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17,849 | 328e1ae2c17008e9db7a637163a98c455070a07d | By . Daily Mail Reporter and Associated Press Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 09:22 EST, 30 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 12:12 EST, 30 October 2013 . A Harnett County teacher has been fired after school officials said she allowed biology students to prick themselves with lancing needles as part of an experiment and reusing the needles with other students. Officials said Miyoshi McMillan of Overhills High School in Spring Lake, North Carolina, conducted a lab class on October 24 on blood typing. Dismissed: Biology teacher Miyoshi McMillan was fired after she allowed her students to share lancing needles in a lab experiment . The incident happened at Overhills High School, North Carolina, on October 24 . School spokeswoman Patrician Harmon-Lewis says McMillian used a lab kit that included synthetic blood and seven lancets used to obtain drops of blood for testing. Harmon-Lewis says McMillan provided the lancets for each lab group. She said after the students used the needles, they used alcohol swabs and saved the needles for the next class to use. Sharing needles: School spokeswoman Patrician Harmon-Lewis says McMillian told the students to save the needles for the next class to use . The instrument: McMillian used a lab kit that included seven lancets used to obtain drops of blood for testing during a lab experiment . McMillan began as a substitute teacher in 2009 at the high school . The school sent letters home with every student in the biology classes. McMillan began as a substitute teacher in 2009. | Miyoshi McMillan of Overhills High School in Spring Lake, North Carolina, was fired after the incident on October 24 .
She had conducted a lab class on blood typing .
The biology students were asked to prick themselves with lancing needles as part of an experiment .
They were then told to wipe them with alcohol swabs and save them for the next class to use . |
268,425 | e7adc04d9aa4ab7bd950ba16462af8a547e58599 | Washington (CNN) -- Heralding the long fight toward racial equality that many say hasn't ended, President Barack Obama commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech Wednesday on the same steps the civil rights leader spoke from half a century ago. "His words belong to the ages, possessing a power and prophecy unmatched in our time," Obama told a diverse crowd that gathered under gray skies and intermittent drizzle to attend the hours-long ceremony. King, Obama said, "gave mighty voice to the quiet hopes of millions," hailing leaders who braved intimidation and violence in their fight for equal rights. On that August day in 1963, when King and his fellow marchers attended what he labeled "the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation," few in that crowd could have imagined that half a century later, an African-American president of the United States would mark the occasion with a speech in the same location. And during his remarks from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, Obama cast his own election to the Oval Office as a consequence of persistence and courage from leaders such as King. 9 things about MLK's speech and March on Washington . "Because they kept marching, America changed," Obama said. "Because they marched, city councils changed and state legislatures changed and Congress changed and, yes, eventually, the White House changed." While other, negative changes have forestalled the push toward racial harmony, Obama stressed Wednesday that the work of civil rights leaders had permanently changed the discourse between races in America. "To dismiss the magnitude of this process, to suggest, as some sometimes do, that little has changed, that dishonors the courage and the sacrifice of those who paid the price to march in those years," Obama said. Read Obama's full remarks . Adopting words from another of King's speeches, Obama declared that "the arc of the moral universe may bend toward justice, but it doesn't bend on its own." Leaders speaking at Wednesday's anniversary event, including Obama, stressed that income disparity, high unemployment and a shrinking middle class have slashed hopes for attaining equality for millions of Americans, though the president said those facts couldn't erase the forward march of the civil rights movement. "To secure the gains this country has made requires constant vigilance, not complacency," he said, adding, "We will suffer the occasional setback, but we will win these fights. This country has changed too much." In an interview after the speech, he said he wished his policies had done more to improve the gap between those who have wealth and those who do not. "It certainly weighs on me," he told PBS. "In my first term, essentially, my job was to make sure, as you said, that the economy didn't just completely collapse." 10 signposts on America's race journey . Other speakers Wednesday marked the great progress toward King's goal of racial accord, though many suggested that the dream was far from realized, specifically citing voter identification laws that critics say prevent African-Americans from casting ballots, and the verdict in the closely watched Trayvon Martin murder trial. "We have come a great distance in this country in the 50 years. But we still have a great distance to go before we fulfill the dream of Martin Luther King Jr.," said U.S. Rep. John Lewis, D-Georgia, adding that progress toward King's goal could be marked by his own election to Congress. "But there are still invisible signs, barriers in the hearts of humankind that form a gulf between us," said Lewis, the only speaker from the 1963 march who also spoke Wednesday. Another leader from King's era of the civil rights movement, Myrlie Evers-Williams, said the United States had "certainly taken a turn backwards" in the quest for civil rights. Two former presidents also delivered remarks Wednesday, each representing a distinct era in the movement for equal rights in America. President Jimmy Carter, speaking ahead of Obama, asserted that recent developments in American policy would have disappointed King. "I believe we all know how Dr. King would have reacted to the new ID requirements to exclude certain voters, especially African-Americans," said Carter, a Democrat. "I think we all know how Dr. King would have reacted to the Supreme Court striking down a crucial part of the Voting Rights Act just recently passed overwhelmingly by Congress." And another Democratic president, Bill Clinton, argued during his speech for working together against stalemates and inaction, saying King "did not live and die to hear his heirs whine about political gridlock." Opinion: Did we really learn the lesson of the March on Washington? "It is time to stop complaining and put our shoulders against the stubborn gates holding the American people back," Clinton said. Neither of the living former Republican presidents attended Wednesday's event. In fact, no elected Republican delivered remarks at the 50th anniversary commemoration. George H.W. Bush and his son George W. Bush both opted out, citing health concerns. The latter is recovering from a recent heart procedure. Before Obama addressed the throngs gathered at the Lincoln Memorial, civil rights leaders past and present remembered the decades-long movement to secure equal treatment and rights for African-Americans. The daughters of two presidents key to enacting the Civil Rights Act were also present: Lynda Johnson Robb and Caroline Kennedy, whom Obama recently nominated as ambassador to Japan. Celebrities and entertainers at the event included Forest Whitaker and Oprah Winfrey, who star as husband and wife in one of the summer's hottest movies, "Lee Daniels' The Butler," about life in the White House through the eyes of the (mostly black) hired help. Winfrey declared that King had seen injustice and "refused to look the other way." "We, too, can be courageous by continuing to walk in the footsteps of the path that he forged," Winfrey said. Two musicians who performed at the 1963 march also sang Wednesday. Peter Yarrow and Paul Stookey, from the trio Peter, Paul and Mary, sang Bob Dylan's "Blowin' in the Wind," backed by Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin, the parents of Trayvon Martin, whose 2012 shooting death sparked a national conversation about race. Mary Travers, the third artist in the group, died in 2009. Obama's most personal remarks on race ahead of Wednesday's speech came in the aftermath of the July verdict that found Martin's killer not guilty. 5 faces of the March on Washington . In the crowd at the Lincoln Memorial, attendees used the occasion to remember where they were when they first heard King's "I have a Dream" speech. "I grew up in a segregated environment. I never met a white person till I was a junior in college," said Betty Waller Gray, who traveled to Wednesday's march from Richmond. "It was just so emotional to be here today after knowing where I was in 1963. I was just a kid finishing high school back then." Gilbert Lyons, an employee of the National Park Service, attended the original March on Washington half a decade ago and heard King utter his famous works in person. "I went home with it in my head. I even spoke to my wife about it," he said. "It stayed with me. And the more I heard about Martin Luther King, the more things he was doing, I said, 'this man is great. He is a gentleman that can bring America back to themselves like they're supposed to be.' We're not supposed to be this race and that race. We are Americans." The only class MLK ever taught . CNN's Joe Johns, Stacey Samuel, Athena Jones and Larry Lazo contributed to this report. | Obama commemorates the 50th anniversary of King's "I Have a Dream" speech .
King's words "belong to the ages," Obama says .
As the first black president, Obama is seen as a product of the civil rights movement . |
259,850 | dc73893a9630e7b8bf519eecb31f3a2fd27088f6 | By . Lydia Warren . PUBLISHED: . 15:19 EST, 25 June 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 15:38 EST, 25 June 2013 . Officials have expressed their fears for the security of top-secret files Edward Snowden is believed to have - and how they worry he may be giving the information to countries helping him escape. Their concerns come as it emerges that Snowden has already given encoded copies to several people in case anything happens to him as he attempts to elude the U.S. government. While these copies of the files are heavily encoded, Snowden has arranged for them to be accessed if he is caught, according to Glenn Greenwald, the Guardian journalist who broke Snowden's story. Authorities have said they are worried that the NSA whistleblower could also share the files with the countries - including China and Russia - they believe have helped the whistleblower escape. Power: Officials are concerned over the security of the files Edward Snowden copied from the NSA - and are fearful that he may give them to foreign governments who help him elude the U.S. Snowden, who fled Hong Kong on Sunday and now remains in a transit zone in a Moscow airport, gleaned the sensitive data after specifically taking a job with contractor Booz Allen Hamilton in Hawaii. Three weeks ago, the Guardian and the Washington Post published details about Prism, which gives the NSA access to data on people via Facebook and Google, among other companies. The NSA is now souring all systems they believe the 30-year-old systems administrator could have accessed during his three months working for the company, sources told the Washington Post. 'They think he copied so much stuff - . that almost everything that place does, he has,' said a former . government official. 'Everyone's nervous about what the next thing will be, what will be . exposed.' Greenwald has indicated that these fears are justified. 'I know that he has in his possession . thousands of documents, which, if published, would impose crippling . damage on the United States’ surveillance capabilities and systems . around the world,' he told CNN. Search: Snowden is in a transit zone of Moscow's Sheremetyevo International Airport, pictured . But he added that Snowden 'has never done any of that' and that he has been selective in choosing what to expose, only wishing to shine a light on government practices, not endanger the country. 'Snowden himself was vehement from the . start that we do engage in that journalistic process and we not . gratuitously publish things,' Greenwald said. 'I do know he was vehement . about that, he was not trying to harm the U.S. Government, he was . trying to shine light on it.' A U.S. officials said publishing any more files at all could be devastating for the safety of the U.S. 'The more material that gets made . public the more capability we lose,' he told the Post, adding that . terrorist groups across the world have already started to change how . they communicate based on what has already been divulged. A spokesperson for WikiLeaks, which . is aiding Snowden's escape and quest for political asylum, . vehemently denied that foreign governments had made copies of the files, . the Post said. Revelations: Glenn Greenwald, the Guardian journalist who published select files from Snowden, said the whistleblower has given encoded files to several people in case anything happens to him . Swiped: Snowden took the files while working for contractor Booz Allen Hamilton in Hawaii up until May . Speaking with the Daily Beast, Greenwald added that Snowden handed over encoded files to several people that will be unlocked if anything happens to him. He added that Snowden 'has taken extreme precautions to make . sure many different people around the world have these archives to . insure the stories will inevitably be published'. He said that the people who have the files cannot yet access them, but if anything happens to Snowden 'he has has arranged for them to get access to the full archives', Greenwald said. Greenwald added that he himself has thousands of documents from Snowden which he is continuing to look over - and added he is unsure whether the whistleblower has even more files. Found: Russian President Vladimir Putin admitted that Snowden is in the Moscow airport - but WikiLeaks denied that Russia or any other country had received files from Snowden for helping him . 'I believe he does,' he said. 'He was clear he did not want to give to journalists things he did not think should be published.' Snowden told the South China Morning Post earlier this month that he took the job at Booz Allen Hamilton because of the access it afforded him, the paper said. 'My position with Booz Allen Hamilton granted me access to lists of machines all over the world the NSA hacked,' Snowden said, according to the article. 'That is why I accepted that position about three months ago.' Since his leaks, it has emerged that he smuggled the highly classified files out with a humble computer thumb drive. | Officials fear the NSA whistleblower has shared sensitive data with foreign governments that could endanger the US .
Glenn Greenwald: Snowden has already given copies of files to people and will let them know how to access the encoded data if he is caught . |
262,236 | dfa87557ecf822d0cc9f2b4fe5653460015bdf3c | The manufacturer of DuoMax claims it is the only product in the world which can kill Ebola without damaging the human skin or being toxic to the body in anyway . A British firm which claims it makes the only chemical spray which can safely kill the Ebola virus says it has been swamped with orders. The manufacturer of DuoMax maintains it is the only product in the world which can kill Ebola without damaging the human skin or being toxic to the body in anyway. Because it is non-toxic, it can apparently be used to treat large areas as it does not irritate the skin and eyes like bleach or chlorine products . The company claims DuoMax does not break down human skin like other corrosive chemicals, which makes it susceptible to infection. Instead, it's claimed it effectively kills the virus and also stops it from spreading. The website claims the spray destroys the DNA and RNA which doesn’t allow the pathogen to reproduce or replicate. This also significantly reduces the risk of cross contamination. The chemical can be used in both cleaning products and disinfectants to stop Ebola and is already being used by Heathrow Airport, it is claimed. It comes as UK airports are stepping up their efforts to prevent the disease entering the UK, with both Heathrow and Gatwick screening for the disease. Brian Baker, founder of Bristol-based DuoMax, said the company is now in discussion with officials abroad as the global fight against the disease steps up. He said: 'We are talking to other companies in America who want to licence the product. it just has to get EPA approval first, but that is being fast-tracked for humanitarian reasons. 'We are also in contact with people in Africa are happy to send the product over for free in order to help. 'We're not providing a cure for Ebola but this is life saving and preventative technology which is currently the only form of protection.' Ebola is a spread through direct contact with bodily fluids or vomit from someone infected, meaning that any liquid left on a surface could potential lead to infection. It is so devastating that 70 per cent of cases result in death, with more than 4,500 people having already died. Mr Baker added that DuoMax could be another weapon in the fight against the disease and used as an alternative to other, more harmful chemicals. 'In these circumstances the use of bleach or high-chlorine based products can be extremely dangerous as they are corrosive, toxic and an irritant if in contact with skin. The company's website states: . On contact, DuoMax pierces the outer membrane of the pathogen and dismantles and destroys the DNA and RNA which eliminates the risk of pathogens developing resistance to the product. Alcohol only denatures the external membrane protein which does not kill the pathogen but only temporarily disables them, allowing it to regenerate with increased strength. By removing the protein, DuoMax not only kills the bacteria, but any odour will also be removed. 'This could itself create a situation in which the Ebola virus can enter the human body. 'DuoMax is completely non-toxic and non-irritant so we can use it in anything from hand sanitisers to mist sprays, which coat entire areas within buildings and prevent possible spread of the virus.' He added the chemical has already undergone extensive testing by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service at BlueTest Laboratories in Glasgow. But Paul Hunter, Professor of Health Protection at the University of East Anglia, said: 'I am sure this product will kill Ebola, but then so will almost all other disinfectants, including chlorine. 'The issue is whether the use of this disinfectant has advantages over chlorine in the real world?' Another scientist, who did not wish to be named, told MailOnline: 'A number of disinfectants have been shown to be effective disinfectants against Ebola virus - these include soap and water and bleach. 'Also, none of these disinfectants can be used to treat patients, and nor can the product highlighted on the website.' 'The individuals who have been listed as testing DuoMax would not have tested the product directly on Ebolavirus. 'Suffice to say I don’t doubt that the product would work, but needless to say that the take-home message is that any disinfectant shown to work against envelope viruses will be effective. 'Ebolavirus isn’t particularly hardy out in the environment - in fact sunlight is likely to rapidly kill it.' The chemical can be used in both cleaning products and disinfectants to stop Ebola (pictured) and is already being used by Heathrow Airport, the company says . | As it is non-toxic, DuoMax can apparently be used to treat large areas .
Company says it will not damage human skin like other corrosive chemicals .
Claims the product destroys the DNA and RNA which doesn’t allow the pathogen to reproduce or replicate. Also reduces cross contamination risk .
Experts say product will work, but so will other disinfectants like chlorine .
Add that the product would not have been tested on the Ebola virus . |
247,492 | cc473f09f095aea266c3753577aed5f662af2514 | By . Louise Boyle . PUBLISHED: . 15:04 EST, 12 February 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 15:22 EST, 12 February 2013 . A university student has shot dead a housemate and seriously wounded another before turning the gun on himself, police said today. The murder-suicide happened at 1am on Tuesday at a house close to the University of Maryland campus in College Park. Davyon Green, 23, started several fires in the basement of the small property and in the yard. The flames awoke his two housemates who fled outside, where he opened fire on them with a handgun. Ambush: An unidentified male student, who attends the University of Maryland, is taken to hospital following the murder-suicide at a home close to campus in the early hours on Tuesday . Loss of life: Davyon Green, 23, is believed to have shot dead one male roommate and injured another at their home in Prince George's County, Maryland . Stephen Alex Rane, 22, from Silver Springs, was shot where he stood while another young man was hit while running away. The shooter then went to the backyard of the home where he committed suicide, Prince George's County police said. Green was armed with an Uzi submachine gun, a machete, baseball bat and ammunition along with the handgun with which he shot his victims, according to authorities. Emergency: Fire crews attended the scene close to the college campus as the alleged shooter had set several small fires . Lock-down: The shooting occurred at 1am on Tuesday and emergency crews quickly swarmed the scene . Heavily armed: Green was armed with an Uzi sub-machine gun (stock image) but did not use the weapon police said . An official told the Washington Post that Green could have inflicted far more serious damage with the more high-powered weapon. The victims names had not currently been released as police spoke to their families. Students at the college were informed of the shooting via text message as the campus issued a high alert. Witnesses said that police were on the scene five minutes after the gunshots were heard. The home is not part of university housing and the street is a mix of college students and families. | Davyon Green, 23, started fires causing his roommates to run from house and into the line of fire .
One shot dead and second man wounded in College Park on Tuesday at 1am close to the University of Maryland . |
12,716 | 240d925982594a9c37572d2d5b3b1022b3ccb497 | Pepe Mel issued the ultimatum that only wholesale changes at West Bromwich Albion will keep him at the club, after they lost a third match in a row to end the season crawling to survival. Mel will know in the next 48 hours whether he will remain in charge to oversee those changes when he is called into a meeting with chairman Jeremy Peace. This home defeat by Stoke was a limp end to a dismal campaign. Fan-tastic: Charlie Adam delighted the travelling supporters with Stoke's late winner at West Brom . Pick it out: Adam rammed in the winner with his left foot with just three minutes remaining . All over: Stoke players applauded the away fans after finishing the campaign with a victory . West Brom: Foster 5, Dawson 6 (O'Neill 83), McAuley 4.5, Olsson 5, Brunt 5, Mulumbu 5.5 (Vydra 90), Dorrans 5, Amalfitano 5 (Anichebe 63), Morrison 5, Berahino 5.5, Sessegnon 5.5. Subs not used: Yacob, Ridgewell, Myhill, Lugano, Anichebe . Goal: Sessegnon 56 . Stoke: Sorensen 5, Cameron 5, Shawcross 5, Wilson 5, Muniesa 5.5, Whelan 5.5, Nzonzi 5, Odemwingie 5 (Crouch 77), Ireland 5.5, Arnautovic 5.5 (Etherington 90), Walters 5.5 (Adam 81) Subs not used: Pieters, Palacios, Wilkinson, Butland. Goal: McAuley OG 22 . Referee: Lee Probert (Wiltshire) 7 . Attendance: 26,613 . *Player ratings by SAM CUNNINGHAM at The Hawthorns . Mel blew kisses to the home fans who waited around after the final whistle for their end-of-season awards presentation. Although barely anyone hung around to see, they looked like kisses goodbye. Mel . said afterwards: ‘I’m going to have to listen to the chairman and find . out what he wants for the future, 10 players are out of contract and . we’ll need eight or nine to come in. ‘West Brom still have time to decide whether they want next season to be as full of as many problems as this one. ‘We . have to ask why West Brom had so many problems this year; three . different head coaches, different players. We have to resolve this in . the summer.’ They were . behind after 22 minutes when Marko Arnautovic dribbled into the box on . the left and sent in a low cross which Gareth McAuley side-footed . accurately into the bottom left corner of his own goal. But the home side struck back in the second half. On . 56 minutes makeshift full back Craig Dawson sent in a low ball from the right . flank which evaded everyone apart from Stephane Sessegnon, who steered . the ball back in the direction it came from and into the bottom right . corner. All square: Stephane Sessegnon scored early in the second half to draw West Brom level with Stoke . Nice one: Graham Dorrans congratulates Sessegnon after his leveller at The Hawthorns . One up: The Stoke players celebrate in front of the West Brom fans after McAuley's own goal . West Brom fans held banners during the game calling for 'Justice for Jeff'. Former Baggies striker Jeff Astle died aged 59 of degenerative brain disease in 2002 and the coroner ruled that successive mental traumas – caused by heading heavy leather footballs when he was a player – caused the damage. Fans were campaigning for research into brain injuries and the heading of older heavy footballs. West Brom’s Youssouf . Mulumbu struck the inside of the left post with a half-volley from the . right and Stoke’s Arnautovic hit the outside of the right with his low . curler from 18 yards. But, . reflecting West Brom’s season rather well, the home side crumbled to an . 87th-minute strike by substitute Charlie Adam, who fired into the bottom . right corner from the edge of the box. There . are clearly issues at the club. Sessegnon and Mulumbu went straight . down the tunnel and refused to join the rest of the team in their lap of . appreciation at the end of the match. For Stoke the 50 points they reached to finish ninth is their highest ever return in the Premier League era. Manager Mark Hughes said: ‘To get 50 points on the board in the hardest league in football is a huge achievement for Stoke. ‘That . doesn’t happen by chance, it doesn’t happen overnight. It’s about doing . work on the training ground and recognising what’s required.’ Tasty: West Brom's Gareth McAuley and Stoke defender Ryan Shawcross square up at The Hawthorns . Easy lads: Players run in to try and split up Shawcross and McAuley as the pair clash during the first half . Put it there: Stoke boss Mark Hughes, shaking hands with Peter Odemwingie, ends the season on a high . What happens now? Baggies boss Pepe Mel (left) is due to meet his chairman in the next week . Come and get it: Stoke's Marko Arnautovic goes past West Brom's Craig Dawson . Message: West Brom fans display 'Justice for Jeff' banners during the clash with Stoke . Fan-tastic: Mel gives it the personal touch with young Baggies supporters after the match . | Charlie Adam scores late goal to take Stoke City into ninth .
They finish on 50 points, their biggest-ever return in Premier League .
West Brom finish 17th, four points clear of relegation . |
102,360 | 0fe9c0e656f626f26957d2bdc4aaea95ff1027fc | By . Jaya Narain . Last updated at 9:40 AM on 11th October 2011 . A couple who hid the horrific injuries they inflicted on their baby daughter by switching her with her identical twin were jailed yesterday. Mohammed and Nafisa Karolia fooled health visitors by making a series of excuses for only one child being at home at any one time. The baby – known as Twin M – suffered broken ribs, legs, arms, brain damage, and damage to her head, ears and nose during her seven months of life. Abuse: Mohammed (left) and Nafisa Karolia hid their child's injuries from health visitors by swapping her with her twin sister . The injuries were inflicted on at least three separate occasions and some were six weeks old or more. No attempt was made to seek medical . attention and Twin M later died of an unrelated illness. The couple, who . were convicted of child cruelty in July, were given five-year prison . terms. Passing sentence yesterday, Mr Justice Irwin said: ‘What emerges from the evidence is repeated cruelty to one child. ‘The surviving twin has never suffered any injury or neglect and appeared to be very well cared for.’ Preston Crown Court heard that when . health visitors called, Nafisa, 22, – who was on a child studies course – . and Mohammed, 29, a taxi driver, deliberately concealed the injured . twin. Often they would claim she was with her grandparents or other . relatives. Jailed: The pair were given a custodial sentence at Preston Crown Court (pictured) for child cruelty . A social worker was also duped when she called at the family home in Blackburn, being told that Twin A was Twin M. Joe Boyd, prosecuting, said the . injuries must have been caused by the parents because Twin M was away . from their care for only a few hours of her short life. In June last year, the child was taken . to hospital with breathing difficulties and pronounced dead an hour . later. At the hospital, the Karolias claimed the dead girl was actually . Twin A. Their story unravelled when a social worker noticed discrepancies in head, weight and height measurements. A post-mortem examination revealed more than 20 injuries to the baby girl and found that she died from bronchopneumonia. Detective Inspector Pete Broome of . Lancashire Police said: ‘This was a truly horrific and tragic crime . committed by two parents who have shown no remorse for their actions . and have failed to offer any sort of explanation for what they did.’ | Parents concealed abuse by hiding injured child from health visitors .
'Twin M' suffered brain damage and broken ribs, legs, arms and legs .
Baby girl later died of unrelated illness . |
41,664 | 75861338c06e521e24275072634b45b9e3db2e92 | By . Jack Doyle and James Slack . PUBLISHED: . 18:39 EST, 30 September 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 18:44 EST, 30 September 2013 . Theresa May last night criticised the Lib Dems for taking credit for tough Tory policies designed to curb rampant immigration – while seeking to block them behind the scenes. The Home Secretary pointed out that in a Lib Dem campaign handbook the party boasted about cuts in net migration since the election. But at the same time, she said, the party’s ministers were opposing a new bond scheme forcing new arrivals to cough up £3,000 before they can enter Britain. Outspoken: Mrs May made a speech about immigration at the Conservative Party conference today . The policy, a Tory manifesto commitment, would see the surety paid by temporary immigrants from high-risk countries – and the money would then be seized if they failed to leave. She said: ‘Our drive to cut immigration has been so successful that even the Liberal Democrats are boasting about it in their campaign handbook. ‘I don’t remember their enthusiasm for cutting immigration when we worked on the policies – so I’m going to take this with me next time they try to block our reforms. ‘The latest policy they’re fighting is immigration bonds. It’s a simple idea – the Government should be able to take a £3,000 deposit from temporary migrants and return it when they leave. If they overstay their visa, they’ll lose their money.’ She added: ‘Bonds were in our manifesto at the last election. But the Lib Dems suddenly announced that it was their idea. ‘Then they said they were against them. Then they said they were for them – but only to help more immigrants to come here. Now they say they’re against them after all. They were for them, then they were against them, then they were for them and now they’re against them. ‘Confused? Don’t be – the simple conclusion is you can only trust the Conservatives on immigration.’ Mrs . May’s Cabinet colleague Chris Grayling also used his speech to . criticise the Lib Dems, questioning the party’s opposition to human . rights reform. He said: ‘I . don’t know why. It’s blindingly obvious the public want change. I simply . don’t believe that the majority of the people in this country think . that human rights laws are fine as they are.’ Mr . Grayling announced that next year ministers will publish a draft bill . setting out how a Tory government would give the Supreme Court primacy . over Strasbourg rulings. He said: ‘Our Supreme Court should be in . Britain and not in Strasbourg. And under a Conservative government it . will be.’ Critical: The Home Secretary said the Lib Dems took credit for immigration bonds, while seeking to block them behind the scenes . | Lib Dem campaign handbook boasted about cuts in net migration since the election, May said in Manchester today .
But party was opposed to Immigration bonds policy - which forces new arrivals to cough up £3,000 when they arrive - at the time .
'The Lib Dems suddenly announced that it was their idea', minister said . |
198,421 | 8cd8f87e433abd6f29fc7581d80abb4094bbf880 | The shocking mugshots of the Mississippi parents who fled to Georgia with their young daughter after their infant was found dead shed light on the couple's shocking decline. Police captured Donald Boyd Harris, 34, and Allison Studdard, 31, early Thursday in Sylvester, Ga., about 170 miles south of Atlanta. The couple's two-year-old daughter was unharmed during their time on the lam. Harris and Studdard are being held on felony drug warrants, and deputies are heading Friday to Georgia to bring them back to Mississippi. It is not clear if they will face additional charges. Shocking: Allison Studdard (left) and Donald Harris (right) were arrested Thursday in Georgia . Better days: Harris shown with one of his children and an older relative . The newly-released pictures show the transformation from what was a clean-cut, all-American couple to a strung-out, frazzled life on the run from police. 'It's too early in the investigation to say,' a police spokesperson told WXIA. 'That will be part of the investigation process.' A search of the home found crystal meth, the spokesperson added. Mississippi authorities say it could be . weeks before they know what caused the death of 7-month-old Alyssa . Harris. Lowndes County (Mississippi) Coroner Greg Merchant said an autopsy was completed Wednesday but it did not reveal a cause of death, and also that it would be weeks before toxicology results would be available. Her body is being held in the morgue until her parents are able to discuss funeral plans. Authorities have yet to file charges in the bay's death. The apparently drug addicted couple was living with their children at the home of Studdard's father about a mile from the Alabama state line, authorities said. Roger Studdard told police he was woken by noises made while the couple frantically tried to revive their unresponsive baby. They fled when he called 911, cops said. Healthier days: The pair is shown years ago before their reported drug addictions ruined their lives . Not so long ago: Studdard shown with her young child before it appears the drugs took hold . Innocent victim: Baby Maliah was taken on the couple's flight from the law, but was found unharmed . It is not clear what caused the baby's death, but violence is not suspected. 'It doesn't look like there are apparent injuries,' another official told the station. Deputies arrived to find the lifeless infant in it's bassinet, and also found the drugs in the home. Authorities do not believe the home was a meth lab, but do suspect the illicit substances were being consumed on the property. 'It was a fairly clean home,' a police spokesperson said. 'It is a nice single-family dwelling.' The pair was mostly unemployed, with Harris finding some work repairing cell phones inside the home, said police. Studdard is said to have assisted him. The spokesperson said he was not aware of any prior incidents requiring a police presence at the home. Previous pictures of the couple found on Facebook showed no indication of their current state of affairs. Where it happened: The couple's infant was found dead in this Mississippi home . Doting: Studdard appears every but the loving mother in this picture . 'We're still working on trying to pull records,' he added. 'We never really had any contact with them, up until yesterday.' Mississippi issued an Amber Alert on Wednesday for the couple's 2-year-old daughter, Maliah Harris, after Donald Harris and Studdard fled with her. She was with them and unharmed when they were captured. A police officer told WALB he sang to the confused, distraught young girl to try to calm her down. 'The only thing I could think of was to sing songs I sing to my little girl and try to calm her down,' said Sylvester Police Department officer Paul Klein. Six years ago: The couple was all smiles in 2008 only two days after New Year's Eve . Police said they also found more drugs in the couple's car. 'The female suspect, she really didn't say too much. She broke down and started crying. The male suspect, Donald, he knew what it was in reference to,' Klein added. Authorities released Maliah to the Georgia Department of Family and Children Services. The couple reportedly has ties to the state in the form of expired driver's licenses and a Georgia plates on the car they were driving. They were spotted by locals who notified local officials. It is not clear if more charges will be filed in the case. | Allison Studdard and Donald Harris went on the run after their infant was found Wednesday unresponsive .
An Amber Alert was issued for their two-year-old daughter, but she was found with them unharmed .
The pair was arrested Thursday in Georgia - drugs were found in both the home where the baby died and in the car they were driving . |
45,368 | 7fdbc3534519929cea61855710b6a01106f8feb7 | By . Lucy Crossley . Flour power: Funeral director Julian Riley threw a bag of flour over his neighbour's Mercedes in a row over parking, but it set like concrete . An undertaker threw a bag of flour over his neighbour’s Mercedes in a parking row outside his funeral parlour, only for it to set as hard as concrete and cause £7,000 of damage. A court heard that funeral director Julian Riley, 39, emptied the 2lb bag of self-raising flour over Peter Elliot's black E-320 because it was blocking access for his hearse. He admitted throwing the flour, not expecting it to have caused any damage, but when Mr Elliot, 60, took the car to a specialist garage they found it had dried on the paintwork like 'brittle cement' and told him it would cost £7,397 to repair. 'It was crystalised powder, like brittle concrete, it had gone hard,' mechanic Lee Kedward, who examined the damaged car, told Newport Magistrates' Court. 'The main impact area was the bonnet and windscreen but the residue had gone all the way over the vehicle. 'There . was little bits of the powder crystalised all over it, there was damage . to the boot and a lot of powder around the heating ducts and filtration . system. 'We tried to use hot soapy water but there were large pieces where you had to use your nail to scrape it off. 'You couldn’t get it all off without scratching the paint.' Riley fell out with Mr Elliot after he bought a house opposite him in the village of Clydach, near Abergavenny, South Wales. Newport magistrates heard the pair had argued over parking for weeks before the flour attack in September last year. 'Mr Elliot found his black Mercedes had been covered in white powder,' said prosecutor Andrew Kendall. 'A trail of white powder led from the vehicle across the road to the defendant’s property.' Riley was arrested and admitted damaging the Mercedes-Benz E-320. He told officers: 'Unfortunately I was very annoyed and took the law into my hands and threw a packet of self-raising flour over his car. Rock solid: A mechanic told the court that the flour had turned into 'brittle concrete', and could not be removed without scratching the paintwork costing £7,000 to fix . Victim: Riley fell out with Peter Elliot, 60, (pictured) after he bought a house opposite him in the village of Clydach, near Abergavenny, South Wales . 'It was more or less the whole packet.' Riley pleaded guilty to criminal damage but contested the cost of the damage to the Mercedes. He went to a second specialist who estimated the damage to the car was around £400. District Judge Richard Williams said described it as a 'spiteful and vengeful offence', but adjourned sentence until next month. After the hearing Mr Elliot said: 'It’s unbelievable, I’ve never known anyone act like he has. 'There’s only one loser here and that’s me. I can’t understand why I should have to pay for this damage.' | Julian Riley emptied 2lb flour bag over Peter Elliot's black E-320 Mercedes .
He admitted throwing the bag, but contests the cost of the damage .
Mechanic tells court flour went hard and could not be washed off .
Pair argued over parking as Riley said car blocked access for hearse . |
284,880 | fd2766289e9e2ff27fb3c7a721a6bccb2bf8631e | (CNN) -- Forget planking, it's time to get "Persieing." The latest World Cup craze, currently exploding on social media, pays homage to Netherlands striker Robin van Persie. Photos of the Manchester United forward's acrobatic headed equalizer against world champions Spain in Friday's 5-1 win has gone viral. Van Persie nodded delicately over Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas while seemingly suspended in mid air to register one of the goals of the tournament. Now Twitter is awash with soccer fans the world over recreating his "Flying Dutchman" pose. Dutch DJ Armin van Buuren posted his tribute after a thumping win for Louis van Gaal's team, but the craze caught the imagination of both old and young. This baby can barely walk, but it didn't stop him saluting Van Persie's wonder strike. Not only was it a brilliant goal, it was also one that sparked a collapse from the World Cup holders. After going in front thanks to a Xabi Alonso penalty, Spain fell apart after Van Persie's equalizer, going on to lose 5-1. It meant Spain conceded more in its opening 90 minutes in Brazil than in its last 10 games at World Cups and European Championships combined. Spain's captain and goalkeeper, Iker Casillas, was only 40 minutes away from besting legendary Italy goalkeeper Walter Zenga's record of 517 minutes without conceding during World Cup matches. | Dutch striker Robin van Persie sparks new social media craze "Perseing"
Man Utd striker's acrobatic opening goal against Spain strikes chord with fans .
Supporters across the globe recreating his acrobatic pose . |
203,278 | 93262b305927621e036f3420404f6b43d5b4e747 | It is only two by two-and-a-half metres and made entirely from recycled material, but James Galletly is hopeful that someone will call his tiny project home. The multi-purpose space - which features a single bed, a desk and storage shelves, all of which fold neatly away – was inspired by the growing tiny house movement in the United States which is slowly gaining momentum across Australia. 'We made all the furniture fold up and fold down - the backbone of tiny space designing is to make sure everything can be used for more than one thing,' Mr Galletly told Daily Mail Australia. James Galletly plans to auction of the tiny house he built in partnership with The Bower, a recycling centre in Sydney's inner-west . The building is two metres wide by two-and-a-half metres long and will be sold on September 20 . 'So if you flip everything up, you have a space which can fit about four or five people.' The tiny house, which is made from discarded materials including cupboard doors and has lighting that is run by both solar panels and an old car battery, will be auctioned off at The Bower, a recycling centre in Sydney's inner west, on September 20. With the opening bid set between $10,000 and $15,000, Mr Galletly said he originally saw it being used as a studio or bedroom. 'I would like to see it used for a practical use on a day to day basis. I originally envisioned it to be used as an extra bedroom for a family that has outgrown their house,' Mr Galletly said. It features a table, shelves and a single bed - all of which fold away to make room for about four or five people . Mr Galletly said he envisioned the room would be used as a bedroom by a family which had outgrown the house . 'But, I've had a lot of interest from artists and writers that want to use it as their creative space.' The builder constructed the room atop a trailer as a prototype for his next project – a fully functioning tiny home complete with a bathroom and kitchen that won't leave the owners with a hefty mortgage. 'There are more tiny houses to come just after this one sells, and next time I'll make it twice as long with the same width so we can get a kitchen, bathroom and double bed in there, 'Mr Galletly revealed. He said the building project was a prototype for his next job - a fully functioning tiny home with a kitchen and bathroom . 'It's a good alternative housing model that I'd like to see pushed out into the public as viable option,' Mr Galletly said . He hopes that like the movement in the US, home-buyers will be encouraged to live in a less materialistic way while also giving a larger number of people the opportunity to have a roof over their heads. 'It's a good alternative housing model that I'd like to see pushed out into the public as viable option,' Mr Galletly said. 'I'd love to see that idea taken up in Australia. I don't see it as an option for everyone, but it definitely fills the niche for a lot of people that enjoy living in a small space and the simplicity that it has to offer. 'It can also give people who are struggling with some freedom from monetary issues.' The tiny house movement, which discourages mass consumerism, is popular in the US and is starting to take-off in Australia . | James Galletly is auctioning off the small home for $10,000- $15,000 .
He says the room could be used as an additional bedroom for a family home, but artists and writers have also expressed their interest .
The house was a prototype for his next project - a fully functioning mini-home including a kitchen and bathroom .
It will have the same width dimensions but double the length, he revealed .
The tiny house movement, which discourages mass consumerism, is popular in the US and is starting to take-off in Australia . |
156,890 | 56dd3a5b77fd092e9015d07fe66d03aba014c5f6 | A woman has been arrested by police officers investigating claims that a black woman made racist comments about white people on a London bus, Scotland Yard said today. The Metropolitan Police said a 34-year-old woman was arrested this afternoon at an address in Hackney on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence and is being questioned at an east London police station. A force spokesman said the arrest came after they began examining video footage of a woman making comments on a bus. Scroll down for video . The woman, whose identity has not yet been confirmed, begins her tirade of racist abuse looking directly at the camera . The middle-aged black woman remains seated at first, then stands up in anger as she shouts expletives directed towards white people . The footage, recorded by a fellow . passenger, was posted to video sharing website YouTube and has been . watched by more than 19,200 people as of this evening. It showed a middle-aged black woman . telling passengers on the bus how she 'hates white people' who 'all want . to be f****** black'. She begins the tirade of abuse by shouting: 'I'm so glad. I'm born black and I'll die black. I was born African and I'll f****** die African.' The foul-mouthed woman then goes on to tell the passengers: 'The only reason I was born in this country is because you f****** people brought my people here.' 'My parents are f****** African, born in Jamaica. And I’m f****** African, born in England and I can’t stand you white people, I tell you.' She screams at a passenger on the bus and points her arm at them in anger . Holding her mobile phone with her mouth wide open, she looks both in shock and disgusted as she continues her tirade of abuse sitting down . Footage of the incident emerged on . YouTube on August 17 after a string of similar public rants by women . were made on various forms of London transport earlier this year and . last year. It shows the woman, whose name is not known, sitting on a crowded bus shouting at the top of her voice. Wearing . a black leather jacket and grey T-shirt, she continues her rant by . saying: 'I don’t care what none of you lot got to say because at the end . of the day if you lot would have had a choice you will f****** go with . your people and I’ll go with mine. 'The whole lot of you are programmed, f****** puppets. Not this one, I’m black and proud.' She . then spits on the floor and picks up her phone and can be heard . describing those around her as “f****** doughnuts and puppets on the . bus.' 'I'm black and proud', she added. The woman, who could face prosecution, then becomes increasingly more aggressive, stating: 'They all want to be f***ing black, they all put fat in their lips and their bottoms and sit down on the sun bed to be black.' She answers her mobile phone and can be heard describing those around her as 'f****** doughnuts and puppets on the bus' As the woman becomes increasingly more aggressive, she repeatedly gets up and down . She then turns her attention to . another passenger and asks 'Am I lying, am I lying?' Answering the . question with: 'No I aint f****** lying.' The woman repeatedly gets up and down during the video as she hurls the abuse while astonished onlookers try to ignore her. She . finally finishes her rant by complaining about the Queen’s Diamond . Jubilee, and states that 'the same f****** diamond she has in her head, . my people suffered for that. 'Free speech. I hate white people. I can’t stand none of you.' And then looking at the camera, she adds: 'Strictly black, the more black the happier I am.' A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: 'On Monday, August 20 MPS officers began to assess footage of a woman that was brought to our attention. It shows a woman making comments on a bus. 'Officers are continuing to try and establish when and where the footage was taken. 'At 2.15pm this afternoon, Hackney police officers arrested a 34-year-old woman at an address in Hackney on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence, and she is now in custody at an east London police station.' Captured in the height of her rage: The woman raises her hand in the air and screams . The video emerged after similar clips were uploaded on to the internet. One recorded on the central line train showed secretary Jacqueline Woodhouse, 42, from Romford, Essex, hurl abuse at Asian passengers. She was jailed for 21 weeks after she pleaded guilty to one count of causing racially aggravated harassment, alarm or distress by using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour. Another video called ‘Welcome to London’ showed a woman holding a pink rose on the London Underground as she abused passengers. Another was of a drunk woman who tried to punch a black passenger on a London bus, but ended up falling over herself then being thrown into the street. Yesterday the Metropolitan Police confirmed that the footage had been brought to their attention and they were currently assessing it. | 34-year-old held on suspicion of racially aggravated public order offence .
Middle-aged black woman's racist rant lasts two-and-a-half minutes .
'Free speech. I hate white people. I can't stand none of you', she said .
Film uploaded to YouTube has been watched nearly 7,000 times . |
270,511 | ea5ed16bc36072977c4e705898dd6ae4c2966b4e | Ronald Koeman has been named Barclays Manager of the Month for January after guiding Southampton to victories over Arsenal and Manchester United. The Saints won all of their three Premier League games, including a narrow win at Newcastle, to remain in contention for a top-four finish. Southampton currently lie fourth, one point behind United and one ahead of Arsenal. Ronald Koeman has been named January's Manager of the Month after Southampton recorded three wins . Dusan Tadic scored the only goal of the game as Southampton stunned United at Old Trafford . Mauricio Pochettino – Spurs . Results: . Spurs 5-3 Chelsea . Crystal Palace 2-1 Spurs . Spurs 2-1 Sunderland . West Brom 0-3 Spurs . Mark Hughes – Stoke City . Results: . Stoke City 1-1 Manchester United . Arsenal 3-0 Stoke City . Leicester City 0-1 Stoke City . Stoke City 3-1 QPR . Brendan Rodgers – Liverpool . Results: . Liverpool 2-2 Leicester City . Sunderland 0-1 Liverpool . Aston Villa 0-2 Liverpool . Liverpool 2-0 West Ham . After an impressive January, Southampton have endured a mixed February, opening with a defeat by Swansea before edging out Queens Park Rangers. Koeman's men were held to a goalless draw by 10-man West Ham on Wednesday and, having been knocked out of the FA Cup by Crystal Palace, return to league action next weekend when they host Liverpool at St Mary's. Southampton will welcome back a number of familiar faces after Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren and Rickie Lambert all left for Anfield last summer. And Nathaniel Clyne believes the clash could prove vital in the top-four race. 'It is another game we're looking forward to playing,' he said. 'We know Liverpool are a good side. 'It is going to be another tough test for us, but I am sure if we play like we did (against West Ham) we can go and get the three points we're looking for.' Put to Clyne that the match looked important in the top-four battle, he said: 'Yeah, definitely. 'If we get the win then we can push for that top four and hopefully we can stay there for the rest of the season.' The Barclays Player of the Month for January is Tottenham striker Harry Kane . Arsenal's Wojciech Szczesny and Per Mertesacker fail to keep out the strike by Southampton's Sadio Mane . | Southampton won all three Premier League games in January .
Ronald Koeman led his side to wins over Arsenal and Manchester United .
The Saints also triumphed on the road at Newcastle .
