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15,209 | 2b41beec03ea278d4211313e7c0c7851a8fb20d7 | (CNN) -- A Greek owned vessel that was hijacked months ago was released Sunday, naval officials said. There was no word of whether a ransom was paid to the pirates who hijacked the vessel. The Greek-owned vessel, named the Navios Apollo, was hijacked by Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden on December 28, the European Union Naval Force Somalia reported. The vessel was carrying 19 crew members. The ship and all the crew members were freed Sunday and they were sailing to Oman, the naval force said. | Navios Apollo hijacked in Gulf of Aden on December 28 .
The vessel was carrying 19 crew members .
Crew members were freed Sunday and are sailing to Oman . |
200,554 | 8f9aa2d3b8216b7467d8b06771727b8f096d37c4 | Astronomers have calculated the origin of a meteor that injured 1,000 people after breaking up over central Russia. They used amateur video footage to plot the path of the space rock that burned up over the city of Chelyabinsk causing shockwaves that blew out windows. The results suggest the meteor belongs . to a well known family of space rocks known as the Apollo asteroids, and probably came from an asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Scroll down for video . The Chelyabinsk meteor (labelled ChM) appears to have been on elliptical orbit around the Sun before it collided with Earth. The orbits of Earth and Mars are shown, although the calculations included the rest of inner and outer planets. Dozens of videos of the fireball were . taken with camera phones, CCTV and car-dashboard cameras and put online, and the team found two in particular that helped then worked out exactly where it came from. Using this amateur video footage, they were able to plot the meteor's trajectory through Earth's atmosphere and then reconstruct its orbit around the Sun. 'Using evidence gathered by one camera at the Revolution Square in the city of Chelyabinsk . and other videos recorded by witnesses in the close city of Korkino, we . calculate the trajectory of the body in the atmosphere and use it to . reconstruct the orbit in space of the meteoroid previous to the violent . encounter with our planet,' said Jorge Zuluaga and Ignacio Ferrin, from the University of Antioquia in Medellin. Experts said the meteor that left a 50-foot hole in a frozen lake on the outskirts of Chelyabinsk, in the Urals, weighed around 100,000 tonnes and measured 55 feet in diameter . 'We use it to classify the meteoroid . among the near Earth asteroid families finding that the parent body . belonged to the Apollo asteroids.' Using the footage and the location of an . impact into Lake Chebarkul, the team calculated the height, speed and . position of the rock as it fell to Earth. They estimate that it was travelling between 13km/s and 19km/s, brightening up above Korkin when it was between 32km and 47km high. Early estimates of the meteor's mass . put it at ten tonnes; US space agency Nasa later estimated it to be . between 7,000 and 10,000 tonnes. Nasa estimates the size of the object . was about 17m (55ft). The reconstruction uses three vantage points: the Revolution Square at Chelyabinsk (C), the Korkin metropolitan area (K) and Lake Chebarkul (L). The brightening point (BP) and the fragmentation point (FP) are the points of the trajectory seen from Chelyabinsk and measured using the shadow cast by the poles at the Revolutionary Square. 'In February 15 2013 a medium-sized meteoroid impacted the atmosphere in the region ofChelyabinsk, Russia,' the team wrote. 'After its entrance to the atmosphere and after travel by several hundred of kilometers the body exploded in a powerful event responsible for physical damages and injured people spread over a region enclosing several large cities. 'We present in this letter the results of a preliminary reconstruction of the orbit of the Chelyabinsk meteoroid.' Once they had discovered its trajectory, the researchers put their figures into astronomy software developed by the US Naval Observatory. The results suggest the meteor belongs to a well known family of space rocks known as Apollo. Of about 9,700 near-Earth asteroids discovered so far, about 5,200 are thought to be Apollos. The Apollo asteroids are a class of asteroids with Earth-crossing orbits. The first Apollo asteroid was discovered in 1918 by Max Wolf observing from Heidelberg, Germany . Friction: Burning from the friction with Earth's thin air, the space rock exploded 14.5 miles above the Russian town of Chelyabinsk . Asteroids are divided into different groups such as Apollo, Aten, or Amor, based on the type of orbit they have. Dr Stephen Lowry, from the University of Kent, said the team had done well to publish so quickly. 'It certainly looks like it was a member of the Apollo class of asteroids,' he told BBC News. 'Its elliptical, low inclination orbit, indicates a solar system origin, most likely from the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. 'Perhaps with more data, we can determine roughly where in the asteroid belt it come from.' Stunning: A montage of all the images taken by Marat Akhmetaleyev of the meteorite as it hurtled over the Russian sky . | Team used video of the meteor to calculate its trajectory .
Results suggest the meteor belongs .
to a well known family of space rocks known as the Apollo asteroids . |
100,867 | 0df70ddcc7ebf2dac58c9a307a50b1046a95d08b | This is the incredible moment two angry stags locked antlers and became submerged underwater as they brawled in a river over territory. Photographer Mark Ollett captured the moment the two animals began fighting, after one of the stags entered the other's territory at Bushy Park in Hampton, Middlesex. The wildlife photographer said the stag was the only male in a group of 24 females and saw the move as a challenge to his authority. Scroll down for video . Photographer Mark Ollett caught the moment the two stags began fighting on camera during a trip to Bushy Park in Hampton, Middlesex . He said the two animals began fighting after one of the stags entered the other's territory. He said the antagonistic stag was the only male in a group of 24 females and saw the move as a challenge to his authority. The animals ended up locking antlers in a river in Bushy Park, Middlesex . Mr Ollett said: 'The stags fighting is a very unusual thing to see and just goes to show how strong the testosterone and aggression can be' The animals fought aggressively in the park before becoming submerged in the river where they charged at each other with their antlers. Mr Ollett said: 'The stags underwater fighting is a very unusual thing to see and just goes to show how strong the testosterone and aggression can be at this time of year. 'I have spoken to a number of other photographers and none have witnessed such behaviour before. 'They stood looking on from the right side of the stream, the second stag wandered over into the other's territory, he was unfazed by the first stag's aggression at first. I don't think he wanted to fight, but the first stag persisted. 'The right stag charged over to show off, not a wise move as not only did he end up losing the fight but also lost his females. 'He left the scene with his tail between his legs and the left stag walked off triumphant with the 24 females. 'He ended up losing more than pride that day.' The stags stood looking at each other before one of the stag's wandered over into the other's territory. The angry fight then ensued in the river . The stag which initiated the brawl ended up losing the fight (left) and the other stag managed to emerge triumphant before returning to land . Mr Ollett said: 'He [the instigator] left the scene with his tail between his legs and the other stag walked off triumphant with the 24 females' The triumphant stag roared victoriously as he emerged the winner from the fight. Mr Ollett said he had never witnessed anything like it before . | Two stags caught on camera locking antlers during angry brawl over territory at Bushy Park in Hampton, Middlesex .
Photographer Mark Ollett captured the incredible fight which resulted in the animals being submerged in the river .
He said: 'It is a very unusual thing to see and goes to show how strong the testosterone and aggression can be' |
120,671 | 27f4c20ba24878374725621daa7e5da3e0de78df | (CNN) -- The mystery of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 appeared to deepen as reports emerged that passengers' cell phones continued to ring long after the flight went missing Saturday. After the torment of not knowing what has happened to their loved ones, relatives of MH370 passengers had resorted to calling their phones, and were greeted with ringtones. The aircraft disappeared unexpectedly from tracking early Saturday. No distress call from the pilots was received, and search efforts to date have not yielded any conclusive results, only adding to the uncertainty surrounding the fate of the Beijing-bound flight. Speculation quickly mounted on social media that these "phantom calls" amounted to evidence that the flight had not crashed, as has been widely assumed. "Frustrated! ... There are reports from family members that phone calls to their missing loved ones have 'rung through,' indicating the phones aren't on the bottom of the ocean," one Facebook user surmised. However, technology industry analyst and "E-Commerce Times" columnist, Jeff Kagan told CNN that no conclusions can be reached concerning the ringing phones. When a cell phone rings, he told "The Situation Room," it first connects with the network and attempts to locate the end-user's phone. "If it doesn't find the phone after a few minutes, after a few rings, then typically, it disconnects and that's what's happening," he said. "So, they're hearing ringing and they're assuming it's connecting to their loved ones, but it's not. It's the network sending a signal to the phone letting them know it's looking for them." Kagan told Wolf Blitzer that the technology meant he couldn't speculate on what ringing phones in this situation could mean. "Just because you're getting ringing, just because the signs that we see on these cell phones, that's no proof that there's any -- that's just the way the networks work." What is a transponder? Crowdsourcing volunteers comb satellite photos for Malaysia Airlines jet . What we know and don't know . CNN's Wilfred Chan contributed to this report . | Passengers' ringing cell phones led to speculation that flight MH370 hadn't crashed .
Aircraft's disappearance remains shrouded in mystery .
"Phantom call" theory inconclusive, CNN hears . |
139,415 | 404676f11d285f4a3983bb651bea826573f25f7c | (CNN) -- The arrest in Serbia of Ratko Mladic brings to an end a 16-year man hunt for the highest profile suspect still at large from the Balkan wars of the 1990s. Here is a timeline of key dates in Mladic's involvement in military action in the former Yugoslavia, his subsequent indictment for war crimes and the efforts to bring him to justice. 1992: After helping found the Serbian Democratic Party in 1990, Bosnian Serb Radovan Karadzic declares a new independent Serbian Republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina and proclaims himself president. Mladic gets command of the Bosnian Serb army which the majority of Bosnia and Herzegovina. His troops reportedly massacre more than 200,000 Muslims and Croats. April 23, 1995: The United Nations International Criminal Tribunal names Karadzic and Mladic as suspected war criminals. July 11, 1995: In what becomes known as the Srebrenica massacre, Karadzic and his army allegedly slaughter between 6,000 and 8,000 Muslims over the course of two days in a supposed U.N. safe area. July 24, 1995: The U.N. Tribunal indicts both Karadzic and Mladic on several charges, including war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity. November 16, 1995: A second indictment against Karadzic and Mladic brings charges of genocide and crimes against humanity for the Srebrenica massacre. November 21, 1995: An agreement struck in Dayton, Ohio, gives Serbs half of Bosnia. They are required to cooperate with the U.N. war crimes court. 1997: Karadzic believed to be in permanent hiding after not being seen for more than a year. June 28, 2001: Former Yugoslavian President Slobodan Milosevic is handed over to U.N. Tribunal. July 21, 2008: Karadzic arrested after more than a decade as a fugitive from war crimes charges. June 16, 2010: Mladic's family launches court proceedings to have him legally declared dead saying he had been in poor health and there had been no contact with him. October 28, 2010: Serbia raises its reward for information leading to Mladic's arrest from $1 million to $14 million. May 26, 2011: Serbian President Boris Tadic announces the arrest of Mladic. | Ratko Mladic rose to prominence in 1992 as commander of Bosnian Serb army .
Mladic was the highest-ranking Yugoslav war crimes suspect still at large .
He is wanted on charges of genocide, extermination and murder . |
63,436 | b418a638241ddcc1b22a14f06c1cec9cb7f7a579 | By . Victoria Woollaston . The largest bird that ever flew, which had a staggering 24ft (7 metre) wingspan, was so heavy it would have had to take off like a hang glider. Computer simulations have revealed that the prehistoric condor-like Pelagornis sandersi could only have left the ground by taking a running jump downhill into a headwind. But once airborne, it would have been a highly efficient flyer, despite its extraordinary wingspan being more than twice that of the albatross - the world’s largest flying bird today. This graphic shows how the enormous 'condor', which lived 28 million years ago, compares to modern-day birds, including the albatross, eagle, vulture, gull and sparrow. The Pelagornis sandersi is a species of pelagornithid - an extinct group of giant seabirds believed to be ancestors of pelicans and storks . Working from a fossil skull, as well as wing and leg bones, researchers calculated the likely size of the bird, and modelled possible flight styles - including flapping and gliding. The fossil of the prehistoric flyer was unearthed in 1983, in . South Carolina. It was found when construction workers began digging a new terminal at . the Charleston International Airport, and was so big they had to remove it using a JCB. Working from a fossil skull, as well as . wing and leg bones, researchers calculated the likely size of the bird . and modelled possible flight styles - including flapping and gliding. Even though it would have weighed up to 180lbs (81.5kg), the researchers said they have no doubt P sandersi flew. Its . paper-thin hollow bones, stumpy legs and wing shape made it similar to . birds that fly today, and this would have made it awkward when on land. Its size and telltale beak suggested the creature was a previously unknown . species of pelagornithid - an extinct group of giant seabirds believed . to be ancestors of pelicans and storks. They . were known for bony ‘teeth’ that lined their jaws. These giants of the sky occurred all . over the globe for tens of millions of years but vanished during the . Pliocene - just three million years ago. Even though it would have weighed up to 180lbs (81.5kg), the researchers said they have no doubt P sandersi flew. Its paper-thin hollow bones, stumpy legs and wing shape made it similar to birds that fly today, and this would have made it awkward when on land. But, because it exceeded the 15ft (4.5 metre) wingspan previous studies have claimed is the maximum for birds to fly, the researchers were unsure how it managed to take off and stay aloft. The fossil was unearthed in 1983 in South Carolina when construction workers began digging a new terminal at the Charleston International Airport. It was so big they had to remove it using a JCB. Dr Dan Ksepka, curator of science at Bruce Museum in Connecticut, said: 'The upper wing bone alone was longer than my arm.' Its sheer size and telltale beak suggested the creature was a previously unknown species of pelagornithid - an extinct group of giant seabirds believed to be ancestors of pelicans and storks. They were known for bony ‘teeth’ that lined their jaws, according to the study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Named in . honour of dig leader Dr Albert Sanders - retired curator of Charleston . Museum where the fossil’s housed - the bird lived 25 to 28 million years . ago, after the dinosaurs died out, but long before the first humans . arrived in the area. Once airborne, computer simulations suggest the bird’s long, slender wings made it an expert glider. Once airborne, computer simulations suggest the bird's long, slender wings made it an expert glider. By riding on air currents that rise up from the ocean's surface it was able to soar for miles over the open ocean (artist's impression pictured) P. sandersi breaks the record held by the previously known biggest flyer Argentavis magnificens - a condor-like bird that lived in the Andes mountains six million years ago. It had a wingspan of 21ft (6.4 metres). The average albatross (pictured), which is the largest flying bird today, has a wingspan of 9.8ft (3 metres) Once airborne, computer simulations suggest the bird’s long, slender wings made it an expert glider. By riding on air currents that rise up from the ocean’s surface it was able to soar for miles over the open ocean. It would have occasionally swooped down to the water to feed on soft-bodied prey like squid and eels. By riding on air currents that rise up from the ocean’s surface, it was able to soar for miles over the open ocean. It would have occasionally swooped down to the water to feed on soft-bodied prey, such as squid and eels. The skeleton was very well preserved - a rarity because of the paper-thin nature of the bones in these birds. Dr Ksepka said: 'Pelagornithids were like creatures out of a fantasy novel - there is simply nothing like them around today.' These giants of the sky occurred all over the globe for tens of millions of years but vanished during the Pliocene - just three million years ago. Paleontologists remain uncertain about the cause of their demise. P. sandersi breaks the record held by the previously known biggest flyer Argentavis magnificens - a condor-like bird that lived in the Andes mountains, and the pampas of Argentina, six million years ago. It had a wing-span of 21ft (6.4 metres), and a computer simulation carried out seven years ago suggested it flew in a similar style. | Pelagornis .
sandersi was so heavy it could get off the ground by .
taking a running jump downhill into a headwind - much like a .
hang glider .
It would have weighed up to .
180lbs (81.5kg) with stumpy legs .
The bird's wingspan was more than twice the size of a modern albatross .
Scientists used computer simulations to predict how the bird flew . |
250,962 | d0c9c71745c121b69456950ad6095b39e30ba48b | By . Daily Mail Reporter . When the boss of a bedding business hired a van he didn’t realise it came with onboard help. Steve Potter, 40, says he was in ‘utter disbelief’ after finding a 5ft snake in the vehicle outside his office. It is thought that the North American red corn snake, which is not venomous despite its vivid markings, belonged to someone who had hired the van to move house. The 5ft North American Corn snake was spotted in the back of the van by Steve Potter from Greater Manchester . Luckily the reptile, despite its distinctive colouring is not poisonous . ‘It seems an odd thing to forget,’ said Mr Potter, 40, from Worsley in Greater Manchester. ‘You can leave a suitcase or some old bedding behind, but not a snake.’ He had a hard time convincing colleagues of his find until workmate Rachel Bettison had a look. ‘Most of the people in the building were alerted by her scream,’ said Mr Potter. He returned the vehicle to Bury Van Hire, who called a reptile expert to catch the snake and are now trying to trace the owner. | The North American Red Corn snake is not poisonous despite its colouring .
Steve Potter said he could understand someone leaving a bag behind - but not a snake .
The vehicle was supplied by Bury Van Hire who are trying to locate the snake's owner . |
23,470 | 42aa7e6fe4f08620ab25b28fddb376949286a763 | Play for England at the World Cup? I need to learn how to play union first . I hung up on Gladiator Russell Crowe the first time he called . I cried off after my debut as a fly-half ended in tears . I lived in an apartment owned by Russell Crowe and went to the beach every day... My time in Australia was a dream . For Burgess, life as a Pom playing in Australia is the fantasy which came true. From the moment he flew out there on his 21st birthday, he revelled in his new environment. ‘I’d gone from West Yorkshire to Sydney; this great city, where it was red hot, I was going to the beach every day, playing golf four times a week and playing professional rugby league. I was living my dream,’ he said. ‘I lived in this apartment — Russell Crowe owned it — which looked out over the harbour bridge and the opera house. I used to go back after training, lie down on the day-bed on my balcony and fall asleep.’ Sam Burgess reveals his loved every minute of being an Englishman playing in Australia . Burgess fractured his cheekbone a minute into the NRL final in October, but played on to the end of the game . He soon made his mark on the elite rugby league scene Down Under and was quite surprised that he did not receive more stick for being an exiled Englishman. In fact, when his three brothers all ended up joining him at the Rabbitohs, the Burgess boys were made to feel right at home. ‘The Souths people really embraced the English, especially when we were all there,’ he said. ‘They used to do a Union Jack in red and green — the team colours. They could see that we were patriotic. We even had Union Jack speedos! I would love to have played in State of Origin, but that would have meant giving up my England jersey and that’s something I could never have done.’ Burgess breaks down after a try in the closing stages of the match as his achievement sunk in . Burgess revealed his apologised to his mum Julie (right) for playing on with a fracture cheekbone . Once Burgess decided to cross codes, his final season in NRL became a quest to help his club win their first title in 43 years. Fired by a sense of destiny, he played the whole Grand Final last month in agony after fracturing his cheekbone and eye socket in a first-minute clash of heads with compatriot James Graham. ‘I wasn’t even meant to be there,’ he said. ‘Three or four minutes before kick-off, the coach asked me to swap positions, then the ball came straight to me in the first play and I collided with James. I knew I couldn’t come off, but there was blood coming down the back of my throat and I was choking on it. Julie Burgess poses with her Rabbitohs sons (from left) Sam, Luke, George and Tom . ‘We got to half time and as I walked down the tunnel, my girlfriend, her family and my mum were all there. I looked up and saw that they were so worried, so I just shook my head and said “I’m sorry”. My girlfriend told me later that she was saying, “It’s alright, just keep playing” but I didn’t see that at the time.’ Burgess did just that and etched his name into NRL folklore with victory. ‘I played 97 games for South Sydney and I would love to play 100 games for them,’ he said. ‘Never say never.’ Sam Burgess is a Canterbury ambassador for rugby and training products. Sam is the face of the new Since 1904 fashion range to be launched by Canterbury in February 2015. For more information, visit www.canterbury.com . | Bath star Sam Burgess signs for Sportsmail .
Burgess reveals he was 'living the dream' while playing in Australia .
25-year-old helped South Sydney Rabbitohs to win first Premiership title in 43 years .
Burgess played 97 games for South Sydney . |
211,274 | 9d9b0208e9e2ada18d750fd78999a3fc83b3bcaa | San Francisco (CNN) -- An in-depth review of the cockpit voice recorder of Asiana Airlines Flight 214 shows two pilots called for the landing to be aborted before the plane hit a seawall and crashed onto the runway at San Francisco International Airport, the head of the National Transportation Safety Board said Thursday. The first internal call by one of the three pilots in the cockpit to abort the landing came three seconds before the crash and a second was made by another pilot 1.5 seconds before impact, Deborah Hersman said. The news came as the NTSB began to wrap up its investigation at the airport, where officials have begun cleaning up the debris left by the crash. Investigators turned over the runway, which had been shuttered since Saturday's crash, late Wednesday, Hersman said. The investigation is slowly shifting back to NTSB headquarters in Washington, where authorities will work to find a more definitive answer about what led to the crash that killed two 16-year-old Chinese girls and injured more than 180 of the remaining 305 passengers. How does an air crash investigation work? It will likely take a year before it establishes a cause for the accident, Hersman said. But, she said, it considers the investigation a priority and can make safety recommendations before its final report if necessary. The NTSB has declined to give a preliminary finding of cause, but investigators have said the Boeing 777 came in too low and too slow. The cockpit recorder shows there was no discussion of the flight's speed during final approach to the airport until nine seconds before it crash-landed, Hersman said. A preliminary review of the 777's flight data recorders shows engines and wing flaps responded as they were expected to as the plane made its descent into one of the country's largest airports, Hersman said. The NTSB chief spent several minutes during a news conference on Thursday clarifying reports that have shown up in South Korean media, including one where the pilot flying the plane reported being temporarily blinded by a flash of light. Hersman said the pilot at the controls of Flight 214 told investigators that at about 500 feet before crash landing, he briefly saw a bright light "that could have been a reflection of the sun," but he wasn't sure. The pilot told investigators he did not believe the light affected his ability to fly the plane, as it didn't affect his vision and he could see inside the cockpit, she said. Did passengers ignore safety messages? Additionally, there was no indication that personal electronics, such as mobile phones, aboard the 777 played a role in the accident. When asked about reports, citing 911 calls from frantic passengers and onlookers, that emergency personnel were slow to respond, Hersman said the investigation was ongoing. "We are looking at all of that information. We have, really, mountains of information to go through," she said. Shortly after Asiana Flight 214 crash-landed, passengers and witnesses pleaded with 911 responders to send help -- some frantically, some insistently. "I'm reporting an airplane crash at SFO (San Francisco International Airport)," an early witness said in calls released by the California Highway Patrol. "An airplane crash at SFO?" a dispatcher asked. "Yeah. We were hiking on a trail outside Pacifica, and we heard a giant explosion, and ... an airplane had crashed right there at SFO." Another caller dialed 911, thinking the response was taking too long. "We still don't see any firemen or anything," another witness said. "We are responding, trust me," the operator responded. Did pilot have enough 777 experience? Moments before, the 777's main landing gear slammed into a seawall between the airport and San Francisco Bay, spinning the aircraft 360 degrees as it broke into pieces and eventually caught fire. First responders were on the scene two minutes after the crash to tend to the injured, Hersman said Wednesday. About a minute later, there were firefighters equipped to douse the flames. Those who could do so poured out of the plane in the aftermath, dialing for help as they escaped. "We are at the San Francisco airport, and our airplane just crashed upon landing, and we think we need someone here, someone here as soon as possible," a passenger said. The dispatcher asks: Which runway? "I don't know what runway. We just literally ran out of the airplane." Girls killed in crash were headed for camp . Flight attendants hailed as heroes . CNN's Mike Ahlers reported from San Francisco, and Chelsea J. Carter and Ed Payne reported and wrote from Atlanta. CNN's Kyung Lah also contributed to this report. | NEW: Investigation will likely take a year, NTSB says .
Two pilots in the cockpit called for the landing to be aborted, NTSB says .
No discussion of speed until nine seconds before impact, NTSB says .
911 calls pour in to dispatchers from witnesses and passengers alike . |
177,487 | 71bef6f121c11a92e5ccfbe588fb7f487e751720 | Cushty: Oscar Pistorius has been given a raft of new privileges in prison after having his status was upgraded from category B to category A . Oscar Pistorius is now able to hug and kiss his visitors, own a radio and wear jewellery in a raft of new privileges behind bars, MailOnline has learned. The convicted killer will also be free to make more phone calls, take up a hobby and have a bigger budget to buy toiletries and treats after a decision by jail chiefs to re-categorise his prisoner status. News that Pistorius has been upgraded to category A status from category B comes two years after he shot dead Reeva Steenkamp at his home on Valentine's Day. Although Pistorius is still said to be struggling to cope with his loss of freedom, bosses at Kgosi Mampuru prison in the South African capital, Pretoria, relaxed the terms of his incarceration after deciding he poses little threat to security. The Pistorius family spokeswoman, Annalise Burgess, confirmed the track star, known as the Blade Runner, is 'now a Category A prisoner' – news that was greeted with delight by his relatives. A family source told MailOnline: 'We have a family Whatsapp group on which we all hear the news about Oscar as well as other family business. 'Since Aimee and Carl (his sister and brother) are his most frequent visitors, it is usually them who let the rest of us know what is happening with him inside. 'This has boosted him a lot. He has been very low in prison, although he seems to be getting all the support from the prison authorities that he needs. 'His new status means he will be able to have more visits – there are a lot of family members who would like to go and see him, but in the past have stayed away so that it is mostly Carl, Aimee, his aunt and grandmother who take the allocated slots.' It comes after one prison officer last week said the disgraced former Paralympian was being treated 'like royalty'. Up until now, Pistorius has been separated from his visitors by glass, with a handset to speak through and and a strictly 'no-touching' policy in place. The 28-year-old can now touch his loved ones during their 'contact' visits, which have been extended from two to three hours per month, although both he and his visitors will still be searched. Pistorius must continue wear his prison-issue orange jump suit. Sentence: Oscar slips his watch to his uncle Arnold as he is taken down to the holding cells after being given five years imprisonment for the culpable homicide. He has now been allowed to wear jewellery in prison . The runner who is famously a keen collector of expensive watches, is also now also free to wear jewellery, though not in his ears or nose. He was seen to hand over a chunky designer watch to his uncle Arnold Pistorius as he was led to the cells in the minutes after he was jailed for culpable homicide - or manslaughter - in October. The allowance the famous inmate is allowed to spend at the prison tuck shop has also risen– from R100 to R150 (£6 to £9) – which will enable him to buy chocolate, fizzy drinks and toiletries. Thanks to his new status, Pistorius will now have more chance of entertaining himself in his single cell, with the right to pursue a hobby (provided no sharp tools are needed) and keep a radio. The star of the London Olympic games will also be free to make more phone calls - 24 per year, a massive hike on his category B allowance of six per year. All prisoners are allowed to receive and write as many letters as they like, although they must fund their own postage and stationary costs. Killed by her boyfriend: Oscar was convicted of Reeva Steenkamp's manslaughter after shooting her through a locked toilet door at his home in Pretoria in the early hours of Valentine's Day 2013 . Since his jailing nearly four months ago, the shamed sprinter has completed a number of rehabilitation programmes, including a course on coping with emotions, and has proved to be a model prisoner. According to a prison guard, Pistorius spends much of his day isolated from other inmates. The sprawling facility is notorious for the sexual and physical violence that is meted out by the 'numbers' gangs who dominate prison life. Attacking – even murdering - fellow inmates is a means of climbing the gangs' chains of command, and a famous target is likely to hold even greater kudos. As a precaution, Pistorius rarely leaves his hospital wing where, at weekends, early mornings and late afternoons he is in the company of one of South Africa's most infamous underworld criminals, Radovan Krejcir. Although Pistorius is still said to be struggling to cope with his loss of freedom, bosses at Kgosi Mampuru prison (above) have relaxed the terms of his incarceration after deciding he poses little threat to security . The Czech fugitive – who is wanted in his own country on a raft of charges – is the defendant in three active court cases in South Africa, including fraud, robbery and torture. Last week, he was charged with a fresh count of murder. The Olympian and the fugitive shares the use of Krejcir's running machine and exercise bike which are kept on the hospital wing corridor. As a prisoner on trial, the Czech is entitled to greater privileges than a convicted criminal such as Pistorius. Pistorius could be freed from prison as early as July and allowed to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest. However, prosecutors are appealing his conviction for culpable homicide as well as his five-year jail term. Pistorius is expected to fight any decision to convict him of murder or lengthen his prison sentence, despite the fact he ran out of money to pay the team who defended him at his lengthy murder trial. Pistorius made history at London 2012 by competing at the Olympics and the Paralympics, where he won two gold medals. | Prison chiefs have upgraded his status from category B to category A .
New privileges also include making more phone calls and having a hobby .
Allowance to buy chocolate, drinks and toiletries has risen from £6 to £9 .
Source told MailOnline: 'This has boosted him a lot. He has been very low'
Pistorius has served four months of 5-year 'culpable homicide' sentence . |
115,716 | 21539a93180864cbbbc00bacec1b074dcfbbe035 | They may be a sanctuary for some of the world’s most endangered animals, but noisy zoos could may be putting creatures off sex, scuppering hopes of populations bouncing back. Noises of modern life - from traffic to mobile phones – may explain why animals such as the rhino are so reluctant to breed in captivity, zoologists claim. Among the unfamiliar sounds which may put the animals off mating are the chattering humans who go to zoos to see animals that are dying out in the wild. Scroll down for video . Noises of modern life - from traffic to mobile phones – may explain why animals such as the rhino are so reluctant to breed in captivity, zoologists claim. Rhinos have sensitive hearing to detect potential predators and rival rhinos approaching their territory on the grassy savannahs of Africa. White rhinos are shown . Rhinos have exceptionally sensitive hearing to detect potential predators and rival rhinos on the grassy savannahs of Africa. They can even pick up on the change in vibrations to the ground on which they roam because they can hear infrasound - low noises that cannot be detected by humans. But alien sounds heard in urban zoos affect this ability and may distress the animals enough to affect their natural mating behaviour, according to zooloogists at the University of Texas. Do not disturb: Alien sounds in urban zoos may distress animals enough to affect their natural mating behaviour, according to zoologists. It is hoped that the study finding will lead to the development of sound-proof enclosures where animals will not be disturbed (illustrated) and may feel like mating . Rhinos can pick up ‘infrasound' such as low rumbles that can't be detected by humans. They can hear down to a frequency of four hertz, whereas a human with perfect hearing can only detect frequencies above 20 hertz. It is thought that rhinos can also hear high pitched noises, because they sometimes make high whistles and giggles. The new study suggests that human noises such as mobile phone calls and traffic, put rhinos off breeding. It could lead to quieter, sound-proofed enclosures that may lead to more fruitful captive breeding programmes. They say that sound is preventing the animals breeding more than poor habitats, diet or diseases in zoos and safari parks. Rhinos are among the most difficult animals to breed in captivity. For example, only one rare Northern white rhino has ever been born in a zoo. But captive breeding programmes are desperately needed, because an increase in poaching means wild populations could be wiped out within a decade. Three species of rhinoceros are already endangered. Rhinos have one of the most sensitive hearing ranges in the animal kingdom, along with pandas, who also do not breed well in captivity, the experts told a US acoustic conference. It is thought that giant pandas have especially sensitive when they are pregnant. Lead researcher Suzi Wiseman and her team used sound detectors at a Fossil Rim Wildlife Centre in Texas to pick up noises like traffic and chatter that wouldn’t bother humans but may upset a rhino. Easily distracted: Rhinos have one of the most sensitive hearing ranges in the animal kingdom, along with pandas (pictured), who also do not breed well in captivity, the experts told a US acoustic conference . She said that the sound levels she monitored would be louder in urban zoos. ‘We can go into some zoos and think, this is delightfully quiet - but it might be that some animals don’t think it’s quiet at all, because urban areas have a lot of chronic infrasound,’ she said. The findings could be used by zoos to adapt enclosures with soundproofing and other methods of drowning out any man made noise that can be heard in enclosures to boost the chances of animals mating. ‘The soundscape is something that zoos need to consider and it’s something that can be improved,’ she added. | Traffic, mobile phones and humans talking could put rhinos off having sex .
Captive breeding programmes in zoos are needed to boost rhino numbers .
Animals are among the hardest to breed - as well as pandas - because of their exceptionally sensitive hearing, University of Texas researchers say .
They monitored noise levels as an animal park to study the impact of noise .
Quieter, sound-proofed enclosures could lead to better breeding protects . |
134,314 | 39ad7fe95a9f01baf8ceec0125755fb8f65a2af8 | Australia (CNN) -- Major royal tours like the one the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge embarked on this month act as milestones in a royal career. The images that come out of them will be used in perpetuity to illustrate an ongoing history of monarchy. In New Zealand and Australia there have been dozens pictures that made great magazine spreads but I have chosen three that I think say something more. The royal 'crawl-about' On the face of things, this was just a play date at Government House in Wellington, New Zealand, but it had been organized for a future king and was the starting gun for a lifetime of official engagements for Prince George. I chose a picture from the end of the event because it's also an intimate portrait of a close-knit family unit with hands-on parents who people can relate to. Every parent has had one of these moments and it's what makes parenthood worth it. Uluru sunset . The Duchess has never been to Australia before and what stronger message could there be to say she has arrived? It's a rite of passage for tourists to have a picture taken at Uluru at sunset. But this image is also loaded with family history. Prince Charles and Diana posed in the same spot on their first foreign tour as a family. The interesting thing here is that Kate and William's picture didn't work. The shoot was rushed and the couple looked awkward. You can even see the shadows of photographers at their feet. This picture places Kate in a country where she will be Queen but it also speaks to the media pressure the couple are under and trying to juggle. Future head of state . Prince William knows he hasn't been the headline act of this tour, with the spotlight firmly fixed on his wife and son. But look closely and there's been an interesting shift in his public appearances. There were the usual fun moments, typified by sporting challenges with his wife and intimate moments with his son, but there's also a creeping formality to his engagements. This was most obvious for me when he sat down with the Australian Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, in Sydney. It was a kingly side that I can't remember seeing in him before -- Prince William is a future head of state. During this tour we got to know a new generation of royalty (George) but we also saw an existing one (William and Kate) mature. They are doing it in their own way by focusing on events that reflect their personal interests (conservation, the military, sport, young people and hospices) and they've done so to rapturous praise in the Australian media and amongst the political leadership. If they haven't killed off the republican debate, they've at least put it on the back burner. They've also added a chapter to their official biography. | The royal tour images will be used to illustrate an ongoing history of monarchy, writes CNN's Max Foster .
The shoot at Uluru was rushed and the couple looked awkward, he says .
Prince William showed for the first time a kingly side, reports Foster .
The tour brought rapturous praise from the Australian media and political leadership, he says . |
71,661 | cb12dc5592bb4964bf63db60e8b8e6f0ff7f3966 | It is a row almost every couple has had - is one sex better at reading maps than the other? Researchers say the now believe the answer is yes - and say they know why. Scientists studying African tribes say men evolved better spatial abilities so they could roam further in the pursuit of mates. Men who did better on a spatial task not only traveled farther than other men but also had children with more women, the Utah researchers found. There is a demonstrated relationship between sex differences in how far some mammals – including voles and deer mice – range or travel, and sex differences in their spatial and navigation abilities. But until now, little has been known about this relationship in humans. The University of Utah study tested and interviewed dozens of members of the Twe and Tjimba tribes in northwest Namibia. They found that men who did better on a spatial task not only traveled farther than other men but also had children with more women, according to the study published this week in the journal Evolution and Human Behavior. 'It's the first time anybody has tried to draw a line between spatial ability, navigation, range size and reproductive success,' said Layne Vashro, the study's author. 'Navigation ability facilitates traveling longer distances and exploring new environments. 'And the farther you travel, the more likely you are to encounter new mating opportunities.' There is a demonstrated relationship between sex differences in how far some mammals – including voles and deer mice – range or travel, and sex differences in their spatial and navigation abilities. But until now, little has been known about this relationship in humans, Vashro claims. 'Among the most consistent sex differences found in the psychological literature are spatial ability and navigation ability, with men better at both.' 'In the anthropological literature, one of the most consistent behavioral differences between men and women is the distance they travel. 'This difference in traveling is assumed to explain the observed differences in spatial ability and navigation ability. 'Now, we've drawn a link between spatial ability and range size.' 'Most of this chain has been assumed in the scientific literature,'Anthropology professor Elizabeth Cashdan, the study's senior author, says, . 'Some of the links have been demonstrated, but this study looks at the whole chain and that's what is novel about it.' University of Utah anthropologist Layne Vashro with a woman from the Twe tribe in Namibia as she performs a mental rotation task on a laptop computer. It was part of a new study that found evidence men evolved better navigation ability than women because men with better ability to manipulate objects in their mind can roam farther and have children with more mates. Cashdan says spatial skills include 'being able to visualize spatial relationships and manipulate that image in your mind.' Vashro says an example is to 'visualize how you fit a bunch of things into the back of a truck, and how you could rotate them most efficiently to fit.' She believes that relative to other cognitive differences between the sexes, such as cultural differences in math skills, the difference in spatial skills is large, and it is found across cultures and in some other species. 'That's why we think it may have evolutionary roots,' she says. 'The argument in the literature is that you need good spatial ability to navigate successfully, and you need to navigate effectively to travel long distances in unfamiliar environments,' Cashdan says. The new study connected links in that chain. 'These findings offer strong support for the relationship between sex differences in spatial ability and ranging behavior, and identify male mating competition as a possible selective pressure shaping this pattern,' the researchers conclude in their paper. The study involved members of the Twe (pronounced tway) and Tjimba (pronounced chim-bah) tribes, which live in a mountainous, semiarid desert area. They have some goats and cows, and they collect berries, tubers and honey, and tend gardens with maize and some melons and pumpkin, Vashro says. They have dry season camps in the mountains, where they forage, and wet season camps near their gardens. The Twe and Tjimba were good subjects for the study because they travel over distances of 120 miles during a year, 'navigating on foot in a wide-open natural environment like many of our ancestors,' Vashro says. A couple from Namibia's Twe tribe outside their home. University of Utah anthropologists studied the Twe and Tjimba people of Namibia in a study that linked better spatial skills in men to the distances over which they roam. The study indicated men evolved better navigation skills than women because it helps them find more mates and produce more offspring. The tribes 'have a comparatively open sexual culture,' Vashro says. Cashdan adds, 'They have a lot of affairs with people they're not married to, and this is accepted in the culture.' Many men have children by women other than their wives. That also made the tribes good for the study, because 'in a culture where you don't have mates outside of marriage, we're not going to expect as tight a relationship between range size and reproductive success,' Cashdan says. 'Men traveled father than women and to more places than women,' with both findings statistically significant, Cashdan says. On average, Vashro says, 'men reported visiting 3.4 unique locations across 30 miles per location on average in a year, while women reported visiting only two locations across 20 miles.' And in the key finding, men who did better on the mental rotation task reported traveling farther both during their lifetime and the past year, compared with men who didn't do as well on the mental rotation task. There was no difference in range size between women who did better and worse on the mental rotation task . During visits to Namibia's Kunene region during 2009-2011, Vashro had Twe and Tjimba participants perform different tasks. He looked for male-female differences and correlations among those differences: . - To test the ability to rotate objects mentally, a computer screen displayed a series of hands palm up or palm down and oriented in different directions. After a trial period, 68 men and 52 women were shown a series of hands for up to 7.5 seconds per image and were asked to identify whether the pictured hand was a left hand or right hand. After excluding participants who didn't understand the task, the Utah researchers found males did better. - Another test of spatial perception involved a picture of a clear plastic cup with a horizontal water line in the middle. It was shown to 67 men and 55 women. Then they were shown a single page with four images of the cup tipped and the water line at varying angles. They were asked to identify the correct image, which showed the water line in the tipped cup parallel to the ground. This task also has been shown to be easier for men and also may be related to certain navigation skills. In the new study, the men also were significantly better at it than the women. - In another test, 37 men and 36 women were asked to point to nine different locations in the Kunene region, ranging from about 8 to 80 miles away. Vashro used a GPS compass to measure their accuracy. Men scored significantly better than women. - The researchers also measured the range size of Twe and Tjimba people by interviewing them and asking how many places they visited during the past year and the distance they covered to get to each location. 'It looks like men who travel more in the past year also have children from more women – what you would expect if mating was the payoff for travel,' Vashro says. 'Why men should be better at mentally rotating objects is a weird thing,' Cashdan says. 'Some people think it is culturally constructed, but that doesn't explain why the pattern is shared so broadly across human societies and even in some other species. 'The question is why should men get better benefits from spatial ability than women? One hypothesis, which our data support, is that males, more than females, benefit reproductively from getting more mates, and ranging farther is one way they do this.' | Team studied members of the Twe and Tjimba tribes in northwest Namibia .
Men who did better on a spatial task traveled farther than others .
Had children with more women as they could roam further to find them . |
188,385 | 7ff30502509fdc12a3ba5d37abdb0ad2f62ae32b | By . Emma Glanfield for MailOnline . A 22-year-old woman who was killed after being struck by a train on a level crossing is thought to have been trying to rescue her dog when the tragedy occurred. Emergency services were called to Fisherman's level crossing between Freshfield and Ainsdale, Lancashire, just before 3pm yesterday. British Transport Police confirmed the woman, who was from Glastonbury, Somerset, was killed on the crossing and said her next of kin had been informed. Scroll down for video . The 22-year-old woman, from Glastonbury, was killed at Fisherman's level crossing near Ainsdale, Lancashire . Officers, who are still trying to establish the circumstances surrounding the death, said the incident is not being treated as suspicious. It is understood the dog also died as a result of the tragic incident. Residents near the crossing, which is close to Ainsdale's busy commuter station, said they believed the woman was trying to rescue her dog before the tragedy. Kanesh Saran, who works at a newsagents in Freshfield, said: 'People say that it's a dangerous spot. Dogs can get underneath the gate and walk under it. 'That's where the problem started. She has gone through the gate to protect the dog which was on the track and then been hit - it's very, very sad.' Another man said: 'I went for a run and I got so far and then he said you can't go past that bit, and I had to turn around.' British Transport Police said the incident was not being treated as suspicious and the woman's next of kin had been informed. Services were severely disrupted in the area following the incident just before 3pm yesterday . Merseyside Police were last night speaking to witnesses, including the train driver, to establish the circumstances surrounding the death. A British Transport Police spokesman said: 'We were called shortly before 3pm on Wednesday August 27, following reports of a person having been struck by a train near to Ainsdale station. 'Our offices attended, alongside colleagues from Merseyside Police and North West Ambulance Service, and discovered a 22-year-old woman from Glastonbury had been struck and killed by a train. 'Her family has been informed. The incident is not currently being treated as suspicious and officers are working to determine exactly how she came to be on the tracks. 'A report will be prepared for the coroner.' The tragedy led to severe disruption on services between nearby Southport and Hunts Cross. For several hours, a bus service was in operation from Hall Road to Southport while services from Hunts Cross terminated at Hall Road. | Woman killed by speeding train at Fisherman's level crossing in Lancashire .
Residents claim woman - in her twenties - was trying to rescue dog at time .
British Transport Police said incident was not being treated as suspicious .
