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52,223 | 93ed69d5d32da3dc493553ab35b2b84d0274e7b7 | Like the components of some abandoned Frankenstein's monster, the carefully pickled remains of animals lie slowly stewing in jars stowed in this eerie abandoned place. After decades of neglect, even the formaldehyde that preserves these parts of anatomy has yellowed with age, while the specimens themselves slowly fall apart. The patina of age colours these scenes from an abandoned laboratory - equipped with anatomical samples including parts of kittens and dogs to a pigs head and even whole rats - with a palette reminiscent of a Gothic novel. Inside of the abandoned Veterinary School of . Anderlecht, Belgium: Hundreds of anatomical samples sit decaying in . yellowing formaldehyde in this abandoned laboratory that has been all . but forgotten for more than two decades but was found by a British urban explorer who goes by the pseudonym Chaos and took these pictures . Gruesome: A decaying brain sample has sullied the preservative fluid it was kept in, while right dozens of microscope slides litter the floor, gathering dust . Dark place: The patina of age colours these . scenes from an abandoned laboratory - equipped with anatomical samples . including parts of kittens and dogs to a pigs head and even whole rats - . with a palette reminiscent of a Gothic novel, but it was in reality only finally closed in 1990 . Grim collection: The shelves of the lab strain beneath the weight of countless samples, each the body part of some long-dead creature . It is all that remains of The Veterinary School of Anderlecht in Brussels, Belgium. The centre for experimental animal science has stood abandoned since 1990 and, like so many historic places, is soon to be transformed into luxury apartments. These last glimpses of the gruesome, decaying evidence of endeavour in physiological science were captured by a British urban explorer who prefers to go by the pseudonym Chaos. He said: 'The Horror Labs, as this location has been nick-named, is like something out of a horror-film. 'My images show what lies behind the walls of a neo-renaissance veterinary school in Belgium which now lies derelict and decaying . 'People are initially horrified that this sort of place exists, but are equally intrigued and want to see more.' Who (would) live in a house like this? The centre for experimental animal science has stood abandoned since 1990 and, like so many historic places, is soon to be transformed into luxury apartments . Experiments: A blood-stained tray lies on the table amid various samples and, curiously, next to what looks like an unsmoked cigarette . An animal's intestines that have been kept for examination: The urban explorer who infiltrated the site and took these photos says it has earned the apt nickname 'The Horror Labs' A goat's snout is still well preserved in its embalming fluid: The building housing this part of the veterinary school has stood abandoned for 23 years . A goat's snout is still well preserved in its embalming fluid: The building housing this part of the veterinary school has stood abandoned for 23 years . The site comprises 19 Flemish neo-Renaissance style buildings, constructed in the early 20th Century, which were later incorporated into the university of Liege in 1969. In 1990 the buildings became derelict and were listed. All but one of the buildings have since been converted into executive homes. But this grisly secret still hides deep within the bowels of the one remaining, undeveloped structure. 'It's like being in some crazed professor's laboratory containing all manner of grotesque animal organs and body parts,' he said. 'At any moment you half expect the professor to come bursting through the door to punish you for invading his laboratory. 'Strange as this place seems, it once served a crucial purpose, a school dedicated for the training of veterinary surgeons.' | Grisly images captured in the derelict Veterinary School of Anderlecht in Brussels, Belgium .
It has lain abandoned and derelict for more than two decades, while surrounding buildings have been developed .
Soon, this place too will be transformed into executive homes. But who would want to live there? |
39,950 | 70c17b33673ff9b3723c9d8b84df92defc50569d | By . Jack Gaughan . Follow @@Jack_Gaughan . Mesut Ozil's form going into the World Cup is an ongoing concern for Germany, with Michael Ballack intimating that his move to Arsenal hasn't worked out. The 25-year-old was in and out for the Gunners during his first season in the Premier League since Arsene Wenger splashed £42million on him from Real Madrid. It can often take foreign imports - regardless of how highly thought of they are - time to adapt to English football and Ozil has expressed his surprise at the domestic intensity. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Mesut Ozil is all smiles in Germany training . Start delivering! The pressure is on Mesut Ozil (left) to perform ahead of this month's World Cup in Brazil . Grimace: Former Germany captain Michael Ballack is concerned about the playmaker's form . What's happened? Ballack argues that Ozil is a different player since his move to Arsenal . That matters little to Joachim Low though as the Germans head into a so-called 'Group of Death' against Portugal, the USA and Ghana. Ozil is a playmaker they need, and have relied on in previous tournaments, with Ballack hopeful he will click into gear. 'It’s difficult to say where his head is going to be at the World Cup,' the former captain told the Daily Star. 'He has done well for Germany and he played well during the qualifying campaign but in the last few months - since his move to Arsenal - he has not been the same player, in terms of his confidence, that we used to see in the national team. 'I don’t know whether the Arsenal move has affected him because he was untouchable and in Germany we still expect him to be one of our best players. 'As one of our best players he has to take more responsibility, and we expect more from him at the moment. Hopefully, when the World Cup starts, we will see a different player.' They haven't enjoyed ideal preparation for Brazil after disappointing draws against Poland and then Cameroon. Ozil played in behind the striker in the latter but failed to exert much of an impact. Given Low's decision to take Miroslav Klose as his only genuine striker, Ozil must begin to deliver. 'I saw him . play for the national team at the weekend and I was not surprised, not . scared, but a little bit concerned, by his performances,' Ballack admitted. | Ozil signed for the Gunners for £42m from Real Madrid last season .
The 25-year-old struggled for Germany in a friendly against Cameroon .
Ballack admitted he doesn't know whether Arsenal move has affected him .
Ozil should be key part of Germany's World Cup team . |
40,826 | 732304a0901ff14d023d4361c1d41a85724808f3 | Norfolk, Virginia (CNN) -- Mitt Romney on Saturday announced U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin as his running mate for the White House -- a bold and risky move that energized both conservatives and their opponents. Ryan is a rising Republican star and the party's leader on fiscal and budget issues. He said he is overwhelmed by the reaction to the announcement that he is Romney's running mate. "I was amazed at the energy, the crowd, people who just want to see us take the country in a different direction," Ryan said. "It's very exciting. We're going to win this campaign. We've got the wind behind us. I'm really excited about this race." How Romney campaign kept Ryan tap under wraps . Ryan is the architect of a Republican spending plan that would overhaul many entitlement programs, making him a favorite of conservatives, whose support for Romney, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, has been shaky. "You saw the response of our crowds, very excited to meet Paul Ryan to get to know him," Romney said. "A lot of them know him pretty well by virtue of things he's been fighting for, but it just means one more person to drive a very strong message." But the Romney camp was also quick to put some distance between Ryan's initial budget blueprint and his own. "Gov. Romney applauds Paul Ryan for going in the right direction with his budget," the campaign said, "and as president he will be putting together his own plan for cutting the deficit and putting the budget on a path to balance." His running mate choice draws some clear lines with Romney's Democratic opponents over the size of the cuts in Ryan's plan and his prior votes on taxes, which they say favor the wealthiest Americans -- a point of contention in an election in which both sides consider themselves champions of the middle class. "Congressman Paul Ryan is an outstanding choice as our country's next vice president, and today's announcement demonstrates Governor Romney's commitment to returning fiscal sanity back to Washington, DC.," said former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, who mounted the strongest conservative challenge to Romney's campaign in the Republican primaries. "I have long supported Paul Ryan's fiscal and entitlement reforms to return our country back on a path of fiscal health." Ryan, 42, is considered a policy wonk and conservative Catholic likely to energize the GOP base and sharpen the campaign's focus on government spending and the economy. That could boost Romney's appeal among middle-of-the-road Catholic voters in battleground states such as Ohio and Pennsylvania, though Ryan offers little in the way of foreign policy experience. The House Budget Committee chairman was chosen ahead of Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio. A campaign aide told CNN that Romney decided on Ryan on August 1. GOP sources said Friday that the latter three had all been told that they wouldn't be getting the nod. Meanwhile, Vice President Joe Biden contacted Ryan, welcoming him to the race, saying that he "looked forward to engaging him on the clear choice voters face this November." And Democrats were quick to make Ryan's fiscal policies a target. Analysis: A bold but risky choice for running mate . "Congressman Paul Ryan and Mitt Romney are a match made in millionaires' heaven, but they'll be a nightmare for seniors who've earned their Medicare benefits," said New York Rep. Steve Israel, chairman of Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, "For the last 18 months, we've said Republicans will have to defend the indefensible -- their vote to end Medicare. Now with Congressman Ryan on the ticket, House Republicans face the one thing they hoped to avoid -- a national debate on their budget that puts millionaires first and Medicare and the middle class last." The announcement comes at the end of a week in which Democrats continued relentless attacks on Romney over his refusal to reveal more of his tax records and which saw three polls in 24 hours showing Obama with a growing lead over his Republican challenger. A CNN/ORC International poll released Thursday showed a big jump in those who had an unfavorable opinion of the GOP candidate. While some analysts saw Romney's choice as risky, others thought Romney had to go big. "With Mitt Romney losing ground to President Obama in the polls, I don't see the selection of Paul Ryan as 'risky,' I see the choice as bold and necessary," Republican consultant Ford O'Connell told CNN. Timeline: Paul Ryan through the years . CNN senior political analyst David Gergen says the Ryan pick is "an opportunity for the Romney campaign to go on the offense." Ryan, appearing with Romney in Norfolk, Virginia, at the beginning of a four-day, four-state bus tour moved quickly to position himself and Romney as champions of voters dissatisfied with the economy and to draw his own contrasts with President Barack Obama. "We won't duck the tough issues, we will lead!" Ryan told a cheering crowd on the battleship USS Wisconsin. "We won't blame others, we will take responsibility. We won't replace our founding principles, we will reapply them." "I hear some people say that this is just 'the new normal.' Higher unemployment, declining incomes and crushing debt is not a new normal. It's the result of misguided policies. And next January, our economy will begin a comeback with the Romney plan for a stronger middle class that will lead to more jobs and more take-home pay for working Americans." Romney called Ryan "a faithful Catholic" who "believes in the worth and dignity of every human life." He lauded the fifth-generation Wisconsin native serving his seventh term in Congress as "an intellectual leader of the Republican Party" and a person who will help lead the country "to widespread and shared prosperity." Romney introduced his running mate saying that his "integrity is unquestioned and his word is good." Paul Ryan, top GOP voice on fiscal matters . But Romney, 65, initially flubbed his big line, announcing, "Join me in welcoming the next president of the United States, Paul Ryan!" He recovered moments later when Ryan took the stage, saying, "Every now and then, I'm known to make a mistake. I did not make a mistake with this guy, but I can tell you this: He's going to be the next vice president of the United States." At a later stop in Manassas, Virginia, Ryan picked up again on the economy. To choruses of "no" from the crowd, Ryan asked, "Do you think the economy is heading in the right direction? Do you think we're getting our debt and deficit under control? Do you think the country is on the right track?" "Do you know why? he asked. "Because President Obama is our president and he has put all of his policies in place and they're just not working." Romney then took the microphone, touting energy independence, improved worker skills and enhanced trade opportunities. First, he drew cheers for his choice of Ryan. "If you said one word about Paul Ryan it would probably be leader," Romney said. "This is a man who learned leadership young because leadership is a function of character and courage." Accolades on the veep choice poured in from Republicans. In a statement, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell called Ryan, the House budget chairman, "a confirmation that Gov. Romney is serious about strengthening America's economic future, tackling the deficits and debt that have skyrocketed under President Obama, and returning to a path to solvency and security." Pawlenty, in New Hampshire, called Ryan "a respected leader and a bold thinker regarding the changes needed to restore America." But the Obama campaign reacted to the announcement making familiar charges against the architect of GOP budget plans and tried to tie him to the incumbent's predecessor, which is consistently blamed for the country's economic doldrums. "In naming Congressman Paul Ryan, Mitt Romney has chosen a leader of the House Republicans who shares his commitment to the flawed theory that new budget-busting tax cuts for the wealthy, while placing greater burdens on the middle class and seniors, will somehow deliver a stronger economy," it said in a statement. "The architect of the radical Republican House budget, Ryan, like Romney, proposed an additional $250,000 tax cut for millionaires, and deep cuts in education from Head Start to college aid. His plan also would end Medicare as we know it by turning it into a voucher system, shifting thousands of dollars in health care costs to seniors. As a member of Congress, Ryan rubber-stamped the reckless Bush economic policies that exploded our deficit and crashed our economy. Now the Romney-Ryan ticket would take us back by repeating the same, catastrophic mistakes." Democratic attacks on Ryan focus on changes to Medicare and Medicaid . The bus tour will take Romney through major media markets in four battleground states -- Virginia, North Carolina, Florida and Ohio. Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, once a potential running mate, introduced Romney. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, a Richmond native, joined Romney at stops in the commonwealth on Saturday. Prior to Saturday's announcement, many Republicans who spoke to CNN -- all of them granted anonymity to speak freely without angering Romney officials in Boston -- wondered why Romney would announce the pick on a weekend when millions of potential voters are likely to be distracted by the Olympics, PGA golf, late-season baseball and the box office release of the latest Bourne thriller. Opinion: How Ryan could help Romney . What do you think of Romney selecting Ryan as his running mate? Let us know on CNN iReport. CNN's Peter Hamby, John Helton, Martina Stewart, Rachel Streitfeld and Tom Watkins contributed to this report . | NEW: Ryan learned leadership at a young age, Romney says .
Ryan wrote a GOP budget plan, which seeks to revamp entitlement programs .
Biden welcomes Ryan to the race, which he says will provide "clear choice" |
49,624 | 8c4ed9cdbba191061ae005bbe8e9593f67a9ac55 | (CNN) -- There were nights this season when college basketball was compelling, but more nights when it looked dysfunctional. There were nights that featured the spectacular Elijah Johnson of Kansas going for 39 in an overtime win at Iowa State this week, but many other nights that featured a confounding loss of artistry on offense. The game has wheezed and sputtered for three months. It dropped a few goblets of oil from the underside of the carriage with games where teams struggled to score 25 points in a half. I am in the business of watching sports, so perhaps that's why so many people have said to me or sent me an e-mail disappointed at the game they watched the night before. Bleacher Report: Kansas vs. Iowa State . Great defense and good defensive coaching can make games look ugly and viewers see night after night that defense has jumped ahead of offense in the college game. But now it's March and the college game will fire up a brand new ride for March Madness. It will capture the hearts of sporting America as it winds its way through the exalted office tournament pools. But what to do with the old jalopy? It needs more than new wheels and a fresh coat of paint that will come with the new season in November 2013. It needs a real fix. Scoring (points per team, per game) could reach a low not seen since the 1952 season. Offense is becoming a routine struggle as players cope with physical defense, tight-fisted coaches, technology and the increased size, speed and athleticism of opponents. Bleacher Report: March Madness 2013 . Major League Baseball lowered the pitching mound five inches following the 1968 season after pitchers dominated the game from their mountaintops. The NBA opened up a spigot of offense when it banned hand-checking in 1994 and forearms to the chest of ball handlers facing the basket in 1999. Hockey started enforcing its rule book as far as restraining fouls for the 2005-06 season and scoring went up. There is a solution that would work for college basketball. But, first, a few that won't. Unplug technology . Big Brother is watching. The video-statistical knowledge teams have at their fingerprints has hindered the best-laid plans of many teams this season. Ninety percent of teams in Division I men's basketball use a service provided by Synergy Sports that dissects every play, every tendency of an opponent. George Mason University coach Paul Hewitt said technology is invaluable in scouting an opponents' offense and understanding the opposition's strengths. Defense has gotten ahead of offense partly because of this advanced scouting. One coach knows the other coach and his favorite plays. Teams are not only dissecting opponents, they are creating dossiers of referees. What has been the tendency of a referee the last five games to how he makes calls? Well, here it is on the video. Referee assignments are made before the season in some conferences, a few days before games in other conferences, so there is plenty of time to scout a zebra before he shows up. Officials in basketball influence the game more than any other sport, so knowing who is calling your game or how it will be called is paramount to coaches. Play defense without fouling . Defenders are loathe to give up a layup not only because it is two points but also because coaches are screamers and berate kids endlessly about defensive breakdowns. It's like a slow roller through the first baseman's legs. What kid wants an earful of abuse? So the defender fouls with a slight push, which means the dunk at the rim, one of the most exciting plays in the game, is rare. Players need to be forced by the rules to back up to keep a guy in front of them. Let the offensive player shoot the jumper, or risk a foul when you hand check, like the NBA. Players have to be made to play defense with their feet by the referee. The benefit is coaches might actually stop working on defense 70 percent of the time in practice and work on shooting. If there are going to be more open shots, it makes sense to practice them. It would also help the college player going to the NBA where hand-checking is usually not allowed. Send the players to the bench . Coaches want players to get physical and dare the referee to invite the wrath of the ticket buyer by whistling every chuck and hand-check. If the refs called everything ear muffs would have to be given out at the door and there would be maddening stop-and-go action. Well, they need to call everything. Stop the bullying and strip-searching of the ball handler once and for all. Universal officiating . The ultimate new rule would be to put referees under one system. Right now, they are ruled by each conference office, which is a fiefdom that is loathed to relent power. The NCAA could create satellite offices around the country and assign officials to that office. Do it like the NBA. Grade them, kick the worst out at the end of every season. The refs are independent contractors and some of them are lawyers. They might use their day job to protect their night job and sue to work independently. One coach, who did not want to be named because it might invite the wrath of refs, said consistency in officiating around the country would be enhanced if there was a centralized authority. It won't happen. Enforce the rule book . Good luck. There is one rule book in college basketball, but many interpretations of that rule book. John Adams, the NCAA coordinator of officials, started a movement toward Freedom of Movement five years ago and one of the ways to accomplish that was to ask referees to "call the rule book." That means calling three seconds in the lane to eliminate the shoving for position, whistling post defenders for excessive arm bars to the back, calling hand-checking and blowing the whistle when physical defenders drive dribblers into the sidelines with chest bumps. I had the referee coordinator of a conference tell me that no harm, no foul is fine. No, it's not, says Adams. A foul is a foul. Reduce the wrestling match in the lane . Hewitt, the George Mason University coach, said the game is too physical in the paint and the contact has to be reduced. Here's a thought: call three seconds on the offensive player. He is not allowed to stand in there four seconds. If there is nobody in there for the defender to wrestle with you have a solution: no scrum. Give coaches more time to work with players in the offseason . Brian Gregory, the coach at Georgia Tech, said there will be a transformation in the game within two years if the NCAA allowed college basketball coaches to work more individually with players. The NCAA, of course, will tell coaches to quit spending so much time on defense in practice. Coaches are going to be told to use their time more wisely. The coaches are getting some blame for the choking of offense. They want to let their teams run and gun, but then they see poor decision making in a fast game, which is followed by a turnover. Turnovers do not look good when committed in front of the athletic director, who is the coach's boss. Bleacher Report: How small ball saved Tar Heels' season . The fans and media hiss at slow, deliberate play, but when a pass sails out of bounds on the break and the player tries to be the least bit creative, the player is labeled careless and it is back to walk-it-up basketball. Now, finally, here's the solution: . The solution is a 24-second shot clock . The game will be quicker and more fun. It will eliminate the walk-it-up style and the boring high-ball screen and the same old offense with the current 35-second clock. The coaches will have to let go of the reins and allow more freedom of movement for their players. "I have petitioned Conference USA for the last three years to let us go to a 24-second clock," said Memphis head coach Josh Pastner. "It would help our entire league in recruiting because we can be the closest thing to the NBA. It would be dynamite." More possessions equal a faster game. More offense. I get that. But it is not going to happen. The Have-Nots think they will be buried by the Kansases, Dukes and Memphises of the world who have more talent. The best we will do is a 30-second clock like the women. It might be that college basketball looks at Nielsen ratings where college basketball numbers have stayed the same this year compared to last and figure the game is fine like it is. But, just maybe, more seasons like this last one, where scoring suffered, will convince the caretakers of the game to upgrade offense so the public doesn't have to wait until March for the game to be compelling again. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Ray Glier. | Ray Glier: College basketball "has wheezed and sputtered for three months"
Writer says the new season needs a real fix when it begins in November .
Glier: A 24-second shot clock will be quicker and more fun .
He believes coaches should allow more freedom of movement among players . |
219,085 | a7924fa6d4711d008234b81e5df8e16109e761bc | (CNN) -- During a summer when temperatures flirt with never-before-seen highs, millions of Americans are streaming to water parks. Not just in sunny Florida -- but stretching from Long Island, New York, to Wisconsin, to Colorado, to Texas and California -- sprawling facilities offer a wonderful oasis from this year's blistering heat. As they've grown in numbers and size over the decades, water parks have become more than just tourist attractions. Some areas, like Federal Hills, Colorado, own them and embrace them as social anchors of the community. In traditional vacation spots like Orlando, Florida, water amusement facilities have become adventure destinations that families find themselves returning to again and again. Water parks have become "kind of the modern day equivalent of the pleasure beaches that were popular back at the turn of the 20th century," said Martin Palicki, editor-in-chief of the trade publication inPark Magazine. In this case, a shoreline isn't required -- just free-flowing H2O and plenty of thrills. Related story: World's best water parks . The most popular parks tout giant high-speed "bowl rides," where brightly colored rafts filled with aquanauts plunge from perches several stories high into huge bowl-shaped tubs where riders learn the true power of centrifugal force. Other trends include water coaster rides that somehow force man-made rivers to flow uphill on tracks that twist and turn. It's not all about excitement, though. Many of these parks still honor the lazy, carefree tradition of floating down a slow-moving stream in an inflated inner tube. Parents and small children can stay cool and soaking wet at interactive water playgrounds. No matter how you like to cool off, seeking shelter from the heat has never been more fun. Because water parks tend to add rides each year, fans can expect thrills to keep on flowing. | America's water parks offer thrills from New York to Florida to California .
They're the modern equivalent of 1900s pleasure beaches, expert says .
Water park trends include "bowl rides" and uphill water coasters . |
215,926 | a388db45f106d8be54bd56f6deacb627cd79bee0 | Washington (CNN) -- For one week in August, the Republican Party will have a guaranteed place on prime time TV and, it hopes, voters' undivided attention. For many watching, the Republican National Convention will provide the first glimpse of a political fight that has been brewing for more than a year, presenting the GOP with a new opportunity to argue that it's best prepared to take over after November's election. "The convention is about unifying the party behind the presumptive nominee," said Matt Burns, communications director for the 2008 GOP convention and currently a managing director with global communications firm Burson-Marsteller. "Speaking slots are often a way to heal old wounds after bruising primaries." Burns also pointed to a speaker's prominence -- or their status as a "rising star" -- as another factor in determining who to put on the convention stage. The decisions on who will front the party, then, are loaded with opportunity -- but also the chance for pitfalls. "The speakers have been chosen because they make the best possible case to elect Mitt Romney and to show the American people the various positions and diversity of the Republican Party," GOP strategist Ron Bonjean said. "They're the ones that have served in the trenches in the primaries and have supported Mitt Romney." "The ones who are left out are the ones who took shots at him," Bonjean said. "Either challenged or took shots at him, and they may not make the best case for his presidency, or they might try to overshadow him." Not every convention speech puts the party's best foot forward. Pat Buchanan's "Culture War" speech at the 1992 GOP convention was met with consternation from moderates, who regarded the address -- which included opposition to gay rights and women in combat -- as unnecessarily polarizing. Bill Clinton's speech introducing 1988 Democratic nominee Michael Dukakis was so long that people actually cheered when it was over. The convention -- set to begin August 27 in Tampa, Florida -- has already put together a roster of speakers that features both the party's establishment and its up-and-comers. Sen. John McCain, who accepted the party's nomination at the 2008 convention, will deliver remarks, as will former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is another well-known Republican who will have a turn at the podium. Other establishment picks, however, will sit this year out. George W. Bush said he was taking "time off the political stage," and his father, George H.W. Bush, won't attend for health reasons. Former Vice President Dick Cheney, who received a heart transplant earlier this year, will also not appear onstage in Tampa. Newt Gingrich, the former House speaker and one-time 2012 GOP presidential candidate, will hold daily policy workshops for delegates in Tampa rather than occupy a prime-time speaking spot. Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum will speak in Tampa, but other Republicans who challenged Romney for this year's GOP nomination -- including Rep. Michele Bachmann and former Godfather's Pizza chief Herman Cain -- have not been announced as convention speakers. Donald Trump, the celebrity businessman and Romney supporter whose commitment to the "birther" movement that challenges Obama's place of birth leaves many Republicans queasy, said through a spokesman last week he would have a "memorable" role at the convention, but that it wouldn't include a prime time address. Sarah Palin, who delivered a warmly received convention address at the 2008 event, won't speak in Tampa either, saying, "Everything I said at the 2008 convention about then-candidate Obama still stands today." Julian Zelizer, a CNN contributor and professor of history and public affairs at Princeton University, wrote in a CNN Opinion piece last week that the conventions "create a forum to showcase the talent of the future on a national stage." They also give parties the opportunity to control what that future might look like. On Tuesday, the Tampa lineup was updated to include New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie in the keynote slot, a high-profile role meant to rally the party behind the nominee. Then-Illinois state Sen. Barack Obama delivered the keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, launching him onto the national political stage and into the White House four years later. "The keynote speaker is someone that millions of Americans are going to watch, and they have to make the best possible case for Mitt Romney to be president," Bonjean said. "That speaker is extremely important. The campaign is relying on Chris Christie to carry their message to the world who will be watching." Christie told USA Today he was on the fourth draft of a speech that would include "some very direct and hard truths" about the state of the country -- a glimpse of a straight-talk speech that Republicans have come to expect from the straight-talking Christie. Many Republicans encouraged Christie to run for president and he was seen by many as the best bet for the No. 2 spot on Romney's ticket. "Speakers who are known for an ability to energize the base receive more prominent roles," Burns said. "Chris Christie is a good example." Christie's famous swagger excites many Republicans, who like seeing the anger they feel toward bigger government and out-of-control debt reflected in their elected representatives. But his relatively moderate social views, which line up with the state he represents, turn off some in the GOP party base. Another chance to craft the party's image comes in the person chosen to introduce the nominee. This year that honor goes to Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, who will draw cheers from delegates aligned with the tea party, which helped vault Rubio past a mainstream Republican rival in 2010's Florida GOP primary and into the U.S. Senate. To put that into context, Clinton, a Democratic elder statesman, will put Obama's name into nomination at the Democratic National Convention the next week. Putting Rubio, as well as Texas U.S. Senate candidate Ted Cruz and New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez (also tea party favorites), in prime-time speaking roles at the convention also signals the GOP's push to bring in Latino voters, who overwhelmingly went for Obama in 2008 and polls show going the same way this time around. Martinez and Rice, along with South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin, will also use their convention roles to try to close the gender gap that polls show persists between Obama and Romney. Ultimately, Burns said, putting together a lineup is about finding people who represent -- and can rally -- the base. "Fundamentally, convention speaking lineups are meant to represent a cross-section of the party's faithful -- and I expect the 2012 Republican and Democratic conventions to be no exception," Burns said. CNN's Mark Preston and Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report . | Convention speakers a chance for party to showcase its best in prime time .
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie will give high-profile GOP keynote address .
Florida Sen. Marco Rubio gets coveted opportunity to nominate Romney .
Convention speeches can backfire -- just ask Pat Buchanan or Bill Clinton . |
157,621 | 57c9ea665520949e76f1d89f0c31c2d5b546360a | Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- Large and small donations flowed in Monday evening as dozens of celebrities answered phones for Larry King's telethon to help the people of the U.S. Gulf Coast suffering from the oil disaster. "A hundred dollars? Wow! Thanks you so much," rocker Tyson Ritter told one donor who called in. The two-hour CNN show raised $1.3 million with proceeds going to three charities deeply involved in the efforts to help humans, wildlife and the environment. "Everyone's really pissed off," actress Jenny McCarthy, who was monitoring online messages in the telethon's "Tweet Suite," told host Ryan Seacrest. Donors could choose to send their money to the United Way, National Wildlife Federation or The Nature Conservancy. Celebrity journalist Giuliana Rancic said she was on the phone with "Barbara" from Kokomo, Indiana. "She's saying it's the animals," Rancic said. Actress Victoria Principal sat next to her on another call. "We're just talking about the wildlife," Principal said. Singer Aaron Neville, a New Orleans native, said most of the calls he answered in New York were from people concerned about animals impacted by the oil. "People are crying on the phone and giving money," Neville said. Actor Ted Danson said it was important for him to "hear people's emotions, their fear and sadness" when they called in donations, . CNN correspondents reported live from the Gulf Coast, interviewing people whose lives have been interrupted by the oil disaster. "The toughest thing I see is losing a way of life that we've had down here for generations and generations," said shrimper Archie Dantin in Pointe a la Hache, Louisiana. A BP spokesman issued a statement Monday saying the oil company is "proceeding with urgency to make the situation right for the environment and for those who have affected by this tragic event." "We stated from the beginning that we accept responsibility for cleaning up the spill and for paying all legitimate claims for those directly impacted financially by this environmental disaster," BP's statement said. The company said over 65,000 claims have been submitted and more than 32,000 payments have been made, totaling more than $107 million. "The average time from filing a claim to checks being issued is only a few days," BP siad. "Even for more complex business claims that have provided supporting documentation." "I don't think they're responding fast enough," shrimper Keillen Williams said. Retired NBA star Jalen Rose, who was helping answered phones at CNN's Los Angeles bureau, said he is sure President Barack Obama will make BP pay. "But it will take time for that to happen, so we're here today to provide immediate relief to those in need," Rose said. | Larry King telethon for Gulf raises $1.3 million in two hours .
Money going to United Way, National Wildlife Federation, The Nature Conservancy .
Singer Aaron Neville, a New Orleans native, said, "People are crying on the phone." |
201,730 | 912b2f018b149553bff8787364aed7f1157e7848 | (CNN) -- Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano arrived in Afghanistan on Friday and planned to spend New Year's Eve with U.S. troops in the region. She reviewed security operations at a key point along the Pakistani border, part of an ongoing U.S. effort to strengthen Afghanistan's border police. "Building and maintaining a strong border crossing system is critical to the stability and security of Afghanistan," Napolitano said in a written statement. "Over the past year, the Department of Homeland Security has worked closely with the Afghan government to help establish a border security and customs system to counter terrorism while facilitating legitimate travel and trade." After her border visit, Napolitano had lunch with a group of U.S. and allied troops. Napolitano is scheduled to meet with a number of senior U.S. and Afghan officials during her visit, part of a week-long trip that also includes stops in Qatar, Israel and Belgium. Six U.S. border security and customs officers are traveling with Napolitano, an earlier statement said. Recent U.S.-led training efforts in Afghanistan have focused on stopping bulk cash smuggling and shipments of ammonium nitrate, according to a November statement released by the State Department. | NEW: Napolitano visits a key crossing point on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border .
The trip comes as U.S. officials are working to help strengthen Afghanistan's border police .
Napolitano is scheduled to meet with senior U.S. and Afghan officials .
The visit is part of a week-long trip that also includes stops in Qatar, Israel and Belgium . |
218,950 | a7638f0e8d675136193bdb5d91a3c78bd9d0ab09 | By . Hugo Gye . PUBLISHED: . 08:01 EST, 10 September 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 10:52 EST, 10 September 2013 . Angry: Film blogger Alex Billington called 911 when an audience member would not stop using his phone during a movie . A film critic became so enraged at a fellow moviegoer using his cellphone during a screening yesterday that he called 911. Alex Billington, a leading blogger who founded FirstShowing.net, claims he was worried that a man who was using his phone non-stop for 10 minutes was trying to record the film. But some have accused him of wasting the police's time by using the emergency number to report such a trivial matter. The incident occurred on Monday during a screening of new thriller The Sacrament during the Toronto International Film Festival. The screening was attended by film critics and industry workers, meaning that electronic devices were permitted to enable journalists to take notes. A member of the audience sitting in the front row of the cinema was apparently using his phone to send texts and emails throughout the opening of the movie, angering Mr Billington. After theatre staff told him they were powerless to intervene, the blogger dialled 911 to warn that the man could be pirating the film, which is due to be released in the U.S. later this year. However, the emergency dispatcher simply laughed at him, while cinema employees suggested he should return for a public screening where phones are not allowed. Mr Billington subsequently took to Twitter to launch a furious tirade against the use of cellphones during movies. 'I was afraid this would reach a head and this is it,' he wrote. 'They claim nothing can be done to "change the policy" in 2013 because it's allowed.' Defence: The blogger quoted Steve Jobs as he defended his over-the-top reaction to the etiquette breach . While . some other prominent film bloggers stood up for him, he also faced a . backlash from people who suggested that he should not have involved the . police in the matter. Scott Weinberg tweeted: '911 is for emergencies, you embarrassingly unprofessional attention-starved stooge.' Peter Sciretta added: 'Dude, I agree they shouldn't be on their phones but 911 is for serious emergencies only.' Mr Billington fiercely defended himself, . writing: 'If it's wrong to report potential piracy to authorities, then . how will piracy ever be stopped. If it's not taken seriously, it will . remain.' Film: Mr Billington was attending a screening of The Sacrament, whose creators are pictured here at the Venice film festival . He later struck a more extravagant tone, quoting Steve Jobs to say: 'You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can't do is ignore them because they change things.' The critic told Buzzfeed that he had not overreacted, and insisted he was highlighting a serious issue. 'I thought I might be witnessing an act of piracy, a major crime being committed, and wished to report it to the proper authorities,' he said. 'The call made was to report an act of piracy in progress, a major crime that many signs around TIFF remind people is a punishable offense. I simply requested that an officer confront and confirm that he was not pirating.' | Founder of FirstShowing.net was watching The Sacrament in Toronto .
Complained to staff about audience member using phone but was ignored .
So he called 911 and claimed the man could be trying to pirate the film . |
97,327 | 093ddc89152bb10f64af9ea0fc4fc31df691d0e5 | (CNN) -- Turkey is changing its military rules of engagement and will now treat a military approach toward its borders by Syria as a potential threat that "will be dealt with accordingly," Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday. The announcement is a significant escalation of rhetoric after Syria shot down a Turkish plane last week. Erdogan criticized Syria harshly on Tuesday for shooting down the Turkish fighter jet, saying: "Even if the plane was in their airspace for a few seconds, that is no excuse to attack." "It was clear that this plane was not an aggressive plane. Still it was shot down," he said. War of words over downed jet . He said Syrian choppers have strayed into Turkish airspace five times in 2012. But, the Turks say, the government never escalated the situation despite the border violations. That could change under the new policy. The shooting down of the Phantom F-4 jet on Friday raised even more tension between Turkey and Syria, two heavily armed regional powers. Relations between the two neighbors have deteriorated during the uprising against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime. Erdogan has repeatedly called on al-Assad to step down. Turkey has withdrawn its diplomats from Damascus. More than 30,000 Syrian refugees have spilled onto Turkish soil and Turkey is hosting Syria opposition groups. NATO condemned the shoot-down "in the strongest terms," Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said after the alliance met Tuesday at Turkey's request. Both sides say the jet strayed into Syrian airspace, but Turkey says the incursion was accidental and quickly corrected. Rasmussen refused to comment on what intelligence Turkey had presented to NATO about the incident at the alliance's headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. He called on Syria to "avoid such events in the future" and said he did not expect the situation to escalate. NATO did not promise any action in response to the incident, and Turkey did not invoke the NATO article calling for collective defense of members, Rasmussen said. The NATO consultations were held under Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's founding charter. The article allows any member to call for consultations "whenever, in the opinion of any of them, their territorial integrity, political independence or security is threatened," the charter says. France's Foreign Ministry called the shootdown an "attack" on Tuesday and said it "constitutes a violation of international law." It's a reminder, the ministry said, that the regime "is threatening international peace and security. It is consistent with the regime's escalating violence against its own population." Alexander Lukashevich, the Russian Foreign Ministry's official representative, expressed Moscow's concern on Tuesday. "In our opinion, it is important that the incident not be seen as a provocation or a deliberate action that could lead toward destabilizing the situation," he said. White House spokesman Jay Carney said the United States commends Turkey for its measured response and stands with the government and the other NATO allies. Washington plans to work with Turkey and others to hold the al-Assad regime accountable and to pursue a democratic transition in Syria, he said. Carney added that the regime's continued use of airpower reflects al-Assad's desperate attempt to maintain control. Security Clearance: Can Turkey force U.S., NATO to attack Syria? The United States and many other countries have been vocally opposed to military intervention in Syria and are unlikely to encourage Turkey to press the issue. After Syrian troops shelled refugees on the Turkish side of the border earlier this year, U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta made clear that the bar is high for Turkey to claim the need for a collective self-defense. Syria raised the stakes Monday in the war of words over the incident. Syrian Foreign Ministry spokesman Jihad Makdissi said the plane was shot down in Syrian airspace, disputing Turkey's claim that it was downed over international waters after briefly straying into Syrian airspace by mistake. "What happened was a violation of Syrian airspace. Even Turkey says Syrian sovereignty was violated. Regardless of whether it was a training mission, a reconnaissance mission, it was a violation," Makdissi said. He insisted that Syria was the wronged party, not Turkey. Also Monday, a spokesman for the Turkish Foreign Ministry told CNN that Syria fired Friday on a second Turkish plane that was part of a search-and-rescue mission sent in after the jet was shot down. The plane, which entered Syrian airspace in search of the jet, was not hit, said Selcuk Unal. "There was no injury, nobody was harmed. But that plane immediately returned to Turkish airspace. And through military diplomatic channels we informed them: 'What's going on?' " Unal said. The Turkish Foreign Ministry said Sunday that it considered the shooting to be a hostile act. Turkey delivered the message in a diplomatic note to the Syrian consulate in Istanbul, Unal told CNN. In addition to NATO, Turkey also submitted a letter about the incident to the U.N. Security Council. The country made no request for action, but outlined its version of events. "This attack at the international airspace, causing possible loss of two Turkish pilots, is a hostile act by the Syrian authorities against Turkey's national security. Thus, we strongly condemn it," read the letter, dated Sunday. It identified the downed plane as a Turkish RF-4 reconnaissance aircraft, a version of the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II. It was flying alone, without arms, in international airspace when it was shot down, the letter read. Turkish search-and-rescue teams found the wreckage of the jet in the Mediterranean Sea on Sunday, about 1,300 meters (4,260 feet) underwater, Foreign Ministry spokesman Unal said. Report: 33 Syrian army members defect to Turkey . Tension between Syria and Turkey escalated sharply in the 1990s over Kurdish militancy. Turkey was angry that the Syrian regime harbored Kurdish militant Abdullah Ocalan. Ocalan founded the Kurdistan Workers' Party, the PKK. The group, regarded as a terrorist organization by Turkey and the United States, has been fighting the Turkish government for Kurdish autonomy. Syria eventually expelled Ocalan and the hostility eased. Syrian-Turkish political and economic ties grew after Erdogan became prime minister in 2003. But over the last year, Erdogan's government grew disgusted with the al-Assad regime over the government's brutal crackdown against Syrian citizens during the uprising. Some observers believe Syria is now supporting the PKK. CNN's Ivan Watson and journalist Gül Tüysüz contributed to this report. | Turkey will consider any military approach from Syria a potential threat, its PM says .
Turkish-Syrian ties have deteriorated during the uprising .
The countries had sharp tensions in the 1990s over Kurdish militancy .
NATO condemns the shooting down of the plane, but does not act . |
241,051 | c41360d0becb40734e4acb7a624cd074ed6e1c06 | The secret to everlasting life may have been found, if this 19th century ‘miracle cure’ proves to be the real deal. In May, archaeologists found bottles beneath a hotel construction site in New York that once contained medicinal remedies. One of these, called the 'Elixir of Long Life' was once believed to be capable of cheating death, and the team are now preparing to make it and try the miracle cure for themselves. A team of archaeologists is to recreate a liquid concoction once used for medicinal purposes. Chrysalis Archaeology claim a remedy known as the Elixir of Long Life was believed to have once been stored in a glass vial (pictured), which was found beneath a construction site in New York . The find of hundreds of bottles detailing drinking and eating habits from 150 years ago was made during an excavation under the construction site in Chinatown, New York. Ingredients . Aloes - 0.46 ounces (13 grams) Rhubarb - 0.08 ounces (2.3 grams) Gentian - 0.08 ounces (2.3 grams) Zedoary (also known as white turmeric) - 0.08 ounces (2.3 grams) Spanish saffron - 0.08 ounces (2.3 grams) Water - four fluid ounces (114 millilitres) Grain alcohol (vodka, gin) - 12 fluid ounces (240 millilitres) Method . Squeeze out the liquid from the aloes. Crush the rhubarb, gentian and saffron together and then mix them with the aloe liquid. Then let the mixture sit for three days but shake it every so often. It will then need to be filtered before it can be served. The site had previously been a German beer garden and music hall established in 1858 called the Atlantic Garden. One of the bottles found was a small greenish bottle that, upon closer inspection, seemed to have once contained a drink intended to grant the consumer a longer life. The team behind the find at Chrysalis Archaeology decided to find out for themselves what exactly the drink was. They tracked down the recipe from a medical guide and found it contained ingredients still in use today. ‘We decided to engage in our own brand of experimental archaeology,’ president of Chrysalis Alyssa Loorya told DNAinfo. ‘We wanted to know what this stuff actually tasted like.’ The drink itself contains a few herbs and a lot of alcohol, with the team suggesting it is best to drink it one drop at a time rather than in gulps. A second drink, known as Dr Hostetters Stomach Bitters, another popular medicine used to apparently cure ailments, was also unearthed. This contains gentian root, orange peel, cinnamon, anise, coriander seed, cardamom seed, peruvian bark, gum kino, grain alcohol, water and sugar. The team are planning to recreate both drinks in the coming weeks - although they’ve also released recipes for both so that people can make the cocktails themselves. The find of hundreds of bottles detailing drinking and eating habits from 150 years ago was made during an excavation under a construction site in Chinatown, New York (shown). The site had previously been a German beer garden and music hall established in 1858 called the Atlantic Garden . The team tracked down the ingredients for the drink and have released them so that others can make it for themselves. The ingredients include rhubarb (left) and aloes (right), with some of the ingredients perhaps surprisingly still in use today - although not in so-called miracle cures . A second bottle once containing a drink known as Dr Hostetters Stomach Bitters, another popular medicine used to apparently cure ailments, was also unearthed (pictured). It is a bit harder to make, though, with ingredients including peruvian bark and gum kino . Such miracle concoctions were apparently quite common in the 19th century and they were often found in bars. ‘Long before the FDA [Food and Drug Administration] was formed, doctors and chemists of the late 19th century invented a number of interesting concoctions to treat common ailments,’ Chrysalis wrote on their blog. ‘Bottled in glass and given almost comical names, they were sold at neighbourhood apothecaries. ‘Practicing our own brand of experimental archaeology, we’ve decided to recreate the past based on medicine bottles we recently found at an archeological site. ‘We’re excited that we’ve tracked down actual recipes for an “Elixir of Long Life” and “Stomach Bitters” to match up with labels on our old bottles. ‘Since both formulas required copious amounts of alcohol as a medium, it may have been difficult for consumers to determine whether the ‘active ingredients’ were actually effective. ‘ . The team also added that, perhaps surprisingly, many of the ingredients are still used today. ‘Gentian, for example, is still used to stimulate appetite and treat gastric complaints and jaundice.’ Cinnamon, meanwhile, is believed to reduce blood-sugar levels, while aloe is popular for treating burns says the team. ‘We’re not expecting the results of our experiment to extend life expectancy or threaten the modern gastroenterologist’s salary range,’ they add, ‘but at least we’ll show off our chemistry prowess and relive the meticulous work and interesting fragrances of yesteryear’s snake oil industry.’ | Archaeologists are to recreate a drink once found in a 150-year-old bottle .
It was dug up with 100s of others beneath a construction site in New York .
Called Elixir of Long Life, the drink was classed as a 'miracle cure' and believed to be capable of helping people cheat death .
The drink contained various herbs and copious amounts of alcohol .
Chrysalis Archaeology has released the ingredients to make the drink . |
197,067 | 8b119ba4a5915821fc10653a7e8f201704b8aa34 | Jonathan Goldsmith, AKA 'The Most Interesting Man In The World', is selling his luxury yacht for $200,000 . A yacht belonging to veteran TV actor Jonathan Goldsmith, who recently found fame as the 'Most Interesting Man In The World', is up for grabs for $200,000. Goldsmith, 74, has appeared in more than 45 television series over his 60 years in showbusiness, but is now a famous face thanks to the successful comedic adverts for Dos Equis, a Mexican beer. He put his 47-foot yacht on the market with Heritage Yacht Sales for $199,950, according to TMZ. It is a 2003 Beneteau located in Long Beach, California, and includes a master room with en-suite bath, guest room with bath, kitchen, two flat screen TVs and a stereo system. The Dos Equis ads feature the ruggedly handsome Goldsmith, speaking with a deep Hispanic accent, in a series of ludicrous settings that make him look effortlessly cool - such as rescuing a bear from a trap or bench pressing two women in a casino. Meanwhile a voice-over lists his grandiose feats and achievements, such as 'Even his enemies list him as their emergency contact number' and 'His cereal never gets soggy. It sits there, staying crispy, just for him'. Others include 'His words carry weight that would break a less interesting man's jaw' and 'He is a lover not a fighter, but he is also a fighter so don’t get any ideas'. The campaign has been credited for helping to fuel a 15.4 per cent sales increase for the brand in America in 2009. Scroll down for video . Goldsmith's yacht is a 2003 Beneteau with a master bedroom with en-suite bath, guest room, kitchen, two flat screen TV's and a stereo system . The plush vessel is up for sale for $200,000 . The yacht is currently moored in California's Long Beach. It is being sold by Heritage Yacht Sales . Luxurious: The Dos Equis spokesman is selling the 47ft yacht . Goldsmith began his career on the New York stage, then started moved to California to work in film and television. He has appeared in numerous westerns and has also made guest appearances on television series, including Knight Rider, CHiPs, The Rockford Files, Hawaii Five-O, Murder, She Wrote, Charlie's Angels, Dynasty, and The A-Team, . His longest run in a television series was on Dallas, in which he appeared 17 times. Magnetic: Jonathan Goldsmith in character as Dos Equis' 'Most Interesting Man In The World' Goldsmith's distinct persona in the Dos Equis ads has reportedly bumped up sales and inspired an internet meme . | The yacht, belonging to beer ad icon Jonathan Goldsmith, is up for sale .