Southampton remain in contention for a place in the Champions League . |
185,122 | 7bcf920ed73eda29bf36c1ce0ca246e098207698 | By . Charlie Skillen . Follow @@charlieskillen . Chelsea could be forced to sell Petr Cech in order to fall . in line with homegrown quotas for the Premier League and Champions League. The return of Stamford Bridge icon Didier Drogba means the . Blues have one too many foreign players to meet guidelines. Manager Jose Mourinho has been touting Fernando Torres and . John Obi Mikel around to other clubs, but if there are no takers Cech may be the . one to depart. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Thibaut Courtois lauded at Belgian music festival . Let go: Chelsea could be forced to sell goalkeeper Petr Cech due to having too many foreign players . Loyal servant: Czech keeper Cech, 32, has appeared more than 450 times for Chelsea since signing in June 2004 . Decisions, decisions: Jose Mourinho is having to ship out one foreign player after Chelsea exceeded their limit . Clubs are only allowed 17 foreign players over the age of 21 . in their official 25-man squads. Drogba's return brings Chelsea's number up to . 18. Belgium's goalkeeping star Thibaut Courtois has returned from . a long-term loan at Atletico Madrid to fight for Chelsea's No 1 shirt. With veteran Mark Schwarzer signing a new one-year deal, . Cech departing would allow Mourinho to bring Jamal Blackman or Mitchell Beeney . into the fold and meet the homegrown criteria. Mourinho said: 'From the group you are expecting us to have . as a squad, I have to send one away because we have one extra foreign player. 'So from all these players, if you think all of them have to . stay, you are wrong. One of them has to go.' Sportsmail understands Chelsea are conscious of the home-grown quota but are still in the process of shaping their squad ahead of the new season and no decision has been taken on the future of any particular player. Mourinho, meanwhile, is keen to blood several of the club's promising academy graduates this term and has already tipped the likes Lewis Baker, Izzy Brown and Dominic Solanke to win full international honours with England in the future. Some of the Blues’ foreign stars, like new signing Cesc . Fabregas and Romelu Lukaku, count as homegrown, but the departures of stalwarts . Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole leave the west Londoners short of English talent. Contest: Thibaut Courtois' return from Atletico Madrid means Cech would have competition for the No 1 shirt . Stuck: Mourinho has put Fernando Torres in the shop window but the price tag is prohibitive . VIDEO Drogba returns to Chelsea . Stalwart: The return of Champions League winner Didier Drogba will push the club over the 17 foreign players allowed in their squad for the Premier League and European competition . | Drogba's signing means Chelsea have one-too-many foreigners .
Mourinho would prefer to get rid of Fernando Torres or John Obi Mikel .
However, Cech could be player to depart as Chelsea have Thibaut Courtois .
Players such as Romelu Lukaku and Cesc Fabregas count as homegrown . |
212,623 | 9f51e7bf644666a08137e75c72783e344676868e | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 13:00 EST, 23 October 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 13:39 EST, 23 October 2012 . A woman driver had a miraculous escape after a lorry overturned and shed 40 tonnes of crushed cars on to the roof of her Vauxhall Corsa. The unnamed 63-year-old was left trapped inside her car underneath a pile of scrap metal after the lorry overturned while going around a roundabout in Bromley, Kent. Firefighters could only free her by cutting her out of her Corsa but incredibly they found the female driver unharmed with only minor scratches. Rescue operation: Firefighters surround a silver Vauxhall Corsa with a driver trapped inside, left while others work at clearing the scrap metal thrown on to the vehicle from the back of an overturned lorry, pictured right . Crash: The lorry, which was transporting 40 tonnes of scrap metal, overturned while negotiating a roundabout in West Wickham High Street in Bromley, Kent . A Bromley police spokesman said: 'A . tipper lorry fully laden with crushed vehicles and other metals turned . over on to its side while travelling around the roundabout. 'As it did so, the 40 tonne cargo tipped . out on to a Vauxhall Corsa driven by an elderly female waiting at a . junction. 'It also spilled out on to the path next to the church. 'Somewhat incredibly, the crushed . vehicles and metal were pulled from the Vauxhall Corsa, and after the . roof of her vehicle was cut away, she was found with a few scratches and . very much alive.' Lucky escape: Firefighters cut off the roof of the Vauxhall Corsa to free its driver after the car was covered in scrap metal from an overturned lorry . Miraculous: Incredibly, the firefighters found the female driver alive inside her car with just a few minor scratches to show from her ordeal . The lorry driver and the 63-year-old . driver of the Vauxhall Corsa were taken to the Princess Royal University . Hospital, in Farnborough Common, Orpington, to be treated for minor . injuries and shock. West Wickham High Street was closed eastbound from the . roundabout following . the crash at 3.12pm until 5.17pm on Monday. A London Ambulance spokesperson said: 'We sent two ambulance crews, two single responders in a car and a duty manager.' | The lorry overturned while going negotiating a roundabout in Bromley, Kent .
Its scrap metal then poured on to the roof of a Vauxhall Corsa .
The 63-year-old woman driver incredibly survived with just minor scratches . |
108,977 | 187c478bb58ba0ea0d5892ec775ea78f8a0b1047 | By . Sara Malm . PUBLISHED: . 21:00 EST, 6 November 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 21:00 EST, 6 November 2013 . A French restaurant group has been accused of aesthetic snobbery after allegedly seating guests according to attractiveness. Good-looking diners at two of the most famous Paris establishments run by the well-known Costes group are said to be automatically upgraded to the best tables in the house. The claims have been made by two former employees who also revealed that the same rules apply for staff with female hostesses needing ‘a model’s physique’ to be considered for the job. Benefit of beauty: Good-looking guests at famous Paris eatery Les Georges atop Centre Pompidou are said to be automatically upgraded to the best tables in the house . Guests at Le Georges, a restaurant at the top of Paris’ Centre Pompidou with stunning panoramic views of the French capital, and Café Marly, near the Louvre, are given tables following a strict appearance policy – the better looking they are, the better the table. ‘The good-looking ones are led to the good places, where they can be easily seen,’ they two former staff members told French weekly Le Canard Enchaîné. ‘As for the non-good-looking ones, it is imperative that they be dispatched to the corners of the room.’ If the staff seats a less aesthetically pleasing guest at a good table, they are told off along the lines of: ‘What are these ugly mugs doing at this table? Everyone can see them when they come in. It’s very bad for our image,’ The Telegraph reports. Face of the place: The rules applying to Cafe Marly by the Louvre ensures that 'beautiful guests' as well as 'model physique' front-of-house staff are seen by passers-by, while 'ugly' diners are placed in the back . The Costes group are run by brothers Thierry and Gilbert Costes and include several other restaurants and cafes in Paris, as well as hotels and cinemas. The latter has allegedly made a habit of lecturing his staff on the ‘beauty principle’ of the Costes group which is ‘There are good looking people, you put them here; there are bad looking people, you put them there!’ Those attempting to get around the problem by booking over the telephone are told that no promises on tables are made, so as to give hostesses a ‘get out of jail free-card’ should the guests have an undesirable visage. According to the sources, two ex-hostesses themselves, anyone over 30 – or under 170cm (approximately 5ft7in) - need not apply to work at the restaurant group. A spokesperson for the Costes group told The Telegraph they would not comment on the allegations. | Guests at Paris restaurants are seated following a strict appearance policy .
Good-looking diners at Le Georges and Café Marly get better tables .
Owners would tell staff 'where to seat ugly people, former hostesses claim .
Ex-employees of restaurant group claim similar rules apply for staff .
Prospective hostesses need to be over 5ft7in and have 'model physique' |
222,389 | abdff91fa54e28be3f37bb0ef91de12a6b95bff8 | By . Ellie Zolfagharifard . PUBLISHED: . 07:54 EST, 4 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 03:42 EST, 7 October 2013 . The Apple store in Pudong, Shanghai is a temple for all who religiously follow the technology giant’s products. And now Apple has been granted a patent, not for one of its products, but the giant glass cylinder staircase that sits at the heart of the Chinese outlet. The staircase is comprised of a glass tube that has curved glass stairs snaking around it. The glass tube has a white Apple logo floating inside, and a small, shallow moat surrounding it. The staircase at the Shanghai store is comprised of a glass tube that has curved glass stairs snaking around it. The glass tube has a white Apple logo floating inside, and a small, shallow moat surrounding it . The glass cylinder leads to the local underground beneath a square central business district of Lujiazui in Pudong. It was designed by architect Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, who has also worked with Apple stores in New York and in London. Apple's patent not only covers the design of the cylinder, but more also the type of glass and construction methods . Apple's patent not only covers the design of the cylinder, but more also the type of glass and construction methods used to erect such a structure, according to Apple Insider. The Shanghai cylinder is made almost entirely out of huge monolithic glass slabs, with only connecting joints made out of metal. ‘The Chinese build is more complex, however, as the specifications required the glass pieces be curved to form arcs. These panels were then joined to create a circle and ultimately a cylinder,’ said the report. The whole look of the store, conceived by Steve Jobs, is now covered by a number of U.S patents. The store on Shanghai's Hong Kong Plaza opened three years ago, on the same day a second Chinese store opened in Beijing. Apple already has a 2007 granted patent covering the Store's famous in-store glass straight staircase for which CEO Steve Jobs is listed as one of the inventors. The company is reported to be looking at similar cylindrical design for future stores. | Staircase comprises of glass tube that has curved stairs snaking around it .
Designed by Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, who also worked on New York store .
Patent covers the design, type of glass and construction methods used . |
281,819 | f911d1c5992b930e9bed7ee2220c6f37e72c65f5 | David Cameron was yesterday pushing for tougher sanctions to strike at the heart of Russia’s economy over its incursion into Ukraine – even if they risk hurting the City. Downing Street admitted that targeting lending to sectors such as oil could have an impact on London’s financial heart. But the Prime Minister’s spokesman said it was right to put pressure on President Vladimir Putin over his military aggression. Scroll down for videos . Russian President Vladimir Putin was in Mongolia today, but is facing increasing isolation in Europe over Moscow's military intervention in Ukraine . All at sea: The Vladivostok aircraft carrier, which was being built in France, has now been axed after continued fighting in Ukraine . This may well have an impact on the financial sector in London and other capitals, he said. ‘But, as the Prime Minister and Chancellor have said, the costs of the sanctions fall much more greatly on Russia than they do on the rest of the world. ‘Russia needs Europe and others more than the other way around on these commercial issues.’ The development came as France finally bowed to pressure and cancelled the delivery of the first of two warships to Russia. The Vladivostok, a Mistral-class helicopter carrier ordered in the £960million deal, was due to be delivered by late October. French President Francois Hollande’s office called the fighting in Ukraine ‘grave’ and said that Russia’s recent actions in Ukraine harm ‘the foundations of security in Europe’. Britain, France and Germany are all in favour of tougher EU sanctions if the Kremlin refuses to call off incursions into its smaller neighbour. In Brussels, EU ambassadors have begun work on the new measures, including a threat to strip Russia of the right to host the 2018 football World Cup. But the central proposal was a ban on all state-controlled oil and defence firms from raising capital in European markets. David Cameron has hit out at the Russian military presence in eastern Ukraine, but has yet to back proposals to exclude the country from sporting occasions . US President Barack Obama was in Estonia today and condemned the situation in Ukraine . This could have a dramatic effect by halting investment in these key sectors. The Russian economy is already stalling thanks to existing sanctions, and the rouble is at a record low. A document in Brussels out- lining the plans added: ‘Besides economic measures, thought could be given to taking co-ordinated action to recommend suspension of Russian participation in high-profile international events (Formula One races, UEFA football competitions, 2018 World Cup etc).’ However, Number 10 officials suggested that Britain was less enthusiastic about the idea of trying to strip Russia of football’s top tournament. ‘The Prime Minister’s focus is around political and economic measures that have an impact now,’ said the spokesman. Meanwhile President Barack Obama was yesterday in Estonia to reassure the Baltic states that they would be protected by Nato. The US leader declared that ‘borders cannot be redrawn at the barrel of a gun’. He also warned Mr Putin that the alliance would not accept Russian annexation of ‘any part of Ukraine’. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said he has agreed a ‘ceasefire process’ with Moscow. Later Mr Putin commented that he hoped a peace deal could be reached by tomorrow during talks in Minsk between his country, Ukraine and separatist rebels. The Nato summit, which is being held in Wales today and tomorrow, is expected to discuss the alliance’s response to the crisis in Ukraine. | Brussels has announced proposals to step up sanctions against Moscow .
A new embargo on arms sales to Russia is also set to be introduced .
EU has pledged to pass new sanctions by Friday unless Putin pulls back . |
179,118 | 73ebd85797c440f7abe9481893a3a719d5c6cc3c | (CNN) -- Late goals from Fernando Torres and Branislav Ivanovic gave European champions Chelsea a 4-2 win over promoted Reading at Stamford Bridge Wednesday. The hard-fought victory put Chelsea top of the early standings in the English Premier League with two wins from two games. But they were made to work hard by the battling visitors, who led 2-1 deep into the second half after Frank Lampard had put the home side ahead with an 18th-minute penalty. Chelsea's new signing Eden Hazard was again influential, winning a penalty after being pulled down by defender Chris Gunter. Veteran midfielder Lampard easily beat Adam Federici and last season's Champions League winners looked set for a comfortable victory. Are footballers on a par with bankers? But in a dramatic turnaround, Russia international Pavel Pogrebnyak -- who played for Fulham in the Premier League last season -- leveled with a firm header from a Garath McCleary cross before the visitors went ahead as Danny Guthrie's free kick found its way past Petr Cech. It was a soft goal to concede by the home goalkeeper, but midway through the second half Chelsea were level after an even worse blunder by Federici. He allowed a speculative long-range effort from defender Gary Cahill to go under his body, similar to his mistake in the 1-1 draw with Stoke in Reading's EPL opener on Saturday. Chelsea pushed forward in search of a winner, but there was an element of fortune when Torres struck from close range as replays appeared to indicate the Euro 2012 winner was offside as he received a pass from England defender Ashley Cole in the 81st minute. Federici's miserable evening was complete when the Australian came up for a corner in injury time, but it was cleared quickly and Torres then Hazard set up Ivanovic for the clinching fourth goal. The three points put Roberto Di Matteo's men top of the EPL table for the first time since November 2010 after a fixture brought forward due to Chelsea's involvement in the UEFA Super Cup, where they will play Spain's Europa League winners Atletico Madrid in Monaco on Friday. Meanwhile, troubled Spanish club Malaga took a step nearer their first appearance in the Champions League group stage with a 2-0 win over Panathinaikos of Greece in the first leg of their final qualifier. Malaga saw several top players depart in the close season but Jesualdo Ferreira's men were too good for their Greek visitors with first-half goals from Argentine defender Martin Demichelis and Portuguese winger Eliseu. Cypriot side AEL Limassol will take a 2-1 lead over Anderlecht of Belgium into the second leg, while Croatia's Dinamo Zagreb lead Maribor of Slovenia by the same score. Belarus side BATE Borisov were 2-0 winners against Hapoel Kiryat Shmona of Israel, while a superb goal from Ismaily earned a 1-1 home draw for Portugal's Braga against Italian visitors Udinese, who had led through Dusan Basta. | Chelsea beat Reading 4-2 at Stamford Bridge to go top of EPL .
Two wins from two games for reigning European champions .
Fernando Torres and Branislav Ivanovic with late goals for Chelsea .
Malaga beat Panathinaikos 2-0 in Champions League qualifier . |
64,943 | b865fb49c05a3ab4ebb05b7fe034968088d45206 | Three weeks ago, Jose Mourinho discussed Chelsea’s fixture against Arsenal and happened to mention, rather provocatively, that the midfielder the two sides had in common was now in love with the Blues. On Saturday, it became increasingly evident that Chelsea’s fans are returning the affection. Barely four months have passed since it was confirmed Cesc Fabregas would leave Barcelona for Stamford Bridge. In that short time the midfielder, almost as much as Diego Costa, has lifted this side from contenders to significant title favourites. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Mourinho pleased with evolution of team . Cesc Fabregas has proved an instant hit at Chelsea since joining the club this summer from Barcelona . Fabregas appears to have quickly won over the Chelsea fans despite having played for rivals Arsenal before . Fabregas (left) and Diego Costa have been two factors in Chelsea's outstanding early season form . In two statistics, a partial measure of his impact can be taken: no Premier League player has completed more passes (671) or created more chances (25) than the Spaniard this season. Costa draws the bulk of the credit. Goals are the most valued commodity and nine in seven games mean he is, rightly, seen as the key cog in Mourinho’s machine. The absence of such an effective frontman last season makes his impact all the more obvious and profound. His absence in the coming fixtures with a hamstring complaint might highlight his importance further still. But what of Fabregas? Chelsea’s squad was not crying out so loudly for a player in his mould during the summer. Yet if they win the title – granted, a strange suggestion considering it is October – it would be impossible, at this stage, to imagine the 27-year-old and his unique qualities not being at the heart of the success. Against Crystal Palace on Saturday, he scored his first Premier League goal of the season. The magnificence of the goal came from its speed and the speed came from Fabregas’ vision. He takes possession 35 yards from goal and rolls the ball into the feet of Eden Hazard. From there it’s a one-touch blitz as Hazard returns the pass and Fabregas feeds Oscar, who puts the midfielder through on goal. The finish is delightful and the goal rivals Jack Wilshere’s for Arsenal against Norwich last season. The Spain international (right) was mesmeric in Chelsea's 2-1 win at Crystal Palace on Saturday . Fabregas (centre) scored the decisive goal of the game following a beautiful move in the second half . Fabregas (left) celebrates his strike with Oscar - after being assisted by the Brazil international . Significantly, Fabregas never once looks down and was part of the move’s origin, back in his own half. Surges from deep are what he does. It was telling that in the match, he ran 7.4 miles – 0.4miles further than the next most energetic player. Wenger, on the same day that Mourinho spoke of Fabregas’s love for all things blue, told journalists his former charge was not a defensive player. That he was still, at heart, an offensive creator whose home these days was foraging runs from deep, like Aaron Ramsey does at Arsenal. It is in that position, in front of the back four but not defending, where Chelsea needed improving, albeit not as much as up front. Last season, it was largely down to Nemanja Matic to be the deep-lying presence. In big games, the excellent Serb had David Luiz next to him. It is easy to see, therefore, why a tactical layer of Matic and Fabregas is so much better. Fabregas' midfield partnership with Nemanja Matic (left) has provided a better balance to the Chelsea side . It is the platform from which Fabregas can have the most impact. On Saturday, he played 123 passes – more than anyone else. In context, Mile Jedinak hit the most for Palace with 50. All Chelsea moves seem to move through Fabregas, who in turn has become the side’s pacemaker of sorts, deciding when is the right time for urgency and when is the right time to wait. At Barcelona - a spell that Wenger feels did not go as well as Fabregas would have hoped - he played in the middle of a midfield three and as a forward and sometimes on the side. When he arrived at Chelsea, it wasn’t obvious where he would play. But by fielding him next to Matic, Mourinho has made the most of his energy, intelligence and ability to match clever runs with clever passes. He has seven assists for the season and Costa has often been handed the acclaim for finishing the moves. John Terry indicated after the Palace win that surviving a Costa injury was the big question hanging over Chelsea’s credentials. That sounds about right. But one imagines Mourinho, and the club’s fans, are equally keen to keep Fabregas healthy. Fabregas (left) made more passes than anyone else at Selhurst Park on Saturday with 123 . The midfielder (left) also ran more than other player - covering a total of 7.4 miles during the match . VIDEO Mourinho pleased with evolution of team . | Cesc Fabregas has been a revelation in midfield since joining Chelsea .
The Spain star scored in the 2-1 Premier League win at Crystal Palace .
Fabregas joined Chelsea for £30million move from Barcelona this summer . |
228,165 | b37259f607052582a333df199f415515285f983c | By . Alan Roden . Three trips to the United States saw Alex Salmond stay in some of the country's most luxurious hotels while racking up a bill of more than £20,000 at taxpayers' expense. The Scottish Government has finally published details of the First Minister's foreign jaunts following an eight-month battle over the data. Mr Salmond's travel and subsistence bill for a visit to Chicago for the Ryder Cup in 2012 cost £7,046. Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond, pictured in Hollywood in 2012, has been criticised for hisglobe-trotting at taxpayers' expense . In 2012, Mr Salmond donned his tartan trousers to attend the Hollywood premier of Disney film Brave . He stayed in a suite in the five-star Peninsula Hotel, popular with celebrities such as Brad Pitt, which included a guest powder room, living room, a dressing area, three TVs, a video games console, a surround-sound stereo system and a marble bathroom. Mr Salmond would have been treated to panoramic views of Michigan Avenue, one of Chicago's main thoroughfares, and the city's historic Water Tower Park. The SNP leader, who was accompanied by three officials, has refused to disclose how much he spent on this weeklong jaunt, dismissing criticism as 'ridiculous frippery'. But the majority of the 'Team Scotland' delegation in the US at the same time stayed in a more modest hotel near the Medinah golf course, which charges £60 for a room. The entire trip cost taxpayers nearly £500,000. The new figures also show that Mr Salmond's bill for a four-day trip to California in 2012 was £8,197, where he attended the movie premiere of the Disney/ Pixar film Brave. He took three officials with him. In April last year, the First Minister took part in New York's Scotland Week for the first time in five years, and his bill came to £4,999. Once again travelling with three officials, he delivered speeches which covered his push for independence. While in the US, it is thought Mr Salmond stayed at the Algonquin Hotel in midtown Manhattan, which offers rooms for up to £400 a night and is officially designated a historic landmark. Mr Salmond watches play at the 2012 Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club in Illinois during a trip which cost more than £7,000 . But the Scottish Government repeatedly refuses to confirm where the First Minister stays when abroad and Freedom of Information (FOI) requests asking for costs to be published have gone unanswered. In November, the Tories used the FOI Act to request a breakdown of all ministerial overseas visits between February 2012 and October 2013, and complained to the Scottish Information Commissioner last month when the data had still not been released. Finally, it was disclosed yesterday that the SNP administration spent almost £219,000 on overseas trips for ministers and officials in the past three years. Mr Salmond's bill included £7,725 for a trip to China in November. Tory chief whip John Lamont accused the Scottish Government of being 'secretive' about the spending. He said: 'The sheer expense of some trips has to be questioned, especially with so many officials accompanying people like the First Minister abroad. 'The fact the Scottish Government took several months to publish will also arouse suspicion. If ministers did not have something to hide, why were they so secretive?' In 2012 he stayed at the five-star Peninsula Hotel in Chicago (left) and last year he is thought to have stayed at the Algonquin Hotel in midtown Manhatten . Scottish Labour business manager Paul Martin said: 'When many families are having to forego their summer holiday because money is tight, it is clear Alex Salmond thinks there is nothing wrong with spending our money on luxury hotels. 'Given the bill he is running up, Alex Salmond seems more interested in having a good time than winning jobs and investment.' But a spokesman for Finance Secretary John Swinney said: 'This is the height of hypocrisy from a Tory Party which, in government at Westminster, thinks nothing of spending £13million in a year on flights and hotels for the Foreign Office. 'Meanwhile, the [UK Government's] Scotland Office's bill for domestic flights has almost doubled in just two years to more than £130,000. 'And the Tory Treasury are still hiding polling on the referendum, despite spending £300,000 of taxpayers' cash on it.' | Scottish government releases details of First Minister's globe-trotting .
Includes £7,046 for the golf fan to watch the Ryder Cup in 2012 .
Stayed at five-star Peninsula Hotel in Chicago popular with Brad Pitt .
Trip to New York for 'Scotland Week' last year cost taxpayer £4,999 .
Four-day jaunt to Hollywood to attend Brave premier cost £8,197 . |
190,071 | 8214e233a50217bd6deb8517e075688059c7cfe3 | By . Fiona Macrae . PUBLISHED: . 20:39 EST, 6 March 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 05:47 EST, 7 March 2013 . An instant laser test for breast cancer is being developed by scientists. It is hoped that by quickly determining whether a suspicious lump is cancerous, the test will spare women time and worry, as well as cutting the cost for the NHS. More than 1.5million British women have breast X-rays, or mammograms, each year. If their result is abnormal, the patient will often have a sample of cells withdrawn via a needle. Up to 90 per cent of these needle biopsies come back negative. More than 1.5million British women have breast x-rays, or mammograms, each year. Now an instant laser test for breast cancer is being developed by scientists . In contrast, a technique developed by the Science and Technology Facilities Council in Oxfordshire uses a laser to pinpoint dangerous changes without breaking the skin. Carried out at the same time as the mammogram, the test would remove the need for a second hospital appointment, as well as the nerve-shredding wait for a result. Nicholas Stone, of the University of Exeter, the project’s lead scientist, said: ‘This technique, if applied at mammography, could have a huge impact on those 75,000 patients a year having to return for biopsies, with associated anxiety, when they are found to have nothing wrong.’ The test involves shining a laser on the suspicious area and analysing the reflected light. The pattern and colour of the light that is bounced back depends on the chemical composition of the breast – with cancerous lumps producing a different ‘signature’ to benign ones. Tests on pieces of pork have produced promising results and work on human breast tissue is due to start. However, the need to prove the test to be highly accurate, as well as safe, means it will be a decade before it is routinely used in hospitals. The laser could also be used in airport security checks to spot liquid explosives and in quality control tests for drugs and medicines. The test involves shining a laser on the suspicious area and analysing the reflected light . Scientist Marleen Kerssens, who proved that the so-called Spatially Offset Raman Spectroscopy, or SORS, technique could be used to detect if a lump is malignant or benign, said: ‘It is an exciting field of research and translation of the SORS technique to a clinical setting has the potential to reduce the amount of false positives and therefore reduce patient anxiety.’ Professor Pavel Matousek, who pioneered the technique with the STFC, said: ‘It is very gratifying to see this technology, originally developed on our large facilities, being applied in so many different ways that will have such an impact on society.’ Dr Laura McCallum, of Cancer Research UK, said: ‘If the researchers can prove this technology can tell what is cancer and what’s not, it could save some women from an invasive test and an anxious wait. ‘This is the beginning of a long research journey, but shows how revolutions in technology could help improve medicine in the future.’ Eluned Hughes, of Breakthrough Breast Cancer, said: ‘Accurate diagnosis of breast cancer is crucial so we are encouraged to see the development of new techniques which help identify the disease. ‘We look forward to the results of this study to see how successful the laser technique proves to be. ‘We welcome all research that moves us even closer to providing better diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer patients.’ Women aged between 47 and 73 are entitled to a mammogram every three years, and it is estimated that the screening programme saves 1,400 lives a year. Breast cancer is Britain’s most common form of the disease and almost 50,000 cases are diagnosed each year. Most are in women aged 50-plus but younger women, and men, are also affected and the disease claims almost 1,000 lives a month. | 1.5million British women have breast x-rays, or mammograms, each year .
Now instant laser test for breast cancer is being developed by scientists .
It uses a laser to pinpoint dangerous changes without breaking the skin . |
135,694 | 3b904d26044613a78a47a61b26f90fb4c209342d | (CNN) -- Al Qaeda fighters in Syria have seized another town on the border with Turkey, consolidating their grip on a swath of northern Syria. The Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) took control of the town of Atimah at the end of last week, further tilting the balance away from more moderate factions of the Free Syrian Army. If ISIL's record elsewhere is any guide, the people of Atimah can expect the imposition of strict Islamic customs, with women and girls being coerced to dress more conservatively and Sharia, or religious, courts being established to dispense justice. Opposition activists say ISIL has cut down a famous landmark -- an ancient oak tree -- near Atimah. The militants claimed people had been worshipping the tree rather than God, an allegation rejected by locals, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Rebels: Syrian airstrikes kill at least 40 . The loss of Atimah will make it more difficult for brigades of the Free Syrian Army to bring in supplies from Turkey and get wounded fighters across the border to hospitals. It also may worsen the plight of internally displaced Syrians who have swollen the population of this northern corner of the country. Another jihadist group now controls one of Syria's main oilfields, according to the Observatory. It says Jabhat al Nusra (JaN) took over the al Omar field over the weekend, though an industry source said the rebels' lack of technical expertise and damaged infrastructure would make it difficult for them to extract the crude. ISIL and JaN have made substantial gains in Syria in recent months. In an article for the forthcoming edition of Sentinel, the journal of the Combating Terrorism Center, Brian Fishman argues that ISIL and other jihadist groups are more dangerous in Syria than they ever were in Iraq -- "more likely to sustainably control territory, project power around the region, possibly sponsor global terrorist attacks, and catalyze a new generation of jihadist insurrection." They "now include up to 12,000 fighters combined," Fishman says. "The ISIL is also bringing in much larger numbers of foreign fighters, including approximately 900 Europeans, many of whom are learning to use sophisticated weapons and small unit tactics." He adds: "Not only are far more foreign fighters entering the conflict, they are playing much more complex roles as fighters and commanders rather than simply as fodder for suicide attacks. Considering that the most important role of a veteran jihadist is as a trainer and motivator, this outflow is worrisome." ISIL's videos posted online highlight the contribution of foreign fighters from Chechnya, Kosovo and across the Arab world and Europe. Last week, it posted a photograph of a 17-year-old French citizen killed while fighting in its ranks. Its rise to prominence will not upset the Syrian government. President Bashar al Assad has frequently characterized the rebels as terrorists associated with al Qaeda, and infighting among rebel groups, Islamists and Kurdish militia in the north works in the regime's favor. Activists say the group that had previously held Atimah, Suqur al Islam, had spent so much effort battling other FSA factions that it was helpless to defend the town. For the United States and other western governments, ISIL's expansion to north and eastern Syria, especially Idlib and Aleppo provinces, is alarming. Seven years ago, the United States committed tens of thousands of troops and billions of dollars to rolling back al Qaeda in Iraq. The famous 'surge' succeeded in buying time and space for more moderate forces, but the militants -- battered and bloodied -- clung on. Now they have space in Syria, where U.S. Special Forces and military technology are absent. Fishman, who is a fellow at the New America Foundation, says, "Although the worst fears of Iraq in 2006 were avoided, they have the potential to be realized in Syria," not least because jihadist groups benefit from the tolerance or even support of "close U.S. allies such as Turkey, which has allegedly backed JaN skirmishes against Kurds in Syria, and Qatar." Syria's brutal war within a war gains momentum . Both ISIL and JaN have been involved in attacks against Kurdish militia in northern Syria, with several vehicle-borne suicide attacks in recent days. But Fishman says Turkey's policy of using jihadist groups as a counterbalance to Kurdish ambitions in Syria is "inane." "Obviously Turkey has had a long fight with Kurdish groups, but toleration of al-Qaeda is always a bad idea," he says. "These groups cannot be controlled, and they contain elements that measure success in completely brutal ways." ISIL seems supremely confident of its destiny and has even defied the overall leader of al Qaeda, Ayman al Zawahiri, who earlier this year instructed it to confine its operations to Iraq. Rather than cede the lead role in Syria to al Nusra, as Zawahiri ordered, ISIL last week called for "all jihadist leaders and soldiers and people to accelerate in joining the project of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant." Its "project" is Islamic rule in areas it controls. ISIL has posted videos online showing its members staging games for children and providing social services, but it has also coerced women and girls into wearing the veil and gloves in public. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, it has introduced Islamic dress for schoolchildren and banned men from teaching girls. Fishman says the group has used "internal discipline and good PR efforts to control the darker aspects of its nature, but that is a temporary fix. The group continues to espouse radical ideological concepts (even by al-Qaeda standards)." Fishman told CNN that while ISIL and JaN collaborate on the battlefield, they have different aims and ideologies. "JaN represents the newest breed of al-Qaeda franchises, which tend to blend nationalist and jihadi goals," he said. "ISIL on the other hand is the most direct descendant of Abu Mus'ab al-Zarqawi and the violence-first, absolutist strain of al-Qaeda. The conflict between these groups is indicative of larger tensions in the al-Qaeda enterprise." Jabhat al Nusra has joined forces with other Islamist groups both to strengthen itself against ISIL and because it "wants to win Syria. ISIL wants to win globally and the Syrian borders mean far less to it," Fishman told CNN. Within the fractured and increasingly discouraged rebel movement, both jihadist groups are assuming larger roles, with disturbing implications for Syria's future. Al-Qaeda-linked rebels mistakenly behead fellow fighter, rebel group say . | Terrorist groups are consolidating power in northern Syria, watch groups say .
Al Qaeda offshoot took Atimah on Turkish border, which will impede Free Syrian Army .
Group is imposing strict Islamic law; takeover benefits Assad regime . |
45,627 | 808c482433dd0ff2a760c1cb83fec78296122306 | Violent lout: Michael Brown, 27, boasted that he ‘didn’t even get community service’ after his trial . A violent lout did a jig outside court after being spared jail for beating his girlfriend. Michael Brown, 27, boasted that he ‘didn’t even get community service’ after his trial. But his victim has accused the ‘soft’ judge who let him walk free of ruining people’s lives. Her comments will heap further pressure on Judge George Moorhouse, who has already been accused of misconduct by three police and crime commissioners. They have highlighted a number of cases in which he has failed to send domestic abusers to prison, claiming that such decisions can force victims into hiding. Ceri Daniel, 24, suffered head injuries and cuts all over her upper body after being punched and kicked by Brown in January. The terrified victim said the judge’s failure to jail the attacker after the trial in July left her with no choice but to flee her home town, as she was so petrified of meeting him. She said: ‘Judge Moorhouse ruins people’s lives without even knowing he is doing it. He should not be a judge at all. He makes the victims prisoners, not the perpetrators.’ Miss Daniel was beaten after inviting her former partner of seven years to her house. During the attack, he also assaulted two of her friends. He pleaded guilty to three counts of assault and was given a three-month suspended sentence, put on a domestic violence programme and told to pay £550 compensation to his victims. Attacked: Brown's former girlfriend Ceri Daniel suffered a bruised eye, head injuries, and cuts to her shoulders and arms during Brown's brutal assault in January 2013 . Terrified victim: Miss Daniel said the judge’s failure to jail the attacker after the trial in July left her with no choice but to flee her home town, as she was so petrified of meeting him . But Miss Daniel said her ex, the father of her two children, had been left thinking ‘the justice system is a laugh’. She added: ‘There is no justice, no deterrent. ‘My life has been turned upside down, while Michael’s has carried on as normal.’ Judge George Moorhouse, who has been criticised by victims for the 'soft sentences' he imposes . Speaking about her decision to leave her home town of Middlesbrough, she said: ‘He lived close by and I was petrified of bumping into him. I became a prisoner in my own home.’ The case is one of a number of trials in which it is alleged that Judge Moorhouse, who sits at Teesside Crown Court, has ‘failed to deliver justice for the public’. Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Vera Baird and fellow commissioners Barry Coppinger and Ron Hogg in Cleveland and Durham have compiled a dossier of suspect cases. The trio have called for the judge to be investigated and written to the Judicial Appointments and Conduct Ombudsman to complain. They were driven to act following the trial of Anthony Bruce, 34, who was given a mere 12-month suspended sentence after beating his wife, holding a knife to her throat and shooting her in the foot with a pellet gun. Their accusations were initially rejected by the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office, which said there was no evidence of misconduct and that it could not look at sentencing issues. | Michael Brown boasted he 'didn’t even get community service' after trial .
But victim has accused 'soft' judge who let him walk free of ruining lives .
Her comments will heap further pressure on Judge George Moorhouse .
Already accused of misconduct by 3 police and crime commissioners . |
194,436 | 87b1aca7696615249ee2cc6a63b053996a9d4ea6 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 11:51 EST, 24 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 11:52 EST, 24 October 2013 . A Detroit mailman is being hailed a hero after tackling a house fire he spotted while doing his regular delivery round on Tuesday morning. After calling the fire brigade, Darrian Crutcher used a garden hose to douse the flames in a move homeowner Carolyn Patterson says saved her house and life. After firefighters arrived however, the mailman just continued with his round without a second thought to his life-saving actions. Heroic: Detroit mailman Darrian Crutcher helped put out a fire . 'I said, "Ok, they there. The real firemen is here now so I can go ahead and do my job",' Mr Crutcher told Fox 2 as he played down claims that he was a hero. His quick-thinking actions have been credited with saving Ms Patterson's home after incense she lit set fire to her living room. 'It was really burning,' she said. 'I think this room probably would've burned up. I really do.' Mr Crutcher said he was just concerned for the safety of Ms Patterson and a child who was outside the home. 'It was a blessing for me to be at that . spot at that particular time,' he said, adding he hoped someone would help him if he was in a similar situation. Firefighters . have also praised Mr Crutcher's quick thinking. David Weems of Detroit . Fire Department said he suggested the mailman joined them after doing . such a great job. Grateful: Carolyn Patterson stands in her fire-damaged room. She says the blaze could have been worse if it wasn't for her mailman . Rescue: Darrian Crutcher leapt into action after noticing the fire in this Detroit house . 'It's great just to see citizens just stopping to do the good - the good of man,' Mr Weems said. Mr Crutcher can now be ranked among . other heroic mailmen, including North Carolina postal worker Michael . Wheeley, Ohio's Jason Jones, and Illinois's Kathy Stratton, the Huffington Post reported. All . three helped raise the alarm that residents living on their route had . fallen ill, after noticing they had failed to pick up mail. | Detroit postal worker says he was just in right place at right time .
Firefighters praised quick actions and asked mailman to join them . |
49,118 | 8ab54dddf4d279a8415532ee0be93ef5110e2dec | By . Emma Innes . PUBLISHED: . 13:34 EST, 13 November 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 14:54 EST, 13 November 2013 . It seems that all the things we believe about flu are myths. A study has revealed that crowded public transport doesn't increase the risk of catching the bug and that 'man-flu' doesn't even exist. In fact, children are the greatest spreaders of flu and women are most likely to catch it. Contrary to popular belief, people who use public transport are no more likely to get flu than those who do not . It also found that teenage women, specifically those living north of the Midlands, are the most likely to get the flu. The findings are part of the annual UK Flusurvey, now in its fifth year, which seeks to finds out who will get the flu each winter and maps out how the flu spreads across the nation. The UK Flusurvey reported people in North England and Scotland are slightly more likely to report having flu-like symptoms than people living in the Midlands, South England and Wales. Smokers are 12 per cent more likely to report having flu-like symptoms than non-smokers while people who have sustained contact with children are 17 per cent more likely to report flu-like symptoms. School children are most likely to report having flu and women report suffering the symptoms 18 per cent more than men . Staying off the train or bus doesn't . stop you getting flu - results suggest that people who regularly use . public transport are no more likely to develop flu-like illnesses than . people who do not use public transport. Dr . Alma Adler, from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, . said: 'Last year we found that taking public transport does . not increase your risk of catching flu and we discovered that "man flu" didn’t really exist - in fact women were slightly more likely to report . feeling worse when they have flu than men. 'This . year we’re keen to find out more about children because they are the "key spreaders" of flu and the group who reported the most flu-like . illness in last year’s survey. 'With . the NHS beginning to roll out childhood flu vaccinations this year, . it’s an exciting time to see how this might change the way the virus . spreads.' UK Flusurvey collects data through an online questionnaire at flusurvey.org.uk from men, women and children of all ages around the country in order to map trends as seasonal flu takes hold. The data enables researchers to analyse how the virus spreads and who it affects. More than 6,000 people took part in the UK Flusurvey last year. Dr Adler added: 'Catching flu can be serious, potentially fatal in some cases. 'If participants can spare just a couple of minutes each week providing us with crucial data, we will increase our knowledge of flu and develop new methods to improve the handling of outbreaks of the virus.' Researchers want members of the public and schools across the UK to sign up to help collect as much data as possible in order to map this year’s flu trends and to help medics and health services prepare. Traditional monitoring methods rely on data from GPs or hospitals, but Flusurvey provides a unique insight because many people with flu-like illness do not visit a doctor. | Teenage girls living in the North of England are most likely to get the flu .
Children are the primary spreaders of the illness and women are 18% more likely to develop symptoms than men - smokers are also more likely to suffer .
People in North England and Scotland are more likely to get flu than those in the Midlands, South England and Wales . |
50,900 | 900ea5bcedaf2d48bd4cd9e9e26a5a50ea0bd90f | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 11:38 EST, 22 January 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 12:41 EST, 22 January 2014 . And elderly man had to be airlifted from a cathedral tower in Basel-Country, Switzerland after hitting his head on the church bell. The 82-year-old civil engineer was inspecting the tower during a renovation at the cathedral of Arlesheim, when he suffered a head injury. The man fell nearly ten feet to a platform, where medics arrived to treat his injuries. High importance: The 82-year-old civil engineer had been inspecting the tower when he hit his head on the church bell and needed medial attention . As medic’s were unable to get the man . down the tower without possibly causing further injury, he had to be . picked up by a helicopter on a stretcher, Basel-Country, cantonal police . said. The 16thcentury . cathedral tower was being inspected as part of the refurbishment, and . the man is believed to have been part of the team working on the . renovation. Despite his age, the man was working in the tower, although it is not known how he hit his head on the bell. Saved by the bell: The picture shows the elderly man on a stretcher with an ambulance worker by his side . The accident took place shortly after 2pm on Wednesday, police told TheLocal.ch. A . Rega helicopter was called to the scene when local firefighters were . unable to reach the platform where the man was treated by medics. The man was put on a stretcher and airlifted to a nearby hospital. His condition remains unknown as police would not provide any further details. | Civil engineer suffered head injury inspecting bell tower in Switzerland .
