Unnamed: 0
int64 0
287k
| id
stringlengths 40
40
| article
stringlengths 117
14.7k
| highlights
stringlengths 37
3.97k
|
|---|---|---|---|
204,511 | 94c3a581bd54215b267cb710a53158569d723144 | By . Derek Lawrenson . Rory McIlroy is looking forward to a hero’s welcome in Northern Ireland this weekend and hoping to parade both his major championship trophies at Old Trafford on Saturday. ‘I’ll definitely be at the first game of the season with the Claret Jug and while I don’t know if I can parade the Wanamaker Trophy at the same time, I will try,’ said the Manchester United fan. McIlroy made it two majors in four weeks with his gripping, one-stroke victory in the USPGA Championship on Sunday and will spend the next few days trying to keep his feet on the ground. ‘I’m trying not to think about my place in the game because if you start thinking like that...’ said McIlroy, his voice trailing off. VIDEO Scroll down for 'Coral Daily golf: 8/13 for Europe at home for the Ryder Cup' Man of the moment: Rory McIlroy parades the Wanamaker Trophy and Claret Jug on his Instagram account . ‘I was happy to be a two-time major champion but now I’ve got four and the only active players who have got more are Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. I’m level with Ernie Els and Raymond Floyd who are both in the Hall of Fame, so it is pretty lofty company already. The next one would be huge to pull off because then I’d be alongside Phil and Seve Ballesteros. It’s too much to think about.’ There’s no rest for Rory. After this week he will be back in America for four weeks and the FedEx Cup play-offs — he is the runaway leader for the $10million bonus. Then it is on to the Ryder Cup in 45 days where he is ready to assume the role of team leader. Asked if he thinks he will be a target for the Americans, he replied: ‘I think it’s not only their team who will view me in those terms but my own as well. It’s only my third Ryder Cup but I am ready to be the talisman and drive us forward. I realise I have that responsibility and I am comfortable with it. In my first two I felt out of place offering an opinion but I realise I have a place in the game now that warrants that. I know I can lead this team. Centre of attention: The in-form Northern Irishman has now won two consecutive majors . ‘I don’t know whether seeing my name on the PGA leaderboard affected the other players but you have to think it counted for something, especially after how I have been playing. It is another thing to have in my locker. It was a great feeling to win in a dogfight because I’d never done that before in a major. ‘I think satisfaction and joy are the two things I am most feeling right now. I said at The Open I was determined to keep going forward. I never thought it would happen in my wildest dreams and I know I will probably never have another summer like it.’ American Ryder Cup captain Tom Watson said: ‘I just wish he was on my team. He is making the game look easy — he knows it and the rest know it.’ Leading the way: McIlroy is on target to become on of the game's greatest players following his latest triumph . VIDEO Watson will pick Woods if fit . | McIlroy hoping to parade Claret Jug and Wanamaker Trophy at Old Trafford .
He secured his second major in four weeks with one-stroke win at Valhalla .
McIlroy ready to assume role of Europe's leader at next month's Ryder Cup . |
45,849 | 8135217f4100e5adf05de97f25a441fac733f3a0 | (CNN) -- Kickstarter campaigns have allowed people to fund diverse projects like video games, smartwatches and the restoration of historic locations. And now? Make way for potato salad. Zack Brown of Columbus, Ohio, posted his Kickstarter project with a goal of $10 and a desire to make potato salad for the first time. As of Monday morning, more than 1,545 backers had pledged $11,000 for a chance to taste Brown's creation. "I am a somewhat risk-averse person," Brown told CNN. "I like potato salad but had never made it before and wasn't sure it would be any good. Kickstarter helps people to realize their dreams, so it seemed like a perfect fit." Kickstarter is an online donation site where people can pledge money toward a project and get rewards for doing so. Often, the final project is shared with the donors, along with extra benefits for reaching specific monetary goals. Brown's stretch goals were blown through quickly, meaning he'll be making different recipes. He'll be using mayonnaise from the natural food section of his grocery store and consulting with a chef to make his potato salad better. Also? He'll host a potato-salad party in Columbus. Brown said he was blown away by the incredible generosity of backers for his somewhat random project. And he acknowledges a basic culinary truth: Since this is his first time, it might not be any good. "It has always been my dream to do something that would connect people all over the world," Brown said. "Did I think that would happen with potato salad? No. But Kickstarter has made my dreams come true." One of the rewards for pledging $3 or more was to receive a bit of the potato salad. With the massive response, Brown knows he's going to need some logistical help in pulling that off, but he's undeterred. "I could come to you. You could come to me," he wrote in response to a question on his Kickstarter page. "Or maybe we could get a restaurant chain to make the recipe and offer free samples as a promotion." Brown's exploits have garnered support from the United Kingdom, France, Romania and other countries outside the U.S. He's working with a print designer to create a recipe book with one potato salad recipe inspired by each backer's country. "I'm inviting the whole Internet to a party in Columbus, Ohio. I hope some people will bring potato salad or potato salad recipes." Brown hopes to start making his potato salad recipes some time after his Kickstarter closes in August. He won't reveal any details about his recipes other than that he will be using potatoes from his local grocery store, vinegar will be involved in one recipe, and there will be a vegan option available. The making of the potato salad will be recorded and put on the Internet since he plans on saying the name of every backer out loud while he cooks. If the number of backers continues to grow, he may end up losing his voice by the end. | A Kickstarter to make potato salad has raised $11,000 .
Zack Brown was seeking $10 .
He says he's never made it, and the end result might be bad .
Donations have come from the UK, France and Romania . |
131,634 | 363264b7bc0942c96757dff9806ca1cac9a469d2 | CNN International have agreed a multi-year deal to join the McLaren Formula One team as a partner, both sides said on Tuesday. No financial details were given but the deal will see the global television network's branding appear on the front wing endplates of the new Honda-powered car. McLaren have yet to name a title sponsor and will unveil their MP4-30 car, to be driven by Spain's Fernando Alonso and Britain's Jenson Button this season, in an online launch on Jan 29. McLaren undergoes pre-season testing in Abu Dhabi using the new Honda engine . Fernando Alonso (left) has arrived from Ferrari to partner Jenson Button in the new look team . Former world champion Alonso gets to know McLaren team principal Ron Dennis (right) The McLaren partnership, even if relatively small by Formula One standards, is a leap up the grid for CNN who most recently sponsored the Caterham team. Caterham, who never scored a point in five years, went into administration last October and face an uncertain future. 'Our shared love of technology has united us: together we will pursue new opportunities far beyond the conventional scope of a Formula One partnership,' said McLaren chief executive Ron Dennis in a statement. McLaren, who are starting a new engine partnership with Honda, have not won a race since 2012. CNN International recently sponsored Caterham before the British team went into adminstration . | CNN International branding will appear on McLaren F1 cars next season .
The British company will reveal MP4-30 in an online launch on January 29 .
Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button with race for Ron Dennis this term . |
43,033 | 795ab0e2ac7868960df3a7b833743f52a54d25aa | (CNN) -- Most of us can appreciate that the world is an ancient place and that a lot has changed in the almost 4.6 billion years since it took its shape. It's not easy to have a feel for the amount of time that has passed, but grappling with deep time helps you understand why an atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration (CO2) of 400 parts per million (ppm) is meaningful. Deep time is geologic time and the scale needed to fathom the evolution of life, mountains, oceans, and Earth's climate. Climate, one must note, is not weather. Weather is experienced day to day. Climate occurs on longer scales: the tropics are hot and wet; Antarctica is freezing and miserable. If you wanted to consider the climate of the whole planet you would need to consider its temperature. Without greenhouse gases the world would be a much colder (~30˚C or 65˚F colder) and lonelier place. All of us have felt the greenhouse effect because water vapor is a greenhouse gas and when summer humidity is high you just can't get any relief. Even at night when the sun is gone, water vapor keeps radiating the heat. Dry desert nights are just the opposite, with temperatures falling fast when the lights go out. CO2 works the same way as water vapor. More CO2 radiates more heat, increasing the average temperature and turning more surface water into water vapor, which radiates more heat. This is an example of a positive feedback and positive feedbacks push temperatures higher than CO2 alone. Global climate models tell us that doubling CO2 will lead to a global temperature increase between 2 and 4.5˚C (that's 3.6 to 8˚F), reflecting the climate sensitivity to CO2. Since 400 ppm marks a 43% man-made CO2 rise (from 280 to 400 ppm in ~200 years), we should soon expect 1˚C (1.8˚F) of warming if low-end estimates of climate sensitivity are correct. Well, a 1˚C (1.8˚F) global temperature increase is close to what we've already measured, but full warming is not expressed overnight or even over decades because the world is mostly a cold ocean that helps ameliorate immediate warming by taking up heat. Also, man-made atmospheric particles could be masking up to 0.5˚C (0.9˚F) of the potential temperature rise. With this in mind, we expect temperatures to further increase even if CO2 stopped rising, and so it's not alarming to assume that climate sensitivity might be higher than the belief of an optimist. So, how much CO2 is too much? This is where deep time helps frame our expectations of things to come. First, as far as we know, the rate of our CO2 rise is unprecedented in Earth history. That's saying something, isn't it? During the well-known glacial-interglacial cycles that occurred in the last one million years, CO2 fell to a cold 180 ppm and back up to 280 ppm. Those changes took thousands to tens-of-thousand of years, so, 400 ppm not only breaks that record, but it breaks it in record time. When climate scientists say that they are worried about 2 to 5˚C (3.6 -- 9˚F) of global warming, keep in mind that global temperature was, at most, 4 to 5˚C (7.2 -- 9˚F) colder during the last ice age when miles of ice piled up on land and pushed enough dirt to make Long Island. Small numbers, like 4˚C (7.2˚F) of cooling can mean big things, but that's not where we're headed any more. Now we're headed deeper into the past. At best, CO2 levels are similar to 4 million years ago when global temperatures were 3 to 4˚C (5.4 -- 7.2˚F) higher, and there was little-to-no ice on Greenland, and sea levels were at least ~~20 m (65 feet) higher. Even if we were to resolve to live in the warmth of the relatively recent past, the nagging problem is that atmospheric CO2 levels will continue to rise and stay around for a very, very long time without intentional intervention and/or a surprising technological innovation. CO2 is increasing at about 3 ppm per year and we will be arriving at a minimum CO2 concentration of 700 ppm by year 2100 if nothing is done. In terms of our history, that places us somewhere beyond 35 million years ago when there was no permanent ice on the poles and sea level was over 200 feet higher than today. Add more CO2 to the mix and we step back towards peak temperatures 50 million years ago when CO2 is estimated to have been about 1000 ppm and sub-tropical plants and crocodiles inhabited the poles. There's lots of uncertainty when trying to reconstruct ancient climates and the factors that produced them, but having some sense of the past informs us in the same way as knowing the history of our grandparents and the potential inheritance of future ailments. Deep time tells us that we are traveling forward to a world that is an extraordinary warm and different place, something Earth scientists refer to as a greenhouse world. Hopefully we will resist the urge to take the trip, but if we don't, I know a few people who would be happy to study how it all went down. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Mark Pagani. | Mark Pagani: CO2 level in atmosphere portends major changes .
He says research on the past shows the dangers of high levels of greenhouse gases .
Today's CO2 levels comparable to time when Greenland had little ice, sea was 65 feet higher .
Pagani: With more CO2, we hark back to when crocodiles and sub-tropical plants inhabited the poles . |
282,612 | fa0cbf4e3e6a2a05d65f2b14760b7909ada97637 | Miss de Freitas told detectives that Mr Economou raped her just before Christmas 2012 . A wealthy financier yesterday sent his condolences to the family of the woman who killed herself after he launched a private prosecution against her because she had accused him of rape. Alexander Economou, 35, said the death of Eleanor de Freitas, 23, was a ‘great loss’ as her father asked a coroner to investigate why the Crown pursued the case against his daughter. Director of Public Prosecutions Alison Saunders is personally overseeing an inquiry into lawyers’ decision to put the vulnerable young woman on trial. Miss de Freitas, a brilliant former Durham University student who suffered from a psychiatric illness, told detectives that Mr Economou raped her just before Christmas 2012. Police investigated her allegations but closed the case after concluding that gaps in the evidence meant they would not be able to secure a conviction. Despite being told he would not face charges, Mr Economou paid for his own inquiry in an attempt to show he was innocent. As part of the effort to clear his name, he assembled emails, text messages, details of phone calls and CCTV footage of him and Miss de Freitas together. He then started a private prosecution against Miss de Freitas for perverting the course of justice by allegedly lying to police. The whole process is said to have cost him £200,000. The Crown Prosecution Service took over the case but decided against using its powers to throw it out, leaving her frightened and devastated. Bipolar disorder sufferer Miss de Freitas killed herself in April this year, three days before the start of her trial at London’s Southwark Crown Court. Mr Economou’s father Angelo, 62, is a successful businessman of Greek origin who was born in Britain. He runs UK-registered firm Time and Tide Shipping, and lives in a £830,000 house in Chiddingfold, Surrey. Mr Economou is the company secretary of his father’s firm and a former director of a helicopter training school. Companies House documents list his occupation as ‘financial analyst’. Scroll down for video . He lives in a £900,000 flat in an exclusive mansion block overlooking the upmarket King’s Road in Chelsea, west London. His father’s wealth appears to explain how Mr Economou was able to buy his Chelsea flat in his own name for £245,000 in 1999, when he was just 20. He declined to comment yesterday, but his spokesman said: ‘He sends his condolences to the family for this very unfortunate event. It is a great loss.’ An inquest into Miss de Freitas’s death was adjourned yesterday following Mrs Saunders’ intervention. Bipolar disorder sufferer Miss de Freitas killed herself in April this year, three days before the start of her trial . West London coroner Chinyere Inyama said he needed to know the remit of the CPS investigation before deciding on the scope of his hearing, which will probably be held in front of a jury. Lawyers for Miss de Freitas’ parents called for the inquest to look at whether there were adequate measures in place to protect people who report rapes. Catherine Oborne, representing the young woman’s family, said: ‘We specifically request any advice on evidence and any correspondence between the police and the CPS in relation to the decision by the CPS to continue the prosecution against Eleanor. ‘It is quite an unusual case which brings to light areas where there are not such adequate procedures. Director of Public Prosecutions Alison Saunders is personally overseeing an inquiry into lawyers’ decision to put the vulnerable young woman on trial . ‘The question we want to ask the court to consider is whether there are sufficient safeguarding policies, processes and procedures to protect rape claimants and prevent prosecutions of rape claimants.’ Miss de Freitas’ father David, 59, a financial planner from Fulham, west London, complained to officers that he was harassed after the private prosecution against his daughter was launched. Miss Oborne told the coroner yesterday: ‘We will be asking you to take into consideration the way the police investigated claims of harassment made to Mr de Freitas during the private prosecution. ‘But also the overall oversight of the private prosecution process which, as it is in this case, allows the alleged perpetrator to enter a prosecution against the complainant. We also want to explore whether there are sufficient processes, policies and safeguards to ensure there is communication between the public authority for prosecution and the public authority for health.’ Mr Economou is not required to attend the inquest, according to his spokesman. Miss de Freitas achieved straight As at A-Level at the private Putney High School before starting a geography degree at Durham University, but she dropped out after her mental state deteriorated. Before her death, she was studying for financial services exams and was in a loving relationship with a boyfriend she met at Durham. But she was ‘ground down’ when the CPS took over the private prosecution, her father said. Mr de Freitas said he welcomed Mrs Saunders’ pledge to investigate the case, but added: ‘It very much falls into the category of too little too late.’ Eleanor de Freitas claimed she was raped by Alexander Economou just before Christmas 2012. But she did not go to the police station to make a formal complaint until January 4 last year. Detectives investigated but ruled that there were too many inconsistencies in the evidence to bring a successful prosecution. Officers informed Miss de Freitas on February 21 last year that they would not be bringing any charges. But wanting to clear his name, Mr Economou used his own money to launch a private prosecution against Miss de Freitas for perverting the course of justice by allegedly lying to police. She received a court summons on August 13 last year. The Crown Prosecution Service took over the case, giving it the power either to end it or to pursue it. To the horror of Miss de Freitas and her family, it decided to continue. Miss de Freitas killed herself on April 7, three days before she was due to stand trial. | Alexander Economou launched private prosecution against Eleanor de Freitas because she had accused him of rape .
