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12,321 | 22e9a84bd794b2e4bed0675770f3238cee5c7902 | By . Mark Duell . Last updated at 9:00 AM on 13th July 2011 . This fascinating document containing a Harry Potter-style secret formula for invisible ink was one of the oldest still classified by the U.S. Now newly-declassified material, including the details on German secret ink formulas dating back to World War One, has been put on show to the public in Washington D.C. The National Archives is showcasing the series after a 95-year period of secrecy and a 1918 document shows the ink was made by mixing compressed or powdered aspirin with pure water. Fascinating release: The German invisible ink formula, written in French and translated, is described in an Office of Naval Intelligence document dated June 1918 . The invisible ink formula, written in French and translated, is described in an Office of Naval Intelligence document. This shows that the French managed to crack the German's formula, reported CBS News. Invisible ink was used by allies and spies during World War One to communicate safely by sending secret messages. The 1918 documents, which went on display this week and will remain on view through the end of July, were released by the archives as part of an open government initiative. They were made public by the National Archives National Declassification Center along with the Central Intelligence Agency. Formula: The German invisible ink was made by mixing compressed or powdered aspirin with pure water . The documents were thought to be the oldest still classified by the U.S. before they were released. The National Declassification Center in Maryland launched in December 2009 to review more than 400 million pages of classified records by the end of December 2013. The CIA explained in April why the documents were not released to the public for such a long time. 'These documents remained classified for nearly a century until recent advancements in technology made it possible to release them,' CIA Director Leon E. Panetta said at the time. | Series of declassified documents go on show to public at National Archives .
Document from June 1918 shows aspirin and water were mixed to create ink .
It is written in French and shows how they cracked German ink code . |
177,444 | 71b33b5f302caece689f5ebac197389e397c7edb | By . Ruth Styles At London Fashion Week . It's rare to find a designer who sticks to her style guns through thick and thin but Emilia Wickstead isn't your average fashion creative. True to form, this was a collection carefully calibrated to appeal to the ladylike, the kitten of heeled and the violently allergic to London's wackier names. No wonder, then, that Wickstead counts the ever-elegant Samantha Cameron among her faithful fans and although the Prime Minister's wife didn't put in an appearance, she's very likely to put in an order or two. Scroll down for video . Stunning: A beautiful pink and orange striped silk gown on the catwalk at Emilia Wickstead . Ladylike: Buttercup yellow and pretty powder pink were combined to elegant effect at Emilia Wickstead . There was nothing here that could be considered wacky, outré or in bad taste: instead, what we got was a masterclass in stylish summer dressing. Granted, there was nothing particularly new about the silhouette, which with its neat bell skirt and nipped in waist said 1950s rather than now, although it was undeniably pretty. But newness isn't what Wickstead is really about: instead, she wants to make clothes that women really want to wear, whether they're Samantha Cameron or a mother-of-two from deepest Derbyshire. And wearable, Wickstead's thoroughly feminine collection was. Delicate flowing dresses lifted with stripes and bearing forgiving Empire waistlines. Bold hues: Wickstead plumped for vibrant shades of cornflower blue and buttercup yellow . Vintage: Wickstead stayed true to her flatteringly feminine style . Breezy: Boldly coloured striped gave the collection an airy feel . Elegant: A shirt dress that's bound to find favour at No. 10 . Neat skirt suits with bell-shaped skirts and beautifully tailored jackets. A vibrant orange and pink striped dress with a 50's A-line skirt. And an utterly gorgeous lightweight tailored coat. Like the fabrics, colours were sumptuous with buttercup yellow, delicate blush pink, shimmering cornflower blue and vibrant crimson among the most eye-catching. There was the odd touch of print, a charmingly quirky piano motif, but nothing to scare the horses - it was playful Britishness at its best. All shimmered together beautifully, never breaking stride or indeed a sweat. No falls, no drama, no silliness. All was well in the world of Emilia Wickstead. Special thanks to Jaguar and Murray Chauffeur Service for driving the Femail team around during London Fashion Week. | Emilia Wickstead is famous for her flatteringly feminine designs .
Samantha Cameron is a fan and regularly wears her gowns .
Sumptuous new collection more than lived up to expectations . |
179,223 | 7409fe14001cce45f8ad3660b627b0b5cfc5e849 | By . Julian Robinson . TV bosses have apologised after a blunder saw many tennis fans miss the dramatic winning points in the French Open last night. Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic had played two points in what turned out to be the last game in the tournament finale, which was being aired live on ITV. But with the game, and potentially the match, on a knife edge, viewers were told the coverage would be interrupted for the news and footage was switched to ITV4, the digital channel that many people are still unable to access. Scroll down for video . Victory: Rafael Nadal wins the French Open final but not everyone got to see it after ITV's gaffe . Switch: Fans were told in final game that coverage was to be interrupted by the news (file picture) Rafael Nadal went on to win the final few points and take the trophy, winning 3-6, 7-5, 6-2, 6-4. But many missed out on the moment he clinched victory and the scheduling decision immediately sparked anger online. The French Open was listed for coverage between 1.30pm and 5.45pm on Sunday. At that point, local and then national news was scheduled to run between 5.45pm and 6pm before ITV's Soccer Aid started, which ran from 6pm to 10pm. Over on ITV4, tennis was listed to run from 5.40pm to 6.30pm, giving reviews a five minute overlap period. ITV has said this was always the schedule and made several announcements to inform viewers before the change over happened. But television presenter Nick Knowles took to Twitter to say: 'Can’t believe ITV have switched away from tennis final in last game of last set!!! What about everyone who can’t get ITV4?' Broadcaster Stuart Linnell called the move 'Probably the worst TV scheduling decision ever!' He added: 'ITV switching French Open Men's Final to ITV4 just as Nadal wins. Utterly ridiculous.' Outrage: Television presenter Nick Knowles was one of those angry at ITV's scheduling decision . Too late? ITV apologised after the final few minutes of the French Open were switched to ITV4 . Unlucky: Plenty cannot access digital-only channel ITV4 meaning they missed out on the final minutes . Tennis fan, Jenny Smith, said on Twitter: 'Immaculate timing @ITV just as it goes into the final game of the French open... Cut off to go to local news. Fabulous.' Another . Twitter user said: 'Seriously ITV, you stopped coverage on ITV1 [sic] of the . French Open final in the middle of the winning game for the regional . news? *slow clap*' ITV4 . was launched in November 2005 and the channel is broadcast on digital . terrestrial, satellite, cable and IPTV platforms. A number of factors, such as the geographical surroundings and signal strength, are believed to affect what channels some Freeview viewers' are able to receive. ITV said it had made viewers aware of the changeover a number of times in advance during the game. Rafael Nadal, right, and Novak Djokovic, left, had played two points in what turned out to be the final game in the tournament's grand finale, which was being aired live on ITV1 . A spokesman told MailOnline: 'On reaching the end of our scheduled slot on ITV we switched our coverage to ITV4, having made viewers aware of the changeover on air five minutes in advance and through ITV's Twitter feeds. 'The information was repeated several times on air and coverage on ITV4 overlapped for several minutes to ensure viewers need not miss any action. 'We apologise for any inconvenience the change in channels caused to any viewers.' It is not the first time ITV has been forced to apologise for a scheduling blunder. In 2010, their HD coverage cut off England's opening World Cup goal against the United States. ITV viewers saw Steven Gerrard's opening goal after four minutes but fans watching on HD were left bemused after the broadcaster suddenly switched to a Hyundai advert. Viewers of ITV HD had their coverage of the game suddenly cut short after just 3mins 26secs of play. Viewers were outraged after footage of England's goal against the USA in 2010 scored by Steven Gerrard, pictured . ITV blamed 'human error' at an outside company and apologised 'unreservedly' for the error. Coverage resumed at 3mins 46secs, with Gerrard celebrating his strike sparking outrage among England fans, who blasted the broadcaster on social network sites. A year earlier millions of viewers vented their disbelief and anger that ITV had cut to an ad break for Tic-tac mints and Volkswagen as the extra time winner was scored in the live FA Cup clash between Liverpool and Everton. Their rage brought a personal apology from ITV boss Michael Grade yesterday who described the incident as 'a shambles' and a 'technical cock up.' The goal, by Everton's Dan Gosling, came two minutes before the end of extra time. The incident happened four years after more than a million ITV HD viewers missed Steven Gerrard's England goal against USA in the 2010 World Cup. Coverage of the game on the high definition channel suddenly cut out at 3mins 26secs and switched to an advert before going blank. When footage resumed 20 seconds later, viewers saw Gerrard celebrating his goal. ITV blamed the fiasco on 'human error' at an outside company and apologised 'unreservedly' for the error. | Thousands tuned in to ITV to watch Rafael Nadal and Noval Djokovic in final .
Match had entered what turned out to be last game when it went to the news .
Viewers were told that coverage would continue but on sister channel, ITV4 .
But those unable to access the channel missed the crucial last few points .
ITV apologises but insists viewers had been advised of switch during match . |
1,681 | 04cb633eeb33e485f2be54b7355d93424aa24b2d | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 17:41 EST, 9 May 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 17:41 EST, 9 May 2013 . Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant has scored a victory in an ongoing legal battle with his own mother, who planned to auction off more than a million dollars’ worth of his sports memorabilia. This week, a judge issued a temporary restraining order against Goldin Auctions barring the auction house from selling Bryant's basketball jerseys, jackets, high school championship rings, trophies and other collectibles pending a full hearing. The New Jersey-based auction business has filed a complaint claiming that Bryant's mother, Pamela Bryant, put up for sale a large collection of sports memorabilia, which she had received as a gift from her millionaire son. The items numbering in the hundreds were expected to fetch around $1.5million. Family feud: Lakers star Kobe Bryant has accused his mother, Pamela (pictured) of selling his valuable collection of memorabilia, and even stealing some of the items from his home . He said, she said: Kobe Bryant (left) insisted that his mother (right) was never given consent to take his collectibles and sell them, but Pamela Bryant claims her son had given her permission to auction them off . Earlier this year, Mrs Bryant joined forces with the Berlin, New Jersey-based Goldin Auctions to sell the sports mementos from her son's high school days and early NBA career. In return, Pamela Bryant received a $450,000 advance, which she in turn used to buy a house in Nevada. However, the 34-year-old athlete, who is currently recovering from a season-ending injury to his Achilles’ tendon, filed his own complaint against the auction house insisting that he had never given his mother permission to sell his memorabilia. Mr Bryant went on to stay in his court filing that his mother stole some of his personal items from his house, TMZ reported. 'I never told my mother that she could have my personal property, let alone consign it for public auction,' Bryant wrote. According to the complaint filed Wednesday in US District Court in Camden, New Jersey, the Lakers shooting guard claimed that Mrs Bryant admitted to him recently that she was never given consent to sell his possessions. 'I confronted her about her false . statement that I had given my memorabilia to her,' Bryant wrote in the filing cited by ESPN. 'I said . to her, "Mom, you know I never told you that you could have the . memorabilia." 'Her response . was, "Yes, but you never said you wanted it, either." Of course, this is . untrue, since my wife and I requested that she return my memorabilia . several years earlier.' Last . week, Kobe Bryant's lawyers demanded that Goldin Auctions scrap the . scheduled June sale. In response, the auction house sued the athlete for . the right to go ahead with the sale of The Kobe Bryant Collection. Mr . Bryant has emphasized that he was only suing the auctioneers and not . his mother, but both he and his wife, Vanessa, had testified in writing . that Pamela Bryant took the memorabilia and put it on the auction block . without their permission, and then refused to return the prized . possessions. Bryant said in . a sworn statement that the items at the center of the dispute go back . to his teenage years have 'tremendous sentimental value,' adding that he . was planning to hand down his 'well-deserved memorabilia’ to his . children, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer. Bryant said his mother can claim ownership of only two items, NBA Championship rings that he had custom-made for his parents. For sale: An advertisement for an auction of items belonging to Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant is seen just before the basketball star ordered the auction house to stop . Deal: A lawsuit by the New Jersey auction house claims that Kobe Bryant's mother Pamela Bryant, seen beside his father Joe Bryant, already struck a deal with them for the items' sale . Vanessa . Bryant also weighed in on the mother-son spat, stating that when . confronted about the items, her mother-in-law agreed to return theme, . but said that she had moved all the jerseys and championship mementos to . a storage facility. Attorneys for both sides in the legal dispute will present their arguments in the case May 20 in Camden. The disagreement is a high-value, . high-profile version of a question many families face: Can Mom get rid . of the stuff a grown child left at home? In this case, the 900 mementos happen to be worth upward of $1.5 million. Among . the first 100 or so items Pamela Bryant intends to sell: the NBA star's . jerseys, practice gear and sweatsuits from Lower Merion High School; . varsity letters; a trophy for being the outstanding player at the 1995 . Adidas ABCD basketball camp; and a signed basketball from the 2000 NBA . championship game. And . then there are rings, for the 1996 Pennsylvania high school . championship, a pair that the Lakers made for Bryant's parents for the . 2000 NBA championship and one from the 1998 NBA All-Star game. According . to court filings, Pamela Bryant struck a deal in January with Goldin . Auctions in Berlin, N.J., which earlier this year sold a rare Honus . Wagner baseball card for a record $2.1 million. In its court filings, Goldin says . Pamela Bryant told the auction house that she asked her son five years . ago what he wanted to do with the items that were in her home. 'Kobe Bryant indicated to Pamela . Bryant that the items belonged to her and that he had no interest in . them,' the auction house's attorneys wrote. So she put them in a . $1,500-per-month New Jersey storage unit. Gifted: A Los Angeles Lakers championship ring given by Kobe to his father Joe Bryant is seen among the items the auction house hopes to sell . Fair game: Two Lower Merion High School basketball jerseys worn by Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant are seen for sale though Bryant contends that his mother doesn't have the right to sell the collectibles . Price tag: The 900 items belonging to Bryant, seen with his wife Vanessa at a cancer research benefit on Thursday, could bring in upward of $1.5 million . The challenge came last Tuesday when Goldin sent a news release announcing the auction. By day's end, Kobe Bryant's lawyer had sent a cease-and-desist letter telling the auction house to call off the sale and return the items to him. Kenneth Goldin, owner of the auction house, says he can't cancel the auction because he's already advanced $450,000 to Bryant's mother and put money into advertising the auction. Kobe Bryant's lawyer Mark Campbell said in a statement, 'Mr. Bryant's personal property has ended up in the possession of someone who does not lawfully own it. We look forward to resolving this legal matter through the legal system.' Bryant has had a sometimes icy relationship with his mother and father, Joe 'Jellybean' Bryant, a former pro basketball player for the Philadelphia 76ers who is now coaching in Thailand. | Auction house has filed a lawsuit after basketball great ordered them to stop .
Court documents: Pamela Bryant struck deal in January with Goldin Auctions and received $450,000 up front toward a new house .
Memorabilia includes high school clothing, gear, trophies and rings .
Kobe Bryant claims his mother, Pamela, stole some of his collectibles . |
48,824 | 89d63ce49510fd16cbdde655ff0b1d9123dc9d9c | Ijaz, a bus conductor in his early twenties, spends his days travelling through the bustling streets of Peshawar in northern Pakistan, working hard to scrape a living. The pay is low and the hours are long, and Ijaz, like many of his colleagues, remains unwed and has no family. Instead of going home come nightfall, he, and many others, spend their time with street children, paying them as little as 75p for sex and when they have no money, brutally abusing them. Scroll down for video . At risk: Of Pakistan's 1.5 million street children, an estimated 90 per cent have been sexually abused . But the children falling prey to these men aren't the ones you might expect. With girls kept at home by their parents, the majority of victims are boys - some as young as six years old. 'Once, there was a boy on the bus and everyone had sex with him,' confesses Ijaz who admits to raping 12 different children during his career as a bus conductor. 'I did it too but what else could I do? They invited me. And he was that kind of boy anyway.' Sexual abuse in Pakistan is rife. An estimated four million children in the country are forced into work from an early age due to poverty and of those, more than a million live on the streets where they are easy prey for men like Ijaz. A recent survey of 1,800 men found that a third believe that not only is raping little boys not a crime, it's not even a bad thing to do. As a result, an estimated 90 per cent of street children have been victims of sexual abuse at some point in their lives. Damaged: Naeem, 13, has been on the streets, off and on, . since running away from his violent brother who repeatedly beat him . following their parents' death. He was eight at the time . Dangerous: Most of the street children are little boys and 90 per cent fall victim to paedophiles . One such boy is Naeem, 13, who has been on the streets, off and on, since running away from his violent brother who repeatedly beat him following their parents' death. He was eight at the time. His world is one of drugs and violence. He talks casually of a street where you'll find 'all the paedos'. He is addicted to heroin and regularly abuses his own fragile body, cutting and stabbing himself in an attempt to deal with his anger. Although he has sold himself to pay for drugs, he also tells, with tears in his eyes, of a time when he was attacked by a gang of men. 'I was lying here sleeping and four people grabbed me and threw me into a . car,' he sobs. 'One was a bus driver, the others were heroin addicts. All four of . them raped me.' Many of Pakistan's abusers are bus drivers. One man who knows this all too well is Hassan Deen, an entrepreneur who rents beds - and sometimes boys - to drivers at Peshawar's largest bus depot. 'A bus driver . rents a bed from me and he says he'll pay an extra 50 (50p) or 100 rupees (£1) if I . can get him a boy,' explains Mr Deen. 'There's often a kid wandering the streets alone. We . tell these boys we'll provide food and shelter if they come with us. That's how we lure them in.' Others, addicted to the cheap heroin that pours across the border from neighbouring Afghanistan, will have sex with these men for a price. 'If . I don't make enough money picking trash, I sell my body,' admits Naeen. 'The first time . I sold myself, I didn't have any money. 'So I did it three times with a . man and in return, he gave me 3,000 rupees (£17). I was . eight and a half. I was little. 'The . first time I did it, I hadn't eaten for two to three days. Afterwards, I . cried all night, asking myself, "What have I done?" I did this to . myself to make some money.' Hotspot: Peshawar's bus depots are the scene of much of the abuse with bus drivers being the main culprits . Drugs: Thanks to the proximity of Afghanistan and its cheap heroin, drug addiction is rife among street boys . And Naeen isn't alone. Another street child, nine-year-old Akeeb has also been approached by men on the street but has so far managed to escape. 'I don't get scared if I have a friend . with me,' he says. 'I get bothered a lot by the bus driver, the van driver. They tell me to climb on the roof of the bus and do bad . things with them. Sometimes they offer me a soft drink in return.' Unsurprisingly, the impact of this abuse on the children is severe. Along with psychological problems, a Save the Children report showed that as many as one in 10 are murdered by the men who abuse them. Others go on to become abusers themselves, among them 13-year-old Naeem. 'There was a boy, . about 10 or 11,' he confesses, shame-faced. Chaos: The busy streets of Peshawar are also home to thousands of children - and some dangerous men . Hoping to help: Imran Khan describes the plight of the street children as 'shameful' for Pakistani society . 'I took him to the cinema and spent money on him and he . was OK with it. But when we left the cinema, he said he didn't want to . do it anymore so then I grabbed his hand and forced him.' Although there are laws in place to protect children, police rarely bother themselves with the plight of the street children, with many saying that the ever-present threat of Taliban bombs trumps saving small boys. One man who might be able to help is politician Imran Khan. 'It's one of the most sad and shameful . aspects of our society,' he says. 'I'm totally embarrassed by this. It's really shameful for us that we have not been able to protect them.' For now, boys like Naeem continue to fall victim to predatory paedophiles like serial rapist Ijaz, a man who claims to want a 'good woman' for a wife one day and children of his own. 'I'm . going to look for a good wife who's read the Quran and prays,' he says. 'A good, . respectable woman. Religion is very important because I'm . Muslim.' That, however, hasn't stopped him from attacking boys. 'What can we do?,' he whines. 'We know it's totally . against Islam. God doesn't like it. But we're helpless against our . desire.' Pakistan's Secret Shame, tonight at 10pm on Channel 4 . | Pakistan is home to 1.5m street children, 90% of whom have been abused .
Naeem, 13, from Peshawar was gang-raped by four men and is an addict .
He has now become an abuser himself and regularly self-harms .
Many paedophiles such as bus conductor Ijaz are open about their desires .
Both Naeem and Ijaz appear on C4 documentary Pakistan's Secret Shame . |
120,641 | 27e9a4d9067b7a79d90ca04fd99eb781a7709f63 | Sam Vokes continued his comeback from injury with two goals as Burnley’s Development Squad hammered Blackpool 5-1 on Monday. The Wales international is in contention to face Liverpool on Boxing Day after he completed 90 minutes in his fifth appearance for the U21 Development Squad since recovering from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in March. Vokes opened the scoring in the 17th minute after a pass from Jason Gilchrist. Vokes (centre) has not played for Burnley since rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in March . Sam Vokes celebrates on crutches after Burnley beat Ipswich Town at Turf Moor in April . Vokes (centre) is closing in on a return after playing 90 minutes for the U21s and scoring twice . Blackpool fielded a stronmg side including Darren O’Dea, John Lundstram, Andrea Orlandi and Ishmael Miller but the 25-year-old Vokes got his second on 34 minutes after good wing play from Luke Daly set up a simple finish from eight yards. Steven Hewitt, Gilchrist and substitute Jamie Frost completed the rout with Blackpool’s consolation coming direct from a corner. | Sam Vokes ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in March .
The striker is in contention to face Liverpool on Boxing Day .
Vokes scored twice as Burnley U21's beat Blackpool 5-1 on Monday . |
193,427 | 86695df89500c480425dc7595175cc86879f5c9b | By . Lewis Smith . PUBLISHED: . 13:07 EST, 21 November 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 13:07 EST, 21 November 2012 . Time is running out in the race to cut greenhouse gas emissions fast enough to keep global temperatures rises below 2C this century, the United Nations warns. Greenhouse gases are being pumped into the atmosphere in such quantities that temperatures are likely to rise at least 3C and up to 5C by 2100 even if government pledges for are kept. Governments must promise and put into action many more measures than they have already committed to if the world is to keep temperatures rises below 2C, scientists and UN officials said. Wind farms offer renewable energy which can cut emissions but are often unpopular . To do so, an international team of scientists said, annual greenhouse gas emissions must be slashed from about 50 gigatonnes (Gt) today to about 44GT by 2020. However, emissions are still rising – they have risen 20 per cent since 2000 – and the report by the United Nations Environment Programme forecasts they will be at about 58Gt by the end of the decade. This would leave an ‘emissions gap’ estimated to be 13Gt and even if government’s delivered the most ambitious of their pledges the gap would still be 8Gt. The gap is 2Gt worse than last year's forecast. Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary General and UNEP Executive Director, said: ‘The sobering fact remains that a transition to a low carbon, inclusive Green Economy is happening far too slowly and the opportunity for meeting the 44Gt target is narrowing annually. ‘While governments work to negotiate a new international climate agreement to come into effect in 2020, they urgently need to put their foot firmly on the action pedal by fulfilling financial, technology transfer and other commitments under the UN climate convention treaties. ‘There are also a wide range of complementary voluntary measures that can that can bridge the gap between ambition and reality now rather than later.’ But he remains confident that temperatures can be kept down if there is the political will and that the technical capability exists. He added: ‘There are many inspiring actions taking place at the national level on energy efficiency in buildings, investing in forests to avoid emissions linked with deforestation and new vehicle emissions standards alongside a remarkable growth in investment in new renewable energies worldwide, which in 2011 totaled close to US$260 billion.’ Countries with emission-cut pledges in dark green, draft pledges in light green, no pledges in the palest shade . Christiana Figueres, Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, said: ‘This report is a reminder that time is running out, but that the technical means and the policy tools to allow the world to stay below a maximum 2 degrees Celsius are still available to governments and societies. ‘Governments meeting in Doha for COP18 now need to urgently implement existing decisions which will allow for a swifter transition towards a low-carbon and resilient world. ‘Governments need to urgently identify how ambition can be raised.’ Friends of the Earth described the publication of the report as a ‘stark warning’ that action needs to be taken urgently. UNEP is confident that 17Gt of greenhouse gas emissions can be cut by 2020 . Estimated emissions through energy efficiency: . Asad Rehman, from the campaign group, said: ‘This report is a stark warning that cannot be ignored - nations must take urgent and comprehensive action to slash emissions to avert a climate disaster. ‘The clock is ticking but there’s still time to act - countries meeting in Doha next week must agree a clear course of action to tackle climate change before it is too late. ‘Current EU plans are hopelessly inadequate – its proposals to cut emissions by 20 per cent of 1990 levels have already been met. ‘Developed nations like Britain must show leadership by getting themselves off the fossil fuel hook and securing the new jobs and economic benefits that building a low carbon economy will bring.’ The report, compiled by 55 scientists from 22 countries, highlighted the need for action but identified several areas where emissions can be cut, such as by walking and cycling instead of using cars, saving forests, and energy efficient appliances. It warned: ‘Current global emissions are already considerably higher than the emissions level consistent with the 2oC target in 2020 and are still growing. ‘To stay within the 2°C limit global emissions will have to peak before 2020. ‘Scenarios that meet the 2oC limit have global emissions in 2050 roughly 40 per cent below 1990 emission levels and roughly 60 per cent below 2010 emission levels. ‘The gap can also be closed by swift and comprehensive action to scale up a wide range of tried-and-true policy actions. ‘These are actions that have worked around the world and in many different sectors, and which are not only beneficial to climate protection, but also satisfy a great variety of other local and national priorities.’ | Greenhouse gas emissions need to fall 14 per cent by 2020 but are still rising .
2C target can still be met but politicians need to act immediately .
Gap between emissions target and the real figure is widening . |
87,229 | f776e9e96ca0b96791935cafed999dfd1473f828 | Next time you log into Instagram, you may notice your follower numbers have taken a hit. Instagram is clamping down on fake, inactive and spam accounts by completely removing them from the service. The Facebook-owned app announced the plans earlier this year, and began purging the unwanted accounts last night. Instagram announced the plans earlier this year and began purging these unwanted accounts last night. The biggest celebrity loser was Akon (left), who shedded more than 2.4 million, or just over 56% of his followers. Instagram's own account (right) lost more than 18.8 million followers, to take its total to 45.2 million . Celebrities, in particular, were the biggest victim of what's been dubbed Instagram Rapture after losing millions of followers overnight. Software developer Zach Allia created a list of the top 100 accounts that lost the most followers during the update. He told MailOnline the figures were taken from Instagram's API and it took him just 20 minutes to compile the list. The biggest loser was an account called chiragchirag78, which dropped from more than 3.6 million followers yesterday, to just eight. Software developer Zach Allia created a list of the top 100 accounts that lost the most followers during the update (interactive graphic pictured). He told MailOnline the figures were taken from Instagram's API and it took him just 20 minutes to compile the list . However, the owner of this account is not known, and it has since been removed. The biggest celebrity loser was Akon, who shedded more than 2.4 million, or just over 56 per cent, of his followers. Bruno Mars lost 24 per cent of his followers in the purge, while rapper P.Diddy, also known as Sean Combs and on Instagram as iamdiddy, lost more than 3.6 million followers - or 22 per cent. Justin Bieber's count went down by 3.5 million, while Kim Kardashian lost 1.3 million. And Instagram's own account didn't escape the so-called rapture, losing more than 18.8 million followers, to take its total down to 45.2 million. Bruno Mars (left) lost 24% of his followers in the purge, while rapper P.Diddy, also known as Sean Combs and on Instagram as iamdiddy, (right) lost more than 3.6 million followers - or 22% . Earlier this month, Instagram announced that more than 300 million people use the app each month - making it more popular than Twitter. Just nine months after hitting 200 million users, Instagram overtook Twitter, which said six week ago it had 284 million users. The site, owned by Facebook, also revealed more than 70 million photos and videos are shared by its members every day. The removal of the fake and inactive accounts does not affect this figure, and they were not included in the 300 million. Instagram did warn users it was planning to clampdown on spam account earlier in the year. In an official blog, the photo-sharing app said: 'In December 2014, we're fixing an ongoing issue that incorrectly includes inactive or fake accounts in follower/following lists. 'We want to maintain the best possible experience on Instagram, so we do our best to remove spam, fake accounts and other people and posts that don't follow our Community Guidelines. 'As we remove these accounts, some people may notice a decrease in their follower/following counts.' This issue had been fixed for the majority of Instagrammers in April, but this month's update expanded it to the remaining users. 'When we remove accounts from Instagram that don't follow our Community Guidelines, you may see a decrease in your follower count,' the firm added. 'This shouldn’t affect engagement from authentic accounts that like and comment on your posts.' Earlier this month, Instagram announced that more than 300 million people use the app each month - making it more popular than Twitter. The removal of the fake and inactive accounts does not affect this figure, and they were not included in the 300 million. Mark Zuckerberg posted this picture to the site to celebrate the news . Earlier this month, Instagram announced that more than 300 million people use the app each month - making it more popular than Twitter. Just nine months after hitting 200 million users, Instagram overtook Twitter, which said six week ago it had 284 million users. The site, owned by Facebook, also revealed more than 70 million photos and videos are shared by its members every day. The removal of the fake and inactive accounts does not affect this figure, and they were not included in the 300 million. | The biggest loser was chiragchirag78, which dropped from more than 3.6 million followers yesterday, to just eight .
The biggest celebrity loser was Akon, who lost 2.4 million - just over 56% .
Bruno Mars lost 24% of his followers in the purge, Justin Bieber's count went down by 3.5 million, while Kim Kardashian lost 1.3 million .
And Instagram's own account didn't escape the so-called rapture .
It lost more than 18.8 million followers, to take its total down to 45.2 million .
Instagram said it is clamping down on fake, inactive and spam accounts . |
68,278 | c1ac4e8194190ac515b72a17cb574b48df1f4b59 | (CNN) -- Investigators asked for help Thursday as they searched for a man seen in a mall in Littleton, Colorado, shortly before what they described as a possible attempt to bomb the shopping center on the 12th anniversary of the shooting at nearby Columbine High School. Authorities told reporters at a news conference that the man they are seeking is a "person of interest," and they asked for help from the news media and public in identifying him. No evidence exists so far of a link to the Columbine shootings, Jefferson County Sheriff Ted Mink said, but he acknowledged the possibility was on the minds of law enforcement officials. "There's not a definite link that we have right now to anything at Columbine other than the date," Mink said, adding that the April 20th anniversary of the shootings "is fresh on everyone's mind." A security camera shows the man sought by authorities in the mall just minutes before a security guard noticed a fire. Investigators say that fire may have been part of an attempt to detonate explosives. The incident happened Wednesday at the Southwest Plaza Mall, less than two miles from Columbine High School. It came on the 12th anniversary of the shooting at Columbine that left 12 students and a teacher dead at the hands of two other students, who then killed themselves. "It's sort of scary, but it's also ... terrible," said David Cullen, author of the book "Columbine" about the massacre. "It's like attacking people who are in mourning." Law-enforcement officials released surveillance camera images of a man carrying a white plastic bag at the mall around noon. He was in a part of the mall that the public does not usually access. Only minutes after he was seen in the area, a security guard noticed a small fire there and quickly put it out. A subsequent search turned up explosives, said Jacki Kelley of the Jefferson County Sheriff's office. "The propane tanks and the pipe bomb were literally together," she told reporters Wednesday night at a news conference. The mall was quickly evacuated and no one was hurt, authorities said. Mink said that the mall had been thoroughly searched and was allowed to reopen on Thursday. None of the authorities who spoke at the news conference provided further information on the explosives found at the scene, saying they needed to interview more people and didn't want details reported in the media to influence any responses they might get. The situation could have been much worse, said Dave Joly, a spokesman for the FBI. "Depending (on) if it went off and actively combusted as what it was set to do, it could have been more serious than it was," he said at an earlier news conference, adding that it appeared that the pipe bomb was supposed to be a trigger to detonate the propane tanks. "This was potentially devastating to a very high populated area, and very difficult to ignore the day that today is," Kelley added. "We're not ignoring that. The date is significant to Colorado history," Joly added. Schools in the area were briefly put on lockdown, according to the sheriff's office. Columbine High School was already closed Wednesday, for what its school calendar called a staff development day. The person authorities want to talk to is described as a white male with gray hair and a silver mustache, the FBI said. He wore a dark cap with a light-colored logo on the front, a gray and white horizontally striped shirt, a dark jacket, jeans and dark-colored shoes. "We're not sure if he's a suspect or a possible witness," Kelley said. CNN's Jeanne Meserve contributed to this report. | NEW: A Columbine experts says "it's like attacking people ... in mourning"
The Southwest Plaza Mall reopens as authorities ask for help .
A possible bombing attempt came on the Columbine anniversary .
Propane tanks and a pipe bomb were found, officials say . |
169,782 | 67ba24dd859d420ed41c0c71a9d8780ae8205276 | By . Martin Robinson . PUBLISHED: . 10:37 EST, 4 June 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 11:38 EST, 4 June 2013 . A 72 year old man has been arrested on suspicion of sexual offences by officers from Operation Yewtree - the team investigating decades of abuse by paedophile Jimmy Savile. The pensioner was held in east London yesterday afternoon and taken into police custody before being released on bail until July. Yewtree is exploring three strands: claims against Savile, those involving Savile and others, and those involving people not linked to the DJ. This east London man falls under the strand of Yewtree police have termed others, and he is the 13th person to be arrested as part of the investigation. Probe: Detectives from Scotland Yard have arrested a 72-year-old man in East London, the 13th arrest under Operation Yewtree . The Met today refused to name the man. It came as a different pensioner, who was earlier arrested in south London as part of the Jimmy Savile sex probe, has been released without charge. The 65-year-old was held in February on suspicion of sexual offences and taken into police custody. But a spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said today there was insufficient evidence to prosecute. The freed man was also arrested in the 'others' strand. Most of the allegations relating to 'others' have been made against people associated with the entertainment industry, including ex-glam rocker Gary Glitter and comedian Freddie Starr. PR guru Max Clifford, TV star and comedian Jim Davidson and entertainer Rolf Harris are also among those who have been arrested. Suspects: PR guru Max Clifford, left, and comedian Jim Davidson, right, are among those arrested in the Operation . Arrests: Comedian Jimmy Tarbuck and Australian entertainer Rolf Harris have also been held by Yewtree . Yewtree: Scotland Yard launched its investigation into historic sex offences after DJ Jimmy Savile's crimes were uncovered . So far, 589 people have come forward with information relating to the scandal, with 450 alleging they were sexually abused by former Top Of The Pops presenter Savile. Of those making complaints about the late DJ, 73 per cent were children at the time of the offences. A report released in January revealed that Savile's victims included an eight-year-old boy and children who were seriously ill. Branded one of the UK's most prolific known sexual predators, Savile now has 214 criminal offences recorded against his name, including 34 rapes. Sorry we are unable to accept comments for legal reasons. | Scotland Yard refuses to name the suspect, who has been bailed .
A different pensioner arrested by Yewtree told today he faces no charges . |
55,692 | 9ddf5fc13521cd7924c590ae2476bd06577859b9 | Ahead of this weekend's Premier League action, Sportsmail will be providing you with all you need to know about every fixture, with team news, provisional squads, betting odds and Opta stats. Here is all the information you need for Chelsea's home clash with Hull City... Chelsea vs Hull City (Stamford Bridge) Team news . Chelsea . Goalkeeper Petr Cech will make his first Barclays Premier League start of the season against Hull on Saturday after Thibaut Courtois suffered a minor injury in training. Playmaker Cesc Fabregas will serve a one-match suspension as Jose Mourinho reverts to the majority of his first-choice line-up. Defender John Terry and forwards Eden Hazard and Willian were rested for the midweek defeat of Sporting Lisbon, which saw Mourinho make six changes to the side which lost for the first time this season last weekend at Newcastle. Provisional squad: Cech, Ivanovic, Luis, Fabregas, Zouma, Ramires, Oscar, Hazard, Drogba, Mikel, Schurrle, Salah, Remy, Costa, Matic, Willian, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta, Schwarzer, Beeney, Loftus-Cheek, Christensen. Petr Cech will make his first Premier League start of the season for Chelsea against Hull City . Hull City . Hull captain Curtis Davies could be handed a recall for the trip to Barclays Premier League leaders Chelsea. The centre-half has been dropped for the last two matches, but manager Steve Bruce could revert to a back three at Stamford Bridge, opening up a vacancy at the back. Gaston Ramirez has completed a three-game ban, but fellow loanee Hatem Ben Arfa is set to continue his exile from the squad. Provisional squad: McGregor, Jakupovic, Davies, Rosenior, Robertson, Chester, Dawson, Bruce, Elmohamady, Meyler, Huddlestone, Livermore, Brady, Aluko, Quinn, Ramirez Hernandez, Aluko, Jelavic . Hull City captain Curtis Davies could be restored to the starting line-up for the trip to Stamford Bridge . Kick-off: Saturday 3pm . Odds (subject to change): . Chelsea 1/5 . Draw 5/1 . Hull 14/1 . Referee: Chris Foy . Managers: Jose Mourinho (Chelsea), Steve Bruce (Hull) Head-to-head league record: Chelsea wins 21, draws 7, Hull wins 4 . Key match stats (supplied by Opta) Loic Remy and Didier Drogba have both scored three goals in three Barclays Premier League games against Hull City. The Tigers have never won away at Chelsea in any competition (L15 D5 W0). Chelsea are unbeaten in their last 10 games against Hull City in all competitions (W8 D2), including all six in the Barclays Premier League (W4 D2 L0). Mohamed Diame has scored four goals from just four shots on target in the Premier League this season. Hull City have gone eight Premier League games without a victory (W0 D4 L4). Hull have never won away at Chelsea in 15 visits but will look to put that right on Saturday . Cesc Fabregas (81) is now clear in sixth place in the all time Premier League assist ranking; one ahead of David Beckham (80). Allan McGregor has saved all three of the penalties he has faced in the Premier League – no goalkeeper has ever saved four consecutive penalties that he’s faced in the competition. Hull have scored only two goals in their last seven Premier League games. Only once before have Chelsea had more points after 15 games of a Premier League campaign (40 in 2005-06). This is Hull City’s worst start to a Premier League season (13 points), even lower than the 16 they accrued after 15 games in 2009-10 when they were relegated. | Chelsea host Hull City at Stamford Bridge on Saturday (3pm kick-off)
Petr Cech will make his first Premier League start of season for Blues .
Hull captain Curtis Davies could be recalled to Tigers' starting line-up .
Tigers have never won away at Chelsea in any competition (15 visits) |
248,264 | cd3c2ceba9587f4840066a5a23d1df0d9e732a8f | After a testing week in which his managerial methods were scrutinised and his Watford ‘family’ looked close to a break-up, this was a satisfying afternoon for Beppe Sannino. Finding himself on the receiving end of a volley of abuse when Lloyd Dyer scored at Rotherham in midweek, the Italian was forced to admit that as ‘father’ to a squad of ’24 brothers’, he couldn’t possibly keep everyone happy with enough game time. It led to rumours of a widening rift within the squad but, with Dyer dropped and unity restored on the pitch at least, it was very much a happy home at Vicarage Road on Saturday as woeful Leeds United were comfortably beaten. Opener: Fernando Forestieri (left) scores the opener for Watford against Leeds at Vicarage Road . Watford: Gomes; Tamas, Angella, Hoban; Paredes (Anya 55), Abdi (Andrews 82), Tozser, Munari, Pudil; Deeney (c), Forestieri (Ighalo 76) Substitutes not used: Bond (GK), Doyley, Fabbrini, Vydra . Scorers: Forestieri 20, 67; Deeney (pen) 58; Tozser 90 . Booked: Tozser, Angella . Leeds United: Silvestri; Byram, Bellusci, Pearce (c), Warnock; Austin, Murphy, Bianchi, Tonge (Poleon 76); Sharp (Cooper 62), Antenucci (Smith 82) Substitutes not used: S Taylor (GK), Wootton, Cook, Norris . Scorer: Tamas own goal 32 . Booked: Murphy, Austin . Sent off: Bellusci, Byram . Referee: James Linington (Isle of Wight) Attendance: 15,674 . Two wonderful goals from Fernando Forestieri, a free-kick from Daniel Tozser and a Troy Deeney penalty after debutant Giuseppe Bellusci had been dismissed brought back the Hornets’ harmony and, as Leeds hover above the Championship relegation places, turned up the pressure on Dave Hockaday. Watford’s opener was a thing of beauty. From Tozser’s inswinging corner, Deeney and Gianni Munari whisked the ball between statuesque Leeds defenders to free Forestieri. He saw his initial low shot blocked by Marco Silvestri but the ball popped up obligingly for Italian-Argentine to head home. But after such a moment of such quick minds and swift feet came a lapse in concentration and a clumsy boot that gifted Leeds an equaliser. Billy Sharp found space to cross low from the right and, though the ball was heading for nobody in particular, it was diverted beyond Heurelho Gomes by Tamas’s outstretched leg. It was pretty much all Leeds created. Sharp was lively, as was Michael Tonge, but debutant striker Mirco Antenucci, signed from Serie B outfit Ternana in the week, struggled to keep pace. Performance: Forestieri (right) scored twice and won a penalty which Troy Deeney converted . The other new boy Bellusci, the centre-back known as ‘The Warrior’ by fans at his previous club Catania, wasn’t exactly heroic when he allowed Tommie Hoban a free header from Almen Abdi’s corner. Luckily for Leeds, he put it over the bar. But that was just the beginning of Bellusci’s problems. Shortly before the hour, Forestieri burst into the Leeds box and the Italian hacked him down. Referee James Linington had little choice but to show a red card. Deeney had impressed most for Watford. His vivid orange boots acted as a beacon for pretty much every attack. Always willing, always running, he was adept at holding the ball up and sparking his team into life. He proved reliable at penalty taking too, sending the ball straight down the middle to restore Watford’s lead. From then on, it was one-way traffic and the livewire Forestieri, collecting the ball on the left-hand side of the box, skipped past challenge after challenge before seeing his shot trickle in off the inside of the post for his third of the season. Surely it couldn't get any worse for Leeds? It certainly did. Tozser fired home a lovely free-kick in injury time, before Sam Byram saw red for a senseless head-butt on Daniel Pudil. It’s not too late to play MailOnline Fantasy Football… There’s £1,000 to be won EVERY WEEK by the highest scoring manager . | Matej Vydra started on bench after suffering dead leg against Rotherham .