Goldsmith is famous for role as 'Most Interesting Man In The World'
'Once while sailing around the world, he discovered a short cut' is line used in series of adverts in wildly successful ad campaign for Dos Equis . |
278,122 | f44dfd3252f90f2e23c710004d401f939a63981b | A new leaked email written to Sony studio Michael Lynton head shows one producer saying that Denzel Washington does not do well for the company because he is black. In the exchange, written about the Oscar winning star's recent role in the film The Equalizer, the producer says that Washington does not do well at the worldwide box office because of the color of his skin. The producer then blames this on the racism of non-American audiences. Scroll down for video . Harsh statement: A producer said to Sony head Michael Lynton (left) that Denzel Washington (with Amy Pascal and Matt Tolmach) doesn't make money at the worldwide box office because he is black . Makes no sense: The email was about his film The Equalizer, costarring Chloe Moretz (center) and directed by Antoine Fuqua (right), which made half its money overseas . In the email, obtained by Radar Online, the producer 'suggested Sony should avoid casting black actors to appeal to an international market that the producer deemed racist.' Writes the producer of Washington, 'Casting him is saying we’re ok with a double if the picture works.' A double as opposed to a homerun. They then add; 'He’s reliable at the domestic [box office], safe, but has not had a huge success in years. I believe whenever possible the non event pictures, extra ‘bets’ should have a large inherent upside and be made for the right price. Here there isn’t a large inherent upside.' This despite the fact that Washington is not only one of the greatest actors of his generation, but also one of the biggest and most consistent box office stars. Perhaps most shocking though is that this email was written about The Equalizer after the film did incredibly well overseas. As Radar reports, 'Washington’s The Equalizer grossed $191 million at theaters worldwide, with 47% of the ticket sales coming from outside of the United States. The producer then writes, 'I believe that the international motion picture audience is racist — in general pictures with an African American lead don’t play well overseas.' It is unknown who the producer is, and Washington and Lynton have yet to comment on this latest leak. This as the group behind the hack, Guardians of Peace, have been successful in their goal of shutting down Sony's film The Interview, a comedy about the assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Sony Pictures Entertainment pulled the planned Christmas Day release of the picture after the hackers threatened 9/11-like terror attacks on cinemas showing the comedy. What's more, the film may never be released at all. 'Sony Pictures has no further release plans for the film,' said a spokesperson for the studio Wednesday evening. This despite the fact that the film cost $42million to make and tens of millions to market. Almost immediately, many in Hollywood voiced their concern, with writer Aaron Sorkin saying how upset he was that 'the U.S. succumbed to an unprecedented attack on our most cherished, bedrock principle of free speech by a group of North Korean terrorists,' and director Judd Apatow explaining the many problems this means for films moving forward. Federal government officials have said that North Korea is behind the hack, as has been assumed for the past two weeks, though they are not expected to formally announce this until later this week. Authorities are also looking into whether or not someone inside Sony helped the hackers. | A new email leaked by hackers reveals that one producer believes Denzel Washington has no worldwide box office appeal because he is black .
The producer, writing to Sony studio head Michael Lynton, says that his numbers aren't good enough when compared to other actors .
That si blamed on the 'racist' attitudes of non-American audiences by the producer, who is not named .
This despite the fact that the film in question, the Equalizer, made half of its money overseas . |
20,118 | 391fbedd2e04a794a8429019818e09eff64e42d1 | (CNN) -- Luci Baines Johnson was just 16 years old when she approached her father, President Johnson, with what she considered a reasonable request. Luci Baines Johnson, left, and her older sister, Lynda Bird, pose inside the White House in 1963. "I asked my father if we could have the Beatles come to play at the White House," she recalled. "I was very excited about it." His response? A decisive no, "without even any moment of trying to soften the blow," Johnson said in a recent phone interview. The president thought the move would be viewed as self-serving. His daughter, however, saw it as a chance to honor "a great talent" and strengthen ties between the United States and Great Britain -- not to mention a golden opportunity for her and her friends. "I could see how different sets of folks could have either perspective. And I suspect my father could see that too," she said. Luci Baines Johnson learned quickly of the scrutiny that came from being a first daughter. Her family moved into the White House in 1963, following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Johnson was catapulted into the exclusive fraternity of White House families and embraced what she describes as a role she landed simply by chance. That fraternity has most recently expanded to include President Obama's daughters, Sasha and Malia. "I was an eyewitness to history, over and over, during my father's five years in the White House. And I wasn't elected to that option. I had no qualifications that provided me that privilege except an accident of birth," she said. See famous first kids who grew up in the White House » . Johnson speaks fondly of the opportunity she was afforded to dine with kings and queens, meet the movers and shakers of her time, engage with the body of America and hold a front-row seat to history. While most of her memories fall into two categories -- "the fond personal memories" and "the fond memories of public privilege" -- there's one in particular that was a combination of both. "My 17th birthday, I received a handwritten note from my father, the only handwritten note I have, telling me how much he loves me and how much he has delighted in having me as his daughter for all those 17 years," she said. The note was dated noon, July 2, 1964. Six hours later, in the East Room of the White House, Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which banned discrimination based on race or gender in public places, schools and places of employment. "Can you imagine ever receiving a more momentous, glorious, exciting, thrilling birthday present that lasted forever and ever than something like that, that would change the world for all time and make it a much more decent place? That took place on my birthday," she said. Life in the White House, however, came at a cost. Johnson and the first children before and after her will always have to "pay a big price in terms of personal time," she said. More than 45 years after she moved into the White House, she still receives requests for interviews about the time she spent there. But the public's interest in first daughters is nothing new. Fanny Hayes, for example, who was about the same age as Malia when she moved into the White House in 1877, was followed by the media until the day she died. "She was an American celebrity," said presidential historian Doug Wead. While the interest in first daughters has stayed steady, the pressure on the children has intensified, said Wead, author of "All the Presidents' Children: Triumph and Tragedy in the Lives of America's First Families." "It's like the Miss America contest -- it's a real dilemma for the daughter of a president. She's supposed to be gracious. She's mocked and ridiculed if she isn't pretty," he said. When Chelsea Clinton was just 13 years old, for example, she was ridiculed in a 1993 "Saturday Night Live" sketch that declared her "not a babe." Actor Mike Myers later apologized, and the skit was cut from replays of the show. Amy Carter, who was 9 when she moved into the White House, was also mocked for her appearance and for her poor manners, after she pulled out a book during a state dinner. Her parents enrolled her in public school, illuminating the already bright spotlight on her. An infamous photograph of her first day at school shows the young girl with her head hanging low, carrying a Snoopy book bag and surrounded by a swarm of paparazzi. To this date, no other presidential children have attended public school. But other presidential children have taken on power roles in their fathers' administrations. Anna Roosevelt, for example, was a "super aide" to Franklin D. Roosevelt during his last year in office, Wead said, describing her as a combination of a personal secretary and chief of staff, not to mention popular in the public eye. And Alice Roosevelt, a fashion icon who was known to have quite the rebellious streak, also played a pivotal role for her father, Theodore Roosevelt. She went on an around-the-world junket for the purposes of American foreign policy -- a move that diverted attention from her father's efforts to bring about a peace treaty in the Russo-Japanese War, Wead said. The president later won a Nobel Peace Prize for his work on various peace treaties. Under the administration that followed, William Taft's daughter became one of the unsung heroes of women's rights, Wead said. Taft credited his daughter, Helen, for helping to change his mind about women's suffrage. But for all presidential children, Wead said, there remains a lifelong battle of seeking approval from their fathers while struggling to carve their own identities. Many presidential daughters have gone on to author books about their time in White House, in what Wead describes as an attempt to restore their fathers' reputations. "It's like sitting in front of a big window ... and seeing a billboard with misspelled words on it. It's just irritating," he said. "And the writing of a book, if it doesn't change history, it is a purifying experience for the child." Susan Ford Bales once told the San Francisco Chronicle that while in the White House, "I kept thinking, I want to be normal. But I can't be normal. .... Everyone was watching. It was like living out loud." But Ford also cashed in on some of the perks of her high-profile position and took Alice Roosevelt's advice to "have one hell of a good time." Ford roller-skated through the White House, held her prom in the East Room and scored VIP treatment at concerts -- including a backstage pass to see Rod Stewart. (That move ignited the public's interest in her, sparking rumors that she and Stewart were engaged.) Johnson said that some of the best advice she received while in the White House was to just recognize that she couldn't change things or make the attention go away. "There are inevitably going to be moments when you feel like the pressures of the goldfish bowl seem unfair or more than you can bear, but so are the opportunities to learn, to understand, to grow, to love, to make friends, to witness," she said. "I describe it as the best of times and sometimes the worst of times, but whatever the times, it was a time of extraordinary privilege." | Luci Johnson describes being a first daughter as an "extraordinary privilege"
It was "the best of times and sometimes the worst of times," she says .
First daughters often followed by media for remainder of their lives .
The pressure on first daughters has intensified over the years, historian says . |
9,978 | 1c4d4473d2be041736d819358c022bf6b0774979 | Shocking Facebook photos of a father who had his jaw broken in a street beating were reported to the social networking giant - for 'inciting violence'. Wife Laurette Martin, 38, spoke of her outrage after receiving the report on images of her HGV driver husband Jim lying in his hospital bed, which she shared with the world to catch his attacker. Rangers fan Mr Martin, a father-of-four, was attacked in a suspected act of hooliganism on Sunday near his home in Newarthill, Lanarkshire, hours after watching his team play rivals Celtic in Glasgow. WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT . Anger: Laurette Martin, 38 (right) posted photos of her battered and bloodied husband Jim (left) on Facebook to help catch his attackers - but was reported to the site for supposedly inciting violence by another user . Images: HGV driver Mr Martin (above) was left with serious injuries in hospital including a broken jaw . Photos of his injuries were quickly shared online and were included in news reports on the violence around the match, prompting an anonymous user to report them to Facebook. Mrs Martin, whose husband is now recovering out of hospital, was accused of breaking the social media site's rules on explicit content - though fortunately for her, the photos were not removed. 'I have been reported for promoting graphical violence by posting my husband's bloody face after his brutal attack,' she said. 'I posted this photo because I wanted to get information on who the culprits where and to show people who might have been involved or who might know the culprits what they have done to my wonderful loving husband, a father of four children. Offending photo: It was this distressing image of her husband's injuries which was reported . 'In no way have I done this to promote violence but to make people aware and to be carefully when out at night as there are so many evil people out there. 'If anyone has a problem with what I post and don't like it then by all means contact me before making a silly statements that are not true. 'I really don't have time to worry about silly things as I have more important things to worry about at this moment in time but it has annoyed me.' Facebook rules forbid anyone from posting content that 'incites violence' or includes graphic scenes. The rules state: 'You will not post content that: is hate speech, threatening, or pornographic; incites violence; or contains nudity or graphic or gratuitous violence.' However, the social networking site reviews cases and does not remove every image reported to it. The attack happened hours after Sunday's match between the two rivals, who are known as the Old Firm. Mr Martin's 17-year-old son Jordan was also a victim of the same attack but managed to escape. There was also outrage after a ten-year-old fan, Kieran Duffy, had a bottle thrown at his head on the way to watch the clash with his twin brother Declan. A local businessman has since offered a £1,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of Kieran's attacker. Violence: The attack happened hours after a Rangers v Celtic match at Glasgow's Hampden Park . Mr Martin was set upon as he walked past the McAlpine's Bar pub at 10.40pm on his way home from a local shop. Doctors needed to operate on Mr Martin's broken jaw amid fears he might have suffered permanent brain damage. Old Firm violence: Ten-year-old Kieran Duffy had a bottle thrown at his head on the way to the match . The HGV driver also suffered broken teeth and cuts and bruises to his face after being punched and kicked in the head as he lay on the ground. His 17-year-old son Jordan managed to escape after being punched and raised the alarm. Dressmaker Mrs Martin added: 'These scumbags have no idea what this has done to my family, our kids who are so upset by this and my baby who keeps asking for her daddy. 'I wanted to get information on who the culprits were and to show people who might have been involved or who might know the culprits what they have done to my wonderful loving husband.' Facebook has repeatedly been criticised for removing new mothers' 'breastfeeding pride' photos because they supposedly break nudity rules. Emma Bond, 24, of Oswestry, Shropshire, had a photo of her nursing premature baby Carene removed on the day she uploaded it in October. And in 2011 breast cancer survivor Melissa Tullett, from Rochester, Kent, was outraged when she had a celebratory photo of her reconstructed breasts removed from the site. Facebook reinstated Ms Bond's photo - but told Ms Tullett she would have to keep her photos offline. Three men aged 19, 23, and 29 had been arrested in connection with the alleged assault on Mr Martin, police said. Facebook rules forbid anyone from posting content that 'incites violence' or includes graphic scenes. The rules state: 'You will not post content that: is hate speech, threatening, or pornographic; incites violence; or contains nudity or graphic or gratuitous violence.' The social networking site reviews cases and does not remove every image reported to it. | WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT .
Laurette Martin, 38, posted graphic images of battered father-of-four Jim .
HGV driver broke jaw in attack after watching Rangers v Celtic match .
Photos shared to find the culprit - but were reported by anonymous user .
Rules ban 'inciting violence', but photo has been allowed to stay online .
Three men aged 19, 23, and 29 arrested in connection with assault . |
149,190 | 4ce92730ebeb7881f617078003977fad98ab86ab | Self-harming among children as young as 10 has risen by 70 per cent in the past two years. NHS figures show the number of children aged between 10 and 14 treated in hospital after deliberately hurting themselves has surged by 2,700 since 2012. The figures for teenagers between 15 and 19 treated for self-harm rose 23 per cent. NHS figures show the number of children aged between 10 and 14 treated in hospital after deliberately hurting themselves has surged by 2,700 since 2012 . Experts reacted with alarm at the figures, revealed by The Times newspaper. Lucie Russell, director of campaigns and media for the charity Young Minds said the online world that children were growing up in fuelled self-harm. She told The Times: ‘This has never happened before. It is the pressures of the modern world and some of these pressures are unprecedented.’ Ms Russell said the 24/7 online culture left young people living in the ‘constant present’. Pressures on teenagers such as bullying, sex and school work had existed before but ‘the online world is relatively new’. She added: ‘It is uncharted territory.’ Young people feel a constant pressure to portray a certain lifestyle on social network sites, describing the perfect body and the right amount of friends. ‘Online they create a brand – brand me – which says I have loads of friends and this is how I look. They feel the need for constant reassurance and there is no privacy any more,’ Ms Russell said. The online world has also created a new space for bullying. She said: ‘In the old days you might get bullied at school but you could go home and shut the door. Now young people are on the phone all the time and there is no let up on it and it increases the pressure.’ | Number of children between 10 and 14 treated for self-harm up by 2,700 .
Experts alarmed after numbers rise by 70 per cent in just two years .
Figures for teens between 15 and 19 up by 23 per cent, NHS statistics reveal . |
244,957 | c90aa2b8d98e4156bde49f4679528eaa0202ae5a | If you've ever wondered what your dog really gets up to, or simply wanted to experience life from a dog's point of view, a new harness could be the answer. The Fetch harness lets owners attach a high definition GoPro camera, made famous by extreme sports enthusiasts, to their pet. Owners can even choose their point of view - either mounting the camera on the dog's back or chest. Scroll down for video . The harness ca\n be attached to the dog's back or chest to capture high definition video. The camera allows owners to see exactly what their dog does. 'Digging, running, swimming, hunting and exploring – dogs can now showcase their world using the new Fetch mount,' goPro said. The fully adjustable mount is designed to fit small dogs of 15 pounds (7 kilograms) to large breeds up to 120 pounds (54 kilograms). 'The adaptability and versatility of GoPro cameras make them the perfect device to document life from a dog's point of view,' said Paul Osborne, GoPro's senior director of product management. 'We designed Fetch to meet the unique needs and usage for pets and can't wait to see the images and videos that owners will capture and share now that they have a mount specifically for their dog.' However, for worried owners concerned their pet may trash their camera, the firm says . 'Mud, snow, water and woods are no match for Fetch – the water-friendly mount holds up to the elements and can be machine or hand-washed to keep it clean.' Just in case the extreme action gets too much, the firm also includes a camera tether to keep the camera nearby, even if it should fall of. The fully adjustable mount is designed to fit small dogs of 15 pounds (7 kilograms) to large breeds up to 120 pounds (54 kilograms). The mount holds up to the elements and can be machine or hand-washed to keep it clean. | GoPro harness lets canines capture video .
Mount for high definition camera can be mounted on back or chest .
The gadget retails for $60 in the US or £59.99 in the UK . |
58,162 | a4e56115f605c24d9d7a004d8f2a25ac18639240 | By . Wills Robinson . These incredible pictures show a glider pilot bailing out after a terrifying mid-air collision at 4,500ft. Grandfather Andy Preston described how he was tipped upside down after what felt like a 'car crash in the air' and forced to quickly open his parachute before falling to the ground. The 70-year-old farmer, who was taking part in a gliding competition in Cambridgeshire, said it is the worst thing that has happened in his 19 years of flying and admitted he was lucky to get out. Scroll down for video . Mid-air: The horrifying events began to unfold after the two pilots collided during a competition in Cambridgeshire. Here they are pictured moments before the crash . Terrifying: The 70-year-old glider pilot was forced to take drastic action after the wing of his glider fell off . Free fall: As he jumped from the aircraft, he began to fall to the ground, prompting him to quickly release his parachute . 'It was very scary. It was like a car crash in the air. I was very lucky to get out. The other glider seemed to come out of nowhere,' the father-of-two said. 'I was 4500 foot up in the air, if you're going to crash then height is your friend. 'There was a very loud crash and my glider seemed to immediately tip upside down. It all happened very quickly.' Mr Preston, who has two children and two grandchildren added: 'I instantly knew I was in serious trouble. In training they teach you there are three things you have to do. I pulled the handle to open the canopy and then I pulled the buckle to release me and because of the latitude I was at I just fell out.' 'Once I was free of the aircraft I released the parachute. When I knew I was in trouble I just focused on getting on with it and my training kicked in. 'I then had two or three minutes of drifting down and there was no wind so I literally fell straight down. 'When I was falling time really slowed down. I'd never jumped out a plane before or anything like that so it was a very different experience.' Mr Preston described how he then crashed landed in a field, just 50 yards in front of a working combine harvester. Concerned the farmer didn't notice him, he managed to get to the edge of the crop. He was concerned he had killed the pilot of the other glider, but he managed to carry on flying and landed safely. Lucky: Andy Preston, 70, at his home in Milton Keynes, said the collision felt like a 'car crash in the air' and admitted he was fortunate to have got out . 'He didn't stop. I'm not sure if he hadn't seen me or if he thought I was just a professional parachuter. 'It's funny but it's also frightening to think I could have landed safely then been hit by farm equipment.' 'A farm worker came and gave me water and a phone. My leg was bleeding but the pain in my back and neck was the worst.' Mr . Preston took up gliding when he was 50 years old after his wife gave him . lessons as a birthday gift. He has since joined a gliding club, but . admits this is the worst experience he has been through. 'When . you go for a parachute jump they're big but gliders are so small that . the parachutes have to be too - they are intended purely for survival. It's equivalent to falling 12 ft off a roof. 'Paramedics . came and put me on a board. They decided at 9pm I was well enough to . get off the board but I was very wobbly and stayed the night. Bailing out: The pilot, aged 50, leapt from his cockpit following the collision and released his parachute . Escape: The pilot fell to the ground as the broken wing and aircraft plummeted to the ground . 'I . found out I had fractured a vertebrae, it's a stable fracture so it . won't require surgery. When I saw the photos I couldn't believe it, my . family couldn't believe it either. It was frightening to see the . pictures of me in the air.' Mr Preston said his love of gliding came from being an 'adrenaline junky' when he was younger. After 'flipping his car a few times, he learned how to remain cool in dangerous situations and 'not go stiff'. The 70 year old, who has been a farmer all of his life, said he is sad that the glider has gone, but does not think it is worth getting another. Local resident Martin Boss, who captured . the horrifying moment from his garden, was shocked to see the wing break . away from the glider and plummet to the ground. The electronics engineer, had been in his garden trying to get photos of . birds when he saw the gliders about half a mile away. The 45-year-old, said it was a shock to see the two gliders collide and one start to break up. He . said: 'There were about half a dozen to eight gliders and I took some . pictures of them. Then two of them touched each other, one of the wings . came off, and it went straight down.' Mr Preston's glider crashed upside down in a field near Little Paxton in Cambridgeshire. The broken wing landed nearby. The . pilot of the second glider was able to land safely on an airfield near . Bedford. The accident in now being investigated by the British Gliding . Association (BGA). Drifted: The pilot, safely suspended by the parachute, drifted slowly towards the ground as the broken wing sailed further away from the aircraft . The . pilots were taking part in the week-long Hus Bos Challenge Cup on . Saturday afternoon, which had 35 contestants, and each glider was . believed to have been flying at around 50mph. They were flying from the Gliding Centre at Husbands Bosworth, near Market Harborough in Leicestershire. Pete Stratten, chief executive of the BGA, said: 'This type of accident happens very rarely, it is a relatively safe sport but everybody does accept there is a greater risk than climbing on a commercial aircraft.' He said each glider would have been flying around 50mph and the force of the crash was enough to separate the wing from the glider. He added: 'The pilot jumped out effectively and the other pilot landed immediately.' Wreckage: The damaged glider landed upside down in a field in Little Paxton, Cambridgeshire. The broken wing fell to the ground and rested nearby . Scene: Police were called to the crash site while the pilot was taken to hospital . Reflection: The father-of-two has said he is sad that the glider is gone, but does not think it is worth getting another one . | Two gliders crashed at 4,500ft during a competition in Cambridgeshire .
Andy Preston, 70, took drastic action after the wing of his glider came off .
Described how the aircraft tipped upside down, forcing him to jump out .
The 50-year-old leapt from his cockpit to escape and released his parachute .
Incident is now being investigated by the British Gliders Association (BGA) |
56,009 | 9ec2f5eb62c4e75c5f14f68a2c4935c4b90e433f | Animosity: Dee Presley during 'Elvis: We Love You Tender' Book Party - January 8, 1980 at the Navarro Hotel in New York City, New York . She has been dubbed the King of Rock and Roll's 'evil stepmother' - the lady who waited until after his tragically young death to claim he not only had a gay affair but also engaged in an incestuous relationship with his beloved mother. Dead at the age of 88 at her home in Nashville, Tennessee, Davada 'Dee' Stanley Presley was the second wife of Elvis's dad Vernon, but as far as his hundreds of millions of fans are concerned she was no better than a gold-digger intent on ruining his stellar legacy. As for Elvis himself, his dislike bordered on open hate, succinctly summed up by his wife Priscilla, who claimed the King 'couldn't stand her'. It was only after he was found dead . on his bathroom floor at his Memphis mansion Graceland in August 1977 . that Dee began to spout her claims about Elvis's private life and drug . abuse. In many . televised appearances and in two much-maligned books, Dee made numerous . allegations including the unsubstantiated claim that Elvis in fact . killed himself after discovering he had untreatable bone-marrow cancer. She . also said that Elvis's marriage to Priscilla in 1967, already . controversial for their age difference and speculation about when they . first went to bed, was forced upon the singer. Unhappy . Family: Elvis Presley and his family including his father Vernon . Presley (3rd from left), stepmother Dee Presley (next to Elvis) and her . sons Ricky, David and Billy Stanley join Nelson Rockefeller and Nancy . Sinatra (1st left) during a recording session for the movie "Speedway" on June 21 1967 at MGM studios in Los Angeles California . Saving . her most jaw-dropping claims for the 1993 book 'The Intimate Life and . Death of Elvis Presley', Dee said that Elvis had become involved in an . incestuous affair with his mother Gladys, who died in 1958. She repeated this on national television and said she was told this by the family’s long-serving maid and Elvis's grandmother Minnie. 'Elvis's dislike of Dee bordered on hate....his wife Priscilla said that 'he couldn't stand her' And if the claim that Elvis Presley, the biggest star rock and roll has ever known, slept with his mother wasn't enough, Dee's book made the allegation that he had an affair with Nick Adams, an Oscar nominated actor and star of ABC's iconic series 'The Rebel', who died of a prescription drug overdose in 1968. However, many believed Dee's claims were motivated by petty jealously and vengeance aimed at Elvis for ruining her marriage to Vernon, which ended in November 1977, three months after Elvis's untimely death and 18 months before Vernon himself passed away. Loving Son: Memphis, Tennessee, USA --- Singer Elvis Presley kisses his mother, Gladys, on the eve of his induction into the Army. At left is his father, Vernon . Family bond: Elvis Presley, on his first leave from the Army, escorts his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Presley, from their mansion here to town for a sneak preview of the entertainer's latest movie, 'King Creole' In an interview published in the Lakeland Ledger in 1980 she said: 'Vernon was more married to Elvis than to me. He is ultimately what caused the deterioration of my marriage. He was incredibly selfish... like a black hole that totally sucks in everything around it.' Looking the total opposite of dark haired and dark eyed Gladys Presley, Dee, who died on September 28th, first saw Elvis as he played a show in Newport News, Virginia, in 1955. It was the year before he rocketed into celebrity orbit with hits such as Heartbreak Hotel, Blue Suede Shoes and Hound Dog. However it was another three years later in Friedberg, Germany, where they first met as Elvis was serving with Dee's then husband, Sgt. William Stanley, in the U.S. Army. Elvis's father had joined his son in Germany after the death in August 1958 of Gladys - which many say the King never truly got over or recovered from. Devotion: The graves of Elvis Presley (2-L), his Aunt Minnie (L), father Vernon (2-R) and mother Gladys (R) surrounded with memorial tributes from fans at Graceland, Elvis Presley's home in Memphis, Tennessee, USA . Dee set up a coffee date with the two to express her condolences, but when she arrived she discovered that Elvis had failed to show and left his father to meet the pretty blonde according to the Daily Mirror of the United Kingdom. Indeed, it has been speculated that Dee in fact had set her sights onto Elvis, but he apparently at age 24 was not interested in a 29-year-old woman, . 'He is ultimately what caused the deterioration of my marriage. He was incredibly selfish... like a black hole that totally sucks in everything around it.'....Dee Stanley Presley on her stepson Elvis . However, to Elvis's horror a romance blossomed between 52-year-old Vernon and Dee and in April 1960 Dee divorced her husband and settled down with Presley. This caused Elvis to fly into a rage at the thought that his father could even contemplate marrying again so soon after the death of his mother. Long recognized as the most important woman in Elvis's life, outstripping the impact of Priscilla whom he famously dedicated his hit 'You Were Always on My Mind' to, Gladys' death devastated the singer. In fact, next to his grave at Graceland is where Gladys is also buried, a site of pilgramage for the millions who descend on the Memphis mansion every year. Doting on his mother, Elvis bought Gladys a pink Cadillac when he became a global sensation, but she was prone to depression and her worries caused her to turn to drink. Loggerheads: Elvis in 1957 - every inch the icon (left) and Davada 'Dee' Stanley Presley who died on September 28th at her home in Nashville, Tennessee after releasing two controversial books on her stepson . Her excessive consumption of alcohol led her to develop liver damage and ultimately the hepatitis that killed her. Elvis was away with the Army when she passed away and when he returned home his aunt Lilian described the harrowing scene as he closed the door to where her body was lying and began to cry out loud. 'She’s all we lived for, she was always my best girl,' said Elvis according to the Daily Mirror. At her funeral the King threw himself over her body, screaming for her to come back to him and as she lay in the coffin he touchingly brushed her hair with his hands. 'He couldn’t stop touching her, kissing her, and whispering to her... ‘Just look at Mama, look at those hands of God, those hands toiled to raise me’. He carried around her nightgown, clutching it tightly even when he slept.' Those family members who knew Elvis well said that after her death, 'He never seemed like Elvis again.' Bloated: American rock singer Elvis Presley , wearing his iconic white rhinestone-studded suit performing in 1975 . Once he returned from the Army to begin his questionable film career, Elvis's relationship with Dee was best described as chilly. However, he did eventually offer her three sons jobs in his entourage known as the 'Memphis Mafia' and bought her and his father a home on Dolan Drive in an upmarket area of Memphis. These three boys became so engrained and trusted by Elvis that they became known as his 'TCBs' - 'Taking Care of Business.' However, no doubt the Memphis Mafia was tight, but according to other friends the group could possibly share some of the blame for Elvis's descent in drugs as they could never say no to him. One of Dee's sons, David Stanley, wrote after Elvis's death, 'I have never seen a human being in my life abuse drugs like Elvis. 'I am not talking about street drugs, I am talking about prescribed drugs. Some of the doctors were out for the almighty buck.' Some have claimed that one of the reasons for Dee's animosity towards Elvis later in her life was because he welcomed everyone of her family into his - apart from her. Her 1980 book, 'Elvis: We Love You Tender', is described as 'The story of a wife and mother, her sons and how it felt to have the major portion of our lives consumed by Elvis's own life.' After his death she seemed to blame Elvis for her own sons descent into drug use. 'Elvis was a drug addict and none of us could admit it until after he was gone,' she said. Priscilla and Lisa Marie Presley attend the Nevada Ballet Black And White Ball which honored Priscilla Presley As "Woman Of The Year" 2011 at the Aria Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas . 'There wasn’t a person in the world that would say no to him. If there was a woman or man strong enough, Elvis would be alive today.' 'His stepbrothers worshiped him and anything Elvis did, they did,' she said. But did Elvis feel some remorse? Dee believes so. She described him crying to her sons once and asking, 'Poor little Dee, poor little Dee, what have I done?' But Dee claimed she always loved Elvis. 'I couldn't hate him for causing me tragedy,' she said to the Lakeland Ledger. 'For taking my husband and my sons away....Elvis was really just as victimized as we were.' Defending her right to pen her own account of her time with Elvis, she justified it as taking back what had been lost to her. 'How could I exploit it any more than it has already been exploited? And besides, we all gave our lives to Elvis. Now maybe we’re just trying to take a little something back.' | Davada 'Dee' Stanley Presley has died at home in Nashville, Tennessee .
She was the second wife of Elvis Presley's father Vernon .
Became notorious among Presley fans for making outrageous claims about Elvis's sexuality and drug abuse .
Made the allegation that Elvis entered into an incestuous affair with his mother Gladys .
Claimed Elvis killed himself in 1977 because he knew he was dying of cancer .
Elvis was said to hate her for replacing his mother . |
198,711 | 8d36217147a53c11d5aa694390dda4893d60fa77 | Carlo Ancelotti's record-breaking Real Madrid team toasted an historic year at their Christmas lunch on Wednesday. Although they missed out on the La Liga title to city rivals Atletico, Real won their 10th Champions League crown in May as well as the Copa del Rey. On Tuesday night, they set a new Spanish record of 19 straight victories with a 4-0 triumph over Ludogorets. Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo is the centre of attention at Real Madrid's Christmas lunch held on Wednesday . Former Tottenham team-mates Luka Modric (left) and Gareth Bale chat as they look at the Welshman's phone . World Cup Golden Boot winner James Rodriguez (left) smiles alongside Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas . Ronaldo gives a wink reminiscent to the one he gave when Wayne Rooney was sent off against Portugal during the 2006 World Cup (right) Real Madrid coach Ancelotti hailed his 'extraordinary' team after they finished their Champions League Group B campaign with a 100 per cent record. Only five teams had previously managed to win all six group games in the competition. 'It is not easy preparing for each game with the same levels of motivation and eagerness that these players are showing', Ancelotti told www.realmadrid.com. 'After losing to Atletico (Madrid on September 13), I couldn't have imagined stringing together 19 consecutive wins. There was a Latin American feel to this table with Mexico's Javier Hernandez, Colombia's James Rodriguez and Costa Rica's Keylor Navas . Germany's World Cup-winning midfielders Toni Kroos (left) and Sami Khedira were sat next to each other at the Christmas lunch . France striker Karim Benzema (right) was sharing a table with Kroos and Khedira at the lunch . Modric and Bale were joined on their table by Khedira, Kroos, Benzema and French defender Raphael Varane (far left) 'I was sure that the things that weren't going well would be fixed, but not to this extent. 'It is a result we have achieved with extraordinary seriousness and an incredible amount of professionalism. 'I know that I have an extraordinary group of players. 'I have a very good relationship with the players. I care a lot for them and I thank them for the work they're doing as much as I can.' Manager Carlo Ancelotti (left) and president Florentino Perez (centre) were also in attendance on Wednesday . Tuesday's win allowed Madrid to pass the consecutive wins mark of Frank Rijkaard's Barcelona, a side that won 18 straight games in the 2005-06 campaign. Ancelotti's squad are five wins away from equalling the world record of 24 straight victories set by Brazilian outfit Coritiba FC in 2011. 'We are enjoying a great moment: the players, the technical staff and the club, which has always supported us,' Ancelotti said. 'We have to keep this run going.' Madrid are two points above Barcelona in the La Liga standings and play away to Almeria on Friday. VIDEO Real form surprising Ancelotti . Bale, Hernandez and Ronaldo celebrate after the latter scored during Tuesday night's 4-0 win over Ludogorets . Head here to Like MailOnline Sport's Facebook page. | Real Madrid broke the Spanish record with their 19th consecutive win in all competitions on Tuesday night .
Real players, manager Carlo Ancelotti and president Florentino Perez all attended Christmas lunch on Wednesday .
Carlo Ancelotti hails his record-breaking Real Madrid side after Galacticos secure 19th straight victory . |
184,178 | 7a8df673846cfabe23b8c9c44308bba86116f823 | By . Alex Ward . PUBLISHED: . 14:44 EST, 6 December 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 15:02 EST, 6 December 2012 . Long-lost sisters, who were reunited after 55 years apart, have discovered that they are in fact twins, separated at birth. Jenny Lucas and Helen Edwards, both 64, had no knowledge of each other after Jenny was given up for adoption until she tracked down her birth mother in 2003. When the pair met, they assumed they were half-sisters but were regularly surprised by their similarities such as the way they held their coffee cups and they would often go to call each other at the same time. Separated at birth: Jenny Lucas (right) and Helen Edwards (left) discovered they were long-lost twin sisters who have been reunited 55 years later . A DNA test in 2009 confirmed that they were full sisters but, still confused by their past they looked deeper into their late mother’s medical records only to discover that she had given birth to two babies on December 2, 1948, the date of Jenny’s birthday. Helen, from Morpeth, Northumberland, had always thought she was born on April 4, 1950, but medical records showed there had been no birth that day. Baffled by the mystery, the women believed that the second baby born on Jenny's birthday had most likely died but recent DNA tests have now confirmed that the sisters are actually non-identical twins. Whole childhood apart: Helen (pictured left at about two-years-old with father Wilfred Harrison) and Jenny (pictured right aged about 18-months-old with her adoptive parents) were separated when Jenny was given up for adoption . The ‘difficult’ discovery means Helen is actually 64-years-old, when she believed she was 62. Speaking today the sisters said the revelation left them with many unanswered questions about why there were separated at birth. But the sisters said they are ‘happy’ to finally have each other and have an explanation for the incredible similarities they share despite spending their whole lives apart. Retired surgical assistant, Helen, said: ‘I have been lied to about my birth all my life. ‘All the big dates in my life, like my 21st birthday, have been false. ‘This has been an incredible shock and it has been a very difficult time. ‘Jenny and I have gone through a real rollercoaster with this whole story. Discovering we were twins was happy news but a real shock. 'Difficult' discovery: Helen (right aged 18-years-old with mother) thought she was born on April 4, 1950 but discovered there had been no birth that day but two babies were born on December 2, 1948 - Jenny's birthday . ‘For twins to be separated at birth is hugely emotional, but does go some way to explain the similarities between us. We were brought up differently but are so alike.’ Jenny, a former professional golfer, from Tenterden, Kent, said: ‘Our mother’s medical records showed she had had five children, but all had been home births apart from the one in December, 1948, when she had been in hospital for 11 days which must have been because she had twins. ‘It was a huge shock to realise that I was in actual fact a twin but in many ways it made a lot of sense. ‘We are very alike, we have the same mannerisms, we hold our coffee cups the same way, we mirror each other on the little things - even when we first met. ‘We both have Chihuahua dogs too.’ Jenny, who discovered she was adopted when she was 14, began to search for her birth family in 1981. Having found her birth-aunt through her birth certificate, she was told her mother did not want to meet her because ‘too much water had passed under the bridge’. So alike: Jenny and Helen said the revelation was emotionally difficult but it explained their many similarities, despite growing up apart . Disheartened she went ahead with a move to Florida, in America with her husband Sam. When she returned to Britain in 2003, her cousin had managed to find her biological mother’s address. The mother-of-three plucked up the courage to visit her and was welcomed with open arms by her mother, who showered her with hugs and kisses. During the meeting, Jenny was told by her mother she must leave suddenly because her daughter Helen would be home soon, so she returned to America intrigued by the idea of a sister. When Jenny permanently moved back to the UK in 2007, her birth mother had passed away, leaving behind a death certificate listing Helen as her next of kin. Jenny tacked her down on social networking website Friends Reunited. The sisters, who believed they were born in wedlock, say they still have no idea why Jenny was put up for adoption and Helen was kept. | Jenny Lucas and Helen Edwards, both 64, were separated at birth .
They had no knowledge of each other until Jenny tracked down her birth mother after being given up for adoption .
DNA tests confirmed they were non-identical twins . |
34,392 | 61bb4fe207dff30bb0a232114112f426e3b16524 | (CNN) -- Serena Williams powered to her first Madrid Masters title, hitting 14 aces in a comfortable win over Victoria Azarenka in Sunday's final. Williams took just over an hour to take the 41st WTA singles title of her career in a 6-1 6-3 win over the world No. 1. The in-form Williams, who has won all 13 of her matches on clay this year, set the tone for a dominant performance by winning the first four games against an opponent that had lost just one set in the tournament before the final. Williams hit 26 winners past the Belorussian, taking four of her five break-point chances and denying Azarenka's single break-point opportunity. "I think Victoria is the player to beat," said Williams. "She has won I don't know how many tournaments this year alone. That's an amazing amount. So if you look at the stats, you just have to put her up there as the player to beat. "I actually love the clay but my results haven't been stellar. I have won the French Open and lots of clay-court tournaments, though. It's really a myth about me not liking clay. I like it more than grass, which is weird. Hopefully I can start doing better." Australian Open champion Azarenka had been looking for her fifth title this year, but was steamrollered by Williams. "Being in the final of such a tournament is a good achievement," said Azarenka. "It's disappointing to lose but what can you do, it's done. I have to think about the positive things and take the best out of this week. I've been playing some great tennis." Both players will be in action as the WTA Tour moves to Rome, where the field features nine of the world's top-10 players. Serena's older sister Venus will play her second tournament since losing to Radwanska in the Miami quarterfinals in late March, having lost in the second round in Madrid. | Serena Williams beats world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka 6-1 6-3 .
Madrid win provides Williams with 41st WTA singles title of career .
Williams blasts 14 aces and 26 winners in Sunday's final .
American has not lost a clay-court match this season . |
50,888 | 90031be43c4b065867b9ae34e67fbb939295c76f | (CNN) -- For the hotel doorman who greeted me on arrival in Kiev this week, the rain storms that have hit the Ukrainian capital served as a metaphor for a different sort of turbulence. "All of this will pass on the 25th" he said, referring to Sunday's presidential election. For someone who knows that even restoring some of the basic functions of government is going to be a challenge, the idea that a new president will be able to change the weather was a form of black humor. Barring a major upset, the task of banishing the storm clouds and restoring normality after the tumultuous events of the last seven months will fall to Petro Poroshenko, the veteran insider who won national approval by becoming the only oligarch to support the Maidan protest movement that overthrew Viktor Yanukovych earlier this year. With opinion poll leads of 30% or more over his nearest rival, the only real question seems to be whether he can get the majority needed win on the first ballot, something that hasn't been achieved since Ukraine became independent in 1991. The thing that might just make this possible is the prevailing mood of weariness among voters and the realization that the main beneficiaries of continued uncertainty would be Vladimir Putin and those working to break the country apart. Most recoil in horror at the thought of a divisive and bruising second round. There is even speculation that the runner up might concede for the sake of national unity should Poroshenko fall short of a straight win on Sunday. This is thought likely if second place goes to Serhiy Tihipko, the former Yanukovych ally expected to do well in the south and east. Very few imagine the other main contender, Yulia Tymoshenko, making a similar sacrifice. If and when Poroshenko emerges as president, winning the election is going to seem like the easy part compared to an in-tray of daunting and near impossible challenges. The first will be to put together a parliamentary majority capable of supporting his reform vision. This has become essential with parliament's powers once again increased under the restored 2004 constitution. Poroshenko's preference would be to keep Arseny Yatsenyuk as prime minister, not least because of the credibility he has established with the IMF and Western governments, while broadening the government to include former Party of the Regions people from the east. But, as leader of Yatsenyuk's Batkivshchyna party, Tymoshenko may have other ideas if she calculates that opposition would suit her personal interests better. It may take a painful split within the democratic bloc followed by a major realignment and new parliamentary elections in the autumn before Poroshenko gets the government he wants. Another major challenge will be to find a way of reaching out to the east. Prospects of holding a successful election in the Donbass region have improved following the intervention of the powerful locally-based oligarch Rinat Akhmetov, but suspicions of the government in Kiev and those who brought down Yanukovych run deep, even among those with no time for the violence of the pro-Russian separatists. Poroshenko's plans to visit the region in an early gesture of reconciliation will help, as will his willingness compromise on Russian language status. But the real test will be devising a new constitutional settlement that gives the regions the autonomy they want without increasing the risk of fragmentation. Proposals are being worked on to balance decentralization with programs designed to promote greater social integration between the regions. None of the efforts to promote greater national cohesion will get very far unless Poroshenko can find a way to turn around an economy projected to shrink by 5% this year. With tax rises, wages freezes, spending cuts and large hikes in energy prices on the way under the economic reform program agreed with the IMF, the new president's honeymoon period won't extend very far into the autumn unless he can convince Ukrainians that the foundations of recovery are being built. Signing the economic provisions of the EU association agreement will be an early priority in order to increase trade and strengthen business confidence. But at least some of the important cards are held by Russia. Greater flexibility on the gas price and Ukraine's outstanding gas bill would help to ease the country's weak financial position. Normalizing the situation in the east is vital to bring back investors frightened off by the threat of civil war. That is why coming to some kind of understanding with Russia will be another urgent priority for president Poroshenko. His team is confident that with a strong mandate he will be a negotiating partner Vladimir Putin can't ignore and that an agreement can be hammered out within two or three months. The terms of such a deal remain the most sensitive topic in Ukrainian politics, so details are hard to come by. But they are likely to cover things like Russian access to Ukraine's military-industrial facilities, new gas transit arrangements, the status of Crimea and perhaps an agreement that Ukraine will remain non-aligned. With most Ukrainians still opposed to NATO membership and the Alliance unwilling to admit a divided country, pragmatists argue that this would mean nothing more than facing up to reality. Perhaps the greatest challenge for the new president lies in meeting the expectations for change raised by the Maidan. The mood among the protesters certainly seems to have darkened during the course of the election campaign with many dismissing it as a reversion to politics as usual. They complain about the return of oligarchic influence and expect the dilution of anti-corruption reforms to trigger a new wave of street protests later in the year. To avert popular disillusionment Poroshenko needs to change the relationship between private wealth and public power. This is what his advisers seem to have in mind when they talk about the "new rules of the game;" reducing the political influence of oligarchs, insisting that they pay their taxes and ending the culture of favoritism in public procurement. Whether he can go far enough to satisfy the Maidan movement, while securing the cooperation of Ukraine's power elite in meeting the other difficult challenges he has to face is the question that will probably define his presidency. Perhaps changing the weather would be easier after all. READ MORE: Ukraine favors Europe . READ MORE: Prince slammed over Hitler jibe . WATCH MORE: 'Chocolate king' leads in polls . WATCH MORE: Memories of Maidan . | Ukraine's new president looks likely to be Petro Poroshenko, who supported the Maidan protest movement .
He will face a full in-box, including reaching out to the east, and coming to an understanding with Russia .
Perhaps the biggest challenge, David Clark writes, will be to rise to the expectations of Maidan . |
3,469 | 0a078513cee66db2ccaaca1b7b0755c96f0c5c8a | ISIS controls a vast compound in Iraq containing 2,500 rusting chemical weapons rockets, according to the Iraqi government. The site was bombed by the US during the 1991 Gulf War, but the munitions there were only partially destroyed, according to the UN - then left to Iraq to take care of. However, Iraqi officials wrote to the United Nations this summer claiming that abandoned weapons containing the lethal nerve agent Sarin are still in the ruins of the Muthanna State Establishment, which made chemical weapons in the 1980s and early 1990s, and that this is now in the hands of the violent jihadists. They warned that they had watched equipment there being looted on CCTV. A CIA picture of the Muthanna State Establishment, which produced chemical weapons on an industrial scale . Remnants of Iraq's chemical weapons program at the Muthanna State Establishment. It was destroyed by American bombs during the 1991 Gulf War . Cache: Isis controls a compound in Iraq containing 2,500 chemical weapons rockets, according to the Iraqi government. Pictured are Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians preparing unexploded ordnance for demolition at a safe disposal area near Baghdad in 2003 . A U.S. Army Third Infantry Division soldier loads materials discovered in an explosives laboratory hidden in a home April 15, 2003 in Baghdad, Iraq . Militants then shut the surveillance cameras at the depot down, the New York Times reported. Iraq's UN Ambassador Mohamed Ali Alhakim wrote to the UN saying that 'armed terrorist groups' took over the Muthanna complex, which lies 60 miles north of Baghdad, on June 11. In a letter to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Ambassador Mohamed Ali Alhakim said remnants of a former chemical weapons programme are kept in two bunkers there. 'The project management spotted at dawn on Thursday, 12 June 2014, through the camera surveillance system, the looting of some of the project equipment and appliances, before the terrorists disabled the surveillance system,' Alhakim wrote in the letter dated June 30. 'The Government of Iraq requests the States Members of the United Nations to understand the current inability of Iraq, owing to the deterioration of the security situation, to fulfill its obligations to destroy chemical weapons,' he said. The Muthanna complex measures three by three miles and was thought to be capable of producing around 4,000 tonnes of nerve agent a year. Alhakim singled out the capture of bunkers 13 and 41 in the sprawling complex 35 miles (56 kilometers) northwest of Baghdad in the notorious 'Sunni Triangle.' The last major report by U.N. inspectors on the status of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction program was released about a year after the experts left in March 2003. It states that Bunker 13 contained 2,500 sarin-filled 122-mm chemical rockets produced and filled before 1991, and about 180 tons of sodium cyanide, 'a very toxic chemical and a precursor for the warfare agent tabun.' However, U.S. Defence Department spokesman Rear Admiral John Kirby said earlier that the United States' best understanding was that 'whatever material was kept there is pretty old and not likely to be able to be accessed or used against anyone right now'. 'We aren't viewing this particular site and their holding it as a major issue at this point,' Kirby said. 'Should they even be able to access the materials, frankly, it would likely be more of a threat to them than anyone else.' It was revealed this week that about 5,000 chemical weapons were recovered or destroyed in Iraq following the 2003 invasion but the Pentagon chose to keep the findings top secret. An investigation by The New York Times has revealed that U.S. forces happened across the hidden caches of warheads, shells and aviation bombs between 2004 and 2011. Secrets: In 2002 President George W. Bush said Hussein was developing a program of chemical weapons but no evidence of such weapons was ever found . But the information wasn't made public for several embarrassing reasons including the fact some of the weapons were U.S.-made, plus they had been sitting dormant since the early 1980s and therefore didn't support President George W. Bush's rationale for going to war. The weapons - most of them mustard agents in 155-millimeter artillery shells or 122-millimeter rockets - were developed by Saddam Hussein during the Iran-Iraq war which raged between 1980 and 1988. But on September 12, 2002, President Bush had contended that Hussein was developing new chemical weapons capable of 'mass destruction'. 'Right now, Iraq is expanding and improving facilities that were used for the production of biological weapons,' he said. But all the weapons found had been developed before 1991. In March 2003, President Bush received a mandate from the U.S. Congress to lead an invasion of Iraq, asserting that Iraq was in violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1441. With strong support from British P.M. Tony Blair, the Bush administration claimed that Sadam and his forces were in possession of weapons of mass destruction that posed a threat to U.S. security and that of allies including the U.K. and Australia. After investigation following the invasion, the U.S. led Iraq Survey Group concluded that Iraq had ended its nuclear, chemical and biological programs in 1991 and had no active programs at the time of the invasion, but that they intended to resume production if the Iraq sanctions were lifted. Although no active chemical weapons program was found, at least 17 U.S. troops and 7 Iraqi police officers were burned or wounded when chemical devices exploded. President Bush later said that the biggest regret of his presidency was 'the intelligence failure' in Iraq, while the Senate Intelligence Committee found in 2008 that his administration 'misrepresented the intelligence and the threat from Iraq'. The U.S. completed its withdrawal of military personnel in December 2011, during the ninth year of the war. The rise of ISIS means that the U.S. will send an army headquarters to Iraq for the first time in three years to assist local security forces struggling to resist advances by the fundamentalist group. Another reason for the cover-up, according to The Times, was that five of the six chemical weapons encounters involved weapons designed by the U.S. '''Nothing of significance'' is what I was ordered to say,' said Jarrod Lampier, a now-retired Army major who was present when forces found 2,400 nerve agent rockets in 2006 - the largest chemical weapons discovery of the war. Soldiers were also loathe to report finding the caches as documenting chemical weapons added hours of extra work to their load. Chemical warfare specialists had to be called in, and waiting for them to arrive put coalition forces in dangerous positions. 'I could wait all day for tech escort to show up and make a chem round disappear, or I could just make it disappear myself,' one ex-soldier told The Times. The mustard shells could be put in with other explosives that needed to be destructed and then detonated. However, handling chemical weapons lead to many injuries, which were not taken seriously by military doctors at the time. Many explosive ordnance disposal personnel were not aware that the shells they were handling contained chemicals, believing them to be regular old artillery. At least 17 American military personnel and seven Iraqi police were sickened by poisons - usually sarin and mustard gases. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (centre) is greeted as he arrives at Vienna International Airport. He's in the country to discuss Iran's nuclear program . Many of the shells would leak liquid during transportation, exposing the soldiers to the potentially-lethal fumes. Symptoms ranged from disorientation and nausea to blindness and huge, seething blisters. Jarrod Taylor, a former Army sergeant on hand for the destruction of mustard shells that burned two soldiers in his infantry company, joked of 'wounds that never happened' from 'that stuff that didn't exist'. 'I love it when I hear, ''Oh there weren't any chemical weapons in Iraq'',' he said. 'There were plenty.' | Isis controls a former chemical weapons factory near Baghdad, it's claimed .