The 82-year-old man had to be airlifted to a nearby hospital . |
72,946 | ced80617a70face91fbd091bfd47c948e2a3e391 | Separated: Woody Allen with Dylan Farrow. Despite the case being thrown out he was not allowed to see her again . Woody Allen has reacted with outrage after his daughter Dylan Farrow penned an open letter describing how she was allegedly sexually assaulted by the director when she was seven-year-old. The young woman yesterday penned an open letter, published on Nicholas Kristof's blog for The New York Times. Allen's attorney Elkan Abramowitz hit . out at the renewed allegations, today pointing the finger at Mia Farrow . for the latest scandal. 'It . is tragic that after 20 years a story engineered by a vengeful lover . (Mia Farrow) resurfaces after it was fully vetted and rejected by . independent authorities,' he said in a statement to Mother Jones. 'The one to blame for Dylan's distress is neither Dylan nor Woody Allen.' While . Allen, who has consistently denied the allegations, has yet to personally respond publicly, his . publicist Leslee Dart today said the director 'read the article and . found it untrue and disgraceful'. 'He will be responding very soon...At the time, a thorough investigation was conducted by court appointed independent experts,' Dart said in a statement to Mother Jones. 'The . experts concluded there was no credible evidence of molestation; that . Dylan Farrow had an inability to distinguish between fantasy and . reality; and that Dylan Farrow had likely been coached by her mother Mia . Farrow. No charges were ever filed.' Family scandal: Soon-Yi Previn and Woody Allen made their ways to their vehicles on Monday as heavy snow fell in New York City . Winter snow: Woody and Soon-Yi's adopted daughter Manzie Allen headed to school on Monday all bundled up . Dylan Farrow thanked the public for their support after breaking her silence on the sexual abuse she allegedly suffered at the hands of her adopted father Woody Allen, as the director's lawyer accused Dylan's 'vengeful' mother Mia Farrow of 'engineering' the sensational claims. 'She's really heartened by the response and support she's getting,' Kristof, reportedly a friend Mia Farrow and her son Ronan Farrow, told PEOPLE. 'She sends a big thank you to all those speaking up about sexual abuse and trying to break the silence.' However Dylan Farrow, now living in Florida and using a different name, has not escaped criticism. Some commentators have accused the 28-year-old, who also goes by the name Malone Farrow, of cynically timing her accusations to thwart her former adoptive father's chances of winning an Oscar for his critically acclaimed film Blue Jasmine. Family: Dylan Farrow, who now lives under another name and lives in Florida, pictured with her husband on September 15, 2012 . Break up: Dylan Farrow with her parents Mia Farrow and Allen in 1987. The filmmaker claims his ex-partner coached their daughter into accusing him of abuse . Unsettling allegations: Farrow, seen left with Allen in Italy in 1991, and with her mother and sister in 1992 (right), wrote how the director would stick his thumb in her mouth, force her to get in bed with him and place his head in her naked lap . Public break-up: Around the time this picture of Allen, Farrow, little Dylan and her brother Ronan was taken in 1992, the actress and filmmaker split following the revelations of sexual abuse . Dylan Farrow's first-person account . marked first time she directly addressed the alleged sex abuse which was . said to have occurred in the 1990s. In . gut-wrenching detail, Dylan Farrow wrote in her statement how at age . seven, her adoptive father, Allen, allegedly led her by the hand to a . dim attic on the second floor of their house. 'He told me to lay on my stomach and . play with my brother’s electric train set,' Dylan Farrow recounted. 'Then . he sexually assaulted me. He talked to me while he did it, whispering . that I was a good girl, that this was our secret, promising that we’d go . to Paris and I’d be a star in his movies.' She noted that to this day, she finds it hard to look at toy trains. Farrow . went on to describe how the award-winning director of 'Annie Hall' and . 'Manhattan' would always find a way to touch her and do things to her . she did not like, including sticking his thumb in her mouth, forcing her . to get into bed with him and placing his head in her naked lap. 'I thought this was how fathers doted on their daughters. But what he did to me in the attic felt different,' she said. Unable to keep her alleged encounters . with her father secret anymore, young Dylan went to her mother, asking . her if her own father used to do the same things to her that Allen was . doing. The girl's . explosive allegations put an end to Farrow and Allen's relationship in . 1992, setting off a legal battle in which Dylan claimed the filmmaker . accused his former girlfriend of brainwashing her daughter into thinking . that he had assaulted her. What followed next was a drawn-out process in which Dylan was dragged from one psychologist to the next, recounting her story over and over again to see if she was lying. In the end, Allen was denied visitation rights with his children, but a Connecicut prosecutor declined to charge him, saying that while there was enough evidence for the case to potentially stand up in court, he was dropping criminal proceedings due to Dylan's fragile state. Allen, 78, has always denied the . allegations of sexual abuse. He was . never charged with, or convicted of, a crime in this case. Hit back: Woody Allen has again been forced to deny claims he abused Dylan Farrow . Keeping a low profile: Allen was accompanied by a retinue of people, but he sought to avoid drawing attention to himself . Hoops fan: Filmmaker Woody Allen, left, leaves late in the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game between the Miami Heat and the New York Knicks Saturday . Shorlty after Allen and Farrow's split, it was revealed that the filmmaker began . an affair with his adopted daughter Soon-Yi Previn, whom he married in . 1997. On Saturday . night, just hours after the release of his daughter's bombshell letter, a . somber-looking Allen was spotted arriving at a New York Knicks game in . New York with two of his other adopted daughters in tow. In her open letter, . Dylan Farrow claimed that Allen used his ‘sexual relationship’ with her . stepsister, Soon-Yi, to cover up the abuse Dylan herself had allegedly . suffered at his hands. ‘That . he got away with what he did to me haunted me as I grew up,’ Miss . Farrow wrote. ‘I was stricken with guilt that I had allowed him to be . near other little girls.’ Dylan . candidly talked about the effect the alleged ordeal had on her . later life, including a battle with eating disorders and her terror at . being touched by men. The woman also said she began cutting herself. His other girls: Woody Allen exits Madison Square Garden with adopted daughters Bechet Allen and Manzie Allen after watching the New York Knicks lose to the Miami Heat . Scandalous relationship: Dylan Farrow accused her father of using his affair with his adopted daughter Soon-Yi, right, to cover up his abuse of her; the two married in 1997 . Farrow also used her soul-baring . confession to attack the Hollywood establishment for 'turning a blind . eye' and helping along Allen’s career in the entertainment industry. ‘Most . found it easier to accept the ambiguity, to say, “who can say what . happened,” to pretend that nothing was wrong,’ she said. ‘Actors praised . him at awards shows. Networks put him on TV. Critics put him in . magazines. Final straw: Dylan explained that what prompted her to write the open letter was seeing her adopted father receiving yet another Oscar nomination for his latest film, Blue Jasmine . ‘Each time I saw my abuser’s face – . on a poster, on a t-shirt, on television – I could only hide my panic . until I found a place to be alone and fall apart.’ Dylan . Farrow's decision to offer a first-person account of her torment has . been spurred by Allen's latest nomination for an Academy Award and last . month’s Golden Globes ceremony, where he received the prestigious Cecil B . DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award. ‘It felt like a personal rebuke, like the awards and accolades were a way to tell me to shut up and go away,’ Dylan wrote. Farrow, . who described herself as a happily married woman, did not shy away from . condemning the actors who have starred in her father’s films over the . years, some of whom were on hand January 12 to present Allen with his . Golden Globe. ‘What if it had been you, Emma Stone? Or you, Scarlett Johansson? You knew me when I was a little girl, Diane Keaton. Have you forgotten me?’ she asked. Farrow's family, including her mother and stepbrother Ronan Farrow, have been unwavering in their support of her. On the night of the Golden Globes ceremony, Ronan Farrow, Allen's would-be son, brought up his sister's alleged assault in a scathing tweet. Support system: Both Dylan's mother, actress and activist Mia Farrow (left), and her adopted brother Ronan Farrow (right), have stood by her claims regarding Woody Allen . Strong words: Woody's son and ex-girlfriend weren't happy about him receiving an honour at the Golden Globes . ‘Missed the Woody Allen tribute - did they put the part where a woman publicly confirmed he molested her at age 7 before or after Annie Hall?’ the newly hired MSNBC host wrote. Dylan Farrow concluded her letter with an appeal to the movie-going public to think twice before they rush to heap praise on her talented adoptive father. ‘So imagine your seven-year-old daughter being led into an attic by Woody Allen. Imagine she spends a lifetime stricken with nausea at the mention of his name. Imagine a world that celebrates her tormenter. ‘Are you imagining that? Now, what’s your favorite Woody Allen movie?’ Shaming stars: Dylan lambasted actors like Diane Keaton and Alec Baldwin who had starred in her father's film; Keaton was on hand last month to present Allen with a lifetime achievement award . | Dylan Farrow wrote that Allen sexually assaulted her for first time as she lay staring at a toy train set when she was seven .
Described how filmmaker would allegedly stick his thumb in her mouth and place his head in her naked lap .
Farrow, 28, said she is 'heartened by response and support she is getting'
Critics have suggested she made the claims now because her former adoptive father has a chance to win an Oscar .
Allen was never charged with any crime in connection to Dylan Farrow's allegations, which he has always denied .
Farrow attacked Hollywood establishment for 'turning blind eye' and elevating Allen .
Allen's lawyer said the story was 'engineered' by 'vengeful' Mia Farrow, who is 'responsible' for her daughter's distress . |
77,033 | da6db131e684eb887d5cb37c3848d2047c84a42f | A 16-month-old girl was sent back to her 'paralytic' mother hours after she had abandoned her, an inquest has heard. Chloe Valentine was four when she died of massive head injuries after being forced to ride a motorbike that repeatedly crashed over a three day period in the backyard of her Adelaide home in January 2012. But social worker Katrina Heading told the inquest on Monday she considered removing Chloe in November 2008 after her 'paralytic' mother Ashlee Polkinghorne left her with a 15-year-old friend while she drank at the beach. Chloe's grandmother reluctantly agreed to take her but when an angry and abusive Polkinghorne finally surfaced, a supervisor decided Chloe should be returned to her mother. Scroll down for video . Chloe Valentine was just four when she died of massive head injuries in January 2012 . Mother Ashlee Polkinghorne (pictured left and right) at court at an earlier date. The inquest has heard she and her boyfriend Benjamin Robert McPartland, 28, forced Chloe to ride a motorbike over three days which repeatedly crashed and caused massive head injuries . Ms Heading said Chloe was sent home unsupervised with a private chauffeur because there were only two crisis care staff working that night. She said the chauffeur company conducted police checks on its workers but Families SA did not have access to those checks. Counsel assisting the coroner, Naomi Kereru, questioned whether it was appropriate for a 16-month-old child to be left unsupervised with a private driver. She asked why Ms Heading had not pushed harder to have Chloe removed, given Families SA had received multiple abuse notifications. 'You knew that this woman had left her child with a 15-year-old so that she could consume alcohol ... that's concern enough, isn't it?' she asked. Ms Heading said she had backed her supervisor's judgement, despite having reservations about Polkinghorne. 'It took me by surprise but I had faith in my supervisor ... (to make) tough calls in tough situations,' she said. 'When you're caught up in the moment, you can get over-emotional.' The inquest into the girl's death has heard her short life was marred by horrific squalor and chronic neglect. Chloe died from massive head injuries after she was forced to ride a motorbike over a three-day period that repeatedly crashed at her Adelaide home . Government agency Families SA considered her to be at risk even before she was born and had received multiple calls about the girl by the time she was six weeks old. After 20 notifications were made to the child protection agency about Chloe's care, she was never removed from her drug-using mother, Ashlee Polkinghorne. Polkinghorne, 22, and her boyfriend Benjamin Robert McPartland, 28, forced her to ride the motorbike over three days, which lead to the four year old's death who had massive head injuries. Earlier in the inquest, evidence revealed how Polkinghorne, described by one concerned friend as a very convincing liar, was often given the benefit of the doubt by social workers, who helped clean her house and avoided confronting the teenager about her drug use. One of the squalid residences she and Chloe occupied was reportedly infested with rats, while another was littered with soiled nappies and rotting food. It was alleged Chloe was also left for days on end with Polkinghorne's teenage friends. In October, social worker Nicholas Ratsch told the inquest he helped Polkinghorne draft a safety plan in late 2007 to make sure infant Chloe received proper care when her mother was affected by drugs. Polkinghorne, was jailed for at least four years and nine months while the 22-year-old's then-partner, Benjamin McPartland, 28, received four years and two months . Chloe died of 39 different injuries in 2012 . Polkinghorne, who was 16 at the time, agreed that whenever she and her then-partner were out of it there would be a sober person at home. The strategy replaced a previous agreement, brokered by case workers, in which Polkinghorne pledged to cease all drug-taking. Another social worker, Leanne Stewart, also told the inquest in October Polkinghorne was 'just a teenager' who found it difficult to prioritise tasks such as cleaning her rubbish-strewn house. Ms Stewart said she believed 18-month-old Chloe was receiving 'good enough' care in early 2009, despite substantial evidence of neglect and multiple child abuse notifications, when her mother was 17. Family members, including Polkinghorne's father, raised alarms about infant Chloe's safety and told agencies they would be happy to take care of the girl if she was removed from her mother. But Ms Stewart believed some of the allegations may have been malicious or exaggerated because there was 'frequent conflict' in Polkinghorne's family relationships. Ms Polkinghorne and Mr McPartland, were jailed this year over Chloe's death after pleading guilty to manslaughter through criminal neglect. The inquest continues. | Chloe Valentine, 16 months old, was sent back to her 'paralytic' mother hours after she abandoned her .
Families SA used an unsupervised chauffeur because there were only two crisis care staff working that night .
Chloe died at the hands of her neglectful mother Ashley Polkinghorne and her partner Benjamin McPartland in 2012 .
She suffered massive head injuries, black and swollen eyes, a cut to her head and bruises all over her body .
Polkinghorne, 22, and McPartland, 28, pleaded guilty to manslaughter through criminal neglect . |
147,867 | 4b3463f7e0e8c38dafa7d214b7137b7d96bb85df | London (CNN) -- Michael Adebowale, 22, has been charged with murder in the hacking death of British soldier Lee Rigby earlier this month on a London street, Metropolitan Police said late Wednesday. Adebowale will appear in court on Thursday. He was one of two people -- along with a 28-year-old man whom family, friends and acquaintances have identified as Michael Adebolajo -- arrested after being wounded in a confrontation with police after the May 22 attack. Adebolajo has not been formally charged. Adebowale was discharged from a hospital Tuesday and is now in custody at a police station, police said, while the 28-year-old remains hospitalized under guard. Adebowale also is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm. The killing of Rigby, who had served as an infantryman in Afghanistan and Cyprus, in the southeast London district of Woolwich shocked people across the United Kingdom. In all, 10 people have been arrested in connection with the killing. Two were released without charges, while six others have been freed on bail -- the most recent a 50-year-old man arrested Monday night on suspicion of conspiracy to murder. Rigby's fiancee, Aimee West, told Britain's Press Association on Wednesday night that she's "extremely proud" of him and "devastated" by his death. Her comments came in a statement to the news service issued through the Metropolitan Police; while police didn't relay that statement to CNN, they did confirm that they'd passed on West's remarks to the Press Association. "I am moved by all the flowers and tributes, and that he has been remembered by the nation as the great man she was," West said of her "loving fiancee." | NEW: Lee Rigby's fiancee says she's "devastated" and "moved" by tributes to him .
Adebowale was one of two wounded, arrested right after the May 22 attack .
He's charged with murder and unlawful possession of a firearm, police say .
He was discharged from a hospital Tuesday, and will appear in court Thursday . |
126,006 | 2ee240211665087d3953964557b73ca1981b9087 | By . Daily Mail Reporter and Associated Press . PUBLISHED: . 21:44 EST, 26 September 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 21:49 EST, 26 September 2012 . Bill Belichick may have been fined for his on-field conduct over the weekend, but at least the New England Patriots coach has some cash to spare thanks to the sale of his New York love nest. The NFL slapped a fine of $50,000 on Belichick after he grabbed a replacement referee during the game Sunday night against the Baltimore Ravens. But the fine came amid a report that the crinkle-browed coach is parting with his townhouse in the Park Slope section of Brooklyn, and making bank on it - a total of $550,000. Punished: Bill Belichick was fined after he grabbed a replacement official during Sunday night's game against the Baltimore Ravens . Love nest: Belichick reportedly dished out $2.2million for this townhouse in the Park Slope section of Brooklyn, when he was with Shannon Shenocca . High-priced pad: The townhouse includes five bedrooms, three bathrooms and a backyard . The New York Observer reported that Belichick recently sold the house, complete with its five bedrooms and three bathrooms, for $2.75million. Belichick reportedly purchased the high-priced pad for $2.2million in 2007 as a love nest to share with his then-girlfriend Sharon Shenocca, who was the receptionist for the New York Giants, after his marriage to Debby Clarke crumbled. He has since been romantically linked to Linda Holliday, a correspondent for WCVB-TV’s StyleBoston. Belichick grabbed an official's arm at the end of Sunday night's game after the Ravens kicked a game-winning field goal. Quaint: Belichick reportedly bought the house in 2007 for $2.2million when he was dating Shenocca, a New York Giants receptionist . Let there be light: The house is adorned with chandeliers and lots of windows . Moneymaker: Belichick reportedly made $550,000 on the Brooklyn townhouse, right, after selling it for $2.75million . He first claimed he was just looking for answers when he grabbed the official. 'So when the game was over, I went out and I was really looking for an explanation from the officials as to whether the play was under review,' he said, 'and I did try to get the official's attention as he was coming off the field to ask that, but I really wasn't able to do that.' But by Wedneday, Belichick changed his tune and accepted the punishment. 'It was inappropriate for me to contact the official. I take responsibility for what happened,' Belichick said in statement released by the team. Acceptance: Belichick called his behaviour at Sunday's game 'inappropriate' and accepted the fine . 'I accept the discipline and I apologize for the incident Sunday night in Baltimore.' Also, the NFL said Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh won't be fined for making contact with a game official during Sunday's 31-30 win over New England. Ray Anderson, the NFL's vice president of football operations, said Harbaugh did not violate the rule regarding abuse of officials. The Belichick fine was one of many that have been handed out by the NFL this week as a result of interactions with replacement refs. Anger: Belichick was one of several coaches to be punished by the NFL for actions directed at replacement refs . Washington Redskins assistant Kyle Shanahan was fined $25,000 on Wednesday for his conduct toward replacement officials. Shanahan, the son of Redskins coach Mike Shanahan, was called for unsportsmanlike conduct for berating officials in the final seconds of the Redskins' 38-31 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. He also confronted an official in a stadium tunnel after the game. On Monday, the league fined Broncos coach John Fox $30,000 and defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio $25,000 for berating officials during a loss to Atlanta on September 17. | Patriots coach reportedly bought Park Slope, Brooklyn, townhouse for $2.2million in 2007 .
Fined for $50,000 by the NFL as it's revealed that he sold house for $2.75million .
Accepted fine for grabbing replacement referee during a game on Sunday, saying his behaviour was 'inappropriate' |
67,755 | c0395dcc94edca07900ef882913fe1cf4b42d51e | Two Arizona college students have been charged with alcohol-related misdemeanors in connection to the fatal fall of an Arizona State University freshman in March. David Siegel and Matthew Farberov appeared Wednesday in Maricopa County Superior Court and entered not guilty pleas in the case of Naomi McClendon. The 18-year-old woman from Manhattan, Kansas, plunged 10 floors to her death March 30 from an apartment complex near ASU's campus. Scroll down for video . Frat boys: Matthew Farberov (left) and Alex Kraus (right), students at Arizona State University, are facing alcohol-related misdemeanors in connection to the fatal fall of a freshman in March . Tragic loss: Naomi McClendon, 18, died after falling from a balcony after drinking at an off-campus frat party . Tempe police said McClendon initially attended an 'all-you-can-drink' party thrown by ASU fraternity members and surveillance video showed her stumbling and intoxicated when she entered the residential building. Siegal and Farberov, both 20, are charged with minor possession of liquor and failing to require identification. Out of control: The 18-year-old freshman was described as so drunk on vodka that she was slurring her words . Another defendant, 21-year-old Alex Kraus, faces the same charges but now lives in New Jersey. A judge reset his court appearance for October 16. Meanwhile, Siegel and Farberov are due back in court September 24. Matthew . Farberov's LinkedIn page revealed that the 20-year-old is an ROTC cadet . with the U.S. Army. He is expected to graduate from ASU in 2016 with a . bachelor's degree in criminal justice and criminology. The . website lists his role with Alpha Epsilon Pi as academic chair and . pursuer. The Greek organization lost its certification earlier this . year. Describing his . career goals, the college student wrote that he is hoping to serve as a . commissioned military intelligence officer on active duty. On the night of May 29, McClendon attended a gathering organized by the ASU fraternity Alpha Epsilon Pi in a Temple apartment building. According to authorities, the underage student was served vodka at the party; a short time later, she fell to her death from the 10th floor of another off-campus building. A surveillance video captured the moment the inebriated 18-year-old straddled a balcony railing, then lay on top of it and slid off the metal surface to her death. Where it happened: McClendon fell from a top-floor balcony in this Tempe apartment complex . In the aftermath of the tragedy, the . Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control conducted an . investigation, which found that no one at the frat party was checking . IDs to make sure that guests were 21 or older before they were served . alcohol. According to . the report by the state agency released last week, and cited by The State Press, Farberov, Siegel and . two other men were acting as security guards at the party. The report also stated that a friend who accompanied Ms McClendon decided to leave the Alpha Epsilon Pi party and asked a passing motorist to drive them to another location. Underage: The freshman party-goer got drunk on vodka and was slurring her words . The driver later told police McClendon and her friend were both drunk, but the 18-year-old was slurring her words. Upon . reaching their destination, McClendon's friend reportedly took her up to an . apartment on the tenth floor where another party was in progress. While . the other guests were inside the unit, the freshman went out onto the . balcony, climbed the railing and tumbled to her death . Naomi McClendon had only left home to start school last year. She was part of a band, where she played keyboard, with boyfriend Noah Schmidt – he lashed out angrily online after hearing of her death. ‘You took away the most amazing person you ever created. F**k you God,’ he wrote on Facebook. Heartbroken: Her boyfriend posted an angry rant online about her dying before simply writing 'love you so much' | Matthew Farberov and David Siegel, both 20, pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor alcohol violations in connection to Naomi McClendon's fall .
McClendon, 18, was extremely intoxicated when she slumped over a balcony near Arizona State University campus before falling to her death .
A third student, Alex Kraus, is facing the same charges but will enter a plea later because he now lives in New Jersey .
An investigation found that members of Alpha Epsilon Pi who organized the party in March failed to ensure that guests were 21 or older . |
76,931 | da2f6163c4b61911cadcb8674f226282399df3e9 | By . Steve Robson . PUBLISHED: . 21:56 EST, 25 June 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 19:58 EST, 26 June 2013 . Cycling enthusiasts might usually opt for the model with go-faster stripes or an extra set of gears. But this new French-designed bike gives customers a unique choice of customisation - it can be made from seven different types of wood. The WOOD.b is made from a hybrid of wood and steel by Strasbourg-based company BSG. The bikes are made from a hybrid of wood and steel by Strasbourg-based manufacturers BSG . The manufacturers said the bike is designed with everyday use in mind and can be easily repaired if needed . Customers can choose from seven different types of wood from mahogany to ash or rosewood . The beautiful design makes the bike as much a work of art as a practical asset . The vintage-style design is the brainchild of Thierry Boltz and Claude Solz as an urban bicycle with a difference. The wooden frame and handlebars can be made from mahogany, dark oak, beech, walnut, chestnut, ash or rosewood. Using wood to make bikes has become something of a trend in recent years. Many bicycle manufacturers have recently begun ignoring metal to use cardboard, bamboo, and even plywood to build bike frames. Another company based in Denver, in the US, recently released a new model called the 'Wood Scorcher' - with a wooden frame which is steam bent into shape. It is not known how much WOOD.b will . cost when it begins taking orders in September but the Wood Scorcher . cost between $3,500 - $4,000 depending on the model. The WOOD.b goes into production in September but it is not known how much it will cost . BSG say the bikes are made to European standards and are easily-maintained . Using wooden frames has become a recent trend among bicycle manufacturers . | The WOOD.b model comes in anything from mahogany to oak or ash .
Made by French designers BSG in a workshop in Strasbourg .
Latest design in new trend for making bike frames from wood . |
74,535 | d3484a0a02e2f04d56fd95fd1b2b45b2ff025742 | By . Nathan Klein . PUBLISHED: . 22:29 EST, 27 February 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 03:33 EST, 28 February 2014 . Two women have been caught on camera viciously attacking a blind, elderly Australian Aboriginal man while he was sitting down in the disabled seat of a bus. The video, which was filmed on a mobile phone by a 13-year-old girl travelling on the bus on Australia's Gold Coast, shows the two women punching, kicking and spitting on the 77-year-old vision-impaired man. Shocked commuters watched in horror as the women physically and verbally abuse the indigenous man, who is seen in the footage cowering against a window. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO . Disturbing: Video footage shows these two women punching, kicking and spitting on a blind, elderly Aboriginal man while he is sitting on a public bus . No match: The male victim, who is pictured here trying to fight back against the physical and verbal attack, sustained bruising to his arms and his glasses were broken . The women, who appear to be dressed up for a day at the races or a wedding, are heard in the video saying ‘Oh bro, we’re in Abo land here, hold on’ before they begin to punch and kick him while he is sitting down, breaking the terrified man's glasses. The teenage girl filming the disturbing encounter pleads with the women, one of whom has a large tattoo on her right thigh, to ‘leave the poor man alone’. A male passenger then intervenes after the girls spit in the elderly man’s face, forcing them off the bus and throwing their handbags out after them. It is understood the foul-mouthed women started attacking the man when he told them to ‘go back to where you came from’. Gold Coast District Acting Superintendent Brian Swan said the victim, who sustained bruising to his arm, had made a statement to police and wanted to press charges. Supt Swan said police suspected the perpetrators were aged 17 and 21 but were yet to locate and interview them. 'We did receive a lot of calls from the public,' he told reporters. 'Quite quickly this morning we were able to identify who we believe were responsible.' Supt Swan said the man suffered bruising to his arm. 'As you can imagine, he is quite upset and shaken by the incident,' he said. He said the women could face serious assault charges, which carry a maximum sentence of seven years' jail. The women appeared intoxicated in the video, he said. Police Minister Jack Dempsey said the incident was an 'absolute disgrace'. 'It's deplorable to think that an individual can think they can use this type of violence against an elderly person on a public transport vehicle,' he said. The incident follows a spate of similar ones on Australia’s public transport. In June, where police charged a 55-year-old woman for racially vilifying an Asian schoolboy on a bus in Burwood, in Sydney’s west. That incident was also caught on camera. Another video shows a pregnant women being called a ‘fat s...’ after she asked a train passenger in Perth to move her bags so she could sit down. In November 2012, a French woman on a Melbourne bus was told to ‘speak English or die’ by a man who also threatened to cut her breasts off. All three videos were posted on YouTube. | Two women were filmed viciously attacking blind, elderly man on a bus .
Commuters watched the women punch, kick and spit on the 77-year-old man .
Police have located the male victim, who suffered bruising to his arm .
Both women are facing seven years in jail for serious assault .
It follows a spate of similar incidents, all of which were uploaded to YouTube . |
279,174 | f5b0db4c8315c812670048746ffb45e0f1609a3d | NEW YORK (CNN) -- Topps Meat Co. on Saturday expanded a recall of ground beef from about 300,000 pounds to 21.7 million pounds, one of the largest meat recalls in U.S. history. The recalled products are all ground beef patties with various brand names. In a statement, the Elizabeth, New Jersey, company said the hamburger patties may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, a bacterium that can cause severe diarrhea and cramps, as well as other complications. A statement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture said 25 illnesses are under investigation in Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, Maine, New Jersey, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania. The ground beef products being recalled have a "sell by date" or a "best if used by date" between September 25, 2007, and September 25, 2008, Topps' statement said. Watch the latest on the beef recall » . The packages also have the marking "Est. 9748" inside the USDA mark of inspection. Tuesday, the company announced a recall of about 331,000 pounds of hamburger meat, according to the USDA. "Because the health and safety of our consumers is our top priority, we are taking these expansive measures," said Vice President of Operations Geoffrey Livermore in the statement. "Topps is continuing to work with the USDA, state departments of health, retailers and distributors to ensure the safety of our consumers. Additionally, we have augmented our internal quality control procedures with microbiologists and food safety experts. We sincerely regret any inconvenience and concerns this may cause our consumers," Livermore said. This is the company's first recall in its 65 years of business, the statement said. Consumers who find the products at home are asked to cut off the UPC code and return it to Topps for a full refund, then dispose of the product immediately, Topps spokeswoman Michelle Williams said. The company said to avoid E. coli, consumers should wash hands thoroughly after handling the beef. Topps set up a toll-free recall help line at (888) 734-0451. Williams said because the products may have been produced up to a year ago, many of them have already been safely consumed. Production in the ground beef area of the company's plant in Elizabeth has been shut down until all the investigations are complete, Williams said in a phone interview. "We're working with the USDA and the CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] and conducting our own investigation," she added. The products, all ground beef patties and hamburgers with various brand names, were distributed mainly in the northeastern United States, but went to retailers in many other areas of the country as well, Williams said. While the sheer size of the recall is large, two other companies have been involved in larger recalls. In 2002, Pilgrim's Pride recalled more than 27 million pounds of poultry, and Hudson Foods recalled 25 million pounds of ground beef in 1997. E-mail to a friend . | Topps Meat Co. hamburger patties may contain E. coli bacteria .
New Jersey plant's grinding operation shut down .
As many as 25 cases of illness recorded in eight states . |
65,024 | b8a34931e917a79f287f699599b3f8103f4ece14 | Aberdeen has been named the 'most dismal town' in Scotland after winning an annual award that recognises the worst-looking place in the country. It beat out contenders including East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire, Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire and Greenock, Inverclyde, to take the Carbuncle Award, which is handed to a town that has continually let down its residents and has fallen behind in developing for the better. Urban Realm magazine, which administers the accolade, said Aberdeen had become the 'poor relation' of Scotland's cities, while residents and visitors slammed it as a 'grey, shambolic mess'. Idyllic: This postcard of the promenade along the Aberdeen waterfront shows crowds of people and a dance hall, left, where socials were held . Bleak: This photograph of the promenade today shows much of the shore has been paved. Experts say it has fallen behind in developing . Civilised: Union Street, pictured, was built to relieve the strain of the small cramped streets that people coming into the city had to navigate . Grey: The road, a major shopping thoroughfare, is just one example of the dreary architecture that helped earn the city the Carbuncle Award . The magazine cited planning issues surrounding Union Terrace Gardens, Marischal Square, and missing out on the 2017 City of Culture shortlist as evidence for Aberdeen deserving the award. But Aberdeen Council chiefs hit back at the award, branding it an 'attack' on the oil-rich city's long-standing reputation. The Carbuncle Awards are architectural prizes that have been handed out by Urban Realm magazine intermittently since 2000. The award categories include the Pock Mark award, for worst planning decision, the Zit Building, for Scotland's worst building, and the 'Plook on the Plinth Award' for the 'most dismal town' - 'plook' is a Scottish word for pimple. Public nominations are made via the magazine's website, with a small group of critics selecting the final winners. Speaking on Aberdeen's win, Urban Realm editor John Glenday commented: 'Aberdeen is a great city but despite its enviable financial clout and rich heritage legacy it has become the poor relation of the Scottish cities. Historic: Marischal College, which stands in the city centre, was founded in 1593. It now acts as Aberdeen City Council headquarters . Lost: The granite building now battles for space with newer buildings that reflect an 'anything goes' attitude, according to Urban Realm . Bustling: Aberdeen’s historic Green, pictured, and surroundings are among the oldest known parts of the city. Above, a market in 'the Green' Dreary: The area is now taking up with shops, and lined with the granite buildings that give Aberdeen its name - the Granite City . 'It has been left behind by the likes of Dundee, which has made huge strides to transform its waterfront. The time to turn things around is now, in a few years' time it may well be too late.' Residents and visitors took to the internet to slam the city's architecture. On social networking site Reddit, one user said: 'The infrastructure of this city is shambolic and simply can't support the ever-growing population, and I'm convinced that the scale of the problem is now so daunting that no council wants to touch it. The Carbuncle Awards are architectural prizes that have been handed out by Urban Realm magazine intermittently since 2000. They were established following a discussion about why policy initiatives to improve the quality of the built environment seemed to be having so little impact beyond the centres of Scotland's key cities. The name of the awards comes from a comment by Prince Charles, an outspoken critic of modern architecture, who in 1984 described Richard Rogers' proposed extension of London's National Gallery as a 'monstrous carbuncle on the face of a much-loved and elegant friend'. The award categories include the Pock Mark award, for worst planning decision, the Zit Building, for Scotland's worst building, and the 'Plook on the Plinth Award' for the 'most dismal town'. 'Plook' is a Scottish word for pimple. Public nominations are made via the magazine's website, with a small group of critics selecting the final winners. 'They'd rather sit on their hands, waffling on about what a great and ambitious city Aberdeen is, and hoping the next guy will deal with it instead.' Another online user wrote: 'I remember going to Aberdeen for the first time when I was a kid, and just thinking this place is so grey. 'The buildings are grey, the road is grey, the sky was grey, everything just made me bored as a kid and I left thinking Aberdeen was dull. 'I know Aberdeen is the Granite City, but it needs some colour injected into it.' Another added: 'When I worked in Aberdeen I used to hang around the traffic lights just so I knew I hadn't gone colour blind.' But the novelty award was slammed by Aberdeen City Council bosses who branded it an 'attack' on the city's long-standing reputation. Convener of Aberdeen City Council's planning committee, Ramsay Milne, said he was disappointed by the decision. Cllr Milne said: 'I think it's absolute nonsense how some obscure periodical has come to this decision to no discussion with the city council. 'People should stop talking down this great city and talk it up. This is disheartening, but people will have common sense with their own experience of it being a good place to live.' Steve Harris, chief executive of VisitAberdeen, said he was pleased with the award as it has put the city into the spotlight. He said: 'Anything that draws attention to Aberdeen can only help people realise how preposterous and ignorant its award is. 'Aberdeen is a stunning city with beautiful parks and gardens, a beach that runs for miles right into the city centre, and some stunning architecture.' SNP MSP Kevin Stewart labelled the decision an 'unwarranted' attack. He said: 'The public criticism of the state of the city centre must be a wake-up call to the Labour-led administration that their inept management of the city cannot continue. 'This Carbuncle award is very unfair, but it if achieves anything, it must be to see the ludicrous Marischal Square scheme brought to a halt before the administration inflicts another disaster upon Aberdeen.' Some residents called out the council for refusing to accept the decision. Commenting online, Stephen Kain wrote: 'For me the denial from the council towards all this is the single most alarming fact. Everyone with eyes can see the mess our city centre has now become, and now seems nothing will ever be the wake-up call needed for this lot. Centre: Union Street in Aberdeen, as photographed from Market Street. The city won one of three Carbuncle Awards handed out today . Under pressure: Council chiefs hit back at the award, branding it an 'attack' on the city's long-standing reputation. Above, Union Street today . Character: Residents stroll along Union Street in this historic postcard. Tourism bosses called the Carbuncle Award 'preposterous' Grim: Urban Realm magazine, which administers the accolade, said Aberdeen had become the 'poor relation' of Scotland's cities . 'Only course of action left for the city will be to vote them out at next council elections.' Debbie Kerr wrote: 'Instead of criticising this 'award' - take a step back please all councillors and see Aberdeen for what it really is - what you have been doing to the Oil Capital of Europe (or not been doing) for years. 'For once - pay attention to the people of Aberdeen - and stop lining your own pockets!' The 'Pock Mark' award for worst planning decision was handed to Edinburgh City Council for demolition of the B-listed Scottish Provident Building on St Andrews Square. Edinburgh Airport's recently completed eastern terminal expansion meanwhile netted a 'Zit' accolade for Scotland's worst building. 1179: There has been a human presence in the area of Aberdeen since the Stone Age. It was first named a burgh in 1179. Initially, it was separated into Old Aberdeen - the university and cathedral settlement - and New Aberdeen, where the fishing and trading took place. 1336: The city was burned by Edward III of England in 1336, but was soon rebuilt and extended, and called New Aberdeen. For many centuries the city was subject to attacks by the neighbouring lords, and was strongly fortified, but the gates were all removed by 1770. 1495: King's College was founded by Bishop Elphinstone and is Scotland's third oldest university. The college merged with Marischal College in 1860 to create Aberdeen University as it is known today. 1740: Rubislaw Quarry, located at the Hill of Rubislaw in the west end of Aberdeen, was opened. It was sold some 30 years later as it was thought that the granite it produced did not work as a building material. However, over the next 200 years an estimated six million tonnes were excavated from the quarry - giving Aberdeen the nickname, The Granite City. 1742: In the 18th century a new Town Hall was built. This century also saw the beginnings of social services for the Infirmary at Woolmanhill which was opened in 1742 and the Lunatic Asylum in 1779. 1805: Aberdeen changed rapidly from the late 1790s to the early 1800s when the council agreed that a programme of building new streets should be put into place. By 1805 George Street, King Street and Union Street were open. 1817: The construction of the new streets was expensive work, and the city faced bankruptcy in 1817. The growth of the shipbuilding and fishing industries in the 19th century brought a need for improved harbour facilities. During this century much of the harbour as it exists today was built including Victoria Dock, the South Breakwater and the extension to the North Pier. 1883: The first turf was laid at Duthie Park, a gift to the city to benefit the citizens of Aberdeen, this year. It was officially opened by Princess Beatrice two years later. 1943: The night of 21st April, 1943, saw the heaviest bombing to hit Aberdeen during the War. A Luftwaffe raid dropped 129 bombs on Aberdeen resulting in 125 deaths and considerable damage to the city. This event is referred to as the Aberdeen Blitz. | Annual Carbuncle Awards are handed to least attractive places in Scotland by architecture magazine Urban Realm .
Residents slammed the city as a 'grey, shambolic mess' and one visitor said it needed 'colour injected into it'
But city's councillors hit back at the 'preposterous' award, citing the 'beach that runs for miles into the city centre' |
187,172 | 7e66fc5c30a9b018fec36ba736852452837a0c52 | (CNN) -- Finally, we have a new arrival. No, not the royal baby. A corpse flower. The titan arum (Amorphophallus titanum) at the United States Botanic Garden Conservatory finally started blooming and stinking like rotting flesh on Sunday around 4 p.m. It may remain in bloom for 24 to 48 hours, and then it will collapse quickly. The plant, which has lived at the garden since 2007, doesn't have an annual blooming cycle. This is its first-ever cycle, and dedicated fans might wait years or decades between cycles. The garden is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday. If you can't make it to the nation's capital, watch it online on the garden's live flower cam. Once the garden confirmed on July 8 that the plant was going to bloom, staffers moved quickly to display it publicly on July 11. Summer in the park: Roam with the bison . The plant tends to heat up, starts smelling stinky and usually blooms overnight or in the early morning hours. The heat and smell are to attract pollinator insects such as dung beetles in its natural habitat, said Ari Novy, the garden's public programs manager. The garden doesn't have any such beetles, but resident flies may visit, he said. A native of Sumatra, Indonesia, this particular plant is part of the garden's collection of 14 corpse flowers. They are rarely put on display because they require a lot of heat and humidity, which is why they are grown at the garden's production greenhouses in Southeast Washington -- rarely open to the public. The U.S. Botanic Garden last displayed a blooming titan arum in 2007. At least seven U.S. institutions have at least one titan arum in their collections. The National Botanic Garden of Belgium saw its oldest corpse flower bloom earlier this month, attracting about 4,000 visitors over three days, said garden spokesman Franck Hidvegi. It previously bloomed in 2008 and 2011. The garden has another four plants in its greenhouses, but Hidvegi said they are still too young to bloom. | A corpse flower at the U.S. Botanic Garden has started blooming for the first time ever .
Native to the rainforests of Indonesia, the stinky plants can take years to bloom .
When they start blooming, they may remain in bloom for 24 to 48 hours, then collapse . |
56,244 | 9f609d965bf03c79817bd56d9eb7e928ef47ed0e | Theo Walcott believes the Arsenal forward line could turn out to be the best in the club's history - but they must prove exactly how good they are by winning plenty of silverware. The 25-year-old, who missed the vast majority of 2014 through injury, believes the current crop - which includes Alexis Sanchez, Olivier Giroud, Santi Cazorla and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - can top that of the Invincibles' line-up which included most notably Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp. Walcott told Arsenal player: 'When I came here, it was Robert Pires and Freddie Ljungberg, Bergkamp, Thierry and Jose Reyes - that's some attacking force as well. Theo Walcott in action for Arsenal during their FA Cup win over Hull at the beginning of January . The 25-year-old had an injury-hit 2014 after suffering a knee ligament injury against Tottenham last January . Thierry Henry (right) and Dennis Bergkamp embrace after the former scored his 100th goal for the Gunners . Thierry Henry: 228 goals in 376 games . Dennis Bergkamp: 122 goals in 425 games . Robert Pires: 84 goals in 284 games . Freddie Ljungberg: 72 goals in 328 games . Alexis Sanchez: 18 goals in 30 games . Olivier Giroud: 46 goals in 112 games . Santi Cazorla: 25 goals in 126 games . Danny Welbeck: 7 goals in 20 games . 'I think this squad probably does beat it, but we need to prove it first. 'When we go and achieve a little bit more than winning the FA Cup, then I think we can stand up and say this is the best attacking line up we've ever had.' After a below-par beginning to the season by their standards, Arsene Wenger's side have been much-improved of late, losing just once in eight previous outings. And that was clear for all to see on Sunday as they produced a sterling display at the home of the champions, Manchester City, running out 2-0 winners. Walcott has also lavished praise on Arsenal's star performer so far this term, that being Chilean forward Sanchez. The Arsenal Invincibles squad celebrate winning the Premier League title at White Hart Lane in April 2004 . He added: 'You see somebody working so hard and it makes you want to try to back him up. 'When you see what he does off the pitch, behind the scenes at the training ground, and how much work he puts in, all the players just stand up and think: Yeah, I need to do a bit more as well then.' Next up for the Gunners is a trip to Brighton in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday, before returning to Premier League action at home to Aston Villa the following week. Olivier Giroud (right) nods the ball past Joe Hart in the Manchester City goal to double Arsenal's advantage . Alexis Sanchez (left) has scored 18 goals for Arsenal since joining from Barcelona last summer . | Arsenal were outstanding as they beat Manchester City 2-0 on Sunday .
Theo Walcott believes the current Gunners forward line can turn out to be the best in the club's history topping the Invincibles attack .
That included the likes of Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp .
The 25-year-old says they must prove they are the best by winning more silverware than merely the FA Cup .
Click here for Arsenal transfer news .
Transfer window LIVE: Latest news from Premier League, La Liga and more . |
164,289 | 60714a806b146ce9c024ee984b3431273d47ba28 | By . Deni Kirkova . PUBLISHED: . 10:11 EST, 15 July 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 12:16 EST, 15 July 2013 . Watch out, ladies. David Gandy is after your... shoes! The handsome supermodel, 33, is the star of a very saucy new advert for luxury shoe brand Bionda Castana. The film follows a besuited Gandy in a hotel bar exchanging smouldering glances with various beautiful women wearing fabulous shoes. Atmospheric classical piano pieces by Debussy and Bonobo make up the musical backdrop. Scroll down for video . Man with a plan: Sexy David has his eyes on... a pair of heels probably, as he sips his drinks . Sexy straps: Irresistible shoes can make and break a steamy affair, as this tongue in cheek ad shows . The women knowingly lure him in using their sexy shoes... but what they don't know is that David has a sneaky plan too. David meanders up to a hotel room with each of the women, playfully seducing them, removing their clothes, kissing on the bed - and slowly removing their heels - before embarking upon a steamy session between the sheets. As the women wake the following morning, having had their way with the Essex-born model, they realise their favourite heels are missing. The film cuts back to when the shoes were thrown on a table or chair the previous night - but there's not so much as a trace of their existence the next day. All fun and games until the shoes go missing: David caresses a beautiful woman's torso as she leans back . Moment of passion: With yet another femme fatale, David has his way as he plans to steal her heels . The film cuts to moody, cigarette-smoking shoe-fetishist David walking away into the sunrise, with a bag of sexy shoes swung over his shoulder. The women are left furious as David has the last laugh, free to indulge his fetish. David said the experience of making the film had been enlightening - and said he loves the confidence a great pair of shoes gives a woman. 'Whilst filming, I've learned a lot about the emotional attachment women have with their shoes and about how their shoes can affect how they feel,' he told MailOnline. 'In the film, I couldn't resist finding out more about the woman behind her chosen shoes - the shoes acted as an aphrodisiac. 'It's no secret that for years, there's been something sensual for men about women's footwear. I always notice a woman's shoes. I like a stiletto heel and individuality in style. 'The confidence a pair of shoes can give to someone - changing their walk, their posture and even their confidence - is intriguing. And a confident woman, is an attractive woman.' Cheeky: While a smug lady is pleased to have snared him with her shoes, he plans to run off with them . True love: Gandy walks away with his true passion - loads of pairs of high heels . | Essex-born David Gandy stars in Bionda Castana shoe advert .
Supermodel, 33, plays a secret shoe-fetishist .
Various women seduce him with their sexy shoes .
He runs off with the heels the next day . |
179,200 | 7401af35fd007f07ff95c203f74a1d9906a0d81f | By . William Turvill . PUBLISHED: . 09:26 EST, 1 November 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 10:32 EST, 1 November 2013 . A primary school has apologised to parents after terrified children as young as six were shown a horror film as a Halloween 'treat'. Parents said pupils were left crying and unable to sleep after watching Paul Berry-directed film The Sandman as part of a project. The nine-minute film features a demonic creature who throws sand into the faces of sleeping children to remove their eyes and feed them to its offspring. Scroll down for video . Kintore Primary School in Aberdeenshire has apologised to parents after children as young as six were shown The Sandman . Kintore Primary School in . Aberdeenshire said it had no choice but to apologise following a barrage . of complaints from angry parents. One mother said her daughter was 'very upset' and claimed her husband had to sleep in the child’s bed that night to comfort her. She said: 'She just keeps saying she’s scared and doesn’t want to talk about it.' Another parent added: 'Our son has . never really been scared much of anything really, but he’s been . genuinely upset all day and scared to go to sleep. 'He is in no way a cry-baby. I would . be the first one to say "get over it son - it’s just a stupid movie", . but this is not what I send him to school for.' One girl at the school was so badly affected that she believed there was sand in her bed. This creature sneaks into a child's room in the nine-minute film, puts sand on her face and snatches her eyes . Terrifying: The film was shown to a group of six and seven-year-old children at the Scottish school . The animated video clip on YouTube . has attracted a number of comments from users disturbed by the content . and questioning its suitability for children. One viewer said: . 'OMG!! Was this actully [sic] made for kids?! The Sandman himself looks . so freaky. It looks like something that just came out of your . nightmares.' Another added: 'Wow... I watched this thinking it was dumb and stupid but it's actually quite freaky.' Meanwhile, another viewer questioned the decision by other schools to show the film. She said: 'Has the British Education . system gone completely mad setting this as a lesson project?!! 'Kids . have got quite enough in life to give them nightmares without this!' As the child sleeps, the evil creature approaches her bed before taking the eyes to feed to its offspring . Kintore Primary School has now apologised to the parents of children who were 'treated' to the film . Kintore Primary School has now written . to the parents of the 24 pupils who watched the film and apologised for . the 'error of judgement'. A spokesman for Aberdeenshire Council said: 'While this Oscar-nominated short animated film is recognised as an educational resource, we do not believe it was entirely suitable for some of the children who watched it. 'A small section at the start of the film was used to stimulate a writing project, but the teacher agreed when children asked her to let them watch the rest, as they had enjoyed the small clip. 'The school has written to the parents of the 24 or so pupils who watched it, apologising for the error of judgement and for any upset it caused.' | Children were left sobbing after watching The Sandman as part of project .
