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203,376 | 93421176262a8cf81f5c2a157679eae3c7a42c31 | (CNN)Fighting between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah has left two Israeli soldiers and a Spanish peacekeeper dead, officials said Wednesday. Separately, in Gaza, the United Nations said it was "outraged" when Palestinian protesters climbed the perimeter of a U.N. compound and damaged it. U.N. officials took Hamas to task for not preventing the incident. Hezbollah fired five anti-tank missiles at Israeli military vehicles in the disputed Shebaa Farms area, killing an officer and a soldier, the Israel Defense Forces said. Sgt. Dor Chaim Nini was 20; Capt. Yochai Kalangel was 25, the IDF said. The attack took place near Shebaa Farms, also known as Har Dov, a disputed strip of land between Lebanon and Syria adjoining the Golan Heights, under Israeli control. Seven Israeli soldiers were injured, two of them moderately, the IDF said. Hezbollah, which Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime supports, claimed responsibility for the attack. The Spanish service member, Cpl. Francisco Javier Soria Toledo, was serving with UNIFIL, the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon. He was killed "during the incidents that happened between Hezbollah and the Israeli military," the Spanish government said. Spanish President Mariano Rajoy Brey expressed his condolences on Twitter. It was unknown whether the peacekeeper, 36, was killed by Israeli or Hezbollah fire. The IDF told CNN it is investigating . UNIFIL said its personnel "observed six rockets launched toward Israel" on Wednesday morning, and that the IDF "returned artillery fire in the same general area." "During the course of the developments, a UNIFIL peacekeeper deployed at a U.N. position near Ghajar sustained serious injuries that resulted in his death. The precise cause of death is as yet undetermined and remains the subject of investigation," UNIFIL said in a statement. "UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major-General Luciano Portolano was in immediate contact with the parties to help control the situation and prevent further escalation. In the meantime, at around 1:30 p.m., five rockets were fired from the general area of Kafer Shouba toward Israel. The IDF fired artillery rounds towards the source of fire. "UNIFIL has been informed by the IDF that they incurred casualties as a result of fire from the Lebanese side." An Israeli military position on Mount Hermon also came under mortar fire Wednesday, the IDF said. Israel planned to evacuate civilians Wednesday from the town, which includes a popular ski resort. A day earlier, a rocket attack struck the Golan Heights, and Israel responded with artillery fire. Overnight, the military launched airstrikes against Syrian targets in response to Hezbollah rocket fire from Syrian bases, IDF spokesman Lt. Col. Peter Lerner told CNN. "We did this to send a message to the Syrian regime that we view it responsible for what occurs on its territory and that there is a price to pay for allowing Hezbollah to use your positions," Lerner said. "If the Syrians think they are going to open up a new front on the Golan after 40 years, we are not willing to accept that." The Golan Heights were part of Syria until the Six Day War in 1967. The area has since been under Israeli control. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Wednesday that his country is prepared to respond to attacks in the region. At a ceremony in the southern Israel city of Sderot, Netanyahu said, "At this moment, the IDF is responding to events in the north. To everyone who is trying to challenge us at the northern border, I recommend that they look (at) what happened not far away from the city of Sderot, in Gaza: Hamas took its hardest hit since its formation. And the IDF is prepared to act strongly on all fronts." Netanyahu convened a security meeting and vowed, "Those who are responsible for this attack will pay the price." He linked the violence to Iran, which supports Hezbollah and the Syrian regime. "Iran has been attempting for some time, through Hezbollah, to create an additional terror front against us from the Golan Heights. We are working aggressively and responsibly against this attempt," he said. "The Lebanese government and the Assad regime are both responsible for the implications of the attacks that are originating from their territory against Israel. " Netanyahu's office brought up Iran's nuclear activities. "We must not provide terrorism with a nuclear umbrella. We must not let the most dangerous regime in the world have the most dangerous weapon in the world," the office said. Iran insists it seeks only peaceful nuclear energy. U.N. peacekeepers pulled out of the Golan Heights in September after Islamic militants took some peacekeepers hostage and Syrian rebel fighters took control of the border crossing between Israel and Syria in the Syrian town of Quneitra. There has been intermittent weapons fire from Syria into the Golan Heights -- both targeted and errant, the Israeli military contends -- as the Syrian civil war has raged. More than a week ago, Iranian semiofficial media reported that an Israeli airstrike killed six Hezbollah members and a senior Iranian commander around Quneitra. The Israeli military refused to comment about the January 18 strike. Hamas said Wednesday it "reaffirms Hezbollah's right to respond to the Israeli aggression, especially following the attack in Quneitra." Hezbollah has claimed responsibility for numerous terrorist attacks. It is blamed for a 1983 bombing that killed 241 U.S. service personnel at a Marine compound in Beirut, Lebanon, the deadliest attack against U.S. Marines since the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II. Hamas, meanwhile, came under criticism Wednesday from the U.N. special coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Robert Serry, who said he was "outraged by the assault" on a U.N. compound in Gaza. "During a pre-announced demonstration, of which Hamas was well aware, a number of protesters climbed the perimeter wall and entered the compound causing damage to United Nations premises and property," he said. "Due to precautionary measures taken, United Nations personnel working in the compound were fortunately unharmed." Hamas controls Gaza. "Pending a full transfer of security responsibilities to the legitimate Palestinian Authority, we continue to hold Hamas fully responsible for the security and safety of all United Nations personnel and operations in Gaza," Serry said. "As this serious incident took place in the context of increasing incitement against the United Nations in Gaza, the Special Coordinator is conducting an urgent review of operations in Gaza," his statement added. CNN's Elise Labott and Jason Hanna contributed to this report. | Two Israeli soldiers killed, seven wounded in Hezbollah missile attack .
A Spanish service member with U.N. peacekeeping forces also killed .
U.N. takes Hamas to task in Gaza after protesters damage compound . |
82,476 | e9d5f830accc5a81d2d17e57dcc159f0cdd22aa2 | (CNN) -- Real Madrid will head into a big week knowing the club's Spanish title bid is back on track and that one of its records will stand for at least another season. Carlo Ancelotti's team will be just three points behind Barcelona ahead of next weekend's "Clasico" at Camp Nou after the La Liga champion dropped its first points this campaign in Saturday's 0-0 draw at Osasuna. It was the first time in 64 league matches Barca had failed to score, despite the introduction of Lionel Messi midway through the second half. Second-placed Atletico Madrid then surrendered the division's only other 100% record, losing 1-0 at Espanyol to also fall one win short of the 1968-69 Real side's benchmark beginning. Ancelotti, meanwhile, was lifted by a 2-0 win at home to Malaga earlier in the day which lifted some of the building pressure on the Italian. "Today I am happy, we have to keep going and keep improving, but the team has done well today, the week has started well," the former Milan and Chelsea coach said. Angel Di Maria put Real ahead a minute into the second half with a speculative cross that bamboozled the keeper, and Cristiano Ronaldo sealed victory in time added on with a penalty after substitute Gareth Bale was brought down in the box. Marquee signing Bale is now in contention to face Juventus in the European Champions League on Wednesday, having impressed on his return from injury. "Bale has no problems and is another option. We will see now that we have three days of training before the next match," Ancelotti said. He backed Ronaldo after the Portugal forward -- who hit the bar in the first half -- apologized to fans for not scoring earlier in the match. "He was not happy because he wanted to score -- he had chances and I said that the today it was just not his day, but he showed a cool mind in scoring the penalty because when it is not your day, it is not difficult to miss a penalty," the 54-year-old added. Barca coach Gerardo Martino shrugged off his side's frustrating day ahead of Tuesday's Champions League trip to Milan. "We should have won given the chances we created. I'm pleased with the team's performance," the Argentine said. "We weren't accurate in front of goal. In the first half we were missing that final pass. We were off by centimeters. "I would be concerned if there had been a decline in our performance. We tied because that's how it had to be -- I don't think our level has dropped." Atletico's perfect run came to an end in the Catalan capital as Espanyol triumphed thanks to a bizarre own-goal from goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who could only divert Juan Fuentes' 55th-minute cross into his own net via his outstretched foot. Atletico did breach the opposition's goal, but Mario Suarez was offside when he headed in Koke's free-kick. In Saturday's other La Liga game, Valencia missed a chance to stay in touch with the top four after losing 2-1 at home to Real Sociedad. Germany . Bayern Munich returned to the top of the Bundesliga after coming from behind to beat Mainz 4-1, with substitute Mario Gotze inspiring a second-half fightback. The 21-year-old set up Arjen Robben's equalizer and was also involved as Thomas Muller and Mario Mandzukic made it 3-1. Muller sealed the scoring with a penalty after Bastian Schweinsteiger was fouled. It extended the German and European champion's unbeaten run to 34 matches, two short of Hamburg's longstanding league record. Borussia Dortmund reclaimed second place with a 1-0 win at home to Hanover, thanks to Marco Reus' first-half penalty. It gave last season's runner-up a goal-difference advantage over third-placed Bayer Leverkusen -- whose controversial Friday win against Hoffenheim, courtesy of a goal that went through the sidenetting, will be reviewed on Monday. Fourth-placed Hertha Berlin, another seven points back, beat Borussia Moenchengladbach 1-0, while Schalke took fifth as Roman Neustaedter's injury-time goal earned a 3-2 win at bottom club Eintracht Braunschweig. Second-bottom Freiburg drew 0-0 at Werder Bremen, while it was 1-1 between Eintracht Frankfurt and Nuremberg. Italy . AC Milan notched a morale-boosting 1-0 win at home to Udinese, moving into the top half of the Serie A table thanks to Valter Birsa's first-half goal. Brazil midfielder Kaka came on as a second-half replacement after a month on the sidelines with injury, as severely-depleted Milan bid to put together a match-fit squad for Tuesday's home clash with Barca. Cagliari won 2-1 against 10-man Catania in the club's first match in 18 months at its renovated home stadium, joining ninth-placed Udinese on 10 points from eight rounds. Second-placed Juve will seek to cut the gap on leader Roma to two points by winning at Fiorentina on Sunday. France . Ligue 1 champion Paris Saint-Germain went three points clear with a 4-0 drubbing of Bastia, as star strikers Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Edinson Cavani scored twice each. Monaco can regain the lead on goal difference by winning at bottom club Sochaux on Sunday. Lille moved up to third with a 1-0 win at Montpellier, while Nantes beat Ajaccio by the same score to also go above Marseille -- defeated at sixth-placed Nice on Friday. | Barcelona and Atletico Madrid fail to equal Real Madrid's record start to season .
Real three points behind leader Barca ahead of next weekend's "Clasico" clash .
Bayern Munich extends unbeaten run in Bundesliga; Dortmund also wins .
AC Milan picks up needed win; PSG moves clear at top of France's Ligue 1 . |
27,164 | 4d00ef6c5aca14feed20f1c0aeb0e24670d2f3ce | Bucharest, Romania (CNN) -- Former Romanian Prime Minister Adrian Nastase was placed on three years of probation Friday in a corruption case that had been under investigation for more than six years. Romania's Supreme Court found Nastase guilty of committing blackmail while he was prime minister, from 2000 to 2004. He also had been accused of bribery, but the court found him innocent on that charge. Nastase had denied all the charges in the case and said the trial was a political one, ordered by Romania's current president, Traian Basescu, who defeated Nastase when the two ran for president in 2004. Nastase's lawyer, Ion Cazacu, said he might appeal the decision. Nastase's wife also was placed on three years of probation for using false documents. She was found innocent on other charges, including bribery. The trial of Nastase and his wife started in 2010 after Romania's Anti-corruption Agency accused them of bribery and blackmail. Another main figure in the case was Irina Jianu, former head of a state construction agency, who was found innocent on charges of money laundry and bribery. However, the court found her guilty of using false documents, and she was sentenced to three years in prison. During the trial, the Anti-corruption Agency stated that Nastase received directly or through his wife €630,000 ($840,000) from Jianu while he was a prime minister. In return, the agency said, Nastase named Jianu as head of the construction agency. According to the prosecutors, the money was used by Nastase to buy objects and goods from China and to cover the cost of some work done at two of his houses, in Bucharest and Cornu. The Supreme Court found Nastase and his wife innocent regarding these accusations. The anti-corruption agency also said Nastase sent almost €90,000 ($120,000) to Ioan Paun, who was then a Romanian consul-general in China. The agency said the money was meant to be used in China for the purchase of various goods and objects for the Nastase family. This was the second conviction for Nastase this year. In January, he was sentenced to two years of prison in what was known as the Quality Trophy corruption case. He has appealed that decision. In that case, the Romanian Supreme Court found Nastase guilty of illegally raising €1.6 million ($2.1 million) during his 2004 campaign for president as the candidate of the Social Democrat Party. Nastase was also involved in another case, known as the Aunt Tamara case, in which he was accused of paying a $400,000 bribe to the former head of the country's anti-money-laundering agency to delete some documents related to his wife's bank account. Nastase was found innocent in that case. Nastase was the first former prime minister and the highest official to get a jail sentence in Romania since the fall of communism. The European Union has repeatedly called on Romania to put more effort into tackling corruption by top-level officials and politicians. | Former Romanian Prime Minister Adrian Nastase is found guilty of blackmail .
Both he and his wife, who was convicted on a separate charge, are put on probation .
Nastase has said the trial was ordered by his political rival, President Traian Basescu .
Nastase was convicted in January on separate corruption charges . |
268,364 | e79a9ce3b8901ce4caeaa2c52bd4329ead263b23 | By . Lizzie Parry . The parents of Olivia George feared she would die as meningitis ravaged her tiny body a week after she was born . A memory box compiled by the parents of a dying baby girl has become a poignant record of the newborn's miraculous fight to survive. Fearing Olivia would sucumb to the vicious meningitis ravaging her body, Danielle and Jamie George took more than 500 photographs to remember their little girl. But the couple were overwhelmed when the newborn fought the disease, making a miraculous recovery. They said the box, which had been designed as a compilation of Olivia's last days, has now become a record of their daughter's incredible battle to live. When Olivia was born at Nevill Hall Hospital in Abergavenny on August 30 last year, she was a healthy baby, weighing 8lb 4oz. But within a week of bringing her home, the couple became concerned when she developed a cold, would not take her food and appeared to be very lethargic. Olivia was just days old when doctors told her parents she had contracted the life-threatening illness. Mrs George, 35, from Pontypool in South Wales, said: 'We wanted to capture every moment. We were terrified we would lose her as she was so ill, but we thought it would help us cope. 'It was absolutely terrifying seeing her . hooked up to so many machines but I knew if she survived then at least . we could show her the whole journey.' She and her husband, 41, took more than 500 photographs, fearing each picture could be their last. They saved cards from well-wishers and family, to add to the memory box. But the couple were amazed when their daughter miraculously pulled through. What was once intended to be a memory box to capture her last days, has now become a record of Olivia's fight for life. Recalling their ordeal, Mrs George, said: 'I just knew something was wrong. 'We started phoning NHS direct and they told us to go to hospital. 'Tests revealed Olivia had meningitis. We quickly decided to get her baptised in hospital too as we feared she wouldn’t make it. Danielle and Jamie George, pictured with their son Isacc and nine-month-old Olivia, began to compile a memory box, taking more than 500 pictures to remember her. But the tiny newborn fought to survive making a miraculous recovery . 'It was my worst nightmare, in just days I had gone from thinking my baby had a cold to being on her death bed.' Olivia’s parents had to pack just a few items of clothes in a bag and rush to hospital alongside their new baby as she lay in an incubator in the RAF helicopter. Mrs George, said: 'Luckily the helicopter that we went in was in the air already when the call went out as we needed to be taken to Great Ormand Street Hospital. 'We took a picture of the helicopter as it was such a poignant part of her journey. The memory box is now a record of Olivia's incredible fight for life, Mrs George said . 'She was put straight on ECMO - a . machine that works by creating a circuit, so the blood can circulate . bypassing the heart. This allows it to rest and recover. 'We had to sign a consent form as one of the risks is brain damage. 'It felt strange taking pictures of her being so ill but we prayed she would make it through to see what she went through. 'It gave us hope that she would make it and have a future, although we were terrified for her.' Olivia spent seven weeks in hospital, with doctors battling to save her life, but thankfully she fought the illness and was allowed home. Now, Olivia who is now back with her parents and two-year-old brother Isaac, could not look more different to the tiny infant who fought for life in an intensive care unit. Her father Mr George, said: 'Afterwards, when you reflect on things, you realise what you went through. 'Now Olivia is back home she has only needed to go back to hospital a few times. 'She still needs to take beta blockers and medication to widen her arteries, after she developed a heart condition called myocarditis as a result of the meningitis. 'But we are just so pleased she pulled through.' His wife added said: 'We are so happy we’ve put together the memory box for her as now she’ll be able to look back and understand what she went through. 'It is full of photographs, cards, messages from friends and family as well as things Isaac made for her too. 'She is so lucky to have survived and we can’t thank hospital staff anymore for saving our girl.' Meningitis Research Foundation estimates that there are around 3,400 cases of bacterial meningitis and septicaemia every year in the UK and Ireland. This means that every day nine people become ill with the disease. With one in ten people dying, a death will occur almost every day. A further two people will be left with life-altering after effects as severe as brain damage, deafness and multiple amputations. Meningitis vaccines offer excellent protection, but they are not yet available for all forms. So it's vital to know meningitis symptoms and what to do if you suspect someone has meningitis or septicemia. Symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia: . Other signs in babies: . Septicaemia can occur with or without meningitis. Not everyone gets all the symptoms and they can appear in any order.Source: Meningitis Research Foundation . | Olivia George fell ill with the life-threatening disease at just one week old .
Her devastated parents Danielle and Jamie feared the worst, taking more than 500 photographs to remember their newborn .
But the determined baby girl fought the disease, and miraculously survived .
Mrs George said the memory box is now a record of her daughter's ordeal .
Said: 'She'll be able to look back and understand what she went through' |
47,179 | 84f3420f47fca4de5723182c9aebffabbae4f881 | (CNN) -- We've finally emerged from the season in which Americans were asked by the pollsters and politicians: "Are you better off today than you were four years ago?" But sometimes it's important to contemplate the question of progress from a longer view: How are we doing on the scale of a generation? To answer that question, take this brief quiz. Over the past two decades, what have the U.S. trends been for the following important measures of social health: high school dropout rates, college enrollment, juvenile crime, drunken driving, traffic deaths, infant mortality, life expectancy, per capita gasoline consumption, workplace injuries, air pollution, divorce, male-female wage equality, charitable giving, voter turnout, per capita GDP and teen pregnancy? The answer for all of them is the same: The trend is positive. Almost all those varied metrics of social wellness have improved by more than 20% over the past two decades. And that's not counting the myriad small wonders of modern medicine that have improved our quality of life as well as our longevity: the anti-depressants and insulin pumps and quadruple bypasses. Americans enjoy longer, healthier lives in more stable families and communities than we did 20 years ago. But other than the crime trends, these facts are rarely reported or shared via word-of-mouth channels. Idea of American exceptionalism a powerful force through history . Many Americans, for instance, are convinced that "half of all marriages end in divorce," though that hasn't been the case since the early 1980s, when divorce rates peaked at just over 50%. Since then, they have declined by almost a third. This is not merely a story of success in advanced industrial countries. The quality-of-life and civic health trends in the developing world are even more dramatic. Even though the world's population has doubled over the past 50 years, the percentage living in poverty has declined by 50% over that period. Infant mortality and life expectancy have improved by more than 40% in Latin America since the early 1990s. No country in history has improved its average standard of living faster than China has over the past two decades. Of course, not all the arrows point in a positive direction, particularly after the past few years. The number of Americans living in poverty has increased over the past decade, after a long period of decline. Wealth inequality has returned to levels last seen in the roaring '20s. Today, the U.S. unemployment rate is still just under 8%, higher than its average over the past two decades. Household debt soared over the past 20 years, though it has dipped slightly thanks to the credit crunch of the last few years. And while the story of water and air pollution over that period is a triumphant one, the long-term trends for global warming remain bleak. We are much more likely to hear about these negative trends than the positive ones for two primary reasons. First, we tend to assume that innovation and progress come from big technology breakthroughs, from new gadgets and communications technologies, most of them created by the private sector. But the positive trends in our social health are coming from a more complex network of forces: from government intervention, public service announcements, demographic changes, the shared wisdom of life experiences passed along through generations and the positive effects of rising affluence. The emphasis on private sector progress is no accident; it is the specific outcome of the way public opinion is shaped within the current media landscape. Opinion: How progress is possible in Obama's second term . The public sector doesn't have billions of dollars to spend on marketing campaigns to trumpet its successes. A multinational corporation invents a slightly better detergent, and it will spend a legitimate fortune to alert the world that the product is now "new and improved." But no one takes out a prime-time ad campaign to tout the remarkable decrease in air pollution that we have seen over the past few decades, even thought that success story is far more important than a trivial improvement in laundry soap. That blind spot is compounded by the deeper lack of interest in stories of incremental progress. Curmudgeons, doomsayers, utopians and declinists all have an easier time getting our attention than opinion leaders who want to celebrate slow and steady improvement. The most striking example of this can be seen in the second half of the 1990s, a period in which both economic and social trends were decisively upbeat: The stock market was surging, but inequality was in fact on the decline; crime, drug use, welfare dependence, poverty -- all were trending in an encouraging direction. With a Democrat in the White House, you might assume that the op-ed pages of The Washington Post would be bursting with pride over the state of the nation, given the paper's center-left leanings. But you would be wrong. Over the course of 1997, in the middle of the greatest peacetime economic boom in U.S. history (and before the Monica Lewinsky scandal broke), 71% of all editorials published in the Post that expressed an opinion on some aspect of the country's current state focused on a negative trend. Less than 5% of the total number of editorials concentrated on a positive development. Even the boom years are a bummer. I suspect, in the long run, the media bias against incremental progress may be more damaging than any bias the media display toward the political left or right. The media are heavily biased toward extreme events, and they are slightly biased toward negative events -- though in their defense, that bias may just be a reflection of the human brain's propensity to focus more on negative information than positive, a trait extensively documented by neuroscience and psychology studies. The one positive social trend that did generate a significant amount of coverage -- the extraordinary drop in the U.S. crime rate since the mid-'90s -- seems to have been roundly ignored by the general public. The violent crime rate (crimes per thousand people) dropped from 51 to 15 between 1995 and 2010, truly one of the most inspiring stories of societal progress in our lifetime. And yet according to a series of Gallup polls conducted over the past 10 years, more than two-thirds of Americans believe that crime has been getting worse, year after year. Whether these biases come from media distortions or our human psychology, they result in two fundamental errors in the popular mind: We underestimate the amount of steady progress that continues around us, and we misunderstand where that progress comes from. We should celebrate these stories of progress, not so we can rest on our laurels but instead so we can inspire the next generation to build on that success. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Steven Johnson. | Steven Johnson: By almost any measure, life in U.S. is much better than in past generations .
Dropout rates, college enrollment, crime, infant mortality have shown improvement .
Despite progress, most people, and the media, focus on negative trends, he says .
Johnson: Doomsayers get our attention more readily than those pointing to steady progress . |
175,707 | 6f726a6be01e145c968d4f8e9ba0f30bf14b3262 | Little more than a week after it suspended "Duck Dynasty" star Phil Robertson for incendiary remarks about homosexuality, the cable channel A&E said Friday that it would include him in future tapings of the reality television show, effectively lifting the suspension amid a flurry of petitions in support of Robertson. "After discussions with the Robertson family, as well as consulting with numerous advocacy groups, A&E has decided to resume filming Duck Dynasty later this spring with the entire Robertson family," the channel said in a statement. In an apparent gesture to the advocacy groups, A&E said that it would "also use this moment" to broadcast public service announcements "promoting unity, tolerance and acceptance among all people." Robertson's son Willie wrote on Twitter on Friday evening, "Back to work!!! So proud of all the fans of the show and family. Ole Phil may be a little crude but his heart is good. He's the Real Deal!" The announcement came nine days after A&E originally suspended Robertson. It was immediately perceived as a victory by some of the conservative groups that had protested the suspension. One headline on the influential Drudge Report on Friday evening was "A&E CAVES"; another read, "Gay Activists Group Delivered Stinging Defeat." Chris Stone, founder of Faith Driven Consumer, the group that gathered 260,000 signatures on a petition at IStandWithPhil.com, said in a Friday night statement that he and individuals like him would "remain vigilant as we measure whether A&E's actions reflect true tolerance, diversity, and mutual respect -- including their equal embrace of our biblically based values and deeply held beliefs." The comments from Stone and other advocates signaled that "Duck Dynasty" has become a weapon in the culture wars -- and will continue to be. A&E said on December 18 that it was placing Robertson "under hiatus from filming indefinitely" due to the cast member's controversial comments to a GQ magazine interviewer. When the interviewer asked Robertson what he thought was sinful, he replied, "Start with homosexual behavior and just morph out from there. Bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and that woman and those men." Robertson used language that his family later described as "coarse." At one point he remarked that "it seems like, to me, a vagina -- as a man -- would be more desirable than a man's anus. That's just me. I'm just thinking: There's more there! She's got more to offer. I mean, come on, dudes!" Furthermore, Robertson said that when he was growing up in Louisiana in the pre-civil rights era, "I never, with my eyes, saw the mistreatment of any black person. Not once." He continued, "Where we lived was all farmers. The blacks worked for the farmers. I hoed cotton with them. I'm with the blacks, because we're white trash. We're going across the field. ... They're singing and happy. I never heard one of them, one black person, say, 'I tell you what: These doggone white people' -- not a word! Pre-entitlement, pre-welfare, you say: Were they happy? They were godly; they were happy; no one was singing the blues." When the comments were published by GQ, gay rights groups, including GLAAD (formerly the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation), and civil rights groups, including the Human Rights Campaign, alerted A&E. The channel moved quickly to express disappointment in the comments and put Robertson on the bench. But it said the action wouldn't affect any previously taped episodes of the hugely popular reality show. One season's worth of episodes featuring Robertson had already been taped, so the suspension would only have affected future tapings in 2014. An assortment of conservative and religious groups immediately and loudly protested the suspension decision by A&E, which is jointly owned by The Walt Disney Company and Hearst. Speculation ensued about whether "Duck Dynasty" would come to an end, at least on A&E. Some advocates said they hoped that a channel with overtly religious values would rescue the show. The Robertson family stoked the speculation by issuing a statement that said, "We have had a successful working relationship with A&E but, as a family, we cannot imagine the show going forward without our patriarch at the helm. We are in discussions with A&E to see what that means for the future of 'Duck Dynasty.'" Inside A&E, a sudden end to "Duck Dynasty" was never seriously contemplated. The show is enormously profitable for A&E and, executives there pointed out in private, for the Robertsons, too. (Any shopper strolling through Walmart, where the aisles are stocked with "Duck Dynasty" gear, would recognize that.) But A&E executives felt they had to send a message of disapproval after seeing Robertson's comments to GQ, partly because some of the channel's own staffers were offended by the interview. The suspension announced on December 18 sent that message -- and shortly thereafter, the channel and the Robertsons' representatives started to discuss a path forward. "We knew we had a great partnership with the family," said an A&E executive, speaking on condition of anonymity because the channel and the family had agreed not to say anything publicly aside from Friday's statements. Talks between the two sides took place on Christmas Eve, paused on Christmas, and resumed on Thursday, leading to Friday's announcement. While some observers accused A&E of backing down, some of the advocacy groups that were originally dismayed by Robertson's remarks on homosexuality begged to differ. "It's not really a reversal," Fred Sainz, a representative of the Human Rights Campaign, told CNN's Brianna Keilar in a telephone interview on Friday. "We think it's actually a positive outcome, and we want to thank A&E for their attentiveness and collaboration over the course of the last few weeks." Sainz said that his group was "heartened" by A&E's plans for the public service announcement campaign. A spokesman for A&E declined to comment on whether Robertson or other "Duck Dynasty" cast members would participate in the campaign, but the channel is said to be hopeful that at least some of the cast members will. "We've received assurances also that the Robertson family is now open to working with African-American and (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) people to address the real harm that such anti-gay and racist comments can cause," Sainz said on CNN. "That's been our 'ask' since Phil's comments ran in GQ, and while it's a positive step, it certainly cannot and should not be the last one." GLAAD took a more adversarial stance, stating Friday night that "Phil Robertson should look African American and gay people in the eyes and hear about the hurtful impact of praising Jim Crow laws and comparing gay people to terrorists. If dialogue with Phil is not part of next steps then A+E has chosen profits over African American and gay people -- especially its employees and viewers." For supporters of groups like GLAAD, the "Duck Dynasty" debate was primarily about whether offensive depictions of minorities -- what GLAAD called "vile and extreme stereotypes" -- were acceptable in public discourse. These people said no. For supporters of Robertson, including a number of conservative politicians, the debate was about whether a deeply religious man had the right to speak freely about the tenets of his faith. These people said yes. To some degree the two sides talked past each other while the Robertson suspension became national news. Bobby Jindal, the Republican governor of Louisiana, who suggested on December 19 that A&E did not believe in the First Amendment, said Friday that he was glad the channel's executives "came to their senses and recognized that tolerance of religious views is more important than political correctness." Jindal added, "Today is a good day for the freedoms of speech and religious liberty. The left is going to have to get accustomed to the fact that it does not have a monopoly on free speech and is not the only group who is permitted to voice its opinion in the public square. The left may control Hollywood, but they don't control the hearts and minds of a majority of Americans." | "Ole Phil may be a little crude but his heart is good," Willie Robertson says on Twitter .
"Duck Dynasty" star Phil Robertson was suspended by A&E .
The suspension followed Robertson's remarks about homosexuality and race .
A&E now says the show will resume "with the entire Robertson family" |
172,486 | 6b3bc10cc0ca74db4802885dee40bc4f30c91133 | By . Victoria Woollaston . PUBLISHED: . 06:14 EST, 7 June 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 07:22 EST, 7 June 2013 . The hassle and embarrassment of wrestling with a wind-blown umbrella could now be a thing of the past, thanks to a hemlet-style head protector. The Rainshader's canopy protects users from the wind and rain without obstructing their view and during tests in gale force seven - around 40mph - winds the umbrella didn't once blow inside out. It was designed by Warwickshire-based company Hospitality Umbrellas and has been designed not to drip on other people or poke passers-by in the face. Scroll down for video . The Rainshader's canopy protects users from the wind and rain without obstructing their view and during tests in gale force seven - 40mph - winds the umbrella didn't once blow inside out . Warwickshire-based entrepreneur Stephen Collier, pictured, redesigned the traditional umbrella with his Rainshader model. It is based on the design of a motorcycle helmet and its fibre-glass ribs and polyester canopy means it won't blow inside out, drip on other people or poke passers-by in the face . The Rainshader is based on the traditional motor helmet. It folds up and is secured by a cleverly concealed internal . Velcro strip and then fits into its handy shoulder carry case. The Rainshader has: . Ten Spoke Fibre Glass Ribs . Black Aluminium Shaft . Rubber Motor Style Grip Handle . Polyester Canopy . Shoulder Carry Case . Height 90cm . Width 5cm (when closed) Canopy Width 65cm (when open) Weight 0.5 kg . Entrepreneur Stephen Collier, 48, who owns Hospitality Umbrellas, came up with the idea during last year’s wet and windy Grand National. He wanted to design an umbrella that could be used specifically for watching sporting events in a crowd. The Rainshader has a cut-away front, which was based on the design of a motorbike helmet. This means people can see out the front of the Rainshader while protecting their head and shoulders from the wind and rain. It's design also means it doesn't obstruct the view of people standing nearby, or drip onto their shoulders. The Rainshader can also be used to protect users from the sun. Collier said: 'It was pouring with rain, the wind was howling and I was . struggling with my umbrella. 'I thought there had to be a better way. 'Traditional umbrellas have a lot of drawbacks in busy environments as . they can blow inside out and make it difficult to navigate through . crowds. 'The basic design of the umbrella hasn’t changed for centuries, so the . time is ripe for to make it more suitable to modern settings.' 'I came up with a classic motorcycle helmet shape that is shaped like a dome so it doesn't stick out and there is no longer the fear of poking somebody in the eye. 'Anyone with a normal umbrella has to lift it over their head to see where they are going but the front of the Rainshader is opened up. Collier worked with Warwick University on his Rainshader umbrella. He then tested the design in a wind tunnel at Coventry University, pictured. The Rainshader was subjected to winds up to 40mph and didn't break, rip, or turn inside out . 'Because it is slender, it is also more resistant to the wind than a normal umbrella. 'We tested ours out in a wind tunnel at 40mph and it still kept its shape whereas the regular one had popped inside out.' Collier got help from designers and product developers at the Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) at Warwick University. He then tested the design using a wind tunnel at Coventry University. The customisable Rainshader costs £24.99 and was specifically designed to be used in a crowd at sporting events or large outside gatherings. The caonpy completely covers the user's head and shoulders without dripping water on people stood nearby. It doesn't have the traditional 'spikes' of other umbrellas either, so doesn't poke other people in the face, or obstruct their view . Not only did Collier test the Rainshader to see if it blew inside out, it also used the wind tunnel at Coventry University to see how much the model protected his face from the wind and the wind chill . Collier tested a traditional umbrella in the tunnel, at wind speeds of gale force seven, and then tested the Rainshader. While the traditional umbrella turned inside out almost immediately, the Rainshader was relatively unaffected - it didn't turn inside out and could be used to shield Collier's face from the wind. The Rainshader has ten spoke fibre-glass ribs covered by a customisable polyester canopy . It comes with a black aluminium shaft and rubber grip handle. The canopy is 65cm wide when open and the whole umbrella weighs half a kilogram. The Rainshader is 90cm tall and can be folded up and put into shoulder carry case. It was funded by the European Regional Development Fund and the University of Warwick's International Institute for Product and Service Innovation. The Rainshader costs £24.99 but the company insists it will last longer than traditional umbrellas. During wind tunnel tests at Coventry University Collier also tested the traditional umbrella design. The umbrella turned inside out immediately when subjected to gale force winds. Collier came up with idea for the Rainshader after getting rained on at last year's Grand National . | Rainshader protects users from wind and rain without obstructing their view .
It can't be blown inside out, doesn't drip on others, and can't poke people in the face while walking down the street .
£24.99 umbrella has fibre-glass ribs protected by a polyester canopy . |
186,067 | 7cf7004c90e3c8fa8968fae4d53ba1ef4001ef4f | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 14:02 EST, 29 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 14:33 EST, 29 December 2013 . A pilot is lucky to have escaped with just a six-inch gash to his forehead after the engine of his two-seater plane failed and he was forced to crash land into the nearest stretch of water. Tom Beaman, 61, was flying his single-engine Cessna 150 plane on Friday afternoon when he noticed the engine starting to ‘run rough.' Experienced pilot Beaman quickly started to turn his plane around and was flying over Boca Ciega Bay, five miles west of Albert Whitted Airport in St Petersburg, Florida, when the engine suddenly quit. Tom Beaman, 61, was flying his single-engine Cessna 150 plane over Boca Ciega Bay in Florida on Friday afternoon when he noticed the engine starting to 'run rough' Beaman escaped relatively unharmed once his plane hit the water as he was wearing his seat-belt and had a life jacket close to hand . ‘I probably glided for a good two minutes before I actually hit,’ Beaman told News9. ‘All of a sudden the engine just stopped completely and I couldn't get it started. So, I called the tower and told them I was going down into Boca Ciega.’ Witnesses to the crash describe seeing the plane suddenly flip when it hit the water. ‘It was a scary sight,’ said John Dunn, who was in the middle of a business meeting at a local country club. ‘Once the wheels touched the water, the front just flipped.’ Fortunately for Beaman he escape relatively unharmed as he was wearing his seat-belt and had a life jacket close to hand. ‘I . didn't think I was going to flip,’ he said. ‘I was going pretty slow . but it was a lot more violent than I remember, than I imagined it would . be.’ Fortunately Beaman wasn't seriously injured, although he did sustain a six-inch long gash to his forehead . Beaman was pulled from the water by a Good Samaritan and his plane sank within two minutes of the crash . Beaman was pulled from the water by a Good Samaritan and his plane sank within two minutes of the crash. ‘I didn't get knocked out but the next thing you know you're under water. Got the door open, live preserver on and was just going to swim in and then two boats came in and got me,’ said Beaman. Fortunately he wasn’t seriously injured, although he did sustain a six-inch long gash to his forehead. ‘It's the first time in 43 years anything has happened,’ he explained to WTSP.com. Beaman's wife Diane said he is very lucky he only suffered a few cuts from the crash. The FAA is investigating the crash, but Beaman has said that he plans to fly again although first he'll need to get another plane. Video: Pilot survives plane crash . | Tom Beaman, 61, was flying his .
single-engine Cessna 150 plane when he noticed the .
engine starting to 'run rough'
He was flying over Boca Ciega Bay in Florida when the engine quit and he had to crash land in the water .
A Good Samaritan helped Beaman escape before his plane quickly sunk after flipping on hitting the water .
Beaman has said that he plans to fly again although first he'll need to get another plane . |
241,858 | c5039c7875603711a866fd07d6a1bb1b1bdec663 | By . Andy Dolan and Rob Cooper . PUBLISHED: . 10:39 EST, 4 June 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 02:40 EST, 5 June 2013 . Victim: Daniel Pelka, four, was left looking like a 'concentration camp victim' after being starved, the jury has been told . A four-year-old boy allegedly starved and beaten to death by his parents was so hungry he scavenged food from a school compost bin, a court heard. Daniel Pelka later died looking like a . 'concentration camp victim' after suffering months of ill-treatment at . the hands of his Polish mother Magdelena Luczak, 27, and stepfather Mariusz . Krezolek, 33, the jury was told. The schoolboy was so hungry he would regularly scavenge food from other children and would eat fruit left in the classroom, it was claimed. On Shrove Tuesday the pupils made pancakes and used some of the left-overs to do . counting activities and races carrying them in frying pan. Afterwards, Birmingham Crown Court heard Daniel retrieved one, covered in grit, from the bin. His teacher at Little Heath Primary School in Holbrooks, Coventry, Lisa Godfrey, said that on another occasion Daniel 'demolished' half of a chocolate cake during the lunch hour which she had planned to share with . the class to celebrate her birthday. Miss Godfrey told the jury yesterday that the young boy . 'looked like an old man' before his death. On his final day at school he had winced when she . playfully ruffled his hair. Daniel . is thought to have been killed in a ‘violent assault in his own home’ by one or both defendants during the following 48 hours. A . post mortem examination revealed he had suffered a blood clot on the . brain at the time of his death, and he had 24 separate injuries across . his body. He weighed just 1.5st (10kg) - 15lb (7kg) below what would be expected – with a body mass index so low it was ‘off the scale’. The jury were shown pictures charting the six months Daniel spent in the reception class of his primary school. Pictures taken in his first weeks showed a healthy looking boy. A picture taken at the start of Daniel’s final week showed him looking markedly thinner. Schoolboy: Daniel, who weighed just 1.5st, was caught taking food from other pupils and once retreived a pancake covered in grit from the bin, the court heard . Miss Godfrey said that when the teacher discussed Daniel's determination to 'steal' food with his parents, they insisted Daniel had an eating disorder which gave him an insatiable appetite. Struggling . to maintain her composure as she recalled his final week at the school, . the teacher said: ‘He looked sad. He looked like an old man. ‘I . hadn’t seen him look that bad before. He was very, very thin (with) big . black eyes. He was so pale I could almost see through him. ‘His eyes were sunken in to his head.’ Teacher Lisa Godfrey said that Daniel had the appearance of an 'old man' in the days before he died . She began sobbing as she added: ‘I . spent a lot of my time with Daniel that week because he looked so sad, . lonely and desperate and I didn’t know what else to do with him.’ She said she sat with him at lunchtime . on his final day at school, after earlier stopping him from eating a . pear she saw him retrieve from a playground bin. As usual, he ‘devoured’ his packed lunch and although 'subdued', he was alert and mobile. The court heard that in January last year, two months before Daniel died, she had noted in a 'concerns book' how the child had bruises around his neck. Mindful of Luczak's 'sharp temper', she told the jury she feared the marks could have been caused by his mother hitting or ‘trying to strangle him’. The following month, Daniel came to school with two black eyes and bruising across his nose, prompting her to go 'straight to the headteacher'. The court heard that in the autumn term, Miss Godfrey had twice contacted Luczak over concerns about Daniel stealing food from children’s lunchboxes - which eventually caused her to lock them away in a cupboard – and his poor attendance. When he returned to school after the Christmas holidays, she said he was noticeably 'thinner' than when he joined the school, with a 'large round tummy'. She added: 'I remember saying once that when Daniel had a hat on he looked like a child that had leukaemia.’ Miss Godfrey, who no longer works at the school, said that following the February half-term, Daniel was 'even more placid than normal' and even more desperate for food. 'It was like he stopped caring (about being caught taking food)', she said. 'He wanted the food and he would get it without worrying who would see.' Class teaching assistant Amy Tokely . said Daniel, who had very limited English, wore smaller clothes than a . lot of the children in the class. After February half-term she said it . was 'noticeable that his clothes were hanging off him and his attempts . to get food became more desperate.' Hungry schoolboy: Daniel, who went to Little Heath Primary School in Holbrooks, Coventry, pictured, repeatedly tried to take food from others, the court heard . Miss Tokely said Daniel would 'eat anything he could get his hands on'. His lunchbox, she said, initially . typically consisted of half a ham sandwich, a drink and a bag of crisps, . although he was later given a full sandwich. The jury has heard that both an education welfare officer and the school nurse visited Daniel at home during his time at school, and he was also seen by a consultant paediatrician, who gave his mother nutritional tablets. The tablets were opened but never used. Luczak and Krezolek, an automotive worker, dialled 999 after claiming to have found Daniel unresponsive in his bed in the early hours of March 3. He was pronounced dead in hospital. When police searched the three-bedroom family home in Coventry, they discovered Daniel had been locked in a box room akin to a ‘cell’, with no door handle. Prosecutor Jonas Hankin QC told the court that Daniel had been 'subjected to a campaign of incomprehensible and escalating cruelty' by the defendants. The couple, who came to the UK separately in 2006 and began a relationship four years later, deny murder and causing or allowing the death of a child. The trial continues. Sorry we are unable to accept comments for legal reasons. | Starved Daniel Pelka looked 'like a concentration camp victim'
Teacher says schoolboy tried taking food from classmates .
He 'retrieved grit-covered pancake from a bin on Shrove Tuesday'
Schoolboy 'also demolished half of a chocolate cake in his lunch hour'
But parents 'claimed the boy had an eating disorder when confronted'
Teaching assistant said boy would eat 'anything he could get his hands on' |
278,219 | f46bac19751834b455cfe5cd9d8c6cbbd7e6659b | (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 . |
212,894 | 9fadb559fca6de058531c51566f4e10f73958257 | By . Emma Innes . PUBLISHED: . 06:32 EST, 25 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 10:47 EST, 25 October 2013 . The parents of four-year-old girl have spoken of their heartbreak after she died just 11 days after being diagnosed with leukaemia. Alexia McArthur’s parents Gaz McArthur and Jade Ellerby were told there was nothing more doctors could do as the disease took hold of their daughter's body. Ms Ellerby, 25, said: ‘I was laid on the bed with her singing her favourite One Direction songs. I had my arms around her and felt her take her last breath.’ Alexia McArthur, four, died just 11 days after being diagnosed with aggressive leukaemia. She had chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant but doctors could not save her . Mr McArthur, 28, added: ‘You couldn’t even call her one in a million - you would need a much bigger number. She was a little star. She touched everyone.’ Alexia, from Kimberworth Park, Rotherham, was taken ill after going to the cinema with her parents. The next morning, she was sent by her GP to Rotherham Hospital where staff suspected leukaemia and transferred her to Sheffield Children’s Hospital. After more tests Alexia was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia - a fast growing blood cancer which affects 350 children a year in the UK. She had treatment including chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant but lost her battle for life last Friday. Ms Ellerby said: ‘After we’d been to the pictures we noticed Alexia had lost her colour and looked yellowish. Since then our world has been turned upside down. Alexia was diagnosed after her parents noticed she had turned 'yellowish'. Her cancer was too aggressive to be successfully treated . ‘It’s happened so quickly. Last Tuesday she took a turn for the worse. She was just staring into the corner of the room. I said “Can you see mummy?” and she said “no”.’ Alexia was moved to intensive care but doctors realised during an MRI scan that no treatment would save the youngster. Ms Ellerby said: ‘She went for the scan and never woke up. Basically it was just a matter of time. ‘They said we could have as long as we wanted but she would either go in her own time or we could make the decision to switch off the machine. Alexia (pictured with her mother, Jade) had treatment including chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant but lost her battle for life last Friday . Alexia was moved to intensive care but doctors realised during an MRI scan that no treatment would save her . ‘We had to decide whether we wanted to switch off the machine. It was the hardest thing ever but we didn’t want her to suffer any more. ‘We put her in her pyjamas and stopped with her until the next morning. She looked so peaceful and comfortable.’ More than 50 relatives and friends were at the hospital when Alexia died, including her older sister Kenzie, and the family received thousands of messages of support and sympathy. Ms Ellerby, 25, said: 'I was laid on the bed with her singing her favourite One Direction songs. I had my arms around her and felt her take her last breath' Mr McAurthur said: ‘We’re so grateful to the hospital staff for all they did and to everyone for their support. It’s been overwhelming.’ Ms Ellerby added: ‘Alexia was an adult in a kid’s body, she acted so grown up and people said she was a mini version of me. ‘There are lots of happy memories. She always wanted a baby brother. She was sitting in the back of the car one day and she asked which one of us was going to get her a brother. Mr McAurthur said: 'We're so grateful to the hospital staff for all they did and to everyone for their support. It's been overwhelming' ‘Words can’t describe how much she meant to us or how beautiful she was.’ Fundraising events planned for the Children’s Hospital already include a skydive, a bike ride, a fun run and a music gig. Family friend Steven Richardson said: ‘Alexia’s story is spreading rapidly and we’ve had messages from all over the UK and now the USA. There have been some very generous donations.’ Leukaemia is cancer of the white blood cells. Acute leukaemia is that which progresses rapidly and aggressively. Lymphoblastic leukaemia is cancer of the lymphocytes - the white blood cells that fight viral infections. Symptoms of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia include pale skin, tiredness, breathlessness and repeated infections. It affects about 650 people a year in the UK and is the most common type of cancer in children. Approximately one in every 2,000 children will develop it. About 85 per cent of cases occur in children under the age of 15. The outlook for children with the disease is usually good - almost all children will achieve a period of remission and 85 per cent will be completely cured. The outlook for adults with the disease is less good - only 40 per cent are completely cured. Source: NHS Choices . | Alexia McArthur was diagnosed with leukaemia after turning 'yellowish'
She had chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant but died last week .
