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139,050 | 3fd1727a10733062e11725a9097e0194ea84aa94 | Fromelles, France (CNN) -- Lawrence Vincent was 21 years old when he joined the Australian Army. The year was 1915 and the world was at war. He waved goodbye to his 6-year-old brother and was shipped halfway around the world to the fields of France to fight the Germans, arriving the summer after he enlisted. His war lasted one hour. Vincent was one of thousands of young men ordered to charge into German machine guns on the night of July 19, 1916, outside this neatly kept French village. The defenders mowed down thousands, killing so many the allies could not recover all their dead. That's how World War I was fought -- waves of young men charging on foot at enemies who were dug in and waiting with guns at the ready. Millions of soldiers died. The remains of about 165,000 troops from the British Empire alone have never been found, according to experts. That single night at Fromelles, 5,533 Australians and 1,547 British troops were killed, wounded or left missing in action. More than 90 years after the battle, Fromelles remains the single deadliest 24 hours in the history of the Australian army. About 1,600 Australian and British bodies were never recovered. Vincent's body was one of the ones that disappeared. His family was left with nothing but an envelope full of medals to remember him by -- an envelope that lay unopened in Australia for decades after his death. But this year -- nearly a century later -- Lawrence Vincent's body was identified. Two years ago, researchers found a series of mass graves near the site of the Fromelles battle. They contained 250 bodies buried by the Germans after the slaughter. Over the past 15 months, experts have worked painstakingly to identify as many as they can, using uniforms and personal effects, military records, and DNA samples contributed by potential relatives of the dead. So far, 96 bodies had been positively identified. On Monday, the 94th anniversary of the battle, a new cemetery was dedicated to be their final resting place. The last of the 250 bodies -- an unknown soldier -- was laid to rest with military honors in the presence of relatives, dignitaries and their fellow troops. Britain's Prince Charles and Quentin Bryce, the governor-general of Australia, marched behind the coffin of the last soldier to be interred at the cemetery, called Pheasant Wood. "We dedicate this cemetery in grateful memory of all those in the land forces in the Commonwealth who died in the cause of freedom," Charles said, referring to the association of nations that used to be part of the British Empire. "Particularly those who fought and died during the battle of Fromelles and the 250 soldiers whom we remember especially today," Charles said. "May we ever be mindful of them and their comrades in arms of all services and be guided by their example of loyalty, service and selflessness." Efforts to identify the remaining bodies will continue at least until 2014, according to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, the non-profit group that is leading the project. The commission commemorates the dead of both world wars from the Commonwealth. Founded in 1917, it maintains graves and memorials at 23,000 sites around the world. The Fromelles cemetery is its first new graveyard in nearly 50 years, spokesman Peter Francis said. The Rev. Mitchell Collins came from Scotland for the dedication, although his grandfather's body was never found. For him, the event was about "the efforts by people to bring alive, somehow, everybody who died," and taking comfort in knowing that although his grandfather -- also named Mitchell Collins -- never knew his descendants, "you've done something for them." The body of Lawrence Vincent now lies in a marked grave at the cemetery. He is known as "Uncle Laurie" to John Vincent, the son of that 6-year-old little brother to whom Lawrence waved farewell in 1915. The younger Vincent is himself an Australian Army veteran of Vietnam, and he sees a parallel between those who came home from the controversial Vietnam War and those who never came home at all from the First World War. "They never received the gratitude of the nation that they were entitled to," he said -- until the dedication ceremony on Monday. "For the family, what it means is we can say, 'Thank you Laurie, on behalf of the family and on behalf of Australia.'" | Thousands of soldiers died in a single night in a battle in France in 1916 .
Mass graves containing 250 remains were found in 2008; 96 bodies have been identified .
A new cemetery was dedicated to the dead on Monday .
The Battle of Fromelles remains the deadliest 24 hours in Australian military history . |
148,229 | 4ba7f38bca87f7db45418667e48947c06a9a3283 | (CNN) -- Two Russian bombers have landed at a Venezuelan airfield where they will carry out training flights for several days, the Russian defense ministry said Wednesday. Russia's Tupolev TU-160, pictured here in 2003, is a long-range strategic bomber. The Tupolev Tu-160 strategic bombers landed at Venezuela's Libertador military airfield and "will spend several days carrying out training flights over neutral waters, after which they will return to the base," the ministry added. NATO fighters followed the bombers on their 13-hour flight over the Arctic Ocean and the Atlantic, the defense ministry said. It said the Russian flights were carried out in strict accordance with international rules governing airspace above neutral waters, and that the aircraft did not violate the borders of other states. Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said such joint exercises between nations are not unusual. "We exercise all around the globe and have joint exercises with countries all over the world. So do many other nations." The U.S. will monitor the Russian-Venezuelan training, said Pentagon officials who asked not to be identified as they are not authorized to speak on the information. On Monday, Russia announced it might hold joint naval maneuvers with Venezuela in the Caribbean. The declaration came amid increased tension between Russia and the United States over Russia's invasion last month of the former Soviet republic of Georgia, a U.S. ally that aspires to join NATO. On Monday Russia denied any link between that announcement and the conflict in Georgia, although Russia has criticized U.S. support for Georgia. Russia has also objected to the missile defense system agreement, signed between the United States and Poland and the Czech Republic in August, that places a ground-based ballistic defense facility in the two eastern European nations. Russia has said the deal threatens its security, while the United States has said that the system is to guard against rogue states such as Iran. Earlier this month, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, whose comments have frequently antagonized Washington, said it would welcome the Russian air force, according to Russian news agency Novosti. "If Russian long-range bombers should need to land in Venezuela, we would not object to that either. We will also welcome them," Chavez said on September 1, according to Novosti. CNN's Mike Mount contributed to this story . | Moscow: Russian bombers using Venezuela airfield to train over neutral waters .
Russian defense ministry spokesman: NATO fighters followed bombers .
News agency: Venezuelan president says he'd welcome Russian air force .
Move comes amid growing tension between Washington and Moscow . |
248,188 | cd26735bb7bd5b8bbee05d504e0f61db218bb440 | Jose Mourinho hailed the 'perfect game' after his Chelsea side underlined their Barclays Premier League title credentials by sweeping aside Swansea 5-0 at the Liberty Stadium. Oscar and Diego Costa both scored twice in the first half to put Chelsea in cruise control before substitute Andre Schurrle grabbed a fifth goal 11 minutes from time to ensure Swansea suffered their heaviest home defeat for 24 years. 'It was a perfect game, everything went in our direction,' Chelsea manager Mourinho said. Chelsea's midfielder Oscar scored twice as Chelsea won 5-0 away at Swansea City on Saturday . 'To score a goal in the first minute makes an immediate difference. To be 4-0 up at half-time is not game over, especially in the Premier League, but it's a good situation to control and we did that in the second half. 'I was on the bench saying they were similar goals in terms of principles as the one we scored against Burnley in the first game of the season. 'The team is playing with high quality and has a clear identity of playing. Sometimes teams are good and play well without the clear identity, but all this season we are going in a certain direction and have a certain kind of way to play football.' Chelsea's win opened up a five-point lead on their nearest challengers Manchester City, who entertain Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, but Mourinho felt the victory would not increase the pressure on Manuel Pellegrini's chasers. Blues striker Diego Costa (second left) also added a double as Chelsea cruised to victory . 'I don't think they feel it (pressure),' Mourinho said. 'They have to win but they know that. 'We don't feel pressure, we feel responsibility, and for them it's not a problem. 'A team like them with the experience they have - much more than us - it's not a problem. 'I keep saying the same to my players and they have to understand it, there is no history without titles so if we play fantastically well and we don't win cups in 20 years time no one will remember this team. 'I am the first one that wants the team to play well but we have to win competitions. 'This team is a young team with lots of years in front of them, but we are trying this season to make some history by winning something.' Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho was delighted with his side's dominant display against the Swans . Mourinho said he felt for his opposite number Garry Monk, who was without three midfielders in Leon Britton, Jonjo Shelvey and Ki Sung-yueng and who was forced to play Gylfi Sigurdsson in an unfamiliar deeper role. Swansea also appeared to carry a hangover following the £25million midweek sale of top scorer Wilfried Bony and Monk later apologised for a performance which never recovered from Sigurdsson losing possession inside the first minute for Oscar to open the scoring. 'I said sorry to Jose that I couldn't give him a game today,' Monk said. 'It was a horrible performance and the first 45 minutes was our worst of the season. 'It's difficult to make those mistakes continuously and against a Chelsea side like that it magnifies it even more. 'We didn't give fans the performance we wanted and I can only apologise because it's my team and I take full responsibility for that.' Swansea boss Garry Monk has apologised to the fans for his team's display against Chelsea . But Monk insisted that Swansea's heaviest home defeat since a 6-1 thrashing to Wigan in April 1991 would not derail a league campaign which has seen them placed in the top 10 all season. 'The good thing is we're still in a good position and I don't worry about the long-term because I know the characters in that dressing room,' Monk said. 'It's one performance we have to reflect on and learn from but every time we've had a disappointment we've reacted straight away and this defeat won't define our season.' | Premier League leaders Chelsea won 5-0 away at Swansea on Saturday .
Victory moves Blues five points clear of title rivals Manchester City .
City host Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon . |
74,364 | d2da47d6e39242abe037c9b78bb782be24f533fc | WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Stars and Stripes, the newspaper that receives U.S. military funding to help it cover and get distributed free to American forces in war zones, complained Tuesday of censorship by military authorities in Iraq. A soldier with the U.S. Army's 1st Cavalry Division patrols the streets of eastern Mosul, Iraq, on June 16. In a story on its Web site, the newspaper known as Stripes said the military violated a congressional mandate of editorial independence by rejecting a request to embed reporter Heath Druzin with the U.S. Army's 1st Cavalry Division, which is attempting to secure the city of Mosul. The military cited various problems in Druzin's reporting on previous embed assignments with units of the division, according to the story. One example noted by the military was a March 8 story that said many Mosul residents would like the American soldiers to leave and hand over security tasks to Iraqi forces, the Stripes Web site said. "Despite the opportunity to visit areas of the city where Iraqi Army leaders, soldiers, national police and Iraqi police displayed commitment to partnership, Mr. Druzin refused to highlight any of this news," Maj. Ramona Bellard, a public affairs officer, wrote in denying Druzin's embed request, according to the Stripes story. A military official in Iraq defended the move to turn down the reporter's request. "U.S. Army units in Iraq remain committed to the media embed program and appreciate objective media reporting," said Lt. Col. David H. Patterson Jr., a spokesman for Multi-National Corps-Iraq. "The relationship that Druzin established with the command during a previous embed did not facilitate being invited back." Patterson added that Druzin was welcome to embed in another unit and that the 1st Cavalry Division was open to having a reporter other than Druzin. "Accusations of censorship are without merit," Patterson said. Other allegations against Druzin by the military included that he used quotes out of context, behaved unprofessionally and persisted in asking Army officials for permission to use a computer to file a story during a communications blackout period, the Stripes story said. Terry Leonard, editorial director at Stars and Stripes, denied the Army's allegations, calling Druzin's previous reporting on the division accurate and fair. "To simply say 'you can't send him because we didn't like what he wrote' is unacceptable," Leonard said. He noted that Congress set up Stripes as an independent newspaper so that "no commander can decide what news troops in the field receive." Army officials have offered to allow a different Stripes reporter to embed with the division or to allow Druzin to embed with a different Army unit in Kirkuk, Leonard said. Stripes rejected those offers because the military has no right to deflect coverage from Mosul or decide which Stripes reporter covers its operations, Leonard said. "To deny Mr. Druzin an embed under the reasons stated by Maj. Bellard is a direct challenge to the editorial independence of this newspaper," Leonard wrote in his appeal to the decision, according to the Stripes story. "That independence is mandated by Congress. The denial of the embed constitutes an attempt at censorship and it is also an illegal prior restraint under federal law. ... The military cannot tell us what stories to write or not write." Stripes receives close to $10 million a year from the Department of Defense to help defray the costs of covering "contingency" operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, including the publishing and distribution of roughly 85,000 free newspapers a day, Leonard said. The newspaper receives additional government subsidies, with the total amounting to less than half of its budget, he said. Other revenue comes from ad sales and circulation at permanent U.S. military bases and elsewhere, Leonard said. CNN has been denied embed requests on occasion but never because of the past conduct of individual journalists. The reasons have almost always involved logistical details involving security and force coverage. | Newspaper says military's rejection of embed request is censorship .
Paper wanted reporter Heath Druzin to be embedded with Army division in Iraq .
Army rejects request, cites Druzin's previous interactions with division .
Army denies accusations, says different reporter may embed with division . |
219,456 | a81186000fd7ab0009baca83904575cc3a5c6693 | Tom Cruise stayed at the Marriott Hotel in Peterborough, where a staff member who did not recognise him, asked if he had a loyalty card . He may be renowned for his role as a secret agent in the Mission Impossible series - but it seems Tom Cruise took it to a new level while staying at the Marriott Hotel in Peterborough. And launching his own mission - called Operation Fromage - left one member of staff red-faced after he failed to recognise the Hollywood star and asked him if he had a loyalty card. The 52-year-old, who had been in the Cambridgeshire city to film his next Mission Impossible movie, was reportedly eating breakfast when the waiter made the blunder. Cruise and co-star Simon Pegg, 44, were filming at nearby RAF Wittering where the actor was suspended from an Airbus A400M at 5,000ft. He had checked into the hotel with production staff for five nights under the name Operation Fromage, which is French for cheese, after the close-by village of Stilton, according to The Sun. A source, speaking to the newspaper about the waiter's gaffe, said: 'Tom took it in good jest, but given the security operation to keep his and Simon's stay under wraps it was funny no one seemed to bat an eyelid.' It also reports that Cruise and Pegg were spotted by locals, including a group of salesmen, who were shocked to see the action star. Last Monday the Oscar nominee was filming one of the action scenes for Mission Impossible 5 scene where he fought his way across a four-engine military aircraft at the Royal Air Force station. The Top Gun actor had been insistent on performing his own stunts throughout the movie, but the crew were making a realistic effort of reenacting the combat scene from a safe, stationary position. Chris McQuarrie, the movie's director was on set in Peterborough last weekend and admitted that the cast and crew were contending with serious rain. The Jack Reacher director has been keeping an #MI5diary on Twitter and tweeted: 'Sincerest thanks to everyone at RAF Wittering, Pilot Ed Strongman and team #Airbus.' The actor had been staying at the Marriott Hotel in Peterborough (pictured) for five nights during filming . Tom Cruise had been spotted with his co-star Simon Pegg by local salesman who said they were gobsmacked . The Peterborough Marriott Hotel is about a 15 minute drive from the air base where filming took place. The Marriott loyalty card offers members the opportunity to earn points for their stays as well as offering benefits like free wifi, room upgrades and extra towels. Staff from the chain have so far declined to comment. Tom Cruise filming scenes for new movie, Mission Impossible 5, at RAF Wittering in Cambridgeshire last week . Tom feels the strain of a hovering helicopter flying low above his head, making it harder for him to run across . Cruise pictured in one of the iconic scenes from Mission Impossible II. He is currently filming the fifth movie . | Carrying out 'Operation Fromage' left one member of staff red in the face .
The waiter didn't recognise the actor and asked him if he had a loyalty card .
Tom Cruise's team had checked in under the name to remain anonymous .
Staff named it Fromage - French for cheese - after nearby village of Stilton .
Cruise had been staying at the hotel while he filmed in Cambridgeshire town .
He was completing scenes for Mission Impossible 5 at nearby RAF Wittering . |
244,560 | c87eab2dc544f2661c19f944d134693d22dffdde | By . Deni Kirkova . He might be a future king but the Duke of Cambridge has revealed he likes the simple things in life such as good value food and popular music. William said Morrisons Value pasta was 'not too bad', and confessed to listening to Coldplay - and American rock band Linkin Park - while chatting to school children today. The Prince spent more than an hour at Goole High School, in East Yorkshire to launch a new award for primary school children as royal patron of the charity SkillForce, which draws on the values and skills of ex-forces personnel to inspire young people to achieve at school. The Duke of Cambridge visits Goole High School to launch the new SkillForce Junior Prince's Award . He spent some of his time apologising to the youngsters for the pouring rain. 'I'm so sorry I didn't bring better weather with me,' the Duke said to flag-waving pupils as he arrived. He watched the youngsters take part in a team bridge-building exercise in the school yard which was inspired by the 70th anniversary of D-Day later this week. As he chatted to members of the school's samba band, which was providing the musical accompaniment, he refused an offer to play one of the drums. He told one of the drummers: 'I used to play the piano, trumpet and drums when I was your age but I couldn't read music. There's only so much you can remember from the top of your head.' And when one of the band asked him what music he liked, the Duke was heard to reply: 'I really like Coldplay, Linkin Park.' The Duke is Royal Patron of charity SkillForce, which draws on the values and skills of ex-forces personnel to inspire young people to achieve at school . Inside the school, William chatted to pupils taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme who told him about their expedition planning. Inspecting a packet of Morrisons Value instant pasta and cheese, he said: 'Have you tried this before? It's OK, it's not too bad. 'It's better than the beef stew and dumplings which is quite a heavy one.' William chatted about the SkillForce initiative with staff, pupils and representatives of the charity. The new SkillForce Junior Prince's Award is aimed at nine and 10-year-olds, especially under-privileged children who do not have easy access to these kind of activities. Inspecting a packet of Morrisons Value instant pasta and cheese, he said: 'Have you tried this before? It's OK' It is particularly aimed as smoothing the transition for children between primary and secondary school. The award involves team-building and problem-solving challenges, team sports, outdoor pursuits including camping, first aid, navigation, observing remembrance and community projects. Goole High School has worked with a group of local primary schools to develop the new national award programme. Speaking before the visit, Peter Cross, chief executive of SkillForce, said: 'The award is designed to engage younger learners in exciting lessons, challenges and community projects that prepare them for secondary education, a time when some students can begin to lose their way. After his school visit the Duke attended an employment workshop session with youth homeless charity Centrepoint . 'Our programme builds up the children's confidence, resilience, team work and problem solving to give them a boost before the start of new adventures and encourage them to take a more active role in their town, city or village. 'It's SkillForce's 10th birthday, and we are honoured that our royal patron has marked the occasion by lending his support to the Junior Prince's Award for roll-out across the country.' Hundreds of children and local residents stood and waved in the rain as the duke left by helicopter from the school field. He arrived by car earlier after his planned helicopter touch-down was cancelled due to the weather. Afterwards, William travelled to West Yorkshire where he visited the youth homeless charity Centrepoint's base in Bradford. William travelled to West Yorkshire where he visited Centrepoint's base in Bradford; here pictured during a video skills session . | Prince William spent over an hour at Goole High School, East Yorkshire .
Launched award for primary school children as royal patron of SkillForce .
Charity inspires youngsters with values and skills of ex-forces personnel .
The Duke later visited the youth homeless charity Centrepoint . |
115,420 | 20ef781f2fe0080f20718494b3bf413c02a8e7f8 | By . James Chapman . PUBLISHED: . 04:04 EST, 10 March 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 19:53 EST, 10 March 2014 . Child benefit could be docked from almost 20,000 parents every year whose children truant, leaked Tory plans reveal. Penalties of £60 issued by schools to families whose children are persistently absent would be doubled and taken from welfare payments. Education Secretary Michael Gove is drawing up the scheme, which is designed to reinforce the legal responsibility of parents to ensure their children attend school from five to 16. Truant: Parents who allow their children to play truant may be hit with heavy fines and even lose their benefits if they continue to allow their children to stay away from school (file picture) The plan is expected to be included . in the Conservatives’ election manifesto next year, having been blocked . in coalition by the Liberal Democrats, although a final decision has not . yet been made. The . proposal is expected to garner strong support, with surveys showing 64 . per cent of voters in favour and only 25 per cent against. Among . Conservative voters, 80 per cent say they back the idea. The Department . for Education defines persistent absence as missing at least 15 per . cent of school. Some 41,224 . penalty notices for non-attendance at school were issued in the . academic year ending in summer 2012 – the latest for which figures are . available – of which just 22,043 were paid within the time limit of 28 . days. Under the plan . proposed by Mr Gove, the penalty for the remaining 19,181 families would . have been doubled to £120 and automatically docked from their child . benefit. Although . £1.3million a year is raised from truancy fines, ministers say there is a . problem with their enforcement. Around 82,000 fines – almost half the . total issued since 2004 – are unpaid. They lapse if they are not paid in 42 days, forcing local authorities to prosecute. But 60 per cent of those who fail to pay are never taken to court. Charlie Taylor, a head teacher who advised the Government on discipline, . said taking a parent to court was ‘cumbersome and expensive’. Tough: Education Secretary Michael Gove is trying to persuade Tory colleagues to allow the fines imposed on parents of persistent truants to be taken from their child benefit . He . added: ‘During my review, when I met magistrates, schools and education . welfare officers, they frequently expressed frustration with a system . that takes up to six months to get a parent to court. One . magistrate explained how parents could exploit the system by pleading . not guilty, then failing to attend court when they were summoned and . finally not paying any fine imposed by the magistrate. ‘Parents who allow their child to miss too much school should receive a fine of £60. If . they fail to pay in 28 days, the fine should double to £120 and the . money should be recovered directly through child benefit. Persistent . failure to send children to school is a clear sign of neglect and that . children’s social care services should work with schools to address . underlying difficulties. ‘The . best schools work with parents to improve attendance. Fining parents or . taking them to court is a last resort. However, the system must be . effective.’ The plan is . thought to have broad support from most Tory Cabinet ministers, although . some involved in drawing up the manifesto are understood to have . insisted that vulnerable families were not unduly affected. It . is up to local authorities to set the criteria for issuing fines in . their area. It is also ultimately up to the head teacher to decide . whether to issue a fine. If a pupil has a medical condition that forces . them to miss lessons, the school can use its discretion. | Education Secretary wants to fine parents who allow children to play truant .
Michael Gove trying to persuade Conservatives to adopt tough policies .
Benefits could be removed from families who let their children skip school . |
202,924 | 92b843441c6cc54e588062ada683872b816cb15b | A grandmother has become Britain’s oldest banned driver at the age of 86 after being handed five speeding tickets. Norah Lawley was caught doing 48mph in a 30mph zone while driving her Ford Focus in March - her fifth speeding offence in four years. The retired primary headteacher had previously been caught breaking the speed limit on September 10 and December 5 last year, as well as August 7, 2011, and March 18, 2010. Norah Lawley, 86, was handed a six month driving ban after being caught doing 46mph in a 30mph zone in March - her fifth speeding offence in four years . Lawley, who has four children, five grandchildren and one great-grandchild, appeared at Worcester Magistrates' Court on Monday after getting 13 penalty points, meaning a court has to consider a ban. She pleaded guilty to speeding and Deputy District Judge David Noble banned her from the road for six months. The most recent speeding offence happened at 12.36pm on March 30 when Lawley was taking letters to a person after they were delivered to her home by mistake. The court heard she was flashed by a speed camera travelling at 48mph as she went on her errand in Upton, Worcester. The judge endorsed Lawley’s licence with four additional penalty points, fined her £200 and ordered her to pay a £20 victim surcharge and £85 costs. The mother-of-four, from Coombe Green, near Malvern, Worcester., was also ordered to re-take her driving test after she completed her ban. David Ollivere, defending, said a small disqualification would be sufficient, avoiding the need for a ban under the totting-up procedure. He said: 'Mrs Lawley lives in a remote and rural area with the nearest shop in Welland, Worcester, being four to five miles away.' He added that of her four children, only one of them lived nearby and that the son had to care for his wife who had a severe disability. Mr Ollivere said that if Lawley was banned she would be reliant on friends for transport. He added: 'For a short disqualification the situation would be manageable but for a longer period would prove somewhat unbearable.' Despite his pleas, the judge ruled her repeated law breaking warranted a ban. The DVLA has since confirmed Lawley is Britain’s oldest banned driver. Lawley's solicitor argued that a ban would make it difficult for the mother-of-four to visit her relatives, three of whom live a long way from her home - but the judge Worcester Magistrates' Court (pictured) ruled otherwise . According to official records the oldest person with at least 12 points on their licence is an 85-year-old man. The oldest person to have any points on their licence is a 103-year-old man, and the oldest woman with a single point on her licence is 102. Neighbours of Lawley, who lives in a £300,000 home, expressed their sympathy today. One said: 'This is yet another example of the courts using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. There are far worse drivers out there. 'We will rally round for Norah as much as we can and help her out as much as possible.' Speaking from her home today, speeding gran Norah Lawley said she was 'ashamed' of her ban. She said: 'I don’t want everybody to know about it. I am quite ashamed. My solicitor has asked for it to be called again. He wasn’t happy with the result. I don’t know if it will but we will see. 'It is all a blur, a bad memory. Altogether I was caught three times in a year in the same place in Welland, coming through at more than 30mph. So I have to just put up with it. 'I have had my licence cancelled so I won’t be able to drive until after Christmas. It is just one of those things. I have got friends who will take me around thankfully.' | Great-grandmother Norah Lawley, 86, banned from driving for six months .
Court forced to consider ban after she racked up 12 points on her licence .
Caught doing 48mph in 30mph zone in March - her fifth offence in four years . |
13,867 | 2752842df798ebb50ed5d0ec7623dcb211c3954a | The United Kingdom will deploy hundreds of troops to Iraq in the coming year to train Iraqi and Kurdish forces -- the country's latest contribution to the fight against ISIS -- British Defense Secretary Michael Fallon told The Telegraph newspaper. The British have participated in a multinational airstrike campaign against ISIS in Iraq for months, but sending troops to train Iraqis and Kurds increases Britain's military involvement there. The United Kingdom hasn't had a significant ground troop presence in Iraq since 2011, the same year the United States withdrew its forces following a 2003 invasion to topple Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. British troops will begin training Iraqi and Kurdish forces in January, Fallon told the Telegraph for a story published Saturday. The number of troops hasn't been finalized, "but we are talking very low hundreds," Fallon told the Telegraph. "Our role now, apart from the airstrikes, is increasingly going to be on training," Fallon said. The British Ministry of Defense told CNN on Saturday that Fallon's comments reported by the Telegraph were accurate, and that details about he deployment still were being determined. ISIS: Sex slaves are OK . The United States has hundreds of troops already in Iraq, training, advising and assisting Iraqi and Kurdish forces. In November, President Barack Obama said he was planning to send up to an additional 1,500 troops for that purpose. In October, the United States had more than 1,400 troops in Iraq, in addition to hundreds more aboard ships and in nearby countries who were helping to carry out airstrikes in Iraq. The Iraqi military and Kurdish militias have been battling ISIS, the militant group that calls itself the "Islamic State." The Sunni Muslim extremist group captured portions of Syria and Iraq this year in its bid to establish what it says is an independent Islamic nation. ISIS shoots down Iraqi helicopter, killing 2, official says . ISIS fighters shot down an Iraqi army helicopter in the north-central Iraqi city of Samarra this week, killing two pilots, a military command officer told CNN on Saturday. The incident happened Friday afternoon in southern Samarra, about 80 miles (129 kilometers) north-northwest of Baghdad. The officer spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to speak to the news media. The helicopter attack came two days after a suicide truck bombing killed at least nine people, including Iraqi soldiers, outside a military base in Samarra. | British troops to start training Iraqi, Kurdish forces in Iraq in January, official says .
ISIS shot down military helicopter in southern Samarra, Iraqi military officer says .
Attack came two days after suicide truck bombing killed at least 9 people in Samarra . |
258,059 | d9fa880fcb6804c08ac57086ab81a63899ca223f | PUBLISHED: . 16:07 EST, 14 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 17:55 EST, 14 December 2013 . A British man was found with his head cut off in his Kenyan apartment on Friday. The man, named locally as Peter Ironside and believed to be in his seventies, had lain for two weeks in a bathroom in the Bamburi area of port city of Mombasa. He had suffered multiple wounds from a machete. A woman in her early thirties - reported to be his girlfriend - has been arrested on suspicion of murder. The Sun reported he had moved to Kenya several years ago to live with her. Police discovered the body after neighbours became worried that he had not been seen at the apartment, situated in the popular tourist area. The body of a British pensioner in Bamburi in Mombasa, Kenya, has been discovered. Bamburi is a popular holiday destination (file picture) The man is believed to have moved to Mombasa to live with his girlfriend . One said there they heard shouts coming from the property before the man's disappearance. Another said: He was killed in a very dehumanising manner.' A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: 'We are aware of the death of British National on Saturday 30 November in Mombasa, Kenya. We are providing consular assistance to the family at this difficult time.' Kenyan police said they had arrested one suspect. Regional police coordinator Aggrey Adoli said Thursday the hand grenade (pictured) failed to explode after hitting a window of the vehicle. It was later safely detonated, right . The incident comes just days after attackers targeted British tourists in Kenya in a grenade attack in Kenya - but the explosive failed to detonate. The assailants quickly fled after hurling the grenade at a minibus carrying the tourists as it drove through the Likoni district of Mombasa, Kenya's main port city. The grenade struck the vehicle's window but bounced off before landing on the ground without exploding, in a rare attack specifically targeting travellers in Kenya. The attack came as Kenya celebrates its 50 years of independence from former colonial rulers Britain. Kenya has seen a wave of attacks since its forces invaded southern Somalia in October 2011 to help oust Al Qaeda-linked insurgents from the militant group al-Shabaab. Home-grown groups including the Islamist Al-Hijra group, a radical organisation formerly known as the Muslim Youth Centre, operate on Kenya's coast and have been linked to al-Shabaab. Several radical Muslim preachers have been assassinated in Mombasa sparking riots by their supporters, who have accused the police of carrying out the killings, claims they strongly deny. Grenades have been hurled into restaurants in Mombasa and crowded areas in the capital Nairobi, as well as a string of attacks in the remote northeast region bordering Somalia. Al-Shabaab also claimed the brutal September assault on Nairobi's upmarket Westgate mall, a centre popular with foreigners, in which at least 67 people died in a four-day siege. Sorry we are unable to accept comments for legal reasons. | Victim named locally as Peter Ironside, who is believed to be in his seventies .
He was found with multiple wounds in his bathroom .
A woman in her thirties, reportedly his girlfriend, has been arrested . |
195,404 | 88f2d305b4f9f26280df98ad3bf4df96cfc181ca | KABUL, Afghanistan (CNN) -- Up to 30,000 additional U.S. troops could be sent to Afghanistan next year, military officials said Saturday. Helicopters are the main transportation of the U.S. military in Afghanistan, with its high mountain terrain. Roughly 31,000 U.S. troops currently are in Afghanistan. Of the additional troops, 20,000 will comprise four ground/maneuvering brigades, said Col. Gregory Julian, spokesman for U.S. forces in Afghanistan. That number is consistent with what Gen. David McKiernan, the U.S. commander in Afghanistan, called for in October, he said. The additional 10,000 likely refers to support personnel, Julian said. McKiernan requested the additional 20,000 troops be sent to fight the increasing violence by the resurgent Taliban forces in the southern and eastern parts of the country. On Friday, military officials said Defense Secretary Robert Gates signed a deployment order to move an additional 3,000 troops to Afghanistan next year. Those troops will be part of a combat aviation brigade, the latest approved by Gates for the expected buildup of U.S. troops in the country in 2009. The brigade will send a number of much-needed helicopters to the region. Helicopters are the main mode of transportation for the U.S. military in Afghanistan, where high mountain roads and passes make it difficult for large transport vehicles to move troops and supplies. The additional troops would nearly double the level of U.S. troops in Afghanistan. Troop levels are likely to be maintained at this increased level for three to four years, Julian said Saturday, as U.S. forces continue to try to "clear and hold" more parts of Afghanistan from insurgents and militants and train Afghan military and police to be self-sufficient. | 20,000 in four ground/maneuvering brigades, said U.S. forces spokesman .
The additional 10,000 likely refers to support personnel, said spokesman .
On Friday, Defense Secretary ordered 3,000 troops to Afghanistan for next year . |
112,982 | 1dcecb72ffa928e224c4c8018b096dce87235817 | By . Sam Webb . PUBLISHED: . 00:18 EST, 8 November 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 03:57 EST, 8 November 2012 . Tragic: Andrew Holt had only married Lydia nine months before he collapsed and died from a rare heart condition while playing football . A newlywed husband collapsed and died aged just 23 from a previously undiagnosed heart defect whilst playing football with his friends. Andrew Holt was taking part in a five-a-side match when he suffered a cardiac arrest and fell to the ground. Staff at a leisure centre where the Stockport, Greater Manchester resident, was playing battled to save him but he died later in hospital. An inquest was told Mr Holt, an insurance administrator, had only married wife Lydia nine months before his death on April 16. He never knew he had been suffering throughout his life from a rare condition which affects only one in 500,000 people. The condition known as anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) - meant a main blood vessel to one of the heart's chambers was not carrying oxygen-rich blood. The Stockport hearing was told inquest heard how Mr Holt, who worked for Swinton Insurance in Manchester, was a 'fit and healthy young man' apart from the ALCAPA. He loved football and would play up to three times a week. Tragedy struck when he was taking part with friends in a regular five-a-side match at Priestnall School in Stockport. Dr Mary Shepperd, a consultant cardiopathologist, told the court that the condition did not show any symptoms and usually became apparent when people suddenly died, often during childhood. She added that Mr Holt's heart had compensated over the years but the congenital defect meant one of the chambers had become scarred, eventually leading to cardiac arrest. Recording a verdict of death by natural causes, Deputy coroner Joanne Kearsley said: 'He lived a life for 23 years with a very serious condition, completely unaware and with no symptoms. It was a rare condition that was no doubt the cause of his death.' After the inquest Mr Holt's family said in a statement: 'We are still absolutely devastated and in shock and find it very difficult to carry on without him. 'He was a warm and very caring person, he really loved people and was always willing to help. 'He was held in high regard and with such warm affection by so many people.' At the time of his death, it emerged Mr Holt had become an uncle for the first time just a few hours before he died after his brother Nathan had a son. Mr Holt (top left) was an avid footballer and played up to three times a week. His heart condition only affects one in every half a million . Friend Liam Mcleod said: 'He will always be remembered for his loving personality and amazingly funny sense of humour, making everyone he knew laugh. 'Everyone who knew him will have a special place in their heart for Andy because of how loving, special and funny he really was. His unforgettable smile that was so cheeky and charming. 'He really was a loving and devoted husband, a treasured and affectionate son, an incredibly loved brother and an amazing friend to have. 'Anyone who knew him was blessed to have spent time with him. We miss you Andy and we will always love you. My personal love goes out to his friends, family and his wife.' In a joint statement, Stockport council said: 'Our deepest sympathies go out to the family and friends of the young man following this tragic event.' Carolyn Callan, director of Swinton commercial where Mr Holt worked said: 'We are absolutely devastated. Andy was an all-round lovely guy. 'Nothing was ever too much trouble for him. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.' Happy: The couple and wedding guests. Andrew was desrcibed as a 'loving and devoted husband, a treasured and affectionate son, an incredibly loved brother and an amazing friend to have' | Andrew Holt, 23, collapsed while playing five-a-side football .
Coroner finds he had incredibly rare heart defect known as ALCAPA .
'All-round lovely guy' became an uncle for the first time just hours before . |
254,410 | d54f03e3fda51681e4fe62c2fa1db9f954c98e2e | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 15:00 EST, 26 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 15:04 EST, 26 October 2013 . Three children and two adults have suffered minor injuries after a school bus crashed into a home at a Texas military base. The bus was returning 25 children home from Fort Sam Houston Elementary School on Friday afternoon when it ran into a home in a military housing area. The military base is in central San Antonio. Cause: The driver told authorities that the brakes on the bus failed just before it crashed into the house on Friday . Hospitalized: Three children and two adults were treated for minor injuries after a school bus ¿ filled with more than two dozen kids ¿ plowed into a Texas home on Friday . Fort Sam Houston spokesman Brent Boller says two children on the bus, one child in the house, the bus driver and a substitute teacher were injured. The driver and the substitute teacher were hospitalized in stable condition. Boller said the injured children were also taken to hospitals, but he did not immediately know their conditions. All of the injuries were minor. Boller said the driver indicated the brakes on the bus had failed. School run: The yellow bus was driving 25 children home from Fort Sam Houston Elementary School when it suddenly lost control and slammed into the home in a San Antonio military housing area . Emergency: All five victims ¿ which included two children on the bus, one youngster in the home, a substitute teacher and the bus driver ¿ were all taken to nearby hospitals for minor injuries . | Two pupils, a child in the house, the bus driver and a teacher receive hospital treatment after suffering injuries in the smash .
All the victims were treated for minor injuries .
Bus was driving 25 children home from Fort Sam Houston Elementary School . |
235,891 | bd5ba23718dc903c22821f295f4c8fe508bf1a6b | By . Katie Davies . PUBLISHED: . 00:27 EST, 12 May 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 05:28 EST, 12 May 2013 . The FBI has agreed to review the mysterious disappearance of a honeymooner from a Caribbean cruise ship eight years ago in light of new findings put forward by his family, who believe he was murdered. George Smith, 26, vanished from the . Royal Caribbean ship, Brilliance of the Seas, in the middle of the night . on July 5, 2005 just outside the Turkish port of Kusadasi. He had been partying into the early hours with his . 25-year-old wife Jennifer Hagel-Smith. His wife was found passed out drunk in a corridor but George was missing - a large blood stain beneath his cabin balcony indicating where his body had fallen and suggesting he then went overboard. Mystery: George Smith was on a honeymoon cruise with his new wife Jennifer Hagel-Smith when he died - presumed overboard . Partying: The couple had been drinking and gambling with new friends they'd made aboard the ship when it is believed Smith went overboard around 5am . Four men confirm they were the last to see him alive - Josh Askin, Rusty Kofman and Zach and Greg Rozenberg. They had all been drinking Absinthe and gambling with the newly-married man earlier in the evening. They claim they left a drunken George . in his room and put him in bed, before returning to Zach and Rusty's . suite to order room service. However, a private investigator hired . by the family told CBS's 48 hours that the ship's records show no . details of any room service order. Lost hope: A photograph taken by a passenger showed blood on the edge of a lifeboat canopy . Several short phone calls were made . from the suite following 4.13am, according to Attorney Mike Jones, but . no food was documented as ordered on the ship's log. He also points out a video . exists of three of the men - Kofman and the two Rosenberg brothers - . allegedly 'joking' about Mr Smith's death over breakfast. Though the FBI has held the recording since 2005, Jones made public its alleged contents for the first time. He claims Kofman makes a joke about . the man parachuting off his balcony while Greg Rosenberg stands up at . the end and 'makes gang signs' and says 'told you I was a gangster'. All four men and lawyers acting on their behalf have denied any involvement in the death of Smith from Greenwich, Connecticut. CBS approached Kofman in the film and . questioned him about the alleged video comment. He said he had no . comment and urged the presenter to contact his lawyer. Albert Dayan who was previously represented him was interviewed by the network in 2006 and said the men put the newlywed in bed and never saw him again. 'They actually lay George on the bed . and took off his shoes and he displays tremendous gratitude to these . young men,' he told the broadcaster. Last seen: Josh Askin, top left, Rusty Kofman, top right, and Zach, bottom left, and Greg Rozenberg, bottom right, were the last to see George Smith alive . Cabin: This is the room where the men claim they left George Smith in bed . However, one witness - a former . police officer staying next door to the couple - told CBS he only saw . three men leave the suite - something the men also deny. He also claims he heard men arguing on the balcony. Dayan said he believed the 'three . men' spotting was a mistake by the witness and says the men deny ever . going onto the balcony. The neighbor said he later heard the sound of furniture being moved and a loud thud. The witness reports, cell phone video . and room service logs have prompted the Smith family to call for a . thorough new look at George's death. They suspect foul play. 'I just don't understand how the FBI . could have had this tape in their possession and still we sit here,' George's sister Bree said. 'Get the guys in there. Question them! In another new detail, it has emerged . that the men and their families were later ejected from the ship in . Naples over a claim of sexual assault against Greg Rosenberg and Rusty . Koffman. The men also denied those claims and no charges were brought by Italian police. Jones carried out depositions with all four men in the course of his inquiries. Greg Rosenberg, who was being held in a Florida prison on charges of trafficking, emphatically denied any involvement. Last night: George Smith was captured on surveillance cameras in the casino on the night of his death . Nightmare: George Smith went missing from Royal Caribbean's Brilliance of the Seas in 2005 while on his honeymoon . Never found: Mr Smith, 26, fell from the boat during a Mediterranean cruise close to the port of Kusadasi in Turkey . Although he added that he too doubted the explanation George fell. 'Something crazy went down that night and I hope one day they find out the truth,' he said. Josh Ashkin's lawyer says he has no doubt his client has provided all the information he has on the incident and believes it boils down to a drunken accident. 'I don't know why anybody's missin' the theme here. 'Cause there's one common element ... and it's too much alcohol!' he said. 'And we can go and, you know, blame it on murder and - and -- and blame it on aggressive sexual behavior here. You know what? It's just everybody drinkin' too much and stupid stuff happening. That fits.' FBI New York confirmed to the broadcaster that they would review the investigation. The honeymooner's family have been . frustrated by the investigation to date but hope the renewed focus may . bring them the answers they require. 'We'll get justice,' George's mother . Maureen Smith said. 'Somehow we'll get justice for George. Somebody will . talk. And shame on them that don't. Shame on the people that have put . us through this eight years of hell.' Much-loved: The Smiths of Greenwich, Connecticut say they still need answers over the night their son died . 'He was the funniest guy, you know?' George Smith senior said remembering his son. 'I would sit and have a couple of beers with him and he'd make me laugh . for the whole night. And besides he was so good looking the girls just . fell all over him. He was a just a lot of fun. He was a great guy.' Jennifer Hagel-Smith, an elementary . school teacher, passed an FBI polygraph test about what happened that . night and Jones believes she too was an innocent victim of what . occurred. The couple had been together for three years when they married in 2005 in a clifftop ceremony in Newport, Rhode Island. She has since remarried and did not take part in the CBS program. | FBI's New York field office agrees to review death of George Smith, 26, .
Connecticut man disappeared on honeymoon in 2005 aboard the Royal Caribbean Ship - Brilliance of the Seas .
Pool of blood could be seen under his cabin where it is believed his body fell before dropping into the ocean .
Private investigator unearths ship documents which question the final movements of four men who were the last to see Smith alive .
