Unnamed: 0
int64 0
287k
| id
stringlengths 40
40
| article
stringlengths 117
14.7k
| highlights
stringlengths 37
3.97k
|
|---|---|---|---|
278,599 | f4e69505a658dc535a30b99123298e5c29465cb5 | Petra, Jordan (CNN) -- U.S. President Barack Obama wrapped up his trip to the Middle East on Saturday with a walking tour of the ancient city of Petra in Jordan. The city's breathtaking architecture features buildings partly carved into stone cliffs and combines eastern culture with ancient Greek constructions. It is a UNESCO world heritage site. Obama was accompanied on a leisurely tour through Petra's steep red-rock formations by a University of Jordan tourism professor, with all other visitors kept well away -- except for a few stray cats. Soon after his stroll through the arid landscape, renowned for its colorful interplay of light and shadow, the president headed back to Washington, where he arrived Saturday night. A last-minute success . Just before departing for Jordan on Friday, Obama scored a diplomatic coup when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu apologized to Turkey for a 2010 commando raid that killed nine activists on a Turkish vessel in a Gaza-bound flotilla. Israel to Turkey: Sorry for the deadly raid . The apology, long sought by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdogan, eased strained feelings between Turkey and Israel, two vital U.S. allies in the Middle East. It happened in a phone call to Erdogan during a final meeting between Obama and Netanyahu at an international airport in Tel Aviv, minutes before Air Force One departed for Jordan to complete the president's Middle East swing. Obama hailed the development as an important step forward for both countries. Questions fly around any plan to attack Iran . Jordan's refugee influx . Friday in Jordan, Obama focused on the civil war in neighboring Syria, with King Abdullah telling reporters that the conflict has already caused 460,000 refugees to flood his country and more are on the way. That is equivalent to 10% of Jordan's population, and the total could double by the end of the year, the king said. He asked for more help from the international community as his country also deals with internal reforms in response to economic woes that are raising public dissatisfaction. Obama said he was working with Congress to provide an additional $200 million to Jordan this year to help deal with the refugee influx, but he remained steadfast in his refusal to pledge U.S. military assistance to the Syrian opposition movement. Refugees flood Jordan town . However, Obama repeated past warnings that his stance on military involvement could change if Syria uses chemical weapons. Jordan is suffering from refugee fatigue. Masses of people have fled there from neighboring countries whenever conflict was rife. The Syrian conflict comes on top of the flood of refugees that came from Iraq just a decade ago. The country is a close U.S. ally and has been one of the most stable in the region, but it has seen recent internal turmoil and discontent. King Abdullah has a reputation for benevolence, unlike autocratic rulers such as Syria's Bashar al-Assad or deposed Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. One house of the Jordanian parliament is democratically elected. However, a weak economy and allegations of corruption by public officials have stoked dissatisfaction with him. In November, crowds took to the streets calling for King Abdullah's downfall because of rising gasoline prices. More recently, comments attributed to King Abdullah in the The Atlantic caused further anger toward the monarch, who was quoted as calling the opposition Muslim Brotherhood a "Masonic cult" and referring to tribal elders in his country as "old dinosaurs." The royal court says some of King Abdullah's comments in the magazine were taken out of context by local Jordanian and international media outlets who reported on the article. Courting Israel . In Israel, the last-minute diplomacy added a flourish to Obama's first visit to the Jewish state as president. While the two nations have a key strategic partnership, with the United States supplying military aid and diplomatic support as Israel's most vital ally, Obama and Netanyahu had famously frosty relations during the president's first term. With both beginning new terms after Obama's reelection last year and Netanyahu's recent formation of a new government, the president's visit was an opportunity to reset the relationship and signal unified positions on major issues such as the Middle East peace process and Iran's efforts to develop a nuclear weapon. Obama and Netanyahu met several times during the president's three days in Israel, which also included a state dinner where Israeli President Shimon Peres awarded him the country's highest civilian honor. Before leaving Israel, Obama paid tribute to the father of modern Zionism in a symbolic visit to Theodor Herzl's grave. Joined by Peres, Netanyahu and Kerry, Obama also visited the grave of former Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, who was assassinated in 1995. Obama placed a stone at each grave from the grounds of the Martin Luther King Jr. memorial in Washington in a gesture to link the African-American struggle for freedom with the struggle by the Israeli people for a homeland. The president also visited the Holocaust memorial Yad Vashem, where he turned up the "eternal flame" of remembrance of the millions of Jewish victims of Nazi death camps in World War II. Fairness for the Palestinians . In Israel, Obama urged young Israelis in a speech to pressure their leaders to seek peace with Palestinians. He asked Israelis to empathize with the plight of Palestinians, and he drew applause when he criticized the Israeli government's controversial policy of building new settlements in disputed territories. Walking through Ramallah and Gaza, political differences become real . During a visit with Abbas in Ramallah, in the West Bank, Obama stressed the need for direct talks between Israelis and Palestinians for a two-state solution. "The Palestinian people deserve an end to occupation and the daily indignities that come with it," he said at a news conference with Abbas, adding that Palestinians deserve "a future of hope" and a "state of their own." Abbas said the Israeli settlements are "more than a hurdle to peace," calling them illegal and saying it was Israel's duty to stop building them. He envisioned a Palestinian state based on 1967 borders with Jerusalem as capital -- a scenario unacceptable to Israel. CNN's John King and Jessica Yellin reported Petra Jordan, and CNN's Tom Cohen contributed to this report from Washington. CNN's Ben Brumfield wrote the story in Atlanta. | Kerry will meet with Netanyahu and Abbas, a State Department official says .
Obama takes a cultural tour of an ancient city before returning to Washington .
In a last-minute move, Netanyahu calls Turkey to apologize -- on Obama's initiative .
Jordan has 460,000 Syrian refugees with more coming, King Abdullah says . |
32,809 | 5d37b70ef5bab7e12587a2e064e16b7fe3eb919b | (CNN) -- Syria's shelling of a border town in Turkey has sparked fears that President Bashar al-Assad's attempt to snuff out a rebellion at home could turn into a damaging regional war between the two neighbors. Five civilians, all women and children, in the town of Akcakale were killed by Syrian artillery rounds in the worst single case of violence on the Turkish side of the border since Syria's unrest began last year. What's behind Syria's shelling of Turkey? While Syria hasn't confirmed its motive for firing into Turkey, rebels fighting an 18-month war against the Assad regime have allegedly been using positions on the Turkish border as a safe haven to regroup and re-arm following battles with Syrian troops. Another explanation, says one expert, is that in a cat-and-mouse pursuit to neutralize rebel groups near the border, Syrian artillery units simply overshot their target. "These things happen in the fog of war," Jeremy Binnie, Middle East and Africa editor of Jane's Defence Weekly, told CNN. "If your artillery battery is 10 kilometers away and you're trying to call a strike down on the border, it's pretty easy to put a few rounds in the wrong place if you put in the calculations wrong." Opinion: Why Turkey, Syria don't want war . The incident prompted the Turkish parliament to give the government powers to authorize troops to deploy to foreign countries, along with retaliatory Turkish artillery strikes on military positions in Syria -- but both sides have insisted they don't want war. Which country, Syria or Turkey, has the stronger military? Turkey, a NATO member, has the most powerful military in the region. Binnie says Turkey flies Western-made jets, and that its older equipment has been upgraded and supplemented with early-warning radar airplanes and unmanned drones. Turkey also has a formidable ground force that has spent decades fighting the Kurdish separatist rebels of the KPP in the southeast of the country. Analysis: Kurds add explosive element to Syria equation . Despite their robust military capability, and despite the fact the Syrian army has been worn down by 18 months of civil war, Binnie says Syria's missile capabilities mean Turkey's not interested in anything more than limited border excursions. "Turkey wouldn't want to tangle with the Syrians, who do still have the ultimate deterrent of long-range chemical weapons capabilities," he told CNN. What weapons do Syrian forces have? Where are they coming from? Syria's greatest strength has also been its weakness in the current fight against rebels. The Assad regime spent years buying up sophisticated long range missiles, air defense systems and chemical weapons to counter the threat of an airborne attack from Israel. But the long-term focus on long range weaponry has left the regime unprepared to fight a guerrilla war in the streets of Syrian cities -- an approach that requires flexible, mobile infantry with stockpiles of smaller arms. Syria has been the Middle East's top importer of Russian weaponry, most of which is now more than 20 years old -- and Binnie says the Syrian air force has been underfunded to the point of "regime forces dropping what amount to IEDs (improvised explosive devices) from helicopters." Recently, Syria has attempted to get some of its Mi-24 attack helicopters refurbished by Russia -- a move which prompted an international outcry -- and has ordered Yak-130 advanced training jets and MiG-29 fighter jets that have yet to be delivered. While the Kremlin has pledged not to deliver new weapons to Syria, it is unclear whether the Assad regime will get the weapons it ordered before the uprising began last year. Syria's heavy weaponry and battle tanks may be Russian made, but wars of attrition like this also require huge amounts of small arms. To that end, Iran -- Syria's other major regional ally -- has been using Iraqi airspace to fly small arms, infantry weaponry and personnel into Syria, according to U.S. officials. Analysis: What does Iran get for supporting Assad? Iraq says it is conducting random searches on Syrian-bound Iranian planes that use its airports, but as Binnie points out, "the Iraqis don't have any way to force Iranian planes to land." In addition to the tanks and troops fanned out across the country, Syria has also deployed communications interception systems to try to track rebels. CNN reporters who have been on the ground there say for the most part using a cell phone is out of the question, as Syrian forces can easily triangulate the user's location. What weapons do Syrian rebels have? Where are they coming from? The rebels are severely outmatched, and most of their weaponry was either taken from Syrian military arsenals or obtained from local black markets. In addition to individual infantry weapons like AK-47s, tripod-mounted PK machine guns, and RPG-7 grenade launchers -- the ubiquitous shoulder-mounted weapons seen on nightly news reports from conflicts around the world -- Binnie says rebels have also been seen with Strela-2 shoulder-launched surface-to-air missiles. Rebels have also commandeered Syrian tanks, but since they don't generally have the capacity to maintain and refuel them, according to Binnie, they've instead been stripping off the heavier guns and mounting them on civilian vehicles. Binnie says the increasing number of improvised weapons and explosives being used in Syria shows the rebels, without a foreign power to supply them, may be struggling to maintain adequate levels of ammunition. "Some of the weapons in Syria look very similar to what we've seen in the last year in Iraq, where they've finally ran out of all the ordinates that were lying around from the 2003 U.S. invasion and have had to improvise," he told CNN. What other groups are operating in Syria? Charles Lister, an analyst at IHS Jane's Terrorism and Insurgency Centre, says militant groups "of all persuasions" are now operating in Syria -- and that some groups increasingly appear to be carrying out joint co-ordinated attacks. While Lister says the majority of the militias now in Syria are not Islamic extremists, analysts believe a hard-line jihadist group known as Jabhat al Nusra, which has claimed responsibility for a string of recent suicide attacks across Syria, has close links with al Qaeda's affiliate in Iraq. "Their focus now is on recruiting suicide bombers. They want to copycat the Zarqawi model," Noman Benotman, a former Libyan Jihadist now with the Quilliam Foundation in London, told CNN. More: Pro al Qaeda group steps up bombings . The "Zarqawi model" refers to the devastating campaign launched by al Qaeda in Mesopotamia leader Abu Musab al Zarqawi after U.S. troops occupied Iraq. At the same time, Kurdish militias now control at least 10 towns and cities in north-eastern Syria, some near the Turkish border -- an issue Lister says is "of significant concern to Ankara", which has been battling Kurdish separatists along its borders for decades. Report: Turkey's Kurdish conflict turns deadlier . Is Assad losing control of the Syrian army? Not yet, it seems. Despite some high profile defections, Binnie says "we haven't seen significant Syrian army units going across to join the rebellion." Binnie says: "The speculation is that the Syrian army is focused on keeping itself together more than deploying some of the potentially less reliable units into rebel held areas." Like most of the nation itself, the majority of Syria's conscripted army is Sunni Muslim. Rather than send some less-than-keen battalions in to kill their own countrymen, Binnie says the approach may be to have the army bombard cities from afar, before sending in loyal militias to do the up-close fighting street to street. "You give the militias the weapons and the mobility, and you just make sure that the army units which are largely Sunni conscripts just stay together," he told CNN. The plan seems to be working; Binnie says many people have been surprised at how well the army has managed to maintain its cohesion during the rebellion. Is Syria going to end up like Libya? The world cheered the fall of Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi -- but what has been left in his place are a number of well-armed militias operating beyond the control of a relatively weak central government operating in the capital Tripoli. Analysts don't believe the Assad regime is in danger of collapse any time soon -- Syria's army is bigger and better organized than Gadhafi's was in Libya, and foreign intervention into the civil war seems extremely unlikely at this point. But if the regime does fold at some point, Binnie says the weapons proliferation in Syria is going to be far worse than in Libya. "Syria has a much bigger military, more missiles and chemical weapons, and the potential for major sectarian violence," he said. "So it's a little like Libya, but potentially much, much worse." Information from CNN Wires and CNN's Nic Robertson was used in this report. | NATO country Turkey has most powerful military in the region .
Syria has long been the Middle East's top importer of Russian military equipment .
Rebels are mostly surviving on black market guns and arms taken from Syria's military .
Analyst says fall of heavily armed Syrian army would lead to worse situation than Libya . |
264,317 | e255c02b9bc79541cc7677df5c2bffc678f3bc1a | Sportsmail reviews the best buys, the big surprises, the players who got away and the lucky ones who survived the January clear-out during a busy transfer window. Deal of the month . For all the big money transfers, the one that gave many a young player hope was that of Sadiq El Fitouri. A 20-year-old right-back who had failed to get a break at Manchester City, fell out of love with the game then tried his luck playing for Salford. Pushed to go for a trial at Manchester United, within two weeks he had signed a contract. As he said, dreams can come true. Chelsea's signing of Juan Cuadrado from Fiorentina should prove astute business for Jose Mourinho . Window's star buy . Wilfried Bony could make all the difference to Manchester City's attack. His power and physical presence aligned with compatriot Yaya Toure will give City a fighting chance of muscling their way back to the top of the Premier League. However, Chelsea's signing of Juan Cuadrado should prove astute business. Yes, he's not cheap but he can make Chelsea stronger, has versatility and flair to make an immediate impact and will prove a telling addition to an already impressive squad. Aaron Lennon (right) chats to Everton assistant coach Duncan Ferguson during training on Tuesday . Bargain of the window . Everton signing Aaron Lennon on loan could prove a masterstroke if they can revive his form of old. Tottenham wouldn't have let him go if they felt he could still make a significant contribution and his workrate and final ball have been questioned too often recently. Goodison Park likes a winger and a Merseyside derby for a debut could be the perfect platform or where the truth hurts. Other good business has to be West Brom's signing of Darren Fletcher on a free and Leicester bringing in the experience and slightly-creaking back of Mark Schwarzer to steady their nervous defence. West Brom securing Darren Fletcher on a free was a shrewd piece of business from the club . Surprise of the window . Steven Gerrard signing for LA Galaxy answered what many thought would never happen. Could he really leave Liverpool? Yep. Wolfsburg paying so much for Andre Schurrle was excellent business for Chelsea and Sunderland tempting Jermain Defoe to the North East was a real coup, albeit expensive. However, Andy Kellett's last-minute move from Bolton to Manchester United brought out the romantic side in all of us, even if he does only play for their U21s. Steven Gerrard (right) tries to close down Dejan Lovren during Liverpool training at Melwood on Tuesday . One that got away . There was so many on the final day. One agent had 14 potential deals on Friday and ended up with none come 11pm Monday. One Premier League target was sold at 1pm, his agent asked for more money at 8pm and the player turned up for his medical at 10.35pm. Yes, it fell through. However, the one you have to feel for is Carlton Cole. So close to signing at West Brom after playing a bit part at West Ham, through no fault of his own he was recalled as West Ham failed to find a striker and QPR botched their bid to send back Mauro Zarate. Carlton Cole (right) replaces Andy Carroll during West Ham's 2-0 defeat against Liverpool on Saturday . Are you still here? Emmanuel Adebayor continues to linger with little intent at White Hart Lane despite their best attempts to shift him but special prize for resilience has to go to Mario Balotelli. Rarely a week goes by without a question to Brendan Rodgers on his role and future. Balotelli's colourful agent Mino Raiola struck fear into all at Anfield saying: 'Balotelli is very disappointed with himself, he's going through a bad time like he's never had before. But the plan is for him to continue at Anfield. I saw him on Monday and told him: ''You have a four-year contract and I will not send you away. You only leave Liverpool at £45m, and I win my bet, or you will die there''. All the best Mino. Mario Balotelli (right) has had a tough start to his career at Liverpool but was not moved on in January . | Sadiq El Fitouri joined Manchester United after some tough setbacks .
Wilfried Bony could make all the difference to Manchester City's attack .
Juan Cuadrado should prove astute business for Chelsea .
Everton signing Aaron Lennon on loan could prove a masterstroke .
West Brom's signing Darren Fletcher on a free was good business . |
241,539 | c4a1eacd496a2d71ebaa514526ff665824db31a3 | Alexander Gustafsson was devastated to miss out on a rematch with Jon Jones – but believes a homecoming in front of 30,000 fans comes a close second. The Swede takes on Anthony Johnson in Stockholm on January 24 after injury scuppered his chances a second shot at the light-heavyweight title. And he knows he can't underestimate a rejuvenated Johnson who has seized his second chance in the UFC with both hands. Alexander Gustafsson and Anthony Johnson face off in Sweden on November 25 . The Tele2 Arena, the venue for Gustafsson and Johnson's fight, can hold 30,000 people . Gustafsson takes part in an open training session in Stockholm, Sweden . 'It's been tough,' he admitted to Sportsmail. 'It sucked but that's in the past now. It felt bad for a short moment but I knew that I had to let that go and start again and get ready for new opportunities. 'I've only fought once this year and with the injury but now I'm back and feeling great. 'A lot of good things have happened too; I'm fighting in my hometown and it's going to be packed and a great night. 'But from not fighting Jon Jones to fighting Anthony Johnson in this venue that is huge, 30,000 seats is not bad and I can't complain.' Johnson has impressed since his return to the organisation with victories over Phil Davis and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira. And Gustafsson knows he will have to be at his best to keep his title hopes alive. Gustafsson wraps up his hands and poses for pictures before he starts training . Gustafsson has been struggling with injury this year but is looking forward to returning to the ring . Gustafsson talks to the press ahead of his homecoming fight against Johnson . 'He's a great guy and he'll be a tough opponent,' he added. 'He's a hard hitter and very explosive so I have to be ready. 'I'll train for him and his skills to be ready for what he throws and by the time of the fight, I'll know him from every situation. 'He's been in and out and cutting weight so I didn't actually think I'd see him in my division but now he is and he's been destroying guys so he's a force I cant underestimate. 'It's going to be a great fight,we're both great strikers and its a great opportunity for me to show the world I have what it takes and to show my skills. Tickets for UFC Fight Night: Gustafsson vs Johnson will be available from Friday, November 28 via AXS.com/UFC . | Alexander Gustafsson takes on Anthony Johnson in front of 30,000 fans in Stockholm in January .
Injury ruled the Swedish star out of a rematch with light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones .
Gustafsson pushed Jones all the way in their first fight in Toronto last year .
Johnson has won his first two fights since returning to the UFC earlier this year . |
210,612 | 9cc39483ce664c4d16ed0fb460940a1845219944 | Police say they are ready for the arrival of thousands of Turkish supporters when Galatasaray and Besiktas arrive in London to face Arsenal and Tottenham respectively this week. Last season’s derby between the Istanbul clubs was abandoned when hundreds of fans stormed the pitch with Galatasaray leading 2-1 thanks to two Didier Drogba goals. Police used teargas to disperse the rioters and Drogba and the rest of the players were forced to flee to safety. Gala now face Arsenal in the Champions League at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday, while Besiktas take on Spurs in the Europa League at White Hart Lane 24 hours later. Besiktas fans unveil a banner labelling themselves 'soldiers' before Champions League game against Arsenal . Galatasaray fans light up during the Turkish Super League derby match and police say they are ready . Galatasaray face Arsenal in the Champions League on Wednesday, while Besiktas take on Spurs a day later . Turkish fans hold flares together the last time Chelsea faced Besiktas in the Champions League . Galatasaray have sold 3,000 tickets and 2,800 are expected from Besiktas. And a spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: ‘We are aware of the background of the two clubs and appropriate plans will be in place. We are also aware that the clubs will have supporters already based in London.’ A spokesman for British Transport Police added: ‘We are used to dealing with large numbers of fans and we are liaising with the clubs to make sure everyone is safe and on the move. ‘If anyone is in difficulty or sees something they wish to report, our new text-message service to 61016 is available.’ In 2012, followers of the two clubs rioted at a wheelchair basketball match. Hooligans traded insults and sprayed fire extinguishers at each other, while the court was left littered with broken wheelchairs. Galatasaray have sold 3,000 tickets and 2,800 are expected to arrive from Besiktas for the matches . In 2012, followers of Galatasaray and Besiktas rioted at a wheelchair basketball match and caused chaos . | Last season’s derby between the Istanbul clubs was abandoned when hundreds of fans stormed the pitch with Galatasaray leading 2-1 .
Police used teargas to disperse rioters and Didier Drogba was among those who was forced to flee to safety .
Galatasaray have sold 3,000 tickets and 2,800 are expected from Besiktas . |
133,080 | 3810f40cc03e9d1f73993003a6f2b9ef8a6d84cb | By . Beth Stebner . PUBLISHED: . 00:52 EST, 28 March 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 00:52 EST, 28 March 2013 . Insight: Search warrants will be released at 9:01am Wednesday that could give insight into the mind of gunman Adam Lanza . No one knew what caused Adam Lanza to enter Sandy Hook Elementary School last December armed with several assault weapons, gunning down teachers and students in one of the worst school massacres the country has ever seen. But search warrant documents released today could shed some light on the 20-year-old killer’s motives and his mental state that led to the December 14 shooting that left 20 children and six educators dead. The documents will be released as an order that kept them sealed expires, making them available to the public, and will contain - among other things - a full list of the things that were recovered from Lanza's car and house. The five warrants could help answer why Lanza turned a gun on his mother, 52-year-old Nancy Lanza, at their home before driving off to the nearby elementary school with a Bushmaster .223-caliber with a 30-round magazine before turning another one of his mother’s guns on himself. As NBC News’ Open Channel reports, the sealed documents include information on the five search warrants ordered for the Lanza’s sprawling home in Sandy Hook, as well as the Honda Civic that sat in their driveway. Connecticut Superior Court Judge John F. Blawie granted a motion Wednesday to redact specific information from the affidavits, including a name of a witness, telephone numbers, and other personal identifiers. Roped off: Crime scene tape remained outside Nancy Lanza's Sandy Hook home days after the shooting; five search warrants and the corresponding documents will be released today . Aftermath: A single bouquet of flowers lies on the ground in front of a police cruiser parked in the driveway outside Nancy Lanza's home . The prosecutor's motions were approved by a Danbury Superior Court judge, clerk Geoffrey Stowell said. Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced last week that additional information would be released at his request. The Connecticut governor expressed concern that certain information about the shooting rampage at Sandy Hook Elementary School disclosed by a top state police commander at a recent law enforcement seminar in New Orleans was leaked. Killed: Nancy Lanza, 52, was her son's first victim as he began his December 14 killing spree . 'Like many others, I was disappointed and angered to learn that certain information about the Newtown shooting had been leaked, specifically with concern for the victims' families who may have been hearing this news for the first time,' the governor said in a statement. A column published last week in the New York Daily News, citing an unnamed police officer who attended the seminar, reported that Col. Daniel Stebbins discussed evidence that suggested the Newtown gunman, 20-year-old Lanza, studied other mass slayings and dedicated extensive planning to the rampage that left 20 first-graders and six educators dead. The seminar was designed for law enforcement professionals only and sensitive information dealing with the tactical approaches used by first responders to the Sandy Hook shootings was discussed, state police spokesman Lt. J. Paul Vance said. Danbury State’s Attorney Stephen Sedensky III briefed victims’ parents Wednesday night in a two-and-a-half hour meeting, according to the New Haven Register. The documents were unsealed at midnigh . t, meaning that the family of those killed would be able to see the documents before reporters are emailed at 9:01 Thursday morning. Asked by the paper how the parents responded, Mr Sedensky said it was ‘hard to say.’ Jimmy Greene, who is the father of victim Anna Marquez-Green, told the paper that he did not want to comment on the meeting. ‘It’s been a tough day.’ In memoriam: Twenty-six roses depicting the faces of the dead are attached to a phone pole at a makeshift memorial in Sandy Hook following the shootings . Additional reports have emerged that Lanza was obsessed with other mass killings, and had modeled his attack after the 2011 Norway attack of white supremacist Anders Behring Breivik, who shot and killed 77 people, mostly teenagers, in a combined bombing and shooting. In a joint investigation from PBS’ ‘Frontline’ and the Hartford Courant, reporters found that even as a child, Lanza hated to be touched. There has also been unconfirmed speculation that Lanza had been deeply influenced by violent video games. Senate President Donald E. Williams Jr. said this week that legislative leaders hope to review the search warrant documents before finishing work on a bipartisan bill that addresses gun control and other issues related to the massacre. Last week, Sen. Diane Feinstein, the sponsor of the polarizing gun control bill announced to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid that the assault weapons clause had been dropped. The senator said that she hopes to offer a ban on military-style firearms as an amendment as the bill moves to the Senate in April. | Search warrants and affidavits to be released Thursday at 9:01am .
Could shed light into Adam Lanza's world and give insight into why he shot dead 20 first grade Sandy Hook Elementary School students and six educators, as well as his mother, Nancy .
Certain parts of documents to be redacted, including sensitive contact information . |
161,567 | 5ce2a9d1c0102b5dc7f58233f005793b3698b13f | A doctor who snored terribly for years says he has cured the problem by performing surgery on his own tongue. Dr Zhang Xiangmin undertook the remarkable operation to help his long-suffering wife sleep. He believes his snoring was caused by obstructive sleep apnoea, where the throat closes repeatedly during the night. Dr Zhang Xiangmin performed surgery on his own tongue to try and stop his snoring problem . He said the experimental op was prompted by his desire for his long-suffering wife to get a good night's sleep . During the procedure, Dr Xiangmin inserted two thin pipes through tunnels he made on the back of his tongue. At night, the loops these pipes onto his teeth to stop his tongue from collapsing and causing him to snore . Snoring occurs when the airway is partially obstructed - the sound is generated by air rushing past the soft tissues in the throat. In severe cases, the airway can become completely blocked, stopping breathing for up to ten seconds, before the brain jolts the body awake, causing the airway to reopen. During his experimental procedure, Dr Xiangmin inserted two thin pipes through tunnels he made on the back of his tongue. At night, he loops these pipes onto his teeth to stop his tongue from collapsing and causing him to snore. Three months on, he has now declared the procedure a success. Speaking at a press conference in Changsha, the capital of China's Hunan Province, he said: . 'The surgery won't affect normal speaking and eating functions at all, and is very safe.' Obstructive sleep apnoea is a risk factor for a number of conditions, including heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, daytime fatigue and weight gain. One of the most successful treatments for the condition is a continuous positive airway pressure mask or CPAP, where mildly increased air pressure keeps the airways open during sleep. However, many people dislike wearing the mask, with some estimates suggesting that only half of sufferers with a CPAP device regularly use it. Dr Xiangmin believes his snoring was caused by obstructive sleep apnoea, where the throat closes repeatedly during the night. Snoring occurs when the airway is partially obstructed . Three months on, he has now declared the procedure a success. 'The surgery won't affect normal speaking and eating functions at all, and is very safe,' said Dr Xiangmin, speaking at a press conference . | Dr Zhang Xiangmin says he wanted to stop snoring so his wife could sleep .
Believes his years of snoring were caused by obstructive sleep apnoea .
This is where the throat closes repeatedly during the night .
During op he inserted two pipes through tunnels he made on back of tongue .
At night, the loops these pipes onto his teeth to stop his tongue from collapsing, and causing him to snore .
Three months after op, Dr Xiangmin, from China, has deemed it a success . |
252,307 | d289a12470523dec01ce358a8567a1245f7e584b | (CNN) -- Your kids deserve better. Because Congress failed to pass the Child Nutrition Bill last week, bad school lunches will remain bad. While the bill wasn't perfect, it would have created stronger nutritional standards and provided more money for the school lunch program -- adding six cents per lunch for the first time in 30 years. This was the first step on the long ladder to fresh food, and now it's a missed opportunity. Among other things, this bill would have banned the junk food that is served in schools and competes with the fresh food your kids need. Eating this junk every day will take 10 years off their lives and cost you a fortune -- adding thousands of dollars to the family health care tab. When Congress returns, members should not only support these new standards but also give people the necessary dollars to get on the path to fresh food. At the moment, $4.5 billion is attached to the bill, which only works out to six cents on the plate -- not much, but better than nothing if it can buy an apple for each child's breakfast or lunch tray. Over the last two years, more than 700 advocacy groups have been working to get these important changes written into law. Yet Congress could not bring enough support to pass the bill. Do members not value the health of America's kids? Since I've been working in America, I've been overwhelmed by the number of people who write to me. More than 600,000 people have signed the Food Revolution petition for better school food. They are really worried about the quality of food their kids are served in school -- the soda, chocolate milk and pizza for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It's not just me who thinks we need change. Parents deserve to know what their kids are being fed at school. If Congress won't put the regulations in place, then Americans are going to have to take things into their own hands. Here's how you do it: . Drop into school and eat lunch with your child. See for yourself what is being served on the breakfast and lunch trays. If you don't like what you see, find other parents in your school who are as frustrated and disgusted as you are. Band together and go to your school board and demand change. Love your lunch ladies. Go visit them and thank them. Let them know you appreciate that they take care of your kids and that you want to help them get better equipment, training and information to make their jobs easier. Make noise. Send e-mails, meet your school nutrition director, go to PTA meetings, get your kids involved. Take every opportunity to keep school food change front and center. If this bill doesn't get passed when Congress comes back in November, then it's going to be another five years before we have another shot at fixing these regulations. Five years is too long to wait. Without this legislation, school food will stay in the Dark Ages of nutrition and your kids are going to suffer. They deserve better. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Jamie Oliver. | Jamie Oliver: Child Nutrition Bill failed, which means same old unhealthy school lunches .
Schools serve junk food like chocolate milk, soda and pizza at each meal, he writes .
700 groups want this kind of law, he writes. Does Congress not value children's health?
Parents should see what kids are eating, Oliver says, and if disgusted, push for healthy food . |
124,201 | 2c8e07c0a009c36028dfca4b1783efc10bf99bc0 | ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- Britain's Prince Andrew on Wednesday defended comments he made suggesting the United States might have been better off had its leaders learned from the British experience with colonialism before invading Iraq. Prince Andrew says he has accepted that his comments could be interpreted as controversial. "The fact is that we have learned, sometimes at our expense, in the years when we were a colonial power," he told CNN. "So there may or may not have been things and ideas that were of valid use to what was going on at that particular time." The 47-year-old prince, in Atlanta on a 10-day U.S. tour to promote British business, said the two countries are closely allied. "We've been allies, for goodness' sake, for how long?" he said. Watch him discuss his new role » . "We are now working very much more closely together than we have over the centuries, apart from when we were very, very close during the second World War." The Duke of York cited U.S.-British anti-terrorism efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan as an area where the two countries are working together to promote stability and change. The New York Times last week quoted the prince as saying there are "occasions when people in the U.K. would wish that those in responsible positions in the U.S. might listen and learn from our experiences." He added, "If you are looking at colonialism, if you are looking at operations on an international scale, if you are looking at understanding each other's culture, understanding how to operate in a military insurgency campaign -- we have been through them all." The problems faced by U.S. war planners in Iraq have bred "healthy skepticism" toward what comes out of Washington, he told the newspaper. In his CNN interview Wednesday, Andrew said he did not consider those comments controversial when he made them, but has since accepted how they could be interpreted that way. Still, the Falklands War veteran who served 22 years in the Royal Navy added, "You have to take the bashes with the good bits, and I've got a thick skin." Asked whether he believes the situation in Iraq is improving, Andrew said he could not answer what he described as "almost a university Ph.D. question." "I don't think I can possibly predict those sorts of ways that governments work to each other," he said. "I'm only a small cog in a very, very large machine." The main purpose of his visit is to promote business investment in Britain, he said. Of the approximately 1,000 investment projects that were begun last year in Britain, more than half came from the United States, resulting in the addition of more than 32,000 jobs, he said. "Now I realize that what keeps us all going is international commerce, it's global trade," he said. "In some cases, politics keeps a lot of people thinking, but what actually makes the world go round is the commerce that goes on." E-mail to a friend . | Prince told newspaper that U.S. leaders "might learn from our experiences"
He says he did not consider those comments controversial when he made them .
Prince Andrew: "I've got a thick skin"
He says Britain and the U.S. are working much closer together than in the past . |
135,690 | 3b8eea6175ccc530433cff5865813a4065cb9d55 | The top word of 2013 is '404' - the internet code for failure, commonly seen when a webpage doesn’t load. The result was announced by the Global Language Monitor which ranks words according to their usage. Positions are based on word usage across the internet, print and online media, blogs and social media in the English-speaking world across five continents. Number one spot: The top word of 2013 is '404' - the internet code for failure, commonly seen when a webpage doesn¿t load . Following closely behind is the word 'fail,' 'hashtag, '@pontifex' (Pope Francis’ Twitter handle), and 'optic,' the new term for 'narrative.' '404 has gained enormous attention the world over this year as systems in place since World War II, which many see as the beginning of the contemporary era, are in distress or even failure,' said Paul JJ Payack, President and Chief Word Analyst of the Global Language Monitor. Rankings: The result was announced by the Global Language Monitor which ranks words according to their usage . 'The recent ObamaCare launch debacle in . the US is only a representative example of a much wider system fail, . from the political deadlock in the US Government, to the decline of the . dollar, to the global web of intrigue and surveillance by the NSA, to . the uncertainty regarding the European Union, and the on-going . integration of China and other rising powers, such as India and Brazil . into the global economic system.' Other high-ranking words from the list indicate a focus on an especially difficult year in US politics: 'surveillance,' 'deficit,' 'filibuster,' 'deadlock,' and 'stalemate,' reported QZ. 'Toxic politics,' 'federal shutdown,' and 'global warming/climate change' are the top three phrases of the year. 404 – The near-universal numeric code for failure on the global Internet. Fail — The single word fail, often used as a complete sentence (Fail!) to signify failure of an effort, project, or endeavor. Hashtag – The ‘number sign' and ‘pound sign’ reborn as the all-powerful Twitter hashtag. @Pontifex — The Hashage of the ever-more popular Pope Franciscus (Francis). The Optic — The ‘optic’ is threatening to overtake ‘the narrative’ as the Narrative overtook rational discourse. Does not bode well for an informed political discussion. Surveillance — The revelation of the unprecedented extent of spying by the NSA into lives of ordinary citizens to the leaders of the closest allies of the US. Drones – Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) that are piloted remotely or by on-board computers used for killing scores or even hundreds of those considered enemy combatants of the US. Deficit — Looks like deficit-spending will plague Western democracies for at least the next decade. Note to economists of all stripes: reducing the rate of increase of deficit spending still increases the deficit. Sequestration – Middle English sequestren, from Old French, from Latin sequestrare, to hide away or isolate or to give up for safekeeping. Emancipate — Grows in importance as worldwide more women and children are enslaved in various forms of involuntary servitude. | The result was announced by the Global Language Monitor .
Ranks words according to usage across internet, print and online media . |
213,020 | 9fdc94356a4f64874518c05336995f22ef733bfb | WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The National Archives -- a repository of important government documents, including the U.S. Constitution -- has lost a computer hard drive containing large volumes of Clinton administration records, including the names, phone numbers and Social Security numbers of White House staff members and visitors. The National Archives has lost a hard drive containing large volumes of Clinton administration records. Officials at the Archives say they don't know how many confidential records are on the hard drive. But congressional aides briefed on the matter say it contains "more than 100,000" Social Security numbers, including one belonging to a daughter of then-Vice President Al Gore. It also contains Secret Service and White House operating procedures, the staffers said they were told. The hard drive was last seen in the National Archive's complex in College Park, Maryland, sometime between October of last year and the first week of February. It was discovered missing in late March, prompting a thorough search for the small, 2.5 pound device, the Archives said. When it could not be located, the inspector general's office opened a criminal investigation. On Wednesday, the Archives announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to its return. The Archives said no national security information is on the hard drive, nor any original documents. But they said it does contain "personally identifiable information," and they take the loss "very seriously." U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa, R-California, whose staff was briefed on the matter, said the House will hold a hearing Thursday on the incident. "If they [the National Archives' staff] can't handle a hard drive that may be sensitive properly, we need to ask the question, will they handle the most secret materials properly?" Issa said. The Archives Wednesday gave the following account of the disappearance: . Last October, the hard drive was moved from a "secure" storage area to a workspace where it was being used for routine recopying to ensure preservation of the records. But work was halted last year because archivists "wanted to investigate using automated tools to generate inspection reports." Staffers were moved to other projects until an automated tool was found in mid-March -- that's when they found the hard drive was missing. The device is described as a two terabyte Western Digital MY BOOK external hard drive, measuring 6.5 x 2.1 x 5.4 inches. More than 110 4-millimeter tape cartridges were copied onto the hard drive. The records included records from the Clinton Administration Executive Office of the President. The archives said no original records have been lost, and the Archives has a backup hard drive that will enable them to determine what information is on the missing device. The inspector general said at least 100 people had access to the area where the hard drive was left unsecured, and that janitors, visitors and others also passed through the area. The Archives said it is reviewing the data on a copy of the missing hard drive and compiling a list of people whose personal information may be compromised. It will notify individuals of the potential breach and will provide them with a year of credit monitoring, the Archives said. "Because of the extremely large volume of data on the drive, we do not know yet the number of individuals whose privacy has been affected," the Archives said Wednesday. "As individuals are identified, they will be notified." The Archives also said it has taken steps to improve security, including both physical control of records and the treatment of personal information. | Officials say they don't know how many confidential records are on the hard drive .
Congressional aides say "more than 100,000" Social Security numbers on drive .
Archives announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to its return . |
89,158 | fd0d46bed8d9aa290071824bbe4946a039ffb57d | Washington (CNN) -- President Barack Obama's been in the bull's eye of Republicans and conservatives since 2008, but after Wednesday's hearing on last September's terror attack in Benghazi, Libya, many on the right are shifting their aim at former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Soon after the hearing by the GOP-led House Oversight Committee looking into the events surrounding the death of the U.S. ambassador to Libya and three other Americans, a recently formed pro-Republican opposition research group blasted out an e-mail with the headline "Benghazi Hearing Raises Serious Questions About Clinton." America Rising PAC then followed up Thursday with a Web video which it says outlines "the serious questions raised about Hillary Clinton's leadership yesterday in a House Oversight Committee hearing." The Republican National Committee and American Crossroads, the Karl Rove-backed pro-GOP super PAC, also issued e-mails critical of Clinton, America's top diplomat at the time of the attack last September 11. The group put out a web video Friday morning that asks if Clinton "was part of a coverup." And Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, a possible 2016 GOP White House contender, criticized Clinton in an interview on Thursday on Fox News Channel. Mother of Benghazi victim: I blame Hillary . Many Republicans see the deadly attack on the diplomatic compound in Benghazi and the initial reaction by the State Department and the White House as a huge scandal, one that they feel Democrats tried to cover up with the president's re-election, at the time, less than two months away. The GOP accuses the administration of not bolstering security prior to the attack, of botching the response to it, and of misleading the public in its slow-to-evolve explanation of events. They point to five TV appearances the Sunday following the attack by Susan Rice, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, who called the armed assault a "spontaneous protest" rather than an act of terrorism. Many Democrats disagree and call the GOP drumbeat a "witch hunt." While the president is definitely still in conservative's line of fire over Benghazi, 2016 politics are also at play in this story. Obama can't run for a third term and Clinton, who's weighing a White House run, would be the instant front-runner for the Democratic nomination if she launches a bid for president. Clinton stepped down as secretary of state with sky-high poll numbers, but the incident in Benghazi is a stain on her record at the State Department. The question is whether it could come back to haunt her if she does seek the presidency. Boehner calls for White House to release Benghazi emails . An independent review of the Benghazi incident, led by Adm. Mike Mullen, a former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and former ambassador Thomas R. Pickering, discovered no wrongdoing by Clinton. But critics noted at the time that neither Mullen nor Pickering interviewed Clinton. Before she stepped down as planned in late January, Clinton testified for hours on Capitol Hill on the Benghazi attack. She was forceful in her defense and the conventional wisdom at the time was that she was not politically wounded. But the story was given new legs thanks to the House hearing, which showcased the testimony of State Department whistleblowers who had not previously testified, including the riveting details from an official who was on the ground in Tripoli at the time of the attack in Benghazi. Even before Wednesday's hearing, there was plenty of hype. Doomed Libya ambassador: 'We're under attack' "I think the dam is about to break on Benghazi," Sen. Lindsey Graham wrote on his Facebook page. "We're going to find a system failure before, during, and after the attacks. We're going to find political manipulation seven weeks before an election. We're going to find people asleep at the switch when it comes to the State Department, including Hillary Clinton," added the South Carolina Republican, who's been a longtime critic of the administration's role in Benghazi. But Clinton's specific role did not dominate the hearing, with only one GOP congressman on the panel trying to drill down for specifics. The question now is whether any smoking gun emerged from Wednesday's hearing regarding what Clinton knew and when she knew it. Republicans and Democrats obviously disagree on this question . "I rather doubt the current right-wing demagoguery is going to hurt Hillary if she chooses to run," said Democratic strategist and CNN contributor Paul Begala, who was a top political adviser in Bill Clinton's White House. What the Obama administration has said about the Libya attack . Republican strategist and CNN contributor Alex Castellanos disagreed. "It is increasingly looking like the only president named Clinton may be Bill," said Castellanos, who is spearheading a new super PAC called NewRepublican.org to refocus the party's messaging and policy goals.. One thing's for sure: Wednesday's hearing won't be the end of this story. Thursday morning House Speaker John Boehner called on the president to release emails that he says show how the White House wanted to change the Benghazi attack "talking points." Stay tuned. | After Wednesday's Benghazi hearing, many on the right are shifting their aim at Hillary Clinton .
The incident in Benghazi is a stain on Clinton's record as America's top diplomat .
Before she stepped down, Clinton testified for hours on the Benghazi attack . |
199,181 | 8dd7046953e9d9db3739ca2887b02b09a8141a4a | Tensions boiled over during Andy Murray's Australian Open semi-final victory against Tomas Berdych as the British No 1's fiancee appeared to fire an expletive-ridden blast towards his opponent. After Murray won a gruelling baseline rally in the first set to claim a break back, Sears was caught on camera apparently mouthing 'F***** have that you Czech flash f***'. It was just part of a series of heated moments during Murray's 6-7 (6-8), 6-0, 6-3, 7-5 win against Berdych on Thursday. Kim Sears was apparently recorded swearing about Tomas Berdych as tensions heated up in Melbourne . Sears' apparent foul-mouthed rant came as Andy Murray broke back in the first set . Sears showed her emotion as she watched the action from the stands . A mocked up image of what Sears was reported to have said from the stands . There were no microphones to pick up the 27-year-old’s exact choice of colourful words. But within moments of the uncharacteristic outburst being captured on film, thousands took to social media to comment on it, with some speculating that she had actually said: ‘Take that, you flash f***,’ or even: ‘F****** have it, you Czech f***.’ John Cassidy, a professional lip-reader, insisted that although Miss Sears’ mouth is partially obscured at the start of the utterance, he could ‘clearly’ see her saying: ‘You little f***.’ Asked about his girlfriend’s apparent cursing in the box Murray said: 'I was told about that. When there’s a lot of tension surrounding something which you (the media) created, then it’s completely normal that the whole first set everyone was tight. 'My physical trainer, the physio, I’m sure for Dani it was uncomfortable, even Tomas, who very rarely says anything on the court. There was tension there for him as well. In the heat of the moment you say stuff that you regret.' The build-up to the match had been dominated by talk of Murray going up against former coach Dani Vallverdu, who is now working with world No 7 Berdych, for the first time. Both had tried to play down that particular dynamic but there was no doubt it added a fiery edge to the match. Anyone thinking that all would be civil were surely thinking otherwise after Murray broke back for 4-5 in the first set. After coming out on top in a long exchange, Murray turned in the direction of Vallverdu sitting in his opponent's box and let out a wild roar in celebration. Murray roars with emotion as he celebrates winning a point against Berdych on Thursday . Murray was clearly pumped up for the game and rose to the challenge as tensions mounted . Murray endured a tough start to the game, losing the first set and clearly was feeling frustrated . Murray celebrates his battling win as he walks off court at the end of the match . Berdych was clearly incensed, giving the Scot a long stare as both players walked back to their chairs. As Murray sat down, he pumped his fist towards his own box, to which Sears responded with a fist pump of her own before clearly mouthing expletives as she glanced over towards Berdych's team. Moments later, Berdych complained to umpire Pascal Maria about the quality of the tennis balls, to which Murray responded: 'He always does this.' Berdych later explained what he said when the two passed at the changeover that seemed to rile Murray up: 'I really remember it well. I say to myself well done Tomas. That’s it. I think I’m allowed to do that when I win a set. What, I have to be worried about every word I am going to say? I just pumped myself up for winning the first set then sat on the chair. Maybe next time I should stay even more calm, and that’s it. It was a great battle a good match, unfortunately with a bad end for me.' Dani Vallverdu, Murray's former coach, watches on as his new charge Berdych battles on . Berdych complained to umpire Pascal Maria about the quality of the balls during the game . As Murray let out some expletives in annoyance at his own play, the big screens in Rod Laver Arena further added to the drama. A 50-50 split screen was shown of Sears and Berdych's fiancee Ester Satorova. Sears appears to mouth: 'Oh for f*** sake.' It then came to a head between Murray and Berdych after the latter claimed a 76-minute first set. As he sat down in his chair, Murray complained to the umpire that Berdych had taken a dig at him as they walked past each other. He said: 'He's talking to me when we're passing.' Ester Satorova showed her support for fiancee Berdych during the tense game . Satorova, like her opposite number Sears, was put through a roller coaster of emotions . Berdych chipped in: 'Good play Tomas. That's all I said.' Meanwhile, American television coverage further built up the battle of the WAGS. ESPN displayed another split screen of Sears and Satorova, this time with added captions at the bottom with the estimated worth of their rings and amount of carats in their engagement bands. Murray quickly hit back on the court by taking the second set and then a break in the third had Berdych viciously hitting a ball high in the air which landed on the roof of the Rod Laver Arena. Berdych and Murray talked at the net after the Brit had booked his place in Sunday's final . Berdych congratulated Murray on his victory at the end of the match . Sears jumps for joy as Murray books his place in the Australian Open final . The tension looked to have fizzled out when Murray went 2-1 up but not so as Berdych hit him in the leg with a volley and Murray muttered in frustration. Murray went on to close out the match and clinch a place in the final and the handshake between the pair at the net after was surprisingly civil after all that had gone on before. Asked out about the tension afterward, Murray said: 'There was a little bet extra tension. It is a big match and a lot was made of Dani working with him. Me and Dani have been friends since I was 15 years old an I felt that was a little bit unnecessary. 'This is sport and there's more to life than just sport. I thought it was maybe a little bit unfair and created a bit extra tension. But still it was there at the beginning but everyone calmed down at the start of the match.' | Andy Murray wins heated four-set match 6-7 (6-8), 6-0, 6-3, 7-5 .
