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149,940 | 4dda3249513e610909c08d73287e4a1d8e46e5ce | By . Ryan Kisiel and James Allcock . Last updated at 11:19 PM on 23rd February 2012 . A father yesterday told how his family was ‘broken’ by the death of their two-year-old daughter after she trapped her neck in the cord of a window blind. Two-year-old Emily Warner was left paralysed and suffered brain damage. She died months later following breathing and heart problems. Tragic: Emily Warner who died after she was accidentally hanged by a window blind cord at her home in Royston, Hertfordshire . Emily's father Jamie Warner, 30, has launched a campaign with his family against unsafe blind cords (left) and Emily, with her grandfather Graham Warner (right), after the accident when she was left brain damaged for three months . The inquest at Hatfield Coroner's Court heard Emily's father Jamie Warner found the two-year-old unconscious in her bedroom . Speaking after an inquest yesterday her father Jamie, 30, said: ‘Emmie was the light of our lives, such a wonderful little girl. ‘There is no one thing that is responsible, it was an accident. We didn’t see any danger because we weren’t looking.’ The little girl had been put to bed, . but stood up on the end of her bed-frame and was climbing across her . window sill when the accident happened. Mr Warner found her hanging unconscious on her tiptoes when he walked past her room a few minutes later. He attempted to resuscitate her as his wife called an ambulance. The tragedy happened on the evening of August 27 last year at the family home in Royston, Hertfordshire. Emily remained in a coma in hospital . for a week. When she came round she was left unable to walk, talk or . feed herself because her brain had been starved of oxygen. Two-year-olds Arthur Winfield (pictured above) and Emily Warner died following similar accidents over the past few months. Both the families have launched a safety campaign to warn other families of the dangers. Arthur's . father Oli, who lives in Markyate, Hertfordshire, said: 'You always . think your home is going to be a safe place, especially for your . children. 'We are totally . devastated at the loss of our precious boy and urge people to take heed . of the safety messages being made available through this campaign.' Arthur's accident was in the morning of Thursday, January 5, when he was in his bedroom. He died at Great Ormond Street Hospital in the early hours of Tuesday, January 10. An inquest has not taken place yet. Despite doctors observing on the . previous day that she was improving, she died in hospital following . breathing problems and a heart attack on December 1. At least 19 children have died since . 1999 in similar circumstances to Emily’s. Yesterday, Hertfordshire . Coroner’s Court heard how Mr Warner and his wife Tracey, who also have a . four-year-old son, James, could ‘have done nothing more’. A verdict of accidental death was recorded. Speaking after the accident, but . before Emily’s death, Mr Warner said: ‘James had been naughty so he had . been sent to bed at the same time as Emily. ‘When I went to tell him off for . making a noise, I checked in on her. Then I saw her hanging by the . window. If James hadn’t been sent to bed early I might not have gone to . check on her in time.’ The hearing comes after toddler . Arthur Winfield, also two, had a similar accident with a blind cord in . his bedroom in Markyate, Hertfordshire, on January 5. He died in . hospital five days later. Since the tragedy, the Warners have . helped to promote the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents and . British Blind and Shutter Association’s Make It Safe campaign. It is . calling for improvements to safety standards in blinds, such as . chain-break connections, to prevent further deaths. The couple told how the day after the accident they replaced all their vertical blinds with net curtains. Mr Warner, who works for a chemical . manufacturer said: ‘We don’t want other families to suffer in the way we . have. 'By taking some simple steps with your blinds you can protect your . children.’ Coroner Edward Thomas told the Warners: ‘This is so awful. I applaud you for trying to help other people.’ | Blind's loop string had got tangled around toddler Emily Warner's neck .
Father Jamie Warner, 30, thought she was just looking out of the window .
Emily was left brain damaged for three months before her death .
Her family have since campaigned against dangerous window blinds . |
119,108 | 25d4ad9600367ab35c7685463025580f17a553f9 | (CNN Student News) -- October 24, 2013 . Following reports on school violence in Massachusetts and Nevada, CNN Student News offers ideas on discussing this tough topic. Plus, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius responds to problems with the Obamacare website. We also go inside the United Nations for U.N. Day, and we report on a claim that a football blowout constituted bullying. On this page you will find today's show Transcript, the Daily Curriculum, Maps pertaining to today's show, and a place for you to leave feedback. TRANSCRIPT . Click here to access the transcript of today's CNN Student News program. Please note that there may be a delay between the time when the video is available and when the transcript is published. DAILY CURRICULUM . Click here for a printable version of the Daily Curriculum (PDF). Media Literacy Question of the Day: . Is there value in following international organizations (like the U.N.) on social media? Why or why not? What might be the benefits and drawbacks of doing so? Key Concepts: Identify or explain these subjects you heard about in today's show: . 1. school security . 2. Health and Human Services Department . 3. United Nations . Fast Facts: How well were you listening to today's program? 1. Why has Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius come under strong criticism recently? What does she tell CNN about the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) website? 2. What are some of the principal bodies of the United Nations? What are some of the duties of these groups? 3. What are the circumstances surrounding a claim of bullying against a football team's coaches? Discussion Questions: . 1. What questions do you have about recent news stories involving school violence? What concerns you about this issue? What school security measures are you familiar with? In your view, what else could be done to help students feel safe at school? When you discuss school violence with your family and friends, what comes up? 2. What role do you think the United Nations plays in the international community? What challenges might the U.N. face as it deals with global issues? 3. What was your opinion of the football game in which one team scored 91 points? In your view, did bullying factor in, as one parent complained? Why or why not? What might the winning and losing players say about this game? CNN Student News is created by a team of journalists and educators who consider the Common Core State Standards, national standards in different subject areas, and state standards when producing the show and curriculum. We hope you use our free daily materials along with the program, and we welcome your feedback on them. MAPS . Download PDF maps related to today's show: . North America . New York City; Aledo, Texas . FEEDBACK . We're looking for your feedback about CNN Student News. Please use this page to leave us comments about today's program, including what you think about our stories and our resources. Also, feel free to tell us how you use them in your classroom. The educators on our staff will monitor this page and may respond to your comments as well. Thank you for using CNN Student News! Click here to submit your Roll Call request. | This page includes the show Transcript, the Daily Curriculum, and Maps .
Use the Transcript to help students with reading comprehension and vocabulary .
The Daily Curriculum offers the Media Literacy Question of the Day, Key Concepts, Fast Facts and Discussion Questions .
At the bottom of the page, please share your feedback about our show and curriculum . |
51,278 | 9129f0c3d3ea628616f7ec6f4c9a5852e7d65935 | (CNN) -- A picturesque New York town is all abuzz and ready for its closeup as the countdown to Chelsea Clinton's wedding starts. Clinton, 30, is expected to wed investment banker Marc Mezvinsky, 32, on Saturday in Rhinebeck. The former first family is guarding details of the upcoming nuptials like state secrets, and has not released any information. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recently said she's "under very strict orders" not to talk about it. The order seems to extend to those involved in the planning. A host of vendors contacted by CNN declined to comment, including a florist rumored to be involved. CNN could not independently verify the wedding venue. The secrecy and silence have only fueled the speculation. Residents of Rhinebeck -- population 4,000 -- are hanging up congratulatory signs on windows. And talking to television crews. And hoping the influx of high-profile visitors will mean a boost in the town's economy. And ... well, you get the point. Local media have been crowing that the couple will wed at Astor Courts, a posh estate built more than a century ago along the Hudson River. The Beaux Arts building was one of the last buildings designed by the famous American architect Stanford White, according to the estate's website. Lynn Lobotsky, a local florist, recently told CNN that she's seen crews working around the clock along a stone wall leading up to the estate. "They even worked on Sunday," Lobotsky said. Adding to the speculation, the FAA has declared a no-fly-zone around Rhinebeck on Saturday and Sunday. The restriction is for "temporary flight restrictions for VIP movement," the FAA said on its website. Read the FAA's Temporary Flight Restriction notice . Rhinebeck resident Dan Landa is taking it all in stride. "With everything this wedding entails, I can't believe what's going to happen this weekend," Landa told CNN television affiliate YNN. "I can say I'll still treat it like a regular workday, regular old day in the life of me." Is there any rivalry between the Clintons hometown of Chappaqua -- and the town 100 miles north of New York city where the nuptials will take place? They shouldn't be, said resident Susan Cole. "To be honest, the Rhinebeck area needs the $3 million more than the Chappaqua area does," Cole told YNN. White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said President Barack Obama will not attend the nuptials. | A small New York town is all abuzz about Saturday's expected nuptials .
Hillary Clinton is "under very strict orders" not to discuss daughter's wedding .
Couple is expected to wed at Astor Courts in Rhinebeck . |
66,960 | bdf367938745eb39e2470b68bf1bfa3e14fa2f91 | By . Eleanor Crooks, Press Association . Amelie Mauresmo will leave thoughts of the future until after Andy Murray completes the defence of his Wimbledon title. Murray has not dropped a set on his way to the quarter-finals, where he is likely to face his stiffest test against 11th seed Grigor Dimitrov on Wednesday. The defending champion's excellence means Mauresmo's first experience of being Murray's coach at a grand slam has been largely stress-free. Short term: Amelie Mauresmo (right) is focusing on Andy Murray's (left) Wimbledon title defence . Future: Murray's coach says she will see after the grass court season finishes where she stands . Decision: The relationship was originally agreed just for the grass court season but could be extended . VIDEO Murray training with Mauresmo . Murray and Mauresmo's partnership is initially just for the grass-court season, although the idea from the start was for it to develop into something long term provided both are happy with how things go. The pair have not had any discussions about the future yet, with Mauresmo saying: 'I think we are both focusing on what's going on here and we'll see for that later.' Mauresmo was thrust into the limelight immediately when Murray announced her as his new coach after losing in the semi-finals of the French Open. They have had to do their bonding largely in front of the cameras but both have seemed happy and relaxed on the practice courts and Mauresmo is delighted with how things are going. 'Things are smooth,' she said. 'Everyone has really made me welcome in the team and I've got to know them all much better now. Things are smoother and smoother, I would say.' Dimitrov has been hyped since he was a junior and that only increased when his then coach Peter Lundgren rated him as better than Roger Federer at 18. High flyer: Murray has yet to drop a set on his way to the quarter-finals at Wimbledon . Watching brief: Mauresmo watches her new charge Murray on Centre Court in the fourth round . The nickname of Baby Fed has proved hard to shake off but Dimitrov is starting to become a force in his own right. Since linking up with tough Australian coach Roger Rasheed last October, the 23-year-old has won titles on all surfaces and reached his first grand slam quarter-final at the Australian Open. He is now through to that stage for a second time and is on an eight-match winning streak after succeeding Murray as Queen's Club champion two weeks ago. Murray, who came close to hiring Rasheed as his coach in 2011 before plumping for Ivan Lendl, said: 'He's a more mature player now, I think. 'He makes better decisions on the court than he used to. Watching him play, his strokes and stuff, technically he hasn't made many changes to his game. Form: Murray has won his last 11 straight matches at Wimbledon and is the defending champion . On the move: Murray's bid to reach defend his Wimbledon title sees his face Grigory Dimitrov in the last eight . 'But he's playing higher-percentage tennis, making better decisions. That adds up to winning many more matches. 'He can obviously hit a lot of different shots. He has a lot of variety in his game. Sometimes it takes time to know how to use that properly. He's starting to do that now. 'He's starting to come into his prime. He's won a lot of matches this year. He's a tough player. It will be a hard match for me.' Hello sirs! Sir Alex Ferguson (left) and Sir Richard Branson (right) watched Murray win his last-16 tie . | Mauresmo initially signed up to be Murray's mentor for grass court season .
If it is successful and they are both comfortable then could be extended .
Murray has not dropped a set on his way to the quarter-finals .
The Scot faces 11th seed Grigor Dimitrov on Wednesday in the last eight . |
187,332 | 7e9cd134ec9b1424980240dd89caa06bde6a3f6b | An American Revolutionary War-era cannon on decorative display in Manhattan's Central Park has been discovered to be loaded with a cannon ball - and even primed with gunpowder - during a routine cleaning. Park workers made the discovery Friday afternoon while refurbishing one of two cannons stored at Central Park's Ramble Shed, near the park's 79th Street entrance. Fire!: The cannon found to still have a cannon ball and gun powder inside it was donated to the park around the time of the Civil War . Live ammo: The loaded artillery piece hasn't been on display since 1996, but was publicly accessible in Central Park for more than 100 years before that time . Origins: The Central Park cannon was once used on the British naval ship, HMS Hussar, circa 1763. The ship was used to carry dispatches and military payroll during the American Revolution . The two guns were reportedly donated at the time of the Civil War - but had not been on public display since 1996. Still, the loaded cannon was reportedly accessible to the public for more than a 100 years before that time. 'It seems like some people are pretty incompetent not to notice after all these years,' an unidentified man told CBS New York. Cops were quickly summoned to the scene, and removed the gun powder so as to render the cannon incapable of firing. Ready to fire: An official gathers the actual gunpowder that still amazingly remained in the cannon after more than 200 years . Out of retirement: The cannon has been housed at the park's Ramble Shed, near its 79th St. entrance, but should soon make a reappearance on public display . 'We silenced British cannon fire in 1776 and we don't want to hear it again in Central Park,' NYPD spokesman Paul Browne said. The cannon originally came from a British Royal Navy Ship, the 28-gun HMS Hussar, which reportedly carried dispatches and military payroll during the American Revolution. The ship eventually foundered off the coast of Long Island, and has been the subject of numerous salvage efforts. The cannon had been long ago sealed with concrete, but when parks officials removed the concrete to conduct the cleaning, they made the dangerous discovery. | Workers made the astounding discovery while refurbishing the cannon for public display .
Housed in storage since 1996, the cannon was once accessible to the public for more than 100 years .
NYPD's bomb squad summoned to Central Park to rid the cannon of any danger . |
54,469 | 9a41171a01503c213623302a7fe987020560c85d | By . Lydia Warren . PUBLISHED: . 10:31 EST, 5 November 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 10:40 EST, 5 November 2013 . An eight-year-old boy suffering from an inoperable brain tumor has raised more than $40,000 so that he can bring smiles to other sick children by giving them toys. Just a week ago, Matthew Jacko, who is home on hospice care in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, told his family he wanted to give a gift to every child at Children's Hospital, where he had previously stayed. With the help of his family, he asked the public to help him raise money through a website to buy each a stuffed toy monkey, which cost $20 each - and the response was overwhelming. Within 12 hours, they reached their goal of 500 monkeys and just days later, they had enough donations for 1,000 toys - and the amount still continues to grow. Kindness: Eight-year-old Matthew Jacko, who has an inoperable brain tumor, has given more than a 1,000 stuffed monkey toys to sick children in hospital after raising money so that they would smile . The little boy has now hand-delivered some of the monkeys to the Children's Hospital and extra toys were sent to the Children’s Institute, the Ronald McDonald House and Forbes pediatric unit. On footage by WTAE, Matthew is pushed into the children's rooms on a wheelchair before handing over the monkeys and softly wishing them to feel better soon. 'I hope this makes you smile,' he can be heard telling the children. He told the news station that he just wanted to bring smiles to other children as 'laughter is the best thing in the whole world'. The visit came 18 months after Matthew's parents took him to Children's Hospital, noticing he wasn't running normally in basketball and had began to slur his speech. Generous: He is pictured handing over one of the toys to a patient at Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh . Impressive: The family has received more than $40,000 in donations to help them buy the toy monkeys . Within 12 hours of his arrival, they learned that he had a brain tumor. They do not know how much longer they have with him - but continue to be inspired by his strength and compassion for others. 'He never complains, never questions, he just does whatever [the doctors] want him to do,' said his mother, Carey. During the visit to the hospital this weekend, Matthew and his parents were joined by his sister Jocelyn, his uncle Patrick and friends including Lisa Donnelly, who had started the donation process. All the friends and family members involved said they were stunned by the response. 'I don't know if it has completely sunk in yet either, the response has been overwhelming,' Carey said. 'Awesome': Matthew also met his favorite Pittsburgh Penguins player, Sidney Crosby, last week . Fighter: Matthew's family said the boy, pictured with his sister, has never complained about his treatment . Struggle: He was diagnosed after his parents noticed he was slurring. He is now at home for hospice care . 'I would like to thank the community for all their efforts and everybody around the nation that has donated. I mean it's not just in Pittsburgh. This goes all around the country,' his dad, Brian, added. Matthews parents, who have both taken time off work to care for their son, said the care does not just extend to the donations, but to the daily support they receive - such as cooked meals from friends. It's not the only excitement little Matthew has enjoyed this week. His hockey team, the Pittsburgh Penguins welcomed him to a game this week and he got a chance to meet Sidney Crosby, his favorite player. He simply described the experience as 'awesome'. | Matthew Jacko, from Monroeville, Pennsylvania, was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor 18 months ago and is now home on hospice care .
But he wanted to see other children smile so his family launched a fundraising campaign to give stuffed toys to other sick children .
He has given out 1,000 toys and hand-delivered some last week . |
194,206 | 8763f92ef4eda16c4cfffcb1b960decdd700e27b | (CNN) -- The possibility of sinking is the last thing you want to think about when booking a carefree vacation at sea. Yet colorful ads depicting people having the time of their lives on cruise ships are now competing with frightening footage of Costa Concordia passengers, some still elegantly dressed for dinner, on a desperate quest to escape the ship. The vessel struck rocks off the western Italian coast Friday night and rolled onto its side, leaving at least 11 people dead. "This isn't some tugboat off Italy. This is a very modern cruise ship, very similar to ships that are currently in the Caribbean," said Fran Golden, a cruise expert and contributor for Budget Travel. "I don't think anybody could predict that a modern, beautiful cruise ship only six years old would hit a rock and sink," she told CNN's Early Start. So it's no wonder some travelers may be questioning just how safe cruising is. "It sure does frighten me, a longtime cruiser," wrote Carolyn Spencer Brown, editor-in-chief of CruiseCritic.com, about how quickly things went wrong on the Concordia. "This was a systemic failure that should rock the cruise line to its core." But the cruise industry says there's very little to worry about, despite the incident. About 16 million people took a vacation at sea last year, according to the Cruise Lines International Association, which represents 26 major cruise lines. The group called Friday's incident a terrible tragedy, but asked travelers to keep it in perspective. "Accidents such as this one are an extremely rare occurrence in the cruise industry, and cruising continues to be one of the safest means of travel among all types of vacationing," the association said on its website. Modern cruise ships have sophisticated equipment designed to keep them on course, steer them away from bad weather and keep them steady in rough seas. Still, accidents and unpredictable acts of nature do happen. Overheard on CNN.com: Worst-case scenario . Some recent examples include the Louis Majesty, part of the Greece-based Louis Cruise Lines. In 2010, two passengers were killed and 14 were injured when 26-foot waves crashed into the ship off northeast Spain. In 2007, the Sea Diamond, a Greek cruise ship that was carrying 1,156 passengers and 391 crew members, sank off the Aegean island of Santorini after slamming into a volcanic reef. Two passengers were reported missing after the incident and were never found. To know how to survive an emergency, cruise passengers are required by law to attend a safety briefing within 24 hours of embarkation. Costa Cruises says most passengers on board the Costa Concordia took part in an evacuation drill. During a typical muster drill, the ship sounds the signals that would call people to their lifeboat stations so they know what to do if there is something wrong. But passenger Benji Smith said the safety briefing was more of a "sales pitch" for shore excursions. Others, who embarked at Civitavecchia, about an hour's train ride from Rome, had yet to have the briefing. Nancy Lofaro, a passenger from New Rochelle, New York, said the drill was scheduled for Saturday, a day after the disaster. Lofaro also said it appeared the crew didn't really know what to do during the emergency. The confusion may have been caused in part by communication problems, Golden said. Unlike ships cruising in the Caribbean, Costa gets passengers from many countries and thus passengers speak different languages. "I can only imagine the chaos of trying to communicate to passengers from, maybe, eight different languages how to get off the ship," Golden said. What caused the cruise ship disaster? The incident underscores the importance of safety drills and paying attention to them, she added. "People go on a cruise, and they think they're in this protected wonderland, and the reality is you always need to have safety in the forefront of your thinking," Golden said. "I've seen passengers go to the life boat drills and the crew do honest efforts to have you learn how to put on your life vest, and meanwhile, people are trying to get drinks and take photos." Crew training in emergency response also is key. A lot of the training is done by the cruise lines themselves based on international maritime standards, Golden said. The Coast Guard inspects foreign-flagged cruise ships in U.S. waters twice a year, studying the competency of the crew during fire and abandon-ship drills, said Cmdr. Buddy Reams, chief of the U.S. Coast Guard's Cruise Ship National Center of Expertise. Still, no matter how many safety and training protocols are in place, the image of a submerged Costa Concordia will stay burned in people's minds when they decide if they're going to take a cruise, said Jonathan Bricker, a psychologist at the University of Washington. To prevent any decline in bookings, the cruise industry will have to communicate how safe cruising actually is, he added. That said, "The vast majority of people who are planning to take a cruise are probably still going to take the cruise. And they're going to be fine," Bricker said. CNN's Katia Hetter and Marnie Hunter contributed to this report. | "It sure does frighten me, a longtime cruiser," editor-in-chief of CruiseCritic.com writes .
Accidents such as this one are an extremely rare occurrence, cruise industry group says .
Cruise expert: Chaos may have been caused in part by communication problems .
Psychologist: Industry will have to communicate how safe cruising actually is . |
65,801 | bad166fea605a5e3293b9717a8852180820a7d41 | Tripoli, Libya (CNN) -- Anti-Gadhafi forces have come across a military site in southern Libya that contains what appears to be radioactive material. The site, not far from Sabha in the Sahara desert, has two warehouses containing thousands of blue barrels marked with tape saying "radioactive," and plastic bags of yellow powder sealed with the same type tape. The fact that Libya might have radioactive material is not a surprise: In 2004, the the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that the Libyan government had yellowcake stored in Sabha. Afterward, Moammar Gadhafi's government vowed its intent to dismantle its nuclear program, and there has been no indication it was ever developed enough that it might appear in weapons. Still, the fact that it was lying seemingly unguarded -- such that it could end up in the hands of terrorists or nations intent on illicitly turning radioactive material into weapons -- is a definite cause for concern, said David Albright, a former weapons inspector and now president of the Institute for Science and International Security. "During wars, nuclear material is not protected very well," Albright said, noting that IAEA crews in the past have entered war-zones such as in the former Yugoslavia and Algeria. "The IAEA needs to get there as soon as possible, to determine if anything is missing." Yellowcake is processed uranium ore that can be used to produce enriched uranium for nuclear purposes, with Albright noting that it -- if it is what outside experts believe -- is not highly radioactive, in itself. Even so, Cirincione seconded the sentiment that the discovery was cause for alarm. "These pictures are amazing and sobering. Remember we had been assured by the State Department just weeks ago in August that significant mustard gas, MANPADS and nuclear materials were all secured. This discovery appears to show that in fact we can't count on anything being secured in Libya now," Cirincione said. The yellowcake is not in itself a real danger, but having it next to high explosives is a potential environmental disaster if they were to explode, said Cirincione, who's president of the Ploughshares Fund, a global security foundation. Fighters entered Sabha, long regarded as a pro-Gadhafi stronghold, on Wednesday afternoon and initially met no resistance, officials said. About a dozen lightly armed revolutionary fighters are now guarding the military site outside the city. Electric power in Sabha, which had been off for two weeks, was restored Thursday evening. In addition, Al Madar, one of the nation's mobile phone networks, began working in the city after being down for more than a month. Elsewhere, revolutionaries have taken control of the southwestern town of Ubari, chasing Moammar Gadhafi loyalists from the area as Libya's new leaders continued to gain momentum, National Transitional Council field commander Al-Amin Shtawi said Thursday. The announcement comes days after the NTC received the significant milestone of being recognized by South Africa, Algeria and the African Union as Libya's legitimate rulers. "Due to the role and obligations that the National Transitional Council has fulfilled and due to the African Union position, Algerian-NTC (diplomatic) relations will move from semi-official to official," said Algerian Foreign Minister Mourad Medelci, according to state-run Radio Algerie. Algeria had been among Gadhafi's biggest allies in the region, and is where his wife and three of his children fled to in August. Troops loyal to Libya's new leaders have been putting pressure on several regime holdout cities in recent days. Along with Thursday's military action in Ubari, fighters have also clashed with Gadhafi loyalists in the northern town of Bani Walid and in Sirte. Despite not yet having complete control over the entire country, the NTC says it is planning on how to set up a new government. Elamin Belhaj, a senior member of the NTC, told CNN Wednesday that the formation of a Libyan government will not be announced until anti-Gadhafi forces control the borders of the country and liberate the three cities of Bani Walid, Sirte and Sabha . That effort could take up to one month, he said. After liberation, the NTC will create an interim government by appointing a prime minister who will be responsible for forming the government. The prime minister will decide how many ministers will be in that interim government, but he must return to the NTC for approval of that government. That government will create a new constitution that will be put before the Libyan people for approval in a referendum. CNN's Ben Wedeman, Brian Walker and Greg Botelho contributed to this report . | NEW: An ex-inspector says the IAEA should view material marked "radioactive" soon .
NEW: Algeria says it will recognize Libya's transitional government as official .
Anti-Gadhafi forces came upon the military site that may have radioactive material .
Troops have been putting pressure on several regime holdout cities in recent days . |
45,937 | 816904250ef5da30fc12f7267069b27f44d078cd | A 26-year-old Massachusetts man with a physics degree was arrested and charged Wednesday with plotting an attack on the Pentagon and the U.S. Capitol with a remote-controlled model aircraft, authorities said. Rezwan Ferdaus, a U.S. citizen from Ashland, Massachusetts, planned to use model aircraft filled with C-4 plastic explosives, authorities said. As a result of an undercover FBI investigation, Ferdaus, who has a physics degree from Northeastern University in Boston, was charged with attempting to provide material support and resources to al Qaeda for attacks on U.S. soldiers overseas, authorities said. His federal public defender couldn't be reached immediately for comment. A law enforcement official said Ferdaus posed no immediate danger to the public because undercover operatives kept in close contact with him. "There is no information to indicate he was connected to a foreign terrorist organization. It appears he was radicalized watching videos on the internet. He was given the opportunity to back down, but he never wavered" from his intention to carry out the attacks, the source said. Analysis: Model planes as weapons of terror . The investigation also involved a cooperating witness, and authorities began recording conversations between that witness and Ferdaus in January, authorities said. Ferdaus began planning a violent "jihad" against America in early 2010, authorities said, and he began supplying the FBI undercover agents with cell phones rigged to act as electric switches for improvised explosive devices, intended to be used to kill U.S. soldiers overseas. Undercover federal agents also gave Ferdaus 25 pounds of fake C-4 explosives. Only a very small amount of it was the real thing, the source said. The FBI agents also gave Ferdaus six AK-47 assault rifles and three grenades, but they weren't functional, the source said. Between May and this month, Ferdaus also ordered and acquired a $6,500 remote-controlled aircraft, an F-86 Sabre, that he kept in a rented storage facility in Framingham, Massachusetts, that he maintained under a false name, authorities said. He also planned to use other remote-controlled models of military aircraft, authorities said. The models he planned to use are about one-tenth the size of the actual aircraft. Despite coming into possession of the plane, another law enforcement official said, "The person was never really a threat." Ferdaus is unmarried with no children, authorities said. A federal magistrate in Worcester, Massachusetts, on Wednesday ordered Ferdaus to be held until Monday, when a detention hearing is scheduled, authorities said. | Rezwan Ferdaus, 26, a U.S. citizen, is charged in plot to bomb Pentagon and Capitol .
He was allegedly going to use a $6,500 remote-controlled plane laden with explosives .
He is accused of pledging jihad against the United States .
But authorities say he had no real ties to al Qaeda and wasn't a real threat . |
150,219 | 4e3b1c29bf72541570f08c3807e10f87ec3cfc72 | By . James Rush and Martin Robinson . PUBLISHED: . 10:38 EST, 10 September 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 08:41 EST, 11 September 2013 . Michael Le Vell could be back on Coronation Street in months with a new £250,000-a-year deal ready to be signed, it emerged today. ITV sources have said that scriptwriters are already plotting a dramatic Christmas return for the star, who has played Kevin Webster for 30 years. To explain his absence while the actor prepared for his child rape trial, his mechanic character was flown to Germany to care for his unwell father. Publicly the soap stalwart, 48, has said he . 'might have a holiday' before any possible return to the show, but . privately he is said to be excited about a return to 'the best job in . the world'. Scroll down for video . Return: Michael Le Vell is set to sign a £250,000 a year deal and will likely return for Christmas . Cleared: The actor (pictured with his sister Sue outside Manchester Crown Court) is poised for a return to the show after he was cleared of 12 sex abuse charges . Corrie executives were among the . first people Mr Le Vell thanked for their 'support' after he was . acquitted in just five hours yesterday. Minutes later an ITV spokesman said: 'We are looking forward to meeting . with Michael to discuss his return to the programme,' and privately they have already promised him the best storylines when he is back. Yesterday Le Vell said he was 'delighted' and it was a 'big weight off everyone's shoulders' after he was cleared of the charges at Manchester Crown Court. The actor had maintained his innocence throughout and was acquitted of 12 child sex offences. Asked when he would return to Coronation Street, Le Vell replied: 'I don't know, I might have a holiday first. I'll have to go and have a chat with my boss.' Bosses at the channel have also been unable to provide a timetable for any possible return to the show. They just said thet . are 'looking forward' to planning the actor's return after he was found . not guilty of raping and sexually assaulting a girl from the age of six. Actor: Le Vell (pictured on Coronation Street in 2008) has been on the show for 30 years and is now set to return after he was cleared today . Famous: After three years in the soap, Kevin . Webster married wife Sally in 1986 (left) and their at times stormy . marriage and family life has captured the country's imagination . for decades . He first joined Coronation Street in . 1983 and quickly endeared himself to fans, who have followed the trials . and tribulations of Kevin, from Brian Tilsley's apprentice mechanic . through to his stormy marriage to Sally, played by Sally Dynevor. Although . the actor has not filmed any scenes for the ITV soap since he was . charged earlier this year, he has not been officially suspended as . bosses were reportedly waiting on the outcome of the trial. Le Vell pledged to carry on playing Kevin Webster because he still viewed it as 'the best job on television'. It was reported that he would be offered a new £250,000 contract to stay with the ITV soap if he was cleared. Worry: Sally Webster bursts into tears as she tells Kevin that she has breast cancer during of many explosive storylines they shared over the years . Drama: Kevin Webster confronts Sally and Tyrone Dobbs in the street as Rosie Webster looks on, after Sally punished Kevin for having an affair by having one of her own in 2011 . | Scriptwriters already plotting a dramatic Christmas return for Kevin Webster .
Michael Le Vell says he might go on holiday before possible return to soap .
Show's bosses are 'looking forward' to discuss his return to programme .
He was cleared of 12 child sex offences at Manchester Crown Court . |
238,361 | c0856079f847dbb654a660066ca616300d66f85c | A six-year-old girl died after falling into a giant pot of boiling hot curry at school. Anusha Ashwathappa rushed out of class for lunch when the bell sounded. According to the school in Chikballapur, India, she was caught between hordes of other children running through the verandah. The government-run school near Bangalore is facing calls to explain how Anusha fell into boiling pot . When she got to the food, she was pushed and fell into the scalding sambar, it is claimed. Anusha suffered 70 per cent burns. When an ambulance did not arrive, the headmaster drove the little girl to the hospital, where she died hours later. The district education officer, Krishnappa, and three school cooks are being questioned over the case. Grieving father Gangappa Ashwathappa refused to hold a funeral until the case has been resolved. She was taken to a hospital in Bangalore where she was treated for 70 per cent burns but later died . He said: 'I won't cremate my daughter's body until school authorities, including the headmaster and three cooks, come here. 'I want to ask them what they were doing when the children were pushing each other.' The incident sparked outrage in the village of Gowribidanur Taluk, with calls for the staff to explain what happened. None of the teaching staff at Darinayakanapalya Government School near Bangalore turned up to work on Wednesday amid fears the children and parents would confront them, the district's education officer explained. Indian schools are facing calls to reform the where and how food is prepared after a series of scandals in recent months. In August at least 20 children in Bihar died after lunch . Police officers told local press they have ordered the school to give the mother and father jobs in compensation. Sambar is a spicy vegetable stew popular in southern India. It is served boiling hot and brewed in giant vessels. The case is the latest in a series of scandals surrounding the Mid-day Meal scheme in Indian schools. Designed to provide free hot meals to primary school children, reports have emerged of contaminated food, poor facilities and a lack of funding throughout the country. Teachers have called for reforms of the system and stricter controls on how and where the food can be prepared. Last month, at least 20 children died and 60 were hospitalised in Bihar after eating a 'poisoned' lunch provided by the school. A week earlier, 27 children in Rampur Bakhra fell ill from a curry in which authorities found a lizard. And a dead scorpion in a meal left 39 children in Orissa vomiting throughout the afternoon. | Anusha Ashwathappa, from near Bangalore, suffered 70 per cent burns .
Her parents refused to hold funeral until the case is resolved, it is claimed . |
156,376 | 562a2f9600e88f36b88e742037a618d46762f654 | By . Jill Reilly . PUBLISHED: . 09:20 EST, 20 July 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 09:39 EST, 20 July 2012 . The grieving parents of a stillborn baby were shocked to discover they had buried the wrong infant after a body mix-up at a funeral home. Mercedez Uscanga and her boyfriend Robert Mares said an emotional goodbye to their first son, Armani Angel Mares, at a funeral service last week in Houston. But after the service at Brookside funeral home they received a phone call from the firm's directors. Scroll down for video . Funeral service: The coffin the couple believed held their son is carried at the funeral service last week in Houston . 'They called and told us that my baby is still at the funeral home,' Miss Mercedez told ABC13. The couple said they were told that the baby which had been buried belonged was not their son and that their own child was still in the morgue. 'We were . crying for our baby. And we didn't even know. We thought that our baby . was the baby that was supposed to be in the casket,' said Uscanga. Shocking: Mercedez Uscanga, right, and her partner Robert Mares, left, said they were told that their own child was still in the morgue . The distraught couple made arrangements for another . funeral home to pick up their baby yesterday afternoon. Grandfather George Uscanga saidL 'I'm speechless. I'm speechless.' They are now planning to ask for an investigation into the distressing mix-up and are in contact with an attorney. Brookside Memorial Park told ABC13, they were working closely with the families to resolve the situation. Respect: Relatives and friends at the funeral . 'Out of respect for the privacy of the families, it . would be inappropriate to release any details. The company added: 'We have . policies and procedures in place, however occasionally mistakes happen. In those instances, we maintain full disclosure with the families.' | Mercedez Uscanga and her boyfriend Robert Mares held the funeral service last week .
Their first son, Armani Angel Mares, was stillborn .
Funeral home admitted shocking mix-up after service . |
261,030 | de1373fa3426d361a57e9581dfe5b7d78a600f68 | (CNN) -- At times it was almost painful to watch. At one end of the court the world's No. 1 female tennis star playing well within herself; at the other her sister, a long way away from regaining that form and status. "Venus has had a great week, and honestly, if she hadn't had to play so many matches, it would have been a much tougher match," Serena Williams said after comfortably beating her older sibling on Saturday to reach the final of the Family Circle Cup in Charleston. The 31-year-old was slightly overstating the rigors of the competition in South Carolina, a tournament that heralded the formation of the women's tour back in 1973 but has this week attracted just two of the world's top-10 players. Serena is one, and the other -- 10th-ranked Caroline Wozniacki -- crashed out in the quarterfinals on Friday against Swiss No. 63 Stefanie Vogele. Both Williams sisters won two matches on Friday to set up their first meeting since 2009, but it was defending champion Serena who looked the least affected as she won 6-1 6-2 in just 54 minutes. "She'll never admit it, but I don't think she was 100%," Serena said of her sister, who was diagnosed with a debilitating autoimmune disease before the 2011 U.S. Open -- a grand slam she has won twice, along with her five Wimbledons. "But you will never get that out of her. And quite frankly, three matches for her is much tougher than three matches for me. It's definitely not easy -- because I'm struggling, and I can't imagine what she must be feeling." Venus, seeded fifth this week and ranked 24th, brushed off suggestions that her health issues had hindered her. "I felt pretty good actually -- it would have been nicer to have more space between the matches, but it did not work out," the 32-year-old American said. "But I played under the same circumstances as everyone else, at least in the top half of the draw. "I had a chance to win the match. We both had rackets. But I didn't take advantage of my chances. I was controlling the points, but then I would miss. "I have to improve my game. I have to get in these situations more often. I've been off balance for a long time; I'm trying to regain my balance." Serena extended her career record over Venus to 14-10, and has now won 70 of her past 74 matches as she seeks to win the tournament -- played on green clay -- for the third time. "I love playing on this court," said Williams, whose only defeat in her past 22 games on clay came in the first round of last year's French Open. "I love this tournament. I think it's a good clay court. "Sometimes you play on certain clay courts and they're not good, and they're funny, and you can't really slide, or it's just weird. But this one is a really good one, particularly the last two years." She will next face former world No. 1 Jelena Jankovic, who ended Vogele's dream run with a hard-fought victory. The Serbian ninth seed, ranked 18th, triumphed 6-4 6-7 (6-8) 6-2 in two hours eight minutes. Jankovic also reached the semifinals in Miami last week before losing to Maria Sharapova, who Williams beat in the final for her record sixth title at Key Biscayne. Meanwhile, in the men's Davis Cup teams competition, the titleholding Czech Republic missed the chance to wrap up a semifinal place after losing in Saturday's doubles against Kazakhstan. Andrey Golubev and Yuriy Schukin beat Jan Hajek and Radek Stepanek 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 6-3 to reduce the deficit to 2-1 and give the hosts hope ahead of Sunday's reverse singles in Astana. Argentina took a 2-1 lead at home to France, as David Nalbandian and Horacio Zeballos defeated Julien Benneteau and Michael Llodra 3-6 7-6 (7-3) 7-5 6-3 in Buenos Aires. | Serena Williams beats older sister Venus to reach Family Circle Cup final .
World No. 1 triumphs in less than an hour as she continues title defense .
Williams will next play former top-ranked player Jelena Jankovic .
Davis Cup champions Czech Republic lose doubles in Kazakhstan . |
259,979 | dca0f5990f16040240e7d685e5249f5e5a8ac77e | (CNN) -- Plenty of people who feel no inclination to schuss or slide or Salchow are faithful fans of the Winter Olympic Games. For them, we present this list of sites and activities at former Winter Olympic venues. You won't need skis or skates -- you don't even have to feel the cold wind against your skin -- to show your appreciation for the athletes or to experience just a bit of what they must have felt when competing at the Winter Olympic Games. Chamonix, France (1924) More than 10,000 paying spectators came to watch 11 women and 247 men compete in ice hockey, figure skating, speed skating, bobsleighing, curling, Nordic (cross-country) skiing and ski jumping at Chamonix Winter Sports Week 90 years ago. It wasn't until after the event proved to be such a success that it became known as the "first" Winter Olympic Games. Although few reminders of those games remain, the Alpine Museum in Chamonix houses some mementos, and the Catholic Church Èglise Saint-Michel à Chamonix commemorates the region's Olympic heritage with a stained glass window featuring skiers and a bobsleigh. And this charming alpine village near Mont Blanc -- the "roof of Europe" -- still offers a world-class winter experience to athletes and bar-hoppers alike. Photos: Remnants of glory in former Olympic cities . St. Moritz, Switzerland (1928 and 1948) When 15-year-old Norwegian figure skating sensation Sonja Henie performed her gold-medal-winning routine on the ice rink outside the Badrutt family's Kulm Hotel in 1928, the location couldn't have been more appropriate. In 1864, hotelier Johannes Badrutt turned St. Moritz into a winter vacation destination by convincing his summertime guests that they'd enjoy the Swiss Alps just as much in winter. Sportsman Alphonse Badrutt supported construction of the natural ice St. Moritz-Celerina bobsleigh run. And Johannes' grandson, Hans, was a member of the executive committees that brought the 1928 games to St. Moritz. The Kulm and Badrutt's Palace hotels are still St. Moritz landmarks, as is the St. Moritz-Celerina bobsleigh run, which is open to guest riders when it's not being used by Olympians-in-training. Sochi hotels report construction delays . Lake Placid, New York (1932 and 1980) Although Lake Placid hosted the games in 1932, it is most remembered for the U.S. athletes' performances at the 1980 Winter Olympic Games -- especially the U.S. men's ice hockey team's "Miracle on Ice" victory over the heavily favored Soviet team followed by their gold-medal win over Finland and Eric Heiden's unprecedented five gold medals in speed skating. That historic speed-skating oval stands just outside the Lake Placid Olympic Center, which houses a small museum and the hockey arena now dedicated to coach Herb Brooks. The whole Whiteface and Mount Van Hoevenberg area remains a top-level training ground for future Olympians; and if you're feeling adventurous, the Lake Placid Bobsled Experience lets you try out the track they still use today for their training. Sochi 2014: Russia's numbers game . Oslo, Norway (1952) It sometimes seems as if the Olympic Winter Games were created to remind the world just how many outstanding winter athletes come from Norway. (No country has won more medals in the Winter Olympic Games.) So when you're in Oslo, it's no surprise that the Holmenkollen ski jump is still the biggest thing in town. Ski jumping has been part of the action here since 1892, and the jump has been redeveloped more than a dozen times. The latest structure, which opened in 2010, is made of steel and stretches nearly 97 meters (318 feet). The Ski Simulator at the top of the hill is a virtual reality experience that will leave you breathless and more awestruck by ski-jumpers than ever. The arena next to the ski jump was used for cross-country skiing and biathlon competitions in 1952, and might be again should Oslo win its bid to host the 2022 Winter Olympics. Blood Falls and other natural oddities . Innsbruck, Austria (1964 and 1976) The Tyrolean Alps were a picture-perfect backdrop for Olympic skiing competition in 1976 as Austrian favorite Franz Klammer seemed to gobble up the terrain on his way to a gold medal in the men's downhill and West Germany's Rosi Mittermaier took two golds and a silver in the women's downhill and slalom events. You'll want more than the 1 minute 45 seconds or so that Klammer and Mittermaier spent on the mountain. Take your time to soak in the scenery on an evening lantern hike that takes you past the Olympic ski slopes and ends with singing and beverages at a friendly inn. Sapporo, Japan (1972) The double lift takes just five minutes to carry you to the top of the Okurayama 90-meter ski jump hill where, in 1972, 19-year-old Wojciech Fortuna became the first and only Polish man to win an Olympic ski-jumping gold medal. (In 1972, transport to the top took 20 minutes; the trip down for Fortuna, less than 20 seconds.) The viewing lounge at 300 meters allows you to peer down at the city and at the ski jump starting line. At the Sapporo Winter Sports Museum, simulators in the "Sensation/Experience Zone" replicate the ski jump experience. Calgary, Canada (1988) The Olympic spirit has never left Calgary, where Katarina Witt won a gold medal in figure skating for East Germany and curling resurfaced as a demonstration sport after an absence of more than 50 years. In addition to marking the Olympic debut of American speed skater Bonnie Blair, the Calgary Olympics also introduced the world to the Jamaican Bobsleigh Team (later immortalized in the 1993 film "Cool Runnings"). Today, visitors with just slightly less bobsleigh training than those four gentlemen can slide down the very same track at speeds of up to 75 miles per hour (120 km/h) in a bobsleigh driven by a professional pilot. In summer, you can do the run in a bobsleigh on wheels or zip-line down the mountain from the 90-meter ski jump. Albertville, France (1992) At the Albertville games, the newly unified German team included singles luger Georg Hackl in his second of what would be five Olympic games winning his first of three gold medals. Today, as a visitor, you can come as close as you'll ever come to his experience on the speed luge at the La Plagne Olympic bobsleigh track -- a one-person luge that reaches speeds up to 55 miles per hour (89 kph). Or rub elbows with an Olympian at a more relaxed pace at Le Chalet d'Eleonore in Les Saisies, an alpine-style bed and breakfast run by former Olympic skier Leila Piccard. (Her brother Franck, a gold medalist in the Super-G at the Calgary Games, works at the Les Saisies ski resort.) Salt Lake City, Utah (2002) Guided tours of Utah Olympic Park near Park City reveal some "backstage" secrets about the Olympic events and visit some memorable spots, such as the ski jump where 20-year-old Simon Ammann from Switzerland was a surprise gold-medal winner and undisputed crowd-pleaser in the K90 Individual and K120 individual events. At the Alf Engen Ski Museum, you can find out more about the region's Olympic skiing past, present and future, including an exhibition on the U.S. women's ski jumping team, which will compete for the first time in Olympic history at Sochi. After taking a look at the Olympic medals in the museum's collection, head back to Salt Lake City and Olympic Cauldron Park where the medal ceremonies took place. Vancouver, Canada (2010) Many venues from the 2010 Olympic Winter Games have been smoothly integrated or reintegrated into the Vancouver landscape. BC Place, site of the opening and closing ceremonies, is back to being the home of the BC Lions (CFL) and Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS) and hockey venue Rogers Arena remains the home of the NHL Vancouver Canucks. The Olympic cauldron stands outside the Vancouver Convention Centre. The Richmond Olympic Oval, where Dutch speed skater Sven Kramer set new Olympic records in the 5,000 and 10,000 meter races, is now a public skating rink, community center and future site of the interactive Richmond Olympic Experience, expected to open in late 2014. While there are Olympic sites throughout the area, you might find yourself closest to your athletic dreams if you spend the night at the HI-Whistler Hostel, originally part of the Athlete's Village. | Winter Olympics venues past offer speed thrills to less competitive visitors .
