an insurgent in Afghanistan said last night he was devastated over the decision to jail him for life. Sergeant Alexander Blackman, 39, was told he would serve at least ten years for murdering the Afghan national in Helmand province in 2011. He has also been dismissed from the Marines in disgrace. But yesterday his commanding officer pledged his ‘full support’ for his comrade, saying Blackman had been ‘tainted’ by experiences described as ‘hell on earth’. Last night a huge wave of support was . swelling for the first British serviceman to be convicted of murder on . active service abroad since the Second World War. One . Facebook group has nearly 30,000 supporters and is calling for Blackman . to be released. Another group has more than 10,000 followers. In court, Blackman stood tall in his dress uniform and saluted for one last time as Judge Advocate General Jeff Blackett passed judgment. His face impassive, he turned sharply to his left and marched out of the court. The 6ft 3in commando was told by the country’s most senior military judge that his ‘brutal and savage’ crime had ‘betrayed’ Britain’s armed forces and ‘tarnished their reputation’. And he had ‘put at risk’ the lives of other UK troops and civilians by increasing the likelihood that Islamic extremists would carry out revenge attacks. In a withering sentencing statement, Judge Blackett said: ‘You have provided ammunition to the terrorists whose propaganda portrays the British presence in Afghanistan as part of a war on Islam in which civilians are arbitrarily killed. ‘Committing this sort of act could well provoke the enemy to act more brutally towards British troops in retribution or reprisal.’ But in a letter read to the court, Lieutenant Colonel Simon Chapman, commanding officer of 42 Commando, said Blackman had faced ‘incomprehensible pressures with great fortitude and dignity’. Hearing: Blackman was told he had 'betrayed' the rest of the military with his actions . Emotional: Alexander Blackman pictured with his wheelchair-bound father Brian who died shortly before his tour of duty . Lt Col Chapman said a ‘momentary and fatal lapse of judgment’ had ‘altered his life immeasurably’. He added: ‘He had so much to behold – a proud career and a promising future. Sadly, this is no longer the case. He is not a bad man. In almost every respect, he is a normal citizen tainted only by the impact of war.’ In a statement read outside the court martial, Blackman, of Taunton, Somerset, said he was ‘devastated’. ‘Sgt Blackman and his wife are devastated by the life sentence imposed upon him together with the order that he serve a minimum of ten years before he is eligible for parole,’ said his lawyer. Footage: The incident in which Blackman killed a Taliban militant was caught on camera by another Marine . Incident: The footage filmed by Marine B's helmet camera formed part of the court martial hearing . ‘Furthermore, he has been dismissed . with disgrace from the Royal Marines, with whom he has served proudly . for 15 years. He is very sorry for any damage caused to the Royal . Marines.’ The experienced commando thanked the public ‘for the support shown to him and his wife’. He is appealing the sentence. The . court martial in Bulford, Wiltshire, heard Blackman was suffering from . combat stress when he murdered the Taliban captive and was trying to . deal with the grief of his father’s death months earlier. He lost his cool near the end of a ‘tour from hell’, during which 23 servicemen from 3 Commando Brigade lost their lives and insurgents hung the limbs of maimed British troops in trees as ‘trophies’. Revealed: Footage of the incident with Blackman's face uncensored was released for the first time after he was sentenced . Film: The Marine could be heard quoting Shakespeare as he shot the Taliban prisoner . His badly injured victim had been . found with an AK47 assault rifle and grenade after an Apache helicopter . blitzed him with cannon fire following an attack on a British base. Blackman . shot the injured insurgent in the chest at close range with a 9mm . pistol in Afghanistan, then taunted him: ‘Shuffle off this mortal coil, . you c***.’ It’s nothing you wouldn’t do to us.’ Blackman, who served with 42 Commando, then told his comrades: ‘I just broke the Geneva Convention.’ Harrowing . film and audio recordings of the ‘field execution’ in a cornfield, . captured on a helmet-mounted camera worn by a comrade, were played to . the trial. 'Devastated': The Marine and his wife spoke of their anguish at the heavy sentence . The . commando, who completed six gruelling tours of Iraq, Afghanistan and . Northern Ireland during 15 years with the Marines, was convicted of . slaying the insurgent on September 15, 2011. He denied murder, claiming . he thought the insurgent was already dead. Sentencing . Blackman, Judge Blackett said: ‘You treated that Afghan man with . contempt and murdered him in cold blood. You have betrayed your corps . and all British service personnel who have served in Afghanistan, and . you have tarnished their reputation. ‘You . were obliged to care for him but instead you executed him.’ Anthony . Berry QC, defending Blackman, said the commando had been deployed in . ‘hell on earth’. The Marines knew that if they were captured they would meet a grisly fate – ‘skinned alive and beheaded’. Mr Berry said that during the six-month tour, Blackman was suffering from ‘poor sleep, fatigue, the grief that resulted from the death of his father, and feelings, though unspoken, of paranoia that he was going to be shot at every time he stepped out on patrol’. By CLAIRE ELLICOTT . Supporters of Sergeant Alexander Blackman took to Facebook and Twitter yesterday to protest against his ten-year prison sentence. The thousands of comments posted on the websites included: . Terry Wright: ‘Ten years’ imprisonment for killing a member of the Taliban, yet killing Bin Laden in his bedroom was fine. He is still a human being, what’s the difference? Of course, silly old me, forgot the governments of this world can do what they please!’ oilywater@rumandcoffee: ‘So Marine A goes down for life, 10 years min. That’s going to inflict more damage to the Marines than the Taliban ever could.’ Jeanette Carter: ‘It’s a war! Who could blame him for shooting that guy after witnessing his comrades’ legs hanging in the trees. I think the Taliban b*****d was very lucky to be granted a quick end to his miserable life!’ Messages of support: Many people took to Twitter to express their outrage at the sentence . Penny Johnson: ‘What is the world coming to. We need a government who will stand up for British people.’ Shannon Cross: ‘Absolutely ridiculous! That Taliban member would have shot first if he wasn’t injured! I wonder how many people he had already killed!’ Florence Green: ‘So angry, this brave man should NEVER have been charged. Should have been given a medal. Talk about lions led by donkeys!’ Paul Manning: ‘Locking him up is a disgrace. How many innocent people did the swine he killed kill? All he has done is left us with one less terrorist. Guy deserves a medal, not a jail sentence!’ Many expressed shocked at the length of the sentence handed to Sergeant Alexander Blackman . Former Lance Corporal Matt Croucher, the most highly decorated Marine to serve in Iraq and Afghanistan, said the sentence was unfair. ‘I find it quite morally baffling that he could get a ten-year sentence when someone like Baby P’s mother only served a few years,’ he said. ‘If you put these people next to each other, the moral gap is huge. He has been given a longer sentence than some rapists and child molesters. ‘People think he murdered someone in cold blood. But that person was a terrorist insurgent intent on killing British personnel and maiming them and, given half a chance, would do the same thing here.’ | Alexander Blackman was filmed shooting wounded fighter in September 2011 .
Blackman's identity was made public after he was convicted of murder .
He has been handed a life sentence and will serve a minimum of 10 years .
The Royal Marine and his wife say they are 'devastated' by the sentence .
Blackman has also been dismissed with disgrace from the Royal Marines .
But his commanding officer pledged his ‘full support’ for his comrade .
Other supporters have vented their anger at the sentence on Twitter . |
102,802 | 107f57823f23e8c298ea7aae5b160a455ba9e661 | Croatia striker Mario Mandzukic is on the verge of joining Atletico Madrid from Bayern Munich, the German club have announced. Bayern sporting director Matthias Sammer revealed during a press conference held on Wednesday that a deal had been reached between the two clubs and the player, with an official announcement believed to be imminent. 'There is a verbal agreement between Bayern, Atletico Madrid and Mario Mandzukic,' said Sammer. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Mario Mandzukic's horror tackle in training on Schweinsteiger . Moving on: Mario Mandzukic has left Bayern Munich for Atletico Madrid . Finisher: The forward scored 48 times in 88 games for the club . 'We wish to thank Mario for his performances at Bayern and wish him all the best in the future.' Reports emerged in the German press on Wednesday that the Bundesliga and Primera Division champions had reached a deal for the 28-year-old which is believed to be worth 22 million euros (£18.5m). Mandzukic scored 33 league goals for Bayern in the two seasons that followed his transfer to the Bavarian giants from Wolfsburg in 2012. Although his goals helped the club win an unprecedented European and domestic treble in 2013 and a double last season, the Croatian has been deemed surplus to requirements at Bayern. Poland striker Robert Lewandowski, the Bundesliga's top scorer last term, is set to lead the attack next season after joining from Borussia Dortmund. Celebrations: Mandzukic won a host of trophies during his two seasons at the club . Differences: But he felt that manager Pep Guardiola's tactics did not suit his style of play . Mandzukic would be Atletico's most expensive signing since Radamel Falcao moved to the club from Porto in 2011 and his task will be filling the void left by Diego Costa - Atletico's top scorer last season - who is joining Chelsea. Atletico are expected to make another move for a striker in the summer to replace New York City FC-bound David Villa, and are believed to be interested in taking Chelsea forward Romelu Lukaku on loan. However, their signing of Mandzukic means that they are expected to end their pursuit of Manchester City forward Alvaro Negredo, who is valued at over £25m. | Mandzukic on verge of £18.5m move to Atletico Madrid .
Bayern sporting director Matthias Sammer confirms 'verbal agreement'
28-year-old set to sign five-year deal with the Champions League runners-up .
Departure comes following the arrival of Robert Lewandowski . |
65,863 | baf5fa5568097f930d3a3271d887ce385f4246a3 | Major US museums have banned selfie sticks because they say that the gadget is distracting patrons from the exhibits. Institutions like the Museum of Modern Art in New York are also fearful that the stick could lead to people damaging paintings. Curators have watched dozens of near misses as visitors shove the stick out in front of them, narrowly missing priceless works of art. Major US museums have banned the incredibly popular selfie sticks (pictured) because they say that the gadget is distracting patrons from the exhibits . Selfie sticks are extendable poles that clip onto smart phones and allow users to take a picture of themselves. They have become popular over the last year and among tourists who have used them to take pictures in places like the Eiffel Tower in Paris. But now there is a mounting backlash and in New York the Museum of Modern Art, the Cooper-Hewitt and the Smithsonian Design Museum have banned the gadget. The Guggenheim has also banned selfie sticks and the Metropolitan Museum of Art is reportedly considering a ban. Visitors are being told that the device falls under the umbrella of ‘additional equipment or devices other than handheld cameras’ that have long been prohibited. Curators have watched dozens of near misses as visitors shove the stick out in front of them, narrowly missing priceless works of art . Jennifer Northrup, a spokeswoman for the Cooper-Hewitt and Smithsonian Design Museum, said: ‘You can, just by looking at (it) imagine the havoc a selfie stick might wreak in this kind of space. ‘They could pose a danger to visitors or our objects on view’. Elsewhere in America the the Getty Center in Los Angeles and the Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington DC have banned selfie sticks as well. Julie Jaskol, the assistant director of media relations at Getty, said: ‘Selfie sticks are restricted out of concern about damaging the art or people in more enclosed spaces’. In the UK Tottenham Hotspur became the first Premiership football club to outlaw the gadget because it could be used as an ‘offensive weapon’. Arsenal followed suit soon after. | Selfie sticks have become increasingly popular with tourists and visitors .
Curators say they have watched dozens of near misses with selfie sticks .
Major US museums including Smithsonian have now banned the gadget . |
256,857 | d8748a478023b4a1f2bd66f73e37525f6ce20be1 | By . James Daniel . PUBLISHED: . 12:47 EST, 12 May 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 14:47 EST, 12 May 2013 . There are fender benders, sideswipes and rear-end accidents, but police in Canada are investigating their first-ever case of a car falling from the sky. Two people were been injured after an experimental flying car crashed into a tree. The aircraft clipped a fence on Friday morning near a school in Vernon, British Columbia. Scroll down for video... An experimental flying crashed down close to a school on Friday morning. The aircraft lost control hurting the pilot and his passenger. Flying high: Taking to the skies is clearly a family passion for the Siebring family . Understatement: 'It seemed there was an anomaly on our approach to landing,' said Ray Siebring who was piloting the flaying-car . Aftermath: The car smashed into trees as it was coming into land . Injured: Incredibly both the pilot and passengers escaped with just minor injuries . Cause: Ray Siebring who was piloting the car-plane has described the incident as just a 'small anomaly' on landing . The flying car is a combination of a plane engine, propeller and parasail attached to a dune buggy. Police spokesperson Gord Molendyk said there are indications the aircraft was coming into land. 'It looked like it was on its approach,' Molendyk said. 'There was motor sound and people looked up and it got into trouble and came through the fence and into the trees here.' The pilot Ray Siebring and his passenger had to be pulled from the tree. They suffered minor injuries and were taken to hospital. No one was hurt on the ground, although children from the school were preparing on the nearby grounds for a track and field day. An experimental flying crashed down close to a school on Friday morning. The aircraft lost control hurting the pilot and his passenger. Maverick: The experimental aircraft has a plane engine, propeller and parachute connected to a dune buggy . Pacey: The Maverick can travel up 100 mph on the ground and up to 40 mph in the air . 'It seemed there was an anomaly on our approach to landing," Ray Siebring told The Canadian Press from the crash site. 'It was just a sharp left turn that turned into a spiral, so the spiral took at least three rotations.' As the Maverick — which looks like a dune buggy with a large propeller on its rear — started losing altitude, Siebring realized there was a semi-populated area that included a school directly in his path. The situation called for quick thinking. 'I experienced one of those ... moments where time slows down,' he said. 'The training kicked in so that we were able to operate the aircraft and move it to a safe area. Dangerous: The aircraft crashed into a tree as it was on final approach . 'We were able to stop the rotation, but our altitude was critically low. I gave full power to dampen the forced landing and directed the aircraft ... away from the school and into some woods.' No one was hurt on the ground although children from the school were preparing take to the nearby grounds for a track and field day. Dale Olsen, a teacher at the nearby Fulton Secondary School, and said it was the talk of the morning. 'A lot of the kids saw it around school this morning,' he said. 'They said it looked like it stalled, the parachute started crumpling up and they couldn't get it going again.' The Maverick which costs at least $94,000 can travel at speeds up to 100 mph and up to 40 mph in the air. The car uses a 100-metre runway to take off and flies under a parasail, but it also needs a 100-metre runway to make a safe landing. | Maverick aircraft was preparing to land when it clipped a tree .
School children were playing outside as the crash occurred .
Pilot Ray Siebring hurt but says he will return to the skies after he finds out what went wrong . |
131,389 | 35e8b995a71dac0a0485f226c526cec29b40a0df | (CNN) -- A reactor at Japan's Ohi nuclear plant will be shut down following problems with an emergency cooling system, Kansai Electric said Saturday. The move follows an emergency alarm late Friday triggered when the pressure dropped in the tank for the cooling system, company spokesperson Masaki Todatake said. Pressure returned to normal within about an hour after an injection of liquid nitrogen, but engineers plan to manually stop the No. 1 reactor at the Ohi plant in Fukui Prefecture to carry out a full inspection,Todatake said. It is not known how soon the reactor might start operating again, the company said, but there is no danger of radiation leak. The reactor's closure leaves only 18 of Japan's 54 nuclear plants producing electricity, worsening power supply problems following March's earthquake and tsunami. The 15-meter (48-foot) tsunami inundated Japan's coastal Fukushima Daiichi power plant, leading to a triple meltdown, the aftermath of which Tokyo Electric Power Co. engineers are still struggling to manage. The disaster has caused Japan to rethink its commitment to nuclear energy. Journalist Chie Kobayashi contributed to this report. | An emergency alarm is triggered when pressure drops in a cooling tank .
There is no danger of a radiation leak, power company Kansai Electric says .