Nine-minute film features demonic creature who throws sand into children's faces, removes their eyes and feeds them to its offspring .
Kintore Primary School received a barrage of complaints from parents . |
113,842 | 1ee36e7d8b50868748d2755ad823a1d516ce71ef | (CNN) -- Witnesses said a FedEx tractor-trailer truck was already in flames when it crossed a median and slammed into a bus carrying students in Northern California, the National Transportation Safety Board said Saturday night. The driver of a white Nissan Altima that passed the bus just before the crash reported seeing flames coming from underneath the FedEx truck, said Mark Rosekind, an NTSB board member. The truck clipped the car occupied by Joe and Bonnie Duran before it slammed into the bus Thursday evening, killing 10 people -- five high school students, three chaperones and the drivers of both vehicles. More than 30 people, mostly teenagers, were taken to local hospitals. Rosekind, speaking at a press conference, said some bus passengers were ejected from the vehicle, including the ones who died. He said the investigation shows the southbound truck did not brake as it crossed the median at a 10-degree angle and entered the southbound lanes. Investigators found 175 feet of tire marks left by the bus, indicating the driver tried to avoid crashing into the truck. Investigators will look for devices on those vehicles that might provide information about speeds, Rosekind said. One such device -- the electrical control module -- was destroyed by fire on the truck, he said. The electrical control module on the bus survived but "we don't know what's actually on there," he said. The truck transmission might also be examined to help determine that vehicle's speed, he said. Blood samples should be obtained from the bodies of both drivers, which will provide information about whether drugs or alcohol might have been in their systems, he said. Blood samples also might tell investigators if the drivers had inhaled smoke from the fire, he said. He stressed that investigators are only collecting information now and aren't coming to conclusions about the cause of the accident. Bonnie Duran told the CNN affiliate KOVR the truck was on fire before it hit the bus. She said she made a quick decision to swerve to avoid a direct hit from the truck, sending their rental car into a ditch. "Somehow we survived," she said. Her husband said it was like a scene from a movie. "I looked over and saw the FedEx truck coming straight for me," Joe Duran told the affiliate. "It was like a 3-D movie. Imagine a Mack truck coming out of a movie." The Durans were hospitalized and released. Students traveling from the L.A. area . The students were traveling from the Los Angeles area to take part in a program at Humboldt State University, which allows prospective attendees to visit the campus. Their journey ended in the fiery wreck 90 miles north of Sacramento when the truck hit one of three buses taking the teens to the campus in Arcarta. The students on the buses represented 31 Southern California high schools. They were heading to "Spring Preview Plus," which invites low-income and first-generation prospective students to the university. As part of the program, students stay in residence halls, attend events and visit with staff and students from a program that helps historically underrepresented students, the university said. The two other buses in the caravan made it to the university. Those students were placed in dorms, and the university is offering them counseling. Engaged couple among victims of California bus crash . | NEW: Witnesseses tell NTSB the FedEx truck was on fire before hitting bus .
"It was like a 3-D movie," said a man in a car that was clipped by the truck .
A FedEx truck crossed the median, collided with the bus about 100 miles north of Sacramento .
The collision killed both drivers, five students and three chaperones . |
204,762 | 951865261dba44bd96f1f23122193ca2c1aa10a5 | By . Kate Lyons . The U.S. Justice Department has filed papers accusing Russian Evgeniy Mikhailovich Bogachev, pictured, as being the leader of the gang behind the software . The dangerous cyber pandemic known as Gameover Zeus could have infected thousands of British computers and be lying dormant gathering data, experts say. The malware, which the FBI estimates has hit between 500,000 and one million computers worldwide, has resulted in users losing tens of millions of dollars. Gameover Zeus, which experts say is 'sophisticated' and capable of evading anti-virus software, infects a user's machine when they open a PDF or click on a link sent to them in an email. Once it is set up on the computer, Gameover Zeus will intercept all financial transactions and rewrite them, so that payments made by the user will be redirected into other accounts. The malware also has the power to disguise unapproved payments that are made, meaning that thefts might have occurred even if accounts appear normal. The virus has hit computer users around the world, with the most incidents reported in the U.S. and Italy – 13 percent and 12 percent respectively. Seven percent of incidents have occurred in the UK. 'It keeps track of balances; it . automatically corrects the numbers on the balance. It's so sophisticated . that it hides its tacks,' said Nick Savvides, senior principal systems . engineer at Symantec in Australia. Mr Savvides stated that many computer users could have downloaded the virus already and it may be lying dormant on their machines ready to be activated at any moment. Scroll down for video . The Gameover Zeus malware has targeted computers in the U.S. with up to one million affected worldwide . Cryptolocker is malware run by the same gang behind Gameover Zeus and they are often installed on computers at the same time. The Cryptolocker malware often comes into effect if the user is not a 'viable' victim for Gameover Zeus and the network cannot access their financial details. Cryptolocker locks your computer, encrypts files and demands a ransom for them to be unlocked. 'There's really no alternative to getting files back after the infection [except paying the ransom],' said Marcel Mascunan, Marketing Manager for Kroll Ontrack Asia-Pacific. 'It’s a really nasty piece of malware.' The U.S. Government admitted that at least one police force has been forced to pay this ransom to release sensitive files. The Gameover Zeus malware was shut down by an international police effort this week, spearheaded by the FBI, assisted by both the Australian Federal Police and Symantec. This is the third attempt to shut down the malware, which first emerged in 2011, and the FBI is reporting that users have two weeks to clean up their hard drives and install anti-virus software before the network responsible for Gameover Zeus will be operational again. Gameover Zeus has been so difficult to shut down because it uses peer-to-peer software, meaning that even if the main server is shut down, infected computers can continue to communicate with one another and continue operating. Another reason is that once installed on a computer, Gameover Zeus has the ability to evade anti-virus software. 'Once it has infected [a computer], it's very hard to get it off,' said Mr Savvides. Computers are often concurrently infected with Gameover Zeus and a separate piece of malware, Cryptolocker, and there is some evidence linking the two pieces of malware back to the same Eastern European network. The Cryptolocker malware often comes into effect if the user is not a 'viable' victim for Gameover Zeus and the network cannot access their financial details. Cryptolocker then locks the information on the computer and holds it to ransom. At the moment the software demands one Bitcoin, an untraceable form of online currency favoured by criminals, which is around £300. In the worst cases, victims could lose access to their bank accounts which could be systematically drained . According to Symantec data, three percent of people affected by the Cryptolocker malware pay the ransom rather than lose their files and paying the ransom seems to be the only way for users to gain access to their files once they have been attacked. 'There's really no alternative to getting files back after the infection. There's not much we can do about it… without having the keys it's virtually impossible to decrypt the files,' said Marcel Mascunan, Marketing Manager for Kroll Ontrack Asia-Pacific. The U.S. Government admitted that at least one police force has been forced to pay this ransom to release sensitive files. Earlier this week, the U.S. Justice Department filed papers accusing a Russian named Evgeniy Mikhailovich Bogachev as being the leader of the gang behind the software. Could Russian Evgeniy Mikhailovich Bogachev, pictured, be the behind the global cyber virus pandemic? He is the man suspected of being behind a gang that has sparked a global cyber virus pandemic. But the FBI has already spent years looking for Russian Evgeniy Mikhailovich Bogachev who uses the online names ‘lucky12345’ and ‘slavik’. The 31-year-old is already wanted for his alleged involvement in a ‘racketeering enterprise’ that installed malicious software known as ‘Zeus’ on victims’ computers. The software was used to capture bank account numbers, passwords, personal identification numbers, and other information needed to log into online banking accounts. The FBI believes Bogachev knowingly acted in a role as an administrator while others involved in the scheme conspired to distribute spam and phishing emails, which contained links to compromised websites. Victims who visited these web sites were infected with the malware, which Bogachev and others allegedly used to steal money from the victims’ bank accounts. This online account takeover fraud has been investigated by the FBI since the summer of 2009. Starting in September 2011, the FBI began investigating a modified version of the Zeus Trojan, known as Gameover Zeus (GOZ). It is believed GOZ is responsible for more than one million computer infections, resulting in financial losses in the hundreds of millions of dollars. On August 22, 2012, Bogachev was indicted under the nickname ‘lucky12345’ by a federal grand jury in the District of Nebraska on a number of charges including Bank Fraud, Conspiracy to Violate the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act and Aggravated Identity Theft. On May 19, 2014, Bogachev was indicted in his true name by a federal grand jury in the Western District of Pennsylvania on charges of Conspiracy, Computer Fraud, Wire Fraud, Bank Fraud and Money Laundering. Then just days ago on May 30, a criminal complaint was issued in the District of Nebraska that ties the previously indicted nickname of ‘lucky12345’ to Bogachev and charges him with Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud. He is described as white with brown hair (though his head is usually shaved) and brown eyes. He is 5ft 9ins tall and weighs around 180 pounds (82kg). Bogachev was last known to live in Anapa, Russia. He is believed to enjoy boating and may travel to locations along the Black Sea in his boat. He also owns property in Krasnodar, Russia. The complaint claims the software has . been responsible for the loss of more than $100m from individuals and a . string of major companies, with estimates that members of the gang . behind the malware would have amassed tens of millions of dollars each. Computer users who fear they could fall victim to the virus are advised to install anti-virus software and ensure their operating system has the latest security updates. Users are also advised to change their passwords, as original passwords may have been compromised during infection, and to enable automatic updates on their anti-virus software. Users are also advised being cautious when handling unsolicited or unexpected emails, particularly during the two-week window before hackers rebuild their network. The boss of a Government-backed website aimed at helping victims of cyber-crime has apologised after it temporarily stopped functioning as the Gameover Zeus crisis unfolded. Computer users had been urged to contact Get Safe Online if they had concerns about the malware. But within minutes of that announcement on Monday, the website suffered an outage amid 'unprecedented demand' for the service with problems running into Wednesday. Chief executive Tony Neate has since apologised and claimed that the website had 'quadrupled' its capacity. It appeared to be up and running on Wednesday afternoon. He added that the site itself had not been the subject of a cyber attack and that demand itself had caused the problems. Get Safe Online is a jointly-funded initiative between several Government departments and private sector businesses and describes itself as the Government’s preferred online security advice channel. Experts have also warned users to back-up all valuable data. Many of those whose computers have already been infected will be contacted by their internet service providers. Symantec has also produced a clean-up tool for infected users who need to get rid of the malware. However potential victims only have only a short time to protect themselves before the hackers can rebuild their network. | Up to one million computers have been infected by 'Gameover Zeus'
The software can lie dormant on computers before draining accounts .
Thousands of British computers may be infected with the malware, which is extremely sophisticated and can evade anti-virus software .
An international police effort has halted the spread of the botnet, giving computer users two weeks to install anti-virus before the virus hits again .
Apology from boss of cyber-security advice website after service goes down . |
237,381 | bf3ce1e368bcb0bcaea1372d65598957da96749d | By . Chris Pleasance . PUBLISHED: . 04:26 EST, 18 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 09:47 EST, 18 October 2013 . Asian-Americans have very low obesity rates but are at a high risk of heart disease and diabetes because their bodies are more likely to store fat around organs . Asian-Americans may have a misguided sense of how healthy they are because medical surveys often create a misleading average BMI score by defining their ethnic group too broadly, experts have claimed. Recent figures released by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey have been criticised for propagating a 'model minority myth' after it lumped at least ten countries in that category without regard for regional trends. The survey classed somebody as Asian if they had descendants from Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, Thailand and Vietnam, among others. For example, Filipino adults are 70 per cent more likely to be obese than the rest of the Asian-American population — but about one in 10 Vietnamese and Korean adults is underweight. Scott Chan, program director for the Asian Pacific Islander Obesity Prevention Alliance, says he has encountered funding issues because of the misleading statistics and even has trouble convincing his own family to live healthier lives. Mr Chan added: 'Combined together, it looks like we don’t have a problem, it kind of propagates that "model minority" myth — that Asians are healthier, we’re skinny, we’re fine.' 'The attitude among . many Asian-Americans is “I’m skinny, and I’m Asian, I should be fine — I . don’t have to worry about obesity and diabetes."' The figures also showed that just 11 per cent of Asian-Americans are . obese but doctors have said they are at a high risk of heart disease . because of the way their bodies store fat. Their bodies are more . likely to be apple-shaped, storing fat around their waist which can lead . to it penetrating the liver, and are more likely to pack fat in between . organs. Figures published in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey show that 10.8 per cent of Asians are obese, compared to 33 per cent of whites, 42 per cent of Hispanics or 48 per cent of black people. Just 11 per cent of US Asians are obese compared with 33 per cent of whites, 42 per cent of Hispanics and 48 per cent of blacks, a survey has shown . For most people a body mass index . (BMI) of over 25 is considered overweight, but Asian people have been . known to develop fat-related illnesses with a BMI of just 19 - which is . technically underweight. Scientists also criticised the survey for using a very broad definition of Asian making the category effectively 'meaningless' (file picture) Speaking . to NBC News, Dr. Karen Kim, a professor of medicine at the University . of Chicago, said: 'It looks as if we don’t have a problem. But it’s a . huge problem. 'There are huge differences where weight does not adequately reflect the realities of complications from being overweight. 'For Asians, you do not have to be overweight to get the complications for obesity.' But . that is likely to be masking a problem in the Asian community, leading . people to falsely believe that they are healthier than they actually . are. BMI is a figure calculated by comparing a person's weight and height. A BM of less than 20 is considered underweight, 20-25 is in the normal range, 25-30 classes a person as overweight and a BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese. It is still the standard method by which doctors calculate obesity, but has been discredited for being overly-simplistic, diagnosing some professional athletes as overweight. Health experts have said that a more helpful benchmark for measuring obesity in any population may be to consider waist circumference and fat distribution, both of which are highly correlated with metabolic syndrome. | New survey shows just 11 per cent of Asian-Americans are obese .
But term covers dozens of nationalities with wide range of eating habits .
Filipinos 70% more likely to be obese than other Asian-Americans, but one in ten Koreans are underweight . |
48,411 | 88a69b9e879b869d87142da81e4bca588db141a0 | It's well-known that elephants are intelligent and graceful creatures - but these animals have taken that reputation a step further by becoming professional painters. The group of seven Asian elephants hold specially-designed brushed in their trunks, which they use to create beautiful floral scenes. And the clever mammals, who live in Thailand have even developed a skill that humans can't match - the ability to suck up paint in their trunks to spray it over a canvas like an aerosol can. Scroll down for video . Artist at work: An Asian elephant puts his trunk into it as he works on a huge canvas . Art attack: This elephant, with the help of his minder, takes aim at a canvas at Maesa Elephant Camp in Thailand . Careful and not so careful: Sometimes the elephants wield specially-designed brushed with their trunks (left) - while other times they take the less subtle approach of painting with their feet . For slightly less precise images, the elephants can also use their huge feet - which they dip in paint then use to daub large canvasses on the floor. The amazing fruits of their labour are then sold on by the sanctuary - for as much as £1,300 each - and the money used to support the Maesa Elephant Camp, where the seven live. Teaching elephants to paint was a technique pioneer at Maesa, and is now used in several other sanctuaries to help raise money for the animals. Art teacher: The elephants are guided in their work by trainers, who can direct their trunks by rubbing their ears . Beginners and advanced: Some images are simply abstract collections of colour, (left) while more skilled elephant painters can produce realistic images like bunches of flowers (right) Earning their keep: The sanctuary sells the paintings, which gives them extra revenue to care for the elephants . The most sophisticated elephant artists - who were trained by a Chinese painter nine years ago - are now skilled enough to paint realistic-looking bunches of flowers, rather than the more impressionistic work favour by the others. When creating the works, the elephants are guided by a trainer, who gives them instructions by rubbing their ears in a particular way. The . elephants use a special non-toxic paint, and adapted paint brushes that . make it comfortable for them to hold with their trunks. The . paintings mostly feature primary colours, as elephants' ability to distinguish between different shades is limited. Buyers: The elephant paintings, some of which are shown on the wall here, can fetch as much as £1,300 at auction . Landscape: THe elephants at Maesa Elephant Camp, in Thailand, have been painting for 13 years . 'Perfect tool': Elephants' trunks have been described as an ideal implement for painting . The elephants at work were captured French photographer Olivier Blaise. Mr Blaise, 48, said: 'The agility and sensitivity of an elephant's trunk means that it's a perfect tool for painting. The gesture is both sweeping and very precise!' 'The trunk is also used like an aerosol spray, as the paint is diluted with water it is a fun and natural way for the elephants to paint.' The paintings, which are around 120cm in width, and vary in length, are sold on site at Maesa and also in auctions, with typical prices ranges from £205 to £1,300. | Seven artistic elephants live in Maesa Elephant Camp, Chiang Mai, Thailand .
They have been taught to hold special brushes in their trunks .
The animals can also spray with their trunks like a paint aerosol can .
They are instructed as they work by guides who rub their large ears .
Works are sold at auction to support the sanctuary - fetching up to £1,300 . |
131,707 | 364693a12ef9dc866461d325081fd01cb14a46ff | By . Tom Gardner . A man has had to have emergency surgery to reattach his lip after a woman bit it off during a fight at Germany's annual beer festival Oktoberfest. Video has emerged of the savage fight which shows the woman - appropriately wearing costume devil's horns - clamping her jaws around the bottom lip of the her victim. He is seen desperately trying to pull his head away as his onlookers attempt to disentangle the pair. Scroll down for video . Scuffle: The pair are seen pushing and shoving each other in the middle of the beer tables of Oktoberfest . Tussle: The row escalates as the pair square up to each other in front of shocked onlookers . Off guard: Just as tempers seem to have settled down a little, the woman lunges towards the man . The footage of the fight has been viewed nearly 40,000 times since being uploaded to a video sharing website. The . shocking brawl erupted between the woman and a group of men, thought to . be Australians, at the world's largest fair, held in Munich, Germany, . as revellers drank beer. In the footage, a man wearing lederhosen and a grey shirt appears to antagonise the woman by putting something near her face. Vice: Friends of the man in lederhosen can be heard screaming for the woman to let go . Clampdown: The woman bites so hard on the man's lip he cannot shake free . Not letting go: The man, thought to be an Australian, tries in vain to pull his lip free from the woman's teeth . She retaliates by swinging a few . punches. But as tempers seem to have momentarily cooled, she lunges . forward and grabs hold of his bottom lip in her teeth. Friends of the man can he heard screaming in English for her to let him go. The video fades out but it is understood the woman eventually ripped part of his lip off and spat it on the floor. She was later arrested. The man underwent emergency surgery to have his lip reattached. It is unclear from the footage what caused the argument. | Man has to undergo emergency surgery to have lip reattached .
Woman in devil horns ripped was videoed biting lip during fight .
Friends of the man, thought to be Australian, scream for her to let him go .
Graphic content warning! |
204,248 | 94674e1d39e5121fef822e548e7b8c37479a6714 | By . Becky Barrow . PUBLISHED: . 11:31 EST, 12 April 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 18:36 EST, 12 April 2012 . Plunging house prices have triggered a new negative equity crisis, with the North bearing a far greater burden than the South, a report revealed yesterday. Hundreds of thousands more families have become trapped in the nightmare of having a mortgage bigger than the value of their home over the last 18 months. The report, from the ratings agency Standard and Poor’s, said 3.6 per cent of mortgage-holders were in ‘negative equity’ during the spring of 2010. By the end of last year, the number had risen to 5.6 per cent. But those in the North are hurting more than those in the South. The report’s author, Mark Boyce, . estimates that about 8.5 per cent of homeowners in the North are in . negative equity, compared with only 3.3 per cent in the South. This is because house prices have . fallen dramatically in many parts of the North since the credit crunch . struck in 2007, but have reached record levels in parts of the South. Official figures from the Land . Registry show that the price of the average home in the North East . peaked at £129,402 in October 2007. Today it is worth £99,385, a drop of . about £30,000, equal to a 23 per cent fall. This makes the North East . Britain’s negative equity hotspot with nearly 12 per cent of homebuyers . affected. By contrast, homeowners in London have seen their property’s . value reach an all-time high, with an average price of £354,300. Homes such as those pictured in Kensington are amongst the most expensive in the capital . To make . matters worse, the number of homeowners who are on the brink of falling . into negative equity has also grown rapidly. Over the same period, the percentage . whose mortgage equals 90 per cent or more of the value of their property . has jumped from 13.5 per cent to 16.6 per cent. In Standard and Poor’s research, ‘the . North’ is classified as the East Midlands, West Midlands, North East, . North West, Yorkshire & Humber, Wales and Scotland. ‘The South’ is East Anglia, London, the South East and the South West. Mr Boyce said one of the big worries . facing homeowners is the struggle to find a new mortgage after the . equity in their home has dropped sharply. Banks and building societies will give their cheapest deals only to homeowners who have a deposit of at least 20 per cent. Standard and Poor’s does not . calculate how many are in negative equity, but the Council of Mortgage . Lenders’ latest estimate put the total at around 830,000, lower than . the 1.6million peak in the early 1990s. Paul Smee, director general of the CML, said negative equity does not necessarily trigger a problem with mortgage repayments. | Rise of 2% between 2010 and end of 2011 in number of homeowners with negative equity mortgages .
12% of homeowners in the North have negative equity, 6% higher than national average . |
95,309 | 067e3325cde3327f774da2959075e137fc20f8fd | Most of us have been a guest at a church wedding, garden wedding or even a wedding on a boat, but what about a wedding at a supermarket? Six months ago Jennifer Chou proposed to her fiancé Christian Kasper via text message to which he replied 'yes, but only if you let me plan the wedding,'. And boy did he plan a wedding she would never forget! Mr Kasper perfectly orchestrated a surprise flash mob at Countdown supermarket in Dunedin, the second largest city in the South Island of New Zealand. A video uploaded onto YouTube shows the groom anxiously wait for his unsuspecting bride to enter the grocery store which is filled with food shoppers, friends and family on September 13 at 4pm. Scroll down for video. After Christian Kasper (left) received a proposal via SMS from his partner Jennifer (right) he decided he would plan a surprise wedding at Countdown supermarket in Dunedin, New Zealand . Mr Kasper perfectly orchestrated a surprise flash mob wedding for his unsuspecting bride, Jennifer Chou . At the beginning of the video grocery shoppers casually walk through the supermarket while the groom hides in an aisle for his wife-to-be. After flash dancers surrounded Ms Chou, her fiance dropped to one knee and asked her to marry him right then and there . 'Any minute now -my pulse is normal, 290 - awesome, let's do this common,' he said to the camera bouncing up and down full on nerves. Ms Chou, dressed in casual clothes, walks into Countdown and is greeted by a man with a cheese taste-tester plate; once she picks up a piece of cheese the man suddenly turns around and blows a whistle to kick off the romantic surprise. Flash dancers break out from the aisle making their way through dance towards Ms Chou who looks shocked and scared as she slowly moves into a aisle. Suddenly the dancers drop to one knee surrounding Ms Chou as her man pushes through the flash crowd to greet his fiancée with an embrace . 'I love you, I love you,' he said. 'You know how you proposed to me six months ago and it was very romantically via text message and I said yes if you let me organise the wedding?' Mr Kasper gets down on one knee as he continues. 'So today, will you marry me?' The overwhelmed bride-to-be embraced her man and responded with a yes! The crowd let out a roar and broke out into another flash dance to kick off the wedding celebrations . Ms Chou was overwhelmed with emotions as she shed tears of joy . The crowd let off a huge roar as Ms Chou who was full of tears said yes to her fiancé's romantic proposal. The bride was then led by flash dancers through aisles, as she was greeted by family and friends who brought her to a make up and hair station. Traditional New Zealand dancers from Otago Dancers, Rasa Dancers, and Kia Orana Performing Arts filled the supermarket as they danced to the St Kilda Brass Band. The romantic 10 minute video ended with the couple reciting their vows in the middle of an aisle and the groom wheeling out his bride from the supermarket a shopping trolley. The video has had over 300 hundred views since being posted to YouTube one day ago and has blown away viewers as they share in the couples special moment. One YouTube user wrote: 'Thanks for sharing your amazing day with us! it was the most exciting wedding that we have ever been part of!' Who would have thought a supermarket could be so romantic? Ms Chou was guided through aisles where she was greeted by friends and family . The bride and groom separated to prepare for the big day . The beautiful bride dressed in a violent silk gown, walked down the supermarket aisle with her dad . The couple recited their vows in front of friends, families and shoppers . You may kiss the bride! It's official, crowds cheered as the newly married couple embrace . Mr Kasper perfectly orchestrated the whole event from start to finish, surprising his fiancée of six months . The groom wheels his beautiful bride out of the supermarket on a shopping trolley, as pink and white confetti is thrown at the newlyweds . | Christian Kasper perfectly planned a surprise flash mob wedding from start to finish for his unsuspecting bride at a supermarket .
The groom was engaged for 6 months to his fiancée Jennifer Chou, who proposed to her partner via SMS .
Ms Chou was greeted by flash dancers, family and friends in the food store and thankfully said 'I do' to her fiancé's surprise .
She was guided through the supermarket from aisle to aisle, until she was ready to walk down THE aisle . |
78,808 | df4cb983e92c90ba3781eb0e26f4fd6b1ba7199c | Sick and injured patients were forced to wait in ambulances for up to four-and-a-half hours outside hospitals as accident and emergency departments struggled on New Year's Eve. In Cardiff a dozen ambulances were stuck outside the city's hospital waiting to offload sick patients on the busiest day of the year because of a lack of emergency beds. 13 ambulances were seen queuing outside the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital yesterday and people had to be treated on trolleys in a corridor as bosses declared a 'major incident'. Some patients had to be assessed by doctors in the back of an ambulance. At Harlow's Princess Alexandra Hospital they were only open to the seriously ill or badly injured while in Bristol people were urged to 'act responsibly' and expect to 'wait a long time' if they turned up but were not an emergency. Waiting time: In Cardiff a dozen ambulances were stuck outside the city's hospital waiting to offload sick patients on the busiest day of the year . Earlier this year health bosses in Southampton issued a 'black alert' for hospitals because there were no empty beds. It came as it emerged almost 15,000 people across Britain had to wait outside accident and emergency for more than 30 minutes in the first two weeks of December, the latest figures. In 2013 the equivalent figure was less than 10,000. Earlier this month waiting times in A&E departments hit record levels for the second week running with tens of thousands of patients left for up to 19 hours. Relatives described corridors resembling 'military field hospitals' with patients lining up on chairs or trolleys because there were no beds available. New Year's Eve is traditionally the busiest day of the year for accident and emergency departments. London Ambulance Service faced huge demand during the night, and tweeted: 'It's been an incredibly busy night. During peak times we were taking around 450 calls an hour.' West Midlands Ambulance Service, which covers Birmingham as well as five other counties, said between 8pm on New Year's Eve and 4am on New Year's Day, handlers responded to 1,436 999 calls. Today frustrated paramedics said they were 'fighting a losing battle against the system' after the ambulances were seen queued up outside the University Hospital of Wales just hours before they faced what a health board boss billed 'their busiest night of the year'. Staff at the Welsh Ambulance Service, which has come under fire for failing to hit Welsh Government emergency response times, warned they will never reach expected targets due to a lack of emergency beds. 'Major incident': Problems with a lack of beds meant that patients could not be moved into Norfolk and Norwich Hospital yesterday . One paramedic in the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board (UHB) area, who asked to remain anonymous, said: 'If there are no beds in the hospital how can we be expected to offload patients? 'We need to look at changing the whole system again. The paramedic said the situation was getting worse and has now become a year-round problem. 'It's all about crisis management,' he said. 'We are doing the job to the best of our ability. The problems stop and start with the hospital itself.' South Wales resident Jonathan Davies said his 81-year-old father waited four-and-a-half hours in an ambulance before being admitted onto the emergency ward at the hospital in Heath. The pensioner was suffering abdominal pains and an ambulance was called at 11.40am but Jonathan claimed his father was not seen until well after 4pm. Speaking from the University Hospital of Wales, he said: 'The ambulance service have their hands tied because they cannot get patients into A&E. It's having a knock-on effect. 'It's an awful situation for my father but thankfully the morphine eased the pain.' Denise Burke, from the Act on Ambulances campaign, spent the day with ambulance crews in north Norfolk yesterday and found 13 ambulances queuing outside a Norwich hospital. She said a further eight people were treated on trollies because of a lack of beds in A&E. She tweeted: '50 mins after arriving we can now offload patient from ambulance, beggars belief! Now space in corridor for trolley!' On another occasion she said: 'We were waiting for about three quarters of an hour to hand one patient over'. | Patients had to wait for up to four-and-a-half hours in an ambulance .
Queues were seen outside A&Es in Britain on New Year's Eve .
This month 15,000 people had to wait more than 30 minutes in ambulance .
Health bosses warned people to stay away from A&E unless seriously ill . |
281,776 | f90319087b9a8f4ae4144d966e0a59d927101b48 | By . Luke Salkeld . PUBLISHED: . 11:26 EST, 3 January 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 20:39 EST, 3 January 2014 . Fears were growing last night for the safety of a teenage girl who disappeared a week ago after an argument at home. Nida Ul-Naseer, 18, vanished after popping out of her house to put some rubbish in a bin. A handmade sign pinned to the family’s front door reads: ‘Nida please come home. Don’t worry. We are all missing you.’ Missing: Nida Ul-Naseer, 18, of Newport, south Wales, who has not been seen since 8pm on December 28 . A major police search is under way to find missing teenager Nida Ul-Naseer . The teenager, whose disappearance is said to be out of character, is also in need of medication, without which she is likely to become anaemic. Her sister Naila, 22, said yesterday: ‘She’s not in trouble.’ Addressing Nida directly, she added: ‘We all love you. Just come home.’ She went on: ‘The most worrying thing is she’s missed mum’s birthday, which is not like her.’ Police say that so far there is no suggestion that the missing girl was picked up in a vehicle. Her sister urged Nida to get in touch and asked anyone who knew where she might be to contact the police. ‘We are missing her, we just want to tell her that she’s not in trouble. We all love her, we all love you Nida. Just come home,’ she said. ‘Please, please tell police if you . know anything – anything about her – please call police on 101. Please . help us.’ Gwent Police’s Assistant Chief Constable, Paul Symes, said up . to 40 officers had been involved in the search for Nida since she went . missing. They have been . trawling through hours of CCTV footage to try to locate her as well as . working closely with the teenager’s family to establish more about her . friends and lifestyle. Vanished: The 18-year-old vanished from her home after taking out the rubbish . Specially-trained . search officers scoured her home town of Newport, South Wales, . yesterday with the help of horses and sniffer dogs. Police also . distributed leaflets and conducted house-to-house inquiries. Two teams . of officers were seen around 1pm searching scrubland at the Stephenson . Industrial Estate, which is located south of the River Usk and almost . two miles from the home the teenager shares with her mother and father, . believed to be 47 and 54 respectively. About . ten officers used long poles to brush aside briars and nettles as they . searched woodland next to a car park at the industrial estate. A . spokesman for Gwent Police said Nida’s disappearance is ‘particularly . out of character’. Chief Inspector Daniel Taylor added: ‘She has gone . missing from her home address. That is the reason for the concern. There . is no motive for it. Search: Police scoured the Stephenson Industrial Estate . Message: Her family have pinned this note on the front door of their home . ‘As . far as we understand, she went out to the bins at the premises. That was . the last time she was seen.’ Nida is described as being of . Asian-Pakistani appearance with long, dark hair. She is 5ft 3in tall and . of slim build. When she was last seen on December 28, she was wearing blue jeans and a black top. Anyone . with information about Nida’s whereabouts should call 101 and quote log . number 448 28/12/13 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. | Nida Ul-Naseer has not been seen since 8pm on Saturday, December 28 .
Sister Nilah Anwar said they 'miss her desperately'
Up to 40 officers and dogs are out looking for her in Newport, South Wales .
Two teams of officers searched scrubland at Stephenson Industrial Estate .
Police say they have found 'no motive' to explain her vanishing . |
146,177 | 4905a4ff332e570cb8494141e98e76af27f06ec9 | Video footage of a glowing squid-like creature swimming in a harbour, might have baffled experts, but the mysterious animal has now been declared a hoax. Stunned eyewitnesses had filmed the strange, luminescent, tentacled creature, which was flashing a variety of colours floating close to the top of the water in Bristol. But it has now been revealed that the paranormal animal was part of an elaborate marketing stunt to promote a new TV programme. Creature from the deep? It has now been revealed that the 'alien squid' was part of an elaborate marketing stunt to promote a new TV programme . Sightings of the creature by the public puzzled marine biologists. Dr Steve Simpson, from the School of Biological Sciences at Bristol University, said: ‘It's very intriguing - I don't really know what to make of it.’ The guerrilla campaign was created to launch a new show called ‘The Happenings’ on Watch, which features the magicians ‘Barry and Stewart’ and is made by the producers of Derren Brown. The guerrilla video campaign featuring the mysterious creature was made to launch a new show called 'The Happenings' on Watch, which features the magicians 'Barry and Stewart' and is created by the producers of Derren Brown . The TV show is described as a ‘new type of narrative magic show’ that brings film scenes to life, which are unleashed upon unsuspecting residents from towns across the UK and the U.S. It launches on Monday December 9 at 9pm on Watch. The videos, which include ‘paranormal’ events and what is described as a ‘giant bioluminescent alien’ have racked up over one million views since they appeared on YouTube four months ago. The videos, which include 'paranormal' events and what is described as a 'giant bioluminescent alien' have racked up over one million views since they appeared on YouTube four months ago . The squid looked more mysterious at a distance but the new images allow people to see how the 15ft model was constructed . Bristolians took to social media to report the 15ft, squid-like alien pulsing beneath the water in the city's harbour. Videos and images shot by stunned locals of the tentacled alien first appeared on Tuesday and within 24 hours over 3.5 million related tweets were written. Before the hoax was revealed, one Twitter user questioned whether the squid had escaped from Bristol Zoo. Here the 'animal' lies in wait outside a local bar. Its presence in Bristol harbour had baffled marine biologists . This bizarre sight greeted people walking along Bristol harbourside - described by some as an 'alien-like creature' floating underwater . Dozens of people were left flummoxed after spotting the creature and quickly grabbed cameras to snap it. Some people suggested that Bristol artist Banksy might have had something to do with the strange object. Marine biologists admitted they were baffled by the footage and suggested it could have been a marine salp which had drifted off . course by the weather. Dr Steve Simpson, from the School of Biological Sciences at Bristol University, said before the unveiling: 'This is either a very interesting animal or someone's very cool interpretation of a marine creature.' Marine biologists claimed the footage could be a marine salp which had drifted off course by the weather. Dr Simpson said: 'There is a possibility that it is a special type of jellyfish or a marine salp. It's very unusual and I haven't really seen anything like it before though. 'What makes it even more unusual is that fact that it showed up in the middle of a really busy area. 'There are various marine animals that have biological illuminating abilities and they are able to make themselves flash. 'It . is entirely possible that it is a marine creature which has been . brought into the harbour because of the storms or maybe it was trying to . shelter from the stormy seas. Dozens of people were left flummoxed after spotting the creature and quickly grabbed cameras to snap it . Stunned eyewitnesses filmed the strange, luminescent, tentacled object which was flashing a variety of colours floating close to the top of the water . Intrigue: Marine biologists claimed it could be a salp which had drifted off course . He theorised that spring tides could have dragged an unknown animal in from the sea, or that someone had created a 'very cool' interpretation of a squid. Some people believed that Bristol legend Banksy may have had something to do with the weird object. Dozens of people were left flummoxed after spotting the creature and quickly grabbed cameras to snap it. Scientists said what made the sight unusual was the fact that the creature showed up in the middle of a really busy area. There are various marine animals that have biological illuminating abilities and they are able to make themselves flash . Alex Gordon-Lennox, 22, who was one of the many people to witness the strange creature, said: 'It was just floating down the harbour. I've never seen anything like it before. 'I only noticed it because it was flashing and was so bright. I was out with some friends that night so we watched it travel down the water a bit and then it just seemed to disappear. 'It looked a bit like a jellyfish or a squid or something. It was amazing.' | Videos of light appeared on YouTube with many claiming it to be an 'alien'
Biologists suggested it may be a marine salp which has drifted off course .
But it turns out the 'alien' creature was placed in the harbour to promote a new TV programme about magic that will air on Watch . |
286,843 | ffaa4e9f99ecc29800d56df30065404db7c483d1 | By . Erin Clements . Forget Toddlers & Tiaras: Married career women in their 30s and 40s are the latest stars of the pageant world. Game of Crowns, a new reality series that premieres Sunday on Bravo, follows six wives with families who vie for beauty queen status on the 'Mrs' circuit. Cast members, including a lawyer, entrepreneur and pilot, are seen honing their interviewing skills and dishing on past plastic surgeries as they prepare to compete. Pageant queens: The cast of Bravo's Game of Crowns poses in the swimsuit round of a 'Mrs' competition . 'Of course, I get Botox,' exclaims Vanassa Sebastian, a registered nurse from Connecticut, in one clip. In another preview, the women debate the merits of butt glue, defined by Susanna Paliotta as 'basically any type of substance that you can glue your bathing suit down to your butt.' Mrs Paliotta, who owns a children's clothing brand, is also seen learning to 'speak eloquent' for the interview portion of the competitions. Vying for the crown: Shelley Carbone (left) and Vanassa Sebastian (right) are married women who compete in 'Mrs' pageants . Price of beauty: The stars of Game of Crowns, such as Lori-Ann Marchese (left) and Leha Guilmette (right), say they spend thousands of dollars on pageant-related expenses . Career women: Cast members include Susanna Paliotta (left), a pilot, and Lynne Diamante (right), an attorney . The women say they spend thousands of dollars on coaching, makeup and other expenses. 'From losing 70 pounds with personal trainers and nutritionists, to gown shopping and hair extensions and teeth whitening and eyelash extensions, there’s so much that goes into it — about $10,000,' Leha Guilmette, a technical recruiter from Rhode Island, tells the New York Post. 'It’s like making a choice to do any hobby,' Lynne Diamante, a former Mrs Rhode Island USA and attorney, says. She adds: 'Some women go away for spa weekends, we compete against each other in pageants.' Face time: 'Of course, I get Botox,' Mrs Sebastian admits on the show . Sticky situation: Mrs Paliotta explains what 'butt glue' is used for . | Most cast members of Bravo's new series, Game of Crowns, are in their 30s and 40s, compared to the 20-somethings of traditional 'Miss' pageants . |
77,958 | dd0056d7dae47df1020ba14b703dcbd511954e94 | Thomas Muller has ended any lingering interest from Manchester United by penning a new contract at Bayern Munich. The Germany international was a target for Louis van Gaal at Old Trafford but has committed to Pep Guardiola's vision for the next five years. Philipp Lahm will also be staying put at the Allianz Arena after agreeing an extension to his deal until 2018 - one that is sure to see his career end in Munich. All smiles: Thomas Muller and Philipp Lahm (right) have both signed new contracts at Bayern Munich . Boost: Muller and Lahm will prove key figures for Joachim Low's Germany at this month's World Cup in Brazil . Focused: Muller trains with central defender Mats Hummels ahead of Germany's opener with Portugal . Muller had been the subject of interest from across Europe this summer and looked like he could have been on his way out of the Bundesliga champions when he sought assurances over his role within Guardiola's setup. But the 25-year-old revealed that talks with senior figures at the club won him over. 'I am very happy to have extended my contract at Bayern until 2019,' Muller told the club's official website. 'There were some very good discussions with the club who made me realise that I am in the right place here. 'I have the feeling that I am an important part of the club's plans. Bayern Munich has been my club since 2000 and it will remain so in the coming years.' Thirty-year-old Lahm has been the epitome of Bayern's rise over the last few seasons and will remain with them until 2018 at least, adding: 'I will end my career at FC Bayern. That was always my wish.' The developments mean Van Gaal will turn his attentions elsewhere, notably towards Muller's team-mate Toni Kroos, as United bid to arrest the alarming slide of last season. Out on his own: Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal had been interested in landing Muller . | Muller pens five-year contract at the Allianz Arena .
Philipp Lahm also agrees new four-year extension with Pep Guardiola .
United boss Louis van Gaal had been interested in Muller . |
187,626 | 7ef833585c9bd19b6937fd7fa6c1431017df87cf | Houston, Texas (CNN) -- "Your flight has been delayed due to a mechanical problem" -- it is something a passenger never really wants to hear especially during Thanksgiving week. More than 24 million passengers are expected to fly in the U.S. during the Thanksgiving holiday which runs from November 16 through the 27. CNN went behind the scenes with maintenance crews at United Airlines at its base in Houston to find out how they work to keep planes flying safe and on time. More than 600 flights will go through Houston this Wednesday alone. Before any flight takes off, a mechanic examines the plane to make sure there is nothing wrong. "We do just a walk around inspection, then we go upstairs and check the gauges and the log books and if there is anything broken we will fix it at that point," United Airlines technician Michael Baumgarten told CNN as he inspected a 737 just arrived from Guatemala. "We look at all the critical things -- anything at all broken, leaking, worn out. Any problems at all." 5 digital tips for saner holiday travel . He peers into the engine, sticks his head into the wheel wells and eyeballs the wings. "After looking at a million of them you will pretty much recognize anything at all out of place," he said. When a problem is detected in the air, a pilot can enter details of the issue into the plane's in-flight computer so maintenance can be standing by when it lands to make a quick fix. Often this work can be as simple as a broken in-flight entertainment system or just a seat cushion wet from a spilled drink which can be quickly replaced without causing a delay. If repair work requires a long time, planes are moved to the hangar area. During CNN's visit, the airline's new 787 Dreamliner was there so teams could check out a couple of the systems on a layover. "We are kind of getting to know it," maintenance supervisor Larry Thomson said standing outside the cockpit. "It's very electronic, a lot more than any airplane we've ever had before. The systems are completely different than any airplane we ever had." In the passenger compartment, a computer by the door can show technicians on board problems with a simple . "We could run a test on all the monitors on the airplane and it would tell us if there is a problem," Darrell Miller said. He is the manager of United Airlines technical operations and has spent more than 25 years working his way up with Continental and United. "It has changed a lot from pushing all of the light switches on every light to see if it works," he said. Inside the hangar sits a 737 in the midst of a brake job. The airline is installing new carbon fiber brakes which will lighten the load and save the airline money. Don't be a jerk en route to turkey dinner . In a neighboring building, a 757 is partially disassembled and surrounded by scaffolding for a major overhaul. "They get deep into it," Miller pointed out. "This is probably the highest level of maintenance you would do," he said. "They will open the airplane up, inspect everything, replace a lot of components, lubricate everything and put it back together." Planes go into the hangar for these massive month-long overhauls every four or five years. "When these guys get it done, it will be in excellent shape," he said. Though much of United's maintenance is done in Houston and San Francisco, there are crews at 45 other airports around the world to work on the airline's planes. In some cases they even have contracts to do work on competitors' aircraft. There are about 8,000 United mechanics worldwide, as well as 2,000 other members of its Tech Ops division, including engineers, maintenance planners and inspectors. Their goal, they say, is to make sure their planes are safe and they get you there on time and this busy holiday season is no different . "It's the same responsibility as it is every day," Baumgarten told CNN. "Our job doesn't change if a plane is going to go one mile, empty, full -- our job is exactly the same." "Every plane has to go out safe." | More than 24 million passengers expected to fly in U.S. during Thanksgiving holiday .
Increased air travel means increased plane inspections .