Video of three of the men allegedly shows them 'joking' about the death . |
179,569 | 74812a8d9d596d06dc73146310ea8fcb6a104a02 | With a toothbrush moustache and jet black hair brushed over to one side, one Kosovan man believes he is the reincarnation of Adolf Hitler and travels everywhere with a copy of Mein Kampf. Emin Djinovci from Mitrovica earns a living as a Hitler look-a-like and even charges tourists £60 for taking a photograph with him. The 49-year-old has five daughters who he collectively calls 'Hitler's children' and is proud of his likeness to the Nazi leader because he fought against the Serbs – his enemies. Emin Djinovci (right) from Mitrovica earns a living as a Hitler look-a-like and even charges tourists £60 for taking a photograph with him . 'I am proud of my likeness to the Fuhrer because, like him, I fought against the Serbs - my enemies,' he told InSerbia News. 'It is easy. I find myself in Hitler's character because he fought against my enemy. Enemy of my enemy is my friend. Yes, Serbs are my enemies.' Mr Djinovci moved to Kosovo in 1998 from Germany to fight of Kosovo Albanians for secession from Serbia. He carries around copies of Hitler's hate-filled autobiography Mein Kampf - My Struggle – wherever he goes and bills himself as 'Kosovo reincarnation of Adolf Hitler. The 49-year-old said he is proud of his likeness to the Nazi leader because he fought against the Serbs – his enemies . He believes he is the reincarnation of Adolf Hitler (left) and travels everywhere with a copy of Mein Kampf . Kosovan media reported that local business leaders have no problem with his strange way of earning a living because they believe he 'shows great enterprise.' But if he tried posing as the Fuhrer in Germany, he would be arrested immediately because any gestures of the old Nazi regime, or the displaying of any of its symbols, is a serious crime. In April 1941 Hitler gave the order for German forces - backed by Italian, Romanian, Hungarian and Bulgarian Axis allies - to invade Yugoslavia and Greece. The Serbs and the Croats made up the majority of the population of Yugoslavia at the time. There was a widespread persecution of Serbs during World War Two, referred to as the Serbian Genocide. This included extermination, expulsions and forced religious conversions of large numbers of ethnic Serbs by the Ustaše regime and Axis occupying forces. | Emin Djinovci, 49, believes he is the Kosovan reincarnation of Adolf Hitler .
He travels everywhere will a copy of Hitler's autobiography Mein Kampf .
The 49-year-old has five daughters who he calls 'Hitler's children'
He earns a living as a Hitler look-a-like and charges tourists for pictures . |
157,405 | 57874aa08a1bdefaa4ab65cebc7cca5ef2d9a1b2 | (CNN) -- David Letterman has been taking some heat and issuing some apologies for the off-color joke he made last week about Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's daughter, but he found a sympathetic critic in comedian Jeff Foxworthy on Monday. Jeff Foxworthy, the father of two teenage daughters, says David Letterman's joke was flawed. The best-selling comedy recording artist in history paid a visit to CNN's "Larry King Live" to talk about Letterman's gaffe. "As a father of two teenage daughters, it was a flawed joke," Foxworthy said. Letterman joked last Tuesday that Palin's "daughter was knocked up by Alex Rodriguez" at a recent Yankees game, stirring up an angry reaction from the Palin family. Letterman has since apologized twice for what he called "inappropriate" humor. And Foxworthy agreed: "I don't think any kind of joke about someone having sex with a teenage girl is funny." Watch Foxworthy comment on joke » . But Foxworthy's rebuke of the joke was gentle in tone, and he showed empathy for Letterman as well as the Palin family. "As a comedian, you look at what Dave does," Foxworthy said. "You're trying to do this night after night, year after year, decade after decade -- at some point in the road, are you going to throw one out there you shouldn't have? Yeah." Foxworthy said it's probably time to forgive and forget. "It's about forgiveness," Foxworthy said. "He came back and apologized and said: 'Hey, the joke is flawed.' And to me you move on." King asked what advice he'd give Sarah Palin if she received an invitation to appear on Letterman's "Late Show." Foxworthy said he'd encourage the Alaska governor to accept it. "Life is about forgiveness. I think that makes her bigger to go on there and say 'I accept your apology'." Letterman has insisted he was referring to Palin's 18-year-old, Bristol, who gave birth to a boy in December, and not her 14-year-old, Willow, in the joke. Palin has called that a "weak, convenient excuse" for a joke that was"inappropriate" no matter which daughter was the target. Foxworthy, the author of "How to Really Stink at Work," also made some "confessions" about his pre-comedy career in corporate America. "I was at IBM for five years; I don't know how much work I did," Foxworthy said. The comedian, who said he used to make prank phone calls to his boss at work to lure him back and forth from his desk, had this tongue-in-cheek advice for people about how far to take things on the job: . "You don't really want to get fired; you want to have a job. But you don't want to do it well, because you're going to be promoted, and that's a lot of pressure. Who can have any fun with that kind of anvil hanging over your head?" Foxworthy is also the host of "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader" and talked about the appeal of a game show that spotlights how much people tend to forget after all those years of cramming in facts at school. "It's a strange thing why the brain keeps some things," Foxworthy said. "Like I don't know why my brain has all the words to 'The Brady Bunch' theme song, but it deleted everything about triangles." | David Letterman made off-color joke about Gov. Sarah Palin's daughter last week .
Foxworthy: "As a father of two teenage daughters, it was a flawed joke"
Foxworthy also says he thinks Palins should accept Letterman's apologies, move on .
The comedian also has "advice" about having fun on the job . |
83,351 | ec75a94701be53dd68d7a07d2af0a387f047489f | A mother whose face was hideously deformed by acid sprayed by her married lover appeared in court today and accused him of 'turning me into a monster'. Speaking on the first day of Richard Remes's trial for attempted murder in Belgium, Patricia Lefranc said she was 'determined to look him in the eye and show the jury what he has done to me'. The 48-year-old, who underwent 86 operations following the attack, added: 'I hope to convince the court that he did indeed want to murder me.' Before and after: Patricia Lefranc was seriously disfigured in the attack allegedly carried out by her ex-lover . Richard Remes insisted that he didn't realise the sulphuric acid would have such devastating consequences . Remes, 57, is said to have planned the sulphuric acid attack after Ms Lefranc ended their relationship just over two years ago. Ms Lefranc told Brussels Assizes that December 1, 2009 was the day Remes 'finally destroyed my life.' She said he was waiting for her as she emerged from a lift in the Brussels suburb of Molenbeek-Saint-Jean. He sprayed the sulphuric acid, once referred to as 'oil of vitriol' by medieval European alchemists, all over her head and upper body, she told the court. She said she was convinced she would die, but neighbours in a nearby building heard her screams and managed to get her to the burns unit of a nearby hospital, where she lay in a coma for three months. Ms Lefranc said: 'I hope Remes is convicted of attempted murder, and not just for assault and battery with torture. He did not just want to hurt me, he wanted me out of the way. I just hope that I get to tell the court what I experienced, and how it hurt. Trial: Patricia Lefranc (right) pictured arriving at a Brussels court with lawyer Daniel Spreutels (left) for Richard Remes's trial . Accused: Richard Remes (top) talks with his lawyers on the first day of his trial . 'I would also appeal to his wife. She . paints me as a manipulator who hooked her husband. I think that's an . insult - a dagger in my back. 'He made the first step in starting a relationship, and I had to bring it to a close. Let's reverse the roles, but don't tell me how seriously he should be punished. 'I leave that to the court, but while working out the punishment don't lose sight of the fact that he condemned me to pain, both physical and psychological, for life.' Ms Lefranc said her son’s school friends now regularly mock her appearance, adding: 'Remes has also ruined my life as a woman. Who once to deal with the monster that he made me? 'I'm stared at on the street. Worse, I'm used as an example of what can happen to a woman who wants to put an end to a love affair.' A 22-year-old woman is said to have been threatened by a boyfriend who said: 'Remember what happened to Patricia Lefranc?', said Ms Lefranc. As well as psychological torture, Ms . Lefranc said she was in constant physical pain, and all of it reminded . her of the horror of the attack. Brave: Patricia Lefranc (right) with her lawyer Daniel Spreutels (left) said her former lover 'destroyed her life' She said: 'When I look in the mirror, every fibre of my body reminds me of what happened. The doctors had me in an artificial coma for months. 'I lost the sight in my left eye, and hearing in an ear - my right ring finger was amputated. By the time I got to my eightieth operation, I stopped counting. 'But I know that I still have about twenty operations to go. The acid which he maimed me, is worse than a weapon of war. It still gnaws at me. 'My nose is quietly shrinking away and will eventually be replaced by a prosthesis. That will be the last and perhaps most difficult surgery. 'For three months I will have to wear a mask to hide the gaping hole in the middle of my face. Only then can the final prosthesis be implanted. 'That mask must be removed daily for cleaning. No, I will not handle that - a nurse will be doing it.' Remes has apologised for the attack, denying that he meant to maim her. His defence is that he did not realise the sulphuric acid he sprayed would have such a devastating effect. Remes told the court how he started his relationship with Lefranc, who was the janitor of their block of flats, in 2009. He said: 'I moved with my wife and children to the building on Avenue Sippelberg in 2006. Patricia was already living there. She was a janitor. At first we just said hello, that's all. 'Then her relationship with her ex boyfriend ended. And, in late 2008, she asked me two or three time to do small jobs in her house that she could not do herself. 'One day, at the beginning of 2009, I offered to go for coffee. We went to a hotel and our relationship began.' The case continues. | Patricia Lefranc, 48, left disfigured after sulphuric acid attack .
She had been mistress of married Richard Remes, 57 .
He 'launched assault after she ended relationship' |
84,164 | eeb352ccc0104358ad9185b31631246e76257b34 | LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- Like all zombie movies, "Zombieland" has hundreds of zombies doing awful things, such as attacking and eating humans, but you could argue it's not a zombie movie. Jesse Eisenberg and Woody Harrelson find themselves battling the undead in "Zombieland." Zombie hordes do chase the main characters in a post-apocalyptic world, but the focus is on the comedy's stars, including two Oscar nominees -- Woody Harrelson and Abigail Breslin -- along with Jesse Eisenberg and Emma Stone. (Spoiler alert: A third Oscar nominee makes a remarkable cameo appearance, but this story will avoid spoiling the surprise by naming him.) "We wanted to make a cool, kick-ass road movie about a dysfunctional family traveling across the country and zombies provide us the antagonists, the threat that our characters need to come together," said Paul Wernick, who wrote the screenplay with partner Rhett Reese. In fact, Wernick had only seen one zombie film before writing this script. Reese, who is a fan of the genre, kept the story on a track that would feed zombie fans' hunger for blood-and-guts action. "[The] zombie genre is so well traveled, there is really no reason to get into it unless we could do it in a fresh, different way," Reese said. "We were almost forced to think outside the box to make it an entertaining zombie movie." "Zombieland" is set in the United States months after a fast-moving virus begins turning most people into flesh-eating zombies. A handful of survivors come together to fight back. Wernick and Reese literally rewrote the rules for zombie films in this movie. Eisenberg's character is an obsessive-compulsive man who developed 47 rules -- such as "fasten your seat belt" -- designed to help him survive in Zombieland. While Eisenberg journeys to find his parents, he joins Harrelson, a zombie killer who is searching for the last Hostess Twinkie before its expiration date. Stone and Breslin play sisters who survive on their con artist skills. Their goal is to reach a California amusement park, which they think could be free of zombies. The cross-country trip these four characters share resembles "National Lampoon's Vacation" -- if written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. Watch the stars of the film talk about zombie fans » . Wernick said they wanted to be "very freewheeling." The movie "gives the audience the thrill of the journey," he said. "We wanted to take some wild turns." "The rules that we lived by when writing this is in fact that there are no rules," he said. "Zombieland" may be to zombies what Tarantino's "Inglourious Basterds" is to Nazis. Wernick and Reese, who have been close friends since high school, often finish each other's sentences as if they were an old married couple. "When we were trying to get 'Zombieland' off the ground back in the early days, we ..." Wernick said. "... assaulted Tarantino at an awards show, to try to get him to read the script," Reese said. "That didn't work out," Wernick said in conclusion to their joint thought. "He thought we were zombies coming after him." "Zombieland," directed by Rubin Fleischer, offers many of the same elements as a Tarantino film. "[Tarantino] is all about dialogue, character, irreverence, pop culture and we love all those things over the years," Reese said. "We have always been inspired by him." The writers had to run through a number of actors before finding the person for the 10-minute cameo. Among them was Patrick Swayze, the writers' first choice. Swayze, who died just two weeks before the movie's release, turned down the role because of ill health earlier this year. Also asked: Joe Pesci, Steven Seagal, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Matthew McConaughey, Mark Hamill, Kevin Bacon and Sylvester Stallone. They were asked, but either didn't want the role or were not available, according to Wernick and Reese. With just a few days before filming the scenes, they asked Harrelson to look in his cell phone for names and numbers. He came up with a man who's been an Oscar nominee and Emmy winner. And now, he's got a key role in a zombie film. | In new movie "Zombieland," focus is on the stars and the comedy .
Movie's performers include Woody Harrelson, Abigail Breslin .
One of film's writers had seen just one zombie film in his life .
Among movie's surprises: a cameo from an Oscar-nominated actor . |
113,963 | 1f0ae6ecdf6cbf8a31a2029ffe311ae763ba10c7 | By . Simon Jones . and Adam Shergold . Follow @@adamjshergold . Danny Welbeck, Tom Cleverley and Ashley Young have been fined and warned over their future conduct after they enjoyed a night out just hours after Manchester United’s quarter-final exit from the Champions League. The England internationals were photographed in Manchester city centre partying early into last Friday morning after returning from Munich on Thursday. Manager David Moyes is understood to have called the three in for talks yesterday at United’s Carrington HQ before making them do extra training away from the rest of the first-team squad. All three players have been fined, although it is unclear whether they have been fined one or two weeks’ wages. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Robin van Persie in training following injury . Dancing in the street: Manchester United stars Danny Welbeck and Tom Cleverley (left) were seen out on the town in Manchester city centre at 3.20am in the early hours of Friday morning . Dan the man: Welbeck (centre) holds back a pal as the United star chats to a girl in the street . Party boys: Welbeck chats to a girl (left) as Cleverley (right) shows off his moves in the street . Striking pair: England centre forward Welbeck (left) with a girl outside the back of the Sakura nightspot . You've been warned! Manchester United manager David Moyes fined the players for their night out last week . Painting the town red: Cleverley (left) was pictured here enjoying himself on a night out in Manchester's Deansgate Locks area . Moyes, who faces former club Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday, is in the throes of planning a £150million overhaul of his underperforming squad for the summer and is looking for players to stake a claim to remain part of his plans. In a rare piece of good news for Moyes, it emerged that Robin van Persie has stepped up his fitness routine as he continues his recovery from a knee injury. The United striker released a Facebook video that shows him lifting weights and running while training alone in the gym. Van Persie begins by performing half-a-dozen squats while resting a barbell on his shoulders, then runs at high speed while bouncing on a trampoline and then sprints to the far side of the hall. It raises the possibility Van Persie could return to action for United before the end of the season and also hands a major boost to Holland ahead of the World Cup in Brazil. Taxi! United midfielder Cleverley jigs around a mini-cab as a girl looks to leave the Deansgate Locks area . Good night: Cleverley bids the girl farewell after his night out with Welbeck and Ashley Young. Young had left the club earlier in a taxi . Street party: Welbeck (hidden, back right) and his friends were in boisterous mood despite United's Euro exit . Other half: Cleverley's fiance Georgina Dorsett photographed out and about in Cheshire recently . The 30-year-old was taken off on a stretcher after scoring a hat-trick to see United past Olympiacos in the last 16 of the Champions League on March 19. He was initially ruled out for between four and six weeks with a sprained knee and faced a fitness race to make Louis van Gaal’s squad for the finals. Van Persie has scored 17 goals in 27 matches for United this season, maintaining his excellent form of the previous year despite the team languishing down the table in a difficult first campaign for new manager Moyes. Van Persie watched the match between PSV Eindhoven and his former club Feyenoord at the Phillips Stadion on Saturday with Van Gaal and Roma midfielder Kevin Strootman. Van Gaal, who is stepping down from the national team job after the World Cup, has been linked with Manchester United in the last week as pressure mounts on Moyes. View: Robin van Persie watched PSV's game against Feyenoord with Louis Van Gaal and Kevin Strootman . | Manchester United players were out after Bayern Munich defeat .
David Moyes has moved to fine the trio who were partying in the city .
Meanwhile, Robin van Persie has stepped up his recovery from injury . |
251,059 | d0ea3def7ad6402d4f80ccaa58dc00a69a23d156 | Closure has been given to hundreds of American families by a 'professional adventurer' who has dedicated years to tracking down planes which went missing in the Himalayas during the Second World War. One missing pilot was James Browne, 21, who disappeared over the mountainous jungle region known as 'The Hump' on November 17, 1942. His fellow pilot Captain John Dean, a veteran of the legendary Flying Tigers, and a Chinese crewman went down with him in the C-47. Hunting for heroes: More than 700 planes went down in the Himalayas 'sky way to hell' during the Second World War . Final resting place: The wing of a C-109 bulk fuel transport plane appears out of the dense jungle. This plane went down over the Hump on July 17, 1945 . Officer Browne, from Winnetka, Chicago, was never heard from again and for more than 70 years his family only knew he was 'missing in action'. The American pilots who flew the 'Skyway to Hell' to bring supplies to China as it battled Japan were renowned as a fearless bunch. During the Second World War, Japan’s Imperial Army has surrounded China’s seaports and eastern plains. The only way for Allied troops to receive supplies was with the efforts of heroic pilots who risked their lives crossing the rugged Himalayan mountain range. Man on a mission: Professional adventurer Clayton Kuhles, 58, has spent $100,000 of his own money traveling to the mountainous region to search for MIA pilots . They often flew for 20 hours straight in decrepit planes in 200mph winds under constant threat from Japanese enemy aircraft. The search for missing planes has been undertaken by 'professional adventurer' Clayton Kuhles, from Arizona, who has spent $100,000 making it his goal to find crash sites of the missing airmen. It has been estimated that more that 700 planes are scattered across 'The Hump'. Mr Kuhles, 58, travels each year to the region which stretches from northeastern India, over Burma and into western China. Risking it all: The American pilots flew over the treacherous mountain jungle to bring supplies to Allied troops in China . Courage under fire: The Zoot Chute, with its distinctive Flying Tiger painted teeth, was one of the lucky planes that survived countless missions over the Hump . The explorer has so far found 22 crash sites and accounted for 193 missing U.S. airmen - including Officer Browne. His cousin, Bob Willett, now 85, described his aunt and uncle's anguish that their son was never found during the war. Mr Willett told Fox: 'They expected him to walk in the back door one day and resume his life and be their son again.' Never came home: The family of Officer James Browne from Winnetka, Chicago, finally know what happened to him after 70 years listed as MIA . Mr Willett never got over the loss of the elder cousin he idolised and joined the China National Aviation Corp. Association - a group of veteran pilots who had once flown the infamous Hump. He met Mr Kuhles in 2005 and told him about his cousin and what the family believed had happened. The adventurer told him he could help. Using the last transmission from the plane's radio, Mr Kuhles managed to pinpoint Cangshan Mountain in Burma as the most likely crash site. After making three separate trips and with only the help of a 17-year-old local guide, Kuhles finally made it through a near-impenetrable wall of bamboo to find the plane at 14,000 feet. He said: 'It was like stepping into an ancient Egyptian (pyramid). 'I knew it was the plane I was looking for. Finally, Dean and the others would have a chance to come home.' Kuhles explained that he doesn't have the means to bring home the air crafts that he finds. He often brings home possessions such as dog tags of pilots for the families but not human remains because of strict laws banning the transportation. However for Mr Willett, the knowledge of his cousin's final resting place, he said, was enough. | Clayton Kuhles has spent $100,000 of his own money to find missing pilots from the 'Flying Tigers'
More than 700 planes scattered across 'The Hump' from India into China . |
234,469 | bb87521dfd15c791f47cd2499f507d302f6472d5 | Mooo-ve over milk: Starbucks is testing coconut milk in stores in Los Angeles, . Cleveland and Oregon as alternatives to traditional dairy . products grow more popular. A Starbucks spokeswoman declined to say how many stores were . offering coconut milk. She added that the coffee chain is not . testing almond milk, a popular non-dairy option, at this time due . to the 'critically important safety of our customers with nut . allergies.' Coffee talk: Starbucks is testing coconut milk as a non-dairy alternative in select stores in Los Angeles, Cleveland and Oregon . Last week, Dunkin' Donuts announced plans to add an almond milk option to about 75per cent of its stores. Starbucks, which has nearly 11,800 cafes in the United . States, regularly tests new products. For example, it recently . ran a trial of gluten-free items. In Los Angeles, Starbucks rival Peet's Coffee offers lattes . and other drinks made with almond milk. The Coffee Bean & Tea . Leaf since March has offered customers in all of its 179 U.S. company owned stores the option of choosing almond-coconut milk. Cream interpretation: Starbucks began offering soy milk in 1997, but is not testing almond milk due to the safety of customers with nut allergies . Major coffee chains for years have offered soy milk as a . milk alternative. Starbucks began offering soy milk in 1997. Overall sales of dairy milk products and nondairy . alternatives grew a scant 1.8per cent to $24.5 billion between . 2011 and 2013, according to market research firm Mintel. Within that grouping, the alternative milk category was the . fastest growing from 2011 to 2013, with sales rising 33per cent . to nearly $2 billion, according to Mintel data. | A Starbucks spokeswoman says the coffee chain is not testing almond milk, a popular non-dairy option, as it presents a risk to customers with nut allergies . |
190,454 | 82963dde725bf8a676afb7c71e6c9b996461add4 | By . Ellie Zolfagharifard . Selfie-lovers rejoice: The days of awkwardly sticking your arm out while pulling your best duck face may be over. A new iPhone case claims to take the effort out of taking selfies by allowing anyone to take a picture of themselves without having to hold their phone. Named CaseCam, the device has is advertised as a type of a ‘remote-controlled tripod’ for the iPhone with a fold-out mirror that holds up the device. Scroll down for video . Named CaseCam, the device has a flip is advertised as a type of a ‘remote-controlled tripod’ for the iPhone with a fold-out mirror that holds up the iPhone. As well as propping it up, when the phone is laid camera-side down, that mirror lets the camera see what's in front of the phone . As well as propping it up, when the phone is laid camera-side down, the same mirror lets the camera see what's in front of the phone. It allows the user to take both pictures and video, and even includes a timer feature to let the user position their perfect pout. The Wi-Fi viewfinder feature of the app allows users to see what their CaseCam is seeing on the screen of another iOS device. The Wi-Fi viewfinder feature of the app allows users to see what their CaseCam is seeing on the screen of another iOS device. This means someone else has the app installed, users can remotely set up the shot and take the picture from that person's phone . The camera allows the user to take both pictures and video, and even includes a timer feature to let the user position their perfect pout . This means if someone else has the app installed, users can remotely set up the shot and take the picture from that person's phone. 'The case and app were born out of a desire to be included in group photos of friends and family and to enhance the phone’s capacity for capturing hands-free pictures and videos,' the case's Kickstarter page says. The picture taken is upside down, as it’s an image of the reflection. The app automatically inverts it to appear the right way up. CaseCam was created by Seattle-based Garett Ochs, who is currently working on a new design that will allow the mirror to be stowed facing inwards, so that it doesn’t get scratched. The device is currently only compatible with the iPhone 5 and 5S. If the Kickstarter campaign is successful, the case will sell for around £25 ($40), but early-bird backers can get their hands on one for £15 ($25). One of the stand out events of this year's Oscars ceremony was that ubiquitous selfie taken by Bradley Cooper on Ellen DeGeneres’ phone. The problem that many people highlighted was the fact that Cooper's arms weren’t quite long enough to fit everyone in - but now there’s a solution, dubbed the 'selfie stick.' A number of companies are now selling 'arm extenders' that not only hold the camera, but are also used to take the shot and even focus the image. The trend for cameras on sticks, also known as monopods, isn’t new and a number of sticks are already available for digital cameras from companies including Opteka and XShot. Monpods work by holding the camera in landscape mode, with the screen facing the photographer, and using the front-facing camera. Buttons on the handle of the stick are used to control the device. Depending on the model, some monopods will manually press the shutter button on the side of phone using an arm, or similar. Others connect remotely via Bluetooth and take the photo using software controls. One of the stand out events of this year's Oscars ceremony was that ubiquitous selfie taken by Bradley Cooper on Ellen DeGeneres' phone, pictured. The problem that many people highlighted was the fact that Cooper's arms weren't quite long enough to fit everyone in . Selfie sticks, or monpods, pictured, work by holding the camera in landscape mode, with the screen facing the photographer. Buttons on the handle of the stick are used to control the device. Some monopods manually press the shutter button on the side of phone using an arm, or similar. Others connect remotely via Bluetooth . | The £25 CaseCam gadet, created by Garett Ochs, uses a fold-out mirror .
Mirror props phone up and let the camera see what's in front of device .
It allows the user to take both pictures and video, and includes a timer .
The Wi-Fi viewfinder feature of the app allows users to see what their CaseCam is seeing on the screen of another iOS device . |
16,906 | 2fe696a8dbbc798977aefa9837819d30179261b5 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . Last updated at 1:26 AM on 17th November 2011 . A male clubber was shot dead at a trendy New York night spot where NFL star Victor Cruz had been celebrating his birthday. At least four shots were fired at the popular Juliet Supperclub night spot in Chelsea, New York where actor Ryan Phillippe and singer Estelle had also been partying. Two men were hit by the gunshots fired from a 9mm handgun at around 2.20am with one of the men being fatally wounded. Shots fired: The popular Juliet Supperclub night spot in Chelsea, New York, was the scene of the shooting . Members of the New York Giants and Kansas City Chiefs had been in the club, although it is not clear when they left, according to a police source. Another source said the Giants wide receiver Cruz had been celebrating his 25th birthday and was inside the building when the shots were fired. Brandon Albert and Jarrad Paige from the Chiefs and NBA stars John Wall, Russell Westbrook, Chris Duhon and Bronx native Kemba Walker were said to have been at the club on the same night. It was not clear whether any of them had been there during the frightening incident. Guests: NFL star Victor Cruz (left) and actor Ryan Phillippe had been in the club . It is thought around 300 clubbers were inside the venue when shots were fired early on Tuesday morning. The man who was fatally wounded was identified as Artis Arthur, 43, of Brooklyn, who was shot in the torso. Tracy Ryals, 28, of The Bronx, and Jonai Washington, 28, of Long Island, were also wounded during the incident, according to the New York Post. The shooting at Juliet Supperclub comes just two months after a club promoter fatally stabbed another man outside the club's velvet ropes. Manuel 'Manny Stax' Pinero, 41, was arrested for murdering Christopher Adames, 23. Police are investigated how the gunman managed to smuggle a weapon into the venue, as the club normally insists in searching revellers before entry. | Giants star Victor Cruz had been celebrating birthday at club where man was shot dead .
Actor Ryan Phillippe and other NFL stars also at club when shots were fired . |
73,822 | d1540e8427b57da8e2de320cebe86a4e639470d8 | (CNN) -- The nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization wants to sound the alarm on school resegregation, and is hoping a national educational summit will bring attention to what its members consider a huge problem, according to a news release from the NAACP. The organization will meet for three days later this week in North Carolina, where the Department of Justice is planning to investigate policies relating to resegregation, the statement says. Leaders from the group will be joined by grass-roots organizers from across the country from Thursday through Saturday for the first national NAACP summit on education in three years, the statement says. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss comprehensive education reform with an urgent focus on resegregation in the nation's school districts, the NAACP said. According to the organization, over two-fifths of black students attend "extremely segregated schools," up from less than one-third in 1988, which the NAACP considers the height of desegregation. The summit was named in honor of Daisy Bates, former president of the Arkansas State Conference of the NAACP and advisor to the Little Rock Nine, the statement said. Those nine students desegregated Little Rock Central High School in 1957. NAACP President Benjamin Todd Jealous is to deliver the keynote address on the first day of the summit, which will be held in Raleigh, North Carolina. | The three-day Daisy Bates educational summit will examine resegregation in nation's schools .
Summit named in honor of former Arkansas State Conference of the NAACP .
NAACP president Benjamin Todd Jealous to deliver keynote address . |
32,081 | 5b52dd51f097dd9b8440348349ed6688a5b999cb | Karim Benzema looks to have secured at least another season at Real Madrid not least because of his exploits at this World Cup. France striker Benzema has hit three goals and been credited with two assists enhancing his reputation as a world-class striker. But for some time the Real Madrid hierarchy have seen him a disposable asset and it was thought he would be put up for offer this summer with the club looking to sign Luis Suarez. All white on the night: Karim Benzema has scored three times for France at the World Cup, including a double against Honduras . In training: Benzema is put through his paces for France ahead of their last-16 clash against Nigeria on Monday . Just to confirm what already know (that Germany are better than England), since the 1966 World Cup win the German's have advanced further than England all ELEVEN subsequent World Cup finals. Real though have backed off their pursuit of Suarez with Barcelona now in pole position to sign the disgraced Liverpool striker. And manager Carlo Ancelotti, who he retained his job by winning the Champions League, has argued the case to keep Benzema with the club's hierarchy. The player has also benefited from the support of former France World Cup winner Zinedene Zidane, who is being groomed as Real's next boss, having just left his role as Ancelotti's assistant to take charge of Castilla, Real's feeder club. Nigeria's Stephen Keshi is the first African manager to lead an African side into the knockout stages of a World Cup. On the previous nine occasions African sides have gone beyond the group stages they have been managed by overseas bosses. This is the fourth time Nigeria have made this stage. As a player Keshi played most of his football in Belgium, was captain of Nigeria in 1994 but was then controversially dropped and last year as Super Eagles manager led them to African Nations Cup success. VIDEO France favourites over stormy Nigeria . Making history: Nigeria's Stephen Keshi is the first African to guide a team from Africa to the knockout stages . The build up to Algeria's clash has been about avenging the injustice they believed they suffered when Germany knocked them out of the 1982 World Cup. A low scoring win for Germany over neighbour Austria would see both countries go through at the expense of Algeria. After an early goal for the Germans, the game was played at walking pace and both sets of players celebrated at the end in what has become known as the Anschluss game. But it's not the only time there has been some dodgy goings at World Cups not least for Scotland in 1974. The Scots had beaten a rough and raw Zaire 2-0 and held Brazil 0-0. But inexplicably Zaire then lost 9-0, a record at the finals, to Yugoslavia. The 'brown envelope' suspicion surrounding that capitulation was heightened given Zaire then only lost 3-0 to Brazil in their final game. Yugoslavia then had to hold Scotland to a draw, which they did, to qualify thanks to that goal difference stacked up against Zaire whose manager was Blagoje Vidinic and, er, a Yugoslav. Greece suffered heartache by going out on penalties to Costa Rica. But their players then displayed great heart and generosity by donating all their World Cup bonuses to fund a new national training centre. The squad issued a statement saying :'We do not want extra bonus, or money. We only play for Greece and its people. 'All we want is for you to support our effort to find a land and create a sports centre that will house our National team.' Heartbreak: Greece crashed out of the World Cup after losing a dramatic penalty shootout to Costa Rica . Could Kenneth Omeruo eventually succeed John Terry as the rock of Chelsea's defence? How the 20-year-old copes with the France attack today will be a great test for a player Chelsea signed from Standard Liege two summers ago and spent last year on loan at Middlesbrough. Case for the defence: Kenneth Omeruo signed from Chelsea two summers ago and has been on loan at Liege . Nigeria should have progressed to the quarter-finals of the 1994 World Cup and perhaps gone all the way. They were leading Italy 1-0 and looking in control but then Italy's enigma of that era Roberto Baggio suddenly showed what he could do. Italy equalised when Baggio scored from the spot in extra time. Italy went to lose the final to Brazil in a penalty shoot out in the decisive kick by Baggio known as the Divine Pony Tail which went way over bar. | Benzema looks to have secured at least another season at Real Madrid .
The France striker has netted three goals at the World Cup .
Carlo Ancelotti has argued the case to keep Benzema at Madrid .
He has also benefitted from the support of France legend Zinedine Zidane . |
197,510 | 8ba3d19dfb601215108f54e28bf2e09b452604cc | LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- While the coroner's report on what killed Michael Jackson has been delayed indefinitely, new evidence emerged that the singer shopped for a doctor who would give him the drug investigators suspect led to his death. A doctor of Michael Jackson says he prescribed drugs to the alias Omar Arnold. Dr. Allan Metzger, whose name appeared on a search warrant served this week, refused Jackson's request in April for the anesthetic propofol -- commonly known by the brand name Diprivan, Metzger's attorney said. Investigators suspect another physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, gave the drug to Jackson in the 24 hours before he died, according to a source, who asked not to be named because the individual was not authorized to speak to the news media. Metzger, who practices in West Hollywood, California, told Jackson during a visit to his Holmby Hills home that the drug was "dangerous and potentially life-threatening and could not be used outside of a hospital," attorney Harland Braun said. Metzger's medical records for Jackson, whom he treated until 2003, have been given to the coroner, Braun said. He said Metzger prescribed drugs for Jackson under the alias Omar Arnold and Michael Jackson, which was not illegal since he used both names together. The doctor did that because he thought it was "his duty to protect the privacy" of his patient, Braun said. Omar Arnold is one of 19 aliases listed in the warrant used by Los Angeles police and federal drug agents Tuesday to search the Las Vegas, Nevada, office and home of Murray, a Texas-based cardiologist. The warrant also mentioned Cherilyn Lee, a nurse practitioner who treated Jackson earlier this year. Lee said Jackson begged her for propofol to help him get a good night's sleep. She said she refused, telling the pop star that if he took the medicine, he might never wake up. The same warrant, signed by a Las Vegas judge, implied that investigators suspected Jackson was a drug addict. Dr. Deepak Chopra said in a recent interview that when Jackson asked him for a narcotic, he told him absolutely no. "I said to him, 'Michael, you're going to die one day from this,' " Chopra said. During a world tour in the mid-'90s, sources close to Jackson told CNN, the pop star suffered from insomnia and traveled with an anesthesiologist who would "take him down" at night and then "bring him back up." According to a report on a 2004 Santa Barbara, California, police investigation, security guards in Jackson's inner circle said he traveled the country getting prescriptions from doctors. The Los Angeles County coroner, who must rule on the cause of Jackson's June 25 death, met Thursday with the Los Angeles District Attorney, who must decide if anyone will be prosecuted for his death. During the meeting, it was decided that an announcement of the coroner's findings would be delayed indefinitely, according to a source close to the investigation. An official in the coroner's office had previously indicated to reporters that the findings would be made public within days. Katherine Jackson goes to court Monday . Katherine Jackson's legal battle for some control of her son's estate returns to court Monday in front of the same judge who is expected to award her permanent guardianship of his children. Jackson's lawyers filed a petition Tuesday accusing the men who now control the estate of being "intent on keeping her in the dark" about deals they've made or are negotiating. Jackson lawyer Londell McMillan raised questions about "a suspicious circle of relationships" involving John Branca, the singer's longtime personal attorney, and John McClain, a music industry executive and longtime friend -- who were named executors in Jackson's will. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff gave Branca and McClain temporary control of the estate until Monday's hearing. In the Jackson lawyers' petition, they asked the judge to order Branca, McClain and others to answer questions under oath about their business agreements to determine if they are "fit and able" to administer the estate. They also served the men with a 19-page demand for documents. Branca has refused to let Katherine Jackson see Michael Jackson's contracts with AEG, the company that was organizing and promoting his planned concerts, unless she agrees to keep them confidential. Branca's lawyer argued in a court filing that he has no choice since the contracts have a provision requiring confidentiality. Branca's lawyers also argued that Jackson's demand for documents was too broad and burdensome. "Such measures will not be necessary if Mrs. Jackson is appointed a co-executor of the estate," McMillan said. McMillan, in an interview with CBS on Thursday, estimated the Jackson estate was worth $2 billion, while the executors have estimated in court that its value is around $500 million. The will written in 2002 places all of Jackson's assets into a family trust benefiting his mother, his three children and unnamed charities. The judge is also expected Monday to finalize Katherine Jackson's guardianship of her son's three children. An agreement between Jackson and Debbie Rowe, the mother of the two eldest children, cleared the way for an uncontested custody hearing. Rowe, who was briefly married to Michael Jackson, agreed not to fight for custody in exchange for visits with the children as recommended by a psychologist. The agreement does not involve any financial payments to Rowe "apart from the continuation of spousal support payments" that Michael Jackson personally agreed to make to Rowe after their divorce, their lawyers said in a joint statement. Jackson's children have been living with their paternal grandmother at her Encino, California, home since their father's death. The eldest child, Michael Joseph Jackson Jr., was born in February 1997. A daughter, Paris Michael Katherine Jackson, was born the next year. Details of how the children were conceived -- and who was the biological father -- have been closely guarded amid much public speculation. The couple divorced in 1999 with Rowe giving Jackson full custody while she got an $8.5 million settlement, according to court documents. Jackson later agreed to additional support. Rowe gave up parental rights to Jackson in 2001, but she changed her mind more than two years later and sought temporary custody of the children. A California appeals court later ruled her rights were improperly terminated, opening the door to a possible custody battle. CNN's Randi Kaye contributed to this report. | Coroner's report on what killed Michael Jackson has been delayed indefinitely .
Doctor's attorney says Jackson sought Diprivan, drug suspected in his death .
Coroner, district attorney decide not to release coroner's findings .
Hearing Monday on control of estate, custody of children . |
36,970 | 68ce525e1db342d28d2c2239af833a1a1a68af6d | By . Alex Greig . PUBLISHED: . 16:50 EST, 29 July 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 22:52 EST, 29 July 2013 . Catina, Jalen and Aaliyah are among the most popular baby names from the twentieth century - and they are all based on well-known personalities of their time. A new study has revealed the 10 girls and boys names that saw the biggest spikes in the 1900s, and through-out the years it was always star sportsmen, famous actors and actresses and even military chiefs who captured the imagination of parents. In 1937, the most trendy name given to baby girls was Deanna. At that time Deanna Durbin was an actress who often played the model daughter in films and TV shows. Top 10: These are the top trendiest boys and girls names according Flowing Data . Looking back on 2013, data may reveal a . huge spike in certain unusual names. Perhaps Barack, Beyonce, or even . Snooki may briefly flare in popularity before returning to obscurity. Flowing Data used the Social Security Administration's data to track the trendiest names of the past century, and the results are interesting in that they can almost always be directly linked to events or popular culture of the time. There are always 'regular' names, such as Sophia, Matthew, Mary or John, that maintain a certain level of use. It's the more unusual names that go from nothing to hugely popular and back again that Flowing Data is interested in. Popular: The name of Zoe Saldana's Colombiana character Cataleya (left) peaked in 2012, while girls called Aaliyah (right) are likely to have been born in 1994 . 'If a small percentage of the baby population was given a name one year and a relatively much higher percentage of the next year's baby population got said name, we consider that a trendy name,' according to Flowing Data. The website used a mathematical equation to find out which names had the highest 'relative risk' - the probability of a name being used that generally has a low likelihood statistically. Many of the names that proved the most trendy can be easily linked to contemporary events. Wishful thinking: Deanna Durbin (left) often played the ideal daughter and her name was given to many girls in 1937, while Woodrow Wilson (right) was the namesake of boys the year he was elected President . The number one most trendy girl name was Catina, which reached its peak in 1972, when a character in the popular soap Where the Heart is gave birth to a baby girl and named her Katina. The name Dustin spiked in 1967, the year Dustin Hoffman starred in the film The Graduate. The name Dawson reached its high the year the hugely popular Dawson's Creek debuted on television. Many baby girls were named Aja in 1978, the year the Steely Dan album Aja came out. 1978: The Steely Dan album release coincided with a jump in baby girls named Aja . And Yulissa spiked in 1997, another soap opera name from the Mexican telenovela Te Sigo Amando. There was a jump in boys with the unusual name of Woodrow in 1913, the year Woodrow Wilson was elected President. Other names aren't as easy to place. In 2005, there was a spike in baby boys who were named Talan, which Flowing Data tentatively puts down to Talan Torriero, a 'star' of the reality television show Laguna Beach. The popularity of the name Deneen rose in 1964, but the analyst of the data couldn't put forth a candidate from whom the name might have gained it popularity. Flowing Data also noted a trend for uniqueness in the past few decades, meaning people are using more unique names than ever before. What's in a name: These are the top five names for boys and girls per quarter century from 1880 . | Names that have had short-term yet dramatic spikes over the past century can often be directly linked to historical events or popular culture .
The number one most trendy name for girls, peaking in 1972, is Catina - the name of a soap opera character .
Presidents, singers, actors and sports stars names have also spiked in relation to popularity .