The reactor's closure leaves only 18 of Japan's 54 nuclear plants in operation . |
42,368 | 777c9a817c6d0b834af38422ba4d6b3d38598765 | The four police officers involved in the fatal pursuit of Brazilian student Roberto Curti in Sydney's CBD are seeking to permanently halt criminal proceedings against them. Mr Curti died in the early hours of March 18, 2012, following a chase and violent struggle with police in which he was Tasered, handcuffed, hit with capsicum spray and knelt on. Police officers Scott James Edmondson, Chin Aun Lim, Daniel David Barling and Damian John Ralph have since been charged over the alleged assault on Mr Curti. All four have pleaded not guilty. SCROLL DOWN TO VIDEO . Police office Damian Ralph (pictured left) arrived at Downing centre court on Monday, as does officer Daniel Barling (pictured right). They have been charged over the alleged assault of Brazilian student Roberto Curti who died in March 2012 following a chase and violent struggle with police . Police officer Chin Aun Lim (pictured left) leaves Downing centre court on Monday, as does officer Scott Edmondson (pictured right). They have been charged over the alleged assault of Brazilian student Roberto Curti who died in March 2012 following a chase and violent struggle with police . Brazilian student Roberto Curti died in the early hours of March 18, 2012, following a chase and violent struggle with police in which he was Tasered, handcuffed, hit with capsicum spray and knelt on . In a hearing on Monday, Barrister Bret Walker SC told Downing Centre Local Court they were now making an application to stay the proceedings against them. The prosecution case against the four had been tainted by directed interviews which took place in the days after Mr Curti's death, Mr Walker said. During the interviews, officers were 'compelled' to answer questions by threat of disciplinary action and therefore their answers should not have been used against them. Instead, Mr Walker argued, the interviews became 'inextricably entangled' in the ensuing investigation of them. This meant the prosecution case was 'rooted in an eradicable error', he said. Police officer Damian Ralph is one of four officers involved in the fatal pursuit of Brazilian student Roberto Curti. They are seeking to permanently halt criminal proceedings against them . Barrister Bret Walker SC told the court, the prosecution case against the four police officer including Scott Edmondson (pictured) was 'rooted in an eradicable error' But Crown Advocate Natalie Adams SC, appearing on behalf of the attorney-general, said only three pages of Lim's interview had ever been handed to the DPP. If the admissibility of the interviews was in question, Ms Adams said there should be an application for that evidence to be excluded. 'This is not a basis for a stay,' she said, adding that should be a 'last resort'. Magistrate Mark Buscombe will hand down his decision on the permanent stay application by the four police officers on November 11. In a hearing on Monday, Barrister Bret Walker SC told Downing Centre Local Court they (the police officers) including Daniel Barling (pictured) were now making an application to stay the proceedings against them . Barrister Bret Walker SC told Downing Centre Local Court the prosecution case against the four police officers, including Chin Lim (pictured) had been tainted by directed interviews which took place in the days after Mr Curti's death . Police officer Damian Ralph leaves the Downing Centre Court in Sydney on Monday . Scott Edmondson (pictured) leaves court. Magistrate Mark Buscombe will hand down his decision on the permanent stay application by the four police officers on November 11 . | Four police officers involved in a fatal pursuit in Sydney's CBD want the charges dropped .
Brazilian student Roberto Curtis died in March 2012 following a chase and violent struggle with police in which he was tasered .
All officers have pleaded not guilty .
The Magistrate will hand down his decision on the permanent stay application on November 11 . |
269,760 | e964557105b2e532e4cae6ad3e473316025f9da4 | A leading humanitarian organization has urged soccer's ruling body FIFA and the Qatari government to honor their commitment to reform employment laws for migrant workers ahead of the 2022 World Cup, amid fears that stadiums will be built using an exploited labor force. Human Rights Watch (HRW) has compiled a 146-page report -- "Building a better World Cup: Protecting migrant workers" -- examining Qatar's recruitment and employment system, where 94% of its workforce are migrant workers. The Qatari government recently suggested it will replace the current sponsorship scheme -- where all foreigners must be sponsored by local employers to work and reside in the country -- with a system of contracts between employers and employees. But HRW said that it might prove of no benefit to the workers constructing the stadiums needed to host the tournament. "The government needs to ensure that the cutting-edge, high-tech stadiums it's planning to build for World Cup fans are not built on the backs of abused and exploited workers," HRW's Middle East director Sarah Leah Whitson said. "Workers building stadiums won't benefit from Qatar's general promise to end the sponsorship system. They need a deadline for this to happen before their work for the FIFA games starts." Qatar is smaller than the Bahamas in land area, has less than 300,000 citizens, but boasts the highest per capita GDP in the world. But in HRW's interviews with 73 migrant construction workers they reported a host of problems, including unpaid wages, illegal salary deductions, crowded and unsanitary labor camps, and unsafe working conditions. The Qatari Labor Ministry denies that workers are being exploited. "The Ministry has received no complaint of forced labor and it is inconceivable that such a thing exists in Qatar as the worker may break his contract and return to his country whenever he wishes and the employer cannot force him to remain in the country against his will," it said in a letter to HRW, an international non-governmental organization which conducts research on human rights. The report seeks to address apparent concerns over worker safety in Qatar's construction industry and claims that discrepancies exist between the number of construction worker deaths reported by local embassies and the number reported by the government. While the Nepali embassy reported 191 Nepali worker deaths in 2010, and the Indian embassy reported 98 Indian migrant deaths -- ncluding 45 deaths of young, low-income workers due to cardiac arrest, so far in 2012 -- the Qatar Labor Ministry says there have no more than six worker deaths over the last three years. Qatar's success in being chosen by FIFA as 2022 World Cup hosts is likely to mean an anticipated construction boom in the Arab state. The local organizing committee for the tournament, the Supreme Committee for Qatar 22, and the company it appointed to help oversee World Cup construction, CH2M HILL, have said they will establish labor standards that builders and other contractors hired to build World Cup venues must meet. FIFA, meanwhile, has pledged to raise worker rights issues with the Qatar government. Those commitments are a beginning, HRW says, but it wants additional steps, including minimum employee standards in line with Qatari law and international labor standards for private contractors involved in World Cup-related construction. "Ensuring international standards for workers' rights and conditions has and will continue to be at the forefront of our committee's strategic planning and implementation," said the the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee. "We are fully committed to ensuring that preventative measures are in place to safeguard workers ahead of all construction projects directly relating to the 2022 FIFA World Cup." Fifa was not immediately available for comment. | Human Rights Watch issues warning over employment laws for migrant workers ahead of 2022 World Cup in Qatar .
Qatari Labor Ministry denies that workers are being exploited.
Qatari government has vowed to make changes to existing system .
FIFA pledges to raise worker rights issues with government. |
24,243 | 44c9073f7399b890a6f4f5d96afdebc9f52e74ab | By . Bianca London . Picture the scene: You're out on the town and you spot someone you like the look of, but how do you make a move without the cringey chat-up lines and awkward silences? Fret not, the real life Hitch is here to help convert you into a smooth talking Romeo and get the girl or guy of your dreams. Rob Beckster, the self-proclaimed 'white Hitch', prides himself as the number one seduction artist in Europe. Can he help YOU find love? Meet Rob Beckster: The real life hitch who thinks he can help anyone pull in fourteen days . The 36-year-old from London is so convinced by his pick-up prowess that he set up his own seduction school, which he calls The Beckster Lifestyle. 'The Beckster Lifestyle is all about living life to the full and doing so on your terms,' he says. 'It’s about becoming your best and most attractive self and learning how to display your new qualities to the men or women you truly desire.' Beckster teaches something he calls the ‘Naturally Seductive Game’, which he explains is a method that seamlessly combines the beliefs and mindset of the natural seducer with the learned techniques of the so called ‘pick-up artist’. The white Hitch: Rob, who has his own seduction school, has been compared to Will Smith's character in the 2005 romantic comedy, Hitch (right) He runs two schools, the £750 weekend Beckster Lifestyle Bootcamp or a week-long Beckster Lifestyle Residential course, where you move in with the man himself in his Chelsea office and learn the tricks of the trade for a cool £4,900. Beckster, who set up his company 16 years ago because he 'needed it himself', uses his tried-and-tested 'five Cs': confidence, congruency, calibration, courage and conviction. He trains men and women - although men make up 90 per cent of his clientelle - how to dress, act and even dance to attract someone they fancy. To help him out, Beckster has . selected an 'elite group' of specialist trainers who help clientele learn how to acquire and develop confidence, social skills, . attraction, style, dance, dating and seduction. In action: Beckster teaches men and women how to chat people up, how to dance and how to avoid awkward conversation . Skills: Beckster set up his dating schools 16 years ago after he failed to land a woman, he said he knew there was something out there to help; so he created it . He then unleashes his students to put their newly acquired skills to the test in local parks, shopping malls and nightclubs. But does it work? Beckster's clients pride themselves on collecting as many as 16 numbers in one day. So what are his secrets of seduction? Firstly, chat-up lines are out. 'Chat-up lines are so 12 years ago,' Beckster told MailOnline. 'I help bring out the best in people, so I teach them how to talk to everyone in a group, we rehearse conversation pieces, teach people how to make their stories sound better and how to divert conversation topics to keep the chat flowing.' He also employs a Royal Ballet School ballerina to teach clients how to look good on the dancefloor. He said: 'Women should use their hips - that's sexy. Men should have one fancy move, it should be fun. No one buys those serious moves. It worked for him! Beckster has been dating . ballerina Candice, 31, for three years now - she even works for him as the . stylist and dance coach . 'Give a high five, give a girl a spin, mouth "hi" but definitely don't be a dance floor predator and grind behind a girl,' he advises. His clients range in age from 19 to 50 and he even coaches people on how to keep the spark in their marriage alive. He is currently using a new method: getting people to bet on their friends getting a date. He has found that the naturally competitive nature of men kicks in when they are bet by friends to fail in their quest for love and spurs them on to succeed. He claims that by using his method and asking your friend to place a bet on your success rate - he uses tedbets.com - anyone can get a girl in 14 days. It worked for him - Beckster has been dating his girlfriend - who also happens to be the company's fashion coach and dancer - for three years. 'My main aim is to ban sleazy and make seduction something more positive. It's the next evolution of this industry,' he says. Confidence and self esteem improvement and repair: Beckster teaches guys and girls to play to their strengths and be the best they can be Advanced verbal and non-verbal communication skills for all areas of your life including attraction and dating: He teaches people conversation pieces and they rehearse narratives, scripts and how to divert conversations (such as set conversations on heels so a man can complement a woman's shoes and then take the conversation further based on a rehearsed script about shoes) Wardrobe reinvention and complete style makeover: Beckster's girlfriend and style director helps people wear the right colour clothes for their skin tone and body shape Advanced dance skills for fun and seduction: A Royal ballerina teaches women how to use their hips to seduce and men fancy yet fun moves How to maintain a healthy relationship beyond the ‘honeymoon period’: He teaches people how to add spark to a relationship and how to make date night special . | Rob Beckster, 36, been dubbed 'the white Hitch'
Runs seduction schools to teach people how to find love .
Says his clients get 16 telephone numbers on a night out .
Set up school 16 years ago because he 'didn't understand' seduction .
Week-long boot camp costs £4,900 .
Teaches clients - 90% of whom are men - how to dress, chat and dance .
Beckster has been dating his girlfriend for 3 years . |
256,342 | d7cd26da59fb213ec84ddf781d4a9a1112559c71 | (CNN) -- Paul Anthony Ciancia was a newcomer to Los Angeles -- a 23-year-old Catholic school graduate and son of a popular Fraternal Order of Police member back in New Jersey. According to a profile emerging of the suspected gunman, he also harbored anti-government views and fears of an ominous New World Order when he walked into Los Angeles International Airport on Friday. Police say Ciancia pulled an assault rifle out of a bag and opened fire in the airport, killing Transportation Security Administration officer Gerardo Hernandez, 39, and wounding several others, including at least two other agents, in what appeared to be an orchestrated assault on members of the federal agency. A federal criminal complaint was filed Saturday afternoon charging Ciancia with murder of a federal officer and commission of violence in an international airport, U.S. Attorney Andre Birotte Jr. said. Investigators unable to interview suspect . Ciancia remained hospitalized Saturday. FBI Special Agent in Charge David Bowdich described him as "unresponsive." "We are unable to interview him, as of today," Bowdich said. Asked at a news conference if Ciancia had any known run-ins with TSA officers, Bowdich said, "To this point, we have found none." Shooter:"Are you TSA?" Eyewitnesses said Friday's shooter walked from person to person, calmly asking, "Hey, are you TSA?" "I just shook my head," Leon Saryan, a traveler at the airport, told CNN's Anderson Cooper. "And he kept going." Ciancia was eventually shot multiple times in the chest and taken into custody as he allegedly continued his eerily calm run through the airport's Terminal 3. He had enough ammunition to "have literally killed everyone in that terminal," Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said. Ex-roommate in L.A. shocked . In the hours after the attack, with the terminal at one of the world's busiest airports still closed, authorities were piecing together a picture of the man in hopes of finding answers. If they're looking for telltale signs of trouble from before he moved to Los Angeles about a year and a half ago, nothing has emerged, at least publicly. John Mincey, who said Ciancia was his roommate in a Los Angeles apartment complex until February, said he was "absolutely shocked" by the charges. "From knowing this guy, I can't believe that he would -- it just doesn't make sense," Mincey told CNN affiliate KABC-TV. "He would always talk about documentaries he would watch," but Ciancia never talked about "any hatred," Mincey said. Mincey told KABC he had lunch last week with Ciancia, who said he was going to New Jersey for the holidays and hoped to make amends with his family. Chaos, terror unfold inside LAX Terminal 3 . No history of mental illness in New Jersey . Allen Cummings, the police chief in Ciancia's hometown of Pennsville, New Jersey, said Ciancia has no history of violence or recorded mental illness. Family members told police he didn't seem troubled the last time they saw him -- when he visited family for a wedding this summer. "Obviously, you know, they're upset," Cummings told CNN. "I mean, this is a shock to them. It's a shock to our community." Ciancia grew up in a quiet, wooded neighborhood just minutes from the Delaware Memorial Bridge, according to The News Journal in Wilmington, Delaware. Houses there are far apart, nestled in the woods at the end of driveways sometimes hundreds of feet long. He once worked in a popular auto repair shop owned by his father, an associate member of the local Fraternal Order of Police who neighbors say has always been known for how well he takes care of customers there. Remembered as quiet high school student . The younger Ciancia graduated in 2008 from an all-boys Catholic school, the Salesianum School, in Wilmington, according to Brendan P. Kennealey, the school president. Classmates there described him as awkward, saying he never fit in. "In four years, I never heard a word out of his mouth," David Hamilton, who graduated with Ciancia in 2008, told the Los Angeles Times. "He kept to himself and ate lunch alone a lot. I really don't remember any one person who was close to him." Texts alarmed family . It wasn't immediately clear Saturday why he moved across the country. But that may have been where the first signs of trouble began to surface. In texts to his brother and father, Ciancia said he was unhappy and discouraged living in Los Angeles, according to an intelligence source with knowledge of the investigation. The source spoke on condition of anonymity, citing the ongoing investigation. It was one of those text messages that made his family think something bad was about to happen. "Basically, the text message was just a message to the little brother, and the way it was written, they had some concern about it, and that's when they brought it to our attention," Cummings said. The intelligence source described his texts as "angry" and "rambling." LAX shooting underlines security vulnerabilities . Father called hometown police chief . The father called Cummings about 1:30 p.m. ET on Friday. Cummings, in turn, called the Los Angeles Police Department, asking them to check on him and make sure he was OK. When they checked, he wasn't home. The next Cummings heard, he said, were media reports linking Ciancia to the shooting. Angry note found on suspect . A note found on the alleged shooter paints a picture of an angry young man. The materials included a rant that appeared to refer to the New World Order as well as anti-TSA and anti-government claims, a federal law enforcement official said Saturday. The New World Order is a common conspiracy theory focused on a secretive group of international elites bent on controlling the planet and forming a one-world government. Sources: Note said "kill TSA" Investigators found information on the suspect expressing not just anti-federal government sentiment but also anger at the TSA specifically, according to a federal law enforcement official. Multiple reports cite police sources saying the note included language saying he wanted to "kill TSA" and "pigs." The evolution of those thoughts, and how they may have led to Friday's bloody shooting, is a story that is yet to unfold. "We are currently investigating his background and more about him," FBI Special Agent in Charge David Bowdich told reporters. CNN's Greg Botelho, David Simpson, Deborah Feyerick, Chelsea J. Carter, Joseph Netto and Paul Matadeen contributed to this report. | NEW: FBI unable to interview wounded LAX shooting suspect Paul Anthony Ciancia .
NEW: FBI has found no evidence of prior TSA incidents involving suspect .
Federal charges filed against Ciancia for murder of officer and violence in an airport .