Miss de Freitas killed herself in April, three days before start of her trial .
Mr Economou, 35, said that her death was a 'great loss'
DPP is personally overseeing inquiry into decision to put her on trial .
For confidential .
support call the Samaritans in the UK on 08457 90 90 90, visit a local .
Samaritans branch or click here . |
135,385 | 3b2152cdf6060027c92c3d99ce6023fbe9af40a1 | By . Shari Miller . PUBLISHED: . 12:07 EST, 3 March 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 03:17 EST, 4 March 2013 . It may have been a case of a lucky break, but when a grandmother asked Damien Hirst to sign her autograph book at a snooker match little did she know he would draw a sketch worth thousands. Now sports fan Sylvia King, 75, is reluctantly selling the autograph book which has been signed by dozens of star players, because of the valuable drawing. Over the last five years, the silver-haired pensioner has travelled the length and breadth of the country going to games and adding to her collection. Shark sketch: Damien Hirst's pen drawing is expected to fetch £5,000 at auction . Jaws-dropping: Artist Damien Hirst pictured in front of his famous work of a shark immersed in formaldehyde . This included an exhibition event last year at the Trafford Centre in Manchester, which the controversial artist attended in support of his friend, snooker player Ronnie O'Sullivan. The silver-haired pensioner asked Hirst to add his name to the likes of Steve Davis, Willie Thorne and Cliff Thorburn who had previously autographed her book. She was amazed when he quickly drew a sketch of a shark in Biro, which represented his famous work of art of a tiger shark immersed in formaldehyde. The keen snooker supporter is now selling the 'Hirst original' and the rest of the Winnie the Pooh-themed autograph book, because it would be too risky to rip the drawing out. The artwork is set to fetch up to £5,000 at auction. It is said the snooker player signatures, and those of some dart players, add 'about £10 to £15 to the value'. The grandmother, from Urmston, Lancashire, said she approached Hirst at last year's snooker event. Meeting the stars: Sylvia pictured with Steve Davis . Star quality: Sylvia with snooker player Peter Ebdon . In the frame: Sylvia with Irish professional player Ken Doherty . She said: 'I went to the ladies and while in there I met Coleen Nolan and got her signature. 'I came out and my partner, Howard, said Damien Hirst had just been interviewed on the stage. 'I grabbed my book again and made a bee-line for him. Dennis Taylor was on the stage with him. 'I waited for him to come off and just said to him 'Mr Hirst, is it possible for me to have your autograph?' 'He said 'certainly' and he wrote my name at the top of the page and he signed the bottom and I wondered why he left a gap in the middle and he started to doodle. 'It didn't take very long and I worked out very quickly what it was. 'I have had the book for five years and it is very nearly full. 'I am 75 and my children don't want it. I suppose the money would come in handy, maybe I'll go on a nice holiday.' Picture Pooh-fect: Sylvia King has been collecting autographs for the last five years in this book, which now also has the sketch by Damien Hirst . Bullseye: The valuable autograph book also contains a signature from darts player Eric Bristow . The book is being sold by Adam Partridge auctioneers of Macclesfield, Cheshire. Bill Forest, of Adam Partridge, said: 'We advised the vendor not to rip the Hirst page out and to leave it with the rest of the autographs because they give it some context. 'You can tell that the vendor has innocently come across Damien Hirst while out collecting autographs and has been very lucky. 'Also, she could easily have ripped the whole page the Hirst drawing is on as well. 'There are more than 30 signatures in the book although they don't add much value to it, maybe £10 to £15.' The 6ins by 5ins drawing has a pre-sale estimate of up to £2,000, but it could easily fetch £5,000. The sale takes place on March 7. | Grandmother asked for artist's autograph while at a snooker game .
She has collected autographs from dozens of sports stars over five years .