The St. Moritz-Celerina bobsleigh run is sometimes open to guest riders .
Take an evening lantern hike in Innsbruck, Austria, for a more leisurely downhill experience . |
278,583 | f4deb5fe1caa58ea498102af74df400e8187fbdc | TV watchdogs are under pressure to launch an inquiry into the rip-off cost of watching live Premier League football on television, which can be more than £600 a year. The pay TV and broadband company Virgin Media claims the way the Premier League sells the rights to top flight matches means armchair fans in the UK are hit with unfair fees. The net result is that clubs like Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City are sharing in billions of pounds from fans whose passion and loyalty is being abused. TV watchdogs are under pressure to launch an inquiry into the rip-off cost of watching live Premier League football on television, which can be more than £600 a year . Virgin claims that viewers in the UK are getting a raw deal both on the cost of watching matches and the fact that many games are not broadcast live. It calculates that the minimum monthly cost of watching live Premier League games on the sports channels of Sky and BT comes in at £51. That works out at £612 a year, which is more than four times higher than the BBC licence fee of £145.50, which covers all of its many TV and radio channels, including Match of the Day. The £51 figure is much higher than the £21 month charge football fans in Germany must pay to see top flight teams such as the Bayern Munich and Dortmund in the Bundesliga. It is also more than double the £25 charged in Italy to watch Serie A, and compares to £18 in Spain to follow Barcelona and Real Madrid and just £10 a month in France. Access to games in the UK is also far more limited compared to the rest of Europe. Here only 41per cent of Premier League games – 154 out of 380 – are broadcast live in a season. By contrast all games are broadcast live on TV in Spain, Germany, France and Italy. Research commissioned by Virgin found more than 15per cent of viewers say they could not watch the games they wanted through their TV provider, while 25per cent found that games were not included in their pay TV subscription. Arsenals Aaron Ramsey controls the ball during a English Premiere League match against Tottenham Hotspur; Virgin Media claims the way Premier League sells the rights to top flight matches means armchair fans in the UK are hit with unfair fees . Virgin argues that the way the Premier League packages and sells the TV rights to football in this country works to artificially inflate the price. As a result, the cost of Premier League domestic live TV rights increased by 70per cent to a staggering £3 billion over three years in the last auction. It is predicted to rise by a further 60per cent when they are sold next time. The high prices charged by the Premier League means teams in the top flight are able pay world stars like Radamel Falcao, Wayne Rooney and Yaya Toure well over £200,000 a week. It also means there is absolutely no chance of live Premier League games ever returning to free-to-air terrestrial TV channels like the BBC and ITV ever again. While the sports channel subscriptions are extortionate enough in themselves, BT has been accused of putting up many other charges for all its customers in order to cover the millions of pounds it has paid to the Premier League. Virgin Media has asked Ofcom to open a formal investigation under the Competition Act 1998 into the arrangements by which the FA Premier League sells live UK television rights to its games. It claims the current regime causes ‘significant consumer harm’ resulting from escalating rights costs. The firm’s chief corporate affairs officer, Brigitte Trafford, said: ‘The rapidly rising cost of Premier League live broadcast rights means UK fans pay the highest prices in Europe to watch football on TV. Virgin Media has asked Ofcom to investigate how the rights are sold ahead of the next auction.’ The Premier League insisted the auction process it uses is entirely legal. A spokesman said: ‘Live Premier League audio-visual rights have always been sold in a transparent and open process. ‘Regulators have examined our rights packaging and sales process in considerable detail in the past and found both of them to be compliant with UK and European competition law. ‘If Ofcom chooses to investigate this complaint, we will of course be happy to demonstrate to Ofcom that this is the case.’ | The minimum monthly cost of watching live Premier League is £51 .
Football fans in Germany pay £21 a month to watch top teams .
In Italy fans pay £25 and in Spain it is just £18 . |
100,696 | 0dbd88233c48cb3873185f3d147d29896b1cb652 | By . Mark Duell . Last updated at 1:12 PM on 16th September 2011 . It’s not the sort of thing most fans want to go through before a football match, but security checks are going to get a whole lot tougher. The NFL wants the 16.6 million fans expected to attend live regular season games this season to go through ‘enhanced’ pat-downs. All 32 clubs have been asked to search fans from the ankles to the knees as well as the waist up, as they aim to improve stadium security. Checks: A stadium security officer pats down a fan before a pre-season NFL game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Houston Texans last month . In the past security guards only used to pat down fans from the waist up before they got into NFL stadiums, reported USA Today. The NFL is asking fans to be patient and get to games earlier than before to avoid huge delays at the entrance gates. ‘Enhanced security procedures (will) further increase the safety of fans but will require some additional time,’ an NFL spokesman told USA Today. ‘We encourage fans to come early, enjoy their tailgating tradition, and be patient as they enter the stadium.’ Longer wait: A Minnesota Vikings fan raises his jersey as he passes through security personnel for a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last Sunday . It comes after a man from South Carolina was arrested for using an illegal taser gun on other fans at a game in New Jersey at the MetLife Stadium. 'We encourage fans to come early, enjoy their tailgating tradition, and be patient as they enter the stadium' NFL spokesman . The New York Jets were playing the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. But the NFL said its new measures were proposed before the season began. The Buffalo Bills have told fans attending a home game on Sunday against the Oakland Raiders that security changes will be in force. ‘The new procedure is a recommendation from the NFL in accordance with the league's Best Practices policies,’ a club statement said. | Pat-down searches were originally just from waist up .
Stadium checks will now also go from ankles to knees .
NFL warns fans of all 32 clubs to get to stadiums earlier .
Comes after man used taser at New York Jets game . |
99,990 | 0cd6d8f7a5ad2038e99530fe90e17768056c08ca | LONDON, England (CNN) -- There is a mathematical reason why the French Open is so different to any other of the Grand Slam tennis tournaments. Clay courts require a different type of game to grass and hard court surfaces . The Roland Garros tournament is currently being contested, with Rafael Nadal looking for his fifth win in a row, and world number two Roger Federer searching for his first ever French Open title. • Get the latest French Open news . What has brought problems to Federer, and to other greats like Pete Sampras and Boris Becker -- who never won a French Open, is the clay surface on which it is contested. The maths of the clay surface are distinctly different to grass or hard-court surfaces. All officially recognized courts have a court pace rating (CPR), which rates the "speed" of the court -- and clay courts are at the bottom. The crushed-brick mixture that constitutes the base of a clay court produces a the highest bounce and most friction of the three surfaces, meaning they have the lowest CPR of all three surface types and are considered as the "slowest". Grass courts are generally have the highest CPR numbers, and are the "fastest" courts. The CPR numbers give a hint as to whether a ball will bounce higher or lower on a specific surface, and how much friction there is to either slow the ball or allow it to skid on. An example court pace rating for each surface may be 23 for a clay court, 35 for a hard court and 46 for a grass court. • Try our special interactive to see how tennis ball bounce on different surfaces » . This number is calculated by considering both horizontal speed and vertical bounce of a tennis ball off a court. The equation used is CPR = SPR + 150 x (0.81-e). To make more sense of this, the International Tennis Federation, the game's law-makers, have produced a chart which simply matches the coefficient of friction (friction) and coefficient of restitution (bounce) to produce a court pace rating. But it's not just the bounce and speed of the ball off the clay surface that sets it apart from other courts, and makes the French Open an elusive tournament for some players. Head of women's tennis at Britain's Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), Nigel Sears, told CNN the slippery nature of the clay surface also set it apart from other types of court. "The main factor that makes it different is that it's a loose surface. That allows players to slide on it." The loose surface and different clay characteristics meant the crushed-brick surface required a different game plan, he said. "Players are a lot further back on the clay surface. If you look at Nadal, his return of service points of contact are different to other surfaces ... on clay he can sit back." The slower pace and higher bounce also meant big servers like Sampras were negated on clay and certain types of players were better suited to it, Sears said. "Clay magnifies spin. So the slice is effective on clay ... and you can also produce a lot of top spin. One of the problems Federer has on clay is that he has a single-handed backhand, and Nadal can get so much spin -- so Federer is trying to hit single-handed shots up around his shoulder." The clay approach was slightly different in women's tennis, however, as some players tended to approach clay matches similar to hard-court games, he said. Sears said endurance was also a crucial advantage on clay, particularly at Roland Garros. "You tend to have longer rallies on clay. The French Open is so physical with five-set matches. When somebody faces Nadal to five sets no-one can compete with him physically," he said. | Clay, grass and hard tennis court surfaces all produce different bounces .
The speed and bounce of certain courts can adversely affect a player's game .
Use the CNN interactive to see how the bounce differs on each surface . |
82,484 | e9dd999bb394f7fc7a028e21c326ead278ee625b | By . Matt Chorley . and Jason Groves . Lib Dem MP David Ward was slammed last night for claiming he would copy Hamas terrorists and fire rockets at Israel if he lived in Gaza . Nick Clegg was facing an international backlash last night after a Liberal Democrat MP kept his job despite saying he would fire rockets at Israel if he lived in Gaza. David Ward tweeted on Tuesday night: ‘The big question is – if I lived in Gaza, would I fire a rocket? Probably, yes.’ Continuing his rant, he added: ‘Ich bin ein Palestinian – the West must make up its mind which side it is on.’ Amid a growing storm of controversy, Mr Ward issued a statement which Lib Dem HQ insisted amounted to a 'categorical apology'. He said: 'I utterly condemn the violence on both sides in Israel and Gaza. 'I condemn the actions of Hamas, and my comments were not in support of firing rockets into Israel. If they gave the opposite impression, I apologise.' He added: 'However, while I defend the right of Israel to exist and defend itself, I will continue to speak out for the rights of the Palestinian people who are facing untold suffering. More must be done by the world community to end this humanitarian crisis and protect the families living in Gaza. I can understand their plight and desperation. 'A ceasefire in this conflict is essential. If we are to end the suffering, and establish a safer society for people in Gaza, the first step must be an end to violence on both sides.' However, Mr Clegg has made no decision on whether to kick Mr Ward out of the party, despite him being carpeted last year for making comments seen as anti-Semitic. Tory Party chairman Grant Shapps insisted Mr Ward’s ‘appalling’ comment was ‘essentially an incitement to violence’. Former defence secretary Liam Fox declared: ‘Firing missiles against a civilian population is unforgivable at best, and a war crime at worst. 'That a party politician and member of Parliament should say something so irresponsible demonstrates why he and his party are unfit for office. This is now a question of ethics for the party leadership.’ Conservative MP Nadhim Zahawi has written to Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, urging him to investigate Mr Ward for encouragement of terrorism. Mr Zahawi wrote in the letter: 'Freedom of speech is an important right but it is not an unqualified one. This is especially true for public figures who have the capacity to influence the actions of others. 'Mr Ward's tweets would appear to be prima facie evidence that he has committed the offence of encouragement of terrorism as defined by Section 1(2) of the Terrorism Act 2006. 'Mr Ward may or may not have intended this statement to encourage others to fire rockets from Gaza into Israel, but regrettably he would appear to at least have been reckless as to whether others would be encouraged to commit such acts.' His comments came as militants in Gaza fire rockets into Israel as the region again erupts into conflict . Mr Ward’s comments were made late last night. Earlier in the day, he posted the message: ‘Sick of the mantra (that) 'Israel has the right to defend itself'. Palestinians have same right! Gaza rockets (are fired) because of failure in dealing with Israel.’ Mr Ward has a majority of just 365 in a constituency with a large Muslim population. Stephen Pollard, editor of the Jewish Chronicle, said: ‘It’s no surprise to see that David Ward would kill Israelis. And no surprise that he still has the Lib Dem whip.' And Charlotte Henry, a prominent Lib Dem activist and blogger, said his comments were ‘cowardly’, adding: ‘No human cannot be horrified by events in Israel and Gaza. David Ward debases them and shames his party.’ Labour simply described Mr Ward’s comments as ‘vile’. Mr Ward’s comments are reminiscent of those made by the former Lib Dem peer Jenny Tonge a decade ago. Baroness Tonge was forced to resign as the party’s children’s spokesman after saying of Palestinian suicide bombers: ‘If I had to live in that situation – and I say that advisedly – I might just consider becoming one myself.’ Conservative Grant Shapps (left) branded Mr Ward's comments 'appalling' and Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg (right) launched an investigation which could see Mr Ward kicked out of the party . Mr Ward's apology was issues after after the Board of Deputies of British Jews called on Mr Clegg to withdraw the party whip from the MP, whose membership was suspended for a period following previous controversial remarks about Israel and the Jews. The Board of Deputies said he had 'shamed Parliament, the Liberal Democrats and himself'. Last year he was disciplined by Nick Clegg for ‘unacceptable’ comments in which he accused ‘the Jews’ of atrocities against Palestinians in a message posted just before Holocaust Memorial Day. He was suspended from the party for three months last summer following another outburst in which he appeared to question Israel’s right to exist. | David Ward, MP for Bradford East, claimed he would copy Hamas terrorists .
Lib Dem politician said he would fire rockets into civilian areas of Israel .
Comments branded 'appalling', 'vile' and 'unforgivable' by fellow MPs .
Party leader Nick Clegg has ordered an investigation into the tweets . |
4,523 | 0d05816c8a742a18966555c438949ed22b64351c | Luis Suarez has been included in Uruguay’s 22-man squad for two international friendlies this month in Saudi Arabia and Oman. It will be his first selection for Uruguay since biting Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup. Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez announced the team Thursday for matches at Saudi Arabia on October 10 and at Oman three days later. Suarez could play for Uruguay for the first time since the World Cup in the friendlies this week . Suarez was banned for eight international games and given a long club ban after biting Giorgio Chiellini . Although being allowed to play the friendlies, Suarez is still banned from Uruguay’s next eight competitive matches. This means he will miss next year’s Copa America and some World Cup qualifiers. The ban also covers competitive matches until later this month for Barcelona. Suarez has played in a youth game and friendly for Barcelona this season, but won’t return to the proper side until later this month, possibly for the El Clasico clash with Real Madrid. The Uruguayan striker has been able to train with his new club Barcelona but cannot play competitively . Suarez has been given a run-out in youth and reserve games for Barcelona and could return soon . The bite on Chiellini didn't prevent the former Liverpool striker making his big-money move to Spain . | Suarez is banned for next eight competitive international matches .
Barcelona striker cannot play any competitive game until late October .
Uruguay star bit Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup .
Suarez has returned in youth and reserve games and can play friendlies . |
85,622 | f2d882f6ab4bcc9ca18f5b85165969b6c6a82833 | ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (CNN) -- Conflict raged Wednesday in volatile northwestern Pakistan, with nine militants killed in a gun battle, the Taliban's abduction and release of about 30 police officers, and strikes on stranded NATO trucks. Pakistani policemen at a check point in Khyber Agency near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, February 12, 2008. It's the latest fighting between Pakistani security forces and the Taliban militants in the northwestern region near Afghanistan. The country's central government has little control in the area, and U.S. intelligence officials say the area is a haven for militants. Nine militants were killed when police and local residents foiled an attempted kidnapping of the mayor in a village on the outskirts of Peshawar, police told CNN. Taliban fighters attempted to abduct Fahim Ur Rehman, but police and residents resisted and a gun battle ensued. Along with the slain militants, two police and two civilians were wounded and some of the militants fled. The village, Bazid Khel, is located between Peshawar and the Khyber Agency in the tribal areas. In the Swat Valley, militants abducted around 30 police Tuesday night but eventually released them on Wednesday. Taliban spokesman Muslim Khan confirmed to CNN that the personnel had been released after returning to the path of Islam and promising not to return to their jobs. Police told CNN that the security personnel had been forced to agree to the Taliban's terms and confirmed the release. There are conflicting details about the incident, in which Taliban forces attacked the Shamozai check post in the Barikot area of Swat Valley on Tuesday night and captured the people after a nightlong firefight. Khan said the personnel surrendered after Taliban forces mined the area, preventing access. He said their ammunition was seized when supply vehicles coming to assist government forces were stopped by Taliban mines. Pakistan police said the security personnel didn't surrender; they were caught after they used up their ammunition. Police and military sources said the personnel were police, but Khan said paramilitary officers as well as police were among the group. Locals said government forces came under attack Tuesday evening and ran out of ammunition before surrendering. This comes as the Pakistani military beefed up its operations this week in the Swat Valley. In the latest in a series of recent attacks meant to choke off supplies into Afghanistan for the United States and its allies, a rocket strike destroyed at least nine vehicles near the town Landi Kotal in the Khyber Agency -- one of seven semiautonomous tribal agencies along the Afghan border, a Khyber official told CNN. The trucks were returning from Afghanistan but were stranded in the town because, a day earlier, suspected militants had destroyed a bridge connecting Landi Kotal to Jamrod, another part of the Khyber Agency. The bridge's destruction had forced authorities to halt traffic. Because Afghanistan is landlocked, many of the supplies for NATO-led troops fighting Islamic militants there have to be trucked from Pakistan. In recent months, militants aligned with the Taliban and al Qaeda have carried out several attacks to disrupt supplies, Pakistani officials said. | NEW: Nine militants die as police, residents foil attempted kidnapping of mayor .
NEW: Swat Valley: Militants release about 30 police who were abducted Tuesday .
Attack destroyed nine vehicles near the town Landi Kotal in the Khyber Agency .
Series of recent attacks have tried to choke supplies into Afghanistan for the U.S. |
180,280 | 756659c08a8de71e31cde7f9e11830849178eb43 | By . Leon Watson . South Korea's navy has fired warning shots after three North Korean patrol boats crossed the maritime border into its territory, it was revealed today. The North Korean boats crossed into the South Korean waters at the Yellow Sea boundary, known as Northern Limit Line, at around 4pm local time on Tuesday. The ships returned to the northern side after a South Korean naval vessel fired ten warning shots, an official with the South Korean Defense Ministry said. Tension: In the latest sign of rising animosity between the bitter rivals, South Korean officials said a North Korean vessel fired two artillery shells at one of its warships patrolling in the Yellow Sea (file image) The NLL is the de facto maritime border, which stretches from the western coast of the peninsula into the Yellow Sea, marking the boundary between the two neighbors. It was set by the United Nations following the Korean War but the North does not recognise it, CNN reported. Incidents have been known to occur on and around the border, including one earlier this year when North and South Korean artillery batteries exchanged hundreds of shells. In 2010, South Korea accused North Korea of using a submarine to torpedo the South Korean ship Cheonan, killing 46 sailors. Lookout: A South Korean navy defense ship on patrol near Yeonpyeong Island (file picture) Last week it was revealed satellite images showed two new North . Korean frigates, the largest surface combat ships the nation's navy has . constructed in a quarter-century, a North Korea-watching website. The . website, 38 North, says the frigates are designed to carry one . helicopter each and appear to be designed to counter South Korean . submarines and protect fisheries. The vessels appear to be equipped with . anti-submarine rocket launchers. The . vessels can be seen in commercial satellite images from December and . January. One is berthed at a shipyard in the west coast port of Nampo, . other at a shipyard at the northeastern port of Nanjin. It is unclear whether the frigates are yet ready for service. | North Korean boats crossed at the Yellow Sea boundary .
A South Korean naval vessel fired ten warning shots at it .
The ships then returned to the northern side . |
102,446 | 10015435842e9fa37cca11e38c7881f0b4477e6f | When faced with a lioness clawing at its flimsy cage, most of us would do a runner. But Valentin Gruener calmly approaches the cage - and lets the beast run wild. As he begins to unlock the door, Sirga starts pacing up and down and as soon he opens the enclosure, the big cat springs out and pounces on him. Fortunately, she's just after a big hug and Mr Gruener greets the lioness with a pleasant 'good morning' before rubbing noses with it. Traveller John Hawkins shot the video at Modisa Wildlife Project near Maun, Botswana. He said: 'Val is a wildlife conservationist that raised Sirga the lioness almost from birth. 'This guy is exceptionally inspirational. He takes her on game walks and she can even hunt on her own.' Sirga the lioness greets Val Gruener who raised her from birth at the Modisa Wildlife Project in Botswana . Mr Gruener founded the wildlife project with Mikkel Legarth from Germany after they met while volunteering at a nature reserve in 2009. The project conserves and protects big cat habitats in partnership with Grassland Safari Lodge. Mr Gruener said: 'Grassland started their conservation work by capturing lions and other big cats in conflict with farmers to spare them from certain death.' Come here you big lug! Mr Gruener hugs Sirga the lioness at the wildlife park in Africa . Modisa Wildlife Park also conducts research monitoring the Kalahari eco-system which includes bird and game counts and plant inventories. Mr Hawkins has been travelling the world since 2008 after setting foot in the Dominican Republic. Last year he travelled through Africa. He said: 'Travelling through Africa is a very humbling experience that makes you realize how amazing this planet truly is.' | Valentin Gruener raised Sirga the lioness from birth at reserve in Botswana .
She greets him like old friend and they cuddle and rub noses in cute video .
Mr Gruener works at Modisa Wildlife Project which conserves big cat habitat . |
203,874 | 93f3c1e0572207018b91ab4088563df69c825ee3 | Jodhi Meares' fiance Jon Stevens had a police enforced Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) placed against him in court on Thursday, after he was arrested in the early hours of Monday, charged with one count of common assault after alleged confrontation between the pair. Neither Stevens nor Meares were present at Waverley Local Court, where the singer was represented by lawyer Greg Goold. Stevens, 53, remains on police bail and with the interim AVO in place until the matter is heard again on May 18. There are no restrictions in place preventing Stevens from living with his partner at their Point Piper home, as Jodhi Meares, listed as the victim in the matter 'declined to make a statement'. However, he lawyer, Chris Murphy, did issue a statement in which she claimed to hold no fear. 'I am emphatically instructed by Jodhi Meares that she is totally without fear or concerns in relation to any future conduct by the subject of the application Jon Stevens,' he stated. 'I am also instructed by my client that there is absolutely no history of violence in the relationship between them.' However, the court documents state the conditions of bail include that: 'The accused is not to assault, molest, harass, threaten or interfere (with the victim) and not to stalk or intimidate.' Scroll down for video . Calm before the storm: Jodhi Meares and rocker fiance Jon Stevens put up a united front at the David Jones Autumn/Winter launch in Sydney last week. He has been granted police bail and has an interim AVO against him after the common assault case went before court on Thursday . Jodhi Meares' lawyer Chris Murphy posted this statement on her behalf as Jon Stevens' court appearance drew near on Thursday morning . Police granted conditional bail on the basis that Stevens (listed as John Stevenson in the court) has no criminal history and no history of violence. The New Zealand-born Noiseworks rocker was arrested at 4.45am on Monday with the charge sheet reading that between 2.00 and 5.15 he (Stevens) did assault Jodhi Meares. Meantime, Meares' company The Upside has posted an apparent message of support for the designer, following the reports she was assaulted. Following the news, the Instagram account for Jodhi's leisurewear brand The Upside on Thursday morning posted a quote attributed to Kurt Cobain, reading, 'I'd rather be hated for who I am than loved for who I am not.' The second dramatic incident for Jodhi in just eight months (she rolled her Range Rover in Bondi in June and recorded a blood alcohol level of 0.181) will no doubt come as a blow to the socialite and businesswoman, who has been working hard building her active wear label The Upside over the past few years. It seemed like she could finally put the incident behind her last week when she glowed with pride as model Jessica Gomes paraded pieces from The Upside down the runway at the David Jones Autumn/Winter collection launch, Jodhi sipping water and staying close to the side of her fiance throughout the night. Day in court: The Sydney socialite and fashion designer faced court in August over drinking driving charges, after she rolled her Range Rover in Bondi in June and recorded a blood alcohol level 0.181. She was banned from driving for 12 months and received a $1,100 fine. No conviction was recorded . Crash: Jodhi collided with three parked cars when she rolled her Range Rover in Bondi on June 21 last year . Choosing to stick to water was surely no coincidence at the 43-year-old's first public appearance since she faced court in August, the former wife of billionaire James Packer no doubt hoping to repair her image as a clean-living fashionista. In court over the drink driving case, which resulted in Jodhi not having a conviction recorded and receiving a 12-month driving ban and a fine for $1,100, her solicitor Chris Murphy said Meares had been 'haunted' by her marriage to Packer, which lasted from 1999 until they separated in 2002. Incident: In court at the time of the hearing to make a decision on Meares' sentence, her lawyer said the former model weighed about 48.5 kilograms and had drunk 'about four and three-quarter' glasses of red wine over four and a half hours and eaten just a small piece of lamb when she got behind the wheel . 'She was married for just over two years [to James Packer] and that haunts everything that's said about it [the marriage],' he said. 'She's not a celebrity, she's not a movie star. She was raised by a single mother. They moved apartments every four months. There were four children, she went to three different high schools. 'She had the good fortune to make money in modelling, and in the late 90s, she created the label Tiger Lily, and married Jamie Packer.' 'Haunted' by marriage: Also heard in court was how the 43-year-old is 'haunted' by her marriage and subsequent divorce to billionaire James Packer, who she married in 1999 and split from in 2002 . Bikini babe: Jodhi rose to fame as a swimsuit model, and eventually went on to design them with her label Tigerlily, which she founded in 2000 and eventually sold to Billabong in 2007 for an amount estimated by some to be as much as $5 million . And while Jodhi has worked to create a life for herself out of her ex-husband's shadow, the court case also shone a light on how her fashion label is struggling to make money, despite its popularity among style-loving Sydney-siders. Mr Murphy said Ms Meares had not made any money from The Upside, had to pay staff for taking maternity leave and had given any profits to a Cambodian orphans charity, the Cambodian Children's Trust. 'Every garment that is sold by that business, a payment is made to the Cambodian trust,' he said. 'In this particular situation she has a business which is in its early stages, but it doesn't make money - but the cheque goes to the Cambodian orphanage ... with the slum children.' A-list: Jodhi and then husband James in 2001 at a Channel Nine function . Short lived: Sadly the pair were not able to survive the tumultuous time of James' failing One-Tel business, and the pair announced their separation on 2002 . She sold Tigerlily, the swimwear label she founded in 2000 during her marriage to Packer, to surfwear giant Billabong in 2007 for an amount reported to be between $3 and $5 million, staying on as a consultant before eventually cutting ties. Jodhi married James in a lavish ceremony said to have cost $10 million, but memories of the reported 750 guests and private two-hour show by Elton John couldn't sustain their feelings through three tumultuous years, and the couple split in a blaze of publicity in 2002. The year before, James suffered through the collapse of the communications business One-Tel. Out of his shadow: The brunette formed her own public identity in the wake of the marriage breakdown, becoming one of Sydney's top socialites and making a name for herself as a designer (pictured 2006) Clean living: The passionate yogi and paddle boarder showed off her slender frame at an event in 2010 . Once the fourth-largest telecommunications company in Australia, it collapsed dramatically and ended owing up to $350 million. While the details of her divorce settlement have never been disclosed - and Jodhi has rarely talked about her marriage- the package she walked away with was said to have included a multi-million dollar property portfolio for Jodhi, including a Bronte home she sold for $3.41 million. But life in the spotlight didn't suit Jodhi, who famously failed to show up for the series live finale of Australia's Next Top Model of which she was the host in 2008 because of paralysing stage fright, leaving the late Charlotte Dawson to step in at the eleventh hour and save the day, crowning that year's winner, Demelza Reveley. Bikini body: Her healthy lifestyle shows, with Jodhi revealing flat abs and slender limbs when in swimsuits . Idyllic: Jodhi and Jon have been splitting their time between Sydney and Hawaii, where they share moments from their enviable lifestyle on social media (pictured) Much was made of the incident, but later that year the star was to suffer a devastating loss which would affect her deeply. As the year went on, Jodhi began missing social events and eventually revealed she had been nursing her beloved dog Tenzin, who was suffering from bone cancer. The pup was rumoured to have come from a litter from media mogul and then father-in-law Kerry Packer's rottweiler pet. Tied the knot? Jodhi was happy to wear what appears to be a wedding band next to her engagement ring as she stepped out in Sydney’s Rose Bay on Saturday, two days before the domestic incident with Jon. The couple confirmed their engagement in 2013 but have never confirmed a wedding ceremony . But when adored pup Tenzin, who'd been her constant companion throughout the ups and downs of her very public life since they became pet-and-owner eight years before, succumbed to bone cancer in December, leaving the star distraught. Another turning point came when Jodhi lost her father in 2012, prompting her to make a fresh start in Hawaii. She keeps a home and spends plenty of time there, where Jon proposed in 2013. But what will become of the status of the couple's relationship remains to be seen after Sunday night's incident in which Stevens is accused of assaulting his fiancee. According to reports from Channel Nine, the incident allegedly occurred after the former wife of James Packer discovered text messages on Jon's phone. Jodhi is believed to have sustained minor injuries on her wrist. The Sydney Morning Herald reported the police were called to the couples' home after the fight and immediately issued an interim AVO, forbidding the Jezebal hitmaker from going near Jodhi for 28 days. The former INXS rocker was arrested and charged with assault. The rocker had been due to play several gigs this week, including Rooty Hill RSL on Friday night and Revesby Workers Club on Saturday night, but the shows have now been cancelled, with concert-goers offered refunds. Moment of pride: Model Jessica Gomes paraded Jodhi's label The Upside down the catwalk at the David Jones Autumn/Winter launch last week, with the founder watching on from the audience . Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article. | Jon Stevens is on conditional police bail with an interim Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) in place .
Jodhi Meares fiancé was arrested on Monday morning and accused of assaulting the fashion designer .
His bail conditions include that he not 'assault, molest, harass, threaten, interfere, stalk nor intimidate' his partner .
Meares is listed as 'the victim in this matter declined to make a statement'
She was trying to put a drink driving scandal from 2014 behind her in which she rolled a car at Bondi and recorded a blood alcohol level of 0.181 .
Her solicitor claims she is haunted by her marriage to James Packer .
It has been reported her fashion label The Upside struggles to make money . |
72,001 | cc1e031545547d5a42926d8a2e2f5aa5bef1b4ab | Hong Kong (CNN) -- Bruce Lee, the movie icon credited with bringing martial arts to the mainstream, has long been one of Hong Kong's proudest exports -- and come Saturday, Hong Kongers will have a chance to own a piece of history, when 13 pieces of Lee memorabilia go to auction. The star of classics such as Fists of Fury and Enter the Dragon, Lee was raised in Hong Kong before moving to the United States in 1959 to teach kung fu. Among the items to be auctioned by Phila China and U.S.-based Kelleher Auctions is a fur-lined, Chinese-style costume jacket, which was custom-made for Lee's follow-up film to Enter the Dragon. The coat was worn by the star in 1973, just before he died from a reaction to medication. Other lots include signed student membership cards to Lee's kung fu schools, and a martial-arts book inscribed by the actor. Anna Lee, spokeswoman for Phila China auction house, anticipates the auction will go very well. "It is the first time since 1993 -- when Lee's family auctioned 200 items in Los Angeles -- that lots of Lee items have gone on sale at once." About 150 people are expected to attend the auction in person, with phone bidders dialing in from around the world. Bidding is expected to focus on one particular item -- a three-page letter handwritten by Lee in 1966. Written to Taky Kimura -- fellow kung fu instructor, friend and best man at Lee's 1964 wedding -- the note reveals Lee's hopes for the future: "I'm looking forward for the T.V. series of 'Green Hornet' to come out so that Gung Fu will catch on," he wrote in one excerpt. The letter is estimated to sell for between U.S.$25,664 and U.S.$38,496. Phila China expects the 13 lots, which all came from the same American collector, to collectively fetch up to U.S.$113,000. W. Wong Yiu-keung, chairman of the Bruce Lee Fan Club, says this is a momentous occasion for Bruce Lee fans. "Those lots are meaningful and memorable that let us know more about Bruce Lee," he explained. "Bruce Lee movies had a great impact on both Westerners and non-Westerners -- those movies strides across different countries, races and languages." After plans to turn Lee's old home in Hong Kong into a museum fell through this year, this auction is one way for Hong Kongers to finally show Lee some love. | Bruce Lee memorabilia goes to auction August 6 in Hong Kong .
13 items are sale, including costume jacket, membership cards, and letter written by Lee .
The entire collection is expected to fetch U.S.$113,000 . |
286,979 | ffd4eef889aa874abe38163da97d3a2247d20a56 | A collection of touching letters addressed to best-selling crime novelist Agatha Christie have been published for the first time. The heartfelt notes, many of which date back to the 1950s and 1960s, praise the crime writer for her epic novels and short stories and thank her for helping individuals through hard times. The horde of messages, which have been published to mark the 125th anniversary of her birthday, include a letter from author PG Wodehouse, as well as a note from a Polish woman in London, who told how one of Christie's novels helped her survive a war-time labour camp in Germany. Scroll down for video . A series of touching letters to novelist Agatha Christie (left) have been published to mark the 125th anniversary of her birthday. The messages, some of which date back to the 1960s (right), praise her novels . The woman explained in her letter how she exchanged a piece of candle for a Polish translation of Christie's novel, The Man in the Brown Suit. In her fan mail, she wrote: 'I read and re-read (it) so often that I almost knew it by heart. 'The first few pages were missing so I didn't know the title or the author but for seven months it was my only link with a normal world. 'I know your writings have given pleasure and amusement to millions of people all over the world but never can one of your books have meant more to anyone than that tattered Polish translation did to me.' Christie, who wrote 66 detective novels and 14 short-story collections, also treasured a 1958 letter from a 14-year-old boy in Bristol who started a book club at his school so he could raise funds to buy her work. 'I have bought 28 books by you and this is how I have managed it,' he wrote. 'I charge the boys 3d per book to read at school, and 6d if they wished to take them home. 'With the money I obtained . . . I bought more 'AC' books . . . Now my scheme is bringing in so much money, I can afford to buy one of your books a week.' One letter, dated August 1963, thanks Ms Christie for helping women prisoners escape in Romania (above) by writing her novels. The note references Christie's crime novels including Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple . In the five-page handwritten letter, he later told how he would be 'truly proud' to hold a response from Christie and said he would be able to show it to his children in years to come. He also asked the 'Queen of Crime' at what age she began writing and expressed an interest in knowing the background of her successful career. In her typed response, which Christie also kept a copy of, she replied: 'I was very interested in your letter. You seem to have had a very good idea and I congratulate you.' Christie, who died in 1976 aged 85, also saved a note from PG Wodehouse, the English writer best known for the Jeeves and Blandings Castle novels and short stories. His 1969 letter from New York stated that he was 'pleased and proud' after discovering she had dedicated a Halloween party to him and added 'a new Agatha Christie is always an event'. Praising her choice of title, Wodehouse also revealed that he found 'getting a satisfactory title is the most difficult problem'. Christie, who penned 66 detective novels and 14 short-story collections, also treasured a 1958 letter from a 14-year-old boy in Bristol who started a book club at his school so he could raise funds to buy her work . The young boy from Bristol said he would be 'truly proud' to hold a response from Christie and said he would be able to show it to his children in years to come. Christie replied saying she was 'very interested' in his note . The heartfelt letters (left), many of which were sent to the best-selling crime novelist's personal address in south Devon (right) have been published for the first time ever to mark the 125th anniversary of her birthday . Also in the collection is a letter written in 1963 by a woman who spent more than a decade in a Romanian prison with no access to books. She told the best-selling author: 'During the 12 years I spent in prison I never saw a written page. 'My memory, however, could not be sealed up and thanks to it and to you my fellow-sufferers came to know and to love the works of Agatha Christie.' Christie's grandson Mathew Prichard published a number of the letters and replies to mark her 125th anniversary and encouraged today's fans to share their experience of her writing. He said: 'Knowing what receiving these letters meant to my grandmother, I'm sure she would be moved to see these personal stories shared publicly for the first time. 'As we call to her fans across the globe to share their stories and experiences of Christie, I look forward to discovering how her work continues to inspire today.' Christie, who also wrote under the name Mary Westmacott, died aged 85 having written more than 66 detective novels, most famously featuring her creations Hercule Poirot and Miss Jane Marple. Agatha Christie (pictured with her then young grandson, Mathew Prichard) wrote a total of 66 detective novels. Mr Prichard has now taken the decision to publish the fan letters to mark her birthday anniversary . | Letters from fans of the best-selling crime writer are published for first time .
The touching notes praise Agatha Christie for her novels and short stories .
Messages have been published to mark 125th anniversary of her birthday . |
254,135 | d4ed0bea5fdf107ceb31017bb5916d757afa08c3 | Florida State University quarterback Jameis Winston was awarded the 79th Heisman Trophy on Saturday, an honor that comes amid lingering questions about a rape allegation that has cast a pall over his claim to the coveted bronze statue. Winston, who was considered a frontrunner by many college analysts, led the top-ranked Seminoles as a freshman to an undefeated regular season and a chance to play for a national championship in January. "It's a blessing. I don't even know what's going on right now, honestly. I'm just so happy. I'm overwhelmed," Winston told an audience during the presentation in New York. Winston wins Heisman in runaway . But even as Winston became only the second redshirt freshman to win the Heisman, questions swirled about a rape allegation made against him more than a year ago but made public only last month. Prosecutors declined this month to file a charge against Winston, but a news conference by his accuser's lawyer the day before the Heisman presentation kept fueling the story. Asked about the case on Friday, Winston -- who has maintained the sexual activity was consensual -- told reporters: "I knew I did nothing wrong." On Saturday, shortly before being awarded the Heisman, he told the audience that he wanted people to know that he was a family man who loved his life and his college experience. "People just got to know I love life," he said. Winston recorded 3,820 passing yards and 38 passing touchdowns this year. He is only the second redshirt freshman to win the Heisman. The first freshman winner came last year, when Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel took the honor. At age 19, Winston is the youngest player to win the Heisman. He also is the third FSU player, behind Charlie Ward and Chris Weinke, to claim the honor. Winston led Florida State to a 13-0 regular season, setting the Seminoles up to take on the Auburn University Tigers in the BCS National Championship on January 6. The game will be played on Winston's 20th birthday. Power candidates for 2014 . Winston, who received 686 first-place votes according to Heisman trustees, finished ahead of Manziel, Auburn's Tre Mason, University of Alabama's AJ McCarron, Northern Illinois University's Jordan Lynch and Boston College's Andre Williams. Winston's Heisman honor comes one day after attorney Patricia Carroll called on Florida officials to investigate how authorities in the state capital handled the now-closed investigation into the alleged sexual assault of her client. Carroll accused the Tallahassee police detective who handled the case of spending time and resources investigating her client instead of Winston. More than half of the 248-page investigative file authorities released to her consisted of records related to her client's telephone, social media and other records, Carroll said. She said only 11 pages of the filed contained references to Winston, and some of the material released by authorities differed from those obtained by the woman's family. The lawyer also questioned how investigators handled and tested evidence in the case and said authorities failed to get warrants to examine video surveillance, Winston's apartment and other potential evidence that could have proven crucial to the case. Earlier this month, Willie Meggs, the state attorney for the 2nd Judicial Circuit, which includes Leon County and Tallahassee, announced that Winston would not be arrested. A key factor was the accuser's recollection of the events during the December 2012 incident, in which she alleged Winston raped her after she had been drinking with friends at a Tallahassee bar, according to Meggs. "We have a duty as prosecutors to only file ... charges if we have a reasonable likelihood of a conviction," Meggs said at the time. "We did not feel we could meet that burden." The prosecutor said investigators did not have even probable cause to arrest Winston, which requires a low standard of proof. Winston's attorney, Tim Jansen, has said his client had consensual sex with the woman. Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi has spoken with the head of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement about the possibility of an inquiry, but no formal request has been received, spokesman Jenn Meale told CNN on Friday. According to police documents, the woman told investigators she had been drinking with friends at a Tallahassee bar called Potbelly's. She said an unknown man gave her a shot glass of liquid before they left the bar. She said she did not remember much of what happened next but told investigators she remembered winding up in a ground-floor apartment, where a man took off her clothes and had sex with her despite her objections. She reported the alleged assault to campus police that night. The woman came forward a month after making her initial report to accuse Winston, but Tallahassee's interim Police Chief Tom Coe said last week that she "broke off contact" with investigators in February and said she didn't want to go forward with the case. The woman's family has claimed that a detective had warned her attorney that Tallahassee is a "big football town" and that her life could be miserable if she pursued the case. Carroll said the woman is not contemplating any civil litigation and is focusing on finishing final examinations at Florida State under special accommodations made by the school. She said the woman's sorority has been subjected to threats and has had some tires slashed. | At 19, Jameis Winston is the youngest player to win the Heisman Trophy .
"It's a blessing, " Winston says .
Winston led the top-ranked Seminoles to an undefeated regular season .