Tensions boiled over as Murray and Tomas Berdych clashed on court .
Murray will play either Novak Djokovic or Stan Wawrinka in Sunday's final .
READ: Andy Murray and Kim Sears vs Tomas Berdych and Ester Satorova .
Click here for more from the Australian Open . |
138,289 | 3ed79251ac796b5405238a3466a0381c7657df33 | David Whitlock Whitlock has not showered for 12 years but prefers to spritz himself with bacteria . Most of us spend substantial amounts of time and money washing germs off our skin and hair. However, according to one chemical engineer, we should be spraying them on instead. Indeed, David Whitlock has not showered for 12 years but prefers to spritz himself with bacteria: ammonia-oxidising bacteria (AOB), to be precise. Mr Whitlock, an American, first became interested in the power of these micro-organisms, which live in soil, rivers and the ocean, when his girlfriend asked why her horse kept rolling around in the dirt. The scientist eventually discovered that the animals developed this behaviour to ensure they get enough bacteria on their bodies to stop their sweat from putrefying and smelling in the hot summer months. Human sweat works in exactly the same way, breaking down into ammonia, which smells but which can be neutralised by the presence of AOB. The problem is that, due to our modern insistence on hygiene, most of us no longer have any of these good bacteria living on our bodies. Mr Whitlock’s skin, though, boasts billions. For the last 12 years he has sprayed himself with AOB that he has collected from soil in the pigsty, cowshed and chicken coop of an organic farm. He washes his hands with a bar of soap before touching food and after going to the lavatory, but otherwise relies on an occasional rubdown with a sponge – and a regular spray of Refreshing Cosmetic Mist as he calls his concoction. The problem is that, due to our modern insistence on hygiene, most of us no longer have any of these good bacteria living on our bodies . He has also made the product available to other reluctant washers. ‘Bacteria is the new black, wear it every day’ is the firm’s slogan. He promises it will give users softer skin and a smoother complexion. Remarkably, sales have been so high that the mist is currently out of stock. The company is now developing products that they say could cure eczema and skin allergies as well as heal wounds. | American scientist David Whitlock spritzes himself with ammonia-oxidising bacteria .
First became interested in the power of .
these micro-organisms when .
his girlfriend asked why her horse kept rolling around in the dirt. |
31,955 | 5ae9495a31eae8fb28d42f08f3f28163a350a3af | (CNN) -- Who's to blame for the mine collapse that trapped 33 workers underground for months in Chile? No one, according to prosecutors, who closed the case Thursday after a lengthy investigation. Nearly three years after the collapse at the San Jose mine in Copiapo, Chile, prosecutors said, there's not enough evidence to file criminal charges. The 2010 mining accident drew global attention as word spread that the workers had survived and rescuers worked for weeks to free them. For 17 days after the collapse, nobody knew if they were alive. The miners spent 69 days underground before they were rescued. "This was a complicated case, which is why it took us so long to make this determination," regional prosecutor Hector Mella Farias said. "And I want to be clear in saying that everything to collect evidence that the law allows was done." Authorities investigated the case for years, he said, compiling expert analysis and testimonies that totaled more than 20,000 pages. Two outraged miners told CNN Chile late Thursday that they plan to appeal the regional prosecutor's decision. The owners of the mine should be held responsible in a criminal case, they said, alleging that the company knew there was a risk of collapse and didn't do enough to protect workers. The miners have also filed a negligence lawsuit against the government, accusing the agency that oversees mining of failing to ensure safety measures. "Today we heard the decision, as did many of our colleagues, and many of them are extremely shocked," said Luis Urzua, the miners' shift boss and the last man rescued from the mine. "Because this is something that places responsibility upon the mine owners, because they are the entity that must supervise what happens. As supervisors, they should have prevented it. They should have known what sectors were at risk of collapsing." The miners want future accidents to be prevented, he said, and they want the mine's owners to be held accountable. "We want for this never to happen again," he said. "What happened to us was not a work of nature. This was done by a man, by the negligence of man." Attorneys for the mine's owners told CNN Chile on Thursday that the prosecutor's decision indicated that natural causes sparked the accident, and the company's owners are not responsible. "This decision wasn't made on a whim," said attorney Catherine Lathrop. "It is part of a long investigative process." Miner Juan Carlos Aguilar said the miners aren't looking for money, but they do want justice. And comments like Lathrop's, he said, show that they haven't gotten that yet. "She is laughing at what happened to us," he said. "I think any miner is going to feel the same way. If they did nothing for us, when we were trapped for 70 days 700 meters underground, what is going to happen when there's another incident? ... Any person can do anything in Chile, and there is no justice." CNN's Samuel Santamaria and Rafael Romo contributed to this report. | A regional prosecutor says there isn't enough evidence to file charges .
Outraged miners say they'll appeal the decision .
An attorney for the mine's owners says the company is not responsible .
Miner: "This was done ... by the negligence of man" |
164,083 | 6031ec1006ba9e988a5731951be191bcb807bd64 | A new species of Frog has been discovered thriving in New York - after scientists were drawn to the creatures' 'very odd' chorus call. The newly-named Atlantic Coast leopard frog was first noticed hopping around wetlands in the shadow of Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. Jeremy Feinberg, a scientist at Rutgers University in New Jersey, was intrigued by the animals' unusual chorus call. Scroll down to hear the frogs' call . Hip to the hoppa: A new species of frog has been discovered living in New York after scientists noticed the animal's unusual chorus call . The frog looks identical to other leopard frogs but Mr Feinberg felt certain it's distinctive 'chuck' call was like nothing he had heard before. So he teamed up with genetics experts, and tests proved him right - the frog was an entirely new species. The new frog has been given the Latin name Rana Kauffeldi in honour of New York wildlife expert Carl Kauffeld, who first suggested there may be an unidentified species of frog in the area in 1937. Sadly, Mr Kauffeld died in 1974 aged 63 before being able to prove his theory, as genetic testing technology was not available at the time. Colonies of the frog have been discovered across New York's five boroughs. It has since been found to inhabit a coastal strech from Connecticut in the north to Virginia and North Carolina in the south . Mr Feinberg told BBC News: 'Frogs have very stereotyped calls within a species, so I knew this was different. 'But it took me two years to find someone to partner with me on the genetics side. 'This is only the third new species of frog to be discovered north of Mexico since 1986 . "What also makes this crazy is that it's in a urban area - [that's] what makes it a double whammy. "You wouldn't find it hopping around Times Square" - . '[These frogs] probably require wetland areas of something on the average minimum of 10 acres or more. The frog has since been found to inhabit a coastal stretch from Connecticut in the north to Virginia and North Carolina in the south. A large colony was discovered thriving on Staten Island. | Frog found hopping around wetlands in the shadow of the Yankee Stadium .
Scientists drawn to its distinctive 'chuck' chorus call .
Genetic tests proved it was indeed an entirely new species . |
184,684 | 7b3831bfecad8b7dc452953e9a5831d6261f1e5c | By . Mark Duell . Last updated at 1:32 AM on 24th December 2011 . The mother of a 20-month-ld girl who went missing from a house in Waterville, Maine, says she blames the toddler's father for her disappearance. Trista Reyonolds says Justin DiPietro should have protected little Ayla Reyonolds. Mr DiPietro told police his daughter disappeared after he put her to bed in her crib last Friday night . Teams of investigators are stepping up their focus on the house where Ayla went missing seven days ago as they used cadaver dogs to search local fields, streams and waterways. Police are following up more than 200 tips from the public on Ayla - while police, firefighters, game wardens, marine patrol officers and civilian volunteers have joined the search effort. Toddler: Ayla Reynolds, of Waterville, Maine, was reported missing from her bed on Saturday morning by her father Justin DiPietro, who told police he last saw her when he put her to bed the previous night . 'I trusted him to keep her safe,' Miss Reynolds told the Today Show. 'And now she is missing and I don't know where she is. I blame him right now. He did not protect her the way he was supposed to.' Ayla was living with Mr DiPietro after state social services removed her from Miss Reynolds care because of substance abuse problems, the Today Show reported. Miss Reynolds told the program she is a recovering alcoholic who has been sober for three months. She said she filed court documents seeking sole custody of her daughter the day before she went missing. Blames father: Trista Reynolds, little Ayla's mother, said the girl's father should have protected her . Removed: Trista, a recovering alcoholic, said state officials removed Ayla from her care while she went into rehabilitation . Investigators put up crime-scene tape around Ayla's house, called two of the state's top homicide prosecutors to the site on Thursday and brought a state police support van to the scene. ‘That is the last place Ayla was seen,’ Waterville Police Chief Joseph Massey said. ‘So as you might expect, we're going to give a lot of attention to that particular house. ‘(We’re) looking for any clues where she might be or where it would help us to locate her. We need to go through that as thoroughly as we can, just like we do in any other investigation.’ Chief Massey insisted that although the toddler's disappearance remains a missing child case, ‘everything remains open and we're not discounting anything.’ Father: Justin DiPietro, left, told police he last saw Ayla, right, when he put her to bed last Friday night. He said she was wearing green pyjamas with polka dots and the words ‘Daddy's Princess’ on them . My mom: Ayla, right, ended up with her father after child welfare workers intervened while her mother, Trista Reynolds, left, checked into a 10-day rehab programme . He said officials from the state attorney general's office, including criminal division chief William Stokes, were at the house, but that was just to give them an opportunity to look at the site. 'That is the last place Ayla was seen. So as you might expect, we're going to give a lot of attention to that particular house' Waterville Police Chief Joseph Massey . ‘We're at a point where we thought it was appropriate for him to come in and just do a walk-through,’ Chief Massey said. ‘We're just at a different point in the investigation.’ An attorney general spokesman said the visit to Ayla's father's home by Chief Stokes and Andrew Benson, another top homicide prosecutor, was ‘standard protocol’. The police chief played down the significance of yellow tape strung about the perimeter of the small property, saying it was ‘just an additional barrier’ to secure the site. He said people should not read too much . into the presence of a state police incident command van parked there, . saying it was for the convenience of technicians working at the site. Sadness: Isaiah Vear, 5, of Waterville, Maine, leaves a memorial after placing a toy for missing 20-month-old Ayla Reynolds outside the toddler's home on Thursday in Waterville . Address: Waterville Police Chief Joseph Massey, at the podium, speaks to members of the media regarding the investigation into the disappearance of 20 month-old Ayla Reynolds at a conference in Waterville, Maine . The investigation continued in other parts of the central Maine city, including at the airport where cadaver dogs were brought in, as well as streams and waterways. Mr DiPietro told police he last saw Ayla . when he put her to bed last Friday night. He said she was wearing green . pyjamas with polka dots and the words ‘Daddy's Princess’ on them. 'There are a lot of things that we've eliminated, and that's just as important as identifying things' Waterville Police Chief Joseph Massey . 'I have no idea what happened to Ayla, or . who is responsible,' he said. 'I will not make accusations or . insinuations towards anyone until the police have been able to prove . who's responsible for this.' She also had a soft cast on her broken left arm. Ayla ended up with her father after child welfare workers intervened while her mother, Trista Reynolds, checked into a 10-day rehab programme. The case drew expressions of community support and hope the child will be found safe as more than 60 people, many of them mothers, gathered at a local church on Wednesday for a candlelight vigil. Chief Massey said police have made ‘significant progress’ although Ayla has not been found. ‘There are a lot of things that we've eliminated, and that's just as important as identifying things,’ he said. | Ayla Reynolds reported missing from Waterville, Maine, home last Saturday .
Police following up 200 public tips as scores of investigators join search .
Police place yellow tape around home she shared with father Justin DiPietro . |
276,651 | f268ab06d75732a3e790b7b0c048fa64ea220cbc | By . Phil Vinter . PUBLISHED: . 18:08 EST, 22 May 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 01:36 EST, 23 May 2012 . Lady of the Lamp Florence Nightingale saved cash as well as lives - the Crimean War nurse left £3.5 million when she died. The Crimean War nurse, who spent a life treating wounded soldiers, treated her siblings and assistant Arthur Hugh Clough to an estate worth £36,127 when she died in affluent Park Lane in 1910, worth about £3.5 million today. Newly released records show that Pygmalion author George Bernard Shaw, who helped found the LSE, knew how to cope with finance and was sitting on a fortune worth £10.3 million today when he died in his Hertfordshire home aged 94 in 1950. Thrifty: Florence Nightingale, the lady of the lamp, left £36,127 in her will - the equivalent to £3.5million today . But notorious Dylan Thomas left just £100, or £2,300 in today’s money. Beatrix Potter - the successful female novelist behind The Tale of Peter Rabbit - left £211,638, worth nearly £8 million today, to her husband William in 1943. When she died on December 22, 1943, at her Near Sawrey, Cumbria, home aged 77, Potter left almost all her property to the National Trust. Ancestry.co.uk also revealed former Prime Minister Winston Churchill left £304,044, worth nearly £4.8 million, to his wife Clementine in 1965 and founder of penicillin . Alexander Fleming left a personal estate worth over £630,000 today to son Robert in 1955. Different wills: Author George Bernard Shaw, right, left more than £10million in his will while Dylan Thomas, right left an estate worth just £2,300 in today's money . T.S. Eliot, winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature, poet and playwright died of emphysema in 1965, with a personal estate totalling £105,272, over £1.6 million today. Eliot was also an acclaimed publisher, working at publishing power house Faber and Faber. His employer, Geoffrey Faber, died in 1961 - leaving an estate worth £54,502, just under £1 million today. Formula 1 British racing driver Mike Hawthorn died in 1959 after a road accident on the A3 bypass near Guildford while driving his British Racing Green Jaguar. He left an estate worth £1.3 million today. Alice in Wonderland author Lewis Carroll left £4,145, worth £440,000 to his brother Wilfred when he died aged 65 in 1898. Wealthy: Prime Minister Winston Churchill left £304,044, worth nearly £4.8 million today, to his wife Clementine in 1965 . Other famous people who died without much to their names include 1984 and Animal Farm author George Orwell, who is listed as only having £9,908, just under £280,000, when he died in 1950. Not hugely rich: Animal Farm and 1984 author George Orwell is listed as only having £9,908, the equivalent to just under £280,000, when he died in 1950 . Welsh poet Dylan Thomas faired the worst, as the known alcoholic left just £100 - worth £2,300 today - to his wife Caitlin following his death in New York in 1953. He was aged just 39. Ancestry.co.uk launched for the first time more than six million probate records, featuring the wills of a host of famous names. The new records, dating from 1942 to 1966, form part of the England and Wales National Probate Calendar, 1858-1966, with a combined fortune of £518 billion - an average of £76,524 per will. Ancestry.co.uk International Content Director Miriam Silverman said: 'These new records give fascinating insight into the final estates of some of Britain’s most recognisable faces and reveal that money and fame did not always go hand in hand. 'They also provide a rich source of information for anybody interested in uncovering the finer details of their ancestor’s finances and exactly what, if anything, they decided to leave and to whom.' | Author George Bernard Shaw left £10million in his will .
Beatrix Potter left more than £8million .
Alexander Fleming left estate of £630,000 to his son . |
176,720 | 70c89e5b9ed008306fd17fc2e91b454f9becbf55 | HONG KONG (CNN) -- He's a three-time former champion and darling of the Roland Garros crowd, but this week Gustavo "Guga" Kuerten took to the clay in Paris for the final time. Tennis great Gustavo Kuerten will retire after his appearance at this year's French Open. He won the French Open as a virtual unknown in 1997, repeating his triumph in 2000 and 2001. The former world number one has suffered injuries and heartache during his 13-year career on the tour, and will be hanging up his racket after this event. Prior to going out in the first round to Paul-Henri Mathieu he told CNN about his Parisian love affair. CNN: How does it feel to be going into the tournament you've won three times as the World number 1,140, and it being the last tournament you'll ever play? GK: Actually the ranking doesn't matter for me. When I decided to take this farewell tour I wasn't looking for ranking points. I wanted to have the feelings that I had in the most special places for me, to enjoy them one last time, to see the people and the public. Today it's still very hard for me to think that in a week, five days, it will be over. I try not to think about it too much. I have worked so hard the past three weeks to be in good shape to play at least one good match, that my mind is totally focused on the tournament, as if I were still competing, like in the past years. I arrived in Paris, and like every year I immediately went to Roland Garros and practiced on center court. It feels like it is a normal year, but there's something different. CNN: What does the French Open mean to you? GK: It means everything. It is here that everything happened to me. I have a love relationship with this tournament, since the first time I came here and over the years I think everything came together, the tournament, the fans and I, all having this love affair. I have so much respect for the tournament. For me it is the most important tournament in the world. All these years on the tour, I always worked out my schedule towards Roland Garros. CNN: What are your favorite memories of Roland Garros? GK: It is very hard to pick just one, because everywhere I go here I have memories, even going back to the junior years. If I had to pick one match though, it would be the one against Michael Russell, in the 4th round in 2001, when I drew the heart [on the court] for the first time. It was just an amazing feeling. After I won the match I felt like I was floating, a feeling that is very, very hard to find. CNN: How does the event compare to the other Grand Slam tournaments? What makes it unique? GK: For me I can't even compare. Everybody asked me over the years if I wanted to win Wimbledon, the U.S. Open or Australian Open... Of course you want to win, but I would rather have won even more Roland Garros than these other Grand Slams. I think it is a combination of it being in Paris, being played on clay, the people and the courts. Even the clay in Roland Garros I think is unique; it is different from any other clay court in the world. CNN: What do the crowds in Paris mean to you? Will you draw another heart in the clay when you finally leave the court? GK: I am not a guy who plans these things ahead. I like things to come naturally. Even when I drew the heart, it was something spontaneous and it ended up being something very special, that showed all the love I have for the tournament and the crowd. I know they are expecting me to speak some French, so I am trying to practice a little this week, but I don't really know... Let's see how it goes. CNN: What else would you have like to have achieved in tennis? GK: I couldn't ask for anything else. I have achieved much more than I could ever expect. Even in my wildest dreams I couldn't imagine that I would win Roland Garros three times, win the Masters Cup and become the number one tennis player in the world... CNN: You're a national hero in Brazil. How does it feel to go back home? GK: I love being in Brazil. Many people asked me why I didn't buy a house in Monaco, or somewhere else, but I never wanted to live outside Brazil. I come from an island, a small city in the south of Brazil and people are used to seeing me there. Of course when I go to bigger cities, I stop for autographs, pictures, sometimes there is a crowd, but it's OK, it's satisfying. In the beginning I didn't really feel like an idol, but I learnt to deal with it and I feel proud to be an example and that people feel inspired by me. CNN: What will you miss most from giving up tennis? GK: Ah, the competition for sure... I am a very competitive guy. The one thing I won't miss though is all the traveling. CNN: What happens when the tennis stops? GK: First I want to take a couple of months off, just to relax, surf and think what I want to do. But I definitely want to be involved with tennis, help develop tennis in Brazil and do more work for my institute, the Instituto Guga Kuerten. (www.igk.org.br/) | Gustavo Kuerten plans to retire after his appearance at Roland Garros .
He has won the event three times over his 13-year career .
On the Open: "For me it is the most important tournament in the world" |
2,130 | 06377ff6feb69ff82e415b2aa7e2026260113462 | Listening in: UK spy agencies want to install . 'black box' surveillance devices to . monitor citizens' use of online services. Picture posed by model . UK spy agencies want to install 'black box' surveillance devices across the country's communications networks to monitor internet use, it emerged today. A report by an influential committee of MPs tells how spooks are keen to implement a nationwide surveillance regime aimed at logging nearly everything Britons do and say online. The spy network will rely on a technology known as Deep Packet Inspection to log data from communications ranging from online services like Facebook and Twitter, Skype calls with family members and visits to pornographic websites. But civil liberties and privacy campaigners have reacted with outrage, saying that the technology will give the government a greater surveillance capability than has ever been seen. The report by Parliament's . Intelligence and Security Committee, published on Tuesday, gives UK . intelligence agencies' perspective on the government's draft . Communications Data Bill, which is intended to update surveillance . powers. The government . argues that swift access to communications data is critical to the fight . against terrorism and other high-level crime, but it has been delayed . after the Liberal Democrats dropped support for the bill. MI5 . chief Jonathan Evans told the committee: 'Access to communications data . of one sort or another is very important indeed. It’s part of the . backbone of the way in which we would approach investigations. 'I . think I would be accurate in saying there are no significant . investigations that we undertake across the service that don’t use . communications data because of its ability to tell you the who and the . when and the where of your target’s activities.' The Bill has encountered stiff . opposition, but authorities have been at pains to stress that they're . not seeking unfettered access to the content of emails or recordings of . phone calls. Instead, they . claim, what they are after is what many have described as 'outside of . the envelope' information: Who sends a message, where and how it is . sent, and who receives it. For . example, while the email addresses of senders and recipients would be . available to agencies, they would still need to obtain a court order for . access to the contents of the emails. A . similar situation would apply in the case of mobile phone calls, with . the callers' identities and locations available to agencies, along with . the time of the call and its duration, but agents restricted from listening without authorisation from the courts. The Government Communication Headquarters (GCHQ) on the west of Cheltenham: Spooks say swift access to communications data is critical to the fight . against terrorism and other high-level crimes . Critics have said that in effect . there is no way to reliably separate such communications data from the . content of messages and calls, and that giving easy access to the former . would also open the way to access of the latter. Campaigners also challenged the . government over how it could criticise totalitarian regimes overseas which . may be using similar systems to crack down on dissent. Spymaster: MI5 Director General Jonathan Evans said access to communications data is 'very important indeed' to UK security . Emma Carr, deputy director of privacy . and civil liberties campaign group Big Brother Watch, said: 'Using . highly intrusive technology to monitor how people use the internet is . not something that a civil society should be using on every citizen. 'The danger is that the whole . communication, including content, is inspected and potentially stored, . intruding on people’s privacy in a dangerous and unprecedented way. 'This sends a highly dangerous signal . to regimes around the world who are looking for justification to use . similar equipment on their populations. 'The fact that at no point does the . Government need court approval, either to install, use or look at data . gathered is a major concern and if it is to be used as a last resort . should only be done so on the highest judicial authority.' Jim Killock, executive director of the Open Rights Group, which campaigns for freedom online, said the real threat was posed by the addition of what the report calls the 'filter' to the surveillance system. He explained that this would work as a kind of search engine for everyone's private data, linking it together from the various online and telecoms accounts people use to communicate. 'The really worrying part of this is the "filter" the government wants to build,' he told MailOnline. 'This would put data from your mobile phone, email, web history and phones together, so the police can tell who your friends are, what your opinions are, where you've been and with who. 'It could make instant surveillance of everything you do possible at the click of a button.' A key challenge for the government . has been extracting that information from overseas service providers - . companies based in Silicon Valley or elsewhere that might not feel . obliged to comply with a British spy agency's request. While the government has insisted that it will not invade the privacy of citizens' communications without a court order, there are fears that installing deep packet inspection across the UK will nevertheless give them the capability. Luckily, there is a range of software for both computers and mobile devices, much of it free, that can encrypt communications to keep it secure. 1) iSafeguard Freeware 6.2: This program will secure emails and files using strong encryption and syncs with most popular email clients. 2) HushMail: This web-based email service uses a Java applet to encode emails with 1024bit public key encryption. 3) GnuPG: This Linux-only application is an open-source replacement for PGP (Pretty Good Privacy). PGP was one of the first military-grade encryption products available to the general public. It was in those cases, the committee's report said, that the surveillance devices would come in handy. 'It . is important for the agencies that there is some means of accessing . communications data from uncooperative overseas communications service . providers,' the report said. The report said the probes would . work using 'deep packet inspection,' so-called because it allows those . intercepting packets of data to comb through their content. The . services that might be targeted by the probes weren't identified, . although Facebook, Twitter, Hotmail, and Google Chat are all popular in . Britain and were among the services named elsewhere in the report. Britain's surveillance plans remain in draft form, and the report carried several critiques of the government's proposals. But in general it rejected opponents' claims that the surveillance regime was unworkable or oppressive, warning that the pace of technological change would soon 'have a serious impact on the intelligence and security agencies' unless the new surveillance powers were introduced. The report also appeared to reject suggestions that encryption might allow those trying to maintain the privacy of their communications to baffle government monitoring. 'We have heard that the government has (redacted) options in dealing with the challenge encryption poses,' the report said. The next two paragraphs were completely blanked out. Mr Killock of the Open Rights Group said it was unlikely that the government had the capability to crack advanced digital encryption. | MPs' report outlines spooks' take on the draft Communications Data Bill .
It shows they are keen to implement nationwide surveillance regime .
They want ISPs to install 'black boxes' that can inspect all internet traffic .
Spies claim they are only interested in 'communications data'
Campaigners warn it will give spies unprecedented surveillance powers . |
49,263 | 8b1be969f405c227a8ab562165a92ae597d07214 | By . Press Association Reporter . Sir Bradley Wiggins remained in sixth position overall after Thursday's fifth stage of cycling’s Tour of Britain which was won by Austria’s Mattias Brandle after a four-man breakaway. Wiggins finished in the peloton with Team Sky team-mate Ben Swift the best placed Briton in fifth. Brandle escaped to victory as Poland's Michal Kwiatkowski retained the race leader's yellow jersey . Matthias Brandle of IAM cycling raises his arms as he crosses the finish line in Exeter city centre . Matthias Brandle of IAM cycling after crossing the finish line in stage five of the 2014 Tour of Britain . he peloton makes its way through Exmouth during stage five of the Tour of Britain . Brandle (IAM Cycling) was in the day's four-man breakaway alongside Andreas Stauff (MTN-Qhubeka), Maarten Wynants (Belkin) and Shane Archbold (An Post-Chainreaction). The decisive moment of the 177.3-kilometre route from Exmouth came not on Dartmoor, but on the drag into Exeter up Stoke Hill, with Brandle prevailing. Brandle won by eight seconds from second-placed Archbold, who beat Wynants in a two-up sprint, while Bardiani CSF's Sonny Colbrelli led the peloton in 14secs behind in fourth. Friday’s 128-mile stage is from Bath to Hemel Hempstead. The peloton makes it's way up to the submit of Hay Tor on Thursday . reakaway group led by Andreas Stauff (L) of Germany and MTN Qhubeka . Mark Cavendish of Great Britain and Omega Pharma-QuickStep looks on during stage five . | Austria’s Mattias Brandle won stage five after a four-man breakaway .
Sir Bradley Wiggins remained in sixth position overall .
Team Sky team-mate Ben Swift was the best placed Briton in fifth . |
278,139 | f45345a28d6e09a9236ad65bb5b0f3f504af5d62 | By . Sadie Whitelocks . Last updated at 5:38 PM on 30th January 2012 . A teenager who was planning her own funeral is enjoying a new lease of life thanks to a life-saving double lung transplant. Casey Blunstone,16, was told by doctors that she had just days to live as cystic fibrosis had caused her lung function to drop to dangerous levels. For the past ten years she had been confined to hospital as a result of her debilitating condition and operated on twenty times. Casey Blunstone was given just days to live but is now looking forward to a bright future following a life-saving double lung transplant . She was top of the transplant list for her height, age group and blood type but no suitable donor could be found and her family launched an appeal. And with days left news came that a match had been located and Casey, from Walgherton, Cheshire East, underwent a ten-hour transplant procedure at Great Ormond Street Hospital, in London. She . is now looking forward to a bright future and medics expect a full recovery. Her mother Gaynor, 48, said that the family were overjoyed when a match was discovered. She said: 'We were really desperate at this stage. 'It was a nerve-wracking wait to find out whether we had a match because the live donor was no longer an option. 'But we were told the lungs were in pristine condition.' Road to recovery: For the past ten years Casey had been confined to hospital . Casey was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis when she was four-weeks-old. The disease affects the internal organs, especially the lungs and digestive system, causing them to become clogged with thick, sticky mucus. She previously had to spend 20 . hours-a-day hooked up to a ventilation machine at Crewe’s Leighton . Hospital. But it was when her lung function fell to a dangerous 16 per cent that she was admitted to Great Ormond Street Hospital and medics located a suitable donor. She said: 'When I found out that my transplant could go ahead I was just overwhelmed. 'I have been waiting so long for a donor that I was in shock at first because I didn’t think it was going to happen.' The teenager is now appealing for others to join the donor register so that more lives can be saved. She added: 'The first thing I thought after my operation was that I want people to keep donating their organs. 'I have been really poorly, but I was given another chance at life and that is all I want for those who are still suffering.' Over four days she managed to recruit more than 300 people to . join the Organ Donation Register and is now set to become an . advocate of Live Life Then Give Life - a national donor charity. Her brother Tom, 25, described how he had been inspired by her efforts. He said: 'She has been ill all of her life and it has been hard work for . her. But she just keeps going and has always stayed positive.' She is now hoping to join her friends at school full-time after years of missing classes. Cystic fibrosis is a common inherited disease causing recurrent chest infections, poor growth and related health problems, such as diabetes and infertility. It affects over 8,500 children and young adults in the UK, where five babies are born with the condition every week. | Teenager underwent 20 operations during her 10-year hospital stay .
Suitable donor found when Casey had just days to live . |
11,565 | 20dfcd951734302a4fdb735e16c8390ced54a3b1 | Sophie Howes, left, was trying to breast feed her daughter Connie, right) at a Leisure Centre in Kent when the centre manager said it was 'offensive' A mother ordered to stop breast feeding in a swimming pool because staff found it 'offensive' has received a payout from the leisure centre. Sophie Howes, 27, decided to feed her hungry eight-month-old daughter Connie when she started to get restless. The mother-of-two sat down on the steps of the learner pool and began to breast feed the toddler in a bid to calm her down. Within seconds the centre manager Kim Walters came up to her and ordered her to move after the lifeguard reported that she had been 'offended' Miss Howes reluctantly said she would go to the side of the pool but was ordered to go to the changing room if she wished to continue feeding Connie. The midwife, from Ashford, Kent, said staff made her feel 'embarrassed' and 'humiliated'. She claimed the centre had breached the Equality Act 2010, which provides protection for women wanting to breastfeed their children. And now Miss Howes has received an undisclosed pay out from the Ashford Leisure Trust, who run the Stour Centre, after they agreed an out of court settlement. The centre's management said there had been 'no intention to discriminate' against Miss Howes and said the incident was result of a 'misunderstanding.' They said they 'apologised' for any distress caused. She said: 'I decided to take a stance as I believe no woman should be made to feel embarrassed by wanting to breastfeed their child in public. 'Women have rights to be protected from less favourable treatment and to equal access to facilities just because they want to breastfeed their children. 'It's important that when this kind of thing happens we challenge the practices and policies of services providers to ensure it doesn't happen again to others.' Lucy Angus, from Unity Law, represented Ms Howes and said many women aren't aware of their rights. She said: 'This case is important as it gives breastfeeding mums the confidence to know they can challenge discriminatory treatment of this kind. 'Many breastfeeding mums aren't aware of their rights in the same way service providers, such as leisure centres, aren't aware of their legal obligations. This case helps to raise awareness of the issue from both perspectives.' MIss Howes, left won an undisclosed payout from the leisure centre when she was stopped from breastfeeding her daughter Connie, centre. Ms Howes said her mother Virginia, right, was a great advocate of breastfeeding . A manager at the Stour Centre, pictured, intervened when Miss Howes began breastfeeding her child saying a lifeguard had found the action 'offensive' Stopping a woman from breastfeeding in public is specifically outlawed by the Equality Act 2010, pictured . Emma Wood, chief executive of Ashford Leisure Trust, said: 'Ashford Leisure Trust fully supports breastfeeding at all its sites and understands the legal rights of mothers to do this. The Equality Act 2010 is a piece of litigation that protects people from discrimination in the workplace and in wider society. Under the Act it is against the law to discriminate against people who are pregnant or who have a child. People are protected when using a public service - such as a swimming pool in this case. According to the Act discrimination includes the following: . 'On this occasion it was believed there was a legitimate health and safety risk - ie, feeding actually taking place while both the mother and baby were in the water, and a suitable alternative area just a couple of metres away was suggested. 'We do of course apologise for any upset caused. The staff were concerned for the health and welfare of the baby. 'It may be that this concern was misplaced due to a misunderstanding of the situation but it was not intended to discriminate against the mother. 'It is clear that additional training is required and this is being arranged with Public Health for all staff to ensure there is an enhanced awareness and understanding of breastfeeding. We will also be working with experts and professionals to ensure that a suitable policy is produced.' Miss Howes said she is 'delighted' with the result and hopes other mothers won't be discriminated against in the way she was. Miss . Howes, whose daughter Connie is now 15 month-old, said: 'I am really . pleased but I am more pleased about the wider implications of it. 'The implication is that mothers won't be discriminated against in other places. 'My mum is a staunch advocate of breast feeding too and we are both midwifes. We both carried on and tried to make a difference. Miss Howes said she was pleased she won her case because it secured extra rights to breastfeed their children in public (picture posed by a model) Ms Howes, left, reached an out-of-court settlement after she claimed she had been discriminated against under the Equality Act 2010 when she was prevented from breastfeeding her daughter Connie, centre. 'I mean this has been happening all over the UK and I'm delighted to be able to set a precedent. 'I used to think people looked positively at breast feeding but then this happened to me and I heard of a lot of similar cases in the press. 'The feeling I got was that breastfeeding was okay as long as you do it secretly which I don't think is acceptable. 'I think there now needs to be a change in the law and make it a criminal offence to tell somebody they can't breastfeed. 'At the moment if somebody asks a person to leave then what can they do. If it's a criminal law then they can tell the police.' Miss Howes, left, with her mother Virginia, right and daughter Connie, centre, won a discrimination case against The Stour Centre in Ashford, Kent. Management have promised to train staff to react appropriately to breastfeeding in future . | Leisure centre management claimed that breastfeeding was 'offensive'
Lifeguard reported Sophie Howes who was feeding daughter Connie .
Management said breastfeeding while near the water was 'a legitimate health and safety risk'
Centre management said a safe feeding area was a few metres away and apologised for any upset caused . |
208,012 | 994fd3053643649d981c12f25f9a0f68fddd81e7 | By . Matt Morlidge for MailOnline . Follow @@MattMorlidge . After an inspirational manager lead them to a fine finish at the World Cup but since left for Manchester United, these could be seen as challenging times for Holland. But morale is still high in the squad under a new boss ahead of the friendly against Italy. Here, Sportsmail looks at what the Dutch have to offer in life after Louis van Gaal. New era: Holland prepare for Thursday's friendly with Italy with Guus Hiddink at the helm . Tough act to follow: Louis van Gaal, now of Manchester United, lead the team to a third-place finish in Brazil . So, what's new? Holland have turned to the steady hands of Guus Hiddink as they look to continue progressing with a talented group of players. The vastly experienced boss has enjoyed a 27-year managerial career, including with national teams South Korea, Australia, Russia and Turkey. He has even taken charge of the Oranje before, guiding the likes of Dennis Bergkamp and Frank de Boer to a World Cup quarter-final in 1998. Some believe they would have been deserving winners with their brand of football. Hiddink rarely gets things wrong when it comes to coaching a side (he's often brought in when club side's face crisis) so it's no wonder he was picked for the job following a low-key spell at Anzhi Makhachkala. He's not changing too much, either... Happy to be here: Hiddink is preparing for his first match in charge of his second spell with the Oranje . How things have changed: Hiddink was the Dutch coach from 1994 to 1998 . Who's in, who's out? Out of the 23-man squad travelling, only six didn't go to the World Cup. Rafael van der Vaart was due to take part but has since picked up a knock (he was recalled after missing the trip to Brazil through injury), though Stoke's Erik Pieters has been brought back into the fold. Jonathan de Guzman, now of Napoli, and Terence Kongolo are dropped from the set-up, as is Michel Vorm, but Ibrahim Affelay gets a chance to shine again. Goalkeeper Jeroen Zoet, Ajax's Davy Klaassen, Gregory Van der Wiel ad Virgil van Dijk all win call-ups, but all in all Hiddink hasn't made any drastic changes in terms of personel, he has simply made changes due to injuries. That doesn't mean he's sticking with Van Gaal's system, though... Back in business: Gregory van der Wiel and Virgil van Dijk have been recalled . So, no more 3-5-2? Why fix it when it's not broken? I hear you say. Van Gaal's system, deploying Dirk Kuyt as a free-roaming left wing-back worked wonderfully in Brazil, thrashing Spain in the group stages on the way to a third-place finish. However, at times of desperation the new United boss did in fact change things, to 4-3-3 to be exact. And that's what Hiddink has opted for as he begins his reign. 'I had a discussion with the important players and we've decided to go back to 4-3-3. There was no surprise about it,' said Hiddink. Arjen Robben is out of the game in Bari but the system would presumably mean a place out on the right-hand side for the winger. Memphis Depay, Jerome Lens or Kuyt will be the main candidates to partner Van Persie against Italy. Target man: Van Persie will play the No 9 in the new 4-3-3 system, rather than with a partner in a 3-5-2 . 4-3-3 has been popular for Hiddink over the years. When appointed at Chelsea after Luiz Felipe Scolari's attempt at introducing Samba Style at Stamford Bridge, Guus kept things simple. Florent Malouda on one side, Nicholas Anelka on the other, Didier Drogba through the middle. It's safe to say it worked. Chelsea won 11 out of 13 Premier League games with the Dutchman at the helm. Hiddink favoured 4-4-2 during his first spell with Holland and tried out a bizarre 3-6-1 with Australia in 2006, but there's no doubt 4-3-3 is his preferred method. More conservative he may be, and you may not be getting the same Van Gaal fireworks, but the Dutch are on the right path for Euro 2016 and beyond. Will it get the best out of the star men? As mentioned above, Van Persie will surely be the lone striker in this system. Holland have used it in the past with the 30-year-old impressing, while he scored 31 Premier League goals as the main man at Arsenal. Wesley Sneijder will still have the freedom to create in his No 10 role, and he should have quick wingers to provide through the flanks. In that sense the formation suits the Dutch perfectly. However, one worry could be the defence. Despite the attacking talent, Holland have never really been blessed with world class players at the back, none more so than now. Passion: Arjen Robben will operate from the right-hand side, though he is a doubt for the game on Thursday . Blow: Klaas jan Huntelaar will miss out in Bari, but would probably be second choice behind RVP . Ron Vlaar is a solid individual and had a superb World Cup with two centre halves supporting him, but doubts will remain about his suitability in this formation. Daley Blind is another who had a fine tournament, though it is not yet clear whether he will operate best at left back, midfield or centre back in Hiddink's team. He played in all three positions in the World Cup. Verdict? It's hard to improve from a third-place finish in the World Cup, lead by Van Gaal, but Holland have hit the jackpot here. Hiddink is the perfect man for this job with the same star players you associate wearing the orange shirt. The mix of youth and experience should see this side kick on in the next few years. | Guus Hiddink took over at Holland after third-place finish at World Cup .
Louis van Gaal left to take on the manager's job at Manchester United .
Hiddink says it was 'no surprise' to players that the formation has changed .
Experienced boss will revert to 4-3-3 system, not 3-5-2 .
The Dutch play Italy in a friendly in Bari on Thursday night . |
174,208 | 6d755af34b9c4d5e2008137f1adc1df514089c76 | By . Stephen Mcgowan for MailOnline . Rangers full-back Lee Wallace has admitted he has all but given up hope of playing for Scotland. The 27-year-old defender, who last played for his country in a 0-0 draw with the United States last November, is set to miss the trip to face World Champions Germany in next month's 2016 Euro qualifier when Scotland boss Gordon Strachan names his squad on Monday morning. Conceding he sacrificed his international ambitions to stay with Rangers and help them back up the leagues, Wallace revealed he has also received a phonecall from Strachan explaining his situation. Realistic: Lee Wallace knows his chances of playing for his country again are very slim . Focus: Lee Wallace has no regrets over sacrificing his international career to concentrate on his club career . And asked if he expects to feature against the Germans, he admitted: 'Probably not, no. I'm still probably a bit behind. There are guys who have been in it who are way ahead of me at this stage — guys who play their football down south in strong successful sides. 'I'll never hold much hope for it but I'm not going to get too downbeat about it, either, as I'm just going to concentrate on Rangers and always will do. 'When I stayed with Rangers after what happened, I knew that [playing in the lower leagues] would be a stumbling block [for international call-ups] and Craig Levein had said at the time it would be difficult to select someone in the bottom tier of Scottish football. 'I accepted that and understood it at that level. 'I was aware of that and it was a sacrifice I made. Rangers is the one for me and I want to play a part in their history over the next few years.' The emergence of Andrew Robertson at Dundee United led to the young left-back making a £2.5million move to Hull City this summer. And the 20-year-old, who has made an impressive start in the Barclays Premier League, now looks to be Strachan's first pick, with Wallace adding: 'I kind of got the message in some of the last few squads - although the manager did phone me one time to say he wanted to look at other people and they've gone on to bigger and better things, playing their football in one of the best leagues in the world. | The 27-year-old is not expected to be named in Gordon Strachan's latest squad for next month's 2016 Euro qualifier against Germany .
Wallace last played for Scotland in a friendly against the USA last November .
However the defender has no regrets over sacrificing his international career to help Rangers climb up the leagues in Scotland . |
51,618 | 92257d83160628ff452a4723f9747c2cbd6fd095 | By . John Stevens . PUBLISHED: . 03:00 EST, 19 April 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 19:21 EST, 19 April 2013 . A bitter ex-boyfriend posted topless pictures of his former lover online as punishment when she started a new relationship. James Aldous, 22, let himself into Cassie Fearnley’s house while she was sleeping and copied 20 pictures of the university student posing topless and in her underwear which were saved on her laptop computer. He then uploaded the intimate pictures to websites to humiliate her. Revenge plot: James Aldous, right, admitted posting intimate pictures of his ex-girlfriend Cassie Fearnley, 22, left, on the internet after taking them from her laptop. This is not one of the images posted online by Aldous . When Miss Fearnley, also 22, found out about the plot, she confronted Aldous and he deleted the images. But they had already started to circulate on the internet and had spread to many more websites. As a result, it could be almost impossible to find and remove all the pictures – meaning they could potentially come back to haunt Miss Fearnley for the rest of her life. Aldous has been given an 18-week suspended prison sentence after admitting a charge of harassment at Colchester Magistrates Court. Guilty: James Aldous, 22, was given a suspended prison sentence and ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work . Chairman of the bench Martin Stutchfield told him: ‘It was a particularly heinous crime and the principle is a disgraceful one. ‘The humiliation which the victim has suffered is so great that we can not properly compensate her.’ The court heard Aldous, who works as a chef, and Miss Fearnley began a relationship in 2008 and had a two-year-old daughter together. They split after a series if rows in October last year and Aldous moved out of the house they shared in Clacton, Essex. In the early hours of one morning the following month, Miss Fearnley woke up to hear someone leaving her house. Philip Pearson, prosecuting, said: ‘She looked out of the window and could see the defendant getting into his car and driving away. ‘She phoned him straight away and he confessed he had been in the house and had the key to the property.’ It was not until February that Miss Fearnley discovered that Aldous had been posting her images online. Mr Pearson said: ‘Aldous was angry and wanted to get back at her for having a new partner and he chose a grossly offensive way to do so.’ Aldous, who had no previous convictions, was arrested and confessed setting up two websites with images of Miss Fearnley. Anna Perera, mitigating, said: ‘He did feel angry and posted the photographs she had shown to him previously. ‘As soon as she found out, he took them down immediately.’ But the court heard that the images were likely to remain on other sites. Aldous was ordered to complete 150 hours unpaid work in the community and told to pay £105 costs and an £80 victim surcharge. Outside court, Miss Fearnley, who is a student at Essex University, said: ‘It has been really traumatic for me. 'There have been days when I have not felt up to going into college because of the shame. ‘It was a massive betrayal of trust. Perhaps he was just jealous, but for him to post the pictures of me online was so hurtful. ‘He told me he had a problem and needed to seek professional help.’ | James Aldous, 22, downloaded the pictures from his ex-girlfriend's laptop .
He was upset because mother-of-one Cassie Fearnley had a new boyfriend .
The chef is given an 18 week suspended prison sentence .