Analysis shows that U.S. parents are choosing more and more unique names for their babies . |
220,488 | a9651d1e25f5407430344e486e70733409b58ace | By . Daily Mail Reporter . A secretive Chinese military unit is . believed to be behind a series of hacking attacks on the U.S. government as well as aerospace, . communications and energy companies, a report claimed today. U.S. security firm Mandiant has identified the People's Liberation Army's . Shanghai-based Unit 61398 as the most likely driving force behind hundreds, if not thousands of cyber attacks. It said says the office block is linked to stolen technology blueprints, manufacturing processes, clinical trial results, pricing documents, negotiation strategies and other secret data from more than 100 companies. More alarmingly, it claims the unit, known as the Comment Crew, has also made incursions into the computer networks that control oil pipelines, power grids, water plants and other pieces of key state infrastructure. 'Source of attacks': Unit 61398 is located in Shanghai's Pudong district and is staffed by perhaps thousands of people proficient in English as well as computer programming and network operations, the report said . Ground zero: The building, used by the People's Liberation Army, is located on the outskirts of Shanghai . 'The nature of Unit 61398's work is considered by China to be a state secret,' Mandiant said in a report released in the United States. 'However, we believe it engages in harmful "Computer Network Operations". 'It . is time to acknowledge the threat is originating in China and we wanted . to do our part to arm and prepare security professionals to combat that . threat effectively,' it said. The Chinese Foreign Ministry today dismissed the report as 'groundless' and said the government firmly opposed hacking. 'Hacking . attacks are transnational and anonymous. Determining their origins are . extremely difficult. We don't know how the evidence in this so-called . report can be tenable,' spokesman Hong Lei told a daily news briefing. 'Arbitrary criticism based on rudimentary data is irresponsible, unprofessional and not helpful in resolving the issue.' Prolific: The unit, known as Comment Crew, is alleged to have stolen hundreds of terabytes of data from at least 141 organisations across a diverse set of industries beginning as early as 2006 . Denial: The Chinese Foreign Ministry today dismissed the report as 'groundless' and said the government firmly opposed hacking . Hong cited a Chinese study which pointed to the United States as being behind hacking in China. 'Of the above mentioned Internet hacking attacks, attacks originating from the United States rank first.' China's Defence Ministry did not immediately respond to faxed questions about the report. Unit . 61398 is located in Shanghai's Pudong district, China's financial and . banking hub and is staffed by perhaps thousands of people proficient in . English as well as computer programming and network operations, Mandiant . said in its report. The . unit had stolen 'hundreds of terabytes of data from at least 141 . organisations across a diverse set of industries beginning as early as . 2006', it said. Some 115 of the victims were located in the United States, with smaller numbers in Canada and Britain. The information stolen ranged from details on mergers and acquisitions to the emails of senior employees, the company said. Guarded: The company traced Unit 61398's presence on the Internet, including numeric web addresses within a block assigned to the PLA unit . Such is the fear of China's cyber weaponry, American companies have been warned not to do business with two of its leading technology firms because they pose a national security threat. The House Intelligence Committee said in a report in October that U.S. regulators should block mergers and acquisitions in the country by Huawei Technologies Ltd and ZTE Corp, which are among the world's leading suppliers of telecommunications gear and mobile phones. Two weeks earlier, the White House revealed that cyber attackers linked to the Chinese government attempted to hack into a computer system in the White House Military Office. While the official statement down played the attack, one report claimed that the hackers targeted the hardware which safeguards sensitive data like the nuclear launch codes. The . state-run Medicaid system in Utah was also hacked last year, prompting calls . for tightened security around any government health databases that . would be implemented in accordance with the Affordable Care Act. While attacks on state infrastructure poses the greatest risk, the effect cyber warfare in the private sector can also be catastrophic. In November 2011, the National Counterintelligence Committee released a report detailing the extent of damage done by Chinese and Russian hackers on various companies. One . example was that of a paint company called Valspar Corportation, which . had a number of its proprietary paint formulas stolen. The move cost the . company $20million. Foxconn, . a Taiwanese electronics manufacturer that produces products sold in . America including iPhones, was hacked in February by a group called . Swagg Security which then obtained and released the email and credit . card data for banking information for American companies including Apple . and Microsoft. Some experts said they doubted Chinese government denials. 'The . PLA plays a key role in China's multi-faceted security strategy, so it . makes sense that its resources would be used to facilitate economic . cyber espionage that helps the Chinese economy,' said Dmitri . Alperovitch, chief technology officer and co-founder of CrowdStrike, one . of Mandiant's competitors. Though . privately held and little known to the general public, Mandiant is one . of a handful of U.S. cyber-security companies that specialise in . attempting to detect, prevent and trace the most advanced hacking . attacks, instead of the garden-variety viruses and criminal intrusions . that befoul corporate networks on a daily basis. But . Mandiant does not promote its analysis in public and only rarely issues . topical papers about changes in techniques or behaviours. It . has never before given the apparent proper names of suspected hackers . or directly tied them to a military branch of the Chinese government, . giving the new report special resonance. The . company published details of the attack programmes and dummy websites . used to infiltrate U.S. companies, typically via deceptive emails. U.S. officials have complained in the past to China about sanctioned . trade-secret theft, but have had a limited public record to point to. Mandiant . said it knew the PLA would shift tactics and programmes in response to . its report, but concluded that the disclosure was worth it because of . the scale of the harm and the ability of China to issue denials in the . past and duck accountability. The . company traced Unit 61398's presence on the Internet - including . registration data for a question-and-answer session with a Chinese . professor and numeric Internet addresses within a block assigned to the . PLA unit - and concluded that it was a major contributor to operations . against the U.S. companies. Members . of Congress and intelligence authorities in the United States have . publicised the same general conclusions: that economic espionage is an . official mission of the PLA and other elements of the Chinese . government, and that hacking is a primary method. In . November 2011, the U.S. National Counterintelligence Executive publicly . decried China in particular as the biggest known thief of U.S. trade . secrets. The Mandiant report . comes a week after U.S. President Barack Obama issued a long-awaited . executive order aimed at getting the private owners of power plants and . other critical infrastructure to share data on attacks with officials . and to begin to follow consensus best practices on security. Both . U.S. Democrats and Republicans have said more powerful legislation is . needed, citing Chinese penetration not just of the largest companies but . of operations essential to a functioning country, including those . comprising the electric grid. | Targets include aerospace, communications and energy companies .
PLA's Unit 61398 in Shanghai identified as most likely source of attacks .
Situated in banking hub and has thousands of staff proficient in English .
'Stolen hundreds of terabytes of data from at least 141 firms since 2006'
Claims have been made in report by U.S. cyber security firm Mandiant .
Chinese Foreign Ministry has dismissed the claims as 'groundless' |
82,167 | e8dd806914e98fa0c66e9a66ba79e5a786a98a41 | Dowsed in foam, dodging eggs and swigging from bottles of champagne… this is the best of young British academia. Final year students at Oxford University poured out of an exam hall at midday yesterday to celebrate with friends. And following an annual tradition known as ‘trashing’, they were sprayed with foam and flour as bottles of wine and champagne were cracked open. One isn't enough: A foam-covered student drinks from two bottles . Getting trashed: Final year students sprayed one another with foam confetti and flour after their exams . Floreat: The students were in high spirits after the last exams of their degrees, covering one another with flour and alcohol . Elation: One happy student, still in academic dress, frolics through the streets of the ancient university city . But just as the party kicked off, Westminster was unveiling plans to reign in the university drinking culture. The Home Office has told students not to go on pub crawls or take part in Twitter and Facebook drinking games and is spending £90,000 trying to combat the problem of excessive drinking. In future, student union bars – notorious for selling cheap alcohol – will be asked to compete for accredited safe drinking status and encourage a ‘café culture’. To pass, they must show they are taking action to deter binge-drinking, which will include telling young people not to participate in ‘alcohol-related initiation ceremonies’, social media games or pub crawls organised by private firms. There has been huge controversy over ‘Carnage UK’ events held in university towns which encourage students to go on pub crawls, often during Fresher weeks. Rejoicing: The student jumps into the arms of her waiting friends . Silly string: The students covered themselves in brightly-coloured decoration and carried balloons . Alarm has also been raised over the drinking game Neknominate, which involves people filming themselves downing alcohol. The trend, fuelled by videos shared on Facebook and Twitter, has been linked to several deaths. Crime Prevention Minister Norman Baker said he wants to make universities ‘more productive places to study and live’. He said that being accredited safe drinking status should become a ‘badge of honour’. He added that some students are ‘encouraged to participate in alcohol-fuelled activities which can damage health and in some cases spill over into disorder and anti-social behaviour’. Student union bars must ensure soft . drinks are available at the same price or lower and refuse to serve . ‘intoxicated customers’. Universities must also develop ‘a café culture . that runs into the evening, providing a social alternative to alcoholic . spaces’. Warned: Student celebrations in Oxford were branded a 'disgrace' by university proctors last year . After final year exams in Oxford last year, the celebrations were described by university proctors as ‘a disgrace’ because students left behind rotten food, vomit and broken glass. National Union of Students vice-president Colum McGuire said cutting down on misuse of alcohol could help both student welfare and community relations. So far the universities that have joined the scheme are Loughborough, Nottingham, Manchester Met, Liverpool John Moores, Swansea, Brighton and Royal Holloway. | 'Trashing' ceremony sees students covered in foam, flour and confetti .
Came as Westminster unveiled plans to crack down on uni drinking culture .
Home Office has told students not to do pub crawls or play drinking games . |
237,157 | bef13a37eda5a9c2c70fa7006403aeca868e7818 | Becoming world champions for the fourth time, defeating the illustrious Brazil 7-1 in their own back yard along the way before returning to the adulation of a million people at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin -- 2014 has been just about the perfect year for Germany's football stars. But things didn't quite go to plan on Saturday as Joachim Low's side was defeated 2-0 by a well organized Poland in Euro 2016 qualifying. The result marks the first time Poland has ever defeated Germany -- a fact not lost on the raucous home crowd who seemed to expend as much energy singing and shouting over the course of this pulsating Group D match as their heroes did on the pitch. After a goalless first half, Arkadiusz Milik gave the Poles the lead in the 50th minute, rising to nod beyond Germany goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer. Poland's star-striker Robert Lewandoski then showed great strength to hold-off former Borussia Dortmund teammate Erik Durm late on before squaring to substitute Sebastian Mila who arrowed a fine strike beyond Neuer to make sure of the win. Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny saved well from German sharp-shooters Andre Schurle and Mario Gotze in the moments after Poland took the lead while Lukas Podolski crashed a left-footed off the crossbar from eight yards out with 10 minutes remaining. Despite having much of the possession, Germany struggled to break down their hosts who were happy to sit deep and play on the counter-attack. "Obviously, we're disappointed." Low said in quotes carried by the German FA's website after the match. "I can't blame my team for much, maybe only that we were too careless with our chances. Poland then made it 1-0 with their very first shot." Low's frustration was echoed by Neuer who admitted to being caught out for Poland's first strike. "It was an avoidable defeat," Neuer said. "We didn't play badly. If we had scored the first goal, then we would have won." "I came out bravely for the first goal, but I was too late -- it was a mistake by me." Qualification for Euro 2016 in a group that also features Scotland, the Republic of Ireland and Georgia now seems wide open, although the World Champions will still be favorites to qualify. In Saturday's other Group D fixtures, Robbie Keane scored a hat-trick in the first 18 minutes of the Republic of Ireland's 7-0 romp against tournament debutants Gibraltar. Scotland overcame Georgia 1-0 in Glasgow, meanwhile, thanks to an own goal from Akaki Khubutia who turned into his own net after a vicious shot from Shaun Maloney. Poland now top the group with six points, ahead of Ireland on goal difference. Germany and Scotland lie three points back in third and fourth position respectively. The Poles have the chance to stretch their lead when they welcome Scotland on Wednesday while Germany will aim to get back on track by defeating the Irish in Gelsenkirchen. Northern Ireland wins, Greeks and Danes draw . Elsewhere in Euro 2016 qualifying Saturday, Northern Ireland rose to the top of Group F thanks to a 2-0 home victory over minnows the Faroe Islands. In the group's other matches, Finland held Greece 1-1 in Helsinki while a stunning free-kick from Balasz Dzsudzsak earned Hungary a 1-1 draw with Romania in Bucharest. A late goal from substitute Lasse Vibe spared Denmark's blushes against Albania and ensured the Danes remain top of Group I. Armenia held Serbia 1-1 in Hrazdan in Group I's earlier fixture. | Poland defeat Germany in Euro 2016 qualification match-up .
Goals from Arkadiusz Milik and Sebastian Mila secure 2-0 victory .
Result marks Poland's first ever win over Germany . |
224,235 | ae596612e98325b3760a0b342daf0a618533a499 | They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks, but Bella the cocker spaniel is learning a new one each day for the next year. The three-year-old working dog has become an internet hit thanks to the daily feats that have earned her the nickname 'Paul Spaniels.' The dog has so far mastered playing basket ball, rolling out a carpet, doing a handstand and emptying the washing machine. Other tricks in her repertoire include kung fu moves, putting rubbish in the bin, making a bed and loading the dishwasher. Scroll down for video . Top dog: Bella the cocker spaniel, pictured doing a handstand, is learning a new trick each day for a year to raise money for charity . New tricks: The clever three-year-old has become an internet sensation thanks to her daily feats and earned herself the nickname 'Paul Spaniels' Slam dunk: Bella successful shots and scores after mastering the game of basketball in her home in North Yorkshire . Her owner Lynn Stacey embarked on the 365 day trick challenge to raise money for Dog A.I.D. Lynn, who uses a wheelchair to get around, relies on her talented assistance dog for help with daily tasks. The pair have been together since Bella was born in June 2011 and from a young age started her training . 'You wouldn't believe what Bella can do, she's amazing,' said the owner from North Yorkshire. 'From fetching me things, to helping me undress and emptying the washing machine. I'd be lost without her.' 'Bella is already a Champion Trick Dog and she loves doing her tricks so I thought, why not do a trick a day for a year?' The 48-year-old uploads each of Bella's new tricks to her website and supporters are able to sponsor individual feat. The challenges are also posted to YouTube and her dedicated Twitter account. Before she started the challenge on January 1 this year, Bella could already perform 129 tricks as well as her assistance tasks. Pawsome: The three-year-old shows off her her impressive hurdling skills as she leaps over an obstacle . Bella, pictured with her owner Lynn Stacey, is raising money for Dog A.I.D with the daily challenges . Fans can sponsor the chocolate coloured cocker spaniel to complete a different daily feat . 'Some are very simple tricks, some are more complex,' said Lynn. 'She plays dead, does the meerkat where she stands on her back legs, and does a handstand on her front legs, all sorts of things.' The owner, who has trained to become a Trick Dog Instructor, hopes Bella's extraordinary skills will raise £1,000 for Dog A.I.D., a charity that provides training to pet dog owners so they can turn their beloved pooch into a qualified Assistance Dog. Owner Lynn Stacey hopes that she and Bella will raise more than £1,000 completing the challenge . Standing to attention: Bella, who is already a championship winning trick dog, has perfected her impression of a meerkat, pictured right . 'Bella is at her best when she is learning, so adding tricks to her existing knowledge base made perfect sense. 'It has brought us closer as a working partnership and many of the tricks have a purpose in our everyday life as well.' To find out more about Bella and the 365 trick challenge visit www.bella-blot.weebly.com or to make a donation go to www.everyclick.comfbellas-365-trick-challenge. Playful: Bella, pictured left poking her tongue out, is said to be 'best when she is learning' Bella, who is a fully trained assistance dog, has fans all over the world thanks to her videos posted to YouTube and Twitter . | Bella the cocker spaniel is learning a new trick every day for a year .
Has earned the nickname 'Paul Spaniels' after becoming an internet hit .
She can play basket ball, do a handstand, empty the washing machine .
Also puts rubbish in bin, makes a bed, and loads the dishwasher .
Lynn Stacey, 48, is teaching her the tricks to raise money for Dog A.I.D . |
187,516 | 7ed56bd261160da8a631982f602e736912426e0d | By . Emma Glanfield . NHS chief executive Simon Stevens (above) has urged employees to lose weight to set an example . NHS staff have been told to cut chips and burgers out of their diet after more than half of workers were found to be overweight. Chief executive Simon Stevens said employees should set an example and said incentives would be introduced to help the 700,000 workers who are overweight. He said chips and burgers currently on offer in staff canteens would be ditched in favour of healthier meals and NHS sites across the country would include gyms and become more ‘cycle-friendly’. Mr Stevens, 47, said weight-loss competitions would also be open to the 1.3 million workers, with pedometers and mugs being put up as prizes. The move comes as the NHS attempts to save money to fund the £30billion a year it is expected to need by 2020. The rising obesity epidemic has put a strain not only on the nation’s health but also on the NHS, with overweight people relying more heavily on the national health service. Mr Stevens said he hoped the move would not only set an example to the public but encourage other major employers to follow suit. He told The Sun: ‘The fact that as a nation we’ve all been putting on the pounds for several years is bad for our health and bad for the health service.’ ‘A lot of the food in hospital canteens, not just for patients, but for staff, is chips and burgers.’ ‘I think the NHS has got to take an example in helping our own staff and hopefully other employers will follow suit.’ Several hospitals across the country have already started offering weight-loss incentives to staff, with the rest set to begin imminently. As well as calling on workers to tackle obesity problems, Mr Stevens also urged parents to keep their children healthy by swapping fizzy drinks and fruit juices during meal times to water or milk. It is hoped the scheme will go some way in reducing the obesity crisis in the UK, where two thirds of adults are classed as overweight and a quarter are deemed obese. Those who are overweight are at risk from a host of health problems, including Type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease and strokes, which places further strain on NHS resources. Mr Stevens said burgers and chips currently on offer in NHS canteens would be replaced for healthier options . Mr Stevens, who has lost three stone in the last three years, took over as NHS chief executive three months ago and has been keen to slash ‘unnecessary costs’. He has ditched taking a car to work in favour of catching the bus and Tube and opts to travel in standard class on trains when he makes regular visits from his home in South London to NHS England’s headquarters in Leeds. Looking to the future, he said that further progress in technology would keep patients out of hospital as people live longer, and he wants greater partnership between the NHS and social services. He said: 'What's great about the NHS can't excuse what needs to change about the NHS. 'That is the approach that we have got to take. We've got to support people doing great things, nurses, doctors, the frontline of healthcare. But we've also got to raise our game.' He also called for thousands more GPs to be trained, and said he wants to give them more power to make decisions about how NHS money is spent. | NHS chief executive Simon Stevens said employees should set an example .
Incentives to be offered to 700,000 of 1.3million workers who are overweight .
NHS sites to have more gyms and become 'cycle-friendly' to tackle obesity . |
144,747 | 4736ce57f71338163921769866ccb26813383a77 | A giraffe helping itself from a plate balanced on a kitchen table and a shark swimming in the French Polynesia - these are among the extraordinary images released ahead of the National Geographic travel award. Competition organisers, who asked entrants to submit both a picture and a caption describing the story around the image, have revealed some of the stunning pictures already submitted to the competition in the hope more people will be inspired and apply. All entries must be made by the end of the month - with the eventual winner being awarded a trip to a remote part of south-eastern Alaska, US. Keith Bellows, National Geographic Traveler magazine editor-in-chief and National Geographic Travel senior vice president said of the competition: 'The delight I get from our photo contest is seeing legions of so-called amateurs creating enduring images that continue to demonstrate the pictorial excellence that is the lifeblood of National Geographic.' Peckish?: A giraffe at Nairobi's Giraffe Manor helps itself to a plate of food on a table - which is comically presented on a giraffe-print plate. The image, taken by Gavin Werbeloff, is one of several released by organisers of the National Geographic Traveller Photo competition . Under the sea: In this picture by Bru Gregory, a shark can be seen swimming under the surface of the French Polynesian ocean. The images were released as a teaser ahead of the deadline for the contest at the end of the month . Travels: A young girl smiles as she looks out of a window of a train in Hatton, Sri Lanka. The image was taken by Ante Badzim - who said of the scene: 'She was shy at first and barely visible peering out the window, I simply waved and smiled and we shared many small moments and giggles' Tribal: A Karo man in the Omo Valley of Ethiopia looks into the lens in this show by Sean Caffrey. The winner of the international competition will be awarded a trip to south-eastern Alaska . You looking at me? Greg Snell's image shows a Western Grey Kangaroo caught lounging in the wineries of the Adelaide Hills in South Australia . Walking on water: Photographer Shanu Subra took this picture of a Gentoo penguin with a belly full of Krill for its young ones on the shores of New Island, Falklands . Misty morning: Michael Perry took this image - called A Love Mysterious - of the sun setting on the Pacific coast under the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco . Beauty: Photographer Ka Shim hiked for twelve hours to watch the sunrise at Dinosaur Ridge in Seoraksan National Park, South Korea . Under the stars: David Whyte took this stunning image of him camping beneath the beauty of the Aurora Borealis in Southern Iceland . The First Train: Taken at Mishima town in Fukushima prefecture, Japan, this image shows a two-carriage train moving slowly over the structure . Starry night: Max Slastnikov's picture of Nepal, Everest region, and the amazing view of Milky-Way in Dole above . Power: This image, called Great migration, was taken in the Masai Mara National Reserve by Chenggang Zhou . | Stunning images released by organisers of the National Geographic travel award ahead of competition deadline .
Include a giraffe eating from a table, a shark swimming under the ocean and a Karo man in the Omo Valley of Ethiopia .
Winner of award, entries for which must be submitted by the end of the month, will win a trip to Alaska . |
286,209 | fedda434955bf8e1059c930283cbd305a6446052 | Arsene Wenger might not be on friendly terms with Jose Mourinho, but the same can't be said for Arsenal's record signing. The two managers clashed as the Gunners lost 2-0 to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, but Mesut Ozil was spotted sharing a moment with Mourinho shortly after the game. Mourinho signed Ozil from Werder Bremen when he was in charge of Real Madrid and spent three years coaching the German international. Jose Mourinho and Mesut Ozil embrace after Arsenal's 2-0 Premier League defeat at Stamford Bridge . Mourinho coached the World Cup winner for three years while they were at Real Madrid together . The sight will likely rile many Arsenal fans, especially considering Mourinho's persistent baiting of their manager. The incident was reminiscent of one Andre Santos was involved in two seasons ago. The Brazilian hugged and swapped shirts with Robin van Persie after the former Arsenal captain scored against them for Manchester United. Chelsea's win takes them five points clear at the top of the Premier League table while Arsenal have slipped to eighth. The former Arsenal captain and current Arsenal record signing battle for the ball during the game . Brazilian defender Andre Santos came in for heavy criticism after swapping shirts with Robin van Persie . Mourinho and Arsene Wenger clashed after Gary Cahill's dangerous tackle on Arsenal winger Alexis Sanchez . | Arsenal lost 2-0 to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge .
Eden Hazard and Diego Costa scored for the hosts .
Arsene Wenger and Joe Mourinho clashed during the game .
Mesut Ozil spotted hugging Mourinho after the game . |
197,667 | 8bd6d311a6c68789e714723a4df13f878bd9528a | Accrington Stanley are selling tickets for an FA Cup match against Manchester United that never took place and plan to use the money raised to help strengthen their squad. League Two Accrington lost their chance to host Premier League giants United in the third round last weekend after losing to Yeovil Town in a second round replay. Third tier Yeovil attracted a full house of 9,000 for the game against United on Sunday to boost their coffers while Accrington hope to cash in on the match that never was by selling 250 souvenir tickets for 20 pounds each. Accrington were beaten 2-0 by Yeovil in the in December, missing out on a third round tie with Man United . Despite not making it past the second round Accrington are selling souvenir tickets for the third round tie . Lee Molyneux (centre) of Accrington is dejected at the final whistle of the second round match . Chairman Peter Marsden said the money would go towards 'strengthening the squad' for the rest of the season. Manager John Coleman added: 'This isn't about dwelling on what might have been. It would have been magnificent to play Manchester United but it was akin to being on holiday. 'Holidays quickly come and go and we have a league campaign to focus on,' he said on the club's wesbite. Yeovil eventually lost 2-0 to Manchester United in the FA Cup third round on Sunday . Kieffer Moore holds his hands to his face after missing a chance for Yeovil against United . Accrington are 13th in League Two, five points off the playoff places, and Coleman said: 'I believe we have a realistic chance of making the playoffs if we can just get people to help us a little bit.' Accrington and United, whose grounds are 22 miles apart, have only met twice before when the Old Trafford club won 5-1 at home and drew 2-2 away in a two-legged FA Cup third round tie in 1946. | Accrington Stanley were drawn against Manchester United in third round .
But Yeovil knocked Accrington out in the second round in December .
The club are selling 250 souvenir tickets for the match that never was .
Proceeds from tickets, selling at £20 each, will be reinvested in the squad . |
68,697 | c2d28428ef5ff94603db49e2df0e1ce1c5ea0e17 | The Lib Dems signed up to government spending plans in private but now 'slag them off' in public, George Osborne claimed today as a coalition row erupted over the scale of cuts needed. The Chancellor hit back at Lib Dem Vince Cable who has claimed Tory plans to dramatically reduce spending were 'wholly unrealistic'. Nick Clegg was also forced to deny trying to distance himself from his own government after snubbing Mr Osborne's Autumn Statement for a photocall in Cornwall. Scroll down for video . Chancellor George Osborne, pictured at a Bently Motors factory in Crewe today, hit back at Lib Dem criticism of his spending plans . Mr Osborne used his statement yesterday to reveal the deficit has halved since 2010. But the Office for Budget Responsibility warned only 40 per cent of the cuts needed have been made so far. The Tories have made clear they would seek to balance the books through spending cuts alone, with cutting welfare the top priority. But Mr Clegg has branded the approach 'complete and utter nonsense' and insisted there must also be tax rises. And Mr Cable said he had made 'very, very clear' his opposition to Tory plans to achieve the goal by cutting departmental budgets and welfare, without increasing taxes on the wealthy. The Business Secretary said his Conservative colleagues wanted to cut public spending 'rather more brutally than we think is necessary or desirable' and their plans were 'simply not realisable'. The Lib Dem criticism triggered a furious response from Mr Osborne. He told Sky News: 'In private, they sign up to all these decisions and then in public they slag them off. But that's for them to explain to you.' Lib Dem Deputy Prime Minister missed the Autumn Statement in the Commons yesterday to visit flood defences in Penzance, Cornwall with local MP Andrew George (left) Lib Dem Business Secretary Vince Cable said he had made 'very, very clear' his opposition to Tory plans to achieve the goal by cutting departmental budgets and welfare, without increasing taxes on the wealthy . Mr Osborne also mocked Mr Clegg's decision to visit flood defences in Penzance instead of being in the Commons yesterday. 'He can choose to be anywhere he wants in the country,' Mr Osborne said. Mr Clegg denied trying to distance himself from the measures announced yesterday. Speaking during his weekly phone-in on LBC, he said: 'I've been doing autumn statements and budgets for five years now and sitting dutifully there. And, by the way, of course I have worked on this meticulously for weeks. 'Everything in that Autumn Statement is in there because we have agreed it and I fully support it. 'But, then I had a choice - did I listen to Ed Balls in the House of Commons or did I go out and talk to normal people?' Public spending as a share of the entire economy will fall to just 35.2 per cent by 2018-19, according to the Office for Budget Responsibility's forecasts of spending cuts . Spending by government departments will fall to just 12 per cent of GDP. If health, schools and foreign aid are protected, other areas will be severely squeezed . George Osborne clashed with Radio 4 presenter John Humphrys . George Osborne today hit out at the BBC’s ‘hyperbolic’ coverage of spending cuts, accusing the broadcaster of predicting the world would fall in. The Chancellor clashed with Radio 4 Today programme host John Humphrys about questions on the state of the country’s finances. Mr Osborne said: ‘When I woke up this morning and turned on the Today programme I felt like I was listening to a rewind of a tape from 2010. ‘You had BBC correspondents saying Britain is returning to a sort of George Orwell world of The Road to Wigan Pier.’ Orwell’s bleak book chronicled poverty, hunger and social injustice in the north of England in the 1930s. Mr Osborne repeatedly hit back at Humphrys’ ‘nonsense’ questioning, adding: ‘I would have thought the BBC would have learned from the last four years that its totally hyperbolic coverage of spending cuts has not been matched by what has actually happened. ‘I had all that when you interviewed me four years, and has the world fallen in? No it hasn’t. ‘The British economy is growing and the deficit is half what it was when I was doing those interviews.’ Last month Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith accused the BBC of being 'utterly negative' about the government's flagship welfare reforms, and challenged claims by Today present Mishal Husain that it had been ‘dogged’ by problems. Asked why he ever attended the Commons, Mr Clegg replied: 'That's a good question, actually.' Pressed on whether he had 'propped up' the Tories, he said: 'No, it's not propped up, far from it. I've steered it.' He insisted: 'It is a Liberal Democrat Autumn Statement just as much as anything else and this economic recovery wouldn't be happening without the Liberal Democrats. 'And, by the way, all this complete nonsense tittle-tattle about Vince Cable here or Danny Alexander there. What Vince Cable, Danny Alexander and indeed myself have been saying for ages is that we proudly stand together in this coalition Government to sort out the mess created by Ed Balls. 'As for the future, clearly we have a completely different approach to the Conservatives.' Government sources said Mr Cable had 'erupted' during yesterday's Cabinet meeting and told fellow Lib Dems, including Chief Treasury Secretary Danny Alexander, that they had not signed up to the Conservatives' spending plans beyond the general election. Mr Osborne remains committed to balancing the budget – spending less than is raised in tax – by 2017-18. But to do so will require deep spending cuts. Total government spending will fall to just 35.2 per cent of GDP in 2019-20 – the lowest level for 80 years. It marks a dramatic decline from 45.3 per cent in 2009-10, the last year of the Labour government. In the mid-1970s state spending accounted for almost half of the entire economy. Just 40 per cent of the spending cuts needed have been made so far, with the remaining 60 per cent to come in the next five years. The Tories and Lib Dems committed in the Coalition to protecting health, schools and foreign aid spending. It means other departments face much deeper cuts of up to 50 per cent to find the money needed to eradicate the deficit. The Office for Budget Responsibility expects NHS spending to rise from £108.4billion this year to £110.2billion in 2019-20. But spending on unprotected budgets like defence, transport, business and councils will fall from £147.1billion to just £85.6billion. During the decade to 2020, spending per person on unprotected areas will fall from £3,020 to just £1,290. The OBR said: 'The implied cuts... during the next Parliament would pose a significant challenge if they were confirmed as firm policy, one that would be all the greater if existing protections were maintained.' | Chancellor hits back at coalition partners over criticism of spending plans .
Lib Dem Vince Cable claimed Tory plans were 'wholly unrealistic'
Nick Clegg forced to deny trying to distance himself from the coalition .
Deputy PM missed Autumn Statement in the Commons for trip to Cornwall . |
113,046 | 1de9d603246c491d7419b26e52c225c5a01d1579 | An Army wife arrested for slashing the throats of her two-year-old daughter and six-month-old twins says she tried to kill her crying babies to keep them from disturbing her husband who 'gets very annoyed' whenever they make noise. Christina Booth, 29, suffers from postpartum depression and says she hit her 'breaking point' when all three of her young children started crying at once Sunday night when she tried to put them to bed after having two glasses of wine with husband Army Staff Sergeant Thomas Booth in Olympia, Washington. Mrs Booth told police that her husband, a Special Forces soldier at nearby Joint Base Lewis-McChord, 'never helps her with the children and that Thomas gets very annoyed when the children cry and make noise.' Scroll down to listen to 911 recording . Christina Booth, 29, (right) admitted to police that she slashed her three children's throats because she wanted them to be quiet . Booth, is charged with slashing the throats of her her six-month-old twin daughters, as well as her toddler, on Sunday morning . Detectives wrote: 'Christina said she knew if she killed all of the kids, the house would be quiet for Thomas.' 'During the interview, Christina broke down crying several times, yelled about Thomas never helping with the kids and vomited once. Christina made the comment 'they will be quiet now' several times.' She admitted she went downstairs and grabbed a kitchen knife from the dishwasher and slashed her toddler's throat then covered her under a blanket so that she would be quiet. She then slit the throats of her twin six-month-old daughters, as well, she told police. Sgt Booth told detectives he ran upstairs and found his wife screaming and naked, except for her underwear. When he saw his children he got his medical kit and started to wrap his babies' wounds with gauze to stop the bleeding. He screamed for his wife to call 911. Sgt Booth, who is a Special Forces soldier at nearby Joint Base Lewis-McChord, had recently returned from his second deployment to Afghanistan . Mrs Booth is pictured here with her husband US Army Sgt Tommy Booth and her two-year-old daughter, who was also slashed . A recording of the emergency call reveals that Mrs Booth didn't tell dispatchers that her children had life-threatening injuries. Instead, she says that they won't stop crying and won't go to sleep. The operator asks: 'Do you think they need medical attention?' 'Yes. I don't know what they want,' she says. Then, Sgt Booth gets on the line and tells dispatchers to send an ambulance. The babies and Mrs Booth can be heard screaming in the background. Mrs Booth can be hears screaming 'I love you!' in the background of the call. Sgt Booth is heard telling his wife: 'Don't say anything.' A judge set bail at $3million for her three counts of attempted murder. The children were reported stable Sunday after surgery at a hospital. The hospital isn't releasing updates on their condition because of federal privacy law. They have been placed in the custody of state Child Protective Services. Police have said Thomas Booth is not suspected of a crime. Devastated: Sgt Booth (right) returned to his house on Sunday to retrieve belongings after his wife was arrested for attempted murder of his three children . US Army Special Forces soldier told detectives his wife always took the children out of his presence if they cried. In talking with the woman's husband and neighbors, detectives have been getting a picture of a family in stress, Olympia police Lieutenant Jim Costa said earlier. Neighbors told investigators that Booth had a 'bubbly' personality, but she had no break in dealing with her little ones. 'I'm sure there probably was frustration, friction in the household,' Costa said. 'A lot of dynamics pushed her over the brink.' A crying woman called 911 at 1.17am Sunday and said her kids were crying and wouldn't stop, Costa said. She said she thought they needed medical attention. A man came on the line a minute later and said the kids were bleeding from the neck and needed an ambulance, the lieutenant said. Thomas Booth is with the 1st Special Forces Group at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, said Sgt. Michael Sword in the public affairs office. A message was left seeking comment from Thomas Booth. | Christina Booth says she tried to kill her six-month-old twins and two-year-old toddler so they would be quiet for her husband .
Mrs Booth claims husband Tommy Booth, a Special Forces solider, 'never helps' with the kids and gets upset when they cry .
She called 911 after the attack and complained that she couldn't get her children to sleep .
She is being held on $3million bail for three counts of attempt murder .
The children are in stable condition at the hospital . |
109,102 | 18a445869c29a6e87992b14528c5f7343830745c | By . Stuart Woledge . PUBLISHED: . 12:47 EST, 31 July 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 02:09 EST, 1 August 2013 . A bungling burglar who was photographed with a ‘swag bag’ full of stolen goods over his shoulder has been jailed. Rodney Geisha had been attempting to flee his victim's house in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, when he was snapped by a witness. He was caught red-handed hauling his stolen goods over his shoulder in a comical manner similar to the cartoon crook Burglar Bill. Cartoon criminal: All Geisha needed was the word 'swag' emblazoned across his bag as he fled from the property in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex . Behind bars: Rodney Geisha was handed a four-year sentence after being snapped by a passerby . The witness, who has not been named, immediately called the police and offered up their iPhone image as crucial evidence to seal a conviction. A second witness gave police a running commentary of Geisha’s movements, allowing the long arm of the law to catch up with the prolific burglar just 15 minutes later. The clumsy crook's haul included a laptop, Xbox games, cash and two bottles of Jack Daniel's. Geisha, 41, from Clacton, who had previous convictions for burglary, pleaded guilty and was jailed for four years when he appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court on Tuesday. Investigating officer, Det Const Claire March of Clacton CID, said: 'The two witnesses were brilliant and their quick-thinking has meant another burglar is behind bars. 'The photograph and the running commentary describing Geisha’s movements was absolutely compelling evidence and he had no option but to plead guilty. 'The victim of the burglary is delighted too because all his stolen property was recovered although he was left with a huge repair bill for all the damage that Geisha caused. 'I hope that this superb example of the public helping police to catch criminals will be an inspiration to everyone.' | Prolific burglar snapped by witness in classic 'swag bag' pose .
A second witness gave police running commentary on his movements .
Their evidence led to the conviction of 41-year-old Rodney Geisha . |
76,334 | d87b0571c4ee11cc032968dc4f49fbf36fd55ed6 | By . Alasdair Glennie . PUBLISHED: . 19:13 EST, 22 August 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 03:17 EST, 23 August 2013 . Admission: Director General of the BBC Tony Hall said that staff knew about the doomed IT project but were to afraid to blow the whistle . The BBC’s director general admitted yesterday that his staff knew for years that a £100million IT project was failing but did nothing about it because of a culture at the corporation that prevents whistleblowers from coming forward. Lord Hall acknowledged a series of recent failures at the corporation, including the costly Digital Media Initiative (DMI) fiasco and the severance payoff scandal. Saying there was an ‘appalling divide’ between managers and staff, he admitted there was an ‘officer class’ at the top of the BBC and blamed a culture of ‘finger-pointing’ for preventing whistleblowers from raising the alarm when things went wrong. Lord Hall cancelled the DMI in May, saying it would be ‘throwing good money after bad’ to complete it. Launched in 2008, it was meant to digitise all BBC production but rapidly ran over budget and beyond deadlines. Speaking at the Edinburgh Television Festival he said: ‘What worries me most about DMI is the fact we went round the place and people said, “Yeah, we knew about that” but no one said. That’s the problem of a culture where fingers are pointed, blame is appointed – people don’t feel they can own up and say something is going wrong. ‘I don’t like that sort of culture. I want a culture where people can say, “We can take risks, we can do things which are creatively difficult, organisationally difficult, and we can learn from our mistakes.” ’ Making an unexpected appearance in Edinburgh, Lord Hall was also forced answer questions about the payoff scandal, following last month’s disclosure that the BBC handed departing staff £300million over eight years. The Digital Media Initiative (DMI) was meant to allow BBC staff to access everything in the archive from their computers, doing away with the need for video or audio tapes . One of his chief inquisitors was former BBC journalist Liz MacKean, who left the corporation after the Jimmy Savile scandal last year. She was one of two reporters to work on a Newsnight expose of the predatory DJ that was scrapped by news executives in 2010. Miss MacKean criticised the director general’s response to the crisis, saying: ‘The whole issue of severance payments gets to the heart of something that has been badly wrong with the BBC for decades, which is the creation of an officer class that seems to fly in the face of the principles of public service broadcasting. Gary Lineker says he doesn’t deserve his £1.5million BBC pay deal. The England striker-turned-TV pundit said: ‘If you are at the top in entertainment you earn money that you can never justify to ordinary people doing proper jobs. ‘You can’t. I’m not even going to try. Do I deserve it? Probably not – but who would turn it down?’ Although Lineker has never publicly disclosed his Match of the Day salary, he is believed to have earned £2million before taking a £500,000 pay cut earlier this year. But the 52-year-old presenter – who also has lucrative contracts with Arabic network Al Jazeera and Walkers Crisps – insisted he would be able to rake in even more money if he worked for a different channel. ‘That is the downside of working for the BBC,’ he said. ‘I could earn more elsewhere, but because it’s the licence fee you are open to criticism.’ ‘The corporation has been treated as a get-rich scheme where the people at the top reward the outgoing people at the top even if they have got new jobs to go to, even if they have been given more than a year’s notice of their departure.’ Lord Hall admitted the debacle had been ‘terrible for morale’ within the BBC and agreed there had been an ‘officer class’ at the top of the corporation. He said he wanted to ‘heal this appalling divide’. Miss MacKean criticised the BBC’s leadership for failing to punish executives over the Savile scandal. ‘It doesn’t seem anyone has taken responsibility for it,’ she said. ‘How can people learn if mistakes aren’t admitted?’ | DG Tony Hall acknowledgs failures over Digital Media Initiative fiasco .
Blamed culture which prevented whistleblowers from coming forward .
Also faced questions over £300m payoffs to staff .
LORD Hall announced plans yesterday to increase the number of female presenters at the BBC. He said half of local radio stations would have women presenting breakfast shows by the end of 2014. |
73,177 | cf884733fb03e3125175fd3017f7bf9e9cff097d | (CNN) -- Poor Hillary Clinton. Later this week and next, she'll have the unenviable task of visiting Egypt and Israel at a time when America's capacity to influence the policies of both countries has fallen to new lows. And not even the secretary of state -- a veritable superstar of persuasion -- can charm America back into a position of influence. The public aspect of the visits should go smoothly enough. Nobody has a stake in upsetting an American Secretary of State.. Election year politics will diminish any unpleasantness in Israel, and even in Egypt, where the secretary should deliver some tough messages on the need to create and respect democratic principles, nobody really wants a fight. But not so far beneath the surface, agendas diverge and challenges abound for an America that's no longer as admired, feared or respected as much as it needs to be in a region critical to its national interests. Here's a guide to some of them: . Democratization: In Egypt, Clinton confronts so many challenges and minefields that regardless of what happens on this visit, the United States will be wrestling with that country's politics for years to come. The good news, of course, is that for the first time in 40 years, Egypt has competitive politics; the bad news is that the most anti-democratic and exclusive forces in the country are the ones who are competing. Clinton will find herself sandwiched between Islamists she doesn't trust and whose values aren't her own, and generals she believes have subverted Egypt's nascent democracy but are necessary to maintaining the peace treaty with Israel. Navigating this course won't be easy. The meeting with Egypt's President Mohamed Morsy will carry great symbolism: the United States sanctioning the rise of political Islam in the Arab world's most important country. Although Clinton can rationalize she is meeting the democratically elected president of Egypt, Morsy is a member of the Muslim Brotherhood, whose views on issues such as female genital mutilation, women's rights, peace with Israel and U.S. policies throughout the region diverge from hers, and America's. The meeting with the generals won't be much easier. The Obama administration believes that the military -- not the Brotherhood -- has been mainly responsible for subverting the democratic process, and yet it's really hard-pressed to do much about it. The $1.5 billion in military aid from the United States will most likely continue, lest America be without any leverage to affect matters in Egypt. The Israelis will press hard to ensure that assistance continues. After all, the U.S. gave it to the authoritarian Mubarak regime; can it really withhold it in a period when Egypt is supposedly democratizing? The generals have concluded that we need Egypt now more than Egypt needs us. Peace process: Clinton's lack of leverage in Egypt will be mirrored in Israel. Israel's focus on domestic issues such as the military conscription law and election politics in the U.S. will ensure that the Obama administration will not seriously push the revival of Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. Even if talks were to resume, they wouldn't produce much. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, worried about Egypt and Iran, isn't prepared to make big decisions. And neither, for that matter, is a weak and constrained PLO Chairman Mahmoud Abbas. Iran: Israel's worst fears about a nuclear Iran appear to be coming to pass. Sanctions are tougher than ever but apparently won't deter Iran should it persist in its campaign to acquire the capacity to produce a nuclear weapon. The P5-plus-1 (U.S., Britain, France, China, Russia and Germany) negotiations with Iran aren't producing a solution that stops weapons grade enrichment. The Iranian centrifuges continue to spin. And the Americans are in no mood to strike Iran or to give the Israelis a green or yellow light to strike. No Israeli military strike is likely before year's end, certainly not before the U.S. elections. But after that, all bets are off. Neither Clinton nor the president would be able to restrain the Israelis should they decide they need to act. Once upon a time, visits by secretaries of state to these countries really mattered. Not so much anymore. The Middle East has gotten a lot more complicated, and the locals act increasingly without reference to what America thinks or does. It may not be pretty to watch, but we better get used to it. The opinions in this commentary are solely those of Aaron David Miller. | Aaron Miller: Secretary of state to visit Egypt and Israel as U.S. clout in those nations wanes .
In Egypt, Clinton will be stuck between Islamists and anti-democracy generals, he writes .
Miller: In Israel, domestic issues and Iran are bigger issues than America's concerns .
Miller: The U.S. can't stop Israel if it plans to attack Iran nor influence Egypt's politics . |
88,627 | fb8b500fe7e92cf03893192c8dc0dfd4020dfd6c | COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (CNN) -- A Sri Lankan government minister narrowly escaped injury Thursday when a suicide bomber in a car detonated explosives, police said. File image of Maithripala Sirisena taken in May, 2007. Two of the minister's bodyguards were hurt in the blast, which occurred in a southern suburb of the capital city, Colombo. The minister, Maithripala Sirisena, heads the agriculture department. He is also the secretary of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, a partner in the ruling coalition. Authorities blamed the attack on Tamil Tigers rebels. The fighting in Sri Lanka pits government forces in a country dominated by the Sinhalese ethnic group against rebels from the Tamil minority. The rebels, formally known as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, are fighting for the creation of an independent nation, citing discrimination by the Sinhalese. On Monday, a suicide bombing blamed on rebels killed at least 27 people, including a prominent politician and his wife. Another 60 were wounded. That bombing took place in Anuradhapura, the capital of Sri Lanka's North Central province. | Minister's bodyguards hurt in blast in southern suburb of Colombo .