The Muthanna State Establishment made nerve agents in the 80s and 90s .
Iraq wrote to the UN this summer to say that it had lost control of the depot .
Officials said that armed terrorist groups had taken over the complex .
It comes after it was revealed the US found 5,000 chemical weapons in Iraq . |
273,614 | ee713a1cd54a1d564bacdb6f7f3f81a2e99a8aeb | Veteran actor Brian Blessed has withdrawn from a production of King Lear just over a week after collapsing on stage due to a heart condition. The booming-voiced 78-year-old initially continued with the show, in which he took the title role, but his agent said he was now withdrawing on medical advice. He said: 'Mr Blessed's heart condition is more serious than he was aware. On the advice of his specialist, and with a broken heart, Brian has therefore been compelled to withdraw from the production of which he is so proud. Scroll down for video . Veteran actor Brian Blessed has withdrawn from a production of King Lear just over a week after collapsing on stage due to a heart condition . Blessed continued with his performance as King Lear after collapsing on stage on January 19 in Guildford after taking a break; his agent has said the actor's heart condition is 'more serious than he was aware' 'He is immensely grateful for the support he has received from The Guildford Shakespeare Company. Mr Blessed will be making no further comment at this time.' Blessed, whose career stretches back six decades, will be replaced in the role by Terence Wilton. The sold-out production marked Blessed’s first stage performance as Lear – and the first time he has appeared opposite his daughter Rosalind Blessed who played the part of Goneril. Blessed had just started delivering his lines at the start of the Shakespearean tragedy on January 19 when he fainted, toppled off a raised platform and fell heavily, his crown rolling to a halt at the front of the stage. The sold-out production marked Blessed’s first stage performance as Lear – and the first time he has appeared opposite his daughter Rosalind Blessed who played the part of Goneril; Blessed will be replaced in the role by Terence Wilton . Fellow actor Noel White, playing the Earl of Kent, announced quietly: ‘Ladies and gentlemen, this is not part of the play. Is there a doctor in the house?’ Indeed there was. A barely conscious Mr Blessed, flat on his back and surrounded by worried cast members including his daughter Rosalind, was examined by a local surgeon who was attending the show in Guildford. After five minutes Mr Blessed was helped off stage, the audience clapping with relief that the big-voiced sometime star of Z Cars was still alive. Blessed returned to the stage some 20-minutes later, apologetically telling the audience: 'I feel such an idiot and am not in the habit of doing this, but I have a little fibrillation.' Despite waves of dizziness and such shortness of breath that he rolled his eyes and occasionally clutched his chest, he then resumed what soon became one of the more remarkable and moving renditions of Lear of all time, wrote the Daily Mail's theatre critic Quentin Letts. During the early scenes it was far from clear he would be able to continue and his fellow actors looked terribly worried about him. But there was no stopping him. ‘Let’s keep going!’ he was heard saying, and later 'we're doing it'. When he struggled to maintain his balance during a scene with James Sobol Kelly’s Earl of Gloucester, Mr Blessed growled almost with anger: ‘No, I’m not stopping yet. Maybe Lear’s not well.’ What he meant was that his illness matched the king’s physical decline. The way he was staggering round the stage, panting hard, sitting whenever possible, did indeed fit with the condition of the crumbling monarch he was playing. At the conclusion of the play Blessed patted his heart and gave a thumbs-up gesture. | Brian Blessed's heart condition is 'more serious than he was aware'
'On the advice' of his specialist he has pulled out of the production .
Blessed collapsed on stage during a performance in Guildford .
But after a 20-minute break he returned and completed the show . |
171,904 | 6a7abd0a77117dc37947619580c8a0eeff8f5a54 | (CNN) -- The Catholic Church in Ireland is going high-tech in a bid to reverse a dramatic decline in the number of priests. An establishment viewed as a bastion of tradition is turning to a new app to encourage more "applications." The app, says the church, is "designed to promote vocations to the priesthood." It is being hailed as a "world first" by the church in Ireland. "The app is an original approach to assist current and future generations seeking to investigate and find information on vocations to the diocesan priesthood in Ireland," a statement issued ahead of the launch said. The number of new recruits to the priesthood has fallen sharply in the recent decades -- and as Ireland has become engulfed in a series of child sex abuse scandals over the past few years. The situation led to a respected former Catholic bishop in Ireland to call for an end to clerical celibacy. Edward Daly, the retired bishop of Derry, said allowing clergymen to marry would ease many of the church's problems. Daly told CNN he was worried about the decreasing number of priests and the number of older priests. The issue "needs to be addressed and addressed urgently," Daly said, adding he found it "heartbreaking" priests were forced to resign or prospective priests were unable to join the priesthood because of the celibacy rule. The new 'Vocations' app was designed by Father Paddy Rushe and developed by the company Magic Time Apps, based in Dublin. It is available to download for free from the Apple iPhone App Store, said the church. Some of the features of the app, according to the church, are: Connection to Twitter and Facebook; Social networking at the service of vocations; Contact details and statistics on the 26 dioceses of Ireland; Frequently asked questions to assist a person to discern his vocation; News feed running from the national vocations website; Novel and cursory 'tests' to enable the user to reflect on vocation potential. "Future updates will include a "prayer counter" to allow people pledge a period of prayer for vocations and a picture gallery which will include some images from the life of a seminarian," the church statement said. The launch of the new app marks the official handover from Rushe as the National Coordinator for Diocesan Vocations to Father Willie Purcell and his team, said the church. The app is part of a campaign promoted on the church website -- http://www.vocations.ie -- and follows 'Priesthood Sunday,' which was on September 25. The website called it "an opportunity to highlight and promote particularly the vocation to the priesthood." A statement on the website stressed more priests are needed: "The number of priests per Catholic has declined over the past 40 years. This makes it more difficult for individual parishioners to establish a close relationship with any one particular priest." "Also, priests are no longer the only ones who offer pastoral care to our people," the statement continued. "Yet without a priest, no parish is able to be a Eucharistic community. It is important to reaffirm the importance of the priesthood of Jesus Christ and its central place in the life of our church." | The app is a first by the Catholic Church in Ireland .
It's being billed as a 'world first"
The app is "designed to promote vocations to the priesthood"
The number of priests per Catholic has declined over the past 40 years . |
163,169 | 5eff8e18f7f6f5d08e5f0934ef04dad886c44d61 | (CNN) -- Years before the first Gulf War, Saddam Hussein was slaughtering Iraq's Kurds with bombs, bullets and gas. Kurdish refugees fleeing Saddam Hussein's chemical weapons attacks in 1988. The Reagan White House saw it as a ruthless attempt to put down a rebellion by a minority ethnic group fighting for independence and allied with Iraq's enemy, Iran. But Peter Galbraith thought it was something worse. "A light went off in my head, and I said, 'Saddam Hussein is committing genocide,'" said Galbraith, who was on the staff of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee at the time. An unabashed idealist, Galbraith was known for tackling unconventional issues. "If you're going to be idealistic in life, you're going to be disappointed," he said. "But that's not a reason to abandon idealism." Galbraith was one of the first Westerners to witness the effects of the slaughter. During a fact-finding trip for the Senate in 1987, he saw something troubling. "When we crossed from the Arab part of Iraq into the Kurdish part of Iraq, the villages and towns that showed on our maps just weren't there," he said. Bulldozing Kurdish villages was just the first phase of Hussein's war against the Kurds. In 1988, it escalated with chemical weapons. "Thousands, maybe tens of thousands of people were killed in those attacks, and then Iraqi troops moved into those villages and gunned down the survivors." Galbraith wanted to invoke the U.N.'s Genocide Convention, which requires countries to prevent and punish such crimes. "We could not stand aside and allow Saddam Hussein to commit genocide against the Kurds of Iraq." With the support of his boss, Democratic Sen. Claiborne Pell of Rhode Island, Galbraith drafted a bill -- the Prevention of Genocide Act -- that would cut off U.S. foreign aid to Iraq and impose a trade embargo. "That would have been an appropriate response to a dictator who is gassing his own people," Galbraith said. "I thought with a name like that it would garner a lot of support." But the compelling name was not enough. So Galbraith went back to the region to gather more evidence. Watch as Galbraith describes his fight to end the slaughter » . Tens of thousands of Kurds had fled to Turkey. Survivors described blinding, burning clouds of poison gas that dropped people in their tracks. "These people don't make up these stories. These are real stories. And if you talk to them, if you simply talk to them ... you know that they're telling the truth," Galbraith said. His report was still not enough to persuade the White House to punish Saddam. Watch as Galbraith discusses genocide » . The Reagan administration had invested several years cultivating Iraq as an ally against Iran, their mutual enemy, and as a market for U.S. products, including more than $1 billion a year in farm exports. The Prevention of Genocide Act would end the diplomatic courtship and hurt U.S businesses. Read once-secret documents from the Reagan administration . "I had a fellow who worked for one of the Louisiana senators call me up really in tears," Galbraith said. "And when I talked about genocide against the Kurds, he talked about the genocide that I was committing against the rice farmers of Louisiana." Although then-Secretary of State George Schultz warned Iraq that use of outlawed chemical weapons jeopardized the two countries' budding relationship, Schultz's spokesman said imposing economic sanctions would be premature. Watch as George Schultz explains the administration's position » . To Galbraith, "that was a morally repugnant statement." The Reagan administration also claimed Galbraith's bill used "inaccurate terms like genocide." But for Galbraith, this was no time for semantics. "Should we have waited until he used chemical weapons again? Should we have waited until instead of 5 percent of the Kurdish population was murdered -- 10? 15?" In the end, the House of Representatives killed Galbraith's sanctions bill with backing from the Reagan administration. Politics had trumped principle. Galbraith calls the U.S. policy "appeasement." "We were not able to modify Iraq's behavior," Galbraith said. "And guess what?" Two years later, in August 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait, its oil-rich neighbor to the south. This time, the U.S. compared Saddam to Hitler. And with Kuwait's oil at stake, the U.S finally screamed bloody murder. | Years before the first Gulf War, Saddam Hussein was slaughtering Iraq's Kurds .
Peter Galbraith was one of the first Westerners to see the effects of the killing .
A Senate staffer at the time, he tried to invoke the U.N. Genocide Convention .
The House killed his sanctions bill with backing from the Reagan White House . |
36,255 | 66d5c1fc05fb56b0bc53bdcd6f517dcf78785541 | A suspected jihadist accused of a deadly shooting at Belgium's Jewish Museum also guarded Western hostages while fighting with ISIS in Syria, according to a French journalist and former captive. Nicolas Henin -- who was released in April from captivity in Syria -- told reporters Saturday that suspect Mehdi Nemmouche not only was one of his captors, but that he tortured and beat those in his charge. "I've been given a number of graphic and audio materials that allowed me to be certain that the fighter that I met in Syria during my captivity was indeed Mehdi Nemmouche," he said during a news conference held in Paris. Henin told CNN he spent seven of the 10 months he was held with beheaded U.S. journalist James Foley, making it possible that Nemmouche would also have come in contact with him. He told reporters Nemmouche physically assaulted him a number of times during his captivity. "I don't know of any bad treatment to any other foreign hostages coming from him specifically, but I witnessed him torturing local prisoners," Henin told reporters. Nemmouche is currently in Belgium, having been extradited from France in July. He awaits prosecution in the fatal shooting of four people at the Jewish Museum in Brussels in May. Henin's accusation against Nemmouche first surfaced in a piece published Saturday in Le Point. Le Point, Henin's employer, said it had not planned to go public with Henin's information because they worried that doing so could jeopardize the safety of about 20 Western hostages still held by ISIS in Syria. But a report Saturday by French newspaper Le Monde that made public Nemmouche's alleged involvement in hostage-taking forced its hand. French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve told reporters in Montpellier on Saturday that French officials believe Nemmouche "could have been the jailer of hostages, including our hostages." CNN has not been able independently to verify the allegations. An attorney for Nemmouche, Apolin Pepiezep, declined to comment when contacted by CNN. But he told France-based BFM-TV that he thinks the journalist is confusing his client with someone else. Pepiezep confirmed his client was questioned by French authorities this summer, but was not asked about that period in Syria. Portrayal of lost, perverse young man . Le Monde reports that the French internal security directorate, the DGSI, passed information to the counterterrorism section of the Paris prosecutor's office on Nemmouche's suspected role based on testimony from former hostages. The witness accounts vary, the newspaper reports, with some saying it was "possible" Nemmouche was one of the captors, while others were more certain. According to certain witnesses, Le Monde says, Nemmouche was only a lowly member of ISIS tasked with guarding the Western hostages -- but he showed great brutality and committed serious abuses. The account given by Henin -- one of four French hostages released in April -- to Le Point appears to bear out that characterization. It paints a picture of Nemmouche as an egotist and storyteller, a lost, perverse young man who sees jihad as a route to the notoriety he craves. He allegedly guarded Western hostages then held in a former hospital in Aleppo, Syria, that had been transformed into a prison. Henin says he was his captor between July and December of last year. "When Nemmouche was not singing, he would torture," Henin is quoted as saying. He alleges Nemmouche was part of a small group of French jihadists who would terrorize about 50 Syrian prisoners held in the neighboring cells. "Every evening, the blows would start to rain down in the room where I myself had been interrogated," he recalls. "The torture lasted all night, until the dawn prayer. The screams of the prisoners were sometimes met by yelps in French." Henin's full account of his experiences in captivity is due to be published next week by Le Point. Prosecutors: Suspect found with revolver, Kalashnikov . Cazeneuve, the French interior minister, said that as soon as the freed hostages gave information to the DGSI about Nemmouche, "it was immediately communicated to (officials) so that justice could follow its course." He added, "This was done in extremely discrete manner to facilitate the efficiency of the procedures in the face of a character who is extremely violent ... and represented a danger to the safety of French people." French prosecutors said at the time of Nemmouche's arrest that he had been found in a check on a bus entering Marseille with a checked bag containing a revolver, a Kalashnikov and a small GoPro camera like the one seen on the suspect in the museum shooting. The 29-year-old, from Roubaix in the Pas-de-Calais region of northern France, recently spent a year in Syria and is a radicalized Islamist, the chief prosecutor of Paris said at a news conference. François Molins said Nemmouche, who has a criminal history that included a five-year prison stint, was influenced by Islamist teachings while in prison and left for Syria three weeks after being released in September 2012. Also found in the bag, according to Molins, was "a white cloth with words written with a marker, mentioning in Arabic the Islamic State in Iraq and Levant," as ISIS is also known. Foley 'had to endure more' Henin told CNN last month that he and Foley had been mistreated at times by their captors while held together. "Foley especially had to endure more because he was American," he said. "He was missing his family and would talk often about them." Foley's killing was followed days later by another video showing the beheading of another American journalist held by ISIS, Steven Sotloff. A threat was made at the end of the video to a British hostage in the group's hands. Henin was freed along with French photographer Pierre Torres and two other French journalists, Didier François and Edouard Elias, on April 19. It's not known what went on behind the scenes to secure their release, but French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius insisted that France had not paid a ransom, Radio France Internationale reported at the time. Raid on ISIS suspect in the French Riviera . | Nicolas Henin tells reporters Mehdi Nemmouche beat him during captivity in Syria .
Nemmouche is accused in the shooting of four people at the Jewish Museum in Belgium .
Henin, a reporter for Le Point, alleges that Nemmouche used to beat and torture prisoners .
Henin was freed in April after 10 months in captivity, part of which he spent with James Foley . |
87,128 | f73f8b9d08ca45528c5d4d81fd44a9184e5f1501 | (CNN) -- It has become a commonplace that it is hard to comprehend the disaster in Haiti. If so, and if we hope to provide Haitians with anything like the help that they need, then we must understand where our minds fail us. One problem that we do not yet face is having our compassion numbed by the sheer magnitude of the calamity. Indeed, it has evoked a deep visceral response, as we see graphic images of individual suffering on a background of mass devastation. When our local tea store is devoting 20 percent of sales to relief and cell phone donations keep pouring in, the scope of the tragedy is mobilizing, not paralyzing. The threat to our compassion comes, rather, from feeling ineffective. We risk that failure if we cannot grasp the realities facing Haiti. Here, we face two deep mental challenges. One is that we must struggle to comprehend how many interdependent threads of Haiti's social fabric have been ripped apart. People lost family, friends and communities in an instant. Children were orphaned in a nation already struggling to care for many orphans. Hospitals, factories and government agencies disappeared. Essential aid organizations lost brave people and resources. Communications and transportation were ruined, including the port that brings almost all goods into the nation. Here, imagining ourselves in the Haitians' plight might help. Can we imagine trying to recover, if our country faced the most massive disaster in its history, without work, food, medicine, transportation, commerce or government? The second challenge is that our minds also struggle to reason quantitatively about events beyond our normal experience. Here, a back-of-the-envelope calculation might help. Assume, plausibly, that everything that 3 million Haitians need must be brought in from outside their country for a period of time. Assume that each Haitian needs 5 pounds of goods per day (food, water, medical supplies, soap, cooking fuel, the gasoline needed to distribute these supplies and more). Assume that everything must be flown in (at least until the port can be reopened). That means 15 million pounds (7,500 tons) of airfreight per day. If a cargo plane can carry 75 tons, then that means 100 flights per day, or one plane landing every 15 minutes, then having its goods unloaded and distributed to victims across the country. One way to understand what those numbers mean is by analogy. The Berlin Airlift was another crisis that required a massive mobilization to supply an isolated population in desperate need. Berlin was cut off by a hostile power, rather than by an ocean. It was devastated by war rather than by an earthquake. Its 2 million citizens needed roughly 5,000 tons of goods per day, delivered through limited entry points, over distances comparable to those of Haiti's island neighbors. The airlift required an unprecedented logistics operation, which Soviet and East German authorities believed impossible. It encountered serious organizational problems in coordinating American forces among themselves and with our allies. It drew resources from other military theaters. It was enormously expensive, in both money and the lives of aviators. In some ways, supplying Haiti is easier. Technology is vastly improved and the world much wealthier. But in other ways, supplying Haiti is even more difficult than the Berlin Airlift. Berlin was occupied territory, under Allied military rule; while Haiti has little functioning government, and those trying to help are struggling to work out their division of labor. If we are not thinking in terms of an effort as massive and risky as the Berlin Airlift, then we have not gotten our minds around the problem. Unless we grasp the complexity and magnitude of the task, then we may be expecting brave, dedicated relief workers to do the impossible -- and be disappointed when they cannot do it all. As a nation, we may fail to support our leaders in providing the sustained resources that the mission requires. If our collective imagination and our sense of history fail us, then we will not achieve the results that our compassion demands -- and will fail Haiti and its people in their long, difficult road to recovery. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Baruch Fischhoff and Kathleen Tierney. | The earthquake devastated Haiti's families, social networks and economy, authors say .
They say it's difficult to conceive of the dimensions of the need .
The U.S. and others will have to supply essentials of life for a time, they say .
Authors: In some ways, the aid operation is equivalent to airlift that sustained Berlin in 1940s . |
48,122 | 87d816909086c9c2f1c76d45a99a638cbeb34b67 | (CNN) -- It was conceived in secret in the 1980s but it's difficult to miss the Airbus A380 these days. The giant aircraft is a true leviathan of the sky and has just marked its fifth year of commercial service. In October 2007 Singapore Airlines became the first airline to fly the A380, the world's longest commercial airliner at the time. That title is now claimed by the Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental, but the A380 is still wider and carries more passengers. Read more: Boeing 747-8 vs. Airbus A380 . Since first taking to the skies to great fanfare, 89 A380s have come into service around the world, with Thai Airways recently becoming the ninth airline to operate the "Superjumbo." In total, 257 orders for new A380s are booked in, with Airbus aiming to ramp up production to as many as three aircraft per month in the coming years. Cultivating this demand is essential if the plane is to be profitable. The A380 initially arrived three years overdue and billions of dollars over budget. Other setbacks during its first five years of service -- including cracks in the wing components discovered in January this year -- have also slowed production as checks and repairs were made on the worldwide fleet. See also: What will Airbus A380 fault mean for airlines? Despite these challenges, Airbus says it expects to break even on the A380 by 2015. Key to this expansion is securing large orders in emerging markets such as Brazil, China and Mexico, the company says. Stiff challenges will undoubtedly come from Boeing's 747-8i, but with a few years' head start, Airbus hopes the A380 will see off the competition. Check out the gallery at the top of the page to see more of the Airbus A380's impressive stats. | The Airbus A380 has just celebrated its fifth anniversary as a commercial aircraft .
It's 15 meters wider than a Boeing 747 "Jumbo Jet"
There are now 89 A380s in service around the world, operated by nine airlines . |
45,856 | 813b81ba03340c754f79a4498333d7f363e5dfce | By . Wills Robinson . Today, they are bustling high streets lined with supermarkets or squares surrounded by bars and restaurants. But 100 years ago they were the targets of strategic bombing campaigns or the routes used by troops to get to the Western Front. These incredible composite pictures show scenes from Britain, northern France and Belgium, comparing how they looked in 1914 to their appearance today. They include the British Army's 4th King's Own Royal Lancers walking through a street that is now filled with shoppers and supermarkets in Tonbridge, Kent, and prisoners of war being escorted through a Belgium square which has become a popular tourist destination. Modern cars appear to be parked next to soldiers in uniforms while buildings that were close to ruin by shelling show how they have been renovated since the attacks. The project has been put together to mark the centenary of the First World War. Scroll down for video . Marching through the streets: This composite image shows the 4th King's Own Royal Lancers regiment walking along Railway Approach Road in Tonbridge, Kent. A young boy walks alongside his heroes holding a basket. In the present day, shoppers visit estate agents and supermarkets that line the street . Crashed: The wreckage of a downed German plane is pictured near the Place de la Concord, Paris, in 1914. In the background is a white car travelling through the square . Prisoners of war: One hundred years ago, British soldiers captured at the Western Front by German forces were escorted through the Grand Place in Brussels, Belgium. It is now a major tourist attraction and was voted the world's most beautiful square in 2010 . Through the ages: The railway station in Roye, a commune in the Somme, northern France, still stands despite damage caused during fighting in 1914. The line is still in use today, with services running to the Gare du Nord in Paris throughout the week . Reconstructed: A French soldier walks outside the former Episcopal Palace in the small town of Verdun, north-eastern France, which was badly damaged by bombing. It has now been rebuilt and houses a World Centre for Peace . Transporting supplies: Members of the British Army's Royal Garrison Artillery wade across the Somme Canal in northern France carrying duck boards to the Western Front. The stretch of water connected the English Channel with the Canal de Saint-Quentin at St Simon, but it was closed to traffic in 2005 . Relaxation: German troops are sit outside the Varreddes town hall in northern-central France in 1914. In the present day, a man in jeans stands next to the wall . Close to devastation: Scaffolding surrounds the Les Halles in Ypres, Belgium, the site of three major battles during the war. It was almost completely devastated by bombing, but it was restored to its former glory and is now a focal point of the town . | Scenes from Britain and northern France have been made into composites, comparing 1914 with the present day .
They have been put together to mark this year's centenary of the First World War .
The pictures include the British Army's 4th King's Own Royal Lancers walking through a street in Tonbridge, Kent .
Prisoners of war are also captured being escorted by German troops through a square in Brussels, Belgium . |
95,566 | 06d303059718a675b77b47afac9e96c5eefc4ef7 | (CNN) -- Real Madrid came from behind to beat cross-city rivals Atletico 3-1 in the first leg of their Copa Del Rey quarterfinal tie at the Santiago Bernabeu on Thursday. Real fell behind to a goal from Uruguay's Diego Forlan after seven minutes before defender Sergio Ramos headed an equalizer for the home team six minutes later. Cristiano Ronaldo followed up his hat-trick against Villarreal on Saturday with Los Blancos' second goal on the hour mark, before Germany playmaker Mesut Ozil sealed the victory with Real's third one minute from time. Real head coach Jose Mourinho was pleased his team were able to find a third goal, but warned against complacency ahead of the second leg at Atletico's Vicente Calderon Stadium on January 20. Why were EPL players snubbed in all-star selection? "It is very important to reach the second leg with the advantage," Mourinho told the club's official website. "The third goal gives us a little peace of mind, but we still have to play another 90 minutes in the Vicente Calderon, where Atletico are very strong. The outcome is still undecided." In Thursday's other tie, Spanish Primera Liga strugglers Almeria claimed a 1-0 victory at home to Deportivo La Coruna. The match at Estadio del Mediterraneo was settled by an own goal from Deportivo's Norwegian defender Knut Olav Rindaroy after 34 minutes. The second leg will be played at Deportivo's Riazor stadium on January 19. | Real Madrid claimed a 3-1 win over rivals Atletico in the Copa Del Rey on Thursday .
Goals from Sergio Ramos, Cristiano Ronaldo and Mesut Ozil gave Real their victory .
Spanish strugglers Almeria claimed a 1-0 victory at home to Deportivo La Coruna . |
257,123 | d8ca3e404ce5ef510eb450dfb8d329982e82479a | A delivery worker has taken getting a drive-through meal to a new extreme by crashing a crane into the roof of a McDonald's restaurant. Diners had a lucky escape when the huge vehicle plunged into the fast food outlet in Consett, County Durham, at about 1pm today. Astonishingly, no-one was injured in the crash, which happened as the crane delivered a new chiller unit to the restaurant. Scroll down for video . Crash: A crane smashed into the roof of a McDonald's outlet in Consett, County Durham, at about 1pm today . Delivery: The vehicle had been delivering a new chiller unit to the fast food restaurant, which stands on a busy road outside the town centre . Locals flocked to the scene to . take photos of the toppled vehicle, which damaged the roof above what is . thought to be the kitchen area. Brett Cooper, 41, who witnessed the incident, said: 'I'm not sure if it was lifting a freezer or an air con unit, but it seems to have just gone over.' The McDonald's 'drive-thru', which stands on a busy road outside the town centre, had been closed at the time - however, its restaurant was still open. 'There were people in there when the crane went through,' said Mr Cooper, a geologist from Consett. 'I think they will need another crane to get it out.' Stunned: Locals flocked to the scene to take photos of the toppled vehicle, while employees gathered outside the damaged restaurant . Stunned employees gathered outside the restaurant, while officers from Durham Police warned passing . motorists not to take photographs while driving. A McDonald's spokesman said the popular fast food outlet will remain closed while the damage inflicted by the crane is assessed. He said: 'This afternoon, a crane has caused damage to the roof of our Consett restaurant. 'The crane had been on site to carry out scheduled development work and toppled while moving an outdoor chiller unit. 'Thankfully . nobody was injured. The safety of our customers and employees is our . top priority and the restaurant will remain closed while the damage is . fully assessed.' Lucky escape: Incredibly, no-one was injured in the crash, which damaged the roof above what is thought to be the kitchen area . Popular: The McDonald's 'drive-thru' had been closed at the time - however, its restaurant was filled with diners . | Crane crashed into the roof of a McDonald's restaurant in Consett, County Durham, at about 1pm today .
It had been delivering a new chiller unit to the fast food outlet .
Astonishingly, no-one was injured in the crash . |
3,454 | 09fda69a62d6987dcefb716d6cc797ef44b02af5 | (CNN) -- A historic site in China's former capital that dates back more than 600 years to the Ming Dynasty was damaged Sunday after a Ferrari raced across it before a publicity event for the Italian carmaker, the official Xinhua news agency said. The Ferrari 458 Italia sped around the ramparts of the ancient city walls in Nanjing, leaving thick black tread marks that cleaners were unable to remove, an exhibition of driving that aired on state television before being circulated on the Internet. In a statement issued Tuesday, Ferrari China said the drive was taken unauthorized by staff from its Nanjing distributor Nanjing Kuaiyi Automobile Trading Co. Ltd, which was planning to hold a new car exhibition in the area. City authorities said the car was intended to be part of a ceremony on Monday to mark the 20th anniversary of the luxury car automaker's entry into China's luxury car market. Ferrari expressed "deep regret" for what it described as an "accident," calling it "unacceptable" and saying it would take steps to prevent similar incidents from happening again. It stated it has "always held great respect toward Chinese traditional culture and regards the protection of historical relics as of great importance." Qinhuai district tourism bureau said its officials had been reprimanded, while the Nanjing Municipal Administration of Cultural Heritage said the use of the site was not approved by archeological authorities, Xinhua said. The incident also dismayed some Chinese netizens, who expressed their misgivings about the partnership between Ferrari and the city authorities. Weibo user Dayushenying called the incident "shameful," off rumors that Ferrari had paid 80,000 yuan to use the city walls, without regard for cultural relics. Weibo user bobisaman commented wryly: "Ferrari put out the cash, Nanjing put out the city walls. In the end, Nanjing won because Ferrari helped advertise it globally." CNN's Tian Shao contributed to this report. | Ferrari leaves tread marks on city walls dating to Ming Dynasty in Nanjing .
Ferrari said the drive was taken unauthorized by staff from its local distributor .
District tourism bureau has reprimanded officials in charge of the city walls . |
274,466 | ef843283bbaad852231ffd1e89af97b042abc378 | Hooded gunmen armed with Kalashnikovs have fired at police in the French city of Marseille, where the country's Prime Minister was due to visit later today. The Castellane neighbourhood of the southern port city is now under lock down, including schools and colleges and a kindergarten after witnesses say they saw men in balaclavas firing weapons towards officers. The director for public safety, Pierre-Marie Bourniquel, told local media that shots were fired at a police vehicle, narrowly missing it. Scroll down for video . Armed security forces stand guard near the Castellane neighbourhood in Marseille, where hooded gunmen armed with Kalashnikovs have fired on police . The director for public safety, Pierre-Marie Bourniquel, told local media that shots were fired at a police vehicle, narrowly missing it . Police officers block the entrance to the Castellane housing estate after reports shots had been fired at police officers . It comes as the French Prime Minister Manuel Valls was due in Marseille later today to talk about security as crime levels in the city have dropped. He had not yet arrived in the city before the shooting, and it is thought he will still go ahead with his visit. Referring to today's attack, a police source said: 'Shots were fired at police vehicles. 'Roads in and out of the estate have now been blocked, and officers are dealing with the situation. There are no reports of casualties so far. ' La Figaro also reported Mr Bourniquel, went to the area but his car was shot at by fighting gang members as it approached. 'The police commander who was with him had to lie on the floor,' said the newspaper. 'The car was not hit but bullet holes were found two or three meters away from the vehicle in an embankment.' Early indications say the shooting appears to be gang-related rather than a terror attack. Armed elite troops have been sent to the scene with the area evacuated as a precaution. A police officer directs a young boy outside a school as officers secure an area next to the Castellane neighbourhood where shots were heard . A helicopter hovers over the scene in the southern port city of Marseille. French Prime Minister Manuel Valls was due in Marseille later today to talk about security as crime levels in the city have dropped . Caroline Pozmentier, deputy mayor of Marseille, suggested the incdient was part of a problem of drug trafficking in the area. She said: 'This battle against drug trafficking is a long-term battle.' By late morning heavily armed police could be seen surrounding the estate, which has a large Muslim community, many from North African backgrounds. Security across France is still high in the wake of the Paris terror attacks where Islamic extremists attacked the offices of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo and a kosher supermarket the capital. Twelve people died when gunmen Said and Cherif Kouachi attacked the offices of Charlie Hebdo. A policewoman was shot dead the next morning, and then there were four more fatalities in a Kosher store before three Al Qaeda and Islamic State-linked terrorists were themselves gunned down. Police officers stand guard outside a pre-school on the entrance to the Castellane neighbourhood, which has been on lock down . Security across France is still high in the wake of the Paris terror attacks where Islamic extremists attacked the offices of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo and a kosher supermarket in Paris . Mr Valls has been at the forefront of a vast clampdown on suspected Islamic terrorists following the Charlie Hebdo terrorist shootings. He said last month that terrorist attacks have exposed a 'geographic, social, ethnic apartheid' present in French society. The Prime Minister also explained that there was an urgent need to fight hatred and discrimination, especially in deprived estates which are home to many communities of immigrant origin, especially Muslim. All three Paris terrorists were born and brought up on Paris sink estates, and had started out as street criminals. La Castellane is best known in France as the birthplace of Zinedine Zidane, the French-Algerian footballer whose goals won the World Cup for the country in 1998. | Hooded gunman fired shots towards police in the southern French city .
Shots were fired at a police car but narrowly missed the vehicle .
Castellane estate of the city is now under lock down after incident .
Early indications say shooting is gang-related rather than a terror attack .
French Prime Minister Manuel Valls was due in Marseille to talk about security . |
99,298 | 0be2e9d4cb14bb8b5f919f2176ac66c1263c6504 | Google is planning to release a maps app for the iPhone and iPad in a head on battle with Apple. The search giant had its maps dumped by Apple in the latest version of its iOS software. However, now it is set to hit back with its own app - if Apple approves it. The Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol as it appears in Apple's maps. The firm has come under fire for some of its 3D photography which has distorted buildings, and is set to face fresh competition from Google's map app. It is believed Google has been working on the app for months, as Apple revealed it was creating its own mapping service in June. Maps are an extremely lucrative service for both firms due to revenue from advertisers keen to appear in searches. However, sources close to Google have claimed the app, which is expected to be free, has recently been submitted to Apple for approval. This means it could be available within days. However, Google faces one major hurdle - Apple. To have an app in the iTunes download store, it must be approved by Apple - which has tough rules on app that compete with . existing functionality'. No official statement has been made by either firm, but experts believe Apple holds the key. 'Maps generate huge amount of revenue, but the key is whether Apple will approve it - for instance, Google's voice app has been delayed for over a year,' said Stuart Miles of gadget website Pocket Lint. 'Apple could say it is too similar a product to its Maps service.' Even Transport for London has turned on Apple's maps, with this sign being displayed at Hackney Wick station. Apple has already come under fire for its maps service, although the firm did today admit it needed improvement. 'We are continuously improving it, and as Maps is a cloud-based solution, the more people use it, the better it will get," said spokeswoman Trudy Muller. 'We appreciate all of the customer feedback and are working hard to make the customer experience even better," added Ms Muller. Users are also encouraged to use a 'Report a . Problem' feature to point out errors. Apple's view of Colchester (left) is shrouded in . cloud, while Google (right) has a clear view. The two firms are set to . go head to head on the iPhone if Apple approves Google's plans for a . maps app. Errors noticed by users and tech reviewers include: . Albert Bridge in Apple's 3D map (left) is distorted, while Google (right) shows a more realistic version . | Google believed to be waiting for Apple to approve its own Maps app .
Apple's latest software removes Google's maps app from the iPhone and iPad home screen, replacing it Apple Maps .
Currently Apple owners can only access Google's maps through a web browser .
The towns of Stratford-upon-Avon and Solihull appear to be missing .
A 35-acre site near Dublin called Airfield is listed as an airport .
A search for Manchester United Football Club brings up Sale United - a football club for the over-fives .
Many gig venues, schools and community centres are missing from the map .
Blurry and low-quality satellite views - with large parts of Scotland, among other places, obscured by cloud. |
142,005 | 43a3b2102b28ada1b157e8cfd088a252d42ec697 | By . Ryan Gorman . MLB Network analyst Mitch Williams was tossed from a youth baseball game for profanely berating an umpire in front of horrified children and parents, witnesses said. The former Major League Baseball pitcher known as ‘Wild Thing’ during his time with the Philadelphia Phillies reportedly called the umpire a ‘motherf****r’ during his furious ranting in front of children only 10-years-old. Multiple witnesses told Deadspin Williams was coaching his son’s Cal Ripken youth team Saturday during a tournament in Maryland when things went south. Tossed: Former Phillies pitcher Mitch Williams (pictured throwing out the ceremonial first pitch before a 2008 playoff game) was ejected from a youth baseball game for swearing at an umpire . Wild Thing was said to have been griping about balls and strikes the whole game – from his perch behind first base. His complaints led to several arguments on the field that eventually culminated in his profanity-laced blowout after he ‘shouted something to a parent in the stands about getting that umpire fired,’ sources told the site. Another parent in attendance said the confrontation was ‘a train wreck,’ and that Williams had to be physically separated from the unnamed umpire. ‘He went nuts. He got into the umpire’s face like it was the Major Leagues.’ He then refused to leave the field and caused a 10 minute delay that led to him being banned from the entirety of the tournament, said the site. Williams eventually left the field but remained behind home plate to watch the rest of the game, said another witness. There were no further incidents. He lives in infamy: Williams famously gave up the World Series-winning bottom of the ninth inning Game 7 home run to outfielder Joe Carter #29 of the Toronto Blue Jays in 1993 . The Phillies ace then took to Twitter to defend his actions after being taunted by a fan. ‘To set the record straight. I was thrown out for laughing at a call. Then the [umpire] threatened to fight me. Said pick a time and place,’ Williams tweeted. ‘For those that think I'm making this up. It is on film... and when he threatened me [one] of my coaches came out and put his hands on him,’ continued Williams. Williams also swore that archived video would vindicate him, but that footage was nowhere to be found – it is curiously the only game in the entire tournament not able to be viewed online. ‘It started in the 1st [inning], the ump yelled at the opposing coach, then yelled at me. I asked why r u [sic] yelling at me I haven't even met u [sic] yet,’ he continued. Cal Ripken baseball has not yet publicly commented on the incident, and league officials were not immediately able to be reached by MailOnline. The MLB Network has also remained silent about the incident. Williams’ ban was lifted, but his son’s team did not win the tournament. | Mitch Williams reportedly argued balls and strikes with the umpires the whole game before the epic blowout .
He refused to leave the field for nearly 10 minutes after being tossed . |
242,564 | c5f856923a10f4f1b56ffbaac7db060ef6ec4ee1 | Britain's villages are under attack from predatory developers exploiting relaxed planning laws, the ‘countryside bible’ is warning. Country Life magazine says rural communities are being ruined by house builders ‘let off the leash’ by David Cameron. As a result, large estates are being built on the outskirts of villages, leaving residents with overcrowded schools and over-subscribed GP surgeries. Those who try to defend themselves from ‘ugly, poorly conceived housing sprawl’ are dismissed as Nimbys (not in my back yard), says the magazine. Scroll down for video . Locals claim the Hertfordshire village of Buntingford has become a ‘dumping ground’ for Londoners priced out of the capital. Planning permission for 1,000 houses has already been granted. And further applications and appeals could add several hundred more, potentially doubling the village’s size. Residents say there is insufficient infrastructure to support such rapid expansion, with schools and doctors’ surgeries already full. ‘All you can hear is construction vehicles. They carry on up and down all day long, every day,’ said barmaid Charlotte Shaw, 21. ‘Families are going to move here with their kids who need schools and will need doctors when they get ill. But they don’t seem to be thinking about the infrastructure.’ Toby Archer, 46, who runs the Cheese Plate shop and is chairman of Buntingford Chamber of Commerce, said: ‘We are just being shafted by the local council. 'A district plan should have been in place but until then it is carte blanche for developers. 'We were told to expect 500 houses, but now we are getting 1,500. We have become a dumping ground for Londoners.’ The article, by editor-at-large Clive Aslet, follows a strong denunciation of how politicians were ruining the countryside by Sir Simon Jenkins, the chairman of the National Trust in Saturday’s Daily Mail. Mr Aslet says the countryside has been ‘stripped of its natural defences’ leading to ‘a rash of ill-considered housing’. He points the finger at the National Planning Policy Framework which the Government introduced two years ago to boost development and tackle the housing crisis by cutting red tape. The guidelines said councils which had not earmarked suitable land to meet housing demand over the next five years must adopt a presumption in favour of planning permission. Mr Aslet said Buntingford in Hertfordshire, Leintwardine in Herefordshire, and Castle Cary in Somerset are among communities whose character is most at risk from developers. Leintwardine faces three separate applications to build around its borders, adding to the two estates already there. Under threat: Locals in Buntingford say housing will put a strain on nurseries and GPs, but fear being dismissed as Nimbys for complaining . Moving in: Residents complain that their village has become a dumping ground for Londoners priced out of living in the capital . In Castle Cary, four housing developments are under consideration. And in Buntingford, residents face the prospect of 1,000 new homes for which there is ‘insufficient infrastructure’. If approved, its population will have doubled since 2011. Opponents of the expansion claim the average waiting time for a doctor’s appointment is already up to three weeks and the schools are full. Mr Aslet said that while farmland was once protected and rural areas kept ‘mostly green’, the balance had changed with the introduction of the new guidelines. Councils must now create local plans identifying land for housing. ‘Those who can’t are naked in the face of predatory developers’, he said. ‘Communities that don’t have local plans in place are similarly meat for the wolves. ‘The threat of appeal, with all the associated costs, is cowing some local authorities into granting applications that they would like to refuse. Leintwardine, Castle Cary and Buntingford are being transformed without any vision beyond Treasury diktat and developers’ greed. Founded by the Romans, the Herefordshire village of Leintwardine has hardly expanded since, but now developers have lodged three applications that would double its size. Alison Kay, chairman of Leintwardine parish council, insists they are not Nimbys. ‘We aren’t against development,’ she said. 'There’s a need for more bungalows for old people and self-build homes for young families.' But schools are at capacity and the country lanes cannot take any more traffic. Barman John Ball, 74, said: ‘The land they want to build on is boggy and the road is far too narrow and you cannot widen it. There will be sewage problems too. ‘There is no work around here. There is no transport so people are going to have to have cars. It will certainly put a strain on the amenities here.’ ‘Many of the ills associated with volume house building result from developers’ short-term involvement with the sites. ‘After the houses are sold, they walk away, without further thought for the viability or attractiveness of what they’ve built.’ Yesterday, charities supported the claims and said the Government’s planning framework had left many rural communities powerless to resist major developments. According to The Campaign to Protect Rural England, planning permission has been given for 27,000 houses on greenfield sites against the wishes of local authorities in the past two years. Traditional: Leintwardine has hardly expanded since being founded by the Romans but could double in size thanks to planning applications . No plan: Villagers say they would like new housing but that the new developments have been poorly thought out and will cause problems . Even where councils have identified land for housing, some developers still apply to build on more desirable sites. The CPRE said house builders were targeting villages on the outskirts of national parks and areas of outstanding natural beauty which were not protected from development. Paul Miner said: ‘They know they can sell the houses quickly and for a high price. ‘Some councils still have no local plans in place so they have to adopt a presumption in favour of planning permission, even on greenbelt land. ‘Even where councils have got a local plan, developers are appealing to the Planning Inspectorate if they are refused – and one in six of these appeals are then approved.’ Sarah Lee, of the Countryside Alliance, said the need to build more homes in rural areas was accepted, but such developments must be done ‘sensitively’. Residents in Castle Cary are scared that a huge development ‘plonked on the outside’ of their idyllic market town will end up destroying it. If applications for four new housing estates are approved the Somerset town’s population could soar by 40 per cent. Locals fear a large supermarket would be built to serve the 400 homes, destroying the character of Castle Cary’s quaint high street. Pek Peppin, planning chairman for the town council, said: ‘At the moment there seems to be applications coming in on a weekly basis. ‘The town has a very small population. One of the main problems is that we have very poor road structure – little more than country lanes. ‘If we got a high number of new houses built the roads will become absolutely impossible.’ ‘If we do not build more housing for young families then rural communities will wither. It would be naive to think otherwise,’ she said. ‘However, it must be done in an organic way and in keeping with the community rather than parachuting 2,000 houses on to the edge of a village. 'The danger is that you lose the character of that community.’ Pressure to meet the Government’s housebuilding targets meant some councils had not planned properly how this should be achieved, she said. However, planning minister Brandon Lewis last night insisted the Government had put countryside protection at the heart of planning reforms and said Country Life’s claims were ‘simply not true’. Sensitive: Villagers say there is a need for developments, but parachuting 2,000 new homes on to the edge of a small town such as Castle Cary (pictured) will destroy it rather than improving it . Supermarket sweep: Those living in Castle Cary fear a large shopping centre could be built to cater for new arrivals, wrecking their high street . ‘We have put strong protections in place for the Green Belt, so it can continue to offer a strong defence against urban sprawl,’ he said. ‘Local plans mean local people can now decide where development should and shouldn’t go.’ He said the Government was building homes to help ‘first time buyers onto the property ladder’ but still recognised the ‘importance of protecting the environment and our countryside and favouring brownfield sites for development’. The Government has said that by 2020 it hopes more than 90 per cent of brownfield land suitable for housing will have planning permission for new homes. The full article is in Country Life magazine, available today. | Charities warn countryside is under threat from relaxed planning laws as developers build on greenbelt sites .
Buntingford in Hertfordshire, Leintwardine in Herefordshire, and Castle Cary, Somerset, identified as most at risk .