Fernando Forestieri opens the scoring for Watford .
Gabriel Tamas scores own goal to equalise for Leeds .
Giuseppe Bellusci sent off after fouling Forestieri in the box .
Troy Deeney scores the subsequent penalty .
Forestieri scored third to put result beyond doubt .
Daniel Tozser scored fourth with a late free-kick .
Sam Byram sent off for head-butting Daniel Pudil . |
126,085 | 2ef7b8ce8ee9484a9fdd49feb7a21b72c7d27bb2 | By . Sophie Borland . PUBLISHED: . 19:21 EST, 29 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 05:50 EST, 30 December 2013 . Foreigners coming to Britain will be charged for emergency treatment on the NHS for the first time as part of a clampdown on health tourism. Migrants who go to A&E will be billed between £20 and £100 for a consultation, on top of the cost of their treatment – with staff presenting chip-and-pin machines at their bedsides. The charges are being brought in amid concerns that the NHS has become an 'international health service', with foreign patients who are not entitled to care racking up costs of £2billion a year. At the bedside? Patients may end up being presented with chip-and-pin machines under new plans to crack down on health tourism . Many travel to the UK specifically for free treatment – yesterday it emerged that in the past two years, 300 heavily pregnant women flew in to Britain through one airport just to give birth in NHS hospitals. Ministers have ruled out making overseas patients pay to see a GP after doctors raised fears this could impact on public health, but migrants will be charged for any follow-up procedures and prescriptions, as well as any care they receive in hospital. Senior doctors said last night that the plans would cause 'confusion' among staff and patients. They said the Government had failed to explain exactly how it would collect the money from foreigners. There is also concern that British patients will be wrongly charged if they cannot prove their nationality – or that the critically ill will be deterred from seeking help because they cannot afford to pay. The fees will be introduced next year and the Department of Health has promised to publish further details on how the new system will work in March. It is thought that patients will be charged between £20 and £100 for an initial consultation – depending on their condition – in addition to the price of any further treatment, scans or operations. Migrants who go to A&E will be billed between £20 and £100 for a consultation, on top of the cost of their treatment . A London Ambulance outside Whittington Hospital Accident and Emergency department . Patients may end up being presented with a chip-and-pin machine before they are allowed to leave and if they fail to pay, officials will try to claw the money back from their home country's government. The move comes after a report revealed the true cost of health tourism is £2billion a year – up to 100 times higher than some previous estimates. Only 16 per cent is clawed back. Health minister Lord Howe said: 'Having a universal health service free at the point of use rightly makes us the envy of the world, but we must make sure the system is fair to the hardworking British taxpayers who fund it. 'We know that we need to make changes across the NHS to better identify and charge visitors and migrants. Introducing charging at primary care is the first step.' Professor J Meirion Thomas said the flow of West African women flying in to give birth for free in London was so common it was referred to by staff as the 'Lagos Shuttle' At present, A&E is free for everyone, along with GP services and treatment for infectious diseases. But foreigners including tourists, illegal immigrants and anyone who has lived here for less than 12 months are meant to pay for hospital treatment, including X-rays and surgery. In reality, staff fail to recover these costs partly because they have no idea which patients should pay. Ministers also intend to make foreigners pay a £200 tax when they arrive, just in case they need to use the NHS while here. Professor J Meirion Thomas, of the Royal Marsden Hospital in London, said the flow of West African women flying in to give birth for free at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital, in London, was so common it was referred to by staff as the 'Lagos Shuttle'. It was reported yesterday that in just two years at Gatwick, border officials stopped more than 300 foreign women 'arriving in an advanced stage of pregnancy who evidently intend to access NHS maternity services'. Dr Mark Porter, of the British Medical Association, warned that the fees would create 'unintended drawbacks' and 'confusion' for patients and staff. He added: 'There remains a real risk that some migrants and short-term visitors who desperately need care could be discouraged from approaching the NHS if they cannot pay the proposed charges.' Shadow health minister Lord Philip Hunt accused the Government of putting 'spin before substance' by not explaining how the system will work. He added: 'This out-of-touch Government is asking doctors and nurses to act as surrogate immigration officials.' | Migrants billed between £20 and £100 for a consultation at A&E .
Patients may end up being presented with a chip-and-pin machine .
Charges come in amid concerns that NHS is now 'international'
It is claimed foreign patients rack up costs of £2billion a year .
Many health tourists travel to the UK specifically for free treatment .
Ministers have ruled out making overseas patients pay to see a GP . |
80,867 | e52e0bae2abb04ea74d43cd3ba84d5b03d84cb69 | Several passengers became ill when a commercial jet carrying more than 200 people was rocked by strong winds during a ‘horror flight’ in Australia. The turbulent conditions prevented the Cathay Pacific flight from landing at Melbourne Airport, so it was forced to divert to Avalon Airport, southwest of Australia’s second largest city. But passengers who went through the unsettling experience were stranded on the plane for several hours after the aircraft made a safe landing. Bumpy ride: Several passengers became ill after a Cathay Pacific flight was rocked by strong winds . Passengers said the Airbus A330, flying from Hong Kong to Melbourne, diverted after two aborted landings at Melbourne Airport late Saturday night. Ted Szkuta told radio station 3AW that the plane was ‘rocking severely’ as it attempted to land. He said: ‘I started feeling a bit seasick. It was very uncomfortable.’ After the plane made a smooth landing in Avalon, the Department of Immigration and Border Protection did not allow passengers to disembark, Mr Szkuta told the radio station. Rattled passengers remained on the aircraft for over four hours – they lost an hour to daylight saving time – but two were allowed to leave with paramedics due to medical conditions. Mr Szkuta said: ‘One person had a bit of an issue of, I think, claustrophobia or something because they gave the woman oxygen.’ Stranded: The passengers were stuck on the plane for over four hours before it returned to Melbourne Airport . The plane refuelled and was inspected by technicians before it flew back to Melbourne Airport, where it landed around 6am on Sunday – nearly seven hours behind schedule. Passenger Simon O’Dea saluted Cathay Pacific staff for the way they handled the situation. He said on Twitter: ‘@cathaypacificAU want to commend your staff at Melbourne check in for today's HK flight, so professional and helpful in difficult situation.’ Airservices Australia spokeswoman Vicki Huggins told the Herald Sun that two other planes were affected by severe winds and had to circle Melbourne Airport before landing. | Flight from Hong Kong had two aborted landings at Melbourne Airport .
Plane was diverted to Avalon Airport, where it made a smooth landing .
Passengers were forced to remain on plane for over four hours .
Plane landed at Melbourne Airport almost seven hours behind schedule . |
223,559 | ad6eb212315000a5894c28db0c80e3df7fd7b572 | Stuart Lancaster hailed Mike Brown’s bravery following the sickening head injury which left the England full back unconscious on the Twickenham turf needing seven minutes of treatment before being taken off on a stretcher. Brown’s injury came in the 13th minute of England’s 47-17 win over Italy, the result of a collision with Italy’s Andrea Masi as he attempted to avert a certain try for the visitors. The 29-year-old reappeared on the touchline in the second half and will undergo strict return-to-play protocols before being considered to face Ireland in a fortnight. England head coach Stuart Lancaster has praised the bravery of full back Mike Brown against Italy . Brown (left) was knocked out after a crushing collision with Andrea Masi during the first half . Brown (left) is smashed to the ground following the collision as the England full back was visiblly unconcious . The 29-year-old laid motionless on the Twickenham turf while play briefly continued . Medics tend to Brown (centre) after the collision and there was a long break in play . The full back's team-mates watch on Brown recieves treatment from the England medics . Brown left the field on a stretcher and given oxygen - but it was later revealed that he regained conciousness . After the game Lancaster praised his injured star. ‘It was a very dangerous moment of the game. It was a great chip over the top and typical Mike he was brave and it was a try-saver,’ Lancaster said. ‘He is talking fine now and he seems ok. It helps that it is two weeks and a day (until Ireland) but we will take him through the return-to-play protocol. ‘I spoke to him and he was grumpy that he had to miss the game and frustrated - but he is grumpy anyway.’ The collision left the Twickenham crowd hushed and his team-mates shaken as they took 21 minutes to get on the scoreboard after Sergio Parisse had put the visitors in front. England went on to score six tries. Jonathan Joseph crossed twice and Danny Cipriani scored on his first game at Twickenham in seven years. Brown later reappeared on the touchline in the second half to watch England cruise to a 47-17 victory . | England beat Italy 47-17 in the Six Nations on Saturday afternoon .
Full back Mike Brown was knocked unconscious in the 13th minute .
29-year-old will undergo strict return-to-play protocols before being considered to face Ireland on March 1 . |
277,859 | f3f4809d605f2efe81baa9dbf26ad6017b5d5224 | (CNN) -- Hyperbolic North Korean threats of war are not new. What is new is the intensity and persistence of those threats this time around. Add to that an untested 29-year-old leader who is suddenly a four-star general with lots to prove. How does this end? Consider these three possibilities: . 1. What Kim Jong Un hopes: North Korean threats continue to escalate. Pyongyang renews earlier threats to transfer its "nuclear deterrent capability" to third parties in the Middle East and declares South Korean waters west of the peninsula an open fire zone. The South Korean stock market plummets. Chinese leaders begin to panic about instability on their border. Washington is desperate to set aside the North Korea problem while dealing with a parallel crisis in Iran. The North proposes negotiations on a peace treaty formally ending the Korean War, but only if international sanctions imposed on the regime after their previous nuclear and missile tests are suspended. Washington, Seoul and Tokyo reluctantly agree to the North's terms to avoid further escalation. Meanwhile, the North continues miniaturizing uranium-based nuclear weapons in underground facilities. One year later, they test a more sophisticated warhead design and improved missiles payload. The North then demands the end of remaining international sanctions, recognition as a legitimate nuclear weapons state and a summit meeting in Pyongyang between Kim and President Barack Obama. To back up its threat, the North shells several South Korean islands and threatens to use its newly enhanced nuclear capability if the South retaliates. The crisis resumes, but with the North more dangerous. This has more or less been the pattern thus far. 2. What Washington, Seoul and Tokyo hope: Kim's unpredictability finally turns the North's erstwhile ally, China, firmly against the regime. Intensifying U.S.-Japan-South Korean defense cooperation demonstrates how North Korean actions are isolating China within the region. Beijing vows to step up pressure on the regime and stops all inbound North Korean ships and planes for inspections based on U.N. Security Council resolutions. Opinion: Why North Korea worries Dick Cheney . When Kim tries to escalate again, Beijing cuts oil shipments to the North by 50% (China's food and fuel shipments keep the small North Korean economy afloat). The North agrees to a moratorium on testing of missiles and nuclear weapons and to resume earlier negotiations on denuclearization. Those talks move at a glacial pace because the North sees nuclear weapons as its only means of regime survival. But Kim's obvious mismanagement of the confrontation has discredited him in front of his generals. Fissures open, and the regime begins slowly to unravel. Careful U.S. and South Korean coordination with China throughout the crisis lays the basis for a managed unification of the peninsula, removal of the North's nuclear and WMD arsenal, and freedom for millions of North Koreans. 3. What everyone fears most: Kim's escalation strategy fails to cause the other powers to recognize the North as a legitimate nuclear weapons state or to ease sanctions. The young leader and his advisers continue searching for threats that will terrify the South and cause China to provide further bribes for good behavior, but without provoking a massive U.S. attack on the North. The exuberant but inexperienced Kim approves live artillery fire on uninhabited mountains just outside the South Korean capital of Seoul. The South responds with limited counterbattery fire against the North Korean artillery units. Opinion: Does N. Korea think U.S. is soft? Aware that it cannot surrender or win, the North opens broader and deadlier artillery and missile broadsides against the South. Knowing that these forward deployed artillery and missile forces pose the greatest threat to the South if not taken out, U.S. and South Korean forces hammer North Korean emplacements north of the DMZ. The conflict ends with defeat of North Korean forces and decapitation of the North Korean leadership through massive airstrikes, but the damage to South Korea and Japan, which is within missile range, is appalling. How does this end? Right now we are somewhere between the first two scenarios -- and could remain ambiguously so for some time. The third scenario remains highly unlikely, though not impossible. The first scenario is tempting for some, because it would temporarily ease tensions, but in the long run it makes the third scenario more likely and much more lethal. That means that U.S. policy has to focus on realizing scenario two. The North's brazen actions make that more possible than ever. But it means not blinking. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Michael Green. | Michael Green: North Korea more threatening than usual; three scenarios may play out .
1. Nuke threats grow; regime will get U.S. to lift sanctions; regime returns to same tactics .
2. China will turn on North, cut it off; Kim will lose power; North and South reunite sans nukes .
3. Kim will fire on South; U.S. will get involved; North will fall; Japan, South Korea ravaged . |
30,829 | 57a373fa7d17600396fcee99164e79c0edccad14 | By . Stuart Macdonald . PUBLISHED: . 00:39 EST, 9 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 02:40 EST, 9 October 2013 . Kidney operation: Veteran sports broadcaster Archie Macpherson has revealed that he suffered from kidney cancer probably brought on by passive smoking . Broadcaster Archie Macpherson revealed yesterday that has been battling kidney cancer. The veteran sports commentator described his shock upon learning the disease was linked to smoking – despite the fact he has never smoked a cigarette. Mr Macpherson, 78, was given the diagnosis six months ago after abnormalities were detected in a urine sample during a routine check-up. He underwent surgery a few weeks ago at Monklands Hospital in Airdrie, Lanarkshire, to remove a tumour, which also saw him lose one healthy kidney and part of his second kidney. He has now been given the all-clear. Doctors said years of passive smoke during his career as a journalist almost certainly caused the cancer. Glasgow-born Mr Macpherson said his cancer was of the ‘sleekit kind’, one that displayed no symptoms and never prevented him from enjoying hobbies including golf and cross-country running. He said: ‘When I was told this condition was closely linked to smoking and informed them I had never had a cigarette in my mouth in my entire life, the doctors were adamant I was almost certainly a victim of passive smoking. ‘I had to add things up. As I am fond of a dram or two, I had spent many pleasant hours in howffs around the world with people around me creating the conditions of Auld Reekie at its worst. ‘I could take you to a bar in Marseilles where, before the ban, I could sit happily for hours, as a non-smoker, naively savouring the almost exotic aroma of the wonderful Gauloises French cigarettes, as innocently as breathing in the fragrance of a pine forest.’ He added: ‘I also worked blissfully in editorial offices and press boxes in the past, which had the sulphuric stench of Hades about them.’ Doctors told Mr Macpherson the cancer could have been developing for up to five years and might have turned life-threatening had it not been caught by chance this year. Veteran broadcaster: Mr Macpherson believes that years of working in smokey studios and press boxes led to his illness . The broadcaster, who lives in Bothwell, Lanarkshire, with his wife Jess, paid tribute to the ‘unsung heroes’ in the NHS who saved his life. He said: ‘I’ve spent years writing about overpaid, pampered footballers. Now I have a chance to praise the real heroes of the medical profession, who have saved my life. ‘When I learn that kidney cancers are occurring among people in their forties, that Scotland is the only nation in the UK where lung cancer remains the most common cancer, I shudder at the thought of how these dedicated people I encountered in the past couple of months will cope with a tsunami of ailments hitting them in future, as our society seems largely indifferent to the self-immolations of reckless lifestyles. ‘Yet hopefully my narrative will encourage some to see the value of grappling with any uncertainties about their health in the knowledge that even in a harassed medical system, skills and care exist to turn an early diagnosis into an affirmation of life, not its reverse. ‘Even were it to mean you have to sacrifice an organ in the process, as in my case, what you are being offered is the privilege of bartering with mortality. In such circumstances there is no such a thing as a bad deal.’ | Mr Macpherson was diagnosed six months ago during a routine check-up .
He underwent surgery to remove one of his kidneys several weeks ago .
Mr Macpherson has since been given the all clear by cancer doctors . |
149,743 | 4d9ddc9e2e5fb96540f88178cc74ebb38517e2d5 | An NYPD cop being sued for sexual harassment by a former colleague has hit back, claiming the alleged victim was a willing participant who sent him sexy selfies and gave him oral pleasure in their police precinct. Sgt. David John says Ann Cardenas sent him sizzling pictures, one of which shows the 29-year-old in a cleavage popping cat woman costume, during the two years they worked together at Brooklyn's 83rd Precinct. He claims her allegations are all a . scam to get cash and now plans to sue the city for $35 million to . compensate for his apparently ruined reputation. But Cardenas' account are now being backed up by four other officers at the station-house, one of whom called John a 'manipulative, sick pervert' who created a 'hostile work environment for his staff.' Meow: Sgt. David John says Ann Cardenas sent him sizzling pictures, including this one showing her in a cleavage popping cat woman costume . 'I thought I was surrounded by friends and now I feel like Julius Caesar. They stabbed me in the back,' John, a 20-year NYPD veteran, told the New York Daily News. His lawyer, Eric Sanders, described Cardenas as 'Poison Ivy' for her ability to reel men in and then 'kill,' and said he was intent on getting justice for his hard-done-by client. 'It's obvious she wasn't a victim,' Sanders told MailOnline. 'Look at the pictures, it's common sense. 'She's spanking his butt and sending him sexy cat pictures.' The officer and other cops serving under John, 41, say the boss created a 'hostile work environment. One, Peter Szumillo, described him to the Daily News as a 'manipulative, sick pervert' who regularly punched him in the chest for no reason and groped his private parts. But John and Sanders believe the cops are simply out to make a buck from the lawsuit. 'They're putting it together to make money. They're schemers,' Sanders told MailOnline. Ouch: This picture John supplied appears to show Cardenas spanking his behind and laughing . Conflicting account: Cardenas, right, and other cops serving under John, left, say the boss created a 'hostile work environment' that was more like a frathouse . He added: 'These scheming opportunists make it less likely that real sexual harassment victims get justice.' John has been placed on modified duty as the Internal Affairs Bureau and the Brooklyn district attorney's office investigate the claims. Sanders said he's fighting to get back his guns after they were stripped, forcing him to lose out on a chance for a security job he had in the offing following his retirement from the force. Sanders admits that his client wasn't entirely innocent, however, though his mistake was failing to keep his staff at arms length rather than sexual harassment. 'He didn't follow his training, he got along too well with the troops. He may have been a poor supervisor but he wasn't a sexual harasser,' he said. He said the female officer engaged in the locker-room antics like one of the guys and was intimate with her boss on about 10 occasions in an arrest processing room in the station-house before turning on him. Counter claim: John, right, is planning to sue the city for $35 million after his guns were stripped, forcing him to lose out on the chance of another job. Cardenas is shown left . 'She's a man eater, she uses men,' Sanders said. 'I want her job and those of the other complainants and I want city to compensate him because his reputation is ruined, his livelihood is ruined. 'I'm going to destroy her because they destroyed that man his reputation.' But Cardenas' lawyer, Linda Cronin, has quashed John's claims, insisting her client was the victim. 'She was a victim of his aggression and intimidation and there are witnesses and evidence to support that,' Cronin told the Daily News. 'Any physical contact that there may have been (between Cardenas and John) was forcible.' Cardenas' claims she was repeatedly groped and grinded against by the 300 pound sergeant who nicknamed her his 'work p****' in the discrimination suit filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the state Human Rights Division. She says the 41-year-old showed her photos of his penis and crudely told her he wanted to have sex with her as well as rubbing himself against her while grunting. Alleged harassment: Ann Cardenas, 29, has accused Sgt. David John of sexually abusing and harassing her at the 83rd Precinct in Bushwick, Brooklyn, pictured . The Brooklyn district attorney's office and the NYPD's Internal Affairs Bureau are also investigating the claims, which Cronin earlier described as the worst sexual harassment case she's seen. 'There was a frathouse culture in the precinct that was beyond the pale,' she told the New York Daily News. The six-year force veteran describes an occasion in the summer of 2013 when she was sitting on a couch in the precinct and Sgt. John 'grabbed me, threw me down and held me down while trying to kiss me.' The January EEOC complaint continues, 'He then climbed on top of me and would not let me up.' The harassment allegedly went on for more than a year. 'He also showed me pictures of his penis and asked, "Is this big? It's bigger than your boyfriend's."' In the complaint she alleged the harassment regularly took place in front of other officers. 'Sgt. John often pulls his pants down in front of me,' she claims. 'He often sleeps in the office with his belt undone, and then will pull his pants down, grab his groin and say, "Ann, hold this for me."' | NYPD Sgt. David John says Ann Cardenas sent him sizzling pictures during the 2 years he was her boss at Brooklyn's 83rd Precinct .
He says she also performed oral sex on him 10 times within the station and has now turned on him because she's after the money from a lawsuit .
But Cardenas's claims are now being backed up by four other officers, one of whom called John a 'manipulative, sick pervert' who created a 'hostile work environment'
Cardenas' lawyer says her client was intimidated and forced to go along with the 'frat house' behavior .
John plans to sue the city for $35 million to compensate for his apparently ruined reputation and loss of job prospects . |
131,883 | 3685d5d5b37a0ad429f04db22ecee3b988bd75c7 | (CNN) -- We had no idea five guys with a clever photo tradition would capture so much interest. But the overwhelming response to a recent story about high school friends who've kept in touch over three decades through summer lakeside reunions and a commemorative photo shoot made us wonder what other creative ways people document their travels, relationships and experiences. If you're traveling with Andrew Bennett, you know he'll hand over a camera to capture him doing a handstand in front of some of the world's noted landmarks. Is the photo better than the vacation? Bear, an aptly named stuffed animal, is likely to turn up in Sue Brady's travel shots. Claire Warmenbol doesn't need any help or props: She simply points her camera at her feet to get the right shots. In an era of digital photography and smartphones, it's easier than ever to create special traditions. The photo essay is no longer limited to professional photographers or people documenting the first day of school, Christmas or a college reunion. Seven beauties of the British Isles . Where the tradition starts . iReporter Bennett wanted a twist on the usual smiling-in-front-of-a-landmark shot. "I thought to myself, 'I bet there aren't too many pictures of people doing handstands in front of the Eiffel Tower,'" wrote Bennett, an Austin, Texas, resident who started his tradition in 2007 when he was studying abroad in Spain. "So I started doing handstands everywhere we went. I've traveled abroad several times since that trip, most recently to Israel this summer, and the tradition has continued." Geneva-based iReporter Claire Warmenbol, who has been taking pictures of her feet around the world for about 10 years, thinks she started snapping shots in response to the question, "Why do you travel so much?" Her answer: "Itchy feet!" Warmenbol often travels alone for the great sense of freedom it gives her. From the stoop to social media . Steve Springer's photo project didn't start with photography or travel in mind. On August 25, 1971, his Bronx-based trio of childhood friends were in high school when they decided to meet at the stoop where they always hung out in exactly 10 years. They didn't take a picture that day, but found a photo later taken about that time and decided to replicate it each decade. Every 10 years, Springer, Steve Haimowitz, Errol Honig and other friends and assorted spouses and children travel from Florida, Washington, D.C., California and just around the block to meet at the stoop to take the picture (standing in the same positions), play stickball and reminisce. Now the photos are posted on former CNN staffer Springer's blog and the group's Facebook page. The men even made a YouTube video of their photo shoot. "That stoop was our hangout, it's where if we weren't playing ball or going to movies or playing records, that's where we hung out," said Springer. The tradition and the electronic community the men have created is "simply a continuation of a friendship built 40 years ago, and we're trying to keep it going and keep it alive. People post every day on our Facebook page. It's like we're hanging out on the stoop." Last year's 40th anniversary celebration was delayed by 24 hours because Honig was driving his daughter to start college in upstate New York. "That seemed an awfully good reason to delay things by 24 hours," wrote Springer on his blog. 27 must-sees on Earth . Gratitude for many things . While the photos bring back memories, they also remind people of their families, friends and other items on their gratitude lists. "I think about how blessed I've been to have had the opportunity to go to all these places," Bennett wrote. "Some were during study abroad, some were on family vacations, and some were for work with ISA (International Studies Abroad). I also try not to take myself too seriously, so doing handstands is my way of keeping a light heart during my travels. Warmenbol's ritual reminds her why she travels. "It's 'me' moments on holidays, key moments of being somewhere special; capturing stillness whilst being on the move," she wrote. It's not too late to start a tradition . A friend gave "Bear" to Sue Brady of Los Banos, California, after Brady's gentleman friend of 22 years passed away three years ago. Brady, 63, had always traveled with her companion, and now preferred to travel alone -- except for Bear, the stuffed polar bear. He has joined Brady on her travels around the country and became the star of her travel pictures. "Some people when I take the picture will smile and think it's cute, and some people look at me like I'm nuts." Having bear along makes traveling more fun, she said. If you don't want to take the same picture every time you travel or return to a hometown you never liked, you don't have to make the same commitment as these travelers. "You don't have to wait 30 years to get the same sequence of pictures," says Heather Maddan, chief storyteller at Shutterfly.com and manager of the website's storytelling section. "It doesn't have to be 'Let's meet at the lake.' It could be any day. You could go out for the weekend and take the same picture every day (and see the progression of the weekend)." For the hard-core enthusiast: a challenge . For those of you interested in a more intense challenge, turn to Charles and Rose Benoit for inspiration. The Rochester, New York, couple, who married in 1984, started taking a picture of themselves every single day about 20 years ago. "It all started one night when we were looking for pictures after many of our friends started to have kids," said Rose Benoit. "We had pictures of all our friends' kids (and) we didn't have any pictures of us together." Now the Benoits have pictures from all over the world. "When we used to live overseas, we were both teachers and we went to this educational conference where Jane Goodall was a speaker, so we took a picture with Jane Goodall," she said. "Syria, Jordan, Thailand, Singapore -- we don't take a lot of pictures, but every day we have our picture." Has social media changed the way you share your travel photos? Please share your stories in the comments below. | One iReporter does handstands in front of world landmarks .
Three childhood friends meet on a Bronx stoop every 10 years .
It's never too late to start a photo-taking tradition . |
146,585 | 499191b60d179bf9092ea9feaa09fac65142fc0d | By . Lucy Laing . Last updated at 1:03 PM on 6th November 2011 . This is the mother and baby who have both survived the killer brain bug meningitis. Television actress Holly Matthews, who has appeared in television dramas Casualty, Waterloo Road and Byker Grove, was stunned when her baby daughter Brooke was diagnosed with the deadly disease just eight weeks ago. It was like history repeating itself as Miss Matthews had already beaten the disease herself at the age of seven. Survivors: Actress Holly Matthews was stunned when her baby daughter Brooke was diagnosed with meningitis just eight weeks ago - especially after she herself had already beaten the disease herself at the age of seven . She could only watch hopelessly as her tiny daughter fought for life, just as she had done years earlier. But against all the odds, Brooke has survived and has now returned home with Miss Matthews. Miss Matthews, who lives with her partner Ross Blair, 26, who runs his own online security company, said: ‘We are both survivors. I can’t believe that we have both survived meningitis like this. ‘When she was diagnosed it was like history was repeating itself all over again. I could only pray that she would pull through like I did. ‘It was terrible watching her fight for life and not being able to do anything to help her. I just had to hope that she would be as strong as I was.’ Miss Matthews was just seven years old when she started feeling unwell. She complained to her mother Clare, 51, that her head hurt and the light hurt her eyes. She was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle where doctors diagnosed her with meningitis. Miss Matthews, who lives in Coventry, said: ‘Mum was really worried about me as the doctors said that meningitis can cause brain damage, deafness and blindness. ‘Luckily they managed to catch it in time and after two weeks in hospital I had recovered enough for be allowed home. ‘Tests showed that I luckily hadn’t suffered any lasting damage and after another two months I had made a full recovery.’ Fight for life: Miss Matthews watches over Brooke as she battles back to full health in hospital . Miss Matthews was thrilled when she gave birth to her daughter Brooke in March this year, but when her daughter was just 12 weeks old she developed a high temperature. She said: ‘I was really worried about Brooke, but at first it never crossed my mind that it could be meningitis too. ‘I never thought that she would be unlucky enough to have it too. She had had her immunisation jabs several days beforehand so I thought it was just a reaction to them.’ But Brooke remained unwell so Miss Maxwell took her to Walsgrave Hospital in Coventry where doctors carried out tests. It was then that they broke the devastating news to Miss Maxwell that her daughter was suffering from meningitis too. She said: ‘I just couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I never imagined it would be anything like meningitis. ‘My mum was with me and she was really worried too. Brooke had been born five weeks premature weighing just 4Ibs, so she was only 7Ibs at 12 weeks old. It was like a newborn baby fighting for her life. ‘It brought it all back for my mum, to see Brooke fighting for her life in hospital. It was like history repeating itself.’ For 24 hours it was touch and go for the tiny baby. Doctors battled to get her temperature down but it remained dangerously high. At work: Miss Matthews (right) in a 2007 episode of Waterloo Road . Miss Matthews said: ‘At one point they told me there was nothing more they could do. All I could do was pray that she would be as strong as I had been. ‘As she lay there fighting so hard, all I could think of was that if she pulled through would she be blind, deaf or brain damaged. It was terrifying.’ Luckily the following day Brooke turned a corner in her fight for survival and her condition started to improve. Miss Matthews said: ‘When the doctors told me the news I just burst into tears. It was such an emotional moment. We were just so relieved.’ After two weeks in hospital she was finally allowed home. She has now made a complete recovery, and like her mother, has been given the clear from any lasting damage. Miss Matthews, who is currently fundraising for the charity Meningitis UK, added: ‘Luckily Brooke has been shown to be all clear from any brain damage and her sight and hearing hasn’t been affected. She is reaching all her developmental milestones, although she does have to go back to the hospital for a check up every few months. ‘I asked the doctor whether there was any connection between our meningitis cases, but he said it was complete coincidence. ‘We had both just been very unlucky. Thankfully Brooke pulled through, just like I did. And when she’s old enough to understand I’ll tell her how we both beat meningitis.’ For more information visit www.meningitisuk.org. | Holly Matthews was stunned when her 12-week-old daughter Brooke was diagnosed with meningitis .
Actress had already beaten disease herself at age of 7 . |
267,616 | e695bdbc835489860d0ddf2d4e33101df6494853 | By . Sara Malm . PUBLISHED: . 13:58 EST, 14 March 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 16:04 EST, 14 March 2014 . The President to Israel has revealed how he used to hide his identity when travelling incognito in the 1970s - a fake moustache and a hat. Shimon Peres had to disguise himself to attend peace talks between Israel and Jordan’s King Hussein in the mid-seventies. The 90-year-old leader, then the minister of defence, also wore glasses and a fake full beard to travel to the secret talks without being discovered. President Peres posted this picture with the caption: 'This is the disguise I wore in the mid-seventies when I would go to my meetings with King Hussein. Happy #Purim!', featuring two other disguises he used below it . President Peres posted the image on social media, showing himself in the basic, but clearly effective, disguises which helped him travel to Jordan to advocate peace between the two nations. The post went up on Twitter and Facebook ahead of the Jewish holiday Purim, a celebration which include dressing up in costumes. President Peres also encouraged his Facebook followers to send in their Purim fancy dress, saying ‘I am sure they are much better than mine’. President Peres, born Szymon Perski in Vishnyeva, at the time part of Poland, but now located in Belarus. He immigrated to Israel, then Palestine, in 1934. Long-term leader: The 90-year-old President talks to Prime Minister David Cameron at his official residence in Jerusalem on Wednesday during the British Prime Minister's trip to Israel . Serving his nation: President Peres, pictured in 2010 with Foreign Secretary William Hague, was in the Knesset for 48 years before he became President of Israel in 2007 . He was first elected to the Knesset in November 1959, and apart from a short three-month hiatus from politics in 2006, he served continuously until 2007. In his 48 years in the Knesset, he served as Prime Minister twice as well as Interim Prime Minister twice. He 'left' in 2007 when he became President. Earlier today, as the nation prepares to celebrate Purim on Saturday night, the military reported Gaza militants fired a rocket at Israel after two days of intense exchanges. The Israeli army says the rocket exploded in southern Israel on Friday morning but caused no damage or injuries. According to military officials, Gaza militants have fired 70 rockets at Israel since Wednesday. That figure included 18, which were fired after the Islamic Jihad announced on Thursday it would observe a cease-fire. | Shimon Peres posted picture of disguise he used in the 70s on Twitter .
Hid his identity travelling to secret peace talks between Israel and Jordan .
Image released ahead of Purim, which involves wearing costumes . |
212,206 | 9eca961f91ee38876cbbb6b925441d632c4755fb | By . Rik Sharma . PUBLISHED: . 05:56 EST, 16 November 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 06:06 EST, 16 November 2012 . A group of nude protesters marched to their courthouse on Wednesday to file a lawsuit against the city and county of San Francisco. They aim to stop city leaders from passing a law which would stop them appearing naked in public. Scroll down for video . Fighting for their rights: Nudists march past City Hall during a rally against a proposed law which would ban nudity in San Francisco . Under the law a first-time citation for nudity would mean a fine of up to $100. A second instance could lead to a $200 fine, while a third means a fine of up to $500 and the possibility of a year in prison. The nudists say the proposed law violates their right to freedom of speech. Scott Wiener, a city supervisor representing the Castro District, introduced the proposal which would stop backsides and genitals being exposed in public. Exempt from the law would be naked breasts and children under five, as well as events permitted by the city - including the annual gay pride parade. Punishment: The law would see nudists fined up to $100 for one violation, $200 for two and $500 with a potential prison sentence of a year for three . Former stripper turned stay-at-home mother of three, Gypsy Taub, is a plaintiff in the case. She also hosts a television show called 'My Naked Truth' on which both she and her guests go unclothed. The 43-year-old said: 'Being naked is a birth-given freedom, not a crime.' At a public hearing related to the new law on November 5 Ms Taub stripped while speaking and was led away by security. VIDEO: Gypsy Taub strips during a public hearing Warning - contains nudity . She wrote about it later: 'I have had it with sexual repression. I have had it with puritanism. I have had it with hypocrisy. 'I have had it with snotty stale dudes in suits telling me what I am allowed and not allowed to wear, inhale, enjoy, believe. 'Scott Wiener really tipped the scale. I came to his hearing and ripped my clothes off to prove to everybody that nobody is going to die if I do that. Opposites: Scott Wiener (left) says nudity in San Francisco has caused 'anger and frustration', while Woody Miller (right) is one of the nude protestors . 'Any victims reported? Did anybody need an ambulance? Does anybody need therapy now that they saw me naked?' Ms Taub continued: 'First of all, I had the biggest blast doing it! I would do it every day if I could. I felt so much joy after this act of civil disobedience, I can't begin to tell you.' Discussion: Michael Sundin, of Napa, talks with fellow nudists following the march . She added: 'It was so much fun to yell at Scott Wiener and call him a fascist right to his face. I wish I could do this to Hitler! The audience loved it.' Mr Wiener introduced the ordinance in October and said that nudity had caused a lot of anger and frustration in San Francisco. 'We’ve always had random and sporadic public nudity in San Francisco, and no one had a problem with that,' he said. 'In the last two years, things have changed. In the Castro, in particular, we now have men who take their clothes off and hang out every day of the week, and that has caused a lot of anger and frustration in the neighborhood.' Leaving: Nudist George Davis (left), of San Francisco, is asked to leave the US Federal Court Building after a police officer cited required clothing rules . 'The city is trying to legislate against . the naturalness of the naked body, and that is wrong,' said George . Davis, 66, another plaintiff. Mr Davis, who runs a website for 'urban nudists', has campaigned naked while running unsuccessfully for mayor and city supervisor in recent years and estimates he spends 120 days a year naked in public. 'I’d go more, but I get uncomfortable if it’s too cold or foggy,' he explained. 'Nude is not lewd,' Mr Davis added. 'That is our mantra.' Words of wisdom: Rusty Mills, of San Francisco, speaks to fellow nudists during the march . Christina DiEdoardo, the group's lawyer, said: 'The city is overstepping its authority. 'The act of being naked is not enough to be obscene or indecently exposed under California law.' The board of supervisors will vote on the measure next week but the nudists asked for a preliminary injunction to stop the law being implemented if it is passed until after their claims that it violates their rights are considered by a judge. One law which was passed last year saw nude citizens having to place a barrier, a towel for example, between their bare backsides and any public seats. Delay: The group want an injunction against the proposed law if it is passed next week, until their case is heard by a judge . Not obscene: The group's lawyer says the act of being naked is not enough to be judged 'indecently exposed' or 'obscene' | Law would see them fined increasing amounts with a third strike resulting in prison sentence of up to a year .
Gypsy Taub, a plaintiff, stripped while making an appearance at a public hearing relating to the law . |
1,224 | 037639840ec1e8c1f9d3ac854a8a9c7e54a2e8cb | By . Anthony Bond . PUBLISHED: . 19:34 EST, 10 August 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 08:42 EST, 11 August 2013 . Hot lava from an erupting volcano killed six people who were sleeping in a beach village on a small Indonesian island. Mount Rokatenda in East Nusa Tenggara province erupted early yesterday morning with hot ash and smoke from the volcano spewing about a mile into the air. Nearly 3,000 people have been evacuated from the area on Palue island, according to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency. Scroll down for video . Horror: Hot lava from volcano Mount Rokatenda killed six people sleeping in a beach village on a small island in eastern Indonesia on Saturday. This is an image of the eruption . Those who died included three adults and two children. The age of the sixth person who was killed is still unclear. The bodies of the adults killed have been recovered from Ponge beach in Rokirole village, however, the children's remains had not been found. Video footage on Indonesia's TVOne showed giant plumes of white and gray smoke and ash belching from the volcano into a sunny blue sky. Prior to Saturday's eruption, many residents had already been moved to safer areas. The volcano has been rumbling since last October. The disaster agency said the volcano spewed ash and smoke about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) into the air. The eruption lasted about seven . minutes, said Frans Wangge, who heads the volcano's monitoring post. Disaster: The volcano killed three adults and two children. The age of the sixth person is unclear . Fierce: The volcano spewed ash and smoke about 1.2 miles into the air . He . said the hot lava burned trees around the beach and villages, and made . it difficult to reach the area where the victims were killed. Domi . Dange, a Catholic priest helping those who fled to the district town of . Maumere on nearby Flores island, said some residents, who had refused . to leave when the area was earlier cleared, were sleeping under tents . near the beach. However, details about the six people who were killed and where they were located at the time of the eruption remained unclear. Local authorities, including police and . army officials along with members of a search and rescue agency, were . heading to tiny Palue island to help with evacuations. Eruption: This NASA picture shows the volcano from above. It has been rumbling since last October . 'We will see the best steps to be taken, but clearly they have to be evacuated,' said Yoseph Ansar Rara, chief of Sikka District, which oversees the island. He said those already evacuated had agreed to be relocated to Flores island. Mount Rokatenda is one of about 129 active volcanoes in Indonesia, an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands that's home to some 240 million people. The country is prone to earthquakes and volcanic activity because it sits along the Pacific 'Ring of Fire,' a horseshoe-shaped series of fault lines. | Mount Rokatenda in East Nusa Tenggara province erupted yesterday .
Hot ash and smoke from the volcano spewed about a mile into the air .
Three adults and two children died - age of sixth person is still unclear .
Nearly 3,000 people have been evacuated from the area on Palue island . |
121,828 | 297b94932cd647baa6d991bf5f1724e40cb06d6a | By . James Rush . PUBLISHED: . 11:53 EST, 25 February 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 13:17 EST, 25 February 2013 . Contempt proceedings are to be brought against a number of people who posted photos on the internet claiming to show James Bulger killers Jon Venables or Robert Thompson, the Attorney General said today. Venables was ten when he and classmate Thompson abducted and murdered two-year-old James in Liverpool in February 1993. Images recently appeared on Twitter claiming to show an adult Venables, who was released from jail on licence with a new identity in 2001. Killers: Contempt proceedings are to be brought against people who have posted photos claiming to show Jon Venables (left) or Robert Thompson (right), the Attorney General has said . The Attorney General said court papers will be served shortly to bring contempt proceedings against those who posted the pictures, which have since been taken down. Dame Elizabeth Butler-Sloss, of the High Court Family Division, made an unprecedented court order banning publication of any information which could lead to the revelation of their new identities. A statement from the Attorney General's Office said: 'The terms of the order mean that if a picture claims to be of Venables or Thompson, even if it is not actually them, there will be a breach of the order. 'Providing details of the new identities of Venables and Thompson or their whereabouts is also prohibited - this order applies to material which is on the internet. 'There are many different images circulating online claiming to be of Venables or Thompson - potentially innocent individuals may be wrongly identified as being one of the two men and placed in danger. 'The order, and its enforcement, is therefore intended to protect not only Venables and Thompson but also those members of the public who have been incorrectly identified as being one of the two men.' Victim: James Bulger was killed after he was abducted from the Bootle Strand shopping centre. The Attorney General Dominic Grieve said potentially innocent people may be wrongly identified in the pictures posted online . Breaches of the order may be a contempt of court punishable by a jail sentence or fine, the statement said. Venables, now 30, had his parole revoked in 2010 and was jailed for two years after admitting downloading and distributing indecent images of children. James's mother Denise Fergus, has always opposed the injunction, fearing it could lead to innocent men being accused of being James's killers. Venables and Thompson abducted James from the Bootle Strand shopping centre in Merseyside before torturing and killing him. Abduction: CCTV footage showed James being led by the hand away from the Strand shopping centre . The two boys, who were truanting from school, walked James around the streets of Liverpool for more than two miles, stopping occasionally to kick and punch him. They told adults who intervened that he was their brother. After taking him to a nearby railway line, they left his body on the tracks in the hope it would be destroyed by a train. The toddler had been splattered with blue paint and his battered head lay surrounded by a pile of bricks. His body was found two days later by children playing on a freight railway line. Appeal: James's parent Ralph and Denise at a tearful press conference in the wake of his disappearance . Other high-profile cases of offences involving social media include nine people who were each ordered to pay compensation to a woman raped by footballer Ched Evans who they named on Twitter or Facebook. And the most high-profile leak on Twitter was the naming of footballer Ryan Giggs as he tried to protect his identity. Giggs, 38, took out an injunction in April 2011 to prevent the media from reporting allegations that he had an extra-marital affair with former Big Brother contestant Imogen Thomas and allegations that she had blackmailed him. The Manchester United star was the subject of so much speculation on Twitter that eventually Lib Dem MP John Hemming 'outed' him in the House of Commons. Contempt of court is essentially interfering with the administration of justice. This offence can be committed in a number of ways, but will result in justice not being properly carried out. Someone who is found to be guilty of contempt is said to have disobeyed or been disrespectful to the court's authority. An example of contempt includes revealing somebody's identity that had been protected by the courts, such as a high profile celebrity who may have obtained an injunction to prevent stories being published about them. Other examples include a member of a jury telling others of what was said during deliberations, or an organisation publishing information which could prejudice the jury in a trial. Anybody found guilty of contempt of court may be sent to prison. Source: findlaw.co.uk . | Images recently appeared on Twitter claiming to show Venables .