Officers still trying to identify young woman and are interviewing witnesses . |
218,315 | a69fe5031ef96fcb3659f8f5d24cd3139023b72e | By . Sam Adams . PUBLISHED: . 11:44 EST, 13 September 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 09:21 EST, 14 September 2012 . A group of scouts thought their tired old hut was going to be completely transformed when it was accepted onto a popular TV makeover show. But the leaders of the 24th Abingdon Scouts in Oxfordshire claim the building was left an 'unusable shambles' with a leaky roof after a team from Channel Five's Operation Homefront had finished work on it. As soon as the cameras were switched off after filming of the show - presented by Suzi Perry - problems started to develop. Complaints: Scout leaders Gary Thorne (left) and David Grimes (right) claim their troop's hut was left unusable after the team from Operation Homefront finished work on it . Members of the Scout troop have been forced to hold meetings outdoors and their leaders have appealed for help to finish off a list of 100 jobs. The hut has been left with a leaking roof, incomplete electrics and plumbing and dangerous fire exits. The show sees groups of ex-servicemen transform projects struggling with manpower. Problems: The hut was left with a leaking roof and a list of other problems following filming of the show . A team from the programme carried out . the work over four days at the beginning of August with the programme . set to air next month. However, it seems the team may have . taken on more than it bargained for when it offered to demolish the old . 1940s building, then move and renovate the Scouts’ ‘Terrapin’ huts . nearby. Perry, who has hosted The Gadget Show and the BBC’s MotoGP coverage, tweeted during the renovation: 'The Scout hut rebuild is chugging along but we definitely took on a bit too much.' Soaked: The Scouts have asked for help with fixing the list of around 100 jobs that still need doing to the hut (Mr Thorne is pictured here next to more water covering its floor) Unhappy: Mr Grimes crouches next to a puddle of water which has seeped in from the hut's leaking roof . The Scout group, which has about 25 . members, returned from its summer break but was unable to use the . building and instead met at the nearby nature reserve. Scout leader David Grimes said the hut was unusable. 'Fair enough, they have achieved more in four days than we could in weeks but we can’t use it as it is,' he said. 'It is a shambles.' A spokesman for NorthOne TV, which produces the show, said: 'We brought in what amounted to tens of thousands of pounds worth of materials and manpower, as well as the complex project management behind it. Front woman: Suzy Perry presents Operation Homefront, whose team were slammed by scout leaders . 'There is always going to be what’s called a ‘finishing list’ of jobs which need to be completed when you undertake something of this scale - but the substance of what was achieved was phenomenal. 'One of the Scout leaders went as far as saying the original hut was lucky not to have been condemned - and the whole place amounted to ‘a prayer that needed answering’.' The spokesman added: 'We are in constant contact with the Scout group secretary and will continue to help them on a few jobs which need finishing. 'We agreed what we would do to the Scout hut and we feel we have delivered on it.' Opinions also appear to be divided within the Scout group over the work carried out by Operation Homefront. The troop's secretary Julie Mansbridge said she and others were 'hugely grateful for Operation Homefronts renovation.' 'They achieved in four days what would have taken us four years in terms of workload and tens of thousands in financial assistance,' she said. | Suzi Perry of Operation Homefront tweeted: 'We took on a bit too much'
Troop .
forced to hold meetings outdoors because of problems with building .
Have appealed for .
help to finish off 100 jobs including plumbing and electrics . |
139,835 | 40cd2cf4755f5f114a69962a23e69f4934901e89 | The rotting corpses of 500 sea lions have washed up on a beach in Peru, prompting accusations that fishermen harvesting shellfish poisoned them. Sea lion cubs were among the hundreds of dead bodies found on a bay in Santa province in the north-west of the South American nation, about 250 miles north of the capital Lima. Police are investigating a complaint made the governor of the local Samanco district, who believes the creatures were poisoned by marine farmers harvesting shellfish. The rotting corpses of 500 sea lions have washed up on a beach in Peru, prompting accusations that fishermen harvesting shellfish poisoned them (file picture) Sea lions often come close to the shore to look for seafood and scallops to eat, but may have ingested poison while doing so. City council workers quickly hauled away the mass of decomposing corpses as they were a public health risk. The bodies of another 187 sea lions were found in the Piura region of Peru along with four dead dolphins and the corpses of sea turtles and dozens of pelicans earlier this month. How the animals came to die remains a mystery and wildlife officials are still investigating the deaths. Detectives are yet to rule out disease, fishing nets, hunting or eating plastic rubbish disposed of in the Pacific Ocean by humans as possible causes. Sea lion cubs were among the hundreds of dead bodies found on a bay in Santa province in the north-west of the South American nation, about 250 miles north of the capital Lima . In 2012, hundreds more dolphins were founded dead on Peruvian beaches. An environmental group blamed the deaths on the noise and waves caused by explosions made by oil exploration nearby. However, a government report said natural causes, such as an infection, were to blame for their deaths. | Hundreds of dead sea lions have washed up on a beach in Peru .
Up to 500 corpses were found on a bay in Santa province, north of Lima .
Police are investigating claims the animals were poisoned by fishermen . |
201,756 | 91323a73c8cd6c756fed2d54e496c5c8c608ae25 | (CNN) -- The pastor of a Maryville, Illinois, church was shot to death during a service Sunday in front of horrified church members who then tackled the gunman, state police said. The Web site for the First Baptist Church of Maryville, Illinois, includes a photo of the Rev. Fred Winters. Fred Winters, the pastor of the First Baptist Church, was shot and killed during the 8 a.m. service, and the attacker and two church members suffered knife wounds in the attack, authorities said. The gunman entered during the service and walked up to the pulpit. Winters and the gunman apparently exchanged words before the 27-year-old man fired four shots, hitting the pastor's Bible and then the pastor, said Illinois State Police Director Larry Trent. "The only thing we know is that the suspect said something to the pastor, and the pastor said something back to him -- we don't know what that was," Trent told reporters Sunday afternoon. "It was almost as if the pastor may have recognized him, but we're not sure about that at all." The gunman's .45-caliber pistol jammed after he shot Winters, Trent said. The man then pulled out a knife before being tackled by some of about 150 worshippers attending the service in southern Illinois, near St. Louis, Missouri. Watch the aftermath of the church shooting » . Earlier reports from authorities said the man may have turned the knife on himself, but Trent said that was not confirmed. "When he was tackled by two of the members, we don't know whether he fell on the knife, injuring himself at the time, or whether [his injury] was self-inflicted during the struggle," Trent said. Two of those who went after the attacker suffered injuries that aren't life-threatening, while the suspect's injuries are "very serious," Illinois state police spokesman Ralph Timmins said. Witness Claudia Bohley told CNN affiliate KSDK-TV in St. Louis that she was in the church's foyer waiting for the service to begin when she heard "pop, pop, pop. ... We just couldn't imagine what had happened." She said she ran into the sanctuary and saw what looked like paper scattered on the pulpit. She said she was later told that a bullet hit Winters' Bible. "It was like confetti. It went everywhere," she said. "People were down on their knees and on the floor, screaming and praying." She described Winters -- who is pictured on the church's Web site along with his wife and two children -- as "such a pleasant pastor." Trent said police are still trying to determine a motive in the shooting and that church members did not recognize the gunman. St. Louis University Hospital spokeswoman Laura Keller told CNN three males, including the suspect, were brought to the hospital. One was dead on arrival, she said, but the hospital was not releasing names and ages. She said the second was in an operating room and the third was the suspect, whose condition was not immediately available. Trent said one of two wounded church members was treated and released. Trent called the actions of the two wounded church members "heroic," saying they took quick action when others "were understandably stuck to their seats." Phone calls to the church office went unanswered Sunday. A posting on the church's Web site said a prayer vigil would be held at 6 p.m. at Metro Community Church in Edwardsville, Illinois, about six miles north of Maryville. First Baptist Church is fairly large, with about 1,000 members, KSDK reported. The church holds four Sunday services. Timmins said many of the people attending the service remained for hours afterward, as police were conducting interviews. The Illinois shooting is believed to be the nation's first in a church since July, when a 58-year-old man opened fire in a Knoxville, Tennessee, church during a children's play. Two people were killed and six wounded in that shooting at Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church. In the Tennessee case, Jim Adkisson told police he targeted the church because of its "liberal teachings," according to court papers. Adkisson pleaded guilty last month in a deal that allowed him to avoid the death penalty and will face life in prison without parole, court officials said. Police said the Maryville congregation had a plan in place, including a protocol for lockdown, in the event of an incident such as Sunday's attack. | Church members tackle gunman after shooting, police say .
Suspect's injuries are "very serious," police spokesman says .
Police looking for motive in Illinois church attack that killed pastor . |
79,748 | e21e40e5fab91e6c4ac519efb71bd891aea6720c | By . Andy Dolan . PUBLISHED: . 07:41 EST, 18 April 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 10:27 EST, 19 April 2012 . Jailed: 'Lady' Jenny Glanister, 51, who took £338,000 from the care home where she worked and its residents . With a penchant for expensive jewellery and fur coats, Jenny Glanister liked to think of herself as a member of the aristocracy. But the self-styled 'Lady Glanister' was behind bars yesterday after stealing more than £330,000 from the care homes where she worked to fund a luxury lifestyle of cruises, magnums of champagne and diamond jewellery. A court heard the 51-year-old accountant became hooked on a television shopping channel – splashing out £233,000 on 180 items of jewellery during a six-year spending spree. Many of the packages from the Rocks & Co channel, which included an £18,000 diamond brooch, were ordered under the Lady Glanister name she had adopted. In reality, Glanister – the daughter of a respectable couple who ran their own furniture business for 60 years – was a crooked finance manager responsible for two care homes treating adults with learning difficulties. Between 2004 and 2010 she stole a total of £338,805 from the homes and residents' personal accounts. She was jailed on Tuesday for 32 months by a judge who said she was guilty of 'wholesale plundering' and a breach of trust. The court heard Glanister was trusted with the accounts of Oakfield Ltd, which runs two care homes in Northamptonshire. However, she used her role to funnel cash from the homes and residents into her own bank account. When police searched her then home in the village of Whiston, Northamptonshire, they found 15 fur coats, racks of designer clothes, unopened bottles of champagne and a receipt for a £3,400 cruise. They also discovered packets of jewellery which had been addressed to 'Lady Glanister'. The court heard Glanister was in charge of Oakfield’s accounts for its homes in the villages of Easton Maudit, near Wellingborough, and Yardley Hastings, near Northampton. More... The shabby Bournemouth 'love nest' where murdered British businessman met his powerful Chinese 'mistress . Con: Oakfield care home in Yardley Hastings; Glanister, who has been jailed for 32 months, was in charge of the accounts . She was trusted with debit cards, petty cash and residents' personal finances. Prosecutor Kathryn Howarth told Northampton Crown Court that the fraud was uncovered when Glanister left the company in 2010. Her successor discovered 'serious and alarming anomalies' in the firm's accounts. Glanister, she said, had used the firm's accounts to pay her heating bills and petrol for her car, inflated her salary and paid herself for extra hours not worked, then forged spreadsheets to cover her tracks. It was found that £72,923 had been taken from the homes' petty cash, £227,000 in cheques cashed from the accounts and £17,272 by claiming for additional hours Glanister had not worked. More than £2,000 was charged to Oakfield for the cost of fuel for her home and £17,000 to the residents' personal accounts. Glanister also charged tights and spray tan to the residents' accounts. Families of some adults at the homes reported difficulties in obtaining money from their relatives’ accounts and complaints were made. Toby Long, defending, said Glanister stole the money because she felt 'undervalued'. Jenny Glanister's grand house in the village of Whiston, Northamptonshire . He added: 'The money was not needed and to some extent it was stealing for comfort or control in which she perhaps lacked the ability to control her life.' Glanister, who now lives in Great Billing, Northampton, admitted eight counts of theft, fraud and false accounting. Sentencing, Judge Michael Fowler warned her: ‘This is effectively theft and a breach of trust. 'You pleaded guilty to obtaining over a third of a million pounds from your employer. 'You were aware of precisely what you were doing and precisely what consequences there would be.' He said she was 'responsible for wholesale plundering involving a vast number of transactions'. Joan Bohl, whose disabled daughter Alexa was at one of the homes, said Glanister was 'ghastly' and her actions defied description. Fraud: The Oakfield care home in Easton Maudit; the care home and its residents were targeted . 'My daughter is 32 but she has a mental age of 18 months,' she said. 'When her carer asked for some of her money to buy her a toothbrush Jenny Glanister said there was none available. In the meantime this creature was buying 15 furs and blowing £233,000 on the shopping channel.' A spokesman for Northamptonshire County Council said the homes were not council-owned or run, but the authority did place residents there. All the recovered items will be auctioned with the proceeds going to the care homes. | Jenny Glanister bought an £18,000 diamond broach during TV channel shopping sprees .
She also bought 15 fur coats, a lavish cruise and magnums of champagne .
She stole personal money from care home residents .
Judge jails her for 32 months for 'wholesale plundering' |
260,744 | ddaafe612a74f728684dafe71bea282b1b167b2b | By . Matt Blake . PUBLISHED: . 11:50 EST, 29 October 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 11:51 EST, 29 October 2012 . Hackers have attacked the French Euromillions website, branding it 'the devil's work' and replacing lottery-related information with verses from the Koran. A group, which called itself 'Morrocanghost', infiltrated the site on Sunday morning, forcing French operators La Francaise des Jeux (FDJ) to close it down. In a series of messages, in both French and Arabic, the hackers urged users to give up drinking and gambling because they are tools used by the Devil to 'sow hatred between yourselves and turn you away from God and prayer'. Devil's work: A group, which called itself 'Morrocanghost', infiltrated the site on Sunday morning, forcing French operators La Francaise des Jeux (FDJ) to close it down . 'Oh you believers. Wine, games of chance, statues all augur impurity and are the work of the devil,' read another. FDJ said none of its other games were affected in the breach and that no personal data was compromised. The Euromillions homepage was unavailable last night and is currently redirecting visitors to the FDJ page. The Arabic warnings have been removed. Popular: The Euromillions is played by nine European countries comprising of Austria, Belgium, Britain, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland . However, Twitter user MorrocanGhosts posted a message yesterday in Arabic . which read: 'After hours ... will penetrate the global gambling sites .. (O ye who believe alcohol and gambling ...' France has a population of 65 million, including an estimated four . million Muslims, the largest Islamic population in western Europe. The Euromillions is played by nine European countries comprising of Austria, Belgium, Britain, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland. | A group, which called itself 'Morrocanghost', infiltrated the site on Sunday morning .
French operators La Francaise des Jeux were forced to close it down .
Messages urge users to give up drinking and gambling because .
they are tools used by the Devil .
'Oh you believers. Wine, games of chance, statues all augur impurity and are the work of the devil' |
187,071 | 7e447aacc25d77c7d94978e6201f22941db3a68e | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 14:32 EST, 11 June 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 03:04 EST, 12 June 2012 . Apple has revealed that it is creating a 3D map of the world in direct competition with Google over online maps. The computer giant today admitted to having a fleet of planes and helicopters which have been flying over major cities around the world. It also plans to monitor iPhone owners when they drive to create live maps of traffic congestion. The maps have a special 'flyover' feature that let users virtually fly around major cities. Re-making maps: Scott Forstall, senior vice president of iOS Software at Apple Inc., demonstrates turn-by-turn navigation in iOS6 using Siri during the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference 2012 in San Francisco, California . 'We have been flying in helicopters and planes, building up a 3D model of these places,' said Scott Forstall of Apple. Apple's move to add 3D maps comes on the heels of Google's announcement last week that it would do the same with similar technology. But Apple has aimed to one-up Google with its plans to use 'anonymous, real time data from iPhone users to keep traffic data up to date.' The traffic monitoring is part of a new satellite navigation feature in the maps app. Apple's own: A screen shot showing turn-by-turn navigation using Apple maps and Siri in iOS6 is pictured . Analysts said the decision to abandon . Google Maps, which has provided mapping data for the iPhone since it . was introduced in 2007, is the start of a 'mapping war'. Its new mobile operating software, . called iOS6 will come with a mapping system 'built from the ground up,' said Forstall, sidelining the Google map service. Previously close partners who shared . board members, Google is now Apple’s biggest challenger in the . smartphone market with its Android operating system. Facebook is getting a big boost from Apple in the wake of the social networking site's disappointing IPO, going deep into the iPhone and iPad software. With the next Apple's iOS 6 software, users will be able to update their Facebook status by talking to their phones. Users will also be able to 'Like' movies and apps in Apple's iTunes store, Apple executive Scott Forstall . said in San Francisco at Apple's annual developers' conference. Siri, Apple's voice-command . application, will add a host of new languages, including Spanish, Korean . and Mandarin Chinese, Forstall said. 'She' will also be able to launch applications and movies - all at the user's command. Apple hasn't said when iOS 6, will be available. It will run on iPhones, iPads and iPod Touches. It is also expected to release the next version of its mobile operating software, the iOS6. Apple started its Worldwide Developers' Conference touting its hardware, its biggest edge over Google. The tech giant also revamped its existing line of notebook computers. Boss: CEO Tim Cook, who took over from late co-founder Steve Jobs last August, says customers have downloaded more than 30 billion Apple apps so far . New and improved: The MacBook Air Pro is pictured shortly after it was unveiled to the public in San Francisco . The new Macbook Air and MacBook Pro have upgraded graphics and memory, and go on sale today. And . at 0.7 inches, the new MacBook Pro - Apple's highest-end laptop - ranks . among the thinnest laptops in the market. They . will employ the 'retina' displays that have won strong positive reviews . for the new iPad, but start at an eye-popping $2,199 price tag. The screen has more pixels than a HD TV. 'To create something genuinely new, . you have to start again,' said Sir Jonathan Ive, Apple's British . designer, who recently received a knighthood. Craig Federighi, Vice president on Mac Software, said the new Mountain Lion system narrows the gap between the PC and phone software packages, allowing users to speak to their computers. Another step forward: Craig Federighi, vice president on Mac Software, talks about the new Mountain Lion system, which he says would make Mac computers work more like iPhones . Mac makeover: Apple has unveiled a new version of its popular Macbook Pro laptop, complete with the 'retina' display, at an eye-popping price of $2,199 . Speaking of phones, those who were anticipating the unveiling of the long-awaited iPhone 5 will have to wait longer, as Apple officials made no mention of a new mobile device. Marketing chief Phil Schiller outlined how the redesigned MacBook Air notebooks, also unveiled at the conference, will be about $100 cheaper on average than predecessors, but sport quicker Intel Corp processors. Analysts have speculated that the company will begin aggressively competing on price, gradually lowering the premium its Macs carry in general. Long lines marked the beginning of the . week-long annual forum, where Apple developers rub shoulders with . employees, test the latest products and software, and connect with . peers. Queue: Attendees line up at outside the 2012 Apple World Wide Developers Conference at the Moscone West Convention Center in San Francisco . More than ever, Apple finds itself in a pitched battle with Google: in smartphones, cloud computing, and a never-ending competition to attract the best software developers. That is crucial as Apple looks to draw users deeper into its applications ecosystem. CEO Tim Cook, who took over from late co-founder Steve Jobs last August, told the audience that customers have downloaded more than 30 billion Apple apps so far, choosing from more than 650,000 apps - the largest library in the industry. The firm also launched a new app that . aims to replace tickets and storecards with an iPhone app. Called . passbook, it lets users download movie tickets - right to your phone. Prying eyes: An attendee checks out the new MacBook Pro at Apple's annual conference for software developers . | New mapping app will offer turn-by-turn directions and live traffic updates, and incorporate Siri .
Facebook to be integrated into iPhones and iPads to provide status updates with the sound of your voice .
Upcoming Macbook Pro will feature the 'retina display' popularised in latest iPad . |
85,378 | f22adec6fb3971bb34f316d73fb3a172a77c9a6f | By . Daniel Miller . A 47-year-old British holidaymaker was able to fly to Spain using her 17-year-old daughter's passport, despite the fact the youngster has different skin colour and a distinctive afro hair-do. Blundering officials at Southend Airport in Essex failed to notice that Sally Nayler is a middle aged white woman while the passport she was using showed a mixed race teenager. Ms Nayler had accidentally picked up daughter Shelby's passport when leaving in a rush for a hen do in Alicante, Spain. Mix-up: Sally Nayler was able to fly from Southend Airport to Alicante, Spain, after accidentally picking up her daughter Shelby's (right) passport . She . was left distraught days later when officials in Alicante refused to . allow her to board her return flight to Britain after she failed to . produce her own passport. She said: 'My mouth dropped to the floor,' she said. 'I was literally about to step on the plane. I have never been so frightened in my life. I was shaking and I was sweating. I was crying. 'Other passengers were getting upset for me. A lot of them had been on the flight out with us. They were saying: 'let her on, let her on'. 'I said I'd been there since Friday. The EasyJet man asked if I had any photo ID but I'd left my driving licence at home because I was going on a hen do.' Sally, a single mum of one, said she was so traumatised that an aunt who was also on the hen do volunteered to stay with her while the rest of the 12-strong party flew home. 'The Spanish policeman said he would have let me go, but it wasn't down to him. 'We went to the EasyJet desk at the airport and the woman there apologised and said it was EasyJet's fault at Southend. They shouldn't have let me fly on that passport.' EasyJet booked Sally and her aunt onto a flight the following day, and gave them free tickets. They also helped them find an hotel near the British Consulate, were they went for emergency travel documents the following day. Sally had to pay 121 Euros for a new passport - which invalidated the brand new one she'd left behind - plus a night's accommodation and food. Probe: An investigation has been launched into how Ms Nayler was able to board the flight from Southend Airport in Essex with her daughter's documents . British Consulate staff worked with airline EasyJet to arrange for an emergency passport and a return flight the next day . She said . that on the flight out she handed her passport and boarding pass to . EasyJet staff at Southend, as they put their hand luggage in the hold . because of a shortage of space. She assumed that it had been checked. She added: 'I think it shows security is lacking at Southend Airport. I could have been a criminal or a terrorist. 'They couldn't have checked my passport properly, as my daughter is of mixed race and has an afro hairdo.' Ms Nayler, from Benfleet, Essex, had been . travelling with 12 friends and family for the weekend hen do when she . picked up her daughter's passport by accident as she left home on . Friday, April 25. The worried mother was forced to contact the . British Consulate after being refused entry to her return flight from . Alicante, Spain, just days later. Grounded: Spanish authorities refused to allow Ms Nayler to board her return flight home . British Consulate staff worked with airline EasyJet to arrange for an emergency passport and a return flight the next day. Ms Nayler added: 'I'm a grown woman, but it was really scary. 'Thankfully, an aunt refused to fly back without me and stayed with me. 'The EasyJet desk at Alicante got me a hotel near the consulate and arranged a flight back the next day on an emergency passport, which cancels my old passport. 'If Southend had spotted it, I could have got my father to bring mine. 'We had a wonderful weekend, but this spoilt it.' A spokeswoman for Southend Airport has apologised for the mistake and said a full investigation was currently underway into the incident. She said: 'Security and the safety of passengers and aircraft are of paramount concern. 'A full investigation is in progress into the circumstances outlined by . Ms Nayler and appropriate action regarding staff and procedures will be taken when we know the outcome. 'We'd like to apologise for any distress caused by her experience.' A spokesman for the airline said: 'EasyJet works closely with all of our airports to ensure the safety and security of all passengers and staff. 'We are investigating how the passenger was able to travel from London Southend with incorrect documentation. 'We can confirm that the correct passport details had been submitted online in order to gain access to the boarding pass, however as an additional measure a visual identification should have occurred prior to travel. 'When the documentation issue was raised at Alicante, airport staff assisted the customer in arranging an emergency passport, alternate flights and the customer has since received compensation for all associated costs.' | Sally Nayler, 47, left home in a rush for a hen do in Alicante .
She mistakenly picked up her 17-year-old daughter Shelby's passport .
But she was ushered through Southend Airport and allowed to board flight .
Spanish officials refused to let her return home after noticing mistake .
Southend Airport said they have launched an investigation into the incident . |
12,033 | 2221c7191bcac385eb6b7cfdf72c60ed5284db9a | Two Secret Service agents on President Obama's detail has been reprimanded after trying to force himself into a woman's hotel room to collect a bullet that he had left there after meeting her hours before in the hotel bar. Ignacio Zamora Jr., who works as a senior supervisor in charge of more than 20 agents, was investigated by his superiors after a hotel staffer reported his unusual behavior. The ensuing investigation also found that he and another agent, Timothy Barraclough, were sending sexually suggestive emails to a female subordinate. Both men have now been suspended from the Secret Service and the incident remains under investigation. Scandal prone: The latest Secret Service incident happened in May of this year when an agent (not one of those pictured above) tried to get a bullet that he left in a woman's hotel room . Scene: The agent was off duty when he met the woman in the bar of the Hay-Adams Hotel just one block from the White House and he spent time with her in her hotel room . The latest scandal comes a year after the agency came under fire when one agent got into an argument with a prostitute in Colombia and a dozen others became involved with the incident and resulting cover up. The Washington Post has revealed that the backlash that resulted from the Cartegena scandal was not enough to scare the Secret Service agents straight because this latest incident took place in May of this year. The May incident began when Zamora met a woman in the bar of the Hay-Adams hotel and they went back to her hotel room. The Hay-Adams is a luxury hotel located just one block from the White House, making it’s bar a popular hangout for agents and other government workers. The President and his family has also stayed there, and he hosted a dinner there earlier this year when he was trying to reach out to Republicans over budget negotiations. Brushing past it: The report says that the agency does not have institutional issues but just problems with certain agents who were found to solicit prostitutes and drink with locals while prepping for presidential visits . Close: One of the two agents who is the subject of the investigation was a favorite of former First Lady Laura Bush (seen here with other agents in 2002 and not necessarily Ignacio Zamora Jr, who is the one from the latest scandal) During the ensuing investigation, Zamora took the bullets out of the state-issued gun that he had with him even though he was off duty. When he left later that night, he realized that he had left one bullet inside the room and asked her to let him back in. The woman, who has not been identified, would not allow him back in so he went down to the front desk of the hotel identifying himself as a Secret Service agent and asking to be let into the room. The clerk at the desk thought that the request seemed strange and the hotel contacted the White House to report the suspicious behavior. Officials then launched a probe into Zamora's activity and read through his emails on his government-issued Blackberry where they found that he and Barraclough had been sending sexually suggestive emails to another Secret Service employee. International incident: In May 2012, a Secret Service agent who was in Colombia ahead of the President's visit to the country got into an altercation with a prostitute . Woman in the middle: Dania Suarez was identified as the prostitute involved in the Cartagena scandal . The Washington Post says that the female agent's name has not been revealed because she has not be reprimanded in connection to the emails. 'We have always maintained that the Secret Service has a professional and dedicated workforce,' Secret Service spokesman Ed Donovan told the paper. 'Periodically we have isolated incidents of misconduct, just like every organization does.' Zamora has been pulled from his position, while Barraclough has been moved off the detail to a separate part of the division, people familiar with the case told the Post. Barraclough was given the prestigious promotion to the President's detail four years ago, but Zamora has had close contact with the first family for longer. Restoring trust: Even new Secret Service head Julia Pierson thinks that the report is flawed since it is based on an anonymous survey of agents who were effectively asked to report 'rumors and gossip' Before being added to the President's detail himself, The Washington Post reports that he was in charge of the agency's Mexico City office and then returned to the United States and was tasked with leading Laura Bush's detail while her husband was president. In her memoir, Mrs Bush specifically thanks Mr Zamora for keeping her safe in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks. The new investigation was revealed as part of an inspector general report that began in the wake of the Cartagena scandal which lead to the then-director to step down. President Obama then promoted Julia Pierson to head the agency, making her the first ever female director of the department. | Secret Service supervisor Ignacio Zamora Jr has been removed from the President's detail following an altercation at the Hay-Adams Hotel in DC .
He met a woman at the bar when he was off duty and went back to her hotel room and emptied the bullets from his gun while inside .
When he left, he realized that he left a bullet and tried getting back in .
Hotel staff alerted the Secret Service and they began investigating him .
Found that he and another agent, Timothy Barraclough, were sending sexually suggestive emails to a female subordinate .
Now Barraclough has also been put in a different division of the Service .
Comes more than a year after a different agent got in a fight with a prostitute over a fee while in Colombia ahead of President Obama's visit . |
71,029 | c960f816b816c48c36aa8eb3a78bb6b0165f7efb | By . Mark Prigg . PUBLISHED: . 12:31 EST, 28 May 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 03:59 EST, 29 May 2013 . It is every Star Wars fan's dream - a working lightsaber that can destroy enemies in its path. One US fan has even built his own using a high powered laser to make a replica capable of cutting through household objects. A YouTube video shows the invention cutting through paper, tape and cardboard - and even melting a ping pong ball. Scroll down for video . The lightsaber handle, which house the laser diode and the two large batteries needed to power it . The laser can output over 3000mW according to its creator, who named in 'The Beast' The YouTube user who created the gadget has refused to reveal his identity- but claims the laser is legal in the US, where is is believed to be from. 'Here my BEAST 3000mW blue laser goes up against a bunch of flammable stuff,' he says. 'Most things light INSTANTLY when placed in the beam of this laser! 'This is the most powerful handheld laser that I've ever used!' 'This laser uses the new 9mm 450nm . laser diode and runs on two 18650 Li Ion batteries,' said YouTube user styropyro, who calls himself 'The DIY Laser Guy'. The DIY lightsaber is based on the iconic weapons used in the Star wars films . He has posted several videos of previous project to the video site, but said none were as close to the Star wars weapon as this version. 'I usually try to refrain from using the . term 'lightsaber' when referring to my lasers but there really isn't . much else out there to describe this laser. 'To be honest I don't . even like handheld lasers this strong, but I knew by subscribers would . like this! This laser is legal to own in the US, and I wore goggles . while shooting this video.' However, the commenters on the video has pointed out one fatal flaw with the device. 'This is all well and good, but you didn't test it against a dark lord of the Sith,' one said. The homemade gadget is capable of cutting through paper (and setting fire to it in the process) A piece of cardboard is also neatly cut through . The lighsaber is also shown cutting through and setting fire to a roll of electrical tape . | Star Wars fan built the replica using a high-powered laser .
Can be used to cut common household items . |
214,605 | a1dfb768c8e5db19bac245b821940e10f1b9a972 | Architect Phil Jones, 68, who was left unable to speak, read or write following a stroke, has learned how to communicate by drawing plans of houses . An architect who was paralysed by a stroke has learned to communicate again in the only way he can remember - by drawing plans of houses. Phil Jones, 68, from Penzance, was left unable to speak, read or write and also lost movement down his right hand side following the brain haemorrhage - which led to the stroke - in 2005. But he has since developed a unique method of interacting with his wife Deana using the architect's eye that he developed during his career. Right-handed Mr Jones uses his left hand to drawn plans of their home to get his point across and direct his wife to what he needs. If Mr Jones wants some fruit from the kitchen he starts by drawing a plan of his house, working down towards the kitchen where the fruit bowl is. And if he wants to go outside, he will draw an image of the couple's garden, using a series of lines. Mrs Jones, 56, says it can take all day to work out what he wants and that it recently took from the morning to the evening to discover he wanted a banana. His wife says simple conversations can last all day, but that she has been amazed at what her husband has been able to achieve. She said: 'When he had his stroke he was also hit with aphasia, a condition that affects a person's ability to speak, read, or write. He now has to draw with his left hand. 'But it didn't take away his ability to see things as architects do, that bird's eye view. 'If, for example, Phil wants some fruit, it would be too hard for him to just draw this because of the aphasia so he would draw a map of the house and focus on the kitchen and work down through the drawn plans to the core of what he wants. 'We might start a conversation in the morning and not finish until later in the day because it is hard work to know what he is saying, but we stick with it.' She added: 'He loves to be out in the garden and will also draw the plan of that when he wants to go there. 'He still has the architect's eye when he is out there as well, although he cannot do any of the physical work. 'It has been life changing. We are so lucky that his career before his stroke was what it was. He loved it and it is what is helping him live a better life. The couple only met one year before Mr Jones's stroke, which left the then fit and active 58-year-old in hospital for six months. Right-handed Mr Jones uses his left hand to drawn plans of their home to get his point across and direct his wife Deana (left) to what he needs . Mrs Jones said simple conversations can last all day, but that she has been amazed at what her husband has been able to achieve . Mrs Jones said: 'I am so proud of Phil. We met dancing, which he can't do any more but he still loves music. 'This is just the life journey that we are on. It is different from where we started but there is always a way forward.' Mr Jones worked as an architect for 35 years in the Bristol branch of real estate company King Sturge. His job involved drawing up plans for colleges, schools, warehouses, homes and offices, for projects all over the UK. The couple married 18 months after Mr Jones's stroke. They have no children but Mrs Jones has four from a previous marriage and one grandchild. If Mr Jones wants some fruit from the kitchen he starts by drawing a plan of his house, working down towards the kitchen where the fruit bowl is. Likewise, if he wants to go outside, he draws the couple's garden . Despite his dehibilitating stroke ten years ago, Mr Jones can now draw a series of simple sketches . She said: 'Although he has to do the drawings with his left hand, you can still see the architect plans in everything he does. 'I don't have any real knowledge of buildings - but that is the language he talks so we have made it work. 'His language is extremely limited. It can be very difficult - a bit like the Guess Who game at times.' Talking about the stroke, Mrs Jones said: 'Our lives changed overnight. He was on the floor in the bedroom and had been there for 12 hours before an ambulance got to him. That was why he was so badly affected as there was no early intervention. 'Phil had no communication at all. He lost every form of understanding. He could not walk, talk or move. 'He was in hospital for six months and even when he came home communication was virtually impossible. 'I initially tried all sorts of different programmes as I had worked in schools for children with disabilities. But nothing worked. It was all down to how Phil's brain was switched on. 'Communicating through the drawings just evolved I guess. It was probably about three years after his stroke that we discovered it. He had to learn to wash, shave and do every basic thing again. 'It was like he was a new-born. But we got to the point where we developed an understanding of how to communicate with sketches. 'I think he had been trying to do it for a while. But my acceptance of it was the big breakthrough. He had retained his skills as an architect. It was such a part of him that he never lost it.' Victoria Sadler from the charity Connect that supports stroke and aphasia sufferers, said Mr Jones's achievements were remarkable. She said: 'People with aphasia have full comprehension but can't communicate, which is very frustrating and isolating. 'Phil communicates beautifully by drawing pictures, the most beautiful and precise pictures. His achievements are mammoth and we are all very proud of him.' | Phil Jones, from Penzance, could not speak, write or read after 2005 stroke .
Right-handed architect also lost all movement down his right-hand side .
But he can now communicate with wife Deane, 56, by drawing house plans .
If he wants fruit, he uses left hand to draw kitchen where fruit bowl is kept .
It once took the 68-year-old all day to convey that he wanted a banana .
Mrs Jones said: 'He still has the architect's eye. It has been life changing' |
114,576 | 1fe1942c1c6dc7ea56e78f7d9cb0221f88fc0ec1 | By . Jonathan O'Callaghan . Any worried pet owner who has spent days hanging posters, making phone calls and knocking on neighbors' doors hopes there's a more scientific way to find a lost dog. That has become a reality thanks to facial recognition technology that has been tested to successfully reunite a pet with its owner. A website scours an online database to search for distinctive features on dogs and matches them up with animals that are reported lost. Scroll down for video. Scientists at the University of Utah create system to find lost dogs (shown). Their website called FindingRover.com matches dogs with an online database. It studies distinctive features on dogs such as eyes and snout. This is then correlated with dogs at a shelter to reunite them with owners . The website is called FindingRover.com and was recently used to successfuly reuinte a pet at San Diego County . Animal Services with its owners. For . centuries, dogs have been man's best friend. But it turns out canines . would drop humanity for artificial intelligence in a second if offered a . treat. A . study in Animal Cognition found that dogs interacted with robots . similar to how they would with humans if those robots seemed 'social'. The . researchers conducted their experiment by having a robot point out . hidden food to a dog and measuring their reactions to the robots . directions. But the dogs were better able to find the hidden food when the robot had a human face on it's monitor, and acted 'socially'. The . website keeps a database of photos from the three county shelters and . tries to match eight distinctive facial markers on dogs with images . uploaded by users searching for lost pets. Eyes and noses are important . areas that differentiate pooches, including eye size and their position . near the snout. FindingRover.com founder John Polimeno wants to expand the photo database to improve the odds of more missing dogs being reuinted, with shelters elsewhere set to sign on. He's also showing it to rescues, veterinarians and dog groups and is visiting other countries. Every dog entering San Diego County's . three shelters is added to the photo database. Daniel deSousa, the . system's deputy director, says the program can work two ways: . Someone can find a dog, take its picture and sends it to the database, . where a match generates a notice to the owner. The owner then can call . the good Samaritan and arrange a pickup. The other method is that dogs coming in to the shelters have their photos run against the database. If there's a match, the owner gets a call. Here founder of the smart phone application Finding Rover John Polimeno is seen during a news conference in San Diego. In May, San Diego County Animal Services became the first shelter system in the country to adapt the facial recognition plan . The . technology powering Finding Rover was built by Dr Steven Callahan and Dr John . Schreiner of the University of Utah's software development center. They . found the eight markers on dogs are far fewer than the 128 points on . the human facial recognition program. 'People . are sort of uniform, the shape of their faces, skin tones, all their . eyes, noses and mouths are in the same general location,' Dr Callahan said. But dogs' eyes and snouts are in different places. It's . difficult to measure accuracy, Dr Callahan said, but if there are 100 dogs . in a database, a top-three match would be hit 98 percent of the time. 'It . worked surprisingly well, better than I thought it would. I had low . expectations,' Dr Callahan said. 'It would take off if you had all the . shelters in an area included.' | Scientists at the University of Utah create system to find lost dogs .
Their website called Finding Rover matches dogs with an online database .
It studies distinctive features on dogs such as eyes and snout .
This is then correlated with dogs at a shelter to reunite them with owners .
Stray dogs found can also be photographed by a person and matched . |
29,891 | 55035e19ac5df00d21936ac05d58a34d3d04fb22 | Men who are circumcised are less likely to get sexually transmitted infections such as genital herpes and human papillomavirus (HPV), but not syphilis, according to a study of adult African men published this week in the New England Journal of Medicine. Circumcision rates have traditionally been higher in the U.S. than in Europe, but they've been on the decline. The finding adds to the evidence that there are health benefits to circumcision. It was already known that circumcision can reduce the risk of penile cancer, a relatively rare disease. In a previous study, the same research team found that adult circumcision could reduce the risk of HIV infection. Efforts to increase the practice of male circumcision in areas with high rates of sexually transmitted infections, including Africa, could have a tremendous benefit, say the study's authors. Genital herpes has been associated with an increased risk of HIV, and HPV can cause genital warts as well as a higher risk of anal, cervical (in women), and penile cancers. Health.com: Is your partner cheating? How to protect yourself . In the United States, infant circumcision is declining. About 64 percent of American male infants were circumcised in 1995, down from more than 90 percent in the 1970s. Rates tend to be higher in whites (81percent) than in blacks (65 percent) or Hispanics (54 percent). Some opponents say the removal of the foreskin is an unnecessary surgical procedure that may reduce sexual sensitivity in adulthood. In Jewish and Muslim cultures, young or infant boys are routinely circumcised for religious reasons. Circumcision rates have traditionally been higher in the U.S. than in Europe, but the American Academy of Pediatrics currently says that the medical benefits are insufficient to recommend circumcision for all baby boys. In the new study, a research team at the Rakai Health Sciences Program in Uganda -- in collaboration with researchers from the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, Maryland, and Makerere University in Uganda -- conducted two clinical trials involving 3,393 uncircumcised men ages 15 to 49. All the men were negative for HIV and genital herpes (also known as herpes simplex virus type 2); a subgroup of men also tested negative for HPV. Roughly half of the men underwent medically supervised circumcision at the start of the trial, while the other half were circumcised two years later. Overall, circumcision reduced the men's risk of genital herpes by 28 percent (10.3 percent of uncircumcised men developed genital herpes compared with 7.8 percent of circumcised men) and HPV infection by 35 percent (27.8 percent of uncircumcised men were infected with HPV compared with 18 percent of circumcised men). Circumcision did not, however, protect against syphilis. (About 2 percent of men in both groups contracted syphilis.) Health.com: A sexual risk taker comes to terms with drinking, depression, and STDs . Study coauthor Thomas C. Quinn, M.D., professor of global health at Johns Hopkins University, says that choosing circumcision, whether it's the parents of an infant or an adult male for himself, is and should remain an individual decision. "But the critics need to really look at the benefits versus the risks," he adds. "By now a large body of evidence has shown that the health benefits clearly outweigh the minor risk associated with the surgery. In our study, we didn't see any adverse effects or mutilation. We're recommending supervised, safe, sterile environments -- not circumcision out in an open field with rusty instruments." Increasing circumcision rates in Africa may not only help men, but would likely protect women too, possibly lowering the rates of female cervical cancer, the authors say. Ronald H. Gray, M.D., professor of public health at Johns Hopkins University and study coauthor, says that the researchers plan to look at whether male circumcision reduces the transmission of HPV to female sexual partners. Health.com: 10 questions to ask a new partner before having sex . Even in the United States, this study has relevance, says Anthony Fauci, M.D., director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (which funded one of the trials). "In this country, circumcision for infant boys remains a personal decision for the parents," he says. "This makes us rethink whether doctors should be more aggressive in recommending that it at least be considered. If parents say no just because generations before them have said no, they should learn more about the significant health benefits before making that choice." Roughly three-quarters of U.S. adults have had at least one HPV infection, according to an editorial by Matthew R. Golden, M.D., and Judith N. Wasserheit, M.D., both of the University of Washington. Although vaccines against some of the most dangerous HPV strains have been approved for girls ages 13 to 26, the vaccines are expensive and routine Pap tests are still necessary to pick up cervical cancers. Health.com: How to tell your ex you have an STD . Golden and Wasserheit note that "rates of circumcision are declining and are lowest among black and Hispanic patients, groups in whom rates of HIV, herpes, and cervical cancer are disproportionately high." Medicaid, which insures many low-income patients in these populations, does not pay for routine infant circumcision in 16 states. The study authors hope that this growing evidence in favor of circumcision will persuade policy-making bodies, both in the United States and in other countries, to officially recommend the procedure -- which could make patient education and insurance coverage more likely. It's not clear why circumcision may affect infection rates. But the study authors suggest that penile foreskin may provide a moist, favorable environment for herpes and HPV to survive and enter cells on the skin's surface. Once the foreskin is surgically removed, the risk of infection may be reduced. Health.com: Men can lose their sex drives too . They also note, however, that male circumcision is not completely effective in preventing sexually transmitted infections. Safe sex practices, including consistent condom use, are still necessary to provide the best protection. Enter to win a monthly Room Makeover Giveaway from MyHomeIdeas.com . Copyright Health Magazine 2009 . | Study: Circumcision reduces risk of HPV infection and herpes, but not syphilis .
Circumcision known to reduce risk of HIV infection and penile cancer .
