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132,426 | 373f1c8f167c000c8a07b1525a50593edb39f023 | An eight-year-old boy - nicknamed 'Jaws' by his friends - has grown a second row of teeth after suffering from a condition known as 'paediatric shark teeth'. Zak Brown, from Wakefield, West Yorkshire, must spend extra time brushing and visiting the dentist to maintain his two sets after his baby teeth did not fall out when his permanent teeth pushed through the gums. And Zak's condition also means he has suffered the cruel misfortune of not losing a tooth before growing too old to believe in the tooth fairy. However, he did lose his first baby tooth last week and it is hoped it will signal the start of normality for Zak. Scroll down for video . Zak Brown (pictured) has two rows of teeth - leading to the nickname 'Jaws' Zak has a second set of teeth growing behind his baby teeth on both his upper and lower jaws . His mother, civil servant Claire, 38, suspected something was wrong when he got his first extra tooth through. 'It looked really odd, and they kept on coming. All the while he wasn't losing his baby teeth.' What was actually happening inside Zak's mouth was that his permanent teeth, which would usually help push out baby teeth, were coming through. But instead they came in behind the first teeth and failed to move the baby ones out. So while his older sister, Niamh, 10, and younger brother, Finley, six, were cashing in on the tooth fairy, Zak was getting frustrated. She said: 'It did bother him. It doesn't hurt and he has no problems eating but he would complain and wish his teeth would come out whenever they lost a tooth. 'He was gutted. He would try and wiggle and wiggle his teeth to make them come out but nothing ever happened. 'But he's got used to it now. His friends call him 'Jaws' because he's got a second set of teeth just like sharks do.' Zak's first permanent tooth came through about a year ago, with the others following shortly after. The eight-year-old's first permanent tooth came through about a year ago, with the others following shortly after . Both she and Zak's father, engineer Richard, 45, from Leeds, West Yorkshire, were pleased when he finally lost his first baby tooth. She said: 'We gave him £10 to a-bait him. It's funny because he's so old now he doesn't even believe in the tooth fairy anymore.' Zak is such a showman that if anybody asks about his teeth, he is happy to show them. The footy-mad lad is now on a waiting list to get his baby teeth extracted to allow other adult to come through. He will then more than likely need a brace. But, she said: 'Unfortunately there is now a good two or three year wait to see the orthodontist. All children are born with 20 teeth know as the child's baby, or milk, teeth. These teeth usually start breaking through the gums and exposing when the child is about 6-months-old. They remain in the child's formative years but begin to fall out when they reach the age of five or six - often with the first to arrive being the first to go. As they start falling out, they are replaced by permanent teeth breaking through the gums. These remain with the child for the rest of their life. Permanent teeth are more yellow than baby teeth and they have longer roots. They also feature things called mamelons - these are the bumps on the edge of the permanent teeth which give them a serrated appearance. 'We have been told we can go private if we chose but I imagine that may cost a lot of money. 'It is something I'd like to sort out sooner rather than later, though, because although it doesn't hurt and he has no trouble eating it is starting to affect his speech slightly because he has too many teeth in his mouth.' The condition - known as paediatric shark teeth - can affect as many as one in 10 children although it is thought not many cases are as striking as Zak's. It occurs when an adult tooth doesn't exert enough pressure on the baby tooth it is under, or does not have enough room to emerge. It then takes the easier route and grows behind the baby teeth - causing the baby tooth root to take longer to dissolve and the child is left with two sets of teeth. | West Yorkshire eight-year-old suffers from 'paediatric shark teeth' condition .
Zak Brown's friends at school have now nicknamed him 'Jaws'
The problem occurs when child's permanent teeth fail to push out baby teeth .
Zak is expected to have two rows of teeth for another three years . |
119,020 | 25b0d65114c301d613dd25da08a96f642cd824ac | By . David Martosko, U.s. Political Editor . Secret Service agents in Bill Clinton's White House angered a black congressman in 1993 after forcing him to show his ID and searching his car before allowing him to attend a meeting with then-Vice President Al Gore. A white driver taking Ohio Democratic Rep. Louis Stokes to his meeting was admitted without an ID-check. A staffer's memo to Clinton a week later warned the president about the incident before a scheduled photo-op including Stokes and the mayor of a Cleveland suburb. President Bill Clinton (R) leaned on Rep. Louis Stokes (L) to use his leverage with the Congressional Black Caucus during legislative fights. But in 1993 Stokes couldn't get in the White House without an ID check and a car search . Stokes (C, seated), was a civil rights icon in Ohio and served on the House Assassinations Committee that investigated the killing of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. The memo from a senior aide described Rep. Stokes' disgust at being subjected to what he thought was racial profiling . Stokes, a legend in the civil-rights history of Ohio's populous Cuyahoga County, was beside himself. Rep. Stokes . was asked for identification, although his white driver was not,' Susan Brophy, then White House deputy director of legislative affairs, wrote to Clinton. 'Furthermore, before Rep. Stokes was allowed in the gate, a K-9 detail . searched his car. Rep. Stokes is understandably furious and believes the . search to be racially motivated.' Stokes, she wrote, had used his position as an appropriations subcommittee chairman to be 'very helpful to the Administration.' 'For your information, Howard Paster has spoken at length with David Watkins about the incident. David has taken steps to insure that in the future Members of Congress driving ,into the White House will be admitted expeditiously and will be treated with respect.' Watkins, then White House director of administration, was fired a year later for using a presidential helicopter to ferry himself and friends to a Maryland golf outing. Bill Clinton's political second act has been marred by revelations in his administration's archives, which were set for release a year ago but delayed by archivists. Hillary Clinton, the former first lady, went on to become a US senator and secretary of state -- and is now mulling her own White House run . Stokes (L) stood alongside Clinton in 1998 when he signed a law directing the National Park Service to spend $500,000 per year to connect sites along the old Underground Railroad, a secret system used by black slaves to escape the South in the years before the US Civil War . An earlier set of Clinton White House documents released on March 1 included a note to the president from aide Chris Jennings, who explained that Stokes was 'the key to the Congressional Black Caucus' if then-first lady Hillary Clinton's health care overhaul were to become law. Image problem: Vice President Al Gore got so little public praise from President Clinton that his staffers started begging for it . 'It's important that he hear from you,' Jennings wrote. 'I am convinced, though, that such "stroking" will pay dividends.' Jennings recently left the White House after a second tour of service, where he was President Barack Obama's behind-the-scenes point man on the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. The more than 7,500 pages released Friday sparked the fourth media feeding frenzy since the first batch went online on February 28. The latest collection saw Vice President Al Gore's staff practically begging Clinton to say positive things about their boss in public toward the end of his administration. 'I am trying to knock down the idea that the Clinton White House’s support for Gore is based on legacy notions,' one Gore aide wrote his West Wing counterpart, 'and build up the idea that it is based on respect, relationships and in-the-foxhole camaraderie.' 'Also, some kind words about his very competent staff are always welcome.' Gore's handlers, already looking ahead to a 2000 election race that the VP would lose, were desperate for a presidential hat-tip to 'Gore as one of the guys' – a wink of approval that 'rebuts the charge that Gore lacks a Clinton type of feel for political rhetoric.' Meanwhile, the document cache sheds some light on how Mrs. Clinton, who now faces a possible presidential run of her own, was worrying White House aides because of a significant image problem. First lady Hillary Rodham Clinton wound up 'getting real' in a different way after her husband's infidelities were exposed, but initially her handlers wanted the public to see a softer side of the future senator . While she came to Washington with sky-high favorability numbers, the undated memo remarks on how those metrics turned south. 'Obviously, this is partly the handiwork of the radical right and the radio talk show hosts who have much to gain by painting an unflattering portrait of you,' it reads. '[S]ome Americans can’t handle smart, tough, independent women. And that’s the image most Americans have of you.' While the first lady's close acquaintances know her as a warm and caring person with an everywoman streak, the memo advised, 'the public doesn’t know it' unless she engages in some publicity stunts to 'get real.' The suggested solution was to showcase her in a series of public appearances carefully calibrated to make her seem more ordinary – including 'shopping frantically for Christmas presents, caroling (maybe with Chelsea and some of her friends) during the holiday season, working out, [or] making scrambled eggs for Sunday brunch.' | Louis Stokes was a Cleveland, Ohio lawmaker and the 'key to the Congressional Black Caucus'
A Clinton aide warned the president before a 1993 photo-op with Stokes that he had been stopped a week earlier when entering the White House .
Secret Service agents made him show his ID, but never asked his white driver to do the same, in an early example of alleged racial profiling .
Stokes' car was also searched by a drug-sniffing K-9 unit before he could enter for a meeting with Vice President Al Gore .
The memo was in the latest batch of files released by the Clinton Library . |
218,555 | a6ed48ad2fb492a99476bd42c9ecae7bbdb0c07a | Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery believes either Manuel Neuer or Arjen Robben deserve to win the 2014 FIFA Ballon d'Or - but fears 'politics' could work against them. Bayern goalkeeper Neuer, widely regarded as the best number one in the world, helped Germany win the World Cup, while Holland forward Robben enjoyed an excellent campaign with club and country. Both men are on the 23-strong shortlist for the award, but Cristiano Ronaldo is the favourite to win for a second straight year after leading Real Madrid to Champions League success. Manuel Neuer conceded three goals at Man City on Tuesday but he is regarded as the world's best goalkeeper . Franck Ribery believes Neuer, lifting the World Cup this summer, should win the Ballon d'Or . Ribery also states that Bayern Munich team-mate Arjen Robben deserves the Ballon d'or award . Ribery finished third in the voting last time and insisted afterwards he deserved to have won it ahead of Ronaldo for his success with Bayern. Asked about what he expected this time around, he said in an interview with Sport Bild: 'What can I say? For me, Manuel Neuer or Arjen Robben have to win it, there are only two views. 'Manu has won everything, is a good person, not arrogant. Arjen played an unbelievable last Bundesliga season and after that an excellent World Cup. But I fear that there is still a lot of politics. Ribery fears one of his Bayern team-mates won't win the prestigious award due to 'politics' Gareth Bale (Real Madrid), Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Diego Costa (Chelsea), Thibaut Courtois (Chelsea), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Angel di Maria (Man United), Mario Gotze (Bayern Munich), Eden Hazard (Chelsea), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (PSG), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Toni Kroos (Real Madrid), Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich), Javier Mascherano (Barcelona), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich), Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Neymar (Barcelona), Paul Pogba (Juventus), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich), James Rodriguez (Real Madrid), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich), Yaya Toure (Man City) Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo won the Ballon d'Or last year and is expected to retain the award . 'The Golden Ball for the best player? I don't believe that any more. In 2006 (Italy defender Fabio) Cannavaro won - because he was world champion, that's all.' Ribery insists he is not bothered the award for the world's best player has eluded him. 'I am not jealous, this title means nothing to me today,' the Frenchman added. Bayern Munich are currently top of Bundesliga and have qualified for the last 16 in the Champions League . Ribery also revealed he came close to leaving Bayern for Madrid in 2009, when Louis van Gaal took over as coach, saying his agent spoke with Madrid officials. Ribery, who also said Chelsea and Manchester City were interested in him, added: 'I was pulled one way and then the other, that made my head spin. I was on the verge of leaving. I then had two, three conversations with (former general manager) Uli Hoeness and (chairman) Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. And they were really cool, I will never forget that.' The forward claimed both Madrid and Chelsea had offered 'crazy' transfer fees of '60, 65, 70, or even 80 million euros'. | Last year's winner Cristiano Ronaldo is favourite to retain the award .
Manuel Neuer and Arjen Robben were outstanding for Bayern last season .
Bayern won the Bundesliga and Neuer lifted the World Cup with Germany .
Franck Ribery reveals previous interest from Real Madrid and Chelsea . |
133,434 | 388c3d4e5199aba8b7befbd4892fa6c2ef354014 | By . Damien Gayle . PUBLISHED: . 13:43 EST, 14 February 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 16:56 EST, 16 February 2013 . The house of the future could be built from plastic and look like a spider's web, if one group of conceptual architects have their way. London-based architecture collective Softkill Design have created this concept for the first 3D printed house, and say the first prototype could be built by this summer. They are the latest entrants to a race to construct the first 3D printed home, which could revolutionise house building and even potentially solve the UK's housing crisis. Scroll down for video . The house of the future? This incredible design . for a 3D printed home has been proposed by London-based architecture . collective Softkill Design. The group, who are the latest to join the race to create the first 3D-printable home, say the first prototype could be built . as soon as this summer . 'It would take up to three weeks to have all the pieces fabricated,' said Gilles Retsin, a member of the collective, to Dezeen.com. 'Assembly on site is a one-day job, if the site is prepared before hand.' He told the site that the house would stick together with velcro or button-like fasteners, dispensing with the need for traditional building techniques. The proposal is a development of an earlier prototype printed house which was unveiled last October at the 3D Print Show in London, which, instead of solid walls, featured a fibrous nylon structure based on bones. Protohouse 2.0, as it is known, takes the same minimalist approach, using just enough plastic material to maintain structural integrity. Like a spider's web: The proposal is a development of an . earlier prototype printed house which was unveiled last October at the . 3D Print Show in London, which, instead of solid walls, featured a . fibrous nylon structure based on bone . Components will be manufactured off-site at existing 3D printing plants in laser-sintered bioplastic, which Mr Retsin said is will give better quality than printing on site with sand or concrete, as others have suggested. He told Dezeen: 'These highly fibrous structures are only 0.7 millimetres thick. 'It's impossible to print those with stone, because there's not enough structure or strength or integrity in sand. In the factory environment you can go into stronger materials like plastics or metals.' Components would be built off site and the house would . stick together with velcro or button-like fasteners, dispensing with the . need for traditional building techniques . The cost of building the house has not been revealed, but Mr Retsin said the improved economies of scale offered by the burgeoning 3D printing industry means such homes could be economically competitive in the 'near future'. Mr Retsin dismissed a rival 3D printed house project announced by Dutch studio Universe Architecture, since the proposal was only to print the formwork then complete the structure in concrete. 'So it's not that the actual building is 3D printed,' he said. | Concept put together by London-based architecture collective Softkill Design .
They are the latest entrants to the race to put together the first 3D-printable home .
Components would be manufactured off-site then stuck together like velcro . |
79,751 | e21f95a113f0f89a9c793a46d6ad10ee95dcca6f | These stunning photographs look like the ultimate holiday snaps of idyllic tropical destinations. But in fact, the images were not even taken outside - they were crafted in a studio using props including nuts, chocolate and jelly bean. Artist Matthew Albanese spent up to 700 hours on each fake landscape, making them into lifelike depictions of scenes such as a desert island, a lightning storm and a brook at sunset. Tropical: But this photograph does not show a real landscape, and was made from turkey feathers and cooking sugar . Coral reef: This work, 'How to Breathe Underwater', uses clever lighting to appear as if it were made under the sea . Scary: 'Box of Lightning' has a black plexiglass background and is backlit to create the lightning effect . One piece even appears to show an underwater coral reef - but the marine ambience was created with lighting and innovative materials. To make the piece he used walnuts, candle wax, wire, glitter, peanut shells, dead starfish, compressed moss, jellybeans, coated seashells, toothpaste, clay, figs, feathers, cotton earbuds and chocolates. The surface of the ocean is actually a vinyl shower curtain over suspended plexiglass, while the piece's underwater glow comes from fake fog and a video projector. The 30-year-old from Englewood, New Jersey has been making his deceptive artworks for the past three years. Naturalistic: 'New Life 1' was made from ostrich feathers, a painted paper background and even chocolate for the mud . Turbulent: 'New Life 2' depicts the same scene but in stormy weather, showing the artist's versatility . Countryside: 'Willow Study 1' sewing thread, sticks, wood and feathers, with fake moss and dip-dyed cotton for the grass . Mystery: Even at close up, it can be hard to work out what Mr Albanese's works are really made of . 'I'm trying to change people's perspectives of small objects by creating something big with them,' Mr Albanese said. For the storm depicted in 'Box of Lightning', the artist etched lightning bolts into a backlit slab of black plexiglass, allowing the light to pass through. 'I became very interested in creating an illusion of light - so I created light boxes and modifiers,' he said. 'I set the scene to depict how it would look in nature - the lighting bolts serve as the only source of light in the entire image.' Hard at work: Mr Albanese finesses cotton clouds which fill the sky in his work 'Paradise' Craftsman: The base for 'Paradise' was made out of caramelised sugar which resembles the ocean . Elaborate: Each miniature piece takes up to 700 hours to create - all for the sake of a single photograph . Technical: The artist has been producing his unique creations for the past three years . Mr Albanese has been fascinated by miniature movie sets since childhood, and when he was a student at the State University of New York at Purchase he made table-top dioramas. For 'New Life 1' and 'New Life 2', he created a willow tree from hand-dyed ostrich feathers, painted parchment paper water, chocolate mud, wire, cotton, coffee, synthetic potting moss and raffia ribbon. 'A mistake with something when making one set can actually lead to new discoveries and new ideas on how to use the materials I find,' he said. 'So mistakes can actually create entirely new sets. 'I'm always looking at materials and seeing what I could do differently with them.' Innovation: Mr Albanese etched lightning bolts into a sheet of black plexiglass to light up one of his works . Set: Mr Albanese, 30, works out of his studio set up in his living room in Englewood, New Jersey . 'Paradise' took four months to complete, and is comprised of spray-painted turkey feathers for the palm trees, and cooked sugar on top of tin foil for the water. His 'Willow Study 1' was created from sewing thread, sticks, wood and hand dyed ostrich plumes. The grass in the set was made of faux potting moss and dip dyed cotton. Mr Albanese has completed about 30 sets in total and is releasing his new book, Strange Worlds, in October. Careful: Delicate objects such as the willow tree made from ostrich feathers in 'New Life 1' require a deft touch . Different angle: Looking at 'New Life 2' side on clearly shows that it is a product of artificial creation . Misleading: The underwater effects in some works are created by clever use of the camera and lights . | Matthew Albanese, 30, constructs miniature tropical scenes using everyday household objects .
New Jersey artist has made a lightning storm, an underwater coral reef and an idyllic babbling brook . |
37,940 | 6b6212050018bd8061e693fc5d99ec56b8bb7216 | Tickets for last night’s sell-out London fireworks spectacular were being touted for £150 by a party organiser acquaintance of Prince Harry. The official tickets costing £10 were snapped up weeks ago, but Brazilian student Fellipe Trindade was offering some for 15 times their face value – claiming he had obtained them through British embassy contacts. The 22-year-old, who helped organise two official parties for Prince Harry, said his tickets were ‘special’ ones which permitted entry ‘as a guest of Mayor’ Boris Johnson. He boasted to a prospective buyer: ‘We are selling to make some money so I want to know how much you guys are willing to pay. Boast: Fellipe Trindade, pictured left, with Harry and another acquaintance. Trindade was offering tickets to the fireworks for 15 times their face value . ‘The Mayor of London had a few tickets that he gave to some embassies. As we work for the British consulate [in Sao Paulo] we made some arrangements and they gave us tickets.’ The New Year fireworks display, which lights up the Thames, has become massively popular, attracting a crowd of half a million people last year. This year, it was made ticket-only because of concerns about public safety, but critics warned that touts would try to take advantage. To combat touting, Mr Johnson ordered that all tickets should have the name of the purchaser printed on them, which would be checked against the holder’s ID before they were allowed entry. Mr Trindade, who was offering the tickets on Facebook, said that ‘the best thing of my ticket is they don’t have name as a guest of mayor [sic]’, adding: ‘It is a special ticket I got for working at the British Embassy.’ He met Harry in Sao Paulo in March 2012 when he was on the organising committee for a polo dinner held in aid of the Prince’s Sentebale charity. Then last summer, during the football World Cup in Brazil, he was a guest at a party to celebrate the Queen’s birthday hosted by the British ambassador and attended by Prince Harry. Mr Trindade initially claimed he had obtained his fireworks tickets through his connections with the British Embassy in the capital, Brasilia. But he later said he was selling them for a friend who had ‘won them in a radio competition’. He promised buyers he would be able to register their names on the tickets. Last night, he said he had simply given them away in the end. Around 100,000 people watched the fireworks on the banks of the River Thames . London welcomed 2015 with a spectacular firework show . The Mayor’s office denied that special tickets had been given to British embassies, and the Foreign Office said it was not aware of any. A spokesman for the Mayor said: ‘What he is suggesting is impossible as all the tickets were printed with the purchaser’s name on them and posted to people. They also contain holographic stamps which cannot be printed out. ‘Touting isn’t illegal, but we’ve gone to great lengths to prevent touting and second selling, and have been encouraging people not to buy tickets from unofficial sites. ‘This looks like a scam and it’s simply wrong to suggest the Mayor gave away a small number of tickets. He had no tickets to give away. ‘This man’s claims are completely false and we do not believe he possesses genuine tickets to the event.’ Official tickets for last night’s fireworks sold out by December 16, and were being unofficially re-sold for up to £247 on ticket websites. Previously, the event was free but its popularity put too much of a strain on transport and safety, organisers said. Last night barriers were used to form three official viewing areas for the fireworks – on Westminster Bridge, on the north embankment of the Thames between Westminster and Waterloo bridges and on the Southbank behind the London Eye – with stewards controlling entry by checking tickets and ID. Hundreds of revellers complained on Twitter about the fee, with one writing: ‘£10 just to look at the sky? No thanks.’ A spokesman for Prince Harry declined to comment. | Official tickets for the sell-out London fireworks spectacular cost £10 .
Brazilian student Fellipe Trindade, 22, was touting tickets for £150 .
Trindade helped organise two official parties for Prince Harry .
He claimed he obtained his tickets through British embassy contacts .
Said they were 'special' and permitted entry as a guest of Boris Johnson . |
209,595 | 9b6a8c19869a6d248781787b04e9495a7bbea805 | Louis van Gaal’s frustrations in the transfer market have reached new heights after his pursuit of Argentina defender Marcos Rojo was stalled by a row between the 24-year-old’s agent and his club Sporting Lisbon. With the Barclays Premier League season due to start when United host Swansea at Old Trafford on Saturday lunchtime, the club have now not signed a player since they spent more than £50million on Luke Shaw and Ander Herrera in the last week of June. It is understood Van Gaal is growing increasingly irritated by United’s failure to land targets and last week saw interest in Belgium defender Thomas Vermaelen come to nothing when the 28-year-old moved from Arsenal to Barcelona. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Marcos Rojo scores blistering half-volley for former club . Stalled: A row has erupted between Man United target Marcos Rojo's agent and his club Sporting Lisbon . Blow: Red Devils target Thomas Vermaelen joined Spanish giants Barcelona last week from Arsenal . Now Van Gaal and United chief executive Ed Woodward are facing obstacles as they attempt to sign Rojo after Sporting became embroiled in a bitter public row with the Doyen agency that represents the player. With Doyen owning 75 per cent of the South American, Sporting are understandably keen for any potential buyer to meet a release clause of £24m. United have so far offered £16m but Sporting have accused Doyen of encouraging interest from the English club and of sending an employee to a meeting with them pretending to be an Old Trafford director. United were refusing to comment publicly on the matter but it is understood their interest in the player remains active. Indeed, they have not ruled out movement on the issue over the weekend. United have confirmed they have banned all iPads, tablets and laptops from Old Trafford on match days after receiving advice from the authorities about terror threats. Obstacles: Manager Louis Van Gaal faces difficulties completing a deal for Argentine defender Rojo . VIDEO Januzaj new no11, van Gaal chasing Rojo . | Louis van Gaal's pursuit of Sporting Lisbon defender Marcos Rojo stalled .
Argentina centre back's agent involved in row with Portuguese club .
United boss saw target Thomas Vermaelen join Barcelona last week . |
39,823 | 7067e867a3b5c5340922bfa7e0debb2e4c1ad785 | By . Meghan Keneally . and Louise Boyle . PUBLISHED: . 15:30 EST, 25 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 09:47 EST, 26 December 2013 . An 87-year-old multimillionaire who jumped to his death from his luxury apartment building on the edge of Central Park on Monday was described by neighbors as frugal despite his incredible generosity to charity. Robert Wilson committed suicide on Monday at The San Remo building on Central Park West in Manhattan. He had recently suffered a stroke and his health was failing. Friends said that Mr Wilson, who made almost a billion dollars from his hedge fund on Wall Street, was frugal - despite being so generous to environmental and educational causes. Planned: Robert W. Wilson deliberately gave hundreds of millions of dollars of his fortune away in the years before his death on Monday and told friends he wanted to have it all gone when he died . Neighbor David Tobey told the New York Post: 'Robert, for all his money, never took cabs, never took a limo. He always took the subway. 'On the few occasions when he did grab a cab, he would usually share a cab with someone in the building. He shared a cab with my wife and insisted that she pay half.' Robert Wilson had a personal fortune of about $800million - but the openly gay aetheist recently told friends he had given all but $100million to charity. He apparently could not give away the rest because it was tied up in long-term investments. He jumped from his 16th-floor apartment in the luxury San Remo building on Manhattan's Upper West Side on Monday. A police source told the Post that he had left a suicide note which read: 'I had a rewarding life. Thank you and goodbye to all my friends. Please make sure you cancel all my plans. Tell everyone what I did. I’m not ashamed of killing myself. Sell all my stuff.' Friends saw signs that he may do something drastic as he suffered a debilitating stroke about a month ago and began unloading his fortune in droves. The multi-millionaire did not have any children and his 35-year marriage ended well before his death. Home: Wilson had owned his 16th floor apartment in the historic San Remo building since 1978 and he jumped off the balcony to his death on Monday . The paper reports that he has donated more than $100million a piece to four different charities: The Nature conservancy, the Environmental Defense Fund, the Wildlife Conservation Society and the World Monuments Fund. 'He was the most committed person I have ever known,' World Monuments Fund president Bonnie Burnham said to The Post. 'More than his financial contributions, he brought an astute mind and sharp wit to the organization. He will be missed greatly and long remembered as a visionary donor.' The idea of saving the environment was one that Wilson had spoken about previously, and in a 2011 interview, he told The Financial Times that much of the $600million he had given to charity at that point was directed towards those groups. 'The idea of "But for my money, it would be gone forever" appeals,' he said then at the age of 84. Another issue that appealed to him - and was close to his purse strings- was an investment in New York City's Catholic schools. The felt that the tuition at the schools, which were going through financial issues, showed an immediate 'return' and he gave $20million to a fund earmarked for that cause. 'I’m an atheist, but I think the schools are especially good,' he said to the Financial Times. Before the stroke: Wilson, seen here in his colorfully-decorated apartment in 2010, donated hundreds of millions of dollars to environmental and educational causes . He was also proud of the apartment where he lived, making it less of a shock that he chose that as his final resting place. He had owned the apartment since 1978 and his attention to detail and fine art collection has helped him decorate it and refurbish it so that his original price- $300,000- is just a fraction of what he estimated it's worth in 2011- $20million. Wilson is one of many millionaires who live in the building, as Bono, Tiger Woods, Steven Spielberg, Dodi Fayed and Bruce Willis have all had apartments in the building. The apartment has views of Central Park, and Wilson clearly relished looking out at the trees and the lake. 'Who needs a summer place? I've got one,' he said to the Financial Times reporter. In the U.S. call the National Suicide Prevention Line on 1-800-273-8255 . | Robert W. Wilson killed himself on Monday in New York City after suffering a debilitating stroke last month .
Friends fondly remembered that despite being so generous with his millions, he took the subway and shared cabs .
Had been actively giving his hundreds of millions away for years to environmental and educational causes .
For confidential support call the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90, visit a local Samaritans branch or see www.samaritans.org . |
228,135 | b3683bef68096adc9bd81a560422a6e37b006c79 | Minneapolis, Minnesota (CNN) -- Jason Gerling always knew he would make a major impact as a musician. An accomplished drummer, he was at the top of the local music scene in 1994, winning local drumming competitions and performing regularly at hot spots in the Twin Cities. He was 23 years old, and planned to move to New York, or perhaps Nashville, to launch his music career. Then one night, everything changed. Heading home from a late night gig, Gerling fell asleep at the wheel. "The car flipped over five or six times, that's what they told me," he said. "They said I looked like something out of a horror movie ... They had to use the jaws of life to snip through the car doors to get me out." He was lucky to be alive. But then came the bad news. "[The doctors] said 'you're probably never going to walk and probably never going to play the drums again,'" he remembered. "It was like a nuclear bomb was dropped on my life. I thought my career was over." The accident had left him paralyzed from the chest down. Gerling refused to give up his passion from drumming. Within a few years, he regained the use of his arms. But he never got back the use of his legs. To this day, Gerling remains in a wheelchair. That has hampered his ability to play a drum set which requires a foot pedal to operate the bass drum and the hi-hat cymbal. For a while, he got by with a special setup that triggered a bass drum noise when he hit a certain pad with a drumstick. That didn't cut it for Gerling. So he invented a system that allows him to trigger a bass drum sound while continuing to play the snares, cymbals, and the rest of the drum set. Gerling uses a mouthpiece trigger provided to him by Origin Instruments, a company with a line of products aimed at helping people with disabilities -- particularly quadriplegics -- operate computers. Gerling rigged the mouthpiece to control tiny rubber sensors under each cymbal. Anytime he sucks on the mouthpiece while simultaneously hitting one of the cymbals, a bass drum noise is triggered from a small subwoofer situated directly inside the bass drum casing. He can move the sensors under any of part of the drum set. "This is over 10 years in the making," he said, smiling behind his state-of-the-art drum set. Despite his hard work, Gerling said he has no desire to patent his invention. "If people want to know how to build their own triggers, then, by golly, they can just contact me," he said. "I'll give them the information for free. Encouragement shouldn't come at a price." One glance at Gerling's Facebook inbox reveals a worldwide fan base many of whom are exactly that: encouraged. He reads over one letter from someone who had their legs amputated last year: "Thanks for being my inspiration." Another one reads, "I'm back playing rock and roll, using some of your techniques. Thanks for being my inspiration." Another fan writes, "Thanks for your effort in helping change the paradigm in the music industry." That particular "thank you" note is special for Gerling. Getting the music industry to include more disabled musicians -- to look "between the wheels" of his wheelchair as he puts it -- is exactly what he aims to do. "There's so many musicians who are disabled who don't get the chance to play live," he said. "So I want to tell them to knock on doors and encourage the music industry to be willing to hire a person with a disability." And he seems to be on his way. On April 28, Gerling debuted his mouthpiece technology -- accompanied digitally by music he composed himself --- for the very first time during a private event at Minneapolis' famous Guthrie Theatre. To him, it was his first step to getting back on the road, doing what he loves more than anything, and at the same time urging others in similar situations to pursue their dreams and change the world. Not surprisingly, the evening was capped off with a standing ovation. Now that he's made his invention public, Gerling said he plans to show others how to create the technology through "innovative drumming clinics" that could grow into a music tour with other artists. "People need encouragement," Gerling said, "and if I can be in the position to help someone else, that's just an honor you can't take lightly." | A car accident in 1994 left drummer Jason Gerling a quadriplegic .
Gerling used a set-up that required him to hit a pad to trigger the bass drum and hi-hat cymbal, normally controlled by the feet .
That took away from his drumming, so he invented a way to trigger the bass and hi-hat using a mouthpiece .
He debuted his invention at an April concert in Minneapolis . |
98,894 | 0b5f07c489d40506ff654e5761bd4cfb39765e06 | (CNN) -- As German Gen. Erwin Rommel chased British forces across the North African desert, a stray Royal Air Force fighter crashed in the blistering sands of the Egyptian Sahara on June 28, 1942. The pilot was never heard from again. The damaged Kittyhawk P-40 -- a couple of hundred miles from civilization -- was presumed lost forever. Until now. In what experts consider nothing short of a miracle, a Polish oil company worker recently discovered the plane believed to have been flown by missing Flight Sgt. Dennis Copping. And almost 70 years after the accident, it's extraordinarily well-preserved. The fighter's "state of preservation is incredible," British military historian Andy Saunders told CNN. "The thing just landed there in the desert and the pilot clearly got out. ... It is a complete time capsule really (and) an exceptionally rare find. These things just don't happen." Most of the plane's fuselage, wings, tail and cockpit instruments remain intact. For safety reasons, Egyptian officials have removed its ammunition and guns. See additional photos . Copping's plane -- authorities have not confirmed his identity, though it has been widely reported in British newspapers -- crashed after the 24-year-old pilot got lost while trying to fly it from one RAF base to another for repairs to its front landing gear, which wouldn't retract. Copping, part of the RAF's Egyptian 260 Squadron, was trying to get the American-built plane back in fighting condition in the run-up to what would prove to be the pivotal Battle of El Alamein. The young pilot, according to Saunders, apparently became disoriented during the flight and headed in the wrong direction. Another RAF pilot flying nearby "tried all sorts of things" to get his attention, but Copping "bizarrely" ignored a series of warnings, Saunders said. By the time Copping realized his mistake, he was too low on fuel to turn around. Several pieces of evidence at the crash site -- including a parachute believed to have been used as shelter from the sun -- indicate the strong probability Copping survived the landing. He almost certainly could not, however, survive the blazing Sahara heat for long. Copping "would have stayed by the aircraft initially," Saunders noted. While the plane's glass valve radio was likely knocked out of commission by the crash, "the parachute gives him shelter and a means to be identified from the air. The guy also would have had a little silver signaling mirror to attract passing aircraft and a pistol with a limited number of flares." Why would Copping leave the wreckage? "Maybe he got desperate when he saw nobody was coming for him, and thought (the) only way to survive was to walk out" and look for help, Saunders speculated. RAF pilots in North Africa at that time didn't have much in terms of rations. Copping's supply would have been very limited, assuming he had food or water at all. Pilots were "flying with very basic life support systems," Saunders said. "His chances of survival were not good." As Copping's story becomes known, British authorities are hoping to bring his plane back to the United Kingdom and put it on display at the RAF Museum in London. Museum representatives are working with the British Embassy in Cairo and Britain's Ministry of Defence on a possible recovery operation. "It's an incredible story," said museum spokesman Michael Creane. "It's a perfect story in so many ways. It's incredible the plane sat there in this untouched part of the world for so long. ... We're dedicated to recovering it as fast as we can. This would be a fantastic asset." | Oil company worker finds World War II-era Royal Air Force fighter in Egypt's Sahara Desert .
The well-preserved plane is believed to have been piloted by Flight Sgt. Dennis Copping .
The Kittyhawk P-40 crashed on June 28, 1942 .
British officials want to display the plane in the RAF Museum in London . |
67,481 | bf73f7558437bec87bc94876de6241f9db91fde3 | (CNN) -- A small plane with an unresponsive pilot sank in the Gulf of Mexico on Thursday after circling above the ocean for more than two hours, then crashing, the U.S. Coast Guard reported. The twin-engine Cessna 421 remained afloat with its tail sticking out of the water for some time before it sank Thursday afternoon, said Petty Officer Elizabeth Bordelon, a Coast Guard spokeswoman. No remains have been found, and the Coast Guard still considered its operation an active search and rescue. There was no sign of the pilot, Bordelon said. The plane went down about about 120 miles west of Tampa, Florida, at 12:08 p.m. after circling the eastern Gulf for more than two hours, said Chief Petty Officer John Edwards, a Coast Guard spokesman. The crew of a Coast Guard search-and-rescue plane watched as the Cessna made what appeared to be a soft landing, Edwards said. A Coast Guard plane from the Tampa area and the cutter Coho were still taking part in the search Thursday evening, and the Coho was expected to remain at the scene overnight, Bordelon said. The plane took off from Slidell, Louisiana, en route to Sarasota, Florida, with a single pilot on board. It had been circling at an altitude of about 28,000 feet, a Federal Aviation Administration source told CNN. The Air Force began monitoring the plane after noticing it flying erratically over the Gulf of Mexico on Thursday morning, and planes sent up to investigate it reported the Cessna's windows were either iced or fogged over, Edwards said. Pilots at the Slidell Municipal Airport said the victim was Dr. Peter Hertzak, a cosmetic surgeon who was well known in the area. "I've lost a dear friend, just a great guy," pilot Bill Huete told CNN affiliate WWL-TV. "Super doctor and just a regular guy that would do anything for anybody." Hertzak was the head of the Hertzak Laser Center, which specializes in liposuction and cosmetic surgery. He had more than 30 years of experience, according to the center's website. The Coast Guard plane and two F-15s from the North American Aerospace Defense Command were still watching the Cessna before it went down, the Air Force and Coast Guard reported. The Coast Guard said an investigation was under way. But aviation expert Miles O'Brien told CNN the circumstances point toward a possible loss of cabin pressure in the eight-seat, propeller-driven aircraft. "At 28,000 feet, you don't have an awful lot of useful consciousness without the support of oxygen or being in a pressurized aircraft," said O'Brien, a former CNN correspondent. If a lone pilot is incapacitated at that altitude, "there aren't a lot of options for resuscitating him and getting him back flying." Fellow pilot Patrick Quigley told WWL that Hertzak maintained his plane meticulously and spared no expense to keep it in "tip-top shape." Quigley said Hertzak was an accomplished pilot and that the flight should have been routine, "but when something goes wrong, obviously you have nowhere to go when you're out over the ocean." In 1999, a private jet carrying golfer Payne Stewart and five others crashed after apparently losing cabin pressure "for undetermined reasons" after takeoff from Florida, the National Transportation Safety Board found. Fighter pilots were sent up to intercept Stewart's plane after controllers lost contact with it, and they reported its cockpit and cabin windows were frosted over. The plane flew more than halfway across the United States, apparently on autopilot, until it crashed in a South Dakota field. CNN's Dave Alsup, Rick Martin, Devon Sayers, Aaron Cooper, Todd Spoerry, and Joe Sutton contributed to this report. | NEW: Friends identify the pilot as a well known cosmetic surgeon in the area .
The plane has sunk, no pilot found, the Coast Guard says .
The Air Force noticed the plane flying erratically Thursday morning .
Interceptor pilots reported the plane's windows were fogged over . |
244,198 | c81001e63d33972a8016ed599bfce96c49a15dd3 | Graffiti mocking Hillary Clinton has been plastered across the streets surrounding a restaurant where she is hosting a fundraiser for Democratic Congressional candidates on Monday. The Tavern Restaurant in Brentwood, LA, is now covered in evil winged monkeys from the Wizard Of Oz. Instead of carrying the Wicked Witch Of The West, they are holding a sign that reads: 'Hillary 2016'. Sting: Republican street artist Sabo hung evil winged monkeys with Hillary 2016 signs along the streets surrounding the Tavern Restaurant where the former First Lady will be hosting a fundraiser on Monday . Mocking: The monkeys are fictional characters that carry the Wicked Witch Of The West in The Wizard Of Oz . It is the latest strike by the anti-Obama artist known as Sabo, who earlier this year covered Gwyneth Paltrow's Hollywood home in posters featuring her face and the words 'Obama drone' ahead of a fundraiser for the president. Clinton's $32,400-a-head fundraiser is set to lure influential Hollywood figures including Steven Spielberg and Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn. But with just three days to go, the event has been marred by Sabo's mocking posters. He has also created a fake website for the Tavern which describes its clientele as 'big money, Hollywood Fat Cats', and other Hillary 2016 memorabilia including t-shirts and stickers. Anonymous: The artist has spent 15 years creating anti-Democrat graffiti to act as 'the other voice' in LA . Large-scale project: He revealed on his website that he has also made stickers and t-shirts to mock Hillary . Hillary Clinton has not yet confirmed she plans to bid for the Democrat presidential nomination in 2016. She has lambasted claims that her vocal presence on the mid-terms campaign trail is simply a 'warm-up', insisting she wants the focus to be on next month's candidates. However, Sabo has taken aim at the former First Lady in an overnight sting. This morning, he gleefully tweeted from the account @unsavoryagents: 'SNEAK PEEK - ABOUT LAST NIGHT' with an early morning photograph of one of the monkeys hanging from a lamp post. He told The Hollywood Reporter in an email: 'All these leftists, I'm tired of their s***'. The website describes Clinton as 'a tired old hag who can't stop wishing she was President'. On the campaign trail: Clinton has lambasted claims her vocal presence in the mid-terms is her own warm-up . For the last 15 years, LA-based Sabo has been creating right-leaning street art to be 'the other voice' in contrast with liberal graffiti artist Shepard Fairey, who designed the 2008 Obama Hope poster. According to the Unsavory Agents Facebook page, the company’s mission is not only to 'let the art world know that the left-wing will no longer hold art hostage' but to 'get more non-leftists interested and to participate in the arts.' 'Our art is politically minded, right-wing centric, brutal, street level, and hard edge,' the page reads. 'Our means are achieved by any creative means necessary.' Previous targets have included Jon Stewart, Samuel L. Jackson and Alec Baldwin. | Street artist Sabo plastered Tavern Restaurant in LA with graffiti .
Signs show Wizard Of Oz evil winged monkeys with the words Hillary 2016 .
He also made fake website for the eatery mocking 'Hollywood Fat Cats'
It comes days before Clinton hosts fundraiser for Congress candidates .
Republican artist's other targets include Gwyneth Paltrow, Alec Baldwin . |
178,109 | 72914b442b852fa44b0d7196230ce4de1cba5ccd | Meiktila, Myanmar (CNN) -- Hnin Ei Phyu rides her motorbike across the city, goes out to dinner with Buddhist friends and has resumed her studies at a local university. Life has made a 180-degree turn for this 20-year-old Muslim woman. In March last year, her life was shattered by an explosion of sectarian violence between Buddhists and Muslims in her hometown of Meiktila in central Myanmar, which left more than 40 people dead and thousands more homeless. Hnin Ei Phyu's family fled for their lives during the first of three days of rioting and spent more than a month in a shelter at a nearby sports stadium. Violent clashes . During the clashes, which reportedly erupted after a dispute between a Muslim gold shop owner and two Buddhist sellers, rioters set fire to houses, schools, businesses and mosques. People were also beaten, doused with gasoline and set on fire. Meiktila's Muslims were heavily outnumbered and suffered the bulk of the casualties. For more than a month, few (if any) Muslims remained in their homes because they were either destroyed or it simply wasn't safe for them to stay there. Hnin Ei Phyu's family was among the first group of Muslims to return home after the worst of the violence. Unlike others, their house was still standing. While some Muslims were returning, interviews with many people across the city made it clear that trust between Muslims and their Buddhist neighbors was broken. Police and soldiers were now stationed on streets where Muslims lived to protect them against further attacks. Hnin Ei Phyu's university was shut down. She was no longer in contact with her Buddhist friends and her parents would not allow her to go more than a short distance from their home. More than a year on, a return trip to the city revealed that although extremist elements remain, relations have warmed between many Buddhists and Muslims in the community. "We're close again," Hnin Ei Phyu said about her relationships with Buddhist friends. "We spend time after classes and enjoy each other's company now, whether we talk about movies or eat together." Time heals wounds . Her mother, Thidar Hla, agreed distrust has gradually given way to friendship. "Time healed many of the wounds," she said. There are no longer police or troops stationed on Thidar Hla's street, and her family is no longer afraid to go anywhere in the city. This change in attitude is not exclusive to one side of the sectarian divide. Last year, U Aung Khin, a 51-year-old Buddhist man, told me he stopped talking to his Muslim friends and would not even go to his usual Muslim butcher because he was afraid his food might be poisoned. "Now I'd go to a Muslim butcher and my relationships with my Muslim friends are back to normal," he said. Sann Win Shein, a Muslim and vice president of a local interfaith group called Meiktila Unity and Prosperity Association, says people have not forgotten what happened but realize that it wasn't necessarily their neighbors who were the main culprits behind the riots. He blames extremist groups, adding that when angry mobs are divided along sectarian lines, normally peaceful people can get caught up in the rage and emotion. He also blames the local police for not stepping in early on -- last year's violence didn't stop until President Thein Sein declared a state of emergency and called in the military after three days of rioting. Leaders of the interfaith group acknowledge that the attitudes of some people might never change, but they insist they're in the minority. "Within six months many people were back to being friends," said Khin Soe, a Buddhist. Khin Soe says he's optimistic this community can avoid a repeat of last year's deadly riots. "So many of these people have lived side by side for years and have been friends for years," he said. This interfaith group, made up of Buddhists and Muslims from the community, started in May 2013 and during the course of an eight-month campaign handed out thousands of t-shirts, baseball caps and stickers with words that translate to "No religious violence because of me." Long-persecuted Rohingya . The rekindling of friendships between Buddhists and Muslims in Meiktila is quite different from the situation between Rohingya Muslims and ethnic Rakhines in Myanmar's western Rakhine State. The Rohingya are a long-persecuted minority in Myanmar who are denied citizenship and usually are not allowed to leave Rakhine. Unlike Meiktila, where Buddhists and Muslims live side by side, the Rohingya live in separate villages -- more than 140,000 live in camps for the displaced after their homes were destroyed in riots two years ago. The communal violence there also resulted in the deaths of hundreds of people. Many Rohingya have lived in Myanmar for generations and were brought here from India when Myanmar was a British colony called Burma. Many ethnic Burmese view the Rohingya as illegal intruders from what's now Bangladesh, and refuse to call them Rohingya, using the term Bengali instead. But in Meiktila, where trust between Buddhists and Muslims is being rebuilt, sections of the city remain in ruins. In the Muslim majority Thiri Mingalar Quarter, there are only rocks and dirt where many homes and businesses used to stand. A few people, who have the financial means, have started rebuilding. Rebuilding lives . The only section of the city that has a lot of construction underway is Chan Aye Tharyar Quarter. All 760 homes in the neighborhood were lost -- the majority of them belonged to Muslim families. Construction has started on about 350 houses. "I want to bring back those families who lost their homes to these new homes," said construction project manager, U Myint Htwe, adding that they're building homes for Muslims, Buddhists, Christians and Hindus. He says the government is covering the costs of building roads, water lines and utility lines, but the money to cover the estimated $6 million needed to replace the homes is being raised privately. Most of the donors are Muslims living in Yangon, the country's biggest city and commercial capital. MM Raunat Group, which is connected to a mosque in Yangon, is handling the fundraising and the rebuilding of Chan Aye Tharyar Quarter. But U Myint Htwe says organizers have only been able to raise half of the money they need so far. He says he has no idea when he'll be able to finish the project. Returning home . Nwe Nwe Oo is one of the Chan Aye Tharyar residents who hope to go back. "I'm always thinking about it," she said. "I even cry." She's one of more than 5,000 people still living in shelters and camps for the displaced. Nwe Nwe Oo's shelter is for Muslims and is on the grounds of a local university about 14 miles outside of Meiktila. She has spent more than a year living inside a 15 by 20 foot room in a bamboo shelter without running water with her husband and two children, aged 12 and 14. They have to walk for a few minutes to access the nearest toilet and shower. Nwe Nwe Oo cooks the family's meals over a tiny, charcoal barbecue, one of dozens lined in orderly rows in the camp. Despite the tight living quarters, Nwe Nwe Oo says she is thankful. "I'm grateful to have a safe place to stay," she said. Memories of the riots in Meiktila haven't faded, but many people here are cautiously optimistic about the direction things are heading. Last year, they talked about distrust and broken bonds. Now some of those same people discuss rebuilding the city and rekindling friendships between Buddhists and Muslims, all the while hoping that extremists don't find a way to divide their community again. | Hnin Ei Phyu's family fled their home during 2013 violence in Meiktila .