Damien Hirst's quick sketch of shark raised book's value to £5,000 . |
195,417 | 88f71facfc6f9af16705f63de1f53a22a54589b8 | Denver (CNN) -- While an increasingly unpopular President Obama seems to be on a self-imposed Rose Garden strategy this election, one Democrat is in demand on the campaign trail: Sen. Elizabeth Warren. She's an unabashed progressive from Massachusetts, a Democrat who thinks Democrats are too timid and a populist who has been called to help in red, blue and purple states. And despite her frequent protests, she's someone that liberals long to see launch a 2016 bid for the White House. Warren is an unusual Washington phenom—a combination of loyal soldier and inside agitator, a star who has no problem taking on her own party. "What the Democrats have to do is be willing to stand up and fight," she tells CNN. Asked if the party hasn't been willing to do that, she responds: "I just think we can use a little more of that. I think we can use a little more of standing up and saying this is what it's about, and I'm willing to do it." Warren's job this election season is to gin up a party base that lacks energy, and she's been taking her message to get out the vote to 15 states so far. This weekend, she ventures to New Hampshire to stump for Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, locked in a close contest with Republican Scott Brown. The race is personal for Warren: she defeated Brown in 2012 for her Senate seat when he lived in Massachusetts. POLL: Dead heat in New Hampshire Senate race . Warren has also raised money -- about $6 million -- for the party this cycle. But most of all, she's reminding Democrats that they have a large stake in this election. "The powerful and the rich should get richer and more powerful," Warren tells a crowd of several hundred in Boulder. "That's what it's all about for the Republicans." Warren is the messenger that President Obama can't be—at least not now. It's been a tricky election year for him: his popularity is on the decline, the world is increasingly dangerous and his Democrats are at growing risk of losing control of the Senate. They're left in a precarious place, trying to figure out the best ways to motivate the Obama base -- without Obama. Enter Warren. In Colorado, where incumbent Democratic Sen. Mark Udall is in a tight race against Republican Rep. Cory Gardner, she plays to the college audience in Boulder. "The fight comes to you. If you pick up what you've got, and you put everything you can into it, then together you, me, Mark, all of us, that's how we are going to build a future together," she says. But she's also been able to play in the red states of West Virginia and Kentucky, where she campaigned this summer with Senate candidates Alison Lundergan Grimes and Natalie Tennant. Warren's rise as a party star is, well, complicated. While the president first tapped her to help create the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, he did not nominate her as its first chief—worried she could not get confirmed--so she ran for the Senate, with White House backing. But she's not shy about taking on the White House, calling its bailout more of a sell-out. "You know if President Barack Obama had not been in the White House we would not have the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau today. This is an agency that has forced the biggest banks in this country to return more than four billion dollars directly to people they cheated, and that's been just three years," she tells CNN. But there's a but in there: "Of course there's a but coming because there's another half to this...He also chose an economic team and when the going got tough, the economic team chose Wall Street. They protected Wall Street over American families, and that's just something I think is fundamentally wrong." In the past, she has also called former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton— a frontrunner for the 2016 Democratic presidential nomination and an ex-New York senator--too close to the financial sector. "I have said I worry about everyone who is too close to Wall Street. When I describe what this race is about, it's about who does government work for. I worry everywhere," she says in the interview. Not exactly a ringing endorsement, although she has signed a letter urging Clinton to run for the presidency. Even so, she has become the left's anti-Hillary and the Republicans poster child for big government liberalism. She and her agenda star in the conservative PAC American Crossroads videos linking her to Obama. Republicans say she energizes their base as much as she does the Democrats, but she balks at the notion. "Whoa, whoa, wait, wait because I believe we should have a little higher minimum wage, because I believe women should have access to birth control, because I believe the United States government not be making tens of billions of dollars in profits off the backs of our kids on student loans, because I believe Social Security should not be privatized. That's what I believe in. That's what I am out there fighting for." She's fighting, she says repeatedly, to keep Democrats in charge of the Senate in 2014. But what about 2016? She is determined not to look beyond this year's election, staying relentlessly on message while her supporters want the 2016 door open: "You could ask this as many ways as you want. I'm not running for president." OPINION: How the 'Seinfeld election' could actually make a difference . | Elizabeth Warren is pushing fellow Democrats to fight more .
Warren to CNN: "We can use a little more of standing up"
Warren will campaign this weekend in New Hampshire . |
232,355 | b8dd576b3d74907d28e38e98890363caf27a755f | Olive oil may be good for your heart – but it could soon be taking quite a toll on your wallet. Prices are set to soar because of poor harvests in Spain, where hot, dry weather affected trees during the flowering season. Bottlers are paying up to 40 per cent more for their oil than in May, trade magazine The Grocer said. Industry experts fear Spain's olive oil crop for 2014-2015 could be half the size of last year’s bumper harvest because of hot and dry conditions . Industry experts fear the country’s crop for 2014-2015 could be half the size of last year’s bumper harvest. Olive oil has gained hugely in popularity as health-conscious families switch to Mediterranean diets. Commodity analysts Mintec said it was too early to assess what the full impact would be. But one supplier told The Grocer: ‘Currently it is very difficult to purchase wholesale bulk olive oil in Spain as producers are withholding stock in anticipation of higher prices later in the year.’ Supplies of olive oil in Italy have also been greatly reduced by hostile bacteria destroying trees. The microbe, first identified in the Americas and never before seen in Europe, had infected 800,000 trees in Salento, in Puglia in, southern Italy, it was reported last month. Puglia produces about 11million tonnes of olives a year, more than a third of the national crop and some of the country's best oils. By mid-August the disease, Xylella fastidiosa, had cost the olive oil industry an estimated £200m. A hostile bacteria - Xylella fastidiosa - seen in Europe for the first time, is destroying centuries-old olive trees and threatening supplies of Italian oil (file picture) Below is a summary of the Italian virgin olive oil market worldwide, according to Unaprol (organisation of Italian oil producers), showing the main importing countries: . USA: Italy holds a market share of 51 per cent, with exports up two per cent in 2013. AUSTRIA: Italy is the market leader in 2013 with a 48 per cent share. BRAZIL: Italy is the fourth-largest virgin oil supplier to Brazil with seven per cent of the market, following Portugal, Spain and Argentina. CANADA: Italy is in pole position with a market share of 70 per cent in 2013. CHINA: Italy is the second-largest virgin oil supplier. In 2013, the market share was 21 per cent. KOREA: Italy is the second-largest virgin oil supplier. JAPAN: Italy is the market leader in 2013 with a 45 per cent share and a growth of six per cent. HONG KONG: Italy is the main virgin oil supplier. INDIA: Italy is the second-largest virgin oil supplier on the Indian market after Spain. RUSSIA: Italy is the second-biggest virgin oil supplier with a 26 per cent market share. SINGAPORE: Italy is the main virgin oil supplier, with an increase from 2012 to 2013 both for the volume and for the value. Source: Olive Oil Times . | Poor harvest caused by dry weather causes Spanish olive oil prices to soar .
Bottlers are paying up to 40 per cent more for their oil than in May .
Industry experts say their could be a knock-on effect for British buyers .