64 percent of American baby boys circumcised in '95, down from 90 percent in 70s . |
15,663 | 2c7b901306b4181f5c8d8827dd2441b83dc5751e | In charge: Enrique Pena Nieto was elected President of Mexico on Sunday and now his party- the Institutional Revolutionary Party- is restored to power after a 12 year absence . Mexico's newly elected government could start negotiating with the country's brutal drug lords in a bid to buy peace, senior U.S. politicians have warned. Enrique Pena Nieto's campaign team claimed victory in the country's presidential election on Sunday after exit polls showed him winning by a comfortable margin. But critics have warned his victory could mark a softening of the country's war on drug cartels. Pena Nieto, 45, of the Institutional . Revolutionary Party (PRI), had campaigned on switching authorities' efforts to reducing violence rather than smashing the drug lords. Opponents fear the new government might now enter into talks with the cartels, thought . to be responsible for 47,500 deaths so far. Pena Nieto has repeatedly denied wanting to open up negotiations - though this has not assuaged fears among some senior U.S. politicians. Republican Jim Sensenbrenner told a congressional hearing that he feared the history of Pena Nieto's party had a history of 'turning a blind eye to the cartels'. He said: ‘While in power, the PRI minimized violence by turning a blind eye to the cartels,’ adding that Pena Nieto ‘does not emphasize stopping drug shipments or capturing kingpins’. According to the latest figures, Pena Nieto led by between 8 and 11 percentage points in exit polls published by three of Mexico's main television networks after voting ended on Sunday night. The PRI had governed Mexico for 71 years but lost power in 2000 - ushering in a new hardline government which declared war on the cartels. Soon after taking power in December 2006, President Felipe Calderon announced a major new offensive on the narcotic rings. The moves were welcomed by the U.S. which pledged $1.6 billion to aid the fight. Scroll down for video . People place candles in front of crosses in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua state, Mexico, during a protest about the violence triggered by a military crackdown on drug cartels in the country . Police display some of the arsenal of weapons - including AK 47s and M-16 rifles - seized from cartels in the community of Paso de Ovejas in Veracruz, Mexico . But PRI's comeback, under the leadership . of handsome Pena Nieto, who has pledged to open state-owned oil . monopoly Pemex to foreign investors, raise tax revenue and liberalize . the labor market, has caused alarm. His campaign manager, Luis Videgaray, declared victory shortly after the exit polls were released. 'It is a resounding triumph,' Mr Videgaray told Milenio television, adding that he was hopeful the PRI would have a majority in the Senate and possibly in the lower house of Congress, too. The exit polls showed him winning around 40 per cent of the vote. Leftist rival Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador was in second place with Josefina Vazquez Mota of the ruling National Action Party, or PAN, trailing in third. 'I recognize that the trend up to this point is not in my favor,' said Vazquez Mota, whose campaign was dragged down by a brutal war with drug cartels and the government's patchy economic record. Preliminary official results were due in the next few hours. 'It's time for the PRI to return. They're the only ones who know how to govern,' said Candelaria Puc, 70, as she voted in the beach resort of Cancun. To the streets: The weekend was busy in Mexico as Saturday was the country's gay pride parade (pictured) and Sunday was the national election . 'The PRI is tough, but they won't let the drug violence get out of control.' Others feared a return to the worst years of PRI rule and put Pena Nieto's big lead down to his cozy relationship with Televisa, Mexico's top broadcaster. 'It's the same party as ever and the people who vote for him (Pena Nieto) believe they are going to live happily ever after like in the soap operas,' Humberto Parra, a systems engineer, said as he went to vote in Mexico City. By the time it lost to the PAN in 2000, the PRI had a reputation for widespread corruption, electoral fraud and authoritarianism. The PRI was in disarray by 2006, when its presidential candidate came in a distant third, but it has rebounded since then and Pena Nieto gave it a new face. He is promising to restore security to cities and towns ravaged by the drug war and also plans to reform Pemex, a proposal once considered political suicide. Mexicans are fiercely protective of Pemex, but the PRI, which nationalized oil production in 1938, could be the one party able to liberalize the energy industry. The PRI laid the foundations of the modern state with a nimble blend of politics and patronage that allowed it to appeal to labor unions and captains of industry at the same time. Mexicans eventually tired of heavy-handedness that stifled dissent, rewarded loyalists and allowed widespread corruption. | Enrique Pena Nieto's presidential victory will see Mexican government negotiation peace with drug lords, opponents fear .
Pena Nieto's party accused of 'turning a blind eye' to brutal cartels .
Mexican drug cartels responsible for nearly 50,000 deaths so far . |
88,848 | fc2c38a99043f102438f478c02684dc1f5b32008 | London (CNN) -- Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Andrew have met to discuss concerns that more revelations could surface about the prince's friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, a U.S. financier who was sentenced to 18 months in prison in 2008 for soliciting a minor for prostitution, according to a royal source who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Prince Andrew's office recently declined to comment when asked about the prince's friendship with Epstein. Also called the Duke of York, Prince Andrew is Queen Elizabeth's second son and the brother of Prince Charles, who is next in line to the throne. He also is the United Kingdom's special representative for international trade and investment. The queen and Prince Andrew discussed Epstein, the royal source said, but details about their talk were not immediately available. The British government periodically reviews the prince's position. The next meeting is scheduled to happen this summer. Some politicians and royal commentators have said that Prince Andrew is an embarrassment to Britain and the royal family. In leaked diplomatic documents published by WikiLeaks last year, the U.S. ambassador in the central Asian state of Kyrgyzstan, Tatiana Gfoeller, reportedly said that the prince -- during a business lunch in 2008 -- was "astonishingly candid. The discussion at times verged on the rude (from the British side)." The prince has not commented publicly on characterizations put forth in the leaked documents. "[Prince] Andrew hasn't really done the royal family any favors," said royal historian Christopher Warwick. "As fourth in line to the throne, he is a senior member of the royal family." "All members of the royal family have an ambassadorial responsibility, particularly the senior members. Part of the royal remit is to take the monarchy abroad and wave the flag for Britain plc. We have to recognize how immensely marvelous the queen is, she's never put a foot wrong," he added. CNN's Thair Shaikh contributed to this report . | Prince Andrew is friends with Jeffrey Epstein .
Epstein was sentenced to prison for soliciting a minor for prostitution, according to court documents .
Some say Prince Andrew is an embarrassment to the royal family . |
212,593 | 9f465c6f62190cc66aece4f1095136a2f5608f9d | By . Steve Nolan . PUBLISHED: . 11:11 EST, 17 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 12:20 EST, 17 October 2013 . Suing: Former U.S state Senator Michael Katz and his two daughters were injured when a chairlift derailed and they fell 35ft to the ground . A former U.S state Senator is to sue a ski resort after he and his two daughters were injured when a chairlift derailed sending them falling 35ft to the ground. Former Democratic politician Michael Katz broke his back and suffered a brain injury in the fall at the Sugarloaf Mountain ski resort in Maine in December 2010. He was one of eight people injured when high winds dislodged a chairlift cable and five cars were sent plummeting to the ground. He is the only one of those injured to sue according to, as others have settled out of court. Mr Katz, who is a doctor, is said to have suffered the worst injuries out of those hurt in the incident. According to the Portland Press Herald, . Mr Katz is seeking unspecified damages and is also suing on behalf of . his two daughters who were aged 11 and 13 at the time and were also . hurt. The . lawsuit states: 'Abigail was thrown from the chair after impact, while . Emily was dragged up the mountain by the lift because a piece of Emily’s . ski equipment was stuck in the chair. 'Abigail and Emily could see their father lying motionless in the snow after the collapse, and their immediate thought was that he had been killed.' The family say that the resort wa negligent for operating the ski lift even though they were allegedly aware of its safety hazards. The resort says that it had tried to avoid a court case but that bosses were unsurprised by the legal action. The lift was an A 2 passenger monocable fixed grip chair manufactured and installed by Borvig in 1975. It was 4,013 feet long with a vertical of 1,454 feet and moved at a speed of 500 feet per minute. There were 162 chairs on the lift. It was removed from the resort shortly after the incident and replaced in December 2011. Mr Katz only served one term as a Senator before he was defeated at the polls by Republican Greg Lavelle. Former state Senator Michael Katz is to sue a ski resort in Maine after he broke his back in a fall after a chair lift derailed . Katz's injuries were a source of contention during the election race - his rival accused him of using them as an excuse for missing meetings prompting a furious reaction from Mr katz's camp. His wife Patricia even recorded a radio advert accusing Mr Lavelle of using a personal tragedy for political gain. At 4,237 feet, Sugarloaf is Maine's second-highest mountain after Mount Katahdin. | Michael Katz fell 35ft with his daughters at the Sugarloaf resort, in Maine .
He and his two daughters all suffered head injuries in the incident .
They were among eight people hurt in the incident in December 2010 . |
72,989 | cef876d93c4fd3add89ba5fa6bff2a0ab72b7959 | By . Sean O'hare . PUBLISHED: . 12:43 EST, 2 January 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 13:16 EST, 22 January 2013 . A dashboard camera captures the moment a truck swerves to avoid an oncoming vehicle, flips over and appears to unload its cargo of live cows all over the road. The footage, filmed in Russia, shows the cows tumbling out of the truck and after a few moments of shock, getting to their feet. The video has been widely touted on YouTube and received in excess of three million hits. Some commentators have called it a hoax. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO . Oh no: Truck swerves across the middle of the road and on to its side, from which point there is no turning back . Over it goes: The truck flips and the cows come tumbling out . Spillage: The cows slide across the road on their backs as the truck comes to a standstill . Legs in the air: The cows roll around on the road. Fortunately there is no oncoming traffic . Up and about: Within a few seconds of spilling out of the overturned truck the cows get back on their feet . One commentator referred to it as 'extreme cow tipping.' Another quipped: 'There's no point crying over spilt milk.' The driver, like the cows is said to have survived the ordeal. Russia has become notorious for its terrible driving conditions and high crime rates on the road, so more and more motorists are using dashboard cameras to capture any incident for insurance purposes. Many truck and bus companies have installed them into their vehicles to . stop employees from stealing merchandise or pulling illegal stunts while . behind the wheel. As a result, more and more footage of shocking traffic incidents are emerging from the country. A compilation video of accidents recently posted online showed jaywalking horses, low-flying fighter jets, errant lorry wheels bouncing towards traffic and crazed gun-firing pedestrians. In one such clip a couple riding a quad bike somehow flipped their vehicle while travelling one night - leaving them stranded stranded in the middle of the road. | WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT .
Approximately 20 cows spill out but eventually get back on their feet .
Clip has received more than three million hits on YouTube .
Some commentators have called video a hoax . |
89,632 | fe891d072840c0f7da64a83dcdd3adc82d8a1c19 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . Controversy: David Cameron characterised Britain as a 'Christian country' in a recent article . David Cameron's controversial claim that Britain is a 'Christian country' risks sowing 'alienation and division' in society, a group of leading public figures has warned. More than 50 writers, scientists, broadcasters and academics have signed an open letter expressing concern at the 'negative consequences' of the Prime Minister's assertion in a country where most people do not describe themselves as Christian. Signatories of the letter, published in The Daily Telegraph, include the authors Philip Pullman and Sir Terry Pratchett; broadcasters Dan Snow and Nick Ross, the philosopher AC Grayling; and the human rights activist Peter Tatchell. It follows the article last week for the Church Times by Mr Cameron - who in the past has been reluctant to discuss religious matters - in which he wrote of his own faith and his desire to infuse politics with Christian ideals and values. While the letter acknowledges that the Prime Minister is entitled to his religious beliefs, his comments do not reflect the country as it is today. 'We wish to object to his repeated mischaracterising of our country as a "Christian country" and the negative consequences for our politics and society that this view engenders,' the letter states. 'Repeated surveys, polls, and studies show most of us as individuals are not Christian in our beliefs or our religious identities and at a social level, Britain has been shaped for the better by many pre-Christian, non-Christian, and post-Christian forces. 'We are a plural society with citizens with a range of perspectives and a largely non-religious society. To constantly claim otherwise fosters alienation and division in our society.' The letter said that Mr Cameron was wrong to 'exceptionalise' the contributions made to society by Christians when they are equalled by those of people with different beliefs. Author Philip Pullman is one of 50 signatories of the letter - which has been published in The Daily Telegraph . 'It needlessly fuels enervating sectarian debates that are by and large absent from the lives of most British people, who - as polls show - do not want religions or religious identities to be actively prioritised by their elected government.' Professor Jim Al-Khalili, the theoretical physicist and science broadcaster and President of the British Humanist Association, who organised the letter said Mr Cameron's comments were part of a 'disturbing trend'. 'Politicians have been speaking of our country as "a Christian country" with increasing frequency in the last few years," he said. 'Not only is this inaccurate, I think it's a wrong thing to do in a time when we need to be building a strong shared identity in an increasingly plural and non-religious society.' | 50 liberals signed open letter over concerns about Cameron's assertion .
PM characterised Britain as a 'Christian country' in recent article .
Letter signed by Philip Pullman, Sir Terry Pratchett and Dan Snow . |
54,997 | 9bd223df89fffe4bdc5feba45082b736b33be75a | Click here for stats, heat maps and more! As a gauge for Brendan Rodgers to measure Liverpool's regression it might be quite accurate. No better at the back than they were six months ago, much worse up front and utterly devoid of belief. At least, when they somehow converted a three-goal lead into a six-goal draw at Crystal Palace in May, they were in gung-ho pursuit of the goals to bring the title to Anfield for the first time in 20 years. Again they took the lead at Selhurst Park, but it was all downhill after Rickie Lambert had hit the target after 91 seconds, and again they again conceded three, with Neil Warnock reaching for the salt to declare his disappointment at not scoring more. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Brendan Rodgers: We need to find a solution very quickly . Mile Jedinak steps up to deliver the killer blow to Liverpool as the visitors lost 3-1 against Crystal Palace . Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet dives but cannot save Jedinak's fine free-kick to beat the visitors 3-1 at Selhurst Park . Crystal Palace captain Jedinak scores the decisive free-kick in the dying minutes to seal the 3-1 win against Liverpool . Crystal Palace captain Jedinak celebrates after scoring the third and decisive goal against Liverpool with a fine free-kick . Crystal Palace players celebrate after going 3-1 up against last year's Premier League runners up Liverpool on Sunday . Liverpool players look gutted after they lost 3-1 on the same ground they let slip a three-goal lead last season . Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers pictured during the clash against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Sunday . Crystal Palace (4-2-3-1): Speroni 6; Kelly 6, Dann 7, Delaney 6 (Hangeland 36, 6), Ward 6; Jedinak 7, Ledley 7; Puncheon 6 (McArthur 75), Chamakh 6.5, Bolasie 8 (Bannan 84); Gayle 6.5 . Subs (not used): Hennessey, Bannan, Johnson, Zaha, Campbell . Bookings: Hangland . Goals: Gayle (17), Ledley (78), Jedinak (81) Manager: Neil Warnock 7 . Liverpool (4-3-2-1): Mignolet 7; Manquillo 5, Skrtel 6, Lovren 6, Johnson 6; Lallana 6 (Borini 70, 5), Gerrard 6, Allen 6.5 (Can 72, 5); Coutinho 6, Sterling 5, Lambert 6 . Subs (not used): Jones, Toure, Moreno, Leiva, Markovic . Bookings: Skrtel, Manquillo . Manager: Brendan Rodgers 6 . MOTM: Yannick Bolaise. Referee: Jon Moss 6 . Dwight Gayle levelled before half-time and Palace's heavily-bearded midfield warriors Joe Ledley and Mile Jedinak scored a goal each in a frenzied three-minute spell near the end of a rain-soaked game. Gayle and Ledley owed theirs to Yannick Bolasie, outstanding on the left-wing, where he tormented ill-protected Liverpool full-back Javier Manquillo, while Jedinak's was a stunning free-kick from 25 yards. Palace danced in delight as they sprang out of the Barclays Premier League's bottom three to within two points of their visitors, who next travel to Bulgaria to face Ludogorets in the Champions League. Rodgers must stop this rotten run of results, even if that means sacrificing principles and making unpopular selection decisions. It will be a real test of his judgment. His team have lost four in a row and have not won in the Premier League since mid-October. Six months ago, Liverpool were fresh, flamboyant and sure to score goals but the sale of Luis Suarez, form dips and injuries have left them looking miles from that standard. Rodgers has lost the balance and rhythm which made Liverpool so entertaining. He has lost the menace in attack but not the vulnerability at the back or the nagging questions about character and leadership, which Sportsmail's Jamie Carragher aired again on Sky TV. Without Daniel Sturridge or Mario Balotelli, Lambert started and scored his first Liverpool goal, when Adam Lallana caught Palace's former Liverpool full-back Martin Kelly napping. Lambert collected it with the outside of his right foot and drove the ball low past Julian Speroni. 'It could have knocked the stuffing out of us,' said Warnock. 'You could see they were determined from the way they started and the way they celebrated that goal. But you can score too early sometimes and we created some good chances. We'd have done most teams today. I'm disappointed we didn't score more, really.' Liverpool were not helped by the fact Joe Allen cut his head and twice needed to leave the pitch for patching up. Gayle equalised during the second of those short spells when the visitors were a man down. Bolasie charged forward, accepting the invitation to shoot from the central defenders who decided not to squeeze out. His effort zipped across the wet surface and thumped into a post. Rickie Lambert scores his first Premier League goal for Liverpool after just two minutes of the match on Sunday . Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard joins Lambert in celebration to congratulate the striker that joined during the summer . The Liverpool team celebrate their opening goal as they took the lead in the second minute through Lambert . The goal clearly meant a lot to Lambert, who got his Liverpool tally off the mark with Mario Balotelli and Daniel Sturridge out injured . Read chief sports writer Martin Samuel's report from Crystal Palace 3-3 Liverpool . With his pace and instinct, Gayle was first to the rebound, beating Martin Skrtel in a foot race, and turned it into the net via Simon Mignolet. Liverpool, having held their lead for only 10 minutes, were beset by doubt. Palace detected blood, refusing to allow them time to settle and pass, quickly in position to punish any touch not perfect. The slippery conditions helped them prey on Liverpool's nerves and Bolasie relished the space available out wide, due to Liverpool's slender formation. Yannick Bolasie takes the shot that leads to Crystal Palace's equaliser against Liverpool with Dwight Gayle getting on the rebound . Gayle bundles in the rebound from Bolasie's shot in the 17th minute with Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet helpless . Gayle and Bolasie celebrate the equalising goal together after the duo created it in the 17th minute against Liverpool . Gayle and Bolasie hug (left) and Crystal Palace captain Mile Jedinak gets in on the act (right) as the home side looked to conquer . MINS PLD KM MILES . Crystal Palace 120.1 74.6 . Marouane Chamakh 90 12.4 7.7 . Mile Jedinak 90 11.8 7.4 . Joel Ward 90 11.6 7.2 . Liverpool 115.4 71.7 . Philippe Coutinho 90 11.7 7.3 . Steven Gerrard 90 11.0 6.8 . Glen Johnson 90 11.0 6.8 . It was an awkward day for goalkeepers, but Mignolet made a terrific save from Bolasie, a drive which skidded up off the wet turf when Gayle might have blocked his view. Manquillo recovered to block from Bolasie after a neat one-two with Jason Puncheon at the end of a sweeping counter-attack after clearing a corner. Bolasie sliced another shot wide before the break after Puncheon slid a pass behind Manquillo. Liverpool dominated possession but without penetration. They rarely got behind a Palace defence which lost Damien Delaney through injury in the first half. Lambert twice headed crosses wide and Steven Gerrard tried his luck from long range, only to find his efforts mocked by the Selhurst crowd. Raheem Sterling contributed little besides a couple of penalty appeals: one when a cross crashed into Kelly's hand from close-range and another when he was manhandled by Joel Ward, but Jon Moss gave neither. There were 12 minutes left in a messy and disjointed second-half, when Mignolet dragged a free-kick into straight touch. From the throw, Bolasie collected a flick, hooked the ball over his own head and muscled past Dejan Lovren. He looked up pulled a cross into the path of Ledley, who finished first time, with his left foot. Selhurst Park was still bouncing when Jedinak curled in the third from a free-kick conceded by Skrtel as he jostled with Gayle. It was a fourth goal in seven games for the Palace skipper and the joy was complete for Palace. The pain deepened for Liverpool. Joe Allen of Liverpool continues to play momentarily during the Premier League match while blood pours from a cut on his head . Referee Jonathan Moss orders Allen off the pitch to change his shirt and have his wound seen to with blood clearly pouring out . Liverpool's Allen is seen to and bandaged up so he can carry on during the Premier League match against Crystal Palace . Allen was forced to play the rest of his match at Selhurst Park with this bandage on but was substituted with 16 minutes remaining . Martin Skrtel tries his luck from close range but the Liverpool defender could not get his shot on target to regain the lead . Joe Ledley makes it 2-1 to Crystal Palace towards the end of the match against Liverpool . Ledley and Gayle celebrate after Crystal Palace took a lead they would not relinquish against Liverpool . Crystal Palace manager Neil Warnock celebrates his side's third goal by Jedinak during the 3-1 home win . Here's how striker Lambert scored his first goal for Liverpool after just two minutes. CLICK HERE FOR MORE STATISTICS AND HEAT MAPS! | Rickie Lambert scored his first Barclays Premier League goal for Liverpool after just two minutes .
The summer signing was given his chance up front with Daniel Sturridge and Mario Balotelli out injured .
Dwight Gayle equalised for Crystal Palace after 17 minutes to make it 1-1 going into half time .
Joe Ledley scored in the 78th minute with a simple side-footed shot before a beautiful free-kick by Mile Jedinak .
Liverpool let slip a three-goal lead in this fixture last year to draw 3-3 during their Premier League title bid . |
275,415 | f0d0af955fa5256552b8482de8400244a28d81f1 | (CNN) -- Jockeys may rely on real live horsepower to help them reach the winning post, but they still train like athletes. When you are riding half a ton of flesh at 40 mph you have to be able to hold your horse. The riders, as well as their runners, follow a strict fitness regime -- and the result is a proven formula for a well-balanced and healthy body. "Fitness has changed massively from the days when jockeys were just turning up at the races and were drinking," flat racing jockey Martin Lane told CNN. "Now we're at the peak of our fitness. It's definitely not just sitting on a horse!" In the English town of Newmarket, ex-jockey Richard Perham runs a boot camp for jockeys at the British Racing School. Any budding jockey hoping to gain a license to ride from the British Horseracing Authority now has to pass a fitness assessment laid out by Perham. Getting race fit starts by building the key muscles used to guide the world's speediest steeds to the finish. The legs, lower body and core are the three areas of the body on which jockeys focus in training. Upper body strength is also crucial when it comes to controlling the horse. "If you looked at a jockey without clothes on, there aren't many who have an ounce of fat underneath the skin," Perham told CNN. "It's literally muscle and bone. Jockeys are incredibly well-toned athletes in the same way that Olympic champions Jessica Ennis or Mo Farah are." Racing fit . Jockey training is not for the faint of heart, or those who like a lie-in. Lane trains six days a week -- and only allows himself a rest on Sunday mornings. "I'm up around half past five or six most mornings," the 27-year-old explained. "I'd then spend two and a half hours riding out. "Then I'll have a cycle -- I ride 150 miles each week. The aerobic fitness from the cycling is what gets you through the season. "Before the season starts, I'm at the gym with a personal trainer three mornings a week working on basic strength and a bit of boxing thrown in there as well. "In the afternoons I go racing, and race riding keeps you pretty fit too." Jockeys can also top up their conditioning at the British Racing School's training suite in Newmarket. Here resident fitness coach Yariv Kam, a former basketball player, oversees bleep tests, squats (at the wall and standing on wobble cushions), timed sit-ups, push and pull band exercises and the dreaded plank. All these exercises in some way replicate the crouched racing stance adopted by jockeys -- the so-called "Martini glass" position. This precarious pose also asks the riders to summon balancing skills, and this is tested on the "equisizer" -- a cross between a rocking horse and a bucking bronco. Complete with a swishing tail and cozy blanket, the equisizer is a lifesize, legless horse which simulates the forwards and backwards rhythm that jolts jockeys during the races. It is used, along with other simulators like Perham's own Rideaway device, to help jockeys stay balanced -- and stay on the horse. "Balance and fitness are equally important for jockeys but balance must come first," explained Perham. "In the same way that in yoga you need to hold those positions for a period of time, a jockey also needs core stability to maintain his balance." One meal a day . Maintaining equilibrium is also important for jockeys when it comes to their weight. They are put under enormous pressure to meet weight requirements. In the U.S. and Great Britain, the minimum riding weight is 53 kg for the leaner flat racing jockeys and 61.5 kg for jump jockeys. The majority are naturally slim and slight, so their fitness regimes do not tend to be focused on weight loss, although the amount of intensive training and riding does help keep off the pounds. "I'm lucky that I can literally eat whatever I want and I won't get any heavier than 53 kg," explained Lane, who started riding when he was 12. "But some of the other guys struggle with one meal a day. Mentally, it's a big task not to be eating." The British Racing School also helps jockeys maintain a balanced diet by offering advice from nutritionists. There is also a jockey cook book which includes calorie-counted recipes such as Mexican beans and rice, and spicy sausage hot pot. Not just about the horse . But, in the same way that motorsport drivers rely on the horsepower of their car engines, aren't jockeys mainly relying on real horsepower to win races? Perham concedes that the work level is split 90% to 10% in favor of the horse. But Lane, who has ridden more than 350 winners, believes jockeys can lose races if they are not physically fit. "People say, 'It's the horse, you just have to sit there,' but we have proved that fitness definitely comes into it," he reasoned. "It may only be 10% us but if we're only 50% fit then the jockey can only commit 5% of the work during a race. "If we're not as fit as we can be then we're definitely affecting the horse." As an example, he cited last weekend's Shergar Cup, a team event held at Britain's Ascot racecourse where jockeys compete for international teams. "The English and European jockeys were so much fitter than the jockeys from the rest of the world. You could see at the finish they weren't as strong." To show how hard it is to train like a jockey, Perham put World Sport anchor Alex Thomas through his physical tests for CNN's Winning Post show. At the British Racing School, Thomas was unseated on his first ride on the equisizer. He also found he was no match for a professional jockey like Lane. In Perham's fitness assessment, Thomas managed to last 40 seconds in the sit-up test compared to the jockey average of 240 seconds, and while the average rider could stay in the stomach-clenching plank pose for 180 seconds, the journalist managed a third of that time. "I knew it was going to be hard but I didn't think it would be that tough," Thomas grimaced at the end of his grueling physical. "Safe to say, I won't be applying for my racing license anytime soon!" All-round fitness . Not everyone has the lean and light physique that is a prerequisite for becoming a jockey, but getting race fit can help anyone become a fitness thoroughbred. "The tools we use are all based around gym exercises that people do," explained Perham. "The simulator that I've designed is based around preparing jockeys but it's also very, very easily adaptable as a piece of gym equipment, similar to a rowing machine or a cross trainer. It's an all-round fitness tool." While following such a training regime might not ultimately help you ride a winner in the Grand National or Breeders' Cup, Lane agrees that the principles of the program have benefits for anyone wanting to get fit. "It's good for an all-round level of fitness," he added. "Being fit makes everyday life so much easier." | The British Racing School at Newmarket runs a fitness boot camp for jockeys .
Jockeys focus on core, legs and upper body strength but aim to avoid muscle mass .
Jockey Martin Lane trains six days a week and races every day in the summer .
Success in races depends 90% on horsepower and 10% on jockey ability . |
268,045 | e727875483bdffb20e618517bc240eee57f60d5e | By . Daily Mail Reporter . An Oklahoma father is fighting to get custody of his twin daughters after their little brother was allegedly beaten to death by his estranged wife's boyfriend. Brian Dockery said he and his wife, Tennille Downey, moved the family to Alaska over a year ago to be nearer her family, but the relationship broke down and he moved back to his native Oklahoma last June without his three children. But on March 21, police were called to his Downey's Wasilla home because 23-month-old Ezekiel had stopped breathing. Downey's boyfriend, Jyzyk Sharpe, who had been watching the children while Downey was at work, was arrested Friday and charged with second-degree murder by extreme indifference and manslaughter in Ezekiel's death. The 40-year-old said the toddler slipped getting into the bath but the medical examiner's office found his injuries - several cuts, broken ribs and bruises on both lungs - were not consistent with a fall. Scroll down for video . Tragic: Little Ezekiel Dockery, pictured, was beaten to death while at his mother's house in Alaska last month . 'I can't believe that an adult could be so vicious to a child so innocent and so sweet,' Dockery told News 9. 'Why was he trusted in a home with my children?' Wasilla Police Department officers responded to an East Quincy Circle home just after 1 p.m. where police had been told CPR was in progress on Dockery. The boy was taken to Mat-Su Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead shortly before 2 p.m. 'At the hospital, I observed Jyzyk Sharpe stuttering and displaying involuntary body movements, and (he) was unable to articulate his thoughts,' investigator Daniel Bennett wrote in a criminal complaint. He added that Sharpe's aunt and uncle who knew him very well reported that they had not seen such behavior from him in the past.' Sharpe told the investigator that Ezekiel fell while climbing into the bath to join his sisters. He said he was undressing to join them when he heard a smack. 'Sharpe was talking about (Dockery) and stated, "I saw him step over, and I could hear a fall, (a-a) slippery fall, I walk over and look and it was a split second, you just knew instantly, instantly, instantly,"' Bennett wrote, according to KTUU.com. After the alleged fall, Sharpe said he . brought the child to a bed, called his mother and 911 and began . performing CPR. He told Bennett he'd broken the child's ribs during CPR. Heartbroken: Brian Dockery, pictured at his son's memorial service, is devastated after the death . Fight: Dockery is now fighting to get custody of his twin daughters Ava, and Veloria Dockery, pictured with their brother . Downey denies that Sharpe would have intentionally hurt the boy. She told police she had been traveling home fro work in Anchorage when she received the frantic call. 'I asked (Downey) if she had any suspicion that (Sharpe) hurt her child at all,' Bennett wrote in the complaint. '(Downey) stated that she did not have any suspicion that (Sharpe) would hurt her . children because he takes care of the kids as if they were his own.' In a sweep of the residence, police found a blood smear in the master bedroom, which tested positive to Ezekiel's blood. they also found a glass plate with white powder on it, that tested positive to cocaine. Downey told investigators the drug was hers not Sharpe's and that the blood stain was from when the twins had pushed Ezekiel down, slitting his lip. According to KTUU, Ezekiel suffered bruises around his head and back, lacerations to his lips, a fractured rib and a tear of his aorta arch, all of which are indicate 'major blunt force trauma.' The medical examiner said the injuries were more consistent with 'a victim in a car accident' rather than a fall or CPR. Dockery's family held a memorial service in Seminole last Monday for the little boy who would have turned two on April 18. The Swearingen funeral home was covered in pictures of Ezekiel's smiling face. Lost: 'Ezekiel was a beautiful, pure, innocent spirit,' the toddler's aunt Natasha Parks said of the boy, pictured. 'We were robbed of his life. The suffering is unspeakable and we're utterly devastated' Twins: 'I think they've endured enough. I'm ready for them to come home. Their home is here with me and my family,' Dockery said of his daughters, pictured. A proper funeral however, is on hold. The family told News 9 that Ezekiel's body is in a holding room in . Alaska and cannot be buried until around June because the ground needs . to thaw out. Dockery said he hopes to bring his son's body to Oklahoma and have him buried in Seminole. 'Ezekiel . was a beautiful, pure, innocent spirit,' the toddler's aunt Natasha . Parks told News 9. 'We were robbed of his life. The suffering is . unspeakable and we're utterly devastated.' The family want Ezekiel's 4-year-old daughters to come back to Seminole. 'I think they've endured enough. I'm ready for them to come home. Their home is here with me and my family,' Dockery said. 'And I'm not going to stop until I get my girls.' Parks described the plight as 'the biggest fight of our lives.' 'It's too late for Ezekiel, but it's not too late for Ava and Veloria,' she said. 'We love them dearly, and we need justice for Ezekiel.' Sharpe is due in court for a hearing on April 14. News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports | . | Oklahoma man Brian Dockery is fighting to get custody of his twins Ava and Veloria after his 23-month-old son Ezekiel was beaten to death .
His estranged wife said the toddler slipped getting into the bath .
But the medical examiner's office said his injuries - several cuts, broken ribs and bruises on both lungs - were not consistent with a fall .
The woman's boyfriend Jyzyk Sharpe, 40, has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder by extreme indifference and manslaughter .
An unexplained blood stain and cocaine were discovered at the residence .
The family moved to Alaska a year ago, but after the marriage fell apart Brian moved back to Oklahoma and left the children with their mother . |
164,436 | 60a0c64cdeda1987a15c20b8f6518661ca72635d | It's been a tough two weeks but I'm so glad I've done my time at No 1 Boot Camp. Last week I checked in looking decidedly lumpy – but now I feel fitter, healthier and I've got my six-pack back. I'm also 8lb lighter in less than a week and now weigh in at 12 stone 6lb. Last week I was too ashamed to show my 'before' picture, I'm only putting it out there now because it makes my 'after' look even better. Scroll down for video . Skinny Spencer: Made in Chelsea's Mr Matthews lost 8lb over his two weeks at boot camp . Another three to four days and I reckon I would have got back to my Men's Health peak. but that said I'm happy with where I am. How I did it was not easy – but there is no easy way to lose weight and get in shape. No 1 Boot Camp's resident trainer, former RAF PTI Andy Morris came up with the most fiendish physical torture I've ever had to endure – The Stairway of Doom - 181 steps of pain built into the side of a cliff and I had to run up and down them 10 times, with dumb bells and do exercises at the bottom with the weights. You can see how steep they are in the pictures – and they feel steeper with every journey. They are situated near the picturesque Benirras beach but you don't really feel much like taking in the view. This was agonising muscle pain and a nauseating test of stamina. Toughen up: Spencer took part in a considerable amount of high intensity interval training . Stairway to success: Spencer ran up and down 181 steps 10 times . Time out: Spencer takes a much needed breather from his high intensity workout . Back at the villa there were other special 'games' that Andy had devised. There were boxing work outs in a Tabata style - High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) where I had to hit the pads he was holding for 20 seconds with maximum effort, then 10 seconds rest, then repeat eight times. We repeated this six times in a row totaling around 30 mins. I felt sick with fatigue, was seeing stars and was sucking wind. Apparently this means you are doing it properly. I've got to say I found it easier in the mornings to get motivated and to get some energy by taking a couple of Forza T5 super strength, they also helped me combat hunger pangs in the afternoons. Then there was the burpees challenge. Just for anyone that isn't familiar with a burpee – it is not some unfortunate bit of trapped wind due to indigestion, it is an exercise that has you drop from a standing position to a squat, then push out your legs, bring them back to the squat and then jump back to a standing position. Mind, body, soul: Spencer practices a spot of yoga during the retreat . Getting into the spirit: Spencer attempts some more adventurous moves during yoga . No. 1: Spencer feels far more confident since shaping up . Health hero: Spencer enjoys some quinoa on the beach in Ibiza . The burpee challenge starts off easy and then gets insanely hard. 1st minute – one burpee, 2nd minute – two burpees, and so on until 15th minutes – 15 burpees. By the end you have done 120 burpees. I don't think I would have coped in the mornings to get motivated without taking a couple of Forza T5 super strength, they also helped me combat hunger pangs in the afternoons. Thankfully there were also some gentler pursuits and the Hata yoga around the pool I found particularly relaxing – I attempted the Downward Facing Dog, the Sun salutation, the High plank and the Camel pose. There was also time for a bit of sun-bathing on the beach. Despite the daily torture at the hands of PTI Morris, I've got to say I feel so much better about myself, not just that I look physically better either. There's something really empowering about coming to No 1 Boot Camp and I'll definitely go again. Maybe not for another six months though. All the best, . Spencer xxx . Getting tyred? Spencer builds up his upper body strength lifting heavy objects while running . Inner strength: Spencer feels the strain as he lifts a set of weights . | Spencer has spent the past two weeks in a boot camp in Ibiza .
He has been practicing high intensity workouts and stuck to a strict diet .
Spencer has lost 8lb over his stay and his regained his six pack . |
254,058 | d4cda390c30d2c8edd69554009bcd1b0f1fcf953 | (CNN) -- The health of Yemen's wounded president is improving, but doctors are recommending that he stay in Saudi Arabia for a "longer time" to recover, an adviser said Friday. This came as thousands of anti-government protesters demonstrated across Yemen and five people died in an explosion at a military checkpoint in Aden. Yemeni ruling party officials had been saying that President Ali Abdullah Saleh would return home Friday from Saudi Arabia, where he was taken for treatment after he was wounded in a June 3 attack on the country's presidential palace. "Doctors recommended that President Saleh stays in Saudi Arabia for a longer time. They said that Saleh's health is improving," said Ahmed Al-Soufi, a senior presidential adviser in Yemen. "The health of President Saleh is important to us, and we hope he will be here within days." The biggest demonstrations are taking place in Sanaa, Taiz, Hodieda, and Ibb provinces, witnesses said, and the protesters condemned U.S. and Saudi interference in Yemeni political affairs. Demonstrators chanted, "The people reject U.S. interference" and "the revolution will prevail." "We want the revolution to succeed, and the U.S. is not making this possible," said Sabreen Ariki, a leading figure in the Youth Revolutionary Movement in Taiz. "It is killing the revolution, but we want to tell them that we will continue protesting until our demands are met." Members of the Revolution Youth Organizing Committee, one of the groups in the Youth Revolutionary Movement in Yemen, condemned Saudi Arabia and the United States for what they said was the negative influence both countries are having on Yemen and promised that the countries' stance against the revolution will not be forgotten. "It has become clear that the Saudi stance is against the will of the people and they are seeking their own interests while ignoring the interests of the Yemeni people," said Waseem Qirshi, a committee representative. In Sanaa, tens of thousands of Saleh followers gathered in support of him, demanding that the international community respect its constitutional president and not violate the Yemeni Constitution. In New York, members of the U.N. Security Council expressed "grave concern" Friday about the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in Yemen. "They urge all parties to show maximum restraint and to engage in an inclusive political dialogue," the council said in a statement after receiving a briefing on the situation. The Mission of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights will visit Yemen from June 27 until July 6. Investigators are probing the June 3 attack on the mosque in Yemen's presidential palace, which occurred when Saleh and other senior officials were attending Friday prayers. There were deaths and injuries in the attack, and Saleh was among several people taken to Saudi Arabia for medical treatment. Meanwhile, four soldiers and a civilian were killed when a bomb-laden vehicle exploded Friday at a military checkpoint in Aden, a security official there said. The official asked not to be named because he is not authorized to speak to the media. The official said the attack took place about 500 meters from a military compound where many of the army's tanks are located. Yemen has been wracked by unrest for months as protesters have demanded an end to Saleh's rule. In recent weeks, government troops have battled both anti-government tribal forces and Islamic militants, including al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. The United States has been aiding Yemen's military in its fight against Islamic militants amid fears that al Qaeda is exploiting the political chaos and leadership vacuum engulfing the unstable and impoverished Arabian Peninsula country. The violence has led many people to flee their homes. Close to 45,000 people in southern Yemen have been displaced, particularly in Aden, Lahj and Abyan provinces, the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs estimated this week. | NEW: U.N. Security Council expresses "grave concern" about situation in Yemen .
Four soldiers and a civilian were killed at an Aden checkpoint, official says .
Doctors say they think Saleh needs a bit more time to heal .
Yemeni officials continue to say they hope he'll return "within days" |
29,064 | 528aec90c96e434d367d37b4e1f9992f46fb05cf | By . Mark Duell . Last updated at 11:01 PM on 29th September 2011 . A husband convicted of killing his wife underwater more than a decade ago is a free man again after a panel of judges overturned the ruling. It was alleged David Swain, 55, killed Shelley Tyre, 46, by tearing off her scuba mask as they swam by a shipwreck in the British Virgin Islands. But the expert diver today walked free after appeal judges found problems with jury instructions read by a judge during the trial in 2009. Free: David Swain, centre, and his daughter Jennifer Swain Bloom, right, speak with a guard after his release from jail in the British Virgin Islands today . Swain, of Rhode Island, has protested his innocence since she died in 1999, claiming he tried to revive her with CPR after an accident. Now Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court of Appeal judges have found problems with jury instructions read out during the trial. The court did not order a new trial because of concerns about recalling defence witnesses, given the amount of time passed since the death. ‘I feel elated,’ Swain said as he left court with his daughter Jennifer Swain Bloom, who has also long maintained her father's innocence. Conviction overturned: It was believed David Swain, 55, killed Shelley Tyre, 46, by tearing off her scuba mask while they swam by a shipwreck in 1999 . He said the two intend to return to Rhode Island ‘sooner rather than later.’ A jury had unanimously convicted Swain in October 2009 of murdering Ms Tyre in what authorities described as a near-perfect crime. He was ordered to serve at least 25 years of a mandatory life sentence. But defence lawyer J.S. Archibald argued the judge did not adequately advise the jury on how to handle evidence from a related civil suit. Authorities initially ruled Tyre's drowning near an isolated shipwreck at a depth of 80ft as an accident. British Virgin Islands: A jury had unanimously convicted Swain in October 2009 of murdering Ms Tyre in what authorities described as a near-perfect crime . But they later charged Swain with murder following a 2006 civil trial in Rhode Island that found him responsible for her death. The civil jury awarded Ms Tyre's family $3.5million, and Swain later filed for bankruptcy. Prosecutors had argued that Swain killed Tyre because he was in love with another woman and wanted to obtain his wife's money. Their case rested largely on experts who believed Swain attacked his wife from behind, yanked off her scuba mask and cut off her air supply. Authorities said her mask was damaged, the mouthpiece of her snorkel was missing, and that her fin was found embedded in a sandbar. When dive shop owner Swain was sentenced . to at least 25 years in jail, the world believed that the mystery which began . in 1999 when his wife's body was found floating had been closed . for good. Two years ago: David Swain, second right, is escorted to the prison vehicle after being found guilty of murdering his wife (file picture from October 2009) But Thursday's news of an overturned conviction is just another chapter in an amazing story. Police at first wrote off her drowning as a tragic accident - a strange but otherwise unremarkable death of an experienced diver on a romantic getaway to one of the world's premier dive spots. Prosecutors accused him of drowning his wife on the last day of their holiday so he could pursue a romance with a Rhode Island chiropractor as well as gain his wife's inheritance of $630,000. But defence lawyers maintained a poor post-mortem report could not rule out medical reasons for her death, including the possibility she had a heart attack or stroke during an accidental drowning. The case, which attracted TV shows including 'Dateline NBC,' produced one of the most sensational trials in the history of the tiny British Caribbean territory, where violence is relatively rare. | David Swain, 55, allegedly killed Shelley Tyre in 1999 in British Virgin Islands .
Prosecutors had claimed he ripped off her scuba mask so she suffocated .
Convicted of murder in 2009 but panel of judges overturned it on Thursday . |
246,091 | ca853f379c51f8c948ce07b9956768d2045d62ae | By . Jennifer Smith . PUBLISHED: . 08:23 EST, 31 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 05:31 EST, 8 November 2013 . Patrick 74, was in intensive care after crashing his car when PC Philip Reese visited him at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital in June last year . A 74-year-old man who lay dying in intensive care after a car accident was threatened with prosecution by a policeman, an inquest was told. PC Philip Reese was criticised by a coroner for carrying out an 'inappropriate interview' with the pensioner who was wearing an oxygen mask. Patrick Harris from Cinferdord, Gloucestershire, died two days after the interview took place. According to the deceased's family, the police officer was overheard going through a formal caution procedure before telling Mr Harris he could face prosecution for dangerous driving. Mr Harris was being treated for injuries from a car crash in which his twin sister, Shirley Harris, was also involved. The former police mechanic was allegedly left in tears after his conversation with PC Reese, family spokesman, Robin Vick, told the inquest. A patient in the bed next to the 74-year-old claimed she heard the police officer telling Mr Harris that his sister's life was hanging in the balance as she was being treated at a different hospital. Mr Vick said sent a letter of . complaint to Gloucestershire Police's chief constable to alert him to . the way in which Mr Harris had allegedly been treated. The . complaint was referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission . but was then handed back to be investigated by the force’s own internal . disciplinary department. It is understood the officer was ‘given advice’ but there was no further action. In evidence, PC Reese claimed the . reason for the bedside interview was his concern the pensioner would be . discharged and be allowed to drive again. He said the conversation was carried out 'under caution' in order for a proper record to be kept of what was said. Coroner David Dooley however asked: 'You had concerns that he might shortly be released and drive again? But . what is the reality of a man with serious injuries including a broken . arm and with a car which is written off driving again?' 'According to the protocol at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital did you get permission from senior medical staff to interview him?' Shirley Harris, 74, was not well enough to attend the inquest in Gloucester. The siblings lived in a house their father built for over 50 years before Mr Harris's death . The . policeman said he had received permission from a nurse (who had asked a . doctor) to conduct the interview, but could not remember either . person's name and had no record of the conversation. The . officer denied that he threatened Mr Harris with prosecution for . dangerous driving but admitted that he told the pensioner his . sister was ‘very poorly’ in Frenchay Hospital. When Mr Dooley probed: 'Did you tell Mr Harris that it was all his fault, as was said by the woman in the next bed?' the officer said he hadn't. The . family's representative, Mr Vick added: 'Did it not occur to you that . Mr Harris was not in a fit state to be interviewed - he was wearing an . oxygen mask and his arm was in traction' to which PC Reese responded by . saying he had interviewed 'numerous' people in oxygen masks before. A post mortem concluded that Mr Harris died as the result of a heart attack combined with his multiple injuries. It was revealed the 74-year-old suffered a heart disease which had caused him to collapse in the months before the accident. Cardiology consultant Professor . George Hart told the inquest that the bedside interview conducted by PC . Reese on June 21 last year could have contributed to his cardiac arrest. 'Severe stress can be . linked to an increased risk of a heart attack and as Mr Harris was . already in a precarious medical state the interview could be sufficient . to be associated with his heart attack,' said the professor. 'But . I must stress that this cannot be separated from his pre-existing poor . medical condition and other factors and, in my view, it is more likely . that he would have died in hospital anyway.' Mr Harris suffered internal injuries, . broken ribs and a fractured arm in the accident which is thought to . have happened after he 'blacked out' and veered off the road. Miss Harris was left with wrist and rib fractures, and has undergone six operations since the crash. Mr Dooley concluded proceedings by saying: 'I don’t think conducting an interview . under caution was appropriate and there is no record of permission . being sought for the interview.' 'Nevertheless . the stress of the interview is the same as the other contributing . factors in this case, such as Mr Harris’ injuries and his serious heart . condition, and cannot be blamed for his death. 'The appropriate conclusion therefore is that Mr Harris died from natural causes.' A spokesman for Gloucestershire Police said after the hearing: 'First and foremost our thoughts are with the family of Mr Harris for their loss. 'Following a complaint, an internal investigation was carried out by our Professional Standards Department. It resulted in words of advice to PC Reese around the issue of note taking and the case was closed with no further action. 'When investigating road traffic collisions in which people are killed or seriously injured, it is essential officers are able to quickly establish the factors involved to allow them to preserve or gather evidence and assess if there is any criminal responsibility. 'This is a key aspect of protecting the public and often means speaking to people who are being treated in hospital. We understand this can cause distress and our officers make every effort be sensitive to the circumstances. 'In this case the interview was authorised by PC Reese's supervisor, agreed by a nurse and was very brief.' | Patrick Harris was in intensive care after crashing his car into a tree .