Maithripala Sirisena heads the agriculture department .
Authorities blamed the attack on Tamil Tigers rebels . |
172,672 | 6b78c8a1c870b9c535acd6fea2409d605a671131 | The millionaire polo mogul charged in the death of a promising young student is heading to prison. John Goodman, of West Palm Beach, Florida, was sentenced to 16 years behind bars on Friday following a fatal drunken-driving crash back in 2010 that claimed the life of 23-year-old Scott Wilson. This is the second time Goodman has been convicted and sentenced, with his first conviction being overturned due to juror misconduct. Setenced: John Goodman (above) was sentenced to 16 years behind bars on Friday following a fatal drunken-driving crash back in 2010 that claimed the life of 23-year-old Scott Wilson . Good kid: Wilson (above with his mother) was driving home to see his parents at the time of the accident . Horror: Goodman rammed his Bentley (right) into the victim's Hyundai (left) and sent it flying into a canal . The jury had been brought in from Tampa on this case because of pretrial publicity according to The Houston Chronicle. Wilson, an engineering graduate, was killed February 12, 2010, when Goodman, the millionaire founder of The Palm Beach International Polo Club, rammed his Bentley into the victim's Hyundai and sent it flying into a canal. Goodman then left the scene of the crime and then waited an hour to call 911, claiming his battery was dead on his cell phone. After the crash, Goodman's blood alcohol level was measured at .177 percent, more than twice the legal driving limit. Goodman had been drinking at The Players Club that evening, a nearby bar, and admitted to having at least four shots, though he claimed he was not drunk at the time of the crash. He blamed his high alcohol level on drinks he had after the crash. Heartless; Goodman (left in mugshot) then left the scene of the crime and waited an hour to call 911 as Wilson 9right) was trapped in his car . Shots: Goodman admitted to haveing drinks at The Player's Club (above) the night of the accident . Lavish: Goodman at one point adopted his girlfriend to protect his $300million fortune and estate (above) from a civil suit . Goodman made headlines before the trial when he legally adopted his 42-year-old girlfriend Heather Hutchins to protect his vast $300million lawsuit from Wilson's parents in a civil suit, though he did ultimately end up paying out millions. He then made headlines again when, while under house arrest and with a guard present, he tried to pry of his ankle monitor using a hand mirror. Wilson was a University of Central Florida graduate and was working as a civil engineer at the time of the crash. He had been driving home to Wellington to visit his family when Goodman ran a stop sign. | John Goodman, the millionaire polo mogul from Palm beach, Florida, was sentenced to 16 years in prison for the DUI death of student Scott Wilson .
Wilson, an engineering graduate, was killed when Goodman rammed his Bentley into the victim's Hyundai and sent it flying into a canal .
Goodman then left the scene of the crime and waited an hour to call 911, but still register a blood alcohol level of .177 percent later that night .
This is the second time Goodman has been convicted and sentenced, with the first conviction being overturned due to juror misconduct .
Goodman made headlines when he adopted his girlfriend to protect his $300million fortune in the civil suit brought forth by Wilson's parents .
He also tried to remove his ankle monitor while under house arrest, and with a guard present in his home . |
65,996 | bb4d231a5ced2a30bd4dbdf337a4a226227bc3f6 | A stunning last-gasp header by Portugal's Bruno Alves earned his side a fortunate 1-0 win over fellow World Cup qualifiers Mexico in a warmup match in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Friday. The game looked set for a goalless draw when Bruno Alves soared to send an unstoppable header past goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa in the 93rd minute from a cross by Joao Moutinho. But Portugal, missing captain Cristiano Ronaldo who is suffering from tendinosis and a thigh injury, also had to thank their stopper Eduardo who gave an inspired performance. Match-winner: Portugal's Bruno Alves celebrates with Joao Moutinho after scoring late on against Mexico . Sidelined: Captain Cristiano Ronaldo who is suffering from a thigh injury missed Portugal's match with Mexico . Mexico dominated the second half but Eduardo kept them out with fine saves from Hector Herrera, twice, and Alan Pulido leaving the door open for Bruno Alves to grab the late winner. Portugal looked dangerous in the first half and Mexico keeper Jose Corona, replaced by Ochoa at halftime, had to deny Vierinha and then Eder after Fabio Coentrao put him through. Mexico came close to scoring before halftime though with a long-range effort from Andres Guardado that flew just wide of the far post with Eduardo scrambling across his goal. Portugal almost broke the deadlock five minutes after the break through Contrao but his close-range strike was blocked by Ochoa, who is battling with Corona for the starting spot. All together: Mexico players jump in a bid to block Miguel Veloso's free-kick . Eduardo was then called on to make the first of three fantastic saves with a fine block just past the hour mark to deny Herrera, who was set up by substitute Javier Hernandez. The keeper was called on again seven minutes later to stop another Herrera strike and in the last minute of regular time he pulled off a fine save to turn away Pulido's left-foot shot. Portugal, who drew 0-0 with Greece in their previous friendly last Saturday, play a final warmup against Ireland on Tuesday ahead of their Group G opener with Germany on June 16 before Paulo Bento's side face the United States and Ghana. The result was a disappointment for Miguel Herrera, Mexico's fourth coach since September, as he suffered his second straight defeat in charge of 'El Tri' after an unbeaten eight-match run. The Portugal match was Mexico's final warm-up before their World Cup opener against Cameroon on June 13 in Natal. They also face hosts Brazil before a tricky clash with Croatia in Group A. Grounded: Mexico striker Javier Hernandez is fouled by Portugal defender Luis Neto . | Portugal beat Mexico 1-0 courtesy of Bruno Alves header during injury-time .
Star man Cristiano Ronaldo remains sidelined with thigh injury .
Clash was Mexico's final warm-up game before World Cup . |
156,744 | 56ab4676606555fce0b1e81493744f7266c829f6 | British holidaymakers have been warned of the dangers of wildfires which have forced thousands from their homes on the Canary Islands. The Foreign Office yesterday told tourists and expats to take extra care because of the blazes raging in Tenerife and the neighbouring island of La Gomera. Some 2,200 people fled their homes in the north west of Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands, as roads and power lines were cut off by the blaze. Hundreds of firemen continued to battle the flames from the air. On this satellite image, taken by Nasa's satellite Terra, of the Canary Islands including La Gomera island (centre), a column of white smoke can be seen from space. Fire broke out in La Gomera nine days ago, and has destroyed 4,123 hectares - 11 per cent of the Island's surface - so far . A firefighting helicopter flies off the scene after releasing a load of water over a hillside fire near the El Tanque village on Tenerife . In La Gomera, at least 13 villages . have been evacuated, with 5,000 people forced from their homes – a . quarter of the island’s population. Around 900 locals and tourists fled . the island by boat on Sunday night as the town of Valle Gran Rey was . evacuated amid fears it would be engulfed by flames. Another 3,000 gathered at a port waiting to hear if they must also leave the island. The Foreign Office updated its travel advice to warn: ‘There are reports of forest fires on the island of La Gomera. A firefighter works to stop the spread of wildfires which are sweeping through parts of La Gomera . A woman lies on stretcher next to an ambulance before being taken to hospital, after nine days of forest fires on the Spanish Canary island of La Gomera . Members of the Spanish Civil Guard evacuate residents in the town of Arure on La Gomera . 'There are also reports of forest . fires on the island of Tenerife. A number of local residents have been . evacuated from the area as a precautionary measure and a number of roads . are closed to allow access to emergency services. ‘Residents and visitors are advised to check the Canary government website for updates.’ Flights to the Canaries have not been affected, but some excursions on the islands have been cancelled. Most of the 1.5million Britons who . visit Tenerife each year stay in resorts along the south coast such as . Los Cristianos and Playa de las Americas, which are at least 20 miles . from the affected areas. A load of water is released over a hillside fire as firefighters battle the blaze . The fire broke out on August 10 and it has destroyed 80 hectares of forest so far . Wildfires spurred by high temperatures raged across Spain's Canary Islands of La Gomera and Tenerife . Flames are threatening some of Europe's oldest surviving forests in La Gomera and have forced the evacuation of thousands of people . A firefighter tries to extinguish a fire in Torre de Macanes near Alicante, on the Spanish mainland, which has also been hit by wildfires . The firefighting task was being hampered by temperatures of up to 44C (111F), following the driest summer in 70 years. The fire in La Gomera has destroyed . 7,400 hectares of land, including a large part of the Garajonay nature . reserve, a Unesco World Heritage site. Seven helicopters and three planes were being used to battle the blaze on La Gomera. The head of the island's local government, Casimiro Curbelo, said they were facing an 'unprecedented' emergency and called for more help from Madrid. Other fires were raging on the Spanish mainland. Two people, a firefighter and an environmental official, were killed battling a blaze in Torre de les Macanes, around 30 miles inland from the Costa Blanca resort of Benidorm, on the south east coast. Two more firefighters injured tackling the same blaze were being treated in hospital. | Helicopters and planes are continuing to battle wildfires raging in Tenerife .
The popular holiday island is visited by 1.5million Britons each year .
On La Gomera a quarter of .
the island's population have been evacuated . |
53,157 | 96d1744541f57d7539dacb65901bfa9b398f5041 | By . Toby Harnden . A group of former U.S. Navy SEALs, other Special Forces troops and CIA operatives is to launch a national campaign to tell Barack Obama: ‘Mr. President, you did not kill Osama bin Laden, America did.’ The group, calling itself OPSEC, short for Operational Security, will also highlight the slew of national security leaks from the Obama administration, which Mitt Romney has also focused on. And in May, former and serving SEALS told MailOnline of their dismay that Obama had begun to use the killing of the terror mastermind to his own political advantage. Scroll down for video . Not in my name: Navy SEAL Ben Smith speaks out against the Obama administration's leaking of classified material . Spreading the message: OPSEC insists it is nonpartisan and not connected to any presidential campaign or political party . 'Intelligence and Special Operations members are angry and frustrated at how our work has been used for political advantage by officials across government, including President Obama himself who bears special responsibility as Commander in Chief,' Scott Taylor, chairman of OPSEC and a former SEAL, told Reuters. 'We want the American people to . understand the cost of these leaks and politicization both on those who . serve and on our national security and to hold those in positions of . leadership accountable if it doesn’t stop.' Last . month, Ryan Zinke, a retired SEAL commander and Republican state . senator, launched a new super PAC to run ads in swing states against . Obama. In 2004, the famous . Swift Boat ads of 2004 cast doubt on Senator John Kerry's Vietnam . service and could well have cost him the White House. Savvy: Obama pictured having breakfast today with military veterans in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Former Navy SEALs are to launch a national campaign criticizing him for using their work to his political advantage . Leaders of the OPSEC insist it is nonpartisan and not connected to any presidential campaign or political party. Its opening attack on Obama is a 22-minute film. In it, Ben Smith, a former SEAL, says: 'Mr. President, you did not kill Osama bin Laden, America did. The work that the American military has done killed Osama bin Laden. You did not. 'As a citizen, it is my civic duty to tell the president to stop leaking information to the enemy. It will get Americans killed.' The video also contains an emotional interview with Debbie Lee, mother of Marc Alan Lee, the first Navy SEAL to be killed in Iraq, to honor her son's sacrifice for his country. MailOnline was the first to report . dissatisfaction among SEALs with what they saw as Obama's unseemly . attempts to highlight his own role in the death of bin Laden. Zinke was among those interviewed. Sacrifice: Debbie Lee (left) speaks on the OPSEC video. Her son Marc Alan Lee (right, with his mother) was the first Navy SEAL killed in Iraq . Their dismay was triggered by an Obama campaign ad entitled 'One Chance'. In it President Bill Clinton was featured saying that Obama took 'the harder and the more honorable path' in ordering that bin Laden be killed. The words 'Which path would Mitt Romney have taken?' were then displayed. The White House also marked the first anniversary of the SEAL Team Six raid that killed bin Laden inside his compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan with a series of briefings and an NBC interview in the Situation Room designed to highlight the 'gutsy call' made by Obama. In a press conference, Obama trumpeted his personal role and implied that Romney, who in 2008 expressed reservations about the wisdom of sending troops into Pakistan, would have let bin Laden live. Critical: a group of former Navy SEALs has slated Obama for national security leaks including information surrounding the death of Osama bin Laden . Compromised: The video released by a group of military experts believes that the assassination of Osama bin Laden (left) was compromised by the speed in which President Obama (right) announced it to the country . 'I said that I'd go after bin Laden if we had a clear shot at him, and I did,' Mr Obama said. 'If there are others who have said one thing and now suggest they'd do something else, then I'd go ahead and let them explain it.' Obama has sought to capitalise on his foreign policy record on the stump, emphasising the death of bin Laden, the end of the Iraq war and his plans to pull troops out of Afghanistan. But Romney and other Republicans have pointed to media stories reports about secret drone attacks, informers within al Qaeda and cyber warfare attacks against Iran that have helped boost image as a strong leader. Combat: The new video suggests that Obama is fighting personal political battles using the work of the U.S. military . Intelligence: Retired CIA officer Dave LaMorte (left) and operative Simon (right), who could not reveal his identity, spoke of the dangers that the American military were being placed in because of government leaks . Scott Taylor, president of Special Operations OPSEC Education Fund Incorporated and a former SEAL who ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination for a congressional seat in Virginia in 2010, said his group was a 'watchdog organisation' but added that the Obama administration 'has certainly leaked more than others'. Fred Rustmann, a former CIA case and now OPSEC spokesman, said its focus on leaks was 'not a partisan concern' but the Obama administration had been leaking ‘to help this guy get re-elected, at the expense of peoples' lives', adding: 'We want to see that they don't do this again.' The Obama administration is pointing to a CNN interview last month in which Admiral William McRaven, who oversaw the raid, said: 'At the end of the day, make no mistake about it, it was the president of the United States that shouldered the burden for this operation, that made the hard decisions, that was instrumental in the planning process, because I pitched every plan to him.' | Ben Smith, former SEAL, says: 'It is my civic duty to tell the president to stop leaking .
information to the enemy. It will get Americans killed.'
Video released by OPSEC - short for Operational Security - which claims to be nonpartisan . |
9,245 | 1a340165f2c36a574e6e3a2dc79f5b2ba4b04a01 | This distressing last photograph of a dying mother of four crawling on a hospital floor in agony shocked the nation. Margaret Lamberty’s family complained she was ignored by medics and left to die in a side ward. Despite their pleas for an apology, the Royal Stoke University Hospital refused to admit any wrongdoing in the run-up to the 45-year-old’s death. Almost a year on, however, a damning report has confirmed that the family’s complaints were justified – and the hospital has been forced to say sorry. Shocking: Margaret Lamberty, who was pictured crawling on a hospital floor in agony, was overlooked by medics, a report has revealed . Mrs Lamberty, pictured with her eldest daughter Laura in 2012, died after doctors missed a treatable blood clot in her stomach . The independent report revealed that Mrs Lamberty was indeed repeatedly overlooked by medics who were ‘too busy’ to treat her. It found she died as a result of a treatable blood clot in her bowel that was missed due to ‘substandard management’, including a lack of record-taking. The results are vindication for Mrs Lamberty’s family who, following her death on April 30 last year, said: ‘Mum was failed by the doctors and the nurses. We are determined to get justice.’ Mrs Lamberty, who was a divorced grandmother of eight, was taken to casualty by her family with chronic stomach pain on April 27 last year. She was left for two hours with her pain registering a maximum score on a medical scale until she was finally given drugs to ease her distress, the report said. The Royal Stoke University Hospital refused to admit any wrongdoing in the run-up to Mrs Lamberty's death, but have now apologised . Mrs Lamberty is said to have crawled out to reception to plead for painkillers after staff told her daughter she could only have paracetamol . Staff at the hospital failed to check whether the medication was effective in the days up to her death, despite her pleas for a re-examination. At around 6pm, after Mrs Lamberty had been at the hospital for nine hours, her eldest daughter, Laura, 29, pressed an emergency buzzer as her mother screamed in pain. Vindicated: Mrs Lamberty's daughter Laura said the hospital made her family appear as if they were 'liars' She says she waited 30 minutes for assistance, but no one came to help, so she had to go to the reception desk to ask for more painkillers. Staff told her they couldn’t give her anything other than paracetamol. In desperation, her mother is alleged to have crawled on her hands and knees down the corridor to beg them for pain relief. Mrs Lamberty’s family told staff of her history of blood clots but medics failed to carry out a scan that would have detected the clot until it was too late, stated the report drawn up by a senior nurse and doctor. And when nurses sought to have her condition reassessed, she was denied an examination by senior doctors. Instead, Mrs Lamberty was left in a side ward. The report found her intestinal condition was ‘notoriously difficult to diagnose’. The stay-at-home mother left behind three other children: Sarah Lamberty, 27, Tony Hills, 19, and 14-year-old Gemma Riseley. Mark Hackett, the hospital’s chief executive, has issued an ‘unreserved apology’ and promised to learn from the mistakes. The hospital trust said the care given was unacceptable. But speaking on behalf of her family, mother-of-five Laura, from Chell Heath in Staffordshire, said: ‘They have made us out to be liars but these reports back up everything we say. ‘I don’t want to talk to the hospital again and will take these reports straight to our solicitor.’ The case has been referred to the General Medical Council. Mrs Lamberty’s death was the latest scandal at the hospital, built just three years ago at a cost of £400million. Great-grandmother Lillian Baddeley, 81, died eight months after catching four superbugs. And two premature babies died after contracting a bug because staff did not wash their hands. | Margaret Lamberty, 45, was pictured crawling on a hospital floor in agony .
Her family complained that she was ignored by medics and left to die .
But Royal Stoke University Hospital refused to admit any wrongdoing .
A year on, a damning report confirms the family's complaints were justified .
Medics were 'too busy' to treat the grandmother, who died of a blood clot .
Finally the hospital has been forced to say sorry to her distraught family . |
163,813 | 5fda7d2aa86954c7f033a1ca7dacc704e26477e2 | Pharrell has lent his support to six young people in Iran who've been arrested by government authorities for creating their own version of video for the hitmaker's number one song Happy. The video titled Happy in Tehran features them dancing in various locales just as in the original and is one of hundreds of covers of the hit made by fans around the world. But after the video hit YouTube and racked up close to 200,000 views with the help of Western news sites like the Huffington Post, authorities hunted down its stars, interrogated them in footage seen across the country and threw them in jail. Sad: These six young residents of Tehran have been arrested for remaking Pharrell's feel good hit video Happy . Pharrell responded to the shocking arrest late Tuesday in a tweet expressing is dismay . 'After a vulgar clip which hurt public chastity was released in cyberspace, police decided to identify those involved in making that clip,' said Tehran police chief Hossein Sajedinia according to the ISNA news agency. By Tuesday night, the Grammy award winning singer had weighed in on the controversy. 'It's beyond sad these kids were arrested for trying to spread happiness,' Pharrell tweeted, with a link to a New York Times blog story about the arrests. The arrests came despite the three men and three women trying to dial back their fame by setting their video to private when they realized it had angered Islamic authorities. 'Following a series of intelligence and police operations and after coordinating with the judiciary, all the suspects were identified and arrested,' said Sajedinia. The Iranians' rendition of the hit angered authorities who seemed to fear it was evidence of a new generation casting aside the old Islamic lifestyle for Western ideals (a still from the remake is at left, with Pharrell's original at right) Islamic law requires women to cover their heads in public. Authorities called the video 'vulgar' Their interrogations showed the women veiled and angry officers asking questions. Sajedinia said they 'confessed to their criminal acts.' Islamic law stipulates that women must cover themselves in public. The video appears to show three women dancing exuberantly to the hit on Tehran rooftops, sans headress. The move comes a perplexing time since just recently Iranian President Hassan Rouhani spoke publicly in support of loosening the state's cencorship of the internet. 'We ought to see (the Internet) as an opportunity. We must recognise our citizens' right to connect to the World Wide Web,' said Rouhani according to the official IRNA news agency. The young people were publicly shamed as their interrogation was aired on Iranian television along with clips of their video . Veiled: The three women from the video were seen veiled in the interrogation footage . 'After a vulgar clip which hurt public chastity was released in cyberspace, police decided to identify those involved in making that clip,' said Tehran police chief Hossein Sajedinia . 'Why are we so shaky? Why have we cowered in a corner, grabbing onto a shield and a wooden sword, lest we take a bullet in this culture war?' he said in his weekend speech. In a interview with IranWire last month prior to the arrests, one of the women explained that the video was meant as a celebration of Iran and to show that young people there have fun like they do anywhere. 'Despite all the pressures and limitations,' she said, 'young people are joyful and want to make the situation better. They know how to have fun, like the rest of the world.' | The young men and women were participating in a worldwide viral phenomenon when they created their version of the song 'Happy'
Called Happy in Tehran, the video was uploaded to YouTube and viewed over 165,000 until it attracted police attention .
Authorities broadcast their interrogation of the young people after their arrests .
One government officer called the playful video 'a vulgar clip which hurt public chastity' |
247,094 | cbc33a11c32fd0479615a6e29b3f65bd22ebc1be | By . Mark Duell . This is the emotional moment a grandfather-of-six finally came face-to-face with his long-lost sister for the first time. John Haydon, 72, of Bloxwich, West Midlands, was astonished when he received a message out of the blue from a woman from Tennessee claiming to be his sister. He spent his whole life thinking he was an only child, after the death of his baby brother resulted in his mother Eileen leaving their family home when he was aged just three. Full of joy: John Haydon, 72, meets Diane Messer, 58, at Birmingham New Street train station for the first time . Giving her a hug: Mr Haydon said he had 'been so nervous all morning' before meeting his long-lost sister . The moment: Mr Haydon, of Bloxwich, West Midlands, meets his long-lost sister Mrs Messer, of Tennessee, for the first time at Birmingham New Street train station on April 12 at 2.30pm . Mr Haydon grew up never knowing what . happened to his mother, despite his attempts to trace her. But he . received a message on Facebook from Diane Messer, 58, saying she was his . sister. Mr Haydon said: ‘I . was completely overwhelmed when I received the message online. I had . friends over at the time and I was completely speechless, which was a . first. ‘I had to . read the message over and over again before it finally settled in - I . had a sister. The realisation at my age can’t be put into words. ‘When . Diane messaged me she was asking about my mum. I was excited as I . thought maybe she knew her, but eventually she told me she was her . daughter. I couldn’t believe it. ‘I . still can’t get over it all now - I always wondered if my mum had . settled down again and if I had other family out there but I could never . find any information about where she had gone.’ Surprise: Mr Haydon he received a message on Facebook from Mrs Messer, saying she was his sister . Family: Mr Haydon spent his whole life thinking he was an only child, . after the death of his baby brother resulted in his mother Eileen . (pictured, left and right) leaving their family home when he was aged just three . On a boat: Eileen fled to France and worked as painter, before heading to the Caribbean and later to New York where she became a window dresser for Macy's department store . He has now learned that his mother fled to France and worked as painter, before heading to the Caribbean and later to New York where she became a window dresser for Macy’s department store. 'We pushed everyone out of the way and ran over to each other and had a huge hug. I finally felt like my life was complete' John Haydon . Eileen eventually settled down with Mrs Messer’s father, a GI from New Orleans in Louisiana, and had a happy life but never spoke of the family she had left behind. Mrs Messer had already planned her visit to Britain with her husband Doug - to visit her mother’s parents grave and to see where Eileen had grown up - before she even knew about her half-brother. Last month on April 12, the siblings met for the first time outside a WH Smith store at Birmingham New Street train station. Mr Haydon said: ‘I had been so nervous all morning. ‘Even though we had spoken for over six months online every day I was incredibly anxious. We pushed everyone out of the way and ran over to each other and had a huge hug. Memories shared: Mr Hayden and Mrs Messer have spent some time looking through photographs together . Connection: Mr Haydon and Mrs Messer speak through the video call app Facetime, send each other family photos of their mother and exchange stories . Happy: Mrs Messer (right) had already planned her visit to Britain before she even knew about Mr Haydon (left) ‘I finally felt like my life was complete. We have such a great relationship and already pull pranks on each other - like when she ordered pizza to my house because she knows I don’t like cheese. ‘I’m now planning my visit to Tennessee to go and visit Di and Doug. I can’t wait - we both finally have the family we always wanted.’ The siblings had been 4,000 miles apart and were only united after Mrs Messer looked into her family tree and contacted Mr Haydon. Mr Haydon had contacted countless family history websites over the years but struggled to put the pieces of the mystery together after his mother vanished. Two years ago he began saving for an iPad, in order to be able to make his own Facebook account. Just four weeks after Mr Haydon joined up to the social media site, he was contacted by Mrs Messer. Greeted: Mr Hayden and Mrs Masser were clearly delighted to meet each other for the first time, in Britain . Research: Mr Haydon (pictured in his twenties) had contacted countless family history websites over the years but struggled to put the pieces of the mystery together after his mother vanished . Link: Mr Haydon discovered that on his mother's death bed, she had asked Mrs Messer to wear her fondest necklace which she named Spike. This was Eileen's nickname for Mr Haydon when he was a little boy . Mrs Messer said: ‘It was fate that John got his iPad when he did. After our mother passed away some years ago when she was 89, I began to look into her family tree. ‘I was unsuccessful for many years but eventually I came across a website and within hours I found out about my mother’s history - her maiden name was Eileen Pinches and she had two sons. 'I discovered one son had died, but then it hit me - I had a brother out there somewhere' Diane Messer . ‘I discovered one son had died, but then it hit me - I had a brother out there somewhere. ‘I wanted to make sure John was my brother before I told him the bombshell that I actually was his half-sister, so we began speaking on Facebook first. ‘When I told him the news there was no response at first and I thought he’d had a heart attack but he finally responded with the words - “love you”.’ Mr Haydon and Mrs Messer have since spoken every day through the video call app Facetime and sent each other family photos of their mother and exchanged stories. In the stocks: Mr Haydon said the siblings 'have a great relationship and already pull pranks on each other' Smiles: They had been 4,000 miles apart and were only united after Mrs Messer looked into her family tree . Mr Haydon thought after his mother left she had completely forgotten about him. However he discovered the heart-rending news that on her death bed, his mother had asked Mrs Messer to always look after and wear her fondest necklace which she named Spike. Eileen’s nickname for Mr Haydon when he was a little boy was Spike. Mr Haydon said: ‘It’s great to know she never forgot me and she always had a piece of me with her. Me and Diane have worked together to try and piece together her life. ‘She really was quite the traveller. We’ve lost two or three years - and have no idea where she was or what she did, which will always remain a mystery.' | John Haydon received message from a woman claiming to be his sister .
Never knew what happened to his mother after she left him aged three .
But Diane Messer, 58, of Tennessee, tracked him down on Facebook .
They met for first time at Birmingham New Street station last month .
He has now learned his mother fled to France, Caribbean and the US . |
266,664 | e568d6fc735a3926b236bf5a438bff32bf89440d | The riots that left whole neighbourhoods up and down the country in a state of ruin last August were the worst civil disturbances for a generation. But reading crime figures released yesterday, it is almost as if the five days of widespread looting and violence never took place. Nearly half of the areas worst-affected by the riots saw crime fall during that month, according to Home Office statistics. In Croydon, where a 144-year-old furniture shop was one of dozens of buildings burned to the ground and a photo of a woman jumping from a first-floor inferno became one of the defining images of the riots, police recorded just seven disorder offences (as well as 423 other disorder-related offences). Defining image: A woman jumps from a burning building in Croydon during last summer's riots. Police in the ravaged London borough recorded just seven public disorder offences . The disparity comes down to the way officers recorded the avalanche of offences committed during the unrest. Some forces classified hundreds of feral thugs rampaging through different streets in the same city as just one incident of public disorder. Similarly, mass looting in which one person broke into a shop only to be followed by dozens more was recorded as a single offence. And not one force reported the offence of rioting, officially defined as '12 or more people who are present together use or threaten unlawful violence for a common purpose'. In a statement, the Home Office said: 'It is important to understand the basis of crime recording to appreciate the impact of the disorder incidents on crime statistics. 'Police record crimes according to the number of specific victims, rather than the number of offenders.' But Trevor Reeves, the owner of the 144-year-old Reeves Furniture Store in Croydon that was destroyed in an arson attack, slammed the police's method of recording crime as 'crazy'. 'You would expect a great big blip in the crime statistics after those five days of rioting,' he told the Telegraph. 'It is crazy to put down something like looting as one crime and is unnecessary. The whole world saw what was happening and to record it like this will just make them look ridiculous.' National shame: The disparity comes down to the methods used by police officers to record the avalanche of offences committed during the unrest . Croydon burning: The 144-year-old Reeves Furniture Store in flames after an arson attack. Police forces classified hundreds of feral thugs rampaging through different streets as just one incident of public disorder . Police in the London borough of Southwark recorded just one public disorder offence despite five days of unrest and 314 other offences. Officers in Manchester also said crime fell during August, despite recording 11 public disorder offences and 386 related crimes. A total of 184 incidents of violent disorder and 5,112 connected offences were recorded by police forces across England. Despite this, nine of the 15 worst affected councils recorded more crime in August 2010 than a year later. The figures did show that knifepoint robberies rose by 10 per cent last year and that one victim is held up by a knife-carrying criminal every 35 minutes. On the rise: The number of robberies committed at knife-point rose by 10 per cent in the year to September 2011, new figures show (picture posed by models) Senior officers have warned the attacks are carried out by muggers determined to steal smartphones and cash. Separate figures show a double digit rise in the number of pickpocket thefts – the biggest increase for nearly a decade. Across England and Wales, robbery rose by 4 per cent in the year to September 2011 compared with the previous 12 months. There were 15,313 knifepoint robberies in the same period – up 10 per cent from the 13,971 offences a year earlier, the crime statistics showed. Around half of all robberies took place in London and the most common items stolen were smartphones, bags and cash. The Metropolitan Police recorded a 13 per cent rise in robberies in the capital and West Midlands Police recorded a 10 per cent increase. Policing minister Nick Herbert said there are areas of concern and crime remains too high . Former Met commissioner Lord Stevens, who is chairing a commission into the future of policing set up by Labour, said the rise in crimes against the person was ‘a bit alarming’. He said: ‘I’m not surprised. It’s really worrying. We’ve got to get on top of them really quickly or you could run out of control.’ The British Crime Survey, based on a poll of more than 40,000 victims, suggested a 5 per cent rise in burglary, and a 7 per cent increase in car theft. Pickpocket thefts rose by 12 per cent . to nearly 600,000, while garden shed break-ins fuelled a 15 per cent . rise in other thefts of personal property. However, overall recorded crime fell fractionally. The number recorded was down by 4 per cent to 4.1million. Chief . Constable Jon Murphy, from the Association of Chief Police Officers, . said: ‘While incidents in violence against the person fell, a continued . cause for concern was the increase in pickpocketing, robbery and robbery . with knives.’ ‘This has . been driven by a rise in robberies of personal property and police will . want to focus on tackling these offences and offering crime-prevention . advice.’ Meanwhile, the number of murders and other killings rose by 5 per cent in the year to March 2011, said the Home Office. That . is a rise of 28 – taking the total number of violent deaths to 636, up . from 608 in 2009/10. The latter includes the 12 victims of the Cumbrian . shootings in June 2010 by Derrick Bird. Ministers . are set to introduce a ‘tough’ law meaning automatic jail for anyone . caught carrying a knife with the intention of using it to commit a . crime. Currently just one . in five of those caught carrying a knife is given a jail term. The rest . are handed community sentences, fines or other punishments. Policing . minister Nick Herbert said: ‘Today’s crime figures cannot be used to . show there is a long-term change in either direction. There are areas of . concern and, as we have consistently said, crime remains too high. ‘We know good policing makes a difference.’ This article has been amended to report the number of disorder-related offences recorded in the areas worst-hit by the riots as well as the number of disorder offences. The reference to official crime statistics being "airbrushed" has been removed from the headline. Justice Secretary Ken Clarke has introduced a number of measures to reduce the prison population . Ken Clarke (right) has come under constant attack over his money-saving plans to reduce the prison population by 3,000 by putting fewer offenders behind bars. He stunned the Tory conference in 2010 by announcing he wanted to scrap prison term of less than six months in favour of community sentences. That policy was heavily criticised last month after it emerged a quarter of criminals break their non-custodial punishments. Last year, the Justice Secretary caused outrage by suggesting that some rapes were more serious than others as he attempted to defend proposed shorter jail terms for some rapists. Then last May it was revealed that less than a third of convicted muggers and car thieves end up in jail. Furthermore, just over half of drug dealers go to prison – and only 43 per cent of those who have sex with a child under 13 are put behind bars. The row within the Tory Party itself about the Justice Secretary's approach re-emerged in October when Home Secretary Theresa May and Boris Johnson urged him to extend minimum jail terms to under-18s. However, he dismissed their call. A month later, it emerged that youth courts are jailing just one in four teenage muggers. Most young criminals are facing nothing harsher than rehabilitation, fines or community service. Even during the 'crackdown' over August's riots, the average sentence was well below two years. | Police in Croydon, one of the worst-hit areas, recorded 7 disorder offences (as well as 423 other disorder-related crimes)
Nine of 15 most affected areas said crime was down on a year earlier .
Not one force records rioting as an offence .
Figures also show knife-point robbery leapt by 10% in one year .
Around half of all robberies took place in London .
Common items stolen are smartphones, bags and cash . |
261,154 | de39bf95ba356e6878e0efb4c2362927f79fc0da | England's Nile Wilson won gold in a dramatic high bar final which was decided on a tie-break after he was given the same score as team-mate Kristian Thomas. Wilson was awarded the title due to his higher execution score as he and Thomas both scored 14.966, with Canada's Kevin Lytwyn winning bronze with 14.866. It meant the 18-year-old won his first individual gold medal of the Commonwealth Games after claiming team gold, parallel bars silver and all-around bronze. Glory: England's Nile Wilson (centre) claimed gold ahead of team-mate Kristian Thomas (left) Only just: Wilson pipped his team-mate on countback after having a higher execution score overall . Scotland's Baines finished in fourth place, with Keatings in sixth after a fall. Australia's Sean O' Hara was the first gymnast to compete but he lost momentum and came off the apparatus, remounting for a total that left him way off the pace. Canada's Anderson Loran then missed a catch and fell to the mat before taking another tumble as he aimed to produce some big skills, although he won the approval of the crowd if not the judges as he again resumed his routine. Wilson was up next and he nailed the first clean routine on the apparatus to put the pressure on Scotland's Keatings, who became the third man to hit the floor in the high-pressure finale. Quadruple: Wilson added a first individual title to his gold, silver and bronze medals he had already won . Keatings, who saw off the challenge of England's Whitlock and Louis Smith to win pommel horse gold, resumed his routine and scored 13.366 to briefly move into silver medal position. It was then the turn of Baines, who landed a clean routine of 14.566 to edge Scotland team-mate Keatings into bronze medal position. England's Thomas scored the same tally as Wilson but the younger member of the England squad held on to gold medal position on a tie-break as he had a higher execution score. Australia's Naoya Tsukahara finished fourth while Lytwyn claimed a last-gasp bronze, as Keatings fell away to sixth place. Score: Nile Wilson scored 14.966, as did Kristian Thomas but he had lower execution marks than team-mate . | Wilson and Thomas recorded the same score after competition of 14.966 .
Wilson won his first individual gold of Games with higher execution score .
He had already won team gold, parallel bars silver and all-around bronze .
Canada's Kevin Lytwyn won the bronze medal with 14.866 . |
250,210 | cfd0a6286de89c5bc8a658791d70db5cc2acb89d | Los Angeles (CNN) -- Actress Glenn Close said she is "distraught" that her image was used in one of a series of profanity- and slur-laden videos aboard the Navy's USS Enterprise. "The cynical, unauthorized use of my image in this video is deeply offensive and insulting, and was the result of a seemingly innocent request made during a visit to an aircraft carrier over four years ago," Close said, according to a statement from publicist Catherine Olim on Tuesday. In the videos, Navy Capt. Owen Honors is shown cursing along with other members of his staff in an attempt to demonstrate humor. There are also anti-gay slurs, simulated sex acts, and what appear to be two female sailors in a shower together. Excerpts from the videos and descriptions of their content were first published Saturday by The Virginian-Pilot newspaper in Norfolk, Virginia. Sailors told The Virginian-Pilot that Close was persuaded to make a short appearance on camera during her visit. Honors will be permanently relieved of his command of the ship, a top Navy commander said Tuesday. Honors was the executive officer -- or second in command -- of the USS Enterprise when the videos were made and had since taken command of the ship. An image from the video shows Close sitting in a chair, dressed in black and wearing what appears to be a "USS Enterprise" hat. The context of her appearance was not immediately clear. | Close says she visited the USS Enterprise more than four years ago .
Officials say Capt. Owen Honors produced profanity- and slur-laden videos .
The videos include anti-gay slurs and simulated sex acts .
Honors was relieved of his command of the ship . |
22,186 | 3efa3a9c43c46b668f86fdd79bb92481af5794a6 | NEW YORK (CNN) -- A New York nightclub hostess identified by a supermarket tabloid as Tiger Woods' mistress has called allegations that she is romantically involved with the golf superstar false and "ridiculous." In an interview published Tuesday, Rachel Uchitel told The New York Post that a disgruntled acquaintance sold the story to the National Enquirer and that "not a word of it is true." "I work in clubs, and I am a businesswoman," Uchitel said. "I do not have sex with celebrities, and I have not had an affair with Tiger Woods." Speculation has swirled around Woods since a wreck outside his Florida home early Friday left him with minor injuries and a citation for careless driving. The Florida Highway Patrol said Tuesday that its citation closes its investigation of the crash. Woods was not required to talk to state police about the wreck and did not sit for an interview with investigators. He issued a statement Sunday saying he alone was responsible for the crash and denouncing "the many false, unfounded and malicious rumors that are currently circulating about my family and me." Opinion: Woods is only human . The 33-year-old golf phenomenon has won the Masters tournament and the PGA tournament each four times, as well as three U.S. Open titles. Investigators have said they don't have details on why Woods was driving away from his home at such an early hour. A police report says the wreck was not alcohol-related. Uchitel said she has met Woods twice, once in her capacity as the VIP director at a club in Manhattan's trendy Meatpacking District and another time through a mutual friend. "That's my job: to know these people, to have a relationship with them, to hang out with them," she told the Post. "It doesn't mean I am having sex with them or an affair with them." She said the allegations "must feel horrible" to Woods' wife, Elin Nordegren. "The worst part of it, it's not true," Uchitel said. | NEW: Rachel Uchitel to New York Post: I met Woods only twice .
Nightclub hostess says tabloid allegations came from disgruntled acquaintance .
False rumor "must feel horrible" to Woods' wife, Uchitel says . |
55,874 | 9e5dd0b92e89e6591b51123aed20fb03521fe61b | Barcelona star Neymar and the rest of the Brazil squad have completed their final training session ahead of their clash with Austria. Dunga's side were put through their paces at the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna, where they will take on the European side on Tuesday night in a friendly. Neymar, 22 - who was recently made captain of the national side - was heavily involved in the action as the 2014 World Cup hosts prepared for their match against Marcel Koller's men. VIDEO Scroll down to see how Austria are preparing for Brazil . Barcelona star Neymar dribbles past his team-mates during their training session in Vienna, Austria . The players were training at the Ernst Happel Stadium, where they will play their friendly on Tuesday night . Willian practises his kick-ups while Neymar walks behind him during their session on Monday night . The five-time World Cup winners endured a miserable end to the tournament back in June. A humiliating 7-1 defeat at the hands of eventual winners Germany was followed by 3-0 loss to Louis van Gaal's Holland in the third-place play-off. But following former manager and captain Dunga's appointment as boss, Brazil have enjoyed a revival, winning all five of their games without conceding a goal. The victories included morale-boosting results against continental rivals Argentina and Colombia. Dunga will be hoping that trend continues on Tuesday against the Austrians, who themselves have not lost a game for over a year and are top of their Euro 2016 qualifying group. Chelsea's Filipe Luis, Neymar and Manchester City's Fernandinho take a break from training . Reports in Brazil suggested that thiago Silva was unhappy that the captaincy had been taken away from him . The only player who hasn't been happy with the recent circumstances surrounding the team is former captain Thiago Silva. The PSG defender told Brazilian media he was extremely unhappy that nobody had consulted him before Neymar was made captain of the side. Dunga, though, was predictably firm in his response to the central defender. 'I respect the history of each individual in the Brazil team but this is my way of working,' Dunga told reporters. 'Nobody loses out on anything when they are with the Brazilian team,' said the prickly coach. 'The Brazil team is the Brazil team, every day here has to be conquered; every single second, every single training session. 'We believe in hierarchy and in rules, so that everyone in the group gets on with everyone else,' he added. 'We believe in organising our work, we don't like improvisation.' The 22-year-old former Santos man takes a shot while the Brazil players play a training match . Brazil's star player, who has scored 42 goals in 59 international games, speaks to the press training . VIDEO Dunga hints at having more confidence in Neymar . | Brazil face Austria at the Ernst Happel Stadium in a friendly on Tuesday .
Dunga's side have won five games without conceding since the World Cup .
Austria are undefeated in over a year and top their Euro qualifying group .