Prosecutors declined this month to file a charge of rape against Winston . |
164,815 | 611ded58915e0b51937f3b711b9c8dba7f1204fe | By . Steve Robson . PUBLISHED: . 11:29 EST, 28 August 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 11:54 EST, 28 August 2013 . Seriously injured: Iosif Lole, 41, is being treated in hospital after being beaten unconscious by thugs in the street . A father-of-four has been left fighting for his life after being attacked by late night revellers he asked to keep the noise down and go home. Iosif Lole, 41, was battered unconscious by the ‘pack of animals’ following a disturbance outside his house on Moston, Manchester, in the early hours. Neighbours said knives and bricks were used in the attack, which was witnessed by his children from an upstairs window. Iosif, who come to England from Romania three years ago, had hosted a party to celebrate moving into a new family home. But trouble flared when he asked a gang of men to leave because he had to get up to work on his home in the morning. A neighbour said that Iosif was knocked unconscious when his head hit the kerb, but that thugs continued to attack him as he lay on the ground. Police arrested a 20-year-old at the scene on suspicion of assault. They later made a second arrest of a 19-year-old, also on suspicion of assault. Iosif’s partner, Paraschiva Martin, was last night at his bedside in Salford Royal Hospital where he is being treated. She said doctors had told her they are ‘90 per cent sure he will have a disability’. She . said: 'We had a party to celebrate us moving to a new house. Then some . other guys came round with alcohol and Iosif said he had lots of work to . do on the new house the next day and wanted to go to bed so he asked . everyone to leave. 'That’s when it all started. Someone slapped one of his friends and that started it all. 'Iosif . had gone upstairs as he wanted to check on the children. But then he . went outside to make sure no one was fighting and to ask them to leave. He didn’t do anything wrong. 'He didn’t push anyone or say anything wrong. I opened the window, looked outside and could see everything. Devastated: Iosif's partner Paraschiva Martin said their young children witnessed the attack from their bedroom window . 'Someone threw at a stone at him - he didn’t see him and I shouted at him to take care. 'Then someone punched him and he fell and hit his head. I have never seen anything like this, ever. 'The . girls saw everything. Today one of them said to me ‘mummy, I saw daddy . with blood on his face’ I told her that he was in good hands now. The . couple, who have a 21 year-old son and three daughters aged 11, eight . and two, moved to England from the Romanian city of Arad three years . ago. She told how the attack was witnessed by their daughters - who . looked on helplessly in horror. 'Seeing . him in the hospital was just horrible. The doctors have said they are . 90 per cent sure he will have a disability. What disability they do not . know. I am very, very scared. I want to cry but I know I must stay . strong for the girls. 'He didn’t deserve something like this. He is such a nice man. He would always help people.' 'People who had no benefits used to ask him for help and he would help them with their letters and give them money and food. 'Now I will just visit him in the hospital and pray he gets better. I just hope he is able to come home.' Brutal attack: A gang of men set upon the father-of-four like 'a pack of animals' in this street in Moston, Manchester . A witness, who asked not to be named, described horrific scenes shortly before 1.45am on Tuesday. She said: 'There was a lot of noise throughout the night but then it turned from shouting to threats. 'I . looked out and I saw a lad who lives on the street having what I could . only call a Mexican stand-off with a group of Romanian lads. 'All of a sudden a load of lads from the nearby estate came to back up the lad who was on his own. 'Iosif . came out to calm the situation down and the kids from the estate set . about him. They were like a pack of animals. It was dark but I think I . saw knives and bricks. He cracked his head on the kerb as he went down . but they would not stop. They were kicking him when he was on the floor. 'Pari came out and tried to drag him into the garden to protect him. They have young children who were looking out of the window. It’s awful. They are nice people who have lived there for a while.' Chief Supt Russ Jackson said: 'We are . conducting a thorough investigation into what is a very complex incident . involving multiple witnesses and offenders and are determined to . unravel exactly what happened. It is vital that anyone who was at the . party or who lives nearby and heard or saw something comes forward.' | Iosif Lole, 41, battered unconscious by 'pack of animals' outside his home .
Had held a party to celebrate moving into house in Moston, Manchester .
But trouble flared after he asked some guests to leave because he had to work in the morning .
Partner Paraschiva says their young children witnessed brutal assault . |
140,383 | 41861153a29b7b77ee0a96528cdbfbed8537dcba | When you first see Alien Disclosure UK's 'evidence' of life on the Red Planet, all you can see is a mass of rocks. But as the camera zooms in and then pulls back, you cannot help but make out the form of a little green man scuttling forward to pick up what appears to be an iconic Dr Martens boot lying on the dusty floor. The video is the latest in a long line of curious and quirky images from the Red Planet that internet users have jumped to interpret. Scroll down for video . That's where we left it! A 'boot' is visible, sitting on the surface of Mars, and just behind it, a little hominid appears to be tracking forward . On the right foot: The alien looks too small to get any use out of the boot - just one of the many mysteries of Mars . However, it is unlikely to be the smoking gun (or boot) that NASA has been looking for to announce the existence of extra-terrestrial existence. In the early days, the planet was throwing up curiosities. In the 1800s, earthbound observers were certain they could see canals - and even cities - through their telescopes. But as we became better with our optics, so did our understanding of Mars, and this belief was put to bed as newer images showed no trace of life. Then, in 1976, Mars was back with a new mystery - the famous Face on Mars, taken by the Viking 1 during a flyby in 1976. This was later shown to be just another light and perspective trick by Mars, but the haunting visage captured the world's attention. More recently, YouTube user StephenHannardADGUK, part of Alien Disclosure UK, has been gazing at the latest images from the Curiosity Rover, and has collected a fine collection of oddities. These include white 'flying objects' zooming across the Martian sky - and then a . collection of mysterious 'items' he spotted in a video from Gale Crater. The . image shows what appears to be a rock shaped like a digit with a faint . outline at one end that vaguely resembles a fingernail. Another . rock found nearby resembles an overturned sandal, and a crevice on . another geological formation looks like a smiling Martian critter. He announced: 'Mars Curiosity captures a . possible ancient finger, a dome shaped object, a shoe or sandal and a . possible Martian creature. 'Are . these anomalies real, tricks of the light or something else, as always . you decide.' Ancient digit: From the Face on Mars, captured by NASA in 1976, to the 'finger' found just last week, Mars likes to tease us with suggestions of life . Martian footwear: Another rock that caught the attention of the UFO enthusiast made him think of a long-forgotten shoe or sandal on the surface of the Red Planet . Martian life form: An image of a rock with a crevice in the middle vaguely resembles a grinning extra-terrestrial critter . Incredible: Nasa's Curiosity shows the base of Mount Sharp, the rover's eventual science destination, in its latest image release . UFO or camera snafu: The same relentless web user posted footage in which he applied a series of filters to a Curiosity image, revealing what he claimed to be four objects resembling flying saucers . Theory debunked: Experts came out saying that the four 'saucers' are actually just dead pixels in the rover's camera . The YouTube video - posted by a Stephen Hannard - puts the photograph through many different filters to try to find more clues as to their existence. A fourth blob can be seen to the top of this image . Two lights are seen on Mars. First (top), a light moves across the Martian horizon, and second (bottom) a small light rises from the surface of the planet . VIDEO: Is this an alien on Mars? | Latest 'spot' from the Red Plant claims to see alien life in Curiosity's high resolution images .
Images are the latest in a long line of supposed sightings - from the canals of the 1800s to the Face on Mars in 1976 . |
168,968 | 66955851c22df9fc2ba5657ad9db83a472a09809 | Sadistic Amon Goeth was believed to have been executed in a filmed hanging but now historians say it was a different Nazi butcher . Revelations about the execution of a notorious Nazi war criminal, immortalised in Schindler's List, have raised questions about how the mass murderer died and whether he was even hanged at all. For decades Amon Goeth, who was responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands of Jews and Poles during World War Two, was believed to have been filmed being executed in 1946. A black and white video shows executioners twice botching a hanging before he was eventually killed. But historians claim in a new National Geographic . documentary called Bloody Tales that the video . was from 1947 and shows Dr Ludwig Fischer being hanged. Worryingly, there is almost no detail about the sadistic mass murderer's death in official records and no one knows what happened to his body. Historian Dr Suzannah Lipscomb and presenter Joe Crowley do not believe he escaped Europe like other high profile Nazis such as Adolf Eichmann and Joseph Mengele, and say he was killed. However the revelations surrounding Goeth, who was . known to carry out his own killings rather than order them, mean his death is now a . complete mystery with records containing just two words: 'He died.' Dr Lipscomb said: 'We are pretty sure that he was executed. On some level there will be speculation but if it was a court of law it would be concluded beyond reasonable doubt. 'He was a truly horrific individual.' Scroll down for video . Goeth was arrested in 1945 after German forces fled Poland and was handed over to the Polish authorities . The new documentary says the infamous video shows the botched execution of Dr Ludwig Fischer in 1947 and not Amon Goeth, a year earlier, as has been believed for decades . She said she hoped the information would inspire other researchers to now try to find out more about what happened to his body. David Caldwell-Evans, documentary . director, said a . combination of inaccurate records and the internet has perpetuated the myth that Goeth was in the video of the execution. He said: 'We know he was executed and . there was one unconfirmed account that said the executioners struggled . because of Goeth's height. 'There is no record of where he was . buried, he could have been cremated and had his ashes thrown in the . river or his body could have been donated to a medical school. We just . don't know. 'With Goeth, he acted alone so we thought there may be records and reports of his death but there is nothing. The only record left about the execution of Amon Goeth, who enjoyed killing people himself rather than ordering their deaths, is a note saying 'he died' 'He actually killed people himself, the war helped him exact his psychopathic tendencies.' Goeth was chillingly portrayed by British actor Ralph Fiennes in the Steven Spielberg's Oscar-winning masterpiece Schindler's List. The Polish State Film Archive, the . Yad Vashem Holocaust Archive in Israel, Goeth's biographer and numerous . online holocaust sites identified the man being hanged as Goeth. Goeth, the Kraksow-Plaszow concentration camp commander in Poland, was convicted of killing tens of thousands of Jews in 1946. He was known to shoot babies for fun and got an extra kick when victims died slowly and painfully. Goeth was chillingly played by Ralph Fiennes in the Oscar-winning classic Schindler's List in 1993 . In Schindler's List Ralph Fiennes' Goeth is seen being hanged, pictured, after giving a Nazi salute but historians say very little is known about the actual execution and what then happened to the body . As well as killing Jews and Poles, . Goeth also stole from them for his personal gain. At his trial he was found guilty of ordering up to 8,000 inmates to be exterminated, killing 2,000 more by closing the Krakow ghetto, and ordering the murder of several thousands more by closing down the forced labour camp at Szebnie. Survivors told of the horror of living under Goeth's command and testimonies said that he took a personal interest in the murder of prisoners. He would often set dogs on prisoners, who would eat them alive, before Goeth personally shot them but only when they stopped moving. Prisoners were counted lucky if they survived for more than four weeks. In 1943 on Yom Kippur, Goeth and SS officers shot 50 Jews and prisoners were regularly hanged in front of others. Schindler Jew Moshe Beijski's testimony at the trial of war criminal Adolf Eichmann is quoted on the Auschwitz website: 'The case of Olmer, whose daughter lives in Jerusalem, and I know her .. He was summoned by the Camp Commandant Amon Goeth. 'The Camp Commandant had two dogs, Ralf and Rolf, and he set the dogs on him. The dogs ate him up alive. Possibly a little breath still remained in him. He shot him and he was killed.' In another testimony, an older man received a beating and was then made to thank Goeth for it. When he turned to leave, he was shot in the back. At Plaszow, Goeth spent the mornings using a high-powered rifle to shoot children playing in the camp. Documentary film director David Caldwell-Evans said Goeth, portrayed here by Fiennes, has been 'slightly forgotten' Schindler Jew Poldek Pfefferberg said: 'When you saw Goeth, you saw death.' Goeth was arrested by the Gestapo for theft in 1944 but charges were dropped as Germany faced defeat by the Allied Forces. He was arrested again in 1945, this . time by U.S. forces and put on trial in 1946 at the Supreme National . Tribunal of Poland in Krakow. Goeth was found guilty on September 5, 1946 and executed on the 13. Mr Caldwell-Adams added: 'The prison . record only says two words: "He died". The Polish archives have been 80 . per cent sure that it was him. 'We knew the WFDIF had the original . film and when we went to them they said the film on the internet was . theirs and they were 80 per cent sure it was Goeth. 'When you think about the end of the war, Poland was a mess. 'They weren't terribly concerned by . the accuracy of the records so the video may have just been dumped on a . table and mislabeled. 'The clip was later used in a documentary about Goeth and uploaded to YouTube and it has all perpetuated the myth. 'People in Krakow are aware of Goeth but he has slightly been forgotten. 'Schindler's List gave us a hero and a . villain, but without remembering the villain we can forget the hero and . what he fought against.' In Steven Spielberg's 1993 . masterpiece Schindler's List, Goeth was played by Ralph Fiennes - . winning a Bafta for Best Supporting Actor. Fiennes' portrayal led to . Goeth being named as the 15th biggest villain in movie history by the . American Film Institute. Oskar Schindler, played by Liam Neeson, was named 15th top hero. Historians believe the video of the botched execution actually shows Dr Ludwig Fischer . Dr Ludwig Fischer was a Nazi lawyer, politician and war criminal, who was responsible for creating the Warsaw Ghetto. Born into a Catholic family, he joined the National Socialist party in 1926 and rose to the senior rank of Gruppenführer. He was elected to the Reichstag in 1937 - two years before the outbreak of World War Two. After the invasion of Poland in 1939, Fischer was appointed Governor of the Warsaw District and held the position until the withdrawal of German forces in January 1945. Fischer issues anti-Semitic laws and was responsible for mass executions, slave labour programmes and sending Polish Jews to concentration camps. He survived an attempted assassination attempt in 1944 before the Warsaw Uprising and was arrested a year later by the Allied forces and handed over the the Police authorities. He was tried before the Supreme National Tribunal and sentenced to death. Fischer was executed by hanging at the age of 41 on March 8, 1947, in Warsaw's Mokotów Prison. | Amon Goeth killed thousands of people as concentration camp commander .
For decades video of a Nazi execution was believed to show his death .
But new documentary says film shows execution of Dr Ludwig Fischer .
Goeth was chillingly played by Ralph Fiennes in the Spielberg masterpiece .
His death is a complete mystery and it is not known where he was buried .
'Bloody Tales' is on Monday, March 25 at 8pm on the National Geographic Channel. |
11,360 | 20529a3915327dff80d4e9935a05f334c512769c | By . Lydia Warren . Last updated at 8:36 PM on 17th January 2012 . She is famous for piling slabs of butter and glugs of cream into any - and every - recipe possible. But now Paula Deen has revealed that such a rich diet does not come without consequence - as she has been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. The chef, 64, was diagnosed with the condition three years ago, but kept it quiet as she did not want to 'let diabetes stand in the way of enjoying my life', she told the Today Show. Scroll down for videos . Queen of Southern cuisine: Chef Paula Deen, whose signature dishes . include a bacon-doughnut-egg burger, has revealed she has Type 2 . diabetes . The condition, linked to obesity, is a result of genetic factors and lifestyle choices. It is a result of the body not producing enough insulin or failing to use it efficiently, allowing excess sugar to build up in the blood. It can be managed by making lifestyle changes, such as exercising more and lowering blood sugars by altering the diet. It might come as little surprise that the condition has affected a chef whose signature dishes include bacon, egg and a burger between a doughnut. And in an interview with the Today Show last year, the mother-of-two revealed she could never live without butter or her deep-fat fryer. But speaking about her diagnosis, the 'Queen of Southern cuisine' said people should take her recipes with a pinch of salt. 'I've always encouraged moderation,' she said. 'People see me cooking all these wonderful, Southern, . fattening recipes... it's for entertainment. People have to be . responsible.' Love of food: Deen has said the one food she could not live without is butter . Speaking with Al Roker, Deen revealed how she told Oprah Winfrey to exercise the same sort of responsibility. 'Like I told Oprah, "Honey, I'm your cook, not your doctor,"' she said. 'You have to be responsible.' Type 2 diabetes is a long-term condition caused by too much glucose, a type of sugar, in the blood. It is often associated with obesity. In those with the condition, the body is unable to break down glucose into energy as there is either not enough insulin to move the glucose, or because the insulin that is there does not work properly. The symptoms, such as tiredness and weight loss, can be controlled by eating a healthy diet and monitoring the blood glucose level. Insulin medication, usually in the form of tablets, also controls the condition. Around 25 million in the United States have diabetes, with around 90 per cent having Type 2. When asked if her high-fat recipes can lead to diabetes, she said: 'That is part of the puzzle.' She added that there are other factors, including genetics, lifestyle, stress and age. To deal with the condition, she is 'making lifestyle adjustments, including lightened-up versions of her favorite recipes'. The Food Network chef is also taking Victoza, a once-daily, non-insulin injection. 'I am here today to let the world know that it is not a death sentence,' she added. Although it was rumoured Deen had the condition in April 2010, this is the first time she has confirmed it. In 2010, Deen earned just under $10 million from her television shows, recipe books, endorsements, retail sales and speaking fees, based on figures by New York Magazine. It suggests she could have earned around $30 million in the time since she was diagnosed. Type 2 diabetes is an ever-growing problem in the U.S., with around 20 million people suffering from the condition. Some of Deen's peers have questioned her judgement in keeping her own diagnosis quiet. Signature dish: One of Deen's recipes is a Lady's Brunch Burger that features doughnuts in place of buns, bacon, a beef burger and a fried egg . Fellow chef Anthony Bourdain told Eater.com: 'When your signature dish is hamburger . in between a doughnut, and you've been cheerfully selling this stuff . knowing all along that you've got type 2 diabetes, it's bad . taste if nothing else.' According to the People magazine, Paula is said to be under doctor's orders to steer clear of high-calorie foods. Leading endocrinologist Dr Daniel Lorber . said: 'Diabetes can be deadly because it increases your risk of heart . disease, kidney failure and stroke. 'And Type 2 diabetes can be directly related to obesity, which is reaching epidemic proportions in this country.' A family friend told the Enquirer: 'When Paula was diagnosed with diabetes I think she was worried that if her secret got out, it would make her look like a hypocrite. 'Ironically, the very thing that made her rich and famous turned her into a poster child for what could happen if you follow in her footsteps.' See below for videos . | Earned nearly $10 million from her shows, restaurants and endorsements in just ONE year .
Fellow chef Anthony Bourdain calls secrecy 'bad taste'
Deen defends her recipes, saying: 'I've always encouraged moderation' |
121,175 | 28a7e1514585983f87fcc5fe181d873b15c7598a | The two siblings of a wealthy Manhattan real estate mogul are currently at war with each other in court as they attempt to track down a secret stash of buried gold and silver their brother only told them about right before he died. Robert Giaimo and Janet Vitale have been on a high-profile treasure for the gold coins and silver bars worth an estimated $4.5 million since 2007 and are still yet to find the collection. Their brother, Edward Giaimo Jr, who owned 18 properties on the Upper East Side, died at the age of 67 without her disclosing the location, DNA Info are reporting. Court papers say the 200,000 Troy ounces of silver and 1,000 Krugerrands are either buried at the family's property in Pelham Manor, New York, or in an unknown storage facility. 'X' marks the spot?: Siblings Robert Giaimo and Janet Vitale have been searching for eight years for $4.5 million worth of gold and silver that had been hidden by their late brother, which could be buried on the family's Pelham Manor property (pictured) Robert and Janet were locked in a court battle over documents that could hold the vital clues as to where the treasure is buried. The battle is just part of a fight over how to split their brother's fortune, which tallies at $48 million. Robert Giaimo sued his sister in 2008 for not letting him into the Pelham Manor house where Edward and their mother lived. At the time Janet had just discovered $7 million cash hidden behind a closet in the attic. She also found $3 million in a safe in the basement. The money had come from their late brother skimming rent money that had been paid to the family business from the tenants in their many buildings, according to DNA Info. Hidden treasure: The 200,000 Troy ounces of silver and 1,000 Krugerrands - South African coins - are now thought to be worth about $4.5 million . Janet had taken over the family business before Edward's death. The siblings are still fighting over what will happen to the $10 million that was found. Following Edward's death in 2007, Janet claimed Robert had tried to conceal the location of the treasure from her. 'Edward mentioned that there was some gold and silver bars or whatever you want to call them,' Janet said. 'And I was cut off immediately by Robert and he said, 'You don't want to know about that. In court: Robert Giaimo (pictured) is at war with his sister over the estate of their late brother, New York landlord Edward Giaimo . 'You will go to jail,' so I didn't hear any more about it. 'That was the end of it.' In 2011 the court determined that documents . Despite an eight-year search, it is still unclear whether they ever found the stash of precious metals. | New York real estate mogul Edward Giaimo died in 2007 .
He told his siblings, Robert Giaimo and Janet Vitale, of a $4.5 million stash of gold and silver he had hidden but didn't disclose the location .
Their brother owned 18 properties on the Upper East Side .
Had a fortune of $48 million at the time of his death .
Janet found $10 million hidden inside Edward's home in Pelham Manor .
Robert believes the 'treasure' is buried at the house or hidden in an unknown storage facility . |
220,664 | a9a44f9efcf1f0cf05964ef47189064e4879ff83 | By . Emily Andrews, Nick Fagge and Hugo Gye . PUBLISHED: . 13:49 EST, 14 December 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 09:50 EST, 15 December 2012 . The family of the nurse who killed herself after being fooled by a prank call directed at the Duchess of Cambridge today described the 'unfillable void' she had left in their lives as she was remembered at Westminster Cathedral. Jacintha Saldanha's husband read out a moving tribute to the woman he described as 'the light in my darkness', adding: 'I love you and miss you forever.' The 46-year-old mother of two was found hanging in her nurses' quarters at King Edward VII's Hospital by a colleague last Friday, two days after transferring a phone call from two Australian radio DJs to a nurse on Kate's ward. Scroll down for videos . Emotion: Benedict Barboza, centre, husband of tragic nurse Jacintha Saldanha, dries his eyes outside Westminster Cathedral as he stands alongside his son Junal and daughter Lisha . Brave: 14-year-old Lisha paid tribute to her beloved mother after the memorial service . A mass was held at London's Roman Catholic cathedral on Saturday morning 'for the repose of the soul of Jacintha and her grieving family', according to a spokesman. Following the service, Ms Saldanha's husband Benedict Barboza and her children Junal and Lisha paid an emotional tribute to a 'kind-hearted, generous and well-respected woman'. Fighting back tears, Mr Barboza said: 'My wife, you were the light in my darkness, who always showed me the way forward. 'From the day we met, you always stood by me in times of hardship and happiness. Grief: The family was joined by MP Keith Vaz outside the cathedral on Saturday . Grand: A mass was said 'for the repose of the soul of Jacintha and her grieving family' Stoic: The family spoke of their suffering since Ms Saldanha was found dead last Friday . 'I . feel a part of me has been ripped out. Without your beautiful smile and . sparkling personality, the house is an empty place to live. 'Nineteen years of togetherness with a strong bond of affection and understanding will be cherished forever in my life. 'Your loss is a very painful one and nobody can take that place in my life ever again. I love you and miss you forever.' Ms Saldanha's son 16-year-old Junal said: 'Our mother, kind-hearted, generous and a well respected woman in both of our lives. You were the core of the family who kept us together. 'In times of difficulty you showed us the way forward to happiness and success. Stoic: Lisha is consoled by Mr Vaz ahead of the family's statements on Jacintha's death . Memory: The nurse's funeral will be held on Monday in her Indian hometown of Shirva . Heartfelt: The family wrote tributes to Jacintha in an order of service pamphlet distributed to mourners . 'Your priority for us was a good education and a bright future. You taught us right from wrong which we appreciate. 'You . worked tirelessly to give us everything that we have today. When we . achieved good grades and merit, your pat on our backs encouraged us . more.' Daughter Lisha, 14, said: 'We will miss your laughter, the loving memories and the good times we had together. The house is an empty dwelling without your presence. 'We are shattered and there's an unfillable void in our lives. 'We love you mum, sleep in peace and watch over us until me meet again in heaven. We will always love you and keep you close to our heart.' Gave: Labourers on Saturday were preparing the nurse's final resting place in her hometown of Shirva . Tragic duty: Workers were seen measuring out the plot at the cemetery in south-west India . Prayers: Worshippers at mass in the church in Shirva where Ms Saldanha's funeral will take place on Monday . Standing outside the cathedral alongside their local MP Charlotte Leslie and MP Keith Vaz, who has been campaigning on behalf of the family, Mr Barboza said the family 'could not have foreseen the unprecedented tragedy that has unfolded in our lives'. He added: 'The events of the last week have shattered our lives. We barely have the strength to withstand the grief and sorrow.' He thanked the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prime Minister David Cameron for their condolences. During the service, Father Alexander . Master said: 'The mass is offered for the repose of the soul of Jacintha . Saldanha and also for the family, some of whom we welcome here today. 'We pray for them and, in particular, for her.' Grieving: Benedict Barboza leads his children Lisha, 14, and Junal, 16, into St. Teresa church, Bristol, where they are attending a memorial service for his wife Jacintha Saldanha . Comfort: Father Tom Finnigan greats the family of Jacintha Saldanha into St. Teresas church and gives her teenage son a hug . Support: Father Finnigan also had comforting words for Benedict Barboza before he led his children into the service . Memorial . services have already been held at the hospital where Ms Saldanha . worked and in Bristol where her husband and children live. The nurse left three notes and also had marks on her wrist when her . body was discovered, Westminster Coroner's Court heard on Thursday. The . DJs behind the hoax call - Mel Greig and Michael Christian - have given . an emotional account of their reaction to Ms Saldanha's death. Interviewed . on Australian TV networks, the presenters said their prank call to the . hospital prompted 'a tragic turn of events no-one could have predicted . or expected'. Southern . Cross Austereo (SCA), the parent company of 2Day FM, has ended the . pair's Hot 30 show and suspended prank calls across the company. Upsetting: The memorial is taking place inside St Teresa Church, Bristol. Family and friends of the 46-year-old nurse are in attendance . Remembering: Junal lights a candle for his mother during the service . Yesterday . it emerged that Ms Saldanha left a note criticising her treatment from . the hospital in the aftermath of the prank call. As . her family attended an emotional memorial service last night, they are . said to be furious that Jacintha Saldanha was not given more support. The letter, one of three notes, is said to be highly critical of King Edward VII Hospital. In another, the mother of two detailed . her anguish and shame about being duped by two Australian DJs, . pretending to be the Queen and Prince Charles, into passing on the call. The third deals with her requests for her funeral, which will be held . in her hometown of Shirva, south-west India. A source close to the family said: . 'One of the letters, which is the longest, deals with the hospital and . is critical in its tone. Needless to say her husband Ben wants a full . inquiry into what happened, and he wants to make sure the truth comes . out. 'Within the letter Jacintha calls into question some of the treatment she received at the hospital.' Heartbreaking: A woman carries a photograph of Jacintha Saldanha inside St. Teresa church . In memory: This is the order of service from the memorial service at St Teresa's Church . King Edward VII Hospital responded by . issuing a strongly-worded statement in which it said it had 'stood by . her actions', 'considered her the victim of a cruel hoax' and made it . clear there would have been 'no disciplinary action of any kind'. At Mrs Saldanha's memorial service . last night, candles were lit in her memory. Speaking to a packed St . Teresa's Church in Bristol, Father Tom Finnegan praised her caring and . nurturing devotion as a nurse. He said: 'Jacintha was a much loved wife, . mother and friend who is sorely missed.' He read a tribute from daughter Lisha, who said: 'We miss you so much. Your priority for us was a good . education and a bright future. You taught us right from wrong. 'The house is empty, a dwelling . without presence. We are shattered and there is an incredible void in . our life. We will always love you and keep you close in our heart.' Father Finnegan also read a tribute . from husband Ben Barboza, a 49-year-old NHS accountant, in which he said . he felt 'as if a part of me has been ripped off' and he missed his . wife's 'sparkling personality'. 'Your loss is very painful and I will love you and miss you for ever.' Sorrow: Students from a nursing college in Bangalore, India, hold up a poster of Jacintha Saldanha at a candlelit vigil organised in her memory . Saddened: Sydney-based 2DayFM radio presenters Michael Christian (left) and Mel Greig (right in left, and right) made a grovelling apology in two interviews aired on Australian TV yesterday (one seen right) The hospital also held a memorial . service yesterday morning for her 'deeply shocked' colleagues and . friends to pay their respects. It comes a week after Mrs Saldanha, . 46, was found dead in nurses' accommodation. Her body was released after . an inquest into her death was opened and adjourned yesterday, and it . will be flown to India over the weekend. Rhys Holleran, chief executive of . Australian radio company Southern Cross Austereo, which owns 2DayFM, . said yesterday that there would be a review of procedures. He appeared . to clear the station of any wrong-doing by saying that 'an initial . internal review of events leading up to the broadcast of the call showed . that set processes were followed'. But he added that given the tragic . circumstances, the company had decided upon 'a complete review of all of . our procedures and processes'. | Devastated Jacintha Saldanha left three suicide notes following prank call .
She used one note to 'criticise hospital over her treatment', sources say .
Grieving husband Ben, 49, calls for an inquiry into exactly what happened .
Hospital holds memorial service for her and insists it's supporting family .
Mass commemorating her life at Westminster Cathedral on Saturday . |
191,613 | 841fd996b7d68d6bfb68e1cdb835dae1cf3d4fca | By . Steve Nolan . PUBLISHED: . 08:20 EST, 22 November 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 11:24 EST, 22 November 2012 . They may be more used to scavenging in bins for their dinner but this friendly fox took a more direct approach to getting lunch - sharing a surprised birdwatcher's picnic. The brazen vixen made a beeline for Richard Harris, 51, who was sitting in one of his favourite parks enjoying a spot of lunch. Much to his surprise, Mr Harris held out some crisps in his hand and the young female took them from his fingers. Surprise: Birdwatcher Richard Harris, 51, was sitting in one of his favourite parks enjoying a light lunch when the bushytailed creature ambled up . Hungry: To Richard's surprise the hungry fox tucked into some crisps . Snack: Mr Harris then gave the fox some nuts which were meant for the birds . Retired Mr Harris said: 'She came up and very carefully took my onion rings from me. I was amazed. 'This carried on until we had finished the entire packet, and she didn’t catch my fingers in her teeth once. 'I really didn’t think the fox would eat straight out of my hands without any hesitation. 'It’s a special moment I will remember for a long time. 'The bench I was sitting on at the time is my favourite now, because of what happened.' The former music publisher, from Richmond, was visiting nearby Kew Gardens - a favourite haunt - to see jays, ringnecked parakeets and other garden birds. After the fox had polished off the onion rings, Mr Harris started to hand her peanuts meant for his feathered friends. His wife Sissel, 63, was on hand to capture the special moment on film. Mr Harris said: 'I think the fox preferred the onion rings to be honest. I still can’t believe what happened, or the care she took. 'She was so sweet that I wasn’t worried about being nipped at all.' The fantastic fox wasn't just there for the food, she kept the couple company for around half an hour even when the food had run out. Mr Harris said: 'I hope I will see her again one day, and that I have some more food with me to share.' Bold: The fox wasn't shy, taken the snack straight from Richard's hand . Feast: The fox shared Richard's onion rings . Friendly: The fox stayed with Richard until the whole bag of onion rings was eaten . | Birdwatcher Richard Harris was enjoying lunch in Kew Gardens, London, when the friendly fox approached looking for a snack .
Mr Harris was able to feed the vixen crisps from his hand .
His wife Sissel was on hand to capture the magic moment on camera . |
182,483 | 784eff1888baeac653c8280562578d4a7df2e47d | (CNN) -- A devastating storm system moved across the United States on Friday, spawning a slew of tornadoes that contributed to at least 28 fatalities in Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio. National Weather Service meteorologist John Gordon reported Friday afternoon the agency had about "half a dozen reports of tornadoes on the ground," as well as reports of "significant damage" -- making his comments before some of the worst twisters were reported. "This is an enormous outbreak that's going on right now across Kentucky and the South," Gordon said. "It's crazy. It's just nuts right here." Southern Indiana was particularly hard hit, with Indiana Department of Homeland Security spokesman John Erickson saying three had died in Jefferson County as a result. Sgt. Rod Russell with the Indiana State Police said later that three people also were killed in Scott County. In addition, Emergency Management Director Leslie Cavanaugh of Clark County -- which has about 110,000 people -- reported one death. Sheriff's Department Maj. Chuck Adams added that a man was found dead in his car several miles outside Henryville. "We've got total devastation in the north-ceindntral part of the county (and) widespread damage from the west to the east," added Adams. "We are inundated with calls." At least 15 people were killed across Indiana, authorities said. Aerial footage from CNN affiliate WLKY showed structures torn to shreds and large swaths of trees knocked down in Henryville, about 20 miles north of Louisville, Kentucky. Other aerial images showed similar devastation in St. Paul, Indiana. Several officials -- including Jeffersonville, Indiana, Mayor Mike Moore, U.S. Sen. Dan Coats and Adams -- indicated that the town of Marysville suffered especially significant damage. Cavanaugh also said that the local high school, Henryville Junior-Senior High School, had been "demolished." According to Sara Reschar, an administrative assistant for the West Clark Community Schools, "students were already out of the school when the storm hit" -- having been dismissed about 15 minutes earlier. Adams said there were some "scrapes and scratches," but no serious injuries as a result. Authorities used thermal imaging equipment, search dogs and other means Friday night to look for a 9-year-old boy in Henryville whose whereabouts was unknown after the tornadoes came through, Adams said. Amid the devastation, there was also some hope -- in the form of a 20-month-old girl found alone, and without identification, in a field in Salem, about 20 miles from Henryville. Adam said the girl was intubated and then flown to Kosair Children's Hospital in Louisville. He said that people since had called in to identify the girl, while adding he did not know her current condition. About four hours after the National Weather Service said a twister touched down in Indiana's Posey County, Gov. Mitch Daniels said crews "are racing the nightfall" to assess the damage and help those in need. Sgt. First Class Tina Eichenour of the Indiana National Guard said that roughly 250 troops have been called to duty, destined for towns such as Henryville and Marysville. "I am constantly amazed by both the unpredictability and the ferocity that Mother Nature can unleash, when she chooses to," Daniels said of the severe weather. His counterpart in Kentucky, Gov. Steve Beshear, on Friday declared a statewide emergency to facilitate local authorities' access to state resources. The governor has authorized the deployment of 50 National Guard troops to go to Morgan County to join a 12-person search and rescue team out of Lexington. What to do during tornado watches, warnings . "The storm system hasn't cleared Kentucky yet, but we obviously have reports of some heavy damage," Beshear told CNN's Erin Burnett. At least 12 people were killed in Kentucky tied to Friday's severe weather, authorities said. Shawn Harley, from the National Weather Service, confirmed that people were trapped in damaged buildings after a large tornado struck the small town of West Liberty in eastern Kentucky. There was no immediate word on casualties as a result. Chuck Wolfe, a spokesman for the Kentucky Emergency Management Agency, said state authorities had lost contact with the town. Wolfe said officials believe the town "got hit pretty heavily." Beshear is expected to visit West Liberty to assess the damage Saturday. Separately, a man in his 50s was found dead in his mobile home in Bethel, Ohio, the Clermont County Commissioners said in a press release. In Tennessee, severe weather was responsible for critical injuries of as many as eight people in the cities of Harrison and Oolteweh, officials there said. The storm brought golf-ball-size hail, strong winds and rain into the two northeast Alabama counties before continuing on a northeastward path into Tennessee. Tennessee Emergency Management spokesman Jeremy Heidt said there were reports of possible tornado touchdowns in nine counties total. At least 29 people were injured across the state, according to Dean Flener, also with TEMA. Between 40 and 50 homes in Hamilton County, Tennessee, have "significant damage that we know about," the county's Chief of Emergency Management Bill Tittle told CNN. Reporting from that area near Chattanooga, CNN's Rob Marciano observed a continuous stretch of damage about 200 yards wide that ripped what had been brick-and-mortar homes down to their foundations. Tittle said that there are 24 reported injuries and, while none of them appears to be life-threatening, he acknowledged that "we have not reached all the homes." "We obviously have lots of debris, homes with roof damage, streets that are impassable that we have crews cutting down trees with chainsaws in order to get emergency vehicles through, and as of now our crews are just going door-to-door on foot," said Amy Maxwell, Hamilton County, Tennessee, emergency management spokeswoman. Maxwell later said six to 10 people were at local hospitals after suffering injuries, and a triage area was set up at Ooltewah High School to treat patients on the scene. Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger said a touchdown of a tornado had been confirmed, though he expressed optimism that sound preparation and safety measures appeared thus far to prevent any deaths. "We're just working diligently at this hour to try to make sure that everyone is accounted for," Coppinger told CNN. "And hopefully we'll be able to escape (without fatalities)." Meanwhile, Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley said there have been seven injuries and about 40 homes destroyed but no fatalities after two tornadoes touched down in his state Friday morning. This Just In: Harrisburg's path of destruction . "The April 27 tornado and the track of the two this morning were exactly the same," Bentley told CNN, referring to last year's twisters that left at least 238 dead. Both Buckhorn High School in Madison County and the Limestone County Correctional Facility in an adjacent Alabama county were hit Friday. There was also widespread damage in Madison County, the National Weather Service said, and some injuries were reported, according to a local ambulance service. The Madison County Emergency Management Agency confirmed that a rain-wrapped tornado was spotted near the Harvest area, just northwest of Huntsville, which itself was hit hard by a tornado last year. Toddler found alone in field . "The key thing that let me know it was serious was the loud wind," said Hovet Dixon of Harvey, Alabama. "It almost seemed like it was trying to lift my roof off." The warden for the Limestone Correctional Facility, Dorothy Goode, said the prison was hit by the storm. All prisoners -- the facility holds about 2,200 -- were accounted for, she said. Storms are expected to begin to weaken during the late evening as they move east toward the Appalachians. The severe weather threat should diminish overnight Friday into Saturday morning, Morris said. These tornadoes follow an earlier outbreak that began Tuesday night and left 13 dead across Kansas, Missouri, Illinois and Tennessee and battered parts of Kentucky. CNN's Susan Candiotti, Larry Shaughnessy, Nick Valencia, Kristina Sgueglia, Carma Hassan, Moni Basu, John Murgatroyd, Melanie Whitley, Joe Sterling, Dave Alsup, Logan Burruss and Kara Devlin contributed to this report. | NEW: 15 are dead in Indiana, 12 in Kentucky and one in Ohio, authorities say .
National Guard troops are deployed in Kentucky, others are ready in Indiana .
A toddler girl is found without ID in a field in Indiana, authorities say .
A National Weather Service meteorologist calls the twister outbreak "crazy" |
171,534 | 6a06bc26b6956b6e90d83561698d0e56e9f3de0d | BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (CNN) -- When Susana Trimarco's daughter Marita Veron was 23, she vanished from their hometown in Argentina, a suspected victim of a human trafficking and prostitution ring with links throughout Latin America and Europe. Marita Veron, who is missing, hugs her daughter Micaela. Police believe Marita was forced into sexual slavery. Trimarco, 54, has spent the past 6½ years searching for her daughter, often putting herself at risk. While chasing down leads on Marita's whereabouts, she's entered dark and dangerous brothels and confronted pimps and politicians who, she says, are complicit in her daughter's disappearance. She has won accolades throughout Latin America, Europe and the United States for her work. But Marita is nowhere to be found. "Marita is a wonderful and caring girl. My life will be completely absorbed with this fight until she is back and safe," Trimarco said. On April 3, 2002, Veron left her house in the northern Argentine province of Tucuman early for a doctor's appointment. She was wearing a turquoise shirt, blue jeans and old white sneakers. As she left the house, she told her mother, "Don't worry. I'll be back soon." Those were the last words the two exchanged. The investigation that has followed has led police and Trimarco to believe that she was kidnapped and forced into prostitution, either in rural Argentina or Spain. So far, a series of random clues has failed to provide any concrete information on Marita's whereabouts. Now, art is imitating life on Argentina's airwaves. Trimarco's story has become the basis of one of Argentina's most popular nighttime soap operas, "Vidas Robadas," or "Stolen Lives." Watch art imitate activism » . The program premiered in March on Telefe, one of Argentina's largest television networks, to a lukewarm response. But as the storyline and characters evolved and word started to spread, the audience grew, and it became water-cooler television. "Stolen Lives" attracts more than 2 million viewers nightly, a considerable feat considering Argentina's population is only 40 million. The show's plot centers on widowed anthropologist Bautista Amaya (played by Facundo Arana) and Rosario Soler (Soledad Silveyra) -- the mother of a young kidnapped girl, based on Trimarco -- who team up to unravel an underground prostitution ring. "With every performance, I try to display the inner feelings of this woman who is suffering, to transmit her grief," Silveyra said. "As an actress, I feel an enormous responsibility." The usual telenovela themes of love, passion and revenge are ever present in "Stolen Lives," but the show strives to expose an issue that has remained in the dark in Argentina until recently. Human rights groups in Argentina estimate that 800 women have gone missing at the hands of human traffickers since 2007. Worldwide, about 800,000 people are trafficked across borders annually, according to the U.S. State Department. "I am delighted that the show has been able to bring this topic to light, because no one ever talked about human trafficking in Argentina before," Trimarco said. "Stolen Lives" is the latest in a series of recent Argentine telenovelas that dissect important social issues while also aiming to entertain. One of the most important was the 2006 hit "Montecristo," which examined crimes against humanity committed by Argentina's military during the 1970s and 1980s. Local versions of "Montecristo" are produced in nine countries around the globe, including Turkey, Portugal, Mexico and Russia. "With these types of telenovelas, we are able to bring something entirely new to the public debate. And because we take a fictional and not a journalistic approach, we are able to attract and keep more viewers," Telefe programming director Claudio Villarruel said. "Montecristo" helped reunite children of Argentina's Dirty War who "disappeared" with lost family members. The Dirty War happened from 1976-83, when the government carried out a secret campaign to purge the country of those it considered to be dissidents. "Stolen Lives" is making a similarly strong impact. Trimarco established a foundation in her daughter's honor, Fundacion Maria de los Angeles, last year in Tucuman. It counts U.S. Ambassador to Argentina Earl Wayne and Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner among its supporters. According to Trimarco, the foundation has rescued 360 women and children from trafficking networks, and leads on missing people continue to pour in. Argentina passed its first national law against human trafficking this year, a law that Trimarco lobbied hard to get passed. Meanwhile, praise rings from home and abroad. In May, "Stolen Lives" was declared a show of "social interest" by the Buenos Aires City legislature. In 2007, Trimarco received the U.S. State Department's "International Women of Courage Award" from Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at a ceremony in Washington. Later this year, Trimarco will travel to Spain to speak about human trafficking with lawmakers from the European Union. "It's just like Condoleezza Rice told me: My screams are being heard all over the world," she said. Trimarco travels around Argentina constantly, educating people about human trafficking, and following up on clues about Marita. She is also raising Marita's daughter, Micaela, 9. With all the publicity surrounding the case and the success of "Stolen Lives," Trimarco has herself become a target. Her accusations of political and police involvement have led to death threats, she says. Still, she remains committed to the cause and says that collaborating with the producers of "Stolen Lives" to tell her story has helped give her the strength to continue searching for her daughter. "I'm content, because my pain is now serving a purpose," she said. | Argentine woman vanished in 2002; it's believed she was forced into prostitution ring .
Argentine soap opera, based on Marita's mother's search, probes human trafficking .