The former mechanic suffered internal injuries and broken ribs .
PC Philip Reese accused of threatening prosecution for dangerous driving .
Stress of the meeting could have contributed to Mr Harris's death .
A coroner ruled the bedside interview 'was not appropriate'
An inquest heard how the man died of natural causes . |
134,608 | 3a16639fd956c6682bad4992ac6b43721c22f157 | The SAS is set to axe its Land Rover fleet after five decades of frontline service in special forces operations across the globe. After an outstanding record of service, the British Army has decided to retire the ageing Land Rovers and replace them with hi-tech vehicles which can offer better protection to soldiers. It comes as Land Rover prepares to end production of the Defender model - on which military vehicles are based - after 67 years. Its planned replacement is yet to be launched. The SAS is to axe its fleet of Land Rovers after using the vehicles on the frontline for five decades . Land Rovers were used and much-loved by Sir Winston Churchill and for many years the Queen - who also drives them - stood in a military Land Rover when she inspected troops at ceremonial events. Adapted military Land Rovers were used by the SAS to help target Scud missiles during the Iraq war and heavily armed versions of the vehicle were used to hunt Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan. Now military procurement chiefs at the MoD’s Defence Equipment and Support Agency are to issue a tender for a replacement, which is expected to be based on the current Husky vehicle - used in Afghanistan. Since it was first introduced the military have purchased almost 200,000 variants of the UK built Land Rover with the most famous being those used by the SAS in the desert. They were nicknamed ‘pinkies’ after their painted camouflage colour designed to blend with the dunes. The Queen - who drives a Land Rover - has often stood in them while she inspects troops, as here in 1951 . Winston Churchill was also fond of the vehicles and is seen here with a Series I . The Land Rover has been sold to armies . across the world with the Australian and American special forces buying . ‘unique variants’ for front line operations. Across the British Army, Land Rovers have been used in Malaya, at Suez and Aden while in Northern Ireland they became they spearheaded the internal security operation on the streets. The Royal Marines mounted anti-tank guns on them, the artillery used a tracked version and during the Gulf war they were airlifted by helicopter into the desert. But while the reliability of the Land Rover was never questioned, the reputation of the vehicle was tarnished when military bosses deployed so-called ‘snatch’ versions to southern Iraq. These had been used as riot vehicles in Northern Ireland. But the Snatch provided little protection against improvised roadside bombs and after a series of fatalities was quickly dubbed the ‘coffin’ by soldiers. It is said the so-called 'snatch' version of the vehicles offered little protection against roadside bombs in Iraq . A senior Army source said the Land Rover had served the military well, but after almost 50 years of service it was time for a change and a vehicle that was more relevant for today’s battlefield. He added: ‘The Land Rover has been the work horse of UK armed forces, but I suspect Afghanistan will be its last operational deployment’. The last of the current civilian Land Rover Defenders will roll-off the production lines of Jaguar Land Rover’s (JLR) Solihull factory in the West Midlands in December 2015. The original Defender workhorse off-roader began life in 1948 as a £450 agricultural aid for farmers. Astonishingly, some three-quarters of the 2 million Defenders ever built since then are still in regular use. Military procurement chiefs are to issue a tender for a replacement, which is expected to be based on the Husky vehicle (pictured) Land Rover holds a royal warrant, as supplier to the royal household. The royal relationship with Land Rover also goes back to 1948 when King George VI viewed the original Land Rover. The Queen used a specially adapted one for her first world tour in 1953, Winston Churchill was given one as an 80th birthday present at his home in Chartwell, while another was used for Pope John Paul II’s tour of England in 1982. And shortly after ending his love affair with young Princess Margaret in the 1950s, former battle of Britain pilot Group Captain Peter Townsend set off on a 57,000 mile journey around the world in his short Wheelbase Land Rover Station Wagon which he completed in 1957 and chronicled in his book ‘Earth, My Friend.’ Land Rover said last night: ‘Current Defender production will end, due to legislation, mid-decade. ‘As a business, we are currently reviewing our options based on the clear company brand vision to develop three product pillars of Luxury, Leisure and Dual Purpose. We have stated our intention to replace Defender but have nothing to add at this time.’ | Long-serving vehicles are to be retired after half a century of use .
Saw action in conflicts in Malaya, Suez and Northern Ireland .
Replacement will offer better protection against roadside bombs .
Land Rovers have been used by Queen during military career . |
140,379 | 4184c4845c54b54e71287599d06cafd8bce26eed | By . Martha De Lacey . PUBLISHED: . 07:19 EST, 25 February 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 11:07 EST, 25 February 2013 . Plenty of fruit, lots of exercise, regular hugs and pot of really good moisturiser - these are usually the ingredients needed to help people have decent life innings. But one great-great-great-grandmother who has just celebrated her 105th birthday says the secret to her longevity has been a love of saucy calendars featuring burly men wearing nothing more than their underpants. And Daisy Borrill, from Grimsby, Lincolnshire, was thrilled when she received her latest 'hunks in trunks' day-planner as a birthday present from her great-great-great niece Elaine Marsden. Daisy Borrill with her 2013 hunky calendar, which was a present from her great-great-great niece . Daisy, who had a long carer as a . seamstress and in domestic service in London before she retired, says . her daily viewing of a half-naked man keeps her feeling young and . healthy. She said: 'I have . always been active and busy - I have tried to live life to the full. I . like my calendars - the man in this one is nearly nude! 'I . like his little trunks. I have always kept up with the latest fashions, . and as I don't get out much these days, I enjoy reading the fashion . magazines. I do like flicking through the men's fashion pages too.' Daisy with the card she received from the Queen to mark her 105th birthday . Daisy Borrill celebrated her 105th birthday with her family and friends in the care home she lives in, and painted her nails bright red especially for the occasion . Fashionable . Daisy - who left school over 90 years ago - painted her nails bright . red before celebrating her birthday with family and friends at the care . home where she lives. Daisy Borrill on her 105th birthday . Family members enjoying the day with her included daughter Pam Palmer, 73, . granddaughter Sue Hunter, 49, and great-granddaughter Petrina Borrill, . 34. She also has a great-grandson Luke Wattam, 29, who has a daughter . Lotte, three. Daisy was especially pleased with her birthday card from the Queen - a traditional congratulatory card signed by Her Majesty and sent to people reaching 100, 105, and then every year thereafter - and said she is looking forward to receiving many more. As Daisy sat down at the piano and reminisced about her dancing days, daughter Pam said: 'Mum has always had a musical ear. 'She could go to the cinema and come home and play the music from the movie. 'She always enjoys herself. She is always good fun and lives life to the full.' | Daisy Borrill, from Grimsby, Lincolnshire, also loves fashion magazines .
Was given latest 'hunks in trunks' calender for 105th birthday .
Says looking at half-naked men keeps her feeling young . |
186,958 | 7e1cc5e166e2766cac1993ac2dfc19d818043eda | (CNN) -- South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu said Sunday that Tony Blair and George W. Bush should be "made to answer" at the International Criminal Court for their actions around the Iraq war. Writing in an op-ed published by The Observer newspaper, the Nobel laureate accused the former leaders of the United Kingdom and the United States of fabricating a motive to invade Iraq, namely that it possessed weapons of mass destruction, and said that they had acted like "playground bullies." "The immorality of the United States and Great Britain's decision to invade Iraq in 2003, premised on the lie that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction, has destabilised and polarised the world to a greater extent than any other conflict in history," wrote Tutu. "In a consistent world, those responsible for this suffering and loss of life should be treading the same path as some of their African and Asian peers who have been made to answer for their actions in the Hague." Read Desmond Tutu's full op-ed piece . Tutu detailed some of the costs of the war. More than 110,000 Iraqis have died in the conflict, while millions have been displaced, he said. Close to 4,500 U.S. soldiers have been killed and more than 32,000 wounded, Tutu added. "But even greater costs have been exacted beyond the killing fields, in the hardened hearts and minds of members of the human family across the world," he wrote. "If it is acceptable for leaders to take drastic action on the basis of a lie, without an acknowledgement or an apology when they are found out, what should we teach our children?" Last week, Tutu pulled out of a conference in Johannesburg to protest Blair's attendance. Read more about Tutu's withdrawal from conference . The former prime minister responded to the editorial in a statement on his website. "I have a great respect for Archbishop Tutu's fight against apartheid -- where we were on the same side of the argument -- but to repeat the old canard that we lied about the intelligence is completely wrong as every single independent analysis of the evidence has shown," said Blair. He said Iraq has a stronger economy now and a lower child mortality rate, but added: "Surely in a healthy democracy people can agree to disagree." Groups have called for a citizen's arrest of Blair since he left office, with one website going as far as offering a reward to people who attempt to detain him. In 2010, protesters called for Blair to face war crimes charges as he gave evidence to the Iraq inquiry in London. Blair has said concern over Iraq's ambitions to develop weapons of mass destruction had been the main factor behind Britain's decision to back the war. No significant caches of chemical or biological weapons have been found in Iraq since the invasion. Tutu, a champion for human rights, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984, and later chaired South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission to examine apartheid-era crimes. Iraq announces 21 people executed in one day . Tutu: End the suffering in the Sudans . | The Nobel laureate publishes a scathing editorial in The Observer newspaper .
He accuses Tony Blair and George W. Bush of fabricating a motive to invade Iraq .
Blair responds, saying they never lied about the intelligence .
Tutu pulled out of a conference in Johannesburg to protest Blair's attendance last week . |
122,836 | 2ac23cfdf13c3fa6ee34384a393f9c4a0917d949 | (CNN) -- A Saudi Arabian man was arrested after bragging about his sex life on television, local media reported. Mazen Abdul Jawad appeared last week on a show on Lebanese channel LBC, where he went into "graphic details about his sexual conquests," according to Arab News, an English daily. A segment of the show "Red Line" posted on YouTube shows the 32-year-old talking about sex and foreplay. He also discusses losing his virginity to a neighbor while he was 14. In deeply conservative Saudi Arabia, pre-marital sex is illegal and unrelated men and women are not allowed to mingle. A government official told the newspaper that discussing sex in public is a punishable offense that may affect anyone involved in the broadcast. "It is wrong to host people on television to speak publicly about vice and issues against our religion," said Ahmad Qasim Al-Ghamdi, director of Mecca's branch of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, also known as the religious police. "The program presents anomalies and deviancy in society that are unacceptable and immoral, and should be punished according to Shariah." About 100 people have filed a complaint against Abdul Jawad, alleging among other things, that he violated a principle of Shariah law by "publicizing his sinful behavior," the daily said. It is unclear what punishment, if any, Abdul Jawad faces. CNN has been unable to reach Abdul Jawad or the Saudi Ministry of Justice for comment. | Mazen Abdul Jawad appeared last week on a show on Lebanese channel .
He gives "graphic details about his sexual conquests," reports Arab News .
In deeply conservative Saudi Arabia, pre-marital sex is illegal .
About 100 people have filed a complaint against Abdul Jawad; punishment not clear . |
113,029 | 1de141124b556fb79d184f6f0c0628f1d2a48bf6 | Unhappy: Stuart Lawrence, 35, is preparing to sue Scotland Yard for discrimination claiming he is pulled over without justification 'all the time' Stephen Lawrence's brother last night claimed police have stopped him 25 times simply because of the colour of his skin. Stuart Lawrence says he is the victim of a sustained campaign of harassment by Scotland Yard officers. And his lawyers yesterday lodged a damaging race discrimination complaint against the Metropolitan Police Service. They say the 35-year-old teacher has been repeatedly pulled over in his car for 'no apparent reason and without any justification'. His patience snapped after an incident . on November 16 near the home he shares with his fiancée and . two-year-old son in Peckham, south London. Mr Lawrence, whose brother was killed . by a racist gang, was in his VW Scirocco when two officers stopped him. After asking why he had been pulled over, he says one of the officers . replied that he had been 'naturally suspicious' of him. Mr Lawrence, whose plans to sue the . Met were revealed by the Mail on Saturday, said: 'I am being targeted . because of the colour of my skin, I don't think it's because I am . Stephen's brother. 'Whenever I have been stopped, I have . never subsequently been charged with anything, and nothing has ever been . found to be wrong with my car. 'I have never, ever, done anything . wrong. I have never been in trouble with the law. I have paid my road . tax and my insurance, and always tried to keep my cars in a roadworthy . state. 'Of the 25 or so occasions in which I . have been stopped, only two have been at police checkpoints – where they . are verifying people's tax and insurance. The rest have been random . stops.' In a statement, he added: 'There can be no other reason, apart from racism, for me being stopped so often. 'If I had no road tax, no insurance, . or if I was driving erratically, I would understand being pulled over. But on no occasions was that the case.' A letter of complaint was sent to . Scotland Yard chief Bernard Hogan-Howe yesterday afternoon, outlining . details of Mr Lawrence's ordeal and the names of the officers involved . in the latest incident. In it, his lawyers warn of further . legal proceedings and state that over 'many years' he has been stopped . between 20 and 25 times. Because of the extraordinary . sensitivity of the case, there is speculation that the Independent . Police Complaints Commission will be asked to supervise an inquiry into . the allegations. The legal move will be of particular . concern to Home Secretary Theresa May, who last month paid tribute to . the campaigning work of Stuart and Stephen's mother Doreen. Brothers: Stuart Lawrence (right) pictured at home with his elder sibling Stephen (left), who was murdered . Family: Murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence's mother Doreen Lawrence OBE (left) and her son Stuart (right) pictured at a memorial held in his honour in April last year . Tireless: The boys' mother Doreen Lawrence who has long campaigned to rid the police of racism . In 1999, the Met was accused of being 'institutionally racist' by the judicial inquiry into her son's murder six years earlier. The 18-year-old A-level student was killed by a group of white youths as he waited at a bus stop in Eltham, south-east London. Two of that gang, Gary Dobson and David Norris, were jailed for life last January for Stephen's murder. Mr Lawrence said last night: 'I feel . angry and frustrated because I sat through the trial of Dobson and . Norris, and saw some of the mistakes made by police in 1993 and the . years that followed. 'Now it appears not much progress has . been made in how they deal with black people. I just want police to do . their jobs properly. I don't want them to waste time on people like me. Their time could be better spent elsewhere, rather than pulling me over. Home Secretary Theresa May (left) has paid tribute to the campaigning work of Doreen Lawrence. Mr Lawrence sent a letter of complaint to Met Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe (right) outlining his concerns . Remembered: A police CCTV surveillance van at the site of the Stephen Lawrence memorial stone in Eltham, south-east London . 'They could be out solving crimes. A . lot of recommendations were made by the Macpherson Inquiry but it seems . that it hasn't made much difference. 'I would like to know when things are . going to change, when is there going to be a society where you are not . pulled over because you are a black guy or a black person driving a . particular car. The decision to stop someone in their car should be . based on a sound reason, rather than the colour of your skin. 'I have met some really good police officers who work hard to protect the community. 'But it only takes a small handful of . people with the wrong type of attitude to make it feel like things have . not changed since the Macpherson Inquiry.' He said that as he grew up in south . London, being regularly stopped by police was something he 'reluctantly . accepted'. 'But as I am getting older now, the circumstances in which I . am stopped are more ludicrous and more over the top,' he added. 'I saw the mistakes made by police in 1993 and the years that followed. Not much progress has been made in how they deal with black people.' Stuart Lawrence . 'In recent years, I have been stopped . during my lunch-break at work. The police were checking tax discs. I . have also been stopped on my first day back to work after the summer . holidays, which meant I was late for the first briefing meeting for . work. 'On this occasion, I was pulled over randomly just before I got to the traffic lights. 'I explained this to the officer, that . I was on my way to work, but he insisted on going through the process . of checking who I was, and checking my car was taxed, insured and in . good working order. 'I have reservations now about the type of car I can drive because I don't want to increase the amount of times I am stopped.' Mr Lawrence's solicitor Imran Khan . said: 'Stop and search is often used as a litmus test for how the . police treat those from minority ethnic communities. 'Stuart's experience shows that rather than passing this litmus test, the Metropolitan Police have remained consistently bad. 'Stuart has suffered immeasurably over . the last 20 years. First with the murder of his brother in 1993, then . the failures of the police in their investigation into the murder and to . cap it all being unfairly stopped because of his skin colour. 'Previously Stuart has not complained . or otherwise drawn attention to what has happened to him, but now, when . the Metropolitan police seemingly trumpet how things have changed for . the better, he has felt the need to take action. He has now instructed . me to use the full force of the law.' The Metropolitan Police declined to comment last night. | Stephen's brother Stuart Lawrence, 35, left furious by harassment .
Final straw said to be when he was stopped in London in November .
Mother Doreen Lawrence OBE says 'racism has not gone away' |
70,046 | c699531ac1fe341ba324837117fbbb88cec1a4c9 | By . Mark Duell . Arriving suited and booted and playing up for the cameras outside the Champions Dinner last night, Novak Djokovic was clearly in the mood for partying. Hours earlier he had beaten Roger Federer yesterday to become Wimbledon champion amid some of the most exciting scenes of the tournament. Djokovic took the game 6-7 (7/9) 6-4 7-6 (7/4) 5-7 6-4 to win the men's singles title after . a gripping match - his second Wimbledon championship win. He served for the match in the fourth set and had a match point on Federer's serve but each time the 32-year-old Swiss player hung on. Djokovic - who was at the dinner last night at the Royal Opera House in London's Covent Garden - will take Rafael Nadal's world number one title today. Also in attendance was women's champion Petra Kvitova after she won a second Wimbledon title on Saturday by beating Eugenie Bouchard 6-3 6-0. Scroll down for video . Serving up a treat: Novak Djokovic was all smiles as he celebrated winning his second Wimbledon title looking dapper in a Burberry suit . Suited and booted: Novak Djokovic arrives for the Wimbledon Champions' Dinner in Covent Garden . Flying without wings: Djokovic beat Roger Federer in a five-set final on Centre Court earlier yesterday . Duo: The Serb was joined by his coach and former Wimbledon champion Boris Becker (left) Invite: Women's singles champion Petra Kvitova arrives for the dinner in London's West End and poses for the cameras in a floor-length black skirt . Having a ball: Petra Kvitova and Martina Navratilova (right) make their way to the dinner to celebrate the end of the famous tournament . Dream team: Becker and Djokovic (left). Britain's Anne Keothavong is pictured (right) Novak Djokovic has beaten Roger Federer to become Wimbledon champion amid some of the most exciting scenes of the tournament . He afterwards dedicated it to ‘my future wife and my future baby’, and his first coach Jelena Gencic who died last year. Federer said: 'I can’t believe I made it to five sets, it was looking good there for a while, see you next year.' Djokovic, who had lost five of his . previous six grand slam finals, was staring at a shattering defeat but . he refused to be beaten and took his second match point to win . 6-7 (7/9) 6-4 7-6 (7/4) 5-7 6-4. It was the Serbian's seventh grand . slam title and his second Wimbledon triumph, while Federer will be left . to wonder whether he will ever get a better chance to win an 18th slam. It . was only the second time Federer and Djokovic have met in a Grand Slam . final - Federer won in straight sets at the 2007 U.S. Open. Djokovic . fell awkwardly in the first game of the second set and called for a . trainer immediately after he broke Federer's serve to take a 2-1 lead. The trainer worked on Djokovic's left ankle. Djokovic again called for the trainer after the third game of the final set to have his right calf worked on. Djokovic served for the match in the fourth set and had a match point on Federer's serve but each time the 32-year-old Swiss player hung on. He afterwards dedicated it to 'my future wife and my future baby', and his first coach Jelena Gencic who died last year . Serbia's Novak Djokovic kisses the winner's trophy after beating Switzerland's Roger Federer in the men's singles final match . Serbia's Novak Djokovic goes to his players box and celebrates with his team after his hard fought win . Novak Djokovic returns to world No 1, overtaking Rafael Nadal after yesterday's Grand Slam final . Switzerland's Roger Federer reacts in the Mens' Final against Serbia's Novak Djokovic during day fourteen of the Wimbledon Championships . Roger Federer will no doubt be frustrated to lose to the Serbian, after the thrilling and competitive match on Centre Court this afternoon . Federer took the first set 7-6 (9-7) in 52 minutes before Djokovic won the second . At 30-30, the Serb hit a forehand wide . to hand Federer his first break point of the match, but swiftly . regained his concentration to bring up set point with an ace and saw it . out with a forehand smash. In . the third set both players flexed their serving muscles with the ace . count mounting and neither facing a break point until the 11th game when . Djokovic began to turn the screw once more. The . Serb ground out two break points but Federer again dug in, saving both . with some precision serving to hold after a series of deuces. Djokovic finally made the breakthrough . in the third game of the second set, sweeping a backhand pass beyond . Federer and breaking the world number four's serve for only the second . time all tournament. The . Serbian called the trainer for treatment to his left ankle after taking a . heavy fall but there did not appear to be any lasting damage. Federer . had one chance to retrieve the break when Djokovic betrayed a few . nerves serving for the set, but the threat was averted. This . was the 35th meeting between the two men but only their second grand . slam final - the first came back in 2007 at the US Open - and second . match at Wimbledon. Kate and William cheer on Djokovic as he wins against Federer. Djokovic served for the match in the fourth set and had a match point on Federer's serve but each time the 32-year-old Swiss player hung on . Enjoying the action: Kate and William in the Royal Box watching Roger Federer take on Novak Djokovic . Carole and Pippa Middleton look delighted with the result as they cheer and give a thumbs up . Nico Jackson, Pippa Middleton, Carole Middleton and Michael Middleton were watching the mens singles final between Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer on centre court . Samuel L Jackson and Sofia Davis share a joke in the Royal Box on Centre Court as they watched the final . Footballer David Beckham and wife Victoria look gripped by the action as they watch from the Royal Box on Centre Court next to actor Samuel L. Jackson . Sofia Davis, Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky take advantage of a break in the action to catch up . Federer won both of those clashes, and the third set appeared crucial to his hopes of a repeat. Federer's . serving was almost immaculate and there may have been a first for the . world's best returner in the ninth game as four consecutive aces flew . past him. It came to his rescue two games later as Djokovic forced two break points, the Serbian yelling at the chalk dust in frustration. But in the tie-break Federer's resistance ran out, and his hopes of victory appeared over when he trailed 5-2 in the fourth set. Having been broken for 3-1, Federer had hit straight back with his first break of the match only to drop serve once more. But . at the biggest moment of the match, Djokovic faltered and back came . Federer again, the Swiss breaking serve to trail only 5-4 while his . opponent lay sprawled on the ground. Still . it looked like it would not be enough as Djokovic brought up a first . match point, but Federer, the man who loathes Hawk-Eye, may revise his . opinion after a challenge gave him an ace. Singer Olly Murs is joined by a pretty blonde companion as he watches the mens singles final . A barely recongisable Hugh Jackman - wearing a panama hat and dark glasses - was also gripped by the match . Actress Kate Beckinsale also watched as the Federer and Djokovic met in the final. It is only the second time they have faced each other in a Grand Slam final - Federer won in straight sets at the 2007 U.S. Open . Jacqui Ainsley and Guy Ritchie put on an affectionate display as they watched the match - with Ms Ainsley sporting a stylish head scarf and glasses . Orlando Bloom and Kate Beckinsale share a joke as they watch the game . Pippa Middleton attended the final wearing a grey and cream dress and holding a wicker handbag . Former track cyclist Sir Chris Hoy and his wife Sarra Hoy in the Royal Box on Centre Court . The missed chances must have haunted Djokovic and he handed Federer a second straight break. Federer duly served out one of the most remarkable sets of his long career. The . momentum was all with Federer, and physically Djokovic was struggling . too, taking a medical time-out after the third game of the fifth set for . treatment to his right leg. Federer piled on the pressure in the seventh game and brought up a break point but then netted a backhand. Djokovic . held and suddenly he was the man pushing forward as Federer faced three . break points. Each time the Swiss came up with an answer. The third, when he dug a half-volley off his toes, was one of the shots of the championship. But Djokovic was pressing intensely and two games later he brought up two match points. This . time Federer could not fight back, the Swiss netting a backhand as . Djokovic celebrated a hugely emotional victory after three hours and 57 . minutes. | Djokovic took the game 6-7 (7/9) 6-4 7-6 (7/4) 5-7 6-4 yesterday to win the 2014 Wimbledon men's singles title .
Win means Novak Djokovic reclaims World No.1 title, overtaking Rafael Nadal, while Federer moves up to third .
Dozens of famous faces including Duke & Duchess of Cambridge watch as Djokovic beats Federer in gripping final .
Several high-profile stars watched from the Royal Box at Wimbledon including Samuel L Jackson and Cliff Richard .
David and Victoria Beckham also at final, plus Bradley Cooper, Sir Chris Hoy, Hugh Jackman and Pippa Middleton . |
93,147 | 03d3ffa26b98d74a3bc6df03ce0b2e3a58c59c42 | By . Chris Parsons . Last updated at 3:57 PM on 27th November 2011 . Video footage has emerged of Afghan police humiliating a cross-dressing man by forcing him to undress on camera apparently for their own amusement. The Afghan male, seen initially wearing a long shiny black wig, jewellery and a flowing black robe, is ordered to remove all his female attire despite protests of innocence. The man is cruelly humiliated as officers demand he remove the wig, jewellery robe during the eight-minute video. The unknown Afghan cross-dresser's ordeal begins when he is ordered by police to take his black wig off . The man's receding tightly-cropped hair is revealed as Afghan police laugh and continue to give him orders . By the end he is stood in a scarlet short-sleeved traditional female dress with his receding hair on full show. As police officers appear to laugh and goad the cross-dressing man, he pleads for mercy and can be heard saying, 'Don't make fun of me.' At one point he even suffers the indignity of having to remove fake breasts from under his dress, which turn out to be two socks filled with dough. Upon seeing this, an officer comments: 'Dough to make the breasts feel softy-soft.' According to the Guardian, the officers then deliver a barrage of questions to the transvestite and a second man who is arrested. The man is next forced to remove his black dress, to reveal a bright red female garment underneath as the humiliation continues . The Afghan man protests that he 'hasn't committed any crime', but is still made to remove all his female clothing by police . His humiliation comes to an end after he is ordered by Afghan police to remove the two fake breasts from under his dress, which turn out to be two socks filled with dough . They ask the pair: 'Why are you dressed like this? Where did you put the makeup on? What is all this about? What have you two been up to?' As the Afghan cross dresser removes his jewellery, he can be heard to whisper: 'I was shopping for clothes.' After being near reduced to tears, the second man tells police officers: 'Please, officer, we haven't committed a crime.' The video, which appears to have originated from an Afghan news source, is listed as being filmed in Kabul on Friday. It is not clear what eventually happened to the two victims, but the footage has since been viewed nearly 25,000 times online. Homosexuality and crossdressing are considered criminal offences in Afghanistan, with the regime change in the country doing very little to alter gay rights. | Video viewed 25,000 times shows Afghan cross-dressing male suffer humiliation at hands of police.
Homosexuality and cross-dressing are a criminal offence in Afghanistan. |
71,785 | cb780ce6d42cd0a82c74e80c6d8b9db282ebbb69 | (CNN) -- When charity and creativity go hand in hand, the result can be a work of art -- quite literally. Such is the aim of Syri-Arts, part of Lebanese non-profit organization Kayany, which is working to raise much needed money for Syrian refugee children by auctioning off 150 works of art. For Nora Joumblatt, an art historian who is helping to spearhead the endeavor, the initiative makes perfect sense. "The Mideast is home to a host of artistic talent and art is the universal language," she says. An online auction, hosted by website Paddle8.com, began October 30. A live auction, hosted by Sotheby's, will be held at 6pm on November 8 at the Beirut Exhibition Center, where the art is on display. According to Syri-Arts, all the funds raised "will go to the benefit of Syrian refugee children to secure food, clothing, medication and schooling through reputable NGOs working on the ground." "They are all donations," proudly declares Wassim Rasamny, one of the organizers, about the works of art being sold. "We have 150 artists stretching from North Africa to the Arabian Gulf ... who have so passionately donated their works." Contributors include artists from Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Morocco, and many other countries. While the organizing committee expected, and depended upon, generosity of spirit, they were still surprised by the outpouring. "We thought maybe we'd get 40 or 50 artists contributing," says Joumblatt. "We didn't expect this overwhelming response. This really shows how civil society is keen to help Syrian children." According to Syri-Arts, "the international community has failed in its collective responsibility towards the Syrian child. The children deserve immediate action to help alleviate the daily hardships they are facing in this colossal tragedy." According to the UN, at least 1 million of the over 2 million registered Syrian refugees are children. "That is a staggering number," explains Joumblatt, who calls it "the tragedy of the 20th century." Children are facing "catastrophic consequences" because of the escalating violence in Syria, according to UNICEF, which adds that "more than 4 million children are now affected by the brutal conflict." Just recently the World Health Organization confirmed ten cases of polio among children in Syria, the first outbreak of the disease in the country since 1999. "I don't think the international community realizes the state the Syrian children are in," says Joumblatt. "The threats of child labor or early marriage or trafficking ... I don't think the international community realizes that even their minimum needs aren't being met." Joumblatt says the cause is important to her not just because she was born in Syria, but also because she was exiled from there as a child. "This is a huge problem. And this is a whole generation Syria is at risk of losing," says Joumblatt. Syri-Arts Beirut is organized in collaboration with the Lebanese Ministry of Social Affairs, UNICEF, Save The Children International, Action Against Hunger, Syri-Art Paris, Institut du Monde Arabe (IMA), and the Beirut Exhibition Center. | Artists from across Mideast have donated piece for one-off public auction .
Syri-Arts has organized event to raise funds to help Syrian refugee children .
Bids can be made online while auction takes place on November 8 in Beirut .
UN says that half of 2 million Syrian refugees are children . |
79,576 | e1a419a150468bc9ccae25893b84a1d686167552 | The boss of an alpaca transport company and two other men have today been jailed for 30 years for conspiring to murder his wife. Bruce Killick, 63, from Brooks Green, near Horsham, West Sussex, was found guilty of the planned attack against his wife, Susan, after a five-week trial at Hove Crown Court. Killick was convicted of hiring labourer Karl Cruise, 55, through alpaca farmer Graham Martin, 39, who are both British nationals living in Plouray in the Brittany region of France. Cruise attacked Mrs Killick at her home in February with a hammer, plant pot and screwdriver, and tried to use a stun gun on her. He also repeatedly smashed her head on the floor. Bruce Killick (left) was today convicted of hiring labourer Karl Cruise (right), 55, through alpaca farmer Graham Martin, 39, to kill Killick's wife, Susan. Cruise attacked Mrs Killick at her home with a hammer, plant pot and screwdriver . The court heard that Killick claimed his payment of £10,000 to the pair was for an alpaca as a 30th wedding anniversary present to his wife, then aged 61. Sentencing them, Judge Michael Lawson said: 'This was a horrific offence born out of greed and lust. The victim thought this was a marriage of joy and this has been violated and destroyed for financial gain.' Killick was sentenced to 30 years’ imprisonment, to serve a minimum of 20 years; Martin was jailed for 30 years, to serve a minimum of 20; and Cruise for 30, to serve a minimum of 15, as well as 11 years to run concurrently for GBH with intent. Describing the planned attack, which Mrs Killick survived, a Sussex Police spokesman said: 'On the afternoon of February 18, Susan had been home alone in Emms Lane when she had answered the door to Cruise, who claimed his car had broken down. 'He asked to use her phone to contact a garage but followed her into her kitchen where he then began his attack. The court heard that Killick claimed his payment of £10,000 to Cruise and Martin was for an alpaca as a 30th wedding anniversary present to his wife, then aged 61. File photo . 'He first hit her with a hammer and then punched her, knocking her to the ground and smashed her head repeatedly on the floor. 'He then attacked her with a plant pot, screwdriver and tried to use a stun gun on her. 'The then 61-year-old victim still managed to fight him off and stopped him from hitting her over the head with a heavy step-stool. 'Cruise then dragged her across the kitchen before trying to stab her, first with a blunt bread knife and then with a paring knife. 'It was only when Cruise became very short of breath, having suffered a medical episode, that she was able to get away from him, alerting her next-door neighbours. 'Her quick-thinking neighbour was able to take down part of Cruise's French number plate and he was arrested in Portsmouth that evening. Cruise pleaded guilty to GBH with intent. 'Killick had made arrangements to ensure he was not at the address when the attack occurred and to provide him with a legitimate alibi. ' The jury heard how he had sent texts to Martin asking how much to get rid of someone but always maintained the £10,000 transferred to Martin just days before the attack was for an alpaca for his and Susan's 30th wedding anniversary. Detective Inspector David Springett said: 'This was a planned and incredibly brutal attack against Mrs Killick, orchestrated by her husband and carried out by his criminal associates. 'I am sure that if it was not for her sustained self-defence then Mrs Killick would not have survived this assault. 'Thankfully she has largely recovered physically but I have no doubt her emotional trauma will be long felt. 'This offence has been motivated by greed and Mr Killick's desire to start a new life with his mistress. 'The fact he has been married to Mrs Killick for over 30 years and sought to explain the payment of funds for the murder as an anniversary present for her are chilling. 'I am delighted the jury has found all three guilty of the part they played in trying to plan this murder. 'I hope Mrs Killick is able to continue to recover and carry on with her life and put this ordeal behind her knowing her attackers have been brought to justice.' | Bruce Killick, 63, of West Sussex, was found guilty of planned attack against wife Susan .
He hired labourer Karl Cruise, 55, through alpaca farmer Graham Martin, 39, to carry out the killing .
Cruise attacked Mrs Killick at her home with a hammer, plant pot, screwdriver and also tried to use a stun gun on her .
Killick had planned to start a new life with his mistress .
All three men were today jailed, each for 30 years .
Judge Michael Lawson: 'This was a horrific offence born out of greed and lust' |
139,171 | 3ff7f0b55e20e86a17f2ffd9f6a57017b7743dc3 | (CNN) -- Samsung's flagship smartphone could be getting twice as fast. The South Korean electronics company plans to release a quicker version of the Galaxy S4, says CEO J.K. Shin. He told Reuters it will be for sale in South Korea later this month. The phones, which will be powered by a new Qualcomm processor, use what's being called LTE-advanced technology, which will reportedly deliver data at speeds up to twice those of current 4G LTE connections. Some downloads could be even quicker. A movie that takes three minutes to download on the current Galaxy S4 would take one minute on the new phone, Samsung told Reuters . Shin said Samsung is in talks with carriers in other countries about the phone. He did not specify which countries, or carriers. The Galaxy S4 has been Samsung's most popular smartphone yet. It passed 10 million sales in its first month -- a clip that outpaced its predecessor, the S3, which emerged as the Android system's most successful rival to the iPhone. Recently, though, both Apple and Samsung have seen a slowdown in sales of top-end smartphones, as that market has shown signs of becoming saturated. An even faster S4, obviously, would be an effort to appeal to that upper-tier buyer who's willing to fork over cash for the fanciest and fastest new models. Shin told Reuters the new model would be "slightly more expensive" than the current S4, which sells for $199 and up, depending on the carrier and which service plan the customer signs up for. Last month, Samsung announced that it will be making a smaller version of the S4. That phone will be unveiled at an event Thursday. There also have been unconfirmed reports that Apple will release a cheaper version of its iPhone. As the high-end market tightens up, Apple, Samsung and other phone makers are eyeing developing countries, where interest in smartphones is still growing. | Report: Samsung CEO says phone to be released first in South Korea .
Variant will transmit data at twice the normal speed .
Samsung in talks with carriers in other countries about the phone, report says . |
148,851 | 4c7cd2bffdaef370582996a0df3765d3531cb937 | Dina Asher-Smith called it ‘the best day of my life’. The 18-year-old found out she had got the A-level results required to read history at King’s College. Then she broke the British 200m junior record to sail into tonight’s European Championships final, where a medal is a distinct possibility. The only downside was missing out on a dance in Tiger Tiger nightclub. ‘I really couldn’t have asked for much more,’ she said, ‘definitely the best day of my life and I’m going into the final fit and I feel I can go faster than I did as I slowed down at the end.’ Asher-Smith lowered her personal best by a stunning 0.13sec to 22.61sec, finishing second in the semi-final behind France’s Myriam Soumare, who is nine years her senior. Asher-Smith will be joined in the final by Bianca Williams and 20-year-old Jodie Williams, who eased down to win her heat in 22.90sec. Best day: Asher-Smith said it was the best day of her life after breaking the British 200m junior record . Personal best: Asher-Smith lowered her personal best by 0.13 seconds to 22.61sec . As her friends gathered at Newstead Wood School in Orpington, Kent, to collect their exam results, Asher-Smith spent a frustrating journey from the team hotel to Zurich’s Letzigrund Stadium failing to check her own results online. ‘I couldn’t get logged on,’ she said, ‘so my mum texted me that I had got into King’s and I was like, “Yippee!” I don’t know exactly what I got but I needed three As so somewhere around there.’ Despite her exploits, Asher-Smith was confident she would get a good night’s sleep ahead of the final. Meanwhile, her friends in London were planning to celebrate their exam results with a night out. ‘I’m just going to have an early night,’ she said, ‘Most of my friends are going to Tiger Tiger, the nightclub. I know I’ll get loads of photos saying, “Oh my gosh, look what I was wearing?” and I’ll be like, “Great, remember to tune into TV this evening”.’ Finish: The 18-year-old crosses the line ahead of Hanna-Maari Latvala and Yekaterina Vukolova . Last month Asher-Smith became 100m world junior champion in Oregon. Now she is planning how to balance university life and training sessions with her coach John Blackie in Bromley. Another academic in the team, William Sharman, won Great Britain’s eighth medal with silver in the 110m hurdles. Sharman was unsure whether he had won a medal more than a minute after he crossed the line as officials deliberated over a four-way photo finish. The big screen finally revealed he had snatched second place by the length of his buzz cut. Sharman, a classically trained pianist, was leading until the penultimate hurdle when Russian Sergey Shubenkov produced a late surge to win in 13.13sec. Sharman, who has a degree in economics, timed his dip perfectly to take silver in 13.27sec. France’s Thomas Martinot-Lagarde took bronze in 13.38sec. ‘It’s mixed emotions because I knew I was in the lead,’ said Sharman. ‘I could have done more and that’s why I was gutted.’ Zurich: Asher-Smith crosses the finish line ahead of Hanna-Maari Latvala of Finland . Success: As well as breaking records, Asher-Smith also got the necessary A Levels to get into King's College . | Dina Asher-Smith broke the British 200m junior record .
She also got her A Level results which got her in to King's College .
18-year-old called it 'the best day of my life' |
129,117 | 32db37f94498fb06edc9a4b58e6d2fc627c9487b | var twitterVia = 'MailOnline'; . DM.later('bundle', function(){ . DM.has('shareLinkTop', 'shareLinks', { . 'id': '2154393', . 'title': 'There IS a link between genius and madness - but we don\'t know why we evolved this \'gift\'', . 'url': 'http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2154393/There-IS-link-genius-madness-claim-scientists--dont-know-evolved-gift.html', . 'eTwitterStatus': ' http://bit.ly/JGilHE via @' + twitterVia, . 'articleChannelFollowButton': 'MailOnline', . 'isChannel': false, . 'placement': 'top', . 'anchor': 'tl'}); . }); . 33 . View comments . There IS a link between creative genius and madness - with both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder frequent in highly creative and intelligent people. The idea was investigated by a panel of scientists who had all suffered some form of mental disorder. Kay Redfield Jamison of John Hopkins school of Medicine, who suffers from bipolar disorder, said that intelligence tests on Swedish 16-year-olds had shown that highly intelligent children were most likely to go on to develop the disorder. Detail of Self portrait with Bandaged Ear painted by Vincent van Gogh: Scientists say there is a link between highly gifted individuals and mental illness . 'They found that people who excelled when they were 16 years old were four times as likely to go on to develop bipolar disorder,' says Jamison. Jamison has devoted her life to researching and writing about bipolar disorder, since being diagnosed with it herself in young adulthood. In the discussion at New York's World Science Fair, the panel discussed more than 20 papers which made an explicit link between high intelligence and creativity. Painter Van Gogh and author Jack Kerouac were both hailed as geniuses but displayed self-destructive behaviour. What's less clear is why human beings might have evolved this trait. 'The notion of a ‘tortured genius’ or ‘mad scientist’ may be . more than a romantic aberration,' says the World Science Fair. 'Research shows that bipolar disorder and . schizophrenia correlate with high creativity and intelligence, raising . tantalizing questions: What role does environment play in the path to mental . illness? Painter Van Gogh and author Jack Kerouac were both hailed as geniuses but displayed self-destructive behaviour . Are so-called mental defects being positively selected for in the gene . pool? Where’s the line between gift and deficit?' Nobel prize-winning mathematician John Nash, portrayed by Russell Crowe . in the film A Beautiful Mind, has also had a life-long struggle with . schizophrenia. Previous research has hinted that much of the 'link' is created by one particular gene, known as DARPP-32, which links genius with madness. Three quarters of people inherit a version of the DARPP-32 gene, . which enhances the brain's ability to think by improving information . processing by the prefrontal cortex - the part of the brain that . orchestrates thoughts and actions. | Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder more frequent in highly gifted people .
20 or 30 studies prove link .