Brazil captain Neymar then spoke to the press following the session . |
160,174 | 5b04d38e5016785d50a31e405acf0aab8e448ab1 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 16:35 EST, 23 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 16:52 EST, 23 October 2013 . The U.S. Navy has sold the nation's first ever 'supercarrier,' USS Forrestal, for a mere penny. The decommissioned aircraft carrier, aboard which 134 sailors died in a series of explosions and a massive fire in 1967, was snapped up for the bargain price by Texas company All Star Metals. All 1,067 foot of the ship will be dismantled, scrapped and recycled once it is towed from the Navy's inactive ship facility in Philadelphia to the company's facility in Texas later this year, the Navy announced. Sold: The Navy has sold the nation's first ever 'supercarrier,' USS Forrestal, pictured in 2010, for a mere penny . All Star Metals: The decommissioned aircraft carrier, pictured in 2010, was snapped up for the bargain price by Texas company All Star Metals . According to Fox News, more than 16,000 engineers, draftsmen and builders worked on the ship which cost an estimated $217 million - or $2 billion in today's dollars - to build. It launched on December 11, 1954. The ship - named after the former Navy secretary and the first U.S. Secretary of Defense, James Forrestal - was in the Gulf of Tonkin for the Vietnam War effort. On the morning of July 29, 1967, a stray voltage triggered a rocket to launch from an F-4 Phantom on the flight deck and struck an armed A-4 Skyhawk - piloted by a young Lt. Cmdr. John S. McCain III. Expensive: The ship, pictured in 1954 when it was launched, cost an estimated $217 million - or $2 billion in today's dollars - to build . Crowd: A crowd of some 3,000 persons gathered for the launching ceremonies of the USS Forrestal, pictured in 1954 . Big job: More than 16,000 engineers, draftsmen and builders worked on the ship, pictured left and right . On the high seas: The aircraft carrier USS Forrestal, pictured, was used for jet plane training exercises in the Caribbean in March 1956 before sailing to the Mediterranean to join the U.S. Sixth Fleet . The rocket ruptured the fuel tanks of . the plane, sparking a chain reaction of fires and explosions on the . deck, which was full of fueled up, parked aircrafts. The crew fought the blaze on the flight deck for an hour, but other fires continued into the next day. In . the aftermath, 134 men were killed and more than 300 injured. The ship . was heavily damaged, and more than 26 aircraft were destroyed and . another 30 damaged. The devastating fire, however, prompted changes to the way the Navy handles damage control and helped improve disaster training. It . took seven months of repairs in the shipyard before the supercarrier . was fit to return to sea, where it remained for two more decades. Horror day: USS Forrestal suffered heavy damage on July 29, 1967 when fire engulfing the ship exploded bombs and rockets of aircraft, killing 134 men . Ship: The remarkable supercarrier is pictured left and right in 1956 . However, the ship's rich history and nearly four decades of service are not enough to save it. After it was decommissioned on September 11, 1993 and stricken from the Naval Vessel Register, the Navy tried to donate the historic aircraft carrier for use as a memorial or a museum, but no 'viable applications' were received. 'It's something that the Navy is caught between a rock and a hard place,' historian for the USS Forrestal Association and a survivor of the 1967 incident Ken Killmeyer said, according to Fox News. 'They have to have these vessels no matter how big or small they are, and they use them as you would your car until they’re no longer financially viable. So, they decommission them.' | The decommissioned USS Forrestal was snapped up for the bargain price by Texas company All Star Metals on Tuesday .
All 1,067-feet of the ship will be dismantled, scrapped and recycled once it is towed from the Navy's inactive ship facility in Philadelphia to the company's facility in Texas later this year .
Some 16,000 engineers, draftsmen and builders worked on the ship which cost $217 million - or $2 billion in today's dollars - to build in 1954 .
On July 29, 1967, a stray voltage triggered a rocket to launch from an F-4 Phantom on the flight deck, which sparked fires that killed 134 men . |
160,036 | 5ad86aa86ed578b6e761869f2b9d3e6aad645708 | (CNN) -- Ecuador is the latest country to recognize an independent Palestinian state. The government said on Friday that President Rafael Correa recognized "the Palestine State as free and independent within its borders since 1967." Others countries -- such as Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay -- recently made the same move. These diplomatic initiatives come after the breakdown of direct peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians. Palestinians have been seeking international recognition of an independent state, a strategy to achieve statehood outside the framework of talks with Israel. "Sadly, the Middle East continues to face wars and violent events that have led to the death of many innocent people, a situation contrary to the humane and pacifist position established by the Ecuadorian Constitution. This recognition is meant to reinforce the valid and legitimate wish of the Palestine people to have their own free and independent state," the Ecuadorian government said. Ecuador said the acknowledgment of such a state has been legitimized by U.N. Security Council resolutions, numbers 242 and 338, and an Arab peace initiative adopted in the 2002 Beirut Summit. The recognition of an independent Palestine, the government said, "will be fundamental to achieve the peaceful co-existence of the nations in the region through dialogue and mediation." | Other South American nations recognized a Palestinian state .
Palestinians have recently requested state recognition .
This comes amid a breakdown in talks with Israel . |
111,400 | 1ba46748669e296174e0217a3929e79c26828002 | (CNN) -- A Florida man in custody in Haiti faces first-degree murder charges in the deaths of his wife and five children, authorities said Tuesday. Police have obtained a warrant to arrest Mesac Damas, 33, on suspicion of six counts of first-degree murder. Police obtained a warrant overnight to arrest Mesac Damas, 33, on suspicion of six counts of first-degree murder, the Collier County, Florida, Sheriff's Office said in a statement. "This warrant was obtained based on information and evidence collected thus far in the investigation and statements made by Damas to a federal agent after his detention in Haiti," the statement said. The body of Damas' wife, Guerline Damas, 32, was found Saturday in the family's North Naples, Florida, home, along with those of the couple's five children -- Michzach, 9; Marven, 6; Maven, 5; Megan, 3; and Morgan, 11 months, police said. Authorities have not said how the five were killed, but Collier County Sheriff Kevin Rambosk described the scene as "horrific." Police released few new details in the case at a Tuesday news conference, except to say they think the killings were premeditated. They added that under the law, "premeditated" does not necessarily mean a crime was planned far in advance. Damas was last seen about 9 p.m. Thursday at the Naples restaurant where he was employed as a cook, authorities said. On Friday, he is thought to have arrived at Miami International Airport about 7 a.m. He boarded a flight for Haiti about 10 a.m., Rambosk said. His car was found at the airport. He purchased a one-way ticket to Haiti, police said Tuesday. Police had asked the FBI and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for help in finding Damas. The FBI's legal attaché in the Dominican Republic notified Collier County authorities that a man believed to be Damas was taken into custody Monday by the Haitian National Police. "Information obtained by CCSO shows Damas was found hiding near a hotel in the capital city of Port-au-Prince," a sheriff's statement said Tuesday. The judge who signed the warrant ordered that Damas be held without bond upon his return to Collier County, authorities said. If convicted of six counts of first-degree murder, Damas could face life in prison or the death penalty. Collier County investigators are traveling to Port-au-Prince on Tuesday to interview Damas, the statement said. Rambosk said authorities are looking into two options to return Damas to Florida: following the normal extradition process, or having him deported from Haiti, since he is a U.S. citizen. Mesac and Guerline Damas had a history of domestic violence, police said. Mesac Damas was arrested in January, and pleaded no contest to misdemeanor battery charges against his wife in June. Police said they did not believe he served any jail time, and did not think a restraining order was currently in place regarding the couple. However, an arrest warrant was issued Monday for Damas on charges of violating probation stemming from the January arrest. The Damases had been married about 10 years, Rambosk said. He did not know how long they had lived in Naples. The six bodies were found about 6:30 p.m. Saturday, a day after police had visited the home to check on the family, Collier County sheriff's Capt. Chris Roberts said. A family member asked police to conduct a welfare check on the home Friday, saying a resident there had not been heard from, Roberts said. Responding officers knocked on the door and got no answer, he said, but they saw nothing that aroused their suspicions. The following morning, the family member became more concerned and filed a missing persons report, Rambosk said. Later, authorities requested a key to the house from property management, as well as authorization to enter. Rambosk said Tuesday the victims' family members are "extremely emotional and distraught." | NEW: At a news conference, police say they think killings were premeditated .
Mesac Damas charged with first-degree murder in deaths of wife, 5 children .
Six bodies found Saturday in family's North Naples, Florida, home, police say .
Damas, 33, captured Monday in Haiti; authorities are headed there to interview him . |
70,416 | c797048767b09ed3bf8dacb85fb0640a7c69685d | By . Katy Dartford . PUBLISHED: . 11:30 EST, 17 August 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 03:44 EST, 18 August 2012 . A wife with a 'fiery temper' who killed her husband by setting fire to him in bed has been found guilty of murder. Georgina Pontes Furtado Vilela, 47, was sentenced to 23 years in prison after being convicted of murder and arson with intent to endanger life at Wolverhampton Crown Court earlier today. During the two week trial the court heard how HIV-positive Vilela had suffered from depression and felt 'like an incomplete woman' as a result of not being able to bear Mr Vilela children. Georgina Pontes Furtado Vilela (left) was found guilty of murder after setting alight to her husband, Carlos Vilela (right) after she discovered he had fathered a lovechild . The serious house fire she started happened while four of her step-daughters were also in the home. It had been started in the first floor back bedroom by Georgina, from Walsall, who is believed to have deliberately poured petrol on her 45-year-old husband Carlos, as he lay on the bed. She then left the property and watched as neighbours and emergency services battled to rescue Carlos and four of his six daughters, aged 13 to 21, who were all trapped inside. The most seriously injured daughter, Josefina . then aged 14, suffered 60 per cent burns in the blaze and had to be . rescued from inside the house by the fire service. She . was resuscitated by emergency services at the scene and has only . recently been discharged from hospital, with life changing injuries. Carlos Vilela was killed in a house fire at his home in Pleck Road, Walsall in March, last year . One of the daughters, aged 17 at the time, suffered a broken pelvis and leg after she jumped from the first floor window. The . 21-year-old daughter suffered smoke inhalation as well as cuts and . bruises, while a 13-year-old girl was rescued by neighbours as she . climbed onto a porch roof. Judge . John Warner sentenced Vilela to life for the charge of murder with a . minimum sentence of 23 years and 10 years to run concurrently for the . charge of arson with intent to endanger life. He . said: 'You are 47 years of age, a lady of previous good character. The . jury have convicted you of murdering your husband and for arson with . intent to endanger life. 'You . killed your husband in the most horrific way by throwing petrol on him . from the container you bought in the week before the murder. 'You set fire to him on the bed you . and he shared. It was a very serious fire. Your four stepdaughters were . in the house at the time and you knew it. 'Helena fractured her leg and pelvis . escaping the fire. Josefina, now aged 15, had to be rescued by . firefighters and received catastrophic injuries. 'Both her legs had to be amputated at . the knee and her arm as well. She remains in hospital. Her life has . been totally ruined by what you have done. ' Georgina Vilela poured petrol on her husband after finding out he had fathered a love child and then set their Walsall home alight, killing him and seriously injuring his daughter . Your husband was in a vulnerable . position and at your mercy with that lethal source of petrol and . ignition that you used to such a devastating effect and you did intend . to kill him. 'The act of setting fire to him was . something you had contemplated for some time before you did it and at . the time we have heard you had conversations with your stepdaughters . about wanting to appear in the newspapers or TV.' Detective Sergeant Rob Bastin, from . the Major Investigation Review Team, said 'This tragic event has clearly . devastated the family and has had a significant effect on the community . around them. 'I would like . to thank all of the emergency workers who attended the scene on that . tragic morning, in particular the fire service, whose efforts saved the . life of the 14-year-old girl trapped inside. 'I also want to pay tribute to the community spirited neighbours who helped rescue the girls, who, without their help, may not have survived. 'This was a horrific case, in which Viella acted in a cold and calculating way. We have evidence of her buying petrol from a garage a couple of days before the murder. 'This was a premeditated act, which left six daughters without a father and at least one of those girls with life changing injuries.' Carlos Vilela’s had moved to England in 2006 from Portugal, settling in Walsall a year later. They said 'We are pleased that justice has been done for our much missed father Carlos and for all the people that Georgina put at risk by her actions. 'However, we do forgive Georgina for what she did and we are now looking forward to moving on with our lives to a positive future. 'We would like to thank our family, friends and all the different authorities who have helped and supported us through this difficult time. West Midlands Fire Service, West Midlands Police, Joseph Leckie School, our church and particularly Birmingham Children’s Hospital, for their wonderful care of Josefina following her injuries.' | Georgina Vilela to serve a minimum of 23 years in prison for murder .
She must also serve a ten-year sentence concurrently for arson .
Four of Vilela's step-daughters were also in the home at the time . |
271,539 | ebb68c47f045c196f3c188abd0997196e0f54431 | He has dedicated more than two decades of his life to the hunt for the elusive Loch Ness monster, spending 60 hours a week on the water. And now George Edwards believes he has finally fulfilled his ambition of spotting 'Nessie'; he even photographic evidence to prove it. Mr Edwards, who has spent 26 years on his quest, managed to capture this image of a dark hump slinking in and out of the lake's waters from the deck of his boat, Nessie Hunter, before it vanished back into the deep. He claims the picture is the best-ever taken of the Loch Ness Monster and proves once and for all that . the elusive leviathan exists - and is definitely not a sturgeon. Last October, the man who took a picture billed as 'the best ever taken of the Loch Ness monster' admitted it was a fake. George Edwards, 61, insisted the image, pictured, published worldwide in August 2012 had been 'just a bit of fun'. The alleged shots of the monster had, in fact, been a fibre glass hump . 'Unequivocal': George, left, says he has even had the picture independently verified by a team of US military monster experts as well as a Nessie sighting specialist . He says he has even had it . independently verified by a team of US military monster experts as well . as a Nessie sighting specialist. Mr Edwards spends his life on the loch - . around 60 hours a week - taking tourists out on his boat Nessie Hunter . IV, and has led numerous Nessie hunts over the years. 'I was just about to return to Temple . Pier (in Drumnadrochit) and I went to the back of the boat which was . facing the pier and that’s when I saw it,' said 60-year-old Mr Edwards, a . lifelong believer in the monster. The Loch Ness Monster has been the subject of many sightings in the Scottish Highlands. Some experts believe that the beast . represents a line of long-surviving plesiosaurs, a type of carnivorous . aquatic reptile from millions of years ago. Nessie . is similar to other supposed lake monsters in Scotland and elsewhere, . though its description varies from one account to the next. There have been hundreds of supposed sightings over the years. Most, however, have been dismissed as hoax or fantasy. One of the most accepted explanations is that the monster is in fact a giant sturgeon (pictured), which can grow up to 12 feet long. Others include eels, bird wakes, seals, trees, logs, submarines, dogs with sticks - even an elephant. 'It was slowly moving up the loch towards Urquhart Castle and it was a dark grey colour. It was quite a fair way from the boat, probably about half a mile away but it’s difficult to tell in water.' After watching the object for five to ten minutes, Mr Edwards said it slowly sank below the surface and never resurfaced. 'I’m convinced I was seeing Nessie as I believe in these creatures. Far too many people have being seeing them for far too long,' he said. 'The first recorded sighting was in 565AD and there have been thousands of eye witness reports since then. 'All these people can’t be telling lies. And the fact the reports stretch over so many years mean there can’t just be one of them. I’m convinced there are several monsters.' Steve Feltham, who has dedicated the past 21 years to hunting for Nessie was unequivocval. 'It is the best photograph I think I have ever seen,' he said. From his base on Dores beach and has studied many Nessie sighting photographs. 'I think the images are fantastic - that’s the animal I have been looking for all this time,' he said yesterday. 'I would say it doesn’t prove what Nessie is, but it does prove what Nessie isn’t, a sturgeon which is a fish that has been put forward as one of the main explanations as to what Nessie could be but this hasn’t got a serrated spine like the sturgeon. Mr Edwards attempted to use his vessel’s sonar to make a contact but to no avail. Claim: At the time, Mr Edwards said he saw the monster slowly moving up the loch towards Urquhart Castle, pictured, before submerging under water after around 10 minutes . 'I hung around for a good half-an-hour and used the deep scanning sonar to try and pick it up, but I’m afraid I had no luck at all.' Mr Edwards took the photo at 9am on 2nd November last year on a compact Samsung digital camera that he always keeps on the boat. Before releasing it publicly he sent it to the USA for analysis, though he can’t reveal further details. 'I did not want to mention my sighting until I was sure that I had not photographed a log or something inanimate in the water,' he said. 'I have friends in the USA who have friends in the military. 'They had my photo analysed and they have no doubt that I photographed an animate object in the water. I was really excited as I am sure that some strange creatures are lurking in the depths of Loch Ness.' The Loch Ness Monster has been a subject of mass intrigue and debate since it came to . the world's attention in 1933. Scientists have widely written off the idea as a modern-day myth and continued sightings as set ups and wishful thinking. Yet it has remained a contested phenomenon for almost 80 years. Perhaps the most famous picture of . Nessie was taken by Robert Kenneth Wilson, a London gynaecologist (pictured left). It . was published in the Daily Mail on 21 April 1934. The picture showed what looked like a long neck and head rising from the water. However, it turned out to be a toy submarine bought from Woolworths with a head and neck made of wood in an elabourate hoax by big-game hunter Marmaduke Wetherell in an act of revenge on the newspaper that had ridiculed him over his hapless search for the beast. The earliest report of a monster in the vicinity of Loch Ness appears in the Life of St Columba by Adomnán, written in the 7th century. St Columba, an Irish monk, had sent a disciple into the loch to prove there was nothing there. But the monster rose and chased the man snapping at his heels. But it fled in terror 'as if pulled back by ropes' when St Columba made the sign of the cross and commanded: 'Go no further. Do not touch the man. Go back at once.' Marmaduke Wetherell, seated, is pictured studying a chart of the Loch Ness in a search for the Loch Ness Monster. He was said to have faked the most famous picture in revenge for bad publicity . In November 1933, Hugh Gray was the first to picture something splashing in the water. Four . stumpy-looking objects on the bottom of the creature's body appeared to . look like appendages, such as flippers. It was later suggested the . creature was a dog, possibly holding a stick. In 1938, G. E. Taylor, a South African tourist, filmed something in the loch for three minutes on 16 mm colour film. His picture was declared 'positive evidence' by a famous biologist and cryptozoologist. In 1960, aeronautical engineer Tim Dinsdale filmed a hump crossing the water leaving a powerful wake. Dinsdale allegedly spotted the animal on . his last day hunting for it, and described the object as reddish with a . blotch on its side. In May 2007, Gordon Holmes, a . 55-year-old lab technician, captured video of what he said was 'this jet . black thing, about 45 feet long, moving fairly fast in the water'. The film, though, has been cast into . doubt. Holmes has been criticised for claiming the existence of . fairies. Another expert later claimed the film actually shows otters . swimming in the loch. Questions: This is the sonar image that revived belief that there's something unexplained out there, taken by skipper Marcus Atkinson in February . In February 2012, a sonar image of a . large mystery object deep below the surface of Loch Ness netted boat . skipper Marcus Atkinson the Best Nessie Sighting of The Year Award - the . first time in several years it has been presented by bookmaker William . Hill. The sonar picture, that shows a large . unidentified living object deep underwater, was recorded by Loch Ness . boat skipper Marcus Atkinson. Mr Atkinson’s . sonar fish-finder device records the width of objects in the depths . directly below his tourist boat every quarter of a second. | George Edwards has hunted Nessie for 26 years and holds tours of the Loch .
He even says image was verified by team of US military monster experts .
A Nessie sighting specialist has backed his claims, adding: 'It proves Nessie is definitely NOT a sturgeon' |
15,025 | 2aaa8d03cd52f50ed7bd9fb0fab824db8906a678 | By . Associated Press . A growing number of American homes are keeping African pygmy hedgehogs as pets. Here are some questions and answers about the small animals whose backs and sides are covered with about 6,000 quills that are considerably shorter, but harder and sharper, than those of a porcupine. Furry friend: Hedgehogs, like this one bred in Massachusetts, are growing in popularity as household pets . WHERE DO THEY COME FROM? The breed is a hybrid of the four-toed hedgehog or African white-bellied hedgehog and the Algerian hedgehog. The scientific name is Atelerix albiventris. Its natural habitat is central, eastern and southern Africa. It is now illegal to import them into the United States, meaning the current breeding stock cannot be expanded. Bristly: Hedgehogs weigh one to two pounds and are covered in tiny quills, with a soft, fur underbelly . WHAT DO THEY LOOK LIKE? An adult African pygmy hedgehog is six to 11 inches long and weighs one to two pounds. A relaxed one is generally oval, with a very short tail and short limbs that keep the body close to the ground. When threatened or disturbed, it contracts a series of muscles, rolls into a ball and forces its quills out in all directions. Female hedgehogs are slightly larger than males. The face and underside are covered with a soft, white fur. Ready to play: While cartoons depict hedgehogs as constantly rolled in a ball, the animals are typically oval-shaped until they feel threatened . WHAT DO THEY EAT? In the wild, the hedgehog feeds mainly on insects. It also eats earthworms, snails and slugs, as well as small snakes and frogs. Pet owners feed cat food to domesticated hedgehogs. Feeding frenzy? While hedgehogs eat worms in the wild, domesticated ones are free to eat cat food . HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO MAKE ONE? Their gestation period is about 35 days. Hedgehogs are born in litters of two to ten, each bearing soft white quills that do not injure the mother during birth. The U.S. Department of Agriculture requires anyone breeding at least three hedgehogs to get a license. | It is now illegal to import them into the United States, meaning the current breeding stock cannot be expanded . |
128,355 | 31e17bea26b1eee169761e0e2065f40803f4f80b | An 18-month-old child in Massachusetts suffocated to death from a plastic bag that was placed over her head during a mayonnaise lice remedy (file photo) An 18-month old child in Massachusetts suffocated to death from a plastic bag was placed over her mayonnaise-covered head during a home treatment for head lice. The girl had apparently fallen asleep when the bag slipped down and covered her face, asphyxiating her. Springfield officers said the infant was left unattended for hours before anyone checked on her. There was a second child in the house who had lice at the same time but the family decided to shave his head. Sgt. John Delaney said police responded to a call last Saturday that a child was not breathing, according to Masslive.com. Police have not filed charges and the matter is under investigation. The Massachusetts Department of Children and Families is also investigating the incident. Public information director Cayenne Isaksen said any children in the house had been removed and are currently in a relative's care. She would not specify how many children were living in the residence. Mayonnaise is listed as a common home remedy for head lice on a number of web sites, but most suggest the treatment be carried out with a shower cap. The CDC states that individuals infected with lice should be treated with over-the-counter or prescription medication. It says it does not have sufficient scientific evidence to determine if head lice can effectively be treated with mayonnaise. Deborah Altschuler, president of the National Pediculosis Association (the scientific name for lice), discouraged any home remedy treatments involving plastic bags. 'We've been warning the public about this since the first time it was recommended,' she told the Daily Mail Online. 'Plastic around a child's head is a bad idea no matter what, especially if you're going to put them to bed that way.' Altschuler said the most effective treatment for head lice was 'early detection and manual removal' and she discouraged against 'pesticide' medications. She said if parents 'know what to look for' before their children have it and use a good comb to screen hair, they'll get to the head lice early enough that it becomes a non-problem. | 18-month-old was left unsupervised for hours, say Massachusetts police .
Another child in home had lice but family shaved his head .
Department of Children and Families said any children from the home are now in care of relative and that they are investigating .
National Lice Association president says plastic bags are always bad idea . |
115,953 | 21abc3b6728d54c6f4cd3106760ace8c8891912d | James Ward-Prowse has shown his determination to make a swift comeback from injury after hitting the gym... wearing his foot brace. The Southampton starlet was ruled out for 10 weeks after he suffered a fractured foot in his team's 1-0 Premier League win against Swansea in September. But while he would be forgiven for putting his feet up at home, the 19-year-old midfielder is wasting no time in his rehabilitation as he lifts heavy weights in the Saints' fitness room. VIDEO Scroll down to watch James Ward-Prowse's 25-yard screamer . James Ward-Prowse hits the gym while wearing a protective boot on his fractured left foot . Posting a picture on Twitter, Ward-Prowse wrote: 'At the #gym, pushing hard to return fitter and stronger for both @SouthamptonFC and @england!!' The Southampton academy product will be missed by Gareth Southgate this Friday at Molineux. Ward-Prowse has started all but one of England's Under 21s European Championship qualifiers but will miss the crunch two-legged play-off clash against Croatia. Ward-Prowse was injured in the 1-0 win against Swansea in September . The Saints youngster fractured his foot in this challenge against Swansea's Angel Rangel . Southampton boss Ronald Koeman, speaking after Ward-Prowse suffered the injury blow in September, has tipped the youngster to come back stronger. 'It's unlucky but okay,' said the Dutchman. 'The boy has to keep going and it's difficult because he had a great start to the season. 'But it's part of the football and he will come back'. | James Ward-Prowse works out with foot brace in bid to return to fitness .
Saints midfielder fractured his foot against Swansea in September .
Ward-Prowse was ruled out for 10 weeks with the injury .
19-year-old tweets: 'pushing hard to return fitter and stronger' |
263,077 | e0be32eec923fae24239a18e8beba98ece107f92 | (CNN) -- Could we one day live underwater? Ask Fabien Cousteau -- a month from now. Cousteau, grandson of underwater explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau, is spending the rest of June in Aquarius, the world's only underwater marine lab, 63 feet beneath the ocean's surface near Key Largo, Florida. Cousteau and a small team of researchers -- they like the term "aquanauts" -- will spend the month living together in cramped quarters while studying how climate change and pollution affect ocean life. The monthlong operation is called Mission 31, named for the number of days they will live underwater. "I hope this will spawn a new focus on ocean exploration, whether it's living in a habitat or beyond," said Cousteau. He'll be assisted by more than 30 support staff, including filmmakers and researchers from Florida International University, which operates the Aquarius lab. "It takes 24 people topside just to have six people down below for 31 days, just like NASA does for the International Space Station," Cousteau said. Some 50 years ago, Jacques Cousteau and a team of underwater researchers lived for a record 30 days in an ocean lab known as Conshelf II at the bottom of the Red Sea. With Mission 31, Fabien Cousteau hopes to honor his grandfather's legacy while beating his record by one day. The project also marks the first opportunity for fans to follow an underwater Cousteau expedition in real time. Thanks to Internet connectivity inside Aquarius, Fabien Cousteau hopes to reach millions of people through Skype, Instagram, Twitter chats and classroom sessions via streaming video at mission-31.com. We had a rare opportunity to visit Cousteau as he was undertaking his mission and get a glimpse of Aquarius, a lab that has been used by NASA astronauts in pre-mission training. The 81-ton lab sits on stilts and resembles some kind of underwater machinery that's covered with algae, barnacles and other growths. Schools of fish, a stingray, tarpons, a nurse shark and a 300-pound grouper cruise by as we descend the 63 feet to the lab. We enter through something called a moon pool, a small chamber that leads to the entrance of Aquarius. Going quickly from underwater to inside, we begin breathing normal air, but our bodies are still pressurized, so they're reacting to dive-like conditions underwater. Because of that, our time is limited before we have to go to the surface. At 400 square feet, the lab is the size of a small studio apartment. The air conditioning is broken, and you can feel the humidity. "You might find this to be a little weird and trippy, but I actually feel at home down here," Cousteau said upon greeting us. "It is amazing. I couldn't imagine a better house than one under sea." Looking around, we see packets of dehydrated food and chips, which will feed the crew, who can't cook anything. To heat a pan could cause a spark, which is too risky with all the flammable oxygen around. But while the meals are basic, the technology is advanced. The lab and control room are equipped with Wi-Fi, which lets Cousteau use Skype and remain in contact with the world above. There are 4K cameras and dozens of GoPros, along with numerous computers. There's also a refrigerator and a half-dozen bunk beds. A few personal mementos, like family snapshots, are sprinkled around. There are many things scientists already know about what happens when humans spend a lot of time underwater. Weird things. After about 10 days, for example, you start to lose your sense of taste. Your hair grows faster, your voice is higher -- due to atmospheric pressure -- and for some reason you can't whistle (try and you will fail). After scuba diving for six to eight hours a day, you sleep like a baby. That may be helpful, considering Cousteau's team is conducting the longest underwater sleep study to date. Their sleep cycles are monitored constantly with smartwatches. While all this research is important, there's one question that still lingers: What is the point of a mission like this? Cousteau said it's about more than just breaking records. "I hope I am a firestarter, because at the end of the day, who wouldn't want to be an aquanaut?" he said. "I mean, this is just an amazing place. It's our final frontier. We've explored less than 5% of our oceans, so there's a lot left to do out there." | Fabien Cousteau is living in a marine lab 63 feet beneath the ocean's surface near Florida .
Cousteau is a grandson of underwater explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau .
Mission 31 is named for the number of days his team will live underwater .
They will study how climate change and pollution affect ocean life . |
140,346 | 417991948a0951206159c6da6708fd3ce7baf31e | By . Jason Groves, Chief Political Correspondent . David Cameron is facing a Tory rebellion of up to 20 MPs today as he tries to head off calls to hold a referendum on Europe next year. Maverick Tory Adam Afriyie last night indicated he would defy the Prime Minister and force a Commons vote as he tries to make the PM hold a referendum before the 2015 general election. Mr Cameron has pledged to hold the referendum by the end of 2017. Maverick: Adam Afriyie, left, has called on David Cameron to hold a referendum before the next election in 2015 . In a letter to MPs, Mr Afriyie said: ‘This is Conservative MPs’ last chance to try to secure a referendum. If we don’t take this opportunity we risk sleepwalking to election defeat by driving voters to Ukip.’ Mr Afriyie has come under intense pressure from Downing Street and some Eurosceptics to drop his amendment to James Wharton’s private member’s bill, which aims to enshrine in law Mr Cameron’s pledge to hold an in/out referendum on Europe by the end of 2017. Senior Tories fear his intervention could reduce the chance of the legislation becoming law and fuel public perceptions that the Tories remain divided on Europe. His decision to push for a vote today means Tory MPs now face the prospect of being asked to vote against a potential referendum next year in order to keep the Prime Minister’s plans on track. A number of prominent Eurosceptics rounded on Mr Afriyie during a stormy meeting of the backbench 1922 Committee on Wednesday night, urging him to back down for the sake of party unity. Veteran Eurosceptic MP Bill Cash said Mr Alfriyie's challenge threatened to break the Tories' united front . His decision to push for a vote today means Tory MPs now face the prospect of being asked to vote against a potential referendum next year in order to keep the Prime Minister’s plans on track. One source said as many as 20 Tory MPs could vote with Mr Afriyie. Conservative Peter Bone: 'It's not a Tory split - we all want a referendum' ‘The trouble is there are people in marginal seats, with Ukip breathing down their necks, who don’t want to be seen voting against a referendum in any circumstances,' the source added. A poll last night showed one third of Tory members support Mr Afriyie’s plan. The survey by the grassroots website ConservativeHome found that 35 per cent of members want a referendum on Europe to be held in October next year. A further 22 per cent want the referendum held before the Prime Minister’s planned date of 2017. Just 35 per cent fully back Mr Cameron’s timetable. Tory MP Peter Bone last night said: ‘It’s not a Tory split – we all want a referendum, this would just bring it forward before the election.’ But veteran Eurosceptic Bill Cash warned the amendment could derail the Conservative Party’s concerted bid to finally hold a referendum on Europe. Mr Cash said: ‘It is a very difficult issue. Many people would like to see a referendum before the election - I am one of them. ‘But there are a number of practical difficulties and there is also the issue of party unity. We have been united from top to bottom on this - how will it look if we end up looking disunited again?’ The Liberal Democrats have refused to support Mr Cameron’s plans, forcing the Conservatives to use a private member’s bill to try to get his pledge into law. Labour opposes Mr Cameron’s plan to hold a referendum in 2017 but has so far abstained in votes on Mr Wharton’s bill. However, the legislation faces a difficult route to becoming law, as it could easily be blocked in the House of Lords. | Maverick Adam Alfriyie leading charge to hold in-out vote two years earlier .
He told MPs: 'We risk sleepwalking to defeat by driving voters to Ukip'
Prime Minister has already committed to holding EU referendum in 2017 . |
189,465 | 8159c64c95b98fe5d1bb46a61e8001061728a71a | A 17-year-old cheerleader who 'always had a smile on her face' has died from an inoperable brain tumor - one year after she was given the devastating diagnosis. Nina Poeta, a senior at Seymour High School in Connecticut, went to the doctors in November 2013 after suffering severe headaches while performing her routines. She was referred for an MRI scan at Yale New Haven Hospital, during which medics discovered a cancerous mass on her brain. Because of the tumor's location, it could not be surgically removed. Scroll down for video . Tragic: Nina Poeta (pictured, left and right, in her cheerleading attire), a senior at Seymour High School in Connecticut, has died from an inoperable brain tumor - one year after she was given the diagnosis . High school senior: The teenager (pictured with a male friend before a school dance) was referred for an MRI scan in November 2013 after suffering severe headaches while performing her cheerleading routines . For the following year, Miss Poeta, also a gymnast, underwent dozens of rounds of radiation while incredibly keeping up her cheerleading career at the school in Botsford Road, Seymour. But now, after a 'strong' battle with her cancer, she has passed away at home, surrounded by her mother, Dorie, father, John, and sister, Cara, according to WTNH.com. On a Facebook page set up to track the teenager's progress, dubbed 'Poeta Strong', a close family friend wrote: 'It is with broken hearts that we share the news of Nina's passing. 'Nina was at home surrounded by her mom and dad and her sister, Cara. It was a calm and peaceful moment at 11pm on November 1st, All Saints' Day. Undergoing treatment in hospital: During the MRI scan at Yale New Haven Hospital, medics discovered a cancerous mass on Miss Poeta's brain. Because of the tumor's location, it could not be surgically removed . Family: After a year-long battle, Miss Poeta (pictured, second right, earlier this year) has passed away at home, surrounded by her mother, Dorie (second left), father, John (far right), and sister, Cara (far left) Close: On a Facebook page set up to track the teenager's progress, a close family friend wrote: 'It is with broken hearts that we share the news of Nina's passing. Above, Miss Poeta is seen with her mother . 'The Poeta family would like to thank you for your love and support during Nina's difficult journey. Their angel is now with the other angels in heaven.' During Miss Poeta's illness, an online fundraiser was started to help her family pay for her medical bills. Donors from both her town and further afield helped to raise more than $40,000 in total. Jim Freund, principal of Seymour High School, said the entire community had come together in an 'impressive' attempt to support Miss Poeta, who 'fought strong through her battle with cancer'. But despite donors' efforts, the teenager's illness eventually took its toll. She became confined to a wheelchair and lost the ability speak shortly before hear death last Saturday night. Talented: For the past year, Miss Poeta, both a gymnast (left) and a cheerleader (right), underwent dozens of rounds of radiation while incredibly keeping up her sporting career at the high school in Seymour . Campaign: During Miss Poeta's illness, an online fundraiser was started to help her family pay for her medical bills. Donors helped to raise more than $40,000 in total. Above, Miss Poeta became known as 'Nina Strong' School: Jim Freund, principal of Seymour High School (pictured), said the entire community had come together in an 'impressive' attempt to support Miss Poeta, who 'fought strong through her battle with cancer' In late October, Miss Poet's family received a new handicapped accessible van, courtesy of Harte Family Motors. 'I’m at a loss for words,' Mr Poeta told the New Haven Register at the time. And in September, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Connecticut, paid for the teenager, her mother and her sister to go on a nine-day trip to Italy. Rich Kearns, the Director of Security of Seymour Connecticut Public Schools, today paid tribute to the 'awesome' girl, saying: 'She always had a smile on her face even through this whole battle.' Donation: In late October, Miss Poeta's family received a new handicapped accessible van (pictured), courtesy of Harte Family Motors. 'I’m at a loss for words,' Mr Poeta told the New Haven Register at the time . He added: 'Back in November when she was diagnosed with this brain tumor she continued to come to school and participate in cheerleading. 'She actually was a key part of that success for that cheerleading team where they won the state championship.' Mr Kearns said grief counselors are currently on hand at the school to help students and staff deal with the tragic loss of one of their own, according to Eyewitness News. Childhood years: These photos, posted to Facebook by friends and family, show Miss Poeta as a child . On Monday, a colorful memorial, featuring balloons, photos flowers, was erected at the entrance of Seymour High School for students to pay their respects to Miss Poeta. Cheerleaders from the surrounding towns of Derby, Shelton and Oxford even visited the tribute to leave pom poms and bears. Miss Poeta's funeral arrangements have not yet been disclosed. | Nina Poeta, 17, went to doctors in November 2013 with severe headaches .
Referred for an MRI scan, during which medics found mass on her brain .
Due to the cancerous tumor's location, it couldn't be surgically removed .
Miss Poeta continued cheerleading while undergoing rounds of radiation .
But after year-long battle, she passed away at home at 11pm on Saturday .
She was surrounded by her mother, Dorie, father, John, and sister, Cara .
Online post: 'It is with broken hearts we share news of Nina's passing'
Grief counselors are on hand at Seymour High School in Connecticut . |
75,578 | d6541c3186aa311d053c9d704a3611ac3ee9cfdd | New York (CNN) -- An attorney for Steven Slater, the JetBlue flight attendant who made headlines in August when he deployed a plane's emergency chute and walked off the job, indicated in court Tuesday that discussions about a possible plea agreement with prosecutors were under way. "We look forward to resolving this matter amicably with the district attorney," said Daniel Horwitz, Slater's attorney. "Mr. Slater wants to get on with his life, and that's why he resigned from his job voluntarily." District Attorney Richard Brown said his office is considering "an alternative sentencing program, at the defendant's request, representing the fact that he recognizes the seriousness of this event." "His actions could have led to serious injury, or get someone killed -- and passengers would have been alarmed," Assistant District Attorney Ben Mantell told the judge. However, he added, "We are interested in counsel's request" to discuss a plea bargain. Brown also criticized what he called the trivial manner in which the media depicted the event. "This was a serious incident... the estimated cost of replacing the chute is $25,000, and the disruption to air travel was considerable." Brown said his office would consider requiring Slater to enter anger management and alcohol/drug abuse counseling programs as part of a plea agreement. "Nothing is off the table," Brown asserted, including possible jail time. Slater, who wore a blue suit and stood at attention at the defense table, will return to court October 19. He faces felony charges of reckless endangerment and criminal mischief along with the offense of criminal trespass. If convicted, he could face a maximum of seven years in prison. Slater has pleaded not guilty to the charges. The flight attendant became a hero to some after the August incident when, authorities said, he grabbed some beer and triggered an inflatable emergency chute to leave a plane at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport, reportedly after arguing with a passenger. As of Tuesday morning, the still-popular Slater had amassed more than 210,000 "fans" on a public Facebook page. The drama on Slater's last flight may have started well before takeoff. "A number of passengers were competing for overhead carry-on luggage areas," said attorney Howard Turman, a Legal Aid lawyer initially representing Slater, last month. "With great difficulty, they were shoving the bags around, attempting to get it in. Steven came over to assist and either the bag or the overhead [bin door] hit him in the head and at that point he suffered an injury." Turman has also said a woman "started cursing and -- based on the information -- slammed the overhead luggage bin on his head." After various exchanges with the woman and a crew member, some passengers said, Slater used the plane's public address system for a farewell message that included profanity, and grabbed some beer from the beverage cart before deploying the emergency slide and leaving. Turman has sharply denied a JetBlue passenger's assertion that the flight attendant instigated the confrontation. JetBlue removed Slater from duty following the incident and launched an internal investigation. Though many had already thought Slater's fate with JetBlue had been sealed, over the weekend the airline officially announced that Slater no longer worked for the airline. Airline spokeswoman Jenny Dervin told CNN on Saturday that the separation occurred last week, but declined to elaborate on how Slater and the company parted ways. Horwitz said his client resigned his position. CNN's Hussein Saddique, Allan Chernoff and Tom Watkins contributed to this report. | NEW: DA says Slater may have to attend counseling in deal .
Steven Slater appeared in court Tuesday .
Slater became famous for leaving a plane by the emergency chute .
That departure was reportedly sparked by an argument with a passenger . |
152,174 | 50aff23a817f934281f33491b4db3312dcea9acb | Ralph Lauren came in at fourth place and Reed Krakoff, CEO and president at Coach, also made the top ten . Six of the top 67 highest-paid executives were women including Jackwyn Nemerov who is executive vice president at Ralph Lauren . By . Kristie Lau . PUBLISHED: . 16:08 EST, 30 July 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 16:16 EST, 30 July 2012 . JCPenney and Abercrombie & Fitch's chief executive officers have been found to be the fashion industry's two highest-paid executives. According to Women's Wear Daily, JCPenney's Ron Johnson and Abercrombie & Fitch's Michael Jeffries, who is also the company's chairman, earned around $50million each in 2011. Mr Johnson earned $53,281,505 while Mr Jeffries was paid $48,069,473. They were followed by Neil Cole, the president and CEO of Iconix Brand Group, whose total pay was $37,424,782 as well as Ralph Lauren. Notably, four JCPenney executives were included within the top ten despite the company experiencing a turbulent past year that saw plummeting sales and a drop in customer counts. Success: Designer Ralph Lauren, pictured, has come in fourth on a list of the highest-paid CEOs in fashion . Top of their game: JCPenney CEO Ron Johnson (left) and Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Michael Jeffries (right) are the top two highest-paid executives within the fashion industry. They each earned around $50million in 2011 . The list was collated using information provided to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. WWD then analysed the logged compensations, noting that much of it is just made up of stock and option grants. Top dogs: Iconix president Neil Cole (left) came in third while JCPenney's Michael Kramer (right) was seventh . Big money: Mark Parker, Nike's CEO and president (left) was fifth and Mike Ullman (right), who is the former CEO and chairman at JCPenney, came in at sixth place. He was replaced by Ron Johnson last November . Although Mr Cole had to settle for . third place, his annual earnings received a weighty 636.7per cent . increase from 2010's $5,080,241. NAME . TOTAL PAY IN 2011 . 1. Ron Johnson, JCPenney CEO . $53,281,505 . 2. Michael Jeffries, Abercrombie & Fitch CEO and chairman . $48,069,473 . 3. Neil Cole, Iconix CEO and president . $37,424,782 . 4. Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren CEO and chairman . $36,325,782 . 5. Mark Parker, Nike CEO and president . $35,212,678 . 6. Myron E. 'Mike' Ullman III, former JCPenney CEO . $34,561,322 . 7. Michael Kramer, JCPenney COO . $33,370,607 . 8. Reed Krakoff, Coach CEO and president . $21,188,980 . 9. Daniel Walker, JCPenney CTO . $20,201,219 . 10. Gregg Steinhafel, Target president, CEO and chairman . $19,707,107 . Ralph Lauren, who serves as chairman and CEO of his namesake brand, came in at fourth place on the list - he was found to have earned $36,325,782. Nike's CEO and president Mark Parker was the next highest-paid, receiving $35,212,678 in 2011. Mr Parker also saw a significant increase over the 12 month period. He was paid $11,030,681 in 2010. The former CEO and chairman at JCPenney, Myron E. 'Mike' Ullman III, came in at sixth place. He was paid a total of $34,561,322 in 2011. Michael Kramer, JCPenney's chief operating officer, came in next; he earned $33,370,607. Reed Krakoff, the president and CEO of luxury brand Coach, was paid $21,188,980 last year. He came in at eighth place. Daniel Walker, JCPenney's chief talent officer, came in next; he earned $20,201,219. Gregg Steinhafel, Target's president, CEO and chairman, came in at tenth place. He was paid a total of $19,707,107. Executives at Ralph Lauren, Limited Brands, which is the parent company of Victoria's Secret, and Wal-Mart all came in next on the list, though their annual earnings were less than what they each received in 2010. Macy's chairman, president and CEO, Terry Lundgren, came in at No. 14 on the list. He earned $17,650,702 last year. American Eagle's former CEO, James O'Donnell, came in next after being paid $14,404,763. Two executives at Guess rolled in at the following spots, followed by the president of Dillard's, the vice chairman and CEO of Ross, the chairman of Coach and the executive vice president of Ralph Lauren. Designer: Reed Krakoff, pictured, of Coach and his own fashion label fame, came in at eighth on the list . High achievers: JCPenney's CTO Daniel Walker (left) came in ninth. Gregg Steinhafel (right) of Target was next . Even those executives who came in at spots within the 50s and 60s, still made over $5million in 2011. WWD noted that compensation 'jumped 30.9per cent to $738.9million from 2010' which excluded the seven executives who were brought into their new roles last year. Only six of the 67 executives that made this year's list, were women. Ralph Lauren's executive vice president, Jackwyn Nemerov, topped the list, coming in at 21st place. She earned $12,091,129 in 2011. The ladies: Jackwyn Nemerov, the executive vice president at Ralph Lauren (left) was one of the six women who made the list, coming in at 21st place. Ann Inc's Kay Krill (right) came in at 28th place on the list . Ann Inc's Kay Krill, who serves as president and CEO of the company, also made the list. She came in at 28th place, earning $10,798,477. Sharen Turney, the CEO and president of Victoria's Secret Limited Brands Inc came in at 38th place. She was paid $9,594,915 in 2011. | Ralph Lauren came in at fourth place and Reed Krakoff, CEO and president at Coach, also made the top ten .