Attorney General says 'many different images circulating online'
Images claim to show killers Jon Venables and Robert Thompson .
Innocent people may be wrongly identified and 'placed in danger' |
227,867 | b3138801891c046d6f9b9050708782110a872654 | Between the grey, graffiti-covered walls of her cramped and dimly lit cell, there is little to reveal the life once led by British drug mule Melissa Reid. A small, pink, child’s make-up mirror is attached to her bunk. A Disney princess bag full of clothes rests on top of her mattress. But her blonde locks have been shorn back to a bob and her youthful face is marked with anguish as she battles to come to terms with the situation she is in. Speaking for the first time from inside her Peruvian prison – nearly ten months after she and fellow mule Michaella McCollum Connolly were caught attempting to smuggle £1.5 million of cocaine out of the country – she delivers a desperate testimony to the camera. Scroll down for videos . Melissa Reid no longer sports her blonde locks after 12 months in a Peruvian prison cell . The drugs were found by police in Peru food packages contained within both women's luggage . In exclusive footage obtained by The Mail on Sunday, Melissa, 20, says: ‘A year ago today I was having the time of my life and look where I am now, look at what I’m having to put up with, look at what I’ve put myself through. ‘To anybody out there who… just watch yourself, just be careful, just don’t get yourself in a position like this.’ With bags under her eyes and pain written across her face, the contrast she presents with the happy blonde teenager she once was – and who made headlines around the world when she was arrested – has never been more striking. The Peru Two, as they have become known, are serving seven-year jail terms and until recently were clinging to hopes that they would soon be transferred back to the UK to finish their sentences at home. Both Melissa Reid, left and Michaela McCollum Connolly, right, were living in Ibiza before their ill-fated trip to Peru . But their chances of that were dealt a blow last week when they were unexpectedly moved to Ancon, a prison set in a desolate desert landscape hours outside Lima. It is where Peru sends foreign prisoners to serve their time. Standing by her bunk in a dark green hoodie, Melissa talks of her despair as she faces the sinking realisation that it may be years before she again sets foot on home soil. ‘I don’t know how long right now it’s going to take me to get home. I’m worried and I’m scared and I’m lonely and I’ve never been in this position and I don’t know what to do. ‘I don’t know how to improve how I’m feeling. I can’t improve my living conditions so I just need to live for the day and obviously hope that this is going to improve at some point.’ In other footage, pictured right, Melissa is seen staring blankly through bars as she does what her life now consists of, and waits. Both woman are being held in a jail high in the Peruvian desert, pictured . The last time Melissa was filmed speaking to camera was on the day of her arrest last August, when she and Michaella were paraded by authorities in front of local media. They were detained after security staff at Lima International Airport discovered 24lb of cocaine stuffed inside food packets in their suitcases as they tried to board a flight to Madrid. Before that moment, they had been living a carefree existence on the sun-drenched Spanish party island of Ibiza. Though they had not known each other then, both had been spending the summer having the time of their lives, partying into the early hours and making the most of their youth. Melissa Reid looks despondent in her Peruvian prison cell as she contemplates her sentence . Facebook pictures which emerged after their arrest showed them enthusiastically immersing themselves in the club scene or happily posing with friends on nights out.Then, in Peru, with the make-up still fresh on their faces, the pair were filmed for the news as Melissa protested their innocence and claimed they had been forced by a gang to carry the drugs against their will. Later, however, they pleaded guilty to smuggling after being warned that they faced up to 15 years behind bars if tried and found guilty. In December, they were sentenced to six years and eight months in prison. Now the women face an uncertain wait for news as their requests to be transferred back to the UK worm their way through Peru’s complicated bureaucracy. Until ten days ago, the women were being kept at the all-female Virgen de Fatima prison in central Lima, where they had been incarcerated since last August. Michaella McCollum Connolly, left and Melissa Reid were caught trying to smuggle £1.5 million worth of cocaine from Peru . After their surprise transfer, a week went by before Melissa was finally able to make a two-minute telephone call to her parents. Before that, she had only been able to send them a note, writing: ‘This is like another world in here and it’s so hard to put into words what we’ve been through in the past few days, but hopefully I will speak to you soon. I can’t wait until I’m in your arms. Love, Melissa.’ Their new home, Ancon, is a much larger, newer facility. It holds almost 3,000 prisoners, both male and female. The female wing, Ancon 2, has a special section to hold 188 foreign prisoners, the majority of whom are there for drug offences. Last night, Melissa’s father Billy, 54, said: ‘It’s been a really worrying time. The starkness of where this prison is is very daunting. ‘Having had the experience of Virgen de Fatima, and having picked up some Spanish, I’m sure that will stand them in better stead than last August when they appeared at the gates of the prison not knowing what to expect. ‘But it is new, so they’ll just need to get their head down and go with the flow and get used to the system and make the best of it. We’d love to be able to be with her at this difficult time and are just counting down the days until we see her again.’ Melissa, from Lenzie, near Glasgow, and Belfast-born Michaella, are currently being held in a ‘prevention’ area along with 30 other new arrivals, including women from Italy, Thailand, South Africa and Spain. During the day they can mix with the other new prisoners, but from 6pm until 6am the following morning they are locked in their cell. Their possessions, mostly clothes, books and letters from home, are held in plastic holdall bags scattered across the floor of the small cell that they are sharing with two other women. The mules are sharing a bunk bed, with Melissa on top and Michaella below. The toilet in their cell amounts to little more than a hole in the ground. Michaela McCollum Connolly and Melissa Reid have changed considerably since their arrests twelve months ago . Human body odour fills the air and the only natural light in the dim surroundings comes from a tiny window looking out onto a patio. The women will be held in the prevention area for up to 30 days and undergo psychological evaluation before being transferred into the main prison population. Many of the female inmates arrive at the prison with drug addictions and are put on rehabilitation programmes. The mules will eventually be moved to Pavilion 3A, the section of Ancon 2 for foreign prisoners. The pavilion has two long corridors lined with cells each holding eight prisoners. Other footage obtained by The Mail on Sunday shows the close-packed cells, the walls littered with scraps of pictures, including one bizarre image of a Union Jack overlaid with three bikini-clad women. Both girls were sentenced to six years and eight months in prison for their part in the cocaine smuggling plot . Cells are scattered with bottles of drinking water and fruit and other personal possessions are kept on window ledges, hard against the bars. Once transferred into 3A, the friends’ facilities will extend to two phones near a large television area, and the patio, which is bare save for a few plastic chairs. The women will be allowed to take part in workshops, including cosmetics classes, sewing lessons and psychology talks. Eventually they will be given jobs inside the prison as part of a ‘resocialisation programme’, most likely cooking, sewing and making handicrafts. As they become acclimatised to life inside Ancon 2, it will not be easy for their families to see them. Visitors to the prison – which is protected by 20ft walls topped with barbed wire – have to endure a lengthy wait before being admitted. There are two main security checkpoints – manned by armed guards – a pat down and two more checkpoints before visitors can finally gain access to the female wing of the jail. On regular visiting days, it can take hours to get inside because of the numerous searches and the long distance that has to be travelled on foot. The prison’s corridors can seem never-ending. Much like the wait the young British women now face before returning home. | Scroll down for Melissa Reid's exclusive Peruvian prison diary .
Ms Reid and Michaela McCollum Connolly are serving a seven-year jail term for cocaine smuggling .
The pair were caught with £1.5 million worth of the drug in their luggage . |
191,694 | 843c116283017cbd254cf67770d245afecffcd0b | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 07:43 EST, 3 April 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 01:56 EST, 4 April 2013 . This is the incredible moment an elephant came to the rescue of one of its babies being attacked by a pack of hyenas. The elephant is seen charging at the hyenas to ward them off its offspring. These amazing pictures were captured by American photographer Jayesh Mehta, 47, in the Savuti region of the Chobe National Park in Botswana. Back off: This is the incredible moment an elephant came to the rescue of one of its babies being attacked by a pack of hyenas . Jayesh said: 'We heard . cries of elephants in distress. On leaving the track and going towards . the sounds in the bush we found a group of 12-14 hyenas chasing a herd . of around eight elephants. 'The elephant herd included two adult females, a few teenagers, and a baby that was a few days old. 'The hyenas were trying to get at the baby - which had already been injured by the time we got there. Protective: As the hyenas begin to surround the elephant, she becomes aggressive in an attempt to protect her young calf which has already been injured . Determined: The elephant is seen charging at the hyenas to ward them off its offspring . Snapped: These amazing pictures were captured by American photographer Jayesh Mehta, 47, in the Savuti region of the Chobe National Park in Botswana . Intimidating: The hyenas scattered as the elephant set about protecting its vulnerable calf . Attack: 'The hyenas were trying to get at the baby - which had already been injured by the time we got there,' said the photographer . 'The elephants were running hard through the bush. The baby stuck close to the mother and the other elephants tried to stay around the baby as much as possible. 'They needed to stop to rest frequently - for the baby's sake. They formed a circle around the baby each time. 'The hyenas kept on darting in nipping at the baby during the chase - mauling the baby quite badly - especially its hindquarters. 'It was amazing to see some of the hyenas coming from all sides to irritate the larger elephants - and other hyenas to try and grab the baby whenever the attention of the larger elephants was diverted. 'The two adult elephants kept on swinging their trunks aggressively at the hyenas but did not injure them. 'We kept following the chase closely but keeping a safe distance away to avoid any human interference in this struggle of nature. During the chase, for almost an hour, the elephants managed to shake off the hyenas - but the hyenas found the elephants and the chase resumed. Eventually, the elephants escaped. 'It was probably one of the most exciting experiences - that pictures cannot do justice to. Going through the bush, we had some scratches and cuts. 'The noise of the animals, the rough ride through the bush, the dust - some purposely raised by the elephants to obscure their location - and the sheer thrill of this life-and-death encounter was unbelievable.' Escape: During the chase, for almost an hour, the elephants managed to shake off the hyenas - but the hyenas found the elephants and the chase resumed. Eventually, the elephants escaped . Safe at last: The elephant calf stays near its parents after the vicious attack . | The elephant is seen charging at the hyenas to ward them off its offspring .
Pictures captured in the Savuti region of the .
Chobe National Park in Botswana . |
135,951 | 3be501a5a34dc78879fd6c178ae6186d6fb2627c | By . Ruth Styles . PUBLISHED: . 04:48 EST, 23 August 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 05:21 EST, 23 August 2013 . From elegant chignons to elaborate curls, there's no shortage of hairstyles for women to try. But for long-haired men, the options have been few - until now. Bored with seeing the same styles, blogger Jessica Saia decided to give men the chance to try the looks loved by the ladies - with entertaining results. She explains: 'One of my co-workers . was talking about men with top-knots, and I said "Wouldn’t it be funny . if they got, like, prom-style up-do’s instead?" We agreed that it would . be funny, and so [the project] began. Glamorous: Volunteer Borden Ornelaz ups his style game with the pretty Brigitte Bardot style . Looking good: Ornelaz does his best French film star pout and hair swish for the camera . 'I found eight guys with long hair and [asked] them [to] meet me at Salon Miel in downtown San Francisco to get their . hair styled in to formal up-do’s - until now reserved for women on . their way to a wedding or a prom. 'The stylists came up with a "story" for each guy, and the photographer took before and after photos. The . after photos were a bit of a struggle because no one could stop . laughing.' Among the styles given to her eight brave volunteers were the 'Brigitte Bardot' (tumbling glossy waves), the 'Junior Prom' (an elaborate up-do) and the 'Mother of the Bride' (a backcombed chignon). Although the project was originally conceived as an amusing photo essay, the reaction to the photos has surprised Jessica. Pretty: 'Blushing bohemian' Mat Dunlop had his hair braided into plaits for the Hippie Wedding look . Creative: Not content with his romantic up-do, Dunlop accessorised with flowers in both hair and beard . OMG! Andres Ruiz works a pretty up-do perfectly suited to Junior Prom - even with neck hair . Cute: With a delicate sprig of flowers to complete the look, all Ruiz needs now is a date and a tuxedo . 'Honestly, I just thought it would be a funny photo essay,' she reveals. '[But] when I told my roommate about it she was like "Ohhh, I just love how you’re challenging gender norms!" and at the time I was like "No! You’re thinking too hard! It’s just guys with fancy hair, that’s it." 'But, looking at it now, it can’t help but at least nod in that direction. More than that though, if we’re going to look at it seriously, I think it speaks to the fact that men are cheated when it comes to style. Ageless: As Eric Theise proves, it's not just twenty-something men who look good with fancy lady hair . Schoolmarm? Eric looks a touch severe with his matronly chiignon but gets a manly touch from the quiff . 'Both men and women can grow their . hair out but women have an insane number of websites and magazines . dedicated to all their styling options, whereas what’s "acceptable" for . men is basically a lackluster low ponytail or maybe a bun. 'This . could have so easily gone in the direction of drag, but I think by . staying away from makeup and having them wear whatever they came in . with, it instead asks the question, "Yeah, why don’t men get to do more . fun things with their hair?" 'Many people have commented that the after's look even better than the before's.' The photoshoot took longer than anticipated as many of the subjects got the giggles as they were being made over . | Hair project began as a photo essay by blogger Jessica Saia .
Men given elaborate up-dos including a chignon and plaits .
One man given Brigitte Bardot style glamorous waves . |
177,676 | 720616718519e64080aad5053a6e649ae61f4173 | Teenage heptathlon star Morgan Lake has pulled out of England’s team for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, partly because her father is not allowed to stay in the athletes’ village. Lake’s father, Eldon, is also her coach and would therefore have been eligible for accreditation, but would have only been allowed day passes into the athletes’ village. Team England will provide chaperones for all athletes at the Games who are under 18 — including 13-year-old diver Victoria Vincent and weightlifter Rebekah Tiler, 15 — but there is no scope for parents or guardians to stay among the expected 6,500 athletes in the village. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Katarina Johnson-Thompson demonstrating her skills . Disgruntled: Teenage heptathlon star Morgan Lake has pulled out of England's team . Team: British heptathlon star Lake with her father and coach Eldon Lake . Lake, 17, has just finished her AS Level exams but has already broken Katarina Johnson-Thompson’s British junior heptathlon record. She is also second behind Johnson-Thompson on the Under 20s all-time list after scoring 6,081points in Gotzis, Austria last month. Lake’s preference this summer was to do the heptathlon at the World Junior Championships in Oregon, USA and then the high jump in Glasgow, but British Athletics would not allow her to double up. She will now hope to be selected for Great Britain’s team at the World Juniors from July 22 to 27, — a single-sport, much smaller event than the Commonwealth Games. This would allow greater contact with her father and might also be a better option for her exciting long-term prospects. Star: Lake, 17, has already broken Katarina Johnson-Thompson's British junior heptathlon record . New home: The Athletes' Village for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow . But Lake cleared a high jump personal best of 1.93m in Loughborough in May, the second highest jump by a British athlete this year, and could yet earn her first senior international vest this year at the European Championships in Zurich next month. The reasons behind Lake’s withdrawal from the Commonwealths should enable England to call up another athlete to replace her and compete alongside Jessica Taylor and Johnson-Thompson, the favourite for gold, if required. Meanwhile, marathon world record-holder Paula Radcliffe has announced she will race competitively for the first time in more than two years as she targets one final attempt at the London Marathon on 2015. Foot surgery ruled Radcliffe, 40, out of the London Olympics, but she will run in the Worcester City 10k on September 21. Back in action: Paula Radcliffe has announced she will race competitively for the first time in more than two years at the Worcester City 10k on September 21 . | Morgan Lake has pulled out of England’s team for the Commonwealth Games .
Lake’s father and coach Eldon is eligible for accreditation for day passes .
But no parents or guardians can stay in the village with the 6,500 athletes .
Lake, 17, has just finished her AS Level exams but has already broken Katarina Johnson-Thompson’s British junior heptathlon record . |
32,659 | 5cd59e2dbfd0f80f5b55367afa63a194759406dd | A father has found a creative way to spend time with his baby while his wife was away. He shared a 53-second video on YouTube, giving insight into how he likes to entertain himself and the baby - inspired by the well-known mask from graphic novel-turned-thriller movie V for Vendetta. Although it is unclear what country the man or baby are from, user 'Perfect Daddy' identifies himself as Bartosz in his YouTube profile and says he is the father of three-month-old Emily. Scroll down for video . The 53-second video - titled 'What happens when my wife leaves me alone with a baby' - was uploaded on YouTube on Monday by user 'Perfect Daddy' The baby happily complies as her father sticks on thick eyebrows and a moustache . The baby's makeover appears to be inspired by the anonymous mask from graphic novel turned thriller movie V for Vendetta . The video, titled 'What happens when my wife leaves me alone with a baby', shows a man filming his baby as he sticks thick black eyebrows and a goatee on her. The little one happily complies, even sharing a few giggles with her dad as he laughs at his makeover attempt. It replicates the mask worn by popularised character Guy Fawkes from V for Vendetta but is also the infamous symbol of online hacktivist group Anonymous. Posting the clip under the username 'Perfect Daddy', he leaves a description of the video: 'My wife left me with a baby.' He introduces himself in his profile as Bartosz and a father to Emily. 'I'm happy to see that you like my cute baby,' he wrote. 'I was thinking about adding some funny movies with her in the future, so if you want, just subscribe my channel.' His video has been viewed more than 338,800 times two days after it was uploaded online. The man, who identifies himself as Bartosz in his YouTube profile, says he is the father of three-month-old Emily . The video has had more than 338,800 views two days after it was shared online . | The 53-second video was uploaded on YouTube on Monday by user 'Perfect Daddy'
He titled the video 'What happens when my wife leaves me alone with a baby'
The man is clearly amused by his makeover which appears to be inspired by graphic novel turned thriller movie V for Vendetta .
The mask is also the infamous symbol of online hactivist group Anonymous .
The man in the video identifies himself as Bartosz in his YouTube profile and says he is the father of three-month-old Emily .
It's had more than 338,800 views two days after it was shared online . |
7,824 | 1629ea467d31ea2122a21946aec6ecdc88d38c7f | Editor's note: This article contains profanity that some may find offensive. This is part one of a three part series showing different aspects of life inside Colombia's drug gangs. A gang member sniffs in a cloud of cocaine dust as he cuts the drug with other substances. MEDELLIN, Colombia (CNN) -- A young man with tattoos covering one arm rolls hundreds of marijuana joints in the half-light of a shack, perched on a hillside in a Medellin slum. A 9mm pistol and a .38 revolver lie on his work bench. An old battery-powered radio blares out the salsa music classic, "Todo Tiene Su Final" or "Everything Comes To An End." "I'm getting calluses on my tongue rolling all these spliffs," he laughs, telling me has enough marijuana for about 1,000 joints. He and his comrades plan to sell them for about 50 cents apiece. A few doors away, two other gang members have raided their mother's kitchen for soup plates, drinking glasses and a blender. They've just taken delivery of a kilogram (2.2 pound) brick of pure cocaine. Their job now is to cut it and package it in gram bags to peddle on street corners they control. Watch as cocaine is cut » . A female gang member shows up with two more bags, one containing powdered caffeine and the other lidocaine, a dental anesthetic used to dilute the pure cocaine. They mix business with pleasure. Every now and again one of the gang members pulls off the top of the blender and breathes in a cloud of pulverized cocaine. One of them coughs and keels over in the kitchen. Seconds later, he's back on his feet snorting cocaine off a spoon. "Breathing that cocaine cloud mellows me out so I need a line to take me back up," he says. Standing in the background, snorting lines of pure cocaine off a pocketknife is the gang leader, a man in his mid-20s. His cohorts call him "Chief." He tells me they'll sell the heavily cut cocaine for $1.50 a gram. Higher purity powder goes for about $4 a gram. That's much cheaper than the $50 or $60 a heavily cut gram costs on most U.S. and European streets, according to estimates from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. I agree to conceal Chief's true identity to protect him from the police and rival gangs. As we chat, he dismantles a small caliber pistol. Watch the gangs in action » . "Around here the only law is the rules of the street," he explains. "The rules don't change; they always will be the rules, here or anywhere else." A trusted source, who made the introduction for me, tells me Chief is a "total animal living on borrowed time," who has earned so many enemies he cannot risk stepping outside the few hundred square yards of his home turf. "I'm only human, of course I get afraid," he says. "Afraid my life will end suddenly before I can do anything to get out of this war." Since the time when undisputed cocaine king Pablo Escobar held sway here, the "northeastern commune" district has forged a fearsome reputation as a recruiting ground for drug cartel hit men and violent gang wars. Medellin is once again in the grip of a vicious drug war. In January to September this year, city authorities say the murder rate has more than doubled with almost 2,000 killings. Officials at the Medellin public prosecutor's offices say the vast majority of victims were shot, likely victims of rival drug gangs and cocaine capos. Watch marijuana joints being rolled by the hundreds » . That makes Medellin as dangerous as Ciudad Juarez, the frontier town dubbed Mexico's most dangerous city as a result of the ongoing cartel war there. Authorities in Juarez say killings are up from last year and are hitting record highs. Colombian authorities estimate there are around 130 street gangs -- known as "combos" -- in Medellin, totaling some 6,000 members. Their only real loyalty is to the money that drug capos dole out to hire a gang's services. Capos will supply them with drugs to retail on street corners and occasionally issue them weapons to take on rival gangs loyal to another crime boss. Until earlier this year, Medellin's drug underworld was ruled by the so-called "Office of Envigado," named after a district of the Medellin metropolitan area. The "office" was a syndicate of the top cocaine bosses who agreed on the basic rules of doing business in the area. They shared smuggling routes and acted as the ultimate enforcers if cartel members reneged on deals or debts. But the "office" has been ripped apart by infighting. Some senior members were arrested, some of those already in jail were extradited and others cut cooperation deals with U.S. authorities. That left the lower ranks fighting to fill the power vacuum. It's an internal battle that is still raging. Watch how CNN's Karl Penhaul got unprecedented access to the gangs » . "The ones fueling this war are the ones from the other side. They've f***ed up Medellin," Chief says. "They're from Medellin but they're traitors." "They want to get control of all Medellin so they're shooting up one gang then another. They're getting paid to fight. These are wars between the big capos and we're paying the price out here on the streets," he adds. Chief and his allies have stopped rivals intruding on their turf by strictly enforcing what they call "street rules." A day before our meeting, Chief says he helped bury one of his friends who had been gunned down when he ventured into the heart of Medellin with a girlfriend. "I couldn't even bear to take a look inside the coffin," he began explaining. "We don't really know who did it. But it was that crack head girlfriend who persuaded him to go down there. So we killed the bitch. "You see that's street rules. You have to answer for our friend and the only way you can do that is pay with your life," he says. Chief shies away from questions about which cartel boss is bankrolling his gang. But clearly somebody has been supplying them with guns. They pose with a Czech-made .22-caliber rifle and an assortment of semi-automatic pistols -- as well as the wholesale supply of drugs they then sell on the streets. My conversation with Chief is interrupted when another gang member arrives at the improvised drug den. He mumbles to his boss that a local man has been beating up his wife. Chief authorizes his underling to go and thrash the accused man with a pool cue. "I don't think we need cameras for this one please," he requests. As I get ready to leave I have one last question for Chief: I want to know if he ever had any dreams. "I've tried to get out of this but it's never quite worked out," he says. "I'd like to sail away in a sailboat. Alone and far away." | Drug war raging in Medellin, Colombia, has seen almost 2,000 killings this year .
Gang leader says violence sparked by power vacuum as old bosses arrested .
His gang sells cocaine and marijuana and he rules through violence .
But he refuses to say which cartel boss is bankrolling his gang . |
22,446 | 3fb7b26c0ed26ac7c4560f34a3e37c093e33fe86 | Since its inception in 2000, Shake Shack has earned a reputation as home to some of the tastiest hamburgers in the world. Now, a new Shake Shack Index created by Eater.com shows just how much hungry diners across the globe are willing to pay in U.S. dollars to get their hands on one of those juicy patties. The chain's priciest location is Dubai Airport, where diners have to shell out $23.22 for a Shack Burger, a shake and an order of fries. Feeling hungry? A new Shake Shack Index shows just how much hungry diners are willing to pay in each country to get their hands on a Shake Shack meal of a burger, fries and a shake . But the same Shake Shack meal is a steal in Moscow, Russia, where it costs only $12.38 or 495 Russian rubles. The two Moscow locations used to serve Irish and Australian beef, but it is switching to Uruguayan beef to comply with the Russian sanctions regime. At the flagship location in New York City's Madison Square Park, the Angus beef burger has a price tag of $4.95. Adding a milkshake and fries brings the to $13. But just a few miles away at Citi Field in Queens, baseball fans have to pay $18.75 to indulge their Shake Shack cravings. Costly meal: The chain's priciest location is Dubai Airport, where diners have to shell out $23.22 for a Shack Burger, a frozen shake and an order of fries . Original: At the flagship location in New York City's Madison Square Park (pictured), the Angus beef burger has a price tag of $4.95. Adding a milkshake and fries brings the to $13 . The second most expensive place to buy a Shake Shack meal is in London, which charges $20.66 at its Covent Garden location. In Beirut, the cost is $17.82, 47 cents more than the cost in Kuwait City. And in Istanbul, it will set you back $14.34. The very first Shake Shack was founded by famous restaurateur Danny Meyer as part of the redevelopment of Madison Square Garden. It now has 56 locations across the globe. | The Shake Shack Index looks at how much a meal of a burger, a shake and fries costs in the chain's different locations . |
279,628 | f63dffb7353bcf6e0c9087cf277da1e101db25f9 | Eoin Morgan was at the centre of a £35,000 blackmail plot over a fling with an Australian woman five years ago. The England Cricket Board said it had received an email, demanding money be paid or details of Morgan's previous relationship, including videos, would be given to both the UK and Australian press. It is believed the demand was made in the last 48 hours, asking for £35,000 to be paid before the first ball in Friday's Tri-series clash with Australia. England's one-day captain Eoin Morgan was the subject of a £35,000 blackmail plot . The ECB received an email demanding money or details of Morgan's past relationship would be revealed . The ECB contacted the Metropolitan Police over the emails, which were traced to an individual in Hobart, Tasmania. ECB officials in Australia the approached the man after discussions with police. He is the unnamed woman's new boyfriend, and when confronted admitted and apologised for his actions. 'In the last few days, the ECB received an email from an Australian man demanding a five-figure sum to prevent a story about our one-day captain Eoin Morgan appearing in the national newspapers in the UK and Australia,' an ECB spokesman said. 'The allegations related to a brief relationship Eoin had with a woman from Australia five years ago. Morgan is currently preparing his England team for Friday's Tri-series clash with Australia in Hobart . The England captain spars with Andrew Flintoff at an England practice session in Brisbane last week . 'Following liaison with the Metropolitan Police, our support team on the ground in Australia investigated the blackmail. 'This involved approaching the man in question who, when confronted, admitted and apologised for his actions, blaming jealousy (he is presently in a relationship with the woman concerned).' It is believed the suspect, from Hobart, Tasmania, had discovered an old phone containing details of Morgan's relationship with the woman, and had threatened to reveal its contents. Morgan's former girlfriend was reportedly shocked to hear of the plot, which she had no involvement in. The cricketer is currently in a relationship with Tara Ridgway, who is studying law and public relations at Bond University in Australia. The couple are thought to have met during the 2010-11 Ashes series in Australia, which England went on to with 3-1. The ECB confirmed no further action would be taken against Morgan's would-be blackmailer . Morgan will lead England at the upcoming Cricket World Cup in Australia and New Zealand . No further action is being taken against the would-be blackmailer. The ECB added in its statement: 'We are wholly focussed on winning cricket matches. This matter has now been brought to a conclusion and we will not be seeking further action against the individual at this stage.' Paul Downton, the managing director of the England and Wales Cricket Board, said: 'We will not allow anyone to disrupt our team’s preparation or performance in the tri-series and as we build up to the World Cup. ''I am pleased that this issue has now been brought to a swift conclusion. 'At this point we’d like to thank the Metropolitan Police for their advice, which assisted us in dealing with this in the swiftest possible manner.' MailOnline has contacted the Met Police, Hobart Police and Morgan's agent for comment. | The ECB received an email demanding money in last 48 hours .
Emailer had threatened to reveal details of Eoin Morgan's past relationship .
He also threatened to release video found on phone unless cash was paid .
Emails were traced to an individual in Hobart, Australia .
He is the unnamed woman's new boyfriend, and has apologised .
Morgan will captain England at the World Cup . |
219,552 | a8333e26565cdb192298275966a2b03156d8519d | By . Graham Poll . There was nothing surprising or unexpected in watching Alan Pardew explode with rage at St James’ Park this weekend. The Newcastle United manager has two distinct sides to his character: a sort of Jekyll and Hyde. The one seen away from the heat of battle is a smiling, charming, innocent ‘cheeky chap’ who is ‘doing ever so well’ on limited resources at Newcastle. The other will do whatever is needed to try to wring out any advantage for his team. As we have seen, he is also prone to combustible behaviour — and he seems to think that whatever is said or insinuated when under pressure can be forgiven and forgotten with an apology. Blast: Manuel Pellegrini (left) was on the receiving end of an absuive tirade from Alan Pardew (right) Unsavoury: Pardew later apologised for calling Pellegrini a 'f****** old c***' Bone of contention: Pardew was raging because referee Mike Jones disallowed Cheick Tiote's goal . I remember Pardew best for his comments in the tunnel at half-time, when he was always looking to sow seeds of doubt and open up the possibility of gaining his side an advantage. He would try to influence you by painting the picture that his team were already getting the rough end of the stick. Those observations were delivered ‘in passing’ and usually out of earshot of others, which tended to make them hard to ignore and impossible to report. He certainly put his own slant on one particular match when I was refereeing his Charlton team and the whole episode left me open to accusations of favouring his team. After that game at The Valley between Charlton and Reading, Pardew said how well I had done in signalling to the bench that one of his players, the on-loan Alex Song, was one foul away from a red card. This, he said, had afforded him the opportunity to replace Song. I had no issue with what had happened, but he made it appear that we had arranged the whole thing in the tunnel at half-time, which was untrue. Giving some back: Pellegrini and Pardew had a fiery exchange of words on the touchline . It's not over yet: Pardew pointed the finger as Jones made his way down the tunnel at half-time . History: Graham Poll (left) talks to then West Ham manager Pardew after a 0-0 draw at Fulham in 2004 . Before the 2004 First Division play-off final, when he was manager of West Ham, Pardew had a word with me about Tomas Repka at the exchange of team sheets. We all knew Repka was a physical player whose effectiveness was often nullified after a yellow card, so Pardew tried to pressurise me into not cautioning him on such a big stage. Repka was the first West Ham player cautioned that afternoon. Pardew had every cause to complain after Mike Jones disallowed a perfectly good goal for offside on Sunday. It would have equalised Manchester City’s opening effort and put Newcastle back in the match. But there can be no defence of the disgraceful outburst to which Pardew subjected City manager Manuel Pellegrini. One can only assume that Martin Atkinson, the fourth official, did not hear the comment, which was picked up on TV. Perhaps Atkinson’s hearing was muffled by his ‘beanie’ hat. Being the fourth official in the middle of warring managers is an almost impossible task, made even more difficult by the trend not to report players — let alone managers — for abusive or insulting comments. The last thing the referee needs is to be called over to the technical area to dismiss a manager, particularly the home one after denying them a goal. He’s better off in the middle, away from the angry crowd — and there are few more vocal than the Toon Army. Imagine the reaction if Atkinson had reported Pardew to Jones and they had removed him from the technical area. Friend or foe? Jose Mourinho, during his first spell at Chelsea, gives Graham Poll an earful at Stamford Bridge . On the receiving end: Sir Alex Ferguson was renowned for his bullish approach with match officials . Atkinson found himself in a tough position, one that wasn’t helped by the fact that there really has been no clear directive on what is and what is not seen as acceptable behaviour. Too much is left to interpretation, which encourages managers to push their luck. Pardew was not the first, nor the only manager, to try to get inside my head. Arsene Wenger adopted a similar approach, carefully making a comment at a time he thought it would have maximum impact and might influence your thinking. His demeanour and gravitas meant he was more effective than Pardew, complaining and pleading for more protection for his players. It was delivered so well that you often found yourself giving more free-kicks to Arsenal early in the second half. Sir Alex Ferguson was quite the opposite: subtlety was not a tool he employed. It was full-frontal, in-your-face fury. The first season I refereed at Old Trafford he was into my dressing room after the final whistle to give me the full ‘hairdryer’ treatment over the fact that I had not added on enough time. United drew that game! Wily: Mourinho's preferred tactic was to befriend officials in a bid to curry favour on the pitch . Jose Mourinho worked quite differently: he wanted you to think of him as a friend — and as a result he expected favours, which meant he would be hurt when you dealt with his team in exactly the same way as any other. In his first pre-season at Stamford Bridge he invited me to a meeting with all of his players and introduced me as the best referee in Europe! As for Pardew, he is well aware that he went way too far and his apology should not have prevented the FA from imposing a touchline ban. Whatever the provocation, however bad the decision, all managers must remember their position and keep their composure and dignity. Game over: Alvaro Negredo netted City's second goal to kill off Pardew's Newcastle side at St James' Derided: Mike Jones (centre) deals with Tim Krul (right) and Tiote during the clash . Bad day: Mike Jones made the wrong call for Newcastle's 'goal' The incident has led to calls for the offside law to be revised. But the law is clearly defined and needs no adjustment — it just needs to be applied correctly. This is the law in its simplest form: . When the ball is played forward to a colleague in the opponents’ half of the field: . WHY MIKE JONES GOT IT WRONG . Three Newcastle players were in offside positions when the ball was played forward, but they should not have been penalised as they did not touch the ball, interfere with opponents or obstruct Joe Hart’s line of sight. Pardew's previous... Alan Pardew has managed to get himself in plenty of touchline scrapes – here are three... Hammer blow: the then West Ham manager tussles with Arsenal¿s Arsene Wenger in 2006 . Angry Alan: Pardew vents his fury at then Sunderland manager Martin O¿Neill in 2012 . When push comes to shove: Pardew nudges linesman Peter Kirkup against Spurs in 2012 . For more of Pardew's touchline tantrums, CLICK HERE . | Toon manager labels Manuel Pellegrini a 'f****** old c***' at St James' Park .
FA remind Alan Pardew of his responsibilities after blast .
Cheick Tiote's disallowed goal sparked Pardew's rage .
Manchester City went on to beat Newcastle 2-0 .
Pardew should not be exempt from touchline ban despite apology . |
161,861 | 5d4ab70eed5256f17a691d29be0545ad407cf010 | Washington (CNN) -- As New Hampshire Sen. Jeanne Shaheen accused former Sen. Scott Brown of "fear-mongering" on Ebola, Democrats strongly agreed, Republicans completely disagreed, and independent voters stayed neutral. That's according to the results of Microsoft Bing Pulse voting, where viewers reacted in real time to the CNN/NH1 New Hampshire Senate debate. The two candidates squared off on national issues such as Ebola, terror threats, immigration, Obamacare and the minimum wage. Democrats and Republicans intensely favored the view of their party's candidate, naturally disagreeing when the opponent retorted. Ebola, 'fear-mongering' dominate New Hampshire debate . Independents, however, remained true to their individuality, by overall not aligning with a particular party or candidate. Brown blasted President Barack Obama's handling of the Ebola outbreak, saying if Romney were leading the nation, he would have minimized the threat and would have had a "clear and concise plan." Those words caused Republicans to strongly agree, while independents agreed less intensely in Brown's favor. When the debate turned to ISIS, independents aligned more with Democrats. Both groups agreed with Shaheen when she supported Obama's decision not to send U.S. ground troops to the Middle East. New Hampshire is known for its independent voters, who in September accounted for 43% of the state's electorate. The number of independent voters participating in Pulse was even higher, representing about two-thirds of participants. 'Rational fear' and 5 other key moments from debate . When the results are broken down by gender, men and women did not line up on the same wavelength. Men and women both agreed when Brown criticized Shaheen for voting with Obama, but the genders diverged when Shaheen defended her support of the minimum wage, with women showing higher support. The highest volume of voting occurred after debate moderator Wolf Blitzer asked Brown whether he supports raising the minimum wage, and Brown referenced a time when he worked a minimum-wage job. "My first job was at Dunkin' Donuts cleaning the grease trap," recalled Brown. "I still remember what the smell is." New Hampshire was represented well in the Pulse audience, with 63% of participants saying they are registered voters of the Granite State. | Viewers voted during the New Hampshire debate using Bing Pulse .
Democrats and Republicans voted intensely in favor of their party's candidate .
Independents stayed more neutral in their opinions . |
129,589 | 338435607903b52c286c1dc7b7a2e5e64daf8276 | Hong Kong (CNN) -- Cathay Pacific, the world's largest carrier of air cargo, will stop shipping unsustainably sourced shark products in a move marine conservation groups characterized as a big step forward in efforts to protect the animals. "We believe that we now have compelling evidence that the majority of shark fishing is incompatible with our position on Sustainable Development," Cathay Pacific said in a statement. "Due to the vulnerable nature of sharks, their rapidly declining population, and the impacts of overfishing for their parts and products, our carriage of these is inconsistent with our commitment to sustainable development," the airline said. The ban will apply to Cathay Pacific and its subsidiary Dragonair, both major players in the transport of air cargo to Hong Kong and China. Shark's fin soup remains a popular delicacy for weddings and banquets within China. In order to obtain these fins, fishermen catch sharks, cut off their fins and throw the sharks back into the water to die. More: China plans banquet ban on shark fin . Environmentalists say this wasteful practice puts several shark species at risk of extinction. An estimate 50% of the shark fin trade comes through Hong Kong. Stanley Shea, from the marine advocacy group Bloom Association, believes Cathay Pacific's move sends a message to other Hong Kong corporations. They are "showing other corporates they understand the issue and making change happening in Hong Kong." The airline says it will take three months to implement the new policy, but it will stop accepting any new contracts immediately. More: Shark fin off the menu at top hotel . Cathay's decision came after the airline received a July letter from more than 40 international environmental organizations, requesting it set an "aggressive timeline" to stop carrying shark's fin. In the letter, the group estimated Cathay Pacific carries between 20-50% of all the air cargo trade in shark's fin. Shea said they are also targeting the shipping lines, which are still responsible for carrying the majority of shark products worldwide. | Cathay Pacific will stop shipping unsustainably sourced shark products .
The airline is the world's largest carrier of air cargo, headquartered in Hong Kong .
"The majority of shark fishing is incompatible with our position on Sustainable Development"
An estimate 50% of the shark fin trade comes through Hong Kong . |
251,562 | d1a0faf470a9fc335aa9811f9fdfb5154a46fd45 | Mariafrancesca Garritano reveals details of anorexia . Revelations may cost her place in opening performance . Dancers tormented by eating disorders to get 'perfect body' By . Nick Pisa . UPDATED: . 22:04 EST, 4 February 2012 . A leading ballerina has risked the wrath of theatre chiefs by blowing the lid on the dark secrets of the ballet world including details of anorexia and women unable to have children as a result. In scenes that would not look out of place in the Natalie Portman Oscar winning blockbuster Black Swan, ballerina Mariafrancesca Garritano, 33, has broken the unwritten code of silence - which she fears could cost her a place in the opening performance of next season. Dropped: Mariafrancesca Garritano risked the wrath of theatre chiefs by blowing the lid on the dark secrets of the ballet world . Miss Garritano, a ballerina at Milan's famous La Scala opera house, described how dancers were tormented with eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia, as they frantically tried to please teachers and opera chiefs with 'the perfect body.' She added: 'Sadly this is a phenomenon that affects the whole of the ballet world but is very rarely discussed - it's as if there is a Mafia code of omerta (silence) that rules over us and as it result it must never be broken. 'Dancers are having their bodies taken to the limit by teachers and theatre directors who are demanding that the dancers have the perfect body and as such this is a sore that needs to be treated. Black Swan: The pressures of life as a ballerina were highlighted in the film starring Natalie Portman . Ballet and the world of dance is a beautiful form of art that should not be exploited and put the lives of ballerinas and dancers at risk. One in five dancers in the ballet world are victims of anorexia - even La Scala is not immune. Miss Garritano, who spoke after rehearsals at La Scala for next month's opening performance of Excelsior, added: 'This message needs to get out there - the people in the industry know the problem exists and the thought that I may be victimised for speaking out has crossed my mind but I hope it does not come to that. I have personal experience of this problem - when I was a young teenager I suffered from anorexia and my weight dropped to 43 kilos (6.8stone). I didn't think I was fat but the teachers kept telling me I needed to lose weight or I would not get selected for performances. Eating disorder: Natalie Portman's character in the Black Swan is sick after eating a slice of cake . 'For eighteen months I did not have my period and even know I suffer from intestinal problems which I am sure are all connected to my experiences as a teenager. Lots of dancers I know cannot conceive because of the problems they had with anorexia.' She added: 'It is not unusual to hear ballerinas talk of how they had two crackers for breakfast, a yoghurt for lunch and an apple for dinner just to make sure they can fit into their tutus. I know dancers who would compete against each other to see how little they could eat which is lunacy. 'They resort to this extreme course of action because they are being told that if they don't lose weight then they will not get picked.' Earlier this year former Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips also spoke of the pressures that dancers faced and highlighted the scene in Black Swan where Natalie Portman's Nina is sick after eating a slice of cake to celebrate winning a part in Swan Lake. Arlene said: 'Staying slender is obviously a big part of a dancer's life,' turning to the cake scene she added: 'Initially she refuses to eat it and when she finally has a tiny bite, you can see the distaste on her face. She knows in a few days time she has to fit into a tutu, which has been measured to fit her exactly. she has to abstain.' No one from La Scala opera house was available to comment on the revelations . Miss Garrittano added: 'I have never actually seen people being sick after eating but I know ballerinas who have suffered from eating disorders and then gone on to have psycological problems as well. I saw the film Black Swan and it was not very far from the truth at all but this problem is not restricted to dancing it is in fashion as well.' Miss Garrittano has written about her experiences in a book called 'The Truth, Please, About Ballet' and added: 'When you see ballerinas on stage perfectly combed and immaculately dressed no-one can imagine that behind these people are stories of corruption and threats in order to keep their places in the company.' No-one from La Scala was available to comment. | Mariafrancesca Garritano reveals details of anorexia .