Miss Fearnley confronted her ex-partner and he admitted what he had done . |
136,375 | 3c683b6c97fb4bb1734e61b8b064a6857ba899e6 | By . Kieran Corcoran . PUBLISHED: . 06:11 EST, 3 January 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 12:53 EST, 3 January 2014 . 'Mediocre': Some students were not pleased that Prince William will be allowed to study at Cambridge after achieving only ABC at A-Level . Cambridge students have rounded on Prince William for getting a 'free pass' place at Cambridge University, while falling short of their usual exacting standards. The Duke of Cambridge, 31, was admitted to the prestigious institution for a 10-week 'bespoke' course in agricultural management, which will see him study for 18 to 20 hours a week at part of the university's school of Technology. But students and graduates were quick to point out that the Prince's 'mediocre' results from his A-Level studies at Eton were not up to the standards of the average Cambridge student. While the university now asks for two A grades and an A* at A-Level in order to study undergraduate courses - with even harsher offers for some - Prince William only achieved ABC in his studies. University newspaper The Tab noted in its report: 'The Tab must point out that normally students need A*AA at A-level to gain entry to Cambridge University, whilst the Prince only achieved a mediocre ABC.' Entry requirements for postgraduates such as the Prince - who already holds a geography degree from St Andrew's university - are not the same as for younger students. But his acceptance on the course has still been described as an 'insult' to everybody studying there. Melissa Berrill, who graduated with a Cambridge degree in French and German this summer, wrote in the Guardian that his presence would make it harder for the university to shake off its 'posh' image and attract less privileged students. She said: 'Admitting Prince William is an insult to every student, whatever their background, who got into Cambridge by getting the required A-level or degree results.' 'It's an insult to every student whose A-levels and degree are the same or better than his, and who didn't get a free pass to Cambridge in spite of them. Prestigious: Undergraduate students admitted to Cambridge usually require AAA* at A-Level . 'And it's an insult to everyone in the country who needs skills or training, and hasn't had a university course personally designed for them.' However, many students welcomed the news of Cambridge's newest royal. Charlotte Ivers, a first-year Philosophy student, described his arrival as 'a joyous coup' that would bring the university 'a lot of publicity in return'. She added: 'Has Oxford educated the next two monarchs of our great nation? Hell no.' The Prince continues a family tradition . by studying at Cambridge. His father Prince Charles graduated with a . degree in Archaeology and Anthropology in 1970, and George VI was also a . student there. Prince Phillip was Chancellor of the university from . 1976 to 2011. Runs in the family: Many royals have links to Cambridge. Prince Charles, pictured left as a first-year, studied at the university, while Prince Phillip, shown right in academic dress, was Chancellor for 35 years . A Kensington Palace spokesman said that Prince William is likely to spend two or three nights a week in Cambridge while studying. The Duke will not be awarded any qualification at the end of the course, which he is set to finish in mid-March. An aide said: ‘Like his father, the Duke is very much a countryman, he enjoys and is passionate about the countryside and its people. | Prince William has been admitted to study agricultural management .
A 'bespoke' ten-week course in the school of Technology was made for him .
But some students have said that his admission is an 'insult'
The average Cambridge undergraduate requires A*AA grades, while William only achieved ABC when he studied at Eton College . |
134,463 | 39e656f5b2c601ab363058b417133a115fb01a0b | It is the largest shark ever to have lived, weighing 50 tonnes and measuring 18 feet long. However, swimmers can breathe a sigh of relief - the megalodon really did become extinct 2.6 millions years ago. Recently it was claimed the shark could still exist - forcing researchers into pinpointing its exact date of demise . Megalodon, (Carcharodon megalodon) a 50 tonne extinct species of shark which lived between the Eocene and the Pliocene Period. The maximum size of the Megalodon has been of much debate - cartilage rarely fossilises and therefore no complete shark has ever been found. However, it is believed they may have reached 18 feet long. However, near-complete sets of dentitions have been found, which allows for accurate reconstruction. The Megalodon's colossal mouth would have produced a but force of 10.8 to 18.2 tons. Researchers from University of Florida and the University of Zurich hope the study appearing online today in the journal PLOS ONE showing the species became extinct 2.6 million years ago will clarify public confusion. The study may also one day help scientists better understand the potential widespread effects of losing the planet's top predators, said lead author Catalina Pimiento. 'I was drawn to the study of Carcharocles megalodon's extinction because it is fundamental to know when species became extinct to then begin to understand the causes and consequences of such an event,' said Pimiento, a doctoral candidate at the Florida Museum of Natural History on the UF campus. 'I also think people who are interested in this animal deserve to know what the scientific evidence shows, especially following Discovery Channel specials that implied megalodon may still be alive.' The study represents the first phase of Pimiento's ongoing reconstruction of megalodon's extinction. As modern top predators, especially large sharks, are significantly declining worldwide due to the current biodiversity crisis, Pimiento said this study serves as the basis to better understand the consequences of these changes. 'When you remove large sharks, then small sharks are very abundant and they consume more of the invertebrates that we humans eat,' Pimiento said. 'Recent estimations show that large-bodied, shallow-water species of sharks are at greatest risk among marine animals, and the overall risk of shark extinction is substantially higher than for most other vertebrates.' A tooth of the prehistoric shark megalodon compared to the tooth of a great white shark. The Megalodon's colossal mouth would have produced a but force of 10.8 to 18.2 tons. Pimiento plans to further investigate possible correlations between changes in megalodon's distribution and the evolutionary trends of marine mammals, such as whales and other sharks. 'When we calculated the time of megalodon's extinction, we noticed that the modern function and gigantic sizes of filter feeder whales became established around that time,' Pimiento said. 'Future research will investigate if megalodon's extinction played a part in the evolution of these new classes of whales.' The slowly unraveling details of megalodon's extinction and various aspects of its natural history have consumed Pimiento's research for the past six years, including ongoing analysis of megalodon's body size and a 2010 PLOS ONE study that proposed Panama served as a nursery habitat for the species. The maximum size of the Megalodon has been of much debate - cartilage rarely fossilises and therefore no complete shark has ever been found. For the new study, researchers used databases and scientific literature of the most recent megalodon records and calculated the extinction using a novel mathematical model proven reliable in recent experimental testing by study co-author Christopher F. Clements with the Institute of Evolutionary Biologyand Environmental Studies at the University of Zurich . Vertebrate paleontologist Jorge Velez-Juarbe with the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County said the study will not only serve as a key reference for debunking the myth that megalodon still exists, but its novel methods will influence the future of scientific research of extinct animals and plants. 'The methodology that the authors used had only been previously employed to determine extinction dates in historical times, such as to estimate the extinction date of the dodo bird,' Velez-Juarbe said. 'In this work, scientists applied that same methodology to determine the extinction of an organism millions of years ago, instead of hundreds. 'It's a new tool that paleo biologists didn't have, or rather had not thought of using before.' | Follows Discovery channel shows claiming animal could still be alive .
Study found species became extinct 2.6 million years ago . |
61,431 | ae789bcf2232297bea3fd90c7a101ed790ad7808 | Benefits claimants should be banned from spending welfare handouts on alcohol and cigarettes, a Conservative MP has said. Alec Shelbrooke wants to prohibit benefits being spent on luxury items by introducing electronic cash cards which could only be used for essential items such as food and clothing. The cards would be similar to a chip and pin debit card but with a blocking function for non-essential items, the MP for Elmet and Rothwell told the House of Commons. Essential swipe: The use of the card would be limited to necessary items such as food and clothing, effectively banning benefits claimants from buying booze and cigarettes . If people on benefits were to be prohibited from buying non-essential, desirable and damaging (NEDD) items, Mr Shelbrooke believes the public's perception of welfare claimants would improve. Mr Shelbrooke, a parliamentary private secretary at the Northern Ireland Office, said the plan would end the 'damaging perception' that those who claimed benefits were scroungers who sponge off the state. Restricting benefits: Alec Shelbrooke wants to limit benefits to essential items . 'When hard-working families up and down the country are forced to cut back on such non-essential, desirable items it is right that taxpayer benefits be only used for essential purposes,' Mr Shelbrooke told the House of Commons. Although the Bill drafted by Mr Shelbrooke has no realistic prospect of becoming law, the idea of benefits cash cards was raised by Work and Pensions secretary Iain Duncan Smith during the Tory party conference earlier this year. Australia already uses a dedicated spending system where the 'Basics cards' scheme was launched nationwide in October. The cards can only be used to purchase 'priority' items such as food, housing, clothing, education and health care. The government puts the money electronically on the card once a fortnight, when people receive their benefit payments. Mr Shelbrooke said: 'If taxpayers are safe in the knowledge that claimants can no longer buy NEDD at the taxpayers' expense then the concept of welfare will be viewed once again as a responsible way of getting back on your feet.' 'That was what the welfare state was intended to be: a safety net in times of need, a hand-up, not simply a handout.' | MP Alec Shelbrooke wants to introduce restricted cash card for benefits .
Card would only allow benefits to be spent on essential items such as food and clothes . |
21,776 | 3de5ae22402db151bbd6ff9db621966df50e2d07 | (CNN) -- "Ouija" is at the head of the class in more ways than one. The fright flick not only debuted at No. 1 on the weekend before Halloween, it also became the first movie based on a board game to top the weekend box office. Admittedly, that's not a huge category: The only other real examples are 2012's "Battleship," which was swamped by the "Avengers" tsunami, and 1985's "Clue." (The games "Jumanji" and "Zathura" were both based on the books/movies, not the other way around.) After a stretch in which critical acclaim and box office success went hand in hand -- think "Fury," "Gone Girl" and "The Equalizer" -- this weekend brought a reminder that audiences often ignore movie reviews. Critics hated "Ouija," giving it a rancid 10% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. But late October proved to be a perfect time for a horror film about teens using the spirit board to contact a dear departed friend and summoning something much darker instead. "Ouija" had no problem defeating the weekend's other new wide release, "John Wick." The Keanu Reeves action flick received much better reviews but didn't appeal to as wide an audience. Reeves plays a retired hitman (aren't they all?) who ventures back into the underworld to set things right. Among returning films, "Gone Girl" is slipping the least from weekend to weekend. The highly praised drama starring Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike is up to $124 million, and in a period of rapid box office turnover, it's the oldest film in the top 10: four whole weekends in release. The biggest leap up the chart belonged to "St. Vincent," starring Bill Murray. Success in limited release doesn't always continue when a movie opens wider, but that's what happened here: After two weekends in a handful of theaters, the indie comedy co-starring Melissa McCarthy and Naomi Watts expanded nationwide and pulled in $8.1 million, nearly cracking the top five. Domestic weekend box office estimates from Exhibitor Relations Co. (final numbers available Monday afternoon): . 1. "Ouija" -- $20 million . 2. "John Wick" -- $14.2 million . 3. "Fury" -- $13 million ($46.1 million total) 4. "Gone Girl" -- $11 million ($124.1 million total) 5. "The Book of Life" -- $9.8 million ($29.9 million total) | "Ouija" debuted at No. 1 .
It's the first movie based on a board game to reach top .
"Gone Girl" is still in the top five four weeks into its release .
Keanu Reeves' new movie "John Wick" was in second spot . |
105,643 | 143d36d1b66620524b1fb006ed72b22e162407fd | By . Jill Reilly . PUBLISHED: . 03:38 EST, 13 May 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 09:21 EST, 13 May 2013 . A trainee nurse pulled a man to safety after he fell on to a railway line moments before a train was due to arrive. The 56-year-old man slipped on to the tracks after becoming disorientated following a seizure at a railway station in Australia. Appearing dazed, he was unable to get to his feet until nurse Kay Seymour rushed onto the tracks to help. Scroll down for video . Terrifying: The 56-year-old man slipped on to the tracks after becoming disorientated following a seizure at a railway station in Australia . The terrifying drama unfolded at Wooloowin station in Brisbane minutes before a train was due to arrive. CCTV footage released by Queensland rail shows the man wearing a suit and tie, standing on the platform, but moving in an erratic fashion. He moves to the edge of the platform and takes a huge step forward into mid-air before falling on to the tracks. Springing into action: As one by-stander runs to get help, Ms Symour is seen putting down her bag and running over to the edge of the platform, calling out to the confused passenger . Help: The man, whose identity has not been revealed, is then seen kneeling forward, appearing too confused to move so Ms Seymour climbs down . The man, whose identity has not been revealed, is then seen kneeling forward, appearing too confused to move to safety. As one by-stander runs to get help, Ms Seymour, who six months into her nursing training at Southbank Institute of Technology, is seen putting down her bag and running over to the edge of the platform. 'I tried to get a verbal response from him at first, but when that didn’t work I said to another lady "I’m going to have to get on the tracks’", ' Ms Seymour told the Australian Times. After jumping down she then guides him over to the edge of the tracks and pushes him up to the platform with the help of another woman. Race against time: Ms Seymour helps the unidentified man to his feet as she checks a train is not coming into the station . Rescue: She guides him over to the edge of the tracks and pushes him up to the platform with the help of another woman . Relief: She is then seen explaining to the man what had happened as they wait for emergency services on the platform . Ms Seymour told the newspaper that she had recently covered situations where people lose orientation on her training course. 'I kept asking him questions while getting him to lift both hands, and taking his pulse. His heart rate was up,' Ms Seymour said. 'It’s a matter of just constantly checking that cognitive response. I was surprised how the training just kicked in.' Jim Benstead, acting chief executive officer of Queensland Rail, said that if a train had been coming at the exact moment the man fell, 'it could have been disastrous'. 'It could have gone very differently today,' he told local newspaper the Brisbane Times. | The 56-year-old man slipped on to the tracks after becoming disorientated .
Trainee nurse Kay Seymour, 42, rushed onto the tracks to help .
Terrifying drama unfolded at Wooloowin station in Brisbane . |
239,333 | c1db43c8a77693ca70b9e00a3a390aba80d41512 | As early as late 600s Japan there have been 'female entertainers' hosting gatherings, pouring sake and offering company to men. Known as 'saburuko' - translated as 'serving girls' - some of these women sold sexual services, while others simply hosted high-class occasions. And around 794 the culture of the geisha began to emerge: women who men would visit for romantic and sexual pleasure. Traditional geisha - heavily made-up, immaculately dressed and coquettish entertainers - emerged in 18th century Japan, and these women did not officially sell sex - that being the preserve of a different group of female entertainers known as Oiran. But this stunning collection of photographs of geisha during the second half of the 20th century shows how the ancient Japanese art found its place in a more modern world full of businessmen, beer and steam baths. Scroll down for video . A group of geisha girls being instructed by their teacher, circa 1955 . A geisha laughing coquettishly with a male guest, left, and a geisha going home past a line of drying umbrellas in the alleyway, both circa 1955 . The black and white photographs show young geisha wearing kimonos with their dark hair neatly tied up in tight wide buns practicing their trade in the geisha house under the instruction of a more senior woman. Others show geisha giggling coquettishly while hosting businessmen over sushi suppers, giggling and pouring sake. In a third photo a geisha is seen walking home in her platform flip-flops at the end of her shift, glancing back at the camera past a row of umbrellas being dried out in an alleyway. The female entertainers are also pictured learning to play the samisen, a traditional Japanese stringed instrument, pouring beer into the mouths of 1950s businessmen while they relax in steam baths, giving men massages by trampling all over their bodies, and getting ready for work in beautiful patterned kimonos and high flip-flops. Geisha girls entertaining a group of men and ensuring their cups are kept full in 1955 . Two geisha girls practicing their art in the 1950s, one playing a samisen, a traditional Japanese stringed instrument . Japanese geisha girls, without their wigs, prepare themselves for the evening, having their kimonos pinned on and getting ready to slip into their platform flip-flops . A geisha entertains a male visitor in Fifties Japan, left, and right, Japanese geisha girls in kimonos serve sushi and sake in a lounge on board a boat to businessmen sailing on the Nagara river . Enclosed pleasure quarters known as . yūkaku were built in the 16th century in Japan, outside of which prostitution was . be illegal, and within which yūjo (play women) would be classified and . licensed. The highest yūjo class was the geisha's predecessor, called oiran, a combination of actress and . prostitute, who performed erotic dances as part of a new art known as kabuku. The talented courtesans entertained clients by dancing, singing, and playing . music, while some specialised as poets or calligraphers. Group of geishas washing and dressing, circa 1880 . Japanese geisha dancing and playing music in 1901 . Near the turn of the eighteenth century those who specialised in 'entertaining' emerged as geisha, and many of these were men. The first woman known to have . called herself geisha was a Fukagawa prostitute, a skilled singer and shamisen-player named Kikuya, in about 1750. Geisha who worked within the pleasure quarters were forbidden to sell sex as it was the preserve of the oiran - though prostitution was legal up until the . 1900s, so it was practiced in many quarters throughout Japan. By . 1800, being a geisha was considered a female occupation - though a . handful of male geisha still working today - and by the 1830s women . throughout society copied the geisha look. Seven geisha in 1915 Tokyo . World War II brought down the geisha population when many women had to go and work in factories across Japan. Simultaneously, the . name 'geisha' lost status prostitutes . began referring to themselves as 'geisha girls' to attract American military . men. After Japan lost the . war geisha dispersed and the profession began to crumble, but the art flourished once more in the 1960s. Modern geisha in Kyoto in 2006 . Geisha girls, wearing aprons over their kimonos, serving Japanese sailors on Tokyo Navy Day in 1937 . Japanese geishas form a trade union in an attempt to improve their working conditions, circa 1935 . A hostess, not an official geisha, pours beer into the mouth of a male guest while he relaxes in the steam bath, and right, a young girl, circa 1950, wearing a typical Japanese geisha kimono while playing the samisen, a traditional Japanese string instrument . A Japanese geisha girl is carried through town during Osaka's Yebisu Festival . British born film actor Cary Grant watches as an extra is taught how to walk like a Japanese geisha during the making of his 1932 film Madame Butterfly . American actress Betty Grable as a geisha girl in a scene from the 1951 musical Call Me Mister, directed by Lloyd Bacon, compared to a portrait of a geisha wearing a kimono circa 1880, right . For more videos, please go to JICC . | As early as late 600s Japan there have .
been 'female entertainers'
Traditional geisha emerged in the 18th century .
These photographs of 1950s geisha show women in a more modern world . |
149,331 | 4d1d1caa04fcdd2af2ed733eaa873982f0d4db6a | By . Ian Drury and Steve Robson . PUBLISHED: . 08:15 EST, 11 December 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 13:20 EST, 11 December 2012 . MPs are set to probe Britain's use of controversial spydrones after a report found pilots are poorly-trained and being 'pushed to the limits'. The Defence Select Committee will examine Britain's increasing deployment of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) after an investigation by the Military Aviation Authority found surging demand is 'constraining the length of time available to train and qualify' new operators. It found soldiers with no past experience could be in charge of piloting a spydrone after just 25 hours flying time. The Reaper is the Air Force's first 'hunter-killer' unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and is designed to engage time-sensitive targets on the battlefield as well as provide intelligence and surveillance . A review was ordered after the crash of a Hermes 450 (H450) unmanned aircraft at Camp Bastion, the main British base in Afghanistan, last year. Operated by the Army personnel with . the Royal Artillery from Kandahar, the surveillance drone's engine cut . out in mid-air after overheating. Failings identified could lead to . another incident unless action was taken, said investigators. 'Unless . urgently addressed, the contributory factors identified ... are likely . to continue to affect H450 operations and may contribute to a further . accident,' the report said. Investigation: Chair of the Defence Select Committe James Arbuthnot says the body will look into the UK's use of drone planes to kill insurgents . The report raised concerns about the . selection of drone operators, their training and development, and their . poor knowledge of air- traffic control rules. Air Marshal Tim Anderson, head of the . aviation authority, demanded more than 60 changes to the operation of . Britain's nine H450 drones after reading the report. All have been accepted and are being . implemented. But he warned ministers that the flaws that were exposed . made for 'uncomfortable reading'. 'The findings may be interpreted as pointing to an organisation pushing the limits of organic air competence,' he wrote. About half of Hermes pilots had to be . taught from scratch for each tour of duty. 'The truncated training . pipeline is producing H450 pilots and commanders to a standard that is . "just enough, just in time",' the report said. Members of the Commons' Defence . Select Committee revealed yesterday they would probe the deployment of . UAVs in the fight against the Taliban. As well as the H450, the UK has five . £10million Reaper drones armed with missiles currently operated by RAF . personnel from 39 Squadron at Creech Air Force base in Nevada. But five new UAVs will be controlled . above the skies of southwest Afghanistan by airmen sitting at computer . screens 4,000 miles away in the UK by XIII Squadron. The Military Aviation Authority report does not touch upon the Reapers. Unveiling the inquiry James . Arbuthnot, the Tory chairman of the cross-party committee, said there . were 'issues about the remoteness of the dealing of death that are . important'. The investigation will look at ’the . effect of changes in the interpretation of the law on the prosecution of . operations, and the use of remotely piloted aircraft'. Labour is also calling for a new set . of rules to govern the deployment of the unmanned aerial vehicles - . especially when engaged in missions to kill Afghan insurgents. A new batch of drones, known as squadron 13, were put into action at an MOD ceremony last month . Shadow Armed Forces Minister Kevan Jones said: 'We must clarify the rules, given the significance and spread of the technology . 'Whether valid or not, there is a . public perception that unmanned technology is shrouded in secrecy, which . increases the potential for its demonisation.' He spoke out as MPs debated Britain's involvement in drone warfare. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has . revealed that the UK's Reapers had flown more than 39,000 hours and . fired at least 334 laserguided Hellfire missiles and bombs. But it says only four Afghan civilians have been killed in strikes since 2008. Military chiefs say the drones give . allied forces an edge over the Taliban by monitoring an entire . battlefield and carrying out strikes against insurgents. But human rights campaigners claim . the American-built aircraft kill and injure large numbers of civilians . and breach international law. The military is likely to use unarmed . UAVs to undertake reconnaissance patrols around the coast of the UK and . for Nato operations rather than replacing the RAF's Nimrod spy planes. A spokesman for the Drone Wars UK . pressure group, which has raised concern over Britain's use of UAVs, . said: 'The inquiry is a welcome step forward, but as always the devil is . in the detail and we look forward to seeing the proposed scope and . remit of the inquiry.' | Surging demand means pilots don't get enough training, says Military Aviation Authority .
Review ordered after Hermes 450 crashed at Camp Bastion last year .
MPs set to probe Britain's use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) |
150,792 | 4ef507a98e42261f7d71949653d567b81b6a1a5d | These days it seems like there’s a Tesco on every corner. However, in one road, a determined woman is battling against the odds to stop the shopping giant’s relentless march. Enid Jones is the last remaining resident on a street that Tesco wants to bulldoze to make way for a new superstore. While the 58-year-old has seen all 11 of her neighbours agree to sell up and move out so that their homes can be demolished, she is making a lone stand and refusing. Enid Jones, 58, has seen 11 of her neighbours agree to move out for their street, which is to be flattened for Tesco. She said: 'It's a matter of principle. I just don't want to leave my house' Tesco and Marks & Spencer have signed a deal with developers and the local council to build a new shopping park in the seaside resort of Aberystwyth, West Wales. Mrs Jones will be the only resident left in Glyndwr Road, above . She said: ‘I’ve got it just the way I like it and I don’t want to leave my home.’ Mrs Jones lived in the same road as a . child before moving away. But she bought another three-bed house in the . terrace street nine years ago – and thought she would stay there for the . rest of her life. Developers have offered to buy or . build another home for her if she will agree to make way for the new . shopping park in the seaside town of Aberystwyth, West Wales. But she . said: ‘I’ve settled down here and have made it my home. ‘I’m holding on to this house because . I love my home. It’s a matter of principle. I just don’t want to leave . my house.’ Under the plans, the road will be flattened and redeveloped . into a shopping park containing Tesco and Marks and Spencer, creating . hundreds of jobs. Tesco is planning a 25,000 sq ft supermarket on the site which also includes the neighbouring car park - while M&S wants to build a three-storey, 36,000 sq ft store. Above is an illustration of how it would look . This is when central government, a local authority or a private company has the legal right to buy or take rights over your property if it falls within a public or private development project. Such projects range from large-scale airport expansions through to smaller scale expansions of sewer, water or gas pipelines. In all cases, owners and occupiers directly affected by a project are served 'notice', and will be offered 'compensation' to reflect the losses and disturbance caused by a compulsory purchase or a 'statutory' scheme. The shops have signed a deal with . developers and the council and Mrs Jones fears they could use a . compulsory purchase order to force her out of her home – but she has . hired a solicitor to help her ‘fight them all the way’. She added: ‘I . am diabetic and my eyesight is deteriorating. The house is so . convenient.’ She said talks between her, the developers and the council were now in ‘limbo’. Tesco is planning a 25,000 sq ft . supermarket on the site, which also includes the neighbouring car park, . while M&S wants to build a three-storey, 36,000 sq ft store. A Tesco . spokesman said the firm was delighted to be investing in the town and . planned to create 200 jobs. A spokesman for Ceredigion County . Council said: ‘Mrs Jones has been advised throughout the discussions . that the developer may possibly request the council to consider the use . of a compulsory purchase order. ‘The council has made it known that the preferred developer remains open to discussion should Mrs Jones’s position alter.’ Enid Jones is facing the threat of a compulsory purchase order by Ceredigion Council to force her out of the house worth more than £100,000 . | Enid Jones, 58, has seen 11 of her neighbours in Aberystwyth, West Wales, agree to move out .
Tesco and M&S signed deal with developers and local council to build a new shopping park .
in seaside resort .
Ms Jones faces threat of compulsory purchase order by Ceredigion Council to force her out of home . |
128,606 | 322f98263fcd58f1748d2b5adea430936da954e4 | (CNN)Strange though it might seem, there are people who love inflight meals. Stranger still, there are people who love inflight meals so much they want to eat them at home. That's the premise behind a new venture that's begun making deliveries of airline-style dinners to addresses in Germany. "Some of our customers called us and said we love to eat fresh food, but we don't want to have convenience food," says Max Thinius of online produce retailer Allyouneed.com. To answer their call, in August the company teamed with LSG Sky Chefs, the catering arm of German airline Lufthansa to launch Air Food One. Still in an eight-week trial period that Thinius describes as its "pre-pre-pilot stage," the service currently makes once-weekly deliveries in Germany's Dusseldorf and Cologne regions of meals inspired by Lufthansa's business class menus. Menus include steak filets, chicken in pepper sauce and fried cod and retail at about $13. There are also vegetarian options. Thinius says the meals appeal to working parents with kids to feed and to busy business travelers who perhaps don't want to go cold turkey after several days of tucking into delicious airplane food. Menu testing . Air Food One's meals are better than the inflight equivalent, he insists, because they're delivered fresh for customers to heat up themselves instead of being precooked and packed into the metal crates used by commercial aviation caterers. There's also the advantage of being able to eat them with real metal cutlery and -- depending on the customer's domestic setup -- without being repeatedly jostled by the person in the next seat. "They're astonishingly OK," says Thinius. "I didn't think one could do such stuff that you heat and eat it, but it works. "It's not as good as if you cook yourself -- unless you can't cook properly -- but it's OK." The pilot service appears to be going well so far, he adds, but it's still too early to tell if it'll be rolled out further afield. "If it will be successful we will of course expand, if it's not, we won't. There's a lot of things we have to test, not just if the meals are liked by the customers, but also the logistics." So for the time being, the rest of us will have to suffer the inconvenience of long-haul travel if we're hungry for inflight flavors. Or we could just settle for a sandwich. Would you eat airline food at home? Let us know in the comments below. | "Air Food One" makes weekly deliveries of airline meals to addresses in Germany .
Meals inspired by Lufthansa business class menus can be heated at home .
The meals are "astonishingly OK," says company spokesman Max Thinius . |
45,665 | 80ac895556de6759188142b2270501d479109120 | By . Ryan Gorman . Three Texas teenagers are dead and five were injured after the speeding truck they were in went out of control early Saturday morning with only one person wearing a seat belt. Driver Robert 'Andrew' Russell, 18, Colbie Miller and Bailee Sims, both 19, died after his truck hit a tree and rolled several times into a ditch before 1.00 a.m., police said. Two of the five injured are hospitalized in serious condition, the other three were treated and released. All eight injured were passengers inside Russell’s 2006 Chevrolet ‘Super-Duty’ pickup truck, according to KTVT. The only passenger wearing a seat belt suffered minor injuries and was released from the hospital. Killed: Bailee Sims (left) and Colbie Miller (right) died in the horrific accident - neither was wearing a seat belt . Speeding: Police say driver Robert 'Andrew' Russell (left) was speeding when the truck left the road. Russell died, and Josh Chitsey (right) is in stable condition at a hospital in Plano . Tragedy: Three teens died and five were injured when this pickup truck rolled several times into the ditch it is shown in here . The speeding truck went off the road near the Pat Mayse Lake Dam just south of the Oklahoma border, according to KDFW. Russell, Miller and Sims, all of Paris, were pronounced dead at the scene of the smash-up, authorities said. All three graduated from high school last year, sources said. They died from blunt force trauma, Texas Department of . Public Safety spokesperson Mark Tackett told MailOnline. It is not clear where teens were headed or coming from, he added. Too young: Colbie Miller had just graduated high school last year, according to reports . Careless: Bailee Sims was not wearing a seatbelt when the accident occurred . On the scene: Investigators with the Texas Department of Public Safety survey the damage to the vehicle . Joshua Chitsey, 18, of Mt Vernon, was . airlifted to a hospital in nearby Plano, according to KENS. He is in . stable condition. John Oud, also 18 and from Mt Vernon, remains . hospitalized in stable condition as well. Both suffered 'incapacitating' injuries that left them unresponsive, said Tackett. Colby White, 18, from Mt Vernon, was . the only passenger of the eight wearing a seat belt, Texas Department of . Public Safety spokesperson mark Tackett told MailOnline. 'He was treated and released [from the hospital,' said Tackett. Dylan Stephens and Brittney Ann Beshirs, all 18, were also treated at local hospitals for minor injuries and released, sources told KENS. | Driver Robert 'Andrew' Russell, 18, Colbie Miller and Bailee Sims, both 19, were killed .
Two teens were hospitalized with serious injuries, three others were treated and released .
Only one of the eight passengers was wearing a seat belt . |
76,777 | d9cb49f5c041cc7173a9796b6cb83a0a84ab2bcd | (CNN) -- Having cycled around the world and then swum the length of Britain, adventurer Sean Conway is taking on an altogether different challenge -- to restore a historic wartime ship which was set for the sailing scrapyard. As well as saving a piece of maritime heritage, Conway says there was a more practical necessity behind his unusual purchase. "Basically my swim from Land's End to John O'Groats left me flat broke and I need somewhere to live," he told CNN. "I'm 32 and have had to move back in with my mother. "People have the impression that adventurers and explorers are all rich but nothing could be further from the truth." Conway has sold the support boat that was his constant companion during his 900-mile (1400 km) four-and-a-half-month swim up the west coast of Britain last year to fund his purchase of Lady Sybil H, a six-berth motor yacht with historical connections. Titanic connection . It was made in 1931 by famous Belfast shipbuilders Harland and Wolff, who were also responsible for the ill-fated Titanic. "I love the history behind this," said Conway. "It has a double teak hull and being 82 years old was more of an attraction for me than just having a boat to live in." Conway is writing a book and capitalizing on his new-found celebrity ("the last month or so have been crazy") to help fund the project, hoping to equip Lady Sybil so he can live completely self-sufficiently. "That means solar panels and a wood-burning stove and other environmentally-friendly features," he said. There is a "growing demand" for wooden boats of this type, according to Paul Leinthall-Cowman, the owner of Classic Yacht Brokerage which sold Conway his piece of history, said . "It's like owning a classic car, they stand out from the crowd," he told CNN. Leinthall-Cowman has dealt in boats which have belonged to royalty and foreign heads of state, but it is doubtful he would have had such an unusual customer as the intrepid Conway. "He actually brought Lady Sybil during the middle of his epic swim and had not actually set eyes on her," he revealed. Online purchase . Conway takes up the story: "I saw it on eBay and thought, 'They must have got the price wrong,' so I got my mother Badette to check it out. Living nearby, Badette was able to arrange a quick viewing and the purchase was completed. "It needs a lot of work and it's not habitable at the moment," Conway admitted. Leinthall-Cowman, who has a special affection for Lady Sybil H and wanted her to go to a "good home," said he had no doubt Conway could achieve anything he set his mind to. "He's an extraordinary guy who breaks the mold," he said. "To do his swim on a shoestring budget makes it a remarkable achievement and it took quite a while for the penny to drop with a lot of people." Conway and his four-strong support team left Land's End on the southwestern tip of England on June 30 -- only able to start their adventure because of late help from swimwear manufacturer Speedo. By his own admission "a pretty average swimmer," the combination of difficult weather and his lack of experience put them behind schedule. Herculean task . Conway's coach Mark Kleanthous, himself a 36-time Ironman triathlete, had done his best to teach him better technique but knew he faced an herculean task even with such a determined athlete. "He was below average as a swimmer, great fitness but with heavy dense legs that dropped in the water," he told CNN. Helped by continuous tips from Kleanthous, Conway made painstaking progress along England's west coast, averaging about 15 km per day spent in the water. He was severely hampered by tides, and especially jellyfish. Conway was stung so often he grew a "ridiculous" ginger beard to protect his face with lashings of Vaseline. Conway, who once climbed Mount Kilimanjaro dressed as a penguin, cut an almost comic figure with his emaciated body -- his weight plummeted to below 10 stone (63 kg) -- topped by a giant and straggling mass of ginger hair and beard. But his determination to succeed was no laughing matter and, as he neared John O'Groats at the northern tip of Scotland, his feat began to capture the media's attention. After completing the final agonizing stretch in freezing cold waters on November 11 ("way behind schedule," said Kleanthous) Conway could perhaps perhaps afford to rest on his laurels and bask in the glow of his success. New challenge . But for a man who needs to test himself in everything he does, from building a home on an old ship to raising money for his charities with his incredible endurance tests, it has not taken long for him to get itchy feet. "My next challenge is running from Cairo to Cape Town," he announced in a matter-of-fact way about a 7,000-kilometer journey across the continent of Africa. Not one to let the grass grow under those feet, Conway has already purchased a website domain to publicize his attempt. After his swimming and cycling feats, it would complete an "ultimate triathlon" and he is planning to attempt the final leg in 2015. He will again enlist the help of Kleanthous, who has run 75 marathons plus completing a triple Ironman where the final leg was a 126-km foot race. Kleanthous is warning that this will be the "toughest challenge" yet for Conway. "From first meeting Sean I knew he could cycle around the world and possibly swim the length of Britain, but this will be much harder despite him being slight in stature," he added. "Running long distances day in, day out is very destructive on the muscles and joints." Rhino run? Not only that, Zimbabwe-born Conway -- whose father is a rhino conservationist -- has been dabbling with the idea of running for an animal charity. But even he may baulk of running the whole thing in a rhino suit. "Perhaps they can make me a lightweight version," he joked. Assuming sales of his book and other media work bears fruit, Conway may also have the time between his training to restore Lady Sybil H to former glories. The 63ft Pinnace was a real work horse of the RAF Marine fleet, being used for the recovery of torpedoes, sea survival exercises and ferrying duties for service personnel. She was professionally converted to a motor-yacht in the late 1940s and owned by the same family until recently. Conway has already registered her with Britain's National Register of Historic Vessels ahead of the further works. Cowman-Leinthall hopes the peripatetic Conway will use Lady Sybil H on Britain's extensive network of canals to best "show her off to the public." Simple philosophy . For now Conway will keep his mother company and prepare for his next epic adventure, but he is keen to emphasize that he is not some "super human" individual and does not take himself too seriously. "I don't have titanium bones and I was not good at sports at school," he said. "My message is anyone can do this." But Kleanthous believes his protégé does indeed belong to a special breed of individuals who can push themselves to the limit and beyond to achieve their goals. "Humans have a natural instinct to explore and see what is possible," he said. "Some people dream but only a few go and find out what is possible." Conway certainly falls into that category. | Sean Conway has cycled around the world and swum length of Britain .
His latest swimming feat left him drained of financial resources .
He has purchased a former wartime naval vessel to live on .
The 32-year-old is now training to run the length of Africa . |
183,612 | 79d5a74fa86dc47955411904fc937ab7fdf8b6f4 | When Eric Kingston saw a group of young men clambering on to a roof, he was convinced they were trying to burgle the property. But instead of immediately calling the police, he grabbed an air rifle and in a ‘moment of madness’ opened fire. It was only after he wounded two of the four men that he discovered they were not a crime gang but a group of free runners innocently performing their sport. Shot: Foreman Eric Kingston, 47, opened fire with a .22 air rifle after the group of 'parkour' enthusiasts scaled a scaffolding rig. He pleaded guilty to two counts of actual bodily harm yesterday . Wounded: Free runner Max Cave's injuries from the shooting (left) and Luke Harty's bloodied arm (right). The men had to have the pellets dug out of their skin . Kingston, 47, was jailed for a year . after a court heard that he continued firing even when the group . pleaded: ‘Don’t shoot – we’re not robbing anything.’ Max Cave and Luke Harty were left bleeding from pellet wounds. They had been free running with fellow devotees Maza Shabazz and Ryan Walsh when the incident happened in August. Opened fire: Eric Kingston has been jailed for 12 months for shooting at two 'parkour' enthusiasts, even as they begged him to stop . The sport involves climbing and jumping between urban structures and was developed from the French craze parkour. The four men had scaled scaffolding at . Ryman stationers in Horsham, West Sussex, before resting on the roof of . the three-storey building. As they enjoyed the view Mr Cave, 20, . was shot in the abdomen by Kingston, who was leaning out of the window . of a nearby building brandishing a .22 air rifle, Brighton Law Courts . heard. Mr Cave pleaded with Kingston to stop but the building site foreman continued to fire, hitting Mr Harty, 19, in the back. Both victims suffered puncture wounds. They had lead pellets removed and needed a course of antibiotics, the court heard. Father-of-two Kingston, from Horsham, admitted two counts of causing bodily harm. He apologised and said he was ‘genuinely fearful’ that the group of men, who were dressed in leisure wear, would overpower him. He was jailed for 12 months for what was described to the court as a ‘moment of madness’. Luke Harty said: 'All I felt was the pain, and I heard the noise. I looked down and I was bleeding, and I had no idea why' Max Cave (left) and Luke Harty recover by a police car after they were shot by Eric Kingston . Judge Paul Tain said despite . Kingston’s previous good character he would be ‘failing in his public . duty’ if he did not jail him. ‘One of your victims said “You can’t shoot . at people” and that is probably the simplest and most accurate . expression of this case,’ he said. ‘You should have closed the window and called the police. ‘That’s what ordinary law-abiding . people do who are not overreacting. Anything beyond that is taking the . law into your own hands.’ It would be improper to impose . anything other than an immediate custodial sentence, he added. A pellet in the body of Luke Harty, one of the free runners who was shot by Eric Kingston. The judge said that Kingston should have closed the window and called the police . The scaffolding in Horsham where the free runners were shot at by Eric Kingston . Daredevil: Max Cave in a photo from the website of Storror, one of the world's top free running groups . The popularity of free running, or 'parkour', has grown rapidly over the last decade . At the . time of the incident, Mr Harty said: ‘All I felt was the pain, and I . heard the noise. I looked down and I was bleeding, and I had no idea . why. ‘We got down and I thought I was the only one who had been hit, but then I heard lots of screaming. ‘You’d think it happens maybe in London but I don’t think I have ever heard of [something like this happening] in Horsham.’ Mr Cave and Mr Harty are members of Horsham Parkour. Mr Cave is also a member of several . other collectives, including the Storror team – one of the world’s top . free-running units which has filmed stunts for global brands including . Google and Red Bull. | Max Cave, 21 and Luke Harty, 19 were left bleeding from airgun pellets .
They were on a rooftop when they were shot at by Eric Kingston .
The 47-year-old builder has now been jailed for a year . |
222,911 | ac9119f0efacecc915b43c9d11d3d4383a6f2ec1 | Harrison Reed is called ‘Ray Donovan’ by his Southampton team-mates because he solves problems in central midfield. Donovan, the eponymous hero of an American television series, is the go-to problem-solver for Hollywood celebrities. Reed stamped his mark 17 minutes into his first Barclays Premier League start when he ran to the touchline to hustle the ball out of play. The simple act brought loud applause from the St Mary’s crowd. Youngster Harrison Reed is nicknamed 'Ray Donovan' for his ability to solve problems in midfield . The 19-year-old had an impressive game in his first Premier League start of his Southampton career . The Saints youngster's presence in front of the back line helped his side to victory against Everton . But for a 19-year-old he brought a certain maturity to his play in front of the back four. It was a demanding role but the red-headed Reed’s non-stop hustling and astute passing provided the foundation for Southampton to cruise to victory and end a run of five defeats. Team-mate Shane Long explained: ‘I call him Ray Donovan because he just cleans up in midfield. I was really impressed since the first day I came in. ‘It is hard to get a game with the quality we have in midfield, but two suspensions (Morgan Schneiderlin and Victor Wanyama) and Jack Cork injured as well, have given him a chance and he took it. He was immense.’ Graziano Pelle scored his eighth Premier League goal for Southampton with his side's second of the day . Jose Fonte reels away as his shot is deflected into the Everton net by striker Romelu Lukaku . Everton were expected to mount a serious challenge for the top four this season but have struggled for form . An own goal from Romelu Lukaku and strikes by Graziano Pelle and Maya Yoshida won the game, but Reed was the hero in the shadows. Defensive midfield is hardly a role that youngsters dream of playing but Reed is making the best of his ability. ‘He is not the best technical player but showed unbelievable spirit and good character to win battles in midfield,’ said manager Ronald Koeman. ‘A young one in your team needs to be comfortable in the position he plays. He played in his best position, in front of the three centre backs and was comfortable. He was outstanding.’ | Harrison Reed has been nicknamed after problem solver 'Ray Donovan'
The moniker derives from a popular American show of the same name .
Saints youngster impressed on his first Premier League start for the club . |
21,252 | 3c4515d77790d09a195f50d8355e2ac785d48a09 | Baghdad, Iraq (CNN) -- Both Iraq and Iran stood their ground Saturday over the reported seizure of a southern Iraqi oil well by Iranian forces. Two days after Iraq said an Iranian "armed group" crossed the border into Iraq and seized the well, Iraqi Deputy Foreign Minister Labid Abawi said the occupation of well No. 4 in Maysan province's Fakka oil field continues. But in a statement issued by its embassy in Iraq, Iran denied what it characterized as rumors of its forces crossing the border, and hinted that the claim was political because it comes ahead of next year's Iraqi parliamentary elections. Both sides said they are in negotiations and have a joint committee dedicated to handling border disputes diplomatically. On Friday, the Iraqi government issued a strong statement deploring the alleged seizure, after Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki headed an emergency meeting of Iraq's National Security Council to discuss the situation. Iraq and Iran share a long border, and high-ranking committees from both countries handle all border matters, an Iranian Embassy official said. Iraq and Iran fought a bloody eight-year war that ended in 1988 in a cease-fire with no clear victor and parts of the border under dispute. Ties between Iran and Iraq -- both predominantly Shiite Muslim nations -- greatly improved after the overthrow of the Saddam Hussein regime in 2003. At the same time, there has been widespread concern among Iraqi and U.S. officials that Iran has been providing Iraqi insurgents with material for roadside bombs during the Iraq war. Drilled in 1979, the well is in Iraq's Maysan province, east of Amara, near the Iranian border. It is within the province's Fakka oil field, the Iraqi government said. The report of the oil well incident comes several days after the Oil Ministry's two-day auction of oil fields. Aimed at increasing Iraqi oil production, deals were struck for seven of the 15 fields offered. There also had been oil bidding in June. CNN's Mohammed Tawfeeq and Yousif Bassil contributed to this report. | NEW: Both sides say they are in negotiations, have committee working on border dispute .
Well is in Maysan province, east of Amara, near Iranian border, officials say .
The two countries fought 8-year war that ended in 1988 with parts of border under dispute . |
33,145 | 5e39c2c37360a478f91bad9bc974049dd6258135 | The Ohio hospital where the nation's first face transplant was carried out in December 2008 has successfully completed its second such operation almost six year later. Surgeons at the Cleveland Clinic have replaced nearly the entire face of a middle-aged man severely disfigured in a car accident, the hospital announced on Tuesday. The hospital said the operation took place in late September and the recipient wants to remain anonymous. Scroll down for video . Surgeons at the Cleveland Clinic have replaced nearly the entire face of a middle-aged man severely disfigured in a car accident, the hospital announced on Tuesday . In a statement released by the hospital on Tuesday, the man said he is 'grateful beyond words to the donor and his family for their amazing gift.' The patient became a candidate for a face transplant after many tries to reconstruct his face failed to improve his quality of life, the hospital said in a statement. The man had trouble breathing and speaking, and the transplant offered the chance to save the limited sight in his sole remaining eye. Doctors transplanted about two-thirds of the scalp, the forehead, upper and lower eyelids, eye sockets, nose, upper cheeks, upper jaw, upper teeth, salivary glands and nerves, muscles and skin. The patient is recovering well, breathing without a tube and is expected to be able to eat soon, the hospital said. He will need medicines for the rest of his life to prevent rejection of the new face. The Cleveland Clinic did the nation's first face transplant on Connie Culp in December 2008. The Cleveland Clinic carried out the nation's first face transplant on Connie Culp in December 2008 . Doctors work during transplant surgery to replace nearly the entire face of a middle-aged man severely disfigured in a car accident - the recipient wishes to remain anonymous . Dr. Maria Siemionow, who led the surgery, is now at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine and consulted with the Cleveland Clinic on the most recent face transplant, and co-led the operation with Dr. Frank Papay, chairman of the Dermatology and Plastic Surgery Institute at the clinic. The U.S. Department of Defense is providing money for these surgeries in hopes of helping soldiers disfigured in battle. Recipients have included Charla Nash, a Connecticut woman who was mauled by a chimpanzee. Her transplant was one of five done at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston; the University of Maryland Medical Center has also done one. The University of Pittsburgh, the University of California, Los Angeles, and other medical centers also plan to offer face or hand transplants under the military program. More than two dozen face transplants have been done around the world, starting in 2005 with a French woman mauled by her dog. So far, only two face transplant-related deaths have been reported. One was a Chinese man who reportedly was not given or did not take medicines to prevent his body from rejecting his new face. The other was in Paris, a man who received a face and a double hand transplant. He suffered a heart attack during surgery for a complication. Transplant recipients have included Charla Nash, a Connecticut woman who was mauled by a chimpanzee . | The Cleveland Clinic announced on Tuesday that it has replaced nearly the entire face of a middle-aged man severely disfigured in a car accident .