Six of the top 67 highest-paid executives were women including Jackwyn Nemerov who is executive vice president at Ralph Lauren . |
31,549 | 59ba8a3b64215121f24f2f176481cddab1f8327c | (CNN) -- From the mid-1980s, Hungarian-born investor and philanthropist George Soros pumped hundreds of millions of dollars into foundations in Eastern Europe dedicated to promoting the idea of the "open society" and challenging the region's Soviet-backed regimes. Here, writing exclusively for CNN.com, he describes how the work of his foundations ultimately contributed to the collapse of communism. A Soviet tank rolls through Budapest during the failed 1956 Hungarian uprising against communist domination. I set up my first foundation in Hungary in 1984. The idea behind it was simple. The state dogma, promoted by the ruling communists, was false and by providing an alternative we could expose its falsehood. Accordingly we supported every cultural initiative that was not an expression of the established dogma. I was guided by the concept of the "open society," which I adopted from the philosopher Karl Popper. I saw the open society as a more sophisticated form of social organization than the totalitarian closed societies of the Soviet bloc. The latter were trying to implement central plans; in an open society every individual or organization was supposed to implement their own plan. To make the transition from a closed to an open society would require outside help and that was what my foundations sought to provide. In Hungary the authorities insisted on having a controlling presence on the foundation's board. We eventually agreed to appoint two chief executives, one nominated by them and one by me. The project succeeded beyond my expectations. With very small amounts of money people could engage in a wide variety of civic initiatives ranging from self-governing student colleges to zither clubs. One of our first projects was to offer photocopying machines to cultural and scientific institutions in exchange for local currency. We used the money to give out local grants and support all kinds of unofficial initiatives, but the photocopying machines also did a lot of good. Up until then, the few existing copy machines were literally held under lock and key -- as more and more became available, the Party apparatus lost control of the machines and the dissemination of information. We did not have to exercise direct control. Civil society watched over the foundation. For instance, we were warned that a blind association, to whom we gave a grant for talking books, was stealing some of the money. With a budget of $3 million, the foundation had more influence on the cultural life of Hungary than the Ministry of Culture. Carried away my success in Hungary, by 1988 I had set up foundations in Poland, China and the Soviet Union. I think that I could have influenced General Jaruzelski in Poland to change his attitude toward the opposition and to see that dissidents such as Adam Michnik and Jacek Kuron were also patriots despite their criticism of the ruling party. As the Soviet empire collapsed, and eventually the Soviet Union and also Yugoslavia disintegrated, we continued to expand. By 1992 there were foundations in 22 countries and expenditure had reached $53 million. A year later we were spending nearly $184 million. Right at the beginning, I had a disagreement with the Polish board about the way the foundation should be run. But that taught me a lesson. They were right and I was wrong. I realized that the people living there understood their country better than I did and I deferred to their judgment. It did not always work. In Bulgaria, a board member who made his name as a human rights activist turned out to be a racist. A Latvian businessman sought to hijack the foundation for nationalist purposes. It was the Russian foundation that gave us the most trouble; we had to reorganize it twice. But the foundations were the first out of the gate everywhere. I remembered the lesson my father who had lived through the Russian Revolution in Siberia taught me: In revolutionary times things that are normally impossible become possible. In Ukraine, we set up the Ukrainian Renaissance Foundation before Ukraine became independent. In Tajikistan, we persevered with the foundation during the five-year civil war although we had no way of controlling its activities. Our impact was the greatest during that turbulent period. When I set up the foundations in Eastern Europe I hoped the open societies of the West would follow in my footsteps, but in that regard I was disappointed. Unwilling to burden their own budgets, they gave the job to the International Monetary Fund, which was ill suited to the task. The IMF was accustomed to signing letters of intent with governments, making the continuation of their programs conditional on the governments fulfilling their obligations. The countries of Eastern Europe fared better, but in the former Soviet states one after another, the programs largely failed. East Germany was the exception: West Germany was willing to make the sacrifices that were necessary to integrate it. Eventually, the countries of Eastern Europe, including the Baltic states, also made the grade when the European Union gave them accession. But the rest of the former Soviet Union in the Caucasus and Central Asia never succeeded in making the transition. This has left a bitter legacy. Rightly or wrongly, both the rulers and the people of Russia harbor a deep resentment against the West, which the West has not come to grips with. The new order in Moscow that has emerged out of the chaos of the 1990s is very far from an open society. It is an authoritarian regime that preserves the outward appearances of democracy but derives its power from its control of Russia's national resources. It uses those resources to maintain itself in power, to personally enrich the rulers, and to exercise influence over its neighborhood, both in Europe and in the former Soviet sphere. But the ideal of an open society is difficult to suppress and I have not given up hope. | Financier George Soros funded eastern European dissident groups in 1980s .
Soros: In revolutionary times things normally impossible become possible .
Soros set up first foundation in Hungary in 1984; by 1992 foundations in 22 countries .
West failed many post-communist states; Russia again an authoritarian regime . |
198,270 | 8ca48e9828fecb92901611ed00f714a056a39806 | Washington (CNN) -- The Washington Nationals -- the upstarts battling for a playoff spot -- ended the season of its star pitcher to keep him healthy for next year. Stephen Strasburg made his last appearance of the 2012 season Friday, team spokesman John Dever confirmed to CNN. Debate has raged in baseball over the rare move, particularly because the National League-East leading Nationals appear headed to a division title and a post-season berth. The 24-year-old right-hander returned to the mound this season after "Tommy John" surgery on his right elbow. The Nationals said they would limit him to roughly 160 innings for the year to keep him from reinjuring his pitching arm. Manager Davey Johnson made good on the promise after Strasburg's rough outing Friday night against the Miami Marlins. A start Wednesday against the New York Mets was supposed to be Strasburg's final appearance this year. The pitcher finished the season with a 15-6 record, 197 strikeouts and a 3.16 ERA. He pitched 159 and 1/3 innings. SI: How much will Strasburg be missed? Opinion: Baseball, get tough on pitchers who hit batters . One-handed kid meets his baseball idol . | Stephen Strasburg is finished for the year .
He was 15-6 with a 3.16 ERA. He recorded 197 strikeouts .
The Nationals want to keep ace from reinjuring his arm . |
122,008 | 29b96a82346374a907091082384d45e4c591944b | (CNN) -- Eighteen people, including two soldiers, were killed Saturday in a gunbattle between the Mexican army and organized-crime suspects in the Mexican resort town of Acapulco, the Mexican Ministry of Defense said Sunday. Mexican soldiers hold rifles Saturday during a clash with organized-crime suspects in Acapulco. The incident began about 7 p.m., when the soldiers went to a location called Avenida Rancho Grande in Acapulco "to exploit information obtained through an anonymous tip," the ministry said in a statement. The soldiers were met by gunfire, it said. Five people were arrested in connection with the shootout. Two soldiers and 16 gunmen were killed, and nine soldiers were wounded, the statement said. The gunmen were not identified, but the statement called them "members of organized crime." Authorities seized 36 large-caliber weapons, 13 small-caliber weapons, two grenade launchers, 13 fragmentation grenades, 3,525 rounds of various caliber ammunition, 180 charges and eight vehicles, the ministry said. CNN's Arthur Brice and CNN en Español's Luisa Calad contributed to this report. | Mexican soldiers, organized-crime suspects fight in Acapulco, authorities say .
Two soldiers, 16 "members of organized crime" killed; nine other soldiers wounded .
Five people arrested in connection with shootout; authorities seize weapons .
Soldiers were investigating anonymous tip, says Mexican Defense Ministry . |
266,986 | e5d1259be315ce678e3419609f1fb15f8bf07fc1 | Barcelona have one foot in the Spanish Cup final after beating Villarreal 3-1 at the Camp Nou on Wednesday night. The second leg of the semi-final should be a formality and they continue to show the sort of form that will have Real Madrid nervously looking over their shoulder in the league where the difference is just one point. Barca’s front three of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez have now scored more goals in 2015 than the entire Madrid team. Messi got one here and Neymar should have added to his tally but missed from the spot. Suarez did not score but was involved in two of the three goals as Andres Iniesta and Gerard Pique also scored to record their 10th consecutive victory in all competitions. Barcelona's Lionel Messi celebrates scoring against Villarreal with Luis Suarez (right) at the Nou Camp . Messi and Suarez (left) celebrate at the Nou Camp as Barcelona beat Villarreal in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg . Messi hugs Suarez as the pair ran riot over Villarreal at the Nou Camp for Spanish giants Barcelona . Barcelona beat Villarreal at the Nou Camp in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg . Messi gives a thumbs up as he and his Barcelona team-mates beat Villarreal . Barcelona: Ter Stegen, Alves, Pique, Mathieu, Alba, Rafinha (Rakitic 69), Mascherano, Iniesta, Messi, Suarez, Neymar . Subs not used: asip, Bartra, Adriano, Busquets, Xavi, Pedro . Goals: Messi (41), Iniesta (49), Pique (65) Bookings: Suarez . Villarreal: Asenjo, Mario, Musacchio, Victor Ruiz, Costa, Jonathan dos Santos, Pina, Bruno (Trigueros 33), Cheryshev (Gomez 74), Giovani dos Santos (Rukavina 52), Vietto . Subs not used: Carlos, Campbell, Dorado, Moreno . Goals: Trigueros (48) Bookings: Pina, Ruiz, Musacchio . Villarreal looked like they had come to not lose too heavily and give themselves a chance in the second leg. They defended deeply and Barcelona struggled to break them down for most of the first half. Suarez was found by Dani Alves at the back post but failed to get any direction on the finish. He then just failed to connect with a Messi cross as Barça continued to take the game to the visitors. There was even a rare sliced effort from Messi as Barcelona looked for the first goal. When it came it did come from Messi but it was Suarez who took the plaudits. He chased down Mateo Mussachio robbing the Argentine before scurrying into the penalty area with Messi now in support. The old Liverpool Suarez would have gone for goal but he dutifully played the Argentine in and with crisp finish he put Barcelona 1-0 ahead. The crowd responded by singing the assist provider’s name and not Messi’s. Messi almost returned the favour immediately but Suarez just pulled his cross-shot wide of Sergio Asenjo’s goal. Villarreal had offered little going forward but still could have gone in level but for the brilliance of Marc Andre Ter Stegen. The German got down sharply to his right to stop Luciano Vietto’s shot from Denis Cheryshev’s cross. If he ended the half brightly Ter Stegen started the second period by picking the ball out of the back of his net after substitute Manu Trigueros had hit a spectacular shot from distance that left the keeper with no chance. Barcelona’s response was immediate. Suarez was again involved in the build-up playing a one-two inside the penalty area with Iniesta. The midfielder tried a second wall pass. This time the ball came back off of full-back Mario into the path of Iniesta once more and he made it 2-1. Andres Iniesta of Barcelona celebrates after scoring during the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg match against Villarreal . Suarez reaches for the ball during the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg at the Nou Camp . Neymar was in action for Barcelona as they won the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg . On 70 minutes Barça made it three and this time Gerard Pique did the damage. Musacchio was all over the Barcelona defender but Pique held him off, and rose above him to bury a header past Asenjo. It should then have been three with Barcelona fizzing the ball around in the Villarreal penalty area until it cannoned off of Musacchio’s hand for a penalty. Messi allowed Neymar to take the kick and regretted it as the Brazilian followed an elaborate run-up with a weak shot that was saved by Asenjo. Suarez was booked for dissent late on and could have added a fourth when he shot from inside the centre-circle but the ball bounced just wide of Asenjo's empty goal. The last missed chances will surely not affect the tie. Barcelona should progress when the two play the second leg in the first week of March. They look like going from crisis to Cup Final in just three months. Gerard Pique runs away in celebration after scoring at the Nou Camp for Barcelona . Neymar missed a penalty in the second half as Barcelona won 3-1 against Villarreal . | Lionel Messi opened the scoring for Barcelona at the Nou Camp in the 41st minute .
Villarreal equalised shortly afterwards through Manu Trigueros .
Andres Iniesta gave Barcelona the lead just a minute later before Gerard Pique made it 3-1 .
It was Barcelona's 10th win in a row in all competitions . |
168,213 | 65910cbf17d611d6d91a50d8fc1b5f3586bf4653 | By . Emily Allen . PUBLISHED: . 11:21 EST, 29 August 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 23:50 EST, 29 August 2012 . Hearing: Abdullah Khan, 37, denied ignoring her cries for help and failing to notice she had been seriously injured . A 97-year-old woman was left crying out in agony after she broke her neck at a BUPA care home and was given just two paracetamol tablets, a hearing was told. The pensioner was left in her bed for nearly two hours before an ambulance was called. Abdullah Khan, 37, denied ignoring her cries for help and failing to notice she had been seriously injured. The hearing also heard how he did not call an . ambulance to . avoid ‘whingeing’ paramedics. But giving evidence he told the . Nursing and Midwifery Council he did not call an ambulance because he . could not be ‘100 per cent sure’ what was wrong with her. After . a ten minute assessment, he gave the woman two painkillers following . the 6am fall and did not bother to check on her again before his shift . ended at 7.30am, it was alleged. The woman fell in her room at the BUPA-run Old Gates Nursing Home in Feniscowles, Blackburn, Lancashire, on March 20 last year. Senior carer Wendy Aspen took over from Mr . Khan at 7.30am, and an ambulance was called shortly afterwards when the woman's condition was discovered. Lucinda Bernett, chairing the NMC hearing, said: 'Mr . Khan stated he did not want to call an ambulance if he was not 100 per . cent certain as to the need, since the ambulance staff would be . ‘whingeing and upset’ if they were called unnecessarily. ‘As . a registered nurse and the senior member of staff on duty at the time, . it was Mr Khan’s responsibility to call an ambulance. ‘He did not do so. ‘That omission is, in the panel’s judgement, a culpable failure.’ Khan was today found guilty of five failures in the care of patient A before she was eventually taken to hospital. His . evidence was criticised as inconsistent, at times contradicting his . notes made at the time of the incident and some of his own testimony to . the hearing. ‘According to Mr Khan, patient A was mobilising her arms and legs but could not say whether she was in pain’, said Ms Bernett. ‘He recorded that patient A was complaining of ‘pain in neck’. ‘This directly contradicts his oral evidence that she was not able to say whether she was in pain.’ Care . assistant Zulekha Namaji had told the panel resident A was ‘screaming in . pain’ and holding her neck, but Mr Khan had dismissed her concerns . saying: ‘She doesn’t need to go, there’s nothing broken.’ ‘She hadn’t any injuries, no bleeding or swelling, and she was just sat on the commode not saying anything to me’, Mr Khan said. ‘I couldn’t be sure if she was OK or . not, but she was saying she wanted to get up and go to bed. At the time I . saw her she was not crying and I did not see her in pain. ‘If there was any pain, there is no problem to send to hospital, but at the time I saw her she was not crying.’ Khan gave patient A two paracetamol tablets, but was found guilty of failing to document this properly. He . was further found guilty of failing to complete paperwork following the . fall, and claimed he had asked care assistants to do it for him. ‘Mr . Khan had an independent duty, in accordance with his responsibility as a . registered nurse, to record assessments made, treatments administered . and medicines given and could not delegate those responsibilities to a . third party.’ The panel . also decided Khan had failed to give an adequate handover at the end of . his shift, further delaying the calling of an ambulance for patient A. Khan must now argue his fitness to practice as a nurse is not currently impaired as a result of this incident. If the panel decide it is, he could face being struck off the nursing register. | Hearing was told Abdullah Khan did not call an ambulance to avoid 'whingeing paramedics'
The pensioner was left in her bed for nearly two hours .
But he said he didn't dial 999 as he couldn't be '100 per cent' sure what was wrong with her . |
22,232 | 3f24d476ed140d2ffb0a40e5fe2a8113f3b33172 | (CNN) -- Arsenal claimed the first trophy of the 2014-15 English season Sunday with an emphatic 3-0 win over Manchester City in the FA Community Shield at Wembley. The traditional match is between the English Premier League champions and the FA Cup winners of the previous season and comes a week before the start of the regular league season. FA Cup winners Arsenal were two-up by halftime as midfielders Santi Cazorla and Aaron Ramsey scored fine goals. The introduction of David Silva to an understrength City team gave them a glimmer of hope after the break, but substitute Oliver Giroud sealed the victory with a curling effort on the hour mark. Victory will be a morale boost for Arsene Wenger's men, who start their EPL campaign at home to Crystal Palace, while City begins its title defense at Newcastle. Wenger was also able to give starts to keynote signing Alexis Sanchez, formerly of Barcelona and other new boys Calum Chambers and Mathieu Debuchy. One man moving in the opposite direction to Sanchez is Belgian defender Thomas Vermaelen, whose move to Barcelona was confirmed Sunday as he was unveiled at the Nou Camp. Vermaelen's old team was winning the Community Shield, formerly the Charity Shield, for the 13th time and the first since 2004. Wenger said that his squad had been improved by recent signings. "I would say overall it was a united team performance and it was a first half of quality, togetherness and good movement," he told gathered reporters. "It's very difficult to compare (with past squads) but yeah, in the last two I've been speaking about big transfers. In the years before that we always lost big transfers so (the current policy) has now strengthened the squad." He will be hoping that last season's Community Shield is not a precedent. It turned out to be David Moyes' only honor as Manchester United manager after Robin van Persie scored two goals in the 2-0 defeat of Wigan. United went on to finish seventh in the EPL and Moyes was sacked before the end of the season, to be replaced by Louis van Gaal. | Arsenal wins FA Community Shield at Wembley .
Beats EPL champions Manchester City 3-0 .
Cazorla, Ramsey and Giroud score goals .
Arsenal new signing Alexis Sanchez started . |
139,163 | 3ff5b3b07ffb7b24e3a78cd5dd56407501e6df65 | (CNN) -- Frank Lampard underlined his continued value to Chelsea by scoring both goals in their 2-1 win at Everton Sunday as they went third in the English Premier League. South African Steven Pienaar gave Everton a second minute lead but former England international Lampard turned the game around for the visitors. The 34-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and reports have been linking him with a move away from the west London giants, even as early as the January transfer window. "I know there is a lot of speculation and talk but I just want to continue playing,'' Lampard told Sky Sports after the match. "I will always have Chelsea in me for life." During his 12 years at the club, Lampard's goal tally from midfield has always proved a key factor in Chelsea's success and his well-placed 42nd minute header canceled out Pienaar's earlier opportunist effort. Everton, who are challenging strongly for a Champions League berth, hit the woodwork three times in a fine match, but came unstuck late on. Tim Howard saved from Juan Mata, but Lampard was in the right place to turn in the winner. Sylvain Distin made a last-ditch saving tackle to deny Fernando Torres a third for Chelsea before Nikica Jelavic wasted a chance for Everton to equalize. He shot straight at goalkeeper Ross Turnbull, a halftime replacement for Petr Cech, who has an injured ankle. The victory lifted Chelsea above Tottenham Hotspur into third place in the standings, still 11 points behind leaders Manchester United, but with a game in hand. In the later kickoff, Liverpool left Queens Park Rangers in deeper problems at the bottom of the table with a 3-0 win at Loftus Road. Liverpool manager Brendan Rogers did not travel with the team after going down with an infectious virus but it was Harry Redknapp's QPR who were left feeling under weather after a sorry performance. Luis Suarez took advantage of defensive frailties to score twice in the opening 16 minutes, taking his EPL tally for the season to 13. Danish defender Daniel Agger headed the third near the half hour mark and the game was effectively over as a contest. Liverpool move up to ninth with QPR on 10 points from 20 games, eight points adrift of safety. | Chelsea beat Everton 2-1 to go third in the English Premier League .
Frank Lampard scores both goals in the win at Goodison .
Lampard's future at Chelsea in doubt after 12 years with the EPL club .
Luis Suarez double as Liverpool beat bottom club QPR 3-0 . |
17,272 | 30edb2bb7cf9886189279333e9bcce2ee28d0f4d | Editor's note: This story is based on interrogation reports that form part of the prosecution case in the forthcoming trial of six Belgian citizens charged with participation in a terrorist group. Versions of those documents were obtained by CNN from the defense attorney of one of those suspects. The statement by Bryant Vinas was compiled from an interview he gave Belgian prosecutors in March in New York and was confirmed by U.S. prosecutors as authentic. The statement by Walid Othmani was given to French investigators and was authenticated by Belgian prosecutors. A photo purporting to show Moez Garsallaoui firing a rocket launcher on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. (CNN) -- Between late July and early December of 2008 four members of a Belgian-French group returned to Europe from the Pakistan-Afghanistan border region. On December 11, Belgian counter-terrorism police launched one of the largest operations in the country's history, arrested six people and charged them with participation in a terrorist group. According to Belgian counter-terrorism sources, the trigger for the Brussels arrests was an intercepted e-mail sent by one of the alleged recruits, Hicham Beyayo, in early December shortly after he returned to Belgium. The e-mail allegedly suggested that Beyayo had been given the green light to launch an attack in Belgium. However no explosives were recovered by Belgian police, and some terrorism analysts are skeptical that an attack was imminent. Beyayo's lawyer, Christophe Marchand, told CNN in February that the email was merely "tough talk" to impress an ex-girlfriend. Belgian authorities continue to insist that the alleged cell was a potential national security threat. Of those still thought to be at large, one was Moez Garsallaoui, whose wife Malika el Aroud was among those arrested in Belgium. Read how al Qaeda is changing . He issued this threat to Belgium authorities on his wife's Web site on May 11 this year. "If you thought that you could pressure me to slow down through the arrest of my wife, you were wrong. It won't stop me fulfilling my objectives...the place of my wife in my heart and the heart of all the mujahedeen is greater than ever. ... Surprises are sure to be in store for you in the days ahead. Those who laugh last, laugh more." Such threats will have caused concern because of Garsallaoui's wide connections in European militant circles. Two of his Brussels associates, Bassam Ayachi, 62, and Raphael Gendron, 33, are in custody in Italy, charged with being leaders of a logistical support team for al Qaeda. They have denied the charges. The duo, who were detained in the port city of Bari in November for trying to illegally smuggle Middle Easterners into the country, had allegedly talked to each other in their detention center about what sounded like a scheme to attack Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris, a conversation bugged by Italian police. French officials have said they were never aware of a concrete plot to attack the airport. According to a senior Belgian intelligence official, Garsallaoui, his wife, and several others who traveled to Pakistan were all connected through the Centre Islamique Belge, an organization Belgian authorities say espouses hardline Salafist and pro-al Qaeda views. In past interviews the center's founder Bassam Ayachi has said his organization concentrates on pastoral care for Muslims in Brussels and did not promote pro-al Qaeda views. Members of the Brussels-based group are believed to have received terrorist training in other countries besides Pakistan. In late May, several days before President Barack Obama traveled to Cairo, Egypt, to give a major speech, several Belgian citizens were arrested in Egypt and accused of being members of a terrorist cell affiliated with al Qaeda. A senior Belgian counter-terrorism official told CNN that two Belgians now in Egyptian custody were known associates of Garsallaoui at the Centre Islamique Belge and are believed to have received military training with an ultra-extremist Palestinian group in Gaza. "Anybody who gets such training is obviously a potential danger if they return to Europe," said the official. While in Pakistan the Europeans also had contact with Bryant Vinas, an American who told prosecutors he was there to fight in Afghanistan. Read how Vinas went to fight Americans in Afghanistan . New Attack Plans . Vinas says he was told, while on a mountain walk with a Belgian-Moroccan friend, Hicham Bouhali Zrioul, about a new course being taught by al Qaeda called "international operations," set up by its head of international operations. Vinas later identified him as Abu Hafith. Hafith, he stated, was responsible for recruitment and direction of terrorist cells, and attacks outside Pakistan and Afghanistan. Hafith was identified by his initials in the legal document but CNN obtained his name from a source briefed on the case. He is believed to be still at large in the Pakistan-Afghan border area. Vinas was told that the training course Hafith set up focused on kidnapping and assassination, including instruction on the use of silencers and how to break into a property. Read how al Qaeda is adapting its training . The revelations raise the possibility that al Qaeda was developing a program of targeted assassinations. Though al Qaeda has carried out some assassinations in the past, most of its attacks in the West have not targeted any particular individuals but crowded areas, such as mass transport. Vinas stated that Zrioul also discussed with him an attack on the Brussels metro, telling him it was a soft target because it was poorly protected. He said Zrioul also raised the possibility of launching an attack on a European football stadium. A senior Belgian intelligence official told CNN that Belgian security services only learned about these conversations in March 2009 after Vinas met with Belgian prosecutors in New York. Although concerned, Belgium's intelligence service concluded that no concrete plot had likely existed, said the official. Such conversations illustrate the terror networks' continued desire to inflict mass casualties. Vinas stated that he himself gave detailed briefings to al Qaeda chiefs in Waziristan in September 2008 about how the Long Island Commuter Rail service worked, according to a federal indictment earlier this month. Shortly after Vinas' arrest in 2008, Penn Station and much of the New York mass transit system was put on high alert. | Return of alleged Western militants to Europe sparked Belgian antiterror operation .
Documents indicate U.S.-born militant passed details of New York transit to al Qaeda .
Recruits allegedly chatted about potential targets while in Pakistan .
Such conversations illustrate al Qaeda's continued desire to inflict mass casualties . |
141,548 | 430835c4786d2d786854c71b3d79c047e268eed1 | By . Rebecca English . PUBLISHED: . 12:39 EST, 16 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 14:56 EST, 16 October 2013 . The christening service of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's son, Prince George, will take place at 3pm next Wednesday, Kensington Palace confirmed today. The baptism will be held in The Chapel Royal at St James's Palace and will last 45 minutes. It will, as previously revealed, be conducted by The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby. One of the reasons for a late afternoon . ceremony is that the Queen is holding a reception at Buckingham Palace . earlier in the day for the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust. Christening: Prince George was born on July 22 and is third in line to the throne . But royal aides say no further details about godparents and other guests or the order of service will be given out until the day. Last week the Mail revealed that senior members of the Royal Family including the Countess of Wessex and Princess Anne have been left off the guest list. It is highly unlikely that Prince William's uncles, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward, will attend either. In a break with Royal tradition, the couple have chosen to hold an 'intimate' ceremony at the Chapel Royal of St James's Palace - where the body of Diana, Princess of Wales, lay before the altar for a week before her burial in 1997 so her family could pay their last respects. The Archbishop of Canterbury said he was looking forward to welcoming Prince George into the 'family of the church' in a statement released two weeks ago . The couple chose the venue over the Music Room at Buckingham Palace - where Prince William, Prince Charles, Prince Andrew and Princess Anne were all baptised - and the private chapel of the royal residence, where the Queen herself was christened. It is understood that William and Kate favoured the Holbein-decorated . Chapel Royal because it is, in the words of one royal aide, 'an . historic, quite intimate chapel.' 'It is something they have been thinking about for some time and they just very much liked personally,' they said. The . couple have long made clear they aren’t sticklers for royal convention: . whether it be William ripping up the suggested 700-strong guest for his . wedding because he 'hardly knew anyone on it' or their decision to . release a family snapshot of George taken by Kate’s father, Michael . Middleton, instead of a formal portrait following his birth on July 22. And the couple have other personal links to St James's Palace, where until recently their Household was based. And . in April 2011, Kate chose the chapel to be formally confirmed into the . Church of England before her marriage to Prince William. The last official royal christening to take place at St James's Palace was that of Princess Beatrice in December 1988. It . is likely that the Prince George will be christened in a replica . Honiton lace gown of that worn by Queen Victoria's eldest daughter in . 1841. The original intricate . lace and satin christening robe was specially crafted for Victoria, the . Princess Royal, and used by generation after generation of royal . infants including William himself. Prince Edward's daughter, Lady Louise Windsor, was the last royal baby to wear the delicate ensemble in 2004. The Queen then commissioned an identical handmade copy so the 172-year historic outfit could be carefully preserved. It was made by the Queen's dresser Angela Kelly and her team of dressmakers at Buckingham Palace. Tearing up the rule book: The couple have long made clear they aren't sticklers for royal convention . The . Queen and Duke of Edinburgh will attend Wednesday's christening along . with the Prince of Wales, a grandfather for the first time, and the . Duchess of Cornwall. Kate's . family - parents Carole and Michael Middleton – will also be invited . along with the godparents, about whom royal aides have promised more details on the day of the christening. In . line with royal tradition, George is likely to have six god-parents and . among the names in the frame are William's best friend Thomas Van . Straubenzee, his former private secretary Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton and . ex-nanny Tiggy Legge-Bourke. Several of Kate's friends are also in the running, along with her sister, Pippa, and brother James. The . christening will also allow a truly historic family photo to be taken – . and released to the public - no doubt delighting the 87-year-old Queen. The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh will attend Wednesday's christening of the third in line . For the first time in more . than a century, three heirs to the throne are alive: Prince Charles, . 64, Prince William, 31 and new-born George. The . last occasion such picture was taken was in 1894 when Queen Victoria . was photographed with her son Edward VII, grandson George V and great . grandson Edward VIII. The . existence of a Chapel Royal itself dates back many centuries and, . originally, was not a building but an establishment: a body of priests . and singers to serve the spiritual needs of the Sovereign. During . Tudor times the Chapel would follow the Sovereign around the country to . whichever Palace or great house was in favour at the time. Since Whitehall Palace burned down in the late 17th century the Chapel Royal has been based exclusively at St James's Palace. The building was originally constructed by Henry VIII and decorated . by Hans Holbein in honour of the king's fourth marriage to Anne of . Cleves. Mary I's heart is . buried beneath the choir-stalls and it was where Elizabeth I said her . prayers for the defence of the realm against the threat of the Spanish . Armada in 1588. At the end . of the Civil War, Charles I also received the Sacrament of Holy . Communion in the Chapel Royal at St. James's Palace before his execution . in Whitehall in 1649. Three special coins will be made to mark the Prince George's christening, the Royal Mint has announced. A . gold kilo coin, a silver £5 coin and a 'more affordable' £5 coin have . been approved by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Queen and the . Chancellor. Birthday money: This £5 coin was previously issued by the Royal Mint to mark the birth of the Royal baby . This will be the first time that new coins have been produced in the UK to mark the christening of a member of the Royal Family. Details of the prices and how many will be created have yet to be announced. Shane . Bissett, of The Royal Mint, said: 'The Royal Mint has celebrated . moments of national significance for over 1,000 years and it was felt . appropriate to produce the first-ever set of Royal christening coins to . mark the christening of our future king. 'As . a British institution, The Royal Mint has played a central role . creating works of art as official commemorations of landmarks in the . history of the Royal Family for hundreds of years. These coins will be a . fitting addition to that long tradition.' A . £5 silver proof coin has already been issued to mark the birth of the . future heir to the throne and other commonwealth countries including . Canada and New Zealand have also issued coins to commemorate the birth. The £5 Royal Birth coin was priced at £80 from the Royal Mint, and is currently sold out. Queen . Victoria was married in the Chapel, and her marriage certificate, . hand-written by the Archbishop of Canterbury and signed by both bride . and groom, still hangs on the wall in the vestry. It is also considered to be the cradle of English church music. Among its many noted organists and composers was Henry Purcell. One . of the Chapel's most notable organists and composers was George . Frederick Handel, who was appointed by George II in 1723 as 'Composer of . Musick of His Majesty's Chappel Royal'. The . title was constructed to allow Handel, still a German citizen, to . contribute to the musical development of the Chapel Royal without . actually being a member of it. Though . Prince George is the first member of the royal family to be christened . in the Chapel Royal for 25 years, it has been the backdrop for many . royal milestones since its construction in the 16th century. Built . by Henry VIII following his short-lived fourth marriage to Anne of . Cleves, the chapel at St James's Palace is the believed burial site of Mary I's . heart. It is where . Elizabeth I chose to remain during the Spanish Armada in 1588 to pray, . receiving updates of the conflict's progress via fire beacon from . Cornwall. The Chapel Royal at St James's Palace has been the scene of many royal milestones since its construction under the order of Henry VIII in 1540 . Members of the Order of Merit within the Chapel where Prince George will be christened on Wednesday . Queen . Victoria married Prince Albert at the Chapel Royal in 1840 underneath . its decorated ceiling which is painted with royal initials and coats of . arms. Her marriage . certificate, handwritten by the Archbishop of Canterbury and signed both . by the bride and groom still hangs in the Chapel's vestry. In . 1997, the coffin of Diana, Princess of Wales lay before the chapel's altar ahead of her funeral in Westminster Abbey. At . the end of the Civil War, Charles I received the Sacrament of Holy . Communion within the chapel's walls before his execution in Whitehall in . 1649. Duke of York and Duchess of York leaving the Chapel Royal with Princess Beatrice after her christening in 1988 . Various changes were . made to the building in 1836 with the addition of side galleries and a . new ceiling to match the original 1540 ciphers. The . Chapel Royal also has a long musical history with many . noted organists and composers having performed there. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were married in the Chapel Royal in 1840. Their marriage certificate still hangs in the chapel's vestry . Among . the most well known are Thomas Tallis, William Byrd, Orlando Gibbons . and Henry Purcell who lived in a suite of apartments within the Palace. It is believed the . poet, John Dryden, who was frequently in debt, used to take refuge with . Purcell in his apartments in order to avoid the clutches of persistent . creditors. One of the . Chapel's most notable organists and composers was George Frederick . Handel, who was appointed by George II as 'Composer of Musick of His . Majesty's Chappel Royal' in 1723. The . title was constructed to allow Handel, still a German citizen, to . contribute to the musical development of the Chapel Royal without . actually being a member of it. Handel composed the great anthem 'Zadok the Priest' for the coronation of George II in 1727. The . song has been used at every coronation since. and is also sung at the . Royal Maundy service in which the Queen distributes Maundy money to elderly members of the church on the day before Good Friday. The . nearby Queen's Chapel was built by . James I for the Catholic bride of his son, later Charles I, and designed . by Inigo Jones. | 45-minute christening will take place at Chapel Royal, St James's Palace .
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, will perform the ceremony .
Couple say choice of location was a 'very personal' decision .
Princess Beatrice was last royal baby to be christened at the chapel in 1988 . |
252,435 | d2bb27ec6f6f5008d102f47d844a94ff057ea18e | Washington (CNN) -- The United States is sending an additional $12 million in humanitarian aid to Syria, the White House announced Thursday, warning of a "dire and rapidly deteriorating" situation inside the country. Citing U.N. estimates, the White House said up to 1.5 million Syrians are in need of aid, including more than 130,000 who have fled the country amid a widespread uprising against President Bashar al-Assad. Read more about how Obama authorized support for Syrian rebels . "With these additional funds, the United States is now providing over $76 million in assistance for food, water, medical supplies, clothing, hygiene kits, and other humanitarian relief to those most urgently in need," the White House said. The statement repeated U.S. calls for al-Assad to step down and "enable a peaceful political transition to a government that is responsive to the aspirations of the Syrian people." The move comes a day after U.S. officials told CNN that President Barack Obama had signed a directive authorizing covert, nonlethal U.S. support for Syrian rebel fighters by the CIA and other agencies. It was unclear exactly what the secret order, referred to as an intelligence "finding," authorized and when it was signed, but the sources said it was within the past several months. Read more: Kofi Annan resigns as envoy to Syria . The Obama administration had said it would step up its assistance to the opposition after last month's failure by the U.N. Security Council to agree on tougher sanctions against the Assad regime. But the administration has ruled out arming the rebels for now, providing only nonlethal assistance such as communications equipment. Syrian state TV reacted to American news reporting about the directive, saying Obama has decided to "support terrorists." U.S. officials have told CNN that Washington is cooperating with countries that are arming the rebels, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar, to help find groups worthy of aid. Diplomatic sources have also said the United States is providing intelligence on Syrian troop movements, which is then passed to rebel groups. | The White House warns of a "dire" situation for Syrian civilians .
Up to 1.5 million are in need of aid, the U.N. estimates .
Obama also has OK'd covert, nonlethal support for Syrian rebels, officials say . |
196,457 | 8a42c0ef2e22262d834aa24d06422d0b608c0204 | When Jordan Axani booked an around-the-world plane ticket for him and his girlfriend in March he began gearing up for the romantic getaway of a lifetime. But his relationship with Elizabeth Gallagher came to a end, leaving the 27-year-old with a pricey travel itinerary and no one to share it with. Knowing that it is almost impossible to change the name on an airplane ticket, the Canadian felt he only had one choice - find someone with the same name as his ex. Proposed trip: Jordan Axani booked the around the world ticket with his girlfriend Elizabeth Gallagher in March, but the pair have since broken up . Change of plan: Knowing that it is almost impossible to change the name on an airplane ticket, the Canadian felt he only had one choice - find someone with the same name as his ex . Therefore he started an online campaign to find someone with a Canadian passport, called Elizabeth Gallagher. Taking off on December 21 from New York's JFK International Airport, the 18-day whirlwind trip takes in Italy, France, Thailand and India, before heading back to Toronto. To begin his search, he posted a plea on Reddit. It said: 'I need your help. You see, in March I booked a fairly wicked trip around the world for this Christmas for my ex and I. 'While our relationship has come to a close, I am still planning on going on the trip and she is not (naturally). 'And because I hate the idea of a ticket around the world going to waste, I am looking for a Canadian named Elizabeth Gallagher who could use the ticket. Expectations: Mr Axani has laid down a few ground rules for his trip, suggesting he is not looking for companionship or romance and wants his fellow traveler to simply enjoy the trip . Plea: Considering his options, Mr Axani began his search by posting this message on Reddit . 'Anyone familiar with with the archaic system that is modern air travel will know that a name change on a ticket is damn near impossible. 'Moreover, the flights were purchased during a massive blow-up on Priceline and were frankly so cheap and on so many different airlines that they're not worth the headache or money to cancel.' The journey begins on December 21 in New York city with a flight to Milan. From there, Mr Axani heads to Prague, Paris, Bangkok and New Delhi, before heading back to Toronto on January 8. Before potential candidates start applying to accompany him, he has laid some ground rules, but has offered to buy the first glass of wine before jetting off. Traveler: Mr Axani, laying the ground rules for his potential companion, said: 'Embracing the spontaneity of life is more my thing, though, so if you want to travel together (and are not an axe murder) I’m likely game . He wrote: 'I am not looking for anything in return. I am not looking for companionship, romance, drugs, a trade, or to take selfies with you in front the Christmas Market in Prague. 'If you feel compelled to toss me a couple hundred bucks, great. Really the only thing I ask for is that you enjoy this trip and that it bring you happiness. 'We can travel together and see some cool stuff - or not. I'm easy and have no problem with someone taking the tickets and doing their own thing (see ya on the plane!). 'Embracing the spontaneity of life is more my thing, though, so if you want to travel together (and are not an axe murder) I’m likely game. 'This is for the flights only. In the wake of the breakup I have deferred all further planning for the trip. No hotels, trains or anything have been booked. You're on your own, bucko. Having said that, I will buy the first round of vino at JFK upon departure.' Globetrotter: He has been on numerous international trips and aims to take two international trips every year . | Jordan Axani booked the global travel ticket in March last year .
Was planning to go on the 18-day trip with Elizabeth Gallagher .
Itinerary includes stops in Italy, France, Thailand and India .
However the pair, both from Canada, split leaving plans in tatters .
Axani has now said anyone with his girlfriend's name can have the ticket .