Mom: "My life will be completely absorbed with this fight until she is back and safe"
Mother Susana Trimarco's foundation tries to save women, children from sex slavery . |
154,476 | 53a07f635730a8f62a20daae35617c11ce6d39d5 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 21:12 EST, 9 May 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 21:20 EST, 9 May 2013 . Fifteen farm workers in California who fleed the fields to escape smoke and ash from the massive wildfire burning nearby were fired for putting their personal safety above their job. Strawberry pickers at Crisalida Berry Farms in Oxnard said it became impossible to breath due to heavy smoke pouring from the Springs Fire. The workers were warned by their foreman that they would lose their jobs if they left early, but they felt their lives were at risk. Fifteen farm workers in California who fleed the fields to escape smoke and ash from the massive wildfire burning nearby were fired for putting their personal safety above their job . The workers were warned by their foreman that they would lose their jobs if they left early, but they felt their lives were at risk . ‘The ashes were falling on top of us,’ one worker told NBC4. ‘They told us if we leave, there would be no job to return to.’ The next day, May 3rd, the fifteen were handed their pink slips. Once news of the alleged firing spread, United Farm Workers stepped in to help the workers, even though they are not unionized. Citing a union rule that prohibits workers from being forced to work ‘under conditions where they feel his life or health is in danger,’ UFW representative Lauro Barrajas managed to persuade the farm to rehire the fired employees. However, all but one had since found work at other farms and did not return. The farm later claimed the entire thing was a ‘misunderstanding.’ 'The ashes were falling on top of us,' one worker told NBC4. 'They told us if we leave, there would be no job to return to.' The farming union got involved and cited the rule that prohibits workers from being forced to work 'under conditions where they feel his life or health is in danger' | Strawberry pickers in California say they were forced to flee the fields because of wildfire smoke .
Their foreman warned they would be sacked if they left - and was true to his word .
The farm later offered them their jobs back after the United Farm Workers got involved .
Only one worker has returned, the others have found alternative employment . |
125,742 | 2e89cca6a3853405ee40f6aa96a530350568cdd1 | The days of spraying yourself with overpowering deodorant could be over. A ‘smart can’ has been created that tells you exactly how much deodorant to apply, and even reminds you when you've forgotten to put any on. Called ClickStick, the device uses a button to expel a certain amount of gel from its top, which is then rubbed into skin like a traditional stick deodorant. Scroll down for video . A New Jersey student has designed a smart deodarant application device. Called the ClickStick, it has a button that releases a set amount of gel. This is determined by an app that syncs with the stick . By using an included app, the user is told how much gel to release each time based on their activity levels, ensuring they don’t get too much or too little. Graduate student Gilad Arwatz from New Jersey is currently seeking funding for the gadget on Kickstarter. The bottle, which is about the size of a regular deodorant can, has a button on the side that is pressed to dispense gel. But the main ‘smart’ feature of the device is the ability to sync with a smartphone app. In the app users enter your height, weight, age, activity level and gender. The gadget will then determine how much deodorant to apply when the button is pressed, which can be altered with an adjustable slide button. The app tells you just the right amount of deodorant to apply (shown). This is also apparently the first refillable deodorant applicator . The gadget will then determine how much deodorant to apply when the button is pressed, which can be altered with an adjustable slide buttom. It costs £16 ($26) and will be released in May next year. Push-button deodorant delivery - Electronic dispensing claims to avoid stains and skin irritations. Refillable - ClickStick claims to be the first refillable deodorant applicator. Mobile app - The gadget has a mobile app included that provides insights on the amount of deodorant needed, based on your activity level. Light activated - The cap and application of the deodorant is illuminated with different colour LED lights. Cap activated power switch- ClickStick's says power switch prevents accidental operation when the cap is on the device. Each press of the button will only release one dosage, and users can set reminders for when to apply deodorant. The gadget is also refillable, so new gel cartridges can be bought to fit into the device. 'ClickStick is a smart reusable deodorant applicator, with eco-friendly refills that come with any deodorant,' the company writes on their Kickstarter page. Users can even set up automatic refills so that a new pack is ordered when the app detects they are running out. The product also has a light that can be activated to make seeing the gadget easier in dark rooms. The team expects to start delivering £16 ($26) ClickSticks to backers next May. 'ClickStick is a smart reusable deodorant applicator, with eco-friendly refills that come with any deodorant,' the company writes on their Kickstarter page . | New Jersey student has designed a smart deodorant application device .
Called the ClickStick, it has a button that releases a set amount of gel .
This is determined by an app that syncs with stick and monitors activity .
It claims to be the first refillable deodorant applicator and costs £16 ($26) |
245,658 | c9f71693380f02d6220cb28c2e81a46fcec92408 | In 2013, Manchester United's goalkeeping coach Frans Hoek gave an interview to a Dutch newspaper in which he spoke at length about Victor Valdes. His appreciation is clear. 'Victor is a goalkeeper but he is also the 11th outfield player and capable of constructing play. [Chelsea's Thibaut] Courtois for example is physically imposing and has charisma but he does not have this ability to construct the game.' 'The work of Valdes at Barcelona consists 80 per cent of the time in constructing play, while the other 20 per cent of the time he does the normal work of a goalkeeper. He receives very few shots against his goal.' Victor Valdes (centre) watches Manchester United play Chelsea at Old Trafford back in October . The former Barcelona goalkeeper has agreed an 18-month deal to join Manchester United . United goalkeeping coach Frans Hoek (left) is a huge admirer of Valdes' style of play . Given the way that United have defended at times this season, Valdes may soon see those percentages radically change and he may find himself tested with an unfamilar regularity. Nonetheless, Hoek was making reference to one of Valdes' greatest strengths as a goalkeeper. The first roots of the Barcelona model of possession football were laid by Louis van Gaal and he imposed a school of thought that a goalkeeper must contribute to different phases of the game and is not only there to prevent the ball going into his net. It means he is there to build attacks, to mop up the danger and prevent the opposition from creating opportunities. Hoek is the advisor that Van Gaal leans on most heavily and he is believed to be the world's best at developing this kind of goalkeeper, the sweeper-keeper. Manuel Neuer is deemed to be the best at this but Valdes has been at it for some time now. Pepe Reina is another Hoek protege. David de Gea, equally, is more than adept with the ball at his feet - he played for his school team as a striker until the age of 14 - but he does not impose his personality on the game excessively. That may be something to do with the more conservative instincts of his previous coaches, principally Emilio Alvarez Blanco at Atletico Madrid and Eric Steele at Manchester United. What they admired above all in De Gea was his tranquility. When I asked Blanco whether De Gea is now a match for Neuer, he answered: 'Better than Neuer, even. Neuer is an unbelievable goalkeeper with extraordainary ability, but for me he can be a little too impulsive. For me, a goalkeeper is someone that is usually calm and should not create moments of insecurity for the team. David never does this.' David de Gea, pictured celebrating his side's equaliser against Stoke City, is United's current No 1 . Valdes rushes out to prevent Wayne Rooney scoring against Barcelona in the 2011 Champions League final . 'David, at the very start, was defined by his calmness in the goal. This is the most important quality for a goalkeeper. David showed a maturity beyond his years, he understood the tactical, technical and mental aspects of the game. 'For me, he is the perfect goalkeeper in the modern game. in terms of his height, his weight, his pace, agile, if we were to make goalkeepers in a factory, he wouldn't be far off. If we were to design a goalkeeper on a computer programme, in terms of height, pace, agility, the length of his arms, his reach, the size of his hands, it would come out with David de Gea.' Van Gaal and Hoek appreciate De Gea's talents - how could you not this season? - but this may be one part of his game that they are keen to develop. Those who watch United frequently will notice that De Gea has begun to take a more commanding approach in recent months and take a few more chances to deal with danger. His improved English undoubtedly has contributed to this but the Hoek effect is also taking shape. His game has also noticeably come on since Valdes began training with United in the autumn. That may be a coincidence but De Gea is somebody that responds well to competition. As a teenager at the Atletico Madrid academy, he spent time behind Everton's Joel Robles in the pecking order. To break into the senior team, he had to dislodge two goalkeepers, Sergio Asenjo and the experienced Roberto. He will not be frightened by Valdes' reputation, only energised. This is the environment that Hoek will be aiming to create. De Gea pulls off a save during United's 1-0 win against Crystal Palace at Old Trafford in November . Valdes (left) works out, wearing a Red Devils snood, with United's first-choice keeper De Gea . Valdes, pictured making a save for Spain, is recovering from injury and has not played since last March . Hoek's status in European football could barely be higher. In 2013, he was invited by Manchester City to address their entire academy. On a special day visit, he fielded questions from City's coaches and then led a meticulously-prepared session on possession football and playing out of defence. One observer revealed that City were 'blown away' by the extent of Hoek's knowledge and expertise. In Catalonia, they still marvel at Hoek's dedication and talent. At Barcelona, he monitored Valdes' progress regularly during Van Gaal's first spell between 1996 and 2000, when he would take responsibility for the coaching of goalkeepers throughout the entire structure of the club. He would often go along to the Under 15 and U16 team to put on a session for Valdes and his contemporaries. Last month, I spent some time with Martinez Vilaseca, who worked at Barcelona for 29 years and directed the famous La Masia academy. 'Frans Hoek, for me is the best goalkeeper coach in the world,' Vilaseca began, 'I have never seen anybody else like him in the football world. 'With Van Gaal, he was training the goalkeepers from age 10 and 11 through to the first team. Hoek did stunning work with Victor Valdes, Pepe Reina, now I think that De Gea has improved rapidly with this coach. Hoek, pictured with Holland's Tim Krul, is regarded as one of the best goalkeeping coaches in the world . Valdes launches himself into the air to claim a cross against Manchester City in February last year . 'De Gea is now the No 1 goalkeeper for Spain and Hoek is the best in the world. De Gea has always had the potential, we all knew that in Spain. He has come through the age groups, U17 World Championships etc. With the coaches he has had, he has developed his authority and composure.' As things stand, De Gea remains first choice but he will be challenged. Yet challenges await Valdes, also. Van Gaal knows him well - he handed him his debut at Barcelona in 2002 - but he is not the sympathetic kind. Long-term injuries are mentally, as well as physically gruelling. He may privately have wondered whether his body will be the same again. Will he still be as fast? Will he still be as agile? Can he rediscover the form that leads many in Barcelona to believe he is the club's greatest goalkeeper? In European games against English sides, he sometimes appeared vulnerable under the high ball. There may be the kind of culture shock that De Gea experienced in his early days, although his experience, you would think, would prevent major problems. Valdes will need to improve his English significantly but he is already placing roots in Manchester. His family will move over and they will find a seven-seater car already waiting for them. He is now house-hunting in the Wilmslow area. Evidently, he is not at Old Trafford to twiddle his thumbs. At Barcelona, he won 21 trophies, including three UEFA Champions League medals. United now have two world-class goalkeepers. Let the battle commence. | Victor Valdes has agreed an 18-month deal to join Manchester United .
United goalkeeping coach Frans Hoek likes Valdes' style of play .
Hoek is a master of developing sweeper-keepers like Manuel Neuer .
Valdes has the ability to push No 1 De Gea for his place in the starting XI .
Click here for more Manchester United team news . |
17,699 | 322652403e73a018e05a16e02b2f6ce3278e8d7a | (CNN) -- For the second time in two days, security forces fired live ammunition and lobbed tear gas during protests in Change Square outside Sanaa University on Sunday, Ala'a Al-Khowlani, a witness at the scene, said. Other witnesses told CNN that at least 10 people were injured. The clashes began after pro-government demonstrators and security forces set up a road block preventing anti-government protesters from entering Change Square, witnesses said. While protesters were allowed to leave, they were not allowed to re-enter. Anti-government protesters demanded they be allowed in, and tensions heightened when they forced themselves through the road block, witnesses said. After the protesters made their way in, the shooting started and tear gas was used, they reported. According to Al-Khowlani, some believe that security forces and police dressed as civilians were shooting into the crowd from nearby rooftops. In Aden City on Sunday, four protesters were injured by security forces gunfire, witnesses there said. One day earlier, three people in Aden City died from gunshot wounds when security forces tried to disperse an anti-government rally, a medical official with the group Youth for Change said. A fourth person was killed in Dar Saad, in Aden Province, when a group of anti-government protesters stormed a government complex and set a police station on fire, the medical official said. A Yemeni Interior Ministry official acknowledged that one person was killed by security forces, but said those who raided the complex were gang members and not protesters. Regarding the killings in Aden City, a security official called the demonstrators "separatists" rather than protesters, and would not comment on the alleged shootings by security forces. "The government is trying to keep people as safe as possible," the official said. Across Yemen, high unemployment fuels much of the anger among a growing young population steeped in poverty. The protesters also cite government corruption and a lack of political freedom. On Thursday, President Ali Abdullah Saleh -- who has promised not to run for president in the next round of elections -- pledged to bring a new constitution to a vote by the end of the year and transfer government power to an elected parliamentary system. Human Rights Watch released a statement Saturday, calling on countries that support Saleh to make aid contingent on the government stopping its attacks on demonstrators. "President Saleh has once again broken his promise to end attacks on peaceful protesters, and those who supply his government with weapons risk complicity in this bloodshed," said Joe Stork, deputy Middle East and North Africa director at the rights organization. | Anti-government protesters wanted to enter Change Square .
Security forces set up a road block .
Protesters forced their way in .
Security forces responded by shooting and lobbing tear gas, witnesses say . |
168,570 | 660b74cb667cd3635c59608bd9316aa6625cf4ca | A photographer was left 'all shook up' after spotting the face of Elvis on the back of a bug. With markings on its back resembling human eyes, nose, mouth and a pompadour hairdo, the unusual stink bug bears an uncanny resemblance to the King of rock 'n' roll. Photographer Darlyne Murawski from Massachusetts, US spotted the Pentatomoidea bug, also known as a giant shield bug, by chance. The Pentomid bug spotted in a forest in Thailand. The insect bears an uncanny resemblance to Elvis. The unusual stink bug bears an uncanny resemblance to the King of rock n roll. Darlyne was on a photographic assignment with National Geographic in the Khao Chong Forest Reserve in southern Thailand, when she came across the unusual creature sitting on a leaf. She said: 'The instant I saw it, I did a double-take. I immediately thought of Elvis Presley with his pompadour hairdo and quickly pulled out my camera. 'Thank goodness it didn't fly away. 'I later found out that 'Elvis' was a giant shield bug, related to the stink bug family. 'It is found in Southeast Asia and I would guess it's uncommon since so many people hadn't seen it before. 'I was in the area for about three weeks, but sadly didn't encounter Elvis in the woods again.' The bug has previously been spotted in the forests of Singapore, where it was likened to the Sesame Street character Bert. There, it was captured by Winston Jansen, an amateur photographer who lives in the country. After passing hundreds of other . insects in the forest, this bug caught Mr Jansen's eye due . to its 'stunning colour and intricate camouflage'. Spotting the insect he quickly picked up his camera to . get up close - and discovered the face of the TV character branded across its back. Winston, 32, . said: 'I was simply in awe at the beauty of the camouflage - I know many . insects use it to avoid being preyed upon but I'd never seen anything . like it before. 'I was just captivated by the bright colours. 'Then on closer inspection it just hit me there is actually a face on its back. Usually found in Southeast Asia, the Pentatomoidea bug is also known as a giant shield bug. Shield bugs have glands in their thorax between the first and second pair of legs which produce a foul smelling liquid to deter predators. Winston, a banker from Singapore, first picked up a camera in 2009 and specialises in macro photography - a unique skill revealing details hidden in normal photography. He was visiting the forests specifically to shoot insects on a macro photography trip. He . added: 'It was about midday, I chanced upon this stink bug and . fortunately it was actually quite co-operative so I managed to take a . number of shots at different angles. 'I'd had a few insects scurry away earlier that day - but there was no way this one was getting away.' 'After I shot this bug I did some research when I got home and found out there are so many more variations of this species. 'I'm still hoping I will be able to capture more variations of it.' Sesame Street's Bert has entertained millions of children during his time on the show and has a fondness for number six and the tuba . | Holidaymaker spotted the astonishing bug in Thailand .
Astonishing insect has previously been spotted in Singapore - where it was likened to a Sesame Street character . |
167,211 | 643d5ebc9262c9081c7d48db2b14310e4a106c6f | Tasteless photos of tourists doing handstands between and skipping upon the gigantic stones of Berlin’s Holocaust Memorial to the murdered Jews of Europe have been condemned in Germany. Social media sites such as Facebook have been flooded in recent weeks with pictures of young visitors frolicking among the giant maze of stones constructed to remember the six million Jewish victims of the Nazi extermination programme in the Second World War. One picture even shows an Asian girl behind two friends giving the middle finger to the camera inside the memorial. Scroll down for video . Social media sites have been flooded . with pictures of visitors posing on the giant stones at Berlin's Holocaust Memorial - a site constructed in memory of six . million Jewish victims who died at the hands of the Nazi regime . This visitor at the memorial site posed for a photo by jumping off the stones and then using the hashtags '#happy' '#girl' '#weeeee'. She even put an smiley-style emoticon at the end of her post . This visitor to Auschwitz - where 1.1million Jews were killed - posed . with her thumbs up for a photo, while using the caption 'Thumbs up if . you're chilly willy' Another trend sweeping social media sites is to pose at the gate of the Sachsenhausen concentration camp using the hashtag #arbeitmachtfrei - a phrase . used by the Nazi regime which means 'work sets you free' There has also been a spike in photos of tourists larking about at the Sachsenhausen concentration camp memorial outside of Berlin. Some 200,000 people were deported to Sachsenhausen before and during the war and 30,000 were murdered there, many in cruel medical experiments. A favourite snapshot posted on the Internet seems to be of youngsters hanging off the steel gate that bears the cruel lie of the Nazi Regime ‘Arbeit Macht Frei’, which means 'work sets you free'. One young woman received 20 ‘likes’ of the photo of herself at the infamous gate when she posted it on Facebook. 'These snapshots really are shameful,' said the best selling newspaper BILD in a commentary on the disturbing new trend. 'The gate of the Sachsenhausen concentration camp has a particularly tragic notoriety - good enough reason not to hang off of it. Why are these people showing no respect at all for the dead?' This tourist posted a photo of herself jumping between the stones of the Berlin memorial, using the hashtag '#goodtimes'. German newspaper BILD said the snapshots were 'shameful' One image posted online shows a girl stood behind two friends giving the middle finger to the camera, while inside the memorial . This tourist also used the hashtag '#happy' as she posed at the memorial in Berlin. There are now an estimated 10,000 photos of young people larking about at the site posted on the internet . These two girls posted a picture saying 'Being sad at the holocaust memorial' before posing with 'sad' faces . Dr Horst Seferens, in charge of the Sachsenhausen site which is now a memorial museum to its victims, said: 'Sometimes schoolchildren are overwhelmed with what they see and lark about or simply burst out laughing. Then the staff have to intervene to restore calm.' Police are continually having to reprimand people at the Holocaust Memorial near Berlin’s famous Brandenburg Gate for jumping between the stones, picnicking on them and sometimes even urinating inside the maze built to symbolize the feelings of loss and bewilderment the Jews of the time felt when the Nazis came for them. This boy got 85 likes when he posed against one of the stones at the memorial in Berlin . These two girls squeezed between the stones to share a snap of the memorial with their friends . An estimated 10,000 photos of young people larking around at the site are now posted on the Internet - to the dismay of the Memorial Foundation for the Murdered Jews of Europe which administers the site. A spokesman said: 'Photography is allowed but we have no authority over what kinds of photographs are taken. 'We cannot understand this trivialising of the memory of the dead at such a place. Many visitors simply do not know how to behave.' | 10,000 photos posted online showing youngsters larking about at memorial .
One picture shows Asian girl giving middle finger to camera inside memorial .
Several selfies also taken at Sachsenhausen concentration camp memorial .
Visitors seen hanging off gate saying 'Arbeit Macht Frei' - work sets you free .
Memorial Foundation for Murdered Jews said it was 'trivialising' the dead . |
212,446 | 9f1b8fe073ef80d554c7554c4987fa1f73f79dbd | A boy of four's face was ripped open by a dog which 'flipped' in the hot weather and savaged him as he played. Riley Fox was in his neighbour’s garden with five other children when the animal, believed to be a Rhodesian Ridgeback-pitbull cross, clamped its jaws around his face. Pictures taken after the attack in Widnes show the little boy with gaping holes in his cheek and deep cuts around his eye and mouth. His father Tony, 28, said: 'If it had bitten him a couple of inches lower it would have ripped his throat out.' Riley Fox was in his neighbour’s garden with five other children when the animal called Mac (right), believed to be a Rhodesian Ridgeback-pitbull cross, clamped its jaws around his face . The child was attacked last week by the dog called Mac - which has since been put down. His mother Sam, 22, was at another neighbour’s house having a cup of tea at the time of the attack. Mr Fox said: 'All the kids were playing together. Everyone’s doors were open because it was so warm. 'Then all of a sudden people could hear screaming. The dog had hold of Riley’s head and was ragging him about. Pictures taken after the attack in Widnes show the little boy with gaping holes in his cheek and deep cuts around his eye and mouth . 'One of the neighbours was dragging the dog off him. He was covered in blood. They were holding towels up to Riley’s face, three of them were soaked in his blood.' He added: 'When I got back it was just horrific - his cheek was hanging off his face, his eye and lips were all sliced open. He very nearly lost his eye.' Mr Fox added that they waited 25 minutes for an ambulance to arrive, when his son was taken to Alder Hey Children's hospital in Liverpool where he underwent emergency surgery. He said: 'When they were treating him they found a piece of the dog’s tooth in his face.' Mr Fox said his son was due to start school next month and had been very brave. He said: 'We don’t want him to have a complex about dogs. His nan and grandad used to have a big German Shepherd so he’s grown up with dogs.' The dog’s owner has since apologised and the dog has been destroyed. He said: 'He was at work, it was a relative who should have been keeping the dog under control.' He added: 'There should be a register for these dogs and they shouldn’t be allowed around kids.' Cheshire Police said they were investigating the attack. | Riley Fox was .
playing when pitbull cross clamped its jaws around his face .
Pictures taken after attack in Widnes show little boy's horrific injuries .
If dog had bitten any lower it would have ripped little boy's throat out .
The dog - Rhodesian Ridgeback-pitbull cross - has since been destroyed . |
126,523 | 2f84a1322ec6e0a17bb866e3abfb8844a6a1c694 | By . Jennifer Newton . Segolene Royal, who has denied she has banned female colleagues from wearing low cut tops . The former partner of French president Francois Hollande has been forced to deny she has banned female colleagues from wearing low cut tops. Eyebrows were raised earlier this month when Segolene Royal, mother of President Francois Hollande's four children, was made a senior minister in Mr Hollande’s Socialist government. The new ecology minister is said to be living up to her surname by acting like an unelected queen, according to fellow Socialists. Le Point, the highly respected news magazine, claimed that she ‘banned necklines’ and imposed a ‘ruthless set of rules’. They claimed regulations insist that staff stand to attention when she walks by, bans them from ‘making too much noise’ when she is having lunch and has stopped staff from smoking. They also alleged Ms Royal insists that all offices apart from her own have to be shared by at least two people. However, as anger grew against Ms Royal, she took to Twitter to deny the new 'rules'. 'Of course I deny the ridiculous rumour concerning the banning of low cut tops in the ministry,' she said. Ms Royal also added: 'The only rules laid . down here were in regards to a greater rigor in the use of public . funds, that the French people expect from us.' A tweet by Segolene Royal, which translates as, 'Of course I deny the ridiculous rumour concerning the banning of low cut tops in the ministry' Ms Royal also added, 'The only rules laid down here were in regards to a greater rigor in the use of public funds, that the French people expect from us' However, opponents said Ms Royal, 60, was simply backtracking from a massive mistake, and that her Socialist government was notorious for its wasteful public spending. Ms Royal, had a long relationship with Mr Hollande but was famously humiliated when he left her for the Paris Match journalist Valerie Trierweiler. Ms Trierweiler was herself dumped by Mr Hollande in January after his latest affair with actress Julie Gayet, 41, was made public. The 49-year political journalist was . hospitalised after the affair was revealed and was then forced to move . out of the Elysee Palace. Valerie Trierweiler and Francois Hollande, who split in January but a new book claims the president is 'missing' his former partner . However, in a new book released yesterday, it was claimed Mr Hollande is 'missing' Ms Trierweiler and is becoming attached to the former journalist once again. The book, 'The President who Wanted to Live his Lives' claims a full break of the relationship never occurred and that the president remains 'tender and considerate' towards his ex-partner. Extracts from the book by journalist Elise Karlin, published in L'Express magazine yesterday allege Mr Hollande bought Ms Trierweiler flowers when they met for a meal at one of their favourite restaurants in Paris last month. Mr Hollande was revealed to be having an affair with French actress, Julie Gayet, pictured . In January, Mr Hollande separated from Ms Trierweiler after his affair with actress Julie Gayet became public . The book also claims he 'hates solitude' and has given the impression his feelings for her are 'far from extinguished'. Friends have also been quoted as saying he is almost 'harassing' her with tender text messages. However, the book also alleges, without citing any sources, that Ms Trierweiler expects a public act of contrition on his part before any reconciliation. But it also hints the president may have an ulterior motive, and is trying to stop Ms Trierweiler from writing her own tell-all book. | Reports that Segolene Royal had banned female colleagues wearing low cut tops .
Claims that she had imposed a 'ruthless set of rules' in ecology ministry .
But Ms Royal denies the allegations saying it's a 'ridiculous rumour'
A new book says ex-partner, Francois Hollande is missing Valerie Trierweiler .
Hollande was revealed to be having affair with French actress Julie Gayet .
Book claims he is 'harassing' Trierweiler with tender text messages . |
267,031 | e5e0ac9d431b1e5e57d62f8c5882e9d904a645ee | Bill O'Reilly, pictured in 2013, has been challenged about reporting in El Salvador during his time as a CBS correspondent . Bill O'Reilly is facing new claims that he fabricated a story about witnessing the execution of four nuns in El Salvador during the country's civil war. The allegations came days after liberal watchdog, Media Matters for America, questioned O'Reilly's report that in 1977 he witnessed the suicide of a friend of JFK shooter Lee Harvey Oswald, and Mother Jones disputed his coverage of the Falklands War. O'Reilly claimed he has 'seen guys gun down nuns in El Salvador' and 'was in El Salvador and I saw nuns get shot in the back of the head' while working at CBS, according to Media Matters. The Fox News man appeared to be referencing a well-known case of four nuns executed by the Salvadoran national guard in December 1980. Experts in the El Salvadoran conflict have said that following the tragedy, there were no church people killed in the country for more than eight years. However O'Reilly's book, The No Spin Zone, claims that he did not begin to cover the civil war in El Salvador until 1981. O'Reilly responded to the El Salvador allegations in a statement to Mediaite. He said: 'While in El Salvador, reporters were shown horrendous images of violence that were never broadcast, including depictions of nuns who were murdered. The mention of the nuns on my program came the day of the Newtown massacre (December 14, 2012). 'The segment was about evil and how hard it is for folks to comprehend it. I used the murdered nuns as an example of that evil. That’s what I am referring to when I say ''I saw nuns get shot in the back of the head.'' No one could possibly take that segment as reporting on El Salvador.' The latest allegations came as book publishers for O'Reilly said on Monday that they stand behind his work despite questions that have been raised about his reporting. O'Reilly's series of books about the deaths of John F. Kennedy, Abraham Lincoln and Jesus Christ have sold millions of copies and been turned into successful movies for the National Geographic channel. The latest adaptation, 'Killing Jesus,' is set to premiere on Palm Sunday. On Tuesday, Media Matters reported on a 2013 online post that questioned O'Reilly's claim that in 1977 he was outside the Florida home of George de Mohrenschildt, a friend of Kennedy assassin Lee Harvey Oswald, when he killed himself with a shotgun. De Mohrenschildt had been contacted by congressional investigators looking into the assassination. O'Reilly's claim that he was there was in his book 'Killing Kennedy.' Media Matters quoted police reports, media accounts, former colleagues and other sources that dispute O'Reilly's claim that he was there. At the time, O'Reilly was a reporter for a Dallas television station. Henry Holt and Co. 'fully stand behind Bill O'Reilly and his best-seller 'Killing Kennedy,' and we're very proud to count him as one of our most important authors,' spokesperson Pat Eisemann said. Bill O'Reilly while reporting in El Salvador for CBS News in 1982. He claimed to have seen 'nuns being gunned down' - but it appears the event he was referencing took place a year before he arrived in the country . Fox News issued a statement reiterating its 'staunch support' for O'Reilly and said it would not respond to the individual accusations. Also this week, the publisher of O'Reilly's best-selling 'The O'Reilly Factor' defended the book, which refers to his disputed coverage of the Falklands War. The magazine Mother Jones said that O'Reilly claimed to be in a 'war zone' in Argentina when instead he was at a demonstration far from the front. David Drake, senior vice president and deputy publisher for the Crown Publishing Group, said that Crown would 'continue to publish our author's book just as he wrote it.' O'Reilly has faced questions on his books in the past. In 2011, one of the stores at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C., where Lincoln was assassinated, declined to sell 'Killing Lincoln' because of historical errors. Those included giving the wrong year the theater was destroyed by fire and referring to the Oval Office in the White House when it had not been built. Media Matters posted another story Wednesday questioning an O'Reilly statement that he had witnessed the execution of four nuns during El Salvador's civil war in 1980, based on a 2012 statement that O'Reilly made that 'I saw nuns get shot in the back of the head.' O'Reilly said Wednesday, however, that he had been shown pictures of the aftermath of the shooting while he was in El Salvador. He said his 2012 statement, during a discussion of the nature of evil after the Newtown, Connecticut, school shooting massacre, was a reference to seeing those pictures, not the shooting itself. O'Reilly was defended — sort of — by longtime nemesis Jon Stewart on Comedy Central's 'The Daily Show' on Monday. Stewart has suggested the media should be spending more time looking at the actions of politicians than media figures like Brian Williams and O'Reilly. Stewart noted the reporting on O'Reilly's past work at the same time his Fox show, 'The O'Reilly Factor,' is sending a staffer to look at all the snow in Boston and question global warming — reporting more worthy of scrutiny. 'Why don't we just agree that a certain amount of anecdotes from our media figures are seasoned with (expletive) and let's move on,' Stewart said. | Allegations came days after questions over O'Reilly's claim that in 1977 he witnessed the suicide of a friend of JFK shooter Lee Harvey Oswald .
Doubts over his reporting in Argentina during the Falklands War . |
231,392 | b79c1c6888c4654a6bb0b4a9bb14346f7bd0c816 | Holidaymakers went through some tense moments on Monday morning when a Thomas Cook plane made an emergency landing after passengers say it began ‘creaking like mad’ due to a technical fault. The pilot was forced to abort the four-hour journey to Dalaman, Turkey, and return to Manchester Airport shortly after the Boeing 767 took off around 7.15am. A Thomas Cook spokesman said the plane, carrying 278 passengers, turned around as a precaution because it suffered an unexpected hydraulic fault on one of three systems on board. Emergency: A Thomas Cook Boeing 767 was forced to land at Manchester Airport due to a mechanical problem . Matthew Brierley tweeted: 'Slightly worried when fire brigade is waiting on runway for your plane to arrive!' This map shows the flight path for a Thomas Cook aircraft that was forced to abort its journey to Turkey . One of the passengers, who tweets for the account for J Smith Joinery, a home improvement and maintenance firm in Bolton, wrote: ‘New this plane was FOOKED!! Took off, plane creaking like mad, got near London and the pilot announced "we need to turn around and return to Manchester DUE TO A TECHNICAL FAULT!" [sic] . The person then tweeted: ‘JESUS CHRIST!!! Just made emergency landing!!!’ Passenger Matthew Brierley tweeted: 'Slightly worried when fire brigade is waiting on runway for your plane to arrive!' Flight data reveal that the plane, which reportedly had a hydraulic problem, turned around in the skies near Northampton and circled over Peak District National Park, southeast of Manchester, to burn off fuel. 'Creaking like mad': A Twitter user says the pilot announced that the plane suffered a 'technical fault' The plane landed safely around 8:15am after circling over Peak District National Park to burn off fuel . The plane landed safely around 8.15am and was towed off the runway. The Thomas Cook spokesperson said that is normal procedure for such a fault. The spokesperson added: ‘We can confirm that flight TCX2534 from Manchester to Dalaman landed normally after a priority landing was requested by the captain. ‘We'd like to apologise to our customers for the delay to their flight today. Returning the aircraft to Manchester allowed our engineers to inspect the aircraft quickly and we've now been able to ensure our customers can start their holiday as soon as possible on a replacement aircraft.’ Passenger Matthew Brierley tweeted this photo after the plane landed and was towed off the runway . The pilot was forced to abort the flight to the Mediterranean city of Dalaman, Turkey and return to Manchester . | Boeing 767 was en route to Dalaman, Turkey from Manchester .
Passengers say the pilot announced that plane had a 'technical fault'
Plane circled over Peak District National Park to burn off fuel . |
166,469 | 6343e75cfbcf1d53555dbc13db524c2bcd6226c2 | After weeks of fresh sea air, endless sunshine, and having every whim catered for, it’s little wonder many cruise passengers return home with a sinking feeling. But it appears they’re weighed down by more than simply post-holiday blues. Most cruise passengers gain a pound a day in weight during a two-week holiday at sea, according to a poll – coming back a stone heavier than when they left. All-you-can-eat: Passengers blame the high-class but often calorific dining facilities on board the ship for the extraordinary weight gain . Their broader waistlines are hardly a . surprise – given the relaxing onboard lifestyle plus mountains of food . available round the clock. Many respondents reckoned they put on . more weight cruising than they do at Christmas, having enjoyed the . high-class, but often high-calorie and ‘all you can eat’ dining . facilities offered on most modern vessels. The findings of the study, by . independent cruise travel agents Bonvoyage.co.uk, are unlikely to . encourage anyone watching their weight to sign up for a seaborne . adventure. Tempting: Cruise dining often sees passengers indulge in bigger meals than they're used to . They surveyed 1,281 Britons who had . been on a cruise and found 52 per cent said they put on up to a stone . during a two-week holiday. One in 11 (9 per cent) put on around . 4lbs while a further 6 per cent were even worse and put on up to 18lbs. Pugh: 'I'll break it gently. Some people might think you've been on a cruise' More than eight in ten (84 per cent) admitted they ate a lot more than . normal as they sailed the oceans and 31 per cent admitted they ate . double their normal calories. And more than four in ten (41 per cent) struggle to shift the extra weight once they got home. Steph Curtin, cruise development . manager of Bonvoyage.co.uk said: ‘I am as guilty as these respondents . when it comes to indulging when on a cruise holiday, as the delicious . food and drink on offer can be difficult to say no to. ‘This is particularly the case when on . an all-inclusive cruise, where you know that all of the tempting food . on offer has already been paid for.’ Most cruises contain a wide variety . of eateries, from fine-dining restaurants to fish and chip-style . takeaways. Many provide ‘midnight feasts’, while restaurants often stay . open until the early hours to indulge guests. Control: It can be hard to say no at the cruise ship buffet lines . Some ships have recognised . the difficulties for passengers and have begun to offer healthier . alternatives. Passenger Rosalie Nunn, 27, from . Lincoln, joined a world cruise last year and was surprised to find a . tailor on board whose main job was to adjust clothing that was becoming . too tight. She said: ‘The tailor said most people will leave the ship at . least one dress size bigger. ‘One lady who is a regular cruise-goer . said she brings larger-sized clothing to accommodate the inevitable . weight gain.’ She added: ‘The results don’t surprise me – the food is . constant and you’ve got to be well restrained to resist it.’ Celebrity chef: Marco Pierre White has restaurants on board four of the P&O cruise fleet . | Tempting food and drink sees seaborne holiday makers gain a pound every day .
Study found people thought they put on more than they do at Christmas . |
127,905 | 3156d0c17b6fe39b72f553aa1d17c2895c50c8d5 | By . Jenny Hope . Breast cancer sufferers are to be denied a new 'wonder' drug that has been proven to extend life by six months. Rationing watchdog NICE is set to block routine use of the medicine on the NHS for those with the most aggressive form of the disease on the grounds of cost. Known as Kadcyla or T-DM1, it is the first treatment that can destroy cancerous cells while sparing healthy tissue. Breast cancer victims have been denied new 'wonder' drug that can extend life by six months. Pictured here is a patient having a breast scan in hospital . As a result, it dramatically reduces the traumatic side-effects usually associated with chemotherapy, including hair loss. Up to 1,500 women a year in Britain with advanced HER-2 positive breast cancer could benefit. The medicine, which costs £6,000 a month, will be the eighth breast cancer treatment turned down by NICE because of cost since 2011. It says the £90,000 bill for treating a patient over 15 months is simply too great. NICE's decision was attacked by a cancer sufferer who claims it has extended her life by more than two years. Kim Mawby, 44, who was given six months to live in 2011, said she is now living a normal life with her partner and two sons, taking holidays and working part time. 'It's a wonder drug as far as I'm concerned,' she said. 'You wouldn't know that I am ill. I'm devastated to think that women in my position might be denied it in future.' Kadcyla combines Herceptin, another breast cancer drug, with a potent chemotherapy agent which acts only when it reaches cancer cells. It blocks signals that encourage the cancer to spread, and breaches the tumour's outer defences, allowing it to be destroyed from within. Because its action is so precise, healthy tissue is spared from unnecessary damage, while the cancer is delayed from returning and side-effects are significantly reduced. Trial results show it provides on average six months' extra life, but some women having once-monthly infusions are living far longer. Professor Paul Ellis, professor of cancer medicine at King's College London and lead triallist for the drug in the UK, said the NICE draft guidance was a 'huge blow' because it could revolutionise cancer care. 'For the first time in 20 years as a consultant I'm seeing people with advanced disease taking an effective drug with little toxicity,' he said. NICE is currently consulting on draft guidance recommending the drug is not transferred to the NHS budget. Whatever the outcome, patients in England can apply to get it from the Cancer Drugs Fund, set up to fund medicines not routinely available on the NHS. But the fund does not operate elsewhere in the UK, and it is due to be wound up in 2016. Dr Caitlin Palframan, of charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer, said: 'The drug appraisal process in England, and the cost of drugs, must change if prospects for patients are going to improve.' Sir Andrew Dillon, NICE chief executive, said he hoped Roche, which makes the drug, would use the consultation period to consider if there was more it could do. He said: 'We had hoped Roche would have recognised the challenge the NHS faces in managing the adoption of expensive new treatments by reducing the cost of Kadcyla to the NHS.' | NICE is set to block routine use of the medicine on the NHS .
It can destroy cancerous cells while sparing healthy tissue .
As a result, it dramatically reduces side-effects of chemotherapy . |
795 | 024c0c0e312a44a9a09b241701f19519f2db5cef | Security guards had to rescue a family of dogs who became stranded on a 590ft-high glass bridge in China. The group, including several puppies, became spooked when crossing part of the bridge that has glass panels covering the floor. It is understood the animals followed tourists onto the suspension bridge at the famous Shiniuzhai Scenic Spot. Security guards in China had to rescue dogs who became stranded on a 180-meter high glass bridge . Part of the floor was recently removed and replaced by glass panels that cover a 10 meter section . Part of the floor was recently removed and replaced by glass panels that cover a 10 meter section. The move made the bridge a popular tourist attraction but it proved too much for the dogs who were too afraid to cross over the glass. Security guard Xiong Yin, 35, said: ‘Some of the dogs did not seem to mind but the rest refused to step on the glass. ‘There was a risk that the dogs that were all very small might fall, and so we decided to remove them. It is understood that the animals followed tourists onto the bridge at the famous Shiniuzhai Scenic Spot . The group, including several puppies, became spooked when crossing part of the bridge that has a glass panel covering the floor . ‘They were very popular with tourists that had been posing for pictures with them. But it was dangerous.’ He added that usually dogs and other animals avoided the bridge, but he believed these dogs had followed a small group of tourists that had been feeding them, and had hoped to get more food later by keeping behind the visitors. The bridge is one of the most famous sights in the scenic spot in China's Hunan province. At 300-metres-long and 180-metres-high, it is one of the world’s highest. At 300-metres-long and 180-metres-high, the Shiniuzhai footbridge is one of the world’s highest . It was earlier this year that the glass floor was installed, with more expected to be added across the whole bridge next year. The towering rock formations have become extremely popular with tourists and in addition to the bridge, a cable car was installed in 2009 as well as hundreds of meters of cliffwalks. It was in 2012 that tightrope walker Aisikaier fell as he was attempting a 600-meter long route across the valley walking backwards with a blindfold on. Strong winds caused him to lose his balance just 40 meters from the end of the rope, but his fall was broken by trees and he escaped without injury. | Dogs followed tourists onto the crossing at famous Shiniuzhai Scenic Spot .
At 300m long and 180m high, it is one of the world’s highest footbridges .
A 10m section of floor was recently removed and replaced by glass panels .
Bridge is a popular tourist attraction but proved too much for the dogs . |
214,226 | a16dae2124aec9f92e201afb5794b2695ce96ca0 | (CNN) -- The real referees were greeted with a standing ovation Thursday night as they returned to the field after a new contract was announced less than a day earlier. It may be the last time fans will voice their opinion on the recent NFL lockout that brought replacement referees to the football field. Thursday's 23 to 16 win by the Baltimore Ravens over the Cleveland Browns went on without much controversy, a far cry from the gaffe-filled display that punctuated the first three weeks of the professional football season. For NFL officials, it's a side job that requires a lot of work . Before Thursday's game NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said he was sorry the league felt it had to resort to the replacements, few of whom had any previous NFL officiating experience. Many were high school or low-level college officials who hold down myriad other jobs, from schoolteachers to attorneys. That ended Wednesday night when the NFL stuck a deal with officials. The eight-year deal, which must be ratified by union members, includes details about officials' pensions and retirement benefits, and adds a pay bump from $149,000 a year in 2011 to $173,000 in 2013. The pay will rise to $205,000 by 2019. It suspended the lockout that began before the league's preseason, leading to a series of gaffes that climaxed in a furor over a botched call that allowed the Seattle Seahawks to walk away with a victory in Monday night's nationally televised game against Green Bay. The league acknowledged Tuesday that the Packers should have won, but allowed the result of the game to stand. NFL chief apologizes about replacement refs . Goodell declined to criticize the replacements despite weeks of botched calls that raised the ire of fans nationwide. "Everything they did, every call, was magnified," Goodell said. "They kept the game going. They worked hard. They trained hard. They were incredibly focused and dedicated." Henry Zaborniak, a fill-in line judge who lives in Ohio, said it was a hard job. "We worked as hard as we could and we did the best we could," said Zaborniak, who spent 15 years as a Big Ten official,. "None of us felt like we could replace the regular guys. You can't replace that sort of ability en masse." What the refs were negotiating . | Fans give officials standing ovation before Thursday game at Baltimore .
There was no signature gaffe during Thursday's game .