The unrest pitted Muslims against Buddhist majority following shop dispute .
The sectarian unrest exposed Myanmar's ethnic faultlines .
Journalist David Grunebaum visits the town a year on and finds forgiveness . |
254,162 | d4f61deadc489adbdc9e6fe17b9d012a642e2be7 | Last season's best two under-21 sides shared the points in a pulsating match in west London, with both sides pushing hard for the win before settling for a draw. Manchester United fielded Tyler Blackett and Tom Thorpe, both of whom have seen first team football under Louis van Gaal, together at centre back as both looked to put their case that they can be trusted to fill the crisis position at Old Trafford. But they were both upstaged by another central defender, as Andreas Christensen's header earned Chelsea a share of the spoils. Isaiah Brown holds off Saidy Janko as Chelsea shaded the first half at Stamford Bridge on Sunday . Tyler Blackett, on the bench at Old Trafford on Saturday, was in action for United's under-21 side . Ruben Loftus-Cheek attempts to close down Manchester United's goalscorer Will Keane . There were few chances in an even first half, a Lewis Baker free kick comfortably saved by Ben Amos the closest either side came in the first half hour. Chelsea began to come into the ascendancy late in the half, and could have gone ahead in the final few moments, Ruben Loftus-Cheek heading wide from an Isaiah Brown cross. But moments after the break it was United who took the lead. Ola Aina was adjudged to have handled Saidy Janko's cross deliberately, and Will Keane stepped up to slot home. Keane converts from the penalty spot after Ola Aina was penalised for handball just inside the box . United celebrate taking the lead early in the second half, and could have doubled their lead soon after . United almost doubled their lead soon after, Tyler Blackett, who was on the bench for Van Gaal's side against Crystal Palace on Saturday, charging forward from the back but unable to convert a good chance. And the visitors were punished for their wastefulness soon after, when Christensen headed from Baker's corner, having been left totally unmarked. Both sides pushed for the win, but in the end a draw was the right result. Andreas Christensen (second right) celebrates after levelling the scores with a header from a corner . | Will Keane puts United ahead from the penalty spot after half time .
Andreas Christensen heads Chelsea level from Lewis Baker corner .
United fielded Tyler Blackett, who had been named as a first-team substitute on Saturday . |
123,092 | 2b2220d7bf9ec76488cc13ef214bc823627e0934 | At first glance, this looks like a rodent infestation straight out of Dickensian London. But this is actually a sculpture by the Victorian novelist’s great-great granddaughter Sophie, an acclaimed artist in her own right. She forged the rodents from bronze, though at more than 2ft long they are much larger than life. The 13 giant bronze rats sculpture, which was created by Sophie Dickens, an ancestor of Victorian novelist Charles Dickens . ‘A rat wouldn’t readily come to mind when buying or making a sculpture,’ she has admitted. ‘But they actually have a lot of humour and make amazing shapes.’ Sophie’s collection of 13 rats will go on show at the Sladmore Gallery in Mayfair from October 1 to 24. Sophie, who is keen to play down her lineage, has created other works such as a judo sculpture for the 2012 Olympics . And you can’t miss the building, as it has five bronze monkeys scaling its walls – another of Sophie’s playful creations. Other previous work has included a judo sculpture for the 2012 Olympics and artwork for the New York sports studios of American broadcaster NBC. But she is keen to downplay her lineage, saying: ‘It is fantastic to be related to such a great writer, but I would never wish to even begin to tread in his huge footsteps.’ | Sculpture was created by Sophie Dickens, a descendant of Charles Dickens .
Consists of 13 larger then life two foot long bronze sculpted rats .
Work is set to go on show at the Sladmore Gallery, Mayfair in next month .
Miss Dickens though is keen to play down her famous lineage . |
272,805 | ed508ec9a0bb630b667bebeb0229f357ca009802 | (CNN) -- J.D. Salinger, the famously reclusive author whose 1951 novel, "The Catcher in the Rye," became a touchstone for generations of readers, has died. He was 91. The author died Wednesday of natural causes at his home in New Hampshire, according to a family statement that his literary agent, Phyllis Westberg, provided Thursday. "Despite having broken his hip in May, his health had been excellent until a rather sudden decline after the new year," the statement said. "He was not in any pain before or at the time of his death." Salinger has long been known for his reclusiveness, and "in keeping with his life long, uncompromising desire to protect and defend his privacy there will be no service," the statement said. "The family asks that people's respect for him, his work, and his privacy be extended to them, individually and collectively, during this time." Though he wrote more than 30 short stories and a handful of novellas -- many published in The New Yorker and collected in works such as "Nine Stories" and "Seymour: An Introduction" -- Salinger's fame rests on "Catcher," his only novel. The book is narrated by a teenage boy, Holden Caulfield, who is expelled from a private school, Pencey Prep, in Pennsylvania, and spends the next three days wandering around New York. Caulfield is mistrustful of authority, railing against corrupt adults and "phonies," and plans to decamp for the west. iReport: Tell us what 'Catcher' meant to you . "An unusually brilliant first novel," The New York Times called it, one of many raves. Though intended for adult readers, the book touched a nerve among teenagers attracted by Caulfield's nonconformist attitudes and has remained a best-seller since its release. It has gone through dozens of printings in its simple mass-market paperback edition, clad in a simple maroon cover adorned with the title and author's name on the front and back. It's also been a lightning rod for controversy. Schools have banned it -- troubled by Caulfield's language and attitude as well as his adventures with a prostitute -- and some readers have been obsessed by it, most infamously Mark David Chapman, who murdered John Lennon in 1980. In 2009, Salinger -- always protective of his work -- sued to stop the publication, sale and advertisement of "60 Years Later: Coming Through the Rye," a novel written by an author calling himself J.D. California. Jerome David Salinger was born January 1, 1919, in New York City, the son of Sol -- a wealthy meat importer -- and Miriam Salinger. He attended Valley Forge Military Academy in Pennsylvania and spent time at three colleges. He published his first stories in the early 1940s. In 1942, he joined the U.S. Army. He fought in the D-Day invasion at Normandy as well as the Battle of the Bulge, but suffered a nervous breakdown and checked himself into an Army hospital in Germany in 1945. In December of that year, "I'm Crazy," the first story featuring Caulfield, was published in Collier's. In 1947, his short story "A Perfect Day for Bananafish," featuring the troubled Seymour Glass, was published in The New Yorker. The Glass family, a group of bright siblings who agonized over their lives, would become the subject of many subsequent stories, all of which were published in The New Yorker and later collected in "Nine Stories," "Franny and Zooey" and "Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters and Seymour: An Introduction." His last published story, "Hapworth 16, 1924," appeared in 1965. In his later life, Salinger became as well-known for his desire for privacy as his work, and when that privacy was shattered, he would sometimes lash out with lawsuits. A 1987 biography by Ian Hamilton was blocked by a U.S. appellate court; it eventually appeared, in heavily revised form, as "In Search of J.D. Salinger." Salinger also sued a writer, Stephen Kunes, for impersonating him. He had a nine-month affair with the 18-year-old Joyce Maynard in the early '70s; she later wrote about it in a memoir and auctioned off his letters. (The buyer, Peter Norton, said he would return the letters to Salinger.) Salinger's daughter, Margaret, wrote a memoir, "Dream Catcher," which was published in 2000. Neither Maynard's nor Margaret Salinger's books were positive, describing the author as controlling and having a host of unusual habits, including drinking his own urine. Throughout it all, Salinger remained determinedly reserved. He gave interviews sparingly, the last one in 1981 to The (Baton Rouge, Louisiana) Advocate. Occasionally he would release terse statements about his work. Thursday's statement from Salinger's literary agent acknowledged the writer's isolation. "Salinger had remarked that he was in this world but not of it. His body is gone but the family hopes that he is still with those he loves, whether they are religious or historical figures, personal friends or fictional characters," the statement said. "He will be missed by the few he was close to every bit as much as by the readers who loved reading him." Salinger was married three times, most recently to Colleen O'Neil, who survives him. He had two children, Matthew and Margaret, with his second wife, Claire Douglas, whom he divorced in 1967. | Reclusive author dies Wednesday at New Hampshire home .
There will be no service, family says in statement .
"Salinger had remarked that he was in this world but not of it," statement says . |
158,580 | 5900c7ab4aa4a67d33252a88072dad290042e41e | ISIS appears to be stepping up its campaign to attract an international support base after clothing and memorabilia promoting the group appeared online. The sale of Western clothing - including T-shirts, hoodies and baseball caps - bearing the Islamist group's name and slogans is a worrying development in ISIS' growth as a global 'terror brand'. The jihadist group - which has taken control of large areas of Syria and Iraq in a shockingly brutal campaign that has been condemned as too extreme even by Al Qaeda - has previously been described as 'social media savvy' thanks to its widespread use of Twitter to spread propaganda. Controversial: Indonesia-based retailer Zirah Moslem describes itself as a seller of clothing of 'Islamic style', including this pro-ISIS T-shirt. It also sells items promoting other groups, such as Hamas and the Taliban . Brazen: Another image shared online shows ISIS promotional clothing sold openly on hangers in a shop. The photograph was apparently taken in the popular Bagcular area of Turkey's capital Istanbul . ISIS is in almost constant contact with its supporters in the West thanks to dozens of social media accounts maintained by militants fighting in Syria and Iraq. Now those following the updates are being encouraged to show their loyalty to the group by purchasing clothing adorned with slogans and images promoting ISIS' militant Islamist message. Much of the jihadist clothing is sold on Indonesia-based websites, and appears to have been available to purchase for several months, according to Vocativ. One online retailer, Zirah Moslem, has over 9,000 likes on Facebook and is in regular contact with the users of its page, who place orders by posting messages beneath photographs of the clothing while making no effort to conceal their identities. Support: The sale of Western clothing - including T-shirts, hoodies and baseball caps - bearing the Islamist group's name and slogans is a worrying development in ISIS' growth as a global 'terror brand' Cynical: One of the Indonesia-based websites selling Islamist clothing also offers cuddly toys of Isis fighters. The products are promoted as coming with a free sticker, in the clear hope of attracting young children . Zirah Moslem describes itself as an 'Islamic style' retailer, and also sells clothing that promotes other Islamist groups such as Hamas, the Taliban and the Al-Nusra Front. Designs show men carrying weapons and dressed in traditional Middle Eastern clothing, alongside slogans such as 'Mujahideen For Life' and 'United We Stand'. Another image shared online shows ISIS promotional clothing sold openly on hangers in a shop. The photograph, apparently taken in Turkey, was posted on Twitter with the caption: 'In case your [sic] wondering what the in thing for a jihadist to wear this summer is... visit the new ISIS shop in Istanbul.' Other Indonesia-based websites selling ISIS related clothing include Kavkaz Struggl - which sells T-shirts emblazoned with the slogan 'I Love Jihad', and Rezji Islamic Clothing and Shop, which sells jumpers and baseball caps alongside cuddly toys of Isis fighters. Promoted as coming with a free sticker, the soft toys are a clear attempt to appeal to young children. | T-shirts, hoodies and baseball caps with pro-ISIS slogans on sale online .
Indonesia-based websites believed to be behind the rise of jihadist clothing .
Another image apparently shows shop in Turkey selling ISIS T-Shirts .
Clothing openly displayed on hangers, apparently in Bagcilar in Istanbul . |
69,085 | c3e4d8ccb02025d53f4326b04a23591f48bc4906 | (CNN) -- An upcoming documentary on Kurt Cobain has more than just cooperation from the rock legend's family. It has the oversight of Cobain's daughter, Frances Bean, 22, as the project's executive producer. Called "Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck," the documentary is the first to have the backing of Cobain's relatives. As a result, the film had complete access to Cobain's archive of personal and creative works, some of which has never before been seen. Written, directed and produced by filmmaker Brett Morgen, "Montage of Heck" will be released by HBO in 2015. (HBO and CNN are both divisions of Time Warner.) For Morgen, the documentary has been a labor of love and a long-running passion project. "I started work on this project eight years ago," the filmmaker said in a statement. "Like most people, when I started, I figured there would be limited amounts of fresh material to unearth. However, once I stepped into Kurt's archive, I discovered over 200 hours of unreleased music and audio, a vast array of art projects (oil paintings, sculptures), countless hours of never-before-seen home movies, and over 4000 pages of writings that together help paint an intimate portrait of an artist who rarely revealed himself to the media." Cobain was best known as the frontman of the seminal grunge group Nirvana, whose music came to define the early '90s and has remained heavily influential since. "Montage of Heck" will of course use plenty of the band's work throughout the film, including both songs and performances. Speaking of the project to NME in 2013, Morgen said he envisioned "Montage of Heck" being like "this generation's 'The Wall' -- a mix of animation and live action that'll allow the audience to experience Kurt in a way they never have before." | HBO to air Kurt Cobain documentary in 2015 .
Cobain's daughter, Frances Bean, will executive produce .
Brett Morgen is the writer, director and producer . |
83,309 | ec4210bb13faddcbdb021f9c4a3b07b6e3f3071a | By . Ashley Pearson . Reports that multi-millionairess Cheryl Fernandez-Versini nee Tweedy, formerly Cole is moving to Dalston to help her husband in the kitchen of his new restaurant are to be taken lightly – but to be honest, these days, it wouldn't exactly shock me if this actually happened. Billionaire businesswoman and reality star Jessica Simpson, married just at the weekend to her unemployed baby daddy Eric, is already signing off on Instagram as Jessica Johnson. Beyonce, currently beleaguered with rumours of marriage woes, named her previous tour, not 'Girls Run the World' but 'the Mrs Carter Show'. Ashley says women like Cheryl, who have built up their own career, shouldn't have to drop it or take a backseat to please their man . Jennifer Aniston, massively famous in Friends at the time, legally became Mrs Pitt after her marriage to Brad, and sent out all personal correspondence for years on stylish 'Jennifer Pitt' stationery. And whilst opinion formers now work overtime to reclaim the word 'feminism', there is a distinct trend going on right now - and it feels a little old school to me. Yes, it's about taking his name in public, but it's more than that. There's a whole lot of deferring happening in Hollywood these days. Sometimes it feels like a return to the Fifties – making sure to always take into account your man's feelings and yes, his ego. Not too long ago, Jennifer Aniston is rumoured to have moved the entire production of Life Of Crime from Detroit to NYC in order to be closer to fiancé Justin Theroux, who lived there. Actress Jennifer Garner dutifully follows husband Ben Affleck from red carpet to red carpet supporting his career - actor Mark Ruffalo even recently implied he and Jen are no longer friends because Ben wasn't comfortable with it . Fashionista and actress Blake Lively skipped New York Fashion Week (forfeiting a mid-six figures in fees) for the first time ever, in order to visit her new husband Ryan Reynolds, then filming in Canada. Actress Jennifer Garner dutifully follows hubby Ben Affleck from red carpet to red carpet supporting his career; and actor Mark Ruffalo recently implied he and Jen are no longer friends because hubby Ben wasn't comfortable with it. After they began dating Jennifer Lopez immediately promoted former boyfriend and back up dancer Casper Smart to 'Tour/Choreographer Manager' bestowing a generous raise and including him at all major red carpet events. Ashley believes more women are taking a backseat to make their husbands feel like 'the man' Kim Kardashian West recently told her multi-million dollar reality show mom-ager Kris, this about her career: 'Kanye comes first.' Indeed it seems that more and more famous women are taking a back seat in order to make their man feel like 'the man'. Just like The Rules before them, books like The Proper Care And Feeding Of Husbands and The Surrendered Wife, can certainly provoke a hefty amount of eye rolling. The underlying principle of course being that the control women wield at work and with children must be left at the front door of any happy marriage. With this in mind, as divorce rates remain high, and discontented marriages abound, some of the world's most famously strong and powerful women appear to be working overtime to put their men firmly out in front. It is likely that Cheryl Cole will always be more famous than her handsome French husband – and likely, although it's continues to be widely reported he 'comes from a wealthy family' she will always have more money. But by taking his name so publicly and immediately she's making a statement (as well as conveniently losing that last reminder of her errant ex), that she belongs to HIM. She's also said to have refused to sign a pre-nup and is already learning French. Jumping in with both feet as she is, with a clear indication of her certainty and commitment, let's hope it's a promising sign for a marriage and a commitment based on just three months of togetherness. | Ashley says that more female celebrities are putting their man first .
Says women shouldn't have to drop their lives to please their husband .
She is sick of seeing powerful women trailing around after partners . |
211,890 | 9e64757d7c952ce3ebce6d5c70f1db8aac586576 | Gabriel Garcia Marquez, 87, is responding to treatment and will be discharged from hospital in Mexico City . Colombian novelist and Nobel laureate Gabriel Garcia Marquez has been hospitalised in Mexico City with lung and urinary tract infections. The 87-year-old entered the hospital Monday suffering from the infection and from dehydration and is responding to treatment, Mexico's Secretary of Health said in a written statement. 'The patient has responded to treatment. Once he's completed his course of antibiotics his discharge from the hospital will be evaluated,' the statement said. The author's son Gonzalo said there . had been no medical emergency and he expected his father to leave the . hospital early next week. 'He went to a normal room,' the son said. 'He was never in the emergency room.' Garcia Marquez won the Nobel Prize for . literature in 1982, and his books have outsold everything published in . Spanish except the Bible. He has lived in Mexico City for more than three decades, and has limited his public appearances in recent years. He . was feted before the press on his birthday last month by friends and . well-wishers who brought him cake and flowers outside his home in an . exclusive neighbourhood in the south of Mexico City. He did not speak at . the event. Garcia Marquez's friend Elena . Poniatowska, a renowned Mexican journalist and author, said she had last . seen him when he visited her home in November with a bouquet of yellow . roses, a symbol that made frequent appearances in his epic, . hallucinatory novel 'One Hundred Years of Solitude.' 'He looked well,' Mr Poniatowska said. Garcia . Marquez's hospitalisation did not appear related to longstanding . reports about the author's memory problems, which have not been publicly . diagnosed. A person close to the family said that Garcia Marquez can . carry on with normal life, although he has good days and bad days. The author's son Gonzalo said there had been no medical emergency and he expected his father to leave the hospital, pictured, early next week . Garcia Marquez's extraordinary literary celebrity has drawn comparisons with Mark Twain and Charles Dickens . 'He functions well in daily life,' said the man, who did not want to be quoted by name out of respect for the family's desire to keep the issue out of the spotlight. Garcia Marquez is by many accounts the Spanish language's most popular writer since Miguel de Cervantes in the 17th century. His extraordinary literary celebrity has drawn comparisons with Mark Twain and Charles Dickens. 'One Hundred Years of Solitude' has sold some 50 million copies in more than 25 languages and its 1967 publication was a milestone in a two-decade-long Latin American literature boom. Other contemporary classics by the man with the bushy black eyebrows and white mustache, known to friends as 'Gabo,' include 'Chronicle of a Death Foretold,' 'Love in the Time of Cholera,' 'The General in His Labyrinth" and 'Autumn of the Patriarch.' Along with writers including Norman Mailer and Tom Wolfe, he was also an early practitioner of literary nonfiction that would become known as New Journalism. | Garcia Marquez, 87, responding to treatment for infection and dehydration .
Author of six novels won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1982 .
Hospitalisation not related to reports about author's memory problems . |
58,446 | a5b66b42d8ff105281763dd8d3dff52691d03ab3 | Seoul, South Korea (CNN) -- North Korea test-fired a short-range missile off its western coast in the middle of last week, according to Yonhap News Agency. Quoting an intelligence source, Yonhap says Pyongyang launched a KN-06 short-range missile in an attempt to improve it and increase its range. This launch would be the North's first test of a short-range missile in 19 months. In July 2009, North Korea fired a series of short-range missiles off its east coast, a move criticized by the international community. The South Korean Ministry of Defense tells CNN they cannot comment on the report. Tensions have been high between the two Koreas since two attacks last year killed 50 South Koreans. North Korea also announced last week it will cut all ties with the South and threatened to strike with military force. It is not the first time Pyongyang has threatened to attack Seoul. CNN's Jiyeon Lee contributed to this report. | Short-range missile fired last week, news agency says .
South Korea won't comment on it . |
16,393 | 2e81656515a81bd5c6bf8e3ed516fadedc7d214b | Sergio Aguero's father has revealed that the Manchester City striker 'would love to go to Barcelona' amid Spanish media reports that the Catalans have launched a £31million bid. Barcelona hope to tie up a deal for the 47-cap Argentina international and know that their opening offer is likely to be rebuffed outright by City. But new Barcelona head coach Luis Enrique is a keen admirer of Aguero and he will insist that the Catalans return with a higher bid if a deal could potentially be struck, according to Spanish website Sport. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Sergio Aguero interview... Sergio Aguero . Passion: Sergio Aguero's father claims he would 'love' to go to Barcelona amid reports of a £31m bid . Keen: New Barcelona head coach Luis Enrique is an admirer of Aguero and is driving the Catalans' bid . Aguero, 25, has a great relationship with Barcelona star Lionel Messi and Enrique is hopeful they can soon be club team-mates as well as fellow Argentine internationals. With Aguero under contract at City until 2017, the club would be unlikely to even consider selling their prize asset for anything less than the £36m they paid for him in July 2011. Aguero enjoyed a fine season at the Etihad despite injury, scoring an impressive 28 goals in 34 appearances as he helped City win the Premier League and the Capital One Cup double. Star: Aguero scored 28 goals in 34 games last season as Man City won the Premier League and League Cup . Dream team: Aguero could soon be in the same side as fellow Argentine Lionel Messi at Barcelona . And his father Leonel del Castillo does not believe that Manuel Pellegrini will allow his star striker to leave for the club he has always wanted to represent, such is his importance to the side. He told Spanish newspaper AS: 'He would love to go to Barcelona but Manchester City will make it impossible (for Aguero to go).' | Aguero's father claims his son has always wanted to play for Barcelona .
Spanish media report the Catalans have made an opening £31m bid .
New Barca coach Luis Enrique is keen admirer of the Argentine striker .
The 25-year-old scored 28 goals in 34 games for Man City last season . |
205,975 | 96a3e2bc9ba2c8b64d31c102a8f154766a433dba | (CNN) -- Washington Post critic Hank Stuever doesn't think much of the TV networks' new shows such as "The Playboy Club," "Pan Am" and "Charlie's Angels." "If the only women you ever saw were those on these shows, you would have a hard time believing that a liberation movement had ever occurred," he wrote in a recent review. "It's all bunnies, baby dolls and broads -- and bridezillas and bimbos, if you get into reality TV. It's still giggles and jiggles." I'm with you, Hank. But you know what? We are fast becoming dinosaurs. It's difficult for me to get excited about weekly reminders of a time when cocktail waitresses were paid to be sex objects, if not sex partners. Or when young, perfectly coiffed stewardesses worked 12- to 15-hour shifts wearing girdles, tight suits, high heels and a smile, no matter how rude the passengers were or how frisky the pilots. My reservations are not shared, however, by most of the 20-something women I know. The new shows, along with AMC's "Mad Men," have little to do with today's work environment, they say. They are period pieces, nothing more. "It would be like you watching Westerns," said Stefanie, who works for a Washington nonprofit. (Not exactly, honey. I'm not that old. But, ouch.) I asked Stefanie and her co-worker Lauren, both voracious television viewers, to talk about this latest Hollywood run on sexism that started, of course, four years ago with the ad agency drama "Mad Men." "It's important to watch such shows to see how women used to be treated," Stefanie said. "As in, a woman back then rarely knew where she stood. Peggy, a secretary (in "Mad Men"), was promoted to copy writer and Joan, head of the secretarial pool, was not. It had nothing to do with how hard they worked." Lauren agreed: "The show helps me understand where women had to come from." Neither Stefanie nor Lauren are bothered by the butt-shaking, boob-exposing women of "The Playboy Club" or by the creepy older men throwing back shots of whiskey and pinching young behinds. They were unfazed even by the comment of Billy, the manager, that he married his bunny girlfriend in order to get her "pregnant and ugly" so that other men wouldn't look at her. Compared to what else they see on TV -- the reality-TV bimbos on "Jersey Shore," for example -- the newest babes are downright classy, said Lauren. "Bunnies were sex symbols, but it wasn't porn like it is now," she said. "Porn used to be soft-core, art. Now it's trashy." Club founder Hugh Hefner was selling sex, Lauren continued. "The bunnies were simply putting their best merchandise in the window. Hefner didn't create porn; he just classed it up and monetized it." The bunnies made more money than they could have doing other jobs at the time, Lauren added, and in some cases, more than their male clients. So who really was being used? The stewardesses of "Pan Am," full-figured and fully clothed, intrigue Stefanie and Lauren in part because they aren't the stick figures that populate so much of television today (including the new, vapid "Charlie's Angels"). "Full-figure is a healthier view of women," Lauren said. I had to agree, even as I squirm at the idea that the '60s look she appreciates was dictated by the suits in the airlines' corporate offices. Interestingly, the subplots I picked up in "Pan Am" -- predictable "female" themes such as sister jealousy, having an affair with a married man, spending most of their time serving food and smiling -- are not what Stefanie immediately commented on. She liked the fact that one attendant went against her parents' wishes to work for "the world's most experienced airline," and that another was recruited to be a CIA spy. This suggested some depth to their characters, didn't it? Yes, I said. However, I reminded her, those attendants had gone about as far as they could within the airline's corporate structure, and if they got married or pregnant, they were grounded. True, she said, and that makes her appreciate the lack of such restrictions today. "Hard work pays off for women now," she said. "If you want move up the ladder you can." (Just as her TV idol, Tami Taylor, did on the recently departed "Friday Night Lights" when the Taylor family moved to Philadelphia so Tami could become a college dean.) A dose of reality is called for here. Statistic No. 1: According to an article in CNNMoney, only 12 Fortune 500 companies are run by women, down from 15 last year. No. 2: While the wage gap between younger women and men has narrowed slightly, men in all age groups still make more than women, according to data from the Institute for Women's Policy Research, a Washington think tank. No. 3: Within the last two years, among 18- to 34-year-olds, twice as many women as men have been unemployed and looking for work for a month or longer, according to a forthcoming report by IWPR. I suspect Stefanie and Lauren will, somewhere along their career paths, encounter sexist attitudes as well as disparities in salary and responsibility. But I'm delighted they are moving into the workplace with confidence. They don't have to think about feminism as often as my generation did. They were born feminist, as were many of their friends, male as well as female. They have more choices than did young women of the '60s, are paid more equitably and either laugh off or skewer men who insult them. Some of them work for women. They're coming out of the starting gate with more speed. That's a good thing, because it will soon be up to them -- and the men who support them -- to move women still further forward. The opinions in this commentary are solely those of Laura Sessions Stepp. | "The Playboy Club" and "Pan Am" look back before women's liberation, says Laura Stepp .
Today's young women see the shows only as harmless period pieces, Stepp says .
But in the workplace, women have still not achieved equality, she says .
Even so, women are "coming out of the starting gate with more speed," says Stepp . |
225,940 | b093a1e49e93c5353160aff2577a2c43c42fcd35 | By . Fiona Macrae . PUBLISHED: . 20:57 EST, 14 January 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 05:30 EST, 15 January 2014 . A study found that adults believe foods to be healthier if they were advertised by loveable cartoon characters when they were young . He convinced us that a sugary cereal was ‘Grrreat’ as children. But Tony the Tiger and friends could still be affecting our views as adults. A study found that adults believe foods to be healthier if they were advertised by loveable cartoon characters when they were young. The researchers, from London’s City University, said that affectionate feelings for the likes Tony the Tiger, the ‘face’ of Kellogg’s Frosties, endure for decades. As a result, we may believe the brands are healthier than they really are. Paul Connell, of the University’s Cass Business School, said: ‘People should check the labels of products they’ve loved since childhood. ‘It’s possible that affectionate feelings for brand characters mean they are overlooking relevant nutritional information.’ Dr Connell began by asking almost 200 British adults how much they liked Tony the Tiger and fellow Kellogg’s mascot Coco the Monkey. Tony the Tiger has featured in adverts for Frosties since the early 1950s, while Coco the Monkey only popped up in ads for Cocoa Pops in the mid-1980s. The volunteers were also asked how healthy they believed the products to be. Results revealed that the older adults – who would have seen Tony the Tiger but not Coco the Monkey as children - believed the Frosties to be better for them than the Coco Pops. However, younger adults, who would have seen both cartoon characters as children, rated the two cereals as being equally good for them. The study, published in the Journal of Consumer Research, also found that older, but not younger adults, held the tiger in more affection than the monkey. Further experiments showed that those with the fondest memories of cartoon characters resisted changing their minds. Other cartoon characters featured in the study included Ronald McDonald who has been used to promote the burger chain since the 1960s . Plus, a cartoon character’s influence is not limited to the food that was originally advertised – with a familiar face helping boost the perceived health of another product made by the same brand. Other cartoon characters featured in the study included Ronald McDonald, who has been used to promote the burger chain since the 1960s. The researchers said that our ability to understand and evaluate advertising increase with age. As memories formed in childhood are particularly strong, adverts from that time may influence our beliefs for many years. Dr Connell said: ‘We suggest that parents discuss the persuasive nature of advertising with their children, and encourage them to develop critical thinking skills in response to advertising messages. ‘They may wish to point out that commercials use funny stories and exciting characters to entertain the viewer, but that commercials may not provide all the important information about the product. 'For very young children, parents might want to limit the amount of advertising that their children see until the children are old enough to have these conversations.’ | The researchers said that affectionate feelings for the likes Tony the Tiger endure for decades .
As a result people believe the brands are healthier than they really are . |
271,964 | ec4a562345c3bb5b682dca312a7c77c790fa22b3 | By . Jonathan Petre And Andy Gardner For The Mail On Sunday . THE only Hurricane that fought in the Battle of Britain and is still flying today is up for sale for £2.5 million – more than 30 years after it was found as scrap in India. The aircraft, which regularly takes part in flypasts, was restored by a vintage car buff who discovered the wreck by chance while seeking old Rolls-Royces. But retired businessman Peter Vacher is now selling the 1940 Hawker Hurricane Mk 1 through an American dealer, fuelling fears that it could be lost to Britain. Scroll down for video . Sole survivor: The Hurricane R4118 (pictured) is thought to be the last plane from the Battle of Britain still flying . Hurricane R4118 flew 49 combat sorties during the worst days of the fighting and shot down five enemy aircraft. Hurricanes, alongside Spitfires, were at the centre of the country’s heroic defence of the skies in 1940 and had a crucial role until the end of the war, but the vast majority were then scrapped. Mr Vacher, 72, said: ‘This Hurricane is a one-off. There is no other British plane like it from the Battle of Britain that is flying today. It was a labour of love to recover and restore it and I have enjoyed watching it fly for the past ten years. Heroic: Wing Commander Bob Foster, who was responsible for three of the plane’s five ‘kills’ in the Battle of Britain died last month aged 94 . ‘However, it is time for somebody else to take it on – and my hope is that it will stay in the UK or in Europe. Obviously, there is a possibility that it could go further afield. But it is such an iconic British plane. The sight and sound of it is the Battle of Britain. The public absolutely love it.’ The former printer spotted the aircraft’s rotting hulk in 1982 on a visit to a university at Benares, north-east India, but did not immediately realise what it was. The plane had been given to engineering students in 1947 after the war in the Far East came to an end. The fuselage was lying in a compound with the propeller, wings and tailplane spread out over the ground. Mr Vacher, of Abingdon, Oxfordshire, said: ‘It looked like a pile of junk, but once I had found out what it was, I became obsessed with restoring it.’ He returned to India in 1996 and, after a long battle with local bureaucrats, bought the fighter for £25,000 in 2001 and shipped it to Britain. It took four years and 32,000 hours of restoration work, including renovating a Rolls-Royce Merlin III engine, before the Hurricane was once again airworthy. It has since flown in public more than 100 times. Wing Commander Bob Foster, who was responsible for three of the plane’s five ‘kills’ in the Battle of Britain, died last month aged 94. A spokesman for the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust said: ‘It would be disappointing if Bob Foster’s Hurricane were to leave the country. It is very special and it would be a shame if it could no longer be seen over the UK.’ The aircraft is being offered for sale through Platinum Fighters. Final Fighter: Online ad for the Hurricane flown by Bob Foster, right, that's still in flying condition . | Legendary plane was found as scrap in India more than 30 years ago .
Bought by Peter Vacher, of Abingdon, Oxfordshire, for £25,000 in 2001 .
Retired businessman and car buff, 72, spent 32,000 hours restoring model .
Says it's the only plane from the Battle of Britain that is still flying today .
But now he's selling it through an American dealer - meaning it could be lost to Britain forever . |
136,823 | 3d006ccae344f2644e04f7e4eb10eac5878a29b0 | Welcome to England's future. On Tuesday, in Belo Horizonte, a game of football will be played. If England lose, it means nothing. If England win, it means nothing. If England draw - well, you get the idea. And not just because the World Cup is over for Roy Hodgson and his men. The FA decided on Friday, in the aftermath of an eight-day exit from meaningful tournament football in Brazil, that victory and defeat were very over-rated qualities when assessing the success of a sports team. Save me: England boss Roy Hodgson talks to Raheem Sterling at training on Monday . There were other factors, intangibles, concerning preparation and work across several years that had to be considered, too. 'If it doesn't matter who wins and who loses, then why do they keep score?' asked the great Green Bay Packers coach Vince Lombardi, a man with more quotable one-liners than Bill Shankly, yet England are moving beyond these earthbound measures of advancement. It is just as well, for the Costa Rica experience is destined to be repeated two years from here. The qualification campaign for the 2016 European Championship, with the finals expanded and downgraded to 24 teams, means it will get no easier to ascertain English progress in the coming months. Team talk: England's manager Roy Hodgson with the players on Monday . Strength: John Terry and Rio Ferdinand formed an exceptional partnership . England must play Switzerland, Slovenia, Estonia, Lithuania and San Marino to qualify, knowing a top-two finish guarantees entry and third place affords a puncher's chance via the play-offs. The only high quality opposition England will face between now and June 2016, then, is in friendly games, and those results are notoriously deceptive. England have defeated Italy and Spain in their most recent non-competitive meetings and won against Germany in a friendly in 2008. There will be no way of knowing England's true standing until their next competitive game in finals football in 2016. Everything that happens until that date lacks substance. Coming here, the message was that England had battled through a difficult qualifying group, which allowed for false security. It was suspected that Gary Cahill and Phil Jagielka were far from an exceptional pairing at centre-half, when compared to their predecessors: John Terry and Rio Ferdinand, Tony Adams and Sol Campbell, with Ledley King in the role of fifth Beatle. Bottom line: England's whole defence struggled to cope in Brazil . Yet, England had only conceded four goals in qualifying, it was pointed out. Fewer than any country in Europe, bar Spain. Cahill and Jagielka were not perfect, but they could do a job. This wasn't true. England's centre-halves, the whole defence in fact, were below the standard required. That is why the World Cup, not the route to it, is the health check. Hodgson thinks it would be harsh to judge his work on two matches, but that is football's bottom line. Did Carlo Ancelotti become a better coach because he won a single match, and with it Real Madrid's 10th European Cup final? In a word: yes. The fear when Hodgson succeeded Fabio Capello was that he would turn England, not into Inter Milan, nor even his overachieving Fulham and Switzerland teams, but into West Bromwich Albion. Hodgson did a very good job at West Brom, but it was a job with limitations. West Brom do not tolerate relegation, but they have no realistic ambitions of major success, either. If they finish safe and give it a go against the biggest clubs, it will be regarded as a good season. This is where England are now. High and mighty: Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti celebrates Champions League glory . For Premier League safety, read tournament qualification. Alex Horne, the general secretary, summed up the dismal reprogramming that has taken place at the FA when he announced before the tournament began that he believed Hodgson had done enough to justify seeing out his contract until 2016 just by getting to Brazil. The widespread acceptance of courageous defeat by Italy in Manaus is another sign that England now regard themselves as small and provincial, unable to challenge the elite. Hodgson's final season at West Bromwich Albion began with a home game against the champions, Manchester United. Wayne Rooney put United ahead, but David de Gea was inexperienced and vulnerable, and West Brom equalised through Shane Long. Limited success: Roy Hodgson made sure West Brom were safe from relegation . They gave United a real game from there but, with nine minutes to go, an Ashley Young cross that deflected once before going in off Steven Reid handed United victory. It was agreed that West Brom could have put more pressure on De Gea after half-time, but had done pretty well in the circumstances and were perhaps unlucky not to earn a point against a classier team. There was definitely cause for optimism. In . essence, that was the reaction to England's defeat by Italy. Even the . same scoreline against Uruguay has produced no grand inquest. What . began as realism is now the meek acceptance of defeat. The impossible job, we are now told. It isn't. That is more expectation . management. If it is impossible then the incumbent should step aside to . make room for another candidate, who might entertain possibility. Others see the green shoots of recovery in the next generation. Yet . this presumes on several fronts. Any team that includes Phil Jones or . Chris Smalling presumes they will train on and make the team regularly . at Manchester United under Louis van Gaal, in a way they have not over . the last three years. Any team that includes John Stones on the back of . 26 appearances for Everton, presumes he will grow up to be John Terry . not James Tomkins, who made 37 appearances for England at all levels . from Under 16 onwards, without quite fulfilling the outstanding promise . of his youth. In the previous three World Cups, the players with five caps or fewer are Michael Dawson, Stephen Warnock, Joe Hart, Aaron Lennon, Stewart Downing, Scott Carson, Theo Walcott, Wayne Bridge, Darius Vassell and Trevor Sinclair. Not everybody delivers on that early promise. Any team that includes Jack Wilshere presumes he avoids injury, and any wholly youthful starting XI presumes depth below, as at all tournaments the law of averages dictates there will always be at least one significant injury, possibly more. Call up: Shaw and Jack Wilshere will get the chance to impress against Costa Rica on Tuesday . Go through the motions: England prepare for final group game against Costa Rica on Tuesday . VIDEO City Guide: Belo Horizonte . Yet here we are. Reimagining what constitutes success. The England of the future gets its kicks from logistical efficiency. 'The best prepared team at the World Cup,' we were told and that boast persists through back-to-back defeats. We wish to be judged on intangibles, when in sport there is a very finite measure of attainment. It's called the score. It is immune to spin, management, foresight, hindsight, revisionism, criticism or any form of external pressure. By removing it from the equation, nothing is. Win, so what? Lose, so what? Glen Johnson came out of the lift at England's team hotel in Sao Conrado, in the aftermath of the defeat by Uruguay. A fellow countryman asked how he was feeling. Johnson shrugged philosophically. 'What can you do?' he asked. Actually, that shouldn't be a rhetorical question. There are books written on what you can do. Indexed, cross-referenced, alphabetised. There are videos and coaching sessions, debates and discussions, and plans A, B, C, probably through to Z. There is always something you can do. Yet England's right-back is a man of our times. What can you do, eh? He should have an FA blazer. He'd fit right in. | If England qualify for a tournament and and give it a go against the big sides, then it's regarded as a success .
The only high quality opposition England will face between now and Euro 2016 is in friendly games .
The World Cup and not the route to the finals is the barometer and England's whole defence was not up to standard . |
34,892 | 63240ace7a628dc397a8c24deacfcfc58aa1a445 | (CNN) -- It's the journey of thousands of miles that started with a single step. Two Kenyans, whisked across continents to run a marathon Sunday in Sacramento, California. Their trip funded via a crowdsourcing effort that started with a friend request and a popular book. A few weeks ago, Japhet Koech and Shadrack Chepyego got a Facebook message from Conyers Davis. Davis, a San Francisco resident, had learned about the two men in the book "Running with the Kenyans," by Adharanand Finn. And he had a question for them. "I sent them a friend request and a note asking if they would be interested in racing in California -- if I could raise enough money to cover their airfare," Davis says. Koech, 26, was a little skeptical, but decided to take the risk. "We didn't really know what to make of it, but didn't want to miss a great opportunity either," he says. And so began the process that took the two men nearly 10,000 miles from their tiny running town in western Kenya. The two are from the Eldoret area, where the most elite Kenyan marathon runners hail from. Davis, 35, set up an online fund-raising campaign called Kenyafornia. He urged donors to give $26 each -- a dollar for every mile the two would run in the California International Marathon. They could not afford to pay for the trip. Running is a sport that does not come with a paycheck in Kenya. Koech works at his uncle's gas station while Chepyego is a farmer. "These guys work so hard and are such hardworking and dedicated runners," Davis says. "I wanted to bridge the divide between talent and opportunity." He exceeded his goal for funds in a little over a month. Armed with nearly $9,000 from the fund-raiser, he set out to make the trip happen. Local celebrities . After delayed visas and red tape that almost made them miss their flight, the pair arrived in San Francisco last week, and have become local celebrities. More strangers chipped in to ensure they stayed warm during the cold spell. When Davis picked them up at the airport, he thought they had forgotten their luggage. They had one backpack each with running shorts, shoes and minimal change of clothes. "They didn't have much in the way of warm clothing," Davis says. "Luckily, The Gap heard about the guys and was concerned that they would be cold," he says. "They very kindly opened up their flagship store and gave them lots of clothes to stay warm. It was amazing." Fleet Feet, a local running supply store, gave them warm racing gear to wear during the marathon in Sacramento. 'Like playing basketball with LeBron James' The two have trained at San Francisco landmarks including the Golden Gate Bridge, where residents waved. Others joined in, running along with them. Both will return to Kenya on Thursday. But they'll never forget the kindness of strangers, they say. "The best part has been meeting the Californians," Koech says. "Everyone has been so friendly. Our experience will inspire many people back in Kenya, especially many of the younger runners." Davis, who describes himself as a novice runner, works at the USC Schwarzenegger Institute for State and Global Policy. Though he spent many sleepless nights planning the logistics of the trip, he says it was all worth it. "I'd do it all over again," he says. "Running with the Kenyans is like playing basketball with LeBron James. These guys are masters of their trade. It has been very exciting and very humbling to watch." Davis will run his first marathon with his new friends Sunday. The title of the book that started it all will become his reality. | San Francisco man reads book called "Running with the Kenyans"
He uses Facebook to find two runners mentioned in the book .