Her parents made the decision to switch off her life support machine when they were told she would not recover . |
173,175 | 6c1ae8dee6761703256a55e504819a8fbc123f2c | (CNN)Ricardo Medina, the former "Power Ranger" arrested Sunday in the fatal stabbing of his roommate, has been released from custody while law enforcement investigates Joshua Sutter's death. No charges have been filed against Medina, who police said stabbed Sutter in the abdomen with a sword, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said this weekend. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office has asked law enforcement to continue to investigate, spokesman Ricardo Santiago said. The two got into an argument in their Palmdale, California, home, Saturday that turned into a physical altercation, the department said. Police said Medina told them he stabbed Sutter after Sutter forced his way into Medina's bedroom. Medina called 911 after the altercation and was interviewed by detectives. He was arrested and held on $1 million bail until Tuesday, according to online court records. Local media reported Sutter's death Saturday, and TMZ was the first to identify Medina as the actor who played the Red Ranger in 2002's "Power Rangers Wild Force." He also appeared in "Power Rangers Samurai." The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department confirmed to CNN that Medina was an actor who portrayed a Power Ranger. CNN's Henry Hanks contributed to this report. | NEW: Ricardo Medina released from custody after no charges filed in roommate's death .
Medina appeared in "Power Rangers Samurai" and "Power Rangers Wild Force" |
249,061 | ce4a1bce99b2ed1969cf32a8ea3907c05a341881 | A pill that blocks the action of a so-called ‘love hormone’ could be a new treatment for premature ejaculation. The medication – which was developed by UK scientists - is being tested in a clinical trial starting this month. It treatment targets a hormone called oxytocin which is thought to encourage feelings of bonding, and is released in response to touch. Studies show it also increases sexual arousal, and triggers ejaculation. Scroll down for video . Hope: The drug stops the hormone oxytocin - which triggers ejaculation - from binding to cells in the body. The idea is that if oxytocin can be blocked, the moment of ejaculation can be delayed . The new drug is a so-called oxytocin-antagonist, which means it stops oxytocin binding to cells in the body. The idea is that if oxytocin can be blocked, the moment of ejaculation can be delayed. It’s estimated that nearly five million men in the UK suffer from premature ejaculation. The condition means sexual intercourse only lasts a few minutes or even seconds, which can lead to low self-esteem, and relationship difficulties. For many men the condition is present throughout adulthood, but it can also be triggered by conditions such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis, high blood pressure, prostate disease and overactive or underactive thyroid gland. Treatments include talking therapies, which are designed to help men develop better control of their ejaculatory reflexes, as well as medications such as anaesthetic creams that have a numbing effect. A type of antidepressant - selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors - have also been shown to work for some men as they are thought to reduce sexual arousal, although they may trigger side effects such as nausea, headache, insomnia, and dizziness. One selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor has been designed specially to treat premature ejaculation. But the drug, called dapoxetine, is not suitable for men with heart, kidney and liver problems, and can carry side effects such as headaches and nausea. Scientists behind the new treatment, which is manufactured by Ixchelsis, say their oxytocin-blocker may provide a viable alternative, and with fewer side effects. Animal studies at the Université de Versailles-Saint Quentin in France, and published in the British Journal of Pharmacology, have shown that oxytocin blockers can delay premature ejaculation. Now the drug is being trialled on 90 men aged 18 to 60. In the year-long trial, conducted at various centres in the U.S and Australia, the volunteers will take different doses of the drug one to seven hours before sexual intercourse. Commenting on the trial, Professor Raj Persad, consultant urological surgeon at Bristol Royal Infirmary said the drug may benefit patients, but cautioned it should be used alongside psychological therapies. Premature ejaculation means sexual intercourse only lasts a few minutes or even seconds, which can lead to low self-esteem, and relationship difficulties . He said: ‘This drug is very interesting, and if trials are successful it could contribute towards treating this distressing condition. 'But there is more to premature ejaculation than chemical imbalances, and there should always be some input from a psychosexual approach to help deal with relevant background issues that the patient may or may not be consciously aware of.’ Meanwhile, doctors have developed a nasal spray containing oxytocin to treat migraine. In a new trial, patients will use the spray when they start to experience one of the excruciating headaches. The idea behind the drug, known as TI-001 and developed by US-based firm Trigemina, is that the drug travels through tissues in the nose to the trigeminal nerve, one of the main nerves in the face, which relays pain signals to the brain. The theory is that the drug interferes with these signals. Small studies have suggested that the new oxytocin formulation is effective. In one trial, 42 per cent of patients had a significant reduction in pain two hours after using the drug, compared with 11 per cent of those in a control group. A trial with 240 patients is now underway in Australia and Chile. | Treatment targets a hormone called oxytocin, which triggers ejaculation .
Called an oxytocin-antagonist, it stops oxytocin binding to cells in the body .
Theory is that by blocking the hormone, ejaculation can be delayed .
Drug is now being trialled in men aged 18-60 in Australia and the U.S. |
129,276 | 3313811cdf70be838fbe34fd60ea5b7d7912d6f5 | Angela Merkel, who has publicly chastised the Greeks, will say she wants to keep their country in the euro when she visits Athens this week . German Chancellor Angela Merkel will tell Greeks she wants to keep their country in the euro when she visits Athens this week, but she faces a hostile reception from a people worn down by years of austerity and recession. Many Greeks blame Merkel, who has publicly chastised them for much of the past three years, for the nation's plight. Opponents, some of whom have caricatured her as a bullying Nazi, have promised protests on Tuesday during her first visit to Greece since the euro zone crisis erupted there in 2009. 'She does not come to support Greece, which her policies have brought to the brink. She comes to save the corrupt, disgraced and servile political system," said Alexis Tsipras, who leads the opposition Syriza alliance. "We will give her the welcome she deserves.' About 6,000 policemen will be deployed in the capital for her 6-hour visit, turning the city centre into a no-go zone for protest marches planned by labour unions and opposition parties. 'We don't want her here,' said Yannis Georgiou, 72, who has seen his pension cut by one third. 'We . will take to the streets against austerity and against the government. Maybe Merkel will hear something and see what we're going through.' Scroll down for video . Opponents of Angela Merkel, some of whom have caricatured her as a bullying Nazi, have promised protests during her first visit to Greece since 2009 . Merkel's visit is a sign of Germany's support for the coalition government of Prime Minister Antonis Samaras as it struggles to agree new budget cuts with international lenders, overcome the objections of reluctant coalition partners and cope with rising public anger. After toying with the idea of a Greek exit from the euro zone in the first half of 2012, Merkel has come full circle and decided the risks of the country leaving are too high, especially with a German election looming next year. The trip is a sign of German solidarity, a message to the Greek leadership and people that Berlin does not want to cut them loose, and a signal to the members of Merkel's coalition who want Greece out that it's not going to happen soon. At the same time, the trip shows Merkel's trust in Samaras. Aides to the chancellor say they have been positively surprised by his commitment to reform. One reason for not visiting Greece before was frustration with progress under his predecessors, technocrat Lucas Papademos and Socialist George Papandreou. 'In our view Samaras is really trying to get things done," one German official said, requesting anonymity. 'Nobody should see this trip as a sign that all is perfect. But we recognise things are moving in the right direction.' The Greek government was ecstatic about the news, promising to treat Merkel with the honours befitting the leader of a great nation. Greek officials credited Samaras's charm offensive in Berlin in August for Germany's change of heart. 'Samaras showed a real will to change things,' a Greek government official said. 'He stressed what Greece had to do, not what others had to do for Greece.' Merkel is scheduled to meet Samaras, President Karolos Papoulias and representatives of Greek industry. In a measure of tension between Athens and Berlin earlier this year, Papoulias accused Merkel's Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble of insulting the country by likening Greece to a bottomless pit. Opposition parties, from the radical leftist Syriza to the right-wing Independent Greeks, have planned protests - and police officials said they were bracing for violence. For years, banner headlines and cartoons in the press have portrayed Germany as a bully and protesters burned Nazi effigies on the central Syntagma Square outside parliament. Demonstrators in Athens carry a banner featuring pictures of Angela Merkel and Greece's former Prime Minister George Papandreou during a day of strikes in May 2010 . The tone was more subdued in the newspapers on Sunday. To Proto Thema ran a 'HEIL' headline but most others called on Merkel to take a hard look at the suffering of Greek people during her visit. 'Tell Merkel the truth,' wrote Nikos Hatzinikolaou in Real News. 'With unemployment at 25 per cent and recession at 7 per cent, for a fifth year, can lenders expect the country to survive and pay back its debts?' The visit gives Merkel a chance to get a first-hand view of a country that could have a major influence on her own re-election hopes. Greece is stuck in tough negotiations with inspectors from the 'troika' of the International Monetary Fund, European Commission and European Central Bank over a fresh wave of 11.5 billion euros in cuts for the next two years, a condition for getting an installment of the 130 billion euro bailout which is keeping the country afloat. As difficult as these talks are, lenders are now realising Greece needs more time, money or both. The IMF wants official lenders such as Germany to take a 'haircut' under which the value of the Greek debt they hold would be radically reduced. Private bondholders have already swallowed such a hit but EU partners prefer other measures than to suffer more losses. In order to avoid going back to parliament to request a third rescue for Athens - a step Merkel allies acknowledge could be political suicide for her - Germany will probably have to agree to other concessions to plug a hole in Greece's finances. Angela Merkel meets Greece's prime minister Antonis Samaras in Berlin. Her visit on Tuesday will be her first to Greece since the euro zone crisis erupted . These could include giving Samaras an extra two years to make painful cuts and agreeing to a reduction in the interest rates Athens pays on its EU loans. Before making concessions that are sure to provoke a backlash at home, Merkel will want to look Samaras in the eye and make clear to him that she has done all she can - that it is now up to him. Politically, she will have next to no room to give the Greeks more before next year's German vote. 'She has to lay it on the line and make clear to the Greek government what the options are,' Michael Fuchs, a senior lawmaker in Merkel's Christian Democrats (CDU) told Reuters. 'Whether the conditions for additional help are met depends not on Germany, but on the Greek government alone.' VIDEO: Thousands of police on guard to protect Merkel . | First visit to Greece since the euro zone crisis in 2009 .
Protests promised on Tuesday by opponents .
Merkel will say she wants to keep Greece in the euro . |
161,314 | 5c8b57245b106a9e79950ff2a21bdf2fc9976af7 | By . Tara Brady . A talented PhD student and aspiring marine biologist has been killed by a suspected hit-and-run driver who was believed to be under the influence of alcohol. Rachel Anne Morrison, 27, was walking home with a friend at the intersection of Camino Del Mar and Coast Boulevard in Del Mar, San Diego, at around 10.15pm on Friday night when she was killed. The car ran a stop sign and collided with Miss Morrison. Rachel Anne Morrison was walking home with a friend in San Diego on Friday night when she was killed . Instead of stopping, the driver fled the scene, San Diego County Sheriff's Department said. Miss Morrison was taken to Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla but was pronounced dead shortly after. The talented student studied at Scripps Insitution of Oceanography at UC San Diego. She became interested in fisheries management while studying for her undergraduate degree at Boston University. Selfless: The talented student studied at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego . Police have since located a car suspected of being involved in the collision. Its owner, Christopher Stockmeyer, 41, has been arrested and charged with at least four counts including felony driving under the influence, felony hit and run and vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated. He is expected to appear in court on Wednesday. In a statement to NBC 7, a spokesman for Miss Morrison said: 'Rachel was a beautiful person, inside and out. 'She was dedicated to her work in ocean conservation and exploration. She enjoyed simply being out on the water. She was a brilliant, giving, and selfless person that always had a smile on her face. 'Rachel was an explorer at heart, sailing across the Pacific and collecting valuable data as she went. 'We will always keep her in our hearts and miss her dearly.' | Rachel Anne Morrison was walking home in San Diego on Friday .
A car ran a stop sign and collided with Miss Morrison .
She was pronounced dead shortly after at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla .
Christopher Stockmeyer, 41, has been arrested and charged in connection . |
79,102 | e0392b1ed0893c85f906829ad40a12f3c26fa48c | (ESSENCE) -- ESSENCE.com correspondent Roland S. Martin talks with Marlon Jackson, brother of Michael Jackson and a member of the Jackson 5, about the death of his younger brother, the "King of Pop." Marlon Jackson smiles for photographers at the 8th Annual BMI Urban Awards in September 2008. Roland S. Martin: Marlon, how did you find out about Michael's death? Marlon Jackson: I talked to Frank Dileo, Michael's manager. Frank told me that Michael last night was complaining about not feeling well. Michael's doctor went over to see him, and Frank said, "Marlon, from last night to this morning, I don't know what happened." When they got to him this morning, he wasn't breathing. They rushed him to the hospital and couldn't bring him around. That's what happened. They don't know what happened. Martin: When was the last time you saw Michael? Jackson: It was May 14 at a family gathering. I had just gotten back from Africa. Michael looked great. He was looking well. He was getting ready to go into rehearsals for his tour. I don't know what happened. Martin: There were some reports he wasn't feeling well and was in a wheelchair. Jackson: He wasn't in a wheelchair. He was walking around with his kids. When we saw him, he wasn't in a wheelchair. We all talked. He was doing great. Martin: Was that the last time you spoke with him? Jackson: May 14 was the last time I spoke with him. The last time I saw him. Martin: Have you talked to any of your other family members about his death? Jackson: I've been trying to get a hold of my mom. I talked to Jackie. I talked to Tito. They feel the same way. A piece of our heart -- a piece of us went with him. It was a shock to them, too. I talked to my brother Jackie and he said, "Marlon, is it true?" I said, "I'm calling them right now to see if it's true." That's when I called Frank Dileo and I couldn't get to my mom. I talked to him the first time and he was at the house and my mom was in the background crying, and she was just upset. Martin: Was Michael still at the house? Jackson: Michael had passed. Frank told me, "We lost him." Martin: And you said a doctor saw him last night, but he didn't see a need to take him to the hospital? Jackson: He didn't take him to the hospital. This morning he wasn't breathing and they rushed him to the hospital. He was going to be 51 in August. Gone too soon. Martin: Marlon, it's amazing to look at the reaction from all over the world. People are at the hospital, at the Jackson family home in Gary, Indiana, at his star on the Walk of Fame. ESSENCE.com: Read Michael Jackson's obit . Jackson: I never knew the effect the Jackson 5 had on people until I began traveling with a major broadcasting network, and people would say our songs were the reason for them getting married. Me and my brothers did what we did because we loved it. That's the way we thought. I'm happy that we did get a chance to just bring happiness to everybody, and Michael took it to another level to bring people happiness. He cared about people a lot. Michael was known all over the world, and that's why people care, and it's nice to see that people care. Not only did they grow up with my brother, but they grew up with the Jackson 5. He's definitely going to be missed. We are always going to remember him. We cannot forget him. ESSENCE.com: Michael Jackson's life in photos . Martin: I hear the comparisons to Elvis Presley and people looking to him a generation later. I know it's very soon after the death of Michael, but should something like Graceland be established so the next generation is aware of Michael's impact? Jackson: He's going to live on. He has left a legacy and it's going to be forever, and I really feel that in my heart. I want people to concentrate on those things that he did for people. He did a lot of positive things. He's going to live forever. I'm going to miss him. The memories, all the great things he has done, and my family is going to miss him. It's hard. It's really hard for us right now. Martin: For the world he was the "King of Pop." But for you, he was your younger brother. Jackson: And that's the way we saw him, as a younger brother. It's like when anyone else loses their family member. It hurts. It hurts right now. It really hurts . | Marlon learned about brother's death through Michael's manager .
He says responders found Michael not breathing, "couldn't bring him around"
Marlon hasn't seen Michael in a month, says he "looked good"
"He has left a legacy and it's going to be forever," he says . |
248,193 | cd276250a292cdf890adbb5fd0ee5edd93c95770 | After two years of turmoil, rebellion and bitter conflict, a new era of European rugby is about to begin. On Thursday night, Gloucester and Brive launch the Challenge Cup and then on Friday night at The Stoop, the main event begins when Harlequins take on Castres in the Champions Cup. For all the angst and animosity that so nearly led to the collapse of continental competition, there is a sense of familiarity about the tournaments that have hastily emerged from the wreckage. Representatives of the England clubs competing for the new European Rugby Champions Cup, which starts on Friday - (from left) Chris Bell (Wasps), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Ed Slater (Leicester), Alistair Hargreaves (Saracens), Stuart Hooper (Bath), George North (Northampton) and Dan Braid (Sale) Reduction from six pools to five with the three best runners-up qualifying for last eight knockout phase. Qualification now solely dependent on league position with winners this year not guaranteed a spot next year. No drop-down qualification from main competition to the Challenge Cup. Tournament will be televised on Sky and BT Sport following a lucrative new television deal. Asked on Wednesday if the revamped competition feels much different from its predecessor, the Heineken Cup, Northampton’s England flanker, Tom Wood, said: ‘No, not at all. It feels exactly the same. It doesn’t change anything - we prepare the same, it’s still a great competition and it’s still a long old haul to get here.’ In terms of front-of-house alterations, there are now 20 teams involved in five pools, rather than the old format of 24 sides in six pools, which should - in principle - lead to a strengthening of the pool stages, now that some of the weakest links have been removed. The tournament’s greater meritocracy is a definite plus point. ‘This competition is meant to be an elite competition and it certainly has the feel of that this season,’ said Mark McCall, the director of rugby at Saracens - who have been the Aviva Premiership’s standard-bearers in Europe in recent seasons. They are bracing themselves for a pool of staggering quality. Northampton flanker Tom Wood says the new competition name won't change anything for the players . Toulon's English flanker Steffon Armitage (left) makes a destructive run in last year's Heineken Cup final . The last time the Heineken Cup was won by an English side was on May 20, 2007 when Wasps beat Leicester Tigers 25-9 in front of 81,076 fans at Twickenham. Wasps captain Lawrence Dallaglio (centre) leads celebrations with his team-mates at Twickenham . ‘Ourselves, Clermont and Munster were in the semi-finals last year and the year before, so we know it’s going to be incredibly difficult to get through the group,’ McCall added. ‘Last year, we got a more favourable group and there was an expectation that we would get into the quarter-finals. This year, it would be an achievement in itself to get through the pool.’ Bath are back at the top table after years among the second tier in the Challenge Cup. Their form suggests they can mount a compelling quest to reach the quarter-finals, but captain Stuart Hooper knows they have their hands full against Glasgow, Montpellier and Toulouse in Pool 4. ‘The way the competition is set up, teams qualify on merit so you’ve got the 20 best teams in Europe,’ said the lock. ‘With the French teams in our group, you’re going to come up against some of the best players in the world.’ The English clubs may soon recognise the wisdom of the old adage — be careful what you wish for. Premiership Rugby led the Anglo-French breakaway in order to secure wide-ranging reforms of the European game, but the immediate up-shot is that they may find it even harder to make their mark in the leading tournament. While the inaugural Champions Cup represents a fresh start, the backdrop has not radically shifted. The new format with 20 teams instead of 24 ensures the best sides in Europe are going head-to-head, says Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall, who led Owen Farrell and his side to last year's Heineken Cup final . French clubs have the biggest budgets and therefore the greatest depth of players, but what they don’t necessarily have across the board is extreme motivation. Some Gallic sides will once again react to early defeats by sending out weakened line-ups and focusing on domestic matters. One reason for English struggles in recent times has been the impact of the Irish, based on careful management of their players, in order to peak for these European windows. Now that qualification reform has put a greater emphasis on Pro12 results, Leinster, Munster and Ulster may have to work their stars harder, which may undermine their continental prospects. Champions Cup's Pro 12 representatives (left to right) Ken Owens (Scarlets), Rory Best (Ulster), Jamie Heaslip (Leinster), Peter O'Mahony (Munster), Jason Harris Wright Connacht, Henry Pyrgos (Glasgow), Antonio Pavanello (Treviso) and Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys) at the competition's launch in Dublin . To take an example from each province, Paul O’Connell has played just three full Pro12 games for Munster so far this season, but Jamie Heaslip and Rory Best have each made four starting appearances and one off the bench for Leinster and Ulster respectively. Welsh hopes seemingly rest with the Ospreys, who are the only unbeaten team in Europe. There are just two regions involved this time and one side from each of Scotland and Italy. The standards may rise, but the lack of variety will be most keenly felt in three pools featuring two teams from the same nation. Sale v Saracens, Wasps v Harlequins and Toulouse v Montpellier lack the novelty value of classic European fixtures. Still, the Champions Cup promises to be fascinating. It has been a mad rush to put arrangements in place and there will be a period of transition behind the scenes, but the hope must be that the new era delivers the glorious drama that the Heineken Cup became adored for. POOL BY POOL GUIDE AS RUGBY STARTS A NEW ERA . Classic pool of death, containing three of last season’s semi-finalists. Clermont have the players, pedigree and home fortress to top the pile, but Saracens have the depth and belief to run them close. Munster are dangerous in Limerick but not the force of old. So tough for Sale. FIXTURES . Oct 18: Sale v Munster, Saracens v Clermont. Oct 24: Munster v Saracens . Oct 26: Clermont v Sale . Dec 6: Sale v Saracens, Munster v Clermont . Dec 13: Saracens v Sale . Dec 14: Clermont v Munster . Jan 17: Sale v Clermont, Saracens v Munster . Jan 24: Clermont v Saracens, Munster v Sale. PREDICTION . 1 Clermont (To Qualify) 2 Saracens . 3 Munster . 4 Sale . Clermont flanker Julien Bardy (right) Leinster are favourites on reputation, having won the title three times in the last six years, but they no longer have Brian O’Driscoll’s reassuring presence and they’re not yet in top gear. Resurgent Wasps will believe they can edge out Harlequins to finish as runners-up, while Castres are likely to be pre-occupied with a misfiring league campaign. FIXTURES . Oct 17: Quins v Castres . Oct 19: Leinster v Wasps . Oct 26: Castres v Leinster, Wasps v Quins . Dec 7: Castres v Wasps, Quins v Leinster . Dec 13: Leinster v Quins . Dec 14: Wasps v Castres . Jan 17: Quins v Wasps, Leinster v Castres . Jan 24: Castres v Quins, Wasps v Leinster . PREDICTION . 1) Leinster (Q) 2) Wasps . 3) Quins . 4) Castres . Reigning European champions Toulon will be expected to dominate. However, their defeat in Cardiff last season shows that they are vulnerable in the group phase. Leicester are undermined by injuries, so Ulster are likely to provide the primary threat to Toulon, while the Scarlets may lack the all-round power. FIXTURES . Oct 18: Leicester v Ulster . Oct 19: Toulon v Scarlets . Oct 25: Ulster v Toulon, Scarlets v Leicester . Dec 6: Ulster v Scarlets . Dec 7: Leicester v Toulon . Dec 13: Toulon v Leicester . Dec 14: Scarlets v Ulster . Jan 17: Toulon v Ulster, Leicester v Scarlets . Jan 24: Scarlets v Toulon, Ulster v Leicester . PREDICTION . 1 Toulon (Q) 2 Ulster (Q) 3 Leicester . 4 Scarlets . Toulon's Matt Giteau (top) and Drew Mitchell (right) celebrate a try in the 2013 Heineken Cup final . Predictions are tough. Toulouse are the European aristocrats seemingly in decline, but they swept aside Toulon last weekend, to provide impetus. Glasgow are riding high in the Pro12, while Bath and Montpellier lie fourth in England and France respectively. Bath have the firepower, and confidence to finish first in this tricky group. FIXTURES . Oct 18: Glasgow v Bath . Oct 19: Toulouse v Montpellier . Oct 25: Bath v Toulouse, Montpellier v Glasgow . Dec 5: Montpellier v Bath . Dec 7: Toulouse v Glasgow . Dec 12: Bath v Montpellier . Dec 13: Glasgow v Toulouse . Jan 17: Toulouse v Bath, Glasgow v Montpellier . Jan 24: Montpellier v Toulouse, Bath v Glasgow . PREDICTION . 1 Bath (Q) 2 Toulouse (Q) 3 Glasgow . 4 Montpellier . Bath's England hopeful scrum-half George Ford . Much rests on the opening clash between Northampton and Racing Metro. If the Saints prevail then the Parisians’ interest will soon wane. In that event, the Ospreys may qualify. Treviso will struggle. FIXTURES . Oct 18: Racing v Northampton Saints . Oct 19: Ospreys v Treviso . Oct 25: Saints v Ospreys . Oct 26: Treviso v Racing . Dec 6: Treviso v Saints, Ospreys v Racing . Dec 13: Saints v Ospreys, Racing v Treviso. Jan 17: Racing v Treviso, Ospreys v Saints . Jan 24: Treviso v Ospreys, Saints v Racing . PREDICTION . 1 Northampton (Q) 2 Ospreys (Q) 3 Racing Metro . 4 Treviso . Northampton's George North (right) shows his strength against Sale's Eifion Lewis Roberts (left) Much rests on the opening clash between Northampton and Racing Metro. If the Saints prevail then the Parisians’ interest will soon wane. In that event, the Ospreys may qualify. Treviso will struggle. FIXTURES . Oct 18: Racing v Northampton Saints . Oct 19: Ospreys v Treviso . Oct 25: Saints v Ospreys . Oct 26: Treviso v Racing . Dec 6: Treviso v Saints, Ospreys v Racing . Dec 13: Saints v Ospreys, Racing v Treviso. Jan 17: Racing v Treviso, Ospreys v Saints . Jan 24: Treviso v Ospreys, Saints v Racing . | Europe's revamped club competitions kick off on Thursday and Friday .
Harlequins launch Champions Cup against Castres on Friday at The Stoop .
Gloucester v Brive begin the Challenge Cup on Thursday at Kingsholm .
New tournaments come after two years of political turmoil within rugby .
Northampton, Leicester, Wasps, Saracens, Harlequins, Sale and Bath fly the Premiership Rugby flag but are fighting an uphill battle for success .
All five pools previewed before the weekend's opening round of matches . |
117,482 | 23b5e8dbce4442e5b6b4f2e08ff51b837a784b03 | 'Working the system': Sinead Clarkson, 36, got pregnant at 15 and has never had a job. She says the benefits system doesn't makes it financially worthwhile to work . A jobless mother has provoked anger by urging her teenage daughter to get pregnant for an easy life on benefits. Sinead Clarkson, 36, has no qualifications, has never worked and rakes in £1,200 a month from the State. She has now admitted encouraging her 19-year-old daughter Melissa to follow her shameless example and ‘work the system’ by having a baby. Melissa became pregnant six months ago, and is now in line for an extra £400 a month courtesy of taxpayers when her baby is born, as well as a two-bedroom council house. Her mother, who has another daughter, Amie, aged 12, said: ‘I am better off on benefits. I refuse to work for a pittance and struggle. ‘I don’t have any qualifications so it is easier to claim money than persuade an employer to give me a job. ‘I told Melissa to work the system and have a baby so she could claim more benefits, get a house of her own and have a better life. ‘I don’t want her to work for peanuts in a low-pay job.’ Yesterday Robert Oxley, campaign director at the TaxPayers’ Alliance, called for the benefits system to be overhauled. ‘It is a deeply depressing waste of taxpayers’ money and human potential for someone to aspire to live their life on benefits – worse still to promote the same for their children,’ he said. ‘The welfare system should never be an alternative to work. A system that allows people to see having a child as a pay-cheque is fundamentally flawed and needs further reform.’ Miss Clarkson, from Rochdale, dropped out of school after becoming pregnant at the age of 15, and has been receiving government handouts since she was 16. She said: ‘It wasn’t planned but I was happy to leave school because I didn’t like it – I had no career aspirations.’ She first began claiming £260 a month in income support. And nine months after having Melissa in July 1994, Miss Clarkson – whose boyfriend left her – was given her own two-bedroom council house, along with £68 a month child benefit. Following in her mother's footsteps: Ms Clarkson (pictured left) admits to encouraging her eldest daughter Melissa, 19, (pictured right) to have a baby so she can live an 'easy life on benefits'. Melissa is now pregnant . In an interview with Closer magazine, she said: ‘I was thrilled to get my own place. It was a nice house with lots of space.’ Miss Clarkson, who claimed as much as £328 a month while her daughter was a baby, said she felt lonely when Melissa started school. She gave birth to Amie in 2001 after a brief relationship. And to her delight, her handouts increased to £1,020 a month, including her rent, child tax credits and other benefits. She was also given a three-bedroom house. ‘Amie was not planned, but I was excited about being a mum again,’ Miss Clarkson said. ‘Plus I knew my benefits would increase and the extra money would come in handy.’ She added: ‘Being on benefits suits me. I don’t have the stress of working like some of my friends. I spend a lot of time cooking and cleaning, or I will watch TV or have friends round. Ms Clarkson, from Greater Manchester, claims living on benefits brings a stress-free life . ‘I know people will be angry with my choices, but they should not judge. It is the system’s fault that I can choose not to work. ‘What is the point of having a job if I can’t earn much more than I get now? People decide to have babies so they can get benefits because this country allows it.’ Miss Clarkson said her 12-year-old daughter Amie ‘talks about having a baby’ too – and if she did she would support her decision. ‘Amie is still in school and hopefully will get some qualifications,’ she said. ‘But if she did decide to go down the same route as Melissa, I would support her.’ Clinical psychologist Dr Sharon Lewis warned yesterday that it is crucially important for parents to set a good example – and that those who aspire to a life without work may prevent their children from reaching their full potential as adults. She said: ‘Children are more influenced by what their parents do, rather than what they say. ‘If a parent is not showing a responsible attitude to their role in society, their children will follow suit. ‘Individuals need to work to thrive. 'Otherwise it can hamper their future development and prevent them reaching their full potential.’ | Sinead Clarkson, 36, fell pregnant when she was 15 and has never worked .
She lives in a three-bed council house and gets £1,200 a month in benefits .
Ms Clarkson claims the benefits system makes it pointless for her to work .
She admits she has encouraged her daughters to also 'work the system'
Ms Clarkson's eldest daughter Melissa, 19, is now six months pregnant . |
186,543 | 7d9f48304a59add380b3e06a2a34937b125bda39 | With the cameras rolling, Daniel and Stephanie Rensing accepted an offer from a Shark Tank investor. But after they had time to think about it, they changed their minds. Annual revenue for their company, The Smart Baker, is close to $1 million, up from $130,000 before their March 2012 appearance on the ABC reality TV show. 'Not doing the deal and having that exposure was probably the best scenario for us,' says Daniel Rensing, CEO of the Rockledge, Florida, company which sells aprons, parchment paper and other baking equipment. Selling like hot cakes: Daniel Rensing and his wife Stephanie, owners of The Smart Baker, turned down Barbara Corcoran's offer of $75K for 40 per cent in 2012. Revenue is now close to $1m . Dreams of investor money have induced more than 150,000 businesses to apply to be contestants on Shark Tank, where entrepreneurs pitch to cast members including Barbara Corcoran, founder of a prominent New York real estate brokerage; Daymond John, founder of the clothing company FUBU; and Robert Herjavec, founder of the technology conglomerate Herjavec Group. Entrepreneurs may be all smiles when they get an offer on the show, but the deals aren't set in stone. Negotiations start soon after episodes are taped. Contestants can walk away if they don't like the terms. 'When we shake hands on a potential deal on Shark Tank, the romance runs high and everyone's excited about what could be,' Corcoran says. 'In the end, the entrepreneur is in charge.' During the first five seasons, 374 contestants appeared on TV and investors made 190 offers, according to ABC. Forty-eight contestants turned down offers during taping, executive producer Clay Newbill says. They haven't tracked how many deals fell apart during negotiations. The producers ask entrepreneurs and investors to make their best efforts to close deals, Newbill says. Dealmakers: Dreams of investor money have induced more than 150,000 businesses to apply to be contestants on Shark Tank and pitch their businesses to the panel (pictured) 'But we understand, just as in the real world, the reality is that not all deals will close,' he says. Corcoran offered $75,000 for 40 per cent of The Smart Baker, and a 5 per cent sales royalty, during the 2011 taping. During negotiations the Rensings, disagreed with Corcoran about the target market. 'We were sticking to our guns on the market we served,' Rensing says. Corcoran says she was disappointed, but she knows a rejection is an occupational hazard on Shark Tank. 'Nobody likes to be turned down, especially me,' she says. The Smart Baker has thrived without her money. In the following year, revenue grew to $600,000. The episode also helped the company get noticed by Food Network and other media. Reruns provide a sales bump. But a Shark Tank deal isn't just about money; it also brings expertise and mentoring from a pro. The Rensings don't dwell on what they might have missed by not sticking with Corcoran. 'There is always the "what ifs", but we don't let that get to us,' Daniel Rensing says. Some contestants may turn down offers because they feel there are more important things than getting investors, says Matthew Rutherford, an entrepreneurship professor at Oklahoma State University who has studied Shark Tank pitches. Going solo: The Rensings, pictured in their warehouse in Rockledge, Florida, say they don't dwell on what they might have missed by not sticking with Corcoran . 'What they crave over everything including money and wealth is autonomy,' Rutherford says. Entrepreneurs who appear on the show are likely hoping for both a cash infusion and control of their companies, says Harvard Business School professor Noam Wasserman. But the money doesn't guarantee success, and having an investor may be an unpleasant experience. 'You could end up with the worst of both worlds,' he says. When Mona Weiss and Scott Shields pitched their company, Eco Nuts, on an episode that aired in October 2012, Herjavec offered $175,000 for 50 per cent. Weiss and Shields, who wanted to sell a 15 per cent stake for that amount, said no on the spot. 'It was a terrible deal, really awful. No one would give up half their company for less than they make in a year,' Weiss says. The Lawndale, California, company, which makes laundry detergent from berries, was on track for $250,000 in revenue in 2012. A spokeswoman for Herjavec, Erin McLean, says he does not comment on deals or offers that are closed. Some people told Weiss and Shields they were foolish. 'They said, "it was a lot of money, you should have taken that,"' Weiss says. But being on Shark Tank put Eco Nuts on a faster track to its current success. Revenue, now over $1 million, grew so much the company moved to manufacturing space five times bigger than its original factory. | The Smart Baker turned down Barbara Corcoran's offer of $75K for 40% in 2012. Revenue is now close to $1m .
Being on the ABC reality TV show put Eco Nuts on a faster track to its current success - revenue is now over $1 million . |
106,245 | 150c61f0073b7c9c42c298d098b98f3150b7d0c6 | By . Joe Strange . Follow @@Joe_Strange . Nigerian striker Ideye Brown is still waiting to receive a visa and work permit so that he can join up with new club West Brom after sealing a £10million move from Dynamo Kiev. The 25-year-old signed for Alan Irvine's side on July 18 but he has yet to travel back to the UK, forcing him to miss out on a pre-season friendly against Nottingham Forest. He is also set to be unavailable for Tuesday's game with Port Vale and admits that playing any part in the Baggies' first game of the season against Sunderland is unlikely. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Alan Irvine assure West Brom fans of his credentials . Not yet: Ideye Brown is waiting to receive a visa and work permit before joining up with new club West Brom . Ideye told BBC Sport: 'Officials at the British High Commission (in Nigeria) are still working on it. 'Realistically it will be difficult to target the first league game of the season for my debut. 'The club has fulfilled all the necessary requirements, but I have been told that the British High Commission require up to 15 days to sort this, which is preventing my ability to travel. 'The public holiday in Nigeria last week [Eid holiday] slowed things down a little bit on this side. 'I hope to get it sorted in the next couple of days because I can't wait to join my new team-mates in England.' | Ideye Brown still waiting to receive visa and work permit .
Baggies spent record £10m on Nigeria international Ideye Brown . |
92,605 | 031ae7fa395d329dbf3bb68ff6c6d5434ef41dc4 | By . Zoe Szathmary for MailOnline . San Antonio police are looking for the crook who broke into a veteran's truck and took his iPod. On Thursday, someone snatched Staff Sgt. Ben Eberle's iPod Touch - which includes an application that is specifically wired to let him use his prosthetic hand, San Antonio Express-News reported. '[Getting a new prosthetic hand and iPod configured to work together] takes a long time,' Eberle told the newspaper. 'It's tedious and it's a lot of work with the hand itself.' Veteran: U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ben Eberle is seen in this 2011 file photo. Eberle lost his right hand and both of his legs because of a bomb explosion . Speaking about the robbery, Eberele also said 'I was pissed. I threw my blanket off and I wanted to just get up and run out the door, but I had to get my wheelchair.' The Eberles told the newspaper that the thief unsuccessfully attempted to yank the soldier's stereo. Three years ago, Eberle lost both his right hand and both of his legs in Afghanistan because of a bomb explosion, the newspaper reported. 'They didn't know if I was going to make it,' he told San Antonio Express-News. Missing: Police said the missing iPod Touch would have a case not unlike this one . Hand: The San Antonio Police Department shared this photograph on Facebook of Eberle's prosthetic hand . 'I believe that we owe guys like this a lot more than this sort of treatment, as a society,' San Antonio Police Department spokesman Sgt. Javier Salazar told San Antonio Express-News. 'We would ask that whoever did this recognize the gravity of their crime and do the right thing.' Eberle maintained in a Facebook post the Veterans Administration is able to cover a replacement hand and that he and his wife 'don't need help getting anything.' 'I can turn in my hand to the VA like I told them and do a 1 for 1 swap,' he wrote. 'I'm just pissed that someone smashed my window open, that's all. They just wanted another story about a wounded warrior.' On Facebook, the police department wrote that 'Crimestoppers could pay up to $5000 for information.' Crimestoppers can be reached at (210) 224-STOP. | On Thursday, a crook broke into Staff Sgt. Ben Eberle's truck and took his iPod Touch .
The iPod Touch includes an application that is specifically wired to let him use his prosthetic hand .
Three years ago, Eberle lost both his right hand and both of his legs in Afghanistan because of a bomb explosion .
San Antonio police have said they are offering as much as $5,000 for anyone who can help find the iPod Touch . |
90,713 | 00a9a4a12e076fe8e014e897fc04215803e89a8d | By . Ellie Zolfagharifard . A souped-up version of the Curiosity rover has been unveiled with seven powerful instruments that could help unravel the mysteries of the red planet. Among the most exciting is Moxie - a machine that sucks in carbon dioxide from the Martian atmosphere and pumps out pure oxygen for rocket fuel, or for humans to someday breathe. The 2020 Mars rover will also have the capability to capture images of the red planet that Nasa scientists claim will ‘knock your socks off’, using an instrument known as MastCam. Scroll down for video . Nasa has announced a slew of new instruments on its planned 2020 Mars Rover, including 2 on its mast that provide better imaging capabilities . ‘It will be closer to having an experience of a human looking at Mars,’ said John Grunsfeld, an astronaut and associate administrator for the Nasa. ‘You’re going to feel like you’re on Mars and that’s going to be fantastic.’ MastCam will have an augmented 3.6:1 zoom feature capable of resolving images about one millimetre in size, in the near field and between three and four centimetres at 328ft (100 metre) distance. As well as MastCam, SuperCam will be able to provide imaging, chemical composition analysis and mineralogy. The 2020 Mars rover will also have the capability to capture images of the red planet that Nasa scientists claim will 'knock your socks off', using an instrument known as MastCam . Sherloc, a spectrometer, will provide fine-scale imaging and uses an ultraviolet (UV) laser to determine fine-scale mineralogy and detect organic compounds . Mastcam-Z: An advanced camera system with panoramic and stereoscopic imaging capability with the ability to zoom. The instrument will also establish the minerals found in Mars’ surface, and help with rover operations. SuperCam: An instrument that provides imaging, chemical composition analysis, and mineralogy. It will also be able to locate organic compounds in rocks, from a distance. Planetary Instrument for X-ray Lithochemistry (PIXL): An X-ray fluorescence spectrometer with a built-in high resolution imager than can determine the fine scale elemental composition of Martian surface materials. PIXL will make it possible to make detailed detection and analysis of chemical elements than ever before. Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman & Luminescence for Organics and Chemicals (SHERLOC): A spectrometer that offers fine-scale imaging and uses an ultraviolet (UV) laser to determine detect minerals and compounds. The Mars Oxygen ISRU Experiment (MOXIE): An exploration technology that will produce oxygen from carbon dioxide in the Martian atmosphere. Mars Environmental Dynamics Analyser (MEDA): A set of sensors that provide measurements of temperature, wind speed and direction, pressure, relative humidity and dust size and shape. The Radar Imager for Mars' Subsurface Exploration (RIMFAX): A ground-penetrating radar that provides centimetre-scale resolution of the geologic structure of the subsurface. The instrument will also be able to detect the presence of organic compounds in rocks from a distance. Meanwhile, Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman & Luminescence for Organics and Chemicals (Sherloc) will provide fine-scale imaging and uses an ultraviolet (UV) laser to determine fine-scale mineralogy and detect organic compounds. ‘The rocks on Mars tell a story,’ said Mr Grunsfeld. ‘They tell a story about the history of Mars, and the words of the story are written in minerals. And that’s what this rover is going to read.’ One of the key features is the fact that the rover’s 99lb (45kg) payload will be able to bring intact samples back to Earth, without it being crushed. Meda, a set of sensors, will provide measurements of temperature, wind speed and direction, pressure, relative humidity and dust size and shape. ‘We are excited that Nasa’s Space Technology Program is partnered with Human Exploration and the Mars 2020 Rover Team to demonstrate our abilities to harvest the Mars atmosphere and convert its abundant carbon dioxide to pure oxygen,’ said James Reuther, deputy associate administrator for programs for the Space Technology Mission Directorate. ‘This technology demonstration will pave the way for more affordable human missions to Mars where oxygen is needed for life support and rocket propulsion.’ These instruments will be carried onboard the agency’s Mars 2020 mission, a roving laboratory based on the Curiosity rover. The ‘roving laboratory’ will be powered by a radioisotrope generator that gives the rover an operating life-span of at least a full Martian year. This equals 687 days on Earth. The space agency said it received 58 proposals in January for science and exploration technology instruments to fly on board the Mars 2020 mission. RIMFAX is a ground-penetrating radar that provides centimetre-scale resolution of the geologic structure of the subsurface . An X-ray fluorescence spectrometer with a built-in high resolution imager than can determine the fine scale elemental composition of Martian surface materials. PIXL will make it possible to make detailed detection and analysis of chemical elements than ever before . This was twice the average number of proposals submitted for instrument competitions in the recent past and an indicator of the extraordinary interest in exploration of the red planet. Nasa hopes the 2020 Mars rover will demonstrate technology for a human exploration of the planet and look for signs of life. For instance, the rover could make measurements and technology demonstrations to help designers of a human expedition understand any hazards posed by Martian dust. It could also demonstrate how to collect carbon dioxide, which could be a resource for making oxygen and rocket fuel. Nasa's next Mars rover (plans pictured) has been given a mission to find signs of past life and to collect and store rock from the the red planet that will one day be sent back to Earth. Mars 2020 will also demonstrate technology for a human exploration of the planet . SuperCam is an instrument that provides imaging, chemical composition analysis, and mineralogy. It will also be able to locate organic compounds in rocks, from a distance . It will use the same body of Nasa's Curiosity Rover, which is currently searching for life on Mars, and beginning the journey to its final destination. The new rover will also use the same landing system as Curiosity, which was a ground-breaking chassis and 'sky crane' to arrive on Mars in one piece. As a result, Mars 2020 is estimated to cost $1.5 billion - one billion less than its predecessor Curiosity. The new design, which will collect rock samples, marks the next major step in fulfilling President Obama's challenge of sending humans to Mars in the 2030s. John Grunsfeld, Nasa's associate administrator for science in Washington, said: 'Crafting the science and exploration goals is a crucial milestone in preparing for our next major Mars mission.' In April, head of the U.S. space programme Charles Bolden, said: 'If this species is to survive indefinitely we need to become a multi-planet species, we need to go to Mars, and Mars is a stepping stone to other solar systems.' Mr Bolden revealed plans for the series of 'stepping stones' to the red planet, which included 'lassoing' an asteroid. It also included growing plants in space, and using 3D printers for onboard repairs. The next generation rover (illustrated) will carry on exploring the Red Planet, with upgraded hardware and instruments to examine Mars' rocks. The mission marks the next major step in fulfilling President Obama's challenge of sending humans to Mars in the 2030s . The next generation rover will carry on exploring the Red Planet, with upgraded hardware and instruments to examine Mars' rocks. The rover will assess the potential of the environment for humans to live in one day and search for signs of Martian life. It will identify and collect a collection of rock and soil samples, which it will be able to send back to Earth intact, unlike the powdered samples collected by the current rover. Charles Elachi, director of Nasa's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, has previously said that collecting a rock sample and bringing it back to Earth is Nasa's top priority. Scientists are particularly interested in the samples so they can understand the hazards posed by Martian dust and demonstrate how oxygen can be created - details important to consider for human missions to Mars and the future colonisation of the planet. The rover marks the next major step in fulfilling President Obama's challenge of sending humans to Mars in the 2030s. The 2020 mission aims to build on the accomplishments of Curiosity and other Mars missions. The Spirit and Opportunity rovers, along with several orbiters, found evidence Mars has a watery history. Curiosity has also confirmed that past environmental conditions on Mars could have supported living microbes. According to the Science Definition Team, looking for signs of past life is the next logical step. The rover will use its instruments for visual, mineralogical and chemical analysis down to microscopic scale to understand the environment around its landing site. It will also identify biosignatures or features in the rocks and soil that could have been formed biologically. Jack Mustard, chairman of the Science . Definition Team and a professor of geological sciences at Brown . University in Providence, said: 'The Mars 2020 mission concept does not presume that life ever existed on Mars.' 'However, given the recent Curiosity findings, past Martian life seems possible and we should begin the difficult endeavor of seeking the signs of life. 'No matter what we learn, we would make significant progress in understanding the circumstances of early life existing on Earth and the possibilities of extraterrestrial life.' There are plans for the next rover to collect and package as many as 31 samples of rock cores and soil with the intention of a later mission picking them up bringing them back to Earth for more definitive analysis in laboratories. In a bid to save time and money, the Mars 2020 rover will share the body of Nasa's Curiosity Rover (model pictured) which is currently searching for life on Mars. The new rover will use the same landing system as Curiosity, which used a ground-breaking chassis and 'sky crane' to arrive on Mars in one piece . | New Curiosity rover set will feature seven powerful instruments .