The NFL labor deal with referees locks in pay raises, protects pensions for five years . |
17,707 | 322bd81114e0dc12d02a548b6bfea4b5301fdc18 | The England bid team for the 2018 World Cup should come clean if they attempted any vote swaps, a former chairman of the Football Association has said. Lord Triesman, who was also chairman of the 2018 bid until 2010, said England should not advocate greater transparency from other countries than it was prepared to apply to itself. His comments came as he launched a renewed attack on the world governing body FIFA during a House of Lords debate on sports governance. Lord Triesman (left) pictured alongside Prince William at the FA Cup final between Chelsea and Portsmouth . In the latest in a string of allegations about the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, won by Russia and Qatar respectively, both countries, along with England have been accused of breaking FIFA rules. A dossier compiled by the Sunday Times and published at the weekend by the Culture, Media and Sport select committee accused Russia and Qatar of engaging in vote-trading and vote-buying while England's 2018 bid are alleged to have engineered a failed vote-swap with their counterparts in the South Korea 2022 bid. All three organisations have always denied any wrongdoing in their bids to host the tournaments, and a report recently by Hans-Joachim Eckert, the chairman of the adjudicatory chamber of FIFA's ethics committee, cleared Russia and Qatar to stage the tournaments. The Sunday Times claims the allegations it submitted to Parliament were contained within a database which it says was compiled by England's 2018 bidding team. The chairman of the Culture, Media and Sport select committee, John Whittingdale, admitted none of the allegations in the Sunday Times dossier had been proven but said they gave the impression of FIFA being a 'deeply corrupt organisation'. After setting out the recent attempts by FIFA to investigate corruption claims, Lord Triesman said: 'It would all beggar belief, but not quite enough disbelief in a way. Triesman (left) pictured alongside FIFA president Sepp Blatter (right) in Zurich, Switzerland . 'The England 2018 bid team apparently also have a secret dossier with potential evidence of corruption. 'When asked by Mr Justice Dingemans and also I think by the select committee, they said they had no further information. 'I would love to have seen it. It would have gone immediately to Mr John Whittingdale and his committee and they would have been the people to judge whether it was appropriate to move further and not those who really didn't want it to be seen. 'FIFA needs root and branch reform. Its culture will not be changed by tweaking the processes. Culture is always stronger than process. Mr (Sepp) Blatter (FIFA president) and the old school must go. His intention to run again is bad for sport. 'The Swiss government should be involved, the major sponsors should be involved and I believe the bids for the World Cup in 2018 and 2022 should be re-run. 'If England has anything to say about vote swapping that is not to its credit then let's come clean as well and not advocate for others what we are not prepared to do for ourselves.' Triesman (right) seen alongside former England manager Fabio Capello (right) at Wembley Stadium . Setting out the recent situation at FIFA, Lord Triesman, a Labour peer, said: 'Systematic corruption over decades overseen by a group who have been there for decades; World Cups awarded by committee nearly half of whom have been compelled to go and some of whom jumped before that point. 'Whistle blowers and investigative journalists disregarded; no embarrassment quite enough to prompt any action. 'A senior United States lawyer appointed to investigate but not to see the people who had already been exposed as corrupt, nor to view the huge Sunday Times documentation. 'Mr (Michael) Garcia writes a long report that isn't to be published. A German lawyer employed by FIFA writes a summary. Mr Garcia denounces it four hours later as inaccurate and defective. Still no one wants to publish the actual document. 'Candidly, I was surprised to be criticised for not helping Mr Garcia although I was subject to a sub judice restriction because I was being sued by a member of the FIFA executive for suggesting there might be corruption in that organisation.' Triesman added his voice to calls for Michael Garcia's (left) report into FIFA ethics to be fully published . Garcia's report has only been published as a summary by FIFA, something Garcia himself quickly denounced . Opening the debate, Lord Moynihan, a former chairman of the British Olympic Association and sports minister, called for a wide-ranging overhaul of British sports governance. The Tory peer has put forward a backbench Bill on the issue that would bring in a string of measures aimed at improving the situation. 'The need for good governance in sport is no less or more than the requirement for FTSE companies and is essential if we are to protect the interests of athletes in the future,' he said. 'Only by demonstrating good governance in sport, can governance and British sports administrators use their influence internationally to good effect.' | Lord Triesman chaired England's bid to host the 2018 World Cup until 2010 .
He wants England to 'come clean' if they attempted to secure vote swaps .
Triesman also said FIFA needs 'root and branch' reform . |
206,909 | 97e92da010a3af1e4b09c7346a33e018d2b48c85 | Washington (CNN) -- For most divers, a shark in the water can inspire fear, or even dread. Greg Marshall wanted to hitch a ride. More specifically, Marshall was inspired by the shark's constant companion, a remora -- a torpedo-shaped fish that commonly catches a ride by sucking onto the shark's rough skin and thriving on the shark's leftovers. Marshall thought to himself: What if you had a camera as small as a remora? What if you could stick a camera on a shark so that the shark goes about its life, unaware that its actions were being recorded away from the distractions of photographers in scuba suits? Where would it go, and what would you see? For a naturalist, being able to observe animal behavior without interfering with the world the animal inhabits by the simple act of being there is the gold standard. In scientific terms, it's similar to a control in an experiment. But that goal is usually unobtainable -- observing how an animal acts in captivity, for example, is no indication of how an animal actually behaves. Observing that behavior in the wild, Marshall says, is equally problematic. "When we're in an animal's habitat, they know we're there," he says. "And they're reacting to us." And knowledge of an animal's actual behavior, Marshall says, is absolutely critical to reaching the correct conclusions about a creature's habitat and behavior, and how humans may be disrupting both. Of course, the best way to observe real behavior in the wild is to have omniscient powers of observation, or perhaps a camera lens as long as your arm and as expensive as a new car. Or you can see what the animal sees, courtesy of "Crittercam." Twenty-five years after that underwater epiphany in the waters off Belize, Marshall and his far-flung team of naturalists and engineers are getting closer to that gold standard. Technology may finally be catching up with inspiration. Marshall took his initial ideas for ride-along observation technology to the National Geographic Society in 1987. Now he's vice president of the society's Remote Imaging division -- an effort by a team of scientists and engineers working with researchers around the globe capturing footage of how animals behave in the wild, away from the interference of the observers. "Crittercam enables us to get out of the picture entirely -- to ride along, almost completely unobtrusively, to see their world and their behavior," he says. Marshall is a real-deal explorer, a tall, lanky, gregarious type who seems more suited to a dive boat in the Sea of Cortez or a snowmobile in Antarctica than an impressively equipped machine shop in the basement of the fabled headquarters of the National Geographic Society. Marshall still gets more than his fair share of exploration -- a day after this interview, he was off to Antarctica, again. But more often he's back in Washington, at his desk or in an edit bay. Still, adventure is where you find it -- and sometimes, it's in the most unlikely of places. Cracking open a newly recovered Crittercam remora (or box, or sphere, or whatever device his crew of happily mad scientists invent to capture hitherto-unwitnessed moments in nature) is, for Marshall, full of the rush of exploration. When Crittercam got its start, the results of all the hard work came down to a small, fragile tape. Nowadays, the data is stored on a tough, solid-state memory card. But seeing the data of the first time, Marshall says, is always a rush. "You start looking at the screen because you never know what you're going to see. It's completely engaging and captivating," he says. The results, Marshall says, run the gamut from inspiring and revelatory to downright boring -- at least, boring to a typical National Geographic Channel viewer. But to a marine biologist like Marshall, even the "boring" stuff can have stop-in-your-tracks potential. Case in point: Sperm whales. They are one of the deepest-diving species on the planet. Years ago, his crew successfully attached an advanced Crittercam to a diving sperm whale. "The first 10 seconds are fascinating, because you see the whale diving down," Marshall says. "And then it dives down into utter darkness. And then we're looking at a black screen for the next two hours." But that Crittercam was also equipped to record sound, as well as video. And in that utter blackness (sperm whales can dive almost two miles down), the Crittercam whale began a conversation with another whale -- a cascade of powerful, rapid-fire clicks. That whale conversation kept Marshall and his editors transfixed. It wasn't a made-for-TV moment, but it was yet more evidence that just about every deployment of the Crittercam system can reap unexpected rewards. In the frigid waters off Alaska, a Crittercam captured an intimate view of a humpback whale calf nursing. There's dizzying footage of a tree kangaroo (yes, there's a kangaroo that climbs trees) high in the jungle canopy of New Guinea. A sea lion in Australia plays with its food -- in this case, a hapless octopus. There's even a brief glimpse of a great white shark swimming at eye-popping speed, chasing an equally quick seal. "You just never know what you're going to get -- it's just completely engaging," he says with a broad grin. Crittercam footage finds its way into many of National Geographic's nature programs. And the best Crittercam moments are a rare combination of good television and good science. That's partly the goal of the whole program, Marshall says. "I want to find a way to connect with people, I want to find a way to make them care about the conservation problem," Marshall says. "Imagine a planet where there are no humpback whales, where there are no blue whales, no leopard seals, no leatherback turtles. Can we survive? Absolutely we can survive... Well, probably. "Is it going to be the kind of place we're going to revel in, that's going to inspire us? I doubt it. As we know more, we're going to care more -- and as we care more, we're going to protect these animals and the habitats they depend on." | For a naturalist, observing animals in the wild is key to learning about species .
Greg Marshall pioneered the use of "Crittercams" mounted on animals .
Crittercams record hours of footage that can be retrieved later .
The cameras have captured whale calves nursing and a shark chasing a seal . |
124,355 | 2cc1e192ed7dc80a2fae7cd3b0356c8f244b5ccc | New York (CNN) -- A 29-year-old motorcyclist has been charged with gang assault and other charges in connection with the beating of an SUV driver in a high-profile case caught on video last week, a law enforcement source told CNN on Monday. Craig Wright "hit (driver Alexian) Lien numerous times with his fists, feet, and helmet after forcibly removing Lien from his SUV," the source added. He is the latest person to be charged in the case that involved a group of motorcyclists on Manhattan's West Side Highway and Lien, who was driving a Range Rover along with his wife and small child. Wright, who was arrested at his home in Brooklyn, also was charged with assault and unlawful imprisonment and was to be arraigned Monday night. He is also seen on a video punching through the window of the SUV, the source said. The video was taken with an iPad by someone who was at the scene of the attack. The source didn't say whether the person who shot the video was a biker or a bystander. The source said Wright's license tag was visible in the video -- which hasn't been released to the media -- and his uncle identified him for authorities. In March, Wright pleaded guilty to driving with a suspended license, a spokesman for the Brooklyn district attorney's office said. It is unclear whether he was driving with a suspended license at the time of the SUV incident. He was also convicted in Virginia in 2005 for reckless driving. One of the other bikers has been charged with the felonies of first-degree assault and gang assault. The lawyer for Reginald Chance, who was captured on video smashing his shiny helmet into an SUV window, concedes his client "overreacted," but claims his client did not take part in beating the driver. One video, taken from a rider's helmet camera, shows bikers -- apparently angered when Lien's SUV collided with a biker who slowed abruptly -- pursuing the vehicle until they could surround it and beat on the windows. Other photos show Lien beaten bloody and lying on the pavement. New York police: Bikers stomped on SUV driver . Defense lawyer Gregory Watts said it's "a given" that Chance hit the SUV's window with his helmet. But he said Chance then walked away. He claimed Chance was knocked off his motorcycle by Lien's SUV after bikers had surrounded the vehicle earlier. "The law does permit someone who is a victim of an accident to at least attempt to get the identification of the motorist," Watts said. "My client obviously overreacted in that manner, but he is not this thug assaulting someone who's harmless, contrary to the public opinion that's being put out there." Police said Chance's license was suspended in June for six months. Defenders of the bikers, including the relatives of one biker who was critically injured, have criticized Lien for driving through the crowd of motorcycles. Investigation involves off-duty cops . At least two off-duty undercover police officers who were riding with the motorcyclists that day are being questioned by internal affairs, a law enforcement official told CNN. One of the officers reportedly told internal affairs investigators he didn't come forward for four days because he was reportedly afraid his cover would be blown. The officer has been assigned to desk duty. He has hired a lawyer, sources told CNN. The officer was riding with his motorcycle club when the incident occurred and saw much of the confrontation, a law enforcement source told CNN on Friday. Off-duty police officer among bikers who saw SUV driver beaten . A bump on a tire . Lien, with his wife and their 2-year-old daughter, was driving his Range Rover back from a wedding anniversary celebration. The helmet video seized by police shows dozens of bikers swarming past him on Manhattan's West Side Highway. One motorcycle quickly slowed down in front of Lien, who bumped its rear tire, slightly injuring rider Christopher Cruz. Lien pulled to a stop, and angry bikers surrounded his vehicle, hitting it and spiking its tires, police said. Lien stepped on the gas, plowing into three more bikers, including Edwin Mieses, whose wife says he is paralyzed. The video shows the Range Rover stopping again -- long enough for a biker to open the door -- and Lien then driving away until traffic forced him to the final stop. Police say the subsequent beating included kicks to Lien's head and body as he lay on the highway. Injuries to SUV driver, biker . Lien suffered two black eyes and cuts on his face and side, requiring stitches, a police detective's criminal complaint said. His wife and daughter were unharmed. Mieses' family, meanwhile, has said he was paralyzed and needs a ventilator to breathe in the hospital. They claim Mieses was trying to help Lien. Chance's lawyer said prosecutors should conduct a grand jury investigation of Lien for hitting Mieses and Chance with the SUV. Criminal case . Chance was ordered held on $75,000 bond Sunday. Assistant District Attorney Samantha Turino said Chance's license had been suspended and he should not have been driving. She said Chance's arrest record includes a marijuana charge in 2013 and attempted criminal possession of a weapon in 2006. Christopher Cruz, 28, who police say is the biker who slowed in front of Lien, was charged with reckless driving and other misdemeanors. He was released on bond. His lawyer, H. Benjamin Perez, said, "He never tried to assault him in any way. And he does not know any of the other motorcyclists who were involved in this beating." Another biker, Robert Sims, is accused of stomping on Lien. He surrendered on Friday on charges of attempted assault and gang assault. Opinion: In attack, can bikers get a fair shake? CNN's Steve Almasy wrote from Atlanta; CNN's Susan Candiotti, Chris Welch and Margaret Conley reported from New York; CNN's David Simpson, Tom Watkins and Greg Botelho reported from Atlanta. | Suspect charged with gang assault, unlawful imprisonment .
Police say video shows motorcyclist punched, kicked driver after dragging him from SUV .
Another biker's attorney says his client walked away after bashing window .
Two undercover cops who were off-duty, riding with the motorcyclists, are being questioned . |
167,790 | 65064dc256921d94fc1d38b3cea458576a4fc1ee | It had no catchphrases, no music and not even footage of a supermarket - but Aldi's ad campaign has been named the most memorable of 2014. The clips of customers comparing the price of cheese and tea with better-known brands were recalled more often than Iceland's or Morrisons', despite the rivals hiring Peter Andre and Ant and Dec. It is another coup for the discount brand, which has beaten more upmarket rivals like Tesco and Sainsbury's to sales targets and industry awards amid the rise of the thrifty weekly shop. Scroll down for video . Spot the difference: Aldi's comparison adverts have helped it become the most memorable brand of last year . Simple: The format features customers comparing two products which they claim taste identical . Aldi's adverts came top of a study by Marketing magazine, which compiles a list every week of how well various firms' ad campaigns are being remembered. The magazine found Aldi's brand was the most consistently well-recalled throughout 2014 as a whole, with an aggregate score of 169 points. It was followed in the supermarket stakes by Morrisons (92 points), Iceland (81 points), Asda (59 points) and Tesco (57 points). The scores were compiled by awarding a brand ten points if it came first in a weekly ranking, nine points if it came second, and so on. Aldi's score meant it hovered on average around seventh place across the year. Aldi won despite its adverts being banned twice last year by the Advertising Standards Authority following complaints by rival supermarket chains. Variety: One Aldi ad. The chain won despite being rapped twice by the Advertising Standards Authority . Fame: Jean Jones, 83, from Middlesborough, kicked off the trend in 2011 by appearing in this tea advert . The most recent ASA decision on December 31 came after Tesco complained an Aldi comparisons misled viewers by being out of date and not relevant to a 'price-sensitive market'. In that case, the ASA banned the advert despite admitting Aldi offered savings because the chain exaggerated how many people had taken part in a brand-swap 'challenge'. The adverts said 84 out of 98 people saved at Aldi compared to Tesco, but only four of those involved had taken part over the full eight weeks stated. Despite this the adverts have warmed the public's hearts since 2011, when one of their first stars became an online sensation. Jean Jones, 83, from Middlesborough, landed the acting job on a whim and said it was her first since she was in a Shakespeare play at the age of 14. 'I buy this tea for my husband,' she told the camera. 'He likes tea. He also likes this one. I don’t like tea. I like gin.' Last year's versions included a woman in a red dress enjoying an ice cream, a hapless fisherman and his daughter with fish fingers and a bearded man eating cheese. No comparison: Iceland's adverts featuring Peter Andre made it to sixth place in the overall list . Festive: Iceland was the second-placed supermarket, with budget brands all jostling for the top spot . The budget German chain was named Grocer of the Year last June for the second time in a row, beating its upmarket rivals to the 'Oscar' of the supermarket world. It wasn't all ordinary people, though - the adverts also include former England manager Graham Taylor drinking Aldi-brand cider and tipping himself back in an armchair. And for its Christmas advert, the firm departed from the usual format and featured BBC presenter and musician Jools Holland. In the overall rankings by Marketing magazine, the famously repetitive and functional DFS sofa adverts came second, while promotional clips for Argos came third. Adverts did not have to be well-liked. Compare the Market and GoCompare, with their meerkats and opera singers, both came in the top ten. Morag Blazey, chief executive of advert analysts Ebiquity UK said: 'We recognise the formula but we are not tired of it; we watch because we know it will be amusing and engaging. 'Other supermarket brands spend more but have a less consistent message.' Third place: Ant and Dec appeared in several adverts for the supermarket chain Morrisons last year . The clips showed the TV stars walking down 'Market Street' and visiting a butcher and a greengrocer . 1. Aldi - 169 points . 2. DFS - 148 . 3. Argos - 142 . 4. Sky TV - 96 . 5. Morrisons - 92 . 6. Iceland - 81 . 7. Gocompare - 72 . 8. Comparethemarket.com - 63 . 9. Confused.com - 62 . 10. Virgin Media - 61 . 11. Asda - 59 . 12. Tesco - 57 . 13. McDonald's - 54 . 14. Marks & Spencer - 51 . 15. Littlewoods - 49 . 16. Muller - 48 . 17. Barclays - 46 . 18. KFC - 45 . 19. Jackpotjoy - 44 . 20. BT - 42 . | Supermarket's simple ads featured shoppers comparing two items .
They proved best-recalled in 2014 despite being banned twice by ASA .
And they ranked above 'star' adverts with Peter Andre or Ant and Dec . |
130,391 | 3498ef49060e96b390b81064d85bf878f4da70ea | Researchers behind a study of green coffee bean extract as a weight-loss supplement, which was praised by Dr Oz, have admitted the data was bogus. The scientists, Joe Vinson and Bryan Burnham, have since withdrawn the research paper that they were paid to write from the medical community. In a statement published last week, they said: 'The sponsors of the study cannot assure the validity of the data so we, Joe Vinson and Bryan Burnham, are retracting the paper.' Scroll down for video . Dr Mehmet Oz, surgeon and TV star, praised green coffee bean extract on his show in 2012 (pictured) - researchers behind a study of the extract, used in diet pills, admitted last week they could not prove the data . Dr Mehmet Oz, host of the Dr Oz Show, testifies at a Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Insurance Subcommittee hearing on Capitol Hill in June. He told the Senate hearing that he has never endorsed specific health supplements or received money from the sale of supplements . The study had extolled the benefits of green coffee bean extract in helping people lose weight without going on a diet or doing any exercise. However, federal regulators discovered that data, including weight measurements, appeared to have been tampered with, CBS reported. The study first appeared in the journal of Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity: Targets and Therapy, back in 2012. Dr Mehmet Oz praised the weight-loss product on his widely-syndicated TV show in May 2012 - which helped one manufacturer flog half a million bottles. In June, Dr Oz appeared before the Senate's consumer protection panel and was scolded by Chairman Claire McCaskill for claims he made about weight-loss aids on The Dr Oz Show. The cardiothoracic surgeon, acknowledged that his language about green coffee and other supplements has been 'flowery' and promised to publish a list of specific products he thinks can help America shed pounds and get healthy - beyond eating less and moving more. On his show, he never endorsed specific companies or brands but more generally praised some health supplements as fat busters. Senator McCaskill took Oz to task for a 2012 show in which he proclaimed that green coffee bean extract was a 'magic weight loss cure for every body type'. 'I get that you do a lot of good on your show,' McCaskill told Oz, but 'I don't get why you need to say this stuff because you know it's not true.' Oz insisted he believes in the supplements he talks about on his show as short-term crutches and even has his family try them. Following Dr Oz's comments about green coffee, some manufacturers jumped on the marketing bandwagon and created dietary supplements . The cardiothoracic surgeon, acknowledged that his language about green coffee and other supplements has been 'flowery' on The Dr Oz Show (pictured) He said his job on the show is to be a 'cheerleader' for his audience, one who offers hope even if that means looking to alternative healing traditions and any evidence that might support them. But Oz did agree that there's no long-term miracle pill out there without diet and exercise. Within weeks of Oz's comments about green coffee - which refers to the unroasted seeds or beans of coffee - a Florida-based operation began marketing a dietary supplement called Pure Green Coffee, with claims that the chlorogenic acid found in the beans could help people lose 17 pounds and cut body fat by 16 per cent in 22 weeks. The company, according to federal regulators, featured footage from The Dr Oz Show to sell its supplement. Oz has no association with the company and received no money from sales. In May 2014, the Federal Trade Commission sued the sellers behind Pure Green Coffee and accused them of making bogus claims and deceiving consumers. Oz stressed during the hearing that he has never endorsed specific health supplements or received money from the sale of supplements. Nor has he allowed his image to be used in ads for supplements, he said. 'If you see my name, face or show in any type of ad, email or other circumstance,' Oz testified, 'it's illegal' - and not anything he has endorsed. He hasn't allowed his name to be associated with specific brands, he said, because of ethical concerns he has about doctors making endorsements of health products. | The scientists withdrew the research paper on green coffee bean extract saying that they could not 'assure the validity of the data'
The study had extolled the benefits of the supplement in helping people lose weight without going on a diet or doing any exercise .
In June, Dr Oz appeared before a Senate subcommittee over claims he made about weight-loss aids on The Dr Oz Show . |
271,657 | ebe0238925b7082734746db90ae9d6ce49dc578d | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 19:29 EST, 8 January 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 19:29 EST, 8 January 2013 . Anchorage couple Chris and Susie Linford were surprised after their debit card details were stolen and the thief went on a $5,000 shopping spree at their expense. Their credit union quickly intercepted the fraud, however, and the Linfords were not left out of pocket. So the real shock came when a series of weird and wonderful items were delivered to their home - clearly Christmas gifts ordered to the wrong address by the criminal who had cloned their cards. Chris and Susie Linford suddenly started receiving a weird selection of parcels at their home. The fraudster had mistakenly sent them his shopping, including an Atlanta Braves baseball bat and a $900 Dale Earnhardt Jr. signed print . Mrs Linford told the Anchorage Daily News that she was working from home one day in mid-December when the parcels began to arrive. The first package contained a JVC stereo and a radar detector. Then, as Susie explained, 'the boxes started coming pretty quick, a couple of deliveries a day.' Next to arrive was a baseball bat signed by former Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones, then an autographed and framed portrait of stock car racer Dale Earnhardt Jr. The next orders were more practical - four North Face jackets and martial arts equipment such as gloves and shin pads. The first item to gifted by the thief was a JVC stereo . Mrs Linford told the Anchorage Daily News that, from this selection, she believed the generous thief was a 20- to 30-year-old male. But the next arrival was a $50 linen scrapbook, followed by an expensive women's coat. The criminal was clearly doing his Christmas shopping . He was mistakenly sending his ill-gotten gains to the billing address rather than an alternative delivery address. Strangely, the Linfords then received a letter from a fruit of the month club, regretting the fact that they didn't deliver to Alaska. As the couple say that their debit cards were never out of their possession, the thief must have got hold of their details online. And Susie told ABC News that her favorite gift from the fraudulent shopper was, ironically, software protection software. The mysterious buyer also sent a radar detector for his car, but he didn't get any benefit out of this crime . The final package was a large corner shelf for plants. After the holidays, the Linfords began to track down where the presents had come from, and where they had to be sent back to. As it the transactions were seemingly made online rather than in person, the couple were not legally required to return the gifts. 'We were told you’re welcome to keep it, but I thought no that’s not right,' Mrs Linford told ABC. So she is now returning the items one-by-one. The couple tracked IP addresses for the orders to properties in Illinois and Kansas It seems that the thief had no plans to pick up the merchandise in Alaska the whole episode was a series of oversights. The absent-minded buyer has yet to be identified and it is unknown whether his family and friends received any Christmas presents this year. He also sent four North Face jackets to his victims, but the Linfords are returning everything they were sent in error . | Chris and Susie Linford of Alaska were refunded and received new debit cards after a fraudster tried a $5,000 shopping spree on their account .
But then a series of parcels arrived at their home - Christmas gifts bought by the thief but mistakenly sent to the Linfords' billing address . |
155,311 | 54bde623ec50c869b1f94597c5eee593fe55924a | A new study has concluded e-cigarettes are not a safe alternative to smoking tobacco . E-cigarettes generate toxic chemicals similar to those found in tobacco and may harm the lungs and immune system, scientists claimed today. A new study, thought to be the first where animals were exposed to 'vaping', found it is far from being a safe alternative to smoking tobacco. In the experiments, mice exposed to e-cigarette fumes suffered mild damage to their lungs and became far more susceptible to respiratory infections. Their immune responses to both viruses and bacteria were weakened by such an extent that some animals died. Scientists also found that e-cigarette vapour contained 'free radical' toxins similar to those found in cigarette smoke and air pollution. Free radicals are highly reactive molecules that can damage DNA and cell membranes. Professor Shyam Biswai, from Johns Hopkins University in the US, who led the research published in the online journal Public Library of Science ONE, said: 'Our findings suggest that e-cigarettes are not neutral in terms of the effects on the lungs. 'We have observed that they increase the susceptibility to respiratory infections in the mouse models. 'This warrants further study in susceptible individuals, such as COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder) patients who have switched from cigarettes to e-cigarettes, or to new users of e-cigarettes who may have never used cigarettes.' For two weeks, mice were exposed to e-cigarette vapour in amounts equivalent to the doses inhaled by humans. The animals were then infected with pneumonia bacteria or a strain of flu virus. Compared with other mice not exposed to the fumes, they were much more likely to develop a weakened immune response. Co-author Dr Thomas Sussan, also from Johns Hopkins, said: 'E-cigarette vapour alone produced mild effects on the lungs, including inflammation and protein damage. 'However, when this exposure was followed by a bacterial or viral infection, the harmful effects of e-cigarette exposure became even more pronounced. 'The e-cigarette exposure inhibited the ability of mice to clear the bacteria from their lungs, and the viral infection led to increased weight loss and death, indicative of an impaired immune response.' The research, thought to be the first where animals were exposed to 'vaping', found e-cigarette fumes cause mild damage to the lungs and could make people more susceptible to respiratory infections (file picture) The study is thought to be the first to investigate an animal's response to e-cigarette inhalation. E-cigarettes generated just one per cent of the amount of free radicals in tobacco smoke, but this still posed a potential health risk, said the researchers. 'We were surprised by how high that number was, considering that e-cigarettes do not produce combustion products,' said Dr Sussan. 'Granted, it's 100 times lower than cigarette smoke, but it's still a high number of free radicals that can potentially damage cells.' E-cigarette sales in the US are expected to overtake sales of cigarettes in the next 10 years. In 2013, more than 250,000 American teenagers who had never smoked a cigarette reported using e-cigarettes. | New study at Johns Hopkins University found 'vaping' is not a safe alternative to smoking tobacco .
In experiments, mice exposed to fumes suffered mild damage to lungs .
They also became more susceptible to respiratory infections .
Scientists found their immune responses to bacterial and viral infections were weakened to such an extent that some mice died .
Study thought to be the first to examine an animal's response to 'vaping'
Devices generated just 1% of the free radicals found in cigarettes but still posed a potential health risk, scientists warned . |
24,023 | 442ef3b1f1121654a79ac0dad69f513626746a9d | All eyes were on Lionel Messi, and here is his heat map . It was only 65 minutes in, but it had seemed an age. Nothing was going right. Free-kicks flew wastefully into orbit; darting runs were extinguished almost at inception; passes were snuffled up by the blue meanies of Bosnia-Herzegovina. The Maracana stadium, an Argentinian enclave in Rio de Janeiro for the night, yearned for their little master to assume his rightful place as the true star of this World Cup, but it was not his night. Lionel Messi had only scored one World Cup goal in his career, the same as Matthew Upson, and that was eight years ago. In match time, 623 minutes had expired since he last struck for Argentina on this stage. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Lionel Messi play head-tennis in training . In with a shout: Lionel Messi roars with delight after scoring Argentina's second goal . Precise: Messi slides the ball in off the post to give Argentina a 2-0 lead . Turning it on: Messi hits his shot from the edge of the area after leaving two Bosnia defenders (left) in a heap . Master at work: Messi watches his shot hit the post and go into the goal . Argentina (3-5-2): Romero 6; Campagnaro 5 (Gago 45, 7.5), F Fernandez 6.5, Garay 6.5; Zabaleta 6, Maxi Rodriguez 4 (Higuain 45, 7), Mascherano 6.5, Di Maria 7, Rojo 6.5; Messi 7, Aguero 6 (Biglia 86). Subs not used: Orion, Perez, Higuain, Augusto Fernandez, Demichelis, Palacio, Alvarez, Lavezzi, Basanta, Andujar. Booked: Rojo. Goal: Kolasinac (og) 3, Messi 65. Bosnia-Herzegovina: (4-2-3-1): Begovic 6; Mujdza 6 (Ibisevic 70, 5), Bicakcic 6, Spahic 6.5, Kolasinac 6; Besic 7, Hajrovic 6 (Visca 72, 5); Pjanic 7, Misimovic 6 (Medunjanin 74, 5), Lulic 6; Dzeko 6. Subs not used: Fejzic, Vrsajevic, Vranjes, Susic, Sunjic, Ibricic, Hadzic, Salihovic, Avdukic. Booked: Spahic. Goal: Ibisevic 85. Referee: Joel Aguilar (Slovakia). Ratings by MARTIN SAMUEL in the Maracana . And then it happened. Oh, it was . lovely. Not just the move but the possibilities offered for this . tournament. Messi with a monkey on his back is no Messi at all. Messi, . liberated from pressure by a goal in his opening game, may now elevate . this World Cup to a higher plane. It . was a beautiful passing advance, triangles working their way through . the deep Bosnian midfield, before the ball found Messi, as it so often . does for that is his genius, and he played an neat one-two with . substitute Gonzalo Higuain. Receiving the ball once more he ran from . right to left with such nimble feet that two Bosnian guards, Ermin . Bicakcic and Muhamed Besic, collided in his wake. Now with clear sight . of goal, he checked the position of goalkeeper Asmir Begovic and finished . perfectly, the ball coming off the inside of a post, so exceptionally . was it judged. And that is . what the greats do. Until then, it wasn’t his game. And then he made it . so. Until then, Bosnia looked more than capable of earning a point – an . 85th minute goal by Vedad Ibisevic confirmed the threat – and then it . was out of their reach. Messi had made it his night after all. From . here, the tournament begins – particularly if Cristiano Ronaldo decides . to match him for Portugal on Monday, as he so often does when similarly . challenged in Spain. Messi . was announced as man of the match at the end, a FIFA award he will . recognise as nonsense. If anything, the best players were the half-time . substitutes Fernando Gago and Higuain, whose introduction changed . Argentina’s formation and the course of the game. Until then, the team . considered by many to be the finest at the tournament had laboured with . three at the back. Despite going a goal behind after three minutes, . Bosnia were having the best of the game. Perfect 10: Messi points to the sky in trademark celebration after his fine strike . That's more like it: Messi's shot goes towards the post before hitting it and going into the net . Lionel Messi scored his first goal of this World Cup and a fine one it was, too - click here for more from our Match Zone . History boy: Vedad Ibisevic scores Bosnia's first ever goal at a major tournament . Horrendous start: Bosnia defender Sead Kolasin (No 5) is rooted to the spot after scoring an own goal . Rabona in his own box! Argentina defender Marcos Rojo elaborately clears the ball under pressure . Alejandro Sabella, Argentina’s . manager, confessed his mistake by removing the anonymous Maxi Rodriguez . and a defender, Hugo Campagnaro at half-time and switching to a back . four. Gago, an impressive midfielder with Boca Juniors and one of the . few members of this squad to have played outside Europe, freed up Messi and . Angel Di Maria and Argentina thrived. What has been all too clear so far . is that commercial profiles place the biggest players under almost . intolerable pressure at modern World Cups. It was the humble Gago’s . involvement that helped Messi rise above this. We should all be very . grateful. If there was a . fault in Messi’s game early on – and this is not a sentiment that will . be aired regularly – it was that he almost tried to play the occasion . rather than the match. This was Messi in the Maracana – the world’s most . famous footballer in the world’s most famous football stadium. It was . an event that demanded brilliance, splendour, excitement to bursting . point, and that was what Messi attempted desperately to deliver. Unfortunately, it is not just well-meaning amateurs and Wayne Rooney . that can lose their way by trying too hard, and Messi fell victim to a . very human flaw. He wanted it too much – the stage, the moment, the roar . that would greet one of those scuttling, scintillating runs, when the . ball appears to be tied to his foot by a strand of elastic and defenders . circle like so many crazed ants whose nest has been disturbed by the . sole of a sandal. Hacked down: Edin Dzeko (centre) is fouled from behind by Federico Fernandez . Flying out: Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero punches the ball away from Izet Hajrovic . Messi . reached for fabulousness time and again, but without luck or joy. Bosnia-Herzegovina have been well drilled by coach Safet Susic and . whenever Messi got possession he was immediately detailed by two, . sometimes three, blue shirts, obstructing his path, snapping at his . heels, as eager to destroy as he was to create. Not that Bosnia played a . negative game, far from it. They were just not so daft that Messi was . allowed to dominate the way his sponsors would have wished – the way his . life is portrayed in commercial breaks when impossible is nothing and . wizardry is real. What was . real in the Maracana was an opposition that had not fought its way to . Brazil to be anybody’s support act on their debut. Bosnia-Herzegovina . are the fifth of the former Yugoslav states to make it to a World Cup . – if one includes Montenegro as part of Serbia in 1998 and 2006 – and . the pride of the team and its fans was obvious. They suffered the most . horrid start, but recovered, and those who feared they might be . embarrassed here were quickly dissuaded of such negativity. A lesser . team could have gone under after the bad luck that befell them three . minutes in, but they regrouped and came at Argentina with impressive . ambition. Doubling up: Messi tries to escape the attentions of Senad Lulic (right) and Kolasinac . Trebling up! Messi (second left) has Muhamed Besic (left), Emir Spahic (centre) and Kolasinac for company . Pushing him out: Messi takes the ball as Kolasinac tries to get close to him . Blocked off: Messi (centre) is stopped by the intervention of Senad Lulic (right) First the bad . news. Argentina won a free-kick 40 yards out to the left of goal, which . Messi whipped in dangerously. Giant full back Marcos Rojo rose and . headed it on, striking Sead Kolasinac on the boot for an unknowing . diversion past goalkeeper Begovic. It could easily have been a prelude . to a humbling World Cup debut, but Bosnia are made of stronger stuff. From there, Sergio Romero in Argentina’s goal, received a thorough . workout. Miralem Pjanic of . Roma was pulling the strings in the centre of midfield and it was his . ball in the 14th minute that showed Bosnia were in no mood to accept . defeat. It dropped over Argentina’s high line defence and was gobbled up . by midfielder Izet Hajrovic. Fortunately for Argentina, Romero was . alive to the threat and he dashed from his line to save. Human shield: Edin Dzeko keeps the ball from Argentina defender Hugo Campagnaro . Stretching a point: Bosnia midfielder Izet Hajrovic attempts to control the ball . Getting stuck in: Maxi Rodriguez (left) thunders into a challenge with Bosnia's Muhamed Besic . Pjanic’s . set-pieces were proving as dangerous as his passes, and four minutes . before half-time he picked out Senad Lulic with a fine inswinging . corner, the resulting header forcing another excellent save from Romero. Ibisevic’s late goal was no more than they deserved, even though Romero . was weak for it. Perhaps it was for the best. Bosnia can build from . here, and look potential qualifiers, Messi is free to take his . sun-blessed talents deeper into the tournament. He may return here on . July 13. Who knows what marvels we might have witnessed by then? Net gains: The Argentina players celebrate after the early own goal by Kolasinac (second left) Full of cheer: Argentina fans get into the spirit before kick-off at the Maracana . Pleased to be here: Bosnia fans pose for the camera before the match against Argentina . | Argentines got off to the perfect start through Sead Kolasinac's own goal in the third minute .
Argentina laboured for the rest of the first half and into the second .
Messi scored with a precise finish from the edge of the area .
Vedad Ibisevic pulled one back, Bosnia's first World Cup goal . |
46,279 | 8263077588640d8a8e512cd9c7685b51532d3ff0 | (CNN) -- The Navajo Nation will mark history Friday when it officially announces a $554 million settlement from the U.S. government, putting an end to years of litigation. The landmark agreement stems from a 2006 lawsuit in which the nation says the U.S. mismanaged trust fund assets dating back to 1946. "It's monumental. This is the largest trust responsibility award from the United States in the history of Indian country. It will never completely redress the wrongs done to prior generations, but it's going to allow some opportunities for future generations," said Dana Bobroff, deputy attorney general for the nation. In May, an agreement was reached between members of the Navajo Nation, the U.S. Interior and Justice departments and the Bureau of Indian Affairs and will be sealed with a signing ceremony Friday at Window Rock Tribal Park in Arizona. Best places to experience Native American culture . Acting U.S. Assistant Attorney General Sam Hirsch, who will attend Friday's ceremony, said President Obama has long worked to strengthen ties between the United States and the Navajo Nation, adding that "it reflects my personal commitment to resolving long-standing lawsuits rather than wasting the time and resources of both the United States and Indian tribes in contentious litigation." According to the Department of Justice, the U.S. settled with 41 tribes for about $1 billion in April 2012. Since then, the government has focused on resolving other trust accounting and mismanagement cases. Photographer shows what Native Americans really look like . LoRenzo Bates, speaker pro tem for the Navajo Nation Council, says that "this is not only a victory for the Navajo Nation in terms of being able to get through this, but it also sends a word out to any Indian country tribes that are in the same situation as the Navajo Nation. There is a solution to what they are having to deal with." With over 300,000 members, the Navajo Nation is the largest Indian tribe in the U.S. It has the largest reservation in the United States, spreading 27,000 square miles over Arizona, New Mexico and Utah, with an additional 14 million acres of trust land leased out to various agricultural endeavors. Reclaiming the Native American voice . | The Navajo Nation says the U.S. mismanaged trust fund assets dating back to 1946 .
The landmark agreement stems from a 2006 lawsuit .
With over 300,000 members, the Navajo Nation is the largest Indian tribe in the U.S. |
165,016 | 61617ad2dd1921cdb217a56940581d5c3f5ad285 | Lagos, Nigeria (CNN) -- In a meeting Friday with his Italian counterpart, British Foreign Secretary William Hague sought to explain why Rome had not been consulted before a failed rescue attempt that resulted in the deaths Thursday in Nigeria of two hostages -- an Italian and a Briton. "Mr. Hague made clear that there had been a limited opportunity to secure the release of the two hostages whose lives were in imminent and growing danger," said a joint UK-Italian statement issued by Britain's Foreign & Commonwealth Office. "Under these circumstances it was only possible to inform Italy once the operation was already getting under way." The meeting between Hague and Italian Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi di Sant'Agata took place at a foreign ministers meeting in Copenhagen. "Mr. Terzi expressed deep sorrow and disappointment over the tragic outcome of the operation and both ministers agreed on the urgency of sharing full information to facilitate the reconstruction and understanding of these events," the statement said. Britain's failure to consult Rome before the failed rescue attempt was "inexplicable," the Italian president said earlier Friday. Italy said Britain did not inform it before the attempt, carried out in conjunction with Nigerian forces, to rescue Briton Chris McManus and Italian national Franco Lamolinara, who were kidnapped last year. "A clarification on the political-diplomatic level is also needed," Italian President Giorgio Napolitano said. The kidnappers killed the men while the raid to free them was under way, according to British government sources briefed on the matter. Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has said the men were killed before the joint forces could reach their hideout in the northern state of Sokoto. A spokesman for British Prime Minister David Cameron told Britain's Press Association the government notified Rome as "the operation was getting under way," describing it as a "very fast-moving" situation. The UK ambassador to Italy, Christopher Prentice, spoke to Italian authorities in Rome on Friday "on his own initiative to explain events," the British Foreign Office said. Nigerian forces, with support from Britain, launched the operation after receiving credible information about the captives' location, Cameron said. McManus and Lamolinara worked for the construction and civil engineering firm B. Stabilini and Co., which is based in Abuja. A message on the company's website Friday read simply "In loving memory of Chris & Franco. RIP from all your friends at B. Stabilini & Co. Ltd." McManus, 28, was from northwest England, the British Foreign Office said. Lamolinara, 47, and married with two teenage children, hailed from the northern Italian town of Gattinara, the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera reported. Jonathan blamed the kidnapping and killings on Boko Haram, the militant Islamist terror group responsible for dozens of attacks in Nigeria in the past two years. The circumstances behind the men's deaths were unclear, but Jonathan said authorities detained the alleged captors. "Perpetrators of the murderous act, who have all been arrested, will be made to face the full wrath of the law," the president said in a statement on the government website. But a statement posted on a pro-jihad forum on which the militant group has been active in recent months denies any link. "The hostage-taking operation was not a Boko Haram one, we have always claimed responsibilities for our attacks, beware allowing the Kaffir [infidel] government of Nigeria to mislead you," it says. In December, a Nigerian group calling itself "al Qaeda in the land beyond the Sahil" announced that it had captured McManus, according to the Press Association in Britain. Cameron said he had worked to free the two men since they were kidnapped in May 2011 and authorized the rescue attempt. Authorities could not find the men for months, he said, but eventually got credible information about their location, and "a window of opportunity" presented itself. "The terrorists holding the two hostages made very clear threats to take their lives, including in a video that was posted on the Internet,'' Cameron said. "Boko Haram" translates from the local Hausa language as "Western education is forbidden." Authorities have said the militant group is behind attacks that have killed scores of people in recent years. CNN's Claudia Rebaza, Nkepile Mabuse, Nima Elbagir, and Alex Felton contributed to this report. | Envoy cites "imminent and growing danger" in explaining failure to inform Rome sooner .