Magazine blames developers 'let off the leash' by David Cameron for ‘ugly, poorly conceived housing sprawl’ |
197,448 | 8b8e80f042058cd879fca55821a955bc3e89aaee | By . Tara Brady . PUBLISHED: . 07:36 EST, 28 August 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 10:19 EST, 28 August 2013 . Brave: William Roberts (right) and Liam Squires (left) survived six weeks on the road on their way to Mongolia . A pair of charity fundraisers have driven 10,000 miles to Mongolia across 15 countries, 10 mountain ranges and three deserts - in a Nissan Micra. Friends William Roberts and Liam Squires, both 23, survived six weeks driving some of the world’s worst roads from Anglesey, in north Wales to the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar. The pair were driven to 'breaking point' as they battled through baking hot deserts and had to contend with flat tyres, broken axles and a disintegrating roof rack. They completed the Mongol Rally - described as the 'greatest adventure in the world' - in a 10-year-old 1.2 litre Nissan Micra. The pair said the epic journey featured 'some of the toughest and most stressful' moments of their lives. They kept supporters updated with their travels and troubles during their 44 tough days by writing a blog. The Welsh wanderers began their adventure at Dover castle on July 14 and drove throughFrance, Belgium, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Russia before ending in Mongolia. When they finally reached the Mongolian capital on Monday they wrote on their blog: 'We finished! 'The little Micra carried us all the way from Wales to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. 'The past seven days have been some of the toughest and most stressful times of our lives. On the road: The pair said the epic journey featured 'tough and stressful' moments . The pair were driven to 'breaking point' as they battled through baking hot deserts with flat tyres . During the epic journey the Welsh wanderers had to find places to stay like this picturesque site in Russia . Epic: Map showing the route William Roberts and Liam Squires took during the Mongol Rally . 'We were at breaking point right up till the end. Now to relax and have some celebratory beers!' Among the spectacular sights they saw along the way was the 'Gates to Hell' - a natural gas crater in Turkmenistan which has been burning for more than 40 years. The travellers also witnessed a 'terrifying' lightning storm while camping on the Kazakh Steppe and appeared on national Romanian TV. As they neared their final destination they said: 'Mongolia is slowly destroying our car, our wallets and ourselves. Pictured is the Nissan Micra in the Czech Republic (left) and at the side of the road in Uzbekistan (right) 'But it is beautiful, and seeing the wild camels and horses along with the herders will never get old.' The two charity drivers were raising money for the rainforest protection charity Cool Earth. The Mongol Rally has been held annually since 2004 by organisers the League of Adventurists International Ltd. Only around half of entrants reach the Mongolian capital - and some suffer serious injuries on the dangerous and unsupported rally. The boys took this snap when they reached Cappadocia, in Turkey (left) and relaxing having a pint (right) The car in a garage after breaking down 120km away from Ulaanbaatar (left) and before they set off (right) Memorable: The Gates To Hell in Turkmenistan, a landmark the duo visited on their journey . The long and winding road: The Transfaragasan road in Romania which featured on their route . Gruelling: The boys had to spend a night in a cemetery in Turkey where they camped . Fearless: William Roberts on the road (left) and Liam Squires at Azerbaijan port (right) The friends snapped this view of the Karakum Desert while on their epic journey to Mongolia . In 2010, two British participants died and one other team mate was seriously hurt after a road accident in Iran. The rally website tells rally drivers: 'This is a genuinely dangerous thing to do. 'You cannot overestimate the risks involved in taking part in this adventure. 'Your chances of being seriously injured or dying as a result of taking part are high. 'This is not a glorified holiday. It’s an unsupported adventure and so by its very nature extremely risky. 'You really are on your own and you really are putting both your health and life at risk.' | William Roberts and Liam Squires survived six weeks on the road .
They drove some of the world's worst routes from Anglesey to Mongolia .
The 23-year-olds completed the journey in a 10-year-old Nissan Micra .
Along the way they had to deal with flat tyres and a disintegrating roof rack .
The Mongol rally is described as the 'greatest adventure in the world' |
9,712 | 1b7b945cf9ef29fa76d6bc1bc79dcd2854309b03 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 17:00 EST, 1 January 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 17:02 EST, 1 January 2014 . A couple illegally neutered a kitten and a dog for friends who could not afford the surgery, leaving the animals with painful wounds and in need of extensive veterinarian care, police have said. Lisa Clothier, 48, and her husband, 45-year-old Harold Clothier, from Argyle County, New York went on the run for more than a year after they were initially charged with the crimes. But when police learned that the couple, who have been wanted on arrest warrants since 2011, had returned to New York from Florida, authorities arrested them on Tuesday. The charges stem from 2011, when . friends told Lisa Clothier that they could not afford to get their dog . and kitten neutered, the Glens Falls Post-Star reported. Arrest: Lisa and Harold Clothier have been arrested after more than a year on the run. They were charged in 2011 with illegally neutering animals, which left a kitten and a dog in need of emergency veterinarian care . She told the friends that she was a veterinary technician and could carry out the operations - when she in fact worked at a Wal-Mart in Queensbury, police said. The dog needed extensive care after it chewed a hole in its abdomen to deal with the pain coming from its wound following the botched procedure, officials said. The cat, who was owned by one of Clothier's co-workers, suffered injuries when she allegedly performed the procedure on the wrong part of the cat's genitals. The owner took her pet to Northway Emergency Veterinary Clinic with the severe injury - sparking an investigation and leading to the arrest of Clothier. Authorities said there was no indication she was paid or that she was a licensed veterinary technician, the Post-Star reported. Accused: Lisa Clothier told her friends she had a license to carry out the procedures even though she did not, and her husband held the animals down during the procedures . Troopers . also said that Clothier's husband, Harold, was with her during both incidents and . helped her to hold down the animals. They were both charged with unauthorized practice of a profession and misdemeanor animal cruelty in one county, Argyle, and misdemeanor animal cruelty in another, Queensbury. Before they fled New York, Harold Clothier had pleaded guilty but failed to pay $500 . fines, while Lisa Clothier pleaded guilty to misdemeanor animal cruelty and was expected to be sentenced to 3 years on probation and cover the cat's medical bills. While court action was still pending, they moved from Argyle in Washington County to Florida/ . The Clothiers were arrested Tuesday and sent to Warren County Jail to await a Monday court appearance. | Lisa Clothier, from Argyle County, New York, 'told friends that she had a license to carry out the procedures'
Her husband, Harold, 'held down the animals while she "operated"'
The dog chewed a hole in its abdomen to fight the pain afterwards and she allegedly performed the procedure on the wrong part of the cat's genitals .
The couple fled from New York after the charges in 2011 but have now been arrested . |
182,373 | 782aa959e928ff836975d6c91c1854a3a73a4427 | They are people children are supposed to trust: A New York Police Department officer, a Fire Department of New York paramedic, a rabbi and a scoutmaster were among more than 70 people arrested in a major child porn bust, authorities said Wednesday. One of those arrested -- a supervisor with the Transportation Security Administration -- allegedly traveled to the Dominican Republic to have sex with children, a law enforcement official said. He allegedly made more than 50 trips there. The investigation, involving agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement as well as New York authorities, began as part of an undercover operation into peer-to-peer networks, authorities told reporters Wednesday. The suspects, who do not appear to know one another, were able to search files using graphic terms and descriptions. Software continuously scanned files and automatically uploaded images to personal computers, laptops and mobile phones. Special Agent in Charge James Hayes, head of Homeland Security Investigations New York, called the arrests the largest enforcement operation in New York "targeting predators (who) possess, produce or distribute sexually explicit images of children." The activity, he said, has "reached epidemic proportions." "The backgrounds of many of the individuals ... is shocking," Hayes said. "These defendants come from all walks of life ... This operation puts the lie to the classic stereotypical profile that child predators are nothing more than unemployed drifters. Many of the defendants are, in fact, well-educated and successful in private and professional lives. They work as registered nurses, paramedics, caretakers for mentally ill adults, computer programers and architects." The continuing operation resulted in 71 arrests -- including one woman -- and the seizure of nearly 600 devices, including desktop and laptop computers, tablets, smartphones and thumb drives with tens of thousands of sexually explicit images and videos of children, Hayes said. The pornographic images of children were shared at no charge, authorities said. About a third of the suspects remain in custody, and the others were released on bonds ranging from $30,000 to $500,000. Hayes said the January arrest of Brian Fanelli, chief of the Mount Pleasant Police Department in upstate Valhalla, New York, on child pornography violations helped lead to the other defendants. State and federal authorities said the alleged offenders included: . •NYPD Sgt. Alberto Randazzo is on paid suspension after being arrested in February 2013 by the Internal Affairs Bureau on 57 felony counts of child pornography. Randazzo was allegedly communicating with women in video chat rooms and ordering the women to sexually abuse their children, prosecutors said. In one video allegedly recorded by Randazzo, he can be heard directing a woman to molest her infant child. •Samuel Waldman, a rabbi and an instructor of Judaic studies, was arrested at his Brooklyn residence and charged under federal law with possession of child pornography, prosecutors said. Using a file sharing system, agents identified Waldman's IP address as one that offered the dissemination of videos of child pornography. •Kenneth Gardner, a registered nurse at Westchester County Medical Center, was arrested in April at his residence in Queens, New York. He was charged with promoting a sex performance of a child under age 17, possessing an obscene sexual performance by a child, and possessing a sexual performance by a child, according to prosecutors. •Eduardo Salcedo Urzola, who was working as an au pair, was arrested in April at his Brooklyn home and charged with possession of child pornography under federal law. Prosecutors said agents identified an IP address at a residence associated with him that made known images and movies of child pornography available for distribution. •Aaron Young, a paramedic with the Fire Department of New York, was arrested in Queens in April and charged with possession of child pornography. Agents identified an IP address at Young's residence that made known images and movies of child pornography available for distribution. •Yong Wu, an NYPD officer, was arrested in April in Queens and charged with possession of child pornography under state law. Prosecutors said Wu made known images and movies of child pornography available for distribution. •Jonathan Silber, a Boy Scout den master and Little League coach, was arrested at his residence in upstate New York and charged under state law with possession of child pornography. Silber allegedly made known images and movies of child pornography available for distribution via his computer, prosecutors said. Lawyers for the defendants were not immediately available for comment. Burglar finds child sex abuse on tapes he took, points out suspect . 4 dead in triple-murder suicide pact linked to child porn probe . N.Y. man active in immigration reform arrested on child porn charge . | More than 70 arrests have been made in a child porn bust, a law enforcement official says .
Among those arrested are a police officer, scoutmaster and TSA officer .
The NYPD officer allegedly used Skype to have women pose their children naked . |
220,627 | a998a67803fe8442914b2a2fcdc9d82edb1b1779 | (CNN) -- Randy Travis suffered a stroke and underwent surgery to relieve pressure on his brain Wednesday evening, his publicist said. "Mr. Randy Travis is out of surgery and in critical condition," the hospital website announced Wednesday night. The stroke is "a complication of his congestive heart failure" for which he is being treated at The Heart Hospital at Baylor Plano in Texas, Kirt Webster said. "We will have updates as they become available," Webster said. "His family and friends here with him at the hospital request your prayers and support." Word of his setback came just hours after his doctors said Travis had "stabilized and he has shown signs of improvement." The country singer was initially hospitalized Sunday at Baylor Medical Center at McKinney, Texas, "with a presumptive cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure," Dr. William Gray said. Travis, 54, was transferred to The Heart Hospital at Baylor Plano in Texas on Monday, Dr. Michael Mack said. "We determined together in a joint decision that a higher level of specialized care was appropriate, and therefore we transferred him to The Heart Hospital," Mack said. Doctors implanted a device in his heart to help blood flow. The singer "underwent the placement of an Impella peripheral left ventricular assist device for stabilization prior to transferring hospitals," Travis spokesman Kirt Webster said in a written statement Tuesday. Opinion: Randy Travis taught me country . The Mayo Clinic's website described the device as "an implantable mechanical pump that helps pump blood from the lower chambers of your heart to the rest of your body." Travis' illness is related to his "recently acquired viral cardiomyopathy," Webster said. Travis had recently been on the road, performing in Detroit on June 28 and Chicago on June 29. He was set to do a show in Deadwood, South Dakota, on Wednesday. He appeared well during business meetings on Friday and Saturday, Webster said. "Then on Sunday, it hit him." Viral cardiomyopathy is a disorder where a virus attacks the muscles of the heart, causing the heart to beat slower, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website. In some cases, the heart can stop, it said. Travis had a tough year in 2012 with arrests for assault and public intoxication, which earned him probation. Travis was at the forefront of the "New Traditionalist" movement in the 1980s and 1990s, but he faded as the '90s wore on. He made a comeback after turning to gospel music in 1999. His song "Three Wooden Crosses" won song of the year in 2003 from both the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music. As one of country music's top-selling artists, Travis has won seven Grammys, 10 Academy of Country Music awards and 10 American Music Award statuettes. His best-known songs also include "Forever and Ever, Amen," "Diggin' Up Bones" and "Deeper Than the Holler." | NEW: "Randy Travis is out of surgery and in critical condition," the hospital says .
Travis' stroke is "a complication of his congestive heart failure"
Doctors implanted a device in his heart to help blood flow .
His illness is related to his "recently acquired viral cardiomyopathy," his publicist says . |
165,059 | 616eb5552b18db50a9fae2c2f62e889babbdde0e | Leicester Tigers produced an astonishing second-half comeback to beat Sale 29-13 at home in the second round of the LV= Cup. Trailing 13-3 at half-time after being bullied for 40 minutes, the Tigers blitzed the Sharks after the interval with 26 unanswered points, including four tries, to earn themselves a bonus point. Leicester’s second win in as many games kept them top of Pool Three on a day when England prop Dan Cole made a successful comeback in the second half after surgery on a neck injury he suffered in last season’s RBS 6 Nations. Miles Benjamin of Leicester Tigers celebrates after scoring a try in the second-half . Winger Miles Benjamin scored twice for the Tigers, with the other tries coming from Harry Thacker and Matt Smith, while Michael Paterson replied for Sale. Freddie Burns also kicked nine points for Leicester, with Nick Macleod booting eight for Sale, while both teams saw players shown yellow cards in Smith and Mike Haley. Leicester have won all four of their Anglo-Welsh matches against Sale, who have now lost on their last eight visits to Welford Road. Sale won the first half 13-3 and would have been disappointed not to lead by a bigger margin considering the stranglehold they had on the game. Their more experienced pack dominated a Tigers eight which had an average age of just over 20, especially in the scrum where they rolled them backwards with ease. Despite their huge amount of possession and territory, the Sharks scored only one try, lock Paterson crossing from a catch and drive in the 26th minute. Benjamin passes the ball to Jake Farnworth as Tigers forced their way back into the game . Leicester: Tries: H. Thacker, Smith, Benjamin 2. Cons: Burns 3. Pens: Burns. Leicester: Bell, Thompstone, Smith, Bryant, Benjamin, Burns, Harrison, Bristow, H. Thacker, Pasquali, Maksymiw, De Chaves, Wells, Beckett, Milne. Replacements: C. Thacker for Thompstone (54), Brugnara for Bryant (49), Roberts for Benjamin (77), Mele for Harrison (77), Priestley-Nangle for H. Thacker (71), Farnworth for Wells (42), Sio for Milne (73). Not Used: Cole. Sin Bin: Smith (22). Sale: Tries: Paterson. Cons: MacLeod. Pens: MacLeod 2. Sale: Haley, Arscott, Forsyth, James, Mackenzie, MacLeod, Fowles, Lewis-Roberts, Jones, Harrison, Ostrikov, Paterson, Braid, Seymour, Beaumont. Replacements: Ford for Arscott (74), Ingall for MacLeod (74), Neild for Fowles (78), Flynn for Lewis-Roberts (72), Cusiter for Jones (78), Fearn for Harrison (77), Lund for Braid (60), Hughes for Seymour (77). Sin Bin: Haley (62). Macleod, playing his first game at fly-half since the Amlin Cup quarter-final defeat by Northampton in April, kicked the conversion and also slotted two penalties from three. The first came in the fourth minute after the Tigers collapsed a scrum, and although Burns equalised two minutes later, Macleod added another in the 16th minute. He then scuffed a third attempt two minutes later, and while Leicester centre Smith was sent to the sin bin for foul play, Sale stretched their lead to 13-3 with the only try of the half. It came after Leicester had again been penalised at a scrum. Macleod kicked for touch and, from the line-out, Sale drove over the line with Paterson getting the touchdown. Centre Sam James also got over the line in the 39th minute but the try was chalked off because a player was ahead of the kicker during a counter attack down the right wing. The complexion of the game changed completely after the break, though, as Leicester rattled up 14 unanswered points in 13 minutes thanks to tries by hooker Thacker and Smith. Freddie Burns looks on during the dramatic LV= Cup victory at Welford Road . The first stemmed from a scrum which Leicester won, earning themselves a penalty. They kicked to touch and, following a line-out, Burns made a half break and found Thacker on his shoulder to finish it off. Burns kicked the conversion and after Leicester got themselves in another strong position on the Sale line, they introduced Cole for his first game since neck surgery and fellow prop Riccardo Brugnara. Thacker came close to scoring a second after a thrilling counter attack but Leicester kept the pressure on and Smith darted over from close range after winger Miles Benjamin had caught Sale napping with a quick tap penalty. Burns added the conversion to make it 17-13 before missing with a long-range penalty. With Sale full-back Haley in the sin-bin for tackling Tommy Bell in mid air, Leicester turned the screw with their third try straight from a line-out, Benjamin’s power and pace taking him past four defenders. Burns missed the conversion. Benjamin then added a second four minutes later after a simple pass from Smith put him away down the left, with Burns adding the extras to complete the comeback. | Trailing 13-3 at half-time, the Tigers fought back in the LV= Cup clash .
Leicester’s second win in as many games kept them top of Pool Three .
England prop Dan Cole made a successful comeback in the second half after surgery on a neck injury .
Winger Miles Benjamin scored twice for the Tigers, with the other tries coming from Harry Thacker and Matt Smith . |
107,466 | 1694d9733e856bdce3157137b342c327a038fdfe | Five babies under the age of one have been diagnosed with measles at a suburban Chicago daycare center. Health officials are investigating the outbreak at the KinderCare Learning Center in Palatine and have already warned there will be more cases. It is not yet known whether it has been linked to those infected at Disneyland or another case in the city last month. Scroll down for video . Outbreak: Five children under the age of one have been diagnosed with measles at the KinderCare Learning Center in Palatine, suburban Chicago. Health officials warn there will be more cases . The Cook County health department confirmed a resident over the age of 18 had been diagnosed last month and identified three areas where others could have been exposed. Those infected at the center, which a spokesman says had been thoroughly cleaned, are too young to have received the MMR vaccine. Everyone affiliated with the day care has been notified and anyone not vaccinated for measles has been instructed to stay home and away from unvaccinated individuals for 21 days. Terry Mason, the chief operating officer of the Cook County Department of Public Health, told the Chicago Tribune: 'There will be more cases. … We shouldn't be surprised about that. The cat is out of the bag.' Dr. Nirav Shah, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, said in a statement: 'These cases underscore the need for everyone who is eligible for the vaccine to ensure that they have been vaccinated. There are certain individuals who, because of their age or clinical condition, cannot be vaccinated.' One adult in Illinois was recently diagnosed with measles. The diagnoses for the adult and two of the babies have been confirmed through laboratory testing, health officials said. Precuations: A childcare worker helps a child off of a District 211 school bus outside of the daycare center. The school has told anyone who not vaccinated to keep them away for 21 days . Test results for the other three cases are still pending, but they have been diagnosed based on clinical and epidemiological criteria, officials said. On the advice of health officials, the KinderCare center is excluding until Feb. 24 unvaccinated children and staff who may have been exposed to the virus, according to a statement from Knowledge Universe, KinderCare's parent company. The center was given a 'deep clean' on Wednesday night, the statement said. Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease that causes fever, red and sore eyes, runny nose, cough and a rash. It can be fatal in some cases. Measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000 after decades of intensive childhood vaccine efforts. The measles outbreak has renewed a debate over the so-called anti-vaccination movement in which fears about potential side effects of vaccines, fueled by now-debunked research suggesting a link to autism, have led a minority of parents to not have their children inoculated. Last year, the United States had 644 cases from 27 states, the most since 2000, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Concern: Terry Mason, the chief operating officer of the Cook County Department of Public Health, said: 'There will be more cases. … We shouldn't be surprised about that. The cat is out of the bag.' Moving forward: The recent outbreak has renewed a debate over the so-called anti-vaccination movement in which fears about potential side effects of vaccines (file picture) | Children at KinderCare Learning Center were diagnosed Thursday .
Is not known whether it is linked to the Disneyland outbreak in December .
Cook County health officials said the case should not have been a surprise .
One adult was recently diagnosed with the illness in Chicago .
Nationwide outbreak has questioned the anti-vaccination movement . |
102,092 | 0f8fc9a333956c11a3e179aaf02fca4e140f77ac | Real Madrid legend Jorge Valdano has launched a scathing attack on Jose Mourinho, saying the Chelsea manager has an 'ego' and has never said anything about football 'worth remembering'. The former Real director, who clashed with Mourinho during his time in charge at the Bernabeu, also claimed the 'Special One' was vastly inferior to Pep Guardiola. Writing in his new book 'The 11 Powers of a League', Argentine World Cup winner Valdano said: 'Mourinho is a figure who is perfectly suited to these bombastic, shallow times. WATCH Scroll down to see 'Mourinho claims a better record against Guardiola than reality' Jose Mourinho has been heavily criticised by Jorge Valdano, who was director general at Real Madrid during his time there as manager. Valdano describes him as an 'ego' and unable to say anything meaningful . Real Madrid legend Jorge Valdano launched a scathing attack on Jose Mourinho in his new book . Jorge Valdano welcomes Jose Mourinho to Real Madrid as their new manager in May 2010 . 'I couldn't understand him because he is the antithesis of my sensitivity. Intelligence and ego are enemies and when they collide, the ego wins. 'I've never heard him say a single thing about football worth remembering, whether in public or in private.' Valdano, who played for Real in the eighties and managed them for two years in the nineties, was sacked from his director general post in May 2011 after his relationship with Mourinho hit rock bottom. Comparing Mourinho to Guardiola, Valdano said: 'If Guardiola is Mozart, that makes Mourinho [Italian composer Antonio] Salieri. He would have been a great musician if Mozart had never existed.' While Guardiola delivered the Champions League twice in three years for Barcelona, Mourinho failed to reach the semi-finals of the competition during his time at the club. Pep Guardiola shows off the European Cup after Barcelona beat Manchester United 3-1 at Wembley in 2011 . Pep Guardiola (left) and Jose Mourinho were rivals when managers of Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively . In an interview to promote his book, Valdano added: 'He had one of the best squads in the history of Real Madrid. 'He always remained just outside the door of the Champions League. That was the big challenge which he did not manage to succeed at.' | Real Madrid legend Jorge Valdano is heavily critical of Jose Mourinho in his new book 'The 11 Powers of a League'
Valdano was sacked from his director general post during Mourinho's tenure at the Bernabeu .
Claims Mourinho has an 'ego' and has never said anything about football 'worth remembering'
Says Pep Guardiola is the superior manager and that Mourinho failed in the Champions League despite having 'one of the best squads' |
192,565 | 854518ff418392630a4680c2096c8010e8bd1bae | (CNN) -- One more time, Whitney Houston brought a crowd to its feet. "I Will Always Love You" had earned record of the year at the 1994 Grammy festivities, with the accompanying "The Bodyguard" soundtrack taking home best album. But for all the awards that Houston earned that night, it was her voice that resonated most -- as it did throughout her career. The iconic songstress' range and power were on display once again Sunday night, echoing through the packed Staples Center moments after the music world's luminaries bowed their heads in prayer in honor of her death. By the time a replay of her 1994 performance was complete, the audience's applause gave way to an emotional standing ovation. A day earlier, Houston was pronounced dead in her fourth floor room at a Beverly Hills, California, hotel. The world may wait as many as eight weeks -- when results from toxicology and other tests should be in -- to learn what happened, with Assistant Chief Ed Winter of the Los Angeles County Coroner's office saying little Sunday besides "foul play is not suspected." Headlines in recent years about Houston have tended to focus more on her battles with drug addiction and her relationship with her ex-husband, "New Edition" performer Bobby Brown, than her musical accomplishments. Yet recollections of her enormous talent took center stage Sunday night in Los Angeles, as did the six-time Grammy winner's membership in the music world's "family." LL Cool J, host of the 54th annual Grammy Awards, spoke right away to Houston's personal and professional legacy, soon after taking the stage following an opening performance by Bruce Springsteen. "Tonight, we ask ourselves: How do we speak to this time? To this day? There is no way around this. We've had a death in our family," he said. The rapper and actor then offered his prayer, thanking God "for sharing our sister Whitney with us." "And although she's gone too soon, we remain truly blessed to have been touched by her beautiful spirit and to have her lasting legacy of music to cherish and share forever," he said. During the show, stars of past and present -- from Bruno Mars to Stevie Wonder -- celebrated the late singer. The sentiments voiced Sunday night echoed those that have been offered ever since news broke of Houston's death from close friends, musical icons and everyday fans who never met the iconic performer but were moved by her music. Then, after a memorial honoring other stars from Amy Winehouse to Clarence Clemons who also died this past year -- and nearly three hours after LL Cool J promised the Grammys "will remember you the best way we know how: with a song" -- Jennifer Hudson appeared under a bright, solitary spotlight. Wearing a black sleeveless dress and anchored firmly in the middle of the stage, the Oscar and two-time Grammy winner offered her own rendition of "I Will Always Love You." Twice during the song, the crowd burst into applause. Hudson offered one small embellishment, changing a lyric to sing: "Whitney, we will always love you." | NEW: Jennifer Hudson sings "I Will Always Love You" in a Grammy tribute .
A clip of Houston's 1994 Grammy performance of the song is replayed Sunday .
Music luminaries in the audience respond with a standing ovation .
Stars from Bruno Mars to Stevie Wonder offer their own personal tributes . |
31,478 | 598a76fb64d14b160a2af9d6a13134eba94a578d | (CNN) -- As many as 270 Libyan refugees were missing in the sea after the overcrowded boat they were in encountered bad weather, the Tunisian state-run TAP news agency reported. The Tunisian coast guard responded to the rescue call regarding the fishing trawler, which became disabled Wednesday night near the Kerkennah Islands. The ship was reportedly taking some 800 refugees from Libya to the Italian island of Lampedusa, TAP reported. An official told the agency that between 200 and 270 people were missing. At least two bodies had been recovered, the agency reported. People on the boat began pushing each other in a panic to reach the lifeboats when they ran into high waves and winds, TAP said. Lampedusa, the closest Italian island to Africa, has become a destination for tens of thousands of refugees seeking to enter the European Union. More than 30,000 migrants and refugees from Tunisia and Libya have risked this dangerous journey to Lampedusa since last February. Lampedusa and Malta, both islands less than an hour's flight from the North African coast, have borne the brunt of the subsequent wave of migration. At one point, the population of migrants vastly outnumbered the tiny population of Lampedusa, which numbers less than 6,000. | About 800 refugees were heading from Libya to Lampedusa, Italy .
The boat was overcrowded .
Between 200 and 270 people are missing . |
229,846 | b5a63afef71b660c08bc6368dd6440e70c94213f | By . Emma Reynolds . PUBLISHED: . 22:13 EST, 2 April 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 10:34 EST, 3 April 2012 . Homeowners are facing more misery with the announcement that the Co-operative Bank is the latest provider to push up the cost of its lending, as experts fear more could follow suit. The self-proclaimed 'ethical lender' joins Halifax, Bank of Ireland and Clydesdale and Yorkshire banks in raising its standard variable rate, which will rise to 4.74% in May. The Co-op's move is a further warning . sign that more lenders may push up their monthly payments, despite the . Bank of England maintaining the base rate at a historic 0.5% low. Price hikes: More homeowners are facing misery with the announcement that the Co-operative Bank are the latest provider to push up its cost of lending . Co-operative Bank are the latest bank to follow a round of increases. Lenders to have announced rises in SVRs in recent weeks include: . Clydesdale and Yorkshire banks will . increase their standard variable rates (SVRs) from 4.59% to 4.95% from . May 1, affecting 30,000 customers. RBS-NatWest said it is pushing up . rates on two of its products - the Offset and the One Account - by . 0.25%, taking them to a rate of 4%, affecting around 200,000 customers. Halifax announced that some 850,000 . borrowers will see their mortgage costs increase as the SVR rises from . 3.5% to 3.99% from May 1. The Bank of Ireland also . announced that it is increasing its SVR, affecting 100,000 UK customers. It will raise the SVR on its mortgages to 4.49% from 2.99% in two . stages. What does Standard variable rates mean? Standard variable rates are the generic . term for what borrowers typically revert to when a fix or tracker deal . period runs out and the vast majority have no lock to base rate, so can . move independently of Bank of England changes. James Cotton from London & Country . Mortgages said 'I’d be very surprised if we don’t see other lenders . following the lead set by these banks. 'It was a case of all quiet on . the Western Front for a long time but now we’ve had four lenders . announce a hike in their SVR in as many weeks - five if you include . Royal Bank of Scotland/Natwest increasing the rates on its offset and . One Account mortgages,' he added. Around 54,000 Co-operative Bank customers will . now face the 0.5% increase - meaning payments will typically go up by . around £15 a month, or £180 a year. The average borrower has a remaining . balance of £48,000 and 11.5 years left on their term would see their . monthly repayment increase from £440 to £455 a month. The bank has blamed changing conditions in the mortgage market and the increased cost of funding for the rise. The other lenders have used the same excuse after announcing they were also raising rates in late February and March. Experts say homeowners are already squeezed and the move will pile on the pressure to thousands of homeowners. The hikes have previously been branded 'shocking' by the Consumer Action Group. In reaction to the hike, a Which? spokesperson said: . 'At a time when people's household budgets are already squeezed, providers increasing the standard variable rate on mortgages will pile the pressure on thousands who have been relying on low base rates to keep their homes affordable.' Borrowers will be hit hard but lenders in an uncompetitive market know many people have no means to escape these rate hikes. People have effectively become mortgage prisoners because they are unable to move to another provider,' he added. The Co-op Bank said it recognised that . some customers who have a higher loan-to-value (LTV) on their mortgage . may be 'particularly concerned' about the change and measures have been . put in place to offer alternative options. The . bank is launching a new product specifically for those customers with a . higher LTV who are seeking an alternative, which is a five-year fixed . rate mortgage, available at the same rate they currently pay. Squeeze on homeowners: The bank has blamed changing conditions in the mortgage market and the increased cost of funding for the rise . The Co-op Bank also offers other products including fixed rate and tracker mortgages. Earlier this month, the financial regulator warned that homeowners in their 50s are sitting on ‘a ticking timebomb’ of mortgages handed out during the boom years. During a grilling by MPs, Martin Wheatley, a director of the Financial Services Authority, raised his fears about interest-only mortgages which are coming to the end of their life – but the homeowners have no money to pay off the loan. Of the 11.2million mortgages in Britain, about four in ten are interest-only, meaning the homeowners pay only the interest but not a penny of the actual loan. Between 2011 and 2020, the FSA expects about 1.5million such mortgages – worth a staggering £120billion – ‘will be due for repayment’. Mr Wheatley told the Treasury select committee: ‘There is a ticking timebomb that has been created over the last 20 years.’ The FSA said its figures mean 150,000 interest-only mortgages will come to the end of their life every year for the next decade. The vast majority of people with these types of loans – 80 per cent – have ‘no repayment strategy’, the FSA said. Others have been saving, but have been bitterly disappointed by how their investments have performed. David Hollingworth, from the independent mortgage advisers, London and Country, warned some mortgage holders ‘will potentially have nowhere to go’. They also face new age restrictions, which means they will not be given a new loan unless it ends before they reach the age of 75. It means a homeowner in their late 50s would not be able to take out another 25-year loan. Lenders are running up rates with the excuse of higher funding costs, but this is really about boosting margins and those borrowers unable to jump ship as their equity has declined due to falling house prices will now be stuck on higher rates.Most standard variable rates are considerably above the 1.03 per cent money market LIBOR measure of floating rate funding and the 3 per cent needed to be offered to pull in easy access savings cash.In their defence, lenders are suffering higher regulatory costs - as the British Bankers Organisation argued here - but the financial system is also awash with cheap money.The 0.5 per cent base rate has been here for three years, UK taxpayers alone have pumped £325bn in through quantitative easing, and now European taxpayers are funding another £1trillion in cheap cash for the banking industry through the Long Term Refinancing Operation. | Move will affect 54,000 Co-operative Bank customers .
Bank has blamed 'changing conditions in the mortgage market and the increased cost of funding,' for the rise .
Increases have been branded ‘shocking’ by the Consumer Action Group . |
204,030 | 94211c7f5445c6d514c8ddd114aab0e406e7fee9 | By . Martin Robinson . PUBLISHED: . 20:43 EST, 16 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 20:38 EST, 17 December 2013 . Friends star Matthew Perry was involved in a heated TV debate last night in which he claimed that questioning drug addiction is 'as ludicrous as saying Peter Pan is real'. The American actor, who has battled drink and drug abuse, appeared on BBC's Newsnight to argue in favour of specialist courts where former addicts sit as lay magistrates dealing with abuse-related crimes. Fighting the opposite corner, Mail on Sunday journalist and anti-drug campaigner Peter Hitchens railed against the idea and what he described as the 'fantasy of addiction'. After the clash, Newsnight editor Ian . Katz tweeted that he had dispatched a producer to take Perry and Mr . Hitchens out of the building through different exits. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO . Campaigner: Friends star Matthew Perry, who has battled drink and . drug abuse, appeared on BBC's Newsnight to argue in favour of specialist . courts where former addicts sit as lay magistrates . Counter-argument: Anti-drugs campaigner and Mail on Sunday columnist Peter Hitchens countered that more people take illegal substances since possession was effectively made legal . Aftermath: Newsnight editor Ian Katz said he had sent a producer to escort the two guests out via separate exits after their row . 'You are making a point that is as ludicrous as saying Peter Pan is real,' Perry, who reached fame as sitcom character Chandler Bing, retorted. At one point he referred to the Mail on Sunday columnist as 'Santa' and told him to 'read something other than your book' in reference to Mr Hitchens' essay The War We Never Fought: The British Establishment's Surrender To Drugs. Mr Hitchens, who has previously debated drugs policy with former heroin addict and comedian Russell Brand, countered that more people take illegal substances since possession was effectively made legal. 'This is a very serious subject and you treat it with immense levity,' he told Perry. 'The policy which you so smugly and loftily advocate, this policy has led to disaster in Western countries for decades.' Heated debate: Matthew Perry appeared alongside former social worker Baroness Meacher and opposite Peter Hitchens in the debate hosted by Jeremy Paxman . 'The policy which you so smugly and loftily advocate, this policy has led to disaster in Western countries for decades.' Perry spoke openly about his troubles with addiction. 'I'm a drug addict and if I have a drink I can't stop,' he said, adding: '(you say) I'm choosing to do that. 'It's an obsession of the mind and an allergy of the body. For example, if I think about alcohol I cannot stop. It's about controlling that'. Peter Hitchens responded: 'People have problems with drugs and drink. People like taking them and don't want to stop. It doesn't mean they have a disease. 'There is an immense fashion at the moment for dismissing the ability of people to take control over their own lives and to make excuses for them. 'For more than 50 years we have treated alleged addiction as not a crime, we have treated it as a disease, and now we have many more drug users than we did then'. Behind the scenes: Matthew Perry (right) has battled drink and drug addiction since starring in hit U.S. comedy Friends (pictured) Troubled: Matthew Perry has long struggled with addiction to alcohol and drugs, which at its worst was a bottle of vodka a night with 30 or so tablets . A think tank has been arguing that drug addicts should become magistrates in special drugs courts. The idea, from the Policy Exchange, will help people quit, they say, . Mr Perry has flown into the UK from America to give it his backing. Before he appeared on Newsnight he opened the Policy Exchange talk on Monday evening with ‘I’m Matthew and I’m an alcoholic.’ The actor last night admitted his struggles with alcohol started when he was just 13 years old after he consumed a bottle of wine at a friends party. During his high profile career Mr Perry told how he struggled with alcoholism, admitting he would drink a bottle of vodka a night in his home. Admission: Matthew Perry spoke at the Policy Exchange last night and started his speech with 'I'm Matthew and I'm an alcoholic' Mr Perry backing drugs courts said: ‘In America this system is the one thing republicans and democrats agree on. Because it rehabilitates and it also saves money. ‘We have come here today to show Downing Street our programme, a programme which will save lives and money. And I don’t know many politicians who would remain popular if they ignored a system which would save lives and save money.’ Perry has seen his career flounder after becoming one of the world's biggest stars in Friends. He told ABC News in May that he . became an expert at hiding his troubles from co-stars Jennifer Aniston, . Courteney Cox, David Schwimmer, Matt LeBlanc and Lisa Kudrow. He . went to a 28-day program in 1997 for Vicodin addiction and saw his . weight fluctuate wildly over the next few years - once dropping as low . as 145 pounds. Perry . again entered rehab in February 2001 to treat an addiction to the . opioids Vicodin and methadone, as well as amphetamines and alcohol. His problems began when he checked . into a Minnesota clinic after he became addicted to the painkiller . Vicodin, following a jet-ski accident. At . his lowest ebb, he was drinking two pints of vodka a day and swallowing . up to 30 tablets. At the same time, he was admitted to hospital with . agonising pancreatitis - an inflammation often caused by drink and drugs . abuse. At the time he also crashed his car into the porch of a house. Close: Matthew Perry has admitted he became an expert at hiding his troubles from co-stars Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, David Schwimmer, Matt LeBlanc and Lisa Kudrow . Incident: At one of his lowest point Matthew Perry damaged his brand new Porsche and caused £10,000 worth of damage to a Hollywood mansion after a crash . During his rehabilitation he told fellow addicts at a counselling session that his wages of £550,000 a week were responsible for his addiction to tranquillisers, according to a U.S. magazine. Close: Matthew Perry said his father John Bennett Perry, left, had warned him to not to be a 'big shot' after his Friends success, but he admitted he 'forgot all about it' when Friends became a worldwide hit . 'I could go out and do whatever I wanted, buy anything I wanted and overkill took over. I wanted it all - and I took it all,' he said. 'My dad advised me years ago that if I became successful not to become a big-shot . . . but I forgot all about his warning after Friends took off. 'I became a spoiled Hollywood party boy and to make matters worse I started to hate myself. That's when I looked for an artificial high and got into trouble.' Following the final series of the sitcom in 2004, which followed the messy private lives of a group of six New Yorkers, Canadian Perry has suffered a slump. In 2006, he landed the lead role as a TV writer in the much-vaunted Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip. But it was dropped by U.S. network NBC after one series because of poor ratings and mixed reviews. Perry's attempts at a film career have been equally disappointing. He starred as a chronically depressed film writer in the quickly forgotten movie Numb, which was mauled by critics and flopped at the box office. He has admitted to suffering from depression, and has said he locked himself away for days on end in his Hollywood Hills home to escape the pressure of fame. He has also fought a long battle with addictions to drink and prescription drugs. He . has since turned his life around and has turned his former beachfront . Malibu, California home to a sober living home for men transitioning . back to the real world. | Friends star argued in favour of specialist courts for drugs addicts .
Mail on Sunday writer Peter Hitchens argued law is failing, by being 'nice'
Newsnight editor says both men were escorted out via different exits .
At one point the actor referred to Mr Hitchens as 'Santa'
Mr Hitchens hit back: 'This is a very serious subject and you treat it with immense levity'
At height of troubles Perry drank bottle of vodka per night and 30 tablets .
He told Hitchens: 'I'm a drug addict and if I have a drink I can't stop,' he said, adding: '(you say) I'm choosing to do that'
Hitchens responded: 'There is a fashion for dismissing the ability of people to take control over their .
own lives and make excuses for them'. |
49,638 | 8c55b69bd82f39eadba5a08429f6ffe79933823f | (Entertainment Weekly) -- Watching Iain Softley's motley, jewel-toned adaptation of "Inkheart," the best-selling 2003 young-adult novel by Cornelia Funke, I had the distinct sensation of being a young bookworm again, falling into a world as vividly real as it is impossible. Brendan Fraser stars as Mo, a literature lover who brings characters to life when he reads aloud. In Funke's universe -- given voice in a screenplay by fantasy-friendly playwright David Lindsay-Abaire -- a literature lover named Mo (Brendan Fraser) possesses a dangerous talent for bringing characters from books to life when he reads aloud. The downside? When a fictional figure comes alive, a real person must disappear into the book's pages. That explains the extended absence of Mo's wife, Resa (Sienna Guillory). Mo has not yet told the truth about Resa's disappearance to their intrepid young daughter, Meggie (Eliza Hope Bennett), just as many a movie adult before him annoyingly withheld information from their children for dramatic effect. (Maybe Fraser's Mo, a pleasantly square-framed American among a population of Brits, just can't bring himself to utter the word ''Mummy.'') It also explains the presence of a rambunctious crowd of fictional interlopers. These include a soulful fire juggler (Paul Bettany) who yearns for home (and why not, when real-life wife Jennifer Connelly appears briefly as the juggler's fairy-tale missus), and an acquisitive villain named Capricorn (Andy Serkis, always welcome even without his Gollum suit). A unicorn and "The Wizard of Oz's" flying monkeys also make appearances -- as does, briefly, Toto too. The story is a whirl, a jumble, an effusion -- sometimes flowing smoothly, other times jerking along as if the filmmaker ("Backbeat," "The Wings of the Dove") has been given advice he resents regarding pacing and the balance of sweetness and danger. There are close calls, weird whispers, amusing throwaway lines, the ditherings of a distractible author (Jim Broadbent), and cartoon violence undertaken by misshapen scary-comic evil henchmen. But most deliciously madcap of all, there are the grand gestures and imperious pronouncements of Helen Mirren as Meggie's flesh-and-blood great-aunt Elinor, a creature of pencil-thin eyebrows and luscious costumery who caws and squawks with very unqueenly abandon. Mirren's all-out display in this distinctly British absurdo-literary extravaganza had me wishing Elinor were my own fabulous auntie and that she'd lend me some magic items from her closet. EW Grade: B . CLICK HERE to Try 2 RISK FREE issues of Entertainment Weekly . Copyright 2009 Entertainment Weekly and Time Inc. All rights reserved. | Entertainment Weekly reviews Iain Softley's adaptation of "Inkheart"
"Inkheart" is best-selling 2003 young-adult novel by Cornelia Funke .
Literature lover has dangerous talent for bringing characters from books to life .
Film stars Brendan Fraser, Paul Bettany, Helen Mirren and Eliza Hope Bennett . |
229,504 | b5306d83731646cd1f09336bd6c2b31681b48583 | By . Madlen Davies For Mail Online . A five-year-old boy who was born with his bowel attached to his heart has already faced eight life-saving operations -and he has more to come. John-Joseph Lively, of Wallsend in North Tyneside almost died in his father's arms after contracting meningitis. He has endured multiple procedures on his heart and bowel and became the one of the first children in the country to have a pioneering surgery to flush out his bowel. Now the inspiring five-year-old has been nominated for a bravery award, in recognition of his fight to survive. Scroll down for video . John, 50 and Angela Lively, 42 (now separated) have been told their son John-Joseph, 5, faces more surgery despite having already undergone eight operations since birth . John Joseph (pictured left) loves playing football, computer games and Lego. Father John (pictured right) says he is inspired by his son, who manages to smile even when coming out of surgery . Father John Lively, 40, said his son's courage is infectious. He said: 'My little boy is my inspiration. I don't know anyone whose been through so much and come out smiling.' After he was born, doctors became worried about John Joseph as tests revealed his bowel was attached to his heart. Mr Lively said they were given difficult news about their newborn son straight away. He said: 'They also said he had a hole in his heart and that the valves were collapsing. 'We were told pretty much straight away that he was going to need open heart surgery.' At just nine-months-old, John-Joseph underwent the operation at Newcastle's Freeman Hospital. Straight after surgery he contract pneumonia and spent the next two weeks in intensive care. Operation after operation followed, not only to help repair his heart, but also his damaged bowel. John-Joseph also became one of the youngest children in the country to undergo an Antegrade Colonic Enema (ACE) procedure to help with his bowel condition. A small opening was made in his lower tummy, and a saline solution flushed in to wash out his colon and produce a bowel movement. But contracting meningitis meant he almost lost his life. Mr Lively said: 'He was so poorly, he contracted meningitis and almost died in my arms three different times.' Antegrade colonic enema, or antegrade continence enema (ACE) is a surgical procedure designed to make enemas easier and more convenient. The surgeon uses the appendix to create a channel between the bowel and the abdomen. An artificial opening called a stoma is then made in the surface of the abdomen. A catheter can be inserted into the stoma so that liquids can be passed into the bowel to wash out its contents through the anus. Source: NHS Choices . Today Mr Lively and his former wife Angela, 42, of South Shields, have been told their son faces the prospect of more heart surgery. But that is not stopping John-Joseph enjoying sports and activities. 'He's such a happy little chap,' added Mr Lively. 'He loves football, computer games and Lego. 'Don't get me wrong, we have our hard days but every time I see him laughing, it touches my heart and I think what an incredible inspiration he is.' John-Joseph has now been nominated for a Champion Child of Courage award by his local paper. Recently he also starred in a video for the Royal Victoria Infirmary to help other parents and children who are going through the ACE procedure. Mr Lively said he is truly inspired by his son's continuing optimism. He added: 'To me, my son is a hero. I can't count the number of times I have seen him come out of surgery, open his eyes, sit up and smile.' | John-Joseph Lively, 5, was born with his bowel attached to his heart .
Underwent 8 operations on bowel and heart and still faces more surgery .
One of the first children in the UK to undergo an Antegrade Colonic Enema .
This is a procedure to flush out the colon to produce a bowel movement .
Contracted meningitis and almost died in his father's arms three times .
Now nominated for North East Chronicle's Child of Courage award . |
92,450 | 02e93198291a0158c5dcd4d1dd7752d5baab16ed | Washington (CNN) -- When President Barack Obama took the podium on Tuesday night, he followed in the footsteps of generations of presidents before him: speaking to the American people about a critical issue facing the United States. But he didn't follow literally in those footsteps: Unlike many presidents before him, he spoke from the East Room -- not the traditional setting of the Oval Office. From President Ronald Reagan announcing the invasion of Grenada to President H.W. Bush announcing the beginning of the Gulf War to President George W. Bush announcing the invasion of Iraq, presidents have chosen to use the visual power of the "Oval." Obama, though, has used that iconic setting for prime-time speeches only twice during his presidency, both within months of each other. In June 2010, the president sat behind the Resolute desk and updated the nation on "the battle we're waging against an oil spill that is assaulting our shores and our citizens," after the Deepwater Horizon exploded off the coast of Louisiana. In August of that year, Obama made a point to reference the setting of his speech announcing the end of the combat mission in Iraq. "From this desk, seven-and-a-half years ago, President Bush announced the beginning of military operations in Iraq. Much has changed since that night," Obama said. When it was time for Obama to make his major military announcement -- the May 2011 death of Osama bin Laden -- he chose to walk down the long White House hallway to his East Room podium, the same setting he used for his Syria speech. Obama is not the first president, though, to break with tradition of either the location or timing in making major pronouncements. President Bill Clinton's first comments on his missile strikes in Afghanistan and Sudan in 1998 came from an ad-hoc press room set up in a Martha's Vineyard school where he was on vacation. He would make a second, more formal announcement later that day from the Oval Office. President H.W. Bush regularly used the Oval Office, and he made perhaps the earliest-ever speech in December 1989: A 7:20 a.m. nationwide address to announce military action in Panama. | Obama's speech Tuesday night was in the tradition of other U.S. presidents .
However, unlike most presidents, Obama again chose the East Room instead of the Oval Office .
