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158,130 | 58771fb4331e8b585231b2422726deebbabdf12e | By . Martha De Lacey . PUBLISHED: . 08:00 EST, 20 August 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 09:42 EST, 20 August 2013 . Irritating pains in her head were just something Zoe Spain had learned to live with, ever since falling off her horse in 2008. And in October 2011 - having just competed in the British Cross Triathlon Championships at Hawley Lake in Surrey - the personal trainer and a triathlon coach, 29, felt like fitness personified. But that month Zoe, from Surrey, would be given the devastating news that she not only had cancer, but that there was a tumour the size of a satsuma growing on top of her spine, just beneath her brain. Over the next year Zoe would undergo surgery that involved her face being cut in half to remove the tumour, followed by gruelling radiotherapy. Yet nothing has stopped the sports fanatic; having now made a full recovery she is back at the top of her athletics game and determined to one day compete for Great Britain. Personal trainer and triathlete Zoe Spain, 29, from Surrey, was diagnosed with cancer in October 2011, and as soon as she was given the all-clear she signed up for the London Marathon . Zoe now, left, and when she was in hospital undergoing treatment for cancer in 2011 and 2012, right . Speaking to Jessica Bradley in Triathlon Plus magazine, Zoe said: 'I'll never forget the life-changing moment when my doctor told me I had cancer. 'I was so young and had so many things I still wanted to do with my life. So many dreams that I had yet to fulfil. I felt so helpless, lost and alone. I just cried - I thought I was going to die.' At the time of her horse riding accident Zoe had had an MRI scan, but doctors missed the tumour and Zoe continued to control the pain using painkillers and private physiotherapy treatments. But eventually a trip to an NHS doctor flagged up the tumour. 'Weirdly, my tongue was the big giveaway: whenever I stuck it out, it used to rotate 90 degrees to the left. It was normal to me, but the nurse seemed pretty shocked and gave me a CT scan.' When doctors informed her about the satsuma-sized tumour Zoe says the hardest part was not being told whether she would live or die. No one knew. 'I was so young and had so many things I still wanted to do with my life. So many dreams that I had yet to fulfil. I felt so helpless, lost and alone. I just cried - I thought I was going to die' Over the next year, Zoe underwent two major operations to remove the tumour - the first of which involved cutting her face in half to access the huge lump. 'Thankfully my face didn't look too bad after the operation, and I was just grateful I was alive,' she said. After a second operation fluid began leaking out of her spine - which would have been potentially lethal if it reached her brain - so surgeons had to insert a drain in her back, leaving her in agonising pain and unable to walk for a month. Eight weeks of radiotherapy followed, sapping Zoe of all her energy, but in July 2012 she was finally given the all-clear... and immediately signed herself up for the London Marathon to raise money for Children with Cancer. 'Life may seem awful but tomorrow is . another day and you'll get through it. Life is precious and you really . don't know when your time will be up, so it's importortant to make every . day count' 'Sport is my solace, my savinggrace,' she said. 'I needed a new focus. Cancer had consumed my life for the previous 18 months and I wanted something to look forward to. I guess I wanted to test my body again, too.' Zoe finished the marathon in 4:20 and raised over £5,000. 'I was so emotional when I crossed the finish line,' she says. 'I couldn't believe that just 10 months previously I couldn't walk. It just goes to prove that anything really is possible.' Zoe, who is soon getting married, is now determined to qualify as an age-grouper for the Xterra WorldChampionship and represent Great Britain. And her advice for young sportsmen? 'Never give up,' she says. 'Life may seem awful but tomorrow is another day and you'll get through it. Life is precious and you really don't know when your time will be up, so it's importortant to make every day count.' Read the full interview in Triathlon Plus, out on Tuesday 20th August . Zoe ran the London marathon for Children With Cancer UK . | Zoe Spain, 29, is a personal trainer and triathlon coach from Surrey .
Doctors found satsuma-sized tumour on top of spine beneath brain in 2011 .
A month before she'd competed in British Cross Triathlon Championships .
Thought the pain she felt was result of a fall off a horse in 2008 .
Had intensive surgery to remove tumour that involved cutting face in half .
As soon as she was given the all-clear she signed up for London Marathon .
Is now determined to represent Great Britain at some point . |
92,513 | 02fd1272d4ffd08d8083d1ecc6f51ca15d78763b | The Petrol Retailers' Association has warned fuel prices could increase by 5p per litre before the end of September . Petrol prices are set to rise 5p per litre as global factors including the civil unrest in Syria and Egypt push up crude oil prices, retailers have warned. The fall in Libya's oil exports and the rise in demand from Asia have also forced the price of crude oil up, the Petrol Retailers' Association has said. The association made the prediction as the Goldman Sachs Group suggested Brent crude prices could rise to $115 a barrel in the 'very near term'. The association's chairman Brian Madderson said: 'UK petrol prices have not yet seen the full impact of this crude oil increase due to the rapid and slightly unexpected revaluation of pound sterling from $1.48 to $1.56. 'Therefore it was concerning to read recent comments from the City that the "pound is overblown" and will soon come hurtling down towards the $1.45 level. 'We calculate at current wholesale prices that this will add a further 5p per litre at the pump before the end of September and hit businesses and households in the pocket at a time when pundits are forecasting a continued increase in retail sales to drive growth in the economy. 'Should the Middle East tensions escalate further and crude oil prices react accordingly, the Bank of England’s new inflation targets could be significantly challenged.' Last week it was revealed motorists are having to deal with a ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ attitude to petrol pricing as some towns charge far more for unleaded and diesel than others, according to the AA. The motoring organisation said that in some areas there are 'pump price dogfights', as supermarkets and other forecourts battle to be the cheapest. But in areas that lack this competition, prices remain higher. Unrest in Egypt and Syria are among the factors for the rise in crude oil prices, according to the PRA. Much of Cairo has been flooded with armoured vehicles and soldiers in a crackdown on protests . It came as the AA's monthly fuel price report revealed petrol pump prices had gone up by an average of 3p a litre since June and were showing no signs of falling away. At 137.52p a litre, petrol last week averaged 1.74p a litre more than a month earlier, at 135.78p, and was almost 3p dearer than June’s 134.6p price plateau – although prices dropped slightly last weekend. According to The Times, Wall Street brokers have said global oil demand has gone up by 1.1million barrels a day this year compared to the beginning of last year. The PRA made the prediction as the Goldman Sachs Group suggested Brent crude prices could rise to $115 a barrel in the 'very near term' | Fall in Libya's oil exports also forced the price of crude oil up, retailers say .
Petrol Retailers' Association predict increase of 5p per litre before October . |
13,468 | 2642217c664c2c7b31b797b1f4a71fc647d6ddd1 | While opposition leader Bill Shorten continues to criticise the Abbott government's policies, he was unable to reveal how his party plans on dealing with Australia's economic challenges. Mr Shorten declined to go into specifics, in an interview on Wednesday night with Leigh Sales on ABC's 7.30 program, saying he couldn't provide 'a three-word slogan' just yet. Despite this, he reiterated his one solution for the nation as: 'go for growth' but failed to further elaborate. Although he admits there is an 'appetite' among Australians to hear some of Labor's policies, he was adamant they were not going to be unveiled until 2015. He further agreed with Sales when she said the 'jury's still out' on him and his policies, saying 'if there was an election next Saturday, then you might be right'. Scroll down for video . Bill Shorten admits there is an 'appetite' among Australians to hear some of Labor's policies but was adamant that they were not going to be unveiled until 2015 . Mr Shorten was quick to address the current government's wrongdoings, saying its budget has problems. But when Sales questioned how the opposition leader planned on addressing some of these issue, he did not express any specifics. 'I just can't give you a three-word slogan,' he told Sales. 'In good time before the next election, we'll detail all of our policies. I know you're not going to be particularly surprised if I don't reveal our full election manifesto tonight.' While opposition leader Bill Shorten (left) continues to criticise the policies of the current government - run by Prime Minister Tony Abbott (right) - he was unable to reveal how his party plans on dealing with Australia's economic challenges . When Sales put it to Mr Shorten this may cause uncertainty among Australians on their alternative prime minister, he responded: . 'Well our challenge - if there was an election next Saturday, then you might be right, but there isn't. I would like there to be an election sooner than three years. I don't think this country can afford three years of Tony Abbott.' He continued to say his party is working hard on its policies which will be announced throughout 2015. | Opposition leader Bill Shorten was unable to reveal how his party was going to deal with Australia's economic challenges .
He told Leigh Sales on ABC's 7.30 program he will unveil his party's policies next year .
Mr Shorten was quick to criticise the Abbott government's wrongdoings . |
228,786 | b43b2dff98ab6dd9026df49f54d62c1313c1b1b9 | By . Emma Reynolds . The ex-boyfriend of Amy Winehouse appeared in court today charged with two counts of rape. Reg Traviss, 35, had been seeing Amy for more than a year when she died aged 27 at her home in Camden, north London, last July. The film director is accused of twice attacking a woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, at his home address in Marylebone, central London, last New Year’s Eve. On trial: Reg Traviss arrives at court today, left, to hear the charges against him from New Year's Eve. The film director dated singer Amy Winehouse, right, for more than a year before she died a year ago . Traviss was first arrested over the allegations by the Metropolitan Police on April 28 and released on bail. Dressed in a charcoal grey suit, black trousers, white shirt, and black tie, Traviss spoke only to confirm his identity during a brief hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court today. These are two charges of rape from December 31 last year, in the early hours of that morning, against a female over the age of 16. Traviss’ lawyer said he would deny the allegations at the crown court. He was bailed to appear before Southwark Crown Court on September 12. Traviss, who has made films including Psychosis, starring Charisma Carpenter and Darkness frontman Justin Hawkins, has not yet entered pleas to the two counts of rape. On bail: Traviss, who is accused of twice attacking a woman at his home in Marylebone . Happier times: Traviss and Miss Winehouse arriving for the premiere of his film Psychosis, at the Prince Charles Cinema in Leicester Square . Last year, Traviss revealed that he and the Back to Black singer had been planning to get married. ‘It wasn’t planned as in this date or that date, but it was a topic of conversation and had been for some time,’ he said. He admitted that he still hadn't come to terms with the fact she has gone. Speaking to the Sunday Times he said: 'What felt surreal was not the cameras and the craziness but losing somebody, just like that. One minute I was speaking to her, the next she was gone . 'You might say we were halfway through a conversation in our life together and then, suddenly, she disappeared.' A friend claimed the rape allegation came out of the blue. ‘He does know the woman who made the report to police and he completely denies the allegation,’ the friend told the Daily Mail. ‘He wants to do everything in his power to fight this.’ Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article. | The director dated the singer for more than a year before she died aged 27 .
Accused of attacking a woman twice in the early hours of New Year's Eve . |
165,753 | 625c4b1286d3ff37fc673e42602e11d4dc909b8d | Disgraced: Councillor Robert Bleakley, 43, sent the shocking texts on his council phone . A councillor who used a work computer to watch pornography has now racked up a £2,400 taxpayer-funded phone bill after sending vile messages and calling premium rate sex lines. Councillor Robert Bleakley, a representative of Tyldesley in Wigan, Greater Manchester, sent the shocking texts - discovered after he racked up the huge bill - on his council phone. Now female council officers have been instructed not to talk to the disgraced 43-year-old independent councillor - who has been described as ‘having a problem with women.’ In one, discussing the court case of former politician Chris Huhne and ex-wife Vicky Pryce, he said ‘I hope she likes porridge’ and that he hoped she would be sexually assaulted in jail. And he texted, in reference to another woman he'd seen on the television news: ‘Someone please tell her to f*** off and don't come back’, a cross-party standards board panel heard. Mr Bleakley also sent one reading: ‘Aren't they f*****g idiots. No wonder women are just cooking and washing material.' It is not the first time Mr Bleakley, who lives in an £80,000 two-bedroom terraced home, has faced a scandal - after he was found in March to have accessed pornography on his council computer. He was also found to have deliberately altered a council email in an attempt to smear a senior officer. At the latest standards hearing, the panel judged he had breached the members’ code of conduct. Councillor Bleakley, who now represents Wigan Independents, did not attend the hearing and has had his council mobile withdrawn and will be ordered to undergo equal opportunities training. Wigan Town Hall: Female council officers have been instructed not to talk to the disgraced independent councillor - who has been described as 'having a problem with women' Donna Hall, chief executive of Wigan Council, said: ‘I am appalled and sickened with the language used in these messages. ‘It is quite clear, judging by the content of the text messages, that he has a problem with women. I will not tolerate this prejudice, nor will I allow him to come into contact with female officers until he has undertaken equal opportunities training. ‘After reviewing the evidence the panel agreed that Coun Bleakley had broken the council’s ICT policy and breached sections of the members’ code of conduct when he used his mobile phone inappropriately. ‘As a result, Coun Bleakley was given a number of sanctions, including the removal of his IT equipment, including his mobile phone, removal of his internet access. 'He must also undergo equal opportunities training, and female officers will be instructed not to speak to him.’ In 2004 the councillor was . disqualified for three years after he verbally abused a female cleaner . at Wigan town hall and threatening to get the sack after a minor traffic . accident. The Standards Board of England, which oversees councillors' conduct, investigated him and ruled that he was 'aggressive, domineering and intimidating'. Council meeting: The chief executive of Wigan Council said she was 'appalled and sickened' by the messages . Mr Bleakley was also aggressive to a member of the public who raised . an objection to a planning application, and published a leaflet . containing false allegations that other councillors had threatened a . council officer. At the time, Sir Anthony Holland, chairman of the Standards . Board for England, said: 'We carried out a thorough investigation into . the issues and are pleased with the verdict. 'No wonder women are just cooking and washing material' Councillor Robert Bleakley . 'We care about local . democracy and do no want to see its name tarnished by the poor . behaviour of people like ex-councillor Bleakley.' Mr Bleakley stood as the Lib Dem's parliamentary candidate for Worsley, Greater . Manchester, in the 1997 and 2001 general elections. At the time of the 2004 investigation he was leader of the Liberal Democrat group on Wigan Council. He was suspended again for six months in 2010 after being accused of bullying an ex-policewoman who got a job as a community safety officer and branding her ‘that woman’ during meetings. He had also been investigated by police over accusations of misconduct in a public office but was told he would face no criminal charges. | Councillor Robert Bleakley, 43, racked up a £2,400 taxpayer-funded bill .
Claimed in one message: 'Women are just cooking and washing material'
Female council officers in Wigan have been instructed not to talk to him .
Independent was also disciplined ten years ago when he was a Lib Dem .
Stood for Parliament for party twice, in 1997 and 2001, but failed to win . |
135,808 | 3bb2a129f64e60e10e7285ba07320d78d31e9307 | A debilitating, mosquito-borne virus called chikungunya has made its way to North Carolina, health officials say. It's the state's first reported case of the virus. The patient was likely infected in the Caribbean, according to the Forsyth County Department of Public Health. Chikungunya is primarily found in Africa, East Asia and the Caribbean islands, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been watching the virus,+ for fear that it could take hold in the United States -- much like West Nile did more than a decade ago. The virus, which can cause joint pain and arthritis-like symptoms, has been on the U.S. public health radar for some time. About 25 to 28 infected travelers bring it to the United States each year, said Roger Nasci, chief of the CDC's Arboviral Disease Branch in the Division of Vector-Borne Diseases. "We haven't had any locally transmitted cases in the U.S. thus far," Nasci said. But a major outbreak in the Caribbean this year -- with more than 100,000 cases reported -- has health officials concerned. Experts say American tourists are bringing chikungunya back home, and it's just a matter of time before it starts to spread within the United States. After all, the Caribbean is a popular one with American tourists, and summer is fast approaching. "So far this year we've recorded eight travel-associated cases, and seven of them have come from countries in the Caribbean where we know the virus is being transmitted," Nasci said. Other states have also reported cases of chikungunya. The Tennessee Department of Health said the state has had multiple cases of the virus in people who have traveled to the Caribbean. The virus is not deadly, but it can be painful, with symptoms lasting for weeks. Those with weak immune systems, such as the elderly, are more likely to suffer from the virus' side effects than those who are healthier. The good news, said Dr. William Shaffner, an infectious disease expert with Vanderbilt University in Nashville, is that the United States is more sophisticated when it comes to controlling mosquitoes than many other nations. "We live in a largely air-conditioned environment, and we have a lot of screening (window screens, porch screens)," Shaffner said. "So we can separate the humans from the mosquito population, but we cannot be completely be isolated." Chikungunya was originally identified in East Africa in the 1950s. The ecological makeup of the United States supports the spread of an illness such as this, especially in the tropical areas of Florida and other Southern states, according to the CDC. The other concern is the type of mosquito that carries the illness. Unlike most mosquitoes that breed and prosper outside from dusk to dawn, the chikungunya virus is most often spread to people by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. These are the same mosquitoes that transmit the virus that causes dengue fever. They bite mostly during the daytime. The disease is transmitted from mosquito to human, human to mosquito and so forth. A female mosquito of this type lives three to four weeks and can bite someone every three to four days. Shaffner and other health experts recommend people remember the mosquito-control basics: . • Use bug spray if you are going out, especially in tropical, or wooded areas near water. • Get rid of standing water, empty plastic pools, flower pots and pet dishes, so mosquitoes don't breed. • Dress appropriately, with long sleeves and pants. Will dengue fever threaten the World Cup? | North Carolina reports first case of mosquito-borne virus called chikungunya .
Chikungunya is primarily found in Africa, East Asia and the Caribbean islands .
Virus is not deadly, but it can be painful, with symptoms lasting for weeks . |
110,753 | 1ac639dbc3096ac081c3d0fea6e62536dffb9079 | Cairo (CNN) -- Two American tourists who were kidnapped early Thursday in Egypt's Sinai region have been released unharmed, a U.S. State Department spokesman said, citing Egyptian officials. The U.S. Embassy has contacted the victims' relatives and is providing consular assistance, State Department deputy spokesman Mark Toner said. The confirmation of their release came shortly after one of the men, Brandon Kutz, contradicted a statement by Gen. Ahmed Fawzi, secretary for the governor of South Sinai, who had told CNN the two men had been released and were on their way to a hotel with Egyptian security forces. Fawzi said a deal had been reached with the kidnappers. But Kutz told CNN that, though they were being treated "extremely well," the two were still in the custody of their captors. A few hours later, Toner confirmed their release. Opinion: Promise of Arab Spring eluding Egypt? The gunmen who kidnapped the two tourists Thursday morning had demanded the release of a man arrested a day earlier for drug possession, authorities said. It was not clear if the man was released as part of a deal to secure the Americans' freedom. The tourists, both 31, were in a car Thursday morning headed to a hotel from the town of Dahab when they were stopped, the state-run Ahram newspaper said. The gunmen forced the tourists from the car and took them away, demanding the release of a man named Eid Suleiman Etaiwy, the newspaper said. Etaiwy had been arrested Wednesday in possession of "a large amount of drugs," the report said. Marwan Mustapha, a spokesman for the Interior Ministry, said government and intelligence officials negotiated with the kidnappers over the tourists' release. Kidnappings and armed robberies have increased during the year since Egypt's long-ruling dictator, Hosni Mubarak, was overthrown. Days before Mubarak verdict, sons charged with insider trading . The Sinai is one of the most underdeveloped areas in the country, and Bedouins have long complained that government services are nonexistent. In February, two other American tourists were briefly kidnapped in the region. The kidnappers demanded that some detainees be released, but it is unclear whether the demands were met. In January, 24 Chinese workers and a translator were kidnapped while on their way to a military-owned cement factory. A group of armed Bedouins had blocked the road they were traveling and wanted the Egyptian government to release prisoners. The hostages were released a day after Egyptian authorities intervened, China's state-run Xinhua news agency said. CNN's Ben Wedeman and Jill Dougherty, and journalist Mohamed Fadel Fahmy contributed to this report. | NEW: The victims were released unharmed, a U.S. official says .
The pair were kidnapped Thursday morning .
The gunmen want the release of a man arrested on drug charges . |
224,346 | ae7ed1d4dd3d8a6793324b419fe2e6c9fae96099 | Colombia stars including James Rodriguez and Juan Cuadrado made the most of Friday night's friendly in London by sticking around to watch the ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena. The South Americans beat the USA 2-1 at Craven Cottage, with goals from Carlos Bacca and Teofilo Gutierrez sealing a come-from-behind victory after Jozy Altidore's penalty. Some of Jo se Pekerman's side watched a similarly impressive comeback on Saturday night as Roger Federer came from a set down to beat Stanislas Wawrinka. VIDEOS Scroll down to watch . Real Madrid and Colombia star James Rodriguez watches the ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena . Fiorentina midfielder Juan Cuadrado (left) and Carlos Bacca watch Roger Federer take on Stan Wawrinka . Federer beat Wawrinka in three sets to seal his place in Sunday's final against Novak Djokovic . Rodriguez and Cuadrado were joined by international team-mates Bacca and Jackson Martinez in the front row at the O2, with the Fiorentina midfielder pictured taking a snap of the action. The players also got to meet world No 1 Novak Djokovic, who beat Kei Nishikori earlier in the day to seal his place in Sunday night's final. The Serb tweeted an image of himself with Rodriguez and Co with the message: 'Goool! Got to meet @jamesdrodriguez and some of the guys from @FCFSeleccionCol. #FCFFutsal' Federer shakes hands with his compatriot Wawrinka after an enthralling three-set match in London . World No 1 Novak Djokovic (centre) poses with Colombia's stars at the O2 Arena on Saturday . Porto striker Jackson Martinez (third from right) was also in attendance with Rodriguez, Bacca and Cuadrado . | Colombia's players are in London after playing the USA at Craven Cottage .
James Rodriguez watched the ATP World Tour Finals on Saturday evening .
Juan Cuadrado, Carlos Bacca and Jackson Martinez also in attendance .
The players watched Roger Federer beat Stan Warwinka in three sets . |
14,121 | 281301c5a762f99d2c8e207bfff1f0dc9496fa85 | By . Sarah Dean . and Bianca London . She's known and loved for her thrifty approach to dressing and the Duchess of Cambridge kept up her recycling reputation on tour in Australia today by wearing not one, but two dresses we've seen before. First up this morning, Kate ditched the bright hues she has so far worn Down Under, and instead opted for a gorgeous light coffee coloured dress by London-based Serbian fashion designer Roksanda Ilincic as she touched down at Ayers Rock airport, in the Northern Territory. And it's not the first time the Duchess has worn a shift dress in this style - we've seen her in a strikingly similar number by the same designer twice before. Scroll down for video . We've seen that before, too! The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge later headed to Ayers Rock, where Kate wore a £35 Hobbs dress that she purchased in 2012 . Deja vuz: Kate first wore the £35 ensemble in July 2012 as she, Harry and William attended the launch of a project in South-East London that aims to train the next generation of sports coaches - she even wore the same wedges . She first sported a stunning dove grey version of the gown, which reportedly retails for more than £595, in LA on her inaugural tour of America in July 2011, just three months after her wedding to William. She . wore the elegant, knee-length dress again in July 2012 at the Creative . Industries reception at the Royal Academy of Arts in London’s . Piccadilly, where she met with David Cameron. And . heading for desert terrain and 31c to visit the scared Aboriginal site . of Uluru, Kate chose a light brown version of the frock today and looked . immaculate teaming it with patent nude heels. Later in the day, Kate looked the picture of summer in a patterned white and beige Hobbs dress, as she took a walk down Kuniya Walk at the base of Uluru in Ayers Rock with husband William. Kate snapped up the appropriately named 'Wessex' dress, which cost £35, in the sale from High . Street store Hobbs back in 2012. She first wore the ensemble while . trying her hand at some table tennis and football in July 2012 as she, . Harry and William attended the launch of a project in . South-East London that aims to train the next generation of sports . coaches. She even opted for the same beige platform shoes, a footwear . style she covets, and re-wore the £85 Imperia Simple Slingback Espadrille Wedge from Dune - she has the same style in navy blue, too. Simple: The Duchess of Cambridge looked sophisticated in a light coffee colour as she arrived at Ayers Rock airport with the Duke . Double take: Kate - who is famous for recycling outfits - wore a very similar dove grey dress in 2011 in Beverly Hills, LA and in 2012 in London . Touch down: The Royal couple appeared to match their hues once again as they arrived in Uluru . Hot: The pair were met with a very warm 31C as the landed in central Australia and Will appeared to squint from the sunshine . Picture perfect: Later in the day, the Duke and Duchess of . Cambridge posed for a snap with Uluru in the background during the . sixteenth day of their official tour to New Zealand and Australia . She loves that dress! The Duchess of Cambridge looks radiant as she poses in front of the Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock, in her thrifty dress with Prince William today . Dramatic scenes: The royal couple take in the sights as they walk down Kuniya Walk at the base of Uluru in Ayers Rock, Australia . As for her husband, Will's cream and beige desert ensemble wasn't quite as bold as the real safari garb his father Prince Charles wore when visiting Uluru 31 years ago in March 1983 with Princess Diana. It is not only the third time Kate has chosen to wear a dress in this style, it is also the second time she has worn a dress by designer Roksanda Ilincic during this Royal tour. The . 32-year-old previously wore a bright maize yellow wool crepe dress with . feature white panels by the designer on her arrival in Sydney. Royalty . of the genuine, political and Hollywood variety have all demonstrated . their fondness for Roksanda's idiosyncratic and ever-elegant creations. Princess . Beatrice, Samantha Cameron, Michelle Obama and Tilda Swinton are just . some of the sartorially clued-up women to appreciate her bold . colour-blocking and clean, unfussy lines. Welcome gift: The Duchess of Cambridge is given a necklace during a Welcome to Country display at Ayers Rock . This isn't the first time that Kate has recycled an outfit during her tour. As she took part in a friendly . race in America's Cup sailing boats on Auckland's Waitemata Harbour last week, she wore a look we've seen not once, but . twice before. The . Duchess donned blue J Brand skinny jeans and a £48 ME + EM striped . Breton-style top with a £79.99 navy Zara jacket and cool Ray Ban . sunglasses. Kate was seen wearing the exact same . look at an event at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in East London in . her role as patron of the charity SportsAid last October, where she . showed off her toned stomach following the birth of Prince George. Avid fans will notice that Kate, . who is well known for recycling her wardrobe staples, wore a very . similar navy outfit at the 2012 Olympics Games when she paid a visit to . the athletes in the Olympic village, too. Today the Duchess left her long brunette hair down for her visit to Uluru, one of the most romantic places in Australia. And she accessorised her simple yet sophisticated look with a small cream clutch bag and dangle drop earrings. WIlliam and Kate arrived at the landmark - also known as Ayers Rock - exactly a week before their third wedding anniversary. Glossy: Kate's brown hair shone in the sunshine as she clutched a small nude bag . Smiles: William and Kate giggle as the Duke holds an Aboriginal spear at the National Indigenous Training Academy . Special place: Princess Diana and Prince Charles also visited Uluru, 31 years ago in March 1983 . Favourite: Kate previously wore a yellow Roksanda Ilincic when she arrived in Sydney . They then took a late afternoon stroll around one of the largest and most sacred sites in the world. Taking a walk around Uluru as it glows red in the afternoon sun is a magical experience and William and Kate had the time for a leisurely look around the base of the rock which rises 348m from the desert floor. The red centre of Australia has turned on a show of green with blooming wildflowers for the royal couple, following recent rains. Due to its size - Uluru or Ayers rock is 9.4km around the base - the Duke and Duchess will only be able to take in part of it, just as Prince William's parents did 31 years ago, although William and Kate are not expected to climb the rock as Charles and Diana Did. Glowing: William and Kate will get to experience Uluru's magical red colour . Instead they saw ancient rock paintings, a sacred waterhole and met the traditional custodians, the Anangu people, and the Duchess was told about the special 'women's place' at the rock's base by respected elder and famous tribal tracker, Barbara Nipper Tjikatu. Barbara had a special gift of paintings on paper made out of wallaby poo droppings to give to the Duchess. Prince William and Kate are seeing Uluru at the most beautiful time of year, when many people come to celebrate anniversaries, propose marriage or just enjoy a glass of champagne in the car park which has a panoramic view of Uluru at the spectacular moment of early evening glory when the sunsets and its red glow peaks. After night fall there is a magnificent blanket of stars overhead, the Milky Way even more visible in the desert away from city lights. William and Kate are expected to spend the evening out in the desert at the luxury camping resort Longitude 101, where they will retire into a cosy and glamorous 'tent' room as the temperature outside drops into the teens. 'It is the most remote place on earth the royal couple will have ever been,' said Ayers Rock Resort communications director, Karena Noble, 'people do come here specially for wedding anniversaries and other meaningful dates. 'Wouldn't it be nice if a baby was conceived here? It really is a special place.' | Kate started day in coffee-coloured Roksanda Ilincic as she touched down at Ayer's Rock airport, in Northern Territory .
First wore dove grey version of gown in LA on her inaugural tour of America in July 2011 .
Wore it again in 2012 at the Creative Industries reception at the Royal Academy of Arts .
Later today, she changed into a £35 Hobbs dress, which she last wore in 2012 .
Also recycled an outfit last week that she's worn twice before . |
76,393 | d8ab0b6965b806745079a0be7006a7745d1d2829 | A Swedish man who was inspired by a Londoner’s attempt to outrun a Tube train has filmed his own challenge against an equally formidable opponent – a city bus. With a miniature camera attached to his body, Michael Jonsson set out to determine once and for all whether he could beat a bus as it travelled from one stop to another in the municipality of Sundbyberg, just north of Stockholm. The video shows Michael stepping off the bus and then dashing off in a mad sprint as he attempts to score another point for humans in the battle against machines. On your mark, get set... Michael Jonsson programs his phone as he prepares to race a bus near Stockholm . And they're off! Michael Jonsson sprints along a road as he tries to beat a bus to its next stop . While the bus takes its regular route, Michael takes a shortcut as he runs over a footbridge, through a park and a car park – covering a distance of over half a mile in four-and-a-half minutes. In the end, it was a virtual tie as an exhausted Michael walks onto the bus moments after it pulls up to the stop. But the bus driver and passengers don’t seem to care or notice that the man who exited at the last stop was joining them again. The 28-year-old, who works as a system developer at a technology company in Stockholm, told The Local that he planning to take on Stockholm’s metro system in an attempt to copy the feat of James Heptonstall. Run like the wind: The 28-year-old took a shortcut over a footbridge and through a park and car park . Fancy meeting you here: Michael Jonsson catches up to the bus moments after it pulled up to the stop . The 30-year-old Londoner wowed Tube passengers when he raced a Circle Line train – and won. With a miniature camera strapped to his head, he exited at Mansion House and made it back onto the train at Cannon Street. He completing the 415-yard platform-to-platform sprint in one minute and 18 seconds with just moments to spare. It's a draw! Michael Jonsson touches in after catching up to the bus, but no one seemed to care . | Tech worker Michael Jonsson raced the bus in a suburb of Stockholm .
He took a shortcut over a footbridge and through a park and car park .
Mr Jonsson caught up to the bus but no one seemed to notice or care . |
15,048 | 2abb24b032c45266fb0abf78fb09e11ebfc18150 | (CNN) -- BP reported problems controlling the undersea well at the heart of the largest oil spill in U.S. history and won a delay in testing a critical piece of equipment in March, according to documents released Sunday. "We are in the midst of a well control situation on MC 252 #001 and have stuck pipe. We are bringing out equipment to begin operations to sever the drillpipe, plugback the well and bypass," Scherie Douglas, a BP regulatory advisor, told the district engineer for the U.S. Interior Department's Minerals Management Service in a March 10 e-mail. In a follow-up e-mail to the district engineer, Frank Patton, Douglas reported the company wanted to get a plug set in the well before testing the blowout preventer, the massive device used to shut down the well in case of an emergency. "With the give and take of the well and hole behavior we would feel much more comfortable getting at least one of the two plugs set in order to fully secure the well prior to testing BOPs," she wrote. When Patton told BP he could not delay a test any longer than it took to bring the well under control, the company won a postponement from David Trocquet, the MMS district manager in New Orleans, Louisiana, the documents show. Trocquet ordered BP to make sure its cement plug was set up and to verify its placement, according to his reply. The messages do not indicate how long the test was postponed. The exchange was among the documents released Sunday by leaders of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which is looking into the disaster that killed 11 workers aboard the drilling platform Deepwater Horizon and uncapped a gusher that is now fouling the northern Gulf of Mexico. BP has been unable to activate the well's blowout preventer since the explosion, resulting in up to 19,000 barrels (798,000 gallons) spewing into the Gulf every day. Appearing on ABC's "This Week," BP Managing Director Bob Dudley said those questions are being addressed by an investigation led by the Coast Guard and the MMS, which oversees offshore oil drilling. BP, rig owner Transocean Ltd. and oilfield services company Halliburton have blamed each other for the disaster . "There were issues of well control, signs out there, and there are strict procedures that are written," Dudley said. Those procedures allow the rig owner "to walk through well control," he said. "That's what the investigation will take minute by minute," he said. But he said the failure of the well's blowout preventer is a "very troubling" issue that will have repercussions throughout the oil industry. "It is the piece of equipment that is not expected to fail, and that's going to have implications for everyone around the world," Dudley said. BP's design of the well has also come under scrutiny in the New Orleans hearings held by MMS and the Coast Guard. BP drilling engineer Mark Hafle testified Friday that he made "several changes to the casing designs" to address problems with the well's cement walls and leaking drilling fluid. But he said the problems had been addressed. "No one believed there was going to be a safety issue with pumping that cement job," he said. Halliburton performed the cementing work on the well, and Halliburton worker Christopher Haire told the New Orleans hearings Friday that BP kept changing the dimensions of the well's casing. Meanwhile, BP's investigation "raised concerns about the maintenance history, modification, inspection, and testing" of the blowout preventer, committee chairman Henry Waxman, D-California, reported earlier this month. The New York Times reported Sunday that BP documents indicated the company had "serious problems and safety concerns" with the rig's well casing and blowout preventer for months. Rep. Ed Markey, a Massachusetts Democrat who leads an Energy and Commerce subcommittee, said he has seen documents that confirm the Times report. Other witnesses at congressional hearings into the spill have raised concerns as well. Stephen Stone, a laborer on the doomed rig, told the House Judiciary Committee last week that the Transocean crew had to stop drilling four times in the space of 20 days because of the loss of drilling "mud" -- "either because the underground formation was unstable, or because drilling too quickly caused the formation to crack," he said. And Doug Brown, the rig's chief mechanic, told the Judiciary Committee that cuts to Deepwater Horizon's engineering staff left the crew with a backlog of preventive maintenance to perform. When they complained, he said, "We were always told, 'We will see what we can do.' " | BP won delay in blowout preventer test .
BP director says issues under investigation .
Hearings raise questions about well casing, cement .
Rig cuts caused maintenance backlog, mechanic says . |
269,481 | e90ee8d6c2796bfcd3d48cf9788c34b0ed193aee | A man has died after suffering fatal burns while inside a portable toilet on Monday afternoon. The man was discovered near Nikon Road in Harrisdale, southeast of Perth, at about 3pm on Monday, with severe burns to most of his body. It is believed the 65-year-old Harrisdale man, who died in Royal Perth Hospital on Wednesday morning, was burned from a fire inside a portable toilet on a construction site. The portable toilet where a 65-year-old Harrisdale man was fatally burned on a construction site on Monday afternoon . Police previously released images of the 65-year-old man's tattoos . Detective Senior Sergeant Tom Mills of Major Crime told ABC the man had sustained the most severe burns he had ever seen. 'He's in a very very dangerous position as far as his health goes... they are the most horrific burns I've seen,' he said. After being burned, the man walked into the construction property then wandered several hundred metres down Glenora Way. He was found at about 3pm by two tradesmen working on a nearby home. The men doused him in water, called an ambulance and administered first aid. The man's family spoke with police on Tuesday night. Police are no longer treating the incident as suspicious. Authorities released photos of a Rip Curl watch and Rivers slip on shoes the man was wearing, as well as his Samsung mobile phone and a tattoo of a green butterfly on his right wrist. The man, who died on Wednesday morning in Royal Perth Hospital, was also wearing a Ripcurl watch and carrying a Samsung phone . The man was discovered near Nikon Road in Harrisdale, southeast of Perth, at about 3pm on Monday . Police are baffled as to how the fire was started and they are urging members of the public to come forward and assist with investigations. 'We're appealing to anyone who might have been in that area,' said Detective Mills. 'Other tradesmen who may have been working, although it was a public holiday, people who are building ... and may have been looking at the progress of their new homes, anyone who saw a man wandering around.' Anyone who has any information about the incident on Monday should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 . | The man died on Wednesday morning in Royal Perth Hospital .
He was discovered on Monday in Harrisdale, south-east of Perth .
It is believed the 65-year-old was burned from a fire inside a portable toilet .
After being burned he walked several hundred metres down the road .
Police have released images of his clothing, tattoos and mobile phone .
They are calling for witnesses to assist with their investigations . |
248,528 | cd91ffd8dfbfdccf9b1558680688e39e4eb7fdee | Bedbugs have become a growing problem around the world, with epidemics New york and other world cities. However, researchers have found an unlikely solution - kidney bean leaves. Inspired by a traditional Balkan bedbug remedy, researchers found microscopic hairs on kidney bean leaves effectively stab and trap the biting insects. Scroll down for video . The Bedbug (Cimex lectularius) may have finally met its match - in the unlikely form of a kidney bean leaf . Bedbugs have made a dramatic comeback . in recent years, infesting everything from homes and hotels to schools, . movie theaters and hospitals. Although not known to transmit disease, their bites can cause burning, itching, swelling and psychological distress. It helps to catch infestations early, . but the nocturnal parasites’ ability to hide almost anywhere, breed . rapidly and “hitchhike” from place to place makes detection difficult. They can survive as long as a year without a blood meal. Current . commercial prevention methods, including freezing, extreme heating, . vacuuming and pesticides, can be costly and unreliable. Scientists at UC Irvine and the University of Kentucky are now developing materials that mimic the geometry of the leaves, according to findings published today in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface. Their work was motivated by a centuries-old remedy for bedbugs used in Bulgaria, Serbia and other southeast European countries. Kidney bean leaves were strewn on the floor next to beds and seemed to ensnare the blood-seeking parasites on their nightly forays. The bug-encrusted greenery was burned the next morning to exterminate the insects. Through painstaking detective work, the scientists discovered that the creatures are trapped within seconds of stepping on a leaf, their legs impaled by microscopic hooked hairs known botanically as trichomes. Using the bean leaves as templates, the researchers have microfabricated materials that closely resemble them geometrically. The synthetic surfaces snag the bedbugs temporarily but do not yet stop them as effectively as real leaves, Loudon said, suggesting that crucial mechanics of the trichomes still need to be determined.Theoretically, bean leaves could be used for pest control, but they dry out and don’t last very long. They also can’t easily be applied to locations other than a floor. Synthetic materials could provide a nontoxic alternative. Close-up of the bedbugs getting caught on a kidney bean hair, which researcher now hope to replicate in artificial materials . 'Plants exhibit extraordinary abilities to entrap insects,' said Catherine Loudon, lead author of the paper. 'Modern scientific techniques let us fabricate materials at a microscopic level, with the potential to ‘not let the bedbugs bite’ without pesticides.'“Nature is a hard act to follow, but the benefits could be enormous,” said Michael . Potter of the University of Kentucky. 'Imagine if every bedbug inadvertently brought into a dwelling was captured before it had a chance to bite and multiply.'Funding for the study was provided by the National Science Foundation. Common adult Bedbug- Bed bug (Cimex lectularius.) Bedbugs, or cimicidae, are small parasitic insects that feed on human blood. Reddish-brown, flattened, oval shaped and wingless, adult bed bugs grow to 4–5mm in length and 1.5–3mm wide. To feed, the pests pierce the skin of their hosts with two hollow feeding tubes shaped like tongues. With one tube it injects its saliva, which contains anticoagulants and anaesthetics, while with the other it sucks the blood of its host. It takes between five to ten minutes for a bed bug to become completely engorged, after which it usually returns to its hiding place. Bedbugs can cause a number of health effects including skin rashes and allergic symptoms. Worryingly, they have been found with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus MRSA. The creatures were largely eradicated in the developed world in the early Forties, but since 1995 they have enjoyed an unwelcome resurgence, the reasons for which are unclear. Elusive and usually nocturnal, bedbugs can be hard to spot. Aside from bite symptoms, signs include faecal spots, blood smears on sheets, and molts. They can be found singly, but often congregate once established. Close-up of the bedbugs getting caught on a kidney bean hair . | Traditional Balkan bedbug remedy found to be extremely effective .
Researchers found microscopic hairs on kidney bean leaves stab and trap the biting insects .