Vehicle will journey to Mars in 2020 to take incredibly detailed images that will 'knock your socks off' with an improved MastCam .
SuperCam and Sherloc will detect organic compounds in rocks .
Next generation rover will also include 'Moxie' - a machine that converts carbon dioxide to pure oxygen for rocket fuel .
Vehicle will bring intact samples back to Earth without crushing them .
Rover will have a life span of one full Martian year - 687 days on Earth .
Nasa hopes the 2020 Mars rover will demonstrate technology for a human exploration of the planet and look for signs of life . |
154,257 | 535b37de7bbb3f91886f9c032228f032defcb300 | By . Mark Bryans, Press Association . Ronald Koeman is preparing for Saturday's meeting with West Brom with the same respect he had for Liverpool last weekend - insisting he has no 'big club' hang-ups. The Dutchman lost his first competitive match in charge of Saints when they slipped to a narrow 2-1 defeat at Anfield on Sunday and will be hoping to pick up a win in his maiden home game against the Baggies. Between now and a November 30 meeting with reigning Barclays Premier League champions Manchester City, only a visit to face Tottenham and former boss Mauricio Pochettino at White Hart Lane sees Southampton face a team who finished above them last season. Orders: Ronald Koeman, manager of Southampton, gives instructions to his team at Anfield . New Saint: Ryan Bertrand was one of eight new signings to make their debut at Anfield . Games against newly-promoted Leicester and QPR also fall during that period, with West Brom the start of a healthy-looking run of fixtures for Koeman's side - but the former Feyenoord coach refuses to take anything for granted. 'I think it is not good to speak about the big clubs,' he said. 'If you look back to the results in the first matches, all of them are very close. Arsenal only won in the last minute (against Crystal Palace). 'What is a big team? The competition is very competitive and you have to play good and you have to be good to win against everybody. 'Sometimes the name of the club means a lot but, between the lines, it can be difficult against everybody and you have to prepare yourself to play well against everybody.' Many have tipped Southampton to struggle to replicate last season's best-ever eighth place finish given the sales of several key players. Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert and Dejan Lovren all moved to Liverpool whilst Luke Shaw signed for Manchester United and Arsenal came in for Calum Chambers. Good start: Dusan Tadic impressed on debut for Southampton, laying on a goal for Clyne with a lovely touch . But Koeman has re-invested much of that money and his new-look side were unfortunate to lose at Liverpool, with Daniel Sturridge scoring a 79th-minute winner for the hosts. Having come close to taking a point from last season's runners-up, Koeman believes his players will be able to draw on that experience. 'It was frustrating,' he said about the defeat. 'I thought we played at a good level with an amazing second half and the result was not what we deserved. 'It was good for the confidence because maybe everyone was afraid about how we would start the season. We showed our qualities and showed we are a team who can be very competitive against everybody. 'We know this Saturday it will be different, maybe more difficult because everyone expects the same level at home and we have to dominate more than we did against Liverpool. The belief is in the team and in the players and everyone is ready for Saturday.' Prolific: Vincent Wanyama made more successful tackles in the first half than the whole Liverpool team . | Southampton impressed during their opening day defeat to Liverpool .
Koeman's side face West Brom at St Mary's on Saturday .
The former Feyenoord coach says he will not take anything for granted . |
194,988 | 886a9949ba408fc235b956557a0824bc2de04bd4 | WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Obama will meet with top congressional leaders from both parties Tuesday to discuss a war in Afghanistan that now appears to be at a potential tipping point. The meeting on the war comes as the Obama administration conducts a review of its Afghan strategy. Obama will be joined by, among others, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, House Minority Leader John Boehner, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and the heads of the Armed Services and Foreign Relations committees in the House and Senate, two Democratic officials said. The meeting comes amid the Obama administration's comprehensive review of U.S. strategy in Afghanistan. Several top military leaders and opposition Republicans are pressing Obama to act quickly to increase the present 68,000-troop level by as many as 40,000. "There's no doubt that, particularly on funding, it's not going to happen until Congress signs off," White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said Monday. "They're an important part of this, and the president wants to hear from them." In March, Obama announced a plan to send more than 20,000 additional troops to the country to provide security for a national election. That move followed what Obama and others called years of inadequate resources in Afghanistan because of the Bush administration's focus on Iraq. The Obama strategy was based on a counterinsurgency mission intended to defeat terrorists based in Afghanistan while winning local support and helping with development. Gen. Stanley McChrystal, who took over four months ago as the top U.S. commander in the country, has submitted an assessment in which, sources have told CNN, he says he needs additional forces to carry out the counterinsurgency strategy successfully. Otherwise, McChrystal reportedly warns, the mission could fail, bringing a return of power to the Taliban. "We need to reverse the current trends, and time does matter," McChrystal said last week in a speech in London, England. "Waiting does not prolong a favorable outcome. This effort will not remain winnable indefinitely." U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, however, appeared to push back Monday against those who are loudly urging a rapid troop increase. It's "important that we get it right," he told a U.S. Army audience. Gates said that it's also "important that all of us ... provide the best advice to the president candidly but privately." Gen. George Casey, chief of staff of the Army, echoed Gates' view, telling reporters that he would be sharing his views "in private" and that they'd be "the second to know." Obama has yet to respond to McChrystal's report, prompting opponents to accuse him of indecisiveness and playing politics that puts U.S. soldiers on the ground at risk. Watch more on the debate over the best way forward » . National Security Adviser James Jones Jr. on Sunday cited three developments since March that have led the White House to reconsider its overall Afghanistan strategy: . • Questions about the legitimacy of Afghan President Hamid Karzai's election victory. • McChrystal's conclusion that the Taliban is stronger than previously thought. • Neighboring Pakistan's improved efforts to change the overall dynamic of the border region. "The key in Afghanistan is to have a triad of things happen simultaneously," Jones said on CNN's "State of the Union," listing improved security, economic development and "good governance and the rule of law." Jones said Karzai's government "is going to have to pitch in and do much better" than it has to improve the governance situation after the elections, widely considered as tainted by vote fraud in some areas. Some in Obama's inner circle, including Vice President Joe Biden, are advocating a counterterrorism approach that focuses on combating al Qaeda through the use of unmanned drones and special forces without involving additional troops. Others, especially McChrystal, are strongly advocating the broader counterinsurgency approach, which requires a much larger U.S. military footprint in the country. See who has Obama's ear on Afghanistan » . Sen. John McCain of Arizona and other Senate Republicans -- as well as other advocates of an increase in troop levels -- are pushing for McChrystal to testify before Congress about his assessment. Senate Armed Service Committee Chairman Carl Levin, D-Michigan, rejected their request nearly two weeks ago, calling it "premature." Eight American troops and two Afghan security force members were killed Saturday when militants opened fire on an outpost with rockets, mortars and heavy-caliber machine guns, according to an initial U.S. military report on the battle. The bodies of four of those U.S. soldiers -- Army Sgt. Joshua Kirk, of South Portland, Maine; Specialists Michael Scusa of Villas, New Jersey, and Christopher Griffin, of Kincheloe, Michigan; and Pfc. Kevin Thomson, of Reno, Nevada -- are scheduled to be brought back to the United States on Tuesday, the Pentagon said. It was the largest number of Americans killed by hostile action in a single day in Afghanistan since July 2008, according to CNN records. CNN's Ed Henry and Laurie Ure contributed to this report. | Heads of Armed Services and Foreign Relations panels in Congress will attend .
Meeting comes amid comprehensive review of U.S. strategy in Afghanistan .
U.S. commander reportedly has warned the mission could fail without more troops .
Some advisers advocate counterterrorism approach without adding troops . |
189,760 | 81ba3a6d7faa96c6dced3cfa2db0d582924086cc | Washington (CNN) -- Democrats and Republicans squared off in the 50th annual Congressional Baseball Game at Nationals Park Thursday night. Unlike the midterm elections, the Republicans never led in this one, falling to the Democrats 8-2 in front of more than 7,000 people. Freshmen Rep. Cedric Richmond, D-Louisiana, shone on the mound for the Democrats going five innings before giving up a hit. "We gained 87 seats in the last election, they gained three but one of theirs is a pitcher from New Orleans, Cedric Richmond, who I do want to point out to Mr. Richmond that the Congressional salary is $175,000. The Major League minimum salary $350,000 and I know the owner of the Astros and the Texas Rangers," said Republican coach Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas. While Democrats and Republicans were adversaries on the field, Democratic coach Rep. Mike Doyle, D-Pennsylvania, says he hopes events like this can help make bipartisanship a little more likely on Capitol Hill. "It gives us a chance to get to know one another and it helps a lot when you see someone on the floor that you played ball with, you have something else in common with them," Doyle said. "You're going to give them the benefit of the doubt and be a little bit more civil." Barton agreed. "It does, it honestly does help," Barton said. "We spend a lot of time on the floor talking baseball; that makes it easier when we do try to talk policy." Congress played their first baseball game in 1909 with a few interruptions such as the Great Depression and World War II. Ticket proceeds from this year's game raised more than $150,000 for The Washington Literacy Council and The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Washington. | The Republicans fall to the Dems 8-2 .
Participants say the event helps improve relations .
The event raised money for literacy and childrens charities in Washington . |
3,694 | 0aacf95e048e395ac10bfa01c21c23847bcbdecc | By . Matt Blake . PUBLISHED: . 10:18 EST, 16 August 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 12:26 EST, 16 August 2013 . A jilted lover who staged a sit-in protest on an electricity pylon until his girlfriend took him back was killed by a massive shock as he climbed back down. Heartbroken Wan Sun had climbed to the top of the steel pylon in Changzhou, Jiangsu province, eastern China, and refused to move until his ex took him back. But as police brought her to the scene of the drama, Wan hurried down and stepped on a steel support strut while he was still holding onto a high voltage cable and burst into flame. GRAPHIC CONTENT WARNING: Scroll down for video. Stubborn and stupid: Jilted Wan Sun had climbed to the top of the steel pylon in Changzhou, Jiangsu province, eastern China, and refused to move until his ex took him back . High voltage: But as police brought her to the scene of the drama, Wan hurried down . Electrocuted: But on his way down he stepped on a steel support strut while he was still holding onto a high voltage cable and burst into flame . 'There was a huge flash and lots of smoke as he was suddenly earthed and all the electricity zapped through him,' said one horrified witness. A police spokesman confirmed: 'The victim died instantly.' It is not the first time a lover has been electrocuted trying to demonstrate his passion atop an electric pylon in China. In 2011, man suffered serious burns after climbing a high-voltage electricity pylon in an attempt to propose to his girlfriend. Horrifying: A witness said there was a 'huge flash and lots of smoke as he was suddenly earthed and all the electricity zapped through him' The would-be Romeo attempted the stunt two days after he has split up with his girlfriend in Quanzhou, southern China. In an effort to win her back, he decided to climb a pylon near to where she worked and cover it in signs declaring his love and asking her to marry him. But after ascending the metal pylon, he was electrocuted and thrown off into a muddy puddle below. Witnesses called emergency services and when firefighters arrived on the scene, they found the man's clothes had been virtually burnt off his skin but he was still breathing. He was stretchered to a waiting ambulance and rushed to hospital. Doctors say he suffered serious burns, but is now out of danger. Unfortunately, his ex-girlfriend was less than impressed with the stunt, which she called 'stupid' and 'too extreme', and rejected his proposal. | Jilted Wan Sun had climbed to the top of steel pylon in Changzhou, China .
Standing high above the ground he demanded his girlfriend take him back .
When she came he hurried down but stepped on a steel support strut while he was still holding onto a high voltage cable and burst into flame . |
210,715 | 9cec6731d3c1e05702311e4df2c7160c8466e5ed | (CNN) -- Sales of Michael Jackson's albums have gone through the roof since the news of his death. Michael Jackson's albums took the top 15 slots on Amazon.com's top 50 album downloads. On Friday, the late singer was enjoying the commercial revival that had been eluding him in recent years, due to a lack of new material and public interest. Michael Jackson albums took top 15 slots on Amazon.com top 50 album downloads. The story was the same on iTunes where the late singer's albums dominated seven out of the ten top slots on the site. The 25th anniversary reissue of Jackson's 1982 album, "Thriller," which is the top selling album of all time, is at the top spot on Amazon.com. It was followed by a special reissue of 1979 album "Off the Wall" and 1987 album "Bad." His last studio album "Invincible," which he released in 2001 came in at number 10, perhaps reflecting the public's preference for Jackson's earlier work. On European online music retailer Play.com sales of Jackson's 10 most popular albums increased by a staggering 7,860 percent. Meanwhile, searches on Michael Jackson are up 8,900 percent and total downloads on the site have increased 5,167 percent. The public's unprecedented rush to buy Jackson's albums has been likened to the the reaction when other music icons like Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra died. "There are an awful lot of people that think his contribution to music was huge, and as an artist he was so talented -- even though he was such a complicated artist, particularly towards the end of his life," Stuart Rowe Chief Operating Officer of Play.com told CNN. "People want some kind of memento. They want to appreciate and listen to his music again, and mark his passing by listening to it all again." According to Rowe because of their quality, many of Jackson's albums are perennial bestsellers, and while there was also some increase in interest in his music because of his sold out 50-date London tour which was scheduled to kick off in mid-July. "But nothing like the effect of the news," said. "It's taken this for his music to be brought to a whole new generation of people." Five of Jackson's solo albums -- "Off the Wall," "Thriller," "Bad," "Dangerous" and "HIStory," are among the top-sellers of all time, according to Jackson's label Sony Music. During his career, Jackson sold an estimated 750 million records worldwide, released 13 No.1 singles. "There's the whole sort of grieving of a superstar which the general public will go through worldwide," said Rowe. "You will hear a lot more Michael Jackson being played over the next few weeks." | Michael Jackson albums dominate bestseller charts on Amazon.com, iTunes .
Online retailer Play.com reported Jackson album sales increased by 7,860 percent .
Five of Jackson's solo albums are among the top-sellers of all time .
Play.com: Fans want to mark his passing by listening to all his music again . |
112,279 | 1cd6d8180498c99ecaa7271d010f35862808f824 | By . MailOnline Reporter . Newlywed: Carly Dobie, 24, married her partner Billy on 12 July and died ten days later . A newly-married bride died suddenly after collapsing in the street not long after her wedding. Carly Dobie, 24, is believed to have fallen ill suddenly in the village of Aberlour in Moray ten days after marrying her partner Billy. She was rushed to Dr Gray's Hospital in Elgin after the episode on July 22, but died. Not long before Mrs Dobie had walked down the aisle at Knockando Parish Church. Mrs Dobie, a carer, had kept friends and family up-to-date with her wedding plans on Facebook in the run up to her marriage. She posted touching messages about her husband-to-be and uploaded photographs of their preparations. The couple married on July 12 and celebrated with family and friends at a reception in Archiestown village hall - not far from their home in Carron. Many guests will also be attending her funeral service tomorrow at the same church, near the river Spey, where she married. In a tribute to their happy . Locals were shocked to hear of the young bride's death. She was described as a 'wonderful, happy girl' with a great sense of humour. The carer had worked at a local nursing home for several years looking after elderly people and residents unable to live on their own. Yesterday manager, Glen Erskine, said: 'The residents and staff of the Speyside Care Home are deeply saddened at the sudden loss of Carly. 'She was a valued member of our home and will be missed by one and all. 'Our thoughts at this time are with her husband Billy, her mum and dad, Dawn and Neil and her sister Louise.' Ceremony: Mrs Dobie, pictured at her wedding, had been counting the days since getting engaged in 2012 . Friends and family also posted tributes for the carer online yesterday. She was described as a 'happy-go-lucky' girl who loved keeping friends up-to-date with her life via Facebook. Her devastated family told used the social networking to inform her friends that she had died. Her sister Louise Bassett said that she had died 'suddenly but peacefully'. One friend, Loraine Sutcliffe, posted: 'What a cruel, cruel world this is. Sad is not the word. Carly was the nicest, happiest person I had ever met.' And Sheona Clipstone said: 'I had a big space in my heart for Carly and always will. She had a great sense of humour and I loved chat with her on here. 'I'm so glad she and Billy celebrated their wedding recently, something she had wanted for such a long time.' Carly and Billy got engaged in August 2012. In the weeks leading up to their big day she had posted: 'Can't wait to my marry my best friend Billy Dobie he is my rock and love him loads.' Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article. | Carly Dobie, 24, collapsed in the street suddenly in Aberlour, Moray .
Mrs Dobie had married her partner Billy ten days before .
'Wonderful girl' had been engaged since 2012 and was counting the days . |
192,663 | 85650ef1592ebca77a4939028e00fa0e4fc809e1 | LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- Anna Nicole Smith's boyfriend and two doctors entered "not guilty" pleas Wednesday to new charges connected to the death of the former Playboy model and reality TV star in 2007. Howard K. Stern appeared in court on charges connected to the death of Anna Nicole Smith. Howard K. Stern, Smith's lawyer and companion, appeared in Los Angeles County Superior Court, along with Dr. Khristine Eroshevich and Dr. Sandeep Kapoor to formally hear the charges. Smith's death in a Hollywood, Florida, hotel on February 8, 2007, was ruled to be from "acute combined drug intoxication," the Broward County, Florida medical examiner said. The three are charged with an illegal conspiracy to prescribe, administer and dispense controlled substances to an addict. Stern faces 11 felony counts, while the doctors were charged with six each. They were all charged earlier this year with conspiring to give Smith drugs, but prosecutors revised the counts based on the latest findings from the investigation. The three defendants previously entered "not guilty" pleas to those charges. A preliminary hearing is set for next month in the case. A series of affidavits used by state investigators to obtain search warrants in their 2½-year probe was unsealed and released Tuesday. They revealed new details, including an account of one witness who told investigators she saw Stern inject Smith with drugs. A nanny hired to care for Smith's infant daughter, who was born in the Bahamas in September 2006, told investigators she witnessed Stern and Dr. Eroshevich "crush pills, heat them to turn them into liquid and inject Smith," according to an affidavit from a state investigator. The nanny stated that "after taking pills or being injected Smith would be 'like you were drinking,' often falling in the house, and sleeping for two or more days at a time," California Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement Special Agent Danny Santiago said in a sworn statement. Doctors gave Smith numerous dangerous drugs over the three years before her death, including while she was pregnant, according to the affidavits. One investigator described Smith, whose real name was Vickie Lynn Marshall, as a "drug seeker." She "was given drugs in excessive amounts," according to a medical expert consulted and quoted by a state medical board investigator. Dr. Jill Klessig also told an investigator that "in addition to the prescribing issues, there appears to have been a personal relationship" between Smith and the two doctors that crossed the boundaries of professionalism. Investigators found photos of Dr. Eroshevich -- a woman -- and Smith "naked in the bathtub in intimate embraces," according to one sworn statement. Dr. Klessig said "such behavior constitutes unprofessional behavior." One affidavit references a video clip of Kapoor "kissing and snuggling" with Smith "in a reclined position in a nightclub setting." Eroshevich traveled to the Bahamas to visit Smith and was with her for four days in Hollywood, Florida, four days before her death, an investigator said in an affidavit. The doctor personally visited a Burbank, California, pharmacy in September 2006 to get chloral hydrate, a sleep aid, for Smith to use in the Bahamas. It was just four days after Smith gave birth to a daughter in Nassau. "I wouldn't give her chloral hydrate unless you want your picture on the front page of the National Enquirer," pharmacist Steve Mazlin told Eroshevich, according to the affidavit. Another pharmacist said that when he refused to fill a prescription for a long list of strong narcotics, he told Dr. Eroshevich the order amounted to "pharmaceutical suicide." The affidavit from Jon Genens, a senior investigator with the California medical board, detailed dozens of prescriptions written for Smith -- under several aliases -- for a long list of narcotics and sleep aids. Genens said even during her pregnancy, starting in January 2006, Kapoor prescribed an average of 10 tablets of methadone per day for Smith. He noted that Kapoor lowered the dosage in the last three months of her pregnancy. The volume of dangerous drugs being ordered by doctors spurred the chief pharmacist at the store where most of the prescriptions were filled to call a drug expert for advice in late 2006, according to a sworn statement by California Department of Justice Special Agent Jennifer Doss. Dr. Greg Thompson told Doss that he recalled the dosages were "dangerously high." "Dr. Thompson stated they might work for a drug addict under supervised care, or with a dying cancer patient in a hospital, or 'if you were going to kill someone,' " Doss said. Thompson told Doss he later "admonished Dr. Eroshevich" about the drugs she was requesting for Smith. "Dr. Thompson stated Dr. Eroshevich was obviously not familiar with a lot of medications she was prescribing for Anna Nicole Smith," Doss said in her affidavit. The Doss affidavit said the doctor used Smith's boyfriend as a cover to get the prescriptions filled. "Of the 12 medications found in Anna Nicole Smith's hotel room at the time of her death, seven medications were prescribed in the name of Howard K Stearn (believed to be Howard K Stern) by Dr. Eroshevich," Doss said. The drugs were apparently personally delivered to Smith in the Bahamas and Florida by her doctor, Doss said. "It is reasonable to believe that Dr. Eroshevich provided Anna Nicole Smith prescription medications and controlled substances by transporting them from California to Nassau, Bahamas with her on her travels to visit Anna Nicole Smith," Doss said. CNN's Jack Hannah contributed to this report. | Trio enter "not guilty" pleas in connection with model's 2007 death .
Smith's lawyer and two doctors accused of supplying her with drugs .
Smith, 39, died of "acute combined drug intoxication" in February 2007 . |
148,001 | 4b637ad14e44d7a925fcfe05811e08f0e8c05928 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 10:44 EST, 27 September 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 09:25 EST, 28 September 2012 . Shocked: Epilepsy sufferer Jess McGee, 19, was told to get off a bus after showing the driver her disability travel card . A teenage epilepsy sufferer with a . disability travel card was ordered to get off a bus by the driver . because he said her condition was a 'p*** take’. Jess McGee,19, from Bath, Somerset, was on her usual route to her job at a supermarket when she showed the driver her legal bus pass. As an epilepsy sufferer she is registered disabled and is entitled to free travel on public transport because she cannot drive safely. The driver on board the number 13 service asked to take a closer look and then demanded to know her disability. When she explained her condition he told her it was a 'p*** take' and ordered her to pay or get off the bus. Jess wasn't carrying any money but was saved by a kindly passenger who stepped in and paid her fare. She said: 'I felt very shocked and embarrassed. 'I was so shocked at the time that I didn’t feel I could put up an argument. 'People I have spoken to since have said all the things I should have said to him but at the time I just couldn’t.'The incident happened when she tried to use her Diamond travel card from Bath and North East Somerset Council. Mum Penny fumed: 'I was just really outraged. 'She is totally reliant on public transport because she hasn’t got the option to drive. 'She has got a lot of barriers that have stopped her from doing things, but she is trying to live life to the full. 'It just made me angry that anybody could treat anybody like that. 'It was just absolutely none of his business what her disability was.' Investigating: Bosses at travel firm First say they are looking into the incident in Bath, Somerset . A spokesman for operator First said: 'We will be getting in touch with Ms McGee as soon as possible to apologise for any distress she may have suffered. 'As part of our training programme we train all of our drivers in disability awareness and expect all our staff to recognise and respond to the range of different needs that our customers may have, this includes hidden disabilities such as epilepsy. 'However, we will be taking further steps to ensure that such an incident does not happen again.' | Jess McGee, 19, left 'shocked and embarrassed' after the incident on her way to work in Bath, Somerset .
She had no money but was saved by a kindly passenger who stepped in and paid her fare .
Travel bosses say they are investigating . |
13,483 | 2648fa06714cd7010b6333b9a1713522bec0f2c6 | CAIRO, Egypt (CNN) -- Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak met Thursday in Cairo amid escalating cross-border violence between Israel and Hamas. Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni meets Thursday with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Cairo. The session follows the end of a tenuous 6-month-long cease-fire between the Israeli military and Hamas militants in Gaza. Egypt mediated the first truce and is trying to negotiate an extension despite what Israel says are dozens of rockets fired by Hamas into the Jewish state this week. Livni criticized Hamas after her meeting with Mubarak. "Hamas needs to understand that Israel's basic desire to live in a tranquil region doesn't mean that Israel is willing to accept ongoing shooting at its population," she said, according to the Israeli Foreign Ministry. "Enough is enough. We cannot accept this situation, and the situation will change." Egypt expressed concern about a deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza, an Israeli Foreign Ministry statement said. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry said this week that it would help countries and organizations deliver aid through Egyptian territory to Palestinians in Gaza. Livni also met with the head of Egyptian intelligence Thursday and is scheduled to talk with the Egyptian foreign minister. Israeli military officials said Hamas militants fired more than 65 rockets into southern Israel on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the Israeli air force said it killed a Hamas militant who was part of a group launching the rockets into Israel. An Israeli police spokesman said no one had been injured in the latest barrage of rocket attacks. But emergency workers with Magen David Adom, Israel's Red Cross agency, treated 57 people suffering from shock, half of them children, an agency official said, adding that 200 ambulances were standing by in the area. "I think the circumstances are extremely tragic, that Muslim zealots of Hamas have decided to shatter and ruin the Christmas celebrations of the Christian brothers in the Holy Land, both in the West Bank and of course in Gaza itself," Israeli Welfare Minister Isaac Herzog said. "If things deteriorate further, then of course we'll have to take necessary action, which will be very painful," Herzog said, adding that civilians had gathered in shelters in southern Israel to try to stay safe amid the rocket attacks. Asked about the possibility of Israel coming up with a new strategy, Herzog responded, "The new strategy could be, of course, an all-out conflict against Hamas, which is a possibility that voices in Israel are calling for. We are trying to show restraint." Hamas is a Palestinian Islamic fundamentalist organization whose military wing, Izzedine al Qassam, has admitted responsibility for terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians as well as attacks against the Israeli military. Israel and the U.S. State Department consider Hamas a terrorist organization, though it also operates an extensive social services network in the territories. Mark Regev, spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, said, "Our position is clear: We will answer quiet with quiet, and we will answer attacks with measures designed to protect our people." Olmert has threatened to respond to the ongoing attacks. The truce between the Hamas government in Gaza and Israel expired Friday. Under the Egyptian-brokered deal, Hamas agreed to end militant attacks on Israel from Gaza, and Israel agreed to halt raids inside the territory and ease its blockade on humanitarian goods. In reality, the truce had started breaking down two months ago. Rocket attacks by militants became more frequent, and Israel resumed airstrikes inside Gaza. "We really appreciate the Egyptian efforts. ...," Herzog said. "The Egyptians have tried endlessly and tirelessly in the past few weeks to bring Hamas back to cease-fire mode." Olmert said Sunday that Israel will "take the necessary measures" to respond to the rocket attacks and "will know when to respond correctly and with the necessary responsibility." "A responsible government is neither eager for battle, nor does it shy away from it," he said. | Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak hold talks .
Meeting follows end of cease-fire between Israel and Hamas militants in Gaza .
Israel: Hamas militants fired 65-plus rockets into southern Israel on Wednesday .
Israeli prime minister has threatened to respond to ongoing attacks . |
85,575 | f2b55d4af2da3a65a4850ec0c34fa57c8681b0ec | By . Paul Harris . There were six smiling faces before horror and tragedy struck. Now there were six little coffins, six stolen lives. One by one, the bodies of five young brothers and their ten-year-old sister were laid to rest yesterday exactly six weeks after an arson attack at their home. Scores of neighbours, friends and relatives stood in silence as a cortege of horse-drawn carriages made its solemn procession through streets cleared of traffic along the route to the children's funeral. Scroll down for video... Emotional: Pallbearers had tears in their eyes as they carried the children's coffins out of the church while family and friends sobbed and hugged each other . But two faces were missing. The . youngsters' parents Mick and Mairead Philpott – in jail awaiting trial . for their murder – were refused leave to attend amid fears they would . provoke what was described as a 'lynch mob' atmosphere at which their . safety could not be guaranteed. The couple had been branded 'scum' by . members of the public during two court appearances, and Father Alan . Burbidge, who was helping to organise the funeral – paid for by members . of the public – had warned the ceremony would be 'very difficult' if the . parents attended. And so, in a service attended by . mourners wearing brightly coloured clothes and carrying single yellow . roses, six white coffins bearing each child's name were buried in their . absence. Instead, other family members led a packed congregation in . prayer at St Mary's Roman Catholic church in Derby before a private . burial nearby. Each coffin was decorated with a motif relating to the brief life of the children, aged between five and 13. Respect: A man throws rose petals over Jade Philpott's coffin as her step brother Mikey, (bottom left) helps to carry it out of St Mary's Catholic Church in Derby town centre following the children's funeral service . Final journey: The children were taken to Nottingham Road Cemetery, Chaddesden, to be buried in a private service for the family . There was a fairytale princess for . ten-year-old Jade, whose casket was borne in a carriage pulled by white . horses in pink livery. For Duwayne, 13, it was the emblem of . Derby County football club; toy soldiers for John, nine; a Peppa Pig . character on a Nintendo screen for Jack, eight; a wrestling logo for . Jesse, six; and a dinosaur cartoon character for Jayden, five. Individual school photos of them in . their blue uniforms adorned the order of service for a two-hour requiem . mass. Classmates in the same uniform filed into the pews, some weeping. Their head teacher was among those who spoke about their short but happy . lives. Tragic end: Five of the six children died in the blaze at the semi-detached house in Allenton, Derby, in the early hours of May 11. Duwayne died two days later in Birmingham Children's Hospital . Through the streets: The carriage holding Jade's coffin led the cortege as it passed through the Derby streets following the emotional funeral . Pink fan: White horses with plumes of pink feathers and pink flags pulled the pink carriage containing Jade's coffin . No expense spared: The children also had their names spelled out in floral tributes that rested on top of each of the carriages . Solemn: The coffins of Jade, 10, Jayden, five and Jessie, six, are carried into St Mary's Catholic Church in Derby town centre ahead of the funeral service . Procession: Two white horses sporting pink plumes of feathers had pulled . the carriage containing Jade's coffin while five others containing the . bodies of her brothers followed on behind . Heartbreaking: Featuring a picture of a pink princess, Jade's coffin was carried at the front of the procession into St Mary's . Celebration amid sadness: The white coffins containing the body of John, nine, (left) and his younger brother Jack, eight, (right) follow on behind. John's coffin was printed with toy soldiers . But the children's story was most . poignantly told by profiles and tributes understood to have been . compiled for the order of service by their siblings from what was once a . family of 17. Together they painted a dramatically different picture . from the tragedy that befell them. Duwayne was described as a 'charming . and caring young boy' on the threshold of becoming a young man – a . football fan and music lover who was learning to play the violin. As the . oldest of the six he became a 'protector' for his younger brothers and . sister. Jade was 'a beautiful princess with a . permanent smile on her face... always full of energy'. She was part of . the chaplaincy team at school and had a talent for boosting class . morale. Floral tributes adorn the pavement outside the family's house in Derby . A celebration of their lives: The order of service featured a picture of all six children on the front and emotional tributes to each of them inside . 'Protector': Eldest child Duwayne, 13, was described as a 'charming and caring young boy' and a 'real ladies man' in the order of service . 'Mother hen': Only girl Jade, 13, became a 'mother hen to her younger brothers' always carrying them around on her hip . 'Cheeky chappy': John, nine, had a 'daredevil personality' but his teachers described him as 'cheerful, smiley and polite' 'Quiet': Jack, eight, was 'cute, cuddly and content with everything' and was the quietest of his siblings who loved to watch Peppa Pig . 'Mischievous': Jesse, six, was 'crazy, clumsy and cheerful' and a little boy who will be remembered for his loving nature . 'Baby': Nicknamed the 'miracle baby' because he was early, Jayden, five, was 'bouncy and hyper-active' and had a penchant for crisps . Upset: Mourners were urged to wear bright colours but they could not contain their grief as they walked into the church for the children's funeral service . Brave: Relatives weep as they follow the children's coffins into the church. A death notice placed in the announcements section of a local newspaper paid tribute to the children. It read: 'They all touched the hearts of so many' Gathering: Huge crowds assembled outside the church across a footbridge, their colourful brollies shielding from the rain that had just started to fall . Assembling: Members of the public gather outside St Mary's church as the Philpott children's coffins are carried in . Too young for such grief: Many of the mourners were children, who cried as they watched the coffins being carried into and out of St Mary's . Haunting: The tragic six Philpott children posed for a photograph together without their siblings before their death. From clockwise, Duwayne, John, Jayden, Jade, Jesse and Jack . Charged: The children's parents Mick and wife Mairead Philpott, seen here weeping at a press conference in May following the devastating fire at their home have been charged with their murder and were not at the funeral . Shell: The fire swept through the children's home in Allenton, Derby as they slept in their beds. Mr and Mrs Philpott are set to go on trial for murder in January 2013 . John was described as 'a cheeky . chappie, always lively and ready to pick a fight with all the boys' but . 'cheerful, smiley and polite', while Jack was 'a real pretty boy with . bright blue eyes... cute, cuddly and content with everything'. Jesse 'would come in from the garden . head to toe mucky' and was 'very mischievous', and Jayden, the 'baby of . the family' was 'mothered by Jade' and could eat seven packets of crisps . in one go. The six died on May 11 when the . council semi in Victory Road, Allenton, was set ablaze with petrol at . the front door. They were asleep upstairs and were killed by inhaling . smoke. A neighbour who witnessed firemen and paramedics battling to . rescue and revive them described a tragic aftermath of 'little bodies in . pyjamas on the pavement'. Earlier this month the couple were . abused and called 'scum' when they appeared for the first time in court. Yesterday some of the same people who attended that hearing threw . flowers and shed tears in the rain as pall bearers carried the coffins . one behind the other into church. Earlier, police closed roads and . marshalled traffic along a normally busy ring road to allow the . horse-drawn carriages' procession. The funeral was paid for by donations . of more than £11,000 from the local community after residents set up a . drive to raise money. In May, the Osmaston Community Association of Residents (Oscar) began collecting money after appealing in the local press. At the time, the children's parents . were not regarded as suspects and Oscar was named as the family's . officially approved organisation. Sponsored walks, money collections and . fundraising events were organised in the weeks after the tragedy. Philpott, 55, and his 31-year-old . wife, who has the children's names tattooed on one arm, had pleaded to . be allowed to attend the funeral on compassionate grounds. Prison . service officials carried out a 'risk assessment' in conjunction with . police but refused permission. Yesterday – somewhere miles away – they remained in separate jails for the children's final farewell. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article. | Parents Mick and Mairead who have been charged with murdering all six children in the blaze did not attend funeral .
Mourners told to wear bright colours .
Horses wore pink and blue plumes of feathers instead of traditional black .
Each child's coffin bore their name in either pink or blue and an emblem including toy soldiers and a pink princess .
Order of service described each child's personality and their quirks .
Hundreds gathered for funeral, a 90-minute requiem mass with prayers and poems .
Canon Alan Burbidge: 'There is sadness in parting, but we take comfort in the hope that one day we shall see them again and enjoy their friendship' |
98,501 | 0ad512c0b58277eb825387be384a08cd7caf0a63 | By . Harriet Arkell . PUBLISHED: . 09:52 EST, 11 January 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 09:52 EST, 11 January 2013 . We've all been there: the annoying moment when your iPhone goes off and you're busy doing something else. You stop what you're doing, reach into your pocket or bag, and by the time you've pulled out the phone, you're too late to draw your finger across the screen and answer the dratted thing. Well, if you thought YOU were annoyed by missed calls, you obviously weren't as annoyed as this Japanese man. Scroll down for video . No more missed calls: The Japanese inventor demonstrates how his gadget works . As this hilarious footage (see below) shows, he has devoted serious thought to the first world problem of missed iPhone calls. Obviously inspired by the quick-draw technique of gunslinging cowboys in Western movies, the young man has designed a holster for the iPhone that can, apparently, be strapped to the limb of your choice. The YouTube clip shows a detailed drawing of the holster, which seems to be an iPhone holder attached to an extending plastic arm that you strap to your arm or leg. When the phone rings, you flick your wrist and the arm shoots out, bringing your phone to your ear in a second. When the phone is not in use, it remains hidden up your sleeve. On the clip, the man demonstrates in agonising detail how the quick draw holster works. How it works: A drawing shows the design of the iPhone gadget . Moshi-moshi? The inventor answers his phone within seconds . Gunslinger: The man appears to have modelled his design - and technique - on quick-draw cowboys in Westerns . Shoots from the sleeve: The iPhone is always close to hand . In a variety of increasingly bizarre locations (sitting on a loo, leaping backwards onto his bed, lying beside a toy train track on a building's roof), the inventor shows how the iPhone can be at his ear almost immediately it rings. He looks extremely pleased with himself as he stares into the camera. His invention does not always work perfectly, though, with the iPhone flying out of its holder and across the room on a couple of occasions. You can wear it on your leg... Or on both legs, should the mood take you . Why he felt the need to test his gadget on top of a tall building while lying next to a train-set is anyone's guess, but it hasn't harmed the ratings, which were pushing 1,000,000 this morning, two days after the clip was posted on YouTube. Most of the comments posted by viewers were positive, but not everyone was so impressed. One person wrote: 'Someone needs a girlfriend.' The inventor does a commando-style roll out of his apartment to demonstrate the holster's versatility . Motive not entirely clear: The inventor shows how he can answer his iPhone on top of a rain-soaked office block . Off the rails: The innovator shows how he won't even miss a call when playing with a trainset . VIDEO: Watch the hilarious footage showing how to answer your iPhone like a cowboy . | Japanese man gets 1m hits on YouTube showing off bizarre phone holster . |
60,957 | ad2af113c187339de6f3b361cc066e7fbd86f8d3 | Mount Kisco, New York (CNN) -- Three nurses saw it this way -- it was a gut reaction that led to a kick in the guts. The suburban New York maternity ward nurses testified Tuesday they were simply trying to protect Douglas Kennedy's infant, whose head was bobbing as his father tried to take him outside the hospital, allegedly without permission. That's when Kennedy kicked one of them and twisted the arm of another, they testified. It was the second day of Kennedy's criminal trial on misdemeanor charges of harassment and child endangerment resulting from what happened in January at Northern Westchester Hospital in Mount Kisco, about 40 miles north of New York City. One of the nurses, Cari Luciano, said that as Kennedy tried to get past the nurses and into the stairwell, his infant's head was being jostled, unsupported, in his arms. She testified that she instinctively reached out to steady it when Kennedy kicked her squarely in the pelvis. Kennedy lawyer says nurses should be disciplined . Nurse Marian Williams said she saw Kennedy kick Luciano with "such force" that it knocked her off her feet. The third nurse, Anna Lane, testified Kennedy twisted her arm off the stairwell door as he tried to leave. "The baby was bouncing around in Mr. Kennedy's arms," she testified, explaining why the three nurses tried to intervene. Prosecutors say the nurses were simply following hospital protocol set up in newborns' interests when they tried to keep infant Bo from being taken out of the hospital. Not only did Kennedy not back down, prosecutors say, but he fought back. Kennedy removed the baby's electronic security bracelet and laid it on the counter before he headed for the elevators, prosecutors say. The nurses were trying to enforce hospital rules when they stopped him from using the elevators, and that's when he headed for the stairs, they say. Once he kicked the nurse, Kennedy only got as far as the next landing when hospital security stopped him, Lane testified Monday. Defense lawyer Celia Gordon suggested Monday that Kennedy was calm during the situation, and that things only deteriorated because of Lane. It was Kennedy's instinct, not Lane's, to protect his baby from being ripped from his arms, she said in her opening statement. Kennedy's attorney has previously said the nurses initially agreed to let Kennedy take the baby outside. But their attorney, Elliot Taub, has said neither Lane nor Luciano recognized Kennedy as the child's father. Williams, who witnessed the alleged assault, said she couldn't understand why Kennedy would want to take his newborn outside for "fresh air" at 7 or 7:30 in the evening. "I didn't understand why he tried to do it," she testified. There is a host of procedures before a baby can be discharged, Lane said. A supervisor needs to approve it, forms need to be signed and family members, including the infant's mother, need to agree. None of the procedures was followed, she said. Lane testified she asked Kennedy to identify his baby, Bo, by his hospital bracelet, and to go back to his mother so she could match the names. She said she asked him to put Bo in a bassinet and go back to the room. He refused both times, she said. Infant alarm systems are standard in many hospitals as a way to protect the babies' safety. Newborns wear electronic bracelets that cause alarms to sound and doors to be locked if the baby is taken out of the ward, and newborns are often released only to the mother, whose bracelet must match the baby's. The defense noted Lane and Luciano hired a personal injury lawyer before any charges were brought, suggesting it was intended to put pressure on the police and district attorney to charge Kennedy. That would be leverage for a future civil suit, according to the defense. The defense also questioned why, if recounting her story was so emotionally difficult, Luciano laid it out on NBC's "Today Show" soon afterward. "I felt that my reputation was being defamed, like I had done something wrong or horrible," Luciano explained Tuesday. She said she wanted "more clarification to know I did the right thing. I did my job. I did what was best for the baby." Douglas Kennedy is the youngest son of the late Robert F. Kennedy, who was the younger brother of slain President John F. Kennedy and had served as U.S. attorney general and U.S. senator. He was assassinated in 1968 while campaigning for the Democratic presidential nomination. The trial is set to continue Wednesday. Day one of trial: Abusive or protective? | Douglas Kennedy is on trial for allegedly assaulting nurses .
It happened when he took his newborn from the maternity ward .
One nurse says he kicked her and another says he twisted her arm .
The defense says Kennedy was just trying to protect his son . |
50,419 | 8ea2620d01e84d6f89e031ab70050b4ab2fbaf79 | By . Reuters . and Helen Pow . Climate change could cost the U.S. hundreds of billions of dollars a year by 2100, a new bipartisan report has claimed. Over the next 25 years, annual property losses from hurricanes and other coastal storms are expected to reach $35 billion; a decline in crop yields of 14 percent will cost corn and wheat farmers tens of billions of dollars a year and heat wave-driven demand for electricity is forecast to cost utility customers up to $12 billion annually. But the report, commissioned by a group chaired . by former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, former Secretary of . the Treasury and Goldman Sachs alum Henry Paulson, and environmentalist . and financier Tom Steyer, claims the price tag could soar to hundreds of billions by 2100. Hurricanes on the rise: This November 15, 2012 photo shows a house in Sea Bright New Jersey that was destroyed by Superstorm Sandy. Over the next 25 years, annual property losses from hurricanes and other coastal storms alone are expected to reach $35 billion, a new report claims . The analysis, released Tuesday, 'is the most detailed ever of the potential economic effects of climate change on the U.S.,' climatologist Michael Oppenheimer of Princeton University said. It comes three weeks after President Barack Obama ordered U.S. regulators to take their strongest steps ever to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including requiring power plants to cut carbon dioxide emissions to 30 percent below 2005 levels by 2030. Called 'Risky Business,' the report projects climate impacts at scales as small as individual counties. Its conclusions about crop losses and other consequences are based not on computer projections, which climate-change skeptics routinely attack, but on data from past heat waves. It paints a grim picture of economic loss. 'Our economy is vulnerable to an overwhelming number of risks from climate change,' Paulson said in a statement, including from sea-level rise and from heat waves that will cause deaths, reduce labor productivity and strain power grids. By mid-century, $66 billion to $106 billion worth of coastal property will likely be below sea level. Act now: On June 14, 2014, President Barack Obama told a graduating class at the University of California, Irvine that denying climate change is like arguing the moon is made of cheese, and issued a call to action on global warming . There is a 5 percent chance that by 2100 the losses will reach $700 billion, with average annual losses from rising oceans of $42 billion to $108 billion along the Eastern Seaboard and Gulf of Mexico. Extreme heat, especially in the Southwest, Southeast and upper Midwest, will slash labor productivity as people are unable to work outdoors at construction and other jobs for sustained periods. The analysis goes further than previous work, said Princeton's Oppenheimer, by identifying places that will be 'unsuited for outdoor activity.' Demand for electricity will surge as people need air conditioning just to survive, straining generation and transmission capacity. That will likely require the construction of up to 95 gigawatts of generation capacity over the next 5 to 25 years, or roughly 200 average-size coal or natural gas power plants. As utilities add the construction costs to customers' bills, people and businesses will pay $8.5 billion to $30 billion more every year by the middle of the century. The report does not make policy prescriptions, concluding only that 'it is time for all American business leaders and investors to get in the game and rise to the challenge of addressing climate change.' | The bipartisan report, released today, has been dubbed 'the most detailed ever' on the potential economic effects of climate change on the U.S.
Claims in just 25 years annual property losses from hurricanes and other coastal storms will reach $35 billion .
A decline in crop yields of 14 percent will cost corn and wheat farmers tens of billions of dollars a year .
And heat wave-driven demand for electricity is forecast to cost utility customers up to $12 billion annually .