Pilots can enter problem into in-flight computer, so maintenance crews are ready at landing . |
235,991 | bd82364aa5ea833803a5ad5fa8c4c0c8d77d2400 | Lawyer Maria Bamieh demanded a corruption inquiry into her colleagues at Eulex rule of law mission in Kosovo . When British lawyer Maria Bamieh was given the chance to help rebuild war-torn Kosovo with an elite EU anti-crime and corruption unit three years ago she jumped at the chance. Fifteen years after the conflict, Kosovo remains a lawless region, with gangsters, corrupt politicians and war criminals threatening the integrity of the EU borders. But Bamieh could hardly have known she would soon be demanding a corruption investigation into her own colleagues – or that she would then be escorted out of her office after becoming a whistleblower, and abruptly suspended. Today, six years after taking the job, the 55-year-old says the investigations unit, known as Eulex, failed to pursue her allegations thoroughly and instead chose to ‘punish’ her for speaking out. ‘I have been subject to a campaign of victimisation and my career with Eulex is over. I may well not work again,’ she told The Mail on Sunday. ‘More to the point this affair raises wider questions about what Eulex has achieved over the six years of its existence and at what cost to the EU and the British taxpayer. 'Our money is going into this mission and most of the staff work part-time but get a full-time salary. They disappear on Thursday or Friday morning, fly home and reappear on Monday afternoon or Tuesday morning.’ Her worrying story has not only rocked the anti-corruption unit, which has so far swallowed £750million of EU money, but could – if her allegations stick – envelop the EU in a major corruption scandal. There is already an official EU investigation into the affair. Ms Bamieh’s concerns reached a head during an investigation into a senior civil servant at the Kosovan health ministry. The man, Ilir Tolaj, had been arrested and held in prison amid allegations he had demanded bribes from pharmaceutical companies in return for official contracts. He had also smuggled a phone into his cell. Ilir Tolaj was arrested and held in prison amid allegations he had demanded bribes from pharmaceutical companies in return for official contracts . ‘I got a court order to intercept his calls because he was not entitled to have that phone,’ says Ms Bamieh. ‘We monitored the calls.’ And the results, gathered in May and June 2012, were disturbing. It became clear Tolaj was taking calls from people claiming to be intermediaries or go-betweens between Italian judge Francesco Florit, who was seconded to Eulex, and Bamieh’s boss, the Czech chief prosecutor Jaroslava Novotna. The intermediaries told Tolaj that the Italian judge would ‘do everything to help because he thinks that man [Tolaj] deserves to be helped.’ Bamieh was alarmed to find she was herself the subject of these illegal discussions. It was claimed, for example, that the Italian judge, had described Bamieh as ‘very difficult’ and that Florit had suggested he would get Bamieh replaced. Tolaj was allegedly taking calls from people claiming to be intermediaries between Italian judge Francesco Florit (right) and Bamieh’s boss, the Czech chief prosecutor Jaroslava Novotna (left) Another of the middlemen told Tolaj he would hold a meeting with Bamieh’s boss, her ‘chief… the Czech lady’. In one call, Tolaj offers the observation that, ‘I will analyse and see whether I can afford it or not’. The implication was all too clear: two senior colleagues in Eulex could well be compromised, wittingly or otherwise. Florit and Novotna have denied any wrongdoing to The Mail on Sunday. Ms Bamieh continued: ‘I could not investigate or prosecute Novotna or Florit because I cannot be a prosecutor and witness.’ Eventually, she says, despite the concerns she had raised, she realised there was no proper investigation. Her suspicions grew stronger when she was approached by two men convicted of a 2009 bomb attack in the Kosovan capital Pristina amid allegations of a feud between a gangster and a police officer for the hand of a pop singer. It resulted in a fatal explosion. Ms Bamieh claims she was 'victimised' and 'punished' for speaking out as she was suspended and escorted out of Eulex headquarters last month . The two convicted men, it seemed, had made their own approaches to the Italian judge. She said: ‘They told me they had paid money to Florit... and one of the family made a statement how he went to Albania with his lawyer to do negotiations with Florit and they were told that €300,000 was only enough for one of them to be cleared. But when I reported this all that happened was that I got punished. I began to be subject to a series of investigations for trivial offences such as car parking. In reality no one got investigated.’ Eventually she went on Kosovan television to outline her claims. Kosovo broke away from Yugoslavia in 1999 and became a UN protectorate after its bloody war, which pitched the Serb minority against the majority ethnic Albanians. In 2008 the ethnic Albanian-led parliament declared unilateral independence and the UN unit was replaced by Eulex that same year. Ms Bamieh claims she asked for protection because of her role as a whistleblower but when Eulux was downsized she was made redundant. Although reinstated on appeal, she was suspended and escorted out of the Eulex headquarters last month after repeating her allegations. Eulex accused her of leaking documents to the press, a charge Bamieh denies. Now back in London, the mother of one said: ‘I only went to the press after the story came out to clear my name.’ Eulex has announced a fresh investigation but in a sign of Brussels impatience with the unit the EU’s new foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini has despatched a lawyer to oversee the investigation. ‘For God’s sake, they need to call a lawyer to say how an anti-corruption unit should deal with corruption!’ she said. ‘They are meant to be a rule of law mission.’ Richard Howitt, Labour MEP for East of England, said he had met senior EU officials about the case. ‘These allegations are credible and very serious,’ he said. ‘The EU has to have zero tolerance to corruption. It is clear the existing investigation is inadequate. It appears it could be a cover-up. Maria Bamieh has been let down badly.’ Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article. | Lawyer Maria Bamieh demanded corruption inquiry into her colleagues .
She was head of financial crime at Eulex rule of law mission in Kosovo .
Raised concerns about senior civil servant Ilir Tolaj from health ministry .
Her own boss, chief prosecutor Jaroslava Novotna, was also implicated .
Tolaj has been jailed for tax evasion and falsifying documents .
Ms Bamieh claims she was 'victimised' and 'punished' for speaking out .
She was suspended and escorted out of Eulex headquarters last month . |
187,456 | 7ec48fb056eb6dc548a0aa0ec5f2ab644f989d41 | By . James Black . PUBLISHED: . 09:33 EST, 12 November 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 12:45 EST, 12 November 2012 . The Queen and the Royal estate have come under attack from campaigners after advertising for cleaners at Windsor Castle 78p below the recommended livable wage. This week is Living Wage Week and comes just weeks after Labour leader Ed Miliband set out his party's agenda for ensuring employers pay a wage that meets the cost of living. Campaigners want to see employees paid at least £7.45 per hour outside of London and £8.55 in the capital. However, an advert recently published on the Buckingham Palace website is offering £6.67 per hour. Bad example: Buckingham Palace has said it is now reviewing its policies on wages following criticism from campaigners over a part-time role advertised below the recommended living wage . The role is paid just 47p above the national minimum wage - a salary equivalent to £13,000 per year. It has been reported that no accommodation is provided with the job which includes vacuuming, mopping, dusting and general household maintenance. The role requires a 30 hour week between the hours of 8am and 1pm daily. Graham Morris MP, a Labour campaigner for the Living Wage said this advert is setting a bad example. 'This looks really bad.' he told the Daily Mirror. 'Since the Queen receives considerable support from the public purse she should pay a living wage, not just barely a minimum wage. 'She's setting a bad example to other employers. Windsor is one of the 12 most affluent boroughs in the country, so you would anticipate the cost of living would be much higher. 'I would hate to see a return to the Victorian days where a privileged elite preside over the unwashed masses and just pay the bare minimum.' The advert for a cleaner at Windsor Castle was offering just £6.67 per hour . A spokesperson for PSC Union told Mail Online: 'It's shocking that in this day and age these sorts of jobs are still not taken seriously and still receive this kind of wage. 'This particular example really points up the stark and glaring inequality in the whole system. 'You have people on very low wages cleaning the houses of one of the richest families in the country, and these house bring millions of people to Britain every year. 'It's a situation that really needs to be dealt with and it should be obvious in this day and age.' A spokesman for Buckingham Palace refused to comment on the charge that the Queen is setting a bad example to other employers. 'We are reviewing a our policies in regard to the living wage,' the spokesman said. The spokesman also denied the claim that this particular job came with no accommodation. He added:'All cleaning jobs come as an employment package which includes housing being provided.' | Queen attacked for 'setting a bad example' to other employers .
Buckingham Palace says it is reviewing its wage policy .
Campaigners say that the job raises a 'stark and glaring inequality' for British workers . |
106,051 | 14c4f132024546b7e983314293c9520898dc1367 | (CNN) -- Google's infant social network experienced a recent growth spurt. Google+ has more than 90 million registered users, Google CEO Larry Page said during the company's earnings presentation on Thursday. That more than doubles the 40 million that Google reported in October. "We're very excited about the growth we've had, and we've certainly seen a tremendous number of people added every day," Page said. "That notion of identity is a deep part of what we're doing." Google launched its social network last June. Since then, it has added toolbars and other buttons on its websites to aggressively promote the service. Google stirred up controversy last week when it began giving prominent placement to Google+ pages in results delivered by its search engine. On average, Google engineers have introduced a new feature related to Google+ every day since its launch, Page said. It took Facebook about four years to reach 90 million users, according to Facebook's public statements. After starting as a students-only service, Facebook now has 800 million people checking their accounts at least once a month, about 10 times that of Google+. Analysts say Google+ was built specifically to challenge Facebook's growing dominance on the Web. Google and Facebook generally do not collaborate. Another rival social network, Twitter, complained that the recent changes to Google search favor Google+ and harm Twitter's ranking on results pages. "We provide a lot of third-party data in search, and we would love to have more," Page said in response to an analyst's question. "Generally, companies have been walling that data off." People who register for Google+ tend to be dedicated users of Google's search engine, e-mail and documents services. More than 60% of them use Google products every day, and 80% visit a Google site at least once a week, Page said. Page, who posted his comments on his Google+ page, did not say how often or what percentage of users specifically visit its social networking service. "Engagement on Plus is also growing tremendously," Page said. A Google spokesman declined to comment. | Google says 60% of Google+ members visit its products every day .
Google says 80% of Google+ members visit its products every week .
It took Facebook four years to reach 90 million . |
274,625 | efbe68ef479af4241c23c1f1e32216d30bd3f449 | ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- Chicken nuggets. Sandwiches. Pizza. Baseball games. Play-Doh. These are some of the basics of childhood that could prove deadly to my 4-year-old son, Teddy. Teddy took his first sip of milk in 2005, triggering a strong allergic reaction as seen in this family photo. Teddy has food allergies that can cause anaphylaxis, a deadly condition that can cut off his breathing. He has to steer clear of milk, eggs, wheat, peanuts and tree nuts -- even places like baseball stadiums where peanut exposure can't be avoided. We found out about Teddy's allergies partially through trial and error and then through allergy testing when he was 18 months old, and we didn't want any more missteps. Now our job is to try to prevent contact with those foods until he either outgrows them or he becomes old enough to police himself. Watch what we go through to protect Teddy » . Our vigilance starts before food even enters the house. When we are in the grocery store, we have to read every label to see if the food contains something harmful. See tips about living with food allergies » . We'll get all the way through one of these and be thinking, "hurray!" and then see "caramel coloring" and have to put it back. There's still enough wiggle room in food labeling, apparently, to not have to list what's in that -- often milk -- or what's in "natural flavoring." Devil in the details . And just because a food item was OK last week doesn't mean the recipe hasn't changed. And just because the package looks right doesn't mean you've picked up the right package. I was in a hurry when I picked up rice cheese in December, so I didn't carefully read the label. Teddy saw the cheese when I was unloading the groceries and asked for a slice -- and then another. Although the cheese looked like our regular vegan cheese without milk, it was an almost identical package that contained milk protein. Teddy ended up in a hospital emergency room with hives all over his arms, legs, tummy and back. His nose was running and he was drooly. He got a shot of epinephrine before he could develop breathing problems. It's a harsh reminder that we can never let down our guard. Once we get food into the house, we try to label it. We have stickers, or we use markers to warn away from giving a particular product to Teddy. Labels aren't enough for baby sitters. We set out a bin of "Teddy safe" snacks. School: Lots of cupcakes, no Play-Doh . School is tough, too. The macaroni necklaces my 8-year-old daughter Catie once made for me in pre-K were charming. Who would think that something so simple could make another kid very sick? There's no Play-Doh. It can have wheat in it. Same for papier-mache. Teddy's pre-K teachers are great -- they contact us for alternative suggestions when their lesson plans include food products. But it can be exhausting. Every month, it seems, there is another "holiday" at school. And all seem to be connected to food celebrations. Every time other parents send food in, we have to worry about whether Teddy will be safe. I try to always be the "cupcake mom," because I can make cupcakes without milk, eggs or wheat that still taste good. (Even the teachers fight to get them.) When someone else brings cakes, I try to find out in advance so I can make a Teddy-safe alternative. If there is no warning, the school has a bin of Teddy-safe snacks. Challenges in the kitchen . I try to cook mostly Teddy-safe food at home. The first reaction many people have to hearing of Teddy's allergies is a dumbfounded, "What does he eat?" There are actually many foods that are OK for him: meats, vegetables, fruits and most grains. We just don't often get the chance to use convenience foods. I have alternatives for meatloaf and tacos that work OK. But sometimes I just want to make pasta for the family. I know that I could just make rice pasta for everyone. But, frankly, it's about three times the price and doesn't taste as good. So I have to be careful. I can't use the same spoon to stir both. And even when I'm draining the pasta, I have to remember that if I don't drain the rice pasta first, I have to use two colanders. So I try to keep that straight. This is why it's nearly impossible for us to get Teddy food at a restaurant. It's very easy for a contaminated utensil to be used in the kitchen without us knowing. And that would be after getting the restaurant staff to show us labels from all food items. This month, we will be meeting with some staff members at Teddy's new elementary school, where he'll be entering kindergarten in August. When we start a new school or new situation, it's always an anxious time. We're going to talk with the school nurse and cafeteria manager about strategies to keep Teddy safe. Teddy will need a classroom as free from danger as possible, and that can be an issue. As soon as we talk about not having peanut products in his classroom, some people think we don't want their kids to have peanut butter sandwiches for lunch. No, we just want peanut products eaten only in the cafeteria. In the lunchroom, Teddy can be watched so that if peanut butter touches him or milk is spilled on him, he will be decontaminated as quickly as possible. (If milk touches Teddy, he gets hives -- he doesn't even have to ingest it. This is a lot different from "lactose intolerance," which some people confuse with a milk allergy. Lactose intolerance produces gastric distress for someone. A milk allergy can be life-threatening.) We'll probably post signs the way we've done at his day cares and preschool, showing him in reaction to an allergen and listing what action to take. Fears of budget cuts . We're hoping that the school nurse doesn't fall victim to budget cuts, because that is our emotional safety net right now. We're comforted by the thought of someone with anaphylaxis experience being close to Teddy. It's all part of the constant vigilance, doing our best to keep him safe. If we'd been handed a list of Teddy's allergies when he was freshly born at the hospital, I think we'd have been overwhelmed. But we found out a bit at a time, and we've been dealing with it now for more than three years. Despite some bumps, Teddy's been able to survive our stumbles and thrive. | Teddy, age 4, has food allergies that, left untreated, can cut off his breathing .
1 to 2 percent of children suffer from food allergies, according to experts .
Eating chicken, pizza, peanuts -- even going to baseball games -- can be deadly .
Teddy's mom describes how this affects his lifestyle, at school and home . |
154,400 | 5386d4b9628f89224fa975dae32948e776d7b716 | By . Ellie Zolfagharifard . PUBLISHED: . 08:59 EST, 27 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 15:55 EST, 27 December 2013 . Over 15 per cent of the Earth’s population use Facebook, with 1.19 billion users logging on each month. The social network knows intimate details about most of these people - whether it be what they eat for lunch or who they spend most of their time with. While the concept is unnerving, the vast quantities of personal data can also provide fascinating insights about the world we live in and how it’s changing. This map represents coordinated migrations over the world. The map highlights (in yellow and blue) the countries with the largest urbanisation growth between 2000 and 2012, according to the data from the World Bank. The data found that Lagos, Nigeria grew 18.6 per cent between 2000 and 2012 as a destination city . Facebook data scientists recently compared users’ hometowns with their current residences to uncover the top 10 cities that had ‘coordinated migrations’- or the movement of large numbers of people from one place to another. The top destinations were found throughout the world in countries that are rapidly urbanising. In these areas at least 20 per cent of the population of one city had moved to another city. London was listed as the 10th most popular region for migration, with a growth of 1.4 per cent in ten years. Around 94 per cent of these migrants came from within the UK. In the U.S. coordinated migrations tend to come from other countries, such as from Cuba to Miami and from Mexico to cities such as Chicago, Houston, Dallas, and Los Angeles . This table shows the major destinations of coordinated migration in ten rapidly urbanising countries . Countries such as India, Nigeria, and . Turkey are becoming increasingly urban, with many people moving from . rural areas into large cities such as Lagos in Nigeria. The data found that Lagos, Nigeria grew 18.6 per cent between 2000 and 2012 as a destination city. Istanbul was the second most popular city. A large proportion came from other parts of Turkey, with the rest originating from Eastern Europe. London was listed as the 10th most . popular region, with a growth of 1.4 per cent between 2000 and 2012. Around 94 per cent of its migrants came from within . the UK. In the U.S. coordinated migrations tend . to come from other countries, such as from Cuba to Miami and from Mexico . to cities such as Chicago, Houston, Dallas, and Los Angeles. A few interesting patterns emerged. For instance, Kampala in Uganda, is . absorbing a significant number of people from towns in the war-torn . Democratic Republic of Congo. The data found that Lagos in Nigeria grew 18.6 per cent between 2000 and 2012 as a destination city . Istanbul was the second most popular city. A large proportion of migrants came from other parts of Turkey, with the rest originating from Eastern Europe. ‘We believe that these migrations have cultural and political motives, on top of economical ones,’ said Facebook. ‘For instance, we observe migration from Bulgaria (with a considerable Turkish minority) and from majority-Muslim Bosnia.’ According to this data, countries such as India, Nigeria, and Turkey are becoming increasingly urban, with many people moving from rural areas into large cities such as Hyderabad and Chennai in India and Lagos in Nigeria. For most of the cities on the top 10 list, the megacity migrations are coming from within the same countries. But there are a few interesting patterns. Kampala in Uganda, for instance, is absorbing a significant number of people from towns in the war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo. In the U.S. coordinated migrations . tend to come from other countries, such as from Cuba to Miami and from . Mexico to cities such as Chicago, Houston, Dallas, and Los Angeles. The Facebook data, however, excludes . China, where the social network is banned but which has undergone the . largest migration in human history. Istanbul was the second most popular city with the largest number of coordinated migrations. A large proportion came from other parts of Turkey, while the rest originating from Eastern Europe . This map shows coordinated migration in Asia. The Facebook data excludes of China where the social network is banned . A separate study used Facebook data to look more specifically at movements between countries, rather than cities. A team at Wolfram Research found major inflows of U.S. immigration from India, China and the UK. This isn’t the first time scientists have used Facebook to analyse migration trends. Two years ago, former Apple developer Pete Warden published a blog revealing data he scraped from public Facebook profiles. He initially shared the data with the world but later took it offline after a legal threat from Facebook. The social site said he had failed to obtain prior written permission. Two years ago, former Apple developer Pete Warden published a blog revealing data he scraped from public Facebook profiles. His latest visualisation shows the information by location, with connections drawn between places that share friends . Depending on how centralised a country is, there might be a single hub attracting people from the entire country (as seen in this map of Africa) or different hubs as seen in South-East Asia and even more strongly in India . | The social network compared users’ hometowns with their current homes .
Data found that Lagos, Nigeria grew 18.6 per cent between 2000 and 2012 .
Istanbul was second most popular city with migrants from within Turkey .
London was listed as the 10th most popular region with a growth of 1.4 per cent between 2000 and 2012 - mostly from within the UK . |
267,972 | e70ec0e9c5b6b9da978967aec1ef6ea303b96404 | A bride-to-be drowned in the swimming pool of her family’s holiday home on the morning that she was going to view the church where she was to be married, an inquest heard today. Emma Campbell, of Winchfield, Hampshire, was found in the pool's deep end on the Spanish island of Menorca by her fiancé George Mudford. He had gone for a jog that morning on July 3, having left his 29-year-old fiancée drinking a glass of orange juice at the pool-side. Drowned: Emma Campbell, of Winchfield, Hampshire, was found in the deep end of the pool in Menorca . In a statement read to the Basingstoke inquest, he said: ‘When I came home from a run I found my fiancée face down in the deep end of the pool. I jumped in and immediately pulled Emma to the surface and performed CPR to the best of my ability and screamed for help.’ He said that an ambulance arrived but the paramedics were unable to save her. Mr Mudford added that Miss Campbell had not spoken of her intentions that morning as she was not a ‘morning person’. Miss Campbell’s mother, Sally-Anne Le Clerc, said that the couple had an appointment to view the church that morning. She said: ‘They were looking at venues to be married and they had got an appointment, they had decided to look at the church at that time.’ Abroad: Miss Campbell had been at her family's holiday home on the Spanish island of Menorca (file picture) She added: ‘She was well able to swim, she knew the pool, she had been there from a very early age, she was a good swimmer.’ Ms Le Clerc told the hearing that her daughter had been born with a heart defect, pulmonary atresia, which she explained meant that she had only one pumping chamber. She said that she had undergone operations when she a baby and at three years of age, but had not suffered any long-term effects and was not on any medication for the condition. North Hampshire coroner Andrew Bradley said that post mortem examinations carried out in Menorca and Basingstoke gave a cause of death consistent with drowning. Recording a verdict of accidental death with a background of Miss Campbell’s heart condition, he said: ‘I have no doubt it’s an accidental death, had she not been under water, the nature of this event would not have happened, it’s that helpless situation.’ | Emma Campbell was found in the deep end of pool in Menorca by fiancé .
George Mudford had gone for jog having left 29-year-old at the pool-side .
Couple had an appointment to view a church that morning on July 3 . |
72,089 | cc4fbb01d0d2494dd20d69e0bd47aef2ccced0f5 | A former prosecutor who declined to bring charges against Bill Cosby a decade ago said Wednesday that he wishes he could've nailed the comedian on an allegation that he drugged and molested a woman at his Pennsylvania home. Bruce Castor also told CNN that he believed Cosby -- a beloved figure who, with his wit and boyish smile, has charmed audiences as a family-friendly stand-up comic, the voice of Fat Albert, the host of "Picture Pages" and the star of a wildly popular eponymous sitcom -- lied to authorities. In January 2004, Andrea Constand, then a 31-year-old staffer for the women's basketball team at Temple University, Cosby's alma mater, was at the comedian's Cheltenham, Pennsylvania, home when Cosby provided her medication that made her dizzy, she alleged the following year. She later woke up to find her bra undone and her clothes in disarray, she further alleged to police in her home province of Ontario in January 2005. Cosby's attorney in the case, Walter M. Phillips Jr., called the allegations "utterly preposterous" and "plainly bizarre" at the time, yet in a civil filing, Constand's lawyers said they had found 13 "Jane Does" with similar stories. Cosby settled the civil suit in 2006. The terms of the settlement were not disclosed, but when journalist and publicist Joan Tarshis came forward with another similar story this weekend, Cosby attorney John Schmitt denied her claim and others', labeling them "decade-old, discredited allegations." Schmitt later amended that statement to say he wasn't referring to Constand, who resolved her differences "to the mutual satisfaction of Mr. Cosby and Ms. Constand years ago." 'I couldn't check her blood' Castor, who was the district attorney for Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, when Constand came forward in 2005, now tells CNN he thought Constand was credible, and he thought Cosby was evasive in his interview with prosecutors. Castor, whose assistants interviewed Cosby, said he felt the comedian was setting up a defense that Constand was at his house on her own volition and that anything occurring between them was consensual. "Back then, the desire on our part to move forward was pretty strong," he said. "The problem with the case was she waited a year until she told police about it." This left Castor no way to corroborate Constand's allegations, he said. He couldn't check her blood, urine, hair or fingernails for traces of drugs, he couldn't obtain hair or fiber for analysis, and he couldn't obtain a warrant to search Cosby's home for evidence. "I had a theory that Cosby had drugged the woman using something to make her sleepy and to make her defenseless or unable to recall what happened, but because of the delay, I couldn't check her blood," he said. Of Cosby's interview with prosecutors, Castor said, "I thought he was lying. I thought he was evasive, and I thought that those things would be of value if I had another piece (of evidence) to go forward with." The case would have come down to she said, he said, and while Castor felt strongly that Constand was telling the truth, her statements alone were not going to be enough to convict Cosby, the ex-prosecutor said. "Did I think he probably did something inappropriate? Yes. Did I think that I could prove it beyond a reasonable doubt based on available, credible and admissible evidence? No, I didn't," he said. Castor released a statement on his office's website in 2005, saying that he found that "insufficient credible and admissible evidence exists upon which any charge against Mr. Cosby could be sustained beyond a reasonable doubt." Constand's attorney filed the civil suit two weeks later. Latest in line of accusations . Castor's account comes a day after former supermodel Janice Dickinson became the latest of a handful of women to accuse the 77-year-old comic of sexual assault publicly. She told "Entertainment Tonight" that Cosby raped her in 1982 after giving her a pill and a glass of red wine during a dinner in Lake Tahoe. "The last thing I remember was Bill Cosby in a patchwork robe, dropping his robe and getting on top of me. And I remember a lot of pain," she said. Dickinson did not return a telephone call from CNN seeking comment, but Cosby has repeatedly said previous allegations are untrue. He has never been prosecuted. His attorney, Martin Singer, addressed Dickinson's allegations specifically in a statement, calling them a "fabricated lie" and saying they contradicted what she wrote in her autobiography and what she said during a 2002 New York Observer interview. Since 2005, several women have come forward with remarkably similar stories about being drugged and sexually assaulted by the comedian. This year, the accusations resurfaced, and earlier this month, a seemingly harmless post on Cosby's Twitter account turned them into a social media storm. After the accusations gained steam again, one of his accusers, Barbara Bowman, turned to the public once more with an article in The Washington Post and interviews with CNN. Bowman alleged she was drugged, then raped, though she said she never saw drugs. "I woke up out of a very confused state not in my clothes," she said. On Saturday, NPR broadcast an awkward interview with Cosby in which he didn't utter a word when repeatedly asked about the accusations. NPR host Scott Simon filled the airtime by saying Cosby was just "shaking his head no." | "I had a theory that Cosby had drugged the woman," ex-prosecutor tells CNN .
Bill Cosby settled a lawsuit with Andrea Constand in 2006; terms not disclosed .
Constand waited a year to report crime, so prosecutor couldn't corroborate story .
Cosby has repeatedly said allegations against him of sexual assault are untrue . |
213,936 | a110f575f14a87b2747c3b1d8e6f8786a5cc922b | John Carver said Sir Bobby Robson would be his inspiration in winning the Newcastle manager’s job on a permanent basis, but this was more like Kevin Keegan’s nerve-shredding Entertainers. At times, the performance was brilliant, at others baffling. Crucially, though, Keegan’s swashbucklers of the mid Nineties invariably scored one more than the opposition. But to share six goals with relegation candidates Burnley – three times squandering the lead – was not what caretaker boss Carver had hoped for in part one of his audition for the leading role at his hometown club. VIDEO Scroll down for Sportsmail's Big Match Stats . George Boyd is hoisted in the air by his Burnley team-mates after scoring a late equaliser for the Clarets at St James' Park . Boyd shoots and scores as Burnley net an equaliser with just four minutes remaining of the Premier League clash . Moussa Sissoko celebrates after scoring Newcastle United's third goal against Burnley in the 78th minute . Sissoko shoots towards goal as Newcastle United go 3-2 up against Burnley with 12 minutes to go . Newcastle United caretaker manager John Carver (right) in discussion on the touchline with assistant Steve Stone . Newcastle (4-2-3-1): Alnwick 5.5; Janmaat 6, Coloccini 6, S.Taylor 6.5 ( Williamson 60, 5.5), Dummett 5.5; Colback 7, Tiote 5; Perez 6.5, Sissoko 6.5, Gouffran 6 (Haidara 71, 5); Riviere 5.5 (Armstrong 57, 5.5). Subs not used: Santon, Anita, Cabella, Woodman . Booked: Janmaat, Williamson . Goals: Taylor 15, Colback 26, Sissoko 78 . Manager: John Carver 5.5 . Burnley (4-4-2): Heaton 6; Trippier 6.5, Shackell 6 (Long 16, 6; Reid 37, 6), Keane 6.5, Mee 6; Arfield 6, Jones 6.5, Marney 6 (Kightly 32, 7), Boyd 6.5; Barnes 7, Ings 7.5.Subs not used: Wallace, Sordell, Jutewicz, Gilks . Booked: Ings . Goals: Dummett og 19, Ings 66, Boyd 86 . Manager: Sean Dyche 7 . Referee: Mike Dean 7 . Attendance: 51,761 . Man of the match: Danny Ings . Here's the build-up for Jack Colback's goal for Newcastle. Click HERE to see more from our brilliant Match Zone. In the end, the Magpies were fortunate to escape with a point. Four times Sean Dyche’s side cracked the woodwork and the St James’ Park crowd grumbled their irritation on full-time at the surrender of maximum points. Carver – in charge with Alan Pardew having quit for Crystal Palace - concedes he was mystified by his side’s collapse. ‘It was like the old days when Kevin (Keegan) was manager,’ reflected Carver, who revealed he has lost Steven Taylor to an achilles injury for the remainder of the season. ‘I’ve never been involved in a football match where that cliche of two halves was so apparent. ‘That was some of the best football we’ve played in the first half. We could have been two or three up. We passed it well, our movement was good and we were positive. ‘But they were direct in the second half and we did not know how to deal with their approach. ‘I’m so disappointed because we were so good in the first half and so poor the second. We were lucky to get away with a point. Burnley should have won the game. ‘If I was a Newcastle fan sitting in the stand then I’d be going to the pub and I’d be disappointed.’ Steven Taylor celebrates after scoring the opening goal for Newcastle United against Burnley at St James' Park on New Year's Day . Taylor jumps to score with a header as Newcastle United take the lead against Burnley in the 15th minute . Newcastle United's Paul Dummett (left) shows his dejection after scoring an own goal as Burnley equalise in the 19th minute . The ball hits the back of the Newcastle United net as Dummett scores an own goal at St James' Park . Jack Colback (right) wheels away after putting Newcastle United back in the lead in the 26th minute . Colback (centre) celebrates with his team-mates as Newcastle United move 2-1 ahead in the Premier League clash with Burnley . Danny Ings celebrates after scoring an equaliser for Burnley against Newcastle United in the 66th minute . Taylor, Jack Colback and Moussa Sissoko had given United the lead, but on each occasion the Clarets found an equaliser. Their final leveller came four minutes from time when George Boyd smashed through the weak grasp of rookie goalkeeper Jak Alnwick. Earlier, a Paul Dummett own goal and Danny Ings’ fifth of the season had restored parity. Burnley came from two down to claim a point at Manchester City on Sunday and, while they still remain in the drop zone, Dyche – who was forced into three changes before half-time - has reason for positivity. ‘It was interesting day at office, I’ve never experienced losing three players to illness or injury so early in the game,’ he said. ‘But I could not be more proud of the players. Some of our quality was outstanding. ‘Newcastle were excellent for 25 minutes. But our response just shows the unshakable desire and belief we have in each other. ‘Manuel Pellegrini said how bright we were in our forward play the other day and I’m happy with the energy and endeavour of the team. ‘My belief is still there that we will stay up.’ It had been an absorbing affair. The game was just 54 seconds old when Ings sprung Ashley Barnes clear and his stab cannoned off the upright with Alnwick beaten. But it was Newcastle who seized the lead. They went two years without netting from a corner under Pardew and he had even ordered his analysis staff to produce a report of all goals from flag-kicks in the Premier League in a bid to find a scoring formula. Burnley's Kevin Long receives treatment as he lies on the pitch injured during the first half . Long is carried off injured on a stretcher at St James' Park just 20 minutes after coming on as a substitute . Carver (centre) sits on the home bench and chats with Newcastle United coach Peter Beardsley (left) Burnley manager Sean Dyche shouts instructions from the touchline at St James' Park . Jack Colback became the first Newcastle player to score and provide an assist in the same league game this season. It didn’t work. Under Carver, though, it took just 15 minutes. Colback delivered from the right and Taylor rose to glance home from six yards. Within four minutes the visitors were level, Dummett inadvertently nodding a dropping ball over Alnwick and into his own net from 10 yards. No matter, the mood during those early exchanges dictated that Carver’s team would simply go in search of another and they were duly back in front on 26 minutes. Daryl Janmaat rolled a short pass to Colback and he laced delightfully into the bottom corner from 25 yards. But that was where their dominance faded. Within minutes of the restart after half-time the outstanding Ings sized a curler from the edge of the area and, when that cracked the underside of the bar and bounced out, Barnes headed against the base of the post before a relieved Alnwick smothered. Newcastle United's Sissoko (left) advances with the ball as Burnley's Scott Arfield gives chase . Burnley's Steven Reid (left) tackles Newcastle United's Ayoze Perez during the Premier League clash on Thursday . Newcastle United's Emmanuel Riviere (right) is closed down near the touchline by Burnley's Michael Keane (centre) Burnley's Ashley Barnes (right) climbs above Newcastle United's Daryl Janmaat (second right) to head the ball towards goal . Again Newcastle needed the frame of the goal to preserve their lead when Ben Mee’s header – from David Jones’ corner – smashed the crossbar. The pressure eventually told. Michael Kightly swept over a cross from the left and Ings, peeling off Dummett, flicked his header into the bottom corner. At this juncture you’d wager on only one side scoring again, and it wasn’t Newcastle. In Ayoze Perez, though, they have unearthed a star. And it was the Spaniard’s jinking run and cross – mishit by Adam Armstrong – which allowed Sissoko to steam in and place beyond Heaton. But Burnley did not deserve defeat and so it was that Boyd pounced as they again came from behind to claim an invaluable point in their fight for survival. For Carver, he was just relieved it had not been all three. | Steven Taylor scored the opening goal for Newcastle United in the 15th minute .
Burnley equalised just four minutes later as Paul Dummett scored an own goal .
Jack Colback put the Magpies back in front in the 26th minute .
Danny Ings flicked a header into the bottom corner to make the score 2-2 in the 66th minute .
Moussa Sissoko made it 3-2 for the hosts with just 12 minutes to go .
George Boyd was the late hero for the Clarets as he scored an equaliser in the 86th minute .
John Carver took caretaker charge of Newcastle United following the departure of Alan Pardew to Crystal Palace . |
71,923 | cbe62a161d5022219c180cb03157f2e62fa40d25 | Vladimir Putin today issued a Cold War-style tirade to Western leaders warning them not to 'blackmail' major nuclear power Russia. Ahead of a key summit showdown with European leaders including David Cameron, he also threatened to shut of gas supplies to the EU this winter. The tough-talking former KGB spy took aim at a 'hostile' Barack Obama who listed 'Russian aggression' in Ukraine among the top global threats alongside Islamic State jihadists and Ebola. Don't mess with Russia: Vladimir Putin had a stark message for the West while speaking today in Serbia . Old school pomp: President Putin and Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic, right, arrive for a military parade in Belgrade, the Serbian capital to mark 70 years since the city's liberation by the Red Army . He lambasted Western sanctions now hitting his struggling economy, accusing the US and EU of an 'absurd, illusory goal' in seeking to isolate Moscow. 'We are hoping our partners will understand the recklessness of attempts to blackmail Russia, (and) remember what discord between large nuclear powers can do to strategic stability,' warned the Kremlin strongman. If pro-Western but energy-starved Kiev siphons gas from a pipe carrying supplies to the EU this winter, then Moscow would cut supplies, warned Putin, after receiving a red carpet welcome in Serbian capital Belgrade. 'If we see that our Ukrainian partners begin unsanctioned siphoning of gas from the pipeline system aimed for export, we will also cut the flow for the amount of stolen gas,' he said. He warned of 'major transit risks'. Cameron is taking part in a key summit in Milan tomorrow which will see Putin hold make-or-break talks with his Ukrainian opposite number Petro Poroshenko. But last night Angel Merkel warned Putin that an enforceable ceasefire this winter depended on urgent action from Russia. Fearing the conflict could escalate, Ukraine announced it has dug a 39-mile anti tank ditch and 30 miles of other defences on a key section of its border to discourage Putin from sending his forces into its territory. Show of force: President Nikolic and President Putin review the honor guard during the welcome ceremony . Cult of personality: Serbian nationalists hold posters of Putin ahead of his appearance at the parade . Meanwhile, former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev expressed fear of a damaging return to the Cold War. He urged both the West and Putin to pull back from the brink. 'As a first step, the logic of mutual accusations and sanctions must be left behind,' the 83-year-old told Rossiiskaya Gazeta newspaper, the Kremlin's official organ. 'One must not get dragged back into a new Cold War. Shared threats to our security have not disappeared.' The elder statesman demanded the leaders concentrate on critical global threats such as the Ebola virus and the Islamic State insurgency in Iraq and Syria. 'In the face of shared challenges, we can again find a common language,' he said. 'It won't be easy but there is no other way.' But Moscow denied it had agreed to share intelligence on the IS with America. | Putin spoke at military parade to mark Red Army liberation of Belgrade .
He lambasts Western sanctions accusing U.S. of 'absurd, illusory goal'
Tomorrow he travels to key summit where he will meet Ukrainian president . |
99,347 | 0bf1f6fd7b2dd902f4be363bfa877660c2ca7483 | We should, perhaps, forgive the poor naive men who think women spend their 'time of the month' horse-riding along beaches, rollerblading and skydiving, and that period blood is blue. For there are, it seems, a few of them out there. One of these is Richard Neill, a disillusioned boyfriend who light-heartedly bemoaned being mis-sold the truth about menstruation on Bodyform's Facebook page, and who has received feedback from the company in the form of a hilarious spoof YouTube video which has gone viral. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO . An actress playing Bodyform CEO Caroline Williams explains 'the truth' about periods to Richard Neill on the company's spoof YouTube video, also posted on Facebook . Mr Neill penned a Facebook wall missive to feminine hygiene brand Bodyform on 8 October, explaining how confused their advert for sanitary products made him. He said that as a boy he watched jolly, carefree women cavorting along the beach and hurling themselves out of planes, having 'blue water' periods that gave them fun-sounding 'wings', all to the backdrop of that age-old aural ear-worm: the 'Woah Bodyform, Bodyformed for you!' song. He went on to explain how acquiring a girlfriend later in life had exposed the horrible truth about periods, and how they actually transformed his 'loving, gentle, normal skin coloured lady to the little girl from the exorcist with added venom and extra 360 degree head spin'. His witty tale of woe prompted much amusement on the social networking site, and his message has, to date, received 86,743 'likes' and 3,735 comments. Posted on Bodyform's Facebook page on 8 October: . 'Hi, as a man I must ask why you have lied to us for all these years. 'As . a child I watched your advertisements with interest as to how at this . wonderful time of the month that the female gets to enjoy so many . things, I felt a little jealous. 'I . mean bike riding, rollercoasters, dancing, parachuting, why couldn't I . get to enjoy this time of joy and 'blue water' and wings!! Dam my . penis!! 'Then I got a girlfriend, was so happy and couldn't wait for this joyous adventurous time of the month to happen .....you lied !! 'There was no joy, no extreme sports, no blue water spilling over wings and no rocking soundtrack oh no no no. 'Instead . I had to fight against every male urge I had to resist screaming . wooaaahhhhh bodddyyyyyyfooorrrmmm bodyformed for youuuuuuu as my lady . changed from the loving, gentle, normal skin coloured lady to the little . girl from the exorcist with added venom and extra 360 degree head spin. 'Thanks for setting me up for a fall bodyform, you crafty b@gger' Caroline Williams explains that the depictions of women rollerblading and having pillow fights during their periods are in fact metaphors . In response Bodyform spotted a golden PR opportunity and yesterday released a hilarious . YouTube video retort, conceived by their advertising agency Carat. 'Bodyform Responds: The Truth' is a two minute clip . in which company 'boss' Caroline Williams (actually played by an . actress) sits down to explain the truth about periods to Richard. Posted on their Facebook page, the . video - which went viral overnight - shows Bodyform's 'CEO' sitting at . her desk with a jug of blue water. Addressing Richard she says: 'Hello Richard. We read your Facebook post with interest, but . also a sense of foreboding - and I think it's time we came clean. We . lied to you, Richard. And I want to say sorry.' Ms . Williams then breaks the news to Richard that Bodyform's prolific use of . skydiving and mountain bike-riding in their adverts was actually metaphorical, an illusion used to represent periods because men 'can't . handle the truth'. Richard Neill's original post on Facebook, in which he complained about the lies he was being sold regarding periods by Bodyform's adverts . 'There's no such thing as a happy . period,' she says, going on to explain how a series of focus groups in . the 1980s proved that 'the cramps, the mood-swings, the insatiable hunger, . and yes, Richard, the blood coursing from our uteri like a crimson . landslide' were all too much for men to really bear. The spoof video - which has so far notched up 135,036 views on YouTube, 2,213 Facebook 'likes' and 211 comments - ends with the CEO thanking Richard for lifting the veil on their lies and exposing the truth. SCA, manufacturers of Bodyform, and the brand's advertising agency Carat, co-ordinated the idea for the video response. The concept was scripted and filmed by Rubber Republic. A still from a Bodyform advert, uploaded onto YouTube, shows a carefree women skydiving from a plane . Yulia Kretova, Brand Controller, at . Bodyform said: 'We found Richard's post very amusing and wanted to . continue the positive dialogue around periods that this generated. 'Working with the brand for five years breaking down the taboo around Bodyform and periods has always been a challenge and I hope that we have started to address this. 'Carat has created an original and uniquely personalised response, brilliantly PR-ed by Myriad, allowing Bodyform to quickly engage in consumer conversations in a meaningful way.' Bodyform's skydiving advert, uploaded to YouTube in 2007 . Rachael Lake, Communications Planning Manager at Carat said: 'Bodyform's advertisements have a long, distinguished history that we wanted to build on in our film. 'Our carefully crafted response to the Facebook post is deliberately playful and uses video to present a humorous and spirited take on an often slightly taboo subject.' Katie . Hibbard, Social Media Planner at Ogilvy advertising agency, told . MailOnline: 'This really shows how brands can best use social media - . responding quickly, to a topical subject, by creating content that is . innately shareable. 'The . sense of humour Bodyform have used shows that the brand truly . understands its target audience, I think they've done an amazing job.' | Richard Neill wrote hilarious Facebook post bemoaning period adverts .
His message has received 86,743 'likes' and 3,735 comments .