Last month a hostile bacteria destroyed millions of tonnes of Italian olives . |
260,567 | dd6a57df498284b0d4d42b1346cce27434031024 | Michael Clarke says there's a chance he 'may never play again' after suffering a hamstring injury during Saturday's final day of play in the first Test against India. Clarke was sent for scans after limping from Adelaide Oval with a right hamstring injury. 'The scans are not great, they have certainly showed a tear there. The experts are looking at them and I can pretty confidently say that I won't take part in this Test series,' Clarke said. 'I don't know exactly how long I'm going to be out for,' said Michael Clarke at a post-match press conference after suffering a hamstring injury in Saturday's first Test match against India. 'I don't know exactly how long I'm going to be out for. 'There's no doubt there's certainly a chance, well there's a chance I may never play again. 'I hope that's not the case and I'll be doing everything in my power to get back out on the park, but I have to be realistic as well.' Clarke has suffered serious right and left hamstring injuries in the past four months, and he was given injections to sooth his his chronic back injury when it flared up on Tuesday. 'I did my left hamstring (three times in the past four months). I've done my right side of my back, I've just done my right hammy. 'I have no regrets about playing this Test match. I have no regrets about going back on the field after I retired hurt,' he said. 'I don't have one regret. This is the most important Test match of my career. 'Once you walk into the game, you have to do whatever it takes to finish that game,' he said. 'Now I've got to go back and do what the experts tell me, to give myself my best chance of being fully fit.' Michael Clarke is in serious doubt for the second Test starting in Brisbane on Wednesday, after suffering another injury fielding at the Adelaide Oval today. Clarke collapses next to Chris Rogers after injuring his right hamstring fielding the ball during the tirst Test match against India at Adelaide Oval . Man down: Michael Clarke says he doesn't know how long he's going to be out of play, after scans revealed a serious tear to his right hamstring . Australian captain Michael Clarke walks from the Adelaide Oval with team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris after suffering another injury in the first Test against India. Australian physiotherapist Alex Koutouris rushes to the aid of captain Michael Clarke. Michael Clarke, collapsed beside Chris Rogers (right) limped off Adelaide Oval on Saturday with a devastating right hamstring injury . The injury is a devastating blow to Australia on an otherwise exceptional day for the Australian team after Nathan Lyon dismantled the Indian batsmen in a remarkable 48-run win. Virat Kohli crafted a career-best century, but Lyon's maiden 10-wicket Test haul proved the difference as the hosts clinched victory on Saturday. The enthralling battle between chief protagonists Lyon and Kohli ended in the 82nd over. India's stand-in skipper holed out on 141, Mitch Marsh misreading the ball but completing an awkward catch in the deep. Ryan Harris and Mitchell Johnson claimed a wicket each after the final drinks break. But Lyon fittingly ended the game when he had Ishant Sharma stumped and India all out for 315 in the 88th over. Nathan Lyon (centre) fittingly ended the game when he had Ishant Sharma stumped and India all out for 315 . Shane Watson (left), Brad Haddin and David Warner (right) celebrate after Lyon's wicket ends the game . Lyon's maiden 10-wicket Test haul proved the difference as the hosts clinched victory on Saturday . Nathan Lyon spun Australia to a remarkable 48-run win over India in the first Test . Nathan Lyon in the middle of an Australian team huddle over the number 408, which was dedicated to the late Phillip Hughes . Lyon finished with incredible match figures of 12-286, bouncing back superbly after an underwhelming tour of the UAE, where he captured three Test wickets at an average of 140. Australian captain Michael Clarke went down fielding a ground ball at mid wicket after lunch and left the field clutching his right hamstring. He was assisted back to the sheds by team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris. This latest setback continues a terrible run of injuries for Clarke, who had been in doubt of playing the first Test scheduled for Brisbane before the freak accident which caused the death of his 'little brother' Phillip Hughes. Clarke strained his left hamstring in a one day international in Perth last month, then suffered a recurrence of a degenerative back injury that forced him to retire hurt on 60 while batting on Tuesday. The 33-year-old returned the next day after extensive treatment to post a courageous 128 and was fielding in pain during the Indians' two innings. Michael Clarke leaves the ground with Alex Kountouris, the Australian Team Physiotherapist . Michael Clarke leaves the field after being dismissed on day four of the first Test in Adelaide. Michael Clarke dives to field a ball on the fourth day of the first Test. Australia declared its second innings closed at 5/290, with Steve Smith - who scored 162 not out in the first innings - again left unbeaten on 52. Brad Haddin was not out on 14. David Warner, who scored 145 in the first innings, knocked up 102 in the second. The overnight declaration left India with a target of 364 for victory today. At tea, India was 2/205, with stand-in captain Virat Kohli on 82 (off 112 balls) and Murali Vijay on 85 (off 208). Earlier, Mitchell Johnson had Shikhar Dhawan caught by Brad Haddin for 21, while Haddin also caught Cheteshwar Pujara off Nathan Lyon for 21. The Brisbane Test was delayed after the death of former Test opener Phillip Hughes, who was struck in the neck by a bouncer playing for South Australia against NSW on November 25. He died two days later. Australia's captain Michael Clarke talks with former spin legend Shane Warne, right, after the match . Nathan Lyon and Michael Clarke of Australia celebrate after claiming victory in day five of the First Test match between Australia and India . Michael Clarke leaves the field with a stump and a limp after the Saturday win over India. Clarke says the hamstring injury will keep him from this Test series - and that it could spell the end of his career . The Australian captain said it was 'heartbreaking' to miss any game of cricket and that he still hopes to be able to play in the upcoming World Cup. 'Our first (World Cup) practice game is eight weeks away,' he said. 'I'd love to take part in the tri-series, I'd love to take part in the World Cup but I just have to wait and see. 'Hopefully I'll get another opportunity to play again this summer.' | Michael Clarke limped off the field with a torn hamstring in Saturday's first test against India .
'I can pretty confidently say that I won't take part in this Test series,' the Australian captain said after scans .
Injury is not the same hamstring that has troubled him for the past month .
Nathan Lyon put in a remarkable performance as Australia beat India by 48 runs .
Lyon's maiden 10-wicket haul was key as the hosts clinched the win . |
35,012 | 6384a29f40daa6b414de28caadeb4a87b61adfdc | These neon waves lapping gently at the shore may look supernatural, but they are created by one of nature’s tinniest creatures. Millions of plankton glowed to light up a beach on the tiny island of Mjorn in Sweden last Wednesday. Scientists believe the bioluminescent phenomenon is the result of plankton being disturbed, causing them to emit light though a complex chemical reaction. Scroll down for video . An eerie glow: Millions of plankton glowed to light up a beach on the tiny island of Mjorn in Sweden last Wednesday.Scientists believe the bioluminescent phenomenon is the result of plankton being disturbed, causing them to emit light though a complex chemical reaction . Organisms such as plankton, fireflies and anglerfish are able to glow by releasing the chemical luciferin, which reacts with oxygen to create light. Lukasz Warzecha, who lives in High Peak, Derbyshire, photographed the stunning sight while on a trip with to Sweden. ‘After a good half an hour of shooting in the area I was cold and ready to leave but Ulrika [a friend who appears in the photographs] decided to have a look for some bioluminescence,’ he said. Hands on: Organisms such as plankton, fireflies and anglerfish are able to glow by releasing the chemical luciferin, which reacts with oxygen to create light. Here, Lukasz Warzecha puts his hands into the water to disturb the tiny creatures, causing them to give off light . A haunting spectacle: The amateur photographer from Derbyshire had never seen the natural phenomenon before and would have missed it if his friend Ulrika (pictured) hadn't thrown some small stones in the water, which came to life and glowed . Bioluminescence is the production and emission of light by a living organism. It occurs widely in marine vertebrates and invertebrates, as well as in some fungi and microorganisms such as phytoplankton. The word comes from the Greek 'bios' for living and the Latin 'lumen' for light. Bioluminescence is a type of light energy produced by a chemical reaction. Different types of animals use bioluminescence in different ways. Deep sea squid use it for counter illumination camouflage so they match their environmental light, but Anglefish use it to lure prey with a light-up dangling appendage from their head that draws in smaller fish, which they can eat. Fireflies use bioluminescence to attract mates by flashing their abdomens, while their larvae use it to repel predators. ‘I'd never seen it before, but she threw some small stones close to the shore and the ocean came alive - I couldn't believe my eyes. ‘We went around the corner to an even smaller bay and as we were walking along the beach our feet were leaving shining footprints. ‘The concentration of plankton in that small area was so big it looked at times like the water was on fire and was certainly mirroring the sky.’ Dr Andy Davies, a marine biologist at Bangor University's School of Ocean Sciences, explained: ‘The light is created by small organisms called plankton, which are producing this light through a complex chemical reaction. ‘It's an example of how organisms have evolved complex responses to external stimulus.' He said that late spring and early summer are the best times to see the phenomenon, so it seems that Mr Warzecha was lucky to witness the eerie spectacle. Bioluminescence occurs widely among some groups of animals, especially in the open sea and in insects. ‘Most marine light-emission is in the blue and green light spectrum - the wavelengths that pass furthest through seawater,’ he said. ‘However, some loose-jawed fish emit red and infrared light, and the genus Tomopteris emits yellow light. ‘Sometimes thousands of square miles of the ocean shine with the light of bioluminescent bacteria in the milky seas,' he said. Millions of plankton glowed to light up a beach on the tiny island of Mjorn in Sweden (marked on the map) last Wednesday . Spectacular: ‘The concentration of plankton in that small area was so big it looked at times like the water was on fire and was certainly mirroring the sky,’ Mr Warzecha (pictured) said . | Millions of plankton glowed to light up a beach on the tiny island of Mjorn in Sweden last Wednesday .