Says he has no option because it's almost impossible to change names . |
58,237 | a52030fe2a3e082e2b4c711ffd9b1f1db5c62a32 | By . Stephen Mcgowan For The Daily Mail . Gordon Strachan praised the courage of his Scotland side after they came close to matching world champions Germany in their own backyard. For four minutes the Scots dared to believe after Ikechi Anya's superb solo goal cancelled out Thomas Muller's first half opener. Sloppy defending allowed Muller to add a second – his 25th for his country – in the 70th minute. proud: Gordon Strachan said he felt Scotland performed well and could have won the game . But the Germans ended the 2-1 win in Dortmund's Signal Iduna Arena clinging to three Euro 2016 qualifying points – despite a bizarre red card to Charlie Mulgrew for time wasting when the Scots were desperately chasing an equaliser. 'The Germans are always going to have more of the ball, and more chances,' said Strachan, 'that goes without saying. At 1-1 I genuinely believed we could win the game. I saw the players playing with no fear. 'The first 20 minutes, it wasn't fear. We just asked the players to look out for passes, but they rushed these passes and we lost the ball quite a lot. That gave the Germans easy possession. 'So we had to adjust after 20 minutes and then we settled down a bit. In the second half we played with no fear and, as I say, at 1-1 I genuinely believed we were going to win the game.' The Scots succumbed to a preventable winner from Muller despite crafting a raft of second half chances against a much changed Germany side. Opener: Thomas Muller scored the opening goal for Germany with a looping header in the first half . Declining to criticise the quality of the defending Strachan added: 'If you can find me someone who is 6ft 4in and can head the ball for miles and jump about 8ft like Muller can then it's avoidable. 'But we don't have anybody like that and I think most countries in the world are the same. When you are delaing with an exceptional machine like Muller then you'll have a problem. That's always going to be the difference.' Goalkeeper David Marshall kept the Scots in the game during a backs to the wall first half before the team improved significantly in the second, substitute Steven Fletcher making a big impact by sending Anya in for his cool finish. Picked over Allan McGregor and Craig Gordon Strachan said of Marshall: 'I think if you look at our substitutes and how well they played you can see I can big decisions all over the place. 'Everybody has their strengths so you pick a team with the strengths to play the team you're playing. 'I could actually have picked another team and it would have given us the same performance. That is how good our squad is getting. Equaliser: Ikechi Anya beat offside trap to equalise for Scotland in the second half . 'But I did the easy bit, I just had to sit there and tick things off on my sheet and write notes. The players should be proud of how they played. 'I think in the first 20 minutes we could have done things better as a group. 'But once we got that sort out we had no fear of the game, which I thought was great. And the longer the game went on the more a threat we became. 'So the players really should be proud of their performance. 'All we have to do is work on how we play in the first 20 minutes and when we get that sorted out we'll be fine, we'll be good.' The only sour note came after Scotland players thronged Norwegian referee Svein Oddvar Moen over a series of dubious decisions in the closing stages. The official sent off Charlie Mulgrew for a second bookable offence for time wasting when the Scots were chasing an equaliser. Scotland also believed they should have had a penalty for handball and were angered the final whistle went as they won a corner. Winner: Scotland's joy was short-lived as Thomas Muller scored the winner just four minutes later . 'I went onto the pitch to make sure my coaching staff didn't overstep the mark and to congratulate the lads,' said Strachan, restraining himself afterwards. 'I think we try our best not to speak about referees but I would love to see the referee's assessment of that performance. That's all I've got to say about it. 'I'd like to see the referee's assessment of the game. Unfortunately we don't get to see them though.' Ultimately Scotland were undone by a world class finisher, with Muller – and the Scots – earning praise from Joachim Low afterwards. 'Nothing Thomas Muller does astonishes me. He is always clinical in front of goal and is always there when you need him. That's what he does. 'Scotland hasn't lost for a year now and won two times against Croatia and in Poland so we knew they would be a very difficult opponent. 'We did make a few mistakes at the back and they capitalised on that but I always believed we had it in us to score a second goal and in the end we did.' Managers: Joachim Lowe said he had expected Strachan's Scotland to put up a good fight . | Scotland lost to Germany 2-1 .
Thomas Muller's looping header gave Germany the lead .
Ikechi Anya beat offside trap to equalise for Scotland .
But Muller added a second just four minutes later .
Gordon Strachan praised his players' performance . |
37,813 | 6b08bf5dc12a0b8f062565fd698cbe74df38a386 | By . Leon Watson . PUBLISHED: . 08:08 EST, 9 March 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 10:14 EST, 9 March 2012 . Police will pay out a five-figure sum to the grieving family of Fiona Pilkington who killed herself and her disabled daughter after a decade of unchecked abuse by yobs. Officers failed to protect the mother who turned her car into a fireball while she and 18-year-old Francecca Hardwick, who had severe learning difficulties, sat inside. The pair, who were repeatedly targeted by gangs of youths, were found in a layby in October 2007 a couple of miles from their home in Barwell, Leicestershire. Ignored: Fiona Pilkington killed herself and her disabled daughter Francesca, 18, after a gang taunted them for ten years . An inquest into their deaths two years later heard police were contacted 33 times in 10 years about anti-social behaviour - but the family only received eight visits from officers. A jury returned verdicts of suicide and unlawful killing, and said the response of Leicestershire Police and two local councils had contributed to what happened. A claim for damages against the force on behalf of Ms Pilkington's son, Anthony, 21, who has learning difficulties, and her mother, Pam Cassell, 74, was lodged at the High Court last year. It sought damages of between £15,000 and £50,000, and alleged there was a 'substantial chance' Ms Pilkington and her daughter would not have died if officers had taken decisive action. The papers stated: 'Fiona Pilkington was driven to take this tragic action by the stress and anxiety she was suffering as a result of on-going anti-social behaviour, harassment, victimisation and bullying.' Leicestershire Police tried to have the application dismissed, arguing its officers could not have foreseen that Ms Pilkington would kill herself and her daughter. The bodies of Fiona Pilkington, 38, and her daughter Francesca Hardwick, 18, were discovered in a burnt out car . But the force has now settled the claim with what is believed to be a five-figure sum, although it stopped short of admitting liability. The family's solicitor, Jocelyn Cockburn, said: 'It was important for the family to achieve justice after going through a horrendous few years following the deaths of Fiona Pilkington and Francecca and it has given them a modicum of financial security going forward. 'The case also had enormous public interest because of public concern about the treatment of vulnerable and disabled people in society, and the case dealt with what duties the police have to protect people like Fiona and her family from anti-social behaviour and hate crime.' Ms Pilkington was driven to taking her own life and the life of her daughter Francecca after being bullied by a teenage gang in Barwell. This was their house . The family's claim stated that as a result of the alleged breaches by Leicestershire Police, they suffered 'a very real loss of very close and loved family members and resulting grief and bereavement'. It contained details of dozens of incidents reported by the family between 1997 and 2007. It added: 'Over the entire period there were numerous occasions on which Fiona and Francecca did not leave their home as Fiona was so anxious about the abuse and anti-social behaviour they would otherwise suffer.' Leicestershire Police were accused of failing in their duty, under Article 2 of the European Convention of Human Rights, to have suitable systems in place for investigating, controlling and suppressing harassment of members of the public - in particular vulnerable ones - and for managing the effects of such harassment on them. Following an IPCC probe, four Leicestershire Police officers faced misconduct charges. But they were cleared after a series of internal hearings. An IPCC report also found that the force had failed to identify Ms Pilkington and her daughter as vulnerable. Speaking after its hearings, Dave Evans, Deputy Chief Constable of Leicestershire Police, said the failings were of 'an organisational nature due to the systems and processes in place at the time'. Speaking after today's announcement, Leicestershire Police Chief Constable Simon Cole said: 'I can confirm that the civil claim has been settled out of court – this has been done without admission of liability. 'This is a tragic case and I felt that it was the right thing to do to, for everyone concerned, to draw a line under the litigation. 'Since the sad events in October 2007 the force has made significant changes to the way anti-social behaviour is dealt with and the way in which vulnerability is identified to ensure that the right support is given.' | Leicestershire Police will pay but haven't admitted liability .
Family's solicitor said 'achieving justice' was important .
It comes after four officers were cleared of misconduct . |
170,385 | 688c3747ad8c7ae30fff8810bbe7860e05fd4115 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . UPDATED: . 12:42 EST, 27 January 2012 . A fire captain has been turned in to police by his wife after she allegedly found explicit messages on his mobile phone from a 14-year-old. The wife of Saul 'Abe' Fiszer from Houston, Texas found he had repeatedly called a number on his cell phone - so posed as him and texted it. A 14-year-old girl from Casper, Wyoming responded, referring to the 49-year-old grandfather as 'Daddy', according to the criminal complaint. Charged: Abe Fiszer allegedly swapped images with a 14-year-old girl online. His wife tipped off police, who allegedly found child porn on his computer . She wrote she 'was upset with 'Daddy' because he had not contacted her in awhile', according to the Houston Chronicle. When the youngster discovered she was texting Fiszer's wife she apologised and begged her not to contact her parents, the paper reports. When the wife, believed to be called Sandra, confronted him, he admitted he had been chatting to the teen online and trading pictures with her. She tipped off police, who allegedly found more than 450 images of child porn, as well as videos, on his computer, the Houston Chronicle reported. Caught: Fiszer, pictured with his daughter, tried to kill himself after the discovery . Family: Fiszer, pictured with his sisters, has been charged with three counts of possession of child pornography. He could face 30 years in jail if convicted . The photographs and footage allegedly showed boys and girls as young as four years old. Authorities seized his laptop and storage devices, as well as a computer from the girl's home in Wyoming. After the discovery, Fiszer's wife said the Houston Fire Department captain started talking about suicide. He told police he had tried to commit suicide by attaching a hose from his . car's exhaust to inside the vehicle - but ran out of gas. Fiszer has been charged with three counts of possession of child porn and if convicted, he faces up to 10 years behind bars for each count. Workplace: Fiszer has worked for the Houston Fire Department for 18 years . He is being held at the Harris County Jail under $20,000 bail. It is believed Fiszer has children of his own, as well as a two-year-old granddaughter. He has worked for Houston Fire Department since 1994, the Chronicle reported. An official said they were aware of the charges against Fiszer. 'We have been hearing about this, Assistant Chief Tom Munoz said. 'Internal affairs will be taking care of this matter in the following days.' | Wife texted number on phone after fears Abe Fiszer, 49, was having affair .
Police 'discovered hundreds of sexually-explicit images of boys and girls as young as four on laptop' |
75,188 | d52d5186e0a7ecf3215f17050ed04ee21675004c | (CNN) -- An Ohio man accused of killing three women and wrapping their bodies in trash bags in East Cleveland pleaded not guilty in the case Wednesday, the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court said. Michael Madison, 35, pleaded not guilty to 14 counts in the deaths of Angela Deskins, 38, Shetisha Sheeley, 28, and Shirellda Terry. The first pretrial hearing is set for August 6. Madison is being held with bail set at $6 million. The three bodies were found near Madison's East Cleveland apartment -- at different sites within a few blocks from one another -- on July 19 and 20, police said. More questions than answers in Cleveland's run on high-profile crime . The indictment charges Madison with two counts of murder for each woman: one alleging murder and the other alleging murder while kidnapping. He's also charged with three counts of kidnapping, three counts of gross abuse of a body, one count of rape, and one count of having a firearm despite being a convicted felon. Madison is a registered sex offender, having been convicted of attempted rape in 2002. New charges accuse suspect of rape . A grand jury indicted him on the 14 counts Tuesday. When his bail was set on July 22, Madison had been charged only with three counts of aggravated murder and three counts of kidnapping. The bodies were discovered after someone noticed a foul odor coming from a garage he leased, police said. One body was found in the garage; another was found in the basement of an empty home; and another was discovered in a field, police said. The decomposed bodies were wrapped similarly in plastic garbage bags and taped up, authorities said. Madison was arrested after a standoff at his mother's Cleveland house. Outcry over Cleveland's missing women . CNN's Anna Coren, Michael Pearson, Jason Hanna and Emily Smith contributed to this report. | East Cleveland man charged with murder, kidnapping in deaths of three women .
Bodies were found in separate locations near his home this month, wrapped in trash bags .
First pretrial hearing set for August 6 . |
282,064 | f95f7360d0f9efcb9bcfe3ab8f7c88305c81c4df | It may not be a fruit that you automatically reach for in the supermarket, but the large and exotic breadfruit is being touted as a wonder food. Known by its Latin name, artocarpus altilis, the fruit has lumpy green flesh and a potato-like texture so that it can be served as part of a main meal or turned into sweets. It was once a staple in the Jamaican diet and now experts believe it could provide food security on the island, which imports more than half of its food. Scroll down for video . Wonderfood? Breadfruit (pictured) - Artocarpus altilis - has lumpy green flesh and a potato-like texture so that it can be served as part of a main meal or turned into sweets . The fruit . is widely eaten throughout the Pacific Islands and more breadfruit are . produced per hectare than rice, wheat and corn, New Scientist reported. Just one breadfruit, which weighs around 7lbs (three kgs), provides the carbohydrate portion of a meal for a family of five. The fruit can be ground into flour and used in sweet and savoury dishes, including pancakes and crisps. It is rich in vitamins and minerals, as well as being a high source of gluten-free carbohydrate and protein. The protein in the fruit has a higher proportion of aminio acids than soy. Diane Ragone of Hawaii’s National . Tropical Botanical Garden (NTBG) has been studying the plant since the . 1980s, which some people say is bland and starchy. Mary McLaughlin, founder of the charity Trees that Feed, said that the high-protein fruit can be used to make pancakes. A third of a cup of breadfruit flour is added to the same quantity of orange juice as well as one egg, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla. The mixture is fried in a pan and this recipe makes pancakes for three people. Breadfruit crisps and pasta are being developed so that the food can be more easily stored. The NTBG said that mature breadfruit is a healthy substitute for any starchy food such as rice and potatoes if it is boiled, steamed or baked. Small immature fruit can be boiled, pickled and marinated. They are said to taste like artichoke hearts. Ripe fruits are creamy and sweet and can be eaten raw or used to make cakes and pies. Even the flowers found on the trees can be candied and eaten as sweets. She has studied . hundreds of varieties from 34 countries. Together . with Nyree Zerega of Northwestern University in Chicago, she traced back . the roots of the fruit using DNA analysis to the breadfruit ‘Eve’. Most . of the fruit she examined included fingerprints of a plant called . the breadnut that grows in New Guinea. The breadnut is thought to be the . ancestor of the breadfruit. In 2003 Dr Ragone created the NTBG’s Breadfruit Institute, which includes an orchard on the island of Maui. Scientists . there are working with the charity Alliance to End Hunger with the aim . of distributing breadfruit to places without a regular supply of food . across the world. ‘Traditionally in Polynesia you would plant a breadfruit when a child . was born, because that would guarantee food throughout the child’s life’ Dr Zerega said. Breadfruit trees require little care and thrive in the tropics. Now . experts are investigating which varieties best suit certain . environments and climates – as well as local tastes – in countries . lacking food security. Breadfruit (pictured) was once a staple in the diet of Jamaicans and experts think it could provide food security on the island, which imports more than half of its food. It is viatamin and mineral rich, as well as being a high source of gluten-free carbohydrate and protein . Just one breadfruit, which weighs around seven lbs (three kilograms) provides the carbohydrate portion of a meal for a family of five. The fruit can be ground into flour and used in sweet and savoury dishes, including pancakes and crisps . Breadfruit was first bought to the Caribbean in the 18th Century to feed slaves. Lieutenant William Bligh first bought the fruit to Jamaica from Tahiti. It is said that on the way, his crew mutinied and set him adrift, dumping the cargo of breadfruit plants overboard with him. On his second attempt as a captain in 1792, he brought 2,000 of the plants to Jamaica and 678 bore fruit. Intended as a stable and cheap food for slaves, breadfruit was not much liked and it took around 50 years for it to be incorporated willingly into local dishes. Scientists think that the fruit's ancestor is the breadnut, which is native to New Guinea. Breadfruit is so called because of its high . carbohydrate and fibre content. When it is just ripe enough to eat, it . is more like bread as it is starchy and dry, but when it is softer and . riper it tastes sweeter and is more moist. They are also identifying which varieties of the fruit produce the best yields and protein content. They think that some of the fruit are highly tolerant to salt, which could prove important in the Caribbean as sea levels rise. However, some varieties of breadfruit relied upon by people in the eastern Pacific are proving to be less robust. Scientists are trying to use tissue culture methods to create breadfruit trees that yield more fruit sooner. While progress is difficult, the experts have grown disease-free trees that start bearing fruit at two years of age – three years sooner than is usual. From the varieties propagated, 35,000 trees have now been sent to 26 countries, including Jamaica and Haiti. A variety called Ma’afala, which is native to Samoa, bears fruit a different time to varieties found in the Caribbean, extending the time when the nutritious fruit is available. It is hoped that one day there could be forests of breadfruit trees throughout the Caribbean. The starchy fruit can be ground into flour and used in sweet and savoury dishes, including pancakes and crisps (pictured) | Breadfruit has lumpy green flesh and a potato-like texture .
It is widely eaten in the Pacific Islands and scientists are encouraging the planting of trees in countries with poor food security .
One breadfruit, which weighs around seven lbs (3kg) provides the carbohydrate portion of a meal for a family of five .
It can be can be ground into flour and used to make pancakes .
The fruit is rich in vitamins and is a source of carbohydrate and protein .
The protein in the fruit has a higher proportion of aminio acids than soy . |
189,615 | 818b54e5113565b892d458d8d13b2d30e3730b0e | Stuart Lancaster believes England's latest injury setback will not damage his side's prospects of toppling the southern hemisphere superpowers this autumn. Second row Joe Launchbury has been ruled out of all four QBE Internationals at Twickenham, including Saturday's opener against New Zealand, because of a neck problem. It is the latest blow to have struck England with Geoff Parling, Alex Corbisiero, Mako Vunipola, Tom Youngs, Dan Cole, Ed Slater, Tom Croft and Manu Tuilagi also ruled out of the entire series. Stuart Lancaster is confident England will overcome the loss of Joe Launchbury for the autumn series . The England team warm up during a training session at Pennyhill ahead of their match against New Zealand . Saracens star Owen Farrell practices his kicking during an England training session on Monday . Dave Attwood of Bath is set to start in Launchbury's place - Lancaster, who put his players through their paces at Pennyhill Park on Monday, described his form for Bath this season as 'exceptional' - as England attempt to end a four-match losing sequence against the All Blacks. 'We're in a better position now than we were in the last Test against New Zealand in November,' Lancaster said. 'The players who are here have trained very well. They had a great week last week. 'They'll have another good week of learning this week. We're very confident with the players we have. 'There are a lot of players who are playing well and who will be ready on Saturday.' Launchbury's work rate and athleticism have seen him start England's last 20 Tests and his loss is a savage blow to hopes of defeating New Zealand, South Africa, Samoa and Australia this autumn. The 23-year-old requires six to eight weeks of rest and rehabilitation to heal an irritated nerve that has troubled him for over a year. Bath lock Dave Attwood issues instructions to his England team-mate ahead of his side's opener on Saturday . Attwood leads the line in the warm up sprints during the England training session held at Pennyhill Park . Wasps lock Launchbury requires six to eight weeks of rest and rehabilitation to heal an irritated nerve . Bath lock Dave Attwood looks set to deputise for the injured Launchbury against the All Blacks . November 8th: England v New Zealand . November 15th: England v South Africa . November: 22nd: England v Samoa . November 29th: England v Australia . 'We're desperately disappointed to lose Joe for the series. He felt underpowered and weak so we didn't want him to take the risk,' Lancaster said. 'We want to give him the best chance to get himself right for Wasps and the Six Nations. Once he'd seen the specialist it was an easy decision. 'He originally did it in Argentina in 2012, but then it settled down with rest. 'Over the course of the last year it has come back and then settled down again. Props Joe Marler (left) and David Wilson have been passed fit to face at the All Blacks at Twickenham . 'It's got to the point now where he feels it's inhibiting his performances, so the decision is the right decision. 'Everyone is confident that with the right treatment and rest, he'll back in six to eight weeks.' Lancaster revealed that injury concerns over props David Wilson and Joe Marler and centre Kyle Eastmond have eased and the trio are available for selection. VIDEO Lancaster: England will be ready for Rugby World Cup . | Wasps second row Joe Launchbury has been ruled out of all four QBE Internationals at Twickenham with a neck problem .
England coach Stuart Lancaster backs 'exceptional' Bath lock Dave Attwood to fill Launchbury's boots .
England have already lost Geoff Parling, Alex Corbisiero, Mako Vunipola, Tom Youngs, Dan Cole, Ed Slater, Tom Croft and Manu Tuilagi for the gruelling four-Test series .
David Wilson, Joe Marler and centre Kyle Eastmond have all been passed fit for selection . |
210,578 | 9cb9db4e244be5ea2fb9e0e8db44906ab732d093 | Large areas of the UK have been put on alert for heavy rain and gales of up to 70mph today as a rare June storm swept in from the Atlantic. Downpours at Edgbaston in Birmingham have already delayed the start of the third Test between England and West Indies this morning. The Met office has issued an amber weather warning for Wales, South West England, East of England, London and the South East, the West Midlands and the East Midlands today. Torquay seafront in Devon at high tide this morning as gales and heavy rain spread across the UK from the southwest of England . Extreme weather: Waves crash onto a pavement in Torquay just after 9am today . Thought the Jubilee was bad? Patriotic flags from this weekend's Jubilee get soaked this morning in the rain . Disruption: Fans wait for play to start during third Investec Test match between England and the West Indies at Edgbaston this morning . The Met issued an amber weather warning today, urging the public to 'be prepared'. The yellow marked on this map indicates poor but not severe conditions . They say that gales will . develop across much of the South West this afternoon and extend into . parts of South Wales later on this evening. The . gusts are expected to reach 70mph in coastal areas which is strong enough to topple trees and close roads. And up to two inches of rain could accompany violent winds - sparking fears of flash floods. Tomorrow the misery is set to continue with downpours turning increasingly . heavy and persistent across some western parts of Wales. Savage . winds and storms mean it will feel much colder than average for June . and temperatures will barely get above 16C in the South and 9C in the . North. Braving the storm: Ben Fletcher, Wilfred Morris, and Sophia Morris wearing colourful waterproofs on Weston Super Mare seafront, Somerset . Soaking: Festival goers arriving in the pouring rain at the Hay Festival in Powys, Wales, today . Smiling in the rain: These shots from Southampton show how the wet and windy weather has caught some people out . Flooding: The river Lavant today in Lavant, West Sussex after heavy rain fall has increased water levels . The hosepipe ban could be lifted sooner than expected after wet weather cut the risk of drought . A Met Office spokesman said: 'The . public should be prepared for disruption to travel and outdoor . activities. Damage to trees may also occur. 'Winds . of this strength are unusual at this time of year so have the potential . to cause more disruption than might usually be expected.' By the early hours of tomorrow, the . dire conditions are expected to spread to London, the South East, parts . of the Midlands and the East of England. The . Met Office say the winds will be accompanied by heavy and persistent rain, . with as much as 60mm predicted to fall in some places. Motorists have been warned to watch out for large amounts of surface spray on the roads and minor flooding. Poor conditions: Torchbearer Stephen Martin carries the Olympic Flame in the rain between Crossgar and Ballynahinch in Northern Ireland . Treacherous conditions: This stretch of the M27 near Portsmouth is already experiencing weather related congestion . Not the best day for the beach! A woman and her son walk along the beach in Portsmouth, Hampshire as gales and heavy rain spread across the country . Warning: The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning for many parts of the UK. They say to expect gale force winds and heavy rain for the next 48 hours . The miserable forecast will bring . back painful memories of April and May's incessant rain, which brought . severe flooding to parts of the country. Among the worst affected were Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire and the south-west as Britain suffered the wettest April on record. May didn't start much better, but did enjoy sunnier spells before the downpours returned for the Jubilee weekend. The unsettled weather is expected to continue for the next couple of weeks, but should start to clear up by the end of the month, forecasters say. But that will be little consolation for those hoping for a glorious British summer after last year's washout. Experts said to expect further outbreaks of torrential rain, with lashing winds and weeks of below average temperatures. | The Met Office has issued an amber .
weather warning for Wales, South West England, East of England, London .
and the South East, West Midlands and East Midlands today .
South West and South Wales warned of winds of up to 70mph from tonight .
The misery is set to continue tomorrow with the rain turning increasingly .
heavy and persistent across the South and Midlands .
Forecasters warn of risk of travel disruption, spray on roads and damage to trees .
Flood alerts issued as some areas could be hit with as much as 60mm of rain . |
232,543 | b9195a7039c3a0e218bdd0ea18668b1e84dd2d08 | (CNN) -- Mexican marines have captured an alleged top leader of the Beltran Leyva cartel, handing authorities a major victory in their fight against powerful drug organizations, the government said Sunday. Sergio Villarreal, who is known to Mexican officials as "El Grande," was taken in the central Mexican state of Puebla, Alejandro Poire, a spokesman for Mexico's president on security issues, told reporters. Villarreal has appeared on the attorney general's list of Mexico's most wanted and had a bounty of more than $2 million on his head. He offered no resistance when he was arrested mid-afternoon, along with two suspected accomplices, said Poire. He added authorities also recovered weapons and armed vehicles in the operation. "This afternoon, the federal government ... dealt another blow to the criminal organizations that threaten Mexicans' security," Poire said. Villarreal's capture comes soon after the August arrest of American-born "La Barbie," or Edgar Valdez, believed to be one of Mexico's most ruthless drug traffickers. Valdez is similarly thought to have belonged to the Beltran Leyva cartel. The former leader of that group, Arturo Beltran Leyva, was killed in a shootout with Mexican officials last year. Beltran's brother Carlos was later arrested, creating what authorities said was a vacuum and power struggle in one of Mexico's strongest cartels. More than 28,000 people have died in drug-related violence since Mexican President Felipe Calderon intensified the government's fight against cartels and organized crime after taking office in 2006, according to government figures. | NEW: Two suspected accomplices were also arrested, an official says .
Sergio Villarreal has appeared on a list of Mexico's most wanted .
He is an alleged leader of the powerful Beltran Leyva drug cartel .
His capture follows the August arrest of "La Barbie," who was said to belong to the same group . |
218,648 | a708ea808181207b8c626761afae4cce599cd1bc | (CNN) -- Since the disappearance of Amelia Earhart, no aviation search has garnered more attention than the loss of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370. The disappearance has become the mystery of the century. It is baffling both to the public and to aviation experts alike, myself included. First, let's not forget to find compassion for the families and friends of the passengers on board this flight. Accident investigations are aimed at finding them an answer, at discovering the cause of such tragedies and at preventing them from ever happening again. Rather than delve into the numerous sabotage/terrorist theories, I'd like to focus on mechanical malfunction. Considering all the facts, or the accepted assumption of facts, a malfunction that overwhelmed the crew may still be a viable explanation. This makes the most sense to me, as a 30-year airline veteran. Opinion: Flight 370''s resting place is best clue . Piecing together all the current information as of March 24, I'll describe a chronological scenario. The scenario is pure speculation on my part, and I have included commentary at various points. 0. The captain utilizes a PC-based flight simulator and deletes some files. So what? My take: This is a hobby. The captain is passionate about flying. Did he fly only the 777 in the simulator? He could well have flown other types of aircraft in the simulator, for his own purposes. Regardless, he wouldn't require this device to execute a nefarious plot. An 18,000-hour captain already has all the resources, i.e. charts and manuals, including his own experience. 1. The captain completes a cell phone call prior to takeoff. Judging by the distance from the main terminal to the runway, this cell phone call was most likely made after pushback from the gate at Kuala Lumpur. Yes, this was a violation of the sterile period (during which extraneous activity outside of aircraft operations should not occur) and not quite up to professional standards but not a big deal. Most likely, the captain made the call while the airplane had been safely stopped on a taxiway. It does not imply malicious intent. As of this writing, information has not been released regarding the details of the phone call. 2. At 12:36 a.m., Malaysia 370 contacts the Kuala Lumpur tower and receives a clearance to hold short of Runway 32R at the departure end, my translation from a non-verified transcript. 3. At 12:40 a.m., Malaysia 370 receives clearance to take off. 4. At 12:42 a.m., Malaysia 370 receives a clearance to climb to 18,000 feet and is directed to the IGARI waypoint, approximately 300 miles away, the entry point into Vietnam's airspace. 5. Although the transcript timeline seems abridged, having eliminated communication with other aircraft that had to be on the frequency, it appears that the co-pilot reported the altitude level at 35,000 feet on three occasions. Apparently, this repeated report has caused concern. My colleagues will agree that the most diplomatic method to remind an air-traffic controller that you had requested a higher altitude would be to state your current altitude. It's a subtle hint in air-traffic control parlance. Maybe the original clearance was filed for a higher flight level than 35,000 feet. 6. At 1:07, ACARS (the Automatic Communication and Reporting System) gives what turns out to be its final report. Also at this time, it was alleged that an additional waypoint not on the original flight plan had been entered into the flight management computer. The implication is that someone in the cockpit had intent to veer off-course for nefarious purposes. I believe that if indeed a waypoint was entered -- and it seems difficult to verify with the ACARS no longer reporting -- it was entered as a means to identify an equal-time point. Such a point is a position on the route that indicates the flight is equal in time to two or more diversionary airports. It is a required dispatch calculation prior to departure but an optional entry on the flight management computer. 7. At 1:19, a Kuala Lumpur Center air-traffic controller instructs Malaysia 370 to contact Ho Chi Minh Center (Vietnam radar) on frequency 120.9. The co-pilot responds with the now-famous "All right, good night." Although the correct response would have been to repeat the frequency, the co-pilot was informal. Not a big deal. Crews that have flown that route know that the frequency doesn't change. It is printed on the en route chart. 8. At 1:21, the transponder ceases to send out its coded discrete signal that identifies the flight. Perhaps the beginning of a malfunction in the electronics and engineering compartment? 9. At 1:37, the automatic ACARS transmission does not give its 30-minute report. Had the problem become a full-blown emergency? 10. An undocumented report that a Narita, Japan-bound flight is asked by Ho Chi Minh Center to attempt contact with Malaysia 370. The Narita flight is approximately 30 minutes ahead but is unable to establish contact with Malaysia 370. This attempted "relay" would have been a typical procedure used by air-traffic control. Ho Chi Minh Center would have first attempted contact on the assigned frequency and then used the emergency frequency that all controllers and airlines monitor. There is cause for concern but no reason just yet to sound the alarm. 11. At 2:15, Malaysian military radar (disclosed one week after the disappearance) claims to have observed a primary target on the west side of the Malaysian peninsula, indicating that the flight flew a westerly course at some point after the last verbal transmission. In my view, the above timeline only includes what appears to be the most credible assertions. Subsequent to this timeline, reports of satellite "pings" and engine data being transmitted indicate that the airplane may have remained airborne for an additional five to seven hours. Without verification and true understanding regarding the implications of these reports, it is difficult to speculate. Coming together: Flight 370 search unites global community . In addition, raw data from another radar site indicated that the 777 may have climbed to an altitude above the airplane's certified ceiling and then quickly descended and climbed again. And now the most recent assertion has the airplane descending to 12,000 feet. If in fact the airplane descended to 12,000 feet, its fuel consumption would have been almost double that at the higher altitudes. In that regard, how did the airplane fly so far south into the Indian Ocean, as has now been announced emphatically by the Malaysian Prime Minister? Assuming the airplane did indeed continue to fly, here is a hypothetical scenario: . A smoldering fire began to affect the components in the electronics and engineering compartment. The fire was insidious, producing smoke at a slowly increasing rate. As components began to fail, the crew followed appropriate checklists until it was determined that the primary concern was to land the airplane. The captain entered the waypoint identifier for a diversionary airport into the flight management computer. The autopilot turned the airplane toward the diversionary airport, a southwesterly direction. In the meantime, the crew attempted to control an airplane that may have been losing portions of its electronic flight control systems. Primary flight displays on the instrument panel may have begun to shut down, making it difficult to interpret airplane attitude and airspeed. The crew donned their oxygen masks with the integral goggles, but toxic fumes, low visibility etc. eventually overcame them when the oxygen bottled was depleted due to the pilots both breathing rapidly in a high-stress environment and the mask switch most likely being selected to 100% at high pressure. A degraded autopilot continued to steer the airplane toward the diversion airport at an altitude selected by the crew. When the airplane reached the last waypoint -- the diversionary airport -- the flight management computer functioned as designed and kept the airplane on its last heading. Fuel exhaustion caused the engines to flame out one at a time. Operating on one engine for a brief period may have caused a turn due to the differential power that couldn't be compensated by a degraded automatic system. When the autopilot could no longer maintain the airplane at the selected altitude, it disconnected. The airplane would have begun a slow, erratic descent. When the last engine shut down, the ram air turbine would have deployed, providing both limited hydraulic power and limited electric power. Eventually, the airplane would have descended and crashed into the ocean. A lot of focus has been on the fact that the crew did not communicate the problem. Maybe they did attempt to declare a "mayday." Had the primary radios been destroyed by fire? Or more likely, the communication went unheard because the airspace where the malfunction occurred was just out of the range of normal VHF communications, in addition to being just outside Ho Chi Minh Center's radar. It is all pure speculation until the airplane is located. I'd like to keep an open mind. Regardless, perhaps I've explained some of the unexplainable. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Les Abend. | Pilot Les Abend: Evidence on Flight 370 is consistent with a mechanical concern .
He says the plane might have been flying on autopilot in its final hours .
All explanations are speculative until the plane's components are found, Abend says . |
263,073 | e0bda07e36434fe39ed8f1b4427e0b7b8fb837f7 | By . Suzannah Hills . PUBLISHED: . 13:12 EST, 9 March 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 16:47 EST, 9 March 2014 . 'Fading away': Anne Todd, 71, was a healthy size 12 and weighed nine stone when she suddenly stopped eating for no apparent reason . A grandmother-of-three is slowly starving to death after suddenly refusing to eat food and losing half her body weight in just three months. Anne Todd, 71, was a healthy size 12 and weighed nine stone in November but her weight has since plunged to four stone and nine pounds in the space of a few months. Her distraught daughter Jackie Nelson, 46, revealed how her mother was active and healthy when she suddenly stopped going and started to refuse to eat. Mrs Todd has undergone checks by her GP, doctors, social services and a community mental health team but none have been able to explain the cause and say they cannot force her to eat. Her daughter has now released images of her ailing . mother in the hopes of discovering what may be the cause of her mother's sudden change. Mrs Nelson, from Nelson, Lancashire, said: 'We are in 2014. In this day and age people should not be starving to death. 'She wouldn't look out of place in Belsen. I am at my wit's end. 'It's . like seeing a ghost. I just feel like she's going to die a slow and . painful death unless she gets the help that she needs.' Mrs Todd told how her mother had been active and outgoing but suddenly stopped going out and refused to eat. She said: 'It happened so suddenly it was almost like someone had flicked a switch and she stopped eating. 'I don't think she eats a thing when she's at home and it's so upsetting to see her waste away. I'm watching her starve to death and I can't do anything to help her. 'Prior to that she had been quite active but she stopped eating and she stopped going out. Since then she's getting worse.' Mrs Todd has been taken to hospital five times since she stopped eating but doctors say she has no physical illness. 'Starving to death': Anne Todd, 71, pictured in hospital, has lost half her bodyweight in three months. Doctors and social workers have been unable to find a cause for why she suddenly stopped eating . She refused to celebrate Christmas at . her daughter's house as usual and by February 9 her condition had . deteriorated so much that her daughter was forced to call ambulance. Mrs Todd was taken to the Royal Blackburn Hospital where she stayed for 10 days and underwent a series of tests - with no clear results. Mrs Nelson, a mother-of-two, has been off work due to stress over the situation and regularly takes cooked meals to mother which are left untouched. She added: 'I don't know what's caused this but there's been no real changes in her life to spark anything. Looking for answers: Jackie Nelson, 46, is trying to find out why her mother suddenly stopped eating . 'Her partner died nine years ago and she's lived on her own since then and got along just fine. 'I think maybe it's some sort of mental illness. The doctors have looked at whether she's got depression or the onset of dementia but then, when they assessed her, they said she's fine. 'It can't be a physical thing because she eats fine when she's in hospital but she'll probably be released in a few days and once she's home the cycle starts again. 'Because the doctors don't know what's wrong, they can't treat her. 'One doctor actually said to me that if she doesn't want to eat then that's up to her. 'I feel like I'm banging my head against a brick wall and nobody is listening. 'The longer it takes for her to get the help she so desperately needs, the thinner she's getting. She's just skin and bone.' Following Mrs Todd's last hospital visit, a care package was implemented but Mrs Nelson said that has not not helped. She added: 'She has carers going in to see her but she is still refusing to eat and they can't force her. 'It's not their fault but everyone seems to be passing the buck. The care system is so difficult to navigate. 'You don't have to be medically trained to see that there is something seriously wrong with my mum. 'When she was admitted to hospital the nurses were aghast at how emaciated she was. Mystery: Doctors carried out a series of tests on Mrs Todd, pictured before her weightloss when she was a healthy size 12, but could find nothing wrong her . 'We keep being pushed from pillar to post and now it's got to crisis point. Somebody needs to get to the bottom of it before it's too late.' Rosehill Surgery in Burnley where Mrs Todd is registered as a patient said they could not comment because of patient confidentiality. Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust said: 'When a person is discharged from hospital, the Trust works closely with the individual and family to ensure that a suitable package of care is in place. 'The Trust adopts a person-centred care approach which supports individuals and helps them to make informed decisions and manage their own health care.' | Anne Todd, 71, was a healthy size 12 and weighed nine stone in November .
But she suddenly stopped going out and started refusing to eat food .
Her weight plunged to four stone and nine pounds, putting her life at risk .
Doctors and social workers can't find the cause of her illness .
Her daughter Jackie Nelson, 46, has now released images of her mother in the hopes of discovering what has caused the change . |
76,748 | d9b8b2de04440896f0c639a456b1addf0d80d688 | A child who suffered from thousands of seizures a week is finally on the road to recovery - after her parents treated her with cannabis. Doctors told Paige and Matt Figi that their daughter, Charlotte, would not survive much longer after she was diagnosed with a rare form of epilepsy. But after years of researching possible cures, her desperate parents have resorted to feeding her marijuana - after stumbling across the controversial treatment online. Charlotte Figi (pictured since her treatment), six, has Dravet syndrome - a rare and severe form of epilepsy. She was having a thousand seizures a week and her parents were told to prepare for the worst . And incredibly, after just a few months, Charlotte has finally begun to walk and talk for the first time - to the amazement of doctors - and her seizures have almost completely stopped. Mrs Figi said: ‘We tried everything possible, and doctors kept telling us she was going to die. ‘When Matt first told me about the treatment I was horrified - I didn't want my daughter to get high. ‘But we were desperate and Matt practically begged me to try it. We had tried everything else and nothing was able to help our daughter. ‘But after just one treatment, we were astounded - I couldn't believe the effect it had on Charlotte. ‘She's like a totally different girl. We never thought that marijuana would help us give our daughter a chance at life.’ After years of researching possible cures, her desperate parents have resorted to feeding her marijuana - after stumbling across the controversial treatment online. She is pictured since the treatment . Six-year-old Charlotte had her first seizures when she was just three-months-old, she had a normal birth and has a twin sister. Within a week, she had started to suffer from violent seizures several times a day. She was eventually diagnosed with Dravet syndrome - a rare and catastrophic form of epilepsy that begins in infancy. Children with the condition tend to develop normally as babies but progress starts to plateau in the second year of life. After just a few months, Charlotte (pictured before her treatment) finally began to walk and talk for the first time - to the amazement of doctors - and her seizures have almost completely stopped . Sufferers face a higher incidence of sudden unexplained death in epilepsy patients (SUDEP). They often also experience other conditions including developmental delays, sleeping difficulties, chronic infections and difficulty feeding. Dravet syndrome is a rare and catastrophic form of epilepsy that begins in infancy. Children with Dravets tend to have normal development as babies but development starts to plateau when they are in their second year of life. Individuals with Dravet syndrome face a higher incidence of sudden unexplained death in epilepsy patients (SUDEP). They often also experience other conditions including developmental delays, sleeping difficulties, chronic infections and difficulty feeding. There is currently no cure and treatment options are limited - they mainly involve using anti-epilepsy drugs to treat the seizures. Little is known about the long term prognosis of people with Dravet syndrome. There is currently no cure and treatment options are limited - they mainly involve using anti-epilepsy drugs to treat the seizures. Little is known about the long term prognosis of people with Dravet syndrome. Mrs Figi, from Denver, Colorado, said: ‘We tried every medication possible to help stop the seizures and Charlotte was having thousands of small seizures a day. ‘Matt was serving in the U.S. Army in Afghanistan, so I was struggling to look after our children alone. ‘By the age of five, Charlotte was having a 300 seizures a week and had lost the ability to walk, talk and eat. ‘Matt was back and forth from Afghanistan throughout Charlotte's life, he had to eventually leave the military because he couldn't keep flying back during missions and training. ‘The doctors told us to prepare for her death - they told us that she wouldn't pull through.’ At this point, Mr Figi stumbled across an article online that claimed a child with the same condition as Charlotte had been treated effectively with cannabis. Mrs Figi said: ‘We were so desperate, Matt had heard of another child with the same condition who had used cannabis to help dramatically reduce the child's seizures. ‘When we first gave her the cannabis oil she went from having hundreds of seizures a day to none. ‘She went for seven days without a twitch. It was unbelievable. Charlotte (pictured since being treated with cannabis) had her first seizures when she was just three-months-old, she had a normal birth and has a twin sister who is not affected by the condition . ‘She now only has a few seizures a week. The oil is extracted from the cannabis leaf using alcohol. This is then diluted to a precise dosage. ‘Charlotte receives cannabis oil under her tongue, twice a day. The exact dosage is carefully measured and strictly controlled.’ Mrs Figi has been in contact with the Stanley brothers who run a non-profit organisation, called the Realm of Caring Foundation, which provides cannabis to adults and children suffering from epilepsy, cancer, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's, who cannot afford it. Charlotte's father, Matt Figi, had to leave the U.S. Army because of her illness. When she was very ill he had to be called home from Afghanistan to be by her side . The six brothers have been working for years cross-breeding a strain of marijuana that has medicinal properties but does not trigger psychoactivity or induce a 'high'. According to CNN, the strain is low in tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the compound in marijuana that is s psychoactive. It is also high in cannabidiol, or CBD, which has medicinal properties but no psychoactivity. Scientists think the CBD quiets the excessive electrical and chemical activity in the brain that causes seizures. Mrs Figi recalls: ‘Joe and his family were really nervous and apprehensive to treat Charlotte as she was the youngest patient they had ever had. ‘I had to assure them that it would be okay and that I had already had to sign a do not resuscitate order. ‘After a month of success they changed the name of the strain to Charlotte's Web, which I think is a great name for it. Mrs Figi has been in contact with the Stanley brothers who run a non-profit organisation which provides cannabis to people with epilepsy (Charlotte is pictured in one of their promotional tents) ‘The Stanley brothers do it for very little money and sell the cannabis for pennies.’ Parents all over the U.S. have been inundating Mrs Figi with phone calls and emails expressing their hope for a possible remedy to the syndrome. She said: ‘Over 200 paediatric patients will be trying Charlotte's Web in the next few weeks, we expect there will be thousands soon. ‘I don't have a political agenda, I just want parents to be able to treat and help their children. ‘Parents need access to this medicine as soon as possible.’ Medical marijuana is currently legal in 20 U.S. states . | Charlotte Figi has Dravet syndrome - a rare and severe form of epilepsy .
She suffered from thousands of seizures every week and couldn't walk .
In desperation, her parents tried treating her with medical marijuana .
After just a few months she started walking and talking for the first time .