He also told the nation about the death of bin Laden from the East Room . |
175,994 | 6fd0e42138d649f2cd7191d224050820cc2d7a82 | By . Ashley Collman . Video of an 8-year-old girl's heartbreaking account of being bullied has gone viral, garnering more than 22,000 views in just a 24-hour period. Sarah Cymbaluk filmed her daughter Anna's testimony after getting frustrated with the inaction of administrators at Magelsson Elementary School in Fosston, Minnesota. Now, the third-grader is hoping to leverage the outpouring of support for the video to raise awareness of bullying across the U.S. Scroll down for video . Targeted: Anna Cymbaluk, 8, talks about being bullied in a video that was posted on Facebook last week and has since gone viral . Mrs Cymbaluk first posted the video on her Facebook page last week, and Anna is so traumatized from the bullying that she refuses to talk about specifics of the attacks. Instead, mom asks Anna how she feels about being targeted by bullies. 'It makes me feel sad and scared and I don't like it,' the little girl says. Her little brother Benjamin, 7, also appears in the video with stories of his own. He claims bullies told him he was going to commit suicide, and have called him both a 'son of a b****' and a 'motherf****. More abuse: Anna's brother Benjamin (pictured together on the left) also appears in the video and talks about how bullies have called him a 'son of a b****' and a 'motherf*****' In the video, Anna says she's reported the abuse to the principal about five times and has been told to 'just ignore it'. But she thinks the kids behind the attacks should get suspended. 'It hurts my feelings,' she says. 'I want to feel like I'm wanted in school and people like me.' Mrs Cymbaluk told WDAZ her daughter has been called the f-word and a lesbian and that the abuse has even become physical as Anna has come home with scratches and bruises. School officials finally took the reports seriously after Mrs Cymbaluk posted the video on Facebook last week and it immediately swept the internet. Addressing the issue: Sarah and Jon Cymbaluk had a meeting with school administrators after posting the video last week and demanded a written apology . Mrs Cymbaluk and her husband Jon met with the school superintendent, principal and a school board member on Thursday, but don't think the meeting went well. The parents say the first thing one of the officials said was 'What are you going to do to make us look good.' The Cymbaluks demanded a written apology at the meeting, which officials agreed to. However, Superintendent Mark Nohner says he wasn't informed about the bullying until the video was was posted, despite the Cymbaluk's claims that they've been dealing with the school since December. Unaware: School Superintendent Mark Nohner says he hadn't heard about the bullying until last week, but is now doing everything in his power to make Anna feel safe . 'I found out about the situation a couple of days ago and I think it could have been resolved without going to Facebook,' Mr Nohner told KXJB. Mr Nohner says they are now doing everything to make Anna feel safe, and have since spoken with her bus driver. Little Anna is now hoping to help other kids who have been the victim of bullying by organizing an awareness event. Her 9th birthday is on Tuesday and she is asking everyone to wear orange, her favorite color, to honor 'ANYONE in ANY SITUATION who has been bullied' so that they know they are not alone, according to Facebook. Young activist: Anna is hoping to use the video as a way to raise awareness of bullying across the country. Above, the entire Cymbaluk family pictured in a photo posted on Mrs Cymbaluk's Facebook . | Last week, Minnesota mom Sarah Cymbaluk posted a video on Facebook of her daughter Anna crying after an attack by bullies .
The video garnered over 22,000 views in just a 24-hour span .
In the video, 8-year-old Anna sobs as she explains how the bullying makes her feel unwanted at school .
Anna's parents met with administrators after posting the video last week and they are now promising to do a better job of protecting the third-grader .
Anna is hoping to leverage the video's popularity to raise awareness of bullying across the U.S.
On Tuesday, her 9th birthday, she wants everyone to wear orange to honor anyone who has been bullied so that they know they are not alone . |
6,172 | 11776ec820ac75e55bab9616774a114d82185e66 | For anyone who has experienced the brutality of a bully, a blunt-talking mayor in California with a horseshoe mustache now weighs in with this bit of wisdom: "Grow a pair." Looking and talking like an Old West figure, Mayor Cameron Hamilton made his declaration while on the dais of the Porterville City Council last week. "I'm against bullying, but I'm getting damn tired of it being used as a mantra for everything and the ills of the world," Hamilton said during the City Council meeting. "(Most) people just have to grow a pair and stick up for them damn selves." Hamilton imparted his advice while discussing a proposal to create an anti-bullying safe zone for students. His remark immediately ricocheted around the council chambers -- and, in subsequent days, around the country. Councilwoman Virginia Gurrola immediately challenged the mayor. "It's hard to just grow a pair when you're a 10-year-old girl," Gurrola shot back. The councilwoman's retort was just the beginning of how the mayor's tough-talking comments have roiled many people nationwide, especially advocates of bullying prevention. What's bullying . Indeed, in the past few years, a robust debate has been unfolding about what is -- and isn't -- bullying. Sponsors of National Bullying Prevention Month say it's wrong to view bullying as "a childhood rite of passage" and something to make "kids tougher." In fact, bullying can be a traumatic experience, causing school avoidance, anxiety, depression and loss of self-esteem. Some researchers, however, say "bullying" has been misused and misstated in recent years -- recklessly assigned to describe mere slights, teasing or inevitable growing pains in childhood relationships. The bald, cigar-smoking Hamilton seemed a little wounded this week by the resulting controversy, but he wasn't backing down. He has also received some hate e-mail. "Of course, I wish I would have put it a little different, a little less colorful, but let's not lose track of what the message is," Hamilton said in a CNN interview. Watch Hamilton speak about the controversy . "We're starting to define any action that is a little bit controversial as bullying," he continued. "We're not addressing the fact that the students are running to or running from (something) or never allowed through the zero-tolerance policies of the schools to actually stand up for themselves. "The one I worry about the most is physical intimidation, and that's certainly not advocating that we meet violence with violence," he said. "But if somebody puts their hands on you, it's up to you and your friends to put a stop to this." People should "just tell the bully we're not going to put up with this," he said. Raising two grandchildren . Hamilton has been raising two grandchildren for 10 years because he lost his daughter in a wreck. "I guarantee I'm not raising them to be whiny," Hamilton said. But he's frustrated with school policies that don't allow bullied pupils to stand up for themselves, he said. His grandson came home from school a month ago after he and another boy had a tussle. In fact, the principal called Hamilton about the incident. "I asked my grandson afterwards, what'd you do about it?" Hamilton said. "I didn't do anything," the grandson told him, according to Hamilton. "Why?" Hamilton said. "Because I'll get in trouble," the grandson told him. Hamilton expressed exasperation -- and blamed zero-tolerance zones in school as a big part of the problem. Those zones empower bullies, Hamilton said. "How do you have a safe zone when the schools are telling the kids to stand down and not really holding the bully accountable?" Hamilton said. "They don't expel them or don't suspend them. They have them come back to class, and you're brought back in the same environment." When Hamilton was in 7th grade, he was bullied by "a guy that kept pullin' a knife on me," he said. "I made up excuses not to go to school. ... I didn't tell my mom and dad what was going on, didn't tell my friends cause I didn't want them to think I was afraid of this guy," Hamilton said. "Finally it came to a head. I dropped him like a rag doll. Everything was cool again," he said. Hate mail . Hamilton acknowledged he's receiving a lot of e-mail excoriating him. "I could show you e-mails right now that would blow your mind," he said. One e-mail was profane and condemning, but Hamilton read it aloud in a CNN interview. "Hey there mayor... Just reading this makes me want to throw up in my mouth," the e-mail read, according to Hamilton. "You have no idea what it's like to be bullied. You have no idea what it takes for a 10-year-old to stand up to someone who is picking on them. And you have no idea how much bad press you bring on Porterville. That town is a backwards bastion for bigotry, and you made it worse by becoming mayor." Among experts taking exception with Hamilton is Simone Bienne, a British human behaviorist and therapist who appears on U.S. television programs. "I would like to say that the mayor is actually coming off as a bully," Bienne said. "You can very easily say 'I'm against bullying,' but then blame the people, the victims who were being bullied and say grow a pair. "What does that actually mean? Be braver and you won't get bullied? I don't think that's how bullying works," Bienne said. "If we put responsibility on children to do an adult's job, or to do a politician's job or to do a teacher's job, then what we are basically doing is asking children -- children! -- to be adults." | Mayor is raising his two grandchildren not to be 'whiny'
His daughter died in a wreck 10 years ago .
Mayor Cameron Hamilton is now receiving hate e-mail .
Porterville, California, mayor says at meeting that the bullied should stick up for themselves . |
18,258 | 33adca96e50686e121fd1c745a056e628d38558c | By . Sara Malm . and Sophie Jane Evans . Austrian drag queen Conchita Wurst has been crowned winner of this year's Eurovision Song Contest. The singer, dubbed 'the bearded lady', was awarded a staggering 290 points for her performance of Rise Like a Phoenix in Copenhagen tonight. Sporting a full beard and gold embellished fishtail gown, she took to the stage in front of a smokey backdrop, before giving a powerful performance of the song. Scroll down for video . Winner: Austrian drag act Conchita Wurst has been crowned winner of this year's Eurovision Song Contest . When the . results of the votes started coming in from across the continent, it . soon became clear that this was, as the odds had predicted, a fight . between Conchita Wurst, Sweden's Sanna Nielsen and The Netherlands' The . Common Linnets. As . the voting came to a close, Conchita was in tears, mouthing 'thank you, . thank you' to the camera as she raced ahead of the other entries and . ended up with 290 points. Wurst, . the alter ego of 25-year-old Thomas Neuwirth, triumphed over the 25 . contestants in the contest, including British singer Molly . Smitten-Downes, who came 17th with just 40 points. The Netherlands, in second place, finished with 238 points and Sweden won third with 218 points. The UK's hopes were pinned on Smitten-Downes as she battled it out in a bid to become the country's first Song . Contest winner since 1997, despite the nations Prime Minister not knowing who she is. Success: The singer, or 'the bearded lady', was awarded a staggering 290 points for Rise Like a Phoenix . Taking to the stage: Sporting a full beard and gold embellished fishtail gown, Wurst took to the stage in front of a smokey backdrop, before giving a powerful performance of her song . Success: The singer, or 'the bearded lady', was awarded a staggering 290 points for Rise Like a Phoenix . Yesterday, David Cameron failed to identify the UK's entry and admitted he did not know who was hosting the show. Asked if he would be watching, Mr Cameron said: 'Probably not, if I'm absolutely honest.' Praise for . Conchita's win took over Twitter, with many highlighting the . significance of the Eurovision winner being genderneutral and . representing the LGBTQ community in the wake of Russia's recent . homophobic laws and persecutions. John . Bishop tweeted: It's only a song contest but tonight it showed talent . can overcome prejudice and ignorance. Well done Conchita - I am glad I . saw that moment' Journalist Jay Rayner wrote: 'We take the p***out of Eurovision. It's a gagfest. But it's also a grand vehicle for an overt 'f*** you' liberalism in face of conservatism' Russell . Brand showed support and a sense of humour when he posted images of . himself in a green shimmering dress in homage to his lookalike Conchita, . adding: 'I don't normally endorse voting but please vote for me on . #Eurovision tonight. #Austria' BBC One's official Twitter took it even further writing: 'Conchita Wurst for the next James Bond theme! She has a licence to thrill. #Eurovision' 'Amazing': Celebrities and fans have taken to Twitter tonight to express their support for Molly Smitten-Downes . On stage: The nation's hopes were pinned on the 27-year-old as she battled it out in a bid to become the UK's first Eurovision Song Contest winner since 1997. Above, Smitten-Downes is pictured during her performance . The UK's Molly Smitten-Downes wore a metallic gold dress with a fur collar as she performed self-penned Children Of The Universe in front of a captive audience in Copenhagen and millions of BBC viewers. And within seconds of her performance ending, celebrities and fans had taken to Twitter to express their support for the singer. Comedian . John Bishop wrote: 'Molly is the best UK entry since Tie A Yellow . Ribbon by Brotherhood of Man - I am now going to retire and enjoy my . pipe and act my age!' Meanwhile, . TV presenter Davina McCall tweeted: '#EurovisionSongContest2014 Molly . for the uk .... Amaaaaaaazing..... 10/10 (Had to really) but she is . good!!' And Olympic champion Greg Rutherford wrote: 'Molly can sing! (First time I've heard this)'. But . Smitten-Downes's performance was not enough to enable Britain to scoop the . title of Song Contest winner as she was beaten by Wurst and 15 others. Captivating: Dressed in a metallic gold dress with feathers, she performed self-penned Children Of The Universe in front of a captive audience in Copenhagen and millions of BBC viewers . Awaiting the results: Smitten-Downes's performance was not enough to enable Britain to win the contest . Singer: Within seconds of the performance ending, hundreds of fans had taken to Twitter to congratulate her . Treat: Smitten-Downes was presented with a 'Curly Whirley cake' backstage following her performance . Winner Conchita identifies as gender neutral but prefers to use female pronouns where this is needed. Prior . to her performance, Wurst had faced a barrage of homophobic and . transphobic attacks from within her own country and from other countries . including Russia, Armenia and Belarus, who branded the contest a . 'hotbed of sodomy', the BBC reported. 'I . can only say thank you for your attention. If this is only about me and . my person, I can live with it', Wurst previously said about her critics . in emails. 'You know, I have a very thick skin. It's just strange that a little facial hair causes that much excitement.' As she took the stage for a second time tonight - after being crowned . winner - the transgender singer had tears in her eyes as she said: . 'Thank you, thank you so much.' This . year's Song Contest was hosted by last year's winners, Denmark, . with Eurovision 2015 to be held in Austria's capital Vienna. In second place: Runner-up The Common Linnets of The Netherlands was awarded 238 points . Number three: Sanna Nielsen representing Sweden with power-ballad Undo got 218 points . Opponent: Poland's Donata and Cleo perform 'My Slowianie - We Are Slavic' during tonight's Song Contest . Giving it their all: Firelight, representing Malta, perform 'Coming Home' during the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 . Hosts: The 2014 Eurovision Song Contest was presented by Pilou Asbaek, Lise Ronne and Nikolaj Koppel . Smitten-Downes, from Leicestershire, went into the contest with the best odds Britain has had for years. Britain, like France, Luxembourg and Sweden, has won the contest five times and finished runner-up on a record 15 occasions. Only Ireland has won it more times, with seven successes since Eurovision started in 1956. In 1967, Sandie Shaw took the title for the UK with Puppet On A String, followed two years later by Lulu with Boom Bang-a-Bang. It . took another seven years before Brotherhood Of Man performed Save Your . Kisses For Me in 1976 and brought the accolade back to the UK. In . 1981 Bucks Fizz won with Making Your Mind Up. And the last time Britain . was crowned winner was in 1997 with Love Shine A Light by Katrina And . The Waves. Before 1998, the nation only finished outside the top 10 twice. Since then, however, the entries have been branded a 'national joke', finishing towards the end of the table year after year.In 2003, 2008 and 2010, the acts finished last. | Conchita Wurst, 25, crowned winner of Eurovision Song Contest 2014 .
Gender-neutral Wurst, dubbed 'bearded lady', was awarded 290 points .
Sporting full beard and gold dress, she performed Rise Like a Phoenix .
Molly Smitten-Downes, of Britain, was ranked 17th with just 40 points .
Also dressed in gold, she performed self-penned Children Of The Universe .
The singer, 27, was immediately backed on Twitter by celebrities and fans .
This year's Song Contest was hosted by last year's winners, Denmark . |
251,324 | d149334a90c309467540d630d5622f6c7ed461f0 | By . Darren Boyle . Pregnant woman who eat junk food or consume sugary drinks prior to getting pregnant are 50 per cent more likely to have a premature baby, an Australian scientific study has found (picture posed by model) Mothers-to-be who eat junk food and sugary snacks are more likely to have premature babies, according to a new report. University research has for the first time confirmed that women who eat a poor diet before they become pregnant are around 50 per cent more likely to have a preterm birth than those on a healthy diet. Researchers at the University of Adelaide's Robinson Research Institute investigated the dietary patterns of more than 300 South Australian women to better understand their eating habits before pregnancy. It is the first study of its kind to assess women's diet prior to conception and its association with outcomes at birth. The results, published in The Journal of Nutrition, show that women who consistently ate a diet high in protein and fruit prior to becoming pregnant were less likely to have a preterm birth, while those who consistently ate high fat and sugar foods and takeaway were about 50 per cent more likely to have a preterm birth. Dr Jessica Grieger, post doctoral Research Fellow with the Robinson Research Institute said: 'Preterm birth is a leading cause of infant disease and death and occurs in approximately one in 10 pregnancies globally. Anything we can do to better understand the conditions that lead to preterm birth will be important in helping to improve survival and long-term health outcomes for children.' 'In our study, women who ate protein-rich foods including lean meats, fish and chicken, as well as fruit, whole grains and vegetables, had significantly lower risk of preterm birth.' A healthy diet increased the chance of a baby being born full-term while kebabs and sugary drinks made problems more likely . Dr Geiger said: 'On the other hand, women who consumed mainly discretionary foods, such as takeaway, potato chips, cakes, biscuits, and other foods high in saturated fat and sugar were more likely to have babies born preterm.' 'It is important to consume a healthy diet before as well as during pregnancy to support the best outcomes for the mum and baby.' She added: 'Diet is an important risk factor that can be modified. It is never too late to make a positive change. We hope our work will help promote a healthy diet before and during pregnancy. This will help to reduce the number of neonatal deaths and improve the overall health of children.' | Australian researchers find link between junk-food and pre-term babies .
Women hoping to get pregnant warned against eating take-aways and sugary drinks .
Eating healthily before pregnancy improves any baby's long-term health as well . |
103,737 | 11d355545bdf7bb488b6c9123a477fdb17cc680b | (CNN) -- In a letter to the NCAA disclosed Wednesday, the Justice Department said it has received several requests for an antitrust investigation into the current Bowl Championship Series system, and it wants information to help it decide what to do. That controversial system makes it very difficult for teams in some athletic conferences to qualify for major bowl games, potentially costing millions of dollars in revenue to those not chosen. "Serious questions continue to arise suggesting that the current BCS system may not be conducted consistent with the competition principles expressed in federal antitrust laws," Assistant Attorney General Christine Varney told NCAA President Mark Emmert. The decision to release the letter came hours after Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, a major opponent of the current system, demanded further consideration of the issue in a face-to-face appearance with Attorney General Eric Holder at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. Holder responded by disclosing the Justice Department had sent a letter to the NCAA on the issue Tuesday. In her letter, Varney asked Emmert to explain why college football does not have a playoff when so many other college sports do. She also asked what steps, if any, the NCAA has taken to create a playoff, and whether the NCAA has determined that there are aspects of the BCS system that do not serve interests of fans, colleges, universities, and players. Officials acknowledge the NCAA is not legally required to respond, although lawyers following the case expect the association to do so. Antitrust lawyers have been watching the debate grow for more than two years, to see whether the Justice Department will jump into the case. One antitrust expert who declares himself neutral in the case says he doubts Justice will launch a probe because it has a full plate of more pressing issues. "There is a problem, but not an antitrust problem," said Gordon Schnell of the New York firm Constantine Cannon. A court could never require a football playoff, but they could break up the current BCS system, he said. Currently, the BCS system limits automatic bids to the winners of the Big Ten, Big East, Big 12, Atlantic Coast Conference, Pac 10 and the Southeast Conference, thereby leaving out other conferences, including almost all schools in the Rocky Mountain Region. Only two remaining at-large spots are available to all other colleges and universities. CNN's Terry Frieden contributed to this report . | The Bowl Championship Series system makes it hard for some college teams to qualify .
Millions of dollars in revenue are at stake in the football bowl selection process .
Assistant Attorney General Varney seeks an explanation . |
242,624 | c60b8712a7c54c1000e38743f39ffb5d73523440 | (CNN) -- Last year, 27-year-old Grant Gadoci declared that he needed a year off of work. "I love traveling," said Gadoci, who works for the software company HotSchedules. "So here, if you need to take time off, you send an e-mail notification, and they say, 'have a good time!' " Gadoci took his boss up on an offer for a leave of absence and moved to Italy. He's now back in the office, working in sales, after his year off. "They recognized that work-life balance, for many people, is just the definition of being a happy worker," Gadoci said. Unlimited paid vacation -- as long as you still get your work done -- is one of the many perks Gadoci enjoys at Austin, Texas-based HotSchedules. The company also provides its young staff members with a massage chair, a pingpong table, a tricked-out gaming suite including "Rock Band," and a monthly cookout served by the boss. Gen-Y'ers: Delaying adulthood . HotSchedules CEO Ray Pawlikowski, who founded the company in 1999, says that catering to Gen-Y workers is smart business. Thirty-nine of his 65 employees are under the age of 32. "If you create an environment like we have here, which is a fun place to come work, and you engage them and you really capture their attention, they're fantastic employees," Pawlikowski said. Who is this new breed of worker, and why do companies like HotSchedules pamper them? Generation Y, or millennials, make up roughly 50 million 18- to 30-year-olds. According to a 2010 Pew Research Center study on social trends, this generation is on course to become the most educated in history and, in a decade or so, will account for nearly half the employees in the world. Dr. John Butler, a University of Texas professor, has conducted extensive research on innovation and millennials. He says one defining characteristic of millennials is their short attention spans. "I think that Gen-Y does not expect necessarily to be tied to a job," Butler said. That's a gutsy decision for a generation with 13 percent unemployment. "The big one I hear about, and I'm guilty too, is a sense of entitlement," said Gen-Y consultant Jason Dorsey, who rakes in up to $25,000 per speech teaching Fortune 500 companies how to work with his generation. "It's showing up and just feeling like people owe you things," the 33-year-old says. Dorsey adds that some millennials also have a hard time dealing with negative feedback. He says it stems from the way many were raised. "The reality is, we've had parents who have told us how great we are since we were kids, you know. We listen to Baby Einstein to get smarter. We go to school and suffer from grade inflation, and if we didn't get an A, we went and negotiated. We've built up our self-esteem, and the result is, we can't deal with adversity," Dorsey said. Millennials: Marriage ideal but parenthood the priority . Why would anyone even want to hire millennials? Are they worth the trouble? "We want to make a difference from day one, which is totally huge. We show up, and that's why we think we should be vice president," joked Dorsey. "Gen-Y brings a lot of valuable skill sets in terms of thinking outside the box. We don't know what status quo means, but we know that if something doesn't work, we're going to speak up about it." Dorsey has words of wisdom for companies like HotSchedules that employ a multitude of Gen-Yers: "When millennials show up at the office, you have to provide specific examples of what you expect. And the reason is, we often lack real world experience. So we may have degrees and big expectations, but we don't necessarily know what 'business casual' means. "You have to give feedback to millennials at least once a month. Other generations were taught if your boss is talking to you, you're doing something wrong. Millennials were taught the exact opposite: If your boss isn't talking to you, you're doing something wrong." HotSchedules boss Pawlikowski swears by his staff. "I think the biggest thing is that they bring a new level of dedication that we haven't seen in the past." And his Gen-Y employees, including Gadoci, may have a better perspective on life than generations before them. "I want to make sure I'm doing things that make me happy," Gadoci said. "So if it means maybe starting a little bit later down a long career path, then I'm absolutely going to take that opportunity to enjoy life." Perhaps Dorsey sums up the Gen-Y work attitude best: "The truth is, millennials just want something they can put on Facebook!" CNN's Poppy Harlow contributed to this report. | HotSchedules gives workers unlimited paid vacation -- if they get work done .
Generation Y, or millennials, account for roughly 50 million 18- to 30-year-olds .
Gen-Y could be the most educated in history and make for half the world's employees . |
272,003 | ec53694cbfdac3677efdb95020d7e60d1ca58205 | The grieving husband of a Las Vegas mother shot dead following a road rage incident has come out in defense of his son, who police now say accompanied his mother with gun in hand to help search for the man who eventually killed her. 'My son is not an animal,' Robert Meyers told mourners at a Tuesday vigil for his wife Tammy Meyers. 'My son is a hero in my book.' 'There were mistakes made like every one of us have made in our life, but this particular mistake was made to keep a bigger mistake from happening.' Defended son: Robert Meyers defended his son, who chased down an angry motorist in Las Vegas who subsequently shot and killed his Mr Meyers' wife Tammy . 'My son is not an animal,' Robert Meyers said at the Tuesday vigil for Tammy Meyers. 'My son is a hero in my book' Searched for driver: Police now say 44-year-old Tammy Meyers had her teenage daughter run in the house to fetch her armed son Brandon (seen here at the vigil), who then went with her as she drove to find the driver . In a change from earlier accounts, police Lt. Ray Steiber said 44-year-old Tammy Meyers had her teenage daughter run in the house to fetch her armed son, who then went with her as she drove to find the driver who had earlier stopped his car in front of hers, got out and approached her with angry words. His son, Brandon Meyers, also defended himself at his mother's vigil, reports NBCLA. 'I did what I had to do to protect my family. Everyone can think what they have to think; I did it for a reason. And I'd do it for anyone I love,' Brandon Meyers said. When asked to characterize Tammy Meyers' five-to-10 minute drive through the neighborhood, Lieutenant Steibner said Tuesday that police in the investigation 'would never say that anybody went looking for trouble,' Kristal Meyers, left, and her brother, Robert Meyes Jr. spoke at a memorial vigil for their mom on Tuesday night at Walter Johnson Junior High School, where Meyers had been giving her 15-year-old daughter a driving lesson . Dozens gathered in the parking lot at Johnson Junior High School, where police said Meyers was giving her daughter driving lessons on Thursday night before a near-collision led to the deadly confrontation . No one has been arrested in the killing, and the family is offering a 1965 Chevrolet El Camino as a reward in exchange for information leading to catching Tammy Meyers' killer . Armed: Brandon Meyers fired shots at the fleeing car with his handgun as his mother lay dying nearby . Son: Brandon Meyers, 22, posted a photo of a Beretta handgun (right) to his Facebook page one year ago, saying: 'New addition to the family.' Police say he shot at the fleeing car after his mom was gunned down . He said she found, and for a time followed, the vehicle she had apparently been looking for. Tammy Meyers then drove home, Steiber said, where a vehicle described only as a four-door gray or silver sedan pulled up and someone inside opened fire. 'Unfortunately I cannot say what was in Tammy's mind,' the police lieutenant said. 'Tammy is the victim.' Steiber said the initial road rage incident happened while Tammy Myers drove slowly home from a school parking lot, where she had been teaching her teenage daughter to drive. The girl didn't have a learner's permit. Steiber said the daughter told police a car sped up to them from behind and then pulled alongside. The daughter reached over from the passenger seat and honked the car horn at the car as it passed. Suspect: A twenty-something man with spiky hair, while Kristal Meyers holds a candle during a memorial vigil for her mother on Tuesday night . Shot dead: Mother-of-four Tammy Meyers, 44, went home first before heading back out to find the man that eventually killed her following a road rage incident last Thursday, police say . Killed: Tammy Meyers - seen here with her husband Robert Meyers - went out looking for a man she had a road rage argument with, cops said. She was accompanied by their son Brandon, 22, who brought a gun with him, according to authorities . 'She figured this person was speeding, and right or wrong, they needed to be corrected,' Steiber said of the girl, who he said is 15. 'She honked the horn.' Steiber pointed to a police artist's sketch of a man sought for questioning. He said the man is believed to be in his mid-20s with blond hair and blue or hazel eyes, and was wearing a V-neck T-shirt. 'All indications to us are that this unknown person fired first,' Steiber said. He said Brandon Meyers returned fire. Tammy Meyers was behind her son, and Steiber said police don't believe he was responsible for the fatal shot. On the run: The surveillance footage above shows a four-door sedan wanted by police in connection to a deadly shooting last week in Las Vegas . Overreaction: Police say one of the passengers in this car shot dead 44-year-old mother Tammy Meyers after getting into a road rage argument on Thursday . | In a change from earlier accounts, police say Las Vegas mom Tammy Meyers fetched her armed son to help her search for an angry motorist .
Grieving husband Robert Meyers defended his son Tuesday during a vigil held for his wife .
Initial reports indicated Tammy Meyers was shot dead by a man who followed her home from her daughter's driving lesson .
Police now say she was shot following an interaction that occurred after she and her son Brandon Meyers went searching for the motorist . |
281,097 | f823090e6469999837ad9b191f8770b886ec53c4 | (AOL Autos) -- Regular readers of AOL Autos know that we have done a series of stories on the development and increasing popularity of cars that run -- or will eventually run -- on alternative fuels. The mandatory use of CNG in public service vehicles began in New Delhi, India in 2000. We've written about hybrids, clean-diesel engines, fuel-cell technology, ethanol and more. That brings us to another entry in the auto industry's ongoing research and development of green-technology: compressed natural gas (CNG). Scientists are trying to determine which alternative fuel will best strike a balance between being environmentally friendly and commercial viability. CNG might be the answer. Vehicles running on CNG have actually been around since the early 1990s, but have not been a dominant force in the marketplace mostly because the infrastructure (i.e. re-fueling stations) is not yet in place to support high-volume sales of CNG-powered cars. Presently, there are only about 1,600 CNG refueling stations in the U.S, compared with up to 200,000 gas stations. Currently there is only one CNG-powered model sold on the consumer market that is actually manufactured as a CNG-powered car. That's the Honda Civic GX, which boasts an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 24/36 miles per gasoline-gallon equivalent. AOL Autos: Best hybrids . Rich Kolodziej, president of Natural Gas Vehicles for America said there are other natural-gas-powered vehicles on the road -- about 130,000, he estimates -- but that the vast majority of those are part of commercial or transit fleets or have been converted from gasoline-powered cars. "They're mostly fleet vehicles, like transit buses, delivery trucks, and the fleets maintained by the gas company, the electric company, etc," he said. "We don't have hard figures about conversions, but I'd bet that about 25 percent of those 130,000 were once gasoline-powered vehicles that have been converted to CNG vehicles," Kolodziej said. "There are a growing number of companies making certified conversion systems and installing them." NGVAmerica maintains a list of certified conversion systems on its Web site: www.ngvc.org. AOL Autos: Fuel-efficient used cars . Some of those 130,000 are also natural-gas-powered vehicles manufactured and sold by Ford, Chrysler and GM back in the early '90s, he says -- back when the U.S. manufacturers were still in the business of making CNG-powered cars. But we'll get back to that later. But with the price of gasoline currently averaging over $4 a gallon nationally, Kolodziej predicts there will be more and more demand for CNG-powered vehicles like the Civic GX. "I went to a conference a couple of months ago, and every manufacturer we talked to said that their phones were ringing off the hook, from people who are saying they'd be interested in buying a CNG-powered car," Kolodziej said. "And there are more and more people and companies who want to get into the conversion business." AOL Autos: Hybrid SUVs . The cost of conversions varies by the type of vehicle, Kolodziej noted. "But most cost in the $10,000 range. Most conversion systems are certified for Ford and GM models, among others," he said. On the financial side, natural gas is about 30 percent less expensive than gasoline when it is purchased at a refueling station. It's about 50 percent less expensive when you fill 'er up at home, via home refueling appliance that tap into your natural gas line, Kolodziej said. Owners of the Honda Civic GX in New York and California who have natural gas piped into their homes can purchase the "Phill" re-fueling system for about $3,500. This Phill system can be used whether your CNG vehicle was manufactured that way or converted, he said. AOL Autos: Luxury cars with best gas mileage . "The Phill is about the size of a pay phone, and you hang it on the garage wall, and vent it like a dryer and plug it into a gas line and also into an electric socket," Kolodziej explained. The primary environmental benefit of a CNG car is that it produces 90 percent fewer smog-forming pollutants (oxides of nitrogen), compared to the output of a conventional gas engine, said Steve Ellis, manager of alternative fuels for American Honda Motor Co. The Civic GX has reaped many environmental awards. This year, it was named by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) as the "greenest vehicle in the nation -- for the fifth consecutive year." The GX, which was first introduced in 1998, has the cleanest internal combustion certified by the EPA, Ellis noted. AOL Autos: Most-popular fuel-efficient cars . The Civic GX is not a high-volume vehicle in terms of sales. Ellis said annual sales have fluctuated between 500 to 1000 units a year since it was rolled out, with sales of 1,100 units last year. He expects that to go up in 2008. For comparison purposes, about 40,000 Honda Civic Hybrids were sold last year, with sales of 48,000 anticipated for this year. Most of the sales of the Civic GX are concentrated in southern California, followed by Phoenix and Salt Lake City -- primarily because those markets are where many of the 1,600 re-fueling stations are presently located. "As the infrastructure builds up, we'll sell more of them in other markets," Ellis predicted. "Right now, this is a car that people use regionally. If you live here in Los Angeles, you can drive to Las Vegas and back and not worry about being able to find a refueling station. As for cost, the GX natural-gas vehicle is priced at about $24,500, compared to $17,000 for a comparably-equipped Civic LX, Ellis said -- except that buyers get a $4,000 tax credit on the purchase of the GX. And until recently, California buyers got an additional $3,000 rebate from the California Air Resources Board. "But the program was so popular, they are out of funds, and looking to add more money to the coffer so they can continue with the rebates," Ellis said. "But people who buy a Civic GX, when we ask them about the math, in term of comparing those two Civics, they sort of give us blank stares," Ellis continued. "Most of these folks who are buying the GX are trying to get out of having to commute to work every day in a pick-up truck, SUV or even a passenger car that's only getting 15 or 20 miles a gallon. And they're also the same kind of people who've said they'd pay $25 or $50 a week to be able to drive in the car-pool lane." Interestingly, many of the automakers, like Volkswagen, Mercedes, Fiat, GM Opel, Ford Europe, Peugeot and Renault, do produce CNG-powered vehicles for other countries, said NGVAmerica's Kolodziej, who noted that "about 1.5 million of the natural gas vehicles have been sold in Brazil, another 1.5 million in Argentina, another 1.5 million in Pakistan, and so on." And, once upon a time, in the early '90s, U.S. automakers did sell CNG vehicles in the United States. "But the federal government kept adding more loopholes to the energy policy that was supposed to encourage the increased manufacture and sales of CNG vehicles," Kolodziej said. "Then the government opted not to expand the coverage of the program the way the law allowed -- or the way the automakers expected. Without that demand pull, the U.S. automakers didn't believe they could sell enough of them here." "U.S. automakers zigged when they probably should have zagged" added Ellis of American Honda. "They turned their backs on CNG and began to focus on bio-fuels." But, noted Ellis, "We're definitely keeping our stake in the CNG business, because we know we can add it to other platforms. We used to think of the Civic GX as 'The Little Engine That Could' -- you know, saying, 'I think I can, I think I can' in terms of becoming more commercially viable. "But, with gas prices going up and up, now we're thinking more along the lines of 'I know I can, I know I can.' And more and more people are genuinely interested in going more green because of the environmental impact," he said. "A lot of people got into the hybrids, and then, after a while, began to ask, 'How can I do more?' And they're looking to natural-gas-powered cars as the answer to that. "So, we're in this for the long haul," noted Ellis, who said the company is definitely looking to do bigger business and make a profit from the GX. "Now, it's just a matter of society continuing to change, and to continue to become more environmentally-minded. As they do, we think there will be increasing interest in CNG, and we'll see a shift in emphasis toward CNG and away from bio-fuels." | Scientists trying to determine which alternative fuel is best for future .
Some say compressed natural gas could be the answer .
Only only one CNG-powered model sold on the consumer market today .
About 1,600 CNG refueling stations in U.S, compared to 200,000 gas stations . |
265,143 | e364e2f14eff5ba0e9d87b2f80cfe13e5abcee4e | A child's genes have a far greater impact on exam results than the quality of their school or the efforts of their parents, researchers claim. Analysis of 11,000 teenagers’ GCSE results suggests that DNA is twice as significant as environmental factors such as school choice in determining educational success. The study, published by researchers at King’s College London, will go some way towards swaying the course of the great nature vs nurture debate. A child's genes have a far greater impact on exam results than the quality of their school or the efforts of their parents, a new study by King's College London has revealed. File picture . It will also bolster the stock of London Mayor Boris Johnson, who last month provoked anger by suggesting that some people, ‘like cornflakes rising to the top of the packet’, reach powerful positions because they are naturally more intelligent than others. The new study suggests that each child’s genes make, on average, a 58 per cent difference for their results in the core subjects of English, maths and science. Environmental factors such as school, neighbourhood and the family home, are said to have an impact of just 29 per cent. Other factors unique to each individual account for the remaining 13 per cent, the study suggests. Genetics appear to have a bigger influence on results for science subjects than for humanities such as media studies, art or music – 58 per cent compared with 42 per cent. Study leader Nicholas Shakeshaft said: ‘Children differ in how easily they learn at school. Our research shows that differences in students’ educational achievement owe more to nature than nurture.’ Mayor of London Boris Johnson provoked anger last month when he linked success in life to a person's IQ . However, he warned against assuming that educational achievements are ‘genetically predetermined’. Instead, recognising the predispositions of each child may help improve learning, he said. He said a personalised education that took account of children’s differences would be better than a ‘one size fits all’ system which ignores genetics. The paper, published in the journal PLOS One, said the findings may come as ‘an uncomfortable realisation’ to those in education. Many teachers and politicians fear that a genetic approach to education may lead to less intelligent children being written off. But Professor Robert Plomin, who co-wrote the paper, said: ‘It means that educational systems which are sensitive to children’s individual abilities and needs, which are derived in part from their genetic predispositions, might improve educational achievement.’ The researchers compared the GCSE results of identical twins – who share 100 per cent of their genes – with those of non-identical twins, who share only 50 per cent of their DNA. By subtracting the environmental impact, the scientists could disentangle nature from nurture and determine the impact of genes on the school results. Most of the genes that contribute to educational success have yet to be identified, although a 2010 study discovered small variants linked to mathematical ability. Mr Shakeshaft said: ‘Once we understand more about how the genetic influences work, or once we can identify potential problems early on, we’ll be better able to target specific interventions to help those individuals who might otherwise struggle.’ Pugh cartoon . However other scientists warned that the study should be treated with caution. Dr Simon Underdown, of Oxford Brookes University, said the research cannot show that intelligence is the product of one or two simple genes. ‘Rather it is managed by an intricate process that relies on genetic factors and environmental influences. The nature-nurture debate is not over yet,’ he added. Sarah Norcross, director of the Progress Educational Trust, said the idea of tailoring education based on genetics should be treated with a ‘great degree of scepticism’. Mr Johnson was accused of ‘elitism’ last month when he said some people would always find it easier to get ahead than others. ‘Whatever you may think of the value of IQ tests, it is surely relevant to a conversation about equality that as many as 16 per cent of our species have an IQ below 85, while about 2 per cent have an IQ above 130,’ he said. He suggested that competition was good because it meant that those with natural ability would be pushed to work harder. | Study reveals a child's genes have greater impact on exam results than the quality of their school or efforts of their parents .
Research carried out by King's College London .
Echoes London Mayor Boris Johnson's controversial claims last month that success is linked to IQ .
Educational achievement owes more to nature than nurture, it is claimed . |
243,403 | c706892f82d13a8a3377869b113bf1fb730213c7 | MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota (CNN) -- The bodies of a 22-month-old girl and her mother have been recovered from the rubble of the I-35W bridge collapse, the Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office said Friday. The remains were found Thursday. Hana Sahal was in a car with her mother, Sadiya Sahal, 22 -- a nursing student from Somalia -- when it plunged into the Mississippi River, said Omar Jamal, a spokesman for the family. See photos of victims of the collapse » . Sadiya Sahal died of blunt-force and penetrating abdominal injuries. Hana, the only child believed to be a casualty of the disaster, died of blunt-force head injuries, according to the county medical examiner's Web site. Authorities informed Sahal's family Thursday that the child had died, said Jamal, director of the Somali Justice Advocacy Center. The family was told Friday that Sadiya Sahal's body was identified. Funerals for both are planned for Saturday, Jamal said Friday night. Sadiya Sahal was five months pregnant, he said. Divers on Friday pulled more human remains from the river, but the Hennepin County sheriff's office did not specify whether the remains represented one body or more. The discovery of another victim would mean at least nine people were killed when the bridge fell six stories into the Mississippi during the evening rush hour on August 1. The medical examiner's office still listed eight victims on its Web site, however, and said that as of Friday evening, all remains found had been identified. Other victims may still be trapped in the rubble. Watch 'traffic cam' video of the chaos moments after the bridge collapse » . Federal officials investigating the disaster said Friday an aerial photo made before the bridge collapsed shows where construction equipment was placed on the structure and could help investigators determine why the bridge fell. "This gives us an outstanding depiction of what, in fact, was on the bridge as it relates to the loads that were provided by the construction company: the equipment, the positioning of the equipment, where the loads were. All of that data will be put into our ... computer model," Mark Rosenker, chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board, said Friday. Part of the investigation is focusing on construction work on the bridge before it fell. Crews were using heavy equipment to resurface parts of the deck and make other repairs. The eight-lane bridge was down to two lanes to accommodate the work. See a diagram of the bridge's structure » . The I-35W bridge was classified as "structurally deficient" by state bridge inspectors for at least 17 years. U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters said Friday that Minnesota will receive an advance of $50 million in federal emergency relief for debris removal and other operations in preparation for reconstruction. The money is an advance on the $250 million Congress authorized before its August recess began. Congress must pass legislation to appropriate the $250 million before it can be released, Peters said. The state also received $5 million in emergency aid the morning after the disaster, and $5 million was secured by Minnesota's congressional delegation to set up alternative transportation options for motorists. E-mail to a friend . | NEW: Body identified as that of nursing student from Somalia .
Victim's daughter was only child killed in disaster .
Photo shows where construction equipment sat on bridge .
Location of equipment may help investigators compute stresses . |
250,522 | d036fe5c8e97e9dc6e1c7aaaf8572aee06c8ac41 | By . Rachel Quigley . Last updated at 8:10 PM on 13th December 2011 . After a year-long search, police investigators on New York's Long Island announced today they believe they have discovered the skeletal remains of New Jersey prostitute Shannan Gilbert, who vanished last December after fleeing a client's home in a panic. Suffolk County Police Commissioner Police Commissioner Richard Dormer said searchers found the bones at around 9:15am in a dense wetland thicket, not far from where the 24-year-old disappeared from the area in May 2010. He said authorities believe it is Gilbert's corpse, although further examination will be conducted by the county medical examiner. Remains: A body believed to belong to Shannan Gilbert was found in thick bramble this morning about a quarter of a mile away from where her belongings were found . Crime Scene: Investigators used metal detectors and K-9s to search a marsh for the remains of Shannan Gilbert who was last seen in 2010 running hysterically from a client's home in Oak Beach . Map: The locations where eight of ten bodies were found near Gilgo Beach since December 2010. The remains of Shannan Gilbert will make it 11 . Police began searching for her last . December when they came upon the first of what would become ten homicide . victims' remains. They were strewn along several miles of thicket along . a parkway leading to Jones Beach. They think Gilbert may have drowned . accidentally while fleeing a client's home for an unclear reason. The body was found about a quarter of a mile from where her belongings were found in a thick, brambled area. Last week, the search turned up Gilbert's purse, containing her ID, cell phone and lip gloss, as well as her jeans and shoes. The 24-year-old was a prostitute who advertised her services on Craigslist . Commissioner Dormer said: 'We went in with the idea we were going in one last time to see if we could find anything and we did. 'This is very tough brambled area, difficult to traverse, you can't walk through that area and this is why it has taken us so long to find.' He said the location of the skeleton suggests that Gilbert may have been trying to flee across the wetland to a causeway. He suggested that she had become hopelessly entangled in the brush, which he called a 'tough, desolate, tangled mess'. He said: 'The terrain would have made it impossible. Our people who were in there over the last few days had to cut through that brush and bramble area, before she was located.' Officers had to use heavy, earth-moving equipment to excavate the site. Gilbert's disappearance prompted the investigation which led to five bodies found in burlap sacks on Gilgo Beach last December. The bodies have been positively identified as prostitutes advertising on Craigslist. Since then, five more bodies have been found which have yet to be identified. Police said they think Gilbert's disappearance is unrelated to the other bodies but a single killer may be responsible for the ten dead. Relatives of Megan Waterman and Maureen Brainard-Barnes, whose bodies were among the ten found, visited the scene on the first anniversary of the grisly discovery. 'It's been a living hell,' Waterman's mother Loraine Ela told reporters on Monday. 'It really is. Not a day doesn't go back where I don't think of Megan.' Relatives of some of the murdered women are due to hold a vigil today from 2pm to 5pm to mark the anniversary of when their loves ones’ remains were found. Thick bramble: Clothing and other items were found in the marsh in the community of Babylon which belonged to Shannan Gilbert . New search: Officers had to use heavy, earth-moving equipment to excavate the site . A police officer and his cadaver dog were following up on the disappearance of Gilbert when they came across the first set of human remains on December 11, 2010. Two days later, three more bodies were found. By April, the total had risen to 10 bodies, all strewn along several miles of Ocean Parkway, on a barrier island south of Long Island that leads to Jones Beach. Authorities at first believed several people could be involved, but Police Commissioner Richard Dormer has said recently that detectives now suspect one serial killer is likely responsible for all ten deaths because the victims all had some connection to the sex trade. The victims included eight women, a man and a toddler. Police believe the women were prostitutes and suspect the man was involved in the sex trade because he was found wearing women’s clothing. The toddler is believed to be the child of one of the prostitutes. | Relatives of other victims to hold candle-lit vigil today to mark a year since first remains were found .
Medical examiner will have to positively confirm body belongs to Gilbert . |
2,785 | 0829cf17ce026dee073de211064408cb0b4914a8 | Distraught Michelle Simmons was so sure her beloved Labradoodle Gracie had plunged to her death playing during a hike in Oregon on Sunday, that she immediately held a memorial service for her dog on the side of the cliff. However, as Simmons and her family stood at the top of the 200-foot ravine they heard the unmistakable sound of Gracie barking from down below - sparking a dramatic rescue for the lucky year-old pup. In total, ten members of the Oregon Humane Society took eight hours to pull Gracie to safety from the steep cliffs of the Columbia River Gorge with a rescue harness and amazingly, she only suffered some scratches and bruises. Scroll Down for Video . Lucky dog: Gracie the Labradoodle is reunited with owner Michelle Simmons (right in both pictures) after her eight hour rescue from the bottom of a 200-foot ravine in Oregon . Gracie lost her footing as she wrestled with another dog as the Simmons family were returning from Punchbowl Falls. 'We kept hearing her rolling and rolling, she yelped out and we though we had lost her,' said Simmons to KOIN6. Bruce Wyse of the Humane Society was the team member who pulled Gracie to safety and reunited her with her grateful family. Rene Pizzo, the team leader reminded the Simmons family that the accident happened in the first place because Gracie was allowed off her leash. Check-up: Gracie is given the once-over by members of the Oregon Humane Society - who confirmed that the dog had only suffered cuts and bruises during her 200-foot fall . Reunited: Gracie is given a hug and a kiss by a member of her family after being pulled from the ravine after her accident on Sunday . Relief: Michelle Simmons tells the miraculous tale of how Gracie (left) survived the fall while hiking in Oregon . He said that the accident and successful rescue effort should act was a warning to other hikers to keep their pets under control at all times. Gracie fell just before 5pm on Sunday and a relieved Simmons told KOIN6 that she believes it was astounding her dog was not hurt. 'She was barking, wagging her tail,' said Simmons. 'It was a miracle, no one believed it.' 'She’s totally fine. We are almost gonna leave her there.' Speaking of her gratitude towards the Humane Society team who rescued her dog, Simmons called the 'absolutely amazing' and said that she thanked every single one. | Gracie plunged off cliff while rough-housing with another dog off her leash .
Owner Michelle Simmons and her family were distraught at their loss .