Studies on Swedish 16-year-olds prove intelligent teenagers more likely to develop disorders . |
173,943 | 6d13e1fbe44afec7d2f1999ab4e52eab6e7545ec | By . Matt Chorley, Mailonline Political Editor . PUBLISHED: . 05:03 EST, 18 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 20:58 EST, 18 December 2013 . More than 30 million people are in work for the first time in British history after a further fall in unemployment was revealed yesterday. David Cameron claimed that the Government’s economic plan ‘is working’ as unemployment fell by 99,000 in the three months to October, reducing the jobless rate from 7.6 per cent to 7.4 per cent, the lowest level since 2009. There were drops in almost every region outside the South – especially the West Midlands, the North West and the East. The unemployment rate fell to 0.74 per cent in the three months to October, down 0.3 percentage points on May to July . However, if the trend continues and . unemployment falls to 7 per cent, interest rates could be allowed to . rise by the Bank of England from their current record low of 0.5 per . cent. Millions of . homeowners would then see their monthly mortgage repayments start to . rise, although experts believe this is unlikely to happen before 2015. There are now 2.39 million out of work after the largest quarterly fall in more than a decade. The . number of people in work reached 30.09 million – an increase of 250,000 . over the quarter and of almost half a million compared with a year ago. There were 30.09 million people in employment aged 16 and over, up 250,000 from May to July 2013 and up 485,000 from a year earlier . For the first time 10 per cent of over-65s are still in work, the Office for National Statistics said . A record 1.1 million pensioners are still working into retirement years, official figures showed yesterday. With the employment rate jumping from 9.2 per cent a year ago to 10 per cent, this equates to another 109,000 OAP workers, according to the Office for National Statistics. Caroline Abrahams of Age UK said: ‘People are living longer, so many want to carry on working. However rock-bottom annuity rates combined with low interest rates on savings mean that others have no choice but to carry on working because they cannot afford to retire.’ Mr . Cameron said: ‘There should not be one ounce of complacency because we . have still got work to do to get our country back to work, and everyone . back in work means greater stability for them, greater ability to plan . for their future, greater help for their families. But the plan is working, let’s stick at it and get unemployment down even further.’ The . number unemployed for more than 12 months fell by 33,000 to 866,000, . the lowest rate for a year, while youth unemployment dipped by 19,000 to . 941,000. And the . number claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance fell by 36,700 in November to . 1.27 million, the thirteenth consecutive monthly reduction. The Prime Minister told the Commons 1.2 million more people were in work than when the Coalition came to power in 2010. But Labour leader Ed Miliband seized on figures showing a record 1.47 million were working part-time. ‘It’s . good our economy is creating more jobs, but the problem is too many of . them are part-time or low paid or insecure,’ he said. He . asked the Prime Minister: ‘Do you agree it is a matter of deep concern . that at the end of this year average wages are £364 lower than they were . a year ago and over £1,500 lower than they were at the general . election?’ Mr Cameron . replied: ‘I want to see more money in people’s pockets. The only way is . to keep on with our economic plan, keep cutting unemployment, keep taxes . down, cut the deficit so we keep interest rates down.’ The proportion of people working in the public sector has fallen to a new record, with most new jobs now in the private sector . This map shows the percentage of people in council areas claiming jobseekers allowance . | Number in work hits a new record high in August to October .
David Cameron hails 30m mark as proof economic plan is working .
Unemployment rate falls to 7.4%, lowest level since spring 2009 .
Bank of England will consider interest rate rise when it falls to 7% .
Pound rises to $1.6355, highest level since December last year . |
285,192 | fd8b3bd3b30140c04d421309a624acb2326504d2 | Parts of a sickening video released by Islamic State militants that shows members of the terror group beheading 21 Coptic Christians have been faked, experts have claimed. The footage, which lasts five minutes, shows the Egyptian Christians dressed in jumpsuits being marched one by one along a lonely beach, each held by a fighter clad in black. The captives, their faces uncovered, are made to kneel before being forced to lie down. The masked jihadists then behead them simultaneously. While experts believe the men were killed by the terrorists, questions have been raised over whether some scenes - including one where the militants appear to be 7ft tall - have been manipulated. Scroll down for video . Doctored? The executioners appear to be seven-foot tall in this still taken from the sickening footage . Experts believe that the scene of ISIS terrorists marching 21 Coptic Christians to their death was faked . It is believed the actual murders were filmed in a different location and the sea was added at a later stage . There are also doubts as to whether the men were all murdered on the beach and whether they were all killed at the same time. It is thought sections of the footage might have been shot on a 'green screen' in a studio - a technique used in Hollywood blockbusters - and that the beach background was added at a later stage. Veryan Khan, of the Florida-based Terrorism Research and Analysis Consortium, told Fox News that there are several technical mistakes in the video that show it was manipulated. She said that in the shot of the terrorists marching their prisoners along the beach, the jihadis appear to be 7ft tall - towering as much as two feet above their victims. This observation was supported by Hollywood director Mary Lambert who described it as the shot with the 'really tall Jihadists and the dwarf Christians.' Ms Khan added that the terrorist who speaks in the clip - dubbed 'Jihad Joseph' - appears much bigger than the sea in some shots, while his head looks out of proportion to his body. The sickening image of blood in the sea is believed to have been created using special effects . Ms Khan explained that this meant it was likely he had been filmed indoors and the sea scene, believed to be in northern Libya, had been placed behind him at a later stage. Meanwhile, Lambert said that the scene that apparently shows the sea turning red with the blood of the beheaded men 'was obviously special effects'. The experts claimed that only a few Jihadis would have been on the beach along with a 'less talented crew' than the ones responsible for some of the group's more high-production videos. Earlier this week, local media reported that militants from the Islamic State and Ansar Al-Sharia were understood to have rounded up dozens of farm workers in the wake of bombings by Cairo. It raises the chilling prospect of yet another mass execution in what is being seen as ISIS's bid to announce its presence in a new region where it is gaining influence. Initial reports said seven men had been seized, but that figure had risen to more than 35 by mid-afternoon yesterday, according to The Libya Herald. It came as Egypt blitzed ISIS training camps, weapons stockpiles and fighters in two waves of air strikes following the gruesome murder of captured Egyptian workers. Meanwhile, the Egyptian government called for the US-led coalition to also target ISIS in Libya. | Isis released a video last week showing the murder of 21 Coptic Christians .
The five-minute film showed the men being marched along a beach .
The victims are then shown lined up and beheaded in sequence .
Experts believe the Egyptian victims were not murdered at the beach .
Instead, they were murdered elsewhere with the background added later .
The shocking scene of the sea turning red is believed to be special effects .
The scene where the sea turns red with blood is also thought to be faked . |
45,285 | 7fa94958a480769cad0649a787cc59948c74df43 | The Wallabies staff member at the centre of the Kurtley Beale investigation has reportedly quit her role with the Australian Rugby Union. Wallabies business manager Di Patston resigned on Friday, according to a Fairfax Media report on Saturday. Patston was thrust into the spotlight following an alleged midair confrontation with Beale between South Africa and Argentina, after which coach Ewen McKenzie abandoned a Wallabies training session in Buenos Aires to drive his distressed business manager to the airport so she could make an early dash home. Scroll down for video . Kurtley Beale (left) allegedly sent the offensive text messages about a member of the Australian staff Di Patston back in June while circulating rumours suggest coach Ewan McKenzie (right) was in a relationship with the woman . Beale, 25, was also reportedly involved in a verbal altercation with Patston while travelling from Johannesburg to Sao Paolo the day after the side's 28-10 loss to the Springboks in Cape Town nearly two weeks ago . Patston has been on indefinite sick leave ever since. This comes after reports of Beale being involved in a verbal altercation with the Wallabies staff member while travelling from Johannesburg to Sao Paolo - the day after the side's 28-10 loss to the Springboks in Cape Town nearly two weeks ago. Beale, 25, is also under investigation for allegedly sending offensive text messages about Patson back in June. An ARU spokeswoman confirmed Patston had quit due to stress relating to recent events Fairfax Media reports. Beale is facing the axe, not only over the alleged midair incident but also over allegations he circulated offensive text messages about Patston. Rumours have suggested McKenzie is in a relationship with Patston, who he previously worked with at the Queensland Reds and has since employed to tour with the Wallabies on the road. It's believed some players had become disillusioned by Patston's role in the team and McKenzie's reasons for hiring her. McKenzie hit back on Friday, insisting his relationship with Patston has always been professional and therefore not compromising his position as coach. 'I've got a professional relationship with her. And I refute (suggestions of an intimate relationship). There are people out there and that there's some sort of campaign to impugn that's (not) the situation,' McKenzie said. | Kurtley Beale allegedly sent the offensive text messages about a member of the Australian staff back in June .
The 25-year-old then got involved in a verbal altercation with the same woman late September .
Incident occurred on a flight from Johannesburg to Sao Paolo .
It's been reported that Wallabies business manager Di Patston quit on Friday due to stress of recent events .
Beale is facing the axe and is under investigation over allegations he circulated offensive text messages about Patston .
Rumours have suggested coach Ewan McKenzie is in a relationship with Patston .
McKenzie denied those claims on Friday . |
272,006 | ec53e02b34d0985d3841c553012a3910dd25055a | By . Matt Chorley, Mailonline Political Editor . PUBLISHED: . 07:53 EST, 6 November 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 12:07 EST, 6 November 2013 . David Cameron is ‘clueless’ about the winter crisis facing the NHS, Labour leader Ed Miliband claimed today. The two party leaders clashed over warnings that A&E departments across the country are already struggling to cope, with the number of patients waiting up to 12 hours on trolleys almost doubling in two years. Mr Miliband claimed the NHS ‘isn’t safe’ in Mr Cameron’s hands, and blamed the government’s reorganisation for diverting health funding to pay for six-figure pay-offs for managers. Clash: Labour party leader Ed Miliband tore into the government's record on the NHS, claiming David Cameron was 'clueless' about warnings of a new winter crisis . The latest figures from NHS England, the body in charge of the health service, show there were 87,186 trolley waits of between four and 12 hours from April to October 2013. This figure is up from 47,644 for the same period in 2011. And the numbers having to wait up to four hours in A&E - the Government’s target time - has increased by 43 per cent in two years. Dr Cliff Mann, president of the College of Emergency Medicine, which represents A&E doctors, warned this week: ‘All the worrying indicators are up already. And they seem to indicate that this winter will probably be worse than last winter, which was the worst we have ever had. It’s a tipping point for the NHS’s delivery of acute care. ‘It’s not chaos in emergency departments, but it is a crisis.’ At Prime Minister’s Questions today, Mr Miliband sought to pin the blame on Mr Cameron’s government for the NHS’s problems. Criticism: Mr Miliband condemned six-figure pay-offs for senior NHS managers at a time when the number of nurses had been cut . The Labour leader said: ‘What the whole country will have had heard today is a Prime Minister complacent about the A&E crisis, and clueless about what is actually happening in the NHS. ‘What the British people know is the NHS is heading into this winter with fewer nurses, a lack of senior A&E doctors and a shortage of beds. ‘He promised he’d protect the NHS, but it’s now clear the NHS isn’t safe in his hands.’ He claimed Mr Cameron had broken his promise not to ‘go back to the days when people had to wait for hours on end in A&E’. Mr Miliband added: ‘Across the medical profession they are saying there is a crisis in A&E departments and we have a Prime Minister saying “crisis, what crisis”. How out of touch can he be? ‘In the last year a million waited more than four hours in A&E. A&E waits are up, patients kept waiting on trollies up, delayed discharges up, ambulance response times up.’ He blamed the coalition’s ‘top-down reorganisation that nobody wanted and nobody voted for’. Warning: Accident and emergency units across the country are at 'tipping point', senior doctors have warned . Mr Miliband said 2,300 managers have received six-figure pay-offs, and 2,000 had ‘been fired, paid off, and then re-hired’. ‘He is giving P45s to nurses and six-figure pay-offs,’ the Labour leader added. been fired, paid off, and then re-hired? The numbers turning up at A&E departments has soared by more than a third during the past decade and last year there were 21.7 million arriving in need of help. But Mr Cameron insisted that that the number of NHS admisnitraos had been cut by 20,000. ‘We will do everything we can to make sure the NHS continues to perform in the excellent way that he does today.’ He said the average waiting time in A& is now 50 minutes, compared to 70 minutes under Labour. Mr Cameron contrasted the NHS in England under the coalition to Wales, where Labour is in power. ‘There won’t be a winter crisis in the NHS in Wales where Labour are in control because there is a crisis every day of the week in Wales,’ he said. ‘They have been running the Welsh health service, they have cut the budget by 8.5 per cent, they haven’t met a cancer target since 2008, they haven’t met an A&E target since 2009. ‘We are saving £4.5billion by reducing the number of managers in the NHS and for the first time anybody reemployed has to pay back part of the money they were given. That never happened under Labour.’ | Leaders trade blows over claims A&E departments are struggling to cope .
Number of patients waiting up to 12 hours has almost doubled in two years .
'This winter will probably be worse than last winter,' says expert . |
38,683 | 6d5f70f2cba6400902b25eeb8ca38be096af755b | By . Associated Press . and Daily Mail Reporter . A fire in the boiler room of a cruise ship carrying nearly 3,000 people prompted the vessel to return to port in Seattle, officials said. Holland America said that there were no injuries among the passengers and crew of the Westerdam from Saturday's blaze. 'A small fire in one of the boiler rooms' that occurred after the vessel set sail was quickly extinguished, the company said. Public Relations Vice President Sally Andrews said that after the fire, the Coast Guard inspected the 82,348-ton ship and cleared it to sail again, which could occur before dawn. Cleared to sail: A small fire broke out in the boiler room of the MS Westerdam on Saturday night but no one was injured . 'We anticipate it will be before the morning,' she told The Associated Press. The Seattle Times reported that the flames broke out around 5pm as the vessel was in Puget Sound near Kingston, according to Coast Guard petty officer George Degener. The crew knocked the fire down, but a while later it restarted. A combination of high-pressure mist and crew members with hoses extinguished the fire, Kyle Moore, spokesman for the Seattle Fire Department, told the paper. The city dispatched a fireboat, and a few units to the Pier 91 cruise terminal, as a precaution. Holland America brought the ship back 'out of an abundance of caution and in cooperation with the U.S. Coast Guard,' a company statement said. No evacuations were needed, firefighters reported. The Westerdam was beginning a seven-day Alaska cruise with 2,086 passengers and 798 crew members onboard when the blaze occurred. Cruisefever.net reported passengers will receive $250 per stateroom in onboard credit and a 25 per cent certificate for a future cruise equal to the cruise fare that they paid. The news comes after a Holland America cruise ship worker was arrested in Florida in February after admitting that he raped and beat an American passenger during a nude cruise, before trying to throw her overboard. Ketut Pujayasa, a 28-year-old room service attendant on the Nieuw Amsterdam, claimed he attacked the 31-year-old because she insulted him when he tried to deliver her breakfast on Valentine's Day. The Indonesian told the FBI he used a master key to break into the passenger's room at night time, and attacked her in her bed. The woman, who was on a Bare Necessities nudist cruise, was saved after a fellow passenger pounded on her guestroom door, allegedly scaring off Pujayasa who claims to have jumped to a lower balcony to escape. | The small blaze broke out on MS Westerdam about 5pm Saturday .
The Alaska-bound ship returned to Seattle as a precaution .
No one was injured . |
209,311 | 9b0a38d8e2105bebef41f85b5e57bf79c869963c | Liverpool host Swiss champions Basle at Anfield on Tuesday in a match that will decide their Champions League destiny. Win and the Reds will progress to the last 16, but anything less and their European campaign will be over by the second week of December. Here, Sportsmail looks at three reasons for Brendan Rodgers' men to be cheerful and three for them to be fearful... Liverpool stars including Steven Gerrard (centre) train ahead of Tuesday's key clash with Basle at Anfield . THREE REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL . OLYMPIACOS - Group stage (December 8, 2004) The game that launched the journey to glory in Istanbul. Steven Gerrard capped a great fightback with a stunning late goal to give Liverpool the 3-1 win needed to qualify. Florent Sinama-Pongolle and Neil Mellor scored the others. Steven Gerrard scores the final goal as Liverpool qualify for the second round after beating Roma 3-1 in 2004 . ROMA - Second group stage (March 19, 2002) Liverpool were in the same position as they are now - with four points after five games. Gerard Houllier was back in the dugout after heart surgery to see his side tear into the Italians and advance with a 2-0 win. Emile Heskey is overjoyed after scoring against Roma during the Reds' 2-0 victory in March 2002 . Manager Gerard Houllier (right) and his assistant Phil Thompson gives instructions during the game . SAINT-ETIENNE - Quarter-final (March 16, 1977) A forerunner for Anfield’s finest European nights. Kevin Keegan opened the scoring, Dominique Bathenay looked to have dashed dreams of a first European Cup but then Ray Kennedy and David Fairclough put Liverpool through. David Fairclough (second right) scores for Liverpool during a 3-1 victory over Saint-Etienne in March 1977 . A St-Etienne free-kick is partially blocked by the Liverpool wall in March 1977 . Fairclough (right) hits the winning goal during the victory for Liverpool which saw them progress . THREE REASONS TO BE FEARFUL . BENFICA - Last 16 (March 8, 2006) After Istanbul, a 1-0 first-leg deficit seemed a walk in the park but Benfica, helped by two disallowed goals for Liverpool, advanced thanks to clinical finishes from Simao Sabrosa and Fabrizio Miccoli. Gerrard (left) and Pepe Reina look distraught after the loss to Benfica in the last 16 in March 2006 . Benfica celebrate their victory at Anfield on March 8, 2006, which sent them through to the quarter-finals . NOTTINGHAM FOREST - First round (September 27, 1978) Commentator Gerald Sinstadt declared ‘the party was over’ for Liverpool after Bob Paisley’s side, who had won back-to-back European Cups, were beaten 2-0 by the team that had replaced them as English champions. AJAX - Second round (December 14, 1966) Having been blitzed 5-1 in Amsterdam, Bill Shankly made light of the task facing Liverpool in the return leg. A young Johan Cruyff, however, had other ideas. He stole the show with two goals to secure a 2-2 draw at Anfield. Ajax's Johan Cruyff (left) sent Bill Shankly's Liverpool side out of the European Cup in December 1966 . | Liverpool host Basle in Champions League at Anfield on Tuesday .
Reds must win to progress to last 16 of the competition .
Here, Sportsmail looks at three reasons for them to be cheerful and three for Brendan Rodgers' men to be fearful ahead of the clash . |
267,668 | e6a89242d1a3e5783db64145748886b4be5ea4da | (CNN) -- Vice President Joe Biden announced Wednesday that a deal has been reached with hospitals to help fund health care reform. Vice President Biden says "we can't wait" for health care reform. "We're here today to make our health care system healthy again," Biden said in announcing the agreement. Biden said the hospital industry has pledged to contribute $155 billion in Medicare and Medicaid savings in the next decade. "Hospitals have acknowledged that significant health care savings can be achieved by improving efficiencies, realigning incentives to emphasize quality care instead of quantity of procedures," Biden said. "In the last several weeks, they've been working with [Senate Finance Committee] Chairman [Max] Baucus and are coming forward with a proposal that produces real savings in federal health care spending. Savings that will be applied toward the president's firm goal ... of enacting health care reform that is deficit neutral." As the health care system becomes more efficient through technology and innovation, Biden said, increases in Medicare and Medicaid payments to hospital will slow and, as more people are insured, hospitals will bear less of the financial burden in caring for those without adequate coverage. "Today's announcement, I believe, represents the essential role hospitals play in making reform a reality. And the reality will be we must enact this reform this year," Biden said. "We must, and we will, enact reform by the end of August, and we can't wait." Biden was joined by Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and representatives of the hospital industry. The hospital deal follows Obama's announcement last month of an agreement reached with the nation's pharmaceutical industry to cut drug costs for elderly Americans, calling it an example of the kind of compromise required for successful national health care reform. That agreement discounts medications for Medicare beneficiaries facing high out-of-pocket expenses when their benefits reach a gap in coverage. Following Biden's announcement, House Minority Leader John Boehner accused the administration and Democrats of "bullying health care groups into cutting backroom deals to fund a government takeover of health care." "Democrats, Republicans, and health care stakeholders must work together on real reform to give Americans better access to affordable health care, but that's not happening in Washington," Boehner, R-Ohio, said in a statement. "It's time for Washington Democrats to abandon their 'go it alone' approach and work with Republicans on true reform that expands Americans' access to affordable health care," he said. | Deal with hospital industry will lead to $155 billion in savings, Biden says .
Biden says "we can't wait" for reform; says it will happen by August .
Obama last month announced deal with drug industry to cut costs for elderly .
Boehner says administration and Democrats are "bullying" groups into deals . |
214,938 | a2432f14d22135a69b4a5d8a14c41b2587e7b28e | A giant dog named Joker and a small pony called Tigger have become the best of friends thanks to the fact they are almost identical. The pair's friendship blossomed when their owner Ronnie Jones introduced them at her stables in Summercourt, Cornwall. Three-year-old Joker, a Harlequin Great Dane, has distinctive black and white markings which are very similar to the coat of Tigger - a miniature spotted stallion. Scroll down for video . Three-year-old Joker, a Harlequin Great Dane (left), and 15-year-old miniature spotted stallion Tigger (right) became best friends after being introduced by owner Ronnie Jones (centre) at her stables in Cornwall . The pair share similar black and white markings and since Tigger (left) is just 34 inches tall, the two animals measure up at about the same height. They are said to be inseparable and get taken on walks together . And since 15-year-old Tigger is just 34 inches tall, the two animals measure up at about the same height. Owner Ms Jones, 63, often takes them for walks together, putting them both on dog leads and parading them through her village. She said: 'It is such a pleasure for me to have two animals that get on so well - they're the best of friends - even if we do get some funny looks.' Despite the age gap, the pair have been inseparable since Ms Jones got Joker as a puppy. On walks, Joker sidles up to Tigger and the pair settle next to one another at Ms Jones's stable when she goes to muck out. When Ms Jones take Tigger to horse shows all over the country, Joker goes along for the ride and watches patiently from the sidelines. Owner Ms Jones, 63, often takes her animals for walks together, putting them both on dog leads and parading them through her village. She said: 'It is such a pleasure for me to have two animals that get on so well' Ms Jones said the animals became friends when she got Joker (right) as a puppy. She now lets them cuddle up to each other, play together and takes them on walks together. They are often mistaken for each other . Ms Jones, a sculpture, has owned Great Danes and horses for over 20 years. Tigger has previously been crowned Champion Miniature Stallion at the Horse of the Year show and Supreme Champion Miniature Horse at Rawlington National Horse Show. She said: 'It's adorable to see them next to each other - they snuggle when they're next to each other, and Joker goes in to kiss Tigger on the nose. 'But when they are out together they tend to get a lot of double takes. 'We regularly get people pulling out their camera phones to snap the phenomena of a horse and pony the same size strolling through the village. 'We once even have a lady pull up in her car at red lights, wind down her window to take a picture and then cause a traffic jam behind her because the lights had changed! 'But although they are real sweeties, it's important to remember that they are both energetic animals. Ms Jones said she often gets funny looks when she takes her two pets out for a walk in the Cornish village . Tigger (right) has previously been crowned Champion Miniature Stallion at the Horse of the Year show and Supreme Champion Miniature Horse at Rawlington National Horse Show. The two animals are inseperable . 'Great Danes are big and strong and need a lot of exercise - owners have to make sure they've got enough space to provide that for them. 'They are very powerful dogs, it's easy to rush in too quickly - I feel lucky that I can offer them a home in the countryside with plenty of room, for Joker as well as Tigger. 'Most of the Tigger and Joker are very well-behaved but I am very careful when we're out in the fields - I'd never want their gently playing to get out of hand and become a full-on chase. 'It's about being a responsible owner and understanding the needs of both animals.' | Three-year-old Harlequin Great Dane Joker is best friends with pony Tigger .
Miniature spotted stallion Tigger, 15, is the same height as her dog friend .
Pair owned by Ronnie Jones who walks them on leads in Cornish village .
The animals share similar black and white markings and are inseparable . |
122,631 | 2a7e84591ff94f134a364b5c99052250d18337b9 | (CNN) -- President Barack Obama's State of the Union address Tuesday night is likely to be the most important domestic speech that he gives during the rest of his presidency -- but not for the reasons commonly cited. Conventional wisdom holds that the address offers the president the biggest platform -- and audience -- he will have to lay out his agenda and priorities for the next four years. Environmentalists are eagerly awaiting his promises on regulation of existing coal-fired power plants, on the Keystone XL pipeline and on international climate negotiations. The anti-gun community wants to know if he will fight for an assault weapons ban. Latinos want to see how he will advance on immigration. And so on ... and on. These and other issues are significant and will feature heavily in post-address analysis. But at the end of the day, the transcendent issue -- at least for most Americans right now -- is whether the president will propel the economy forward by breaking the deadlock on the nation's fiscal mess. This State of the Union address is probably the last chance that Obama has to reignite serious negotiations over a "grand bargain." Absent some sort of breakthrough soon, we are heading toward a sequester (lots of automatic spending cuts in domestic and defense programs) in March. That will in turn set off new rounds of squabbling and the likelihood that for months if not years to come, the nation will careen from one mini-crisis to the next, failing to solve underlying problems. For Obama, economists from Paul Krugman to Larry Summers have argued for some time that jobs and growth would be best served by a two-stage process: new spending on infrastructure and the like in the near term (more stimulus) followed by iron-clad reductions in deficits over the long haul. Instead, Washington is inviting just the opposite: a round of spending cuts in the near followed by weak, inadequate reductions in deficits over the long haul. Both will be a drag on growth and jobs. Democrats argue that Republicans are to blame -- and clearly they deserve a great deal of criticism, especially for their obstructionism. But the day after the elections, Republican House Speaker John Boehner offered tax increases, a huge concession, and now it is the Democrats who seem less willing to make tough choices and strike a long-term bargain. Moreover, Obama is the only leader in Washington elected by all the people, and as president, he has prime responsibility for finding a path forward. What can he do in his State of the Union to achieve a breakthrough? Two suggestions: . First, he should make a forthright new offer to Republicans: In exchange for them calling off the sequester and agreeing to infrastructure investments, he will offer them a set of concrete steps he will support to bring Medicare and Social Security under control. In addition, he will name negotiators to work with Congress, starting this year, on tax and entitlement changes, and additional tax increases and spending cuts to put our house in order. Both sides will have to compromise further than they have so far on cherished commitments. Second, the president should commit to working with Republicans to create a new tone for their relationship. Instead of each side looking upon negotiations as "I win; you lose," the goal must be to create a "win-win." It is not necessary that each side like the other, but it is necessary that each side puts country first. Are these two steps hopelessly idealistic? Probably. If anything, all signs point in exactly the opposite direction. On substance, the president continues to say he would like a grand bargain but mostly on his terms, and he has done virtually nothing to fight for it. Indeed, in his inaugural, he seemed to step back from overhauling entitlements, portraying himself as chief defender of Medicare and Social Security. As the sequester approaches, he has offered a tactical set of small-bore proposals, not a strategic plan that would break the deadlock. Down deep, has he decided that he doesn't really care whether we solve the deficit mess on his watch -- that he accepts the liberal notion that it's a problem for 2020, not now? One wonders. On tone, the president has pivoted even more. Instead of the conciliatory Obama of the first term, we have seen a hard-nosed pugilist who paints Republicans as wackos ready to hurt senior citizens and starve children to protect the rich. It was discouraging to read Monday's lead article in Politico in which correspondent Glenn Thrush, citing Democrats in the White House and on the Hill, reported that Obama in his State of the Union will offer the GOP not an olive branch but a cattle prod. One Obama aide close to the drafting process quoted Sun Tzu: "Build your enemy a golden bridge on which to retreat." This is a team that wants a win-win negotiation over the deficits? The suspicion deepens that the Obama folks have secretly adopted a strategy of making Republicans look so extreme that they will be driven from power in 2014 and the president can then govern as he chooses in his final two years in office. For the country's sake, one hopes this suspicion is wrong. The window for achieving a grand bargain has been closing rapidly and could slam shut Tuesday night. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of David Gergen. | David Gergen: President Obama's State of the Union could be crucial for second term .
He says if Obama doesn't get GOP to the table, we could see high-stakes budget fight .
It would be a mistake for Democrats to think they can win by refusing to negotiate, he says .
He says Obama's shift in tone to more partisan approach is a big mistake . |
88,889 | fc49bfc4c04392b6faa5647c53a9628cdc39a034 | Manchester United are still exploring ways of bringing in Real Madrid's wantaway winger Angel Di Maria and his club-mate Sami Khedira. In more positive news for United fans, executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward is bullish about bringing in two more players before the transfer window closes. Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Thursday that both Di Maria and Khedira could leave. Di Maria has been target for United boss Louis van Gaal all summer while he knows Khedira from his time in Germany. VIDEO Scroll down to see Cristiano Ronaldo flick Angel di Maria the V in training . On the move? Manchester United could still acquire the skills of Sami Khedira (left) and Angel di Maria . Pair of aces: Angel Di Maria (left) and Sami Khedira are both on Manchester United's radar . Preparation: Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Pepe (right) train ahead of the Spanish Super Cup second leg . In action: Di Maria has been a target for Van Gaal all summer . Open offer: Carlo Ancelotti says ‘if Di Maria doesn’t find a solution for his future, we would welcome him back' Ancelotti said: ‘If Di Maria doesn’t find a solution for his future, we would happily welcome him back once the transfer market is over. ‘He asked to leave, he didn’t accept the proposal for the renewal of the contract. He’s a Real Madrid player and until August 31, as I’ve already said, anything can happen. ‘Khedira is a different situation. He’s not asked to go. He’s rejected an offer to renew, but has a year of contract. We’ll see what happens.’ These signings could appease United fans, who are growing angry with what they view as their club’s lacklustre approach to signing players and one faction is planning a demonstration at the home game with QPR next month. There is better news on the pitch as they will have striker Robin van Persie back in their squad for their Barclays Premier League game at Sunderland on Sunday after he returned to first-team training on Thursday. Getting ready: Carlo Ancelotti (left) and German midfielder Toni Kroos during training . Return: Robin van Persie has returned to full training and enjoyed playing alongside with captain Wayne Rooney . Practice: The Dutchman trained as United prepared to face Sunderland on Sunday in the Premier League . The main man: Van Persie's return could be the inspiration the struggling United team needs . Captain's orders: New skipper Rooney puts an arm on striker Van Persie in training on Thursday . It’s not too late to play MailOnline Fantasy Football… there’s £1,000 to be won EVERY WEEK by the highest-scoring manager . Van Persie has not played for new manager Van Gaal yet after being given extra time to get fit in the wake of his journey to the last four of the World Cup in July. But after training the striker revealed he is ready to play. ‘Good training session done this morning,’ he said on Twitter. ‘Looking forward to Sunday.’ Van Persie was overlooked for the United captaincy by Van Gaal, even though the two men are close and the 31-year-old was his manager’s skipper during the World Cup. However, Van Persie is crucial to United’s hopes of success this season and if he thinks he is fit enough Van Gaal will team him up with captain Wayne Rooney against Sunderland. Van Gaal will hand a debut to defender Marcos Rojo on Sunday.The 24-year-old trained with his new team-mates on Thursday and is expected to play on the left of Van Gaal’s defensive three. ‘It is an honour for me to now say that I play for Manchester United,’ said Rojo on Thursday night. ‘I am young and am very keen to continue to learn the game, so playing for such an experienced technical coach as Louis van Gaal is a fantastic opportunity for me. I have joined United to work hard with my team-mates to win trophies and I know the manager shares that ambition.’ New: Van Gaal will hand a debut to defender Marcos Rojo on Sunday after the 24-year-old trained . Pointers: New-signing Rojo says 'it is an honour for me to now say that I play for Manchester United' United were missing nine players when they lost to Swansea at Old Trafford last Saturday. On Thursday they welcomed Jonny Evans and Antonio Valencia back to training, who should help to ease the defensive burden this weekend. Further tests on Marouane Fellaini’s ankle have revealed no real ligament damage, so United hope to move the Belgian on this month. Meanwhile, Sunderland keeper Vito Mannone, the penalty shootout hero as the Black Cats beat United to reach the Capital One Cup final last January, is out to heap more misery on Van Gaal. Mannone said: ‘I believe we can win. In the Premier League I don’t think the difference is that massive. We need to play our game and get a result again.’ You can Like our dedicated Manchester United Facebook page here. | United looking at luring Di Maria and Khedira to Old Trafford .
Ed Woodward confident of luring two more players to United .
Di Maria and Khedira have been told they can leave Real Madrid .
Real coach Carlo Ancelotti: ‘If Di Maria doesn’t find a solution for his future, we would happily welcome him back once the transfer market is over'
United fans angry over club's lacklustre transfer policy .
One group planning a demonstration before home match against QPR .
Robin van Persie returns to training ahead of Sunderland match on Sunday . |
104,841 | 13439fdd21973b1baefb6dea767a8b3496057d8e | (CNN) -- He's still a teenager, but Wilfredo Vasquez has already seen plenty in his life. His story begins in Anamoros, a city in southeastern El Salvador. At 16, alone, living in poverty, threatened by violent gangs in his neighborhood and practically abandoned by his parents, Vasquez decided to leave everything behind and migrate to the United States. "If you didn't join the gangs, they would kill you," Vasquez says, "and I didn't want to join because I knew if I did it, I could die very soon." By the time he left, he had managed to save $100. Vasquez traveled by bus through Guatemala and crossed the Suchiate River illegally into Mexico. He then boarded a bus for the U.S. border. At one point, he says he was detained by Mexican soldiers and questioned. His Salvadoran accent betrayed him, but somehow he was let go. It took the teenager two weeks to get to the Texas border, eating at bus stations and sleeping wherever he could. Crossroads of hope and fear: Stories from a desert bus station . With the help of older immigrants, Vasquez says he swam across the Rio Grande, reaching Texas and American soil for the first time. His only belongings were the clothes he was wearing and a few dollars in his pocket. He was detained by immigration authorities near Houston and sent to a detention center where he would spend three months before being released to the custody of a relative living in Georgia. Vasquez is now a permanent resident in the United States, thanks to a little-known immigration law that helps undocumented minors arriving alone in this country. The law, officially known as Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, was first enacted by Congress in 1990. In 2008, that law was expanded and reauthorized under new legislation. According to the Department of Homeland Security, "the purpose of the SIJ program is to help foreign children in the United States who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected." Minors who are approved can live and work permanently in the United States. White House to spend millions to curb undocumented children . Rebeca Salmon is an immigration attorney and the executive director of Access to Law, an organization that provides low-cost legal services. Salmon says that applying for this immigration benefit is difficult because you have to prove your case at the state and federal level. "Not every kid that applies gets to stay. Not every kid who enters can even apply. You have to be abandoned, abused and neglected. You have to be without your parents. There are minimum requirements, but then there's also the rigorous process of immigration, so not every kid gets to stay," Salmon said. Tens of thousands of unaccompanied minors have arrived to the United States this year, mainly from Central America. But Salmon says very few can actually qualify for this immigration benefit, unlike Vasquez, who was able to prove he was the victim of abuse, abandonment or neglect. "If that's the only message you get out through this, please make sure that's clear. If you send your kids here or kids come on their own, you're fleeing something in your country, every case is different and every case is difficult," Salmon said. Daniel's journey: How thousands of children are creating a crisis in America . She estimates that only about 10% of the estimated 60,000 children who have migrated to the United States in the last year alone are eligible for this immigration benefit, and of those, only a fraction can actually prove their case in court. The rest will be deported, she says. 'I didn't know I was undocumented' Those minors who qualify under this provision of the law and get approval can obtain a green card, which allows them to stay in this country and have legal status in the United States. They can then apply for citizenship after five years of living here if they have not committed any crimes, have learned English and can demonstrate a basic level of knowledge of American history and government. Vasquez turned 18 earlier this year. He's learning English in high school and getting good grades. "My dream is to graduate from high school and then go to college because I want to be a doctor," Vasquez said, quite an improvement for a young man whose goal as a child was merely to stay alive. Vargas: Undocumented and hiding in plain sight . Opinion: Undocumented fed up with partisan politics . Opinion: How we can help kids crossing at the border . | The Special Immigrant Juvenile Status was first enacted by Congress in 1990 .
Wilfredo Vasquez, a teenager from El Salvador, has benefited from the law .
Living alone at 16, he fled gang violence and intimidation .
Immigration attorney said it's difficult for the children to make their case . |
212,967 | 9fc9dc5194ce97e6f63338ca7f8e4cb85a0c0ad8 | Brendan Rodgers praised Mario Balotelli's attitude during his first Merseyside derby. The Italian, who had a Liver bird sculpted into his hair for the occasion, is yet to score a Barclays Premier League goal for the Reds and could not take advantage of a number of decent opportunities. Balotelli, who was pictured out in Manchester after the game, should have made it 2-0 moments after Steven Gerrard opened the scoring but he hit the bar from close range and Everton went on to secure a 1-1 draw through Phil Jagielka's stunning late strike. Mario Balotelli enjoyed a night out at Panacea and Club Liv with his minder in Manchester after the draw . Balotelli had a night out in Manchester after playing his part in Saturday's Merseyside derby draw . Mario Balotelli had a frustrating afternoon for Liverpool against Everton but didn't lose his temper at Anfield . Balotelli was sporting the double-denim look while his new haircut peaked out from under his hat . Balotelli was the subject of some pretty physical challenges - such as this one from Everton's John Stones . The Italian striker was willing to stick a foot in too, as shown her against Muhamed Besic . Balotelli has a reputation as a hot-head and was the target of a number of robust challenges but did not react and was heavily involved in the game. Rodgers said: 'He needs to focus on the game and I made that point beforehand. This is a game where emotions are high and it can be difficult. But you're going to be in with a greater chance to win as long as you've got 11 players on the field. 'And I think overall in his time here he's responded very, very well. I thought his work-rate was excellent. His pressure, his physique at the top end of the field for us was very good and he looked like he could get a goal. 'I was disappointed he didn't score but, as long as he's working well and working hard, he will get goals.' Brendan Rodgers was impressed watching on as his new £16million man led the line at Anfield . There were a number of impressive Liverpool performers, with Alberto Moreno, Gerrard, Jordan Henderon and Raheem Sterling all standing out along with boyhood Everton fan Adam Lallana. The midfielder was also making his Merseyside derby debut and would have opened the scoring early on but for a fine save from Tim Howard. Lallana was a constant thorn in Everton's side, and Rodgers said: 'I thought he was outstanding. 'To come into his first derby game and play with that quality and that intensity. And he played the whole game during the week against Middlesbrough, penalties and all, so to deliver that performance was great because it shows he's getting fitter and fitter with each game.' Adam Lallana was another who was praised by Rodgers as he led Liverpool in midfield . Balotelli missed a chance to double the lead before the equaliser but Rodgers says the goals will come . Everton boss Roberto Martinez sprang a surprise ahead of the game by naming veteran full-back Tony Hibbert in the starting line-up, with Seamus Coleman still not recovered from a head injury. It was the first time the 33-year-old had started a Premier League game for close to two years, and when Martinez deemed he had run out of legs he sent on 20-year-old Tyias Browning for his debut. The Spaniard praised both, saying: 'Tony played in the Capital One Cup and he played 90 minutes. Obviously it's a matter of having the match fitness. He's fully fit. He's been working really hard on the training ground and I think we needed his experience. Rodgers and Roberto Martinez - two of the Premier League's top young managers - watch on at Anfield . 'Seamus Coleman had a late fitness test, we gave him until the last second, and it was just the right opportunity for Tony to bring a bit of understanding, a bit of knowhow. 'Once he ran out of steam, Tyias Browning on his full debut showed incredible composure, great pace, phenomenal defending and I thought he gave us real penetration down that side. Between Tony and Tyias, they did a terrific job for us.' Browning has been at Everton since he was 10 and hopes he showed enough to earn more chances in the near future. Balotelli manages to see the funny side of an incident late in the game as Liverpool sought three points . 'It was more nerves than anything,' he said of his debut. 'It's a big game to come into. But I think I did well when I came on and it's a good result for us in the end. 'I was just pleased that the manager trusted me to do a job. It's been 10 years. Hopefully there's many more to come.' Tyias Browning made his debut for the Toffees, coming on as a substitute for veteran Tony Hibbert . The game had an unexpected denouement when centre-back Jagielka let fly from 25 yards with an unstoppable shot into the top corner. Browning admitted he was shocked to see Jagielka's effort arrow past Simon Mignolet, saying: 'I couldn't even celebrate. I didn't know what to do. I don't think Jags knew what he was doing either. 'He deserved it. He's helped the team a lot and I was happy for him.' Phil Jagielka stole the show on the day with this blistering 30-yard stoppage-time strike to level proceedings . | Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers was pleased with his signing's attitude .
Mario Balotelli has a bad reputation but was on his best behaviour .
Rodgers has backed his £16million striker to start scoring soon .
Balotelli is yet to score for Liverpool in the Premier League .
Adam Lallana was also praised by Rodgers after returning from injury .
Roberto Martinez was pleased with Tony Hibbert's contribution .
Tyias Browning says he doesn't think Phil Jagielka knew what he was doing when scoring his stoppage-time super strike .
Balotelli enjoyed a night out in Manchester after the derby draw . |
44,975 | 7ebfd63c63314ab632c37e29edbcc8fb00a90176 | By . Sally Lee . The Australian government has dedicated $89.9 million in the 2014 budget to continue the search for MH370 in the southern Indian Ocean. The money follows government fears the mammoth search effort could continue for another two years, with the current exhaustive operation failing to uncover any sign of the doomed plane. The government also announced that $27.9 million would be given to the Defence Department to pay for its activities up to June 30 2014 in searching for the lost aircraft. Another $2 million will be spent on the Joint Agency Coordination Centre, which was established on March 30 to oversee the hunt. Australian federal budget announced: Treasurer Joe Hockey included funding for the hunt of missing Malaysian Airline Flight MH370 on Tuesday . 'The government will provide up to $89.9 million over two years from 2013-14 as part of Australia's commitment to the search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370,' budget papers stated. 'Further funding of up to $60 million over two years from 2013-14 will be provided to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau for Australia's contribution to the next phase of the search.' The announcement follows news MH370 searchers have said electronic 'pings' initially thought to have come from missing Malaysian Airlines flight may not have emanated from the plane at all. A senior Australian naval officer said he 'increasingly suspects' some of the signals detected last month didn't come from the jetliner's black-box flight recorders, piling further doubts over the search effort. Australian naval Commander James Lybrand said of four 'pings' picked up by the U.S. Navy's Bluefin-21 autonomous underwater vehicle, two were too weak to have been from a man-made device. Scroll down for video . Sonar 'pings': U.S. Navy's Bluefin-21 autonomous underwater vehicle, that picked up the signals last month, is lowered into the Indian Ocean once more . Too . weak: A total of four signals, two on Saturday April 5 and two on Tuesday April 8, were detected by the Australian ship Ocean Shield in the . search for flight MH370. But two of them now appear to have been too weak to . have been from a man-made devic . Search teams picked up two signals on April 5 at a frequency of 33.5kHz before two more were received three days later at 27kHz. While both are significantly lower than the 37.5kHz frequency black box beacons are designed to emit, the April 5 signals are still possible, down perhaps to weakening batteries or the 'vagaries of deep-sea conditions'. Cmdr Lybrand, captain of the Ocean Shield vessel, said: 'As far as frequency goes, between 33 kHz and 27 kHz is a pretty large jump.' He did say the authorities still believe that the two April 5 signals, one of which was held for 2 hours and 20 minutes - are consistent with black-box locator beacons. Fresh doubts: Australian naval Commander James Lybrand said while both readings are significantly lower than the 37.5kHz frequency black box beacons are designed to emit, the April 5 signals are still possible, down perhaps to weakening batteries or the 'vagaries of deep-sea conditions' So what was it? Dolphins can produce echolocation signals of anywhere between 0.2kHz and 150kHz to obtain sonic information about their environment . Cmdr Lybrand did not give any clues as to what may have emitted the April 8 'pings' if they did not indeed come from MH370. Dolphins can produce echolocation signals of anywhere between 0.2kHz and 150kHz to obtain sonic information about their environment. Experts say dolphins' lower frequency vocalizations (between about 0.2 and 50kHz) are likely used in social communication while higher frequency clicks (40 to 150 kHz) are primarily used for spacial awareness. Days after the signals were detected, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said he was 'very confident' they were from the . black box on MH370. Embarrassing: Days after the signals were detected, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said he was 'very confident' they were from the black box on MH370 . 'We have very much narrowed down the search area...and we are very confident the signals are from the black box from MH370,' he said. 'We have a series of detections, some lasting for quite a long period of time. 'We're now getting to the stage from where the black box is starting to fade. We're hoping to get as much information as we can before the signal finally expires. 'I really don't want to give any more information than that at this stage...as a sign of respect to the Chinese people and their families.' | Budget to include $89.9 million to fund the long-term search for MH370 .
A further $27.9 million will be handed to Defence Department to cover the cost of the search so far .
Finally, $2 million to be spent on Joint Agency Coordination Centre, established March 30 to oversee the hunt for the missing plane .
Searchers now say 2 of 4 'pings' picked up 'too weak' to be man made .
Comes as satellite firm used in search for MH370 offers low-cost tracking system to prevent another flight disappearing .