Ciancia sent "angry, rambling" texts to his brother and father, police say . |
31,939 | 5ae211121df337e62c1bcffb281e19aafcf49769 | By . Wills Robinson . PUBLISHED: . 06:16 EST, 12 September 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 09:27 EST, 12 September 2013 . At first glance, these enticing images would make anyone wish their lunch break was just around the corner. But these deceiving pictures of food are actually detailed paintings made to look just like the real thing. Artist Tom Martin, 26, spends two months carefully working on each intricate and detailed piece, so it looks just like the real thing. Each piece is at least one metre in length and can sell for a staggering £17,000 . The . collection of food includes a rhubarb and orange jam while another . shows a kiwi, an orange and a strawberry arranged together. Meanwhile, a pack of easy cook brown rice and tin of tuna look like they could be served as a meal. Looks delicious: Artist Tom Martin, 26, has painted a number of food items, which look identical to the real thing, including this bowl of sweets and chocolate . Identical: This collection of sliced fruit looks as delicious as the real thing . Deceiving: To the naked eye, this bowl of cereal and fruit may look real, but it is actually an incredibly detailed painting . He said: 'My paintings represent . reality, as while I paint I strive to depict what is real to the best of . my ability. I don’t stop until I have achieved that with each of my . paintings. 'I use . photographs as a reference to create each piece, but my paintings are . never just a copy of a photograph. The photo is only used as a reminder . of what was present at a particular moment in time, so the camera is a . tool for looking and a brush is a tool for painting.' The . subject of food was the inspiration for the artist’s new collection, . who is a keen fitness enthusiast. He continued: 'I focus on food and its . content because it plays a very big part in my life at the moment. I am . a keen fitness enthusiast and along with that comes a healthy diet and . the science of learning how your body uses carbohydrates and proteins.' Incredibly, there are no brush marks or textures in the lifelike paintings and the artist reveals using a panel helps him work. He . added: 'Painting on a panel gives me a solid surface to work against . and gives the freedom to use a variety of techniques which I couldn’t . use on a canvas. I typically spend one or two months on each painting. 'It’s dedicated work and long hours - some paintings take less time. Plus . One Gallery took me on straight out of university and they have been my . exclusive representative ever since.' Expensive: This piece showing a bottle of tomato and chilli oil could fetch up to £14,000 when sold . Essentials: The artist has also tried his hand at painting a tuna tin, easy cook rice and strawberries . Exhibition: Artist Tom Martin is displaying his paintings in London's Plus One Gallery from next month, including this piece of a jam jar, pieces of rhubarb and sliced oranges . Other paintings include a colourful ice cream sundae seems to be placed in a windowsill and bags of mixed sweets and confectionery sitting in a glass bowl. The lifelike drawings can be seen at the Plus One Gallery in London, where Mr Martin has a solo exhibition from October 9 to November 2. The talented artist, from Rotherham, South Yorks, applies acrylic paint with a brush and airbrush to a panel made from aluminium or wood. Attention to detail: Tom Martin spends two months carefully working on each intricate piece . Mouth-watering: This painting of a bottle of olive oil accompanying bread and tomatoes would take around two months to complete . | Tom Martin, 26, from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, uses acrylic paint to create the lifelike images of food .
Artwork includes a bowl of sweets, sliced fruit, a tin of tuna and easy cook brown rice .
The finished items, which are painted onto aluminum and wood panels, can sell for up to £17,000 . |
123,744 | 2bfaf98459af9a7cfa4b705c4a7b0e4ff439654d | By . Lucy Laing . PUBLISHED: . 12:17 EST, 23 December 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 08:12 EST, 24 December 2012 . A young male lion caught in a snare which slowly tightened around his neck as he grew older has been saved after a rescue operation was launched. The lion was first spotted trapped in the snare in Mikumi National park in Tanzania back in 2009 but several attempts to rescue him failed. After three years, the cord had become so tightly wrapped around the lion's neck that he was left unable to hunt and his gaping wound attracted flies and infection. The young animal would soon have been lying in agony in the African bush facing a certain death. But thanks to coverage in the Daily Mail earlier this year, an operation to sedate the lion and remove the snare was launched this summer. Rescued: The lion, which was first spotted trapped in the snare in 2009, was finally free by rangers in the Mikumi National Park in Tanzania earlier this year. He has now been pictured in the wild for the first time since being freed (shown above) and appears to be on the road to recovery . Trap: William Mwakilema, chief park warden in Mikumi National Park, Tanzania, pictured holding the snare which was slowly garroting a young lion . The lion was found by park rangers in August and vets managed to sedate him and cut away the electrical wire snare. The lion has now been photographed in the wild for the first time since his ordeal and appears to be recovering with his mane growing back over his neck and shoulders. The rescue ended a three year hell for the lion. As he has grown over the last three years, the wire snare got tighter and tighter around his neck, and began causing a slow agonising death. By the time he was found he was so weak he was unable to hunt, but amazingly he was being kept alive by the love of his brothers and sisters in his pride. They didn’t kill him as often is the fate of weak male lions, but instead the siblings in his pride kept him alive by bringing him back prey they had hunted. William Mwakilema, Chief Park Warden in Mikumi National Park, said: ‘It was a terrible situation for this lion. He was first seen three years ago with the snare around his neck. ‘He had got caught in the snare which poachers usually use for illegally trapping smaller game animals like impala. ‘He had pulled back, taking the snare with him, and it had been left around his neck. Because he had grown in size over the past three years, the snare has got tighter and tighter around his neck, in effect slowly garroting him. It would have been an agonising death for him. ‘Amazingly the rest of the lions in his pride kept him alive by bringing him back food to eat. It is a remarkable show of togetherness.’ The lion’s plight was first spotted by tourists in 2009, but because of the vast size of Mikumi National Park and the varying terrain, it was near impossible for vets to tranquilise him, despite seven attempts over the years. Mr Mwakilema said: ‘Rangers sighted the lion again in October 2010 and up to this year, had on seven occasions attempted to dart the lion but due to the demanding terrain and the lion’s increasing shyness and fear, all of these attempts ended in frustration.’ It is a sight that is growing more common in parts of Africa, as an increasing number of lions fall victim to poaching. Some are wandering by mistake into snares that are meant for other animals such as antelope which are hunted by poachers for bushmeat, but others are being deliberately poached for their body parts. Facing death: The young lion was left trapped in the snare, which got tighter and tighter as he grew, for a total of three years after numerous attempts to rescue him failed . There is now a growing demand for lions claws and bones in parts of the far east for use in traditional medicines. Lions are being hunted more and more as a substitute for tigers - whose body parts have traditionally been used for the Chinese medicine market - as tigers are now so scarce in the wild. A sharp increase in the lion bone trade suggests that lion bones are being swapped for tiger bones used in far eastern medicine. Also the pelts and claws are being used too. Dr Pieter Kat, from LionAid, said: ‘There has been a huge jump recently in the value of lion bones driven by the traditional medicine market, seeing as we have so few tigers.’ Shocking: William Mwakilema, chief park warden at the Mikumi National Park, said that the snare would have caused the lion a 'slow agonising death' if he hadn't been freed . In the 1990’s, 1kg of lion bones were worth just $10, but now that has massively increased to $300 in 2010. The increase in value is reflected in the figures that show the number of lions left in the wild is on a serious decline. There was an estimated 200,000 lions in Africa in the 1960’s. This has dropped to just 23,000- 25,000. Earlier this year, two lions were found dead in Northern Tanzania, with just their claws removed. After the snared lion was spotted and photographed in May, the Daily Mail highlighted his plight. It sparked worldwide concern via the internet, social networking sites and international press. Mr Mwakilema, who has been the Chief Warden since January this year, decided to launch the biggest rescue mission for the lion so far. He mobilised the majority of the 77 park rangers, who carried out an extensive search of the vast area, stretching over 3,200 square kilometres. Mikumi national park is adjoined to the biggest reserve in Africa, Selous Game Reserve, which is a further 50,000 square kilometres - bigger than the entire land area of Denmark. The lions can move freely between the two areas. Safari tourists were also asked to report any sighting of lion and look out for the signs of any neck injuries and to report it straight back to the park authorities. The lion was finally found at the end of August when rangers spotted it among its pride. A vet with a tranquilising rifle was called to the scene. Mr Mwakilema added: ‘This was an extremely dangerous procedure as the other five members of the pride attempted to protect the tranquilised lion. ‘The amount of tranquiliser used was crucial as too little and the lion wouldn’t be subdued - with the ability to kill a man with one swipe of his paw. Too much could prove fatal. ‘The vet eventually managed to tranquilise him and the rangers drove off the remainder of the pride using their patrol land cruisers. ‘The skin had healed over the snare leaving only some of the wire visible and it required a skilled use of bolt cutters to sever the thick electrical wire cable which was embedded into the flesh.’ Success: After seven failed attempts, rangers managed to sedate the lion and remove the snare from around its neck in August this year. They put a purple antiseptic on the lion's shocking wounds . Delicate operation: The rangers had to be sure to get the amount of sedative given to the lion right as too little and it could have killed one of them with a swipe of its paw, whereas too much would have killed the lion . After releasing the snare a purple antiseptic was applied to the remaining wound and a drug to reverse the transquiliser was given to the lion. Mr Mwakilema, who studied an MSC in Tourism Development at Surrey University, added: ‘This was a massive rescue attempt - bigger than anything ever attempted before. ‘The terrain varies from open plains to dense forests and mountain areas, so it was a difficult area to search. ‘During certain times of years, the grass can be taller than a man, and this was the circumstances when the photographer first took the picture in May. A lion can disappear in this grass, be sitting five feet away from you and can’t be spotted, due to their excellent camouflage.’ ‘Despite all these difficulties we persevered and thankfully managed to free it.’ This November, photographer Gary Roberts who took the original photograph, returned to Mikumi National Park and spent six days photographing lions within the area. On the last night after following a pride he was astonished to see the rescued lion coming out of the darkness. Wounds: Rangers put a purple antiseptic on the lion's wounds in a bid to prevent infection and to help the animal to heal. The lion's skin had grown around the snare . Asleep: The animal pictured lying sedated in the Tanzanian bush. He was eventually revived by rangers who gave him an antidote to reverse the effects of the sedative drug . He was positively identified by park authorities later by matching scar patterns on his face and shoulders. Already the lion had put on weight and was starting finally to grow the mane around his neck and shoulders. Gary Roberts said: ‘He did not emerge to join the pride until well after dark and we were packing up ready to leave for the day. ‘He approached his brothers within the pride and settled down to rest with them. It was a great sight - an end to a harrowing story - and shows that with the cooperation of authorities and the help from the public something can be done to stem the relentless threat of poaching to wildlife worldwide.’ Tanzanian National Park Authorities have anti poaching patrols, but with over 30 per cent of Tanzania’s land set aside for conservation purposes, the area is a large area to police. There are projects such as the SANA Project in Tanzania, set up by the Saadani Safari Lodge, to allow poorer communities to develop whilst protecting the national park areas. It is hoped that projects such as these will help protect and preserve the wildlife for the future. Now: The rescued lion has recently been spotted in the park at night after six days of searching. The wound has started to heal and a mane was growing over his back and shoulders . | Lion first spotted with the snare caught around its neck in Mikumi National park in Tanzania in 2009 .
The snare was slowly garroting him to death as he grew in size .
Varying .
terrain meant that several attempts to tranquilise the male lion failed .
But he was kept alive by his pride of lions who brought him food .
Rangers at Mikumi National Park finally managed to free the lion in August .
The lion was recently snapped in the wild on the road to recovery . |
176,121 | 700051f6c0fa7e1b86f9518903370fd21fe7dee9 | By . Helen Pow and Beth Stebner . PUBLISHED: . 09:25 EST, 20 February 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 11:17 EST, 20 February 2013 . Victim: Kaufman County assistant district attorney Mark Hasse, pictured, was murdered last month . The investigation into the murder of a Dallas assistant district attorney last month continues as investigators look to an Aryan Brotherhood for clues in the prosecutor’s death. Mark Hasse, who was an ADA in Kaufman County, was shot dead in the courthouse parking lot in January; authorities believe the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas to be behind the murder. Now, state officials have set up a makeshift command center in an old armory to better investigate the white supremacist group’s role in Hasse’s killing. The Dallas Morning News reports that while officials have been working round the clock to charge a people or persons with Hasse’s murder, they do not have any hot leads. No arrests have been made in the case, and Hasse’s autopsy report has not yet been released. However, a member of the U.S. Marshals Service out of San Antonio recently wrote in an email that the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas could be responsible for the ADA’s death. According to NBC DFW, the command center at the armory helps officials at the local, state, and federal level achieve better communication. And, since it is not open to the public, there are fewer risks of leaks that could compromise the investigation. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO . Crime scene: Law enforcement officers investigate the scene of a shooting in downtown Kaufman, Texas . Suspects: Authorities said they were searching for two suspects in the shooting; according to reports, they are believed to be members of the Texas Aryan Brotherhood . Kaufman County District Attorney Mike . McLelland told the station that his staff members are still deeply . troubled by Hasse’s murder, and are forced to walk through the parking . lot where he was murdered to get to the courthouse. ‘You see a shadow at your door, and it kind of looks like him. That happens several times a day,’ he told NBC DFW. Brotherhood member: James Marshall Meldrum is one of the alleged white supremecists involved in the trial Kaufman was prosecuting . The DA told the Morning News that he was not aware that Hasse had any involvement in Aryan Brotherhood Cases. The Aryan Brotherhood of Texas is a white supremacist prison gang formed in the 1960s. The reward for any information regarding his slaying has climbed to $71,000. The apparent assassination took place . at around 8:50 a.m on January 31 in a parking lot near the courthouse . where Hasse worked as a felony prosecutor who headed murder and drug . cases. Kaufman County Sheriff David Byrnes said he had never seen such a case in his four decade career. 'I've . been doing this 43 years and I have never experienced anything like . this before,' he told reporters at a Thursday afternoon news conference. Hasse was rushed to hospital where he died of his injuries. He was unmarried and had no children. Witnesses . told police they saw two suspects flee the scene in an older, silver . Ford Taurus. However, the number of suspects had not been verified. Kaufman Chief of Police Chris . Aulbaugh said the shooting appeared to be targeted at Hasse for a number . of reasons. 'The fact it was not an ongoing rampage, it was one . individual being shot and then (the gunmen) leaving the scene,' he said. 'It was a very small, very short confrontation.' Loss: A flower bouquet hangs from a fence near where the ADA was shot in cold blood, seen on February 5 . Standing watch: Two members of the Texas Sheriff Honor Guard keep watch at the courthouse in Kaufman, Texas, in memory of Assistant District Attorney Mark Hasse . The . suspects were of unknown race but were reportedly wearing all black, . with one or both of them wearing a tactical-type vest. Some reports . claim they were wearing masks. A widespread manhunt is underway for . the culprits with the help of police and sheriff's . departments from across the county. 'Every police department in the county is involved,' county spokesman Pat Laney said. Shortly after the prosecutor was shot and killed, the Department of Justice put out a statement crediting the Kaufman County District Attorney's Office with helping in the investigation of two known members of the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas gang. The gang members pleaded guilty last month to racketeering charges, after Hasse's shooting. The release states that Ben Christian . Dillon, known as 'Tuff', of Houston, and James Marshall Meldrum, aka 'Dirty' both 'agreed to commit multiple acts of murder, robbery, arson, . kidnapping and narcotics tracking' for the Aryan Brotherhood. Tragic: Mark Hasse, pictured in older footage, was unmarried and had no children but gave everything to his job . Tonya . Radcliffe, a board member on the Kaufman County Appraisal District . whose office is adjacent to the scene of the shooting, told NBC that a staff member heard the gunshots and called police. Radcliffe said she and her staff of . about 25 were in the building and under lockdown along with seven Kaufman . Independent School District campuses. Lawyer . James Lee Bright, who arrived at the Kaufman courthouse just as . officers flooded the scene, told the Dallas News that the veteran . prosecutor had worked on numerous cases over his career that could be . connected. Closed: The Kaufman County Courthouse, pictured, was closed after Hasse's shooting . 'When you hear a DA at 8:40 in the morning is gunned down by two people, I think there's a reasonable presumption that it's not random,' he said. Defense lawyer Eric Smenner told the Dallas News that he immediately feared Hasse had been targeted. 'I felt it very certainly had to be work-related,' he said. Smenner added that Hasse parked in the same area of the courtroom parking lot each day. 'So if somebody was out to get him all they'd have to do is watch him a little bit,' he told the Dallas News. According to CBS, Mark Hasse graduated from Southern Methodist University in 1981 and had been licensed to practice law since 1982. The 57-year-old had been a Kaufman County District Attorney since July of 2010. He was chief of the Dallas County district attorney’s organized-crime section from 1985 until 1988. Crime scene: Evidence markers line Grove Street as police investigate the slaying . Sad day: David Byrnes, Sheriff of Kaufman County, right, bows his head . as Mike McLelland, District Attorney of Kaufman County answers questions . at a news conference at the Kaufman Law Enforcement Center in January . Steinke said: 'Mark was really a great guy, . he was the consummate prosecutor, he was hard-working, loved his job, . and juries loved him for some reason. He wasn't very large in stature, . but juries loved him and he exuded confidence.' Hasse had recently bought a house in Kaufman County and was in the process of renovating it, McLelland said. 'It's a scary deal,' Dallas attorney Ted Steinke told WFAA.com regarding the role of a prosecutor. 'Every prosecutor every once in a while gets a death threat, and we take . them seriously, but this is the first time in 20 years that I can . remember here in North Texas a prosecutor actually being assaulted.' Anyone with information can call Kaufman police at 972-932-3094 or submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at 1-877-847-7522. View more videos at: http://nbcdfw.com. View more videos at: http://nbcdfw.com. | Kaufman County, Texas, assistant district attorney Mark Hasse was ambushed by at least one gunman last month .