Its conclusions about crop losses and .
other consequences are based not on computer projections, but on data from past heat .
waves . |
251,027 | d0e0c42c8fc01eb80d6f2ebeec9c9c3d9fcdb41d | Jose Mourinho didn’t say much when he entered the Bradford dressing room after their sensational FA Cup shock, merely telling the League One giant-killers they had ‘big balls’. Striker Jon Stead – who scored the Bantams’ first goal as they astonishingly clawed their way back from 2-0 down to dump Chelsea out at Stamford Bridge – revealed just what went on at the full-time whistle. Mourinho walked into Bradford’s jubilant confines, shook hands with the entire staff, before praising the League One side’s character. VIDEO Bradford striker Stead reveals what Jose said in Bantams dressing room . Bradford beat Chelsea 4-2 at Stamford Bridge to progress to the fifth round of the FA Cup on Saturday . Mark Yeates beats the Chelsea defence and slots home past Petr Cech to make it 4-2 to Bradford . And that show of professionalism wasn’t something that went unnoticed. ‘He is an incredible manager and an incredible guy and that was a touch of class from him.’ Stead told talkSPORT. ‘He came in, he shook everyone’s hand, came round all the staff and players, and as he was going he said, “big balls, big balls!”’ It’s not the first time Mourinho has opted for that expression this season, either. Jose Mourinho (centre) put out a hand to congratulate Phil Parkinson after Yeates' goal but the Bradford manager wanted to see the game out before beginning the compliments . Jose Mourinho has previous for using the term 'big balls', describing Chelsea's performance at Selhurst Park . Jon Stead hailed manager Parkinson's calmness at half-time which helped them start a comeback . The Portuguese scribbled the term on a pad of paper back in October after being asked why the Blues beat Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. It is a term of endearment for Mourinho, who has emphasised the need for courage more than ever this year. He can’t fail to have been impressed by Phil Parkinson’s Bradford as they reached the fifth round of the famous old tournament. Stead believes the manager’s calmness at half-time had the desired effect after he himself had pulled a goal back just before the break. Jon Stead wheels away in celebrates as his team-mates rush to congratulate him after his important goal . Cech dives in an attempt to stop Stead's effort but comes up short in the FA Cup match at Stamford Bridge . ‘The goals were quickly brushed aside to get rid of any negativity,’ he added. ‘The goals we conceded were self-inflicted and had gone against everything we’d said during the week. But we were there with nothing to lose. We could still somehow enjoy the day the best we can. ‘To get in at 2-1 gave us something to play for and a platform. ‘It was an incredible day and it is still sinking in. Second half we were fantastic. We didn’t just score a lucky winner in the last minute.’ | Bradford came from 2-0 down to beat Chelsea 4-2 in the FA Cup .
Jose Mourinho went into the Bradford changing rooms after the game .
He congratulated every player and repeated the phrase 'big balls'
Jon Stead praised Phil Parkinson's calmness during the half-time break . |
31,518 | 59a2a9c902d44087422db68f58093167dbed5ae9 | (EW.com) -- Tick tock. As "Catching Fire" nears its start date, another new member has been added to the cast of "The Hunger Games" sequel -- Amanda Plummer, the actress best known for playing meek and mad characters in "So I Married an Axe Murderer," "The Fisher King" and "Needful Things." As fans of the Suzanne Collins book could probably guess from those first two words of the story, she'll be playing a character who becomes a critical ally to Katniss Everdeen...Wiress is a veteran tribute from District 3, drawn back to the games by the Quarter Quell -- an all-star edition of the games in which past victors are forced to once again compete against each other in a fight to the death. She's more than a little twitchy from her violent history, however, and is considered mad by some of her rivals, who nickname her "Nuts." Her muttering of one phrase over and over again doesn't bolster much confidence, but there is actually method to her madness. Wiress is more astute than she seems. Will Smith's 'After Earth': Viral teaser . Also, anyone who remembers this actress as diner-robbing Honey Bunny in "Pulp Fiction" knows she can be a fearsome presence with a weapon. Plummer, 55, the daughter of recent Oscar-winner Christopher Plummer, is the latest addition to "The Hunger Games" world, which recently added Philip Seymour Hoffman as Plutarch Heavensbee, the gamesmaster who oversees the Quarter Quell on behalf of the government of Panem. 'Bachelorette,' 'Real Housewives': Recaps . Directed by Francis Lawrence ("I Am Legend"), "Catching Fire" is is set to hit theaters on November 22, 2013. See full article at EW.com. CLICK HERE to Try 2 RISK FREE issues of Entertainment Weekly . © 2011 Entertainment Weekly and Time Inc. All rights reserved. | Plummer, 55, is the daughter of recent Oscar-winner Christopher Plummer .
She'll play Wiress, a veteran tribute from District 3, in "Catching Fire"
"Catching Fire" is is set to hit theaters on November 22, 2013 . |
210,604 | 9cc0b54357a170d970025f318514087f32a97dc8 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 05:05 EST, 24 August 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 11:32 EST, 25 August 2013 . Gunned down: Sabrina Moss, 24, was shot dead while out celebrating her birthday with friends . A 24-year-old mother was shot dead in the early hours of this morning while out celebrating her birthday with friends. Sabrina Moss, who had a four-year-old son, is believed to have been caught in the wrong place at the wrong time, a senior Police officer said. Police were called after reports of gunshots on Kilburn High Road in north west London at around 4am. Another 24-year-old woman is in hospital. Her injuries are not thought to be life-threatening. Detective Chief Inspector John Sandlin of the Metropolitan Police said: 'Enquiries continue to establish the full circumstances of this tragic incident. At this early stage, I believe the two women were innocent parties who were caught in the wrong place at the wrong time.' Officers from Operation Trident - which . investigates gang crime and shootings in London - are at the scene and . the death is being investigated by detectives from the Homicide and Major . Crime Command. Tributes to Ms Moss, of Edgware, north London, flooded onto social networking site Twitter. Adjei Adu wrote: 'My heart goes out to her family and the lil one she's left behind, sleep well Sabrina Moss.' Leila Hassan tweeted: 'My Thoughts Are With Your Family... A Beautiful Young Woman, Mother and Daughter!' Another tweet read: 'Lost the cousin I was close with when I was a child.. R.I.P Sabrina Moss.' Fatal shooting: Forensics officers investigate the scene of the double shooting in north London in which a 24-year-old woman was killed . Two police officers stand guard at the scene where a woman was fatally shot in the early hours of this morning . Scotland Yard said officers were . called at 4.12am to reports of shots fired in the street in Kilburn High . Road, Kilburn, north west London, at the junction with Messina Avenue. Police . and London Ambulance Service found two women suffering from gunshot . injuries and both were taken to London hospitals. Sabrina was pronounced . dead later. A police . spokesman said: 'I am appealing for anyone who witnessed the shooting, . or who saw anything suspicious in the Kilburn area early this morning, . to call police. An upturned cardboard box is used to cover evidence at the scene of a double shooting on Kilburn High Road in North London . Two forensics officers enter a restaurant on Kilburn High Road in North London believed to be part of the scene where two women were injured in a shooting . A sniffer dog is used to search for evidence at the scene of the double shooting. No arrests have been made . 'In particular, I need to hear from anyone who saw two males who came into the High Road from Messina Avenue and, after the shooting, made off on foot back along Messina Avenue.'One man has been arrested in connection with the investigation. Anyone with information that might assist the investigation was asked to call the incident room at Hendon on 020 8358 0300. To remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. A post-mortem examination will be arranged in due course. Anyone with information was asked to called the police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. | Police alerted the shootings at 4.12am on the Kilburn High Road .
Another woman, also 24, was shot but not seriously injured .
Officers from gang crime-linked Operation Trident are investigating . |
119,992 | 2716777b02a9211a627a2cf5c1e634026b63db61 | (CNN) -- A South African man was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison for the killing of white supremacist leader Eugene Terreblanche, a lawyer in the case said. Chris Mahlangu was convicted on four counts including murder, for which he got life, lawyer Zola Majavu said. Terreblanche, the leader of the neo-Nazi Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging (Afrikaner Resistance Movement, or AWB), was killed in April 2010 following an apparent dispute over wages with workers on his farm. Terreblanche, 69, was bludgeoned with clubs and stabbed with a machete during the attack at his farm near Ventersdorp in South Africa's North West province, police said. The trial began in October. Police charged Mahlangu and a 16-year-old in the death. It was not immediately clear what sentence the minor got. The AWB is best known for trying to block South Africa's effort to end apartheid. The group used terrorist tactics in a bid to stall the country's first all-race vote in 1994, killing more than 20 people in a wave of bombings on the eve of the elections. Terreblanche was convicted of a 1996 attempted murder of a black man who worked as a security guard on his farm. He served about two-thirds of a five-year sentence. CNN's Nkepile Mabuse contributed to this report. | White supremacist Eugene Terreblanche was bludgeoned and stabbed at his farm .
A man is convicted on four counts including murder .
Terreblanche was convicted of a 1996 attempted murder .
His neo-Nazi AWB tried to block the end of apartheid . |
40,062 | 710846a369940273b0080bcc74fab1d80a27f25d | Ian Brooks, 47, was battling with a rare form of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, a cancer affecting the immune system . Suffering from a rare and aggressive form of cancer, Ian Brooks was given only weeks to live. With around 70 tumours throughout his body, doctors admitted they had almost run out of treatment options. But incredibly Mr Brooks, 47, is now in ‘complete remission’ after he became the first person outside the US to receive a new tumour-busting drug. These pictures show how far the Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma had spread, with almost every area of his body showing clusters of tumours. But the second scan taken after only a few weeks on the US drug Brentuximab Vedotin shows an amazing improvement. All the tumours have been eradicated. The only dark spots visible on the scan show the normal functioning of his kidneys and bladder. The clinical trial at The Christie Hospital in Manchester has been so successful that the drug has been made routinely available to other sufferers. Now NHS patients with the same rare form of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma can get the drug through the Cancer Drugs Fund. Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is a cancer which involves the lymph nodes, with the NHS treating around 1,500 new cases a year. Mr Brooks, an engine repair technician from Bolton, said: ‘I don’t think I would be here today without that drug. ‘My specialist was so excited when he saw the results that he showed me them straight away. I had 60 or 70 tumours and they had gone.’ He had a rare form of Non-Hodgkin’s called Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma. Brentuximab Vedotin targets this strain of the disease and can put patients into ‘complete remission’ when there would otherwise be few treatment options available. Scans of Mr Brook's body before and after treatment. The left shows him riddled with 60-70 tumours from Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. The right scan is 12 weeks after he became the first person outside the U.S. to have a pioneering cancer drug. The black dots are his kidney and his bladder . The drug Adcetris, the trade name for Brentuximab Vedotin, is administered through a drip into the arm every three weeks for up to a year. Part of a new wave of targeted therapy, it homes in on a protein on the surface of cancer cells, where it sticks and delivers a drug that kills the cell. It is offered to patients who have no other options left, and trials show that in up to a third of cases it eradicates all signs of the cancer. It can still come back, but some patients have survived for more than three years, which has led to talk of a possible cure. Adcetris can have serious or possibly life-threatening side effects including a rare brain infection. It was given conditional approval by the European drug watchdog in 2012. Mr Brooks was diagnosed in 2001 and at . first responded well to treatment, but in 2008 the cancer returned. He . had a stem cell transplant, but once again the cancer returned and . spread ferociously. Given . only weeks to live, he volunteered to take part in the clinical trial. ‘I knew I needed something pretty radical in order to survive,’ he said. He . began to show improvements within 24 hours of starting the drug and . consultants at The Christie, the largest specialist cancer centre in . Europe, were amazed when they looked at his scans. After only 12 weeks of treatment they found his body was clear of tumours and now believe he is in ‘complete remission’. His doctor, Dr Adam Gibb, a clinical research fellow in lymphoma at The Christie, said: ‘The drug can be administered rapidly and has few side effects. 'This is probably the most impressive set of scans I’ve seen. Ian was really up against it. He is in remission and we are increasingly confident about him.’ Professor John Radford, research and development director at The Christie, said: ‘Stories such as this illustrate the value of clinical trials. Individual patients can benefit and the knowledge we acquire allows us to move on to the next stage in developing the treatments of tomorrow. ‘I hope that more patients will ask their doctors about clinical trial opportunities.’ Mr Brooks went on to have a bone marrow transplant. This week he was discharged from his treatment at The Christie. He said: ‘I can’t thank the NHS and the hospital enough. They gave me back my life.’ Mr Brooks before his treatment, with approximately 60-70 tumours from his cancer. He had just weeks to live after all other treatments have failed . A scan of his body after 12 weeks of treatment with the powerful drug Brentuximab. Commenting on Mr Brooks' scans, Dr Adam Gibb, clinical research fellow in lymphoma at The Christie Hospital, said: 'This is probably the most impressive set of scans I've ever seen' Mr Brooks with his partner Rose. He said: 'It feels like I've got someone watching over me because after all of the treatment and tumours I've had, I'm still here' Mr Brooks is now clear of the tumours and in remission. He said: 'I'm massively grateful to everyone who helped me' | Ian Brooks, 47, was battling a rare form of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma .
Had been given just weeks to live after all other treatment options failed .
Was first person outside out U.S. to try the the drug Brentiximab Vedotin .
Drug works by destroying potentially deadly cancer cells from the inside .
Doctor: 'This is probably the most impressive set of scans I’ve ever seen'
Mr Brooks is now clear of the tumours and in remission . |
31,193 | 58acd0a1f132a675622be80e12f61cc1f6d4d134 | Robin van Persie is backing his Manchester United side to bounce back against Cambridge United in their FA Cup fourth round replay at Old Trafford next week. Louis van Gaal’s side were held to a goalless draw by the League Two minnows at the Abbey Stadium last Friday. United have not tasted FA Cup glory since 2004, and Van Persie feels the time is right for the club to seize their opportunity. Robin van Persie came off the bench against Cambridge but he was unable to break the deadlock . ‘I think it's vital,' Van Persie said. 'Especially with this Cup, because it's been 11 years ago since Manchester United won it last? ‘We want to win it. This club has wanted to win it for years now, but now we have a big chance.’ Van Gaal’s men were subjected to heavy criticism after their poor display against Cambridge, but after the extraordinary FA Cup results the following day in which Manchester City and Chelsea were both dumped out by lower league opposition, Van Persie admitted that the mood had changed at Old Trafford. Radamel Falcao and Co were unable to find a way through against the League Two side at the Abbey Stadium . Cambridge players express their joy after securing a lucrative replay at Old Trafford after their 0-0 draw . Cambridge supporters will have a day out at Old Trafford to look forward to for the replay on Tuesday week . 'After the game against Cambridge, everyone was a bit down,’ Van Persie explained. ‘But you have to give them credit. It's quite a stunt to do what they did which is very nice for them. But in a way, especially after tea time on Saturday, the whole mood changed. City went out, Chelsea went out and suddenly we are in it with a home tie against Cambridge. 'Out of all the big teams, it's just us, Arsenal, Liverpool and West Ham left. But from all these teams, we are highest in the league so does that make us favourites? I don't know. I'm still very happy to be in it.’ | Manchester United were held to a goalless draw by Cambridge United .
Manchester City and Chelsea both crashed out of the FA Cup the following day after shock defeats .
United will face Cambridge at Old Trafford on Tuesday week . |
161,827 | 5d41389530661c6a4f30412fd2800f396d9d2a7a | The beauty giant already counts Eva Longoria, Cheryl Fernandez-Versini and Blake Lively as spokeswomen but clearly not content with their glamorous lot, L'Oreal has added another Hollywood beauty to its roster. A-list actress Naomi Watts is the latest recruit and she was chosen by the French beauty giant because of her 'immeasurable talent and graceful beauty.' A spokesperson for the brand said: 'Naomi consistently takes on Hollywood's most versatile and challenging roles. 'Her subtle delicateness and mastery of complex characters have inspired the world's most respected contemporary film directors.' Welcome to the family: A-list actress Naomi Watts is the latest L'Oreal Paris recruit and the French beauty giant chose her for her 'immeasurable talent and graceful beauty' These qualities, say the brand, made her a natural choice to join L’Oréal Paris’ family of spokespersons. 'Naomi is the symbol of genuine and radiant beauty. Her seemingly fragile exterior contrasts with the fierce determination that has driven her career to great heights. Luminous, sincere and charismatic, she embodies the essence of a Woman of Worth. 'Her timeless beauty has made her the perfect woman to endorse our ultimate skincare innovation, Revitalift Filler,' enthused Cyril Chapuy, Brand Global President of L’Oréal Paris. Stellar career: Naomi as Princess Diana in last year's Hollywood blockbuster . Speaking about her latest role, the 46-year-old added: 'I am deeply honoured to join this inspirational brand. L’Oréal Paris has been telling women for decades that they are "worth it" - this is not a slogan, it’s an inspirational mantra. 'L’Oréal Paris embodies much more than legendary products, it also promotes self-affirmation, self-confidence and allows each and every woman to value herself no matter what her age, background or nationality.' Born in England, Naomi was raised in Australia, where she studied acting and launched her stellar career. Thrilled: Speaking about her latest role, the 46-year-old added: 'I am deeply honored to join this inspirational brand. L’Oréal Paris has been telling women for decades that they are "worth it" - this is not a slogan, it's an inspirational mantra' Her breakthrough performance came in David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive in 2001; the role earned her Best Actress awards from the National Board of Review and National Society of Film Critics. She went on to star in tragedies like Alejandro’s Gonzales Inarritu’s 21 Grams, where she starred alongside Sean Penn, to major blockbusters, such as Peter Jackson’s epic remake of King Kong in 2005. Naomi’s upcoming projects include director Gus Van Sant’s latest film, Sea of Trees alongside Matthew McConaughey. She is now shooting Demolition co-starring Jake Gyllenhall. Naomi also devotes her time to raising awareness for AIDS related issues and is a Goodwill Ambassador for the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS and an inaugural member of the AIDS Red Ribbon Awards. Family woman: Naomi Watts and her partner Liev Schreiber- the couple have two children together . | Hollywood actress joins Eva Longoria and Blake Lively .
Brand say she's 'the symbol of genuine and radiant beauty'
Starred as Princess Diana in last year's biopic . |
203,061 | 92e5b3fb14d6ab330ee68df84717a1b142d34bec | A family were forced to flee a packed holiday beach after thousands of bees swarmed inside their tent. Sunbathers took cover after the huge crowd of insects swooped on Porthmeor beach in St Ives, Cornwall. The estimated 10,000-strong swarm descended on a small sun tent and massed inside while the occupants scurried to safety. Scroll down for video . A family were forced to abandon their beach tent after a huge swarm of bees descended on it . The swarm was estimated to be about 2,000 strong as it swept across Porthmeor beach at St Ives in Cornwall . Sunbathers scattered while photographer Nick Pumphrey was on hand to capture the action . Lifeguards cordoned off the area and called in a beekeeper to collect the insects. The swarm was captured by surfing photographer Nick Pumphrey, who was on the beach to photograph a surf group in action but found himself among the many visitors forced to leave the area. Mr Pumphrey, 36, said: ‘I’d just uploaded some pictures to my website and had gone for a lie down on the beach when I heard a bit of a commotion. ‘I looked up and at first thought they were flies but they realised they were either wasps or bees. Experienced beekeeper Mike Leverton was called to assist lifeguards in collecting the insects . Mr Leverton from nearby village Lelant, swept the queen bee into a beekeepers box and waited for the swarm . It took about four hours for the whole swarm of bees to migrate into the box . ‘It was a bit frightening, they were about two feet above my head and were settling on the tent which was right next to us. I pretty much crawled out of there and then ran.’ Experienced beekeeper Mike Leverton, from nearby village Lelant, said he found as many as 10,000 bees buzzing around inside the abandoned beach tent. The retired fireman, 69, collected the swarm in a box before taking them to his home where he has around 60 hives and makes Cornish honey. He said: 'There was a good size swarm, probably between eight and ten thousand bees. 'When I got there the lifeguards had cordoned off the area of the beach. I scraped half of them into the box and then left the box in the tent for a few hours. 'The queen must have been in the box as when I returned a few hours later all the bees had gone in - they would have followed her scent.' Mr Leverton added: 'I presume the queen bee would have been tired for them to have all stopped on the tent. 'I've never been called to the beach to collect bees before, it's very rare.' Authorities said nobody was stung in the incident, which happened at about 1pm on Sunday. Beachgoer Nick Pumphrey initially thought the swarm of bees was a group of flies . The beach in St Ives was packed with holidaymakers making the most of the sunshine on Sunday . Spectators escaped without being stung as they watched the beekeeper collect the swarm . Photographer Nick Pumphrey had originally gone to Porthmeor beach to photograph St Ives Surf School . | Estimated 10,000 bees honed in on small sun tent on Cornish beach .
Lifeguards cordoned area off and called beekeeper to collect insects .
Mike Leverton swept the queen bee into a box while swarm followed .
It took almost four hours for the beach to be cleared of the bees .
All sunbathers escaped without being stung according to authorities . |
8,864 | 18fbcc08e9384885ec09ad7bdb134eff424c9429 | More people now live in London than at any point in history, Boris Johnson revealed today. The London Mayor announced 8.615million people call the capital home, overtaking the pre-Second World War peak. Growing numbers of people moving to London and having children mean than the population is on course to hit 11million by 2050. The population of London has now passed its 1939 peak and is on course to hit 11million by 2050 . London Mayor Boris Johnson today announced 8.615million people call the capital home, overtaking the pre-Second World War peak . The Greater London Authority says this city now has its 8,615,246th inhabitant, the highest population since the eve of the war in 1939. Mr Johnson said: 'London's incredible population boom is testament to the fact that this is the best big city on the planet. 'With more green space than any other European city, a thriving economy, a low crime rate and a roaring cultural scene it is no surprise that London is the place to be. 'As our incredible city continues to grow, Londoners should rest assured that we are working tirelessly to provide the homes, water, energy, schools, transport, digital connectivity and better quality of life they expect.' How London has changed: This map shows how London has expanded since 1939 . Country of birth: This graph shows how many more people from other countries now live in London, compared to 1939 . This graph shows how the age of London's population has remained rather steady since 1939, but that we now have fewer teenagers and more pensioners . He called on the government to give London greater control of its finances to fund infrastructure 'that is so vital to stimulate jobs'. Mr Johnson added: 'It is crucial that we recognise the amazing opportunities that this kind of growth can offer and step up our investment now so that London continues to be the motor of the UK economy.' Latest population figures show how London's population has expanded almost 2million people in the last 25 years. The borough of Hillingdon, in west London, has seen the most growth since 1939, up 82 per cent from 159,000 people to 289,000 in 2015. However, in a sign of the shifting shape of the capital, some areas have seen a drop in population. Islington in north London saw a 36 per cent drop between 1939 and 2015, down from 343,000 to 221,000. Barnet likely to overtake Croydon to become the borough with the most residents at almost 400,000 people. Experts have warned that this could add massive strains to already stressed infrastructure, particularly housing and transport. The biggest pressure is expected to be on housing, with an estimated 42,000 new homes needed every year to keep pace with population growth. The last population peak came after two decades of massive growth. But it began to fall almost immediately after the outbreak of war in September. This was largely due to evacuations and conscription. Even after the war, the population continued to decline, amid encouragement from planners for families to relocate. The last time London's population peaked was in 1939, on the eve of the Second World War. But how different was the UK's capital city back then? Currently, 13 per cent of people living in the UK are London inhabitants, whereas the London population accounted for 18 per cent of the UK in 1939. At that time, London was overwhelmingly white - only 2.7 per cent had been born abroad. Today, around 37 per cent of Londoners were born abroad. This shows pre-war areas in blue and post-war areas in red - the shape of London has not really changed . In 1939, with no NHS and heavy smog, life expectancy was 62. Today, Londoners can expect to live to 82. The population pyramid shows London now has fewer teenagers and more pensioners than in 1939. There are also have more adult men, due to a 'missing generation' in 1939, after the First World War. In 1939, statutory education only went up to age 14, so most of London's secondary schools had yet to be built. Before the war, only 2 per cent of people went to university and almost all of them were men. In London today, 43 per cent of people go onto university and the majority of them are women. Although the number of people working in London has not changed greatly, the industries which cater for those jobs have. The newly-built areas of London in 1939 in blue, with the newly-built areas of London today in red . In 1939, around one in three people worked in manufacturing. Now 90 per cent of these manufacturing jobs have gone and most people now work in industries that barely existed in 1939. These include 250,000 jobs in IT, with another 250,000 working in hotels and restaurants. St Paul's was the tallest building in the capital In 1939. Now St Paul's is only the 41st tallest building in the London. The tallest building is The Shard. House prices have also grown extraordinarily. In 1939, the average cost of a home was the equivalent of three years' salary; now it is around 16 years. Source: Barney Stringer . | London Mayor Boris Johnson reveals London has passed its historic peak .
Capital now has its 8,615,246th inhabitant, higher than seen in 1939 .
Growing number calling capital home is on course to hit 11million by 2050 . |
182,967 | 78f44049b5f91d6e9c25dd782443ef7ec7f4c726 | By . Becky Barrow . PUBLISHED: . 11:25 EST, 29 April 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 05:47 EST, 30 April 2013 . House prices in London are rising by £90 a day but flat or falling in every other major city in the UK, a report from the Land Registry revealed today. The report highlights the gulf between the capital’s property market, where prices have reached an all-time high, and the rest of the UK, where they are falling by up to 16.5 per cent a year. In London, the average home now costs £374,568, having soared by 9.6 per cent over the last year, according to the Land Registry. All-time high: House prices in London are rising by £90 a day but are flat or falling in every other major city in the UK . This is equal to around £90 every single day, including weekends. In the most exclusive corner of London - the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea - the average property costs £1.1million, up by an eye-watering £120,000 over the last year. Of all the properties sold for more than £1million in England and Wales, around two-thirds are in London. Around 13 homes every day change hands for more than £1million in the capital, according to the Land Registry, which excludes Scotland. Costly corner: The Royal Borough of Kensington (pictured) and Chelsea have an average property price of £1.1million, up £120,000 over the last year . But the rest of the country tells a . very different story, fuelling an unprecedented property apartheid . between the capital and the rest of the country. The Land Registry figures show prices have dropped over the last year in the vast majority of urban areas. Birmingham, Bolton, Bradford, Bury, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Oldham, Salford, Stockport, Wakefield, Wigan and Wolverhampton are all on the casualty list. For example, house prices in Liverpool have fallen four per cent since last March. The average home used to be worth £93,514 but it has dropped to just £89,974, a fall of £3,720 or £10 a day. Overall, the Land Registry said the average house price in England and Wales is £161,793, up 0.1 per cent in March and up 0.9 per cent over the last year. Outside London, prices are rising in some of the more expensive areas such as Surrey and Windsor and Maidenhead, but falling 16.5 per cent in Middlesbrough. Peter Rollings, chief executive of the estate agency Marsh & Parsons, said: ‘House price growth in London continues to surge ahead of the rest of the country with the capital continuing to operate in another realm.’ Giles Hannah, managing director of the upmarket estate agency VanHan, said: ‘There is no getting away from the fact that national average indices conceal significant regional differences. ‘London is undoubtedly the big success story and is doing a good job of pulling up the national average. Casualty list: House prices in Liverpool (pictured) have fallen by four per cent since last March, a fall of £10 a day while in Manchester housing prices fell by £9.05 a day . ‘Its residential sales market remains robust with prices continuing to rise. International buyers, particularly from Asia, are fuelling demand for best in-class properties and are snapping up properties at 10 to 14 per cent discounts as a result of the weakness of sterling compared with their own currencies.’ The majority of people who bought ‘super-prime’ homes in the countryside last year were foreigners, the first time that British buyers have become a minority. The research, by Knight Frank, looked at the nationality of people who bought country homes for £5million or more last year from the upmarket estate agency In 2010 and 2011, foreigners accounted for around 40 per cent of buyers. Last year, it tipped over the 50 per cent mark for the first time to reach 55 per cent. Around one in four buyers came from Russia and its former republics, such as Armenia, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. Source: Land Registry . | The report from the Land Registry highlights the gulf between London and the rest of the UK .
In the capital, the average house price has increased by 9.6 per cent .
Of properties sold over £1m in England and Wales, two-thirds are in London .
In regional cities such as Birmingham and Liverpool prices have fallen . |
74,097 | d21d56e930ce5544066611d2a7d225b7ad0c7b40 | By . Ruth Styles . When animal-loving zookeeper Scott Adams, 31, from Telford, proposed to his long term love Verity Clarke, 26, he had already decided that only a wildlife themed wedding would do. Much to his surprise, his paramedic bride-to-be agreed - and even allowed him to take complete control over planning for their nuptials. But with £1,800 spent on life-size plastic animals for the reception and just £96 on the dress, the results weren't quite what she bargained for. Big day: Scott and Verity's big day involved plastic zoo animals and a pair of very real pygmy crocodiles . Happy couple: Romantic Scott decided to make Verity's bouquet a tropical one . 'All I could think was how can he be given so much money and yet not pay out for a proper wedding dress!' she laughs. The couple married this summer in a wildlife-themed wedding, complete with sharp-toothed special guests in the shape of a pair of pygmy crocodiles. But Verity, who will appear with Scott on BBC3 show Don't Tell The Bride, says dress notwithstanding, she would be happy to let her new husband do it all over again. 'I was happy for Scott to make the . decisions because it was a once in a lifetime opportunity and we would . never have been able to afford such a wedding if we hadn't have been on the . show,' she confesses. 'Obviously, I trust him. He always does great little surprises . for me so I thought he would do a good job, although I didn't trust him . with the dress. 'He doesn't always have the best taste in clothes though, . but I hoped he would get some inspiration from somewhere and choose . well.' Unfortunately for Verity, Scott's inspiration came from eBay instead. 'On eBay, I had 14,000 dresses to choose . from,' he protests. 'I had more choice than any dress shop could have ever offered so it was exactly what I wanted.' He adds: 'I would totally . recommend an eBay wedding dress.' Scott, who describes his ideal wedding as 'crazy, memorable and nothing normal - just like my whole life so far', says he loved the experience of planning his big day and says more grooms should get involved. Precarious: Zookeeper Scott is used to handling sharp-toothed wildlife, but it's all new to paramedic Verity . Perfect venue: The couple married within Cornwall's Eden Project - a series of domed biospheres . 'I guess I should say don't do it,' he says, 'but . looking back, it was a once in a life time experience and it you can take . the pressure then just go for it and do it large.' He also reveals that he was the one who first came up with the idea of getting married on television and says that too was 'very me'. 'I knew Verity would love what I planned . as long as it came from the heart and she she did,' he adds. 'I'm good at planning . things, although it isn't so easy with a film crew breathing down your neck.,' For her part, and in spite of the eBay dress, Verity says she had a wonderful day that ended just as she had imagined it - married to the man she loves. 'The best part of the wedding was seeing . Scott and knowing we were there to take the biggest step of out lives . together,' she says. 'And seeing all our family and friends gathered together was . wonderful.' Smart choice: Verity looked lovely in her eBay dress and Scott says he would recommend it to anyone . What's more, despite not getting the church ceremony she had hoped for and having to share centre stage with a squad of plastic animals, she says she does think grooms should get more involved in wedding planning. 'The big day was really important to me . as I wanted it to be a big coming together of all our friends and family,' she says. 'I wanted it to be somewhere traditional . that was really picturesque and hoped for a church ceremony . although I knew Scott would never go for that.' She adds: 'I . definitely think it proves that brides should give more thought to their fiance's thoughts when planning a wedding, even if something doesn't sound . like a great idea.' Scott himself says he wouldn't change a thing. 'I did everything I could to make the wedding perfect and very us, even though some of it might seem crazy,' he says. 'It was memorable and personal - just the way i imagined it.' Verity and Scott appear on Don't Tell The Bride, tonight at 9pm on BBC3 . | Scott Adams, 31, from Telford took charge of planning his big day .
He even chose a dress for his fiancee Verity Clarke, 26, from Cornwall .
Spent £1,800 on plastic animals for reception but just £96 on the dress .
Couple married this summer at the eco-friendly Eden Project in Cornwall . |
112,018 | 1c7857068733c377ab5603a89127401e1acbf0b7 | Gianfranco Zola admitted his Serie A coaching debut was 'not one of the best starts' after his struggling Cagliari side were thrashed 5-0 by Palermo on Tuesday. Zola, an outstanding talent in his playing days, has previously coached West Ham United and Watford in England and was assistant coach of Italy's under-21 team, but this is his first venture into the topsy-turvy world of Serie A. 'It's not been one of the best starts. We expected a difficult match, but not that difficult,' Zola told reporters after a terrible afternoon in Sicily. Former West Ham and Watford boss Gianfranco Zola was making his managerial debut in Serie A . Palermo forward Paulo Dybala scores from the penalty spot during the Serie A clash in Sicily . 'We'll certainly learn from today's game and work hard to improve. Of course, in a situation like this, everything seems more difficult but there is no point in crying about this, we have to react.' Cagliari found themselves 2-0 down after 10 minutes as goals by Michel Morganella and Ezequiel Munoz got Palermo off to a flying start. Any hopes of a comeback ended when captain Daniele Conti was sent off before the half hour after picking up two needless yellow cards in eight minutes. 'We fell behind quickly, we reacted but after Conti's sending-off, the game changed again,' lamented Zola. Cagliari, who have not won any of their last nine league games, have 12 points, four adrift of Atalanta who are the lowest-placed team outside the drop zone after their 2-2 draw at Genoa. Former Chelsea forward Zola looks dejected as his side are crushed in his first game in charge . Dybala celebrates with Michel Morganella and Ezequiel Munoz after scoring against Cagliari . However, the 48-year-old said he did not regret taking the plunge in Serie A at the club where he ended his playing career. 'I live in England but I've found that Cagliari has the right conditions, there are good players in the squad and the club does things the right way,' he said. Zola had two seasons at West Ham, doing better than expected in the first, when the team played some bright football, but struggling in the second. He joined second tier Watford in July 2012 and led them to the promotion playoffs where they lost to Crystal Palace. He quit the club just over one year ago. | Gianfranco Zola suffered heavy loss in Serie A coaching debut .
Struggling Cagliari were hammered 5-0 by Palermo on Tuesday .
Zola has ordered his troops to bounce back from drubbing . |
11,895 | 21bf4e8709c7fe19855a20c8c398ce7d015b36f1 | A 15-year-old schoolboy could save millions of lives after he invented a new, low-cost test that can detect the early stages of a deadly form of cancer. Jack Andraka from Crownsville, Maryland, developed a simple dip-stick test for levels of mesothelin, a biomarker for early stage pancreatic cancer found in blood and urine. It promises to revolutionise treatment of the disease, which currently kills 19 out of 20 sufferers after five years - largely because its so difficult to detect until its final stages. Prodigy: Jack Andraka speaks after receiving Smithsonian Magazine's first annual American Ingenuity Award for youth achievement in Washington, DC. last November. He has invented a new test for pancreatic cancer . Jack's invention, for which he was last month awarded the grand prize of $75,000 in scholarship funds at the 2012 Intel Science Fair, means that patients now have a simple method to detect pancreatic cancer before it becomes invasive. His novel patent-pending sensor has proved to be 28 times faster, 28 times less expensive, and over 100 times more sensitive than current tests. Thanks to the test, pancreatic cancer . patients could now get an early earning to seek medical help when it . still has a chance of working, which could, he claims, potentially bump . up survival rates to 'close to 100 per cent'. Deadly: Pancreatic cancer is the same form of the disease that caused late Apple CEO Steve Jobs' long decline and eventual death . The test works in a similar way to diabetic testing strips, with his paper strips using only a drop of blood to determine whether patients carry the mesothelin biomarker. It is said to be over 90 per cent accurate, practically instant - and costs only 3 cents. And what's more, his simple test can also be used to detect ovarian and lung cancer, and it could be easily altered to detect the biomarkers of a range of other conditions. 'What’s so cool about that is its applicability to other diseases…for example other forms of cancer, tuberculosis, HIV, environmental contaminants like E Coli, salmonella,' Jack told Take Part. 'All for three cents for a test that takes five minutes to run.' Jack was moved to come up with the . test after a family friend passed away from pancreatic cancer, but it . was as he surreptitiously read a journal article about carbon nanotubes . in a biology lesson that he had his 'epiphany'. But . that eureka moment was not enough; the persistent teenager was rejected . by 197 scientists he solicited for help with his research - with some . plainly telling him his idea simply would not work. A cluster of pancreatic cancer cells: The disease currently kills 19 out of 20 sufferers after five years - largely because its so difficult to detect until its final stages when patients are less likely to respond to treatment . To come up with his new pancreatic cancer test, Jack mixed human mesothelin-specific antibodies with conductive single walled carbon nanotubes. He used the mixture to coat strips of ordinary filter paper, making them conductive, and determined the optimal layering using a scanning election microscope. Cell media spiked with varying amounts of mesothelin was then tested against to the paper biosensor and any change in the electrical potential of the sensor strip (due to the changing conductivity of the nanotubes) was measured. Changes in conductivity occurred because the antibodies on the strips binded to the mesothelin and enlarge, spreading the nanotubes further apart and changing the electrical properties of the network. The more mesothelin applied, the more the antibodies would grow and the weaker the electrical signal would become. Andraka's sensor costs $3.00 and 10 tests can be performed per strip, taking 5 minutes each. The test is said to be 168 times faster, 26,667 times less expensive, and 400 times more sensitive than current testing methods. Finally Dr Anirban Maitra, a professor of pathology and oncology at Johns Hopkins University, agreed to give him space in the lab and mentored him through the process of developing the test. To create the test, Jack mixed human mesothelin-specific antibodies with single-walled carbon nanotubes used the product to coat strips of ordinary filter paper. The nanotubes make the paper conductive, but when mesothelin is applied the antibodies would bind to the biomarker and enlarge, spreading the nanotubes apart and changing the strips' electrical properties. The more mesothelin present, the more antibodies bind and grow, and the weaker the electrical signal becomes - allowing scientists to accurately measure the levels of the biomarker. Now the teenage prodigy has plans to mass-market the tests and make them widely available to the public, which he believes could alter the balance of power in medicine. 'Essentially what I’m envisioning here is that this could be on your shelf at your Walgreens, your Kmart,' he said. 'Let’s say you suspect you have a condition…you buy the test for that. And you can see immediately if you have it. 'Instead of your doctor being the doctor, you’re the doctor.' | Jack Andraka's new test detects pancreatic cancer earlier than any other .
Deadly disease currently kills 19 out of 20 within five years .
He claims his invention could raise survival rates to 'close to 100 per cent' |
79,740 | e21a8d094d18ddb7cae916e56c5c6480776d911a | A leading member of the Ferguson protest movement has made an impassioned plea to the Grand Jury deciding whether to indict the white officer who shot dead a black teenager. Larry Fellows III said that his message to the panel is: 'A mother has lost her son and it is not of his own doing. 'For people to continually to say it's his fault for his death is just disgusting. 'You have in your hands the decision to put someone away who has murdered a young man.' In an interview with MailOnline, Fellows also revealed that the protesters feared that the police response to unrest when the Grand Jury make their decision could be '10 times worse' than before - because they had been preparing for so long. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO . Warning: Larry Fellows III revealed that the protestors feared that the police response to unrest when the Grand Jury make their decision could be '10 times worse' than before . Tensions: Michael Brown (left) was shot dead in August by officer Darren Wilson (right) in Ferguson, Missouri, sparking massive protests over the death. A grand jury is deciding whether to indict him . Fellows, 29, has become a leading voice in the protest movement and has built up 5,000 followers on his Twitter account through his work with the organizers. They began work right after Michael Brown, 18, was shot dead by Darren Wilson, 28, a white police officer with the force in Ferguson, a suburb of St Louis in Missouri, on August 9. The killing sparked several nights of violent protest which was met with a military style response that sparked a debate about the use of force by police and race relations in America. Since then protesters have been working under coalitions such as Hands Up United and in October staged a 'Weekend of Resistance'. They have also made extensive use of social media, appeared on major TV networks, set up training sessions for protesters and have won pledges of support from around the world. With the Grand Jury decision expected in the coming days, Missouri governor Jay Nixon has declared a state of emergency in St Louis and the surrounding counties with 400 troops expected to be deployed in the downtown area of the city. Fellows said: 'With governor Nixon declaring a state of emergency for St Louis that's basically just the unwritten rule that whatever the police feel, if they feel threatened or feel the need to act in a certain way, they have the freedom to do so. 'So it's no-holds barred on our constitutional rules and our rights as citizens. That's out the door for now. 'Going into that mentally, we can prepare as much as we think we can but what are we preparing for? With us going through August, we think it's going to be 10 times worse. It's so hilarious for me how people focus and violence and it's coming from police, not protesters.' Fellows told MailOnline that an indictment was the 'only way' the Grand Jury, which has nine white members and three black, should vote. He said: 'They have that power to decide should he be reprimanded...It's not fair' Flashpoint: Ferguson is expecting more demonstrations when the grand jury ends it deliberations . Tensions: Demonstrations are already taking place in Ferguson, Missouri, with calls for Darren Wilson to be indicted by the grand jury, which meets again on Friday, over the killing of Michael Brown . Divide: Although most demonstrations have been pro-Michael Brown some, such as this woman's protest, have been in support of Darren Wilson, the officer who shot Brown to death . Fellows said that he has heard many rumors about Wilson: that he went to a St Louis Blues ice hockey game, that he had dyed his hair and that he had changed his name. Some people were even joking that he was in Sri Lanka or the Bahamas. Fellows said: 'I think he's in St Louis. Look how much money people have raised for him. He doesn't have to leave. 'Nobody's protected Mike's (Brown) family. I couldn't be in the same room as him (Wilson). I'm not even an angry person or a violent person. I can't sit and look at you in the face. 'If you are a human being, you have a heart and you have any common sense, turn yourself in. 'Why are you letting it go on like this? I have no respect for him. It's as simple as that. Go to the Feds and turn yourself in' It has now been three months since Brown was shot dead and the protesters are 'exhausted', Fellows said. He had been working as a biller for a healthcare company but lost his job as he found it impossible to juggle employment and protesting. Fellows said that he cannot pay his bills and that the rent on his apartment was overdue - and others like him are in the same boat. He said: 'It's definitely a huge sacrifice. I have a lot of friends who have kids and they can't come out (and protest) for that very reason. 'That's why I'm doing this, so that their kids can walk out on the street and not be approached by a cop asking them where they're going. 'That's why I'm doing this.' Fellows told MailOnline that he was 'skeptical' about the Ferguson Commission which was announced on Tuesday by Missouri governor Jay Nixon to look into the causes of the divisions in the city. However he said had 'absolute faith' in four members who he knew personally, including the youngest, 20-year-old Rasheen Lamont Aldridge. EXCLUSIVE: Pro-Darren Wilson demonstrators face claims of KKK infiltration after 'imperial wizard' apparently spotted by anti-police demonstrators . Laura Collins In Ferguson, Missouri for MailOnline . Klu Klux Klan members may have infiltrated groups supporting Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson, it can be disclosed. Supporters for Darren Wilson have removed a photograph from their Facebook page in which activist group Anonymous claim to identify three members of the Ku Klux Klan. Anonymous seized two of the Ku Klux Klan's twitter accounts yesterday after the Klan distributed fliers threatening the use of 'lethal force' should violence erupt in the wake of Ferguson Grand Jury's decision on whether to indict Wilson. Now, as part of Anon Cop Watch, the group has circulated numerous photographs 'unhooding' Klan members. Among them is one showing 13 members of the St Louis Klan. It is set shown alongside an image of a rally held in support of Darren Wilson rally in which, they claim, three Klan members feature prominently. One of them appears to be Frank Ancona, Imperial Wizard of the Traditionalist American Knights of the Ku Klux Klan in Missouri and the man behind the recent fliers. Accusation: How activist group anonymous identified what it says are three KKK members (left in robes) at a pro-Darren Wilson protest (right). There is no suggestion than any KKK presence was known to organisers . Out in the open: The full picture of the KKK group posted by the Anonymous group. It is just the latest escalation of the racial tensions that were ignited this summer when officer Wilson shot dead unarmed teenager Michael Brown, 18. Protesters adopted the slogan 'Hands Up Don't Shoot' - a reference to witness accounts claiming that Brown had his hands up when Wilson let off his fatal volley on August 9. Less than two minutes elapsed between Wilson, 28, stopping Brown and friend, Dorian Johnson, as they walked down the middle of Canfield Road which snakes down from the main drag of West Florissant, and shooting Brown dead. In the three months since that day Ferguson has been riven by violence, protest, gunfire and looting. Brown's own parents have consistently distanced themselves from the violence that saw protesters and police clash as battle lines were drawn near the scene of the shooting across night after night of riots. But, with the Ferguson Grand Jury expected to deliver its verdict on whether or not to indict Wilson on a murder charge this week, the FBI have described violent civil unrest as 'inevitable.' Governor Jay Nixon's decision to declare a State of Emergency and activated the National Guard on Monday was seen by many as confirmation that a decision from the Grand Jury is imminent. And prosecutor Bob McCulloch has always maintained that a verdict would be reached by mid to late November. But leaks reported by the St Louis Dispatch, which suggest that the officer will not be indicted, have only heightened the likelihood of violent reprisal. As MailOnline reported, 'militant resistance group' the Black Rebels has boasted of being 'war ready,' and stockpiling high caliber ammunition. While the Ku Klux Klan leaflets distributed in Ferguson and the surrounding towns suggest a similar readiness for violence. | Larry Fellows III says panel has duty towards Michael Brown's family to charge officer with first-degree murder .
Protest leader believes police have had so long to prepare for decision that response will be 'ten times worse' than summer .
Decision could come as early as tomorrow and law enforcement are on high alert for violence .
Tensions high in town amid claims of KKK infiltration of pro-police protests and massive law enforcement presence . |
86,574 | f5b8ec028dd028b6535db42730e4be6a40146aef | By . Associated Press . PUBLISHED: . 10:41 EST, 31 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 10:41 EST, 31 December 2013 . Reed Hastings (pictured) is getting a 50 percent pay bump in 2014 . Netflix Chairman and CEO Reed Hastings, based in California, is getting a 50 percent pay bump in 2014 after a year in which shares of the online video subscription company quadrupled to an all-time high. A regulatory filing shows that Hastings' annual salary will climb from $2 million to $3 million next year, and his annual stock option allowance also will rise by $1 million to $3 million. The $6 million in total pay compares to $4 million in 2013, when his pay doubled. Hastings received a $5.3 million profit from a post-Christmas stock stale, according to the filing, reported in the LA Times. He had over 15,238 shares for $417,750 on the day after Christmas, which he sold for $5.8 million the same day. Netflix Inc. shares hit an all-time high price of $389.16 in October after ending 2012 at $92.59. The company this year began releasing original content like its House of Cards and Orange Is The New Black series, both of which have been a huge hit with viewers. Netflix is ending 2013 with 40 million subscribers. Netflix is ending 2013 with 40 million subscribers . | Reed Hastings' annual salary will climb from $2m to $3m in 2014 .