Spectacular natural spectacle was captured by an amateur photographer from Derbyshire who was on holiday .
He said the eerie glowing sight looked like the 'water was on fire and was certainly mirroring the sky'
Scientists believe bioluminescent phenomenon is due to plankton being disturbed, causing them to emit light . |
30,732 | 576795a50c4edc651bfe6412faaf2f612a532f72 | A millionaire former Tory donor defected to UKIP today and announced he was handing the party £1million to fight the next election - because he was angry at being called a 'nobody' by William Hague. Arron Banks, who has previously given tens of thousands of pounds to the Conservatives, said he was only going to give Nigel Farage's party £100,000 - but decided to increase it by £900,000 after Mr Hague's jibe. The announcement, timed to disrupt David Cameron's set-piece party conference speech this morning, comes after the Tories were left stunned by the double defection of rebel backbenchers Douglas Carswell and Mark Reckless. But David Cameron today warned voters who back UKIP at the next election that they risk 'going to bed with Nigel Farage and waking up with Ed Miliband'. Scroll down for video . David Cameron was stung this morning after Tory donor Arron Banks (right) announced he was defecting to UKIP . Mr Farage said the Tories were paying for insulting UKIP supporters like multi-millionaire Mr Banks (right) Mr Banks was accompanied by Mr Farage and party chairman Steve Crowther when he made the announcement at a press conference at a country hotel near Bristol . Potshot: Commons leader William Hague dismissed Mr Banks (pictured) as someone he'd 'never heard of' Speaking this morning, Mr Hague - the Commons leader - dismissed the importance of Mr Banks' defection. He said: 'I’ve never heard of him so we are not going to get too upset about that. It’s certainly not going to overshadow the prime minister’s speech today that someone we haven’t heard of has gone to Ukip.' The remarks infuriated Mr Banks, causing him to increase his planned donation to UKIP. Speaking to reporters this evening he said: 'In light of that and in view of the fact that I am a strong advocate of leaving the EU, I've decided to donate £1million to the party and not the £100,000 originally agreed.' He added: 'Mr Hague will now know who I am.' Mr Farage said the donation had capped a 'remarkable week' for UKIP following Mr Reckless's defection on Saturday. He also lashed out at the personal attacks directed against UKIP during the Tory party conference in Birmingham. The UKIP leader attacked Boris Johnson's claim that UKIP defectors were the type of people of had sex with vacuum cleaners. Mr Farage said it was an 'incredibly crude' jibe. The UKIP leader has already announced two Tory MP defections, but has claimed he is discussions with many more . Mr Farage said the donation had capped a 'remarkable week' for UKIP following Mr Reckless's defection on Saturday . Recent Tory defections to UKIP have sparked an angry torrent of abuse against Mr Farage's party at the Conservative conference in Birmingham this week. Boris Johnson accused defectors of being the kind of people who had sex with vacuum cleaners - while former Chancellor Ken Clarke said the party's supporters were 'grumpy old men' who had led 'disappointing lives'. In his conference speech today, Mr Cameron warned backing UKIP would only help Labour to victory. He said: 'If you vote UKIP – that's really a vote for Labour. Here's a thought - on 7th May you could go to bed with Nigel Farage, and wake up with Ed Miliband.' The Prime Minister quipped: 'I don't know about you but not one bit of that works for me.' Mr Banks – an insurance supremo – will hand over a cheque to Mr Farage for £100,000 today in a major boost to UKIP. Mr Banks told Sky News he did not believe the Prime Minister would succeed in his efforts to reform the European Union or leave it. He said: ‘I’ve supported the Conservatives for a number of years but have come to the realisation that only Ukip supports my views. ‘Being a member of the EU is like having a first class ticket on the Titanic. Economically, remaining in the EU is unsustainable.’ David Cameron arrived back in Downing Street this evening after his conference speech in Birmingham . On his way back to London the PM stopped with is wife Samantha at the Five Guys Burger Bar at Touchwood in Solihul, West Midlands . The latest defection is timed to hit Mr Cameron on the day he made his set-piece address to the Conservative Party conference . The Prime Minister today warned voters that a vote for UKIP was a vote for Labour and would help Ed Miliband into Downing Street . The move is the latest in a series of announcements designed to disrupt the Tories’ final party conference before the general election. Over the weekend Mr Reckless became the second Tory MP to jump ship and trigger and a Commons by-election rather than sit as a UKIP MP. Former deputy mayor of London Richard Barnes has also declared he is switching allegiance. Mr Banks said: ‘We are being dragged down to the lowest common denominator of financial growth when we should be looking to trade worldwide and should be basing our future prosperity on a long-term global outlook. ‘The Conservative Party try to sell us the myth that EU reform is achievable when frankly all Cameron can offer is tinkering around the edges. He is not even able to bring himself to say that he would support UK exit if his supposed reforms do not work.’ Nigel Farage has left the Tories reeling after convincing two Tory MPs to switch to UKIP, including Mark Reckless (right) Rebel backbench MP Douglas Carswell became the first Tory MP to quit to join UKIP, after making the shock announcement at a press conference last month . Labour frontbencher Michael Dugher said: ‘David Cameron is haemorrhaging support and his authority is ebbing away. He can’t control his party, who clearly have no confidence in his leadership. ‘And once again we see that Ukip are reliant on Tory money as well as Tory policy and Tory politicians, putting paid to the idea that they stand up for working people.’ | Millionaire donor Arron Banks said he was switching to UKIP this morning .
Mr Banks has previously given tens of thousands of pounds to the Tories .
He revealed tonight that he would hand Nigel Farage's party £1million .
Donor revealed he only planned to give £100,000 but was insulted by Tories .
Follows double defection of rebel MPs Douglas Carswell and Mark Reckless .
Boris Johnson's former deputy Richard Barnes also left to join UKIP .