While Hasse had no open cases involving the Aryan Brotherhood, authorities looking into white supremacist group as culprits .
Shooting happen on the same day as two gang members pleaded guilty to racketeering charges . |
44,956 | 7eae41fe2482bec28e65b43b4974b7704d55d7e8 | The sights of Paris are among the most familiar on the planet, but now tourists have a "new" way to see them -- by helium-filled airship. Airship Paris's zeppelin -- 75 meters long, five stories high and as wide as a four-lane motorway -- made its inaugural commercial flight over a region of villages and woodland northwest of Paris on Sunday. On clear days, the company says, the Eiffel Tower would be visible in the distance. The Chateau de Versailles and Seine River are other sights to be seen on the airship's itineraries. The German-made craft, the first commercial dirigible to fly over the Paris region in 30 years, according to Airship Paris, may have similar dimensions to an A380 superjumbo jet, but it's a little slower at maximum speed: 90 kilometers an hour, at a 900-meter altitude. Tickets on the dirigible will be somewhat more expensive than other Paris tours, such as a seat on an open-top tour bus: prices start at just more than €200 ($265) for a half-hour flight. Non-flammable fuel . The shadow of the Hindenburg disaster still hangs over airships, even though the hydrogen-fueled craft -- caught forever on spectacular newsreel footage -- exploded over a New Jersey airfield more than 75 years ago, in 1937. Airship Paris is quick to emphasize the safety of its new zeppelin. "This is probably the most safe aircraft [flying] because the gas inside is helium [which is] completely non-flammable," airship pilot Catherine Board, who is half-British and half-Belgian, told the Telegraph. "If the engines fail, unlike an aircraft, which has to come down, [the airship] can float ... until we find a safe place to land." Airship Paris hoped its zeppelin would become a familiar sight in the skies above France, not only for carrying downward-peering tourists, but for transporting cargo or for scientific missions. However, one barrier to realizing those plans is simply the lack of existing infrastructure on the ground to cope with such a large aircraft. | Airship takes to skies around Paris for first time in 30 years .
Latest zeppelin is size of jumbo jet -- but a lot lighter and slower .
Tickets a little more expensive than most Paris tours ... make that a lot .
Non-flammable gas makes craft "safest way to fly" |
227,280 | b24ad4d0781222f663ddbd0d45fb0597b9a4fb13 | Drugs death: Daniel Spargo-Mabbs, 16, of Croydon, south London, died on Monday afternoon after allegedly taking ecstasy at an illegal rave in Hayes . The grieving mother of a teenage ecstasy victim told yesterday of the heartbreaking final promise he made to her. Daniel Spargo-Mabbs told his devoted Christian parents he was going to a party after school and assured his anxious mother as he left: ‘I love you, Mum. I promise I won’t die.’ They were the last words he ever said to her. The next time his parents saw him he was in intensive care after taking ecstasy for the first time at an illegal rave. The 16-year-old had suffered a massive heart attack and died two days later. Today police said two men, Nicqueel Pitrora, 18, of Croydon, and Ryan Kirk, 20, of Beckenham, have been charged with supplying Class A drugs. The charges came as the schoolboy’s devastated parents spoke of their grief at his death from the class A drug which claims 31 lives a year. His Oxford-educated mother Fiona, 46, who works as a manager in adult education at Croydon Council, said Daniel had never taken drugs before and had been lectured by his parents and school about the scourge of ecstasy. On Friday night the bright student, who attended Archbishop Tenison’s Church of England School in Croydon, which is known for its high academic standards, persuaded his mother to let him go to a party in Clapham, south London, saying: ‘Come on, Mum, I hardly ever go to parties and I am sensible and responsible.’ But instead of the party he went to an illegal rave on an industrial estate in Hayes, west London. Final words: The schoolboy, pictured left, told his mother, pictured right, 'I love you, I promise I won't die' as he left home on Friday night - just hours before he was taken to hospital suffering from a drugs overdose . In a warehouse, owned . by a commercial cleaning firm and said to be packed with 3,000 . revellers, his parents believe he experimented with ecstasy for the . first time. Shortly . afterwards the youngster collapsed and was taken to hospital. His . reaction to the drug sent his temperature rocketing to 42C (107.6F), . causing a massive heart attack. Mrs Spargo-Mabbs recalled yesterday how she had kissed her son goodbye for the last time hours before he took the substance. ‘A . few years ago I heard a talk by murder victim Jimmy Mizen’s mum and she . said that something that comforted her was that she had told Jimmy she . loved him and had given him a hug and a kiss before he had left the . house,’ she said. Aid: Daniel was taken to hospital on Saturday believed to be suffering from the effects of a drugs overdose . ‘After that I always did the same . with my boys and it became an in-joke. Danny always used to say “I love . you too, Mum. I promise I won’t die.” ‘And that’s exactly what he said when he went out on Friday. He didn’t keep that promise.’ Speaking . at the family’s home in Croydon, south London, which she shares with . her husband Tim, 50, and son Jacob, 18, she added: ‘I woke up early on . Saturday morning and when I saw he wasn’t back I started to worry. ‘Then at about 5.30am there was a knock on the door. It was the police. It was completely my worst nightmare coming true.’ The . family rushed to Hillingdon Hospital where Daniel was in intensive . care. He was transferred to a specialist liver unit at King’s College . Hospital for emergency surgery but he died on Monday. Place of education: Daniel was a pupil at Archbishop Tenison's Church of England High School in Croydon . Yesterday . Mrs Spargo-Mabbs said her son, who was studying for his AS levels . having achieved a number of A* and A grades in GCSE exams last year, had . ambitions to join the Army or become an English teacher. 'We grieve together': Daniel was praised by his headteacher as a 'bright, articulate and talented' boy . The keen sportsman and musician was described as ‘hugely popular’ with his peers. A . committed Christian, Daniel ran errands for pensioners as part of his . local paper round and helped to run a children’s group at Emmanuel . Church in Croydon, where his father sometimes leads services. The schoolboy, who had a long-term girlfriend, was due to start the Alpha course, an evangelical teaching scheme, this week. Although . he had ‘an adventurous spirit’, Mrs Spargo-Mabbs insisted: ‘Daniel had . never taken drugs before. It is not the kind of thing he did. ‘I want people to know that’s not who he is. He knew all the risks because I told him and the school told him. ‘He was one in the however [many] millions – whatever the statistic is – that was unlucky. ‘And . he knew the risks because he quoted those statistics at me a few months . ago … If he said he had been going to a rave I wouldn’t have let him . go. 'That’s why he told me a fib. But what 16-year-old hasn’t told a fib . to their mum?’ She added: ‘My boys are the loveliest boys in the whole world. I just don’t know how I am going to go on. ‘Daniel . was so full of life and I don’t understand how he can be gone.’ Her . heartbroken husband Tim, a learning disability charity worker, said the . youngster was ‘a lovely mercurial kid’, adding: ‘He wasn’t only my son, . he was my friend too. Deaths involving ecstasy have increased almost four-fold in recent years. In 2012 there were 31 deaths linked to the class A drug, up from eight in 2010. There was also a large increase in the number of death certificates mentioning PMA or PMMA, strong psychedelic stimulants usually found in ecstasy pills. The substances, which can cause severe overheating of the body, were linked to only one death in 2011, but in 2012 they were involved in 20 fatalities. Campaigners believe many people may be ingesting PMA or PMMA in the belief they are taking ecstasy tablets. According to government estimates, around 2.8million Britons have tried ecstasy at least once and 179,000 people take it at least once a month. It is usually sold as tablets but the powder form, MDMA, has become more common. ‘This . was the first time he’d taken anything and if it could happen to him it . could happen to anyone.’ Yesterday Daniel’s tearful grandmother, . Sheila, said she hoped the people who gave him the drugs would be . punished. ‘It was the first . time Daniel had ever been to something like this, and I would guess the . first time he’d ever taken anything like that,’ she said. ‘Daniel was with friends but not his usual friends, as I understand it. I suppose he just wanted to be one of the boys. ‘He . was hardworking at school and very sensible, which is why I’m so . shocked at what’s happened. 'He’s the last person I’d expect this to . happen to, he wasn’t in with a bad sort of crowd. ‘I just hope they string up whoever it is that gave the drugs to him.’ Yesterday, . the youngster’s headmaster, Richard Parrish, wrote a letter to parents, . saying: ‘Our heart goes out to Daniel’s family, to his parents, to his . brother Jacob and to his closest friends. ‘To . them we want to say the same as we are saying to ourselves: that what . has happened to Daniel is not normal. 'It is not normal that a bright, . articulate, talented 16/17-year-old should be taken from us in this . way.’ Last night the . Reverend Bridget Shepherd, of Emmanuel Church, held prayers for the . schoolboy and said the community was ‘deeply saddened’ by his death. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article. | Daniel Spargo-Mabbs, sixth-form student in Croydon, died on Monday .
He had taken Class A drug at rave in West London early on Saturday .
Police arrived and he was taken to hospital suffering from overdose .
School headteacher says he was 'bright, articulate and talented' boy .
Nicqueel Pitrora, 18, and Ryan Kirk, 20, charged with supplying drugs . |
65,219 | b9303ed08c4d5624dbb76d004521256d3d1b4122 | David James' memorabilia, including more than 150 shirts, along with a host of household items, have sold for thousands of pounds in an online auction which closed on Tuesday. Top prices came for Petr Cech's goalkeeping jersey worn by the Chelsea stopper during his side's 1-0 FA Cup final win against James' Portsmouth in 2010, which went for £3,831. The big ticket item was a collection of more than 1,800 vinyl records, which was the last lot to go after 6pm with a final bid of £5,632. Memorabilia from the career of former Premier League goalkeeper David James, here winning the FA Cup with Portsmouth in 2008, were sold in an online auction on behalf of the trustees of his bankruptcy estate . Petr Cech's 2010 FA Cup winning jersey, swapped with James, was sold for £3,831 on Tuesday afternoon . Cech, wearing the yellow top, in action during the 2010 FA Cup final victory over Portsmouth . James sold this England goalkeeper shirt, worn in the 2010 World Cup, for £731 . James' Portsmouth jersey from the 2007-08 season sold for £333 after 25 bids . The belongings of the former England goalkeeper, who declared bankruptcy in May, were put on the market by court-appointed trustees to raise funds for creditors of James' estate, the largest of which is HM Revenue and Customs. 1,800-plus vinyl records £5,632 . Petr Cech 2010 FA Cup final shirt - £3,831 . 2010 World Cup England shirt worn against Germany - £1,155 . Vauxhall Astra £1,050 . 2010 World Cup England shirt worn against Algeria - £945 . Technics Model SL-1200 Turntable SL-1200 Limited - £751 . Jubilee Plastic Half-Mug by Alex Garnet - £720 . 2002 World Cup England shirt worn against Argentina - £672 . Raleigh Model Chopper Mk3 (Unused) Bicycle - £614 . 2010 FA Cup final Portsmouth shirt - £480 . 2006 World Cup bib - £450 . Kent-based auction house Hilco Global was selling James' items online on behalf of Mick Sanders, senior partner of the firm MHA MacIntyre Hudson, who was appointed trustee in bankruptcy in June. The bright yellow shirt swapped with Cech went at auction for a final bid of £3,831. A number of other England goalkeeper jerseys were sold, including one worn during the 2010 World Cup clash against Slovenia which went for £731 after 16 bids. As well as international memorabilia, James' items for sale include shirts from his numerous previous clubs including Liverpool, Bristol City and Portsmouth - with the latter's 2007-08 season 110-year anniversary top selling for £333 after 25 bids. James has built up crippling debts after breaking up with his wife Tanya in 2005 and is said to have blown his £20million fortune which came from his football wages, endorsements and modelling contracts for companies such as Armani. 1,800 vinyl records were the biggest seller at the auction going for £5,632 . A 1998-1999 multicoloured Port Vale FC goalkeeper shirt recieved 11 bids and was sold for £137 - (left) and a signed Frank Lampard shirt was also up for grabs . The 44-year-old played in the Premier League for teams such as Liverpool, Manchester City and Portsmouth and has recently came out of retirement to become a player-manager at Indian Super League side Kerala Blasters. The former England keeper has written a regular column for The Observer and has always donated his fee to charity. He also owned a house in Dubai at the time of a credit crisis, which was part of his seven-strong property portfolio. James split up with his wife to rekindle a relationship with childhood sweetheart Amanda Salmon, and they have been together for nearly a decade. He was forced to pay Tanya £3m as part of the divorce settlement. His PR team have refused to comment about the bankruptcy. James' pink goalkeeper strip he had previously worn against Chelsea in the 2010 FA Cup final was sold and the yellow England jersey he wore against Algeria at the 2010 World Cup went for £1,155 at auction . He is also selling a Technics SL-1200 Turntable - this series of music player is no longer manufactured . A petrol driven chainsaw was also up for grabs as James auctions off many of his possessions . A signed Frank Lampard shirt, a bright pink Portsmouth goalkeeper top, a Malawi shirt and an NFL jersey were among the 150 items. A Holland jersey James swapped with Edwin van der Sar and a Michael Owen No 10 kit with 'best wishes' penned across it were also up for grabs. A 1998-1999 multi-coloured Port Vale goalkeeper shirt - which he would have swapped with former Manchester United trainee Kevin Pilkington - was also available to buy. Not just limited to football memorabilia - including a large number of pre-worn shorts and signed balls - DJ equipment including a Technics turntable (which is no longer manufactured), three bicycles, a Diamond Jubilee plastic half-mug piece and a chainsaw were also sold. General sale details . Sale dates: November 6-18, 2014 . Preview Date: Monday, November 17, 2014 . Viewings strictly by appointment only. For more details click here . The auction page with the 'unique memorabilia' describes James as one of England's most iconic keepers . Hilco sold a V-reg purple three-door Vauxhall Astra as part of the auction for £1,050 . This unused Raleigh Chopper Mk3 was among three bicycles listed for auction . The 44-year-old's bankruptcy estate included a 2005 Diamond Jubilee plastic half-mug piece by Alex Garnet . Those wishing to get fit could have got their hands on an exercise bike in the auction . Age: 44 . Current club: Kerala Blasters (player/manager) England caps: 53 (1997-2010) Professional club appearances: 947 . Former clubs: Watford, Liverpool, Aston Villa, West Ham, Manchester City, Portsmouth, Bristol City, Bournemouth, IBV (Iceland) Honours: League Cup (1995), FA Cup (2008) James is still listed as part of BT Sport's media team - despite signing up for the 10-week long Indian Super League along with fellow former Premier League stars such as Robert Pires, Freddie Ljungberg and Nicolas Anelka. James, who made 53 appearances for England between 1997 and 2010, won two major honours during his spell in England - the 1995 League Cup with Liverpool and the 2008 FA Cup with Portsmouth before moving to Iceland to join IBV. Former team-mate Stan Collymore, who played with James at Liverpool, said the goalkeeper had a tendency to throw away his money as if he'd be earning it for ever. Collymore said in his 2004 autobiography: 'If he had a new car and he pranged it, he would just go and buy a new car. 'If he bought a new pair of shoes and he scuffed them, he wouldn't clean them. He would just chuck them in the spare room and buy a new pair. 'Too much disposable income, I suppose. Too easy just to bin stuff. Too easy to spend money like you're going to be earning that kind of money for the rest of your life.' One item not included in the auction is the infamous white - or cream, depending on who you ask - suit worn by James and his Liverpool team-mates on the Wembley pitch before the 1996 FA Cup final. They came to sum up Liverpool's 'Spice Boys' and James lamented that the suits became more memorable than the match itself, which was won 1-0 by opponents Manchester United. The Armani suits were the goalkeeper's choice as he was modelling with the firm at the time. His former Liverpool team-mate Robbie Fowler told the Independent in 2008: 'It was David James's idea. 'At the time, he was an Armani model. If we had won, nobody would have mentioned it. But we lost and it has become infamous. People remind me about them all the time.' We can only wonder what the suit might fetch were it included in the auction. James and Phil Babb (right) on the pitch wearing the infamous 'white' Armani suits in 1996 . Like MailOnline Sport's Facebook page. James saves a penalty from Aston Villa's Dion Dublin in 1998; he soon moved to Villa Park . James made 53 appearances for England, including in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa . James played 134 league games for Portsmouth between 2006-2010, winning the FA Cup in 2008 . James saves from Arsenal's Thierry Henry during his three years at West Ham between 2001 and 2004 . | Former Premier League keeper David James declared bankrupt in May .