Now plan to create artificial materials using the same technique . |
55,066 | 9bfc670710167061a6d49095f8a5f123ddceff15 | Russia has failed to take steps to end the Ukraine conflict, President Barack Obama said Wednesday in announcing expanded sanctions targeting two banks, two energy companies, Ukraine separatists and defense companies. European Union leaders also said they intended to increase sanctions, signaling growing Western concern over Russia's continued support for separatists battling the Ukrainian military in the country's eastern region. "We have to see concrete actions, and not just words that Russia in fact is committed to trying to end this conflict along the Russia-Ukraine border," Obama told reporters at the White House. With the new sanctions, "what we are expecting is that the Russian leadership will see once again that its actions in Ukraine have consequences, including a weakening economy, and increasing diplomatic isolation," the President said. His Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, warned that the sanctions were harming ties between the two nations. "They generally have a boomerang effect and, without a doubt, in this case, are driving the Russian-U.S. relations into a stalemate and seriously damaging them," he said, according to a Kremlin transcript of his remarks to reporters on a visit to Brazil. "I am certain that this is harmful to the U.S. Administration and American people's long-term strategic national interests." He accused the United States of pushing the Ukrainian authorities toward a continued conflict, whereas Russia wants to see an immediate end to hostilities and a negotiated solution involving all sides, he said. Ukrainian President: Peace depends on Putin's mood . The latest U.S. sanctions build on earlier steps by targeting two major Russian banks -- Gazprom Bank and VEB -- and two energy companies -- Novotek and Rosneft. They will not be able to get new medium- and long-term financing in the United States, senior administration officials told reporters in a conference call. In addition, the new sanctions freeze any U.S. assets and prohibit American business contacts for eight Russian arms companies that make weapons, including small arms, mortars and surface-to-air missiles. One of the eight is the Kalashnikov Concern, maker of the AK-47 and other arms. Also on the list: Four Russian government officials, including the minister of Crimean affairs, along with the self-styled Luhansk People's Republic and Donetsk People's Republic leading the separatist campaign in eastern Ukraine, and Aleksandr Borodai, the self-declared "prime minister" of the Donetsk group. Targeting the separatist groups that simulate government structures prevents them from seeking financing, the senior administration officials noted. Earlier this year, the United States and Europe imposed a range of sanctions in response to Russia's annexation of Crimea this spring and massing of troops along its eastern border with Ukraine. The earlier sanctions included asset freezes and travel bans. 19 Ukrainian troops killed in rocket attack, military says . Russia and Ukraine have since been engaged in a tense standoff, including clashes between pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian forces in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. "I've repeatedly made it clear that Russia must halt the flow of weapons and fighters across the border into Ukraine, that Russia must urge separatists to release their hostages and support a cease-fire, that Russia needs to pursue internationally-mediated talks, and agree to meaningful monitors on the border," Obama said. Russia has failed to do any of those steps, he added. Ukraine's government in Kiev has accused Russia of allowing weapons and military equipment, including tanks, to cross the border illegally into the hands of pro-Russian separatists. The senior administration officials who briefed reporters also leveled the same accusation. Meanwhile, the Pentagon said on Wednesday Russia now had 12,000 troops on the border with Ukraine, as well as some heavy weapons. The troop numbers had fallen to about 1,000 previously from a high of an estimated 40,000 forces earlier this year. Fast Facts: Ukraine . | Vladimir Putin says U.S. sanctions are pushing Russia-U.S. relations into a stalemate .
President Barack Obama says Russia failed to take steps to end Ukraine conflict .
New sanctions target Russian banks, energy, defense firms, as well as Ukraine separatists .
The Pentagon says Russia has increased troops at Ukraine's border . |
216,458 | a43c61a933d0c199102ec3c276e5323fe22eb0cd | By . Associated Press . John Kerry, the U.S. secretary of state, has said he chose the wrong word in describing Israel's potential future after being criticized for saying the Jewish state could become an 'apartheid state' if it does not reach a peace deal with the Palestinians. In a statement released yesterday by the State Department, Kerry lashed out against 'partisan political' attacks against him, but acknowledged his comments last week to a closed international forum could have been misinterpreted. He pointedly did not apologize for the remarks, but stressed he was, and is, a strong supporter of Israel, which he called a 'vibrant democracy.' Scroll down for video . Secretary of State John Kerry has said he chose the wrong word to describe Israel's potential future after saying it risked becoming an 'apartheid state' He said his remarks were only an expression of his firm belief that a two-state resolution is the only viable way to end the long-running conflict. And, he stressed, he does not believe Israel is, or is definitely on track to become, an 'apartheid state.' 'I will not allow my commitment to Israel to be questioned by anyone, particularly for partisan, political purposes, so I want to be crystal clear about what I believe and what I don't believe,' Kerry said after U.S. lawmakers and pro-Israel groups criticized him, with some demanding his resignation or at least an apology. 'First, Israel is a vibrant democracy and I do not believe, nor have I ever stated, publicly or privately, that Israel is an apartheid state or that it intends to become one,' he said. 'Second, I have been around long enough to also know the power of words to create a misimpression, even when unintentional, and if I could rewind the tape, I would have chosen a different word to describe my firm belief that the only way in the long term to have a Jewish state and two nations and two peoples living side by side in peace and security is through a two state solution,' Kerry said. On Sunday, The Daily Beast reported that Kerry had told a closed-door meeting of the Trilateral Commission in Washington on Friday that Israel risked becoming an 'apartheid state' with two classes of citizens if negotiations to forge a peace deal fail and a two-state solution is not reached. In his statement, Kerry defended his general point, noting that numerous Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and predecessors, Ehud Barak and Ehud Olmert, have offered similar assessments in the past. Palestinians waving Palestinian flags as they gathered last week to celebrate the newly made reconciliation deal between Fatah and Hamas, ending a seven-year split . But, he said while Barak and Olmert, and Israeli Justice Minister Tzipi Livni, 'have all invoked the specter of apartheid to underscore the dangers of a unitary state for the future, it is a word best left out of the debate here at home.' The report of Kerry's 'apartheid' comment to the Trilateral Commission was immediately assailed by many the pro-Israel community in the U.S. House GOP leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., said Kerry should apologize, while the powerful American Israel Public Affairs Committee described his use of the term as 'offensive.' Another pro-Israel lobby group demanded that Kerry resign, a call echoed by Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas in a speech on the Senate floor . Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer of California was also critical of Kerry's comment, saying in a tweet that: 'Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East and any linkage between Israel and apartheid is nonsensical and ridiculous.' In his statement, Kerry defended his general point, noting that numerous Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (pictured) and predecessors, Ehud Barak and Ehud Olmert, have offered similar assessments in the past . Kerry has invested significant time and energy since he became America's top diplomat last year into bringing the two sides to the negotiating table with the goal of reaching a deal in nine months. That deadline expires on Tuesday with the parties having failed to reach that settlement, a less ambitious framework deal or even an agreement to extend the negotiations. The State Department said on Monday that U.S. envoy for Mideast peace, Martin Indyk, had returned home from the region and had no immediate plans to return. President Barack Obama, along with Kerry and other U.S. officials, has blamed the impasse on negative steps taken by both sides over the course of the last several months. On the Israeli side, those include a decision not to release a group of Palestinian prisoners it had earlier agreed to free and announcements of new Jewish settlement construction on land claimed by the Palestinians. On the Palestinian side, they include a move to join numerous U.N. conventions they had agreed not to join while the negotiations were underway and, most recently, the announcement of a unity government with the radical Hamas movement, which Israel, the U.S. and Europe regard as a terrorist organization. | John Kerry says he chose wrong word to describe Israel's potential future .
Secretary of State lashed out against 'partisan political' attacks against him .
But he acknowledged comments last week could have been misinterpreted .
Said he is strong supporter of Israel, which he called a 'vibrant democracy' |
164,319 | 6079f92479be7a1ac2447098e0e5bd7ec8f8e11a | While some players were using the international break to let loose, Manchester United winger Angel di Maria was spending some quality time with his daughter. Despite a busy fixture list with Argentina, the 26-year-old still had the energy to play with his daughter Mia. United's record signing played the full 90 minutes as Argentina lost 2-0 to Brazil at the Beijing National Stadium in China. Manchester United winger Angel di Maria spends time relaxing with his daughter during the international break . Danilo tackles the winger during Brazil's 2-0 friendly win over Argentina at the Beijing National Stadium . He also featured as a second-half substitute as Gerardo Martino's side demolished Hong Kong 7-0. Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain and Nicolas Gaitan all scored twice while Ever Banega grabbed the other goal. Next up for Di Maria and his United team-mates is a clash with West Brom at The Hawthorns. The 26-year-old fights for the ball against Hong Kong's Lam Ka Wai during Argentina's 7-0 victory . Manchester United's record signing shares a joke with David de Gea and Juan Mata during training . | Angel di Maria enjoys some time off during the international break .
The Manchester United winger was pictured playing with his daughter .
Louis van Gaal's side face West Brom next in the Premier League . |
121,047 | 2872f005d4348171fbf0b3c4024d5683acb56e07 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . Cockroach companion: Kyle Kandilian, a 20-year-old student at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, raises some 200,000 cockroaches at his parent's home . If you thought you summer cockroach infestation was bad, you'll never believe how many creepy-crawlers Kyle Kandilian deals with. The 20-year-old Dearborn, Michigan native has about 200,000 cockroaches living in his house - on purpose! Kandilian has been raising cockroaches for almost eight years, and even started a business selling some as food and the more exotic species as pets. Money raised from his roach business goes to pay for college at the University of Michigan-Dearborn where he's studying for a career in either forestry, pest management or nature-insect education. Kandilian first developed his passion for cockroachery when he visited the University of Detroit Mercy, he told the Detroit Free Press. The university had a 10-gallon fish tank filled with Madagascar hissing cockroaches and Kandilian found them captivating. He was allowed to hold one of the roaches and remarked on how docile they were. When he got home he immediately asked his mom if he could get one. 'Kyle? You are never bringing cockroaches into this house,' she said. 'And the rest is history,' Kandilian laughs. His parents eventually gave into his cockroach obsession, and a few pets turned into a thriving business: Roachcrossing.com. Kandilian sells his roaches to reptile and amphibian owners for food for as little as a dime a dozen. The rarer species, like the macropanesthia rhinoceros which live up to 10 or 15 years, can go for $150 to $200. Scroll down for video . Roach crossing: Kandilian, left, with a variety of his cockroach species . And while he loves his roaches, living with 200,000 of them does present it's problems - especially for his parents. One morning at about 4 or 5am, Kandilian was woken up by his mother who took him to the bathroom. 'Kyle, we need to stop this,' she said as she pointed to the hissing cockroach relaxing on the toilet paper roll. But the problem of escaping cockroaches was solved when Kandilian did a high school project on bug barriers, designed to keep his pets from escaping. For that project, Kandilian even won a scholarship. While many people squirm at the sign of cockroaches, Kandilian seems perfectly comfortable handling them - letting them even walk on his shirt. He says it's his life mission to change the stigmas associated with cockroaches. Entrepreneur: Kandilian runs roachcrossing.com - a website he uses to sell his cockroaches either as food or as pets . Academic: Kandilian won a scholarship for a project he did on more effective bug barriers to keep cockroaches from escaping their enclosures . World of roaches: A giant Madagascar hissing cockroach - the first roach Kandilian ever handled and what started his passion for the insects . 'There are maybe a dozen cockroaches that are pests worldwide, out of the 4,000 species,' he said. 'And they give the rest a really bad rap.' There's a lot that people don't know about the other, non-pest cockroaches: like the fact that some give birth just like humans. 'I've read books that there's a very intimate association between the cockroach egg inside certain female cockroaches,' he said, 'as there is to humans and human birth.' After almost eight years raising roaches, he is still awed by all the variety in the species. 'The body shape in almost every roach is the same, but the way that Mother Nature has tinted and changed each individual species to look slightly different just is very enthralling to me,' he said. | College student Kyle Kandilian, 20, keeps 200,000 cockroaches at the house he shares with his parents .
He has been raising cockroaches for almost eight years .
Kandilian started a business where he sells cockroaches online, some for food and others as pets .
He uses the proceeds of his business to help him pay for college . |
36,714 | 680428113a9178a81fbe7b86252eb41c0da733d9 | By . Simon Walters And Brendan Carlin . Ed Miliband faced a growing crisis last night after a key aide threatened to quit over a vicious feud that has split Labour’s high command. Furious Shadow Minister Michael Dugher told the Labour leader he wanted to resign, claiming he could no longer work with Douglas Alexander, who is masterminding the party’s General Election strategy. Mr Dugher is said to have told Mr Miliband: ‘Douglas is totally bloody impossible. Everybody says it. You have got to do something about him.’ Ed Miliband calls for the party not to panic after a pool showed their lead over the Tories had disappeared have seemingly gone ignored after a row erupted within his Election team . The row intensified after it emerged that Election guru Arnie Graf, who mentored Barack Obama and was brought in to secure a Miliband win, has returned to his native US amid claims he was sacked by Shadow Foreign Secretary Mr Alexander. And last week Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls was said to have snubbed Mr Alexander at a crisis meeting chaired by Mr Miliband. The feud follows post-Budget polls suggesting the Tories have narrowed Labour’s lead to a wafer-thin one per cent. Labour support was last night pegged at just 33 per cent. Mr Miliband used a meeting of the Shadow Cabinet on Tuesday to issue a ‘Don’t panic!’ cry to MPs, saying ‘We must not be knocked off course by a few bad headlines or adverse poll results.’ It prompted one Labour MP to compare his response to Corporal Jones from Dad’s Army. The rows relate to Mr Miliband’s ‘safety first’ Election strategy, spearheaded by Mr Alexander, which relies on the Tories losing votes to UKIP. Mr Dugher is Mr Miliband’s ‘enforcer,’ tasked with leading Labour’s strategy against the Tories. He has had a series of rows with Mr Alexander, claiming he has been ‘shut out’. Write caption here . Mr Balls was accused of ‘showing his contempt’ for Mr Alexander by refusing to respond after the Shadow Foreign Secretary’s 30-minute presentation to Cabinet colleagues on his Election plans. ‘Balls is usually first to speak, but arrived late and sat looking at his shoes,’ said one source. ‘He and Douglas hate each other. If Dougie found the Holy Grail, Balls would oppose it. It can’t go on, but Miliband is too weak to intervene.’ The departure of Mr Graf, 70, follows arguments with Mr Alexander, who is said to have regarded the American’s strategies as a ‘waste of time and money’. Mr Graf’s own credibility suffered a hammer blow when it was revealed he was in the UK without a work permit. The leak came shortly after he crossed swords with Mr Alexander. Allies of Mr Graf claimed he was the victim of a dirty tricks plot by Labour enemies. Mr Graf was a close ally of Labour policy review chief Jon Cruddas, who party insiders say was linked to a public letter last week by leading Labour thinkers urging Mr Miliband to be bolder in his Election plans. Mr Dugher last night denied that he threatened to resign. | Ed Miliband called for party not to panic after poll lead disappeared .
However a major row has now erupted within his Election team .
Shadow Minister Michael Dugher has told party leader he wants to resign .
Says he cannot work with Douglas Alexander, General Election strategist .
Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls allegedly snubbed Mr Alexander at meeting . |
229,883 | b5b1922fe5ae82f2c74a85cbffb1ebde41e65c22 | By . Matt Blake . PUBLISHED: . 05:50 EST, 20 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 06:11 EST, 20 December 2013 . It's looks set to be a 'bark humbug' Christmas for these two dogs as they peer forlornly into the camera wearing a range of festive hats. Travis, 10, and Gus, four, couldn't look less enthusiastic about the holiday season in these pictures taken by Canadian photographer, and their owner, Steph McCombie, 33, from Vancouver. And if they weren't embarrassing enough, the images have been plastered all over an Instagram account dedicated to the German Shorthaired Pointers. Bark, humbug! German Shorthaired Pointers Travis (left), 10, and Gus (right), four, couldn't look less enthusiastic about the holiday season . Jingle Hell: If the pictures weren't embarrassing enough, the images have been plastered all over an Instagram account dedicated to the German Shorthaired Pointers . Sick to the back wreath: The festive pictures were taken by Canadian photographer, and their owner, Steph McCombie, 33, from Vancouver . But the truth is the patient pets are consummate professionals and have posed for dozens of photos for their owner in other items of clothing from Parker coats to balaclavas and birthday hats to Batman masks. Steph says: 'Gus took a few weeks to warm to Travis. He just kind of pretended Travis wasn't here. Now they're like brothers. Superheroes: But the truth is the patient pets are consummate professionals and have posed for dozens of photos for their owner in other items of clothing from Parker coats to balaclavas and birthday hats to Batman masks . Model hounds: Steph says they're the best models a girl could hope for, and there's lots of treats involved . Sophisti-dogs: They love nothing more than a coffee of a morning while catching up on the day's news . Cheeeeese! The photographer says 'Gus took a few weeks to warm to Travis. But Now they're like brothers . Birthday boy: Steph claims Gus loved his birthday hat and wouldn't take it of when he turned four last week (left). All that attention was enough to turn Travis to the bottle (right) Big ears: Steph adopted Gus (left) after falling in love with him on the website Pet Finder. She says it was love ever since . Lucky escape: She says Gus had 48 hours left before he was put down before she 'busted him out' Snug as a dog in a rug: From their Instagram account, Travis and Gus share their cute friendship with the world, and despite coming from different countries, they act like brothers, says Steph (left, holding Gus) Bow-wow tie: Travis and Gus have only been friends for a year . 'I adopted Gus after falling in love with him on the website Pet Finder. He was only a nine month old puppy. 'They told me he had 48 hours left before they put him down, so I busted him out. 'I bought him a one way plane ticket to Vancouver and it's been true love ever since. 'For a budding photographer they're the best models a girl could hope for, and there's lots of treats involved, so they're very tolerant.' To see more visit their Instagram account Ifitwags. | German Shorthaired Pointers Travis and Gus couldn't look less enthusiastic about the holiday season .
The pictures were taken by Canadian photographer, and their owner, Steph McCombie, 33, from Vancouver .
They've posed for photos in other items from Parker coats to balaclavas .
and birthday hats to Batman masks . |
94,037 | 04e67e6dc7aecedfa63f3a1c033daa1c1fd6223d | Editor's note: We asked readers to weigh in on CNN.com Live producer Jarrett Bellini's vacation destination, and you chose South Africa. Check back for updates on his trip. Giraffes are a common sight in Kruger National Park. KRUGER NATIONAL PARK, South Africa (CNN) -- I spent two nights sleeping under a full-moon sky, nestled in my trusty hammock at Kruger National Park. Our guides provided us with tents, but I figured I wouldn't have too many opportunities in my life to slumber in the open bush on the African continent. Thus, I rested more or less exposed throughout the night, hoping that a lion wouldn't figure that he wouldn't have too many opportunities in his life to maul a sleeping American tourist in the open bush on the African continent. Needless to say, I survived, and it was magnificent. Visually speaking, I wasn't sure what, exactly, to expect from a South African safari, for my complete mental database of safari images spanned a wide variety of distinct landscapes, and most were cartoonishly obstructed by rich, middle-aged tourists covered head to toe in unnecessary beige safari gear. However, Kruger National Park seemed to fit, quite perfectly, my idea of the African savannah. Arid and brown from the winter dry season, it was a forever-long expanse of low trees and dusty earth, the kind that somehow allows the early sun to reflect that perfect glow of stunning reds and oranges. See the animals » . Our guide was a self-proclaimed African bushman named Elson, who seemed to have an amazing one-ness with both the land and the animals. We'd be driving down one of the many nondescript dirt roads at a fairly fast pace, only to have him hit the brakes of our jeep, slam into reverse and point out a leopard 200 yards away. It would take the rest of us a fair bit of time to finally see what he noticed at a mere passing glance. He knew the land, and he knew the animals -- a talent that proved helpful for finding the less common residents in the savannah. The other creatures carelessly came into view as though the roads and cars were just a natural part of their habitat, a mild annoyance at worst. iReport.com: Share your South Africa experiences and suggestions . Kruger National Park is roughly the same size as Israel, and here, many animals roamed right along the roadside, gnawing on whatever vegetation remained until the rainy season would flourish the plants anew. Seemingly endless miles of terrain, and there they were just feet away from us. If you didn't know you were in a national park, you might think you were in a zoo. That's how close the animals came to our jeep. Only, here, they weren't in separate enclosures, wandering aimlessly within an artificial terrain. This was truly their home, and we were only passing guests. Giraffes tore away at high branches. Elephants walked fearlessly, one-by-one across the road. Rhinos ... well, the rhinos pretty much just sat there looking stupid. But the zebras frolicked. The hippos splashed in the water. And the baboons stopped at nothing to make me laugh. Of course, the rare lions and leopards pretty much just shaded themselves under distant trees, and the crocs swam silently through the bog. But they were there. And we were there. And it was beautiful. And just as soon as it began, our time in the South African bush was over. A couple of giraffes and elephants met us by the roadside to bid our group farewell as we drove out of the park. The preserve faded silently behind us, and the road ahead paved my way to Swaziland for a short stopover before continuing to the second part of this South African journey. | CNN.com's Jarrett Bellini is traveling in South Africa .
Readers chose his destination and can share their travel suggestions .
Bellini will provide updates from South Africa on CNN.com and CNN.com Live . |
29,496 | 53dacfc2992c0dffc19b2044a0d60e9b17c56cb3 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 06:54 EST, 18 September 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 05:41 EST, 19 September 2013 . British tourists are among 40,000 holidaymakers who have been left stranded in Acapulco after two storms swept through Mexico. Hurricane Ingrid and Tropical Storm Manuel have brought widespread devastation to swathes of the country since Sunday. At least 57 people are reported dead. Acapulco – Mexico’s largest beach resort – has been completely cut off following a series of landslides and severe floods that have destroyed most major roads and bridges. Scroll down for video . Luck ones: Hundreds of stranded tourists queue to board a Mexican Air Force . jet after landslides caused by Tropical Storm Manuel cut off roads to . the holiday resort of Acapulco . Hundreds of tourists and locals take shelter in a public building in Acapulco after being flooded out of their homes and hotels . Locals and tourists queue at Acapulco airport in the hope of catching one of the few flights to Mexico City . Two of Mexico's largest airlines were running about two flights an hour from Acapulco's still-flooded international airport yesterday, with priority for those with tickets, the elderly and families with young children. Everyone else who couldn't wait for the government's promise to reopen the roads within two days flocked to Air Base 7 about 20 minutes north of Acapulco, where a military air bridge made up of barely more than a dozen aircraft ferried tourists to Mexico City. The normally quiet beach-front installation was transformed into a scene from a conflict zone. Families in shorts and sandals waited for as long as eight hours outside the gates of the base, held at bay by rifle-toting soldiers until they were allowed to drag suitcases, pet carriers and red-eyed children across the tarmac, where they jostled furiously for a chance at one of the 150 seats on the next departing Air Force Boeing 727. Last night it was reported that at least six Britons, including a teacher, remain stranded. The Foreign Office said it was ‘doing everything we can to assist British nationals’. Evacuation: Tourists board a Mexican Air Force jet at the Pie de La Cuesta military base in Acapulco, Mexico as Mexican authorities scrambled to evacuate the tens of thousands left stranded at the resort . Free for all: People make of with goods from a flooded supermarket in Acapulco. According to the local press, as well as food, looters are also taking televisions and electronic equipment . A young man believed to be carrying a stolen computer wades through a flooded street in Acapulco . Exhausted: A tourist sleeps in a shelter in Acapulco as he waits to escape the flooded holiday resort . Military officials said only two of . the passenger planes were in service, although a few hundred people got . seats on one of the five helicopters or seven cargo planes also pressed . into air bridge duty. Many . told of horror stories of spending the weekend trapped by torrential . rains inside their hotels, emerging to discover there was no way back . home. 'It's . probably one of the worst holidays I've ever been on,' said David . Jefferson Gled, a 28-year-old from Bristol, England who teaches English . at a private school in Mexico City. 'It wasn't really a holiday, more of . an incarceration.' By . sunset Tuesday night, 24 hours after most vacationers were supposed to . be back, less than 700 people had been flown out to Mexico City. Many . times that number waited miserably on the runway or, worse, with . thousands of other sweating, blank-eyed people in a roughly . quarter-mile-long line outside the base. People wade through a flooded road in Acapulco after tropical storms Ingrid and Manuel brought heavy rain . Helping hand: A Navy soldier comes to the aid of a woman and her baby during floods in Acapulco . Tourists and locals wade through a flooded street in Acapulco, after the tropical storms, Ingrid and Manuel brought chaos to large parts of the country . Children play in the 'Forum del Mundo Imperial' - a public building that is being used as a temporary shelter for Acapulco residents who have been flooded out of their homes . 'It's horrible. We haven't eaten anything since nine in the morning,' said Lizbeth Sasia, a 25-year-old teacher from Cuernavaca. 'They keep telling us we'll be on the next flight, but the next flight never comes.' Adding insult to injury, a few . immaculately dressed families skipped the line and were escorted to . private jets by soldiers, to the incredulous stares of the sweltering . masses. 'We're . cooking here, burnt. We're tired, desperate,' said Irma Antonio . Martinez, a 43-year-old housewife from suburban Mexico City who came to . celebrate the three-day Independence Day weekend with 12 relatives. 'We . just want to get home to our poor house. Our families are waiting for . us.' Asked how she felt, . Juana Colin Escamilla cradled her toddler daughter and was able to get . out one word, 'bad' before she burst into tears. A . handful of big-box stores were looted Tuesday and cash machines along . Acapulco's coastal boulevard were low on bills but most of the city's . tourist zone otherwise appeared back to normal, with roads clear, . restaurants and hotel open and brightly light and tourists strolling . along the bay in an attempt to recover some of the leisure time lost to . three days of incessant rains. Cut-off: A fallen bridge is seen from the sky across the heavily swollen Papagayo River in Acapulco . Desperate: Local residents hitch a lift aboard a trash compacter as they head towards the airport in Acapulco . Looters carry goods from a supermarket in Acapulco as Mexican authorities scrambled to evacuate tens of thousands of tourists left stranded by the extreme weather . Stranded: A man sits on a car while trying to cross a flooded street in Chilpancingo, Mexico . A vehicle sits abandoned on a road caused by hurricane Ingrid, in the Gulf of Mexico, and the tropical storm Manuel, in the Pacific Ocean, . Gavin McLoughlin, 27, another teacher at Mexico City's Greengates School, said he went to Acapulco on a late night bus Thursday with about 30 other teachers at the school, many of whom are in their 20s. 'We had no idea of the weather,' the Englishman said. 'We knew there was a hurricane on the other side but not this side.' Officials said it had been more than . 50 years since Mexico was hit by two tropical storm-strength weather . systems and the death toll rose to 47 Tuesday from the unusual one-two . punch of Manuel and Ingrid, which briefly became a hurricane as it . pounded the Gulf Coast. Interior . Secretary Miguel Angel Osorio Chong told the Radio Formula that 27 . people had died because of Manuel in the Pacific coast state of . Guerrero, where Acapulco is located. Osorio . Chong said 20 more people died nationwide, many as a result of Ingrid, . which struck the Gulf coast on Monday. Mexican meteorologists said it . was the first time since 1958 that two tropical storms or hurricanes had . hit both the country's coasts within 24 hours. Federal . officials said it could take at least another two days to open the main . highway to Acapulco, which was hit by more than 13 landslides from . surrounding hills, and to bring food and relief supplies into the city . of more than 800,000 people. A man in a jet ski helps residents to leave a flooded area after the two storms set off landslides and floods that damaged bridges, roads and homes . Underwater: The Puerto Marques district of Acapulco was heavily hit by floods . Damage: People survey the damage at a house which was flooded by mud after a mountain landslide in Altotonga in Veracruz state, along Mexico's Gulf coast . A Mexican police car is submerged by floodwater in the parking lot of the General Juan N. Alvarez International Airport in Acapulco . The situation was grim in parts of the city's low-income periphery, where steep hills funneled rainwater into neighborhoods of cinderblock houses. City officials said about 23,000 homes, mostly on Acapulco's outskirts, were without electricity and water. Stores were nearly emptied by residents who rushed to stock up on basic goods. Landslides and flooding damaged an unknown number of homes. The coastal town of Coyuca de Benitez and beach resorts further west of Acapulco were cut off after a river washed out a bridge on the main coastal highway. Remnants of Manuel continued to drench Mexico further up the Pacific coast and the U.S. National Hurricane Center said it was expected to become a tropical storm by Tuesday night or Wednesday morning near resorts at the tip of the Baja California Peninsula. | Tropical storms Ingrid and Manuel bring chaos to large parts of the country .
Twin roads to Mexico City closed with only a few flights leaving Acapulco .
At least 48 dead following some of Mexico's worst weather in 50 years .
Some lucky holidaymakers were able to leave aboard Mexican military jets .
Dream holidays turn into nightmares as tourists are trapped for days .
Locals shelter in public buildings after being flooded out of their homes . |
180,224 | 755a52b59c18d5c41690ddf20bc15a36c001346e | Rolling Stone magazine has asked Columbia University's journalism school to investigate a discredited article it ran in November alleging gang rape at a campus fraternity, the New York-based school said. In a rare move for a publisher, the music magazine will get the journalism school to produce an independent review of how it handled the story, which it said showed editorial missteps and discrepancies. 'Rolling Stone has agreed to publish our report in its entirety, without editing, on its website, as well as substantial excerpts in the magazine,' Columbia Journalism School said in a statement. Scroll down for video . Running audit: In a rare move for a publisher, the music magazine will get the journalism school to produce an independent review of how it handled the story . Columbia: The magazine has asked Columbia University to review the 'editorial process that led to the publication of this story,' publisher Jann Wenner said in a note . The roughly 9,000-word article described a 2012 alleged attack on a woman at a Phi Kappa Psi fraternity house pledge party and the University of Virginia's failure to respond. The university suspended fraternity activities after the article was published. The article provoked uproar at the Virginia college and renewed concerns about campus sexual assault, but elements of the reporting have been scrutinized and criticized in the media. Rolling Stone said on December 5 its trust in the accuser, identified only as Jackie, had been misplaced. It subsequently revised that statement, saying the problems were not the fault of the alleged victim. The magazine has asked Columbia University to review the 'editorial process that led to the publication of this story,' publisher Jann Wenner said in a note to be contained in the next issue of Rolling Stone, according to U.S. media reports. Rolling Stone did not immediately responded to requests for comment. Alleged rape: The roughly 9,000-word article described a 2012 alleged attack on a woman at a Phi Kappa Psi fraternity house (pictured) pledge party and the University of Virginia's failure to respond. | The article described an alleged attack on a woman at a Phi Kappa Psi fraternity house party and the University of Virginia's failure to respond .
'Rolling Stone has agreed to publish our report in its entirety, without editing, on its website,' Columbia Journalism School said in a statement .
Rolling Stone said its trust in the accuser, identified only as Jackie, had been misplaced but that the problems were not the fault of the alleged victim . |
107,485 | 169dad71920cb0981d01d4f6e1e175e41e069f2d | (CNN) -- Actor Nicholas Brendon, best known as Xander Harris on the "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" TV series, was arrested in Boise, Idaho, showing signs of intoxication, police said. Brendon was in town for the Tree City Comic Con. Police were called to a downtown hotel Friday after reports of a disturbance in the lobby, according a news release from the Boise Police Department. "When officers arrived, they found the suspect who showed signs of intoxication and repeatedly refused officers commands to stay seated while officers tried to speak with witnesses," the release said. "When the suspect continued to try and walk away, officers took him into custody for resisting and obstructing." The hotel staff said Brendon had broken a decorative dish and they wanted to press charges. He was booked into the Ada County Jail and bonded out, police said. Brendon is charged with two misdemeanors -- malicious injury to property and resisting or obstructing officers. Police say additional charges are possible. Brendon remained on the schedule to speak at an event Saturday evening. His Twitter account thanked fans for their "love, support and positive vibes." On Monday, Brendon took to his Facebook to write, "I can offer an explanation but I make no excuse for my unacceptable behavior." He said that he had a cyst behind his kneecap, for which he was taking pain medication, which he then mixed with alcohol. Calling the resulting episode "embarrassing and unacceptable," he said, "I intend to seek appropriate treatment and therapy for my medical ailments as well as my emotional demons." He closed with, "Again: I apologize. Those two small words don't begin to express my regrets, but they do mark the beginning of my recovery. During this difficult time, I appreciate understanding as I pursue rehabilitation -- and I value support as I earn redemption with my family, friends, and fans." | Nicholas Brendon was in Boise, Idaho, for the Tree City Comic Con .
He's best known for playing Xander Harris on the "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" TV series .
He was arrested at a downtown hotel after reports of a disturbance .
Brendon is charged with 2 misdemeanors; other charges are possible . |
220,578 | a9846ab8c226cc05c76dfe9fa093811f255b3158 | An intriguing set of pictures reveals the hidden emotional lives of subjects who agreed to have their portrait taken. The work of international photographer Christopher Dodd, the photo series aims to show a side of the citizens of London usually kept locked away. Sixteen very different individuals were cast to sit for a portrait on the proviso that they, in turn, gave up one secret to sit beside their portrait, with some moving and poignant revelations coming out of the project. People were cast by This Is Dodd to sit for a portrait on the proviso that they, in turn, gave up one secret to sit beside their portrait . Ceci, 35, confesses she kept a tooth of her late father's before burying him in Shanghai . Many of the secrets reveal a huge about of inner pain on the part of the subject, with the secrets adding an additional depth and significance to the accompanying pictures. Gary 24, confesses: ‘I am in love with my best friend who does not feel the same. It has put a strain on our friendship which I feel guilty for. I suffer in silence with this secret with no one to talk to.’ One boy, identified only as Ali, 17, writes: ‘There is one person I hate most of all, it’s myself. Don’t know why, I just don’t like him.’ Another woman, aged 35, confesses to a dark secret regarding the remains of her dead father. ‘This is Ceci. Back in 2008 I buried my father’s urn outside the city of Shaghai. Approx 9200km away from where I’m right now...That box is missing one thing; a tooth of him. I took it with me the night before. Cos just being his daughter having his blood in me isn’t enough for me to keep it going. I didn’t know how to deal without him.’ Nick reveals he was once given half an hour to live after suffering a pulmonary embolism . Priscilla, 62, admits she owns a stolen cat, and that her husband still thinks that it was an orphan . London based photographer Christopher, who posted the pictures to his website says that he undertook the project due to his belief in the power of photography to help people open up. ‘The . project idea comes from years of shooting. I have worked with an array . of people, sitting for various situations from all walks of life. Each . person always had a story to tell which made them comfortable when . sitting for the photo,’ he explains. ‘So . this led onto the idea that people when put into an uncomfortable . situation always tend to reveal more than they would usually to relax . themselves. ‘From that . detail, I thought up the project and asked people to sit for a portrait . but in turn they must tell me a secret that nobody else knows and the . use of photo would help them release that secret to the public. Lee, 35, reveals he gave up on a Phd in the history of poltergeist hauntings in the 17th and 18th centuries . Many of the secrets reveal inner pain, such as Will, 43, who says he tried to kill himself 25 years ago . ‘The secrets where so vast it was incredible to hear each and every one. Some very moving, some very shocking and the rest very rude, but I take this as a slice of London and what you see on the surface is not always what you actually get. ‘Everyone has secrets; we just need to be brave to unlock them sometimes.' In one photo a 43-year-old man confesses that at 25 he tried to kill himself after being seduced by an older man. Another subject, confessed that after neutering and vaccinating a cat she thought was a stray - it then came back with a collar and a phone number which she promptly threw away. The project follows the growing trend of telling, rather than repressing, our darkest innermost thoughts. Website Post Secret and the Whisper app have both created a worldwide following on their 'secret sharing' premises, with thousands combining art with revealing their secret, creating a sense of community artwork as well as lessening the feeling of solitude so many feel when holding onto a secret. Christopher's project, of course, removes the anonymity that the other secret sharing projects grant, which is perhaps why it carries such an emotional weight for those who view the photographs. | Photographer Christopher Dodd asked people to allow him to take their picture .
Also asked them to share with him a secret they had never told anyone .
The resulting project reveals the inner world of Londoners .
One man confesses to an attempted suicide, a woman to having 'stolen' a cat . |
218,436 | a6cb5fee20a5341e95b2ec8ed8d12b8942b7d6eb | A few nifty tricks will allow you to access U.S. bargains from the comfort of your own home . From cheap computers to half-price clothes and huge savings on cameras, we’re forever hearing how much less goods cost across the Atlantic. Yet while few of us can afford to jet off to America for a Christmas shopping spree, there is a way to access those bargains and save huge sums — all from the comfort of your sofa. For although online shopping overseas sounds daunting — and is not as simple as just redirecting yourself to U.S. websites — with a few nifty tricks you could save yourself thousands of pounds, especially on big-ticket electronic items. And that’s even when adding postage and tax costs. Take a digital SLR camera, for example. One of the best and most popular on the market now is the Canon EOS 5D Mark III, which on the British version of Amazon costs a whopping £4,499 new, plus £6.15 postage. But find yourself on the American site of Amazon and you can pick it up for £2,369 — nearly half the price. Even when you’ve added on taxes, shipping and duty — upping the total to £3,009.70 — you still pay £1,495.45 less. Elsewhere, an Apple iPad Air 2 64GB from the U.S., with taxes and postage added, would cost £444.98 from Walmart.com, compared with £479 from Apple.com in the UK. You can end up with a J. Crew cardigan and Levi’s jeans for half price. Such are the savings — and the ever-easier buying process — more people are shopping and shipping abroad. And there is still time to order and receive goods in time for Christmas Day. ‘With online retail we’re seeing geographical boundaries breaking down,’ says Chris Morton, founder of fashion aggregation site Lyst.com. Scroll down for video . ‘It’s getting easier for the customer to ship things over, and cheaper, too — especially if you’re interested in designer brands like Ralph Lauren or Michael Kors or J.Crew. Those clothes items are often on sale for the same figure in dollars as in British pounds, making them around 50 per cent cheaper in the States.’ That is why most international companies make it difficult to shop from their U.S sites and automatically redirect visitors from the UK to a website specifically for the British market. But there are ways round this. For some, such as Amazon.co.uk, it’s as simple as changing the ending of the web address to Amazon.com on the address bar. For others, such as Apple, the more complex web address will include the letters ‘en’, as in ‘England’ — try changing that to ‘US’ and you may find yourself on the American site. In most cases though, it’s a question of looking at the top and bottom of the homepage for a tiny Union Jack flag or the words ‘United Kingdom’. Near these should be the option to change your territory to ‘United States’ or to click on an American flag. Huge savings can be made on expensive electronic products such as the Apple iPad Air by buying them on U.S. websites . Once you have found the correct site and currency, remember that operations abroad do not always work the same as in the UK. When calculating prices you should remember that in many states, sales tax is added at the checkout rather than marked on the selling price. ‘Even if you’re buying through an eBay seller that looks great, you’re often still going to have to pay duty, so be careful buying abroad unless the pricing is absolutely transparent,’ says consumer expert Sarah Willingham, who works with the Government’s online safety campaign Cyber Streetwise. For goods sold within the U.S. tax varies from state to state and is generally calculated after you’ve added your delivery address, because it usually depends on which state the item is being delivered to. The highest is 9.4 per cent in Tennessee, while shipping to Oregon or Washington carries no sales tax at all. While delivering direct to the UK might seem a better option, many U.S. companies will deliver only to a U.S. address and insist you use an American credit card. But you can get around this by using a shopping and shipping site, which will handle the transaction and delivery on your behalf — then send the goods to the UK. This is when the U.S. state taxes become important. One reputable service is MyUS.com, which is free to subscribe to after a $10 (£6) joining fee and gives you what is effectively a PO Box for your deliveries. This is in Florida, meaning a middle-ground 6 per cent sales tax. It also provides a ‘personal shopper’ service, which can place orders on your behalf to avoid the need for an American credit card. It will also check orders when they arrive to make sure they are undamaged, sort out the tax and UK customs payments, and deal with any paperwork, such as that needed to transport hazardous materials, which include the lithium batteries in laptops or flammable products such as nail polish. It then puts your packages into one parcel to send to you, potentially saving hundreds of pounds on shipping packages individually. It will not deal with certain major issues, however, such as negotiating items that could be considered a threat to national security, like advanced electronics and firearms. The double delivery means you must allow time for a product to reach MyUS.com — for Apple, that is two days — and time for it to ship from its depot to the UK. That’s an average of three days, though over the Christmas period its fastest courier, FedEx Priority, says December 18 is the final day for shipping to the UK. Although online shopping overseas sounds daunting - and is not as simple as just redirecting yourself to U.S. websites - with a few nifty tricks you could save yourself thousands of pounds . That means tomorrow is the last day on standard delivery within America, though some U.S. firms have same-day or one-day delivery, which may extend your window. It’s still down to you to check whether the U.S. saving really does add up once taxes, shipping costs and also custom duties have been added. If you have goods delivered to the UK you must also pay duty and import VAT on anything over £135. While this can be quite complicated and differs depending on the type of item and price range, services such as MyUS will work the charges out and some sites, such as Saks Fifth Avenue, calculate it at the checkout. For example, on a Michael Kors handbag with a U.S. price of £142.57 (MichaelKors.com), sales tax at 6 per cent is around £8.55, shipping is £35.08, duty is 4 per cent, so £5.70, and import VAT is 20 per cent, around £28.51 — all told about £220, compared with £285 in the UK. Further details of the duty on different items can be found at customs.hmrc.gov.uk. Just remember to check these factors first, or you could pay more despite lower prices. The UK price for the 11in 256GB MacBook Air is £899, compared with £699.50 from the Apple store in the U.S.. Yet by the time you’ve added sales tax, shipping and UK duty, the actual cost is £925.30 — £26.30 more. The only way round this is to wait for a sale or try a discount dealer such as Best Buy, which has MacBooks for $100 less. And not all items will have guarantees. Apple has an international warranty on many products but not on iPhones, because they are bought with a service provider. The same applies to cellular iPads, which are not likely to be covered, while wifi iPads are. You can get refunds, but this can be complicated and expensive. As services such as MyUS.com check products for damage, you can send products back before they leave the U.S., however. Sometimes savings may seem small, but if you bulk-buy, you can consolidate shipping prices, making it possible to save thousands on a big spree. That could make it ideal for those doing Christmas shopping in one go — without all the jet-lag. | Shoppers can save thousands of pounds on big-ticket electronic items .