He starts fund-raiser to bring them to California to run in a marathon .
The marathon is Sunday . |
246,647 | cb31676b25a257810e2f49de1a2670f0bd281042 | Los Angeles (CNN) -- The 20-year-old son of actor Robert Downey Jr. has been charged with felony drug possession, the Los Angeles County district attorney's office said. Indio Falconer Downey, 20, will be arraigned on August 29 on one felony count of possession of a controlled substance, cocaine, and a misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia, a coke pipe, said spokesman Ricardo Santiago. Downey was arrested after a Los Angeles sheriff's deputy stopped a vehicle in which he was a passenger in West Hollywood in June, according to West Hollywood Sheriff's Station Sgt. Dave Valentine. "Downey was found to be in possession of what officers believed to be cocaine as well as a smoking pipe," Valentine said. Robert Downey Jr.'s representative released a statement that week saying the actor was "grateful to the Sheriff's department for their intervention." "Unfortunately there's a genetic component to addiction and Indio has likely inherited it," the rep said. "Also, there is a lot of family support and understanding, and we're all determined to rally behind him and help him become the man he's capable of being. We're grateful to the Sheriff's department for their intervention, and believe Indio can be another recovery success story instead of a cautionary tale." The elder Downey had several well-publicized issues with drug addiction in the 1990s. He went through treatment a number of times, including a year in the California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison, before finally getting clean in 2001. Indio Downey is the son of Downey and his first wife, Deborah Falconer. Downey and Falconer divorced in 2004 after almost 12 years of marriage. Robert Downey Jr.: Hollywood's highest-paid actor (again) John McEnroe's son, Kevin, arrested on drug charges . | Indio Falconer Downey was arrested during a West Hollywood traffic stop in June .
The elder Downey had much-publicized issues with drug addiction in the 1990s .
"There's a genetic component to addiction and Indio has likely inherited it," actor's rep says . |
44,266 | 7cd5e4e3a14babc1f30eeb64b0d9c7b2f4c1af30 | In court: Kurt Baron, 40, was prosecuted after he used his electric wheelchair to batter a Transit van parked outside his house . A disabled man used his 4mph electric wheelchair to smash up a Transit van because two workmen had parked it outside his house, a court heard. Kurt Baron, 40, caused £2,000 of damage to the vehicle's bodywork and narrowly missed a mother pushing a pram, forcing her and the baby into the road. He also deliberately crashed into . barriers round a manhole where the two Electricity North West engineers were working before threatening them with a claw hammer, Burnley Crown Court heard. Baron, who is wheelchair bound after breaking his back in a fall from a tree, admitted possessing an offensive weapon and criminal damage, but avoided jail. The prosecution said his wheelchair rampage happened on October 30 last year after he had a row with a blind friend in his house in Nelson, Lancashire. A window was smashed and his disabled companion fled the property complaining he had been attacked. Engineers Paul Jeeves and Brett Schofield were outside working on underground cables and Baron then emerged from his house and rammed the barriers round their manhole, yelling: 'I want that . f****** van moved now.' He was further enraged when the pair explained they were carrying out 'essential works', so he rammed three more barriers into the road, sending them towards oncoming vehicles. A woman pushing a pram had to move into the path of oncoming traffic to avoid being run down. Row: Baron drove into barriers surrounding a manhole on Regent Street in Nelson, Lancashire, forcing a mother and baby into the road . Baron then went back into his . house shouting 'You have got five minutes to move the van.' Upset: Baron had suffered mental health problems after he was left disabled after falling out of a tree, and was spared jail as a result . Mr . Jeeves decided to move the vehicle a . short distance away, but the defendant returned after five minutes and said: 'Right, I'm going to smash windows.' He then flew down the path towards them, wielding a hammer above his head, and rammed the passenger door of the van. Mr . Schofield took hold of him and told him to stop waving the hammer . around. After heading back towards the house he turned back towards the men, shouting: 'You big lad, I'm . going to wrap this hammer around your f****** head.' Lisa Worsley, prosecuting, said: 'He was aggressive, abusive and irate, was told to go . back in the house, headed to his front door, turned the chair to face . the van and threw the hammer at it.' The engineers then called the police and Baron told the engineers when asked to give a statement: ' You better tell the truth or else. Your names will get on the statements and I will find out who you . are, where you live and I will get you all.' The . court heard Baron had stabbed himself in the leg with a 12 inch knife . while in his house and he told the court 'Over the last five months, a . lot has changed. All I want is a normal life.' Sentencing: Baron told the judge at Burnley Crown Court (pictured): 'All I want is a normal life' as he was given a two year community order with supervision . Baron was given a two year community order, with supervision. The . judge Mr Recorder Anthony Cross, QC, told him : ' It's perfectly plain . to me that a significant amount of your problems arise from the fact you . fractured your spine when you fell out of a tree. 'That . has left you not only wheelchair-bound, but has caused you complex . health, social, psychological and mental health problems. I am satisfied . that it would be wholly wrong to jail you.' | Kurt Baron flew into rage after electrical workmen parked outside his home .
The 40-year-old smashed their van causing £2,000 of damage to bodywork .
'Irate' Baron also crashed into barriers surrounding their manhole .
Disabled man also threatened to 'wrap hammer round head' of workmen .
A mother pushing a pram was forced into road to avoid being hit by him . |
86,293 | f4e2afa8a867a8a595fac8cb152eac2b1864baee | By . Daily Mail Reporter . Surrendered: James Hollingsworth, 59, turned himself in on Wednesday to face criminal charges for the April death of his 20-month-old granddaughter in a hot car . A grandfather from Texas has turned himself in to police in order to face criminal charges for the death of his granddaughter. James Hollingsworth, 59, was released on a $5,000 bond from the North Richland Hills Detention Facility in North Texas. He is believed to have caused the death of his 20-month-old granddaughter by heatstroke last April, by leaving her in a hot car. Police say Hollingsworth called 911 on . April 22nd of this year after his 11-year-old grandson discovered . Aurora Aryana Hollingsworth in her grandfather's car. Hollingsworth was supposed to drop Aurora off at daycare that morning after taking her mother to work, but he forgot and left her in the vehicle until he made the afternoon school run. The baby died in the car with the outside temperature around 84 degrees. 'This . is a tragic event for all those involved and if anything we’d like this . to be a learning lesson to other people, anytime you are responsible . for the safety of a child,' officer Keith Bauman said. Heatstroke: Aurora Aryana Hollingsworth was found dead in a car seat inside a vehicle on April 22 . Tragic: Hollingsworth was supposed to drop Aurora off at daycare that morning after taking her mother to work . 'Mr. Hollingsworth dropped off his daughter, returned to his residence and . went inside, forgetting to drop off Aurora at day-care, leaving her . inside his vehicle,' Bauman said. 'It . does not have to be a sweltering day of 100 plus temperatures for it to . be dangerous for a child to be in that vehicle,’ he said. 'We are still investigating,' attorney Lex Johnston of Hurst said. 'We don’t believe it will end up a criminal matter. It was a terrible tragedy for everyone involved.' At 3:30 p.m. that afternoon, . Hollingsworth’s daughter called and asked him to pick up her 11-year-old . son from school because he had missed his bus and was walking home. Hollingsworth found the boy, let him in the car and started driving home, police said. Lessons: 'This is a tragic event for all those involved and if anything we¿d like this to be a learning lesson to other people, anytime you are responsible for the safety of a child,' officer Keith Bauman said . Charges: Aurora's death is still under investigation. Hollingsworth faces a charge of injury to a child by omission . Accidental death: Aurora Aryana Hollingsworth died of heatstroke after being left in a car and her death was ruled an accident . After climbing inside the car, the boy told his grandfather that something was wrong with Aurora. She had died in her car seat. Child Protective Services investigators are looking into the case. Aurora had three older siblings ages 6, 8 and 11. Aurora was the 17th child to die of heatstroke in a car this year. Last year there were 44 such deaths in the U.S. In most cases, the caregiver simply forgot about the child. Studies show that on average, temperatures inside a vehicle can increase rapidly in a relatively short space of time: up to 19 degrees in 10 minutes and 34 degrees in half an hour. | Aurora Aryana Hollingsworth was left in a car for much of the day after her grandfather forgot about her .
It was only after making the school run on the way home that his grandson spotted his sister, dead in the back .
James Hollingsworth will now face criminal charges as a result of the infant's death . |
66,864 | bdaa1b9b63277b8e3b41260b16bd7a2debfa65f5 | By . William Turvill . PUBLISHED: . 05:54 EST, 21 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 07:43 EST, 21 December 2013 . The Hampshire district of Hart has been named as the most desirable place to live in the UK for a third year in a row, it has emerged. Nestled in the north-east corner of the county, residents of Hart have the longest life expectancy in the country - 82.9 years for men, compared with the UK average, 79 - and are considered the UK's healthiest. People earn an average £843 a week compared with the national average of £616, and the employment rate in the area is 80 per cent - nine percentage points higher than the national average. The district of Hart in north-east Hampshire has been named as the most desirable place to live in the UK . Nestled in the north-east corner of the county, Hart residents have the longest life expectancy in the country . This is the third year in a row that the district of Hart has been named the most desirable place to live . The region, which is centred around the town of Fleet, described as ‘a step back in time’, has 84 square-miles of green wooded landscape and Hampshire’s largest freshwater lake. But Hart residents do pay for their quality of life – with the average house price costing seven times the annual local wage – much higher than the UK average multiple, 5.8 times. Uttlesford in Essex, which came in second place, also has an average house price-to-earnings ratio of seven. Placed at number six a year ago, the district performed particularly well with its 84 per cent employment rate and weekly average earnings of £819. The area has has 84 square-miles of green wooded landscape and Hampshire's largest freshwater lake . Hart residents do pay for their quality of life, with the average house price costing seven times the local salary . The area is centred around the town of Fleet, which has been described as 'a step back in time' The Halifax quality of life survey, which looks at a wide range of factors such as health and life expectancy, crime rates, weather, employment and the performance of local schools. The local government district of Hart, named after the river that runs through it, is an area renowned for its quality of life. While its main town, Fleet, may be most famous for its service station, it has produced some great sporting names. Golfer Justin Rose, tennis player John Feaver and motor racing driver Jeremy Metcalfe all have ties to the area. In addition, a Sport England survey found Hart to be the fifth most active district in the country, with more than a quarter of people exercising three times a week. As well as the high income associated with the area, this sporting prowess may go some way to explaining the average high life expectancy. There are believed to be around 85,000 residents in the area, which has a Conservative-controlled council. Fleet, which is 37 miles south-west of London, has also produced actresses Juliet Aubrey and Raquel Cassidy. Nowhere in Wales or Northern Ireland made the top 50 list, but Scotland scraped in with the Orkney Islands placed at number 50. Just one area of London was included, with the City of London in 38th position. This year saw several big climbers into the top ten list of districts with the best quality of life, mainly because Halifax has started taking into account new Office for National Statistics (ONS) research into personal wellbeing. South Northamptonshire soared up 27 places to the third spot, Rushcliffe in Nottingham shot up from number 22 last year to seven and Winchester, which was placed at number 34 in 2012, is now in ninth place. The new ONS research also helped to push Uttlesford into second place. It revealed that adults in Uttlesford believe, more than anywhere else in the UK, that what they do in life is worthwhile, scoring 8.4 out of 10 on this measure. Continuing a trend, the South East dominated the top 50 list, claiming almost half of it, with a total of 24 mentions. Meanwhile, the East of England claimed 12 of the places. Southern areas tend to score more highly for weekly earnings, weather, health and life expectancy while the North fares well on education and lower house prices in relation to earnings. Uttlesford came second in the list, with an 84 per cent employment rate and weekly average earnings of £819 . Nowhere in Wales or Northern Ireland made the top 50 list, but Scotland scraped in with the Orkney Islands . Researchers found that employment is highest in Northamptonshire, at 88.9 per cent. The highest weekly average earnings are in the London borough of Kensington and Chelsea at £1,323. Meanwhile, the biggest homes are in Uttlesford, Chiltern, South Buckinghamshire and Rutland, which all have an average of 6.4 habitable rooms. The smallest homes are all in central London - in the City of London, Tower Hamlets and Westminster. All these London areas have less than four habitable rooms on average. A total of 100 per cent of homes in East Ayrshire, Scotland, were found to have central heating, compared with the average of 96 per cent. The Orkney Islands has the lowest burglary rate at one per 10,000 people. Just one area of London was included, with the City of London in 38th position in the top-50 list . Castle Point in Essex has the lowest average annual rainfall at 20in (508mm), while the Isle of Wight was named as the sunniest place in the UK. Isle of Wight residents enjoy 37.4 hours of sunshine a week, compared with the national average of 29.7 hours. Martin Ellis, an economist at Halifax, said: 'The old adage of "health, wealth and happiness" is the traditional measure of a good quality of life. 'For the third year running Hart has delivered against a range of indicators to demonstrate its residents have the best quality of life in the UK.' The Windsor and Maidenhead district came 14th . Here are the top 50 local authority districts in the UK in Halifax's quality of life survey: . 1. Hart, South East . 2. Uttlesford, East of England . 3. South Northamptonshire, East Midlands . 4. Waverley, South East . 5. East Hertfordshire, East of England . 6. Elmbridge, South East . 7. Rushcliffe, East Midlands . 8. Wokingham, South East . 9. Winchester, South East . 10. Chelmsford, East of England . 11. South Cambridgeshire, East of England . 12. Mole Valley, South East . 13. Vale of White Horse, South East . 14. Windsor and Maidenhead, South East . 15. Chiltern, South East . 16. Epsom and Ewell, South East . 17. Mid Sussex, South East . 18. South Kesteven, East Midlands . 19. North Kesteven, East Midlands . 20. Horsham, South East . | Residents live the longest in the country - 82.9 years for men, compared with the UK average of 79 years .
People earn £843 a week compared with national average of £616, and employment rate is 80 per cent, compared with 71 per cent nationwide .
Centred around the town of Fleet, the district has 84 square-miles of green wooded landscape and Hampshire's largest freshwater lake . |
8,702 | 187efc0cabb0fc1e604e4f41f18f81cd05d47ed3 | By . Martin Robinson . PUBLISHED: . 11:06 EST, 25 March 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 15:26 EST, 25 March 2013 . Members of a gang who abused shoppers, threatened staff and chased children before ripping phones and iPads off walls in 42 stores across London have been jailed for a total of 11 years. CCTV footage from one attack on their £500,000 crime spree shows a mother sprinting to protect her terrified son as the eight men swamped and then burgled a Carphone Warehouse. On each occasion the criminals caused 'total mayhem' when they stormed high street shops to wrench high-value items from the walls in a series of violent 'steaming' raids. In scenes reminiscent of the recent London Riots, phones and tablet computers worth a total . of £143,000 were ripped out by the thieves, while the attacks caused more than £50,000 . worth of damage. Scroll down for video . Terrifying: The gang are shown here dragging electronics from the walls of this Carphone Warehouse in a New Year's Eve raid last year . Aftermath: As they sprint for the door the trail of destruction the criminals left behind shows the violence and speed of their attacks . Violence: As the gang terrorise another store a mother is shown sweeping her young son away from them (bottom right) as they go on the rampage . The criminals, some of whom were just 14, . used the 'steaming' technique, where they rob shops or mug individuals by . swamping them and threatening them with violence. The clean-up operation after the raids, which forced some stores to close temporarily, resulted in Carphone Warehouse losing a total of more than £500,000, the court heard. Passing sentence, Judge Peter Testar said: 'This conspiracy to burgle consists of a series of offences in which a number of young men rushed into branches of Carphone Warehouse and simply grabbed whatever they were able to and ran away. 'In some cases, efforts were made to . disguise appearances, but in many cases the attitude of those who . committed these offences was brazen. 'Those . who have joined the conspiracy have applied themselves to a criminal . operation of which the overall effect was very great. 'The targeting of particular premises and the mob handed means of offending indicates greater harm. 'The success (of the conspiracy) depended on force of numbers and shock. 'Many staff and customers were very frightened. 'In . one incident, a small child found himself, much to his terror and that . of his parents, being surrounded by the marauding group. 'Most of the events saw participation by more than those who have admitted responsibility for them.' Sentenced: (Top L - Bottom R) Ugo Wilson, Jahreau Shepherd, Emmanuel Kakala, and Perry Hedges were part of the gang that raided 40 stores in a £500,000 crime spree across London . Judge Testar also praised the 'good old fashioned police work' involved in bringing the gang to justice. The 'steaming' spree took place between July 1, 2012 and January 11 this year, prosecutor Edward Lucas told the court. 'The . defendants had a total disregard for the presence of customers, old or . young, when they were embarking on their criminal enterprise. 'They were always mob handed and caused total chaos. Children were pushed out of the way and forced to run away. 'These . young men, of various ages, with the youngest being just 14 at the time . of the ending, targeted Carphone Warehouses through the London and . Greater London area. 'In . groups of three or more, they went into the premises, mostly during the . afternoon, and literally ripped telephones from their displays. 'The . shops were operating as normal and the staff were on duty at the time . serving customers, and of course they were terrified by what occurred. 'Children can be seen running for cover to their parents.' Horror: The frozen child is shown in the bottom right of the screen as the criminals pull electronics from the walls around him . Fear: A mother then tears across to protect the young boy from the marauding gang . Shocked shoppers who happened to get in the way of the enterprise were simply told to stand aside or else. 'There was a menace, don't mess with us, if you get in the way there is going to be trouble,' said Mr Lucas. 'The . staff say they were extremely shocked and frightened by what occurred. They were not only frightened for themselves but also for their . customers. 'The . psychological effect cannot be minimised and the reality is that the . consequences (for shop staff and' customers) have been profound. More thugs who took part in the raids remain at large and none of the goods have been recovered. 'The . fact of the matter is the crimes themselves seem to have occurred . within the context of the individuals really not caring who is in the . shop at the time. 'They went in to steal and caused total mayhem,' added Mr Lucas. Jahreau . Shepherd, 22, who was on licence for robbery at the time of the . attacks, was jailed for four years, while Ugo Wilson, 21, was given a . 27-month prison term. Ryan . Hopkins, 18, was handed a 12-month detention and training order, while . Perry Hedges, also 18, was locked up for 26 months in a young offenders' institute. Emanuel Kakala, 18, was handed a suspended 18-month prison sentence and was also ordered to complete 80 hours unpaid work. Samuel . Warnes, 20, was also spared jail with an 18 month prison sentence . suspended for 24 months. He was also ordered to complete 150 hours . unpaid work. All six admitted their part in the plot, together with two juveniles, aged 15 and 16, who cannot be named. They were each handed 10-month and 18-month detention and training orders respectively. Shepherd, . of Kennington, southeast London; Kakala, of South Norwood; Hedges, of . Surbiton, Surrey; Ryan Hopkins, of Ickenham, Middlesex; Wilson, of . Hendon, northwest London; and Warnes, of Morden, Surrey, all admitted a . single count of conspiracy to burgle. The two youths, from Clapham and Southfields, southwest London, admitted the same charge. | The thieves have been jailed for a total of 11 years for the violent burglaries .
They sprinted into shops across London and ripped electronics from walls .
'They were always mob handed and caused total chaos,' judge says . |
88,626 | fb8ab874fb6a9836b24f8a27f4e61d67535c8153 | Iraq captain Younis Mahmoud squandered the chance of levelling the score against Iran in an Asia Cup warm-up match by putting his Panenka penalty effort over the bar. The Lions of Mesopotamia fell 1-0 behind to an experimental Iranian side in the 55th minute after Russia-based striker Sardar Azmoun swiftly nipped past the defender and poked home. The 2007 Asian champions had a fantastic opportunity to score an equaliser however Mahmoud tried to be far too clever for his own good. Iraq captain Younis Mahmoud reacts to sending his Panenka penalty over the bar . Mahmoud steps up to take his penalty as Iraq went in search of an equaliser against Iran . His penalty goes flying over the bar during the international friendly . Holders Japan beat Oceania club champions Auckland City 2-0 as half of the Asian Cup finalists played final friendly matches on Sunday before next week's kick-off in Australia. Japan coach Javier Aguirre fielded a strong side for the fixture in Newcastle with the Blue Samurai's most capped player Yasuhito Endo opening the scoring with a deflected shot in the 33rd minute. Striker Shinji Okazaki completed the victory over the semi-professional New Zealand outfit, who reached the semi-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup last month, with a stoppage time effort after being put through. Japan begin the defence of their title on January 12 against Palestine, with further Group D matches against Jordan and Iraq to come. Javier Aguirre's Japan beat Oceania club champions Auckland City 2-0 . Jordan have been in woeful form since the appointment of former England captain Ray Wilkins in September, with their wait for a first victory under his guidance extended after a 1-0 loss to Bahrain in Victoria. Faouzi Aaish scored the winner with six minutes remaining. Iran will take on Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Bahrain in an all West Asian Group C. Elsewhere, South Korea recorded a 2-0 win over Saudi Arabia to boost their confidence ahead of Group A challenges against Kuwait, Oman and the hosts. An own goal by Osama Hawsawi in the 68th minute set them on their way with striker Lee Jung-hyub notching in stoppage time from close range to make the game safe with a debut goal. The Saudis were thumped 4-1 by Bahrain on Tuesday and look ill prepared ahead of Saturday's Group B opener against China and follow up clashes with North Korea and Uzbekistan. | Younis Mahmoud hit penalty over the bar during second half .
Iran has taken the lead thanks to goal by striker Sardar Azmoun .
Japan beat Auckland City 2-0 in pre-tournament friendly . |
185,979 | 7cd784923d603a559ca212b1a93ebc97f272c86f | LONDON, England (CNN) -- The archbishops of Canterbury and York are recommending that churches stop sharing the chalice at communion over swine flu fears, the Church of England said Thursday. The Church of England's leaders are recommending parishoners don't share the chalice. The archbishops wrote a letter to all Church of England bishops with the recommendation. It follows government advice not to share "common vessels" for food or drink so as not to spread the virus. In the Anglican Church, worshippers commonly drink from the same chalice during communion. The chalice is wiped before the next person drinks from it. For churches that still wish to offer both bread and wine, the archbishops recommend the priest dip communion wafers in the chalice before handing them out to those taking communion. "The Department of Health have recently advised us that 'in a pandemic it makes good sense to take precautions to limit the spread of disease by not sharing common vessels for food and drink,'" the archbishops write in the letter. "In the light of this advice, we recommend those presiding at Holy Communion suspend the administration of the chalice during this wave of pandemic flu. For those who still wish to offer in both kinds, we recommend the practice whereby the presiding minister, whose hands should have been washed with the appropriate alcohol-based rub before handling the elements and the vessels, personally intincts all wafers before placing them in the hands of communicants." Watch more on Australian vaccine trial » . The archbishops note that this practice is widely observed in Anglican churches throughout Africa. "Communicants receiving in this way need to be confident that the clergy and all assistant ministers follow the relevant guidance on hygiene," they write. The Archbishop of Canterbury is the spiritual leader of the worldwide Anglican Church, the second-largest Christian denomination after the Roman Catholic Church. | Archbishops of Canterbury and York recommend churches stop sharing chalice .
Follows government advice not to share "common vessels" for food or drink .
Church says move is to help stop spread of swine flu . |
75,807 | d6f9354eaa13020d13a96f464f079cb180f09997 | Ahmed Abu Khatallah has been an enigma since his name first emerged as a possible leader of the Benghazi terrorist attack that killed four Americans. He didn't hide in the months after the September 11, 2012, assault on a U.S. diplomatic compound, instead giving media interviews in public, including one with CNN's Arwa Damon. "No problem," he replied in 2013 when Damon asked if he would be willing to meet with U.S. investigators presumably searching for him. "But not as an interrogation," he added, suggesting instead "a conversation, like the one we are having with you now." It didn't work out that way. More than a year later, U.S. special forces nabbed Abu Khatallah in a weekend mission near Benghazi, the Obama administration announced Tuesday. Under questioning . Instead of the conversation he proposed, Abu Khatallah is being questioned before his transfer to the United States to face charges in the Benghazi attack. "As a general rule, the government will always seek to elicit all the actionable intelligence and information we can from terrorist suspects taken into our custody," said National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden. The FBI-led High Value Detainee Interrogation Group team, which also includes CIA and military intelligence members, typically conducts such intelligence interviews. On Tuesday, a federal judge unsealed charges filed last year that accuse Abu Khatallah of killing a person in the course of an attack on a federal facility with a firearm and a dangerous weapon, and of attempting and conspiring to provide material support to terrorists resulting in death. The charges, filed in U.S. District Court in Washington, also accuse him of discharging, brandishing, using, carrying and possessing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Former prisoner under Gadhafi . Believed to be in his early 40s, Abu Khatallah emerged from years in prison under the regime of former Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi to form an Islamist militia and later became associated with Ansar al-Sharia, a group U.S. officials blamed for the 2012 attack that killed Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three others. Coming in the midst of a U.S. presidential campaign, the assault ignited a political firestorm. Republican critics of President Barack Obama and then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton seized on the vulnerability of the U.S. compound on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks to accuse the administration of failing to provide proper security. They also alleged a politically inspired coverup when former U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice, now Obama's national security adviser, went on Sunday talk shows a few days later and blamed the unrest on spontaneous protests against an anti-Muslim video made in America. Such protests occurred in other Middle East region cities that day, but U.S. officials later acknowledged the Benghazi attack was an organized assault instead of simply a spur-of-the-moment demonstration that spiraled out of control. Clinton said Tuesday in a town hall-style event broadcast on CNN that she hoped Abu Khatallah's capture would bring answers to some of the lingering questions over what happened in Benghazi. "We want to know who was behind it, what the motivation of the leaders and attackers were," she said, attributing the lingering lack of information today in part to the "fog of war" in post-Gadhafi Libya. "We tried to control traffic" In his interview with CNN's Damon, Abu Khatallah offered little explanation for what happened or his exact role. "I didn't know where the place was," he said, aided by a translator. "When I heard, we went to examine the situation. When we withdrew and there was shooting with medium guns and there were RPG's in the air and people panicked, we tried to control traffic." A New York Times investigation cited multiple witnesses in Benghazi who described Abu Khatallah as playing a leading role in the attack. In the CNN interview, Damon asked if anyone from the American or Libyan government tried to get in touch with Abu Khatallah afterward, and he responded: "Never." To Damon, Abu Khatallah sounded confident at the time, rather than like someone facing an international investigation. He also made clear his sentiments on al Qaeda, the terrorist network linked to Ansar al-Sharia, which means "Supporters of Sharia." "Al Qaeda is not something to be afraid of," he said. "Al Qaeda is people who are devout about protecting their religion and their people. America is the terrorist." What took so long? His public appearances last year and the subsequent months that passed until his capture caused GOP critics to question what took so long. They hope to use the Benghazi issue against Clinton, the overwhelming favorite for the Democratic presidential nomination if she decides to run. Asked Tuesday about why it took so long to get Abu Khatallah, Pentagon spokesman Rear Adm. John Kirby said the important thing was that the mission accomplished its goal with no American casualties. He and other officials have emphasized that building a criminal case against a terror suspect for an attack in a foreign country is challenging and takes time. A law enforcement source also told CNN that Abu Khatallah went into hiding following media interviews he gave last year. "What matters is not that it took a matter of time to get him, but that we got him," Kirby said. "And I can't speak for his living habits. But let's just say for argument's sake he was living in plain sight. He's not anymore." Captured key Benghazi suspect will face U.S. criminal courts . What to know about the consulate attacks . Timeline of the Benghazi attacks . Slain ambassador died 'trying to help build a better Libya' Ex-SEALs, online gaming maven among Benghazi dead . | Ahmed Abu Khatallah denied to CNN last year that he led the Benghazi attack .
He was imprisoned under Moammar Gadhafi, then formed an Islamist militia .
Don't fear al Qaeda, he told CNN's Arwa Damon .
He is being brought to the United States to face charges . |
155,296 | 54ba26890c8f14b3b38a4ee489320d90d47e2a35 | A Texas couple have told a court they were subjected to harassment by a group of Scientologists, who allegedly taunted them in the street, pointed cameras at their home and sent a sex toy to their office. Monique Rathbun is bringing a lawsuit claiming she suffered emotional distress after a 199-day campaign of harassment that she claims was directed by Scientology leader David Miscavige. She claimed that whenever she or her husband and former Scientologist Marty went outside, a group known as the 'squirrel busters' would approach them and tell Mr Rathbun to stop what he was doing. Court: Monique, pictured with husband Marty Rathbun, claims she suffered emotional distress after being harassed by members of the Scientology church . Mrs Rathbun alleged the harassment was part of a wider three-year campaign against her husband, that began when he left the church in 2009 and started to criticize Mr Miscavige and the way the church was managed. The 41-year-old's husband has advised others who have left the church and given them the same style of counseling offered by Scientology facilities, according to the Tampa Bay Times. The church frowns on people practicing its methods outside of the official community and those who do it are known as squirrels - hence the name for the group of people accused of harassing the Rathbuns. According to Mrs Rathbun, the harassment began when a photo of the couple's home appeared in Scientology magazine Freedom. Complaint: The lawsuit alleges church members known as the Squirrel Busters, who wore T-shirts with Marty Rathbun's head on a squirrel's body, harassed the couple . Shortly after, she claimed she received emails from anonymous accounts telling her to leave her husband and was given a hand-delivered envelope at her office containing secrets about her husband, Radar reported. 'They were trying to . get me to leave him,' she told the court, alleging that she soon became targeted. She claimed several websites were set up saying that she was a man who had a sex operation, which was why the couple couldn't have a baby. Later, a group known as the Squirrel Busters allegedly rented a house near the couple's home and would turn up in a golf buggy, wearing T-shirts showing Mr Rathbun's head on a squirrel's body. 'Every time we left our house, any time . we went out the door, here they came in golf carts,' Mrs Rathbun . said during testimony at Comal County court. Allegations: Scientology leader David Miscavige is named in the lawsuit that claims the couple were harassed . She claimed the church tried to distance her from her husband by allegedly sending private investigators to friends and family, delivering a sex toy anonymously to her office and installing cameras next to their San Antonio home. When the cameras were installed Mrs Rathbun said she decided to sue because 'we just can't keep running'. In court, Mrs Rathbun confirmed to the church's attorney Les Strieber III that no church representative had ever physically assaulted the couple or trespassed on their property. And, although she had seen cameras pointed at their house, Mrs Rathbun had not seen any photos taken. Mr Strieber, who is part of a team representing the seven defendants named in the lawsuit, suggested in court that the couple had infringed on church trademarks through the counseling. Member: Marty Rathbun had been part of the Scientology church until 2009 . The Rathbuns are suing Mr Miscavige, two church entities, three private investigators and one of the Squirrel Busters. The hearing will also seek to determine whether a temporary injunction against Mr Miscavige should be made permanent. Lamont Jefferson, who is representing the church leader, said Scientology had a right to protect its practices and had not broken any laws when it confronted the Rathbuns. The case continues. | Monique Rathbun sues seven people including leader David Miscavige .
Husband was former Scientologist who quit in 2009 .
Scientology lawyers claim they were working to protect practices . |
66,720 | bd35b811bfb04b334fb77f393a36d5424b396882 | It's been described as the Holy Grail for tea connoisseurs - and a cup will set you back £5. The pricey brew comes from India's Darjeeling Makaibari Tea Estate and there are only 420 jars of the rare tea on sale in the country. Moonlight Silver Tip's tea-leaves are harvested between midnight and 3am once every 108 years on a full-moon night in June. And each £50 12g jar makes just ten cups of tea. Moonlight Silver Tips' tea-leaves are harvested between midnight and 3am once every 108 years on a full-moon night in June. The rare tea comes from Makaibari Tea Estate in Darjeeling, India . A 12g jar of the Moonlight Silver Tips tea costs £50 . The high value is due to the small window of opportunity available to pick the leaves, which has to be done at the right celestial moment. And the weather conditions have to be perfect as well; the night the tea is picked has to be bright and clear. Mark Nicholls, tea taster at Hampstead Tea in London, where the jars can be purchased, said: 'The rarity of Moonlight Silver Tips is due to the optimum picking conditions occurring once every 108 years. 'This tea was picked during the summer solstice and a full moon, giving this rare planetary configuration. 'In addition, the tea was picked by moonlight, with the conditions of the night of 13th June, between midnight and 3am, optimal.' The white tea comes from the world's first biodynamic estate on the oldest tea plantation in Darjeeling. Biodynamic agriculture is a form of organic farming. Described as a holistic understanding of agricultural processes, it treats soil fertility, plant growth and livestock care as as ecologically interrelated tasks, emphasising spiritual and mystical perspectives. Moonlight Silver Tips tea has a light pale white sherry depth, with a delicate peachy flavour. The tea leaves benefit best from being brewed with filtered water. The white tea comes from the world's first biodynamic tea estate on the oldest tea plantation in Darjeeling . Yellow Gold Tea Buds . At about £62 for 50 grams (25 cups), the leaves of this Chinese tea are painted with non-toxic 24-carat gold. They are harvested on one day a year with special golden scissors, and only from the top part of the tree. Panda dung tea . Reportedly costing £127 a cup, this tea from China is not actually made with panda poo but grown in ground that is fertilised by the bear's excrement. Pandas only eat wild bambo, of which 30 per cent is absorbed into their body. The rest of the nutrients are in their waste, which, according to connoisseurs, makes the tea taste of bamboo. Da Honh Pao . The half green-half black Da Honh Pao tea is similar to a heavy Darjeeling. The taste is described as rich and floral and lingers in the mouth several minutes after drinking. The £180 a pot tea is served at Royal China Club's restaurants in London. Gyokuro . A Japanese green tea made from ungrounded leaves also known as Sencha, the leaves are shaded from the sun before they are harvest. 100g of the super-exclusive tea costs £26. Tieguanyin . This Chinese tea costs £1,900 per kg. The Oolong tea leaf is robust and can be brewed up to seven times before it loses its flavour. The price is steep because the leaves are kneaded before being put into cloth bags so they make a pitch-perfect sound when they are poured into the cup. | Pricey brew comes from Makaibari Tea Estate, Darjeeling, India .
Family-run plantation the world's first biodynamic tea estate .
Only 420 12g jars of rare £50 tea available . |
130,573 | 34dce37535b07ab748ef3f4d32f13a2f4399620b | I don’t know about you, but I find this time of year a bit of a struggle. The fun and frolics of Christmas are over, and it’s back to work – getting up and going home in pitch darkness, and battling through the cold, wind and rain just to grab a pint of milk from the shop. If I had my way, I’d burrow down under the duvet and hibernate til the spring sunshine makes an appearance. Scroll down for video . This week Binky shows you how to get a polished makeup look, perfect for the winter weather, in just five minutes . But since that’s not an option, I’ve gone for the next best option. I’ve created a quick and easy make-up regime that will have you have you looking fresh-faced and gorgeous in a flash – just the thing to brighten up those dark winter days. Step 1: The Base . Chilly weather and central heating are a dehydrating double-whammy for your complexion, so this is a good moment to invest in a decent foundation. DiorSkin Star Foundation gives excellent full coverage, evening out dry, dull winter skin without feeling greasy or cakey – I applied it with a foundation brush to achieve a professional finish. Binky begins with a correcting concealer as a quick fix for any blemishes . Christmas indulgences often lead to blemishes, so I also used a touch of bareMinerals Correcting Concealer to disguise any spots and under-eye shadows. This product has a lovely creamy consistency, making it easy to blend, but if your concealer is a little hard, you’ll find that applying it with your fingertips helps as the heat from your hands will warm and soften the formula. A dusting of translucent powder will fix everything in place – I used bareMinerals Illuminating Veil Powder, swept onto my forehead, cheeks and T-zone with a big fluffy brush. Step 2: Cheeks and Eyes . I’ve become a real fan of contouring powders. Clever shading and highlighting can subtly alter your face shape, sharpening up those cheekbones and adding a glamorous dewy sheen that looks super-flattering. Binky uses contouring powders to sharpen her cheek bones . For this quick look, I used the Red Carpet Cosmetics Contour Made Easy palette, blending the contour shades under my cheekbones and dusting the highlight shades across my cheeks, forehead, nose and chin. Sticking with the same palette for speed, I worked the same light shimmery shades all over my eyelids with a medium-size, flat brush, followed by applying the warmer shades along the crease of my eye to add definition. Using a single palette for face and eyes really pulls your look together, as well as saving both time and money! A few coats of Too Faced Lashgasm Mascara will add a polished finish to your eyes. Work the brush from roots to tips, wiggling from side to side as you go to ensure each lash is fully coated with mascara. Lips need extra care this time of years so Binky recommends opting for a tinted balm . Finally, use your fingertips to work a touch of Daniel Sandler Watercolour Cream Blusher in Soft Pink into your cheeks. Winter complexions tend to look pale and washed-out, so blusher is a must at this time of year, and this lovely creamy formula is a welcome treat for your skin, too. Step 3: The Lips . The delicate skin on your lips is especially vulnerable at this time of year when the wind and cold can play havoc, so a hydrating and protective product is a great beauty investment. I slicked on a coat of Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector in Rose Shimmer. Again, it’s super-quick to apply, it gives a fresh shimmery finish, and (best of all) its rich, moisturizing formula will take care of your precious pout! To get Binky;s glamorous day-to-day look it only takes three simple steps and five minutes . Time’s up! Three steps and five minutes from start to finish, and that pale creature that greeted you in the mirror when you woke up will be transformed into a glowing, fresh-faced beauty – a gorgeous ray of sunshine on a dreary winter day. If you’re tempted to try any of the products I’ve recommended here, then head to Escentual.com, the fab e-boutique for all your beauty favourites. Or if you’re guilty of over-splurging in the January sales, here are a few cheaper alternatives I’m loving: . Keep warm and stay gorgeous! Love Binky xxx . | Binky has created a day-to-day look that takes just three simple steps .
To achieve the glamorous finish, simply focus on cheeks, eyes and lips .
She has also taken weather into account and suggests helpful winter tips .
L’Oreal True Match Liquid Foundation .
L’Oreal Lumi Magique Pearl Powder .
Sleek Contour Kit .
Maybelline Great Lash Mascara .
NYX Mega Shine Lipgloss . |
213,101 | 9ff811acb977255ee953f28da2ebdfc378585aba | Gales of gases whipping through the universe are dimming galaxies, researchers have discovered. Astronomers found the bright core of a spiral galaxy 245 million light years away has unexpectedly lost more X-ray radiation than expected because of the strong winds. And these, in turn, mean the winds are able to spread through the superhot disk surrounding a black hole at speeds five times faster than was predicted. Astronomers have discovered strange and unexpected behaviour around the supermassive black hole at the heart of the galaxy NGC 5548. The researchers detected a clumpy gas stream originating in a superheated region called a quasar (illustration shown) flowed outwards and enabled fast winds to form . Wind storms of up to 620 miles (1,000km) per second are known in galaxies, but the new study found they can blow up to 3,100 miles (5,000km) per second. Most galaxies are thought to have a supermassive black hole at their centres, including our own Milky Way. Around the black hole is a quasar, a disk-like region of superheated material drawn in from the rest of the galaxy. The black hole takes in matter from this quasar and then expels it outwards. However, the process of how this happens is relatively poorly understood. The new research suggests streams of gas shield the black hole by absorbing X-ray radiation. The streams are like wisps, flowing away from the disk surrounding the black hole but taking X-ray radiation with them. These streams of gas are produced in the quasar, through methods unknown. By absorbing X-ray radiation this allows winds to form that can blow material away. The research is the best evidence so far of these gas streams in action. And the studies found a new gas outflow that allowed the wind to reach speeds five times faster than originally thought. In fact, the streams blocked 90 per cent of low-energy X-rays. This could mean material is being pushed away from some black holes at a much faster rate than thought. The observations were made in the nucleus of galaxy NGC 5548, which contains a region of powerful X-ray light surrounding the galaxy’s central black hole. But the winds, rarely seen in the heart of this type of galaxy, cast new light on the poorly-understood processes about the interaction between galaxies and their central black holes. The study, published in Science Express, provides the first direct evidence for the long-predicted shielding process needed to accelerate powerful gas streams, or ‘winds,’ to high speeds. Almost all galaxies are thought to have supermassive black holes at their centres, but most are dormant as they have very little material near them. In some galaxies, however, gas, dust and even stars are close enough to the black hole to fall into it and they encircle the black hole in a superhot region known as a quasar. Astronomers call these ‘active galaxies,’ as the matter spiralling into the black hole forms the disk-shaped quasar that heats up and shines extremely brightly, emitting radiation, including X-rays and ultraviolet. The ultraviolet radiation can launch winds outward, which may be so strong that they can blow off gas that would have otherwise fallen onto the black hole, slowing its growth down again. This feedback mechanism means black hole winds can regulate both the growth of a black hole and its host galaxy. But the winds only come into existence if their starting point is shielded from X-rays. This artist's impression illustrates the finding, by an international team of astronomers, of the flowing outward from the supermassive black hole at the centre of active galaxy NGC 5548, with the arrow showing the line of sight of the observations. The gas filament blocked 90 per cent of the X-rays emitted from the black hole . The newly discovered stream of gas in the galaxy NGC 5548 - the first of its kind in one of the best-studied active galaxies - provides this protection, and it appears that the shielding has been going on for at least three years. ‘This is a milestone in understanding the interaction of supermassive black holes and their host galaxies,’ said Professor Graziella Branduardi-Raymont from University College London’s Mullard Space Science Laboratory. ‘I was delighted when our consortium agreed to focus the campaign on NGC 5548, as I first became interested in this active galaxy almost three decades ago, observing it with the X-ray instruments operating in space at the time.’ Supermassive black holes in the nuclei of active galaxies, such as NGC 5548, are known to expel large amounts of matter through powerful winds of ionised gas. This is the galaxy known as NGC 5548. At its heart, though not visible here, is a supermassive black hole behaving in a strange and unexpected manner. Wind storms of up to 620 miles (1,000km) per second are known in galaxies, but this new study found they can blow up to 3,100 miles (5,000km) per second . The persistent wind of NGC 5548, known for two decades, reaches speeds exceeding 620 miles (1,000km) per second. But now a new obscuring wind has arisen, much stronger and faster than the persistent wind. ‘The new wind reaches speeds of up to 5,000 kilometres [3,100 miles] per second but is much closer to the nucleus than the persistent wind,’ said Dr Jelle Kaastra, of the Netherlands Institute for Space Research. “The new gas outflow blocks 90 per cent of the low-energy X-rays that come from very close to the black hole, and it obscures up to a third of the region that emits the ultraviolet radiation at a few light-days distance from the black hole.' Because of this shielding, the persistent wind far away from the nucleus receives less radiation and cools down. This causes new features to arise in the spectrum of the wind detected, allowing researchers to pinpoint the location of the strongest persistent wind component. Ultimately the research could herald new insights into how supermassive black holes interact with the galaxies they inhabit. | Researchers have found evidence for how rapid winds form in galaxies .
Team was led by the Netherlands Institute for Space Research in Utrecht .
Used observational data from Nasa and Esa telescopes, including Hubble .
They found distant galaxy NGC 5548 had streams of gas around its core .
Streams originate in superheated region around the core called a quasar .
They shield the supermassive black hole and allow fast winds to form .