James earned £20million during his time as a professional footballer .
He lost £3m when divorcing his then wife Tanya in 2005 .
James auctioned shirts worn by Frank Lampard, Petr Cech, Michael Owen, Edwin van der Sar and himself, along with other sports memorabilia .
Cech's 2010 FA Cup final-winning shirt sold at auction for £3,831 .
The final bid on a Vauxhall Astra van was £1,050 .
The last lot to be sold was more than 1,800 vinyl records for £5,632 . |
47,414 | 85a8a0ae345fd33be483aeb872f65d6d8f06a559 | By . Associated Press Reporter . Prosecutors say they won't use any photos of a 17-year-old's genitals in their effort to prove a sexting case against the teen. The teen had previously been subject to a search warrant demanding photos of his erect penis. The Washington Post reports that prosecutors moved ahead with plans to prosecute the teen during a closed hearing Tuesday in juvenile court. The teen's attorney, Jessica Harbeson Foster, says prosecutors told the judge that the photos were not necessary. 'It's an outrageous case,' Foster told AFP. Virginia police have said they will not proceed with controversial efforts to take explicit photos of a 17-year-old to prove a sexting case against him (file picture) The teen left the state to evade a search warrant demanding photos of his erect penis. Authorities were trying to prove he sent similar pictures to his then-15-year-old girlfriend. Facing severe criticism, police said last week they would no longer seek those photos. And at Tuesday's hearing, prosecutors said they would not use other photos of his genitals that had already been taken. Prosecutors in Prince William County earlier told a judge they needed photos of the 17-year-old's erect penis. Foster said she is unaware of any cases where police have pursued similar photographs, particularly of a minor. 'This is crazy,' she said. 'Nobody's even heard of something like this. ... The charges are excessive, and the means by which they are seeking evidence are outrageous.' The teen's appointed guardian ad litem, Carlos Flores Laboy, said his understanding is that police planned to do some sort of computer analysis of the photos to try and prove a similarity to the explicit photo found on the girl's phone. He said the search warrant vividly demonstrates the importance of defending individuals' constitutional rights against invasions of privacy. 'Doing this to an adult would be traumatic. We're talking about a 17-year-old child. Doing it to a 17-year-old would be even worse,' he said. A guardian ad litem is an attorney appointed to serve as an advocate in certain juvenile cases. The lawyers said police told them they planned to obtain the photo by taking the teen to a hospital and injecting him with a chemical that would cause an erection . The lawyers said police told them they planned to obtain the photo by taking the teen to a hospital and injecting him with a chemical that would cause an erection. The Associated Press isn't naming the teen or his aunt in accordance with a policy of not identifying juvenile suspects. Police have been pursuing the case since January, the aunt said, when the girlfriend's mom discovered the explicit content. She said prosecutors insisted on getting the photographs after her nephew turned down a plea deal that would have required a year of probation in which he would be forbidden from using a cellphone or the Internet. She was concerned that a slipup on probation — even a single use of a social media account like Facebook or Twitter — would leave him exposed to a felony record and a requirement to register as a sex offender. She said her nephew has received a lot of support since the case was first reported last week on WRC-TV, the NBC affiliate in Washington. Police and prosecutors did not return calls Wednesday afternoon seeking comment. The Manassas City Police later posted a statement on its website saying that it is not their policy 'to authorize invasive search procedures of suspects in cases of this nature and no such procedures have been conducted in this case.' The statement added that police were contacted by the mother of the 15-year-old girl 'who was sent pornographic videos' by the 17-year-old 'after repeatedly being told to stop.' | Prosecutors said in a Tuesday hearing they won't use any photos of a 17-year-old's genitals in their effort to prove a sexting case against him .
The boy's lawyer, Jessica Harbeson Foster, has called it 'an outrageous case'
The teen left the state to evade a search .
warrant demanding photos of his erect penis .
The lawyers said police told them they .
planned to obtain the photo by taking the teen to a hospital and .
injecting him with a chemical that would cause an erection .
Authorities were trying to .
prove he sent similar pictures to his then-15-year-old girlfriend .
Police said they were contacted by the mother of .
the girl 'who was sent pornographic videos' by the .
17-year-old 'after repeatedly being told to stop'
Police said last week they would no longer seek those photos . |
85,466 | f267f18d35e24042f3b0e30009fe2a2caf71c68e | A former leader in the Church of Scientology - who has since left the controversial church - claims that current leaders setup high-tech surveillance cameras to spy on him and his wife in their rural Texas home, according to a lawsuit the former leader's wife has filed in a Texas district court. Monique Rathbun, the wife of former Scientology leader Marty Rathbun, claims church members - at the apparent directive of church leader David Miscavige - rented property near a home where the couple lives in order to spy on them. According to the suit, filed in Comal County, Texas, church members 'harassed, insulted, surveilled, photographed, videotaped, defamed and humiliated' the couple. Scroll down for video . Former Scientology leader Marty Rathbun and his wife, Monique, claim the church has been spying on them . The Leader: The Rathbuns hope they will be able to depose Scientology leader David Miscavige in person . One group of scientologists, known as 'squirrel busters,' were seen wearing t-shirts with Rathbun's face on them as they filmed the couple near their Texas home. 'The intent was to make our life a living hell and drive us out of our . hometown, which succeeded. We moved to hill country, property surrounded . by woods. They tracked down the owner of a 5-acre undeveloped property . behind us and leased it and put what appeared to be camouflaged game . cameras,' Marty Rathbun told Page Six. 'But upon inspection they turned out to be high-tech human . surveillance cameras — the same cameras used by the DEA and patrol on . the Mexican border and now by drug dealers to counteract the DEA. They . were camouflaged in cameras that appeared to be to alert hunters to the . movement of deer.' Controversy: Scientology is one of the more controversial religions in the world today, with many describing it as a 'cult' Until 2004, Marty Rathbun was the 'inspector general' of Scientology's Religious Technology Center. But he and Miscavige had an apparent falling out, and he left the church. His wife was never a member. The couple now hopes to depose the church's leader, David Miscavige, which Scientology critic Tony Ortega says is likely going to happen. On his blog, Underground Bunker, Ortega writes that Texas Judge Dib Waldrip 'has ordered the deposition of Miscavige with no restrictions.' The church, Ortega writes, asked that Miscavige give his deposition in writing, a request Judge Waldrip evidently denied. Celebs: Scientology has dozens of famous members, including Tom Cruise and Jon Travolta . 'The main thing is we get the time to do discovery,' the Rathbun's attorney, Ray Jeffrey, told Ortega. 'David Miscvaige is still in this lawsuit, and has to give his deposition.' Ortega says that 'Miscavige . had argued that he had nothing to do with the harassment campaign that . Monique alleges made her life miserable over the past four years. And . although one church entity, the Church of Scientology International, has . admitted to running that campaign, Miscavige claims that he has nothing . to do with CSI and instead only runs a different church entity, the . Religious Technology Center (RTC), and should be let out of the lawsuit. Monique argues that he runs all aspects of Scientology, and she should . have the ability to depose Miscavige before Judge Waldrip can make a . decision about Miscavige’s request to be let out of the suit.' The Church of Scientology has long been suspected of harassing its critics and leading campaigns to silence those who they feel are a threat to the religion. | Marty Rathbun and his wife claim church members have rented property near their home in order to spy on them .
The couple says the church has installed 'high-tech human .
surveillance cameras' near their property .
Rathbun used to be the inspector general of Scientology's Religious Technologies Center . |
71,216 | c9e906b804a3cedd0be8489bd0875ca2af5a0b0c | By . Anna Hodgekiss . Women who live near green open spaces tend to give birth to heavier babies, scientists say. Researchers looked at 40,000 single births in Tel Aviv, Israel, to work out what impact living within 300 metres of a major green space during pregnancy has on birth outcomes. 'Major' was defined as being 5,000 meters squared, while green spaces included parks, community gardens or even cemeteries that were partly or completely covered with grass, trees, . shrubs, or other vegetation. Women who live near large green spaces have bigger babies, research suggests. This may be because those from poorer areas have less access to large areas of outside space . 'We found that that overall, an increase of surrounding greenery near the home was associated with a significant increase of birth weight - and decreased risk for low birth weight,' said Professor Michael Friger, of Ben Gurion University Department of Public Health. 'This was the first study outside of the United States and Europe demonstrating associations between greenery and birth weight, as well as the first to report the association with low birth weight.' One reason may be because the lowest birth weight occurred in the most economically deprived areas with lack of access to green spaces. The study was published in the journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine. It comes after U.S. researchers found that trees in urban areas save over 850 lives a year by scrubbing the air clean. Although they ability to remove pollution from the atmosphere equates to an average air quality improvement of less than 1 per cent, researchers estimate this prevents 670,000 cases of serious chest, heart or circulation problems in U.S. cities alone. 'In terms of impacts on human health, trees in urban areas are substantially more important than rural trees due to their proximity to people. 'We found that in general, the greater . the tree cover, the greater the pollution removal, and the greater the . removal and population density, the greater the value of human health . benefits.' Other new research has found that trees in urban areas save over 850 lives a year by scrubbing the air clean . Michael Rains, Director of the Forest Service's Northern Research . Station said: 'With more than 80 per . cent of Americans living in urban area, this research underscores how . truly essential urban forests are to people across the nation.' The study looked at four pollutants which have established air quality standards, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter less than 2.5 microns (PM2.5) in aerodynamic diameter. The effects of air pollution on pulmonary, cardiac, vascular, and neurological systems were also taken into account. The research, which was the first national study using air pollution modelling to reveal the life saving qualities of trees, was published in the journal . Environmental Pollution. | Green spaces were defined by areas partly or completely covered with grass .
Conclusions were drawn after looking at 40,000 birth weights in Israel .
People from economically deprived areas 'have less access to green space' |
218,037 | a64c3ab79e5c89a5d43bbea136147fc1ec794d96 | By . Chris Pleasance . PUBLISHED: . 08:16 EST, 13 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 08:17 EST, 13 December 2013 . Whoever said children grow up fast has obviously never met this cute chick who has gone from a tiny yellow ball of fluff to young bird in just 26 days of life. This is a female Tawny Frogmouth who was born in St Louis Zoo's Bird House on November 2. She has been cared for by keepers during her first month, who have fed her mice and small insects because her parents lack the experience to raise her. Born at the St Louis Zoo on November 2, this Tawny Frogmouth chick was a tiny yellow ball of fluff . Her parents came to St. Louis from the Darling . Downs and Adelaide zoos in Australia as part of the Association of Zoos . and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan (SSP). An . SSP coordinates breeding and conservation of a species between AZA . accredited zoos - a joint project between U.S and Australian partners to . bring 12 new founder animals to the population in U.S. zoos. All of the birds were captive born or brought to the Australian zoos as orphaned chicks that could not be released back into the wild. It is hoped that this effort will result in a more sustainable North American population. After a few days the female bird lost her yellow feathers for tawny fur for which the species is named . Tawny frogmouths mostly live in Australian and Tasmanian forests, open woodlands and near human settlements. The bird is named for its wide frog-like mouth, which it uses to capture insects, mice and even frogs. The frogmouth is a master of disguise. It looks remarkably like a broken tree branch as it roosts in a tree during the day, before becoming active at night. After just 26 days of life the bird, born to a mating pair from Australia, is almost unrecognisable . Matt Schamberger, keeper of birds at the zoo, said: 'Our goal is to always have the parents rear their own birds, but this pair is a pair of first-time parents and often times the learning curve is pretty steep, so we try to help out the parents if we can.' | Female Tawny Frogmouth born in St Louis Zoo on November 2 .
Had to be cared for by keepers as parents lack experience .
They have fed her a diet of insects and mice which has helped her grow .
After just 26 days she is almost unrecogniseable as a young bird . |
227,058 | b203c1fb2d2397bc0ca6117c63f368b99756fa0b | (CNN) -- As Manchester City's delirious fans spilled onto the pitch to revel in their team's remarkable English title win on Sunday, the celebrations also kicked off thousands of miles away in Abu Dhabi. In one cafe in the United Arab Emirates capital, some fans stood and danced, one even leaped onto a table, while others simply smiled contentedly as they puffed on their shisha pipes. City's dramatic 3-2 win over Queens Park Rangers was beamed to an estimated global audience of 4.7 billion in a powerful advert for just why Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan splashed out $320 million to buy the English Premier League club in 2008. The title was won at the Etihad Stadium. The players wore shirts emblazoned with the Etihad Airways logo -- the Abu Dhabi-based airline. The title-clinching goal was scored by record $62 million signing Sergio Aguero in the dying seconds of the game. It was, in short, the brightest indicator yet of the Middle East's growing influence within European football. "For a lot of the people here, they say that they didn't even follow the Premier League until Manchester City was bought by the Abu Dhabi group," reported CNN's Leone Lakhani in Abu Dhabi, "so you can imagine they've been extremely happy with the results the entire year. "It elevates the country's emergence as a major sporting power." Owner Sheikh Mansour, a member of the country's ruling family, wasn't at the stadium on Sunday -- he has been to only one match at the Etihad -- and hasn't yet commented on the club's first title win in 44 years. But it was Sheikh Mansour who invested more than $600 million on players like Aguero, Yaya Toure and Carlos Tevez, and helped the perennial underachievers beat neighbors Manchester United to the title on goal difference. The incredible images on Sunday delivered the message on his behalf. Etihad Airways, which carried a message of congratulations to City on its website on Monday, reportedly paid more than $600 million for stadium naming rights and shirt sponsorship over 10 years, but the benefits are huge. "When you win national and international titles, the exposure to a very, very relevant target audience for us couldn't be better," Peter Baumgartner, chief commercial officer of the airline, told CNN. While so many European countries are in financial difficulties, it isn't just Abu Dhabi taking advantage of football's global appeal. Dubai airline Emirates has a high-profile stadium and shirt sponsorship deal with Arsenal, and the Dubai-based Royal Emirates Group took over La Liga club Getafe last year. Getafe managed an 11th-place finish in Spain, seven places behind the league's other Middle Eastern-owned club, Malaga. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Nassar Al-Thani, a member of the Qatari royal family, bought out Malaga in 2010 when the modest club had never finished higher than seventh in the top flight. Veteran Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy helped the club to a fourth-place finish this season and a place in the Champions League qualifiers. Emboldened by the country's shock winning bid to host the 2022 World Cup, Qatar has since worked on spreading its influence across Europe. Qatar Sports Investment (QSI) reportedly paid $220 million over five years to put the Qatar Foundation name on Barcelona's shirt , but it is in France where the tiny natural gas-rich nation is really making its presence felt. QSI took over Paris Saint-Germain last summer, hoping not just to awake a sleeping giant of the French game but to create a new European powerhouse. "This is our strategy to bring PSG on long term to be one of the biggest in the world," club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi told CNN in March. To that end, PSG brought Brazilian Leonardo on board as sporting director, paid a French record $56 million to sign Javier Pastore and hired Carlo Ancelotti as coach. PSG might miss out on the league title -- trailing Montpellier by three points with one game remaining -- but the potentially exciting end to the season at least justifies al-Jazeera's investment in the Ligue Un domestic television rights at a reported €510 million a year until 2016. Al-Jazeera also has the international rights to the league, as well as most of the UEFA Champions League rights in France from 2012, and there are even suggestions that the broadcaster could make a bid for the UK rights for the English Premier League. It is all designed to establish Qatar as a global sporting power, which the country hopes will be confirmed in 2022 when it hosts the biggest single-event sporting competition in the world. The growing appeal of Qatar's domestic league has also been highlighted in recent times, with former Spain and Real Madrid striker Raul swapping German Bundesliga side Schalke for Al-Sadd in the Qatar Stars League. For now, though, it is Abu Dhabi in the spotlight as it joins the blue half of the city of Manchester in joyous celebration. | Manchester City's title win celebrated in Abu Dhabi, home of the club's owners .