Canon digital SLR camera costs nearly half in US what it does in UK .
Most companies make it difficult for people to shop from their U.S. sites .
But there are simple solutions such as changing the end of web address . |
165,998 | 62a7214a24478e8187efc1d35e7cbba9f310f35c | (CNN) -- A California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) employee who allegedly wrote a letter to a transgender woman and condemned her to hell has resigned, officials said Thursday. The employee, who worked for the DMV for two years, resigned Wednesday and will not receive benefits or unemployment, according to department spokesman Mike Marando. "This in no way diminishes the severity of the situation," Marando said, adding officials believe the DMV employee's behavior was an isolated matter. The attorney for the transgender woman said the employee should have been fired, instead of being allowed to resign. Amber Yust told HLN's Jane Velez-Mitchell on Wednesday night that she got the letter after she went to a San Francisco DMV office in October and successfully changed her name from David to Amber and updated the gender on her license. According to Yust and her attorney, the DMV employee used her confidential personal information to send the letter. "I have learned that the reason for the vast majority of gender change operations is the client's homosexual orientation," the letter dated October 22 states. "The homosexual act is an abomination that leads to hell." Yust said she also got a pamphlet from a church, which she said contained offensive material directed at her sexual orientation and gender. The DMV employee had been placed on administrative leave with pay pending an investigation after Yust came forward, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. George Valverde, director of the DMV, in a statement Thursday said the employee "acted well outside the course and scope of his duties. We recognized this was unacceptable and wholly unauthorized behavior by this former employee." Yust's attorney, Christopher Dolan, said the employee refused to assist another transgender person in 2009 and kept his job. The DMV employee went through a discipline process and received sensitivity training and counseling after that incident, Marando said. Other DMV employees also received training on transgender situations, he said. The 9,000 DMV employees routinely receive training on a variety of issues, Marando added. "We emphasize that customers are treated fairly and equitably," Marando said. Dolan has filed a damage claim with the state, saying Yust suffered embarrassment and emotional distress. It asks for damages in excess of $25,000. "Why didn't they fire him the first time?" Dolan said of the DMV field representative. "They let him sit at home for two months." | California DMV employee submits resignation .
Transgender person says state employee sent her letter .
Letter states homosexuality is an abomination .
Department of Motor Vehicles said it will ensure customers are treated fairly . |
276,495 | f2386412c2dfb374a5f3ddb54426297fe99fea31 | By . Christopher Leake . Last updated at 12:45 AM on 4th December 2011 . Prison officers are being put up in luxury four-star hotels – costing taxpayers ‘tens of thousands of pounds’ – after being drafted in from hundreds of miles away to man a jail housing thugs who took part in the summer riots. About 15 warders a week are travelling from as far away as the North East and the Midlands to boost staffing levels at the £110 million HMP Isis in South London. Since the riots in August, the jail – which houses male inmates aged 18 to 24 – has been forced to accommodate an extra 160 prisoners, but cannot recruit enough staff to handle the influx. About 15 warders a week are travelling from as far away as the North East and the Midlands to boost staffing levels at HMP Isis, pictured, in South London . During the week the extra staff live in nearby hotels before going home at weekends. Accommodation includes the four-star Marriott Hotel in Bexleyheath, Kent, where guests can use the hotel’s gym, pool, steam room, spa bath and solarium, and enjoy a £22.50 sirloin steak in the restaurant. Since the riots in August, the jail has been forced to accommodate an extra 160 prisoners . The out-of-town warders are paid 40p per mile if they use their car, a daily £26 allowance and £17-an-hour overtime if they work longer than a 39-hour week. Prison sources say the bill has run into tens of thousands of pounds since the warders on ‘detached duty’ began transfers three months ago. The officers come from jails in Worcestershire, Durham, Cleveland, Northumberland and West Yorkshire. The Prison Service said the money to employ them had come mainly from the budget for the salaries of vacant posts at HMP Isis. But a senior source described the arrangement as ‘economic madness’. The . source said: ‘They are having to pay out a fortune in these difficult . times because they cannot pay newly recruited officers enough money to . join the service. This is a badly planned panic measure and a waste of . taxpayers’ money.’ Newly trained prison officers are paid a basic starting salary of £15,000 a year while experienced colleagues earn an average of £29,000. The move comes 48 hours after the Ministry of Justice said that the prison population in England and Wales had reached a record 88,179 – close to the maximum capacity of 89,000. Accommodation includes the four-star Marriott Hotel in Bexleyheath, Kent, pictured, where guests can use the hotel's gym, pool, spa bath and solarium . This has raised fears that prisoners will have to be kept in cells for long periods each day as the Ministry tries to slash £2 billion from its £9 billion annual budget. A Prison Service spokeswoman said: ‘HMP Isis opened in April 2010 and is currently recruiting for some posts. ‘Surplus experienced staff from other prisons have been filling some of the new posts on an interim basis, funding for which comes mainly from the salaries of the vacant posts. Travel costs incurred are paid in accordance with Prison Service policy.’ | 15 warders a week travelling from as far as North East and Midlands to boost staff numbers at a London prison . |
40,273 | 71a87a9cf6c647324ec2b2a5bcf85689537f75f3 | (CNN) -- FACETIME: Osama Saleh, Egyptian minister of investment . After revolution and presidential elections, Egypt is slowly rebuilding its economy. The country is seeking to boost its prospects with a $4.8 billion loan from the IMF. An IMF loan will be a significant vote of confidence for the Egyptian economy, which has suffered greatly since the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak last year. This week MME sat down with Egyptian minister of investment, Osama Saleh and got his thoughts on Egypt's economic road ahead. IN FOCUS: Arab Spring Cinema . This week Abu Dhabi hosts its annual film festival, showcasing Hollywood movies such as Arbitrage and Great Expectations. But as stars hit the region's red carpets all eyes are on a new genre of films, Arab Spring Cinema. This week MME sits down with one regional Director Mohamed Al-Daradji and asked him how movie directors are using their experience of the political upheavals over the past year as inspiration for their movies. | MME asks Egypt's minister of investment what the country's economic future holds after revolution and democratic elections .
Egyptian government is pursuing $4.8bn IMF loan to start rebuilding economy .
In Focus: Abu Dhabi film festival plays host to a new genre of films inspired by the human drama of the Arab Spring . |
130,008 | 34100ea986740fee0f051eff961ad37330c0ae98 | (CNN) -- Steven Spielberg and Ridley Scott. John Goodman and Kevin Spacey. "Doonesbury" cartoonist Garry Trudeau and "Robot Chicken" creator Seth Green. It's a diverse list of entertainers with a pile of Oscars, Emmys and Pulitzer Prizes between them, not to mention dozens of big-screen blockbusters and enduring fan favorites. But they, and a growing list of others, have something new in common. All are part of projects being developed and released by tech companies known more for making products that deliver entertainment than producing the entertainment themselves. Microsoft is the most recent tech titan to confirm such plans. This week, the computing giant unveiled Xbox Originals, a dozen original television series, from documentaries to sci-fi epics, that will be available exclusively on its gaming consoles and other Microsoft devices. Leading the charge are Spielberg and Scott, who are involved in two separate series based on the massively popular "Halo" video-game franchise. Others in the lineup, which will begin rolling out in June, include a sci-fi drama, "Humans," and "Signal To Noise," a documentary series that "will expose little-known stories of how modern technology has radically altered the way we interact with our world." "Microsoft has a long and rich legacy in the content business," said Jordan Levin, executive vice president of Xbox Entertainment Studios. "Games have been part of our DNA for at least the last 15 years, and creating original TV content is a logical next step in our evolution." The announcement is just the latest in a series of similar moves. If, as Microsoft's own Bill Gates once said, content is king, an increasing number of digital-age companies no longer satisfied playing middleman are making their claims for the throne. Netflix led the charge two years ago, and has Emmy Awards to show for it. Two shows for the digital streaming service, "Lilyhammer" and "The Ropes," debuted in 2012. But it was "House of Cards," which brought home two Emmys last year, that cemented Netflix as a serious source of original material. Newer hits like "Orange is the New Black" and a revived "Arrested Development" have shown its success to be no fluke. Last year, Amazon began producing original content for its Prime streaming service, most notably "Alpha House," a political comedy created by Trudeau and starring Goodman. And on Monday, Yahoo announced it will be bringing its own long-form shows to our multitude of screens next year, starting with a pair of comedies. Sure, we all want to be in show business. But what's behind Silicon Valley's sudden rush to the studio? Don't be shocked, but experts say it's to make more money. "The reasons they all want to do it today are the same reasons we predicted Netflix would do it back in 2010 and 2011 -- because when you have something no one else has, you can charge more money for it," said James McQuivey, a tech analyst with Forrester Research. "Whether you charge people for the content itself or whether you charge them for the game console, tablet, or app that it's a part of, original content is one of the only legal ways to achieve monopoly power and all the benefits that come with it. Eminem knows this, J.J. Abrams knows this, and now Microsoft knows it, too." McQuivey noted that entertainment platforms like Netflix and Hulu -- which is launching its own variety show with comedian Sarah Silverman -- often find themselves at odds with content providers over who earns how much of their revenues. Making themselves over into one-stop-shops whenever possible eliminates that problem, he said. And it doesn't mean having to build their own sound stages, either. "Many of the production companies that supply content to the broadcast networks and movie studios would be thrilled to have the chance to develop content for a faster, nimbler, more direct distributor of content," the prescient analyst wrote in 2012. For a company like Amazon, the benefits could be twofold. Its original content is available to members who have paid $99 for an annual Prime membership. In theory, someone who joins to watch a show will then be more likely to use free shipping and other benefits as well, thus pumping more cash into Amazon's coffers. Of all the current players, Microsoft may be uniquely suited to this new game. "If you're Microsoft, the place you start is with a monopoly you already hold," McQuivey said. " 'Halo' is the best example, and if Microsoft didn't try to turn it into video gold, it would prove that Microsoft is not paying attention." Since launching in 2001, "Halo" games have sold more than 50 million copies. The military science-fiction game, which focuses on an interstellar conflict between humans and an alliance of alien races bent on their destruction, is now owned by Microsoft Studios and available exclusively for the Xbox gaming consoles. Does that make the title a slam dunk, particularly when names like Spielberg and Scott are mixed in? Not necessarily, McQuivey said. "Knowing you have a hot property and turning it into a hit are two very different things," he said. "There is no guarantee that one leads naturally to the other and in fact, many people have failed with even more obvious opportunities in the history of the entertainment business. "See Matthew Broderick's 'Godzilla,' any G.I. Joe movie, and the last two Superman movies if you need further evidence." | Microsoft announces Xbox Originals, a slate of original TV series .
The move is part of a tech trend toward producing original streaming content .
Yahoo also announces two comedy series this week .
Netflix led the way with shows like Emmy-winning "House of Cards" |
222,706 | ac4cf5ef7751a805fedacc8357c6b4ed8151e175 | By . Nick Enoch . and Steve Nolan . PUBLISHED: . 16:54 EST, 28 November 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 05:27 EST, 29 November 2013 . A 14-year-old girl who went missing from her Sydney home earlier this week has been reunited with her emotional parents after she was found safe and well. Krystal Muhieddine's parents Wally and Suzanne had made a desperate plea for information regarding the whereabouts of the teenager after she left her home in Hunters Hill, one of Australia's wealthiest suburbs on Tuesday morning. She had last been seen getting into a silver hatchback with red P-plates driven by a teenage boy that was unknown to her parents. But police found her with a boy in a coffee shop near the Aire River in Victoria today. Safe: Krystal Muhieddine, 14, was found with a teenage boy at a coffee shop in Victoria on Friday . Worried: Krystal's parents, Wally and Suzanne Muhieddine (pictured), had made an emotional plea for her safe return . She hugged her parents as they were reunited later the same day after her parents flew in to Tullamarine Airport. According to Mr Muhieddine, Krystal . and the boy had been camping after the teenager grew 'angry and . frustrated' at home and ran away. He said that he and his wife will talk to Krystal in a bid to negotiate ways in which they can be 'better parents'. He told Fairfax Media: 'We’re going . to approach this from a position of negotiation, see what she would like . and what’s satisfies us. 'Clearly what we’ve been doing hasn’t worked. 'Our heart goes out to parents who don’t get the same good news we received today.' Runaways: The teenager had last been seen getting into a car with an unknown man . Fearing the worst, Mr and Mrs Muhieddine held a press conference earlier this week appealing for help to find their daughter. Mr and Mrs Muhieddine said that their daughter was 'only a baby... she sleeps with her teddy bear'. 'You're not in trouble, no one is in trouble - we just want to know where you are and that you are safe,' Mrs Muhieddine told news.com.au. Friends of Krystal said she had recently spoken about a boy. Her . parents said she might have been communicating with someone online . before she disappeared despite a ban on social media websites in the . family home, but her father was adamant she had never had a boyfriend. 'She's never dated anyone. She's never been anywhere without me dropping her off,' said Mr Muhieddine. Last Friday, Krystal - the second youngest of four daughters - sneaked out of the house to see a movie, telling one of her sisters she had her mother's permission. She later lied to Mrs Muhieddine, saying a friend's mother was planning to collect her. After being reprimanded for her actions, the family then enjoyed a 'great weekend' together. According to Gladsville Police, members of the public had come forward with information regarding Krystal's disappearance, but a spokesman said that wasn't how she was found. Home: The family hail from the Hunter's Hill suburb of Sydney, pictured, one of Australia's wealthiest suburbs . | Krystal Muhieddine left family home in Sydney suburb of .
Hunters Hill on Tuesday and did not go to school that day .
Police believe she was picked .
up in morning by unknown male driving a silver-coloured hatchback .
with red P-plates .
Her parents feared the worst and had made an emotional plea for her to come home .
But the teenager was found safe and well with a teenage boy at a coffee shop in Victoria .
She hugged her parents as they flew in from Sydney to be reunited with their daughter earlier today . |
23,063 | 41748966c3971303c07f04277e08de20e9ecdaae | The ancestors of Native Americans may have set up home in a region between Siberia and Alaska which contained woody plants that they could use to make fires, according to a new study . The people we know as Native Americans actually arrived at the continent in three separate great migrations in the distant past. Most Native Americans are descended from a small group of migrants that crossed a 'land bridge' between Asia and Ameria during the ice ages 15,000 years ago. These migrants, known as the 'First Americans', populated most of North and South America. But there were two subsequent migrations across the same bridge - and DNA from the second and third groups can still be found in Native Americans today. The second and third migrations have . left an impact only in Arctic populations that speak Eskimo-Aleut . languages and in the Canadian Chipewyan who speak a Na-Dene language. Eskimos show the most differences, with a mere 50% of their DNA coming from the 'First Americans'. All the groups originally came from Siberia, Beringia, a land bridge between Asia and America that existed during the ice ages, more than 15,000 years ago. By studying variations in Native American DNA sequences, the international team found that while most of the Native American populations arose from the first migration, two subsequent migrations also made important genetic contributions. The paper is published in the journal Nature today.‘For years it has been contentious whether the settlement of the Americas occurred by means of a single or multiple migrations from Siberia,’ said Professor Andres Ruiz-Linares (UCL Genetics, Evolution and Environment), who coordinated the study. 'But our research settles this debate: Native Americans do not stem from a single migration. Our study also begins to cast light on patterns of human dispersal within the Americas.’ In the most comprehensive survey of genetic diversity in Native Americans so far, the team took data from 52 Native American and 17 Siberian groups, studying more than 300,000 specific DNA sequence variations called Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms to examine patterns of genetic similarities and differences between the population groups. The second and third migrations have left an impact only in Arctic populations that speak Eskimo-Aleut languages and in the Canadian Chipewyan who speak a Na-Dene language . However, even these populations have inherited most of their genome from the First American migration. Eskimo-Aleut speakers derive more than 50% of their DNA from First Americans, and the Chipewyan around 90%. This reflects the fact that these two later streams of Asian migration mixed with the First Americans they encountered after they arrived in North America. A mastodon rib with an embedded spear fragment, proof of some of the earliest inhabitants of America . ‘There are at least three deep lineages in Native American populations,’ said co-author David Reich, Professor of genetics at Harvard Medical School. ‘The Asian lineage leading to First Americans is the most anciently diverged, whereas the Asian lineages that contributed some of the DNA to Eskimo–Aleut speakers and the Na-Dene-speaking Chipewyan from Canada are more closely related to present-day East Asian populations.’ The team also found that once in the Americas, people expanded southward along a route that hugged the coast with populations splitting off along the way. After divergence, there was little gene flow among Native American groups, especially in South America. Two striking exceptions to this simple dispersal were also discovered. First, Central American Chibchan-speakers have ancestry from both North and South America, reflecting back-migration from South America and mixture of two widely separated strands of Native ancestry. Second, the Naukan and coastal Chukchi from north-eastern Siberia carry 'First American' DNA. Thus, Eskimo-Aleut speakers migrated back to Asia, bringing Native American genes. The team's analysis was complicated by the influx into the hemisphere of European and African immigrants since 1492 and the 500 years of genetic mixing that followed. To address this, the authors developed methods that allowed them to focus on the sections of peoples' genomes that were of entirely Native American origin. ‘The study of Native American populations is technically very challenging because of the widespread occurrence of European and African mixture in Native American groups,’ said Professor Ruiz-Linares.‘We developed a method to peel back this mixture to learn about the relationships among Native Americans before Europeans and Africans arrived,’ Professor Reich said, ‘allowing us to study the history of many more Native American populations than we could have done otherwise.’ | DNA study proves America was populated by THREE groups .
'First Americans' followed by two other migrations .
All arrived via land bridge from Siberia . |
120,763 | 281885dd7d2da7af1bd05fabd8e8b2ec143754b6 | (CNN) -- From teary-eyed teenager to the proud owner of a green jacket, Adam Scott's transformation from best of the rest to major winner has involved a fair amount of heartache. The newly-crowned Masters champion watched on television as his hero and fellow Australian Greg Norman threw away a six-shot lead at Augusta in 1996, while Scott himself blew a four-shot advantage over the final four holes of last year's British Open. But there was no collapse, no choking on Sunday. The new world No. 3 showed nerves of steel to defeat overnight co-leader Angel Cabrera in a tense two-hole playoff to win the first major of 2013. "The whole nation stopped that day and felt for Greg," Scott told CNN when asked about Norman's implosion on April 14, 1996. The tale of Twitter: Masters social media reaction . "It was so hard to see your hero not come up with the goods that day like he normally always did. I learned lessons out of that day. "It's an amazing journey, the whole golfing career. I've played a lot of majors and to finally get one means a lot. I've knocked on the door a couple of times recently, to get over the hurdle is hopefully the start of something to come." Scott has flirted with major success on a number of occasions. He finished third at the 2006 PGA Championship before tying for second at the Masters two years ago, with his final-round collapse at Royal Lytham and St. Annes in 2012 was the closest he had got to winning one of the sport's four blue riband events, letting the Claret Jug slip from his grasp and into Ernie Els' hands. Now, Scott is Australia's first Masters champion, succeeding where two-time major winner Norman and the great Peter Thompson failed. "Golf is a game that can humble you very quickly, and it certainly did at the British Open," continued the 32-year-old. "But I've won tournaments before and I've lost tournaments before and it's going to keep happening for the rest of my life. As much as I don't want to lose tournaments, it's inevitable. "The British Open gave me more belief than anything. No doubt, it just gave me more belief that I am good enough to win a major championship." Scott looked to have done enough for victory when he holed an impressive birdie on the 72nd hole of the weekend to move to nine-under par and into the outright lead. But Cabrera, who held a share of the lead heading into Sunday, responded with a sublime approach shot to the final green and a playoff was required. Scott eventually emerged victorious on the second playoff hole, the par-four 10th, fulfilling the dreams of the 15-year-old who watched Norman's infamous capitulation. "It's quite a feeling to make a couple of putts to win a tournament," he said. "It's what every kid dreams about. For it to finally happen is amazing." The Adelaide native becomes the latest player to win a major using the controversial belly putter. Els' victory over Scott was achieved using the club, while Webb Simpson and Keegan Bradley both belly putted their way to major championships. That putter, which involves golfers anchoring the club to any part of the body, has divided golf in recent months. The Royal & Ancient and the United States Golf Association, backed by the European Tour, has proposed banning anchored putting from 2016 onwards, a move opposed by the PGA and the PGA Tour. For now though, Scott has time to savor his win at Augusta, while golf's regulators come up with a belly putter solution. | Adam Scott becomes first Australian winner of the Masters .
The new world No. 3 beat Argentina's Angel Cabrera in a two-hole playoff .
Scott watched on as Greg Norman collapsed to lose a six-stroke lead in 1996 .
Scott threw away a four-shot lead over the final four holes of 2012 British Open . |
120,588 | 27d9d331ac2a953fd5c23a7a92c3c3e721e35fa7 | By . Becky Evans . PUBLISHED: . 12:50 EST, 11 June 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 12:50 EST, 11 June 2013 . Pakistan has threatened to ban Google from the country over an ongoing row about 'blasphemous' content on YouTube. The new Minister for IT and Telecommunications Anusha Rahman said unless YouTube, which is owned by Google, complies in removing clips that are deemed anti-Islamic it will block access to the search engine. The video sharing website has been banned in Pakistan for nine months after bosses at the internet giant refused to remove a trailer for low-budget film The Innocence of Muslims. IT Minister Anusha Rahman said it wants Google to set restrictions on YouTube before Pakistan unblocks YouTube which was banned after worldwide protests against anti-Islamic film that was uploaded on website . The controversial American-made film sparked worldwide protests last year amid fury at the portrayal of the Prophet Muhammad. The . film, created by an Egyptian-born Christian who is now a U.S. citizen, . depicts the prophet, a central figure to Islam, as a religious fraud, . womaniser and paedophile. Ms . Rahman said one of the new Government's top priorities is to restore . YouTube but said it will not do so unless blasphemous and pornographic . content is banned. She told Pakistan's The News: 'It’s our job to ensure re-opening of YouTube as soon as possible with thorough screening of objectionable material. 'We . will pump in extra money if needed and do whatever is in our capacity . to bring YouTube back to Pakistan without compromising our ethical . values.' Mrs Rahman threatened to ban Google from Pakistan if it does not comply with their filter request . Ms Rahman warned . that if Google refused to comply, as the internet giant did to similar . requests from the previous government, then they would ban the search . engine as 'a last resort'. She . said: 'It all depends on our negotiation clout. If they persisted with . their stance we can block Google in Pakistan as a last resort as there . are many alternative search engines available on the web', according to . The News. She said her ministry is due to start work on a web filter to block blasphemous and pornographic material. Ms Rahman added that they would not unblock the website without the measures to avoid the 'embarrassment' of having to ban it again if more protests ensued. The film sparked protests across the Muslim world in September. Pictured, a protester throws a tear gas canister during clashes near the U.S. embassy, near Tahrir Square in Cairo on September 13 . Thousands of Muslims also marched in London. About 50 people were killed in the worldwide protests . In September, more than 50 people were killed in protests against The Innocence of Muslims that spread across 20 countries. Google, declined requests to remove . the video from the website last year, but restricted access to it in . certain countries, including Egypt, Libya and Indonesia, because it said . the video broke laws in those countries. At the height of the protests in September, YouTube was blocked in several countries, including Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Saudi . Arabia's King Abdullah issued an order blocking all websites with . access to the anti-Islam film in the conservative kingdom. | Video sharing website been banned in the country for past nine months .
Government want Google to filter anti-Islamic and pornographic content .
IT Minister will not unblock until restrictions are in place .
YouTube banned after film The Innocent of Muslims was uploaded . |
200,310 | 8f4c37f352fb4631328e7dd5a195dab569a94ec6 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 13:30 EST, 22 January 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 04:50 EST, 23 January 2013 . James Hassell was the man chosen to teach the future King of England how to fly a helicopter . A distinguished pilot who taught Prince William to fly a helicopter died in a high-speed motorcycle crash after he attempted to overtake a lorry, an inquest heard today. James Hassell, 36, was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident on the A417 near Faringdon, Oxfordshire on March 10 last year. The respected Army Air Corps Lynx helicopter pilot was selected to teach the prince on a fast-track flying course five years ago. The inquest into Mr Hassell's death, held at Oxford Coroner's Court, heard the helicopter pilot, known as Jim, was also a keen motorcyclist who enjoyed going for long motorbike rides around the countryside at weekends with his friend and colleague Matthew Coverley. Mr Coverley told the hearing the pair had just left the village of Faringdon and were travelling down the narrow country lane when they noticed a green truck travelling about 300m in front of them at around 9.35am on the Saturday. He said Mr Hassell was around 6 to 10m in front of him, with his own motorbike staggered to the left of his bike. As they approached the vehicle he said they both accelerated to between 70-80mph in order to overtake it but the truck then began to turn right into a farm entrance without indicating, slowing down or appearing to notice them. Mr Coverley said: 'I didn't see any indication on the truck, neither prior to or as it turned. 'Jim steered towards the left of the carriageway to attempt to avoid the truck. 'The truck was traveling in a continual motion, as if it has not seen Jim. 'In my mind it was all in slow motion. Prince William (pictured in a Griffin helicopter at RAF Shawbury in Shrewsbury) extended the 'deepest sympathy' to the family of James Hassell after his death . 'I saw Jim's body hit the truck. I continued to break hard, stopping at the side of the road.' Mr Coverley said he was sure that the driver of the truck had not used his indicator. 'Both Jim and I are experienced riders and we always look for indications and we would not even attempt to overtake if we thought the truck was turning," he said. But giving his own evidence, the truck's driver, Polish national Marek Kucala, told the inquest that he had seen one of the motorcycles and had indicated that he was turning. He said: "I indicated much earlier, before the entrance to Manor Farm as I knew where I was about to turn. 'The first time I checked my mirrors I didn't see anyone. 'When I moved to the centre of the road I checked the mirrors for the second time and I noticed the motorcycle." Speaking through an interpreter, he said that as he saw the motorcycle was trying to overtake him he then tried to swerve back to the left side of the road to let him pass. 'It's really difficult to describe as all of it happened in a fraction of a second," he added. Giving evidence, Terry Anderson, a collision investigator with Thames Valley Police, said he arrived at the scene of the crash later that morning. He told the inquest that when he tested the truck's indicators he found them to have a much dimmer output than they should have had and were dirty which also made them harder to see. 'Certainly not what you would expect of a well maintained vehicle,' he added. The A417 in Oxfordshire where James Hassell died after he attempted to overtake a lorry at 70mph . He also found the Isuzu rigid goods vehicle's battery was flat and needed to be jump-started although the breaklights and indicators still worked. Further tests two days later found further levels of deterioration and the indicators would not work at all. Coroner Darren Salter recorded a verdict of accidental death. He said: "As often is the case there is some conflicting evidence to areas in particular concerning the indicators. 'Mr Kucala says he indicated. Mr Coverley says he didn't see any indication. He doesn't believe there was any. 'All I can say about that is there is conflict in that. 'We don't know how bright the indicators would have been at the time of the collision, if indeed there was indication from Mr Kucala. 'One thing that is clear is that this accident happened very suddenly and very quickly. 'It has become apparent that perhaps we're talking not about a fraction of a second, but a few seconds. 'Clearly speed was a significant factor.' Pilot stayed cool when colleagues tried to disrupt tutoring of prince . James Hassell was playfully teased by his colleagues after he was put in charge of Prince William's helicopter training . Mr Hassell's close friend and fellow pilot Matt Webb, 36, said he managed to stay calm when colleagues played pranks on him during his tutoring of Prince William. The helicopter pilot was based at RNAS Yeovilton . in Somerset and lived in Middle Wallop, Hampshire, and gave the Duke of . Cambridge helicopter flight training five years ago. Mr Webb said: ‘He had carefully prepared a day’s presentation for the prince when one of his friends wiped it from his computer as a practical joke – but he still managed to deliver the mission orders perfectly from memory. Nicknamed ‘Safe Hands’ due to his goalkeeping skills, he taught William about the tactics and skills required by military pilots when he joined the RAF on a four-month attachment. A military funeral for WO2 Hassell from Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire, was held on March 26 last year. At the time of Mr Hassell's death, the . Duke of Cambridge extended his ‘deepest sympathy’ to the grieving family . of Mr Hassell. A spokesman for the Prince said at the time: ‘The Duke of Cambridge has been informed of the sad news and his thoughts are with Mr Hassell’s family.’ At the time of the accident WO2 Hassell and his wife of 12 years, Lily, were about to buy their first home together. Mr Hassell's stepfather, Pat Salter, from Taddington, Gloucestershire, said: ‘When we found out our lad was teaching the future King we were shaking in our boots. ‘At the funeral I asked his captain “Why James?” and he said, “We couldn’t afford a cock-up and he was the only one for the job”.’ | Inquest held today into death of James Hassell, 36, who was hand picked to help the future King learn to fly .
The Army Air Corps instructor died at the scene on A417 in Oxfordshire in March 2012 .
Witness has said Mr Hassell was attempting to overtake lorry at 70mph . |
105,109 | 13952905d9228e24e4d141a17406a7099e0f7d98 | Simon Cowell has become a father for the first time after Lauren Silverman welcomed a baby boy into the world on Valentine's Day. The 54-year-old music mogul's girlfriend gave birth to the couple's first son in New York City at 17.45 EST, weighing 6lbs 7oz. Simon revealed on Twitter hours after the birth that he had named the child after his own deceased father Eric Cowell. Scroll down for video . Taking a breather: Simon Cowell stepped out for some fresh air at the Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. after his girlfriend Lauren Silverman gave birth to their first child, on Friday . Parents: Silverman, pictured with Cowell, gave birth to baby Eric, weighing 6lbs 7oz, at 17.45 EST yesterday . A source told MailOnline: 'Lauren's . mother and sister were in the delivery room with them when she gave . birth. Simon's mother, Julie, is looking forward to meeting the baby in . the UK.' Cowell tweeted just hours later, giving away the infant's name: 'Very happy to say Eric was born at 17.45pm. Healthy and handsome.' Adding an explanatory note: 'Named after my dad'. Happy man: The 54-year-old flashed a grin as he greeted someone on the street following the birth of his son . One last push, we mean puff: Cowell, pictured taking a drag on his cigarette as he arrived at Lenox Hill hospital in Manhattan, has become a father for the first time . Daddy cool: Simon Cowell looked utterly delighted as he arrived at Lennox Hill Hospital in New York City on Friday amid the imminent arrival of his first born child . Simon was spotted just hours after Lauren gave birth catching some fresh air outside of the hospital. The television personality looked in high spirits as he wore a trench coat, blue jeans, and leather boots. The X Factor judge previously said of his . father Eric, who passed away in 1999 of a heart attack at the age of . 81, 'My dad was a brilliant mentor.’ Eric Selig Phillip Cowell worked in the music industry as an executive, paving the way for Simon's own illustrious career. Namesake: Simon is pictured celebrating with his father Eric (far right) at his mother Julie's birthday party . Big reveal: Cowell named his son after his own father Eric, who passed in 1999 . In 2011 Simon spoke about the devastating impact of his father's death, admitting it was the worst day of his life. Speaking to Piers Morgan on his Tonight Show on CNN, the mogul spoke in detail about the day 12 years ago that Eric died. The former EMI executive succumbed to a heart attack in 1999 aged 81, while he was at home with Cowell's mother Julie. 'I can't lie, it was the worst day of my life,' Cowell said, 'a horrible horrible time.' He . also credited his father with giving him a unique ability to use his . charms to be able to reach out and connect with anybody regardless of . their background. 'He said . to me - because he was successful, my dad, when he ran his company - he . said, 'everybody around you has an invisible sign on their head which . says 'make me important', Cowell revealed. 'What . I understood from that is that you've got to recognise that everyone . around you wants to be recognised, wants to be appreciated. 'What . I try and remember is that when I make a show, everyone has played a . part in it. The show is created, truthfully, by 500 people every week.' There'll be no more of that: Simon Cowell steps out of his car in a puff of smoke as he arrives for the birth of his baby son today in New York . Earlier that afternoon, the music mogul was pictured taking one . final drag on his cigarette as he arrived in New York City with a huge . grin on his face while preparing for the imminent arrival of his baby . son. The X Factor supremo, who had . pledged to give up smoking ahead of his son's arrival, flew into New . York on Friday after Lauren went into labour two . weeks early. His mentor: A young Simon pictured with parents Eric Cowell and Julie Cowell . He took the . first commercial flight from London available on Friday morning and by . early afternoon was at Lauren's side at Lenox Hill Hospital. Speaking to photographers outside the . hospital, the music millionaire, who missed the last day of taping . auditions for his show Britain's Got Talent, said his baby was due 'any . second now' and that Lauren is 'doing great'. Perhaps . to quell his nerves, Cowell took a puff on one of his favourite menthol . Kool cigarettes before heading into the hospital. It remains to be seen . whether he will exchange a Kool for a cigar to celebrate the baby's . birth. With a baby on the way, Cowell had declared that he was quitting smoking, but in November he admitted 'I lied.' Claiming electronic cigarettes "don't work," the mogul said: 'There are a lot of boring things that happen when you have a baby . 'You have to get rid of] sharp edges, . cigarettes, alcohol … then there's [baby-proofing] the toilet. But I'll . have a smoking room!' Lauren, 37, said she wanted to have the . baby at home in Manhattan, where her mother could help out and so she . could be near her eldest son Adam. Her mother Carole Sandland is thought to be traveling from her home in Florida to be on hand when the newborn arrives. Once their bundle of . joy is ready to leave hospital, the couple will bring him home to the . $26-000-a-month apartment they are renting in Manhattan. The . news has come as surprise to Simon as Lauren was due to give birth on . February 28 in one of Manhattan's most exclusive hospitals. Happy Valentine's Day! Waving happily to photographers as he stepped off his flight, the star looked full of the joys of impeding fatherhood . Welcome to the world, Simon Junior: Upon his arrival at the hospital, Simon told photographers his baby was due 'any second now' Keeping his cool: The music mogul looked typically cool, calm and collected self as he arrived at the hospital . The hospital is where Beyoncé gave birth to Blue Ivy in January 2012 and reportedly hired out an entire floor. Affluent mothers can pay up to $1,700-a-night for private full-service rooms where there is one nurse to every mother and baby. Earlier this week Cowell said: 'I am . keeping my phone on during auditions 100 per cent. If it happens I have . to go and dash on a plane. Big moment: The star had some form of briefcase tucked under his arm as he trudged through the snow at Lennox Hill . Hospital dash: Silverman wasn't initially scheduled to be admitted to Lenox Hill Hospital for another two weeks . Big city life: Once their bundle of joy arrives the couple will bring him home to the $26-000-a-month apartment they are renting in Manhattan . Missing out: Simon will not be attending Britain's Got Talent auditions on Friday due to flying to New York . Glowing: Simon attended Lauren's baby shower back in December of last year . 'I probably will be nervous when it all happens. I am going to watch (movie) Father of the Bride tonight to get used to that. I have got a feeling my child is going to be really naughty.' Cowell is currently overseeing BGT auditions in London's Hammersmith with fellow judges Amanda Holden, comedian David Walliams and singer Alesha Dixon. The Britain's Got Talent boss revealed that expectant girlfriend Lauren has given him carte blanche to carry on with his hectic workload after the baby arrives. Doting: Simon had kept a plane on standby so he could get to Lauren in Manhattan as quickly as possible . A squeamish Cowell revealed this week: 'I haven't changed a nappy before and I won't. I just can't do it. I'd like to be at the birth but a little but far away.' The pop supremo, who notoriously doesn't wake before midday, maintains Lauren is understanding of his workload and has vowed not to make demands of him. 'Lauren knows what my work schedule is like and everything else so she's cool with that.' In the lurch: David Walliams, Alesha Dixon and Amanda Holden will be forced to continue without him . Missing link: Simon was absent from proceedings as his Britain's Got Talent co-judges (L-R) Alesha Dixon, David Walliams and Amanda Holden arrived at auditions in London on Friday . Last month the MailOnline revealed that Simon and Lauren had decided to call their son Simon Cowell Junior However, today, a close source said: 'They're 50/50 right now, so we have to wait and see.' Although many thought Cowell was joking when he said that Simon was his favourite name, a friend of the couple said: ‘Simon and Lauren have decided that their favorite name for the baby is actually Simon.' ‘For a while it was between Simon and Eric- Simon’s dad’s name, but now it looks like Eric will be the middle name.’ Blooming: A heavily pregnant Silverman was last seen with 54-year-old Cowell on January 9 in St Barts . Indeed, at Lauren’s baby shower, guests brought baby gifts emblazoned with the name Simon on them. Including gifts embroidered with the initials SC. Meanwhile Ladbrokes have released the odds for the name of the baby and they make it just a 2/1 shot that his son is called Eric after his late father. Simon Junior is next in the betting at 4/1 or it's a 6/1 shot Harry or George get the nod, but it seems highly unlikely that Louis, Gary or Piers will be the chosen name at 33/1. The odds also suggest that Andrew is out of the running at 100/1 considering it's the name of Lauren's ex-husband. News of Lauren's pregnancy broke in July . of last year- while the New York socialite was still married to . ex-husband Andrew Silverman. Close: Lauren wanted to be in New York so she her mother could fly in and be with her and the newborn . | Pop supremo's girlfriend Lauren Silverman has given birth to a baby son .
Baby boy weighed 6lbs 7oz and was born at 17.45 EST on February 14 .
Lauren went into labour at Lenox Hill Hospital, where Beyonce gave birth and rooms can cost up $1,700-a-night .
The baby boy is named after Cowell's father Eric .
Simon missed Friday's Britain's Got Talent auditions in London to catch a commercial flight to New York City .
Lauren, 37, was not expected to give birth for another two weeks .
Cowell had pledged to quit smoking ahead of baby's birth - but then said he would instead have a 'smoking room' at home . |
159,800 | 5a91b116e7cdce16a317e5002fd636a9fe5fb05d | (CNN) -- Search teams have found the flight data recorder from the Yemenia Airways plane that crashed off the Comoros Islands in June, killing 152 people, the chief investigator said Friday. Search parties continue their operation to locate the Yemenia Airbus A310 off the Comoros Islands in July. An operation to retrieve the recorder has begun, said a statement from investigator Ali Abdou Mohamed. The Airbus 310 crashed into the Indian Ocean, carrying 142 passengers and 11 crew members. It originated in Yemen's capital, Sanaa, and went down just miles from Moroni, the capital of the Comoros Islands. One person, a 13-year-old French girl, survived. The recorder could contain information to help determine what caused the crash. The plane had tried to land at the airport in Moroni, then made a U-turn before it crashed, Comoros Vice President Idi Nadhoim said soon after the accident. A French official said that country had banned the plane after it failed an aviation inspection in 2007, but Yemenia Airways was not on the European Union's list of banned airlines. Passengers on the flight included 66 French citizens, 54 Comorians, one Palestinian and one Canadian, according to Yemeni and French officials. The crew was made up of six Yemenis, two Moroccans, one Ethiopian, one Filipino and one Indonesian. The Comoros Islands are between the east African country of Tanzania and the island nation of Madagascar. | Comoros Islands lie between east African and the island nation of Madagascar .
Recorder could contain information to help determine what caused the crash .