Although predicted previously, these were five times faster than thought . |
176,064 | 6fee8eded1f6a16509583764b274a1805b5bf7fa | 'Unfair advantage': Prince Charles is facing fresh scrutiny over his finances - with MPs claiming his tax payments are not transparent . Prince Charles is facing fresh scrutiny over his finances, as MPs claimed his tax payments are not transparent and the way he is funded may offer an ‘unfair advantage’. A powerful committee said the Duchy of Cornwall, the private estate of lucrative land and property holdings which paid the Prince a record income of £19milion last year, does not pay businesses taxes. And while they praised the heir to the throne for voluntarily agreeing to pay income tax, he was accused of disguising the exact rate he pays by lumping it together with his VAT. Margaret Hodge, chair of the Commons Public Accounts Committee, said a number of steps needed to be taken to bring the Duchy ‘more in line with the expectations of the present day.’ The Duchy, worth £847million, is not liable for corporation tax or capital gains tax. Mrs Hodge said: ‘The Duchy enjoys an exemption from paying tax even though it engages in a range of commercial activities. This tax exemption my give it an unfair advantage over its competitors who do pay corporation tax and capital gains tax. ‘The Treasury should examine whether the Duchy’s tax exemption creates an unlevel playing field.’ Clarence House denied this was the case. A spokesman said: ‘As we explained in the PAC hearing, we do not believe we have a competitive advantage. The Duke of Cornwall’s income is taxed at income tax rates. ‘The Duchy is not subject to corporation tax and the Duchy is not a corporation. The Duchy is exempt from any tax on capital gains, any capital gains have to be reinvested in the business and cannot be distributed.’ MPs claimed in their report on the Duchy of Cornwall published today that it was ‘not transparent precisely how much and what rate of income tax is paid by the Prince of Wales'. Extensive: The Duchy of Cornwall comprises more than 50,000 acres of land in 24 countries, including The Oval cricket ground in London, pictured above . He paid £4.4million in tax last year – and they acknowledged the ‘vast majority’ of it was income tax. But earlier this year the committee accused the prince of paying a lower tax rate – at 23.6pc – than his domestic servants. In this report they call for the two payments to be disclosed separately, and also accused the Treasury of failing to scrutinise the Duchy’s finances rather than relying only on reports from estate officials. But Mrs Hodge said the Duchy of Cornwall - which comprises more than 50,000 acres in land in 24 countries including The Oval cricket ground in London as well as lucrative investments - had ‘performed well’ in 2012-13. Action: Margaret Hodge, chair of the Commons Public Accounts Committee, said steps needed to be taken to bring the Duchy 'more in line with the expectations of the present day' It increased its total income to £28.8million and produced an overall surplus of £19.1million. Last night one of the country’s leading tax experts, who did not wish to be named, blasted the committee’s report saying they were mistaken in suggesting the Duchy should pay businesses taxes and accused the committee of ‘ill- informed financial showboating’. ‘It disappoints me that they have perpetuated this error in suggesting that the Duchy ought to pay a corporation tax’, the expert said. ‘It is not a corporation. It is a private estate, a private dukedom on which the beneficiary pays income tax. In actual fact the Prince of Wales doesn’t have to even do that but does so voluntarily.’ He said the one area where he agreed with the committee was on the amount of tax the prince was allowed to write off as expenses – which was £10.9million, or more than half his income. ‘I don’t think many private clients would be given such a generous expense allowance. And I also agree with them in their argument about separating the prince’s VAT and income tax. They are very different things and there is no logical reason for lumping them together’, he said. In a July session of the committee, Labour MP Austin Mitchell claimed the prince was paying a lower tax rate than his servants. He claimed Charles’ payment of 23.6pc of his income in direct and indirect taxes compared with 38 per cent paid by the poorest quarter of the population. | Prince Charles's tax payments are not transparent, claim MPs .
Committee says the way he is funded may offer an 'unfair advantage'
Prince earned £19m from his Duchy of Cornwall estate last year . |
80,100 | e306a7404757772c1f0da207aab784fb75be05e2 | Anderson Cooper's next set of tough questions could be reserved for his long-term boyfriend Ben Maisani after pictures of him surfaced kissing another man. Maisani, 39, was spotted in a close embrace with a dark-haired, muscle-bound man in a New York park. The images may come as a surprise to the CNN news anchor after it was reported last month that he wanted to marry his partner as soon as Labor Day. Embrace: Anderson Cooper's boyfriend Ben Maisani (left) kisses a mystery man while sitting in a New York park . Close: Maisani, 39, was reportedly on the verge of marrying news anchor Anderson Cooper . Clinch: Anderson Cooper's boyfriend Ben Maisani openly kisses another man in a public park . The wedding rumor came several weeks after Cooper, 45, spoke publicly about his sexuality for the first time, saying: ''The fact is, I'm gay, always have been, always will be, and I couldn't be more happy.' There was no hint of upset from Cooper last night who looked typically sharp in a navy suit as he joined other A-listers in New York to watch Beyonce perform at the UN headquarters for World Humanitarian Day. It is believed that Cooper has been dating Maisani, who owns gay bar Eastern Bloc in Manhattan's East Village for around three years. The couple live together at Cooper's converted fire station townhouse and enjoy a low-key lifestyle, working out and going to dinner with friends including Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick. They were encouraged to marry last year by Anderson's mother, designer Gloria Vanderbilt. She reportedly helped the pair patch up their relationship after they struggled with conflicting work schedules. Passion: Maisani, 39, is well-known as the partner of the popular TV host and the couple live together in Cooper's New York townhouse . Sharp: The news anchor looked typically dapper as he attended Beyonce's performance at the UN building in New York on Saturday night . Wedding bells: CNN anchor Anderson Cooper is reportedly planning to marry his long-term boyfriend, gay club owner Ben Maisani. Here they are pictured leaving David Barton Gym in 2010 . Cooper agreed to cut back on trips abroad, while Maisani said he would do fewer night shifts at his bar. Vanderbilt, . 88, was also reportedly encouraging the men to adopt a child. Cooper's sexuality has long been an open secret in TV circles, but for him to state it publicly was a brave and bold move. He . said he was moved by recent events such as Barack Obama's endorsement . of gay marriage - and hopes his example will put an end to bullying. The journalist is also one of the most high profile people to come out in recent . years, given that he hosts CNN's 'Anderson Cooper 360' and his own . daytime TV talk show. Enjoying the afternoon: Although Cooper's relationship with Maisani was an open secret in TV circles, he came out publicly earlier this summer . | Bar owner Ben Maisani, 39, caught in embrace with dark-haired mystery man .
News anchor had reportedly been planning marriage to partner of 3 years .
Cooper and Maisani share the TV host's luxury Manhattan townhouse . |
45,316 | 7fbae9c93d7407a0e0155f6f9a1a9f2dc24f4ff4 | By . Lydia Warren and David Mccormack . PUBLISHED: . 14:47 EST, 29 March 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 02:42 EST, 30 March 2013 . A 14-year-old cancer sufferer who touched the hearts of people across the country with her unwavering determination to complete a bucket list before her death has passed away. Katelyn Norman died peacefully at East Tennessee Children's Hospital at 8.19am on Friday. She had been fighting osteosarcoma, an aggressive bone cancer, for two years but doctors told her it had spread to her heart, arteries, pelvis and spine and that there was nothing more they could do. On learning the prognosis, Katelyn drew up a . bucket list of activities she hoped to complete, including a slow dance, learning to drive a car, spending a day with each of her siblings and visiting Italy. Scroll down for video . Loss: Katelyn Norman, a cancer sufferer whose positivity touched people across the country, has died . Just hours after Katelyn passed away in her sleep, a walk at Jacksboro Middle School that was supposed to be a fundraiser to send Katelyn to Italy, instead celebrated her life, reports WBIR.com. Organizers say the $1,800 raised will go to help her family with expenses. Dozens of girls wore bright green bows in their hair as a symbol of their support for the teen. Earlier this week her family and friends had ensured she was able to tick off one desire: Attending a prom. She was supposed to attend the event in her honor in LaFollette, Tennessee on . Tuesday night, but had to be airlifted to . hospital earlier in the day after struggling to breathe. But it did not stop her. Classmates and . relatives brought the party to her bedside instead, bringing balloons, . music and her smartly-dressed date to make sure she didn't miss out. Katelyn, who was in a stable condition . and high spirits on Tuesday night, was pictured grinning as her date . bent down to her hospital bed to present her with her corsage. Special day: Katelyn Norman, 14, was presented a sash by her date at her prom in hospital on Tuesday night . Dream come true: Her date presented Katelyn, who suffered from terminal bone cancer, with a corsage . Outside the hospital, thousands of . people lined along Highway 63 as part of a candle-lit vigil for Katelyn, . who had insisted that a party continue in her absence. A Facebook page supporting Katelyn . run by her best friend Brandon Huckaby has been flooded with messages of . condolences and love for the family. Huckaby posted a poem by an unknown . author called 'Four Candles' on the Facebook page shortly after Katelyn . died that ended with, 'We cherish the special place in our hearts that . will always be reserved for you. We thank you for the gift your living . brought to each of us. We love you. We remember you.' One of the other items on Katelyn's . bucket list was to see the band Of Mice & Men in concert and get an . autographed T-shirt from them. The band's fans flooded their Facebook . page and Twitter accounts with links to Katelyn's story, urging them to . reach out to her. The band's lead vocalist Austin Carlile tweeted about Katelyn earlier in the week and again today. 'I told her not to be afraid because . she wouldn't be alone,' Carlile tweeted. 'My mom is already an angel and . would be taking care of her.' 'Heaven gained another angel this . morning. #RIPKatelynNorman Her light will never go out. She'll always be . in my heart. I promised her that,' he wrote. Celebration: Staff and family members gathered for the prom, which was on Katelyn's bucket list . Party: She was supposed to attend a prom in her honour at her school on Tuesday but fell ill earlier in the day . Personal party: Guests tucked into drinks and cake - which was iced with the theme of the party . A fundraising page to help pay for . Katelyn's wish list has produced an outpouring of affection and . generosity towards the teen. The page has raised more than $80,000, most . of which has been donated this week. Donations will be withdrawn from the . site on April 2. The check will be sent to Katelyn and her family, along . with copies of all of the messages of support. The website, GoFundMe.com, takes a percentage from each donation, but the rest of the money will be sent to the family. Some of the money will go to churches . and families that Katelyn wanted to support, she told her mother. The . money will also be used to cover funeral expenses. 'I've never seen this community come . together quite as much as they have over one single person,' said Sharon Shepherd, an instructor at Katelyn's school and prom coordinator. '[Katelyn] will change your life. You'll never be the same. She . will make an impact on you. She's a jewel. My life will never be the . same.' A motorcycle riding club helped . Katelyn check off another item by organizing a ride down Campbell . County's main drag, although she was too weak to ride. Loved: Other friends and community members gathered outside her bedroom window for a vigil . Joy: Katelyn, who has been credited with bringing a community together, looks at the gathering outside . Big day: Katelyn, who had bone cancer, was hospitalized earlier in the day as she struggled to breathe . 'That was amazing just seeing everybody. Rolling down the windows just saying hi to everybody,' said Katelyn after the event. Originally Katelyn had been due to attend Tuesday night's prom which was held at The . Stables in LaFollette, and had been personalized for the teenager, with the . theme 'Katie in the Sky with Diamonds'. 'She contacted me and said prom must go . on, that's her, and you can't help but feed off that energy, that life,' Sharon Shepard, an instructor at Katelyn's school and prom coordinator, told WATE-TV. Friends . danced, ate and drank at the party, and posed in front of Italian . landscape backdrops - a nod to Katelyn's other dream to visit Italy, a dream she never fulfilled. The Campbell County mayor, William . Bailey, also attended the prom - where he announced Tuesday - March 26 - . would be known as 'Katelyn Norman Day'. 'We . wanted to try to make this day, and this time in her life, special to . her because she makes it special for people in Campbell County,' he . said. Smiling until the end: Katelyn, 14, was diagnosed with bone cancer in her arm in May 2011 . Healthier days: Friends and family have said that Katelyn was headstrong, upbeat and one-of-a-kind . Katelyn's mother, Erica Nelson, . previously said they hoped to complete as many activities as possible as . she spent her last days at home. 'I just want to give her what she isn't . going to see and just try to fulfill what she wants to do. It's not . really much, but it's something to her,' she said. 'We're very grateful that they're wanting to come help Katelyn. She's . touched a lot of people.' Sharon Shepard, the school nurse at Campbell County High School, where Katelyn attends, told ABC News the teenager is unlike anyone else. '[Katelyn] . will change your life,' she said. 'You'll never be the same. She will . make an impact on you. She's a jewel. My life will never be the same. 'She's . a fighter. She's just very opinionated and very well-spoken, very . headstrong, very driven and that's what has gotten her this far.' Her best friend Brandon Huckaby, 16, added to ABC: 'She's always used her sense of humor . and her grab on others to push to make everything better for everyone. Fighting back: On Tuesday she completed one bucket list item - going to a prom at her school . Family: She said that her siblings, pictured, are struggling to come to terms with her illness . Upbeat: Her friends and family said she stayed positive and confident despite her prognosis . 'She doesn't care that she's suffering. She cares that other people are suffering and she wants to stop that.' He . said that, although he's sad about losing his friend, he knows he must . help her complete her final wishes. 'This is happening,' he said. 'I'm . getting this done.' Katelyn was diagnosed with the bone . cancer in her right arm in May 2011, after a friend punched her arm and . it went limp. X-rays revealed abnormal bone and she was found to be . suffering from cancer in her arm and nodules in the lungs. She underwent bone . transplants, surgeries of tissue ligaments and chemo for her lungs, but . they failed to ward off the illness. | Katelyn Norman suffered from osteosarcoma for two years and doctors told her last week that there was nothing more they could do .
She drew up a bucket list of activities, including attending a prom .
It was held in her hometown on Tuesday but she had to be hospitalized .
Just hours after her death, a fundraising event organized to send her to Italy instead turned into a celebration of her life . |
281,709 | f8f165dc3157be3fd9c7436c861d8d960effe6be | (CNN) -- Three experienced hikers were rescued from California's Mount Whitney, but a father and son in a separate group are missing, the National Park Service said. Battling heavy snow, rescue personnel and a California National Guard helicopter reached the three men around noon (3 p.m. ET) Thursday. The men were part of a group of 10 hikers who set out on their journey up the mountain on Monday. About 45 people looked for the three hikers -- Phillip Michael Abraham, 34; Dale Clymens, 45, and Stevan James Filips, 45 -- the National Park Service said in a statement. All three were able to walk and move during a general health assessment. Two other hikers on a 36-mile cross-country loop were supposed to return Tuesday. They are Sinh Baghsohi, 27, and his father, whose first name is unknown, park officials said. Both men are originally from Iran, but their current residences are not known. The younger Baghsohi is 6 feet, 5 inches tall and weighs about 287 pounds. His father is 6 feet tall and weighs 180 pounds. They had hiked in with a friend, who became ill and hiked out, the park service said. Dave Paladino, an Omaha, Nebraska, resident and leader of the larger group, said extreme weather dumped up to three feet of snow and drastically lowered visibility in Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks. The group of 10 hikers shared a love of climbing, outdoor activities and adventure, Paladino said. They set out on their hike shortly after 4 a.m. Monday in several sub-groups, including one led by Paladino and another including all three missing hikers. "Every single one had been training for this event for years," said Paladino. The snow began for Paladino's group when they reached 10,000 feet up what he called the "10-mile hill," and picked up significantly as they went up another 2,000 feet. His group reached the summit around 3:30 p.m. Monday, staying briefly at a shelter there before going back down the mountain. The climb back down was much more difficult than expected, according to Paladino, due to the heavy snow. "It was by far the hardest thing we've ever done," said Paladino, who said he has climbed Mount Rainier in Washington state, among other peaks. At one point, his group met and talked briefly with the climbers who later went missing. Abraham later sent several texts, the last of which was between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m. Tuesday in which they said they couldn't find the trail because of the snow and were heading to the summit shelter. The three climbers did not have snow shoes, said Paladino. However, they likely had enough food and water to last several days, he said. Temperatures near the mountain's peak were in the 20s, Paladino added, not low enough to make frostbite a major concern. A rescue operation involving two hikers was begun and aborted Wednesday because of the snow. On Thursday morning, "bigger and more experienced teams" were brought in, said Paladino. "We wanted to do this," said Paladino. "These guys were doing what they loved, and we'll continue to do what we love." | Two hikers still missing are from a separate group on Mount Whitney .
Missing are father and son, originally from Iran .
Found men started hike early Monday before being hit by heavy snows and low visibility .
All three were able to walk and move during a general health assessment . |
50,550 | 8f083b1a46be549d319406a579c40e6124c8ad4c | When it came to finding a soulmate one woman from New York was prepared to pay big bucks to find 'the one'. So imagine the shock and despair Audrey Ruden faced when after paying a matchmaker to do Cupid's work, she only met men who wanted one-night stands, instead of something a little more permanent. Now the top Manhattan broker who has sold more than $500 million dollars of Manhattan real estate, wants her money back and she's prepared to fight for it. Suing Cupid: Audrey Ruden is suing Richard Easton after he failed to find her soul mate . Ms Ruden, who has been married before and is now 61, filed a lawsuit in Manhattan civil court Thursday saying Richard Easton, who runs a matchmaking service, is a fraud. Mr Easton, who has appeared on Real Housewives of New York, offers 'personalized, sophisticated, thoughtful matchmaking services provided by highly trained experts.' Ms Ruden, who is a top broker for Douglas Elliman, claims that Mr Easton's claims are 'a lie'. Instead, she claims, her six-figure fee saw her sent off on two dates with bachelors who only had an interest in short-term flings. Bitter: Single real estate broker Audrey Ruden filed in Manhattan civil court saying Richard Easton is a fraud . Promises: Easton said that 'Ms. Ruden is a lovely woman for whom we wish to make happy in love' Frustrated: Audrey Ruden says she asked for her money back but that RIchard Easton was 'unresponsive' and never returned her voicemails . One of the dates even questioned 'why she was pursuing marriage,' the suit says. The legal papers go onto claim that Ms Ruden realized Mr Easton 'had taken advantage of her intense desire to be in a committed relationship' and demanded her money back, but he refused, according to the New York Post. She alleges that the $100,000 fee also violates the state's Dating Services Law preventing 'purveyors of social referral services' from charging above $1,000 per client. Under New York state law, any dating service charging more than $25 must provide a minimum number of referrals per month. If the service does not deliver for two successive months, the client is entitled to cancel the contract with a full refund minus a cancellation fee. She even accuses the 'international playboy' of hiring men to 'create a false impression of performing the contracted-for services.' Easton told The Post, 'Ms. Ruden is a lovely woman for whom we wish to make happy in love', but he said, she has a 'strict criteria' and turned down two 'wonderful, handsome, and very successful men.' Going home alone: Ruden spent $100,000 which got her two lousy dates with bachelors who only had an interest in short-term flings . It's not the only lawsuit on Mr. Easton's plate. Earlier this month, his landlord sued him for a host of offenses, including commanding the building's employees to call him 'Prince,' ordering that a maid give him oral sex and letting his dog relieve himself on his West Village Perry Street building's rooftop deck. | Richard Easton is being sued by real estate broker Audrey Ruden .
Ruden said in court papers that the celebrity matchmaker made pairups 'wholly and categorically disregarded plaintiff’s stated desires,'
Easton says, 'Ms. Ruden simply wants the process to move quicker than the challenges of matching a 60s-year-old woman warrant' |
15,444 | 2bea092ac9239d2325a15906cc5039a7c94396c6 | (CNN) -- Argentine soccer legend Diego Maradona was taken to an area hospital after his vehicle and a bus collided, but he is fine, the state-run Telam news agency reported Monday. Maradona was traveling with his girlfriend in Ezeiza, on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, when the accident happened, Telam said. Both were transported to a local hospital for observation, the news agency reported. Sources close to Maradona told Telam neither Maradona nor his girlfriend suffered serious injuries. Maradona is a former Argentine player and coach, revered by many as one of game's greatest players. | Diego Maradona was taken to a hospital, report says .
He is not thought to have sustained serious injuries . |
172,347 | 6b0b3d1c129117e2b2f6bf2307a9fb38bf625ba1 | Seoul, South Korea (CNN) -- President Obama wrapped up an eight-day tour of Asia on Thursday, holding talks with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and speaking to American troops at Osan Air Base. Nuclear negotiations involving North Korea and Iran highlighted a news conference held by the leaders. Obama announced that he will send American envoy Stephen Bosworth to North Korea on December 8 for bilateral talks on dismantling Pyongyang's nuclear program. "If North Korea is prepared to take concrete and irreversible steps to fulfill its obligations and eliminate its nuclear weapons program, the United States will support economic assistance and help promote its full integration into the community of nations," Obama said. "That opportunity and respect will not come with threats. North Korea must live up to its obligations." Obama also said the United States and its allies were working on steps to take against Iran after its apparent rejection of a nuclear deal. "We have begun discussions with international partners about the importance of having consequences," Obama said. "Our expectation is that, over the next several weeks, we will be developing a package of potential steps we could take that will indicate our seriousness to Iran. I continue to hold out the prospect that they may decide to walk through this door. I hope they do." Iran rejected a key plank of a deal Wednesday designed to ease international fears that Tehran aims to build nuclear weapons. Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said his country will not send its partly enriched uranium abroad to be turned into material for medical research, but added that Tehran might allow its nuclear material to be reprocessed inside Iran, the semiofficial ISNA news agency reported. The deal hammered out in November with the help of the U.N. watchdog agency aimed to reduce the amount of raw material Iran has to build a nuclear bomb. Tehran denies that it wants to do so, saying its nuclear program is to produce civilian nuclear energy and do medical work. During their news conference, Obama and Lee also expressed support for a stalled U.S.-South Korea free trade agreement. The deal was signed in 2007, but has yet to be ratified by the legislatures of either country. South Korea was the final stop on Obama's four-nation tour of Asia. Obama began his trip in Japan before traveling to Singapore, where he attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations economic forum, meeting on the sidelines with world leaders including Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. Obama then traveled to China, where he met with leaders including President Hu Jintao. After their talks, the two spoke of a common vision of shared responsibilities and economic opportunities. Trade, nuclear proliferation, climate change and the sticky issue of human rights were part of their discussions. Obama, whose flight will stop for refueling in Alaska, is due back in the United States on Thursday. | President Obama returning to United States after four-nation tour of Asia .
Obama announced plans to send envoy to North Korea for nuclear talks .
Obama met with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak to discuss free trade agreement . |
185,598 | 7c68b97ed726bae1bcf90aa04824f8738a6a8577 | Jordan Campbell, 17, was found dead at a property in St Helens, Merseyside . Photographs of a 17-year-old stabbed to death following a New Year's Eve party in a flat that was set on fire have emerged. Jordan Campbell's body was discovered as emergency services put out a number of small fires at the property in St Helens, Merseyside. Three men have been charged with the teenager's murder. Daniel Joseph Wiltshire, 25, Ruben Thomas Hoather, 22, and Anthony Mark Wood, 32, are due to appear at St Helens Magistrates' Court tomorrow. Flower tributes were left at the scene today as police continue questioning the suspects. Jordan's mother, Kerry Birch, took to Facebook to pay tribute to her 'well loved' son. 'Thanks for your wishes he was a well loved son, brother, uncle and friend of many, who was loved and will be missed,' she wrote. His aunt, Tracie Campbell, described the teenager as 'fun loving'. 'My fun loving nephew gone to soon. Can't believe im never gonna hear you shout hey blondie then give me ur cheeky smile. 'Miss you little man' It is understood the teenager had been attending a New Year's Eve party at the flat on Wednesday night. Two men were arrested in connection with his death on Thursday morning, while another, aged 32 was taken into custody this morning. 'Detectives investigating the murder of Jordan Campbell in the early hours of New Year's day have arrested a third man,' a Merseyside Police spokesman said today. 'A 32-year-man was arrested in the early hours of this morning and will be questioned on suspicion of murder today. 'A Home Office post mortem examination that concluded last night established that Jordan had died as a result of a single stab wound. 'Two men arrested shortly after the incident on Thursday remain in police custody at this time on suspicion of murder.' Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article. | Jordan Campbell was murdered in the early hours of New Year's Day .
The 17-year-old was found dead at a flat in St Helens, Merseyside .
Emergency services discovered body amid 'small fires' at property .
Teenager died of a single stab wound, post mortem examination showed .
Three men aged 22, 25 and 32, have been arrested on suspicion of murder . |
180,083 | 7528eff5597901c344ad46a20b63cbbe8c6e20c1 | Los Angeles (CNN) -- The Oscar given Orson Welles for "Citizen Kane" some 70 years ago goes on sale in an online auction this month, a Los Angeles auction house announced Monday. The best screenplay award for 1941 was the only Oscar for the legendary writer, director, actor, although he was given an honorary award "for superlative artistry and versatility in the creation of motion pictures" nearly 30 years later. Welles was 25 when he wrote, directed and starred in "Citizen Kane," which the American Film Institute picked in 2007 as the top film of the previous century. The golden statuette's controversial history includes a court fight with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which tried to stop another auction in 2003. An academy official testified then that the award's value was at least $1 million. A judge cleared the way for auction with a ruling in 2004 that Welles never signed the academy's agreement not to sell the trophy, according to Nate D. Sanders Auctions spokesman Sam Heller. The academy, which aggressively challenges efforts to sell Oscar trophies, was successful three years ago in stopping the sale of two Oscars awarded to silent film star Mary Pickford. A Los Angeles jury ruled the descendants of a woman who was married to Pickford's third husband could only sell the statuettes back to the academy for a price of $10. Heller would not identify the seller, although it was known to be in the hands of Beatrice Welles, the actor's youngest daughter, after she recovered it from a planned auction in 1993. It had been "assumed to be lost" for decades but was apparently in the hands of a cinematographer who got it from Welles, Heller said. An attempt to sell it at auction in 2007 failed to draw a buyer, Heller said. It was included in a lot of historical manuscripts, not movie memorabilia, he said. "Citizen Kane," Welles' first feature film, was nominated for nine Oscars but won just for best screenplay, which Welles shared with co-writer Herman J. Mankiewicz. Welles, who portrayed a fictional media tycoon, lost to Gary Cooper in "Sergeant York" for the best actor award. John Ford's direction of "How Green Was My Valley" beat Welles for best director. The bidding in the online auction will end on the evening of December 20, Heller said. | "Citizen Kane" best screenplay award is the only Oscar Orson Welles won .
The auction house won't say who is selling the golden statuette .
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences challenges efforts to sell Oscar trophies .
Welles' daughter Beatrice won a court battle with the academy in 2004 over a planned auction . |
174,028 | 6d365b954533d5c99b661be0dc90ae295ee63972 | One woman's motivation to lose weight came when her size forced her to be wheelchair bound on a simple day out with friends. Linda Silverton, 55, discovered she was too large to walk around Coventry Cathedral in March 2012 and had to resort to using a wheelchair despite having nothing physically wrong with her. Linda, of Wembley, who weighed in at 21st 9lb at the time, decided she had to stop eating large portions and go on a diet. She took up the Cambridge Weight Plan and has since lost 9st 7lb in just 18 months, now weighing 12st 4lb. Linda went from 21st 9lb (left with husband Jeff) to 12st 4lb (right) after her size began to increasingly impact her health . She said: 'Everyone who succeeds in losing weight has that one moment in time where you are so embarrassed, so upset that it gives you the strength and motivation. For me, my moment was in Coventry - at the Cathedral.' 'We had planned a fun visit with some of my closest and oldest friends to see the Cathedral and the Transport Museum. 'It should have been a lovely weekend but I was miserable. While my friends were walking round the cathedral admiring the stained glass windows, I just about managed to hobble round. Breakfast - Three croissants and a coffee on her way to work . Lunch - Sandwich, crisps and chocolate bar . Afternoon snack - Chocolate bar/cake . Dinner - A 'proper' meal - VERY large portion . Evening snack - Chocolate bar . Breakfast - Cottage cheese with a rice cake . Mid-morning snack - Cambridge bar . Lunch - Soup . Dinner - Chicken and vegetables (small portion) Linda's size saw her diagnosed with a lupus-like syndrome and arthritis in several joints . The change in her appearance has been so extreme that her son, who lives abroad, didn't recognise her when he came home to visit . Linda said: 'Everyone who succeeds in losing weight has that one moment in time where you are so embarrassed, so upset that it gives you the strength and motivation. For me, my moment was in Coventry - at the Cathedral.' Linda says the diet has changed her life and that even her own son didn't recognise her . 'By the time we got to the transport museum I couldn't manage another step. 'My friend didn't want me to be left out so went and hired a wheelchair to push me round - it was terrible. I had become too fat to walk.' Linda, who is married to Jeff, has lived in Wembley for more than 30 years. She said: 'I had always been on the large side of normal. 'Growing up, my mother always emphasised that children shouldn't waste food and should always clear their plate. 'I often started diets but never did them for more than a couple of days. I felt fine. 'Whenever I'd go to the doctor, she would tell me that I should lose weight, but 'for my size' I was in good shape. 'During my late forties, I was diagnosed with a number of health issues, including lupus-like syndrome and arthritis in my knees and various other joints. 'Where previously I enjoyed a wander round a car boot sale or a walk around the shops on the weekend, slowly this became more difficult. ' I had little energy and even small things became exceptionally difficult. 'All the doctors I saw told me that if I lost some weight, my symptoms may improve. 'I smiled and agreed that I would do something about it.' Linda says the diet has changed her life and that people don't recognise her. She said: 'I knew the diet had really changed my life when I went to visit my son, who lives abroad. 'We had arranged that he would meet me at the airport and when I came out he looked straight through me - not recognising me. 'I knew then that I really was a new person and my life had changed in every way.' | Linda weighed nearly 22st at her heaviest .
Was diagnosed with a lupus-like syndrome and arthritis in several joints .
On a trip to Coventry Cathedral she had to resort to using a wheelchair .
Decided to lose weight and used the Cambridge Weight Plan .
Since lost 9st 7lb in just 18 months, now weighing 12st 4lb .
Her son, who lives abroad, didn't recognise her when she met him . |
81,830 | e7e1a604a173aadd897ef476706eecb539100156 | Pfizer last night signalled that its £63billion takeover of British rival AstraZeneca may cost thousands of jobs. The US drugs firm told MPs its planned takeover would ‘reduce overlaps’ between the firms and create ‘significant financial synergies’. The language is business shorthand for cost savings – such as laying off workers. US firm Pfizer - maker of blockbuster drugs like Viagra and Lipitor - claims its takeover of UK rival AstraZeneca would create a giant British-based drugs company . The warning came in evidence handed to . MPs ahead of chief executive Ian Read appearing before the business . committee of the Commons today. Pfizer . insists its pledges of a long-term commitment to Britain are ‘tangible, . legally binding and represent significant investment in the economy, . skilled workforce and knowledge base of the UK’. Business Secretary Vince Cable will be grilled by MPs tomorrow over the planned takeover . Downing Street declined to say whether Government lawyers accepted that the pledges were legally watertight. ‘We . are taking a very robust approach on this because in the event of there . being an agreement between shareholders we want the very best possible . deal for the UK, and we will be exploring every way of getting that,’ said a No 10 spokesman. Ministers . are under pressure to order an inquiry into the deal, following . warnings that it could have a major impact on British science and jobs. Authorities . in the United States and in Sweden, where AstraZeneca has 5,900 staff, . are also concerned about the potential impact on jobs. Business Secretary Vince Cable will be pressed by MPs today over whether he plans to call in the deal for scrutiny. Astra boss Pascal Soirot will also face questioning about the likely impact on his firm of any takeover. Labour said Pfizer’s promises were ‘not worth the paper they’re written on’. And . Sweden’s finance minister Anders Borg has warned Mr Cameron the pledges . should be taken with a ‘sackful of salt’ as Pfizer reneged on similar . promises on jobs and investment after its takeover of Pharmacia. A . poll last night found that just 14 per cent of the public believe the . takeover is in Britain’s interests. Only 19 per cent of people think . ministers are doing enough to protect jobs and skills. The . Survation poll for the Unite union found that 74 per cent believe a . deal on this scale should be subject to a ‘public interest test’ by . Government – a move that would require a change in the law. In . its evidence to the Commons business committee last night Pfizer . repeated its pledge to continue investment in the UK for at least five . years. The Financial Times lent its weight yesterday to the growing criticism of Pfizer’s attempts to take over AstraZeneca. In its leader column, the influential business newspaper suggested directors at AstraZeneca had a duty to employees and customers as well as to shareholders. It said: ‘One of the most troubling aspects of Pfizer’s bid is its lack of evident commercial logic. Pfizer’s dealmaking history is a deeply dispiriting one. ‘The group has a reputation for delivering returns ... through cost-crunching acquisitions.’ The firm will face . questions today over how it will reconcile its pledges to Britain with . its nod to shareholders that the deal will result in massive job cuts . and savings. David Rutley, Tory MP for Macclesfield, where Astra employs . 2,000 staff, last night urged Pfizer to offer further assurances. Mr . Rutley said: ‘Our science base is a vital national asset. This is an . uncertain time for employees and I want Pfizer to put their cards on the . table and provide stronger, more enduring commitments.’ City sources are expecting Pfizer to return with a higher bid this week of potentially £60 a share. An . offer, worth £10 a share less, has been rejected by the Astra board of . directors. Mr Read could lose out on a £70million shares windfall if the . controversial takeover collapses. As . Britain’s second biggest drugs company, Astra employs 6,700 staff in . the UK and accounts for 2.3 per cent of this country’s exports. | Viagra maker expected to hike £60billion offer after it was rejected by UK firm .
MPs, Trade Unions and science experts concerned takeover will cost jobs .
Pfizer attempts to win support with pledge to safeguard British business .
Cameron claims he has made 'very good progress' in winning guarantees . |
202,086 | 919d46cb422f42f33c8f9fc77259e6db02569cad | Haifa, Israel (CNN) -- Nine years after an American activist was crushed by an Israeli army bulldozer, an Israeli civil court ruled Tuesday that Rachel Corrie's death was an accident. Corrie, 23, was killed in 2003 while trying to block the bulldozer from razing Palestinian homes. Her parents filed suit against Israel's Ministry of Defense in a quest for accountability and sought just $1 in damages. But Judge Oded Gershon ruled Tuesday that the family has no right to damages, backing an earlier Israeli investigation that cleared any soldier of wrongdoing. "I believe this was a bad day not only for our family, but a bad day for human rights, for humanity, for the rule of law and also for the country of Israel," her mother, Cindy Corrie, said after the verdict. "Rachel's right to life and dignity were violated by the Israeli military," she said, adding that her daughter and her family deserve "accountability." Driver says he did not see American activist . "A civil lawsuit is not a substitute for a credible investigation, which we never had. This lawsuit was our only recourse as a family," Cindy Corrie explained. But the state prosecutor's office said the driver of the bulldozer couldn't see Corrie. "The death of Rachel Corrie is without a doubt a tragic accident," the office said in a statement. "As the verdict states -- the driver of the bulldozer and his commander had a very limited field of vision, such that they had no possibility of seeing Ms. Corrie and thus are exonerated of any blame for negligence." Hussein Abu Hussein, the Corrie family attorney, regards the decision as a "bad ruling" for the family and all activists. He said the Corries intend to appeal to Israel's Supreme Court. Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev countered criticism of the verdict by saying that "the whole idea that this was not a serious procedure is simply non-factual." "They (the Corries) have lost a loved one, and we can all empathize with them," Regev said. "But I thik their criticism of the Israeli judiciary is unfounded. The Israeli judiciary is known for its independence, which they fiercely guard." Corrie was nonviolently protesting the demolition of Palestinian civilian homes in Rafah, Gaza, when she died. She was working with the Palestinian-led International Solidarity Movement at the time. Corrie's parents say they have searched for answers in their daughter's death for years. "The more we found out, the more likely that the killing was intentional, or at least incredibly reckless," father Craig Corrie said in 2010. "As a former soldier, I was even in charge of bulldozers in Vietnam. ... You're responsible to know what's in front of that blade, and I believe that they did." Craig Corrie said the soldiers, too, are victims. He does not view them with disdain. "So I'm not full of hatred for this person, but it was a horrendous act to kill my daughter, and I hope he understands that." In 2010, the Israeli soldier who drove the bulldozer testified publicly for the first time -- from behind a partition. The driver's identity has never been revealed, and he was not charged after a monthlong Israeli investigation found that no Israeli soldier was to blame. Corrie's parents cannot take him to court because the Israeli Supreme Court has upheld a decision to shield him. The driver testified repeatedly that he did not see Corrie before he struck her, saying there was a pile of rubble impeding his vision. Hanan Ashrawi, a member of the Palestine Liberation Organization Executive Committee and head of the PLO Department of Culture and Information, also condemned the ruling. She said that the evidence shows Corrie was "deliberately murdered" and that the Israeli court has victimized her again. "We must make sure that Rachel Corrie's death is not a senseless incident," Ashrawi said in a statement. "It must be stressed that Israel's habit of blaming the victim and exonerating the criminal is not (only) applied to Palestinian victims, but also it has extended its reach to international solidarity activists and victims of Israeli violence." Amnesty International said that the court upheld a "flawed Israeli military investigation, completed within one month" of Corrie's death and that the "verdict seems to have ignored substantial evidence presented to the court, including by eyewitnesses." "Rachel Corrie was clearly identifiable as a civilian, as she was wearing a fluorescent orange vest when she was killed," said Sanjeev Bery, Middle East and North Africa advocacy director for Amnesty International USA. U.S. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said the United States has worked with the Corries "all through this process and we will continue to provide consular support. " "We understand the family's disappointment with the outcome of the trial. Under Israeli law the family has the right to appeal the verdict and we've seen reports that they are considering doing that. So we will see how this proceeds going forward." Since Corrie's death, soccer players in Gaza have honored the activist with an annual memorial tournament. "Rachel Corrie: The Palestinian People Won't Forget Their Highly Respected Friends," a wall near the makeshift concrete soccer field reads. "There's never closure," Cindy Corrie said, "when you have a family member killed in such a way." | A PLO member denounces the Israeli court ruling .
The Corrie family's attorney says they intend to appeal .
Prosecutor's office: Rachel Corrie's death is tragic, but the driver didn't see her .
Corrie died in 2003 trying to block a bulldozer from razing Palestinian homes . |
238,330 | c07d5330471ef45db580b5a1f139e9d49db70423 | Philip Hammond has questioned David Cameron’s desire to enshrine in law a pledge to spend billions of pounds in foreign aid. Speaking on a trip to ebola-stricken Sierra Leone, the Foreign Secretary said yesterday he saw no reason to pass a law that says 0.7 per cent of Britain’s national income has to go on aid ‘because we have met it already’. His remarks appear to be the final nail in the coffin for Mr Cameron’s vow to put the commitment on the statute in this Parliament. Scroll down for video . Philip Hammond has questioned David Cameron’s desire to enshrine in law a pledge to spend billions of pounds in foreign aid . Such legislation was part of the Coalition agreement, but has repeatedly been put off. Mr Hammond said: ‘It’s a bizarre idea. Somebody says “shall we have a law that says you’ve got to build a building?” ‘Think about it – in the meantime we build a building. Someone comes along and says “now we’ve built it shall we pass the law which says we’ve got to do it”? We’ve done it. We’re doing it. You don’t need a law to say we’re doing it.’ Mr Hammond said the work the UK was doing to prevent the spread of ebola in West Africa proved why international aid was so important and how it is in the UK’s best interests to spend so much money on it. But he conceded that much of the public was ‘sceptical’ about the value of aid – especially when it was spent on long-term economic and education programmes in countries such as India which could afford a space programme. Mr Hammond's remarks appear to be the final nail in the coffin for Mr Cameron’s vow to put the commitment on the statute in this Parliament . And he admitted millions of pounds handed out by the Department for International Development are wasted every year because of corruption in recipient countries. Mr Hammond was speaking on a visit to Sierra Leone, one of the three West African countries where ebola has taken hold. He visited a medical centre being built with UK aid money at Port Loko in the west of the country. And, on a visit to the national stadium in the capital, Freetown, he saw people from Sierra Leone being taught how to treat ebola sufferers. Britain has pledged £230million to Sierra Leone to help it tackle ebola, and more than 800 troops are stationed there. So far, 5,224 cases of ebola have been reported in the country, with 1,498 deaths. Mr Hammond said he hoped trials of an anti-ebola vaccine could start by early next month. The Foreign Secretary said of the ebola effort: ‘This is a classic example of how our aid spending is deployed in our own interest. ‘First – getting this epidemic under control in West Africa is in our interests. ‘We’ve got significant economic interests in West Africa, we’ve got significant numbers of people travelling between West Africa and the UK, we’ve got significant numbers of British citizens and residents with connections in West Africa – so from purely a self-interest point of view we need to sort this out. ‘But it’s also clear that if it had just been left, we would have had a million, million and a half cases by early next year – and inevitably the larger the pool or cases, the greater the number that will turn up in Western Europe, North America, so the risk of infection spreading. It’s very much in our interest.’ But he admitted there was ‘scepticism’ among the British public about the value of much of our aid – and that there were ‘ongoing challenges’ in persuading people much of it does good. ‘The scepticism that some people will have about the aid budget, which I absolutely recognise, I don’t think has ever been directed at emergency aid,’ he said. ‘I’ve never detected in Britain people saying we shouldn’t be sending food aid, or disaster relief or earthquake relief. Mr Hammond said that, for this reason, the UK had made disaster relief the top priority, and would cut other forms of aid if need be. He also admitted that a lot of British aid money was ‘siphoned’ off thanks to corruption. He said: ‘In countries that are corrupt, and that’s a lot of countries including some of the poorest countries in the world, some of everything gets siphoned off in corruption and the aid budget isn’t excepted. ‘If you’re doing any kind of business, including aid-related business, in countries like many African countries and countries like Afghanistan, inevitably because the system is so corrupt, some of it going to get caught up in that. ‘Part of what we’re trying to do is deal with endemic corruption.’ | Foreign Secretary said he saw no reason for law that says 0.7 per cent of Britain’s national income has to go on aid ‘because we have met it already’
Could be end of Cameron’s vow to put the commitment on the statute .
Legislation was in Coalition agreement, but has repeatedly been put off . |
58,365 | a57e4b9a676670ddce562ae6b39c9c64e80e4ae1 | By . Martha De Lacey . PUBLISHED: . 05:40 EST, 7 June 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 05:40 EST, 7 June 2013 . Prospective house-buyers are now as drawn in by high-spec interior features such as underfloor heating and marble floors as they are by proximity to good schools when looking for a new home. Our taste for grander and grander designs means we are being enticed through sellers' doors by granite kitchen surfaces, elaborate home entertainment systems, walk-in wardrobes and Smeg fridges - and savvy estate agents are focusing on these buzzwords to prick up our ears. Property listings are increasingly mentioning 'high-spec interiors', and of those which do the most common feature is underfloor . heating (63 per cent), while . over a quarter (27 per cent) boast of quality finishes such as granite work . surfaces and marble flooring. High-spec interiors such as Smeg fridges, marble floors, granite work tops and elaborate entertainment systems are enticing home buyers more and more . Other high-spec features noted include ceiling speakers (two per cent) and luxury fittings such as walk-in wardrobes and built-in entertainment centres (one per cent). The kudos of premium brands is also important, with two per cent of high spec homes listing either Smeg or Miele appliances as part of their marketed qualities. The research was compiled by insurance firm Aviva, who found that of the five million plus . properties for sale in the UK, some 257,000 are now . described as having a 'high-spec interior'. The analysis also showed that while 'ambience' remains an important factor for selling properties (mentioned in nearly two per cent of the five million listings analysed), estate agents are advocating the serene locations of flats and houses for sale, above their proximity to lively bars, cafes and restaurants. Would you buy a home for its proximity to good local schools, or for its ability to properly catalogue your clothes in a walk-in wardrobe? In nearly two-fifths (61 per cent) of homes described as having 'ambient features', the peaceful and tranquil location is highlighted, compared to only one in ten that mention local or country pubs (13 per cent). And despite the rise of local independent coffee chains, only 300 ambient properties list café culture as a selling point, and two thirds (72 per cent) of those mentions are located in Greater London. Interestingly, where schools are mentioned as a key feature, homes in the South East are most likely to use proximity as a selling point, while in the North East schools are only referenced as a selling point for two per cent of homes. Where schools are mentioned as a key feature, homes in the South East are most likely to use proximity as a selling point, while in the North East schools are only referenced as a selling point for two per cent of homes . Within the results for 'garden features', 12 per cent of properties in Greater London list a garden as a main quality. Over a quarter (28 per cent) offer a large garden, and seven per cent offer a 'beautiful or attractive garden'. The most favoured was a south-facing garden, featuring in over half (55 per cent) of property descriptions in the capital. Transportation is one of the less important features (mentioned in less than one per cent of the five million analysed listings), almost three quarters (72 per cent) of homes that reference transportation state that they are ideally located for an easy commute. Within this feature category, homes in the West Midlands (five per cent), Wales (five per cent) and the North East (four per cent) are least likely to list transport links. In nearly two-fifths of homes described as having 'ambient features', the peaceful and tranquil location is highlighted, compared to only one in ten that mention local or country pubs . Commenting on the research, Heather Smith, director of home insurance at Aviva said: 'We all fall in love with properties for different reasons, and while the character and charm of a home is a matter of personal taste, it seems that assets such as smart flooring and on-trend kitchen brands are as important to some buyers as transport links and schools. 'And with the pace of life so fast for many of us, it’s not surprising that home buyers are looking for a little refuge from their busy working lives and would prefer tranquillity to buzzing bars and local pubs. 'But whether you plump for marble flooring or laminate, walk-in wardrobe or flat-packed furniture make sure you can also afford to maintain the perfect home once you find it. 'And if you’re lucky enough to get some swanky fixtures and fittings as part of the purchase, ensure you tell your home insurer so you can be certain you have the right cover to protect everything in your new home.' The most favoured was a south-facing garden, featuring in over half (55 per cent) of property descriptions in the capital . | High-spec interiors increasingly being focused on in estate listings .
Underfloor heating and marble and granite work surfaces most popular .