Revelations may cost her place in opening performance .
Dancers tormented by eating disorders to get 'perfect body' |
249,721 | cf2e60154f1356d20bcf13db8d451f204fa96f33 | Republican attorneys general in several states say they are weighing legal challenges to President Barack Obama's overhaul of immigration rules. The man who rose to conservative stardom as the first attorney general to challenge Obama's health care law in court, Virginia's Ken Cuccinelli, said they're in a "powerful position to make the legal assault." But, he said, because Obama's immigration move was an executive order rather than a bill that worked its way through Congress, attorneys general have less time to prepare their moves than he did in 2010. "The best thing to do there is just to take it slow," Cuccinelli, who now helms the Senate Conservatives Fund, said Friday. "One of the challenges for lawyers can be explaining first of all, what the legal issue is, and second, its significance. And both of those are important." "This shouldn't be done as a political undertaking, it should be done as a legal undertaking," he said. "As long as they keep that focus, understanding they have to communicate to people who aren't lawyers what they're doing and why, I think they'll be just fine." Texas could play the lead role in challenging Obama's executive order easing deportation for the undocumented parents of children born in the United States and others. The state's GOP attorney general, Greg Abbott, who's just weeks away from replacing outgoing Gov. Rick Perry, said Wednesday night that he's planning to sue. In Oklahoma, Attorney General Scott Pruitt promised a lawsuit. Republicans hammer legal case against Obama . Other elected officials also are considering challenges, as well. Indiana Gov. Mike Pence said his state will take "any available legal actions necessary." At a Republican Governors Association meeting this week, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker all said they'd consider a lawsuit. Even Joe Arpaio, the colorful sheriff in Arizona's Maricopa County, said he's suing Obama over immigration. The list could grow, and it's already populated with Republicans who could enhance their standing among conservatives by hammering a president deeply unpopular with their base. There are risks, though. Immigration could be a tricky issue for Republicans in 2016, when their opposition to easing deportation rules -- especially once Obama is out of office -- could alienate Latinos, a rapidly growing group of voters. Cuccinelli said immigration is "just like Obamacare but with different players. It's not just some political positive all the time. There will be people who will not appreciate it." Read transcript of Obama's immigration speech . The legal challenge to Obama's signature health care reform law was the star turn for Florida's Pam Bondi, who led the multistate battle that reached the Supreme Court. It also turned Cuccinelli, who had campaigned for office on fighting Obamacare, into a conservative darling -- and catapulted him to the Republican nomination in last year's governor's race, though he narrowly lost to Democrat Terry McAuliffe. Cuccinelli's lawsuit was eventually rejected, but other states had some success with the Supreme Court, which rejected a challenge to the law's individual mandate but allowed states to opt out of its expansion of the Medicaid program. Cuccinelli said attorneys general needed to play a "federalist role," then and now. "If the AG's position is this violates the law and the separation of powers, it cannot stand for that reason alone. Whatever anyone may think of immigration, then that's the job of the attorney general," he said. Opinion: Obama's immigration move is a win . Cuccinelli said there is strength in numbers for attorneys general who, while elected in most states, are usually lower-key lawyers unaccustomed to the spotlight that comes with taking on the White House. "When one person does something, you look like an outlier," he said. "And whether it makes sense or not, the states get a certain level of respect from the courts that other people don't. When you file an amicus brief and you represent a state, the court reads your brief. It is a powerful position to make the legal assault from." | States' top GOP attorneys are considering lawsuits challenging Obama's immigration overhaul .
Texas, Oklahoma attorneys general have said they'll sue, and other states could join them .
Virginia's Ken Cuccinelli, who challenged Obamacare, advised them to "take it slow" |
192,409 | 851a1931e22c8623e8d0614f58aab7575cf47ad2 | (CNN) -- DNA from a 45,000-year-old leg bone is giving scientists a better idea of when modern humans first started mating with Neanderthals. The thigh bone was found six years ago on the banks of the Irtysh River in Siberia by Nikolai Peristov, a Russian artist who carves jewelry from ancient mammoth tusks, according to the journal Nature. "It was quite fossilized, and the hope was that it might turn out (to be) old. We hit the jackpot," Bence Viola, a paleoanthropologist who co-led a study of the remains, told Nature. "It was older than any other modern human yet dated." 2013: Oldest human DNA found in Spain . For those who aren't familiar with our Stone Age ancestors, Neanderthals are an extinct species of human who differ in DNA from what scientists call "modern humans" by less than 1%. Modern humans first left Africa about 60,000 years ago, according to National Geographic, and wandered toward Asia and Europe. There, they encountered Neanderthals and another species of human called Denisovans. Scientists believe Neanderthals died out about 30,000 years ago, possibly because they were simply absorbed into the modern human population. Roughly 2% of genomes of non-Africans today come from the Neanderthal species, according to Nature. Until now, scientists hadn't pinpointed exactly when Neanderthals and modern humans began interbreeding. Sequencing of the 45,000-year-old bone's DNA showed that 2.3% of his genome also came from Neanderthals, according to a study published Wednesday. His Neanderthal DNA segments were long, the scientists say, which suggests that the love fest between the two species began between 50,000 and 60,000 years ago. "Paternal and maternal chromosomes are shuffled together in each generation, so that over time the DNA segments from any individual become shorter," Nature explains. 7,000-year-old male, dark skin, blue eyes, likes hunting ... Of course, when it comes to evolution, there's always a debate. Some scientists believe modern humans left Africa more than 100,000 years ago. "This is just a random find in a Siberian river deposit," Chris Stringer, a paleoanthropologist at London's Natural History Museum, told Nature. "What else could be there when they start looking systematically?" | Scientists sequence DNA of 45,000-year-old leg bone found in Siberia .
Study: Modern humans and Neanderthals mated 50,000 to 60,000 years ago .
Roughly 2% of genomes of non-Africans today come from Neanderthal species . |
57,039 | a18eb5fbd50ccc47b7f25964c1215f7cf3e23ca2 | A Northern California woman and her boyfriend were arrested on Sunday on suspicion of murder in her three-year-old daughter's death after someone recognized the wanted couple at a restaurant and tipped off authorities. Sara Krueger, 23, and Scott Warner, 26, became subjects of an intense search in the San Francisco Bay Area after officers conducting a welfare check at Krueger's Napa apartment found the child's body in her bed on Saturday, Lt. Debbie Peecook said. A few hours earlier, witnesses had seen Krueger and Warner leaving the apartment with luggage, police said. Sara Krueger, 23, and Scott Warner, 26, became subjects of an intense search in the San Francisco Bay Area after officers conducting a welfare check at Krueger's Napa apartment found the child's body in her bed . Victim: Krueger's 3-year-old daughter (pictured) was found beaten and sexually assaulted in her bed . Someone who spotted the couple at a restaurant near a Bay Area Rapid Transit station on Sunday in the city of El Cerrito alerted police, and BART officers detained them, Peecook said. BART police Lt. Gil Lopez said they were detained without incident at the station in El Cerrito, about 30 miles south of Napa. They were questioned and booked on suspicion of murder with special circumstances and assault on a child resulting in death. Peecook said she didn't know whether they have retained an attorney. The child, whose name was not released, showed signs of having been sexually assaulted and blunt force trauma, investigators said. Her biological father, who is serving time at San Quentin State Prison, was notified of her death. Neighbors said that the home had been the scene of multiple disturbances since Kreuger's boyfriend 26-year-old Scott Warner moved in . The property manager at Krueger's apartment building told the Napa Valley Register . that in recent months, police visited the mother's residence for . several disturbances, including late-night noise, slamming doors and . neighbors reporting possible physical abuse of the child. Warner 'moved in about 10 months ago, and it all went downhill from there,' Elizabeth Chechourka said. 'Management . sent a letter to them about two and half weeks ago saying, ''The . authorities know about you, and you need to shape up or you're gonna . lose your housing,''' she added. Peecook said Napa officers had made . several welfare checks at Krueger's home, most recently last week but . none of the visits resulted in an arrest. She . said she didn't know whether Napa County Child Protective Services had . visited the apartment in response to any neighbors' complaints. A family friend who often baby-sat the girl was baffled by news of the girl's death and her mother's arrest. 'Never . saw her raise a hand to the girl. It was like pulling teeth getting her . to somewhat discipline her,' Kindra Kunkel told reporters. 'This is not Sara; this is not the Sara I know," said Kunkel. "She fought so hard for her little girl.' | Sara Krueger, 23, and Scott Warner, 26, were arrested on Sunday in San Francisco after they were spotted at restaurant .
Three-year-old girl's body found at home with blunt force trauma and possible sexual abuse . |
249,694 | cf268910d1a51b6a4827b48d31526ecac37f1646 | (CNN) -- Sen. Robert Menendez slammed accusations that he had paid a Dominican woman for sex and expressed hope Tuesday that those behind the claims would be exposed in the wake of the woman's notarized confession that she'd never even met the New Jersey Democrat. "I hope that you will all vigorously go after who was the source and purpose as you did go after the story at the time," he told reporters. In a notarized statement filed in court, Nexis de los Santos Santana said she was filmed without her knowledge when she claimed that Menendez had paid her to have sex. "I am the person in the video, that is me, and those are my words, but this statement is not true," Santana said in the statement. "I never agreed to be recorded." In addition to criticism over accepting unreported plane flights and allegedly advocating on behalf of a business, Menendez was accused of partying with prostitutes in the Dominican Republic -- accusations he said were "unsubstantiated." As he did when the claims first emerged, Menendez said Tuesday the claims are "false smears" lifted from right-wing blogs ahead of the election. Menendez faces scrutiny over ties to Florida doctor . "Look, I don't know more than what I have read. But I do know from the very beginning I have said that nameless, faceless, anonymous sources ... from the right wing blogs took this story which was just false smears right before an election cycle, attempted to do it then, and ultimately drove it into the mainstream press," he said. "But they were never anything other than false smears." The confession document was presented at a press conference Monday by lawyer Vinicio Castillo, who said Santana was recruited to make the claims against Menendez by another lawyer, Dr. Miguel Galvan. Galvan, in a notarized confession, pins the blame on a third lawyer, who Galvan said asked him to assist in a divorce case by finding "witnesses" to claim they had sex for money with Menendez. CNN has attempted to reach both the lawyers who allegedly recorded the escort making the claims against Menendez, but has not yet received a response. Questions revolve around his relationship with Salomon Melgen, the Florida man who owned a plane Menendez admits having flown three times -- once on official Senate business, and twice for personal reasons -- to the Dominican Republic in 2010. Melgen, his wife, Flor, and his daughter, Melissa, have been generous donors to Menendez, his fellow Democrats and related causes in recent years. Castillo is Melgen's cousin and spokesman. In January, Menendez paid approximately $58,500 to Melgen for the flights he took in 2010, chalking up the lapse in payment to his busy schedule. On Tuesday, Menendez answered questions about intervening on issues on Melgen's behalf by saying, "we raise questions all the time for a wide range of universe on public policy issues and we think that those are all legitimate." A law enforcement official said last week the FBI was continuing to "pursue all leads" surrounding the Menendez allegations, including the prostitution charges. The same law enforcement source said federal agents had gone to the Dominican Republic in hopes of finding the women who claimed to have had sex with Menendez, but that the women had not yet been located. The Daily Caller, a conservative website, originally published the video with two women claiming they had sex with Menendez for money. In an article published Tuesday, the Daily Caller said Santana was not one of the two women who were featured in the video, though Santana asserted in the notarized court document she was one of the women. In her statement Monday, Santana said she was told she would be paid well for reading the script. Both she and Galvan requested legal protection in making their confessions. CNN's Adriana Hauser and Kevin Liptak contributed to this report. | NEW: Sen. Robert Menendez says the confession shows the accusations are "false smears"
A Dominican woman says she was paid to say she had sex with the New Jersey Democrat .
A video of the woman first appeared on conservative website the Daily Caller .
The Daily Caller says the woman was not in the video . |
138,388 | 3efad7aa8780a2dcaa995e41572aaa32c4468789 | Surveillance cameras captured the moment every door at a maximum-security jail wing in Florida swung open and released a flock of violent criminals, who ganged up and attacked another inmate with vicious homemade knives. The inmate was forced to jump over a railing and fall one story to escape his assailants, who are believed to be members of a rival gang in the Miami neighborhood of Liberty City. The Miami-Dade Corrections Department says it still doesn't know why the security system unlocked and opened every door in the maximum-security wing of the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on June 14. However, two inmates immediately crept out of their cells - seemingly moving with purpose - as soon as the doors slid open. Scroll down for video . Open sesame: Two inmates crept out of their cells the moment the doors slid open - leading to speculation that they knew they would be released . Target: The men ganged up to attack Kenneth Williams, left, who is the leader of a rival gang. The men were allegedly armed with homemade prison shivs . The Miami Herald reports that this has led some to speculate that the prisoners knew that their doors would open and that they were waiting to be let out to execute their attack. The Herald obtained a copy of the June 14 surveillance video. It shows an attack on Kenneth Williams, believed to be a leader of the New Moneii gang that deals drugs in a Liberty City public housing project, by three rival gang members - all of whom were allegedly armed with shivs - crude prison knives. Williams jumped over a railing and landed on the floor below to escape his assailants. He can be seen writhing in pain, holding his leg. Doctors later said he suffered a fractured vertebrae and a broken ankle. Williams, pursued by armed assailants, hikes up his trousers and throws himself over a railing to escape the knife-wielding inmates . Williams, seen on the floor after his fall, broke his ankle and shattered a vertebra when he landed on story below . Williams is believed to be the leader of a violent Miami street gang . Williams was awaiting trial on charges he tried to intimidate witnesses testifying against two gunmen accused of killing one of Williams' rivals and his 10-month-old son. The Herald reports that police suspect Williams ordered the hit, but have been unable to produce evidence to charge him. The beleaguered Maimi-Dade Corrections Department said it is still working to figure out why the doors in the maximum security wing opened. Inmates in that wing are never let out of their cells more than a few at a time and are never allowed to mingle in common areas together. In May, a similar incident allowed the computerized control panel to open all doors on the wing when a guard accidentally pushed the wrong button. After that happened, a safety was installed that forced jailers who pressed the button to open all doors to confirm the selection first. Still the Corrections Department claims that no jailer released the doors. Williams' lawyer questions that conclusion. | Computer glitch blamed for doors at Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center being thrown open .
Some question whether some inmates knew the doors would be unlocked .
At least two inmates ganged up on rival gang member and attacked him with prison shivs . |
226,532 | b152437188cf9b4cbff9769de09ba0f05607bf86 | Eleven reputed members and associates of one of New York's legendary crime families have been arrested in a major blow weakening the family's grip' on New Jersey. The Genovese family and their associates allegedly used check cashing businesses and a Newark restaurant to run a racketeering enterprise that reaped millions of dollars through loansharking and money laundering, New Jersey officials said Tuesday as they announced charges against 11 people. One of those arrested was reputed Genovese family capo Charles Tuzzo of Bayside, New York, who was charged with racketeering, money laundering, conspiracy, loansharking and promoting gambling. One of those arrested was reputed Genovese family capo Charles Tuzzo (left) who was charged with racketeering, money laundering, conspiracy, loansharking and promoting gambling. Reputed Genovese soldier Vito Alberti, 55, (right) was charged with the same crimes as Tuzzo as well as one tax-related count . N.J. acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman (pictured) announces the arrests of seven alleged members of the New York based Genovese organized crime family in Newark, N.J . Also arrested was reputed Genovese soldier Vito Alberti, 55, of New Providence, New Jersey, whom authorities charged with the same crimes as Tuzzo as well as one tax-related count. The 80-year-old Tuzzo, Alberti and five others were being held on $400,000 bail each and were scheduled for an initial court appearance later Tuesday in Morris County. Three people were charged by summonses and one, Vincent Coppola of Union, was being sought. It wasn't immediately clear whether any of the defendants had lawyers. Coppola is the son of jailed Genovese capo Michael Coppola, acting state Attorney General John Hoffman said Tuesday. Three people were charged by summonses and one, Vincent Coppola of Union, (far right) was being sought . The money laundering and loansharking ran through check cashing businesses owned by Domenick Pucillo of Florham Park, Hoffman said . Racketeering and money laundering carry prison sentences of 10 to 20 years, and sentences for first-degree money laundering - a charge faced by all 11 defendants - run consecutive to sentences for other charges, according to the attorney general's office . Michael Coppola was captured in 2007 after spending more than a decade on the run after being charged in the fatal shooting of a fellow mobster in a New Jersey motel parking lot in the late 1970s. The money laundering and loansharking ran through check cashing businesses owned by Domenick Pucillo of Florham Park, Hoffman said. Pucillo had about $3 million in illegal loans on the street over a two-year period, and he and others reaped about $1.3 million in interest by charging annual rates of up to 156 percent, Hoffman said. Hoffman and Michael Murphy, commissioner of the Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor, estimated that $400 million in checks were illegally cashed through the Portucale Restaurant in Newark's Ironbound section over a four-year period in another operation they say was financed by Pucillo. They said patrons would cash checks for more than $10,000 at the restaurant for a fee of up to 3 percent to launder money or hide income. The owner of the restaurant, Abel Rodrigues, 52, of Bridgewater, was charged with racketeering, money laundering, conspiracy, operating an unlicensed check cashing facility and filing a bogus tax return. Hoffman and Michael Murphy, commissioner of the Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor, estimated that $400 million in checks were illegally cashed through the Portucale Restaurant (top right) in Newark's Ironbound section over a four-year period in another operation they say was financed by Pucillo . A poster of the alleged members and associates of the New York based Genovese organized crime family . Racketeering and money laundering carry prison sentences of 10 to 20 years, and sentences for first-degree money laundering — a charge faced by all 11 defendants — run consecutive to sentences for other charges, according to the attorney general's office. In all, about $12 million in illegal profit was collected through the various enterprises, in addition to a sports gambling operation that used an offshore website in Costa Rica, Hoffman said. A percentage of the profit was kicked up to the Genovese family in New York, he said. 'They were up to a lot of the old Mafia tricks in New Jersey, including loansharking and illegal gambling, to the tune of millions of dollars,' Hoffman said. 'History teaches us that as long as demand exists for illicit loans, illicit gambling, drugs and other black-market goods and services, organized crime is going to turn a profit by preying on society.' | Family allegedly 'ran a racketeering enterprise that reaped millions of dollars through loansharking and money laundering'
One of those arrested was reputed Genovese family capo Charles Tuzzo .
Reputed Genovese soldier Vito Alberti, 55, was also arrested .
Used check cashing businesses and a Newark restaurant to run a racketeering enterprise . |
201,802 | 9140285d210f49a2bb1e7a5d1fbb230c301d44de | By . Claire Bates . PUBLISHED: . 01:14 EST, 8 January 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 12:00 EST, 8 January 2013 . A new weight loss invention will let dieters eat anything they want - by sucking food and drink straight out of their stomachs. The rather gruesome-sounding system stops the body from digesting a third of each meal by pumping it out of the stomach via a tube inserted in the abdomen. So far it has been trialled on 24 obese patients and now the company Aspire Bariatrics has applied for a patent on the unusual device in partnership with inventor Dean Kamen. Mr Kamen is best known for inventing the Segway, the two-wheeled self-balancing personal transport. However, critics have been horrified by the system, which they say doesn't tackle the causes of obesity. Scroll down for video . Brighter tomorrow: The new invention will suck food straight out of the user's belly before the body can fully digest it . Not for every meal: One user complained the pump had issues 'clogging' with some foods . This graphic shows how the AspireAssist reduced excess weight in clinical trial patients over a year . The latest product is being touted as an . alternative to other procedures such as gastric bypass surgery, which discourages people from overeating by . dividing the stomach into two pouches. A tube, called the A-Tube, is placed . in the stomach. The thin silicone rubber tube then connects the inside . of the stomach to a poker-chip-sized Skin-Port outside the abdomen. The . port has a valve the user can open and close to control the flow of the . stomach's contents. The patient then empties a portion of . their stomach contents about 20 minutes after each main meal through this tube by connecting a . small, handheld device to the port. The emptying process itself is called aspiration and takes five to 10minutes to complete. The device would be used in combination with counseling and group support meetings to encourage healthier food choices. Patients aspire after every main meal and then use it less often as they learn to eat more healthily. If problems are encountered the tube can be removed in a 15minute outpatient procedure. According to a statement from the . company: 'The AspireAssist Aspiration Therapy System works by reducing . the calories absorbed by the body. After eating, food travels to the . stomach immediately, where it is temporarily stored and the digestion . process begins. 'Over the first hour after a meal, the . stomach begins breaking down the food, and then passes the food on to . the intestines, where calories are absorbed. 'The AspireAssist allows patients to . remove about 30 per cent of the food from the stomach before the . calories are absorbed into the body, causing weight loss.' However expert Tam Fry, a trustee of the National Obesity Forum, said he was dismayed by the new system. 'I haven't seen anything as horrific as this before,' he said. 'You are supposed to eat and then digest, not pump your food out. 'It seems they are trying to come up with a quick-fix for lazy people. It is far better to eat properly and in the correct amounts. 'I understand that those who are obese need help, but we should be focusing on counseling and especially education. 'The key is to teach children early about nutrition and a healthy diet.' The company claimed that patients lost an average of 49 per cent of their excess weight, equivalent to 45lbs, during the first year of using the system in a U.S clinical trial. However, the pump reportedly struggles when attempting to break up large foods. One patient even reported 'clogging' and had to avoid cauliflower, broccoli, Chinese food, stir fry, snow . peas, pretzels, chips and steak. There have also been concerns that the system has a number of similarities to bulimia, where people make themselves sick after eating. However, the company said AspireAssist does not cause eating disorders and there is little overlap between people with obesity and the psychological disorder. It added patients would be screened for the condition before being approved. According to the patent, the process of removing ingested food could potentially be improved by alternating . the infusion of liquid into the stomach with the removal of material . from the stomach. The company is also considering capturing stomach acid and returning it to the stomach to help break down food further, as well as adding nutritional supplements or medicines to the infused liquid. VIDEO A demonstration of AspireAssist Aspiration Therapy system . | System works by sucking 30% of food from the stomach before it is digested .
Company claims patients in U.S clinical trial lost 49% of excess body weight .
Obesity experts horrified by the 'quick-fix' device that doesn't tackle the causes of over-eating . |
67,401 | bf3c56d22c544f1973939332905db9521f2dab07 | Los Angeles (CNN) -- This wouldn't be L.A., folks, if there wasn't a manufactured drama behind the drama that's Carmaggedon. So, two CNN producers decided to hold a cross-town race (after all, they are a competitive bunch) and see who could finish first. One took a plane: A $4 flight under a special Carmaggedon deal offered by JetBlue Airways. The other drove a car. The distance was 37.3 miles -- by car -- between the airports of Burbank, California, and Long Beach, California. The obstacle to this CNN Great Race was potential gridlock from this weekend's closure of Interstate 405, due to an ongoing $1.2 billion expansion project. Which would win, car or plane? On a typical day, it would be a fair race, given Los Angeles' notoriously clogged highways. But on Saturday, the "Carmaggedon" yielded to a "Carmaheaven" as motorists stayed home. That favored four wheels over two wings. The automobile beat the airplane by 47 minutes. In fact, the producer who drove the car was returning home by the time the plane arrived. "This went so smoothly, you can't believe it," Paul Vercammen reported from behind the wheel. His time: "54 minutes in an absolute piece of cake." And that included time lost on taking a wrong ramp, getting some water and messing with camera equipment, he said. "I would say that if traffic was like this all the time, people would be happy to take such adventures on a Friday," he added. While the car may have been king on this day, the airplane had the better party. "Even though Paul won," said producer Lindy Hall, "we are having more fun. I know it. There has been huge receptions at every gate. Tons of food. There's a convivial atmosphere everywhere." And, she added: "When's the last time you got a gift bag" on a flight? Maybe one reason the plane lost was because it took the scenic route. "We flew over the 405, and it was completely empty," Hall said. She added how passengers on the plane even had a bird's eye view of crews tearing down the Mulholland Drive bridge over the 405. Mulholland Drive is often featured in Hollywood films. The race began at 11:20 a.m. PT, because that's when Hall arrived at the Burbank's Bob Hope Airport, one hour before flight time. The sold-out Flight 405 (that number is correct) of JetBlue departed at 12:20 p.m. PT, for a trip lasting 45 minutes gate-to-gate, to Long Beach Airport. But Vercammen enjoyed a fast start, reporting from his vehicle that Los Angeles' highways were a ghost town, relatively speaking. "I'm getting on the (Interstate) 5 freeway. I believe that most everyone has been intimidated by this Carmaggedon talk," Vercammen said at about 11:30 a.m. "I don't know how fair this test is going to be," he added. Shortly after noon, Vercammen was victorious, easily defeating the airplane. His time was 54 minutes, compared with one hour 41 minutes for Hall. "While I may be losing this battle, I'm having way more fun," Hall said from the plane shortly before takeoff, describing refreshments and a cake with a depiction of a car-choked 405. On the plane, passengers found on their seats a gift bag that included cookies saying "405," chips and water. As a longtime Angeleno, Vercammen waxed poetically about the 405, a sentiment shared by many in town: "I avoid the 405 like poison oak, or wild-eyed people you randomly meet on story shoots who want you to pitch their product. "The 405 is a time bandit, a concrete thief that steals hours as you take agonizing drives in awful traffic." But not today. | Two CNN producers race across Los Angeles during Carmaggedon .
One drives a car .
One takes a special $4 Jet Blue flight .
The course runs from Burbank to Long Beach in California . |
180,445 | 7597f8d193b7343b164b519de6ccf55651433a6e | A 24-year-old mother to three young children was found murdered Wednesday, say Canadian authorities. Ontario Provincial Police have charged Kapuskasing man Patrick Carignan, 30, with second degree murder in connection with the death of Emanuelle D'Amours. D'Amours, of Moonbeam, Ontario, was found dead at a Kapuskasing residence on Cartier Street by police. Carignan is set to appear in Ontario Court of Justice Friday, CBC News reports. That same day D'Amours's body will be undergo a post-mortem examination at the Office of the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service in Sudbury. D'Amours was described as a woman who came from a large family connected to multiple businesses across Moonbeam. The investigation remains underway headed by Detective Inspector Rob Hagerman of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch as well as OPP James Bay of Detachments' Crime Unit. Anyone with knowledge of the crime is urged to contact Bay at 1-888-310-1122 or at 705--335-2238. | Ontario Provincial Police have charged Kapuskasing man Patrick Carignan, 30, with second degree murder in connection with the death of Emanuelle D'Amours .
D'Amours was found dead in Kapuskasing home by authorities .
Her body is set to undergo post-mortem examine and cause of death has yet to be released . |
32,103 | 5b6105cff70bb9fad24e05dd8ef2ed749e6800f6 | By . Michael Zennie . PUBLISHED: . 14:43 EST, 25 April 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 22:30 EST, 25 April 2013 . The chief person of interest in the investigation of deadly ricin-laced letters that were sent to President Obama and other officials has gone missing, authorities said on Thursday. Everett Dutschke had been under surveillance but slipped away on Wednesday, according to Itawamba County Sheriff Chris Dickinson who is working with the FBI. Itawamba deputies searched a home in Ozark, Mississippi where Dutschke was believed to have been on Wednesday and found no one. Scroll down for video . Disappeared: Everett Dutschke, the chief person of interest in the case of deadly ricin letters being sent to President Obama, has gone missing . The sheriff says he believes a friend of Dutschke 'may be helping him to lay low'. FBI spokeswoman Deborah Madden would not comment on the search. Dutschke did not answer his cellphone when attempts were made to contact him on Thursday. Charges in the case were dropped against earlier suspect Kevin Curtis. Curtis, an Elvis impersonator had been charged with sending the poison letters last week. He said he may have been framed by Dutschke, an accused child molester, martial arts instructor and political candidate with whom he has been rivals for several years. Federal authorities on Tuesday dropped all charges against Curtis and spent several hours searching Dustschke's house in Tupelo, Mississippi. Dutschke addressed the media and denied he sent the ricin letters. While the drama plays out in a series of baffling TV interviews given by both sides, the FBI has said little about its investigation. Dutschke has not been named as a suspect by authorities and has not been arrested. Southern-fried feud: J Everett Dutschke, left, and Kevin Curtis, right, are both caught up in the federal investigation over poison letters sent to the president. They are both also martial arts rivals . Sweet relief: Paul Kevin Curtis, who had been in custody under suspicion of sending ricin-laced letters to President Obama and others, left, hugs his attorney Christi McCoy during a news conference following his release Tuesday . However, he admitted a longstanding animosity with Curtis. Dutschke says he is a member of MENSA, the society for high-IQ individuals. Curtis claims to be a member of the group, as well. 'He is not a MENSA member,' Dutschke emphatically said as federal agents and hazmat crews combed his house. 'The certificate he posted online is a lie.' During a strange and rambling press conference on Tuesday, Curtis said Dutschke 'hates him.' He offered several reasons why. 'I don't if it’s a martial arts kind of conflict and he thinks you’re better than him and he wants to challenge you in the rink. I don’t know,' he said. Both men are trained in the Korean martial art of taekwondo and they agreed to a showdown at a local martial arts studio in Tupelo. 'At one point on the phone I did say, "If you wanna meet somewhere just you and I..." and he said, "Taekwondo Plus, Main Street." I said, "I’ll be there in 20 minutes." 'Framed': Kevin Curtis, who works as an Elvis impersonator, may have been set up by a man who was once his brother's business partner, his lawyer says . Accused: J Everett Dutschke, right, had his home raided by federal agents on Tuesday after Curtis lawyer alleged he might be behind the ricin attack. He is seen here with Senator Roger Wicker . Denial: Dutschke has said he had nothing to do with the ricin attacks and is a 'patriotic American' 'I drove there. He wasn’t there. Then he sent me an email, "Come back tomorrow at 7 and the results of you being splattered all over the pavement for all the world to see what a blank blank blank blank you are." And then at that point I knew that I was dealing with a coward.' Both men are also musicians. Dutschke plays blues guitar and has released several albums under the name Dusty and the Robodrum. Curtis tours across the south as an Elvis impersonator. It's all nonsense, Dutschke told reporters on Tuesday. 'He’s crazy. He’s just a little nutty. I don’t have a relationship with him,' Dutschke said. Curtis, for his part, said Dutschke is 'delusional.' In a CNN interview on Tuesday, Curtis' lawyer Christi McCoy said her client has mental issues. Federal authorities wanted to have him evaluated for competency before trying him in court. Curtis heaped praise on his lawyer for fighting for him and ensuring he was quickly exonerated. 'In the jungle of the law and court, you have monkeys, you have kangaroos and you have lions. She was the lion queen. She was just amazing,' he told CNN's Piers Morgan. 'I've never heard of ricin or whatever. I thought they said rice. I told them I don't eat rice,' Curtis said at a press conference Tuesday, describing the moment he was questioned by federal authorities. McCoy said whoever framed her client was able to lead the FBI to his door simply by including Curtis' catch-phrase 'I'm KC and I approve this message' and a few other clues in the threatening notes that were mailed to Washington. Musician: Kevin Curtis works as an Elvis impersonator and performs music for a living. He once performed for Senator Roger Wicker, one of the politicians who received ricin in the mail . McCoy suggested in court on Monday that . federal authorities should instead investigate Dutschke. She later told CNN that federal agents have not recovered any physical evidence tying Curtis to the poisoned letters. On Tuesday afternoon, six days after Curtis was arrested, the U.S. Attorney dropped terrorism charges against him. He had been accused of sending letters laces with the deadly poison ricin to the offices of Obama, Mississippi Senator Roger Wicker and Lee County Judge Sadie Holland. 'I respect President Obama. I love my country and would never do anything to pose a threat to him or any other U.S. official,' Curtis said Tuesday. McCoy suggested in federal court on Monday that Dutschke is one of the men who the FBI should investigate in the ricin case. Dutschke, she said, is a former friend . of Curtis and that the two had a falling out over a book Curtis wrote . called 'Missing Pieces.' On . Friday afternoon ten local officers and federal agents raided Dutschke's house in Tupelo . and searched it. Dutschke denied any involvement in the ricin case on . Tuesday. 'I'm a patriotic American. I don't have any grudges against anybody. I did not send the letters,' Dutschke said. He said he was asked to take a lie detector and that police had previously questioned him as well. Dutschke and Curtis are both musicians, are both politically active and are both heavily interested in martial arts. Dutske was arrested early this year and charged with molesting three girls - including a teenager he 'touched' between 2007 and 2011, an eight-year-old girl and a seven-year-old girl. He has not yet stood trial for the charges and is free after posting $25,000 bail. Found nothing: Curtis' lawyer said that despite extensive searches of his home, federal agents did not recover any physical evidence linking Curtis to the ricin letters . McCoy said that whoever framed her client dropped obvious clues that led federal investigators to arrest Curtis. Curtis made several posts on Facebook about the 'organ donation industry.' He signed each of his posts with the phrase 'I'm KC and I approve this message.' He also authored a book on organ donation called 'Missing Pieces.' The poison-laced notes included a reference to the book, as well. A day earlier, FBI Agent Brandon Grant . testified searches on Friday of Curtis' vehicle and house in Corinth, . Mississippi, found no ricin, ingredients for the poison, or devices used . to make it. A search of Curtis' computers found no evidence he . researched making ricin. 'There . was no apparent ricin, castor beans or any material there that could be . used for the manufacturing, like a blender or something,' Grant . testified. He speculated that Curtis could have thrown away the . processor. McCoy believes the only explanation is that somebody else set her client up. 'It's horrific that somebody would do this, but yes, I believe that's what happened,' McCoy said. Still, Grant testified that authorities believed they have the right suspect. 'Given the right mindset and the Internet and the acquisition of material, other people could be involved. However, given information right now, we believe we have the right individual,' he said. Suspect: The FBI has arrested a suspect accused of sending letters laced with ricin to President Obama, pictured on Wednesday, and a Mississippi senator . Hound dog: Curtis posted hordes of pictures on his Myspace page showing him from the 1980s and 90s . Grant said lab analysis shows the poison in the letters was in a crude form that could have been created by grinding castor beans in a food processor or coffee grinder. Grant testified Friday that authorities tried to track down the sender of the letters by using a list of Wicker's constituents with the initials KC, the same initials in the letters. Grant said the list was whittled from thousands to about 100 when investigators isolated the ones who lived in an area that would have a Memphis, Tennessee, postmark, which includes many places in north Mississippi. He said Wicker's staff recognized Curtis as someone who had written the senator before. All the envelopes and stamps were self-adhesive, Grant said Monday, meaning they won't yield DNA evidence. He said thus far the envelopes and letters haven't yielded any fingerprints. | J. Everett Dutschke, a former political candidate and accused child molester, has disappeared .
Kevin Curtis was set free on Tuesday after the FBI arrested him last week based on clues included in the poison letters sent to three politicians .
Defense lawyer said Curtis was framed by former friend who wrote Curtis' online catchphrase in the notes: 'I'm KC and I approve this message'
Dutschke had a disagreement and a harsh email exchange with Curtis recently, lawyer says . |
64,643 | b79946f3299f8b6553aaf92ed42bf5c7773c59b5 | STERLING, Alaska (CNN) -- From the Seavey dog sled kennel you get a clear view of the Redoubt volcano, and the Seavey family is watching closely. Mitch Seavey, 2004 Iditarod champion musher, with a team of sled dogs in Sterling, Alaska. The volcano is expected to erupt any day now, and the Seaveys are trying to find a way of keeping their prized sled dogs safe from the ash that may fall over a large portion of Alaska. The ash is highly abrasive and dangerous to breathe in for both humans and dogs. "How we react to the volcano is going to depend on the scope of it, I guess. We have my grandfather's kennel we can move to about 200 miles from here," said Danny Seavey, adding with a laugh: "If it's so big that it covers most of the state then I don't now what we're going to do. Move to Russia or something, I guess." But moving the dogs 200 miles away is no easy task. The Seavey kennel has about 100 sled dogs that are training for the Iditarod sled dog race that begins in early March. The race spans 1,150 miles, from Anchorage to Nome. To make the run, the dogs must be in tip-top shape. The Seaveys can't afford a break from training the dogs, and they can't allow the dogs, who sleep outside in small crates, to be exposed to the dangerous falling ash. "They are very well fed, highly trained athletes," said Seavey. "We're only a month from the Iditarod. They need to be training right now." iReport.com: Seen the Iditarod? Prepping for the volcano? Seavey expects to have very little time to get the dogs to safety. "Oh, yeah, it would be in a hurry. At the current wind conditions we would have about two hours from when it blows to when the ash gets here," he said. "We have big trucks, and each dog has a little kennel that they can hop in ... so we have three of these trucks, and we can move 60 or 70 dogs that way." Watch the sled dogs in action » . Seavey says the canine exodus is "going to look crazy, a bunch of dog trucks and horse trailers running east. That's our only plan right now." Plans are easier to come by for the human population of the Kenai Peninsula. Scott Walden is the emergency management coordinator for the Borough of Kenai. "It can create a sense of panic," Walden said. "It's sudden. It's hard to predict when and where it's going to hit." Learn more about Mount Redoubt » . He was fire chief when Redoubt last erupted in 1989 and says the biggest hazard is the slippery driving conditions the ash will present. The borough plans to close schools as soon as Redoubt blows, hoping to get all the kids home safe in the two hours they will have between the eruption and the ash hitting the ground. Walden is instructing people to take shelter and hopes to keep most people off the road for about a day while the ash falls. He says everyone should have paper respirator masks, plastic sheets to seal up their houses and a weather radio to monitor the situation. Down the road at the Home Depot, manager Mark Pierson says business in Redoubt-preparation supplies has been brisk . "The biggest thing that we're selling is the dust masks," says Pierson, who had to order extra stock. "We've bent over backwards to make sure we have these for the customers." Pierson grew up on the Kenai Peninsula and was here when Redoubt erupted in 1989 and when the nearby Augustine volcano erupted in 1986. He saved ash from the Augustine eruption in a jar. He says people here are used to dealing with nature and the hardships that come from living in a place that can be beautiful one minute and dangerous the next. "I think people here want to be prepared, but I don't see too many people over-reacting," he said. "You learn not to panic, you learn to be prepared." | Dog sled kennel is near volcanic Mount Redoubt in Alaska .
Animals are in training for grueling Iditarod dog sled race .
Dogs will have to be moved to avoid falling ash from volcano .
Hardware store manager says air masks selling briskly . |
164,127 | 603e70826a69f6a00d66ab724392c7a3df5c8dd0 | (CNN) -- British Prime Minister David Cameron congratulated the country's cricket team Friday after it beat Australia on Aussie home turf in a series of matches for cricket's historic Ashes trophy. It was the first time in 24 years that England clinched an Ashes series win in Australia. "Retaining the Ashes was a fantastic achievement, but winning the series really is the icing on the cake," Cameron said. "We've seen some great sporting moments over the series and the team have provided us with some brilliant memories that I'm sure fans will talk about for years to come. "The whole country is incredibly proud of them." The rampaging visitors concluded their triumph Friday in Sydney, winning the fifth and final Test of the series by an innings and 83 runs after amassing 644 runs. It's the highest score an English team has ever amassed in a Test match Down Under. England overwhelmed their arch rivals in three Tests, winning each by an innings, the most decisive manner of victory in cricket. Australia won one Test, and the other was inconclusive. In a rivalry that started in 1877, England and Australia play for the Ashes every two years, alternating between the two countries. Because the English team had won the previous Ashes series in England in 2009, it retained the trophy once it got an unbeatable 2-1 lead in the current series with only the Sydney Test remaining. The English players, dominating with both bat and ball, hammered home their dominance to wrap up the series with a 3-1 victory. England batsman Alastair Cook was announced as the best player of the series. He scored 766 runs, including a double century in the first Test in Brisbane. The Ashes is a symbolic trophy that dates back to 1882, when Australia beat England on U.K. soil for the first time and a British newspaper ran a tongue-in-cheek "obituary" saying cricket had died and the body would be cremated and the ashes sent to Australia. | NEW: Cameron: Winning the series is "icing on the cake."