His annual stock options will also rise by $1m to $3m .
Hastings also received a $5.3m profit from a post-Christmas stock sale . |
87,462 | f827b219d630e6f4e31be8e3bc3f4c85ab80f0c2 | (CNN) -- Being the leader and second-richest person in one of the most beautiful and cultured nations on Earth might sound cushy, but Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is having a rough year. Already the subject of intense criticism over his personal life and management style, Berlusconi took another blow Sunday when a man police are calling "mentally unstable" smacked the Italian prime minister in the face with a souvenir replica of a cathedral. Berlusconi, 73, who was in his hometown of Milan stumping for a political ally, suffered broken teeth and a fractured nose. His alleged assailant, Massimo Tartaglia, is being held by Milanese authorities, who believe he acted alone. As he has done in the past after nonphysical attacks, Berlusconi blamed political opponents. "What I can tell you is that there has been such a buildup of hatred toward the premier, and this is not good," Berlusconi spokesman Paolo Buonaiuti said. "This campaign of hatred has been building quite rapidly recently, and I am not surprised that what happened tonight took place." The prime minister scores highly in polls gauging Italian popular opinion, though he has been tried on various charges 17 times since taking office in 1994. The charges include corruption, false accounting and tax fraud. Berlusconi has said he did nothing wrong and accused magistrates of conducting a witch hunt. He also noted that he has never been convicted. In some cases, he was found guilty but won on appeal. Berlusconi was elected to his third term as premier in April 2008, about two months after his trial on corruption charges was postponed until after the election. His ability to maneuver through political crises has prompted a prominent journalist to liken him to a puppeteer, saying he is popular because he's a skilled populist. Berlusconi is "a man who pulls the most elementary strings of the public opinion -- a public opinion, which in Italy in these times, prefers simple paths," said Giulio Anselmi, chairman of ANSA, Italy's leading news wire. Even by Berlusconi's standards, 2009 has been a tumultuous year, as his second wife has filed for divorce and allegations of corruption and infidelity continue to surface. This month's Rolling Stone Italy cheekily declared him "Rock Star of the Year." Editor Carlo Antonelli released a statement saying the prime minister made rockers Keith Richards and Rod Stewart look like "schoolboys." "This year the choice was unanimous for his obvious merits due to a lifestyle for which the words, rock 'n' roll, fall short," Antonelli's statement said. Watch how Berlusconi was hit at a rally . The prime minister's second wife, Veronica Lario, whom he married in 1990, filed for divorce in May after news reports that he attended a birthday party for 18-year-old Neapolitan model Noemi Letizia, with whom he was accused of having an improper relationship. Berlusconi called the allegations "slander" and the girl's family, longtime friends of the prime minister, also deny there was anything improper. Lario, the mother of three of Berlusconi's five children, is asking for about $70 million a year from the prime minister, whom Forbes magazine ranked this year as No. 70 on its list of richest people, with an estimated net worth of $6.5 billion. More allegations followed the divorce filing, including claims that women were paid to attend parties at the prime minister's various homes. Berlusconi denied those allegations, telling the Italian magazine "Chi" he would never pay for sex because it would dampen the "the pleasure of the conquest." In June, he went to court to block the publication of hundreds of photos from his seaside villa in Sardinia, saying they posed "an aggressive intrusion into my private life." A Spanish paper ran some of the photos, showing scantily clad women at Berlusconi's villa and reporting that the premier was the subject of an investigation into whether he used official Italian aircraft to ferry guests to his villa. Berlusconi admitted using government airplanes to ferry guests, but an investigation found no wrongdoing on the premier's part. In October, old allegations of political scandal re-emerged when Italy's Constitutional Court overturned a law that shielded presidents, prime ministers and the leaders of both houses of parliament from prosecution. The court said the constitution requires all Italians to be equal before the law. Berlusconi had pushed for the immunity law after his 2008 re-election, and the court's action opened Berlusconi to prosecution on allegations that he paid British tax attorney David Mills $600,000 to provide false testimony in two court cases in the 1990s. Mills was convicted, but is appealing. The Constitutional Court's ruling also lifted Berlusconi's immunity from prosecution on charges that his company, Mediaset, failed to pay $45 million in taxes between 2000 and 2003. The latter case was postponed until January because the prime minister was unable to attend hearings, but Berlusconi has been outspoken in his defense against all of the allegations. He said he believes he is on trial for political reasons and has called magistrates "communist bullies." He also has declared himself the most persecuted man "in the entire history of the world." The Italian leader has often blamed Italy's ills on the left wing. He doesn't enjoy leading the country, he said, "because very often there is a lot of dirty dealing." He leads out of a sense of sacrifice and duty and because he is the "only leader able to hold the center-right together," he has told CNN. But Berlusconi seems aware that his popularity and populism allow him to continue to hold sway in this nation of about 58 million. Though his popularity recently has seen a slight dip among women, he routinely garners approval ratings of 50 percent or higher. "When I go around, it's embarrassing to see the affection showered upon me," Berlusconi told CNN in October. "I know that people can change their opinions ... but I must say that I just note the fact that I am close to the heart of many Italians and they show this to me very often." | Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi has blamed political opponents for physical, nonphysical attacks .
Rolling Stone Italy: PM makes rockers Keith Richards, Rod Stewart look like "schoolboys"
Divorce sought, corruption and infidelity alleged as court lifts immunity from prosecution .
Spokesman says he's not surprised PM was attacked amid "campaign of hatred" |
29,503 | 53def6aee244fe229a01291b13f8b3edf1c78304 | In focus -- Iraq's Economic Revival Iraq is experiencing a massive construction boom, especially in Baghdad where greater security has led to many companies investing in real estate projects. But it is mostly foreign companies that are benefiting from the boom while many Iraqi companies feel abandoned by their government, having to lay off workers or shut down completely. MME looks at the highs and lows of this burgeoning property boom. Facetime -- Kurdish Prime Minister Barham Salih Iraq is improving its economy and conveying its objectives, rebuilding and investment. Since 2007, Kurdistan has attracted more than $12 billion from local and foreign investors. But investing in Kurdistan can have a ripple effect throughout the whole country as the regions Prime Minister Barham Salih explains to MME. Watch the show this week at the times (GMT) below: . Friday: 0915, 1745 Saturday: 0445 Sunday: 0615,1745 . | MME takes a look at Iraq's current construction boom .
The boom means profits for foreign firms but not for Iraq's construction companies .
Plus MME talks to the Kurdish Prime Minister about the growing investment to the region. |
42,601 | 781f3753c1f20ff3b1f6e35283d328167374b70d | By . Joe Strange . Follow @@Joe_Strange . Newcastle have unveiled their new black-and-white home kit ahead of their season opener against Manchester City at St James' Park. The Puma-designed strip, which fans can get their hands on from August 14, incorporates the club's famous black-and-white stripes and a black chest panel. Summer signings including Remy Cabella, Jack Colback and Emmanuel Riviere will wear the kit at the Magpies' open day at St James' on August 12. VIDEO Scroll down for 'Newcastle outcast Gabriel Obertan's fine goal against Malaga' New look: Newcastle players (from left to right) Rob Elliot, Emmanuel Riviere, Siem de Jong, Remy Cabella and Jack Colback model the club's new home kit . Summer signing: Cabella (right) scores against Huddersfield during a pre-season friendly . Bright future: Youngster Roland Aarons (right) has impressed for the Magpies in pre-season so far . Supporters will get the chance to see their heroes sport the new strip for the first time that day, less than a week before Alan Pardew's men host Yaya Toure and Co in their first game of the 2014/15 campaign. But some fans are unhappy with Puma's effort, singling out the large black section on the chest for criticism on Twitter. TrueGeordieNUFC wrote: 'Looks a bit incomplete without a cape to match the super hero chest piece', while stephclark6 tweeted 'how can black and white stripes be ruined? Ask @NUFC cos they've managed it!' After the first image of the new kit was revealed on the social media site, JJFletcher7 tweeted: 'Well there we have it confirmed officially the worst kit in Newcastle United history! Well done @pumafootball' Back-up stopper Rob Elliot models the new goalkeeper top - which has a passing resemblance to a QR code for smartphones - in the club's official photos, with Tim Krul having been given an extended break after Holland's World Cup exploits. One player who looks unlikely to pull on the club's colours again is winger Hatem Ben Arfa. The Frenchman is currently training with the club's reserve side after Pardew criticised his professionalism. He could be sent on loan to Lyon as part of a permanent deal for the League 1 side's highly-rated striker Alexandre Lacazette. On the move? Hatem Ben Arfa is currently training with the reserves and could be shipped out on loan . VIDEO Newcastle have greater attacking threat - Pardew . CLICK HERE to start picking your Fantasy Football team NOW! There’s £60,000 in prizes including £1,000 up for grabs EVERY WEEK… . | Newcastle have unveiled their Puma home kit for next season .
Some fans are unhappy with the large black chest panel .
Players will wear it for the first time during an open day on August 12 .
The Magpies host Manchester City at St James' Park on August 17 . |
262,771 | e05d180d23dc15ad33013771fee9116a8e90b737 | Germany’s express delivery company, Deutsche Post (DHL), is testing a drone that could be used to deliver urgently needed goods such as medicine to remote locations in the future. The debut of the yellow remote-controlled helicopter follows the debut of Amazon's octocopter, which could be used to deliver packages to its customers in the future, replacing postmen and cutting the delivery times of its goods. The German firm’s small quadcopter flew a package of medicine from a pharmacy in the city of Bonn to the company’s headquarters on the other side of the Rhine river. DHL said its yellow drone would be used to delivery urgently needed goods such as medicine to remote locations. The aircraft can carry approximately six-and-a-half pounds and has four propellers . The aircraft can carry approximately six-and-a-half pounds (three kilograms) and has four propellers, while Amazon’s robot has eight. DHL’s yellow drone is known as the ‘Paketkopter’ and flew at a height of 50 metres for one kilometre, taking just two minutes to complete its journey, The Local reported. Two men controlled the vehicle using a remote control, but the company said technology is available to send the drones to a specified location using GPS alone. DHL’s spokesman, Thomas Kutsch, said the . flights all this week are strictly a research project to see if the . technology works and there are no plans yet to start actual drone . deliveries. The German firm’s small pilot-less quadcopter flew a package of medicine from a pharmacy in the city of . Bonn to the company’s headquarters on the other side of the Rhine river (pictured right) It was controlled remotely by technicians (pictured left) The test flights required permission from local aviation authorities. Amazon plans to deliver goods to customers by drone within five years, despite legal obstacles in the U.S. Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon, said that he wants to use octocoptors to replace postmen and cut delivery times to just 30 minutes. Customers would have their order dropped onto their front lawn by the machine which would fly through the air from a nearby warehouse with it clasped in a metal grabber. The company's yellow drone is known as the 'Paketkopter' and flew at a height of 50 metres for one kilometre, taking just two minutes to complete its journey . Speaking to US TV network CBS, Bezos said: ‘I know this looks like science fiction. It’s not.’ Bezos’ claims raise the prospect of a future where drones travel across the sky all the time ferrying post around - and perhaps one day even letters, too. In the interview Bezos said that the drones would be able to carry goods up to 5lb in weight, which covers 86 per cent of the items that the company delivers. Bezos said that he wants to launch the ‘Amazon Prime Air’ service within four to five years, though that will almost certainly be in the US before anywhere else. This ruling paves the way for companies, including Amazon, to use drones to deliver goods commercially across the United States, pictured. However, companies may still come up against regulations that prohibit any aircraft to fly autonomously, without anyone at the controls . | Deutsche Post's drone flew a box of medicine from a pharmacy in the city of Bonn to the company's headquarters on the other side of the Rhine river .
Remote-controlled aircraft carries just over 6lb (3kg) and has four propellers .
Amazon recently showed off its octocopter, which could be used to deliver packages to customers . |
84,909 | f0dd29b6a2b44ef08a380231dba133b9c1f94f7a | Tehran (CNN) -- Iranian centrist candidate Hassan Rouhani has won the country's presidential election, a victory that garnered both congratulations and skepticism around the world. Rouhani spoke of reforms without threatening Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, or the country's institutions -- of which he is product. The former national security council chief promised greater personal freedoms and indicated he would free political prisoners and jailed journalists. He takes the helm as Iran deals with sharp economic sanctions tied to international concern about its nuclear program. On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cautioned the world against easing such sanctions. "Regarding the results of the elections in Iran, let us not delude ourselves. The international community must not become caught up in wishes and be tempted to relax the pressure on Iran to stop its nuclear program," Netanyahu said at a weekly Cabinet meeting. The prime minister also said Iran's supreme leader "disqualified candidates who did not fit his extremist outlook." Read more: Rouhani, hawk or dove? In his campaigning, Rouhani pledged to improve the economy and unemployment. As a former nuclear negotiator, he said he would reduce the high tension between Iran and the outside world by addressing the sanctions. In a message through the semiofficial Fars News Agency, the 65-year-old Rouhani said the win "is the victory of wisdom, moderation, growth and awareness, the victory of commitment and religiosity over extremism and ill tempers." Global reactions . The British Foreign Office immediately urged Rouhani to help steer Iran in a new direction. "We call on him to use the opportunity to set Iran on a different course for the future: addressing international concerns about Iran's nuclear program, taking forward a constructive relationship with the international community, and improving the political and human rights situation for the people of Iran," a Foreign Office spokesman said. The United States "remains ready to engage the Iranian government directly in order to reach a diplomatic solution that will fully address the international community's concerns about Iran's nuclear program," the White House said. Read more: Will Iran shift policy on Syria? While the White House respected the vote, it said the election occurred "against the backdrop of a lack of transparency, censorship of the media, Internet, and text messages, and an intimidating security environment that limited freedom of expression and assembly." U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon offered his congratulations and called on Iran to take a "constructive role in regional and international affairs.". Following Ahmadinejad . Rouhani succeeds outgoing President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who was term-limited and could not run in the election. But Rouhani won't be Iran's most powerful man. That distinction belongs to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has been Iran's supreme leader since 1989. He's got plenty of backing, from conservative citizens to loyalist militia groups to, most notably, the Revolutionary Guard. On his website, the supreme leader said Rouhani is the president of all Iranians and told supporters of various candidates to set aside their differences and unify. Rouhani has all-round credentials in Iran's institutions that include senior cleric, former commander of Iranian air defenses and is an intellectual with three law degrees, including from a university in Scotland. Read more: The view from Tehran . He has a reputation for shunning extreme positions and bridging differences. While he has represented Khamenei on Iran's security council since 1989, he has avoided being perceived as a pushover and has taken exception with the supreme leader on being too rigid toward the international community, according to an Iranian scholar at Stanford University. Rouhani has accused state-run media of censorship and publishing lies. 'Not a democracy as we know it' Prior to the results, British Prime Minister David Cameron said the Iranian election system doesn't resemble a true democracy. "We have to remember this is always only an election between a restricted number of candidates. It's not democracy as we know it," he told CNN's Richard Quest. Iran's Guardian Council, an unelected body made up of six clerics and six lawyers operating under the oversight of the supreme leader, drew up the restricted list of candidates from the 680 who initially registered. Read more: What's at stake in election? Eight candidates were approved, two of whom subsequently dropped out. The final six contenders didn't include any women. Nor did they include Ahmadinejad's aide and protege Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei, who was among those excluded by the Guardian Council. The only cleric among the candidates, he has close ties to Khamenei and served in Iran's parliament for two decades. He was also Iran's lead nuclear negotiator from 2003 to 2005 and holds seats on several powerful decision-making bodies. Remembering the 2009 chaos . Four years ago, when allegations of election fraud sparked widespread protests, Iran's police and the Basij, a feared paramilitary group, cracked down on the opposition Green Movement. Protesters were jailed, and human rights groups alleged many were tortured and killed behind bars while the government quashed the uprising. Reform politicians representing the movement, including Ahmadinejad's election rival, former Prime Minister Mir Hossein Moussavi, have been under house arrest since 2011. Despite the unrest, Ahmadinejad's re-election was formally certified by the clerical establishment. CNN's Shirzad Bozorgmehr reported from Tehran and Michael Martinez reported and wrote from Los Angeles. CNN's Holly Yan, Michael Schwartz, Laura Smith-Spark, Reza Sayah, Azadeh Ansari and Sara Mazloumsaki contributed to this report. | Hassan Rouhani succeeds Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as president .
He promises greater personal freedoms without threatening Iran's supreme leader .
Israeli prime minister: The world shouldn't let up on sanctions for Iran's nuclear program .
"It's not democracy as we know it," Britain's prime minister says of the Iranian election . |
156,882 | 56da8e09925eb33ddc73249a510c08258b6066e9 | Jack Wilshere has revealed that the Arsenal squad want to win the Champions League as a ‘thank you’ to manager Arsene Wenger, who has yet to win Europe’s biggest club prize in his 31-year managerial career. Wenger reached the Champions League semi-final with Monaco in 1994 and the 2006 final, when 10-man Arsenal led Barcelona 1-0 after having Jens Lehmann sent off, before conceding two late goals to lose 2-1. Despite qualifying for the tournament a record 17 consecutive years in a row with Arsenal, Wenger has never won it. Instead he has watched his great rivals Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho pick up the trophy twice, while Roberto Di Matteo won the trophy with Chelsea at his first attempt in 2012 and Pep Guardiola won it twice within three years of taking up management. Like our Arsenal Facebook page . Jack Wilshere says Arsenal want to win the Champions League for manager Arsene Wenger . Jack Wilshere scores past Joe Hart during Arsenal's 2-2 draw with Manchester City on Saturday . And Wilshere says that the Arsenal team want to set the record straight for Wenger. ‘For him, that would be the icing on the cake if you like,’ said Wilshere. ‘He has been 17 years and had one final — he came close to winning that, he was unlucky, he had Lehmann sent off — so I think this is the one he really, really wants, as well as the Premier League, because he wants it for us. But if he gives the Champions League to us it will also be like a present [from us] to him if we win the Champions League.’ Arsenal start their campaign at 2013 finalists Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday, a fixture which has become familiar in recent years, with the teams being drawn together in 2011 and 2013, with Arsenal recording an impressive 1-0 win in Dortmund but losing a 2-1 at The Emirates, a result which cost them top spot in the group. Arsene Wenger is yet to win the Champions League during his long managerial career . Wilshere said: ‘Between us two, they are always good games and they will be thinking the same. They won’t want to be coming to us again even though they won here last year, we won there. It is a tough game and we go there first and it’s almost like the England game against Switzerland if you like; the hardest game in the group will be the first one and we can almost put a marker down in that game by saying we’re here to win this group. ‘I think that’s the target at the start. We always said that. Over the last few seasons we almost thought we were finishing top and we lost the last game and it has cost us. ‘We have really been unlucky with the draw over the last few years, with Bayern Munich twice, they’re the best team in Europe for me, so we could have had anyone else and had a little bit more of a chance of going through, but, as you said, it is really important to finish top of the group.’ Thierry Henry collects his medal after Arsenal were beaten by Barcelona in the 2006 Champions League final . Jens Lehmann was sent off in Paris, and Arsenal were beaten 2-1 by Barcelona . | Arsenal begin group stage campaign with visit to Borussia Dortmund .
Arsene Wenger yet to win Champions League in long managerial career .
Arsenal made it to the final in 2006, where they were beaten by Barcelona .
Gunners beat Besiktas in tough play-off round contest . |
219,407 | a80274951fdc4bc3d3315eca4e20c214f731c4c6 | Washington (CNN) -- A Navy SEAL team that fought its way upstairs at Osama bin Laden's compound killed him with rapid-fire shots to his chest and forehead, according to a U.S. official who has seen military reports of the raid. The unarmed bin Laden, who the White House said put up some form of resistance, was moving when he was first shot, the official on Wednesday told CNN Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, chairwoman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, told CNN that weapons were near bin Laden, who died on an upper floor of the compound toward the end of the nearly 40-minute raid. "He was right there and going to get those arms. You really can't take a chance." The official who had seen the report -- and other sources -- provided new details on the nighttime operation and bin Laden's gruesome wounds, which were photographed. President Barack Obama, not wanting to inflame passions or appear to gloat, decided not to release a photo of bin Laden's corpse, the White House said Wednesday. "There's a long history of images like that being used to rally opinion against people, to turn people into heroes," White House press secretary Jay Carney said. A senior Democratic official close to the White House told CNN that Obama was "never in favor" of releasing a photo. The photo decision -- following intense debate within the administration and by the public -- came as the United States continued pressing the Pakistani government on how it could not have known the al Qaeda leader was living near a military academy in Abbottabad when he was killed by U.S. special forces early Monday. The SEAL team is back on American soil, a senior U.S. official today CNN Wednesday night. Investigators, meanwhile, continued poring over materials gathered at bin Laden's hideout. The haul includes 10 hard drives, five computers and more than 100 storage devices, such as disks, DVDs and thumb drives, a senior U.S. official told CNN. The materials might provide clues on al Qaeda members and potential plots for future attacks. The commandos also recovered five cell phones, audio and video equipment, "lots" of paper documents and some five guns, including AK-47s and pistols, a U.S. official told CNN homeland security correspondent Jeanne Meserve. The objects were "hiding in plain sight," according to the official, who described the material as a treasure trove of information. At a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing Wednesday, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said of evidence taken from the residence, "As we glean information from that material, we will make appropriate decisions with regard to who might we add to the terrorist watch list, the no-fly list, all those things." A U.S. official told CNN in the afternoon that no names have been added to the watch list. It appeared bin Laden had contingency plans while he stayed at the fenced compound. Bin Laden had 500 euros (about $745) in cash and two telephone numbers sewn into his clothing when he was killed, a congressional source present at a classified briefing on the operation Tuesday told CNN Wednesday. Photos taken shortly after the raid show three men lying dead in pools of blood and the wreckage of a U.S. helicopter abandoned during the assault. One of the dead men bears a family resemblance to bin Laden, but there was no confirmation of his identity. The al Qaeda leader's adult son was among those killed in Monday's attack by U.S. commandos, according to American officials. The pictures were published Wednesday by Reuters. The news agency says they were taken by a Pakistani security official about an hour after U.S. forces left bin Laden's compound and that it is confident of the authenticity of the purchased images. The commandos took bin Laden's body with them, U.S. officials have said. CIA Director Leon Panetta and Carney on Tuesday said the commandos fought their way up to the third floor of the compound, moving room to room. Bin Laden and his family lived on the second and third floors, Carney said. The U.S. official who described bin Laden's last moments said the al Qaeda leader was "moving" at the time he was initially shot. The official declined to describe those movements. Previously, another U.S. official said bin Laden was shot when he made a threatening move. When asked if bin Laden tried to grab a weapon or physically attack a commando, the official would only say, "He didn't hold up his hands and surrender." The first shot hit bin Laden in the chest and the second struck him in the forehead just above the left eye, the official told CNN. A photo shows a gunshot wound to the head above the left eye, with the skull partially blown away, according to two sources who have seen a photograph of bin Laden's body. SEAL teams are trained, if at all possible, to take the first "hit to kill" shot by aiming dead center between the eyes, and then with a chest shot, according to a military officer familiar with their tactics and techniques. If Bin Laden was moving, that first shot might not have been possible. The shots occurred so rapidly they were nearly simultaneous. One of bin Laden's daughters has told Pakistani interrogators that she saw her father shot, a senior Pakistani intelligence source said Wednesday. The daughter, believed to be 12 or 13 years old, was among those left behind at the compound after Monday's U.S. raid, the source said. U.S. officials said bin Laden's wife was in the room with him and rushed at U.S. special operations forces, who then shot her in the leg. The Pakistani intelligence source told CNN Wednesday that four men at the compound were killed in addition to bin Laden: bin Laden's son, two men who were brothers, and an unknown man. That conflicts with information provided by the White House, which said Tuesday that three men and one woman were killed in the operation, in addition to bin Laden. Because bin Laden was killed and buried at sea, the administration has been under some pressure to release a photo proving he was dead. The president noted that few credible people have questioned the death and that conspiracy theorists would not be satisfied with a photo, the senior Democratic official said. That position was supported by Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the Democratic official said. "We don't trot out this stuff as trophies," Carney quoted Obama as saying in an interview earlier Wednesday with the CBS News program "60 Minutes." "This is somebody who was deserving of the justice he received," Obama said in the interview. "But we don't need to spike the football." Sen. Lindsay Graham, R-South Carolina, called Obama's decision a "mistake." "I know bin Laden is dead. But the best way to protect and defend our interests overseas is to prove that fact to the rest of the world," he said in a written statement. Questions are mounting, meanwhile, about why Pakistan failed to locate or bring bin Laden to justice. According to two sources at a briefing Tuesday, Panetta told lawmakers that Pakistani officials either "were involved or incompetent. Neither place is a good place to be." The United States is asking Pakistan for information on who built and owned the compound where bin Laden lived, two senior U.S. officials said Wednesday. Pakistani government officials have insisted that they did not know bin Laden's whereabouts. "What worse statement can come than that we heard from Panetta?" a senior Pakistani intelligence official said. "I am afraid this statement is totally regrettable. (Panetta) of all people knows how much we have been doing." The official, who did not want to be named, said his country had been generously sharing intelligence with its American counterparts. Husain Haqqani, Pakistan's ambassador to the United States, said his government will conduct an inquiry to find out how bin Laden managed to maintain residency there. The government was not complicit with bin Laden because having him there was harmful, Haqqani told PBS' Charlie Rose. Any official who was aware of the fugitive's presence and failed to act will be held accountable, he added. Obama, meanwhile, planned a visit Thursday to New York's ground zero where the twin towers of the World Trade Center once stood. The towers fell in September 11, 2001, when al Qaeda hijackers flew commercial planes into them. Obama will take part in a wreath-laying ceremony and will meet with families of victims and first responders, but will not make remarks, White House spokesman Carney said. He characterized the event as "bittersweet." CNN's Nick Paton Walsh, Nic Robertson, Dana Bash, Ted Barrett, Elise Labott, Tom Cohen, Jeanne Meserve, Pam Benson, Barbara Starr, Suzanne Kelly, Chris Lawrence, Jessica Yellin, John King, Ed Hornick, Shawna Shepherd and Dan Gilgoff contributed to this report. | NEW: Pakistan ambassador vows inquiry .
Reuters photos show bodies, helicopter at compound .
News agency says they were taken by a Pakistani security official .
Bin Laden was near weapons when he was shot, Sen. Feinstein says . |
145,914 | 48aa39c5079dc815413437d190f5ba4f554d9af3 | By . John Hall . A Scottish farmer has spent £5,000 on CCTV cameras and guard dogs to protect his new flock of the 'world's cutest sheep'. Raymond Irvine paid £55,000 for 10 ewes and one ram of the Valais Blacknose breed and now intends to breed them at his farm near Tomintoul in Moray. The sheep, which are only found in Switzerland, are well-known for their shaggy coats and spiral horns, but it is their distinctive, incredibly dark 'black hole' faces - which look as if they have been Photoshopped to have all features removed - that draw much of the attention. Adorable: The sheep, which originate in Switzerland, are well-known for their shaggy coats and spiral horns, but it is their distinctive, incredibly dark 'black hole' faces that draw much of the attention . Investment: Raymond Irvine paid £55,000 for 10 ewes and one ram (pictured) of the Valais Blacknose breed. He now intends to breed them at his farm near Tomintoul in Moray, Scotland . Faceless: Scottish farmer Raymond Irvine has now spent £5,000 on CCTV cameras and guard dogs to protect his new flock of the 'world's cutest sheep' Mr Irvine paid £55,000 for his 11 Valais Blacknose sheep plus several more thousands on transportation and vet bills. His 10 ewes and show-winning ram King Kong are now the first Valois Blacknose herd in Scotland. The sheep are so valuable Mr Irvine has installed CCTV and brought in guard dogs to stop them being stolen from his farm. He and girlfriend Jenni McAllister got a surprise when it turned out one of the ewes was already pregnant, giving birth to Scotland’s first baby Valais Blacknose. Family: Raymond Irvine paid £55,000 for his 11 Valais Blacknose sheep plus several more thousands on transportation and vet bills. They are now the first Valois Blacknose herd in Scotland . Knowledge: Raymond Irvine (left) and his girlfriend Jenni Allister (right) spent several weeks researching the breed, which is unique to the Valais region of Switzerland, before making the trip . Cute: Raymond Irvine said he got a surprise just days after the sheep arrived at his Scottish farm, when one of the ewes unexpectedly gave birth to this adorable lamb . The Valais Blacknose is a coarse-wooled sheep from Switzerland - kept primarily for meat, but also used for wool. It is a unique breed found in the Upper Valais, in the German-speaking part of the canton of Valais. Their earliest mention dates back to 1400 but they were first recognized as a separate breed in 1962. Both rams and ewes have huge spiral horns and a thick coat that keeps them warm during the bitter Swiss winter. The chill of the Highlands in mid-January should prove no challenge from this cute but particularly hardy breed. Highly domesticated, the sheep do not shy away from contact with humans. As a result, many residents of Upper Valais have started keeping them as pets in recent years. They are now regularly seen being walked on leads or tied up outside supermarkets in the villages around Upper Valais. Mr Irvine, 42, said: 'My girlfriend showed me a picture and I laughed because I didn’t think they were real.' 'Then . we thought there could be something in this so we decided to travel . over and see them in real life. We fell in love with them at first . sight,' he added. 'It’s . the first time this breed has ever been in Scotland. I think they are . the world’s cutest sheep. They are so docile and they just make you . smile as soon as you see them, Mr Irvine went on to say. Mr Irvine and Miss McAllister, 34, spent several weeks researching the breed, which is unique to the Valais region of Switzerland, before making the trip. They negotiated with several breeders, to select individuals to buy, which proved difficult as the farmers did not want to part with the beloved animals. The lucky 11 were then transported in a lorry through customs to France, Calais, Dover and finally to Scotland - all within 24 hours. Mr Irvine said he got a surprise just days after the sheep arrive, when one of the ewes unexpectedly gave birth. 'One morning I went to check on them and this thing was on the ground. The farmer had forgotten to tell me one of the females was pregnant,' he said. 'So now we have the first ever Valais lamb to be born on Scottish soil,' he added. Up for grabs: Jenni McAllister said she is considering putting a couple of the lambs on the market next year, and possibly crossing a few of the others with other breeds of sheep . Hard decision: Raymond Irvine and Jenni McAllister negotiated with several Swiss breeders to select individuals to buy, which proved difficult as the farmers did not want to part with the beloved animals . Tough: The chill of the Highlands in mid-January should prove no challenge from this cute but particularly hardy breed. Their thick coat keeps them warm during the bitter Swiss winter . The sheep will not struggle in the chill of the Scottish winter because the part of Switzerland they live in usually gets much colder. On a trip the couple watched in surprise as people walked the sheep on leads around the village. Whilst the couple were enjoying a romantic meal two of the sheep were brought inside by a Swiss farmer who didn’t want to leave them outside. Mr Irvine said they hope to increase the size of their flock and while many lamb twice a year, they will only be lambed once, in March. The couple are considering putting a couple of the lambs on the market next year, and crossing them with other breeds of sheep. But they will work to maintain the characteristics of the breed and look at different avenues on how to develop a lucrative market for the wool. | Raymond Irvine paid £55,000 for 10 Valais Blacknose ewes and one ram .
Adorable sheep, which originate in Switzerland, are a highly prized breed .
Incredibly dark 'black hole' faces look as if they have had features erased . |
216,285 | a400a27a00907a59efe905b29d9549dd9a2a5c31 | Lee Dickson believes patience will be key when Northampton resume their European Champions Cup campaign against Treviso in Italy on Saturday. Saints recovered from an opening weekend loss to Racing Metro, and expect to remain on a quarter-final course by beating the Italian club home and away over the next eight days. ‘You can’t afford to lose more than one game if you want to finish as pool winners,’ scrum-half Dickson said. ‘They are a big physical team, and they are very proud, especially at home. Italian teams are always like that. Lee Dickson (centre) makes a break to set up a Northampton try against London Welsh on Sunday . Dickson (centre) receives a pass from Saints team-mate Samu Manoa during the Aviva Premiership match . Scrum-half Dickson (left) celebrates with team-mate James Wilson after Saints score a try . ‘It will be a very tough game, so we have to front up to the challenge. It’s all about patience and playing your own way and out-working them. Hopefully, you get your rewards in the final 20 minutes of each half.’ Meanwhile, Munster will edge closer to a quarter-final place if they claim their 100th win in European competitions against Clermont Auvergne. ‘Fear drives you on in European rugby,’ said their skipper, Peter O’Mahony. ‘It’s the beautiful thing about this competition, how competitive it is and how it has turned out now. It’s more competitive than it ever was, so you have to be on your game.’ Saracens’ England lock Mouritz Botha is to join South African Super Rugby franchise The Sharks. Saracens said they had ‘reluctantly released’ 32-year-old Botha, who will join the Durban-based Sharks from January 1. | Northampton face Treviso on Saturday in the European Champions Cup .
Saints lost to Racing Metro in the opening game of the tournament .
But recovered with a comfortable victory over Ospreys in October .
Scrum-half Lee Dickson says Saints must front up to physical challenge . |
93,674 | 0473e6a6dc37144ea86c0213e2f8aa9d1c7228a7 | By . Reuters Reporter . A Miami businessman this week purchased a waterfront mansion once owned by Colombian cocaine kingpin Pablo Escobar and said he plans to raze the coral pink house that federal officials seized in the late 1980s. Christian Berdouare, the owner of a chain of casual Miami restaurants, paid $9.65 million for the 7,300-square-foot (680- square-meter) home in an affluent Miami Beach neighborhood, saying the location was its main attraction, not its history. 'If anything it's a negative," he said, referring to the property's link to Escobar. "I don't particularly like drug dealers and I don't want to have their energy close to me.' Lavish: Restaurant chain owner Christian Berdouare paid $9.65m for the 7,300-square-foot mansion . A room overlooks the swimming pool and waterfront in a mansion once owned by Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar in Miami Beach. A Miami businessman purchased the 7,300-square-foot home for nearly $10 million . U.S. marshals seized the property in 1987 along with nearly $20 million of the Medellín Cartel's Florida real estate assets. Also . included in the seizure was a 45-unit apartment complex, a . three-bedroom condominium near a high-end Miami mall, a horse ranch in . central Florida and a 240-unit rental complex near Fort Lauderdale then worth $9.6 million. Miami attorney Roger Schindler bought the mansion from the U.S. government in 1990 for $915,000. Escobar, . along with members of the Ochoa family who sat atop the cartel, were . among the world's most wanted drug traffickers in the late 1980s and . early 1990s. U.S. marshals seized the property in 1987 along with nearly $20 million of the Medellín Cartel's Florida real estate assets. Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar, known as the 'King of Cocaine,' in 1989 . Spectacular: The mansion is on the waterfront with views of Miami . Escobar was gunned down in 1993 in Colombia with the help of U.S. counter-narcotics agents.It is unclear if Escobar ever visited the Miami Beach home. 'According . to neighbors and real estate agents he was definitely there," said . Mirce Curkoski with ONE Sotheby's Realty who represented Berdouare in . the sale. Schindler said some neighbors described lots of activity at the house when it was owned by Escobar. 'They used to see boats coming up to the back yard,' he said. | The Miami businessman who bought the coral pink home said its previous owner did not factor into his purchase .
The home was seized by the federal government in 1987 .
Escobar was killed at the age of 44 in 1993 by members of the Colombian National Police . |
201,951 | 917248911da04af39432f1e0a659cac390f2ccb3 | New move: David Cameron has backed up his promotion of marriage by introducing a tax break for couples . David Cameron has shown his support for same-sex couples by taking to Twitter to announce gay partners will benefit from new marriage tax breaks. The Prime Minister has announced plans for married couples to receive a £1,000 tax allowance in recognition of their ‘commitment and responsibility’. The tax break will be available to gay couples in civil partnerships and – following a change in the law – in marriages. Taking to Twitter, Mr Cameron wrote: 'The £1000 marriage tax allowance will apply to straight and gay couples, as well as civil partners. Love is love, commitment is commitment.' In an article for the Daily Mail, the Prime Minister says the transferable allowance will be introduced in 2015. Stay-at-home mothers and women who work part time will be the main winners. ‘The values of marriage are give and take, support and sacrifice – values that we need more of,’ Mr Cameron writes. ‘Marriage is a good thing for our country – it’s the ultimate form of commitment under the law – and we want to show our support for it.’ The move, first promised by the Prime Minister when he ran for the Tory leadership in 2005, restores the financial recognition for marriage lost when a similar allowance was phased out in 1999. Under Mr Cameron’s plans, which he will champion at his party conference next week, a husband or wife will be allowed to transfer £1,000 of their tax-free personal allowance to their spouse. Support: Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted his backing for same-sex couples to be included in new marriage tax breaks . The Tory 2010 election manifesto promised a figure of only £750. It will apply to those not using all of their personal allowance – either because they are at home looking after children, or work part time and earn less than £10,000. Around eight million people are expected to benefit – by around £200 a year. The Liberal Democrats, who object to any special recognition for marriage, will abstain in a vote on the issue, a provision included in the 2010 coalition agreement. But even if, as expected, Labour opposes the measure it should pass thanks to the votes of Conservative MPs. It will be confirmed in Chancellor George Osborne’s autumn statement and introduced from April 2015 – making it a key issue at the general election a few weeks later. Happy memories: David Cameron, pictured on his wedding day with Samantha, has stuck to his principles and rewarded married couples . The tax break will not be available to couples that have a higher rate taxpayer which, in 2015, will be those earning more than £42,285. Mr Cameron’s decision to press ahead will delight most Conservative MPs and polls suggest the move is supported by around two thirds of voters. The Tories argue that, for 11 years, Labour undermined marriage and financially punished couples where one spouse chooses to stay at home to bring up a family. The US, Canada, France, Germany, Denmark and Norway are among nations that reward the caring role of stay-at-home spouses. However, the tax measure, expected to cost around £600million a year, will provoke controversy at a time of austerity. It had been put on hold because of the efforts to rein in state spending, and the priority given to the Coalition’s goal of increasing the personal tax allowance for 24million basic rate taxpayers to £10,000 a year. But Right-wing Tories, including several members of the Cabinet, indicated they wanted action quickly. The measure may help placate social conservatives uneasy at the Government’s focus on introducing gay marriage, as well as the removal of child benefit from high earners. Mr Osborne has also promised childcare tax breaks after 2015 to help working women – leading Right-wing Tories to insist it is right for the Government to show support for stay-at-home mothers as well. Tim Loughton, a Tory former minister who campaigned for the tax break, said: ‘The Government is sending out a very strong signal that marriage and the commitment it demonstrates is good for families, children and society, both socially and financially, and we should not be afraid to stand up for it.’ Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has branded the idea ‘odd’, while Lib Dem Business Secretary Vince Cable has complained widows and those abandoned by their partners will be excluded. Happy? Married couples will be praying the new tax break gets passed through government (posed by models) Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith, who has driven the party’s policy on backing for marriage, initially proposed a larger tax break costing £3.2billion a year. But he agreed there should be a staggered introduction of tax allowances because of the catastrophic state of the public finances. In 1999, its final year before it was abolished for all but pensioner couples, the married couples allowance was worth £197 a year. Marriage is already recognised in both inheritance tax and capital gains tax. For more than 20 years, the Daily Mail has led calls for marriage to be recognised in the tax system once more. Alongside the birth of my children, . my wedding was the happiest day of my life. Since then, Samantha and I . have been a team. Nothing I’ve done since – becoming a Member of . Parliament, leader of my party or Prime Minister – would have been . possible without her. There . is something special about marriage: it’s a declaration of commitment, . responsibility and stability that helps to bind families. The values of . marriage are give and take, support and sacrifice – values that we need . more of in this country. Of . course, governments can’t be in the business of social engineering – . there is nothing more scary than the prospect of a politician trying to . do so. And naturally, there are people across the country who have never married and are just as committed to each other. Team: David Cameron credits much of his success at No.10 to his wife Samantha . We . also know that sadly too many marriages come to an end. But surely we . can agree with all these things, yet at the same time support something . which we know can help keep families together. There . is good evidence about the positive role that marriage can play: study . upon study has shown that families with married couples are less likely . to break up. There are . also many studies about the cost of family breakdown. I am not for one . minute arguing that marriage is a panacea, of course it isn’t. But . the real question is this: because marriage is an institution that . helps to build a strong society, shouldn’t society properly recognise . that in the tax system? Other countries do – I think we should too. That’s . why when I ran for the leadership of my party back in 2005, I said that . I wanted to do more for marriage in the tax system: a personal pledge . that I made right at the start of my campaign – and I then backed that . up with a pledge in our manifesto at the last election. So next week at the Conservative Party’s conference in Manchester, I’m going to deliver on the promise I made. From . April 2015, if neither of you are higher rate taxpayers, you will be . able to transfer £1,000 of your tax-free allowance to your spouse. In . effect, if you pay the basic rate of tax and your partner doesn’t use . all of their personal allowance, you’ll be able to have some of it. Most . couples who benefit will be £200 a year better off as a result. And of course this will . be true if you’re gay or straight – and in a civil partnership or a . marriage. This summer I was proud to make equal marriage the law. Love . is love, commitment is commitment. Proud: David Cameron believes there is something 'very special' about marriage, and that needs rewarding . I’m . really proud that we’re getting this done. But when you make an . important change like this, I know that people will have questions. What’s more, whenever you talk about the family as a politician, it’s all too easy for your opponents to twist your meaning. Labour . won’t miss a trick: they will spend the next week peddling false and . inaccurate myths rather than having a sensible debate. So . let’s address a few of the myths that are likely are to spring up. This . is not about stigmatising unmarried people or single parents: as I’ve . already said, you don’t have to be married to have a family life that . is rock solid – and we support all families through the tax and benefits . system. All we’re . saying is that marriage is a good thing for our country – it’s the . ultimate form of commitment under the law – and we want to show our . support for it. Next, the charge will . come up that we’re trying to bribe people to get married. Frankly this . is a pretty depressing – and wrong-headed – view of human nature. People aren’t going to choose to get married for a few extra pounds each . week. This policy isn’t about the money but about the message that . people who make a lasting commitment should be recognised in some way. Finally, Labour will say we’re favouring some families over others. But I’m happy to defend our record any day of the week. From . tax-free childcare for every working family to an income tax cut for . 25million people – from cutting fuel duty to freezing council tax – . we’re doing something for all families even in these difficult times. Compare this to the promises that Labour made to you last week – promises that fell apart within a matter of hours. From . tomorrow the Conservative Party will be gathering in Manchester. Together we’ll be speaking to the nation with a clear message – we are . backing hard-working people in this country every step of the way. Whether you’re young and hungry for your first job or a family tired of . renting and looking to own your first home, then the Conservative Party . will help you achieve your dreams. Supporting marriage is part of that vision for Britain, recognising an institution that is all about commitment. I’m proud that we’re finally making this happen – and proud that we’re delivering on the promise I made. | Prime Minister confirms marriage tax break will extend to same-sex couples .
Supporting gay partners, he tweets: 'Commitment is commitment'
Couples will receive £1,000 tax allowance under Tories' new plans . |
160,752 | 5bd03acb6b6772a1cfbc9705a9edf180d106209b | Sunderland have made a bid to take Toby Alderweireld on loan from Atletico Madrid but the player is reluctant to join due to the lack of European football. Meanwhile the Black Cats have signed Inter Milan midfielder Ricky Alvarez on loan with view to an £8.5m deal. Gus Poyet also has an interest in Celtic's Dutch centre back Virgil van Dijk but is yet to bid. Wanted man: Sunderland have made a loan move for Atletico Madrid defender Toby Alderweireld . | Sunderland want Atletico Madrid defender Toby Alderweired on loan .
However, the Belgian international is reluctant on a move .
Black Cats are also interested in Celtic defender Virgil van Dijk . |
31,354 | 59240a4aefd6b5f0b0e0c7ffe791ca1b6b86e385 | MPs and ministers are preaching the public about the need to eat healthily while helping to chomp through 100,000 chocolate bars in Parliament every year. Kit Kats, Twix bars and Snickers are revealed as the biggest sellers in the cafes, shops and bars in the Houses of Parliament, with almost 200,000 sales of confectionery and sweets in the last two years. Health campaigners raised concerns about the 'astronomical amount' of chocolate sold by lawmakers and their staff. New figures show how in 2013 and 2014 almost 200,000 chocolate bars were sold, including 40,000 Kit Kats, 23,300 Twix and 18,200 Snickers bars . David Cameron once railed against shops selling cheap chocolate at their checkouts, blaming He WH Smith for fuelling the obesity crisis with half-price Chocolate Oranges instead of real oranges. The Prime Minister has also spoken of his battle with his own weight, moving to cut out bread to shed the pounds. And just last week he suggested obese people should be refused out-of-work benefits. But details have emerged of the scale of the chocolate addiction in the corridors of power. Information on sales of chocolate and sweets in the Houses of Parliament were released under Freedom of Information laws. In 2013 and 2014 there were 199,966 items of confectionery sold, according to the Sunday Times. More Kit Kats were sold than any other snack, totalling more than 39,000 in two years, including almost 2,000 Kit Kat Chunkys and more than 3,100 dark chocolate versions. The second most popular was Twix, selling more than 23,300, followed by Snickers (18,235), Maltesers (14,150) and Mars bars (13,916). Crunchies, Galaxy, Bounty bars, Yorkies and Picnics complete the top 10 most popular chocolate bars in Parliament.. Health campaigners said politicians should 'lead by example' and not indulge in so much chocolate . Tam Fry, from the National Obesity Forum charity, said the 'astronomical amount' of sweets and chocolate sold in Parliament suggested politicians had a sugar habit 'that should be kicked in the can'. He told the Sunday Times that 'nobody should be denied a treat', but added: 'This is no example to give the electorate. Members of parliament should lead by example.' A letter sent to every MP and peer last year ordered them to measure their waistline in an attempt to get Parliament to set an example to the nation. They were urged to check that their waist is less than half their height - a key indicator of having a healthy weight. Former surgeon Lord McColl of Dulwich stalks the corridors of power to put pressure on Labour, Tory and Lib Dem members who he accuses of 'eating too much of the gross national product'. Lord McColl said overweight politicians could not be seen lecturing the public on their eating habits. 'I think the whole nation is at fault. We have got to get the whole nation moving on this. 'It looks bad if politicians are telling the people what to do and they are not doing it themselves.' A Commons spokesman said: 'The House of Commons is keen to promote healthy eating to all those who work on or visit the estate and who use the catering facilities. 'For example, at our 'Wellbeing Day' events healthy eating is strongly promoted. Our menus rate dishes for fat content using a traffic light system.' | New figures reveal chocolate sales inside the Houses of Parliament .