The operation took place in late September and the recipient wants to remain anonymous .
Ohio hospital carried out the nation's first face transplant on Connie Culp in December 2008 . |
213,823 | a0ecf012624dd947375e0dd52009e108c5109cd2 | (CNN) -- At least 12 airplanes shared the trans-Atlantic sky with doomed Air France Flight 447, but none reported any problems, deepening the mystery surrounding the cause of the plane's disappearance. Image released by the Brazilian Air Force shows oil slicks in the water near a debris site. Airlines confirmed that at least a dozen aircraft departed roughly at the same time and traversed approximately the same route, but did not report problematic weather conditions. This has led some aviation experts to suggest that technical problems on the airplane might be the main cause of the crash, though they may have combined with weather conditions to create serious problems. The new information raises more questions than answers about Air France 447, believed to have plunged into the Atlantic Ocean somewhere between the coasts of Brazil and West Africa on May 31, presumably killing all 228 aboard. The plane's computer system reported a series of technical problems about four hours after takeoff and immediately after entering a large storm system a few hundred miles from the far eastern coast of Brazil. Severe winds, updrafts and even lightning have been mentioned as possible causes of the crash, potentially triggering a failure of the plane's technical systems. But aviation experts cautioned that weather alone would not normally cause a crash. Planes routinely fly through large storms, using the sensitive radar on board to navigate through specific storm cells. When conditions are severe enough, planes can easily deviate around or above storms, experts say. In addition to Flight 447, Air France had four other Paris-bound flights that left in the same broad time frame from that part of the world, according to an airline spokesman. One flight left Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, at 4:20 p.m. At that same moment, another Air France flight left nearby Sao Paulo. A third Air France flight left Buenos Aires, Argentina, at 5:50 p.m., also heading for Paris. A final Air France flight left Sao Paulo at 7:10 p.m., almost exactly when the doomed flight took off from Rio. All of these flights took a similar route toward Paris, heading first toward Recife on the east coast of Brazil and then continuing northeast over the Atlantic. None of the other flights experienced anything unusual, the spokesman said. All arrived in Paris the next day, with no significant delays of any kind. That same evening two Air Iberia flights bound for Madrid, Spain, left Brazil at about the same time as Flight 447; one departed from Rio de Janeiro and another from Sao Paulo, according to officials at Iberia. Those flights also reported no problems. It was the same story for one British Airways flight and three Air TAM Brazil flights, all of which flew routes similar to the missing plane. Although none of the other flights are known to have reported weather problems en route, aviation experts said weather can change suddenly and vary over short distances, so one plane might experience conditions far worse than another. | At least 12 flights traveled from Brazil to Europe around same time as 447 .
None of the other flights reported bad weather or other problems .
Aviation experts say weather alone would not normally cause a crash .
They also say weather can change quickly and vary over short distances . |
161,426 | 5cb2a955144d1053946fb35679eb2cac0c35ae43 | A shocked traveller who was quoted a price of £23.7billion for a flight to Portugal has been offered a €40 (£31.30) voucher and an apology as a goodwill gesture from comparison website eDreams. Marion Sessions had searched for flights from Birmingham to Faro in the Algarve region when eDreams returned the cheapest prices she could find for flights with Ryanair and Monarch. But having gone through to process of booking her flights 'without a hitch', Sessions got a rude shock when the final price of £23,659,382,125.95 was offered. Scroll down for video . That'll be £23,659,382,125.95 thanks! The price quoted by eDreams to Marion Sessions for a flight to Faro . 'It all went swimmingly until I entered this extra piece of luggage for the return journey and I all but clicked "Purchase",' Sessions posted on a blog. 'What would have happened if I had? Neither of us has £23.7 billion to spare … What would have happened to my credit rating?!! We might have had to up our rates for our holiday cottages by several million.' When Sessions called eDreams she couldn't leave a message but her email query did get an automated response. 'Quickly an email appeared, urging me "Don’t miss out on your dream flight deal to Faro (FAO)! We’ve saved the flight to Faro you were searching for on eDreams. A second one reassured us, "We hope you find everything you’re looking for on eDreams".' eDreams has since made contact with Sessions and attempted to make amends with the baffled customer, who runs two romantic holiday cottages in the Peak District village of Parwich, taking it all in good spirit. Folk dancers perform in the square in Faro, Portugal, where Sessions aimed to fly from Portugal . 'We have now received an apology of sorts from eDreams, who assure us in what looks horribly like an automated email that the "price issue detected has been solved". One would hope so, too!' she said in a subsequent blog post. 'They have offered us an "eDreams Voucher for the value of €40 as a commercial gesture" against our next flight, but I don’t think we’ll bother trying again! €40 does seem quite modest compared with £23.7bn but we appreciate the gesture. 'The whole episode – after the initial shock – has provided everyone with a lot of harmless fun!' The serene setting of the marina and old city in Faro in the Algarve region in the south of Portugal . A statement from eDreams said: 'eDreams would like to apologise to Mrs Sessions for any inconvenience caused. We are continuing to investigate, however it appears to be an isolated incident that we have been unable to replicate. If it is a bug, we will find it and make every effort to fix it immediately. 'eDreams would like to re-iterate that at no point was there any attempt to make this purchase. We would also like to provide the added re-assurance that any attempt at a transaction of this size would automatically be rejected by our systems and unable to proceed.' | Marion Sessions was quoted £23.7billion for flight from Birmingham to Faro .
Website eDreams apologised for the 'inconvenience caused'
Sessions has been offered a €40 (£31.30) eDreams voucher . |
94,210 | 0517d4b1d1bbe31d38d820b5543d179230c5c217 | Since shooting to fame as Mark Wright's fiance on The Only Way Is Essex back in 2010, Lauren Goodger has seen her star - and her confidence - rise. As well as enjoying a stint on Celebrity Big Brother and Dancing On Ice, the 28-year-old has successfully launched her own cosmetics company, Lauren's Way. But the reality TV star-turned-entrepreneur wants to put her newfound confidence and sense of style to good use - by designing a clothing range. Big plans: Lauren Goodger found fame on TOWIE back in 2010 and now she wants to grow her empire by launching a clothing range . Speaking about what she's got coming up, Lauren told MailOnline: 'I would love my own clothing range that's different and caters for curvy sexy girls.' Lauren would be following in the footsteps of her former castmates Gemma Collins, Sam Faiers and Amy Childs, who all have their own fashion ranges. The blonde star also revealed the secret behind the toned body she's been flaunting in her recent social media snaps. So THAT's her secret! Lauren, who has been showcasing her toned physique on social media in recent weeks, says her newfound love of dancing helps her stay in shape . Speaking about her healthy new lifestyle, she explained: 'I try and work out as much as I can and eat healthily, which can be hard with my busy schedule. I love dancing, so that’s a great way to stay toned.' And Lauren has certainly been putting her newly acquired dancing skills to good use in her Instagram videos, where she can often be seen gyrating and twerking to the camera. Lauren is also something of a beauty buff and has her own range of tanning products, lashes and hair extensions under the name of Lauren's Way. The glamorous star has been amping up her beauty regime recently - and she swears by chemical peels for beating her acne. Beauty buff: Lauren, who has her own range of lashes and tan, has been getting chemical peels to treat her acne and sun damage . She said: 'I’m always trying various treatments so when I heard about the The Perfect Peel I had to give it ago. 'It’s basically a chemical face peel that takes just 15 minutes, I visited a London clinic to have it done as it is a strong treatment but it was pain free (which surprised me) and the results you just can’t get with any products at home. 'I had mine done which can help with acne and sun damage. After my recent trip to Dubai my skin was in need of some TLC, so I had it to clear my skin and remove any dead skin or pigmentation that the sun caused. It's a deeper treatment which makes your skin clear and glowing, I see it as an investment.' Look good, feel good: The 28-year-old say she has no judgement on anyone who wants to better themselves by having cosmetic surgery . As well as peels, Lauren says she loves getting her eyebrows done. 'Eyebrows really shape your face so it’s important to have strong great brows. I also recently had a Lava Shell massages as it helps me relax and wind down after a long day, running a business can be quite stressful at times,' she added. And the beauty buff is all for cosmetic surgery if it makes you feel more confident. She said: 'I have no judgement on anyone who wants to better themselves and everyone wants to feel good and everyone should feel good.' Lauren and her girl pals enjoyed a night out at the KISS FM Haunted House party in London on Friday night, all dressed in typically risque outfits. Flaunt it! Lauren Goodger dressed as a sexy vampire at the Kiss FM Halloween Party in London this weekend . | Lauren, 28, already has tan and lashes range .
Wants to venture into fashion like former TOWIE co-stars .
Says her newfound love of dancing is keeping her toned .
Has been amusing social media fans with her raunchy pictures . |
255,755 | d706f44dc4305303f5989c44b5a67e5e696855ab | Ed Miliband will today tell voters he needs a decade in Downing Street as he puts the NHS, home ownership and higher taxes on the rich at the heart of Labour’s bid for power. The Labour leader will use his annual party conference address to set out his ‘ten-year plan’ for what he will call a ‘national mission’. He will claim that a new mansion tax on expensive homes would raise almost £2billion a year, which could then be ploughed into the health service along with £1billion from other tax rises. Scroll down for video . Ed Miliband will outline his 'ten-year plan' in a speech at the Labour Party conference in Manchester tomorrow . The Labour leader will restate his plans to reintroduce the 50p tax rate for higher earners . Mr Miliband will also restate his determination to reintroduce a 50p top rate of income tax if he wins the General Election in eight months’ time. And he will make an audacious attempt to steal Margaret Thatcher’s vision of Britain as a property-owning democracy, setting a target to double the number of first-time buyers to 400,000 a year by 2025. The party says it will increase the number of homes being built to at least 200,000 a year by the end of the next parliament – although aides conceded that some would have to be built on greenfield sites. ‘That most British of dreams, the dream of home ownership, has faded,’ the Labour leader will say, adding: ‘Housing will be a top priority in our capital investment programme – because we need to start Britain building again.’ However, the most eye-catching announcement is expected to be billions of pounds more for the National Health Service. Labour’s proposed Mansion Tax would be imposed on properties worth more than £2million. The money raised used to be earmarked for the cost of reintroducing the 10p tax rate to help low earners. But yesterday shadow chancellor Ed Balls announced the 10p rate could be paid for by abolishing the married tax allowance, freeing up revenue from the Mansion Tax for other spending. Labour would introduce ‘bands’, similar to those used for council tax, with a higher charge on houses worth more than £10million. Mr Balls has insisted people trapped in expensive homes who have no access to savings will be protected from the charge. Mr Miliband, who was at the conference today alongside Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls and deputy leader Harriet Harman, will claim that a mansion tax would raise almost £2billion a year . There is expected to be protection for people who do not have large savings or higher earnings, but who live in an expensive home. This is likely to apply to widows or families who have lived in the same property for many years. A ‘relief scheme’ which could include allowing those on modest incomes to defer payment until the property is sold. The mansion tax will also be ratcheted up on the most expensive properties, so the wealthiest pay most. Mr Miliband’s aspiration to increase home ownership is one of six ‘goals’ he would aim to achieve if he could have ten years in power. His plan to turn around Britain would also see Labour attempt to boost the number of apprenticeships to match the number of people going to university. Large businesses hiring foreign workers from outside the EU would be forced to take on young people as apprentices, as would every firm winning Whitehall contracts. Mr Miliband wants wages to grow at the same rate as the economy, he aims to halve the number of low-paid workers by 2025 and create a million ‘green’ jobs in environmentally-friendly industries over a decade. Something to smile about? Mr Miliband will set out to plans to build thousands of more homes and set a target of 400,000 new first-time buyers every year by 2025 . Large businesses hiring foreign workers from outside the EU would be forced to take on young people as apprentices under the Labour leader's 'ten-year plan' 1. GIVING ALL YOUNG PEOPLE A SHOT IN LIFE . Ensure as many school-leavers go on to apprenticeships as go to university. 2. TACKLING THE COST-OF-LIVING CRISIS . Help working families share fairly in the wealth of our country so, when the economy grows, the wages of everyday working people grow at the same rate. 3. RESTORING THE DREAM OF HOME OWNERSHIP . Meet demand for new homes for the first time in half a century – doubling the number of first-time buyers getting on to the housing ladder a year. 4. TACKLING LOW WAGES . Halve the number of people on low pay in our country, changing the lives of over two million people. 5. SECURING THE FUTURE . Create one million more high-tech jobs by securing the UK’s position as a world leader in green industries. 6. SAVING OUR NHS . Build a world-class, 21st century health and care service. With polls suggesting the Conservatives have extended their lead over Labour on the economy to 25 points, the widest margin since the days of Neil Kinnock, Mr Miliband will appeal to the country to ‘raise its sights’ beyond the need for further austerity, saying: ‘Can anyone build a better future for the working people of Britain? That is the General Election question.’ He will tell activists at the Manchester conference that people in Scotland voted for independence because they felt there was ‘nothing left to lose’, adding: ‘Our task is to restore people’s faith in the future. But the way to do it is not to break up our country. It is to break with the old way of doing things.’ He will go on to say: ‘I’m not talking about changing a policy, or a different programme. But something bigger: transforming the idea, the ethic, of how our country is run. ‘What people are saying is this country doesn’t care about me. Politics doesn’t listen. The economy doesn’t work. And they are not wrong. They are right. But this Labour Party has a plan to put it right. ‘For Labour, this election is about you. You have made the sacrifices, you have taken home lower wages year after year, you have paid higher taxes, you have seen your energy bills rise, you have seen your NHS decline, you know this country doesn’t work for you. We can build that better future for you and your family, wherever you live in the United Kingdom, and this speech is about Labour’s plan to do it: Labour’s plan for Britain’s future.’ However Conservative sources said Mr Miliband’s ‘six-point plan’ was Labour’s seventh such effort in the last three years. And Mark Littlewood, head of think-tank the Institute of Economic Affairs, said: ‘Introducing a mansion tax would be poorly targeted, arbitrary and deeply unfair. A person’s assets do not always equate to their income. ‘Evidence has also proven that their favoured 50p top rate of income tax raises trivial amounts of money. Pouring extra money into the NHS, at the expense of those who already contribute a great deal is not the solution to the failings of our health system.’ Labour would abolish the Government’s flagship migration target if it wins power next year, Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said last night. Miss Cooper said the target would be replaced by ‘different controls’ to distinguish between asylum seekers, low-skilled workers and students. | Ed Miliband will outline his 'ten-year plan' for the UK in a speech tomorrow .
The Labour leader's conference address will lay out a 'national mission'
Claims a mansion tax on expensive homes will bring in £2billion a year .
Mr Miliband will also restate his plans to bring back the 50p income tax rate .
Target to double the number of annual first-time buyers by 2025 . |
239,314 | c1d49f27d25d2e493feb91981e0ec70d57ccef4b | Aarti Aziz and her husband Moosa are locked inside a pitch-black concrete dugout in Mexico, sweating in unbearable heat. With them is a shaman who has been chanting ceaselessly for the past two hours as strange vapors swirl around them. It may sound like a harrowing ordeal, but it's one the couple volunteered for. This is the world of Temazcal, a practice dating back centuries to when Mexico's Mayan Riviera was wilderness and the Mayan civilization was at the height of its power. Temazcal entails entering a stone igloo with little or no clothing on and sweating it out to the sound of chanting and the fragrance of herbs. Typically carried out for small groups by a shaman who's usually a member of one of the Mayan communities in the surrounding area, the process lasts two hours. It can be a tough experience. Anyone with diabetes or heart disease should forget it, while those susceptible to claustrophobia or skepticism, might think twice. Even skeptics, however, can rest assured that they'll come out from their two-hour session feeling refreshed, invigorated and a probably a few pounds lighter. During the session, rosemary, basil and peppermint and other scents waft over a vapor created by the shaman as he or she gently throws water over a pile of hot rocks in a pit in the middle of the floor. Visitors are kept hydrated with herbal tea and are permitted to lie down, walk around, or sit still -- whatever it takes to cleanse body and mind. But once they check in, they can't check out. "I did freak out a bit when the shaman covered the dugout's door with a thick blanket," says Aziz, who experienced a Temazcal in Tulum, on southeastern Mexico's Yucatan Peninsular. Inner child . Her eyes soon adjusted to the darkness and she enjoyed a comfortable two hours. "The only light we ever saw were the brief sparks from the rocks when the water was poured on them," she adds. Her husband says he found the shaman's constant chanting -- urging him to direct his woes and pains toward the smoldering rocks to rid his body of hatred and lighten his mental load -- a tad hokey, but the ambiance eventually caught up with him. When the shaman told him to "let his inner child out," he laughed loudly as directed, carried away by the mood. The couple emerged from their session feeling refreshed and lighter -- physically and mentally. "My skin felt amazingly soft," adds Aarti. "The ancient Maya respected the steam bath's efficacy and power for treating both physical and spiritual diseases," says Rosita Arvigo, author of "Spiritual Bathing: Healing Rituals and Traditions from Around the World." A doctor of naprapathy -- a science similar to chiropractic manipulation -- who's trained in Central American traditional medicine, Arvigo says steam bath buildings made out of stone were a part of every major Maya ceremonial center. Some are still intact in various parts of Mexico. Hallucinogenic drugs . While technically the word Temazcal is not Mayan, but Aztec, ancient Mayans -- athletes, priests, kings -- regularly engaged in these sweaty detox sessions and took hallucinogenic drugs such as peyote to further enhance the experience. Visitors are unlikely to be offered any peyote today, but just about every hotel in the touristy cities of Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum offers a version of a Temazcal. Many actually have a stone dugout, or sweat lodge, on their premises. They're the main attraction for most travelers, says Barbara Varicchio, head of sales and promotion for Dos Palmas Eco Tours, an organization that arranges Temazcals and works closely with Mayan communities in the region around Playa del Carmen. Varicchio attests that the physical benefits are many. She says the vapor created by the mix of essential herbs clears the digestive tract, improves blood circulation, energizes tired muscles and clears the skin. And finally, partaking in the experience helps develop tourism, in the best way. "By keeping the ancient steam bath practice alive, we are encouraging sustainable tourism and enabling traditional communities to earn their livelihood by doing what their ancestors did," she says. Where to go for a Temazcal: . Cenote Encantado, Cenote Encantado, 1320 Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico; +52 55 1991 4266; 4,200 pesos ($320) total, the company prefers a minimum of 10 persons per Temazcal (cost can be split) Dos Palmas EcoTours, Playa del Carmen, Mexico; +52 984 1116 3403; $65 per person, which includes the Temazcal as well as a visit to and a meal with a Mayan community . Temazcal Cancun, Carretera Cancun-Merida, Km. 302, Calle Flamboyan 8, El Ramonal, Quintana Roo, Mexico, +52 998 168 8252 or +52 998 147 5723; call for pricing information . | The two-hour ancient Temazcal experience involves sweating it out in a stone igloo .
A shaman chants and uses hot rocks to release pungent vapors to rid the body of hatred .
Aside from the spiritual aspect, the experience is said to have physical benefits . |
113,938 | 1f0431b02448f5fd145b0466747cd93b5911a1bd | By . Hannah Roberts . Not since Julie Andrews burst into song as Maria has there been such a flurry in the abbey. A singing nun wearing full habit has won the final of the Italian version of The Voice. Sister Cristina, who has become a global internet sensation with performances of Like a Prayer and Believer, took 60 per cent of the vote, then closed the show by leading the audience and bemused judges in the Lord’s Prayer. Victory: Sister Cristina has become a global sensation and won the Italian version of the voice with 60 per cent of the vote . The pretty brunette’s enthusiastic performances in full habit and sensible shoes had made her the firm favourite to win after breaking all You Tube records following her first appearance with 31 million hits in just a week. Following her triumph, Sister Cristina punched the air and thanked God for her victory over a long haired rocker who had performed 'Stairway to Heaven'. She said: 'I want Jesus to come in here!' 'My presence here is not up to me, it's thanks to the man upstairs!' The remarkable nun has won a record contract with Universal Records but has yet to decide if she will take up a full-time pop career. She said: 'I will go back to my priorities – prayer, waking up early in the morning, school service. That's fundamental for me to be able to begin something new later on.' Unlikely winner: Sister Cristina's first performance broke YouTube records with 31million views . The 25-year-old nun has sung ppop classics including Girls Just Wanna Have Fun and Time Of My Life . Cristina, who is from Sicily but lives in a convent near Milan stunned judges when she appeared on the show saying she was inspired to go on the show by Pope Francis, who has instructed nuns and priests to 'come out' of their churches and convents and spread the word of God 'to the periphery' of society. Since then the 25 year old Ursaline nun has appeared on stage singing pop classics such as Cindy Lauper’s 'Girls Just Wanna have Fun', ‘Time of My Life’ from the film Dirty Dancing, and even sang alongside Kylie Minogue during a performance of 'Can't Get You Out of My Head.' Her performance of Alicia Keys's 'No One' won the admiration of the US singer who said that she described the talented Italian as 'pure energy'. She has also received praise from Whoopi Goldberg who starred in the film 'Sister Act' as a pop singer pretending to be a nun. But critics have panned her as a novelty act rather than a serious singer. Emma Marrone, who represented Italy in this year's Eurovision song contest, moaned that the hype surrounding the nun was 'an insult to showbusiness'. | Sister Cristina secured more than 60 per cent of the vote .
She has sung hits including Time Of My Life and Girls Just Wanna Have Fun .
Universal Records has given her a record contract . |
265,314 | e3a14a4220197f1e0f00cd05e1ff7bf4f4ce5cf2 | Four-time Olympic gold medallist Michael Johnson fears for the future of athletics. Johnson believes the sport is in a poor state of health and feels it has become over-dependent on its status within the Olympics for its well-being. The American, who famously won 200 and 400-metre titles at Atlanta in 1996 as well as two other golds, wants to see changes made to the structure and marketing of track and field. The 46-year-old, speaking at the Soccerex Global Convention in Manchester, said: 'There is certainly a real issue with athletics as a sport and there has been for some time now. Concerned: Athletics legend Michael Johnson is worried for the future of the sport . 'It is fortunate and unfortunate that athletics is still the premier sport of the Olympics, because I think that tends to allow the powers that be to sit back and be a little bit more relaxed than they probably should. 'I am not sure athletics would still be around if it didn’t have that status as a premier Olympic sport.” Johnson wants to see a balance struck between protecting the traditions of the sport and improving its promotion. The American’s comments echo similar remarks made recently by Great Britain’s Olympic long jump champion Greg Rutherford. Johnson said: 'There is certainly some tradition and historic value to athletics as a sport, but there has been a real reluctance to make any significant change from a marketing standpoint. 'We are not drawing in new fans, whereas in soccer, in comparison, there is a tremendous amount of new fans in the US. Dependence: Johnson, speaking at the Soccerex Global Convention in Manchester, reckons athletics relies too much on its status within the Olympics . 'Athletics we are not doing anything to draw in new fans because there hasn’t been any changes. I am not sure where it’s going and I am not sure quite what will happen. 'Unless there is significant change in the structure of the sport it will be difficult, but the sport is three, if not four sports, wrapped into one and that makes it difficult.' Johnson was speaking at the football-themed conference in his capacity as founder of Michael Johnson Performance, an organisation which aspires to help athletes of all sports reach their full potential. | Four-time Olympic gold medallist Johnson thinks athletics relies too much on the Olympics for its well-being .
Wants changes to the structure and marketing of track and field .
Johnson won gold in the 200m and 400m Atlantic Olympics in 1996 .
Also triumphed in the 2000 Sydney Olympics 400m and won 4x400mn relay gold with America in Barcelona 1992 .
Speaking at football-themed Soccerex Global Convention in Manchester . |
156,875 | 56d7e703a73171b652396c0e5901019d700cd9e0 | A flesh-eating drug that is popular in Russia and more deadly than heroin has reached St. Louis, with doctors confirming a case in the American Journal of Medicine. Doctors at St Mary's Heath Center have come forward with the story of a patient they treated in December 2012. The 30-year-old man's finger had rotted, turned black and fallen off. He also had severe ulcers across both thighs. The drug addict told doctors that eight months earlier he started using a substance called Krokodil - the Russian name for crocodile - that got its name from turning users skin green and scaly. America's first known case of Krokodil: Doctors in St Louis have written an article for the American Journal of Medicine about treating a man in December 2012 who said he had been using the drug for eight months. One of his fingers had fallen off and he had severe open sores on his thighs (pictured) which is Krokodil's leading sympton . The 30-year-old drug addict arrived here, at the SSM St. Mary's Heath Center in Richmond, St. Louis, for assistance. If left untreated he would have contracted gangrene and died . According to STL Today the man said he had turned to the drug because he could no longer afford his $300-a-day heroin habit. Desomorphine, the drug’s official name, is made by cooking prescription painkillers with contaminants such as gasoline, alcohol, paint thinner or lighter fluid. The drug produces a high similar to heroin but is much cheaper to make and more addictive. It has become a public health threat in Russia, where it originated, with an estimated 100,000 users. The federal Drug Enforcement Administration has not confirmed any cases in the U.S. since two were reported in 2004 but did put out an information sheet in October for doctors and law enforcement officers to watch for potential signs of Krokodil abuse. Dr. Dany Thekkemuriyil and Dr. Unnikrishnan Pillai treated the drug addict that was using Krokodil . Dr. Dany Thekkemuriyil and Dr. Unnikrishnan Pillai, who treated the St. Louis man, said they started researching the drug in order to warn the public. They then a wrote an articale the respected American Journal of Medicine, which is expected to be released next month. 'Our case if the first to be published in a recognized medical journral,' Thekkemuriyil said. 'It eats people from the inside. 'It kills you from the inside.' 'We wanted people to be aware of this very deadly poisonous drug and we want people to stay away from this.' There have been other reported case around the United States, including a poison control center in Pheonix and a hospital in Joliet, Illinois, but none were known as early as this case. Other victim: The drug was first found in Russia where many- including blind victim Margarita Schelkunova, pictured- came forward after receiving treatment for the drug in Siberia after using it for seven years . In Russia around 30,000 people die from the affects of the drug every year yet it is thought about a quarter of a million people in the country are now hooked on the poison. Addiction is spreading among young people and even those who manage to quit come away disfigured for life. Margarita Schelkunova, 28, and her husband became hooked on the drug seven years ago. Even though Miss Schelkunova is now clean, she has lost her sight and has been diagnosed with cancer and HIV with only weeks to live. Drug addict Tanya started using Krokodil after a boyfriend got her hooked on heroin . Devastating: Margarita Schelkunova is now clean but she has been left blind and has cancer and HIV . However, one British doctor believes he may have came across a case in the UK. Dr Allan Harris, a GP in Gloucester, wrote in an article for The Independent that the man was homeless and in his 30s. 'There was essentially a crater in his arm and you could see the bone and tendons,' he wrote. 'It is hugely addictive and potent and can be cooked up in 30 minutes. It's only a matter of time before we start seeing it in Britain. It is not a case of 'if' but 'when'. Norman Baker, minister for crime prevention, told The Sun: 'Desomorphine - krokodil - is controlled as a Class A drug in the UK because it is dangerous. 'We are determined to tackle the illicit drug trade which can have such a destructive impact on the lives of so many.' Krokodil's medical name is desomorphine and is created by mixing a raft of ingredients, including codeine and gasoline. There are millions of users in Russia and the epidemic began in Siberia and the Russian Far East. The drug causes flesh to rot from the inside out and the addict's skin becomes scaly, like a crocodile's, hence the name. Blood vessels burst and the surrounding tissue dies. Gangrene and amputations are a common result and sometimes bone can be exposed. The high lasts for about an hour and a half and the drug can be up to 10 times cheaper than heroin. | Krokodil is a homemade concoction that originated in Russia and is 10 times cheaper than heroin .
Continual use leads to blood vessels bursting and causes the skin to rot .
Some 30,000 people die in Russia every year because of its affects .
Doctors in St. Louis have written in the American Journal of Medicine that they treated a drug addict in December 2012 who had been using it for eight months . |
210,559 | 9cb25b5c90ad9a7f56e28d09438efa5961945457 | By . James Rush . Tributes have been paid to Rio Andrew, 15, who died after falling ill at an illegal rave . Tributes have been paid to a 15-year-old boy who died after falling ill at an illegal rave, which police knew about two weeks before it was held. Rio Andrew was among 2,000 revellers who descended on a disused sorting office in Croydon, in the early hours of Sunday. The teenager, who was described by his school as 'destined for academic success', was taken from the venue by ambulance to hospital where he died yesterday afternoon. The teenager is understood to have drunk from a bottle of beer which is believed to have contained the illegal drug ketamine, the Croydon Advertiser reported. Scotland Yard said the cause of death has still to be confirmed and a post-mortem examination was being arranged. Borough Commander Simon Letchford confirmed police believed Rio had an 'adverse effect' to drugs taken shortly before his death. He said: 'We've got a number of lines of inquiry that we're following but we believe he's taken some sort of drug that's had an adverse effect on him. 'We want to identify who's provided that to him, where he's got it from and, if we can identify the individuals concerned, we'll look to prosecute them.' The force has launched an internal review after it emerged officers received intelligence about the illegal rave two weeks before it took place but took no further action. Tributes have been paid to Rio, from Notting Hill in London, who was described as 'a much-respected student' and an 'exceptional sportsman', particularly in shot put. The teenager is understood to have drunk from a bottle of beer which is believed to have contained the illegal drug ketamine, the Croydon Advertiser reported . The Year 10 pupil at Holland Park School in Kensington, west London, was chosen to be part of the Jamaican national team's guard of honour at the 2012 Olympics. In a statement posted on its website, Holland Park School said students and staff 'deeply regret this sad loss of a much-respected student'. 'Rio was an able scholar, destined for academic success,' the school said. 'He was also an exceptional sportsman and due to be awarded this Friday a prestigious sports award. 'The school wishes to send its collective sympathies and respect to all of Rio's family and friends. He will be greatly missed by the school community.' Tributes flooded on to Twitter following his death. Tributes have been paid to Rio, from Notting Hill in London, who was described as 'a much-respected student' and an 'exceptional sportsman', particularly in shot put . The rave was spotted by officers on routine patrol who saw 'large numbers of people inside, outside and heading towards' the disused building where music was being played on Saturday at around 9.40pm . One friend wrote: 'Today I lost one of my closest friends, Rio Andrew. Words cannot even explain how heartbroken I am. Love you dude.' Another tweeted: 'RIP Rio Andrew. You were so talented and amazing and it's such a shame. You were my mate since primary and it's heartbreaking to let you go.' One friend said: 'Rio Andrew, 15, my best friend dead. It's times like this where we won't be scared but we look at the world from a different angle.' 'The school wishes to send its collective . sympathies and respect to all of Rio's family and friends. He will be . greatly missed by the school community' - Holland Park School statement . A 19-year-old man who became ill at the illegal rave after reportedly drinking from the same bottle is still in hospital in a stable condition. Scotland Yard said it was aware of six other people who were taken to hospital. All six have been discharged. The rave was spotted by officers on routine patrol who saw 'large numbers of people inside, outside and heading towards' the disused building where music was being played on Saturday at around 9.40pm. Violence broke out after police clamped down on the rave by trying to stop more revellers getting to the building. Scotland Yard said a number of people in the crowd became violent, and missiles were thrown at officers. The window of a police vehicle was also smashed. Officers continued to surround the venue until they raided it on Sunday at about 8.30am. Fourteen people were arrested for a range of offences including drugs, violent disorder and money laundering. Rio Andrew was chosen to be part of the Jamaican national team's guard of honour at the 2012 Olympics . Two men have been charged with violent disorder and drugs offences, and a 47-year-old man and a 30-year-old man were given adult cautions for possession of class A drugs. Another three men were arrested on suspicion of money laundering, a 17-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of violent disorder and a 22-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage. All five have been bailed pending further inquiries. Scotland Yard said another five men are still in custody after being arrested for handling stolen goods and criminal damage offences. Mr Letchford admitted he would have expected 'a bit more to have been done' after police were tipped off about the illegal rave two weeks beforehand. Speaking outside the Scotland Yard headquarters, he said: 'About two weeks before, we had a single piece of intelligence that suggested that there may be an event on at this venue. It was assessed at the time and no further action was taken. 'I've now asked for a review into the decision-making around that, why we didn't take any further action. I would have expected a bit more to have been done. I'll need to find out why that wasn't done at the time.' Mr Letchford said police allowed the rave to continue to avoid trouble spilling out on to nearby streets. 'Officers became aware a significant number of people had turned up at a disused venue in Croydon,' he said. 'Unfortunately, a number of those people then became violent and started to attack officers, throwing fire extinguishers. 'We think we had 2,000 people in a potentially very volatile situation. Officers continued to surround the venue until they raided it on Sunday at about 8.30am . 'The commanders on the ground made a very difficult decision to allow them into the premises and contain them into those premises, rather than allow them to go out into the streets and potentially cause significant damage to residential and business property.' He added: 'These events are, by their very nature, criminal. We're going to do everything in our power to identify those responsible.' Mr Letchford said police were not aware of a particularly dangerous batch of drugs linked to Rio's death but stressed that anyone taking illegal substances is putting themselves at risk. Police have appealed for anyone with information to contact Croydon CID on 020 3276 2264. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article. | Rio Andrew was among 2,000 revellers who went to illegal rave on Sunday .
He was taken from venue by ambulance to hospital where he died yesterday .
Teenager is understood to have drunk from a bottle of beer which is believed to have contained illegal drug ketamine . |
81,380 | e691bffdb10f6d8f4202bc6bf91f9574c2eaa892 | By . Sarah Dean . Two men who have devoted the past six years of their lives to rescuing koalas have reportedly been banned from Terri Irwin's Australia Zoo after asking her not to lean on their car. Twin brothers Ray and Murray Chambers were regular volunteers at the wildlife park in Queensland and helped save 500 koalas last year. Their fight with Terri, the widow of Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin, happened after Murray mentioned she was leaning on his car as she wrote something down, The Sunday Mail reports. Scroll down for video . Fight: Terri Irwin reportedly fell out with two volunteers at Australia Zoo after they mentioned she was leaning on their car . Murray, who is the co-founder of Sunshine Coast Koala Rescue, had just signed in a koala to be cared for by Australia Zoo Hospital when the argument kicked off. The brothers are now not allowed to escort harmed koalas into the hospital, after they previously helped out at the rescue centre one or two days a week. 'We're trying to negotiate to see if we can get back in there. It's a pretty sad event,' Ray told MailOnline on Sunday. He said they were banned 'four or five weeks ago'. 'It's going to impact us taking them in there and getting them into triage,' he added. Ray and Murray also issued a statement via their charity Sunshine Coast Koala Wildlife Rescue that confirmed they are not allowed to enter the driveway of the hospital and have had their volunteering duties axed. Banned: Twin brothers Ray and Murray Chambers were regular volunteers at the wildlife park in Queensland and saved 500 koalas last year . Terri and Steve Irwin took over the 100-acre zoo, which is located on the Sunshine Coast, in 1992 after its previous owners Bob and Lyn - Steve's parents - retired. In 2004, the couple opened the Australian Zoo Wildlife Hospital next to the zoo to help with animal care and rehabilitation. Since Steve was killed on 4 September 2006, when he was pierced in the chest by a stingray barb while filming a documentary, Terri has continued to run the zoo. In 2012, koalas were listed by the Australian Government as vulnerable in Queensland. Terri and Steve Irwin took over the 100-acre zoo, which is located on the Sunshine Coast, in 1992 from Steve's parents . Ray and Murray first got involved with koala rescue and the zoo six years ago as a charitable sideline to their mechanics business, WB Motors in Caloundra. It now plays a huge part in their lives. In February, Ray spoke out about how the struggling koala population could be extinct within five years. He explained that more than a dozen koalas had been killed on the Coast in the past six months. 'In peak times, we get called out to one koala rescue a day, sometimes two,' he told The Reporter. He also warned that as well as the usual threats - including sickness, loss of habitat and being hit by cars - koalas now have to look out for feral dogs and cows. 'Wild dogs are playing a big part now... They're a menace, taking everything - possums, birds, koalas, they're probably taking people's pets in their own yard,' he said. Koalas are already extinct in some parts of Queensland. 'At the end of the day we're losing the fight,' Ray warned. MailOnline has contacted Australia Zoo for comment. | Twin brothers Ray and Murray Chambers were regular volunteers at the zoo in Queensland .
They also rescue injured koalas and take them to Australia Zoo's hospital .
They were allegedly banned in May after argument with Steve Irwin's widow .
They are trying to negotiate to be allowed back into the zoo . |
171,525 | 6a04ecd9cbda8c82a97ef9506f7f2b2a2b67109e | CLICK HERE for all the facts, stats and graphics from the Stadium of Light. The cavalry cannot come soon enough for Louis van Gaal and Manchester United. It is one point from six now, and a rather spawny one at that. Sunderland were the better team. Not just in terms of chances, but in the technical fields, too. They knew what they were about, they executed the manager’s plan, they were physically dominant. Their weakness, as ever, was in front of goal. Still, it was only as the game became ragged near the end that United looked dangerous. They are a shadow right now; a shadow of themselves, and of a team with Champions League ambitions. Heads up: Sunderland midfielder Jack Rodwell (third from right) rises highest to head his side back on level terms at the Stadium of Light . Unstoppable: Rodwell's header beats Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea (left) and finds the bottom corner to get Sunderland level . Pure passion: Former Manchester City man Rodwell grabs the Sunderland badge on his shirt after grabbing his first goal for the club . Mobbed: Rodwell celebrates in front of the home fans as he's congratulated by team-mates John O'Shea (left) and Wes Brown (right) Down in the dumps: Manchester United trio (from left to right) Robin van Persie, Juan Mata and Wayne Rooney look glum after Rodwell's equaliser . Sunderland: Mannone 6.5, Vergini 8.5, O'Shea 6.5, Brown 7, Van Aanholt 5.5, Larsson 6, Cattermole 8, Rodwell 6.5 (Gomez 63, 6), Buckley 7.5 (Bridcutt 79), Fletcher 6.5 (Altidore 76, 6), Wickham 7. Subs not used: Pantilimon, Jones, Gomez, Mavrias, Roberge. Goals: Rodwell 30 . Manchester United: De Gea 6, Jones 5, Smalling 5.5 (Michael Keane 44, 5.5), Blackett 5, Valencia 6.5, Fletcher 5 (Januzaj 64, 6), Cleverley 5.5, Young 4.5, Mata 5.5, Van Persie 5.5 (Welbeck 64, 5), Rooney 6. Subs not used: Hernandez, Kagawa, Amos, James. Booked: Young, Cleverley . Goals: Mata 17 . Referee: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire) The result was an improvement on last week’s home defeat by Swansea City, but the performance was not. United have debilitating nerves at the back and the forwards are struggling to make the most of a pretty ordinary supply line. They weren’t outclassed by Sunderland, but in a pedestrian second half, the best chance fell to Gus Poyet’s team when Tyler Blackett blocked a Connor Wickham shot - after a bit of ball juggling - on its way to goal. That substitute Michael Keane had made a hash of a straight- forward defensive manoeuvre to allow the chance was par for the course. At the back, United are an accident waiting to happen these days. Marcos Rojo will be in the starting line-up soon — Van Gaal really cannot afford delay, once the red tape has been snipped - and maybe Angel Di Maria if United can pull off this summer’s marquee signing from Real Madrid. Whether an Argentinian winger solves the biggest problem here is doubtful, with a defensive overhaul so long overdue. Van Gaal may argue that invention is just as pressingly required, though. Vito Mannone, Sunderland’s goalkeeper, was rarely called into action and the best of it was a 50-50 with Ashley Young, which the Sunderland man won, impressively. Young had earlier been booked for diving, so not everything at United has changed since Sir Alex Ferguson left. The bottom-line problem for Van Gaal’s defence right now is this: whatever route to goal the opposition take, they look vulnerable. Ball in the air — vulnerable; ball down the flanks — certainly vulnerable; ball through the middle — vulnerable; half-assed misplaced pass that any League Two centre half would mop up in his sleep — surprisingly, still vulnerable. Sunderland soon worked out that their approaches to the United goal did not have to be of any grand quality. Get it up there and let United’s jitters do the rest. Easy finish: Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata (third from left) arrives at the back post to put his side 1-0 up after 17 minutes . Back of the net: Sunderland goalkeeper Vito Mannone (left) looks dejected as Mata's shot nestles in his net during the first half . Man of the moment: Spanish international Mata runs off to celebrate his first goal of the season against Gus Poyet's Black Cats . Get in! Mata gestures towards United's travelling supporters after celebrating his strike with (from left to right) Darren Fletcher, Tyler Blackett and Ashley Young . Juan Mata's goal arrived after a neat passing move which began with goalkeeper David de Gea giving him the ball, as the graphic below shows - CLICK HERE for more in our brilliant Match Zone . Nor can the blame be laid solely on the 3-5-2 system. Defenders of this reputation — and expense — should not be exposed by what is one of the more common tactical variations. Van Gaal is probably mystified at the limitations of what is, with the exception of Luis Antonio Valencia at right wing-back, an English defence. It is no great surprise that Young looks as comfortable at left wing-back as he would sitting on a spike, but Phil Jones and Chris Smalling are England internationals, supposedly part of the national team’s rebuilding programme with youth at its heart. It is worrying to see them so devoid of confidence when faced with new ideas. Also missing is the certainty that accompanied a United opening goal. Time was, if this team took a single goal lead at Sunderland, victory could almost be presumed. Controversy: Van Persie (left) goes down in the Sunderland box after a joint tackle from Lee Cattermole (centre) and Santiago Vergini (right) Penalty? United winger Ashley Young was shown a yellow card for simulation after going down in the box after this challenge from Wes Brown . Going down: Young appeared shocked after referee Martin Atkinson booked him after this incident with former United defender Brown . Wayne Rooney spent most of his time on the ball on United's left side, as his Heat Map below shows - CLICK HERE for more stats and graphics in our Match Zone . On Sunday, when Juan Mata put United ahead against the run of play after 17 minutes, the presumption was of a Sunderland equaliser, most likely before half-time. In the end it took just 13 minutes. That the goal belonged to Jack Rodwell was another fillip for Poyet’s side. Attempting to rebuild his career after several wilderness years at Manchester City, Rodwell had a difficult debut against West Bromwich Albion last weekend. This was not greatly convincing, either, at first, but his equalising header changed that and, from there, his performance grew. By the time he was taken off after 63 minutes — match fitness is still an issue — he looked much more like his old Evertonian self. His goal was impressively taken, even if Manchester United’s marking left much to be desired — like, well, marking really. Sebastian Larsson whipped in the corner from the right and Rodwell lost Robin van Persie to rise high and give David de Gea no chance from close range. It was a clever run, almost stopping near the end, to trick the Dutchman, and Poyet’s reaction suggested he enjoyed it, too. He waved his arms furiously to encourage the crowd into making more noise. After United’s goal the stadium had fallen surprisingly quiet. Back in action: Van Persie (left) gets away from Sunderland's Sebastian Larsson (right) during his first game back after the World Cup in Brazil . Room for improvement: Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal looks on from the bench alongside his assistant Ryan Giggs . Under pressure: Sunderland striker Connor Wickham (left) controls the ball as United midfielder Tom Cleverley (right) closes him down . Getting physical: United striker Wayne Rooney (right) is held back by Sunderland midfielder Larsson (left) at the Stadium of Light . MINS KM MILES . Sunderland total 113.2 70.3 . Sebastian Larsson 90 11.8 7.3 . Lee Cattermole 90 11.4 7.1 . Santiago Vergini 90 10.9 6.8 . Man United total 111.7 69.4 . Juan Mata 90 12.6 7.8 . Wayne Roone 90 11.6 7.2 . Ashley Young 90 11.0 6.8 . Data courtesy of the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, the Official Player Rating Index of the Barclays Premier League . No doubt that was due to the injustice of the scoreline. Until that moment it had been all Sunderland, United rarely venturing to the opposition penalty area. Then, from their first attack of note, a goal. Valencia sped down the right and hit a low cross which eluded Sunderland’s back line, and was tapped in by Mata at the far post. At first, it seemed as if Larsson might have got the final touch, but his despairing lunge was merely the act of a man over-compensating for losing his runner. No wonder the home fans stood nonplussed. They were probably wondering how United had reached this infant stage without conceding. As early as the second minute, a quite hopeless backpass by Young had almost allowed Wickham to put Steven Fletcher in, and three minutes later another defensive mess ended with Lee Cattermole shooting just wide. Will Buckley, making his full debut following a transfer from Poyet’s old club Brighton and Hove Albion, was giving Young a troubling time on the flank and in the 16th minute he set up what should have been a Sunderland goal. His break bamboozled three covering United players — not hard, there were times when one felt they could be taken in by the old penny-behind-the-ear gag — and he struck a perfect pass into the path of Wickham. His finish was dismal, however, straight at De Gea. The home fans seemed happy enough at the end, but they may one day come to view this as a missed opportunity. All the best individual performances were from the home team — Santiago Vergini exceptional, Cattermole breaking up play superbly — and if Sunderland had more about them around United’s box they would undoubtedly have won. It will not be like this once those reinforcements arrive. Surely? Interested spectator: Former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson (right) takes his seat as he prepares to watch his old side in action . Not good enough: But Sir Alex could not hide his disappointment as the club he lifted to the summit of English football put in a sorry display at the Stadium of Light . Safe hands: Van Gaal's No 1 De Gea gets down low to stop an effort at goal from former Ipswich forward Wickham (left) Getting dark: Clouds hover above the Stadium of Light as a full house watch Sunderland and United do battle on Sunday afternoon . Animated: Black Cats boss Gus Poyet gives instructions to his players during a feisty encounter against Van Gaal's men . My ball! Rooney (right) challenges Sunderland's on-loan defender Vergini (left) for the ball during a frustrating opening period for the striker . | Mata gave United the lead on 17 minutes with a simple finish into an empty net .
But Rodwell scored his first goal for the Black Cats to make it 1-1 during the first-half .
Robin van Persie returned to the Red Devils' starting XI for the first time since the World Cup .