Australia loses to England on its own home turf for first time in 24 years .
England gets highest score it's ever amassed in Test match in Australia .
The Ashes cricket rivalry started in 1877, and they play for the trophy every two years . |
123,138 | 2b2e74ab4c2e19df9b240a05d9eddf9707026039 | CLICK HERE to see how Sportsmail reporters see United lining up this season . Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes believes manager Louis van Gaal's greatest challenge is accommodating the attacking options he now has at his disposal. However, he admits the Dutchman also has to sort out the Red Devils' suspect defence if they are to secure a return to the Champions League this season. The £59.7million arrival of Argentina winger Angel di Maria and on-loan Colombia striker Radamel Falcao means Van Gaal now has to fit them into a team which also has England and Holland captains Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie, Spain international Juan Mata and precocious teenager Adnan Januzaj. Challenge: Louis van Gaal must accomodate (L-R) Angel di Maria, Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney . Selection dilema: Van Gaal's biggest problem will be fitting all his forwards into a team at Old Trafford . Falcao could make his debut at home to QPR on Sunday but it remains to be seen how the United boss will set up his side. Asked if the biggest problem is fitting everyone into a starting XI, Scholes told MUTV: 'It is yeah, but it's not a bad problem to have. 'Fans have been moaning about the type of players that were at the club and now you can't do that. 'I think Ed Woodward (executive vice-chairman) has done his job brilliantly during this transfer window with some great signings. Bringing up the rear: Former United midfielder Paul Scholes also thinks that United's defence must improve . 'The calibre of player we have brought in is top quality, like Di Maria and Falcao. 'These are proper players. We just have to find a way of getting them all in the same team, playing well and scoring goals - which we have struggled to do a little bit. 'Now it is over to the manager to sort everything out and make us a good team again. 'Defensively we haven't been great either so he needs to sort that out. Then, I'm sure we can be vying for Champions League places.' Di Maria has proven his versatility in a number of positions for club and country but Scholes feels he has to become the go-to winger for his new side. Sacrificed? Juan Mata (R) is widely expected to make way for United's new attacking signings . 'I would like to see Di Maria play wide,' Scholes added. 'Whether van Gaal is going to play with wide players I'm not too sure, but we saw the other night that he was devastating for Argentina against Germany in wide areas. 'Whether it is the right or left-hand side, his pace is frightening. 'He can go past players and score goals. That is something we have been missing. 'I am sure he can play in the central areas as well, but if I was picking him then it would be in the wide areas.' Ready: Falcao (R) appeared in Colombia's friendly against Brazil ahead of his expected debut against QPR . Scholes is optimistic United will see the best of Falcao again after his recovery from anterior knee ligament surgery. 'Falcao's goalscoring record is brilliant from when he has been at Porto and Atletico Madrid,' said the midfielder. 'The goals he has scored have been important, then there is the movement he brings and his experience as well at 28 years of age. 'You just hope his knee is right, I think that will be the main problem but once he gets going and Di Maria can start creating chances for him then I'm sure we will start scoring goals.' You can like our Manchester United Facebook page here . | Louis van Gaal faces challenge to fit forwards into team, says Paul Scholes .
Manchester United manager must accommodate Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie, Juan Mata, Angel di Maria, Adnan Januzaj and Radamel Falcao .
Former Holland boss must also sort out Red Devils' suspect defence .
Di Maria should play in the wide role he performs for Argentina .
Falcao should have recovered from his anterior cruciate knee injury . |
124,262 | 2ca316c467bdeabf4275442eda1f21f0ffe02740 | Most of us are guilty of doing our fair share of dodgy dancing at weddings and other boozy social events. From the 'chicken wings' of the Birdie Song to the hand-flipping routine of the Macarena - it seems you can't escape the awkward moves that take over the dancefloor towards the end of an evening. But now 'the point, 'the hand fan, 'the 'fist . pump' and the 'slide down' are all moves that are set to appear on a . dancefloor near you as a new song Oh If I Catch You - which has become a chart sensation in Latin America and southern Europe - catches on here too. Scroll down for video . Success: Oh if I Catch You by Brazilian singer-songwriter Michael Telo (pictured here in a video of the song on You Tube) has become a dance sensation in parts of Latin America and southern Europe . Got the moves: The song is a big hit with young fans . Fans: The 'Hand Fan' move is likely to become a common sight on dancefloors in Britain . On it's way: The song and its accompanying dance moves are likely to divide opinion among British music fans . The original video for the song, by the Brazilian . singer-songwriter Michel Teló, has already been viewed more than 420 million times on You Tube, and tops the charts in 35 countries. It has been first for iTunes sales in Portugal, Italy, Spain, Argentina, Chile, Columbia, Peru and other Latin American countries. The song is already popular with DJs and nightclubs in Britain, with music giant Sony hoping for a high chart position here when it is officially released on October 14. Dancefloor classic: Moves such as the Slide Down are already dance favourites in many parts of the world . Loving it: Some of the girls try out the 'fist pump' while listening to the song . Fun times: A group of girls show their appreciation of the song by waving their hands . In Brazil, the song is second only to "Someone Like You", by the English singer Adele, but it is blasted on radios and is on the way to being the music of the summer. Football stars including Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo are known to be fans of the song - which is guaranteed to split opinion among music lovers in Britain. The video for the song shows bikini clad women enthusiastically going through the song's distinctive moves as the singer performs on stage. Fan: Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo is reported to be one of the many celebrity fans of the song . | 'Oh If I catch You,' by the Brazilian .
singer-songwriter Michel Teló has become a dance sensation across the world .
Set to enjoy the same success in Britain as DJs snap up the track . |
145,419 | 480d591781c45b7f18d0b87debb3d62a52b3481d | (CNN) -- It was Bayern Munich's first league defeat this season -- and the German club's first in 54 Bundesliga games. It even came against one of the team's Bavarian rivals. But coach Pep Guardiola is already looking ahead to a bigger prize. With the domestic title wrapped up in record time, the Spaniard rang the changes for Saturday's match against Augsburg as he introduced three teenage debutants. It backfired spectacularly, as an error by young defender Mitchell Weiser handed striker Sascha Molders a first-half goal that ultimately settled the match for the eighth-placed home side -- beaten 2-0 by Bayern in the German Cup in December. But for Guardiola, the main thing was his squad escaped unscathed ahead of Wednesday's Champions League quarterfinal second leg against Manchester United, which he described as "a matter of life or death." The defending champions will be without suspended midfielders Javi Martinez and Bastian Schweinsteiger following the midweek 1-1 draw at Old Trafford. "We fought hard and tried different approaches. You can't always win. A defeat was on the cards sooner or later," Guardiola said. "We accept that and we need to prepare as soon as possible for the game against Manchester United. We didn't lose because of the younger players. Hojbjerg and Weiser were the best players on the pitch. "They've trained with us a lot, they know how we play and also know what I want. Hats off to the three of them. We're in a final on Wednesday. It's a matter of life and death." Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer emphasized the importance of the upcoming European match. His team's only defeat this campaign came in the group stage against Manchester City, with qualification already assured. "The main thing for us was that nobody got injured today. That's the crucial point," he said. "It's all about Wednesday and the match against Manchester United. Nothing else matters." Bayern's defeat meant second-placed Borussia Dortmund closed the gap to 20 points with a 2-1 win at home to Wolfsburg. Poland striker Robert Lewandowski, who missed Dortmund's 3-0 Champions League defeat at Real Madrid in midweek due to suspension, celebrated his return with the equalizing goal after Ivica Olic's opener. Marco Reus netted a 77th-minute winner. Third-placed Schalke could only draw 1-1 at Werder Bremen, while Borussia Monchengladbach moved above Bayer Leverkusen into fourth on goal difference with a 2-0 win at second-bottom Nuremberg. | Bayern Munich coach shrugs off club's first defeat this season .
German champion loses 1-0 to Bavarian rival Augsburg on Saturday .
Pep Guardiola says next week's clash with Manchester United is "life or death"
Second-placed Borussia Dortmund is 20 points back despite winning . |
259,451 | dbe0398864dcdf79624bbb214eb7048522c0e812 | By . Associated Press Reporter . Former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell struggled to rein in his wife's erratic behavior, causing turmoil throughout the executive staff and nearly prompting a mass resignation among workers in the governor's mansion, a defense witness testified on Monday. After prosecutors presented nearly three weeks of testimony in the public corruption trial of McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, lawyers for Bob McDonnell opened their defense with even more testimony that portrayed Maureen McDonnell badly, saying she lashed out when she didn't get her way. Prosecutors say the McDonnells accepted more than $165,000 in gifts and loans from former Star Scientific Inc. CEO Jonnie Williams in exchange for promoting his company's dietary supplements. The couple is charged in a 14-count indictment. Lawyers for former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell opened their defense with even more testimony that portrayed Maureen McDonnell badly, saying that he struggled to rein her in . The tight relationship between Maureen McDonnell and Williams has been a key issue at trial, with the former governor's lawyers suggesting that she acted largely on her own to promote Williams' tobacco-based supplement, Anatabloc. Janet Kelly, who served as secretary of the commonwealth under McDonnell, said she was personally fond of Maureen McDonnell and was reluctant to bash her any further. 'I don't want to just pile on,' she said, fighting back tears. But Kelly said she had known about Maureen's 'challenging behavior' for years and that she took the job as secretary of the commonwealth only after receiving assurances she wouldn't have to deal with Maureen. She eventually agreed to have contact with her, she testified, when she learned that Maureen McDonnell was yelling at her husband nightly about the sorts of issues that Kelly had been ducking. Kelly and other staffers intervened to thwart a mass resignation of the mansion staff, in which they wrote a joint letter stating that 'to be treated like naughty children any time something doesn't suit you is completely unacceptable.' The ex-governor was accused of struggling to rein in his wife's erratic behavior which caused turmoil throughout the executive staff . Kelly said the letter would be counterproductive because Maureen McDonnell was 'pathologically incapable of accepting any responsibility.' And Kelly said Maureen McDonnell reacted badly when her husband told her at the outset of the administration that she would have to suspend her business selling vitamins and other supplements. On the other hand, Kelly described the former governor as 'extraordinarily gracious' and even-tempered. 'There was never a time he made me feel uncomfortable. Never a time I questioned his motives,' she said. Kelly testified that while the relationship between the McDonnells appeared to be strained, she said she observed Maureen McDonnell and Williams acting 'kind of flirty' on a plane trip in 2012. Defense attorneys have said the marriage was on the rocks and that Maureen had developed a crush on Williams, suggesting that the McDonnells could not have engaged in a criminal conspiracy because they were barely speaking. Kelly, who played a key role in handing out jobs and appointments, testified that she was never asked to give any appointments or jobs to Williams or executives from his company. Former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell , right, is swarmed by the media as he arrives at federal court in Richmond, Va., on Monday to present his defense . McDonnell wanted only the 'best and the brightest' to serve in his administration, regardless of their political connections, she said. Bob McDonnell's lawyer, Henry Asbill, sought to dispel the notion that McDonnell's influence could be bought, asking Kelly what the former governor's philosophy was for dealing with donors. 'If you can't take someone's money and vote against their bill the next day, you shouldn't be in politics,' Kelly said. Her testimony painted a different picture than that of another cabinet secretary, Bill Hazel. Testifying for prosecutors, he said that as health secretary he met with Williams only because McDonnell asked him to. Hazel thought little of Williams or his tobacco-derived supplement, Anatabloc, and testified that he and his staffers derisively referred to Williams as the Tic-Tac Man for the samples he doled out. Before testimony began, Judge James R. Spencer told lawyers that a third juror has been excused from the case, this one to tend to a family emergency. That leaves only one alternate. Bob McDonnell is expected to testify in his own defense at some point in the trial. The McDonnells are accused of accepting more than $165,000 in gifts and loans from former Star Scientific Inc. CEO Jonnie Williams . | Lawyers for Bob McDonnell opened their defense with even more testimony that portrayed his wife Maureen McDonnell badly .
She was described as 'pathologically incapable of accepting any responsibility' by one former staffer .
The ex-governor was accused of struggling to rein in his wife's erratic behavior which caused turmoil throughout the executive staff .
At one stage staff wrote a joint letter stating that 'to be treated like naughty children any time something doesn't suit you is completely unacceptable'
McDonnells are accused of accepting more than $165,000 in gifts and loans from former Star Scientific Inc. CEO Jonnie Williams . |
252,277 | d28162f5e2af5eff620a48a79e5697ccc9e4facd | Lagos, Nigeria (CNN) -- The head of Nigeria's police has been given 24 hours to produce a terror attack suspect who escaped police custody under suspicious circumstances, a government minister said Thursday. Minister of Police Affairs Navy Capt. Caleb Olubolade said he and Police Inspector General Hafiz Ringim had been summoned to see President Goodluck Jonathan Wednesday over the escape. The fugitive, identified by police as Kabiru Sokoto, is suspected to be the mastermind of a series of deadly church bombings on Christmas Day. The bombings were claimed by Boko Haram, a militant Islamist group frequently blamed for sectarian violence in Nigeria. A 50 million naira ($307,000) reward was offered by police Thursday for any information leading to Sokoto's capture and a photograph of him in custody has been distributed to all police stations in the country. Ringim will face severe sanctions for negligence of duty if Sokoto is not found, Olubolade said in a statement. "Anyone could be sacked, including myself," Olubolade said. The suspect was initially detained successfully, but he escaped when suspected gang members attacked his police escort as he was being transferred to another town, police sources said Wednesday. The sources asked not to be named because of the sensitivity of the matter. Olubolade said he had directed that the officers involved in the transfer be immediately detained. The police commissioner responsible for the suspect's secure transfer is currently under arrest, according to police sources. They named the commissioner as Zakaria Biu, who himself hails from Borno state, the hub of Boko Haram's activities. Jonathan declared a partial state of emergency December 31 in four northern states, Borno among them, to contain a wave of attacks by Boko Haram. Police sources also pointed the finger at Boko Haram Wednesday for an attack on a Nigerian army outpost in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno, in which two soldiers were killed. | NEW: A $307,000 reward is put up by police for information leading to the suspect .
NEW: The escapee is suspected to have masterminded a militant attack on churches .
Nigeria's inspector general of police faces sanctions if the terror suspect is not found .
"Anyone could be sacked, including myself," the minister for police affairs says . |
265,588 | e3f6b0a66d639e77a916328464613695d9fc2313 | By . David Williams . and Matthew Blake . Nigeria’s military was warned about the abduction of nearly 300 schoolgirls by Islamic militants but failed to act, it was claimed last night. Human rights group Amnesty International said it had reports from credible sources insisting that security forces knew about the planned raid four hours before it took place. The news came as intelligence emerged suggesting the kidnappers, from Al Qaeda-linked group Boko Haram, have split the schoolgirls into at least four groups in an attempt to make rescue ‘virtually impossible’. Scroll down for video . Ruthless: The leader of Islamist group Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau (centre), issued a grainy video in which he threatened to sell the captured schoolgirls as sex slaves . Shekau (centre) claimed responsibility on Monday for the abduction of more than 200 schoolgirls during a raid in the village of Chibok in northeast Nigeria last month . Plea for help: Mr Cameron (left) stressed that his decision to send a small group of UK experts to offer advice and logistical support came in response to a request from Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan (right) The . operation overseen by Special Forces came as David Cameron was forced . to deny that the international community is behaving in a 'patronising' way towards the government of Nigeria by sending experts to assist in . the hunt for almost 300 abducted schoolgirls. Western . officials have expressed frustration that it took nearly three weeks . for the Nigerian authorities to accept help - days which allowed the . Boko Haram gunmen and their terrified hostages to scatter and escape . into a vast dense forest amid reports some have already crossed the . border into neighbouring countries. Mr . Cameron stressed that his decision to send a small group of UK experts . to offer advice and logistical support - joining Special Forces officers . in the capital Abuja - came in response to a request from Nigerian . president Goodluck Jonathan. Britain, . the US, China and France have all now offered assistance, and former . prime minister Gordon Brown has confirmed that air and satellite . surveillance is to be extended to neighbouring countries Cameroon, Chad . and Niger amid fears that the 276 girls kidnapped from a school in the . village of Chibok in northern Nigeria three weeks ago may be trafficked . across the border to be sold as slaves. A . specialist team from Whitehall and another from the US arrived in . Nigeria yesterday to help co-ordinate the hunt and any rescue operation . with Special Forces on standby to support and provide expertise for . Nigerian-led raids. SAS . 'electronic teams' deployed with Nigerian officers are to attempt to . intercept any voice communication across a huge area of jungle. They . will use sophisticated jamming equipment called to listen and intercept . anything that 'moves or speaks' and collate signals intelligence. Following . requests from SAS officers deployed to Nigeria, UK ministers are said . to be reviewing the potential of deploying a Sentinel surveillance . aircraft, which would operate out of the French military base at . N'djamena in Chad. The brazenness of the kidnap has shocked Nigerians, who have been growing accustomed to hearing about atrocities in the five-year-old Islamist insurgency in the north . Spy plane: Following requests from SAS officers deployed to Nigeria, UK ministers are said to be reviewing the potential of deploying a Sentinel surveillance aircraft, which would operate out of the French military base at N'djamena in Chad . The . Sentinel 'radar' plane operated by the RAF's 5 Squadron at Waddington . could be deployed within days, but defence ministers are waiting to see . if the Americans are going to provide additional aerial surveillance. The . British officers have highlighted that the Nigerians needs to isolate . the extremists, if possible, in order to make sure they cannot strike at . more targets before any rescue is mounted. Asked . about suggestions in Nigeria that the offer of international help was . patronising, Mr Cameron said: 'We want to work with them and to help, . but we are certainly not patronising the Nigerian government. 'This . is an extremely difficult situation. These girls have been kidnapped . and taken into a jungle area three times the size of Wales. It is an . incredibly difficult thing grappling with these extremist Islamist . groups that are prepared to go to any lengths and do appalling things. 'That . is why we have a long-standing arrangement with the Nigerian government . and we have police advisers and military advisers who work with them . long before this crisis started. We offered help right after the . abduction was made and we are now stepping up what we are doing, but all . the time working with and asking the Nigerian government what they . want. A map showing the recent Boko Haram attacks in Nigeria over the past month . 'I spoke directly with . the president myself and made an offer which he accepted. But I . wouldn't want to go beyond what it is they want us to do.' Mr Brown, who . is the United Nations special envoy on global education, said that he . had spoken to US secretary of state John Kerry, who agreed that air and . satellite surveillance would be extended into neighbouring countries. The . former PM urged British people to sign the Bring Back Our Girls . petition, which he said was putting pressure on the Nigerian government . to take action and making clear that the international community shared . the 'revulsion' of ordinary Nigerians for Boko Haram. US . First Lady Michelle Obama is among dozens of political figures and . celebrities, including Jessie J., Angelina Jolie, Leona Lewis, Hillary . Clinton, schoolgirl Malala Yousafzai and model Cara Delevingne to have . backed the petition. The school in Chibok in Nigeria, where nearly 300 schoolgirls were abducted by Boko Haram . Speaking . from Nigerian capital Abuja, Mr Brown said: 'The more people who can . sign the petition the more I think the Nigerian government officials and . others will want to take action.' He said : 'The first thing is to . locate the girls. It is every parent's nightmare that your daughter or . son could be kidnapped and you never see them again, and particularly so . as the danger is that they are being trafficked into other countries as . sex slaves. 'I have been . working with the UK and US governments and now China and France to get . the resources for surveillance for locating these girls - satellite and . also air coverage. 'I hope . we can have a special push over the next few days to see if we can find . the girls. But we have also got to make the schools safe for other girls . and boys who are afraid of the terrorists." Asked whether the . authorities in Abuja were doing enough to find the girls, Mr Brown said: . 'I don't think you can have any doubt now about the urgency with which . this is being addressed. I have been pressing for action for three . weeks. We have got a combination of international resources and we have . got a government which is prepared now to take action about the schools . in the country. 'We are . going to have an action plan within the next few days. But of course the . first thing is to see can we get these girls, who have been so sadly . removed from their homes, can we get them back? That's where the energy . is in the next few days.' | Comes as UK and US send aerial surveillance to help in hunt for girls .
Cameron denies 'patronising' Nigeria by sending experts to help .
He insists move is response to request from Nigerian president Jonathan .
Britain, .
the US, China and France have all now offered assistance . |
244,556 | c87dfd6a4761b37a18e34a6cd13823657818520a | Liverpool are wearing a special one-off kit during their game against Tottenham on Tuesday night in support of the Seeing is Believing charity. This is the fourth consecutive year that the Merseyside club will join forces with their main sponsor Standard Chartered Bank by trading their usual logo with that of the charity in order to generate support and funds for Seeing is Believing. After the game on Tuesday, five of the Liverpool jerseys will be signed by players and put onto a week-long eBay auction to help raise money for the charity, with all donations being matched by Standard Chartered. Liverpool forward Daniel Sturridge speeds away from Tottenham defender Kyle Walker on Tuesday . Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard (centre), Adam Lallana (left) and Mamadou Sakho with the new jerseys on . Reds captain Steven Gerrard, Adam Lallana, Simon Mignolet and Mamadou Sakho took part in a match with Merseyside Blind FC in which the professionals wore blindfolds and guided by coaching staff. The day also consisted of training drills, a skills session and a penalty shootout. Liverpool are missing Lucas Leiva for the match at Anfield after he sustained a thigh injury in the goalless Merseyside derby on Sunday. Brendan Rodgers will hope that his side continue their impressive record over Spurs having lost just one of their last 20 home Premier League matches against the North London club. Lazar Markovic and Phillipe Coutinho celebrate Liverpool's opener at Anfield in their special one-off kit . Winger Markovic fired Liverpool ahead at Anfield against Tottenham after quarter of an hour on Tuesday . Gerrard (left) trains with teammates at Liverpool's Melwood training ground on Monday ahead of the match . Mario Balotelli (right) jokes around with Mamadou Sakho who took part in the Merseyside Blind FC match . Gerrard (left), who announced he will leave Anfield this season, discusses with manager Brendan Rodgers . Rodgers' (right) side have won just four of their last 11 Premier League home matches before Tuesday night . | Liverpool changed their main sponsor to Seeing is Believing on Tuesday .
The move is intended to help support the charity and generate funds .
Main sponsor Standard Chartered will match the donations made .
Brendan Rodgers' side are wearing the kit in the match against Tottenham .
Steven Gerrard and Co took part in a match with Merseyside Blind FC .
CLICK HERE for all the latest Liverpool news . |
279,462 | f607dbdabae6ed9c9a1eade0947718d4b43c2d1c | As excitement builds around Sunday's final between Chelsea and Tottenham, Sportsmail asked two fans to take part in a Capital One Cup final Q&A. Rory Jennings from ChelseaFansChannel, and Dan Kilpatrick of The Tottenham Way answered questions from historic rivalry between the two clubs, previous results, as well as predictions for the Wembley showdown. Scroll down to read their answers. Chelsea play Tottenham in the Capital One Cup final at Wembley on Sunday hoping to get their own back . Click here to check out Rory Jennings' work on ChelseaFansChannel . Click here to follow CFC on Twitter . Click here to check out Dan Kilpatrick's work on The Tottenham Way . Click here to follow TTW on Twitter . Feeling confident? RJ: Extremely. After the catastrophe that was New Year’s Day we owe Tottenham massively. Combine that with the fact that they played in Italy on Thursday night in a huge match while we have had over a week off, and Matic’s ban aside, we couldn’t really ask for much more going into the game. DK: Yeah, weirdly I'm very confident, perhaps because I can't bring myself to contemplate defeat. Eden Hazard (left) of Chelsea and Tottenham's Christian Eriksen (right) will hope to inspire their team to a win . There’s plenty of history between the two teams – what is it that make this rivalry intense? RJ: Its very tricky to put a finger on exactly why the rivalry is so venomous. From their perspective I assume it’s the fact that they couldn’t beat us for years even when they had a superior team. Or the fact that they haven’t won a league match at Stamford Bridge for 25 years. Or the fact that we knocked them out of the Champions League by becoming the first London club to win it. For us I think its more to do with the hatred we receive from them. It's responsive. DK: I hate Arsenal for who they are but I hate Chelsea for what they are – a morally bankrupt, jammy, despicable club, with some of the most dislikable personnel in the game. The majority of their fans are in the same vein. Our terrible record against them, plus the Champions League fiasco, also contributes to the recent bad feeling but the rivalry dates back decades. Tottenham fans generally don't have fun at Stamford Bridge, and that may be a reason for the rivalry . Stewards remove a fan from the pitch during an FA Cup quarter-final replay at White Hart Lane . Spurs were underdogs in the 2008 final but beat Chelsea 2-1, will lightning strike twice? RJ: The Chelsea team of 2008 were not a team of winners. It had all the hallmarks of an Avram Grant team, who I believe has just taken his side to second in the Africa Cup of Nations. Under Grant we came out second best in the Carling Cup, second in the Premier League and second in the Champions League. And we were knocked out of the FA Cup by Barnsley. You say they were underdogs but I don’t think too many Chelsea fans were surprised that Grant managed to steer us to defeat that day. DK: Yeah, we'd love a 2-1 this season, and I think we're more closely matched now than then. Jubilant Tottenham player after beating Chelsea to lift the Carling Cup in 2008 . What are your memories of that day? RJ: The overriding memory of the day is the pain and torture as Woodgate got to the ball ahead of Cech right in front of us. And then being soaking wet at Wembley listening to endless renditions of 'Oh When The Spurs'... it was agony but it Tottenham deserved it. They were excellent. It takes huge character to come back from a goal down in a cup final. DK: I had a ticket but in the corporate seats at Wembley. There were more Chelsea fans and neutrals around me than Spurs fans but it was stunning looking across at the Spurs end and the noise was incredible. I can't remember much of the game but Berbatov's cool penalty obviously stands out and I went crazy when Woodgate scored. A couple of the Chelsea fans shook my hand at the final whistle, which was a touch.· . Jonathan Woodgate nods home the winner - getting to the ball before goalkeeper Petr Cech . Dimitar Berbatov netted a cool penalty during the 2-1 victory at Wembley Stadium . Which of your players will make the difference this time around? RJ: I think the only bright spot when Tottenham destroyed us on New Years Day was the performance of Eden Hazard. He seemed to really understand the rivalry and how desperate Chelsea fans were to get something from the game. If he plays to a similar level and those around him raise their game, I think that he could be too much for Spurs to deal with. DK: Kane and Eriksen are the obvious ones but I've got a good feeling about Lamela too. Harry Kane will be looking to make the difference against Chelsea at Wembley this weekend . That 5-3 game is still fresh in the memory – how will that affect this game? RJ: I think it will affect the game positively for everybody. It will definitely inspire Tottenham, they scored five goals against us. However, I also think it will inspire Chelsea. There isn’t a better way to get back at a team to whom you feel you owe one, by beating them at a final at Wembley. DK: On the one hand, it will give Spurs belief they can outplay and beat Chelsea, which is crucial. On the other, it will make the Chelsea players (who must be prioritising the Premier League and Champions League) extra motivated to exact revenge. So, it could be beneficial for both teams. Chelsea players look dejected after losing 5-3 to Tottenham at White Hart Lane on New Year's Day . And what of Nemanja Matic's ban? RJ: Huge. Disastrous. Close to being irreplaceable. But I think that Mourinho will opt for Ramires. Now I concede that Ramires doesn’t have the presence of Matic but he is a wonderful player, capable of chipping Valdes in the Nou Camp or scoring in the FA Cup final against Liverpool. I have full faith in him. DK: He's a good player and hopefully Eriksen can exploit the space created by his absence. But it shouldn't make too much difference. If Chelsea – one of the richest clubs in the world, who routinely buy players to stop them joining rivals – can't cope without one midfielder, then their squad isn't nearly as strong as everyone thinks. Nemanja Matic was sent off against Burnley and will miss the final - his absence is a huge loss for Chelsea . Generally, Spurs don't beat Chelsea that often, do they? RJ: Well over the course of my lifetime generally not. However, we have never beaten them in a cup final which is slightly worrying. Third time lucky I hope. DK: No but I'm happy with Spurs' record against Chelsea in cup finals. Tottenham players celebrate with the FA Cup after beating Chelsea 2-1 in 1967 . What are your plans on the day of the game? RJ: A pint of Guinness around Great Portland Street to ease the nerves before Met-lining it into Wembley. There isn’t a better feeling in football. DK: I haven't got a ticket (yet) so I'm going to watch at home with some mates and try to write a few articles, then go out to celebrate our victory afterwards. There's no better feeling in football than making your way to Wembley on cup final day . Finally, your predictions, please. RJ: 3-1 Chelsea. DK: There's been lots of goals when we've played Chelsea this season, so I'll go 3-2 Spurs after extra time. | Chelsea take on Tottenham in the Capital One Cup final on Sunday .
Spurs beat Blues 2-1 in 2008 - their last final at Wembley .
Chelsea looking to bounce back after 5-3 defeat on New Year's Day .
We ask Rory Jennings and Dan Kilpatrick questions ahead of the final .
Two clubs have plenty of history - making an intense rivalry .
Paul Scholes: Tottenham must show they 'have the balls to take risks'
READ: Chelsea vs Tottenham Capital One Cup final head-to-head . |
64,109 | b60f4146a68cdef092bb3e7bd8a7d42e6e16fcd7 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . When Elan Spreiser proposed to his girlfriend, nothing went to plan - but thanks to some priceless . photos, the special moment turned out perfectly. The 23-year-old intended to ask for Koren Lockwood's hand on the observation deck of New York's Rockefeller Center earlier this month. But when rain foiled both that plan and his back up - popping the question on a horse-and-buggy ride - the Rhode Island man dropped to one knee and proposed on the sidewalk near Central Park. What the loved-up couple didn't realize was that a kindhearted passerby, moved by the 'quintessential New York moment', captured the romantic moment. Simple and spontaneous: A passerby snapped the lovely moment Elan Spreiser, 23, dropped to one knee and proposed to Koren Lockwood, 25, on a busy New York City street earlier this month . Romantic: Koren Lockwood was over the moon when her beau, Elan Spreiser, popped the question near Central Park in New York City earlier this month, not realizing his two previous proposal plans had not worked out . Jeannae Zuloaga, 23, had been standing nearby, unable to find her way, when she saw the spontaneous proposal unfold before her. 'I immediately was like, ‘They need pictures of this moment, they’re going to want pictures,' Zuloaga told TODAY.com. She . snapped two photos: one of Spreiser on bended knee in the rain, and the . other of the two kissing under a red umbrella when Lockwood said yes. 'That was the quintessential New York . moment that I needed to make me feel like I was in the right place at . the right time,' Zuloaga said. 'To have it happen just after moving to New . York was really special. It was a wonderful moment, and I couldn’t be . happier for them.' When she approached the newly engaged couple to show them her picture, Spreiser hugged her and told her, 'You’re my favorite person right now, besides [my fiance].' Lovebirds: Elan Spreiser, 23, originally wanted to propose to Koren Lockwood, 25 (both pictured) on the observation deck at Rockefeller Center but had to change his plans due to rainy weather . New friends: Long Island couple Elan Spreiser and Koren Lockwood (left) plan to invite Jeannae Zuloaga (right), who snapped the proposal, to their wedding . The . engaged couple still marvel at the beauty of that moment, which 25-year-old . Lockwood called 'half random act of kindness and half random act of God.' The two are still in touch with Zuloaga, who they plan to invite to their wedding next year. They also told HuffPost Weddings they will use the photos for their save-the-date invitations. As for the proposal, Spreiser said he was thrilled with how it turned out: 'For something that went so . not according to plan, it couldn’t have gone any better.' | Elan Spreiser, 23, popped the question to Koren Lockwood, 25, in the rain near Central Park earlier this month .
The spontaneous moment was captured by Jeannae Zuloaga, 23, who felt the couple needed photos .
The Long Island couple have invited the snapper to their wedding . |
32,247 | 5bbb0ded33f00493d94a5803a39a68c02911440c | (WIRED) -- In an effort to streamline and simplify the maturity ratings of software in mobile app stores, CTIA, the international wireless industry association, yesterday proposed a ratings system that store owners could voluntarily adopt. Google and Apple basically told the CTIA to stuff it -- they're sticking with their own rating schemes. "We've put a lot of effort into Android Market's rating system, which now works well globally," Google spokesman Christopher Katsaros said in a statement. "While we support other systems, we think it's best for Android users and developers to stick with Android's existing ratings." Apple, too, has outlined its app review guidelines in extensive detail, but has not publicly commented on the CTIA app rating issue. In the Android Market, Google assigns content ratings that range from "Everyone" to "Low Maturity" to "High Maturity," but provides no details on the specific content that inspired its ratings. However, outlines for the ratings are provided in Google's Android Market support forum. In its App Store, Apple provides an age rating ranging from 4+ to 17+, and lists the reasons for assigning its maturity rating. For instance Plants vs Zombies received a 9+ rating for Infrequent/Mild Horror/Fear Themes and Infrequent/Mild Cartoon or Fantasy Violence. The CTIA's guidelines aim to score smartphone and tablet apps on a five-point scale based on their violence and sexual content. The ratings, which would be controlled by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (which also controls computer and videogame maturity ratings) would range from "Everyone" to "Adults Only." Apple's App Store alone has more than half a million apps and Android is getting close to that number with at least 300,000. CTIA announced it would be developing its app rating system in March. The initiative would call for "voluntary self-certification of apps." The system would make it easier for parents to see -- regardless of mobile platform -- if an app was appropriate for their child. The mobile application rating system was officially announced on Tuesday. AT&T, Sprint, Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile USA, U.S. Cellular and Microsoft are the founding bodies of the age-appropriateness rating system. It works like this: App developers answer an online questionnaire about their app's content, including whether it shares location information, has a social networking component, and if it contains violence or sexual content, among other things. Apps would receive their rating almost instantaneously, and if a developer disagreed with the assigned rating, it could appeal it. The ESRB would regularly test popular applications and monitor complaints. Subscribe to WIRED magazine for less than $1 an issue and get a FREE GIFT! Click here! Copyright 2011 Wired.com. | CTIA proposes an app rating system to streamline maturity ratings .
Google spokesman says Android will stick with the market's current rating system .
In its App Store, Apple provides an age rating ranging from 4+ to 17+ . |
262,394 | dfe2130583a979bd322e4b43f671b43021f409bf | Want to emulate Spencer Matthews' rippling abs or achieve a stomach as toned as Lucy Watson's? Now you can, thanks to Made In Chelsea's official fitness DVD. The stars of TV's poshest show - and a host of top trainers - have joined forces for the E4 show’s first official fitness programme, MIC:FIT - and MailOnline can exclusively reveal a first look at the trailer and behind the scenes images. Ollie Proudlock, Binky Felstead, Spencer Matthews and Lucy Watson are hoping to help kick-start your fitness regime ready for the Christmas party season and New Year. Scroll down for video . Fit in Chelsea: Binky Felstead, Spencer Matthews, Ollie Proudlock and Lucy Watson have joined forces with the UK's top trainers to create their very own fitness DVD. MIC: FIT . The DVD, which lands on December 1, promises to reveal the cast members' secrets to 'looking hot with a hectic lifestyle and how they keep fit when not partying in Chelsea'. 'Featuring the hottest fitness trends with four fun, high-energy 20-minute workouts that will have you looking toned for the King's Road, MIC:FIT is perfect to fit into your busy schedule: it gets results and will help keep you looking and feeling amazing during the festive season and beyond,' reads the description. Get the Chelsea look: The foursome are hoping to help kick-start your fitness regime ready for the Christmas party season and New Year with their new DVD . Want bodies like ours? Of course you do! Former flames Lucy and Spencer get sweaty in the DVD, which lands in stores next month . First up is Binky Felstead, who shares her favourite Tabata Wake Up Call Workout - a four-minute intense workout she promises is super fun whilst burning lots of calories. Meanwhile, Spencer pretends he’s not in pain whilst working up an energising sweat with a 20-minute High Intensity Interval Training routine, also known as HIIT. This routine is designed to work on the abs, arms and legs by alternating periods of short, intense anaerobic exercise with less intense recovery periods. Clearly he abs-solutely loves it. Fit Felstead: Binky shares her favourite Tabata Wake Up Call Workout - a four-minute intense workout . Struggling, Spenny? Meanwhile, Spencer pretends he's not in pain whilst working up an energising sweat with a 20-minute High Intensity Interval Training routine, also known as HIIT . Britain's poshest workout? Proudlock and Binky have created workout with personal trainers they think will keep you fit whilst having fun . Despite Lucy’s claims she’s biologically incapable of sweating, she proves otherwise with her Beach Body Workout that uses just bodyweight without any equipment. It focuses on getting all the right bits toned before you put on that bikini or beachwear - something the actress-turned-model knows all about. And then there's hipster Proudlock, who introduces a special yoga and Pilates-inspired workout called the Chelsea Morning Power Stretch. It not only works on your core but also helps with your recovery from the more strenuous routines, he assures. The Chelsea clan are currently filming for the latest series, which - quite fittingly - sees Binky dating a personal trainer, Proudlock rocking crucifix earrings, Spencer living up to his lothario status and Lucy getting up in everyone's grill. Press up Proudlock: Ollie introduces a special yoga and Pilates-inspired workout called the Chelsea Morning Power Stretch . MIC:FIT is released on DVD and Digital HD through Universal Pictures on 1st December. Pre-order your £19.99 copy now and join the conversation at #MICFIT . | Foursome work with personal trainers on intense routines .
Proudlock creates his own yoga and pilates workout .
£19.99 DVD lands in stores on December 1 . |
63,068 | b32a0da62a2c2233538c71a74f7ffd5f2e1d3b78 | Tesco faces a wider-reaching probe into its finances amid suspicions a black hole in its accounts is far bigger than originally stated. Britain’s biggest supermarket is already under investigation by the Serious Fraud Office over claims it inflated profits by £263million in the first six months of this financial year. But now the Financial Reporting Council, the professional body for accountants, wants to formally investigate accounts filed in 2012, 2013 and 2014. Scroll down for video . An accounting authority has announced an investigation into a £263million 'black hole' in Tesco's finances . It says the wider inquiry is needed to discover whether the suspect practices went on for many years – and whether the amount of money involved was much higher. The investigation is extremely serious, for companies have a legal duty to give accurate information to shareholders and the City so they can decide whether to invest their savings and pensions in them. The inquiry will not only look at Tesco’s accounts but also the role of the firm’s auditors, PwC, who signed off the figures as a true and accurate account record. The accounting scandal was revealed by Tesco’s new chief executive, Dave Lewis, who was parachuted in to the business in September to help turn around a fall in sales and profits. One of his first jobs was to order the suspension of a number of firm’s most senior executives, some of whom have since left the business. The problem is understood to relate to a series of complex payments between Tesco and its suppliers. It involved a tactic of first agreeing a price with suppliers, but then demanding rebate payments from these same firms to stock their products and ensure they were displayed on prominent shelves. The timing of these payments may have been manipulated to make the firm’s financial performance appear stronger than it was. Mr Lewis has now scrapped this regime in favour of a more transparent system. Tesco recently issued a new profit warning suggesting the figure for the current financial year will be down by around 60 per cent on 2013 to no more than £1.4billion. Tesco first announced in September that it had discovered an accounting problem relating to expected results for the first half of the current financial year. A subsequent probe by Deloitte into the affair, which involved rebates from suppliers being moved to different periods on the company's balance sheet, found it had been going on at least as far back as the 2012/13 period. The FRC has already said it was 'giving careful consideration' as to whether it should take regulatory action. Today the body said it had launched a probe 'in relation to the preparation, approval and audit' of Tesco's financial statements in the financial years ending in 2012, 2013 and 2014. It will also cover 'conduct in relation to the matters reported in the company's interim results' for the first half of the current financial year - when the Deloitte probe was published. It is the latest in a series of probes that have rocked the supermarket chain and seen executives suspended . The investigation will cover members of professional accountancy bodies, from either Tesco or its auditors, who were involved with the accounts, as well as the member firm, PwC, which was and remains Tesco's auditor. PwC said in a statement: 'We take our responsibilities very seriously and remain committed to delivering work to the highest professional standards. We will cooperate fully with the FRC in its inquiries.' PwC said it would have been responsible for the external audit element of the statements. The preparation and approval were done by Tesco. The latest investigation opens up Tesco's books to scrutiny going back a year further than the previous investigation by Deloitte. Results of that probe published alongside half-year figures this year showed a £118 million hit for the latest period, plus £70 million for 2013/14 and £75 million for 2012/13. But the FRC investigation goes back to the year ended 2012. The FRC has powers to issue unlimited fines to individuals or firms or to suspend them from professional accounting bodies. A Tesco spokesman said: 'We note the Financial Reporting Council is launching an investigation into individuals and a member firm in relation to the preparation, approval and audit of our accounts for the last three years. We will provide support to the FRC's investigation.' UK managing director Chris Bush (left) was among those suspended in the wake of the scandal. Dave Lewis (right) has taken temporary charge of the supermarket's UK operations . It is the latest challenge facing the supermarket coming a couple of weeks after it issued a £500 million profits warning - its fourth this year. Tesco said earnings would be hit by investments in price and availability of its products as well as a shake-up of the way it handles its supply chain in the wake of the accounting scandal. Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Mike Dennis said profits warning implied its UK profits for the second half would be virtually wiped out. Chief executive Dave Lewis, appointed in September, has temporarily taken charge of the supermarket's UK operations during its key Christmas trading period. Sales have been squeezed amid a price war spurred by the threat of discounters Aldi and Lidl. Eight executives including UK managing director Chris Bush were suspended in the wake of the accounting scandal. Mr Bush and three others have now left, one has returned to his job and three remain suspended. Mr Lewis has said the suspensions do not indicate guilt. Tesco shares have plunged more than 40 per cent over the last year and after a mini-rally when they rose 5 per cent on Friday were in the red again today. February 28, 2011: Sir Terry Leahy steps down as chief executive on his 55th birthday after 14 years in charge, overseeing a leap in pre-tax profits from £750 million in 1997 to £3.4 billion in April 2010. He is replaced by Philip Clarke. January 12, 2012: Less than a year into Mr Clarke's tenure, Tesco shocks the market with its first profit warning in almost 20 years. Shares plunge by as much as 15 per cent, or more than £4 billion. April 18, 2012: Tesco unveils a £1billion UK revival plan, which includes upgrading stores, the recruitment of more staff and better prices and value. Initiative follows complaints its 2,800 stores are cold and industrial with bad service. April 17, 2013: Tesco reports its first fall in annual profits in 19 years, tumbling almost 96 per cent to £120 million from a year earlier. The firm is hit by a £1.2 billion charge as it confirms it will leave the U.S. and also suffers a £804million write-down in the UK on land bought at the height of the property boom. Philip Clarke (left) stepped down as chief executive in October this year. Chairman Sir Richard Broadbent (right) announced his departure the same month . February 25, 2014: The supermarket promises to spend an additional £200 million on lower prices for basic products, such as carrots, tomatoes, onions, peppers and cucumbers. April 16, 2014: Mr Clarke brushes off speculation about his future despite little sign that his £1 billion plan to turn around Tesco is bearing fruit. Profits fall 6.9 per cent to £3.05 billion for the year to February 22. June 3, 2014: Till-roll figures from Kantar Worldpanel show a decline in Tesco's market share to 29 per cent in the 12 weeks to May 25, compared with 30.5 per cent a year earlier. A day later, the chain reports a 3.7 per cent fall in like-for-like sales for the first quarter of its financial year. July 21, 2014: Tesco announces that Mr Clarke will step down from the board on October 1 to be replaced by Unilever executive Dave Lewis. Sales and trading profit in the first half of the year are 'somewhat below' expectations, the company adds. August 29, 2014: Tesco issues profit warning to tell the markets that it expects its first-half profits will be £400million less than expected. It slashes dividend payments by 75 per cent and £1billion is wiped off the company's market value. An investment bank has claimed the black hole could be even bigger than first thought . September 22, 2014: Company launches an investigation after admitting that its previously warned of fall in takings actually over-estimated profits by as much as £250million. Four executives are suspended and shares dive to their lowest level in 11 years as the revelation triggers its third profits warning in as many months. September 23, 2014: Firm plunges into further crisis as it emerges the chain's sales have fallen at their fastest rate in more than 20 years. Figures show total spending by shoppers over the past 12 weeks down 4.5 per cent year on year - the worst trading fall seen by the retailer in more than two decades. October 1, 2014: Britain's financial watchdog, the Financial Conduct Authority, starts a full investigation into the company in the wake of the accounting scandal . October 2, 2014: Billionaire investor Warren Buffett concedes that his investment in Tesco was a 'huge mistake' October 7, 2014: Tesco asks a fifth senior executive, commercial director Kevin Grace, to step aside . October 14, 2014: Firm makes three more suspensions - taking total to eight . October 23, 2014: Supermarket reveals profits scandal is worse than expected - £250million instead of £263milllion - as well as a drastic slump in profits. Chairman Sir Richard Broadbent quits that morning because 'the issues that have come to light are a matter of profound regret.' December 9, 2014: Company had £2billion wiped from its market value in minutes today after it announced its annual profits may be £550million lower than expected. December 17, 2014: Analysts at JP Morgan Cazenove publish research showing what could be a £174million gap in the grocer’s profit, on top of the £263million figure Tesco identified from independent analysis by Deloitte. | Serious Fraud Office is already investigating the supermarket giant .