Bodyform replied with spoof YouTube video message that has gone viral . |
72,712 | ce2ee76dea41261d151028e5b56d3f2865c42635 | By . Paul Newman for the Daily Mail . Follow @@Paul_NewmanDM . Cricket’s crackdown on throwing claimed its highest-profile victim in Saeed Ajmal on Tuesday, before it was revealed that on-field testing could soon be brought in to finally rid the world game of the chuckers. The International Cricket Council, long derided as a toothless governing body, caused a stir when they banned the best spinner in the world. It is part of a concerted campaign against chucking which has also seen Sri Lanka’s Sachithra Senanayake and New Zealand’s Kane Williamson stopped from bowling. Pakistan and Worcestershire spinner Ajmal was reported for a second time after the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle. In a move which has ramifications for the international and domestic game, he faces a public fight for his future. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal banned by the ICC . Controversial: Saeed Ajmal bowls during a practice session ahead of their ODI match against Sri Lanka . Ban: Ajmal has been banned indefinitely by the ICC for an illegal bowling action done in Brisbane . Muttiah Muralitharan . Despite holding the all-time record of 800 Test wickets, the Sri Lankan’s action has always been controversial. Though never suspended, Muralitharan was called for chucking on numerous occasions throughout his career. He even went on TV to bowl with a special cast on to try to prove his innocence. Shoaib Akhtar . The Pakistani paceman was suspended by the ICC in December 1999 but had his ban lifted almost immediately. Akhtar was regularly bowling around 95mph but there were concerns about the straightening of his arm before sending down a bouncer or a quicker ball. Brett Lee . The Australian fast bowler emerged at a similar time to Akhtar and his speed raised similar suspicions of an illegal action. But the ICC cleared him in the summer of 2000. Marlon Samuels . As well as being banned in 2008 over a match-fixing scandal, the part-time West Indies offspinner was prohibited from bowling quick deliveries in international cricket due to his action. Ajmal, who earlier this season bowled Worcestershire to a formidable position in the race for second division promotion, is adamant he can prove his innocence in time for February’s World Cup. ‘It is very disappointing but I’m a fighter and I know what I have to do to get back before the World Cup,’ said Ajmal, 36. All of his deliveries, not just the doosra, were found to be illegal after biomechanical tests in Brisbane. ‘The ban is not a problem for me. The ICC have stopped me from bowling because my elbow is bending beyond the 15 degrees allowed and I know I can correct that. My elbow is not usual. That’s why I seem to bend it more.’ Yet Ajmal, who blamed a car accident which damaged his elbow the first time he was reported for throwing five years ago, will have to fight back the hard way once ICC plans for sensors that can be worn during matches to identify throwing are introduced. These are at the final stage of testing in Brisbane. Players will wear two sensors on the back of the arm near the elbow in an attempt to provide more accurate results than those garnered by laboratories away from match conditions. Ajmal is a popular figure who has proved both a mentor and an inspiration to England’s Moeen Ali. There was widespread sympathy for a man who has proved a magician in the Muttiah Muralitharan mould, provides no danger to batsmen and has been the highest wicket-taker in world cricket across all formats in the last three years. Yet there are plenty who will welcome this move as he has long been suspected of throwing — not least privately by England when he bowled them to a 3-0 Test whitewash two years ago. Only this season Michael Vaughan posted a picture on Twitter of Ajmal bowling for Worcestershire with the former England captain and Stuart Broad then apparently questioning the validity of the Pakistani’s action. There will also be those who question the validity of Worcestershire’ s probable promotion after Ajmal’s leading role in taking 63 wickets as their overseas player before leaving for international duty. Ajmal added a yorker fired in at 70mph to his repertoire this season and that has caused consternation because of its ability to bamboozle top order players who were simply unable to pick it. Accused: Australian Brett Lee (left) and Sri Lankan Muttiah Muralitharan both had questionable techniques . Highly regarded: Ajmal is the world's top-ranked one-day international bowler . Essex are one of the counties likely to miss out on promotion because of Worcestershire’s success but there were no complaints from their coach Paul Grayson. He said on Tuesday: ‘Worcestershire have played some very good cricket this season and they are far from a one-man band. ‘The last thing I want to be accused of is sour grapes by complaining now but what I would question is why none of the county umpires reported Saeed. This only came to light when he went off to play for Pakistan.’ Ajmal will almost certainly miss Pakistan’s Test series against Australia next month while he undergoes remedial action but will take heart from the fact that he was cleared the last time this happened. In 2009, testing in Perth found that Ajmal’s elbow has a 23.5 degree bend. Yet, with the ICC deciding that throwing is a major problem among spinners, and not just ‘mystery’ ones, a man who turns 37 next month faces a race against time if he is to be seen at the highest level again. | Saeed Ajmal has been banned by the ICC for an indefinite period .
The Pakistan spinner was penalised after straightening his arm by more than 15 degrees in all of his deliveries while being tested in Brisbane .
He was also reported by the match officials during Pakistan's seven-wicket loss to Sri Lanka last month . |
95,041 | 061f2c8b775e020320be5ea2c468a846a3e1908f | Joe DiMaggio's love letter to Marilyn Monroe has sold for $78,125 at a Beverly Hills auction. Julien's Auctions in Beverly Hills says the letter, written by the baseball great after Monroe announced she was divorcing him, was sold Saturday to an undisclosed buyer. The letter during their brief, volatile marriage was among 300 items, dubbed 'Marilyn Monroe's Lost Archives,' that went on the block. A handwritten letter from Monroe to her third and final husband, playwright Arthur Miller, sold for $43,750. Monroe, who died of a drug overdose at age 36 in 1962, willed the collection of letters to her mentor, the legendary acting coach Lee Strasberg. Also up for auction was an old prescription pill bottle from a pharmacy in Bedford. The collection of belongings - which also includes her supposedly-favorite black coat, circa mid-1950s, photographs and other memorabilia - were until now kept by her mentor and coach Lee Strasberg, who died in 1982. Scroll down for video . Once married: Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio were married in 1954 for nine months and DiMaggio wrote Marilyn a touching letter begging her to take him back . Sold: Joe DiMaggio's love letter to Marilyn Monroe has sold for $78,125 at a Beverly Hills auction to an undisclosed buyer . Insightful: This letter was written to Monroe by Joe DiMaggio after she announced she wanted a divorce. In the letter the baseball star begs for his wife not to leave him . Private collection: Over 200 personal belongings of Marilyn Monroe went up for auction in Los Angeles . Intimate: The collection gives a rare insight into the life of the late screen goddess . Personal: Among the items is a prescription bill bottle from a pharmacy in Bedford, New York . For Miss Monroe: Numerous phone messages that were taken at the Beverly Hills Hotel . Bling: The belongings, such as this necklace, were left to mentor and coach Lee Strasberg, who died in 1982 . 'We are all in awe of this opportunity to offer such a rare collection and glimpse into Marilyn Monroe’s life,' said Martin Nolan, Executive Director of Julien’s Auctions. 'You can’t help but get emotional on several levels when you have the chance to read the letters and view some of the photographs and witness Marilyn’s own attempt at correspondence.' The collection is a strange glimpse into the late screen goddess' private world. Arguably the most insightful item is a letter from Joe DiMaggio, written after the baseball star learned his wife wanted a divorce. Monroe made the announcement during a press conference in 1954, nine months after their wedding. 'He writes this amazing letter, beautiful handwriting, very impressive,' Nolan told CCTV. 'But his first and foremost number one concern was he truly loved Marilyn, but he was concerned for her welfare, he felt she looked as though she was about to collapse. 'He didn't like to see her crying. And then he expressed his love, he expresses his regret and apologies if he had anyway hurt her. 'And he is begging her to come back to him. So it's a true love letter.' The most expensive item at the auction is said to be Monroe's favorite - a coat she wore consistently in the mid-1950s. The piece originally sold as part of her estate in 1999, but was expected to fetch at least $120,000. Favorite: This coat is said to have been Monroe's go-to and she wore it consistently . The auction included love letters, photographs, personal items, personal records and documents and other memorabilia . Classic: A three-panel sterling silver custom-made Cartier frame, gifted to Marilyn Monroe by Nedda and Joshua Logan. Inside is a picture taken by Cecil Beaton in 1956, along with a letter from him describing her . 'My darling': One of many love letters sent to Monroe by husband Arthur Miller . Autograph: This slip is believed to be from an item Monroe bought at an auction . Nude: This painting of Monroe was done by Earl Moran, believed to be dated 1946 . 'My Darling, my darling, my poppy': This is a note Monroe was writing back to Arthur Miller but never finished . Next month: The auction was held at the Julien’s Auctions Beverly Hills gallery, located at 9665 Wilshire Boulevard . | Joe DiMaggio's love letter to Marilyn Monroe begging her not to divorce him has sold for $78,125 .
A handwritten letter from Monroe to her third and final husband, playwright Arthur Miller, sold for $43,750 .
Monroe, who died of a drug overdose at age 36 in 1962, willed the collection of letters to her mentor, the legendary acting coach Lee Strasberg . |
275,532 | f0f483fde2e138cd673e0c8a95e57edaaf39ae55 | Tony Gwynn, the Hall of Famer with a sweet left-handed swing who spent his entire 20-year career with the Padres and was one of San Diego's most beloved athletes, died of cancer Monday. He was 54. Gwynn, nicknamed 'Mr. Padre,' had been on a medical leave since late March from his job as baseball coach at San Diego State, his alma mater. He died at a hospital in suburban Poway, agent John Boggs said. San Diego Padres' Tony Gwynn pictured here in the final game of his career, died of cancer on Monday at the age of 54 . In a rarity in pro sports, Gwynn played his whole career with the Padres retiring in 2001 . 'For more than 30 years, Tony Gwynn . was a source of universal goodwill in the national pastime, and he will . be deeply missed by the many people he touched,' Commissioner Bud Selig . said. Gwynn had two operations for cancer in his right cheek between August 2010 and February 2012. The second surgery was complicated, with surgeons removing a facial nerve because it was intertwined with a tumor inside his right cheek. They grafted a nerve from Gwynn's neck to help him eventually regain facial movement. Gwynn had said he believed the cancer was from chewing tobacco. San Francisco Giants third base coach Tim Flannery played a long time with Gwynn and then coached him. Flannery says he'll 'remember the cackle to his laugh. He was always laughing, always talking, always happy.' 'The baseball world is going to miss one of the greats, and the world itself is going to miss one of the great men of mankind,' Flannery said. 'He cared so much for other people. He had a work ethic unlike anybody else, and had a childlike demeanor of playing the game just because he loved it so much.' In a rarity in pro sports, Gwynn played his whole career with the Padres, choosing to stay rather than leaving for bigger paychecks elsewhere. His terrific hand-eye coordination made him one of the game's greatest contact hitters. Gwynn had said he believed the cancer that took his life was from chewing tobacco . He had 3,141 hits, a career .338 average and won eight NL batting titles. He excelled at hitting singles the other way, through the '5.5 hole' between third base and shortstop. Gwynn played in the Padres' only two World Series and was a 15-time All-Star. He homered off the facade at Yankee Stadium off San Diego native David Wells in Game 1 of the 1998 World Series and scored the winning run in the 1994 All-Star Game. He was hitting .394 when a players' strike ended the 1994 season, denying him a shot at becoming the first player to hit .400 since San Diego native Ted Williams hit .406 in 1941. Gwynn befriended Williams and the two loved to talk about hitting. Gwynn steadied Williams when he threw out the ceremonial first pitch before the 1999 All-Star Game at Boston's Fenway Park. Gwynn retired after the 2001 season. He and Cal Ripken Jr. — who spent his entire career with the Baltimore Orioles — were inducted into the Hall of Fame in the class of 2007. Gwynn was a two-sport star at San Diego State in the late 1970s-early 1980s, playing point guard for the basketball team — he still holds the game, season and career record for assists — and outfielder for the baseball team. Gwynn always wanted to play in the NBA, until realizing during his final year at San Diego State that baseball would be the ticket to the pros. He had 3,141 hits, a career .338 average and won eight NL batting titles over his career . 'I had no idea that all the things in my . career were going to happen,' he said shortly before being inducted into . the Hall of Fame along with Ripken in 2007. 'I sure didn't see it. I . just know the good Lord blessed me with ability, blessed me with good . eyesight and a good pair of hands, and then I worked at the rest.' He was a third-round draft pick of the Padres in 1981. After spending parts of just two seasons in the minor leagues, he made his big league debut on July 19, 1982. Gwynn had two hits that night, including a double, against the Philadelphia Phillies. After doubling, Pete Rose, who had been trailing the play, said to Gwynn: "Hey, kid, what are you trying to do, catch me in one night?" Survivors include his wife, Alicia, daughter Anisha and son Tony Jr., who plays with the Philadelphia Phillies. | Died of cancer on Monday at the age of 54 .
Had been on medical leave from his job coaching baseball at San Diego State since March .
Had 3,1141 hits, a career .338 average, and won eight NL batting titles in his more than 30 years with the Padres .
Retired after the 2001 season .
Inducted into Hall of Fame with Cal Ripken in 2007 . |
54,323 | 99e3c54ec9d19902a9ce2370aba86fe231bb605c | By . Tara Brady . Councils across the UK have spent more than £7.2m on charging points for electric cars over the last three years but many are not being used. One in six councils admitted to having at least one point which has not been used at all over the past year. While less than a third of authorities have a charging point used on average more than once a week, more than half of which are used only by council vehicles. Councils across the UK have spent more than £7.2m on charging points for electric cars in three years . BBC Radio 4’s You and Yours found that council spending amounts to £1,750 per electric car. Answers to Freedom of Information requests from 91 per cent of councils in the UK revealed that 139 had spent £7.21m on charging points between them since April 2010. Twenty-five of the councils (18 per cent) said they had at least one point not used at all between April 2012 and April 2013, while 41 (29 per cent) councils had a point used more than 52 times over the same 12 months. Twenty-five of the councils said they had at least one point not used at all between April 2012 and April 2013 . Prof David Bailey, a transport expert at Coventry University Business School, told You and Yours: 'At the moment there are hardly any electric cars on the road. 'There are more charging points than there are electric cars. 'Much more effort needs to go into stimulating the demand side and educating people so that they know how to use these cars.' Figures from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency show there are 4,100 electric cars in the UK. Matthew Sinclair, chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: 'Taxpayers are clearly being fleeced to fund what is little more than an attempt by the councils involved to brandish their green credentials. 'When only around four thousand of the 34.6 million vehicles on the road are electric cars, this amounts to a very expensive vanity project. 'In any case, since the cars are only suited to travelling short distances, their owners should expect to charge them at home or at their workplace: it’s not fair for them to land already hard-pressed taxpayers with a whopping bill to subsidise their expensive choice of vehicle.' In February the Government announced an extra £37 million to offset the cost of installing infrastructure for recharging electric vehicles, which will be made available to hospitals, local authorities and train operators to provide charging points. But the Local Government Association said investment has to be made in charging points. A spokesman said: 'You have to invest in the charging infrastructure before people start using it. 'Electric cars are a huge future international market. One barrier to that market taking off is the limited range before a car needs recharging, so investment in charging points is a vital precondition to this low carbon, sustainable and potentially hugely profitable market of the future.' 'No one is pretending that everything can change overnight' Department for Transport spokesman . The Government and motoring groups also warned that the electric car revolution would take time. A Department for Transport (DfT) spokesman said: 'No one is pretending that everything can change overnight. 'The Government is putting serious investment into the UK low emissions vehicles sector, including for electric cars. 'We are seeing encouraging growth in the number of people using electric cars - for example there were 966 claims for the plug-in car grant in April-June 2013, almost double the number seen in the same quarter of the previous year - but no one is pretending that everything can change overnight. 'That is why we are continuing to invest in the infrastructure that will support take up of this new technology across the country, including the charging points announcements we made yesterday.' The spokesman continued: 'Our goal is to ensure that the automotive industry in the UK can build on its recent success with clear support for investment in research and development and continue to make a major contribution to tackling the challenges of 21st century motoring.' Edmund King, president of AA, said he did not think the charging points were waste of time. He said: 'These things take time. At the moment, most people with electric cars charge them at home or at work. There is certainly a role for electric cars to play and I think their price will come down. 'We do need a mix of cars in the UK. Most two-car households could get by with an electric cart. We need to change attitudes.' | One in six councils have a point which has not been used in a year .
Less than a third have a point used on average more than once a week .
Figures from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency show there are 4,100 electric cars in the UK . |
284,086 | fc0f675c841fb6fc18b6fc586a86d69625306639 | Air pollution from oil and gas wells in Utah is being linked to the deaths of 13 infants last year - a rate six times higher than the national average. But the midwife who raised the alarm about the possible link has been targeted by threats and vandalism because drilling has helped the area in question prosper and kept thousands of people employed since the 1940s. The city of Vernal has 12,000 oil and gas wells, and some scientists whose research focuses on the effect of certain drilling-related chemicals on fetal development believe it could be the reason for the spike in infant deaths. Thirteen babies died near the Unitah Basin in Vernal last year, something some scientists are suggesting could be linked to oil and gas drilling in the area 'have blinders on' Midwife Donna Young uncovered an upward four-year trend in infant deaths in the Uintah Basin, in northeast Utah. One in every 95.5 burials in Uintah County in 2010 was a baby, which increased to one in every 53 burials the following year. In 2012, the figure increased again to one burial in every 39.7 and last year it jumped to one in every 15. Heather Jensen, whose two infants sons, died in late 2011 and 2013, told The Denver Post: 'People like to blame stuff on that all the time, but I don't feel like it has anything to do with oil and gas. I just feel like it's a trial I was given,' In neighboring Colorado late last year, an unusually high number of fetal anomalies in Glenwood Springs, 175 miles away in Colorado, were reported to state authorities. Drilling was investigated as a possible cause, but the study found no connection. Concerns have also been raised in other areas of heavy drilling, but no spikes in deaths have been recorded and no conclusions have been reached. Susan Nagel, a University of Missouri School of Medicine researcher who is focusing her studies on fracking-fluid chemicals that affect hormones said she suspects there is a 'relationship' between drilling and the deaths in Utah. Medical studies have found that air pollution can harm embryos. Harmful chemicals like benzene, toluene and xylenes are released during drilling, and can cross the placental barrier and cause heart, brain and spinal defects. Dr Brian Moench, president of the Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment said those not considering the link between air pollution and the deaths had their ' Dr Brian Moench, president of the Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment, said establishing a conclusive link between drilling and baby deaths is complicated, but of the Vernal-area deaths, he said 'air pollution from drilling is a part of it'. Air pollution is often a combination of chemicals and particles, combined from multiple sources. In Vernal, diesel pickups and fracking rigs are commonplace, and spew out fumes; coal-fired plants sends plumes of smoke into the air, and oil field-support businesses, stretch for miles. A study by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric administration recently showed dangerously high levels of ozone in the Uintah Basin around Vernal. And last winter the levels were recorded as being well beyond those set by the Environmental Protection Agency. The study pointed at the oil and gas industry.'I think we pretty clearly have an air-quality problem, but we try not to freak out,' said Seth Lyman, an air-quality researcher with Utah State University in Vernal. 'But I think there is a low probability (that) air quality is bad enough to impact infant mortality.' 'I think we pretty clearly have an air-quality problem, but we try not to freak out,' said Seth Lyman, an air-quality researcher with Utah State University in Vernal . Another factor being considered as possibly contributing to the deaths is an explosion east of Vernal in March, 2013 at a business that cleans fracking equipment, which sent debris over a half-mile area. Authorities in Vernal discounted the explosion as having any environmental impact. They've said those complaining about air quality in Vernal don't live there. The possible link was given some credence when the TriCounty Health Department decided to help with a study to investigate the baby death spike. Ms Young had taken her findings, compiled through obituaries, to Dr Moench. Epidemiologists are using birth and death certificates to test Ms Young's findings. The results are expected early next year. Pollution aside, the Uintah County isn't a healthy place. It ranks 24th of 27 Utah counties in health rankings, smoking rates are twice what they are in the rest of Utah, obesity is also an issue, as is heavy drinking. There are also a high number of teen mothers. Dr Moench said those not considering the connection 'have blinders on'. Ms Nagal has gathered samples in Colorado's Garfield County and is exposing pregnant mice to fracking fluids to investigate what if any impact they have on their offspring. Earlier research she showed babies born to mothers living within 10 miles of wells are at greater risk of congenital heart defects and neural tube defects.But other researches have discredits her research methods. Ms Young, who delivers a lot of babies for father's who work in the oil fields, now insists that all her pregnant patients use air and water filters. The study in Garfield County, was also sparked by concerns raise by midwives. The study looked at 22 cases and found no direct links to air pollution. A recent survey of Vernal residents indicated 85 per cent welcomed oil shale development, which is expected to get underway next year. More than 25,000 new oil and gas wells are proposed in the basin. | Air pollution from oil and gas wells has been linked to 13 deaths last year .
Infant deaths have increased year-on-year in Utah over a four year period .
A midwife who raised the issue has received threats from the public . |
25,174 | 474dad9761349a20fab29a98ed1af05249307398 | Like most mothers, Ann McNeilage is planning to give her 'girls' the best Christmas ever. The 50-year-old from Inverclyde, Scotland, has bought Abba and Diva £150 worth of presents and will cook them a delicious roast dinner. But the pair aren't her daughters - they're her pet dogs. The pampered pooches have a £5,000 wardrobe, their own chaise longue, a buggy, a DVD collection and a selection of perfumes. Scroll down for video . Pampered pooches: Ann McNeilage is planning to give her 'girls' the best Christmas ever . Living dolls: The mother loves dressing up her dogs and spends about £25 on an outfit . Ann admits she has spent £30,000 spoiling her two 'girls' Throughout the year, the two shih tzus are treated to fortnightly days out to the beach, the museum, and even the fairground - where they enjoy taking turns on the rides. When they are not being chauffeured on trips in their buggy, Abba and Diva enjoy nothing more than settling down for a 'girls' night in' with Ann, watching DVDs and being pampered. Ann said she spends most of her wages on the dogs, leaving little for herself, but she says the happiness her dogs have brought mean it's worth every penny. She said: 'Some people think I'm silly for spending so much money on them but they're my hobby and I'd rather spend my money on my dogs than waste £100 on a night out like some people.' Ann does her best to make sure her girls look trendy, dressing them in matching tutus and dresses. Film fans: Abba and Diva enjoy settling down for a 'girls' night in' with Ann, watching DVDs - their favourites are Beverley Hills Chihuahua and Pudsey: The Movie . She said: 'I spend about £25 on an outfit and I've probably spent about £5,000 in total, although I make a lot of their things myself. 'A lot of stuff I don't even put on them because I don't want them to get ruined. I'll just put them on for a photo and then it goes away again. 'They've got bows, hats, and necklaces and now and again they get a spritz of glitter spray. 'I've got a spare bedroom and what used to be my daughter's big wardrobe where I keep all of their clothes and accessories. 'I do spend most of my wages on them once my bills are paid. I don't buy myself clothes for myself, it's always the girls. It's just like having kids. It gives me pleasure. 'As soon as the postman comes with parcels they run to the door to see if it's for them. They love it.' Ann, a nurse, does her best to keep seven-year-old Diva and one-year-old Abba entertained, treating them to exciting days out and cosy girls' nights in. She said: 'I can sense how they're feeling. If they're bored I'm really sensitive to their moods and I act on it just the way you would with a child. Constant companions: Ann takes the two shih tzus everywhere with her in their own buggy . Diva and Abba are Ann's hobbies and she said: 'They're my babies and spoiling them makes me happy' 'I'm not afraid to admit things like that. They're my babies and that's it. 'They get taken out for days at the beach, museum visits, and fun fairs. They love taking turns on the rides. 'I dress them up to go out and they love the attention and being around people. I put them in their pink stroller and we make a day of it. 'And if we're not going out we'll have a girls' night in and get pampered. 'They have their own DVD collection. The love Beverley Hills Chihuahua and they're getting Pudsey: The Movie for Christmas.' Whether she is going grocery or clothes shopping, takes the dogs with her fully dressed in their buggy. Little princesses: As well as matching tutus and 'trendy' clothes, the dogs have their own pink chaise longue . Spoilt for choice: The dogs have a wardrobe worth £5,000 but owner Ann said it's worth every penny . Ann lavishes time and money on the dogs' wardrobes which includes dresses, tutus, hats and necklaces . She was once confronted by an angry mother on the bus, who was upset about having to fold up her own buggy to make space - but Ann doesn't care. She said: 'I told her I had a bad back and I was taking my dog for a day out so she should mind her own business. 'Shih tzus can get tired easily so it is a lot easier to push them around. They can be quite stubborn and won't walk far. 'In the summer it protects them from being burnt by the sun and we can have a nice day out. 'Some women tut at me but I think everybody knows me now and they love Diva and Abba. I don't care what anyone thinks.' Fun at the fair: Ann takes Abba and Diva for days out, like this trip to the fair to enjoy a ride on the tea cups . Day out: Ann, a nurse, does her best to keep seven-year-old Diva and one-year-old Abba entertained . As well as a bursting wardrobe and a bustling social life, the dogs have acquired a very sophisticated palate. The shih tzus are able to distinguish the difference between prime chicken breast and the cheaper alternative and won't dine on anything less than the best. Ann said: 'They eat fresh chicken and ham from M&S. If I get cheap chicken they know and they turn their noses up at it. Their antics are unbelievable at times. 'I take them to McDonalds once a month and they get a Happy Meal and every couple of weeks they get chicken chow mein from the Chinese takeaway. They love noodles and McDonalds fries.' This Christmas the dogs will be treated to a traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings. And unsurprisingly, Ann plans to splash out on presents and Christmas outfits. She said: 'For Christmas I've bought them a camper van bed each. They already have four poster beds and a pink leather chaise longue but I want to make sure they're comfortable. 'They've also got new clothes and a new outfit for Christmas day and lots of toys but I've still got things to buy.' No more empty nest: Ann said her dogs are part of the family and comforted her daughter moved out . Birthdays are also a special occasion in the McNeilage household, and each dog is thrown a party to celebrate their special day. Ann said: 'They always have a themed party for their birthday. They've had a princess one, a Disney one and a fairy one but I pick a different theme every year. 'Sometimes my friends bring their dogs and they all sit around the table in their little party hats. 'I get them a personalised cake made specially at the bakers and we all sit down and have a slice.' Ann has caused controversy with the amount she has spent on her pets, but she says there is no way she would rather spend her money. She said: 'It's my money and it's my interest. If people worked out what they spent on alcohol it would be a lot more. 'People have said to me that I should donate that money to charity, but do you donate the money you spend on your hobby to charity? I don't think so. They're worth every penny.' The dogs get their own themed birthday parties complete with a specially-made cake . They're worth it: The pets will get their own roast dinner with all the trimmings on Christmas Day . For Ann the dogs are a perfect companion, and have helped to ease her 'empty nest syndrome' since her daughter Amanda, 30, left home. Ann said: 'It's like having two daughters. I call them my girls and they're part of the family. They act like children, it reminds me of when my daughter was younger. 'They fight for attention and try and steal each other's space on the sofa to get closer to me. 'They get very jealous and I have to have one on each side. Their antics are brilliant, they're great dogs. There's toys everywhere, it's like having two kids. 'Getting the dogs was the best thing I've done, it's changed my life. They're my babies and spoiling them makes me happy.' | Ann McNeilage, 50, from Inverclyde, Scotland, says dogs are her babies .
She loves to spend her money on the shih tzus, Diva and Abba .
They have a wardrobe worth £5,000 .
Taken everywhere with Ann in their own buggy .
Pampered pooches enjoy days out at the fair and nights in watching DVDs . |
43,695 | 7b393e3ea57368a77a421426748ef13f75a4b075 | (CNN) -- South African sprinter Oscar Pistorius was involved in a nightclub dispute over the weekend, after another patron "started to aggressively interrogate him" on matters relating to his murder trial, his spokeswoman says. Reports of the incident and subsequent tweets by Pistorius -- his first activity on Twitter since the one-year anniversary of his girlfriend's death -- have grabbed headlines in South Africa and around the world. Pistorius, 27, is accused of murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, 29, on February 14, 2013. The Olympic sprinter admits firing the bullets that killed Steenkamp, but denies murder, saying he mistakenly thought he was defending himself from an intruder. South African media reported Monday that Pistorius had been involved in an altercation Saturday at the VIP Room in the Sandton area of Johannesburg. Pistorius' spokeswoman Anneliese Burgess confirmed to CNN Tuesday that her client had been at the venue with one of his cousins, sitting in a VIP section, when he was approached by another patron. "The individual, according to my client, started to aggressively interrogate him on matters relating to the trial. An argument ensued during which my client asked to be left alone," she said. "Oscar soon thereafter left the club with his cousin. My client regrets the decision to go to a public space and thereby inviting unwelcome attention." The day after the incident, Pistorius tweeted a photo montage showing him with children on prosthetics or stumps. The text accompanying the photos reads, "You have the ability to make a difference in someones life. Sometimes it's the simple things you say or do that can make someone feel better or inspire them." This was followed by a second tweet, in which the sprinter posted a photographed passage from "Man's Search for Meaning," a book by Holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl. The text says love is the "ultimate and highest goal" and describes how a man with nothing "may still find bliss ... in the contemplation of his beloved." "In a position of utter desolation, when a man cannot express himself in positive action, when his only achievement may consist in enduring his sufferings in the right way -- an honorable way -- in such a position man can, through loving contemplation of the image he carries of his beloved, achieve fulfillment," it says. Pistorius posted a third tweet Monday, a prayer written across a photo of a misty river -- credited to the Christian website crosswalk.com. The text reads: "Lord, today I ask that you bathe those who live in pain in the river of your healing. Amen." The postings have prompted messages of support, bewilderment and condemnation on the social media site, with some Twitter users questioning why Pistorius had visited a nightclub while on trial. Pistorius' murder trial has been adjourned until August 7, when closing arguments are scheduled to begin. | Oscar Pistorius is accused of murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in February 2013 .
Pistorius admits killing Steenkamp but denies murder, saying he mistook her for an intruder .
He was involved in a dispute at a nightclub Saturday, his spokeswoman says .
Pistorius subsequently posted a series of tweets, his first activity on Twitter since February . |
250,126 | cfb1d08954165bb7a6af8b3480abf35c258f5b3f | Paul Walker's ex and best friend has said she's devastated about losing the 'Fast & Furious' star just five days after her father passed away from cancer. 'These were the two loves of my life and the most important men in my life,' model-turned Las Vegas real estate broker Aubrianna Atwell said Sunday. Atwell met Walker through friends at the Hollywood Canteen a dozen years ago. The two began dating and though the romance ended, they have been in each other's lives ever since, chatting on the phone at least every week. Walker had promised to be with Atwell at her father's memorial service December 8. Devastated: Paul Walker's ex and best friend Aubrianna Atwell, pictured with the star in 2004, says she's devastated about losing the 'Fast & Furious' star, just six days after her father passed away from cancer . But on Saturday, as she toasted her father's memory with friends, she received a text message from Walker's friend. 'Call me please,' it read. 'In my gut, I knew something was wrong,' the 28-year-old told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. When she called, she was asked 'Are you driving?' The news left her crushed. Atwell's father, prominent real estate broker David Atwell, died last Monday of complications associated with his throat and lung cancer. He was 63 and had recently penned an email to Walker, thanking him for the supportive role he held in his daughter's life. Double blow: Atwell's father, prominent real estate broker David Atwell, pictured left, died last Monday of complications associated with his throat and lung cancer . 'My dad told him how much he loved him and how much he appreciated him protecting me,' she told the Las Vegas Sun. 'It was an overdue expression of gratitude.' The pair had 'traveled the world together,' Atwell said, explaining she regularly accompanied him on international trips. For . her birthday in April, the 40-year-old actor took her to San Francisco . to see a Giants game. She said she rushed home to be by her dad's side . for his last months. 'Paul was going to be with me on the day of my dad's service,' Atwell told The Sun. 'He . was the most generous, unconditionally loving person I've known. He . gave everything. I will live my life to the fullest extent for my father . and Paul.' Atwell said she and Walker talked a lot about his 15-year-old daughter Meadow who 'was everything to him.' Scene: A police officer walks past the car where actor Paul Walker was killed in Valencia, Santa Clarita, California, November 30, 2013. Atwell said 'I'm sure a bit of speed was involved' Walker had been at a charity event on . behalf of his organization Reach Out Worldwide, helping victims of . Typhoon Haiyan. He left Meadow at the event as he went on what was . intended to be a quick ride with a friend. 'My heart is aching for Meadow. Paul was so committed to her,' Atwell told the Review-Journal. 'That's what's so hard about this. All he wanted to do was protect his daughter.' But his other love was perhaps what killed him. Walker was 'a huge exotic car enthusiast and not just because of the "Fast & Furious" influence,' Atwell said. 'He raced all over the world.' Porsches, like the one he ultimately died in, were his favorite, she explained, adding 'I'm sure a bit of speed was involved.' Fast & Furious star Paul Walker and girlfriend Jasmine Pilchard-Gosnell pictured in Hawaii in 2009. She is being comforted by her mother as she struggles to cope with the 'horrible' news of his untimely dead . Former flame: Rebecca Soteros, pictured is the mother of Walker's daughter Meadow, 15 . Atwell's heartbreaking words come as Walker's girlfriend, Jasmine Pilchard-Gosnell, 23, is being comforted by her mother Julie following the devastating accident. She . has reportedly been dating Walker since 2006 when she was just 16 and . he was 33 - but the 17-year age gap has been no barrier to them both . finding love. Jasmine's uncle Barton Bruner told MailOnline Sunday: 'Paul was a really good guy and Jasmine is broken up by this. I went to . Thanksgiving with him, played golf with him. 'They had their ups and downs but they were together and looking to spend a bright future together. 'This is horrible news and unexpected. Her mother is with her and she is comforting her.' Jasmine, . a college student who lives in Santa Barbara, California, was . supposedly beginning to become the step-mother to Walker's daughter . Meadow even though she is only eight years older than her. Meadow Walker is devastated by her father Paul Walker's passing . 'Broken up': Student Jasmine Pilchard-Gosnell, 23, is devastated after her boyfriend, actor Paul Walker, was killed in a horrific car accident on Saturday afternoon . Jasmine's . presence in Walker's life may have been one of the reasons why Meadow . decided to move in with him earlier this year, having spent her entire . childhood with her mother Rebecca Soteros who lives in Hawaii. Meanwhile, a fake Facebook page purporting to belong to Meadow Walker has been shut down. Walker's reps contacted Facebook directly. On the page, the imposter paid tribute to Walker, calling him her 'real life hero'. The teenager has not been seen since her terrible loss on Saturday. Walker was raised a Mormon in a working class California family, but his good looks - he was once described as a 'young Steve McQueen' - meant he was never lacking female attention. He also strayed from the family values his parents instilled in him and when he was 18 faced a felony charge though he has never revealed what it was. The case was reduced to a misdemeanor. When Rebecca got pregnant Walker was 25 but he refused to marry her, claiming that he was not mature enough even though it left him feeling like an 'evil SOB.' Walker met his girlfriend, Jasmine Pilchard-Gosnell, when he was 33 and she was just 16 . Fans place flowers at the scene of the car crash where actor Paul Walker was killed in the Santa Clarita area of Los Angeles on Sunday . In one interview Walker said: 'I knew . where I was at with chicks and having fun. I mean, I was sleeping with . her (Rebecca's) friends, for crying out loud. You know what I mean? 'I was an animal, and so I want to be there and my heart wants to be in it, but the mind just isn't following it.' Walker shared custody of Meadow and has claimed that things were good between him and Rebecca. He has said: 'I love my daughter so much, and I love her mom too. We get along so well as a result of me playing it the way that I did.' Walker had spent Thanksgiving with Meadow and friends and was scheduled to return to Atlanta to continue filming the seventh Fast and the Furious film when he died. | Model-turned Las Vegas real estate broker Aubrianna Atwell, 28, had been best friends with Walker since they met and briefly dated more than a decade ago .
She said she was heartbroken after losing her friend just five days after her father, David Atwell, died of cancer .
Walker had promised to be with Atwell at her father's memorial service December 8 .
But the star was killed in a fiery Porsche crash Saturday .
Comes as the mother of Walker's daughter Meadow, Rebecca Soteros, is pictured for the first time . |
92,089 | 026f62f11414c30a7240cb87f94e2e2bc80c169a | A former CIA director said that the U.S. is the only country that could carry out a sustained attack against Iran's nuclear facilities in an effort to dissuade any such action by Israel. Michael Hayden, who was the director of the Central Intelligence Agency until 2009, granted an interview with Israel's oldest daily newspaper saying that issues regarding the location of the weapons, the stockpile of the attacker, and the collection of sufficient planning would all cause problems if Israel were to attack and not America. 'I do not underestimate the Israeli talent, but geometry and physics tell us that Iran's nuclear program would pose a difficult challenge to any military,' Mr Hayden told Haaretz. Dissuasion: Former CIA director Michael Hayden spoke to an Israeli newspaper telling them a list of reasons why America would strike Iran more efficiently than Iran . He explained that because any thorough attack on Iran would not be a one-time event and would require repeated efforts, the United States would be better equipped because 'Israel's resources are more limited' than America's. For decades, the relationship between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Jewish state of Israel has been contentious but more extreme rhetoric by Iranian leaders escalated the balance to a worrying tipping point. As United Nations sanctions have done little to prevent Iran from continuing their nuclear weapons development, Israel continues to feel pressure to pre-emptively strike, but Mr Hayden was quick to push for patience, giving several reasons as justification. 'There is no absolute certainty that all targets are known,' he said of the various nuclear development sites in Iran. Dangerous: Tensions have continued to grow over Iran's nuclear capability, and president Mahmoud Ahmandinejad (center) was see touring the facilities in 2008 . Locations: Hayden said one of the problems with any potential strike would be that it will be difficult to find out where all of Iran's facilities- like this one in Bushehr- are located . 'They will have to be revisited - which only the U.S. Air Force would be able to do - and the operation will only set the Iranians back some time and actually push them to do that which it is supposed to prevent, getting nuclear weapons . 'While it is probably true that the so-called "window" regarding effective action is closing, there is still some time, as real decisions are to be made in 2013 or 2014.' Mr Hayden's explanation comes just two days after President Obama publicly confirmed that American forces will be taking a number of less violent actions in an effort to dissuade Iran from doing anything drastic. The New York Times reported that tougher sanctions on Iranian oil, a new antimissile system based out of Qatar that is specialized for the region, and varied naval exercises will show that America will get directly involved if Iran strikes. | Former director Michael Hayden spoke to an Israeli newspaper .
Says Israel wouldn't have the capability to carry out a sustained strike . |
234,082 | bb08d12975496fbdbd916e556570521889df0fee | Arsenal and Germany defender Per Mertesacker believes the club’s recent success can inspire him to become a World Champion this summer. Speaking in an interview with German sport magazine 'kicker', the Arsenal man said the Gunners’ FA Cup win has put him in the mood for more silverware. Sliding in: Mertesacker celebrates scoring against England at Wembley in November . Silverware: Mertesacker has had a taste of success with Arsenal winning the FA Cup this month . 'Winning the FA Cup has given me a lot of confidence. It has set me up to get another highlight, something which I can definitely achieve' he said. Mertesacker sets off for Brazil with the German national team next week, and is expected to retain his role as a first choice centre back under coach Joachim Low. Despite a chaotic pre-tournament period for Germany, Mertesacker remains fixed on the title. 'We want to go further than we have been in previous competitions,' he said, 'those who have watched us know what that means. We don’t want to constantly only reach third place.' Many in Germany are more pessimistic about the team’s chances, with coach Low having to fight a plague of injuries as well as exceptional problems such as a car accident during a publicity event at Germany’s training camp. But Mertesacker said that he is 'not at all concerned' and cites his success at Arsenal as being at the root of his confidence. Getting loose: Bayern Munich forward Mario Gotze warms up before the real hard work at the Germany camp . 'The last season was definitely the best I have had since I joined Arsenal. I was injury free and was playing regularly. I now feel I have arrived in England, that I have made something of myself there.' The German’s time at Arsenal has not only seen him establish himself in the Premier League, but also in the national team. Prior to joining the North London club, Mertesacker was seen as having been usurped in the German defence by the likes of Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng. Since his rise at Arsenal, though, it is Hummels and Boateng who are fighting it out to play alongside Mertesacker. The centre back is not alone in his happiness at Arsenal, meanwhile. Fellow Arsenal and Germany star Lukas Podolski has also recently stated that 'Arsenal was absolutely the right step for me. It has been an amazing two years in London.' Return of the mac: Germany boss Joachim Low (left) protects himself from the rain during training in Italy . Blame it on the weatherman: Low has taken his squad to a camp at San Martino in Passiria in South Tyrol . | Mertesacker part of Joachim Low's squad for the 2014 World Cup .
Arsenal defender is desperate for more silverware after winning FA Cup .
Gunners beat Hull City 3-2 earlier in May for their first trophy in nine years .
Germany have not won the World Cup since 1990 as West Germany . |
252,242 | d2762af9b309366642a25e2c2d58971a8e649ba3 | By . Sarah Dean . The final moments before Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17 took off from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport on Thursday were captured on video by a Malaysian passenger, it has been claimed. Md Ali Md Salim, 30, reportedly posted footage of the plane's routine pre-departure process on Instagram on July 17 before the plane crashed near the Russian-Ukraine border. Md Ali was reportedly studying at Erasmus University in Rotterdam, Amsterdam, for his doctorate of philosophy and he was travelling back to his home country of Malaysia to see his family for a holiday. Scroll down for video . A video of passengers reportedly packing their belongings into the overhead compartments on flight MH17 has emerged on Instagram . Flight MH17 took off from Amsterdam at lunchtime and was flying at around 33,000ft on one of the main routes from Europe to Asia when it was struck by a missile. Md Ali's Instagram page is private but it is believed the video - allegedly showing passengers before MH17 took off - was shared by a friend and it has now been widely shared on YouTube and Facebook. 'Bismillah... #hatiadasikitgentar (In the name of God... feeling a little bit nervous)', the caption reportedly said. The Instagram profile says the user, @MASA1777, is a clinical psychologist. In the video a male passenger, wearing a black t-shirt and beige pants, is seen lifting his blue and white backpack into the overhead compartment. The backs of the plane's purple and teal seats can be seen, while a man in a salmon pink t-shirt sits to the right of the camera and a woman sits in front of him. The video shows routine checks being carried out before the flight took off . A Malaysia Airlines stewardess (far right) can be seen closing the overheard compartments . On the right, an air stewardess in the Malaysia Airlines patterned teal and purple uniform moves along the aisle closing the overhead compartments. 'We are in the final stages of our boarding and as we're loading please do ensure your phones are also off for the flight,' a member of the cabin crew can be heard saying. Md Zaki Md Salim, MD Ali's older brother, told astroawani.com that his brother was one of the passengers on MH17. 'After receiving the news from my elder sister, I rushed to the airport here and MAS side confirmed my brother was one of the passengers of that flight,' he said at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport. The Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777 seen at the G3 gate of Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, before it took off, heading to Kuala Lumpur, on July 17 . Rescuers stand on the site of the crash of the Malaysian airliner carrying 298 people, near the town of Shaktarsk, in rebel-held east Ukraine . MailOnline has contacted Malaysia Airlines to confirm if the video was taken on board flight MH17 but they have not responded. It has so far been impossible to verify the footage. The plane came down near a poultry farm in the village of Grabovo, an area controlled by pro-Russian rebels about 30 miles from the Ukraine-Russia border. Witnesses claimed to have seen bodies falling out of the stricken plane over the village of Rassypnaya. Some residents feared they were being bombed. | Md Ali Md Salim, 30, reportedly posted footage from on board the plane .
His brother said the psychologist was flying home from Amsterdam .
The 13 second video shows passengers preparing for take off . |
233,302 | ba0b05f9747ab4c2ced95af04a7a36fbf90cd0d5 | (CNN) -- North Korea has withdrawn two mobile ballistic missiles from a launch site in the eastern part of the country, according to a U.S. official, the latest hint of an easing in tensions on the Korean Peninsula. The disclosure came Monday, the day before President Barack Obama is due to meet with his South Korean counterpart, Park Geun-hye, in Washington. During a fraught period last month that included near daily North Korean threats of war, U.S. and South Korean officials said they believed Kim Jong Un's regime could carry out a test launch of at least one of the missiles at any time. The United States and Japan responded by stepping up missile defenses in the region. But the anniversary of the birth of North Korea's founder on April 15, seen as the likely date around which a launch could take place, came and went without either of the missiles being fired. And now they have been sent to a storage facility, the U.S. official said. The missiles the North has moved from the launch site are believed to be Musudans, an untested weapon that the South Korean government says has a maximum range of 3,500 kilometers (2,175 miles). That would mean the missiles could reach as far as Japan and Guam, a Western Pacific territory that is home to U.S. naval and air bases. More tests will take North Korea closer to nuclear missile, Pentagon says . Recent tensions . The recent period of tensions flared up after the North's long-range rocket launch in December and underground nuclear test in February, both of which were widely condemned. Pyongyang's fiery rhetoric intensified in March as the U.N. Security Council voted to tighten sanctions on the regime following the nuclear test. Annual U.S.-South Korean military drills in South Korea also fueled the North's anger, especially when the United States carried out displays of strength that included nuclear-capable B2 stealth bombers. But a key part of the large-scale training exercises, known as Foal Eagle, concluded last week, and the intensity of Pyongyang's threats appears to have subsided. Its rhetorical exchanges with Washington and Seoul have shifted to include conditions for possible negotiations, although both sides appear to remain far apart. North Korea is demanding recognition as a nuclear power, something the United States refuses to countenance. And the recent crisis resulted in the closure of the Kaesong Industrial Complex, the last major symbol of inter-Korean cooperation. Analysts and U.S. officials have cautioned that Kim Jong Un's regime remains unpredictable and that tensions could escalate again in the event of new provocations. It would be "premature" to make a judgment about whether the North Korean "provocation cycle is going up, down or zig-zagging," Daniel Russel, White House special assistant and senior director for Asian affairs, said Monday. "No one should be prepared to declare a victory yet," he said, referring to the reports of the missiles being moved off the launch site. Last remaining South Koreans leave joint industrial complex . A fresh warning from the North . A reminder of the fragile situation came in a North Korean statement Tuesday that accused U.S. and South Korean forces of carrying out naval shelling drills near the two Koreas' disputed western maritime border. The statement, from the North Korean military's command in the sector near that part of the border, warned of "immediate counteractions" if "even a single shell" from the drills fell within its territorial waters. But the statement was notably free of the talk of "nuclear war" that peppered North Korean propaganda directed at the United States and South Korea during the height of the tensions in March and April. At a news briefing in Seoul, Kim Min-seok, a spokesman for the South Korean defense ministry, denied the North's accusation that shelling drills had been taking place in the sea near the border since Sunday. He confirmed, though, that planned annual naval drills to practice the defense of islands near the border were under way. In November 2010, North Korea shelled the South Korean island of Yeonpyeong, killing two South Korean marines and two civilians. Pyongyang accused Seoul of provoking the attack by holding a military drill in the area. The current situation regarding North Korea is chief among the subjects on the agenda for Obama and Park's meeting on Tuesday. Obama will use Park's visit to "reaffirm the strong commitment" of the U.S. to the defense of South Korea, Russel said Monday. CNN's Brian Walker and Lesa Jansen, and journalist Soo Bin Park contributed to this report. | Two Musudan missiles have been sent to a storage facility, a U.S. official says .