Kit Kats, Twix, Snickers, Maltesers and Mars bars are the biggest sellers .
Almost 200,000 sweets and chocolate sold in 2013 and 2014, officials say .
Health campaigners say politicians should be leading by example . |
205,858 | 967e70d2568a0de46060e617c86dd0623bc51756 | By . Rob Cooper . PUBLISHED: . 07:22 EST, 21 May 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 19:56 EST, 21 May 2013 . A teenager predicted to fail her English A-level was allowed to type her exam answers because of her poor handwriting – and scored the top mark in the country. Frederica Drewer, 18, who suffers from dyspraxia, had been tipped for a D in English, but exceeded all expectations in her final exam and is now expected to be awarded an A*. Dyspraxia, also called Clumsy Child Syndrome and Developmental Co-ordination Disorder, is a lifelong neurological condition which can cause problems with language, perception and movement. Exam joy: Frederica Drewer, 18, with a letter from the exam board after she scored 99.5 per cent on her A-Level English paper . Poor handwriting is one of the most . common symptoms, but people with the condition sometimes also have . difficulty with routine tasks such as driving and household chores. Frederica, who is known as Freddie and . lives with her mother Rebecca, a maths teacher, and father Joe, a . mortgage adviser, was diagnosed last year after her English teacher at . Ashton Park School noticed she was struggling. Top marks: Frederica, who has dyspraxia, was allowed to use her laptop in the exam in January . Tony Lansdowne raised concerns about her losing valuable marks for her messy handwriting. And armed with a laptop, his student . went on to score the top mark in the country for her final exam on . Arthur Miller’s play, The Crucible. She said: ‘I have always had real problems with my spelling and punctuation and my handwriting is particularly sloppy. ‘Being diagnosed and being able to use . a laptop has made things a thousand times easier. 'All my teachers have . commented about the huge difference it has made.’ Freddie says she struggles with . organisation and spacial issues and found it difficult to keep track of . what she was writing in handwritten exam scripts. She sat the paper in January and was given a mark of 99.5 per cent – the highest in the country. Exam board AQA has asked if it can use her paper as an example to students nationwide. The exam module paper makes up part of her overall English A-level exam and her predicted D has been changed to an A*. The teenager from Bristol said: ‘I was . shocked when I picked up the results. 'I went in to school feeling quite . down and I couldn’t believe it when I saw the 99.5 per cent. I was . expecting to have to re-sit, but when I saw my result I was blown away.’ Top marks: Frederica Drewer, 18, is studying for her A-levels at Ashton Park School in Bristol . Mrs Drewer said: ‘People with . dyspraxia have organisational issues and handwriting issues. Her English . teacher noticed she was making mistakes which fitted the profile.’ She added: ‘The diagnosis means she . can now use a laptop to type up her exams rather than handwriting. The . dyspraxia went undiagnosed for a long time.’ The sixth form student, who is also taking philosophy and psychology, hopes to study philosophy at university after a gap year. Dyspraxia is a condition that affects movement and coordination during childhood. Youngsters who have the condition are often labelled as 'clumsy' and sometimes have problems with language and thought. It is not known exactly what causes it, although it is believed to be a disruption in the way messages from the brain are transmitted to the body. The condition used to be called 'clumsy child syndrome'. Children with dyspraxia sometimes additionally have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, dyslexia or suffer from Autism. The condition often goes diagnosed, but up to one in 12 children could suffer from it. There is no cure for dyspraxia, although therapy often helps children with their problems. Having dyspraxia does not affect intelligence, although children with the condition may need extra help as they might find learning more challenging. SOURCE: NHS . | Frederica Drewer, 18, had been predicted a D in her English A-level .
The exam board want to use the teenager's paper as model answers .
She scored 99.5% in the module and now is expected to get an A* overall . |
75,850 | d7180f6cdcca5ff796bb6731ced66c12dfa9cc8a | By . Daniel Mills . An Australian entrepreneur is revolutionising the cost of private education for parents by offering last-minute discounts for their child's education. In a world-first, 25-year-old Jeremy Wein has partnered with a number of Australia's leading independent schools to offer parents between 10 and 40 per cent off the price of their child's enrollment via School Places. The idea, similar to travel website Wotif.com, came to Wein who wanted to apply the ease of the travel website to the complexity and expense of private school placements. Scroll down for video . Xavier College, a boarding school in Melbourne, has signed up with the School Places website offering parents reduced costs for their child . Jeremy Wein, a 25-year-old entrepreneur modeled the system similar to how travel website Wotif.com runs . CEO Natalie Mactier said independent schools are inflating fees to cover their running costs . The website launched on Tuesday and nearly 500 people from NSW have already registered their son or daughter for a spot. The aim is to give parents flexibility and choice while helping them overcome the inflating costs of private education. It also eliminates the need to cue a child for a competitive private school placement from as early as birth. 'The high cost of running schools is growing faster than family incomes,' School Places CEO Natalie Mactier said. 'The kinds of fee increases we’ve seen in recent years just aren’t sustainable.' NSW and Victorian schools which have registered pay a commission to the site when a vacancy becomes available 'similar to what a travel agent might charge you for booking a holiday,' Ms Mactier said. Some of the Victorian-based independent schools where parents can send their child for a reduced price of between 10 and 40 per cent . It allows parents to enroll their student at the last-minute without having to 'lock them in' to the private education system at an early age. 'While many parents prefer to lock in their options well ahead of time, School Places caters to those who prefer to keep their options open or who need to find a new school in a hurry.' Among the schools with quoted reductions are Macquarie Grammar in Sydney's CBD, Masada College in in Sydney's north and several other Victorian colleges. Parents can 'claim' a vacancy for their year 11 child at Macquarie Grammar School in 2015 for an annual fee of $17,000 - a reduction of 15 per cent on the full fee. The same institution also offers a reduction of 15 per cent on year 7 entrants - the hardest year group to find a place - at a cost of $15,300. If the same year 7 student was to enroll for the rest of the 2014 year now, it would cost a parent $10,800. At Masada College in the city's north School Places has 30 per cent reductions on a year 11 spot, however its prices are not quoted. In some cases parents can make savings of up to $8,000 off a child's yearly fee. Other schools in the system are Scots Bathurst in NSW, and The New Generation College and Plenty Valley Christian College in Victoria. For a full list of schools, and to claim a spot visit schoolplaces.com.au . | The website offers discounts between 10 and 40 per cent on annual fees .
Parents can 'claim' a place on School Places at the last-minute if an availability matches their search .
Availabilities are offered from preschool to year 12 in NSW and Victoria .
It works similar to travel site Wotif.com by removing the hassle of finding a private school placement . |
262 | 00ce20a94d52dcdfc7f18f90cbea677857c90434 | By . Martin Robinson . PUBLISHED: . 05:16 EST, 30 January 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 05:40 EST, 30 January 2013 . A Lothario lorry driver who wooed two women with marriage proposals then stole their life savings has been jailed for 20 months. Derek McMaster, 64, got engaged to both victims - one a kidney patient on dialysis - then plundered their bank accounts leaving them 'permanently scarred'. These women only realised they were being two-timed as they plucked up courage to give evidence during his trial at Warrington Crown Court in Cheshire. Divorcee Jean Antrobus thought she had found the perfect gentleman, who behaved like an ‘angel’, buying her flowers every week and taking her away for romantic trips by the sea. But all the time he was stealing her money. Victim: Divorcee Jean Antrobus, pictured left, was one of the two women targeted by conman Derek McMaster, right, who was jailed for 20 months for his scam . McMaster of Falcon Hey, Liverpool, exploited his victims through lonely heart adverts in local newspapers and posed as a police officer, putting on a uniform and pretending to go to work. He changed his plea to guilty minutes before a jury was about to be sworn in. Recorder Andrew Long said: 'This case involved the deliberate exploitation by you, of two vulnerable women. 'It's clear both women have been scarred, I suspect permanently. 'You then gave self-pitying excuses for what you had done.' Prosecuting, Andrew Green described how McMaster first targeted kidney dialysis patient Margaret Dickinson. The 64-year-old has renal failure, Chron's disease and chronic arthritis. The 'perfect gentleman' moved in and became her carer, gaining trust to use her bank card and steal £3,150 between March and June last year. Elaborate: Warrington Crown Court (pictured) found that McMaster's victims did not know they were being two-timed until they arrived to give evidence . McMaster then moved on to Runcorn mum-of-two Jean Antrobus, aged 64, who the court heard desperately wanted 'a companion to stop feeling so alone'.. She 'trusted him immediately', with McMaster claiming to be a semi-retired Merseyside Police officer, and even leaving the house in uniform. The fraudster asked her to marry him, then used her bank card to steal £5,275. He used the cash to pay for a ring, meals out and holidays to Rhyl. His deceit was uncovered when his victim attempted to pay for plastic surgery but found her card was over its limit. She needed counselling as a result and now feels 'so guilty over my own stupidity'. The former shop worker said earlier this month: ‘I had been married for 38 years. I’d never answered a lonely . hearts advert in my life before, but I was feeling a bit fed up so I . decided to ring the number. ‘He was an angel at first, he bought me bouquets of flowers every week and took me away for weekends, a real gentleman. ‘He . said, “Let’s get married. I never loved anyone like you”. He was . convincing and I loved him, but now I realise I was paying for it all . along.’ Last June the . couple held a big engagement party, but by that time McMaster had . already been stealing from her on a regular basis. ‘He said he was a . retired police officer and worked part time,’ she added. ‘He . had a full uniform and handcuffs and used to come home with tales of . how he had arrested drug users, but now I know he had simply bought the . outfit over the internet.’ She said: 'It was terrible because I had got to love him. 'I've had to have anti-depressants to get through it. 'He's a rotter, a horrible man. I don't want him to break someone else's heart.' | Derek McMaster jailed for 20 months after stealing £6,500 from them in elaborate scam .
One discovered theft when her credit card was rejected by bank .
Con artist was engaged to both women at the same time - and they only found out when they came to court to give evidence .
'He's a rotter, a horrible man. I don't want him to break someone else's heart,' victim Jean Antrobus said . |
162,209 | 5db88b1df870155685d4b77613953845b6095913 | By . Snejana Farberov . Put to death: John Ruthell Henry, 63, was executed in Florida at 7.43pm Wednesday for killing his estranged wife and her son in 1985 near Plant City . Florida executed tonight a convicted killer who fatally stabbed his wife and her young son in 1985. It is the third U.S. execution in less than 24 hours since a botched April lethal injection in Oklahoma. The governor's office says John Ruthell Henry, 63, was pronounced dead at 7.43pm Wednesday. The inmate was convicted and sentenced to death for fatally stabbing his wife, 29-year-old Suzanne Henry, a few days before Christmas outside Plant City, Florida. A detective testified at his trial in 1987 that Henry stabbed Suzanne in the neck with a five-inch paring knife and then watched her die while smoking a cigarette, reported Tampa Bay Times. He also was found guilty of murdering his 5-year-old stepson, Eugene Christian, hours after the woman's murder. The toddler was stabbed in the throat five times. Henry previously had pleaded no contest to second-degree murder for stabbing his common-law wife, Patricia Roddy, in 1976 in front of her children, one of whom begged him to stop hurting the woman. He served less than eight years and was released in 1983. Suzanne Henry's relatives told reporters she hadn't known about John Henry's previous killing when she married him after his release. The U.S. Supreme Court turned down a last-second appeal by attorneys who argued Henry wasn't mentally stable enough to comprehend his death sentence. Just before his execution, Henry asked for forgiveness and apologized for what he'd done. 'I can't undo what I've done. If I could, I would. I ask for your forgiveness if you can find it in your heart,' he said. Closure: Selena Geiger holds up a picture of her murdered aunt Suzanne Henry and her family during a news conference after John Henry's execution . Tears for a killer: Joan Careford of East Anglea, England, wipes tears from her face as she waits for the execution of John Ruthell Henry, 63, at the Florida State Prison near Starke, Florida . Jessica Carey, spokesperson for the Florida Prisons, told reporters that Henry has refused a last meal but was 'calm' Protesters against the death penalty demonstrate in front of the Florida State Prison June 18 . The state claims . anyone with an IQ of at least 70 is not mentally disabled; testing has . shown Henry's IQ at 78, though his lawyers said it should be . re-evaluated. A spokeswoman for the Florida Department of Corrections said Henry has turned down a last meal, and she described his demeanor as 'calm' before the execution. Earlier in the day, Henry was visited by his sister, niece and daughter, as well a Catholic spiritual adviser, said DOC spokeswoman Jessica Cary. ‘Carrying out the sentence of the death penalty is one of our most solemn duties,’ Cary told reporters. ‘[We strive to] carry it out in a dignified and humane manner.’ Dark past: Henry, pictured being led into the Pasco County Courthouse in 1985, was released two years prior after serving eight years for the murder of his common-law wife, Patricia Roddy, in 1976 . Henry was put to death using a combination of three drugs, beginning with midazolam to render him unconscious. After that, the condemned man was injected with vecuronium bromide and potassium chloride. John Henry has become the third man to be put to death in the U.S. since April, when officials in Oklahoma botched the lethal injection of Clayton Lockett, who ended up dying from a heart attack. 'I can't undo what I've done. If I could, I would. I ask for your forgiveness if you can find it in your heart.' - John Ruthell Henry . The case made international headlines and led to the postponement of nine executions nationwide. The . 63-year-old Floria man's execution Wednesday was preceded by those of . Georgia inmate Marcus Wellons and Missouri convicted killer John . Winfiled, who were put to death Tuesday night. Neither execution had any noticeable complications, and Henry's execution Wednesday also appeared to go normally. Georgia and Missouri both use the single drug pentobarbital, a sedative, whereas Florida uses a three-drug cocktail. Midazolam, . a sedative used before surgery, has only been used in Florida since . October; previously, sodium thiopental was used, but its U.S. manufacturer stopped making it and Europe banned its manufacturers from . exporting it for executions. Grace Jonassen of Summerville, Fla. puts on a sign as protesters against the death penalty demonstrate in front of the Florida State Prison near Starke . Living example: Herman Lindsey, right, hugs a colleague in front of the Florida State Prison. Lindsey was the 23rd person exonerated from Death Row and was part of a group of protestors who waited for Henry's execution . Henry's was be the 13th execution in Florida since April 2013, and the 18th since Republican Gov. Rick Scott took office in 2011. Scott on Tuesday brushed aside questions about the state's execution procedures, saying he has to 'uphold the laws of the land.' When asked directly if he had discussed with the Department of Corrections what happened in Oklahoma and whether any changes were needed in Florida, Scott would only say: 'I focus on making sure that we do things the right way here.' During Henry's trial, prosecutors said the unemployed bricklayer went to Suzanne Henry's home three days before Christmas of 1985 to talk about buying a gift for the boy, who was Suzanne's son from a prior relationship. They fought over Henry living with another woman and he stabbed her 13 times in the neck and face. Watershed case: Oklahoma death row inmate Clayton Lockett died in April from a heart attack following a botched execution . Prosecutors said Henry then took the boy and drove around for nine hours, sometimes smoking crack cocaine, before stabbing him five times in the neck. Hours later, Henry told a detective, he found himself wandering a field. He later told therapists he had killed the child to reunite him with his mother. Henry tried to use an insanity defense for killing his wife. Psychiatrists at the . trial testified that Henry had a low IQ, suffered from chronic paranoia . and smoked crack. He told them he had intended to commit suicide after . killing the boy but said he was unable to go through with it. In . an appeal the Florida Supreme Court rejected last week, attorney Baya . Harrison III wrote that Henry's 'abhorrent childhood, extensive personal . and family mental health history, poor social adjustment, and lack of . rational thinking and reasoning skills so impaired his adaptive . functioning that he was actually performing at the level of a person . with an IQ of 70.' In May, a panel of mental health experts said . Henry doesn't suffer from mental illness or an intellectual disability . and that he understands "the nature and effect of the death penalty and . why it is to be imposed on him," according to court records. | John Ruthell Henry, 63, was pronounced dead at 7.43pm after being injected with three-drug cocktail .
Henry refused a last meal and had a final visit with his family before execution Wednesday .
The 63-year-old was convicted of stabbing to death his 29-year-old estranged wife and her 5-year-old son in 1985 .
Henry's lawyers filed last-minute appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court claiming that he is too mentally ill to grasp his death sentence .
'I can't undo what I've done. If I could, I would. I ask for your forgiveness if you can find it in your heart,' John Henry said before execution . |
210,018 | 9bfcc6651d8b1de074e2f21d8872b61366bb1703 | (CNN) -- Viking raiders once landed on British soil to change the face of the nation -- and 1200 years later a group of muscly Minnesota Vikings gained further ground in the NFL's sporting invasion of the British Isles. The victorious Vikings landed another blow for American football Sunday as the team staged an exciting 34-27 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in London. The team's 28-year-old star running back Adrian Peterson and Greg Jennings scored two touchdowns apiece. It was an important first win of the season for the Vikings but the entertaining game could have even greater significance for the NFL's hopes of establishing a European franchise. A regular season game was first played in London in 2007 but, for the first time this season, two games were scheduled on the opposite side of the Atlantic. Next month the Jackonsonville Jaguars face the San Francisco 49ers. Both NFL games at Wembley Stadium sold out within hours. Organizers of the NFL's London foray stirred the fever further Saturday as they held a block party for an estimated half a million fans on the streets of central London . Tailgate yearning . "It is a sign that the game is growing globally," NFL commissioner Roger Goodell told NFLUK.com earlier this year. "I think the message is clear. There are passionate fans who love the NFL in the UK." There were also plenty of domestic fans who were happy to travel to London to support their teams. "I love it," Richard from Pittsburgh, who now lives in Hollywood, told CNN. "It's a really good idea. "It gets the Steelers brand out there internationally as a big team." Dan from New York added: "I love the pub atmosphere in London. Although American culture is the tailgate, which I'm not seeing here!" Perhaps not every facet of the American football experience can so easily translate to British shores where soccer, rugby and cricket hold sway as the most popular spectator sports. But that is not deterring the NFL from pressing on with its mission to gain new ground in Europe. American football is just that, an American sport, but if the sport can successfully "go global" that presents the NFL with new markets and new business opportunities. Profit not a priority . "This is an investment and we are trying to grow something," Alistair Kirkwood, managing director of NFL UK, told CNN. "We are not concerned about profit yet. "But for the last two years our games have broken merchandise records for Wembley for all events -- and that includes pop concerts." Developing the NFL in London, or any European franchise for that matter, does not come without its problems. "There are multiple challenges," USA Today's NFL writer Tom Pelissero, who was at the game in London, explained to CNN. "Travel would scare off a lot of potential free agents, it could be hard for a team to be competitive just because of that. "The tax [in the UK] is another issue, 45% is the top tax bracket. That is something that, again, could scare off players from coming over. "It also comes down to the fan base being large enough. You can fill Wembley with 80,000 people once, twice this year, but can you do that for 10 games a year? I think that's the one of the many unknowns. "If you put a team in London, I don't think it would be difficult to make a profit. "But what do you do when [they] have to play 10 games in the United States? How do you get them to travel? Do any of the visiting fans travel at all? That's an entirely different sort of issue." Troublesome travels . Steve, who made the journey from London to New York, was also skeptical about the reality that NFL could become a regular fixture in London. "The time zones and travel present a serious issue," he told CNN. "To have a global sport that's weekly is troublesome. If you break it up into something that is less frequent than weekly and that allows for serious travel then it makes sense. "[A London franchise] is a great idea, the NFL would make a ton of money out of it. I just haven't figured out how it could work!" The man in charge of the game, Commissioner Goodell, is also juggling the numbers to work out how to develop the game away from north American shores. "What is the next step? Do we move to three games, are there other ways to grow the game in the UK?" he said. "This is a market where we need to be more active and to grow our game." For now, Peterson -- who had never been outside the U.S. before his trip to London -- and his fellow Viking raiders can feel satisfied with winning the game, as well as perhaps inching the NFL a little closer to a permanent place on sport's European map. | The NFL returned to London for first of two games at Wembley Stadium this season .
Minnesota Vikings defeated Pittsburgh Steelers 34-27 in thrilling game .
NFL organizers want to continue to invest in European games .
But fans and experts alike warn there are many logistical problems still to be resolved . |
185,234 | 7bf10c50a651f0f8aa00e9c52245e20fba007fcc | (CNN) -- "Precious," a movie about a 1980s-era Harlem teen who strives to overcome abuse, neglect and illiteracy, pulled five Independent Spirit Award nominations Tuesday morning. Stars Gabourey Sidibe and Mo'Nique were both recognized for their portrayals of a mother and daughter in a dysfunctional relationship, with a best female lead nomination for newcomer Sidibe and a best supporting female nomination for Mo'Nique. The film's success is not entirely a surprise, considering that the Oprah Winfrey- and Tyler Perry-backed Sundance darling has earned $27 million at the domestic box office and was received well by audiences during its slow rollout in cities across the nation in November. Sidibe's work in "Precious" has been one of the breakout roles of the year, and the young actress is rumored to be the star of a new series, "The C Word." However, it hasn't been all smooth for "Precious": The film earned zero nominations for the Gotham Independent Film Awards, which were given out Monday night. The Gotham awards are a New York-based indie film honor. "The Hurt Locker," by contrast, took home two Gotham awards Monday night, one for best picture and the other for best ensemble. There were no Independent Spirit Award nominations for this Iraq war drama, however, as it was nominated last year. For the Spirits, "Precious" is facing off against the Zooey Deschanel-driven "(500) Days of Summer," "Amreeka," "The Last Station" and "Sin Nombre" for best picture. "Summer" also snagged a nomination for best male lead, a nod for Joseph Gordon-Levitt. On top of the best picture nomination, "The Last Station" -- a biographical piece about Leo Tolstoy featuring James McAvoy, Helen Mirren and Paul Giamatti -- is up for best director, best screenplay, best female lead and best supporting male lead. Christian McKay, another relatively unknown actor in the United States, has gotten lots of love from critics for his portrayal of Orson Welles in Richard Linklater's "Me and Orson Welles," and the Spirit Awards noticed, giving the British actor a nomination for best supporting male performer. In order to be considered, all films had to be 70 minutes long with a budget under $20 million, and had to have screened at one of the major film festivals, such as Sundance or Toronto. The awards ceremony is typically held the Saturday before the Academy Awards, but since the Spirit Awards are celebrating their 25th anniversary in 2010, they're moving out from under Oscar's shadow and will air live on the Independent Film Channel on March 5. | "Precious" and "Last Station" both lead Independent Spirit Award nominations .
Acclaimed indie "Hurt Locker" didn't earn any nominations, as it was nominated last year .
"(500) Days of Summer" is up for best picture, along with "Amreeka," "Sin Nombre" |
159,274 | 59e27809ee9687ccc857427e80a93222dc63c63c | By . Rob Davies, City Correspondent . and Matt Chorley, Mailonline Political Editor . Energy suppliers were accused of ‘naked greed’ last night and told they must explain why falling gas and electricity prices are not being passed on to consumers. In a public rebuke to the ‘Big Six’ power suppliers, industry regulator Ofgem said they needed to win back the trust of the public. It said customers should be told why bills have not come down when the price suppliers pay has fallen ‘significantly’ after one of the mildest winters on record. Failure to come up with an answer would be seen as a sign that the energy market is not competitive, it suggested. The price energy companies pay for gas on the wholesale market has fallen from around 70p per therm in December to just 37.55p yesterday . Ofgem’s intervention triggered fresh allegations that power firms are profiteering by raising bills as soon as costs go up, but taking their time to cut them when costs go down. Labour, whose leader Ed Miliband has promised to freeze energy bills if he wins the General Election, leapt on Ofgem’s comments, saying power firms were ‘up to their old tricks’. The TUC also accused the six – British Gas, nPower, E.On, Scottish Power, SSE and EDF – of ‘naked greed’ and ‘taking their customers for a ride’. Figures from Ofgem show that the price of buying gas for delivery the next day is 38 per cent lower than this time last year. Even the longer-term gas contracts typically used by large energy suppliers are 16 per cent below last year. For electricity, short-term prices are 23 per cent lower than last year, while longer-term contracts are 9 per cent lower. Labour leader Ed Miliband has promised to freeze bills for 20 months if he wins the next election . Factories and major users of energy will be paid to cut their power use under a plan to keep the lights on. National Grid has announced measures to deal with the potential energy crunch over the next two winters. Payments will be made to large energy users which can reduce their power use - for example by switching to back-up generation - during peak evening hours in winter. The scheme will be voluntary, and will ultimately help to save consumers' money by preventing the need to build additional power plants to meet peak demand, National Grid said. The operator also announced measures to secure reserves from power stations which would otherwise be closed or mothballed. Peter Bingham, leading this initiative on behalf of National Grid, said: 'It's our job as electricity system operator to make sure we've got all the right tools at our disposal to balance supply and demand on the electricity network, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.' But the average dual fuel bill has risen by £53 since last year to reach £1,265, according to energy comparison website uSwitch.com. Fellow comparison site energyhelpline.com said its research showed that power firms could slash £77 off the average bill if they wanted to, thanks to wholesale price falls. But power firms said allegations that they were squeezing consumers for the sake of profit were wide of the mark. ‘We buy our gas well in advance, so movements in wholesale prices, up or down, do not feed through immediately to retail prices,’ said Ian Peters, residential energy boss at British Gas. ‘We are certainly not increasing profits on the back of lower wholesale gas prices – our trading statement last month downgraded profit expectations.’ Industry body Energy UK said: ‘All energy suppliers aim to hold costs as low as possible for as long as possible.’ Ofgem chief executive Dermot Nolan said: ‘In a competitive market the threat of losing market share would encourage suppliers to reduce their customers’ bills whenever there are sustained reductions in costs.’ He said energy firms ‘need to take the initiative and explain clearly what impact falling wholesale energy costs will have on their pricing policies’. Energy Secretary Ed Davey said energy suppliers should ‘think very carefully and ensure that they pass savings as quickly as possible to their customers’. But Labour shadow energy minister Tom Greatrex said: ‘Yet again it looks like energy companies are up to their old tricks while David Cameron does nothing to stop them.’ The . simplest, and often best, way to slash your energy bills is to use an online . service that can compare all the best tariffs on offer for you. One . option is This is Money's fuel bills switching service, powered by Energy . Helpline. We . have chosen Energy Helpline as our partner because they are a . long-standing, well respected firm with evidence to show that they can . get our readers the best deal. The . service shows you the tariffs available and how much you could save by . switching to each one, it allows you to choose what suits you and can . rank suppliers by customer service and price. Switching . is quick and easy and can be done online. All you need to do is put . your postcode into the box to the right and follow the simple steps. The . service is free to use and in a few minutes can tell you whether you . can save hundreds of pounds. There's no need to fill out any paperwork or sign a new contract - it does the hard work for you. For more information on how to get the best deal, read our energy switching guide. By Amy Andrew . | Wholesale gas trading at 37.5 per therm, down from 70p in December .
Mild winter this year means gas stores are almost full already .
Critics say household energy bills 'rise like a rocket and fall like a feather'
Ofgem tells the Big Six it must explain why they are not passing on savings . |
191,951 | 848d0245d3779e0707cc1a8c78a8ccb92b25c350 | By . Ashley Clements . Follow @@Ashley_Clements . Former Southampton chairman Nicola Cortese has warned his old club not to sell any of their young talent while insisting the likes of Luke Shaw wouldn't be leaving this summer if he was still in charge. Cortese left the club after being slowly forced out by owner Katharina Liebherr, shortly after he had persuaded manager Mauricio Pochettino to stay at Southampton. Now, with Shaw the subject of a rumoured £27m bid from Manchester United and Adam Lallana looking for a move to Liverpool, Southampton look increasingly likely to lose their young stars who have been so instrumental to their rise through the leagues. Wrong: Ex-Southampton chairman Nicola Cortese believes the club should not sell their young players . Star: Luke Shaw is a target for Manchester United and could leave Southampton in the summer . Cortese told BBC Sport: 'We created those talents. It was key to keep them. 'You don’t produce them just to sell, otherwise you give away your ambition.' The 45-year-old Italian was a hugely popular figure at Saints and his departure was felt by all the players in January. Don't let them go: Both Shaw (left) and Adam Lallana could leave Southampton this summer . Upon Cortese's resignation, Shaw tweeted: 'Gutted with that news, but would just like to thank Nicola Cortese for everything he has done for me and the club! All the best to him!' Cortese also believes that the Southampton youngsters will be reluctant to leave the club. He added: 'I knew the players themselves wanted to stick together because this vision was something they believed in, too. I didn’t see any reason for them to go. 'I didn’t have written offers, but I obviously had phone calls. My answer was that it was not going to happen for at least the next two seasons. 'The other chairmen respected that. Until the day I left, there were no offers.' Write caption here . Southampton looked to be a club in meltdown on Tuesday as two popular academy coaches were sacked 'for not spending enough time with the plasyers'. Jason Dodd and Paul Williams were shown the door despite playing key roles in bringing through the likes of Shaw, Clum Chambers, James Ward-Prowse and Sam Gallagher. United target Shaw took to Twitter to show his displeasure: 'Gutted for doddsy and Willo, helped me a lot in my development over the years, wish them all the best in their carers [sic]'. Leaving? Mauricio Pochettino could also be on the move with Tottenham looking for a new manager . | Former Southampton chairman Nicola Cortese believes Southampton shouldn't sell their young players .
Cortese insists the club didn't receive any offers when he was in charge as club knew he would turn them down .
Luke Shaw and Adam Lallana look likely to leave Southampton in the summer . |
98,413 | 0ab81ac3e49578e025059e802d1550481abd3c1e | ‘Have you met the Queen? She rides a lot. She should come here and ride with me!’ Mzee’s eyes brightened at the prospect. ‘She likes polo too!’ he added gleefully. ‘We don’t get to do enough of that here!’ But for Mzee – real name David – there’s no shortage of excitement to be found closer to home in southern Kenya’s picturesque Chyulu Hills. While polo might be an occasional treat for him, a bigger treat for me was just around the next acacia bush. ‘Look, look!’ he hissed, standing up in his stirrups. Saddle up on safari: Mawingu (left) with Mzee during a sunlit evening galloping around the savannah . Crashing through the underbrush, its broad grey back seemingly impervious to the spiny shrubs, was an enormous elephant. There was nothing but a short stretch of scrubby grass between it and me. A 100km stretch of volcanic mountains bisected by broad, grassy plains studded with thorny acacia trees, the Chyulu Hills might be a national park but they’re barely known compared to the mighty Masaai Mara to the west and the wildlife-packed Tsavo to the east. As a result, you’re never likely see hordes of vehicles converge on a sighting, if, indeed, you see anyone else at all. What you will find, however, are animals and plenty of them. Within seconds of stepping off the little bush plane that ferried us down to Chyulu from Nairobi’s international airport, we’d spotted a couple of honking wildebeest, a twitchy group of oryx and a dazzle – yes, that is the proper name – of peacefully grazing zebra. Magnificent: A giraffe picks its way delicately through the Chyulu Hills, photographed by Travelmail's Ruth . Sundowner with a difference: A group of local Maasai troop down the hill to dance for visitors at ol Donyo Lodge . But while seeing them from a game vehicle is fun, nothing beats getting up close and personal from the back of a horse. Mine was named Mawingu, a word that means cloud in the local Maa language and given to him on account of his pristine cream-coloured hide. We got along from the start, his nippy turn of pace and eagle eye for thorny bushes dovetailing neatly with my own plans: to see as much of the local wildlife as possible, while beating the zebras at their own game as they galloped across the savannah. With me was Mzee, given the Swahili honorific meaning grandfather by the younger men, and a chap who certainly knows his stuff when it comes to wildlife. Stunning: The lovely ol Donyo Lodge is run by the charming (and very funny) Ray and Alyssa . Striking: During the Great Migration, more than a million wildebeest and zebra stream into the Masai Mara . ‘You see . that?’ he’d ask as my much-younger eyes tried and failed to pick out a . black-backed jackal scurrying along in the distance. ‘You see?’ Sometimes I did, quite often I didn’t. What . I did see a lot of were elephants, many of which came daily to drink . from the watering hole in front of ol Donyo Lodge where I stayed. A . quirky mix of modern cool and Masaai detail, the lodge sits on a huge . private reservation and boasts its own stables, as well as entertainment . in the shape of managers Ray and Alyssa and their lovely staff. My room was vast – easily as big as the average London flat and with a private deck, complete with a personal pool. From . here, I watched as the local giraffes and elephants trudged to and from . the water, scattering smaller game as they made their way through the . trees. Enjoying the view: Along with wildebeest, a balloon ride is a good way to see buffalo and gazelle . Adorable: Daniel unearthed a cute dik dik antelope within 15 minutes of beginning the search . It would have been easy to stay put by that pool but Mawingu was waiting as was Ol’ Donyo’s other big natural attraction – a set of enormous fossilised lava tubes. Perched high on a hilltop, 30 minutes of rugged safari track and regular game sightings away, seeing Ol Donyo’s lava tubes requires sensible shoes – ideally not the suede loafers I had on – and nerves of steel. Down a steep track littered with rocks you go, dodging rock fig roots and keeping a safe distance from the local bats as you do. Inside, the tunnels are dark and vast, massive burned black walls, fractured with streaks of red sandstone. It feels a bit like being in your own Indiana Jones film, albeit that the treasure at the end is emerging, blinking into the light to find sundowners and ‘bities’ waiting for you. Bities, or small canapes, are one of the highlights of a Kenyan safari and Ol Donyo does them especially well. Banana and bacon bites, salty macadamia nuts and tiny goat’s cheese toasts all go down well after a hike deep into a lava tube. Delicious though they were, they tasted best following a sweaty gallop across the plain below with Mawingu and Mzee. On my first horseback safari, I found myself getting unexpectedly close to the natives: sitting quietly as a giraffe passed within feet of us, watching as a jackal – most of which dash off at the first rumbling of a car engine – edged closer, and freezing as an elephant ventured by. Adorable: The Masai Mara is crammed with wildlife, among them the Big Five, hippos and cheetah . ‘If it . charges at us, we’ll gallop away,’ said Mzee, reassuringly, although we . never had to. Lions and other big cats are few and far between in the . Chyulu Hills, not so good for first time visitors to Kenya but better . for those who want to ride. And in any case, there were plenty where we were going next: The mighty Masaai Mara. Lion, cheetah, leopard, hippo, elephant, giraffe and many more, you don’t have to go far to see something. With a Masaai guide like Daniel, the fantastically knowledgeable man in charge of our party, it takes minutes. ‘What do you want to see?’ he asked as we clambered into the car. I . wanted to see a dik dik – an adorably tiny antelope with huge Bambi . eyes. Heavenly: Sundowners with Mara Encounter Maasai guide Daniel came with a spectacular view . By the time we reached Encounter Mara, an open tented camp run by a cheerful South African named Colin and his Kenyan wife Chala, we’d seen one. While you fall asleep to the quiet sound of giraffes brushing through the bushes at Ol Donyo, at Mara Encounter, it’s to the huffing noise of hunting lions and the honking of their prey – wildebeest. It was the same story again at Mara Toto, a tiny tented camp close to the Mara River where each year, millions of wildebeest and zebra pile through the water en masse during the Great Migration. Although we didn’t see a crossing, we did get up early for a balloon flight that gave some sense of the scale of it. Below our silent vehicle, scores of wildebeest dotted the plain like black ants spilling from a termite mound, albeit much noisier. It was a truly incredible sight. But much in Kenya is incredible. From the bright pink flamingos of Lake Nakuru to the gorgeous Indian Ocean beaches of the coast where I ended my trip, it’s hard not to fall in love with the place. Perfect finish: The trip ended with a few days spent relaxing on a gorgeous Indian Ocean beach in Watamu . Sitting in a deckchair at the gorgeous Medina Palms, an idyllic bolthole perched on a sugar sand beach in Watamu, I didn’t want to leave. But it was the Chyulu Hills that proved the real eye opener. Hidden away in a corner of the country rarely visited by foreign tourists, overshadowed by the mighty Mount Kilimanjaro and home to some of the most beautiful beasts on the planet, the national park is a real hidden gem. Much like Mzee in fact. Perhaps he really will get to play polo with the Queen one day. In the meantime, he’ll have to settle for watching the elephants go by with me. Travemail stayed at ol Donyo Lodge in . the Chyulu Hills, where . prices start at £366 ($615) per room, per night. In the Maasai Mara, we . stayed at Encounter Mara in the Naboisho Conservancy, where prices start at £268 ($450) per person, . per night and Mara Toto, . where rooms start at £372 ($625) per person, per night. In Watamu, we . stayed at the beautiful Medina Palms, which boasts . a beachfront setting and where rooms start at £70 ($121) per person, . per night. Flights to Kenya with Kenya Airways from London start at £732.41 ($1,228) return. Internal flights with . Boskovic Air Charters Ltd start at £1,840 ($3,082) for a private plane . seating 12. Flights to Malindi from Nairobi with Air Kenya start from £106 ($179) one way. An air balloon ride with Balloon Safaris costs $450 including a champagne breakfast. - . For more information on visiting Kenya, contact the Kenya Tourism Board on 0207 367 0931 or visit: magicalkenya.com . | Kenya's Chyulu Hills may not be as well known as the mighty Masaai Mara to the west and the wildlife-packed Tsavo to the east, but it's no less exciting .
Get there by bush plane from Nairobi and immediately meet majestic beasts .
Nothing beats getting up close and personal with wildlife from horseback .
ol Donyo Lodge is a quirky mix of modern cool and Masaai detail .
Watch local giraffes and elephants from the private pool . |
43,464 | 7a908e2a68489c0486cdfbaf0bab4ba5f0e1bc54 | ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- When Erika Clowes was pregnant, she figured breast-feeding would be a breeze. After all, she'd read all the books and taken all the classes. After an easy birth, she brought home her baby, Charlie, and waited for paradise to begin. The bagged breast milk filling Erika Clowes' freezer is evidence of how nursing dominates a new mom's life. But instead, it was a nightmare. Charlie wouldn't latch onto her breast. She was in horrible pain. She had to wake up every two hours around the clock to pump milk and then feed it to Charlie from a bottle. He had colic and cried nearly all the time. She'd been so devoted to the idea of breast-feeding, but now felt like quitting. "I felt betrayed and completely deceived, because nobody told me it would be this hard," she says. "It was the darkest time of my life." Clowes almost became a statistic. According to new numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 74 percent of mothers try breast-feeding, but after three months only 30 percent still exclusively nurse their babies. After six months, the number dwindled to 11 percent. Take our interactive quiz to see how much you know about breastfeeding » . The study didn't track the reasons the women quit nursing, but experts including Los Angeles, California, lactation consultant Corky Harvey said many women have a hard time nursing and don't know where to turn for help. She says one common reason for quitting is that women mistakenly think they don't have enough milk and decide to give the baby formula. Other women quit nursing when they go back to work, and others stop because family members encourage them to give bottles instead of breast milk. What kept Clowes from giving up was the "Booby Brigade." In the middle of the sleep deprivation, hormone rages, and feelings of failure, Clowes figured she had to do something. So she started the Booby Brigade, a group of new mothers near her home in Silver Lake, California, who met online and in person to give each other breast-feeding advice and support. With help from them, and occasionally from a lactation consultant, she was able to nurse Charlie consistently in about four months. From Clowes, her lactation consultant, and another mother who started a support group, here are five breast-feeding mistakes new moms make, and how to fix them: . Mistake 1: Moms go it alone . Solution: Get out of the house -- fast . Clowes was reluctant to join -- let alone start -- a support group. "I hate that kind of thing," she says. But she did so out of desperation, and found the technical advice (how to latch on, how to deal with nipple pain) and emotional support indispensable. Anthropologist Katherine Dettwyler, who studies breast-feeding, isn't surprised that women often fail at breast-feeding when they're left alone at home to raise a new baby. "Humans are very social creatures, and most of the world lives in extended families," says Dettwyler, an adjunct professor at the University of Delaware. "You have mothers and grandmothers around who knew everything about breast-feeding. You're not isolated at home for eight or 10 hours a day." In addition to the Booby Brigade, Clowes joined a support group at The Pump Station, a local store that sells nursing pumps. La Leche League also has support groups. If you don't find a group, start your own, Clowes suggests. "I walked around my neighborhood and would just hand out a card with my name and phone number on it to other moms," Clowes says. Mistake 2: Moms forget about their successful breast-feeding friends . Solution: Invite one over . While lactation consultants can be wonderful, they can also be expensive -- a visit from one in the Los Angeles area costs $200-$300 an hour, according to lactation consultant Harvey. Amanda Corbin, a mom who started a support group called "Got Milk?" in Tampa, Florida, says sometimes help can be free. She suggests inviting over a friend who's breast-fed successfully, and show her your attempts at nursing. It might be embarrassing to reveal all to your friend, Corbin says, but "we lay down our dignity during labor, so go ahead and lay down your dignity when it comes to the health of your baby." Mistake 3: Moms assume they don't have enough milk . Solution: Rethink your baby's nursing behavior . Many times, new moms think if baby won't stop nursing, he must not be getting enough milk, so they give him formula. "Sometimes babies just nurse and nurse and nurse -- that's just what babies do," says Harvey. "It doesn't mean you don't have enough milk. It just means you should keep nursing." Mistake 4: Moms get intimidated breast-feeding in public . Solution: Have snappy comebacks at the ready . Clowes says occasionally mothers in her group reported getting nasty comments when they've breast-fed in public. She suggests having a few retorts at the ready. On her Web site, crankylittleman.com, she has these two suggestions: "If you're uncomfortable seeing my baby eat, you are welcome to cover yourself with this baby blanket. I'll let you know when we're done," and "You think this is something? You oughtta see where he came out!" Mistake 5: Moms panic when milk doesn't gush out . Solution: Realize that at the very beginning, you're not going to see a lot of milk . Through her work at the Booby Brigade, Clowes found some moms were expecting torrents of milk from the very beginning, and when they didn't get it, they'd give baby a bottle. They didn't understand that right after birth, moms produce small amounts of colostrum, a concentrated, nutrient rich liquid that's measured in teaspoons, not ounces, and is the perfect food for newborns. E-mail to a friend . Elizabeth Cohen is a correspondent with CNN Medical News. Producer Stephanie Smith and Associate Producer Sabriya Rice contributed to this report. | CDC study finds most women quit breast-feeding within six months .
Common obstacles: worry about adequate milk production, inconvenience .