Thirteen-year-old French girl was the only person to survive plane crash . |
179,704 | 74af8fa3e60d282fc88432c151873489853bbd6a | Troubled Rangers have been left in utter disarray after caretaker manager Kenny McDowall dramatically tendered his resignation after just three matches in charge of the crisis-torn Ibrox outfit. The 51-year triggered a 12 month notice period in his contract when he informed the Glasgow club he was to step down 'for personal reasons'. McDowall had been assistant to Ally McCoist but replaced the Ibrox icon in the hotseat in December after McCoist tendered his own resignation and was subsequently placed on gardening leave by the embattled Rangers board. Caretaker manager Kenny McDowell has resigned from his post at Rangers . McDowall had been assistant to Ally McCoist but replaced the Ibrox icon in the hotseat in December . In a brief statement, Rangers said McDowall would 'remain 100 per cent committed to his normal duties' – suggesting he will carry on as Rangers manager during the period of his notice. But there remains the possibility that he could eventually follow McCoist into a period of gardening leave – if the cash-strapped club can find the money amid their current financial woes. McDowall was in charge of Rangers for just three games, starting with a 4-0 defeat at Easter Road. He also oversaw a 3-1 home win over Dumbarton and a 1-0 victory over Alloa at Indodrill Stadium. His last match was against Hearts last Friday but the contest was abandoned at 0-0 after 25 minutes due to snowfall in Glasgow. His announcement last night came with Rangers trailing 13 points behind leaders Hearts after 20 Championship games and looking destined for a place in the play-offs. Rangers players applaud the fans after the match was abandoned at the weekend . Rangers posted a brief statement on the club website. It read: 'Kenny McDowall has tendered his resignation as caretaker manager of Rangers Football Club, citing personal reasons for stepping down. 'Kenny, who has been a fantastic servant of the club, will serve his 12-month notice period, during which time he will remain 100% committed to his normal duties. 'The club respects Kenny's decision and he will continue to have the full support of everybody at Rangers.' | Kenny McDowell cites 'personal reasons' for leaving Rangers .
McDowell was caretaker manager after Ally McCoist left the club .
He will serve a 12-month notice period after the departure . |
227,288 | b24d97c3f6a9e4c17c07870919fbdc6ec2930e1c | (CNN) -- A 5.8-magnitude earthquake struck Tuesday off the Cayman Islands, the U.S. Geological Survey said. The 6.2-mile deep quake hit at 9:23 a.m. ET, 40 miles from George Town, Cayman Islands, the USGS reported. George Town, the capital, is on the western shore of Grand Cayman Island. There were no immediate reports of injuries in the three-island chain in the Caribbean. The British territory of the Cayman Islands is about 600 miles (1,000 kilometers) west of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, which was devastated last week by a 7.0-magnitude earthquake. Tuesday's quake struck about 32 miles (52 kilometers) east-southeast of Bodden Town in the center of the southern coast of Grand Cayman Island. Are you in the Cayman Islands? Share photos, video . It caused shaking at the Pedro St. James National Historic Site, about a 10-minute drive from Bodden Town, said Sonya Hydes, the gift shop manager. "There was quite a bit of shaking," she said. Hydes said she called her husband after the shaking stopped to see if their house was affected. He told her that he felt the quake but that it did not damage their house. There are reports that the quake toppled power lines in Bodden Town, said Kafara Augustine, a news producer for Cayman 27. Augustine said she felt the shaking from within her office in central George Town. She and her colleagues quickly evacuated the building, seeking safety in the streets, she said. The two-story building did not suffer any damage and from what she could see, everything else seemed unharmed during the quake, she said. The quake startled Davy Ebanks, general manager of the North Sound Club, a golf course on the Seven Mile Beach strip of western Grand Cayman Island. He said he was reading about the earthquake in Haiti on the Internet when he suddenly felt shaking. "I just bolted," he said. "It was rocking and rolling pretty good." The trembling knocked some picture frames off balance and sent some mannequins tumbling in the pro shop, but otherwise did little damage at the club, he said. About 215 miles (346 kilometers) from the temblor in Cienfuegos, Cuba -- a city on the southern coast of the communist island -- residents said they felt nothing. The Caymans are about 167 (268 kilometers) miles northwest of Jamaica and about 140 miles (240 kilometers) south of Cuba, according to the CIA World Fact Book. CNN's Mark Bixler and Shasta Darlington contributed to this report. | No immediate reports of injuries after earthquake off Cayman Islands .
"There was quite a bit of shaking," says shop manager in George Town, Cayman Islands .
U.K. territory in Caribbean about 600 miles west of Port-au-Prince, Haiti . |
199,383 | 8e1a56bd9c09a5fcdac2da04c7409f0c54b9de16 | Roger Federer let out a huge roar after winning his first Shanghai Masters title with a straight sets victory over unseeded Gilles Simon in China yesterday. The Swiss world No 3 beat the Frenchman 7-6, 7-6 but was quick to appreciate how fortunate he was to reach the final after saving five match points in his second-round clash with Leonardo Mayer. ‘I got very, very lucky,’ said Federer, referring to his escape against Mayer in which he made 57 unforced errors. ‘I know what a privilege it is to be here today.’ VIDEO Scroll down to see Federer say it was a tough match that could have gone either way . Roger Federer kisses the trophy after winning the Shanghai Masters for the first time on Sunday . Federer reaches for the volley as he claims victory over Gilles Simon to win the Shanghai Masters . 1. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 2. Roger Federer (SUI) 3. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 4. Stan Wawrinka (SUI) 5. David Ferrer (ESP) Federer leads the tour this season in match wins (61), wins against players in the top 10 (13) and final appearances (nine) and today he will leap Rafael Nadal to become world No 2 for the first time in more than a year. ‘The biggest concern was to be healthy this year,’ Federer said after winning his fourth title of the season. ‘That’s something I’m just so pleased about, to see that the hard work I put in last year is paying off. Not only is it paying off, but I’m feeling good, I’m waking up normal. I’m not half broken like I was last year. ‘I’m enjoying myself on the tennis court. I’m playing the way I was hoping I could play again.’ Federer (right) didn’t play the cleanest match yesterday, though, even with the roof on the stadium closed due to the extremely windy conditions. Federer celebrates after clinching a straight-sets victory in Sunday's final in Shanghai . Simon takes a fall during the final as the Frenchman suffers defeat in his second Masters final . The 17-time major winner finished with 36 unforced errors to 21 winners, but he was the more aggressive player, constantly attacking the net behind crisp approach shots and forcing Simon to try to pass. ‘He still has the same strengths, this fantastic serve and this huge forehand,’ Simon said. ‘Now I know him, so I’m not scared any more when I have to play him. But it’s still so hard to beat him.’ World No 29 Simon was attempting to become the lowest-ranked player to win a Masters title since world No 50 Tomas Berdych captured the Paris title in 2005. Federer lets out a roar as the 33-year-old wins the second set tiebreak to claim the title . Confetti rains down as Federer receives his trophy in front of a capacity crowd at the Qizhong Tennis Stadium . American twins Bob and Mike Bryan became the first pair to win all nine ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournaments after taking the men’s doubles title. The 35-year-olds defeated French Open champions Julien Benneteau and Edouard Roger-Vasselin 6-2, 7-6 for their 101st career title in their 152nd final. The Masters 1000 events are the top ranking tournaments on the ATP Tour outside of the grand slams and the Bryans now boast 31 victories after multiple wins in Indian Wells, Paris, Rome, Monte Carlo, Miami, Toronto, Madrid and Cincinnati. They also won the now-defunct Hamburg Masters in 2007. | Roger Federer beat Gilles Simon 7-6 (8-6), 7-6 (7-2) to win the ATP Shanghai Masters .
The 33-year-old will move above Rafael Nadal to No 2 in the world rankings .
Federer battled back from a break down in the opening set . |
361 | 0110884d2a279c6249d21c1480548ac9bf985cfb | A spacecraft that is due to arrive at the former planet Pluto later this year is carrying the ashes of the astronomer who first discovered the icy world. Clyde Tombaugh spotted the tiny gleaming object - which at 1,430 miles across is around two thirds the diametre of the Moon - as a dot on the edge of our solar system in 1930. On his death in January 1997, Mr Tombaugh requested that his ashes be sent into space. Clyde Tombaugh, pictured above in 1990, requested his remains be flown into space after his death in 1997 and his ashes are now approaching Pluto, the icy world on the edge of the solar system that he discovered . Now his remains are about to visit the world that he discovered, onboard a space probe that has been slowly flying through the solar system for the past nine years. A small container holding his remains is fixed to the upper deck of the spacecraft, bearing the inscription: 'Interned herin are the remains of American Clyde W Tombaugh, discoverer of Pluto and the solar system's "third zone".' Named by an 11-year-old girl after the Roman god of the underworld, Pluto is one of the least understood objects in our solar system. It is so far away that it appears barely as a pinprick in the sky even through the most powerful telescopes on Earth. Images from the Hubble Space Telescope have revealed a fuzzy picture of a molasses coloured world that teams with activity. Over time Pluto has also apparently grown redder, perhaps due to seasonal changes. No one is certain what is causing the coloured splotches, but the surface is thought to be mainly composed of frozen water and rock. Chemicals such as nitrogen and methane are thought to lie frozen beneath the icy crust. Pluto's orbit is highly eccentric, or far from circular, which means its distance from the sun can vary considerably. At times Pluto may come close enough to the sun for some of the frozen nitrogen and methane to turn into gas, giving it a thin and temporary atmosphere. Pluto's low gravity, which is a little more than one-twentieth that of Earth's, causes this atmosphere to extend much higher in altitude than Earth's. Pluto's surface is one of the coldest places in the solar system at roughly -375F (minus 225 degrees C). The £460 million New Horizon's mission will make him the first 'human' contact mankind has had with the dwarf planet. However, at more than 3.67 billion miles from the Sun, it is an inhospitable place. Temperatures on the surface plummet to -375 degrees F (-225 degrees C), cold enough for nitrogen and methane to freeze, and there is little atmosphere. Nasa's New Horizon's spacecraft woke up last month after a long hibernation as it makes its final approach towards Pluto. On 15 January it should finally be close enough to get a good look at Pluto and its moon Charon before beginning a fly past that will allow it to peer at the surface, taking measurements of the dust, gas and magnetic field that surround the former planet. Alan Stern, the principal investigator on the mission and a planetary scientist at the Southwest Research Institute, in Boulder, Colorado, said: 'We’re currently in the very earliest stages of Pluto approach. 'When the encounter begins we’ll still be very far from Pluto, about 135 million miles (220 million kilometers).' He added, though, that by May they hoped to receive images that were better than the grainy images obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope. Pluto is among the most controversial objects in the solar system. Since its discovery by Mr Tombaugh up until 2006, Pluto was considered to be the ninth planet in the solar system. However, after the discovery of several other Pluto-sized objects in the far reaches of the solar system, astronomers decided to downgrade its status. They eventually settled on describing Pluto, and other objects, like it as dwarf planets. Its official designation is now asteroid number 134340. The artist's impression above shows the New Horizons spacecraft as it approaches Pluto and its three moons . Nasa obtained these images from the Hubble Space Telescope in 2010 showing the coloured world of Pluto . However, scientists believe that Pluto is still vitally important and could hold a wealth of information about the far corners of our solar system and how it formed. Pluto is thought to be composed mainly of frozen water ice, methane, nitrogen and rocks surrounding a metal and rock core. New Horizons is carrying seven scientific instruments designed to take infrared and ultraviolet images of the planet, along with a high resolution camera. A particle spectrometer and a dust detector will also be used to measure the solar wind and other particles that are found around the former planet. Clyde Tombaugh, seen here in 1931, discovered Pluto in 1930 while working at the Lowel Observatory . The New Horizon's probe, seen above in this artist's impression, will use miniature cameras, radio science experiment, ultraviolet and infrared spectrometers to study the geology of Pluto and its moon Charon . This is one of the clearest images obtained of Pluto and its moon Charon by the Hubble Space Telescope . Dr Dennis Reuter, Nasa's co-investigator of the New Horizon's mission, said: 'While we have some idea of what we expect to see, I can’t help but think that history will repeat itself, and we’ll find ourselves astounded by something new, something we had never expected to see. 'I often think about the fact that the first time we’ve taken a close-up look at an object in the solar system, our understanding of that object immediately leaps forward. 'From volcanoes on Jupiter’s moon Io, to hydrocarbon lakes on Saturn’s moon Titan, to nitrogen geysers on Neptune’s moon Triton, and innumerable other examples, we’ve seen remarkable things that have taught us much about what goes on in our sun’s neighborhood.' Pluto's surface, seen here in an artist's impression, is thought to be composed mainly of frozen ice and rock . | American astronomer Clyde Tombaugh discovered the icy world in 1930 .
Upon his death in 1997 he requested that his ashes be carried into space .
His remains are inside a container fixed to Nasa's New Horizon's probe .
They have spent nine years travelling 3.67 billion miles towards Pluto .
The £460 million mission will be mankind's closest encounter with Pluto .
Pluto was officially downgraded as a planet by astronomers in 2006 .
It is now known as a dwarf planet along with several similar rocky worlds . |
192,893 | 85ba118d56e40554e334cc2d9f2a3629c27e21ed | David Moyes has been offered a route back into management by struggling Spanish side Real Sociedad. Manager Jagobo Arrasate was dismissed on Sunday after their latest insipid display, a 1-0 loss at home to Malaga that leaves them 19th in La Liga. The club have since approached Moyes, who was sacked by Manchester United in April, in a bid to revive their fortunes. Sportsmail's Pete Jenson talks you through the main talking points of Moyes potential arrival at the Anoeta Stadium . Former Manchester United manager David Moyes has been offered the top job at Real Sociedad . So what’s the best thing about Real Sociedad if you’re David Moyes? Moyes had a tough spell at Manchester United and was sacked after less than a season in charge . You’re not following Fergie; you’re following Arrasate, a hugely inexperienced coach who probably should never have got the job. How much of a surprise would Moyes taking over be? Athletic Bilbao showed an interest when he was at Everton so he is known and respected in the Basque country. Sociedad also have a track record of British managers with Chris Coleman and John Toshack both former coaches. It might be surprising if they end up being able to afford Moyes (right) though. They picked Arrasate because he was the cheapest option. Horace Harold (Harry) Lowe, 1930-1935 . Lowe was a centre half from Northwich in Cheshire who played for Northwich Victoria, Brighton and Hove Albion, Tottenham and Fulham in the first two decades of the 20th century. He moved to Spain in 1930 and managed Real Sociedad for five season before leading Espanyol. He died in 1966. John Toshack, 1985-1989/1991-1994/2001-2002 . Welsh legend Toshack managed the club in three separate spells spanning three decades. He led Sociedad to the Copa del Rey in 1987, beating Atletico Madrid on penalties in the final. He returned to San Sebastian after his season at Real Madrid and then again during the 2001-2002 season. John Toshack (pictured holding a Real Sociedad shirt in 2001) has also managed the La Liga outfit . Chris Coleman, 2007-2008 . After Toshack had recommended the job to him, Coleman joined Sociedad, then a second division club, in June 2007. He enjoyed success but fell out with newly-elected president Inaki Badiola and resigned in January 2008 with the club fifth in the table. Wales boss Chris Coleman is the last British manager to have been in charge of Real Sociedad . Weren’t they in the Champions League just last season? They had the basis of a very good team but as soon as they reached the Champions League they started selling their best players. Asier Illaramendi joined Real Madrid and this summer Atletico Madrid pinched Antoine Greizmann while Claudio Bravo moved to Barcelona. So what are the expectations? Europa League is the realistic aim. Atletico are so strong there is only really one Champions League spot left and Valencia, Sevilla and Bilbao are well ahead in the race for that. It feels like a great fall from Manchester United? San Sebastian is a fantastic city. Moyes will be given time and the playing squad is talented. Carlos Vela scores goals, midfielder Ruben Pardo is a huge talent, and defender Inigo Martinez was close to the Spain squad, and to a move to Barcelona, not so long ago. The raw materials are there to build a decent team — and he would be given more than one season to do the job this time. Former Arsenal striker Carlos Vela has a formidable goalscoring record in La Liga for Sociedad . | David Moyes has been out of work since being sacked by Manchester United .
Moyes has been offered a job with La Liga strugglers Real Sociedad .
The Scot is currently in Qatar working for BeIN Sports .
John Toshack and Chris Coleman are examples of British managers who have managed at the Anoeta Stadium in the past . |
44,332 | 7d01df68fabfd596a9d163ba6985b88516763ee1 | Tottenham have made their move for Holland winger Memphis Depay by offering £15million for the PSV ace. The 20-year-old winger is due to play for PSV Eindhoven in Thursday's Europa League qualifying tie against SKN St Polten but Spurs are keen to get a deal wrapped up with a cash-only offer. VIDEO Scroll down for Wonderkid Memphis Depay takes a dip in the ocean on holiday . Heading to the Lane? Tottenham are keen to land Dutch winger Memphis Depay . PSV technical director Marcel Brands declared on Wednesday the player was not for sale and that no bid had been received but Sportsmail understands the offer has gone in and that PSV are willing to accept. Keen to strengthen: Mauricio Pochettino wants to add to his squad . Depay was a success in the World Cup for Holland and was tipped as a target for Louis Van Gaal at Manchester United but he believes the player needs more time to develop. he scored 13 goals for PSV last season. Tottenham remain in negotiations with Villarreal over a complicated deal for Mateo Musacchio with the Spanish club keen for more cash to pay off third party owners River Plate. | Spurs keen to land 20-year-old winger Memphis Depay from PSV .
Mauricio Pochettino keen to land winger after impressive World Cup .
Tottenham also in talks with Villarreal for Mateo Musacchio . |
221,425 | aaa16b35fb1c5b522aedf0ec724caa17328189fd | (CNN) -- Oprah Winfrey gave her support to those suffering in the Gulf states, saying President Obama is doing the best he can to handle the oil disaster. "What's going on in my heart is the same thing, everyone feels for what is happening to all of the fisherman and families who, this time of year, would be hosting people from all over the country and all over the world there," said Winfrey, who was in Atlanta, Georgia, on Wednesday to speak at a middle school graduation. "We can only hope and pray that this will soon be resolved in a way that people can pick themselves up and move forward," Winfrey added. The talk show host said she has heard the criticism of Obama's handling of the oil crisis. Winfrey, an avid supporter of the president, said he is doing a good job. "I think the president is doing the best anybody can," said Winfrey, who campaigned for Obama when he ran for president. "I really don't understand what people want him to do? I think he's the president of the United States. "You're not supposed to be emotional, you're supposed to take action and get things done and make sure those things happen so I'm not sure what people want him to do," she said. The underwater gusher began after an April 20 explosion aboard the drilling rig Deepwater Horizon. The explosion and subsequent fire caused the rig to sink two days later, rupturing the pipes and sending oil spilling from the well. Winfrey said she has been saddened by television reports of those affected by the oil disaster. "What is happening not only to the people but to the animals is what breaks my heart," Winfrey said. CNN's Don Lemon contributed to this report. | Oprah Winfrey says she hopes the oil spill will be resolved soon .
Winfrey says Obama is doing a good job handling crisis .
She says she is saddened by television reports about those affected by spill . |
45,049 | 7ef94b3f830491b8ffeab03485825350bfb3a24a | ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- Growing up, my Sherman tank-like aunt constantly blamed her thyroid for inability to lose weight. The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland at the base of the neck. Most of her seven sisters, behind her back, blamed something else, like her eating an entire cake by herself at their weekly coffee klatch. But who knows? That was 15 years ago and our awareness of thyroid and its many problems has grown. She just might have been right pointing her finger at her thyroid, because, according to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, as many as 27 million Americans suffer from some type of thyroid gland misfiring. And half of these folks don't even know what they are missing. But their bodies do. For while this little, butterfly-shaped gland at the base of our neck, weighing in at barely an ounce, seems both delicate and innocuous, when not in hormonally balanced harmony, it packs a wallop. The truth is, it's more like the Muhammad Ali of our body's hormone factories; it floats and appears like a butterfly but stings like a bee. "Our thyroid, even though it's a small gland in your neck, controls everything," says endocrinologist Karen Smith. "It can control your thought patterns, your mood, your heart rate, blood pressure, digestive system, menstrual system, skin and bones." That's a lot of controlling going on, but more than controlling, this little gland's job is all about regulating. The thyroid gland is in charge of making two very important hormones, respectively known as T3 and T4. And it's when the levels go awry that we start to have problems. For most people suffering from thyroid dysfunction, and these problems affect more women than men, their problem is that not enough hormones are being made. This is called hypothyroidism, and the symptoms are somewhat elusive. That is probably why doctors such as Smith use a handy tool to help patients identify the problem. "There is actually an acronym that we use for hypothyroidism," she said. "It's called sluggish. Sometimes when you feel sluggish, this might serve as a red flag and you might think, 'Oh it might be my thyroid!'" Sluggish stands for . Sleepiness, fatigue, tiredness . Loss of memory . Unusually dry coarse skin . Goiter (enlarged thyroid) Gradual personality change . Increase in weight, bloating, puffiness . Sensitivity to cold . Hair loss, sparseness of hair . And while these symptoms might be signals that something other than your thyroid is the issue, it's worth getting it tested. A simple blood test will tell you if your problems are a bigger hormonal deal. The condition is lifelong, or as Smith puts it, "from the cradle to the rocking chair." Meaning that it can appear at just about any age, but once identified it doesn't go away. Its treatment, however, is fairly straightforward: hormone replacement therapy. But on the other side of the thyroid production line is the overzealous hormone maker. A lot less common than hypothyroidism, this is known as hyperthyroidism. "Hyperthyroidism is when the thyroid is actually making too much thyroid hormone. I tell my patients, it's like a forest fire in California, burning everything up, "explains Smith, who just recently found out she suffered from this issue. It took almost a year for her to figure it out since she had no family history to worry about, and most thyroid problems are usually genetic, even though she displayed all the classic symptoms. "My first symptoms were irritability, feeling tired and blue. My memory was poor and I had a hard time concentrating. Weight loss, despite being constantly hungry and eating like a pig. Long durations of sleep but never feeling rested," Smith says. Finally when her hands started trembling and her heart started racing, she sought medical help. A blood test revealed her levels were off the charts. Good news for the young doctor who feared she had cancer or mercury poisoning. But just like hypothyroidism, this conditions is very treatable. Smith, who is doing much better now, details the options. "The treatment is very different from hypothyroidism; we are actually trying to slow the function of the thyroid down. "There are actually three ways to treat it," Smith said. "Surgery was a way we used to treat it in the past. We don't use that as much any more unless someone has a nodule and you think that may be a suspicious cell or cancer." Today's most common treatment is anti-thyroid medications, which slow hormone production. Radioactive iodine also is used, she said. "It's a substance that when you give it, it will actually damage the thyroid to help put out the fire, so to speak, to put out the flame of the overactive gland." Doctors now recommend that everyone over 35 get his or her thyroid gland tested regularly. Because there are certain risks with even mild changes in thyroid levels, those considered at high risk, including pregnant women and those with a family history of thyroid problems, need to get tested earlier and more frequently, Smith said. Which leads me back to that aunt of mine. If she was right and it was not just an overactive hand-to-mouth cake thing, then I better call my doctor pronto to schedule my own test. | As many as 27 million Americans suffer from some type of thyroid gland misfiring .
Half don't know it, endocrinologist group says .
Most sufferers have hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid .
Hyperthyroidism is much more rare . |
176,004 | 6fd54049537d68af23e9960462204747d9badb0e | By . Richard Shears . Lawyers for convicted wife killer Des Campbell have opened his appeal against his murder conviction by attacking the same crown witness criticised in the infamous Gordon Wood case. Campbell was found guilty in 2010 of murdering his 49-year-old wife Janet Campbell by pushing her off a 50-metre cliff in the Royal National Park, south of Sydney, in March 2005. The Crown says Campbell pushed Mrs Campbell six months after they were secretly married because he wanted her money. Campbell, however, maintains she disappeared on a camping trip after leaving the tent to go to the toilet. Desmond Campbell is appealing his murder conviction for which he received a minimum sentence of 24 years in 2010 . The paramedic and former policeman has now launched an appeal against the conviction and 24-year minimum sentence. At the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal on Wednesday, Campbell's barrister April Francis said they were challenging the conviction on four grounds, including that the 'prejudicial' evidence of retired physics professor Rod Cross should not have been allowed. Associate Professor Cross was also a witness in Wood's 2008 murder conviction for spear-throwing his girlfriend Caroline Byrne off The Gap in Sydney in 1995. In Wood's successful 2012 appeal, Assoc Prof Cross's crucial evidence that Ms Byrne was pushed from behind was labelled unsophisticated and lacking impartiality. In Campbell's trial, Assoc Prof Cross also said it was likely Janet was pushed off the cliff from behind. Ms Francis told the three-judge panel the witness did not have the 'relevant expertise' and was acting as a 'voicebox for the crown'. Campbell¿s lawyers are using as part of their defence another case in which British-born playboy Gordon Wood, pictured, won a 2012 appeal against a murder conviction for throwing HIS girlfriend over a Sydney cliff . She said he'd framed his evidence around the case that Mrs Campbell was pushed without investigating the possibility she tripped and fell. Ms Francis said had Wood's appeal already played out by the time of Campbell's trial, it was 'inconceivable' that Justice Latham would have relied on Cross as a relevant expert. But Justice Carolyn Simpson questioned this, saying, 'Wood was a decision on its own circumstances'. Campbell's trial heard Campbell was a debt-riddled Casanova who, by the time his wealthy wife died, had gained $255,000 from the marriage and expected a further $127,000 to follow after her death. Campbell was convicted of throwing his Australian wife off a cliff in 2005 . He did not turn up to her funeral, and a week after becoming a widower took one of his three extra-marital lovers on holiday. He proposed two weeks later. If the appeal is unsuccessful, Campbell's earliest release date is in May 2034. The judges have reserved their decision. | Desmond Campbell was convicted in 2010 for pushing wife of five months off a south Sydney cliff .
Mr Campbell is using example of Gordon Wood case as basis for appeal .
Gordon Wood won an appeal against his 2012 conviction for throwing his girlfriend from Sydney's The Gap by challenging the testimony of Crown expert, professor Rod Cross .
Professor Cross also testified in Mr Campbell's tril . |
114,006 | 1f17b5cd3d24bbd159340ce9a03dd2bc68bb9164 | By . Connie Allfrey . Ever found the notes returned from an airport currency deal a bit thin on the ground? A new report revealed yesterday that UK holidaymakers are losing almost £20m a year in spending money by choosing to buy a foreign currency last minute in the airport. The Holiday Confidence Index reveals that the number of travellers who wait until they are at the airport to change their money has doubled to four per cent, despite airport currency rates being universally more costly. Last minute currency exchanges save time but not money: UK travellers lose £20m a year in airport deals . Sun-seekers heading for the beaches of Spain or Greece can be £25 poorer from an average transaction of £360 when buying euros at an airport Bureau de Change. And holidaymakers heading to the US can be $40 down, while travellers booked to fly Down Under are AU$50 dollars poorer. The study by Debenhams found the rates offered at airports over a week seven per cent lower over a week, when compared with buying in advance on the High Street. Headed to a Spanish beach? Change money in advance and save 25 pounds to pay for a meal in most resorts . With an estimated 850,000 travellers obtaining currency just before they fly - that's a potential substantial saving which would pay for a meal of two in most resorts. 'People quite rightly spend weeks preparing for their holiday, comparing the cost of flights and accommodation to get the best value, but many forget about the cash they need when they reach their destination'' said Director of Debenhams Personal Finance, Mike Hazel. 'Leaving it to the last minute really is a bad choice if you are looking to get the most from your hard-earned pounds.' High Street best for foreign currency rates: Debenhams adds 15 new travel money bureaus in next two months . And it seems confidence is up among British travellers this year. More than three-quarters of holidaymakers intend to take the same amount of currency or more on their travels as last year, according to the Holiday Confidence Index - compiled by the Institute of Travel and Tourism, the University of Wolverhampton and pollster YouGov. | UK holidaymakers lose almost £20m a year in airport currency deals .
Report finds travellers changing money at airport has doubled to 4% .
Travellers £25 poorer for every £360 bought at the airport . |
98,258 | 0a80225d0a9e2ac4a444f8a68232ba6876f20557 | By . Larisa Brown . Frank Bruno has claimed Jimmy Savile forced him to shake hands with the Yorkshire Ripper at Broadmoor. The former boxing champion said he had no idea he was meeting the serial killer until after the picture of their hand shake had been taken and if he had known it was Peter Sutcliffe he would have tried to 'get out of it.' After being introduced to Sutcliffe at the secure psychiatric hospital in Berkshire, Savile then sneered: 'You'll never guess who that was'. The 50-year-old boxer says he has been haunted by the photograph ever since the meeting in 1991. Former boxer Frank Bruno, right, pictured at Broadmoor in 1991 shaking hands with Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe as Savile stands in the background. Frank says he was tricked into shaking hands with the murderer . The unsuspecting boxer recalled the events after discovering his old friend of 20 years and mentor Savile was a predatory paedophile. He said Savile introduced him to the Ripper while they were doing a walkabout of the hospital where he had just opened a gym. Frank recalled Savile telling him, 'I want you to meet this gentleman', and said of the event, 'I didn't know who he was', and 'thought nothing of it'. He told the Sun: 'Savile . planned it. It was not a nice thing to do to me. If I had known it was . the Ripper, I'd have tried to get out of it.' The news comes after it was revealed sick pair Savile and Sutcliffe appeared to have formed a disturbing friendship, with the BBC star . visiting the killer in jail and describing him as a 'mate' after later . trips to see him in Broadmoor Hospital. And a former detective who helped catch the Yorkshire Ripper last week made the shocking claim that Savile was quizzed over the serial murderer's crimes. Former West Yorkshire detective John Stainthorpe told ITV Yorkshire Calendar News that Savile was brought in for questioning after members of the public contacted the police naming the eccentric DJ as a possible killer. Frank Bruno, left, said he 'didn't know' Peter Sutcliffe, right, was the Ripper who murdered 13 women . Mr Stainthorpe, who worked for the West . Yorkshire force for more than 40 years, and who spent years trying to . catch Sutcliffe, told the programme: 'When the Ripper was really active . one of the suspects put forward by members of the public was Jimmy . Savile, strange as it may seem. 'Obviously it was not him, but he was interviewed along with many others, as you can appreciate.' It also emerged a dentist made a cast of Savile's teeth to check against the bite-marks found on the bodies of the Yorkshire Ripper's victims. It was made clear that detectives went to some lengths to find out if Savile was connected to the shocking serial killing spree in the 1970s. Savile, pictured, appeared to have formed a disturbing relationship with the Yorkshire Ripper . His teeth were examined in 1980, a year before Peter Sutcliffe, now 66, was convicted of murdering 13 women and attempting to kill seven others. Two prostitutes thought to have been killed by Sutcliffe had bites on their breasts. He denied killing one of them, but detectives at the time thought he was lying to cover for an accomplice. Two of the Ripper's victims were found near Savile's home in Leeds, and Sutcliffe even named Savile in police interviews. Sutcliffe was asked why he placed a victim's boots over her legs before he left the park. He said: 'For two reasons. One, because I could hear voices from I don’t know where and a car had just driven into an entrance just behind the building — that was the block of flats I found out later where Jimmy Savile lived. 'Secondly I was surprised to see how luminous she appeared in the dark.' Boxer Frank met Savile in the late 1980s as the began attending the same charity events. They remained friends for at least 20 years. Last month, Frank, of Bedfordshire, who has, in the past, been forcibly sectioned under the Mental Health Act, said battling his mental health issues 'may well be the toughest fight of my life'. He is now fighting fit and dating hairdresser Nina Colletta — his first serious relationship since divorcing wife Laura in 2001. | Former boxing champion says he had no idea man he greeted was Ripper .
Savile said: 'You'll never guess who that was' after 'tricking' Frank Bruno into shaking hands with Peter Sutcliffe at secure hospital in Berkshire .
Unsuspecting boxer and Jimmy Savile were good friends for over 20 years . |
191,114 | 837e253443d357d467b94a144c22b9273471f41f | Republic of Ireland winger Aiden McGeady is targeting an assault on the Barclays Premier League's top four next season after a near miss. Everton passed up the chance to gatecrash the Champions League party at the end of a nevertheless hugely successful campaign, ultimately finishing in fifth place to claim a Europa League spot. However, McGeady, who joined the club from Spartak Moscow in January, is confident they can split the big boys next time around after launching new manager Roberto Martinez's tenure in style. Aiming to go one better: Aiden McGeady says Everton must look to break into the top four . He said: 'It was in our own hands and we slipped up. 'We beat Arsenal at home and then we lost to Palace, we lost to Southampton, games that we should have won or we should be winning if we want to be in the top four. 'But ultimately those two defeats cost us and Arsenal went on and won every single one of their games, so in the end they deserved to be there. 'But we were challenging the top four, so the challenge next season is to go one better and get into that top four. 'With the squad we have got there, the manager and the backroom staff, the potential that the players have got, especially seeing as how many of the players are 22, 23, 24, young players, that's got to be our aim.' Everton's achievement was somewhat over-shadowed by neighbours Liverpool's title challenge, which came up only just short on the final day as they were pipped by Manchester City. Good job: Roberto Martinez had an impressive start to his career as Everton manager . However, McGeady believes Everton's achievement was no less noteworthy. He said: 'We probably out-performed what everybody expected of us from the start of the season. 'At the start of the season, the first three games were draws and everyone was thinking, 'This is a different type of football, a different way of playing for Everton'. 'But gradually over time, the manager and the way we play, we have won everyone over. We play football the right way and I think everyone is enjoying it.' Plenty to smile about: McGeady says he enjoys playing for Martin O'Neill - who he worked with at Celtic . McGeady is currently on international duty with the Republic and desperate to make up for lost time after finding himself consigned to the youth team in the latter days of his spell in Russia and arriving on Merseyside somewhat rusty. The chance to work again under former Celtic boss Martin O'Neill as Ireland face Turkey, Italy, Costa Rica and Portugal in preparation for the start of the Euro 2016 qualifying campaign in September, is one he is relishing. Making his way in the game: Aiden McGeady started his career at Celtic . He said: 'I have got a lot to thank him for. He gave me my debut at Celtic. I played a few games towards the end of that season, then the next season, I was only 18 and probably played 35 games that season. 'I was hoping to be coming on in games, but I was playing Champions League games.' | Roberto Martinez's Everton finished fifth in the Premier League last season to claim a Europa League spot .
Republic of Ireland winger Aiden McGeady is confident his team can progress even further . |
43,059 | 79732c06e62dcce626bac43f0666b02ae13e5161 | A millionaire British businessman accused of hiring hit men to kill his new wife during their honeymoon in South Africa pleaded not guilty as his trial began Monday. Shrien Dewani, 34, has denied orchestrating the killing of his wife, Anni, in Cape Town in November 2010. The slaying took place during a taxi ride through a township on the edge of the South African city, just over two weeks after the couple's wedding. The taxi driver, Zola Tongo, confessed within weeks of the bride's death that he had hired two men to kill her. In a plea deal with South African authorities, he said he was paid by Dewani to carry out the murder and to make it look as though the couple were the victims of a carjacking. Tongo was subsequently sentenced to 18 years in prison for his part in the killing. His two accomplices are also serving lengthy sentences for their role in the crime. Family hoping for answers . The victim's family say they are relieved that Dewani is now going on trial in Cape Town. "Hopefully, we will get all the answers we want," her uncle Ashok Hindocha said Sunday, according to local media reports. Dewani, a care home owner, had returned to the United Kingdom after his wife's death. He avoided extradition to South Africa on mental health grounds during a three-year court battle, but was eventually sent back in April to face trial. What's life like in a South African prison? Psychiatric experts had said that he was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and depression and that he'd tried to take his life. Before his extradition, he was held at a secure mental health unit in southwest England. But in August, he was declared fit to stand trial after undergoing psychiatric observation, according to South African media. An indictment in the case said he faces charges including conspiracy to commit kidnapping, robbery with aggravating circumstances, murder and kidnapping, the South African Press Association reported. Dewani, from Bristol in southwest England, has said his wife was the victim of a carjacking and denies any involvement in the killing. | Shrien Dewani is accused of masterminding the slaying of his wife in Cape Town .
He has denied the allegations, saying they were the victim of a carjacking .
A taxi driver and two other men have been convicted of the 2010 slaying .
The driver says Dewani paid him to carry out the killing and cover it up . |
38,472 | 6cc8e368866cf0de5fa10cfdfd9d22321eaa7278 | (CNN) -- The secret to Phil Mickelson's recent successes against longtime rival Tiger Woods could lie with the man who has coached both golf superstars -- Butch Harmon. Harmon helped Woods to eight of his 14 major triumphs between 1993 and 2004, and started working with Mickelson three years later. He was on hand to give the veteran left-hander tips during the pair's final-round showdown at Pebble Beach on Sunday. Mickelson bettered his fellow American for the fifth time in a row when they have played together on the last day of a tournament to clinch his 40th PGA Tour title. Harmon, who has also worked with other top names such as former major champions Greg Norman and Fred Couples, has revealed how he gave Mickelson an insight into what to expect from former world No. 1 Woods. Mickelson roars to victory as Tiger falls apart at Pebble Beach . "I explained to Phil some things to be aware of when playing with Tiger," Harmon told the tour's official website. "If Tiger putts out first the gallery is going to start moving ahead, so if you have a chance to putt out first it's in your best interest to do so. "If it's close on the back nine, Tiger will sometimes hit three-wood on purpose to make you wait. Tiger's not doing anything illegal, it's just a little bit of gamesmanship." While four-time major winner Mickelson carded a stunning eight-under-par 64 to surge up the leaderboard and win, Woods collapsed from third to tie for 15th after a 75. Tiger seeks 'home' success as he announces PGA Tour triple-header . But Mickelson took the time to praise Woods, who is currently enduring the longest winless run of his career having not claimed an official tournament victory since November 2009. "I don't believe anybody has benefited more from what he's done for the game than myself," said Mickelson, who has outscored Woods on eight of the 12 occasions they have played together since he started working with Harmon in 2007. "He seems to bring out the best in me and the last four or five years. I just seem more focused. " Mickelson also spoke of the "little bit of inspiration" his wife Amy -- who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009 -- had given him when it looked as if the tournament was slipping away on Friday. A pep talk from her helped him overhaul a six-shot deficit on leader Charlie Wi on Sunday. "I think it's a good lesson for me to learn that if you never give up and you stay and you fight hard, you can fight through some bad stretches and still come out on top at the end of the week because you just never know when it'll turn," he said, before acknowledging his recent lack of form. The 41-year-old finished 26th at his previous outing in Phoenix, having missed the cut at Torrey Pines and tied for 49th in his season opener at the Humana Challenge in California. "Prior to the Humana, I had played eight to 10 rounds like Sunday's final round, and I've been wondering where that has been these last three weeks," he said ahead of Thursday's opening round at the Northern Trust Open , where he tasted victory in 2008 and 2009. "I was wondering what happened those three weeks because I had been playing well prior, and I'm just glad it finally came out when I needed it the most." | Tiger Woods' ex-coach Butch Harmon gave Phil Mickelson tips on how to beat him .
Harmon worked with Woods for eight of his 14 major triumphs between 1993 and 2004 .
The coach has been working with four-time major winner Mickelson since 2007 .
Mickelson has bettered Woods eight times since working with Harmon . |
118,927 | 2591943d7d780aae77b8f78efbdae083728adc83 | Fiorentina manager Vincenzo Montella has suggested that his side might have got the better deal when Egyptian winger Mohamed Salah moved to La Viola on loan as part of Juan Cuadrado's January transfer to Chelsea. Chelsea paid £27 million to prize Cuadrado away from the Serie A club with Blues outcast Salah offered as a makeweight exchange. But, after banking that huge sum and overseeing a fine run of form from Salah, Montella believes that Fiorentina have coped with the sale of their previous star man very well. Egyptian winger Mohamed Salah moved on loan to Fiorentina during the January transfer window . Chelsea paid £27m to sign Juan Cuadrado from Fiorentina with Salah moving the other way as makeweight . Salah scored Fiorentina's second goal during their 2-0 win over Tottenham in the Europa League on Thursday . Speaking after Salah had scored Fiorentina's second goal in a 2-0 victory over Tottenham in the Europa League's round of 32, Montella told Goal.com, 'Who did better out of the Cuadrado exchange? Fiorentina earned a lot of money and, on the pitch, they are similar players.' 'Salah is a player that, even if he takes some breaks, is devastating over 40 or 50 yards,' he added. Fiorentina are currently fifth in Serie A with 39 points, six behind third-placed Napoli, who occupy Italy's third and final Champions League qualifying spot; and will look to close that gap starting with their trip to Inter Milan on Sunday. Fiorentina boss Vincenzo Montella has praised Salah's impact since signing for La Viola in January . Salah (left) tussles for the ball with Tottenham left-back Ben Davies during the Europa League round of 32 . | Chelsea signed Juan Cuadrado from Fiorentina for £27m .
As part of the deal, Mohammed Salah moved to Fiorentina on loan .
He scored in La Viola's 2-0 victory over Tottenham in the Europa League .