Service to be offered to all commercial aircraft with Inmarsat satellite link .
That comprises virtually 100 percent of world's long haul commercial fleet .
Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 has now been missing for two months . |
162,797 | 5e80bd6a06c340dfc0a21ff1f5e00af56fb8caf1 | (CNN) -- A militia killed a ranger in a Democratic Republic of Congo park where authorities are trying to protect endangered gorillas threatened by civil war, the park said. Safari Kakule, a ranger at Virunga National Park, was killed Thursday in an attack by a militia, the park says. A Mai Mai militia attacked a ranger station in the Virunga National Park on Thursday night and killed ranger Safari Kakule, according to a news release from the park. Another ranger was wounded in the attack, and one of the rebels was captured, the statement said. The Mai Mai are community-based militias without specific political objectives, often involved in banditry and looting, the park statement said. "It is not clear why the group attacked [the ranger station] but the attack went on for several hours during Thursday night and the rangers were heavily outnumbered," the statement said. Seven rangers were at the station when the attack happened, according to the statement. That area of the park is home to an isolated population of 18 endangered Eastern Lowland gorillas. The park also is home to about 200 of the world's estimated 700 mountain gorillas, the park has said. The Virunga park's Web site said 15 additional rangers have been sent to the park, where they will be "strengthening the position, which we cannot abandon." "Because of the arrest that the rangers were able to make, we have several leads on the perpetrators of the attack, who will be brought to justice," a statement on the Web site said. More than 100 rangers returned to the park's gorilla sector late last year after hundreds of rangers fled the area in 2007 because of fighting involving ethnic Tutsi rebels, the Congolese army and militias. Rangers and scientists were out of contact with the park's endangered gorillas for more than a year until rangers returned late last year, the park said. | One ranger killed, another injured in attack by militia, park says .
One attacker captured; park says it doesn't know why rangers were attacked .
Park in Democratic Republic of Congo is home to endangered gorillas .
Rangers are trying to protect gorillas threatened by civil war . |
200,358 | 8f5abc995b5bf7f169b8d73150be6d33f7df5334 | By . Ben Spencer . and Ian Drury . and Luke Salkeld . Troops were on standby last night as Somerset was braced for more floods – and Environment Secretary Owen Paterson admitted it could take 20 years to solve the area’s problems. High winds, torrential rain and a tidal surge are expected to swamp coastal defences and swell already bursting rivers over the weekend. This will spell more misery for the Somerset Levels, which have been under water for a month. Water water everywhere: Major Ali Robnson and Sgt Leigh Robinson survey the flooded Somerset levels yesterday . More than 60 pumps are running at full power to drain an estimated 1.5million tons of water from the flooded area but more storms will only deepen the crisis, which has seen the Environment Agency accused of gross incompetence for failing to dredge clogged rivers that have burst their banks. Pat Flaherty, deputy chief executive of Somerset county council, said the Levels could be under water for weeks. The Ministry of Defence has sent three military planners – an Army major and captain and a lieutenant commander from the Royal Navy – to meet council chiefs to assess the disaster. Surveying the scene: OC Major Al Robinson, Sergeant Leigh Robinson and Tony Hurry of Somerset County Council look at a map in Burrowbridge . High up: The Ministry of Defence has sent three military planners ¿ an Army major and captain and a lieutenant commander from the Royal Navy ¿ to meet council chiefs to assess the disaster . Coming in: At first light, an advanced party of engineers rolled into the drowned villages to scope out the worst-affected areas and work out how to help them . Mr Paterson said last night after chairing a meeting of the Government’s Cobra emergency committee: ‘We established that we do need a proper 20-year plan to satisfactorily cover this very specialist part of the country. ‘It’s clear from our forecasts that there is further bad weather coming in, there will be heavy rain and that, combined with significant high spring tides around the coast, mean that I’m afraid there is real risk of flooding to properties.’ He reiterated David Cameron’s call for dredging to restart for the first time since 2005. The Prime Minister tried to seize control of the situation on Wednesday, calling for an end to the arguments that have held up action and insisting that dredging must go ahead. The Environment Agency has come in for severe criticism for stopping dredging in the mid-1990s. But David Jordan, operations director . at the quango, who earns more than £160,000 a year, told Sky News last . night: ‘People are trying to make this an Environment Agency-only . problem. On a recce: 24 commando driving in Burrowbridge, Somerset yesterday . Motoring on: Members of 24 Commando Engineer Regiment were carrying out reconnaissance to work out the lay of the land and to identify flooded areas . Getting through: Members of 24 Commando Engineer Regiment (54 Commando Squadron) drive through flood water in Burrowbridge, Somerset . Trouble ahead: A Nasa satellite image shows the huge storm over the Atlantic heading for the UK . ‘It is something which is shared by others and must be owned by others so we come to a collective and agreed way forward.’ His organisation has pledged only £350,000 to dredge the two key rivers in Somerset – the Parrett and Tone – an operation which will cost at least £4million. Yet it has been willing to spend £20million on a bird sanctuary on the Somerset coast. ‘We have a responsibility to ensure that the taxpayers’ money we are given to invest in reducing flood risk is spent to the best effect,’ Mr Jordan said. ‘We are committed to the dredging, we . have put money on the table and that won’t change. But it is also clear . that other parties need to pay their way too. ‘We . believe that even had the dredging taken place, we would still be . seeing very extensive flooding across the Somerset Levels and Moors.’ Mr Paterson said a plan would be in place within six weeks for a long-term approach to tackling flood risk in Somerset. ‘We . established quite quickly that we do need to dredge quite quickly the . two main rivers, we established that we do need a proper 20-year plan,’ he said. ‘I’ve given all the local agencies six weeks to come together with a definitive plan.’ Royal Marines from 40 Commando, based in nearby Taunton, are on standby to assist in the crisis as the fresh storms approach. Response team: Environment Agency staff lay sandbags to protect homes next to the River Parrett in Burrowbridge, Somerset . More trouble ahead: Environment Agency staff lay sandbags to protect homes next to the River Parrett in Burrowbridge, Somerset . A team of 30 Red Cross volunteers today used a Unimog rescue vehicle to deliver logs and coal to residents who are only able to leave their village by boat . Stranded locals on board a rescue boat are transported from the village of Muchelney in Somerset . A specialist Red Cross off-road vehicle trundles past two emergency personnel as it delivers fire wood to the village of Muchelney in Somerset . A Red Cross rescue vehicle delivers fire wood to residents in the village of Muchelney that has been cut off by flooding for weeks . They . are able to reach stranded communities with rigid inflatable boats or . amphibious landing craft. They are also preparing to fill sandbags, . ferry food, fuel and other supplies, and carry residents from flooded . homes. A unit of Royal Marines serving with 24 Commando Engineer Regiment, based in Chivenor, North Devon, was also dispatched to survey the damage. The fire brigade has brought in hovercraft and the Red Cross is using emergency teams to reach stranded flood victims, who are furious with the way the crisis has been handled. Heidi Brownsey, 27, a mother-of-three . from Langport, said: ‘When other countries have disasters our Government . is happy to fund them but when we are in our own disaster they don’t . seem to want to know or care. Somerset firemen set up a pumping station near flood water in Burrowbridge to divert water from a field into the River Parrot . Man the pumps: The Environment Agency has come in for severe criticism for stopping dredging in the mid-1990s . Help at hand: Coal and firewood being distributed by the Red Cross in Muchelney, Somerset . I don’t think anyone is going to be surprised that there is now all this debate about who is going to pay.’ Nigel Smith, whose home in Muchelney has been cut off since Christmas, said the issue of dredging was vital. ‘The dredging will help a little bit but that’s all we need – a little bit,’ he said. ‘Dredging would lower the flooding by an inch or two and that’s all we really need to save those people in the village that have flooded.’ | Army and Navy top brass meet council chiefs to assess the disaster .
Somerset Levels have now been under water for a month .
More bad weather will swell already .
bursting rivers over the weekend .
Pumps running at full .
power to drain an estimated 1.5million tons of water .
Environment Agency slammed for stopping dredging in the mid-1990s .
It now pledges only £350,000 of the £4m needed to dredge key rivers . |
109,288 | 18df22e60598173342b69a26d7e7118e226a9e47 | (CNN) -- The daughter of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. said Thursday that her brothers won't take King's Nobel Peace Prize and traveling Bible from her without a fight. Bernice King alleges her brothers Dexter King and Martin Luther King III want to sell the objects, and she told reporters that she won't stand by to let it happen. The slain civil rights icon's estate -- controlled by his sons -- filed a complaint in Fulton County Superior Court in Atlanta last week to force Bernice King to turn over the items. "Not on my watch," she said at Atlanta's Ebenezer Baptist Church, where her father preached. And to anyone who would shake their head at yet another court battle between the King siblings, Bernice has a message: . "I would appreciate it if you would refrain from grouping me with my brothers," she said. "They are my brothers, and I do love them. But we are different people, different perspective and different positions. And that should be respected." The complaint filed Friday says that King's heirs agreed in 1995 to give up their inheritance to the Estate of Martin Luther King Jr. Inc., but that Bernice King has "secreted and sequestered" the items in question. The estate wants the civil rights leader's 1964 Nobel Peace Prize and his traveling Bible, which was used by President Barack Obama when he was sworn in for his second term. Bernice King said Thursday that her brothers told her on January 20 that they wanted the items so they could sell them. The complaint does not mention the possibility of a sale, and CNN's attempts to contact the King brothers have been unsuccessful. "I stand here in (my father's) stead as biological and spiritual heir to say these items should never be sold to any person ... or any institution, because they are sacred," she said. "We have no right to sell our birthright, nor the birthright of (past and future) generations," she said. Before Obama used it during his second inauguration, the Bible was on display at The King Center in Atlanta, Bernice King told CNN Thursday. She is the center's CEO. She said she hopes to display it again, but for now is keeping it and the Nobel prize in a location she isn't disclosing. Her fight, she said, is not motivated by sibling rivalry, but by principal. And she said she hopes she and her brothers can reconcile. When a reporter asked where this would end, she answered: "That's the same question I ask God every day." This is not the first time the family has been at odds over King's legacy. Over the years, the siblings have sued and counter-sued one another. Bernice King and Martin Luther King III sued Dexter King in 2008, accusing him of converting "substantial funds from the estate's financial account at Bank of America" for his own use. They later agreed to a settlement and avoided a public trial. CNN's Dana Ford, Tristan Smith and Devon Sayers contributed to this report. | The civil rights leader's estate filed a complaint to force Bernice King to turn over the items .
She says her brothers want them to sell them .
"Not on my watch," she says .
The siblings have sued and countersued one another, including 2008 filing . |
30,803 | 57914be0c0106725960fe69693288b4bdd3931ba | Nicolas Anelka has been cleared to play for Mumbai City in Sunday's opening game of the Indian Super League. The former West Bromwich striker was banned for five games by the FA for his ‘quenelle’ gesture in December that was deemed anti-Semitic. But the Indians have allowed him to face Atletico de Kolkata after writing to FIFA for guidance but receiving no response. Nicolas Anelka, in training for Mumbai City, looks set to make his Indian Super League debut on Sunday . Anelka's 'quenelle' gesture caused controversy and saw the then-West Brom striker banned for five games . Kushal Das, general secretary of AIFF, said: ‘We asked FIFA about his ban, but since we have not heard, he can play.’ Initially the ex-Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City forward saw his ban cut from five games to three. The 35-year-old protested his innocence claiming it was merely an appreciation of French comedian Dieudonne M'bala M'bala who used the expression in his shows. On arriving as one of Mumbai's marquee players, the FA and had asked FIFA and the Indian Federation to uphold the ban. The former France international is a marquee player for Mumbai City under head coach Peter Reid . | Ex-West Brom striker banned for five games for controversial celebration .
When Anelka signed for Mumbai, FA asked for suspension to stand .
Originally reduced to three matches upon arriving at his new club .
But now Anelka looks set to play in the opening Indian Premier League game against Atletico de Kolkata on Sunday .
League chiefs say they haven't had guidance from FIFA on his suspension . |
266,702 | e5726f7e931d5fa4e33182a60be26ed5cd444dc5 | Police in California are asking for the public's help in finding a former member of the Harlem Globetrotters, 37-year-old Rico Omarr Harris, who went missing more than a week ago while driving to Seattle to visit his girlfriend. Harris was last heard from October 10 when he called his mother from the road to tell he was passing through Sacramento and was about to stop for breakfast and a nap. Three days later, Harris' black Nissan sedan was discovered abandoned 60 miles northwest of Sacramento in a remote park off State Route 16. The former basketball player was nowhere to be found. Scroll down for video . Missing: Rico Omarr Harris, 37, has been missing since October 10 when he set out on a road trip from Alhambra, California, to Seattle . On the move: He called his mother at 9.30am on October 10 to tell her he was driving through Sacramento . Player: The 37-year-old at one time was a member of the Harlem Globetrotters basketball squad . On Monday, Harris' mother Margaret Fernandez held a press conference to appeal for help in finding her son, KTLA reported. 'I miss my son,' a distraught Ms Fernandez told the assembled reporters. 'I'm very, very sad.' According to Yolo County's Sheriff's Office, Rico Harris got behind the wheel of his Nissan at around 1am on October 10 to embark on a 1,100-mile road trip from Alhambra, California, to Seattle. According to Harris' family, the 6-foot-9, 280-pound former Globetrotter was in the process of moving to the northwest to join his long-time girlfriend, Jennifer Song, and start a new job in sales. 'He's a very loving, charismatic… a gentle giant,' Ms Song told the station via Skype, adding that the two have been looking forward to getting married and starting a family together. According to Harris’ relatives, the 37-year-old man suffers from bipolar disorder. Good boyfriend: Harris (right) embarked on the 1,100-mile boyfriend to visit his long-time girlfriend, Jennifer Song (left), who lives in Seattle . Personal struggle: Relatives say the 37-year-old man suffers from bipolar disorder . High expectations: Harris was in the process of moving to Seattle to be with Ms Song . Clue: Harris' black Nissan sedan turned up in a remote park 60 miles northwest of Sacramento October 13 . Last stop: Harris' abandoned vehicle was found near Cache Creek in a county park off State Route 16 . This map shows Harris' point of departure in Alhambra, California, his intended final destination in Seattle, and the creek where his car was found abandoned . About nine hours into the drive, Mr Harris called his mother from the Sacramento area, and just before 11am he called his girlfriend and left her a voice-mail. He has not been heard from since. On October 13, a sheriff's deputy came upon Harris' vehicle parked at the Yolo County Regional Parks Lower Site near Cache Creek. When officials ran the Nissan's registration, they discovered that the car belonged to the missing man. A ground search of the surrounding area turned up Rico Harris' cell phone and a backpack with jumper cables. Deputies informed the missing man's family that his car battery has dead. Perfect couple: Song, pictured left and right, said they have been talking about getting married . The 6-foot-9, 280-pound ex-basketball player has been described by his loved ones as a 'gentle giant' “I feel that confident that we’re going to find him, that he’s going to come through, wherever he is,’ stepfather Charles Taylor told CBS Los Angeles. ‘I have to believe that. I have that kind of faith that we’re going to find him.’ Anyone with information on Rico Omarr Harris' whereabouts is being asked to call 530-668-5280. | Rico Omarr Harris, 37, set out on road trip from Alhambra, California, to Seattle at 1am October 10 .
He was last heard from at 9.30am that day when he called his mother from Sacramento .
Harris' black Nissan sedan was found abandoned in a park 60 miles northwest of Sacramento October 13; his cellphone was located nearby .
The car battery was dead and his backpack filled with jumper cables was found nearby .
Harris was in the process of moving to Seattle to join his girlfriend and to start a new job . |
259,919 | dc8accc2a1d8a9b3432e27020823a2437281f7a8 | The Church of England is embroiled in a row over proposals to sweep away laws that forbid a full Christian funeral to people who have taken their own lives. Most clergy now regard suicide with far more sympathy than when ‘self murder’ was still a crime, and the move will be seen as reflecting a growing acceptance as more Britons choose to end their lives in clinics such as Dignitas in Switzerland. But some critics within the Church say the reforms will ‘legalise’ suicide, which should still be regarded a serious sin. U-Turn: Most clergy now regard suicide with far more sympathy than when ‘self murder’ was still a crime . One senior member said: ‘The Church has always opposed suicide on the basis of the commandment Thou Shalt Not Kill, and that includes yourself.’ The move comes as Labour peer Lord Falconer’s Assisted Dying Bill, which says terminally-ill patients must make a ‘voluntary’ and ‘informed’ decision to end their lives before they can be helped to do so, faces further debate in the House of Lords later this month. Those to welcome the possible Church move include art critic Brian Sewell, who revealed in an article two years ago that he would be prepared to take his own life if he became very ill. Mr Sewell said: ‘One of the most unchristian things a church can do is to refuse a proper burial to those that commit suicide. It is one of those petty meannesses that date back centuries and the Church should give consideration to this and deal with it fairly promptly.’ Under centuries-old Church rules, it is technically illegal for clergy to use official funeral services to bury those who have ‘laid violent hands’ upon themselves, particularly while of ‘sound mind’, although in reality the law is almost universally ignored. Art critic Brian Sewell revealed in an article two years ago that he would be prepared to take his own life if he became very ill . The Church of England’s General Synod meets next month, when members will call for Canon law to be reformed so that clergy who use the Church’s rites to bury those who have taken their own life in any circumstances are no longer in breach of the law. Under the current Church law, Canon B38, clergy are supposed to use a modified funeral service for people who have taken their own lives while of sound mind when they killed themselves, to reflect the Church’s concerns about suicide. Labour peer Lord Falconer’s Assisted Dying Bill, says terminally-ill patients must make a ‘voluntary’ and ‘informed’ decision to end their lives . But no alternative service has ever been approved by Synod, despite several reports into the issue over the past 50 years, and the vast majority of the Synod is expected to support the proposed reforms. Leading the calls for reform, Canon Michael Parsons said many clergy were not even aware of what was an outdated law and were mainly concerned to treat the relatives and friends of the deceased with sensitivity. Canon Parsons, from Gloucester, said the change would bring the Church into line with what was now common practice and would help shed lingering perceptions that clergy were ‘hostile’ to those who feel compelled to take their own lives. One Briton a fortnight is now believed to end his or her life at the Dignitas clinic and for every one that travels abroad, ten terminally ill people are thought to take their lives in this country, according to supporters of the legislation. But former Government Minister Lord Tebbit, a vocal opponent of assisted suicide, said that by changing its laws the Church might suggest it had diluted its principles. He said: ‘The Church is in danger of getting into a muddle because we can take a merciful view of people who kill themselves while the balance of their mind is disturbed. ‘But we are now looking at cases in which people who appear to be quite sane want to take their own lives. The Church should think again.’ | Clergy now regard suicide with far more sympathy than before .
But some critics within the Church say the reforms will ‘legalise’ suicide .
It is illegal for clergy to use official funeral services to bury suicide victims .
But no alternative services have ever been approved by Synod . |
252,563 | d2dc4a71abe8a6469427a4874fb3e0295cbfd701 | The Christmas Truce of 1914 was a brief moment of humanity amid the horrors of the First World War. But when Tommies and German troops emerged from the trenches to shake hands and swap gifts in no man’s land, the festive goodwill clearly did not extend to the French, a newly discovered letter reveals. Lance Corporal William Loasby tells how a shared contempt for Britain’s Gallic ally in the Great War helped the opposing sides briefly find common ground when they met, with one German officer even remarking: ‘Ten Frenchman don’t make an Englishman.’ Scroll down for video . Living history: A letter written by the soldier who sparked the famous 1914 Christmas Day Truce between the German and British soldiers has been sold for £20,000 at auction. Pictured is auctioneer Richard Westwood-Brookes holding the letter written by Lance Corporal Willie Loasby . The eight-page pencilled note was sent by Lance Corporal Willie Loasby of the 2nd Northamptonshire Regiment to his mother on December 27, 1914 . Willie Loasby was probably shot by someone he was fraternising with on Christmas Day . Soldiers emerged from their trenches along parts of the Western Front and met each other in no man's land on December 25, 1914 . In his letter to his mother, Lance Corporal Loasby, 25, of the 2nd Northamptonshire Regiment, tells how he and a comrade met two Germans between their trenches, which were just 40 yards apart. One of the Germans was an officer who shook hands, then asked in English: ‘Are you all English in front there, and no French?’ Lance Corporal Loasby wrote: ‘I answered, “All English, no French”. He replied, “I thought so”. Then he said, “Ten Frenchman don’t make an Englishman”. I thought, “Compliments”. ‘He weighed me up and down. Gave me six cigars, some chocolate, shook hands again and turned about, went back to his trench.’ The letter is expected to fetch up to £20,000 when it is sold at auction in March. Lance Corporal Loasby describes the Christmas event as ‘a remarkable experience… unbelievable I should say, had it happened to anyone else’. But in the letter, dated December 27, 1914, he adds: ‘We are at each others’ throats again now.’ The letter was discovered by a collector who bought it unwittingly in a house clearance sale, historical documents expert Richard Westwood Brookes of auctioneers Mullock’s said yesterday. Lance Corporal Loasby tells how his meeting with the officer came after an earlier encounter with another German in no man’s land on Christmas Eve. He asked if the British would stop firing on Christmas Day and Boxing Day so the Germans could bury their dead. British and German troops hold a temporary truce on Christmas Day 1914 during World War One . Humanity: The fraternising of troops in Belgium on Christmas Day 1914. Group of German soldiers with two English soldiers, one in great coat (left) and one in rear wearing a balaclava . An image of the 2nd Northamptonshire Regiment which was the regiment of Lance Corporal Willie Loasby . The 2nd Northamptonshire Regiment. L/Cpl Loasby was buried in Guards Cemetery near a small French village called Cuinchy and his name appears on a war memorial in Kettering, Northamptonshir . ‘I asked my officer about the two days Armistice he wanted but no, he could not give it. But we would not fire unless we had orders otherwise on Xmas day,’ the letter adds. Lance Corporal Loasby is believed to have died just two weeks after writing the letter. He was buried in Guards Cemetery near the French village of Cuinchy. His name appears on a war memorial in Kettering, Northamptonshire. The letter’s insight into the reality of the events of the 1914 truce is a contrast to the rather idealised vision of life in the trenches depicted in Sainsbury’s Christmas TV ad. The ad has attracted more than 700 complaints, mainly from those who feel it is ‘distasteful’ to use war to sell groceries. The Duke of Cambridge, who was joined by England manager Roy Hodgson, said the story was a 'message of hope and humanity'. He added: 'Football had the power to bring people together and break down barriers. It is vital that 100 years on we keep the Christmas truce story alive. 'For future generations this memorial will help ensure that not just football, but also a nation, remembers.' Supermarket giant Sainsbury's has also made it the centrepiece of its Christmas ad campaign this year. 'On Thursday afternoon day before Xmas we stood shouting at the Germans in English (we can speak no German). 'They answered by calling us English Pigs and something a bit worse, well things went on like that for some time and matters improved and we asked them if they thought their people were in London. 'This happened in the section of trench I was in charge of between myself and a couple of men of my section. The Germans only being 40 yards away and we being nearer than at any other part of the line around here. 'Well the fellow next to me asked the German to stand right up, saying he would not shoot. The German did, then I asked him to come out of the trench and meet one of us half way and talk. 'He hesitated, but I assured him we would not shoot, if his fellows would not and to prove we meant it we stepped out of the trench and walked across towards them, all eyes were now watching this (the fellow I have just mentioned took our last loaf of bread the only one we had between about 10 of us, and gave it to the German, biting a bit off at the same time to let him know we had not poisoned it. 'Well everyone was now clapping both British and German and the Germans also shouted 'Brave English'. I walked across to my man and shook hands, I asked him how he liked it. 'Terrible, I wish I was back in Germany (in Good English!). 'I said, are you losing many men. He said 'yes & could I make arrangements with my officer commanding to have Xmas day and Boxing to bury their dead and not firing. I said I would ask for him. 'I wanted a souvenir so I took my knife out of my pocket and he let me cut a button from his coat. I could only give him a few dirty old biscuits from my pocket...on Xmas day I called up my friend the German and we met again halfway. 'Now out steps a German officer and comes up to me. The officer says, after shaking hands and in Good English 'Are you all English in front there and no French'. I answered, 'All English, no French.' He replied, 'I thought so', then said 'Ten Frenchman don't make an Englishman'. I thought: 'Compliments'. 'He weighed me up and down, gave me six cigars, some chocolate, shook hands again and turned about, went back to his trench. The other chap gave me a knife as a souvenir. 'I said jokingly if he would play us a game of football. He said 'yes' then I got called in again and we were soon banging away at them again. 'But what makes it so strange to me is on each side of us they were still fighting and an officer who ordered his men to fire volleys into them when they were asking to speak had his head blown off a few hours afterwards. 'Of course we have had to forget all about that now we are at each others' throats again...' | Lance Corporal Willie Loasby instigated the remarkable act of humanity .
He described how the soldiers were trading insults across No Man's Land .
Soldier said they were calling us 'English pigs and something a bit worse'
But the 25-year-old says they then made jokes about the French .
A German officer said: 'Ten Frenchman don't make an Englishman'
They eventually exchanged gifts and the remarkable armistice began . |
48,849 | 89e746ae9f7306f8244a6cbbf20a134e6f587bd5 | By . Sarah Griffiths . PUBLISHED: . 10:01 EST, 11 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 13:25 EST, 11 October 2013 . He solved one of the biggest mysteries in the universe, but nobody knew the whereabouts of Peter Higgs - the scientist who first predicted the existence of the ‘God particle’ - at the time when he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences could not raise him on the phone before making the announcement, and said he had gone ‘into hiding’. But now the famous physicist has revealed that he found out that he had won the award when a woman stopped to congratulate him in the street. Professor Higgs said a former neighbour got out of her car in Edinburgh as he was returning from lunch and told him the good news. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences couldn't contact Peter Higgs (pictured) on the phone before making the Nobel announcement and said he had gone ¿into hiding¿. But speaking at the University of Edinburgh, Professor Higgs said a former neighbour got out of her car in Edinburgh to tell him the good news . Speaking at a press conference at the University of Edinburgh, Professor Higgs said: 'She congratulated me on the news and I said "Oh, what news?" 'She told me her daughter phoned from London to alert her to the fact I had got this prize. I heard more about it obviously when I got home and started reading the messages.' Professor Higgs was recognised by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences for his work on the theory of the particle which shares his name, the Higgs boson. The existence of the so-called 'God . particle,' said to give matter its substance or mass, was proved 50 . years on by a team from Cern, the European nuclear research facility in . Geneva, Switzerland, in 2012. Colleagues . had told journalists that the self-effacing 84-year-old, who has not . been well lately, had gone hiking in the Scottish Highlands to avoid the . ‘storm’ of interest at the time the prize was announced. Finally proved: Professor Higgs wiped away a tear as scientists at the Large Hadron Collider first claimed to have discovered the Higgs boson. But the 84-year-old went hiking in the Scottish Highlands to avoid the 'storm' of interest in the Nobel Prize . Born in Newcastle in 1929, the son of a BBC sound engineer, Peter Higgs was a gifted pupil at Bristol’s Cotham Grammar where he won many prizes – although none for physics. He chose to study at King’s College London, after rejecting Oxford and Cambridge as the choice of the ‘idle rich’, and gained a first-class honours degree in 1950. He was a young lecturer at Edinburgh University in 1964 when he dreamed up the particle that would make him famous. Along with two other groups of scientists who were working independently, he came up with an explanation of how the most basic building blocks of the universe gain mass. The theory states that the cosmos is pervaded by an invisible field that confers mass on particles as they pass through it. Unlike the other scientists of the time, Professor Higgs also forecast the field was made up of countless tiny particles – Higgs bosons, or God particles. The theory was not universally accepted and one of his papers was rejected for publication because it was ‘of no obvious relevance to physics’. But by the 1980s, the hunt for the Higgs boson was on in earnest and last year, almost 50 years after Professor Higgs predicted its existence, scientists at the Large Hadron Collider found it. Giving his reaction to receiving the prize for the first time, at the university where as a young lecturer in 1964, he dreamed up the particle that would make him famous, he said: 'How do I feel? Well, obviously I’m delighted and rather relieved in a sense that it’s all over. It’s been a long time coming.' An old friend told him he had been nominated as far back as 1980, he explained. Professor Higgs said he had been having lunch in Leith in the Scottish capital when the announcement was made on Tuesday. Describing the low-key way he learned of the prize, he told the assembled press he was walking up Heriot Row in the New Town when the former neighbour spoke to him. But there will be a champagne celebration with family this evening. 'There was a celebration with a group of us last night after a lecture by Frank Close - that was a start,' he said. 'I shall be celebrating with my family with the help of a bottle or two of champagne early this evening. 'It hasn’t been possible to get us all together before that.' Professor Higgs, who shares this . year’s prize with Francois Englert of Belgium, joins the ranks of past . Nobel winners including Marie Curie and Albert Einstein. The 84-year-old is an emeritus professor at the University of Edinburgh. The . Higgs-Englert award recognises the 'theoretical discovery of a . mechanism that contributes to our understanding of the origin of mass of . subatomic particles'. That mechanism predicted the existence of the Higgs boson, which enables particles to acquire mass. Its discovery is of huge significance to . the theory that enables scientists to understand the physical universe, . known as the Standard Model of Physics. Professor Higgs (pictured right), who shares this year's prize with Francois Englert of Belgium (left), joins the ranks of past Nobel winners including Marie Curie and Albert Einstein. The 84-year-old is an emeritus professor at the University of Edinburgh . Professor Higgs established the concept of the 'God particle' while working as a lecturer in 1964. He wrote two scientific papers on his theory and was eventually published in the Physical Review Letters journal, sparking a hunt for the elusive particle. Other researchers, including Professor . Englert, were also working separately on the same idea as Professor . Higgs and published papers around the same time. Large Hadron Collider: The magnet core of the world's largest superconducting solenoid magnet in Cern . A . new particle 'consistent' with the Higgs boson was discovered last year . by a team at the Large Hadron Collider at Cern, the European . Organisation for Nuclear Research, near Geneva. Professor . Higgs said he celebrated on the return flight from Cern last year with a . bottle of London Pride beer, which he was presented with during today’s . press conference. He said: 'I think I face the immediate . future with some foreboding because having experienced the wave of . attention which followed the announcement at Cern in July 2012, I . anticipated that this last announcement will trigger an order of . magnitude of more attention. 'I think I am going to have difficulty in the next few months having any of my life to myself. 'I should remind you that although only two of us have shared this prize, Francois Englert of Brussels and myself, that the work in 1964 involved three groups of people, (including) two in Brussels. 'Unfortunately Robert Brout died a few years ago so is no longer able to be awarded the prize, but he would certainly have been one of the winners if he had still be alive. 'But there were three others who also contributed and it is already difficult to allocate the credit amongst the theorists. 'Although a lot of people seem to think I did all this single-handed, it was actually part of a theoretical programme which had been started in 1960.' Professor Higgs was made a Companion of Honour in the New Year Honours list and the Higgs Prize has been set up by the Scottish Government to recognise school pupils who excel in physics. He was joined at today’s event by Edinburgh University principal Professor Sir Timothy O’Shea and Dr Victoria Martin, a reader in the School of Physics and Astronomy who works with Cern and is a former student of Prof Higgs. | Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences .
couldn't contact Peter Higgs on the phone before making the announcement, and said .
he had gone ‘into hiding’
Speaking at the University of Edinburgh, Professor Higgs said a former neighbour got out of her car in Edinburgh to tell him the good news .
The physicist said he is delighted and 'rather relieved' that the award giving is over, as it had been 'a long time coming'
He said he would celebrate with my family and a bottle of champagne this evening . |
113,472 | 1e7300d93d9b89c66e781e2e99a52cf1bc22ae26 | By . Emine Sinmaz . PUBLISHED: . 20:18 EST, 2 January 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 10:30 EST, 3 January 2013 . They reckon the average adult receives at least two unwanted presents at Christmas. So perhaps it should come as no surprise that thousands have ended up on auction websites over the last few days. What might be particularly upsetting for the giver, however, is that some of them haven’t even been unwrapped. A blind auction: One eBay seller has put her unwanted Christmas presents from her ex-boyfriend on eBay - still unwrapped . More than 3,000 rejected gifts from ex-partners, mother-in-laws, and other relatives have been listed on eBay since Christmas. Many of the items listed are unopened – which means those bidding on the goods are taking a gamble on what’s inside. Buying a surprise: Bidders for the unwrapped presents have to take a gamble on what's inside (pictured posed by model) One scorned lover listed seven neatly-wrapped presents from her ex-boyfriend in a three-day auction. ‘Came home from spending Christmas with my parents to find these left under my tree from my now ex-boyfriend, he also left his house key,’ eBay seller xjabekinsx posted. ‘7 unwanted, unopened Christmas presents. I want nothing to do with him or what he has to say or give me. More than likely the usual jewellery, perfume, make-up. ‘I know for sure one is from Debenhams as I saw the bag when he’d been shopping, feels like a clutch bag/purse of some sort. ‘Treat yourself to a surprise or a present for a friend/family member. My loss is your gain.’ Another woman listed three neatly-wrapped and unwanted gifts from an ex-partner in a blind auction. The eBay member, treasure*seaker, said: ‘It’s a one day auction as I just want them gone. I have no idea what’s in them but they are from a scumbag ex who thinks presents will win me over!!’ She added: ‘Needless to say, he’s wrong. Must have been wrapped by someone else as he’s not clever enough to have done them.’ Some cash-strapped users decided to flog secret Santa gifts to earn money. ‘Budget had to be under £20 but over £5,’ one user posted. ‘I have no idea what they contain only that they are for me.’ Case of the ex: One eBay seller has listed three Christmas presents from an ex-boyfriend that have not been opened in a Boxing Day clear out . | More than 3,000 rejected gifts have been listed on eBay since Christmas .
Some are unopened leaving bidders having to take a gamble on what’s inside . |
73,224 | cfa43a45f0f84dd139daeab6d468bda4a544791e | The Malaysian rifle shooter Nur Suryani Mohamed Taibi will be 34 weeks pregnant when she competes in the Olympic Games in London . In Olympic shooting competitions, every ounce of concentration is required at all times. But when Malaysian shooter Nur Suryani Mohamed Taibi takes aim with her rifle at the London Olympics, she’s unlikely to be bothered by whispers in the crowd, the screech of a bird or a mobile phone going off. A kick at a crucial moment from her first child, however, and it could be a different story. The 29-year-old from Perak - situated 125 miles north of Malaysia's capital Kuala Lumpur - is due to give birth to her first child on September 2, less than a month after the Games end. She will be about 34 weeks pregnant when she fires her rounds in the 10m rifle event. And with her huge baby bump, she will certainly be the most conspicuous of the 390 shooters taking part in the competition at the Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich. She will not be the first pregnant athlete to compete in the Olympics, but never before has a competitor been so close to the due date. Nur Suryani touched down in London yesterday with her husband Marhazli Mohtar, a policeman. While he has been supportive of her London 2012 aspirations, friends and her national Olympic committee weren’t so sure. ‘Most people said I was crazy and selfish because they think I am jeopardising my baby’s health,’ she said. ‘My husband said grab it as this is a rare chance which may not come again. Also, I am the mother. I know what I can do. I am a stubborn person. ‘They [the Malaysian National Olympic Committee] wanted to send me to London early because they are afraid, but what I hear from Malaysian airlines is that it is not recommended to travel for a pregnant woman from 35 weeks.’ Nur Suryani in action in a competition in Subang, Malaysia . Nur Suryani Mohamed Taibi carries her equipment after a practice session at the Royal Artillery Barracks . Nur Suryani is currently ranked 47th in the world and is a former Commonwealth Games gold medallist . After the Olympics have finished, she won’t have to . wait too much longer to welcome her daughter, who will be named Dayana . Widyan, in to the world. And . it could be a double celebration if Nur Suryani gets on the Olympic . podium. She is currently ranked 47th in the world and is a former . Commonwealth Games gold medallist, partnering Nur Ayuni Farhana Halim in . the air rifle pairs at the 2010 Games in New Delhi. In . November last year, she won two gold medals in the Southeast Asian . Games in the 10 metre air rifle and 50m rifle three position. She . achieved the Olympic qualifying marks in both disciplines in January at . the Asian Champions event in Qatar, days after finding out she was to . become a mum, but her pregnancy will limit her to just the 10m event. Understandably, Nur Suryani has had to adjust her stance to take part in the event. Some rifle shooting disciplines involve lying on your stomach as one of three positions from which to shoot. 'Yeah, I cannot do a prone position with this big stomach,' she said. 'At first yes, I was disappointed not to compete in that one (three position) but when I think back, this is still a great opportunity. ‘I . will talk to the baby before I compete: ‘No kicking, stay calm for one . hour and 15 minutes only please. But if the baby kicks I have to breathe . easy and let her calm down before shooting.’ But she is unfazed by the challenge, having been comfortable in what many would perceive as a 'man's sport' since the age of 15. 'I like a rough job like that, not something girlie or feminine, I don't . like those types of sports so I tried and its been ok.' | Nur Suryani Mohamed Taibi will be 34 weeks pregnant when she competes in 10m rifle shooting event in London .
29-year-old from Perak is due to give birth on September 2 .
Don't forget to pick up your copy of today's Daily Mail for .
your guide to the Olympics. |
63,749 | b503129c02ba0b405f5bb1496b55e27f252232d0 | (CNN) -- Japan deployed missile-defense systems at three sites around Tokyo early Tuesday ahead of a possible missile launch by North Korea, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said. The Patriot missile batteries were set up in the central district of Ichigaya and in the suburbs of Asaka and Narashino, Suga told reporters Tuesday. The deployments come as U.S. and South Korean officials warn Pyongyang could be preparing for another provocative move after weeks of belligerent rhetoric. Suga had said Monday that the Japanese government would not publicize any missile-defense deployment, saying "It would show our strategy to North Korea." The comments came a day after North Korea said it would pull out all its workers and temporarily suspend operations at the industrial complex it jointly operates with the South, the latest sign of deteriorating relations on the Korean Peninsula. The North said it would also consider permanently closing down the Kaesong Industrial Complex, a shared manufacturing zone that is the last major symbol of cooperation between the two countries. On Tuesday morning, the South Korean Unification Ministry said North Korean workers hadn't so far reported for work. The deteriorating situation in Kaesong came after the South Korean government had briefly caused concern about the prospect of a new North Korean nuclear test. South Korea's Unification Minister Ryoo Kihl-jae's office clarified his earlier statements in the day about North Korea's nuclear test plans by saying the North had been "continuously preparing" for another nuclear test since February, and that there hadn't been any new signs. There was some confusion that earlier comments may have suggested new information indicating the North's nuclear test plans -- something that could have ratcheted up tensions with North Korea. The minister's office made clear that this was not his intended meaning. Opinion: An accident, then war with North Korea? But the crisis at the joint industrial complex provided a tangible sign of the North's provocative stance. In a statement carried by the official North Korean news agency, Kim Yang Gon, secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, accused the South of seeking "to turn the zone into a hotbed of war" against the North. Pyongyang was already preventing South Korean workers and managers from entering the complex, which sits on the North's side of the militarily fortified border, and threatened to shut it down entirely amid its recent stream of verbal broadsides against Seoul and Washington. The South Korean Unification Ministry wasn't immediately able to confirm whether the North had actually begun withdrawing its more than 50,000 workers from Kaesong yet. If Pyongyang follows through on its declaration, the move could be financially costly, since Kaesong is considered to be an important source of hard currency for Kim Jong Un's isolated regime. The ban on the entry into the zone of new workers and trucks was already putting a strain on personnel and supplies for the scores of South Korean companies operating there, prompting more than 10 of them to cease production. Does North Korea think U.S. going soft? A torrent of threats . North Korea has issued a catalog of alarming threats against the South and the United States in the past several weeks, sharpening its rhetoric after the U.N. Security Council imposed stricter sanctions for Pyongyang's latest underground nuclear test, which took place it February. The strong words have put the region on edge. Seoul said Sunday that it believed Pyongyang could conduct a missile test this week after recently moving the necessary components to the coast. Analysts had said at the time of the February nuclear test that the North might follow up with another detonation soon afterward as it tries to push forward its nuclear program that it says it needs as a deterrent to protect it from the United States. Explore more on North Korea . A delicate situation . The North rattled the region last week by saying it would restart a shuttered nuclear reactor and block South Koreans from entering the Kaesong complex. Reports then emerged late in the week suggesting the North had loaded as many as two medium-range missiles onto mobile launchers on the east coast ahead of a possible test firing. And the South Korean president's office said Sunday it believed a missile launch could happen around Wednesday. The North frayed nerves further by warning foreign diplomats inside the country that if war breaks out, it cannot guarantee their safety. The string of troubling announcements from Pyongyang followed weeks of menacing rhetoric, which included the threat of a nuclear strike on South Korea and the United States. Observers say they believe North Korea is still years away from having an operational nuclear missile, but they note it does have conventional weapons that pose a threat to countries in the region like South Korea and Japan, both of which are home to thousands of U.S. troops. North Korea: Who's in the crosshairs? Sanctions and drills . The escalation in verbal threats from the North coincided with the tougher U.N. sanctions last month and the annual joint military exercises in South Korea by U.S. and South Korean forces, drills that have aggravated Pyongyang in previous years. The United States initially responded to the North's invective by publicly drawing attention to its shows of military force in the training exercises, including the flight of nuclear-capable B-2 stealth bombers over South Korea. But when those moves appeared to further infuriate rather than intimidate Pyongyang, raising worries that they increased the risk of a miscalculation in the crisis, Washington dialed back the displays of strength. On Saturday, a senior U.S. Department of Defense official said a long-planned missile test in California, scheduled for Tuesday, was being delayed to avoid any misperceptions by North Korea. And in a sign of the delicate situation in the region, Gen. James Thurman, the top U.S. commander in South Korea, canceled a trip to Washington this week "as a prudent measure," a U.S. military spokesman said Sunday. Thurman was due to testify before the Senate Armed Services Committee and the House Armed Services Committee. Possible explanations . Analysts have attempted to explain the North's unnerving behavior by suggesting it may be an effort by Kim, who inherited power from his father less than a year and a half ago, to shore up domestic support, particularly with the military. Another theory is that Pyongyang is trying to secure direct negotiations with Washington, something the United States has long shunned in favor of multilateral talks. The North Korean regime's recent words and actions appear to be increasingly troubling its key ally, China. The new Chinese President Xi Jinping, appeared to make an unusual veiled rebuke of North Korea on Sunday. "Countries, whether big or small, strong or weak, rich or poor, should all contribute their share in maintaining and enhancing peace," Xi said at an international conference, the Chinese state-run news agency Xinhua reported. No one should be allowed to throw a region into chaos for selfish gains, he said, according to Xinhua. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, who will visit Asia this week, is expected to discuss potential diplomatic incentives for North Korea once it stops its threatening rhetoric, senior administration officials told CNN on condition of anonymity. "Secretary Kerry agrees that we have to have a robust deterrent because we really don't know what these guys will do," said one senior official, who was not authorized to speak on the issue. "But he also knows that the North Koreans need a diplomatic off-ramp and that they have to be able to see it." CNN's Yoko Wakatsuki, Tim Schwarz, K.J. Kwon, Judy Kwon, Ben Brumfield, Josh Levs, Chris Lawrence, Barbara Starr, Kyung Lah and Jim Clancy contributed to this report. | NEW: Japan deploys Patriot missile batteries around Tokyo .
Seoul said Sunday it believes a missile test could happen this week .
North Korea says it will halt activity at the Kaesong Industrial Complex .