The U.S. and South Korea said previously the missiles could be fired at any time .
The disclosure comes after the intensity of North Korea threats has calmed .
But Pyongyang warns the U.S. and South Korea over naval drills in the region . |
226,398 | b12506e4915bda06fea90e2c13eb74c0358cd4f7 | By . Stephen Adams . Denial: Sir Burce Keogh insists a two-tier A&E system does not mean a cut in services . The disturbing truth of what really happens when ‘super A&Es’ are created is today exposed by The Mail on Sunday. Our research has found that: . The country’s top doctor has said costly staff and equipment should be concentrated in 40 to 70 Major Emergency Centres. Professor Sir Bruce Keogh, Medical Director of the NHS, said last week it was ‘complete nonsense’ that downgrading smaller A&Es would be the price to pay for turning bigger ones into super-centres. And he argued sending the most seriously ill directly to super A&Es, bypassing local units, would save lives. But The Mail on Sunday – which has vigorously highlighted the danger to patients of A&E ‘rationalisation’ – has found that recent moves to centralise A&Es have led to local cuts. The remaining emergency hospitals have frequently been overwhelmed with sick patients. Across England there are 197 A&E departments. Sir Bruce insists his plan will not mean cuts. He claims evidence shows rationalising the number that deal with serious heart attacks, strokes and life-threatening injuries will lead to ‘vastly increased survival’ for patients. Sir Bruce said last week: ‘This has been described on the one hand as a two-tier system or on the other as a downgrading of a lot of A&Es. This is complete nonsense.’ But in the North-East, centralising A&E services at North Tees Hospital in Stockton triggered the eventual loss of all emergency facilities in Hartlepool, bar the town’s out-of-hours GP service and a nurse-led minor injuries unit. What’s more, when health bosses closed . Hartlepool’s A&E in 2011, they stated the local hospital would . retain its Emergency Assessment Unit. A reassuring leaflet said the EAU . had: ‘A highly skilled team of doctors, nurses and other health . professionals who are specially trained to deal with patients with . serious medical problems.’ The EAU was particularly important to the town’s 15,000 pensioners – whose numbers will swell by 50 per cent by 2030. But last month, after a three-month ‘consultation’, it was closed and relocated to North Tees Hospital – a total of 13 miles away. Hartlepool also lost 120 emergency beds to North Tees. Local councillor Keith Fisher said: ‘I did warn that the hospital would lose more of its services if the A&E closed. Some people didn’t believe me. The hospital board made promises and then broke them.’ He claimed: ‘If you dig down, what you find with “centralisation” is a cheaper service, not a better one.’ At least the area kept its emergency beds. When managers closed the Emergency Medical Centre at Wycombe Hospital, in Buckinghamshire in October 2012, they jettisoned 73 of its 153 medical beds. The centre – which had essentially been an A&E which did not take trauma patients – was downgraded to Urgent Care Centre because it did not have enough consultants. A&E services were centralised at Aylesbury’s Stoke Mandeville Hospital. But Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust decided not to move the beds to Stoke Mandeville as it could ‘cope’ with the existing 132. It meant that across the two sites, one in four emergency beds was lost. Managers argued: ‘We expect the number of beds [at Stoke Mandeville] to remain unchanged, as we will continue to reduce the hospital length of stay with greater use of our recently developed community services. This will allow us to cope with the increased number of admissions within the existing number of beds.’ But The Mail on Sunday has been contacted by many patients who have spent hours in Stoke Mandeville A&E as there were no beds free. Wexham Park Hospital in Slough, which, like Stoke Mandeville, is 14 miles from Wycombe, has also been hit by the fallout. From Wycombe the route to Stoke Mandeville is along a winding A-road, while most of the way to Wexham Park is on the M40. Yet NHS planners thought Wexham Park would get only 2,500 of Wycombe’s emergency patients a year, while Stoke Mandeville would get 13,500. Nine months before the Wycombe . closure, Wexham chief executive Philippa Slinger wrote that the change . might have ‘an impact’ on her hospital although she said this would . ‘likely be towards the end of the year’. Nonetheless, . £2.5 million was put aside to upgrade Wexham Park’s A&E. But by . March 2013 only £150,000 of that money had been spent by deeply indebted . Heatherwood and Wexham Park NHS Foundation Trust, board papers show. The . consequences have been borne by patients and overstretched staff. Like . all A&Es, Wexham Park is meant to treat 95 per cent of patients in . four hours – but in the year after Wycombe closed, it only reached that . benchmark for three weeks out of 52. In January, executives were forced to admit they had an ‘acute shortage of escalation capacity’ – the whole hospital was too full. They drew up a ‘Remedial Action Plan’ for the A&E and built two quick-fix ‘modular wards’ containing 28 beds. A&E overcrowding continued and in mid-April almost three in 10 patients were having to wait four hours or more. Heatherwood and Wexham Park Trust failed to respond when asked to comment. A spokesman for Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust said that the number of medical beds at Wycombe was cut by 73, but that 20 additional beds were eventually put in at Stoke Mandeville. She said £5 million had been invested in Stoke Mandeville’s A&E. A spokesman for North Tees & Hartlepool NHS Trust said in 2011 the plan had been to keep the EAU at Hartlepool until a new hospital was built at Wynyard in 2014. However, she said the EAU had to be removed sooner because the Wynard project had been delayed and rising clinical standards forced centralisation sooner. An NHS England spokesman said: ‘Our recommendations do not suggest the downgrading of A&E departments. Any suggestion that this is the case is to completely misunderstand what we have said.’ Seven A&E units across England have been closed – or ‘downgraded’ – since 2007. And right now, another 15 face downgrading or losing key facilities. But senior NHS figures believe as many as 60 could go. NHS England medical director Professor Sir Bruce Keogh claims downgrading smaller units is not part of his super A&E plan. But as we reveal today, recent evidence shows boosting one hospital’s A&E tends to go hand-in-hand with cutting facilities at another. In addition, decisions about how to reorganise A&E services will be largely down to local NHS organisations. NHS England will only oversee ‘the big picture’. Our analysis shows eight of the current 15 facing closure or losing facilities are in London – about a third of all A&Es inside the M25. Last week, Dr Mark Spencer, medical director for service design and quality for NHS England in London, said he thought that scale of change was needed nationwide. He said his guess was that ‘there will be a 20 or 30 per cent reduction’ in A&Es taking blue-light ambulances across the country. If that happened, up to 60 of England’s 197 A&Es will be affected. However, Sir Bruce has made clear that what works in cities will not necessarily work in rural areas. | Research by Mail on Sunday revealed how one town was slowly stripped of all emergency facilities as part of a 'super A&E' plan .
Essential hospital beds cut as part of closures - without being replaced .
Millions earmarked to upgrade A&E as part of centralisation plans unspent .
Sir Bruce Keogh said last week it was 'nonsense' that downgrading smaller .
A&Es would be price to pay for turning bigger ones into .
super-centres .
A town was slowly stripped of all emergency facilities as part of a super A&E plan – despite health bosses’ original promises.
Essential hospital beds have been cut as part of A&E closures – without being replaced elsewhere.
Millions earmarked to upgrade an A&E as part of centralisation plans went unspent, leading to chaos. |
61,992 | b0191d385bea84461b7a78bc1b123c65a9fbc736 | (CNN) -- Philip K. Dick's stories of warped realities, paranoid delusions and authoritarian nightmares have made him arguably the most influential science fiction writer in Hollywood (not that the movie industry has a monopoly on these things you understand). Yet the film versions of his stories -- "Blade Runner," "The Adjustment Bureau," "Paycheck" -- give a highly sanitized, streamlined impression of his work. An inferior remake of 1990's Paul Verhoeven movie, "Total Recall" is inspired by the short story "We Can Remember It for You Wholesale," about a clerk who dreams of going to Mars, but gets memory implants of the trip as the next best thing (or does he?). The 1990 version of "Total Recall" starred Arnold Schwarzenegger. In the new movie, the guy, Doug Quaid (Colin Farrell), commutes halfway around the world from Australia -- "The Colony" -- to the only other liveable land left, the United Federation of Britain, to work on an assembly line putting together robots. Miserable about his lot in life, and plagued with a strange recurring dream, Doug takes a trip to Rekall, where they promise to make his fantasies feel true. "You could be a spy," they tell him. "Work for the Resistance. Or the Leader. Or better yet, both." Then, just as they inject him, the company is raided in a hail of bullets, and Quaid is running for his life, no longer sure of who he is or what he believes. Screenwriter Kurt Wimmer ("Salt," "Equilibrium") has cut Mars out of the proceedings entirely, but he's also eviscerated the playful, post-modern wit that spiced Verhoeven's proudly gory shoot-em-up. The new PG-13 "Total Recall" can still be read both ways, as the story of a "sleeper" agent who wakes up or the story of an ordinary Joe's escapist fantasy. But either way it's an infinitely more pedestrian entertainment, essentially a long succession of repetitive chase scenes, hollow explosions and the kind of speech balloon dialogue that reduces even good actors to robotic mode. Why is it Colin Farrell always seems so much more energized in supporting roles? None of the new film's innovations seems to have been thought through. Why would Britain be spared from a chemical apocalypse that claimed the rest of the Northern Hemisphere? And more specifically, why would Westminster be spared from the fallout, while North London is a toxic wasteland? Why would workers in the Colony commute, daily, by rocketship, to the other side of the globe to add rivets to robots? Can't they get robots to do that? What are the rebels rebelling against -- long commutes? Presumably it's intentional that Quaid's wife, Lori (Kate Beckinsale), could easily be the sister of Resistance fighter Melina (Jessica Biel) -- they might share the same plastic surgeon -- but if there was a point I suspect it wound up on the cutting room floor. As to the look of the film, the shunting gamer action sequences will have you itching for your handset while the teeming CGI almost makes the much-discussed "Blade Runner" sequel redundant. A rain-soaked, vertical metropolis fusing Asian and Occidental cultures, the Colony replicates Scott's Los Angeles 2019 right down to the hover cars and parasols, switching Big Ben in for the Bradbury building. It has been given a digital gloss, but that might have been imported from yet another Dick movie, "Minority Report." Even the robots are cloned. In short, "Underworld" director Len Wiseman has ransacked bigger, better imaginations to produce something that looks and sounds like a wholesale rip-off. | New film is a remake of the 1990 movie starring Arnold Schwarzenegger .
This version stars Colin Farrell and Kate Beckinsale .
Reviewer calls new "Total Recall" "a wholesale rip-off" |
252,066 | d23ccacfbff3ec83ca3bcc9287b277e0e7668fa6 | She's only just unveiled her debut clothing range for Very.co.uk but style savvy Sam Faiers, who shot to fame on The Only Way Is Essex, has already got other projects in the pipeline. Sam, who is continuing her transformation from reality TV favourite to style entrepreneur, told MailOnline she's working on a secret project. The 23-year-old revealed: 'Next month I am launching a new eyelash range, which is amazing. They’re stocked on Very as well. 'After that, I’d like to continue designing - maybe venture into accessories and beauty more as well and keep up with modelling. I have a really exciting fitness project coming up as well.' Scroll down for video . New drop: Sam Faiers, who found fame on The Only Way Is Essex, recently unveiled her debut collection for Very.co.uk - and new snaps of her modelling the looks have been released . For now, the budding entrepreneur is focussing on her fashion duties with Very and she unveiled her debut collection earlier this week. 'I am so excited about working with Very, designing a collection for them is a dream come true. The collection is really fun and flirty with pieces to suit all ages.' Fashion star: The budding entrepreneur is focussing on her fashion duties with Very and she unveiled her debut collection earlier this week . Floral delight: Sam Faiers debuts her collection for Very in her own designs, including this figure-hugging blue, pink and red body-con dress complete with a lace hem. Items are on sale from 30 October . Speaking about the inspiration behind her new designs, she said: 'I was inspired by my style, which is often quite girly so there’s lots of cute babydoll dresses, floral prints and flirty skirts. 'Saying that, I have been working with a stylist who has been pushing me to try new things and I definitely took this into account when approaching my collection so there’s tailored back trousers and cute tops. 'We are also coming into the party season so there’s lots of glam pieces perfect for dressing up and looking gorgeous in.' There are 17 pieces in Sam's girlie range, with items including figure-hugging body-con dresses, embellished tops, jumpsuits and stylish separates. The pieces range from £25-£65 in sizes 8 to 20, and they're all available to buy on Very.co.uk from 30 October. Pretty in pink: Sam looks sultry in a fushia pink satin dress from her Very range, in which items range from £25 to £65, in sizes from 8 to 20 . Stylish separates: The former TOWIE star glows in her leopard print black mini shorts and black peplum top with embellished collar . In the campaign shots for the digital department store, Sam positively glows while modelling her self-confessed glamorous clothing, with her hair worn down and wavy. The TV star, who recently split from her on/off ex-fiance Joey Essex, combined two of the chic dresses in her collection with chunky black ankle boots, adding a modern, edgy vibe to the styling. Although this is the former TOWIE starlet's debut range for Very - who also has Fearne Cotton on its roster of showbiz designers - it's not the first time she has tried her hand at fashion. She, along with younger sister and business partner Billie, launched a range of clothing back in 2011 called GraciEve, an offshoot from her Brentwood-based store and online shop Minnie's Boutique. Sam Faiers' collection for Very is available to buy online from 30 October. Cut-out cutie: The beautiful model displays her toned legs in this short metallic dress, complete with cut-out on the torso . Other celebrities online: Rochelle Humes from The Saturdays, left, and Millie Mackintosh both sell their clothing designs on Very.co.uk . | This week unveiled debut range for Very.co.uk .
Says she was inspired by her own style .
Revealed she's working on a fitness project . |
260,090 | dcc6c8d21e5f2464af05874eaa7ae2ba09c6f82d | One of the Royal Navy's nuclear submarines was forced into a 2,000-mile detour when it was mysteriously refused entry into the United Arab Emirates. HMS Tireless spent a week in international waters while it sought permission to dock before deciding to divert to Goa in India. Ministry of Defence officials have not revealed the reason for the snub but insist there was never any safety issue. The submarine HMS Tireless is seen in the Artic in Ministry of Defence March 21, 2007 . The diversion meant heartbreak for a handful of families who had travelled to the Arabian Gulf hoping to see crew members for the first time in months. A planned change of crew also had to be postponed as the Trafalgar-class sub made its way to India.Some families are understood to be seeking compensation for the cost of flights and a week of accommodation while in the UAE. A Royal Navy spokesman said: 'We do not discuss submarine movements for reasons of security. 'However, I can confirm that HMS Tireless's visit programme in the Gulf of Oman was delayed. 'We do not routinely comment on submarine operations so we are unable to discuss the detail, although we can confirm it was not a safety issue. British sailors stand on the HMS Tireless submarine as it pulls out of . Gibraltar in 2001 . 'A small number of families did travel to the region at their own expense in anticipation of the visit.'They were kept informed of the situation by local Royal Navy personnel ashore.' The Foreign and Commonwealth Office denied there were any diplomatic issues between the UK and the UAE. A spokesman said: 'The UK has a long history of co-operation and friendship with the UAE. 'We maintain regular contact at the most senior levels and work together on shared interests and security challenges across the region.' HMS Tireless was due to be decommissioned last year but it was reportedly spotted surfacing off the coast of Gibraltar last August amid tensions between Spain and Britain over fishing rights. The 30-year-old vessel also suffered a leak in its reactor in February of last year and had to return to its Devonport, Plymouth, HQ for repairs. MoD officials say the sub remains on active service but is due to be replaced by a new Astute class submarine. The hunter-killer craft has a crew of 130 plus 18 officers and a top speed is 32 knots or 36.8 mph. | HMS Tireless spent a week in international waters while it sought permission to dock .
Ministry of Defence officials have not revealed the reason for the snub .
Diversion meant heartbreak for families who had travelled to the Arabian Gulf hoping to see crew members for the first time in months . |
108,804 | 184a68821769d0a2c3d085a12edc418d339470fe | JUAREZ, Mexico (CNN) -- Jose Molinar knew something wasn't right. He hadn't heard from his wife for a few hours, which was not sitting well with him. Marisella Molinar was killed while driving her boss, a target of cartels, across the border into El Paso, Texas. Marisella Molinar worked as a secretary for a top prosecutor in Juarez, Mexico, Jesus Huerta Yedra. She was employed in the office for more than 10 years and though she lived across the border in El Paso, Texas, with her husband, she drove about 20 minutes over the Juarez-El Paso border every day to the job she loved. The growing violence over rival drug cartels had concerned the couple, but Mexico was a part of their lives and they were sure the violence stayed between rival drug gangs, who were fighting over a lucrative drug route into the United States. Without fail, Marisella Molinar would call her husband every day when she arrived to work, went out for lunch and when she was leaving the office. But on December 3, 2008, by around 5:30 p.m., Jose Molinar still hadn't heard from his wife. He called the office in Mexico and was told she was giving her boss a ride over the border so he could do some Christmas shopping. Jose Molinar turned on his television, and his life changed forever. "As soon as the image came up, I saw her truck," said Molinar, who was watching the news out of Juarez, "and I knew what happened right then and there." Watch Jose Molinar talk about the moment he knew his wife was killed » . Marisella Molinar was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Her passenger, Jesus Huerta Yedra, was a target of the cartels that day. As Molinar's car was about a mile away from the border crossing back to the United States, gunmen walked up to her car and fired 85 rounds from an AK-47 into their intended target. One shot hit Marisella Molinar, a mother of two and proud grandmother, in the chest, killing her instantly. "She wasn't involved, she didn't have anything to do with this!" said Jose Molinar in a recent interview with CNN. "She was the guy's secretary and she was giving him a ride to meet his wife here in El Paso who was Christmas shopping." But instead of making it home to help her husband hang Christmas lights, Marisella Molinar became yet another victim in the drug war taking place just steps from the U.S. border. The violence generated by the war of the drug cartels for control of drug routes translated last year into some 6,000 killings. More than 1,600 of them occurred in Juarez, three times more than the most murderous city in the United States. This year, in two months, the body count in Juarez is 400. Mexican military and police in riot gear now patrol the once popular streets of Juarez. Gone are the Americans shopping, dining and partying. The bars and restaurants are shuttered -- many closed for good. Americans don't come here anymore. In March 2008, the Mexican military joined with Mexican states and local law enforcement in the fight against drug cartels in border cities. Mexican President Felipe Calderon has waged a war against business as usual with the cartels who controlled drug routes through Mexico and into the United States. The fallout has led rival drug gangs to launch all-out war not only with the military, but also with each other, because the once-established drug routes are now up for grabs. The violence has been the worst in Juarez, where cartels have killed police officers, forced the chief of police to resign and threatened public officials. "They started killing police officers, and not when they were doing police work, but when they were coming out of their homes and getting into their cars to go to the police station," said Juarez Mayor Jose Reyes Ferriz, whose own family has recently received death threats. At the city's only morgue, bodies are piling up. The mayor said there are far too many dead for the small facility to handle. The majority of the dead are unidentified members of the cartels. Just last week, the mayor said, 50 corpses were buried in mass graves because no one claimed the bodies. Officials from both sides of the border said the drug war may go on for years. Beheadings, bodies riddled with gunfire and blood-stained streets will continue daily, they said. They added that the appetite for illegal drugs is too great in the United States, and the drug routes are too lucrative for the battles to end. "It's not going to be won quickly," said Enrique Torres, a spokesman for the Mexican government, adding that the Mexican president is committed to fighting the cartels. "He can't talk about a time frame in this type of situation. We know the monster is big, but we don't have an idea of how big it is." | Marisella Molinar, a secretary, was killed nearly a mile from her U.S. home .
Husband: "She wasn't involved, she didn't have anything to do with this!"
More than 1,600 deaths in Juarez last year, 400 already this year .
Cartels have killed cops, forced police chief to resign, threatened public officials . |
182,649 | 7887c9b68ae48fbf258e05f3df7e8345e34fc550 | A woman who disappeared in Idaho last week has been found 2,000 miles away disoriented in the small Mississippi town where her father was once a minister in the 1960s. Cynthia Adams, 52, was reported missing by her husband on Tuesday when she didn't return from a doctor's appointment near her home in Boise. She told police in fits and starts she didn't know how she traveled the 2,160 miles to a home deep in the woods outside Clara, Mississippi. Found: Cynthia Adams, 52, was found on Saturday in Clara, Mississippi, more than 2,000 miles from her home in Boise, Idaho, after she went missing on Tuesday. She doesn't remember how she got there . Adams, who has no history of memory problems, could not remember her family in Idaho, police said. Detectives discovered she made three cash withdrawals along the way, one in Idaho and two in Wyoming, according to Stan Niccolls of the Boise Police Department. On Saturday, she appeared at the home of a woman she grew up with in Clara. Wayne County, Mississippi, sheriff's deputy Michael Patton said Adams is lucky the same people lived at the house as in the 1960s. Adams' husband told the Idaho Statesman newspaper he had no reason to believe Cynthia would simply disappear. The couple hadn't fought, and though she had health problems and a guide dog, she didn't have issues with her memory. On Thursday, she was officially a missing person. On Friday, there was no update. But when Tina Brewer opened the Clara Grocery on Saturday morning, Adams was her first customer. 'She told us that she had got in at 1 o'clock in the morning and slept in her truck the night before,' Brewer said. 'She looked like somebody who'd been up all night. It was kinda strange.' She started listing names, Brewer said, and though Brewer didn't know the people she was talking about, older men in the store did. 'She kinda knew everybody they knew, she'd say first names and they'd say last names,' Brewer said. She asked for the McCarty girls. One man asked her, 'do you mean Bug?' She did indeed mean Bug, the nickname of Elizabeth McCarty, who married and became Elizabeth Singleton. Journey: Police said Adams made cash withdrawals in Idaho and Wyoming before appearing in Mississippi . Memory loss? Adams could not remember her husband in Idaho but knew people from her childhood . Adams then went straight to Singleton's home, deep in the woods outside of Clara, which is on the Pine Belt on the edge of the DeSoto National Forest, 20 miles west of the Alabama state line. Singleton said: 'She told me, these are the only clothes I've got. I said, well, honey, come on in.' Adams couldn't remember her family in Idaho, but she did remember the people she grew up with. She said she had slept in the parking lot of her father's church on Friday night. The pastor's home used to be on the same property, along with a small religious school. 'She kept saying, "My home is gone and the school is burned,''' Singleton said. 'I didn't understand. I asked her, were you in a tornado?' Then she went to Adams' Facebook page and saw the notices about her missing. She called police. Wayne County Deputy Michael Patton pulled up to Singleton's house on Saturday afternoon. 'I didn't want to scare her,' Patton said. 'She appeared a little confused. She was dressed OK, normal. But I got her name, and then saw she was the lady that was missing from Idaho.' Patton called an ambulance and watched them load her inside. Police reached her husband, who told the Idaho Statesman he planned to fly in as soon as he could. Staff at Wayne General Hospital in Waynesboro, Mississippi, declined to identify themselves or say whether Adams was a patient, citing federal privacy laws. For the residents of Clara, word of the stranger in town was just beginning to get around after church on Sunday afternoon. Niccolls, of the Boise police, said that since Adams has been found safe, the investigation is over and no criminal charges are pending. 'Really,' Niccolls said, 'it's up to her now what she does.' Singleton is still reeling from Adams' surprise visit. 'It was really crazy,' Singleton said. 'I'm hoping she'll get help. She's welcome to drop back by.' | Cynthia Adams, 52, reported missing in Boise, Idaho, on Tuesday .
She arrived on doorstep of a home in Clara, Mississippi, on Saturday .
Told police in fits and starts she doesn't know how she got there .
Couldn't remember her husband in Idaho, never had memory issues .
Police said she made cash withdrawals in Idaho and Wyoming . |
25,539 | 4853159d7f12cc1fa5a7fa782b12fa21db92f480 | Demands: Albert Buitenhuis and his wife Marthie. The couple are being forced from their home as he is too over weight . This is the man who was told he is too fat to live in New Zealand, despite losing 66lb since moving there six years ago. Albert Buitenhuis, who weighs 20 stone six pounds, was told that it may place demands on the New Zealand health services. He and wife Marthie are now facing deportation from their Christchurch home and are living with his sister in Auckland as they fight the decision. New Zealand is the third most obese nation in the developed world, coming behind the US and Mexico. Albert is five feet ten inches tall and has a body mass index of 40, making him clinically obese. But, he weighed 25 stone two pounds when he arrived in New Zealand after gaining weight when he quit smoking. His wife Marthie said that his weight had not stopped Albert from working 40 hours a week as a chef. She added that their annual visas have been approved every year since 2007 with little problem. Marthie told The Press: ‘We applied for [them] year after year and there were no issues. They never mentioned Albert's weight or his health once and he was a lot heavier then. ‘We've committed no crime and did nothing wrong other than my husband being a foodie.’ But at the start of May the couple were told they must leave as Albert’s health was no longer acceptable. Immigration New Zealand said that an applicant’s BMI must be under 35. He and his wife Marthie are now facing deportation from their Christchurch, pictured, home (Stock image) A spokesman said: ‘INZ's medical assessors have to consider to what extent there might be indications of future high-cost and high-need demand for health services.’ They claim that his weight increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease, cancer and fatty liver. He also has a knee injury which could cost up to $20,000 to replace. The Press reported that the couple’s doctor said he could bring his cholesterol and blood levels into the acceptable level within 26 weeks. They have made an appeal to New Zealand Associate Minister of Immigration Nikki Kaye. | Albert Buitenhuis was told he was too heavy to stay in new Zealand .
Weighs 20 stone six pounds, five stone less than when he moved there .
He and wife Marthie are facing deportation from their Christchurch home .
Albert is five feet ten inches tall and has a Body Mass Index of 40 . |
130,015 | 34142a4cc21ca34d99b7ad9ccd53d5345d633178 | Blood appears as a bright stain on white ice as a family of polar bears tuck into dinner. The striking pictures were taken on Ellesmere Island, Canada, as a mother polar bear and her two cubs feasted on what is believed to be a seal. Justin Hofman, 31, was aboard the Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic ship for a three week-voyage through the Canadian High Arctic. Blood appears as a bright stain on white ice as a family of polar bears feast on their dinner of a seal on Ellesmere Island in Canada . The photographer Justin Hofman, 31, watched as the polar bears dined on their catch in the remote location on the ice pack . It was the experienced wildlife photographer's job to dive in remote locations, take pictures of the wildlife and share it among those on the ship. He spotted Canadian geese, walrus and the white grizzly on his travels. Justin, who is from California, watched as the polar bears dined on their catch, filling themselves up on the meat past the point of discomfort as food is scarce in the arctic. The bears left a long trail of blood from the sea to the mound of ice where they gorged. The three bears filled themselves up on the meat to past the point of discomfort as food is so scarce in the Canadian high arctic . A mother polar bear and her two cubs traverse the ice. The bears left a long trail of blood from the sea to the mound of ice behind them . It is Justin's job to dive in remote locations to take pictures of the wildlife and share them among those on the trip . The mother had dragged her meal and hidden it to protect it from predators - as male polar bears can steal their kills or even eat their young. He said: 'As the snowflakes began to fall, we watched as the bears slowly dined on their catch . 'It was interesting to see just how messy the cubs were as opposed to the mother bear. Justin, who is an experienced wildlife photographer from California, captured the images while aboard the Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic ship for a three week voyage through the Canadian High Arctic . The photographer captured this stunning photo of a large iceberg floating in the Hudson bay as the sun sets in Foxe Basin . These Atlantic Walrus seen ashore Hudson bay in Foxe Basin are just two of the many creatures Justin spotted on the voyage . 'Imagine a two-year old with a bowl of spaghetti. The cubs would occasionally walk away from the kill to clean ice and roll around as a way to get some of the blood and gore off of their fur.' Justin was also lucky enough to witness the Northern Lights dance in the night sky over a clear stretch of Arctic ocean. He added: 'After seeing these otherworldly lights in the sky, I can understand how ancient cultures without knowledge of science and the cosmos could develop the mythos that eventually became religion.' Justin was also lucky enough to witness the Northern Lights dance in the night sky over a clear stretch of Arctic ocean on his trip . A huge iceberg is seen floating near Ellesmere Island. The hostile environment means food is scarce for the polar bears that live there . A ship makes its way through the arctic ocean as icebergs float near Ellesmere Island . Tourists watch icebergs pass by as the ship makes its way through the ice-clogged Fury and Heclar Strait on its three-week voyage . A comb jelly is seen in a water body on Ellesmere island. The distinctive creates are found along the North American coast . Sunset darkened clouds silhouetted by a clear waning light as twilight falls over the clear water near Ellesmere Island in Canada . Snow covered mountains are seen here at Ellesmere Island, one of the most remote and rugged parts of North America . Justin snapped this picture of the ship beaming light as it makes its way through the ice sheets in the Fury and Hecla Strait . | Striking pictures were taken on Ellesmere Island, Canada, as mother polar bear and two cubs feasted on their dinner .
Wildlife photographer Justin Hofman, 31, was aboard a ship on a three week-voyage through the Canadian High Arctic .
He also captured images of two walrus, the stunning scenery and even the Northern Lights over the Arctic Ocean . |
210,432 | 9c88f872dcbff57e9461793f9f5dd841db85bcc9 | Miami (CNN) -- Luis Posada Carriles told CNN recently he would "be gentle" with a newspaper reporter who accused him of masterminding decades of violent terrorist attacks in Central America, several to overthrow Fidel Castro. Known as "Bambi" by his Miami-Cuban supporters, the octogenarian fighter turned fugitive had harsher words for Fidel Castro, his lifetime foe. "If he walked through that door, I would kill him," Posada said. But far from a docile fawn, critics say, Posada is behind a string of hotel bombings and other deadly attacks in Latin America, including the 1976 bombing of a Cuban jetliner that killed 73 people on board. He denies all allegations. Still wanted by Venezuela and Cuba for "terrorist acts," Posada, who lives with his family in Miami, said he was elated when a jury in El Paso, Texas, found him not guilty earlier this month on 11 counts ranging from perjury to subversion. "It was hugely emotional to hear it, 'not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty' 11 times," he said. "What more can I say? It is a country of justice." Venezuela has dismissed as "farce" the Texas jury's decision to acquit Posada, who faced charges of lying to U.S. immigration officials and involvement in attacks on Cuba. If convicted, he would have faced five to eight years in prison. Posada's reclusive and elusive life story as a U.S. protegee and eventually a diplomatic liability is a sore point in the history of U.S. relations with Latin America. Born in Cuba, Posada dedicated his life to anti-Marxist, anti-Castro covert activities. Wanted by some nations and sheltered by others, Posada's journeys through some Latin American nations during civil wars illustrate the checkered political map of the region as the U.S. sought to undermine Marxist movements in Central America, many backed by Cuba's Castro regime. Posada became a CIA operative in the 1960s after leaving Cuba. In the 1970s, he was working for the Venezuelan secret police when the Cubana Airlines flight blew up, killing 73. Suspects arrested identified Posada as one of the plotters. Posada was jailed for nine years in Venezuela, but he was never convicted and escaped in 1985. He denies all charges. "In the beginning, as the chief of operations for the Venezuelan Police, Cuba disembarked three generals on Venezuelan soil," Posada told CNN en Espanol anchor Fernando Rincon. "The operation against these people was a violent one. It was the only way to suppress a Communist incursion into Venezuela," he said. Posada received CIA training in explosives and sabotage at Fort Benning, Georgia, after helping to organize the failed Bay of Pigs operation to oust Castro in 1961. He said he stopped working for the CIA in 1968 but in the 1980s helped the U.S.-backed secret Contra supply network in Central America. According to CIA declassified files, Posada enlisted fighters to overthrow the Guatemalan government in 1965 and other covert, anti-Communist activities throughout the region. The declassified CIA documents allege he organized large shipments of ammunition and weaponry throughout. In El Salvador in the mid-1980s, Posada told CNN, he became a presidential protegee when he helped the government fight Marxist guerrillas. "I had a presidential minder greet me," Posada said. "I had support from the military." Posada was also implicated in a string of terrorist bombings in Cuba in 1997 that killed 11 people in a tourist area. A senior official familiar with Posada's career said the CIA considers him "radioactive" and said he is no longer linked to the agency. But Posada, now celebrating his victory in U.S. courts, said he would give his life to Cuba but sees no reason to fight. "I don't need to engage in the armed struggle against Cuba," Posada told CNN. "The battle against Cuba has already been won. They don't exist anymore. They are falling to pieces," he said. CNN's Fernando Rincon and Helena de Moura contributed to this report. | Anti-Castro activist Luis Posada Carriles was acquitted by U.S. court .
Extradition to Venezuela and Cuba blocked by U.S. courts .
"The battle against Cuba has already been won," Posada says .
Human rights activists say he was behind hotel bombings, other deadly attacks in Latin America . |
47,047 | 84914aabfd6bff9b161fbd1a70bf5120ebb60d79 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . Last updated at 8:32 PM on 28th September 2011 . A woman is accusing Ashton Kutcher of cheating on wife Demi Moore, the same weekend as the couple celebrated their six year wedding anniversary, according to Radaronline. The entertainment website claims the liaison happened last Friday in San Diego, California, after a alcohol-fuelled night out at Fluxx bar with his former That '70s Show co-star Danny Masterson. The 23-year-old woman, who has not been identified, has reportedly hired a high powered Hollywood attorney and has gone into hiding. Cheating scandal: A new report claims Demi Moore's husband Ashton Kutcher hooked up with a 23-year-old woman last weekend . Radar Online says it received the information from 'multiple friends of the woman.' According to one unnamed source: 'She is due to meet with an attorney tonight (Tuesday). She is freaking out.' The Two and a Half Men star's wedding anniversary was on Saturday, September 24, one day after the alleged encounter happened. Sign of trouble? The actress posted this message about 'anger' the night before spending her wedding anniversary apart from her husband . 'Ashton didn't look like someone who was celebrating a wedding anniversary,' one club goer told RadarOnline. Bad timing: The scandal has erupted just one week after Ashton's high profile debut on Two and a Half Men . Moore seemed to hint at trouble on her Twitter page by sharing a quote from Greek philosopher Epictetus. On . September 23, she wrote: 'When we are offended at any man's fault, turn . to yourself & study your own failings. Then you will forget your . anger.' The scandal . also comes as Star magazine, a sister publication of RadarOnline, . released an explosive new report claiming the marriage between Ashton, . 33, and Demi, 48, is 'officially over.' According to Star: 'Ashton and Demi have separated and the marriage is over.' MailOnline contacted Ashton's representatives, but so far they have not responded. A . source close to the pair reportedly told Star magazine: 'The . relationship ended because of Ashton's serial cheating. It's a painful . time for Demi.' In . September 2010, as Mailonline previously reported, Ashton was rocked by . another cheating scandal after Star reported that he had had a fling . with a 21-year-old woman named Brittney Jones. The young woman told the magazine she had sex with the actor inside the Beverly Hills home he shares with his wife. The . magazine also claimed that Ashton was so worried that the alleged . affair would be exposed that he made her delete their text messages, but . Star reported that she didn't remove all of them. Frail: Demi looked more slender than usual and preoccupied on Monday night at a screening of the new Lifetime movie Five in New York City . Brittney . told Star: 'He looked over the texts and said he wanted me to delete . all the messages from him,' she revealed. 'He then told me he wanted me . to delete the texts I had sent to him. He said they could hurt him.' Despite . the explosive report, Ashton and Demi brushed off the allegations with . Ashton making sure to express just how he felt by taking his Twitter to . make a statement. He said, 'I think Star magazine calling me a 'cheater' qualifies as defamation of character. I hope my lawyer agrees. 'STAR magazine - you don't get to stand behind "freedom of the press" when you are writing fiction.' Kutcher's representative also denied the story, while his wife of nearly five years came out in support of her husband. 'Excellent point my love!' and 'No question!' she wrote in response to Kutcher's comments. | Moore hints at trouble with Twitter message about 'anger' |
283,392 | fb170fede2af2f15d95384890689a5b18b8cd1b8 | By . Laura Cox . It's becoming a rather annoying ritual for BBC viewers. You settle down to watch a much-anticipated TV drama – then have to crank up the volume or switch on the subtitles. Just a month after the BBC’s Jamaica Inn was lambasted for its mumbling actors and poor sound quality, the corporation’s latest big release, Quirke, has been hit by the same complaints. Drama: Crime series Quirke, starring Gabriel Byrne, has attracted complaints about its audio quality . Anger: TV star Richard Madeley was one of the viewers to vent his fury about the dialogue . Viewers watching the crime drama on Sunday night were furious when they couldn’t make out what was being said. They reported having to switch on subtitles or turn up the volume to the maximum setting, while others simply gave up and turned it off. Set in 1950s Dublin and based on the novels by Booker Prize-winning author John Banville, Quirke follows the city’s chief pathologist, played by Gabriel Byrne, as he investigates a murder. Pugh's take on the silent drama Quirke . But it seems many of the 4.2million who watched the first episode in the three-part series struggled to follow the action, with TV presenter Richard Madeley leading the complaints on Twitter. Madeley blamed the BBC’s sound editing, writing: ‘Was really looking forward to Quirke, BBC1, 9pm – but despite winding volume up to 100 per cent, still can’t hear at least a third of dialogue! Again! ‘And it’s definitely the programme – switched channels and sound boomed out massively loudly. Back to Quirke, and inaudible. Grrrrrr!!!!’ He persevered with the programme a little longer, then finally announced: ‘Oh well, I give up. Throws ear-trumpet away and hobbles upstairs to bed, prematurely aged by c*** c*** c*** BBCTV sound.’ Another viewer also blamed the quality of the sound editing, tweeting: ‘I spend 99 per cent of my time with subtitles! I’m 35 ... BBC buy new [microphones].’ But others blamed the actors for failing to enunciate properly, likening the effect to the mumbling cast of Jamaica Inn. One viewer wrote: ‘Trying to enjoy BBC’s Quirke but too much mumbling and not enough enunciation! Jamaica Inn revisited?’ Before changing channels, another tweeted: ‘We turned over, can’t be bothered with whispers.’ They weren’t alone in turning off the programme in frustration. Stars: Quirke features actors such as Sir Michael Gambon, left, and Aisling Franciosi, right . Notorious: Jamaica Inn rapidly became known for its problems with inaudible dialogue . Another . Twitter user wrote: ‘How far into Quirke did you get tonight? Shades of . Jamaica Inn – mumbling and dark. Was this same director? Turned off yet . another drama!’ After it was broadcast over Easter, Jamaica Inn generated more than 2,000 complaints about ‘incoherent mumbling’. The . BBC originally said that technical faults were responsible but following an . investigation admitted another problem was that some of the cast . had failed to deliver their lines clearly. Last night there had been no official complaints to the BBC about Quirke or to television watchdog Ofcom. Responding . to the Twitter row, a spokesman for the BBC said: ‘There were no . reported problems or complaints following Sunday night’s opening . episode’ | Dublin-based crime drama had first episode on BBC One at the weekend .
Dozens of viewers took to the internet complaining they could not hear it .
The row is reminiscent of the controversy over period drama Jamaica Inn . |
165,133 | 61874944e47c4d4e1d71f0789b1b125aaf23ff2a | I pump the gas to the crest of the muddy hill, engine roaring. A sharp hairpin bend immediately requires a swift swing of the wheel, but the tires keep their grip and I bump my way down a steep incline of mud, rocks and tree roots. At the bottom I'm greeted with a deep flooded section of track and as the vehicle plows through, a colossal splash of muddy water swamps the hood. Through the swampy greenery of reeds and ferns, I feel, for a moment, like a khaki-clad explorer of the Empire, navigating the jungles of British East India. In fact I'm cruising in a brand new Land Rover Discovery, from London to Eastnor Castle in the Malvern Hills, on day two of Land Rover's "Best of British" tour, having kicked off in style with a night of world class luxury at the legendary Savoy Hotel. My mission is to become even more British than I already am, delving into my own culture with abandon, discovering the land and its history, in order that one day I might be able to order a "Gee 'n' Tee," play a game of croquet and use the word "chap" in a dozen different ways without sounding like a charlatan. If my lunch stop is anything to go by, it won't be long before I'm ordering that quintessential Brit drink from a butler too -- after a pass of Windsor Castle and the Chiltern Hills we pull up at the gilded gates of Blenheim Palace. 5 must-play golf courses in the Canadian Rockies . Blenheim Palace . "Welcome to the birthplace of Winston Churchill and residence of the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough," announces our host in a cut-glass accent. This 18th century Baroque masterpiece is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and despite a recent land-selling controversy, it remains a day trip destination that'll tire the kids out nicely, with an adventure playground, maze and mini-train just some of the attractions besides the house tour and grounds. Quickly, we're whisked off for our victuals in the Indian Room, its colonial furniture and tropical decor harking back to a time when Britain really did rule the waves. A retired army colonel gazes at the exotic milieu, "Ah, could be Bombay 1895," he muses wistfully. The days of the Raj live on in this corner of England. Strolling around the gardens, I do a mental check of my kit list for the next few days. Green wellies -- yep. Barbour jacket -- yep. Trusty hound and a tweed deerstalker cap? Er... well, maybe that would be taking this whole aristocracy fantasy a bit far but it's easy to get carried away on this trip. This is the England of Downton Abbey and Gosford Park -- an exclusive tour through our green and pleasant land, staying in historic palaces, ancient manor houses and chocolate box villages along the route. Traditional country pursuits are all part of the fun too, although nothing as contentious as fox hunting. And though I'm doing this tour in that icon of British motoring, the Land Rover, it of course doesn't take a 4WD vehicle to negotiate the tarmac roads of southern England. Which is why we are heading for Eastnor Castle, Land Rover's training and testing ground since 1962. The sumptuous castle will be our home for the next two days and when we're not bouncing around on our antique four-poster beds or rubbing shoulders with suits of armor we'll be out in the 5,000-acre estate, putting our off-road driving skills to the test on a private network of forest tracks, steep hills, deep water and of course, this being England, plenty of mud. Having "done the practical," later we'll find out how this car favored by England's land-owning elite is actually put together too. Driving and discovery . The Barbour jacket and green wellies come into their own the following day as we stride out across the castle's grounds, shotguns over our shoulders for our own version of the legendary hunting parties of the Victorian and Edwardian age when shooting skills were considered the mark of a man, alongside horsemanship and a stiff upper lip. While no feathered friends are bagged (just pigeons of the clay variety), we do get to hang with some top birds -- falcons. "Now, this is real hunting," says the falconer with pride. "People have been hunting with birds of prey in England for 1,200 years, since the Saxon times." Never mind the history; seeing these predators in action gives you a sense of the wild like few other things and its popularity is booming in the country. But we mustn't dither, for after heading across country, stopping for a proper English cream tea and a night in the honey-stone village of Lower Slaughter (it really deserves a nicer name) we arrive in Gaydon, the home of Land Rover. This is where we get our petrol head on for the engineering tour of the plant plus a chance to drive some of the vintage vehicles, harking back to a time when men were men and Land Rovers were workhorses. We'd already run these machines through their paces at Eastnor, careering through flooded fields and up and down muddy hillocks on the test track -- and now we got to see how all that engineering was put together. From what was simply a riveted steel utility vehicle to today's air-conditioned dream machine with computerized terrain response, the Land Rover really has come a long way since the first Series 1 model rolled off the production line back in 1948. Take it from me -- the men on the trip found it fascinating. Shaking it all off . Of course, this being the Best of British tour means it can end only one way -- with Shakey. We're off to Stratford-Upon-Avon to experience the genius of the Bard at the Royal Shakespeare Company with the added bonus of dinner on the theater's rooftop restaurant and Champagne and petit-fours during the interval. And did I mention that we have the best seats in the house? A final day in the luxurious surroundings of the William Cecil Hotel on the Burghley Estate sees some of the group attend the famous Burghley Horse Trials. But for me, the fantasy is over. The last six days have been an immersion in elegance, excellence and impeccable good taste -- and a unique window into the grandeur of Britain's past. I hand over the keys to my Land Rover with a farewell pat, as I know it is unlikely we'll ever be reacquainted, and make my way back to real life. Now. Where can one find a decent "Gee 'n' Tee"? The Land Rover 'Best of British' tour runs from August 31 to September 8. Limited availability. Prices from £3,995.00 ($6,463) per person. Burghley Horse Trials extension from £1,695. More details and bookings here: Abercrombie & Kent; +44 845 482 0832 . | Eastnor Castle has been Land Rover's training and testing ground since 1962 .