UKIP defections have sparked an angry backlash at the Tory conference . |
117,836 | 242403acb46830686531e0a232ea7ec7d3f7d23b | The mother of James Foley - the first American hostage beheaded by ISIS - says the alleged death of Kayla Mueller is proof the government has let their children down. Diane Foley, whose son was killed by Jihadi John in August last year, says 'nothing was done' to save those in captivity. Mueller was captured by jihadists in August 2013 and has been held alongside other prisoners - some of whom have been shown in the regime's trademark beheading videos. Her identity was not widely known until Friday, when ISIS claimed Mueller died in a bombing raid by Jordan. Scroll down for video . Standing by: Diane Foley (left), whose son James was beheaded by ISIS last August, believes the alleged death of Kayla Mueller is further proof the government has let their children down . Outspoken: She accused the American government of standing by as the hostages were held in captivity for two years . Foley told ABC's World News Tonight: 'Kayla, along with our son and others were held for nearly two years and there were many opportunities along the way: several times when the captors reached out, several times when returning hostages brought sensitive information. 'And yet nothing was done to save our young Americans. So that's the part that deeply concerns me.' The news comes on the back of reports U.S. special operations forces were incredibly close to finding Kayla Jean Mueller, 26, during a rescue mission in July 2014. A similar mission was launched to try and bring back James Foley just months before his death, however he had been moved by the time special forces arrived. Foley added: 'I certainly applaud the young, courageous soldiers who went on that mission. It was much too late and the intelligence obviously was poor -- it wasn't good enough for those courageous soldiers -- so they went in for nothing,' Failed attempts: Mrs Foley, who has been outspoken since her son's (pictured) death, says officials squandered many opportunities to save the hostages while they were in captivity. Since her son's death Foley has been outspoken about the government's complicity. In September, she told CNN that 'as an American', she was 'embarrassed and appalled' at efforts to rescue her son from captivity. Articulate and thoughtful throughout her interview, Mrs Foley said her son 'was sacrificed because of a lack of communication and prioritization.' 'Jim was killed in the most horrific way. He was sacrificed because of just a lack of coordination, lack of communication, lack of prioritization,' said Diane Foley. 'As a family, we had to find our way through this on our own.' The reports of Kayla's death were met with widespread scepticism, including her parents, Carl and Marsha Mueller, who believe their daughter is alive. Allegations: The reports of Kayla's death were met with widespread scepticism, including her parents, Carl and Marsha (right) Mueller, who believe their daughter is alive . In a statement released by couple Friday, from their home in Prescott, Arizona, they said they are 'hopeful that Kayla is alive'. They also begged her captors to contact them privately, and hinted that they had already been in contact with ISIS, who typically demand enormous ransoms for the return of prisoners. Mueller's parents did not know their daughter was alive until May 2014 - nine months after her kidnapping - when they received contact from her. | Diane Foley said there was 'nothing done' to save Americans in captivity .
Her son, the first captive, was beheaded by Jihadi John in August .
She claimed there were many opportunities to retrieve them along the way .
However she said 'poor' intelligence meant soldiers went in for nothing .
ISIS claimed Mueller died during a bombing raid by Jordan on Friday .
Despite reports, many people including her parents believe she is alive . |
171,647 | 6a29c55d9604efc031af89cab8f8b0d715802e4f | Diyarbakir, Turkey (CNN) -- The empty anchorman's chair in the small television studio said it all. Mehmet Ali Birand, Turkey's most charismatic broadcaster, writer and political commentator had passed away. Birand was in his 70s. He had been battling cancer for years. But news of his death after undergoing gallbladder surgery in hospital still came as a shock. On Thursday night, a hush settled over a bustling restaurant in Diyarbakir when a waiter turned the TV up to hear the sad announcement. Only two days before, Birand had been broadcasting from behind that same desk. His eyes sparkled. He smiled as he spoke. He always performed in front of the camera with such energy. It looked like he was popping out of his chair. It's tempting and lazy for me to describe Birand to foreigners as Turkey's own "Walter Cronkite." But Birand was so charming, elegant and vibrant, it's not fair to compare the veteran journalist to anyone else. With Birand's passing, Turkey lost one of its most effective communicators -- not only to millions of Turks who watched his news broadcast on Kanal D every night, but also to foreigners like myself who struggle haplessly to explain this fascinating and sometimes frustrating country to the outside world. Birand had a remarkable way with words, even when he wasn't conversing in his native Turkish or in French, which he insisted he spoke far better than English. "Oh my God, the state has a very heavy hand!" he exclaimed once, during a radio interview with me in 2007. "Once you are pursued, once you are sent to trial, everything changes." We were discussing state persecution of journalists. It was something Birand knew intimately. In the 1990s, his reporting angered the army generals who once controlled so much of Turkey, and he says they sought to punish him for his disobedience. Years later, the subject kept coming up in our conversations every time a reporter was thrown in jail, every time a journalist was murdered -- even as the government denied involvement. "We don't have enough freedom in criticizing the government, criticizing the police, the security forces. That has to be changed, there is no way out," Birand told me in 2010. After the Armenian newspaper editor Hrant Dink was gunned down on an Istanbul street in 2007, Birand told me he was now living with protection from a body guard. "I'm self-censoring, I don't want to get into trouble, I don't want to get shot. Unfortunately there is this possibility. I'm afraid!" he said. But Birand continued writing and broadcasting. Until about a year ago he was managing editor of CNN's joint venture in Turkey, CNN Turk. Every week in his newspaper columns, he gently preached tolerance, urging his leaders and fellow citizens to approach disputes through dialogue rather than fury. His final column published in the English-language Hurriyet Daily News urged hot-headed Kurdish militants and heavy-handed Turkish cops to show restraint at a demonstration Thursday in Diyarbakir for three Kurdish political activists murdered in Paris. "I want to be hopeful," the veteran journalist wrote. As it turned out, the potentially-explosive Diyarbakir gathering passed peacefully, with no tear gas, gunfire or Molotov cocktails. Birand's message of fairness won him supporters, even within the ranks of Turkey's deeply alienated Kurdish youth. As crowds of Kurdish demonstrators dispersed after the memorial gathering on Thursday, a young Kurdish man approached my camera crew. "Is Mehmet Ali Birand OK?" he asked, with obvious concern. "I heard he was in hospital." I have been a little awestruck by Birand, ever since I first met him a decade ago when I was a foreign correspondent in my 20s. Last year I asked him what words of advice he might have for young Turkish journalists. "One should not fear the government, especially the civilian government. We did not fear the military government. They should not fear the civilian government," said Birand. "Continue writing. Continue insisting on your views. Don't panic." People we lost in 2013: The lives they lived . | Respected Turkish journalist Mehmet Ali Birand dies after operation .
During Turkey's recent history he often angered national leaders .
"We don't have enough freedom in criticizing" powerbrokers, he said in 2010 .
His last published work included a plea for calm at a Kurdish demonstration . |
18,337 | 33dec569db16eb9dd0ac0323ead9dd62dcde9296 | (CNN) -- Self-confessed BlackBerry addict President Barack Obama may not have to kick the thumbing habit after all, despite the concerns of a notoriously technophobic White House. Obama was a self-confessed BlackBerry addict during his White House campaign. "The president has a BlackBerry," White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said Thursday, clearing up weeks of speculation about whether President Obama would be able to hold on to a cherished method of communicating. The decision to allow Obama to keep a smartphone is "a compromise that allows him to stay in touch with senior staff and a small group of personal friends," Gibbs told the media in his first press conference since the inauguration. "Use will be limited and the security is enhanced to ensure his ability to communicate but to do so effectively," Gibbs also said. "And to do so in a way that is protected." The press secretary refused to provide more details about the new president's device, already being called the "BarackBerry." Watch CNN's Errol Barnett reports on the president's new phone » . Obama was often seen hunched over the mobile e-mail cell phone device during his election campaign and even featured at No. 2 on one celebrity Web site's list of obsessive BlackBerry users. But, like previous Oval Office incumbents, Obama had been expected to take a vow of technological celibacy following his inaugural oath on Tuesday, despite telling CNBC in an interview that security officials would have to "pry it out of my hands." He said a mobile device would help him stay in touch with the real world. Should President Obama be allowed to keep his BlackBerry? Tell us what you think . E-mail has long been treated with suspicion by the Secret Service because of fears it could be hacked into by foreign espionage agencies, or that sensitive information could reach the public domain via a single mistaken strike of the "send" key. President George W. Bush was forced to give up using e-mail when he took charge, while President Bill Clinton sent just two e-mails during his administration -- one to test that the system worked and the second to veteran astronaut John Glenn before his trip into space in 1998. There are also concerns that mobile devices such as the BlackBerry, which contain built-in GPS technology, could be hacked, revealing the president's location within a few feet. But according to reports Thursday, Obama may actually have been issued a spy-proof alternative to his favorite toy. Writing on his blog for the Atlantic magazine, Marc Ambinder reports that the National Security Agency has approved a $3,350 smartphone -- inevitably dubbed the "BarackBerry" -- for Obama's use. The exclusive Sectera Edge, made by General Dynamics, is reportedly capable of encrypting top secret voice conversations and handling classified documents. But Obama may have pushed his Secret Service handlers' technological patience far enough. Ambinder also reports that instant messaging in the White House will still be a definite no-no. CNN's Martina Stewart contributed to this report. | Report: Security officials approve $3,350 smartphone for Barack Obama .