Incredibly heard Gracie's barks - sparking an eight hour rescue mission . |
243,880 | c7ad3b721d5022a834feef73a619dcc26c3c7eb1 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 08:05 EST, 20 June 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 05:47 EST, 21 June 2012 . The London cable car which will fly Olympic spectators over the Thames will open before the end of this month, Transport for London said today. Transport chiefs have also revealed the pricing structure for the Emirates Air Line - saying it will cost some spectators as much as £16 to buy tickets for the 1.1km river crossing on the £50m cable car. Transport for London said the cable car will open to the public at midday on June 28 - almost a month before the start of the Olympics themselves on July 27. The Emirates Airline seen against the backdrop of the Gherkin, one of London's most famous landmarks . Cabins are tested high above the O2 arenas, formerly the Millennium Dome, and the River Thames in London . During the test drives the gondolas were filled with workers to see how the system would cope with passengers . The month-long period before the Olympics will see transport bosses recoup as much as possible of the rumoured £50m cost of the Emirates Air Line. A 'frequent flyer' ticket for the cable car costs £16, while a one-off, single adult journey costs £4.30 for those who don't have an Oyster Card. The cost of a single ride for non-Londoners and tourists, most of whom won't have Oyster travel cards, equates to around £1 per minute for the five-minute ride from Greenwich to the Royal Docks. The Emirates Air Line will link between the 02 Arena in Greenwich and the ExCel exhibition centre, carrying 2,500 people an hour. The frequent flyer ticket gives tourists 10 journeys at the cost of £16. A single, adult, pay-as-you-go fare with an Oyster Card will cost £3.20, while a cash ticket for those aged 15 or under will cost £2.20 and the fare will be £1.60 for those using Oyster cards. The cables run high above the skyscrapers of Canary Wharf giving the passengers excellent views of the City . Shuttles: The 34 gondolas will be able to take 2,500 passengers an hour . Riders will also be able to make a . non-stop round trip on the cable car, with views of the City, Canary . Wharf, the Thames Barrier and the Olympic Park, at a cost of £6.40 with . Oyster. TfL say passengers with a Travelcard . or other Oyster cards (including Freedom Passes) will be able to fly for . the same fare but will need to buy a boarding pass from ticket offices . or vending machines at either end of the route. It was feared that the network would . be not be finished in time for the start of the Games on July 27 but an . application for final approval has been received by Transport Secretary . Justine Greening. It means that spectators will be able to use the cable cars to travel between two of the Games venues - the 02 Arena on the south bank of the Thames and the ExCel exhibition centre in east London. The Emirates-sponsored transport will be the first urban cable car system of its kind in the UK. The gondolas, which will travel 160 feet above the river, are due to be an eye-catching feature, but are also seen as a vital cross-Thames link in east London and part of the drive to regenerate the local economy. There will be 34 gondolas carrying 2,500 passengers an hour across the river between Greenwich Peninsula and the Royal Docks in just five minutes. Workers sit in gondolas as they perform tests on the new cable car link across the River Thames in London earlier today . The gondolas link the Greenwich Peninsula to the Royal Docks . Mayor Boris Johnson previously said of the Emirates Air Line: 'Gliding serenely through the air across the Thames will provide a truly sublime, bird's eye view of our wonderful city. 'This innovative airborne travel link will be a vital component in the ongoing renaissance of a vibrant easterly quarter of the Capital, providing a much-needed river crossing.' The consortium to build and operate the cable car was led by Mace, whose past projects include the London Eye and the Shard Tower in London. The cost of the cable car was originally estimated at around £25m and it was intended to be funded entirely by private investors. But, despite a 10-year sponsorship deal with the Dubai-based airline Emirates worth £36m, public money was needed to make up the shortfall. London now joins cities including Barcelona, Cologne, Hong Kong, Lisbon, New York and Singapore which all operate cable car systems. | Emirates Air Line to open to public at midday on June 28 .
TfL say 'frequent flyer' tickets will cost £16, while single adult cash fares will cost £4.30 .
Single ride will cost almost £1 per minute for those without Oyster Card . |
113,556 | 1e88b7dfa9bdf2af020ee68c242b0b615b30d176 | By . Snejana Farberov . Georgia assistant college basketball coach John Redman and his fiancee, Brittany Huber, were about to begin their life together as a married couple when tragedy struck Monday on their way to their wedding. Redman, 23, and Huber, 25, were driving along Interstate 85 in Meriweather County, Georgia, at around 7pm when they were caught in a rainstorm. According to Georgia State Police, Redman, who was behind the wheel, lost control of his 2008 IS 250 Lexus and crashed into the median at mile marker 33. Scroll down for video . Tragic end: Brittany Huber, 23 (left) was killed in a car crash that left her fiance, John Redman, 25 (right), with serious injures as the couple were driving to get married . Twisted wreckage: Georgia State Police say Huber was killed on impact when Redman lost control of his 2008 Lexus IS 250 on Interstate 85 Monday evening . Too fast: Investigators say Redman was speeding in wet conditions, which caused the car to slam into a bridge abutment . The passenger side where Huber was sitting smashed against a concrete bridge abutment, killing the woman in impact. Redman, an assitant coach at Dalton State University, was rushed to Grady Hospital to be treated for severe head trauma, broken ribs and other injuries. ‘Our thoughts and prayers are with her [Huber’s] family at this impossibly hard time. She was an amazing person loved by all who met and knew her,’ read a statement by Dalton State University Athletic Director Derek Waugh obtained by WECT. The couple’s wedding was scheduled to take place in Huber’s hometown of Mobile, Alabama, Saturday, and the pair were on their way there when the fatal accident happened. According to officials, Redman was driving too fast, and the slick road conditions did not play a role in the crash. Redman's Facebook page indicates that he and Huber had been together since the fall of 2011, and the couple got engaged last June. Final photo: Huber posted online this image of their dog, Paige, sitting in the Lexus on their way to Alabama Monday morning; the pup had to be rescued from the vehicle after the crash . Inseparable: Brittany and Redman met in 2011 and got engaged last June; they were set to get married Saturday in the woman's hometown of Mobile, Alabama . So in love: Huber had agreed to move to Georgia when Redman landed his dream job as assistant basketball coach at Dalton State University . In July 2013, the 23-year-old graduate of Spring Hill College was hired as assistant men's basketball coach at Dalton State. His fiancee worked as a kindergarten teacher’s aide at City Park Elementary School. Everyone who knew Huber and Redman described them as an inseparable couple who could not wait to get married. Dalton State basketball player Tyrel Edwards recalled to News Channel 9 how during his recruitment interview Redman was gushing about his fiancee. ‘You could tell they were just really in love and ready to get started on their marriage and their future, so just a horrible, horrible tragedy,’ City Park Elementary School Principal Rick Little said. Gifted: Huber, an aspiring artist, worked as a kindergarten teacher's aide despite her severe hearing impairment . Huber had a severe hearing impairment since she was a girl, but her students and people who met her for the first time often couldn’t pick up on it because of her uncanny ability to read lips, Times Free Press reported. In college, she had started out studying finance but switched to an art major because she wanted to do something creative with her life. The 23-year-old woman was interested in painting, pottery and photography, which could be seen from a Facebook page dedicated to her artistic endeavors, including her work with young children at a summer camp in Mobile last year. Redman’s mother, former LPGA player Susie Kirk, wrote a heartbreaking message on her Facebook page mourning her would-be daughter-in-law. ‘I miss my sweet Brittany! I am in shock!!!!!! And I do not think I can handle this terrible pain for Brittany's family and for John,’ she wrote. ‘It was Brittany and John. It was John and Brittany. End of story. They were TEAM REDMAN every day!’ Kirk said that her son was in ‘stable and comfortable condition,’ but remained on a respirator, intubated and heavily sedated. A memorial service is being held tonight for Huber at Spring Hill Baptist Church in Mobile where the couple were supposed to walk down the aisle Saturday. On the eve of their fateful road trip, Brittany wrote on her Instagram page: ‘I can't wait to ride on this journey with him and see what our amazing God has in store for us.’ The message was accompanied by a photo of the couple standing on opposite sides of a train track, with Redman handing Huber a basketball. Long road ahead: Redman, the son of veteran LPGA player Susie Kirk, remains heavily sedated and on a respirator after suffering a head trauma and multiple broken bones . The young teacher’s aid explained in her lengthy post that the ball symbolized her fiance asking her if she was willing to help him achieve his dream of becoming a college basketball coach. On Monday morning, just hours before her death, Huber posted a photo of their small white pet dog traveling in the car with them en route to Alabama. ‘It is finally wedding week!’ the bride wrote excitedly. When their Lexus smashed into a concrete pillar that evening, the first on the scene was a woman known to the victim's family only as Laura, whom their described as an 'angel.' Redman’s mother told the Dalton Daily Citizen that when the Good Samaritan saw the unconscious couple inside the mangled car, she walked up to them and joined their hands before reciting the 'Our Father' prayer. It is believed that Huber was already dead by then. Laura also came to the aid of the couple’s pup named Paige who was trapped in the smashed car, taking the animal to a veterinarian to be treated for cuts from broken glass. Brittany Huber leaves behind a brother, sister, her parents and a stepmother. WECT TV6-WECT.com:News, weather . | Brittany Huber, 23, was killed on impact when fiance John Redman, 25, lost control of his Lexus on Interstate 85 in Meriweather County, Georgia .
Couple were heading to Alabama where they were set to get married Saturday in a church where Huber's memorial will now take place .
Georgia State Police say Redman was going too fast in slick road conditions .
The 25-year-old man suffered head trauma and multiple broken bones; he remains on respirator and heavily sedated .
John Redman, the son of LPGA veteran Susan Kirke, works as assistant basketball coach at Dalton State University .
Huber worked as kindergarten teacher's aid despite being deaf from childhood .
Couple's dog named Paige was rescued from mangled car by Good Samaritan, who also joined the couple's hands and prayed at the scene . |
228,425 | b3c494bdef72c5fdc414c02b40a5fbfd32c17eac | Six lions at Longleat Safari Park have been put down, triggering outrage among staff who claim there was no obvious reason for the animals to be killed. An adult male called Henry, a lioness named Louisa and four of her cubs were all put to death last month in an operation supervised by vets. Bosses at the safari park on the Marquess of Bath’s Wiltshire estate insist the decision was taken because of ‘health risks’ after a population increase led to violent behaviour. At play: Lions and cubs, left, from the pride that was culled by vets at Longleat, pictured three weeks . But former workers in the lion reserve have questioned whether the animals should have been destroyed, and revealed that some employees were in tears when they found out what had happened. The lions are one of the biggest attractions at Longleat, which opened in 1966 as Britain’s first wildlife safari park. Less than three weeks ago, members of the famous Longleat pride were photographed playing happily in the park, with one leaping 30ft from an oak tree, landing on all fours with a precision which astonished onlookers. A whistleblower told The Mail on Sunday that the lions were injected with a lethal substance from a tranquiliser gun. Former workers in the lion reserve have questioned whether the animals should have been destroyed . Visitors were offered no explanation for the lions’ absence yesterday when the park reopened after the long winter break. Louisa arrived in 2011 from her previous home at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm at Wraxall in Somerset. She soon became part of a new pride and a mother to a litter of cubs – as well as a close companion of another first-time mother, Nikata. A keeper caring for the new arrivals spoke at the time of how the pair enjoyed rough and tumble games with their cubs – who weighed just two pounds at birth – and seemed very protective of their offspring. A Noah’s Ark Zoo spokesman said yesterday: ‘We have been told nothing. Apart from health problems, I can’t think of any other reason why a lion like Louisa would have to be put down. We will be contacting Longleat for more information.’ One of the world’s leading big cat experts, consultant vet John Knight, said he was baffled. ‘On the face of it this seems like an odd thing to do. Longleat would not take such a decision lightly because they know how much it would upset their keepers.’ Guernsey-based Mr Knight, whose career has included consultancy work with the World Wildlife Fund and the Born Free Foundation, said: ‘This could be part of a conservation programme. It is a debatable reason for putting down a lioness and her cubs but until all the details emerge it is difficult to understand their thinking. ‘Most zoos have a contraceptive programme in place and manage to control populations perfectly well. ‘That’s why this seems a bit odd, in a way. It’s just not a problem that most zoos experience. It does seem such a shame that so many young animals have been involved.’ Another big cat expert, Andrew Greenwood of the International Zoo Vet Group, said zoos did need to restrict breeding. ‘Lions take up space and zoos don’t always want them,’ he said. ‘Putting the animal down is not a welfare issue as long as it is done properly.’ Stately home: The grounds of Longleat House, pictured, host one of Britain's leading wildlife collections . According to the whistleblower, Henry was put down in early January. The former employee said: ‘I don’t think there was a reason to do it. He had been vasectomised so he couldn’t breed. Henry could have been sold to another zoo. ‘It all happened while the park was closed for the winter so no one knew what was going on. A lot of people who know what happened are very upset and angry.’ A Longleat spokesman said last night: ‘There has been a large increase in pregnancies among the lions, resulting in a 40 per cent increase in population. This has resulted in excessive violent behaviour, putting 21 of them at risk. ‘Sadly one lion, Henry, had to be put down earlier this year due to injuries from an attack within the enclosure. The further lions referred to were put down due to associated and severe health risks. ‘A further five lions from this enclosure will be moved to other premises. Longleat takes the utmost care in trying to protect the welfare and safety of all its animals. | Henry the lion, Louisa the lioness and four cubs were killed last month .
Longleat bosses claimed the lions were becoming violent and dangerous .
Employees wept when they heard what had become of the beloved animals . |
188,737 | 8070f4a82cffc237f4ffeb3294b557f4f23039c2 | By . Ruth Styles . He was the French photographer turned Surrealist painter whose oeuvre includes his take on most of the 20th century's key moments. But, say the curators behind the retrospective at the Pompidou Centre in Paris, there was more to Henri Cartier-Bresson than spectacular photography. Instead, his lengthy career encompassed several periods of artistic development, the foundation of the world's first photo agency and some of the first photojournalism ever produced. Revolution: This photo, taken during the May 1968 demonstrations, shows graffiti that reads: Pleasure Without Limits . Portrait of a loved one: This glamorous 1967 snap shows the legs of Cartier-Bresson's wife, Martine Franck . Encompassing surrealism, the tumultuous events of May 1968, the Spanish Civil War, both World Wars and the post-war boom, Cartier-Bresson's work is also a snapshot of the 20th century - warts, wars and all. For Cartier-Bresson, born in 1908, his early years were idyllic ones. The eldest of five brothers born to wealthy parents in Paris, his first attempts at photography were encouraged and abetted by his family who bought him a Box Brownie camera. He was also taught painting by his uncle Louis, although, sadly, the painting lessons were cut short when Louis was killed fighting for France during World War I. The post-war world saw Cartier-Bresson continue to pursue his artistic ambitions, entering a private art school and the Lhote Academy, the Parisian studio of the Cubist painter and sculptor André Lhote. Later life: Cartier-Bresson's later work focused on portraiture such as this one of author Truman Capote . Americana: Martin Luther King pictured at the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta (left) and right, a man asleep in a Brooklyn cafe in 1947 . The dying days of a regime: This photo, taken in Shanghai in 1949, shows a queue to exchange worthless paper money for gold . Innocent pastimes: An early photo showing holidaymakers sunbathing by the Marne river in 1936 . New York, New York: Men relax next to a scrap lot on the streets of Harlem in a photo taken in 1947 . Under Lhote's tutelage, Cartier-Bresson enjoyed a classical French art education but fed up with Lhote's rules, left for a stint at Cambridge University in 1928 where he learned to speak English, before in 1930, leaving the UK to complete his military service at Le Bourget. During his military service, he met Caresse Crosby, the wife of hedonistic American publisher, Harry Crosby. Drawn into their decadent social circle, he swiftly began an intense affair with Caresse and was heartbroken when the relationship ended two years later. Desperate to get away, he booked a one-way trip to the then French colony, Côte d'Ivoire, where he survived by shooting game and selling it to locals. Although the period saw Cartier-Bresson narrowly escape death after contracting blackwater fever, it also marked the beginning of his photographic career - all thanks to his faithful Box Brownie. Glamorous: Cartier-Bresson also worked with magazines such as Harper's Bazaar, taking this glamorous shot of model Evelyn Tripp in Las Vegas in 1958 . Portrait of an artist: Painter Henri Matisse photographed at his home in the Alpes-Maritimes circa 1943 - 1944 . Excited: The coronation of George VI in 1937 drew enormous crowds, many of whom had slept on the street (left). Others celebrated with the equally excited policemen . Important: This striking shot was taken during the Spanish Civil War and shows the aftermath of some of the fighting . Striking a pose: Henri Matisse gets to work on a portrait of one of his favourite models, Lydia Delectorskaya, from his studio in Nice . Portrait of a photographer: Cartier-Bresson pictured at work in 1935 . On his return to France in late 1931, the budding photographer purchased himself a more advanced Leica camera and set about building a name for himself. His spontaneous style, capturing moments as they happened and the ordinary people who starred in them, swiftly brought him critical acclaim, although as a surrealist photographer rather than a photojournalist. That came later, when in 1937 when he covered the coronation of George VI and the adoring crowds that greeted the new monarch on the streets of London. His reputation for capturing pivotal moments through the eyes of ordinary people was bolstered during Word War II, thanks to his work with the French Army's film and photography unit, although he was later captured by the Nazis during the Battle of France. Later, after escaping, he joined the Resistance, documenting the activities of agents through photography and film. After the war, he joined Robert Capa and three others to found Magnum Photographs, the world's first photographic agency, and travelled the world on behalf of clients ranging from Vogue to Time magazines. Highlights included his coverage of the final days of the Kuomingtang administration in China before the country fell to Mao's communists, and the funeral of Mahatma Gandhi. His later work, much of which was devoted to portraiture and landscape, also included a rare glimpse inside what was then the Soviet Union, as well as portraits of such luminaries as Marilyn Monroe and Albert Camus. Although Cartier-Bresson retired in the 1970s, he continued to work but in paint instead of on film. He died in 2004, aged 95, in the small and pretty Alpine village of Montjustin - a quiet end to a life lived vividly. Henri Cartier-Bresson runs until the 9th June. See centrepompidou.fr for more information . | Henri Cartier-Bresson was a French photojournalist who died in 2004 .
The father of photojournalism, he was a master of the street scene .
Gandhi's funeral, George VI's and last days of Kuomintang among subjects .
Worked for Vogue, Life and Time magazines, among many others .
500 photos are on display at the Pompidou Centre in Paris until 9th June . |
111,800 | 1c300e9e309ab916abb59921287a50a2bc4cd8f6 | (CNN) -- I'm one of those people who won't throw out electronics just because they're outdated. If a device is still working and potentially useful, I'd rather get it into the hands of someone who will continue to use it. And even when devices are broken or useless, I can't bring myself to landfill them -- I save them up for local electronics recycling drives. But even though I take steps to keep my old electronics out of landfills and environmentally disastrous overseas disposal doesn't mean I'm willing to spend large amounts of time and effort to figure out what to do with them. I bought a Droid Incredible last month. Since then, my two-year-old iPhone 3G has been gathering dust on my dresser. That iPhone served me well enough for a long time, and there's nothing really wrong with it. I'd love to pass it along to someone who wants it. ...Well, OK, there is one thing wrong with it: a few months ago I made the mistake of updating its operating system to iOS4, which drastically slowed its performance. (Cult of Mac, Wall Street Journal and many other venues are reporting the same problem.) This problem apparently is reversible, but not easily so -- and I just don't feel like trying. I've got many more pressing concerns. My phone's iOS4 performance problem is severe enough that I would be embarrassed to give this phone as a gift to anyone I know, or even to sell it directly to another party via Craigslist or eBay. So I found a middleman to shield me from embarassment, keep my old iPhone out of the landfill and let me make some easy money all at the same time. I'm selling my old iPhone -- as is -- to Gazelle.com, a "reCommerce company" that says it provides "a practical, responsible, rewarding way for consumers to get value for used electronics." In less than a minute Gazelle.com agreed to buy my old iPhone for $93. This week they're sending me a box to ship it to them, and after they've checked out the phone they'll PayPal me the money. (I'll report back if that part of the process doesn't work as promised.) Admittedly, $93 is less than half of what people here in the Bay Area are asking today for an 8GB iPhone 3G on Craigslist (although that may not be the price they're actually getting). And it's toward the low end of the price range for what folks are asking for this phone on eBay today. So yes -- if I want to sell my old iPhone, I definitely could make more money elsewhere. I don't care. My time is worth money. Avoiding hassle is worth money too. Frankly, if I had to deal with the hassles and risks of selling this phone myself via Craigslist or eBay, and also reverting it back to an older OS so it's bearably functional again to assuage my conscience, that iPhone would keep sitting on my dresser until the next electronics recycling drive. And then I'd have to pay someone to take it away. So for me, that $93 is a total gain. Gazelle.com spokesperson Kristina Kennedy explained that the company, which buys over 20 categories of electronics products in addition to cell phones, ends up "finding new homes" for more than 90 percent of the used devices they buy. Mostly they resell devices through sites like eBay or Overstock.com, or through wholesalers. "Our brand appeals mainly to the upgrader market, the gadget geeks, the people who always want the latest devices," she said. "There tends to be a large secondary market for their used devices, which normally aren't very old." For instance, before the iPhone 4 was unveiled June 7, Gazelle.com was getting about 25 used iPhones per day. But as soon as iPhone users knew when they could get their new model, trade-ins on the site soared to 1500 units per day for two weeks. Since then it's tapered off (currently about 500 per day). Kennedy noted that there also is a thriving global market for refurbished older devices, such as a four-year-old BlackBerry. "We tend to resell those for reuse overseas," she said. Gazelle.com has a no export / no landfill policy for recycling and disposing of products at the end of their useful life. This applies to their own operations and those of their downstream partners. Gazelle.com also follows the EPA's Responsible Recycling (R2) practices -- which is a good start, even though a recent Government Accountability Office report points out that the federal agency "does not specifically regulate the export of many other electronic devices, such as cell phones, which typically are not within the regulatory definition of hazardous waste despite containing some toxic substances." The Gazelle.com site did not ask me which operating system is on my iPhone 3G. Their short list of questions concerned the physical condition of the hardware, which accessories I have, etc. I asked Kennedy whether, given the widely reported troubles with iOS4 on the iPhone 3G, they'd start taking that into account into the price they offer on trade-ins. "Right now we sometimes ask those kinds of questions, but only about computers," she said. "As phones become more like computers, we might start to pay closer attention to that." However you get rid of your old cell phones, be sure to protect yourself with proper precautions to delete your data. Also, remove your SIM card (if your phone has one). | Gazelle.com is a "reCommerce company" that buys used electronics on the spot .
The company buys more than 20 categories of electronics .
More than than 90 percent of the used devices that Gazelle.com buys find new homes . |
276,359 | f20f625f283a30d3c85e38f1a798a8a28c3c063d | (CNN) -- It started out life as a new video game concept but quickly morphed into a prototype with a far more practical vision -- a haptic device to help the blind and visually impaired. Tacit is a wrist-mounted device which informs the wearer about the proximity of objects in complex environments, according to its creator Steve Hoefer. Ultrasonic sensors positioned at the front measure distances from one inch up to 10 feet (2cm to 3.5m), Hoefer says, while motorized rubber pads at the rear apply increasing amounts of pressure on the wrist as users get closer to an object. The original idea was rather different. Hoefer wanted to create a "dungeon crawl" game (a type of fantasy role-playing adventure set in labyrinths) that didn't rely on vision. So he built a haptic headband complete with sensors and vibration motors. It worked, but there was a problem. He kept crashing into things that weren't at head height and the vibrations drove him batty, he says. Moving the remodeled device to the back of his hand not only saved him a lot of stubbed toes, but also steered the project in its new direction. The prototype is powered by a standard nine volt battery and can be worn on either hand. It's cheap too, with materials totaling around $75, Hoefer says. So far, tests with the blind have been very positive, he says, and it's attracting interest from educators, designers and researchers in the field. Robin Spinks, principle manager of digital accessibility at the UK's Royal National Institute of Blind People thinks the device shows promise. "Orientation and mobility are critical skills for a blind person's independence, education, employment and quality of life. Electronic orientation devices, such as Tacit have the potential to enable individuals to move around independently and gain confidence," Spinks said. San Francisco-based Hoefer is currently working on reducing Tacit's size as well as improving its accuracy and simplifying its construction. "It's not perfect, but it works, and it can be better," Hoefer said. "It could easily be made about half the size, and the replaceable batteries should be replaced by rechargeables with a blind-friendly charging method -- either a wireless or magnetically-aligning power plug." "One of the biggest and best criticisms is that it is very difficult for a blind person to build their own. I hope to address that in a future version," he said. Hoefer has released details of Tacit's materials, circuits and software on his Grathio Labs web site under a Creative Commons license to maximise feedback and hopefully improve the design. "There are a number of improvements and changes left to be made. I'm curious to see what happens," he said. | San Francisco-based inventor devises cheap haptic device to help visually impaired .
"Tacit" uses sensors which measure distances from one inch to 10 feet .
Rubber pads apply more pressure as a user gets closer to an object . |
153,832 | 52d2c5eed68bb8e0059fcf2468b7bd35fd4c3027 | The last suspect being hunted in connection with a brutal attack on a father of four in his family home has been arrested in a dramatic armed police raid. Oskar Pawlowichz, a Polish national, is suspected of being involved in a violent burglary in which a gang of masked men forced their way into the £2 million home of law lecturer Paul Kohler in Wimbledon, South-West London. Mr Kohler fought with his attackers like ‘an Englishman defending his castle’ but was left needing facial-reconstruction surgery after the assault, during which he suffered a fractured eye socket. Oskar Pawlowichz was arrested in a dramatic police raid after a Mail on Sunday appeal brought new information forward . Officers from the Metropolitan and West Mercia Police arrested Pawlowichz at a five-bedroom house in Leominster, Herefordshire, on Tuesday night. Pawlowichz, 29, was found after a £5,000 reward offered by The Mail on Sunday brought forward new information which led detectives to his location. A 20-strong covert police team had been watching the three-storey property throughout the day and descended on the address at 8.30pm when they received confirmation the suspect was inside. Six armed police entered the house where they found Pawlowichz with three other Polish nationals who were also living there. He surrendered to police and later emerged from the house with his head bowed, led in handcuffs by two detectives. Paul Kohler was left with horrendous facial injuries when the four masked men broke into his home . The Met Police had mounted a month-long manhunt for Pawlowichz after the attack on Mr Kohler on August 11. The breakthrough came after detectives were informed he was at an address in Leominster by a member of the public in response to the reward offered for information by The Mail on Sunday. Last night, Cambridge-educated Mr Kohler, 55, praised police efforts as he revealed that doctors have told him he will be left with permanent double vision from the assault. He said: ‘I’m very thankful to the police and delighted with the arrest. It makes my family rest a lot easier. ‘But I’ve still got double vision because the doctors wouldn’t operate due to the strain on my heart, which is difficult because I’ve got a permanent reminder.’ Mr Kohler told how he fought for his life with his attackers, explaining: ‘I had my family there and this whole notion of an Englishman’s home is his castle – that was the feeling. ‘ . Detective Inspector Dan O’Sullivan, who has led the investigation, added: ‘This has been a complex and intensive month-long search which has had Met officers across the country tracking the suspect’s whereabouts. Finally, he was arrested with no injuries to the public or police officers.’ Pawlowichz appeared in Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, charged with aggravated burglary and grievous bodily harm with intent. Three other Polish men have also been arrested in relation to the incident. Two of the suspects have appeared in court. The third has been released on bail pending further inquiries. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article. | Oskar Pawlowichz is fourth man arrested over brutal home invasion .
Paul Kohler fought four masked attackers off at his home last month .
Polish nationals forced their way in and demanded money from father .
Pawlowichz found after Mail on Sunday offered a £5,000 reward for information of his whereabouts . |
133,064 | 380b7129293a69b9e5c4e88e768fc3adf578d652 | Washington (CNN) -- The Senate approved a controversial $858 billion tax cut package Wednesday, overwhelmingly voting to extend the Bush-era tax reductions despite a series of objections from both the left and the right. The measure passed 81-19 to advance to the House of Representatives, which will take it up on Thursday, according to Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Maryland. The package includes a two-year extension of the Bush-era tax cuts set to expire December 31. It also would extend unemployment benefits for 13 months, cut the payroll tax by 2 percentage points for a year, restore the estate tax at a lower level and continue a series of other tax breaks. President Barack Obama praised the vote and urged the House of Representatives to quickly approve the bill, which the White House negotiated with Senate GOP leaders. The Senate vote is "a win for American families, American businesses, and our economic recovery," Obama said in a written statement. "As this bill moves to the House ... I hope that members from both parties can come together in a spirit of common purpose to protect American families and our economy as a whole by passing this essential economic package." House Democrats, however, have repeatedly warned that they may change the measure, particularly a provision dealing with the estate tax. Currently, the estate tax is scheduled to exempt inheritances up to $1 million and tax amounts above that at a rate of 55%. Under the tax package, it would be reduced to a rate of 35% on amounts above a $5 million individual exemption. Conservatives argue that a full return of the estate tax would, among other things, make it nearly impossible for many family-owned small businesses to be passed down from one generation to the next. Liberals contend that a lower or nonexistent estate tax would merely benefit the wealthy while doing little to aid the economy. A number of House Democrats, including Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-California, want to change the estate tax to levels previously approved in a separate House bill that would exempt inheritances up to $3.5 million and tax amounts above that at a 45% rate. Pelosi said Wednesday the change would bring in an additional $25 billion instead of providing tax protection to only 6,600 more families through the lower rate and higher exemption in the negotiated tax deal. However, more than two dozen moderate House Democrats submitted a letter to their House leadership Tuesday, calling for the tax package to be passed unchanged so it can go directly to Obama to be signed into law. "This bipartisan compromise is by design a temporary measure and, with its passage, we must acknowledge that our work is not done," said the letter signed by 27 House Democrats as of Tuesday evening. "We must continue to work together in a bipartisan fashion -- with a sense of shared responsibility -- toward solutions that address our economic and fiscal challenges. It is time for us to put aside the partisan talking points and accomplish what the American people sent us here to do." | NEW: The House Rules Committee will allow a vote on changing the measure .
The House will consider the tax cut package Thursday .
The Senate passes the $858 billion tax cut package .
Lower Bush-era tax rates are set to expire at the end of the year . |
114,512 | 1fc657c1c0955e4c2d93a9a9cee6149c02229418 | Monsoon floods have now hit more than a million people in Kashmir and left 450 dead as authorities plan drastic measures to stop more deaths. Days of heavy rain have lashed the mountains and valleys on the border of India and Pakistan, flooding whole towns and causing landslides which have devastated people's homes. Today the waters began to recede as more than 300,000 people were left stranded in Indian Kashmir alone - but authorities warned there could be more flooding to come. Deluge: Tens of thousands of homes have been destroyed by flash floods and landslides which have hit more than a million people on the border of India and Pakistan . An unusual swim: Children with cattle in floodwaters from the Tawi river in Jammu, the winter capital of Indian Kashmir, India. The area is a key region for farming . Bleak: Kashmiri men wade through floodwaters as they try to reach safer places in Srinagar, Indian Kashmir. Phone lines, power and water supplies have been cut off . Hospitals are struggling to cope with the scale of the disaster, which has affected more than a million people. The flash floods have washed away tens of thousands of people and crops for many thousands more in the key farming region in just one week. Phone lines, power and water supplies in the northern Indian region have been down for days and authorities say food and water supplies are running low. Earlier today officials said the death toll in India and Pakistan combined had reached 461 as Pakistani troops used helicopters and boats to evacuate thousands of marooned people, while India's military dropped food for hundreds of thousands. On Pakistan's side of the border, the floodwaters were threatening huge tracts of farmland in Punjab province and millions of people in the cities of Muzaffargarh and Multan, the heart of Pakistan's cotton industry. Pakistan's army planted explosives today which would be used to blow up three strategic dykes to divert waters away from the cities. Spread: Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian Kashmir, has been submerged by the floodwaters. Reports have emerged of angry victims attacking emergency workers . Response: Troops have been deployed and government officials gave up a day's salary for the relief effort in solidarity, but that has not stemmed the tide of anger . Devastated: Srinagar in Indian Kashmir is famous for its mountain views, but around 200 people there have now been killed by flash floods after monsoon rain . Scale: An aerial view shows the spread of the floodwaters. In the most serious floods to hit the region in 2010, an area the size of England was left underwater . Help: Kashmiri Muslims treading carefully today across the remains of a wall on the banks of the River Jehlum in Srinagar. More than 450 people have died in total . Natural beauty: The Dal Lake in Srinagar. Over the border in Pakistan, authorities were considering blowing up strategic dykes to divert the ceaseless flow of water . A senior Multan government official told AFP the dykes were likely to be blown in the evening, but the blast could be put off if the waters recede. Similar drastic measures were taken yesterday to protect the city of Jhang, further upstream, where 10,000 people were evacuated overnight. All schools in the Multan area are expected to be closed for the next two days after troops rescued 22,000 people stranded by floodwaters so far in Pakistan. Of the 461 dead, 261 were believed to have been in Pakistan while 200 were in India - but the toll is expected to rise. Pakistan's National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said seven more people had died as Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif pledged compensation worth £6,000 to families who had lost their loved ones. In India, reports have emerged of victims attacking emergency workers in their anger at the slow pace of the rescue effort. Rescue: Officials said the slow reaction to the disaster happened partly because the speed of the rising waters took them by surprise and flooded government buildings . Desperate: Phone lines to Srinagar (pictured) have been cut off for days and supplies of food and water are running out as hundreds of thousands remain stranded . Rescue: Thousands of people have also been affected in Pakistan's Punjab province (pictured), where more than 250 people have died and cities are threatened . Refugees: Despite displacing thousands of people including this family seeking sanctuary at a Srinagar mosque, the floods are not as devastating as those in 2010 . Higher ground: Many Muslims living in Indian Kashmir have taken to the foothills of the Himalayas to shelter from the flash floods, leaving their damaged homes behind . Police have been gathering floating bodies including those of a news photographer in Srinagar, a city famous for its lake and mountain views. Prime Minister Narendra Modi ordered a 'massive effort to ensure basic hygiene and sanitation in the water-logged areas of Srinagar' amid fears of a disease outbreak. Indian Kashmir's chief minister Omar Abdullah said waters had risen so quickly that the entire government machinery was swamped - literally. 'My secretariat was under water, my police headquarters was under water, my control room was under water, my fire services was under water, two of my key hospitals were under water and there was no cell phone communication', he told a news channel. One doctor at the Ahmed hospital in Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian Kashmir, added: 'There is no electricity. The hospital is entirely working on two gensets (portable generators), on alternate basis. Holiday cut short: Tourists were rescued from flooded areas of Srinagar and put on an Indian air force helicopter today as thousands more remained stranded . Over the border: In Punjab province, Pakistan, the flooding was just as severe. Each nation has pledged to help the other recover despite wars over Kashmir in the past . Sombre: A soldier uses a sniffer dog to search for survivors in the mud and debris of a house which was buried by a landslide in Panchari village, Indian Kashmir . Vast: Panchari village (pictured) was one of the worst hit by landslips, which destroyed homes and left rescue workers picking through enormous pieces of rubble . 'Nothing is coming from anywhere... we had to hijack water, there is no water here. We cut bedsheets in two and sterilised them for use in surgery.' The Indian army has deployed about 30,000 troops for rescue . and relief operations and soldiers distributed 224,000 litres of . water and food to survivors. In a gesture of solidarity, staff . at the prime minister's office gave up one day's salary . for flood relief. Many people praised the army on social media for its efforts . but others vented their anger at delays in getting help to . survivors. Basharat Peer, a journalist and author of a book on the . Kashmir conflict, who is working as a volunteer in Srinagar, . said the response to the disaster had been woeful. 'It is clear case of mismanagement,' he said. 'Why are the basic . supplies still not made available? Saved: Pakistani Army soldiers evacuate flood victims through helicopters in Jhang, Punjab province. The waters could spread downriver to affect 5 million people . Marooned: This house with farm animals in Jhang, Pakistan, was just high up enough to avoid the floods, whose waters began to recede in some regions today . Contrast: The red-brown structures of another complex in Jhang were stark against the lush green landscape and the the muddy waters surrounding them . Farming haven: The plains near the foothills of the Himalayas including Pakistan's Punjab province, pictured, are normally rich in soil but crops have washed away . Dirty: Officials fear the sudden deluge will spread water-borne diseases such as diaorrhea if urgent sanitation measures are not put in place soon . Refugees: Thousands of Indians and tourists gathered yesterday at Srinagar Airport in Indian Kashmir as they waited to be rescued from the sudden floods . Relief: One flood victim clutched a bunch of bananas as volunteers distributes aid in Srinagar. The floods have washed away crops and roads, leaving supplies scarce . Ruined: Homes in Srinagar have been sliced apart by the waters and the landslides which followed, killing hundreds of people. The survivors will face a bill of millions . British MPs warned today that entering the Kashmir dispute would 'smack of neo-imperialism' and appear arrogant. The warning was issued by Tory Greg Barker who said intervention between India and Pakistan would be 'slightly offensive'. Nick Clegg told the Times of India last month that Britain does not want to be a mediator, but other Lib Dems have disagreed. Lib Dem MP David Ward told the Commons: 'There is - and we cannot escape it - a British legacy here and I think we have a responsibility.' 'There are thousands of people searching for their families . They have no idea whether they are alive or dead. We have no . clean drinking water, no medicines and food to feed the . children.' An ancient region in the heart of the Himalayas, Kashmir as it is commonly known is divided between India and Pakistan - but the region is claimed by both countries. Two of the three wars the nations have fought since their independence from Britain in 1947 have been over control of the mountainous zone. However, relations improved slightly in recent years and each side has offered to help the other recover from the floods. The floods have been happening annually in Pakistan and were at their worst in recent memory in 2010, when 1,800 people died and 20 million were affected. In those floods 62,000 square miles of land were swamped - an area bigger than England. The deluge cost the Pakistan £6billion, a fifteenth of its total annual output. Analysts said this year's floods do not appear to be on the same scale as in 2010 but could match those in 2012, which killed almost 600 people and affected almost 5 million. Any means necessary: Residents of the summer capital Srinagar rode to relative safety on the back of a tractor, one of the few vehicles which could brave the flood . Patient: The only way to get around Srinagar safely is now by boat, but few are available and residents have had to wait in the upper floors of their homes . Rubble: Survivors in Indian Kashmir's winter capital Jammu were dwarfed by their damaged houses today as authorities vowed to speed up the rescue effort . Nothing left: The disaster has flattened thousands of homes and forced their residents to flee the area. As the waters recede, the repair bill will mount higher . An Indian flood affected mother with her child sits inside her damaged house today in flood-hit Jammu, the winter capital of Indian Kashmir . | Heavy rains have lashed mountainous region on the border of India and Pakistan, destroying thousands of homes .
Children and farm animals waded through muddy deluge as thousands rescued by Army helicopters and boats .
Pakistan authorities preparing to blow up strategic dams to stop waters flowing towards cities with millions of people . |
56,393 | 9fc774debbb052f3bbd1515b94e515bfc36f128b | (CNN)Your guide to the best new children's and young adult literature is here. The winners of the 2015 Newbery, Caldecott, Printz, Coretta Scott King and other prestigious youth media awards were announced Monday morning by the American Library Association. In addition to books, these awards highlight videos and other creative materials produced for children over the past year. Diverse authors and titles from 2014, such as "The Crossover" by Kwame Alexander and "Brown Girl Dreaming" by Jacqueline Woodson, were highlighted with many awards, causing the audience to cheer the choices by the committees. The Caldecott Medal went to "The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend," illustrated and written by Dan Santat, which follows the journey of an imaginary friend in search of his perfect match. The Newbery Medal was awarded to "The Crossover" by Kwame Alexander, a story about family and brotherhood told through verse by 12-year-old twin basketball players Josh and Jordan Bell. Parents can use these titles as a guide when considering what books to recommend to their children and teens, while teachers and librarians look to the award-winning and runner-up titles as a helpful list of what to keep on the shelves in classrooms and libraries. The ALA Youth Media Awards were announced during the organization's winter meeting in Chicago and selected by a national judging committee of librarians and children's literature experts. Here's the list of winners: . John Newbery Medal for most outstanding contribution to children's literature . "The Crossover," written by Kwame Alexander . Honor books: . "El Deafo," written and illustrated by Cece Bell . "Brown Girl Dreaming," written by Jacqueline Woodson . 'Lemony Snicket' author sorry for 'racist' joke at National Book Awards . Randolph Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book for children . "The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend," illustrated and written by Dan Santat . Honor books: . "Nana in the City," illustrated and written by Lauren Castillo . "The Noisy Paint Box: The Colors and Sounds of Kandinsky's Abstract Art," illustrated by Mary GrandPré and written by Barb Rosenstock . "Sam and Dave Dig a Hole," illustrated by Jon Klassen . "Viva Frida," illustrated and written by Yuyi Morales . "The Right Word: Roget and his Thesaurus," written by Jen Bryant and illustrated by Melissa Sweet . "This One Summer," illustrated by Jillian Tamaki and written by Mariko Tamaki . Coretta Scott King awards for an African-American author and illustrator . Author award: Jacqueline Woodson for "Brown Girl Dreaming" Illustrator award: Christopher Myers for "Firebird," written by Misty Copeland . Honor books: . Illustrator Christian Robinson for "Josephine: The Dazzling life of Josephine Baker," written by Patricia Powell . Illustrator Frank Morrison for "Little Melba and Her Big Trombone," written by Katheryn Russell-Brown . Author Kwame Alexander for "The Crossover" Author Marilyn Nelson for "How I Discovered Poetry," illustrated by Hadley Cooper . Author Kekla Magoon for "How It Went Down" Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award . Author Jason Reynolds for "When I Was the Greatest" Coretta Scott King-Virginia Hamilton Award for lifetime achievement for illustrator/author . Deborah D. Taylor . Margaret A. Edwards Award, for an author's significant and lasting contribution to young adult literature . Sharon M. Draper for "Tears of a Tiger," "Forged by Fire," "Darkness Before Dawn," "The Battle of Jericho," "November Blues" and "Copper Sun." Diversity in young adult fiction . May Hill Arbuthnot Honor Lecture, recognizing an author, critic, librarian, historian or teacher of children's literature . Author Pat Mora will deliver the 2016 Arbuthnot Lecture. Pura Belpre awards for a Latino writer and illustrator whose children's books best portray, affirm and celebrate the Latino cultural experience . Illustrator: Yuyi Morales for "Viva Frida" Author: Marjorie Agosin for "I Lived on Butterfly Hill," illustrated by Lee White . Honor books: . Illustrator Susan Guevara for "Little Roja Riding Hood," written by Susan Middleton Elya . Illustrator John Parra for "Green is a Chile Pepper," written by Roseanne Greenfield Thong . Illustrator Duncan Tonatieuh for "Separate is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez and Her Family's Fight for Desegregation" Author Juan Felipe Herrera for "Portraits of Hispanic American Heroes" Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, honoring an author or illustrator whose books, published in the U.S., have made a substantial and lasting contribution to literature for children. Donald Crews . Stonewall Book Award, the Mike Morgan & Larry Romans Children's & Young Adult Literature Award for books of exceptional merit relating to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender experience . "This Day in June," written by Gayle E. Pitman and illustrated by Kristyna Litten . Honor books: . "Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out," written and photographed by Susan Kuklin . "I'll Give You the Sun," written by Jandy Nelson . "Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress," written by Christine Baldacchio and illustrated by Isabelle Malenfant . Schneider Family Book Award for books that embody an artistic expression of the disability experience . Young children's book: "A Boy and a Jaguar," written by Alan Rabinowitz and illustrated by Catia Chien . Middle grade book: "Rain Reign," written by Ann M. Martin . Teen book: "Girls Like Us," written by Gail Giles . An interview with Ann M. Martin on "Rain Reign" Michael L. Printz Award for excellence in literature written for young adults . "I'll Give You the Sun" by Jandy Nelson . Honor books: . "And We Stay" by Jenny Hubbard . "The Carnival at Bray" by Jessie Ann Foley . "Grasshopper Jungle" by Andrew Smith . "This One Summer" by Mariko Tamaki, illustrated by Jillian Tamaki . Theodor Seuss Geisel Award for beginning reader book . "You Are (Not) Small," written by Anna Kang and illustrated by Christopher Weyant . Honor books: . "Mr. Putter and Tabby Turn the Page," written by Cynthia Rylant and illustrated by Arthur Howard . "Waiting is Not Easy," written and illustrated by Mo Willems . William C. Morris Award for a debut book published by a first-time author writing for teens . "Gabi, a Girl in Pieces," written by Isabel Quintero . Finalists: . "The Carnival at Bray," written by Jessie Ann Foley . "The Story of Owen: Dragon Slayer of Trondheim," written by E.K. Johnston . "The Scar Boys," written by Len Vlahos . "The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender," written by Leslye Walton . Meet the Morris Award finalists . Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award for informational books for children . "The Right Word: Roget and his Thesaurus," written by Jen Bryant and illustrated by Melissa Sweet . Honor books: . "Brown Girl Dreaming," written by Jacqueline Woodson . "The Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion & the Fall of Imperial Russia," written by Candace Fleming . "Josephine: The Dazzling life of Josephine Baker," written by Patricia Powell and illustrated by Christian Robinson . "Neighborhood Sharks: Hunting with the Great Whites of California's Farallon Islands," illustrated and written by Katherine Roy . "Separate is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez and Her Family's Fight for Desegregation," illustrated and written by Duncan Tonatieuh . YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults . "Popular: Vintage Wisdom for a Modern Geek," written by Maya Van Wagenen . Finalists: . "Laughing at My Nightmare," written by Shane Burcaw . "The Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion & the Fall of Imperial Russia," written by Candace Fleming . "Ida M. Tarbell: The Woman Who Challenged Big Business -- and Won!" written by Emily Arnold McCully . "The Port Chicago 50: Disaster, Mutiny, and the Fight for Civil Rights," written by Steve Sheinkin . Mildred L. Batchelder Award for a book published in a language other than English in a country other than the United States and subsequently translated into English for publication in the United States . "Mikis and the Donkey," written by Bibi Dumon Tak and illustrated by Philip Hopman . Honor books: . "Hidden: A Child's Story of the Holocaust," written by Loic Dauvillier and Greg Salsedo, illustrated by Marc Lizano . "Nine Open Arms," written by Benny Lindelauf . Odyssey Award for best audiobook for children and young adults . "H.O.R.S.E.: A Game of Basketball and Imagination," produced by Live Oak Media, written by Christopher Myers and narrated by Dion Graham . Honor audiobooks: . "Five, Six, Seven, Nate," produced by Simon & Schuster Audio, narrated and written by Tim Federle . "The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place," produced by Listening Library, written by Julie Berry, narrated by Jayne Entwistle . "A Snicker of Magic," produced by Scholastic, written by Natalie Lloyd, narrated by Cassandra Morris . Andrew Carnegie Medal for children's video . "Me ... Jane," produced by Paul R. Gagne and Melissa Reilly Elllard, Weston Woods Studios . Alex Awards for 10 adult books that appeal to teens . "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr . "Bellweather Rhapsody" by Kate Racculia . "Bingo's Run" by James A. Levine . "Confessions" by Kanae Minato, translated by Stephen Snyder . "Everything I Never Told You" by Celeste Ng . "Lock In" by John Scalzi . "The Martian" by Andy Weir . "The Terrorist's Son: A Story of Choice" by Zak Ebrahim with Jeff Giles . "Those Who Wish Me Dead" by Michael Koryta . "Wolf in White Van" by John Darnielle . | The winners of the Newbery, Caldecott, Printz and other prestigious awards were announced . |
270,958 | eaf89b00e1ee1f96fad98367623248fcaf616611 | Lauren Reid was left with a nasty wound on her arm and was hospitalised for four days after she was bitten by a spider in her sleep . A woman has told of her horror after she was hospitalised for four days and suffered paralysis following a spider bite in her sleep. Lauren Reid was left with a pus-filled hole in her arm after the arachnid attacked her in her home in Kingstanding, Birmingham. The 21-year-old temporarily lost the use of her left limb as the creature's venom spread through her body. Experts are still analysing what type of spider may have caused the injury, with tests due to come back next month. Describing the October 20 attack, Ms Reid said: 'I was in my bedroom asleep when I felt something crawl across my left arm. 'I pushed it off and noticed something sticking out my arm. It looked like a thick black hair. I pulled it out, cleaned it up and went back to sleep.' But by the time she woke up in the morning, the initially small, red mark on her arm had swollen to a huge lump. She visited her doctor, who prescribed antibiotics and explained the wound looked like an abscess. Ms Reid said: 'I was in an unbelievable amount of pain. My arm was paralysed and stuck in an upwards position. If I tried to move it, it felt as though my arm would rip off.' The admin worker also suffered sickness, drowsiness and hot and cold flushes and was told it may take a few days for the antibiotics to take effect. She said: 'My arm felt really hot and I had shooting pains. Eventually my friend told me we should go to A&E. She was that worried. 'When we arrived, the doctors looked stumped. I don't think they had seen anything like it, which was really scary.' When things did not get better, she was admitted to hospital and stayed there for four days, being treated with intravenous antibiotics. She added: 'I think if I hadn't listened to my friend and gone to hospital, I may have had to have my arm amputated. 'I was deteriorating very quickly. I'm back home now, but I don't even want to go to sleep in my bedroom. I'm shaking now just thinking about it. I'm scared to be on my own.' The bite has left Ms Reid with a large wound on her left arm, which was pussing after the spider bit her . | Admin worker went to bed as normal at her home in Birmingham this month .