Sellers in South East focus on schools more than those in North East . |
34,196 | 612ca5aa2a28c4a4fd554bce5c2d8118f2bde49f | It's official, Spanish giants Real Madrid are the only side in Europe's major leagues to have found the back of the net in every single league game this season. Top flight sides from England, France, Italy, Germany and even other Spanish sides have all tried and failed to match Carlo Ancelotti's Madrid. Cristiano Ronaldo (middle) trains with the Real Madrid squad ahead of the game with Sevilla . It's Marcelo's turn to be in the middle as the Brazilian dispossess Sami Khedira in training . Premier League leaders Chelsea came closest to matching the Spanish side's incredible achievement by scoring in all but one of their league games this season. Jose Mourinho can blame Sunderland for tarnishing their perfect record after the Black Cats held the west London outfit to a goalless draw at the Stadium of Light. Chelsea had 66 per cent possession that day and had 24 shots on goal without finding the back of net against a stubborn Sunderland side. Diego Costa has been in fine form for Chelsea who have scored in all but one Premier League game so far . Wolfsburg players have had a lot to celebrate this season having scored in all but one league games so far . German side Wolfsburg, who smashed Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich 4-1 last weekend, have also matched Chelsea's goal scoring accomplishments. Games played: 20 . Games won: 17 . Games drawn: 0 . Games lost: 3 . Goals for: 68 . Goals against: 17 . Goals scored at home: 31 . Goals scored away: 37 . Top scorer: Cristiano Ronaldo (28) Biggest win: Deportivo La Coruna (2-8) As have Portuguese duo Benfica and Sporting Lisbon who currently occupy first and third in the Primeira Liga. But it's Real Madrid's incredible wealth of attacking players that hog the limelight yet again. Carlo Ancelotti's side have scored an average of 3.4 goals per game and also hold the record for most goals scored away from home this season. The league leaders have scored 68 La Liga goals in total this season with 37 of them coming away from the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Their biggest win of the season was the 8-2 thrashing of Deportivo La Coruna at the Estadio Riazor. Former Premier League trio Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Javier Hernandez scored seven of the eight goals between them that day with Colombian ace James Rodriguez bagging the other. La Liga top scorer Ronaldo has scored 28 goals for the club this season in just 20 games - six more than Ballon d'Or rival Lionel Messi and 13 more than Neymar. Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez celebrate one of Madrid's 68 La Liga goals this season . | Real Madrid have found the back in ever La Liga game so far this season .
Chelsea's draw at Sunderland means they have scored in all but one game .
Wolfsburg, Benfica and Sporting Lisbon also match Chelsea's record .
Madrid score an average of 3.4 goals per game and are top of La Liga .
CLICK HERE for all the latest Real Madrid news . |
243,124 | c6a764074ebd687ce5eb826cbdb8cffe0dbd4b64 | (CNN) -- He returned to a hero's welcome but this was a night to forget for Didier Drogba. Feted by all those inside Stamford Bridge, Drogba stood and took in the applause from those in Chelsea blue. One of the greatest player's in the club's history, Drogba's spot kick in Munich, which secured the 2011 Champions League title, will never be forgotten. But once the presentations were over and the mutual love was placed to one side, Drogba's former teammates moved onto a different stratosphere. From the moment Samuel Eto'o gave Chelsea a fourth minute leader, there was only one side which appeared likely to win this contest -- and unfortunately for Drogba, it was not Galatasaray. Gary Cahill smashed home a second just before halftime following some dreadful defending from the visiting side to end any thoughts Drogba may have had of a happy homecoming. Before the game, all the talk had been about the returning Drogba -- a man loved by all at Chelsea, especially by manager, Jose Mourinho. The Ivorian netted 157 goals in 342 appearances during an eight-year spell at Chelsea where he won three Premier League titles and four FA Cups. Mourinho believes Drogba will one day return to west London either in a playing, coaching or ambassadorial position. But any sign of sentimentality was swept away as soon as the first ball was kicked. Following the 1-1 draw in Istanbul, Chelsea wasted little time in asserting its superiority. A weekend defeat in the Premier League by Aston Villa in which Ramires and Willian were both sent off, was shunted aside as Chelsea began at rapid pace. Oscar and Eden Hazard combined to release Eto'o and the forward fired past Fernando Muslera to claim the 30th Champions League goal of his career. Chelsea, which faces Arsenal in the Premier League on Saturday, continued to dominate and John Terry volleyed inches over after meeting Frank Lampard's cross. Galatasaray's vulnerability at set-pieces was to prove its undoing just before the interval when Lampard's corner picked out Terry and when the defender's powerful header was saved, Cahill was quickest to react and slam home the rebound. The Turkish side, which showed such defiance in the first leg, failed to threaten any sort of fightback after the break with Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech a mere spectator. Substitute Fernando Torres should have added a third after being played through by Hazard by Muslera pulled off the save. "It was everything we wanted it to be," midfielder Lampard told ITV. "It was a tough game, we got a decent result out there and they hardly threatened." The midfielder is now hoping his side receives a favorable draw in the next round with the likes of Bayern Munich and Barcelona lurking. "I won't make any predictions yet," he added. "There are number of great teams left in it and we'll wait and see who we get drawn . against. "We're confident at the minute but it's very tough and gets tougher every year. But we're still in it." Rampant Ronaldo . In the night's other game, Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice to give Real Madrid a 3-1 home win over Schalke. Leading 6-1 from the first leg, Ronaldo took his tally to 13 goals in seven Champions League appearances with a classy double. Tim Hoogland had dragged Schalke level in between Ronaldo's strikes before Alvaro Morata added a third. The only sour note on the night was an injury to Jese Rodriguez, who was taken off on a stretcher after two minutes following a challenge from Sead Kolasinac. "I think it is confirmed he has ruptured cruciate ligament," Real manager Carlo Ancelotti told reporters . "He has had bad luck and it is bad luck for Real Madrid because we are going to lose a very important, young player who has done very well this season and surprised everyone." Next up for Real is "El Clasico" with Barcelona the visitor to Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday. | Chelsea cruises into last eight of Champions League .
Chelsea won 2-0 on the night, 3-1 on aggregate .
Real Madrid eases into quarterfinals .
Cristiano Ronaldo on target for Real once again . |
260,655 | dd86cbf953e089f61b36a7770d5f5e2f225d8e3a | Sony, GoPro and HTC were among the winners at this year’s T3 awards after picking a host of titles. Sony was awarded the Gadget of the Year and the Gaming accolade for its PlayStation 4, and the Japanese firm also received the inaugural entry into the T3 Hall of Fame. Despite winning awards for its MacBook Pro and Mac Pro, in the Laptop or Tablet of the Year and Design Innovation categories respectively, Apple received boos, and was mocked by host Richard Bacon, for not sending anyone to collect its accolades. Scroll down for video . Sony won Gadget of the Year and the Gaming Award for its PlayStation 4, (pictured) and earned the inaugural entry into the T3 Hall of Fame at this year's T3 Awards. The award ceremony was held in London . And, its multi-billion dollar purchase Beats by Dre lost out in the Headphones of the Year category to Philips Fidelio S2. The winners were announced at an award ceremony in London last night, hosted by Richard Bacon. HTC’s One (M8) picked up the award for Phone of the Year, while GoPro won Camera of the Year for its Hero3+ Black Edition. HTC’s Phone of the Year award is the second time the Taiwanese firm has been presented with the accolade, after picking up the same title for last year’s HTC One. Gadget of the Year: Sony PlayStation 4 . Highly commended: GoPro 3 . Phone of the Year: HTC One (M8) Highly commended: Samsung Galaxy S5 . The Gaming Award: Sony PlayStation 4 . Laptop or Tablet of the Year: Apple MacBook Pro with Retina display . TV of the Year: Samsung HU8500 . Highly commended: Sony Bravia X9005B . Highly commended: LG LB730v . Car of the Year: BMW i3 . Brand of the Year: Netflix . Camera of the Year: GoPro Hero3+ Black Edition . Fitness Wearable of the Year: Jawbone UP24 . Highly commended: TomTom Runner Cardio . The Design Innovation Award: Apple Mac Pro . The Sound Award: Denon Coccon Stream . Highly commended: Cambridge Audio Minx Xi . Highly commended: Sonos Play 1 . The Entertainment Award: Sky+ HD . The TechLife Home Award: Philips Hue . Headphones of the Year: Philips Fidelio S2 . Tech Personality of the Year: Richard Ayoade . T3 Tech Legend: Sir James Dyson . T3 Hall of Fame: Sony PlayStation . The Samsung Galaxy S5 was Highly Commended in the phone category, and the South Korean firm picked up TV of the Year for its HU8500. Sir James Dyson was the recipient of the T3 Tech Legend award, which is given to people whose ‘impact on the technology world has, and continues to have, significant and positive effect’. Last year’s winner was TED curator Chris Anderson. HTC’s One (M8) (left) picked up the award for Phone of the Year - the second consecutive year the Taiwanese firm has collected this award. While GoPro won Camera of the Year for its Hero3+ Black Edition (right) BMW’s i3 (pictured) was the winner of the Car of the Year category. The five-door vehicle is part of BMW’s new ‘i’ range, and is the company’s first zero-emissions mass-produced vehicle using BMW’s electric powertrain . Despite winning awards for its MacBook Pro (pictured) and Mac Pro, in Laptop or Tablet of the Year and Design Innovation categories respectively, Apple received boos and criticism from a small faction for not sending anyone to collect its accolades . On accepting the award, Sir James Dyson said: ‘What an honour. 'My focus is on making new technology and exciting machines. But the best ideas are not all mine, it is Dyson’s 2,000 sparky engineers and scientists who should take the credit. ‘Working with them and some of the best universities in the world, we are developing new technologies which make things work better.’ BMW’s i3 was the winner of the Car of the Year category. Sir James Dyson (left) was the recipient of the T3 Tech Legend award, which is given to people whose ‘impact on the technology world has, and continues to have, significant and positive effect’. Channel 4’s Gadget Man, Richard Ayoade, (right) was voted the Tech Personality of the Year . T3 introduced an award for fitness wearables, which was given to Jawbone UP24 . The five-door vehicle is part of BMW’s new ‘i’ range, and is the company’s first zero-emissions mass-produced vehicle using BMW’s electric powertrain. Channel 4’s Gadget Man, Richard Ayoade, was voted the Tech Personality of the Year. He took the title from 2013’s outgoing winner, The Gadget Show’s Jason Bradbury. Sky+ HD was awarded the Entertainment award, while rival Netflix got Brand of the Year. And for the first time, T3 introduced an award for the best fitness wearable of the year, which was given to Jawbone UP24. Tom Dennis, Editor of T3, said: ‘This year's awards has been as prestigious and as popular as ever, combining expert industry judges and T3’s tech-savvy readers in deciding the greats of the technology world.’ | The winners were announced at an award ceremony in London .
Sony won Gadget of the Year for its PlayStation 4, and earned the inaugural entry into the T3 Hall of Fame .
HTC’s One (M8) picked up the award for Phone of the Year .
Sir James Dyson was the recipient of the Tech Legend award .
Apple won Laptop of the Year for its MacBook Pro and the Design Innovation Award for the Mac Pro .
But the tech giant was mocked and booed for not collecting its awards . |
24,823 | 465a2c8d4c901fa1270540296bfff7f7f03fdd86 | Cristiano Ronaldo may be on the verge of leaving the World Cup, but the Portugal skipper can console himself with having the biggest sponsorship deal of all the players in Brazil - worth a staggering £14.1million-a-year with Nike. Ronaldo’s mega-bucks contract is a result of the Real Madrid forward’s ongoing commercial pulling power and means he also continues to collect more from sponsorship deals than his great rival Lionel Messi does, who is said to earn £13.6m a year from Adidas. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Ronaldo and Rooney starring in Nike advert for the World Cup . Number one: Cristiano Ronaldo is the highest paid player at the World Cup in terms of sponsorship money . Top dog: Portugal captain Ronaldo earns £14.1million-a-year with American manufacturers Nike . Second-best? Argentina talisman Lionel Messi earns £13.6million-a-year with German giants Adidas . Eyes on the prize: Brazil forward Neymar Jr. is third on the list earning £9.5million-a-year with Nike . 1) Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal and Real Madrid) Nike - £14.1m . 2) Lionel Messi (Argentina and Barcelona) Adidas - £13.6m . 3) Neymar Jr. (Brazil and Barcelona) Nike - £9.5m . 4) Thomas Muller (Germany and Bayern Munich) Adidas - £3m . 5) Mesut Ozil (Germany and Arsenal) Adidas - £3m . 6) Wayne Rooney (England and Manchester Utd) Nike - £3m . 7) Sergio Aguero (Argentina and Manchester City) Puma - £3m . 8) Steven Gerrard (England and Liverpool) Adidas - £3m . 9) Frank Lampard (England and Chelsea) Adidas - £3m . 10) Luis Suarez (Uruguay and Liverpool) Adidas - £3m . *Source: Dr Peter Rohlmann . According to research by German analyst Dr. Peter Rohlmann, Brazil's poster boy Neymar Jr. is the next biggest earner at the tournament, pulling in an estimated £9.5m a year from Nike. Despite England’s woeful tournament, three England players make the top 10 list, with Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard all commanding in the region of £3m a year from their sponsors. Disgraced Uruguay striker Luis Suarez also rakes in £3m a year, from his deal with adidas, however this may be jeopardised after he was caught biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini during their Group D clash on Tuesday. FIFA have opened disciplinary proceedings against the 27-year-old who could be hit with a long-term ban following his antics in Natal. On the compiled list Rohlmann said: ‘The top footballers have learned that their face and their reputation can be marketed very well for advertising of products and companies. As the most popular sport in the world, football is in focus before and during major tournaments like the World Cup.’ The research also estimated that kit manufacturers have spent an estimated total of £100m on boot deals with the players on show at the World Cup. Included: Luis Suarez (right) is also in the list although that may change after biting Giorgio Chiellini (left) Financial gain: Steven Gerrard (left) and Wayne Rooney (right) also make the list despite England's early exit . On the ball: Germany and Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil (left) also features sitting in fifth . | Cristiano Ronaldo is the highest earner in sponsorship money at the World Cup with Lionel Messi second .
Ronaldo earns £14.1million-a-year with Nike, while Messi makes £13.6m with Adidas .
Brazil's Nike-sponsored Neymar Jr. is third with £9.5m .
England's Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard make top 10 .
Disgraced Uruguay striker Luis Suarez also features on the list . |
153,610 | 527e138a7308b3beb3fcaa0f4f173e2741132211 | A boy with a rare medical condition that renders him unable to smile is being adopted by the kind-hearted nurse who cared for him in hospital. Three-year-old Joshua Burdell suffers from Congenital Myotonic Dystrophy - a life-limiting disease which has left him severely disabled and unable to make facial expressions. Doctors said he would not live past a year old, and though he has proved them wrong, there is no cure for the condition, meaning his muscles will slowly degenerate and his condition will deteriorate. Joshua inherited the disease from his mother, whose disabilities meant she couldn't look after her son. Attempts to find foster parents had failed, and social workers had almost reached the point of despair, wondering how they were going to take care of him. But just as it looked as though all hope was lost, the nurse who cared for him in hospital came forward, making the brave decision to adopt him and take him home. Joshua Burdall, three, spent the first five months of his life in hospital as his mother's disabilities meant she couldn't care for him. He is being adopted by Sarah Ruane, 51, the paediatric nurse who cared for him . Joshua has Congenital Congenital Myotonic Dystrophy - a life limiting disease causes muscle wastage and degeneration - and is severely disabled . Sarah Ruane, 51, said she couldn't bear seeing him without a home. Since she became Joshua's guardian, the mother-of-six has battled endlessly trying to find a cure for his condition. After spending all of her spare time carrying out research, her hard work has won him a place on the world's first clinical trial in America, where scientists may have found a drug that could potentially cure his condition. Mrs Ruane, who is in the process of adopting Joshua, said: 'He was my patient and was born on the maternity wing at Hull Royal Infirmary (HRI). 'When he came off the wing he went to the medical ward at 10 weeks old. He never went anywhere and his address was the hospital. 'After about six days I knew I wanted to take care of him. They were struggling to get foster carers for him and I couldn't watch it anymore. 'I went into his cubicle and looked at him. The social worker said "I don't know what we're going to do". 'I said "I do, I'll take him". 'She started crying and told her manager straight away.' Joshua's condition means he is unable to smile or make other facial conditions. He also has severe learning difficulties. However he has defied original predictions that he would only live for a year . Congenital Myotonic Dystrophy is the early childhood form of myotonic dystrophy - and the symptoms are evident from birth. The rare condition, which can cause breathing difficulties for the baby shortly after delivery, can be seen if the baby appears to be 'floppy', has poor head control and lack of facial expression. Babies with the condition may also suffer from speech difficulties, and physical and intellectual milestones in the baby's development may be delayed. The disease is a genetic condition that progressively weakens and wastes the muscles. The impact of the degeneration varies significantly; some people may only find it difficult to carry out day-to-day tasks while others will have a seriously shortened life expectancy because of the condition. Mrs Ruane, who has been a paediatric nurse for 32 years, decided to find Joshua all the medical help possible and, with husband Alan, 43, a civil engineer, began caring for him. Before Mrs Ruane agreed to adopt Joshua, repeated attempts to find foster carers had failed. Now she says her whole family has fallen in love with him . Congenital Myotonic Dystrophy is the early childhood form of myotonic dystrophy,and the symptoms are evident from birth. The rare condition, which can cause breathing difficulties for the baby shortly after delivery, can be seen if the baby appears to be 'floppy', have poor head control and lack of facial expression. Babies with the condition may also suffer from speech difficulties, and physical and intellectual milestones in the baby's development may be delayed. The disease is a genetic condition that progressively weakens and wastes the muscles. Roughly 70,000 people in Britain carry the genes responsible for triggering muscular dystrophy. However, many are unaware they are ‘carriers’ of the disease where a gene spontaneously changes. The affected muscle fibres degenerate and are slowly replaced with fatty tissue. The impact of the degeneration varies significantly; some people may only find it difficult to carry out day-to-day tasks while others will have a seriously shortened life expectancy because of the condition. Sadly, congenital myotonic dystrophy can be fatal, especially in the early weeks of life. There is no cure or treatment. Source: Muscular Dystrophy Campaign . She said: 'Joshua had a feeding tube and club feet and they needed somebody with medical knowledge to take care of him. 'It was the right place at the right time. It was a split second decision. 'I came home and explained to my three grown-up children there was a little boy at work who the social workers were struggling to find a home for. They said "why don't you bring him here?" and I said "It's funny you should say that". 'Two weeks later he was moved in. I never thought of doing this. Until that day I was working full time. 'Medical specialists were shocked that I brought him home - and I will always be known as that nurse who brought the baby home. 'It's been difficult - and at times it's been heart-breaking. 'But we have all fallen in love with him. It's a nasty, progressive, awful condition. It is one of the worst conditions that I have come across.' Mrs Ruane, who now works as a children's community nurse after leaving Hull Royal Infirmary in November 2014, worked 24 hours a day researching and asking doctors for help in trying to find a cure for Joshua. Finally, she discovered researchers at Utah University were looking for 65 children from around the world to take part in the very first clinical programme to develop a new drug for children with CMD. After endless emails, she got an reply back saying they would be happy for Joshua to take part. He is the only child in the UK to take part in this programme, and the family hope it will one day lead to a cure. Mrs Ruane has carried out endless research, and eventually enrolled Joshua on to a clinical trial in America. A drugs company is testing an injection she hopes will cure Joshua's condition . Mrs Ruane said: 'We are consumed with helping him. It's funny how dependent on Josh I am now. 'He is a very happy little boy. He loves Peppa Pig and he is a total joy. 'But he is weak and he can't walk very far. One of the most difficult things for him is that it affects his facial expression. 'For him that's difficult because people think there is nobody home. 'People tend to talk over him and it's just because he can't make an expression. We have also got to be careful when he eats.' Doctors did not think Joshua would live past a year, but on his third birthday he got up and walked. Mrs Ruane said: 'It was a miracle in itself. When this came up in America I knew I needed to find out how to save him. 'I found out they were asking for children with the condition to attend the trials in Utah and I started emailing to make sure Josh was accepted. 'It's very costly and we have done it all through fundraising.' Mrs Ruane has raised £2,000 in fundraising money to take Joshua to America for the clinical trials. Over the next two years experts will monitor how his muscles are faili . Joshua's situation has already sparked donations towards the American trips, and so far Mrs Ruane has raised £2,000. She said: 'The donations have given us a chance to try and save his life. The money will get him back to America. 'Everything is a battle with Josh. As harsh as it sounds, in terms of the Government, he is not going to give anything back to society.' Mrs Ruane took Joshua for his first trip to America for the clinical trial on November 9th last year. She said: 'Joshua had a body scan, ECG of his heart, stamina test and blood and intellectual tests. We will go out again in October for the same tests and again the year after. 'The American drugs company is waiting for the data in the hope that they can find a drug. 'They have got the adult form of the drug and have started clinical trials for the child form. 'The drug will be in injection form - and the hope is it will stop the disease. 'When we are born, we have protein that is sent to muscles all over the body. 'Josh has a toxin that stops that protein spreading and it stays like a dough ball. 'The drug will split the protein and send it to the parts of the body that needs it.' Mrs Ruane and husband , said Joshua will visit Utah a further two times over the next two years where experts will monitor how his muscles are failing. She added: 'He does have some words but his mouth muscles are very weak and his tongue muscles are too. 'The way he is going he is improving but he will start to deteriorate. 'When we came back from America I felt like we had hope where there was previously none.' | Joshua Burdall inherited Congenital Myotonic Dystrophy from his mother .
Her disabilities meant she couldn't care for him and he lived in hospital .
Rare condition means he cannot smile and his muscles will degenerate .
After five months, repeated attempts to find foster carers had failed .
Sarah Ruane, 51, the nurse who cared for Joshua agreed to adopt him .
Has now enrolled him in a clinical trial of a drug she hopes will cure him . |
40,081 | 7117bf100765933931b292ba61bf6605bbe35bc3 | By . Graham Smith . Last updated at 2:35 AM on 4th November 2011 . A woman who killed her co-worker in . a Lululemon yoga clothing shop has been convicted of . first-degree murder and now faces the prospect of spending the rest of her life behind bars. Brittany Norwood, 29, used at least half a dozen weapons from inside the store to kill Jayna Murray, 30, in a 'prolonged and brutal attack' on March 11. These included a hammer, wrench, knife and peg used to hold up a mannequin. Norwood was yesterday found guilty after a jury in Montgomery County, Maryland, took an hour to reach a verdict. Weapons cache: This handout photo shows the blood-soaked weapons allegedly used by Brittany Norwood to kill Jayna Murray in a 'prolonged and brutal attack' on March 11 . Deadly: This hammer was one of the many weapons used in the murder of Jayna Murray . Crime scene: The blood-spattered evidence in the brutal bludgeoning death of Jayna Murray at a Lululemon yoga store in Bethesda, Maryland, was shown in court . Colleagues: Brittany Norwood (left) murdered her co-worker Jayna Murray (right) in a frenzied attack at a yoga store in Bethesda, Maryland, in March. A jury yesterday took an hour to reach its guilty verdict . Norwood attacked Miss Murray inside the Lululemon Athletica shop in Bethesda, Maryland - a Washington, DC suburb - and then staged a robbery. She used numerous weapons to kill her, then lied . and told police that they had been attacked by masked men. Her defence lawyer conceded that Norwood killed Miss Murray, but said it happened during a fight and wasn't premeditated. A judge's ruling prevented both sides from discussing the fight, but prosecutors have previously said it began after suspected stolen merchandise was found during a search of Norwood's bag. Weapon: Part of a metal merchandise rack that was one of at least six weapons used to murder Miss Murray. Norwood is said to have beaten her colleague over the head with it for around 15 minutes . Tragic end: Jayna Murray was bludgeoned to death after confronting Norwood about stealing a pair of pants . Mother: Phyllis Murray is comforted by a woman wearing a pin of her daughter, at security while waiting to re-enter the trial of Brittany Norwood . The legal argument was aimed at sparing . Norwood a first-degree murder conviction, which can carry a sentence of . life in prison without parole. Murray allegedly found a pair of pants in Norwood's purse at the end of the work day, when they did mutual bag checks, as per store policy. Norwood initially said she'd bought them from another employee, but Murray called the other employee, they denied it, and Murray confront Norwood for stealing. Miss Murray's family choked back tears as . the verdict was read and a 'yes' sounded from their side of the . courtroom. Norwood and her family sat impassively and declined to . comment afterwards. Brutal: A photograph inside the Lululemon Athletica shop in Bethesda, Maryland, where Norwood bludgeoning her colleague to death before staging a robbery . Brand: A black bag with a Lululemon logo belonging to Jayna Murray is part of evidence that was presented by the prosecution in the trial of Norwood . Norwood's attorney Doug Wood said she was disappointed at the speed of the verdict. She said: 'I think that we were surprised that . this happened so quick. I thought we had established a pretty good case . for second-degree murder.' Mr Wood said he expects to appeal the verdict and will argue against a life-without-parole . sentence that prosecutors are seeking. Sentencing is set for January . 27. State's Attorney John McCarthy told jurors during closing arguments that there was abundant evidence of premeditation. He said Norwood lured Miss Murray back to . the shop after closing by saying she had forgotten her wallet and . needed to get back inside. Scene of the crime: Norwood tracked bloody footprints around the shop to make it appear as if a man had been there, the court heard . Grief-stricken: The victim's parents Phyllis and David Murray exit court following a hearing last week. They fought back tears as the guilty verdict was read out yesterday . Family: Kate McGrail-Murray, left, and husband Hugh Murray attend court on the fourth day of trial of Jayna Murray's murder . A medical examiner, Mary Ripple, . testified that she found at least 331 wounds on Murray's body and that . the woman was alive for the duration of the attack. Juror Donny Knepper, 36, said the . panel was essentially convinced from the start of deliberations. He said . he was swayed by the sheer number of wounds. He said: 'There's no (rational) argument that this was anything other than first-degree murder, and we tried.' | Jury convicts Brittany Norwood of first-degree murder in one hour .
29-year-old used at least six weapons to kill Jayna Murray in Maryland shop .
Victim had at least 331 wounds and was alive for the duration of the attack .
Murderer had allegedly been caught stealing pants from the store . |
269,646 | e9420842d116c9a9c947b31855892a7a723f638a | Dressed in yellow, he stands a foot off the deck of a Colorado Springs home, and a few feet from the woods. Everywhere in front of him, there's fire. Thankfully, the flames that climb about five feet up backyard trees don't catch on -- partly because a homeowner wisely trimmed lower branches, in the event of a raging wildfire just like this. And thankfully, the man standing his ground is a firefighter -- and he isn't alone, one of hundreds doing what they can to combat and control the Black Forest Fire that had already singed more than 15,000 acres as of Friday. After a few strategic sprays of water and fire retardant, and a periodic white-out, the scene documented above in a Colorado Springs Fire Department video ends by charring the yard almost right up to the hot tub on the deck, but skirting past the home. Yet for all the happy endings like this one, there are plenty of sad ones: As early Saturday, 473 homes had been destroyed, with at least 15 others suffering partial damage. The destruction isn't always dictated by rhyme or reason: Giselle Hernandez told CNN that her home has been spared so far, but her neighbors to the south lost theirs. "It just goes to show you how unpredictable these things can be," she said. Progress in fighting blaze . This is the second time in a year that the Colorado Springs area has faced a mammoth wildfire. Last summer's Waldo Canyon Fire burned down about 350 homes and 18,000 acres. Some 32,000 evacuated their homes and two people died. They can start, and spread, quickly -- with no regard to what's in their path. That's what happened with the Black Forest Fire after it first flared Tuesday afternoon, for still undetermined reasons. Hernandez remembered how she, her boyfriend and his family spotted smoke and began mulling the possibility of leaving. But that possibility soon turned into a necessity, as the flames rapidly approached. "It went from, 'Well, we should probably pack and get going,' to, 'We need to leave right now' as the smoke started billowing right through the trees on our property." Watch: Woman records wildfire evacuation . The wildfire has been blamed for two deaths. In terms of total property lost and damaged, El Paso County spokesman Dave Rose told CNN earlier this week that it appeared to be the most destructive in state history. Some 800 personnel are attacking the blaze, and doing it in sweltering heat: Temperatures climbed to around 90 degrees Friday. In addition to those on the ground, multiple Chinook and Blackhawk helicopters and tankers traversed the air as part of the effort. Authorities spent much of the day Friday surveying most of the 7,000 homes they'd wanted to check to determine which ones made it, which ones did not. Crews had gained "some tremendous ground" by morning in identifying hotspots and saving structures, county Sheriff Terry Maketa said. Even so, the blaze was then only 5% contained. Friday, though, proved to be a good day. Skies were at times overcast, temperatures fell somewhat, and there was a strong burst of rain. "We got our tails kicked for a couple days, yesterday we saw it as a draw, and ... today we delivered some blows," Maketa said. Those elements and tactical moves left Rich Harvey, the head of the federal incident management team tackling the blaze, optimistic that crews had turned the corner: They'd gone from being on the defensive to the offensive, Harvey said early Friday evening, estimating 30% containment at that point. Gov. John Hickenlooper was certainly upbeat, after heavy rains doused him Friday as he was walking through a "burn area." "I'm soaking wet and it's a little chilly," he said. "I don't think I've ever been so happy to say that." Yet he, Harvey and citizens affected by the fire -- like Dale Mielke, who singed his mustache and eyebrows while saving his home but not those of his neighbors -- also stressed that the spurt of heavy rain doesn't mean the fight is over. "It's not even enough rain to stop it," said Mielke, a retired firefighter. "But it can help slow it down a little bit." Resident says: 'Things are out of our hands' Carolyn Selvig has been living in this area north of Colorado Springs for 21 years drawn in part by the beauty and peace of the woods. "The forest is our friend," she says. Selvig knows the other side of the equation as well when it comes to living near a forest -- the very real possibility and very real power of wildfires. Are you there? Send an iReport . She and her husband Erik are among roughly 38,000 people -- from about 13,000 homes over a 93,000-acre area -- who have been impacted by the Black Forest Fire. As of midday Friday, their home was still standing, though they can't breathe easy quite yet: Erik Selvig noted "the intense heat is less than a quarter-mile away." His wife, Carolyn, admits she's probably "more worried than I allow myself to think." Still, she realizes there's little she can do at this point beyond trusting in those fighting to save their home and hoping that Mother Nature is on her side. "Things are out of our hands," she told CNN. "It is what it is." The Selvigs are checking, whenever they can, the official list of homes that have been destroyed and those that have not. The Black Forest Fire isn't the only fire affecting Colorado. Southwest of Colorado Springs, the Royal Gorge fire is now 40% contained after four days in which it scorched more than 3,200 acres -- including a beloved carousel and at least 20 buildings, according to Hickenlooper. "It's burned to a cinder," he said of the area. And the governor has declared a disaster emergency in Rocky Mountain National Park, northwest of Denver, due to the Big Meadows Fire that's burned hundreds of acres there. Yes, Coloradans know wildfires are a fact of life; yes, they know that their homes could someday burn. But that doesn't mean dealing with it, in the moment, is easy. Says Chris Schroeder, who is also in the Black Forest Fire evacuation zone, "It's been a pretty good emotional roller coaster, trying to understand what is happening." Despite the noted progress on that fire, that ride isn't over. Many have been allowed back in their homes, while others are still being kept. And hundreds of firefighters are still out doing what they can to protect people's property, knowing that a lightning strike or shift of wind can suddenly change everything. "It is not a done deal: 30% is not 100%," Harvey said late Friday afternoon. "The middle has still got potential." Gallery: Wildfire photographer Kari Greer goes inside the inferno . | 473 structures have been destroyed by the Black Forest Fire in central Colorado .
An official estimates 30% containment of the over 15,000-acre fire, up from 5% .
A heavy burst of rain helps those fighting the blaze near Colorado Springs .
At least 20 structures are burned in the Royal Gorge Fire southwest of Colorado Springs . |
124,339 | 2cbd7c3a0bc4f31d441cdd9ca95feed88b850515 | (CNN) -- Saudi Arabia's Interior Ministry issued a warning to women caught driving and anyone engaging in demonstrations Saturday, as activists have called on the country to defy a Saudi de facto ban on women driving. Without outlining how laws would be applied and what punishment might be doled out to offenders, Saudi Arabia's Interior Ministry spokesman, Maj. Gen. Mansour Al-Turki said, "All violations will be dealt with -- whether demonstrations or women driving." "Not just on the 26th. Before and after," added Al-Turki. "At all times." Opinion: Give Saudi women the right to drive . Meanwhile, several Saudi women supporting the October 26th Women's Driving Campaign say they received threatening calls Thursday from men claiming to represent the Interior Ministry, according to women's rights activists who requested anonymity. The callers warned the women not to drive before, on or after Saturday, the activists said. Some of the activists expressed doubt that the callers were actually from the Interior Ministry. Originally, Al-Turki denied any calls were made, but he later contacted CNN to clarify his comments. He said the phone calls were a public relations move the ministry undertook to help some people understand a written statement made Wednesday. Saudi Arabia had released a statement that said, "Laws will be fully enforced that day." The statement, which was issued on Saudi Arabia's official news agency, also said, "The laws of the Kingdom prohibit activities disturbing the public peace and opening venues to sedition." Al-Turki told CNN that some women were contacted by the Interior Ministry and were asked to not drive. "There was absolutely no threat to the women contacted. The communication was made to make sure the women understood the statement," he told CNN. "It seemed some people did not understand the statement, and they expressed this publicly in one way or another." Several supporters of the driving campaign said they didn't believe the government was aiming that statement at female drivers, but at those who might stage protests in a nation where they're outlawed. Saudi Arabia has tight controls on all gatherings. Al-Turki made it clear the statement applies to both parties. Activist Manal Al-Sharif, who now lives in the United Arab Emirates after being jailed for a week after posting a video of herself driving in 2011, took it as a positive sign that the government has stated its position on women driving. "They kept telling the world that the women's driving issue was one for Saudi society to decide upon," she said. "Society is now showing it is supportive of the idea of women driving. The government's reaction makes it very clear this is not a societal decision. This is a political decision." She further characterized the government statement as "clarity." "We've been in the dark for a long time. Now we're in the light and we know what we're facing," she said. Saudi blogger and opinion writer Tamador Alyami, a supporter of the campaign who recently posted a video showing her driving in the city of Jedda, noted that a Twitter account supporting Saudi political prisoners recently "tweeted a message saying you have to take advantage of this day, that it's an opportunity to go out there and demonstrate and ask for the rights of the political prisoners." No traffic law specifically prohibits women from driving in Saudi Arabia, but religious edicts there are often interpreted to mean women are not allowed to operate a vehicle. Saudi cleric warns driving could damage women's ovaries . In late September, an online movement was launched urging Saudi women to get behind the wheel. The October 26th Women's Driving Campaign quickly gained momentum, with its online petition having so far garnered more than 16,000 signatures. In addition, numerous Saudi women have already taken to the streets -- filming themselves driving in various cities, and then uploading those videos to YouTube. The language of the Interior Ministry's statement "shows that it wasn't really about the 26th of October movement," Alyami said. "They've known about this campaign for a few months and there's been no attempt to stop (it). If they've let it go this far, that should reassure us." Indeed, many women who have been out driving report having been spotted by traffic police who haven't stopped them. Alyami said she drove her car again on Wednesday to her parents' house and passed two traffic policemen. "One of the traffic policemen saw me and didn't stop me. I was scared, but when he just drove by and went away, I felt so happy, so reassured and more determined than ever to go out on the 26th." Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch each issued a statement calling for an end to the ban. "It's past time to address the country's systemic discrimination; driving could open roads to reform," said Rothna Begum, a researcher with Human Rights Watch. Saudi blogger detained, but she's hopeful about campaign to allow women to drive . | Interior Ministry says calls weren't meant as threats .
Human rights groups call for an end to driving ban .
Saudi Interior Ministry warns women not to drive, protesters not to demonstrate .
October 26th Women's Driving Campaign urges women to get behind wheel . |
63,393 | b4018cb30c7769f60a411ac64a574b2f14a9fd4c | (CNN) -- After a three-week trial and one hour of deliberations, an upstate New York jury on Monday found Muzzammil "Mo" Hassan guilty of second-degree murder for beheading his wife. In February 2009, Hassan, who founded a TV network aimed at countering Muslim stereotypes, went to a police station in the Buffalo, New York, suburb of Orchard Park and told officers his wife was dead, police have said. Aasiya Hassan had been decapitated, with prosecutor Paul Bonanno saying during opening arguments that the long knife used by her husband had left marks on his office's tile floor. Hassan gave his own closing arguments Monday. Earlier in the trial, he had dismissed his attorney, Jeremy Schwartz, who by trial's end was acting as his legal adviser. "Mr. Hassan has felt that throughout the tenure of his marriage, no one had listened to his side," Schwartz told reporters after the verdict. "It was important for him in the two hours that he had for summation to get across his side and how he saw his marriage." Hassan listened quietly to the jury verdict, Schwartz said. Hassan has the right to appeal after he is sentenced, Schwartz said. According to prosecutors, Aasiya Hassan had filed for divorce less than a week before she died. On the day she died, Aasiya Hassan agreed to take some of her husband's clothes to his office after he had moved out of their home. He had told her he would not be there, prosecutors said. "The defendant viciously killed ... and desecrated her (Aasiya's) body because six days earlier she had dared to file for divorce. Dared to seek a better life for herself and the children," Assistant District Attorney Paul Bonanno said in the prosecution's opening statement. Schwartz, then his client's defense lawyer, said in his opening statement that the couple's marriage was a "sad and unhealthy relationship" and that Aasiya Hassan threatened to embarrass his client and take away his children. "It ended with 'Mo' Hassan in fear of his very life," he told jurors. "Mo Hassan killed his wife, but he is not guilty of murder in the second degree." During the trial, Michael and Sonia Hassan testified that their father had become violent in the past, CNN affiliate WIVB in Buffalo reported. While both said the couple argued, neither recalled a case in which Aasiya -- their stepmother -- instigated a fight. Police earlier said they had responded to several domestic violence calls at the couple's home, but no one had ever been arrested. Hassan was the chief executive officer of the network Bridges TV, and Aasiya Hassan was the general manager. He launched Bridges TV, billed as the first English-language cable channel targeting Muslims inside the United States, in 2004. At the time, Hassan said he hoped the network would balance negative portrayals of Muslims following the attacks of September 11, 2001. Hassan fired three defense attorneys before the trial. Schwartz was the fourth to be dismissed, though he stayed as an adviser. | A New York jury finds Muzzammil "Mo" Hassan guilty of second-degree murder .
After three weeks of testimony, the jury takes an hour to reach its verdict .
Representing himself, Hassan defends his actions . |
8,629 | 1856e4a22885baaa8ec8dc83f2bb2559212750f7 | By . Amanda Williams . PUBLISHED: . 03:47 EST, 3 July 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 06:13 EST, 3 July 2013 . An anonymous pair of artists have been working under the cover of darkness to brighten up the streets of London with gigantic works of street art. The duo - who like street artist Banksy shun the limelight - create their huge murals on the walls of buildings around London for the public to enjoy, using only a ladder, spray paint and the light of the moon. The finished pieces include a giant blue pigeon in London Fields, a large fox in Haringey and a super-size squirrel complete with a nut in Tottenham. Pigeon street: This mural in Ada Street, London, is one of a number by artists who have detailed British animals . An anonymous pair of artists have been working under the cover of darkness to brighten up the streets of London with incredible works of art - including this giant blue pigeon in London Fields . Just like Banksy, the duo known as Boe and Irony remain anonymous, creating their artworks using spraypaint on the sides of buildings for the public to enjoy. This snarling fox appeared in Haringey . The duo, known only as Boe and Irony, have said they prefer to remain anonymous, shunning the notion of 'celebrity'. They reportedly met when they both left a party early to go painting, and have worked together ever since. In a recent interview with the Guardian . they said that painting for the street is not like painting for a . gallery where people 'come to hear what you say.' They said street work was inflicted on an audience 'whether they want to see it or not'. They added: 'So . you start off with something people can generally accept, like a fluffy . kitten, that’s your foot in the door, then you can start actually . trying to say something with the piece.' A squirrel chases a giant nut down the side of a wall in Tottenham. The duo, known only as Boe and Irony, have said they prefer to remain anonymous, shunning the notion of 'celebrity' This enormous raven has also been etched on to the wall of an east London building. The pair create their huge murals using only a ladder, spray paint and the light of the moon . They have refused to say where they will 'strike yet' adding that that would ruin the surprise. In May a giant Banksy, with an estimated value of £1million, was removed from the side of a crumbling Grade II listed building. The giant rat, which was created by Britain's most famous street artist, had been eroding for years, with large parts having peeled off with the plaster or vanished on rotted wood. A special restoration team was drafted in to remove the painting from the old Whitehorse pub in Liverpool's China town as part of plans to re-open the building. Bristol-born Banksy daubed the huge rat wielding a machine gun on the Georgian building in Berry Street as part of Liverpool's Biennial art programme in 2004Banksy has since conquered the art world, selling his unique pieces for millions, and counts Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie amongst his fans. Boe and Irony said the artist was partly responsible for the increased popularity in street art. They added: 'Banksy’s financial success has made people feel more comfortable about street art. People are cool with anything once it’s been assigned a cash value.' | Duo known as Boe and Irony take to streets at night armed with spray paint .
Their colourful works include a giant pigeon, squirrel, and snarling fox . |
4,270 | 0c4e355e8fc483e468a736f0dadc6729c47324b5 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 14:23 EST, 17 April 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 14:25 EST, 17 April 2013 . A family whose 13-year-old daughter was fatally hit by a car as she crossed the road to her school bus four years ago has been awarded $90 million in a wrongful death suit. Ashley Davis was hit by a car as she crossed Brinkley Road in Prince George's County, Maryland on September 1, 2009 - as her classmates looked on - and died in hospital two weeks later. Her parents claimed the school system failed to provide a bus stop on her side of the road, forcing her to cross the street - and failing to fulfill their promise to provide safe transportation to school. Loss: Ashley Davis, 13, was killed as she walked across the road to catch the school bus in 2009 . After hitting Ashley, the car, a Lincoln Continental, struck a minivan and a 17-year-old boy, who was hospitalized but survived. John Costello, a lawyer for the family, told NBC Washington that the Prince George's County . School Board was 'negligent' towards Ashley. 'They had adopted a policy to . provide for safe transportation,' he explained. 'The policy was they were going to pick . up Ashley on her own side of the street. They never did. They forced her . to cross the street. She got killed crossing the street.' Her mother, Nycole Davis, spoke about her enduring grief. 'She was on her way,' she said. 'She was doing the right thing. She was going to . school. She was a good girl. She didn’t deserve this. If she didn't have to cross the street... she’d be graduating this year. She'd be going to prom this year.' Loss: Ashley, a high school freshman, suffered serious injuries in the crash and died two weeks later . Scene: She died as she was crossing this road outside her home; her family argued that the school had failed to pick her up on the correct side of the road - thus failing to safely transport her to school . Ashley was forced to walk over the . road to her bus after an original bus repeatedly failed to stop at the . right place, Costello said. The school board failed to provide a . safe bus stop for students who lived on the north side of the road, . according to court documents. At the end of the civil trial, the jury awarded the family $90 million plus medical expenses and funeral costs - one of the largest the county has ever seen, the Washington Post reported. 'The jury was upset that [the school board's] policy was not followed . for a full week and a little girl in her first year of high school ended . up suffering the consequences,' Costello said of the verdict. But lawyers warned the battle was not yet over. Ruling: A George's County Circuit Court jury awarded the family $90m but it will likely be appealed . NBC reported that often a verdict is capped around $100,000 when there is a lawsuit against a municipality . or school system, and Costello expected the board will appeal the verdict. Prince George's County Public Schools said: 'No judgment has been entered in this case. It is still under litigation.' But Ashley's mother said she did not care for the money. 'I didn't ask anyone to give me any money or anything like that,' she said. 'I just want someone held responsible for what happened to my daughter.' She added that her daughter was outgoing and popular, and enjoyed shopping, dancing and writing poetry. | Ashley Davis hit by a car as she crossed the road in September 2009 .
Her parents argued that the school board had broken its promise to safely transport her by making her cross the road for the bus .
Payout among the largest awarded in the county .