Ashley Young was booked for diving following a challenge from Wes Brown .
Van Gaal's men now have just a single point from their opening two games . |
268,164 | e7516052bab8bc859dc7cf9f05fd7101dee82a5d | Feeling the heat: Anxiety caused by telling lies makes the tip of the nose grow warm, the scientists claim . Contrary to what you may say to your children, telling a lie doesn’t, of course, make your nose grow like Pinocchio’s. But it does make it hotter. Scientists claim that a rise in anxiety produced by lying will increase the temperature of the tip of your nose. And if you’re worried that your fib will be uncovered, they also suggest a way of cooling the nose down – making ‘a great mental effort’. The scientists, from the University of Granada, discovered the phenomenon by using thermal imaging cameras to monitor volunteers. They have called it ‘The Pinocchio Effect’, in honour of the 19th century Italian tale of the wooden puppet whose nose grew when he failed to tell the truth. In their doctoral thesis, released yesterday, Emilio Gómez Milán and Elvira Salazar López suggest that the temperature of the nose increases or decreases according to mood, as does the orbital muscle area in the inner corner of the eyes. The scientists also claim thermal imaging can detect sexual desire and arousal in men and women, indicated by an increase in temperature in the chest and genital areas. And the technique also allowed the pair to produce thermal footprints – body patterns with specific temperature changes – for aerobic exercise and distinct types of dance, such as ballet. The Pinocchio effect: Researchers at the University of Granada found that the temperature of the nose rises as a person becomes anxious . They explained: ‘When someone dances Flamenco, the temperature in their buttocks lowers and it rises in their forearms. ‘This is the thermal footprint for Flamenco, although each type of dance has its own.’ The pair reached their conclusions after discovering that when the volunteers lied about their feelings, the brain’s insular cortex was altered. They said: ‘The insular cortex is involved in the detection and regulation of body temperature, so there is a large negative correlation between the activity of this structure and the magnitude of the temperature change. ‘The more activity in the insular cortex (the higher the visceral feeling), lower heat exchange occurs, and vice versa.’ | Scientists from the University of Granada used thermal imaging to prove anxiety makes the nose heat up .
The academics claim the technique can also detect sexual desire and arousal in men and woman . |
178,424 | 7301a267d3b0e82931b045e78cb57c206d19f0df | (CNN) -- More than 150 students at the University of California at Berkeley took over a campus building Thursday to protest a proposed 81% increase in tuition fees, university officials said. UC-Berkeley spokeswoman Callie Maidhof described the scene as "an open occupation with people coming and going" at Tolman Hall on the campus that has been known for decades as a hotbed of student activism and protests. The tuition increase proposed by the board of regents would be phased in over a four-year period. Maidhof added that when the protest began Thursday afternoon, campus police initially resisted the demonstrators and used pepper spray at one point. The university maintained a hands-off approach after that, but according to Maidhof the situation could change at the building's scheduled closing time of 9 p.m. (midnight ET). As evening fell, there were between 60 and 70 students occupying one of the classrooms and another group was participating in a teach-in outside on the lawn. Helicopter aerials of the scene from CNN affiliate KTVU showed a few protest banners hung from windows of the classroom building. | The university board of regents has proposed an 81% tuition hike over four years .
Students at UC-Berkeley take over a campus building in protest .
A university spokeswoman says the building is scheduled to be closed for the night at 9 p.m. |
219,859 | a894b8af1964f6ef5ac51f01f30612e38344c1e6 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . A sixth-generation Pennsylvania undertaker is stirring up controversy among conservatives on social media, using jokes and crude humor to discuss death and the preciousness of life. Caleb White, a married father-of-one who runs a funeral home in Parkesburg, Chester County, first hit headlines in November by saying on Twitter that he always ties the shoelaces of the dead together because if there's ever a zombie apocalypse it would be 'hilariious'. The post went viral, retweeted more than 6,000 times, and even prompted a call to the police. 'He (the caller) actually thought we were doing that,' Wilde told Philly.com. Creating dialogue: Sixth-generation funeral director Caleb Wilde uses occasionally-inappropriate social media posts to 'shed light on an industry that for the most part is cast in shadows' Wilde's commentary as won him an avid following and national acclaim for shining light on a dark subject in a away that is both hilarious and heartfelt. His blog, Confessions of a Funeral Director, gets 600,000 to 1 million hits a week, and he has more than 17,000 followers on Twitter. Wilde refuses to take money for discussing death and offering his opinion, despite appearing on 20/20 and NBC News, as well as in TIME magazine and the Huffington Post. 'Funeral directors are too often seen as opportunists who are looking to take advantage of people in their weakest moments,' Wilde wrote on his site. 'I am not one of those funeral directors . . . this website exists (so that) people can share freely and honestly without fear of ulterior motives or profiteering. 'I want to start a conversation about death. 'A main part of our humanity is our mortality. 'Death makes us realize how precious and fleeting life is and how much each day is a gift.' Wilde grew up playing hide and seek in the casket room of his family's funeral home in Parkesburg, the only mortuary in this rural town of about 3,600. By 16, he was mowing its lawn, parking cars during services and accompanying relatives on calls to pick up bodies. Death has always been at the core of the family, with the first Wilde's making their first caskets in 1850. Wilde's grandfather Thaddeus, who was born in the funeral home, was embalming bodies by age 12. 'It's who I am': Caleb White grew up playing hide and seek in the caskets of the family funeral home, and eventually got into the business himself . Wilde's mother and father were each from families that ran competing funeral homes. But Wilde didn't want to follow his ancestors into the family business and became a minister. 'The act of rebellion for a funeral director is to seek something that's surrounded by life,' he said. However he eventually returned to the mortician business and said his commitment grew with each drive to pick up a body and each conversation he had a grieivng family. He realized the need and importance of funeral directors in the grand scheme of things, especially in a rural setting. 'It's who I am,' he said. Wilde says he uses the humor his posts online and writing on his blog as therapy for the grimness of his work, and openly discusses taking antidepressants. He says that the format of Twitter is perfect because too much talk of death is too heavy for people to take. 'We want to take death in pieces, small pieces, anything bigger is too big to handle,' he said. Besides zombie jokes and photos of pimped-out hearses, Wilde also aims to 'shed light on an industry that for the most part is cast in shadows'. That means essays on topics like funeral director 'burnout and compassion fatigue', funeral etiquette (including a post defending funeral 'selfies'), consumer rights (like Do Funeral Homes Charge Too Much for their Services?) and a 'You Want to Be a Mortician? 21 Tips' post. | Caleb White is a sixth-generation undertaker who operates his own funeral home in Parkesburg, Pennsylvania .
He shot to infamy in November by Tweeting a joke about 'always tying together the shoelaces of the dead'
His blog, Confessions of a Funeral Director, has since amassed up to 1 million hits a week .
Despite some of his humor being crude and controversial, White says his intention is to help people and bring some light to a dark subject matter .
'Death makes us realize how precious and fleeting life is and how much each day is a gift,' he says . |
286,365 | ff0dd2704dbbad96552852e22965d8603a825c1c | A baby has been nicknamed Harry thanks to a thick head of hair that makes him look like One Direction heartthrob Harry Styles. Four-month-old Harvey Johnson was born with dark luscious locks, much to the surprise of his parents. Mother and father Lucy Carter, 26, and Ian Johnson, 32, from Hitchin, Herts., were stunned when his mane just kept on growing. Scroll down for video . Harvey's brown hair is several inches long and incredibly thick, allowing for some funky styles . Ian Johnson, 32, left, and Lucy Carter, 26, right, say they have never seen a baby with so much hair . Little Harvey has gained his nickname from One Direction crooner Harry Style's thick floppy hair which he either wears wild and tousled, left, or teased into a voluminous bouffant as at a Burberry show in 2013 . 'When Harvey was born all the midwives kept coming in to see him as his hair was so unusual,' said Lucy. 'Usually a baby's hair falls out after it is born but Harvey's has kept on growing and is really quite thick. I haven't seen any other babies with as much hair as him. His thick brown hair, which, in some pictures, stands straight on end, looks for all the world like singer Harry Styles' voluminous coiffeur. Lucy said: 'His nickname is Harry because so many people think he looks like Harry Styles with all his hair.' Lucy and Ian, who is a postman, said that everywhere they go people are astonished by the amount of hair Harvey has. 'We both have dark hair and had some hair when we were born, but nowhere near as much as him.' 'We already have to shampoo his hair on a regular basis. Harvey was born with an unusually thick head of hair that didn't fall out as most babies' hair does . When Harvey was born all the midwives kept coming in to see him as his hair was so unusual . Harvey's hair, which sticks up in all directions, gives him a look of permanent surprise . Little Harvey's thatch also seems as untamed as 20-year-old star Harry's, whose tousled mane has earned him legions of female admirers and male fans. From wearing it loose and disarrayed, Harry has also made it okay for men to wear hairbands. He's also joined the man bun trend, scraping his thick locks away from his face. Lucy and Ian have certainly had fun with Harvey's hair. When he was born it looked like a long fuzz but since then it's grown inches and his doting parents either brush it on end, give him a mohawk or let it stick out in every direction. They've even created Superman's distinctive kiss curl on Harvey's forehead. His parents say that people are astonished by the amount of hair Harvey (at three months, left) has . Lucy has fun with her baby's hair, brushing it on ends and even forming Superman's distinctive kiss curl . | Harvey Johnson, four months, was born with thick head of black hair .
Didn't fall out as baby hair usually does and keeps on growing .
One Direction singer is famous for his wild chocolate-coloured mane . |
166,229 | 62f19a1efcd7df9a57543f788cb5053d48a739d1 | (CNN) -- South African activist Zackie Achmat is a fighter at heart who's been marching against injustice all his life. From protesting against the apartheid regime to championing gay rights, Achmat advocates for those who he believes don't have a voice. An openly gay, HIV-positive male, Achmat has battled tirelessly to improve access to affordable treatment for people with HIV/AIDS and even risked his life for the cause. Today, the 49-year-old is most passionate about his work in South Africa's townships, where he's on a mission to bring better, safer public facilities to poor residents. CNN's Robyn Curnow caught up with Achmat to discuss his battle for social justice. An edited version of the interview follows. CNN: Are you the kind of person who needs to fight against something, who needs to rally against authority? Zackie Achmat: No, I'm exactly the opposite. I'm the sort of person -- I really hope -- who tries to change things and who gives people a sense of dignity, of their own humanity. CNN: Anti-retroviral drugs are life saving and you used access to them to shame the South African government and have them given to ordinary poor people. Tell me about that process. ZA: It was a multi-prong process that we did. The main (element) was educating people at community levels about the relevance of anti-retrovirals. The second was using the courts -- especially the high court, constitutional court -- to enforce people's rights. And then of course (there was) the need for a treatment plan and fighting the drug companies to bring those prices down. CNN: You refused to take anti-AIDS drugs even though you could, to make a point that 'listen, I might die in this fight until ordinary people get it.' ZA: It was for about four and a half years, and again it's something that caused enormous pain for my friends and my comrades and so on. But the thing I'll always remember was one day a very, very poor woman came up to me and she grabbed my hand at a demonstration and said: 'What you're doing is keeping me alive.' And I knew that it was a terrible burden to carry, I've never said this, but it was a terrible burden to carry, but at the same time it was the right thing to do . CNN: Did you go to bed at night and think, 'should I just take these drugs?' Were you prepared to die? ZA: Yes! But it's the sort of thing you put out of your head -- you prepare yourself, I was very much prepared to be dead, in a certain sense I was performing the holy martyr publicly. And in 2003 when I started taking my medicines, all that changed completely. I had to prepare for life, I made plans and my life changed phenomenally. CNN: You're still fighting for basic social rights. ZA: All people who live in South Africa have to deal with the crime and safety situation...the basic things, safe toilets, safe streets, safe lights, after school care and that's what the Social Justice Coalition which I'm part of (advocates for.) We went this morning... and people get raped when they go to the toilet. (There are) 20 to 30 to 70 people sharing a toilet, toilets that aren't cleaned by the municipality, toilets that are broken, sewerage running all through people's homes on occasion, but the most dangerous thing (for) a person in the informal settlement is (to) go to a toilet. CNN: You've fought for social justice for your whole life. Where South Africa is now, is it what you fought for as a 15-year-old, is this what you wanted? ZA: South Africa for me now is in a certain sense immeasurably better off than ever before, immeasurably. The dignity that black people to a degree have -- no black person has to lose their family and go to jail for it like we did under the past laws, so that's one sense of it. On the other hand the social and class inequalities are much, much wider and much more dangerous for our society. The question we all have to ask ourselves is whether we have postponed our civil war or whether we have avoided it. Because the civil war happens daily in people's lives when they can't go to a toilet safely, whether that is going to become a public thing is a different matter. And unless we address jobs, education and crime, we're not going to be able to contain our society as a society. CNN: So the fight continues. ZA: It's a struggle, the struggle continues and I like, I prefer the word struggle, because it has two connotations: it has the connotation of political struggle but it also has the connotation of what people do daily in order to survive. And it's the connecting of those two that is the most important struggle in life, the struggle to be an ethical human being. | Zackie Achmat is a prominent South African political activist .
He is known for his battles for gay rights and better access to drugs used to treat AIDS .
Achmat started his fight against injustice as a young boy protesting apartheid .
Today he is campaigning for better public facilities in South Africa's townships . |
215,154 | a288d2489ff62a9d25162b28dd3a6c3d5a59e5eb | By . Joe Bernstein . Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko left the World Cup on a positive note by leading Bosnia to their first victory in the tournament. Dzeko was heavily criticised at home after a series of missed chances in Bosnia's second game against Nigeria saw them eliminated. But the 28-year-old fared rather better on Wednesday when his opening strike helped ensure his proud nation wouldn't finish bottom of Group E and without a point in their debut World Cup. Deadlock broken: Edin Dzeko is muted in his celebration after opening the scoring for Bosnia and Herzegovina . Precision: The Manchester City striker put his nation in the lead with a sublime left-footed strike . Out of reach: Iran goalkeeper Alireza Haghighi is given no chance as Dzeko's shot goes in off the post . Finally: Dzeko scored with his 12th shot of the tournament after Bosnia's losses to Argentina and Nigeria . VIDEO Bosnia end Iran's World Cup dreams . Bosnia: Begovic 6, Vrsajevic 7, Sunjic 6, Spahic 6, Kolasinac 6, Hadzic 6 (Vranjes 61', 6), Pjanic 7, Besic 7, Susic 7 (Salihovic 78'), Dzeko 8, Ibisevic 6 . Subs not used: Fejzic, Bicakcic, Misimovic, Mujdza, Lulic, Ibricic, Medunjanin, Visca, Hajrovic, Avdukic. Goals: Dzeko 23', Pjanic 59', Vrsajevic 83' Booked: Besic . Iran: Alireza Haghighi 6, Hosseini 5, Sadeghi 5, Montazeri 6, Pouladi 6, Teymourian 6, Nekounam 6, Dejagah 6 (Ansarifard 68', 5), Shojaei 7(Heydari 45', 6), Hajsafi 5 (Jahanbaksh 5), Ghoochannejhad 6 . Subs not used: Ahmadi, Reza Haghighi, Hadadifar, Mahini, Alnameh, Rahmani, Beikzadeh, Beitashour, Davari . Goal: Ghoochannejhad 82' Booked: Karim . Referee: Carlos Velasco Carballo (Spain) 7 . Roma's Miralem Pjanic effectively sealed the points with a second goal after an hour that also ended Iran's slim hopes of getting through to the last 16. Charlton's Rez Ghoochannejhad gave Iran some hope late on by scoring their first goal of the World Cup but Bosnia immediately extended their two-goal advantage with a fine effort by Avdija Vršajević. After a frustrating opening, Dzeko found himself free of white-shirted defenders for once as he picked up the ball midway in the Iranian half and buried a low left-foot finish from 22 yards. The nature of his subdued reaction to scoring underlined what a difficult campaign he's just been through, including a goal wrongfully disallowed against Nigeria. Iran needed to win to retain any hope of reaching the knockout stages as group runners-up to Argentina - but you wouldn't have known it as they began with a rigid 4-1-4-1. Their manager Carlos Quierioz, formerly Sir Alex Ferguson's No 2 at Manchester United, masterminded one of the best-organised defences in the tournament, but they were also lightweight up front and the last team in Brazil to score. Clash: Bosnia team-mates Muhamed Besic (front) and Toni Sunjic (centre) writhe on the ground after colliding with each other . Winded: Dzeko lifts Sunjic after the Bosnia pair came together in the centre of the pitch . Back to his feet: Despite looking worse for wear, both players were back in action within moments . Slotted: Roma midfielder Miralem Pjanic takes his chance to put Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 up against Iran . Cool and calm: Pjanic shoots as Bosnia go 2-0 up at Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador . Despair: Iran's Andranik Teymourian covers his face as Iran's chances of advancing evaporate . Often, Ghoochannejhad - who missed a chance to give Iran a famous result against Lionel Messi's Argentina - was left on his own up front and his goal record of one in 17 games for Charlton last season didn't inspire confidence either. Salvador had become known at this World Cup as the "City of Goals" - with the three previous games staged there yielding 17. After Dzeko had scored, Iran were unlucky when a shot by Masoud Shojaei beat Asmir Begovic and crashed off the underneath of the crossbar. Goal-line technology was called for and showed the ball clearly hadn't crossed the line. With Nigeria losing to Argentina, Iran knew they could qualify if they overturned Bosnia's advantage. Back in it: Iran were given a glimmer of hope for Reza Ghoochannejhad finished on the far post . Broken down: The Charlton striker scored Iran's first goal of the tournament past Stoke's Asimir Begovic . Get on with it: Javad Nekounam grabs the ball quickly for the restart as Iran chased a victory . Back of the net: Ghoochannejhad's celebration is muted as Iran still need to score two goals to progress . But that became an impossible task when Jalal Hosseini needlessly gave the ball away and Dzeko reacted quickly to play in Pjanic, who was level with last defender and scored with ease. Ghoochannejhad finished smartly from six yards to briefly reduce the scoreline to 2-1 but within 120 seconds, the overlapping Vršajević fired in his first international goal to atone for an earlier miss from Dzeko's pass. For a country of just four million people, Bosnia and Herzegovina can go home feeling prouder of their performances in Brazil than England for example. Their real achievement was qualifying for the finals after a tragic recent history that saw 200,000 people killed during a brutal war in the 1990s following independence. Maiden: Avdija Vrsajevic (right) blasts his shot into the inside of the far post after a fast break . Out on a high: Vrsajevic lifted up as his goal clinches a morale-boosting win for Bosnia as they bow out in Brazil . Maiden: Croatia-based Vrsajevic celebrates his first goal for Bosnia after a busting run from the back . If Dzeko had been luckier and more clinical against Nigeria, it probably would have been them progressing to the knockout stages rather than the Africans. Iran will lament a lack of firewpower up front. With a World Cup record of one win in 12 - against the USA in 1998 - they lack belief to go with their technical ability, and Querioz will now step down and seek a new challenge after being in charge for three years. But anyone who saw their effort against Argentina which they only lost 1-0 to a brilliant Messi goal will know their trip to South America has been worthwhile. | A win for Iran would have put them in the last-16 ahead of Nigeria .
Instead Carlos Queiroz's side finished last in Group F, behind Bosnia .
Bosnia finish third in the group behind Argentina and Nigeria .
Manchester City striker Dzeko opened the scoring in the 23rd minute .
Roma midfielder Miralem Pjanic made it 2-0 in the second half .
Iran pegged back a goal through Charlton's Rez Ghoochannejhad .
Bosnia defender Avdija Vrsajevic hit back on the counter within a minute .
Argentina beat Nigeria 3-2, with two goals to Lionel Messi, to top Group F . |
63,882 | b55cba6b0dbe659479c20c1dd3871e0ad236bc48 | By . Associated Press . PUBLISHED: . 08:37 EST, 15 September 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 16:13 EST, 15 September 2013 . Hundreds of people black and white, many holding hands, filled an Alabama church that was bombed by the Ku Klux Klan 50 years ago on Sunday to mark the anniversary of the blast that killed four little girls and became a landmark moment in the civil rights struggle. The Rev. Arthur Price taught the same Sunday school lesson that members of 16th Street Baptist Church heard the morning of the bombing - A Love That Forgives. Then, the rusty old church bell was tolled four times as the girls' names were read. Victims: From left, Addie Mae Collins, Carole Robertson, Denise McNair and Cynthia Wesley . Investigators work outside the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama on September 15, 1963 . Attorney General Eric Holder, Jr. and former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice participate in a discussion in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Birmingham church bombing . Bombing survivor Sarah Collins . Rudolph, who lost her right eye and sister Addie Mae Collins in the . blast, stood by as members laid a wreath at the spot where the dynamite . device was placed along an outside wall. Rudolph . was 12 at the time, and her family left the church after the bombing. She said it was important to return in memory of her sister, who was 14, . and the three other girls who died: Carole Robertson and Cynthia Wesley . Morris, both 14, and Denise McNair, 11. 'God . spared me to live and tell just what happened on that day' said . Rudolph, who testified against the Klansmen convicted years later in the . bombing. Congregation . members and visitors sang the old hymn Love Lifted Me and joined hands . in prayer. The somber Sunday school lesson was followed by a raucous, . packed worship service with gospel music and believers waving their . hands. During the sermon, . the Rev. Julius Scruggs of Huntsville, president of the National Baptist . Convention USA, said: 'God said you may murder four little girls, but . you won't murder the dream of justice and liberty for all.' Churchgoers heard the same sermon as 50 years ago while they attended services at the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham today . Rev. Julius Scruggs, second from left, leads people in prayer during a wreath laying ceremony at the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham on the 50th anniversary of the bombings . Later . Sunday, Attorney General Eric Holder and others were set to attend a . commemoration. Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, a Birmingham . native who went to school with McNair, was among the scheduled speakers. The . dynamite bomb went off outside the church September 15, 1963. Of the . Klansmen convicted years later, one remains imprisoned. Two others . convicted died in prison. Two young men, both black, were shot to death in Birmingham in the chaos that followed the bombing. Birmingham . was strictly segregated at the time of the bombing, which occurred as . city schools were being racially integrated for the first time. The . all-black 16th Street Baptist was a gathering spot for civil rights . demonstrations for months before the blast. The . bombing became a powerful symbol of the depth of racial hatred in the . South and helped build momentum for later laws, including the 1964 Civil . Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. For whom the bell tolls: Churchgoers heard the same sermon as 50 years ago while they attended services at the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham today . A newly unveiled statue honoring four slain young church girls graces the corner of Kelly Ingram Park in Birmingham . During . the commemoration, an honor guard composed of black and whites officers . and firefighters watched over ceremonies with mixed-race crowd, . something unthinkable in Birmingham in 1963. That same year, white police officers and firefighters used dogs and . water hoses on black demonstrators marching for equal rights. Rev. Bernice King, a daughter of the late Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., noted the changed city in a prayer. 'We . thank you father for the tremendous progress we have made in 50 years, . that we can sit in the safe confines of this sanctuary being protected . by the city of Birmingham when 50 years ago the city turned its eye and . its ears away from us,' she said. In memory: People surround 'The Four Little Girls', a sculpture memorial honoring Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair, Carole Robertson and Cynthia Wesley in Birmingham, Alabama on Saturday . Symbolic: Four birds soar from the arms of a young girl in a tribute to the Alabama bombing victims . The four victims were honored on Saturday night at a human rights fundraising concert hosted by Jamie Foxx and attended by the Reverend Jesse Jackson. There were performances from Jill Scott and Charlie Wilson. Awards were presented to Elder Bernice King, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Myrna Jackson, and the Rev. Joseph Lowery, according to al.com. Reverend Lowery established the Southern Christian Leadership Conference with Dr King in the late 1950s and led the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott. In his acceptance speech, the Reverend paid tribute to the four girls killed in the bombing. Earlier this week, Condoleezza Rice recalled her own personal experience of the tragedy. Rice was friends with 11-year-old Denise McNair who died in the blast. Honoring the victims: Jamie Foxx, Jesse Jackson, and William Bell attend the BBVA Compass Concert For Human Rights at The Birmingham Jefferson Convention Center on September 14 . The former Secretary of State has a treasured photo of her friend accepting a kindergarten certificate from Rice's father, who was a pastor at another church. McNair had gone to preschool there. McNair's father was the community photographer, documenting birthday parties and weddings in happier times. 'Everyone in the black community knew one of those girls,' Rice said. Her father told her the bombing had been done by 'hateful men', she said, but it was an act that later uncovered something ultimately good. 'Out of great tragedy, people began to recognize our humanity, and it brought people together,' said Rice. Never forget: The Congressional Gold Medal that honors the four young girls who were killed in the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing is shown on display at the U.S. Captiol . | Memorial service held on Sunday afternoon at the University of Alabama in Birmingham .
The same sermon from 50 years ago today was read at the 16th St Baptist Church while the congregation held hands .
Attorney General Eric Holder and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice scheduled to attend . |
46,591 | 8348038069bef393b50ec834282c88bddb03c0a6 | LONDON, England (CNN) -- Few things could have created more of a media frenzy over Italian football than the David Beckham loan saga between AC Milan and the Los Angeles Galaxy. Italian football fans show their passion for the game. This protracted storyline and the subsequent fallout from it saw readership boom on the SerieATalk.com blog -- our blog of the month. Set up by Christopher Harris in 2007, the blog has become a full-time job for the 39-year-old American. Harris told CNN that he has a strong interest in the Italian football scene, and with a background working in web design and marketing, that motivated him to set up his own site. "I created it a couple of years ago -- really with the rise in popularity of Serie A. It has continued to grow, and this year the Beckham story was a large factor in that." Harris said the rise of Italian football has helped his U.S. based blog flourish since he created it. Read the Serie A Talk blog . Rebounding from the lows of the match-fixing scandal in 2006 -- a World Cup win for the Azzurri and the arrival of top players like Kaka and Ronaldinho has seen Italy's Serie A competition once again become a force in world football. Even today there's no shortage of issues to talk about. With Inter Milan currently storming to the Serie A title, the ongoing David Beckham road-show, and the failure of the Italian clubs in the Champions League -- there's been plenty to discuss and debate on the SerieAtalk blog. Harris said there is plenty of television access to Italian football matches in the U.S. and therefore there was already a base of interest on that side of the Atlantic before he began the blog. The major goal of the blog is to present a unique perspective on some of the issues affecting the Italian game, he said. "It's a collaboration between several writers around the world. From time to time I write ... but mainly I manage the site. "Some of our work is talking about the media coverage of the league and looking at the big issues in a unique way," Harris said. He said he tried to present the blog in an objective way, rather than supporting a particular club. "I try to remain neutral and be more of an observer of the league itself." Harris also manages a similar blog on the English Premier League -- epltalk.com. | SerieAtalk.com was set up in 2007 due to the rising popularity of Serie A .
The blog's creator, Christopher Harris, says he tries to be neutral .
Harris tells CNN the David Beckham story has brought a surge in readers . |
253,097 | d393c0dedc8b1acd418ae78346c5e61f0e5dac81 | Boston (CNN) -- With words as ammunition, a defense lawyer fired a machine gun burst of questions at the government's star witness Tuesday in the federal murder trial of reputed Boston mob boss James "Whitey" Bulger. "You killed friends?" Bulger attorney Hank Brennan shot. "Yes," replied prosecution witness John Martorano. "Families?" "Yes." "Strangers?" "Yes." "Innocent people?" "Yes," said Martorano, who has admitted to 20 murders and who earlier served 12 years in prison on a government deal for his cooperation in the case against Bulger. Martorano acknowledged he didn't like the term "hitman" since he "wouldn't accept money" for the killings he committed. And he countered the prosecution's descriptions of him as a "mass murderer" and a "serial killer." "A serial killer kills because they like it. I didn't like it. I never had any joy in it," said Martorano, now 72. Prosecutors say Martorano killed at the direction of Boston's Winter Hill Gang and Bulger, who is standing trial on 19 murder charges along with racketeering and extortion charges. Bulger was caught in 2011 after spending 16 years as a fugitive and landing on the FBI's most wanted list. Witness: Heartbroken to know Bulger was FBI informant . "My father, the priests, the nuns" taught him to always "defend family and friends," Martorano testified. When Brenann asked whether there was "any honor or integrity in what you did," Martorano replied, "I thought so." Under questioning by prosecutors, Martorano explained that the six partners who comprised the Winter Hill Gang -- including Bulger, Steven Flemmi, and Martorano -- had to agree on business decisions and targeted hits. Flemmi is serving life terms without parole but avoided a possible death sentence by cooperating with federal authorities. "Was it a democracy?" prosecutor Fred Wyshak asked, referring to the Winter Hill Gang. "So to speak," answered Martorano. The former mobster described Bulger's role in six more murders Tuesday, implicating him in a total of 13 killings in just two days of testimony. In one case, Martorano claimed that Bulger fired the fatal shot that killed one of the gang's targets, a Dorchester, Massachusetts, bartender who was "squealing" about a murder he had helped the crew commit. That testimony marked the first time that Bulger was placed on the firing end of a gun in a killing. In another slaying, Bulger sat at the wheel of a car, while another crime associate, Tommy King, sat in the passenger seat, with Martorano behind him, the witness said. 2012: Bulger's girlfriend pleads guilty . All had guns but "Tommy's had blanks." When the car pulled out "I shot him in the back of the head," Martorano testified. "I was driving over Neponset bridge (in Boston) one day and Whitey said tip your hat to Tommy .... He's over there," Martorano testified, acknowledging that he knew where King's body had been dumped. Martorano said that Bulger's "plan B" to take the heat off the Winter Hill Gang for King's murder was to kill King's good friend, Buddy Leonard, and put him in King's car to make it look like the two got into a dispute that ended with Leonard's death and King's disappearance. Leonard subsequently was found shot to death. Another time, Bulger sat at a table with another crime associate the partners had decided to kill. As planned, Bulger was counting money with the man when Martorano walked in and shot the man in the temple. In 1982, Martorano testified, he felt "really bad" about it but carried out a killing anyway. Outnumbered in the decision by his partners, he killed his friend John Callahan. That came about after another killing: Callahan wanted to buy a business from Oklahoma businessman Roger Wheeler. When Wheeler wouldn't sell, Callahan asked Martorano to kill him. Martorano said he flew to Oklahoma, picked up a suitcase with machine guns, revolvers and masks that had been shipped from Boston via Greyhound bus, and shot Wheeler between the eyes. Callahan was so grateful he paid his friend $50,000. 2011: Clues that lead to Bulger's capture . But when trusted FBI contact John Connolly indicated that Callahan was going to be pressured by the government to testify about the murder, the Winter Hill partners, with Martorano outvoted, decided it was too risky for Callahan to live. "I felt lousy but these were my partners. We were up to our necks in murders already," Martorano testified. He said he arranged to meet Callahan in Florida, picking him up at the airport and helping him with his bags. Then as Callahan got into the front seat, Martorano got in behind and shot his friend in the head. "I felt really bad. I'd just killed a man I'd risked my life for in Oklahoma," he testified. Asked by the prosecutor whether he regretted his life of crime, Martorano responded, "Who wouldn't?" During Martorano's testimony, Bulger sat ramrod straight and kept his eyes focused ahead, barely moving. Bulger turned his head, seeming to look at his former friend sitting just six feet away, only when Martorano said he learned Bulger was an FBI informant. | 72-year-old John Martorano is the government's star witness against Bulger .
Martorano has admitted to 20 murders as part of Boston's Winter Hill Gang .
He testifies that Bulger was directly involved in some killings .
"A serial killer kills because they like it ... I never had any joy in it," Martorano says . |
95,720 | 0709e5f87b1b9adcc1e3f8ba37c3dae81ff353ef | Boris Johnson last night urged David Cameron to bring forward plans for a referendum on Britain’s membership of the EU. The London Mayor, one of the leading contenders to succeed the PM as Tory leader, said that a speedy decision would be positive for Britain and Europe. Speaking on a tour of the US, Mr Johnson said: ‘Let’s get it done.’ The Prime Minister has announced plans to give voters their first say on Britain’s place in Europe since 1975 if the Conservatives remain in power. Scroll down for video . Boris Johnson, pictured, advised David Cameron to fast-forward his planned EU referendum . He has pledged to renegotiate looser ties with Brussels and then hold an in/out referendum by the end of 2017. The commitment has become a key election battleground, since Labour has set its face against a referendum. Downing Street has dismissed the idea that it has secretly been planning to bring the vote forward to next year if Mr Cameron remains in office. However, during a G20 finance ministers summit in Turkey, Chancellor George Osborne hinted that the date might be brought forward. He said the Prime Minister would be ‘delighted’ if he could complete renegotiation of the UK’s EU membership earlier. Mr Johnson said: ‘I very much welcome the idea of bringing forward the renegotiation and the referendum. ‘Let’s get it done. We should stress that this is something that can be very positive, not just for Britain but for the whole of Europe and indeed for investors in Europe because a reformed Europe will deliver growth and prosperity. Get it done, get the change, get it done, put it to the people.’ David Cameron warned business leaders yesterday that his planned EU referendum was required otherwise the UK would 'drift towards the exit' and the poll would be based on his renegotiation of the agreement . Mr Cameron yesterday warned that public scepticism about the EU meant that Britain would ‘drift towards the exit of the EU’ unless a referendum was held. Addressing the annual conference of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) in London, the Prime Minister insisted that firms were backing his plan to hold a referendum after renegotiating the terms of Britain’s membership. ‘They are saying it is quite right to have a strategy that gives Britain the best chance of staying in a reformed European Union that works in our interest and that is what my approach is,’ he said. ‘Let’s get stuck in there, let’s hold a negotiation, let’s deal with those things that are holding Britain back, and then let’s have this put to the British public in an in/out referendum.’ A Downing Street source said: ‘We have always said we want a referendum by the end of 2017, and there is no secret plan to hold it next year. But both the Prime Minister and the Chancellor have said if they can do it sooner, that would be great. We want to get reform agreed, and there are serious negotiations and discussions to be had. There are 28 countries in the EU and we are not going to pretend that can happen overnight.’ However Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls said Labour would never ‘flirt with exit’. He said reform of the EU was needed, but claimed a referendum would be ‘hugely destabilising to British business.’ He added: ‘I fear that Britain walking out of the EU is the biggest risk to our economy in the next decade.’ | Boris Johnson said a speedy referendum was in everyone's best interests .
David Cameron plans to hold the vote by 2017 if he's re-elected in May .
Mr Johnson said a reformed Europe could bring growth and prosperity .
The London mayor made his comments on a trade tour of the U.S.
His is visiting Boston, New York and Washington over seven days . |
191,942 | 848929ea7c48536fa014abd3c89be8eabb60deb2 | (CNN) -- A U.S. Marine Corps reservist jailed in Mexico for almost three months is said to be upbeat and healthy, according to two U.S. lawmakers who visited Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi over the weekend. Republican Rep. Ed Royce of California, who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Republican Rep. Matt Salmon from Arizona, chairman of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee, traveled to Tecate, Mexico, on Saturday to meet with Tahmooressi. The decorated Marine has been jailed in Mexico on weapons charges since April 1 after driving his truck into Tijuana -- he says accidentally -- with three personal fire arms, including a shotgun, .45 caliber pistol and an AR-15. All of the guns were legally registered in the United States. But in Mexico, firearm possession is almost completely illegal. Tahmooressi was said to be in good spirits, Royce said in a statement. A photo of Tahmooressi, standing in between the two lawmakers, was posted to the Twitter page of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. It showed what appears to be a healthy Tahmooressi with a slight smile on his face. "After visiting with Sgt. Tahmooressi for the second time in two weeks, I remain confident that his situation is improving and will end with his release in the near future," Salmon said in a statement. "His spirits remain upbeat and he has full confidence in his new attorney," he added. Tahmooressi is now on his third attorney, Tijuana-based lawyer Fernando Benitez, said his mother, Jill Tahmooressi. The first two defense attorneys were dismissed by the family after a conflict of how to proceed with the Marine's legal defense, the family told CNN. "Last week, Andrew was despondent because for a portion of it, he was without legal representation. We're more optimistic now," his mother said in a phone call with CNN. But more than 80 days since he was first imprisoned, Tahmooressi's defense still has not submitted evidence to the court to counter the prosecutor's evidence, his mother told CNN. "With Mr. Benitez on the case, it's a good thing," she said. "He's a veteran Tijuana attorney not fearful to take on high-profile cases. His strategy is competent." Tahmooressi was initially held in Tijuana's La Mesa Penitentiary for the first month. There, his family says, he was subjected to torture by the prison guards and inmates. "He told me that he tried to kill himself [while he was in La Mesa] because they were going to torture him for information about our family," his mother told CNN. "By the grace of God he didn't hit an artery [when he tried to slice his neck]." Now in El Hongo Penitentiary in Tecate, Mexico, about an hour and a half east of Tijuana, Tahmooressi is said to be doing well, according to his family. While U.S. lawmakers continue to work with Mexican officials, it remains unclear when Tahmooressi might have a court hearing. | Two U.S. lawmakers visit jailed Marine Coprs reservist in Mexico .
They said that Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi is in "good spirts"
Tahmooressi has been jailed on firearms charges in Mexico since April .
No court date or hearing for the Marine has been scheduled yet . |
264,961 | e3305e7b8177fedea8e843260a62b6f924811713 | An 18-year-old accused of bludgeoning his roommate to death in New York on Monday claims he was being held captive by the troubled lawyer, and had been tied up and forced to liquidate his stocks at gunpoint. Bitcoin trader Quentin Capobianco told police that 29-year-old Jesse Smith - who authorities previously said had a heroin problem - ordered him to sell his assets to pay for some damages in the upmarket Astoria apartment they shared. Capobianco said Smith had restrained him with zip ties and was threatening him with a shot gun. However Capobianco managed to free himself and 'grabbed the hammer from the kitchen and hit Jessie three or four times until he was unconscious', he told the police, DNAinfo reported. Held Captive: Quentin Capobianco, 18 (left), claims that roommate Jesse Smith, 29 (right), tied him up and threatened him with a shotgun for eight hours during a dispute about money . Scene: Police were called to this Astoria address about 3.30pm on Monday amid reports of a fight. When they arrived they found Smith with severe head trauma and arrested Capobianco . Dead: Smith (left) is seen here inside an Atlantic City hotel room in a photo from his Facebook page . Police were called to the apartment about 3.30pm Monday amid reports of a fight. Smith was rushed to Emhurst General Hospital with severe head trauma but later died. Capobianca was arrested at the scene . Police said they recovered a bloody hammer and a shot gun from the apartment. Capobianco has been charged with second degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon with intent to use. The Queens District Attorney's office believes Capobianco's account but still hopes to convict him of murder because he escaped his bindings and went to another room where he snatched a hammer and clobbered Smith, DNAinfo reported. Capobianco listed on Linkedin that he worked with Smith. Smith had recently left his job at The Povman Law Firm in Forrest Hills, where he handle personal injury claims. The two are believed to have operated a currency exchange business using online currency Bitcoin. However, according to The New York Post, they got into a money dispute over some damage that had been caused to their apartment by a wall-mounted fire place. Priveleged: Smith grew up on Long Island an attended the University of Vermont and Hoffstra University School of Law . Charged: Capobianco is facing second-degree murder charges, however claims he was being held captive by Smith and hit him with a hammer 'three or four times' after breaking free . Neighbors told the newspaper that Capobianco had only been living in the apartment - in the luxury Exo building at 26-38 21st - for about five months. Smith had lived alone in the apartment but had Capobianco move in to help with the rent. A one-bedroom apartment in the building - which features a gym and rooftop deck - goes for around $2,800. A clerk at a nearby liquor store told The Post that Smith would often come in to buy champagne to celebrate new clients . 'He was starting a new business,' the clerk said. 'He said he was not going to work for someone else anymore, he was only going to work for himself.' Beaten to death: Smith was pronounced dead at Elmhurst General Hospital on Monday . Smith's Facebook page features several photos of him partying, including a trip to Atlantic City. His lawyer profile at Povman Law Firm - which was pulled down from the company website Tuesday - says that he grew up on Long Island and received a psychology degree from the University of Vermont. He then attended Hoffstra University School of Law. Smith worked at a 'prestigious criminal defense firm', his redacted profile said, before joining Povman, where he worked on personal injury claims, from 'complex medical malpractice cases to common car accidents or slip and falls'. Struggling: Smith was a practicing lawyer but had a heroin problem, police sources said . Lifestyle: Smith's social media accounts show an active partying lifestyle. It is not clear if this photo, posted in August 2012, is of his living room . However it appears he had recently left to go into business with Capobianca. The Povman Law Firm said they had 'no comment' on Smith when The Daily Mail contacted them on Tuesday. | Quintin Capobianco, 18, says he was held captive for eight hours .
Claims roommate Jesse Smith, 29, was threatening him with a shot gun .
Smith was found bludgeoned to death in his Astoria apartment Monday .
Capobianco told police he hit Smith with a hammer 'three or four time' after breaking through his restraints .
Prosecutors say they believe his story but will go through with murder charges .
Capobianco was charged with second degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon with intent to use . |
60,673 | ac75e3534232e42c255d9c14c406bbd496443e67 | Tyson Fury and Dereck Chisora meet at London's Excel Arena on Saturday night in a hotly-anticipated all-British affair. Before the fight, however, the pair will face each other at the weigh-in on Friday (live from 1.50pm). Here, Sportsmail brings you all the action from Box Nation as the pair measure each other up the day before the fight. | Tyson Fury faces Dereck Chisora at London's Excel Arena on Saturday .
Winner of world heavyweight title final eliminator faces Wladimir Klitschko .
Pair will measure each other up at Friday's weigh-in .
You can follow all of the video coverage live, right here (from 1.50pm) |
119,963 | 270b3246254889e6ba7038d1919c66f2bbd5e48f | (CNN) -- Ten cases of polio have been confirmed among children in Syria, the first outbreak of the disease in that country since 1999, a World Health Organization spokesman told CNN Tuesday. WHO's Oliver Rosenbauer said the confirmations were among 22 suspected cases that were identified on October 17 in the eastern city of Deir Ezzor after the children exhibited symptoms of "acute flaccid paralysis" -- a sudden onset of weakness and floppiness in any part of a child's body or paralysis in anyone in whom polio is suspected as the cause. The confirmation was key because other diseases can cause similar symptoms. Most of the victims were younger than two years old and were unimmunized or underimmunized, WHO said in a statement. The Syrian Health Ministry is working with international organizations and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent to get vaccine to all areas of Syria, Health Minister Dr. Saad al-Nayef told WHO's regional committee on Monday in Muscat, Oman, the state-run Syrian Arab News Agency reported Tuesday. But Dr. Bruce Aylward, the World Health Organization's assistant director-general for polio, emergencies and country collaboration, told CNN last week that his organization was not waiting for the confirmation to mount a vaccination campaign. "As far as everyone is concerned, they're treating this like polio," he said. On October 24, health officials launched a program to immunize 1.6 million Syrian children against polio, measles, mumps and rubella -- in government- and rebel-held areas. The response, which will also include neighboring countries, is expected to last at least six months, the WHO said. According to UNICEF, 500,000 children in Syria have not been vaccinated against polio. Given the fighting, the large-scale movement of refugees and the number of children who have not been fully immunized, "the risk of further international spread of wild poliovirus type 1 across the region is considered to be high," it added. The highly infectious viral disease primarily affects young children. Initial symptoms can include fever, fatigue, headache, vomiting, neck stiffness, limb pain and, in a small number of cases, paralysis and death. It can be prevented through immunization, but there is no cure. The incidence of the disease has dropped by more than 99% since 1988. It remains endemic in three countries -- Pakistan, Nigeria and Afghanistan -- down from more than 125 countries in 1988. Public health can be among the first casualties of war, as resources are diverted away from ensuring clean water supplies and intact sewer lines. Despite the challenges posed by the ongoing civil war, the polio vaccination effort will be helped by the fact that Syria had high rates of vaccination coverage among its populace prior to the current conflict, Aylward predicted. In an address Friday to the U.N. Security Council, the under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief cited the outbreak as an example of the privations endured by the Syrians and the risks they face. Diseases, including those easily preventable by basic hygiene and vaccination, are spreading "at an alarming rate," said Valerie Amos. In addition, reports of malnutrition have soared, and people suffering from chronic illnesses, such as cancer and diabetes, are dying for lack of access to treatment, she said. Aid workers cannot reach some 2.5 million people in the country, she added. "All humanitarian staff missions and convoys continue to require written approval," she said, citing as "unacceptable" and "unpredictable" the government's processing of visas for U.N. and non-governmental staff members. More than 100 such visas are pending, many are limited to a single entry and many of those that are issued are for insufficient durations, she said. "There is simply no reason why humanitarian staff, whose only interest is to help those in desperate need, have not been granted visas to scale up our operations," she said. In response, Syria's permanent representative to the United Nations acknowledged to reporters in New York that the country is facing grave humanitarian problems, but accused Amos of having failed to properly apportion blame. "She should know and say what are the root causes," Bashar Jaafari told reporters, citing neighborhoods that are "under siege by the Syrian Army because there are armed groups in these neighborhoods taking civilians as human shields." Jaafari said his country is "a victim of interference by some member states into its domestic affairs." Regarding the issuance of visas, he said, "We are issuing too many visas to too many people; we are a sovereign nation, like any other nation; we have our own reasons sometimes to deny a visa to this or that individual." Jaafari said Damascus has extended visas to hundreds of people working for the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), which is led by Amos. "Any minimal cases here and there" of problems "wouldn't affect the overall picture of our cooperation with OCHA," he said. According to the United Nations, more than 100,000 people have died in the conflict, which began in March 2011 when government forces cracked down on peaceful protesters. CNN's Jessica King contributed to this report . | NEW: Most of the victims are younger than 2 .
Ten cases have been confirmed out of 22 suspected cases, WHO says .
Public health officials had already begun mounting a vaccination campaign .