Ambassador William Hague speaks to Italians to "explain events"
Italy says Britain's failure to consult it before the rescue bid is "inexplicable"
Abductors seized the men in northwestern Nigeria in May . |
260,182 | dce9a59973de3a635e0300ca7383e10ef76d6ee8 | Andy Murray logged into Twitter last month and described Nick Kyrgios as the ‘next big Aussie star’. It turns out he might have sold him short. What happened on Centre Court on Tuesday night — the demolition of Rafael Nadal by a 19-year-old wildcard — was quite remarkable in a global sense. He started with an ace and closed the show four sets later with another. In between there were a further 35, and 70 winners from the world No 144. It was astonishing. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Sportsmail's Wimbledon day eight verdict with Laurie Whitwell . Monumental win: Nick Kyrgios celebrates beating Rafael Nadal in the fourth round of Wimbledon . Can't believe it: The Australian said he didn't know what to do after the victory . Respect: The pair shake hands after the match on Centre Court, with the fans going wild . Agility: The teenager is playing in his first men's event at Wimbledon has now reached the quarter-final . VIDEO Wimbledon: Day eight roundup . Not since Andrei Olhovskiy defeated . Jim Courier here in 1992 had a player from outside the top 100 beaten a . world No 1 at a Grand Slam. To . be clear, Nadal did not play badly. Instead, this was about a fearless . player with grass-court tools who never stopped going for the big shot. The surprise was that this Australian, who travels with an Xbox and . whose mother gave him no chance against Nadal, sustained such levels . against this particular man. Nadal . is the immovable object, an obdurate beast who chases all lost causes. Not many players can wait out the temperamental storms of talent quite . like the Spaniard. And, it . should not be forgotten, Nadal was up to speed. He had a peculiar run to . the fourth round, dropping the first set in his three previous matches. Power: Rafael Nadal fought with everything he had on Centre Court, but was beaten by the better man . Fan favourite: The Wimbledon crowd were right behind the young Australian all game . Fan favourite: The Wimbledon crowd were right behind the young Australian all game . VIDEO Fognini stunning between the legs winner . But every time he bounced back with devastating force, giving every . indication that once again he would reach the final, as he has on the . five occasions he has survived the third round. But . along came Kyrgios, the tradesman’s son, with his rapid serve and those . uninhibited groundstrokes. This was his first time on Centre Court, a . man leading a charmed life having already been brought back from the . dead by a Hawk-Eye call when facing match point in the second round. Everything . he did was done with joy. When he was broken for the only time, in the . second set, he smirked. When he pulled off the shot of the Championships . — a winner played from between his legs, or a hotdog, if you prefer — . at 3-3 in the second, he grinned for two minutes. He described his . celebratory dance at the end as a ‘juicy wiggle’. His . only frown came when he discussed his mother’s lack of faith. ‘I just . believed in myself and believed that I could create some opportunities,’ he said. Kyrgios’s response, quite aside from providing the shock of the tournament, was to text his mother a smiley face. Glum: Nadal looks down as he reacts to the press after the defeat . Pressure: Things just didn't go Nadal's way on Wednesday as the French Open champion crashed out . From . the start, he carried the confidence of someone with considerably more . experience. While Nadal ran from the coin toss to the baseline to begin . his fidgety routine of tics and outfit adjustments, Kyrgios sauntered. He waved to someone in the crowd. Then . came the bombardment. He opened with an ace and, as someone once touted . as a professional basketball player, he walked the baseline bouncing . the ball between his legs. He held to love and would lose only four . points on his serve in the opening set, which he took on a tiebreak. The . clinching shot? An ace. For . an hour and 32 minutes, Kyrgios sustained the same extreme level . without a single significant wobble. Then, serving at 5-6 in the . second, he cracked a little and fluffed two straight- forward volleys . for 0-30. He fought his way back into the game, surviving a set point, . but at the second opportunity Nadal took it when Kyrgios hit into the . net. That should have been that. That should have been Kyrgios’s cue to leave politely, as Nadal’s previous three opponents had. Feeling the heat: Nadal came up against an inspired opponent as the teenager triumphed . Instead, . he won the third set on a tiebreak and broke Nadal to lead 3-1 in the . fourth. That became 5-3 and the magnitude of the occasion hit Kyrgios. He hit it back. ‘You know if you believe in yourself you’re going to have a pretty good shot to close out a match,’ he said. He did just that, with his 37th ace of an extraordinary contest. Kyrgios, . like many players his age, grew up idolising Roger Federer. He had the . fortune of practising with him at the French Open — now he might face . him in the Wimbledon semi-finals. For . Nadal, there was a trace of uncharacteristic bitterness in his muted . praise for a teenager who played in the juniors last year and was on the . Challenger tour as recently as two weeks ago. ‘Everything . is a little bit easier when you are arriving,’ said Nadal, who lost to . Steve Darcis in the first round last year and to Lukas Rosol in the . second round the year before. ‘You . have nothing to lose.’ Now Kyrgios has everything to gain with a . quarter-final on Wednesday against Milos Raonic, who until now held an . advantage over him in the ‘next big thing’ stakes. Both men are widely . deemed to be behind Grigor Dimitrov in that pecking order, but who . knows? | World No 1 defeated in four sets by 19-year-old Kyrgios .
Australian seals 7-6 (7-5), 5-7, 7-6 (7-5), 6-4 victory on Centre Court .
He will play Milos Raonic in the quarter-finals on Wednesday .
Nadal hasn't produced best form at Wimbledon this year .
The Spaniard is first No 1 to be knocked out in Grand Slam by player outside to top 100 since 1992 . |
24,359 | 4519429a3a5c2e3c7e3691e144a8301d3ec723c4 | By . Daniel Miller . A man who was discovered in a snowdrift in the Norwegian capital Oslo has emerged from a coma to reveal he speaks perfect English but has no idea who he is or where he comes from. The mystery man, who calls himself John Smith but does not know his real name, was found with a cocktail of drugs in his system and cuts on his wrist suggesting they had been strapped. He said he is not Norwegian but may be Czech as that is the language he understands best. He also understands Slovak, Polish and Russian and speaks with a heavy Russian accent. Mystery man: Police have released a picture of a man who was discovered in a snowdrift in December last year and awoke from a coma with no idea who he was or where he comes from . He told Norway's NRK channel: 'The cuts were deep and it took several months before the wounds . healed. It was quite obvious that my hands had been tied . together. 'I was paralyzed and could not speak. But the doctor said it was different drugs in the system. I'm desperate, scared and want nothing more than to get out of this . situation. 'I think I'm Czech, it is the language I . understand best. I also understand Polish, Slovak and . Russian. But I think and dream in English.' The man was discovered by a passerby in a snowdrift in an industrial part of Oslo on December 15th. He spent three days in a coma before coming round. Police took fingerprints and released his picture to Interpol, but so far investigations have drawn a blank. He added: 'At least I know I can't be a criminal, although I almost wish I was. Then they would have found out who I was. 'I . woke up with a nurse beside me, and as I did not understand, I asked . her to speak to me in English. I remembered nothing. It was so funny . when she asked what my name was and then I couldn't remember it.' Oslo police say his case is being handled by their violence and sexual crimes branch. A . spokesman said: 'The man did not possess any form of identification, . and did not remember his name, origin, how he ended up in Norway or any . other details of his life. 'He . is of European origin, speaks very good English with an . Eastern/Central-European accent, and understands Czech, Slovak, Polish . and Russian languages. 'He is 187 cm [6.1 ft] tall, has blue eyes and dark blonde hair.' | Unidentified man calls himself John Smith but does not know his real name .
He was found with a cocktail of drugs in his system and cuts on his wrist .
He said may be Czech as that is the language he understands best .
He also speaks Slovak, Polish and Russian with a heavy Russian accent . |
213,356 | a04b7f7f5a711f28d171f72f9a89191b36b7802c | By . Mail Foreign Service . A British company is opening a gay retirement village in the south of France – leaving the region’s mayor ‘flabbergasted’. Yves Bastie gave planning permission for the building of 107 eco-friendly homes at Salleles-d’Aude earlier this year. But he has only just discovered that the development near Perpignan will be France’s first ‘rainbow’ retirement centre. Village Group, have made it clear that gay people will be particularly welcome at 'Le Village - Canal du Midi' In France it is against the law for homes to be marketed solely at a specific sexual orientation . And it is hardly surprising – the developers admitted they made the decision on Monday as an experiment, because they were on the verge of closing the project down completely. In France it is against the law for homes to be marketed solely at a specific sexual orientation. But the developers, Village Group, have made it clear that gay people will be particularly welcome. Mr Bastie said when he was asked for approval he was shown pictures of heterosexual couples at another Village Group project designed for ‘over 50s seeking a healthy lifestyle’. He said he had no idea that the company would be aiming the development – called ‘Le Village - Canal du Midi’ and worth more than £20million – predominantly at the gay community. The starting price for the houses 'which are not yet built 'is £206,000, with service charges of around £60 a week . Promotion: The community's website says it is intended for 'the +50s Gay & Lesbian (lgbt) Community' ‘I’m flabbergasted,’ said Mr Bastie. ‘I had absolutely no idea about this. What will be the effect on the image of the town?’ Gay marriage was legalised in France in May, but there have been mass demonstrations against the move. Conservative groups, including the Roman Catholic Church, have called for an end to the promotion of homosexual lifestyles. The online brochure for ‘Le Village’ displays a picture of the Canal du Midi with a rainbow flag – the symbol of ‘gay liberation’. Its website describes the development as: ‘A private oasis for the +50s Gay and Lesbian Community who want an “Active and Healthy Lifestyle” in the warm, friendly and healthy climate of Southern France.’ The starting price for the houses – which are not yet built – is £206,000, with service charges of around £60 a week. Location: The development will be located near Perpignan in the south of France . Danny Silver, managing director of Villages Group, admitted he only had the idea about marketing the village to the gay community on Monday. He said: ‘The real estate market in France is so bad right now, and getting the planning permission took such a long time, that we were on the verge of closing the project down completely. ‘We didn’t have any takers, and when we had the idea of marketing it in this way, we thought, “Why not?” It was an experiment, the last toss of the coin.’ Mr Silver said the online brochure was changed on Monday. Since then interest has amounted to ‘thousands of emails every hour’. I’ve been 40 years in this business and I’ve never seen anything like it,’ he said. But he stressed heterosexuals would still be welcome in the village. | Village near Perpignan will be France's first 'rainbow' retirement centre . |
60,274 | ab476506bb93f931a871c52fc3e32c95c719401d | For a society that regards conformity as an important value, there are surprising number of Japanese who opt for homes that defy the cookie-cutter design. Take for example, Tatsumi Terado and his wife Hanae who lives in a house with no interior walls, hardly any barriers and some ladders to get around. The young couple call their house the Ninja -- because they need to be as nimble as one to go from one room to another. "We feel we're getting in better shape these days," says Hanae Terado, extolling the benefits of all the climbing around the house. "But we never fall." Radical design is featuring more and more in Japan's residential landscape and is a hit among the country's young generation. It is as if the compact spaces the Japanese have to live in are pushing the architects, and their clients, to think out of the box and let their whimsical ideas take off. Says Hanae Terado: "I don't know if this is a cutting edge, but this is a house where our thoughts and inspirations take place." Avant-garde design in Japan largely caters to middle class couples or families building a small house, not the typical clientele of bold architectural ideas elsewhere in the world. These average Japanese home owners can afford to take more risks because, unlike many of their counterparts in the West, they don't have to worry about long-term investment. "Houses depreciate in value over 15 years after being built," says Tokyo-based architect Alastair Townsend, "and on average they are demolished after 25 or 30 years, so the owner of a house doesn't need to consider what a future buyer might want. "It gives them a lot of creative license to design a home that's an expression of their own eccentricities or lifestyle." Open a Japanese architecture magazine or browse the Internet, and there are many examples of eccentric homes across the country, from strange polygonal structures to houses with no windows. While this conceptual Japanese architecture could be a bit impractical, these homes are becoming more like modern-art installations breathing new life into the country's cramped spaces. Some of the more quirky homes are built next to plain-looking buildings. Architect Sou Fujimoto's "Skeleton House" stands out in an average Tokyo neighborhood. The transparent building, which he built for a young couple, lacks in privacy but conjures a sense of open elegance. Calling the design "kind of a tree house," Fujimoto says, "We thought the whole house is like one big tree. You can jump onto one branch and the other branch to move around." He also argues that the house fits Tokyo's character as one part of the cozy components that make up the city. "I think it's a really, really nice collaboration because at the beginning, it was more simple, a bit more boring," he says. "Then it's getting more exciting." Yenni Kwok contributed to this report . | Radical design is featuring more and more in Japan's residential landscape .
It is a hit among the country's young generation .
Many avant-garde structures are small middle-class homes .
Having no worry about long-term investment gives Japanese home owners a lot of creative license . |
222,013 | ab5cb5f3ecb7aed0f86846ba22b323de98727a50 | (CNN) -- Indiana investigators and the FBI began combing through a western Indiana landfill Tuesday in search of fresh clues to the June disappearance of college student Lauren Spierer. The Bloomington Police Department has isolated a roughly 170,000-cubic-foot patch of garbage at the landfill and may need two weeks to sort through it, the department said in a statement announcing the search. The site holds waste transported from Bloomington, including from bins intersection where the Indiana University student was last seen. "While working with the company that operates the landfill, Republic Services, waste that was taken from the city on and around the dates of Spierer's disappearance was identified at the landfill site," police said. "That location within the landfill has remained isolated and secured since that time with no additional waste placed in the identified area." The landfill is in Pimento, about 60 miles west of Bloomington and about 10 miles south of Terre Haute. In a statement issued through police, the Spierer family offered investigators their "sincere thanks and appreciation for their continued support in our efforts to find Lauren." Spierer, a 20-year-old sophomore, disappeared early June 2 after leaving a Bloomington sports bar with a male acquaintance. Police said surveillance video from an alley showed them walking toward his building around 3 a.m. Spierer's keys were later found in that alley, but the petite blonde never made it home. One of her companion's neighbors reported seeing Spierer leave around 4:30 a.m., but police said they found no sign of her after the 3 a.m. sighting on any of the surveillance video they viewed from the blocks between the two buildings. In a statement posted on their website over the weekend, Spierer's parents expressed frustration at the "deafening silence" among her friends and acquaintances and pleaded for them to come forward with any information. "There is no reason to think the people Lauren was last with wouldn't do everything in their power to help us find her," they wrote. "The silence compounds our frustration, our desperation and our grief in not having found Lauren," they added. "It threatens to be our undoing, but make no mistake, we will never give up." | NEW: The missing woman's parents blast her friends' "deafening silence"
Indiana University student Lauren Spierer disappeared in June .
A landfill near Terre Haute holds waste from near intersection where she was last seen .
The search may take up to two weeks, police say . |
141,317 | 42bbdada330a920a10bd12842e7daa9420ea4d61 | By . Emily Andrews . Created 8:45 PM on 26th June 2011 . Escape: Rachel Cowles was nearly abducted in the same week Milly Dowler was snatched by Levi Bellfield . Rachel Cowles was stopped by a chubby man in a red car as she walked home from school aged 11. She refused a lift. She repeatedly tried to report the incident to police, but they didn't take a statement for three years. Last Friday the jury deliberating a charge of attempted abduction by Milly's killer Levi Bellfield was discharged without reaching a verdict. Yesterday Miss Cowles, now a 21-year-old student nurse, told the Daily Mail: 'I am very angry and hurt. '[When the jury was discharged] I burst into tears. 'This whole thing has been very difficult and frightening, both recognising Bellfield in court and giving evidence. 'I just want to be able to draw a line in the sand and move on.' Seconds after Miss Cowles refused a lift from the man in 2002, a police car passed and he sped off. Miss Cowles and her parents John and Diana were convinced that her would-be attacker was Milly's killer. For three years, every time there was an appeal about the unsolved murder or a new press report appeared, Miss Cowles's mother would ring Surrey Police and offer to make a statement about the stranger. Each time, she was told the force had no record of previous calls, that this one would definitely be logged and someone would call back – but they never did. Miss Cowles, pictured right in 2002, was just 11 when she was approached by a man she says fits Levi Bellfield's description while on her way home from school . The barrister who defended Levi Bellfield has come in for increasing criticism in the wake of the trial. Milly’s sister Gemma branded Jeffrey Samuels’s cross-examination of her parents the worst day of her life. Mr Samuel's, pictured, has a bulldog reputation for fighting the corner of defendants accused of terrible violence, including Barry George in his successful appeal against his conviction for murdering TV presenter Jill Dando. Last night Shane McDonnell, the uncle of Marsha McDonnell, who was murdered by Bellfield in 2003, said: ‘He needs to explain whether his motive was genuine belief that his line of defence was correct, or was it just the lure of notoriety and state money?’ Miss Cowles added: 'I feel very lucky . that I got away. When it came out about Milly it really hit me that it . could have been me. 'I genuinely felt that I could put [the experience] to good use to help find Milly's killer.' Her mother, 50, a secondary school science technician, said: 'It had to be more than a coincidence that Rachel was approached on the road where Milly went missing. 'Two girls, in two days – surely there had to be a connection? 'The police weren't taking us seriously. 'In the end we had to write to the chief constable, and it was only then, three years later, that they came to take Rachel's statement.' Miss Cowles, in smart navy uniform and striped tie, with a dusting of freckles on her cheeks and brown eyes, bore an uncanny resemblance to Milly as she walked to her home in Shepperton, Surrey, in March 2002. She said the driver beckoned her over, but soon after 'a police car drove towards us on the opposite side of the road and I think it spooked him and he sped off'. | Jury unable to decide whether Levi Bellfield tried to snatch Rachel Cowles the day before Milly Dowler .
A previous version of this article reported that Rachel Cowles accused police of robbing her of justice. In fact Miss Cowles has publicly thanked Surrey Police for their hard work on the case. Neither she nor her family hold police responsible for the outcome.We are happy to clarify Miss Cowles’ position. |
234,035 | baf9eac808091a8008b06c6f64acc88e3aaf7b8d | (CNN) -- Authorities say the remains of a missing 911 dispatcher have been found nearly 3 1/2 years after her disappearance. Theresa Parker was last seen leaving her sister's house on March 21, 2007, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said. Parker, who was 41 at the time, worked as an emergency dispatcher for Walker County in northwest Georgia. Her disappearance was widely covered in the media as hundreds of people searched for her. Sheriff John Everett of neighboring Chattooga County in Georgia said a farmer there discovered a jaw bone on Monday. He reported his discovery to authorities, who found more remains. The bones were in a wooded area near a river close to the Alabama border -- about 25 miles from the Walker County line. Dental records confirmed the remains were Theresa Parker, Everett said. Sam Parker, Theresa's husband and a former police sergeant, is in jail for her murder. He was convicted last year, even though her body had not been found. Jerry Scott of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said Wednesday at a news conference that the jury that convicted Parker should feel justified in its decision. "There have been a lot of rumors going around that Theresa had left the country, but now those 12 people will realize they did the right thing." Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson informed Theresa Parker's family that her remains had been found. "It's been a long 3 1/2 years," he said. "They are glad to finally be able to bring her home." Leigh Patterson who prosecuted the murder case said the family needed that closure. "Even now, even when they were told today, I think they had still held out hope that she might come back. " Everett says investigators are continuing to examine the remains. So far, no official cause of death has been determined. | Theresa Parker was last seen leaving her sister's house .
She disappeared in 2007 .
Cause of death has not been determined so far . |
268,752 | e81f6ec7c99a3cc02af2f4680563cc5c76bb90ff | (CNN) -- Members of the Westboro Baptist Church, known for its radical stance against a myriad of issues including homosexuality and the war in Iraq, said Thursday it will picket Elizabeth Edwards' funeral in Raleigh, North Carolina. Edwards, the estranged wife of Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards, died Tuesday after battling breast cancer. According to the Church's press release, members of the Kansas-based congregation are planning to gather at 12:15 p.m. to rally against Edwards for issues relating to her personal life deemed offensive by the church. The Church -- monitored by anti-hate groups such as the Anti-Defamation league and the Southern Poverty Law Center -- is known for its extremist opposition against homosexuals, Jews and other groups. Westboro members often hold protests against the war in Iraq, many at funerals held for U.S. service members. Led by Pastor Fred Phelps and his family, the church has drawn controversy for targeting soldiers' funerals and asserting that the soldiers' deaths are God's punishment for America's "sin of homosexuality." Phelps is the leading patriarch at the Topeka, Kansas-based congregation which is made up mostly of his family. Launched in 1955, Phelps' church and his family have made a name for themselves by showing up at high-profile events, preaching their hate-filled brand of Christianity. They blame homosexuals for the destruction of America. He describes himself as an "old-time" gospel preacher who says, "You can't preach the Bible without preaching the hatred of God." In 2006, two days before a funeral held in Maryland for a Matt Snyder, a young lance corporal who served in Iraq, members of the Westboro church advertised its intent to appear and picket, prompting a heavy police presence including a SWAT team. The protest, led by Phelps, did not result in any confrontations or arrests. But the corporal's father, Albert Snyder, sued the church, claiming defamation and invasion of privacy, after reading an online "manifesto" the Westboro Baptist Church posted after that protest, where the Phelps family said Albert Snyder and his wife raised Matthew "for the devil" and that "God killed Matthew so His servants would have an opportunity to preach His words" at other venues across Maryland. "They are very sick individuals," said Snyder. "It comes down to dignity. No one should be buried with what the Phelps did. Everyone deserves to be buried with dignity." | Members of the Westboro Baptist Church announce they will picket Elizabeth Edwards' funeral .
The Kansas-based church is known for its radical stance against minorities .
Edwards died Tuesday after a six-year battle with breast cancer . |
65,323 | b97fc82551a1029bccfac8b89ab8adf3081aeb25 | French prosecutors have widened an investigation into former International Monetary Fund chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn's alleged participation in a prostitution ring. Authorities said Monday that Lille police will open a preliminary inquiry into acts that allegedly took place in Washington, which they believe could constitute gang rape. "Following the decision by the examining magistrates, who are in charge of the affair known as the 'Carlton affair,' they have reason to believe ... pertaining to events which allegedly took place in Washington between December 15 and 18, 2010, that there is suspicion of gang rape," a statement from the Lille prosecutor's office said. Strauss-Kahn's attorneys issued a statement saying, "The investigation will establish that Dominique Strauss-Kahn has never committed acts of violence or had any relationship whatsoever without the consent of his partners." Strauss-Kahn: A reputation battered by sex allegations . The French newspaper Liberation reported earlier this month that the allegations stemmed from statements made by two women it describes as "escort girls," who were interviewed by Belgian police as part of an investigation into a prostitution ring run out of the Carlton Hotel in Lille, near France's border with Belgium. According to the newspaper's account of the depositions, the women said they had accompanied two associates of Strauss-Kahn on a visit to Washington, where they had stayed at the W Hotel. One of them alleged that Strauss-Kahn had used force against her during a sexual encounter at the hotel, despite her protests. The newspaper did not specify how it obtained the statements. CNN could not independently confirm the report. The Metropolitan Police Department in Washington said no sexual assault at the hotel was reported at that time. French law allows authorities to prosecute a French national for a crime committed abroad. In a statement to Agence France Presse, Strauss-Kahn's attorneys Frédérique Baulieu, Richard Malka and Henri Leclerc said the "declarations made by these young women are contradictory." It also said the women's testimony was disclosed at an "opportune time," just before the final round of the French presidential election. Strauss-Kahn lawyers fight against prostitutes claim . The prostitution investigation continues a string of sexual allegations against Strauss-Kahn. He has not been convicted of a crime. Strauss-Kahn has been formally warned by French authorities that he is under investigation for "aggravated pimping" in connection with the prostitution investigation and has been released on 100,000-euro bail. He has pushed back against the accusations, saying he did not know young women at parties he attended were being paid for sex. One of the sex scandals torpedoed his expected run for the French presidency this year. He stepped down from the top job at the International Monetary Fund after the May 2011 incident, in which a New York hotel maid accused him of sexual assault and attempted rape in May. He denied the accusation. Strauss-Kahn countersues maid for at least $1 million . The case ultimately fell apart after prosecutors decided they could not be sure about the credibility of the alleged victim, despite forensic evidence that showed a sexual encounter had occurred. The maid, Nafissatou Diallo, has since launched a civil action against the former IMF chief, alleging a "sadistic assault." This week a judge in New York rejected Strauss-Kahn's claim of diplomatic immunity. Strauss-Kahn also faced allegations of attempted rape from a young French writer. Tristane Banon filed a complaint, alleging a 2003 attack, though it could not be pursued because of a statute of limitations. He denied the allegations and has since filed a countersuit in France, alleging slander. | Strauss-Kahn's attorneys say he has never committed an act of violence .
Prosecutor's office: The alleged events could constitute "gang rape"
Strauss-Kahn is also under investigation for "aggravated pimping"
The former International Monetary Fund chief has not been convicted of a crime . |
153,881 | 52e29cb1c85978aeff0d89cddac25accd2e04be9 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 05:54 EST, 21 June 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 07:20 EST, 21 June 2013 . Enter the tastemaster: Lucky Rich Keam's role will be to seek out the finest produce and find the best bars and restaurants the region has to offer . A British man has secured a post dubbed 'one of the best jobs in the world' which will see him eating his way around Western Australia. Rich Keam, 34, from Brighton was selected from over 330,000 applicants worldwide for the six-month contract which has a pay cheque of about £61,000. His role will be to seek out the finest produce and discover the best bars and restaurants the region has to offer. Mr Keam, a musician and costume designer, has spent the last week in Australia with 17 other international finalists. The competed in a series of adventure, nature-based, culinary, social media and photography challenges, as part of the competition run by Tourism Australia. Speaking to BBC Breakfast from Sydney, Mr Keam said he believes his 'enthusiasm' got him the job, as well as his 'communication skills and creativity'. He added: 'It's just my love of food and travel and adventure that really attracted me to the role.' When asked about how food from home compared to the cuisine down under, he said: 'I love the UK. I love the UK's food, but Western Australia...the seafood is amazing, absolutely amazing. 'I ate a prawn the other day that was more like the size of half a chicken.' Mr Keam said he was also looking forward to admiring the scenery of Western Australia, visiting the national parks and taking part in some snorkelling. Irishman Allan Dixon, 27, from Dublin, was awarded the role of outback adventurer in the Northern Territory. Both he and Mr Keam are expected to take up their new jobs between August and December of this year. Tourism Australia's 'Best Jobs in the World' competition is part of an international marketing push to promote tourism opportunities provided by Australia's Working Holiday Maker (WHM) programme. In the UK, there was a total of 41,712 Working Holiday Visas granted for the 12 month period ending June 2012 - an increase of 7 per cent compared to the same period the previous year. Andrew McEvoy, managing director of Tourism Australia, said the competition had been extremely tough, and said he hopes Mr Keam takes his 'talent, energy and desire' into his new role. 'I'd like to congratulate all of the 18 finalists for the tremendous enthusiasm and effort they have put into this competition. 'Rich is among six successful candidates that have demonstrated incredible talent, energy and desire throughout the application process and will, I'm sure, take these positive attributes into the job with him. 'We're delighted to have another . British winner this time round - after Ben Southall from Hampshire won . the 'Best Job in the World' as island caretaker on Queensland's Barrier . Reef in 2009. 'We know Brits . have a strong affiliation with Australia and we hope this competition . will encourage more young people from the UK to consider a working . holiday Down Under.' The moment Mr Kearn's name was called out: The musician and costume designer from Brighton said he was also looking forward to admiring the scenery of Western Australia, visiting the national parks and doing some snorkelling . Jo . Muskus from Scotland was another British finalist competing for the role . of park ranger in Queensland but she lost out to Elisa Detrez from . France. Holly Easterbrook . from London was vying for the role of chief funster in New South Wales . and travelled to Australia as one of the 18 finalists but had to . withdraw due to an existing medical condition. The other roles included lifestyle photographer and wildlife caretaker. All the winners: From left, Allan Dixon from Ireland, Rich Keam from England, Elisa Detrez from France, Roberto Seba from Brazil, Greg Snell from Canada and Andrew Smith from the U.S. | Rich Kearn's six-month contract comes with a £61,000 pay cheque .
He says 'love of food, travel and adventure' attracted him to the role . |
145,824 | 4890071be4731a4d1a749aae7cab6efb032e7691 | She endures up to six hours of sexual arousal a day and once had more than 180 orgasms in just two hours. But mother Cara Anaya-Carlis, 30, from Arizona said the rare condition which causes intense waves of pleasure is 'ruining her life' as she is house-bound and cannot work. She was diagnosed with persistent genital arousal disorder three years ago and became reclusive after having spontaneous orgasms in the supermarket, on the school run and even in the playground. Scroll down for video . Cara Anaya-Carlis, 30, endures up to six hours of sexual arousal a day and once had more than 180 orgasms in two hours, pictured with husband Tony . After suffering an attack of 160 orgasms - not including multiple orgasms - in just two hours, Mrs Anaya-Carlis sought the advice of her GP who was left baffled . Mrs Anaya-Carlis, who has a 10-year-old son Merrick with her husband Tony, now avoids being in open spaces and is too embarrassed to tell a potential employer about the condition. 'It is embarrassing and confusing and humiliating,' she said. 'When you are around children you feel like a pervert because you have all these really strong feelings rushing through your body at the same time. 'So if imagine you can't help out in class or go on school trips because the kids don't understand, the parents don't understand. 'Even doing the school run is a worry because the arousal will build and build and I just have to stay in the car until it is over or try and mask it. 'It has devastated my involvement in my son's life because I feel too dirty to be a part of it. We want him to be a normal kid but at the same time he can't have friends around because mom has this condition. 'The worst thing is I can't explain it to him because he's too young.' She developed the condition suddenly while grocery shopping three years ago. Walking through the store she suddenly found herself aroused by everything she saw, smelt and touched. The mother-of-one began to panic and the arousal continued until she fell to the floor and orgasmed multiple times. 'It was one of the most intense orgasms I had ever had and it was with no assistance,' she said. 'I was frightened and confused, I just ran out of the store and as I drove home I kept orgasming. She had a 10-year-old son Merrick and said she is now too embarrassed to do the school run . 'This was the first time and it was six hours of constant build up and orgasm with just seconds in between. I was terrified.' She has tried everything to cure her condition including ice, cold showers, changing her diet and increasing her exercise regime, but nothing works. The mother-of-one has learnt to control showing her arousal, but said it can really affect her mental well-being. 'It makes me giggle because of the momentary high and outwardly I look okay but inwardly it's a torture. Dr David Goldmeier, an expert on sexual medicine at Imperial College in London said: 'Persistent genital arousal disorder is a newly recognised condition, where the sufferer complains of long periods of genital arousal that are not associated with sexual desire. 'PGAD sufferers experience intrusive, unsolicited and spontaneous genital arousal that can be unrelenting. This arousal can persist for hours, days or even longer. 'This can be highly distressing for a woman and despite attempts to relieve it with sexual activity or orgasm, this often doesn't help or can worsen the symptoms. 'Spontaneous genital arousal is quite common but it's those women who can't control the arousal which is uncommon. 'I see around 20 women a year with this condition, it may be as common as one in 100 we just don't know. 'Sometimes it may resolve on its own, there is no cure but there are a number of ways to manage the symptoms such as meditation and pelvic floor exercises along with pain medication for the patient.' 'It is ruining my life, because it messes with your head. You body is running on a high, on an up and down, so it really affects your moods. 'Some days when it's really bad I just want to shut the curtains and never get up. 'Other days I have little control over my body, and I will only have suffered 10 orgasms that day and I feel I could go back to work, get my life back. 'On a good day life goes on, a bad day it's disabling but I still have to pick up Merrick from school, be a wife to Tony and make the dinner. 'On a bad day it's like the cookie monster on cookies.' She suffered with her condition for months before it became too unbearable to handle. After having an attack of 160 orgasms - not including multiple orgasms - in just two hours, Mrs Anaya-Carlis sought the advice of her GP who was left baffled. Later, medical experts would identify the incurable condition, which causes dehydration, injured knees and ankles and ultimately exhaustion from lack of sleep. She has been unable to wear high-heels since developing the condition as she never knows when she will suffer an attack. 'You can't say to your future boss, 'I may not be able to come in today because I suffer from orgasms', he would think you were making it up,' she said. 'But it isn't just the embarrassment it's needing a change of clothes, it's that moment if you have a bad one and your knees give way and you hurt yourself. 'You can't be a risk or a burden.' The condition has also put pressure on her marriage as she craves affection, intimacy and physical contact because of the number of hormones in her body. Before her spontaneous orgasms started, she had only climaxed with her husband and the couple had sex around four times a month. 'We still have sex but it can become incredibly frustrating for both of us because I am forever aroused,' she said. The mother-of-one said her relationship with her husband Tony has become more strained . | Cara Anaya-Carlis, 30, endures up to six hours of sexual arousal a day .
She has suffered with persistent genital arousal disorder for three years .
Mother said it is 'ruining her life' as she cannot leave the house or work .
Mrs Anaya-Carlis developed condition while out grocery shopping .
She tried taking cold showers and changing her diet, but nothing works . |
260,286 | dd10252849f65e58405e28da12ef99799878140e | By . Sara Malm . PUBLISHED: . 07:38 EST, 6 July 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 07:38 EST, 6 July 2012 . The black market for child trade in China have been helped by economic reforms easing cross-province transport (stock image) Chinese police freed over 180 children when busting two major child trafficking gangs, officials report. Police arrested 802 suspects in a nationwide move against child-trafficking which involved over 10,000 officers. Critics blame lax adoption laws and the one-child policy saying it has led to an expanding black market of child-trafficking. Human trade involving children has become a big problem in China where . they are often sold for adoption or as cheap labour and household . servants. In the latest operation, 181 children were rescued from traffickers in 15 provincial regions including Hebei, Shandong, Henan, Sichuan, Yunnan. Investigations that led to the current round of arrests began in December 2011 when four suspects were caught in Henan province while attempting to sell four babies, the BBC reports. A ‘Level A’ suspect, Shao Zhongyuan, was caught in Pingyi county, Shandong province, the Ministry of Public Security said yesterday. According to the ministry he was part of a gang which trafficked more than 100 children. The . recent economic reforms resulting in greater freedom of movement is . believed to have made in easier for trafficking gangs to operate in the . country. Christine . Beddoe, director of ECPAT UK, the UK’s leading organisation working . against the exploitation of children for pornography, prostitution and . trafficking, said that numbers are elusive as they are not formally . collected, but that they have noticed a change over the past decade. A mother and her child are pictured standing on a street corner next to a sign that lists the 'One child per family' rules from Chinese authorities . ‘In our experience the number of children being trafficked in to the UK from China has increased over the past ten years. ‘Due to the nature of trafficking the numbers that we do see are only the tip of the iceberg.’ The US Department of State's 2012 Trafficking In Persons report also blamed the one-child policy in China: ‘Well-organized international criminal syndicates and local gangs play key roles in both internal and cross-border trafficking. ‘China’s birth limitation policy, coupled with a cultural preference for sons, creates a skewed sex ratio in China, which served as a key cause of trafficking of foreign women as brides for Chinese men and for forced prostitution.’ An officer from the MPS speaking to . China Daily said that police have stopped child trafficking from . increasing, but the illegal practice was still prominent in some areas. | Nationwide operations saw over 800 arrests and 181 children freed in 15 Chinese provinces .
Child trafficking has become a major problem in China with recent freedom of movements helping illegal trade in children .
ECPAT UK director say the organisation have noticed an increase in children being trafficked into the UK from China in the past decade . |
32,856 | 5d52ead62b525df675b968c84a849d561d232e42 | MEXICO CITY (CNN) -- The death toll in a plane crash that claimed the life of Mexico's interior minister and two other high-ranking officials has risen to 13, Mexico City prosecutor Miguel Angel Mancera said Wednesday, according to Mexico's state-run Notimex news agency. The scene of Tuesday night's plane crash in Mexico City was one of panic and confusion, a witness says. The small plane carrying Interior Minister Juan Camilo Mourino and seven others crashed in central Mexico City on Tuesday night. A witness described "moments of panic and confusion" after the crash, as burning people asked for help and others ran from the scene. The crash injured 40 people on the ground, said government spokesman Marcelo Ebrard. All eight passengers and crew on board the plane were killed, the spokesman said. Two of the dead are women, Mancera said. Also among the dead were Jose Luis Santiago Vasconcelos, a former deputy attorney general, and Miguel Monterubio Cubas, the director of social communication, President Felipe Calderon said in a televised address Tuesday night. In Mexico, the minister of the interior oversees domestic affairs, particularly national security, law enforcement and the war on drugs. It is Mexico's second-most-powerful post. Vasconcelos was one of Mexico's top experts on the fight against narcotraffickers and was said to have a price on his head. "I want to express my deepest condolences to the families of the victims and my absolute support during this difficult time," Calderon said. Mourino, he said, "was one of my closest colleagues and one of my best friends. ... With his death, Mexico loses a great Mexican." At least 12 cars were burned and two buildings were damaged, Notimex said. Watch video footage of the aftermath of the crash » . No cause for the crash was immediately given, but Calderon assured the nation that the results of the investigation will be made public. The Learjet 45 did not explode in the air, said Luis Tellez, secretary of communication and transportation. When there is an explosion in the air, Tellez said at a news conference Wednesday, pieces of the airplane are scattered over a wide area. But the wreckage in this instance was limited to a small area, he said. Tellez said Wednesday the pilot did not report an emergency, Notimex said. An audio recording released Wednesday of what Mexican officials said was dialogue between the pilot and the airport control tower did not appear to have an emergency call from the aircraft. The recording could be linked to off the Notimex Web site. The plane was traveling from the north-central city of San Luis Potosi to Mexico City, Calderon said. The cities are about 220 miles (355 km) apart. The Learjet was built in 1998 and carried identification call letters of XCVMC, Tellez said. Agustin Arellano, director of the federal agency that oversees Mexican airspace, said the aircraft's flight path, altitude and velocity were within accepted standards for a landing at Mexico City's Benito Juarez International Airport. The information was retrieved from the airplane's flight data recorder, Arellano said at the news conference with Tellez. The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board said it has sent a team of investigators, led by senior aviation accident investigator Joe Sedora. The team includes technical advisers from the NTSB, the Federal Aviation Administration, Learjet and Honeywell International, it said. Mourino had just given a speech in San Luis Potosi, detailing the administration's efforts to combat drug traffickers, kidnappers and other criminals. When Calderon took office in December 2006, Mourino said, the new president focused on combating crime. "It was decided to combat criminal groups with all available power in order to confront them, to reduce them and to fulfill the essential mandate of all authority, which is none other than to guarantee peace, tranquility and security for its citizens," Mourino said in his speech. Calderon has unleashed federal police and soldiers in several states across Mexico and tightened controls on money laundering and corruption among local and municipal police forces, which have been infiltrated by drug traffickers. The effort has resulted in widespread carnage, with more than 3,000 deaths this year. At the scene of Tuesday's crash, taxi driver Raymundo Bernal, 28, told Notimex that he witnessed the event. "I heard a strong roar and then saw four people who were burning and asking for help while the rest ran and the tops of trees were burning," he said. "The ambulances took 10 minutes to arrive, but several of the people who were burning were not moving, and what followed were moments of panic and confusion." More than 100 federal police secured the area, while the military took control of the airport at San Luis Potosi, Notimex said. Mourino, 37, studied in the United States, receiving an undergraduate degree in economics from the University of Tampa. He did post-graduate studies in accounting and finance from the Universidad Autonoma de Campeche, his government biography says. After serving in municipal government in Campeche, Mourino was a regional coordinator for Vicente Fox's successful presidential candidacy in 2000. He later served in the Mexican federal congress and in the Cabinet. He was chief of the president's office from December 2006 to January 2008. | NEW: U.S. agency sends investigative team to help .
Death toll in Mexican plane crash rises to 13, report says .
Mexico's interior minister and two high-ranking officials among those killed .
Interior minister is country's second most-powerful post . |
13,871 | 27532cdf43eb610230a9a8806a2f4165f5be182d | NEW YORK (CNN) -- Four men accused by prosecutors of being "eager to bring death to Jews" were ordered held without bail Thursday, accused of trying to bomb two New York synagogues and planning to fire surface-to-air missiles at U.S. military planes. Three of the suspects are taken away by authorities after the arrests were made. The plot ended with federal agents and New York police using an 18-wheel truck to block the vehicle containing the suspects after they planted what they believed were explosive devices in cars near the synagogues Wednesday night, said New York City Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly. The devices were duds. All four suspects are accused of plotting to detonate explosives near two synagogues in the Riverdale section of the Bronx and seeking to fire missiles at planes at an Air National Guard base. Kelly described the plot as homegrown, with no known links to any foreign or domestic groups. The plot was uncovered in a yearlong investigation involving an FBI informant, authorities said. At a court hearing Thursday, three of the suspects -- James Cromitie, David Williams and Onta Williams -- shook their heads as prosecutors appealed to U.S. Magistrate Lisa Smith to order them held without bail. Prosecutor Eric Snyder described the suspects as violent men "eager to bring death to Jews." Watch police commissioner give details on suspects » . Smith ordered the three to remain in custody without bail until their next court appearance on June 5. Smith also approved a request by Cromitie, accused of being the ringleader, for medical care for cuts he said he received from flying glass during the arrest. After the hearing, Cromitie's lawyer, Vincent Briccetti, declined to comment on the case. At a later hearing, the fourth suspect, Laguerre Payen, also was remanded without bail. Payen received medical treatment for injuries he suffered during the arrest and had a bandage over one eye at his hearing. Payen's lawyer said her client had a history of mental instability, but Snyder, the prosecutor, said videotapes of the suspects showed Payen to be a coherent and willing participant. Payen told the judge he has prescriptions for the drugs Celexa and Seroquel. Celexa is used to treat depression and Seroquel is used to treat conditions including bipolar disorder. Cromitie, David Williams and Onta Williams are U.S. citizens, while Payen is a Haitian, according to the New York governor's office. Police said three of the suspects have prior criminal records and all were believed to consider themselves Muslim. Mayor Michael Bloomberg praised the work of his city's police department and federal authorities in uncovering the alleged plot. "The good news here is that the New York Police Department and FBI did exactly what they're trained to do and prevented what could have been a terrible event," Bloomberg said. "We have to constantly be vigilant." At the targeted sites on Thursday, worshippers said they were relieved that the plot was halted, but they didn't intend to change their daily routines. "Unfortunately, this is the world we live in," said Nurit Bacharach of the Gan Miriam Early Childhood Center at the Hebrew Institute in Riverdale. "We just have to forge ahead and keep a positive mind and live life and just be cautious and aware." According to New York and federal authorities, an FBI informant met with Cromitie in June 2008 in Newburgh, New York. During that meeting Cromitie said his parents lived in Afghanistan, he was angry about the U.S. war there, and he had an interest in "doing something to America." Watch suspects' possible motivation » . The four suspects began meeting and plotting to bomb the synagogues with the informant at a home equipped with concealed video and audio equipment, authorities said. The suspects also conducted surveillance, including photographs, of an Air National Guard base where they wanted to blow up planes, authorities said. The informant provided the men with a surface-to-air guided missile and C-4 plastic explosives, none of which could actually be used. "No one was at risk," said Kelly, the police commissioner, describing the explosive devices as duds created to dupe the suspects. Kelly said that after the suspects planted the 37-pound devices in two cars, a waiting contingent of officers pulled an 18-wheeler across the road to block the suspects' vehicle and then smashed their windows to apprehend them without a struggle. The charges against the men include conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction in the United States and conspiracy to acquire and use anti-aircraft missiles. The charges carry a maximum sentence of life in prison. | NEW: All four suspects ordered held without bail .
Four men suspected of plotting to bomb Jewish targets in New York, authorities say .
Men also planned to shoot down military planes, according to criminal complaint . |
45,847 | 8133cd51fc549a72ff7977fb63337d5a3c02b4b8 | A father has been charged with murder after allegedly stabbing his live-in girlfriend and their seven-year-old daughter to death in their home on Sunday. Maciej Kotlinski, 35, faces two counts of first-degree murder for the killings of Ania Kosinska, 34, and Victoria Kotlinski in their Chicago, Illinois home. He also allegedly murdered their dog and cat. The bodies of the mother and daughter showed signs that their killer had tried to decapitate them, police told the Chicago Tribune. On Sunday morning, Kotlinski went to his parents' home in Waukegan with the couple's five-year-old daughter, who was unharmed, and allegedly told them that he had killed Ania and Victoria. Scroll down for video . Killed: Ania Kosinska, left, has been found stabbed to death in her Chicago home beside the body of her daughter. Her live-in boyfriend and the father of the girl, Maciej Kotlinski, has been charged in the killings . He left the five-year-old girl and said he was going to kill himself. Kotlinski's parents alerted police, who found Kotlinski nearby with a knife to his neck. Authorities had to shoot the man twice with a Taser to get him to drop the knife and he was transported to a medical center for treatment of a self-inflicted neck wound. Chicago Police carried out a welfare check on the couple's home in the 3400 block of North Odell Avenue and found the woman and child stabbed to death, authorities said. Victim: Victoria Kotlinski (right) was also found stabbed to death. Her father took her five-year-old, unharmed sister to his parents' house and left the girl with them before he fled to attempt to commit suicide . Volatile: Neighbors said they would often hear Kotlinski and Kosinska arguing at the house . Police also said that the 'family pets were unresponsive'. Authorities were also seen removing a large body bag from outside the home, believed to contain the pets. An autopsy conducted on Monday determined that Kosinska and her daughter died of multiple stab and incised wounds, the Cook County medical examiner's office. It’s not clear what exactly prompted the slayings but friends and neighbors said the couple, who were originally from Poland, often fought, the Tribune reported. Friends told the paper that Kotlinski had a history of mental illness and a temper. '[He] was not well,' one friend said. 'He'd been giving her trouble for a while.' Scene: After telling his parents that he had harmed his family, authorities found the bodies inside the house, as well as the bodies of the family's cat and dog. Pictured, animal control removes the pets' bodies . No suspicions: Neighbors who lived close to the family's home, center, said they are shocked by the tragedy . Maggie Witucki, another neighbor, told the Chicago Sun-Times they would sometimes be forced to call police when the couple's fighting spilled outside into the street - but she did not know of it ever turning violent. Police have launched a domestic-related murder investigation. Victoria was a second-grader at St. Francis Borgia School. The school released a statement saying they were 'devastated by the sudden and senseless loss'. Kotlinksi is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday on the charges, police said. See below for video . | Maciej Kotlinski went to his parents' home on Sunday morning and told them he had killed his girlfriend, Ania Kosinska, and their daughter, Victoria .