Attorneys said it is unlikely they will get $90m as the school will appeal . |
26,784 | 4c04e4c1fda91b6547d6d074f12053af4e0a543e | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 17:08 EST, 23 September 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 12:04 EST, 24 September 2013 . Police believe that a skull and jawbone found on a missing woman's property may be evidence that part of her body was eaten by her pack of more than 50 wolfdogs. Concerned neighbors of Patricia Ritz, presumed to be 67-years-old, called police Saturday when they hadn't seen her for nearly two weeks . Ohio County Sheriff David Thompson said the last time neighbors spoke with her, she hadn't been feeling well. Scroll down for video . Gruesome discovery: Police believe a missing woman's body may have been partially eaten by the pack of 50 wolfdogs who were living on her property, after she died . Where is she? Police conducted a welfare check on Saturday when Patricia Ritz's neighbors complained that they hadn't seen her in nearly two weeks . Remains: Police found 50 wolfdogs on the property, as well as a skull and jawbone they believe belongs to Ritz . When authorities conducted a welfare check on her property Saturday, they found over 50 wolfdogs and a human skull and jawbone they believe belong to Ritz. Ohio County Coroner Larry Bevil told MailOnline he is working on identifying the remains, but says it could be days or weeks before he is able to make a conclusion. No other remains have been found. Hunger: Investigators believe that the wolfdogs may have eaten part of Ritz's body after she died since they didn't have access to food or water . Horrible state: Some of the dogs were locked up in cages while others were free. Most were malnourished and a few were dead . New homes: Animal Control has since seized the wolfdogs and they are looking to place them in animal sanctuaries . As for the dogs, Police believe they may have eaten part of Rtiz's body after she died since they didn't have access to food or water. 'I think it was just one lady that really wanted to save them all,' Tracey Ward of the Ohio County Animal Control told WFIE. 'When you don't spray and neuter, they're going to breed. It's not going to be just one or two puppies. It's going to seven, nine, twelve.' Some were locked up in cages while others were walking around free. Most were malnourished and a few were found dead. Animal Control rounded up the pack and are now looking to place them in animal sanctuaries. Share what you think . The comments below have not been moderated. lilypad, . geneva Switzerland, . 1 hour ago . If I died my Pomeranian would definitely eat me. I don't think I would mind though . Frank the rabbit, . Bristol, . 11 hours ago . They do not yet know how she died; she may have simply died of natural causes and the animals scavenged her body. I hope this is the case. They would be unlikely to rehome the dogs if they suspected otherwise. sl in central ok, . OKC, United States, . 18 hours ago . I'm surprised there are any remains left at all. When I had only cats I wouldn't have understood how even big, heavy bones like femurs are like chalk if a dog is determined to chew them up. Will anyone be able to take these dogs? If they've lived their lives chained up and if they're really half wolf, half dog, they are probably not fit for rehoming. It has nothing to do with having eaten the only food they could find. Love the new comment system so far. Naomi Wattz, . miami, United States, . 19 hours ago . Wild dogs always turn on their masters. userpete86, . IrvineCA, United States, . 19 hours ago . I'd eat a person if I were trapped with no food. Survival is survival. Beach Rose, . Morro Bay, . 19 hours ago . Well, that sucks for her. Too many animals. I personally know 2 wolf-dog hybrids that live in our neighborhood, and they are sweet, mellow, and very lovable. Their 2-legged parents are both university professors, and their wolfies are the most dignified and well behaved creatures I've ever met. Sorry this woman got eaten, but once you're dead, cats will eat you much more quickly than ANY dog will. AmandaD, . Bham, . 20 hours ago . With today's science should be easy enough to prove. Sad if true but , not the dogs fault. If they were starving...remember the "Donner Party"? SMT, . germantown, United States, . 21 hours ago . It's a possibility. Cornflakegirl, . USA, . 21 hours ago . Any starving animal would have eaten her. It really isn't about them being wolf hybrids. They could have been labradoodles. Hungry is hungry. It's just survival instinct. Ben, . Wolverhampton, . 22 hours ago . Poor dogs. Chained up or caged with nowhere to go. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. | Police conducted a welfare check on Patricia Ritz Saturday after neighbors called saying they hadn't seen her in nearly two weeks .
They found a pack of 50 wolfdogs living on her property as well as a skull and jawbone they believe to be hers .
The county coroner is currently working to identify the remains, which could take days or weeks . |
16,064 | 2d88da78aad8d53fe62d5d767d991d03eb02ddc1 | By . Alex Greig . PUBLISHED: . 13:31 EST, 9 August 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 17:07 EST, 9 August 2013 . Former Navy chaplain Gordon Klingenschmitt has voiced his outrage at the overturning of Proposition 8 in California, saying there's a 'demonic spirit of lawlessness' among government officials. Klingenschmitt, who was discharged from the Navy for insubordination, made the comments on yesterday's episode of his YouTube program, Pray in Jesus Name. The chaplain labeled various things 'lawless' during the show, including gay people, sodomy, the government officials who 'refuse to enforce the law' and lust. Scroll down for video . Above the law: Klingenshmitt has labeled government officials who 'refuse' to enforce Proposition 8 'lawless' 'Lust is not love, and and whatever they're doing behind closed doors is not love in the homosexual community. It is lawlessness,' said Klingenschmitt, 'and it is causing the love of many to grow cold.' Following his diatribe against homosexuality and the Californian lawmakers who 'refuse' to institute Proposition 8, Klingenschmitt led his viewers in prayer. 'Father in heaven, we pray that you would enforce your law... The law of love that prohibits lust, the law that prohibits sin, prohibits lawlessness. That God's highest law of true, selfless love will be established and will ban sodomy, which is a perversion and it's not love at all.' The right-wing pundit spoke out in favor of discrimination in another installment of Pray in Jesus Name earlier this week. Let us pray: Klingenschmitt asked God to enforce 'the law of love that prohibits lawlessness' 'If . your heart is full of corruption or sin or immorality - in this case, . homosexuality - then you should be discriminated against,' Klingenschmitt argued. He then tried to prove that Martin Luther King Jr had advocated discrimination - just not on skin color. 'When these confusing statutes now try to redefine discrimination and say that you can no longer discriminate against character... they're actually saying Martin Luther King himself ought to be punished for his views, and that's not right,' he concluded, somewhat nonsensically. Klingenschmitt is no stranger to controversy. He was court-martialled for disobeying orders and was eventually discharged from the Navy for turning up at anti-Navy protests in full uniform. Publicity: Klingenschmitt publically protested at not being able to pray in Jesus name after Navy chaplains were asked to be 'inclusive' at command event settings that aren't specifically religious . Since then, he's made discrimination against the LBGT community his quest. He has claimed that gay marriage will destroy straight marriage, but when questioned by David Pakeman last month about how his marriage to his wife had been affected by gay people marrying each other, he was unable to come up with a single reason. Later, he published a list of seven ways in which his marriage was affected by gay marriage, including that it had increased his taxes and increased the national debt due to 'tax benefits' given to gay couples. | Gordon Klingenschmitt said there is a 'demonic spirit of lawlessness' among government officials .
He said gays are 'lawless' and 'sodomy is a perversion' on his YouTube show .
Earlier this week, he spoke out in favor of discrimination against gay people . |
264,309 | e2538e1e69997d7fee81e9c5fc959ed0d82737cc | Luxury pad: Leslie Alexander, owner of the Houston Rockets basketball team, has paid $42 million for a penthouse in New York's 18 Gramercy Park (pictured) The owner of the Houston Rockets basketball team has paid $42 million for a duplex penthouse in New York City's Gramercy Park. Leslie Alexander’s purchase has made records in real estate prices and represents the highest sale price in downtown Manhattan, according to the Wall Street Journal. The condo has 6,330 square feet of interior space with five bedrooms and 5½ baths, a library and gallery. There are four terraces taking up 1,889 square feet of space, one of which faces Gramercy Park with views of the Chrysler building. The luxury home has an outdoor infinity pool with a sun deck on one terrace and a heated whirlpool on another. Both terraces open from the master bedroom. Alexander, 70, who was valued at around $1.2 billion, would have put a down payment of around $8,400,000 on the condo, with a monthly installment of $194,681, including his mortgage, according to the real estate listing on streeteasy.com. In 2006 it was revealed that Alexander was amongst the 400 richest people in the US. The 18 Gramercy Park duplex, which is located on the 17th and 18th floors, is a conversion designed by Robert A.M. Stern that set records for condo prices soon after it went on the market last year. Lucky number 5: The penthouse condo has five bedrooms and five and a half baths . Bright and beautiful: The condo (not pictured) has great views over Gramercy Park . Sprawling: The 6,330-square foot home (not pictured) also has a library and gallery . The building, which was a former . Salvation Army residence for women, was developed by Zeckendorf . Development and Eyal Ofer Global Holdings. They . were two of the development partners of Mr Stern's 15 Central Park . West, a building that holds current records for the most expensive . closed condo sale in Manhattan, said the Wall Street Journal. Alexander, . a former Wall Street trader from New Jersey, bought the Rockets in July . 1993 and in his first season as owner, the Rockets won their first-ever . NBA title. They repeated as champs in 1995. From . 1997 until early 2007, Alexander was the owner of the WNBA's Houston . Comets. The Comets won the league's first 4 WNBA championships from 1997 . to 2000. Basketball: Leslie Alexander, (left) with newly-signed player for the Houston Rockets, Scottie Pippen . He sold the team to Hilton Koch in January 2007 and the Comets folded a year later. He was named the best owner in the NBA by Forbes in 2008. He also owns a vineyard on Long Island and the related company Leslie Wine, launched in 2008. He also has a residence in Houston. Alexander started trading options and bonds for a Wall Street firm before he broke off to form his own investment company, The Alexander Group, in 1980. Alexander divorced his wife, Nanci, in 2003 in a secret divorce in which he paid her $150 million. | The two-story condo at 18 Gramercy Park boasts 6,330 square feet of interior space .
It has five bedrooms, five and a half baths and a library .
Bought by Leslie Alexander who is valued at around $1.2 billion .
In 2006 he was one of the 400 richest people in the US .
He bought the Houston Rockets NBA basketball team in 1993 . |
161,524 | 5cd2009268a05ead2b543233b44436487d9c024f | (CNN) -- Las Vegas police still don't know what set off the incident, what prompted the driver of a gray Honda Accord to hit an man and leave him writhing in pain on the pavement of Las Vegas gas station. In the two weeks since the incident, the motorists has eluded them. But they do have one thing: surveillance camera footage. And like other enforcement around the country, they think by releasing the video, by posting it online, they'll get the help they need. The start of the video seems mundane. Cars line up to get gas, people coming and going. Then, a gray Honda Accord pulls into the parking lot of an AMPM gas station. The Accord cuts off a man's car. The man, wearing a red cap and sweatshirt, drives around it to avoid an accident. Later, as the man crosses the parking lot, the Accord drives up to him, nearly clipping him. Then the car moves forward, bumping the man and running him over. As the car turns out of the station, the man is seen lying on the ground. His cap is knocked off his head. He clutches his legs. "The guy was on the floor for 10 minutes, screaming," gas station employee Sheyla Rodriguez told CNN affiliate KVVU. "We tried to help him the most we can." The man was seriously injured and taken to a hospital for treatment, the affiliate said. The incident occurred February 6. That all happened on February 6th. Police have some information about the driver, some information about the car and they know it's has a California plate. They're hoping if the video gets views, they'll get their man. It's not a farfetched idea. Earlier this month, police in San Antonio released a frightening helmet camera video recorded by a motorcyclist weaving in and out of traffic. In about a week, they had their suspect in custody. And last fall, video of an altercation between motorcyclists and an SUV driver in Manhattan resulted in several arrests. Officer Larry Hadfield in Las Vegas thinks the same could happen in his case. "It could take just one viewer," he told KVVU. "At no point does anyone deserve to be run over by a car in this way." | Police think releasing surveillance footage will lead to arrest .
A gray Honda bumps and runs over a man .
"It could take just one viewer," office says . |
18,558 | 347a5689dc0ecf325398925605f1fab7b9717f7b | Meet Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen. These eight female puppies were found dumped on the side of a highway in Houston, Texas, on Thursday morning inside a bag of dog food. They were taken to a local vet by a good Samaritan and promptly named after Santa's eight reindeer. Now they're set to fly on to new homes in time for Christmas. Dumped: Eight puppies were found abandoned in a bag of dog food in Houston, Texas, on Thursday morning . David Cradic from North Houston Veterinary Specialists told KHOU.com: 'All eight puppies are very healthy. They're happy hungry, eating well.' The dogs are thought to be Australian Shepherd and Rottweiler mixes. They were discovered near Willowbrook Mall by an unidentified man who heard them whimpering. Festive: They were taken to a local vet where they were christened Meet Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen . Dinner is served: Vets said that the tiny dogs were 'happy' and eating well . After staying in for overnight observation the puppies will now be transferred to the Abandoned Animal Rescue shelter. They will remain in foster care for a few weeks before being put up for adoption. Dozens of people have already expressed interest after hearing about their plight. 'They are so beautiful, momma must be missing them how can anyone do this. It's very sad and I hope they find great homes,' one commenter said. New homes for Christmas: The pups will remain in foster care for a few weeks before being adopted . | Eight puppies were discovered on the side of a highway in Houston, Texas, on Thursday morning inside a dog food bag .
They were taken to a local vet and named after Santa's eight reindeer .
When they've got the all-clear they will be put up for adoption . |
218,903 | a7590e7b09bdc4174f1e11d307089ff342f40374 | By . Sam Peters . Stuart Broad will undergo surgery on his injured knee at the end of the current Investec Test series against India in a bid to be fit for next year’s World Cup. The 28-year-old England fast bowler has been suffering from patella tendonitis in his right knee for several months but has bowled through the pain barrier this summer after first experiencing significant problems during the Ashes tour last winter. The 6’5” quick has worn a special supportive brace on his knee – originally designed for race horses - this summer which has enabled him to play in all of England’s five Tests so far and should see him play through to the end of the current five-match series. On his knees: Broad is set for surgery after the Test series against India but will play the remaining Tests . He has discussed the possibility of surgery in the past, but sources close to him yesterday confirmed it is ‘highly probable’ he will have his knee operated on shortly after the completion of the final Test at the Oval which finishes August 19. The recovery time for the surgery, which will see tendons in his knee cut and shortened, should be in the region of three to four months, meaning Broad will miss England’s the upcoming five-match ODI series against India as well as the seven-match tour to Sri Lanka in November – but crucially he should be fit for the World Cup in Australia next February. ‘It makes logical sense to have the surgery at the end of this Test series as the focus is then very much on the World Cup,’ a source said. Under strain: Broad has been struggling with his injury throughout this five-Test series . Main men: Broad (second left) and James Anderson (left) are England's attack leaders . Broad has battled manfully through the summer, despite experiencing excruciating pain every time he delivers the ball. The pain got so bad during the second Test at Lord’s that he was forced to take hot baths in the middle of the night in order to ‘get some heat’ through the joint and enable him to get some sleep. ‘At Lord’s I was having hot baths in the middle of the night just to get some warmth through it but I can honestly say that I’m more confident about getting through all five Tests than I have been at any point this summer,’ Broad told Mail Sport on Sunday. Last week’s third Test at Southampton, which saw Broad take three vital wickets, was considered ‘make or break’ for Broad but he was able to bowl relatively pain free and therefore avoided having surgery midway through the summer. | Broad has been struggling with a knee injury throughout Investec series .
He is expected to play in fourth Test at Old Trafford, starting on Thursday .
England Twenty20 captain faces biggest workload of any player . |
51,187 | 90da7154ddb51f04b7c718e2c596f8c12a241c2d | By . Ellie Zolfagharifard . There’s nothing quite like biting into a warm, soft cookie oozing with chocolate. Mankind has spent decades trying to create the perfect recipe, but often no two batches are ever the same. Now, in his quest to create a flawless confectionary, an engineer from San Francisco has developed what could be the holy grail of cookie-making. Scroll down for video… . Ben Krasnow has created a machine (pictured) that mixes the perfect amount of each baking ingredient to make a single cookie. Using specially-designed software, the recipe of every single cookie can be tweaked to different preferences . Ben Krasnow has created a machine that mixes the perfect amount of each baking ingredient to make a single cookie. Using specially-designed software, the recipe of every single cookie can be tweaked to different preferences. For those who like their cookie chewier, they move the slider on the software which sends a signal to the machine to release more flour. Ben Krasnow has developed a machine that mixes the perfect amount of each baking ingredient to make a single cookie . The single-serving cookie machine claims to measure the ingredients completely accurately each time. ‘This machine allows me to mix a single cookie and vary the recipe for each cookie on the sheet,' said Mr Krasnow in his blog. 'Hence, I can test many different recipe variations with one batch of ingredients in one afternoon’ This machine would be welcome news to Serious Eats Chief Creative Officer James Kenji Lopez-Alt who last month baked 1,536 cookies in his quest to find his personal perfect chocolate chip cookie. But for some, a major downside is that the machine creates only one cookie at a time. This means you’ll no longer be able to secretly feast on those cookies that ‘didn’t make the grade’. Using specially-designed software, the recipe of every single cookie can be tweaked to different preferences . | Ben Krasnow developed the machine which creates one cookie at a time .
Ratio of ingredients can be changed each time using a computer program .
'I can test many different recipe variations with one batch of ingredients in one afternoon’ said the San Francisco-based inventor . |
94,820 | 05d899967f23d0e6ddfb3583d191381f2ce7a3ec | A British charity worker has been trapped in Africa since November after claiming to have fallen victim to a conman. Des Cordery, 65, had travelled to Gambia where he had been visiting the grave of his late partner, who had died there in 2010 following a battle with cancer. Mr Cordery had also been checking on the progress of a charity venture he set up with a local businessman and hotelier during a previous visit in August. Des Cordery, 65, had travelled to Gambia in November where he had been visiting the grave of his late partner, who had died there in 2010 following a battle with cancer . However, when he returned to the country three months later, he claimed that nothing had been done on the project. Mr Cordery says he immediately pulled out of the project, but the hotelier called police and the British pensioner became caught up in a legal wrangle which ended with police confiscating his passport. The incident comes more than four years after his partner of eight years, Veronique McPake, went to the West African nation in 2010 to die following a lengthy battle with thyroid cancer. He said: ‘Veronique had been struggling with thyroid cancer for a while, and had always loved Gambia. ‘She didn't want to be a burden on her family, so when the time was near she went to the place closest to her heart. She was only 52.’ When Mr Cordery returned over the summer he said he witnessed the lack of resources for those with learning disabilities, and decided to set up a charity to help. Mr Cordery had also been checking on the progress of a charity venture he set up with a local businessman and hotelier in Gambia during a previous visit to the West African nation in August . The grandfather-of-three, who lives in Kent and who has volunteered and worked for mental health charity Mencap, was befriended by a hotel owner and businessman. According to Mr Cordery, the pair planned to build a day centre to help locals with learning disabilities in honour of his dead partner, and that he donated a sum of money to get the project off the ground. He named it the McPake Educational Foundation. But when he returned to the country in November to visit Veronique's grave and check progress on the foundation, he claimed that nothing had been done on the project. Instead he claims that his business partner has spent his money renovating his hotel. He was arrested thrown in a cell after his partner allegedly called police when he pulled out of the deal. He was unable to pay bail set by the local court, so his passport has been confiscated and he cannot get it back until he wins the case or stumps up 257,000 Gambian Dalasi (£4,000). The retired schoolteacher added: ‘My charity partner basically turned round and tried suing me for loss of earnings because of the time he spent working on the project while I was in England.’ Mr Cordery, who has three grown-up children from a previous relationship, said: ‘I came out here to give some money to help set up a centre of people with learning difficulties and make the centre accessible for people in wheelchairs. Mr Cordery says he planned to build a day centre to help locals with learning disabilities in honour of his dead partner and donated a sum of money to get the project off the ground . ‘I think I have had a good life and it's time to give something back. I donated £800 to a police run local disabled school. ‘The directors of that school put me in contact with a local businessman who they said had been trying to open up a handicap school. ‘But it seems they have just spent the money on painting and decorating to make the hotel look good for resale. I believed him - I thought he was genuine all the way. ‘I don't want to pay this guy the money, partly because I can't afford to, and also because I want the money I can afford to spend to go to helping the needy, not lining the pockets of the greedy.’ So far seven hearings have been postponed at Kanifing Magistrates' Court in Serekunda. Mr Cordery's brother Andrew, 67, of Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, said: ‘It's a bit of a pain for him. 'It's not clear what's going on and it's very unfortunate that he's got into this mess for his good intentions.’ The 65-year-old volunteered at East Kent Mencap, in Margate, for three years until he was employed as a case worker two years ago. Alison Fengas, HR manager of East Kent Mencap, said: ‘His work with us involves dealing with people with learning difficulties in this country and he hoped to use his experience to help others in Gambia. ‘We all wish him well and we hope it's resolved as soon as possible.’ A spokesman for the British Embassy in Gambia said: ‘We can confirm the arrest of a British national in Gambia. We are providing consular assistance.’ But the embassy was unable to divulge further information on an ongoing civil matter, the spokesman said. Mr Cordery will next appear before magistrates on Tuesday, but expects it may be months before he is free to return to Britain. | Des Cordery, 65, had passport confiscated by Gambian police in November .
He had set up a charity foundation with local hotelier during visit in August .
When he returned he claimed no work had begun despite putting money in .
A legal battle ensued after Mr Cordery decided to pull out of the project .
The incident comes four years after his girlfriend died of cancer during a visit to the West African country . |
213,810 | a0e84f76919ebd43bf0887c890a53ea06fda789a | (CNN) -- Virginia Tech plans to consider all its options after it reviews a jury verdict that found it was negligent in a 2007 shooting rampage that left 33 people dead, including the gunman, a university spokesman said. The move follows Wednesday's verdict by a seven-member jury in Christiansburg, Virginia, that awarded $4 million each to two victims' families who sued the state for wrongful death in the shooting massacre. "We are disappointed with today's decision and stand by our long-held position that the administration and law enforcement at Virginia Tech did their absolute best with the information available on April 16, 2007," Mark Owczarski, a university spokesman, said in a statement. "We will discuss this matter with the attorney general, carefully review the case and explore all of the options available." The jury found Virginia Tech failed to notify students early enough following the discovery of two shooting victims at West Ambler Johnston dormitory. The two students were the first victims of Seung-Hui Cho, who went on to kill 30 more people at Norris Hall -- home to the Engineering Science and Mechanics Department -- after chaining the doors closed. He also wounded 17 people before killing himself. The families of Erin Peterson and Julia Pryde, who were killed in Norris Hall, argued that had officials notified students, faculty and staff earlier of the shooting at the dormitory, lives might have been spared. Peterson died while in her French class; Pryde was shot while attending an advanced hydrology class. The Peterson and Pryde families did not accept a portion of an $11 million settlement between the state and the families of victims, opting instead to sue for wrongful death. "It certainly was the end of a long process for us where we just said we wanted to get a little bit more truth. A little bit of accountability and we weren't just going to go away, and so we came here and this is what happened," Harry Pryde, Julia's father, told CNN affiliate WDBJ of Roanoke, Virginia. While the jury awards the families $4 million each, an attorney for the state has asked the judge to reduce the verdict to $100,000 per claim. State law limits awards to $100,000, though the judge approved a request by an attorney for the family to file a motion on the matter. The university does not believe the evidence presented during the trial showed there was an increased danger on campus, Owczarski, the university spokesman, said. Virginia Tech President Charles W. Steger, in a letter to the school's faculty, staff and students, said the killings "were an unprecedented act of violence that no one could have foreseen." The evidence presented during the trial "established that it was the unanimous decision of three law enforcement agencies that the mass shooting was simply not foreseeable. Only with hindsight can one conclude that Cho's unprecedented acts were foreseeable," Kenneth T. Cuccinelli II, a spokesman for the state attorney general, said in a statement following the verdict. Authorities initially believed the shooting at the dormitory was a case of domestic violence, a jealous boyfriend who shot the couple. While police were questioning a possible suspect, Cho opened fire at Norris Hall. The Department of Education found, in a 2010 report, that Virginia Tech did not notify students in a "timely manner" -- as dictated by what is known as the Clery Act -- after the shooting at the dormitory. The government also fined Virginia Tech for failing to follow internal school policies. According to the Department of Education report, police went to the dormitory at 7:24 a.m. after being notified about the shooting of two students. The university notified students, faculty and staff of the shooting in an e-mail at 9:26 a.m., the report said. It was about 15 minutes after the e-mail that Cho began his rampage, it said. Since the massacre, the school has beefed up its communications, using methods that include e-mail notices; telephone, cellular phone and text messages; classroom electronic message signs; posters; university website notices; campus loudspeakers and desktop alerts. In addition, the safety phones in the campus and local community are connected to the campus 911 emergency operator and residential buildings are accessible only through a key card. Door alarms sound, alerting police, if an exterior door is propped open in a residence hall. CNN's Eric Fiegel contributed to this report. | A jury has found Virginia Tech was negligent in the April 2007 shooting rampage .
Seung-Hui Cho fatally shot 32 people before killing himself .
The families of two victims sued for wrongful death .
The jury awarded the two families $4 million each . |
258,494 | da8f403374bfa65260bee8966db3829336f5b342 | Click here for your ultimate stats zone from the big game, including Federico Fazio's full debut pitch map. All cup runs have to start somewhere. But if Tottenham go onto win the Europa League this season, this drab stalemate in Serbia will be lucky to make the commemorative DVD. As goalless draws go, this was pretty awful. But when Mauricio Pochettino arrives back in England in the early hours of the morning, he'll know it could have been so much worse. Tottenham striker Harry Kane rattled the crossbar from a tight angle with a thunderous shot but it was the closest that Spurs game to a goal in the first half . Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino shakes hand with Partizan boss Marko Nikolic ahead of his first game as a manager in full European competition . Andros Townsend, who was booked in the first half for showing dissent to a linesman, is thrown off the ball by Partizan's Vladimir Volkov . Partizan Belgrade: Lukac, Vulicevic, Branko Ilic, Stankovic, Volkov, Grbic, Drincic, Cirkovic, Pantic, Sasa Ilic, Lazovic. Subs: Kljajic, Petrovic, Luka, Fofana, Ninkovic, Andrija Zivkovic, Markovic. Tottenham Hotspur: Lloris 6.5, Naughton 6, Fazio 6.5, Vertonghen 7, Davies 5, Lennon 5.5, Bentaleb 5, Paulinho 5 (Soldado 60, 5), Stambouli 6.5 (Capoue 72, 6.5), Townsend 6.5 (Lamela 59, 6), Kane 6. Subs not used: Vorm, Chiriches, Dier, Eriksen. Referee: Alon Yefet (Israel) But for a 10 minute spell at the start of the game, Partizan Belgrade dominated this encounter without finding the goal their performance probably deserved. Pochettino made 10 changes from the side that started against Sunderland on Saturday, Hugo Lloris the only survivor from the 2-2 draw. There were full debuts for summer signings Federico Fazio and Benjamin Stambouli, while Harry Kane was handed another chance to impress ahead of Roberto Soldado whose Spurs career goes from bleak to virtually non-existent. Speaking on Wednesday night, Pochettino insisted the Europa League remained a priority for Spurs, despite his decision to leave behind a host of senior first-teamers for the trip to Belgrade. It's safe to say Spurs fans need convincing, however; just 150 making the trip to Serbia for the encounter. But Kane very nearly gave them something to shout about inside the first minute, hitting the cross bar with a sharp angled shot after Partizan failed to deal with Ben Davies' corner. It was a promising start for the visitors, who despite 10 changes, looked far from disjointed during the opening exchanges. Click here for your ultimate stats zone from the big game, including this pitch map from Harry Kane's disappointing first half . Left back Ben Davies was given a start in Tottenham's first Europa League game of the season and he did his best to get forward and boost his side's attacking threat . Andros Townsend reacted badly to a decision from the linesman and this dissent earned the Tottenham man a booking . After failing to convert Tottenham's most clear-cut chance in the first half Harry Kane became a peripheral figure, rarely getting the ball in front of goal . Slowly but surely though Partizan, who have won all five of their Super Liga games this season, broke into their stride with Miroslav Vulicevic and Petar Grbic, in particular, causing Spurs problems down the Serbians' right side. Danko Lazovic saw his shot blocked by Fazio in the 15th minute following excellent work from impressive right winger Grbic. Partizan continued to find Spurs' left side a fruitful outlet as Davies struggled to make the desired impression on Pochettino. The Argentine manager took the decision to leave regular left-back Danny Rose back in England; you wondered if he regretted that given Davies difficult start last night. Andros Townsend tried to shift the flow of the game towards, but his trademark runs down the right were too few and far between for Pochettino's liking. Davies' below-par display continued on 30 minutes when Grbic once more eluded the Welshman's attentions before picking out Sasa Ilic at the back post, only for the Partizan captain to blaze wildly over the bar. Townsend needlessly earned himself a yellow card in the 34th minute for angrily remonstrating with one of the assistant referees after he was adjudged to have fouled Vladimir Volkov. Benjamin Stambouli, making his full debut for Tottenham in the centre of midfield, challenges for the ball with Partizan's Lazar Cirkovic . Andros Townsend was constantly involved for Tottenham in their first Europa League tie of the season but unable to have much of an impact in the final third . At least someone in a Spurs shirt was showing a semblance of passion, though. Spurs did little to back up their manager's claim the Europa League would not be an after thought this season, centre-backs Fazio and Jan Vertonghen the only two to produce a decent 45 minute display. The only crumb of comfort for Pochettino came in the fact that they were still on level terms, Lloris making a good save from Danilo Pantic in the final minute of the first half after a rapid Partizan counter attack to ensure that was the case. It was all too slow from Spurs. No urgency, particularly in the attacking third. And it didn't get much better for the visitors after half-time as Partizan continued to dominate proceedings. Tottenham defender Federico Fazio, who won the Europa League last season with Sevilla, made his first start for Spurs at centre back in Belgrade . Brazilian midfielder Paulinho battles for the ball with Partizan's Vladimir Volkov as Tottenham attempted to stamp some authority on the game, without much success . Spanish striker Roberto Soldado came off the bench to try and give Tottenham some extra firepower but he shot wide with this acrobatic volley . Davies nightmare continued three minutes after the restart as he received a booking for hauling down his chief tormentor Grbic after the Montenegrin beat him yet again. Lloris was forced into another save in the 50th minute, comfortably holding Grbic's shot after Lazovic's pass. The France No. 1 denied Grbic yet again in then 60th minute, diving low down to his left to save the midfielder's curling effort. Spurs weren't improving, and their manager knew it. Aaron Lennon struggles to get away from Partizan Belgrade's Nikola Drincic as the Spurs wide-man was denied time and space to show his attacking abilities . Tottenham's Belgian defender Jan Vertonghen keeps Vojislav Stankovic off the ball but it was Partizan who had the better of the chances in Belgrade . Pochettino threw on Erik Lamela and Soldado, who played alongside Kane in double-pronged attack, in an bid to change the complexion of proceedings. His move didn't have the desired effect, though, as the home side continued to poor forward in search of a winner. Sasa Ilic sent a shot from outside the area over the bar before directing a diving header in the with 14 minutes left to play. Kane's 25 yard free-kick straight at Partizan's wall in the 83rd minute summed up Spurs' night in an attacking sense. Lacklustre. Hugo Lloris was the busier of the two goalkeepers but in truth he was rarely stretched as Tottenham were held to a goalless draw in Belgrade . | Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino managing for the first time in European competition .
Spurs unable to score against organized Partizan Belgrade .
Harry Kane hits the crossbar early on for Tottenham but Hugo Lloris is the busier of the goalkeepers . |
194,198 | 876059dc9b2c5a01835a859b1cdf99993a3fc22c | A cash-strapped tradesman who was found guilty of murdering a Sydney woman at her waterfront mansion has been sentenced to a maximum of 24 years behind bars. Shahnaz Qidwai's husband, daughters and son cried and embraced in court after the sentence was handed down while her killer Tony Halloun stood expressionless. The labourer, who was hired to concrete the Qidwais' driveway in 2012, had asked for $3,500 but Dr Khalid Qidwai refused to pay him before the job was done. The next day, Shahnaz Qidwais was found bludgeoned to death in her multi-million-dollar home in Henley, in Sydney's north-west. A NSW Supreme Court previously heard Halloun killed Mrs Qidwai, 65, and stole more than $3,000 from the family home. It took just two hours for the jury in September to unanimously find the tradesman guilty of murder. Her body was discovered by her youngest daughter Maha on her bedroom floor, her face and mouth covered in blood and bruises. Scroll down for video . Dr Khalid Qidwai and his children outside a NSW Supreme Court in Sydney on Friday after the sentencing of Tony Halloun . Dr Khalid Qidwai and his children cried and embraced when the sentencing was handed down in court . Tony Halloun has been found guilty of murdering Shahnaz Qidwai on June 15, 2012 . Grandmother Shahnaz Qidwai (pictured here with husband Dr Khalid Qidwai) was found bludgeoned to death in her harbourside home in 2012 . It took the jury two hours to find Tony Halloun guilty of murdering Mrs Qidwai (far right) who was 65 years old . In sentencing Halloun on Friday, Justice Lucy McCallum said this 'grim experience has cast a haunting veil over her (Maha's) memories of her mother'. It was clear Mrs Qidwai was an extraordinary woman, full of warmth and kindness and that her family 'will always ache' for her, she added. Halloun, Justice McCallum said, had taken advantage of this kindness on the day of Mrs Qidwai's death by getting her to allow him into the home. Once inside, the financially-stressed Halloun rummaged through the envelopes of cash kept by Mrs Qidwai. While no one could say for certain what happened next, Justice McCallum said she was satisfied Mrs Qidwai probably happened upon Halloun doing something wrong and he attacked her 'out of panic'. 'I am satisfied that the offender formed an intention to steal from the house but I doubt he intended to kill Mrs Qidwai,' she said. Halloun has shown no remorse and told many lies, including one 'bizarre tale' that he had seen masked intruders holding Mrs Qidwai at gunpoint on the day of her death. 'His apparent inability to accept responsibility for (the murder) in the face of an overwhelming circumstantial case may come down to a question of pride or an inability to say out loud that he did such a terrible thing.' But, she said, up until the murder, Halloun had led a good life and that the offence was out of character. She sentenced the 35-year-old to a maximum of 24 years and a minimum of 17. Taking into account time already served, he will be eligible for parole in August 2029. Halloun was led out of court in a pair of handcuffs as he covered his face from cameras in September . Two years ago, the concreter went to the doctor's surgery on June 14 and asked for $3,500 but Dr Qidwai refused to pay before the job was done. Halloun became aggressive, the court heard, and used the chilling words: 'I'll win in the end'. The next day, Mrs Qidwai wasfound bludgeoned to death in her multi-million-dollar Henley home - in Sydney's north-west - following the bitter feud. It took a NSW Supreme Court jury just two hours in September to find Tony Halloun guilty of the murder of Shahnaz Qidwai in her Henley home on June 15, 2012. The victim's widower Dr Khalid Qidwai and their adult children wept as the jury handed down its decision while the detective who led the investigation wiped away tears. Halloun showed no emotion as he removed his tie and was led from the dock. One of his supporters sat with mouth agape and head bowed. Halloun's trial heard he was nearly $100,000 in debt at the time of the killing and had repeatedly asked Dr Qidwai for cash. Dr Khalid Qidwai and his children speak to the media after the sentencing of Tony Halloun . The following day Dr Qidwai's wife, Shahnaz Qidwai, 65, was found bashed to death in their multi-million dollar waterfront home in Henley, in north-west Sydney . During the trial, which began in August, crown prosecutor Giles Tabuteau (pictured) said Halloun took $3,400 from the home . Mr Tabuteau said Halloun fabricated three different versions of events in order to explain DNA and crime scene evidence . | Tony Halloun was hired to concrete Dr Khalid Qidwai's driveway in Henley .
Halloun asked for $3,500 but Dr Qidwai refused to pay until job was done .
The next day, his wife was found bludgeoned to death in their mansion .
It took the jury only two hours to deliver a guilty verdict for the labourer .
The couple's daughter discovered her mother's body on June 15, 2012 . |
121,029 | 286a620ad4b8dcd46855efb47d71c48598884175 | (CNN) -- Barcelona need just one point to win Spain's La Liga for the third straight year after a 2-0 win over neighbors Espanyol Sunday night. Goals from Andres Iniesta and Gerard Pique have taken Barcelona to 91 points, eight ahead of Real Madrid, who thrashed Sevilla 6-2 Saturday to keep alive their slim hopes. Barcelona will clinch the title Wednesday night if they avoid defeat against Levante. They will then turn their attentions to the Champions League final against Manchester United on May 28 at Wembley. It was not a vintage display by Pep Guardiola's men in the wake of their Champions League semifinal second leg tie against Real Madrid in midweek. But World Cup winner Iniesta found room for himself to shoot home in the first half after 20 minutes with Pique heading home from a Xavi corner at the start of the second. Espanyol, who are still chasing a Europa League place, offered stiff resistance in the Nou Camp, but Barcelona were always in command and Eric Abidal came off the bench for a second appearance after his successful recovery from a liver tumor. Valencia look set to finish third behind Barca and Real as Mallorca and Villarreal drew 0-0. They lead Villarreal by five points after their 3-0 win over Real Sociedad 24 hours earlier. Villarreal coach Juan Carlos Garrido said his team were tired after contesting the Europa League semifinal Thursday. "We can say that we have got a point which takes us closer to a place in the Champions League although obviously a win would have been better," he told AFP. Osasuna scored a fine 3-1 away win at Real Zaragoza in Sunday's late game to ease their relegation fears. | Barcelona beat Espanyol 2-0 to close on Spanish title .
Barcelona need just a point to clinch crown for third straight year .
Andres Iniesta and Gerard Pique score the winning goals . |
160,577 | 5b99a90e7a6e47c5b4a98a12a650a1a0aa48d5d3 | By . Rob Cooper . PUBLISHED: . 04:35 EST, 7 June 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 12:50 EST, 7 June 2013 . Charged: Bill Roache leave Preston magistrates court after a brief preliminary hearing today . Coronation Street actor Bill Roache vowed to 'vigorously protest his innocence' as he arrived at court today to face new sex abuse charges. His lawyer said the actor finds the allegations 'deeply upsetting' in a statement. Roache, 81, was last night charged with sexually assaulting another four girls, one as young as 11. He was re-arrested yesterday, a month after he was charged with twice raping a schoolgirl in 1967. Speaking outside Preston Magistrate's Court, the actor's lawyer Brian Russell said that the new charges were made after fresh 'victims' came forward in the last month. 'Yesterday, Mr Roache was interviewed at length in the police station, and as you know was then charged with five offences of indecent assault,' said Mr Russell. 'These allegations arose out of the publicity which was generated when Mr Roache was interviewed on May 1 for offences of rape. 'So during two lengthy police interviews,Mr Roache has fully co-operated with all the questions that police have had for him in relation to these matters.' The lawyer added that Roache will fight the case 'vigorously'. 'We expect that later this year, or possibly early next year, a jury will be asked to consider whether Mr Roache is guilty or not guilty of those charges,' he said. 'Mr Roache looks forward to standing before that jury where he will vigorously protest his innocence against what he regards as deeply upsetting allegations made against him.' The new allegations against Roache, who has played Ken Barlow over six decades, are claimed to have happened in the Manchester area between 1965 and 1968. Roache was later bailed to appear at . Preston Crown Court on Monday, when he is due to face an earlier charge . of raping a 15-year-old girl in 1967. During . the hearing, he exchanged greetings with Lona Smith, chair of the bench . of magistrates, before he gave his full name - William Patrick Roache - . his address, date of birth and the name of his legal representative. The court clerk then proceeded to outline the details of the five fresh charges which were made yesterday. Mr Russell interrupted her to state: 'I indicate they are not guilty pleas.' The . dates of the alleged indecent assaults in the Manchester area and the . names of the four alleged victims - who cannot be named for legal . reasons - were then read out. Two . counts relate to a girl aged under 16 in 1965, one to a 16-year-old in . 1965, one to a girl aged under 16 in 1968 and one to a girl under 13 in . 1968. Contesting the charges: Lawyer Brian Russell (right) makes a statement on behalf of the veteran actor (left) outside the court today saying Roache will vigorously contest the allegations . Sex abuse charges: Coronation Street Actor Bill Roache arrives at court this morning after being charged with five offences last night . Bill Roache will 'vigorously protest his innocence' when his sex abuse case goes before a jury, his lawyer said today. Speaking outside Preston magistrates' court, Mr Russell said: 'Yesterday Mr Roache was interviewed at length at the police station and, as you know, was then charged with five offences of indecent assault. 'These allegations arose out of the publicity that was generated when Mr Roache was interviewed on May 1 for offences of rape. 'So during two lengthy police interviews Mr Roache has fully co-operated with all the questions that the police have had for him in relation to these matters. 'Today we expect those cases to be transferred to the Crown Court and there will be another appearance of a short nature on Monday. 'We expect that later this year, or possibly early next year, a jury will be asked to consider whether Mr Roache is guilty or not guilty of those charges. 'Mr Roache looks forward to standing before that jury where he will vigorously protest his innocence against what he regards as deeply upsetting allegations made against him. 'Ladies and gentlemen, I can't go into any more detail, it would be inappropriate at this stage.' Joanna White, prosecuting, said the eldest alleged victim was 16, one was 14, one was aged 13 or 14 at the time and the other was 11 or 12. She added the above matters were not suitable for summary trial before magistrates with a possible sentence of up to 18 months in prison for such an offence. Roache is one of the best-known stars to be held over child sex allegations in the aftermath of the Jimmy Savile scandal. His friend Stuart Hall, the disgraced BBC TV presenter, is due to be sentenced later this month after he admitted indecently assaulting 13 girls during the 1960s, 70s and 80s. One was aged just nine when she was molested by the It’s a Knockout host. The Crown Prosecution Service said yesterday three of the new offences allegedly committed by Roache took place in 1965 and two in 1968. Nazir Afzal, Chief Crown Prosecutor . for CPS North West, said: ‘We have carefully considered all the evidence . gathered by Lancashire Police in relation to recent allegations from . four complainants that William Roache indecently assaulted them in the . 1960s. ‘Having completed . our review, we have concluded that there is sufficient evidence and it . is in the public interest for Mr Roache to be charged with five offences . of indecent assault relating to four girls who were aged between 11 or . 12 and 16 at the time that the alleged offences happened. ‘We . have been reviewing evidence and providing early investigative advice . to Lancashire Police regarding these allegations, which were made to . police after Mr Roache was charged with two offences of rape on 1 May . 2013.’ Roache – the world’s . longest-serving soap actor – has played Ken Barlow in the ITV1 soap . since its launch, but will not be appearing in the programme until legal . proceedings are concluded. 'Fighting the allegations': Bill Roache (left) with his lawyer Brian Russell outside Preston magistrates' court this morning. The lawyer said Roache would 'vigorously protest his innocence' after he was charged with five indecent assaults . Charged: Roache has been charged with five indecent assaults against four girls aged between 11 or 12 and 16 . Fans of the soap were stunned when . the twice-married star was taken into custody following a raid at his . home in Wilmslow, Cheshire, last month and charged with twice raping a . 15-year-old girl in 1967 when he was 35 and married to his first wife. In a statement issued by his lawyers . after he was charged with those offences, he said he 'strenuously' denies the allegations and vowed to fight 'to preserve my . innocence in the challenging times ahead'. In March, Roache issued a public . apology after he claimed in a TV interview that sex abuse victims . brought it upon themselves and were being punished for sins in a past . life. He also called for the same anonymity . for those accused of child sex offences as alleged victims are given . until conviction because of the stigma they faced even if subsequently . found innocent. Off air: Coronation Street star Michael Le Vell was charged with 19 sexual offences against a child. His charges are not connected to William Roache's charges . Fellow Coronation Street star Michael . Le Vell, who plays mechanic Kevin Webster, is also currently off air . after being charged with 19 sexual offences against a child, including . rape, indecent assault and sexual activity. He denies the charges, which . are not linked to Roache. Roache’s marriage to his first wife, Anna, ended in divorce in 1974. His second wife Sara died in 2009. Earlier this year it was revealed he . ended his two-year relationship with TV weathergirl Emma Jesson, 44, so . he could explore a ‘mystic message of love’ linked to his membership of . the Pure Love Movement, a religious group. Last month, the Mail revealed that . comedian Jim Davidson is being investigated by Yewtree officers over . claims he indecently assaulted a woman in the Falkland Islands in the . 1980s during a concert tour. The attack is alleged to have . happened while the former Generation Game host was entertaining British . troops stationed there after the Falklands conflict. Davidson, 59, was originally arrested . in January of this year over alleged sex offences in the UK. He denies . all the allegations. Other arrested celebrities include entertainer Rolf . Harris, DJ Dave Lee Travis and comedian Freddie Starr. Disgraced pop star Glitter has also been detained. They all deny any wrongdoing. PR guru Max Clifford has been charged with 11 historic counts of indecent assault against teenage girls. The 70-year-old has vowed to clear his name, labelling the allegations ‘a load of nonsense’. Critics claim the Yewtree investigation has become a celebrity witch-hunt. But Yard chiefs insist it is fair and proportionate. At least one more celebrity is expected to face criminal charges in the coming weeks. Detained: Chris Denning helped launch Gary Glitter's career . A former Radio 1 DJ has been arrested by detectives investigating the Jimmy Savile scandal. Chris Denning, 72, was detained at a hostel in East London by officers working on Operation Yewtree. Scotland Yard said the suspect, whom they have not formally named, was questioned on suspicion of sexual offences. Yesterday it emerged that the arrested man was Denning and that he was quizzed over ‘historic allegations’. It is understood he is not accused of any offences with Savile, a former colleague. Denning was one of the original Radio 1 DJs alongside Tony Blackburn, Jimmy Young, Kenny Everett, Terry Wogan, Pete Murray, Ed Stewart and John Peel when the station launched in 1967. Denning later helped launch the career of Gary Glitter. He lived overseas but recently has been staying at a hostel for the homeless which the Mail is not identifying for legal reasons. Sorry we are unable to accept comments for legal reasons. | Bill Roache's lawyer says the allegations are 'deeply upsetting'
Lancashire Police have charged William Roache with five indecent assaults against four girls aged between 11 or 12 and 16 .