She felt something crawl across her arm and noticed 'black hair' in limb .
By the next morning she was in pain and had huge lump on her arm .
She was admitted to hospital after doctors were unsure how to treat her .
The 21-year-old says she fears her arm would have to be amputated .
Experts are now analysing the bite in a bid to work out what spider bit her .
WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT . |
250,423 | d01601b3d8550b6c82015775782ca8b3e84f83ea | (CNN) -- When the roaring stopped, when the debris stopped whirling and the glass stopped breaking, the 4-foot wooden cross remained on the wall. It was a fixture in the emergency department waiting room of St. John's Mercy Hospital in Joplin, Missouri, a symbol of the hospital's Catholic roots and, perhaps, a comfort to the sick and injured who sought help there. And after St. John's took a direct hit from a catastrophic tornado May 22, it became a symbol of something else: Joplin's resilience, the strength and compassion of its people and their determination to rebuild. On Sunday, the cross will be loaded onto a truck bed and will lead the way from the old hospital to the site of a new facility during a dual demolition-groundbreaking ceremony. Demolition of the old hospital building -- a reminder of the tragedy -- will begin, and ground will be broken for a new building as Joplin moves forward. "It's hard to say goodbye to the building that has been St. John's since 1968," said Gary Pulsipher, president of St. John's Mercy, in a statement. The hospital has occupied three different sites in Joplin since 1896. "But like the rest of the city, we are glad to be moving ahead and looking to the future. While we will never forget what happened here, taking down the hospital is another step in the process of removing the visible signs of the tornado's devastation from the landscape," Pulsipher said. "As I drive by it, like everyone else, it reminds me of that horrible night that lives were changed in our community," said Gary Shaw, a Joplin city councilman. But, he said, the building is also "a testimony" to the past eight months "and how strong people have been, and how they've pulled together." "A lot of cleanup has been done, a lot of rebuilding is going on," Shaw said. But "people are still somewhat confused, and they're going through, I think, a time of 'This happened. What do I do now?' I think that's kind of where we are now. We're trying to get over the shock of all of it." The final death toll from the tornado was 161 -- including five patients and one visitor at St. John's. More than 1,000 people were injured. The Joplin twister was the deadliest on U.S. soil since the National Weather Service began keeping records in 1950. It was classified as an EF-5, the highest ranking on the scale used to measure tornado intensity, with winds of more than 200 mph. Inside St. John's, on the corner of 26th and McClelland Boulevard in the southwestern part of the city, patients were watching television, resting, eating dinner or receiving visitors that Sunday evening when the twister slammed into the nine-story building about 5:40 p.m. Windows were blown out. Cars were hurled in the parking lot like toys, piled near the emergency room entrance. Gurneys were thrown blocks away. In parts of the hospital parking lot and in a parking lot just to the west, 200- to 300-pound concrete parking stops, fastened into the asphalt with rebar, were lifted and tossed up to 180 feet, the weather service said. The hospital's helicopter lay crumpled, some distance away from its pad. X-rays from St. John's were found in driveways in Dade County, Missouri, about 70 miles away. The building looked as if it had been bombed. "The houses are all gone," Sara Ferguson, who was near the hospital when the storm struck, told The Joplin Globe newspaper at the time. "The medical buildings are gone. (The hospital) windows have all been blown out. It was horrible. I couldn't even take pictures on my phone. I was crying." The hospital was very nearly the only structure in the immediate area left standing, albeit severely damaged. Hospital officials swung into action almost immediately. About 183 patients and 200 staffers were evacuated from the building. Triage centers were set up outside. Other hospitals in the area opened their doors for St. John's patients and others who had been injured. Doctors and nurses rushed to the scene. "Within a matter of hours, we had almost more help than we could put to use," Dr. Jim Roscoe told CNN at the time. "I just can't begin to tell you, we've had people coming from several hundreds of miles away, grabbing their stethoscope and anything they could get, and threw it in the car and came." Across Joplin, people were also pulling together. The injured were transported to hospitals on doors in the back of pickup trucks. Businesses loaded trucks with donations. Restaurants helped provide food to those in need. "You have shown the world what it means to love thy neighbor," President Barack Obama told the people of Joplin at a memorial service for the victims a week after the tornado. "You've banded together ... you've demonstrated a simple truth: that amid heartbreak and tragedy, no one is a stranger." That same day, St. John's was beginning to see patients in a tent facility set up across the parking lot. Built to withstand 100-mph winds, the facility had an emergency department, surgical suites, MRI and CT scan capabilities, a pharmacy and 60 inpatient beds, the hospital said. "The building is not St. John's," Dr. Bob Dodson, who worked to set up the temporary facility, said at the time. "St. John's is the people who worked in that building. And they're going to be the people in this building." A modular hospital has since taken the place of the tent, said St. John's spokeswoman Miranda Lewis, and a more permanent structure was built nearby. The structure can be moved, and can be used to upgrade other facilities after St. John's moves into its new home, she said. In the days after the tornado, Mercy was "a blessing," Shaw said. They continued paying their employees, he said, and set up the temporary facilities. "You have to admire that they didn't let it defeat them." In all, five buildings across 47 acres at the hospital site will be demolished and cleared, according to a statement from Mercy, St. John's parent company. Its facility is by far the largest, at about 750,000 square feet. Three medical offices and a rehabilitation facility will also be torn down. Typically, a building so large would be imploded. But underground lead mines made that an impossibility for St. John's. "Joplin traces its roots back to the early miners who settled here in the late 1800s," said Dan O'Connor, the demolition project manager, in the statement. "As is the case in many places throughout the city, those mines were filled in to make way for growth. While they can be made safe to build on, we don't want to take any chances that demolition charges and crashing debris could create an uplift pressure that might cause damage to surrounding properties." Instead, a wrecking ball will demolish the hospital's west tower, and grappling equipment will be used to take down the east tower. The demolition process should take about six weeks, officials said. But before it began, crews searched the hospital for anything in good condition -- Bibles, artwork, memorial plaques, stained glass and marble. Teams began cleaning out and salvaging in December, the hospital said. Three time capsules were recovered -- one buried when the current hospital was built in 1968, one when the east tower was completed in the 1980s and a third that marked St. John's 100th anniversary in Joplin in 1996. And, of course, the cross. "The cross certainly has some scars on it," said Terry Wachter, vice president of mission for St. John's, in the statement. "But they just add character." Many of the items recovered will either be relocated to the new hospital or placed in a tornado memorial museum, she said. Other pieces -- plastic piping from the sprinkler system, windows -- will be studied and tested to see how they weathered the storm. Meanwhile, officials are making efforts to limit the amount of debris that winds up in landfills from the demolition. Steel, aluminum and copper from the buildings is being salvaged and recycled, hospital officials said. Concrete and asphalt will be crushed into small pieces and used as backfill to ready the site for redevelopment. "The devastation from the tornado was bad enough," said John Farnen, executive director of planning, design and construction for Mercy. "We really want to take all the measures possible to care for this site throughout the demolition process." Before the hospital comes down on Sunday, a demolition ceremony will be held on the hospital campus, part of several events designed to help Joplin "say goodbye to the past and celebrate the future," Mercy said. The Missouri Highway Patrol will transport the cross to the new hospital site, located about 2 1/2 miles away at Interstate 44 and Main Street. A groundbreaking ceremony will be held there, "a celebration of Mercy's future and the rebuilding of Joplin," according to Mercy. Mercy has invested nearly $1 billion to help rebuild Joplin's health care complex, according to its website. "Though the tornado took our hospital, it did not destroy our spirit," the site says. "Mercy is rising again in Joplin." After the buildings are torn down, the land will be readied for development by Mercy. Twelve acres have been donated to the Joplin school district for a new elementary school that will replace two schools destroyed by the tornado; construction is set to begin in May. Options for the other acreage are being considered, Mercy said. Ideas under consideration include a memorial museum, a courtyard and a memorial garden. "The future is just so bright," Shaw said, as Joplin's new hospital will be "one of the most up-to-date facilities in the country." Asked what the ceremonies might mean to Joplin residents, he said, "Maybe the word is 'hope.'" "To me, you can dwell on all the debris, or you can think about what's going to rise up out of the debris," Shaw said. "I kind of have a tendency to want to concentrate on the future." | St. John's Mercy Hospital took a near-direct hit from an EF-5 tornado in May .
The hospital is being torn down and rebuilt about 2 miles away .
The tornado was the deadliest ever on U.S. soil .
"We're trying to get over the shock of all of it," a city councilman says . |
66,183 | bbcab93b92884da9e6bbb6f864bc0d80340f781e | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 18:30 EST, 12 September 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 01:52 EST, 13 September 2013 . It depicts an old-fashioned world where love and courtship were steeped in tradition, men were noble and there was a belief that British resolve and a stiff upper lip would lead to a brighter future. And for the many millions who watch the show avidly, it is this mix that is the key to Downton Abbey’s success. Rather than the perils of social networking and online dating that so many face today, women in particular delight in being transported to a more orderly time when social etiquette was clearly defined. Better times: Rather than the perils of social networking and online dating Downton depicts an more orderly time . Many find themselves drawn to archetypal Edwardian men such as the valet John Bates, played by Brendan Coyle, described as a ‘devoted alpha male’ who sets a ‘wonderful example of how you should treat the ones you love’, experts said yesterday. In their analysis of the drama’s appeal, they also cite the ordered and elegant world of the post-Edwardian era as a huge draw. They say it contrasts with the uncertainty of life in modern Britain but like the Abbey’s inhabitants, we believe that if we soldier on we will eventually turn a corner for the better. Naomi Carle, literature tutor at Durham University and co-founder of the Edwardian Culture Network, drew parallels between the Downton age and Britain’s past few years. Laura Carmichael as Lady Edith in the fourth series of Downton Abbey which offers an escape from modern living . ‘Britain has had its garden party moments: the Royal marriage, the Jubilee and the Olympics,’ she said. ‘But there’s also been continuing hardship, the 2011 riots, trade unions back in the news and cultural commentators talking of a national identity crisis. ‘In these uncertain times, people take comfort from the fact that Downton shows how the Edwardian era helped to create a better world despite the struggle and conflict. ‘It shows that we have to keep on plugging away. You can see it in the stoicism we’ve shown in the face of the recession. For several years now, there’s been no real improvement in our lives, but, like Downton’s characters, we believe that good old British resolve and a dose of the stiff upper lip will lead us to a brighter future.’ Many find themselves drawn to archetypal Edwardian men such as valet John Bates, played by Brendan Coyle . Jacqui Meddings, entertainment editor of Cosmopolitan, described Downton as ‘pure escapism’. ‘If the emails and tweets we receive every Sunday evening are anything to go by, life at Downton definitely appeals to the modern woman,’ she wrote in Reader’s Digest. ‘Men are gentlemen, relationships are openly romantic and everyone dresses beautifully for dinner. What’s not to like? ‘What’s really interesting is how women react to archetypal Edwardian men like the valet Mr Bates. ‘Even in 2013, we’re hard-wired to be attracted to that kind of noble, charming, devoted alpha male. ‘Mr Bates sets a wonderful example of how you should treat the ones you love.’ The first episode of Downton Abbey’s fourth series will be shown at 9pm on ITV1 on September 22. | People enjoy escaping to a world where there are no modern distractions .
Many are drawn to archetypal Edwardian men such as the valet John Bates .
Experts cite the elegant world of the post-Edwardian era as a huge draw . |
210,401 | 9c8019b2427dba86536d4611b9d304affc0061ee | By . David Williams . PUBLISHED: . 08:52 EST, 6 February 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 12:17 EST, 7 February 2013 . Assassination: Tunisian opposition politician and human rights activist Choukri Belaid was shot dead outside his home in Tunis today . Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Tunisia after an opposition politician was murdered yesterday. Lawyer Shokri Belaid, who died in hospital after being shot four times outside his home in Tunis, was a leading member of the Popular Front party and a constant critic of the government. As news of his murder spread, protesters gathered outside the interior ministry, many calling for the fall of the moderate Islamist-led government elected after an uprising drove out veteran ruler Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali in January 2011. There were angry demonstrations in several cities amid warnings of civil war in the country that launched the Arab Spring. Talks on a cabinet reshuffle to include a wider range of parties in a coalition led by the Ennahda party have broken down. Ennahda insisted it had nothing to do with the murder of Mr Belaid, 47, whose family said he had received regular death threats. The killing, coupled with angry demonstrations in several cities, sparked warnings of a new wave of violence following reports Al Qaeda-linked militants have been accumulating weapons with the aim of creating an Islamic state. Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali, who said the identity of the attacker was not known, condemned the killing of Mr Belaid as an ‘act of terrorism’ and a strike against the Arab Spring revolution. Mr Belaid, who died in hospital after being hit by four bullets, was a lawyer and human rights activist who accused the Government of being a puppet of the rulers in Gulf Arab state of Qatar, which Tunisia denies. Gunned down: Shokri Belaid, a leading member of the opposition Popular . Front party, was shot four times to the head and chest outside his . home in the capital Tunis as he set off for work . Evidence: Forensic inspectors examine the scene. Tunisian prime minister condemned the killing as a political assassination and a strike against the 'Arab Spring' Protesters also took to the streets . in Sidi Bouzid, where jobless university graduate Mohamed Bouazizi set . himself on fire in despair after police confiscated his unlicensed fruit . cart, triggering protests that toppled the president. Police used tear gas to break-up the crowds and dozens were said to have been arrested. Distraught: Mr Belaid's wife Basma Choukri after hearing that her husband had been killed . Ennahda party president Rached . Gannouhi immediately distanced it from the killing of one of their . leading critics, insisting Ennahda had nothing to do with the shooting. ‘Ennahda is completely innocent of . the assassination of Belaid ... Is it possible that the ruling party . could carry out this assassination when it would (only) disrupt . investment and tourism?’ he said. He blamed those seeking to derail . Tunisia’s democratic transition after the 2011 uprising, adding : . ‘Tunisia today is in the biggest political stalemate since the . revolution. We should be quiet and not fall into a spiral of violence. 'We need of unity more than ever.’ Mr Belaid had been a fierce critic of . Ennahda, claiming that it turns a blind eye to violence perpetrated by . extremists against other parties. His family said he regularly received . death threats - the most recent on Tuesday - but had refused to limit . his high-profile activities. President Moncef Marzouki cut short a visit to France and cancelled a scheduled appearance at a summit in Egypt to return home. He warned last month escalating tension may lead to ‘civil war’. Tunisia was the first Arab country to . oust its leader and hold free elections as uprisings spread around the . region two years ago, leading to the ousting of the rulers of Egypt, . Yemen and Libya and the civil war in Syria. Since the revolution, the government . has faced a string of protests over economic hardship and Tunisia’s . future path, with many complaining hardline Salafis were hijacking the . revolution in a country dominated previously by a secular elite. Declining trade with the crisis-hit . euro zone has left Tunisians struggling to achieve the better living . standards many had hoped for following Ben Ali’s departure. Crowds: The body of Shokri Belaid is carried into an ambulance after he was shot. He was a staunch secular opponent of the moderate Islamist-led government . As the news spread, thousands of protesters took to the streets of Tunis and Sidi Bouzid, the epicentre of uprisings that swept the Arab world and Tunisia's president from power . | Opposition politician Shokri Belaid shot four times in the head and chest .
PM Hamadi Jebali, condemns the killing describing it as an 'act of terrorism'
Thousands take to the streets of Tunis and Sidi Bouzid in protest . |
216,935 | a4dfdb18540452ec7e10e35f3b2d22ae00713a2e | (CNN) -- Barbecued zebra anyone? How about warthog with peri-peri sauce? Along with more traditional fare, these are the kinds of things you might find on a "braai," a specialized barbecue born of South Africa and over the last couple years seen around the world, thanks to a TV series. South Africa's braai (barbecue) culture is one of the few things that truly cuts across racial and economic lines -- just about every circle of friends here has its own "braai master." In much the way cupcakes went from being a humble, if beloved, food item to the focus of TV shows, blogs and books, so too the braai has escalated in prominence and caught the imagination of the country in a new way. "The Ultimate Braai Master" -- a reality/game show that's an African mash-up of "MasterChef" and "The Amazing Race" -- is gearing up for its third season in September. The Travel Channel broadcast the first season to more than 100 million people around the world, including in the UK, Australia, India and China. It's slated to be part of Vibrant TV's lineup in the United States in 2014. All you need to make your own braai is a 40-gallon steel oil drum cut in half lengthwise to hold firewood, with a piece of tight cross-mesh burglar bar to support your meat and veggies. Commercial kettle grills, gas grills and instant charcoal are often used these days, as well. Chill, braai . Like all good barbecues, a braai in South Africa is a leisurely affair. Nobody braais on time; drinks and snacks are taken for a few hours while the fire is assembled. Since 2005, Heritage Day, a national South African holiday, has been dubbed National Braai Day by Jan Scannell, aka "Jan Braai," whose braai cookbooks are domestic bestsellers. Archbishop Doctor Desmond Tutu supports the initiative. Elaine Ensor-Smith, a contestant on the first season of the TV show, says the show "heightened people's perceptions of what you can do" at a braai. "Fire is a leveler," says the show's host, Justin Bonello. "It's not like you can turn it on to 180 [350 F] and walk away." What can't you cook? In one challenge featured on the program, teams had to use every part of a sheep to prepare a tasty dish, including brains, snout and offal. "It was a really interesting challenge. I would probably do it again," says Ensor-Smith, adding that she "almost dry heaved when cracking the brains." Traditionally, all parts of animals are eaten on a braai, but modern urban life has had its impact on the food chain here. Chops, chicken and boerewors (literally "farmer's sausage," an incredibly long coiled sausage made of beef, lamb or pork mixed with herbs) are ubiquitous. Different regions have their own spice mixes and specialties: peanut butter and apricot jam on chicken wings; peri-peri sauce on just about anything; springbok loin with anchovy butter; and "walkie talkies," or chicken feet. Non-meat staples are common -- corn on the cob, cheese-and-tomato sandwiches and homemade bread along with cold salads -- though it's generally tough going for vegetarians in this part of the world. Depending on region and culture, different meats predominate. Sheep, goat and pork are popular in some cultures but not others. Black South Africans will tell you that goat is preferable to lamb, says Bonello. What's considered a choice cut differs as well: sheep's head and tail are delicacies to some, and repugnant to others. "A Karoo farmer will eat a tail and testicle potjie, which you can't find in the city," says Bonello. Potjiekos is a small pot of stew cooked over an open fire. Ostrich farms along stretches of highway are about as common as cattle farms in Kansas. Wild game such as springbok, kudu, eland and warthog are favored specialties more likely to be eaten by hunters than city dwellers. Zebra is less often seen or eaten. "The taste is amazing," says Bonello. "It has a low fat content, and it's completely organic." Seafood is popular in coastal areas. Snoek is a cheap, popular source of protein in and around Cape Town. Restaurant braais . Restaurant-style braais are most popular in townships, places for those who have little chance to attend an authentic braai. Mzoli's, a butcher/braai restaurant in Gugulethu, one of Cape Town's largest townships, is phenomenally popular with local township residents as well as overseas tourists. On Sunday mornings, the line at Mzoli's starts at 9 a.m. People head into the butcher section to place their order -- usually a mixed platter of meat, such as chops, pork and boerewors, perhaps with some pap (a stiff cornmeal mash) on the side -- then pass through a narrow corridor to drop off their pile of meat in the kitchen. Mzoli's kitchen looks like something out of the belly of an ancient castle, with staff stoking several enormous fireplaces. Outside, in a covered area with live drummers and a cool misting spray, long picnic tables sit end-to-end, packed with what may be the most diverse crowd in Cape Town. Two-liter bottles of Twist lemon drink, potato chips and hooka pipes keep several hundred people occupied while they wait for their food. Mzoli's seasonings recipe, the secrets of which owner Mzoli Ncgawuzele won't divulge, is a spicy marinade that sits well with palates from different communities. Mzoli's also makes its own beef boerewors on site. Where to go for braai in South Africa . If you're pressed for time, don't go to a braai. Waiting for the food is part of the experience. Many people say that the best place to braai is their own backyard. As a visitor to South Africa, accepting an invitation to a braai is one of the best ways to experience a laid-back meal. Mzoli's Place, 150 NY111, Gugulethu, Cape Town; by far the most popular place of its type in Cape Town, Mzoli's is located in a township but has a regular influx of foreign visitors. About $5 per person. Blue Lagoon, 130 Lower Marine Parade, Durban; known by locals as "Lugs," this DIY destination is especially popular with the local Indian community for braaiing and partying. Die Strandloper, Off Club Mykonos Road, Langebaan; seafood braai on a West Coast beach, north of Cape Town. About $25 per person. | South Africa's braai (barbecue) culture is one of the few things that unifies the country .
Reality show "The Ultimate Braai Master" -- African "MasterChef" meets "The Amazing Race" -- is in its second season .
Restaurant-style braais are popular in townships . |
94,746 | 05bdde8bc99a1f6567984bb69a62244da94fe352 | London (CNN) -- Spain faces a test of unity over the coming months as regional elections in Catalonia and Galicia threaten to destabilize the debt-ridden nation. With unemployment at a record 25%, borrowing costs spiraling and debt repayments looming, Spain is emerging as the possible next candidate to tap its eurozone peers for financial help. But Spain stands apart from other nations forced to seek aid. As the eurozone's fourth largest economy -- making up around 11% of the currency bloc's gross domestic product -- its financial problems are now being exacerbated by defiance from some of its 17 disparate regions. Catalonia, a semi-autonomous region in the Northeast, represents one fifth of Spain's economy and the protestors are now actively calling for a split from central government. Such agitations -- coming as they are in the midst of the country's debt crisis -- threaten to undermine Rajoy's attempts to pull Spain from its financial mire. Nicholas Spiro, managing director of Spiro Sovereign Strategy told CNN that the sub sovereign debt problems are a "hot button issue." For Rajoy, the push back "accentuates [the problems], making it more likely Spain will be forced to call on the European Stability Mechanism [Europe's permanent bailout fund]," Spiro said. But Antonio Barroso, a Europe analyst at Eurasia Group, told CNN that despite the protests the likelihood of a Catalan separation is "extremely low." According to Barroso, the ruling political party in Catalonia, Convergence and Union (CiU) led by Catalan President Artur Mas, has used the eurozone debt crisis and regional elections set for November 25 to openly call for sovereignty. Barroso said: "It is true that public support for independence has been on the rise. But the Catalan government is implementing very tough financial adjustments and therefore the [Catalan] President, Artur Mas, is capitalizing on nationalist sentiments to shift the burden of responsibility onto the central government." Last week Mas met with the Rajoy in Madrid to try and negotiate a new fiscal arrangement, whereby Catalonia would manage its own taxes and transfer less money to other regions in Spain. But talks stalled. Even as Catalonia -- with its own language and culture -- strives for autonomy, in August, the CiU requested a 5 billion euro ($6.3 billion) bailout from the Spanish government. The request came after Rajoy announced plans for a credit line to be extended to Spain's 17 regions. But, according to Barroso, Catalonia is not Rajoy's main concern. Instead Spain's leader is focusing on regional elections in Galicia in October -- a region in North-western Spain -- where his party is likely to win and where the policies could create a model for the rest of Spain. Barroso said: "The key area for Rajoy is Galicia because his party has an absolute majority. He wants to use Galicia as an example of how his policies are working because it is one of the healthiest region in fiscal terms." Spain has already requested up to a 100 billion euro ($128 billion) aid package for its ailing banks, which are still struggling to grapple with the property collapse in 2008. Pressure from European partners and investor fear over further credit downgrades for Spain could undo the calming effect of European Central Bank President Mario Draghi's announcement on September 6. Draghi said the bank would be willing to purchase sovereign bonds of fiscally-frail countries such as Spain and Italy, if these indebted nations request a bailout. But Barroso noted it was difficult to place a time frame on Spain seeking any external aid. He added: "For Rajoy, he has said 'only if market pressure increases' and you see how yields are going up again. I think market pressure is the ultimate factor that would cause Rajoy to apply." | Catalonia has requested a 5 billion euro ($6.3 billion) bailout from the Spanish government .
Galicia and Catalonia will hold regional elections in October and November respectively .
Investors are wary that Spain could soon need financial support from European bailout funds . |
202,582 | 9249b54c451d5202a209f3c35a04c393911e3d5c | By . John Stevens . PUBLISHED: . 07:15 EST, 31 May 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 04:52 EST, 1 June 2013 . Extrem sports fan: Stephen Morton was killed while white water rafting in Alaska . A British father drowned after he was persuaded to try whitewater rafting for the first time on some of the world’s most difficult rapids. Businessman Stephen Morton, 47, had just finished climbing North America’s highest peak, Mount McKinley in Alaska. But after completing the 19-day expedition, his three Dutch teammates – who were all experienced rafters – encouraged him to try the extreme sport before flying home. The boat carrying Mr Morton tipped over entering a dangerous category-five rapid known as the Zig Zag. All the men were thrown out of the raft, but Mr Morton struggled to recover in the icy cold water. He was pulled out and taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead. Last night, his grieving widow said she didn’t want her husband to pursue dangerous hobbies, but hadn’t stopped him in case he regretted missing out. Vanessa Langlois, 51, said: ‘It is really difficult if your spouse wants to climb mountains, which is dangerous. 'I would have preferred him not to go, but at the same time I thought he could not get to the end of his days and think: “I should have been able to do all of that”. 'I would not have wanted to stand in the way of who he was and those things that he wanted to.’ She added: ‘I don’t feel angry or anything. It was him. He had to do it, to challenge himself. 'He had a sense of adventure and he was always planning the next thing he was going to do. He was going to climb Everest next. ‘He phoned before he left for the rafting trip. He was so happy to have summited safely and was so happy to be coming home, talking about the gifts he was about to buy for the kids. ‘I cannot imagine what it is going to be like without him.’ Mr Morton, who grew up in Fife, lived in Cambridge with three daughters from a previous marriage as well as his seven-year-old son with Mrs Langlois. He is the fourth person to drown in the rapids over the past 20 years. Devastated: Stephen Morton and his wife Vanessa pictured on their wedding day. His widow has spoken of her anguish at his death . Just hours before he died, he wrote on Facebook: ‘In order to recuperate from the climb, I’ve bowed to peer pressure and we are off to do some Cat 5 whitewater rafting. Haven’t done rafting before, but when in Alaska …’ Mrs Langlois, 51, spent ten years with Mr Morton before they got married last July. She said her husband, who served in the Army after leaving school, was the ‘fittest he had ever been’. ‘He had trained meticulously beforehand. He was incredibly fit, he was incredibly strong,’ she said. Accident: Steven Morton, 47, from Cambridge, was washed out the raft into Kenai Peninsula's Six Mile Creek, pictured, on Monday afternoon with several other people (file photo) The experienced climber, who had previously tackled Kilimanjaro, spent months preparing for the £8,000 expedition during which he had to carry a nine-stone pack and pull a sledge for 19 days. All the rafters had undergone a test to see how well they would cope if they came out of the boat. However yesterday the company that organised the rafting admitted that Mr Morton did not ‘do particularly well’. Chuck Spaulding, the owner of the rafting company Nova Alaska, said the firm had started looking into the death but were ‘still putting the big picture together’. | Stephen Morton, 47, from Cambridge, fell in the water on Monday afternoon .
Dragged from water, and taken to a local hospital, but was declared dead .
Mr Morton has three girls and one son as well as a stepson .
Only married his wife last year - family have said they are 'devastated' |
16,742 | 2f739044a3fc425510ab3ae0ba75277e7400c09f | By . Leesa Smith for Daily Mail Australia . A 66-year-old maths tutor was arrested on his doorstep in western Sydney and charged with sexually assaulting five of his young clients aged between 5 and 7 years old. Dramatic footage has been released by the police who unexpectedly knocked on the man's door in Greystanes on Tuesday morning before promptly handcuffing and locking him up in the back of a police van to be taken to Merrylands police station. After the man answered the door and words were exchanged between him and the two officers he attempted to walk back inside the house when a male officer stopped him by grabbing his shoulder and putting on the handcuffs. Scroll down for video . A 66-year-old maths tutor was arrested on his doorstep in Greystanes on Tuesday morning . The man was charged with sexually assaulting five of his young clients aged between 5 and 7 years old . The handcuffed man up against the police van before being taken to the station to be charged . After the man answered the door and words were exchanged between him and the two officers he attempted to walk back inside the house when a male officer stopped him by grabbing his shoulder and putting on the handcuffs . The State Crime Command’s Child Abuse Squad Detectives charged the man with numerous child sex offences including two counts of aggravated sexual intercourse with a child under 10 years (under authority), two counts of aggravated indecent assault (victim under 16 years) and four counts of aggravated act of indecency (victim under 16 years). Today’s charges are in addition to a number of similar charges preferred against the man last month. In court, detectives will allege the man sexually assaulted five children - two boys and three girls aged between five and seven - all of whom were clients of his mathematics tutoring business. The offences are alleged to have occurred at various locations throughout Sydney between 2007 and 2014. The man was refused bail and scheduled to appear in Fairfield Local Court today. The offences are alleged to have occurred at various locations throughout Sydney between 2007 and 2014 . He was taken to Merrylands police station and charged with numerous sexual assault charges . The Child Abuse Squad is comprised of detectives who are specially trained to investigate crimes against children, including sexual assault, physical abuse and serious cases of neglect. The squad works in partnership with the Department of Family and Community Services and NSW Health, with specialised tri-agency teams based at metropolitan and regional locations throughout NSW. Anyone with concerns about suspected child abuse or exploitation should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page. Reports can also be made to the Child Protection Helpline on 132 111. Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence. People should not report crime information via our Facebook and Twitter pages. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article. | A 66-year-old maths tutor was arrested on his doorstep in western Sydney .
He was charged with sexually assaulting five of his students .
The clients were two boys and three girls aged between 5 and 7 years old .
Offences alleged to have occurred at various Sydney areas between 2007 and 2014 . |
190,819 | 8315acfbccc1ae076990b9d31b598662ced98daa | By . Olivia Williams . PUBLISHED: . 04:53 EST, 19 February 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 06:21 EST, 19 February 2013 . The elated mother of a British student missing in Thailand for more than a month spoke of her immense relief last night after he was found alive. The promising diver had been due to fly back to Britain on January 8, but never boarded his flight. After an agonising wait, delighted Helen Armstrong-Bland, 46, said her son, Tom Armstrong had been now found safe and well. Due home for Christmas: Tom Armstrong sent an e-mail home saying he had 'run into some kind of trouble' and would be returning in January instead - but he never arrived . Mrs Armstrong-Bland said: 'He was due to come home before Christmas but for whatever reason didn't arrive. 'That sent alarm bells ringing, but we received an email from him saying he had run into some kind of trouble in Bangkok.' Tom, 22, then sent an e-mail saying he would get on a flight on January 8. His anxious parents waited until the last train from London but Tom never arrived. Tom, who lived with his mother and two siblings in Kelsale, Suffolk, had not been in touch with his devastated family since. A Facebook appeal revealed a potential . sighting in Bangkok almost three weeks after police said cash had been . withdrawn from his bank account in the city. Mysterious disappearance: The 22-year-old had been doing a diving course Koh Tao in Thailand, due to come home to Suffolk for Christmas . After hearing nothing from Tom again, . Mrs Armstrong-Bland met up in the Thai capital Bangkok with Tom's . father, Kingsley Armstrong, to help Interpol and local authorities . search for him. His sudden disappearance in the Far East sparked an international hunt. Helen, an art and design teacher based in Ipswich, said: We're in the very early stages and don't yet know exactly what went on, but he is safe and that's really good news. It's all that matters.' The mother-of-four added: 'I'm not sure if he is aware of just how much coverage this has had in the media.' Missing in the city: The father of missing student Tom Armstrong is due to fly out to Bangkok to meet his son . I just want to thank everyone in the . Saxmundham community, our close friends and family, and people from all . over the world - complete strangers.' 'We wouldn't have found him without them.' Mrs Armstrong-Bland said an auction of promises planned for this Friday in aid of Missing Abroad in Saxmundham Town Hall would still be going ahead. 'I always said it would be great if Tom was back home for it', she said. | Tom Armstrong disappeared after a diving course on island of Koh Tao .
Tom e-mailed to say that he had run into 'some kind of trouble'
Desperate parents Kinglsey and Helen traveled to Thailand to hunt for him . |
224,542 | aebaeaf9a313b3739967871b5f5b58dd8958d4ca | One potential property owner is a step closer to joining Sydney's 'millionaire's club' after the opulent Mediterranean mansion of a former tobacco executive hits the market- with an expected price tag of more than $40 million. 87-89 Wolseley Road, Point Piper, looks to challenge the record held for a non-waterfront property in the affluent harbourside suburb, drawing both domestic and international attention for it's sheer size and panoramic views. The property was last sold in 2004 to Bill Webb and his wife Marijke, who never thought they would leave after falling in love with the house they carefully renovated to reflect it's original architecture, and it being sold by Black Diamondz. 87-89 Wolseley Road, Point Piper, has hit the Sydney property market and is expected to fetch more than $40 million . The stunning three-storey residence is set on 1900 square metres, boasting views which run from Sydney Harbour all the way down to Manly, and is one of the few properties left on the market in the close-knit suburb of Point Piper. The trophy house was built in 1954, commissioned by General Motors dealer Bill Stack, and redesigned in 2004 by architect Michael Suttor. With interiors by Michael love, 'Mandalay' has been lovingly constructed to highlight the colonnaded terraces and ornate wrought iron balustrades at the heart of the property, reported Domain. The house has reportedly been on and off the market for several years, and co-agent Bill Malouf from LJ Hooker Double Bay said that the couple are now ready to downsize after their adult children have found their own homes. The stunning three-storey residence is set on 1900 square metres . The property was last sold in 2004 to Bill Webb and his wife Marijke, who never thought they would leave after falling in love with the house they carefully renovated to reflect it's original architecture . The trophy house was built in 1954, commissioned by General Motors dealer Bill Stack, and redesigned in 2004 by architect Michael Suttor . 'Now that there's only two people in the house the couple are ready for something smaller,' said Mr Malouf. 'They told me that they would be leaving the property with reservations- I sold it to them a number of years ago and they said they couldn't see themselves leaving,' he said. 'But times change. It's such a huge property, just magnificent.' The 1900-square-metre property certainly is generous, with views that run from the Sydney Opera House and Habour down to Manly and Rose Bay- a claim that not many properties can make. The European-style villa houses six bedrooms, a five-car garage, a wine cellar and heated pool. The lower level is almost large enough to be considered a separate apartment, and offers a private gymnasium and sauna, as well as a swimming pool and a study. The large, open plan kitchen boasts a built-in butler's pantry and additional staff quarters for a maid or nanny . The European-style villa houses six bedrooms, a five-car garage, a wine cellar and heated pool . The house has reportedly been on and off the market for several years, and co-agent Bill Malouf from LJ Hooker Double Bay said that the couple are now ready to downsize after their adult children have found their own homes . The large, open plan kitchen boasts a built-in butler's pantry and additional staff quarters. The house is also divided into the West and East wing, offering an office, a private balcony and palatial walk-in wardrobes. 'The property is pretty unique, and the timing is perfect to have a house like this on the market, especially with the Australian dollar doing so well in Asia,' said Mr Malouf. The estate agent said that the house had already garnered significant international attention, including interest from the United States and several Asian clients. 'All the major trophy properties in Potts Point have sold, so there's no competition for a home like this. There's nothing like it in the area,' he said. The lower level is almost large enough to be considered a separate apartment, and offers a private gymnasium and sauna, as well as a swimming pool and a study . The estate agent said that the house had already garnered significant international attention, including interest from the United States and several Asian clients . The house boasts views from Sydney Harbour down to Manly, and is one of the few properties left on the market in Point Piper . 'I'm expecting the sale price to be over the $40 million mark, between $45 and $47 million depending on the buying market.' Point Piper has seen a flurry of sales over the past few months, with another Wolsey Road property selling for a reported $39 million in November to a Chinese billionaire. Xu Jianyin, chairman of the real estate group Evergrande, is listed as China's 15th richest man with $7 billion worth of wealth to his name . The 56-year-old is reported to have paid about $39 million for the Villa del Mare mansion at 63-67 Wolseley Rd. | 87-89 Wolseley Road in Point Piper has hit the Sydney property market with an expected sale price of $40 million .
The expansive residence is set on 1900 square metres and has panoramic views of Sydney Harbour to Manly .
The property is currently owned by former tobacco executive Bill Webb and wife Marijke .
The house will break records for a non-waterfront if it is sold at the expected price .
The house was bought in 2004 and re-designed by 2004 by architect Michael Suttor to reflect original design .
It boasts six bedrooms, a wine cellar, a butler's pantry, heated pool, private gymnasium and sauna . |
222,248 | abb3ae869fe40446d96b39185660db977c8944bd | By . Daily Mail Reporter . A French official was shot dead at the wheel of his car by two assailants on a motorbike shortly after supporting his daughter's bid to become a local politician. Jean Leccia was killed in the town of Aleria, on the Mediterranean island of Corsica, police have said. The 53-year-old government services director was killed yesterday as he returned from a different town where his daughter was bidding for a seat on the local council. Government services director Jean Leccia was shot dead at the wheel of his car in the town of Aleria, on the island of Corsica, yesterday . The crime scene was inspected by a local prosecutor after police cordoned off the area, AFP have reported. The killing was the second suspected murder on the island this year, according to reports, while last year saw 17 murders and 14 attempted murders. In September 2012, MailOnline reported how three men were killed by suspected gangsters as they travelled up a mountain road in Corsica. The shooting was in a hamlet called Pont-de-Castirla, close to the village of Castirla, in north Corsica. The crime scene was inspected by a local prosecutor after police cordoned off the area . A local judicial source said that the car was hit by 'a volley of snipers' bullets' which killed everybody. At least one of the victims was 'known to the police' with a suspected 'settling of accounts' being the motive for the attack, said the same source. Corsica is reportedly notorious for its criminal gangs, with bandits regularly attacking each other with guns and bombs. | Government services director Jean Leccia killed on island of Corsica .
He had been returning from a different town where his daughter was standing for local council seat in the French municipal elections .
Police have said he was killed by two assailants on a motorbike who fled . |
200,188 | 8f2a6c640715d098db856737e34af947f177947b | Queen’s Park Rangers could effectively be thrown out of football over the next few years if they fail to pay an anticipated huge fine for breaking Football League financial fair play rules. That startling prospect was raised on Tuesday by the League’s chief executive, Shaun Harvey, as he outlined ‘nuclear option’ possibilities of what could happen if QPR refuse to pay. ‘Theoretically, that is the position,’ Harvey said. ‘I would hope there would be resolution long before that option even had to be considered.’ VIDEO Scroll down to watch QPR's Leroy Fer strike a stunning volley in Holland training . Expensive: QPR spent big to get back into the Premier League and have invested again to stay up . Back again: Niko Kranjcar joined the club for a second spell after an injury hit loan move last season . Under Football League rules introduced in 2012 to encourage financial stability, clubs who make huge losses as they attempt to win promotion to the Premier League face a range of punishments. If they overspend but don’t go up, they face transfer embargoes. If they overspend and do go up - as QPR overspent and went up last season - then they face huge fines. The tariff system of fines is hugely complex but in the simplest terms, QPR face a fine of £1 for every £1 over £18 million that they lost in the 2013-14 season. QPR’s losses for 2013-14 are not yet known. They lost £65.4m in 2012-13 and it is anticipated the figure will be around £60m in 2013-14, which could mean a fine of around £40m. They must let the League know the exact figure by 1 December. QPR’s owner Tony Fernandes has said he will contest any fine, and perhaps even take legal action to try to avoid paying it. Promotion: Bobby Zamora's goal at Wembley put QPR into the Premier League last May . Big money: Sandro signed for QPR from Tottenham on the final day of the transfer window . Appeal: Tony Fernandes says he will contest any fine that the Football League try and make Rangers pay . Harvey, speaking to Sportsmail today at the Soccerex conference in Manchester, said he expects clubs to pay, and that sanctions up to and including not being allowed to play in the Football League would be applicable for non-payment. QPR would not need to worry about this as long as they stayed in the Premier League. But as and when they were relegated at any stage in the future, whether that is next May, or next year or in a few years, they would face effective expulsion from league football because the League would not let them in. ‘Theoretically, that is the position,’ Harvey said. ‘I would hope there would be resolution long before that option even had to be considered. The one thing for certain is that most clubs [in the Premier League] will become a Football League club again. Game-changer: Promotion meant that the Football League could not impose a transfer embargo . Cost of success: Harry Redknapp led QPR back to the Premier League but broke financial fair play rules . ‘Now QPR will of course be hoping it does not happen for some considerable number of seasons. But the chances they will need to return to the Football League fold at some point in the future. Certainly, three of the current 20 clubs that are in the Premier League will be in the Football League next season.’ Harvey hopes that any clubs needing to pay their fines will do so, QPR included. He also hopes that if they initially refuse, then football arbitration will be possible ahead of harsher action. ‘Football has a number of processes to try to keep its debates out of court and inside a tribunal system or arbitration system under the FA’s guise,’ Harvey said. ‘Ultimately, I believe the FA would have a part to play in terms of determining the outcome between a club and a league in which they are not currently playing.’ Originally the Football League wanted to take any fines levied on rule-breaking clubs and share them between clubs who stayed within the rules. The Premier League objected to that so now any fines will be given to charity. | QPR broke rules in order to win promotion from Championship last season .
Football League could prevent club from playing in their leagues if QPR fail to pay a fine of up to £40million .
Rangers would be safe while they stay in the top flight, but relegation from the Premier League would see them banned .
Football League chief executive Shaun Harvey says he hopes there can be a different resolution but admits 'nuclear option' is possible .
Owner Tony Fernandes has pledged to fight any potential fine . |
183,196 | 794928207d85a3e68de8530926c107e2ae4613bb | (CNN) -- Overshadowed by its bigger, flashier neighbors, Paraguay is a curious country that's overlooked by visitors who flock to South American destinations like Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro and the highlands of the Andes. For those who visit nearby nations, though, Paraguay's subtropical forests, broad rivers and unusual history can make it an intriguing detour. Surrounded by Brazil, Argentina and Bolivia, this landlocked nation is larger than a glance at the map suggests. It's roughly the size of California but has only about 6.7 million residents, at least 3 million fewer than Los Angeles County. Taste Paraguay's delicious mistake . The Rio Paraguay divides the country into roughly equal halves. Most of the population lives in the eastern half, about a third of them in the riverside capital city of Asuncion. To the west, the Gran Chaco area is a mostly grassy plain, brutally hot in summer, punctuated with marshes, savannas and thorn forests. Thinly populated with ranchers and Amerindians, the west is also home to German-speaking Mennonite colonies near the Bolivian border. It's tempting to say that Paraguay is unspoiled by tourists, and that would be true; most visitors come from neighboring countries, with whom the nation warred in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Now, despite ups and downs in the quarter-century since notorious dictator Alfredo Stroessner fell from power, Paraguay has become a more welcoming place. In the absence of mass tourism, it's a place where closer contact and the lack of preconceptions can lead to memorable, even intimate, experiences at underrated sites. Arrivals from North America or Europe are a relative novelty, to be treated with courtesy and respect. Here are 14 things to know about this little-known country: . ¿Habla usted Guarani? Paraguay is Latin America's most bilingual country, as nearly 90% of all Paraguayans speak both Spanish and indigenous Guarani. It is the only country in the region with a large percentage of nonindigenous citizens who speak an indigenous language. There are at least a dozen other native languages, but none approaches Guarani's prevalence. An evolving capital . Paraguay's sprawling riverside capital, Asuncion, is the hub of its political, commercial and cultural life. Unlike most of South America's capitals, it's a relatively low-rise city where shade is at a premium, except on some lushly landscaped plazas. It was founded in 1537, and its grid pattern is typical of the earliest Spanish settlements, but there are few remaining colonial buildings. The most notable structures, such as the government palace and the shrine to those who perished in battle, date from the 19th century. The government's house . Asuncion's counterpart to the White House is the Palacio de los Lopez, a neoclassical building intended for the dynasty that ruled the country for decades in the mid-19th century. The Lopez family didn't survive the War of the Triple Alliance, when they foolishly took on Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay in a bid to dominate the region. Still, their political successors have occupied the palace ever since. Shrine to warriors . In downtown Asuncion, protected by an honor guard, the Panteon de los Heroes is a domed neoclassical shrine housing the remains of the figures who led their country into disastrous conflict with neighboring countries. Started in the 1860s, before the War of the Triple Alliance, it wasn't finished until 1936, after the Chaco War with Bolivia. A couple of unknown soldiers are a token presence. Picturing diversity . Paraguay has a rich indigenous heritage, not just from its Guarani past and present but also thanks to the smaller but diverse Amerindian populations from the Gran Chaco region that overlaps western Paraguay. Asuncion's Museo Etnografico Andres Barbero has a strong collection of historic photographs but also displays tools, ceramics and weavings from all regions of the country. Avant art . In its isolation, Paraguay may give the impression of provincialism, but Asuncion has a lively contemporary art scene showcased at many galleries and the Museo del Barro, which displays avant-garde works by Paraguayan, Spanish and other Latin American artists under optimum conditions (no easy feat in this hot, humid climate). The museum also features folk art collections from the 17th century to the present and more strictly indigenous artifacts from Paraguay's native peoples. Spiderweb lace . One of Paraguay's iconic crafts is nanduti, the embroidered lace that probably arrived from the Spanish island of Tenerife. The word itself, meaning "spiderweb" in the Guarani language, aptly describes the weavers' geometric patterns but not the rainbow of colors that embellish their designs. Sopa Paraguaya . A common traditional dish, "Paraguayan soup" isn't quite what its name would suggest. Rather, it's cornbread flavored with cheese and onion, among other ingredients. (Check out Eatocracy's recipe.) Legend says its odd moniker stems from a mistake by 19th-century dictator Carlos Antonio Lopez's cook, who accidentally added excessive corn flour to a more liquid lunchtime dish. Fortunately for the cook, Lopez liked the results. Terere . Related to the common holly, cultivated on plantations throughout the region, mate (pronounced "mahtay") or "Paraguayan tea" is popular among Argentines, Uruguayans and even southern Brazilians, who imbibe prodigious amounts of their favorite infusion. Some like it hot, but Paraguayans prefer it chilled in the suffocating summer heat. An early Jesuit missionary claimed that mate "improves the appetite, speedily counteracts the languor arising from the burning climate, and assuages both hunger and thirst." Villa Hayes . Historically, Latin Americans are skeptical of the United States and its politicians, but Rutherford B. Hayes is a Paraguayan hero. After the 19th-century War of the Triple Alliance against Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay, this otherwise obscure U.S. president awarded the Gran Chaco -- now more than half of Paraguay's territory -- to Asuncion instead of Buenos Aires. Both Argentina and Paraguay sent diplomats to Washington for Hayes' binding arbitration. Paraguayan President Candido Bareiro renamed the former town of Villa Occidental, across the river from Asuncion, in Hayes' honor. The surrounding county, a school (with a monument) and the local soccer team also bear his name. (In Hayes' hometown of Delaware, Ohio, a gas station occupies the site of his birthplace). Foundry in the forest . Southeast of Asuncion, recovering subtropical forest blankets the compact and relatively small but verdant Parque Nacional Ybycui. Ybycui offers creekside trails, waterfalls and droves of metallic blue butterflies. Howler monkeys are harder to spot but easier to hear. The park is also a historical site for the iron foundry destroyed by Brazilian forces in the War of the Triple Alliance, a severe blow to Paraguay's war effort. Cinematic ruins . Along the easterly Rio Parana, which forms much of the border with Brazil and Argentina, 17th- and 18th-century Jesuit evangelists and their Guarani converts built a string of missions that provided the background for Roland Joffe's award-winning film "The Mission." Best known of the bunch is Argentina's San Ignacio Mini, but Paraguay's Mision Jesus de Tavarangue and Mision la Santisima Trinidad de Parana, near the southern city of Encarnacion, are almost equally well-preserved ruins. Strictly speaking, Mision Jesus is not a ruin; rather, it was an incomplete construction when Spain expelled the Jesuits from the New World in 1767. Smuggler central? Near the "Triple Border" with Argentina and Brazil, not far from the famous Iguazu Falls, Ciudad del Este is a chaos of consumerist commerce. For street bazaars that barely leave room for a single pedestrian to pass, Brazilian bargain-hunters flock across the bridge for knockoff Rolexes and the like. One local "businessman," though, observed that the regional Mercosur common market could mean that "we will no longer be able to live by smuggling products and will have to begin producing things." Bruderliebe? In the vastness of the Gran Chaco, about 280 miles (450 km) northwest of Asuncion via a paved highway, Filadelfia is the administrative center of Colonia Fernheim, a settlement of pacifist Mennonites who arrived from the Soviet Union in the 1930s. Of the area's several Mennonite colonies, this is the most outgoing, especially if German (preferably Plautdietsch or Low German) is your language of brotherly love. Wayne Bernhardson is the author of Moon Handbooks to Argentina, Buenos Aires, Chile and Patagonia, and the National Geographic guide to Argentina. He resides in Oakland, California, but spends four to five months every year in southern South America. | Paraguay's subtropical forests, broad rivers and unusual history can make it an intriguing detour .