Vincenzo Montella believes Fiorentina have done very good business . |
261,385 | de85ec846d752b141885c5ad568f90fabd90dd59 | An eight-month-old baby suffocated after she 'wriggled' down her parents' bed and became trapped between the mattress and the frame as her family held a party downstairs, an inquest heard. Halima Saida Ali was found unconscious by her mother Shaheen at the foot of the bed at the family home in Derby on August 25 last year. Although the little girl was taken to hospital and later transferred to a specialist unit, she died two weeks later at the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham. Eight-month-old Halima Saida Ali suffocated after wriggling down her parents' bed and becoming trapped in the frame as her family held a party downstairs at their home in this street in Derby, an inquest heard . A coroner has ruled that the baby's death was accidental after hearing police could find no evidence of neglect. The inquest into Halima's death, at Derby Coroner's Court was told that there was a party taking place at the Ali family home on the night she was taken to hospital, and that the baby had only been left for a short amount of time. Finding their baby, Mrs Ali and her husband Ashad, who works as an administrator, had called for an ambulance and, under the instructions of paramedics, the family had performed CPR on the child in an attempt to save her. When the ambulance arrived, Halima was taken to the Royal Derby Hospital, and was later transferred to the intensive care ward at Queen's Medical Centre, where she died on September 7. Detective Inspector Tony Brittan, who attended the family home on the day Halima was taken to hospital, told the hearing he was content that there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death. After being taken to the Royal Derby Hospital, Halima was later transferred to the intensive care unit of the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham (pictured), where she died on September 7 last year . He said the baby had appeared to have wriggled in her sleep before becoming stuck. 'Halima was found by her family with her head stuck under the footboard and her feet hanging down towards the floor,' the police officer said. 'There were no signs of trauma in the bedroom where she was found. 'The family had completed CPR on the directions of the ambulance service. 'There was no sign of any criminal negligence. It was a tragic accident.' Louise Pinder, assistant coroner for Derby, asked if there had been any chance of survival for the baby, despite the best efforts of the family and hospital staff to keep her alive. DI Brittan replied: 'There was a very weak pulse towards the end of her resuscitation. 'It was clear from the start she was not going to survive that particular incident.' A post mortem examination showed Halima died of a positional asphyxiation - meaning she had suffocated due to the position she had wriggled into. Miss Pinder said: 'Halima, a much loved and well cared-for eight-month-old baby girl, was found unresponsive, having only been left alone for a short period of time. 'It is likely she became trapped between the footboard and the mattress at the bottom of the bed. 'It was quickly established she had no chance of survival. She died on September 7 last year and she died as a result of accidental death.' | Halima Saida Ali found unconscious at family home in Derby last August .
Mother Shaheen Ali found her unconscious, trapped at the foot of the bed .
Baby was taken to hospital and transferred to specialist unit but later died .
Coroner rules her death was accidental, and there was no sign of neglect . |
11,515 | 20bea4dfc962a088519e05aa543636cea04fed80 | As temperatures soared into the 30s on the third day of the Australian Open in Melbourne, the heat seemed to be taking its toll on players and spectators alike. During the close match between Maria Sharapova and Alexandra Panova the women draped iced towels around their shoulders and sheltered in the shade between sets. Sharapova looked flushed as she held the cool towel around her upper body, making sure that she cooled off the back of her neck and face too. The world number two saved two match points before escaping with a 6-1 4-6 7-5 second-round victory over little-known Russian compatriot Panova. Scroll down for video . As temperatures soared in Melbourne on the third day of the Australian Open, the heat took its toll on the players . Britain's Andy Murray also sweltered in the summer heat taking a moment out to cool down under an ice towel . Spectators like this bunch came prepared for the head with green and gold umbrellas to match their tennis-inspired face paint . This ball runner sought refuge in front of a large water vaporizer as temperatures soared . Some fans like these Roger Federer supporters chose to forgo shirts all together in a bid to beat the heat . Two female Australians set up camp in front of the huge vaporizers in an attempt to cool down . Panova led 4-1 in the final set and then held a pair of match points in the 10th game, both of which Sharapova saved with clean forehand winners. Buoyed by that narrow escape, Sharapova steadied to win in two hours and 32 minutes. Panova, 25, had not even won a match at grand slam level until she beat Romania's Sorana Cirstea two days ago. Sharapova is now unbeaten in six matches in 2015, having begun the year with victory at the Brisbane International. With the mercury rising well above 30 those there to watch the matches were also doing everything they can to avoid the heat of the sun beating down on them. Russian player and world number two Maria Sharapova sheltered in the shade with an ice towel draped around her neck between sets . Members of the crowd held brightly coloured umbrellas to keep the sun at bay while taking in the match . Spectators cool off in front of the water vapor machines . Captain of the British Fed Team Judy Murray applied sunscreen as she watched the singles match between Andy Murray and Marinko Matosevic . This woman came prepared for the sun and enthused for the day ahead with a tennis ball painted on her face . Andy Murray won in straight sets against Marinko Matosevic from Australia in the Margaret Court Arena in very hot conditions . Many spectators came prepared with green and yellow umbrellas attached to their heads, while others went for the more traditional hand-held accessory. Some lathered on the sunscreen as they should, while others chose to forgo shirts altogether in a bid to keep their temperatures down. There were people lined up at the water vapor machines, with many over-heated members of the crowd pausing to taken in the cool spray being sent their way by giant fans. While there has been no discussion of it so far this year, the Australian Open there is a Extreme Heat Policy which can be put in place when temperatures soar past 35 and the heat stress level reaches 28. Julia Goerges of Germany uses an ice pack on her neck during her women's singles second round match against Klara Koukalova of Czech Republic . The attire for these men was shorts, thongs and no shorts on Wednesday . Martin Klizan of Slovakia cools down with an ice towel in his second round match against Joao Sousa of Portugal . This lady made the most of the huge fans blowing cool water her way . Implemented in 1998, the policy outlines that no new matches can commence for at least an hour after it is enforced. However any matches in progress must be completed, while breaks between sets can be extended at the discretion of the umpire. Rod Laver Arena and Vodafone Arena both have roofs which can be closed, but this is not allowed to take place mid-match. Later on Wednesday Australians Nick Kyrgios, Bernard Tomic, Thanasi Kokkinakis, Sam Groth, James Duckworth and Marinko Matosevic will all take to the court, with at least one Aussie guaranteed to reach the third round given Kokkinakis faces Groth. It is the first time since 2000 that so many Australians have made it beyond the first round in their home grand slam. Meanwhile, pundits are speculating that this could be Lleyton's last Rod Laver Arena outing. Towels were used when hats and sunglasses weren't enough to keep off the sun . Fans and umbrellas were used to get some welcome relief and shade as temperatures exceeded 30 degrees . Martin Klizan of Slovakia cools down with an ice towel in his second round match against Joao Sousa of Portugal . Spectators cool off with water vapour machines on day three of the Australian Open . | Temperatures at day three of the Australian Open on Wednesday soared into the mid-30s .
Maria Sharapova, Andy Murray, and other players had ice towels wrapped around their shoulders between sets .
Fans hid under umbrellas, went shirtless sheltered under towels and crowded in front of giant water vaporizers . |
108,441 | 17d3d5432526def08ec2a6666fac5537124c91a9 | (CNN) -- The football world hadn't seen anything quite like it before. On Tuesday night the Turkish giants of Fenerbahce took on Manisaspor in Istanbul in what should have been an empty stadium. A pitch invasion by Fenerbahce's notoriously boisterous fans during a friendly in July had forced the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) to ban the male supporters from attending two games as punishment. Instead as many as 43,000 women and children took advantage of free tickets to fill the stands with songs, banners and passion every bit as intense as their male compatriots. "This atmosphere was one of the kind and historic in the sense of Turkish football as well as international football," Fenerbahce's vice-president Ali Koc told CNN's Pedro Pinto. "The women of Fenerbahce sports club have shown us what they can do for their club, what they can do for Turkish football and I think this was an event that was exemplary for sports." Fenerbahce won last year's Turkish championship but a cloud has hung over the club since allegations of match fixing came to light during the summer. Several of Turkey's highest profile football figures have been arrested during the investigations which lead to the TFF withdrawing Fenerbahce from this year's UEFA Champions League group stage draw. Tuesday night's match was going to be another night of shame for Turkish football, until the TFF allowed children under 12 and an accompanying adult to attend 24 hours before kick off. By the next morning thousands of women in Fenerbahce shirts lined up for tickets and images were beamed across the globe of what was surely the highest female attendance at a men's match in world football. It was a good news story for Fenerbahce just when Turkish football needed it. "Tuesday night we had 43,000 fans in the stadium," Koc told CNN. "As you know the club is going through some troubled times with allegations of match fixing...The fans have gone beyond the call of duty to embrace the club and fight for the rights of the club." According to Koc Fenerbahce has long pursued a more family-friendly approach and regularly attract up to 8,000 women, around 20 per cent of the crowd. "Lot of songs, a lot of chanting and solidarity," Koc replied when asked how the atmosphere differed to a typical match day. "A man has less patience waiting in line for tickets. Coming to the stadium of course men are lot more loud and more synchronized but the women were a lot more passionate and a lot more encouraging." But the crowd was not rewarded with the victory that their efforts demanded. The match ended 1-1 but for Koc the effects will last long after the final whistle. "I think it's important for Turkey because we [were] a candidate to host the World Cup, Olympics, European Championships and these committees are all sensitive to the abilities of the organizing host country to fill the stadiums [and] in this direction it was a big positive." "We're disappointed we couldn't send the ladies home with a victory." | As many as 43,000 mostly female fans watch Fenerbahce play Manisaspor in Istanbul .
Male fans had been banned because of a pitch invasion last July .
Turkish football has been mired in a match fixing scandal .
Club vice-president Ali Koc tells CNN's Pedro Pinto the match was "historic" |
70,876 | c8f4d98a0d3eb2e6e292c58813641abddb6334e4 | By . Beth Stebner . PUBLISHED: . 08:37 EST, 20 March 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 11:25 EST, 21 March 2013 . A new policy at the popular pharmacy chain CVS is causing outrage after the company announced it will require its employees to report their weight, BMI, and glucose levels – or pay a hefty fine. CVS Caremark, which is based in Rhode Island, has some 200,000 employees. The controversial new policy would require workers to sign a waiver that they ‘voluntarily’ disclosed the information, but those who opt out must pay a $600 fee. Patient advocate groups say this is just another coercive measure and worry that those employees in poorer health might risk getting fired. Disclosure: CVS Caremark has announced a controversial new policy that would require its 200,000 employees to disclose their height, weight, and other vital stats . The company mandated that all of its employees must get the screenings, which include their height, weight, body mass index, blood pressure levels, and glucose levels, by May 1, according to the Boston Herald. CVS added that they will cover the cost of these screenings. But that comes at a price – those who have their tests covered by the company are required to sign a waiver saying the screenings were voluntary. If workers refuse to sign up, they will be charged an extra $50 a month, or $600 a year. However, the policy has been called ‘technology-enhanced discrimination’ by Dr Deborah Peel, the founder of Patient Privacy Rights. She told ABC News that the policy insinuates that workers need to be penalized in order to get into shape. 'The approach they’re taking is based on the assumption that somehow these people need a whip,' she said. ‘How is it voluntary if you are a low or medium-wage person?’ she told the Herald. Manipulative? Patient advocate groups say this is just another coercive measure and worry that those employees in poorer health might risk getting fired . Representatives for CVS did not immediately respond to MailOnline’s request for comment on the policy, but released a statement saying they wanted their employees to be 'as healthy as they can be.' The statement continues: 'Many companies around the country already have plans similar to the one we are implementing. In fact, 79 percent of large employers have health assessments incorperated into their programs.' 'The approach CVS is taking is based on the assumption that somehow these people need a whip.' -Dr Deborah Peel, Patient Privacy Rights founder . Healthcare costs have been rising at an alarming rate in the U.S., inflated by expensive premiums, high co-pays, and high deductibles. Meanwhile, it was reported yesterday that CVS’ CEO Larry Merlo’s pay has skyrocked to $18million, up from $12million the year before. According to WPRI.com, Merlo’s comprehensive pay package included a $6.4million bonus, as well as $10.3million in stock options. CVS spokesperson Mike DeAngelis told the website via email that the pay increase was entirely merited, as the company ‘continued to deliver strong financial results and enhanced returns to shareholders.’ He added: ‘Mr Merlo’s compensation in 2012 reflects these strong suits.’ We want to help our employees to be as healthy as they can be, which is why we decided to implement this plan. In fact, we have been working for a number of years on ways they can improve their health through preventive measures. Healthcare programs that incent employees to be healthier are not new. Many companies around the country already have plans similar to the one we are implementing. In fact, 79% of large employers have health assessments incorporated into their programs. To encourage a higher level of participation in our wellness review, we reviewed best practices and determined that an additional cost for those who do not complete the review was the most effective way to incent our colleagues to improve their health care and manage health costs. CVS Caremark is committed to providing medical coverage and healthcare programs for our colleagues and privacy is rigorously protected, consistent with HIPAA regulations. All personal health data from these screenings are collected and reviewed by a third-party administrator that supports the CVS Caremark Wellness Program, and this data is not shared with CVS Caremark — rather it is designed to help employees make the best decisions about their own healthcare. | CVS Caremark will enforce new policy that requires its 200,000 employees to report their height, weight, body mass index, blood glucose levels, and other vital stats .
Those who 'opt out' will be subject to extra $50 fee each month, or $600 per annum . |
239,499 | c214be9784afb01cfefb634b445ca81ffc1a52bc | By . Sophie Jane Evans . PUBLISHED: . 16:32 EST, 28 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 18:32 EST, 28 October 2013 . For more than 40 years, its fleet of nuclear submarines has been shrouded in mystery. But now, China has unveiled the older generation of vessels, which can fire destructive rockets from under the sea. The country disclosed the fleet - one of its most . secretive military programs - for the first time in four decades as a sign of its growing strength and confidence. Revelation: China has unveiled its fleet of nuclear submarines for the first time in four decades . Demonstration: Sailors line up along the deck of one of the Chinese navy's powerful submarines . Confident: China disclosed the fleet in a ceremony yesterday as a sign of its growing strength and confidence . Powerful: A black and white photo of China's Long March 2 nuclear submarine, taken in 1977 . In a ceremony yesterday, seamen performed a number of displays on the nuclear-armed submarines off the coast of Qingdao in east China's Shandong province. They took part in safety drills, simulated military combat and carried out a series of training exercises. They could also be seen transporting specialist equipment on the vessels, including China's Long March 2 nuclear submarine. Event: The submarines were joined by Chinese naval ships and helicopters during the open-air ceremony off the coast of Qingdao in east China's Shandong province . Impressive: The older generation of vessels can fire destructive rockets from under the sea . The submarines were joined by Chinese naval ships and helicopters during the open-air ceremony. The country's PLA (People's Liberation Army) is devoting increasing resources to its naval forces to safeguard its maritime interests and assert its territorial claims. However, the US has expressed concern over China's military developments - particularly since the country started operating within America's exclusive economic zone in June. Performance: Seamen performed a number of displays on the nuclear-armed submarines, including transporting specialist equipment on the vessels . Action: They also took part in safety drills, simulated military combat and carried out training exercises . Concern: The US has expressed concern over China's military developments - particularly since the country started operating within America's exclusive economic zone in June . And earlier this year, a Chinese naval fleet was spotted sailing through an international strait between northern Japan and Russian's far east. The two missile destroyers, joined by three other vessels, sparked concern after passing through the Soya Strait, which separates the Sakhalin Islands in Russia from the island of Hokkaido in Japan. At the time, local reports deemed it 'unclear' why the five-strong fleet was travelling through that particular area. | Nuclear submarine fleet is one of China's most secretive military programs .
Revealed for first time in four decades as sign of country's confidence . |
115,989 | 21b50d3d8292e4a5aee2bdcdb1458be96e68f2ad | By . Rob Waugh . PUBLISHED: . 03:41 EST, 12 March 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 04:26 EST, 12 March 2012 . Google is to unveil a smaller, cheaper Android rival to Apple's iPad as early as May - made in partnership with tablet-maker Asus. The tablet could sell for as little as £130, and will have a seven-inch screen, according to a leak reported in Digitimes. The device would be a competitor to Amazon's Kindle Fire - and like Fire, would be built to sell content such as video and music via Google's own online store. Asus's hit EEEPad - the tablet maker is said to be developing a seven-inch tablet in collaboration with Google which would carry both Asus and Google branding . Google recently rebranded its Android Marketplace as Google Play, streamlining services such as its video store, ebook store and app marketplace, so the timing would make sense. Google already offers similar Google-branded smartphones, made in collaboration with Samsung. Leaks from hi-tech suppliers in the Far East had already hinted that a small, cheap Android 'entertainment tablet' might be released in the first half of this year. In . an interview with Italian newspaper Corriere della Serra, Google . executive chairman Eric Schmidt reportedly said, 'In the next six . months, we plan to market a tablet of the highest quality.' Apple is rumoured to be working on an 'iPad Mini' with a similar form factor, according to analyst reports, which could appear in the third quarter this year. Apple CEO Tim Cook launched the new iPad last week. Google's device would not compete directly with the high-end, hi-tech device . Digitimes reports that Google spoke to other tablet companies such as HTC before deciding on Asus. Asus makes the hit EEE Pad Transformer, one of the most distinctive Android devices, and was showing off a seven-inch tablet at CES. 'Asustek's motivation for cooperating with Google is to win Google's confidence to facilitate development of its Android-based devices, learn Google's technology to develop software and content, as well as enter the tablet US market,' said Digitimes. | Built to play music and video from Google's Play store .
Seven-inch Android device to compete with Kindle Fire .
Apple rumoured to be working on 'iPad Mini' |
122,642 | 2a80452b024f6b4f00dd874a611c7c88923902b2 | Carer Agneskia Sztokmanska, 45, was convicted of neglect at Salisbury Crown Court after leaving her patients feeling 'scared, angry and helpless' A senior carer who threw shoes at elderly dementia patients and dragged one across the floor by the hair has been convicted of neglect. Agneskia Sztokmanska, 45, called her vulnerable patients 'monsters' and left them feeling 'scared, angry and helpless' during her reign of terror at Milford Manor in Salisbury, Wiltshire. She was convicted of ill treatment or wilfully neglecting a person who lacks mental capacity yesterday at Salisbury Crown Court and could face jail. The 45-year-old carer was investigated when a staff member drew attention to two 'small marks' on the face of a resident. She denied seven counts of ill treatment, but was convicted of five, including throwing four or five shoes at one resident's chest to get him to sit down. A witness said she told all residents - many of whom would wander around at night - to be in bed at 10pm so she could 'relax on the sofa' in the lounge. Sztokmanska worked at Milford Manor care home from 2010 to 2013, becoming a senior carer in 2012. Prosecutor Sharon Douglass said: 'Agneskia Sztokmanska was supposed to care for her patients, who she knew were vulnerable and dependant due to the fact that they suffered from dementia. 'She had been a senior carer at Milford Manor Care Home for three years and would have received the necessary training and therefore knew that the way she was treating her patients was wrong and cruel. 'Other carers at the care home raised the alarm when they noticed bruises on some of the patients and witnessed the defendant throwing her shoe on four occasions to the chest of one of her patients to make him sit down. 'Other colleagues also noticed how she used derogatory terms to describe the patients such as 'monsters' and 'idiots'. 'We would like to thank all the carers who gave evidence at the trial and who helped us to secure this conviction. Sztokmanska worked at Milford Manor care home from 2010 to 2013, becoming a senior carer in 2012 . 'This prosecution sends a strong message to those who abuse vulnerable people who lack mental capacity believing they will not be caught. 'Our thoughts go to the victims in this case, some of whom have since died, and their families, who had to deal with the knowledge that their loved ones had been mistreated in this way. 'The Crown Prosecution Service and the Police take these offences very seriously and the CPS will prosecute vigorously these cases when it has sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest.' Sztokmanska will be sentenced at Swindon Crown Court on Friday October 24. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article. | Agneskia Sztokmanska, 45, dragged a dementia patient along by the hair .
The senior carer was convicted of five counts of ill-treatment and neglect .
She threw shoes at one resident and called her patients 'monsters'
Sztokmanska worked at Milford Manor, Salisbury, from 2010 to 2013 .
She will be sentenced at Swindon Crown Court on Friday October 24 . |
211,875 | 9e618f0f20420d490f00b51c1e038372682b60cf | By . Victoria Woollaston . PUBLISHED: . 11:34 EST, 6 January 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 12:52 EST, 6 January 2014 . Your smartphone and tablet may look clean, but recent research found thousands of germs living on touchscreens that are capable of spreading sickness bugs and diarrhoea. To combat this filthy problem, Corning - the company behind the super-strong Gorilla Glass phone screens - has created an antibacterial display that kills bacteria on contact. The display is fitted with antibacterial agent ionic silver and is the world’s first antimicrobial glass, capable of killing up to 99.9 per cent of germs. Scroll down for video . Your smartphone and tablet may look clean, but thousands of germs can live on touchscreens, capable of spreading sickness and diarrhoea. To combat this filthy problem, Corning - the company behind the super-strong Gorilla Glass phone screens - has created an antibacterial display that kills bacteria on contact . Corning's new display is fitted with antibacterial agent ionic . silver and is said to be the world’s first antimicrobial glass, capable of killing . up to 99.9 per cent of germs. Ionic silver is currently used in . hospitals and has other medical uses. For example, silver has been . incorporated into creams, plasters and dressings and as an antibiotic . coating on medical devices. The silver ion is what’s called ‘bioactive’ and can kill bacteria on contact. It is safe for human use and has a low toxicity. Plus, unlike current antibacterial sprays, the silver doesn’t fade and can’t be wiped off. The glass is on display at the Consumer Electronics Show in Vegas and is currently being tested by various manufacturers. It could one day be used on windows, workplace furniture, smartphone displays, tablets, calculators, and more. ‘Corning’s Antimicrobial Gorilla Glass inhibits the growth of algae, mould, mildew, fungi, and bacteria because of its built-in antimicrobial property, which is intrinsic to the glass and effective for the lifetime of a device,’ said James R. Steiner, senior vice president and general manager, Corning Specialty Materials. The left-hand image shows the number of microbes on the treated display, while the right-hand image shows a standard glass screen. Unlike current antibacterial sprays, the silver on the display doesn't fade and can't be wiped off . Corning also claims it was able to added the antimicrobial feature without weakening the glass, and because the display is also scratch-resistant, microbes can't live in the cracks. Gorilla Glass is currently used in Samsung Galaxy handsets, as well as Google's Nexus 7 and 10 tablets and the Sony Bravia NX and HX series of televisions. Ionic silver is currently used in hospitals and has other medical uses. For example, silver has been incorporated into creams, plasters and dressings and as an antibiotic coating on medical devices. The silver ion is what’s called ‘bioactive’ and can kill bacteria on contact. It is safe for human use and has a low toxicity. | Corning has created a version of its Gorilla Glass fitted with ionic silver .
This toxic silver can kill microbes on contact with hands and fingers .
It is currently used in hospitals and is said to repel up to 99.9% of bacteria . |
62,025 | b036cde44195bf4ab4bfe320bc1efb4e069dbcd2 | What happened to my lie-in? The stark reality of returning to work makes tomorrow the most depressing day of the year . You've finished all the mince pies, the weather is terrible, Christmas ended up being horribly expensive and most of us are back to the daily grind. So it wouldn’t come as a surprise if you had started to feel down in the dumps. But don’t worry, you aren’t alone, because today is Blue Monday – supposedly the most miserable day of the year. Blue Monday was originally identified in 2005 by academic Cliff Arnall, who thought it fell on the last full week of January. He calculated the date using a variety of factors including weather conditions, debt levels, failed New Year’s resolutions and the number of days that had elapsed since the end of the Christmas holidays. But over the past three years, researchers analysed more than 2million tweets posted by Britons in January looking for negative language and phrases indicating a drop in mood. They found that today, there will be nearly five times the average number of tweets relating to guilt, as people abandon their promises to pursue a healthier lifestyle. The analysis, by drinks company Upbeat, also found complaints about the weather will be six times higher than usual – and men will feel more miserable than women. Today has also been dubbed Divorce Monday by legal experts. It is the most popular day of the year for starting divorce proceedings. And January is the busiest divorce month, with twice as many divorces being filed as the second most popular month September. According to Divorce Depot.co.uk – an online divorce specialist – 1.8million couples will have rowed over the festive break. They asked 1,000 people to name the factors that caused marital strain over Christmas – with financial pressure, excess alcohol, disagreements with the in-laws and rows over chores coming out on top of the list. According to Divorce Depot.co.uk - an online divorce specialist - 1.8million couples will have rowed over the festive break . Ruth Sutherland, chief executive of Relate, explained that January is one of the busiest times of the year for their relationship counsellors. She said: ‘New Year is a time many of us assess how life is going and this can make people think about how relationships are faring.’ The Institute of Leadership and Management also found that most workers were dissatisfied with their current job – with one in five planning to change their role this year and almost 80 per cent wanting to move firms. In keeping with the mood of misery, a poll by Evian discovered that over a third of commuters described their journey as ‘boring’ and nearly a fifth said going back to work had felt ‘just like Groundhog Day’. Researchers said the happiest days of the year are Christmas Eve and Day, followed by New Year’s Day, Valentine’s Day and the ‘first sunny weekend of the year’. December 24 and 25 - Christmas - 100 . January 1 - New Years Day - 91 . February 14 - Valentine's Day - 81 (mentions of love up by 187 per cent) April 20 - First sunny weekend of the year - 72 (mentions of sun up by 12 per cent and BBQ food and drink by 13 per cent) July 7 - Andy Murray Wins Wimbledon Tennis- 72 (mentions of Murray and tennis up by 141 per cent and 52 per cent respectively) | Web analysis shows tomorrow is glummest day as millions return to work .
Social media stats shows Britons fret over lack of sleep and willpower .
Gripes about weather also spike in early January . |
264,022 | e1f0aa45f26bd4280a1dc8c2c46d1a4457b10e8a | By . Kieran Corcoran . Detectives have launched a murder investigation after a two-year-old girl died in hospital on Saturday afternoon. Kasey Hambleton was pronounced dead at Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool at 1pm after suffering a number of serious injuries. Connor Gibson, 23, of Blackpool, Lancashire, has been charged with murder and will make his first appearance at magistrates court tomorrow. Death: Two-year-old Kasey Hambleton died at Alder Hey Children's Hospital from serious injuries . Second arrest: A woman was also arrested on suspicion of murder . A 23-year-old woman, also from Blackpool, was arrested on suspicion of murder and has been bailed until Tuesday 8 July 2014. Officers were originally called by the Ambulance Service to attend an address in Blackpool, at around 10.20am on Thursday, where Kasey was reported to have been found unresponsive. She was taken by ambulance to Blackpool Victoria Hospital but later transferred by air ambulance to Alder Hey in a critical condition. Detective Chief Inspector Andy Gilbert from Lancashire Constabulary's Force Major Investigation Team said: 'This is a terribly tragic incident where a little girl has sadly lost her fight for life and I am determined to find out exactly what has happened to her and how she has come to acquire injuries so serious that they have proven fatal. 'I personally encourage anyone who may have any information about little Kasey and the days leading up to her death to come forward to help us in what has now developed into a murder investigation.' A one-year-old child was also admitted to Blackpool Victoria Hospital on Thursday with bruising, where she was assessed. She is not in a serious condition. Anyone with any information about this incident should contact Lancashire Police. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article. | Police have charged Connor Gibson, 23, with murdering Kasey Hambleton .
Kasey died yesterday at Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool .
Gibson, of Blackpool, Lancashire, will appear in court tomorrow . |
166,690 | 638b63581aa09fe4a1bb42bd8a550ed648a5196e | Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- A woman whose group has rescued more than 12,000 women and girls from sex slavery has been named the 2010 CNN Hero of the Year. Anuradha Koirala was chosen by the public in an online poll that ran for eight weeks on CNN.com. CNN's Anderson Cooper revealed the result at the conclusion of the fourth annual "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute." "Human trafficking is a crime, a heinous crime, a shame to humanity," Koirala said earlier in the evening after being introduced as one of the top 10 CNN Heroes of 2010. "I ask everyone to join me to create a society free of trafficking. We need to do this for all our daughters." Koirala was introduced by actress Demi Moore, who along with her husband, Ashton Kutcher, created DNA, The Demi and Ashton Foundation, which aims to eliminate child sex slavery worldwide. "Every day this woman confronts the worst of what humanity has to offer," Moore said of Koirala. "She says, 'Stop. Stop selling our girls.' By raiding brothels and patrolling the India-Nepal border, she saves girls from being sold into the sex trade, where they are being repeatedly raped for profit, tortured and enslaved. "Since 1993, she has helped rescue more than 12,000 women and girls. Through her organization Maiti Nepal, she has provided more than a shelter for these girls and young women, she has created a home. It is a place for them to heal, go to school, learn a skill, and for some who are infected with HIV/AIDS, it is the place where they can spend their days surrounded by love." See Koirala's fan page on CNN Heroes . Koirala will receive $100,000 to continue her work with Maiti Nepal, in addition to the $25,000 awarded to each of the top 10 Heroes honored. "This is another responsibility to me to work with all your support," Koirala told the audience after being named Hero of the Year. "We have to end this heinous crime. Please join hands with me to end this crime. ... Please try to respect the youth. They are the ones who are going to build the next generation. Thank you so much." Koirala's speech capped the gala event, which was taped November 20 before an audience of nearly 5,000 and premiered Thanksgiving night on the global networks of CNN. The show opened with a salute to the 33 Chilean miners and five of the people who rescued them last month after the miners spent 69 days underground. "For 69 days we were amazed by these 33 brave miners," Cooper said in welcoming the miners onto the Shrine stage. "Their ordeal was unthinkable; their rescue, unbelievable. No one has ever been trapped underground so deep for so long and survived. "They endured a nightmare, experienced a miracle, and in the end became each others' brothers and heroes. On behalf of CNN Heroes, we salute all 33 Chilean miners." After the miners sang the Chilean national anthem, two of them -- speaking through a translator and holding the Chilean flag -- expressed their appreciation. "We want to thank the world, and we want to thank God for your prayers," Luis Urzua told the audience in Spanish. "Our families suffered. Our children suffered, too. But thanks to the prayers of the whole world, we could come out of this difficulty," Mario Sepulveda added. "Some of our rescuers are here with us tonight," Urzua said. "Thank you for bringing us home. You are our heroes." CNN brought the miners and their rescuers to the United States to attend the tribute show. The five rescuers were selected to represent the many thousands whose talent and effort led to the dramatic rescue. The top 10 CNN Heroes, chosen by a blue-ribbon panel from an initial pool of more than 10,000 nominations from more than 100 countries, were each honored with a documentary tribute and introduced by a celebrity presenter. The program also featured performances by Grammy Award-winners Bon Jovi, John Legend and Sugarland. Rock legends Bon Jovi performed "What Do You Got?," a new song from their greatest hits album, which came out earlier this month. Legend performed "Wake Up Everybody" along with hip-hop artist Common and R&B singer Melanie Fiona. Sugarland performed "Stand Up," a new song from their album "The Incredible Machine," which made its debut in October. All three performances echoed the spirit of the CNN Heroes campaign, which salutes everyday people whose extraordinary accomplishments are making a difference in their communities and beyond. Celebrity presenters included Halle Berry, Demi Moore, Jessica Alba, Kid Rock, LL Cool J, Renee Zellweger, Gerard Butler, Kiefer Sutherland, Marisa Tomei, Aaron Eckhart and Holly Robinson Peete. "CNN Heroes has illustrated the best of humanity through the telling of stories of selfless acts of kindness, courage and perseverance" said Jim Walton, president of CNN Worldwide. "We are honored to bring these Heroes the recognition they so deserve. It is a program the entire CNN family is proud of and excited to share with our viewers on Thanksgiving night." Again this year, producer/director Joel Gallen served as executive producer of "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute." Among his credits, Gallen produced telethon events supporting victims of the Haiti earthquake, the 9/11 terrorist attacks and Hurricane Katrina. He won an Emmy Award and a Peabody Award for "America: A Tribute to Heroes." Preceding the tribute broadcast, CNN and HLN aired a red carpet special, "Showbiz Tonight @ CNN Heroes," at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. Hosted by A.J. Hammer and Brooke Anderson, the special featured exclusive coverage of celebrity arrivals and interviews, as well as a celebrity-hosted social media suite tapping into the worldwide online passion and interest in the Heroes event. Here are the 2010 top 10 CNN Heroes in alphabetical order: . Guadalupe Arizpe De La Vega founded a hospital in Juarez, Mexico, that cares for about 900 people daily -- regardless of their ability to pay. Despite the escalating violence in the city, the 74-year-old travels there several times a week to make sure residents get the care they need. Learn more about Guadalupe . Susan Burton was once caught in a cycle of addiction and incarceration. Today, her nonprofit A New Way of Life Reentry Project provides sober housing and other support services to formerly incarcerated women in California. Learn more about Susan . With her weight-loss challenge, Shape Up Vicksburg, Linda Fondren is helping her Mississippi hometown battle the bulge. Through free fitness activities and nutrition classes, residents have lost nearly 15,000 pounds to date. Learn more about Linda . Anuradha Koirala is fighting to prevent the trafficking and sexual exploitation of Nepal's women and girls. Since 1993, she and her group, Maiti Nepal, have helped rescue and rehabilitate more than 12,000 victims. Learn more about Anuradha . Narayanan Krishnan brings hot meals and dignity to India's homeless and destitute -- 365 days per year -- through his nonprofit Akshaya Trust. Since 2002, he has served more than 1.2 million meals. Learn more about Narayanan . Since 1992, Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow has dedicated his life to helping people in need. Today, his program, Mary's Meals -- run from a tin shed in the Scottish highlands -- provides free daily meals to more than 400,000 children around the world. Learn more about Magnus . Harmon Parker is using his masonry skills to save lives. Since 1997 he has helped build 45 footbridges over perilous rivers in Kenya, protecting people from flash floods and predatory animals. The bridges also connect isolated villagers to valuable resources. Learn more about Harmon . Aki Ra is helping to make his native Cambodia safer by clearing land mines -- many of which he planted years ago as a child soldier. Since 1993, he and his Cambodian Self Help Demining organization have cleared about 50,000 mines and unexploded weapons. Learn more about Aki Ra . Evans Wadongo, 23, invented a way for rural families in Kenya to replace smoky kerosene and firelight with solar power. Through his Use Solar, Save Lives program, he's distributed an estimated 10,000 free solar lanterns. Learn more about Evans . Since 2005, Texas home builder Dan Wallrath has given injured Iraq and Afghanistan veterans homes of their own -- mortgage-free. He and his Operation Finally Home team have five new custom homes under construction. Learn more about Dan . | Anuradha Koirala named 2010 CNN Hero of the Year at Los Angeles gala .
Gala included appearance by 33 Chilean miners and five of their rescuers .
John Legend, Bon Jovi and Sugarland performed; celebrity presenters included Demi Moore .
Fourth-annual event taped before an audience of nearly 5,000 at Shrine Auditorium . |
30,327 | 5635578f52308d9248d4eb708d240d8567113d9a | This police department in New York is keeping the Christmas spirit alive. After a burglar stole a White Plains family's Christmas presents from under the tree, police there stepped it up and played Santa. White Plains police presented the Cuenca-Orzuna family Saturday with $1,500 worth of gift cards and several toys. Officers raised the money, with contributions from their union and police officials, after the family's apartment was ransacked last week. The White Plains home of the Cuenca-Orzuna family (pictured) was recently broken into, and all the children's toys were stolen from right under the tree. Luckily, local cops were there to help . 'We had to do something,' Detective German Lopez told The Journal-News. 'We couldn't let these kids go without a Christmas.' Lopez says the thief or thieves took the gifts awaiting the family's four children, plus presents for several cousins. 'I was very angry about this,' he told the Journal-News. 'I have kids and grandchildren myself, so I can imagine what the Orzunas must have felt when their kids' presents were stolen.' Even the children's piggy banks were gone. 'I found a lot of kids crying,' said Lopez, a 23-year police veteran who responded to the call about the burglary, to the Journal-News. It happened while dad Rogelio Orzuna was at his job as a cook, and mom Maria Cuenca was running errands. 'The door was pried open, all the lights were on and our clothes were thrown all over the floor,' mother-of-four Cuenca told the Journal-News. 'Then I saw that all of the presents were gone, and my heart just broke.' Cops from the White Plains PD donated $1,500 in cash and toys to help put this family's Christmas back together . Lopez says officers felt they 'couldn't let these kids go without a Christmas.' Cuenca says the children couldn't be more excited. 'I couldn't believe it when Detective Lopez told me what the police were doing for us,' the mom told the Journal-News. 'Now we can get all the presents back and Christmas isn't ruined. We're very thankful.' | The home of the Cuenca-Orzuna family in White Plains was ransacked by a heartless burglar, who stole their presents from under the Christmas tree .
There had been gifts for the family's four children and a handful of cousins;even the kids' piggy banks were taken .
Local cops passed the hat around and collected $1,500 worth of gift cards and several toys . |
223,075 | acc8c47aab723b0c9dca41983194277080d6d677 | (CNN) -- Greg Allen's obsession with finding his missing daughter began more than a decade ago, when the mother finally made good on a threat and fled with the daughter from Texas to Mexico, according to him and authorities. Sabrina Allen was a month away from turning age 5, and the visit with her non-custodial mother, Dara Marie Llorens, was supposed to last only a weekend in April 2002, as part of a court agreement. But that weekend visitation in Austin lasted 12 years and finally ended Tuesday, when Mexican and U.S. authorities said they found the girl and her mother living in seclusion in a small apartment in a town between Mexico City and Puebla. The mother will face charges in Travis County, Texas, said Dan Powers, an FBI assistant special agent in charge in San Antonio, Texas. So much time has passed that Allen's daughter is all but grown, now 17 years old. Moreover, his daughter has been told over the years that her father was "a bad guy" and "a wife beater" -- all false accusations, Allen declared. But Allen never gave up hope. He began a website dedicated to his daughter: FindSabrina.org, which offered a $20,000 reward. He hired a private investigator. And he pressed his public campaign so relentlessly that people wondered whether he was going too far. "I was Ahab and the white whale. I was not going to survive," Allen said of his pursuit. "I've had people say, "Of course, she's with her mother; what's the big deal?' "People just don't understand," he said. "I was accused of overstepping my bounds." A confidential informant . On Wednesday, Allen was euphoric over his daughter's recovery. He learned the news while at the dentist Tuesday and had to rinse his mouth. The police action resulted in a minor injury to a federal Mexican police officer who was involved in the arrest of Llorens, 44, according to Philip Klein, a private investigator retained by Allen. Llorens was located in Mexico through information from a confidential informant, Klein said. But Sabrina Allen has been through so much emotional trauma that she isn't allowed to immediately see her father. She's in solid physical health but hasn't been in school for a while, her father said. She is now under the care of a clinical psychologist in Texas. "I haven't gotten to see her yet," Greg Allen said Wednesday. "She's in pretty bad shape, from my understanding," he said, becoming tearful. "She's just not ready to see me and my family. I hope and pray that's coming soon, and I can't predict it." He described the 12-year hunt for his daughter as a tormenting odyssey. "It's a long road. You don't know what the outcome is," Allen said. "I told myself the hardest thing to learn was that I could have a life while looking for her." When Sabrina Allen is eventually allowed to reunite with her father, she will discover that she has a new family who has heard so much about her but has never met her: Greg Allen's new wife and their children. "We hope to have her home as soon as possible," Allen said. How his daughter was taken from him began on April 19, 2002, according to the website dedicated to his once-missing daughter. A weekend outing . On that day, Llorens allegedly violated a court-ordered child custody agreement and disappeared with her daughter during a scheduled weekend visit, the FBI said in its wanted bulletin for Llorens. Llorens was supposed to return the daughter to her father two days later. He was the primary guardian, the FBI said. The father's website doesn't specify why the relationship between him and Llorens didn't work out, but the site alleges that Llorens has a mental illness. "Dara's court ordered psychological evaluation indicated that she has a well-established personality disorder, and that she is likely to act in her own interest, instead of Sabrina's," the website charges. Llorens and her attorney couldn't be immediately reached for comment Wednesday. On the day Llorens was scheduled to return Sabrina, the mother failed to appear at the pickup site, the FBI said. Llorens had moved from her residence in north Austin and left a false forwarding address, the father's website said. Llorens didn't even contact work when she disappeared with Sabrina Allen, the webpage said. Warrants and wanted posters . Later that month, a Texas warrant was issued for Llorens, accusing her of interference with child custody, and then a federal warrant was issued in May 2002, charging Llorens with unlawful flight, authorities said. Llorens even became wanted by the FBI, which published a public bulletin describing her as someone who "may walk with a mild limp" and "may have travelled to Mexico, where she has ties." On his website, Greg Allen described her as a thin, petite woman who "typically does not keep a job for more than six months" and "may be likely to take a retail sales job." Sabrina Allen was listed on the FBI poster as every bit a little girl: 3-foot-6 and 35 pounds, with pierced ears, a mole on her right knee and a small scar on the bridge of her nose. See a copy of the FBI wanted poster (PDF) Her father described her as a cheerful child who liked "Barbies, bugs, dress-up, movies, Snow White and Scooby-Doo." "Sabrina has many friends and a large, loving family in Austin. She is very dearly missed," the father's website says. The case briefly came to the attention of CNN in November 2002, when host John Walsh of "America's Most Wanted" appeared on the network. When Walsh was told that Sabrina Allen had been missing seven months, he said, "We have a chance of getting her back. She was taken by her ... mother, and that little girl we may be able to get back. But it's by pictures ... that's how we get missing children back, by exposure like this." Meanwhile, her father pressed authorities and media outlets about his missing daughter. He even posted photo galleries of him and his daughter on the website. "This is my school picture. My Daddy says, 'What a big girl,' " one photo caption says. "It's my fourth birthday. Who says I'm not a princess?" another says. Trying to hide in Mexico . While his daughter and her mother lived in Mexico, the girl went by "Blanquita," the diminutive of Blanca, one of the several aliases that Llorens was using, according to the father's website said. The FBI also alleged that Llorens used many aliases. Despite the use of Spanish names, the father asserted that his daughter and her mother would not have blended in Mexican society: Lloren's Spanish was "poor," and their daughter "does not look at all Hispanic," the father said on his website. In fact, Sabrina Allen's middle name is Fair. "It is unlikely that they could hide in a Hispanic community without standing out," Allen said on his website. But Sabrina Allen was repeatedly disguised, right down to her eyebrows and eyelashes, which were dyed, as was her hair, the website said. Sabrina's natural blonde hair was colored red and other hues on varying occasions, the father's website said. As friendly and outgoing as the little girl was, the act of being spirited away imposed an emotional toll on her, the website charges. "It is reported that she is sometime(s) distant and burdened with the secrets she is being made to keep," the website said. "It is reported that Sabrina has lost weight and is suffering physically and psychologically." At one point, Llorens apparently enrolled her daughter in the preschool Tegui in Colonia del Valle in Mexico City, and Sabrina reportedly learned how to speak Spanish "very well" and to read and write the language, the father's website said. A promising moment came for Greg Allen when Sabrina Allen and her mother were spotted in Mexico City, on June 13, 2003. But they eluded authorities. It would take 11 more years before authorities finally caught up to Sabrina Allen and her mother. What now remains to be seen is how much of her father Sabrina Allen remembers -- and how much of his great hunt for her she'll come to fathom. CNN's Justin Lear and Jason Hanna contributed to this report. | A confidential informant helps authorities find missing daughter and mom .