Now Financial Reporting Council announces it will probe firm's accounts .
Investigation into 'preparation, approval and audit' of financial statements .
Previous investigation found accounting problem dated back to 2012 . |
25,016 | 46e1497d240c962b057c5c06f5899f0b7e9facb4 | By . Chris Hastings . PUBLISHED: . 16:58 EST, 6 October 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 16:59 EST, 6 October 2012 . BBC Radio DJ Liz Kershaw is to lift the lid on the culture of sexual harassment at Radio 1 after sensationally revealing she was groped while broadcasting live for the station. Kershaw, 54, has been asked to meet with George Entwistle, the corporation’s new director-general, after she told yesterday’s Today programme that a male colleague had repeatedly ‘fondled her breasts’ while she was on air. In an exclusive interview with The Mail on Sunday, the BBC Radio 6 Music presenter said she would name male contemporaries who had sex with Radio 1 and Top Of The Pops fans as well as junior colleagues. 'Sexual antics': Liz Kershaw has said she will name male contemporaries who had sex with Radio 1 and Top Of The Pops fans . Sources say this information is likely to include details of an ‘unsuitable relationship’ involving the late John Peel and a schoolgirl now in her 40s. Kershaw said: ‘I will be seeing Mr Entwistle and I will be telling him everything that I know. ‘I have been asked to see him because of the comments I made on Radio 4 yesterday. ‘I will be telling him about the sexual antics of other household names who had relationships with girls in the office or with people they met on Top Of The Pops or the Radio 1 show. ‘I should stress, however, those relationships did not involve underage girls.’ Liz Kershaw said Jimmy Savile's penchant for young girls was an 'open secret' at BBC Radio 1 . Kershaw last night refused to identify any of the personalities involved and insisted her primary motive was to help the BBC following the wave of allegations about Jimmy Savile’s relationships with young girls. ‘I love the BBC and I want George Entwistle to be prepared for anything that might be coming, because it will come out. I think it’s best he hears it from someone who was on the spot.’ When the Today programme producers called her yesterday, Kershaw told them Savile’s penchant for young girls was an open secret at Radio 1. She joined the station shortly after his departure but said colleagues constantly joked about the relationships. She said: ‘The rumours were there, the jokes were there and it was an open secret. ‘With all the piety about him when he died last year I was rather sickened, and I thought “why don’t people say what he was really like”. The main jokes were about his adventures on the Radio 1 roadshow when they went around the country. ‘It was massive then. It was rather like the X Factor going around the country then. Can you imagine the X Factor judges rounding up the contestants and asking for sexual favours after the show? I don’t think so.’ Kershaw also revealed she was repeatedly groped by a colleague. She said: ‘There was one presenter who routinely groped me. I would be sitting in the studio with my headphones on and my back to the studio door. I couldn’t hear a thing . . . then I’d find these wandering hands up my jumper, fondling my breasts. ‘I couldn’t say anything, I couldn’t even explain because I was broadcasting to the nation.’Kershaw said her complaints to BBC managers fell on deaf ears. ‘When I complained, they were incredulous and said “Don’t you like it? Are you a lesbian?”Kershaw added: ‘When I walked into Radio 1, it was a culture I had never encountered before. It was like walking into a rugby club locker room, and it was very intimidating for a young woman.’ | BBC Radio 6 DJ has said a male colleague repeatedly 'fondled her breasts' while she was on air .
Liz Kershaw said she will meet with BBC director-general George Entwistle and 'tell him everything I know' |
54,744 | 9b12d06cc5389f911498c14a14e04fe556bc887f | (CNN) -- A man suspected in the slayings of his girlfriend and her four children admitted choking the Oklahoma woman to death, but said the children were not present at the time, according to an affidavit filed in the case. Joshua Steven Durcho was arrested Tuesday after a car chase with police. Joshua Steven Durcho, 25, was arrested Tuesday night in Hamilton County, Texas, officials said. He is suspected of killing Summer Rust, 25; her son Teagin, 4; and daughters Evynn, 3, and Autumn and Kirsten, both 7. All five bodies were found in Rust's apartment in El Reno, Oklahoma, about 30 miles west of Oklahoma City, on Monday. Durcho's first cousin notified authorities he found the body of Rust, who is identified in the affidavit as Summer Dawn Garas. Police also found the children's bodies in the apartment, according to the affidavit, written by a special agent with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation and filed Tuesday in Canadian County, Oklahoma, District Court. "The Medical Examiner's Office has reported to our agents that the preliminary assessment of the cause and manner of death for all five individuals was asphyxiation, suffocation and strangulation," the affidavit said. "It was also reported that each body had ligature marks around the neck. The ligature marks were also observed by OSBI crime scene investigators." A spokeswoman for the state medical examiner's office told CNN on Wednesday that the cause of death for Summer Rust and Teagin was strangulation, and that a ligature -- which could include a string, cord or wire -- was used to strangle them. Autopsies on the three girls were being conducted Wednesday, the spokeswoman said. A woman told police Durcho came to her apartment Monday afternoon and told her he had "choked" Summer Rust to death and that he was leaving Oklahoma, according to the affidavit. The woman asked Durcho about Rust's children, the affidavit said, and "Durcho told her that the children were at their grandmother's residence ... while he and Summer worked out their relationship problems." The woman called Durcho's mother and told her what he had said about killing Rust, the affidavit said. Durcho's mother drove to the apartment to check on the woman, but no one answered her knocks. She then called her nephew, Durcho's cousin, to accompany her, leading to the discovery of Rust's body, according to the document. About 6:30 p.m. Monday, the affidavit said, Durcho went to the home of another cousin, a female, and told her "he was in trouble and that he was headed out of state." Durcho was driving Rust's 1989 white Ford Thunderbird, the document said, and asked his cousin to swap cars with him, but she declined. A surveillance video showed Durcho at a truck stop on Interstate 40 about three hours later, driving the Thunderbird, the affidavit said. Early Tuesday morning, a text message was sent from a cell phone in Durcho's possession to his mother's cell phone, according to the affidavit. Tracking and cell phone records showed Durcho's phone was located in Wichita Falls, Texas, at the time. Later that morning, Durcho called his mother, with the call shown to be from the Abilene, Texas, area, the affidavit said. Durcho's mother said "Durcho told her he loved her and had to go," according to the document. Police said Durcho was arrested after a car chase Tuesday night. A Texas state trooper attempted to stop the car Durcho was driving because the trooper suspected the driver was drunk, according to Erin Mangrum of the Canadian County sheriff's office. When the trooper ran the license plate on the car, it matched the tag number of a vehicle sought by Oklahoma police. The car sped off, Mangrum said, and during the ensuing chase the car crashed. Durcho suffered only minor injuries and was taken into custody, Mangrum said. A court hearing was to be held for Durcho on Wednesday in Hamilton County, according to CNN affiliates. The Hamilton County district attorney's office did not immediately return a call from CNN. Durcho was being held in the county jail Tuesday night, Mangrum said. Rust's mother, Susan Rust of Carson City, Nevada, said Durcho was unemployed and had been living with Rust and her children. | NEW: Affidavit describes suspect's actions after slayings .
Mother, son strangled with ligature, autopsy shows .
Suspect arrested after chase in Texas .
Family found dead in Oklahoma apartment on Monday . |
180,806 | 760d0e1d50cbe074405e7089bb28dd91703ffb95 | By . Dan Miller . The family of murdered soldier Lee Rigby cheered on members of his regiment yesterday as they took part in a charity truck pull. Fusilier Rigby was killed in a brutal attack in the street outside Woolwich Barracks in south east London in May. Yesterday, his widow, Rebecca, and their two-year-old son, Jack, cheered on members of the barracks who took part in a fundraiser in Medbourne, Leicestershire. Lee Rigby's widow Rebecca and son Jack watch the charity lorry pull which took place in Leicestershire yesterday . Heave: Members of killed soldier Lee Rigby's Regiment pulled a six ton lorry to help raise funds for his son . Hundreds of locals turned out in the sunshine to support the event, which saw teams pull eight-ton trucks along a one-mile course through the village. Money raised will be donated to a fund to help Private Rigby's son as well as local good causes in Medbourne. Mrs Rigby said: 'It's been a great day and there's a great turnout.' Proud father: Soldier Lee Rigby in his army uniform holding his baby son Jack . Last week Mail Online published a moving set of previously unseen pictures of Drummer Rigby with his young son. One . shows the 25-year-old in his army uniform holding son Jack, who is now . two, while the other shows Fusilier Rigby in a Manchester United shirt, . again holding his son. Fusilier Rigby was hacked to death in broad daylight outside Woolwich Barracks in south east London in May. Hundreds of locals turned out in the sunshine to support the event, which saw teams pull eight-ton trucks along a one-mile course through the village . Money raised by the pull will be donated to a fund to help Private Rigby's son as well as local good causes in Medbourne . His widow widow Rebecca the event would help everyone remember Fusilier Rigby. Her family will also be accompanying her, she said. Harry . Potter star Rupert Grint and singers Smith and Jones who appeared on the . BBC talent show The Voice, turned up to lend their support. The truck pull event will be held in Medbourne, near Market Harborough, Leicestershire, on Monday, August 25. Organiser Gary Gardner had said earlier: 'It will . be the biggest event Medbourne has seen for a long time. We would . really like to see the community pull together and support this great . event.' Michael Adebolajo, . 28, and Michael Adebowale, 22, have been charged with the murder of . Fusilier Rigby and are due to stand trial at the Old Bailey on November . 18. They will appear at the same court for a plea and case management hearing on September 27. Devastated: The family of Lee Rigby attend his funeral in Bury, Lancashire, last month . Son of murdered Fusilier Lee Rigby, Jack arrives for his father's funeral service wearing a T-Shirt in his honour . Tributes: Flowers outside Woolwich barracks where Drummer Lee Rigby was hacked to death . Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article. | Hundreds turned out in the sunshine to charity event in Leicestershire .
Teams pulled eight-ton trucks along a one-mile course through the village .
Profits will be donated to Fusilier Rigby's son Jack and other local causes . |
50,343 | 8e696907d827f643dfc42001e7fa1458d7820a2e | By . Alex Horlock . PUBLISHED: . 05:47 EST, 15 October 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 12:03 EST, 15 October 2012 . A double decker bus with 56 college students on board which crashed into a field in Dorset today was being driven by a driver who was learning the route. The driver of the bus was being monitored by an experienced colleague when the bus careered off the road and overturned in a field on the A350. An investigation is under way to establish what caused the vehicle to veer off the road. Overturned: A double-decker bus crashed in Dorset with 56 schoolchildren on board . A spokesman for Dorset police said it was 'amazing' the 56 students on board all survived, as only six people on the bus sustained 'minor injuries'. Sergeant Joe Pardey, from Dorset . police traffic department, said: 'We are still investigating what the . cause of this incident was. 'When you see double-decker bus on . it's side thoughts go through your mind about what could have happened . but it is amazing that the passengers sustained only minor injuries. 'It's very, very lucky that no one was more seriously hurt but the students did remarkably well and were calm and collected.' Emergency crews were called to the . A350 between Upton and Lytchett in Poole shortly after 8.15am after . reports that the bus had overturned into a field. Dorset Police have said that six people involved, including the driver and five students, sustained 'minor injuries'. The First Group bus, registered to Plymouth in Devon, was heading to Kingston Maurward College in Dorchester. The driver lost control of the bus which careered off the 50mph road, ploughed through a hedge and rolled down an embankment before landing on its side. The passengers, all aged between 16 and 18, were flung from their seats as the vehicle overturned. Passing motorists pulled over and helped some of the shocked students out of the wreckage. On hand: Fire and rescue services were on the scene and treated the three passengers and the driver for minor injuries . A fleet of ambulances and fire crews rushed to the scene and the six casualties were treated at the scene. Most of them boarded a replacement bus which took them on to the college. Inspector . Neil Leat, of Dorset Police, said: 'At about 8.15am the double-decker . coach overturned and landed in the field, the cause of which is part of . an ongoing investigation. 'Six . people were taken to hospital with non-life threatening or non-life . changing injuries and were part of a group that were treated at the . scene by paramedics. 'It's incredible that the majority of these young people appear to be fine after what has happened.' One student said: 'I have never been so scared in my life. I feel so lucky to be alive and would like to thank the kind men who helped us escape.' The road was temporarily closed between Limberlost, the Upton bypass and Vine’s Farm Shop. A spokesman for the South Western Ambulance Service said: 'The bus was carrying students on their way to a local college. 'The Trust committed a number of ambulances to the scene and a total of six casualties have been taken to Poole Hospital. 'None of the casualties is thought to . be in a life-threatening condition. There are also a number of patients . thought to be walking wounded and they were treated by ambulance . clinicians at a location near to where the incident occurred.' No other vehicles were believed to have been involved. Student Jade Elizabeth said: 'I can’t tell you how scared I was. 'It was terrifying. As the bus was tipping I thought it was a dream, but when I got to the ground all covered in glass, I thought, that’s it I’m going to die.' Georgie Davis, 18, an agriculture student from Poole, was at the back of the bus and described it as the worst moment of her life when it suddenly flipped. 'We went flying - people were going everywhere. We were hanging on for dear life. It was absolutely awful. As it turned I went to stand up and a women came flying past me and elbowed me in the ribs. Scene: The accident happened on the A350 between Upton and Lytchett in Poole . 'There was a girl with learning disabilities next to me and she was scared out of her wits. 'I ended up standing on the window with a bush underneath and it started to give way so I grabbed hold of the metal and was holding on for dear life.' She said she saw a passenger with cuts to his hand, another woman was treated by the air ambulance after suffering a panic attack. 'It could have been so much worse. I don't want to think about how much worse it could have been.' A First Hampshire and Dorset spokesman said: 'The vehicle involved in this morning’s incident was a double deck bus being operated by our First Hampshire and Dorset team under contract to Kingston Maurward College. 'It was fitted with CCTV and this will be viewed as part of the investigation into what happened. 'Typically local buses such as these do not have seat belts and there is no legal requirement for them to do so. 'As a company focused on safety we employ a number of systems to ensure that our passengers and employees remain as safe as possible while on board our vehicles. 'Our drivers are thoroughly trained, and we also employ a real-time system on our buses which both encourages the safest driving styles and monitors performance. 'While clearly there has been a serious incident this morning, the cause of which is being investigated, we would like to take this opportunity to remind people that buses remain one of the safest forms of transport in the UK and incidents, such as that which has occurred today, are incredibly rare. 'Our thoughts continue to be with those students who were travelling on the bus this morning and their friends and family. We have been in contact with the college and have offered to help in any way possible.' | Five students and driver injured after crash in Poole, Dorset . |
37,594 | 6a7c2bace407e68013943e943b1602179551bcb4 | By . Rob Preece . PUBLISHED: . 04:44 EST, 22 August 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 07:48 EST, 22 August 2012 . A catalogue of police failings allowed a sadistic killer to murder his ex-partner and daughter, an investigation has found. Officers took 'inadequate action' to arrest David Oakes, 50, before he shot Christine Chambers, 38, and Shania, two, at their home in Braintree, Essex, the police watchdog concluded. Oakes, of Steeple, near Maldon, was given two whole-life jail terms after being found guilty of the murders, which happened in June last year. Scroll down for video . Sadistic: The Independent Police Complaints Commission found police took 'inadequate action' to arrest former nightclub bouncer David Oakes. He is pictured, left, in a police photograph taken prior to him murdering Christine Chambers and daughter Shania, and, right, baring his injured face last year after shooting himself following the savage killings . It emerged during his trial at . Chelmsford Crown Court that police had visited either his address or . Miss Chambers' home six times in the two years before the murders. The trial heard that Oakes stormed Ms . Chambers’ house and blasted her and their daughter Shania with a . shotgun just weeks after the family gained a restraining order against . him. He then shot himself in the face, but survived. The court heard that Oakes 'systematically tortured' Ms Chambers for several hours before the killings, forcing her to strip and cutting chunks from her hair. Ms Chambers' 10-year-old daughter fled the house during the ordeal as police outside attempted to negotiate with the killer. The couple, who had a long history of domestic abuse, were due to appear at a court custody hearing the next day. A damning report released today by . the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) concludes that Essex . Police missed chances to arrest Oakes before the killings. The IPCC investigation found a lack . of adequate training, insufficient resources allocated to domestic . violence cases and poor oversight by the force. It said inadequate action was taken . to arrest Oakes at the earliest opportunity when reports were made of . him breaching a non-molestation order. Killed: Christine Chambers and her daughter Shania were murdered at their Essex home in June 2011 . A catalogue of incidents involving . the couple reported to police over a two-year period were treated in . isolation by officers. The force failed to take into . consideration the possibility that Ms Chambers had not pursued . complaints against Oakes because she was scared of him, the . investigation found. Ms Chambers made a higher number of . calls to police in the two months before the murders, but the force . failed to respond properly, the report stated. Ms Chambers' father Ken praised Essex Police for its support during the murder investigation but said he felt the force could have done more to prevent the deaths. He said: 'As a family we would again like to say thank you to all those, including friends and neighbours, who have shown us such support and kindness since the murders of Christine and Shania. 'We have also received marvellous support from the police murder investigation team led by Detective Chief Inspector O'Toole, from police family liaison officers and the victim support service, and we are grateful to all of them for helping us through such a traumatic time. 'We have been kept informed by the IPCC of their investigation and findings and have had opportunity to read through and discuss their report. 'We realise one evil man is responsible for taking Christine and Shania away from us and not having them in our lives any more remains extremely difficult to bear. 'While we understand at times Christine could have been more cooperative with the police, we do feel that Essex Police could have done more to prevent the deaths; they should have taken greater steps to protect Christine. 'Difficult to bear': Christine Chambers' father Ken, pictured with the victim's mother Jean during the trial, praised Essex Police for its support during the murder investigation but said he felt the force could have done more to prevent the deaths . 'For instance, we are still of the view she should have had a panic alarm installed at her home which may have allowed her to summon assistance at a crucial time after her phones had been smashed. 'And we think that officers dealing with ongoing incidents should have been more aware of the history and should have better identified the risks.' The IPCC said that, while individual . officers could have done things better, it was a failure of police . systems rather than of individuals. IPCC Commissioner Rachel Cerfontyne said: 'The deaths of Christine and Shania Chambers are shocking to us all. 'It is impossible to say with any . certainty whether if individual officers or the force had done things . differently, Ms Chambers and Shania would still be alive today. 'While individual police officers . could and should have done things better, this is not essentially a . failure of individuals, but a failure of systems. 'The investigation identified a lack . of adequate training, insufficient resources allocated to domestic . violence cases and poor oversight. Murdered: Christine Chambers and her daughter, Shania, two, were shot dead at close range with a shotgun . 'This is a tragic and disturbing case . and the investigation has identified several key issues which apply to . many other cases where domestic homicide is the outcome. 'Many women are reluctant to pursue criminal proceedings against abusive partners, sometimes even to seek help at all. 'There are many reasons for this, and . often it is fear that they will exacerbate the situation and increase . the danger they face. 'Undoubtedly this poses significant . challenges for the police and other agencies, but it is essential in . these situations that all possible is done to protect the victims and . their children. 'Unwillingness to seek help or give . evidence against the perpetrator is often due to fear and can be a sign . of vulnerability, not culpability, and this must be recognised when a . risk assessment is completed.' Responding to the report, which was . released today, Essex Police said it accepted the findings and . apologised for the failings which had been identified. Assistant . Chief Constable Maurice Mason said: 'On behalf of everyone at Essex . Police, I extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of . Christine and Shania Chambers, who were brutally murdered by David Oakes . in the early hours of June 6, 2011. 'Essex Police accepts the findings of the IPCC report, and apologises for the failures identified there. 'Every . police officer involved in the case of Christine and Shania is . devastated by their passing. I too am devastated by their deaths. I . became a police officer to protect the vulnerable, and to put criminals . like Oakes behind bars. 'Essex Police is committed to working tirelessly to reduce the likelihood of tragedies such as this from occurring again.' He . added: 'The unbelievable inhumanity of these murders led Oakes to be . sentenced to two whole-life prison terms - the most extreme punishment . which the British judicial system can impose. 'You . would think that a man capable of such horror would have a history of . violence. Oakes did not: he had no convictions or cautions for violence. Murder weapon: The shotgun used by David Oakes to kill his partner and their two-year-old daughter . 'In fact, the IPCC has found that significant 'information concerning Oakes's violence towards Christine Chambers was not available to the police or social services. 'The IPCC also stated that there was no information that Oakes had access to a firearm. 'Essex Police acts promptly and decisively whenever it receives credible intelligence about illegally-held weapons. 'Essex Police accepts the report of the IPCC and welcomes the recommendation that processes should be developed for better information sharing between police forces and agencies such as social services, courts and solicitors. 'This is particularly important in cases involving child custody proceedings, where allegations of domestic violence have not been reported to officers. 'It should be stressed that the IPCC investigation found that it is impossible to say with any certainty that, if the force had done things differently, Christine and Shania would be alive today. 'It also found no evidence of misconduct by any of our officers.' Earlier this year, Essex Police apologised for its failings in a chillingly similar murder case. The force was reprimanded for its handling of the murder of Maria Stubbings - who was killed by her ex-partner in 2008. Maria, 50, was strangled to death with a dog lead in her Chelmsford home by convicted killer Marc Chivers just days after she had phoned Essex Police saying she was in danger. An IPCC report into Maria's murder concluded that the mother-of-two's death was 'predictable and preventable' and that she had been 'badly let down' by police. Ms Stubbings had phoned police to say she suspected Chivers had tried to break into her home, but the incident was not logged as domestic violence and was there not given a high priority. Essex Police response to IPCC report into the murders of Christine and Shania Chambers . | Essex Police took 'inadequate action' to arrest David Oakes before he shot his ex-partner Christine Chambers and daughter Shania .
Ms Chambers, 38, and Shania, 2, were murdered at their home in Braintree, Essex, in June 2011 .
Oakes, 50, 'systematically tortured' Ms Chambers in the hours before the murders while police attempted to negotiate with him .
Essex Police apologises after Independent Police Complaints Commission finds systemic failures in its handling of the case .
Ms Chambers' father: More should have been done to prevent the killings . |
247,711 | cc886add5db6d086bcc2e4aad201aec6b4c96fda | Scientists believe genes that help us fight viruses were inherited from Neanderthals . By . Stephanie Darrall . UPDATED: . 02:09 EST, 26 August 2011 . Ancestors: Scientists discovered as much as 4 per cent of the DNA of some people living today is Neanderthal . Virus-fighting genes inherited from different ancient human sub-species have had a positive effect on our fitness, according to U.S. researchers . Cross- breeding between ancestors of modern humans . and their extinct close relatives passed down specific genes which can still be found in our DNA. Improvements in the Homo . sapiens' immune system may also have been inherited from the Denisovans - a now-vanished human sub-species from eastern Asia. Scientists discovered last year that . ancient intimate relations meant as much as 4 per cent of the DNA of . some people living today was Neanderthal. A similar genetic study showed that up to six per cent of the modern human genome, or genetic code, was Denisovan in origin. Lead researcher Professor Peter Parham, from Stanford University, California.said cross-breeding contributed to our gene pool. He . said: 'The cross-breeding wasn't just a random event that happened, it . gave something useful to the gene pool of the modern human,' Neanderthals, who lived in western Asia and Europe, co-existed with early modern humans for several thousand years before dying out around 30,000 years ago. Homo sapiens, Neanderthals and Denisovans split into different populations from a common African ancestor around 400,000 years ago . The research, published today in the journal Science, focused on immune system elements called HLA genes. They are critical to the body's ability to identify and destroy harmful foreign invaders and are among the most variable and adaptable of human genes. DNA: Genes passed down from ancient human sub-species have improved our immune systems . Being flexible helps them stay ahead in the arms race with rapidly evolving viruses. By comparing the HLA genes of modern and extinct humans, the scientists were able to show that certain HLA carried by people today were inherited from Neanderthals and Denisovans. The ancient genes were analysed by looking at DNA extracted from fossil bones. Within one class of HLA gene, the experts estimate that Europeans owe half their variants to interbreeding with Neanderthals and Denisovans, Asians 80 per cent, and people from Papua New Guinea up to 95 per cent. The same pattern of inheritance was not seen in other regions of the human genome. Researcher Dr Laurent Abi-Rached said: 'The HLA system is unique in its diversity and the strength of natural selection acting on it. 'But it's possible that other gene systems, particularly the ones under similar pressure for variation, could show a similar pattern.' | Scientists believe genes that help us fight viruses were inherited from Neanderthals . |
210,250 | 9c4c9224063d20434ebb738106a75e1c74b6bb2f | By . Gerard Brand . Follow @@gedbrand10 . QPR manager Harry Redknapp says the club are building for a season with striker Loic Remy, despite the Frenchman coming close to a move to Liverpool last month. Redknapp was in dire need of the 27-year-old in front of goal during Saturday's 1-0 friendly defeat to PAOK at Loftus Road, the Hoops taking 70 minutes to test the opposition goalkeeper. Remy, who may have scared off potential buyers with a failed medical at Anfield, has been superb in training, according to Redknapp. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Redknapp: It's not possible that Loic Remy failed a medical . Warm down: Loic Remy does some fitness work with the physio at Loftus Road on Saturday . Top drawer: Despite relegation from the Premier League in 2013 Remy was a stand-out performer for QPR . 'We're all geared up for him to stay,' he said. 'He's fine, he has trained great and his attitude has been first-class. I couldn't have asked for more from him. 'He's here and he wants to work and get in the team.' Clint Hill's own goal late on rounded off an uninspiring performance in front of a sparse crowd, but new £6millon midfielder Jordon Mutch played the full 90 minutes on his debut. Rio Ferdinand and Steven Caulker started in a five-man defence, and looked assured enough in front of a bombardment from the Greek Superleague runners up to give QPR real hope of avoiding relegation comfortably this season. Impressive: Remy scored 14 goals in 26 Premier League games on loan at Newcastle last season . PAOK hit the post and forced two fine saves from Rob Green, with Charlie Austin's header, cleared off the line, representing the hosts' best effort. Junior Hoilett was tested to lead the line with Austin, but QPR fans feel another striker would round off a successful summer. Remy would be like a new signing. Redknapp admitted the squad was short, but insists the Remy situation has not affected his search in the transfer market. 'Not at all, it shouldn't do. But we need the squad, we need to strengthen. [Pre-season] hasn't been great, we haven't had very good games. 'Hopefully with a weeks training Loic will be fit to play next week.' | The QPR manager hopes to have Remy available for selection next weekend .
After seeing a move to Liverpool collapse Redknapp says Remy's attitude and application in training has been 'first class'
Rangers are in desperate need of firepower with just two strikers at the club . |
261,740 | defbfc06217194a67c9da3bf2cde4c986eec1a4b | David Villa has been spotted having a medical in Manchester ahead of his high-profile move to Man City's US franchise New York City FC. The Atletico Madrid forward is reportedly close to confirming a deal with the American outfit, which comes to fruition in next year's MLS season. The Spain international, caught on camera at the city's Bridgewater Hospital by the Manchester Evening News, would be NYCFC's first major signing. VIDEO Scroll down to watch David Villa mobbed by Atletico Madrid supporters . Spotted: David Villa in Manchester ahead of his high-profile move to Man City's US franchise New York City FC . Battle: Villa (left) battles with Raphael Varane during the Champions League final, which Atletico lost . Signing Villa would prove the Sky Blues' US counterparts mean business, despite soccer not being the most popular sport in America. The forward, however, would not be eligible to play for Man City before the MLS, which is currently half way through its current campaign, begins. Villa, having amassed 13 goals last season en route to the La Liga title, is preparing to go to the World Cup with Spain. | David Villa would be New York City FC's first marquee signing .
NYCFC will be launched in the next MLS season and is a Man City franchise . |
131,503 | 360a7b84d0640a4366f256da46cc24a0ad328810 | By . Sarah Johnson . PUBLISHED: . 12:07 EST, 11 March 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 13:07 EST, 12 March 2013 . The world of home furnishings just got a whole lot tastier. A lounge made entirely out of chocolate has been unveiled in a shopping centre in Minsk, Belarus. All of the items in the 20sq m room are made of the tasty treat. Scroll down for video . Home sweet home: A lounge made entirely out of chocolate has been unveiled in Minsk, Russia . Intricate: All the items in the room, including this pot of flowers, have been made from Belgian chocolate . Sculptor Elena Kliment used over 600kg of Belgian chocolate to create everything from the . fireplace to the tea cups to the chest of drawers. The masterpiece took two months to prepare and two weeks of work to transform the chocolate into furniture and home decorations. The . room will be on display in the ALL shopping mall until April 14 after . which some of the chocolate in the room will be cut into small pieces . and offered to visitors. This is not the first room to have been crafted entirely out of chocolate. The room will be on display in a shopping mall in Minsk until 14 April after which some of the chocolate will be offered to visitors . Too good to eat: Sculptor Elena Kliment used over 1300lb of chocolate to create everything in the room . In February 2011, Mindaugas Tendziagolskis used 660lb of chocolate to design a chocolate dining room in Vilarus in Lithuania. The room, featuring everything from . bookshelves to atwork to chocolate lettuce leaves was on display in a . local supermarket for two weeks over Valentine's day. | Sculptor Elena Kliment used over 600kg of chocolate to make the lounge .
The room features chocolate chairs, a table, a fireplace and a flower pot .
It took two months to prepare and two weeks of work to transform the chocolate into furniture and home decorations . |
129,831 | 33d09bf7be0c2561c24cc3b959d9e43748d46df0 | Louis van Gaal gave an intriguing insight into his infamous management style during an animated morning at Holland's pre-World Cup training camp. The 62-year-old Dutchman is set to be named as David Moyes's permanent replacement at Manchester United next week but is busy preparing his Holland squad for the summer showpiece in Brazil. While many of his country's stars - such as United striker Robin van Persie - are still involved in club action across Europe, Van Gaal is working with players from the Dutch league whose domestic season is already over. VIDEO Scroll down to watch van Gaal: Manchester United is the biggest club in the world . Hands on: Louis van Gaal gets to grips with Ajax midfielder Davy Klaassen in training on Wednesday . Forceful: The prospective Manchester United manager gives Klaassen vigorous instructions . Watch and learn: Terence Kongolo (centre) and Daryl Janmaat (right) watch as Klaasen gets his lesson . Focused: Van Gaal emerges for training on Thursday morning at the Dutch training camp . Holding court: The 62-year-old boss gives an animated talk to his squad in Hoenderloo . One player who got a hands-on experience of Van Gaal's style was Ajax midfielder Davy Klaassen, who was pictured having his arm grabbed during a particularly animated discussion. Feyenoord defenders Terence Kongolo and Daryl Janmaat watched on as Klaassen was dragged, literally, in the direction Van Gaal wanted. While Ryan Giggs may be many fans' choice to take the hot seat at Old Trafford due to his links with United's glorious past, Van Gaal will not shy away from sweeping away any deadwood and imposing his own, distinct style on the squad. That approach has left a sour taste at several of his previous clubs, including Barcelona and Bayern Munich. In addition, many big names have admitted becoming disillusioned with his attitude, notably Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who branded him a 'dictator with no sense of humour'. Attention: Karim Rekik, Georginio Wijnaldum and Daley Blind listen as Van Gaal barks out more orders . Hard yards: Jean Paul Boetius, Terence Kongolo, Georginio Wijnaldum, Davy Klassen are on the left side of their coaches (front to back) with Daley Blind, Jasper Cillessen, Daryl Janmaat and Kenneth Vermeer on the right . Hands up: Van Gaal speaks animatedly to his players (left) and makes another forceful point (right) But with spots in his World Cup squad up for grabs, the Dutch youngsters were in no position to argue and listened intently to Van Gaal's instructions. Daley Blind, the Ajax left back and son of Van Gaal's assistant, Danny Blind, was among the players listening in as their boss barked orders at the training camp in Hoenderloo. Another one of the Holland assistant coaches Patrick Kluivert, who could also team up with his boss at United was also in attendance, along with Blind Snr. Gather round: The Dutch squad obediently listen to their ringleader deliver his instructions . Stony faced: Van Gaal shows off his notoriously stern manner during training in Hoenderloo . Van Gaal has revealed he would love to be the next manager of United and will be unveiled once he and the club have agreed the make-up of his coaching staff. The former Ajax boss is still talking to other clubs but told BBC Sport: ‘I would love the (United) job. For every coach who takes the job it’s a fantastic challenge. ‘I hope I shall be the one but you’ll have to wait and see. There are more clubs interested. I have more options. It is a process we’re in and everybody has to wait patiently on my choice and that of the clubs. ‘But United are the biggest club in the world’. Lighter moment; The Holland boss shares a joke with his assistants Patrick Kluivert and Frans Hoek (right) Serious moment: The former Ajax and Barcelona boss looks stern for a moment . United have agreed most of the details with Van Gaal but want to announce his appointment, and the composition of his coaching staff, all at the same time, rather than have a drip-feed of information as was the case when Moyes took the job last year. United also have to be sensitive to the needs and demands of the Dutch FA. Holland have a World Cup to prepare for under Van Gaal and understandably do not want their preparations disrupted by the publicity surrounding their coach’s future beyond Brazil 2014. | Louis van Gaal is taking a Holland training camp this week .
Manchester United are set to name him as their new boss .
Van Gaal is preparing the Dutch squad for the World Cup in Brazil .
The 62-year-old was spotted leading training in an animated fashion .
Van Gaal was pictured grabbing Ajax midfielder Davy Klaassen's arm . |
12,325 | 22ec62b689e97a54de15845853b4b6c11263dcda | Manchester City will refuse to sell Yaya Toure to another English club, but Paris Saint-Germain are favourites to land the midfielder if he manages to engineer a move away. The 31-year-old's future at the Etihad Stadium is in doubt after a farcical episode on Tuesday where his agent, Dimitry Seluk, insisted he wanted out after being treated like a 'nobody'. Toure went on to back up his representative's claims and may leave the Premier League champions this summer. Ambition: Toure has been linked with a return 'home' to Barcelona after a lack of respect from City . Comments: Toure's agent Dimitri Seluk has been in the public eye over the last week . Having a look: Laurent Blanc's PSG are favourites to sign Toure if he does leave the Etihad Stadium . The bizarre standoff derives from the Ivorian's birthday last week, where Seluk claims he wasn't handed a celebratory cake. Toure was in fact given two. City have kept their counsel up until . now and will block any attempt to lever a move but Toure himself has . confirmed that he wants out. Sportsmail understands that Manchester United and Chelsea - the only domestic clubs to have the financial clout to prise him away - would think twice before making an offer given Tuesday's soap opera, while City would block any move regardless. But - if tensions do not dissipate - the club may have to cash in, particularly given the player's age. The fact . that Toure is coming towards his twilight years would not deter Laurent . Blanc's PSG, who remain intent on breaking into Europe's elite . imminently and will stop at nothing to do so - even after UEFA's recent . Financial Fair Play sanctions. Ligue . 1 rivals Monaco would join Real Madrid and Barcelona in the race to . sign Toure, who said that he wants to end his career at the Nou Camp. 'Yes, I have talked before about ending . my career at Barcelona - but we don't know because football is moving . fast and you never know about tomorrow.' Could it be? Toure has indicated that he wants to end his career back at Barcelona, who sold him for £24m . | City will refuse to allow Toure to leave to a domestic rival .
If they do have to sell, Paris Saint-Germain are favourites .
Real Madrid, Barcelona and Monaco would also be interested .
Toure says he wants to finish his career at Barcelona . |
244,735 | c8bf7bafd44a573483590bd392f237e245321ca6 | (CNN) -- Turkish police on Tuesday raided the offices of a Turkish Islamic charity on the border with Syria as part of an operation against the al Qaeda terror organization. Leaders of the charity, known by the acronym IHH, denounced the police investigation, suggesting it was caused by "Israeli infiltration." The police operation was "against aid organizations helping Syria, to try to stop aid, and against the IHH, because it is the largest charity organization in Turkey," Yasar Kutluay, the IHH's secretary general, said at a news conference Tuesday. Kutluay went on to call the raid an "ugly operation" by groups that had been "infiltrated by Israel." Turkey purges police force . The IHH gained international notoriety in 2010, when it led a convoy of ships that sought to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza. Israeli commandos launched a botched raid of the IHH-owned passenger ship Mavi Marmara that resulted in the deaths of eight Turks and an American citizen of Turkish descent. The Mavi Marmara raid ruptured relations between Turkey and Israel, two close allies of the U.S. that had previously enjoyed military, economic and intelligence-sharing ties. More recently, the IHH had taken the lead in providing humanitarian assistance across the border to war-ravaged Syria. The organization, which says it does charity work in more than 100 countries, operated soup kitchens and distributed food in camps for displaced people in northern Syria. Its leaders also helped broker the release of Turkish journalists who had been held captive by the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Over the last year, several al Qaeda-linked militias have taken root in opposition-controlled northern Syria. The IHH announced on its official Twitter account that at least one of its employees had been arrested in Tuesday morning's police raid. Is instability the 'new normal' for Turkey? | Turkish police target IHH offices as part of an operation against al Qaeda .
Leaders of the charity suggest the investigation is the work of "Israeli infiltration"
In 2010, the IHH led ships that sought to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza .
More recently, the Turkish charity has provided aid across its border to war-ravaged Syria . |
260,680 | dd8e223bf22710992eb6d14d41de6e6780c00f57 | By . John Drayton . Leona Lewis will sing at the FA Cup final between Arsenal and Hull City at Wembley on Saturday. The 29-year-old is from Islington and is reportedly an Arsenal fan, and will sing the traditional Abide with Me as well as the national anthem. Full voice: Leona Lewis will sing at the FA Cup final at Wembley on Saturday . Popstar: Lewis, winner of X Factor in 2006, will sing the national anthem and Abide With Me at Wembley . The 2006 X Factor winner admits she . can't wait for the opportunity, and remembers the cup final always being . a huge deal in the Lewis household. 'I’m so excited, I'm really looking forward to it,' the 29-year-old said. 'I know it’s going to be a crazy atmosphere there so it’ll be fun. I’ve never done anything like it before so it’ll be a cool experience for me. 'My dad and my brothers are huge football fans so they’re really excited as well,' she said. Excited: Lewis admits she always watched the FA Cup final, with her family being big football fans . Just: Arsenal beat Wigan on penalties to progress to the FA Cup final . 'On cup final day it was the only . thing that was allowed to be on the TV and we’d all sit down and watch . it. It has always been a big deal. 'Really it’s all about the tradition of the game and the emotion of the performance but I do love getting dressed up so there will be a bit of glamour to it as well.' The game kicks off at 5pm on Saturday evening, with Arsenal hoping to win their first trophy since 2005. Get in: Hull beat Sheffield United 5-3 in the last four, and could win their first ever major trophy . | Leona Lewis will sing at the FA Cup final between Arsenal and Hull .