Her seizures have also almost completely stopped . |
79,444 | e1399b6630d606bdb51cbce69697c20daff732b1 | By . Rob Cooper . PUBLISHED: . 09:27 EST, 7 June 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 05:19 EST, 10 June 2013 . Eleven spectators have been injured after a motorbike crashed into the crowd during the final day's racing at the Isle of Man TT. One person was seriously hurt after Sheff Pack Kawasaki rider Jonathan Howarth had an accident on the first lap of the race. Howarth, making his debut at the event, crashed at the Bray Hill section of the mountain course, bringing out the red flags to halt the senior race. Crash scene: The Kawasaki race bike of Jonathan Howarth lies at the scene of the crash on Bray Hill where 11 spectators were hurt . Risky pasttime: Jonathan Howarth's wrecked bike at the scene where he ploughed into 11 spectators . Although the 29-year-old British . rider was not hurt, the Isle of Man TT official Twitter feed reported . that several spectators had been injured as a result of the crash. Many . of the injured were taken to the nearby Nobles Hospital. None of the . people involved are thought to have suffered life-threatening injuries. Bray Hill is one of the most difficult bits of the 37.7 mile race track which snakes its way round the islands. The annual Isle of Man TT and Manx Grand Prix have claimed the lives of 50 racers and spectators since the year 2000. Japanese racer Yoshinari Matsushit, 43, was the most recent person to die when he crashed in a qualifying session 10 days ago. In the last 13 years, 45 riders have been killed, two spectators and three officials. The Manx Grand Prix is held in August and is for amateur riders. Last year racers Trevor Ferguson and Steve Osborne died in the August event. In 2007, two spectators and a rider were killed in the Isle of Man TT. Dean Jacob, 33, and Gregory Kenzig, 52, from Australia were both died after being hit at the side of the track. Racer Marc Ramsbotham, 34, also died at the scene. Riders have to bend to the left as they travel downhill before flicking to the right as it rises again with a bump at the bottom of the hill. The best riders tackle the section at speeds approaching 200mph. Eyewitness Phil Bancroft Tweeted that several people were badly hurt and he had been hit by bits of broken bike. He wrote: 'I'm ok. Just. Shaking like a leaf. Bike heading for me. Just ducked. Hit by bits of bike. Ok thou. 'Some people badly injured. I'm off home the long way around.' An Isle of Man police spokesman said: 'As you will be aware there was an incident in racing on the first lap of the senior at Bray Hill which involved the race being red flagged. 'A number of casualties were taken to hospital. Injuries in some cases were serious but are not believed to be life threatening. 'We are now looking at a 4.30pm start for racing, a full six laps which will take us obviously over two hours of racing. 'It looks like it will be 7pm before we get the roads open.' The crash happened today just 10 days after Japanese rider Yoshinari Matsushita was killed during qualifying at the event. An injured bystander is stretchered away: Many of the injured were taken to the nearby Nobles Hospital. None of the people involved are thought to have suffered life-threatening injuries . Eyewitness Phil Bancroft Tweeted that several people were badly hurt and he was hit by bits of broken bike . Crash scene: Map shows the 37.7 mile route of the Isle of Man TT course. The accident happened at Bray Hil (marked) Emergency: 11 spectators were rushed to hospital following the accident, but none of them were thought to have lift-threatening injuries . The 43-year-old was killed in an . incident at Ballacrye on the north of the island and the qualifying . session was immediately red flagged, the event's organising body ACU . Events said. Yoshinari, from Saitama, had competed at the TT since 2009, finishing fifth in the 2011 TT Zero for electric bikes as well as racing in the superbike and superstock classes. He was also 2008 Motegi Endurance race winner. The time trial event is held on a 15 mile track on public roads. The future of the event has repeatedly been called into question because of safety concerns. Every year on 'Mad Sunday' the racetrack is open up to all motorbike riders so they can try out the same tarmac as the professionals. There were just four accidents on the special day last weekend this year - while in previous years there have been dozens. Accident: Rider Jonathan Howarth walks away from the scene of where he had his accident on Bray Hill during the Senior TT today . | Rider Jonathan Howarth crashed on the first lap of the race .
Crash happened 10 days after Japanese rider Yoshinari Matsushita was killed .
Future of Isle of Man event has been questioned for safety reasons .
50 people have been killed in the Isle of Man TT and Manx Grand Prix street races since 2000 . |
215,610 | a3196f4c2df58662b540a7577bd6728b273f4a34 | Group B kicks off on Friday night. The perceived wisdom is that Spain and Holland will prevail. But Chile are potential dark horses, not just for the group but to make it to the latter stages - even the semi finals. The heat is on: Holland boss Louis van Gaal is under pressure to make sure his side get out of the group . New Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal could well face humiliation if he doesn’t take the Dutch to the knockout phase. Chile’s coach Jorge Sampaoli promotes a high tempo, pressing, passing game that sees his team evolve from 3-3-1-3 to 4-3-3 in the blink of an eye. Looking to shock: Arturo Vidal and Alexis Sanchez hope to help Chile progress from their group . Chile who should give Australia a bloody nose on Friday are a team to watch if they don’t suffer stage fright like Colombia in 1994. They can certainly shake up this group and in Barcelona’s Alexis Sanchez they have a top class player. It is to be . hoped that, despite the revelations of FIFA corruption and worries . about security, safety and anti-state angst in Brazil, joga bonito comes to the fore. But . it can be revealed that even though FIFA president Sepp Blatter has . been endorsed by his cronies to stay on as president for another term, . UEFA boss Michel Platini WILL run against him in the autumn. Drifting apart: UEFA president Michel Platini has refused to back FIFA's Sepp Blatter and may run against him . Kicking off in style: Claudia Leitte and Jennifer Lopez perform during the Opening Ceremony of the World Cup . Up and running: The World Cup was officially opened on Thursday . Part of the ticket will be to strip Qatar of the 2022 finals and cleanse FIFA of a brown paper envelope ethos. The FA want England to take over those finals. And despite denials have a strong chance not least because of cost. FA chairman Greg Dyke now sees that as his raison d’etre. Football's coming home? FA Chairman Greg Dyke is keen to bring the 2022 World Cup to England if there is a re-vote . But it understood that Australia would be the politically pragmatic choice. I understand China and India will also make new bids, if - and it will happen - there is a new vote for the 2022 finals. I’m looking forward to seeing Tim Cahill – remember him? - in action for the Socceroos. I reckon the ex-Millwall and Everton star, now with New York Red Bulls, could make an impact even if the Aussies eventually are overcome by chirpy Chile. These are Tim’s Twitter thoughts (if that is not an oxymoron). From a land Down Under: Tim Cahill is one of the most experienced players in the Australia squad . National pride: Cahil is active on Twitter and posted this picture to show his dedication to the cause . Carlos Vela has not made Mexico’s World Cup squad, which is probably just as well for Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger. Wenger insists he doesn’t like buying players on the evidence of international tournaments. Even a World Cup. So it would seem reports that Vela could return to the Gunners for £3.5 million from Real Sociedad are on the money. Return: Carlos Vela has been linked with a move back to Arsenal from Real Sociedad . Reports that Roger Milla, now perhaps aged 65-and-a-half, at least, will make a comeback this summer after his exploits at Italia 90 have been grossly exaggerated, . However don’t dismiss the notion that the spring chicken that is Samuel Eto’o might still make an impact this summer for Cameroon. And if Eto'o does notch - maybe against Mexico - then he must, please, pay homage to Milla and dance by the corner flag. Play it again Sam. Dance star: Roger Milla was famed for his dance by the corner flag during the World Cup in 1990 . Experienced head: Samuel Eto'o will look to help Cameroon progress . Marinade: . Accompaniments: . *Courtesy of www.healthyeating.co.uk . Food for thought: . With Mexico playing on Friday night, here is a an easy fajitas recipe . Method . Turn on oven to 200 degree celsius and wrap the tortillas in tin foil. Finely slice the chicken pieces and onion and pepper. Mix these together in a bowl and then add the marinade ingredients in the listed order. Heat a griddle pan until hot and put the tortillas in the oven wrapped in the foil. Add contents of the mixing bowl to the pan and keep them moving over a high heat using tongs so you get a nice charring effect. Check the chicken is cooked all the way through and there are no raw parts. The idea is to get chicken that is still moist but charred on the outside, which requires the pan to be very hot. Once cooked tip the pan contents into a large bowl and serve with the heated tortillas (they should have been in the oven around 8 mins), salad and salsa. Wine or Beer? Wine:Chile vs Australia: . Chile: Co-op Truly , Sauvignon Blanc, Leyda Valley vs Australia: Brookford Charodonnay/ Semillion South East. Beer:Escudos vs Victoria Bitter (VB) Spain, who kick off their World Cup defence on Friday night against the country they defeated in 2010 final, Holland, have the second most valuable squad in terms of player values. According to Lloyd's of London the Roja stars, with £50million Fernando Torres back at the sharp end are worth £590.1m. England’s insurance value of their squad is the third highest at £550m while Group D rivals Costa Rica have the lowest value at £18.3m. Costly bunch: The Spain squad, including David De Gea, Diego Costa, Koke and Fernando Torres are worth £590.1m . Leading the line: Rickie Lambert, Wayne Rooney and the rest of the England squad are worth £550.1m . The total value of all 32 team is a staggering £6.2 billion . Here is a list of the team values: Germany £641.2m, Spain £590.1m, England 550.1m, Brazil £448.3m, France £394.8m, Belgium £360.4m, Argentina £355.3m, Netherlands £279.4m, Portugal £279.3m, Italy £196.8m, Cameroon £195.8m, Croatia £185.6m, Russia £165.8m, Ghana £158.5m, Uruguay £144.1m, Nigeria £143.1m, Switzerland £138.5m, Ivory Coast £132m, USA £110.7m, Japan £92.8m, Bosnia-Herzegovina £84.3m, Mexico £72.5m, Chile £72m, Australia £66.6m, South Korea £65.2m, Colombia £59.5m, Greece £53.2m, Algeria £49.4m, Ecuador £48.9m, Honduras £34.2m, Iran £24.4m, Costa Rica £18.3m. World Cup Moment: . Let’s not forget in the Seventies the English had to support Scotland at World Cup finals. Well some of us anyway. Goal to remember: Archie Gemmill celebrates his stunning goal for Scotland against Holland in 1978 . And was there ever a finer moment than Archie Gemmill scoring THAT goal against Holland which has since been immortalised in the iconic movie Trainspotting. Let’s see if we can pull the, er, correct video from the vaults. | Sepp Blatter to stand again for FIFA president, but Michel Platini looks set to run against him .
Louis van Gaal and Holand risk being upstaged by dark horses Chile .
Tim Cahill can spearhead Australia's charge at the World Cup .
England squad worth £550m while Group D rivals Costa Rica are worth just £18m . |
197,616 | 8bc5a38f73f8c714385be92d789b79171b500025 | Judging by the overwhelming response to this Kickstarter campaign, it is the invention that travellers everywhere have been waiting for. A couple from New York have invented state-of-the-art, zipperless luggage that features a sliding door, a phone charger, a digital scale and GPS tracker. Just three days into their 59-day funding period, the Trunkster team have already raised more than $137,000 (£85,000) - far surpassing their $50,000 (£32,000) goal. 'Game-changer': A New York duo have launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund their new suitcase design . State of the art: The 'Trunkster' features a sleek zipperless sliding door that opens at the touch of a button . Gaston Blanchet and Jesse Potash, from New York, are keen travellers who set about creating their ultimate suitcase after tiring of 'brittle zippers, cumbersome flaps, flimsy handles, and unreliable wheels' on traditional luggage. They came up with the 'game-changing' design for the sliding door on the luggage which opens at the touch of a button. 'We're all too familiar with that frustrating moment when you realise you quickly need something out of your bag,' The Trunkster team writes on their Kickstarter page. Charge on the go: There are a host of smart features including a removable battery pack to charge devices . 'With Trunkster’s revolutionary sliding door, you no longer have to unzip your entire bag and flap it open. The rolltop door lets you instantly access your belongings in one swift motion.' The suitcase, which comes in both checked ($600) and carry-on ($500) sizes, is made from brushed airplane grade aluminum and 100 per cent virgin polycarbonate that is durable, lightweight, and scratch resistant. As well as the nifty sliding door, there are also a whole host of features that make this suitcase truly smart. No more overweight fees: The handle has a built-in digital scale to weigh luggage . Dude, where's my bag? As an optional extra, the suitcase can come with GPS tracking . There is a removable battery pack that can charge a device up to nine times, and can even be separated to be used independently of the luggage. As an upgrade, the suitcase can also have a built-in GPS tracking system that uses the same technology as Apple's 'Find my iPhone'. If your luggage goes missing, it can be tracked by any connected device. This optional extra costs $40. Popular: Three days into the campaign, backers have pledged $137,409 - far surpassing the $50,000 goal . Big and small: The design will come in both checked ($600) and carry-on ($500) sizes . Zipperless entry - a rolltop sliding door . Removable battery and USB charger . Built-in digital scale . Complete control handle . GPS enabled as an upgrade . Five-year warranty . A side-to-side handle is designed to not infringe on the space inside the suitcase as with traditional cases. The built-in digital scale in the handle will make balancing the suitcase on the bathroom scales - and worse yet, being told in front of a long queue of passengers that you luggage is overweight - a thing of the past. The scale also converts pounds to kilograms. Sponsors of the Kickstarter campaign will also benefit from a 'no questions asked' five-year warranty. The estimated retail price will be $500 for the carry-on and $600 for the checked. They will be shipped worldwide. Concept: 'With Trunkster’s revolutionary sliding door, you no longer have to unzip your entire bag' Trunkster's Kickstarter campaign was launched on November 18, and in those three days more than 350 backers have made pledges totalling $137,409 (£87,791). Some 125 backers have made a pledge of $205, which gets them a carry-on Trunkster in return, while 94 backers have pledged $245 to receive a checked one. 41 backers have donated $450 to get both. The fundraising period of their projected timeline still has 56 days left, with production to start in January, and delivery expected by August. | Trunkster's Kickstarter campaign received $137,000 funding in three days .
Check in suitcase expected to retail for $600, and the carry-on for $500 .
Created by New York duo who wanted smart, streamlined luggage . |
263,478 | e143abf3580462cfe6e8f1f205417bfa140d4006 | By . James Gordon . PUBLISHED: . 01:53 EST, 7 March 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 02:12 EST, 7 March 2014 . NBC's Bob Costas was a sight for sore eyes during the network's coverage of the Winter Olympics in Sochi after contracting pink eye. The New York Post's Page Six is suggesting NBC’s 61-year-old prime-time Olympic host may have inadvertently caught the nasty eye virus whilst having Botox injections. At one point, Costas' had to take six days off to recover, to be replaced by Meredith Viera because his viral conjunctivitis had become so bad and spread to both eyes. NBC have flatly denied the claim that botox played any part in the sportscasters' condition. Sight for sore eyes: The pink eye in the sportscaster's left eye spread to both . eyes in the first few days of NBC's Olympic coverage . Sore: Costas said he woke up to find his eye was swollen and joked that it was as red . 'as the Soviet flag' Also known as Conjunctivitis, pinkeye is an infection of the mucus membrane that lines the eyelid - causing the eyes to become red and inflamed. Pinkeye is most commonly contracted from a virus which can spread through person to person contact or contaminated water. Doctors suggest thorough hand-washing as the best way to prevent getting the infection. Conjunctivitis can also be caused by bacteria, lack of tears, chemicals or allergies. It is not a serious infection and usually clears up within 7 to 10 days. While bacterial pinkeye can be treated with antibiotic eye drops, ointment or pills - viral pinkeye usually doesn't have a specific treatment. However eagle-eyed viewers noted how smooth Costas' forehead was during the high definition coverage of the Sochi games. A spokesperson from NBC Sports insisted to the New York Post: 'This has zero truth to this. Zero.' On . the first day of NBC's primetime coverage, the journalist appeared on . camera wearing eyeglasses instead of his usual contact lenses, . explaining that he had a medical problem with his eyes, which appeared . swollen and red. After . battling through the infection for five nights on-air and sporting a new . look by wearing thick glasses, Costas was forced to take nearly a week . off from the Olympics, with Matt Lauer and Meredith Vieira sitting in . for him. He told reporters that it caused light sensitivity and blurred vision. 'The worst three days of it I was primarily in a darkened room,' he said. During one broadcast he joked about his red, watery and puffy left eye. 'I . have no choice to go all Peabody and Sherman on you for the next couple . of nights since I woke up this morning with my left eye swollen shut . and just about as red as the old Soviet flag.' Following . the primetime broadcast, the eye became a trending topic on Twitter, . spawning numerous jokes and even a parody account. Costas, who has been NBC's Olympic presenter since 1992, admitted that he was miserable throughout the entire ordeal. Doctors . say it is rare to contract an infection from a Botox injection, unless . there was some sort of contamination or the patient suffered an allergic reaction. Infection: Page Six says Costas' botox injections were to blame. NBC says that's complete nonsense and doctors also say it's very unlikely . Pioneer: Meredith Vieira took over the coverage becoming the first woman to anchor NBC Olympics primetime . | It's claimed the anchor contracted pink eye after arriving in Russia to cover the Sochi Winter Olympics .
Infection started in left eye before spreading to the right .
It's thought the conjunctivitis was as a result of getting Botox injections .
NBC have said such a suggestion contains 'zero truth' and even doctors agree it is extremely unlikley .
Matt Lauer and Meredith Vieira filled in for him while he was off for a week . |
95,484 | 06b72e36fbca5586e327a3885b78e36e0289c8cf | By . Sam Webb . PUBLISHED: . 20:20 EST, 5 May 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 20:26 EST, 5 May 2013 . Dogs dressed as screen stars and sirens from classic science fiction movies and TV shows were unleashed on an unsuspecting London yesterday. The costume-loving canines were in fancy dress as part of Sci-Fi London, a week-long annual convention that takes place at Stratford Picturehouse in east London. Owners dressed up their pets as their favourite characters and paraded them around Theatre Square, to the delight of other science fiction and superhero buffs. Feel the power of the DOG side! Harvey, a long-haired chihuahua, is dressed up as the character Darth Vader from Star Wars . Use the Fur-ce: Delighted attendees take pictures of Harvey as Vader, one of science fiction's most memorable villains . One of the dogs was Harvey, a long-haired Chihuahua, who was dressed as the iconic Darth Vader from the original Star Wars trilogy. Meanwhile Missy, a Chorkie, was dressed as Doctor Who's robotic companion K-9 by owner Ross Myhill. On the superhero theme there was Ty, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier dressed up as Superman, and Betty, a Teacup Chihuahua, was literally a Hound Dog when she appeared as Elvis Presley. Dog-tor Who: Missy, a chorkie, is dressed up as The Doctor's companion K-9 with owner Ross Myhill . Crufts for nerds: Sci-Fi London is an annual event held in east London . Is it a bird? No, it's a dog called Ty, a Staffordshire bull terrier, dressed up as superhero Superman . Ty the superdog (left) with owner Anthony Farrante and Betty (right) dressed as Elvis Presley . Costume swap: Harvey swaps his Darth Vader outfit for a Marilyn Monroe ensemble (left). Harry the pug is dressed up as Leeloo from the Luc Besson film The Fifth Element (right) Betty also thrilled sci-fi fans when . she donned the famous bun haircut sported by Princess Leia, who was . played by actress Carrie Fisher in the original Star Wars trilogy. Some of the costumes were a little more esoteric, such as Harry the Pug who was dressed as Leeloo, portrayed by Ukrainian actress Milla Jovovich in the Luc Besson film The Fifth Element. The . best dressed dogs won a bag of goodies and a framed print of their . photo. Festival organisers urged owners that the animal's welfare is their foremost concern. I'm not cute, I'm a Dark Lord of the Sith! Harvey with owner Jayne Barley . Rebellious dog: Betty dressed up as Rebel leader Princess Leia from Star Wars . Uncanny: Betty (left) with her movie counterpart Princess Leia (right), portrayed by Carrie Fisher . Betty with owner Jayne Barley (left) and Harry the pug with owner Clare Renton (right) Leeloo was portrayed by Milla Jovovich in The Fifth Element, which also starred Bruce Willis . Snack attack: Missy the Chorkie, AKA K-9, is fed a treat by a festival-goer . Diva dog: Harvey has his Marilyn Monroe wig adjusted (left) and poses for the camera as Darth Vader . | Sci-fi fans dress their animals as characters from movie and TV franchises .
Costumes include Darth Vader, Princess Leia and Superman .
Part of annual film convention held in east London . |
231,201 | b754eef64c86e14fa0c222e6062b5f3dded051f1 | Carl Froch's hopes of fighting Julio Cesar Chavez Jnr in a $50million Las Vegas send-off have suffered a potential setback. The Mexican's promoter, Bob Arum, is currently negotiating a new deal with his fighter and expects him to return in September or October. But he wants Chavez to face the hard-hitting Kazakh Gennady Golovkin, rather than Froch, as reported by Boxing Scene. Out cold: Carl Froch stopped George Groves in the eighth round of their rematch at Wembley . 'Gennady Golovkin will continue to be the first choice assuming he beats [Daniel] Geale, and if Chavez says no to Golovkin, then we'll look to Froch,' Arum told Boxing Scene. Froch retained his super-middleweight world titles last weekend with a stunning eighth-round knockout of George Groves in front of 80,000 fans at Wembley. The Nottingham Cobra has admitted he could hang up his gloves but dreams of finishing his career in the fight capital of the world. But he might have to wait until next year if Chavez agrees to fight Golovkin, a fight that had been mooted for this summer before negotiations stalled. Option: Froch has targetted a Las Vegas send-off against Julio Cesar Chavez Jnr . Golovkin instead defends his WBA Super and IBO middleweight titles against former world champion Geale in New York's Madison Square Garden on July 26. And Golovkin's trainer Abel Sanchez is confident his charge would beat Froch if the two were to meet. 'Froch is a gallant warrior, but makes too mistakes and if the fight can be made, I see Golovkin capitalising on them to stop him in the last part of the fight,' he told World Boxing News. Another option for Froch is another domestic dust-up with mandatory challenger James DeGale. The IBF has ruled that Froch must face the Londoner within the nine months or be stripped of the belt. Domestic: James DeGale is Froch's mandatory challenger after beating Brandon Gonzalez last weekend . | Carl Froch wants to fight in Las Vegas before he retires .
Julio Cesar Chavez Jnr is his most likely opponent .
But Mexican could fight Gennady Golovkin in the autumn .
James DeGale is another option for Froch . |
108,582 | 1800e80b0e61681e77b5408da21b70d907974360 | By . Ryan Gorman . A recent college graduate biking across the country to raise money for a cancer charity was struck and killed this week by a truck. Jamie Roberts, 24, of Baltimore, Maryland, was riding through rural Kentucky with friends and several other recent grads for the Ulman Cancer Fund when the incident occurred. Five members of the contingent were on the side of a remote, winding two-lane country road about 30 miles north of Lexington at around 3.30 p.m. waiting for Roberts to change one of her tires when tragedy struck, according to reports. One of her final moments: Jamie Roberts wrote only days ago on this chalkboard as the team took a short break in Pittsburgh . ‘This is a very rural road, not much in the way of shoulders, a lot of curves and hills which again, makes it dangerous for both people, bicyclists and the vehicles involved. It is a very troubling situation,’ Scott County Sheriff's Deputy Jearl Porter told WTVQ. Both Roberts and another rider were struck by the pickup truck, the other person suffered minor injuries, police told the Georgetown News-Graphic. Roberts was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities are still working to determine how the driver, who remained at the scene and is cooperating with investigators, ran into them. ‘At this point we know at least some of them were off the side of the road, as to where the two that were struck were, in comparison to the roadway itself at the time of the collision is what we're still trying to determine,’ Porter told WKYT. Mowed down: Roberts' bike remained in a ditch on the side of the road hours after she was pronounced dead . Under investigation: Police are working to determine the cause of the incident while they await the results of a toxicology test on the driver . Police are working to determine if alcohol or drugs played a role in the tragedy as they await of a toxicology test performed on the driver, WTVQ reported. Roberts wrote on the Ulman Cancer Fund website that her grandfather died of lung cancer when she was only 14-years-old and that she was dedicating her ride to a friend whose parents both beat cancer in the past few years. She also wrote about being inspired to set off on the journey by two friends who completed it last year and wanting to ‘make a difference in someone’s life’ by ‘following their footsteps.’ The ‘retired’ college athlete added: ‘I am excited to face what will undoubtedly be the most difficult physical challenge of my life. I love to travel and I have a hard time saying no to adventures!’ On the trail: Roberts shown with a dog while biking through Pennsylvania . Gone too soon: Roberts only recently graduated college, she was 24-years-old . The group was 10 days into what was expected to be a 34-day trip across the country from Baltimore’s Inner Harbor to Portland, Orgeon, according to a blog written by friend Ariana Staffen. They had experiences weather-related delays in Ohio before making their way into Kentucky, but remained reasonably on schedule. ‘This passionate young woman, so precious to her family and loved ones, lost her life in a tragic accident today as she rode across America to raise funds and awareness for young adults fighting cancer,’ the fund said in a statement. ‘Jamie’s selflessness, her commitment to serving others and her deep devotion to her friends, family and fellow riders was apparent to everyone who knew her.’ Riders planned to resume riding across the country, now also in her honor, on Monday, the fund said. Roberts raised $15,246 of the $6,000 goal she had set, according to her fundraising page. Last year’s effort saw 127 riders raise almost $775,000 for young adults with cancer, the organization said. | Jamie Roberts was part of a group biking across the country from Baltimore, Maryland to Portland, Oregon .
She was riding for the Ulman Cancer Fund to raise money for young people afflicted with cancer .
Tragedy struck when she stopped on the side of a rural Kentucky road to change a flat tire . |
129,331 | 3328943665e9a55095b0820fee831aae9424c175 | Women in Afghanistan were brutally repressed under Taliban rule from 1996 to 2001 – but a series of fascinating old photographs show how women there used to live freely. The Taliban were condemned around the world for their treatment of women. Under their rule they were forbidden to be educated, publicly beaten for showing disobedience and forced to wear burqas – a garment that covers the whole body, apart from the eyes. Women browse in a Kabul record store . Women in a biology class at Kabul University . However, Mohammad Humayon Qayoumi, who was born in Kabul in Afghanistan, and went on to become an engineering professor at San Jose State University, wrote a photo-essay book called Once Upon A Time in Afghanistan that documented how life before the Taliban used to be very different for women. His photographs from the 1950s, 60s and 70s show how they used to be afforded university-level education, browse record shops in short skirts and study science. Indeed a State Department report from the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor from 2001 explains how women were given the vote in the 1920s, were granted equality in the Afghan constitution in the 1960s and by the early 1990s formed 70 per cent of school teachers, 50 per cent of government workers and in Kabul, 40 per cent of doctors. This picture of Afghan women attending university in 1967 could have been taken anywhere in the Western world . Women nurses tend to babies in a hospital infant ward . A laboratory at a Vaccine Research Center . Afghan women being taught biology . Kabul university students chat in-between classes . Mr Qayoumi said: ‘Remembering Afghanistan’s hopeful past only makes its present misery seem more tragic. But it is important to know that disorder, terrorism, and violence against schools that educate girls are not inevitable. I want to show Afghanistan’s youth of today how their parents and grandparents really lived.’ Afghanistan’s president Hamid Karzai recently endorsed a code of conduct that would prohibit many of the scenes shown in these photographs. It states that women are not allowed to travel without a male guardian and must not mingle with strange men in public places such as schools, markets and offices. Happier times: Afghan women taking part in a Scout scheme . The modern transport of the day: Female bus passengers in Kabul . Afghanis mingle freely in a cinema . Wife-beating is only prohibited if there is no 'Shariah-compliant reason', it said. Mr Karzai insisted the document was in keeping with Islam and did not restrict women. 'It is the Shariah law of all Muslims and all Afghans,' he said. Nurses arrive at the house of an elderly villager . Mothers and children pictured having fun in a city playground . Women look on as a nurse at a hospital shows them how to bathe a baby . | Photos by Mohammad Qayoumi show the free life Afghan women enjoyed .
Kabul-born Qayoumi went on to become an engineering professor in the U.S .
Taliban rule from 1996 to 2001 was condemned for its oppression of women . |
27,002 | 4c9d16e0aa4bd0eb45bb0e87ccee0079b952fb5f | (CNN) -- Pakistan's election campaign was heavily infused with the rhetoric of change. Voter turnout was the highest since the 1970s. A large number of new youth voters also entered the fray. Yet the evolution of democratic culture in Pakistan produced a rather conventional outcome -- victory for a two-time former prime minister known for corruption and the military coup that ousted him in 1999. Nawaz Sharif and his party, the Pakistan Muslim League -- Nawaz (PML-N) will still be on the hook to produce change for over 180 million Pakistanis -- and there is a lot to change. The good thing is that there is not a lot of confusion over what Pakistan's problems are. Sharif's wide margin of victory also affords him a broad mandate to make bold policy decisions without the same political instability that plagued the outgoing Pakistan People's Party government. Will he take advantage of this opportunity? Yes and no. Sharif has rightly prioritized the economic situation, but he will still have to pick and choose his battles on reform. The economic challenges demand both short-term fixes and long-term reforms. Most governments in Pakistan have opted for short-term fixes because the path to reform simply takes too long or lacks political support. Sharif might have support in the National Assembly for some of the more difficult reforms, such as taxation and cutting energy subsidies, but the backing of special interest groups, trade unions and provincial governments among others will not always be guaranteed. Real reform will require the buy-in of these stakeholders too. Sharif could be the man to do it. He is a free-market oriented businessman who in his previous tenures as prime minister focused on privatization, infrastructure development and deregulation. But his views alone won't carry the country towards the free market. Sharif will also need to strengthen his party's links to economic and political stakeholders outside of Punjab, where the PML-N has a smaller presence than the other regional parties. A prime example of where Sharif's outreach will be needed is in Karachi. The megacity contributes to over 20% of the country's GDP and is also home to a multi-billion dollar informal economy. These economic gains have been threatened by unprecedented violence between the Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM), the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), and the Awami National Party (ANP) -- all of whom are looking to benefit from the financial spoils. Karachi's economic environment has no doubt learned to adjust to the fluctuating security situation, but the national government cannot afford to let it get worse. Fixing Karachi will require Sharif to garner the support of MQM, PPP, and ANP -- none of whom at this point look poised to join his government. Security is the other area where Sharif faces high expectations, but will be forced to be flexible and accommodating to competing interests. More than ever before, the Pakistani public, politicians and the military agree on the existential threat posed by the Pakistani Taliban. The military's on again-off again campaign against these militants in the country's Federally Administered Tribal Areas has failed to end violent attacks on ordinary citizens and government targets. The spike in attacks during the election campaign is evidence enough of that. Sharif will have to find his public voice on militancy, an issue he has been resoundingly silent on. This isn't surprising considering his own Punjab province is a hotbed of militant activity in the south. Part of the problem is that the PML-N-led government in Punjab has not taken aggressive legal or police action against militant groups like Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Sipah-e-Sahaba, some of whom in recent months have been implicated for their involvement in major attacks outside of Punjab. The lack of action against these groups seems to have protected the PML-N against attacks during the campaign. There have also been fewer attacks within Punjab. Sharif cannot pursue this informal arrangement at a national level. He will also have to get behind the military's campaign against the Pakistani Taliban but has to be cautious in how forward he leans. Sharif could continue to protect Punjab at the expense of the country, or he could be bold and help the military wipe out the Pakistani Taliban -- either way, he still loses a little. Pakistanis deserve enormous credit for showing up in large numbers to vote in the face of such violence. Sharif and the PML-N should be congratulated on winning big, especially with so much hype in Punjab over Imran Khan, the famed politician and cricket star. But the high voter turnout and election victory just put Sharif back on the map. Based on the options he faces, there are plenty of reasons to be less sanguine on the prospects for quick and easy policy-making. It is now up to Sharif to figure out how to navigate the long road ahead. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Shamila N. Chaudhary. | Pakistan elects two-time former prime minister known for corruption and military coup .
Big expectations for Nawaz Sharif and his party, Pakistan Muslim League -- Nawaz .
Sharif must tackle economic challenges as well as security issues from Taliban . |
197,108 | 8b2162080f132174f0a29b0cce23a781f42a9da4 | President Obama has angered wealthy jet-setting New Yorkers with his travel plans this weekend because much of New York’s airspace will be shut down during his visit to the state. The timing of the President’s trip to New York's Westchester County today for a series of weekend fundraisers could not have come at a worst time because it will be during the Labor Day weekend. According to CBS, the Federal Aviation Administration will put the skies over New York City on lock down until Saturday. Travel: The timing of the President's trip to New York's Westchester County Friday for a series of weekend fundraisers couldn't come at worst time because it's the Labor Day weekend . Marine One: The Federal Aviation Authority will put the skies over New York City on lockdown during the President's visit this weekend . Corporate planes and private charters and their jet-setting passengers, will be the hardest hit. The no-fly zone will last from Friday afternoon and all day Saturday. But . it will feel like an eternity for the high-powered Wall Street types who . regularly depend on small planes to fly them to the playground of the . rich and famous. For those people Obama's timing is particularly bad, says the head of one aviation firm. Melissa Tomkiel, president of the . private aviation company Fly the Whale said: ‘Several were very upset . about it and extremely inconvenienced. Aviation: Melissa Tomkiel, president of the private aviation company Fly the Whale said several people were upset about being grounded by the President . 'They had plans, you know, several weeks ahead of time to get out to their vacations.’ She told CBS that the company expects to lose at least $10,000 while New York City airspace is shut down. ‘Labor Day in particular is important because it's at the end of the busy season of the summer,’ Tomkiel said. ‘So it's really our last chance to make as much as we can as a company and keep it in reserve for the slower months that are ahead.’ The temporary flight restrictions over New York City will have minimal impact on commercial flights. Most are already sold out, and are not an option for stranded passengers. However, on Fridays, as many as six flights an hour take off from a pier on Manhattan's east side. By plane, a trip to The Hamptons takes just 35 minutes while flights to Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard, where Mr. Obama vacationed earlier this month, last about an hour. It could leave many wealthy people seeking alternative modes of transport. No fly zone: This map shows the distance from Manhattan to the Hamptons, which by plane takes just 35 minutes while flights to Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard last about an hour . By car, a trip to The Hamptons from Manhattan takes about two hours without traffic. But during one of the busiest holiday weekends in the year that could increase drastically as large numbers of New Yorkers head out of town. Meanwhile, driving to Nantucket usually takes at least six and a half hours. There are estimates that it could take eight or nine hours in heavy traffic over Labor Day. | The President is due to fly to .
New York's Westchester County .
The timing could not be worst as it is during the Labor Day weekend .
The no-fly zone will last from Friday afternoon and all day Saturday .
But it will be an eternity for .
high-powered Wall Street types who want to fly .
By car, a trip to the Hamptons takes two hours from Manhattan . |
165,722 | 625328c6ebe4d4670dc27fb275ae6f6cd18c9071 | Fancy living in a city under the sea? A designer who is passionate about the concept of living underwater has created his own dream community, and hopes that his big idea will one day become a reality. Phil Pauley says that he has dreamed about building an underwater city for the past 20 years, and has now released images of what the futuristic development might look like. Sub-Biosphere 2 comes compete with eight 'bio-dome' structures, and is 1,105ft wide. The Sub-Biosphere 2 would not look out of place in a science fiction film. But designer Phil Pauley hopes that it will one day become a reality . Conceptual designer Mr Pauley, who describes himself as a futurist, says the structure will consist of a central support biosphere, an observation pod, and dwelling pods which will house up to 100 people. Each of the dwelling pods will house individual eco systems, and there will be no need to rely on air and food from the outside world. Mr Pauley, who is the founder of a London-based visual communications consultancy, said: 'Building an underwater city is all I have thought about for the last 20 years. Mr Pauley says the structure would be a self sustainable underwater habitat . Under the sea: Sub-Biosphere 2 is designed for aquanauts, tourism and oceanographic life sciences and long term human, plant and animal habitation . The Sub-Biosphere 2 would allow up to 100 people to live underwater, with no need for the outside world . 'I don't want to come across as fanatical, so I am waiting for the right time, when people come around to the idea for themselves. 'When that happens I will be hear with my design.' Mr Pauley's design was inspired by plans by the University of Arizona for a a research facility of the same name - but so far developments on the project appear to have stalled. As well as designing his dream city, Mr Pauley is also looking for a publisher for a science fiction trilogy of books for young adults, The Moral Order. The books feature an underwater world similar to the futuristic design that Mr Pauley hopes to see built in his lifetime. Mr Pauley hopes that the Sub-Biosphere 2 will become a reality - once more people realise its potential benefits . | London-based Phil Pauley designed the Sub-Biosphere 2, which could become home for up to 100 people .
People living in the structure would not have to rely on the outside world for air, food and other essentials .
Designer hopes to see the futuristic home built in his lifetime, and has written a book about an underwater world . |
114,051 | 1f24a45eb5edb83816615cabd48d9d69d604b389 | From a water buffalo enjoying the cool waters of an African lake, to the tiniest dragon fly hitching a ride, it really was a case of all creatures great and small when it came to picking the finalists of the Society of International Nature and Wildlife Photographers Nature's Secrets competition. Faced with hundreds of entries showcasing the very best mother nature has to offer, judges picked French photographer Michel Hagege's stunning shot of a baby monkey clinging to its mother in a Japanese hot spring as the winner of the 2014 contest. 'It was taken at Jigokudani, close to Nagano in Japan. It was snowing, windy and cold, about minus 5 and the monkeys were relaxing in the hot spring,' the 55-year-old said. Csaba Toth from Hungary came in second with a duck in the morning mist on the Danube, while South African Bridgena Barnard, 48, took third place with her picture of a happy-looking gecko in the Namib desert. And British photographers were well represented among the finalists as 73-year-old Peter Oak, a retired builder, and wedding photographer Julian Clune were highly commended for their photographs of a peregrine falcon with its prey, and a red squirrel. Winner: French photographer Michel Hagege, 55, won the top prize of the Society of International Nature and Wildlife Photographers Nature's Secrets competition with this shot of a baby monkey clinging to its mum in a hot spring in Japan as the snow fell . Second place: Csaba Toth, from Hungary, came in second with this photograph of two ducks in the morning mists of the Danube . All smiles: South African photographer Bridgena Barnard, 48, took third place with her picture of a happy-looking gecko in the Namib desert, which stretches through Angola, Namibia and South Africa . Best of British: Retired builder Peter Oak, 73, was highly commended for this photograph of a Peregrine falcon with its prey, taken just after the kill . Red alert: Mr Oak was also highly commended for this picture of a red squirrel, which he took in Scotland . 'Nature at its best': This dramatic picture of a sealion chasing a penguin in Antarctica was taken by Giacomo Cattaneo, 26, a research assistant from Zurich, Switzerland. 'It was a crude but fascinating display of nature at its best,' he said. 'Everybody could not help but feel sorry for the penguin, as the seal kind of played with it as a cat would do with a mouse, throwing it around and catching it mid-air' Highly commended: Another red squirrel, captured on camera at the Loch Garten RSPB by wedding photographer Julian Clune, 25, from Hull, also featured among the finalists. 'I saw this little fellow run across the floor and up a tree right in front of me,' he said. 'I thought I actually scared him away, but just as I started to put my camera down I saw him pop his little head around the corner of the tree in the most charming way' Spotted: Mr Clune also had his photograph of a group of ladybirds on a bench highly commended. He said: 'I popped out into my back garden one day and saw all these ladybirds grouped together on a piece of my wooden garden furniture. It was a bizarre collection of ladybirds that I've never seen in that mass in any one location at any one time, so I quickly went back inside to grab my camera and capture the lot' Back garden bliss: A hoverfly on a helichrysum flower in her back garden in Hounslow, west London, got Anne Algar a highly commended . Hitching a ride: Ms Algar was also rewarded for her photograph of two dragonflies, which she took at the RSPB Farnham nature reserve . Tax adviser Liz Fiddy, from Ingham Corner in Norfolk was highly commended for her shot of a snipe at the RSPB Reserve at Titchwell, Norfolk. She said: 'I saw the snipe preening in one of the lagoons, not too far from the pathway. I watched and waited until it stretched its wings and I got a series of shots' Hot spot: This shot of a barn owl was taken by Margaret Holland, 74 when she spotted it from her car and jumped out to get the picture in Norfolk. Ms Holland, from Ipswich said: 'It was a point and shoot effort' Taking a dip: Moving further afield, winner Mr Hagege was also highly commended for a shot of a buffalo. He said: 'The water buffalo and flamingoes picture was taken in Lake Nakuru, Kenya and I tried to get close to the buffalo to capture the pastel colours' Three little birds: Julia Daykin spotted these greenfinches perched in an apple tree in her Lincolnshire back garden. 'We encourage all wildlife to visit and during the bird breeding season we get lots of juvenile birds dropping in,' she said. 'This year we have had Starlings, Blackbirds, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Robins, Chiff Chaffs, Wrens, Dunnocks, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Chaffinches and Woodpeckers (Greater Spotted Woods), juvenile Sparrowhawk and Yellowhammer' Carrying cargo: Jitu Jam, 31, photographed this coot in Gujarat, India, as it built a nest on Lakhota lake. He said: 'It was busy making a nest with leaves and broken branches. I was surprised it was collecting branches as big as itself' Nature's bounty: Mr Jam also received a highly commended for his photograph of wild flowers, which he took one morning in Gujarat . Snow business: Canadian Jaliya Rasaputra, 58, from Ottawa got a picture of a snowy owl looking for prey in a field. Jaliya said: 'The bird was perched on a snow mound looking around for a good lookout point for mice or voles. I kept a safe distance to keep the bird in its comfort zone' Spinning a web: Another highly commended snap of an orb weaver spider was taken by English/Dutch photographer Natascha Mehrabi as she carried out plant surveys in a village called Malambwe in the Democratic Republic of Congo . All a flutter: Sri Lankan lawyer Ajithaa Edirimane took a picture of a butterfly which resembles a dried leaf found resting on her garden table . Up all night: Chinese photographer Zhong Ming, 50, stayed up all night to get this shot of a cicada, pressing the shutter at 3am on Heming Mountain, Sichuan province. He said: 'Insect photography is tough and a night shot is even tougher. It's not unusual that you get nothing after hours ordays of searching and waiting'. He added: 'Under the micro photographic lens, it was like a gymnast, full of strength and grace. Nobody would hesitate to press the shutter. Observing its wings, you would come to understand what Chinese saying "as thin as the wings of cicadas" means' Catching the light: Australian Matthew Mackay, 47, also came highly commended for his shot of the light sparkling off kelp on a beach in Victoria . Holiday snap: Retired Brian Sugden, 64, from Banstead in Surrey was wandering down Fort Myers Beach in Florida with his partner Christine when he got this picture of a heron with its catch . Taking flight: Gabor Dvornik, 53, from Hungary photographed this swallow bathing in a pond. He said: 'It was taken with a bit of luck and patience, as these little birds are very cautious and also very swift."It was a warm day and they were thirsty and hot so became a bit more brave to have a bath in the pond. They went underwater which surprised me and then flew out instantly and with high energy' | Winner of the Society of International Nature and Wildlife Photographers Nature's Secrets contest announced .
French photographer Michel Hagege won the top prize for his picture of a baby monkey in a Japanese hot spring .
British photographers also well represented among the finalists, with retired builder Peter Oak, 73, highly commended . |
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