Club was brought out by member of Abu Dhabi royal family in September 2008 .
Sheikh Mansour has spent estimated $600 million on players alone since then .
Qatar and Dubai also making their presence felt in European football . |
250,872 | d0ac949245cc708ef4006d1532494184b8c264eb | U.S. soldiers are being flown to West Africa to combat Ebola following just four hours of hazmat training, it was today claimed. The serviceman at Fort Campbell and Fort Bragg are given swift instructions on how to protect themselves against the deadly virus by Army medical teams before deployment. These include how to put on, remove and decontaminate protective equipment, as well as a practical test that aims to ensure soldiers understand the procedures. It comes as the Ebola death toll has struck 4,546, bringing the total number of confirmed and suspected cases of the virus to 9,191. Scroll down for video . Brief training: U.S. soldiers are being flown to West Africa to combat Ebola following just four hours of hazmat training, it was today claimed. Above, U/S/ Marines arrive at Roberts International Airport in Liberia . Instructions: The serviceman are given brief instructions on how to protect themselves against the deadly virus by Army medical teams before deployment. Above, soldiers at a hospital construction site in Liberia . During the four-hour hazmat training, a team of two can train as many as 50 soldiers, the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) told The Daily Beast. 'All training is tiered to the level of risk each person may encounter,' said Caree Vander Linden, spokesman for USAMRIID, which is based out of Fort Detrick. So far, there are 547 U.S. troops in West Africa, serving in Senegal and Liberia, where they have reportedly been holing up in improvised quarters in hotels and local government facilities. This is while the military builds a 25-bed hospital, 'life support areas' and 17 treatment centers in Liberia, where they can train local professionals to care for and conduct tests on potential victims. Safety measures: The soldiers are also not permitted to shake hands, must frequently wash their hands with a chlorine solution and are required to have their temperatures measured (pictured) several times a day . Outbreak: It comes as the Ebola death toll has struck 4,546, bringing the total number of confirmed and suspected cases of the virus to 9,191. Above, a health worker carries a baby to an Ebola holding center . In protective gear: Symptoms of the deadly virus include a high fever, vomiting and joint and muscle aches . According to USA Today, the four-hour training process can be daunting for soldiers, with some being told that Ebola 'basically causes your body to eat itself from the inside out'. Others have reportedly been warned that the disease is 'worse' that what they might have encountered in Afghanistan, while several have been told the virus is 'catastrophic... with a high fatality rate'. 'I’ll be honest with you,' one soldier told the newspaper. 'I’m kind of scared.' Despite the trainers' apparent shock tactics, the Army maintains that the risk of soldiers contracting the virus is minimal because it is not airborne and they will not have contact with sick patients. Mission : So far, there are 547 U.S. troops in West Africa, serving in Senegal and Liberia (pictured), where they have reportedly been holing up in improvised quarters in hotels and local government facilities . Military base: The serviceman at Fort Bragg (pictured) are trained for just four hours before deployment . 'It's been shown that this disease is most manifest when handling bodily fluid—blood, other sorts of fluids, said Major General Darryl Williams, who leads America’s operations center in Liberia. 'There is no plan right now for U.S. soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines to do that'. The servicemen are also not permitted to shake hands, must frequently wash their hands with a chlorine solution and are required to have their temperatures measured several times a day. However, some are working with Liberian Army members on a daily basis, and their current living quarters - particularly those in hotels - means they are surrounded by foreign nationals. Soldier: 'It's been shown [Ebola] is most manifest when handling bodily fluid—blood, other sorts of fluids, said Major General Darryl Williams (pictured), who leads America’s operations center in Liberia . Troops: Some U.S. soldiers are working with Liberian Army members on a daily basis, and their current living quarters means they are surrounded by foreign nationals. Above, Maj Gen Williams speaks to troops . Military spokesmen said they were relying on CDC guidelines to protect soldiers against Ebola. But these guidelines have been called into question after victim Thomas Eric Duncan was misdiagnosed and his nurse was allowed to board a plane just a day before she was hospitalized with the virus. President Barack Obama has committed more than $1billion toward a global fund to battle Ebola in West Africa. Yesterday, it was reported that the U.S. Army is preparing to provide as many as 3,000 troops to help combat the Ebola epidemic. Victim: Military spokesmen said they were relying on CDC guidelines to protect soldiers against Ebola. But these guidelines have been called into question after Thomas Eric Duncan (pictured) was misdiagnosed . These would include more soldiers from the Navy 'Seabees' (Construction Battalions), Navy medical personnel, soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division and other airmen, according to USA Today. Since the Ebola outbreak, most cases of the virus have been recorded in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone. Symptoms of the virus include a high fever, vomiting, a headache and joint aches. These appear two to 21 days after exposure to the disease, the CDC said. | Soldiers are 'given four hours of Ebola training before they are deployed'
Includes instructions on how to put on, remove and decontaminate gear .
Also involves a practical test to ensure they understand the procedures .
Comes as Ebola death toll has hit 4,546, with most victims in West Africa .
More than 500 U.S. troops are temporarily pitched up in hotels in Liberia .
Army maintains that the risk of soldiers contracting the virus is minimal . |
221,778 | ab158a1b4d05bda8caad7e1ddecad2cb8ad5b9ad | By . James Rush . PUBLISHED: . 12:34 EST, 17 February 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 12:34 EST, 17 February 2013 . Privacy: Conservationists at London Zoo have been giving seahorses their own private 'honeymoon suite' in a bid to encourage breeding among the fish . Seahorses at London Zoo are given their own private 'honeymoon suite' in a bid to encourage breeding among the fish. Conservationists have managed to boost the numbers of the protected species at the zoo by giving courting seahorses a bit of privacy - separating them from the rest of the group when they look like they are about to mate. The zoo's work in boosting the numbers of native short and long-snouted varieties has for the last 17 years been taking place in a warehouse behind the public aquarium. But a special exhibition which opened yesterday has now made it available for all to see. Brian Zimmerman, curator of the aquariam at London Zoo, said: 'We noticed when we kept the seahorses in bigger groups, a pair would start a courtship dance, and another male - or sometimes a female - would try to muscle in and disrupt their ability to complete a courtship. 'Now we put a mixture of males and females in a larger courtship tank, then, when we observe a couple pairing off, we give them their own individual tanks. It's their honeymoon suite.' The work is being carried out as part of Project Seahorse, a worldwide breeding and conservation programme which aims to address what conservations believe to be the rapidly dwindling population of the fish. Seahorses, who mate for life, perform an elaborate flirtation dance when they choose a partner, giving very clear indications before they mate. It is when staff at the zoo see the fish carrying out such behaviour, which includes them entwining their tails, they remove them to a private breeding tank. London Zoo also uses spherical tanks with a current running through in a bid to keep more of the offspring alive. The tanks look to replicate ocean life for the young fry. When they are born they are removed straight away to allow their mother and father to start mating again. When they are a little older, the young fish themselves are moved into tanks where they can select mates. Conservation work: A special exhibition has made the zoo's work in boosting the numbers of seahorses available for all to see . | London Zoo gives seahorses own 'honeymoon suite' to encourage breeding .
Work is to be revealed as part of special exhibition at the zoo .
Conservationists believe the population of the species is dwindling rapidly . |
241,578 | c4ad2746fdb8f67d203202feb5da58b102fba347 | Had this been the Premier League, everyone would have packed up at 0-0 with Tim Howard deservedly hailed a hero. But the American’s impassable effort had merely granted his Belgian opponents an additional 30 minutes to breach his target – and that they did, twice. Howard, though, was above criticism, and his numbers told their own story. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Obama get stuck in and start chanting during World Cup match . No way past: Tim Howard denies Everton team-mate Kevin Mirallas with his left foot late in the second half . On fire: Howard's heat map serves to highlight his involvement . Busy boy: Howard was kept very busy in comparison to Belgium keeper Thibaut Courtois . Red alert: Howard gets down well and stretches to deny Belgium as Vincent Kompany watches on . For in making 15 saves, the Everton man had set a new World Cup record since such statistics were first collected in 1966. Peru's Ramon Quiroga held the previous best with 13 against Holland in 1978. It was the best performance from an American goalkeeper since Sylvester Stallone’s exploits in the 1981 film Escape to Victory. And Howard’s display belonged on the big screen. Only there was to be no fairytale ending, Belgium emerging 2-1 victors after another pulsating affair at these finals. But it mattered not, the 35-year-old had etched his name in the history books. Seventeen of Belgium’s 39 shots had found the target, only the extra-time efforts of Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku managing to evade Howard; by this juncture, however, his rearguard had tired and the netminder was exposed. Divock Origi had been thwarted three times, Eden Hazard twice, even defender Jan Vertonghen had been denied on a couple of occasions. He had improvised to use his feet, chest and knees. Howard’s heat map serves to highlight his red-hot display. He even swept up on the edge of his penalty area – Manuel Neuer style – when called upon. Ultimately, the only thing Howard couldn't save was the day. In vain: But Howard's heroics were to no avail as Belgium emerged 2-1 victors . Leap of faith: Howard denies Marouane Fellaini who had climbed above two defenders to head on goal . VIDEO Belgium leave it late again . | Everton goalkeeper was impassable as second-round match finished goalless after 90 minutes .
But USMNT keeper Howard was helpless as extra-time goals from Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku were enough to see Belgium through to the quarter-finals .
Julian Green gave the USA hope when he made it 2-1 but the Belgians held on to set up a last-eight tie against Argentina . |
102,625 | 10434854f9818d37048555532fcfcaf509a4d567 | Beefburgers cooked rare can remain on restaurant menus after a judge rejected claims by food watchdogs that they are a health risk. A wine bar and restaurant chain had been told to stop serving the burgers unless they took certain safety precautions. The ruling by Westminster City Council, backed by the Food Standards Agency, would have set a precedent across the country. Perfect serve: London-based restaurant chain Davy¿s had been told to stop serving rare burgers but appealed against the decision . But the company – London-based Davy’s – appealed against the decision and district judge Elizabeth Roscoe backed its policy. She said: ‘There is a balance to be struck between ensuring the safety of the public and allowing them the freedom of choice that they would wish and have a right to expect.’ The decision will be welcomed by food critics, such as Charles Campion and Prue Leith, who have lambasted efforts by Britain’s food police to ensure meat is cooked through. The council wanted Davy’s beef supplier to sear and shave the outside of whole cuts of meat to remove any harmful bugs. Good vet could save it: The ban was put in place as Westminster City Council, backed by the Food Standards Agency, ruled it was not safe to serve 'rare' meat . Davy’s argued that its suppliers could be trusted to supply beef that could be safely eaten. But Westminster council’s food safety chief James Armitage warned of a health risk. He said: ‘There is an emerging trend of eating beef mince raw or rare in all sorts of premises. Most of them don’t have the appropriate controls in place. ‘This is a ticking timebomb. Somewhere, someone is going to go down with E.coli O157 and there could be a very nasty outbreak. We are not saying burgers should not be eaten rare or medium – merely that they should be prepared in a way that makes them as safe as practicably possible.’ | London restaurant allowed to serve 'rare' beef burgers again . |
147,721 | 4b03c02d0be932546925c63eac4442e3382d3bd5 | (CNN) -- Bayern Munich closed to within two points of Bundesliga leaders Hamburg and Bayer Leverkusen with a 2-1 victory at home to Bavarian rivals Nuremberg on Saturday. Belgian defender Daniel Van Buyten celebrates his winning goal for Bayern Munich. Daniel Van Buyten's 82nd-minute winner left Bayern on 13 points behind the two top teams, who are in action on Sunday, and above Hoffenheim and Mainz on goal difference. Mainz won 3-2 away to Bochum on Saturday, while Hoffenheim scored three late goals to snatch a 4-2 victory at Borussia Moenchengladbach. They moved above Schalke, who lost 2-1 to coach Felix Magath's former team, defending champions Wolfsburg, on Friday night. Bayern broke into the top three for the first time this season despite again starting with France star Franck Ribery on the substitutes' bench, where he was joined by Miroslav Klose as young striker Thomas Muller was given the chance to add to his run of four goals in two games. Nuremberg fielded a defensive line-up, but striker Mario Gomez still managed to hit the crossbar for Bayern before Ivica Olic broke the deadlock in the 55th minute. The Croatia forward scored his second goal of the season after being fed in the penalty area by Muller, who was earlier denied one-on-one by goalkeeper Raphael Schafer. The visitors shocked the 69,000-strong crowd in the 73rd minute when Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting equalized after good work by 18-year-old midfielder Ilkay Gundogan. However, Belgian defender Van Buyten followed up his midweek Champions League goal in the win over Maccabi Haifa by heading Arjen Robben's right-wing cross into the far corner to help launch the city's Oktoberfest in fine style. Hoffenheim moved into fourth place on 11 points as Senegalese striker Demba Ba scored in the first minute of injury-time to seal victory over Moenchengladbach. Brazilian midfielder Maicosuel had equalized in the 86th minute and then Nigerian forward Chinedu Obasi put the visitors ahead three minutes later. The hosts had led 2-0 after 17 minutes through Juan Arango and Roberto Colautti, but Sejad Salihovic's free-kick beat goalkeeper Logan Bailly from an impossibly tight angle four minutes later to reduce the deficit. Mainz earned victory at Bochum thanks to a second-half double from 18-year-old striker Andre Schuerle. Midfielder Mimoun Azaouagh put the home side ahead after only seven minutes and striker Diego Fernando Klimowicz doubled the lead at the end of first-half regulation time -- but Andreas Ivanschitz reduced the deficit before the whistle blew for the interval. Schuerle netted in the 52nd and 71st minutes to give Mainz a third win from six league outings. Cologne moved off the bottom of the table with their first victory, winning 2-0 at Stuttgart with a 25th-minute header from Sebastian Freis before goalkeeper Jens Lehmann's 89th-minute error let in striker Manasseh Ishiaku. In Saturday's other game, Hannover were held 1-1 at home by Borussia Dortmund as Didier Ya Konan scored three minutes after halftime for the hosts to cancel out Nuri Sahin's goal just before the break. On Sunday, Hamburg travel to Eintracht Frankfurt, Leverkusen host Werder Bremen and bottom club Hertha Berlin are at home to Freiburg. On Friday, striker Edin Dzeko scored twice to haunt his former mentor Magath as champions Wolfsburg moved onto nine points with a third win of the Bundesliga season. The Bosnian broke the deadlock in the 55th minute with a header from Sascha Riether's cross, but Benedikt Howedes leveled with a header of his own 10 minutes from time from Levan Kenia's corner. However, Dzeko relieved the pressure on coach Armin Veh a minute later to end a run of three defeats as he fired home from eight yards after being set up by substitute Makoto Hasebe. Schalke substitute Kevin Kuranyi had a late header blocked on the line by goalkeeper Andre Lenz, filling in for the suspended Diego Benaglio. | Bayern Munich close to within two points of Bundesliga's top two teams .
Daniel van Buyten heads late goal against Bavarian rivals Nuremberg in 2-1 win .
Bayern third on goal difference ahead of Hoffenheim and Mainz, who both win .
Cologne move off bottom of table with first victory, winning 2-0 at Stuttgart . |
79,204 | e07e0d708041df6076f761fb8c3cb4c0be98a4a1 | By . Peter Allen . PUBLISHED: . 08:03 EST, 10 July 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 08:08 EST, 10 July 2012 . French cows are enjoying up to two bottles of high quality wine every day as farmers attempt to produce the best beef in Europe. The extraordinary development has seen a ‘Vinbovin’ label of meat established which is already being championed by some of the best restaurants in Paris. It follows an experiment in Lunel-Viel, in the southern Herault region of France, which saw three cows fed local wine for four months. Enjoy it while you can... Bovine fed on wine were found to be 'happy' and ended up producing exceptionally succulent meat . Vinbovin: It follows an experiment in southern France which saw three cows fed local wine for four months (file picture) Jean-Charles Tastavy, who came up with the idea, said the two Angus and one Camargue were initially fed the wine in a mix of barley, hay and grapes. It soon became clear that they were ‘happy cows’ who ended up producing an exceptionally succulent meat. Outlining how he encouraged the cows to enjoy a tipple, Mr Tastavy said: ‘For each animal, alcohol intake should be equivalent to the amount recommended by health authorities for a man – namely two or three glasses of wine a day. In the case of cows, this amounts to between a litre and a litre-and-a-half a day.’ Championed in Paris: The experiment has led to a 'Vinbovin' label of meat . After a rough mix of grapes and water, the cows were allowed wine from Saint-Genies des Mourgues, a Languedoc village near Montpellier renowned for its vineyards. ‘The cattle loved what was on the menu and eat it with relish,’ said Claude Chaballier, owner of the farm where the experiment started last year. Referring to the Muscat grape, Mr Chaballier added: ‘I thought that next time we may try Muscat so as to give the meat a more musky taste.’ Laurent Pourcel, a Michelin-starred chef, is among those enthusing about the ‘luxury meat’ saying: ‘It has a very special texture – beautiful, marbled and tender, and which caramelizes during cooking. All the best Parisien restaurants will take it.’ Japanese Kobe beef, which is made with beer, is currently considered among the best in the world, but the possibility of cows enjoying vintage wine will guarantee an even more luxurious product. There is a down side, however: the introduction of wine into the feed of the Lunel-Viel cows tripled the cost of their feed, adding up to 80 pounds to the cost of a prime beef cut. | Extraordinary development has led to the creation of 'Vinbovin' label of meat .