Visitors can try their hand at off-road driving through the forest tracks, steep hills, deep water and mud around Eastnor Castle .
The Best of Britain tour ends with a chance to attend the famous Burghley Horse Trials . |
68,942 | c381629f914cdb60e253e26b1c93a53e58d019ff | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 20:38 EST, 30 January 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 20:49 EST, 30 January 2013 . Climbing the stairs or raking the leaves is as good for your heart as going to the gym, scientists claim. A study has shown that short bursts of activity throughout the day are just as beneficial as regular workouts in the gym. Light exercises, such as simply walking around while talking on the phone, all add up to help stave off disorders that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Every little helps: Researchers say activities such as climbing the stairs or raking leaves can be as beneficial for your health as going to the gym . Professor Brad Cardinal, of Oregon State University in the US, the study’s co-author and an expert in exercise and sport science, said: ‘This is a more natural way to exercise – just to walk more and move around a bit more.’ The researchers found that 43 per cent of those who did light exercise –including everyday chores that take a minute or two each – met government physical activity guidelines of 30 minutes per day, compared with less than 10 per cent of those who worked out. Professor Cardinal added: ‘People get it in their minds that if they don’t get 30 minutes they might as well not exercise at all. ‘You will always be presented with things that entice you to sit or be less active – such as using a leaf blower instead of a rake. ‘Making physical activity a way of life is more cost-effective than an expensive gym membership. ‘You’ll be healthier, more mobile and just feel better all round.' Prof Cardinal said instead of driving . half a mile, people should try biking or walking the same distance. He also suggested doing sit ups, push ups or jumping jacks through TV . commercials. | Climbing the stairs or raking leaves can be as good as going to the gym .
Researchers found 43 per cent of people who did everyday chores met Government target of 30 minutes of exercise per day .
Professor Brad Cardinal, of Oregon State University, said: 'This is a more natural way to exercise' |
87,323 | f7c171cb41dc7b66cb1181dc63443949475af1ad | (EW.com) -- Adam "MCA" Yauch's death leaves a Beastie-size hole in pop music. Though the trio were not the most prolific legends on the landscape (over the course of 25 years, they released only seven proper albums), their impact has been gigantic. Starting with 1986′s "Licensed to Ill," the Beastie Boys rewrote the rules for commercial hip-hop, the mainstreaming of hardcore punk, the state of sampling, and the treatment of the old school. "Licensed to Ill," one of the early full-lengths released by influential hip-hop label Def Jam Records, is often referred to as the first rap album to hit No. 1 on the Billboard albums chart. That title is a little unfair, as those sales were powered by the wildfire success of "(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party)" — a track that many at the time considered more rock than rap. The remainder of "Licensed to Ill" is pure mid-'80s hip-hop: grimy, tricky, and funny. The rhyme trading on "Fight for Your Right" was child's play compared to the exchanges on "Hold It, Now Hit It," "She's Crafty," and "Paul Revere." Though it is hard to believe now, the Beastie Boys' race rarely came up — in part because hip-hop was a new genre, but also because they had the legitimate skills to counter criticism. It helped that they kept pushing the form forward on subsequent releases. Though 1989′s "Paul's Boutique" was a commercial failure at the time, it is now held up as a brilliant piece of art way ahead of its time. Working with the Dust Brothers, the Boys constructed a pastiche that flowed so deftly that it became common for owners of the vinyl to play "Spot the Sample." For DJs and genre-bending artists like Beck, Paul's Boutique was a keystone holding up a cathedral of sonic possibilities. Though hip-hop had always incorporated rock samples and toyed with live instrumentation (Afrika Bambaataa liked to toss Rolling Stones records into his break beats), "Licensed to Ill" also essentially invented rap-rock. "Fight for Your Right" is the obvious example, but Slayer's Kerry King (another signee of Def Jam co-founder Rick Rubin) also lent some shredding guitar to "No Sleep Til Brooklyn." "Rhymin' and Stealin'" is built around samples from Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, and the Clash. Yauch's first love was hardcore punk — the early Beastie Boys were a speedy, noisy act who opened for Black Flag and Bad Brains. Those fixations ran through "Licensed to Ill" through the group's two peak albums, 1992′s "Check Your Head" and 1994′s "Ill Communication." It wasn't so much that they brought punk attitude to hip-hop (Public Enemy figured out that trick at the end of the '80s), but it was about the fact that traditional rock music — and later, jazz — could coexist next to traditional rap. Over the course of their last three albums — 1998′s "Hello Nasty," 2004′s "To the 5 Boroughs," and last year's "Hot Sauce Committee Part Two" — the Beasties looked to be returning to everyone else's old school, tapping into elements of classic hip-hop that had disappeared as the style became the preeminent movement on pop radio. "Hello Nasty" sounds like a reaction to the Diddy-fication of rap in the late '90s, with its focus on breaking down hip-hop into core sonic elements and executing them with breathtaking precision. It's most evident on the classic call to arms "Three MCs and One DJ," but it's also plastered across tracks like the funky "Super Disco Breakin'," the minimalist "Instant Death," and the neck-snapping single "Intergalactic." To the 5 Boroughs and Hot Sauce Committee Part Two both work to preserve hip-hop's past rather than trying to innovate, but the trio's curatorial minds are so sharp that they both act as a living tribute to the New York streets that birthed rap. They are reflective, thoughtful albums that leave room for fun. You can hear the Beastie Boys' influence all over the place, from Rage Against the Machine's sonic firebombs to OutKast's playful genre-bending to the Odd Future crew's open-minded mix of the serious and the absurd. Even if Adam Yauch hadn't become an excellent video director, launched an influential film company, created the Milarepa Fund, and worked to assist victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks, he would still be regarded as a legend who deserves serious accolades not just for his musical and cultural impact but for the trails he blazed. See the full story at EW.com. CLICK HERE to Try 2 RISK FREE issues of Entertainment Weekly . © 2011 Entertainment Weekly and Time Inc. All rights reserved. | Adam Yauch, a member of the rap group Beastie Boys, died Friday .
Their album "Licensed to Ill" essentially invented rap-rock .
You can hear the Beastie Boys' influence all over the place in the music landscape . |
18,697 | 34e606d648ef33f98017b6f74c50434e42f09d9f | By . Rob Cooper . Last updated at 2:13 PM on 28th January 2012 . Britain's oldest newsagent is still working aged 96 - and was still doing his paper round until he was 88. Charlie Reynolds, who started delivering papers 64 years ago, still gets up at 6am every day to cycle to his family shop in Swindon, Wiltshire. The business, Reynolds Newsagent, is now run by his son Charlie jnr, 64, who opens up at 4.45am every day and works a staggering 76 hour week. Britain's oldest newsagent: Charlie Reynolds, 96, still gets up at 6am every morning to work with his son in the newsagents in Swindon, Wiltshire . But Charlie snr still mans the counter every day during the busy morning rush. The pair are both due to retire together next year when Charlie jnr finally steps down after 50 years working for the business. Charlie snr said: 'It keeps me active and I'm on first-name terms with most of the customers, so it's a social thing as well. 'I'm very lucky that I've kept my faculties and I still like to get around on the bike to get some exercise. 'I did retire in the 1980s but the workload was a lot for my son, so I offered to help and I'm still here now.' Charlie snr was born in Swindon, Wiltshire, in 1922 and worked as an apprentice boilerman before becoming a shipbuilder in Cowes during World War Two. He married wife Phyllis in 1938 they returned to Swindon after the war in 1948 to follow in the footsteps of Charlie's sister Sue, who already ran a successful newsagents in the town. Family store: The shop, near the Honda factory in Swindon, opened in 1962. Before that Charlie Snr had run a newsagents from his home . When it opened: The Newsagent and general store Charlie opened in the 1960s. he bought the property for less than £1,000 . Charlie snr started a newspaper delivering 'round' which he ran from home until 1962 when he bought a shop in Ermin Street for less than £1,000. He named it Reynolds Newsagent and originally ran a team of up to 15 paperboys each delivering up to 50 papers each. Back then newspapers cost just one 1p each and the business made 1p profit per week on each property they delivered to. Charlie snr and Phyllis, now 93, built the business into an Open All Hours-style local store. He said: 'It was a very lucrative business in those days. I remember my sister and her husband being the first people I knew to have a motor car. Community store: Charlie Reynolds opened the shop in 1961 and had his son - now 64 - working with him from the age of 15. Charlie Snr 'retired' in the 1980s after handing the management over to his son in 1979 . Early days: A delivery form from October 1948 when Charlie began running his newspaper delivery service from his home in Swindon, Wiltshire . Delivery: A newsagents order form of all the magazines needed in one week in 1948 in the early days of the business . 'We gradually built the business up and when the Honda factory opened up nearby it gave us a steady stream of customers every day. 'But it's very hard work. When we worked full time we were up long before 6am and worked in the shop until after 6pm every night.' End-of-terrace shop: The store in Ermin Street, Stratton, opened its doors more than 50 years ago -when a loaf of bread cost the equivalent of just 5p and people smoked Woodbines . Receipt: A note from 1960 detailing purchases made by Charlie Reynolds from wholesalers for his store. The top entry reads '1000 Woodbines- £7.6'3' Charlie jnr, an only child, was keen to join the business and started his first paper round aged 10. He . left Kingsdown School in Swindon aged 15 in 1962 and started working . for his father full-time shortly after he bought the Ermin Street shop. Charlie jnr took over the business from his father in 1979 and has risen at 4am ever since to open the doors at 4.45am. After getting up at 6am, Charlie snr cycles a few hundred yards from his home to the shop to start by 7am. He serves on the counter during the busy morning rush before returning home by 10am to look after Phyllis, who now requires constant care due to her failing health. Charlie jnr has had just one holiday in the last 50 years and works seven days a week. His retirement will mark the end of the family business as his two grown-up children both have careers in other industries. He said: 'It's very hard work, I don't know if anyone will want to take on the business - it is such a commitment. 'I've had the odd day off here and there and the occasional long weekend, but I've never had a proper holiday in 50 years. 'But we must be one of the oldest newsagents in Swindon and we really enjoy what we do. 'The shop has become a heart of the community, especially in the mornings when we always have a group of people standing outside the shop catching up on all the gossip.' | Charlie Reynolds 'retired' in the 1980s but got up early every morning to help his son run the family store .
He will retire next year at the same time as his son Charlie jnr who will be 65 .
Charlie jnr has had just ONE holiday in the last 50 years . |
56,336 | 9fa554303139df354ef14e5ed8213b36aa3d6342 | By . Lucy Crossley . PUBLISHED: . 11:46 EST, 8 January 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 03:47 EST, 9 January 2013 . A father who set up a cocaine ring to help funnel money to his fugitive son has been jailed for 11 years. Robert Blackburn, 64, turned to drug dealing after his son Steven became a wanted man when he fled to Northern Cyprus while on licence for shooting a doorman. When Blackburn Sr was caught in a safe house with £45,000 in cash and a kilo of cocaine on him, he paraphrased the famous Laurel and Hardy line: 'That's another fine mess I've gotten myself into'. Mess: Robert Blackburn (left) was jailed for 11 years after he set up a drugs ring to funnel cash to his fugitive son Steven Blackburn who was on the run in Northern Cyprus . Blackburn Sr had been freed from a 10-year jail term for heroin supply in 2008, but returned to crime to help his son in the Mediterranean. Steven shot doorman John Ormston, 26, twice at point blank range outside his home in Throckley, Newcastle, with a double-barrelled shotgun. Four men, including Steven, were jailed indefinitely for the 2005 attack. Newcastle Crown Court heard how Steven had recruited the gang to go after Mr Ormston as he was furious when he discovered his former friend had started seeing his mother, Valerie Fothergill, in 2002. Steven, who was 25 at the time, mistakenly believed that Mr Ormston had acted as a police informer and was responsible for passing on information that led to Blackburn Sr being jailed for the drug-dealing offence. A judge at Newcastle Crown Court ordered that Steven serve at least six years for the attack, but after his release he fled the country while still on licence. His father, a joiner with a passion for boats, then began playing a leading role in the cocaine gang. Deals: Blackburn Sr's gang would deal cocaine in a car park behind the Commercial Hotel pub in Winlaton, Gateshead (file picture) He helped orchestrate the collection and supply of kilo shipments of the high-purity drug. Deals were made in a car park behind the Commercial Hotel pub in Winlaton, Gateshead, with Blackburn Sr often arriving in a BMW. Henchmen moved the cocaine as well as carefully packaged bundles of cash - in £20 notes and up to £60,000 a time - from safe houses to underworld contacts. However, Blackburn Sr fell under police suspicion in spring last year, Newcastle Crown Court heard. Quote: When Blackburn Sr was arrested he paraphrased comedy duo Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy . Northumbria Police launched an operation, codenamed Vegas, putting him and his associates under surveillance and Blackburn Sr was later arrested in a safe house, where he made the Laurel and Hardy quip. Jeff Mason, prosecuting, said: 'The day of the police strike was August 8 last year, the day arrests and searches took place. 'When Blackburn was arrested, his response was "That's another fine mess I've gotten myself into".' Blackburn Sr, of Throckley, admitted conspiracy to supply cocaine together with more than 10,000 Class C controlled BZP tablets also recovered during the operation. Jailing him for 11 years, Judge David Wood said only a long prison term could be justified. He said: 'You are described as playing a leading role and whatever your personal problems, which led to you being involved, the fact is you led a number of other people into much more serious trouble than they have ever been in before. 'These are serious, professional offences and there are aggravating features in your case.' Six other men arrested during the Vegas investigation were given jail terms totalling 25 years. Christopher Knox, mitigating, said Blackburn had been a leading man in the conspiracy but that another unknown figure had been above him. Mr Knox said: 'He became involved because he was helping his son who is a fugitive in northern Cyprus. 'Telephone evidence shows an abundance of calls to his son and there is material about the funding of his son by a co-accused who was a longstanding friend.' Alan Atkinson, 44, also of Throckley, one of the other six defendants, admitted conspiracy after he tested the purity of the cocaine. He was jailed for six years. David French, 58, of Winlaton was a 'warehouser' who used not only his own home but also his elderly mother's house to store drugs and cash, and was jailed for seven years. Alan Bullock, 49, of Longframlington, Northumberland, acted as a courier, as well as warehouseman. He was also sentenced to six years behind bars. Fugitive: Steven Blackburn fled to northern Cyprus while still on licence after he shot doorman John Ormston . Robert Cann, 35, of Stoke-on-Trent moved the drugs to Tyneside from Liverpool and was jailed for two years. Alan Bell, 33, of South West Denton, Newcastle, laundered at least £145,000 of the gang's drugs cash. He was a close friend of Steven Blackburn, and was sentenced to two years in prison. Bell's younger brother James, 29, of West Denton, also admitted laundering some of the gang's cash and was jailed for two years. Judge Wood told them: 'All of you knew what you were getting into, knew that it involved great risk, but were prepared to put those risks to one side because it also involved profits to all of you. 'The supply was well-organised with drugs being purchased from the North West of this country, being carefully tested, being diluted and being distributed by you throughout, no doubt, the North East of England. 'Large amounts of cash were generated and you all intended to profit. 'These are therefore, serious offences for which only custody can be justified.' Another defendant, Brian Carrier, 37, of Kenton, Newcastle, was jailed for three years and eight months after admitting possessing almost 4kg of amphetamine with intent to supply at an earlier hearing. He had been arrested during a spin-off operation from the Vegas inquiry. | Ex-con Robert Blackburn, 64, set up drugs ring to supply son on the run in Northern Cyprus with money .
64-year-old paraphrased Laurel and Hardy after he was found with a kilo of cocaine and £45,000 in cash .
Son Steven had fled overseas while on licence after shooting doorman .
Blackburn Sr is jailed for 11 years for conspiracy to supply . |
283,507 | fb3e503e977d24c26d447093a28616862edd7a9a | He is supposed to have his hands full running the country. But David Cameron looked the picture of a relaxed dad this morning as he stepped out of Downing Street with daughter Florence in one arm and a dolly’s pram in the other. Embarrassingly it came on the day the government warned too many families struggle to fit their own childcare around their working lives. Hands full: David Cameron emerged from Number 10 this morning carrying daughter Florence and her toys . The Prime Minister was seen emerging from Number 10 early this morning, with two-year-old Florence cradled in his left arm. His other hand was struggling with a pink doll’s pram and a purple scooter. For many dads the idea of taking their children to school or nursery before work is all but impossible. A new report published today said childcare is a ‘major concern for many families’ and parents face ‘huge difficulties’ in find the right care at the right price. But Mr Cameron appeared not to have a care in the world as he made his way along Downing Street with his youngest daughter. Family time: Mr Cameron has spoken of his desire to take his children to school or nursery once a week . On the move: Tourists and people heading to work will have been surprised to see the Prime Minister out and about . He found himself with some extra time in his diary this morning after the meeting of Cabinet was moved to Thursday. He was later seen helping Florence as she struggled with her scooter on the streets of Whitehall on the way to her nursery. After dropping her off, the Prime Minister returned to Downing Street where he tried to coax Larry the Cat through the famous door of Number 10. Later he travelled to Lincoln for a question and answer session with workers at Siemens Industrial Turbomachinery. Helping hand: The Prime Minister tried to help Florence to stop her blocking the way for cyclists and pedestrians . Rush hour: As two-year-old Florence scooted along, the Prime Minister was left holding the baby . The Prime Minister has insisted on . taking his children to school or nursery as often as possible, to keep . his feet on the ground. Asked . about being seen on the school run last year he responded by saying: . 'Maybe once a week, sometimes once a fortnight, tragically sometimes . once a month I manage to take my children to school, but it's got to be . possible to be a decent husband, a good father and a good prime minister . at the same time.' Prowl: Larry the Downing Street cat was also out and about this morning . Animal magic: It took some persuasion, but eventually the Prime Minister managed to coax Larry through the door of Number 10 . Mr Cameron added that there is ‘something wrong’ if it is not possible to be Prime Minister and also spend time with family. ‘Actually I would go further than that, the big thing you have to do as prime minister is make a lot of judgement calls and decisions. 'The British public are incredibly fair minded, they know you will get, hopefully, a lot of them right. They know you'll get some of them wrong. 'What they want to know is that your average doesn't fall too low.' Day job: Later Mr Cameron travelled to Lincoln to take questions from workers . Grilling: Staff at Siemens Industrial Turbomachinery in Lincoln go the chance to put their questions to the Prime Minister . Tour: Mr Cameron met Chris Moulds, 26, (centre) and Wayne Hewitt, 18, (right) as he took a look around the factory . He went on: 'If you are completely fried and . exhausted and have no time for your family and never go for a jog or . play a game of tennis or whatever, if you never do those things, you . will get into a situation where you will make very bad decisions because . you're exhausted and stressed and all the rest of it. 'So do I try and live some sort of normal life at the same time, yes, and I don't apologise for that.' | PM has his hands full carrying Florence, a dolly's pushchair and a scooter .
Two-year-old seen scooting along streets of Whitehall with commuters .
Mr Cameron tries to take his children to school once a week . |
158,783 | 594c42872279cbb7d282df9a91233659e7022ff4 | PUBLISHED: . 14:28 EST, 7 July 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 14:28 EST, 7 July 2013 . The minions of 'Despicable Me 2' ran away with the July 4th box office, leaving the Johnny Depp Western 'The Lone Ranger' in the dust.According to studio estimates Sunday, the Universal animated sequel took in $82.5 million over the weekend and $142.1 million across the five-day holiday window. Gore Verbinski's reimagining of the iconic lawman bombed for the Walt Disney Company, opening with just $29.4 million over the weekend, and a disappointing $48.9 million since Wednesday.The trouncing for Disney was especially painful because of the high cost of 'The Lone Ranger', which reportedly cost at least $225 million to make. Made by the same team that created the lucrative Disney franchise 'Pirates of the Caribbean' (the four film series that grossed $3.7 billion worldwide) the Western drew bad reviews and failed to capture the attention of younger moviegoers. Flop: Despite an all-star cast and a huge budget, 'The Lone Ranger' has failed to captivate the movie-going public . Animated: Steve Carell poses with some life-sized minions, the troublemakers from his film 'Despicable Me 2' 'We thought it would appeal to a broader audience than it did,' Dave Hollis, head of distribution for Disney, said. Ranger danger: The big-budget Lone Ranger remake could saddle Disney with a sizable loss in profits . Wild West: Johnny Depp's get-up for his role as Tonto in 'The Lone Ranger' The poor performance of 'The Lone Ranger' called to mind a previous bomb for Disney: last year's similarly-budgeted sci-fi adventure 'John Carter' which opened with $30.1 million.But 'The Lone Ranger,' which stars Armie Hammer as the masked lawman, will likely fare better than that disappointment, since Depp's international star power should bring in better worldwide business. It started with $24.3 million abroad, opening in about 30 per cent of its planned international market.While critics skewered the film, it did earn a decent B+ CinemaScore grade from moviegoers. But 'The Lone Ranger' is nevertheless likely to be a sizeable write-down for Disney and could impact the company's stock price when markets reopen Monday. Failure to launch: (from left) Executive producer Jerry Bruckheimer, actors Johnny Depp, Armie Hammer and director/producer Gore Verbinski at the Moscow Premiere of 'The Lone Ranger' 'Everybody beat up on "The Lone Ranger" pretty hard,' said Paul Dergarabedian, analyst for box-office tracker Hollywood.com. 'Everything was just not going in its favor.'On the other hand, Universal made 'Despicable Me 2' for the comparatively small amount of $76 million (a figure that doesn't count a huge marketing budget). The far-better than expected haul firmly establishes 'Despicable Me', which stars Steve Carell as a diabolical villain turned stay-at-home dad, as a new franchise for Universal and Chris Meledandri's Illumination Entertainment, the Universal-backed animation company. Humorous henchmen: The loyal but mischievous minions proved too popular with audiences for 'The Lone Ranger' to get a look-in . Sweet success: A scene from 'Despicable Me 2' featuring Lucy, voiced by Kristen Wiig (right) and Gru, voiced by Steve Carell (left) Nikki Rocco, head of distribution for Universal, attributed the strong performance to Meledandri, the robust appetite for summer family films, and, above all, those teaming little yellow guys. The minions will get their own spin-off in 2014, and Rocco said another 'Despicable Me' film is a certainty.'The minions steal everybody's heart,' Rocco said. 'It's a great time of the year to release a family film with broad appeal.'Stand-up Kevin Hart's concert documentary 'Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain' proved savvy counter-programming for Summit Entertainment, opening with $17.5 million over five days and $10.1 million over the weekend.Fox Searchlight's family comedy 'The Way, Way Back' (which also stars Carell) opened in 19 theaters with a strong theater average of about $30,000. It slowly expands for a July 26 national release.Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Hollywood.com. Where available, latest international numbers are also included. Final domestic figures will be released on Monday. 1. Despicable Me 2 - $82.5 million . Agnes, voiced by Elsie Fisher (left) and Steve Carell's Gru (right) in 'Despicable Me 2' 2. The Lone Ranger - $29.4 million ($24.3 million international)3. The Heat - $25 million4. Monsters University - $19.6 million5. World War Z - $18.2 million6. White House Down - $13.5 million7. Man of Steel - $11.4 million8. Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain - $10.1 million9. This Is the End - $5.8 million10. Now You See Me - $2.8 million . | 'Despicable Me 2' made $82.5 over the weekend .
'The Lone Ranger' took in only $29.4 million - but it had a $225 million budget .
'The Heat' and 'Monsters University' take the third and fourth box office spots, respectively . |
19,955 | 38a847272e46a0d38f08ae9492886e48668b25b9 | By . Vanessa Allen . Large oil deposits have been discovered under southern England which could equal a third of the North Sea reserves but would need fracking to extract it . Scientists have discovered potential onshore oil resources in South East England, a new report is expected to confirm. Oil-bearing shale rocks in the Weald area spanning parts of Sussex, Hampshire, Kent and Surrey are believed to be as rich in oil as the North Sea fields. The area could hold reserves to equal a third of those under the North Sea, which would offer Britain greater energy security and could help to drive down prices. But it would have to be extracted by fracking - the controversial technique which uses high-pressure water to split rocks - and attempts to exploit it risk an angry response from campaigners. A report into the ‘Jurassic Weald Basin’ reserve has been prepared by the British Geological Survey and passed to the Department for Energy and Climate Change, and could be made public within weeks. A similar study in the North of England estimated there may be more than 1,300trillion cubic feet of shale gas and experts said it could power Britain for 50 years. The new study also looked for shale gas in the South, but was reported to have found that oil was the biggest potential resource under the Weald. Richard Selley, professor of petroleum exploration at Imperial College London, who will advise the DECC on the report, told The Sunday Times: ‘The discovery of oil in the Weald should not be a surprise because there is already a number of small oilfields around the North and South Downs and also oil seeps. ‘The amount is likely to be less than under the North Sea, which is a far larger area, and it is not yet possible to be clear about the figures because we don’t know how much of what is down there. But it is clear that these rocks have a high oil content.’ Large deposits of oil-rich rock have been discovered across Kent (pictured), Surrey, Sussex and Hamps. Plans for energy firm Europa Oil & Gas to sink exploratory wells in an area of outstanding natural beauty near Dorking, Surrey, have already prompted legal protests by the Leith Hill Action Group. Cuadrilla faced protests by environmental campaigners when it tried to drill exploratory wells at Balcombe in West Sussex. Campaigners say drilling could scar the countryside, pollute water supplies and clog roads with hundreds of lorries. The Weald Basin spans traditionally Conservative areas and the Government faces a dilemma between Britain’s energy needs and a community backlash ahead of next year’s election. Southern England already has Europe’s biggest onshore oil field at Wytch Farm in Dorset, where 400million barrels of oil have been extracted since the 1970s. | Oil-rich rock deposits found in Kent, Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire .
Total reserves could equal a third of North Sea oil .
However extracting it will involve controversial fracking technique . |
121,125 | 28926e695a8f662649536dea1fbdc4df89b7c249 | By . Matt Chorley, Mailonline Political Editor . PUBLISHED: . 06:46 EST, 11 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 09:03 EST, 11 October 2013 . Firefighters in England and Wales are to stage a fresh strike in their bitter row with the Government over pensions. Members of the Fire Brigades Union will walk out for five hours on the night of October 19 in opposition to plans to force them to work longer. They argue firefighters cannot be expected to continue answering 999 calls 'in their late 50s and into their 60s' but ministers said the latest industrial action was 'unconstructive and unnecessary'. Strike: Firefighters will walk out for five hours next weekend in protest at changes to their pensions . The FBU said members will walk out for five hours from from 6.30pm on Saturday October 19. It follows a similar stoppage last month as the stand-off with the government escalates. Union general secretary Matt Wrack said: ‘We had hoped our first strike was enough to show Government that firefighters could not be more serious about protecting public safety and ensuring fair pensions. ‘No firefighter wants to strike, and it's desperately disappointing that governments in Westminster and Cardiff continue to deny reality over pensions costs and the need for a pension scheme that reflects the job firefighters do. Age: FBU general secretary Matt Wrack said firefighters cannot be expected to fight fires in their 50s and 60s . ‘Firefighters simply cannot be expected to fight fires and rescue families in their late 50s and into their 60s. ‘We hope this second strike will mean both governments will be willing to discuss the full range of concerns that firefighters and the general public have expressed. ‘However, more strikes cannot be ruled out if that's what it takes to protect public and firefighter safety from these ludicrous attacks.’ Firefighters in Scotland will not be taking industrial action following an offer on pensions from the Scottish Government which the union said was enough to prevent a strike ‘at the current time’. The FBU argues that changes to pensions and the retirement age will see thousands of firefighters lose their job ‘simply for getting older’. The union also maintains that firemen and women pay some of the highest pension contributions in the UK at almost 13 per cent of their salary, with further rises due next year. But the government accused the FBU of a rush to strike action instead of seeking a resolution to the dispute. Fire Minister Brandon Lewis said the decision to announce another strike date is 'totally unconstructive and unnecessary'. He added: 'The FBU themselves have said that this dispute can only be resolved through dialogue, discussion and negotiation. 'The firefighters' pension scheme is one of the most generous pension schemes in the public sector.' A firefighter who earns £29,000, and retires after a full career aged 60, will get a £19,000 a year pension, rising to £26,000 with the state pension, the government says. An equivalent private pension pot would be worth over half a million pounds and require firefighters to contribute twice as much. Mr Lewis added: 'The firefighter pension age of 60 was introduced in 2006 and matches the police and armed forces. 'Any early ill-health retirements will see an unreduced pension. Firefighter fitness is decided by local fire and rescue authorities so the union needs to work with them to resolve that issue. 'We have informed the FBU that we will support that process with the conciliation service Acas as required.' Row: The latest walkout against government cuts 'is totally unconstructive and unnecessary', the government said . Fire chiefs moved to reassure the public that safety would not be put at risk. London Fire Commissioner Ron Dobson said: ‘We are as prepared as ever to deal with this next round of strike action. It's a shame that further action is being taken, but our contingency plan will kick in and we will be ready to deal with emergencies. ‘There will be 27 fire engines based at strategic points across London, ready to provide an emergency back-up fire service. They won't deal with minor incidents like bin fires or automatic fire alarms, but will attend serious emergencies like large fires and road traffic accidents. ‘Once again, our advice is to take extra care to prevent fires at home. Simple steps like ensuring your hob is switched off and cigarettes are properly extinguished can make all the difference.’ | Fire Brigades Union orders fresh industrial action in England and Wales .
Members will walk out for five hours on Saturday October 19 .
Ministers condemn strike as 'unconstructive and unnecessary' |
134,112 | 39615c9cf49fcf762d2f690b669941e2277221fd | Los Angeles (CNN) -- A judge appointed TJ Jackson, the 34-year-old son of Tito Jackson, as temporary guardian of Michael Jackson's three children in the absence of their grandmother, Katherine Jackson. "We have reason to believe that Mrs. Jackson has been held against her will," Katherine Jackson attorney Sandra Ribera told Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff at a hearing Wednesday. Immediately after the hearing however, another attorney for Jackson, Perry Sanders, said he had been told by Randy Jackson that his mother was on her way back to California. Sanders, who later spoke to his client as she was being driven home, said he will file a petition to restore her as custodian as soon as he meets with her. Katherine Jackson was unaware of the controversy swirling around her family for the past week, he said. Jackson family drama an unwanted reality show . Beckloff suspended Katherine Jackson as custodian for Prince, Paris and Prince Michael II, known as Blanket, because she may be "prevented from acting as a guardian because of the acts of third parties." He also ordered "that the children not be removed from California without a court order, by any person." The judge also ordered that Diana Ross, whom Michael Jackson named as backup guardian in his will, and Debbie Rowe, the biological mother of the two oldest children, be given notice of the order. The order will be reconsidered at a hearing next month, and the judge left open the possibility that custody could be returned sooner if Katherine Jackson returns home. Katherine Jackson finally called her home Tuesday night after being out of communication for nine days, her lawyer said. TJ Jackson, whom Katherine Jackson left in charge of the children when she left home on July 15, said he was disturbed by how she sounded. "I've never heard my grandmother talk like that," he said about that phone call. "She wasn't sharp. Her words were slurred. Her choice of vocabulary, I never heard her use those phrases." His lawyer said that "maybe she was trying to speak to him in code." Ribera said one of the children told her it sounded like she was not alone during that call. Sanders said the call was made after he met with Jermaine and Janet Jackson at a spa near Tucson, Arizona, on Tuesday night to resolve the controversy over Katherine Jackson's whereabouts. They did not, however, allow him to meet or talk with her, he said. Katherine Jackson, 82, left the home she shares with Michael Jackson's children on July 15. She had not contacted them before Tuesday, though a Los Angeles County sheriff's investigation concluded she was safe in Arizona. Jackson family feud caught on tape . Katherine Jackson has custody of Michael Jackson's children and a 20% share in her son's huge estate. Her husband, Joe Jackson, and her eight surviving children were completely left out of Michael Jackson's will when the pop star died in 2009. Authorities got involved when her nephew Trent filed a missing person report with the sheriff's office over the weekend. Security camera video obtained by CNN captured a tense scene at the Calabasas, California, home she shares with her three grandchildren. Siblings Janet, Jermaine and Randy Jackson attempted to persuade the older children, Prince and Paris, to leave Katherine Jackson's home with them Monday. Paris and Prince resisted, according to three sources with knowledge of the incident, who asked not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the matter. The video shows Janet Jackson apparently trying to take a cell phone away from Paris and scolding her niece for using her phone to write about family issues on Twitter, according to the three sources. Paris, Michael Jackson's 14-year-old daughter, posted a Twitter message at about the same time: "gotta love fam." Meanwhile, 15-year-old Prince is seen walking away from his Uncle Randy into the home's security office. Paris soon followed, and Randy and Janet Jackson appeared to be recording the incident with their cell phones. Minutes later, sheriff's deputies broke up a scuffle involving Randy and Jermaine Jackson and Trent Jackson, who works for their mother, according to several people who witnessed it. No one was arrested, although a battery report was taken and an investigation is ongoing, Los Angeles County sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore said. The Jackson strife: Family bickering . | A lawyer says there's reason to believe "Mrs. Jackson has been held against her will"
She was reported missing over the weekend amid a family dispute .
The judge appoints TJ Jackson as temporary guardian .
"I've never heard my grandmother talk like that," TJ Jackson says about a phone call . |
178,869 | 73978dc51f6e9c217bbfefee3edbb8a5546242c3 | Margaret Thatcher once faced a diplomatic row about roses. The incident, which saw the UK mediate between Germany and Japan over who could name a rose after her, stretches for more than 40 pages in her 1984 files. The Tory leader was asked by the German Central Horticultural Association if it could name a flower in her honour. Scroll down for video . Margaret Thatcher ended up at the heart of a row between Germany and Japan, who had an ongoing dispute over who should be allowed to name a rose after her. Details of the incident spans 40 pages in her 1984 files . In a speech to delegates who had travelled for a 'proper tea' at Downing Street, she remarked that she was 'deeply touched by the honour'. Mrs Thatcher added: 'A blue rose would be too much to expect. '(I am) Delighted however to note that according to the grower, Mr Kordes, the rose is robust, stands strong on stems, and is very long-lasting.' But she had forgotten that in 1978 she gave permission for a Margaret Thatcher rose to be created by Japanese firm Takatori. The story of the German rose made international headlines and Mr Takatori wrote to the Prime Minister in complaint. Amid threats of legal action, a young diplomat named Peter Ricketts, now Ambassador to France, concluded that, although legally the German's may have done nothing wrong, they had acted disingenuously. After a drawn-out series of memos, it was eventually decided that the Japanese should be appeased. Personal papers found in Thatcher's 1984 files show the correspondence sent during the 'rose' dispute . A response was sent, reading: 'The two roses are different in appearance, but if an error has been made, the prime minister very much hopes that it can be satisfactorily and easily resolved. 'We can understand your concern, and would like to assure Mr Takatori of our high regard for the masterpiece he named.' The matter was quietly dropped but not without occupying hours of the prime minister's time. Historian Chris Collins, from the Margaret Thatcher Foundation, said: 'It goes to show that Yes Minister really happened. 'It took up a lot of time but all they could really do was grin and bear it. 'Perhaps what's most surprising is they were utterly humourless about the whole thing.' She even cancelled her hairdo . Calm and unflappable in a crisis, Thatcher showed resilience worthy of her reputation as the Iron Lady when the Brighton hotel bomb struck, the files reveal. She was so focused on continuing as normal that she even remembered to personally write to a hairdresser after cancelling an appointment in the aftermath. She had taken the difficult decision that the Conservative Party conference must go on in spite of the atrocity, which killed five people and injured 31 on October 12, 1984. Among the dead were two high-profile Tories, and Mrs Thatcher herself narrowly escaped injury, but she refused to allow the tragic event to get to her. In the aftermath of the horrific IRA bombing in Brighton on October 12, 1984, the then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher (above) still managed to remember to call her stylist and cancel an upcoming hair appointment . She carried on as usual the following day, attending meetings and meeting ministers but she did allow less essential appointments to slip. The files, newly released by the Margaret Thatcher Archive Trust, show that she instructed a secretary to cancel a hair appointment with Ruffles Hair Salon in Hove, East Sussex. But not content with this courtesy, Thatcher wrote a personal note to thank hairdresser William Thorne for his work earlier in the week. She added: 'I was very pleased with the way you did my hair, and the fact that it lasted so well through Friday was the real test.' According to Mrs Thatcher's appointments diary, her dressmaker, Daphne Scrimgeour, had been due to visit her at Chequers the following day but this was also cancelled. The phrase 'lunch at Chequers' is rubbed out, suggesting she also cancelled a meal with friends. It was not until she attended a church service on the following Monday that she was seen to publicly weep, saying on television: 'This is the day I was not meant to see.' The letters sent from Downing Street confirm Mrs Thatcher's hair appointment for the 1984 Tory conference . Newly-released letters sent from Downing Street reveal how Thatcher wrote to her stylist, William Thorne, apologising that she had to cancel in the wake of the IRA Brighton bombing and offering to pay him anyway . Historian Chris Collins, from the Margaret Thatcher Foundation, said: 'Her reaction was partly out of necessity and her instinct to carry on. 'I think she would have also been comforted by returning to her usual schedule. 'But also it was a natural human reaction - I'm sure many of us are familiar with the phenomenon of being in a car crash and not realising the harm that's been done until later.' She was inundated with hundreds of letters from world leaders, political rivals and friends. Mr Collins said: 'The number of her responses is so abundant and the touch so personal, we can see that she must have spent many hours of her time the following week handling that correspondence.' In one of the personal letters, her private secretary John Coles said: 'We shall remember - not the bomb or the ruined building - but your courage, calm and nobility in the aftermath. 'I can imagine how much shock and sorrow you had to overcome to show those qualities so splendidly. You turned evil into inspiration.' | Margaret Thatcher once at heart of row over who could name rose after her .
Incident was mentioned in more than 40 pages of her 1984 personal papers .
Germany and Japan bickered over who could name bloom after former PM . |
60,065 | aa9e51cbb9aebeb7fe2fdcc716a72c15ca30ada4 | NEW YORK (CNN) -- A former New York City bouncer was sentenced to life without parole Wednesday for the brutal slaying of a graduate student from Boston, the Brooklyn district attorney's office said. Darryl Littlejohn, 44, is already serving prison time for the attempted kidnapping of another student in 2005. Darryl Littlejohn, 44, was convicted of first-degree murder last month in the 2006 death of Imette St. Guillen, 24, who had been studying criminology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Littlejohn, who is already serving 25 years to life for the October 2005 attempted kidnapping of a 19-year-old Queens college student, will serve out the sentences consecutively, said Sarah McNaughton of the Brooklyn district attorney's office. During the trial, witnesses said they saw Littlejohn and St. Guillen leaving The Falls bar in lower Manhattan together early February 25, 2006. Littlejohn was working as a bouncer at the bar. Hours later, St. Guillen's nude body was found in an isolated lot in Brooklyn. Her face was covered with strips of packing tape, and a sock was stuffed into her throat. She died of asphyxiation, and investigators determined she had been raped. Littlejohn was charged with murder after investigators linked his DNA to blood found on plastic ties used to bind St. Guillen's hands behind her back. Littlejohn's attorney, Joyce David, has filed an appeal on behalf of her client and maintains his innocence. She said that although Littlejohn has a long criminal record, he has no history of violence against women. The horrific incident spread shockwaves through New York City nightlife, which relies heavily on unlicensed bouncers to keep order in the city's bars and nightclubs. Littlejohn is being held at New York's Rikers Island maximum security facility. CNN's Chris Kokenes and Kristen Hamill contributed to this report . | Darryl Littlejohn was convicted last month of murdering Imette St. Guillen, 24 .
Witnesses saw the two leaving Manhattan bar the morning of February 25, 2006 .
Investigators linked his DNA to ties used to bind St. Guillen's hands behind her back .
Lawyer for the former bouncer says he is innocent . |
67,204 | bea1a6dc44e0f3814c2aa0823956cf2eada6585c | Shaun Wright-Phillips has been offered the chance to resurrect his career out on loan in the Championship – but has refused to leave QPR, according to manager Harry Redknapp. Wright-Phillips, who is estimated to earn £65,000 per week, has played just 78 minutes of football this season during the Capital One Cup defeat away at Burton Albion and has been told by Redknapp he can leave Loftus Road. The midfielder claims he went to Redknapp and asked what he needed to do to get a chance in the team and how he could improve, but says the discussion turned heated and they ended up rowing. Shaun Wright-Phillips hasn't featured for QPR since the defeat by Burton in August . Wright-Phillips said he went to speak to manager Harry Redknapp about his absence from the team . Blackburn, Bolton and Charlton are all understood to have been interested in signing the 33-year-old – only for the midfielder to turn down the chance to leave QPR. Redknapp said: ‘We've offered Shaun the chance to go out on loan, but he's not wanted to go. I think he needs to move on and play - I've told him that many times. ‘You have opinions on your players, some you want and some you don’t that is the way the football world goes round. ‘We had clubs come in who have wanted to loan him and he has not wanted to go out on loan. So he is still here. ‘He trains hard. But he's not going to move when he's on a fantastic contract. ‘It is not the boy's fault. If someone wants to give you a lot less money you're not going to move are you? Blackburn, Bolton, maybe Charlton, they've come in for him and he didn't want to know. He doesn't want to go on loan.’ Responding to Redknapp's claim that Wright-Phillips would not leave the club on loan, the 33-year-old insisted he still had something to offer his manager in the second half of the season. 'I'm not at QPR to go back and forth. I'm fit and ready to do my bit in this relegation fight as they may need me at some point. I believe in myself and know what I'm capable of,' Wright-Phillips wrote on social networking site Kicca. Ian Wright, Shaun's adoptive father, hit back at Redknapp's claims that his son was motivated by money. 'Ridiculous statement about not wanting to go on loan!!! You get paid the same money when you're on loan,' the former Arsenal striker tweeted. Redknapp said Wright-Phillips (left) did not want to leave QPR because of his 'fantastic' contract . Redknapp admits the midfielder (left) trains hard and doesn't blame him for staying at the club . Former Chelsea and Manchester City wide-man Wright-Phillips revealed he tried to talk to Redknapp about the situation to find out how he could improve his chances of reclaiming a place in the first team. 'I just want to play football. I don't want any QPR fans to feel I am short-changing them,' Wright-Phillips said in an interview with the Sun on Friday. 'I went to see Harry but it didn't go as I was hoping. I don't know if he thought I was going in for an argument but it certainly wasn't that and it got a bit heated. 'I just wanted to know what I could do better, how I could improve, just advice really. I didn't expect to be sworn at.' Redknapp also fought off speculation that defeat by Manchester United on Saturday could cost him his job. QPR are 19th in the Premier League and without an away win all season, but Redknapp says he wants to carry on fighting to keep the club in the top flight. The 67-year-old boss claims to have a great relationship with the club's hierarchy . He added: ‘I have a great relationship with the chairman and shareholders. It is their decision, if they decide they want to go in a different direction then that is up to them. ‘They have given me great support and I have loved every minute of my time here and I want to stay. ‘But it is their decision, I can’t lose any sleep over it. I spoke to Tony (Fernandes) this week and he has not suggested anything like that. And until he does I’ll keep doing what I do. ‘I will keep trying to win football matches. We have been playing well at home and if we had beaten Swansea here when we were 1-0 up two minutes into injury time then we would be sitting higher up the table. That’s how close it is. We are all stuck down there, one win can take you up five places and a defeat can drop you down four or five places as it did with us. We just have to keep going.’ Redknapp is not worried about his QPR job ahead of the visit of Manchester United on Saturday . | Shaun Wright-Phillips has only played 78 minutes of football this season .
The midfielder has been offered chance to move to the Championship .
Harry Redknapp claims he won't leave because of 'fantastic' contract . |
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