Father has yet to see daughter, who's now in care of psychologist .
"I was Ahab and the white whale. I was not going to survive," father says of ordeal .
The girl, who went missing at age 4, is now 17, and her mother is now 44, the FBI says . |
68,545 | c25ac6ec657f066d2689b0758ebc5d12f5f29e7a | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 15:49 EST, 25 November 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 17:25 EST, 25 November 2012 . An alleged drunk driver not only hit a pedestrian but sped along with the fatally wounded man on her windshield for more than 2 miles, police said. Sherri Wilkins, 51, of Torrance, California, was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving and manslaughter charges on Saturday night. Philip Moreno, 31, was crossing Torrance Boulevard at about 11.25pm when Wilkins drove her car into him. Drunk: Sherri Wilkins had a blood-alcohol level twice the legal limit when she struck Philip Moreno and drove 2.3 miles with his body stuck in her windshield . She kept going with Moreno 'embedded in her windshield' for 2.3 miles before witnesses finally . Victim: Moreno was pronounced dead at the hospital . persuaded her to pull her car over near Crenshaw Boulevard and 182nd Street. 'He is literally embedded in her . hood and into the windshield,' Torrance Police Sgt. Robert Watt told the Los Angeles Daily News. 'She knew he was somehow . embedded into her car but she panicked.' There were no witnesses who saw Wilkins hit him but she was going so fast that Moreno was knocked out of his shoes and shorts. Moreno was in critical condition when emergency services reached him but was aware enough to speak to officers at the scene. He was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. Wilkins blood alcohol was more than double the legal limit. She told officers she was driving home from work. Police are still searching for witnesses who saw the accident. Freed: Police said Moreno was still able to speak to them when he was pulled from the car windshield . | Sherri Wilkins, 51, arrested on suspicion of drink-driving on Saturday .
Philip Moreno, 31, fatally injured crossing the road and died in hospital . |
238,001 | c00c58c0a9eaecb130e56653736ede9bce49b12a | 'Private army'? Ukrainian forces in Kharkiv today. Russia has accused a U.S. firm of providing help . Russia claims 150 Americans have been sent to Ukraine by a U.S. firm with historic links to Blackwater - the private security contractor which made headlines after a mass shooting in Iraq. The Foreign Ministry in Moscow today condemned the use of a supposed private army by Greystone Ltd 'disguised' as local forces. Greystone, which claims it recruits from the world's top armies and police forces, was founded in 2004 as an affiliate of Blackwater before breaking away to become a standalone firm in 2010. Four former Blackwater security guards are . facing trial in the U.S. over a 2007 shooting which killed 14 people in . Baghdad. The statement by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs came as the Kremlin - which is facing international condemnation for sending troops into Crimea - warned 'civil war' could be looming in eastern Ukraine. It condemned the arrest today of 70 pro-Russian activists who stormed a government building in Kharkiv, just 25 miles from the Russian border. Russia, which has 40,000 troops on its side of the border, claimed the 'crackdown' was 'against the policies of the current government in Kiev'. The statement then added: 'Of particular concern is the fact that in this operation are about 150 American specialists from the private military organization "Greystone", disguised in the form of units of the "Falcon". 'Organizers and participants of this provocation are taking on a huge responsibility to create threats to the rights, freedoms and lives of civilians and for the stability of the Ukrainian State. 'We call for the immediate cessation of any military preparations, which could lead to the outbreak of civil war.' Scroll down for video . Escalation: The statement made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Moscow (pictured) was widely reported . East v West: Unrest has flared in eastern Ukraine, whose residents have strong ethnic ties to Russia. Last month Russia annexed Crimea - and now separatists in Moldova say they want to join Russia too . The Wall Street Journal . reported Greystone had categorically denied deploying anyone in . Ukraine. An article quoted representative Coreena Taylor saying: 'We do . not have anyone working in Ukraine nor do we have any plans to deploy . anyone to the region.' However, Greystone gave no comment when contacted by MailOnline today at its head office in Chesapeake, Virginia. Blackwater was controversial after it received public money to protect U.S. officials in Iraq. But it made headlines globally in 2007 for a shooting which killed 14 people in Baghdad. Four former Blackwater security guards are . facing trial in the U.S. accused of manslaughter, attempted manslaughter . and gun violations. Prosecutors are due to claim they held 'deep hostility' towards Iraqi civilians and did not act reasonably in the heat of the moment. A U.S. Justice Department filing said the guards' views were 'openly . expressed to other Blackwater personnel and exhibited through their . deliberately reckless actions'. The guards' defence is expected to state that they believed they were under hostile fire. The trial is due to begin in June. Pressed . on whether the comments reported by the Wall Street Journal was . accurate or officially sanctioned, a representative replied: 'This is officially . sanctioned: We have no comment.' A U.S. State Department spokesman said it could not answer for a private company, but added: 'We do not have any U.S. military units in Ukraine.' Greystone started work in 2004 'as an affiliate of what is now Xe Services,' according to its website. Xe . Services was a new name for Blackwater, which was founded in 1997 but . changed its name in 2009. It has since changed its name again to . Academi. Greystone broke away from Xe Services in 2010, and set up as a standalone firm. Last month MailOnline reported videos which had surfaced on Youtube - with Russian language descriptions - which claimed to show 'Blackwater' soldiers roaming the eastern city of Donetsk. Asked whether the men seen in the videos could be Academi employees, Dr . Nafeez Ahmed, a security expert with the Institute for Policy Research . & Development, said: ‘Difficult to say really. It's certainly not . beyond the realm of possibility - Academi have been deployed in all . sorts of theatres.' Analysts fear that if an American . firm did have direct involvement in Ukraine, it could give the Kremlin . justification for sending in its troops. But Dr Ahmed added: ‘Of course the other possibility is it's all Russian propaganda.’ Armed and masked: A Ukrainian policeman stands guard in the country's second-largest city Kharkiv, where special forces ousted activists from a government building (pictured) and arrested 70 people today . Today Dr Ahmed, who is employed by a not-for-profit organisation studying global conflict, told MailOnline: 'It's impossible for outside observers to determine the veracity of Russian claims about Greystone mercenaries. 'The problem is that no independent sources are corroborating this narrative which is either coming directly from the Kremlin, or being promoted by Russian news agencies which we know have been used as propaganda tools before. 'It's impossible to determine the veracity of the claims... The problem is that no independent . sources are corroborating this narrative which is either coming directly . from the Kremlin, or being promoted by Russian news agencies which we . know have been used as propaganda tools before' - Dr Nafeez Ahmed, Institute for Policy Research & Development . 'However, what's clear is that both Russia and the United States have been interfering in Ukraine over the last decade as they compete for geopolitical influence in one of the most critical energy crossroads in the region, if not the world. 'The war of words we now see between Russia and the US over the Greystone allegations could be a disturbing prelude to the escalating destabilisation of Ukraine.' Today . British Foreign Secretary William Hague fired a broadside at statements . by the Kremlin - saying the unrest in Ukraine has 'all the hallmarks' of a Russian campaign. He told Parliament: 'There can be no . justification for this action, which bears all the hallmarks of a . Russian strategy to destabilise Ukraine. 'Russia should be clear that the deliberate escalation of this crisis will bring serious political and economic consequences.' NATO has also stepped up its rhetoric against Russia. Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen told a press conference today: 'If Russia were to intervene further in Ukraine it would be a historic mistake. 'It would have grave consequences for our relationship with Russia and would further isolate Russia internationally.' | Russian Foreign Ministry said there were around '150 American specialists'
Statement claimed security firm Greystone sent in specialists 'disguised'
Greystone Ltd founded in 2004 and broke away as standalone firm in 2010 .
It was an affiliate of Xe Services, which changed name from Blackwater .
Four former guards facing trial over 2007 Iraq shooting which killed 14 .
Greystone refused to comment today when contacted by MailOnline . |
142,402 | 4427b9a53bdea94c7dcc5dc1ca51cb8b83944755 | By . Amanda Williams . A Southern Illinois University student who was found dead in woods earlier this year died of a blunt force head trauma and not hypothermia, a second autopsy has revealed. The family of Pravin Varughese, from Morton Grove ordered a second investigation into the death of the 19-year-old, which discovered 'significant injuries' to his face. Independent forensic pathologist Ben Margolis discovered the sophomore criminal justice major suffered four different blows to the face and head. The family of Pravin Varughese, from Morton Grove ordered a second investigation into the death of the 19-year-old, which discovered 'significant injuries' to his face . He said the injuries could not have been caused by a single impact, such as accidentally falling and striking himself on a tree or rock. An earlier autopsy by the Jackson County coroner’s office said that he died of hypothermia with no evidence of foul play. Pravin had been missing for nearly a week before his body was discovered in February. His body was originally discovered on the morning of February 18 in a wooded area near the Carbondale school. He . had been reported missing after he was last seen leaving a party at . 11pm on February 12 - three miles away from where his body was . discovered. Independent forensic pathologist Ben Margolis also discovered the sophomore criminal justice major suffered four different blows to the face and head . An earlier autopsy by the Jackson County coroner's office said that the teenager (pictured her with two unknown females) died of hypothermia with no evidence of foul play . Carbondale police said he had been dressed in just jeans and a shirt on the night and temperatures had dropped into single digits . They . had said he had fled into the woods after a dispute with a 'recent . acquaintance' who had been giving him a lift - but they added that he . had left the car on his own accord. His mother Lovely Varughese told the Chicago Tribune that she 'knew something was wrong', and added: 'But I didn’t expect it to be this big.' His mother Lovely Varughese is now asking questions into how the authorities handled the investigation into her son's death . She added that the new results had given her the feeling that she was not crazy, and said: 'The instinct as a . mother, and the knowledge as a nurse, I think it paid off.' The . second study of the student's body also revealed injuries to his . forearm, left thigh and bruises and scratches below his knee the . pathologist said. But Margolis did not say how Varughese sustained the head injuries. He will now study initial police and coroner records. He told the paper: 'The cause of death is blunt force injury, but the cause of those injuries is pending further investigation.' Ms Varughese is now asking questions into how the authorities handled the investigation into her son's death. Jackson County coroner’s office had earlier said hypothermia was ruled as the preliminary cause of death, and that he had probably got into difficulty trying to find his way out of the woods. Ms Varughese said she will fight until her last breath to find out what happened to her son. | Pravin Varughese, 18, found in woods in February after going missing .
First autopsy said he died of hypothermia with no evidence of foul play .
Now independent pathologist said he suffered four blows to face and head . |
194,722 | 880f08f5e4fa0d011ded72d4df873a9673f9618b | A pizza takeaway was shut for just three days after health inspectors found it was infested with hundreds of dead and alive cockroaches. Pizza Pan in Perry Barr, Birmingham, was ordered to shut after baby cockroaches and eggs and 20 of the insects were discovered ‘huddled together’ in a cupboard where pizza bases were kept. The takeaway, which also sells fried chicken and chips, was also found to have cockroaches behind a cool drinks chiller, under a microwave, and crawling on a wall. Found under work surface: Pizza Pan in Perry Barr, Birmingham, which also sold fried chicken and chips, was found to have cockroaches behind a cool drinks chiller, under a microwave, and crawling on a wall . Disgusting: The insects were also on work surfaces where pizza boxes were being stored, while dead ones were discovered in a storeroom washing up area . The insects were also on work surfaces where pizza boxes were being stored, while dead ones were discovered in a storeroom washing up area. Its owner Shaid Salim, 38, of Bordesley Green, Birmingham, has now been fined £900 and ordered to pay £2,000 costs after pleading guilty to one charge under the Food Hygiene Regulations. Magistrates told him it was a serious infestation which built up over time, but they took into account his lack of previous convictions and attempts to restore the business to a better level of hygiene. Julia Kettle, prosecuting for Birmingham City Council, told the city’s magistrates’ court that two environmental health officers made a routine visit in November 2013 to the takeaway. She said: ‘Officers then began inspecting the premises, starting in the kitchen, and immediately saw dead and live cockroaches on the floor.’ Miss Kettle said there was ready-to-eat salad on a work surface which raised ‘serious concerns’ of the food being contaminated, while there was also an area where dirt and grease had accumulated. Inspection: Two environmental health officers made a routine visit in November 2013 to the takeaway (above) Operating business for ten years: Owner Shaid Salim (pictured), 38, has now been fined £900 and ordered to pay £2,000 costs after pleading guilty to one charge under the Food Hygiene Regulations . An emergency closure order was issued by the council, but the business was allowed to open again after three days. Salim did not appear in court for a year, but this was still just inside the 12-month window within which cases can be brought, with his first hearing in November 2014, and his most recent one yesterday. Ghulam Sohail, defending, said Salim had been operating the business for ten years and it had previously been given a high hygiene rating. A significant amount of work had subsequently been done to prevent rodents or cockroaches getting into the takeaway, he said. Pizza Pan - which is open every day of the week from 4pm until after midnight - has an average rating of four stars from almost 650 reviews on takeaway website Just Eat. And its last Food Standards Agency rating in September 2014 was four out of five, which is 'good'. Responding to a query about why the takeaway was only shut for three days, a council spokesman told MailOnline: 'Where our environmental health officers find breaches of food hygiene regulations in any food business, they will work with that business to ensure any imminent risk to public health is removed and that it complies with regulations, so it can operate safely. 'The time this can take may vary, depending on the severity and extent of the issues identified when inspected, and how well the business works with the council to tackle these effectively, to achieve compliance and remove any risk to public health.' | Cockroaches and eggs found 'huddled together' in pizza base cupboard .
Pizza Pan takeaway in Birmingham also sells fried chicken and chips .
Infestation of insects found in cool drinks chiller and under work surfaces .
Also discovered on work surfaces where pizza boxes were being stored .
Owner Shaid Salim, 38, is fined £900 and ordered to pay £2,000 costs . |
129,021 | 32b7103faa195f1a38e9f70527853cffaaffbdcc | (CNN) -- My participation in the British Invasion came as a total surprise to me. I am indeed British, with an English dad and a Welsh mum. In the mid-1960s, having married a Frenchman, I was living in Paris with two small children and enjoying a highly successful career in Europe, singing in French and other languages. But despite all that, when Tony Hatch, also a Brit, presented me with a song called "Downtown," I knew I wanted to record it. So we went into the studio in London and came out with a hit. It was rapidly picked up by Warner Brothers in the United States, and without any promotion from me, took off to the prized No. 1 spot. And so I was propelled into this amazing and exciting "love in" with America. Of course, it changed my life. Suddenly, I was juggling two careers and a family. It was exhilarating, too. I loved performing to American audiences, and I still do. They are the most generous in the world. I was spending more and more time in the States, working with some of the best American musicians and certainly listening to the great American bands of the day: The Beach Boys, The Mamas and the Papas and more. It was wonderful to feel I was in some way part all that was happening at that iconic moment. The spearhead of the "Invasion" was of course the Beatles. They opened the floodgates, and the world became aware of British talent almost overnight. Americans seemed to embrace us Brits with something close to a passion. How could we resist? Of course "Downtown" was only the beginning. There was "I Know a Place," "Don't Sleep in the Subway," "Colour My World," "Days" and more. Tony Hatch went on to write a dozen more hits for me. These songs have survived the '60s, and I still sing them today with much affection. Those days were pretty hectic. I seemed to be constantly bouncing around between the United States and Europe and was jet-lagged most of the time! As for "the scene" in the Sixties, I didn't get too involved in it. Of course, there were the inevitable parties and general madness, but I could take it or leave it. I mostly left it. Probably that I was married with a young family kept me on an even keel. For me, the buzz was and still is all about the music and being around people who feel the same way. The British Invasion came and went, but left behind a body of music that lives on today. For those of us who were there, how could we ever forget it? | Petula Clark was living in Paris with her family and had a successful European career .
When she got the song "Downtown," she knew she wanted to record it .
That '60s song propelled her to fame in the United States, where it became No. 1 .
Other hits followed; she calls American audiences the most generous in the world . |
34,440 | 61e137b37db0b3157c04fab0a5f4314fe4b03931 | By . Iona Kirby . PUBLISHED: . 19:17 EST, 13 August 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 06:29 EST, 14 August 2012 . Tonight saw Robert Pattinson make his first public appearance since news broke of his girlfriend Kristen Stewart’s affair with the married director of her movie Snow White and the Huntsman, Rupert Sanders. The actor earlier today taped an appearance on The Daily Show which aired tonight and was his first interview since the scandal kicked off almost three weeks ago. He then headed to the New York premiere of his latest movie Cosmopolis, hitting the red carpet. Brave face: Robert Pattinson made his first public appearance since Kristen Stewart's cheating scandal tonight at the Cosmopolis premiere . The Twilight star put his acting skills to use and managed a faint smile, as he put on his best brave face for photographers. But despite his attempt at a sunny disposition Pattinson’s eyes told a different story and it seems the star is still understandably heartbroken about the recent events. Pattinson also made sure he looked his best for his first outing since learning of his long-term girlfriend’s philandering with the father-of-two - which came after intimate photographs of the pair were published in a US tabloid. Scrubbing up well: The hunky actor looked suave in a Gucci suit as he posed on the red carpet . The many faces of Robert Pattinson: The star flitted between various emotions and attempted to look happy before appearing pensive and then brooding . Flanked by bodyguards, Robert's hair . was well-styled and he looked dapper in a cornflower blue Gucci suit . with a navy shirt and black tie. He seems to be easing himself gently back into the public eye ahead of his film’s opening on Friday. Pattinson strictly avoided talking about his personal life on the red carpet but told the New York Daily News of himself: 'I knew [Cosmopolis] would be different, but I didn't have anything to be scared of except failing.' Meanwhile the film's director David Cronenberg brushed off the scandal and said: 'It doesn’t touch me and it doesn't touch the film.' Reclusive: Robert has stayed well away from the spotlight and has not been pictured for the last three weeks . Nervous: Robert geared up for the red carpet which came after he taped a TV appearance on The Daily Show . Dapper: Robert teamed his cornflower blue suit with a navy shirt and black tie for the event . And the hunky actor wouldn’t have been worrying about any run-ins with Stewart tonight. It . was reported earlier this month that she was apparently banned from . attending the premiere, with security allegedly under instruction to . keep her away. His . appearance on The Daily Show was his first interview since the drama . unfolded but Pattinson managed to dodge questions about Stewart as he . chomped on ice cream. However he couldn't suppress a giggle when host Jon Stewart said: 'Boy, you are better off without... so kick her to the curb!' Raising a smile: Robert managed a grin when he posed for photos with David Cronenberg and Sarah Gadon . Back in business: Robert worked the red carpet like a pro and chatted to press upon his arrival . And breathe: Once he stepped onto the red carpet Robert seemed to visibly relax . Aside from the nervous laughter, the actor deflected all questions regarding his girlfriend, but did say: 'This is the weird things about these interviews, and now . I'm going to sound like an idiot, but my biggest problem in my life is . that I'm cheap. 'I didn't hire a publicist and every awkward interview, most actors have things scripted. I'm going to hire a publicist.' An audience member had alleged to Life . & Style that when Jon Stewart claimed 'the world has ended', . Pattinson said: 'It has'. He reportedly then laughed nervously and said: 'That was my attempt at a joke.' Working the crowd: Not even a broken heart could get in the way of Robert's professionalism . A touch of glamour: Zoe Lister-Jones (L) and Nicole Lapin brought some sex appeal to the red carpet . Also in attendance: Paul Giamatti (L) and Carrie Keagan joined Robert on the red carpet at the bash . Cosmopolis, based on the 2003 novel of . the same name by Don DeLillo, is directed by David Cronenberg and also . stars Juliette Binoche and Sarah Gadon. It initially premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May, drawing mixed early reactions from critics. The . drama already had a limited release in the UK on June 15. Pattinson . plays the lead role of disturbed billionaire Eric Packer. Cronenberg and Pattinson are also expected at a TimesTalk event on August 15 in the Big Apple to discuss the film. Robert Pattinson’s TV interview on The Daily Show airs exclusively in the UK tonight on Comedy Central Extra at 10.30pm. (Sky 128/Virgin Media 185) Showing their support: Miss USA 2012 Olivia Culpo and Kevin Durand dazzled on the red carpet . New role: Robert is drumming up publicity for the movie ahead of its release on August 17 . The relationships that were rocked: Robert and Kristen (L) and Rupert Sanders with wife Liberty Ross . | Star strictly avoided talking about his personal life on the red carpet .
Attended premiere after recording an interview for The Daily Show . |
9,520 | 1afb5886582678fb05e17cde2af1730f5fddfe7d | By . Bianca London . PUBLISHED: . 09:04 EST, 28 February 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 12:34 EST, 28 February 2014 . It's the most important social event on the A-list calendar with 40.4 million viewers tuning in to watch Tinseltown's biggest names arrive at the Oscars. The world's most famed designers work overtime to ensure the stars look a million dollars on the red carpet but even with top stylists and dazzling dresses at their disposal, over the years, there's been some real fashion faux pas. From Cher's belly dancer inspired catastrophe to Celine Dion's intriguing back to front white suit, FEMAIL has rounded up the very worst offenders. Sit back and feast your eyes on these frock horrors... Cher-ly not! Cher channelled a Gothic Bollywood dancer with a Beefeater style hair 'do at the 1987 Oscars . Doesn't suit you! Celine Dion clearly thought she looked a bit of all white in this bizarre back to front suit at the 71st Ocars in 1999 . Colour catastrophe: Faith Hill, pictured, left, in 2002 at the 74th Annual Academy Awards, opted for a rainbow of and pastel colours while Bjork, right, swanned nonchalantly onto the red carpet at the 73rd Oscars in 2001 . Thigh's the limit: Mariah Carey arrived at the 82nd Academy Awards in a conservative midnight blue dress - at least she didn't have both her legs and cleavage on show... What WERE they thinking? Uma Thurman (left) arrives for the 76th awards in 2004 in her curtain voiles, while Meryl Streep (right) rocked up to the 79th awards in a samurai-inspired get-up . Stay classy! Liz Hurley (left) and Pamela Anderson at the Vanity Fair Post-Oscars Party in 2001, both conserving their modesty... He must be camera shy: Beyonce Knowles attempts to smuggle Jay Z into the awards under her dress train in 2009 . Charlie Chaplin called, he wants his outfit back! Diane Keaton arriving at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles for the 76th Academy Awards and, right, Helena Bonham Carter flies the flag for British fashion at the 83rd Academy Awards in 2011 . I'm a Barbie girl: Tyra Banks does her best smize to distract from her humongous lilac dress in 2000 at the 72nd Oscars . Underwear is clearly overrated for Gwyneth Paltrow (left) who misplaced her bra at the 74th Annual Academy in 2002, while Sharon Stone (right) shuns lingerie and goes commando at the 17th annual Sir Elton John AIDS Foundation Oscar Party in 2009 . Creepy fashion: Zoe Saldana brought some creepy crawly caterpillar friends along to the 82nd Academy Awards in 2010 . Not such a bow-tiful dress: Charlize Theron is all wrapped up as she arrives at the 78th Annual Academy Awards in 2006 . Fashion faux pas: Singer Madonna looks a bit fishy as she arrives at the 2011 Vanity Fair Oscar party, and, right, Penelope Cruz shows photographers on the red carpet at the 81st Academy Awards her doily embellished dress . What would Cartman say? Marc Shalman (right) with South Park creators, Matt Stone (centre) and Trey Parker arrive for the 72nd awards after raiding their mother's wardrobes . | From Cher's belly dancer .
catastrophe to Celine Dion's reversed white suit .
The stars of this year's gongs probably won't take inspiration from this lot . |
166,400 | 632c7d79d0e28658b3b86023b3cb0a7addeade74 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . This museum is kicking up a stink - by displaying hundreds of toilets through the ages. The vast collection of loos, commodes and bidets has been curated to document the history of sanitation. Everything from King Louis XIV's personal 'throne' to a modern day portable toilet in a tent are displayed at the sprawling Sublabh International Museum of Toilets in New Delhi, India. Causing a stink: The International Museum of Toilets, in New Delhi, India boasts a vast collection of the bizarre loos from across the centuries worldwide . Many of the toilet specimens are replicas, like this two-storey loo, left, and this basic outdoor cubicle, right . Hundreds flock each month to browse the facts, pictures and artifacts that date back to 2,500 BC. 'It is indeed a very unusual museum and it's the only one of its kind in the world,' says Dr Bindeshwar Pathak, founder of the NGO Sulabh International, who has founded the museum. 'A highlight of the museum is the replica of the throne of King Louis the XIV. The king is believed to have used this to defecate while conducting court sessions.' Toilet humour: The walls are covered in toilet room jokes and parodies. Among the collection is this cushioned loo, left, which was used in Europe's clubs, helping members to keep an eye on table stakes . High design: The Victorians decorated their toilets with floral designs, left, while one pot from French Royalty in the 1700's mocked the English by being designed as a stack of classic literature . But setting up the museum was no easy task - with curators scouring the globe for unusual toilet-related artefacts. 'We gathered models from across the globe. We have models from over 50 countries here. And, our collection is only increasing,' says Pathak. From the 'chamber pot for ladies' of the 1700's to the 'French commode disguised as a stool with books', the museum houses hundreds of toilet models. Multi-purpose: There was little chance Louis XIV would forget he was king as he sat on his throne-like chamber, left, while right, this toilet doubled-up as a table . Inventive: Among some of the more creative specimens are, from left, the modern portable loo, the Japanese electronic push button toilet and an electric loo that burns human waste into ash . Extremes: From a carefully designed decorative wash basin to a portable toilet inside a pop-up tent, the museum has something from every occasion . 'Once the portable toilets came inside the home, they looked very odd. The French designed a toilet which looked like a bookcase. On this toilet was written the names of literary classics,' reads the description on a French commode. 'We also have the electric toilet. It burns human waste and converts it into ash,' said a museum guide. These outdoor toilets were designed to provide sanitation for 10 people for three years . Through the ages: One toilet has advertising for a bakery in Las Vegas on the lid, left, while pictures of 18th and 19th century toilets form Europe show a variety of styles and designs . The museum also has an extensive display of privies, chamber pots, toilet furniture, bidets and water closets. 'We founded the museum to give a message,' said Gaurav Chandra, the museum's coordinator. 'It's an education for students, who can learn about historical trends in development of toilets. 'India faces a big challenge in sanitation sector. So our museum helps policy makers to understand the efforts that were made in this field in the past.' Founded by Dr Pathak in 1970, Sulabh is now the largest non-governmental organisation in India with over 50,000 volunteers. It works to promote environmental sanitation and waste management. Mr Chandra added: 'Sanitation is a huge issue in India. This museum is a kind of reminder. We want people to come and see.' The museum made it to the list of the Top 10 'Weird and Unusual' museums in the world earlier this year. | King Louis XIV's toilet was designed to look like another throne .
French Royalty also had a loo that mocked English classics .
Collection of toilets from 2,500BC on display at a New Delhi museum . |
39,375 | 6f3e2a1cdba1f9d8d7f0e6330a18631037e3843c | (CNN) -- Lance Armstrong has been asked to return all prize money from his seven annulled Tour de France victories by the sport's governing body, who confirmed the history books will show no winner of the famous race between 1999-2005. The disgraced American operated "the most sophisticated, professionalized and successful doping program that sport has ever seen," according to the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). At a meeting at their Swiss headquarters, the International Cycling Union (UCI) also announced an independent commission would examine its handling of the Armstrong case. The 41-year-old is still to comment on claims he consistently used performance enhancing drugs throughout his career, though he has decided not to contest the case. In a written response, Armstrong's office asserts that witness testimony to USADA is contradictory to prior testimony; that witnesses testified only after Armstrong decided not to contest the USADA proceeding; and that USADA offered sweetheart deals to active riders in exchange for their testimony. But the UCI is determined to pursue him for the riches he received as a result of his seven straight victories in cycling's most prestigious race, while confirming the record books will be left blank. A statement on the UCI's official website read: "With respect to Lance Armstrong and the implications of the USADA sanctions which it endorsed on Monday 22 October, the Management Committee decided not to award victories to any other rider or upgrade other placings in any of the affected events. "The committee decided to apply this ruling from now on to any competitive sporting results disqualified due to doping for the period from 1998 to 2005, without prejudice to the statute of limitation. "The International Cycling Union (UCI) has asked Lance Armstrong to return all the prize money he won from his seven Tour de France victories, that have been struck off due to allegations of doping. "The UCI Management Committee acknowledged that a cloud of suspicion would remain hanging over this dark period -- but that while this might appear harsh for those who rode clean, they would understand there was little honor to be gained in reallocating places." The UCI and its president Pat McQuaid has come under fire for not picking up Armstrong's doping, despite testing him over 200 times. There are also question marks about a $100,000 donation from Armstrong to the UCI in 2002, revealed in USADA's report, but McQuaid insists there was no cover up in regard to Armstrong's activities. Former Tour de France winner Greg LeMond called on McQuaid and the UCI's honorary president Hein Verbruggen to resign over their handling of the case. He said the pair had abused their power and that cycling would not be able to move on unless they were to quit. The UCI declined to comment on the story when contacted by CNN. LeMond's views were echoed by Scott Mercier, a former cyclist with the U.S. Postal Service team before Armstrong joined them, who claims he quit the sport after being asked to use banned substances. He told CNN: "The sport is going to have some tough times and I think there needs to be a leadership change for it to really be able to move forward. "The leadership needs to be held accountable; if you look at the business world the CEO would either resign or be fired. The management committee did not do that. It is still the same guys who were there during this and I don't think it's nearly enough." The UCI said it would soon appoint a fully independent external commission that would look into the role it played during the Armstrong affair and report no later than June next year. It has also decided to suspend legal action against former Sunday Times journalist Paul Kimmage who accused them, as well as Quaid and Verbruggen, of corruption, until after the commission reports. McQuaid said in the same UCI statement that it was "determined to turn around this painful episode in the history of our sport." "We will take whatever actions are deemed necessary by the independent Commission and we will put cycling back on track," he added. "Today, cycling is a completely different sport from what it was in the period 1998-2005. Riders are now subject to the most innovative and effective anti-doping procedures and regulations in sport. "Nevertheless, we have listened to the world's reaction to the Lance Armstrong affair and have taken these additional decisive steps in response to the grave concerns raised." | Cycling's governing body ask Lance Armstrong to return all his Tour de France prize money .
Disgraced cyclist had his seven Tour de France victories struck off due to doping .
UCI opt not to reassign Armstrong's titles in what it calls a "dark period"
It also decides to suspend its legal action against journalist Paul Kimmage . |
258,663 | dac45ae201382cab0b007592541ac02bbd1399ea | By . Anna Edwards . Claire Perry urged the Church to consider pulling its money out of Google . A Government aide has urged investors to sell their Google shares to try and pressure the internet giant into blocking child abuse images. Conservative MP Claire Perry, an adviser to Prime Minister David Cameron on preventing the sexualisation and commercialisation of childhood, urged the Church of England to cut ties with the search engine that they back. Ms Perry told the Church to pull its money out of Google in a bid to force the company to take a stronger line over pornographic and abusive images widely available through its engine. She told The Daily Telegraph: 'It is quite clear that many companies, in particular British internet service providers, are finally now taking a really responsible approach to this. They are seeing that we want a level of social responsibility. 'There are others out there who have not got that attitude. The Prime Minister was saying Google have a responsibility, they are effectively helping people for which there can be no case made. 'They (the Church of England and other investors) have a role to play, they have questions to ask themselves. They are moral leaders. 'If they are going to opine on things then putting your money where your mouth is is an incredibly powerful tool.' Google is among the many companies backed by the Church's three bodies - and as a 'moral leader' the Church should put its money where its mouth is, the MP said . Her demands follow the Archbishop of . Canterbury's pledge to to review the Church’s investment strategy, after . ‘very embarrassing’ revelations that it has holdings in firms that . profit from payday lending. The Church of England holds millions . of pounds worth of shares in companies in everything from oil to . pharmaceuticals and technology as part of an investment portfolio worth . around £7.5 billion, documents show. The Archbishop of Canterbury is to review the Church's investment strategy . Google, Apple, Shell, BP, . GlaxoSmithKline and Vodafone are among the companies backed by the . Church's three bodies that manage and administer investments, according . to documents available on its website. Others include mining firms Rio Tinto and Anglo American, food producer Nestle and British supermarket Tesco. It was also revealed that it may have invested in companies involved in arms dealing and pornography. The Most Reverend Justin Welby said he was irritated and embarrassed to discover that the Church has indirectly invested in payday loan firm Wonga, which earlier this week he vowed to drive out of business. It also emerged that the Church’s ‘ethical’ rules allow it to invest its £5.2billion assets in firms involved in gambling, tobacco and alcohol. Even firms involved in arms dealing, pornography and human cloning are not barred from receiving Church investment. Ecclesiastic financial activity is monitored by the Church's Ethical Investment Advisory Group (EIAG), which makes recommendations on ethical investment policy. The EIAG, in its annual review for 2012/2013 says that these three bodies - the Church of England Pension Board, the Church Commissioners and the CBF Church of England funds - have a 'moral and legal responsibility' to further the interests of their beneficiaries. But it adds: 'While mindful at all times of beneficiaries' need for financial returns, the investing bodies seek to align their investment policies with the ethics of the Church by acting on the recommendations of the EIAG.' Google has come under fire recently after refusing to install automatic filters that would force users to ‘opt in’ to online pornography. However, in June it donated £1 million to the Internet Watch Foundation, a charity that polices images of child abuse and can get them removed. And last month Google, along with BT, TalkTalk and Facebook, pledged an additional £1 million over four years to the foundation. A Google spokesperson said: 'We have a zero tolerance attitude to child sexual abuse imagery. We use our own systems and work with child safety experts to find it, remove and report it. 'We recently donated $5million dollars to groups working to combat this problem and are committed to continuing the dialogue with the Government on these issues.' | MP Claire Perry urged the Church to pull its money out of Google .
Wants to ramp up pressure on the internet giant to block child abuse images .
'Putting your money where your mouth is is an incredibly powerful tool' |
31,641 | 5a009a28c21be38ae9fdbec8a60903aaf10c443d | By . Ted Thornhill . PUBLISHED: . 02:07 EST, 21 September 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 10:52 EST, 21 September 2013 . When freelance writer Siena Dexter logged on to her iCloud service and saw that a picture of a cross-dressing man planting a kiss on a young woman had been uploaded – it gave her quite a shock. After all, she didn’t know who the pair were – and the image had been taken using an iPhone stolen from her a few months’ previously. And that wasn’t the only picture the stolen iPhone had synced to iCloud. Dressed to impress: This photo appeared on Siena Dexter's iCloud service after her iPhone was stolen . Who are these men? Several 'selfie' shots of strangers also appeared on Ms Dexter's iCloud account . Several headshots of two men appeared along with a snap of a man sitting next to a White City Tube sign. The phone was taken from Ms Dexter, 30, in June in Clapham, south London. She immediately reported the theft, had the phone blocked by provider EE and lamented the fact that she would have to take an old phone with her on holiday to Spain shortly afterwards. She told MailOnline: ‘It was stolen outside a cashpoint on Clapham High Street at the end of a night out. I had lost my friend and between the moment when I pulled the phone out to call her and the moment when I turned round to take money out of the machine, the phone was taken. We called the device which rang and then immediately went dead. Smiles better: Siena Dexter during happier times with her iPhone . ‘I had to take a handset from the dark ages on holiday. Forget a camera, it didn't even have predictive text. I think the damage to my thumbs is reversible, but the emotional trauma, that I have to live with forever.' A small clue as to who might have the phone appeared the following morning, but it wasn’t enough to crack the case. Ms Dexter said: ‘The very next day I checked iCloud - where all my contacts were stored - and noticed something funny in the notes section. A shopping list in Italian! I called the police immediately but they said unless I knew where the phone was, there was nothing they could do and this was not enough to go on.’ However, the trail warmed up just recently when Ms Dexter received a new iPhone and connected to iCloud again. The batch of photos featuring complete strangers had been streamed to it, along with several new phone numbers. One number was labelled as Mio Numero Nuovo!, Italian for ‘my new number’ – and Ms Dexter decided to call it. Someone answered, but promptly hung up. MailOnline also rang this number, but again, the person who answered quickly ended the call. Although Ms Dexter felt ‘totally violated’ when she saw the pictures, they have given the police something more to work with. Mamma Mia! The Italian note that mysteriously appeared on Ms Dexter's iCloud account . Going Underground: The police have confirmed that they would like to speak to the people featured in the photos . Face time: This young man enjoys the sunshine, perhaps not realising that he using a stolen iPhone . It is not clear, however, which if any of the people pictured in the photographs now has the phone, or if they knew it was stolen. A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: ‘I can confirm that an allegation was made to police of a mobile phone theft that took place in Clapham High Street in the early hours of the 22 June. ‘Officers would like to speak to the men pictured in the images in connection with the investigation. There have been no arrests.’ If you think you can help the police with this case call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Cloud is a free service that works with applications on an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac or PC to automatically and wirelessly store customers' content in iCloud and automatically and wirelessly push it to all their devices. When anything changes on one of the devices, they all wirelessly update almost instantly. For example, when a photo is taken on an . iPhone - as in the case of write Siena Dexter - it is sent to the user’s . iCloud account and then automatically downloaded to the user’s iPad, . laptop and computer, making it both a storage tool and a system to keep . all data synchronised across multiple devices. The iCloud service secures data by encrypting it when it is sent over the Internet, storing it in an encrypted format when kept on server and using secure tokens for authentication. This means users' data is protected from unauthorised access both while it is being transmitted and when it is stored in the cloud. iCloud uses the same level of security employed by major financial institutions – and never provides encryption keys to any third parties. Because all the user’s data is stored remotely by iCloud, it means that if an iPhone, iPad or computer is stolen, the contents will not be lost. iCloud was launched on October 12, 2011, and has 320million users. | Theft victim Siena Dexter also found several headshots, a shopping list in Italian and new phone numbers on her cloud account .