Three of the offences allegedly took place in 1965 and two in 1968 .
He has already been charged separately with the rape of a 15-year-old .
Actor is bailed to appear at Preston Crown Court on Monday . |
197,378 | 8b76d148bfeda674e87024111c88ba09556ca026 | By . Sara Malm . PUBLISHED: . 06:36 EST, 9 November 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 07:12 EST, 9 November 2012 . The teenage pizza delivery boy who allegedly raped a 35-year-old woman while she slept next to her seven-year-old daughter, confessed his crime in a barely readable note, police revealed. Cesar Lucas, 16, today pleaded not guilty to rape and burglary as police released the handwritten letter, signed by the teen on the night of the alleged rape. The accused described ‘a type of disea’ which made him enter the victim’s flat after midnight on September 29. Charged: Delivery boy Cesar Lucas, 16, has pleaded not guilty to rape in court but confessed to 'sexual intercorse' with the 35-year-old in a handwritten note release by police . Cesar Lucas was working as a delivery boy for his father who owns Sal’s Pizza in the same Manhattan neighbourhood as the woman’s luxury apartment building. He was delivering a pizza to the next-door flat when he noticed that the door was slightly ajar and entered the apartment. He sexually assaulted the woman, who was sleeping in her bed with her daughter, police said. ‘I screamed,’ the 35-year-old victim told the New York Daily News. ‘It took him about 30 seconds. I said, “Get off of me,” and I pushed him. He said “I’m sorry,” and ran out,’ she said. On the stand: Cesar was delivering pizza to a neighbour in the 35-year-old woman's luxury condo complex in Manhattan when he attacked her as she slept next to her seven-year-old daughter . Lucas was picked up by police at Sal's Pizza a short time later and charged with rape and burglary. He allegedly told police he was 'feeling horny'. ‘Cesar got type of disea in a way he never had felted before,’ the poorly written note reads. ‘I unrap her from all the coushing she had on top of her. She also started to feel horny, you can say,’ Continuing to refer to himself in the third person, Lucas Cesar then describes the sexual assault, claiming he had sexual intercourse with her for two minutes before leaving the apartment – but not before rummaging through her daughter’s purse and stealing $20, according to the New York Post. The 16-year-old also claims the woman was ‘completely drunk’ ‘I really was pretty scare because she was drunk and I kind ah took advantage of her.’ Appearing at Manhattan Supreme Court today, Lucas Cesar kept his head down and stared at the table in front of him until he was asked to plea. He briefly lifted his head to speak the words ‘Not guilty’. Disturbing: The 16-year-old was on a delivery for his father's restaurant Sal's Pizza . Upon his arrest in the early hours of the 29th September, Cesar Lucas initially denied raping the woman, but admitted he had broken into the flat . ‘What's going on? Why are you arresting me? I've been arrested before for the same thing. I broke into an apartment. It's still pending. I have to go to court,’ he said according to police statements released to the New York Post. Lucas was referring to his arrest in August for breaking into a 39-year-old woman's apartment while making a delivery and stealing her wallet. He was charged with burglary, criminal possession of stolen credit cards and theft of service, to which he has pleaded not guilty . Lucas was taken into custody on September 29 where he eventually made the horrific and grammatically appalling confession to rape. He put all the blame on his ‘disea’, adding in the note that ‘Cesar didn't realized what kind of things he was about to do or make,’ He is back in court January 22. Sorry we are unable to accept comments for legal reasons. | Cesar Lucas, 16, is accused of sexually assaulting a 35-year-old woman as she slept in her Manhattan apartment .
Police released a barely legible handwritten note riddled with spelling mistakes where he confessed to the crime .
The part-time pizza delivery boy today pleaded not guilty . |
35,425 | 64b10a0cd03d9ee503192cc15d935e5ed2e0b80c | (CNN) -- She's really very stealthy. Nina Katchadourian has been creating unusual works of art from her airplane seat -- and occasionally the lavatory -- since 2010, and during the 101 flights since she started flying in a "furiously alert and creative" state, only three people have ever asked about her in-flight activities. Those activities include photographing disaster scenarios, seat-buckle seatmate portraits, snack sculptures and more with her iPhone for a body of work called "Seat Assignment." Katchadourian's years-long project was born on a 2010 flight from New York to Atlanta when she decided that instead of trying to make the time go away or to pretend she wasn't trapped in a metal tube, she'd create things within the spacial and material limitations of an airplane. World's 100 best beaches . "It's an ongoing experiment with the interesting tension between freedom and constraint," she said. "What can you do with very little? And when you're forced to think that way I think you start becoming inventive and you have to think expansively and quite freely for anything to happen." That free thinking led the Brooklyn-based artist to a series of self-portraits in the airplane lavatory where strategically placed toilet seat covers and paper towels provide the flavor of 15th-century Flemish portraiture. That segment of the project is complete -- thanks to several bathroom photo shoots during a 14-hour flight to New Zealand. The trip was particularly productive for Katchadourian, who was on her way to become an artist in residence in Dunedin in 2011. She created an entire exhibit for the Dunedin Public Art Gallery on the way to her post. But she's not always so busy on planes -- sometimes she takes a nap or watches a movie like the rest of us. CNN spoke with Katchadourian recently about her unique approach to air travel. The following transcript has been edited for length and clarity: . CNN: Do you talk to your seatmates? It's very interesting. I feel like years ago, there was a very different attitude around that kind of social situation with who you were sitting next to, and I can remember getting on planes and being even a little bit sort of excited and curious about who I'd be sitting next to. You know, there would inevitably be a little bit of conversation about "How are you doing?" and "Where are you headed?" and I feel like that has sort of stopped in recent years. It really rarely happens anymore. So it seems to be more common that people sit in their seat, and they want to just stay in their zone, and you've kind of purchased your tiny piece of space on the plane and you're trying not to trespass. And so no, there has been very little conversation. And on 101 flights, I've had exactly three people, ever, ask me questions about what I was up to. And I think in part that's because I'm fairly stealthy about what I'm doing. I mean, I think that ... the camera phone is important because I essentially kind of look like a bored person trying to pass the time. I'm just kind of taking these random-looking snapshots of things in front of me. And I really don't want it to look like I'm making art. I want it to look like, in fact, I do sort of want it to look like I'm a bored person. So the very thing I'm trying not to be sort of becomes my alibi in a strange way. Probably the funniest question that's come my way was on a flight ... heading back from London to New York. I'd been busy making a little stop-action animation on my tray table using a postcard I'd bought from the National Gallery and some sugar that I had poured on the postcard, and I was poking with one finger while I took pictures with the other hand. And I was sort of making this sugar shape swirl around on top of this image, and I finished that and I started working on something else, also using the sugar, and the guy next to me said, "I think the previous one was turning out better," and I thought, "Uh oh, I've had an audience and I haven't even known that." Camping: Horror or bliss? CNN: When did you start the portraits in the lavatory? So the first one of those happened on a domestic flight, I guess about six months before the New Zealand trip. And it was also a very spontaneous moment. I had just been in the bathroom and before I walked out, I took one of those tissue paper seat covers and put it on my head and thought "Huh, that's odd. I remind myself a little bit of a Flemish painting." And you know, "Why did I just make that?" I didn't really know. But in the spirit of the project, you kind of try everything, and I try not to talk myself out of anything. So if something comes to mind, I give it a shot. And then I kept thinking about that one photograph, and I thought I'd really like to make a few more of those. And on a 14-hour leg from San Francisco to Auckland I was pretty sure that there would be long stretches of time when people would be asleep and when the bathrooms wouldn't be occupied. And so I kind of banked on that and got an aisle seat so that I would be able to get in and out of my seat easily without disturbing anyone. And sure enough there was never a line, people were asleep for hours upon hours of that long flight and I had plenty of opportunity to go back there and make a few more of these portraits. Can the 'game-changer' still live up to its name? CNN: What's a shooting stretch in the lavatory? How long does that take? Well, my very first foray back there was probably a few minutes because I was very, I don't know, I just thought, "I have to hurry up. I have to do this fast. What if there's someone waiting to get in here?" But there never was. I maybe made five or six forays to the bathroom and I think by the end I was spending 15 minutes in there comfortably without worrying about it so much. And that series, that happened on that one flight. That series is complete. I have not added to it. It's done. I consider that kind of a finished project. CNN: These photos are kind of fun and optimistic. Do you think that sets you apart from other travelers? Well, they actually aren't all fun and optimistic. I think it's also important to see a whole category of pictures that have been part of this project as a reflection on the anxiety that I also feel when I travel. There's a whole huge category called "Disasters" where I'm crumbling up pretzels and making landslides or taking sweater lint off my sweater and making smoking plumes that come out of airplane jets and all these kind of imagined things that can go wrong. There's also a way to see "Seat Assignment" as a project that helps me cope with the low grade, for me low-grade, stress of travel. You know when you fly, you're inside this metal tube full of a couple hundred people you don't know and you're hurtling through space. And on one hand, this has become very mundane and it feels a little like getting on a bus, but on the other hand, there are moments when I think, "this is completely crazy," and it's very anxiety provoking to imagine things going wrong. I think that for me, "Seat Assignment" is such an absorbing and distracting project that when I'm really dug into making something, I'm very content. I'm really happy, I'm really absorbed, I'm really in the moment, I guess you could say, and I don't sit there worrying or feeling kind of squashed in my seat or anxious or uncomfortable if it gets turbulent or any of those kinds of things. So the project really has -- there are many temperaments within it. CNN: Do you have the same process when you're traveling with someone? I'd say 90% of them are work trips, and as a result I'm usually traveling alone. So when there is someone I know next to me, of course then I don't ever have to wonder, "What is the person next to me thinking?" because they know. That's part of the challenge too, is how far am I willing to go. ... I really don't ever want the project to become intrusive. ... Gum, for example. I've done a few things with chewing gum, but ... I really don't ever do things with chewing gum if there's someone next to me who I don't know because I feel like it's just a little too impolite. CNN: Will this series have an end? I don't know. For the moment it's ongoing and I keep adding to it, and I really feel like it hasn't played out yet. So as long as I feel that way, it's gonna keep going. Some of Katchadourian's "Seat Assignment" work is on view through September 15 in an exhibition at Turner Contemporary in Margate, England, called "Curiosity: Art and the Pleasures of Knowing." Starting in June, a show at the Saatchi Gallery in London will feature some of her work as well. | Artist Nina Katchadourian has been using her camera phone to make art on flights since 2010 .
Lavatory portraits using toilet seat covers raise questions about what goes on in there .
The limitations of space and materials present challenges that push the artist forward .
There's "tension between freedom and constraint," she says . |
195,926 | 8993032702e9cb3e26eb67e061314f0c128d880e | Lucky to be alive: Lee Cowden, with daughters Ruby (left) and Molly (left), lives to tell of her ordeal . The weekend had been perfect: the sun had shone and the charming cottage they had rented in rural Norfolk had provided a much-needed break after months of gruelling IVF treatment. Coming home, however, the roads were so choked with holiday traffic, Lee Cowden and her husband Iain had decided to take a scenic detour, making the journey to Surrey much longer than expected. So when Lee, then 26, walked through the front door she went straight to bed. But instead of drifting off to sleep, the music therapist suddenly found herself feeling breathless as a strange tingling sensation began shooting down her left arm. Within a few moments, an excruciating pain gripped her left shoulder. ‘I kept gasping,’ says Lee. ‘Iain and I were terrified. I had no idea what was happening and Iain ran to call an ambulance.’ Within hours, Lee, who doesn’t smoke or drink, was in intensive care in St George’s Hospital in London, having suffered a major heart attack caused by a blood clot. She says: ‘I remember lying there, strapped to monitors, thinking “How did I get here, what am I doing here?”’ The doctors had no idea what had caused it — Lee had never suffered any cardiac problems before. It was only two days later, when she mentioned she was in the middle of IVF treatment, having already had three failed cycles, that the penny dropped. ‘They told me blood clots are a potential complication of IVF drugs,’ she says. ‘Sitting in the car for hours had caused a blood clot, which had moved to my heart. ‘I was horrified. The IVF had been bad enough but now, all I could think was what chance did I have of conceiving after a heart attack? I just couldn’t stop crying. ‘I couldn’t understand why no one had told me this could happen. If I’d known, I wouldn’t have spent hours sitting in a car.’ The news got worse: the attack had caused a small hole in her heart, which had to be surgically repaired. Doctors advised Lee to wait another nine months before having any more fertility treatment, to avoid putting her body under more strain. ‘It was a desperate time,’ says Lee, from Walton-on-Thames, Surrey. ‘It seemed the very treatment that was supposed to help me achieve my dream was cruelly taking it away from me.’ Lee had needed IVF because she suffered from polycystic ovary syndrome, which made it difficult to get pregnant naturally. ‘I was never told that by having IVF I was putting my health at risk,’ she says. ‘In fact, when nothing happened after the first two cycles, the doctors simply doubled the dosage of fertility drugs.’ Lee’s story sits uneasily with the much-peddled notion that IVF is a safe way to have a baby. Instead, stories like hers raise the terrifying question of whether some IVF clinics are cynically capitalising on women’s desire for a baby, without paying due care to their health. Scroll down for video . Miracle: Lee with newborn baby Molly, who she finally gave birth to after she was left with a hole in her heart as a result of several rounds of IVF treatment . The drive for high success rates — and reassuring statistics to ‘sell’ to prospective clients — raises fears that some clinics are reckless in their willingness to pump drugs into their patients. Around 45,000 IVF cycles are performed in the UK every year to help the one in six couples who suffer from infertility. It’s free on the NHS in some areas, but private clinics charge around £5,000 for a single treatment. The process usually involves injecting stimulating drugs for two weeks so that the woman’s ovaries produce as many eggs as possible — usually 20 to 30. These are then fertilised before being implanted into the womb. It’s thought that the more eggs that can be harvested in a single procedure, the better: any spare embryos can be frozen for use at a later date. "Blood specialists warned us there was a risk but nobody told us that IVF could be life-threatening" Peter Draper . Yet it seems not all women are warned of the serious risks — including death — that can result. Last year, a Swedish study found women who get pregnant through IVF are almost twice as likely to develop potentially fatal blood clots because of the drugs used. Deep vein thrombosis happens to four women per 1,000 who get pregnant through IVF. The risks are very real. In 2012, Emma Draper, 26, from Dagenham in Essex, died from a massive stroke, triggered by a clot, just weeks after getting pregnant through IVF. She was already receiving treatment for a condition called anti-phospholipid syndrome, which makes the blood prone to clotting, but her family say she wasn’t aware her IVF could prove fatal as it can also increase the risk. Her husband Peter said: ‘Blood specialists warned us there was a risk of clotting from changing Emma’s medication, but nobody told us that IVF could be life-threatening.’ Regardless of how they conceive, all women are more prone to clots in pregnancy as the blood tends to coagulate more easily. However, IVF carries an extra risk because it can result in ovarian hyper stimulation syndrome (OHSS) which again raises the chance of a clot. OHSS is caused by the body over-reacting to the drugs used to stimulate the production of eggs. It’s surprisingly common, affecting women after around one in ten cycles of IVF drugs. Tragic: Emma Draper, pictured with husband Peter, died of a stroke just after getting pregnant through IVF . ‘The problem with over-stimulating the ovaries is that this, in turn, produces larger amounts of the hormone oestrogen,’ explains Leila Hanna, consultant gynaecologist and medical director of Chelsfield Park Hospital in Orpington, Kent. ‘Increased amounts of oestrogen can make the blood thicken and could cause it to clot. ‘Certain women are particularly vulnerable to OHSS such as those who suffer with polycystic ovary syndrome, and those under 35.’ And OHSS can also lead to other complications. Katie Preston, who needed IVF because of her husband Matthew’s low sperm count, was 15 weeks pregnant when she began suffering agonising pains in her left side. ‘I felt like a knife twisting inside me,’ says the 27-year-old, from Birmingham. ‘All I could think was “please save my baby and make this stop”. I felt I’d done the hard part by getting pregnant. We were absolutely desperate to have a family — I couldn’t lose my baby now.’ Agonising: Katie Preston, 27, suffered painful ovarian torsion after undergoing rounds of IVF treatment . She was rushed into hospital one Sunday and diagnosed with ovarian torsion, where heavy doses of IVF drugs cause cysts to develop on an ovary and twist it out of position. Surgeons immediately removed Katie’s left ovary and fallopian tube but she had to wait an agonising 24 hours before discovering if the baby had survived as the scan clinic was closed for the weekend. ‘I was utterly overwhelmed when I discovered the baby was OK,’ she says, ‘but the rest of the pregnancy was awful. I could hardly stand up for about five weeks because of the surgery.’ Thankfully, baby Ethan was born healthy after a three-hour labour. ‘I felt absolutely overwhelmed with love for him. I’ve never felt such happiness,’ says Katie. ‘I couldn’t stop looking at him in wonder and thinking “It’s over, I’m finally a mum”,’ she says. ‘All that hurt and frustration and misery just melted away and all my husband could say was “My son, my son”.’ But consultant gynaecologist Professor Geeta Nargund believes many women are suffering unnecessarily and don’t need to be given huge amounts of drugs. Relief: Katie couldn't believe it when she gave birth to Ethan though she had to have her left ovary removed . She practises ‘natural’ IVF at the Create Fertility Clinic, and doesn’t try to boost egg production with drugs, instead harvesting the eggs that a woman produces naturally. If that doesn’t work, they use a low-dose stimulant for just a few days to produce between two and seven eggs, not the usual 20 to 30. She says: ‘By not stimulating the ovaries, we get the strongest eggs, the ones chosen by the body as most suitable for fertilisation. ‘By looking at the quality of a woman’s eggs, not the quantity, we can give her the greatest chance of success while minimising the risks.’ Following her horrific experience with IVF, Lee Cowden eventually gave birth to a healthy baby, Molly, who’s now seven, after undergoing ‘natural’ treatment, along with low doses of fertility drugs. ‘Even now I struggle to find the words to describe that moment,’ she says. ‘I never, ever imagined that I’d hold my own baby in my arms. And then she was here.’ Incredibly, 16 months later, Lee discovered she was pregnant again, this time thanks to Mother Nature. It seems her ovaries were naturally stimulated by Molly’s arrival and started working normally. Her second daughter, Ruby, is now five. But despite this, Lee remains angered by how little information is given to some women about the possible health risks of IVF. ‘When you have IVF, it’s all-consuming, you can’t think about anything else,’ she says. ‘The sheer volume of drugs you take is massive — I had horrible mood swings and I remember once dropping a vial of one of the drugs on the floor by accident and going crazy. ‘The stress on my relationship was massive. And then I had a heart attack, which nearly killed me. ‘Yet Molly is the proof that women don’t need to be pumped with heavy doses of these drugs and doctors shouldn’t take such a cavalier attitude as they seem to do now. ‘They have to rethink their methods. No woman should be allowed to die just because she’s desperate for a baby.’ | After intense treatment Lee Cowden's relaxing break turned into a nightmare .
Lee suffered a heart attack and had to undergo surgery, lessening her chances of conceiving .
The young couple had to wait another nine months before having more IVF .
Other possible side effects include ovarian torsion .
In 2012 Emma Draper, 26, died from a massive stroke, triggered by a clot, just weeks after getting pregnant through IVF . |
78,438 | de4ba81a780525e582a70642b0a80fc854f932d7 | Head coach Stuart Lancaster insists there will be no radical alterations to England's approach in the autumn Tests despite the presence of innovative attack coach Brian Ashton at the squad's preparation camp this week. Ashton, the former Bath, England and Ireland head coach, was invited to England's base in Surrey on Monday and Tuesday so Lancaster and his coaching team can benefit from his experience. 'I don't want to create something that's not there,' Lancaster said. England head coach Stuart Lancaster instructs as his players are put through their paces at Pennyhill Park . Former England head coach Brian Ashton (middle) was at Pennyhill Park . England pair Billy Twelvetrees and Owen Farrell pass the ball during Tuesday's training session . 'It's for me to sit down and chat. Different ideas, different perspective. 'He's developed a lot of players, but actually he's developed a lot of coaches. He's somebody I've always stayed in contact with. 'He's a very creative attacking coach (but) we're not going to change anything we're not already doing. 'I think the way in which we try and play the game will remain the same.' The 68-year-old Ashton, now coaching Lancaster-based Vale of Lune in the North One West division, coached England to the 2007 World Cup final and Lancaster knows his side need to develop if they are to beat reigning world champions New Zealand in the opening international of the season on November 8. 'In terms of our attacking mindset, I think we've always had a strong one,' Lancaster said. 'We need to beat New Zealand by scoring tries as well as kicking points.' The All Blacks are the first opponents of an autumn schedule which sees South Africa (November 15), Samoa (November 22) and Australia (November 29) - opponents in Pool A at the 2015 World Cup - visit Twickenham. Luther Burrell is the biggest fitness concern due to a hand injury the Northampton centre suffered playing against the Ospreys. Lancaster conceded Burrell, who met a specialist on Tuesday following a scan, is unlikely to face the All Blacks. Luther Burrell is set to miss England's clash with New Zeland after sustaining a hand injury for Northampton . The centre is still to join up with England's squad and will see a specialist on Tuesday to discuss a scan . Lancaster, who revealed the prognosis was more encouraging than first feared and that surgery would not be required, said: 'He's not been in camp this week at all. He's still in the equation further down the line. He's definitely not out the series. 'Potentially he could come back into camp next week, but he won't have done any of the work. It would be a big step to put him in (against New Zealand).' England's other wounded players - Harlequins prop Joe Marler (quad), Saracens number eight Billy Vunipola (concussion), Kyle Eastmond (ribs), Harlequins wing Marland Yarde (ankle), Wasps back row James Haskell (virus) and Bath prop David Wilson (calf) - are expected to play a full part in training from next Monday at the latest. Lancaster is pleased with the opportunity to work with his players for a lengthy duration. 'It means that if players are required to come in, they are up to speed straight away,' he added. The All Blacks and other touring opposition have been entwined in international camps for some time, but Lancaster insists his squad's knowledge-base has developed from every spell as a group since his appointment in early 2012. 'The All Blacks, the South Africans, since the Super Rugby final, have been in camp - that's a 2.5 months camp,' Lancaster said. 'Their cohesion and understanding of their structures would be enhanced. 'But you could argue it the other way: they are at the end of a long, hard season and we are fresh at the start of ours. 'We have been together now for 2.5 years; every time we return, we are at the point we left because the players remember and we don't have to go back to square one. Samesa Rokoduguni passes the ball during the England training session . England trained in Surrey where the team's brand new gym complex and Dasso pitch are located . 'We are another level up to this time last year. Mainly because the players are similar - consistency in selection. 'Whilst the starting XV changes, generally the group is the same faces.' Lancaster knows this autumn is about a fine balance - giving his fringe players the Test experience they need while developing a winning mentality and a momentum which he wishes to take into World Cup year. 'You don't want to compromise your team because ultimately it comes down to winning,' Lancaster added. The pivotal fly-half position provokes a challenge as Saracens' Farrell has just returned from a thigh problem and Bath's George Ford is keen to get a chance to claim the number 10 jersey. Farrell has 26 caps and Ford two, while Stephen Myler has one, and Lancaster could provide a chance for the less experienced pair. 'George has now established himself there (in the Premiership), so the next step is to get him those international caps,' Lancaster said. Sam Burgess is soon to be a team-mate of Ford's at The Rec having made a high-profile transfer from rugby league. Lancaster is not about to meddle in his imminent arrival to union, adding: 'I'm sure he'll have one eye on our games, but I think he'll need to get bedded in at Bath.' Owen Farrell of Saracens catches the ball during an England training session at Pennyhill Park . George Ford of Bath runs the ball during a session at Bagshot on Monday . | Stuart Lancaster admits Luther Burrell is likely to miss New Zealand clash .
Northampton centre sustained a hand injury playing for Northampton .
Former England coach Brian Ashton joined the squad in camp this week .
England team were put through their paces at Pennyhill Park on Tuesday . |
148,540 | 4c14393d02b842957d81a794fad0482867372423 | Washington (CNN) -- Police arrested Indianapolis Colts safety Joe Lefeged early Saturday after allegedly finding his semiautomatic pistol poking out from under the passenger seat of the white Camaro he'd been in, police said. The Chevrolet sports car got police's attention shortly after midnight because it was being driven erratically, Metropolitan Police Department spokesman Araz Alali told CNN. According to charging papers filed in D.C. Superior Court, police spotted one of its passengers standing up in the backseat of the convertible. On the street, plainclothes officers repeatedly asked the Camaro's driver to put the car in the park. Instead, according to the charging papers, he put his foot on the gas and sped away. Four officers eventually found the Camaro, its still unidentified driver having fled on foot. They also saw one man, later identified as Lefeged, running in one direction and the man who'd been standing up in the Camaro, later identified as 23-year-old Aaron Timothy Wilson, going another way. Both men were arrested, about four miles east of the Capitol, without incident, according to Alali. Lefeged's public defender, Martina King, gave a different take, saying her client was sitting in the Camaro's passenger seat, not on foot, when he was arrested. Police at the scene searching the vehicle found a clear bottle in the center console that smelled of alcohol and a black H&K .40-caliber semiautomatic pistol "in plain view sticking out from underneath the front passenger seat." Investigators determined that Lefeged paid $900 for the gun, which he took possession of in late May, according to the charging papers. King, the public defender, contended the gun in question is registered to Lefeged and, since it was under his seat, was out of his reach. But Judge Anne O'Regan Keary disagreed, saying that the firearm was in Lefeged's reach if it was under his seat. Keary ruled that there was probable cause to continue detaining him at least until his next hearing Tuesday morning. According to Alali, Lefeged and Wilson were both arrested on suspicion of carrying a firearm without a license, having an unregistered firearm, having unregistered ammunition, presence of a firearm in a motor vehicle and possession of an open container of alcohol. For the time being, at least, Lefeged is facing only two charges: presence of a firearm in a motor vehicle and possession of an unregistered firearm. The 25-year-old Colts defensive back did not enter a plea during his initial court appearance in D.C. Superior Court on Saturday. Washington has some of the strictest gun-control measures in the country. According to the district's law, "no person shall carry within the District of Columbia either openly or concealed on or about their person, a pistol, or any deadly or dangerous weapon capable of being so concealed." That said, a firearm is permitted in the district if it is held in the registrant's home or workplace, is being used for "lawful recreational purposes" or "is being transported for a lawful purpose." Firearms registered elsewhere still must be registered in the District of Columbia. The Colts issued a statement Saturday after Lefeged's arrest, saying little more than they were "aware of the reports" and will not comment further until they get additional information. Lefeged has played in every game of his two-year professional football career, including four starts last season for the Colts. His arrest comes a few days after another NFL standout, former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez, was charged with murder and several gun-related offenses in the death of 27-year-old Odin Lloyd. CNN's Larry Lazo and Vito Maggiolo contributed to this report. | NEW: Police saw a man standing up in the convertible, charging papers say .
Joe Lefeged's gun was found in a car he'd been in, which police say is against D.C. law .
He fled but was arrested without incident, police say; his lawyer says he was in the car .
Judge finds probable cause to hold the NFL player at least until Tuesday . |
160,910 | 5c042ae8b979f37fad300922878ca55409e01286 | Earlier this week a security researcher leaked a staggering 10 million usernames and passwords online. He said the move was for research purposes, and details were stripped of certain details to protect the accounts from cybercriminals. Now, a programmer has built a search tool that lets concerned users scour the list for their personal details. Scroll down for video . Earlier this week a security researcher leaked a staggering 10 million usernames and passwords online. Programmer Luke Rehmann has now built a search tool that lets concerned users scour the list for their personal details. He warned that the site may be slow to load during times of peak traffic . The tool was built by Michigan-based student Luke Rehmann. He said: 'Many people expressed an interest to see if their username or password appeared in this dump of 10 million. 'This data dump is a tiny sample of the hundreds of millions of accounts that have been publicly dumped over the years.' He advises people only to search for the first four characters of their details to prevent the username or password being stored on their browser's auto-complete list. And if people do find their information on the database, he said they should change their password information as a matter of course. Avoid favourite sports. ‘Baseball’ and ‘football’ were both in the top 10 worst password list. Birthdays and years of birth are easy to guess with the help of personal information. Common names such as Michael and Jennifer are insecure, with many making SplashData’s Top 50 list, too. Experts suggest using eight mixed types of characters, with seemingly random combinations if possible. They say that passphrases – short words with spaces or other characters separating them – are easy to recall and are relatively secure if seemingly random words are used. Experts also advise having different passwords for different sites, instead of relying on one, which if hacked, could prove particularly serious. He also warned that his site may be slow to load during times of peak traffic. The original list was leaked by security consultant Mark Burnett. Mr Burnett said in a blog post that his decision to publish the data in full - which was gathered from thousands of global incidents over the last five years, instead of a specific hack - was designed to help experts better understand how people pick their passwords. For example, the data could be used to work out how often people include their usernames within their passwords, Ars Technica reported. ‘Analysis of usernames with passwords is an area that has been greatly neglected and can provide as much insight as studying passwords alone,’ he wrote. He said he is concerned that the publication of the data may get him in legal trouble, however. ‘Recent events have made me question the prudence of releasing this information, even for research purposes,’ he said, citing the example of the prosecution of Anonymous activist Barrett Brown. 'The FBI took advantage of him linking to a data dump to initiate charges of identity theft and trafficking of authentication features,' according to Mr Burnett. ‘I think this is completely absurd that I have to write an entire article justifying the release of this data out of fear of prosecution or legal harassment. The original list was leaked by security consultant Mark Burnett. He said that his decision to publish the data in full was to help experts understand how people pick their passwords. He stripped out necessary data to stop criminal hackers using the passwords and username for unscrupulous means . ‘I had wanted to write an article about the data itself but I will have to do that later because I had to write this lame thing trying to convince the FBI not to raid me.’ In his defence, the researcher said: ‘In the case of me releasing usernames and passwords, the intent here is certainly not to defraud, facilitate unauthorised access to a computer system, steal the identity of others, to aid any crime or to harm any individual or entity. 1. 123456 . 2. password . 3. 12345 . 4. 12345678 . 5. qwerty . 6. 1234567890 . 7. 1234 . 8. baseball . 9. dragon . 10. football . 11. 1234567 . 12. monkey . 13. letmein . 14. abc123 . 15. 111111 . 16. mustang . 17. access . 18. shadow . 19. master . 20. michael . 21. superman . 22. 696969 . 23. 123123 . 24. batman . 25. trustno1 . ‘The sole intent is to further research with the goal of making authentication more secure and therefore protect from fraud and unauthorised access.’ To ensure that the logins could not be used for illegal purposes, he removed the domain portion from email addresses, mixed up data from different leaks so it could not be traced to any particular company and removed keywords such as company names or any data that could be linked to an individual. He also removed information that could be a credit card number and any accounts suspected as belonging to government or military members. | The website was created by Michigan-based programmer Luke Rehmann .
It lets users search 10 million leaked login details released earlier this week .
Usernames and passwords were released by security expert Mark Burnett .
Mr Burnett claims he released the data for research purposes to help experts find links between usernames and passwords .
Mr Burnett removed details that could be used by cyber criminals . |
30,997 | 581667f7e9015a0af48a15b1fe7b179719e09885 | (CNN) -- With Snoop Dogg bowing out of his feud with Iggy Azalea, it seems Eminem is more than willing to take his place. In a leaked snippet from a new Eminem song called "Vegas," the controversial rapper appears to tell Iggy to put away her "rape whistle." "Unless you're Nicki/grab you by the wrist let's ski/so what's it gon be/put that s**t away Iggy/You don't wanna blow that rape whistle on me," Eminem raps. Those lyrics come on the heels of Em taking shots at singer Lana Del Rey in a freestyle, saying that he'd punch her "right in the face twice" like NFL player Ray Rice, who was suspended from the league after he was seen on video knocking his then-fiance unconscious. That kind of lyricism isn't surprising from Eminem, whose rhymes have been called homophobic in addition to misogynistic and violent. The rapper has explained in the past that the words he puts on wax are part of the "personas that I create in my music." To Iggy Azalea, that approach is not only offensive, but uninspired. "I'm bored of the old men threatening young women as entertainment trend and much more interested in the young women getting $ trend," the Australian artist tweeted on Thursday. "It's especially awkward because my 14 year old brother is the biggest eminem fan and now the artist he admired says he wants to rape me. nice!" Besides, she adds, "women in music have the bigger b***s anyhow." Iggy is right that she's come up against a wave of criticism as her star power continues to rise. Last month, she went toe-to-toe with Snoop Dogg when the California rapper posted a series of mean-spirited photos and comments about the "Fancy" rapper, including calling her a "f****ng c**t." It wasn't until he had a chat with rapper T.I. that Snoop decided to fold on the feud, and offered Iggy an apology. | Eminem apparently tells Iggy Azalea to put away her "rape whistle" in a new song .
Iggy Azalea responded on Twitter, shaming older rappers who harass young women .
Iggy: Women in music have the bigger b***s, anyhow . |
68,546 | c25bc2b0196042eff6d4f21218dd7bc185b7c4db | (CNN) -- Joan Rivers has been moved out of the intensive care unit and into a private hospital room, her daughter said Wednesday. Melissa Rivers, who confirmed Tuesday that her mother was on life support, did not indicate if the change was the result of an improved medical condition six days after she suffered respiratory and cardiac arrest during a medical procedure. "My mother has been moved out of intensive care and into a private room where she is being kept comfortable," she said. "Thank you for your continued support." It is not clear if Rivers is still on life support, which "replaces or supports a failing bodily function," according to an explanation from the Cleveland Clinic. "When patients have curable or treatable conditions, life support is used temporarily until the illness or disease can be stabilized and the body can resume normal functioning," the Cleveland Clinic website said. "At times, the body never regains the ability to function without life support." Rivers has shared few details with the public about her mother's condition since she was rushed to Manhattan's Mount Sinai Hospital August 28. A statement Sunday that the family was "keeping our fingers crossed." Rivers, 81, stopped breathing during throat surgery at a Manhattan medical clinic last week, according to the New York Fire Department. She apparently suffered cardiac and respiratory arrest during a procedure. She was listed in critical condition in New York's Mount Sinai Hospital, where paramedics took her by ambulance. Rivers was undergoing an apparently minor elective procedure at the clinic, which is about a mile away from the hospital where she was taken. CNN's Carolyn Sung and Jennifer Bixler contributed to this report. | Joan Rivers is in a private room "where she is being kept comfortable"
Her daughter confirmed Tuesday Rivers is on life support .
The comedian has been hospitalized since suffering cardiac arrest last week .
She stopped breathing during throat surgery at a Manhattan medical clinic . |
143,651 | 45c3664a96642a96b422f69527e25499b52ebbbb | By . Associated Press . and Joshua Gardner . PUBLISHED: . 13:05 EST, 10 March 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 17:39 EST, 10 March 2014 . Psycho killer? Gabriel Campos Martinez was arrested following a two year search for the personal responsible for the slaying of a 66-year-old man whose head and extremities were found in scattered below the Hollywood sign in Los Angeles in 2012 . Police said Monday they've solved the shocking murder of a man whose head, feet and hands were found on a trail below the famous Hollywood sign back in 2012. Two years after a dog on a walk found 66-year-old Hervey Coronado Medellin's head in a plastic bag in Griffith Park, police arrested Gabriel Campos Martinez, 38, in San Antonio, Texas on suspicion of murder on Sunday. LAPD Chief Charlie Beck revealed that the two men were former roommates and that Martinez was a person of interest in the case, which he called 'particularly grisly' and 'very difficult,' all along. Beck also thanks local Texas authorities who helped zero in on Martinez, KTLA reports. Martinez was being held Monday without bail while he awaited extradition proceedings. Two women discovered Medellin's head while walking dogs on a trail in Griffith Park. One of the dogs, which was off its leash, had started to play with a plastic bag. When the dog shook the bag, the head fell out. Scroll down for video... Grisly: The head and later the hands and feet of Martinez's ex roommate Hervey Coronado Medellin were discovered under the sign after a dog unearthed his head in a plastic bag while walking a trail . More than 120 police officers, firefighters and Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies searched 7 acres of the park during a two-day search that finally uncovered Medellin's (right) hands and feet. A suspect, however, wouldn't be arrested for two years . More . than 120 police officers, firefighters and Los Angeles County sheriff's . deputies searched 7 acres of the park during a two-day search. Another cadaver dog helped find more body parts, including hands and feet, near the same area where the head was discovered. Police . have said they believe the victim was killed elsewhere and his remains . dumped just inside the park, which attracts hundreds of hikers and dog . walkers on most days. Although rustic, it is just a short distance from film studios and other Hollywood attractions. Medellin . lived in nearby Hollywood at the time of his death, according to the LA . Times, and was a retired Mexicana Airlines employee. Medellin was missing for 9 days before his body parts were recovered on the very trails near his Hollywood home where he'd once walked his own dog. Here, police are pictured in the midst of their search for those body parts back in 2012 . He was reported missing by his boyfriend a full nine days before his body was recovered. Friends . and family said Medellin loved the outdoors and hiking and that he . often walked his own dog along the trails where his body parts would . later be scattered. The LAPD . offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the . person responsible for Medellin's murder after six months had gone by . with no arrest in the case, though it was unclear if the reward still . stood at the time of Martinez's arrest. | Gabriel Campos Martinez, 38, was hunted down to San Antonio, Texas by Los Angeles police on Sunday .
He's accused of dismembering former roommate Hervey Coronado Medellin, 66, and tossing his body parts in LA's Griffith Park in 2012 .
The head was found in a plastic bag by dog walkers and police later recovered the extremities in a shallow grave . |
56,265 | 9f73027d02ab8b1cfcf09d5661d84caba9f907ab | Small shards of metal have been found 'strategically placed' on the play equipment and on the ground of a children's playground. About 20 pieces of metal, which appeared to have been cut from a can of drink, were found scattered across the playground at Kensington Park in Sydney's east on Tuesday. The shards, which were found by Jenny Rose when she took her her 14-month-old grandson Archie to the park, were hidden and only noticeable when they reflected the sun. About 20 pieces of metal, which appeared to have been cut from a can of drink, were found scattered across the playground at Kensington Park in Sydney's east on Tuesday . 'My son went to climb up the stairs and my mum and other parents noticed these shiny things,' Archie's mum Alice Rose told Daily Mail Australia. 'It was like a soft drink can cut up. They were placed all over the steps and on the play equipment. There was also pieces in the rubber flooring wedged in. 'It definitely wasn't an accident... her and a handful of other parents scoured the area and had to pull them out of the ground.' Ms Rose said she takes her son to that particular park everyday and she was stunned that someone had the forward planning to place bits of metal where children could get hurt. 'He was going down the slide and the (metal) was down there. It was where the kids put their hands. They could have easily scratched their whole bodies going down,' she said. 'There's so many little kids that play in that area. It really could have done some damage.' Alice Rose's 14-month-old son Archie was at Kensington Park playground when the shards of metal were found on the stars, wedged in the rubber matting and on the slippery dip . Ms Rose's mother and several other parents found 20 pieces of metal after trawling the playground for 30 minutes on Tuesday. 'It's quite scary that someone consciously planned to do this,' Ms Rose said. 'It's in an area where we go everyday. There's so many weirdos out there, I mean who does that. 'After seeing the pieces of metal, it's a reminder (to other parents) that you really have to be aware.' The shards of metal, which were found by Ms Rose's mum Jenny, were hidden and only noticeable when they reflected the sun . Randwick City Council sent three crews out on Wednesday to inspect Kensington Oval and two other nearby parks. 'I was very concerned to learn of this incident and we're grateful to the local residents for bringing it to our attention,' Randwick Mayor Ted Seng said. 'Council has sent outdoor crews to Kensington Park and adjacent parks to inspect and thoroughly check over the area. Fortunately, we did not find any remaining evidence of shredded cans. 'This is the first time I have heard of something like this happening at a Randwick City playground and I hope it's the last. We have notified local police about this incident.' The incident came to light after Ms Rose posted photos of the metal shards in a Facebook group to warn other mothers. Randwick Council sent three crews out on Wednesday to inspect Kensington Oval and two other nearby parks . The incident came to light after Ms Rose posted photos of the metal shards in a Facebook group to warn other mothers . 'Today we found these in the playground at Kensington Oval strategically spread across the ground and on the play equipment,' she wrote. 'They are small shards of metal cut and bent into sharp pieces with the intent of hurting innocent little hands and/or feet. Please check the play area before your little one races off, there are some sick people out there.' Her post prompted outrage from other mothers who claimed similar incidents had happened in nearby parks at Bronte and Queens Park in recent months. Police were not aware of any incidents of shards of metal being intentionally left in playgrounds when Daily Mail Australia contacted them on Wednesday. | Twenty shards of metal were found at Kensington Park in Sydney's east on Tuesday afternoon .
Pieces of metal were found on the slippery dip and stuck to rubber matting .
Alice Rose, who takes her 14-month-old son Archie to the park daily, said the metal wasn't an accident .
Randwick City Council sent three crews out on Wednesday to inspect Kensington Oval and two other nearby parks . |
148,411 | 4be9de8d8d8fbc673132b4b0c36120f098d68406 | (CNN) -- The Serbian capital of Belgrade and the lavish Claridge's Hotel in the heart of London might be more than 1,000 miles apart, but for one day some seven decades ago the two places came much closer. On 17 July 1945, Queen Alexandria of Yugoslavia gave birth to her son, Crown Prince Alexander, in the hotel's 212 suite. Then British Prime Minister Winston Churchill designated the room Yugoslavian territory for the day so that the baby prince could retain his right to the throne. "It was an extraordinary act that he did," recalls Crown Prince Alexander. In 1941, Germany invaded and occupied Yugoslavia forcing the country's King -- Peter II -- to move into exile in London. Later on, he was banned from returning home by the Communist government that followed World War II . Alexander, who was baptized by Queen Elizabeth and her father King George, grew up abroad and only visited his country for the first time in 1991. Ten years later, he returned to live in Belgrade after the country's government decided to give him and his family the right to use the city's royal palaces, which were taken from the royals when they were stripped of their possessions and citizenship by the communists. "I never thought we'd come back here -- I really didn't," he says. The power of religion . After decades abroad, the return home signaled many first experiences for the Crown Prince -- and one of those included celebrating the Patron Saint Day of the Royal Family, St. Andrew the First, in Serbia. "It's even more meaningful doing it at home, very much so," says Alexander, who has today a strictly ceremonial role. The Serbian Orthodox religion is closely bound to the country's identity -- around 85% of the 7.2 million population declare themselves as Orthodox. Since his return in 2001, Crown Prince Alexander has enjoyed the feast of St. Andrew as an open, inter faith celebration -- a turning point for Serbian history. "It's wonderful and very moving for me to see that he has accomplished that because they're all together sitting and talking to each other," says the Crown Prince's wife, Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Katherine. "It's hard to believe this country was in conflict so many years ago and for such a long time." Luckily, it seems that those days are over. Watch the video below to find out more about Serbia's royals and the role of religion in the country's history. Watch this: The perseverance of Belgrade . Read this: Serbia by numbers . More from On the Road Serbia . | Crown Prince of Serbia was born in Claridge's a .
He counts Queen Elizabeth as his godmother .
He lived in exile from Serbia for more than 50 years .