South Korean Unification Ministry says no new signs of nuclear test preparations . |
105,601 | 142f246b898bfe288261b80e664385fc740ef023 | New York (CNN) -- Three men whose identities surfaced during New York's "Cannibal Cop" kidnap conspiracy investigation pleaded not guilty Thursday to their own conspiracy charges, federal prosecutors said. Michael Vanhise, Richard Meltz and Robert Christopher Asch entered not-guilty pleas to conspiracy to kidnap charges and remain in custody, according to Jerika Richardson, spokeswoman for the office of the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York. Vanhise was arrested in January after authorities uncovered e-mail conversations he had with New York police officer Gilberto Valle. In those online conversations, Vanhise agreed to pay Valle $5,000 to render a woman unconscious, stuff her into a suitcase and bring her to Vanhise's home in New Jersey, where she would be raped, according to authorities. Jury convicts New York cop in cannibal plot . Valle, whose attorneys argued in court that his online conversations were the product of "fantasy role-play," was convicted in March of conspiracy to kidnap and accessing a law enforcement database illegally. He will be sentenced in June. According to the complaint against the three men, authorities allege Vanhise engaged in a series of e-mail and instant messages with Asch and Meltz beginning in 2011 during which they discussed and planned in great detail the kidnapping, torture and murder of women. Police arrested Meltz, 65, and Asch, 60, last week on charges of conspiring to kidnap, torture, rape and kill women and children, according to a news release from the U.S. attorney's office. Meltz is the chief of police for a Department of Veterans Affairs medical center in Bedford, Massachusetts. Asch is a former New York City high school librarian who lives in New Jersey. According to prosecutors, an undercover FBI agent met with Asch April 15 to conduct surveillance of a kidnap target, who unbeknownst to Asch was an undercover female agent. During this meeting, Asch brought two bags of tools intended to be used in the kidnapping including a taser gun, rope, meat hammer, duct tape, gloves, cleaning supplies, zip ties, and a dental retractor, a wireless modem, and a leg spreader. Asch's attorney, Bradley Drew Simon, told CNN he did not have any comment. Vanhise's attorney, Alice L. Frontier, meanwhile, said "the evidence against Vanhise hasn't changed and he obviously maintains his innocence." Referring to the government's case against her client, Frontier said "they have little more than his words." "Obviously we are going to be filing motions seeking to dismiss the indictment; First Amendment grounds will be one of them," Frontier said Thursday. Meltz's attorney, Peter Bril, told CNN, "No matter what other defendants may have done, Mr. Meltz never took part in anything other than pure fantasy play, this was nothing more than his fantasy life ... He never had any intention in actually engaging in hurting another person." The next court conference in the case is scheduled for July 11, according to Richardson. | An attorney for one defendant says, "This was nothing more than his fantasy life"
Another defense attorney says motions will be filed on First Amendment grounds .
Feds say the 3 exchanged messages about kidnapping, torturing and killing women . |
177,050 | 712cbc6e4742f7ecb01c9d682d2bd9b106f7bba4 | (CNN) -- I am proud to be English. I am also proud to be British. In fact I define myself as a British European. This means I am happy to support England in football matches, support Team GB at the Olympic Games and support Europe in the Ryder Cup golf tournament. When you write this all down, it looks a little complicated, but in practice millions of people do this every year in the UK with no problem -- some supporting in the way I do, some supporting Scotland, others Wales, and so on. I love the vibrant, tolerant, diverse, confident, nation that the UK now is. In so many places I travel to in the world, people are struggling to find a way of working together, but we've developed this character and human skill over three centuries in our United Kingdom: It is a precious thing and worth standing up for. With just days to go, on September 18, Scotland will vote on whether it wants to stay in the United Kingdom family or leave to form a separate country. It's a huge decision, especially for those in Scotland but also for everyone in the rest of the UK. Whatever the result of the referendum, it will have a resounding impact on all of us -- how we see ourselves, our culture and our future. I feel it would be for more positive for Scotland to remain an important and integral part of the UK and I wanted to say so publicly. That's why I am happy to support the "Let's Stay Together" campaign to say to everyone in Scotland just how much we do appreciate them being part of the UK family. The campaign brings together a wide and diverse group of people from all walks of life -- both famous and not -- to show Scotland just how much we do care. The UK would feel a deep sense of loss if Scotland left Great Britain. You could ask, why should an English person have any views on this? Well as a member of the United Kingdom, I feel I have the viewpoint of a fellow UK family member. Also, I have performed in most major towns and cities across Scotland and I ran eight marathons through Scotland holding the Saltire, the flag of Scotland. And it's not just me. There are millions of people in the United Kingdom who feel like this, who care about Scotland and want it to remain within the union, but whose voices haven't been heard. Of course, I fundamentally believe in the right of those in Scotland to determine their own future and will fully respect the decision, whichever way the vote goes. But it's also true that everyone else in the UK will also find big changes in their lives, and I think it's important that we think about our combined goals and future. To my thinking, Scotland can have the best of both worlds: It can have its own parliament, its own strong voice and its own cultural identity. And at the same time it can also have the strength, the security and the stability of being within the UK. At the 2012 Olympics, the whole of the Great Britain team was fighting so hard to win medals and had such a positive spirit. It was beautiful. If Scotland leaves, we'll never have that again. There are very strong economic reasons for staying together, but there is something even deeper that binds England and Scotland. It's like a beautiful and long-lasting relationship. We've overcome a lot to get where we are, we do care about each other despite our tiffs, and I believe the future is much better with us working together. We do amazing things when we're together and I ask anyone who feels the same to visit letsstaytogether.org.uk. WATCH: Brian Cox and Rory Stewart debate independence . READ MORE: Actor Brian Cox on why Scots should vote 'Yes' READ MORE: Scottish independence - what you need to know . | Voters in Scotland to decide on country's independence on September 18 .
Comedian Eddie Izzard supports "Let's Stay Together" campaign .
Referendum "will have a resounding impact on all of us -- how we see ourselves"
By staying in the union, "Scotland can have the best of both worlds," says Izzard . |
44,697 | 7e021f31dd48d1538ea2136a863e0fa4f9d8c7fc | By . Tara Brady . It is alleged that Michael Karkoc was an officer in the SS-led Ukranian Self Defence League and later the SS Galician Division . Germany's highest criminal court has the right to prosecute a 95-year-old man accused of being a notorious Nazi commander who 'burnt villages filled with women and children.' It is alleged that Michael Karkoc was an officer in the SS-led Ukranian Self Defence League and later the SS Galician Division. According to records, he told American authorities in 1949 he had performed no military service during the Second World War and has been living in a quiet Minnesota town. However, an investigation last year revealed the retired carpenter is alleged to have been a former commander in a Nazi SS-led unit. Today the Federal Court of Justice ruled that the 95-year-old's alleged service made him the 'holder of a German office.' This gives Germany the legal right to prosecute him even though he is not German, his alleged crimes were against non-Germans and they were not committed on German soil. Someone in that role 'served the purposes of the Nazi state's world view,' the court said. Karkoc's son, Andriy Karkos, did not respond to an email by the Associated Press seeking comment and hung up on a reporter who reached him via his mobile phone. A home number for Michael Karkoc was no longer working today. The court's decision represents 'a big step forward' in the case against Karkoc, said Thomas Will, deputy director of the special federal prosecutors' office that investigates Nazi crimes. He initially handled the case in Germany. Will referred the case to the court late last year after concluding in his own investigation that enough evidence existed to pursue murder charges against Karkoc, who has denied the allegations against him. The suspected Nazi SS-led military commander has lived quietly in Minneapolis for the past six decades . Will's office has no powers to file charges itself and the federal court in its ruling referred the case to Munich prosecutors. They will examine the evidence again to determine whether to charge Karkoc and seek his extradition from the United States. The German investigation began after the Associated Press published a story last year establishing that Karkoc commanded a unit accused of burning villages filled with women and children, then lied to American immigration officials to get into the United States a few years after the Second World War. This photo of Michael Karkoc was part of his application for German citizenship filed with the Nazi SS-run immigration office on Feb. 14, 1940 . A second story uncovered evidence that Karkoc himself ordered his men in 1944 to attack a Polish village in which dozens of civilians were killed, contradicting statements from his family that he was never at the scene. Polish prosecutors also now are investigating. The U.S. Department of Justice has declined to confirm whether it also is investigating Karkoc, citing its policy of not confirming or denying individual investigations. Karkoc applied for German citizenship on February 14, 1940, according to Nazi documents signed by Karkoc and located by the AP in February in the U.S. National Archives in College Park, Maryland, but he was rejected because of his lack of German language skills. The SS-administered immigration office instead said it would provide Karkoc - who was 20 at the time and whose date of birth and hometown match those on the documents - passport-like papers identifying him as an ethnic German. Last year Mr Karkoc said he 'can't explain' his wartime service despite denying the allegations. Following the war, Karkoc ended up in a camp for displaced people in Neu Ulm, Germany, according to documents obtained from the International Tracing Service in Bad Arolsen, Germany. The documents indicate that his wife died in 1948, a year before he and their two young boys - born in 1945 and 1946 - emigrated to the U.S. After he arrived in Minneapolis, he remarried and had four more children, the last born in 1966. A longtime member of the Ukrainian National Association, Karkoc has been closely involved in community affairs over the past decades and was identified in a 2002 article in a Ukrainian-American publication as a 'longtime UNA activist.' This 1944 photo shows head of the SS Heinrich Himmler, centre, reviewing troops of the Galician SS-Volunteer Infantry Division, of which Michael Karkoc is said to have become a member . The Galician Division and a Ukrainian nationalist organization Karkoc served in were both on a secret American government blacklist of organizations whose members were forbidden from entering the United States at the time. Though records do not show that Karkoc had a direct hand in war crimes, statements from men in his unit and other documentation confirm the Ukrainian company he commanded massacred civilians, and suggest that Karkoc was at the scene of these atrocities as the company leader. Nazi SS files say he and his unit were also involved in the 1944 Warsaw Uprising, in which the Nazis brutally suppressed a Polish rebellion against German occupation. The U.S. Department of Justice has used lies about wartime service made in immigration papers to deport dozens of suspected Nazi war criminals. In Germany, Nazis with 'command responsibility' can be charged with war crimes even if their direct involvement in atrocities cannot be proven. Former German army officer Josef Scheungraber - a lieutenant like Karkoc - was convicted in Germany in 2009 on charges of murder based on circumstantial evidence that put him on the scene of a Nazi wartime massacre in Italy as the ranking officer. This is the oath of allegiance on Michael Karkoc's petition for naturalization, signed May 6, 1959 . Karkoc now lives in a modest house in northeast Minneapolis in an area with a significant Ukrainian population. In a background check by U.S. officials on April 14, 1949, Karkoc said he had never performed any military service, telling investigators that he 'worked for father until 1944. Worked in labor camp from 1944 until 1945.' Karkoc, an ethnic Ukrainian, was born in the city of Lutsk in 1919, according to details he provided American officials. At the time, the area was being fought over by Ukraine, Poland and others; it ended up part of Poland until World War II. Several wartime Nazi documents note the same birth date, but say he was born in Horodok, a town in the same region. | Alleged Michael Karkoc was in the SS-led Ukranian Self Defence League .
He told American authorities in 1949 he had performed no military service .
Court of Justice said his 'service' made him 'holder of a German office'
It is alleged he lied about his wartime service to get into the U.S. |
57,981 | a44e1cee28c7219f46c8629094a40a2f662ccaec | Gazing suggestively at the camera, Georgia May Jagger’s modelling campaign for Just Cavalli perfume certainly looks provocative. However, it’s not the 22-year-old’s sultry pose that has triggered controversy, but the H-like symbol on her wrist. The advert featuring the model daughter of Mick Jagger, part of a campaign by Italian fashion house Roberto Cavalli, has been singled out by followers of a branch of Islam, who said it ‘cheapens’ and ‘degrades’ one of its holiest symbols. Scroll down for video . Controversial: The Just Cavalli campaign sees Georgia May Jagger, 22, with an ornate H-like symbol on her wrist, and has prompted demonstrations by Sufi Muslims in London . The pictures of Georgia May – daughter of the Rolling Stones frontman, 70, and model Jerry Hall, 57 – have prompted demonstrations by Sufi Muslims in London, outside Harrods, as well as in Dusseldorf, Germany, and Los Angeles, since they were first released in the middle of last year. The campaign – put together by Italian fashion house Roberto Cavalli to promote a designer fragrance – shows Miss Jagger with an ornate H-like symbol on her skin. It’s similar to a sign Sufis use to refer to Allah and representatives of the community have said it is ‘heartbreaking’ to see it used to make money. There are an estimated 500,000 adherents of Sufism worldwide and they are demanding the symbol, which they have previously had trademarked, be removed from the adverts. American student Nasim Bahadorani, one of the protest organisers, said: ‘To use something that means so much to us for corporate profit cheapens our sacred symbol. It’s disrespectful, offensive and degrading. Protest: Sufi Muslims claim the Italian design house has inappropriately used a symbol sacred to practitioners of their mystical faith and have protested on several locations, such as outside Harrods in London . ‘We have this sign that to us represents blessed peace. It’s a refuge. To see it disgraced like this for a company to make money is heartbreaking.’ Roberto Cavalli, which has used the image in campaigns since 2011, claims the symbols are not the same. It is a stance supported by the EU, which last month rejected a request by Sufi groups to ban the company from using the sign. Same, same, but different: Italian fashion designer Roberto Cavalli has been using the image in campaigns since 2011 . A spokesman for the fashion house said they are ‘deeply saddened by the distress expressed by’ the Sufi community but that they hope the EU ruling will ‘convince the Sufist religion of the complete good faith and the groundlessness of their requests’. Despite the ruling, campaigners have kept up the pressure on social media using the hashtag ‘TakeOffJustLogo’ and have singled out Miss Jagger’s campaign, which includes a video where the model refers to the symbol as a ‘snakebite’ and a ‘sign of seduction’. In a video produced by Sufi activists, which has been watched more than 12,000 times on YouTube, they accuse Robert Cavalli of ‘tearing communities apart’. They pose the questions: ‘How long should people wait for action to be taken against the injustices witnessed around the world? ‘How long should we allow and tolerate Cavalli’s vindictive attack on faith by supporting and encouraging mistreatment of faith?’ This is not the first time Roberto Cavalli has run into trouble over the use of religious symbols. Ten years ago, they made a line of bikinis which depicted Hindu gods. The swimwear was stocked by Harrods but was pulled off the shelves after a backlash from faith groups. The fashion house apologised at the time and said any offence was unintentional. Miss Jagger has also modelled for brands including Chanel, Versace and Vivienne Westwood and appeared in the London Olympics Opening Ceremony as one of the representatives of British fashion, alongside Naomi Campbell, 44, and Kate Moss, 40 . | Roberto Cavalli has been using sign in his campaign since 2011 .
H-like symbol seen on skin of Georgia May Jagger in perfume ad .
Sufi Muslims say it is the symbol used by them to refer to Allah .
Thousands have protested in London, Germany and Los Angeles . |
194,785 | 88259839a8babc02558dc54614850b2e92524be4 | By . Harriet Hernando . A shocked mother was furious after a talking toy she bought her nine-year-old daughter taught her to say: 'f*** you.' Louise Wilkinson, 42, bought two of the £15 popular Furby toys as a treat for her daughter Monet and her grandchildren Tia, four, and Shannon, three. But she was stunned when one of the little bundles of fluff blurted out the words: 'f*** you' after pressing the button on its back at her home on Monday. Scroll down for video . Mother Louise Wilkinson was shocked when a talking toy Furby she bought her daughter Monet began swearing at home. Here Ms Wilkinson is pictured with (left - right) Tia, Monet and Shannon . And now she says her young daughter will not stop repeating the obscenities while walking around the house in Llanfyllin, Powys in Wales. The interactive toys are designed to pick up words that are spoken to them, but Ms Wilkinson insists she hadn’t sworn at them as they were newly out of the packet. Hotel housekeeper Ms Wilkinson said she wanted to warn other parents about the foul-mouthed Furby, which she bought from Argos, in Oswestry, Shropshire. The talking toy Furby which Ms Wilkinson bought from Argos in in Oswestry, Shropshire. She claims it has taught her nine-year-old daughter to say 'F**k you' Louise has now taken the toys from her children as a precaution and is complaining to the company that manufacturers them. She said: 'I was in shock as I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. 'My daughter picked up on it straight away and now she keeps saying it. It’s not funny because it could stay with her and she’ll say it at school. 'She keeps on walking around saying ‘f**k you, f**k you. I’m not a fan of swearing as it is but especially not when it's coming from the mouth of your own child. 'Only one of the Furbies swears, but we've had to confiscate the other because it wouldn't be fair. 'The children are so upset. 'Other parents needs to be aware this could happen. It’s not right.' Ms Wilkinson does not think the glitch is deliberate because she cannot tell what the toy is saying. She said:'I don’t think it’s a prank by a factory worker because it isn’t obvious what it's saying. 'But it’s obvious enough for my daughter to pick up a horrible phrase like that and something needs to be done.' Argos is investigating the complaint. A spokesperson said: 'We have robust processes in place to ensure the toys we sell are safe and appropriate for children.' It is not the first time Furbies have been caught swearing and the internet includes a number of sites in which tips are given on how to teach the toys naughty words. Tens of millions of Furbies have been sold since they were launched in 1998, when they were the biggest selling toy of the year. The toys - which saw a huge revival in 2012 - are capable of talking in 24 languages. | Louise Wilkinson, 42, was stunned when the toy started blurting out obscenities in the family home .
Fears her nine-year-old daughter will repeat foul words at school . |
116,477 | 2259ecca24e0b90b811e42f3d115e6398f6e701c | (EW.com) -- The most anticipated new TV series of 2011 really kicked off on Sunday as the four "X Factor" judges -- Simon Cowell, singer Cheryl Cole, record-label exec L.A. Reid, and, yes, Paula Abdul -- gathered to audition wannabe superstars in downtown Los Angeles. Before the judges stepped onto the stage of the Galen Center on the campus of the University of Southern California, the show's hosts, former Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger and British TV personality Steve Jones, introduced themselves to the audience. "You're all probably wondering, Who the hell is this douche?" said the self-deprecating Jones, while Scherzinger danced around him. "Steve's actually a great singer," Scherzinger said. "You wanna hear him?" The crowd cheered him on, at which point he offered to croon ... "Back for Good" by the very British group Take That. (Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge Take That fan, but I think I could have counted on one hand the people there who had any idea of what he was talking about.) Unfortunately, it was then time for the judges to take the stage, so we didn't get to hear Jones' musical chops. "You are going to be our fifth judge," Cowell told the crowd. "You're here to tell us who you like, who you don't like. You can certainly be as badly behaved as you want, actually." He then passed the mic to Reid, who introduced himself by saying, "To be clear, I'm not the Randy of the panel. I don't say 'dawg,' but I do judge talent honestly. I'm brutally honest. And I may not even agree with what you guys think." He then added with a smile: "I've had more success at it than you." (That was a very interesting foreshadowing of a battle Reid would soon have with the audience. But more on that in a bit.) It was then Abdul's turn. "I'm thrilled that you invited me back," she said to Cowell. "It's a blessing to be part of this. And I couldn't be more thrilled to have someone on the panel here also who has experienced what it's like to sit next to him... Miss Cheryl Cole." EW.com: Steve Jones, Nicole Scherzinger set to co-host 'X Factor' The charming Cole then made her first statement to the audience: "I'm going to love getting to know America, and I hope you like to get to know me too. You might have to bear with the accent just a little bit, but I'm sure you'll get used to it." From a nuts and bolts standpoint, "The X Factor" looks kind of like "American Idol," except with Pepsi cups on the table. (Cowell and Abdul seemed happy to be reunited: During one break he lovingly petted her hair.) But one of the biggest differences was apparent the minute the first contestants hit the stage. The first act to audition was a duo (though not a very good one), comprised of two twentysomething male friends. Reid was fairly tough right off the bat: "It looked like you guys were having a good time," he said of their rendition of TLC's "Waterfalls," "but I'm not sure you're cut out for the big time." The talent didn't look too promising from there. The first solo singer, a 52-year-old mom who butchered "Wind Beneath My Wings," earned so many boos from the audience members (many of whom started singing "Na Na Hey Hey Goodbye") that the show's audience warm-up guy had to say, "We're going to try and steer away from the negativity" and ask them not to boo the contestants. But the real drama surrounded the eighth contestant, a 35-year-old female rapper/singer. After she performed a Jessie J-esque rap original called "Cluck Cluck," the instant crowd favorite got a no vote from Cowell and yeses from Abdul and Cole, leaving her fate in Reid's hands. The mogul voted no, leading to loud boos from the audience. After she left the stage, crowd members chanted "Bring her back!" at which point producers had her walk back on the stage. The judges told her she had 30 seconds to perform something else. Her second number was even stronger, and led to an even more enthusiastic response from the crowd (who were clearly taking Cowell's "fifth judge" edict seriously). Said a defiant Reid: "I'm changing my no vote, not because of them, but because of you." The fact remains, however, that had the crowd not demanded she be given a second chance, she wouldn't have gotten it. (You'll have to watch the show when it premieres this fall to see if she officially made it through to the next round.) In all, Abdul and Cole were certainly the kinder mentors, while it's looking like it could be a battle between Cowell and Reid for the title of "X Factor's" harshest judge. See the original article at EW.com. CLICK HERE to Try 2 RISK FREE issues of Entertainment Weekly . © 2010 Entertainment Weekly and Time Inc. All rights reserved. | "The X Factor" looks kind of like "American Idol," except with Pepsi cups on the table .
One of the biggest differences was that the first act to audition was a duo .
Abdul and Cole were the kinder mentors, while Cowell and Reid are the harshest judges . |
267,170 | e60d7ede8506246a41b59139207ea5a9b774574a | By . Stephen Johns for The Daily Mail . Traditional British dog breeds such as deerhounds, otterhounds, Lancashire heelers and Welsh terriers risk becoming extinct as they are forced out by trendy canines like bulldogs and pugs. The Kennel Club has 25 native breeds on its ‘vulnerable’ list, including many breeds of countryside dogs. Their original roles in agriculture are no longer needed while the popularity of small ‘handbag’ dogs has soared. Out of fashion: Dogs like deerhounds (left) are being pushed aside for 'fashionable' bulldogs (right) The vulnerable status covers breeds with fewer than 300 puppy registrations in a year. No otterhound puppies at all were listed in the first quarter of 2014 and the figure for Lancashire heelers, which were used to nip at cattle’s feet during herding, was only 32. There were 31 Clumber spaniel puppies listed, 16 Sealyham terriers, 96 Welsh terriers and 68 deerhounds. In contrast, there were 2,119 French bulldogs registered, up nearly half on 2013. Famous owners of this breed include the Beckhams, Millie Mackintosh and Hugh Jackman. Handbag dogs: Pugs are also on the list of popular canines as dogs used for agriculture are no longer needed . The figure for pugs was 1,921, up a tenth on 2013, while 1,565 long and smooth coat Chihuahuas pups were registered. Dr Bruce Fogle, father of TV presenter Ben and a vet in London, urged the Kennel Club to relax its rules to let dogs not registered as a breed to mate with those which are. Secretary Caroline Kisko said the Kennel Club was working to increase awareness of historic breeds and to bring in dogs from abroad if this was beneficial. | Deerhounds, otterhounds, Lancashire heelers are now 'out of fashion'
Trendy canines include bulldogs and pugs, the Kennel Club reveals .
Dog roles in agriculture no longer needed, 'handbag dogs' are now on trend . |
154,247 | 5356fea2e22bf760fc2f6c3763b4980a44f1d31a | (EW.com) -- What is Jaden Smith's crime? Last weekend, the up-and-coming young actor, who will turn 12 this July 8, starred in a remake of "The Karate Kid" that audiences flocked to beyond expectation and, from all available evidence, loved. Given that Smith is front and center in more or less every frame of the 2 hour and 20 minute movie (and given that his performance, as a kid who hides his sadness behind a mask of surliness, is to this critic, at least a magnetic and affecting piece of acting), I hope we can all agree that Jaden Smith's presence on screen had a little something to do with the movie's success. Yet Smith's rise has been greeted, in far too many quarters (including a number of comment boards on ew.com, like the one on my review), with bitter, gnashing resentment. This 11-year-old really has the haters foaming. Excuse me, but what the heck is going on? Let's start with the indisputable fact that Smith got to be in the position he's in because his father is the biggest movie star on the planet. So where, exactly, should that piece of information lead us? Should we hate Jaden Smith? Should we hate Will Smith? Should we hate every young actor or musician who ever got placed on the map of fame because of his or her parents? (Take that, Miley Cyrus, Michael Douglas, and Jamie Lee Curtis.) Oh, but, of course, the rap on Jaden Smith is that he's all nepotism and nothing else, that he's a kind of grouchy preteen Tori Spelling in cornrows. He's been excoriated as a bad actor (even though, just a few years ago, most viewers had nothing but praise for the appealingly feisty and precocious performance he gave right next to his dad in "The Pursuit of Happyness"). He's been called a brat, a spoiled no-talent, an ungrateful beneficiary of his lineage of stardom. He's been ripped up and down as "insufferable" for his appearance last week on "The Late Show with David Letterman." I caught up with the Letterman spot a few days after the fact, when the anti-Jaden anger was already at full boil, and so I watched it with particular attention and fascination. Here's what I saw: Smith, seated opposite Letterman, conducted himself very differently from most child actors. Usually, kids in show business know how to present themselves as cuddly pets. Smith was having none of that. He has a very quick mind, and his responses were fast and a little brusque from the start, he was toying with Letterman, putting him on the spot by giving him a lot less fake-nice, fake-sincere boilerplate chat-show banter than he wanted. (Gee, who in his right mind would want less of that?) It's something that I've occasionally seen adults do, and yes, it was a little startling to see a kid this young with a movie to hawk go onto the Letterman show and assume that mock-confrontational, who's-really-in-charge-here? stance. But it wouldn't have worked if it wasn't, in its way, a gripping little talk-show performance. (Letterman himself played at being taken back, but also was taken aback; it's always a good thing when Dave gets jolted out of his stuffy protective pose, his robo-irony.) Bottom line, for me: Smith was cocky as hell on Letterman, but he was also interesting. For eight minutes, he displayed the confidence to be non-ingratiating and, in the process, he seized your attention. He was brash; he acted like a Hollywood kid who truly had a mind of his own. Perish the thought! Yet in the online universe of Jaden Hatred, that Letterman appearance played as one thing and one thing only: privilege. And that, on the surface, is what the whole ragging-on-Jaden-Smith phenomenon is really all about the desire to tear down a child who enjoys the perks of celebrity royalty, even though he didn't earn them. And now he's getting a movie career handed to him! You can almost taste the class resentment, the jealousy of folks who only wish, deep down, that they'd gotten such an opportunity themselves and now want to scrawl their rage on Jaden Smith's image like Perez Hilton going crazy with his Magic Marker. Still, what's most striking, and perhaps revealing, about this particular outpouring of toxic anger is that Jaden's famous father, Will Smith, isn't just another big movie star he's one of the most likable movie stars you could ever imagine. You'd think that the general feeling about him, the nearly universal good will, would extend to giving the benefit of the doubt to his son. I know that when I watched Jaden Smith in "The Karate Kid," the echoes of his father in everything from his cool, appraising glare to the nimble speed of his responses is something I enjoyed like, say, hearing that raspy echo of Bob Dylan in Jakob Dylan's voice back in the "One Headlight" days. It's not as if this sort of situation happens every day; what would be so wrong with giving the son (or daughter) of fame a break and simply enjoying it? It's hard to shake the feeling, though, that too many people are trying to turn Jaden Smith from what he is, which is an insolently charismatic and hard-working young actor, into a focal point of ill will over issues of class, fame, money, and yes, I'm going to say it race. For let's be honest: Doesn't all the grousing about how Smith is "arrogant," etc., carry a special, ugly tinge of rancor? Doesn't the complaint that he's too big for his britches come painfully close to saying that he doesn't know his place? What do you think? Has the anger at Jaden Smith gotten ugly? What do you believe it's really about? And who out there likes him as an actor as much as I do? Now that he truly does appear to be on his way to stardom, what sort of movie should he do next? See full article at EW.com. CLICK HERE to Try 2 RISK FREE issues of Entertainment Weekly . © 2010 Entertainment Weekly and Time Inc. All rights reserved. | Jaden Smith's rise to fame has been greeted with bitter, gnashing resentment .
The rap on Jaden Smith is that he's all nepotism and nothing else .
Many are trying to turn Jaden Smith from what he is into a focal point of ill will . |
57,931 | a425460c677db1567318b3929661064e2ee5e3f2 | Hospitals are to hire Eastern European nurses because so many patients cannot speak English, making it hard for doctors to understand their health concerns. For the first time, NHS trusts in immigration hotspots want to recruit staff from Poland to cope with the language barriers they face every day on their wards. It is hoped the move will improve care for foreign-born patients, cut the Health Service’s £23 million annual bill for translation services, and reduce the lengthy consultation times clinicians must have with non-English speakers. NHS managers want to recruit Polish staff, pictured, to cut down on the service's translation service bill . However, critics say it highlights the strain placed on health care by Britain’s open borders policy over the past decade. New figures from the Office for National Statistics are expected to confirm this week that migration to the UK last year was far higher than the Government target of the ‘tens of thousands’. Official figures from the Nursing and Midwifery Council show there are already 2,473 nurses from Poland working in Britain, with 210 registering in the past year alone. But for the first time it can be revealed that hospitals are also recruiting foreign staff because they will be better able to communicate with patients. The first trust to speak openly of the plan is in Boston, Lincolnshire, which has a larger proportion of Eastern European residents than anywhere else in Britain. Census figures show one in ten of the town’s 64,000 population is from new members of the EU such as Poland or Latvia, and the high birth rate among recent arrivals puts strain on maternity services as well as interpreters. Garry Marsh, deputy chief nurse of United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust, said: ‘We have a big Eastern European community and the health needs of that population will grow as they age within the UK.’ He added: ‘By looking at recruiting from Eastern European counties, we would introduce nurses that culturally are very responsive to those patients’ needs – the most obvious and immediate barrier we face being the language differences.’ The United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust, pictured, has been paying translators £38-an-hour . The trust has 36 nursing places to fill and senior staff are expected to travel to Poland early next year to carry out interviews, having gone on a similar recruiting trip to Greece. A spokesman declined to answer questions about the current number of Eastern European patients it cares for or how many existing staff members are Polish. Figures showed the trust spent £57,000 on language services in 2011-12, up from £45,000 two years earlier. As well as translating leaflets into Polish, the hospital has to hire £38-an-hour interpreters so doctors can understand patients’ problems and be sure they understand treatment being offered. In Norfolk, hospital bosses are also considering hiring foreign nurses. A spokesman for Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn NHS Trust said: ‘Recruiting Eastern European nurses is under consideration but there are no plans at this moment to do so.’ Interviews have also been held in Krakow, Poland, to find foreign nurses to fill staffing gaps at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge. | Hospitals are paying translators £38-an-hour to interpret for patients .
There are now almost 2,500 nurses from Poland working in the NHS .
Hospital managers in Lincolnshire plan to specifically recruit Polish nurses .
The plan, they hope, will reduce the £57,000-a-year spent on translators . |
143,524 | 459d0d4454be5482a0d32379637ea84f55591a3e | By . Peter Allen . Visitors to France will face travel chaos next week as air traffic controllers join rail workers in a nationwide strike. SNCTA and Unsa-ICNA, the two biggest air traffic control unions, will start the six-day strike next Tuesday – and the industrial action will last until Sunday June 29. Thousands of flights are set to be cancelled just as the summer holiday season gets into full swing. Chaos: Flights out of French airports, including Charles de Gaulle airport, will be affected by the walk-out next week, cancelling hundreds of flights . Union representatives warned of ‘heavy disruption to all flights’, and tourists hoping to take alternative rail routes will face further delays thanks to a ten-day rail protest. French retail workers are also set to strike in protest at the government’s decision to introduce Sunday opening hours to boost tourism. This will mean that famous Paris department stores including Galeries Lafayette and Printemps will be closed for those who do make it across the Channel. More than 60 per cent of France’s 4,000 air traffic controllers have voted in favour of the protest against aviation cuts. Unavoidable: The strikes are a response to President Hollande's austerity measures, which he insists are necessary . They said that the controversial measures, which will come into force between 2015 and 2019, will lead to a cheaper, less efficient system and will end up threatening ‘modernisation’. But Francois Hollande’s Socialist government insists that the cuts are necessary to comply with European Commission plans to reduce air navigation costs. The number of expected cancellations next week could be as high as 50 per cent, although there are fears that even this is a conservative estimate. Tourists have been told to expect long delays at every French airport, as the entire air system will be affected by the walk-outs. More than 17million British people travel to France each year, and huge numbers from the UK will be caught up in the chaos. EasyJet and Ryanair are preparing contingency plans ahead of the strikes, which they will announce when the scale of the disruption becomes clear. EasyJet, which operates flights to 13 airports in France, said it was ‘disappointed’ at the ‘unnecessary strike action’, adding: ‘This has the potential to cause considerable disruption and cancellations.’ The strike was announced as France unveiled a new plan to boost tourism from 82million to 100million visitors a year – by urging the French to be nicer to foreigners. | Two biggest air traffic control unions will walk out next week .
Retail workers are also set to strike, forcing department stores to close .
More than 17million British people travel to France each year .
EasyJet and Ryanair are preparing contingency plans ahead of action . |
122,999 | 2afc1f97e21db7913f5b29c659f0717640e08df0 | Juba, South Sudan (CNN) -- South Sudan's army battled rebel forces Thursday, a military spokesman said, as negotiators from the warring sides prepared to meet for talks aimed at ending the violence that has pushed the world's newest country toward civil war. Having sent delegations to the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa, the government and rebels are under mounting pressure from African and Western powers to reach a deal to stop clashes that have killed more than 1,000 people and displaced more than 190,000. But there is no sign of an end of hostilities just yet. Military spokesman Col. Philip Aguer told CNN that military forces fought with rebels south of the flashpoint town of Bor, the scene of some of the heaviest fighting in the nearly three weeks of violence. He said the Sudan People's Liberation Army was trying to stop the rebels from advancing on the capital, Juba, about 200 kilometers (124 miles) away. South Sudan's government tweeted late Wednesday: "Our forces did a partial withdrawal from Bor but are still fighting in the suburbs #SouthSudan." President Salva Kiir on Wednesday declared a state of emergency for Unity state and for Jonglei state, of which Bor is the capital. The two delegations sent by Kiir and the rebels' leader, former Vice President Riek Machar, are already in Addis Ababa. Talks were expected to begin Thursday but, as of early evening local time, had not. Not all parties have yet arrived in Addis Ababa, according to a representative of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, an East African trade bloc which has been mediating in the conflict. However, it is expected all parties will arrive by Friday and formal talks should get under way, the representative, Tigist Hailu, told CNN. South Sudan's neighbors, Western governments and the United Nations have been scrambling to stem the latest violence in the country, which seceded from Sudan in 2011 after decades of war. Hilde Johnson, who heads the U.N. mission to South Sudan, said she wanted to see both parties "take a decisive step to cease all hostilities." "We want to make this day the day that the violence stops," she said at a news conference in Juba on Wednesday. Humanitarian crisis . Kiir and Machar agreed Tuesday to send delegations to Addis Ababa, home of the African Union, for talks after violence in the oil-rich country that began on December 15. A cessation of hostilities between their forces is expected to top the agenda. South Sudan's government said Thursday via Twitter: "We are participating in talks because we want peace for our people even though the rebel groups have not accepted a cessation of hostilities." Johnson said Wednesday it was too early to say if the planned talks were a breakthrough, "but it is a step in the right direction." The spiraling violence has sparked a humanitarian crisis. An estimated 194,000 people have been displaced, with about 57,500 people sheltering in U.N. bases across the country, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Peacekeepers are working to protect the camps, but more resources are needed, Johnson said. She appealed for $166 million in aid to help provide families with food and other emergency relief. The U.N. Mission in South Sudan has voiced concern about what it said was mounting evidence of ethnic-based atrocities across the country. "There has been killing and brutality; we have seen killing on ethnic grounds. We need to do everything to prevent the cycle of violence," Johnson said, adding that the African Union had set up a a group to investigate human rights abuses. "I condemn elements on both sides," she said. The Intergovernmental Authority on Development, an East African trade bloc that has been helping to mediate between the battling parties, has said an independent body is needed to monitor any cease-fire, Johnson said. Leaders of the bloc warned Friday that they would "take action" to stop the conflict if South Sudan's warring factions didn't lay down their arms. Ethnic targeting . The fighting began in Juba but quickly spread across the country, with reports of mass killings soon emerging. Kiir, from South Sudan's Dinka ethnic group, accused troops loyal to Machar, from the Nuer community, of trying to launch a coup. The two men have long been political rivals, and Kiir dismissed Machar, along with the Cabinet, in July. Kiir told CNN on Monday that African nations should have acted quickly to help quell the rebel forces. U.N. forces are patrolling the streets of Juba in order to protect civilians, Johnson said. CNN's Khushbu Shah, Laura Smith-Spark, Arwa Damon and Yidnekachew Lemme contributed to this report. | NEW: Talks are expected to start Friday, representative of mediating bloc says .
The army is battling rebel forces south of Bor, a military spokesman says .
South Sudan's president has declared a state of emergency in Unity and Jonglei states .
A U.N envoy calls on warring parties to "take a decisive step to cease all hostilities" |
250,515 | d0353a72efa6587ec5adbae4802e74babfd7b0d0 | (CNN) -- One of this week's most astounding stories is Facebook's acquisition of WhatsApp, a mobile messaging service that has more than 450 million monthly active users globally. The $19 billion that Facebook will spend on buying WhatsApp created a collective jaw-drop in the tech world. Sure, the price tag is getting a lot of buzz -- $19 billion is a historically big number for a venture funded company. But what exactly is Facebook getting out of it? A company just a few years old with less than a billion dollars in revenue and a service that is nearly (but not quite) free. Is all of that worth so much money? Just as with the acquisition of YouTube by Google for $1.65 billion or Facebook's purchase of Instagram for $1 billion, many people simply have a hard time wrapping their mind around an acquisition of a service that doesn't fit with traditional valuation principles. In the old world, company valuations were based on a multiple of revenue or free cash flow, while also factoring growth over time. But in the new world of Internet and social media, revenue is often something that will come later as the result of hyper growth, and traditional valuation techniques don't apply. Still, because of the eye-popping price, many are naturally asking if this acquisition is a sign of a tech bubble. After all, prices for social media and Internet service startups seem to be getting bigger by the day and, well, $19 billion is a mind-blowing number. To which I would say that while the price seems enormous - mainly because it is - the price per user is actually in line with acquisitions in the past decade. When looking at price-per-user from acquisitions over the past decade and throwing out outliers like Yahoo's acquisition of Broadcast.com for nearly $11,000 per user (nice job, Mark Cuban), what Facebook paid for each WhatsApp user is solidly in the middle of the pack at $42, above Instagram's $28 cost per user and Tumblr's $33 per user, but below the $48 or so Google paid for each YouTube user back in 2006. So while other acquisitions have been much cheaper in total price paid by Facebook, that's because the total user base of these other services has been much lower. And that's the thing that makes WhatsApp such an attractive prize for Facebook: 450 million active users. Not only is that a massive number, but the number is also growing very quickly, having doubled in just the past year. In short, with this acquisition, Facebook is getting the most popular mobile social messaging app in the whole world. The importance of this can't be understated. Facebook has been trying over the past few years to adapt to the mobile world with mixed results, and now with WhatsApp, Mark Zuckerberg is not only getting a massively popular mobile social messaging service, but one that is also enormously popular in emerging markets. As others have aptly noted, because Facebook doesn't control a mobile platform itself (unlike Google with Android), and with its stock rising, Zuckerberg likely felt it had to make this move now to add fuel to its transition to the world of mobile computing. If Facebook didn't make this move, Google, which reportedly offered $10 billlion for WhatsApp, likely would have. Facebook is showing that it is willing to bet big chunks of the company (the WhatsApp acquisition will cost them roughly 10% of outstanding Facebook shares) to disrupt themselves and remain relevant. A high price to be sure, but judging by recent history, the price it paid is about right. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Michael Wolf. | Facebook bought WhatsApp, a mobile messaging service, for $19 billion .
Michael Wolf: Yes, the acquisition is worth the money, even though company is young .
He says WhatsApp's 450 million active users make it attractive in terms of growth .
Wolf: Facebook is showing that it is willing to disrupt itself and remain relevant . |
261,647 | dedd78fe9f02e0db63bc66bb72587e231c5929bc | By . Rob Waugh . UPDATED: . 14:13 EST, 3 February 2012 . Former Enron Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Skilling, right,reviews documents with his attorney Bruce Hiler on Capitol Hill . Scandals such as Enron have cost investors billions - and revealed that current methods of defecting boardroom fraud are sorely lacking. Chief executives can't simply be subjected to lie detector tests during investor calls. Often, the only method for looking into their affairs is auditors manually looking through accounts. More often still, their dishonesty only comes to light afterwards. But researchers at Duke University and the University of Illinois believe there is another way - using a technique called Layered Voice Analysis to listen for the telltale sounds of CEOs lying. The researchers had an advantage: they . could listen back to earnings calls where it was revealed afterwards . that the CEO had been lying, and 'tune' their technique using convicted . fraudsters. The academics turned to an Israeli company called Nemesysco, and claim that they find 'vocal dissonance' in the CEOs speech at precisely the point when they were lying. If true, the discovery could revolutionise the world of finance, and have ramifications in many spheres of life. Nemecysco's technology is aimed at law enforcement and airport security, but the technique, which involves electronically analysing minute changes in people's voices to look for 'tells' that they are lying, could save billions in investor calls if it could pinpoint that a CEO isn't telling the truth. The researchers write, 'We find vocal dissonance markers from . the early part of the speech samples—the precise time when dissonance . should be most pronounced—are positively associated with four measures . of dissonance from misreporting.' 'This lends support for the LVA-based . cognitive dissonance measure. In an archival setting, we find that . cognitive dissonance in CEO speech can predict whether a firm’s . quarterly financial reports will be adversely restated at better than . chance levels' Nemesysco describe their technology as 'a set of vocal measurements, parameters and functions found through field studies of real life vocal data to correlate with key human emotions.' The researchers claim that the Layered Voice Analysis technique provides an automated way to scan for the distinctive sound of someone lying . The idea isn't new - Nemesysco products have been trialled in the UK to detect bogus social security claimants on the phone, but were withdrawn after public outcry. The technology has never been conclusively proven, but Nemecysco claims the algorithm is evolving. The academics say that they do not know precisely how the software works, 'LVA is an emerging technology and, as with most commercial products, its inner workings are proprietary,' they say. 'While our laboratory results suggest the LVA dissonance metrics capture aspects of cognitive dissonance, we are unable to document the mechanisms by which LVA is able to do so.' | Software scans voices for 'dissonance'
Can predict lying - tested using recordings of calls where executives WERE lying .