Seeking help, from friends, lactation consultants is key, experts say . |
264,044 | e1f787703b2258e1003f54e5d0f6ecea1f7c6c36 | Jerusalem (CNN) -- President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered a "good cop-bad cop" approach to Iran's nuclear ambitions on Wednesday, with Obama calling for more diplomacy while endorsing Israel's right to defend itself as it sees fit. The two leaders met for more than two hours on Obama's first visit to Israel as president, part of a Middle East swing that he said was intended to assess the seemingly intractable impasse between the Israelis and Palestinians over how to live next to each other. Other issues discussed on Obama's first foreign trip of his second term included the civil war in neighboring Syria. There have been unconfirmed reports of chemical weapons being used in the conflict, which Obama labeled a "game-changer," if true, regarding limited U.S. involvement so far. With the visit, Obama sought to assure Netanyahu and Israelis of his commitment to their security and strengthen what has been a strained personal and working relationship with the prime minister. The two are each beginning new terms in power. 5 things to know about Obama's first presidential visit to Israel . In what Netanyahu called a key development, the leaders announced new talks on extending U.S. military assistance to Israel for another 10 years past the current agreement that expires in 2017. They also sounded united on other major issues. Both countries have accused Iran of secretly working toward building a nuclear weapon, and Netanyahu made clear Wednesday after his talks with Obama that he believes the president is equally committed to preventing a nuclear-armed Iran. Obama pushed at a joint news conference for continued diplomatic efforts, including negotiations and sanctions, intended to get Iran to comply with international safeguards against nuclear arms. "The question is whether the Iranian leadership will seize that opportunity," Obama said before playing off a memorable Cold War line by Ronald Reagan about the Soviet Union: "We can't even trust yet, much less verify." At the same time, he insisted that "all options" remain open -- code for a military strike to disable the Iranian program. Obama also made clear that Israel has the right to defend itself as it sees fit, which amounted to a diplomatic signal that Washington would not stop a unilateral Israeli strike at some future point if no progress occurred. Opinion: Obama's Israel trip is about legacy . Netanyahu responded with thanks, saying Obama spoke of "the great transformation that has occurred in the life of the Jewish people with a rebirth of the Jewish state" that has grown from a once powerless population into a nation that has "both the right and the capability" to defend itself. "I know that you appreciate that Israel can never cede the right to defend ourselves to others, even to the greatest of our friends, and Israel has no better friend than the United States of America," Netanyahu added. Both leaders also said they had a "common assessment" on how much time remained before Iran could build a nuclear weapon. Though Netanyahu indicated his "red line" for action might be sooner, referring to what he called a "point of immunity" when Tehran completed enriching enough uranium for a weapon. Iran has rebuffed calls to halt its production of enriched uranium, saying it has a right to produce peaceful nuclear energy. But the International Atomic Energy Agency, the U.N. nuclear watchdog, has said it can no longer verify any peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program. Poll: Most Americans say Israel is a friend . Most Americans consider Israel an ally or at least friendly to the United States, according to a new CNN/ORC International poll released Tuesday. However, respondents split -- 49%-49% -- on whether the United States should support Israel if it unilaterally attacks Iranian nuclear facilities to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons, the survey showed. On Obama's first day in Israel, Palestinian activists erected a tent city outside Jerusalem in the West Bank to protest his visit and continued Israeli construction of settlements in what they consider an occupied territory. Meanwhile, demonstrators in Gaza protesting Israeli and U.S. policies toward Palestinians burned flags of both nations as well as a picture of Obama. Israeli president: No doubt Obama has Israel's back . The topic of settlements, a sticking point in the stalled Middle East peace process, never came up at the news conference by the leaders, showing the sensitivity of the issue. "I purposely did not want to come here with some big announcement" that might not match up with reality on the ground, Obama told reporters. The Israeli-Palestinian dispute . Both leaders said they discussed the Israel-Palestinian stalemate and Syria, further complicated by accusations that chemical weapons were used this week. Israeli Justice Minister Tzipi Livni told CNN on Wednesday that "it is clear for us here in Israel" that chemical weapons have been used in Syria. When pressed during an interview, Livni wouldn't say whether there was evidence that the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad directed their use. She said the development poses a direct threat to Israel because "the appearance is that it's not going to be only in Syria, but that Hezbollah can reach all these chemical weapons and use them against Israel in the future." Israelis have long been concerned that Hezbollah, Israel's foe in neighboring Lebanon, could gain possession of Syrian chemical weapons if the al-Assad regime is further destabilized. Obama repeated U.S. warnings to the Syrian government to keep chemical weapons off the battlefield or out of the hands of groups such as Hezbollah. He said he has ordered an investigation into whether the Syrian government used chemical weapons against its own people, adding he was "deeply skeptical" of any claim the opposition had done it. "Once we have established the facts, I have made clear that the use of chemical weapons is a game-changer," Obama declared, stopping short of saying what he would do if Syria had crossed his "red line" for stronger action. CNN Poll: Most say Israel a friend . Critics, including Republican opponents, say Obama has failed to show necessary global leadership by providing military aid to the Syrian opposition or offering help like establishing a "no-fly" zone over Syria similar to NATO steps taken in Libya during the Arab Spring uprising. Earlier, Netanyahu and Israeli President Shimon Peres greeted Obama at an arrival ceremony in Tel Aviv, where Obama said his visit was " an opportunity to reaffirm the unbreakable bond between our nations, to restate America's unwavering commitment to Israel's security, and to speak directly to Israel and to your neighbors." In a quip to Netanyahu, Obama said, "It is nice to get away from Congress," reflecting the chronic political infighting in Washington. Obama's first stop Wednesday was at an Iron Dome missile defense launcher in Tel Aviv. Designed by Israel and funded by the United States, the battery was deployed at the height of November's fighting between Israel and Hamas. It intercepted a rocket headed for Tel Aviv, Israeli ambassador to the United States Michael Oren said. Afterward, the president went to Jerusalem to meet separately with Peres and Netanyahu. A shaky relationship . Obama's relationship with Netanyahu has never been warm, and the Israeli prime minister supported Republican challenger Mitt Romney -- a former business colleague -- in last year's presidential election. In his first term, Obama got off to a rocky start with Netanyahu by pushing for a freeze on Israeli settlements, but his vocal support for the Israeli prime minister through the November crisis with Hamas and U.S. financial support for the Iron Dome anti-missile program could pave the road for greater trust in the relationship. White House officials said Obama was not bringing a new peace initiative and lacked optimism that enough solid ground existed to try to revive direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians over the declared goal of both sides for separate, neighboring states. Israeli minister says she hopes U.S. helps restart peace talks . Most of all, the president's aides said, Obama wanted to assess how prepared -- if at all -- Netanyahu and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas were to return to negotiations. Palestinians want Obama to prove there were consequences for Israel's continued construction of new settlements in what they consider to be disputed areas. Their grievances are evident in more personal ways: Posters on Ramallah streets sarcastically advise Obama not to bring his smartphone because Israel does not allow 3G or better service in the Palestinian territories. Before meeting Peres on Wednesday, Obama and the Israeli president planted a magnolia tree descended from those at the White House to symbolize the deep roots of the relationship between their nations, the White House said. The two leaders also were serenaded with the song "Tomorrow" by three young Israelis who dedicated it "from all the children who dream of peace." The U.S. and Israel and the art of relationship maintenance . CNN's John King and Jessica Yellin reported from Israel, and CNN's Paul Steinhauser and Ashley Killough also contributed to this report. It was written by Tom Cohen in Washington. | NEW: President Obama, Israel's prime minister have a "common assessment" on Iran .
NEW: The two leaders will open talks on extending U.S. military aid to Israel beyond 2017 .
Palestinians protest Obama's visit, as well as U.S. and Israeli policies .
Obama will also visit the West Bank and Jordan during his Middle East trip . |
184,353 | 7ac9ebe3c6994f6a57fb7c6259e8fd29c5a1fd8a | By . Chris Parsons . PUBLISHED: . 06:27 EST, 27 July 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 05:53 EST, 28 July 2012 . Hundreds of Olympic spectators were turned away from one of the Games' first events today after a ticketing mix-up before the archery. Olympic fans had streamed towards Lord's cricket ground early this morning for an event widely advertised as one of the first of the Games, only to be told it was a behind-closed-doors competition. Dozens of would-be spectators were left angry and frustrated, having thought they could attend a free and unticketed pre-competition 'ranking event'. Scroll down for video . Access denied: Archery fans, many of whom had queued from early this morning with what they thought were genuine tickets, were turned away from a ranking event this morning . No entry: A Locog official attempts to calm spectators who had been turned away from the Archery event early this morning . Double disappointment: Fans who could not get in were not only denied entry but also missed out on two world records being set today . But their hopes were dashed when stewards turned them away at the entrance to Lord's, saying that unofficial websites advertising the event were false. The confusion led to frustration among fans, some of whom had travelled from abroad especially for the archery, only to be denied entry. A queue of over 50 fans had gathered outside Lord's by 8am this morning, with dozens more who arrived before the 9am start hoping to get in on a 'first come first served' basis. Some fans even produced what they thought were genuine tickets, purchased from a fraudulent unofficial website. Among those turned away were four devastated archery fans from Siberia, who had travelled to London solely for today's ranking event. Early starters: The Archery ranking event which began at 9am this morning had been wrongly advertised as a ticketed event by some unofficial websites . Going for gold: Team GB pair Larry Godfrey and Simon Terry were among those taking part in the event at Lord's cricket ground today . Missing out: Descher Grit and Ursula Weidner, left, along with Canadians Chris Stewart, Norm Sabapathy and Jim Stewart. right, were among those left disappointed after not being allowed into Lord's . The four men, part of an amateur archery team, were devastated after dashing to the cricket ground from Heathrow following a 16-hour flight from their homeland just to see the one event. Speaking on behalf of the men, two of whom were wearing special Olympics T-shirts, volunteer guide Jelena Petrova said: 'They have come from Siberia all the way for this. 'They are very upset - they don't have tickets to see any other events.' She added: 'These guys have just come off a 16 hour flight at Heathrow this morning and rushed to get here in time. Then the security guard tells us that there's been a miscommunication and non-ticketed also means not open to the public. 'There are people from all over the world turning up here today - it's not good enough.' There was further confusion as other events, such as the cycling road race and marathon running, allowing spectators to watch for free. Royal approval: Team GB competitor Larry Godfrey takes a break in the Archery event, which was also watched by Princess Anne . False: Several ticket sites, such as SportTicket Exchange, confused fans by appearing to offer tickets for sale for the behind-closed-doors archery event today . Mix-up: Another website claiming to sell tickets, Global Ticket Market, also appeared to offer admission to the competition today . Many had assumed the archery was following a similar set-up, but the ranking event eventually went ahead with only members of the media watching. One spectator, Anthony Hunt, had flown in from Mexico especially for the event. The red-faced blunder for Locog at Lord's was the latest of several slip-ups by organisers before the Opening Ceremony. On Wednesday, video producers sparked a diplomatic row by mistakenly displaying a South Korean flag during the warm-up of North Korea's women's football match at Hampden Park. The incident saw North Korea's players walk off the pitch in protest, before the glitch was fixed an hour later. It is thought a video producer in London - who has since offered to resign - was at fault for the gaffe. And just yesterday, Olympic programme producers referred to Welsh Team GB footballer Joe Allen as being English. He told The Times: 'There are some good Mexicans in the archery and I came especially for this day when I saw it advertised as free. 'This is all I have come over for.' Locog's Lord's venue manager Vanessa Bellamy said: 'This has always been a non-ticketed event but it seems some people believed they could come down on the day. 'This was never the case but we believe some illegal websites may have suggested this was the case.' Russell Miller, venue general manager for Locog, added: 'It’s a mistake. We are not licensed today. We had never intended to have spectators here and we cannot allow any in. 'We will look into the communications side and I appreciate that this is not an ideal start. I think the publicity has taken on a snowball effect.' It is unclear from which websites spectators had bought tickets which they produced at Lord's. A spokesperson for the cricket ground declined to comment. A . Locog statement later added: 'We think we have made it very clear that . this is not a free event, like the Road Races or Marathon which have . been advertised as free events. 'This is a ranking round and there is no spectator access at all. 'We . are dealing with this at the venue, along with some people who have . turned up with fake tickets purchased from a fraudulent website. 'Tickets . have not been advertised or sold by LOCOG for the Archery ranking event . which starts today at Lords cricket ground we have always made it clear . that the preliminary rounds are not open for spectators. Warning: Bosses at Lord's were forced to issue this tweet stating that tickets were not available for the event this morning . World beater: South Korean Im Dong-Hyun, who is legally blind, celebrates after setting a new world record in the men's ranking event this morning . 'There are a number of unofficial . websites claiming to sell tickets, we therefore advise people to be . extremely cautious and vigilant when attempting to buy tickets and only . purchase from an official source – if in doubt there is a url checker on . our website which will identify official sources.' Even . more frustratingly for the fans, the ranking event saw two world . archery record smashed - including one by a competitor who is blind. South Korea have claimed the first two world records of London 2012 in the men's archery ranking round. Im . Dong-hyun broke his own individual record for 72 arrows and joined Kim . Bubmin and Oh Jin-hyek to set a new team mark for 216 arrows. VIDEO: Mix-up disappoints archery fans ahead of Games start... | Hundreds turned away after unofficial site advertises tickets for event .
Locog insists it had never advertised tickets for event .
Princess Anne among those who DID get in to Lord's for competition .
Archery fans miss two world records being set .
Over 50 fans had queued from 8am hoping to gain free entry on 'first come first served' basis .
Those turned away included four archery fans from Siberia who had travelled to London solely for today's event . |
172,847 | 6bb47ae55f7ffaed6a57ee8c9bdacc8c3eb676f2 | (CNN) -- The financial world is in an uproar about the New York Times opinion piece by Greg Smith, a former vice president in Goldman Sachs' equity derivatives business. As a former vice president in Goldman Sachs' equity derivatives business who also made it into The Times when I quit, I can't help but feel a bit upstaged. Part of my resentment comes from the fact that Smith is being touted as a high-level defector from the notoriously secretive ranks of Goldman Sachs. But calling Smith a senior Goldman executive, as many media outlets do, misunderstands the nature of titles at investment banks. Smith was an "executive director and head of the firm's United States equity derivatives business in Europe, the Middle East and Africa," which certainly sounds fancy. But, as the firm took pains to point out in response to the article, there are 12,000 employees with the title of "vice president" (in the U.S.) or its international equivalent, "executive director." As for being head of that particular business, well, pretty much everyone at any investment bank is the head of some business or another. Clients prefer to deal with the head of a business, so senior bankers are practiced in introducing even their most junior colleagues as the head of something or other. My own semi-official titles -- among others, "vice president and head of the equity derivatives business for the North American energy industry" -- were as impressive as Smith's, but what I rarely mentioned was that that business consisted of me and one junior analyst. Smith's business lacked even the analyst! More important, though, it is a mistake to read Smith's piece as a scandalous revelation of the decline of Wall Street culture. Goldman exec quits, calling firm 'toxic' Yes, there was once a time when big investment banks made most of their money by advising clients on mergers and capital raising, rather than by trading with clients. And yes, those times are long gone. But they were long gone when Smith started. And he was in the derivatives sales business, which has always and necessarily been a business in which Goldman is on one side of a trade and its clients -- or, in the more neutral term popular in such businesses, "customers" -- are on the other. Each dollar that Goldman makes comes directly out of its client's pockets. Of course, Smith's clients, who included some of the largest hedge funds and asset managers in the world, knew this. They did not come to Smith for impartial advice about their personal and professional problems. Rather they came to him to execute trades at attractive prices and for trade ideas, ideas that they hoped would make them money but that they certainly expected would make Goldman money. Thus, worries that clients will flee Goldman are overblown. Goldman's clients know that the firm is trying to make money off of them -- and they know that every other bank is trying to do the exact same thing. They are not looking for charity. They are looking for good ideas and good execution, and the bank that provides those benefits will continue to get business. One question on everyone's mind is: Why now? March is a customary time to quit, since Smith's 2011 bonus check will have cleared, but why did it take him 12 years to figure out that Goldman's culture was rotten? After all, Matt Taibbi and the SEC have been saying similar things for years. One possible answer is that Smith is part of a broader exodus. The past year has seen many departures by Goldman Sachs partners, including Smith's boss' boss' boss' bosses, David Heller and Ed Eisler. Those career traders are unlikely to have left because they felt sad for clients. Instead, the widespread speculation is that they left because the money isn't good enough. Average pay at Goldman was down 15% in 2011, albeit to a still-healthy $367,000 per employee. Stricter regulations on proprietary trading and higher capital requirements will probably reduce profitability -- and pay -- for years to come. Investment banking and trading are difficult businesses; bankers work long hours, travel frequently and are under intense pressure. Smith is hardly the first banker to worry about whether his work makes the world a better place. Working at an investment bank involves trading off those negatives -- stress, hours and a nagging sense of unfulfilled purpose -- against the positive aspects of the job, which can be loosely summarized as "huge paychecks." When that balance changes, a good trader re-evaluates his position. Expect to see more departures from Goldman and its peer firms in the coming months. But don't take too seriously the idea that they're leaving because they're sick of making money off of clients. More likely, they're leaving because they're sick of not making as much money off of clients as they used to. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Matt Levine. | Greg Smith, former Goldman Sachs employee, writes in New York Times that he quits .
Matt Levine: Media outlets misunderstand the nature of titles at investment banks .
He says it is a mistake to read Smith's piece as a revelation of the decline of Wall Street culture .
Levine: If more bankers leave, it's probably because they're not making as much as before . |
161,983 | 5d728d27a3aeaf42c0270885e8117305be3a30f2 | A mother battling leukaemia has seen her three brothers - her last chance of a life-saving bone marrow transplant - barred from Britain. Fatemeh Mehdipour, 42, has undergone three aggressive courses of chemotherapy since she was diagnosed with the the disease in June. Her siblings Nader, Naser and Esmaeil are the closest surgical matches to the patient but they have all been refused visas to fly to Britain from Iran. Fatehmeh Mehdipour, left, needs a bone marrow transplant or she will die, pictured with husband Habib, right . Mrs Mehidipour's brothers, Nader, centre and Esmail, right, were refused travel visas to the UK from Iran . Mrs Mehidipour's third brother Naser was also denied permission to travel to the UK for testing . The Home Office said it was 'not satisfied' they would be 'genuine visitors' and feared they would seek to stay in Britain after their visas expired. The mother-of-two said: 'I am just waiting for this transplant. I need this transplant. 'I could not believe it. I just hope the Embassy can get them the visas. 'When I think about my situation, how can I relax and concentrate on my chemotherapy? It is not easy.' Mrs Mehdipour's devastated daughter Azar, 24, said: 'We were all so positive, and thought mum would be having her transplant. 'Everyone is so angry - she will die if she doesn't get this transplant. 'She needs it within four weeks. 'The chance of us finding an unrelated donor is almost zero - there is a real shortage of Middle-Eastern donors. 'I can't describe what we have been going through. 'When my mother asks me if she is going to die, it kills me inside and out.' Medics in Birmingham wrote a letter supporting the visa application to allow for a possible transplant operation . The Home Office wrote to Mrs Mehdipour's brother in Iran confirming that they will not be issued a visa . Mrs Mehdipour, who lives in Solihull, West Midlands moved to the Britain 12 years ago. Her husband Habib, 51, and a wholesale retailer, said: 'It is so hard for somebody to undergo chemotherapy anyway but I do not personally think she can bare with it. It is so hard for us.' Her brothers applied to visit the UK for 15 days at the British Embassy in Turkey. But their applications were rejected despite doctors at Heartlands Hospital, Birmingham, where she is receiving treatment, vouching for them. Consultant haemotologist Dr Bhuvan Kishore wrote to the embassy saying: 'In order to cure her leukaemia she is in need of a bone marrow transplant; without it she may die. 'It is imperative you allow her siblings to travel to the UK to have further testing to establish which one is likely to be the best donor for her. 'Fatemeh has an aggressive form of acute myeloid leukaemia which is incurable without a transplant. 'She is lucky enough to have three siblings who are a match. 'But they need to donate stem cells as soon as possible so she can proceed with a potentially curable treatment.' Yet, astonishingly, an immigration officer told the brothers in a letter: 'I am not satisfied you are a genuine visitor to the United Kingdom or that you intend to leave the United Kingdom on completion of your proposed visit.' A Home Office spokesman said: 'All applications are considered on their individual merits, including any compelling and compassionate circumstances, and in line with immigration rules. 'The onus is on the individual to ensure they provide all the necessary evidence when submitting an application.' | Fatemeh Mehdipour needs a life-saving bone marrow transplant .
The Iranian born mother-of-two needs her brothers tested for a transplant .
Medics say Mrs Mehidipour's best chance comes from a close relative .
The Home Office has refused Mrs Mehidipour's siblings permission to travel . |
283,695 | fb84026b021892e243cc5ccfb61691dc4bd95a60 | (CNN) -- It's been sort of a rough week for Google+. Fresh on the heels of reports that activity on Google's social network -- the tech giant's effort to cut into Facebook's empire -- has dropped sharply since its public rollout, a Google engineer accidentally shared a memo calling the site "a knee-jerk reaction" and a "study in short-term thinking." Google+, which launched by invitation only in June, has been a hit among so-called "tech elite" journalists, bloggers and others heavily immersed in the technology and social-networking world. But adoption by the general public, namely the people behind Facebook's roughly 800 million accounts, has been slower. Engineer Steve Yegge blames, in part, blames Google's failure to share the site's programming platform with developers who could have built games and other apps to make it a more robust online hangout. How do we know? He accidentally shared what was supposed to be an internal memo with the world. On Google+. "Google+ is a knee-jerk reaction, a study in short-term thinking, predicated on the incorrect notion that Facebook is successful because they built a great product," Yegge wrote in what was supposed to be an internal memo. "But that's not why they are successful. Facebook is successful because they built an entire constellation of products by allowing other people to do the work. So Facebook is different for everyone." The post, which Yegge deleted but is still being shared on other people's Google+ pages, says Facebook's rich set of apps helps attract and keep users. "Some people spend all their time on Mafia Wars," he wrote. "Some spend all their time on Farmville. There are hundreds or maybe thousands of different high-quality time sinks available, so there's something there for everyone." What's worse is that, in a follow-up post, he mistakenly made the memo public because he's "not what you might call an experienced Google+ user." The post said he'd talked to Google's public-relations department and it was understanding about his mistake. "(T)hey went out of their way to help me understand that we're an opinionated company, and not one of the kinds of companies that censors their employees," he wrote. The memo comes on the heels of a report from Chitika Insights, a Web analytics firm, saying traffic on Google+ has plummeted 60% since it opened to the public on September 20. On that day, Chitika reported, traffic spiked 1,200% from before, when an invitation was required to join the network. But, just a week later, it had fallen back to roughly the same level it was before the public rollout. "It would appear that although high levels of publicity were able to draw new traffic to Google+, few of them saw reason to stay," Chitika said in its report, released Friday. The firm puts forward two theories: 1) that the supply of social-media users is limited (and, presumably, mostly already on Facebook) and 2) that while it has a "striking new interface, rapid release of new features, and focus on user interaction," Google+ doesn't offer much that's truly unique. While Web analytics can be an imprecise science (companies use different programs and, as such, often end up with different figures), the report spoke to the general perception of how the network has fared. To throw one more jab, tech blogs were noting with some degree of snark that Google CEO Eric Schmidt appears to have finally joined Google+ -- more than three months after it was launched. Mashable's Ben Parr noted in an October 4 post that the low level of public usage by Google's top brass (he counted a total of 22 posts from co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin) sends the wrong message. "It doesn't matter how you slice it," he wrote. "If Google's management truly believed in Google+ as the future of the company, they would be more engaged." | Google Plus, struggling to catch on as a Facebook competitor, is having a rough week .
Analytics firm says usage of the network has dropped 60% since it became public .
A Google engineer accidentally shared a post calling Google+ "a study in short-term thinking"
Company's top brass has also taken hits for not publicly engaging on their site . |
31,439 | 596832fac477042a25402629669b92d4b7982243 | Baghdad, Iraq (CNN) -- The Iraqi government accused a manufacturer of supplying the country with some fake bomb detectors and said Tuesday it plans to sue the company. However, government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said that three Iraqi investigations into the devices determined most of the bomb detectors are working, although some are fake and ineffective. He did not name the detectors in his statement or explain the investigations. The alleged fakes have been removed from Iraqi streets and have been replaced by functioning ones, al-Dabbagh said. It was not immediately clear how many of such devices were replaced. Those involved in contracting or importing those devices will be investigated, he said, and the government will sue the manufacturing company. He did not name the firm. Earlier this year, the Iraqi government announced it would investigate the ADE651 after concerns surfaced the device was a hoax. The handheld device is commonly used at checkpoints in Iraq and Afghanistan to detect explosives. The British government has banned the ADE651, made by British firm ATSC, from being exported. The company declined to comment to CNN earlier this month, citing ongoing legal action. There was no immediate response to Iraq's announcement Tuesday. The firm's Web site said it was under repair, and no one answered calls Tuesday to a phone number listed for the company. Police have arrested and questioned Jim McCormick, managing director of ATSC, alleging suspicion of fraud. Also this month, the Thai government said a similar device, the GT200, failed rigorous tests carried out by scientists and the army in Thailand. The government said it was looking into the possibility of legal action against its manufacturer. The device's manufacturer, Britain-based Global Technical, disputed the tests' results. It said the results were "completely at odds with other tests carried out by independent bodies" and with "the experience of the large number of users of this product all over the world." Both the ADE651 and GT200 use technology that some scientists dismiss as little more than a car antenna mounted on a plastic box designed to act much the way a dowsing rod is used to find water. | Iraqi government says manufacturer supplied some fake bomb detectors .
Government spokesman says most detectors worked; he didn't name fake detectors or maker .
Iraq earlier said it would investigate ADE651 device after concerns over hoax .
UK government has banned ADE651, which British firm makes, from being exported . |
274,451 | ef7c8d4eafca3e2f64f0bb5eb33562e3da32902f | The foster family of France's most wanted woman tried in vain to stop her marriage to kosher deli killer, Amedy Coulibaly, Mail Online can reveal. Femme fatale, Hayat Boumeddiene, who has been pictured in a burka with a crossbow, and has now fled to Syria, lived with the Benali family between the ages of eight and 17. Today they pleaded with her via MailOnline to 'come home'. Speaking for the first time, her foster brother, who insisted that he was not named, said that the family has done everything possible to block the marriage to the Islamic extremist who killed five people in Paris last week. He said: 'My dad, from the beginning, didn't agree with it because we didn't have the same culture and we didn't know him - he was a complete stranger. Scroll down for video . Division: The foster family of Hayat Boumeddiene (left) deeply disapproved of her marriage to Amedy Coulibaly (right), who killed four people at a Kosher deli in Paris . Estranged: Boumeddiene, seen here in a burka, cut ties with her adopted parents after her wedding to Coulibaly (left) Dangerous: Photo's have emerged of Boumeddiene, who's considered armed and dangerous, posing with a crossbow . 'We tried everything to avoid this wedding and did everything to convince her not to marry this man. 'Her father did not agree with the wedding either. In the end she insisted so much he ended up accepting. She was very in love I think.' No one in her substitute family ended up going to the wedding because of her opposition - the only person who went was Boumeddiene's own father. The Benali's are desperately worried about her safety in Syria. 'We don't know if she's going to make it out there', her foster brother pleaded. 'If we could speak to her we would say, "come home, just come home" – and we'll sort everything else out.' After meeting Coulibaly, her first boyfriend, aged 18 and marrying him two years later, Boumeddiene cut off contact and no longer visited her foster parents. The last time anyone in the family heard from her was in October when her Mr and Mrs Benali had returned from a pilgrimage to Mecca and she rang to congratulate them. She had also been to on a trip to Islam's holiest city, she told them. The 26-year-old originally came to live with the family, who had once been neighbours with her own, because her father - a delivery driver - couldn't take care of his eight children after the death of Boumeddiene's mother. 'Her father couldn't cope. Her brother was only two years old when their mother died. Their dad left the kids at home when he was working.' 'She went to live in care homes and it didn't go well. She was naughty so they didn't want her any more.' The kind-hearted family broke their silence about Boumesdiene's troubled upbringing as it emerged that Coulibaly had been severely affected as a teen, by witnessing the death of a 19-year-old schoolmate at the hands of police. Mugshots: Police photos of Boumeddiene, who has fled abroad, and her husband, who was killed by police . Chilling: A video of Amedy Coulibaly emerged after he had killed four hostages at a Kosher deli in Paris . Coulibaly appeared to suffer profound guilt and anger after his classmate Ali Rezgui was shot in the back five times as the friends tried to flee police on the grim estate, the dead boy's lawyer told Mail Online today. While also troubled, Boumeddienne temporarily found the stability she craved at the Benali family home. The Algerian couple were happy to take her in even though they had eight children of their own to bring up. 'For us it's just being human and she needed help', her foster brother explained. The youngster was not religious when she lived with the family, they explained. She did not pray and the only religious practice she followed was the Ramadan fast. Her foster sibling said: 'She loved nature and the countryside and was very generous. If she had a bit of money she would buy us presents like clothes.' He added: 'But she didn't have many friends. She did not go out a lot.' The Islamist bride eventually left the family home at 17 after she got a job as a cashier and got her own apartment. The Benali family condemned last weeks attacks as 'horrific' and, although they didn't believe Boumeddiene was involved, they said they were 'disappointed' that she had gone to Syria 'as it showed how much she had changed'. Her foster brother said that the Benali family were closer to her than her real family and could not believe she had anything to do with the attacks last week: 'We were in shock when we saw her on TV - we were really upset.' Brief stay: For two nights in Istanbul, Boumeddiene, who has been described as armed and dangerous, slept in room 102 – where a picture of the Eiffel Tower hangs above the bed . No-frills: The jihadi widow checked into Bade Otel in Kadikoy, on the Asian side of the city, on January 2 after flying into Istanbul’s Sabiha Gokcen airport . Basic: The room came with a shabby bathroom, a TV, a double and single bed - and a picture of the Eiffel Tower on the wall . 'We couldn't believe it. We consider her our daughter and sister. We don't understand because when she was young, she worked hard, she had good grades. 'She really wanted to succeed in life that's the only thing that counted for her. ' At around the same age, Coulibaly was also on a path to success and was 'well integrated' lawyer, Pierre Mairat said today. Mr Mairat who represented the family of teen Ali Rezgui who was killed by police said: 'Coulibaly was well integrated. He was completely French. He was close to finishing high school and doing well.' But aged 18, he made a fatal error taking part with four others in the attempted theft of several motorbikes from the garage of an apartment block. When police arrived his friend fled and was shot in the back five times by a police officer who was still an intern. The lawyer said he believed the event played 'a huge part' in his personal history and was a very important element in the person he became later. He said: 'When he saw his best friend being killed by police officer he reacted with various emotions, firstly guilt because he knew he did something wrong. 'The second feeling was that of injustice because the police reaction was disproportionate and illegitimate and the third is the feeling of discrimination towards himself and young people like him from two major institutions, the police that killed his friend illegitimately and the justice system that didn't do their job.' | Hayat Boumeddiene is wanted in connection to the hostage-taking in Paris .
She is 'married' to Amedy Coulibaly, who killed four people in Kosher deli .
Her foster family deeply disapproved of her relationship with the Islamist .
Boumeddiene went to live with the Benali's after her own mother died .
They revealed troubled past of girl who went 'from care home to care home'
One sibling described her as a 'generous' girl who 'loved the countryside'
She cut ties with them after the wedding, which only her father attended . |
117,915 | 244262decc70d35a2c40fa561ee50f351e9c7620 | (CNN) -- The head of Texas Gov. Rick Perry's newly unveiled legal team declared that last week's grand jury indictment of the potential 2016 GOP presidential contender has "no merit" and constitutes an "outrageous assault on the rule of law" that is certain to be rejected in the courts. "Let me be clear about this," Houston attorney Tony Buzbee said on Monday. "Governor Perry will fight this indictment one hundred percent. And at the end of the day he will prevail because he is on the side of the rule of law." Buzbee, addressing reporters at a news conference in Austin, was flanked by prominent Republican attorney Bobby Burchfield, criminal lawyer David Botsford and former Romney presidential campaign legal counsel Ben Ginsberg. A grand jury in Travis County indicted Perry last Friday on two felony counts stemming from his threat to veto funding for a statewide public integrity unit run by Travis Country District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg, a Democrat, unless she stepped down, according to the special prosecutor in the case, Michael McCrum. The case centers on Perry's June 2013 veto of the $7.5 million budget for the unit run by Lehmberg, after she refused his demand to resign following her drunken driving arrest and conviction. Perry faces accusations of coercion of a public servant and abuse of his official capacity in connection with the threat and veto. Perry will be booked Tuesday at the Travis County Court in Austin. He will be fingerprinted and have his mug shot taken, according to Buzbee. Perry's first court appearance is Friday. Perry's lawyers, who played video snippets of an apparently intoxicated Lehmberg in police custody, insisted the governor had a legal right to tie funding for the public integrity unit to Lehmberg's removal. Does Rick Perry's indictment disqualify him from 2016? "Governor Perry did what anyone else would do," Buzbee said. "Anyone who sees that video" would have "lost confidence" in Lehmberg. That said, the lawyers argued that the governor had no legal obligation to offer any rationale for his veto, which they insisted was protected the basic constitutional principle of separation of powers. "This is nothing more than banana republic politics" and a "nasty attack" on the "rule of law," Buzbee insisted. And Perry's explanation of his veto, Buzbee added, was protected under the "right to free speech under the First Amendment." Birchfield called the indictment "an attempt to criminalize politics, pure and simple," while Ginsberg warned that it could "set a harmful precedent in separation of powers doctrine." It needs to be fought "as a matter of principle," he said. As for Perry's looming summons, Buzbee acknowledged that "there will of course be a point where Governor Perry will have to appear." "But that is not something we are going to keep you in the dark about," he told the reporters, possibly reflecting growing confidence among the governor's advisers that they can turn the controversy to his political advantage. So far, other prominent Republicans have rallied to Perry's defense. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, the head of the Republican Governor's Association and another potential 2016 presidential candidate, issued a statement Monday declaring his "complete faith and confidence" in Perry's "honesty and integrity." And former Texas congressman and presidential candidate Ron Paul on Monday called Perry's indictment "a joke." Asked if Texas taxpayers would pay Perry's legal bills, the team acknowledged that the public would pick up some share of the cost for his defense. Read the indictment (PDF) Opinion: The case against Perry . | Perry's chief lawyer said the charges "have no merit"
Texas governor charged last week with felonies related to his veto of a funding bill .
Charges allege he used the legislation to try and get local prosecutor to quit .
NEW: Perry will be booked Tuesday; First court appearance on Friday . |
206,032 | 96b4dc954de08cd2d738bc27dc58190fb4166348 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . A farmer's daughter who says she was left at home ‘with a muck fork’ while her sisters went out dancing has triumphed in her fight for a fair share of her family’s £7million estate. Eirian Davies, 45, who was nicknamed the ‘Cowshed Cinderella’, claims she was assured by her parents that she would ultimately take over the thriving farm and its pedigree milking herd. But following a row they began proceedings to evict her, while she began a legal campaign to secure what she said was her rightful share of the farm in South Wales. Eirian Davies won her legal campaign to secure what she said was her rightful share of the farm in South Wales. Her parents have now seen their challenge against that decision dismissed at the Appeal Court . Miss Davies won her case and yesterday a challenge by her parents, Tegwyn, 75, and Mary, 76, was dismissed by the Appeal Court. Lord Justice Floyd, sitting with Lords Justice Richards and Underhill, said he hoped the family would now resolve their differences in relation to her entitlement ‘without recourse to further costly and divisive litigation’. Miss Davies told the original hearing that she missed out on going to Young Farmers’ Club dances with her two sisters, Enfys and Eleri, as a teenager because she had to stay at home to deal with her chores at Caeremlyn Farm. Appeal: Tegywn and Mary Davies have lost a challenge in the Appeal Court after their daughter Eirian Davies won a legal campaign to secure what she claimed was her rightful share of the family farm . Her parents apparently told her that her patience would be rewarded. ‘They always told me that the farm would be left to me,’ she told the hearing. ‘Even on my birthday, when the other girls were having things, they would say, “You will have the damn lot one day, it will all be yours”. She claimed that her sisters once paraded through the poultry shed in their ball gowns while she prepared turkeys for Christmas. Her father would regularly warn her ‘not to kill the goose that lays the golden egg’ if she complained about her treatment, she added. Miss Davies claimed that until she reached the age of 21, she was paid nothing at all for her work on the farm and, after that, there was a period when she was paid just £15-a-day for milking the cows, although sometimes she received more. She was said to have a ‘passionate interest’ in the herd and, by 1989, was the only daughter at the farm after her sisters began other careers. And, when she left to work elsewhere, her father was said to have begged her to return. Although there was evidence that her parents had ‘pinned their hopes’ on Miss Davies over the years, they became increasingly annoyed by her relationships with men. Lord Justice Floyd said this concern was not so much the men involved but ‘any children that they had and how that may impact upon their duties to keep the business in the family’. ‘Her mother referred to a string of men, to whom she referred as “wretches”, with kids behind them,’ said the judge. Despite their deteriorating relationship, Miss Davies claims she was shown a draft will in 2009 that left the lion’s share of the farm to her. However, her parents subsequently proposed to place the farm in trust for the benefit of all three sisters equally. Family relations hit rock bottom in August 2012 during an altercation during which milk was thrown over Miss Davies by her mother, and she and her father ended up entangled on the floor, where she bit her father’s leg. Caeremlyn Farm, near Whitland in South Wales. Eirian Davies claimed she was promised the farm. She won a bid to secure a share of the £7million estate while her parents have lost an appeal against the decision . It led to the legal battle in which Mr and Mrs Davies sought to evict their daughter from the farm cottage, where she still lives close to her parents’ farmhouse, while she fought for her share of the farm. At the original hearing, Judge Milwyn Jarman QC ruled that Miss Davies had relied on her parents’ promises and thrown herself into working on the farm. She was thus entitled to a ‘beneficial interest’ in the business. Dismissing her parents’ appeal against the ruling, Lord Justice Floyd described the dispute as ‘in many ways a tragic case’. ‘The bitterness between the parties was such that each had few, if any, good words to say about the other,’ he said. ‘The fact remained, however, that between them they had over the years built up a prodigious Holstein pedigree milking herd and a highly successful business. ‘It is greatly to be hoped that they might now be able to resolve such remaining differences as they have in relation to Eirian’s entitlement without recourse to further costly and divisive litigation.’ | Eirian Davies claims parents told her she would take over South Wales farm .
Her mother and father tried to evict her after a family row broke out .
Miss Davies won legal campaign to secure rightful share of Caeremlyn Farm .
Parents Tegwyn and Mary Davies see challenge dismissed by Appeal Court . |
245,501 | c9c3c26ba31253c59cb6de26d8df3430c130ed85 | WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Van Jones defies environmentalist stereotypes. He's not the earthy-crunchy, Birkenstock-wearing type. Nor is he a contemporary and corporate version -- a hedge fund-fueled entrepreneur looking to make millions by building wind farms and solar-powered corporate headquarters. "We want to bring green jobs to people who don't have hope," says Van Jones, the president's "green jobs" chief. The new special adviser for "green jobs" -- those jobs that help reduce energy consumption and lessen environmental impact -- at the White House Council on Environmental Quality is in some ways like President Obama himself: an African-American community activist and organizer who has rocketed to the highest levels of government. Jones says it was death, of all things, that set him on his current career path as a green-jobs guru. In describing his turn from social activist to environmentalist, Jones recounted his experiences with young people in Oakland, California. "I got involved in this work because I got tired of going to funerals. I got tired of seeing young people without any hope," Jones told CNN. "I wanted them to have a better future. I said, 'Why don't we get these young people trained in green jobs so they can be a part of all these companies that are getting started?' " So Jones, a Yale Law School graduate and longtime community activist, started an organization called "Green For All" in Oakland. The mission was to figure out how to train underprivileged young people in green-jobs skills, such as installing solar panels and retrofitting houses to make them more energy efficient. Watch more on Van Jones' career » . "People talk about global warming. ... I want to cool the Earth down. I also want to calm the block down," said Jones. Jones' efforts earned him national recognition and grabbed the attention of Obama's advisers. Now, he is the president's pitchman for green jobs, helping to coordinate government agencies focused on delivering millions of green jobs to the ailing U.S. economy. "I see myself as the green-jobs handyman. My job is to make sure that the president's desire that we have literally millions of green jobs in our country actually turns into reality," said Jones. Yet even in places like Michigan, where unemployment is a whopping 15 percent -- well above the national average of 9.5 percent -- Jones understands there's skepticism about his message. CNN followed Jones on a recent visit to Lansing, Michigan, where he told attendees at a green-jobs conference that saving the planet and saving jobs can go hand in hand. "You say, 'Oh no, oh no -- you're gonna talk about the caulking gun. Oh no!' " Jones joked with the crowd. Critics, though, have serious concerns about the "green collar" agenda. They argue that those green jobs -- retrofitting homes to make them more energy-efficient, for instance -- will be mostly low-level and low-paying. Jones dismisses that. "You take somebody and maybe this summer they're putting up solar panels," Jones said. "Well guess what, this is a growing part of our economy -- the next summer they can be a manager, the next summer, maybe they can be an owner, an investor, an inventor." While Jones tries to spread his green message, he's also trying to practice what he preaches. That means taking public transportation, including a bus and train ride, to get to his office just across the street from the White House. He says those rides give him valuable opportunities to hear unvarnished views. Describing his work as a member of the executive branch, Jones said, "Everybody that comes talk to us, they've already got an agenda, they've got their game face on. [On] public transportation, people are themselves." As for who Jones is, he gave CNN a brief look at his new office at the White House Council on Environmental Quality. On the walls hang pictures of his heroes, each Jones described with a different strength. Basketball legend Michael Jordan: dedication and commitment. Boxing legend Muhammad Ali: fighting spirit. Finally, pointing to a picture above his desk, Jones' tone grew softer. "This is Bobby Kennedy the day before he was killed. In Watts, talking to some of the poorest people in California. And look at him. I mean, he's just present," Jones said, his eyes focused on Kennedy's image. "We want to bring green jobs to these kind of folks. We want to bring green jobs to people who don't have hope." | Van Jones says death set him on career path: "I got tired of going to funerals"
He worked as a social activist before becoming "green-jobs" guru .
He advises president on jobs that help cut energy use, don't harm environment .
Jones: "I see myself as the green-jobs handyman" |
268,689 | e806dbeb524c6b35e3e20ebe041ce86f28f6b6ff | By . Mark Duell . PUBLISHED: . 13:25 EST, 24 September 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 01:46 EST, 25 September 2012 . It's certainly a novel way to get through a jam if you're running late - but don't try it anytime soon. This man bizarrely decided to ride an electric tricycle against the heavy traffic on an overpass yesterday in Jinan, Shandong province, China. Wearing a pink polo shirt and black trousers, the driver weaved around the other vehicles as motorists tried to get out of his way. A . report in the People's Daily of China said the 'crazy and dangerous' escapade saw him change lanes 'many times' as other vehicles had to . 'flee'. It's not yet known if the man, who appeared to be carrying goods on the vehicle, was stopped by local authorities. Crazy scene: A man drove an electric tricycle against the traffic on an overpass on Sunday in Jinan, Shandong province, eastern China, in a bizarre bid to escape the jams . Novel idea: It's not known if the man - who was wearing a pink polo shirt and black trousers, and appeared to be carrying goods on the vehicle - was stopped by authorities at any point during his ride . Adventurous: A report in the People's Daily of China said the 'crazy and dangerous' scene saw the man change lanes 'many times' as other vehicles had to 'flee' | Incident happened on overpass in Jinan, Shandong province, eastern China .
Driver weaved around other vehicles as motorists swerved out of his way .
Local report said he changed lanes during 'crazy and dangerous' escapade . |
5,019 | 0e48edba05a51a5d7e2929a26c607d27428f3914 | The last meal of a new species of marine reptile that lived in the seas during the time of the dinosaurs has been found preserved in a forgotten fossil stored at a museum. A palaeontologist discovered the 189-million-year-old ichthyosaur while looking through the collections at Doncaster Museum and Art Gallery. The five foot (1.5 metres) long fossil, which was thought to be a plaster copy, had been kept in storage for nearly 30 years and had been largely overlooked. The fossilised, which has been named Ichthyosaurus anningae, had lain forgotten about in Doncaster Museum for nearly 30 years. The dark mass between the ribs are the remains of the animals last meal . However, Dean Lomax, a visting scientist at the University of Manchester, noticed some unusual structures in the bone structure while browsing the museum's collection. Skin pigments preserved in fossils - including an extinct creature that swam the oceans almost 200 million years ago - have been revealed using X-rays. Scans of the beautifully-preserved marine organisms help paint a picture of the appearance of animals that died out millions of years ago. Dark traces on fossilised skin from three reptiles - a 55 million-year-old leatherback turtle, an 86-million-year-old mosasaur and a 190 to 196-million-year-old ichthyosaur dating back up to 196 million years - were found to contain melanin. This pigment is found in many animals and serves various roles, from camouflage to regulation of body temperature. It suggests the ichthyosaurs had dark skins much like some species of modern dolphin. Dr Johan Lindgren and colleagues at Lund University, in Sweden, who conducted the study said evidence of it in these creatures reflects the important evolutionary role melanin played. They said the pigment was crucial in determining whether such animals were able to live in the colder parts of the world. Trapped within the fossilised bones of the ancient reptile, which had a similar shape to modern day dolphins, were also the remains of its last meal - squid. The finding has shed new light on the diets that these ocean dwelling reptiles lived on and gives new insight into their behaviour. Squid spend most of their time in the cold, dark depths of the ocean and most modern species that feed on them tend to dive down hundreds of metres to reach them. According to scientists this suggests that ichthyosaurs may have also been capable of withstanding high pressure and cold temperatures to reach their food. Working with palaeontologists at the State University of New York, Mr Lomax has now identified the fossil as a new species that was previously unknown to science. It has been named Ichthyosaurus anningae in honor of the British fossil collector Mary Anning, who first collected ichtyosaurs in the early 1800s. Mr Lomax said: 'It has taken us seven years of comparing this fossil with other ichthyosaur specimens from around the world to establish that it is a new species. 'Finding the contents of the stomach inside were an added bonus. Most fossils of ichthyosaurs have had their gut contents removed, if there were there, when they were excavated in the early 1800s to make them more aesthetically pleasing. 'In this fossil, however, there is a mass of thousands of tiny hooks - the ends of squid tentacles. We also found a fish scale close to the gut mass too, which could also have been the remains of a meal, although it may have just ended up inside the fossil by accident.' The artists impression above shows how Ichtyosaurus anningae may have looked 189 million years ago . The fossil was found between Black Ven, near Lyme Regis, and Sea Town on the Dorset Coast in the 1980s . The sharp teeth of Ichthyosaurus anningae shown above would have allowed it to snatch squid as it swam . The fossil is the first new species of ichthyosaur to be discovered in around 130 years and is one of the most complete specimens of its age. It was originally found among the rocks somewhere between Black Ven, near Lyme Regis, and Seatown on the Jurassic Coast of Dorset during the 1980s and bought by Doncaster Museum in 1983. However, after some staff changes at the museum it was later mistakenly labelled as a plaster cast copy and left to languish in the museums collections. However, in 2008 Mr Lomax noticed that some of the fin bones appeared to be different from other species of ichthyosaurs he had seen. Working with Professor Judy Massare from the State University of New York, they compared the fossilised bones with around 1,000 other ichthyosaur remains. Their findings are published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. In their paper they describe the fossil as a new species and say it lived in the oceans between 189 and 182 million years ago during the early Jurassic period. Dean Lomax, pictured above, discovered the new species while browsing the collection at Doncaster Museum . The scientists discovered tiny hooks from the end of squid tenticles fossilised in the remains of the reptile . During their search they discovered three other specimens in museums elsewhere in the world that they believe are also of the same species as the fossil in Doncaster. They were also able to determine that the fossil in Doncaster, which is almost complete apart from the end of its tail, belonged to an adult male. The other specimens are thought to be a subadult and two juveniles. Mr Lomax said he thought it was the first time it had been possible to determine the sex of fossilised ichthyosaurs. Dean Lomax and fellow palaeontologist Nigel Larkin examine the new species of ichthyosaur above . Ichthyosaurs are an ancient species of marine reptile that are distantly related to turtles as shown above . He said: 'There appears to have been some sexual dimorphism as the humerus bones appear to be different. We examined dimorphism in other reptiles and found this often differs significantly. 'We were able to say the fossil in Doncaster is probably a male adult.' Ichthyosaurs were once common in the world's oceans and had sharped teeth with which they are thought to have used to snatch fish as they hunted. Some fossils have been found with the remains of fish preserved inside them. It is hoped the discovery will encourage other museums to look back through their collections as there could be other new species hidden there. Dr Silvia Danise from Plymouth University told the BBC: 'Collections are treasures that show their value each time we're able to look at them with a different perspective, and by asking new scientific questions.' Palaeontologist Nigel Larkin (above) helped prepare the fossil so its features could be examined more clearly . | Palaeontologist Dean Lomax found fossil in storage at Doncaster Museum .
It was thought to be a plaster cast of ichthyosaur found on Jurassic Coast .
He found it was a real fossil and a species previously unknown to science .
The 189 million-year-old reptile has been named Ichthyosaurus anningae- .