The Prince and his wife are now back in Belgrade, their role strictly ceremonial . |
255,975 | d756190d1343f3a3f9f6699e8a0945e846d928cb | The Justice Department secretly collected two months of telephone records for reporters and editors at The Associated Press, the news service disclosed Monday in an outraged letter to Attorney General Eric Holder. The records included calls from several AP bureaus and the personal phone lines of several staffers, AP President Gary Pruitt wrote. Pruitt called the subpoenas a "massive and unprecedented intrusion" into its reporting. "These records potentially reveal communications with confidential sources across all of the newsgathering activities undertaken by the AP during a two-month period, provide a road map to AP's newsgathering operations and disclose information about AP's activities and operations that the government has no conceivable right to know," wrote Pruitt, the news agency's CEO. The AP reported that the government has not said why it wanted the records. But it noted that U.S. officials have said they were probing how details of a foiled bomb plot that targeted a U.S.-bound aircraft leaked in May 2012. The news agency said records from five reporters and an editor who worked on a story about the plot were among those collected, but it said none of the information the government has shared with it suggested agents listened in on any reporters' calls. The news immediately raised questions among members of Congress. "The First Amendment is first for a reason," said Michael Steel, a spokesman for House Speaker John Boehner. "If the Obama administration is going after reporters' phone records, they better have a damned good explanation." The subpoenas were disclosed to the news agency on Friday, Pruitt wrote. In all, federal agents collected records from more than 20 lines, including personal phones and AP phone numbers in New York; Hartford, Connecticut; and Washington, he wrote. "We regard this action by the Department of Justice as a serious interference with AP's constitutional rights to gather and report the news," he told Holder. Pruitt demanded that the department return all records collected and destroy all copies. The U.S. attorney's office in Washington responded that federal investigators seek phone records from news outlets only after making "every reasonable effort to obtain information through alternative means." It did not disclose the subject of the probe. "We must notify the media organization in advance unless doing so would pose a substantial threat to the integrity of the investigation," it said. "Because we value the freedom of the press, we are always careful and deliberative in seeking to strike the right balance between the public interest in the free flow of information and the public interest in the fair and effective administration of our criminal laws." CNN legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin said the Obama administration "has been incredibly aggressive" about prosecuting leakers, and there's no privilege in federal law that allows reporters to protect their sources. But he said past administrations have avoided going that far. "I have never heard of a subpoena this broad," Toobin said. "It's legal, as far as I can tell. The administration isn't violating the First Amendment. But they are certainly doing more than has ever been done before in pursuing the private information of journalists. And we'll see if there's any political check on them, because there doesn't appear to be any legal check on what they're doing." The White House was unaware of the subpoenas, spokesman Jay Carney told reporters Monday night. "We are not involved in decisions made in connection with criminal investigations, as those matters are handled independently by the Justice Department," Carney said. Holder announced in June 2012 that he had assigned two U.S. attorneys to lead investigations into the possible leaking of state secrets, and members of Congress have complained about disclosures of electronic warfare campaigns against Iran, U.S. drone attacks overseas and Obama's personal involvement in "kill lists" of militants in Yemen and Pakistan. But Pruitt wrote that most of the records collected from the AP "can have no plausible connection to any ongoing investigation," and the American Civil Liberties Union called on the Justice Department to explain its actions. "Obtaining a broad range of telephone records in order to ferret out a government leaker is an unacceptable abuse of power," Ben Wizner, the head of the ACLU's Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project, said in a written statement. "Freedom of the press is a pillar of our democracy, and that freedom often depends on confidential communications between reporters and their sources." In a statement issued Monday night, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy said, "I am very troubled by these allegations and want to hear the government's explanation." "The burden is always on the government when they go after private information -- especially information regarding the press or its confidential sources," said Leahy, D-Vermont. "I want to know more about this case, but on the face of it, I am concerned that the government may not have met that burden." And Rep. Darrell Issa, R-California, told CNN that the Justice Department already has the ability "to listen, very transparently, to all the government phones and government activities." "You can imagine if Congress wanted to know about leaks that obviously came out of the administration that ended up in the press, they would be outraged if we tried to get that information," said Issa, a member of the House Judiciary Committee and a leading critic of Holder. "But that's exactly what they're doing. They're looking at what is considered to be confidential." | There'd better be a "damned good explanation" for subpoenas, Boehner spokesman says .
Federal review of AP phone records is unprecedented but looks legal, Toobin says .
The AP calls the subpoenas a "massive and unprecedented intrusion"
It says federal agents collected records from bureau and personal phone lines . |
251,513 | d1903c0c324c696e536dbb0a486c7b59316a5b07 | By . Jason Groves, Chief Political Correspondent . PUBLISHED: . 17:53 EST, 14 January 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 17:54 EST, 14 January 2014 . Feckless fathers should have their benefits slashed if they refuse to support their children, senior Tories said yesterday. Former minister Sir Gerald Howarth said action was needed to cut the £46billion of damage caused to society by the collapse of relationships. Citing statistics showing married parents are far more likely to stay together than those who are cohabiting, he said ministers should be ‘more judgmental’ about family breakdowns. Father of 22 Raymond Hull has not worked for 10 years but cost taxpayers £1.2million in unemployment handouts and housing benefits . And he suggested that fathers who refuse to support the upbringing of their children should have their benefits cut if they are on state handouts. Opening a Commons debate, Sir Gerald highlighted the case of father of 22 Raymond Hull, who was last week revealed to have cost the state £1.2million in benefits. He then listed a string of cases from his Hampshire constituency of mothers and children abandoned by their deadbeat partners. ‘We are not talking about a deprived inner city area – this is Aldershot,’ he said. ‘We cannot afford to continue subsidising people with dysfunctional lifestyles. 'Am I being judgmental when such an approach is deemed inappropriate? Of course I’m being judgmental – for the sake of our country we need to be more judgmental.’ Sir Gerald Howarth said ministers should be 'more judgmental' about family breakdowns . Sir Gerald cited Marriage Foundation figures showing that family breakdown now costs Britain an astonishing £46billion a year – up from £30billion in 2000. The figure comprises the impact of lower educational achievements, higher crime rates, pressure on housing stocks and healthcare and a higher benefits bill. Sir Gerald said figures from the Centre for Social Justice suggested that while fewer than one in ten married couples separate before their child’s fifth birthday, one in three cohabiting couples will do so. He said successive governments had been too scared of popular opinion and failed to take heed of impartial evidence that marriage is in the interest of society. And he urged ministers to send a ‘clarion call’ that marriage provided the most stable bedrock for a family. Fellow grandee Sir Edward Leigh also urged ministers to speak out against the ‘modern plague’ of relationship breakdown. ‘There is almost a conspiracy of silence about this issue,’ he said. ‘Over 50 years, in our permissive society, the view has grown up that people are happiest, they are completely liberated, and they do what they want to do – it’s about “me”. ‘And I believe that the churches, successive governments, schools, the BBC, national newspapers, ourselves as members of parliament, are all complicit in this permissive view of society which has actually left a trail of despair in its wake.’ | Former minister spoke of damaged caused by collapse of relationships .
Minister should be 'more judgmental' about family breakdowns he added .
Sir Gerald Howarth said married parents are 'more likely' to stay together .
Suggested fathers who don't support children should have benefits cut . |
247,902 | cccaf3d469160b3cbf43d3e2bdac24e3ae56ef58 | Beijing, China (CNN)The son of kung fu movie star Jackie Chan was convicted on a drug charge and sentenced to six months in prison in a Beijing court on Friday. Jaycee Chan, who pleaded guilty to "hosting others to take drugs," was also fined 2,000 yuan ($320), announced the Dongcheng District People's Court. Wearing a black sweatshirt and blue pants, the 32-year-old Chan -- who is an actor like his father -- bowed to the judge and prosecutor after the 90-minute trial. "I committed a crime and deserve to be punished," the court's official microblog quoted him as saying. "It doesn't mean I have received mercy and forgiveness -- I hope to earn them with my future actions." Reminding him to "return to the right path" and "establish a healthy public image," the prosecutor cited Chan's cooperation with police as a basis for leniency, according to the court. The Hong Kong native was arrested in Beijing last summer along with a Taiwanese actor, amid a government crackdown on celebrity drug offenders. After both men tested positive for marijuana, police found more than 100 grams of the drug after searching Chan's apartment. Although he did not attend the trial, Jackie Chan -- who has starred in Hollywood blockbusters like "Rush Hour" and was named an anti-drugs ambassador in China in 2009 -- had expressed anger and disappointment in his son in media interviews. "I failed to discipline him -- now the state is helping me discipline him and make him get rid all the bad habits," the elder Chan, 60, told the state-run Xinhua news agency last month, while denying his son had received special treatment in jail. The younger Chan's case has put a spotlight on the Chinese capital's intensifying anti-drugs campaign. By mid-November, the authorities had detained almost 10,000 people for using drugs, nearly double the previous year's figure. Announcing the numbers, a top anti-narcotics official in Beijing emphasized the government's "zero-tolerance" stance on celebrity offenders due to the impact of their behavior on the youth. Last August, dozens of management agencies representing actors and singers signed an agreement with Beijing authorities, banning drug use from the entertainment industry and pledging to fire any artists who break the law. CNN's Vivian Kam contributed to this report from Hong Kong. | Son of Jackie Chan convicted on drug charge in China .
Jaycee Chan tested positive for marijuana in August .
His father was named anti-drugs ambassador in China in 2009 . |
40,420 | 72180525295b09ed585b74f62e2ac6b2dc97e6fe | By . Tom Gardner . PUBLISHED: . 06:31 EST, 6 September 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 09:28 EST, 6 September 2013 . Mel Gibson has accused police of 'harassing' him during a furious outburst after he was stopped while driving without his license. The troubled Oscar-winning actor exploded with rage after being pulled over by Malibu police at a drink-drive checkpoint, according to TMZ.com. The Hollywood star, 57, who had a woman in the passenger seat at the time, erupted when officers asked him to show his driving documents, ranting: 'Why are you harassing me?' Mel Gibson was pulled over by LAPD and asked for his drivers license (Mel pictured in Malibu on September 2nd) When asked why he was so angry, Gibson is reported to have said: 'I have had problems with . you Lost Hills [Malibu] deputies in the past.' Gibson was sober, and after his temper cooled, Gibson was let off with a warning for not having the correct documents on him, TMZ.com reports. Shamed: Mel Gibson, pictured in his mug shot taken after his arrest on drunken driving charges in 2006 when he launched an anti-Semitic rant . The incident is said to have occurred last Saturday 1am on the same stretch of road where he was infamously caught drink-driving in 2006. A police report filed at the time cited the Braveheart star as cursing: 'F****** Jews... The Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world.' He allegedly then asked the arresting deputy, 'Are you a Jew?' Gibson's violent rages have been widely reported in the past. His ex-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva has told how she feared he would kill her in a vicious assault. She had said the actor brandished a gun at her during the violent argument. The . Russian-born musician said the star choked her and insisted: ‘I thought . he would kill me…I was scared for my life and my daughter’s.’ Miss Grigorieva said Gibson often flew into jealous rages and talked about suicide. On another occasion she claims he threw her son onto a table, but the Oscar-winning director has denied the allegations. The pair went through a protracted and bitter custody battle after separating in 2011. Gibson pleaded no-contest to a charge of battery against Oksana Grigorieva in March, 2011, and has since completed the community service portion of his charge. Temper: Mel Gibson's ex-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva, pictured with the actor, has told of the Oscar-winning actor's violent temper . During this time, Gibson underwent a year-long course in anger management and domestic violence counselling. A number of recordings made by . Grigorieva were leaked online, allegedly showing Mel using violent, . racist and abusive language towards her. He tried to play them down, saying: . 'You have to put it all in the proper context of being in an . irrationally, heated discussion at the height of a breakdown, trying to . get out of a really unhealthy relationship. 'It’s one terribly, awful moment in . time, said to one person, in the span of one day and doesn’t represent . what I truly believe or how I’ve treated people my entire life.' | Mel Gibson exploded with rage after being pulled over in Malibu, California .
Row erupted when police asked the Hollywood actor for driving documents .
Gibson was let off with a warning for not having the document no him . |
80,234 | e36323ba70293a87f6d3a89630310d364793f688 | (CNN) -- War and humor make strange bedfellows, but in the absurdity of Syria's nearly three-year civil war, one town has made laughter a form of resistance. From caricatures of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad with a skunk's body and chemical weapons smoking from his bottom to posters reading "Rebuilding houses takes some time, but humanizing ASSad can never happen" the northern town of Kafr Nabl has gained fame for its satirical portrayal of the conflict. "Laughter means life. We want to live and we need to live. We need to send a message to the world that we are human and we want to live," said Raed Fares, head of the opposition Kafr Nabl media center. In its latest comedic production, an amateur cast of activists, civilians and Free Syria Army rebels dressed like cavemen and mocked the inaction of the international community in a video called "Kafranbel: The Syrian Revolution in Three Minutes." "I thought it would be good to use cavemen because of the language. I don't need to translate or say anything; everybody all over the world can understand without talking," said Fares, who produced and directed the video. In the first two scenes, the cavemen demonstrate against al-Assad only to be killed first by gunfire then by TNT, but when the oppressors fire chemical weapons, previously uninterested bystanders representing the international community intervene to confiscate the gas. In the final scene, the killing continues sans chemical weapons and with approving thumps from the international community. "Something was very wrong with (President Barack) Obama's actions that he will strike Assad just to get rid of chemical weapons. It was like he was arresting the weapons and letting the criminal go free," Fares said. The media-savvy group received tens of thousands of views for its latest production and boasts a large audience on Facebook, where its members post pictures of the caustic placards carried in the group's weekly Friday demonstrations against the government. "I don't trust governments all over the world anymore. I trust people, so I try to touch the people all over the world and explain our revolution. That it's not like the regime keeps trying to show it like a civil war or a war against terrorism. We are humans who need our freedom and our dignity, but he killed us," Fares said. | Rebels in northern Syrian town chide al-Assad with satirical posters, videos .
Leader says laughter shows world "we are human and we want to live"
Latest video features civilians and Free Syria Army rebels dressed like cavemen . |
94,750 | 05be5831eab3721bf775bc8f0f47a3e425fde31e | Demands: Cecilia Giménez wants Santuario de Misericordia Church, near Zaragoza, to hand over a share of the thousands of euros . The Spanish 80-year-old whose DIY restoration ruined a 19th-century work of art is suing the church where it hangs after her hapless handiwork became an unlikely cash cow. Cecilia Giménez wants Santuario de Misericordia Church, near Zaragoza, to hand over a share of the thousands of euros it has earned in admission fees since her disastrous decoration job became a tourist attraction. And she is also instructing a legal team to explore copyrighting her rough and ready renovation to retain future profits, reports national television station TVE. The octogenarian sparked widespread . outrage in August when she marched, oil brush and paint in hand, into . the tiny church in the town of Borja and daubed over Elías García . Martínez’s Ecce Homo (Behold the Man) without permission. The . 120-year-old fresco of Jesus Christ wearing a crown of thorns was . terrifyingly transformed into what many have said now looks like a . monkey. She was . labelled insane and the worldwide attention reportedly brought on a . series of panic attacks, but she insisted throughout that the church’s . priest had allowed her to repair the piece. Locals . were horrified and, to add insult to injury, it emerged that a local . Catholic cultural foundation had earlier received money from Martínez’s . granddaughter, Teresa Garcia Blanc, to restore the crumbling damp-ridden . fresco to its former glory. Before and after: Cecilia Jimenez, 80, painted her crude rendition of Christ's face (right) over Elijah Garcia Martinez's original (left) But Giménez’s sloppy workmanship has . ended up as a mixed blessing for the church that, despite being mocked . across the world, has seen a huge upsurge in the number of visitors. It . was to prevent what town Mayor Miguel Arilla described as ‘disruptive . pilgrims’ from overtaking the area that the Santi Spiritus Hospital . Foundation, the church’s owners, started charging a €1 entrance fee. And Ecce Mono, or Behold the Monkey as it has now jokingly been called, made more than €2,000 in just the first four days. A . staggering 30,000 visitors are said to have passed through the doors . since August, but the fee was only introduced on Saturday. The current . total of ‘gate receipts’ is not known. Tourists flock to see the damaged 19th century Ecce Homo fresco (right) by artist Elias Garcia Martinez at the Santuario de Misericordia de Borja Church, at Borja in Spain's Aragon region . Spokesman José María Aznar told El . Correo newspaper: ‘Out of 20 people who came in, only one person put in . any money, so we decided to introduce an admission fee. ‘Although, despite that, it’s true that one day we also had someone who dropped in a €50 note.’ And . visitor Carmen Udaeta said: ‘As we were in the area, we thought we’d go . and see the work. It’s true that before all this we never knew, or had . heard of, or even knew where Borja was.’ The . interest has led to Giménez and her family hiring lawyers to seek . royalties, and the Foundation also hiring its own legal team to counter . the claims. Borja's mayor Miguel Arilla about the Ecce Homo fresco behind him which was damaged . Borja's councilman, Leandro Galindo (centre) walks with two professional restorers to the Sanctuary of Mercy church . Since its inception, her ‘art’ has been spoofed by millions across the world with many others seeking to cash in on the calamitous creation. A Madrid bakery honoured the work by squirting chocolate replicas onto crepes, and it is available to buy as an investment in best-selling EA computer game The Sims. Several smartphone apps have also sprung up, allowing users to ‘eccehomonise’ themselves by restoring their pictures in a similar style. And budget airline Ryanair has launched a €12 flight for tourists to travel to Zaragoza from any of their airports to see the ‘creative restoration’. | Cecilia Giménez, 80, wants Santuario de Misericordia Church, near Zaragoza, to hand over a share of admission fees paid to see her decoration job .
The 120-year-old fresco of Jesus Christ wearing a crown of thorns was terrifyingly transformed into what many have said now looks like a monkey .
Also instructing a legal team to explore copyrighting her rough and ready renovation to retain future profits . |
257,183 | d8db6ef883b12394764809512a54052937607e5d | Vicksburg, Mississippi (CNN) -- The overflowing Mississippi River dealt anguish to its namesake state Thursday, reaching a historic height at Vicksburg, sending backwater up the Yazoo River, which has swallowed a home owned by the governor, and claiming the life of a 69-year-old man. As the flood's trail of destruction worked its way south, Vicksburg saw the river crest at the expected peak of 57.1 feet early Thursday, hours ahead of the original forecast. The National Weather Service predicts the crest will hold through at least Saturday morning. "Residents who live along the river need to keep an eye out and be vigilant," said Marty Pope, a senior hydrologist with the weather service's Jackson, Mississippi, office. "We're not going to fall to the kind of levels we got to during the large 2008 flood until early June, and won't fall below flood stage until mid-to-late June." Warren County Sheriff Martin Pace said the county, which includes Vicksburg, has "several hundred homes that have water." About 2,000 residents have been displaced, including nearly 1,000 who were evacuated from Eagle Lake 10 days ago. So far, a critical levee near the lake is holding. Many Warren County residents are accustomed to flooding and know what to do, but none have experienced it at this magnitude, Pace added Thursday. Also of concern is a traffic "nightmare" on the principal north-south highway, said Pace. "We've never seen water that has closed U.S. 61," he said. Vicksburg motorists cannot take U.S. 61 to reach Redwood to the north or Port Gibson to the south because of flooded roadway. Instead, commuters are using two-lane roads that weren't designed for the volume, the sheriff told CNN. The river began cresting ahead of schedule Wednesday night, probably because an old levee system in Greenville, Mississippi, was breached last Friday and spread the flood's flow, Pope said. The Mississippi is more than 14 feet above flood stage at Vicksburg and more than a foot over the record set in the city in 1927. Water levels in Natchez, a city about 70 miles south, are already nearly 4 feet beyond the record, with the river at 61.9 feet Thursday night -- and the crest isn't expected to arrive until Saturday. A Vicksburg resident, Walter Cook, died after being pulled from floodwater in Warren County, Mississippi, the county coroner said Thursday. It is the first reported death linked to the flooding in the state. Emergency workers with the fire department pulled him from the water at 9:35 a.m. Tuesday and took him to River Regional Medical Center, where Cook was put on life support, Coroner Doug Huskey said. He died early Thursday. Officials do not know how Cook ended up in the floodwater, the coroner said. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was keeping a watchful eye on the Yazoo Backwater Levee, which residents near Vicksburg were counting on for protection. It is designed to keep water from backing into parts of the Yazoo River delta. The backwater levee was being "armored" by a heavy plastic coating to prevent it from washing out, said Charlie Tindall, attorney for the Board of Mississippi Levee Commissioners. But the Yazoo River backwaters were already claiming territory and property. Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour was among residents who watched rising waters swallow their houses and lands Wednesday. Barbour's spokeswoman confirmed that a house owned by the governor in his native Yazoo County was flooded. The house is on a lake in central Mississippi near the backwater-flooded Yazoo River. A slide was detected on the mainline Mississippi levee at Albemarle Lake, the Corps of Engineers said Thursday. A slide occurs when the integrity of a levee is undermined because dirt and sand are being eroded, said Corps spokeswoman Eileen Williamson. The slide was detected Wednesday and work began immediately to repair it. "It will take about a full week to repair," she said. Farther south, where the Mississippi River has not yet crested, residents were working to clear out their homes and find ways to get by. Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal has asked for federal assistance in grappling with flooding resulting from the Morganza Spillway, where 17 bays have been opened in hopes of sparing New Orleans further downstream. "As water from the Morganza Spillway is released into the Atchafalaya Basin, the impact to our rural communities and the industries upon which they rely will be dramatic and long-lasting," Jindal wrote the U.S. Department of Interior, his office announced Thursday. "I am requesting your immediate consideration of available assistance and recovery programs for our recreational and commercial fishing, hunting, and eco-tourism industries." Mandatory evacuations will be in effect Saturday -- beginning at midnight Friday -- in Butte LaRose, Happy Town and the Sherburne Wildlife Management Area, the St. Martin Parish Sheriff's Office said. By 8 a.m. Saturday, "the area will be secured and no one will be allowed to enter," the parish said in a news release. Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Craig Fugate praised the efforts under way along the Mississippi. "Fortunately, the system is working as designed between the Army Corps of Engineers and the design structures and where they are having to open the spillways, they've been able to take pressure off the mainline levee," he said at an event in Maryland. Officials said spillway gates are likely to be open for weeks, and it will be weeks before the river falls below flood stage, allowing those who have evacuated to return. The flood is the most significant to hit the lower Mississippi River valley since at least 1937. It has affected nine states so far: Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, Indiana, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. Although recovery is a while off for areas that have already seen the worst of the floods, Tunica, Mississippi -- about 180 miles north of Vicksburg -- saw another step forward Thursday, with the return of a key economic driver for the region. The Tunica Roadhouse Casino reopened 4 p.m. Thursday, the second to return to business in two days with signs reading, "We're back y'all." Casino officials said the reopening celebration included a $50,000 donation to the American Red Cross. "I didn't know if this day would come or not," said R. Scott Barber, the president for the mid-South region for the Caesars Entertainment group. "It's hard to believe that, just a few short days ago, we had about 4 and a half feet of water in these parking lots." CNN's Phil Gast and Ed Payne contributed to this report. | NEW: Tunica casino reopens, days after over parking lot was under 4 feet of water .
Flooding causes commute "nightmare" on U.S. highway .
Louisiana's Jindal requests federal assistance for Morganza flooding .
A 69-year-old Vicksburg resident dies from drowning . |
103,405 | 1155778f2b827f2286cb682e80b9d06ad3018a3f | By . Matt Chorley, Mailonline Political Editor . PUBLISHED: . 11:14 EST, 31 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 12:25 EST, 31 October 2013 . Tributes by MPs to Prince George have been condemned as ‘stomach-churning’ by a Labour politician. Tom Copley, Labour’s housing spokesman in London, complained that valuable time in Parliament had been taken up to ‘congratulate two very wealthy aristocrats for procreating’. And he criticised the London Assembly for sending ‘loyal greetings’ to the Queen to mark the future monarch’s christening. Tributes: David Cameron and Ed Miliband sent congratulations to William and Kate on the christening of George, to to horror of Labour politician Tom Copley . Mr Copley’s republican outpourings on his blog have been branded ‘surly and mean-spirited’ by the Tories, who called on Labour leader Ed Miliband to distance himself from the remarks. David Cameron led tributes in the House of Commons to Prince George on his birth, and last week told the Commons: ‘I am sure the whole House will join me in celebrating the christening of baby Prince George later today.’ He was supported by Mr Miliband who said: ‘I also join the Prime Minister in celebrating the christening of Prince George later today and send best wishes to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.’. Criticism: Mr Copley condemned the 'unctuous fawning and sycophancy' of MPs towards the royal family . But Mr Copley used his blog to rage against senior politicians paying tribute to the heir to the throne . Mr Copley wrote: ‘Every so often we are subjected to the stomach churning spectacle of Members of Parliament queuing up to offer tribute to the royal family upon some particular event or occasion. ‘Only recently they devoted valuable Parliamentary time to debating a motion congratulating the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge upon the birth of Prince George. ‘Amidst the crises of the civil war in Syria, the ever growing cost of living and Britain’s economic woes they managed to find an hour or so to congratulate two very wealthy aristocrats for procreating. Politics is the language of priorities, after all.’ He said he hoped the London Assembly ‘could leave such displays of unctuous fawning and sycophancy to the experts down the river but instead was ‘disappointed’ to discover that members of the Chair of the Assembly also sent ‘loyal greetings’ to the Queen and the royal family. Mr Copley added that four in 10 children in the assembly live in poverty, yet the Assembly chose to congratulate ‘one of the richest, most powerful and influential families in London on the christening of the child who will one day inherit the office that most modern democracies trust the people to elect’. Conservative Party vice-chairman Bob Neill said Mr Copley’s views were out of touch with the public. Greetings: Mr Copley said he was 'disappointed' that the London Assembly had also sent a message of goodwill to the Queen . ‘It’s a pity Tom Copley hasn’t got better things to do with his time than write such surly and mean-spirited drivel on his blog,’ he told the London Evening Standard. ‘On the positive side, this kind of dour killjoy attitude shows why republicanism has never caught on in the UK. ‘You couldn’t get someone more out of touch with the public. I wonder whether Ed Miliband will have the guts to disown him?’ But Mr Copley is unrepentant, telling the newspaper: ‘I’m very clear that I want a democratically elected head of state. ‘The royals would carry on as a family and could carry on using their titles if they want. If they want to continue to ride around in gold carriages, that would be fine with me.’ | Labour housing spokesman Tom Copley condemns christening messages .
He used blog to criticise MPs and the London Assembly paying tribute .
Tory vice-chairman Bob Neill says remarks are out of touch with the public . |
127,954 | 31636873eb196b1230144b2eb35be0d3410dcc8d | Tensions in Ferguson, Missouri calmed Thursday night, following the withdrawl of National Guard troops and the beginning of a grand jury investigation into the death of black teenager Michael Brown. Protesters continued to gather on West Florissant Ave, near the scene where an unarmed Brown was shot to death by police officer Darren Wilson, but the congregation remained non-violent. The night of peace came after the announcement from Gov Jay Nixon that he would be puling the National Guard out of the St Louis suburb. Scroll down for video . Hoops: Tensions between police and locals in Ferguson were much tamer on Thursday. Above, Highway Patrolmen and a group of young men engage in a friendly game of basketball . Calm: The streets of Ferguson were mostly peaceful Thursday night after the National Guard was dismissed from the St Louis suburb . Tapering: The number of protesters was considerably smaller than previous nights . Investigation: A grand jury began reviewing the case on Wednesday. Above protesters on the street Thursday night . A small band of soldiers with a humvee remained at the Thursday . night protests, but it was quite a contrast to Monday, when the . troops hurled several rounds of tear gas into the crowds. Highway Patrol Capt Ronald S Johnson told the . St Louis Post-Dispatch that he believes it was the National Guard leaving, . and a visit yesterday from Attorney General Eric Holder that brought . peace to the streets of Ferguson. Holder visited Ferguson on Wednesday, as a grand jury begins to investigate Brown's shooting death. 'I think it shows that the process has begun, and people know the President is watching,' Johnson told the Post-Dispatch. Still angry: There are widespread calls by protesters for the resignation of local prosecutor Robert McCulloch . Racial divisions: The protesters have sought to highlight the level of racism still faced by black people in the U.S. Police stand guard along Florissant Avenue but apparently in a less belligerent stance than previously . No justice: Two people side by the street and watch a sombre procession through Ferguson . No peace: Police were still standing ready with clubs and guns but the night passed without incident . Force: Missouri national guard militia stand guard at the command centre where operations have been directed . Bleak future: The killing of Michael Brown has once again raised difficult questions about being black in America . Loyalty: Despite the killing and the questions it's raised, protesters still march brandishing the American flag . Relatively unarmed: Police stand guard along Florissant Avenue to prevent looting by furious demonstrators . The National Guard was called out of Ferguson, Missouri today on the orders of Gov Jay Nixon. A small band remained Thursday night to help police another night of protests, though it was much more peaceful . The National Guard helped secure the streets of the St. Louis suburb for three nights, beginning on Monday, as hundreds of angry residents took to the street and confronted State Troopers in riot gear. Last night, police arrested only a few people in the protest zones - the quietest night so far. Gov Nixon says the Guard provided security that allowed cops to restore trust with residents. Nixon's announcement comes as St. Louis County's prosecuting attorney issued a defiant letter - typed in all caps - saying he refuses to 'walk away' from investigating the racially-charged shooting of black teen Michael Brown by a white Ferguson police officer. Leaving town: National Guard troops are pulling out of Ferguson four days after Missouri Governor Jay Nixon ordered them there to help keep order . Nixon said the troops have completed their mission, which was helped to provide security while the Missouri Highway Patrol and St. Louis County cops took over . More than 76,000 people have signed a petition demanding that Robert McCulloch be replaced by a special prosecutor. In the letter, McCulloch calls on Gov Nixon to make a decision publicly about whether to remove him from the investigation or to support him staying on. He makes clear that he will not resign of his own accord and says the governor is the only one who can force him to step away from the case. Since demonstrations began after the August 9 shooting of Michel Brown, authorities have arrested at least 163 people in the protest area in Ferguson, a predominantly black city with 50 white police officers and three black officers. 'The situation has greatly improved with fewer incidents of outside instigators interfering with peaceful protesters, and fewer acts of violence,' the governor said. The Ferguson Police Department has been effectively relieved of command and the Missouri Highway Patrol and St. Louis County and St. Louis city police are patrolling the streets of the town. St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Robert McCulloch (left) asked Governor Jay Nixon (right) to either remove him from the investigation or support him publicly . McCulloch, whose police officer father was killed responding to a call about a black suspect, defended his impartiality and said he would not step down from the investigation . After heavy confrontations between riot cops and protesters on Sunday night, Gov Nixon called up the National Guard to shore up security in the city. Tempers on the streets seem have cooled significantly since then. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that only a few protesters could be seen on the streets Wednesday night into Thursday morning and police stayed mostly in their squad cars parked along Florissant Street - Ground Zero for the protests. Some question McCulloch's ability to be unbiased since his father, mother and other relatives worked for St. Louis police. His father was killed while responding to a call involving a black suspect. Nixon said this week he is not asking McCulloch to recuse himself. But a McCulloch aide, Ed Magee, said the governor 'didn't take an actual position one way or the other.' McCulloch called for a more definitive decision. He said in a statement that Nixon must 'end this distraction' or risk delay in resolution of the investigation. Federal authorities have launched an independent investigation into Brown's death, and U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill told The Associated Press that all of the physical evidence from the case was being flown Thursday from St. Louis to the FBI forensics lab in Quantico, Virginia. The evidence includes shell casings and trajectories, blood patterns and clothing, the Missouri Democrat reported. 'The only thing you have to test the credibility of eye witnesses to a shooting like this is in fact the physical evidence,' McCaskill said. 'I'm hopeful the forensic evidence will be clear and will shed a lot more light on what the facts were.' The Guardsmen helped provide security, but were not responsible for actually policing the streets and making arrests . | Governor Jay Nixon said the National Guard has fulfilled its mission of providing security while State Troopers and county police took over .
Nixon called up the Guard on Monday after heavy street conflict between the police and protestors .
St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney, meanwhile, has said he will not recuse himself from Michael Brown investigation .
Robert McCulloch wrote letter - in ALL CAPS - calling on Gov Nixon to decide whether he will be removed from investigtion . |
246,470 | cafade03edb74dbbde29269561afd30e8aecf4f7 | By . Associated Press . PUBLISHED: . 09:08 EST, 4 April 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 12:46 EST, 4 April 2013 . For girls, proms are all about the dresses. Kayla Wolfe just never imagined what it would take to pick one. First, there was what felt like a million questions. 'What kind of dress was I looking for? What size am I? What kind of color? Long or short?' said the 15-year-old freshman at Mount Edgecumbe High School, a state-run boarding school in Sitka, Alaska. Her answers gave her passage into a room stocked full of dresses – a bounty that Kayla, or most students, in rural Alaska have never seen. Scroll down for video . Fairy godmother: A stylist fixes the hair of Mount Edgecumbe High School student Kaitlyn Love, as part of the Prom Princess program supporting teens who go through the rite of passage without family support . The dresses were brought to the school by the Seattle-based Prom Princess program, which brings the prom experience to Mount Edgecumbe, where many students don't have the resources or the help from their far-off families to get party dresses, tuxedos and makeup for their big night. 'All of these people are here helping them (the students) out and doing all this stuff, and suddenly they realize they're a lot more important than they ever thought they were,' said Ivy Lanthier, project director for the school's dorms. 'That's the big thing.' In its fifth year of helping students at the school, the program arranges for donations of the dresses, discounted tuxes, and hair and makeup artists. Mount Edgecumbe, which sits in the shadow of a dormant volcano, is the only state-run boarding school in Alaska. It has nearly 400 students, and about 80 percent this year are Alaska Native. Many, like Kayla, hail from small . communities well off the state's limited road system. Many schools in . these rural villages don't have proms, and ones that do aren't at Mount . Edgecumbe's level. Ready to party: Students from Mount Edgecumbe High School dance in their new formal dresses at prom . Program founder Terri Bogren said she and other volunteers, mainly her co-workers at the Seattle-based Alaska Airlines, are proud of the teenagers for leaving their families and villages to get a better education, and this is a way to show their admiration. 'They don't have the family support to . help them do this. So we're kind of like fairy godmothers here to help . them make sure they can look as good as they want to go to their prom,' she said. 'I know lots of people buy expensive . dresses and only wear them once. So I figured this would be a . good opportunity to ask for donations' Bogren got the idea for the program when she lived in Sitka and helped a niece, who was attending the school, get ready for the prom. That's when she realized other girls weren't going to the dance because they didn't have a dress. Bogren moved to Seattle after she got a job as an account specialist with the airline, which had just celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2007. She decided to see if anyone would be willing to donate her party dress from the anniversary ball for the girls at Mount Edgecumbe. 'I know lots of people buy expensive . dresses and only wear them once,' she said. 'So I figured this would be a . good opportunity to ask for donations.' Finishing touches: One student gets some elaborate nail art to complete her prom night look . The perfect fit: Volunteers Janet Warner (left) and Mandy Odenheimer do last minute alterations hours before the prom, so each girl's dress looks like it was made for her . That first year, 30 dresses were donated. That number has increased to about 130 this year, and the girls get to keep the frocks they pick. The main booster for the program, Bogren solicits donations while talking to people on airplanes, in airports, at work. The program has a signature identifier: During the prom, all the volunteers wear tiaras, but Bogren sports one throughout the year to attract attention to her program. Inspired idea: Terri Bogren, seen having her make-up applied, is the brains behind the Prom Princess program . The number of volunteers also has grown, from Bogren and five others the first year to about 40 this year. The volunteers are Alaska Airlines or Horizon Air employees, and their family and friends from across the Pacific Northwest. The volunteers include professional hairdressers, nail artists, even a master tailor. Last Saturday, they gave the girls up-dos, fancy nails, took prom photos and made flower decorations. Like many students, sophomore Jessica Mute was appreciative for the help. She spent the day primping for the all-school prom, but also found time to make her boyfriend a boutonniere. Mute said it was especially nice since the boarding students 'have no parents or moms' there to help them. For many, Saturday's prom was the first time they have dressed formally for a dance, had clothes altered, had their nails and hair done, got tanning, even wore jewelry. 'It's something that many of them have seen on TV,' Lanthier said. 'They know other people do it, and now they're doing it.' Kellie Oester, a Portland, Ore.-based flight attendant who was in Sitka for the second year, said the freshman girls 'touched my heart.' 'I have a daughter that is 17. I think, "Oh, it would be hard for her to be away from home." So I think they kind of get the nurturing from us,' said Oester, who described her duty as 'glam fairy,' spraying girls with glitter. And for the record, Kayla picked a dress that was black on the top with white frilly ruffles on the bottom. She planned to wear it when she and friends went to a pizzeria before the dance. 'I'm just going to be extra careful' not to drop any food on it, she laughed. | Girls at Mount Edgecumbe High School, a state-run boarding school in Sitka, Alaska, don't have family support to help them buy an outfit and get ready. The Prom Princess program aims to play that role . |
182,920 | 78e51ca25d950cd9da92a0dd7e883b20e21060c6 | A host of the world's top bosses have joined forces for the annual managers' meeting held at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland. On Wednesday and Thursday, former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson chaired the 16th Elite Club Coaches Forum meeting as UEFA's coaching ambassador while president Michel Platini was also present. Ferguson was pictured sharing a joke with former nemesis Arsene Wenger, while Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini was also snapped at the event. VIDEO: Sir Alex Ferguson host annual managers' meeting in Nyon, his thoughts on Champions League favourites and 'sin-bin' All smiles: Sir Alex Ferguson chats with Carlo Ancelotti and Arsene Wenger at the managers' meeting in Nyon . Talking a good game: UEFA president Michel Platini has a convesation with Ancelotti and Ferguson on Thursday . Team photo: A host of Europe's elite coaches gathered at UEFA's headquarters in Switzerland (including Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique in spanking white trainers) Old foes: Ferguson walks alongside Wenger with Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini strolling just behind . Annual meeting: Arsenal manager Wenger looks on as the press wait outside the UEFA headquarters . All ears: Ferguson, acting as UEFA's coaching ambassador, chaired the 16th Elite Club Coaches Forum . Discussions: Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho sits with former Stamford Bridge boss Ancelotti . Good talker: Mourinho speaks to the press outside the UEFA headquarters on Thursday . On the march: Former Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas (centre), now in charge at Zenit St Petersburg, makes his way to Thursday's meeting . However, Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal and Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers did not attend the gathering. The meet-up is often exclusive to bosses whose sides are in European competition this term, which would exclude Van Gaal. Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho attended the meeting as well as former Stamford Bridge bosses Andre Villas-Boas, Rafael Bentiez and Carlo Ancelotti. Luis Enrique sat next to former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola and will be hoping he can emulate the success enjoyed by one of his predecessors in the Nou Camp hotseat. Like our Manchester United Facebook page. No show: Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal and Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers did not attend . Gathering: Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola looks on whilst sat next to Unai Emery (left) and Jurgen Klopp . Duo: Barcelona boss Luis Enrique sits next to Guardiola who managed the Nou Camp outfit for four years . Making a point: Shakhtar Donetsk manager Mircea Lucescu chats with Napoli boss Rafael Bentiez . The meeting - which was first held in 1999 - allows Europe's top coaches to discuss different points in the game, including various club competitions, refereeing issues and to debate the game's overall development. The conference has become a yearly fixture on the UEFA calendar at the start of each season, making a contribution to the continental body's decision-making processes. Sevilla boss Unai Emery, AC Milan manager Filippo Inzaghi and Laurent Blanc - who has been in the Paris Saint-Germain hotseat for just over a year - were among the guests. UEFA's chief refereeing officer Pierluigi Collina and UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino were also on hand for the discussions. VIDEO Ferguson backs English clubs in Europe . Michel Platini - UEFA President . Gianni Infantino - UEFA General Secretary . Ioan Lupescu - UEFA Chief Technical Officer . Giorgio Marchetti - UEFA Competition Director . Pierluigi Collina - UEFA Chief Refereeing Officer . Sir Alex Ferguson - UEFA Coaching Ambassador . Laurent Blanc - PSG manager . Manuel Pellegrini - Man City manager . Nuno Espirito Santo - Valencia manager . Jens Keller - Schalke manager . Mircea Lucescu - Shakhtar Donetsk manager . Jorge Jesus - Benfica manager . Unai Emery - Valencia manager . Jurgen Klopp - Borussia Dortmund manager . Roger Schmidt - Bayer Leverkusen manager . Andre Villas-Boas - Zenit St Petersburg manager . Michel - Olympiacos manager . Rafael Benitez - Napoli manager . Carlo Ancelotti - Real Madrid manager . Pep Guardiola - Bayern Munich manager . Luis Enrique - Barcelona manager . Arsene Wenger - Arsenal manager . Jose Mourinho - Chelsea manager . Massimiliano Allegri - Juventus manager . Filippo Inzaghi - AC Milan manager . | Host of Europe's top bosses attend managers' meeting in Switzerland .
Sir Alex Ferguson joined by Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho .
Europe's elite coaches gather at UEFA headquarters to discuss the big issues in the game and football's overall development .
Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal and Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers did not attend .
Meeting is for managers involved in European competition . |
281,302 | f863074d3b41ecc9cdd1c05a0e473c9cd98046b6 | Two sisters orphaned in last year's Alps massacre have started a new life with their aunt and uncle, but will always have armed police guards, it emerged today. Zainab al-Hilli, eight, and her sister Zeena, four, lost their parents and grandmother after they were gunned down in their BMW on a holiday to Lake Annecy on September 5, 2012. Saad al-Hilli, 50, mother Iqbal, 47, and grandmother Suhaila al-Allaf, 74, were killed alongside 45-year-old French cyclist Sylvain Mollier, in a crime that has still not been solved. Mystery: Zainab Al-Hilli, 8, was pistol-whipped and left for dead, and sister Zeena hid under her dead mother's skirt in the unsolved Alps massacre that claimed the lives of their parents and grandparents . Unsolved: French police investigating the horrific murder . of Saad al-Hilli (left) have, more than a year on, finally released a portrait of the possible . killer (right) Zainab was left fighting for her life after being shot in the shoulder and bludgeoned over the head with a gun, while Zeena hid underneath her mother's skirt in the back of the car and survived unscathed. Ruling: High Court judge Justice Baker today agreed the orphans' maternal aunt and uncle should be their guardians . But because it is believed Zainab . saw the assassin, the sisters will be getting an armed police guard, the High Court heard. Judge Justice Baker made special guardianship orders allowing the orphans to live with their . maternal aunt, uncle and cousin. In making the guardianship order he commended the aunt and uncle 'for the dedication that have shown to the girls. They have without hesitation taken on the responsibility of caring for their nieces and welcomed them into their home. 'They have, of course, had to do this whilst addressing their own grief and sense of loss. They have had to withstand the intrusion of professionals coming to carry out assessments and other enquiries and the inevitable media attention. 'I commend them for all that they have done, and all that they are going to do in future, for the benefit of the girls'. He also sent his 'very best wishes to the girls. In the last few weeks, they have moved to live with their aunt and uncle and have started their new schools'. The girls had been in foster care since the murders. Another uncle 54-year-old Zaid al-Hilli from Chessington , Surrey is on bail over the deaths thought to be linked to a disputed will. But he denies any wrongdoing. Under the special guardianship order the aunt and uncle are given exclusive power to exercised parental responsibility for the children. The judge said it also provides a degree of permanence, stability, and security for the children. Denial: Zaid Al-Hilli says he does not have any involvement in his brother's death, and remains on police bail . He added: 'It is in the interests of Zainab and Zeena to retain their existing family links and their identity as the children of their tragically deceased parents. 'Accordingly, and rightly, no party has proposed adoption as the appropriate outcome in this case. Manifestly, however, given their traumatic experiences, they do require an order which gives them a higher degree of stability and permanence and in my judgment a special guardianship order meets that requirement. 'Accordingly I make special guardianship orders appointed the aunt and uncle to be special guardians of the girls.' He said the local authority would still provide support for the girls. The aunt and uncle have made an application to live permanently in England . The judge said while it was not a matter for him but the immigration authorities, in his judgment 'it would manifestly be in the best interests of the girls for a way to be found for them to continue to live in this country with their aunt and uncle.' The ruling was made earlier this month but only made public today. | Zainab al-Hilli and her younger sister Zeena, lost parents and grandmother .
Zainab was pistol-whipped by assassin and Zeena hid under her mother .
Require an armed police guard because the eldest child may have seen killer .
High Court has agreed their maternal aunt and uncle should be guardians . |
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