First confirmation of polio in Syria since 1999 . |
264,121 | e21522b327234c067c7b051820e6c8383a4c0539 | (CNN) -- Nuclear scientists in Switzerland recently dropped some antimatter. The world didn't blow up, but there were some tiny explosions. Scientists are hoping the experiment will teach them more about how the universe developed after the Big Bang. Physicists with ALPHA Collaboration research group are trying to figure out how antimatter interacts with gravity, and if it produces "antigravity," says the group's founder, Jeffrey Hangst. Their experiment mirrors the way Sir Isaac Newton came up with the law of gravity in the late 17th century. Legend has it that an apple fell off a tree and hit the English nobleman on the head. Newton got to thinking how gravity made the apple speed up as it fell. He postulated that matter attracts matter via gravitational force, which is why an object like an apple would fall toward a larger object: the earth. So, if matter attracts matter, what happens when antimatter interacts with it? Will it produce antigravity? And would then a ball of antimatter fall up? Gravity with a twist . "That would be a revolution," Hangst says. "That would mean we don't understand something fundamental about the universe." And a big piece of the puzzle is indeed missing, he admits. Though people live with the effects of gravity every day and Newton's law of gravity has been around for over 300 years, scientific understanding of gravity is lagging, he says. "The way planets and stars move, we understand that well." But how matter attracts matter on a molecular level is still greatly a mystery, Hangst says. The ALPHA Collaboration hopes to raise the level of understanding. Antimatter science vs. fiction . Antimatter may be the stuff of science fiction movies and novels, but it is hardly futuristic, according to CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research in Geneva, where Hangst's group runs its experiments. Scientists have known about antimatter for more than 80 years, after physicist Carl Anderson discovered positrons in the 1930s. CERN makes the antimatter for ALPHA's experiment using a particle accelerator, which speeds up subatomic particles to nearly the speed of light and crashes them into each other to produce new particles. In the world of Dan Brown's "Angels and Demons" and Gene Roddenberry's "Star Trek," antimatter can make the Vatican explode or power a star ship. If a large chunk of antimatter were to touch a large chunk of matter, the explosion would indeed be enormous, but it's unlikely to happen. Antimatter has not existed naturally in the universe for a very long time. "Not in the last 13.7 billion years," Hangst jokes. That's basically as long as the known universe has existed. Antimatter abounded . But scientists have long theorized that a lot of antimatter was produced during the universe's inception. It has since disappeared, and they would like to know why. If equal amounts of matter and antimatter existed initially, they should have annihilated each other, but they didn't. Only matter is left behind. The kind of antimatter CERN makes for the experiment is antihydrogen, a mirror image of hydrogen, which is the smallest known atom. Because it is composed of so few parts, it's the easiest antimatter atom to make. Antihydrogen's subatomic particles have an electronic charge opposite from those of regular hydrogen. Hangst's team uses the latest technology to catch the antihydrogen atoms, hold them without letting them touch matter, and then drop them. When the falling antimatter meets matter, the two "annihilate" each other, as scientists say, and give off energy in the process -- a kind of nano-explosion. The ALPHA scientists measure the energy bursts to find how fast the antihydrogen molecules fell after they dropped them. The result . So, did the antimatter fall up? Scientists with the ALPHA Experiment couldn't tell, according to study published in Nature Communications. But the fact that they now have the technology to let it free-fall is a big deal, Hangst said. "That you can do this at all ... is a bit of a revolution." It paves the way for scientists to get the answer in a relatively short time -- a few years instead of a few decades. If scientists can figure out how antimatter interacts with gravity, it would take them a step closer to understanding how the universe was formed during the Big Bang, when a lot of antimatter was still around, Hangst says. Many scientists believe that antimatter acts in the same or in a similar manner as matter when it comes to gravity. The ALPHA Collaboration puts that stance to the test. "In a world in which physicists have only recently discovered that we cannot account for most of the matter and energy in the universe," the study says, it would be "presumptuous" to cling to the idea. "We know that there is something fundamental about the universe that we don't understand," Hangst said. In essence, scientists don't know why the universe exists at all. More space and science news from CNN Light Years . Follow @CNNLightYears on Twitter. | Scientists have long hypothesized that the Big Bang produced lots of antimatter .
It no longer exists in nature, physicists say .
It is produced on Earth in particle accelerators .
Physicists study it to learn more about the formation of the universe . |
257,319 | d906d64c8e9b66b5fe36909f80d6759ab0bed3b2 | By . Sarah Griffiths . A computer programme has been created that write its own moralistic tales, like Aesop's famous Hare and the Tortoise (illustrated) Many people will be familiar with Aesop’s fables such as The Hare and the Tortoise, but now there’s a computer programme that uses artificial intelligence to write its own moralistic tales. The Moral Storytelling System can create fables around particular combinations of emotions or desires felt by the characters in a story. There are 22 emotions to choose from in all. It is the next step closer to enabling machines to make meaningful literary works in their own right. Explaining how the technology works, Margaret Sarlej, a PhD candidate at the University of New South Wales in Australia, said: ‘a human author simply decides an interesting emotional path for the story, and the computer does the rest.’ ‘The computer decides the events to elicit those emotional responses from the characters and the characters do whatever the plot needs them to do.’ A psychological model known as OCC, named after its creators Ortony, Clore and Collins, determines the emotions and Ms Sarlej's computer programme is based on the OCC model. The result is a kind of high-tech version of the famed Ancient Greek storyteller Aesop, although at the moment, the machine is not quite as eloquent. The researchers hope that their computer programme will advance computers’ abilities to author stories with ever-growing sophistication and complexity. Ms Sarlej's supervisor, Dr Malcolm Ryan, predicts that computers ‘will be making interesting and meaningful contributions to literature within the next decade’. Once upon a time there lived a unicorn, a knight and a fairy. The unicorn loved the knight. One . summer's morning the fairy stole the sword from the knight. As a . result, the knight didn't have the sword anymore. The knight felt . distress that he didn't have the sword anymore. The . knight felt anger towards the fairy about stealing the sword because he . didn't have the sword anymore. The unicorn and the knight started to . hate the fairy. The next . day the unicorn kidnapped the fairy. As a result, the fairy was not . free. The fairy felt distress that she was not free. No humans required? The researchers hope that their computer programme will advance computers' abilities to author complex stories - without human writers (pictured). Dr Malcolm Ryan, predicts that computers 'will be making interesting and meaningful contributions to literature within the next decade' ‘They might be more experimental than mainstream, but the computer will definitely be doing some of the work of writing.’ The researchers hope that authors, computer game designers and other creators will see value in the research. ‘For us, this is a serious literary project and we want to find artists who can help direct it to that end,’ Dr Ryan said. He believes that one of the benefits of collaboration is the potential to uncover new and exciting possibilities. ‘How will this technology be used? It is impossible to predict. We hope artists will take it up and create things we'd never imagined.’ | Scientists from the university of New South Wales in Australia created the programme that can write its own moralistic tales .
Programme is thought to be the next step in enabling computers to make meaningful literary works independently .
Moral Storytelling System creates fables around mixtures of emotions .
Humans decide an 'emotional path' and the programme writes the rest .
Experts claim its a hi-tech version of Aesop, who wrote famous fables . |
188,758 | 8078a666c5856a505c58f58bc98cc6d7c6594c29 | By . Victoria Allen . Last updated at 10:17 AM on 25th October 2011 . Horrific attack: Stuart Walker may have been sexually assaulted before he was killed in Cumnock . A barman beaten and set on fire in an alleged homophobic attack may have been sexually assaulted before he was killed, police said last night. The body of 28-year-old Stuart Walker was found in an empty industrial estate in the early hours of Saturday morning. The openly gay barman was the victim of a ‘violent and sustained’ attack as he walked back from a house party. In the hours after his death, his small community of Cumnock, Ayrshire, was rife with rumours he was targeted because of his sexuality. Strathclyde Police have refused to confirm or deny this but Divisional Commander John Thomson said the victim’s lifestyle was the ‘main focus’ of his inquiries. As it was reported that Mr Walker’s body was found partially undressed, Mr Thomson said a sexual element to the crime had not been ruled out. But Initial reports that he was tied to a lamp post were incorrect, officers said. At a press conference at Kilmarnock police office, he confirmed Mr Walker – a former assistant manager at the Royal Hotel in Cumnock – had almost certainly known those who killed him at Caponacre industrial estate. Mr Thomson said: ‘I don’t think it was a random attack by someone who will strike again. I suspect Stuart may have known this individual or met this individual shortly before his death.’ Mr Thomson, who described the murder as a ‘vicious attack’, said there was a ‘possibility of a sexual assault’. In loving memory: Flowers left at the scene in Cumnock, Ayrshire, where Stuart Walker was found dead . Crime scene: The murder scene at Caponacre Industrial Estate, Cumnock, Ayrshire where the body of Stuart Walker was found . The post-mortem examination will reveal whether that was the case. Mr Walker’s charred remains were discovered at 4.50am by party-goers, after being last seen by a friend alive at 2:30am. The sociable music fan had been at a number of friends’ house parties on the nearby Netherthird housing estate until the early hours. He then took the route back to the house he shared with parents David, 63, and Isabel, 56, and 24-year-old sister Julie in Hearth Place, Cumnock. He was last seen alive and alone close to the town fire station in Glazier Street by a family friend. But Mr Walker, a former gym supervisor, changed route and bypassed his house to go to the industrial estate. Police are unsure if he was taken there or went of his own accord, and whether he removed his own clothing. His family first became worried when Mr Walker did not turn up at his grandmother Margaret McMeekin’s 80th birthday party on Saturday. He also failed to appear for his fourth shift at a new job behind the bar of the First Edition pub in nearby Kilmarnock. Tributes: Flowers were left at the scene where Mr Walker's charred body was discovered on Saturday . It was not until his family raised the alarm that police were able to identify Mr Walker. Officers have interviewed dozens of potential witnesses, conducted door-to-door inquiries and studied CCTV footage. Mr Thomson said: ‘I am optimistic we will bring this person or persons to book sooner rather than later.’ Detective Inspector John Hogg of Ayr police added: 'We are still working towards identifying a motive for this murder. 'I am aware of all the speculation in the media regarding Mr Walker and his death. At this time,we have nothing to indicate that this is a homophobic crime. Until we know the exact circumstances . surrounding this murder, we will not rule anything out and will keep an . open mind on any possible motive for his terrible crime.' Members of the gay community in Ayrshire are among more than 4,000 people who have visited a Facebook page set up in memory of Mr Walker. A spokesperson for the bar Stuart had just started working at, told The Guardian: 'We are all shocked at the death of Stuart and our thoughts and prayers are with his family.' And the director of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender support group Stonewall Scotland, Colin Macfarlane, told the newspaper: 'Stonewall Scotland are deeply worried that the police feel there may be a possibility that his death was a hate crime.' | Police say Stuart Walker may have been sexually assaulted in the attack .
Victim's lifestyle is the 'main focus' of police inquiry .
Mr Walker 'almost certainly knew those who killed him' |
217,023 | a4fa41011a92a3891918e7596dc3d4f1974eda2b | (CNN) -- The recent scandal in the Department of Veterans Affairs sheds light on the role of financial bonuses in helping prompt administrators to behave unethically. Here is the logic behind the incentive system: Reducing wait times by getting patients seen quickly is good for both patients and hospitals. So, administrators could receive financial bonuses by keeping wait times short. But the bonuses ended up motivating bad behavior. Rather than improving health care, the administrators falsified records so that wait times looked shorter on paper. What went wrong? Incentives can lead to greater performance, but employees may be so focused on the potential of receiving them that they end up cutting corners and crossing ethical boundaries. Research by Wharton management professor Maurice Schweitzer and colleagues shows that when people are rewarded for goal achievement, they are more likely to engage in unethical behavior, such as cheating by overstating their performance, especially when they fall just short of their goals. We all want to be good people who care about the well-being of others in addition to our own. This very likely holds true also for administrators and employees working in VA hospitals. Were bonuses ties to VA wait times? Here's what we know . Yet we are often unable to behave in ways that are consistent with this desire and use all sorts of self-serving justifications to rationalize our behavior, my research shows. For instance, if we perceive goals as too difficult or even unattainable, we may use such evidence to justify our cheating. In the case of the VA scandals, the performance target required administrators to schedule appointments for primary care doctors to meet with patients within 14 days of each patient's desired appointment date. Given the high demand and lack of doctors, this was a standard that most administrators perceived as impossible to meet. Thus, acting unethically may have not seem that wrong to them, given that the goals were not fairly set to start with. The ways that goals and financial incentives are set can lead most people not to follow their moral compass. Financial incentives on their own, research has shown, change our attitudes and behaviors in selfish ways. Even merely thinking about money leads people to be less helpful and fair in their dealings with others, to be less sensitive to social rejection and to work harder toward personal goals. In fact, money can make us so focused on our selfish motives that it can lead us to behave unethically. In my own research, I found that university students were more likely to cheat on a task after seeing 7,000 dollar bills than after seeing 24. Similarly, across a variety of studies, participants who were primed to think about money were more likely to cheat after completing a task by inflating their performance as compared with people in a control condition. In one study, we asked college students to make as many coherent sentences as they could out of a set of words they had been presented with. In one group, some word sets were seeded with ones associated with money, such as "dollars," "financing" and "spend" (thus priming people with the concept of money). In another group, the words were all neutral. Next, the students completed a second test: They had to solve math puzzles under time pressure. They were asked to report their performance and received a packet of money so that they could reward themselves with a dollar for each correctly solved puzzle. Eighty-eight percent of those who had been primed with money-related words in the first test cheated, but only 67% of those given neutral words did. Money is ubiquitous in our daily lives and prominent in the Western culture's psyche. So these findings might explain, at least in part, why financial incentives can encourage the wrong behaviors -- and why, though we want to be good people, we so often diverge from our moral compass. Tie financial bonuses to ill-conceived goals, and you'll end up with people being more likely and more comfortable cheating. Recognizing the malleability of our moral compass is important since it can help us identify potential solutions to our frequent ethical failures. One way to keep us on track is to identify ways to make ethical standards salient at the time we face ethical challenges. Drawing people's attention to moral standards, in fact, can effectively reduce dishonesty. For example, consider a study (PDF) my colleagues and I conducted in collaboration with a major U.S. car insurance company. As part of the study, we sent 13,488 of the company's customers a form that asked them to report the number of miles they had driven the prior year, as indicated on their cars' odometers. Cheating by under-reporting mileage would come with the financial benefit of lower insurance premiums. On about half of the forms sent out, customers were supposed to sign to indicate their truthfulness at the bottom of the form. The other half of the forms asked the customers to sign at the top of the form. The average mileage reported by customers who signed the form at the top was more than 2,400 miles higher than that reported by customers who signed at the bottom of the form. Our follow-up research demonstrated that signing at the top of the form (before reporting information that could be inflated) increased the salience of ethical standards by highlighting people's self-identity and improving their ethicality. So the disparity in average mileage suggests a difference in reporting ethics rather than in driving habits. Getting rid of incentive and bonus systems seems rather impractical. What this research suggests is that in order for incentive systems not to lead to the wrong behavior, they need to be introduced with particular care. They need to be supported by an organization's culture that stresses the importance of integrity, not just on paper. For instance, both the CEO and senior management in an organization should make their commitment to integrity visible and clear to employees, and communicate the value they put on ethics in orientation programs, annual reports, newsletters, meetings and training sessions. They should not only stress the importance of -- and reward -- high levels of performance, they should focus attention on the means that are used to reach it. Most of us understand that we slip up occasionally, despite our best intentions, and that others do as well. And so it's useful for organizations to consider some simple interventions that can help their customers and employees stick to their ethical principles. Gergen: What it takes to fix the VA . | VA administrators received bonuses after concealing delays for medical care .
Francesca Gino says that when financial incentives are present, cheating is more common .
She says we can't get rid of incentives but can monitor how they're administered .
Gino: Better design of bonus programs can make a difference . |
49,327 | 8b49cee725e8f6eabad579f9001c5d35b4657533 | (CNN) -- The eruption of a volcano in Guatemala was diminishing Friday, emergency officials said, though a heightened alert for the communities near the Volcan de Fuego remained in place. "For the moment, all that are seen are weak and moderate explosions as well as flows of lava that also diminished in length," the government said on its website, citing the National Institute of Seismology, Volcanology, Meteorology and Hydrology. "People are returning to their houses now that the activity has lowered," said David de Leon, a spokesman for CONRED Guatemala, which organizes disaster relief. But, he added, "We tell them it might be necessary" to leave again, should the volcano's activity spike. Though 35,000 people might theoretically have been affected by the columns of ash and smoke that rose from the "Fire Volcano," only 5,000 live southwest of it, the direction that was threatened, he said. On Thursday night, only about 800 people sought refuge at the four shelters set up by the Red Cross, said a Red Cross spokesman, Vinicio Sarazua Santillan. "Many of the people who were evacuated decided to go back to their houses, and others never left," he said. He predicted that the shelters would be empty Friday night "if the volcano continues in tranquility." Sarazua said that a number of people refused to evacuate out of fear that their belongings could be stolen. But, he said, as of Friday afternoon he had heard no reports of looting. De Leon said he also had heard no reports of looting. A government photo of Volcan de Fuego showed a massive wall of smoke that was lighter where it rose into the sky, and dark gray as it drifted. The average height of the column of smoke had decreased from about 2,000 meters (6,560 feet) to 700 meters, the agency said. Still, civil protection authorities kept in place the heightened "orange" alert. The volcano began spewing ash at 10 a.m. Thursday and was continuing to belch late in the afternoon near the country's former capital, Antigua, said Carmen Maria Caballero of the Guatemalan Red Cross. CNN iReporter Harby David Marroquin had been working at a nearby golf course when he saw nature's pyrotechnics and shot video on his iPhone. It showed white smoke pouring out of the top of the 3,763-meter (12,346-foot) volcano. Listening to the volcano gives him peace of mind, Marroquin said. "You feel an indescribable energy, and this time was no different." Three people were treated at mobile health centers for respiratory problems, according to de Leon. Thursday's eruption marked the sixth -- and the strongest -- this year, Caballero said. "It's a very active volcano," she added, but said that did not necessarily mean Thursday's eruption would last longer than others. According to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, the volcano is one of Central America's most active. Is Yellowstone atop a supervolcano that can threaten Earth? Thousands evacuated after volcano in Nicaragua erupts . | NEW: "Weak and moderate explosions" are all that are being seen, the government says .
On Friday, authorities say, it is decreasing in activity .
A heightened alert remains in place .
Guatemala's Volcan de Fuego, or "Fire Volcano," erupted Thursday . |
241,956 | c524832146c61bdb2e27713d975da93d108270ff | (CNN) -- There are times when political ambition spurs political leaders to reach new heights of courage and creativity. To date, the Ebola outbreak of 2014 is not proving to be one of those times. By chance, the deadly infection first arrived on American shores in two states, Texas and New York, where powerful governors are each nurturing dreams of the presidency and eager to posture as men with the right stuff to lead the nation. But Rick Perry in Texas and Andrew Cuomo in New York are both being tripped up by a dilemma that has bedeviled recent presidents: They are trying to govern an irritable, politically polarized electorate that demands and rewards certainty and bombast from its leaders, even in situations that cry out for flexibility and calm. Forced to choose between narrow political advantage and the broader public good, Perry and Cuomo both showed they are willing to take the easy way out. From the very start, it's been clear that the only logical way to stem the Ebola crisis is to contain and control the disease at its source. That means getting medical materials and personnel to the West African nations of Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea without delay -- battling the virus overseas so we don't have to contend with it here. That's a tricky, complex logistical task. Even before the Ebola outbreak, all three nations suffered from poverty, civil wars, rickety infrastructure and a weak health system. Aid workers from America and other nations are frantically trying to build a public health system in places where none existed before (in the hard-hit Bomi region of Liberia, for instance, there are only two doctors for 89,000 people). The virus could conceivably overwhelm the heroic efforts under way. The World Health Organization estimates that the three affected countries already have 10,000 confirmed, probable and suspected cases of Ebola -- but that number could explode to as many as 10,000 new infections per week by the end of this year. In addition to causing a global humanitarian crisis, an epidemic of such proportions would be far more likely to spread to Europe and the Americas, which to date have treated only 18 Ebola patients. The simple-minded reaction here has been to propose banning travel to and from the affected countries and quarantining anybody entering the U.S. from those places. But that, according to health experts, would be a disastrous mistake. "We have been reiterating at every opportunity that we do not recommend travel and trade restrictions. We need outsiders to get in to combat this outbreak," says Gregory Hartl, a spokesman for WHO. "We need expert logisticians, epidemiologists, communications experts. If the flights are being cut off they can't get in." But the men who would be president are responding to very different considerations than the health experts are. "This is all hands on deck," Perry declared at a press conference on October 1, shortly after the news that a Liberian man in Dallas, Thomas Duncan, had been diagnosed with Ebola. "Professionals on every level of the chain of command know what to do to minimize any potential risk to the people of Texas," Perry said, seeking to project an image of quasi-military efficiency that turned out to be a mirage. Duncan's death was followed by the news that two nurses attending him also contracted the virus -- and had entered the dangerous, contagious phase of the disease while traveling outside of Texas. Reporters soon discovered holes in Perry's chain of command. At Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital, where Duncan succumbed, a nurse said that boasts about training and preparedness were a myth: . "We never talked about Ebola, and we probably should have," said one nurse, according to the Texas Tribune. "They gave us an optional seminar to go to. Just informational, not hands on. It wasn't even suggested we go. ... We were never told what to look for." Perry ended up apologizing for his state's shortcomings -- and, in a crucial concession to the politics of the situation, reversed an earlier position and called for creation of a no-fly list and suspension of travel to and from Ebola-struck countries. In New York, medical authorities handled the state's first and only case of Ebola more effectively than in Texas -- but that didn't stop Cuomo from doing a flip-flop of his own on the issue. About a week after a courageous physician named Craig Spencer returned from helping Ebola victims in Africa, he developed an elevated temperature -- one sign that the virus may be present -- and was transported to Bellevue Hospital, one of the 11 city-run hospitals in New York City. Cuomo, along with New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, told New Yorkers to be calm and staged photo ops of himself riding the subways -- something Cuomo almost never does -- to show the public that the chances of being infected with Ebola through casual contact are slim to none. But the next day, Cuomo and his New Jersey counterpart, Gov. Chris Christie, announced without warning that any health workers arriving at New York-area airports who had dealt with Ebola victims will be held in quarantine for 21 days, the incubation period of the virus. The decision, made hastily, went into effect immediately. "Since taking office, I have erred on the side of caution when it comes to the safety and protection of New Yorkers, and the current situation regarding Ebola will be no different," Cuomo said. That was a 180-degreee spin from October 7, when the governor said he would oppose restrictions on travel. "I don't think it works mechanically to say, 'Shut off entry from any country,' because what happens is you just fly to another country and you then you come in from that country," he said back then. What changed in the meantime? Cuomo, running for re-election on November 4, has been hammered by his Republican opponent, Rob Astorino, on New York's Ebola preparedness. And the governor's not-so-secret presidential hopes also depend on selling an image of forcefulness and strength to the nation -- an image that could suffer if he seems "soft" on border control. But the story did not end with this weekend's stepped-up quarantine. Sunday night, amid intense criticism from medical professionals -- including Kaci Hickox, the nurse quarantined in New Jersey under that state's rigorous new protocols -- Cuomo once again changed course. He backed down from the strict mandatory quarantine policy he'd just instituted, according to an article in The New York Times, and adopted a less severe one -- allowing home quarantine for those not showing symptoms of Ebola and compensating them for lost income. Make no mistake about it: Forcing volunteers to sit in a quarantine center for three weeks -- Hickox said she was confined to a makeshift tent and treated like a prisoner -- will discourage, and in some cases halt, the desire of good-hearted professionals to volunteer to fight the war against Ebola. Cuomo's hastily modified quarantine-at-home policy is less harsh, but could have a similar chilling effect. Christie continues to embrace the original, more severe quarantine. The great irony is that the politicians, driven by ambition, are going to contain, quarantine, hassle and discourage the people who really do have the right stuff: men and women willing to put their lives on the line to save the rest of us. | Errol Louis: Texas, N.Y. governors took easy way out on Ebola returnees .
He says medical experts' ability to fly in and out of W. Africa is key to stemming Ebola .
He says Perry blustered about Texas' ability on Ebola, Cuomo played politics on quarantine .
Louis: Effect will be to discourage generous health workers who are best hope . |
188,882 | 80a3a8c00f5510a4d8c6a73d3b263ac75a44bbde | (CNN) -- At least one tornado ripped through northeast Texas Sunday evening, destroying homes, turning over vehicles and knocking train cars off tracks, local authorities said. A tornado struck Rice Texas at 5:30 p.m., Navarro County Chief Deputy Mike Cox said. The twister destroyed three homes, damaged at least two more, turned over an 18-wheeler truck onto a passenger car and knocked cars from a freight train off their tracks, he said. It also caused extensive damage to Rice Elementary School. Four people were transported to the hospital with minor injuries, Cox said. In addition to "significant damage" from a tornado moving through Navarro County, witnesses have also spotted possible tornados in other parts of northeast Texas, the National Weather Service said. Betty Montgomery of the Lone Oak Fire Department said callers had reported a debris cloud and structural damage to homes, but authorities had not confirmed whether a tornado had touched down. At least one home in Lone Oak was destroyed, Red Cross spokeswoman Anita Foster said. Joey Romero, 24, said he and his girlfriend rode out the storm in the freezer of a Sonic restaurant at a service station in Rice. They were driving from Dallas to Houston when it started to hail, he said. "We pulled over under some covering. Hail the size of golf balls started falling. Then, we saw hail the size of baseballs," he said. Someone screamed when they saw the tornado forming behind Sonic, he said. The wind roared and the station lost power. "The first few seconds it was all sort of surreal. I couldn't really believe it was happening...We all walked back in the freezer. It was cold in there and there wasn't light and people were starting to cry," he said. The hail shattered car windows, Romero said. The second-year medical student at University of Texas, Houston, said he helped treat injuries. A police officer told him a truck and a car had flipped over on the highway. After several hours inside Sonic, Romero was on the road back to Houston late Sunday. "Even now, we can see the storm off to the east of us. The sky is pitch black," he said. CNN's Jacqui Jeras, Catherine E. Shoichet and Jessica Jordan contributed to this report. | NEW: A tornado destroys homes and knocks train cars off their track .
"Significant damage" is reported in Navarro County, Texas .
A witness says he saw a funnel form and rode out the storm in a restaurant freezer .
The National Weather Service says a high school was hit . |
88,339 | fabb40f57a56b42167dec07c89fafe17ac6bd67f | By . Helen Pow . PUBLISHED: . 09:15 EST, 2 January 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 13:00 EST, 2 January 2014 . A Boston woman had her little toe bitten off in a fight at a raucous New Year's Eve party after she asked a female guest if she wanted to 'hook up.' The unnamed victim was attending a friend's party in Dorchester when a fight broke out around 3 a.m., Boston police said. According to officers, the altercation began when the woman approached another female party guest and propositioned her. However, the other . woman's boyfriend overheard the 'hook up' suggestion and angrily . grabbed the victim's neck and pulled her hair back, she told police. OUch: A Boston woman spent the early hours of 2014 in the emergency room after someone bit her little toe off at a raucous New Year's Eve celebration (stock photo) Eventually, the man let her go after she begged repeatedly to be released, the Boston Globe reported. Shaken, the victim said she rushed to tell the party host, a female friend of hers, what had happened but her friend didn't believe the story. The host reportedly told her she'd ruined the party and another fight ensued. The victim told police her friend pounced on her, punching her until the pair were separated by other guests. She said she then grabbed her belongings and fled the house but the host followed her outside and continued to beat on her. Hospital: Another friend of the victim drove her to Boston Medical Center, where officers were called around 5 a.m. so the woman could report the assault and battery . During the tussle, the two women fell to the ground with the victim on top of her friend and they continued to fight until they were separated again. That's when the host grabbed the victim's left foot and bit off her left little toe, the woman told officers. Another friend of the victim drove her to Boston Medical Center where officers were called around 5 a.m. so the woman could report the assault and battery. The officers reported seeing scratches on both of the victim's arms, her forehead, and over her neck and chest, as well as the missing toe. Detectives are still investigating the incident, a police spokeswoman said. | The unnamed victim was attending a friend's party in Dorchester when a fight broke out with another guest around 3 a.m., Boston police said .
The altercation began when the woman approached another female party guest and asked her if she would like to 'hook up'
The guest's boyfriend overheard the proposition and angrily grabbed the victim's neck and pulled her hair back .
The victim told the female host who told her she'd ruined the party and then punched her and bit off her toe . |
257,347 | d9109f96ca947cbddc4f5eca8129bd08e4ff2140 | London (CNN) -- With his fate at home hanging in the balance, Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani repudiated U.S. claims that Pakistan was falling short on fighting the war on terrorism and said instead that his nation was operating on a trust deficit with Washington. "There's a trust deficit between both the countries, between both the governments," Gilani said in an interview with CNN in London. "That is the reason we are wanting to work for new terms of engagement and cooperation with the United States." Pakistan has been a key U.S. ally, but relations between the two nations have been strained in recent months, especially after last year's killing of Osama bin Laden on Pakistani soil and a NATO airstrike in November that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers. Amid a lack of harmony, the Obama administration has said it is not convinced Pakistan is pulling its weight. At the end of an Asia tour Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Pakistan ought to do more in fighting extremism. Gilani countered that his country was doing all it could in partnership with the United States. "If there is any credible, actionable information, please share with us, because are already working with you," he said. "My ISI is working with the CIA. What else do you want?" The ISI, or Inter-Services Intelligence, is Pakistan's powerful spy agency, which some U.S. officials have charged is protecting militant groups. How can relations between the two nations, strained in recent months, improve? "One point," Gilani said. "That is mutual respect and mutual interest." A lack of trust is not the only stain marring a critical relationship. Pakistan has said it wants an end to U.S. drone strikes on its territory, and Gilani made the point again Tuesday. "We always take drones as counterproductive, and it's not lawful," Gilani said. Back at home, Gilani faces myriad national woes: a faltering economy, widespread poverty and corruption. And now, his own future. He was convicted last month of contempt for his refusal to revive old corruption charges against President Asif Ali Zardari. Some analysts predicted the conviction would plunge Pakistan into crisis, perhaps even spark another military coup. But on a five-day visit to the United Kingdom, Gilani remained confidant and defiant as ever about stepping down, saying that only parliament had the right to force him from office. "If I'm disqualified, notified by the speaker, then yes I have to," he said about leaving his job. Pakistan's Supreme Court issued a detailed verdict Tuesday that made it clear it held Gilani in contempt of court for defying the highest judiciary in the land. Gilani defended himself just as strongly as he defended Pakistan and the course it has taken in battling terrorism. "Whatever I have done is according to the constitution," he said. "It is not on any moral turpitude or financial corruption." He said information about the most wanted terror suspects is shared with Washington. In the case of bin Laden, Gillani said Pakistan was not aware of the al Qaeda mastermind's residence in Abbottabad. "That was intelligence failure of the whole world. It was not just an intelligence failure of Pakistan," he said. Pakistanis, of all people, know the consequences of terrorists on their soil, he said. However, Clinton said this week that the United States believed Ayman al-Zawahiri was hiding in Pakistan. Al-Zawahiri inherited the al Qaeda leadership after the death of bin Laden, who spent years on the lam in Pakistan, fleeing from safe house to safe house, according to one of his widows. Clinton also touted the Rewards for Justice program, aimed at obtaining information that could help convict suspected terrorists. Rewards go as high as $25 million for information on al-Zawahiri and $10 million for information about Hafiz Mohammad Saeed, a Pakistani man wanted by Indian authorities in connection with the 2008 assault on Mumbai, India, that killed 166 people. Asked why Saeed remains a free man, Gilani said Pakistan was still "waiting for some concrete sort of information and evidence" that could be used against him in court. CNN's Jo Shelley contributed to this report. | Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani says Pakistan wants "new terms of engagement" with U.S.
The U.S. claims Pakistan needs to do more to combat terrorism .
Pakistan is a key U.S. ally, but relations have been strained recently .
Gilani's own future is uncertain after he was found guilty of contempt . |
40,790 | 730b57277e3751dbf88c183218ae87aca174462d | (CNN) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao has topped the list of Forbes magazine's list of the world's most powerful people, besting U.S. President Barack Obama who slipped to the second spot. The magazine said it used four criteria to define power -- whether the person has influence over a lot of people; whether they have significant wealth compared to their peers; whether they are powerful in more than one sphere and whether they actively wield power. In that respect, said the magazine, the editors picked Hu as the most powerful man in the world. The annual list was released Wednesday evening. As the leader of China, Hu presides over 1.3 billion people -- one-fifth of the world's population, and over the world's largest army. Under him, China has become the world's second-largest economy. And, says Forbes, "Unlike Western counterparts, Hu can divert rivers, build cities, jail dissidents and censor Internet without meddling from pesky bureaucrats, courts." Julian Assange, the editor of WikiLeaks, makes the list (No. 68), as does Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg (No. 40). In addition, several accused criminals do too, including al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden (No. 57). The top 10 most powerful people, according to the magazine: . 1. Hu Jintao, president of China . 2. Barack Obama, president of the United States. 3. Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz al Saud, the king of Saudi Arabia . 4. Vladimir Putin, the prime minister of Russia . 5. Pope Benedict XVI . 6. Angela Merkel, the chancellor of Germany . 7. David Cameron, prime minister of the United Kingdom . 8. Ben Bernanke, chairman of the Federal Reserve . 9. Sonia Gandhi, president of the Indian National Congress . 10. Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft and co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. | The magazine uses four criteria to define power .
Hu presides over one-fifth of the world's population .
Osama bin Laden also makes the list . |
229,704 | b5799dbc379b51337e618032857ad5f55078f7cb | By . Daily Mail Reporter . Last updated at 11:03 PM on 12th October 2011 . The FBI has made an arrest as part of its phone hacking investigation weeks after nude photos of Scarlett Johansson were leaked . The FBI has made an arrest as part of its phone hacking investigation weeks after nude photos of Scarlett Johansson leaked. A Florida man was charged with . hacking into the emails of Christina Aguilera, Johansson and . Mila Kunis in a computer invasion scheme that targeted Hollywood . celebrities, federal authorities said Wednesday. Christopher Chaney, 35, of . Jacksonville was arrested without incident as part of a yearlong . investigation of celebrity hacking that was dubbed 'Operation . Hackerazzi.' Chaney, who was expected to appear in a Florida courtroom . later Wednesday, was charged with 26 counts of identity theft, . unauthorized access to a protected computer and wiretapping. If convicted, he faces up to 121 years in prison. It wasn't immediately known if he had retained an attorney. Authorities said Chaney was . responsible for stealing nude photos taken by Johansson herself and were . later posted on the Internet. Chaney offered some material to celebrity . blog sites but there is no evidence that he profited from his scheme, . said Steven Martinez, assistant director in charge of the FBI's Los . Angeles office. 'Celebrity information is highly . marketable,' said Martinez, who added his office continues to receive . complaints about celebrities' having their personal information . breached. There were more than 50 victims, . including Kunis, Aguilera and actress Renee Olstead. Others were named . only by initials and investigators wouldn't identify if they were . famous, but said those who were named as victims in the indictment . agreed to have the identities made public. U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California Andre Birotte Jr answered questions after announcing the arrest of Christopher Chaney, 35, of Jacksonville, Florida, in Operation Hackerazzi . At a press conference on Wednesday the FBI showed how the celebrities, more 50 in total and many still anonymous, were hacked in six steps . 'It helps get out the message that . cyber-hacking is a real threat,' said U.S. Attorney Andre Birotte, who . called those who engage in such activity as 'scum.' Chaney hacked Google, Apple and Yahoo . email accounts beginning last November through February, then hijacked . the forwarding feature so that a copy of every email received was sent, . 'virtually instantaneously,' to an email account he controlled, . according to an indictment handed up Tuesday by a federal grand jury in . Los Angeles. He allegedly used the hacker names . 'trainreqsuckswhat,' ''anonygrrl' and 'jaxjaguars911,' and also used the . victims' identities to illegally access and control computers. Celebrities who agreed to be named in the indictment included Mila Kunis, Christina Aguilera and lesser known actress Renee Olstead, who has a role on TV show The Secret Life of the American Teenager . Chaney . is accused of damaging email servers that caused losses of at least . $5,000 per instance. Authorities wouldn't say whether . Chaney was able to access email accounts via cell phones, but he was . able to figure out secure passwords to various celebrity accounts . through information that had been made public. A message seeking comment was left on . an answering machine for a Christopher Chaney in Jacksonville. There . was no answer at a telephone listing for another Christopher Chaney. Celebrities and people in the news have long been targets of privacy invasion but concerns have redoubled in the Internet age. Rupert Murdoch, who closed the News of the World over hacking, giving evidence to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee on the News of the World phone-hacking scandal in July . In Britain, publisher Rupert Murdoch . closed down the News of the World this year after contentions that the . tabloid routinely hacked into people's phones in the hunt for exclusive . stories. The paper, which had published for . 168 years, faced allegations of systematically intercepting private . voicemail of those in the news — including a teenage murder victim. Investigators said they hoped the . celebrity-infused case will jumpstart those who don't value online . security enough to protect their personal information and create more . secure passwords that can't be easily figured out by would-be hackers. 'Taking these steps will go a long . way in protecting yourself from the financial and emotional costs of . having someone intrude on your private life and potentially steal your . identity,' Birotte said. | Christopher Chaney, 35, of Florida faces up to 121 years in prison .
Scarlett Johansson, Mila Kunis and Christina Aguilera named as victims in indictment; dozens of others remain anonymous and are ID'd by initials . |
61,901 | afdbd1bc7c79a936601b3c6cae4622464641d3a5 | Braces from Olivier Giroud and Santi Cazorla secured victory for Arsenal as Arsene Wenger's side put their recent Premier League troubles behind them . The Gunners moved within two points of the Premier League's top four after this 4-1 demolition of Newcastle. Sportsmail's Matt Barlow was at the Emirates to run the rule over both sets of teams... Olivier Giroud (right) celebrates after his 15th minute goal gave the Gunners an early lead . ARSENAL (4-1-4-1) Wojciech Szczesny 6 . Entirely redundant until terrific save to deny Gouffran before the interval and barely tested again before Newcastle’s goal. Hector Bellerin 7 . Good pace and got forward well. One great first-half diagonal run and set up Giroud’s second. Booked for an innocuous tap on Dummett. Mathieu Debuchy 7 . Settled well at centre-half and surprisingly strong in the air against Ameobi. Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin (right) showed good pace and got forward often against the Magpies . Per Mertesacker 6.5 . Hit the bar early on but the captain will have been disappointed his defensive unit leaked a soft-goal from a free-kick. Kieran Gibbs 6.5 . Combined well with Welbeck on the left. Defended well and went close with volley slammed into the side-netting. Mathieu Flamini 6 . Arsenal wobbled briefly for five minutes either side of half-time but were mostly in control and he wasn’t tested greatly . Gunners forward Alexis Sanchez (right) controls possession as Jack Colback watches on . Alexis Sanchez 7.5 . The usual powerball performance. Strong and dangerous out wide or through the centre. Delivered the cross for Giroud’s first goal. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain 7 . Terrific energy and changes of pace. This formation gives Arsenal so much in attack but little help for Flamini shielding defence. Santi Cazorla 7.5 . Not everything came off for him on his 30th birthday but scored with a delicious chip from a tight angle and added the fourth with a Panenka penalty. Santi Cazorla bagged a brace for the Gunners including a superbly taken late penalty at the Emirates . Danny Welbeck 7 . Effective and threatened goal, even from wide on left. Had one harshly disallowed and volleyed another just wide. Olivier Giroud 8 . Majestic header to open scoring and his link-up play was excellent. Also won important headers in his own box. SUBS ON: Podolski (for Giroud 73), Coquelin (Sanchez 87), Maitland-Niles (Oxlade-Chamberlain 90) SUBS: Martinez, Ajayi, Campbell, Sanogo. BOOKINGS: Bellerin, Oxlade-Chamberlain. MANAGER: Arsene Wenger 7.5. Head here to Like our Arsenal Facebook page. Newcastle United goalkeeper Jak Alnwick struggled on his first start between the posts . NEWCASTLE 4-2-3-1 . Jak Alnwick 4.5 . A day to forget for the 21-year-old on his first start. Seemed nervous, hesitant and barely protected against Arsenal’s rampaging attackers. Early goal only added to anxieties. Daryl Janmaat 5 . Overwhelmed at times by the speed and movement of Arsenal’s attacking players and barely able to support in attack. Fabricio Coloccini 6 . Made some key tackles but his defence simply could not cope with Giroud and the runners around him. Might have conceded more. 6. Fabricio Coloccini (right) made some key tackles but struggled to cope with the pace of Arsenal's attack . Mike Williamson 5.5 . Also suffered against a fluent attacking force and did not look comfortable all game. Paul Dummett 6 . Quick, committed and aggressive, although he struggled to contain Sanchez and conceded a penalty with a foul on Welbeck. Cheick Tiote 5 . Lucky to avoid an early red for studs-up follow through into Sanchez midriff after five minutes. Booked later for chopping down the Ox. Cheick Tiote was fortunate not to be sent off early in the contest after his reckless tackle on Sanchez . Jack Colback 6.5 . Good passing and dead-ball delivery. His midfield consistency must be one of the few positives to take back to Tyneside. Ayoze Perez 5 . Moved around into different positions but made no impact until after the substitutions, when he scored with header from Colback free-kick. Sammy Ameobi 4.5 . Dominated in air by Debuchy while in centre. Worked hard when on the left but offered little going forward and hooked after less than an hour. Newcastle's Sammy Ameobi heads clear under pressure from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain . Yoan Gouffran 5 . In for suspended Sissoko. Header forced a good save from Szczesny and a scramble but otherwise rarely involved. Papiss Cisse 4 . Seven in the Premier League before this but entirely anonymous. Few chances and link-up play poor. SUBS ON: Rivieire (for Ameobi 56) Cabella (for Cisse 56), Armstrong (for Perez 82) SUBS: Woodman, Armstrong, Anita, Haidara, Vuckic, . BOOKINGS: Tiote, Janmeet. MANAGER: Alan Pardew 5.5. MAN OF THE MATCH: Olivier Giroud. REFEREE: Lee Mason 5 . ATTENDANCE: 59, 949 . | Oliver Giroud gave Arsenal the perfect start with his 15th minute header .
Santiago Cazorla doubled Arsenal's advantage just after the break .
Giroud grabbed his second near the hour mark .
Ayoze Pérez pulled a goal back for the Magpies .
Cazorla completed his brace with an audacious penalty in the 88th minute . |
182,725 | 78a37a0db818bd5a5fefd868925f71753359be5c | (CNN) -- When Edward Snowden unleashed the flood of classified documents and surveillance data secreted from U.S. spy agencies earlier this year, it is unclear if he anticipated the high-level damage it would do to U.S. international relations. Headlines have focused on irate calls by heads of state to President Barack Obama and parliamentary moves to restore privacy. Diplomats have been summoned to repair fractured relationships. And just this week, the United Nations' senior counterterrorism special rapporteur, Ben Emmerson, announced that he would launch an investigation into the surveillance tactics used by American and British intelligence agencies citing the Snowden leaks at "the very apex of public interest concerns." Yet for all the ruckus globally, the most enduring damage from omnipresent surveillance may be right here at home. Early evidence suggests that knowing that our e-mails, phone calls and social media circles are being vacuumed up into a giant government database may reshape what we say and write, and whom we associate with. Surveillance may be chipping away not just at our privacy, but at the American values of freedom of expression and association enshrined in the First Amendment. Invasion of privacy or no big deal? Yet while foreign politicians are up in arms, many Americans are shrugging their shoulders. There have been lawsuits, bills introduced in Congress and even a few public demonstrations. But surveys from Pew Research indicate that the National Security Agency programs are actually supported by roughly half of Americans, even though many believe that their own personal e-mails and calls have been read or listened to. However, a survey of American writers done in October revealed that nearly one in four has self-censored for fear of government surveillance. They fessed up to curbing their research, not accepting certain assignments, even not discussing certain topics on the phone or via e-mail for fear of being targeted. The subjects they are avoiding are no surprise -- mostly matters to do with the Middle East, the military and terrorism. Because they rely on free expression for their work and livelihoods, some writers may be more prone to caution in what they say and who they say it to for fear of activating an NSA tripwire. But as awareness of mass surveillance sets in for the general public, it is hard to imagine the rest of us will be far behind. In a country that has prided itself for the world's staunchest protections of free speech and association, certain subjects, names, and ideas may become virtually off-limits for all those who'd rather not tangle with the NSA. Topics that are foreign, alien or frightening may become all the more so if researchers, writers, journalists and even students are afraid to investigate and explain them. Surveillance so intrusive it is putting certain subjects out of bounds would seem like cause for alarm in a country that prides itself as the world's most free. Americans have long protested the persecution and constraints on journalists and writers living under repressive regimes abroad, yet many seem ready to accept these new encroachments on their freedom at home. We've already given it away . Some Americans' relative nonchalance toward the government prying into e-mails and calls we long thought were private may stem in part from knowing that we have already ceded so much of our privacy voluntarily. Social media, online shopping, and simple browsing have become semi-public acts. It's hard to know who can see what, and worrying about it can stand in the way of buying a birthday present, posting a great photo or getting your taxes done. Moreover, for most Americans, learning that the government is a lurking hidden online "friend" doesn't evoke the fears it would have in communist Eastern Europe or today's Russia or Iran. Because we are all subject to the NSA's intrusions, there is no single group -- not Muslims, or African-Americans, or people of Middle Eastern descent -- that has emerged as a target of these newly revealed programs. While Americans are used to fighting against discrimination, we are less accustomed to standing up for rights to privacy, expression and association that belong to us all. Finally, because of the utter secrecy of the programs -- schemes we would not even know about short of Snowden's astonishing breach -- unless you're Angela Merkel you wouldn't know whether you were under investigation, questioned at the airport, or denied a visa because of something you said or wrote. It may be years, if ever, before stories come to light of people done in by their own texts, web-surfing or Facebook posts. Did it really matter? When the Snowden story first broke, Obama claimed that the newly exposed programs had foiled 50 terrorist plots. After reading through a classified list of the thwarted assaults, Sen. Patrick Leahy called the figure "plainly wrong." In the few cases where details have been released, journalists and intelligence experts have argued that the evidence gathered through surveillance could have been obtained in other ways, or wasn't crucial. Not all surveillance powers are bad. The Congress and courts have, for decades, focused on where to draw the boundaries to ensure that both we and our constitutional rights are kept safe. With new and expansive surveillance technologies, and new evidence that our most treasured rights may be at risk, the public is depending on judges and representatives to demand the information they need to properly weigh up the purported benefits of surveillance, as well as its harms. Americans shouldn't be out-outraged by the international community about a program that puts our own liberties at risks. The public's dulled senses when it comes to online privacy should not be grounds for forfeiting the rights the Founding Fathers put first above all others. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Suzanne Nossel. | Suzanne Nossel: Edward Snowden has done damage to international relations .