Nearly 90% of Paraguayans speak Spanish and indigenous Guarani .
A common traditional dish, Paraguayan soup isn't quite what its name would suggest . |
197,882 | 8c22066cf044c2c569f94a9a3d6f3f1960621a5b | London, England (CNN) -- An explosive device found in a cargo plane in England last month probably would have exploded over the Eastern Seaboard of the United States if it had not been discovered, Scotland Yard said Wednesday. The device was primed to explode about six hours after it was found, a senior U.S. counterterrorism source told CNN. "Forensic examination has indicated that if the device had activated it would have been at 10:30 hrs BST on Friday, 29 October 2010," the Scotland Yard statement said. "If the device had not been removed from the aircraft the activation could have occurred over the eastern seaboard of the U.S." Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, the Yemen-based arm of the al Qaeda terrorist network, claimed responsibility last week for the plot to send explosive devices on cargo planes bound for the United States. White House spokesman Nick Shapiro said the findings by British authorities "underscore the serious nature of the attempted AQAP attack and the challenge we all face in trying to prevent or disrupt such attacks." Shapiro cited "the collective efforts of many dedicated intelligence and law enforcement professionals" in the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and the United States for disrupting the attacks. "The United States will continue to work closely with these partners and the government of Yemen to address and counter the threat posed by AQAP as well as to provide humanitarian and economic assistance to help shape a stable and secure Yemen," Shapiro said. In a similar statement later Wednesday, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano noted the United States increased screening requirements for air cargo this week and has worked in the past year to make air security a global issue by working with the International Civil Aviation Organization. Authorities in the United Arab Emirates and Britain found two explosives-laden packages sent from Yemen on October 29 that were addressed to synagogues in Chicago, Illinois. The statement by al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula claimed responsibility for the two cargo explosives, as well as the September 3 crash of a UPS plane near Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. It said that because Western media did not link the September crash to the group, "we decided not to announce it so we could carry on a similar operation." "We did that this time using two devices, one of which was sent via the American UPS company and the other via the American FedEx company," the statement said. In a security bulletin dated Tuesday, the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI concluded the AQAP statement was authentic, but they dismissed the group's claim that it was involved in the September UPS plane crash. "We assess the statement is authentic and AQAP's claim of responsibility for shipping the two explosive-laden packages discovered and disrupted on 29 October 2010 is credible," the bulletin said. "The group likely considers the plot a success since its devices evaded cargo screening procedures and likely will cause Western nations to implement costly security countermeasures." According to the bulletin, AQAP's "assertion of responsibility for the 3 September 2010 crash of a UPS cargo plane in Dubai is false." "Other terrorist organizations have falsely claimed credit for events with a high media profile to bolster their image and external perceptions of their operational capabilities," the bulletin said. Also Wednesday, a U.S. official said there was no evidence so far that the September 3 UPS crash near Dubai involved terrorism. "It is not surprising that they would issue such a claim of responsibility," the official said of the AQAP statement. "As we have said, we are continuing to take another look at the Dubai crash but nothing thus far has indicated any nexus to terrorism. The available information continues to indicate that the crash was an accident." On October 31, the UAE government announced an investigation of the crash by its General Civil Aviation Authority had eliminated the possibility that an on-board explosion was the cause. The two devices that were found on cargo planes, both loaded with the powerful explosive PETN, were packed in computer printer toner cartridges and designed to be detonated by a cell phone, a source close to the investigation has said. U.S. investigators believe that al Qaeda bombmaker Ibrahim Hasan al-Asiri, 28, is linked to the packages, according to a federal official who was briefed by authorities. Al-Asiri, who is thought to be in Yemen, is a Saudi who ranked high on Saudi Arabia's list of most wanted fugitives published in February 2009. He is also believed to be the bomber who designed last year's failed attempt to blow up a U.S. airliner as it landed in Detroit, Michigan, on December 25. A U.S. official said that the devices found in the packages last month were very sophisticated and could have exploded in flight, but it wasn't clear whether that was the intent. The group's statement said the devices' designs "allow us the opportunity to detonate them in the air or after their arrival to their ultimate destination, and they are designed to pass through all detectors." The packages were discovered thanks to a tip from Saudi Arabia. Saudi officials provided tracking numbers of the two packages bound for Jewish organizations in the United States, enabling quick tracing to the United Kingdom and Dubai, a source told CNN. After the incidents, U.S. government authorities grounded packages originating from Yemen destined for the United States. Yemen has asked for outside help to thwart terror groups, but the country, the ancestral home of Osama bin Laden, is still used for operations, U.S. officials say. CNN's Jeanne Meserve and Carol Cratty contributed to this report. | NEW: U.S. security bulletin dismisses AQAP claim involving Dubai crash .
The White House says the finding demonstrates the "serious nature" of the threat .
The device was set to explode six hours after it was discovered, officials say .
Another explosive device was found in a plane in the United Arab Emirates . |
237,544 | bf705d9d4a786639c1bf0001a34d88f27155ad79 | By . Christian Gysin for Daily Mail . Controversial MP George Galloway is being investigated by police after declaring his constituency an ‘Israel free zone’. The Respect MP – who has represented Bradford since 2012 – started the row when he spoke to activists at a meeting in Leeds and attacked Israel for the killing of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Calling on party members to boycott goods from Israel, their services and academics, he said: ‘We have declared Bradford an Israel-free zone…we don’t want any Israeli goods. Scroll down for video . George Galloway: The Respect MP - who has represented Bradford since 2012 - started the row when he spoke to activists at a meeting in Leeds and attacked Israel for the killing of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip . ‘We don’t want any Israeli services. We don’t want any Israeli academics coming to the university or the college. ‘We don’t even want any Israeli tourists to come to Bradford, even if any of them had thought of doing so. We reject this illegal, barbarous, savage state that calls itself Israel. And you have to do the same.’ However, just eight days after Mr Galloway’s comments, a Jewish and Israeli group led by Rabbi Shneur Zalman Odze visited Bradford to ‘prove a point’ and claimed they had received a ‘nice reception even from those who weren’t pro-Israel’. The group wanted to show they would not be intimidated by what they described as Mr Galloway’s ‘extreme, arrogant and discriminatory’ remarks. Rabbi Odze even took the time to post a Tweet directly to Mr Galloway along with a picture of the visiting group with the words: ‘In Bradford today with my Israeli friends, we got a tremendous reception – how’s your ban going?’ Destruction: A man heats water for tea on a small fire today under a destroyed tower of an apartment complex that was heavily damaged in fighting between Israel and Hamas in the northern Gaza strip . Speaking after the visit Rabbi Odze said: ‘Britain is renowned for being an open, tolerant and fair society, so for Galloway to appoint himself as a spokesman for the city in such demeaning and dismissive tones is unacceptable.’ 'We don’t want any Israeli services. We don’t want any Israeli academics coming to the university or the college' George Galloway . He also dubbed Mr Galloway’s Leeds outburst as a ‘hate speech’. A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: ‘We have received two separate complaints about comments attributed to George Galloway MP during a speech he gave at a public meeting in Leeds on August 2. We are currently investigating the complaints.’ George Galloway has been involved in numerous anti-Israeli comments in the past. During a July 2006 demonstration he stated: ‘Hezbollah has never been a terrorist organisation.’ In 2009 he received a Palestinian passport from a senior Hamas official. Controversial: MP George Galloway has been involved in numerous anti-Israeli comments in the past . In the same year Mr Galloway also helped arrange a series of aid convoys to Palestine after helping to raise more than a million pounds to pay for humanitarian aid. 'We don’t even want any Israeli tourists to come to Bradford, even if any of them had thought of doing so' George Galloway . In November 2012, during an anti-Israeli demonstration in his Bradford constituency, he told those present: ‘We do not hate Jews. 'We hate Zionism, we hate Israel, we hate murder and injustice. Israel blasphemes against the Torah (books of Jewish scriptures) by calling itself a Jewish state.' He later also called for the outlawing of British-Israeli citizenship. In February 2013 Mr Galloway walked out of a debate at Oxford’s Christ Church College when he discovered his opponent was an Israeli, declaring: ‘I don’t recognise Israel and I don’t debate with Israelis.’ | Respect MP started row when he spoke to activists at meeting in Leeds .
Galloway attacked Israel for the killing of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip .
Called on party members to boycott goods from Israel and their services . |
93,640 | 046689f2c9b565a997966152b041115ef8978e9a | Sheffield United manager Nigel Clough believes a Capital One Cup semi-final against Tottenham Hotspur has given the League One club the perfect opportunity to finally leave their part in the Ched Evans saga behind them. Clough has turned his club into the modern day giantkillers to be feared by all others over the last couple of years, with last year’s run to the semi-final of the FA Cup meaning that they have only lost once in their last 17 cup games. As incredible as that is, United are unfortunately still tainted a little by their attempts to sign convicted rapist Evans on his release from prison last year. That move was eventually scrapped after pressure from outside and indeed their own sponsors and now Clough hopes they can move on. Sheffield United discussed re-signing convicted rapist Ched Evans (right), pictured with girlfriend Natasha . Evans played for Sheffield United before being jailed for five years for rape, of which he served two-and-a-half . The former Manchester City striker was pictured leaving a gym in Wilmslow last week . Jamal Campbell-Ryce (centre) celebrates scoring against Queens Park Rangers in the FA Cup . West Ham players looked dejected after they conceded against Sheffield United in the Capital One Cup . ‘That’s good and it is always nice when there are more positive headlines, with stories focused on what is happening on the pitch,’ said Clough. ‘Every football club wants to be talked about because of what it does on the pitch rather than off it and this gives us another opportunity to be discussed in a good light.’ Certainly Clough and his players deserve some positive PR. Last season’s FA Cup efforts saw them beat Aston Villa and Fulham before they lost to Hull City at Wembley. This season, meanwhile, they have knocked Queens Park Rangers out of that competition and overcame Southampton at home in the last round of this one. Nigel Clough, manager of Sheffield United, has already beaten Premier League outfit twice in the competition . Players celebrate after Michael Doyle scores the winning penalty in a shoot-out against West Ham United . Marc McNulty (right) scores Sheffield United's winning goal against Southampton in the quarter-finals . Clough is modest enough to suggest some of his team’s success has its roots in good fortune. The statistics don’t lie, though, and undoubtedly the United manager’s policy of routinely fielding strong teams in cup ties has paid off. On Wednesday night he merely hopes his team can get out of White Hart Lane without a hiding. If they are still in touch with Spurs before next week’s second leg in Yorkshire then logic and recent history suggests they will have a great chance. Asked if Tottenham may be under some pressure on Wednesday night, Clough said: ‘Certainly in the home leg, yes. We have that same feeling week in and week out in League One. Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino and his side must be wary of Sheffield United . Michael Higdon of Sheffield United celebrates with his team-mate after scoring against Milton Keynes Dons . ‘At Bramall Lane, people expect us to roll teams over but for the opposition it is one of their biggest games of the season. ‘Hopefully, the roles will be reversed on Wednesday but without doubt they have the quality to hurt you, even if we play to our absolute maximum. ‘If Harry Kane is on song, Christian Eriksen and people like that, they have the quality to hurt any team in Europe. United players celebrate dumping Premier League high-flyers Southampton out of the Capital One Cup . ‘But we don’t fear it. We are aware of how good they are but we don’t go into too much detail otherwise we would shaking before we even get on to the pitch. ‘I’m not sure Tottenham will be too worried, looking at them in the last few weeks. I don’t think they’ll be too concerned but I think they’ll be more aware of us. ‘If you get results in the cup competitions I think the opposition does become a little bit more aware, and cautious we hope, but with what they’ve got to put on the pitch they’ll back themselves. ‘We’ve got to try and stay in the tie for the second leg. That’s the main thing.’ Southampton players look distraught after conceding against Sheffield United in the quarter-final . | Tottenham Hotspur host Sheffield United on Wednesday night .
Premier League meets League One in Capital One Cup semi-final first leg .
Nigel Clough believes match allows United to finally get positive publicity .
Club had discussed possibility of re-signing convicted rapist Ched Evans .
But Clough says club can now move on from saga due to semi-final . |
97,501 | 097c0da482846098f6ace3205d83b2f4007ce3ef | Deportivo La Coruna are taking hard measures against their own fans by banning hardcore members of their ultras for the next two games. The move to ban the 'Riazor Blues' comes after the death of a fan prior to their game with Atletico Madrid on Sunday. Francisco Javier Romero Taboada died after trouble erupted between rival groups in the streets surrounding the Vicente Calderon stadium ahead of Atletico Madrid's midday Primera Division match against visiting Deportivo. Some Deportivo fans will not be allowed in to the games for the next two weeks . The 43-year-old died in hospital on Sunday afternoon after firefighters pulled him out of the Manzanares river near Atletico's home ground, while 12 more people were reported injured - some including stab wounds - during the fighting which was said to have involved around 200 people. Club president Tino Fernandez told Spanish radio station Onda Cero: 'I am certain that we will not have any more 'Riazor Blues' at the Riazor (stadium). Spanish police escort Deportivo Coruna fans upon leaving Vicente Calderon in Madrid . 'The first step we have taken is to close the 'Riazor Blues' section of the stadium for our next two home games. 'This is the first measure as there is still an investigation going on. 'We don't have to act against an organisation because the Riazor Blues are not registered as a fan club. 'We have to act against people and we are not sure who those are just yet.' Deportivo La Coruna and Atletico Madrid fans clash outside Vicente Calderon Stadium on Sunday . Rival fans were filmed throwing objects at each other on and near the road alongside the Manzanares river . Francisco Javier Romero Taboada was taken out of the river after suffering head injuries . The Galician club will hold a minute's silence in honour of Taboada, known as 'Jimmy', and have reduced tickets to Saturday's league game with Malaga to a euro. 'We want Saturday's game to be a demonstration against violence,' Fernandez said. 'We want many of our citizens, who are against violence, to attend. 'We want to show everyone that we are united against violence and prove what is the true spirit of our supporters. 'What happened on Sunday was tragic.' | Deportivo ban Ultra group 'Riazor Blues' from next two games .
Atletico Madrid have also banned several fans and an 'Ultra' groups .
The bans follows the death of a fan during violent clashes on Sunday .
The violence occurred before Atletico's game against Deportivo La Coruna .
Francisco Javier Romero Taboada died after trouble between rival groups .
The 43-year-old was pulled retrieved from the Manzanares river . |
60,904 | ad0ad45b3551fb033f936b2c261fad497cbf1b0d | (CNN) -- A 23-year-old man accused of killing four people during a New York stabbing and carjacking spree was indicted Friday, prosecutors said. Maksim Gelman has been charged with murder in the second degree, attempted murder in the second degree, robbery and assault, according to a Kings County District Attorney statement. Authorities alleged that Gelman fatally stabbed three people, hit and killed a man with a car, slashed at least five other people and carjacked two vehicles before he was wrestled to the ground early Saturday after trying to break into the cab of a subway train. If convicted, he could face life behind bars. Gelman, who is unemployed and known to authorities mostly as a graffiti artist, was arrested about 9 a.m. Saturday, about 28 hours after he is alleged to have begun the spree spanning three New York boroughs, Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said Saturday. "It's so horrendous and bizarre," Kelly told reporters Saturday. "We have no reason that we can give you as to why he did this." Police believe Gelman got into a dispute with his mother at her Brooklyn home about 5 a.m. Friday after she refused to let him take her 2004 Lexus. The suspect's stepfather, Aleksandr Kuznetsov, intervened and was stabbed 11 times, they said. Kuznetsov, 54, died, while Gelman's mother -- who survived unscathed -- alerted authorities. Investigators believe Gelman then took the Lexus, drove about a mile away to the home of his ex-girlfriend and stabbed her mother, 56-year-old Anna Bulchenko, 11 times, at about 10:30 a.m. Gelman's former girlfriend found her mother dead on the floor when she returned home at about 4:15 p.m., police said. She called police. But in the short period before they arrived, authorities believe Gelman -- who presumably was still in the apartment -- allegedly attacked the former girlfriend, Yelena Bulchenko, 20, with a knife. He chased her into the street and killed her, also slashing the jacket sleeve of a passerby trying to stop him, authorities said. He then left the scene in the Lexus and rear-ended another car, a Pontiac Bonneville, allegedly stabbing its 60-year-old driver three times in the shoulder and neck in a confrontation and then leaving the scene in that car, police said. Authorities said they later found four kitchen knives in the Lexus. About 4:25 p.m., the Pontiac allegedly struck a pedestrian about two miles away, Kelly said. Steve Tannenbaum, 60, died of his injuries. Police believe the suspect eventually abandoned the Pontiac, which was later found near a Brooklyn railroad line he was known to frequent as a graffiti artist. Shortly before 1 a.m. Saturday, Gelman allegedly got into a cab in Brooklyn and stabbed the driver. As of Saturday, that driver was in stable condition. Kelly said Gelman then got out of the car and confronted a couple, allegedly stabbing a man in the hands and taking his car keys. That man was treated and released at a hospital, Kelly said. The car, a Nissan, was later found in Queens. Shelton Pottinger told reporters he was that victim. "He looked crazy," he said of the man who stabbed him. "He looked like a crazy guy." He said the man pulled a knife and a gun and told him to get out of the car or he would kill him. "I was shocked," he said. "I didn't know what to do." But he said he decided to fight, and moved over into the passenger seat. "I was trying to kick him to get him out." But he said the man forced his way in and hit the gas. Pottinger said he was holding on to the man's hands as he tried to stab him. Police received a tip Saturday morning that the suspect might have been riding a southbound subway train in Manhattan. A woman approached police at a subway stop and said Gelman knocked a newspaper featuring his picture from her hands and said to her, "Do you believe what they're writing about me?" before crossing the tracks and jumping onto a train. The man stabbed a seated passenger -- 40-year-old Joseph Lozito, who said he didn't know the suspect or about the alleged stabbing spree until he landed in the hospital -- during his time onboard. Gelman allegedly told Lozito, "You're going to die" before attacking him with the knife from above. "Eventually, the man worked his way to the front cab of the train. The commissioner said the suspect pounded on the cab's door, yelling "Police," apparently trying to get in by claiming he was a police officer. He did not appear to know two transit police officers, later identified as Terrance Howell and Tamara Taylor, were inside the cab with the train's operator. Soon after, the officers, with aid from off-duty New York police Detective Marcelo Razzo and an unnamed civilian nearby, wrestled Gelman to the ground, police said. No one was hurt in that scuffle, during which a knife fell to the ground. Police also found Gelman had another, smaller, knife when they detained him. He also had what Kelly described as a "significant amount of money." Kelly said the suspect was mostly "incoherent" after being arrested, making a statement that "she had to die." The commissioner said he did not know who "she" referred to. Kelly said Gelman had 10 previous arrests, mostly for drug charges and graffiti, plus one robbery charge. His most recent arrest was January 26, when he was accused of possessing crack cocaine. For roughly the past seven years, Gelman has been a naturalized U.S. citizen. He arrived in this country with his father and mother in 1992 from his native Ukraine. | Maksim Gelman was indicted on murder, robbery and assault charges .
Gelman is accused of killing four people .
If convicted, he could face life behind bars . |
104,042 | 123d31f895234408d6870c77930790b5ab76544c | (CNN) -- Italian giants AC Milan have confirmed Massimiliano Allegri as their new coach. Allegri has signed a two-year contract with Milan and replaces Brazilian coach Leonardo, who left after just one season at the club. The 42-year-old led Cagliari to mid-table finishes in the last two seasons and recently terminated his contract. A statement on Milan's official website read: "AC Milan announce that Massimiliano Allegri is the new first team coach. The manager has signed a contract until June 30, 2012." Leonardo briefly threatened to win the Italian Serie A title but eventually finished third, securing qualification for the lucrative European Champions League. Allegri says he wants to build on that third-placed finish. He told the club's website: "It's a very important day for me. I'm proud to be able to coach this team and be part of this great club. To the fans I can only say that I'm very happy, and that I will try to obtain the best with this team. "I replace Leonardo, a coach who has done a good job. Under his leadership, Milan fought until the end for the Scudetto and the team played very well. Therefore I receive a very important legacy. "Today is the first day. Now I will have all of the time to think and a month available to prepare the new season. Coaching Milan represents a very important point of arrival in my career. I'm part of one of the strongest clubs in the world." | AC Milan confirm Massimiliano Allegri as their new coach .
Allegri replaces Brazilian coach Leonardo .
The 42-year-old recently terminated his contract with Cagliari . |
257,836 | d9ac1e52dcd5bf8c931db640c5b1add92a0c409a | By . Harriet Arkell . and Sarah Harris . Teachers should not tell teenagers to stop watching porn, according to government-backed guidelines. Pupils must instead be taught the difference between real-life relationships and the distorted world of X-rated films. This could involve playing card games in class to decide whether various sexual scenarios belong on ‘Planet Earth’ or ‘Planet Porn’. Children should be taught about porn to help them protect themselves, charities say in new guidance (file image) Porn-addicted secondary school pupils should also be advised to seek help from a ‘trusted, non-judgmental adult’. Schools . should give lessons on pornography to teach pupils that it shows a . 'distorted image' of sex and relationships, according to new guidance. Youngsters . need to learn that pornography does not reflect real life, often . showing 'perfect' bodies and exaggerated sexual prowess', it says. The . document - which has been criticised by an education campaigner for . 'taking children's childhoods away from them' - also calls for students . to be told about the dangers of 'sexting' - sending explicit text . messages - and sharing sexual photos and images. The . new guidance has been drawn up by sexual health charity Brook, the PSHE . Association and the Sex Education Forum in a bid to give schools advice . on how to teach pupils about the topic. It comes in the wake of a report published by Ofsted last year which found that sex and relationships education (SRE) needs to be improved in more than a third of schools. The guidance comes weeks after teachers said children were accessing porn on their phones at break (file image) It . called for secondary school pupils to learn more about issues such as . porn, relationships, sexuality and staying safe, rather than just the . 'mechanics' of reproduction. Teachers . have also spoken out about the issue, with one survey suggesting that . schoolchildren are increasingly having sexually explicit conversations . with each other after being exposed to pornography. The . new advice, which has been welcomed by ministers, says schools should . teach about the impact of pornography, arguing that there is widespread . support from parents for this. 'Teaching . should emphasise that pornography is not the best way to learn about . sex because it does not reflect real life, and can therefore be . worrying, confusing and frightening for young people,' it says. But education campaigner Chris McGovern, of the Campaign for Real Education, criticised the report's suggestions . He . told MailOnline: 'Internet pornography is a serious issue but schools . need to consult with, and reach agreement with, parents before teaching . about it. 'Many parents do not wish to see their children having their childhood taken away from them - blanket solutions just will not work' - Chris McGovern, Campaign for Real Education . 'Many parents do . not wish to see their children having their childhood taken from them - . they would prefer infants to learn about Thomas the Tank Engine rather . than how to handle porn. 'With regard to this matter 'blanket solutions' just will not work.' The report also says: 'Pupils should understand that . pornography shows a distorted image of sex and relationships, including . 'perfect' bodies and exaggerated sexual prowess. 'SRE . provides opportunities to discuss body image and understand how . pornographic pictures and videos are routinely edited and . 'photoshopped'.' The . document goes on to say that young people are growing up in a culture . where technology and social media are important and there are more . opportunities for sharing personal information. 'SRE should encourage pupils to think about what they want others to know and see about them - whether on or offline.' It . adds: 'Research shows that sexting is of most concern to young people . in their early teens, schools should address privacy and boundaries from . a very early age in the context of personal safety and abuse. 'Specific work about 'sexting' should be addressed in SRE as soon as it is identified as a potential issue.' The advice also warns schools that SRE should be inclusive and that teachers should not assume that all relationships are between opposite sexes. It suggests that sexual health information should include lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in case studies, scenarios and role-plays, with pupils exploring topics from different points of view. Brook chief executive Simon Blake, said: 'Young people have been telling us for years that SRE is not relevant to their lives and they want better.' The Government already publishes statutory guidance for schools on SRE and the new document, which was welcomed by Schools Minister Lord Nash, is supplementary advice. | New guidance was drawn up by sexual health charity Brook, the PSHE Association, and the Sex Education Forum .
It says pupils must be taught that pornography does not reflect real life, and should cover how images are edited and photoshopped .
The document, which has been welcomed by ministers, comes after Ofsted report said sex education needed improvement in a third of schools .
But Chris McGovern, of the Campaign for Real Education, said: 'Parents do not wish to see their children's childhood taken away' |
190,556 | 82b3bc8e7dccf4ccd0c0a4f7a8b27dccd397de1d | By . Martha Kelner for the Mail on Sunday . Follow @@marthakelner . Jodie Williams stormed down the home straight to clinch silver in the 200 metres and could win two more medals in the relays. The 20-year-old was fourth coming round the bend but charged through the field to clock 22.46 seconds. It was the second time in two weeks that Williams has set a personal best in a major championships final after she ran 22.50 to win silver at the Commonwealth Games. Taste of success: Jodie Williams poses with her silver medal at the European Championships in Zurich . Dutch delight: Williams was beaten by Dafne Schippers (centre) who clocked 22.04 seconds . Williams, nicknamed ‘Moneylegs’ after going unbeaten for over five years and 151 races as a junior, has proved she has what it takes on the senior stage. Only the stunningly good Dutch Dafne Schippers, was too good for her. Schippers clocked 22.04, the fastest in the world this year, after winning the 100m earlier in the week. ‘I’m so happy,’ said Williams. ‘To come away with two silver medals at senior level, I couldn’t ask for any more. ‘I was trying to chase Dafne down but her time was crazy. I’m so tired after the Commonwealth Games.’ Proud: Williams holds up the Union Jack as she celebrates her second-place finish in the 200m . Team-mates: Williams is congratulated by compatriots Dina Asher-Smith (centre) and Bianca Williams (right) Williams plans to run in the 4 x 100m and possibly the 4 x 400m relay. ‘It would be amazing to get three medals,’ she said. ‘I’m just going to have to see how my legs recover.’ There was heartbreak for 18-year-old Dina Asher-Smith, who fell to her knees after breaking down with an apparent hamstring injury. Asher-Smith who had ‘the best day of her life’ on Thursday when she set a new British junior 200m record and got the A-levels required to read history at King’s College, was helped off by Williams and team-mate Bianca Williams who came fourth. ‘I have a love-hate relationship with my hamstring,’ she said. ‘This was one of the hate days.’ | Williams was fourth coming round the bend but recovered to win silver .
The 20-year-old clocked a new personal best of 22.46 seconds .
Dutch Dafne Schippers won in 22.04, the fastest time in the world this year . |
47,475 | 85de4a8f9b90515e3e6e3f85edbc9b37b428b275 | By . Emma Glanfield . These are the first pictures to be released of a man who was found buried in his back garden with his wife after they were ‘shot dead by their daughter and son-in-law’. The remains of William and Patricia Wycherley were recovered from the garden of their home in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire last October following a tip-off to police. Their daughter Susan Edwards, 56, and her husband Christopher, 58, are due to go on trial at Nottingham Crown Court tomorrow charged with their murder between May 1 and 5, 1998. These are the first pictures of William Wycherley (pictured left prior to his death in 1998 and right as a young boy), who was allegedly shot dead, along with his wife, and buried in the back garden of their home in Mansfield . The remains of William and Patricia Wycherley were recovered from the garden of their home in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire last October. They disappeared in 1998 but it did not come to light until a tip-off last year . Today, Nottinghamshire Police released a picture of Mr Wycherley as a young man before he moved to Mansfield and of him prior to his death in the late 1990s. Officers said they had so far been unable to trace a picture of Mrs Wycherley. The Wycherleys disappeared from their home in Blenheim Close, Mansfield in 1998. Police launched a murder investigation . after two sets of human remains were recovered from the back garden of their semi-detached house last October. Post-mortem examinations showed both had been shot. Nottinghamshire . Police said DNA testing had formally identified the remains as those of . Mr and Mrs Wycherley, who would have been 85 and 63 respectively at the . time of their death and 101 and 80 if living today. Susan and Christopher Edwards were arrested at St Pancras International station in London on October 30 last year. The pair, of no fixed address, both deny murder and the trial is expected to last up to four weeks. The couple's daughter Susan Edwards, 56, (left) and her husband Christopher, 58, (right) are due to go on trial at Nottingham Crown Court tomorrow charged with the couple's murder between May 1 and 5, 1998 . Nottinghamshire Police said DNA testing had formally identified the remains as those of Mr and Mrs Wycherley . Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article. | Remains of William and Patricia Wycherley were recovered last October .
Post-mortem showed they had been shot before being buried in garden .
The couple went missing from their Mansfield home over 15 years ago .
Their daughter and son-in-law are due to go on trial charged with murder .
The pair will appear at Nottingham Crown Court tomorrow for start of trial . |
227,738 | b2e065462b43c45ba33b6147ef723d49c5683ccd | (CNN) -- Anyone who uses a smartphone, puts away money in a 401(k), or wants to keep their grocery bill from skyrocketing needs to be aware of a new dynamic in the world economy. It's called the "Plan B World" and it is about how modern shocks to systems in far corners of the world are now having a direct impact on local employment and economies, including the parts that go into cell phones, the financial markets that house our retirement savings and the global agriculture system. We saw the downside of single-source supply contracting and just-in-time inventory systems when a manufacturing plant for a certain type of gasket was destroyed in the 2011 Japanese tsunami. It led to the shutdown of production facilities in the big six automakers in the United States, which weakened the economy and contributed to the U.S. unemployment rate increasing from 8.9% to 9.1% during this time. If carmakers had a Plan B for gasket supply, an economic disruption that put factory employees out of work could have been avoided. Advancements in supply chain technology have improved efficiency and lowered the prices we pay for goods and services. But without a mindset that recognizes that we are in a Plan B world, we are less resilient to the acute shocks and chronic stresses our world faces every day. The Plan B mindset will allow us to use our creativity to proactively plan for more resilient solutions. By that I mean developing ways that people, communities, industries and even nations are better able to rebound in the face of adversity and come back even stronger. What makes this important? The speed of change -- along with the increasing environmental, economic, social and political volatility -- has led to crises of intensifying frequency, scale and severity, with potentially catastrophic effects that cascade across sectors and geographies. A reality of our time is that we cannot anticipate every catastrophe or stressful event. We can -- and must -- do what we can to prevent bad things from happening, but the fact remains that surprises will still happen. Ominous recent episodes demand we always have a Plan B that minimizes the lasting effects of a range of future threats and allows us to rebound more quickly and effectively: . • Climate catastrophes, like the deadly floods that paralyzed Thailand in 2011, can trigger disruptions to the world's tenuous manufacturing supply chain. When the autumn flooding in Bangkok closed factories that fed global manufacturers, it forced shutdowns of electronics and automotive assembly lines from Shanghai to Shenzen to Shreveport. • Financial contagion, like the debt crises of Greece and Portugal in 2010 and 2011, can shatter confidence in global financial markets. Losses inflicted by the European crises reversed years' worth of painstaking economic progress for nations and individuals worldwide. • Food shortages, like the drought-induced famine emergency in Somalia and Ethiopia in 2011, can cause food riots locally and speculative panics globally. Such market gyrations can contribute to protectionist measures that drive worldwide food-price spikes and further punish the most vulnerable. • True natural disasters, like last year's Japanese earthquake and tsunami, can expose dangers in nationwide planning systems and calamities in power and other sectors. The sudden discovery of structural weakness in many of Japan's nuclear power plants forced the shutdown of its nuclear electricity network, with the power outage provoking an economic stall. • Disease pandemics, like the SARS outbreak that swept through Asia in 2002 and 2003, can spread infections across borders as fast as 747s can ferry passengers across oceans. • Cyberattacks and hacking can undermine public faith in the secure data that supports global commerce. Further, the infiltration of infrastructure networks and military systems can compromise national security. A Plan B would not just build higher levees and a more regulated banking system. It would look at ways of setting up redundant systems so that when one system fails another takes up some of the slack. Or when we design our flood or economic plans, can we keep in mind ways to prevent cascading failures when one part of the system collapses? There are already some Plan Bs being put in place. Two examples come from work that the Rockefeller Foundation is supporting today. • In Ethiopia, some of the poorest subsistence farmers in the country are receiving crop insurance through an innovative program spearheaded by Oxfam America that allows farmers to trade work for insurance. This makes farmers more resilient against drought, famine and floods. • The Asian Cities Climate Change Resilience Network is a 10-city initiative to develop climate resilience strategies appropriate to each city. One of the cities where the program is operating is Danang, Vietnam. Their strategy included hydrology mapping, which led the city to halt building plans in vulnerable areas and has shaped the city's future development plans. This planning will reduce the vulnerability of people and property to the effects of climate changes. This is only a start. How we strengthen Plan Bs and interconnect them is the focus of a meeting this week in Washington that is bringing together global leaders and thinkers across an array of fields. From these discussions, a clearer way forward will be developed, that will be followed by grants aimed at achieving this goal. This is just one step toward a more resilient world. It is long past time for everyone to work together to reinforce society's complex systems at their most vulnerable points. We are on our way. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Judith Rodin. | Judith Rodin: In a globalized world, local disasters can have consequences everywhere .
She says the Japanese tsunami led to part shortages that shut down assemby lines in U.S.
Rodin: Governments and businesses need to have contingency plans to cope with surprises . |
254,732 | d5bc0998755a8d091649d258ea5ff3147898a74e | (CNN) -- Major League Baseball is to investigate a possible racially motivated incident involving Baltimore Orioles centerfield Adam Jones during their game at San Francisco Giants Sunday. Jones took to Twitter to claim that a fan threw a banana at him during the ninth inning at AT&T Park. Jones, who is an African-American, voiced his displeasure on his official account. "I want to thank whatever slap---- threw that banana towards my direction in the last inning," he posted. "Way to show (your) class (you) jack---" MLB Senior Vice President of Public Relations Patrick Courtney told CNN Sports Monday: "We are looking into this situation." San Francisco also promised action, but in a statement released to CNN said they had to date been unable to identify the person responsible. "The Giants have a zero tolerance policy against this type of behavior, which results in immediate ejection from the ballpark," it read. "We would like to extend our sincerest apologies to Adam and the entire Orioles organization for this unfortunate incident. "The inappropriate actions of this individual in no way reflect the values of our organization and our fans." The Orioles enjoyed a 10-2 victory over last season's World Series winners, rallying from an early two-run deficit to score 10 unanswered runs. Jones hit a three-run homer at the top of the ninth inning to help clinch the victory. He said the reaction of some on Twitter to his angry posting could mean him closing his account. "Good chance this means I get off social media soon," he later tweeted. | MLB to investigate incident at Orioles/Giants game Sunday .
Orioles centerfield Adam Jones angry after claiming a fan threw a banana at him .
Jones took to Twitter to voice his displeasure .
Giants apologize for the incident . |
278,522 | f4cabfdb528b4773643cbcc552697cdfe11fa8a7 | By . Anna Hodgekiss . PUBLISHED: . 06:41 EST, 9 November 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 08:06 EST, 12 November 2012 . Danielle Cassar, 17, struggles to walk without crutches after an ice skating accident left her with a crippling hip condition three years ago . A teenager whose rare condition mean her hips . can dislocate up to five times a day has battled back from her hospital bed to . enter a modelling competition. Danielle Cassar, 17, struggles to walk without . crutches after an ice skating accident left her with a crippling hip condition . three years ago. But the student, who has to take more than 30 doses of . pain relief a day, is planning to strut her stuff down the catwalk - even . though doing so could dislocate her hips. She has made the finals of the Miss Teen Queen UK on November 15, which she is hoping to take part in without her crutches. Danielle was devastated after a cartilage tear she . sustained in 2009 put an end to her promising career as a figure skater - and . left her unable to walk unaided after she developed complex regional pain syndrome (CPRS). But determined not to be downhearted for long, she threw herself into her schoolwork - and entered the modelling contest from her . hospital bed. The teenager, from Tamworth, Staffs, said: 'It's a bit . unusual for someone with my condition to be thinking about strutting down a . catwalk - my hips might dislocate when I'm halfway down. 'But I'm really determined not to let my condition . hold me back- and I want to be a role model for other people suffering too. 'I was gutted when I was first diagnosed - not only . would I never skate again, but I knew I'd probably never walk without crutches . either. 'I knew I couldn't live my life being miserable . though - and some of my friends persuaded me to enter the modelling . competition. 'I thought it looked like something to throw myself . into and I gave it a go - but I never expected I'd get very far. 'I'm thrilled to have made the finals - I'm . delighted that other young girls might look at me and see that whatever life . throws at you, you should keep your head up and put your mind to what you want . to do.' Danielle suffered a fall while figure skating . training in 2009 - but at the time, she thought it would leave her with no more . than a nasty bruise. Scroll down for video . The accident put an end to her promising career as a figure skater - and left her crippled after she developed complex regional pain syndrome. She now takes 30 doses of pain relief a day . But as weeks of gradual pain turned into months of agony, . doctors revealed she was suffering from CPRS - which got so bad she was bed . ridden in hospital for two months. She now has to take a cocktail of drugs to manage the pain - which also causes her hips to dislocate as she moves around. It is thought she will have the condition for life. Danielle said: 'I used to train for my figure . skating a few times a week - and one day I had a bit of a fall on the ice. 'I didn't think anything of it, but the pain kept . getting worse and worse. Left: The student was a keen gymnast and figure skater before her accident which put her in hospital (right) 'Doctors knew I'd injured my hip, but they couldn't . tell to what extent. The pain carried on getting worse for months, until the . day I picked up my GCSE results. 'I went out for tea to celebrate, but my leg . completely gave in - I couldn't move, and my mum had to call an ambulance to . Nandos. 'I was in hospital for two months then, which was . when I was officially diagnosed. "I have a lot of physio and a lot of painkillers - . but I'm used to the pain now. 'My hip will dislocate four or five times a day - it . just clicks out and it's more of an annoyance now that anything. 'I just have to rotate it and it will go back in, . but it is a pain. Determined not to be downhearted for long, Danielle threw herself into her schoolwork - and entered the modelling contest from her hospital bed. Right: Danielle with her mother Susan . 'I have enjoyed doing a few modelling shoots, and if . I get further in the competition, it's definitely something I'd like to do as a . sideline in the future. 'However, I'm studying for my A levels at the moment . because I want to work as a nurse, with people with long-term health . problems.' Her mother Susan, 51, said: 'We're so proud of how . Danielle has coped with her condition. She is a great role model for young girls, and this . is a huge confidence boost for her.' | Danielle Cassar, 17, struggles to walk without .
crutches after an ice skating accident left her with a painful hip condition .
three years ago .
Student has to take more than 30 doses of .
pain relief a day .
Now planning to take to the catwalk after making the finals of UK modelling competition - even .
though doing so could dislocate her hips . |
1,509 | 045dd47adc11cee5562cc279e8ff7f9749353448 | By . Daily Mail Reporters . PUBLISHED: . 13:21 EST, 29 November 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 20:36 EST, 30 November 2012 . The mother of the lesbian who was brutally beaten by her girlfriend's boyfriend on Thanksgiving said she 'knows in her heart' that his motivation was hatred because her daughter is gay. Kristi Taylor, the mother of Mallory Owens, from Mobile, Alabama, said in a statement released last night: 'I believe that Travis Hawkins Jr's rage against my daughter stemmed from Mallory being Ally's first same sex relationship. His anger towards her was for being gay.' Hawkins was arrested, charged with second-degree assault and released after the viscous beating which took place at his home while the family were eating Thanksgiving dinner. Mallory, who is in a relationship with Hawkins' sister Alex, was beaten so badly she had to undergo reconstructive surgery and suffered from severe concussion and bleeding on the brain. Scroll down for video . Kristi Taylor, the mother of Mallory Owens, pictured, said in a statement released last night: 'I believe that Travis Hawkins Jr's rage against my daughter stemmed from Mallory being Ally's first same sex relationship' Victim: Mallory Owens, left, was left horribly injured after attending Thanksgiving dinner with girlfriend Alex Hawkins, right . Aftermath: Mallory Owens, right, returned to the home of her girlfriend, Alex Hawkins, left, after she was brutally beaten there days earlier . On Tuesday, after she checked herself out of the hospital, she denied the beating was fueled by hate over her sexuality. The accused: Travis Hawkins was charged with second-degree assault and later released on bond . 'A lot of things have happened between us, but it doesn't make me hate her brother,' she told WKRG-TV. 'I don't hate her family at all, or anybody for that matter.' Miss Hawkins backed this up saying: 'It's not a hate crime at all. We both know the reason why this happened, and it doesn't . make any excuses for him, I'm not defending him at all. I know why he . was angry, and that will come out.' Neither woman elaborated about the 'real' reason behind the beating but they hinted it concerned her 'conduct' rather than sexuality. Family and supporters of Miss Owens believe those charges should be much more severe. A . Facebook group entitled 'Charge Travis Hawkins Jr with the attempted . murder of Mallory Owens' has sprung up on Facebook, garnering more than 4,600 'likes' since it was formed. An . online petition has also been set up asking that the charges be . increased to attempted murder. Almost 100,000 people have signed it. Hawkins' lawyer, James Byrd, told the . TV station his client, age 18, has been forced to go into hiding after . numerous death threats. 'People have taken this and overreacted, and made it something that it's not,' Mr Byrd said. After the initial attack, Mrs Taylor said: 'He tried to kill her. He's lucky he didn't kill her. She's lucky to be . alive. I didn't recognize her when I got here. It's hard to look at her . like that.' Brutality: Miss Owens was hospitalized for . several days after the attack, receiving treatment for a broken nose in . the beating that was so bad her eyes were swollen shut . Unrecognizable: Miss Owens suffered numerous lacerations and required facial reconstruction surgery after the attack . Miss Owens was hospitalized and . treated for a broken nose and numerous lacerations. Her eyes were . swollen shut after the brutal beating and she had to receive facial . reconstruction surgery. Ms . Taylor said that there was friction with the Hawkins family over the . fact that her daughter was gay and had a relationship with the sister, . which Hawkins reportedly did not approve of. Despite the accusations, Hawkins . cannot be charged with a hate crime because Alabama law doesn't include . sexual orientation among bias offenses, according to the . Anti-Defamation League. Happy couple: Owens and Hawkins have remained together, despite the violent end to Thanksgiving dinner . And Alabama is not alone, as 26 other . states are also without hate crime laws protecting members of the LGBT . community, including Texas, Virginia and Missouri. Earlier this year, Hawkins allegedly . hit Miss Owens over the head with a pipe wrench. While she was injured . in that attack, no charges were filed. While Mallory Owens' attacker has been charged in the vicious beating, friends and family of the woman are shocked that additional charges have not been filed. But despite the nature of the alleged beating, Travis Hawkins cannot be charged with a hate crime in Alabama. The state's law does not include sexual orientation among bias offenses, according to the Anti-Defamation League. And Alabama is not alone, as 26 other states are also without hate crime laws protecting members of the LGBT community. In 2010, the FBI reported 1,470 offenses based on sexual orientation bias in Alabama. Her mother told the station: 'I did not . want her to go, I begged her not to go, knowing how the family felt . about her. But she said, "They're trying to be nice".' Miss Owens' sister Avery Godwin told AL.com that Hawkins called her on Friday to say 'that he would finish what he started last night with Mallory'. Information about an attorney for Hawkins was not immediately available. It’s also not the first time that police have been called to the Hawkins home. Last year, Hawkins was hospitalized after he was allegedly shot in the chest by his father, Travis Hawkins Sr. WKRG-TV . reported that the elder Hawkins was later released on bail and the case . was never brought to trial after his son refused to testify against . him. Watch video here . | Mallory Owens severely beaten after Thanksgiving dinner in Mobile, Alabama .
Alex Hawkins' brother Travis charged with second-degree assault, but friends and family argue that the charges should be more severe .
He can't be charged with hate crime, as Alabama does not include sexual orientation among bias offenses .
Mallory denies it was because she was gay . |
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