Police have said they wish to talk to the men featured in the pictures . |
177,807 | 722cb8b63abba8cbbefebdee42e5b5c9d237af58 | The US government has been able to secretly spy on its citizens through their computer’s webcams for several years, it has been revealed. The FBI has long been able to activate a computer’s camera without triggering the ‘recording light’ to let the owner know the webcam is on, a former assistant director of its tech division has said. Their usage of remote administration tools (RATs) comes to light as the world's most powerful technology firms call on Barack Obama to curb government spying on internet users. Eye spy: The FBI can activate a computer¿s camera without letting the owner know it is recording, a former employee has revealed . The FBI have been able to use the spyware technology for years and have put it in place in terrorism cases or the most serious criminal investigations, Marcus Thomas, former assistant director of the FBI’s Operational Technology Division in Quantico, told the Washington Post. Although the FBI reportedly uses 'ratting' sparingly, they have been rejected remotely activating video feeds on at least one occasion, in Houston, Texas, in December last year. The FBI were investigating a suspect in a bank fraud case, but the presiding judge ruled that the risk of accidentally obtaining information of innocent people was too great. Hacking into webcams using remote administration tools, also known as ‘ratting’, to spy on women and ‘enslave’ them by controlling their computers and secretly filming and taking pictures is not a new phenomenon but has grown in the past year. Here's looking at you, kid: The malware is activated by emailing a link which tricks the computer user to download a spying software onto their machine . Earlier this year, tech site Arstechnica revealed that one of the 'slave forums' had 23 million total posts, where ‘ratters’ boasted about their ‘slaves’ posting pictures, mainly of women, unaware that they were being watched. The FBI team use the same technique as ratters, by infecting the computer with a malicious software – ‘malware – through phishing. By sending an email with a link, which could be to a website, an image or a video, the user is tricked into downloading a small piece of software onto their machine. Reveal: NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden, revealed top secret US surveillance programmes to alert the public of what is being done in their name . Once installed, the malware allows the FBI to take control of the computer and the webcam at any time, working similarly to the system large corporations use to update software and fix IT problems. ‘We have transitioned into a world where law enforcement is hacking into people’s computers, and we have never had public debate,’ Christopher Soghoian, principal technologist for the American Civil Liberties Union told the Post. ‘Judges are having to make up these powers as they go along.’ Earlier today, CEO’s of Apple, Facebook, Google, AOL, LinkedIn, Microsoft, Twitter and Yahoo united to call on the US government to cease online spying on its citizens. The open letter to the President and Congress reads: 'We understand that governments have a duty to protect their citizens. But this summer's revelations highlighted the urgent need to reform government surveillance practices worldwide. 'The balance in many countries has tipped too far in favor of the state and away from the rights of the individual - rights that are enshrined in our Constitution. This undermines the freedoms we all cherish. It's time for change. The rare show of unity by usually fierce competitors is seen as a reflection of the damage in public confidence inflicted by leaks from Edward Snowden, the former NSA contractor-turned-whistleblower. Earlier this year he revealed how U.S. and British spy agencies were able to harvest huge amounts of data - including emails and search history - on millions of people by tapping into internet servers. | FBI has had secret webcam spying technology 'for several years'
Technique activates a webcam without turning on the recording light .
The same malware has been used illegally by 'ratting' hackers . |
12,466 | 2353f0ac49587558e846a0ff4235f5c636906805 | Pilots will need more cockpit training to become fully certified first officers for U.S. passenger and cargo airlines. The safety change ordered by Congress and imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration on Wednesday mainly grew out of a 2009 commuter plane crash and takes effect as attention focuses on pilot training issues around Saturday's Asiana Airlines crash in San Francisco. Co-pilots must complete 1,500 hours total time as a pilot under the new rules, which take effect August 1. Previously, first officers were required to have only a commercial pilot certificate, which requires 250 hours of flight time. The rule also requires first officers to undergo new training and testing specific to the planes they fly. "The rule gives first officers a stronger foundation of aeronautical knowledge and experience before they fly for an air carrier," FAA Administrator Michael Huerta said in a statement. FAA to pilots: Turn off those electronic devices . Newer pilots for U.S. airlines today typically fly for regional carriers, which operate smaller jets domestically and feed bigger airlines at their hubs. Most airline cockpit crews are comprised of two pilots -- a captain and a first officer. The crash of a Colgan Air commuter plane in February 2009 outside Buffalo that killed 49 people prompted Congress to order the new rule change as well as updated regulations on crew scheduling and rest. Families of Colgan crash victims pushed hard for lawmakers to act. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) blamed pilot error and inadequate training for that accident. Questions around pilot training are also at the center of the first major U.S. airline accident since the Colgan tragedy -- the one on Saturday involving an Asiana Boeing 777 that crash-landed at San Francisco International Airport. Did Asiana pilot have enough 777 experience? The pilot at the controls, a captain, had only limited time in 777s although he was experienced at flying other Boeing and Airbus jetliners, the NTSB said, adding that it would review training and other records as part of its probe. Pilots of international airlines are not required to follow FAA training standards. | New FAA rule will require more cockpit time and other training for first officers .
FAA is mandating that co-pilots complete 1,500 hours total time as a pilot .
Previously, only 250 hours of flight time were required .
New rules prompted by 2009 Colgan crash; training an issue in Asiana accident as well . |
140,309 | 416facc676f980ecf70760ef4f66a24094e92e58 | Boyd Gaines, 59, and Kathleen McNenny, 50, met 20 years ago and are appearing together as a couple in Broadway's An Enemy of the People. The new version of Henrik Ibsen's play, opening September 27, revolves around a married couple who have also been together for 20 years. By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 10:59 EST, 11 September 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 12:06 EST, 11 September 2012 . Few people will be able to accuse Boyd Gaines and Kathleen McNenny of not having any onstage chemistry. The actors, who met 20 years ago and went on to marry and have a child, are appearing together as a couple for the first time in a serious case of art imitating life. 'The play is about a marriage that is at . least 20 years old. It's about a marriage that has children,' Ms NcNenny, 50, said of their respective parts, and instant intimacy. 'If we come in with people we didn't know, there's a . period of time before you even start to build with that. With us, a lot . of steps got cut out of the process.' Chemistry: Boyd Gaines and Kathleen McNenny, who met 20 years ago and went on to marry and have a child, are appearing together as a couple for the first time in a serious case of art imitating life . New York theatergoers be . able to see the husband-and-wife team up close as they star in Manhattan . Theatre Club's An Enemy of the People, a new version of Henrik . Ibsen's play opening September 27 on Broadway. Mr Gaines plays a public-minded doctor in a small town who discovers the . water supply for the public spa is contaminated and may have made . tourists - the community's economic lifeblood - ill. But his efforts to . clean up the mess pit his ethics against political cowards and the . media. His family suffers - including his wife, played by Ms McNenny. Ms McNenny said during a joint interview: 'You always want to work with people that are better than you. Not only do I get to work with someone who is better - who's really, really great to be onstage with - but I also feel safe. I don't feel intimidated by it because it's my husband.' However her four-time Tony Award-winning husband, 59, takes issue with that. He said: 'I'm certainly not better than she is. God knows that is not true. I'm always dumbstruck by how creative Kathy is and how much she brings to the table.' 'I don't feel intimidated by it because it's my husband' Fitting for a pair of actors, Gaines and McNenny first became smitten while onstage. They had been paired as the lovers Luciana and Antipholus of Ephesus in the 1992 Public Theater production of William Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors in Central Park. They had briefly met before while shooting the 1991 miniseries A Woman Named Jackie, but it was really when The Comedy of Errors director Caca Rosset set up private meetings with his cast that they first connected. Mr Gaines went first to meet Mr Rosset and when he came out, Ms McNenny was waiting her turn. The director reintroduced them and asked the pair, 'So, do you think you can fall in love?' Opening soon: The husband-and-wife team star in Manhattan Theatre Club's An Enemy of the People, a new version of Henrik Ibsen's play opening September 27 on Broadway . 'We both shrugged our shoulders and went, "Well, sure. That's our job. We were going to act that,"' Mr Gaines recalled. Ms McNenny, too, was game: 'I said, "Sure, I'll fall in love with him. Fine."' And after the show ended, they began dating. Over the years, they have shared a stage only rarely. There was a two-night benefit on Broadway in 2002 and a play at the Westport Country Playhouse a year later. They also were in A.R. Gurney's Sylvia in 2010 at the George Street Playhouse in New Brunswick, N.J. But that's about it, until now. Why so few times sharing a stage? 'First of all, Boyd can do musicals and I can't,' said Ms McNenny. 'Well, they let me do them occasionally. I don't know if I can do them,' says her husband, modestly. 'Certainly not well. | Boyd Gaines, 59, and Kathleen McNenny, 50, met 20 years ago and are appearing together as a couple in Broadway's An Enemy of the People.
The new version of Henrik Ibsen's play, opening September 27, revolves around a married couple who have also been together for 20 years. |
123,792 | 2c0a857b79b94794bb7355e9728c3ede563e5c22 | A baby gorilla in San Francisco may not have been crushed to death under an electric door if zoo leaders had responded to zookeepers' concerns about the enclosure's safety. The 30-year-old gorilla enclosure had a flawed layout, problems with the doors and was understaffed, five zookeepers told the San Francisco Chronicle in a story published Thursday. 'It was a freak accident,' said Corey Hallman, one of the animal keepers. 'But with a workplace that takes safety and keeper input more seriously, it could have been prevented.' Scroll down for video . Baby Kabibe pictured with her mother in January before her tragic death earlier this mont . The 16-month-old gorilla named Kabibe (kuh-BEE'-bay) died Nov. 7 when she unexpectedly darted under the door as it closed. Zoo Executive Director Tanya Peterson has said the worker operating the hydraulic door failed to keep her hand on an emergency stop button as required. Zoo officials declined to comment on the keepers' complaints. They are investigating Kabibe's death. Peterson said in a guest editorial in The Chronicle that the U.S. Department of Agriculture routinely inspects the enclosure, and in January, found no 'noncompliant' issues with the exhibit. 'Nothing in recent inspection reports gave me reason to believe there was anything wrong with the exhibit,' Peterson wrote. But an outside investigator found the enclosure is outdated and unsafe. The doors have a history of mechanical failures, including jamming and unexpectedly collapsing, according to zoo records. Lowland gorillas pictured at the San Francisco Zoo in the wake of the tragic accidental death . An adult gorilla had her hand caught under a door in July 2012, according to zoo records cited by the Chronicle. The zookeepers say the control panel to operate the doors in the gorilla exhibit also does not have a clear view of all the doors. 'It's a very stressful situation,' Dayna Sherwood, one of the zookeepers, said. 'You can't always see what everyone's doing.' In a Nov. 6, 2013, email to managers, a zookeeper proposed hiring another person to help move gorillas and chimpanzees into their night quarters. Amy Corso, one of the zookeepers interviewed by The Chronicle, said the zoo issued a requirement that a second worker be on hand to help while gorillas are moved following Kabibe's death. | Baby gorilla died under an electric door that crushed her on Nov. 7 .
Zookeepers in San Francisco say zoo leaders did not respond to their concerns about the enclosure's safety .
Zoo officials are investigating the death . |
243,058 | c6946b25758430e35671438e7b5402a330e84a8b | By . Hugo Gye . PUBLISHED: . 10:09 EST, 25 July 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 12:27 EST, 25 July 2013 . A pensioner who spent two years tidying up a communal garden on a housing estate has fallen victim to health and safety and been ordered to undo his handiwork. Rodney Cummins cleared away rubbish and hung up hanging baskets in an attempt to cheer up the block of flats where he lives in Eastleigh, Hampshire. However, the housing association claimed he had damaged the wall with his well-intentioned efforts, and accused him of blocking access other residents' access to the garden. Gardener: Rodney Cummins, pictured with his wife Lynda, has spent two years working in a communal garden . Mr Cummins, 65, is a retired house builder who has spent much of the past two years working in the communal garden at his block of flats. He removed rubbish, including hazards such as broken bottles, which deterred youths from littering as the area was suddenly so nice. The retiree also put up violas, pansies, and marigolds in 37 baskets hanging from the wall above a communal patch of grass, brightening up the view for passers-by as well as residents. But after housing association First Wessex received seven complaints about the plants, an inspector ordered Mr Cummins to remove them. Safety threat: The housing association has ordered Mr Cummins to remove his hanging baskets . Contrast: The garden used to be full of rubbish such as broken bottles but is now a pleasant green area . 'I can't understand why the housing association want me to get rid of them,' the keen gardener said. 'I have spent the last two years cleaning up the area - there were broken bottles, cans and rubbish all over the place. 'People say how wonderful the flowers look when they are out. Kids used to drop rubbish here but they don't do it any more because it looks nice. The association's demands make no sense.' Neighbours have spoken up in support of Mr Cummins - Barry Hillary said: 'Making Rodney remove the flowers is ridiculous. I would much rather look at flowers than a brick wall. 'Before, it was just a wall with bushes and no colour. He has tidied it all up and made it look great by himself.' Care: Neighbours have spoken out in support of Mr Cummins' efforts to beautify the estate . Proud: Mr Cummins shows off the 37 baskets filled with plants such as violas, pansies, and marigolds . David Johnson added: 'Rodney should be left to carry out his hobbies. 'These flowers give pleasure to neighbours - there is nothing wrong with anything he has done.' Carol Williams, operation director at First Wessex, said the housing association had a duty to ensure communal gardens were 'safe, pleasant, and enjoyable areas' for all residents. She continued: 'Following seven complaints from local residents regarding the 37 hanging baskets on the side of the block of flats, First Wessex made the decision to ask the resident to kindly remove them. 'The baskets are obstructing access to the communal garden and causing damage to the property. 'We will continue to work closely with residents to ensure that the communal garden remains a pleasant space for everyone.' | Rodney Cummins, 65, has spent two years tidying up communal garden .
Put up hanging baskets on the wall to liven up the area for residents .
But housing association has ordered him to remove the plants . |
105,176 | 13aa8d4f0536180b5363ecc84411096cd8effa06 | (CNN) -- The Washington Monument will remain closed for repairs for at least another year and possibly into 2014, National Park Service officials said Monday. The 555-foot-tall monument has been closed since an earthquake struck the mid-Atlantic region near Richmond, Virginia, in August 2011. Repairs are expected to begin this fall. The service said that huge scaffolding will be needed for the outside repair work, which will take 12 to 18 months to complete. Some of the repair work will include sealing cracks, removing loose pieces of stone and repairing joints. "The challenge is most of those cracks are at the very top portion of the monument and the ability to get workers up there to successfully repair it requires a major scaffolding effort," said Bob Vogel, superintendent of the National Mall and Memorial Parks. "The monument is in good shape. It's going to be here for years to come, but in order to safely allow visitors to get up to the top, we need to make those repairs." Where to find exceptional America . At least nine of the marble panels on the exterior near the top are cracked, according to a post-earthquake assessment. Others are chipped but not in danger of falling, the report said. About 700,000 visitors go to the top of the monument in a typical year, Vogel said. "It's very disappointing," he said. "I hear from people everyday asking how they can get into it." Isaac Boria came from Port St. Lucie, Florida, with his wife and two children. Seeing the view from the top of the monument was high on their to-do list. "That's Mother Nature, " he said. "Mother Nature did its thing, and I'd rather be safe than sorry." Indoor repairs are also required. Some interior tie beams as well as some cracked panels will be fixed. A pedestrian walkway will be redirected to make room for a temporary road for construction vehicles. The 5.8-magnitude earthquake may have also caused the structure to sink a little. In September, the monument was declared structurally sound by engineers. David Rubenstein, co-founder of the investment firm The Carlyle Group, has donated $7.5 million toward the repair project. With Rubenstein's donation and congressional funds that were approved in December, Deputy Interior Secretary David Hayes said in January there was enough money to begin the repairs. The Washington Monument was built between 1848 and 1884 and has been repaired three times previously, the most recent work done from 1997 to 2000. CNN's Eric Fiegel and Lindy Royce contributed to this report. | NEW: Top official says repair work complicated because damage is so high .
A 5.8-magnitude earthquake damaged the 555-foot-tall structure in August .
National Park Service confirms repairs will take 12 to 18 months .
Crews will begin work this fall . |
274,895 | f01e104132647e2b39b61fcc1fc6fa3beba96adb | By . Nick Fagge . and Rebecca Camber . Convicted: Emil Metodiev was allowed into the UK despite having a string of convictions for burglary . A Bulgarian who burgled a family’s home only nine days after arriving in Britain is a violent drug dealer who had been freed by police in exchange for informing on other crooks, it emerged yesterday. Emil Metodiev, 32, was caught red-handed fleeing from a house in Essex with jewellery, cash and war medals. Following his conviction last week, it can be revealed that the career criminal has an appalling record for violent robbery, burglary and drug dealing in his homeland, with convictions stretching back 15 years. Despite this, he was repeatedly released back on to the streets and was free to come to Britain after Bulgarian police struck a deal to recruit him as an informant. Last night campaigners said the farcical case outlined the need to retain visa controls on Bulgarians and Romanians, which are due to lapse on January 1. A senior police source in Bulgaria told the Mail: ‘Emil Paraskevov Metodiev was acquitted of charges of dealing heroin despite being caught red-handed because he benefited from a deal with police to give evidence against conspirators higher up the chain. ‘He was later arrested for burglary and singled out at an ID parade by the man he held at knifepoint. But the state prosecutor ordered that the case was dropped and he walked free. Then his family gave him money to buy a train ticket to London.’ Known by the nickname ‘Zhuzhkata’, which means ‘Buzz’ in English, Metodiev is notorious in the town of Radomir, in western Bulgaria, where he was born into a large Roma family. One neighbour recalled: ‘The last time I saw him, he was driving around in a fast car, showing off. He was always in trouble with the police and spent years in prison.’ He is also well known to police in the neighbouring mining town of Pernik. A local police source said: ‘His first conviction for drug dealing was when he was 18. Since then he has been convicted many times of robbery and burglary as well as drugs.’ Metodiev has been convicted of selling drugs in other cities including the capital Sofia. Caught: The home (pictured), which he targeted at 7am on October 31, is owned by Trevor Toms, 62 . In September 2009 he was arrested with seven consignments of heroin. But he was released after serving only three months on remand when he struck a deal with police to give evidence against high-ranking members of the criminal network. In April 2011 he allegedly broke into a family home in Pernik. The victim, Slavi Krakov, 21, said: ‘I woke up at 4am and saw the thief. He wanted money and when I said I didn’t have any he pulled out a knife and slashed me across the head. I thought he was going to kill me.’ Police arrested Metodiev but he was released after the state prosecutor dropped the case. On October 22 this year he arrived in the UK on a train from Sofia. Nine days later Metodiev was caught after stealing a handbag, cash, war medals, mobile phones and jewellery from the Toms family’s home in Southend. Denise Toms, 55, woke to find the downstairs of her home being ransacked. Her husband Trevor, 62, chased the thief into the street, while their son Adam, 19, who was only wearing underpants, ran after him, leaping over fences into neighbouring gardens. Police were called and found Metodiev hiding in bushes clutching the stolen goods. Apprehended: The Bulgarian burglar was caught after being pursued by homeowner Trevor Toms (right), 62, and his 19-year-old son, Adam (left), who chased the crook across gardens in only his underwear . Last week, at Basildon Crown Court, Metodiev was jailed for 16 months after admitting burglary. He will be deported at the end of his sentence. Prosecutor Richard Kelly said: ‘He had only been in the UK for a few days and had no independent means of income. It is not unreasonable to conclude that the reason he came to the UK was to commit crime.’ Metodiev was allowed to enter the UK because EU law states that previous criminal convictions do not constitute automatic grounds for restricting the right to move freely within the bloc. Tory MP Philip Hollobone said: ‘This is a farcical situation. It shows what you get when you open your borders to all and sundry. ‘This case indicates that we have a wave of criminals coming our way, that police forces in this country do not know enough about the individuals that come here and that Romanian and Bulgarian authorities need to tell the UK police about the backgrounds of these criminals.’ The Bulgarian Ministry of the Interior said: ‘We cannot give any information about this case because Metodiev may be involved with an on-going investigation.’ | Emil Metodiev, 32, took jewellery, cash and war medals from Essex home .
Convicted last week as it emerged he has burglary and drug-dealing past .
Police turned a blind eye by agreeing to recruit him as an informant . |
118,103 | 2481cee5cc3e6c721ff0749be0d0259f74267fe4 | A food chain has unveiled a sugar-laden milkshake with as many calories as a typical Sunday roast. Nutritionists branded the concoction from Krispy Kreme a ‘calorie explosion’. The strawberry and cream version contains 612 calories – more than a quarter of a woman’s daily allowance and almost as much as a 650-calorie roast chicken dinner. Food chain Krispy Kreme has unveiled a sugar-laden milkshake with as many calories as a typical Sunday roast . A chocolate dream shake with cream and flakes comes in at 555 calories, while a honeycomb and chocolate-topped caramel crunch has 508. A coffee Kreme shake with espresso, cream and chai powder weighs in at 446 calories, but the simple strawberry milkshake outdoes them all at a worrying 800 calories. Emma Conroy, of Edinburgh Nutrition, said: ‘Nobody would regard Krispy Kreme as anything other than an indulgent treat. 'There will people who consume it too frequently. Krispy Kreme, which has hundreds of doughnut kiosks and store counters across Britain, was founded in the US in 1937 . 'At least when you eat a burger there is protein and other beneficial things. Whereas in a calorie explosion like this there are few nutritional benefits.’ Miss Conroy recommended that fruit should be consumed in solid form, because juice does not have as many health benefits as was once believed. Krispy Kreme, which has hundreds of doughnut kiosks and store counters across Britain, was founded in the US in 1937. | Food chain unveils a sugar-laden milkshake with as many calories as a Sunday Roast .
Nutritionists branded the concoction from Krispy Kreme a ‘calorie explosion’
Strawberry and cream version contains 612 calories, more than a quarter of a woman’s daily allowance . |
49,092 | 8aa82ea2adadbc3354b066da92fa476556a332ba | A barrister who is 19 weeks pregnant escaped from the Sydney siege only to hear the heartbreaking news that her friend and colleague had tragically not survived. Julie Taylor worked with another barrister Katrina Dawson, 38, at Eighth Floor Selborne chambers in Phillip Street near to where the hostage crisis took place inside the Lindt Chocolat Cafe. It is believed that the two were getting coffee together in the cafe when Man Haron Monis, 49, entered and suddenly brought Sydney to a standstill. Taylor survived the terrifying ordeal only to later hear the devastating news that her colleague at the law firm and mother-of-three, Dawson, 38, had suffered a heart attack and died in hospital after the siege. Scroll down for video . Taylor is a barrister with Eighth Floor Selborne chambers in Phillip Street near Martin Place . Taylor, 35, is in hospital being assessed. She is in a stable condition. During the hostage crisis Taylor had been chosen by Monis to give a speech on a chilling video outlining his demands. 'I'm Julie Taylor. I'm a barrister in Sydney. This is a message for Tony Abbott,' she said. Julie Taylor was picked by hostage taker Man Haron Monis to be in a video to list his demands . Katrina Dawson tragically died of a heart attack in hospital after the siege in Sydney . 'I ask for three simple things. That Tony Abbott calls him (the hostage taker) to have a short conversation if he does that five of us will be allowed to go. We can't understand why that hasn't happened. 'The second is that he wants the politicians to announce the truth – that this is an attack by Islamic State on Australia. And if that is done two of us will be allowed to go. 'The third is that he wants an Islamic State flag delivered to us here, and if you do that then one of us will be allowed to go.' Taylor looked tired and drained, but composed as she made the speech. She gave it in front of a black and white Shahada flag held up by another hostage. The video lasted 44 seconds. The barrister specialises in commercial law and was admitted to the NSW Bar in 2007. She studied at the University of Western Australia and was admitted to practice as a lawyer in 2005. Just before all hell broke loose in the cafe Taylor was able to escape with two other hostages and they ran towards police with their arms raised. Fifteen minutes later police stormed the Lindt Chocolat Cafe in a hail of bullets. In the aftermath it was revealed that although Taylor had survived her colleague Dawson had not been so lucky. Taylor (second left) escapes from Lindt Chocolat Cafe with two other hostages . Taylor (second left) puts her hands down as she is and two other hostages are met by police . | Julie Taylor worked at Eighth Floor Selborne chambers in Phillip Street with ill-fated Katrina Dawson who died in the hostage crisis .
It is believed that the two were getting coffee together hostage taker Man Haron Monis struck .
Monis had chosen Taylor to be one of the people to go on a chilling video detailing his demands .
Taylor was able to escape with two other hostages before shots were fired and the police stormed the building . |
180,049 | 751f2b2018d9b15478908ecf81ba1368b5e9bd31 | By . Sam Webb . PUBLISHED: . 17:57 EST, 7 February 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 18:14 EST, 7 February 2013 . Flight attendants at South Korean airline Asiana Airlines are rebelling against strict dress codes and are urging bosses to allow them to wear trousers instead of the skirts currently required . Their plight has attracted the attention of South Korea’s human rights commission, which has recommended trousers be allowed. The commission's ruling is non-binding but represents a small victory for the 3,400 female flight attendants at Asiana. Asiana air hostesses want to wear trousers when working, something they are currently prohibited from doing . Since last year, they have been asking the company to relax appearance requirements that range from how many hairpins they can wear to the length of their earrings. The National Human Rights Commission of Korea said Asiana Airlines required a uniform appearance through very specific rules on hairstyle and makeup, indicating that the company assumed women's role to be that of a service provider. Asiana said that its skirt-only policy was meant to emphasise the company's brand of 'high-class Korean beauty'. It said aesthetic elements such as the appearance of female flight attendants are part of its service for passengers and an essential tool for staying competitive. Still, the company said it will review trouser options in future uniform redesigns. It did not say when the next one is scheduled. Equality: Their male counterparts wear trousers, and the hostesses' union wants women to be able to do the same . Asiana is the only South Korean airline with a no-trouser rule for its female flight attendants. Even though the company did not openly ban specific hairstyles, all but four of its female flight attendants wore their hair in a tight bun because of pressure from senior crew and a group evaluation system that examines appearance, said Kweon Soo-joung, head of Asiana's labour union. Kweon said Asiana's meticulous rules for female cabin crew reached 10 pages, including a ban on wearing glasses, having to cover up facial blemishes, and requirements for the length of earrings and the amount of eye liner. The airline says it will review its policy the next time it changes its uniforms . About 200 male flight attendants had to conform to a two-page guide and were allowed to wear glasses, she said. Asiana said it eased appearance rules for its female employees as of January, including allowing glasses. 'I hope the decision would help change similar discriminatory rules that govern how women in service industries, such as hotels, dress and do their hair and makeup,' Kweon said. | Asiana has ten pages worth of strict dress rules for female attendants .
But now they want to be able to wear trousers during flights .
South Korea's human rights body has joined forces with the women . |
17,594 | 31d9b61548f88267c309383706e78a264b53a209 | The . Middle East appears on the brink of wider sectarian war engulfing Iraq . and Syria with radical Islamist insurgents wantonly kidnapping, . torturing and killing civilians and security forces, UN human rights . investigators said today. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said he is deeply concerned about Iraq's . rapidly deteriorating stability, including reports of mass summary . executions. Those atrocities and terrorist attacks . are taking place as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, or ISIS, . an Al Qaeda-inspired Sunni Muslim militant group, looks to link areas . under its control on both sides of the Iraq-Syria border. It came as video emerged reportedly . showing ISIS militants carrying out the systematic execution of dozens . of prisoners in Syria. Taking no prisoners: Footage posted on YouTube appears to show ISIS militants carrying out summary executions on dozens of captured soldiers in Syria . The U.N. said forces allied . with ISIL had almost certainly committed war crimes by executing . hundreds of non-combatant men in Iraq over the past five days. ISIS . seeks a caliphate ruled on medieval Sunni Muslim precepts in Iraq and . Syria, fighting against both Iraq's Maliki and Syria's Bashar al-Assad. It . considers Shiites heretics as deserving of death and has boasted of . massacring hundreds of Iraqi troops who surrendered to it last week. 'There . is a real risk of further sectarian violence on a massive scale, within . Iraq and beyond its borders,' Ban told reporters. He . said all Iraqi leaders - political, military, religious and community - . must 'ensure that their followers avoid acts of reprisal' and together . head off more conflict. On brink of sectarian war: The UN said atrocities are taking place as ISIS looks to link areas under its control on both sides of the Iraq-Syria border . He said he has been urging Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's Shiite-led government to take a more inclusive approach. 'The . Iraqi government should have one state. Whether it is Sunni, Shiite or . Kurds, they should be able to harmoniously live together,' Ban said. 'I . hope that with the strong support of regional countries and the . international community in a broader sense, we will be able to help the . Iraq government first of all to restore peace and stability in their . country.' Ban said governments that allow human right rights abuses become 'breeding grounds for extremism and terrorism.' Interntional condemnation heightened today as the UN published a report on the situation. Vitit Muntarbhorn, an international law expert who took part in the inquiry, said: 'We predicted a long time ago the dangers of spillover both ways, which is now becoming a regional spillover. We are possibly on the cusp of a regional war and that is something we're very concerned about.' UN human rights chief Navi Pillay said on Monday forces allied with ISIS in northern Iraq had almost certainly committed war crimes by executing hundreds of non-combatant men over the past five days. Sectarian violence: The executions in Syria resemble those in Iraq, above, which the UN has warned could contribute to an all-out regional war . Brutal: UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged all sections of Iraqi society to work together to prevent disaster . A report presented on Tuesday to the UN Human Rights Council said foreign Sunni jihadi militants and funds had poured into Syria where rebel factions including ISIS were wantonly abusing civilians in zones they controlled. 'A regional war in the Middle East draws ever closer. Events in neighbouring Iraq will have violent repercussions for Syria,' the investigators' report said. 'Growing numbers of radical fighters are targeting not only Sunni (Muslim) communities under their control but also minority communities including the Shi'ites, Alawites, Christians, Armenians, Druze and Kurds,' it said of Syria. Its reference to Sunni militants targeting Sunni civilians involved forceful pressure on Sunni women to comply with sharia (Islamic religious law) and acts of revenge against Sunnis who had served in the Syrian government. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's minority Alawite sect, an offshoot of Shi'ite Islam, has dominated Syria for decades. | Ban Ki-moon said he is deeply concerned about Iraq's deteriorating stability amid advances by ISIS .
Human Rights Council said 'regional war draws ever closer' thanks to Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS)
Came as horrific video emerged from Syria showing systematic executions, echoing footage from Iraq this week . |
155,823 | 556cebc3b3541648bdfaced43f4bf351488932b9 | A shooting at a home in a secluded wooded area of southern New Jersey left two children dead and a woman believed to be their mother and the children's brother critically wounded, state police said Thursday. Officials said they were not prepared Thursday afternoon to say whether the shooting in Tabernacle is considered a murder-suicide, but they did say there is no active search for a shooter and there is not believed to be a dangerous person in the area. Police did not release the name of the victims, saying they need to reach next of kin first. Scroll down for video . Scene: Members of law enforcement are seen outside the Tabernacle home where two children were found dead and a woman and another boy were found injured . Victims: One of two bodies are taken from the crime scene . Crime: A police line is secured in Tabernacle, where the four shooting victims were found inside a home . Residence: Two children were killed and a woman believed to be their mother and the children's brother were left critically wounded . Distraught: A woman covers her hand as she speaks with investigators on Thursday . Two families lived at the Tabernacle residence, neighbors told WABC. The shooting could have been committed as a potential murder-suicide, sources told the affiliate station. State police said they received a call from another relative in the home at about 9:15 a.m. reporting that the mother and children - believe to be middle-school and high-school aged - had been shot. The woman had a single shot to her head; officials would not say where the children were shot. All were found in the same room, and a handgun believed to have been the only weapon used was found, police said. The two survivors were taken to Cooper University Hospital in Camden. The young boy that was hospitalized is ten years old, The South Jersey Times reported. Five other people live in the home, but authorities say none reported hearing any shooting. The reason for that was another issue that officials said they couldn't explain yet. 'It's going to be a long time before we know exactly what happened,' state police Detective Geoff Noble said. 'At this point, I can tell you we are far from determining if this is a murder-suicide,' he said, NBC Philadelphia reported. 'What I can certainly tell you is that we are handling this as a homicide investigation.' Authorities said all the other residents of the home had been accounted for. The Burlington County community is located in the sparsely populated New Jersey Pinelands, about 30 miles east of Philadelphia. Neighbors said they did not know the residents of the house and did not hear any commotion Thursday morning until troopers arrived and helicopters began hovering overhead. 'It's very quiet, peaceful,' said Mike Watson, who has lived in the neighborhood for 25 years. 'You can hear a pin drop.' Search: Authorities looked at a sword in a trunk of car at the crime scene . Discovery: Also recovered was another weapon in the vehicle's trunk . Address: New Jersey State Police Capt. Stephen Jones, pictured, said the shootings occurred sometime between the overnight and 9am . Police: New Jersey State Police Troopers were seen speaking to a neighbor in the community on Thursday . Mystery: All the victims were related and family members had called police, State Police Capt. Steven Jones said . | State police received a report of multiple shootings at the southern New Jersey home at 9am Thursday, a state police Capt. Steven Jones said .
Inside the home, troopers found a boy and a girl dead .
The injured woman and boy were taken to Cooper Hospital, where they were in critical condition, a hospital spokesman said .
Jones said family members inside the home reported the shooting, but they did not hear it take place . |
98,429 | 0abb723a0ff4d20c7a638850b9861a05e98d000c | (CNN) -- The English Premier League's man of the moment Gareth Bale kept Tottenham Hotspur's Champions League hopes alive with a stunning late winner against his former club Southampon Saturday. The White Hart Lane faithful were fearing the worst and a disheartening goalless draw when Bale brushed aside Luke Shaw before crashing home an 86th minute winner from outside the penalty area. It was his 25th goal of the campaign -- topping off a week when he was named the Football Writers' Association Player of the Year to go with his double success at the Professional Footballers' Association awards. The value of the winning goal and the subsequent three points was highlighted when North London rivals Arsenal continued their fine late season run with a 1-0 win at already relegated Queens Park Rangers in the late kickoff. Theo Walcott scored the only goal of the match after just 21 seconds, the fastest in the EPL this season, to lift his team to third in the standings on 67 points after six wins in eight games. Chelsea, who are playing newly crowned champions Manchester United Sunday, trail by two points with two games in hand. Tottenham also have 65 points and have played one game less than Arsenal in a desperately tight battle for the top four qualification spots for the Champions League next season. At the bottom end of the table, perennial relegation escapees Wigan stepped up their bid to survive again with a dramatic 3-2 win at West Bromwich Albion. They twice trailed before Callum McManaman side footed the late winner after brilliant work by Shaun Maloney. Shane Long and Gareth McAuley had given WBA their leads, canceled out by strikes from Arouna Kone and substitute James McArthur, who netted with his first touch. McManaman grabbed the third in the 80th minute and Roberto Martinez's men held on for a precious three points. The FA Cup finalists are just two points below fourth-bottom Sunderland, who host Stoke City Monday, and three points adrift of Newcastle United, who could only draw 0-0 at West Ham United. Norwich are also looking over their shoulders after Gabriel Agbonlahor completed a fine week for Aston Villa with a 2-1 away win at Carrow Road. Villa hammered Sunderland 6-1 earlier in the week and on 40 points look assured of another season in the English top flight. Elsewhere, deposed champion Manchester City were held to a 0-0 draw at Swansea City while already doomed Reading scored a fine 4-2 win at Fulham. On the final day of action in the second flight, Hull City secured a place in the Premier League for next season after drawing 2-2 at home to champions Cardiff City. Watford, Brighton and Hove Albion, Crystal Palace and Leicester City will contest the play-offs for the third promotion spot to the riches of the EPL. | Gareth Bale scores Tottenham's late winner against Southampton .
Bale has won a host of awards for his EPL performances this season .
North London rivals Arsenal up to third after 1-0 win over QPR .
Wigan revive hopes of avoiding relegation with victory at WBA . |
119,385 | 26367b656b729bccef00215073be1970787c8896 | Gus Poyet has reminded Sunderland’s doubters that victory against Everton would see them equal the tally of 14 points that they held on New Year’s Day last season. The Black Cats suffered a disastrous first half of the campaign before beating the drop by the skin of their teeth. Gus Poyet says Monday night's win at Crystal Palace has boosted Sunderland . Jordi Gomez scored Sunderland's second goal at Selhurst Park . ‘This has been a better start,’ he said. ‘Last year took us so long to get to 10 points and (survival) was looking impossible. ‘Everything before the game (their 3-1 win at Crystal Palace on Monday) was so dark and negative. You need to win to change that and to show people it’s not all that bad. ‘Getting that win was massive. We had to stay positive and believe in what we do.’ And Poyet anticipates a less anxious feel to the Stadium of Light on Sunday. ‘Everything will feel different, even the stands and the supporters,’ said the Uruguayan. Poyet and Fletcher celebrate at the final whistle . | Win over Toffees would equal number of points they held on January 1 .
Poyet says Monday's victory at Crystal Palace was 'massive' for strugglers . |
179,089 | 73e36baa202b85e31d9f66a4c777784de0487353 | Two elderly American and Canadian women and a British man have died after a tourist catamaran carrying around 100 passengers sank off Costa Rica's Pacific Coast on Thursday morning. The catamaran carrying 98 passengers and 10 crew members sank off the Punta Leona beach resort after emitting a distress signal, public security ministry spokesman Jesus Urena said. The cause of the accident is not yet known. Costa Rica has been experiencing exceptionally strong winds this week, according to the National Meteorological Institute. Scroll down for video . Tragedy: Tourists who survived a shipwreck off the coast of Costa Rica, are received by relatives in Herradura beach, Puntarenas. Three people including an elderly American and Canadian woman died . Distraught: A tourist who was on the cruise when the boat began to sink cries as she holds a cup . Safe: Passengers from the downed boat gather as they reach the shore. The vessel was carrying more than 100 people at the time . On land: A group of tourists walk from rescue boats before being moved by authorities to their hotels . The victims have been named as U.S. citizen Edna Oliver, 68, Briton Ivor Stanley Hopkins, 80, and Canadian Sharon Johnson, 70. Costa Rican Vice President Ana Helena Chacon identified the dead as a 68-year-old woman from the United States, a Canadian woman aged 70 and an 80-year-old British man. Four passengers who had been missing were found and the other 106 people on the boat, survived and were in good health, Chacon added. According to the public security ministry, 57 passengers were rescued and taken to the beach town of Herradura while 40 others went to the port town of Caldera. Survivors said they were handed lifejackets by staff shortly before the boat sank. One told the BBC: 'We were floating in the ocean. Many people were crying, screaming, asking for help,' an unidentified woman told local television. Todd Olson, a tourist from Kansas, told the station: 'The captain started to turn the wheel to the left. There were pretty heavy seas and we started to take water on, apparently on the right side. 'Within a minute it was flipped. Very fast, shocking.' Some 2.4 million foreign tourists - most of them from the US - visited the country in 2013, according to Costa Rica's Tourism Board and it is deemed as one of the safest destinations for tourists in Latin America. Concerned: Tourists stand in groups at the Coast Guard station in Caldera, Puntarenas . Transport: A man wearing his swimming trunks is led to the bus taking passengers back to their accommodation . Reaction: One of the survivors speaks to the waiting media as she prepares to board a bus to her hotel . Guiding: A woman holds another survivor's hand as she steps onto the bus. Authorities are still unsure as to what caused the deadly accident . Emergency response: Costa Rican police and paramedics await the arrival of tourists who were rescued . Support: A woman carrying a water bottle is helped onto the waiting vehicle by police . Devastated: One of the passenger puts her head in her heads as she waits to go back to hotel . A British Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokesman said: 'We are aware of an incident on a boat off the coast of Costa Rica involving British nationals. 'We are in close contact with the local authorities and are providing consular assistance.' Firefighters Corps director Hector Chavez said initial reports of an explosion and fire were mistaken. Private boats in the area took in passengers until rescuers arrived. Tour operator Pura Vida Princess reported the 100ft catamaran left Marina Los Suenos. They were going on a day trip to the popular Tortuga (Turtle) Island. The public security ministry posted news of the deaths on Twitter. Vice President Ana Helena Chacon said at a news conference: 'We want to extend our condolences to the victims' families,' Ms Chacon said. According to the Pura Vida Princess website, the Tortuga Island day trip costs 125 US dollars (£83) and includes meals, a DJ, snorkelling and open bar. | Boat carrying more than 100 passengers sank off Punta Leona beach .
The county's public security ministry said cause of crash is not known .
National Meteorological Institute says country has experienced high winds .
Survivors described how they were left floating in the ocean in lifejackets .
One said that the boat flipped after it began taking on water in heavy seas .
The victims have been named as Edna Oliver, 80 and Sharon Johnson, 70 .
The final victim has been named as 80-year-old Ivor Stanley Hopkins . |
42,570 | 780502ae405b2379591b5f788e1c18abd0996321 | Ricardo Vaz Te has left West Ham after having his contract terminated by mutual consent. The 28-year-old's three-year spell with the club comes to an end after finding first team opportunities hard to come by following a number of new arrivals last summer. The Portuguese forward has been linked with a move to Turkey and is now free to discuss a deal with other clubs as a free agent. Ricardo Vaz Te has only made five first team appearances for West Ham this season . The 28-year-old has had his West Ham contract terminated by mutual consent . Vaz Te, who moved the Upton Park in January 2012, has been limited to one substitute appearance since August and just five all season as Sam Allardyce's side have impressed in the Premier League. The former Bolton and Barnsley striker will be best remembered by West Ham fans for scoring the winning goal in the 2012 play-off final against Blackpool that ensured the club's return to the Premier League. 'Everyone at West Ham United would like to thank Ricardo for his efforts while at the club and wish him well for his future career,' a club statement read on West Ham's website. Vaz Te will be best remembered by Hammers fans for scoring the winning goal in the 2012 play-off final . Vaz Te celebrates after scoring the goal that took West Ham back to the Premier League . 'It has been a pleasure to be at a club like West Ham. It was a fantastic opportunity and I am so grateful for having played here. 'Everything I achieved here and all my game time and my life off the pitch has been amazing. 'I will never forget that day at Wembley - it was so special for me and for all of the fans involved. That is the kind of moment you don't intend to forget. Manager Sam Allardyce shows his gratitude to Vaz Te by giving him a kiss after the match . 'I'm very fortunate to have had that moment and I'm pleased I could do that for the fans, for the club and for my team-mates. 'I would like to thank the West Ham fans and to tell them to keep supporting the Club through what is going to be an exciting time over the next few years.' | Ricardo Vaz Te was at West Ham for three years after move from Barnsley .