The 2006 X Factor winner will sing the traditional Abide With Me and the national anthem .
Lewis, from Islington, said: 'I’ve never done anything like it before'
Arsenal are hoping to win their first trophy since 2005 . |
157,402 | 57865602de3c421f54ce8a5e26d2e4113f25a3d0 | By . Paul Thompson In Florida . PUBLISHED: . 01:44 EST, 19 November 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 01:44 EST, 19 November 2013 . George Zimmerman's girlfriend Samantha Scheibe was urged to dump him after friends feared she would not be able to control his temper. One friend today told MailOnline that Zimmerman, a former neighborhood watch volunteer who was cleared of killing teenager Trayvon Martin, was a 'time bomb' waiting to explode. Zimmerman is due in court on Tuesday in Seminole County, Florida to face a felony charge of aggravated assault with a weapon. Scroll down to listen to the 911 call . Samantha Scheibe's friends warned her about a relationship with George Zimmerman, they told MailOnline after he was charged with domestic violence on Monday . He will also be charged with misdemeanor battery-domestic violence and criminal mischief when he makes his first appearance before a judge at Seminole County Court. Miss Scheibe, 27, was not injured during the domestic dispute which has catapulted Zimmerman back into national headlines. The pretty blonde has been dating Zimmerman for several months following the breakdown of his marriage after his acquittal for Trayvon Martin's murder. The pair had set up home at Miss Schiebe's single-story house in Seminole County. Friends of the couple said they had harbored fears that Miss Scheibe would not be able to maintain the relationship with Zimmerman. A friend of Miss Schiebe's sister Olivia said: 'I think we all knew something like this might happen. 'We would all talk about where the relationship was going, and we knew it would end badly. He is just a time bomb waiting to go off. 'Look at all the run-ins he has had with police and his family. He has big issues.' Miss Scheibe's mother Hope was too distressed to comment when contacted by MailOnline at her home in Gainesville, Florida. The mother-of-three said: 'I really can't say anything now. It is not a good time.' A family friend said: 'Everyone is very concerned for Samantha and wants the best for her. 'Many in the family were surprised when she began dating Zimmerman. He is not her type of guy.' Miss . Scheibe had spent the last weekend in Cedar Key, Florida, with a group . of female friends including her twin sisters Allie and Olivia. Latest mugshot: George Zimmerman has been arrested again over a new domestic violence claim after his girlfriend reportedly called police following a confrontation at her home that involved a gun . They had traveled today from their home in Lakeland to comfort their sister. Zimmerman and Miss Scheibe have been living together since August. She was with him during his last arrest when his wife Shellie called police after a confrontation at her parents’ home. Miss Scheibe was not involved and was not cooperative with police refusing to make a written statement. Yesterday's altercation which led to Zimmerman's arrest began after Miss Scheibe called 911. Seminole County Sheriff Don Eslinger confirmed at a conference that the 27-year-old was the one to call police. 'She and George Zimmerman were having a . verbal dispute and at that time she indicated that he broke a table and . pointed a long-barreled shotgun at her,' Sheriff Eslinger said. 'She was on the phone with our dispatch, communicating as much information as she could.' He . said Zimmerman pushed her out of the home and then barricaded the front . door so that she could not re-enter, using furniture to block the . doorway. Officers arrived at the scene less than four minutes later and made verbal contact with her outside of the house. She gave them a key to the home and they went in the building to speak with Zimmerman. When they found him, he was unarmed and 'offered no resistance to deputies as they responded'. According . to the arrest report, after Miss Scheibe asked Zimmerman to pack his . things, he 'cocked the shotgun' before putting the two guns in one case. Scene: Zimmerman was arrested at his girlfriend's home on Monday afternoon, and his relatives told a local paper that he had been living at that residence for a few weeks . She told deputies he then became upset as she carried his belongings out and took out the shotgun. Miss Scheibe said she was going to call police, and Zimmerman then pointed the weapon at her for a minute and 'asked her if she really wanted to do that'. Zimmerman then smashed a glass coffee table with the gun butt and ordered Sheibe out, she told deputies. He then pushed her out and locked the door. Before police entered Zimmerman, 30, made his own 911 call telling the dispatcher he wanted the truth to come out. During the call he said his girlfriend was pregnant and they had argued. He said the row escalated after he offered to leave and allow Miss Scheibe to bring up their child on her own. He told the dispatcher his girlfriend had 'gone crazy' on him. During the six-minute call the dispatcher urged Zimmerman to talk with the officers outside. In the call he also claimed his girlfriend had smashed the table and denied threatening her with a gun. Although Zimmerman said his girlfriend was pregnant, police later confirmed that she was not. Last night Seminole County detectives carried evidence out of Miss Scheibe's rented home near Apopka, including a long black bag that was the size of a rifle. Split: George and his wife Shellie, seen here during his murder trial, formally began divorce proceedings in September and she called the police when he confronted her days later . Deputies have said they will ask for electronic monitoring of Zimmerman if he is given bond at Tuesday's hearing. Legal experts said a conviction for the felony assault with mean Zimmerman can no longer legally own a firearm. Zimmerman was a neighborhood watch volunteer in a gated community in Sanford, Florida, when he shot 17-year-old Trayvon Martin on February 26, 2012. The death of Trayvon, a black teenager who was unarmed by Zimmerman, a Latino, sparked protests over racial profiling across the country. Martin's family and supporters lashed out at Florida's 'stand your ground' statute, although Zimmerman's lawyers opted to rely on a self-defense argument at trial. Since being acquitted, Zimmerman has had several involvements with authorities. Zimmerman's wife Shellie moved out of their house and filed for divorce in September. She and her father accused him of threatening them with a gun as they moved her belongings out of their Lake Mary home. Police handcuffed Zimmerman but later let him go. Lake Mary police closed the case last week, saying that his wife declined to press charges and that there was no firm evidence Zimmerman had broken any laws. He also has been pulled over three times for minor traffic incidents, twice receiving warnings and once issued a speeding ticket. His trial lawyers have said they will not be representing him in any future court cases. | Zimmerman due in Florida court to face a felony charge of aggravated assault with a weapon .
A family friend of Samantha Scheibe told MailOnline: 'Everyone is very concerned for Samantha and wants the best for her' |
243,954 | c7c398396df1073f31c84fc82b153047341f20bb | China's most prolific underwear thief terrorised his neighbours in a one-man crime wave that was anything but brief ... it lasted more than a decade. But the bra bandit of Yulin city, southeast China, has finally been snared after the ceiling of his apartment collapsed under the weight of his stash. The bra bandit, named only as Tan, had hidden more than 2,000 pairs of pilfered pants and brassieres in the cavity above his bedroom in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region's second-largest metropolis. He had amassed the vast - and colourful - trove of lingerie by creeping into his neighbours' homes and snatching their smalls when they were at work. Colourful: He had accumulated the vast - and colourful - trove of lingerie in a campaign of cat-burglary that saw him creep into 750 of his neighbours' homes and snatch their smalls over more than a decade . Crime wave: The crook, named only as Tan, had hidden up to 2,000 pairs of pilfered pants and bras in the ceiling cavity above his living room in Yulin city in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China. Police said Tan, in his 30s, was able to gain unfettered access the flats in his apartment building thanks to a master key in his possession. They did not say how he had obtained the skeleton key. What his victims did not know was that their stolen underwear was right under their noses and in their neighbour's apartment all along. Buckled: As the stash grew, it soon became too heavy for the flimsy roof panels and they buckled under its considerable weight . Master burglar: Police said Tan, in his 30s, was able to gain access the flats in his apartment building thanks to a master key in his possession . Tan has since confessed to his crimes, claiming he has had a mental illness since he was young boy, and said he didn't know when his obsession with stealing women's underwear started . As the stash grew, it soon became too heavy for the flimsy roof panels and they buckled under its considerable weight. The police also report that Tang has stolen underwear from other apartment buildings, besides the one in which he lives, reported Shanghaiist. The underwear thief has since confessed to his crimes, claiming he has had a mental illness since he was young boy, and said he didn't know when his obsession with stealing women's underwear started. | The crook, named Tan, had master key to his apartment block in Yulin city .
He crept into 750 of his neighbours' homes and stole women's underwear .
He then hid his stash in the cavity above his ceiling, until it grew too heavy .
Police called after a loud crashing sound was heard as ceiling buckled .
He confessed to the spree claiming he had mental illness since youth . |
92,781 | 0358474afbc92ff86551aedf55ded3b362f3b4f5 | A thoroughly deflated Gary Cahill described England’s 2-1 defeat to Uruguay as the lowest point of his career. England are on the verge of elimination from the World Cup thanks to Luis Suarez’s deadly double in Sao Paulo. For England to qualify they need Italy to win their final two matches while the Three Lions must also beat Costa Rica in Belo Horizonte and hope they have a good enough goal difference. VIDEO - Scroll down to see fan reaction from both sides . Down and almost out: Cahill has that sinking feeling after the defeat to Uruguay . But Cahill thinks England are almost certainly out, judging by his mood after the match in Sao Paulo. 'It’s the worst feeling I have had as a player,' the England centre-back said. 'A few weeks ago this (the World Cup) was one of the highlights of my career and a couple of weeks down the line it’s one of the lowest points. 'The next four days are going to seem like forever. We just hope that Italy can perform really well in the next two games and leave the last game to try and get a win and that’s all we can do but we realise it’s going to be very tough.' Big moment: Cahill can't prevent Luis Suarez smashing home Uruguay's winner . Despite having knee surgery just four-and-a-half weeks ago, Suarez chased the England defence down all night. The controversial Liverpool striker sneaked in behind Cahill to head past Joe Hart in the first half and he wrapped up the win when he capitalised on a mistake by Steven Gerrard. Cahill believes the Uruguayan was very lucky with his second goal. 'He has a lot of energy and he is a great finisher, but sometimes as a forward you get a bit of luck,' the Chelsea defender said. 'He took his first goal very well. For the second goal he was very, very fortunate. Rooney hit the bar in the first half and the Manchester United forward went close with a curling free-kick. The centre-back is given a consoling pat on the head from Wayne Rooney . Englend's nemesis Luis Suarez consoles a dejected England captain Steven Gerrard . England had other chances to clinch the win, and Cahill believes the team were unfortunate to lose. 'I thought we gave a good account of ourselves,' said Cahill, who won his 26th cap on Thursday. 'I have played in teams a lot worse than this and come away with wins. 'Joe (Hart) came off and he said to me that he has had five or six shots on target to deal with over the two games and we have conceded four goals. It’s very tough to take. Sometimes football can be cruel.' Meanwhile, Phil Jagielka knows a remarkable turn of events are needed if they are to avoid becoming the first England side since 1958 to crash out at the World Cup group stage. England boss Roy Hodgson gathers his thoughts while coach Gary Neville (second right) watches the action . 'There’s a small chance but we are not exactly expecting something like that,' the centre-back said. 'We have to go out there and give a good performance against Costa Rica. 'We had them on the back foot. I’m not sure what went on with Daniel Sturridge’s penalty appeal, and we had a couple of chances, but obviously we just weren’t able to get that second goal. 'It it is a similar story to the Italy game. We played pretty well but not good enough.' Asked to sum up his feelings, Jagielka added: 'Gutting. We played so well again in spells. Stunned: Danny Welbeck was left reeling after Uruguay scored their first goal . 'It didn’t go our way with Steven (Gerrard) flicking the ball on, and you just hope that he mishits one, but he hit the target and they win the game. 'We’ve not seen it again, but as a defender that’s the last thing you want to see. A punt down the pitch, a flick-on and a goal. 'As you can tell by my voice, everyone is absolutely devastated.' | England centre-back couldn't prevent Luis Suarez scoring twice .
Wayne Rooney's goal wasn't enough to avoid a second Group D defeat .
Roy Hodgson's side on brink of elimination from tournament . |
20,851 | 3b2cccca58b3d9c143dc972042e6dc4f7b0bd251 | (CNN) -- Within the next day or two we could hear from the special prosecutor's office about her decision on whether to charge George Zimmerman. Regardless of what she says, chances are a lot of people are not going to be happy with the decision. It's an emotional story with many layers that will likely end with more questions than answers, and more division than unity along racial lines. I know when I heard about Trayvon Martin's killing, the story immediately touched my heart because I could see my own 15-year-old son in Trayvon. Similarly, when I heard about the apparent racially motivated killing spree in Tulsa, Oklahoma, last week, it angered me because I could see my brothers and uncles in the slain victims. But something different happened inside when I saw the video of a white tourist being savagely beaten and stripped by a bunch of black thugs in Baltimore over St. Patrick's Day weekend. My heart wasn't touched. I didn't get angry. Instead, I just became cold. I didn't want the individuals involved to be arrested. I wanted them thrown in jail for life. I thought what possible good could adults who would do that to another human being bring to society? Some folks can be rehabilitated, but sometimes it's best to just cut our losses. Why bother wasting taxpayers' dollars on a trial over something that simply cannot and should not be defended? As I watched the helpless man being kicked and heard him being laughed at, I just wanted those hoodlums escorted to solitary confinement and the key thrown away. As I told you, I became cold. Sick even. I posted the video on my Facebook wall and soon found myself in a conversation with a buddy of mine, Brian, who I've known since grad school. In my frustration I e-mailed "I hate people." Brian immediately hit back: "No you don't. You love people, that is why this upset you so much." He was right. I don't hate people. I just hated what happened to that guy, just like I hated what happened to the victims in Tulsa. But what I really hate is how the video is only going to confirm what so many whites think about blacks and the arrests are only going to confirm what so many blacks think about whites. That's where much of the focus will inevitably go instead of to what I think is far more important, and that is what blacks think about ourselves. I don't need to tell you what the response from the black community would be if the victim in the Baltimore video was black and the assailants white. But for some reason many blacks puree crimes of this nature through some warped situational ethics filter, which in the end only makes a mockery of the community more than it empowers it. For if President Obama had a son, he would look like Trayvon, but he would also look like one of the assailants in that video. That's the uncomfortable truth that the black community must deal with: Racism still hurts us, but not nearly as much as we hurt ourselves. The same weekend the man in Baltimore was attacked, in Chicago 10 people were killed and 40 were wounded, including a 6-year-old girl who was shot dead while she was playing on the front porch of her home in the Little Village neighborhood. Neighborhoods such as Little Village, and West Englewood, which has a homicide rate five times that of the rest of the city, are mostly black and Latino. Since 2008, nearly 80% of the more than 500 killings of youth in Chicago have occurred in the 22 black and Latino neighborhoods. Those deaths are not coming by the hands of the KKK but by people who look a lot like the ones in that St. Patrick's Day video. Or the ones in the video that went viral in February in which a bunch of black thugs attacked a black man as he left a grocery store. Or the ones in the video that went viral three years ago in which a bunch of black thugs attacked and killed a 16-year-old honor roll student, who was also black. Sadly, I could go on, but I think the picture is clear. What isn't as clear is what the black community is going to do about it. We know how to come together and fight against injustice when the alleged perpetrators are white. However we're not quite sure how to deal with injustice as a community when the perpetrators look like us -- and that is troubling, because when you look at the statistics, it seems the survival of the black community depends more on figuring that part out than dealing with the George Zimmermans of the world. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of LZ Granderson. | LZ Granderson says a video of a white man being beaten in Baltimore is sickening .
He says as we await outcome of Trayvon Martin case, more focus is needed on other crimes .
Granderson: Black community rallies to fight injustice but not when "perpetrators look like us"
He says black community needs to grapple with crime of all kinds . |
38,358 | 6c74dca4accb1d786d2e9a0db48e15b8a388011d | Taxpayers are being charged $33 million to save 800 birds who are living on an old section of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge which is no longer in use. The double-crested cormorants, which are protected but not endangered, have lived on a decrepit section of the bridge for decades. Despite the eastern section of the bridge being replaced with a new $6.4m span, the birds have refused to relocate, meaning officials have been unable to dismantle the old section which was damaged in the Loma Prieta earthquake. Taxpayers are footing a $33 million bill to help relocate 800 double-crested comorants who have lived under a now replaced section of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge for decades . Officials have unsuccessfully used pricey decoys, bird recordings and have placed specially-made nests planted on the new bridge, to lure the birds some 100 feet. Critics say relocating the birds could end up costing them $33m. Given only 800 birds live on the bridge, the cost of moving each one is about $40,000. Radio show host Brian Sussman said that figure was 'more than most people in the United States make in a given year'. Fox News reports that relocation are set to soar further, because once the birds start laying eggs in February, the demolition process must stop completely. Taxpayers are spending another $12m to fast-track the process and a further million for netting to prevent more birds from settling in. And that's not the end of it. Transport officials say they'll probably need more time and money to complete the job. The eastern section of the bridge, damaged 25 years ago during the Loma Prieta earthquake, was replaced at a cost of $6.4 million, and officials now want to dismantle it . Oficials say they are bound by the law, and if they don't follow it, taxpayers could face an even bigger bill . Nearly a quarter of a million cars use the bridge each date. It has two sections. The western section, which is a suspension bridge and links San Francisco to Yerba Buena Island, and the eastern section, which connects the island with Oakland. Callers to Mr Sussman's radio show offered less costly and speedier solutions to the bird problems, from blasting them with fire hoses, to hiring rocker and hunter Ted Nugent to shoot them with his bow and arrow. Mr Sussman blamed bird protection laws written in 1918 for the problem, but said changing the laws in the Bay Are would be hopeless. He said: 'You would have to go through hell and high water because there are so many avowed environmentalists that want that set in stone because, I believe, they see us as the invasive species.' California Department of Transportation spokesperson Leah Robinson Leach said the agency was required to follow the law and if they didn't do so, the penalties they could face 'could far exceed' the bird relocation costs. The demolition of the original section of the bridge is not expected to be completed until 2018. | Birds are protected, but not endangered, and have lived there for decades .
The old section was damaged in the Loma Prieta earthquake and is decrepit .
And has already been replaced by a $6.4 million new span .
Officials have used bird decoys, recordings and specially designed nests .
In February the birds will lay eggs, and its feared relocation costs will soar . |
67,792 | c04ca1631c870eab6eb0dbe69cf85e84ad1a6fa5 | (CNN) -- An ancient race that lived 2,700 years ago in the Gobi Desert may have been among the first to use cannabis for medical or religious purposes. Researchers believe an ancient Gushi shaman may have consumed or burned pot for medical or religious purposes. Nearly two pounds of the plant was found stashed in the tomb of a Gushi shaman. It was high in the chemical compounds that provide its psychoactive properties. "It had evidence of the chemical attributes of cannabis used as a drug," said Dr. Ethan Russo, an author of a study published in the Journal of Experimental Botany. "It could have been for pain control. It could have been for other medicinal properties. It could have been used as an aid to divination." The Gushi people were a Caucasian race with light hair and blue eyes who likely migrated thousands of years ago from the steppes of Russia to what is now China. A nomadic people, they were accomplished horsemen and archers. Chinese archaeologists excavating a network of 2,500 tombs near the town of Turpan in the Xinjiang-Uighur Autonomous Region unearthed the shaman's grave, which contained the cannabis, along with a trove of artifacts such as bridles, archery equipment and a rare harp. The shaman is thought to have been about 45 years old when he died. Many of the bodies recovered in the area were found in an incredibly well-preserved, almost mummified condition. The shaman, however, was a skeleton. "The deceased was laid out on the bottom of this tomb on a little bier," Russo said. "This individual seemed to be very high status because of the variety and quality of the grave goods, including the equestrian equipment, the archery equipment and the large amount of cannabis." Russo said no pipe for smoking the cannabis was found in the shaman's tomb. Researchers think he might have eaten the cannabis or possibly put it on a burning fire to create fumes. They don't think it was used to make hemp clothing or rope, as some other early cultures did. Genetic analysis of the plant suggests it was cultivated rather than gathered from the wild. This find is not the first or the oldest example of ancient people using cannabis, but it may be the best studied. "There may have been older finds of cannabis, but not with this level of scientific investigation attached to them," Russo said. | About two pounds of potent cannabis found stashed in Gushi shaman's tomb .
The Gushi were horsemen and archers who lived 2,700 years ago in the Gobi Desert .
Archaeologists found shaman among 2,500 tombs of mummies, bridles, rare harp .
No pipe in grave, leading researchers to surmise shaman ate or burned cannabis . |
197,279 | 8b57509c50971f8c4819d06788b23c3ceea7aa86 | By . Damien Gayle for MailOnline . Tragic: Jason Flannery, 25, from North Yorkshire, who Thai police say died after running into a glass door in his apartment after taking cocaine . A British man died in Thailand after getting high on cocaine then running into a plate glass door, local police said. Police found Jason Flannery, 25, a talented former schoolboy athlete from North Yorkshire, dead in a sixth floor flat in Pattaya, a city popular with tourists, at 3am. His face and chest were covered in cuts, police told local media. It is believed that he bled to death after severing an artery in his neck. Mr Flannery's girlfriend, Janjira Buapae, 23, told police that she returned from work to their flat in the Spanish Place Pattay apartment complex to find Jason in what local media described as 'a serious discussion' with a friend and another woman. Later, she said, Mr Flannery mixed cocaine with water and drank it, before smoking a spliff. Ms Janjira said she rowed with her boyfriend and decided to leave the room. Mr Flannery pursued her into the hallway, according to reports, where their argument drew a crowd of onlookers. Ms Janjira claimed Mr Flannery, alarmed by the crowd, ran back in to his flat and straight into a glass door. He fell down and died soon afterwards. Sawang Boriboon rescue volunteers, Pattaya Police and Bang Lamung Hospital medics were called to the flat but Mr Flannery had already died from his wounds. Mr Flannery, originally from Leyburn, North Yorkshire, was a former pupil at Wensleydale School, where he had won plaudits for his athleticism. As a teenager he won the Yorkshire County AAA 1500m title, scored a hat-trick in five minutes with Richmond Town FC juniors team to secure the Cleveland Challenge Cup and was awarded the John Bowles Cup by his school for outstanding achievement in sport. Blood is smeared on the wall next to the broken glass door which Mr Flannery is said to have run into . Mr Flannery's girlfriend, Janjira Buapae, 23, said he had run into the room after they rowed in a corridor . The outside of the Spanish Place Pattaya condominium where Mr Flannery died . It is understood Mr Flannery had been living near the bay around which Pattaya's resort was developed in the 1960s. His body has been sent for a post-mortem examination and the British Embassy, in Bangkok, was notified. It is understood police are not treating Mr Flannery's death, which happened on Saturday evening, as suspicious. A Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokesman said if the Royal Thai Police are not satisfied after a initial examination of the facts surrounding a death, they can request an autopsy. He added: “We can confirm the death of a British national in Pattaya, Thailand on August 23. “We are providing consular assistance to the family at this sad time.” | Jason Flannery, 25, is believed to have bled to death after severing an artery .
His girlfriend Janjira Buapae said he had taken cocaine and smoked cannabis .
It is understood police are not treating Mr Flannery's death as suspicious . |
260,833 | ddcbcac05f1810eeb1277c686c671c05b1d896e3 | Doctors hopeful two-year-old will walk again, although mother predicts a long road to recovery . Little girl was with her father at the time of the accident . By . Mike Jaccarino . PUBLISHED: . 21:58 EST, 11 August 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 08:22 EST, 12 August 2012 . A Washington State toddler lost several toes after being accidentally run over by a ride-on lawnmower. Juliette Nau-Johnson, two, was staying with her father in Sandpoint on Monday when the heart-breaking accident took place. The child normally stays with her single mother, Lesley Johnson, who rushed to her daughter's side at the local hospital's emergency room. Horrific: Two-year-old Juliette Nau-Johnson lost several toes after she was reportedly run over by a riding lawnmower on Monday . 'I work as a nurse but I need to be able . to be with her,' Lesley Johnson told KXLY.com in Spokane. 'At least she's going to be in the hospital for months. 'She's already (saying) 'I want to go home, I want to go home' that's all she keeps saying to me, I want to go home.' Following the accident, Juliette was airlifted to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center, where doctors revealed the extent of her injuries to her waiting mom, according to KXLY.com. 'I met her the second they landed, they came and got me and I went to the ER to be with her,' Lesley Johnson reportedly said. Prognosis: Doctor's are hopeful little Juliette will walk again, but her mother said it's going to be a long road to recovery . 'The toes on her left foot are all gone, except for the baby toe and I think there's some damage to the heel there.' So far, Juliette has had two surgeries in the last three days to clean out the wounds, according to KXLY.com. Doctor's are hopeful Juliette will be able to walk again, but her mother said it's going to be a long road to recovery. 'My No. 1 thing is I want my daughter to be able to come home to her house that she loves so much,' Johnson reportedly said, according to KXLY.com. Ms Johnson is a single mother and as she takes off work to be by her daughter's side, she worries about how she'll pay her $1,400 a month mortgage. The horrific affair has sparked an online donation drive to assist Lesley and Juliette as they cope with the aftermath. On a Facebook page set up to promote the drive, dozens of people from around the nation expressed their regards for the mother-daughter duo, and contributed money to keep Lesley by her child's side. 'Praying for you little one,' read one post, while another writer penned the following: 'Poor little baby..I wish for a speedy recovery!' To help with medical expenses and Johnson's mortgage online donations can be made by going to: giveitforward.com/hope4juliette. The Facebook page promoting the donation drive can be found, here: https://www.facebook.com/Hope4Juliette . Online donation drive sparked: An Internet-based donation drive to keep Juliette's single mom at her side during the ordeal has alighted in the wake of the tragedy . | Doctors hopeful two-year-old will walk again, although mother predicts a long road to recovery .
Little girl was with her father at the time of the accident .
Facebook site and online donation drive started . |
182,084 | 77c0456daa5db1fcbf6a27cdedcd5c7297b3dcf3 | (CNN) -- Let the extravagant wedding planning begin. Kim Kardashian and Kanye West are now engaged, according to E! News, the network that airs Kardashian's reality show. West popped the question Monday, Kardashian's 33rd birthday. Kardashian's old engagement ring reportedly fetches $749,000 . The reality star and new mom confirmed the news on her Instagram account Tuesday, offering fans a close-up view of her sparkler in a photo captioned, "YES!!!" Naturally, the "Yeezus" rapper couldn't propose just anywhere -- he rented out the stadium where the San Francisco Giants play. The couple's friends and family were on hand for the event, which was topped off by fireworks and a 50-piece orchestra, E! said. Kardashian got a 15-carat Lorraine Schwartz ring. Kardashian matriarch and self-proclaimed "momager" Kris Jenner gushed about the engagement. "A match made in heaven!" she told the network. "I am so happy for both of my kids, Kim and Kanye." The couple are the parents of 4-month-old North West, who was born just days after Kardashian's divorce from NBA player Kris Humphries was finalized. That marriage lasted 72 days. | The rapper rents out the San Francisco Giants' stadium to propose, E! says .
Kardashian received a 15-carat engagement ring .
Her previous marriage, to Kris Humphries, lasted 72 days . |
194,370 | 879b4eaa012d55598118bf05276292bb1978516d | Scroll down for video . Cardboard cutouts of lynching victims were found hanging from ropes around the campus of the University of California in Berkeley, apparently linked to protests over the death of Eric Garner. Three of the effigies were pictured around campus - one hanging from a gate, another from a tree and one on the floor held up by an activist. The lifesize cardboard figures - which seemed to resemble historical lynching victims from 1911 - was printed with a slogan linked to protests over Eric Garner's death by apparent chokehold at the hands of the NYPD. Lynched figure: A cardboard cutout of a young man - believed to be 1911 lynching victim Lawrence Nelson - was found on campus at the University of California in Berkeley . Cut-out: Police are investigating the incident, in which another cut-out labelled Laura Nelson was found. It had #ICan'tBreathe written on it - which is a slogan picked up by Eric Garner protesters . Each of the three figures read 'I can't breathe', which are the final words of Garner as he was filmed being taken down and killed by a group of officers. It was unclear who set up the highly-visible effigies, which appear to have been set up to coincide with a protest event Saturday afternoon. Police are now trying to establish who is behind the protests - which the university said are likely to have a racial element. A spokesman for the school told USA Today: 'It certainly could have been racially motivated, so we're taking it very seriously and are very interested in finding out who did this and what the intention was'. Online: People used social media to share images of the cut-outs. A university spokesman said that racial issues could be at play . Spencer Pritchard, a 21-year-old student involved in the demonstrations, said he hoped the effigies were the work of 'someone who wanted to bring attention to the issue.' The demonstrations coincided with protests nationwide, where as many as 50,000 protests converged on major cities around the country to protest over police killings of black men. One of the figures shown on the effigies was named as Laura Nelson, a black woman who was lynched in Oklahoma in 1911, the year written on the figure. Her 18-year-old son, Lawrence, was also killed after a mob broke into their jail cell and carried them to be hanged. The two were in prison for allegedly shooting dead a sheriff's deputy. History: The figures depicted - Laura and Lawrence Nelson - were lynched in 1911 in Oklahoma. A contemporary image of their bodies is shown above . | Three effigies were set up around the University of California campus .
Were printed with 'I Can't Breathe' - slogan used at anti-police protests .
Coincided with nation demonstrations against police killings .
Figures seemed to show victims of a 1911 lynching in Oklahoma .
Police are trying to find out who set up the figures . |
54,750 | 9b15a59fcddcaf0f45bc42b2ae434820ded790a1 | Pulitzer Prize-winning author Oscar Hijuelos has died, his agent said Sunday. He was 62. Hijuelos was the first Latino to win the prestigious award for fiction for his 1989 novel, "The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love." He died Saturday from sudden cardiac arrest, according to his literary agent, Jennifer Lyons. "I never even thought that book would get published when I first wrote it," Hijuelos told CNN's Don Lemon in 2009. "And because of that -- having been poor in the first place -- I had nothing to lose. And not having expected it to be published, I had felt enormous amounts of freedom." He said his book seemed to help open doors for other writers. "The truth is that before that period, that book really, there were very few publishing houses in New York City dealing or publishing main -- you know, Latino writers. I mean, it was a very -- I can barely think of any titles. Most Latino authors were being published out of university presses or small presses," he said. Hijuelos was born in New York to Cuban parents in 1951. As a child, he traveled with his mother to eastern Cuba to visit family. There, he contracted an infection that grew into a kidney disease and landed him in hospitals for a few years. "I was, like, 3, or 4, or 5 at that time, and I was separated from my family, and that separation from identity, ironically enough, having to do with Cuba itself, has always been, like, one of the subthemes going through my work -- which is what is an identity about? You know, who are you?" Hijuelos told CNN. Among his other books are: "Empress of the Splendid Season," " Mr. Ives' Christmas," "The Fourteen Sisters of Emilio Montez O'Brien" and "Our House in the Last World." People we've lost in 2013 . | Hijuelos was the first Latino to win the prestigious award for fiction .
He wrote the 1989 novel "The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love"
Hijuelos, 62, died from sudden cardiac arrest, his agent says . |
158,990 | 5988296eaed6e0febfe511fed4005bb5bc3b982e | Nik Wallenda may have completed an incomprehensible feat by calmly staying on a tightrope between Chicago skyscrapers last night - but it appears that his ratings took a tumble. The daredevil's successful walks on Sunday were watched by an average of 5.8 million Discovery Channel viewers - compared to 8.5 million people who watched him cross the Grand Canyon in 2013. On Sunday night, the average peaked at 6.7 million people who tuned in to watch him walk the tightrope while wearing a blindfold - but that fell far short of the peak of 13 million viewers last year. Last year's stunt shattered records across social media platforms as Wallenda's walk generated 1.3 million tweets - making it the top social show in the U.S., Deadline reported. Crowd pleaser: Nik Wallenda is pictured as he crosses a tightrope between two Chicago skyscrapers on Sunday evening. Around 6.7 million people tuned in to watch this part of his stunt . Astonishing: Wallenda is pictured making his tightrope walk uphill at a 19-degree angle from the Marina City west tower across the Chicago River to the top of the Leo Burnett Building on Sunday evening . Sunday's feat was broadcast on a ten-second delay on the Discovery Channel in case Wallenda, who was not wearing a safety harness, fell from the rope - giving the network a chance to cut away. Entertainment Weekly pointed out that November is a more competitive time of the year for ratings compared to June, when he walked across the Grand Canyon. The city said that about 65,000 people watched Sunday night's event in person - as Wallenda broke Guinness World Records for the highest inclined tightrope walk and the highest blindfolded walk. The first wire was suspended more than 500ft above the Chicago River at a 19-degree incline; it was supposed to be suspended at 15 degrees, but a last-minute change made for a steeper challenge. The 35-year-old completed it in six minutes and 52 seconds. He had planned to take a selfie halfway along the rope but decided the winds were too high to attempt it. Second, he donned a blindfold for a shorter walk between two skyscrapers and completed it in one minute, 17 seconds. Before the walk, he said it was going to be the toughest challenge of his career. Popular: Wallenda had an average peak of 13 million viewers as he crossed the Grand Canyon last year . Crowds: The city of Chicago said that about 65,000 people watched Sunday night's event in person . If he slipped, Wallenda intended to grab the wire as he fell, at which point rescuers would be able to slide down the wire to catch him. He said that he would be able to cling on to the wire for as long as 30 minutes waiting for rescue - but luckily, there was no need. His next televised stunt will come next July when he is aiming to retrace the steps of his great-grandfather, Karl Wallenda, and cross Georgia's Tallulah Gorge. He hopes to walk the rope at the same time footage of his great-grandfather plays - but he has yet to master the two headstands the older man completed on the rope in July 1970. | The daredevil, 35, walked a steep tightrope between two Chicago skyscrapers on Sunday and then crossed to another wearing a blindfold .
An average of 5.8 million people tuned into the Discovery Channel to watch and the number of viewers peaked at 6.7 million as he used the blindfold .
Ratings fell far short of his Grand Canyon walk in 2013, when an average of 8.5 million people tuned in - and 13 million watched the actual walk . |
68,703 | c2d6b491f65f69a4d7954db70dce1bccdc980cc8 | Bamako, Mali (CNN) -- After intense diplomacy, the government of Mali and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have agreed that troops from the West African regional block can be based in the capital of Bamako, as a step toward ending conflict in the northern part of the country. According to the agreement between the Malian government and ECOWAS, authorities have given the green light for a logistics base on the outskirts of the city. "There will be no foreign troops fighting in the capital. In return, ECOWAS requires operational headquarters and a base in Bamako together with a police force," said Nouhou Togo, communications Officer at Mali's Ministry of Defence. United Nations backing for the force will be sought this week by the Malian government and ECOWAS, and is likely to be followed by further negotiations. "A crisis like this is not solved over night. It takes time and preparation. Though, when that day comes, the Malian army is ready to go in the north," said Togo. Following a military coup in the capital in March, Islamists seized control of two-thirds of the Texas-sized nation. Mali -- seen as a stable democracy and an example for other less stable countries in the region -- was thrown into chaos. Islamist groups -- some of them with links to al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, or AQIM -- swiftly seized key towns in the vast and scarcely populated north. Soon after taking the towns of Kidal, Gao and Timbuktu, they implemented a hardline form of sharia law including capital and corporal punishments for relatively minor offenses. Thieves had their hands and feet amputated while a couple accused of adultery were stoned to death. Plans for a large presence of ECOWAS troops has been fueling political tensions in Bamako for weeks. Over the last month, the West African regional block has had 3,300 regional troops on standby waiting for a go-ahead from Bamako. Meanwhile Interim President Dioncounda Traore has opposed a regional force based in Bamako. Capt. Amadou Haya Sanogo, who led a military junta that toppled the government in March, has made it clear that he does not want ECOWAS troops in the south of the country, which he argues is already secured by the Malian military. Resistance to an actual force in the Malian capital has also come from several groups, outspoken politicians and the Malian people worried about foreign troops flooding into the capital. The request for 3,000 troops to help defeat the Islamists and regain control of the north will be considered during a meeting chaired by U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday. Before the deployment can go ahead, it will need a mandate from the Security Council, which earlier rejected an intervention plan because of a lack of detail. Following the agreement announced Sunday regarding ECOWAS troops, there are still uncertainties about the details of troop deployment. "The question is if the Malian military is ready to go fight in the north. So far I have not seen any proof of this," says Gilles Yabi, a researcher with the International Crisis Group, a Brussel-based nongovernment organiztion seeking to end conflicts. "The government is still very disorganized and has not been able to agree with the Malian military regarding troops deployment," said Yabi, from Dakar in neighboring Senegal. Given that most of the Islamist northern strongholds are in urbanized areas, a military intervention risks harming civilians and even more displacement. According to U.N. figures, over 450,000 Malians have already been displaced from their homes -- an ECOWAS intervention could well raise that number. "In any scenario a military intervention will have serious humanitarian implications. To date, there has been very little fighting since government forces fled the north -- for the most part armed groups simply carved up the territory. But once the government in Bamako begins to act, conflict in the north will escalate," said Bertrand Soret at the European Union liazon office in Bamako. At some point, argues Yabi, the use of force will probably be necessary to neutralize transnational armed groups that indulge in terrorism, jihadism and drug and arms trafficking, and to restore Mali's territorial integrity. "To stabilize Mali, the government will have to agree with the Algerian politicians to tackle the influx of arms and combatants between a Libya still struggling after the fall of (Moammar) Gaddafi and northern Mali through southern Algeria," said Yabi. "Minimal and sustainable security in northern Mali cannot be re-established without the clear involvement of the Algerian political and military authorities. This is not something the Malian army and ECOWAS forces will be able to tackle themselves." | After a military coup in March, Islamists seized two-thirds of Mali .
The West African regional block has had 3,300 regional troops on standby .
Mali and the West African group have reached an agreement .
Troops can be based in the capital of Bamako, as a step toward ending conflict . |
109,546 | 1933e9ec3df6e098c763214b7a3e3793741bf827 | By . Lydia Warren . PUBLISHED: . 09:03 EST, 8 November 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 09:09 EST, 8 November 2013 . A Manhattan nanny accused of stabbing two children to death has claimed to have no memory of the killings, asking, 'who did that to them?' when confronted with gory images of their bloodied bodies. Yoselyn Ortega's attorney revealed that the grisly photos of six-year-old Lucia Krim and her two-year-old brother, Leo, failed to jar her client. 'These photos are very graphic,' Valerie Van Leer-Greenberg said after an evidence hearing in Manhattan Supreme Court on Thursday. Denial: Yoselyn Ortega, who is accused of . killing 2 children in her care last year, is pictured in court in July. She has claimed she had nothing to do with it and acted . surprised when she saw images of their bodies . She said that after showing Ortega the images, 'she turns to me and says, "Oh, my God, who did that to . them?" She has no mind, no memory of the . incident', the New York Daily News reported. Ortega has claimed she had nothing to do with the grisly deaths of Lucia and Leo in their parents' Upper West Side apartment in October 2012. Their mother, Marina, returned home with her other daughter, then three, to find their tiny bodies in the bathtub with Ortega allegedly slitting her own throat next to them in an attempt to take her life. Ortega, a 50-year-old Dominican immigrant, has been charged with murder but maintains she is innocent. A judge has declared her mentally fit to stand trial. On Thursday, she appeared in court . wearing a gray sweatshirt with the scar to her neck still visible. She . stayed silent throughout the hearing, the Daily News reported. She was ordered to return to court on December 12 for another pretrial conference. Loss: Lulu Krim was found murdered in the bathtub at her family's Upper West Side home in October 2012 . Missed: Two-year-old Leo Krim was also stabbed to death in the bathtub and found by his mother . In June, she claimed in an interview that she had nothing to do with the deaths, saying, 'I didn't do that. Someone else did.' When Ortega was questioned by police after awaking from a coma, she had attempted to paint Mrs Krim in a bad light, shifting part of the blame for the tragedy on her. Ortega, who had told neighbors and family that she was short of money, reportedly said she resented her employers because they kept telling her what to do and asked her to do the housework. The Krims have since began to rebuild their lives. Last month, they welcomed a son, Felix. 'We are very excited to share with you . that Felix Harrison Krim, all 8 pounds, 10 ounces, and 21.5 inches of . him, arrived today. Marina, Felix and all of us are healthy and happy,' they wrote on Facebook. Family: Marina and Kevin Krim have since welcomed another son, who was born last month . Looking to the future: Kevin Krim spoke on Wednesday evening at a fundraiser for their nonprofit, the Lulu and Leo Fund, named after their children. They thanked friends and family for their support . And earlier this week, they held a fundraiser for their nonprofit, the Lulu and Leo Fund, . In a rare public speech at the event, Kevin Krim said that the couple found a reason to go on by leaning on each other, and their friends and family. 'We had every reason to feel alienated from the world after this happened,' he said. 'And to really, truly survive and to live again, we had to have a reason to live.' He said they miss their children every day, and they will forever. 'We are just heartbroken,' he said. 'But they inspire us every day as well. Their lives give us a purpose.' | Yoselyn Ortega 'stabbed Lucia Krim, 6, and Leo Krim, 2, to death in a bathtub in their Manhattan home last year before trying to kill herself'
But she has claimed she had nothing to do with the murders .