Nossel: Some writers have begun censoring themselves out of fear .
Nossel: Still, many average Americans may not see the intrusion as that big of a deal . |
26,302 | 4a8fb6066dee2e6d442ce2a4cb855fc05979182a | By . Louise Boyle . PUBLISHED: . 12:55 EST, 10 December 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 12:55 EST, 10 December 2012 . A college student has been shot dead in his home after three masked men burst in during an alleged robbery, authorities said. Steven Gregory Grich, 23, was killed on Saturday night at his off-campus home in a gated community, two miles from Clemson University, South Carolina. Mr Grich, from Fort Mill, died from of injuries at the house. There were seven students present during the attack but no one else was shot. Scroll down for video . Shot dead at home: Steven Gregory Grich, 23, an engineering major, was killed by masked men in his home close to Clemson University, North Carolina . Ambush: Six friends were at the home in a gated community on Saturday night when Mr Grich was fatally shot . The electrical engineering major died after three masked men burst in through an unlocked back door. Police are baffled as to why Mr Grich was targeted. The sheriff told the Independent Mail: 'He was a very dedicated student, dedicated to his studies at the university and well-liked. We have yet to find anyone who has anything bad to say about him.' Police would not say if anything had been stolen from the home. One white male and two black males, traveling in a black 2005 Dodge Durango with tinted windows and South Carolina plates, have been linked to the killing. The upscale, gated community in South Carolina has 24-hour surveillance and gates but is difficult to police, the sheriff's office said. Last year, a university student died of alcohol poisoning in the area. Autopsy results are expected later today. Funeral arrangements have yet to be made for the 23-year-old. Gunned down: Mr Grich had been studying electrical engineering at Clemson before his death on Saturday at the hands of three armed men . Fears: Clemson University officials advised students to be vigilant after a 23-year-old male student was shot dead at his home . A Facebook group titled RIP Steven Gregory Grich was set up on Sunday. One friend David Livingston wrote: 'My prayers and heart go out to this family for such a tragic loss.' Another post said: 'When I think of Steven, two words come to mind: Music and Science.' A friend Michael Marshall added: 'Steve was one of the smartest kids I have ever known.' University officials urged students to . lock their doors and be on the lookout of suspicious behavior following . the attack on Saturday. | Steven Gregory Grich killed on Saturday night in front of six friends .
Mr Grich was an electrical engineering major at Clemson University, South Carolina . |
237,760 | bfc3762fc65cadb4677771b5066a33a79ee519b5 | Thomas Pfeiffer, 44, was charged with abortion, strangulation and assault . An anesthesiologist allegedly choked a woman and forced her to swallow a pill that could cause an abortion after she told him she was pregnant. Police responded on Wednesday night to a 'no voice' 911 call from a home in the town of Rosendale, 60 miles south of Albany, New York, according to the Ulster County Sheriff's Office. On arrival, deputies learned that 44-year-old Thomas Pfeiffer, of Red Hook, had choked the woman and forced her to swallow a pill that could cause an abortion. Pfeiffer allegedly did so after the woman told him a home pregnancy test had come out with a positive result. Police said that Pfeiffer allegedly tried to force the woman to take Plan B - an emergency contraceptive pill. Pfeiffer was charged with strangulation, abortion and assault. Police reported that more charges are pending. He's being held on Friday in the county jail on $50,000 cash bail. It couldn't immediately be determined if he has a lawyer. Detective Lt Ed Brewster told RecordOnline that the felony abortion charge came after they were advised by the Ulster County District Attorney's Office. The woman, whose identity has not been released, was treated at Health Alliance Hospital in Kingston and released. Police haven't released details on her relationship with Pfeiffer. | Thomas Pfeiffer of Red Hook, New York, allegedly forced the woman to swallow an emergency contraceptive .
The 44-year-old has been charged with strangulation, abortion and assault . |
188,113 | 7f9bcc815443f5409df4c4e8e560617329141ff3 | By . Chris Hastings . PUBLISHED: . 17:07 EST, 16 November 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 02:51 EST, 17 November 2013 . Children's laureate Malorie Blackman has revealed she harboured anger towards white people for years after being sexually assaulted aged 13 . Malorie Blackman, the best-selling author and Children’s Laureate, was sexually assaulted in a cinema when she was just 13 years old, she has revealed. The writer, whose Noughts And Crosses novels explore racial tensions, said her ordeal at the hands of three white men meant she hated white people for much of her life as a teenager. Interviewed for today’s edition of Desert Island Discs, the 51-year-old author recalled: ‘I was 12 or 13 at the time. I used to go to the cinema a lot by myself and I was watching Disney’s Robin Hood. Three white guys came up behind me. ‘Two of them grabbed my arms so I couldn’t move and the other one sexually assaulted me.‘I was so traumatised. They were laughing and thought it was a big joke. I managed to get away and ran away in floods of tears.’ Blackman, who also wrote the acclaimed 1997 novel Pig Heart Boy, said the attack contributed to her being a very angry teenager. She described her attackers as ‘horrible’ and said that after the incident she felt ‘all white people were horrible’. Her love for a particular song eventually helped her break out of the cycle of hate.She said: ‘The thing that brought it home to me was a song I really loved called What You Won’t Do For Love, by Bobby Caldwell. ‘I went into a record shop and I found one of his albums and he was a blonde guy. I remember thinking, ‘‘Oh my God, he’s white.’’ ‘And then I thought, ‘‘Are you really going to stop liking this song because this guy is white?’’ That’s when I caught myself and thought no, this is silly.’ Blackman, whose song choices on today’s programme include Bob Marley’s Redemption Song and Right Said Fred by Bernard Cribbins, also recalled how a racist careers teacher refused to write her a reference for university and blocked her dream of becoming an English teacher. Malorie Blackman, who tackles racism in her Noughts and Crosses series, also reveals a white careers teacher refused to write her a reference for university . Blackman said: ‘She just looked me in the eye and said, ‘‘Black people don’t become English teachers. Why don’t you be a secretary instead?’’ ‘For about three or four years I wasted my life hating her because I thought she had ruined my life. If I met her again, I would thank her because she did me a favour. She taught me if that someone stands in the way of what you really want to do, you don’t stand there arguing with them and you certainly don’t let them stop you. What you do is find a way to go around them.’Desert Island Discs is on BBC Radio 4 today at 11.15am. | Malorie Blackman was sexually assaulted by three white men in a cinema .
The author admits she held on to her anger towards white people for years .
Broke her cycle of hate after falling in love with a song by Bobby Caldwell .
The 51 year old, who tackles racism in her Noughts and Crosses books, made the revelation on Desert Island Discs . |
150,003 | 4dee3c3a6a2c98eb7a78022145bc60240f292c27 | (MarthaStewart.com) -- This is a collection of excerpts from "Living the Good Long Life" by Martha Stewart, published by Clarkson Potter. Combine travel with exercise . I love to walk. But when I discovered hiking, it took walking to a whole new level. Suddenly, I found I could combine walking with my passion for traveling. In one sense, it's just walking, but it takes me to new heights, literally. I've hiked all over Acadia National Park in Maine, near where I have my summer home, but it's fun to figure out where else in the world I want to hike. So far I've accomplished a few major hikes, such as Mount Kilimanjaro, the Inca Trail, and Northern Sikkim. They were all so fabulous and memorable. Next I'd love to do some trails in China. My favorite workout . I started lifting weights many years ago, and I've always enjoyed it. I like feeling strong -- I can literally feel the improvement after each workout, and I know that at minimum I'm increasing my strength, my bone mass, and maintaining my weight (especially when I'm making up for some delicious indulgence at dinner the night before). Martha Stewart Living: The no-sweat summer workout . Because I now have good overall strength and am usually pressed for time, Mary, my trainer, has me doing two-in-one moves that are really wonderful. For instance, I'll lie on my back on a bench, holding weights in both hands and arms open perpendicular to the bench. As I bring my hands together in a "fly," I bend one knee to my chest and extend the other leg with each move. The works the chest, legs, and core in one move! Martha Stewart Living: Top tips for healthy summer skin . Take a different route every day . I almost never take the same route twice. I follow different paths through the woods or around the farm, and in the city, I wander down various streets to peek in on new restaurants or shops. I take new routes coming into the city so there's always something novel and interesting to look at -- new architecture, a field, or a reservoir I hadn't seen before. It helps the brain to always keep things interesting! And you'll never be bored. Play games socially . I am not a big social game player, but the value of knowing a fun card game or word or numbers game to play when there is downtime is very beneficial. I like cards but have really never had a lot of that "downtime" to engage in poker or bridge or even canasta. I recently learned an easy card game called Gozo that can be played by up to five people, and uses two decks of cards. It is a lot of fun and very engaging. I do promise, however, to really learn both poker and bridge, and I also promise to one day have some of that elusive downtime we all dream about. Martha Stewart Living: 13 crazy beauty tricks that really work . Meeting my mother's friends . When my mother died, I was astonished by how many people came to her funeral. It was standing-room only in this large Catholic church in Weston, Connecticut. Honestly, I had no idea how many friends she had! I knew that she kept busy; she was always writing letters, calling to catch up, offering to drive someone to do errands or see the doctor. But I saw that she was so extremely connected to the people in her town. Talking to these friends after the service was such as lovely, moving experience. They each offered me some little reminiscence of my mom -- stories, insights, and memories. We all need to work harder on social skills -- visiting, remembering birthdays, taking trips together -- with both friends and family. Martha Stewart Living: 11 secrets for a happy and healthy summer . Create a bucket list . Keep a list of things you want to do or feel you must do during your lifetime -- and then checking them off before you kick the bucket -- is a really good thing. That's why movies like "The Bucket List" resonate with so many of us. It certainly resonated with me. While on a photo shoot in Palm Springs, California, it was important to me to visit Joshua Tree National Park. Known for its incredible rock formations and its extraordinary vegetative wonders, it had long been on my "bucket list." It was well worth the early 4 a.m. departure and the long drive into the desert. It is one of those places I will never forget. Martha Stewart Living: 10 ultra firming face masks . Just move on . There are any number of incredibly challenging things that I have to deal with every day -- I get mixed news on a financial report, or I have to make a speech in front of hundreds of people. So I long ago developed the ability to deal with stress: you just have to solve one problem immediately and, if you have to let off some steam. A good way to do this is by going for a quick walk. And then, perhaps most important, you move on. You don't ruminate or worry, but keep moving forward. Life is a pile of problems that have to be solved one way or another, and the best way is to look at each one individually, figure it out, and move on. Treat your feet well . I never wear the same shoes two days in a row. Rather, I rotate through high heels, medium heels, low heels, and flats. Also, I do not confine my feet. I never wear shoes at home, and when I'm riding in the car, my feet are bare so I can wiggle my toes and give my feet some air. I also walk barefoot on gravel all the time. I like to walk on all different kinds of surfaces, particularly when I hike. Practicing walking on uneven surfaces (safely!) is good for foot health, because it strengthens the ankles and improves balance. Martha Stewart Living: 9 color boosting and nourishing hair care treatments . Be proactive . Living well is not a passive act. It is imperative to be engaged in taking care of ourselves. In addition to exercising and maintaining a varied and nutritious diet, one of the most important things I do for myself is to make sure I consult the right professionals at the right times. I try my best to schedule my routine doctor visits and age-appropriate medical tests for the entire year all at once, using the advice of my primary-care physician (very important to have one). That way, nothing gets forgotten and everything will be done when it should be. Get those appointments on you calendar now if you haven't already -- and see how good it feels to take charge of your health. | Martha Stewart shares her secrets for living well and living long .
There is great value in knowing a fun,group card game .
Don't just create a bucket list: Move on from ruminations . |
174,789 | 6e3a24f0db5d8b389be285b3009f0ecf22a3d95f | By . Sarah Michael . and Candace Sutton For Daily Mail Australia . and Louise Cheer . Harriet Wran, the daughter of former NSW premier Neville Wran, had been on a days-long drug binge before a man was stabbed to death in a run-down Sydney unit. Wran appeared in Liverpool Local Court on Thursday charged with murder, attempted murder and break and enter. Court documents confirmed Wran was an ice addict who had been living rough in Sydney's inner city suburbs of Surry Hills and Redfern after leaving her family's luxury Woollahra home in the weeks before the killing. Daily Mail Australia understands Wran, 26, told police she was 'numb on ice' at the time of the attack in the inner-Sydney suburb of Redfern on Sunday and had been 'off her guts for days'. She told them she went to the address because she was desperate to buy drugs but never thought co-accused Lloyd Haines, 29, or Michael Lee, 35, 'would do what they did', allegedly as part of $70 drug deal gone wrong. Scroll down for video . Harriet Wran was photographed leaving Cabramatta police station on Thursday morning in a grey police forensics suit . Michael Lee arrives at Liverpool Local Court, where he appeared charged with murder . Jill Wran arrives at Sydney Airport on Thursday to deal with the arrest of her daughter Harriet (right) Wran claimed she 'froze' at the time but did what she was told because she was terrified of Haines and Lee. Wran didn't apply for bail and it was formally refused. She did not appear in the dock but her lawyer Winston Terracini SC said she would plead not guilty. The matter was adjourned until October 8. She will be held in Silverwater jail. Haines was refused bail on Wednesday and is due to reappear at Central Local Court on October 9. Lee will reappear on October 8. Court documents showed Wran was unemployed and received a Newstart Allowance of $560 per fortnight from Centrelink. Police will allege Daniel McNulty, 45, is suspected of having been a drug dealer and was stabbed two times on Sunday night, once in the left knee and once in the back, which fatally punctured his lung. Harriet Wran's barrister Winston Terracini outside Liverpool Local Court on Thursday. He said his client would deny murder . Ms Wran (pictured here with her brother, Hugo) was questioned by police in Cabramatta on Wednesday . Sources say McNulty was not known to Wran before the attack. As well as McNulty, a second man, Brett Fitzgerald, 42, was stabbed several times in the attack and remains in a stable condition at St Vincent's Hospital. Haines' arrest came after Fitzgerald told police the attack had been carried out by three people in their 30s and 40s. Friends of McNulty have paid tribute to the musician on Facebook, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. Harriet Wran's mother Jill Hickson was driven home by her son Hugo Wran (left) to their house in Woollahra after Harriet's court appearance . Her mother Jill Hickson was glued to her phone as they arrived home . 'Your sharp wit, world observations, humour and brilliant dance moves will be missed my friend. Rest in Peace,' one said. 'Daniel was a funny, talented and gifted musician who had an on going battle with addiction,' another wrote. Wran is part of Australia's wealthy establishment royalty, the daughter of one of the nation's most celebrated political leaders and his glamorous academic second wife, nee Jill Hickson. A second man (pictured), 42, was stabbed multiple times in the attack and he remains in St Vincent's Hospital in a stable condition . Police surrounded the unit where Daniel McNulty died at the scene . Hugo Wran arrives home to the Wran property in Woollahra after his sister Harriet was arrested for murder and held at Cabramatta Police station . She was born in 1988 into a privileged existence created by her barrister turned politician father who had come from humble beginnings in the then Sydney working class suburb of Balmain. She attended prestigious private schools Ascham in Edgecliff and Sydney Church of England Girls Grammar School (SCEGGS) in Darlinghurst before studying modern history at the University of Sydney. Mr Wran was the son of a seaman and coal lumper who ended up as a Queen's Counsel to the NSW bar, premier of the state and an icon of the Australian Labor Party. Neville Wran died in April this year. He is pictured here with his wife Jill and his two children, Harriet and Hugo . Ms Wran is the daughter of former NSW premier Neville Wran, pictured here with his wife Jill in 2008 . On Sunday, emergency crews arrived at a unit block on Walker Street about 7.45pm and found a man with multiple stab wounds. Following investigations, a red 1998 model Toyota sedan was located by police in the Waterloo region about 3pm on Wednesday. Superintendent Luke Freudenstein on Monday said the attack, while not pre-meditated, was not random either. 48-year-old Daniel McNaulty was murdered at the notorious inner-Sydney housing commission unit block . It is not yet clear what motivated the stabbings, but it is likely the attackers knew the victims and the violence may have escalated from an argument, police said at the time. Neighbours reported hearing screams and yelling. A senior police source told The Sydney Morning Herald Wran was believed to have ties with Sydney's drug scene. A friend - who did not wish to be named - said the 26-year-old started seeing a bikie when her relationship with an architect ended. Ms Wran (right) was by Neville Wran's bedside when he died earlier this year in April . A 48-year-old man died and another 42-year-old man was taken to hospital in the double stabbing, Ms Wran (right) has been charged over . At her father's funeral, Ms Wran wore long sleeves to cover up the tattoos had on her arms. 'I would be very surprised if Neville had any idea,' the friend told The Sydney Morning Herald. A state funeral was held for Ms Wran's father who was premier of NSW between 1976 and 1986, on May 1 in Sydney after his death in April this year. Harriet Wran was at his side when the brilliant and controversial Australian politician died. She is the first child of the second marriage of the most electorally successful politician and premier of NSW, with Jill Hickson who was to become a prominent publishing figure. In 1976, at 50 years of age, former barrister Neville Wran rose to become the most powerful man in the state. The alleged murder took place at an apartment block on Walker St in Redfern . The 26-year-old studied modern history at the University of Sydney and went to private schools Ascham and SCEGGS . A 35-year-old was also taken into custody along with a 26-year-old woman in Liverpool . Harriet Wran will be represented by one of Australia's top lawyers, Winston Terracini, when she appears in court. The 26-year-old has turned to the best criminal silk to fight her murder charge, the Daily Telegraph reports. He specialises in complex murder and manslaughter cases and is renowned for his cross-examination skills. His former clients include Gordon Wood, who was acquitted of the murder of his girlfriend Caroline Byrne in 2012, and Keli Lane, the former Australian water polo player who was convicted of the 1996 murder of her newborn baby Tegan. The criminal barrister recently represented millionaire property mogul Ron Medich who was accused of ordering the murder of his former business associate Michael McGurk. Months later, he married then-Qantas executive Hickson, following his divorce from his first wife Marcia, with whom he had a daughter, Kim, and an adopted son, Glenn. The marriage to Jill Hickson created controversy as did Mr Wran's premiership which resulted in corruption allegations which overshadowed Neville 'Nifty' Wran's entire premiership. Jill Hickson Wran gave birth to Harriet in 1988 and Hugo in 1991. Mr Wran agonised over being an 'older father' to his second family, but his children Harriet and Hugo were reportedly devoted to him as he retired from public life and entered his senior years. In 2006, Jill and Neville separated, and their marriage suffered upheavals over the next few years before they reconciled in 2011, not long before Mr Wran moved to an aged care facility in Sydney's eastern suburbs favoured by former political powerhouse leaders, Lulworth House at Elizabeth Bay. Neville Wran reportedly suffered dementia before his death, aged 87, in April this year. Harriet Wran and her brother, Hugo, accompanied their mother Jill to the public memorial for their father's life in Sydney Town Hall. Following her father's death, Harriet Wran became a factor in a reportedly contested will between Jill Hickson and Neville Wran's four children Kim, Glenn, from his first marriage, and Harriet and Hugo, who are believed to be the main beneficiaries of his multimillion-dollar estate. The inheritance is said to include prime real estate - including a home in the exclusive Sydney suburb of Woollahra, a beach house in the multimillion dollar property location of Palm Beach and a farm in the Yarramalong Valley on the NSW Central Coast. A senior police source says Ms Wran is believed to be caught up in Sydney's drug scene . Wran is an ice addict who relapsed following the death of her father Neville in April . Wran had been on a days-long drug binge before the killing and had been living rough in Redfern and Surry Hills . Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article. | Harriet Wran's case heard in Liverpool Local Court on Thursday .
She is charged with murder over a double stabbing in inner Sydney .
Wran has admitted to an addiction to the drug ice and was living rough at the time of the attack .
Wran was unemployed and received a Newstart Allowance of $560 per fortnight from Centrelink, court documents show .
Dad Neville Wran was premier of New South Wales from 1973 to 1986 .
Her co-accused Michael Lee's case was also heard in court .
Police say they arrested a woman and man in Liverpool in the afternoon . |
95,562 | 06d2337c22fc2a3e487585546da1ae74cc8d9e23 | Princess Juliana International Airport in Saint Martin is often referred to as having one of the world's most frightening airport runways. And these holidaymakers who were enjoying a day at the beach in the Caribbean certainly found out why. The airport, while being the second-busiest airport in the Eastern Caribbean, has a runway of just 7,152 feet in length - and it is located right next to the beach. Princess Juliana International Airport in Saint Martin is known to have the world's scariest runway . Tourists can stand right against the fence along the runway's perimeter, across the street from a local beach . Though sufficient for small or medium-sized jets, large carriers fly extremely low over the nearby beach, often only just clearing the perimeter's fence. The video begins as the plane prepares to take off and sunbathers emerge from the water at Maho Beach for a closer look at the JetBlue Airbus A321. The video begins with three brave individuals attempting to hold on as the plane accelerates . Unfortunately, one tourist cannot withstand the blast and is catapulted backwards toward a concrete path . The woman landed headfirst against the beach's wall as passersby raced to her side to help . Several daredevils are then seen holding onto the wire fence that separates the airport runway from the local sandy beach. As the plane begins to accelerate, the sand and dirt kicks up, causing a literal whirlwind among the several brave tourists who are attempting to hang on. Just a second later, one of the remaining two still holding onto the wall is blasted into the air, away from the fence and into a concrete footpath just feet from the fence itself. | Passersby in Saint Martin attempt to hold onto fence while jet accelerates .
The airport has what is called one of the world's most dangerous runways .
One tourist found this out first hand, as jet blast launched her into the air . |
53,593 | 98042c8dbeece420c8a35dde12d408dfc601d07f | By . David Mccormack . PUBLISHED: . 15:26 EST, 6 August 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 17:17 EST, 6 August 2013 . Anthony Weiner’s most recent sexting mate Sydney Leathers has revealed her ten point plan for other loose women who might wish to follow her lead and seduce a lusty politician. Leathers, 22, not so long ago a simple aspiring paralegal from Indiana, is refusing to bow out of the public spotlight either quietly or gracefully, much to the chagrin of the New York mayoral hopeful. In her simple guide to having a sexting relationship with a politician, she regular cites her relationship with Weiner and paints an unflattering picture of a deeply insecure, incredibly vain man who was constant looking for reassurance, much like a small child. Anthony Weiner's sexting mate Sydney Leathers has revealed her ten point plan for other loose women who might wish to follow her lead and seduce a lusty politician . Leathers' guide has appeared on xojane.com, the controversial and provocative women’s lifestyle website described as ‘where women go when they are being selfish, and where their selfishness is applauded.’ Much of her unlikely advice reads like a list of lazy clichés for how one might go about seducing a powerful man - consisting of ego massage, coyness and more ego massaging – but considering what Anthony Weiner has previously revealed about himself, every word may well be true. Her number one advice for snaring a politician is to ‘indulge his crazy alter-ego, and whatever you do, don't laugh at him.’ Leathers writes that politicians require a lot of attention, needing to be ‘coddled like a baby’ and so she says you must be prepared to be there for them at any time of day or night. In her ten point plant for seducing a politician, Leathers paints a picture of Weiner as a deeply insecure and incredibly vain man who was constant looking for reassurance, much like a small child . Leathers is refusing to bow out of the public spotlight, much to the chagrin of New York mayoral hopeful Weiner and his wife Huma Abedin . ‘Basically, pretend like you're dating the middle school version of yourself. Like the prepubescent horny teenage girl with all these emotions,’ she writes, while noting that keeping a straight face is also extremely important. She reveals that Weiner thanked her every time she helped him have an orgasm and that his incessant use of the word ‘baby’ when addressing her was ‘too much.’ Another of her golden rules is: ‘Find a horny non-politician to finance all the expensive shoes and lingerie pics you're sexting your politician boyfriend.’ According to Leather a relationship with a politician is all about excitement and fun but she also recommends having someone else on the go to provide security and help finance your politician sexting. ‘With a politician, you have to remember: You're probably not going to get money. You're in it for the thrill of it,’ she writes. She reveals that at the same time as her affair with Weiner, she had a ‘bored, rich man’ sending her money in return for ‘selfies’ - sexy pictures of herself in provocative positions and langurie. Another lesson from this sexting master is: ‘Figure out his weaknesses early on. If he's insecure, you've hit gold. Then torture him by playing hard to get.’ In order to gain the upper hand in a game of control with any politician, Leathers recommends never responding to anything immediately and often waiting up to two days before replying. This technique ensured that Weiner remained interested in her, but she also confesses that she ended up planning her days around him because they talked and sexted so regularly. ‘Pathetic, but at least he never knew that,’ she writes. Leathers has revealed that Weiner would ask her to rate photos of him and be specific about how sexy he looked . Her next piece of advice is ‘Be a little coy first. Don't be so aggressive.’ She . reveals that when Weiner first flirted with her she would pretend she . didn’t know what was going on which only encouraged him more. ‘That just makes them 10 times more interested. It's a little trick,’ she writes. But then with her next golden rule, Leathers appears to contradict herself: ‘Give him more attention than he's ever known from a woman. Tell him he is sexy, and be specific about why he is.’ It’s hardly a revelation but Leathers writes that ‘politicians are the biggest attention whores you will ever meet.’ Leathers has revealed that Weiner used to regularly trash talk current New York major Michael Bloomberg . She also gives an interesting insight . into Weiner’s ego when she reveals that he would ask her to be specific . about how sexy he was and would ask her to rate photos of him. ‘He would really want to know which rant on the house floor was the sexiest. What turned me on the most.,’ she writes. According to Leathers as playing coy you also have to sometimes ‘play along with whatever he wants’ in order to drive him wild. ‘With Anthony, I said whatever he wanted to hear, and I took a ton of pictures. We talked on the phone all the time. I gave him as much attention as he wanted. It was like a drug for him,’ she writes. She even referenced an example of sexting between the pair: . Dangr33: I was reading your tweets and looking at your pics. so I thought i'd hold your wrists to settle you down. Sydney: ...you have no idea how turned on I am right now. I really want you to manhandle me. Leathers revealed that Weiner used to regularly trash talk about New York mayor Michael Bloomberg and told her that he was an 'effing loser' Leathers, busy attempting to keep her 15 minutes of infamy going as long as she possibly can, told Gawker in a separate interview that she would endorse his Weiner's penis for mayor before she would endorse the man himself. She also revealed that Weiner regularly trash talked current New York mayor Michael Bloomberg to her. Leathers said that her former sexting partner described Bloomberg as 'effing loser' who 'had to buy his third term.' He also told her that while people hated Bloomberg, they loved him. Leather said that was 'the typical narcissistic type of statement you’d hear from him.' In the same interview she also confirmed that she had used sugar daddy websites to flirt . with older men in the past, she described it as ‘no big . deal’ and just a phase when she was younger. | Anthony Weiner's sexting mate has revealed her ten point plan for women who want to seduce a lusty politician .
Much of her advice reads like a list of lazy clichés for how one might seduce a powerful man .
She recommends playing coy to get them interested, massaging their huge egos and also dating a rich man at the same time to pay for everything .
She paints a unflattering picture of Weiner as a deeply .
insecure and vain man who wanted her to rate how 'sexy' he was in various photos . |
178,539 | 732236f3de83de7f9c9eb8d3318d8ce2f871f290 | A man and his wife have died after their plane crashed on the way back from France. Businessman Carl Whiteley and wife Kathryn are understood to have been killed when their light aircraft crashed off St Ouen's Bay, Jersey, today. The aircraft crashed five miles out to sea in thick fog while on approach to Jersey Airport at 10.20am. Jersey Police have yet to identify both occupants but in a statement released by Mr Whiteley's Derby-based firm, Belmont Regency Group, colleagues have paid tribute. Loss: Businessman Carl Whiteley and wife Kathryn were killed when their light aircraft crashed off St Ouen's Bay, Jersey, today . Light aircraft: The plane - a Cessna similar to the one pictured - is U.S.-registered but UK-based. It ditched into the sea off Jersey this morning . Brett Hannon Managing Director said . today that Mr Whiteley was piloting the Cessna Crusader aircraft when it . plummeted into the sea. He said: 'Belmont Regency group Ltd are dismayed to hear of the death of one of our founder directors, Carl Whiteley and his wife Kathryn Whiteley when the plane he was piloting crashed into the English Channel on a flight from northern France to Jersey this morning, Wednesday September 4. 2013, on his way back home. 'Our thoughts are with his family at this tragic time. 'Carl jointly founded the company in 1982 with myself and apart from being business partners for over 31 years, Carl was a close friend who will be greatly missed. 'The fondest memories will remain with myself and our staff of our dear departed colleague.' A States of Jersey Police spokeswoman said: 'Following a comprehensive search and rescue mission by the RNLI, fire and rescue service, Channel Island Air Search and assisted by private boats and HMS Northumberland, we now believe there were no survivors of this morning's light aircraft crash. 'The States of Jersey Police will now be working alongside the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) to establish what happened. 'We have yet to formally identify the people on board but believe them to be two UK residents. 'Family liaison officers from Jersey are supporting the family of those we believe to be involved. We ask that those families are given privacy.' The UK-based and American-registered Cessna plane was heading for Jersey airport from Dinan in France, an airport spokesman said. A Jersey airport spokesman said parts of the wreckage had been recovered this morning. Visibility was believed to have been poor around the Jersey coast this morning but it is unknown if this had anything to do with the tragedy. Police were called at 10.21am but no time has been given for when the aircraft lost radio contact. AAIB investigators are currently travelling to the island to begin their inquiry and a recovery operation is ongoing to reclaim the bodies, police said. Jersey airport put 'flow control' in place after the crash to manage air traffic and warned commercial flights could face some delays. The . first eight inbound flights of the day were all delayed this morning, . some by a number of hours but flying at the airport has appeared to have . returned to normal. The Manche Iles Express passenger ferry Marin Marie was diverted to help with the rescue operation. A spokesman for the RNLI confirmed that two boats were launched as part of the rescue operation.# . Paul Mott, a forecaster with MeteoGroup, . the Press Association's weather division, said: 'Certainly there was . some low cloud and fog around Jersey airport and poor visibility this . morning. 'It was about 200 metres at 7am. That gradually thinned but . by 9am it was still quite misty and still some fog and low cloud over . the English Channel.' Destination: A plane bound for Jersey Airport in the Channel Islands ditched in the sea in poor visibility (file picture) Rescue operation: A map of Jersey shows the rescue efforts west of the . island - the boats in blue are categorised as tugs and pilot boats but . are likely to include lifeboats . | Twin-engined plane reported to have hit water five miles off island .
Search operation involving helicopters launched but wreckage and bodies confirmed to have been found .
Aircraft took off from Dinan in France bound for Jersey Airport . |
138,533 | 3f255ec0b05dfab98ef55e03feb0c065a89c3126 | By . Fiona Macrae . It is something all good map readers have long suspected - sat-navs dull the mind. A study found the brain is less active when we blindly follow directions than when we try to work out the route ourselves, causing regions thought to be key to navigation to become particularly quiet. The finding, which will be seized upon by those who have been ridiculed for refusing to abandon their ‘old-fashioned’ road maps and A-Zs, comes from a University College London study into how we navigate. A study found the brain is less active when we blindly follow directions such as from a sat-nav (pictured) than when we try to work out the route ourselves, causing regions thought to be key to navigation to become particularly quiet . Researchers began by taking a group of healthy men and women to Soho in central London and giving them a thorough tour. A detailed exam followed and confirmed that they had got to know the area well. A day later, the volunteers’ brains were scanned as they watched films of the streets they had walked around. Sometimes they were asked to navigate to a particular destination. Other times, they were shown the destination and then given directions to follow. The scans showed that two brain areas light up when navigating. The first is active at the start of a journey and seems to compute the distance as a crow flies. The second, neighbouring area, then calculates the distance as we weave and wind our way along the route, with detours and junctions sparking flurries of activity. Interestingly, when the volunteers simply followed instructions, similar to using a sat nav, the two brain regions abandoned their calculations. The researchers began by taking a group . of healthy men and women to Soho in central London and giving them a . thorough tour of the warren of bustling streets and the shops, bars and . cafes in them. A detailed exam followed and confirmed that they had got to know the area well. A day later, the volunteers’ brains were scanned as they watched films of the streets they had walked around. Sometimes they were asked to navigate to a particular destination. Other times, they were shown the destination and then given directions to follow. The scans showed that two brain areas light up when navigating. The first is active at the start of a journey and seems to compute the distance as a crow flies. The second, neighbouring area, then calculates the distance as we weave and wind our way along the route, with detours and junctions sparking flurries of activity. Interestingly, when the volunteers simply followed instructions, similar to using a sat nav, the two brain regions abandoned their calculations. Researcher Dr Hugo Spiers said: ‘What happens to the brain when using the sat-nav is that these areas stop tracking. In an experiment, people were asked to navigate to a particular destination and when they manually had to find a location (illustrated by map reading) scans showed that two brain areas light up . ‘There is absolutely no interest in the distance to the goal.’ The brain in general was also much less active. However, Dr Spiers says this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as it frees up the mind to concentrate on other tasks. It is thought that the two navigation hubs may simply work better in those who have a good sense of direction. And despite the long-standing joke about women being worse at navigating and map-reading than men, the study didn’t find any differences between the sexes. The topic will be the subject of ‘intensive’ further research. The scans revealed two brain areas light up when navigating. The first is active at the start of a journey and computes the distance as a crow flies. The second area calculates the distance as people weave along the route, with detours and junctions sparking flurries of activity. A stock image of an MRI scan is pictured . The research, detailed in the journal Current Biology, could help shed light on dementia. Alzheimer’s patients often become disorientated and the two brain regions identified – the entorhinal cortex and the hippocampus – are among the first to be attacked by the disease. Dr John Williams, of the Wellcome Trust, which funded the research, said: ‘These results provide some explanation as to why such patients struggle to find their way and become lost. ‘Combining these findings with clinical work could enable medical benefits in the future.’ | Researchers began by taking a group of men and women to London .
A detailed exam confirmed that they had got to know the area well .
The next day, the volunteers’ brains were scanned as they watched films of the streets they had walked around .
Sometimes they were asked to navigate to a particular destination .
Other times, they were shown a destination and given directions to follow .
The scans showed that two brain areas light up when navigating .
Regions of the brain thought to be key to navigation became particularly quiet when following navigations . |
117,635 | 23e4196a74320b33eb1fe84e4914bfc1b7fc64a8 | Washington (CNN) -- Hovering above Congress with the unpleasant scent of deja vu are concerns that current budget talks seem poised to fail and that the word "shutdown" is back on the rise. First, there's the apparent budget impasse. "There does not seem to be a serious effort to reach agreement in the budget conference," House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer of Maryland told reporters on Tuesday. The "budget conference" is the 29-person House and Senate conference committee tasked with hashing out basic budget parameters, including total spending for the next two years. They have until December 13 to come up with a deal. "Many of us are skeptics there ever will be (a deal)," said Sen. John Thune, R-South Dakota, adding he is confident that the leaders of the budget conference, Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wisconsin, and Sen. Patty Murray, D-Washington, are doing their best. Battle for the House in 2014: Obamacare vs. shutdown . Personal thoughts about the leaders aside, a lack of confidence in the process has moved into higher gear this week. On Monday, the 13 top Republicans on the House Appropriations Committee sent Ryan and Murray a letter expressing concern and urging them to at least come up with a topline figure for spending so that appropriators could then start writing the bills that actually spend the money. The lawmakers behind that letter are worried that they won't have time to write and pass appropriation bills before January 15, when government funding is set to run out. They didn't mince words in the letter: "The failure to reach a budget deal to allow Appropriations to assemble funding... will reopen the specter of another government shutdown." "We need that (spending figure)," said Rep. Frank Wolf, R-Virginia, who signed the letter. "It will probably take a good month (to write the spending bills)." Shutdown cometh? Some aren't worried; others are . Frank, like most Republicans with whom CNN spoke, does not believe a shutdown is likely in January. Even without a budget conference deal, the House and Senate could pass simple continuing resolutions to keep government funded. Appropriators don't want that because it would trigger blunt, across-the-board budget cuts and block any chance to tailor the cuts agency by agency. So the lack of a budget deal does not mean a shutdown will happen, but nonetheless, murmurs of shutdown politics are emerging. Wolf and other Republicans are concerned that the mantle of a shutdown, or any threat of one, could again harm their party. "We probably lost the governor's race and attorney general's race in Virginia because of the shutdown," he said, shaking his head. Polling after the shutdown but before the Virginia elections showed Republicans were more tarnished by the fiscal fight. In a CNN/ORC poll, 52% said Republicans in Congress were more responsible for the shutdown compared with President Barack Obama's 34%. Democrats are clearly teeing up the connection between Republicans and another shutdown. "I think Paul Ryan ought to put a serious proposal on the table," said Democratic Whip Hoyer. "Paul Ryan ought to lead, not follow his caucus down a road which would lead to shutdown." "No one's talking about a shutdown except for Democrats," responded Donald Stewart, spokesman for Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell. "Everything they're doing now is to get them away from the pain and problems of Obamacare, of course they want to talk about something else." All of this political debris is again swirling in large part because of the absence of clear progress from Ryan and Murray's budget conference talks. The two budget committee chairs and their staff have made pragmatic but hopeful statements in public. Aides from both parties tell CNN the two leaders have been in frequent contact and had face-to-face meetings. But their public words on the matter are few. On Wednesday, Ryan repeatedly donned headphones and holding his hand up as if to say "no comment" on Tuesday. Budget staffers from both chambers point out that the less that negotiators say during talks, traditionally, the closer they are to a deal. But in this case, the wild politics involved lead many to question whether it's in Ryan's interest to cut a deal. Senate leader pays a House call . Perhaps the most significant sign of concern came from a rare cross-Capitol visit Tuesday when McConnell spoke to a closed-door meeting of the House GOP Conference. According to multiple sources in the room, McConnell talked about the upcoming funding deadlines and made it clear that he wants the overall budget reduction slated for January to go into place. McConnell's visit was unusual, one of just a handful he's made to House conference in his six years as Republican leader. In general, he has a reputation as a practical fiscal negotiator who aims to avoid crisis. He and Vice President Joe Biden were among the final negotiators during the fiscal cliff fight of 2011 and 2012. And in October, Democrats and others pointed to McConnell's role as critical in ending the shutdown. His decision to start talking with House Republicans about the January shutdown deadline now is significant. Meantime, the budget conference committee has a timing problem. The group technically has three weeks on the calendar to hash out a deal. But in reality, Congress leaves at the end of the week for Thanksgiving and after it returns, members will have just eight days in session before that December 13 deadline. If they miss that deadline, then Congress could go home for Christmas with no plan for how to keep government funded past January 15. Lawmakers would return January 7 and have a week to decide. CNNMoney: What shutdown? Job growth strong in October . CNN Senior Capitol Hill Producer Deirdre Walsh contributed to this story . | Rep. Steny Hoyer: "There does not seem to be a serious effort to reach agreement"
A 29-person House and Senate conference committee is tasked with hashing out budget .
A lack of confidence in the process has moved into higher gear .
Republicans in D.C. are mindful they took the brunt of the blame in last shutdown . |
240,452 | c347945401437c67b1923ae2a003d84982e9a31f | (CNN) -- Who takes the cake: New York or L.A.? As part of our Destination USA project pitting rival cities against each other, New York beat Los Angeles in our completely unscientific poll, gaining 52% of the approximately 7,000 votes cast, compared with L.A.'s 48%. But Angelenos walloped New York in enthusiastic support for their city, sharing our Los Angeles lover's column on L.A.'s virtues more than 30,000 times on Facebook, compared with 1,400 endorsements for our transplanted New Yorker's love letter to NYC. And that robust participation from the City of Angels translated into more than 500 reader comments on the Los Angeles story, compared with 150 on the New York installment of the smackdown. We asked iReporters and commenters to share the very best things about their respective cities and why they like them better than any other. Some felt the need to add a little trash talk. You decide if they're right. Talking a little smack . New York inspires people to accomplish great things they could not imagine anywhere else, according to iReporter Mandana Armand of Gramercy Park, in Manhattan. "That greatness is just around the corner, always in New York. You never know what kind of fortuitous kindling this city will throw at you." New York is the center of the modern world, claims iReporter Craig Clemens, a former Los Angeles resident. "Finance, real estate, publishing -- it's almost too much for an Angeleno to take in. I should know because I used to be one." Not so, claims L.A. defender cornholio5. "L.A. intimidates people because they're afraid to admit it's better than where they're from. In L.A., we order bagels from people that don't yell at us. We don't care if your pizza is better. We like ours, but we like yours, too. We legally smoke weed, we surf, we go to work in flip-flops and we drive Priuses. We work hard, we're laid back, we eat avocados and we do yoga. We respect N.Y., and don't even expect it back. That's how we roll." Residents of Los Angeles rave about the good weather, and more. "Los Angeles has the better weather, the better technology, the car capital of the world, better jobs, better food and better people," writes another commenter. "New York City: You pay outrageous rent, and who wants to pay $1,000/month just to park your car?" Let's go out and play in New York . We admit it, both cities have great places to play, whether you're splurging or traveling on a budget. New York offers full price theater tickets to "The Book of Mormon" and discount theater tickets at the TKTS booth. Make reservations to Per Se or Eleven Madison Park for fine dining or grab an affordable (and incredible) burger and cheese fries at Shake Shack in Madison Square Park or "chicken fried chicken" at Cowgirl in the West Village. iReporter Beth Barret, who grew up on Manhattan's Upper East Side and lives in Riverdale in the Bronx, offers you her walking tour route, free of charge. "One of my favorite things to do with friends who visit me is to start walking from the bottom of Manhattan," she writes. "We start at the Statue of Liberty, walk north through Battery Park, Wall Street, the South Street Seaport, Chinatown, Little Italy, Tribeca, Soho, Greenwich Village & Chelsea. And that is only day one!" "Every nook and cranny of the city exudes its own pleasures, flavors and personality," claims Barret. "I honestly don't think you can ever see it all. From the Edgar Allen Poe cottage in the Bronx to the site of the ... World's Fair in Queens, there is always something to see that will wow you!" Head to One World Trade Center, says Charlottesville, Virginia, resident and iReporter Joanne Ciccone, who visits New York regularly to see her son. "One World Trade Center is at the heart of what this country is about. Like the Phoenix rising from its ashes, NYC is building up from the horrors of 9/11. This rebuilding of structure and attitude makes NYC the greatest city on Earth. It will not be destroyed in building or beliefs." Let's play in L.A. Los Angeles offers everything from swimming and surfing at the beach to skiing in the mountains and camping in the desert. A short drive (traffic permitting) will get you to some of the most beautiful outdoor spots in the world. "The feeling is laid back while you cruise down Sunset Blvd. and dig on the celebrities," writes iReporter Allen Mealey. "Los Angeles is the entertainment capital of the world, from the Hollywood film industry to all of the great concerts and clubs, we beat Manhattan hands down! And those Hollywood nights, those Hollywood hills." (With thanks to Bob Seger.) DigitalGypsy, who lives in Culver City but also loves Venice, Santa Monica, West Hollywood and Silverlake, never wears anything heavier than a hoodie because the weather is so fabulous. "It's definitely the spot to be in for surfing, skateboarding and snowboarding. Life is a little more laid back and you get to enjoy the beauty of nature that surrounds you." Standouts to commenter Jon: Griffith Observatory, summer movies at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, monthly downtown Art Walk, the Venice Art Walk, The Perch (or any of the downtown rooftop bars), driving around actual film studios, ChaCha Lounge (hipster bar in Silver Lake), the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, MOCA (contemporary museum), Villain's Tavern and "hiking up to the Hollywood sign or any of the hundreds of amazing hiking trails all throughout the hills and mountains of the city." Let's eat some good food . There's no shortage of advice online or in print on the best cuisine in Los Angeles or New York. Both towns have food critics who have their preferences for high-end, low-end and everything in between -- although only Los Angeles can claim the first winner of a Pulitzer Prize for food criticism in Jonathan Gold, now at the "Los Angeles Times. " If you're craving a particular cuisine or need to eat in a particular part of town, plenty of foodie websites can help you out. If you're talking to residents, make sure they really like food -- because there's plenty of bad food to be had in both cities. Manhattan resident Mandana Armand loves the 21 Club for the feel of old New York, drinks at the Gansevoort Hotel and the chocolate waterfall brunch at the Waldorf Astoria. For vegetarians and vegans, Armand recommends Pure Food and Wine restaurant. "It's a raw food restaurant that delivers the most exquisite flavors imaginable. You will not believe it is raw food." Former Los Angeles resident and iReporter Anne McCarney has many favorite restaurants and bars to recommend: "Homegirl Cafe (near downtown), OB's Pub & Grill (Manhattan Beach), Mama D's Italian (Hermosa or Manhattan Beach), Cafe Boogaloo (Hermosa Beach), Shark's Cove (Manhattan Beach), Empress Pavilion (Chinatown), Roscoe's Chicken & Waffles, In-N-Out, Lotus frozen yogurt (Hermosa Beach), Sweet Lady Jane's bakery (Melrose)." And yes, Mexican food can be found almost anywhere in Los Angeles. However, commenter VikoG suggests visitors move beyond the assumption of Mexican food as beans, rice, tacos, burritos and enchiladas. "Angelenos know better (and) we take advantage of all the delicious non-Americanized cuisine, especially mariscos, Poblano cusine, Oaxacan cusine and so many more," he writes. Pitting one city against the other is pointless, say some, like comparing an SUV to a sports car. "If you want a house with a big yard, pool and palm trees, NYC is not the place for you," writes commenter Chris Allen, who was raised in Los Angeles and visits New York. "If you want to live in a high-rise building in a pedestrian-friendly neighborhood where you can take the subway to work, your lifestyle options in L.A. will be rather limited. Both are cool places." Todra Payne is married to New York City, but it's not exclusive. "NYC is home for me, but L.A. is my secret lover," she writes. "Can't beat the way you can walk Manhattan and meet people along the way, meander in and out of shops, restaurants, etc. You just can't do that in L.A. But the sunshine, beaches and palm trees and the laid back vibe in L.A. are golden. If there was a way to combine the two, it would be paradise." Both cities, it seems, are willing to share the people they love with the city on the opposite coast. Next on our smackdown list: Charlotte, North Carolina, home to the 2012 Democratic National Convention, versus Tampa, Florida, home to the 2012 Republican National Convention. How will you vote? Share your photos and suggestions on iReport.com. | New York City came out on top in our unscientific poll .