The forward has had his contract cancelled and is now a free agent .
Vaz Te scored the winning goal in the 2012 play-off final for West Ham .
The 28-year-old has only made five appearances for the club this season . |
28,944 | 52253de41d91f39d29c68233a9eacb26ef528d1b | By . Meghan Keneally . Opening a college acceptance letter is always a memorable moment in any high school senior's life but the big reveal was even greater for one Wisconsin teenager with Down Syndrome. Noah VanVooren's parents and friends were with him as he opened the life-changing envelope and one captured it on video and posted it to YouTube. His expression goes from one of nervous trepidation to pride in less than a minute. Scroll down for video . Nervous moment: Noah VanVooren seemed anxious when he was opening a letter from Edgewood College while surrounded by his family and friends . 'I got accepted!' Noah screams after reading the first line of the letter. 'Dad you rock! I love you!' he says before giving his father a big hug. Noah, 18, was accepted at Edgewood College in Wisconsin which has a special program called Cutting Edge. The four year program is tailored for students with developmental disabilities so that they are able to have a similar experience to their peers. Considering Noah's parents were told by doctors that he would never be able to 'walk, talk, do anything,' the achievement is even more meaningful. So happy: Noah was accepted into a four year college program that caters to students with developmental disabilities so that they have the chance to experience higher education . Gawker noted . a student at Noah's school featured the video in the school-wide weekly . video announcement and the entire student body erupted in applause. A total of 32 students have graduated from the program since it first started in 2007. It is the first such program in the state of Wisconsin. There are three required courses in the program- Resource Seminar, Safety in the Community, and Friends, Dating, and Your Place in a Diverse Community- but are able to enroll in courses within the general college as well. Capping off a big year: Noah was also crowned prom king at his high school . This is not the first time that Noah's . story has captured the hearts of readers across the country as his . football team paid tribute to the senior earlier this fall. He served as the team manager and waterboy for four years at Little Chute High School in Clintonville, Wisconsin and during one of his final games, the team decided to help him make the play of a lifetime. 'I'm so happy, my parents are here today. It's a big night tonight,' he said at the time. After the blowout game came to a close, the teams allowed one final play and VanVooren was called onto the field wearing his number 14 jersey. Dedication: Noah worked as a waterboy and team manager for the football team at Little Chute High School in Clintonville, Wisconsin for years and in one of his final games this fall, the team wanted to honor him . Waiting for the pass: Noah (pictured here in the number 14 shirt) lined up behind the quarterback ahead of the handoff . Running: He took the ball on a 35-yard run to the end zone for his first touchdown . He got passed the ball from the quarterback and students from both teams were in on the act, with the opposing team pretending to get tackled by the Mustangs as Noah hustled the 35-yards to the finish line. 'He's always positive, he'll pat you on the back and tell you you're doing a good job,' teammate Chet Pereenboom said. | Noah VanVooren, 18, has been accepted into a four-year program at Edgewood College that caters to developmentally disabled students .
Noah has Down Syndrome and his parents were told that he would never be able to 'walk, talk, do anything' |
276,522 | f2422e2087913be71a308c4ca23ceac00e67fe3e | (CNN) -- Growing up in rural northeast Pennsylvania, the Philadelphia of my childhood was like the Moscow of Chekhov's "Three Sisters" -- the promised land, an emergency exit from my semi-provincial life in Wilkes-Barre. During school trips to see the Liberty Bell or Constitution Hall or the art museum, Philadelphia unfolded like a weird and wonderful tapestry of U.S. history, spanning the colonial era through the post-industrial age. This is the city that gave us Benjamin Franklin, Margaret Mead and Noam Chomsky. It's a town unashamed of the working-class grit that bleeds through the cracked sidewalks of every neighborhood, from Germantown to South Philly to Mantua. People who move to Philly find a je ne sais quoi that's mostly alien to those used to the cloistered wealth of every other coastal city besides Baltimore. It's a city of doers, of hustlers; from the manic suit racing past the glass-and-granite facades of the financial district to the guy scrapping up and down Broad Street with a cart of bootleg DVDs. City Smackdown: Explore Detroit beyond the headlines . It's also dirty, noisy and people there are gruff as hell (in an endearing way!). There is a reason why the show isn't called "It's Always Sunny in Boston." I moved to Philly for two years after high school, and the short time I spent there was enough to leave an indelible mark on my memory. I make a point to go back whenever the opportunity presents itself. Sooner or later, like an earworm, the city burrows its way inside your brain and lays eggs: Your first bite of an authentic Philly cheesesteak. An afternoon walk across the sun-dappled grasses of Fairmount Park. Frolicking in the fountain at Logan Square. Tailgating at Lincoln Field before an Eagles game. Destination USA: Passion for Portland triumphs . One day, you look down the Ben Franklin Parkway from the top of the art museum steps, and it hits you: The glittering spires of downtown are more than just skyscrapers. They're almost an act of rebellion, a defiant kiss-off to the collapse of industry that devastated the rest of Pennsylvania and saw the population of Philly shrink by a quarter. Philly is so, so much more than the sum of its touristy trappings. It's a city of stories, a journalist's dream. I've played chess in Rittenhouse Square with grizzled old men who regaled me with tales of how mobsters and rum-runners ruled the streets during the Great Depression. I've chatted up the ex-communist who ran a newsstand on Spring Garden and told me stories of Philly's bygone days as a hotbed of revolutionary-socialist activism. The neat, orderly checkerboard arrangement of the city's streets only belies the turmoil and raw action bubbling underneath the surface. Philadelphia is called the "city of brotherly love," but that's a little bit misleading. The city's spirit of fraternal camaraderie springs from its long-running status as a place for cast-offs, misfits and folks who didn't (or couldn't) fit in anywhere else. Philly chose us as much as we chose it. NYC vs. L.A.: And the winner is ... The Pennsylvania State House was the epicenter of America's revolt from British rule. At the dawn of the 19th century, the city was the temporary U.S. capital while Washington was being built. Irish immigrants fled their homeland by the thousands during the Great Famine, and Philadelphia was one of their main ports of call. Freed African-American slaves on the Great Migration out of the post-Confederate South increased Philly's black population sevenfold in the space of a few years. And today, it's a hub for thinkers, artists and weirdos of every stripe, thanks to the comparatively low cost of living (especially in the long shadow cast by New York), and the city's status as a hub for financial services and information technology. Philadelphia is, putting it mildly, the ultimate underdog city: Part Rocky, part Will Smith, all heart. If you ever have the pleasure of visiting, see the Italian Market and cruise the banks of Schuylkill River on Kelly Drive, for sure. But take some time just to walk and observe and listen. You won't want for entertainment in Philadelphia -- it's all around you. Check back on Thursday for an ode to Detroit. Which city gets your vote? Show your support in the poll above, then visit iReport to share your tips and photos for Philadelphia and Detroit. | As part of our Destination USA series, we pit rival cities and let you vote which is best .
The final city smackdown is a battle of the underdogs: Philadelphia vs. Detroit .
Michael Saba explains why Philly is "more than the sum of its touristy trappings"
Fight for your city! Show us why you think Detroit or Philadelphia is better on CNN iReport . |
119,793 | 26ce13f653a3bd4ee2c3632ca7b1fde8bb7faf6b | Mad Men fans will be able to take a stroll through Don Draper's swinging 1960s office and see Megan Draper's iconic 'Zou Bisou Bisou' dress in person with the debut of a museum exhibition dedicated to the AMC series. In celebration of the show's final season return on April 5, the Museum of the Moving Image in Queens, New York, has recreated some of Mad Men's most iconic large-scale sets as a part of its exhibit honoring the drama's stage designs, retro costumes and key props. 'Mad Men is much more than a popular television series, it has become a cultural touchstone inspiring a renewed interest in a critical time in the country’s history,' the museum's curator Barbara Miller said in a statement. Work break: Don Draper (Jon Hamm) lounges inside his office at Sterling Cooper & Partners. A replica of the set will appear at the Museum of the Moving Image's upcoming Matthew Weiner's Mad Men exhibit . Iconic design: Megan Draper (Jessica Paré) sang Zou Bisou Bisou in this little black dress during season five. Her costume will be featured at the museum from March 14 to June 14 . Named after the show's creator Matthew Weiner, the exhibit, which will fun from March 14 to June 14, will feature stage designs, more than 25 iconic costumes, hundreds of props, advertising art and video clips, as well as Mr Weiner's personal notes and research material. In addition to Don's swanky office at Sterling Cooper & Partners, some highlights of Matthew Weiner's Mad Men include a replica of the Draper family kitchen from their home in Ossining, New York, Joan Holloway's red dress and the box of mementos revealing Don's true identity. After the exhibition ends, a number of props and costumes will remain in the museum's permanent collection. Mr Weiner will also make an appearance at the museum on March 20 to discuss the creation and production of the series following the exhibition's March 14 opening. And for anyone eager to get more Mad Men action, the show's creator has also curated a series of 10 films that inspired the series, including Vertigo, The Apartment, Les Bonnes Femmes, and The Americanization of Emily. Required Viewing: Mad Men’s Movie Influences kicks off on March 14 and ends April 26. Retro design: The Drapers' kitchen from Don's home in Ossining, New York, is another set that will be on view at the exhibition . 1960s interiors: Don's office features a wooden bar cart, red chairs, and a view of Madison Avenue . Triple threat: Mad Men creator, writer and producer Matthew Weiner appeared with the cast and crew on the show's season six set . 'The films chosen by Matt Weiner yield tremendous insight into Mad Men’s approach to character, tone, and atmosphere,' the museum's chief curator David Schwartz said in a statement. He added: 'And the films are great; they should be required viewing for fans of the show as well as its creative team.' Earlier this week, AMC released new promo photographs that featured an uncomfortable Don joined by his ex-wife Betty, his new wife Megan Draper and his teenage daughter Sally, sparking questions about the fate of show's characters. While part one of Mad Men's seventh season ended last May, Mr Weiner has remained tight lipped about how the show will end. 'Can’t tell you that, you got to watch,' he told Deadline after the midseason finale. 'You’ll have to see how we bring it all together.' As for fans' expectations for the final seven episodes, he said: 'We don’t want to punch them in the face. We want them to walk away changed or better or at least entertained by it. That’s all I can say.' But Mr Weiner was adamant that the series will be completely done after this season's last batch of episodes - without any possible sequels or spinoffs. A woman scorned: New promo images show Don sitting next to his ex-wife Betty Francis (January Jones), his current wife Megan Draper (Jessica Paré) and his teenage daughter Sally Draper (Kiernan Shipka) Unlikely friends: Betty and Megan join Joan Holloway (Christina Hendricks) and Peggy Olson (Elisabeth Moss) in this season seven image . | The Museum of the Moving Image in Queens, New York is hosting an exhibit dedicated to Mad Men's sets, costumes and props .
The exhibition will run from March 14 until June 14 .
The hit show is set to return to AMC on April 5 for the series' final seven episodes . |
268,225 | e768edff9da1673f01c97e69dba834abb2037949 | Heavyweight boxer Dereck Chisora threatened to kill a man who blocked his Mercedes in a car park and has been ordered to do community service . Heavyweight boxer Dereck Chisora shouted and swore at two men who blocked in his car and threatened to 'smash their faces in' and 'kill' them during a parking rage row, a court has heard. Chisora, of Golders Green, north London, pleaded guilty to threatening behaviour, with intent to cause fear or provoke unlawful violence, towards Majid Rezaei and Mansor Nikpor in nearby Finchley Road on December 8. The 6ft 1in former British and Commonwealth champion was sentenced to a year's community order including 60 hours community service work. Prosecutor Miss Inder Gohlar told Hendon Magistrates Court: 'One of the complainants lives at the address, a house of multiple occupancy with a communal car park. 'When they returned the car park was full and the resident, who was in a friend's car, decided to park in such a way it blocked the vehicles in the car park and they left a note inside their windscreen with a mobile phone number if anyone needed them to move. 'The driver, Mansor Nikpor, states: "Having left the contact number we walked towards the Post Office and were passed by a large black man wearing sunglasses, a red jacket and dark tracksuit bottoms. 'He immediately started shouting and swearing at us, saying he was in a hurry and wanted us to move the car. 'We said that we would move it and there was no need to swear and continued walking to the Post Office. 'We returned and again the man began swearing and shouting at us and said: "If you don't move your car I'm going to punch you, smash both of your faces and then the car.''' The 30 year-old fighter had lost his European heavyweight title a week earlier after retiring in the tenth round during his bout with Manchester's Tyson Fury at London's Excel Arena. Miss Gohlar added: '[Chisora] continued to swear and they went into the building because of his aggressive behaviour. 'This defendant followed them into the building and continued swearing and Mr Rezaei stated that he was going to call the police.' The row erupted after Chisora's car was blocked in near this property in Golders Green, north London . Miss Gohlar added: 'The defendant said: "Call the police, they won't do anything, you're wasting my time. I'm late for my appointment, I'll kill you." 'He poked Mr Rezaei in the chest with his finger as he said this and stood in the doorway swearing at them, saying he was going to smash their faces and punch their heads in.' Police arrived and an agitated Chisora, who was 'frantically shaking his hands', told the officers: 'I told him to move his damn car. I've been waiting for ages. 'When I leave here I'll be getting my guys to come back and deal with them.' Miss Gohlar said: 'He continued his aggressive behaviour in front of the police. In summary It was a continuous tirade of behaviour and an indication of threats, saying that he was going to kill.' Chisora must also pay £100 compensation to each victim, £85 costs and a £60 victim surcharge. The court heard Chisora has two previous public order convictions, plus an offence of violence, for which he received a suspended prison sentence in November, 2010. His lawyer, Michael Neofytou, said: 'He's made no bones about it and he has pleaded guilty. This series of events began through no fault of the defendant, but he accepts his behaviour was unacceptable.' The incident happened a few days after Chisora was beaten by Tyson Fury (right) and lost his European title to his rival at the ExCel Arena in London . Mr Neofytou added: 'The complainants parked the vehicle in an obstructive way, blocking in this defendant's vehicle and when he asked them to move it they continued to cross the road towards the Post Office.' 'This would not have happened if they had moved their vehicle. They refused to move it because they did not like the way he was talking to them. 'Having been blocked in he lost his cool and his frustration got the better of him. He's a professional sportsman, an athlete, he's a professional boxer and he is in a position to pay.' The court's probation officer, Denise Ryan, dealt with Chisora when he received the previous suspended sentence. She told the court: 'He trains and he boxes in the evening so a night time curfew would be too restrictive, it's his livelihood, he's the breadwinner, he's got a seven month-old daughter. 'There's an up and coming fight in February and he would like to get done before that. He could do one day a week to complete the work. 'I would recommend forty to sixty hours work. That would allow him to concentrate on the training.' Chisora was stripped of his licence to fight for a year in 2012 after an ugly brawl with fellow boxer David Haye at a press conference after a boxing match in Germany . Bench chairman Mike Wallace told Chisora: 'We've heard of threats to smash both of the victims' faces, you poked one of them in the chest, made threats to kill both of them, followed them to the address and continued to make threats to smash their faces in and continued when the police arrived.' Zimbabwe-born Chisora, nicknamed 'Del Boy', was stripped of his fight licence after a press conference punch-up with David Haye in February, 2012, which followed a catalogue of disciplinary offences. He had to pay for £250 an-hour anger management sessions after also slapping Vitali Klitschko at their weigh-in, spitting water at the Ukrainian boxer's brother Wladimir and biting an opponent. | Dereck Chisora admitted in court to having lost his temper .
The heavyweight boxer lost to British rival Tyson Fury last month .
Chisora is said to have threatened the two men in a car park .
Boxer was ordered to do 60 hours of community service . |
178,532 | 7320ac2d83f1ddcd769631ef222678ad28cc9c70 | Washington (CNN) -- Two influential Republican senators said Sunday they oppose any effort by House Republicans to cut funding for U.S. participation in the Libya military mission. The comments by conservative Sens. John McCain of Arizona and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina came on the 90th day of the Libya campaign -- which House Speaker John Boehner says is the deadline in the War Powers Resolution for the Obama administration to get congressional authorization it has yet to seek. Boehner, R-Ohio, said last week that cutting funding for the mission was an option that the Republican-controlled House will consider when it takes up a defense appropriations bill this week. He contended that President Barack Obama has failed to comply with the War Powers Resolution, and that the main tool Congress has to respond is to control the spending. However, McCain and Graham told Sunday talk shows such a move would send the wrong signal and undermine NATO allies leading the Libya mission with U.S. support. "If we do not continue this effort in Libya, if (Moammar) Gadhafi remains in power, it could have profound consequences," McCain said on the ABC program "This Week." Graham, appearing on NBC's "Meet the Press," adhered to longstanding conservative dogma by declaring that the War Powers Resolution of 1973, which limits the ability of the president to unilaterally engage U.S. forces in combat, is unconstitutional. He also said the ouster of Gadhafi, the Libyan leader, was in the U.S. national interest, because failure to do so would undermine the U.S. standing in the world, cause oil prices to rise and send Libyan refugees streaming across the border into an already fragile Egypt. "The president's done a lousy job of communicating and managing our involvement in Libya, but I will be no part of an effort to de-fund Libya or to try to cut off our efforts to bring Gadhafi down," Graham said, later adding that Obama "needs to step up his game with Libya but Congress should sort of shut up and not empower Gadhafi." Outgoing Defense Secretary Robert Gates also backed the Libyan mission, saying Obama was right to limit the scope of U.S. involvement and that he believes the president has complied with the War Powers Resolution. "What was going on in Libya was considered vital interest by some of our closest allies. Those are the same allies that have come to our support and assistance in Afghanistan," Gates told CNN's "State of the Union." "And so it seems to me the kind of limited measured role that the president decided on, in support of our allies who did consider it a vital interest, is a legitimate way to look at this problem." In a separate interview on "Fox News Sunday," Gates noted the war powers debate dates back several decades and administrations. "Frankly, I think cutting off funding in the middle of a military operation when we have people engaged is always a mistake," Gates said, later adding: "I believe that President Obama has complied with the law, consistent in a manner with virtually all of his predecessors. I don't think he's breaking any new ground here." In a letter to Obama last week, Boehner strongly disagreed, saying the president would be in violation of the War Powers Resolution starting Sunday for failing to secure congressional authorization. Passed in 1973, the War Powers Resolution gives the president 60 days to get congressional approval for sending U.S. forces to war, followed by a 30-day extension to end the hostilities. In response to Boehner's letter, the White House sent Congress a 32-page report that asserted Obama didn't need congressional authorization because the U.S. forces play only a supporting role in Libya and don't engage in what the War Powers Resolution defined as hostilities. "We're obviously not changing our mission," White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said Friday, later adding: "What we have said is that our role in this mission, our support role and the kind of engagement we have right now, does not meet, in our legal analysis, ... the threshold set by the War Powers Resolution for congressional action." Later Friday, Boehner said he specifically asked if the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel agreed with the administration's legal analysis, and that the White House's failure to answer that question made cutting funds for the mission a possibility. "The House of Representatives will not allow the White House to continue skirting its obligations to the American people, this Congress, and the laws of this nation," Boehner said in a statement. "Over the coming week, our members will review all options available to hold the administration to account." At the Justice Department, deputy spokesman Tracy Schmaler seemed to acknowledge that opinions differed over interpreting the mission's compliance with the War Powers Resolution. "Our views were heard, as were other views, and the president then made the decision as was appropriate for him to do," Schmaler said. On the ABC program, McCain called for passage of a resolution he drafted with Democratic Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts that supports the Libyan mission, which he said would serve as congressional authorization under the War Powers Resolution. House Republicans aren't the only ones challenging the Libya mission. A bipartisan group of 10 House members has filed a federal lawsuit challenging Obama's power to commit U.S. forces to the Libya mission. Congressional opponents of the Libya mission include liberals such as Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio, who generally oppose any war effort, as well as some Republicans who complain its objective of civilian protection fails to match the stated U.S. goal of Gadhafi's ouster. The opponents also say the Libya situation could become a stalemate that drains resources at a time of mounting federal deficits that must be addressed. The White House, however, says incremental progress is occurring through increasing diplomatic, political and military pressure on Gadhafi to step down. Carney repeatedly emphasized this week that Obama had kept his word to the American people that the initial U.S. leadership role in the mission would get reduced to a supporting role, and no U.S. ground troops would take part. Carney suggested that Boehner is playing politics with the issue, noting that he previously questioned the constitutionality of the War Powers Resolution in a 1999 debate over former President Bill Clinton's push to take part in NATO bombing during the Balkans conflict. Boehner's complaints this week "stand in contrast to the views he expressed in 1999, when he called the War Powers act, quote, 'constitutionally suspect,' unquote, and warned Congress to, quote, 'resist the temptation to take any action that would do further damage to the institution of the presidency,'" Carney noted. John Yoo, a former Bush administration lawyer now with the American Enterprise Institute, also challenged Boehner's position on the matter. In an op-ed published Friday by the Wall Street Journal, Yoo -- known for bedrock conservative views -- wrote that Boehner and other Republican opponents of the Libya mission are playing politics by arguing about the War Powers Resolution instead of using their budgetary authority to cut funding for the Libya mission. "By accusing President Barack Obama of violating the War Powers Resolution, House Republicans are abandoning their party's long-standing position that the Constitution allows the executive to use force abroad, subject to Congress's control over funding," Yoo wrote. "Sadly, they've fallen victim to the siren song of short-term political gain against a president who continues to stumble in national-security matters." Yoo called the lawsuit filed by seven Republicans along with Kucinich and other Democrats an "utterly futile" legal effort, adding that "the Supreme Court has consistently turned away every case disputing the president's decision to start wars abroad, and there is no reason to think it will change its ways now." "Lawsuits only distract attention from the real weapons that Congress has to get its way and hold a wayward president accountable," Yoo wrote, saying House Republicans instead could try to de-fund military operations or other spending programs, or refuse to lift the debt ceiling until Obama either halts U.S. participation in the mission or gets congressional support. Another option would be to launch an impeachment effort against Obama, Yoo said, adding that "holding hands with isolationist Democrats out of political convenience is no way to defend the Constitution." Even though the Senate in March unanimously passed a non-binding resolution supporting a no-fly zone over Libya, some Republicans now express total opposition to the U.S. support for that effort. "Our policy in Libya is substantially flawed," Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minnesota, said during last week's debate of GOP presidential hopefuls. She cited a litany of complaints -- the supporting U.S. role, a lack of vital national interest, unknown elements in the Libyan opposition being helped -- and said Obama "was absolutely wrong in his decision on Libya." In its report on the mission, titled "United States Activities in Libya," the administration said the cost of military and humanitarian operations through June 3 was about $800 million. It estimated the total cost through September 30 would be $1.1 billion. "Given the important U.S. interests served by U.S. military operations in Libya and the limited nature, scope and duration of the anticipated actions, the president had constitutional authority, as commander-in-chief and chief executive and pursuant to his foreign affairs powers, to address such limited military operations abroad," the report said, adding: "The president is of the view that the current U.S. military operations in Libya are consistent with the War Powers Resolution and do not under that law require further congressional authorization, because U.S. military operations are distinct from the kind of 'hostilities' contemplated by the resolution's 60-day termination provision." In response, Boehner spokesman Brendan Buck called the White House arguments "creative," adding that Obama as commander-in-chief "has a responsibility to articulate how U.S. military action is vital to our national security and consistent with American policy goals." "With Libya, the president has fallen short on this obligation," Buck said. CNN's Dana Bash and Terry Frieden contributed to this report. | Sens. McCain, Graham oppose de-funding Libya mission .
House Speaker Boehner warns Congress may cut funds over War Powers dispute .
U.S. officials say the limited U.S. role in Libya falls short of the law's scope .
Ten legislators are suing the government over the legality of the U.S. participation . |
215,281 | a2aeb6cc8ddfb3354841b3dd90f06d7c364f6ba5 | A woman has been arrested after stealing a man's $25,000 Rolex by hiding it in her vagina, New York police have said. Shacarye Tims, 25, had been invited to the man’s room at a Holiday Inn in Chelsea, Manhattan, in the early hours of Sunday. Tims had made the man remove the luxury watch from his wrist because it ‘scratched’ her, after which she stole it from the nightstand. Brazen theft: Shacarye Tims, 25, robbed the man of his $25,000 luxury watch after he invited her back to his hotel room at a Holiday Inn in Manhattan. The unnamed man told police he had invited Tims to his room at 5.30am on Sunday morning after meeting her in a bar. He had placed the Rolex on the nightstand after she convinced him to take it off, and ‘ten minutes later’ it was missing, DNAinfo New York reports. Tims allegedly told him it might have fallen on the floor and while he was looking for the watch, she ran away. Hiding place: Tims took the man's Rolex and hid it in her 'vaginal cavity', before attempting to run (stock image) The man caught up with her in the lobby, but when he grabbed her, she ‘hit him over the head several times with a closed fist,’ the criminal complaint reads. Tims was arrested and later handed over the Rolex which she had ‘hidden in her vaginal cavity’. Tims has been charged with robbery and grand larceny and is being held on $10,000 bail. She is due in court on Friday. Holiday Inn has not commented on the incident. | Woman stole man's $25,000 Rolex when she was invited to his hotel room .
Shacarye Tims, 25, claimed watch 'scratched' her and made him take it off .
She then hid the luxury watch in her 'vaginal cavity', police records show . |
149,429 | 4d3d0ba1c0cf1351611e0f4e9c41ac200c71c408 | (CNN) -- When disaster strikes, it seems someone has to take the blame. Writing to a colleague in 1879, British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli expressed his fear that another bad harvest would lead to his political party losing the general election. True enough, after a fifth poor crop season, Disraeli's party lost office the following year. Democracy has moved on since then, and it's hard to imagine that an event like Superstorm Sandy would have much of a bearing on who will be sitting in the White House come January. But studies show natural disasters can still have an impact on how people vote. More: Will Superstorm Sandy impact U.S. election? Political scientists found that while incumbent politicians can be punished at the polls following a natural disaster, voters are much more likely to turn against leaders if they are seen to have botched the response effort. But voters' instincts to punish leaders for bad events is "more than made up for if they receive aid and adequate help," according to John T. Gasper of the Carnegie Mellon University, who carried out the study, published in the American Journal of Political Science in 2011, with Andrew Reeves of Boston University. Leaders also have a better chance of being re-elected for having been seen to do a good job rebuilding after a disaster. More: World weighs in on U.S. election . In 1965, Hurricane Betsy killed 75 people in the New Orleans area, just as the city was due to elect a mayor. The incumbent mayor Victor Shiro was able to boost his public image in the aftermath of the storm. With his shirt sleeves rolled up, joining in for the clean-up operation and flying into Washington to campaign for more funds, he showed himself to be a powerful leader prepared to help his people. He subsequently won the election, holding office for another five years. The social and political context in which a natural disaster happens can have far-reaching political implications, according to Professor Mark Pelling of King's College London in a 2008 study on the politics of disasters. He says President Barack Obama and his Republican challenger, Mitt Romney, could gain from Hurricane Sandy at this crucial time in the election cycle. Pelling told CNN: "So long as they roll up their shirt-sleeves and are seen to be personally involved in the reconstruction, it will normally be very good for [a politician's] popularity." More: How to look presidential during a disaster . Recalling the criticism aimed at George W. Bush's handling of Hurricane Katrina, Pelling says that because Bush took several days to get down to the site of the disaster in New Orleans he was accused of being "too arm's length" in his response to the storm. Pelling and Kathleen Dill studied the impact of natural disasters on political action around the world, and found that leaders in both democratic and authoritarian regimes will try to manipulate the recovery process after a disaster to boost their popularity. A 1985 earthquake in Mexico City that left roughly 10,000 dead was also viewed as a contributing factor in the ruling party losing its 70-year hold on the capital city. Many of the opposition members had entered politics after being key activists in the reconstruction effort. Ten years later on the other side of the world, the Indian "Onion Crisis" played a crucial part in the losses of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the 1998 Delhi election, according to a 2012 study conducted by researchers at Harvard Business School and Loyola Marymount University. New Jersey's Christie: I won't play politics with Sandy . The price of onions -- a staple crop of the Indian economy and staple ingredient of the Indian household -- skyrocketed after several seasons of drought. While voters didn't blame the government for the drought itself, the study reports, they did hold them accountable for the perceived poor handling of the crisis and hit back at the polls. In China, Mao's successor Hua Guofeng was so buoyed by popular approval after the 1976 Tangshan earthquake that he took power from the leading Communist Party faction the "Gang of Four." Visiting the affected areas and expressing his sorrows to victims, Hua capitalized on the disaster and used it to help him successfully dismantle the political elite which had seen the country through the decade-long Cultural Revolution. The sense of camaraderie and positive feeling that is associated with the clean-up period following a disaster, when local services and community groups are out in force, usually lasts for around a week, according to Pelling. In this sense, the timing would seem to benefit Obama. More: Get latest news at CNN Election HQ . Gasper says Superstorm Sandy's proximity to election day makes its impact more unpredictable - and that the fortunes of Romney and Obama are likely to be swayed more by how they are seen to respond to the crisis than by the realities of the situation. "It's a great PR event to show your constituents that you are there to help them," he told CNN. Though neither candidate wants to be seen playing politics with this storm, if there's any advice for Obama and Romney in their final week, it's surely: roll your sleeves up and smile for the camera. | Studies show natural disaster can impact how people vote .
Voters more likely to turn against leaders if they are seen to have botched relief effort .
Romney and Obama reluctant to be seen as trying to capitalize politically off of Sandy . |
116,065 | 21ce6c290410b7742228f244a6215a350edcc94b | She plans to celebrate her 60th birthday on Saturday with lavish Caribbean bash, with even her tennis coach and yoga teacher making it onto the coveted guest list. Just don’t expect Carole Middleton’s only sibling, Gary Goldsmith, to be among those raising a toast to her good health on Mustique, one of the most exclusive islands in the Caribbean. The Duchess of Cambridge’s shamed ‘Uncle G’, whose colourful lifestyle - including his self-confessed drugs use - has proved an embarrassment in recent years, is one of a number of Middleton family members who haven’t been invited to celebrate Carole’s big day. Big day: The Duchess of Cambridge's mother Carole (pictured together above) is preparing to celebrate her 60th birthday with a lavish party in the Caribbean, and even her tennis coach and yoga teacher will be there . Lavish: Mrs Middleton has planned an intimate gathering for 30 hand-picked guests at Villa Rocina in Mustique . While sources insist that Gary is ‘supremely chilled’ about the situation and wishes his sister well, locals on the island are agog at the apparent snub. ‘We don’t know why Gary has not been invited, particularly as he is her only sibling. You can only speculate really,’ said one source close to the family yesterday. ‘There’s not going to be any kind of party back at home either as we understand, so this really is the official birthday bash. It seems a shame that her closest relative won’t be there.’ It is understood that neither Pippa Middleton’s boyfriend, Nico Jackson, or Donna Air, currently dating Kate’s brother James, will be present at the weekend’s festivities either – although, naturally, Prince William will be. ‘It’s just a question of protocol really. It's a bit of a family lockdown as it always is when William and Kate are involved,’ said one well-placed source. Instead the royal mother-in-law will celebrate with her husband and children – as well as the crème de la crème of Caribbean society. The intimate gathering for 30 hand-picked guests reflects how far the fortunes of former air hostess Carole - and her genial husband Michael - have transformed over the last decade. The middle-class family from Berkshire have become millionaires through their firm selling party goods on the internet. Now they rub shoulders every winter on Mustique - made famous by the Queen’s sister, Princess Margaret, who used to own a villa there - with some of the richest (and most privileged) people in the world. Carole, the Mail understands, will be holding her birthday soiree at Villa Rocina, the exquisite sea-view property they have taken over for their annual winter holiday this year. The Oliver-Messel designed home, which boasts a 30 foot pool, gym and access to a private beach, is loved by the whole family, including Prince William and Kate, who flew out last week with their 18-month-old son, Prince George. Confirmed names on the guest list, however, include many from the upper echelons of Mustique society such as Dr Mark Cecil and his wife Katie, both of whom were guests at William and Kate’s wedding. The Old Harrovian hedge fund millionaire is, ironically, Nico Jackson’s boss, and has leant his own Mustique villa, Aurora, to the Cambridges before. His food and interiors stylist wife Katie was a collaborator on Pippa's much-maligned first tome, Celebrate. A source said: ‘Dr Mark has become a very good friend of the Middletons. It’s very incestuous like that on the island.’ Indeed, other guests include Jeanette Cadet from the Villa Rentals company on Mustique and Liz Saint from its Equestrian Centre, where Carole, in particular, is a keen rider. Then there is Mustique’s resident doctor, Dr Michael Bunby, and his fashion designer wife Lotty ‘B’ (her clients include Jerry Hall and Liz Hurley), who have also become great friends of the Middletons and have been known to revel in the connection over dinner. Another guest is Roger Pritchard, who is the managing director of The Mustique Company, and one of his predecessors, the Hon Brian Alexander, heir to the Earldom of Tunis. The source said: ‘The Mustique Company is basically a small group of elite individuals who run the island. If you don't know them and they don't know you, you don't get to holiday there.’ Serene: The exquisite sea-view property has been taken over by the Middleton family for their winter holiday . Resident tennis pro, Richard Schaffer, has also secured an invite - all of the Middletons have a fearsome backhand - as well as yoga teacher Greg Allen (even William has been known to try one of his sun salutations). And no party on Mustique would be complete without the greying but legendary Basil Charles, the owner of Basil’s Bar, who knew Princess Margaret and is apparently making ‘a bespoke champagne cocktail’ for Carole. Lovable Irish rogue Brian Kinsella, the witty bar manager from the Middleton’s favourite London hotel, The Goring, is due to fly out this week to assist with drinks on the night. He has created a special ‘mocktail’ for the non-drinkers present – which will no doubt include six-month-pregnant Kate – as well as offering Carole a cool glass of her favourite imported Chablis. ‘Apparently he’s concocted something heavenly, which he is calling Mother's Mocktail, from maple spice, passion fruit syrup, pineapple and ice,’ the source revealed. ‘The Middletons stayed at The Goring for the royal wedding it’s where they have many trusted friends. ‘But it's interesting that Carole has invited a staff member from the hotel when she hasn’t even invited her own brother.' The five star hotel’s manager, Jeremy Goring, will also be on hand to cast his eagle eye over the proceedings, which includes a four-course dinner cooked by an in-house chef. According to locals, the large tropical garden at Villa Rocina will be lit by torches for added atmosphere. ‘A lot of thought has been given by Carole into decorating the villa and garden for the night. It's going to be stunning,’ said one. Absent: There will be several absences on the guest list for Saturday’s bash including Ms Middleton's brother Gary Goldsmith (right), Pippa's boyfriend Nico Jackson and son James's girlfriend Donna Air (together left) Entertainment will be provided by a jazz band featuring singer Dana Gillespie, who is on the island to perform at Mustique’s annual Blues festival. And sources say Carole has asked that instead of presents, each guest plant a sapling tree. The source said: ‘There will be a short ceremony where the saplings get planted at the nearby Villa Aurora, owned by Mark Cecil. There is an amazing arboretum there. ‘The Middletons used to have a tree at the Villa Aurora but it died, so Carole thought it would be a lovely idea to have every invited guest planting a sapling on her birthday. She likes the continuity.’ Guests have been asked to leave their camera phones at home, as William and Kate will be present. ‘That’s one of the reasons that they are holding the party in a private villa rather than at Basil's bar. They do not want pictures coming out,’ the source said. ‘That said, it is extremely unlikely that anyone there would want to take one. It’s just not the done thing here.’ The source added: ‘The guest list alone shows how much the Middletons have made this island their own and the party is as much a thank you to the locals as a birthday celebration. No expense has been spared. ‘We find it interesting that Mustique is where the Middletons – including Kate and William - are now making their second home, just like Princess Margaret did. ‘It’s clearly the only place in the world they feel comfortable enough to completely relax.’ | Carole Middleton set to celebrate her 60th birthday on Caribbean island .
Will enjoy lavish party with 30 hand-picked guests at Villa Rocina, Mustique .
However, Mrs Middleton's brother Gary Goldsmith will be absent from bash .
Her daughter Pippa's boyfriend, Nico Jackson, also won't be in attendance . |
20,224 | 3963e8ba70b427af722f8329e9f297b486063b09 | A rejected lover paid a teenager £850 to burn down the home of the young woman who turned him down. Failed soldier Aiden Feeney, 24, launched a hate campaign against Scarlett O’Connor when she refused to go out with him after they had a one night stand, a court heard. He sent the 22-year-old as many as 3,000 text messages over four days, and became aggressive when Miss O’Connor continued to refuse his advances. Feeney spoke of ‘ripping her head off’ and told one friend he had a ‘contact who would burn down her house for £1,000’. Aiden Feeney, pictured right, hired a hitman to burn down the home of Scarlett O'Connor, left, in revenge for dumping him after a one night stand, a court heard . Scarlett O'Connor's sister Lauren was staying in the house (pictured) in Walkden, near Salford, Greater Manchester when the fire broke out forcing her to run from the property . The threats prompted firemen to carry . out an urgent risk assessment of the home Miss O’Connor shared with her . elder sister Lauren, install extra smoke alarms and tape up the . letterbox of the property as a precaution. The . attack went ahead, however, after Feeney paid Tyler Bennett, 19, to . carry out the job. He took a taxi to the house and threw firelighters . through the front window when he could not open the letterbox. It is . thought Miss O’Connor was staying at a friend’s home but the fire alarms . alerted her 29-year-old sister, who managed to escape uninjured. After . the curtains caught fire, the blaze quickly spread through the . downstairs of the property in Walkden, near Salford, causing up to . £18,500 of damage. Feeney . was jailed for eight and a half years after being convicted of arson . with intent to endanger life as well as two counts of aggravated . harassment. Manchester Crown . Court was told Feeney, who tried and failed to get in to the Army, . already has convictions for arson and harassment after targeting a . previous girlfriend. Hitman Tyler Bennett (left), 19, of Little Hulton was jailed for four years after being convicted of arson with intent to endanger life. He threw firelighters through a window of the home, pictured right . Bennett . was jailed for four years after being convicted of arson with intent to . endanger life. Passing sentence Judge Martin Rudland told Feeney: ‘All . these offences arise out of your friendship with Scarlett O’Connor. ‘You . saw something beyond the platonic which no doubt was encouraged by the . one night stand. For her this changed nothing and she said as such but . this infuriated you. The texts show increased frustration culminating in . threats to her life and well-being. ‘The . fire spread rapidly and set fire to furniture. Lauren said she was . terrified. She saw flames, smoke and could see possessions burn. She was . physically retching. Lauren then saw firelighters in a row on the . ground under the window. ‘You must both understand use of fire is an extremely serious form of criminality.’ The . court also heard how Miss O’Connor has moved to Australia following the . attack last September. Outside court, sister Lauren said: ‘It was . horrible. It was so scary – to watch my own house go up in flames. It . was the worst day of my life. You just do not expect anything like that . to happen to you in your entire life. ‘He . was going to put it through the letterbox. That would have been a very . different story if that had happened. That is our only way out. ‘In . the run up to the attack there was something like 3,000 text messages . in the space of four days. He was just crazy for Scarlett. My sister is . in Australia now to get away from it all. It has scared the living . daylights out of us.’ The attack had arisen out of a bitter dispute over an £80 payment for a ticket given by Feeney, pictured, to Ms O'Connor for the Creamfield festival near Liverpool where The Prodigy were headlining . Manchester Crown Court was told that Scarlett O'Connor, pictured left and right, had since fled to Australia following last September's arson attack . Scarlett O'Connor, right, was thought to be staying at a friend's house but the 5am blaze woke older sister Lauren, left, who shared the home and she was forced to flee for her life as the fire swept through the property . The fire caused £18,500 of damage at the house (pictured) in Walkden, near Salford, Greater Manchester . | Aiden Feeney hired Tyler Bennett to burn down home of Scarlett O'Connor .
Act was in revenge for dumping him after one-night stand, court is told .
Bennett put firelighters through window of home in Greater Manchester .
Ms O'Connor's sister Lauren was in the burning house and fled in terror .
Police found Feeney had sent Ms O'Connor 3,000 texts in just four days .
Feeney jailed for eight years and Bennett four at Manchester Crown Court . |
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