She is back in court next month for another pre-trial hearing . |
132,119 | 36df16411ff247289eefdeb3b28c875caba5e07a | Newcastle manager Alan Pardew is to ease the workload on his players after admitting they have been pushed to the limit. The Magpies have put together a run of five successive victories, four of them in the Barclays Premier League, to completely change the complexion of their season. However, they have lost men along the way to injury, some of them on the training ground, and that is something the manager and his coaching staff will look to address as they attempt to strike a balance between achieving the highest possible fitness levels and the demands that places on the squad. Alan Pardew has admitted to pushing Newcastle players 'to the limit' in training recently . Newcastle celebrate Ayoze Perez's winner against Liverpool earlier this month - one of five victories in a row . Pardew told the Shields Gazette: 'I met my staff and we are going to change one or two things. We are pushing these players to the limit. We're trying to get the maximum we can out of them, and if you do that, you are going to lose players here and there. 'The other players, you can tell, are really super-fit, and we're strong. But we still need a few more bodies back. 'As a group, we have to make sure we protect the players and give them the best possible chance to be at their maximum on a Saturday. 'We're pushing the players, and we're going to get injuries. We're pushing them because we want them to be fitter and stronger than everybody else, and so you've got a balance there. Pardew watches on from the touchline during the 2-0 win over West Brom at the Hawthorns . 'We've just got to make sure we get that right, because we lost one or two that perhaps we shouldn't have.' Captain Fabricio Coloccini is one of the men currently on the casualty list, although he picked up his calf problem in the 2-0 win at West Brom last time out and could be missing for several weeks. With Steven Taylor battling a similar injury, the Magpies recalled 20-year-old Remie Streete from his loan spell at Port Vale last week, although Taylor is hopeful of being fit for QPR's visit to St James' Park on Saturday. Captain Fabricio Coloccini could be out for several weeks with a calf injury . | Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew to ease workload in training .
Pardew admits to pushing players to the limit after poor star to season .
Newcastle have since won five consecutive matches .
Captain Fabricio Coloccini one of several players out injured . |
20,678 | 3aad69ac9173d0db3e5f477b85d4a2ae8b26d019 | By . Matt Barlow for MailOnline . Daniel Sturridge's place in the England squad to face Switzerland is in doubt after he picked up a thigh injury during training on Friday. Roy Hodgson's men begin their European Championship qualifying campaign in Basle on Monday against the side ranked ninth in the world. It is a match they may well be without Sturridge for after the striker sustained a knock in training at St George's Park on Friday morning. VIDEO Scroll down to watch England training at St. George's Park before opening qualifier . Blow: Daniel Sturridge picked up a knock during England training at St George's Park . Waiting game: Sturridge will have a scan before being assessed by England medics . Striker light: If Sturridge is ruled out, Wayne Rooney (L) may have to lead the line on his own . A post via the team's official Twitter account, @england, said: 'Daniel Sturridge felt an injury in training this morning and will go for a scan this afternoon. He will then be assessed by England medics.' Sturridge's absence could see his Liverpool teammate play in the No 10 role supporting Wayne Rooney as the main striker. Gary Cahill was the only absentee as England continued preparations at St George's Park after the Chelsea defender aggravated a sore ankle during the 1-0 win against Norway on Wednesday. Hodgson expects Cahill to return to the group on Saturday and be fit to face the Swiss after already having lost two of his original 22-man squad to injuries. Jack Colback returned to Newcastle having failed to recover from a kick on the ankle suffered against Crystal Palace, and Ben Foster has pulled out with a thumb problem. Tweet and sour: England confirmed the Liverpool striker's injury on their official Twitter account . On the mend: Gary Cahill is expected to return after injury his ankle in 1-0 victory over Norway . | England face Switzerland in opening Euro 2016 qualifier on September 8 .
Daniel Sturridge rated doubtful after picking up a knock in training .
Gary Cahill should recover but Roy Hodgson has already lost Jack Colback and Ben Foster . |
117,719 | 23fdf6c5f7a20422383354f56dc6da42b62cb16a | By . Mike Dawes . Liverpool middleweight Antony Fowler is relishing his role as public enemy number one after ending the hopes of home favourite Kieran Smith at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The former world bronze medallist, who is the cousin of Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler, proved too strong for the game Smith, ramming home thumping hooks throughout the three-round contest which he won clearly on points. Fowler made the most of the hostile atmosphere, raising his arms to salute the predominantly Scottish crowd at the start, and ending the contest with an in-ring Ali Shuffle. Winner: Antony Fowler (left) celebrates victory over Scotlands Kieran Smith . Triumph: He is through to the quarter-finals . Legend: He is the cousin of Liverpool hero Robbie Fowler . Fowler said: 'That is one of my best nights in my life so far and hopefully the gold medal, then I’ll be the happiest man in here. 'I was up against it with the crowd and obviously the judges can be swayed but I had to make it clear and I was making it clear because I was landing big, heavy shots. 'It was a great fight. I was expecting to be chasing him around the ring but he came to me – I was shocked. 'I was just boxing clever.' Left Hook: Fowler (right) lays one on Scotland's Smith . Punch up: The duo were fighting in the Middlweight (75kg) category . | Antony Fowler beats Scotland's Kieran Smith at Commonwealth Games .
English fighter now progresses through to quarter-finals of middleweights .
He is the cousin of Livepool legend Robbie Fowler . |
178,788 | 73787e717761c77c8aeb1bf8786b551bf00250fd | By . Annabel Fenwick Elliott . A provocative Tumblr blog called Women Against Feminism is kicking up a predictable storm amongst women who do identify as feminists. The blog collects photos of women posing with hand-written signs that all begin: 'I don't need feminism because...' - and are peppered with a variety of reasons, common themes including: 'I am not a victim,' 'I'm proud to be a stay-at-home mom,' and 'I love chivalry.' Largely, the response to this blog - especially to posts such as 'I don't need feminism because I like when men say compliments about my body!' - has been less than favorable, with reactions ranging from mockery and disregard, to all-out horror. Speaking out: Women Against Feminism is a Tumblr blog which invites people to pose with their own reasons as to why they are anti-feminist, and has attracted both support and a backlash . The campaign is reminiscent of the 2012 Who Needs Feminism Tumblr, which invited women to share their reasons for being pro-feminist, although Women Against Feminism don't claim their blog is a response to it. Women Against Feminism has triggered countless angry responses, largely accusing . submitters of having completely missed the concept of feminism, and branding them 'naive,' 'selfish,' and 'poorly educated.' Posts such as these were especially criticized: 'I don't need feminism because my . self-worth is not directly tied to the size of my victim complex!' And: 'As a woman in the Western world, I am not . oppressed and neither are you!' As . a point of reference, the dictionary definition of the term describes . feminism as: 'The theory of the political, economic, and social equality . of the sexes.' The anonymous founder of the blog feels, however, that many modern feminists don't subscribe to this. 'Feminism is not what it claims to be,' she writes. 'Anyone can recite a dictionary definition. But my rejection of feminism comes from more real-life reasons.' Loving life: Many of the submitters feel the war has already been won in terms of gender equality . History: This woman is referring to Susan Brownell Anthony, the American social reformer who played a pivotal role in the women's suffrage movement, which resulted in women's right to vote in 1920 . Popular view: The feeling that feminism contradicts the traditions of a family is a commonly occurring thread for the Women Against Feminism . Stay-at-home mom: Many women defended their husbands or other male family members from what they feel is unfair prejudice . 'I don't need feminism because I don't need to grow out my body hair to prove I'm equal to men,' one submission reads. Another vented: 'Respecting my husband as the MAN in our marriage does not make me less of a woman! I don't need to demonize men.' 'How the f**k am I supposed to open jars and lift heavy things without my husband?' Also found on Women Against Feminism are frequent posts from stay-at-home moms, such as: 'I don't need feminism because I made my own choice to be a stay at home mother and my working husband should not be harassed.' Then there were several mentions of rape, with one woman posting: 'I don't need feminism because getting drunk at a party and having sex with a stranger is just irresponsibility, not rape!' And on a lighter note, one woman with the reasoning: 'How the f**k am I supposed to open jars and lift heavy things without my husband?' Loves cooking: This woman feels that feminists have a tendency to 'whine hysterically' until people 'buy' them stuff, and that children are considered punishment . Independent: The blog has triggered a storm of critics, largely women who do consider themselves feminists and feel the submitters (such as this woman) have got the concept of feminism wrong altogether . No victim: Plenty of submitters resent being considered 'weak' just because they are women . The blog prompted one feminist, writer Rebecca Brink, to respond with a slew of satirical posts. 'I don't need feminism because I want boys to like me,' reads one, while another states: 'I don't need feminism because the only way I think I can get along in this world is by pandering to the status quo and sh***ing on other women.' 'I don't need feminism because I'm a teenager who hasn't entered the workforce yet' She also fed into the shared view of several others, that many of the Women Against Feminism submitters were simply too young to fully understand certain issues surrounding the concept. 'I don't need feminism because I'm a teenager who hasn't entered the workforce yet and I don't know what constant sexual harassment or watching unqualified people get promoted over me feels like,' Ms Brink posted. True stories: This women says she was bullied by a female teacher for wanting to be a wife and mother, and feels feminism fuels such treatment . Body hair: While some submissions were rambling, others kept their views simple and to-the-point . Stigma: This woman says her brothers have been unfairly demonized all their lives for being male . Joanne Sandler, a feminist who has been working with women's right initiatives in more than 80 countries for over 40 years, spoke to MailOnline about her view on the Women Against Feminism blog. 'If the women "don't need" feminism . because they have transcended gender discrimination... They've achieved a feminist utopia' She said: 'If the women "don't need" feminism because they have transcended gender discrimination and inequality, more power to them... They've achieved a feminist utopia. That's good news! 'The fact that they understand feminism in a way that is different from my daily reality and understanding is something that I can live with. 'I hope they keep talking about feminism. We need the publicity. It will guarantee that feminism will still be there when and if they are interested.' Easy: This woman doesn't need feminism, it appears, because it goes against chivalry . Not rape: It is not entirely clear why this woman chose to broadcast her message naked . In response to the backlash they have faced, Women Against Feminism issued the following statement on its Facebook page, which has amassed over 13,800 'likes' and counting: 'So feminists have been calling us lots of names lately. 'Basically they are saying, "You're too stupid to know what you want. You need us to tell you what's good for you. And if you try to get away, we will throw insults"... Are all feminists like this? No. Are a lot of them like this? Yes. Just look at how the "feminist media" has treated us this week.' It may be a hot topic this week, but this is not a new debate. Girls creator Lena Dunham has previously weighed in on the subject, saying: 'So many women have come to this idea of it being anti-male - but what feminism is about is equality and human rights.' Opinions differ: Lena Dunham (left) wants to ditch the 'anti-male' label from the feminist equation, Ellen Page (center) thinks we still live in a 'patriarchal society' and Lana Del Rey (right) thinks feminism is 'boring' Actress Ellen Page thinks the battle for gender equality is far from won, stating: 'I don't know why people are so reluctant to say they're feminists. Could it be any more obvious that we still live in a patriarchal world when feminism is a bad word?' And as for songstress Lana Del Rey, she's over the whole thing altogether. 'Whenever people bring up feminism, I'm like, god. I'm just not really that interested,' she said in a recent interview. 'For me, the issue of feminism is just not an interesting concept.' | The Tumblr blog invites women to pose with their own reasons for being anti-feminist .
One claims that feminism 'demonizes traditional family constructs'
Critics have labeled submitters as 'naive,' 'selfish,' and 'poorly educated' |
55,234 | 9c79a8acaa206a22f978e69e443754e1b3f5ea6f | Life after Luis Suarez got off to a stuttering start for Liverpool as they were made to work hard by Southampton at Anfield, before emerging victorious. Saints, who had sold three of their stars to Brendan Rodgers' side this summer, put up a strong fight, coming from behind with Nathaniel Clyne cancelling out Raheem Sterling's opener. But Daniel Sturridge struck from close range late on to give the hosts a winning start to the season. Sportsmail's Dominic King gives his opinion on the performances from both sets of players. VIDEO Scroll down for Rodgers: Sturridge has best 50 game record in Liverpool history . Opener: Raheem Sterling celebrates putting Liverpoool 1-0 up after a sumptuous ball from Jordan Henderson . Back on terms: Clyne smashes Southampton level giving Ronald Koeman hope of a point in his first game . Winner: England striker Daniel Sturridge pokes home Liverpool's second goal from close range . Liverpool (4-2-3-1) Simon Mignolet – A couple of smart stops in the first half and, like last season, came to Liverpool’s rescue late on with a fabulous finger-tip stop to thwart Schneiderlin – 7.5 . Javier Manquillo – Made a few thumping challenges and showed a willingness to defend. Encouraging Premier League debut from the Spaniard, who will improve with games – 7 . Martin Skrtel – Played with experience and composure. Looking to form a solid partnership with Lovren, couldn’t get to Clyne with a last ditch tackle when Southampton equalised – 7 . Dejan Lovren – Given an acerbic reception by his old supporters but never paid any attention; a couple of robust challenges and some excellent long passing made this an impressive debut – 7 . Saving the day: Mignolet had to be at his best to deny Southampton, tipping one strike brilliantly onto the bar . Well-know opponent: Lovren was making his Liverpool debut against his former club . Glen Johnson – Facing a fight to maintain his position as a regular starter; made one crucial block to deny Ward-Prowse a certain goal but looked uncomfortable on the left flank – 5.5 . Steven Gerrard – Steady without being spectacular from the captain, never wasted a pass and had more of an influence when Lucas was replaced by Allen – 7 . Lucas – Chosen ahead of Emre Can for his experience but saw his afternoon end prematurely when replaced by Joe Allen after failing to exert a significant influence – 5 . Jordan Henderson – Played the pass of the match to set Sterling scampering away for Liverpool’s opening goal; his usual honest, energetic performance – 7 . Philippe Coutinho – A Brazilian with a number of gifts but this was an afternoon when he spent too long on the periphery, failing to provide any kind of service for Sturridge – 5 . Encouraging: Coutinho (left) showed few flashes of his quality, never really unlocking the Southampton defence . Raheem Sterling – Took his goal with great style and threatened to give Southampton nightmares with his speed on the counter; came up with the crucial head on to provide the winner for Sturridge – 8.5 . Daniel Sturridge – Got involved early, with a shot that fizzed wide and a shout for a penalty, but then disappeared from view for long spells, until popping up when it mattered – 6.5 . Southampton (4-2-3-1) Fraser Forster – Powerless to prevent either of Liverpool’s goals but wasn’t overly-worked on his Premier League debut. Didn’t have to make a save of note – 6.5 . Solid: Forster, who could do little about either Liverpool goal, beats away a shot from Sterling . Nathaniel Clyne – Full of invention and energy, took his goal with the confidence and swagger of someone with much more experience. Will be pushing for an England call on this evidence – 7 . Jose Fonte – Didn’t have his normal partner to back him up but made no difference; he carried on tackling and controlling Southampton’s defence, impressed with some hefty late challenges – 7.5 . Maya Yoshida – Perhaps lucky to get away with a silly tackle on Sturridge in the first half but, otherwise, wasn’t given a difficult afternoon by Sturridge – 6.5 . New Saint: Ryan Bertrand was one of eight new signings to make their debut at Anfield . On target: Clyne smashed home after bursting into the Liverpool box to draw Saints level . Ryan Bertrand – Honest and hard-working, he covered miles down the left flank. Couldn’t cut out the cross that ultimately led to Liverpool’s late winner – 7 . Victor Wanyama – Protected Southampton’s defence with great diligence, caused problems for Liverpool with his muscular aggression when he powered forward. Didn’t deserve to be on the losing side – 7.5 . Morgan Schneiderlin – No doubting his commitment to Southampton here; tackled relentlessly, covered miles and was desperately unlucky late on not to secure Southampton a point – 8 . Steven Davis – Will spend the next week running over the chance he fluffed in front of The Kop to give Southampton what would have been a crucial lead. His face told the story – 6 . Prolific: Vincent Wanyama made more successful tackles in the first half than the whole Liverpool team . James Ward-Prowse – Superb afternoon from the England Under-21 international, full of energy and invention. A number of fine set piece deliveries and kept running into dangerous areas – 8 . Dusan Tadic – Southampton look to have bought well, as he caused Liverpoolo trouble all afternoon and provided a magnificent back heel pass to Clyne. Standing ovation from away fans when he was substituted – 8 . Graziano Pelle – Struggled to make any kind of impression and was kept under a tight-rein by Lovren and Skrtel. Didn’t have any chance to cause problems – 5 . Good start: Dusan Tadic impressed on debut for Southampton, laying on a goal for Clyne with a lovely touch . Referee – Mark Clattenburg . Attendance – 44,736 . | Sterling puts Liverpool ahead in first half .
Clyne strikes back to level for Southampton .
Sturridge wins the game for Liverpool with late close-range goal .
Mignolet makes stunning late save to preserve the three points . |
278,884 | f54edb2ef62dfe16a11b31a3c0d0bfe2f2b60554 | By . Rob Waugh . PUBLISHED: . 04:05 EST, 23 April 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 12:41 EST, 23 April 2012 . One of the mostly hotly anticipated mobile phones this year could finally be unveiled to the public today. A Samsung website entitled 'tgeltaayehxt' - an anagram of 'the Next Galaxy' offered a countdown - although the site is overwhelmed with such demand it's difficult to access. But solving the word puzzle seems only to unlock a further preview - for an even on May 3 in London, where details of the iconic Android will presumably be released. Scroll down for video . The new website - whose name is an anagram of 'The Next Galaxy' has a timer which expires at midday UK time . Samsung recently surpassed Nokia to become the world's biggest phone company. Bloggers and other tech fans have already 'leaked' details of the new handset - including a video purported to be of a finished model. The . Samsung Galaxy S3, expected to rival the iPhone when it goes on sale . next month, has appeared online in a Vietnamese video posted on YouTube. The . gadget appears to have a 4.6-inch display and a 720p display, with the . handset being powered by a 1.4Ghz quad core processor. The leak comes via well-regarded Vietnamese site Tinhte, which previously revealed the Samsung Galaxy Tab and parts from the new iPad. It reveals footage of the new device for the first time . The leak comes via . well-regarded Vietnamese site Tinhte, which previously revealed the . Samsung Galaxy Tab and parts from the new iPad. It reveals footage of the new device for the first time. It is also expected to boast an 8 megapixel camera, 16Gb of storage and NFC technology allowing it to double as a credit card. Its 720 x1184 . 4.6-inch screen is expected to have a slightly lower resolution than . the iPhone 4S, but on a bigger 4.6inch screen compared to the iPhone’s . 3.5inch. Its 720 x1184 4.6-inch screen is expected to have a slightly lower resolution than the iPhone 4S, but on a bigger 4.6inch screen compared to the iPhone¿s 3.5inch . 16GB of storage plus a microSD card slot are also mentioned, along with a 2,050mAh battery. The mystery phone has the model number GT-i9300, expected to be the model number for the Galaxy S3. The handset is also running Ice Cream Sandwich, the latest version of Google’s Android software. However, . experts warn that the final phone may look radically different - the . leaked video is believed to have a ‘fake’ case to guard against leaks . ahead of the expected May 3rd launch. | Countdown expires at midday today .
Site name is anagram of 'The Next Galaxy'
Hi-tech handset expected to be biggest rival to Apple's iPhone 5 . |
273,517 | ee50c806f1bd7a93416c80489e71efbdff7cbeed | (CNN) -- Her popstar boyfriend has written a song about her "heart of a champion," but Victoria Azarenka is struggling to get on court at the moment. The Belorussian is unbeaten in 17 matches this year, but she has now suffered her third withdrawal of the season after a late pullout at the Miami Masters on Friday. She cited the ankle injury that forced her to miss last week's quarterfinal against Caroline Wozniacki at Indian Wells, allowing Maria Sharapova to take the No. 2 ranking spot from her. "The last two days I tried to practice, which did not get better so it just gives me a very obvious indication that it's not possible for me to play," Azarenka told reporters at Key Biscayne, where she was champion in 2009 and 2011 and this year had a first-round bye. "Today I went on the court and I got more pain. I cannot really move. It makes me very frustrated." The Australian Open champion has been dating LMFAO's Redfoo, whose new song "Heart of a Champion" samples the tennis star's trademark grunting and includes the lines "You gotta start aggressive, Keep your feet moving, You gotta really want it, With everything you're doing." It even apparently alludes to her controversial Australian Open semifinal against Sloane Stephens, when the 23-year-old angered fans by taking a lengthy medical break at a crucial point in the match against the U.S. newcomer, citing breathing difficulties. The chorus includes: "When you're losing your breathing, Your body is sore, To be the last one standing, In the eye of a storm, It takes the heart of a champion." Redfoo, the son of Motown Records founder Berry Gordy, is a keen tennis player himself and has entered in regional qualifying playoffs for this year's U.S. Open. The 37-year-old rapper will try to get through in both singles and doubles, in which he will partner Ayaka Okuno, 17, who he has been coaching. "It's always been a dream of mine to play professional tennis," he said in a statement last week. Azarenka's withdrawal allowed 19-year-old Lauren Davis into the main draw, and she took her chance -- saving three match points against Madison Keys before beating her fellow American 6-1 5-7 7-6 (9-7) in the second-round match. There was also a walkover in the men's event in Miami, as third seed David Ferrer progressed to the third round after Russia's Dmitry Turnsunov pulled out due to illness. The Spaniard will next play Italian 32nd seed Fabio Fognini. | World No. 3 Victoria Azarenka pulls out of Miami tournament due to ankle injury .
She was also forced to withdraw at Indian Wells due to the problem .
Azarenka's popstar boyfriend Redfoo has released a song dedicated to her .
He is a keen tennis player and has entered qualifying for the U.S. Open this year . |
24,117 | 4472919e5a2064ea78129128d5ff2b2e80ea0b5e | Crammed into tiny cages and barely able to breathe, hundreds of dogs are pictured packed into a truck in China destined to be served to diners at some of the country's dog meat restaurants. But the dogs, which were spotted in Guiyang in China's Ghizhou province, were saved by animal activists thanks to a rallying call on a social networking site made by a passing driver. The quick-thinking motorist, appalled at the site of the truck driving along one of the province's main highways, took pictures of the truck and posted them on Weibo, the Chinese equivalent of Twitter. Horrific: The truck carrying dogs destined to be served in restaurants in China was spotted on the highway in the Ghizhou province . Shocking: The animals were destined for the dinner table in restaurants in China before a motorist spotted the truck and alerted animal activists via Weibo . He wrote: 'Many of the dogs are dying, and some have died. Please help!' Some animal lovers who spotted the driver's post immediately took to the road to intercept the lorry while others put in calls to police. Officers were able to track down the lorry and stopped it at the next toll gate. The truck was then taken to a nearby police station and as word of the incident quickly spread online, more animal lovers turned up to help care for the dogs. The trade and transportation of animals in China has long been a subject of contention and has prompted criticism from western animal activists. Outraged: Animal activists helped to intercept the truck and unload the animals from it . Helpers: Animal lovers and vets begin to tend to the dogs once they have been unloaded from the truck . Appalling conditions: Dogs were crammed into the tiny cages and barely able to breath when the truck was apprehended by police . Some of the huge markets which sell dog meat for human consumption came under scrutiny several years ago when they were suspected as the origin of the SARS virus. In one of the huge markets on a 60 acre site in Guangzha, cages packed with dogs are piled high. When a sale is agreed the dogs are reportedly bludgeoned until they are close to death and then handed over to the buyer. Suffering: The rescued animals are pictured recovering after they are released from their cages . Injured: One of the rescued dogs is pictured laying on the ground as he recovers from his ordeal . Last year a group of animal activists were unsuccessful in their bid to stop a truck contaning some 500 dogs which was spotted at a service station on the Jingha Highway after they were attacked by thugs. Another group was more successful when a truck with 505 dogs packed inside was stopped in Yunnan province. Although the Chinese were the first t domestic dogs and keep them as pets, they have been consumed as food in the country for thousands of years. Vets and animal activists are pictured tending to some of the animals after their release . | The truck was spotted by a disgusted motorist in the Ghizhou province .
The quick thinking driver took pictures and posted them on the internet .
Animal activists set out to intercept the truck and police were called .
Officers stopped the lorry at the next toll gate . |
204,018 | 941c4940ecb3e58ec7b18de98235c78caab07089 | Ahead of this weekend's Premier League action, Sportsmail will be providing you with all you need to know about every fixture, with team news, provisional squads, betting odds and Opta stats. Here is all the information you need for West Brom's home clash with Hull... West Bromwich Albion vs Hull City (The Hawthorns) Team news . West Brom . West Brom head coach Tony Pulis almost has a fully fit squad to pick from for his first Barclays Premier League game in charge. Only Jonas Olsson is sidelined for the Baggies after achilles surgery and is a few weeks off returning. Joeleon Lescott (right) should return for West Brom after being rested for the FA Cup win over Gateshead . Joleon Lescott is likely to return after being rested for the 7-0 win FA Cup over Gateshead and Victor Anichebe is fit after a minor groin problem. Provisional squad: Foster, Myhill, Gamboa, Pocognoli, Wisdom, Dawson, McAuley, Lescott, Davidson, Morrison, Gardner, Brunt, Mulumbu, Baird, Blanco, Dorrans, Sessegnon, Varela, Anichebe, Ideye, Samaras, Berahino. Hull . Striker Sone Aluko is set to miss Hull's trip to West Brom on Saturday with a calf injury suffered in the FA Cup defeat at Arsenal. Michael Dawson will be back in the squad however after missing several weeks with a hamstring problem while fellow central defender James Chester (knee) should also be available after missing the Arsenal game. Michael Dawson is set for a Hull return having been out for a month with a hamstring injury . Andy Robertson (ankle), Liam Rosenior (hamstring), Gaston Ramirez (groin) and Mohamed Diame (knee) remain out. Provisional squad: McGregor, Jakupovic, Harper, Chester, Davies, Maguire, McShane, Figueroa, Bruce, Elmohamady, Livermore, Meyler, Ince, Brady, Quinn, Huddlestone, Hernandez, Jelavic, Sagbo. Kick-off: Saturday 3pm . Odds (subject to change): . West Brom EVENS . Draw 23/10 . Hull 14/5 . Referee: Neil Swarbrick . Managers: Tony Pulis (West Brom), Steve Bruce (Hull) Head-to-head league record: West Brom wins 16, draws 15, Hull wins 16 . Key match stats (supplied by Opta) West Brom have won just one of their last 10 Premier League matches (W1 D2 L7). Hull City have failed to score in eight of their last 12 Barclays Premier League matches. Allan McGregor has saved all three PL penalties he has faced including one in the reverse fixture. Hull and West Brom have met 47 times in the league with both sides winning 16 games. This will be the third time these two sides have met this season as apart from the 0-0 Premier League draw, the Baggies won 3-2 in the Capital One Cup back in September at the Hawthorns. West Brom have won just one league game since the start of November, which came in a 1-0 victory over Aston Villa at the Hawthorns in December when Craig Gardner struck for the Baggies . Hull are unbeaten in their last six league games against the Baggies (W3 D3). The Tigers have cleared seven shots off the line in the Premier League this season, more than any other side. Tony Pulis has had the better of his head to head meetings with Steve Bruce as a Premier League coach with four wins and just two defeats in eight meetings. West Brom have won only four of their last 24 Premier League matches at the Hawthorns (W4 D11 L9). The Baggies have only scored three goals in their last five Premier League home games. | West Bromwich Albion are close to fully fit with only Jonas Olsson out .
Tony Pulis ready to take charge of first Baggies Premier League game .
Michael Dawson set to return for Hull City after one-month absence .
Sone Aluko will miss Baggies trip to the Hawthorns with calf problem . |
34,586 | 6249f653449fce3417e6c973c2d5ab8a438c2b3d | By . Beth Stebner . PUBLISHED: . 11:34 EST, 4 May 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 15:01 EST, 4 May 2012 . One of the Colombian escorts embattled in the Secret Service scandal in Cartagena broke her silence today and spilled some sordid details of the night several of President Obama’s men became embroiled with scandal. Dania Suarez, 24, spoke in an exclusive interview to W Radio in Colombia, and told listeners in Spanish that one of the agents, identified as Arthur Huntington, was ‘heavily intoxicated.’ Huntington has since left the Secret Service. Scroll down for video . Prostitute Dania Suarez spoke out onW Radio and Caracol TV, in Madrid, Spain on Friday, her first public interview . Secret Service agents paid nine women after they took them back to their Colombian hotel rooms, including Dania, who was almost denied her fee entirely . The young single mother appeared in the studio looking tan, with her long, dark hair tumbling down her back. While she denies being a ‘prostitute,’ she said she requested ‘a little present’ of $800. She said that the luggage and documents in the suitcase in his hotel room were left out in the open, and could easily have been taken, if she were a spy, according to ABC News. Suarez also said she never would have complained about not being paid had she known the agent was part of Mr Obama’s security detail. She said she fled the country after the scandal broke for fear of retribution, and spent time in Dubai with a person she had met in Cartagena. She said in the interview that she will gladly sell her story and has contracted one of Colombia’s top lawyers, according to the interview. When asked whether or not she and Huntington had sex, she responded: ‘If I answer this, you will know what happened.’ However, she said that Huntington . ‘did not feel he got what he was being asked to pay for,’ which led to . the now-infamous feud and the scandal breaking out. Suarez said she considers herself an escort, because prostitutes ‘are lower class and live in brothels.’ A government report published earlier this week tells how the . Secret Service agents involved in the Colombian prostitution scandal . paid nine of the 12 women that they took home from the bar on that wild . evening. Hotel: The agent allegedly took the prostitute to his room in Cartagena's Hotel Caribe . The Secret Service submitted a . detailed report about what exactly happened on the night that a dozen . agents were partying at a bar in Cartagena while in the country to . protect the President. The report confirms that nine of the . women who went back to the Hotel Caribe with the agents were paid . thought their identities were not publicly revealed. The Washington Post says that the . 24-page report was submitted to the relevant congressional committees . who are investigating the scandal, and those officials will not release . the full extent of their findings. Investigators from the Secret Service . are continuing their hunt for more information about the evening, and so . far they have only spoken with those nine women. They are still looking . to talk to the remaining three women. So far, they have done background . checks on the first nine and have reported that none of them have . connections to terrorist organizations or drug cartels, which was a . major concern at the beginning of the scandal since they had access to . the Secret Service agent's hotel rooms. The women were aged between 20 and 39 years old. Taking care of business: Suarez said that she is now willing to sell her story . 'We’re going to use this as a base to . operate from, but we’re also waiting for those statements from the . women,' Congressman Peter King told The Washington Post. Mr King, one of those in charge of the . congressional investigations, said that speaking to the remaining three . women 'will fill in a lot of the gaps'. The . embarrassing prostitution scandal has resulted in the Secret Service . sending about 100 of its agents on an ethics training course. The agents will take part in two days of training this week from professors at Johns Hopkins University near Washington. The Secret Service has originally scheduled training for just 20 agents. But following the scandal, it expanded the course to include about 100. The university has previously worked with the Secret Service and so was deemed a good choice. Some of the new guidelines include: . The report also details the staff ranks of some of the dozen agents involved with the women in Cartagena, Colombia. Two were supervisory criminal investigators, three were snipers, three were part of a counterassault team. Nine of the 12 agents submitted to polygraph exams, while three chose not to cooperate. One of the three that did not submit . to a test was the man who initially caused the whole fiasco by refusing . to pay his prostitute in full. That man, identified as Arthur Huntington, would not pay the $800 he initially agreed to pay prostitute Diana Suarez. Huntington's wife, Jolie, told . relatives she will ‘make the marriage work’ with Arthur Huntington, her . husband of nearly 20 years. Friends and family of the couple say that he would never have intentionally hurt her. Huntington has left the agency since . the incident earlier this month, but the circumstances of his departure . are unclear. His home in Severna Park, Maryland reportedly went on sale . last week. Ms Suarez has previously told her side . of the story, saying she met Huntington and the other men in a local . bar and agreed to go back to their hotel. In the morning the hotel forced her to leave, but Huntington refused to hand over the $800 she believed she was owed. Police were called, setting off a . Secret Service investigation which involved 12 agents and another 12 . members of the military and which overshadowed Barack Obama's visit to . the Summit of the Americas. Protectee: The scandal eclipsed the point of the . summit; President Obama has made jokes at the Secret Service's expense . at last week's White House Correspondents' Dinner . Father: Huntington, who has now left the Secret Service, is said to be married with two children . The revelation came as the Secret . Service circulated 'enhanced standards of conduct' from director Mark . Sullivan in response to the prostitution scandal in Colombia. The document instructed employees to 'consider your conduct through the lens of the past several weeks.' Highlights of the guidelines included standards of conduct briefings for all protective visits and events. | Dania Suarez, 24, spoke out for the first time since the Secret Service scandal erupted in Cartagena, Colombia .
Said agents were drinking heavily and that former agent Arthur Huntington was a 'very clumsy dancer'
Wouldn't reveal whether or not they had sex . |
58,436 | a5b1138bb6e24208107fe90e4c77ff738e8002f6 | By . Daniel Miller . PUBLISHED: . 05:31 EST, 8 January 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 10:48 EST, 8 January 2014 . They already enjoy massages, nap rooms, free gourmet food and one paid day every week to focus on personal projects. Now the pampered employees of internet giant Google can add a private ferry service to their envy-inducing list of workplace perks. While others endure long commutes through heavy traffic every morning, lucky Googlers can step aboard the Google boat to be whisked effortlessly across San Fransisco Bay to the firm's California HQ near Redwood city. All aboard: Internet giant Google has chartered a private ferry to take employees from San Fransisco to their headquarters near Redwood City . The search engine has chartered passenger catamaran the Triumphant to take up to 150 workers from San Fransisco to Redwood with two services every workday morning and evening. Then from Redwood it's just a short hop to the rapidly expanding Googleplex headquarters at Mountain View. The firm has long been operating a large fleet of shuttle buses for their staff which have become a common sight on the streets of San Fransisco. Route: The Catamaran takes up to 150 passengers from San Fransisco across the bay to Redwood city . Destination: The internet giant's rapidly expanding Calfornia Headquarters named Googleplex . But the gleaming vehicles have have been angering many San Fransisco residents who see them as a symbol of the gap between the haves and the have nots and complain they should not be allowed to use the city's public bus stops. Recently the shuttle buses have been targetted of protesters, demonstrating over rapidly rising property prices and a spate of evictions across the city. A Google spokesman said in a statement: 'We certainly don’t want to cause any inconvenience to SF residents and we’re trying alternative ways to get Googlers to work.' The catamaran is part of a pilot program which the technology giant kicked off this week. Angered: Google's shuttle buses are being targetted by protestors who see them as a symbol of the gap between the haves and the have nots with many San Fransisco residents facing eviction . | Private passenger catamaran service launched across San Fransisco Bay .
It carries up to 150 workers to and from the Google HQ near Redwood city .
Firm's shuttle bus service had been targetted by angry protesters .
Employees already enjoy massages, free gourmet food and '20 per cent time' |
40,804 | 731662eac15e39977cc84d1c718e61ff8cb61467 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . An Arizona mom is in jail after allegedly trying to poison to death her four children on Christmas Day. Police say Connie Villa, 35, forced her kids aged 13, 8, 5 and 3 to swallow prescription narcotics, killing her oldest Aniarael Macias. Adam Villa first called police Wednesday night to report that his crazed ex-wife Connie had attacked and stabbed him repeatedly in the torso after luring him to her. Scroll down for video... Holiday horror: Connie Villa allegedly force-fed her four children narcotic drugs in an attempt to kill them on Christmas Day, killing her oldest. Villa's daughter Aniarael Macias, 13 (left), was found dead in the bathroom by police who forced their way into the home Wednesday night . Police forced themselves into the . home and found teenaged Aniarel dead in the bathroom. Connie was in the . kitchen after apparently turning the knife on herself. Mr. Villa arrived after he was lured there by his ex-wife, AZcentral.com . reports. He called authorities as he drove himself to the hospital. Left . behind were his three children, the younger surviving children, who . were at their mother's side as she held a knife to her chest and bled . from what looked to be self-inflicted stab wounds to her upper torso. The children appeared unharmed. Tests later discovered traces of opiates in each of their systems. Shocking: Connie Villa's ex-husband and father of her youngest three children Adam Villa says he was lured to her home at The Colony apartments in Casa Grande (pictured), where she stabbed him and then began stabbing herself . Connie Villa was admitted to a Pheonix-area hospital, where she was treated for he stab wounds. An autopsy was performed on the body of Aniarel by Pima County, but it wasn't able to determine a cause of death. A toxicology report could take up to three weeks. Meanwhile, . Aniarel's shocked family are left to wonder how and if a mother could . commit such an atrocity and released this statement: . 'On . behalf of Michael Macias, Ania’s father, Vera Macias, Ania’s . grandmother and extended family, we request that the focus of this . tragedy be a celebration of our precious Ania’s life. 'She . was a gentle, kind and beautiful spirit who was taken from us much too . soon. Michael and his family are heartbroken. Ania was always smiling. She loved her brothers and sisters. She enjoyed spending time with her . father and sister Gaby. 'We . are writing this statement in hopes that the media and other outlets . will allow Michael and our family to grieve peacefully. We thank . everyone for the outpouring of support for our family. We appreciate . your prayers and positive thoughts. We pray that justice will be . served.' Connie Villa has been released from the hospital and booked on one charge of first degree murder and four charges of attempted. Ana Mollet is a member of Mothers Of Preschoolers, also known as MOPS says Connie Villa belongs to the group and that’s how they met. 'I met her at one of the meetings. And just before school started she was looking for someone to give her daughters rides after school,” Mollett said. She volunteered and says Aniarael was a smart, sweet girl. 'I remember her as a fun-loving young lady and she really loved her brothers and sisters,' Mollett said. She and other mom in MOPS plan to put on a bake sale to help pay for Aniarael's funeral. 'When we heard the tragedy we said, ‘If there's any way we can help just let us know,’” Mollett said.Sarah Lamb is organizing the bake sale. She says Aniarael’s death hurts all of these women. 'As a mother you never want to see another mother lose their child,' Lamb said. They plan to hold the bake sale at the same place Connie’s family is holding a car wash. That’s at the Pep Boys in Casa Grande. | Connie Villa, 35, of Casa Grande, Arizona stands accused of murdering her 13-year-old daughter on Christmas .
Villa is also accused of attempting, but failing, to poison her three other children aged 3, 5, and 8 by forcing them to take narcotic drugs .
Her husband Adam Villa called police Wednesday to report that his wife had attempted to stab him before turning the knife on herself . |
87,184 | f75b2f527e6bb215f82156d14113cbd66f6d3b19 | By . Amy Oliver . PUBLISHED: . 11:29 EST, 29 May 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 13:07 EST, 30 May 2012 . A senior nurse was told by her boss that she was 'the wrong colour' to get a top job in nursing, a misconduct hearing was told. British-born Sarina Saiger, who has Indian heritage and a Phd, was advised to 'go back to where she came from' rather than try to become a director of nursing in Cumbria. The Nursing and Midwifery Council heard how Dr Saiger's boss, Bruce Skilbeck, made the remarks during a 2005 appraisal into her performance. Dr Saiger, who has already been awarded £115,000 in damages at an earlier tribunal after being sacked in 2008, said: ‘After we did a brief resume of the work I had been doing, I remember clearly he said technically I was the most brilliant nurse he had ever worked with. Victim: British, Dr Sarina Saiger, who has Indian heritage and a PhD, was labelled the 'wrong colour' to be a director of nursing in Cumbria . ‘But I would never be a director of nursing in Cumbria because I was the wrong colour and wrong culture for the organisation. ‘He said I needed to go back to where I came from to get a director of nursing position.’ Skilbeck, who was the director of nursing for North Cumbria Acute Hospitals NHS Trust but has now retired, has been hauled before the NMC charged with two counts of misconduct against Dr Saiger which was allegedly ‘racially motivated’ Halifax-born Dr Saiger had been parachuted into the trust in 2004 to raise standards as assistant director of nursing. She had excelled academically and harboured ambitions of going on to the top job, but was shot down by Skilbeck in the appraisal meeting on November 3, 2005, shortly after he joined the trust. Dr Saiger added: ‘I was just stunned, I have been a nurse since 1986 and I’ve faced many things in nursing. ‘It’s a difficult profession, but I never expected to hear that, not from someone who is supposed to be of an intellectually senior standing.’ A tearful Dr Saiger told the hearing how she was studying for her PhD and raising her son Michael while working in an increasingly hostile environment. She said: ‘I was finding things out after the event, excluded from meetings. My PA Maria was absolutely loyal and would get me information because I wasn’t kept informed. ‘I didn’t have an office; I was working out of the back of my car. Other nurses and senior managers who were appointed after me were given an office and a desk, and access to equipment. ‘I was actually quite lonely.’ Eventually, Dr Saiger launched a grievance against the trust, including the comments made by Skilbeck. But a prolonged investigation delivered a ‘whitewash’ which absolved senior managers of blame, she said. She said: ‘It was just a farce really. It completely and utterly absolved everyone and anything. ‘They would find reasons, excuses, policies - everything I was saying was completely untrue.’ Skilbeck is also accused of violently grabbing Dr Saiger by the arm and dragging her along a corridor, on May 31, 2007. Dr Saiger reported the incident, which left her with a badly bruised arm, to the police, but no charges were brought. She was sacked from her £42,000-a-year post in 2008, but launched an employment tribunal case which ruled she had been a victim of a campaign of racially-motivated discrimination and harassment. The tribunal found she had been subjected to an ‘intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment’. The tribunal upheld 16 of her 27 complaints and awarded her £115,000 in damages. Skilbeck, who is now retired, did not attend the hearing in central London today, but emailed papers to the NMC to support his case. The hearing into his alleged misconduct continues. Sorry we are unable to accept comments for legal reasons. | British-born Sarina Saiger has Indian heritage .
Told she was the 'wrong colour' to get top nursing job .
Former top boss Bruce Skilbeck charged with two counts of misconduct against Saiger .
Has already been awarded £115,000 in an employment tribunal after being sacked from her post in 2008 .
That tribunal ruled she had been subjected to an ‘intimidating, hostile environment' |
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