Experiment is being championed by some of the best restaurants in Paris . |
101,443 | 0ec030a89215d5f2d4bef8a9ca16973a88434ee7 | By . Tara Brady . PUBLISHED: . 08:23 EST, 18 February 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 18:02 EST, 18 February 2013 . She has walked the catwalk runways for brands such as Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren and appeared in the pages of Vogue. But Victoria's Secret model Cameron Russell is warning girls away from a modelling career. The 25-year-old, who recently spoke at the annual TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) conference in Palm Springs, condemned the fashion's industry's obsession with beautiful, skinny white women. Scroll down for video . Warning: Victoria's Secret model Cameron Russell has criticised the fashion world and said she was the winner of a 'genetic lottery' She said: 'For the past few centuries we have defined beauty not just as health and youth that we are biologically programmed to admire. 'But also as tall, slender figures and femininity and white skin. This is a legacy that was built for me and its a legacy that I have been cashing out on.' Warning young girls about the perils of becoming a model, she said: 'It's out of your control and it's awesome but it's not a career path.' 'I am the recipient of a legacy - I've received all these benefits from a deck stacked in my favour.' The talk, which was posted online, has now been viewed more than a million times and grabbed the attention of both the fashion and political worlds. In a follow-up interview on CNN she said she was the winner of a 'genetic lottery' and that her looks merely fit a narrow definition of beauty. Talk: Cameron Russell spoke out at the TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) Conference in Palm Springs . Writing for the channel she explained why she wanted to give the talk because she 'wanted to tell an honest personal narrative of what privilege means.' She wrote: 'Hard work is not why I have been successful as a model. I'm not saying I'm lazy. 'But the most important part of my job is to show up with a 23-inch waist, looking young, feminine and white. This shouldn't really shock anyone. Models are chosen solely based on looks. 'Even if I did give a good talk, is what I have to say more important and interesting than what Colin Powell said? (He spoke at the same event and his talk has about a quarter of the view count.) 'Like many young people I believe I have potential to make a positive impact in the world. 'But if I speak from a platform that relies on how I look, I worry that I will not have made room for anyone else to come after me. I will have reinforced that beauty and race and privilege get you a news story.' Miss Russell, who models underwear for Victoria's Secret, studied economics and political science at Columbia University. | The 25-year-old studied economics and political science at Columbia University .
She says she is a winner of the 'genetic lottery' which she has been 'cashing out on'
The model says the most important part of her job is to show up with a 23-inch waist . |
90,631 | 0094de1b3fb242bf9b29887c0d3fb4a69d62c12b | (CNN) -- Ayat Al-Qassab carefully slipped the beaded satin wedding gown over her small frame. She peered at herself in the rusted mirror and cautiously smiled. For a moment, her war-torn world was transformed and she was a beautiful bride -- free, safe and happy. Boom! A mortar shell exploded somewhere near her Syrian home in Homs, waking her from a daydream. She quickly wrapped a white headscarf tightly around her hair and prepared to leave for her wedding. Only a week earlier, Al-Qassab met her husband-to-be, Mohammad Jumbaz. Their families had coordinated the introduction. He was a pastry chef and part-time fighter for the rebel Free Syrian Army which wants to oust President Bashar al-Assad. She was 18 and from a family who didn't like the al-Assad government. They took no lingering looks across the room, and time didn't stand still when their eyes met. They simply chatted as Syria's nearly 20-month-old civil war rumbled in the background. "I had a feeling in my heart," Jumbaz said, recalling that day. "I cannot describe it to you." During the interview, a shell boomed in the distance. "In a time when we are under siege and there are sounds like this, I told my mother I decided to fulfill half my religion and to get married," he said, "and without ever even seeing my bride, everything went perfect." Al-Qassab agrees. "We saw each other and we liked each other," she said, "and in just one week we were married to each other." Marriage as revolution . Homs has borne the brunt of the Syrian military's wrath since violence broke out nearly two years ago in the nation. Many who live in the city consider it to be the unbowed guardian of the Syrian revolt. A massacre in the spring killed scores of women and children. There, even marriage is an act of revolution. "We must get married. Our lives must continue," Jumbaz said defiantly. "We have not surrendered, and we will not surrender. This is a promise. A promise we will keep, God willing." Out of respect for the dead, the couple held a small ceremony in the family apartment rather than a traditional large and noisy Syrian wedding. "It was not appropriate to dance and play music," Jumbaz said. "We recently received the body of my martyred brother, and many other families have martyrs as well. So it was a small family affair." Speaking via Skype, the couple seems to have little interest in chatting about romance or the frivolities of weddings. Instead, both are enthralled with their love for revolution and an ancient country that appears lost to war and strife. "I wore a white dress, but we did not have a traditional wedding because of this animal in power," Al-Qassab said. "We hope once the regime falls we can have a wedding, because our happiness is the end of this government." The couple spent their honeymoon at home, struggling to survive as al-Assad's forces relentlessly shelled Homs. But Al-Qassab said she is very happy to stay. "Here, we have our pride and we are defending our nation," she said. "I would prefer my honeymoon to be here amid the bombs and shells then for me to abandon my nation." In the Middle East, where arranged marriages are common, there is an Arabic word for love after marriage: "ashra." It means the love from living life together. It is emotion based on mutual respect, understanding and a need for a partner to survive all life's struggles. "I am not upset that I got married under these circumstances," Al-Qassab said. "The opposite. I am proud that I married one of the revolutionaries, and I am proud to be here in old Homs defending my nation and my dignity." Now, after more than a year and a half of violence, living life amid the constant killing and dying is the greatest form of rebellion for the couple. "I took this step, because I am a man who has faith in God and destiny," Jumbaz said. "The days that passed were very hard on us. I still thank God for everything, but I felt something was missing in my life. I do not know how to describe it. "Every day was a struggle, but something was missing." A baker becomes a fighter . Before the Syrian civil war turned Homs into a conflict zone, Jumbaz owned a baked-sweets business, selling cakes and candy to the mainly pro-government Allawi and Christian districts near his native neighborhood in Homs' Old District. "When my brother was killed, I decided to return to my community and support my people, because what was happening was unjust," he said. "Seventy percent of my friends have been killed in this and that massacre. This is an unbearable level of injustice." Al-Assad must be tried for war crimes, he believes. Jumbaz joined the rebel Free Syrian Army and fought alongside other members of the armed opposition to liberate an opposition enclave in Homs. While the Old District remains under siege and constantly sustains shelling and mortar fire, Syrian troops remain outside the neighborhood, stationed along the outskirts of the suburb. "There are enough Free Syrian Army troops to protect us now, but I noticed how difficult the situation is around us," Jumbaz said. Now, Jumbaz spends his days kneading rations of flour and bits of butter into dough, creating sweet, creamy Syrian desserts. "The kids wanted sweets and many of the women were craving desserts, so I am trying to bake sweets again," he said. Faithful and not afraid . Al-Qassab said she visits her parents and relatives every day to help with household duties, and she checks on the well-being of her neighbors until the evening, when her new husband returns home. "I am not afraid of anything happening to him, and I thank God. We are all willing to sacrifice our lives for Syria," Al-Qassad said. "I thank God above all else." Another single loud explosion thundered in the background as they spoke. The couple didn't even flinch. "I pray no one is hurt" Jumbaz calmly said. He turned to his wife, who wore a faded purple coat and tight black headscarf. "Please, go ahead," he said, kindly signaling her to speak. "We will not surrender, God willing," she said. "We are walking along the righteous path. My cousins, my neighbors, the children of my neighbors all died, and many more have lost their lives. But I am not sad. We will be victorious in this life and the afterlife." Al-Qassab looks older than her 18 years, and she speaks with impenetrable courage and bravery that generally masks any semblance of a giggling blushing bride only a few weeks into her marriage. "We were married September 13, 2011," she said before finally cracking a smile and beginning to laugh. "I mean 2012." She turns to her husband, blushing and embarrassed. He looks down to hide that he is laughing, too, instead mumbling to correct her: "2012." Nothing it seems but sheer faith in God moves the newlyweds and inspires them to love, and to fight and resist forces in Syria they feel must end. After nearly every sentence, they defiantly say "Alhamdulillah," a common Muslim phrase meaning "I thank God." "My only hope is that this monster will be removed from power so we can live in peace and our children can live in peace," Al-Qassab starts. "And if not our kids, then the children of our community even if we die," her husband adds. "Alhamdulillah." | Many Syrians are determined to live their lives despite a war ravaging their nation .
Ayat Al-Qassab and Mohammad Jumbaz survived artillery shelling during their honeymoon .
Their marriage is a symbol of the resistance against Bashar al-Assad .
"We will not surrender, God willing," they say . |
260,455 | dd465f14b57cd79def814273b7a2d9e8c3dfea73 | Alan Irvine has revealed Leonardo Ulloa was on his West Brom wishlist as he prepares to try to silence the striker. The head coach admits he was tracking the Argentinian before he made an £8million summer move from Brighton to Leicester. Irvine instead signed Brown Ideye for a club record £10million from Dynamo Kiev but the Nigeria international has struggled for form and fitness. Leicester City signed Leonardo Ulloa from Brighton in the summer for £8million . West Brom head coach Alan Irvine revealed that the Baggies wanted to sign the tall front man . He has just one goal - in the Capital One Cup - compared to Ulloa's five in the Barclays Premier League. The Baggies face Ulloa and Leicester at the King Power Stadium on Saturday and Irvine has revealed he was interested in bringing him to the Hawthorns. He said: 'He was a player that was on a great big list in the recruitment room. Mervyn Day, who is our head scout, was at Brighton so he knows him really well. 'We talked about him and looked at him and made enquiries about him but we didn't make an offer. 'He was a player who was definitely being considered but Leicester jumped in very quickly. Time will tell who ends up being the best buy. 'From our point of view we hope Brown ends up being a great signing for us. 'Whether Ulloa turns out to be one for Leicester I'm not really too interested in - it's ours that are my focus. 'You just want them to do a great job for us and if they do that we will be delighted - then it is okay for someone else's players to do well for them too.' Ideye is fit after an ankle problem and played in Albion's 2-1 Capital One Cup defeat to Bournemouth on Tuesday. West Brom instead opted to sign Ideye Brown (centre) for a club record fee but he has struggled with injuries . And Irvine hopes the 26-year-old can finally kickstart his Baggies career. 'It was good for him to get a start. He needed that and hopefully it will do him a lot of good,' he said. 'It's been frustrating for him and the same for us. 'Having scored his first goal he got injured scoring it and that was a real shame as everyone has seen plenty of times in the past a striker scores a goal and suddenly he can't stop scoring.' Saido Berahino's eight goals have grabbed the headlines and eased the pressure on Ideye and Irvine feels Berahino's form has allowed Ideye to develop away from the spotlight. 'Yes, absolutely it has given him that little bit more time to get fit, first of all,' he said. 'It's given him the opportunity as well to get to know people and get more settled in the area. 'I hate to think how I would have managed going to Ukraine. It can't be easy. And for a Nigerian to come from Ukraine to England it is a big life change.' | West Brom head coach Alan Irvine wanted to sign Leonardo Ulloa .
Leicester's £8million striker is making waves in the Premier League .
The Baggies signed Brown Ideye for £10million instead . |
111,771 | 1c22e1af9fd78148dca235514b69e0970181252b | By . Andrew Levy Education Reporter . Ofsted chief Sir Michael Wilshaw said Labour's policy of grade inflation has allowed education chiefs to 'fool themselves' into thinking standards have improved . Labour's policy of allowing exam grades to rise despite poor educational standards was savaged by the chief inspector of schools yesterday. Sir Michael Wilshaw said the education authorities had been ‘fooling ourselves’ for years that standards were improving because grades were going up. In fact, the UK has fallen well behind other nations in terms of educational attainment - particularly Asian countries. Sir Michael made the comments ahead of the launch of Ofsted’s annual report in which he revealed 1.75 million children were being let down by poor schools. It provided yet another hammer blow to Labour’s education legacy following two major reports that revealed glaring gaps in English children’s schooling. He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: ‘Grade inflation has taken place in our schools and the Secretary of State is dealing with the issue. ‘There is no question that grade inflation has been operating in our schools. We have been fooling ourselves.’ Andreas Schleicher, of the OECD, said in October that research showed young adults in Britain have more qualifications than their grandparents but not greater abilities. This showed there had been grade inflation and that qualifications did not necessarily mean better skills. Ofsted’s report warned 250,000 children are languishing in failing schools and another 1.5 million are stuck in primaries or secondaries rated as requiring improvement. Sir Michael called on the government needed to re-introduce national curriculum tests for seven and 14-year-olds, saying it had been a ‘mistake’ for Labour to phase them out. In a thinly veiled attack on teachers who complained of spending time on the tests, he said this had been done to pander to ‘vested interests’. ‘Talk to any good headteacher and they will tell you it was a mistake to abolish those tests. That’s because good teachers use those tests to make sure every child learns well,’ he said. ‘In getting rid of the tests we conceded too much ground to vested interests. Our education system should be run for the benefit of children and no one else. Sir Michael called for the return of tests at the ages of seven and 14, speaking ahead of the launch of Ofsted's annual report which reveals 1.75 million children are being let down by poor schools in England . ‘If we are serious about raising our standards and catching up with the best in the world, we need to know how pupils are doing at seven, 11, 14 and 16.’ Children’s performance is already monitored at 11 with maths and reading tests, as well as one on spelling, punctuation and grammar, and at 16 in GCSEs. A reading test has also been introduced for six-year-olds. Sir Michael said the tests should be marked externally as inspectors have found ‘worrying inconsistencies’ in teachers’ own assessments. English and maths lessons were a particular problem, with a third of lessons rated less than good by inspectors between 2009 and 2013. A greater emphasis was needed on spelling and handwriting in English and time should be devoted to allowing pupils to read for pleasure. Maths questions were too simple and needed to be more demanding, with children taught not just how but why solutions were reached. He also revealed inspectors will be sent into schools with no notice from January to stamp out ‘horseplay’ in the classroom and instil a respect for learning. At present teachers are informed one day in advance, giving them the opportunity to remove disruptive pupils from classrooms or bribe them to keep quiet. In future, complaints from parents or teachers will be enough to trigger a visit. The report, based on 8,500 inspections from 2012 to 2013, described run-down schools where there is ‘litter in the playground and disorder in the corridors’, untidy classrooms, chewing gum on carpets and uniform policies that pupils routinely ‘flout’. ‘Around 700,000 pupils attend schools where behaviour needs to improve,’ he said. ‘Unless this changes, teachers will struggle to create an environment in which all children learn well.’ The report found a record eight out of ten schools were now rated good or outstanding. But it said three factors were hindering progress - mediocre teaching and leadership which allows misbehaviour to flourish, regional differences in the quality of education and underachievement of poor children, particularly among white pupils. It repeated his suggestion for a ‘national service’ of teachers and headteachers who can move into failing schools or areas for up to two years to turn them around. Sir Michael said: ‘There are unmistakeable signs that England’s education system is gradually improving. ‘If our destination is the high peaks of a world-class education system and the economic benefits that follow, we are now in the foothills.’ A Department for Education spokesman said: ‘Ofsted is right to place a high premium on good behaviour.’ | Sir Michael Wilshaw said education chiefs have been 'fooling themselves' that standards are rising because grades have been improving .
Chief inspector speaking ahead of the launch of Ofsted's annual report .