Layered Voice Analysis could be used in investor calls to root out fraud . |
236,505 | be1fa29b7439916522b4fdfbc6673df542e8c988 | Washington (CNN) -- Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and former President Ronald Reagan were, in the words of one close aide, "political soulmates." Reagan, who was elected a year after Thatcher assumed office in 1979, found in her a fresh, conservative voice who he could align with on many international issues. And in nearly a decade of working together, she found in him a personal friend and an equal on the global stage. He offered her stronger support than any previous American president in dealing with terrorism in Northern Ireland, said biographer Geoffrey Smith, author of "Reagan and Thatcher." She was also one of the first leaders who spotted the potential for a new kind of leader in Mikhail Gorbachev and convinced Reagan that he could be trusted. "I like Mr. Gorbachev. We can do business together," she said in December 1984, three months before he was chosen to lead the Soviet Union. "Thatcher was a politician who had a strong voice," Gorbachev said in a statement that noted their relationship evolved gradually. "At the end, we were able to reach an understanding, and it was a contribution to the change in atmosphere between our country and the West and to the end of the Cold War." Reagan left a similar impression on Thatcher. U.S. political figures react to Lady Thatcher's death . "She certainly liked Reagan a lot from the moment he won office and he felt the same," said Julian Zelizer, a Princeton University historian and CNN contributor. "They had a deep respect, admiration and a friendship." Thatcher said at his 2004 funeral that "we have lost a great president, a great American and a great man. And I have lost a dear friend." Thatcher, called the "Iron Lady" for her personal and political toughness and the only woman to become British prime minister, died Monday at 87. "It was closer ideologically and warmer personally than any relationship between any other British prime minister and any other American president," Smith said of Reagan and Thatcher's friendship. Together, they came to epitomize what has been called the golden age of conservatism — an age where their policies changed the world map. "They both thought that they were leading political revolutions at the same time in countries that were fundamentally liberal," Zelizer said. Each believed in the strength of free markets, disdained communism and saw themselves and their countries as part of a transatlantic alliance, Zelizer said. During her time at the helm of the British government, she emphasized moral absolutism, nationalism, and the rights of the individual versus those of the state—famously saying in 1987: "There is no such thing as society." Fast facts on the Iron Lady . "Both took strong attacks against different types of regulations," Zelizer said. "Reagan worked on telecommunications, the environment and business. Thatcher took stands with health care. Both were tough with unions and believed unions posed a danger to people." Thatcher and Reagan met years before either came to power, Smith said. They spent hours discussing their shared vision. Eventually, their relationship evolved to the point where they felt comfortable speaking for the other. "Thatcher would say, speaking for both of them, 'Ron and I think,'" Smith said. Reagan initially urged British restraint in the days leading up to 1982 Falklands War with Argentina. "The best chance for peace was before complete Argentine humiliation," Reagan said in a memo released 30 years later. Thatcher was reportedly relieved when Reagan ultimately backed her. The British victory in the Falklands became a mainstay of her legacy. Thatcher's most memorable quotes . The two had other differences, however. Thatcher was troubled over the soaring U.S. budget deficit, but was unable to get Reagan to share her concerns, said former Thatcher press secretary, Martin Ingham. "It went against her grain that such a huge debt was being piled up," he said. Reagan struggled to convince Thatcher to agree to allow the 1986 U.S. raid on Libya to be launched from British bases. She was similarly troubled by the 1983 American invasion of Grenada. "Mrs. Thatcher was heard to expostulate, not once, but many times 'How could (Reagan) do it without telling the Queen, i.e. without telling me so that I could inform the head of the commonwealth,'" Ingham said. She gave the president a friendly "ear-bashing" over that and his attempt to make a nuclear disarmament deal with Gorbachev at Rejkyavik, Iceland, in 1986. On the day of Reagan's funeral, Thatcher sat behind the former president's son, Ronald Prescott Reagan, looking sadly on as he comforted his mother, Nancy. "Ronnie and I knew her as a dear and trusted friend," Mrs. Reagan said on Monday in a statement. "I will miss her." Thatcher: Hero or villain? CNN's Richard Allen Greene, Nic Robertson and Bill Schneider contributed to this report. | Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan were friends for decades .
They agreed on many issues, saw each other as "soulmates" in the conservative world .
Reagan initially disagreed with her on how she wanted to handle the Falklands War in 1982 . |
172,850 | 6bb524eae4c63dd791170d5c0253e0655b0a6b0b | By . Mark Duell and Simon Tomlinson . PUBLISHED: . 11:12 EST, 2 April 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 01:32 EST, 3 April 2013 . The world-famous Clifton Suspension Bridge should be a World Heritage site, it was claimed today. George Ferguson, the newly-elected Mayor of Bristol, has set up a steering group to investigate applying for designation from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. He believes Isambard Kingdom Brunel's Grade I-listed structure in Clifton, Bristol, should be given protected status along with the city’s Avon Gorge, SS Great Britain and historic harbour. At night: The Clifton Suspension Bridge was originally meant for light horse drawn traffic but now withstands the demands of modern commuters - with up to 12,000 vehicles crossing it every day . Construction: Work began on the bridge in 1836 under the supervision of Isambard Kingdom Brunel but stopped due to lack of funds. Work resumed in the 1860s and the bridge was finished in 1864 . Mr Ferguson claims the status would help preserve the 149-year-old bridge and bring in tourists. He said: ‘I know from having lectured . in many world heritage sites about world heritage that we have one of . the great European world heritage sites - and that is the Clifton . Suspension Bridge.’ The Clifton Suspension Bridge was . designed by Brunel and completed in his memory in 1864, five years after . his death. It was originally meant for light horse drawn traffic. But it now withstands the demands of . modern commuters - with up to 12,000 vehicles crossing daily. World-famous: Isambard Kingdom Brunel (left, pictured in 1856) was behind the Clifton Suspension Bridge, pictured right in 1954 from the river bank below . From above: An aerial view from July 1998 of the Clifton Suspension Bridge, which was designed by Brunel . Proposals to double the bridge toll from 50p to £1 are to be the subject of a public inquiry after a backlash from locals. 'I know from having lectured in many world heritage sites about world heritage that we have one of the great European world heritage sites - and that is the Clifton Suspension Bridge' Bristol Mayor George Ferguson . Bridgemaster David Anderson said the structure, which attracts around 500,000 visitors each year, is worthy of protected status. He added: 'Those of us who live in Bristol and are concerned with Bristol think the bridge is extremely important. 'It has to be preserved for the future. Whether it meets Unesco requirements it is a little bit too early to say but I think the bridge is very worthy of protection. Impressive: Bridgemaster David Anderson said the structure, which attracts around 500,000 visitors each year, is worthy of protected status . Context: Clifton Suspension Bridge by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, spanning the Avon Gorge of the River Avon . High up: Pictured in 1992, the feat of engineering was designed by Brunel and completed in 1864 . 'There are around 500,000 visitors to . the bridge each year and if we were to get World Heritage status that . would only increase.' 'Those of us who live in Bristol and are concerned with Bristol think the bridge is extremely important. It has to be preserved for the future' Bridgemaster David Anderson . There are currently 962 World Heritage sites across the world, with 745 cultural, 188 natural and 29 mixed. The sites, which are nominated by the countries where they are situated, are protected by UN law under the Geneva Convention. This makes it illegal to damage a site, use it in support of military effort or make it the object of a reprisal. | Bristol Mayor George Ferguson looks into applying for Unesco designation .
He believes Brunel's Grade I-listed structure should get protected status .
Bridge attracts 500,000 tourists annually and 12,000 vehicles cross daily . |
233,789 | baad8a129fa430640ecb442851a69230f4868209 | By . Steve Robson . PUBLISHED: . 04:08 EST, 24 May 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 04:48 EST, 24 May 2013 . A maths teacher has been arrested for allegedly trafficking methamphetamine in what could be a real-life version of the hit TV series Breaking Bad. Stephen Doran, 57, has been charged by police after he was found with a package believed to contain almost half a kilo of the drug which had been sent to his school in suburban Boston via the US Postal Service. When he appeared in court, bald-headed Doran's lawyer said he has undergone months of chemotherapy for stage three cancer. 'His life was on the line - literally,' he said. In court: Police said they caught math teacher Stephen Doran, 57, with almost half a kilo of methamphetamine . Accused: Doran is accused of having a large package of the drug sent to the school via the US Postal Service . Evidence: Police say they found more drugs, $10,000 in cash, digital scales and 'other items consistent with drug distribution' at Doran's home . The case bears a remarkable resemblance the plotline of award-winning TV series Breaking Bad, in which high school chemistry teacher Walter White begins producing and dealing meth after being diagnosed with cancer. In the show, Mr White - played by actor Bryan Cranston - uses the money to pay for medical bills and support his family believing he has only months to live. Police said Stephen Doran left Match Charter Middle School at around 12.30pm on Tuesday after receiving a large package. When he was pulled over by state troopers they recovered two heat-sealed bags of a crystalline substance which analysts say is consistent with methamphetamine. Police said they were acting on a tip-off and that the drugs had a street value of around $50,000. A search of Doran's home revealed $10,000 in cash, a digital scale and 38 additional grams of a similar substance. The Emmy award-winning TV series starring Bryan Cranston, revolves around the life of Walter White. The middle-aged chemistry teacher had the chance to be a brilliant academic but chose instead to work in a high school. At home he has wife who nags him constantly and a brother-in-law who works for the Drug Enforcement Agency and never ceases to let Walter know he is the alpha male of the family. Then he is diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer and everything changes. Walter encounters an old pupil of his, Jesse Pinkman, who happens to be a local methamphetamine dealer. Using his chemistry expertise, the pair set up as a producers and dealers of crystal meth. Walter's purpose appears to be solely to earn money to pay for his escalating medical bills and create a nest egg for his family after his death. But the change of career and the fear of his mortality also triggers much-deeper changes in this once placid character. The fifth and final season of Breaking Bad will run in the US from August 11. WATCH THE TRAILER FOR SEASON FIVE OF BREAKING BAD HERE: . The teacher has been charged with drug trafficking and also violating the state's drug laws in a school zone. Doran was ordered to remain on home confinement with a GPS device attached to him. He is allowed to leave his house for medical appointments if he posts $10,000 bail. If convicted he faces between eight and twenty years in prison. A spokesman from Doran's school, Mike . Larsson, told CBS television he had 'no knowledge, nor any reason to . believe, that any staff, teachers, or students were involved in this . matter or were in danger in any way'. Doran had been a tutor at the school for nine months and his also believed to have studied at London's School of Economics. He also served as a Democrat state representative for the 15th Middlesex House District between 1980 and 1994. His contract at the school has been terminated and he is due to reappear in court on June 24. | Stephen Doran, 57, found with 480g of drug after it was mailed to school .
Works as maths teacher at Match Charter Middle School in Boston .
Lawyer says his 'life was on the line' as he was being treated for cancer .
Striking similarity to plotline of TV show and character Walter White . |
112,649 | 1d57c217c50abd0ff7559034b63e1cd6e6082deb | (WIRED) -- Gerald "Jerry" Lawson, creator of the first cartridge-based videogame console, died Saturday morning in a Mountain View, California, hospital, WIRED.com has learned. Lawson was 70. As an engineer at Fairchild Semiconductor, Lawson designed the electronics of the Fairchild Video Entertainment System, later renamed the Channel F, in 1976. Predating the release of Atari's Video Computer System by a year, the Channel F was the first videogame machine that used interchangeable game cartridges, which Fairchild sold separately. Previous game machines like Atari's "Pong" and the Magnavox Odyssey had all their games built into the hardware. Lawson's pioneering design set the standard for the game consoles of today. "Jerry was an amazing personality," said family friend David Erhart, who broke the news of Lawson's death Monday on the Digital Press website. "He created part of the videogame industry history in Silicon Valley and it was always a pleasure to hear his stories about back in the day." Much of Lawson's background is discussed in a wide-ranging interview he gave Vintage Computing and Gaming in 2009. A lifelong engineer and tinkerer, Lawson was born in 1940 and grew up in a federal housing project in Queens, New York. As a kid, he operated a ham radio; as a teenager he earned money by repairing his neighbors' television sets. In the 1970s, living and working in Silicon Valley, he joined the Homebrew Computer Club, a group of early hackers that included Apple co-founders Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak. Lawson's contributions to videogames began with "Demolition Derby," a coin-operated arcade machine that he created in his garage while working at Fairchild. "Fairchild found out about it -- in fact, it was a big controversy that I had done that. And then, very quietly, they asked me if I wanted to do it for them," Lawson said in the Vintage Computing interview. Although similar machines were in development at Atari and RCA at the time, the console Lawson's team built for Fairchild was the first cartridge-based gaming system that came to market. Although it seems simple now, making the technology work wasn't easy. "There was a mechanism that allowed you to put the cartridges in without destroying the semiconductors.... We were afraid -- we didn't have statistics on multiple insertion and what it would do, and how we would do it, because it wasn't done. I mean, think about it: Nobody had the capability of plugging in memory devices in mass quantity like in a consumer product. Nobody." Only 26 cartridges were ever released for Channel F, all simple games like "Blackjack," "Space War" and "Bowling." When Atari released its cartridge-based system, Channel F was quickly rendered obsolete. Years later, Lawson started his own company, Videosoft, to produce Atari 2600 cartridges, but only released one, a technician's tool called "Color Bar Generator." Last month, the International Game Developers Association honored Lawson's pioneering efforts at Game Developers Conference in San Francisco. "The whole reason I did games was because people said, 'You can't do it,'" he told the San Jose Mercury News last month. "I'm one of the guys, if you tell me I can't do something, I'll turn around and do it." In later years, Lawson had suffered the severe effects of diabetes. He lost sight in one eye and lost one of his legs to the disease, leaving him confined to a wheelchair. On Wednesday, not feeling well, he was admitted into El Camino Hospital Mountain View. "He continued building devices to control telescopes, lasers, tools, etc. up until the day he went to the hospital," said friend Erhart. "His workbench had more tools than most people would even know what to do with. He taught me quite a bit and I'll miss him sorely." At 6:15 a.m. Saturday, Lawson died after apparently suffering a heart attack. He is survived by his wife, son and daughter. The family is planning a memorial service in mid-May. Photo courtesy of Vintagecomputing.com via WIRED. Subscribe to WIRED magazine for less than $1 an issue and get a FREE GIFT! Click here! Copyright 2011 Wired.com. | Jerry Lawson passed away after suffering a heart attack .
He was an engineer for Channel F .
Channel F was the first videogame machine that used interchangeable game cartridges . |
37,036 | 68fc1ae27eb1fb153356b58bd1979b48229f8f2c | By . Martin Allen . Martin 'Mad Dog' Allen returns with the latest instalment of his new weekly column for MailOnline Sport. The former Gillingham boss does not hold back with his views on current issues in football. This week, Mad Dog has his say on Ray Wilkins' suitability for another job in football, Sam Allardyce's football is producing results at West Ham, and what he has which is 'similar' to Dennis Bergkamp's statue at Arsenal... UPS AND DOWNS . I thought Ray Wilkins was very open and honest talking candidly about his mental health in football throughout his career, after his dismissal from Fulham last week. It's something many managers and coaches, including myself, have to overcome. Losing your job in any walk of life is tough. But being in the public eye in a job that you love, the incredible highs and lows, always being busy, it can be very difficult to cope. Brave: Ray Willkins spoke openly about his illness throughout his career after his dismissal from Fulham . Experience: Any club would be lucky to have a coach of Wilkins' standard . Click here to read Matt Lawton's exclusive interview with Ray Wilkins . You are a councillor, decision-maker, long-term and short-term planner, recruiter, teacher, charity worker, supporter and mentor. As well as picking the team and sorting out training for the players. Then it's just one phone-call, or text message, or email, and it stops. Just like that. Soon the texts and phone-calls stop and the buzz – the same buzz as all supporters feel come match-day times 100 – is gone from your life. You're lonely, isolated and wondering what the future brings. I'm not sure how you define depression. But I've felt a lack of energy, questioning your own ability, questioning if you'll ever work again and generally feeling fed up, sad and, at the want of a better word, bereavement. Frank: Wilkins was speaking to Sportsmail's Matt Lawton about his troubles . Everyone else gets on with their lives and I guess that feeling is called depression. I'm sure Ray will get an opportunity in football once again. He's a gentleman, full of knowledge, had great success and I see it as a strength that he has got help from a therapist and specialists in place to support him and, most of all, give him guidance for the future. This will, in my opinion, improve him and he will get better as a manager or coach. God bless. We must never forget, although people quickly do, the tragic loss of Gary Speed less than two years ago, who seemed bright and bubbly on Football Focus just the day before. I believe more has to be done to help and support managers who are out of work. LUKE'S A SHAW THING FOR ENGLAND . On Saturday I got the chance to visit my old stomping ground to watch West Ham versus Southampton. I'll tell you one thing I'm sure about and that's Southampton's 18-year-old left-back Luke Shaw. He's got pace, he's also got another gear, and goes forward with intent to do damage in the final third. He was tested one-on-one defensively all afternoon and he didn't get beaten once. Solid: Luke Shaw has the credentials to go all the way, he didn't get beaten once against West Ham . Competition: I can see Shaw usurping Ashley Cole (left) and Leighton Baines in the England team . Perhaps his decision-making in defence was at fault when he didn't track Matt Jarvis's run for West Ham's first goal. But in time, and with experience, that will improve. It looks from afar that Chelsea are letting Ashley Cole slowly run-down his contract and my guess would be that young Shaw will be moving to Stamford Bridge in the summer. With Leighton Baines edging towards 30 - though, it must be said, he has improved with age like a fine bottle of wine - I'm sure young Shaw will be filling the England left back spot for many, many years to come. THE WEST HAM WAY . A lot has been said about Sam Allardyce's way of playing. But I have not yet seen a book or manual that states how you have got to play to win a game of football. Sam has his way and after four straight wins, with his main players now available, not one West Ham supporter would've left Upton Park without a spring in their step and the claret-and-blue blood bubbling around their body. Southampton's Mauricio Pochettino had his team playing from the goalkeeper, through the back four, then the midfield, into the forwards, with both full backs overlapping. They were focused on ball retention and moving the opposition to create openings, with a South American style that is good to watch. Results: Sam Allardyce is getting the three points with his system, and has lifted West Ham into the top half . Route one: Kevin Nolan's goal typified the impressive performance . On Saturday, when the Saints goalkeeper had a goal kick, Southampton's two centre halves pulled deep and wide, level with their own six yard box and the two central midfield players dropped off to the edge of the penalty area to receive passes to start their attack. At no point did he smash it long. If those players were marked the keeper attempted a 30-yard pass with the full backs pushed high-up and wide in the wing positions. West Ham's goalkeeper, Adrian, kicked the ball 70 yards directly to Carlton Cole and in one instance the knock-down came to Kevin Nolan. Regret? Mauricio Pochettino had his team pass the ball out in defeat, while West Ham celebrate the win (below) His half-volley attempt at goal was blocked and the next pass was played to Stewart Downing, who on his second touch tried to get a cross in. It was blocked and went off for a corner. With only three passes the Upton Park crowd were on the edge of their seats in eager anticipation as the corner came in. The crowd loved it and at the end of the day, with three points on the board, I'm sure not one West Ham supporter could turn round and say, 'I don't know why we don't play out from the back and tip-tap it about in our own 18-yard box'. NO MATCH-WINNERS, NO WINS . A lot has been made about the lack of goals from the Barclays Premier League teams in Europe last week. But it surely can come as no surprise. Swansea City didn't have Michu playing. Tottenham were missing Emmanuel Adebayor. Man City didn't have Sergio Aguero in their side. Arsenal, no Olivier Giroud. No surprise: Manchester City and Arsenal were missing their main strikers in midweek in Sergio Aguero (left) and Olivier Giroud . So the main strikers, the match-winners, who win these games and make the difference, if you don't have them playing, you don't win. If Arsenal had signed Luis Suarez they'd have won the Premier League and gone very close in the Champions League this season. Yaya Sanogo looks decent, but he's hardly Suarez, Dennis Bergkamp or Thierry Henry, is he? Potential: But Yaya Sanogo isn't going to be the next Arsenal legend (like Luis Suarez could have been), is he? MAD HOT DOG . Speaking of Bergkamp, I see Arsenal have recognised the incredible contribution of one of the game's most amazing players with a statue at the Emirates. His incredible talent was so similar to Eric Cantona, with his arrogance and supreme confidence. He used to strut around like the King of Highbury, more often than not walking with his eyes squinted like a kestrel looking calmly and quietly for the gap or the opening where he could punish the opposition. He was magnificent, one of best of all time. Legend: Dennis Bergkamp deserves his statue outside the Emirates Stadium . Not quite: The closest I've ever come is... a Chilli Mad Dog! In 2012 they unveiled a statue of Sir Alex Ferguson outside Old Trafford. At West Ham, you've got the famous Bobby Moore Stand. In Chelsea's Stamford Bridge they've got the Zola Lounge. There are loads of them. And a couple of years ago my son George rang me with the news that a street vendor was selling a hotdog with chilli and mustard called the Chilli Mad Dog. Sadly no stand, or statue. On Tuesday night, Vassos Alexander and . Chris Hollins were left speechless for the very first time when I was . with them on BT's SportsHUB. They were shocked and horrified with my prediction that England would win the World Cup. With . their mouths wide open, and all planning from rehearsals now out the . window, I explained that with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Raheem Sterling, . Jack Wilshere, Danny Welbeck, Daniel Sturridge, Wayne Rooney, and with . Stevie G playing deep in front of the back four, we have a team with . pace and self-belief that can test and challenge the very best. You just wait and see. | More has to be done to help coaches like Ray Wilkins .
Luke Shaw is destined to be an England regular at left back .
Sam Allardyce's style of play is getting the results at West Ham .
No wonder English sides lost in Europe... they were without their main men .
Dennis Bergkamp has his statue... guess what I have! |
99,307 | 0be67db44f030fa823cc15f0c387ea8cda91bb7b | New Zealander Tom Coventry will take over as head coach of London Irish starting next season, the Premiership club said on Wednesday. Coventry will begin his duties once his commitments with New Zealand Rugby franchise the Chiefs, where he is assistant head coach, are completed. His appointment follows the departure of director of rugby Brian Smith on Tuesday. Tom Coventry (second right) celebrates winning the Super Rugby final with the Chiefs in 2013 . Brian Smith left his post as London Irish director of rugby on Tuesday . 'The owners have a clear vision of where they want to take the club and it is a challenge I am immensely excited by and I cannot wait to get stuck in when I join,' Coventry told the London Irish website. 'I have enjoyed my time with the Chiefs and will continue to do so until it is time to go, but I think to stay fresh as a coach it is important to immerse yourself in new environments, new challenges and experiences which is what I am going to do.' | Tom Coventry will take over next season after job with Chiefs is done .
Brian Smith left role as London Irish's director of rugby on Tuesday . |
10,869 | 1ee88737c98bbf30ab6125f6a2aa38176241d805 | By . Steve Robson . PUBLISHED: . 07:26 EST, 18 January 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 09:24 EST, 18 January 2013 . A window cleaner has accused parking bosses of trying to 'milk people of every penny' after a traffic warden gave him a fine because his van was hanging one inch over yellow lines. Andrew Wilson, 50, has been left livid after the jobsworth official slapped a £70 ticket on his van which he parked on his driveway at his home in Lincoln. Ironically, the double yellow lines are intended to stop other motorists blocking his way out. Livid: Window cleaner Andrew Wilson was given a £70 parking fine because his van was overhanging yellow lines by one inch . 'Milking it': The van was parked near the end of the driveway because of building work going on at a neighbour's property . Mr Wilson has been unable to pull any further onto his drive because of building work being carried out on a neighbour's property. But he said the female traffic warden would not listen to reason when he explained. 'I went out ranting and raving and saying 'what are you doing?' he said. 'There was about three or four people in our street shouting at her. She said there was nothing she could do about it. Action: Mr Wilson has accused the council of trying to 'milk people of every penny' and says he will fight the parking ticket . 'I said 'you can see the driveway, I can't use it' and she just walked off. The wheels are on my drive but the tiniest part of the vehicle is overhanging the lines. 'I would say it was hanging maybe half way over the first yellow line, probably only two centimetres. 'The warden must have got a ruler out and measured just how far over the line I was. 'The galling thing is the lines are there to stop my and other people's cars being blocked in by other people.' Andrew, who lives with his wife Keely, 39, and daughter Shania, 13, slammed Lincolnshire County Council for 'milking people of every penny' and vowed to appeal the fine. 'It's a £70 fine but if you pay it in 14 . days then it's £35. I'm not going to pay it. I've appealed against it . and sent the photos I took. 'I have been living here for three and a half years and the yellow lines have always been there but I've never had a problem. 'After 6pm you don't need a permit so the traffic wardens are always down there at like 5.30pm trying to catch people out. 'I've seen them scraping the ice off trying to look for permits. 'It is just stupid. It is milking us for every penny we have. It is disgusting.' Mick Phoenix, parking services manager for Lincolnshire County Council, said: 'Mr Wilson has appealed against his ticket, so we will be investigating this. This will involve comparing any notes or photos taken by the parking officer with the evidence supplied by Mr Wilson. 'We usually have a decision in around 14 working days.The parking officers are asked to take a common sense approach when issuing a ticket. If we find Mr Wilson has been penalised in error, we will, of course cancel his ticket. However, if the ticket is upheld, there is option to reappeal.' Reason: Andrew Wilson said he tried to explain to the female warden that he couldn't move his van any further down the drive because of building work but his words fell on deaf ears . | Andrew Wilson, 50, was parked on his own driveway at home in Lincoln .
Double yellows are intended to stop motorists blocking him in .
Warden wouldn't listen to reason and handed out £70 fine . |
54,308 | 99d4e6226e169e2fec1d5663a7a9c7ae6a2ebc8b | By . Simon Jones for MailOnline . Southampton goalkeeper Artur Boruc is considering a move to Cagliari. The disgruntled Poland international has told Ronald Koeman he wants to leave after being displaced by the arrival of £10m Fraser Forster from Celtic. Boruc, 36, is keen to play and Serie A Cagliari are willing to give him the chance. On his way: Artur Boruc is interested in a move to Serie A side Cagliari . The Italian club, meanwhile, are continuing talks with Leeds United over the proposed loan of Brazilian playmaker Adryan. Leeds have also agreed a £600,000 deal with Aarhus for midfielder Casper Sloth. Meanwhile, former Saints striker Rickie Lambert has slammed the ambition of Southampton’s owners for allowing ex-Saints manager Mauricio Pochettino to leave for Premier League rivals Tottenham. ‘There’s obviously a reason why the gaffa went and that was the moment it became clear to the players what the ambition of the club was going to be,' Lambert told Fox Sports. Glove and war: Fraser Forster, a £10m signing from Celtic, has replaced Artur Boruc at St Mary's . It’s not too late to play MailOnline Fantasy Football… There’s £1,000 to be won EVERY WEEK by the highest scoring manager . CLICK HERE to start picking your Fantasy Football team NOW! There’s £60,000 in prizes including £1,000 up for grabs EVERY WEEK… . . | Artur Boruc wants to leave Southampton for Serie A side Cagliari .
Poland international has lost his place to £10m signing Fraser Forster .
Cagliari are in talks with Leeds United over loan for Brazilian Adryan . |
134,859 | 3a740aa4a04acff54b6ca8a8f649a76ec3734de4 | A group of gypsies has been driven out of a Belgian town after the mayor hired a DJ to blast rock music at them. The Roma had amassed 30 caravans at a site in Landen, a small town with a population of less than 15,000, around 30 miles east of Brussels, with no plans to leave. But after a DJ played Dire Straits at a volume of 95 decibels - equivalent to the sound of a pneumatic drill from 50 feet away - they caved in and agreed to go. Scroll down for video . Driven out: A group of gypsies (pictured) has been driven out of Landen, a small town with a population of less than 15,000, around 30 miles east of Brussels, Belgium, after the mayor hired a DJ to blast rock music at them . Travellers: The Roma had amassed 30 caravans at a site in Landen with no plans to leave. But after a DJ played Dire Straits at a volume of 95 decibels, they caved in and agreed to go. Above, two women and a boy at the site . Setting up: The DJ is seen preparing to blast out Dire Straits' 'Sultans of Swing' from the back of a white truck . The gypsies had initially agreed with a landowner to park 14 caravans at the site in Flemish Brabant province until Tuesday, according to Landen mayor Gino Debroux. But since arriving on Sunday, they had reportedly amassed a further 16 vehicles. 'Since then, they've said they won't leave and they're there with 30 caravans,' Mr Debroux told Reuters via phone earlier this week. 'This is an industrial site and is not designed for camping.' Controversial decision: Landen mayor Gino Debroux (right) said the music was 'a way of putting pressure on' the gypsies. Left, a group of Roma children started dancing to the music when it played yesterday morning . Mr Debroux said the group's refusal to leave had prompted him to hire a DJ to blast music at them from 9am yesterday. 'This . is a way of putting pressure on them. It was very difficult to . negotiate with the gypsy king, as he called himself,' he said. 'It's a . non-violent method to ask them to come to an agreement.' The . DJ kicked off his set with Dire Straits' 'Sultans of Swing', before . continuing to play music at 95 decibels until shortly after midday, . according to local media. Belgian television showed Roma children dancing to the music. 'I want to thank the mayor,' said one camp resident. 'It's very nice that he sent a DJ for us to have a party.' However, by midday, the Roma had agreed with police that they would leave the site. They are expected to depart at some point today. The drastic measure has sparked a range of reactions of social media, including some from fellow members of Mr Debroux's socialist Sp.a party. 'Not OK, what happened in Landen. Really not OK,' said former minister Freya Van den Bossche. Rock band: After a DJ played Dire Straits at a volume of 95 decibels - equivalent to the sound of a pneumatic drill from 50 feet away - the gypsies finally agreed to go. Above, members of the British rock band, Dire Straits . | Roma had amassed 30 caravans at site in Landen with no plans to depart .
This is despite initially agreeing to park 14 vehicles on land until Tuesday .
But after mayor hired DJ to blast rock music at them, they agreed to leave .
According to reports, he kicked off set with Dire Straits' 'Sultans of Swing' |
81,474 | e6d73fb6a6160614f5c5e84890d87e8642507cf0 | (CNN) -- Everyone loves a sporting feud. Some of the most enduring rivalries in sport have been born through individuals, or entire teams, that weren't particularly fond of the other. Who doesn't enjoy the sight of two men who should know better -- Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho and Arsenal counterpart Arsene Wenger -- shoving each other on the sidelines during an English Premier League match? Just look at the ill-tempered clash between Italian champions Juventus and rivals Roma on Sunday night that spawned three controversial penalties and two red cards after a late melee. Even cricket -- that most genteel of sports -- is at it, ex-England cricketer Kevin Pietersen releasing an autobiography in which he takes a swipe at former teammates and coaches. Here, CNN takes a look at five sporting feuds that are en vogue at present. Jose Mourinho vs. Arsene Wenger . These two great rivals haven't seen eye to eye almost from the day Mourinho pitched up at Chelsea from Portuguese football in 2004. Their first spat centered on Wenger's criticism of Chelsea's lavish spending under billionaire Russian owner Roman Abramovich, Mourinho hitting back by calling his opposite number a "voyeur." Chelsea's boss later claimed he had a dossier on things Wenger had said about his club, hinting at legal action. It didn't take long for Mourinho to revive the rivalry upon his return to Chelsea in 2013, calling Wenger a "specialist in failure." On Sunday, Wenger shoved Mourinho on the touchline after reacting angrily to a strong tackle on his player Alexis Sanchez. The fourth official intervened, separating the two, as Chelsea went on to win 2-0 and make it 12 matches without defeat for Mourinho against Wenger. Afterwards Chelsea's coach said there was "no problem" between the two, while Wenger said "What is there to regret?" Kevin Pietersen vs Matt Prior . The man referred to by fans as "KP" has waited a long time to have his say on his sacking from the England cricket team after a disastrous tour to Australia. England were thumped 5-0 in the Ashes by its most fierce rival at the turn of the year and when Pietersen had his contract canceled in February, he had to wait until October until a confidentiality clause expired to have his say. He was accused of being "disengaged" by the England and Wales Cricket Board but has hit back, claiming they told him he was being dismissed for "cricketing reasons" and wouldn't elaborate. Pietersen reserves particular ire for Prior, England's former vice captain, who he accuses of fostering a bullying culture within the dressing room. The wicketkeeper is also labeled as a "back-stabber" by Pietersen, for revealing details of a supposedly confidential team meeting during the Australia tour. Prior took to Twitter to say that he would respond, but at a later date and not on the social media site. He said he was looking forward to reading the book and joked: "Might bully my kids into getting it for me for Xmas!!" Tom Watson vs. Phil Mickelson . Eight-time major winner Tom Watson was supposed to be the man to finally secure a United States victory in golf's premier team competition, the Ryder Cup, at the 2014 tournament in Scotland last month . But just like seven of the last eight captains, he tasted defeat, as Europe made it three on the bounce courtesy of a 16½-11½ victory at Gleneagles. The inquest began within hours of the final shot, and it emerged from a surprising source within the team -- Phil Mickelson, a man with five majors of his own. His eulogy about 2008 skipper Paul Azinger -- the only man to the lead the U.S. to victory this century -- was seen as thinly veiled criticism of Watson, and turned the team's press conference into a tension-filled affair. Mickelson said Azinger had involved the players in his decision making process and formulated a "real game plan," the implication being that Watson had done neither during his tenure. The captain, sitting a few seats down from his player, replied: "(Phil) has a difference of opinion. That's OK. My management philosophy is different than his. I had a different philosophy than Paul. I decided not to go that way." As details began to leak out about Watson's reign, he released an open letter saying he understood Mickelson's reaction and that the pair had spoken since to try and clear the air. Watson added: "The bottom line is this. I was their captain. In hindsight whatever mistakes that were made were mine. And I take complete and full responsibility for them." Juventus vs. AS Roma . It was the most eagerly anticipated clash of the season so far in Italy, as first took on second. Both Serie A champions Juventus and Roma, who finished as runners up in 2013/14 came into their clash on Saturday with 100% records, winning five games out of five. It was a match that most certainly lived up to the hype and included five goals, three controversial penalty decisions and two red cards as Juve came out on top. An ill-tempered clash saw referee Gianluca Rocchi under almost constant fire from the players, each of his penalty decisions provoking controversy. Juve profited from two of those, Roma captain Francesco Totti lamenting his performance after the match, saying the official favored Juventus. The winning goal was scored by Juve defender Leonardo Bonucci, moments before a melee involving players from both sides saw Álvaro Morata and Kostas Manolas sent off. Richard Sherman vs. Patrick Peterson . Seahawks cornerman Sherman relishes his role as one of the most outspoken players in the NFL, but he does have a Superbowl ring to back it up. Recently, it's a rival from Arizona Cardinals that has been taking up a large chunk of his time -- Patrick Peterson, who recently signed a new contract with the Cardinals that made him the highest paid cornerback ever to have played in the NFL. This not long after Sherman had signed his own extension, but for a lesser sum. News of Peterson's deal prompted Sherman to reassert his authority by retweeting a stat that said his rival had given up seven touchdowns in 2013 compared to his one. After a series of replies, Sherman tweeted a picture of his Superbowl ring. We await the next round with interest. | CNN looks at the five sporting feuds of the moment .
Ex-England cricketer Kevin Pietersen attacks Matt Prior in autobiography .
Soccer coaches Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger involved in touchline spat .
2014 U.S. Ryder Cup captain Tom Watson and Phil Mickelson at loggerheads . |
134,881 | 3a7ae1701cdd0093d802dee5e5687ad5c7675c77 | By . Michael Seamark . and Chris Greenwood . PUBLISHED: . 18:53 EST, 16 March 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 18:53 EST, 16 March 2014 . A teenage boy at one of Britain’s most expensive public schools has been arrested over allegations of ‘harassing’ a young girl by posting indecent photos of her online. The 16-year-old is a pupil at Westminster School which charges boarders more than £30,000 a year. Former pupils include Nick Clegg, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Helena Bonham Carter. A 16-year-old pupil from £30,000-a-year Westminster School has been arrested and questioned on suspicion of harassment, distributing indecent images of children and threats to cause criminal damage . Police are understood to have been called in earlier this month after an argument between the boy, the son of a Harley Street consultant, and the girl who is also 16. The boy was taken into custody and questioned on suspicion of harassment, distributing indecent images of children and threats to cause criminal damage. He was released on bail while police continue their investigations. The girl is not a pupil at Westminster, but news of the teenagers’ dispute and subsequent police involvement is the subject of gossip at the prestigious school situated between Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament. One source said: ‘Everybody’s talking about it. As we understand it, they had an argument and he posted explicit pictures of her.’ Westminster is regarded as one of Britain’s most exclusive independent schools and has a history dating back to the 11th century. Other old boys include the spy Kim Philby and disgraced former Lib Dem Cabinet minister Chris Huhne. Day fees start at £22,500 a year, rising to £32,490 for boarders, who make up around a quarter of the 750 pupils. Girls are accepted in the sixth form and number around 130. The boy’s mother, when asked about his arrest, said this week: ‘I can’t comment, sorry.’ A member of the girl’s family said: ‘Obviously we are distraught by what has happened. ‘We are pursuing this to the bitter end and I want this boy to meet his punishment whether by the police, the courts, or by taking private action against him.’ Police are believed to have been called in after an argument between the boy and a 16-year-old girl after which he allegedly posted the picture of her online . Scotland Yard said: ‘Police received an allegation of harassment on March 5. An investigation was launched and on March 5 a boy, aged 16, was arrested on suspicion of harassment, distributing indecent images of children and threats to cause criminal damage and was taken into custody. ‘He was subsequently bailed to a date in mid-April pending further investigation.’ According to the Department for Education, around 3,000 children are excluded from schools every year for sexual bullying, assaults and harassment. The National Union of Teachers and charity ChildLine are deeply concerned by an increase in sexual bullying and sexting on smartphones. Research by the Internet Watch Foundation revealed last month that four in ten teachers know of pupils taking part in sexting. It involves naked or sexual pictures being exchanged by youngsters, often using mobile phone apps such as Snapchat or social networks such as Facebook. The IWF said most children who swap explicit pictures with a boyfriend or girlfriend did not believe the images would be widely circulated. But they often end up being shared on social networks. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article. | Boy from prestigious Westminster School arrested by police .
Questioned on suspicion of harassment, distributing indecent images of children and threats to cause criminal damage before being bailed .
Officers called in after an argument between pupil and girl, also 16 .
He allegedly posted the sexual picture of her online after the row . |
112,153 | 1caa0f0d652afeb5acb6865cf35489451a308db3 | The Pacific Island nation of Kiribati may be the first country to disappear under the rising sea levels of climate change. Its people fear their homeland may become the world's next Atlantis. As our boat nears the shore, the dark shadows beneath the sea sharpen into focus. Chiseled coral stones, organized neatly into rows, glisten from the reef of this shallow cove. We are drifting over the foundations of the surrendered neighborhoods of Tebunginako. The village was once home to more than 200 households, but today, it lies beneath several meters of turquoise water. "We used to swim out there to see the ships when we were boys. They'd tie them up to the coconut trees just over here," explains the Mayor, pointing enthusiastically as we coast over the remains of his town. Locals say Tebunginako was once the island's main harbor -- before the rising sea swallowed its coast. Now stumps of dead coconut trees line the lagoon, their tips peaking out from the water like little grave stones of a civilization lost. The extreme coastal erosion of Tebunginako is becoming increasingly common in Kiribati, a South Pacific nation of 33 islands strung along the equator. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has identified Kiribati as one of the six Pacific Island countries most threatened by rising sea-levels. The report claims that, due to coastal erosion and freshwater contamination, Kiribati could become uninhabitable as early as 2050. "Right now we're experiencing total inundation of areas that previously were not vulnerable to normal tides," says Andrew Teem, Kiribati's Senior Adviser on Climate Change. "We're getting something called King Tides -- extremely high tides. These were non-existent when I was a boy." A large number of Kiribati's citizens are already internally displaced from climate-related disasters, and many have fled to the capitol island, South Tarawa. Today, half of Kiribati's population crowds onto South Tarawa's tiny crescent of land, making it one of the most densely populated areas on earth, mirroring the population density of Tokyo or London. Unless birthrates or internal displacement are curbed, the population of South Tarawa is expected to double by 2030. "Like any developing island state, our population is quite young and developing at a very high rate, which already strains our fresh water supply," Teem explains. "Climate change and the rising sea exacerbate a problem we already have with regards to our water resources." This week, representatives from 190 countries will gather in Lima, Peru for the twentieth session of the U.N. Climate Change Conference. The Lima conference will lay the groundwork for a climate treaty at the end of 2015, for implementation by 2020. But for low-lying island nations like Kiribati, these commitments may not materialize soon enough. For communities like Tebunginako, these treaties are already long overdue. "Climate change has major implications for our people today, not in the future like some other countries," explains Teem. Kiribati's government has pursued various adaptation initiatives over the last decade. These efforts range from employment-related migration programs with Australia and New Zealand to the exploration of man-made floating islands. This year, Kiribati finalized a purchase of a plot of land in Fiji that it hopes to use in the future. But the people of Kiribati are unwilling to abandon their homes without a fight. In addition to their local efforts, they are challenging the root of the problem, global carbon-emissions, at the international level. The government of Kiribati, along with a coalition of other small island states, has been lobbying for binding carbon-emissions treaties. They have also supported the concept of "climate change reparations," or compensation to non-industrialized developing countries for the climate-related damages caused by the industrialized powers. In the past month, breakthroughs were made on both fronts. The United States and China -- the world's largest emitters of carbon -- announced plans to cut emissions over the next two decades. At the recent G20 conference, several nations joined President Obama in committing billions of dollars to the United Nation's Green Climate Fund, which will support developing nations in combating the effects of climate change. While the government of Kiribati welcomed this news, the measures are only a first step towards addressing their national needs. Environmental groups have criticized the developments, calling the measures "a drop in the ocean." "Climate change is something we were not responsible for. If we were responsible for this fate, that would be a different story all together," responds Teem, on the issues of climate change reparations and carbon emission cuts. "We are very simple people with very simple needs, but we do not want to be faced with something that is not entirely of our own doing." As the sun sets in Tebunginako, the Mayor guides us to the shore of the town's two remaining structures, a Church and a traditional community center, known as a maneaba. The tall structures jet out defiantly from the middle of the lagoon, fortified only by leaking sandbags and battered seawalls. "We struggle to maintain them as a remembrance of Tebunginako," explains the Mayor. "These places are important to our people because of their religion and because it was the last place they were all together." When asked about his people's future, he clings to their past. "We are very scared, and we need help," he shrugs. "We believe in our government and their strong voice to the world, but we are still waiting for the world to reply." "We used to swim out there as children," he repeats quietly, his gaze shifting blankly to the ocean. "And tie the boats to the coconut trees..." | The Pacific Island nation of Kiribati was once home to more than 200 households .
Today, it lies beneath several meters of turquoise water .
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says it is most threatened by rising sea-levels .
The report claims that the island could become uninhabitable as early as 2050 . |
199,117 | 8dc541de8101f73303f8c81c2ce8bd4612c9f12d | ROME, Italy (CNN) -- Italian authorities Tuesday arrested two suspects believed to be responsible for the September 18 killing of six African immigrants in Castelvolturno, a small town of 20,000 residents north of Naples. The army has been deployed in major cities aross Italy since the early summer. Police also arrested a third man wanted by authorities for belonging to the same clan, but not directly linked to the killings. The victims were gunned down in a hail of bullets as they stood outside a store selling ethnic goods. The attack sparked a riot by immigrants who complained about "racism" but officials suspect a dispute over drug trafficking. Those arrested, Alessandro Cirillo, Oreste Spagnuolo and Giovanni Letizia, were on the list of the 100 most dangerous men and wanted criminals in Italy. The arrests were part of a large police operation aimed at cracking down on organized crime in the Campania region and in particular the powerful Casalesi clan belonging to the Neapolitan mafia known as Camorra. The Casalesi clan and the area where the arrests took place prominently featured in the best seller "Gomorrah," a book written by Roberto Saviano who now lives under constant police protection. "This is a great day for the Italian state," said Carmelo Casabona, head of the police in Caserta. "The operation was an immediate, concrete and strong answer to organized crime in this region." Two weeks ago, the Italian interior minister announced the deployment of 400 additional police officers in the area. And the Italian military will deploy 500 troops by Saturday as part of a large operation Italian officials say is aimed at "reclaiming the control of the territory." "Our objective is to take the water away from the sharks," said Italian Interior Minister Roberto Maroni. He explained that the additional police officers are already working, while the army's role will be defined at a key meeting Friday in Caserta. In the suspects' home, police found weapons including two AK-47s that investigators say were used to carry out the killings in Castelvolturno, as well as police overalls, one gun and one pump rifle. Authorities also arrested dozens of other people, including the wife of Francesco Schiavone, aka "Sandokan," the head of the Casalesi clan who was arrested a decade ago and is serving a life-time prison sentence. As part of the same operation, Italian financial police confiscated 43 companies and 134 apartments spread throughout central and southern Italy belonging to the Casalesi clan, worth more than 100 million euros ($144 million). CNN Producer Flavia Taggiasco contributed to this report. | Two suspects arrested over killing of six African immigrants in Italy .
Victims were gunned down in a hail of bullets in town north of Naples .
Arrests part of large police operation aimed at tackling organized crime . |
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