Los Angeles blew New York away in social media support .
The weather in L.A. and the energy in New York are frequently cited assets . |
264,518 | e29a218a082c997d2134be9d5f91a929d7976da7 | PUBLISHED: . 10:11 EST, 8 November 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 12:10 EST, 8 November 2013 . Planning a wedding is a major undertaking for any couple... but not for Nisansala and Nalin from Sri Lanka who married this week at a Guinness World Record breaking ceremony near the capital city of Colombo. The bride and groom had a staggering 126 bridesmaids - easily beating the previous record of 96 held by a Thai couple - all dressed by Nisansala's sister-in-law Champi Siriwardana, who first suggested they go for the world record bid. Of course it probably helped that Champi happens to be one of the Asian island's leading wedding planners and dress designers. Sri Lankan couple Nisansala and Nalin, centre, pose for photographs alongside their entire wedding party. The wedding was attended by Sri Lanka's First Lady . It also didn't hurt that the guest of honour was Sri Lanka's First Lady, Shiranthi Rajapaksa, wife of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The spectacular ceremony was elaborately staged at the Avendra . Gardens in Negombo, 30 kms from Colombo in front of hundreds of family and friends. All of the wedding party - bride, groom, . 126 bridesmaids, 25 best men, 20 page boys and 23 flower girls - were . dressed in richly embroidered traditional costumes in shades of purple . and gold. Held under strict Guinness Book of World Record conditions, the wedding breaks the previous record, held by a wedding in Bangkok, Thailand, that included 96 bridesmaids. 'Breaking the Guinness world record is no . mean feat and one that I cannot achieve alone,' said Champi, who suggested the world record attempt. 'It is a great . responsibility and challenge. There can be no mistakes.' Sri Lankan wedding couple Nisansala, right and Nalin pose for photographers in front of their massive bridal party, dressed in purple and gold . Champi was so confident of Nisansala and Nalin's world record, she held a press conference before the big day to announce the event. 'My dream is to create an impact not only in Sri Lanka but internationally as well,' said Champi. Job done, Champi. As for the happy couple... the pictures speak for themselves. A best man looks on during the wedding ceremony of Sri Lankan couple Nisansala and Nalin - there were 25 best men in all . Sri Lankan wedding couple Nisansala, right and Nalin pose on the steps of their wedding venue in Negombo, 30kms from Colombo the capital city . Sri Lankan couple Nisansala, right, and Nalin smile as they are greeted by guests during their world record wedding . Sri Lankan couturier - and the person who dreamed up the world record attempt - Champi Siriwardana, left, receives her Guinness World Record award from Guinness official Seyda Subasi Gemici during the wedding of couple Nisansala and Nalin . Best men and bridesmaids pose for a photo during the ceremony. There were 126 bridesmaids, 25 best men, accompanied by 20 page boys and 23 flower girls . Sri Lankan couple Nisansala and Nalin pour water into small pots as part of a traditional ceremony . Guinness Book of World Records wedding couple Nisansala and Nalin with their huge bridal party at their venue in Negombo, north of Colombo . | Happy couple Nisansala and Nalin beat previous Thai record by 30 bridesmaids .
Sri Lanka's First Lady, Shiranthi Rajapaksa - wife of the President - was guest of honour .
Wedding dress designer Champi Siriwardana said it was her dream to stage the record-breaking nuptials . |
140,317 | 41724c9a510d5b7a9245fb3ed76bb5c924c52729 | A stay of execution was ordered on Wednesday morning for a schizophrenic killer who was set to face lethal injection within hours amid outcry that he is not mentally fit to be put to death. The judgement from the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in Texas ordered that the execution of Scott Panetti, 56, be postponed 'to allow us to fully consider the late arriving and complex legal questions'. The condemned killer was due to be put to death at 6pm (CST) in Huntsville. He was diagnosed with schizophrenia some 14 years before shooting dead his estranged wife Sonja Alvarado's parents in front of her and their three-year-old daughter in Fredericksburg in 1992. In a sworn affidavit in 1999, Ms Alvarado said that although she hated what her ex-husband did, he was a good man who suffered mental illness and should not be put to death. Scroll down for video . Texas death row inmate Scott Panetti, pictured in 1999, talks during a prison interview in Huntsville, Texas, where he is on death row for the 1992 murder of his wife's parents. He is due to be executed later on Wednesday - as attorneys made 11th hour pleas to save him, claiming he is too delusional to stand trial . One of Scott Panetti's self-portraits on death row. Attorneys who contend the condemned Texas inmate set to die today is too delusional for execution have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to halt his lethal injection . The prisoner's attorneys made an eleventh-hour appeal for their client saying he 'stands on the razor's edge of competency' and needs psychological evaluations to illustrate that his severe mental illness has worsened since he last was examined seven years ago. State attorneys contended Panetti's condition 'has not markedly changed' and he should not be given a reprieve from lethal injection. No court has ruled Panetti mentally incompetent or insane. The 56-year-old native of Hayward, Wisconsin, was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 1978. He had been hospitalized more than a dozen times for treatment in the decade before fatally shooting Joe and Amanda Alvarado at their home in the Texas Hill Country in 1992. Their daughter Sonja, who was married to Panetti, and her three-year-old daughter, Amanda Lea, had moved in with them and she obtained a court order to keep Panetti away. Ms Alvarado filed for divorce because of her husband's drinking and she said he was obsessed with the notion that the devil lived in their house. Scott Panetti's booking photos shortly after he handed himself into the police after shooting dead his estranged wife's parents in Fredericksburg, Texas in 1992 . Panetti had been hospitalized more than a dozen times for schizophrenia in the decade before he shot dead his wife's parents. He was allowed to act as his own lawyer at trial and characterized himself as a cowboy. Pictured, is one of the inmate's recent sketches . He buried furniture and nailed the curtains shut. Panetti was also having hallucinations that the devil lived in the walls of the house and began washing the walls, believing that they were running with blood. On the morning of September 8, 1992, Panetti armed himself with a rifle, a sawed-off shotgun and knives, dressed in camouflage clothing and broke into his estranged wife's parents' home in Fredericksburg, about 60 miles north of San Antonio. Both Joe and Amanda Alvarado were shot at close range in front of his wife and daughter, before Panetti allowed them to leave. He later changed into a suit and handed himself into the police. Panetti's attorneys also have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review the broader question of whether executing people who have mental illnesses violates the constitutional protection against cruel and unusual punishment. In 1986, the high court ruled states may not execute killers whose insanity means they can't understand why they're being put to death. In 2002, the justices prohibited the execution of the mentally impaired. Five years later, ruling on an appeal from Panetti, the court said mentally ill condemned prisoners could be put to death if they have a factual and rational understanding of why they're being punished. Panetti has insisted Satan is working through Texas prison officials to execute him to keep him from preaching the Gospel. Both Joe and Amanda Alvarado (pictured left) were shot dead at close range in front of Panetti's estranged wife Sonja (right) and the couple's three-year-old daughter . Panetti's attorneys want the death date withdrawn or at least delayed to allow for a new round of psychological testing to determine if he's competent to receive the lethal injection. The prisoner is pictured with his parents, Yvonne and Jack, on death row . Testimony from Scott Panetti's 1995 murder trial showed the depth of his delusions when he insisted on representing himself in court. He recounted the murders as such: . Panetti: '... Sarge woke up. Cut off Scott's hair. Sarge suited up. Shells, canteen, pouch, 3006, tropical hat, tropical top, bunkhouse, fast, haircut fast, suited up fast, boom, ready fast, fast, haircut, webgear, top, brush hat, boots, out the door, in the jeep, driving, wife, the bridge. Why is it taking so long? In front of Joe and Amanda's house... 'Sarge, everything fast. Everything fast. Everything slow. Tapped on the window, shattered window. Sonja screams, runs, follow her. She runs out, out the front, knife, Birdie, Birdie [Scott and Sonja's daughter]. Where's Birdie? Pick her up, she's in bed... 'Scott, what? Scott, what did you see Sarge do? 'Fall. Sonja, Joe, Amanda, kitchen. Joe bayonet, not attacking. Sarge not afraid, not threatened. Sarge not angry, not mad. Sarge, boom, boom. Sarge, boom, boom, boom. Sarge, boom, boom. 'Sarge is gone. No more Sarge. Sonja and Birdie. Birdie and Sonja. Joe, Amanda lying kitchen, here, there, blood. No, leave. Scott, remember exactly what Scott did. Shot the lock walked in the kitchen. Sonja, where's Birdie? Sonja here. Joe, bayonet, door, Amanda. Boom, boom, boom, blood. Demons. Ha, ha, ha, ha, oh, Lord, oh, you. Judge: Mr Panetti, let's stop. Panetti: You puppet. Panetti's delusions 'have become more pervasive,' according to one of his attorneys, Gregory Wiercioch, who met with the inmate last week. Wiercioch said Panetti told him devices implanted in his teeth by prison system dentists were sending command messages to his brain, that in the sixth grade he had a fight with future President Barack Obama at a Chicago museum and that his tooth told him to write a letter of apology to Obama. Ellen Stewart-Klein, an assistant Texas attorney general, told the Supreme Court on Tuesday that records failed to support claims that Panetti's mental condition had deteriorated and that some of his odd behavior could be deliberate. 'Panetti's mental health condition has long been exaggerated to his benefit and he continues this long established pattern here,' Stewart-Klein said. At his 1995 trial, Panetti acted as his own attorney, testified as alternate personality 'Sarge' to describe the Alvarado slayings and tried to subpoena Jesus Christ, the pope and the late President John F. Kennedy. Panetti wore a purple cowboy outfit, including a big cowboy hat, and largely ignored a standby attorney the judge appointed to assist him. Panetti as a child (right) and while he served in the U.S. Navy before receiving an honorable discharge (left). His mother said warning signs of her son's mental illness appeared in his youth but she associated them with 'teenager weirdness' During a prison interview in 2006, Panetti claimed he had been taken over by an alter ego he called Sarge Ironhorse, The New York Times reported. He also clutched Bible verses and tried to pull off his prison overalls to show scars which JFK had healed with coconut milk while he fought with the late president in the Pacific during the Second World War. Three years after her ex-husband's trial for the murder of her parents, Sonja Alvarado filed a petition saying that he should never have been tried for the crimes. According to her affidavit in 1999, Ms Alvarado said that she and her mother had tried to alert the police about the threat that her ex-husband posed. 'My mother and I begged the police to take the rifles. Scott had his deer rifle, the 30.06 rifle he used to kill my parents, and the other shotgun at my parents house,' she said. 'Even though the police were told to take the guns, they did not. Scott had made threats against my parents.' She said that her initial police statement was made on the day of her parents' shooting before she had received medical care and was completely traumatized. Ms Alvarado said that she called the District Attorney about a week later when she felt her state of mind was more clear and wanted to add to her statement. She said: 'He [the DA] told me it was best to leave things as they were and they would stick to the original statement given.... Too many mistakes. I feel this was wrong of him... I feel now that I was used on the stand so that I would cover up for the law enforcement mistakes and the Sheriff of knowing Scott’s mental illness for years, not to mention all the other reports that were not written out.' She added: 'I do not hate Scott. I hate what Scott did. Scott was a good person except when he changed... I know now that Scott is mentally ill and should not be put to death.' | Scott Panetti was diagnosed with schizophrenia some 14 years before killing his estranged wife's parents in Texas in 1992 .
His lawyers made an 11th hour appeal to save him as he 'stands on the razor's edge of competency'
Panetti, 56, has insisted Satan is working through Texas prison officials to execute him to keep him from preaching the Gospel .
The inmate said in 6th grade he had a fight with future President Obama at a Chicago museum and that his tooth told him to write a letter of apology .
At trial, he acted as his own lawyer, dressed in a purple cowboy suit and tried to subpoena Jesus and JFK .
His ex-wife Sonja Alvarado said in her 1999 petition against his trial: 'I do not hate Scott. I hate what Scott did. Scott was a good person except when he changed... Scott is mentally ill and should not be put to death'
Panetti and his ex-wife have a daughter Amanda who is now in her early twenties . |
105,774 | 146c3e88d669582c946597fbde99b8adda8425ce | Paris St Germain had worked hard at turning this into a revenge mission, with an over-active social media campaign accompanied by the hash-tag slogan: 'A different story'. It was the sort of behaviour clubs usually shirk away from in fear of tempting fate. 'Revenge is a dish best served one year later,' read one pithy message from the official Twitter account, along with images of PSG scarves on a waxwork model of the Queen and a statue of Winston Churchill. This constant search for something new is what makes the world wide web go around, but what exactly had they hoped to change? Diego Costa pushes David Luiz during the second-half of a bad-tempered last 16 encounter . Luiz and Laurent Blanc look shocked as tempers begin to flare at the Parc des Princes . Costa collides with Thiago Silva during a bad-tempered game with no love lost between the two sides . Last year, Laurent Blanc’s side won 3-1 in the first leg and few who witnessed that game expected Chelsea to recover against this emerging new force in European football. At times, it seemed to be very much the same old story. The Londoners took the lead but were unable to kick on and PSG responded with great energy and desire, only to find this time, for all their pressure and clear opportunities, they could not establish a first-leg lead. The French champions still pose a threat at Stamford Bridge next month, but Jose Mourinho will have been perfectly content as he hopped back across the Channel with his away goal and scores level after a game he could easily have lost. Ultimately, the story was different in an important detail. Chelsea are stronger than last year and they resisted, with a bit of luck, the extra midfield muscle of Nemanja Matic and the authority of Thibaut Courtois, who returned to replace Petr Cech and confirm his status as No 1. Courtois was brilliantly composed and focused and made a splendid save from Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the final seconds. David Luiz attributed the 1-1 result to the goalkeeper, as teams often do when they are wasteful in front of goal. Thibaut Courtois was in impressive form and kept Paris-Saint Germain at bay with a string of fine saves . Costa takes on PSG right back Gregory van der Viel as he returned from a three-match suspension . Branislav Ivanovic hit the opener in the first-half to give Chelsea a precious away goal . Although rusty, Costa proved an effective weapon for Chelsea, putting a Didier Drogba-like performance . Cesc Fabregas worked hard in midfield and there was, of course, Diego Costa, returning up front, the £32million, 17-goal top-scorer, fresh from three weeks out, serving a hotly-disputed ban for violent conduct. Fabregas, who had been suffering from a cold and arrived at the ground wrapped up in woollens, ran miles but found it difficult to influence the game and Costa was off the pace, as Mourinho said he might be. There was zip in Costa’s legs; his touch was heavy and, as Chelsea were stretched defensively in the second-half there were repercussions for the man up front. Costa became more remote, with his role increasingly limited to irritating those in blue, helping out in defence at set-pieces and trying to stay alert for any scraps that came his way; the sort of performance delivered so many times by Didier Drogba. For Mourinho, however, regardless of his contribution on the ball, it was important to have him on field, a symbol of the fighting qualities this team boast, proving this squad is stronger and more capable of going all the way. If anyone expected Costa to keep clear of physical contact they do not know his style. Costa may have been caught on camera and banned for his stamp on Emre Can, but he was not about to surrender his chief asset. Jose Mourinho appeals for calm on the pitch immediately following Chelsea's opening goal . The Blues were pegged back after Edinson Cavani levelled with a thunderous headed effort . There was a sequence of minor fouls as he set out to make a nuisance of himself. He was late into challenges on Thiago Silva talked his way into a row which had nothing to do with him and pulled Luiz’s hair. When Mourinho bemoaned his lack of strikers after losing in Paris last season, there was more to it than goals. He also lacked the hardy front man, to carry the team forward when they needed a break. Chelsea have got rid of five strikers since they were last in the French capital, including Andre Schurrle, the winger who played up front in this fixture. Three have arrived but, not for the first time, it was Chelsea’s defenders scoring the big goals. Costa battles to win possession from Van der Viel and Ezequiel Lavezzi . Costa has not found the target in the Champions League since April when he scored for Atletico Madrid at Chelsea. It did not matter. The away goal is vital, and they have learned to appreciate its value over the years. It gave them hope in the epic fight-back against Napoli, three years ago, and when they overturned the first-leg deficit against PSG last year. And, no matter how little adventure they show, it is not often Mourinho’s team fail to find the net. The only time this season was back in November, in Sunderland. It is a valuable asset in Europe and Chelsea are seasoned campaigners these days. PSG are acquiring these skills. They may be learning, too, that to change the script it is more important to stop conceding goals at home than to stir up mischief and antagonise the opposition. | Diego Costa returned up front, fresh from three weeks out, as Chelsea drew 1-1 with Paris Saint-Germain .
Costa was off the pace, as Mourinho said he might be, but still influenced the game with his trademark physical contact .
Costa looked to win throw-ins and corners and help his team up the pitch and relieve some of the pressure as PSG dominated the opening phase .
He helped out in defence at set-pieces and tried to stay alert for any scraps; the sort of performance delivered so many times by Didier Drogba .
CLICK HERE for all the latest Chelsea news . |
22,311 | 3f5bf928c38db06de840d70a88c0a154a1283d3e | By . Gerri Peev, In Riga, Martin Robinson and Jason Groves . PUBLISHED: . 02:29 EST, 28 February 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 20:41 EST, 28 February 2013 . David Cameron is attending the the Northern Future Forum in Riga, Lativa, where he warned against banking reforms which could damage Britain's competitiveness . David Cameron and Boris Johnson joined forces yesterday to condemn ‘deluded’ plans for a Europe-wide cap on bankers’ bonuses. In a rare show of unity, the Prime Minister and London Mayor each voiced grave concerns about proposals which critics claim could damage the City and force major banks to move abroad. Downing Street said Mr Cameron had ‘real concerns’ about the plans. Liberal Democrat Business Secretary Vince Cable also criticised the proposals, warning they would ‘present problems for the UK’. Under the EU proposal a perk of two years' salary could only be paid if a majority of shareholders agreed to it. The deal must be signed off by EU governments before coming into force next year but Chancellor George Osborne is expected to argue against it at a meeting of European finance ministers next year. Mr Cameron, meeting European leaders in the Latvian capital Riga, also cautioned that the cap should not be allowed to stifle Britain's role as a global banking centre. Speaking during a press conference, the PM said: 'We have major international banks based in the UK that have branches and activities all over the world. 'We need to make sure that regulation put in place in Brussels is flexible enough to allow those banks to continue competing and succeeding while being located in the UK. 'We will look carefully at the outcome of the negotiations before working out the appropriate take at Ecofin next week. The Northern Future Forum brings together prime ministers from Nordic and Baltic countries and Britain in Riga, Latvia. Pictured from left: Denmark's Premier Helle Thorning-Schmidt, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Jan Grevstad, Sweden's Premier Fredrick Reinfeld, Estonia's Premier Andris Ansip, Lithuania's Premier Algirdas Butkevichius, Latvia's Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis, British Prime Minister David Cameron, Iceland's Premier Johanna Sigurdardottir . 'Britain . wants effective bank regulations. One of the failures of the last . government was the failure of not having effective bank regulations. We . will look carefully at the outcome of the negotiations.' He said the UK should instead focus on the Vickers plan, which would separate risk-taking investment banks from retail or high street banks . 'We must be able to implement the Vickers plan in the UK which in some ways is tougher than regulations that are being put in place in other European countries.' Boris Johnson joined the chorus of British opposition, branding the plans 'deluded' and 'self-defeating'. The London Mayor warned it would simply play into the hands of the City of London's overseas rivals, while undermining support for the EU in Britain. 'People will wonder why we stay in the EU if it persists in such transparently self-defeating policies,' he said. 'Brussels cannot control the global market for banking talent. Brussels cannot set pay for bankers around the world. 'The most this measure can hope to achieve is a boost for Zurich and Singapore and New York at the expense of a struggling EU. This is possibly the most deluded measure to come from Europe since Diocletian tried to fix the price of groceries across the Roman Empire.' Battle: Chancellor George Osborne opposes a cap like the one agreed by EU chiefs last night . Mr Osborne is expected to try to block the plans, claiming it would prevent City firms hiring the best staff, prompting an exodus of top talent to New York. The deal must still be signed-off by EU governments before coming into force in 2014 but the UK is struggling to convince other countries it is a bad idea. If Britain loses its showdown with Brussels, it would mean the most draconian clampdown on fat cats' perks since the financial crisis of 2008. It came as the taxpayer-owned Royal Bank of Scotland announced losses of £5.16bn for last year, but it is still expected to pay its top five executives £6m in shares and an annual bonus on top of their six or seven figure ‘basic’ salaries. RBS said it paid employees £607 million in bonuses for 2012, including £215 million for investment bankers, down from a total pot of £789 million in 2011. The bank's chief executive, Stephen Hester, insisted that 'pay should be aligned with contribution', but denounced the plan to impose bonus rules which will apply only to the banking industry. 'I don't think bankers should be treated . as special creatures in any way,' he said. 'I think we should apply rules in the . same way to anyone.' Under the proposed EU rules, payments to bankers would only be allowed to reach twice the annual fixed salary if a large majority of a bank's shareholders signed it off, said Othmar Karas, the European Parliament's chief negotiator today. 'This overhaul of EU banking rules will make sure that banks in the future have enough capital, both in terms of quality and quantity, to withstand shocks. This will ensure that taxpayers across Europe are protected into the future,' said Ireland's finance minister Michael Noonan, who led the negotiations for 27 governments. The bonus cap was part of a sweeping financial reform package introducing higher capital requirements for banks, the so-called Basel III rules. Last night's agreement - reached at during an eight-hour make-or-break negotiating session between EU politicians, the European Commission and representatives of the bloc's 27 governments in Brussels - ensures the package can take effect next year. Top bankers and traders may currently earn bonuses multiple times their base salary based on their performance, given that there is no legal pay limit yet. But public outrage has grown across Europe over large bonus payments to executives of banks that received huge state bailouts during the financial crisis. Taking the lad: Irish Finance Minister Michael Noonan helped broker the deal and says it will ensure taxpayers across Europe are protected . Proponents of the bonus cap say the payments encouraged bankers to take massive risks at the expense of the long-term future of their businesses, which helped to destabilise the financial system. 'For the first time in the history of EU financial market regulation, we will cap bankers' bonuses,' Mr Karas said. 'The essence is that from 2014, European banks will have to set aside more money to be more stable and concentrate on their core business, namely financing the real economy, that of small and medium-sized enterprises and jobs.' Britain, home to Europe's biggest financial industry, had vehemently rejected the proposal, saying the rules would drive away talent and hamper growth. London tried to rally other EU governments behind its position, but failed to garner enough support. Most governments said they would accept the bonus cap to ensure the more important Basel III rules come into force by January 2014. The Federation of European Employers (FedEE) immediately claimed that the agreement to curb bankers’ pay exceeded EU powers. FedEE secretary-general Robin Chater, a former adviser to the European Commission, said: 'What EU negotiators have failed to appreciate is that such an action is beyond the powers vested in the European Union under the EU Treaty. Article 153 (5) of the treaty clearly states that EU legislative powers shall ‘not apply to pay’. 'Furthermore, even if the council’s powers were not challenged in this matter, financial institutions would remain free to increase base salaries to reward and retain key staff. He went on: 'What politicians and bureaucrats have always ignored is that high remuneration levels in the financial sector - and especially substantial variable payments - serve to minimise fraud levels, retain talent, drive high performance and encourage continuity of employment. That is why corruption is so rife in many states where senior banking staff are badly paid. 'Many EU states have long coveted the City of London’s success as an international financial centre and regarded high bonus payments as its Achilles heel. This measure is therefore no more than an attempt to exploit the current vulnerability of the City by riding on the back of the collective jealousy of bankers’ pay in public opinion and the recent downgrading of the UK’s international credit rating.' Disaster: The UK fears that the top talent working in the City will leave London for rivals like New York where bonuses would be higher . But Mr Karas said it was a bigger deal than just bank bonuses, including key measures long demanded to make loans to SMEs easier: “The new banking law is not only a piece of banking regulation, but a real economy financing act.' The negotiations on the package have been dragging on for 10 months. After a meeting last week broke down without a compromise, the European Parliament - which has insisted on adding the banker bonus legislation to the wider Basel III package - gave the EU governments an ultimatum until yesterday's negotiating session. Now the final approval by parliament and government leaders of the package is expected to be a formality, although it was not immediately clear what position Britain would take. But even if the UK would not back the package, the remaining EU members could still force the legislation through by adopting it by qualified majority. The key part of the package is requiring all banks to gradually increase their capital over the coming years to stabilise the financial sector across the European Union's member states, which together form the world's largest economy. The legislation is part of global efforts to prevent another shock to the financial system like that prompted by Lehman Brothers' 2008 collapse, when banks were highly leveraged while enjoying low capital requirements. The lack of solid financial cushions meant that many banks were vulnerable, and eventually required taxpayer-funded bailouts to avoid bankruptcy. | A payment worth twice an annual salary must be agreed by bank's board .
Deal must be agreed by EU leaders before coming into force in 2014 .
RBS revealed today it lost £5.16bn in 2012 but still paid £607m in bonuses .
Boris Johnson slams 'deluded and self-defeating' plans . |
105,956 | 14a5c083d796c08e03eaccd4d65190f8f1143ef8 | (CNN) -- New York City officials are preparing to transport more than 150,000 students after a school bus drivers union announced that it is planning to strike this Wednesday if an agreement can't be reached. Union officials representing Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1181, who are seeking job security, announced Monday afternoon that they plan to strike on Wednesday if they can't reach a suitable agreement with the city. Mayor Michael Bloomberg bid out contracts for nearly 1,100 bus routes currently handled by Local 1181 drivers. Last year, the city bid out contracts for preschool bus routes, and the new contracts will save taxpayers $95 million over five years. Bloomberg on Monday urged the union to avoid going on strike and added that a strike would "jeopardize the education and safety of more than 150,000 students who take school buses every single day, in a year when our students have already missed a week or more of school because of Hurricane Sandy." | School bus drivers union will strike Wednesday if it doesn't reach deal with New York City .
More than 150,000 students in city would be affected by a strike .
Union officials say they seek job security; Mayor Bloomberg has opened some routes for bid . |
111,797 | 1c2eae04b82eb9bea64507f5dde16841577e9250 | (Mental Floss) -- Major League Baseball's umpires are all over the news after a spate of, er, questionable calls throughout this postseason. Despite larger postseason umpiring crews that include two extra umps in the outfield, it feels like an inordinate number of calls have gone the wrong way. All of these gaffes have prompted renewed debate about whether baseball should start using instant replay. How could umps blow this many calls that are so obvious when viewed in slow motion? Aren't these guys trained professionals? Are they handsomely rewarded? What do we really know about the men in blue, anyway? After some spotty officiating in the NFL last fall, we did some digging on the officials in the four major sports. Here's what we found: . They make good money . A National Football League ref can make anywhere from $25,000 to $70,000 a season, although since most of the games are on Sundays, they can also have other jobs during the week. (We'll get to those in a minute.) That cash comes with responsibilities, though. In addition to relaying the calls to the teams and fans, a ref is also the crew chief, or leader, of the seven-man officiating team that also includes an umpire, a field judge, a back judge, a line judge, a side judge, and a head linesman. Officials in other sports pull down more loot, but they have much more grueling schedules... • Baseball. According to MLB.com, MLB umpires get around $120,000 when they start out in the big leagues, and senior umps can earn upwards of $300,000. Between spring training, a 162-game schedule, and the postseason, being an MLB ump is a job that takes up most of the year. They are, however, well cared-for while on the road. Each ump gets a $340 per diem to cover hotel and food, and when they fly, it's always first class. Working a full postseason can tack on an extra $20,000, plus expenses. They also get four weeks of paid vacation during the regular season. These guys hang onto their jobs, too; on average, there's only one opening for a new big league ump each season. • Basketball. National Basketball Association refs are similarly well compensated. They earn anywhere from $100,000 to $300,000 for an 82-game season. There are some nice fringe benefits, too; when referee Tim Donaghy admitted to helping gamblers fix games, the NBA asked that he repay other benefits he'd pulled in over the course of his 13-year career, including $750 worth of sneakers and $4500 worth of free tickets. • Hockey. If you can skate and survive the occasional lockout, National Hockey League ref is hardly a bad job. Refs make between $110,000 and $255,000 while linesmen earn from $72,000 to $162,000. Mental Floss: Stories behind all 30 NHL team names . NFL refs have day jobs . Since NFL refs only work one day each week, they can have "real" jobs to supplement what they earn on any given Sunday. Some of them actually have pretty interesting jobs. • Mike Carey, my personal favorite ref, is an entrepreneur and inventor who holds eight patents for snow sports apparel. He founded and co-owns Seirus Innovation, a ski apparel company. • Walt Coleman is infamous in Oakland for being the ref in the "Tuck Rule Game," but he's also a fifth-generation dairy farmer who once held the position of president of the Arkansas Dairy Products Association. • Walter Anderson became an official in the league in 1996 and got the promotion to referee in 2003. Prior to becoming a referee, he was better known as Dr. Walt Anderson, a dentist. • Tony Corrente is probably used to dealing with unruly crowds of guys from his day job as a high-school social studies teacher. • If Jeff Triplette seems hard to scare on the field, it's probably because he's seen worse. He was an Army Reserve colonel during the Persian Gulf War, where he was awarded a bronze star. Mental Floss: What's with those AFL throwback uniforms? • Bill Leavy is similarly tough; he spent 27 years as a police officer and firefighter in San Jose. • Ron Winter's not just a ref, he's also an associate professor in Western Michigan University's phys. ed. department. • Gene Steratore must love how he looks in stripes. In addition to being an NFL ref, he officiates NCAA hoops games and has drawn March Madness assignments in previous seasons. • And when Ed Hochuli isn't officiating a game (or working out), you might find him in a courtroom. He's a trial lawyer in the Arizona firm Jones, Skelton, and Hochuli, which employs over 80 attorneys. It's a long climb to the top . How does one become a ref? Most of these guys have humble beginnings as officials. Carey started officiating Pop Warner games in 1972 and gradually worked his way up through the college ranks. Eventually, he became an NFL side judge in 1990 and received a promotion to NFL referee, the pinnacle of football officiating, in 1995. Hochuli started as a Pop Warner ref in the early 1970s; he was a law school student who needed a little extra pocket cash. He then slowly made his way up through high school, junior college, and small conference college ball before getting a Pac-10 gig. He eventually made it to the NFL in 1990. It's a slow build, but if you stick it out long enough and have some natural talent, you can be the one patting his head to signal an ineligible receiver downfield. Still not convinced it's a tough ride? In a recent op-ed in The New York Times, former baseball commissioner Fay Vincent cited the paltry salaries for minor-league umps: just $9500 for a five-month season for junior umpires, and only $20,000 a season for guys who have risen all the way to Triple A ball. Mental Floss: 31 unbelievable high school mascots . For more mental_floss articles, visit mentalfloss.com . Entire contents of this article copyright, Mental Floss LLC. All rights reserved. | NFL ref makes from $25,000 to $70,000 a season, working mostly Sundays .
Other jobs held by some NFL refs include farmer, inventor and dentist .
MLB.com says umpires get about $120,000 when they start out in the big league .
NBA refs earn anywhere from $100,000 to $300,000 for an 82-game season . |
216,498 | a44e80d3a0a07b21143d2afbcb2537de068b3eb2 | By . Matt Chorley, Mailonline Political Editor . Millionaire lingerie boss Michelle Mone has called for inheritance tax to be axed to stop the government spending her money when she dies. The mother-of-three, who owns the £50million Ultimo push up bra firm, said the tax on money and property left to loved ones was ‘unfair and should be abolished’. The plea came after David Cameron hinted the Tory party manifesto at the next election will exempt all estates worth up to £1million. Scroll down for video . Ultimo boss Michelle Mone said inheritance tax was unfair and should be abolished so people can leave their money to their children or charities . Rising house prices mean the number of families paying the 40 per cent levy will double to one in ten over the next five years. Under current rules a single person can leave £325,000 tax-free, while couples have a joint threshold of £650,000. But Mrs Mone, who divorced last year, called for an end to death taxes, insisting she had already paid tax on her earnings in life. ‘I work really hard every single day - like a lot of people - for my children and for my children’s future,’ she told BBC 2’s Newsnight. ‘I want them to have that little nest for their future and for their children, and I don't see why I, others should work extremely hard, pay your tax and then when you die it is like a double whammy. ‘House prices are rising which means that there is a lot more people who have to pay inheritance tax. It is unfair and should be abolished. ‘I certainly don’t want the government deciding what to do with my money when I am dead.’ Mrs Mone said her earings were taxed in lfie and should not be taxed again in death . Last year Mrs Mone wrested control of her business empire from the hands of her former husband Michael after agreeing to buy his share for an estimated £24million. She said she had already written her will, which would see her wealth passed to her children in stages. ‘I am bringing my children up with that hardworking, want to succeed background. My kids don’t suddenly get the case. My kids get it at stages in life, hopefully they went get it until late in life and I will live forever. ‘That’s what I want to do. I want to work hard in order to make my children’s future a bit easier in order that they have got that nest, that they are protected. ‘I have three children. I am a single parent and I don’t want my kids struggling. I also don’t want them to be spoilt. ‘I think I should decide what I do with my money. I have already got my will there for my children and to give part of it to charity and everything else. ‘The government should not be taxing me again when I have already paid tax for it. ‘It is unfair and there is a lot more people who have to pay inheritance tax now because house prices are rising and you pay it on your whole estate.’ Some people are forced to sell the family home when one member dies to pay the inheritance tax bill, she said. ‘I have heard some horror stories where someone has lived in the family home for 20-25 years and they have to actually move out of the family home to pay the tax.’ Many parents also want to provide their children with a nest egg for big life expenses, like going to university. Mrs Mone went on: ‘If the worst scenario happens sometime they pay the tax on the estate, they cannot even afford to go to university. They cannot afford to live the life that people with lots of money do.’ She was appearing on the programme with musician and businessman Peter Buffett, the son of magnate Warren Buffett who is worth an estimated $58billion. Peter Buffet insisted he had made his own way in life without relying on his father’s wealth/ . ‘It comes down to the question of how much is enough. That is why I definitely agree with my father and have experienced it myself. I believe self-respect comes from earning its own reward,’ he told the programme. ‘I am very proud of the world I have built myself. I think if I lived off my father’s wealth or do in the future I am going to frankly wonder if I could have done it myself.’ However his argument was undermined when he admitted that as a young man he had been given shares in his father’s firm worth $250,000 in today’s money. Peter Buffett, son of multibillionaire tycoon Warren Buffett, said he had built his own life but admitted receiving shares from his father as a young man . This week Mr Cameron suggested the Tories could go further to target older voters, with an increase in the inheritance tax threshold planned for the manifesto. Before the 2010 election the Conservatives promised to raise it to £1million, freeing most families from paying the duty at all. But the idea was a victim of the power-sharing talks with the Lib Dems and never became coalition policy. Mr Cameron insisted the idea would be resurrected ahead of the 2015 election. Prime Minister David Cameron said he wanted to increase the amount of money people can leave loved ones without being hit by inheritance tax . Speaking to Saga members in Peacehaven, near Brighton, East Sussex, the Prime Minister said: ‘Would I like to go further in future? Yes, I would. ‘I believe in people being able to pass money down through the generations and pass things on to their children. I think you build a stronger society.’ He added: ‘Inheritance tax should only be paid for by the rich. It shouldn't be paid for by people who have worked hard and saved, and bought a family house in, say, Peacehaven. ‘So the ambition is still there and I would like to go further. It's better than it was, but it didn't make it into the coalition agreement. It's something we will have to address in our manifesto.’ | Multimillionaire businesswoman says death taxes are unfair .
Has written a will to give her three children cash in stages .
Insists she has already been taxed on her earnings in life .
David Cameron hints Tories will increase threshold to £1million . |
152,167 | 50ad9750270bfb999e9bd7d8f922305cdd05787a | By . James Daniel . PUBLISHED: . 09:23 EST, 8 June 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 10:49 EST, 8 June 2013 . Authorities in northern Arizona say a 4-year-old boy has accidentally shot and killed his father at a Prescott Valley home. The 35-year-old man has been identified as Justin Stanfield Thomas, a military veteran who served in the army special forces. Prescott Valley police say the shooting occurred just after noon on Friday. Killed: Justin Thomas, a former military policeman, was accidentally shot dead by his four-year-old son on Friday . Great dad: Thomas was he was an Iraq War veteran and a former member of the Army's Green Beret . He and his young son were visiting from Phoenix and were at a friend's house. Police say the boy somehow found a gun in the home's living room and accidentally fired it when a bullet hit his father, who was rushed to a hospital where he died. Jeremy Hart who lives next door and knew all the parties involved explained that his neighbour kept a loaded gun for protection. The visit was a surprise which may explain why the gun was not locked up or secured. Detectives are calling it a tragic mistake. Investigation: Police believe the kiling is just a tragic accident but will look to see if there's any negligence issues . Dead: Justin Thomas passed away a short time after being shot. He had recently become a dad for the second time . 'At this point, it does appear that this is just a tragic accident from this child, and we will look to see if there's any negligence issues there,' said Prescott Valley police Sgt. Brandon Bonney. 'But, at this point, the information we have is it's just a tragic accident that was unforeseen.' Friends say Justin Thomas used to live in Prescott Valley before moving to Phoenix. Police say the boy, who is too young to comprehend what happened, is with his mother and his new born baby brother. | Father and his son drove up from Phoenix for an unannounced visit to see his former roommate .
Within minutes, little boy found a gun, picked it up and asked what it was as it fired .
Dad passed away in hospital from his injuries . |
200,644 | 8fbaa25bfd435b18f4a1dd8db2d4f9e764d99c76 | By . Steve Robson . Rail bosses have been forced to take action after confused tourists kept turning up at a railway station called Abbey Road expecting to find the famous Beatles zebra crossing. Transport for London decided to erect a tongue-in-cheek notice to inform baffled visitors that they've come to the wrong place. The genuine iconic crossing - which featured on the cover of The Beatles' album of the same name - is actually more than 10 miles away in the suburb of St Johns' Wood near the recording studios where it was recorded. Wrong direction: The Abbey Road in the East End is not quite as famous as its namesake in St John's Wood . Iconic: The cover of The Beatles 1969 album Abbey Road featuring the Fab Four . But local commuters say scores of hapless tourists regularly turn up at the East End station assuming it must be home to the famous Abbey Road. The gently mocking sign explains that . tourists who may have arrived expecting to find the famous crossing are . in the wrong place and explains how to get back to the correct . location. Several of the . most famous Beatles songs including 'Daytripper', 'Help', 'Get Back' and 'Ticket to Ride' are cleverly weaved into the sign which has been placed . in the station entrance by one of the platforms. Light-hearted: Transport for London recently erected this sign in an effort to explain to confused tourists who arrive in the wrong place . Tourists who turned up asking locals . for directions expressed their amusement at the . sign yesterday - after getting over the initial disappointment at being at the . wrong station. Adrijana Maric, 30, who was visiting London from Bulgaria, said: 'It's pretty confusing. 'How is somebody who has never been to this country before know which one is which? 'I do like the sign though - it is very British humour.' While oversees IT student Nanja Alma, 21, added: 'It's the only Abbey Road on the tube map, so I just assumed it was here. 'I love the sign though, it kind of softens the blow of being 10 miles the wrong direction.' Local business owners did ask . Transport for London to change the name of the DLR station to put . an end to the confusion when it opened in 2011. Alex Lonsdale, 33, who lives . in West Ham, said: 'It's been quite annoying actually - the station is . always full of baffled tourists wandering around. 'I suppose you've got to laugh at it though and it looks like that is what Tfl have done. 'It makes a nice change to signs constantly telling you about engineering works, that's for sure.' Error: Some tourists have assumed that the Abbey Road DLR stop must be home of the famous studios and zebra crossing . Attraction: Tourists recreate the Beatles' album cover on the zebra crossing at Abbey Road in St John's Wood . A Transport for London spokesperson said: 'Some visitors to London have been taking the name of the DLR station as indicating the location of the Abbey Rd recording studio made famous by the Beatles and their album, Abbey Road. 'This poster displayed at the station will help them find their way to where they want to be. 'We hope the humour in it may help alleviate their dismay at finding themselves so far off course as they realise they are not the only ones to have made the mistake.' The Abbey Road crossing was recently voted the number one 'must see' Beatles site in the UK on TripAdvisor. History: The Abbey Road recording studios remains one of the most famous in the world . Not so famous: The DLR station in east London opened in 2011. Business owners complained at the time that it should be named something else to avoid the confusion . | Visitors turning up at station 10 miles from famous recording studios .
Transport for London erects tongue-in-cheek sign to explain .
Contains a series of puns referencing some of band's biggest hits . |
22,171 | 3eec3db1a8a3797ebeec2acbc56eb2bf091a2049 | By . Tamara Abraham . Contributing editor: Pippa Middleton has landed a new job as a Vanity Fair writer . Pippa Middleton has landed a new job as a Vanity Fair contributing editor. In her first editorial for the glossy title, the 29-year-old sister of the Duchess of Cambridge writes about her most memorable experiences at Wimbledon. It is a second regular magazine job for the aspiring lifestyle guru, which she will write in addition to her monthly Friday Night Feasts column in Waitrose Magazine. It follows the publication of her first book, Celebrate: A Year of British Festivities for Family and Friends, last year. Published ahead of Wimbledon this . year, the article sees Pippa describe the tournament as 'the highlight . of my summer', and recalls her first visit to the All England Club at the age of eight. She says that she was an . aspiring professional tennis player at the time, and remembers purchasing a postcard of the . women's championship trophy and writing on it: 'I will win this one day.' She admits that as a child, she imagined she would get married in tennis whites, 'shorts with no pleats or frills.' Pippa, who is dating stockbroker Nico . Jackson, 35, tells readers that she has now grown out of her tomboy . phase, but that said, there will still be 'no white dresses this summer, . apart from at my local tennis club.' She says a favourite Wimbledon memory . was queuing with her sister on People's Sunday in 2004 to get £35 . tickets for Centre Court - something that would be highly unlikely - and . indeed unnecessary for them today. Aspiring lifestyle guru: Pippa released her first book, Celebrate: A Year of British Festivities for Family and Friends (left), last year. She is also a columnist for Waitrose's monthly magazine (right) She also remembers how her father embarrassed her during a match between Tim Henman and Pete Sampras. 'We were sitting quite close to the . players' court entrance,' she recalled. 'When Tim Henman walked onto the . court, the crowd cheered him, and as he walked near our seats my dad . mistakenly yelled, "Come on Pete!" That was embarrassing. 'There will be no white dresses this summer, . apart from at my local tennis club' Pippa, . who remains a regular at Wimbledon, and is frequently . photographed alongside her sister in prime . seats on Centre Court, further hones her reputation as a lifestyle guru . offering advice to Wimbledon-goers, from strategies on beating . the traffic, to new British tennis talent to look out for. She advises readers to prepare for . the weather: 'Bring everything from sunblock and sunglasses to a . mackintosh and umbrella,' she writes. She also suggests leaving the stilettos at home, and to walk, cycle or share a taxi to the grounds. Keen tennis fans: Pippa Middleton pictured with her sister, the Duchess of Cambridge, last year at Wimbledon at the men's singles final where they saw Roger Federer beat Andy Murray . Game, set and match! Pippa with brother James watching Andy Murray play at Wimbledon last year . And steer clear of making plans afterwards, she warns, as play can go on well into the evening. 'There's nothing worse than having to leave Rafael Nadal's athleticism for a routine pizza with friends,' she writes. Demonstrating that on-court style, an . accompanying shoot shows Pippa posing seemingly mid-game with racquet . in-hand in Azzedine Alaia's designer take on tennis whites. Another image sees her demonstrating . how one might cycle to the All England Club in order to beat the . traffic in a romantic black-and-white shot clad in 3.1 Phillip Lim, atop . a vintage-look bicycle loaded with peonies. Friends in high places: Vanity Fair has no less than 88 contributing editors on its masthead . As a contributing editor, Pippa joins a lengthy yet illustrious list of names on the Vanity Fair masthead. There are no less than 88 names on the list in the new July issue, among them the Pulitzer Prize-winning writer of Friday Night Lights, Buzz Bissinger and former White House press secretary Dee Dee Myers. One-time Interview magazine editor-in-chief Ingrid Sischy, who wrote this month's long-awaited interview with John Galliano, also features, as does author and social commentator Fran Lebowitz. Prominent writers Christopher Tennant, Nancy-Jo Sales and Sebastian Junger are listed as contributors to the magazine too, as well as Carl Bernstein, famous, in particular, for his reporting of the Watergate scandal in the Seventies. Nor is she the only society name on the list. Among the impressive line-up are Reinaldo Herrera, husband of fashion designer Carolina and holder of the Spanish title of The 5th Marqués of Torre Casa. His name appears alongside that of fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg and veteran society photographer Patrick McMullan. | The Duchess of Cambridge's younger sister already has a monthly Friday Night Feasts column in Waitrose Magazine .
Pippa published her first book, Celebrate: A Year of British Festivities for Family and Friends, last year . |
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.