He left them with his unharmed five-year-old daughter and said he was going to kill himself; police later found him with a knife to his neck .
Police then discovered the bodies of Ania and Victoria, 'which showed signs that their killer had tried to decapitate them'
Kotlinksi 'also killed the family's cat and dog'
Neighbors said the couple could often be heard fighting . |
257,474 | d938e33bffd60b7937f63ca20f8d7de4067e3025 | By . Sharon Parsons . PUBLISHED: . 17:39 EST, 21 July 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 04:56 EST, 22 July 2013 . All is well in my world. The sun is shining, I’m about to go on holiday, the 5:2 diet has worked and I’ve lost a stone. Why, I’m positively Pollyanna-like as I breeze down the road to meet a friend for lunch, humming a happy tune as I go. And then it happens. 'Turn that frown upside down!' trills a complete stranger as he passes. 'It might never happen, love!' Sunny: According to those in the know, Victoria Beckham is utterly lovely but her BRF disguises it . What he simply doesn’t realise is that I have a tragic and little-understood affliction: what internet wags have dubbed 'Bitchy Resting Face' (BRF). This makes people like me look moody, bored or, yes, even mean, when they’re in repose or being thoughtful. It can affect anyone — even celebrities. In fact, it’s the only thing Victoria Beckham and I have in common. Her often pouty expression belies the fact that underneath she has a cracking sense of humour and the sunniest of dispositions. Well, me too. I like to think I’m a glass half-full kind of gal, and I do frequently smile. It’s just that when my face is merely 'resting', I tend to look like I’m about to commit murder. I’m always being asked if I’ve got out of bed on the wrong side while even unposed photographs of me — having what I thought was a nice time — suggest I could make hell freeze over with my icy glare. Sufferer: A new spoof PSA addresses the problems experienced by women afflicted by 'Bitchy Resting Face' 'Incurable': This woman may be happy to smell the flowers on a spring day, but her face doesn't show it . Luckily for me and fellow sufferers, a parody video, which has become a hit on YouTube, sets out to explain Bitchy Resting Face is an incurable syndrome requiring compassion and understanding. Hopefully, it will change ill-formed perceptions. 'These women might be suffering without you even knowing it,' the video explains patiently. 'They might not be mean at all ... ' And, anyway, as it also points out, there’s something even worse: the male equivalent. This makes many men look deeply grumpy and bad-tempered, when they’re really as chirpy as Jiminy Cricket. In fact, as I sit opposite my husband, I remind myself that his frowning, about-to-explode expression has nothing to do with the news that I’ve pranged his car. It’s just his face — and he can’t help it. | Bitchy Resting Face makes people look moody when their face is in repose .
Celebrity sufferer Victoria Beckham's pout belies her sunny personality .
Men also suffer from BRF but look grumpy and bad tempered instead . |
22,816 | 40c9a2c0fac8fcc9e8d3adac6329d31c45c529fe | Men's singles draw . Women's singles draw . Andy Murray was handed the chance of possible revenge for his Wimbledon disappointment of last year when he was handed a potential Australian Open fourth round against SW19 conqueror Grigor Dimitrov. The 27 year-old Scot, seeded sixth for the first Grand Slam of the year, might also face a quarter-final against Roger Federer, who beat him at the same stage in Melbourne twelve months ago and also gave him a 6-0, 6-1 thrashing in 56 minutes at the O2 Arena in November. However, Murray would not face world No 1 Novak Djokovic until the final and his scheduled semi-final opponent is Rafael Nadal, who has been struggling for form so far on his return to the tour. Andy Murray on court at Melbourne Park on Thursday as the British No 1 prepares for the Australian Open . Murray (right) takes a break during practice as coach Amelie Mauresmo (left) looks on . Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov is focused during a training session in Melbourne ahead of the Australian Open . Roger Federer hits a return during a practice session at Melbourne Park on Thursday . R1: Qualifier . R2: Marinko Matosevic/Qualifier . R3: Martin Klizan . R4: Grigor Dimitrov . QF: Roger Federer . SF: Rafael Nadal . F: Novak Djokovic . Murray faces a qualifier in the opening round and his first seeded opponent is due to be Slovak Martin Klizan before the likely meeting with world No 11 Dimitrov, who beat him in straight sets last summer at the All England Club. James Ward, the other guaranteed British representative in the men’s draw, was placed against 31st seed Fernando Verdasco of Spain. Defending champion Stan Wawrinka could face Djokovic in a repeat of last year’s semi-final. Heather Watson was drawn against world No 67 Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria, best known for her excellent Wimbledon record. Overall it is not the worst draw for Murray, although there could have been easier potential fourth rounds than facing the hugely talented Bulgarian. When he played Federer last year he was still some way from peak physical fitness after his back operation, but he will be a different proposition this time around, should both players get that far. James Ward plays a backhand during his three-set win against John Isner at Kooyong on Thursday . Heather Watson has her eye on the ball as she claims victory over Roberta Vinci in Hobart . Having played exhibition tennis so far this season – very impressively – he will not be disappointed to get a qualifier first up and a relatively comfortable looking second round to ease his way in. Djokovic, who starts as the strong favourite for the event, can also ease his way in but his quarter has more than its quota of towering power merchants in Milos Raonic, John isner and Jerzy Janowicz. The standout first round in either draw is twice champion Victoria Azarenka against American Sloane Stephens. The two played a controversial match here two years ago when Azarenka called a suspicious injury time out when she began to struggle against the American, who lost to Heather Watson this week. | Andy Murray has been drawn against a qualifier in the first round .
Murray could face Grigor Dimitrov in the fourth round and Roger Federer in the quarter-finals .
James Ward takes on Fernando Verdasco in his first match in Melbourne .
Heather Watson will play Bulgarian world No 67 Tsvetana Pironkova . |
223,491 | ad54fff6ae15cebcb35f4aeffc7255c676987100 | (CNN) -- President Barack Obama knows we live in a two-tiered America. In July, the president, who is himself an example of how anyone can or should be able make it in the Land of the Free, went on the road to make the point over and over again that the nation's widening gap between rich and poor is tearing at the very fabric of society. "Even though our businesses are creating new jobs and have broken record profits," the president said in prepared remarks delivered in Illinois, "nearly all the income gains of the past 10 years have continued to flow to the top 1%." "I will seize any opportunity I can find," he told The New York Times later that month, "to work with Congress to strengthen the middle class, improve their prospects, improve their security." Any opportunity? OK, then. Here's one: How about paying your interns? As Emily Jane Fox, a former unpaid White House intern herself, reports for CNNMoney, the White House is coming under pressure from groups like the Fair Pay Campaign to pay the college students who work 9-to-6 jobs (at least) for no money. Fox told me it cost her "a couple thousand dollars" to take a White House internship in 2010. "Think about it," she said. "You're there for three months. You're relocating to a new city. You have to pay rent. You have to pay transportation costs to and from the White House." Plus: She had to buy a suit. Can't afford an internship? Try asking for donations . "You have to be able to afford to be a White House intern." Maybe intern pay and the health of the middle class, on first glance, seem unrelated. I saw a few tweets saying it's no big thing that the White House doesn't pay interns. "No. It's called 'paying your dues,'" one woman wrote. "Give school credit or something!" But internships are an important (maybe essential) part of the modern résumé. Without one, it's difficult to find some of the most desirable and high-paying jobs. Fox, for example, said her White House internship has come up in pretty much every job interview she's done. And she says it probably got her into graduate school. Potential interns who can't cough up thousands of dollars in living expenses are left out of the mix, or have a much harder time making the situation livable, meaning the best internships and the best jobs are more likely to go to the upper middle class and rich. It's just one of many ways middle-class and poor Americans are being left behind in the age of income inequality. The system seems rigged to ensure that wealthier Americans have a much better chance at success than their poorer counterparts. There are always great rags-to-riches examples that defy this trend. Our pop culture eats that stuff up. But statistics paint a more sobering picture: Only 9.5% of kids born into the bottom income quintile in Washington will rise to the top fifth of earners, according to a recent study from Harvard University and the University of California at Berkeley. The numbers are even worse in cities like Memphis and Atlanta. With college expenses skyrocketing and internships offering young workers little or no compensation, it's no wonder it's becoming more difficult to climb out of poverty and into the middle class. "When the rungs on the ladder of opportunity grow farther and farther apart, it undermines the very essence of America." Yep, that's Obama, again. The White House isn't alone in offering an unpaid internship program -- and internships are far from being responsible for America's gap between rich and poor. Opinion: You don't have to be an unpaid intern . (CNN, for those who are wondering, does pay its interns). But the executive branch could use this opportunity to make a statement about equality of opportunity in America by offering paid internships, as many others do. Not everybody can be like Google, which, according to the site Glassdoor.com, pays some interns $6,800 per month. But look at the news site ProPublica, which made headlines when it started a Kickstarter page to raise $22,000 to hire an intern to write stories about internships. There are ways to make this work financially. And to be fair. Meanwhile, the Fair Pay Campaign is right to point out the hypocrisy of the Obama Administration lobbying for a higher minimum wage while paying some of its young workers nothing at all. The president can set an important example on this. Hard work should be rewarded with fair pay. And the playing field for new workers should be as level as possible. Otherwise, we're just encouraging the rich-poor gap to grow. The opinions expressed in this column are solely those of John D. Sutter. | CNNMoney reports interns at the White House are unpaid .
John Sutter: Unpaid internships contribute America's rich-poor gap .
He says the White House should set a better example for other employers .
Sutter: "... we're just encouraging the rich-poor gap to grow" |
173,527 | 6c8fb239003969552b3c2a6e6c2c77cf8d0bed24 | By . Valerie Elliott . PUBLISHED: . 19:53 EST, 22 February 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 20:07 EST, 22 February 2014 . Foreign fraudsters are trawling through public registers to target households in a sophisticated new identity theft scam. The criminals use personal details from records such as Companies House to apply for credit and store cards. They order expensive equipment online from abroad and an accomplice then waits near the unsuspecting victim’s home to intercept the courier and sign for the goods. Step one: Fraudsters use personal details from records such as Companies House to apply for credit and store cards and order equipment online . If the parcel has already been delivered, a bogus courier will call at the house and ask for the item’s return, claiming it was sent in error. One victim, Mike Finlason, 70, from Fareham, Hampshire, received an iPhone and watch from Argos last week that he had not ordered. When he contacted the company, he was told he had applied for an Argos credit card on February 18 and bought the goods at the same time. The order had been placed from an AOL email address in St Petersburg, Russia. Step two: The criminals wait near the unsuspecting victim¿s home to intercept the courier and sign for the goods. The applicant had given Mr Finlason’s name, address and date of birth, and described his job as director of My Music Ltd – a now-defunct company he had set up in the 1990s. Mr Finlason said: ‘I was told that fraudsters in Russia have been going through the Companies House website for personal information like this. Argos told me it’s going on all over the country.’ The Home Retail Group, which owns Argos, said: ‘We are continually working to combat new fraud tactics and have stringent processes in place to protect our customers.’ A spokesman for Action Fraud – the UK’s internet crime reporting centre – confirmed that police forces around the country were investigating incidents of ‘courier scam’. Companies House said it was unaware its website was being plundered in this way. | Use Companies House details to apply for credit cards .
Fraudsters then order equipment online and intercept delivery .
Companies House 'unaware' of criminals using their site . |
195,314 | 88d5a4f3ce829817180a5e0b667af08892197ea3 | Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick has warned the club's fans they will have to get used to a more patient style of football under Louis van Gaal than they experienced during the glory years of Sir Alex Ferguson. Carrick, 33, has acknowledged a clear shift in United's tactical approach under van Gaal whose side have only scored twice in their last three games against Manchester City, Chelsea and Crystal Palace after a thrilling but chaotic start to the season which saw them beaten 4-0 by MK Dons and 5-3 at Leicester City. Under Ferguson, Old Trafford became known as The Theatre of Dreams and the fans were used to having their chants of 'Attack-attack-attack' listened to. Michael Carrick has told Manchester United fans they will have to get used to a more patient approach . Louis van Gaal has endured an indifferent start to his reign at Manchester United . But the midfielder says it will be different while van Gaal is at the club, saying the Dutchman will do things his way despite the summer arrival of attacking stars like Angel di Maria and Falcao. 'The philosophy is different in that he is happy for us to keep the ball for long spells to get in the game, and get rhythm in our game,' said Carrick. 'Whereas before, especially at home with the crowd as well, it's always been a case of trying to attack as quickly as possible with speed and penetration, and even if you give the ball away a few times, keep trying it. 'It's just a different way of approaching the game really, there is no right or wrong, just different beliefs I suppose. The Dutch manager replaced David Moyes at Old Trafford and it trying to implement his philosophy . 'It's fine for the players, we adapt, we see it every day and are learning all the time. It is more for the fans as well, to appreciate it and to be fair, they have been great. 'Sometimes when you are keeping the ball, they might think they want us to put it straight into attack. But there is a meaning to it as well, it's not like we are just keeping the ball for the sake of it. So that is something we all have to get used to. 'The manager is obviously firm in what he wants and the standards he's got. It is up to us to hit them really and if we don't, he lets us know which is fine. That is the way it should be. 'I think the secret of being a manager at that level as he has been for a number of years is to know when to have that strong aura, and when to be more friendly and approachable. You need that barrier because that is what creates the respect and get people to respond to you.' Manchester United's early-season results include a 4-0 Capital One Cup defeat by MK Dons . United also conceded five against newly-promoted Leicester having led 3-1 in their Premier League contest . Van Gaal has deployed Wayne Rooney in midfield to give the team a more solid look and sees Carrick's role in front of the back four as key, though he will probably miss next Saturday's trip to Arsenal after suffering a groin strain on England duty and joining a lengthy United injury list that also includes Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Jonny Evans, Marcos Rojo and David de Gea. It is a blow to Carrick who only recently returned after damaging ankle ligaments in pre-season training during van Gaal's first week at the club. 'It was pretty much his first day when I got injured, so it wasn't ideal!' he admits. 'The most I'd ever been out for before was five or six weeks. It is frustrating, especially the older you get, you don't want to miss much, you never know how long you've got. Not that I am looking towards the end just yet, but you never know. Carrick has suffered a groin strain while on England duty and is likely to miss the clash with Arsenal . David de Gea dislocated his finger while on Spain duty and is set for a spell on the sidelines . 'But then I've looked at it, and thought I've had a good run, I've been lucky enough through the years that I've never been out for so long. 'I just went over on the ankle. I sort of changed direction, lost my balance, my foot gave way and then, crunch. 'It was painful and then the pain went away so I almost thought it might not be that bad. Then I went for the scans and realised.' United are currently seventh in the table, exactly where they ended up under David Moyes last season, and Carrick wants to see the team climbing up the table quickly. 'We have had ups and downs but hopefully that is in the past, that is over. We don't want too many ups and downs, we certainly don't want any downs,' he said. 'We want to try and keep progressing, we feel like we are but as I said before it's results that show so now is the time we really need to get a run of results together, to build the momentum to get up that league.' Like our Manchester United Facebook page here . Michael Carrick was speaking at the screening of 'HUNGRY TO WIN,' Japanese animation created by Nissin, Manchester United's Official Global Noodle Partner. | Midfielder tells fans they will have to get used to more patient football .
Old Trafford fans had been spoilt with attacking play under Alex Ferguson .
Louis van Gaal has experienced an indifferent start to United reign .
Carrick picked up groin strain while on England duty .
33-year-old's injury adds to United's growing list of absentees . |
281,408 | f8854c5820ef23f94cc33449dbccf38c5a2f2103 | Hong Kong (CNN) -- "Big Brother is watching you." This is the sinister maxim repeated throughout George Orwell's "Nineteen Eighty-Four," his dark portrayal of life inside an authoritarian state characterized by its omniscient and paranoid leadership. Fortunately this kind of dystopian nightmare is confined to fiction for most of us -- or more recently the world of reality television with the phenomenally successful Big Brother show, where groups of hapless "housemates" try to outlast each in an isolated environment where their every move is monitored 24 hours a day. And now the show is coming to China's small screen, an irony that won't be lost on many in a country that purportedly has more people employed to censor the Internet than its army (the world's largest) has soldiers. Launching in early 2015, the first-ever Chinese version of Big Brother will air for ten weeks, with production in China set to begin shortly, according to Endemol China -- part of the Asian arm of one of the world's leading multi-platform program makers -- who will partner with Chinese digital video platform Youku Tudou Inc. to produce the show. "In a market that annually generates hundreds of billions of video views, partnering with the number one digital video platform will allow us to bring Big Brother to a young audience and deliver the most immersive, interactive and unique experience to fans across the nation," said Endemol's CEO of Asian Operations Arjen van Mierlo. Victor Koo, Chairman and CEO of Youku Tudou Inc. said: "We are delighted to be joining forces with Endemol to finally bring this groundbreaking format to China. Fifteen years after its launch, Big Brother continues to be a worldwide hit that engages passionate young fans across multiple platforms." 'Excessive' and 'vulgar' The announcement comes at a time when authorities are concerned about the lack of originality and diversity of Chinese programs, as well as "excessive" and "vulgar" entertainment -- with foreign content in their crosshairs. Shows such as "Chinese Idol," a talent show that replicates the formula of the hugely popular "American idol," have been a huge success with viewers and sponsors alike. But as of this year, satellite broadcasters are only permitted to buy the rights to more than one foreign-made program per year. Big Brother, which has been running for 15 years, continues to be a hit in the USA, Europe, Australia, Canada and Israel, as well across Latin America, Scandinavia, Africa and Asia. | Launching in early 2015, the first-ever Chinese version of Big Brother will air for ten weeks .
Will follow the format of the hugely successful reality show popular across the world .
Comes at a time when China has been clamping down on "excessive, vulgar" content . |
113,643 | 1ea2130a01b8739b9821d0891681ff72e1bdd940 | It has long been known as the Holy Grail of comedy… and the Monty Python stars could barely contain their excitement yesterday as they announced their comeback. Despite all being in their seventies with a combined age of 357 years, the legendary troupe are getting back on stage together for the first time in 30 years. John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, Eric Idle and Michael Palin have all agreed to reunite. Scroll down for video . Getting back together: The five remaining stars of Monty Python (from left: Eric Idle, Terry Jones, John Cleese, Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam, and Graham Chapman who died in 1989) are to reunite for a show . Cult comedy: The group's surreal TV series Monty Python's Flying Circus was first broadcast in 1969 . Once the secret was out there yesterday, Idle, 70, posted a giddy Twitter message: 'Python meeting this morning. 'Can't wait. Press conference Thursday will be live.' Jones, . 71, revealed that the ageing comedians hope to boost their bank . balances: 'We're getting together and putting on a show – it's real. 'I'm quite excited about it. I hope it makes us a lot of money. I hope to be able to pay off my mortgage!' And . he's not the only one hoping the cash will help. Cleese, 74, has made . no secret that despite the phenomenal success his comedic talent has . brought him, he has been left crippled financially by a £12.5million . divorce. Earlier this year . the stars were also all ordered to pay extra royalties to a former . producer after losing a High Court battle over their hit stage show . Spamalot. Comedy veterans: Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam, and Terry Jones (left to right) will get back together with John Clees and Eric Idle for the show . A judge ruled . that Mark Forstater, a producer of the 1975 film Monty Python And The . Holy Grail, was entitled to a seventh of the profits from the spin-off . musical, which has grossed well over £100million. The . reunion comes after several failed attempts to reform by the group, . which was last seen together in 1983's The Meaning Of Life. However, . according to sources, the surviving members realised 'it was now or . never'. It is understood . the Pythons will perform live again, with the potential for a film or TV . show to follow. But it is unknown if it will be new or old material or . both. More details are due . to emerge at a press conference tomorrow, which will take place at The . Playhouse Theatre in London's West End where Spamalot is running. Idle . is believed to have had higher earning power in recent years and is now . worth an estimated £10million after he co-wrote Spamalot with John Du . Prez and paid the other Pythons a fee, estimated to be £1million. Cleese, . who married his fourth wife Jennifer Wade last year, divorced his . third, Alyce Faye Eichelberger, in 2008. He launched a stand-up tour . called Alimony Tour to help fund the payments. JOHN CLEESE: Now 74, Cleese has had a long career of acting success since his days with Monty Python. His work writing and starring in BBC hotel comedy series Fawlty Towers won him the greatest acclaim, and he also appeared in films including A Fish Called Wanda, Clockwise, and Bond films The World Is Not Enough and Die Another Day. Four-times married Cleese has also found success with a string of one-man shows. TERRY GILLIAM: After Python the 72-year-old went on to become a successful screenwriter and director, with hits including The Fisher King, Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas, and The Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnassus. John Cleese, left, is a successful actor and stand-up, while Terry Gilliam is a well-known director and writer . The American-born Python has been married to British wife Maggie for 40 years, and they have three grown-up children. In 2006 he renounced his U.S. citizenship in protest at President George W Bush, and spends a lot of his time in Umbria, Italy, because he can now only spend 29 days a year in America. TERRY JONES: The Welsh-born comedian went on to work as a director, author and musician. Now 71, he went on to co-write the screenplay for Labyrinth, and directed Erik The Viking and The Wind In The Willows. Last year Jones, who is married to wife of 42 years Alison Telfer, announced that he had proposed to lover Anna Soderstrom, 30, with whom he has a three-year-old daughter, Siri. Life after Python: Terry Jones, now 71, and Eric Idle, now 70, went on work in the entertainment industry . ERIC IDLE: After Python Idle, now 70, went on to act in and do voiceovers for various projects including Robbie Coltrane's Nuns On The Run, Terry Jones's The Wind In The Willows (Idle played Ratty), South Park and The Simpsons. In 2004 he created Spamalot, the musical based on Monty Python's Holy Grail, and he performed his 1991 hit song Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life at the London 2012 Olympics closing ceremony. MICHAEL PALIN: Sheffield-born Palin, 70, has gone on to find further fame as a maker of travel documentaries, a career he stumbled upon after making a show about his childhood love of train journeys for the BBC in 1980. Since then he has made programmes including Michael Palin: Around The World In 80 Days, Michael Palin's Hemingway Adventure, and Himalaya With Michael Palin. He and wife Helen have three grown-up children and when not travelling he lives with her in north London. Michael Palin, left, became known for his travel shows and books while Graham Chapman died young in 1989 . GRAHAM CHAPMAN: Leicester-born Chapman, who played the lead in Holy Grail and Life Of Brian, went on to write shows after Monty Python but never achieved such great success. He died, after developing tonsil cancer and secondary spinal cancer, aged 48 in 1989. Speaking at a private memorial service for Chapman, Cleese claimed later that he was the first person in Britain to say f*** at a memorial service. | Legendary funnymen - all now in their 70s - will put on show together .
They are John Cleese, Terrys Gilliam and Jones, Eric Idle and Michael Palin .
The Python team last performed together live in 1982 .
Their last film, Monty Python's The Meaning Of Life, was released in 1983 .
Details of their show will be revealed at official conference this Thursday .
The sixth Python, Graham Chapman, died of cancer aged just 48 in 1989 . |
46,751 | 83b8bc23f27395ce687fa5dad8317a2e7038e002 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 15:03 EST, 24 August 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 16:31 EST, 24 August 2012 . Detectives investigating the gangland execution of a dancer who appeared in a video with X Factor judge Tulisa Contostavlos have charged three men with his murder. Reece James Menzies was shot dead after a gang burst into a flat last month and fired a bullet into his head. The 21-year-old, known as Stylie, had recently travelled 100 miles from his home in Wembley, North West London, to Boscombe in Bournemouth, Dorset. Shot in the head: Three men have been charged with the murder of Reece James Menzies (pictured) in a suspected gangland execution . Reece James (left) had appeared in a controversial music video with X Factor judge Tulisa (right), in which she made a 'C' shape with her hand, a sign associated with a gang . His body was found at around 2.30am on Wednesday, July 25, at an address in Roumelia Lane. A spokesman for Dorset Police said: . 'Detectives investigating the alleged murder of a man in Bournemouth . have charged three men in connection with his death following the advice . of the Crown Prosecution Service. 'Three London men, aged 22, 24 and 33, . have been charged with the murder of Reece James Menzies and will . appear before Bournemouth Magistrates’ Court tomorrow morning.' The three men were arrested at addresses in London and Folkestone, Kent, on Tuesday morning. Detective Chief Inspector Kevin . Connolly, of the Major Crime Investigation Team, said: 'The three men . have been in custody for the last 72 hours and they have all been . interviewed at length. 'We have presented details of these . interviews as well as evidence gathered over the past month to the Crown . Prosecution Service, with whom we have worked closely. 'Although I cannot go into any further . detail, I continue to appeal for witnesses and anyone with information . to come forward and help us with this investigation.' Crime scene: The body of the 21-year-old, also known as Stylie, was found at an address in Boscombe (above), near Bournemouth, last month . Controversial: Tulisa denied suggestions she . referenced the Church Road Soldiers gang in this video, which also . starred Reece James . X Factor judge Tulisa had appeared . alongside the victim in a controversial music video, in which she made a . 'C' shape with her hand - the gang sign of local mob the Church Road . Soldiers. The former N-Dubz singer explained the gesture as a reference to her birthplace - Camden. Detectives had previously released . CCTV images of a car they believed was used by the assassins in what . they described as a 'major breakthrough in the case'. A silver Audi A3 saloon - captured on . CCTV - was driving from nearby Christchurch Road into St John’s Road . toward the scene of the murder, in Roumelia Lane, where Reece was gunned . down, at around 1.30am on July 25. Sorry we are unable to accept comments for legal reasons. | Reece James Menzies, 21, shot dead after gang burst into a flat in Boscombe .
Three men, aged 22, 24 and 33, held at addresses in London and Folkestone .
Victim had featured with former N-Dubz singer Tulisa in controversial video . |
46,878 | 841509d91217eb729441ed176703426dad2b1498 | By . Alex Ward . PUBLISHED: . 09:46 EST, 7 September 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 11:19 EST, 7 September 2012 . A jilted husband built a confinement room at an abandoned farmhouse to imprison the woman who supported his ex-wife. Robert Edwin White insisted he never intended to hurt or kill anyone and that no one other than himself had been in the dungeon he built in the basement of a farmhouse in Pickering, Southern Ontario, Canada, when arrested earlier this year according to facts read out in court on Wednesday. Investigations revealed the insulated dungeon - lockable only from the outside - was intended for a woman White planned to kidnap after she assisted his ex-wife emotionally and financially after the couple’s separation. Dungeon: Chains hung from the roof of this confinement room which Robert Edwin White built with plans to allegedly kidnap and contain the woman who supported his ex-wife . The room, in an empty farmhouse on Pickering airport lands slated for demolition, was discovered by a worker last November. It was heavily reinforced with double-paned windows and a three-inch door made of multiple sheets of plywood, prosecutor Dave Slessor told Ontario Court Justice Mary Teresa Devlin. Chains hung from the ceiling, there was a bench in the newly-painted room and the door was bolted from the outside with tyre irons, the court heard. Mr Slessor said: ‘It can’t be opened from the inside once it’s bolted from the outside.’ The farmhouse was then destroyed by a deliberately-lit fire but no evidence linked White to the fire according to police. Abandoned building: The room was built in the basement of this empty farmhouse on airport lands slated for demolition in Pickering, Ontario, Canada . Court documents obtained by CBS News told how White’s wife of ten months left him the day police arrived at their home in Oshawa, Ontario with a search warrant. She filed for divorce soon after on January 30. His wife said in her application that she had begun experiencing ‘emotional and verbal abuse’ last summer. The document also revealed that she had moved into a shelter for fear White might harm her or her daughter. The 44-year-old was arrested on February 13 and charged with attempted kidnapping and break and enter with intent to commit an indictable offence but the kidnapping charge was dropped when he pleaded guilty to the break and enter charge. Ablaze: After the discovery of the room, the farmhouse was destroyed by a deliberately-lit fire but no evidence linked White to the fire according to police . Security staff patrolling the area had recorded the number plate of White’s Mercedes-Benz after it was seen parked near the farmhouse on a few occasions. Paul Affleck, defending, said White agreed with the facts read into the record but insisted he did not intend to demand a ransom for his kidnapping target. White remains in custody awaiting a sentencing hearing. Confinement rooms have been used in various crimes around the world. Connell C. Williams from Oklahoma allegedly starved to death his girlfriend’s 10-year-old son and locking him in a room for months as punishment for eating too many sweets in May last year. Kidnappers in Poland snatched a 19-year-old student and locked him in a tiny DIY cell for nearly two weeks. They threatened to kill the boy if his wealthy father did not pay a £200,000 ransom but he was rescued by police who raided the dingy bunker in May. | Robert Edwin White pleaded guilty of breaking and entering an abandoned farmhouse slated for demolition .
The court heard that White intended to kidnap a woman who helped his ex-wife during her separation from him .
He built the confinement room in the basement of the building which was bolted from the outside . |
67,782 | c0468de075731bbbc639e2348558043ff3c8ecda | By . Alex Ward . PUBLISHED: . 14:41 EST, 3 December 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 06:19 EST, 4 December 2012 . 'Husk of a man': Shrien Dewani has 'adapted poorly' to treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder as he faces extradition to South Africa to face charges of his wife's murder . The family of tragic honeymoon bride Anni Dewani have reacted with fury after the husband accused of her murder was given six more months to recover from the shock of her death. Murder suspect Shrien Dewani is said to be terrified of travelling . in a car and spends his days playing computer games while facing . extradition to South Africa. He denies hiring a hitman to murder his new wife and told police he escaped from the window of a cab in South Africa minutes before his 28-year-old wife was shot. A judge in London was told he was not fit to face extradition to South Africa because of depression and post traumatic stress. But Anni's 62-year-old father Vinod Hindocha said: 'What about my mental health and that of my family? I am not sure who is going to crack first. Anni's mother and I have never had a proper night's sleep since Anni was taken from us. 'The wheels of British justice turn very slowly but we will continue to have faith in the system.' Dewani, 33, is currently being treated in a secure mental health hospital for depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) so he can be extradited to face charges of his new wife’s murder. Anni, 28, was shot when a taxi the couple were travelling in was hijacked in Gugulethu township on the outskirts of Cape Town in November 2010. Dewani’s condition has worsened, making him a ‘husk of a man’, his lawyer Clare Montgomery told Westminster Magistrates’ Court. She said: ‘He cannot travel by car as he has a severe reaction, he doesn’t want to get into a travelling car or go outside. ‘He doesn’t even want to go to the shops on his own,’ she added as the conditions of his bail were discussed. ‘In his current state it is unthinkable he would be able to plan any escape, let alone effect one.’ The court also heard that Dewani has flashbacks and remembers the smell of the breath of the man who held a gun to his head before hijacking his car and murdering his bride so vividly that it was ‘burned into his brain’. Honeymoon murder: Dewani (pictured with Anni on their wedding day in 2010) is accused of ordering a cab driver to arrange the shooting death of Anni while on honeymoon in Capetown . His extradition to face trial in South Africa has been halted on the grounds he is suffering severe mental disorders. The . court heard that he now spends his days sitting in a disused camper van . on the grounds of Fromeside Hospital, Bristol where he prays and plays . computer games. Giving evidence, his psychiatrist, Dr Paul Cantrell, admitted that Dewani had ‘adapted poorly’ to treatment and is suffering from severe PTSD and moderate depression. He said: ‘His depression has moved into the moderate range, albeit in the lower range of that range in the borderlands between severe and moderate. ‘I am clear that his PTSD remains in the severe range. That PTSD has mutated over time and there are different aspects of it that now incapacitate him but the most difficult aspect is his hyper-arousal which make him highly sensitive to noise and now very clearly smell. ‘Something akin to the smell of the breath of the man that is burned into his brain who was holding a gun, by his account, to his head.’ His hyper-sensitivity to both smells and sounds ‘trigger the re-experiencing of those events in South Africa,’ Dr Cantrell said . The psychiatrist, who is not instructed by either the authorities or the defence, said: ‘When I say re-experiencing it is not just memory, it is as if he was there, that is how disabling it is.’ Dewani maintains that he is innocent of the allegations and was a victim of the hijacking before he was ordered out of the vehicle which drove off with his bride. Her body was found in the abandoned vehicle the next day. Stressed: The court heard today that Dewani is terrified of car travel and vividly remembers the smell of the breath of the man who hijacked the car. He is currently being treated for post-traumatic stress disorder and depression . Today the judge granted an application by his legal teams to vary his bail conditions so that he could move from Fromeside to Blaise View Hospital, also in Bristol, which has lower levels of security and was described as a more ‘open, relaxed and calm environment’. Hugo Keith QC, representing the South African authorities, said the 32-year-old does not see himself as a patient at times, that he has fought against treatment and has been aggressive towards staff. He also suggested that Dewani spends his time ‘in his camper van playing computer games’. Dr Cantrell agreed. Dewani’s bail conditions include a £250,000 security, which has already been paid, not to leave the mental health hospital where he is required to spend nights without permission and to continue with his treatment. Dewani’s extradition was ordered in August last year but proceedings were temporarily halted by the High Court in March on the grounds it would ‘unjust and oppressive’ to extradite him immediately because of his health. Ms Montgomery said: ‘We are hoping and believe on the evidence he will recover, in which case he there is no battle at all apart from ensuring appropriate conditions in South Africa.’ The legal arguments against his . extradition will therefore be whether the conditions in South Africa are . sufficient to ensure he does not relapse into his ‘severe and disabling . mental state’. She added: . ‘At some point he will became fit to plead, he will no longer require . medical treatment and all that will be required is some reassurances on . the conditions in which he will be held.’ Dewani . was arrested in December 2010 and has been held in secure units at . Fromeside Hospital as part of his bail conditions since in February last . year when he took an overdose in an apparent suicide attempt. Family watches on: Both families packed the galleries to hear the proceedings including Dewani's father Prakesh Dewani (left with unidentified woman) and Anni's parents Vinod Hindocha and Nilam Hindocha (right) who revealed that the wait has been torture . The ‘constant noises’ and conditions at the hospital which houses ‘seriously disturbed patients’ are a ‘maintaining feature’ in his illness, Ms Montgomery said. The South African authorities are requesting him on charges of murder, kidnap, robbery with aggravated circumstances, conspiracy to commit those offences and a charge of obstructing the administration of justice. Ms Montgomery said: ‘He continues to express a desire to return to South Africa and face his trial.’ Both families packed the public the gallery to listen to the legal discussions. A review hearing will be heard in April while the full hearing reviewing the decision will take place in June. Outside the court Mrs Dewani’s uncle, Ashok Hindocha, said: ‘We accept the court’s decision today, we know these things take and British justice system is taking too much long time.’ Single shot: Anni was shot in the neck after the car she and Dewani were travelling in was hijacked, before he was ordered out of the car while on their honeymoon in Cape Town . Anni’s father, Vinod Hindocha, stood next to his brother as he revealed that he is travelling to South Africa tomorrow. Ashok said: ‘He is leaving for South Africa tomorrow to make sure that justice is being done, we hope that justice will be done for us.’ Speaking about the final hearing date he said: ‘It is eight months of torture for our family, we have no other choice but to accept what the court says, but to wait.’ It is alleged that Dewani paid cab driver Zola Tongo to arrange the hit whilst on honeymoon in Cape Town in November 2010. Their car was hijacked as it passed through the township of Gugulethu. Tongo then ordered out Dewani but Anni was driven off by Xolile Mngeni and Mziwamadoda Qwabe who robbed her mobile phone, white gold diamond bracelet, Armani wristwatch and handbag before she was killed with a single shot wound to her neck. Tongo’s middleman Monde Mbolombo and hijacker Qwabe admitted their roles in plea bargains in which they agreed to testify against the care home boss and received lighter sentences. Terminally ill hitman Mngeni was found guilty last month of firing the shot which killed the Swedish engineer. Sorry we are unable to accept comments for legal reasons. | Dewani, 33, is being treated for depression and post-traumatic stress disorder while facing extradition to South Africa .
The court heard that he has 'adapted poorly' to treatment .
He is accused of ordering the murder of his wife Anni Dewani on their honeymoon in Cape Town .
His extradition has been halted as he is suffering severe mental disorders . |
241,746 | c4e10c3dce486e09c8efd97dbce30f0d5fc10025 | She's the darling of the French film scene, a successful model and the brains behind her own philanthropic foundation. Now Elisa Sednaoui has revealed that she's determined to ensure that poverty-stricken Egyptian girls get the education they deserve - and has teamed up with shoe supremo Christian Louboutin to make it happen. But there's more to Sednaoui than acting and charity campaigns. A self-confessed nerd, she says that the current trend for teenage girls to value looks over brains is worrying and she hopes that they will realise that in life, intelligence is just as important as good looks. Values: French actress Elisa Sednaoui says it's time to stop obsessing about looks and start valuing brains . 'Life always ends up teaching us, one way or another, that without depth, beauty is worth very little,' she explains in an exclusive interview with MailOnline. 'It's much better to start being curious and asking questions about the world early on. Education is everything.' The mother of a one-year-old son Jack, Sednaoui is outspoken about raising her son to respect women - and would even describe herself a feminist. 'I am a feminist in the sense that I believe that women are entitled the same rights and opportunities as men and are of equal value,' she says firmly. 'I will always be grateful to those women who fought for this, as I feel completely equal and I will do all I can to help women around the world to achieve the same.' Successful: Self-confessed nerd Elisa says that much of her success is down to using her brain . Passion: The Elisa Sednaoui Foundation aims to provide supplementary education for Egypt's poorest people . To that end, she has set up the Elisa Sednaoui Foundation, which provides after-school tuition to girls and boys in Egypt - a country close to the part-Egyptian Sednaoui's heart. 'In Egypt, women can work outside the home, go to school and university, and are free to vote or run in elections,' she explains. 'But in education and the labour market, women still lag behind. Women are four times more likely to be unemployed than men.' Keeping track of women's progress in the country is difficult because, as Sednaoui points out, the majority either work at home or have an informal role in the work place. This is something that she hopes to fix and to that end, she is currently working on a campaign to raise awareness of their plight and funds to support her foundation's work - all with a little help from Louboutin. Helpful friends: Christian Louboutin has joined Elisa in her latest campaign to boost the profile of her charity . Exciting stuff: Elisa hopes that her charity will be able to help more children go to school like this group . Together, the pair are running a social media campaign which encourages women to post pictures of themselves and their shoes on Instagram and make a donation at the same time. Those with the most exciting pair of shoes will be entered into a competition to win an all-expenses paid trip to Paris to tour Louboutin's studio, escorted by Sednaoui. Her charitable ambitions, always bubbling under the surface, have become more urgent since becoming a mother in part, she says, because of the way parenthood has turned her into a more empathetic person. 'Becoming a mother has given me more empathy,' she beams. 'More understanding, more tolerance with myself and others. Its a thrilling experience to rediscover the world through his eyes' Nevertheless, despite being a good example of a woman who has used her brains as well as her beauty to get ahead, she remains concerned about the way celebrity is fetishised and seen as an end in itself by today's teenagers. 'Celebrity is by no means a goal in itself,' she says. 'Unfortunately I feel young people are confused about this today. 'The most important is being able to do what makes you happy - not having a paparazzi chasing you.' Big plans: Elisa, who says becoming a mother made her more empathetic, says celebrity is not a real goal . Set up to provide creative after-school activities to deprived Egyptian children, the Elisa Sednaoui Foundation is now an important part of the actress' life. Focusing on cultural exchange and life skills, the charity aims to give girls' education a boost in a country where many women still lack the life chances of their male counterparts. Celebrity supporters include Christian Louboutin, who has teamed up with Elisa for a new campaign to raise funds for the charity, and is offering a prize of an all-expenses paid trip to his Paris atelier, a signed pair of stilettos and a luxury spa experience for one lucky winner. To get involved, visit mygoodness.com and make a donation in order to be in with a chance to win. | The actress and model, 26, says celebrity shouldn't be an end in itself .
Says that teenagers focus too much on looks and not enough on brains .
Runs a charity foundation that aims to boost learning for Egyptian girls .
Birth of her son has made her even more convinced about merits of learning . |
165,978 | 62a2a5fc13ac8b7c71cc27597aba66e225860e91 | A storefront in Manhattan's lower East side is advertising a bar just for pregnant women. Whether or not it's a hoax or viral marketing stunt, it's got New York residents birthing anger. The name of the so-called bar is Gestations and it's located on Fifth Street and Avenue A where pregnant women can supposedly get their alcohol fix for two, reports The New York Post. 'All you mothers-to-be should come check out our trimester specials and our 9-month happy hour because now you’re drinking for two!,' reads the storefront that has people fuming. Too much?: This advertisement for the first ever pregnant bar in Manhattan's Lower East Side has some enraged . Marketing: The campaign is pregnant with baby jokes like one they posted on their Twitter that reads, 'Never thought we'd see our baby come to life, especially with a billboard in Time Square! #gestationsny' Birthing humor or hatred?: Jokes like this had critics fuming, some of whom who took to Facebook and Twitter to bash the campaign for being offensive and insensitive . The Facebook page offers a titillating image of a woman, who appears to have a photo-shopped pregnant belly, popping a champagne bottle. The Facebook page points out the fact that both pregnant women and men can drink more because they have bigger bellies. 'The bigger the belly, the more you can drink. True for men and pregnant women. #gestationsny' says a slogan for what might be a viral marketing stunt. '#gestationsny will have free pregnancy test kits when you buy a pitcher. Check out our profile on #BARTRENDr to see what else we’ll carry,' the Facebook page says. According to the website Vocativ.com, the racy new bar concept is likely a viral marketing campaign for the bar finding app Bartendr. Despite the attention grabbing technique being successful, it's a bit of a miscarriage with critics who find the campaign distasteful and offensive. It seems some may not have realized that the campaign is a farce. For real?: This is the location where the Gestations bar will allegedly be opening soon . Critics: Some angry readers didn't catch on to the fact that the campaign may be a hoax . Concerned for health: This woman voiced her concerns about the health dangers for the unborn child associated with drinking while pregnant . 'This is really sick, a real disparate, how would you entice a pregnant woman to drink alcohol which will take effects on the unborn, this is really ridiculous. I would call on the Dept of Health, to close this stupid peoples door business that are endangering the health of the unborn. umbelievable ..!!!!!!,' writes Vallejo Rafael on Facebook. Facebook user Angela Holkmann also had a bone to pick with the campaign. 'You are promoting actions that are dangerous to the health of an unborn child. Unfortunately, many babies are born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome that produces learning and behavior disabilities as well as physical ones as well. Everyone know, that excessive drinking is equal to using drugs while pregnant. WHY would you promote this kind of behavior, and I hope that this is a joke?,' she wrote. Some however thought the campaign was funny and wrote things like, 'What a perfect place to find women already on the perfect birth control!' The Post reports that Community Board 3 Leader Susan Stetzer says that the bar hasn't applied for a liquor license yet so chances are it isn't a real thing. 'They’re saying it’s a bar, but they haven’t applied for a liquor license. At this point it’s nothing . . . Maybe it’s going to be a milk bar or a juice bar,' she said. 'When possible patrons call the business a voice mail of a woman says, 'visit us on October 25 at 504 East Fifth Street before that water breaks.' The campaign is pregnant with baby jokes like one they posted on their Twitter that reads, 'Never thought we'd see our baby come to life, especially with a billboard in Time Square! #gestationsny' Even though patrons of the bar are meant to be expecting, no one knows what to expect from Gestations. | A storefront in Manhattan's lower East side is advertising a bar just for pregnant women called Gestations .