It is was about 5 feet long and is thought to have looked similar to dolphins .
Preserved in the fossil's gut were undigested remains of squid tentacles .
The findings has provided insight into how these reptiles ate and lived . |
148,198 | 4b9db0304d74d75edebdbe78e9f68b6641fad544 | Ravel Morrison will suffer the ignominy of training with the Under 21 side following his return to West Ham. The forward has been on loan at Cardiff City but has returned to Upton Park early after Bluebirds manager Russell Slade made it clear he had no future at the club. However, there will be no place for the former Manchester United forward in Sam Allardyce first-team plans, meaning Morrison will be told to train with West Ham's Under 21 side. Ravel Morrison has returned from his loan at Cardiff City (left) early and is now back with West Ham . Morrison posted a photo of himself on Instagram in West Ham United training kit during a gym session . Hammers boss Sam Allardyce won't risk the harmony in his squad by giving Morrison another chance . Age: 21 . Born: Wythenshawe, Manchester . Position: Midfielder . Clubs: Manchester United (2010-12), West Ham United (2012-), Birmingham City (loan, 2012-13), Queens Park Rangers (loan, 2014), Cardiff City (loan, 2014) Career appearances: 80 . Career goals: 14 . Allardyce is delighted with his squad's dynamic following their excellent start to the season and doesn't want to do anything that may harm that. Morrison and Allardyce have not always seen eye-to-eye since the 21-year-old's arrival at the club in 2012, and the manager fears the talented forward could have a disruptive influence at Upton Park. The Hammers will try to sell Morrison in the January transfer window, but know that will be easier said than done. Morrison is understood to have an £18million release clause in his contract, but West Ham will let him leave for a mere fraction of that price just to get him of their books. If they don't find a buyer they will even consider the option of paying-up the remaining seven months of his contract to ensure he leaves the club as soon as possible. West Ham's third option will be to let him run down his contract when he becomes a free agent in the summer. Despite the club's seeming desperation to rid themselves of Morrison in the coming weeks, there remains regret they were unable to make the move work. The midfielder has been at West Ham for two-and-a-half years and scored this great solo goal against Spurs . The 21-year-old (right) takes a shot during a match for Queens Park Rangers against Brighton in March . Morrison holds off the challenge of Wayne Roony during a Premier League game for West Ham last December . Sir Alex Ferguson persuaded Allardyce to take a chance on Morrison during a PFA event ahead of his move to east London in January 2012, insisting West Ham would be signing potentially one of the best players of a generation if they could keep him focused. The Hammers knew at the time the move for Morrison would represent a major gamble, but because of his undoubted potential felt it was gamble worth taking. But it looks certain he has played his last game for West Ham. | Ravel Morrison has returned from his loan spell at Cardiff early .
But he is not wanted by West Ham and they could sell him in January .
Sam Allardyce is unwilling to give the midfielder another first-team chance .
Morrison has an £18m release clause but the Hammers will sell for less . |
87,037 | f6feb9a6ef57eb9e535b5fbeb25ce4a72b8fa160 | (CNN) -- Estudiantes de La Plata shocked Brazilian home side Cruzeiro on Wednesday to capture South American club football's greatest prize, the Copa Libertadores. Juan Sebastian Veron is showered in confetti in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, as he hoists the Copa trophy. The 2-1 aggregate win by Estudiantes marked the first Copa trophy claimed by the Argentinean team in 39 years, as they came from behind in a tense match that saw all goals scored in the second half. The teams played to a scoreless draw in last week's first-leg game in Argentina. Cruzeiro's Henrique scored the game's first goal in the 52nd minute, striking a long-range shot that deflected off Estudiantes defender Leandro Desabato, according to Goal.com. But five minutes later Gaston Fernandez tied the score from short range, giving the Argentinean team the edge on away-goals. Boselli headed in a corner from captain Juan Sebastian Veron in the 78th minute to seal the Copa trophy. The Copa final this year marked the first time for Estudiantes to reach the championship round in 39 years. The small club won the Copa Libertadores for three consecutive years,1968-1970. This year also marked the 50th birthday of the Copa Libertadores, South American football's equivalent of Europe's Champions League. The Libertadores is the most prestigious tournament in South American club football, seeing the best 32 teams in the continent battle for supremacy. For years it was dominated by Argentina, with a team from the country making it to every final between 1963 to 1979, and Buenos Aires team Independiente winning six times in that period. Since the early 1990s, it's been the Brazilian clubs that have excelled. Brazil has provided 10 Libertadores finalists in the last 10 years, but since the tournament's inception, every country except Peru and Mexico has supplied a winner. | Estudiantes defeats Cruzeiro to claim Copa Libertadores trophy .
Two teams played to a scoreless draw in the first leg .
It was first Copa trophy for Estudiantes since 1970 .
Brazilian team have dominated recently in South American club football's top prize . |
84,584 | eff4c51c8c23a5a8d7c2d304e1b35cfa2da31fe7 | (CNN) -- As Bill Clinton walked out onto the stage of the Democratic National Convention last night, there was love in the air. Television cameras scanned the faces in the crowd and it was as if each man and each woman, regardless of their ages or where they came from, was seeing again the person who first stole their hearts. But however deep their affections, however dizzying their passion, it was clear that it was at least equaled by the love of the speaker for the crowd he faced, for the role he was playing and for the limelight he once again commanded. Throughout Clinton's 49-minute address, at turns both masterful and meandering, the intensity of the love affair grew. At times, it was almost too much to watch. One woman on whom the cameras lingered for a moment was so close to a swoon that I thought she would topple over at any minute and that, in any event, she would never again look at her husband or lover again in the same away. They would always be second best. It was in that moment easy to imagine that on some level, off-stage, watching, Barack Obama was wondering whether he too would suffer a similar fate. Opinion: Bill Clinton brings it for Obama . To be sure, as he strode out to congratulate Clinton after the speech, Obama and his team and his fervent supporters filling the arena in Charlotte were likely thrilled by the job the 42nd president had done in supporting the cause of the 44th. But, as David Gergen said on CNN shortly after the speech, "Clinton told the Obama story better than Obama has." That is saying something, of course: Obama is a gifted speaker. Sometimes, he even soars. But as he himself noted recently when asked about his weaknesses during his first term, he has failed to effectively communicate why people should support his policies at critical moments. Recognizing this is no doubt why Obama, who was disinclined to consult with Clinton early in his presidency as much as the former president would have liked, turned to Clinton to play such a central role in this convention and in his re-election campaign. But there was a risk. He would pay a price. He would violate one of the first rules of show business: The closer on stage you stand to a taller actor, the shorter you look. With his speech last night, as with his post-presidency, his successes at the Clinton Global Initiative, the ascendancy of his wife as a senator and then as an exceptionally effective secretary of state, and the position he holds with her today, high atop the polls as the most popular leading politicians in the Democratic Party, Clinton has earned consideration as the most dominant American political figure of the past two decades. Warts and all, he is to his generation as Franklin Roosevelt was to his. For a man as proud as Obama, this must be galling. Sure, the president is no doubt grateful for the brilliance with which Clinton defended his policies, the deftness with which he sliced up Mitt Romney with a razor made of finely honed, carefully forged praise for his Republican predecessors. Obama, like everyone else watching, must have been particularly struck by how Clinton could speak of the same issues that divide average pols and make them ennobling. "We're all in this together is a far better philosophy than you're on your own," was effective. But in the current era, his "Democracy does not have to be a blood sport. It can be an honorable enterprise that advances the public interest" was both timely and transcendent. Part rhetoric. Part prayer. Opinion: Now it's up to Obama . On some level, Barack Obama must have wondered, "have I unleashed the reverse Clint Eastwood? A guy who will upstage me not with ill-conceived clownishness but with genius?" But eventually, after running on for even longer than his 1988 convention address, one almost universally panned for its verbosity, Clinton's speech came to a close. And when Obama walked out to embrace him and then usher him off into the wings, the younger man set the stage for perhaps his last chance to change the Clinton-centric narrative that has been Democratic politics since 1992. Tonight in his address to the delegates in Charlotte and to viewers across America, Obama will have a chance to step up and truly become Bill Clinton's successor, rather than a supporting player living in his era, in his shadow. Clinton's speech was superb even served as it was without portion control. But it did not do what only Obama can do. It did not offer the current president's vision for the future. It did not offer new solutions to the new problems we face as a country. Clinton may have forcefully said we're better off now than we were four years ago, but Obama can and must say how we will be better off four years hence and how that will better position America for future growth beyond that. Clinton didn't do that and as an ex-president, he couldn't. (And mimicking Clinton-era policies won't work because many of them are outdated and frankly some, like financial deregulation, proved wrongheaded.) Romney has not done it either, his convention speech offering few ideas, no new ones and no specifics. Wrap-up: 5 lines that killed at the DNC . The country is at a watershed moment. It has only one president at a time and that man right now is Barack Obama. Starting with tonight's speech and continuing through this campaign and into a next term if he has one, by dint of creativity and vision or lack thereof, Obama will demonstrate whether he is a new force, not a secondary player, in modern history. Bill Clinton's speech reminded us of his place in history. Barack Obama's will help determine his. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of David Rothkopf. | David Rothkopf: Bill Clinton dazzled reverent audience that had eagerly awaited him .
He says Obama must have wondered whether he'll seem second best in his speech .
He says Clinton holds sacred place in Democratic politics, rivalling FDR in his sway .
Rothkopf: Tonight Obama must step out from Clinton shadow and determine his future . |
150,244 | 4e40ba88b95601cdc4a04ac40d9610ec3a06aaeb | (CNN) -- Texas Democrats are calling for the resignation of a Republican elected county judge who warned this week that the nation could descend into civil war if President Barack Obama is re-elected. "It's really up to Judge (Tom) Head to do the right thing and resign and stop embarrassing Lubbock County," said Kenny Ketner, who became the county Democratic Party's chief Monday. "I wish we were getting worldwide attention for something better than a crazy county judge," Ketner told CNN. "But what are you going to do?" There is no recall process for Head's office in Texas, Ketner said. The county's Republican Party chief, Carl Tepper, accused the Democrats of "opportunism" and said he had called Head and left him a message offering "moral support." "I don't agree with him, but everyone has their opinion," Tepper said. "I can respectfully disagree with him and he can still be an elected official." While Tepper said he had not heard from state Republican Party chiefs, the Texas Democratic Party did weigh in with a statement. "This nonsense is what passes for mainstream in today's Republican Party," the statement said. "It's not only ridiculous, it's dangerous. It's crystal clear that Judge Head should resign." In remarks this week, Head called for a well-equipped force to battle the United Nations troops that he said Obama might bring in. The comments by Head, who oversees emergency planning efforts, were broadcast by CNN affiliate KJTV. He made similar remarks on radio station FOX Talk 950. Saying that as the county's emergency management coordinator he has to "think about the very worst thing that can happen and prepare for that and hope and pray for the best," Head told radio host Jeff Klotzman that he believes "in this political climate and financial climate, what is the very worst thing that could happen right now? Obama gets back in the White House. No. God forbid." Why are tax hikes politically radioactive? Referring to unexplained "executive orders" and other documents that Obama and "his minions have filed," Head said, "regardless of whether the Republicans take over the Senate, which I hope they do, he is going to make the United States Congress and he's going to make the Constitution irrelevant. He's got his czars in place that don't answer to anybody." Obama, Head said, will "try to give the sovereignty of the United States away to the United Nations. What do you think the public's going to do when that happens? We are talking civil unrest, civil disobedience, possibly, possibly civil war. ... I'm not talking just talking riots here and there. I'm talking Lexington, Concord, take up arms, get rid of the dictator. OK, what do you think he is going to do when that happens? He is going to call in the U.N. troops, personnel carriers, tanks and whatever." Head vowed to personally stand "in front of their personnel carriers and say, 'You're not coming in here.' And I've asked the sheriff. I said, 'Are you going to back me on this?' And he said, 'Yeah, I'm going to back you.' Well, I don't want a bunch of rookies back there who have no training and little equipment. I want seasoned veteran people who are trained that have got equipment. And even then, you know we may have two or three hundred deputies facing maybe a thousand U.N. troops. We may have to call out the militia." Opinion: Taxmageddon headed our way . Sheriff Kelly Rowe told KJTV there had been no conversation about such a civil war scenario. The two have discussed contingencies for emergency management, he said. The lone Democrat on the Lubbock County Commissioner's Court, Gilbert Flores, described Head with a colorful West Texas saying: "He's a six-pack short of a full case of beer, if you know what I mean." KJTV reported that the warning was linked to taxes. Head "indicates a tax increase is needed to shore up law enforcement to protect us," the station reported, adding that a tax increase is under consideration that "would largely benefit the district attorney and sheriff's offices. But the emphasis is more on salary competitiveness than doomsday scenarios." Head made his controversial remarks Tuesday. On Wednesday at a county commissioner meeting, he emphasized that his remarks were about "worst-case scenario in my opinion," and added, "Do I think those are going to happen? Probably not." Also Wednesday, he told the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, "I cannot divorce my theology and my philosophy from me, from my office, you know? I am pro-life, I am pro-gun rights, and if you're going to vote for me and say you don't believe in gun rights, you don't want me in office, so you won't vote for me." Attorney Rod Hobson jokingly put up U.N. flags outside his Lubbock office, KJTV reported. "When I saw the story I thought, once again, Lubbock is going to be the laughingstock of the entire nation," Hobson said. "What makes it so sad is he is our elected county judge, who is in charge of a multimillion-dollar budget. That is scary. It's like the light's on, but no one is home. ... I'd just like to think he's off his meds." But video from the Wednesday meeting showed at least one citizen supporting him. "Judge Head, thank you, and God bless," the citizen said. Head did not respond to e-mail or phone calls to his office on Thursday. Both Ketner of the county Democratic Party and Tepper of the county Republican Party said they have received calls from people on both sides of the issue. While many callers to Ketner have asked if there is any way to boot him from office, some have said they support the judge, Ketner said. Tepper said Republicans are split over the issue. "There's quite a divergent mix of views" within the party, he said. "Some people are very staunch defenders of Judge Head. And some people don't appreciate how he said what he said." Democrats are pushing for members of the public to show up Monday to a county commission budget meeting. "Normally, nobody shows up," Ketner said. But given the attention Head's remarks are getting, this meeting just might draw a crowd, he said. Follow the latest political coverage on the CNN Political Ticker . CNN's Ed Lavandera contributed to this report. | Democrats call for county judge Tom Head's resignation .
The county Republican chief offers Head "moral support"
Head says Obama will try to cede U.S. sovereignty to the U.N.
The warning was linked to a push for taxes, CNN affiliate KJTV reported . |
243,577 | c74893e1d78fef70f249896ef26a3b8c13668e9b | (CNN) -- Rapper T.I. walked out of a federal prison in Arkansas Wednesday morning, 10 months after he began serving a sentence for violating his parole on a gun conviction, a prison official confirmed. "The storm is over & da sun back out. IT'S OUR TIME TO SHINE SHAWTY!!!!! Welcome to the beginning of our Happy Ending!!!!" T.I., whose real name is Clifford Harris, wrote in a Twitter message Wednesday. T.I. will complete the last weeks of his 11-month sentence in a community service center, or half-way house, but Bureau of Prisons spokesman Chris Burke would not disclose its location until the singer gets there. This was the rapper's second stint in the Federal Correctional Center in Forrest City, Arkansas. He served seven months there in 2009 as part of an unusual sentence negotiated two years ago to resolve federal gun charges. Those charges followed his attempt to buy three machine guns in the parking lot of an Atlanta grocery store. "Feels great to be back where I belong... Back in the arms of those who need me the most," T.I. tweeted Wednesday. Cable channel VH-1 announced just hours after his release that it was producing a reality series to show T.I. "as he re-adjusts to life as a free man after being incarcerated for nearly a year in a federal prison in Arkansas." The as yet-untitled 10-episode series will premiere in December, VH-1 said. "Viewers will get a behind-the-scenes look at the most private and personal moments of one of today's hottest, most sought after Grammy winning artists as he is reunited with his wife and kids and thrust back into society at this crucial juncture in his life," the channel said. MTV produced a series in 2009 based on the countdown to his first prison term, titled "T.I.'s Road to Redemption." His latest prison time was triggered by his arrest, along with his wife, after a motorcycle officer stopped their car on Sunset Boulevard in Beverly Hills, California, a year ago. A police report said suspected drugs were found in the couple's car and they were both arrested on drug charges. While the charge against Harris was later dropped, he failed a drug test given by his parole officer. The cornerstone of the plea deal was his community service, which included the rapper speaking to young people about the importance of staying off drugs and out of trouble. At a federal parole violations hearing a month his arrest, Harris acknowledged that he had a drug addiction problem. "I screwed up big time and I am sorry," Harris told U.S. District Judge Charles Pannell, Jr. "I am sincerely sorry. I am scared that you will send me to prison." "Mr. Harris has had the limit of second chances," Pannell said as he imposed the 11-month sentence last October. "He was supposed to be living what he was preaching," U.S. Attorney Sally Yates said at the hearing. Harris is an Atlanta-based rapper, music producer and actor. He is also the head of the Grand Hustle record label. CNN's Denise Quan and Devon Sayers contributed to this report. | NEW: VH-1 announces new series about T.I.'s post-prison life .
Rapper T.I. is free 10 months after starting his second prison term .
The hip hop artist must finish his sentence in a half-way house .
T.I., whose real name is Clifford Harris, violated his parole on a gun conviction last year . |
39,259 | 6eeab1e822600896702ce10d920ee3961f541fbb | A baby who was stolen from her sleeping mother's arms 17 years ago has been reunited with her parents after ending up at the same school as her biological sister. Zephany Nurse was snatched from a Cape Town hospital in 1987 when she was just three days old. She was reconciled with her biological family after pupils at a high school Cape Town noticed a striking similarity between girls Zephany and Cassidy, born three years apart. Snatched: Zephany Nurse pictured with her mother at a Cape Town hospital in 1987 . Seeing the resemblance, Cassidy, aged 14, invited the older lookalike to meet her parents, and they immediately recognised their long lost first-born and contacted police. Her real parents Celeste and Morne Nurse had been living only a short distance apart all these years and had never given up hope of finding her, celebrating her birthday every year with their three other children. DNA tests revealed Zephany was their child and police have now charged a 50 year old woman with kidnapping. Never forgotten: The nurse family celebrated Zephany's birthday each year in her absence. They have been reunited after fellow pupils remarked how similar she looked to what was in fact her biological sister . Celeste Nurse, right, leaves court today after attending the appearance of a woman charged with kidnapping her daughter 17 years ago . Zephany grew up with a different name, and a different family, never knowing she was not their real daughter. But last month Cassidy started high school at the same school as Zephany and fellow pupils noticed a startling resemblance she bore to a final-year student. Police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel André Traut confirmed that a woman had been arrested. She and her husband, who is also in his fifties, have no other children. 'The suspect is being charged with kidnapping, fraud and contravening sections of the Children's Act, in that she fraudulently pretended that she was the biological mother of a child,' Traut said. 'The kidnapped girl has since been placed in the care of the Department of Social Services of the Western Cape Government.' | Zephany Nurse was three days old when snatched from a hospital .
Classmates noticed resemblance between her and younger girl Cassidy .
DNA tests confirmed Zephany, 17, was their long-lost daughter .
Police charged 50-year-old woman with kidnapping and fraud . |
197,483 | 8b9d5113fb28e59affb78db24ab6f991bd38835a | A special prosecutor who had accused Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner of ordering impunity for Iranian suspects in the South American country's worst terrorist attack was found shot dead in his bathroom, authorities said Monday. Alberto Nisman, who was set to testify Monday in a closed-door hearing, was found in the bathroom of his Buenos Aires apartment late Sunday, federal prosecutor Viviana Fein told Telam, Argentina's official news agency. 'We can confirm that it was a gunshot wound, .22 caliber,' she said, adding that it was too early in the investigation to know what had happened. Police carry the remains of prosecutor Alberto Nisman outside his house in Buenos Aires, Argentina, early on Monday . Federal prosecutor Viviana Fein confirmed that Mr Nisman died of a .22 caliber gunshot wound. Pictured is an Argentine Federal Police forensic unit carrying his body away from his home . Alberto Nisman (left) was found shot hours before he was due to present a case against Argentine President Cristina Fernandez (right), who he accused of protecting Iranian suspects in a 1994 bombing in Buenos Aires . Nisman had been appointed 10 years ago by Fernandez's late husband, then President Nestor Kirchner, to investigate the 1994 bombing of the Argentine-Israeli Mutual Association in Buenos Aires, which killed 85 people and injured more than 200. In 2013, Argentina and Iran reached an agreement to investigate the attack, which remains unsolved. That year, Nisman released an indictment accusing Iran and Hezbollah of organizing the blast. Iran denies any involvement. Last week, Nisman accused Fernandez and other senior Argentine officials of agreeing not to punish at least two former Iranian officials in the case. He asked a judge to call Fernandez and others, including Foreign Minister Hector Timerman, for questioning. 'The president and her foreign minister took the criminal decision to fabricate Iran's innocence to sate Argentina's commercial, political and geopolitical interests,' Nisman said last week. Government officials called the prosecutor's allegations ludicrous. A federal judge had begun the process of deciding whether to hear the complaint and whether anyone should be summoned for questioning. Late Sunday, federal police agents in charge of Nisman's protection alerted their superiors that he wasn't answering phone calls, according to a statement from the Health Ministry. When he also didn't answer the door, they decided to alert family members, according to the statement. When Nisman's mother wasn't able to open the door because a key was in the lock on the other side, a locksmith was called to open it, the ministry said. A .22 caliber handgun and a shell casing were found next to Nisman's body. Israel's foreign ministry expressed 'deep sorrow' over Nisman's death. 'Nisman, a courageous, venerable jurist who fought intrepidly for justice, acted with determination to expose the identities of the terrorists and their dispatchers,' a ministry statement said. Firefighters and rescue workers search through the rubble of the Buenos Aires Jewish Community center in this July 18, 1994, picture, after a car bomb rocked the building, killing 86 people. Mr Nisman believes there has been a cover-up over finding the culprits . Late Sunday, federal police agents in charge of protecting Nisman (pictured) alerted their superiors that he wasn't answering phone calls . When Nisman's mother wasn't able to open his door because a key was in the lock on the other side, a locksmith was called to open it. A .22 caliber handgun and a shell casing were found next to Nisman's body . | Alberto Nisman accused Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner of cover-up .
The lawyer said that she gave impunity to two Iranian bombing suspects .
They were linked to South America's worst ever terrorist attack .
The bombing of a Jewish centre in Buenos Aires in 1994 killed 85 people .
Mr Nisman was found shot dead in his bathroom next to a handgun . |
193,109 | 86045702df2cf5f13bab802a334294b52f338515 | By . Jaymi Mccann and Ian Drury . PUBLISHED: . 03:22 EST, 28 July 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 18:02 EST, 28 July 2013 . British soldiers have taken part in a secret offensive against the Taliban in a deadly Afghan warzone they had pulled out from three years ago. About 80 members of the 4th Battalion The Rifles provided ‘assistance’ to an Afghan National Army purge of insurgents in the hotspot of Sangin, in which 12 fanatics were killed and 30 improvised explosive devices seized. There were no British casualties during the eight-day operation earlier this month, but two Afghan soldiers died. Battle: Afghan National Army joined the British troops in the fighting in Sangin earlier this week . The mission to prevent Sangin, northern Helmand, again becoming a Taliban stronghold was considered so risky it had to be approved personally by Defence Secretary Philip Hammond. From 2006 to 2010 when UK troops were based in the town, dubbed one of the world’s most dangerous places, 106 soldiers were killed. News of the operation will fuel concerns about Afghan troops’ ability to defeat the Taliban when UK, US and Nato forces pull out in December 2014. The Afghan army took over security in Sangin in the spring but military commanders requested assistance following weeks of attacks by insurgents. Mr Hammond gave permission for troops from 4 Rifles, serving as the Brigade Advisory Group, to travel from Camp Bastion and help as troops from the UK-mentored 3/215 Brigade moved in. The UK troops have since left Sangin. A senior Army officer said: ‘The negative publicity would have been worse if the situation around Sangin had got out of hand. This was the lesser of many evils.’ Fierce: Sangin (pictured) has seen some of the worst fighting of the war in Afghanistan . The Ministry of Defence said: ‘These . out-of-area operations are completely in line with our current role of . providing training, advice and assistance to the Afghan National . Security Forces.’ In recent months the British Armed . Forces have instead been focusing on mentoring the Afghan National Army . in preparation for their withdrawal from the country next year. 'In support of the Afghan forces who . now have the security lead across the country, UK personnel do on . occasion operate outside the usual UK area of operations in central . Helmand in an advisory capacity, ' the Ministry of Defence said in a . statement. The statement added that Sangin 'remains a challenging area' and it is now for the Afghan forces to deal with insurgents. During the operation, a number of insurgents were detained and killed, more than 30 improvised explosive devices were found and destroyed and two vehicles were seized along with ammunition and weapons. There were no British casualities but a number of ANA soldiers were killed, The Sunday Times added. Troops: During the operation, a number of insurgents . were detained and killed and more than 30 improvised explosive devices were . found (Stock image) Brigadier Rupert Jones, Commander Task Force Helmand, said: 'We have known for some considerable time that 3/215 Brigade of the Afghan National Army, who Task Force Helmand has operated with for many years, is a highly effective fighting formation. Through the summer they have just got better and better as ISAF have stepped back further. 'However, operating in Sangin over the past week, they have moved to another level of performance and independence. 'Everyone who witnessed them has been in awe of the manner in which they cleared the insurgents from well defended positions with integrated fire support, manoeuvre, reserves and strong tactics. 'They have operated virtually independently, requiring the Task Force Helmand advisors from 4 RIFLES for little more than casualty evacuation. 'It has been a very impressive demonstration of what the Afghan National Army can be capable of.' There are plans to withdraw troops by the end of 2014 . 2001 October – September 11 attacks lead to US bombing of Afghanistan. Anti-Taliban forces soon enter Kabul. 2002 January – A Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) enters the country - marking the start of a fight against the Taliban. 2003 August – Nato now controls security in Kabul. 2005 September - Afghans vote in first parliamentary elections in more than 30 years. 2006 October - Nato takes over security for the whole of Afghanistan, being led by a coalition force. 2008 September - US President George Bush sends an extra 4,500 US troops to Afghanistan. 2009 March - US President Barack Obama unveils new strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan as intends to help the Afghan army and police by sending 4,000 more personnel. 2010 November - Nato agrees to hand control of security to Afghan forces by end of 2014 at a Lisbon summit. 2011 November - President Karzai plans to negotiate a 10-year military partnership with the US. The proposed pact will see US troops remain after 2014. 2012 Socialist French President Francois Hollande says France will withdraw its troops by the end of 2012. 2012 The US hands over Bagram high-security jail to the Afghan government, but controls some foreign prisoners until March 2013. 2013 June - Afghan army takes command of all military and security operations from Nato forces. 2013 Washington announces it plans to hold direct talks with the Taliban, forcing President Karzai to suspend security talks with the US. BBC.co.uk . Sorry we are unable to accept comments for legal reasons. | About 80 British soldiers travelled to Sangin to fight Taliban insurgents .
Joined by the Afghan National Army, they detained a number of fighters .
The mission was kept secret until after it was completed earlier this week .
More than 30 improvised explosive devices were found and .
destroyed and two vehicles were seized along with ammunition and .
weapons . |
97,237 | 09202ac8579bb6137c49194251320c4227a49ca3 | By . Antonia Hoyle for The Mail on Sunday . Made In Chelsea stars Alexandra ‘Binky’ Felstead and Millie Mackintosh are both patients at Mervyn Druian’s London Centre For Cosmetic Dentistry. Dr Druian says naturally gleaming teeth like theirs are always preferable to the artificial, fully veneered finish favoured by the girls from their rival reality show The Only Way Is Essex. He says: ‘TOWIE people tend to be bigger, more brash personalities – they want these big white teeth. It’s one-upmanship to have the whitest teeth possible. Scroll down for video . There's a right way and a wrong way: Millie Mackintosh's natural smile is preferable to Joey Essex's veneers . ‘They often want whiter veneers than we would give them. I’d never let a patient walk out looking foolish. We have turned people away because we don’t think they need veneers.’ He adds: ‘My perfect veneers don’t look like veneers, they look like teeth. ' 'I want my patients to be told they look really well. I don’t want them to be asked what work they’ve had done.’ In addition to whitening treatments, Binky Felstead had a chipped front tooth repaired by Dr Druian after an accident last week when her car went over a bump while she was drinking from a glass bottle. Sharp situation: Binky Felstead was treated for a chipped front tooth after an car accident last week . He says: ‘We used a filling material that blended in so well it looked invisible.’ He adds: ‘Millie has only ever had whitening with us. She’s been in a couple of times and is a lovely girl with very nice teeth.’ Millie, he says, doesn’t need veneers – and nor do scores of others wanting better, brighter teeth. ‘There are lots of ways to make teeth look better. You can try invisible braces – which a dentist can do – or whitening.’ | Natural teeth are preferred over artificial veneers, say dentist .
Made in Chelsea girls' own dentist on what not to do to teeth .
Recommends invisible braces or whitening over veneers . |
190,618 | 82c9127c2020acf5e378f5bc1a9d5aa7ef403735 | By . Chris Pleasance . PUBLISHED: . 20:55 EST, 4 November 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 03:47 EST, 5 November 2013 . A UK police force has become the first in the country to offer pensions for retired police dogs. Crime-fighting canines will be rewarded with up to £1,500 each under the Nottinghamshire Police scheme. Previously, ex-police dogs received no contributions towards their upkeep and would be kept by their handlers as pets or rehomed. A new scheme in Nottinghamshire will pay up to £1,500 for each retired . police dog's costs, because they are usually taken on by their handlers as . pets . The payouts will cover treatments for the highly-trained animals, including vet’s bills, worming, vaccinations and kennel fees. Notts. Police say they will pay a maximum of £500 per year for three years to cover the upkeep of retired animals. However the plans, which will be rolled out next month, have met with criticism from campaigners who say the money, which will total around £39,000 for the force’s 26 police dogs, is a rough deal for taxpayers. Six dogs retire from the police force every year after a career sniffing out drugs, bombs and searching properties . Asked what he made of such comments, Paddy Tipping, Police and Crime Commissioner for Notts. Police, said: 'I guess the criticism is, "well hang on a minute, we should spend the money elsewhere". Well, you’ve got to make judgments about priorities.' He added: 'We look after the people who work for us who have been police officers and staff - they get a decent retirement and I think it’s important the same is done for the dogs. 'These animals work hard for the police and they are officers in their own right. 'Many of the force’s dogs are fit and healthy when they retire but some need medical treatment for injury or illness resulting from being worked hard while tackling crime. 'These dogs give willing and sterling service over the years in protecting the public so I am delighted to approve a scheme that will ensure continuing medical help once their work is done.' Handler PC Matt Rogers believes his dog Rossi may have saved his life in a terrifying incident last November. The eight-year-old Belgian shepherd/malinois cross leapt 8ft into the air to grab an axe from the hand of a man as PC Rogers tried to arrest him in Boughton. Rossi is expected to retire in the next 12 months or so after spending most of his life working for Notts Police and helping to make 'many hundreds' of arrests. PC Rogers said: 'I’m really pleased and I think it’s only right. As an organisation that works with animals we need to set an example. Paddy Tipping, Police and Crime Commissioner for Notts. Police, said he was 'concerned to learn' dog pensions weren't already being offered . 'With Rossi by my side while I’m tackling a suspect I almost can’t miss. I love him to bits, he looks after me.' Around six police dogs retire every year after spending their lives assisting with arrests, crowd control, sniffing out drugs and searching properties. Mr Tipping said: 'Let’s be clear about it, if the officers didn’t look after the dogs when they retire from the force they would be put down. 'The police officers have become very fond of the dogs, they keep the dogs, and I don’t think it’s fair that they have to pay all the bills.' Notts Police is the first force to offer an ‘in-house’ pension scheme for its retired canine officers. In 2009, Cambridgeshire Police announced it had set up a trust to fund a similar retirement plan for its dogs. | The £39,000 scheme is being introduced by Nottinghamshire Police .
It will pay £500 per year for a maximum of three years for dog's costs .
Six dogs retire every year and are usually taken on by their handlers . |
104,199 | 1270f1c5f5bed0bb27d07585be18965a359dc335 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 17:19 EST, 5 June 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 18:09 EST, 5 June 2013 . Police are considering giving the details of homeowners who are burgled after leaving doors or windows unlocked to insurance firms. Officers say the move to jeopardise victims’ insurance payouts is designed to make people take their security more seriously. Senior Tameside police want to cut the number of so-called ‘insecurities’, which account for a third of burglaries in homes across the Manchester borough every year. Getting inside: It is more difficult to trace burglars who don¿t have to break into a property but simply enter through an open window or door (file picture) Currently, insurance firms ask burglary victims for crime reference numbers but rarely request further details from officers. Chief Inspector Steve McFarlane, of Greater Manchester Police, said it was rare for insurers to call officers, adding: ‘Usually the crime number is taken on face value.’ Police admit the move, which is thought to be a first, will be unpopular but say homeowners must take responsibility for their actions. It is more difficult to trace burglars who don’t have to break into a property but simply enter through an open window or door. Chief Inspector McFarlane added: ‘We have had reductions in burglaries year on year but an area we haven’t been able to tackle effectively is insecurities. Criminals: Thieves are often in and out in seconds, making off with handbags, laptops or car keys (file picture) ‘We’ve raised awareness in the media, leafleted properties. You can tell people but whether they act on it is a different matter. 'If you leave your keys in your car when you are defrosting it and someone drives off in it the insurance company don’t pay out' Chief Inspector Steve McFarlane, Greater Manchester Police . ‘If you leave your keys in your car when you are defrosting it and someone drives off in it the insurance company don’t pay out. What’s the difference between leaving your engine running to leaving your door unlocked?’ Thieves are often in and out in seconds, making off with handbags, laptops or car keys. Chief Superintendent Nick Adderley said: ‘Is it right that those who do take care should be forced to pay higher premiums because of those who just can’t be bothered to lock the door? ‘It’s going to be unpopular but it’s something I will defend.’ | Senior Tameside police want to cut number of so-called 'insecurities'
Account for 1/3 of annual burglaries in Manchester borough's homes .
Currently insurance firms ask burglary victims for a crime reference .
But the companies rarely request further details from police officers . |
265,035 | e3483e9da908f115e5e8040c05c323153a2b7c5a | The chairman of the Essendon Football Club, Paul Little, has finally sold his Queensland home after putting it on the market in 2011. But the five bedroom five bathroom home, complete with a private cinema, was sold for a $1.1 million loss. Little first bought the house at 17 Witta Circle in Noosa Heads in 2007 for $7.6 million according to Property Observer. The chairman of the Essendon Football Club, Paul Little, finally sold his Queensland home on Monday . The two-storey property at Noosa was sold to a Brisbane couple for $6.5 million . The two-storey water-front mansion was sold for only $6.5 million on Monday to a Brisbane couple. Featuring its own section of private beach and a jetty, the mansion is also complete with its own luxurious swimming pool. Its modern design includes a number of open living spaces and sky lights as well as a Balinese open room and sandstone terraces. The selling price was a $1.1 million loss for Mr Little, who bought the property for $7.6 million in 2007 . Despite the million dollar loss, the sale has been dubbed an example of the rising confidence in Noosa's property market . Despite appearing to be a great loss for the high-end property, the sale has been dubbed an example of the rising confidence in Noosa's property market which suffered greatly during the financial crisis, according to the Financial Review. Unlike the Sydney and Melbourne markets which recovered fairly quickly, Queensland's coastal market is yet to make a strong recovery. The loss is one of many struggles currently being endured by Mr Little, whose AFL club's players are facing the prospect of suspensions after they lost a court battle with Australia's anti-doping authority over its supplements program last month. The home's modern design includes a private home cinema, a Balinese open room and sandstone terraces . The open plan living spaces, sky lights and the north facing position of the house means it is showered in sunlight all year round . The club has until October 1 to appeal the findings and have been ordered to pay ASADA's court costs. On Monday Mr Little also revealed that James Hird will keep his job as Essendon's senior coach despite rumours of his sacking. In a statement, the chairman wrote that it would be 'potentially reckless' to make any significant decisions until there is 'further clarity' on some ongoing issues. Unlike the Sydney and Melbourne markets which recovered fairly quickly, Queensland's coastal market is yet to make a strong recovery . The beach-side mansion features its own section of private beach, a jetty and swimming pool . | Mr Little sold the Noosa property in Queensland for $6.5 million on Monday .
He first bought the house at 17 Witta Circle in 2007 for $7.6 million .
The five bedroom, five bathroom house features its own section of private beach, a pool, a Balinese open room and sandstone terraces .
His loss in profit was revealed following the Essendon Football Club's court loss over its supplements program last month . |
226,055 | b0bb56e87fd7fa8b02829eeb7d46c8e0602c35ac | Mark Hughes has warned Premier League defenders that Peter Crouch is just as dangerous in the air as Harry Kane following the Stoke striker's late equaliser against Newcastle. Crouch's leveller at St James' Park was his 44th headed goal in the Barclays Premier League. The 34-year-old, who has previously played in the top-flight for the likes of Liverpool, Portsmouth and Tottenham, is just two behind Alan Shearer's Premier League headed goals record. Stoke striker Peter Crouch celebrates his last-minute headed goal against Newcastle . Crouch leaped above Newcastle defender Daryl Janmaat to score in the 90th minute at St James' Park . Crouch celebrates with his Stoke team-mates Victor Moses and Phil Bardsley after his late goal . Crouch is one behind Dion Dublin and two behind Shearer when it comes to Premier League headed goals . 46 - Alan Shearer . 45 - Dion Dublin . 44 - Peter Crouch . Tottenham striker Kane made the headlines over the weekend by firing an impressive double, which included a superb header, against north London rivals Arsenal but Hughes believes Crouch is just as talented in the air. Hughes said: 'I think somebody mentioned over the weekend that Harry Kane is the only player who scores that type of goal. 'But that's an oversight on Peter Crouch who's been doing that for years. It's a great ball from Geoff Cameron and a fantastic header. 'Peter has been unlucky in the last few weeks because he hasn't started games, but he's very much valued by myself and the club.' Crouch is expected to break Shearer's record as the 6ft 7ins forward has recently extended his stay at the Britannia Stadium by signing a new two-year deal. Harry Kane scored a superb header to ensure his side claimed a 2-1 win against north London rivals Arsenal . | Peter Crouch scored last-minute equaliser against Newcastle .
The 6ft 7ins striker has now scored 44 headed goals in the Premier League .
Crouch is just two goals behind Alan Shearer's record of 46 headed goals .
Mark Hughes insists Crouch is just as talented in the air as Harry Kane . |
283,142 | fac3c6f94628cc307fd255dce5ff5aafce29412b | They work together and play together but Cara Delevingne and Jourdan Dunn are about to get competitive as they battle for the prestigious title of Model of the Year 2014. The two young supermodels have been shortlisted in the Model of the Year category ahead of this year's British Fashion Awards. The duo will compete for the title, along with Sam Rollinson, and the winner will be announced at the glitzy event on December 1. Scroll down for video . Who will be this year's winner? Best friends Cara Delevingne, left, and Jourdan Dunn have been shortlisted in the Model of the Year category at 2014's British Fashion Awards . Cara, arguably the world's hottest model right now, claimed the title in 2012 and newcomer Edie Campbell took the crown last year. While 22-year-old Cara has been busy working on her budding acting career, she's still managed to squeeze in a campaign for Topshop and several catwalk appearances. Jourdan, 22, meanwhile, fronting Maybelline New York's latest beauty campaign and walked in countless shows over fashion month. One model who is notably absent from the shortlist, despite her stellar success this year, is Cara's best friend, Suki Waterhouse. The 22-year-old is currently the face of Burberry's beauty range but failed to make the contenders list. Big names: Cara and Jourdan, pictured with Burberry boss Christopher Bailey, who is up for Menswear Designer of the Year, work together and play together . This year’s British Fashion Awards will be hosted by British comedian, actor, author and television presenter, Jack Whitehall, at the London Coliseum. The nominees and winners are voted for by members of the global fashion industry. Another familiar face who made this year's shortlist is Victoria Beckham, who opened her first standalone store in London this year and will compete with Alexander McQueen and Stella McCartney to win Brand of the Year. Other awards on the night include the Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator, which recognises a British stylist, make-up artist, photographer, art director or producer whose creativity has been a major inspiration and influence in the past year; and the BFC Outstanding Achievement award, which recognises someone whose work has had an exceptional impact on global fashion. Model behaviour: Sam Rollinson, left, has also been shortlisted with Cara and Jourdan for Model of the Year but Suki Waterhouse, right, is notably absent from the list . A good year for Mrs Beckham: Victoria, who opened her first standalone store in London this year, will compete with Alexander McQueen and Stella McCartney to win Brand of the Year . Emerging Womenswear Designer . 1205 . Marques’Almeida . Thomas Tait . Emerging Menswear Designer . Astrid Andersen . Craig Green . Lee Roach . Emerging Accessory Designer . Fernando Jorge . Prism . Yunus & Eliza . New Establishment Designer . Emilia Wickstead . Peter Pilotto . Simone Rocha . Establishment Designer . Margaret Howell . Preen . Roland Mouret . Womenswear Designer . Christopher Kane . Erdem . J.W. Anderson . Menswear Designer . Christopher Bailey for Burberry . J.W. Anderson . Paul Smith . Tom Ford . Accessory Designer . Anya Hindmarch . Charlotte Olympia . Nicholas Kirkwood . International Designer . Hedi Slimane for Saint Laurent . Nicolas Ghesquière for Louis Vuitton . Raf Simons . Red Carpet Designer . Alexander McQueen . Mary Katrantzou . Roksanda . Brand . Alexander McQueen . Stella McCartney . Victoria Beckham . Model . Cara Delevingne . Jourdan Dunn . Sam Rollinson . Creative Campaign . Lanvin . Louis Vuitton . Vivienne Westwood . | Both girls shortlisted for Model of the Year .
Will compete with Sam Rollinson for title .
British Fashion Awards will take place in December .
Victoria Beckham will compete for Brand of the Year . |
166,712 | 639196066aaa0fd96e403bbe6dbdf2d7c291ece8 | A Texas university student has been shot dead by a campus police officer during a routine traffic stop. Robert Cameron Redus, 23, was killed when Corporal Chris Carter, 35, opened fire on him in the early hours of Friday morning a few blocks away from the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio where Redus studied, set to graduate in May. Investigators say an altercation began when Carter tried to pull Redus over for speeding and driving erratically. College shooting: Cameron Redus was killed after a campus cop shot him multiple times during a traffic stop . Under investigation: The parking lot of Redus' apartment block where he died is cordoned off by police . Lieutenant Cindy Pruitt of the Alamo Heights Police Department told KSAT that the incident occurred about 2am in the parking lot of the Tree House apartments in the 100 block of Grandview Place off Broadway, where Redus was a resident. Redus, known to friends by his second name Cameron, had spent the evening celebrating the end of semester with classmates. According to Pruitt, Carter tried to pull him over on Broadway for driving erratically, despite the fact that Redus was off-campus. It is not clear where Carter first tried to pull Redus over, but both vehicles drove north on Broadway until they pulled into the parking lot of the Treehouse Apartments. Once there, both got out of their cars and some kind of struggle ensued. Pruitt told My San Antonio that Carter radioed for help shortly before Redus was shot. A witness who lives in the Treehouse Apartments described hearing 'five or six' gunshots, but no verbal warnings. 'I didn't hear him say anything like, "Get down on your hands and knees," you know? I didn't hear him say anything. He just started shooting,' the man told KSAT. 'He emptied the gun on him,' he said. 'Boom, boom, boom.' Crime scene: Police investigate the street outside Cameron's apartment, where he was shot dead . Moving on: Cameron was due to graduate from the University of the Incarnate Word in May . Gentle: Cameron Redus, who was described by friends as not being aggressive, was shot five times by a campus cop . Mohammad Haidarasl lives directly below Redus at the Treehouse Apartments. He told My San Antonio that he was asleep on his sofa when he heard an exchange between Redus and Carter. 'I heard [a man] say, "Oh, you're gonna shoot me?" like sarcastic almost,' he said. Less than a minute later, Haidarasl heard four to six gunshots. He only realized the man who had been shot was his upstairs neighbor, whom Haidrasl described as 'the nicest guy.' Carter has been placed on administrative leave while officers investigate the shooting. University officials describe him as having 'extensive law enforcement background.' According to records viewed by My San Antonio, Carter has had nine jobs at eight different agencies over his eight-year law enforcement career. Devastated: Friends Sarah Davis (left) and Annie Jones (right) speak of their disbelief at the shooting of Cameron Redus . Cameron had been celebrating the end of semester with friends before he was shot . He rarely stayed in any job for more than a year and the two years and seven months as a campus officer for UIW was the longest stint in his career. Officers investigating the incident haven't attempted to contact Haidrasl about what he heard, Haidrasl told My San Antonio. Back in Redus' hometown of Baytown, the promising student's mother, father, brothers and friends are struggling to understand their loss. 'We are understandably devastated by the death of our dear son Cameron and we ask for your prayers as we deal with our tragic loss. We trust that God is faithful and will see us through this most difficult time,' the victim's family said in a statement. Redus old friends from high school were shocked to hear the news. 'He was so kind. He’s not an aggressive person at all,' friend Sara Davis told KHOU. 'The story doesn’t really make sense to any of us.' 'He was an honor student, dean’s list every semester, incredibly intelligent,' said Annie Jones. 'So, so, so smart. He was our co-valedictorian in high school.' A vigil has been set for 7pm on Saturday at the University of the Incarnate Word grotto. According to ABC, Redus' family has hired an attorney. | University student Cameron Redus, 23, was shot and killed by a campus police officer .
According to police, the officer tried to pull Redus over for driving erratically and speeding .
The two pulled into the parking lot of Redus' apartment block .
Minutes later, Redus was shot 'four to six times' by Carter .
Redus was a straight-A student set to graduate in May .
Alamo Heights police and Texas Rangers are investigating the shooting .
Carter is on administrative leave during the investigation . |
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