Called for the return of tests for children aged seven and 14 . |
222,994 | acae552d84f71dda2960aef94c00a97e47991d43 | A pair of Air Jordan 1s that were autographed by the basketball great himself once sold at auction for $60,000 - so Kanye West is a long way off entering the 'most expensive sneaker hall of fame'. However, it took just 11 minutes for the hip hop mogul's special edition Nike sneakers to sell out on Sunday after a surprise release was announced by the shoe giant - and about the same time for them to start and be hawked on eBay. The shoes, called the Air Yeezy II Red Octobers, retailed for $245. They are now being offered online for as much as $7,500. Sneaker fans had waited for the release of the Nike Air Yeezy 2 - designed by Kanye West - since they were seen on Instagram last May. On Sunday there surprisingly released online and sold out in 11 minutes flat . Nice kicks, Kanye: West consistently wore the high tops to most of his live performances for the latter half of 2013 . Special edition sneakers created for Nike by Kanye West - the Nike Air Yeezy 2 - sold out in 11 minutes on Sunday and quickly started being hawked on ebay for thousands of dollars . West has discussed and worn the kicks for the past year but they were hit with heavy delays. However at exactly 1pm ET on Sunday, Nike Tweeted they had been made available online in a shock announcement. By 1.11pm ET they were all gone. It is unclear how many pairs of the shoes were actually sold. But almost immediately they began popping on eBay - likely before anyone had physically received them, with the shoe only available online. Sizes 8.5 and 13 were put up at $5,000. A size 10.5 was advertised on the site for $3,750. However a size 12 had the biggest asking price, with $7,500, making it a profit of $7,255. Brand new: The 'Red Octobers' are being sold on eBay for up to $7,500 . The 'Red Octobers' as seen here advertised on eBay for $7,500 . In November 2013, Kanye West spoke about frustrations with Nike regarding the shoe's availability. 'They try to act like people ain't line up for the Yeezys,' Kanye West said, speaking about the sneaker's first installment. '[Nike CEO] Mark Parker tried to son me. Yes. Son me because I am the sun and I will shine bright. 'And when I don't have as much money as a billionaire and when I don't have the factories that, that dude has over there, what I do have is my voice. 'Ain't no corporation that can take me away from my voice and I'm going to scream at the top of my motherfucking mountain as loud as I want. The amount of time Kanye West has been wearing the shoes - since last May - has made the demand for them even greater . 'Anything I want. Whenever I want. 'Is that crazy? So I'm going to make the announcement on Monday with the corporation that finally let me get an opportunity to create.' The 'Red Octobers' first appeared on Kim Kardashian's Instagram last May. West first wore them on Saturday Night Live not longer after, and continued to wear them throughout the year. | The Nike Air Yeezy II Red Octobers, designed by Kanye West, were first seen on Kim Kardashian's Instagram last May .
They were expected to be released last year but were delayed, with West venting his frustration .
On Sunday Nike released them online without warning and sold out in 11 minutes .
Minutes later they appeared on eBay advertised for thousands of dollars . |
259,692 | dc363166dd3f830fe9fa861861459419a8eafaec | (CNN) -- Much like the expressive era that her music defined, Donna Summer danced her way through the 1970s with extraordinary success, posting successive hits that electrified dance floors and prompted her coronation as America's queen of disco. But her own life was marked by the highs and lows of the ballads that she energetically sang, and even at the height of her popularity, she once took steps toward suicide -- only to be stopped by the interruption of hotel maids. She overcame the negative dimensions of relentless public attention, and her legacy as a genre-leading vocalist endures decades later among music enthusiasts, even resulting in an appearance a few years ago on "American Idol." Summer died Thursday morning from cancer, her publicist, Brian Edwards, said. She was surrounded by her family in Florida, he said. Said her family in a statement: "Early this morning, we lost Donna Summer Sudano, a woman of many gifts, the greatest being her faith. While we grieve her passing, we are at peace celebrating her extraordinary life and her continued legacy." Summer, who was born in Boston and whose father was a butcher and mother a schoolteacher, sang from the moment she learned to talk, and her debut performance came in church at age 10 when the scheduled singer didn't show and the pastor asked Donna to step in. Summer later recalled that the church performance left worshipers in tears. In her singing career, she won five Grammys, and while she is iconic in the disco genre, her Grammy wins were also in the R&B, rock, inspirational and dance categories. This won't be our 'Last Dance' to Donna Summer: A playlist . "Her talent was a true gift to the music industry," said Neil Portnow, president and CEO of the Recording Academy. At the height of her career, she and Casablanca Records created a sex symbol persona for her, and in an October 1977 cover story for Ebony, she remarked about her other nicknames: Queen of Love and Symbol of Eros. "Well, you have to get people's attention some kind of way," Summer told the magazine, "but I'm not just sex, sex, sex. I would never want to be a one-dimensional person like that. Share your images or memories of Donna Summer . "I can sing songs like 'Love to Love You, Baby,' but I can also sing ballads, light opera, things from musical comedies, church hymns -- all kinds of things. Plus I can write, act and think." Summer added that she didn't "want to be known for just one thing." In a 2003 interview with CNN, she said the initial absence of a manager led her to do provocative photo shoots. Her public image as a sex symbol and diva conflicted with her religious upbringing, she said. Her grandfather was a minister and her father a church deacon. "Yes, it was a big complex and the image was sort of created around me," Summer said. "I was sort of there, but not consciously there. And I didn't have anybody sort of on my side at that point, fighting for me, except for me, being in the middle. And then people would say, you know, 'Lay down here and do this.' And you know, whatever," Summer said. Her big break came when she was a teenager and auditioned in New York for a European version of "Hair." She landed a role and went to Europe. When she achieved success by her mid-20s, she wasn't able to handle it well. "It was tough," Summer said. "I think success is always a surprise, you know." She eventually suffered depression and found herself in an abusive relationship. "If people are in abusive relationships, I think they need to get out of them or at least get help," Summer said. She lived in fear during that relationship, she said. "Thank God this person was from Europe, so they were deported. And then I was able to sort of be free, but I was afraid for years," she said. Her hits included "Hot Stuff," "Bad Girls," and "She Works Hard for the Money." Summer first rose to fame the mid-1970s, thanks to "Love to Love You Baby." The song, with Summer's whispered vocals and orgasmic groans supported by heavily synthesized backing tracks, fueled the decade's disco mania and hit No. 2 in 1976. Summer followed the song with such hits as "I Feel Love," "Last Dance" and a disco version of the Richard Harris hit "MacArthur Park," which outdid Harris' version by hitting No. 1 on Billboard's Hot 100 singles chart. It was Summer's first of four chart-toppers. But with her 1979 album "Bad Girls," Summer broke out of the disco mold as the genre, stimulated by the success of the Bee Gees' "Saturday Night Fever" soundtrack, was feeling a backlash. "Bad Girls" demonstrated Summer's vocal and stylistic range and produced two No. 1 hits, "Hot Stuff" and "Bad Girls," as well as a Top 10 ballad, "Dim All the Lights." Fans, friends react to Summer's death . However, Summer had some trouble adjusting to the changing times. Her next album, "The Wanderer," went for more of a rock feel. It produced a Top 10 hit in the title track but fared relatively poorly on the charts -- especially disappointing after the success of "Bad Girls," a double album that spent five weeks at No. 1. It wasn't until 1983's "She Works Hard for the Money," which became a ubiquitous video as well as a big radio hit, that Summer's fame approached its late '70s zenith. In 2003, she wrote of the demands of being superstar in a memoir, "Ordinary Girl: The Journey." She disclosed the pressures associated with being a superstar and revealed that at the peak of her popularity, the disco queen even contemplated suicide. In an interview with CNN that year, she was asked about sticking her foot out of a hotel window to get a feel of whether to jump. "No, I wasn't getting a feel. I was jumping over. I was attempting to go. I didn't plan it. I just decided, I'm out of here," Summer told CNN. Then the maids walked in. She stopped herself. "Then I sought help. I got help. I realized that I had a serious problem with depression, and I went to a doctor and he gave me some medication," Summer said. More recently, she appeared on the finale of the popular show "American Idol" in 2008 and performed some of her greatest hits with the show's leading female singers. That year, she released her album "Crayons," and in an interview with CNN, she spoke of her musical "mission." "I don't like to be categorized because I think that I am an instrument, and if you play me, I'll make whatever particular sound is supposed to come out for that color," Summer said. "And so, in the overall spectrum of things, I'm just trying to be true to my, what I feel my mission is." CNN's Todd Leopold and Joshua Levs contributed to this report. | NEW: Success by her mid-20s was tough and "always a surprise," Summer said in 2003 .
Donna Summer helped defined the disco genre of the 1970s .
Later, she broke out of the disco mold, showing her vocal and stylistic range .
In 2003, she wrote a memoir about her highs and lows, including suicidal thoughts . |
53,538 | 97df9d3f9b933416c6ec481e975c2abbf49981a1 | (CNN) -- Plane passengers are used to paying for check-in baggage or priority boarding, but one airport in Venezuela is now charging for the ultimate hidden extra -- air. Anyone departing from the Simon Bolivar International Airport of Maiquetia in Caracas now faces a levy of 127 bolivars ($18) to pay for a new air conditioning unit installed earlier this year, according to a statement on the airport's website. The airport says its air conditioning system "eliminates contaminants" and injects ozone into the atmosphere to improve the environment and protect the health of passengers. It boasts that the system is the first of its kind in an airport anywhere in South America and the Caribbean. The "breathing tax" which came into force on July 1 and must be paid by all domestic and international passengers to airlines at check in, has generated bemusement in Venezuela, with many taking to Twitter to criticize the measure. "While the stench of the toilets asphyxiates me ... they have started to charge 127 bolivars for breathing the ozone," wrote Vero (@VeronicaTorresA). Another, Chipopo (@ELvDav) comments that whatever task the air conditioning unit performs, it doesn't seem to include lowering the temperature. "Maiquetia airport is 36 C, it must be the injection of ozone that makes the temperature shoot up," they write. Daniel Martinez (@DanielMartinezD), a radio presenter, tweeted his gripes about the measure. "Could you explain to me the ozone thing in Maiquetia? The toilets have no water, the air-con is broken, there are stray dogs inside the airport, but there's ozone?" Several international airlines, including Air Canada and Alitalia have suspended or reduced flights to Venezuela in recent months, blaming strict government currency controls that they say have have left them billions of dollars out of pocket. Earlier this week the country's air transport minister, Luis Caraballo Graterol, insisted in an interview that Venezuela had no debts to foreign air carriers. Built in 1945, Maiquetia airport -- as it is known by locals -- is the main international air hub serving Venezuela. It's currently undergoing a major overhaul, according to Worldtravelguide.net . | Venezuela's Simon Bolivar International Airport of Maiquetia demands $18 for air conditioning .
Airport says its new air-con unit protects passenger health and adds ozone to the atmosphere .
People have taken to Twitter to question new measure, criticize other facilities at the airport . |
143,798 | 45f49d97f81863b4609810fcdfd1901df1201743 | (CNN) -- Staffers at a federal prison in central Florida fired shots to break up a large-scale fight that sent eight inmates to hospital emergency rooms Sunday afternoon, officials said. Eight inmates were injured Sunday in a fight at Coleman Federal Correctional Complex in Florida, officials said. Authorities did not say what led to the fight at the Coleman Federal Correctional Complex in Sumter County. A statement from the prison said one inmate suffered a gunshot wound, but did not say whether the person was struck by a prison staff member's bullet. The other seven were "stabbing/shooting victims," said a spokesman for Orlando Regional Medical Center, where the inmates were taken. The hospital did not elaborate. No prison staffers were seriously hurt in the incident, which the FBI is investigating, said Charles Ratledge, spokesman for the prison. The fight broke out in the recreation yard of the United States Penitentiary No. 2, a high-security facility, about 2:20 p.m. The Coleman complex consists of four institutions. The other three facilities -- another U.S. penitentiary, a medium-security and a low-security facility -- were not affected, said Bureau of Prison spokeswoman Traci Billingsley. "The inmates ignored staff orders to stop their assaultive behavior, and shots were fired by institution staff to prevent possible loss of life," Ratledge said. Five medical evacuation helicopters -- three from the hospital -- landed at the prison and transported the injured inmates on the 15- to 20-minute flight to Orlando Regional, hospital spokesman Joe Brown said. The prison complex is in near Coleman in Sumter County, about 50 miles northwest of Orlando, Florida. The community was never endangered by the fight, U.S. Justice Department spokeswoman Laura Sweeney said. CNN's Nick Valencia, Susan Candiotti and Terry Frieden contributed to this report. | NEW: Staffers had to fire shots to break up large-scale fight, officials say .
Eight inmates wounded, one by gunshot, at prison complex in Florida, officials say .
Officials: Fight happened at Coleman Federal Correctional Complex's recreation yard .
No staff members were hurt during the brawl, spokeswoman says . |
196,284 | 8a06283cd04c0904dbf25cf54bd79899a14aa94c | By . Tara Brady . Police are believed to be 'closing in' on the drug dealer who sold Peaches Geldof the heroin that killed her . Police are 'closing in' on the drug dealer who sold Peaches Geldof the heroin that killed her, it has emerged. It is believed officers have identified a 'handful' of suspects who could have sold her the drug. Peaches was found dead in her home in April by her 23-year-old husband, musician Thomas Cohen. Returning from a weekend away, he found her slumped on a bed, her lifeless body covered in needle marks. The couple’s son, Phaedra, who she had been looking after, was also in the house. Next to the mother-of-two’s body was a sweet box containing a used syringe, with a pair of knotted tights, apparently used as a tourniquet, her inquest last week heard. Mr Cohen told the hearing that the young mother, who had been battling to stay clean from drugs, had relapsed in February and was hiding heroin in the loft. Heroin supplies found in the house by police were 61 per cent pure, more than twice the level of purity of commonly traded street heroin which was worth about up to £550. Tragically, just a few hours before her death, Peaches had posted a picture of herself and her mother on Instagram, with the caption: ‘Me and my mum.’ The TV presenter died of a heroin overdose when Peaches was 11. Her youngster daughter Tiger Lily was at her side when Miss Yates was found. It is believed officers are now preparing to arrest suspects they believe gave Peaches the heroin - possibly in the London and south of England area - and raid their homes for evidence. A source told the Sunday Mirror: 'The astonishingly high purity levels of the drug are a major concern and mean that somebody is selling heroin at a strength that is well capable of killing again. 'They have to be found and they have to be stopped.' Peaches Geldof with her sons, Phaedra and Astala before she took a lethal dose of heroin which killed her . According to reports last week, her husband Thomas Cohen has not returned to the £1million country home they shared in Wrotham, Kent, because he has been left so traumatised by her death. The inquest into her death this week heard how Mr Cohen, 24, found his wife slumped dead on a bed with puncture marks and 79 syringes and burnt spoons were scattered in their home. She had been looking after their baby son Phaedra, who was left alone for up to 17 hours. Just a few hours before her death, Peaches had posted a picture of herself and her mother on Instagram . Mr Cohen gave evidence last Wednesday at the inquest into the 25-year-old's death. North West Kent Coroner Roger Hatch said the television presenter, model and journalist had been trying to wean herself off drugs and was clean five months before she died. She had been prescribed the heroin substitute methadone to cure her addiction. Mr Cohen, who was the singer in the band S.C.U.M., paid tribute to his wife of 19 months after she died. Grieving: Thomas Cohen, husband of Peaches Geldof, leaving the inquest into his wife's death in Kent last week . Investigation: Police officers at the home of Peaches Geldof in Wrotham, Kent, where her body was found . He said: 'My beloved wife Peaches was adored by myself and her two sons Astala and Phaedra and I shall bring them up with their mother in their hearts everyday. 'We shall love her forever.' Meanwhile, the sisters of Peaches have stepped in to help raise her two sons. Pixie, 23, Tiger Lily, 17, and Fifi Trixibelle, 31, are rallying around Peaches' husband and spending as much time as they can with their nephews. A family friend told the Sunday People: 'It's really impressive how the sisters have taken on the roll of caring for the boys. Peaches would be so proud.' The boys are living with Mr Cohen's parents Sue and Keith in Eltham, south-east London, but Peaches' sisters are regular visitors who often take them out, read them stories or watch programmes with them. Kent Police and the National Crime Association are working together to investigate Peaches' death. A spokeswoman for Kent Police said there had been no update but that it would not be able to comment about the progress of an investigation, operation or case. | Officers identified a 'handful' of suspects who could have sold her the drug .
Peaches found dead in April by her 23-year-old husband Thomas Cohen .
Next to the mother-of-two’s body was a sweet box containing a used syringe .
Mr Cohen told an inquest that Peaches had been battling to stay clean .
Heroin supplies found in her Kent house by police were 61 per cent pure . |
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