The bar my be a viral marketing stunt for a bar finding app Bartendr .
'#gestationsny will have free pregnancy test kits when you buy a pitcher. Check out our profile on #BARTRENDr to see what else we’ll carry,' the Facebook page says .
'The bigger the belly, the more you can drink. True for men and pregnant women. #gestationsny' says a slogan for what might be a marketing stunt .
The 'bar' has not yet requested their liquor license . |
46,723 | 83a20a1b5b880b5fcacd3a3adb7b8f66ac192ac6 | Convicted rapist Ched Evans will reportedly not be offered a contract with Sheffield United - following claims club bosses are shocked at the public reaction to the striker's return to football. The 25-year-old returned to training with the club this week after he was released from jail last month, having served half his five-year rape sentence. But after a huge backlash from a series of high-profile supporters, including Jessica Ennis-Hill and presenter Charlie Webster, the Yorkshire club's executives now appear to be distancing themselves from moves to offer the Welsh international a new contract. Scroll down for video . Ched Evans, pictured this week, will not return to Sheffield United after club bosses branded him 'toxic' The family of Natasha Massey, fiancee to Ched Evans, have helped fund a website protesting his innocence . A source told the Sun that club executives will back the decision tomorrow to block Evans from joining his former team-mates on the pitch. 'The club wanted Ched to play for them and expected to get some grief because of that. 'But they have been blown off course by the strength of feeling of the general public and people and companies connected to the club.' The source added: 'They feel Ched has become toxic now.' Sheffield United was already facing a huge backlash from high-profile supporters, MPs, sponsors and rape charities. TV presenter Charlie Webster, 32, stepped down as a patron of the club on Tuesday. Speaking on BBC Newsnight, the women's rights campaigner said: 'At no point have Sheffield United acknowledged the extremity of his crime. 'Nobody is making a decision (at the club) and I suppose I feel I need to make a decision as a patron of Sheffield United.' Jessica Ennis-Hill, 27, has received threats to rape her on Twitter after she said she wanted her name removed from a stand at Sheffield United if Ched Evans, who was convicted of rape, is re-signed by the club . A stand at the stadium in Bramall Lane could have to be re-named if Ched Evans returns to the club to play . Most recently, Ennis-Hill declared she would want her name removed from a stand at the stadium in Bramall Lane if Evans was given a contract. In a statement, she explained: ‘I believe being a role model to young people is a huge honour and those in positions of influence in communities should respect the role they play in young people’s lives and set a good example. ‘If Evans was to be re-signed by the club it would completely contradict these beliefs.’ And last night, South Yorkshire police said they are investigating after threats of rape were made to the Olympic champion. Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, the MP for Sheffield Hallam, condemned the threats, tweeting: ‘Rape threats against @J-Ennis are sick and vile. This is totally out of order.’ TV presenter Charlie Webster, left , has resigned from her role as Sheffield United patron, followed by Lindsay Graham, right, after the club decided to allow convicted rapist Ched Evans to train . The attack on Ennis-Hill came after FA chairman Greg Dyke said the row over whether Evans should play football again was ‘not an important issue’. Mr Dyke, 67, appeared on BBC’s Newsnight on Thursday to discuss a report alleging corruption over England’s World Cup bid. But when asked about Evans, Mr Dyke said: 'It’s a dilemma and it’s not clear cut.’ Asked where he stood, Mr Dyke blustered: ‘It’s not an important issue … err … is an important issue but not in terms of what we, we’re here, and what you asked me to come on and talk about.’ Evans was released from jail after serving two and a half years of a five-year sentence for raping a teenager at a hotel in 2011. An appeal against his conviction was rejected by three judges at the Court of Appeal in 2012, but his case is due to be looked at by the Criminal Cases Review Commission. MailOnline has contacted Sheffield United for comment. | The footballer was due to begin training with former teammates this week .
But club executives are now set to block his return, revealed a source .
They branded him 'toxic' after huge backlash from high-profile supporters .
Jessica Ennis-Hill said she would want her name removed from stand in her honour if Evans was re-signed .
Three patrons of the club have already resigned, including Charlie Webster . |
37,520 | 6a46559910887f59473ffd2f6c0994d60afc4ce7 | More than 150 people were arrested in a four-month nationwide roundup of alleged sellers and makers of synthetic drugs, substances that authorities say can be more dangerous than the drugs they mimic, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration said Wednesday. Federal, state and local agencies collaborated on the arrests, targeting drugs such as synthetic marijuana -- often sold online and labeled as incense to hide its purpose -- and hallucinogens and stimulants sold under the guise of "bath salts" or "plant food," the DEA said. Authorities seized hundreds of thousands of synthetic drug packages and more than $20 million in cash and assets in the 29-state, January-to-May roundup, which the DEA said was the second phase of an operation called Project Synergy. "Many who manufacture, distribute and sell these dangerous synthetic drugs found out first hand today that DEA will target, find and prosecute those who have committed these crimes," DEA Administrator Michele Leonhart said, adding the agency was targeting those "who are all too willing to experiment on our children and young adults." Synthetic drugs are a wide range of chemical products with ever-changing -- and often dangerous -- ingredients. Synthetic marijuana, for example, can be plant material treated with psychoactive compounds that mimic marijuana's active ingredient. Authorities and researchers have said synthetic drugs are particularly dangerous because their ingredients can be particularly potent and haven't been tested for safety. Users of bath salts sometimes have violent episodes, extreme paranoia and disorientation, the DEA says. In the roundup's first phase, authorities arrested more than 227 people from December 2012 to June 2013, the DEA said. What you need to know about synthetic drugs . | Federal, state and local authorities arrested more than 150 people since January .
Hundreds of thousands of packaged synthetic drug packages seized, DEA says . |
53,898 | 98d1376c276640184a94fbe071b310f401a2336e | New York (CNN) -- Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, appeared at a book convention in New York City on Wednesday, undeterred by a scandal that she allegedly offered to sell access to her former husband, Britain's Prince Andrew. "It was quite difficult for me to get to Javits Center this morning," she said. "One or two people in the way, but then, perhaps you've read that," Ferguson said, joking about photographers following her every move. Ferguson, who is a best-selling children's book author,spoke at a breakfast at the Book Expo America conference, an annual convention of booksellers. She avoided CNN questions about the scandal. She is promoting her new series of books, "Helping Hand Books." The publisher describes them as stories aimed at children going through growing pains. On Sunday, the News of the World tabloid posted a video on its website that appears to show Ferguson accepting money from an undercover reporter in exchange for access to Prince Andrew. Ferguson is also filmed on hidden camera telling the reporter -- who was posing as a wealthy businessman -- that a payment of 500,000 pounds ($723,000) "opens doors" to Andrew. She then shakes hands with the reporter after he accepts the deal. In a statement issued Sunday, Ferguson apologized for the incident. "I very deeply regret the situation and the embarrassment caused," the statement said. "It is true that my financial situation is under stress, however, that is no excuse for a serious lapse in judgment and I am very sorry that this has happened." The tabloid said its reporter and Ferguson met on two occasions, once in New York and another time in London. In the heavily edited, roughly 4-minute video, Ferguson appears to accept $40,000 as a down payment for a meeting with Andrew, then later discusses a wire transfer of the larger sum. "If we want to do a big deal with Andrew, then that's the big one," she says. When asked how she would receive the 500,000 pounds, she tells the reporter, "You send it to the bank account that I tell you to send it to." In her statement Sunday, Ferguson confirmed Andrew "was not aware or involved in any of the discussions that occurred. ... The Duke has made a significant contribution to his business role over the last 10 years and has always acted with complete integrity." The next day, Buckingham Palace released a statement saying Prince Andrew knew nothing about about the alleged offer. "The Duke of York categorically denies any knowledge of any meeting or conversation between the Duchess of York and the News of the World journalist," Buckingham Palace said, using alternate titles for Prince Andrew and Sarah . Ferguson. He has carried out his role as a British trade envoy since 2001 "with complete and absolute propriety and integrity," the palace said. | The Duchess of York is a bestselling author of children's books .
She is at book show to promote new series about overcoming growing pains .
Tabloid posts video that appears to show her accepting money for access .
Ferguson apologizes; palace says Prince Andrew unaware of alleged deal . |
72,813 | ce7c6f8c6179fae1cf7f534d49ff42a91fca17bb | Disgraced Luis Suarez received a hero’s welcome when he appeared on the balcony of his home after being kicked out of the World Cup. The shamed striker was sent back to Uruguay after being hit with a nine-game international ban and four-month suspension from all football for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini last Tuesday. But standing on the deck of his home in Lagomar, near Montevideo, the 27-year-old looked unperturbed by the ordeal. Some might say he even looked happy to be home, giving a thumbs-up to admirers who had gathered. Thumbs up: Luis Suarez gestures to fans from the balcony of his home, near Montevideo . Wearing a hooded grey top, smiling Suarez was accompanied by his children Benjamin and Delfina. His return came as his team-mates trained in Rio ahead of their clash with Colombia and news that Liverpool are set to sell him to Barcelona for £80million. Earlier in the day fans flocked to Carrasco International Airport to greet the arrival of the banned striker. Uruguayan President Jose Mujica was even there at one point but left when he heard Suarez’s flight from Brazil had been delayed. Because of the delay, the crowd of about 1,000 fans were moved from the airport terminal to an adjacent air force base to await his arrival. Angry: Uruguay national coach Oscar Tabarez claims the forward has been made a worldwide scapegoat by FIFA . The Uruguayan Football Association are preparing an appeal against the severity of the sentence, which also includes a £64,000 fine and national coach Oscar Tabarez claimed the forward had been made a worldwide scapegoat by FIFA. During an extraordinary press conference at the Maracana on Friday evening, Tabarez read a pre-prepared 13-minute statement to claim that pressure from the English media forced FIFA to ban him for four months. The Uruguay coach then immediately quit his position on FIFA’s technical committee and told Suarez that he has the full support of his country’s people. Rapturous reception: Luis Suarez was joined by his children as he greeted the army of fans who had gathered . Tabarez said: ‘Many times you forget the scapegoat is a person who has rights and that in this specific case, besides the mistakes and faults he has committed, he has made significant contributions on the pitch. It is the contribution made by great football players is essential. ‘As a coach and a professor, and as a former teacher, I am presented with the theory of the scapegoat. You know what I am talking about, of giving a punishment, to someone who commits a transgression, not a crime. ‘We know the protagonists and not only because of the profile he has because of the mistakes, but there is another side to him. That is a message: the severity was excessive. ‘Perhaps I do have the answers but like many people, those who not only have to make disciplinary decisions - who wins? Who loses? Who benefits? Who is harmed? Who got things their way? ‘To one of these questions, I will not give you a final answer, but I will try to find a response. On the basis of these exaggerated decisions, only with decisions of this nature I doubt it. After the Suarez and Chiellini episode we have seen other things measured with a different measure. ‘When that happens we have the omission because not all cases have to do with the transgression with indiscipline. Unavoidably this leads to exaggeration in terns if punishment. Acknowledging his fans: Luis cradled his daughter as he waved to fans from his balcony . ‘We should punish and sanction, but one must always give the opportunity to hear from the person.’ Tabarez was highly critical of the FIFA’s disciplinary panel after they failed to give Suarez the chance to speak for himself after the incident with Chiellini. FIFA’s strict regulations rule Luis from any involvement in football mean he cannot even watch Liverpool or Uruguay in action — he is banned from football stadiums and must train alone away from Liverpool’s Melwood training ground. Suarez can be sold during his spell in football exile — a strong possibility — but cannot personally join in negotiations. Barcelona have made it clear that Suarez’s ban does not impact on their intention to sign him and Liverpool have already started to get replacements. Liverpool are taking specialist legal advice, while the striker’s lawyer Alejandro Balbi was in Barcelona to discuss his client’s future . Adam Lallana will become a Liverpool player in the next 48 hours after Southampton relented and accepted a £25million offer for the England forward, four weeks after receiving the call from Anfield officials. Showing their support: Fans carrying banners waited outside Luis Suarez's home after he returned home from the World Cup . Backing their man: Luis Suarez has been hit with a nine-game international ban and four-month suspension . Liverpool have also launched a bid to sign Lazar Markovic from Benfica. Following this third, high-profile biting incident, it is no surprise that Suarez’s major sponsor Adidas are thinking of ditching him. He has already been punished for racially abusing Patrice Evra and biting Branislav Ivanovic. A statement said: ‘Adidas does not condone Luis Suarez’s recent behaviour and we will again be reminding him of the high standards we expect from our players. We have no plan to use Suarez for any additional marketing activities during the World Cup. We will discuss all aspects of our future partnership directly with Suarez and his team after the tournament.’ Another of Suarez’s backers, 888poker, are likely to drop him, with a spokesman saying: ‘888poker is seriously reviewing its relationship with the player as we will not tolerate unsporting behaviour.’ The independent FIFA disciplinary committee, chaired by Claudio Sulser of Switzerland, reached the decision to hand Suarez a World Cup record ban after 10 hours of talks spread over Wednesday night and Thursday morning before it was announced at FIFA’s daily briefing at the Maracana. The player and the Uruguay FA had been informed minutes beforehand. The suspension starts with immediate effect. Causing England havoc: Suarez scored the winner in Uruguay's 2-1 win over Roy Hodgson's side . The committee took into account that it was not the first time Suarez had bitten an opponent. His first victim was PSV Eindhoven’s Otman Bakkal in 2010, for which he received a seven-match ban, and then Chelsea’s Ivanovic in 2013, which brought a 10-game ban. Sulser said: ‘Such behaviour cannot be tolerated and in particular not at a World Cup when the eyes of millions are on the stars on the field. The disciplinary committee took into account all the factors of the case and the degree of Mr Suarez’s guilt in accordance with the relevant provisions of the code.’ The Uruguayan media claimed that Sulser’s committee had come under pressure from South American football chiefs, including the English-hating Argentinian football president Julio Grondona, not to punish Suarez too severely. Will Suarez wear a Liverpool shirt again?: Despite the controversy Barcelona are still keen to sign the striker . But FIFA insisted that there was no interference at all in the process. The world body’s president Sepp Blatter had been in Manaus watching Switzerland beat Honduras and flew back to Rio while the Suarez hearing was going on. Meanwhile, the Football Writers’ Association, who made Suarez their player of the year last season, decided not to strip the Liverpool star of his title. Uruguay face Colombia in the last 16 on Saturday Central defender Jose Maria Gimenez said the team were ‘more united than ever’, while the country’s sports minister Liliam Kechichian commented: ‘We are hurt by this excessive sanction. Now let’s see how we can help this human being and whether the group can show its class and its love for La Celeste.’ | Uruguay striker shows no sign of strain as he waves at fans .
27-year-old is seen smiling while cradling his son Benjamin .
Uruguayan President Jose Mujica had been at the airport to greet him .
Suarez hit with a nine-game international ban and four-month suspension from all football .
Liverpool plan to sell him to Barcelona for £80m . |
243,645 | c75c143d059dbd7acb4106d5590f17cb2382974d | By . Toni Jones . While waifs stalked the catwalks at Somerset House a curvier kind of model was posing at the nearby Vinopolis warehouse in London this weekend. British Plus-Size Fashion Weekend (BPSFW) is an event dedicated to clothes made for sizes 14 and up and, although not officially affiliated with London Fashion Week, the timing of the second annual show was of course planned to initiate a discussion about the shape of things to come in the industry. At the BPSFW shows retailers, designers and customers are brought together to highlight an aspect of British fashion mostly ignored by the British Fashion Council in their biannual fashion weeks. Here Cosmopolitan columnist and presenter Laura Puddy explains why events like this need to become the norm rather than remain niche. The first British Plus-Size Fashion Weekend took place this weekend in London . Hayley Hasselhoff was one of the curvy models to open the show on Friday (l) and High Street brand Evans was one of the retailers to show off its latest eye-catching designs (r) Laura, who is a size 12-14, and hosted a panel discussion at the event says: 'This weekend I took a break from the grueling London Fashion week schedule and attended British Plus Size Fashion Weekend (BPSFW). 'An event set up with the goal of bringing fashion to the fuller female figure, I have to say I was intrigued, particularly as this is the topic of my monthly column ‘Catwalk to Curvy’ in Cosmopolitan UK. Columnist and presenter Laura Puddy champions plus-size fashion and hosted a panel on diversity at the event . 'On arrival, it was clear that this event . was going to be a refreshing change from the usual LFW line up. The . myriad of voluptuous fashionistas congregated outside immediately filled . me with joy - fashion was about to celebrate curves. 'BPSFW was created to support the plus-size industry and give plus-size designers and retailers a chance to interact with their customers. As the founders Remi Ray and Rianne Ward say, “BPSFW aims to enhance, empower and support the UK plus-size industry by connecting the dots between retailers, designers and consumers.” 'A point worth remembering, the average clothing size of a UK woman is size 16. Attendees were excited that finally there was an event catering to women who love fashion but aren’t necessarily the accepted fashion ideal of being tall and waif-like. 'The event showcased an array of high street brands like Evans and Taking Shape, as well as designers like Dea London and Syreeta Badu, a London based designer specialising in sizes 14-32. 'A positive body image was encouraged – something I was really pleased to see and the catwalk models were a diverse range of curvy and plus size models, modeling everything from underwear to bridal collections. BPSFW was created to support the plus-size industry and give plus-size designers and retailers a chance to interact with their customers . The event is not officially affiliated with London Fashion Week but the timing of the show was, of course, planned to initiate a discussion about the shape of things to come in the industry . 'I hosted the afternoon’s panel discussion with industry experts talking about the past, present and future of the plus size industry. 'In attendance was fashion legend Caryn Franklin, campaigner for diversity in the fashion industry and co-founder of all walks catwalk, Caryn later tweeted; “Curvaceous Women and Statuesque Divas all around me. Delicious change from London’s regular Fashion Week” A tweet from fashion expert Caryn Franklin, who campaigns for more diverse catwalks . 'I totally agree with Caryn, it truly was amazing to see an event celebrating diversity and promoting that you can look and feel good no matter what your shape or size. 'Whilst there is still a long way to go for the fashion industry to embrace diversity and shape, this was a really encouraging event, which I felt privileged to attend and be involved in. ' | British Plus-Size Fashion Weekend is second annual show focusing on fashion for size 14 and up .
Event brings together retailers, designers and consumers of fashion .
Hayley Hasselhoff opened the show on Friday, demanding respect for non-skinny models .
London Fashion Week AW14 runs until Tuesday 18th February . |
47,833 | 86f8adb842b5641b1f639ead637ea574d59b4cad | By . Sophie Jane Evans . Brave: Chantelle Pringle, from Barmston, Tyne and Wear, was just two years old when she had her right foot amputated and all the toes on her left removed . A girl has won a '£1million payout' after she had amputations on both feet because a nurse failed to realise she was suffering from meningitis - and instead, prescribed her Calpol. Chantelle Pringle, from Barmston, Washington, Tyne and Wear, was just two years old when her mother Keeley Grotz, 33, rang the out-of-hours medical phone line for advice. She told a duty nurse her daughter was lethargic, short of breath, wobbly and vomiting - and was advised to give the toddler Calpol and call back if she was still concerned. But Chantelle, now 11, deteriorated rapidly - and by the time she got to hospital, the bacterial blood infection septicaemia had taken hold. Days later, surgeons were forced to amputate her right foot and all of the toes on her left. Today, Chantelle was awarded compensation after a High Court judge ruled the nurse had been negligent in failing to arrange her immediate admission to hospital. Judge Michael Harvey QC told London's High Court that the company that . ran the out-of-hours service, Nestor Prime Care Services Limited, was liable . for the medic's blunder. He added that if the schoolgirl had been treated earlier, her foot and toes would probably have been saved. Although the amount of Chantelle's compensation has yet to be confirmed, her lawyers have valued her claim at about £1million. Acting on behalf of the family, Lisa Sullivan previously told the court that Ms Grotz had called the NHS line operated by Nestor Primecare Services Ltd in the early hours of November 1, 2004. Battle: Chantelle's mother Keeley Grotz (left), 33, rang the out-of-hours medical phone line for advice after her daughter became lethargic, short of breath and wobbly. She was told by a duty nurse to give the toddler Calpol . Private company: Nestor Primecare Services Ltd (pictured) in Hatfield runs the NHS's out-of-hours helpline . She said the concerned mother had told the nurse that Chantelle was 'wobbly, vomiting and just not right', and had also been 'burning up'. Miss Sullivan claimed the medic should have arranged for an emergency ambulance to be called - but instead, she prescribed Calpol, an over-the-counter paracetamol syrup. During the night, Chantelle 'kept waking up' and her mother called an ambulance in the morning after she noticed blemishes on her legs, the court heard. Recovering: But Chantelle (pictured with her mother in 2005) deteriorated rapidly - and by the time she got to hospital, the bacterial blood infection septicaemia had taken hold. Surgeons had to amputate her foot and toes . Happy again: Today, Chantelle was awarded compensation after a High Court judge ruled the nurse had been negiligent in failing to range her immediate admission to hospital. Above, Chantelle is pictured aged two . The toddler was then diagnosed with meningococcal septicaemia - and spent eight days on life support in intensive care, where her hands and feet turned black. However, she pulled through after surgeons removed her foot and toes. Speaking at the time, Ms Grotz said: 'She came down with a temperature and was feeling a bit drowsy - I thought it was the flu. Success: Although the amount of Chantelle's compensation has yet to be confirmed, her lawyers have valued her claim at about £1million. Above, Chantelle in 2008 . 'I called the emergency doctor and he said to leave her until the morning. Next day, I noticed she had a few spots. 'It took a couple of minutes for the ambulance to get here. I was shaking, but they took over. I didn't want to watch. I had to leave the bedside because it was touch and go. 'I didn't know anything about septicaemia. It wasn't until they put her on a life support machine that they told us. 'They told me if I had waited for an emergency doctor to come, she would have died. 'The first 48 hours were the most critical, whether she would pull through or not. It was just a matter of hoping she would. 'Her feet were really black and her hands were too. You could tell they were actually gone. Her hands were saved by all the stuff she was on - the nine machines around her.' In a two-hour operation on December 6, surgeons removed Chantelle's right foot and five toes from her left. Her family remained at her bedside until she was allowed home on December 22. Chantelle now has a false leg. Judge Harvey QC said that, had the nurse correctly noted Chantelle's symptoms, Nestor Prime Care's computer system would have prompted her to call for an ambulance straight away. He added that had Chantelle been admitted to hospital by about 1am that night - rather than more than 10 hours later - she would swiftly have been given antibiotics, and the double amputation would probably not have been necessary. Nestor Prime Care admitted the nurse had been negligent in failing to arrange for a doctor to call at the family home. But the firm disputes claims the medic should have called for an ambulance immediately - saying that if she had, it would have made no difference to the outcome. The amount of Chantelle's compensation will be calculated at a further court hearing, unless final settlement terms are reached before then. | Chantelle Pringle, then two, was lethargic, short of breath and vomiting .
Mother Keeley Grotz, 33, rang Nestor Primecare Services Ltd phone line .
Out-of-hours service is NHS helpline, contracted out to private company .
Nurse prescribed Calpol and told Ms Grotz to call back if still concerned .
Hours later, Chantelle was taken to hospital with bacterial blood infection .
Surgeons were forced to amputate her right foot and all toes on her left .
Chantelle, now 11, has been awarded compensation by High Court judge .
Amount is yet to be confirmed, but lawyers value her claim at £1million . |
214,307 | a1862deaca5248b04dd3e11a9a9c0c7b5c3e0401 | By . Ellie Zolfagharifard . Unusual fossils unearthed in coal deposits of the Czech Republic have been combined to create a map of the first ever reptile skull. The reconstruction pieced together previously unrecognised skeletons from the Nýřany Basin to create the skull features of the Late Carboniferous Gephyrostegus bohemicus. This was a small animal of generally lizard-like build that lived 308 million years ago. It is the earliest example of a reptile and could explain the origin of amniotes. Gephyrostegus bohemicus reconstruction of skull with the lower jaw and teeth picture. Scientists believe this is the earliest example of a reptile . Amniotes are a group of back-boned creatures that includes turtles, lizards, birds, dinosaurs and mammals. The study was undertaken by experts from Comenius University in Bratislava alongside a UK team which included the Natural History Museum in London and the University of Lincoln. Their aim was to provide an analysis of early tetrapod relationships incorporating their new observations of the Gephyrostegus. Pictured is the Gephyrostegus bohemicus reconstruction of skull. This was a small animal of generally lizard-like build that lived 308 million years ago . Gephyrostegus was a small animal around 8.7 inches (22cm) in length. It had a generally lizard-like build with large eyes and a large number of small, pointed teeth, indicating it was an active hunter . Their analysis used skeletal traits across a sample of early tetrapod groups to identify the likely features of the Gephyrostegus. Gephyrostegus was a small animal around 8.7 inches (22cm) in length. It had a generally lizard-like build with large eyes and a large number of small, pointed teeth, indicating it was an active hunter. Remains have been found in Nyran, Czech Republic, dating from around 308 million years ago, . This places it in the upper Carboniferous period - a time when amphibians were the dominant land vertebrates, of which one branch would eventually evolve into reptiles, the first fully terrestrial vertebrates. Dr Marcello Ruta, from the School of Life Sciences, University of Lincoln, was one of the authors and produced a series of intricate hand-drawn recreations of the cranial structure of Gephyrostegus. ‘Gephyrostegus has always been an elusive beast,’ he said. ‘Several researchers have long considered the possibility that the superficially reptile-like features of this animal might tell us something about amniote ancestry. ‘But Gephyrostegus also shows some much generalised skeletal features that make the issue of its origin even more problematic.’ The new study shows that Gephyrostegus is closely related to another group of Eurasiatic and North American tetrapods called seymouriamorphs. ‘We found some interesting new cranial features in Gephyrostegus that helped us establish this link,’ said Dr Ruta. ‘Staring at specimens for a long time down a microscope and trying to make sense of their anatomy may be frustrating and tiring at times, but always immensely rewarding.’ Dr Marcello Ruta, from the School of Life Sciences, University of Lincoln, was one of the authors and produced a series of intricate hand-drawn recreations of the cranial structure of Gephyrostegus. Pictured is a reconstruction of part of the skull structure of the Gephyrostegus . The reconstruction was created by Slovakian and UK experts who based it on fossils found in the coal deposits of the Nýřany Basin in the Czech Republic . | Map was created using fossils found in Nýřany in the Czech Republic .
It reveals the skull features of the elusive Gephyrostegus bohemicus .
Gephyrostegus is believed to be the earliest example of a reptile .
It could reveal the evolutionary history of all back-boned 'amniotes' |
123,926 | 2c335ba90e94ca9a03a35b2ad9b6c2fa82b1f969 | Pierce Brosnan's son Dylan has proven that the apple does not fall far from the tree in a new campaign for Saint Laurent. In the black-and-white images, the 17-year-old strikes a pose in the designer label's suits and tailored menswear, cutting a dapper figure as he emulates his father's smoldering stare. The handsome teen is not the only celebrity offspring to front the brand. Val Kilmer's son Jack, 19, is also a star of the new campaign by creative director Hedi Slimane. Scroll down for video . Like father, like son: Pierce Brosnan's son Dylan, 17, has proven that the apple does not fall far from the tree in a new campaign for Saint Laurent . Good genes: Dylan's parents are Pierce (pictured in 1982) and his wife Keely Shaye Smith, a journalist . Considerably more freckly than his 61-year-old James Bond star father, Dylan is the older son of Pierce and his second wife Keely Shaye Smith, a journalist. According to Style.com, he was discovered by Mr Slimane last summer in Malibu, where he and his 13-year-old brother Paris live with their parents. The film student and musician also has a half-brother, Sean, whose mother was Pierce's late first wife Cassandra Harris. Apart from his good looks, Dylan has also evidently inherited his father's ability to look great in a suit. Offspring: Considerably more freckly than his 61-year-old famous father, Dylan is a film student and musician who lives in Malibu with his 13-year-old brother Paris and their parents . Runs in the family: Though his brown hair is longer than his father's, they share the same high cheekbones, piercing stare and bone structure . Wild child: Dylan displays his punk rock side in a leather jacket and skinny jeans from Saint Laurent's menswear collection . In one image from the campaign, he looks coyly at the camera in a black suit jacket, black skinny tie and white shirt, his hands resting on his knees. In another, he displays his impossibly long legs - likely another gift from his 6ft 2in father - in an edgy black leather jacket and skinny jeans. Though his brown hair is longer than his father's, a photo of Pierce from 1982 shows just how similar they are, with the same high cheekbones, piercing stare and bone structure. James Bond, is that you? Apart from good looks, Dylan also evidently inherited his father's ability to look good in a suit . Same style: Pierce Brosnan is pictured in a scene from 1995's GoldenEye, wearing a very sharp tuxe . On the horizon: While he has stayed mostly out of the limelight up until now, it seems big things are in store for Dylan, especially after this high-profile campaign . Model in the making: Dylan was discovered by Saint Laurent creative director Hedi Slimane last summer in Malibu . While he has stayed mostly out of the limelight up until now, it seems big things are in store for Dylan, especially after this high-profile campaign. It's possible he may go into politics, judging by the internship he did last summer in Washington, D.C. The teen spent the season interning in the office of Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey. Happy couple: Pierce Brosnan pictured with his wife at an event in Hollywood in 2010 . Good-looking family: Dylan's older half-brother Sean, 31, (left, in 2013 with his dad) is also an actor. He married former model and Fantastic Four actress Sanja Banic in August . | The handsome teen joins Val Kilmer's son Jack, 19, who is also a star of the new campaign by creative director Heidi Slimane . |
152,014 | 5074edec9012afbbb0769a729f3f1a0b7f64e3af | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 23:53 EST, 10 March 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 05:07 EST, 11 March 2013 . It's one of those everyday irritations that most people are too polite to do anything about. So imagine the relief of the passengers on one train journey when someone else told off a woman for having a rather loud mobile phone conversation. To the added glee of commuters, their hero was the train driver. The train was travelling from London Euston (file picture) to Milton Keynes when the announcement was made to the delight of passengers . Mid-way through the journey from London Euston to Milton Keynes, the driver announced on the tannoy: ‘This is a special message to the lady travelling in first class in the middle of the train. 'Please refrain from shouting on the phone as you are annoying other passengers.’ The embarrassed passenger promptly ended her phone call, much to the delight of fellow commuters. Peter Foot, chairman of the National Campaign for Courtesy, described the announcement as ‘marvellous’, pointing out that a passenger might have complained first. Mr Foot said: ‘It’s big bugbear, people having loud mobile phone conversations on trains. The train was mid-way through the journey when the driver made the announcement on the tannoy. Many services now have 'quiet carriages' which ban mobile use (file picture) ‘I have never heard of an announcement like this being made on a train before. I think it’s an excellent idea.’ A spokesman for train operator London Midland said such announcements were not part of any company policy. | Driver made announcement on the tannoy mid-way through the journey from London Euston to Milton Keynes .
Embarrassed passenger promptly ended her rather noisy phone call . |
233,593 | ba69f9152c7c0e65a5e2421836c699ebfcfc470f | (CNN) -- An additional 440,000 Honda vehicles are being added to a recall initially announced in November to repair a potential defect in airbag inflation systems, American Honda Motor Co. said Friday. The 2001 Honda Civic is among the vehicles covered by the recall. The recall involves driver-side airbags in certain 2001-02 Honda Accords, 2001 Civics and 2002-03 Acura TLs, the company said in a news release. The affected vehicles will require the replacement of the steering-wheel-mounted airbag inflator. "In some vehicles, airbag inflators can produce over-pressurization of the driver's [front] airbag inflator mechanism during airbag deployment," the release said. "If an affected inflator deploys, the increased internal pressure may cause the inflator casing to rupture. Metal fragments could pass through the cloth airbag cushion material, possibly causing an injury or fatality to vehicle occupants." Honda spokesman Chris Noughtan said the potential defect has resulted in six known injuries and one known death. The company will send a recall notice in the mail over the next few months, the release said. Owners may check their car's recall status by visiting the Honda "Owner Link" Web site at www.owners.honda.com/recalls or the Acura "My Acura" Web site at www.owners.acura.com/recalls. "Only certain vehicles are affected, and concerned owners of 2001-2002 Accords, 2001 Civics and 2002-2003 Acura TLs are encouraged to wait to receive a recall notice in the mail before scheduling an appointment with their local dealer," the company said. | 2001-02 Accords, 2001 Civics and 2002-03 Acura TLs included .
Airbag inflators can produce over-pressurization, company says .
At least six injured, one killed by potential defect .
Owners will receive recall notices in the mail . |
67,686 | bffdca3df71f591bd9dc6d74e9f7134e12128bf3 | For the fifth year straight, Washington ranked as the country's most bicycle-friendly state, thanks to policies designed to create alternatives to driving, according to the League of American Bicyclists. The advocacy group's Bicycle Friendly State Program ranks the states each year under a series of criteria, from laws and regulations that govern bicycling to policies for accommodating cyclists and infrastructure funding. In each of the top five states -- Washington, Minnesota, Massachusetts, Colorado and Oregon -- the focus of the respective Departments of Transportation is not only on highways but on accommodating pedestrians, cyclists and transportation on ferries and trains, said Matt Wempe, the league's state and local advocacy coordinator. Arkansas, considered one of the least safe places for cyclists based on fatalities, was at the bottom of the list. The league's top recommendation was to adopt a statewide bicycle plan and to establish an advisory committee to oversee its implementation. Washington is considered a model for all other states on using federal funds for bicycle and pedestrian projects. It also earned points for adopting a safe passing and vulnerable road user law, which carries enhanced penalties for motorists who severely injure or kill a cyclist or pedestrian, Wempe said. It also creates a minimum 3-foot "safe passing" distance for cyclists by motorists. Related: Drivers and cyclists square off on sharing the road to work . The state also has a "complete streets" policy, which means new roads must be designed with cyclists and pedestrians in mind, Wempe said. "Every state says bicycles are treated the same as vehicles, but that needs to be clarified," he said. "We're stressing that bicycles have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicles, but their needs in terms of infrastructure need to be clarified." Minnesota, which claimed the No. 2 spot, also has a complete streets policy. The state also earned kudos for its bike-sharing program and plans to expand bike trails along the Mississippi River. Colorado cracked the top 10 for the first time with qualities that make it a model for other states in terms of traffic laws, Wempe said. It has a safe passing law and a Share the Road Campaign; cyclists are allowed to ride side-by-side. It also has bicycle commuter share of more than 1%, more than double the national average. "We are encouraged to see significant progress in top states like Washington, Minnesota, Colorado and Massachusetts," Andy Clarke, president of the League of American Bicyclists, said in a statement. "But, as the scores clearly highlight, there's much work to be done in critical areas like infrastructure and funding. Overall, we see states -- and especially state Departments of Transportation and state legislatures -- lagging behind cities and the expectations of local cyclists, despite the many well documented benefits of a more active lifestyle." | For the fifth year straight, Washington ranks as country's most bicycle-friendly state .
Washington passed law carrying penalties for motorists who injure or kill cyclists .
Minnesota takes no. 2 spot for bike-sharing program, plans to expand bike trails .
Arkansas takes last place . |
239,645 | c242f33cf128cde8a953b9953052a849d8e12410 | (BudgetTravel) -- A drive-through bib, a travel bidet and other outrageous but true products: Normally, we strive to bring you the best and most innovative tools for your journeys, but today we just wanted to have some fun. A bib that puts you in the driver's seat . If your road trip is too fast-paced for sit-down dining, strap on a BeltzBib and don't think twice about dribbling drive-through delicacies all over your clothes. The bib -- modeled above by BT staffer Nicholas DeRenzo -- hooks over the shoulder, and any food that falls short of your mouth should wind up in a four-inch pouch that's waterproof and, we assume, ketchup- and mustard-proof, too. dans-products.com, $8. When every drop counts . A full six feet wide, the tandem-like Dualbrella should adequately keep two people from getting wet while exploring a new city. Unfortunately, while the jumbo shield doubles your coverage from the rain, it also doubles your dorkiness as tourists. hammacher.com, $40. Budget Travel: 19 stunning fall foliage photos . A guilt-free way to let loose . If the person sitting next to you on a flight plops down a GasBGon "flatulence filter seat cushion," should you make a stink and ask to switch seats -- or be thankful your gassy neighbor was considerate enough to come prepared? Tough call, especially if the cushion in question is the "Tush Down" model, covered in football-patterned fabric. The seat's carbon filter -- designed to muffle the sound and absorb the smell of breaking wind -- is supposed to be replaced every three to six months for most users...but more frequently for tailgaters who consume lots of beer. gasbgon.com, $25. A sorta-portable hardware store . Versatility is the big selling point for Swiss Army tools, but this Giant Knife -- which weighs two pounds, serves 141 functions, and costs a whopping $1,400 -- is ridiculous. And it's not only the price that's impractical. Just imagine the trauma of watching it get tossed into the confiscated bin at a TSA checkpoint. wengerna.com, $1,400. The coolest small towns in America . Ooh la la: A travel bidet . If you're one of the eight or nine Americans who's accustomed to using a bidet at home, you'll definitely want to know about the battery-powered Renaissance Premium Travel Bidet, which enables you to wash up down below at hotels and restrooms that haven't yet embraced this European hygiene fixture. It comes with two nozzles, two AA batteries and a sleek gray travel bag. sanicare.com, $40. Sit back, relax, and slip on a Slanket . Not every flight has a blanket for every passenger and -- come to think of it -- no flights have blankets with sleeves. But fear not! A petite, travel-size Slanket conquers both of those conundrums and costs $8 less than the original Slanket, which is intended primarily for couch use. theslanket.com, $25. World's Weirdest Hotels . Bedbugs beware . Available in two-ounce bottles easily taken on the go, Rest Easy's all-natural bedbug spray claims it repels and kills bedbugs and bed mites. But we have to raise the issue: If you think you're going to need to use this on your vacation, perhaps you should be staying at a different hotel. resteasy4bedbugs.com, $6 for two 2-ounce bottles. Peal protection . Bruised produce can be a bummer, but don't let that stop you from traveling with your favorite delicate fruit. The plastic BananaBunker -- available in five colors and in one unmistakable shape -- safeguards snacks from getting banged around in your bag. Flexible and extendable, it can accommodate all but the largest bananas. bananabunker.com, $7. Get the best travel deals and tips emailed to you FREE - CLICK HERE! Copyright © 2010 Newsweek Budget Travel, Inc., all rights reserved. | BeltzBib hooks over the shoulder and catches any food that falls short of your mouth while driving .
The GasBGon seat cushion is designed to muffle the sound and smell of breaking wind .
The plastic BananaBunker safeguards snacks from getting banged around in your bag . |
213,029 | 9fdf45aea79f47d8ee2b63558537cc3560759b2d | (CNN) -- China has relaxed its strict birth-control restrictions for families that lost children in a mudslide that killed hundreds in the northwest last year, state media reported Friday. Women in the Zhouqu area who underwent procedures to prevent further pregnancies such as having their fallopian tubes tied can now have a free reverse operation, the state-run Xinhua News Agency reported. Liang Jianjun, head of Zhouqu's family planning bureau, said women from 27 families have had such operations. "Some of these women are pregnant now," he is quoted as saying by Xinhua. China enforces a strict family-planning policy that limits most families in urban areas to only one child, although those in the countryside and certain ethnic areas are allowed more. In Zhouqu, rural families can have two children, while those in five Tibetan-dominated towns and villages can have three, Xinhua reported. The easing of government restrictions means families who lost children in the mudslide can now have more to fill the "quotas," a government official told the news service. The mudslide in August last year left more than 1,700 people dead or missing in Zhouqu County, in northwestern Gansu province, Xinhua said. Thousands of homes collapsed or were damaged in the disaster, which followed weeks of heavy rains and flooding. China's three-decade-old population control policy is controversial. Some critics have urged Beijing to relax it, saying it has skewed China's population and that better-off families have been able to bribe officials into allowing them more children. | Restrictions are eased so families that lost children can have more, Xinhua says .
Women are offered free operations to reverse birth-control procedures .
A mudslide last year in Zhouqu county left more than 1,700 people dead or missing .
China enforces strict family planning controls to limit its population growth . |
156,935 | 56eb96a55ab47d50e7186bee99ff6d4b5b1a9bea | (CNN) -- A controversial law requiring adults applying for welfare assistance to undergo drug screening has gone into effect in Florida. Saying it is "unfair for Florida taxpayers to subsidize drug addiction," Gov. Rick Scott signed the legislation in June. "It's the right thing for taxpayers," Scott said after signing the measure. "It's the right thing for citizens of this state that need public assistance. We don't want to waste tax dollars. And also, we want to give people an incentive to not use drugs." Under the law, which went into effect on Friday, the Florida Department of Children and Family Services will be required to conduct the drug tests on adults applying to the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. The aid recipients would be responsible for the cost of the screening, which they would recoup in their assistance if they qualify. Those who fail the required drug testing may designate another individual to receive the benefits on behalf of their children. Shortly after the bill was signed, five Democrats from the state's congressional delegation issued a joint statement attacking the legislation, one calling it "downright unconstitutional." And the ACLU has filed suit against the state for requiring all state workers to take a drug test and is considering suing the state for drug-testing welfare applicants. Controversy over the measure was heightened by Scott's past association with a company he co-founded that operates walk-in urgent care clinics in Florida and counts drug screening among the services it provides. In April, Scott, who had transferred his ownership interest in Solantic Corp. to a trust in his wife's name, said the company would not contract for state business, according to local media reports. He subsequently sold his majority stake in the company, local media reported. On May 18, the Florida Ethics Commission ruled that two conflict-of-interest complaints against Scott were legally insufficient to warrant investigation, and adopted an opinion that no "prohibited conflict of interest" existed. Florida is not the first state to pass such legislation. Michigan passed a similar law that the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals found unconstitutional in 2003 since it violated the U.S. Fourth Amendment, which protects citizens against unreasonable search. The court said the law would set a dangerous precedent by allowing the government to conduct drug searches for the safety of the public without prior suspicion. CNN's John Couwels contributed to this report. | Gov. Rick Scott says the measure saves tax dollars and provides "incentive to not use drugs"
Democrats slammed the law, saying the tests "represent an ... illegal invasion of personal privacy"
Controversy arose over Scott's past association with a company that did drug testing . |
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