Obama was an inveterate BlackBerry user during his campaign .
Security concerns that e-mail could be hacked, or GPS used to locate president .
Phone capable of encrypting voice conversations, handling classified documents . |
250,681 | d06f03c880cdc3b7bbe7ead9ed4a873f9848e6a5 | The mastermind of a £2.5 million fraud has gone on the run, fleeing with his passport just days before he was due to be sentenced. Maxwell Parsons, 48, was found guilty of conspiracy to defraud at a trial at Manchester Crown Court, and was convicted in his absence. He was due to appear at the court for his sentencing, but is now being hunted by the police after he failed to show up. Computer expert Maxwell Parsons who is the mastermind of a £2.5m fraud bugging cash machines but has gone on the run after he was allowed to keep his passport and sit outside the dock throughout his trial . Parsons also found a way to reverse transactions, and used it to carry out a sophisticated money generation scam using a bureau de change . Parsons was found to be the brains of a . sophisticated fraud operation based in Greater Manchester, which cost . the banking industry more than £2 million. Parsons' scheme managed to rake in £5,000 a day before he was caught . Despite . being convicted of the conspiracy, he was considered low-risk enough to . sit outside the dock throughout the four-week trial, as well as not . having to surrender his passport. Parsons is a self-taught computer fraudster, who found a way to manipulate banking . systems so payments were automatically reversed - meaning money could be . spent again and again. Most of the transactions were carried out . at bureau de changes in Greater Manchester, so purchased cash could be . converted back into sterling. Previously, Parsons was jailed for bugging cash machines using MP3 players to clone people's debit and credit card details. An HM Courts and Tribunals Service spokeswoman confirmed Parsons had not been asked to hand over his passport as a part of his bail conditions. Parsons goes by a number of aliases, and has already proved his skills in defrauding, so may prove hard for authorities to track down. He faces up to 10 years in jail if he is brought back before a judge. Parsons carried out the scam between December 2008 and June 2009, and at its peak, the scheme raked in £50,000-a-day before being stopped by Greater Manchester Police in 2010. Three of Parsons' collaborators in the fraud, who are all from the Stockport and south Manchester areas, have previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud. Takhliq Khaliq, 47, of Boddens Hill Road, Heaton Mersey, his brother Zaki Khaliq, 44, of Carwood Road, Bramhall, and Muhammed Khan, 43, of Alexandra Road South, Whalley Range, are set to be sentenced along with Parsons. Sentencing has now been adjourned until May 9. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article. | Computer mastermind Maxwell Parsons, 48, manipulated banking systems .
He reverse transactions, so that money could be spent again and again .
He bought foreign money at a bureau de change in Greater Manchester, .
He would then reverse the bank transactions, before converting the money he received back into sterling .
He also stole people's bank details at ATMs using an MP3 player .
Was considered low risk, but has now fled with his passport just days before his sentencing . |
201,159 | 906e544783305fdc39465decf1a4347ed01c2127 | A heroic soldier who survived being blown up by the Taliban twice to be awarded Britain's second-highest medal for bravery has offered it for sale at £100,000. Colour Sergeant Alan Dennis was presented with the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross - second only to the Victoria Cross - by Prince Charles for risking his life to rescue three comrades while under fire. As he dragged the third colleague to safety a rocket propelled grenade exploded 5ft in front of him, sending him flying through the air and into a ditch, breaking his arm. Scroll down for video . For sale: Colour Sergeant Alan Dennis is selling his prestigious Conspicuous Gallantry Cross (left) along with his other medals for £100,000 after he was awarded it for risking his life to save three comrades . Soldier: Sgt Dennis, pictured in Afghanistan, was on patrol in Helmand Province in 2009 when he and his fellow soldiers were ambushed by the Taliban . But the brave soldier continued firing his rifle with his good arm until help arrived. At the time of the ambush in 2009, Sgt Dennis had only just recovered from being blown up in a vehicle by a roadside bomb. He suffered a broken leg after he was catapulted 30ft in the 2007 blast which killed the British serviceman sat next to him, Drummer Thomas Wright. Now aged 40 and a married father-of-two, Sgt Dennis, from Derbyshire, has left the army and has decided to sell his CGC, along with the rest of his medals, for the 'life changing' amount of money. He said: 'I am obviously reluctant in many ways to sell my medals. 'However, the amount of money that this sale could realise is potentially life changing for myself and my family. Injured: As Sgt Dennis dragged the third colleague to safety a rocket propelled grenade exploded 5ft in front of him, sending him flying through the air and into a ditch, breaking his arm . 'As a husband and father, I have to put their welfare first and this has made the decision to auction the medals easier than it might otherwise have been.' The medal is being sold in a group along with his other military awards, including his Accumulated Campaign Service Medal, which he received in 2011, two Jubilee medals and one he was awarded for his service in Northern Ireland. Out of 58 ever awarded, Sgt Dennis' CGC is only the third to come up for auction. Sgt Dennis, who spent 20 years in the Army, served with the 2nd Battalion of the Mercian Regiment and was second in command of a patrol involving soldiers from the Afghan National Army when they were ambushed by the Taliban in a river valley in Helmand Province in 2009. Half the men broke into a nearby compound to establish a fire support position but upon doing so realised that several of the Afghan troops were still out in the open . Tough decision: Married father-of-two Sgt Dennis, has now left the army and has decided to sell his CGC for the 'life changing' amount of money . Sgt Dennis dashed out twice to help two men to safety. It has taken five years for Sgt Dennis to recover from the physical and psychological scars he suffered in the ambush attack. He left the army in September this year and has started a new job elsewhere. The citation for his CGC states: 'On the third run, he heard a 'whoosh' and turned as a rocket propelled grenade exploded three metres in front of him. 'Although the fragmentation missed him, Dennis was hurled through the air by the blast and into a ditch. For a few seconds he was unconscious and when he came to his left arm hung uselessly by his side and he was in intense pain. 'Undeterred, Dennis fought on, moving back to the fire support position where he used a radio to send a contact report.' He refused morphine as he said it would have dulled his senses or created a burden for his team and instead carried on using his rifle with his right arm. The citation continues: 'Dennis' fighting spirit when severely wounded was outstanding and inspired others. His example and initiative brought the ANA into the battle which saved the patrol from defeat.' Before being presented with his CGC at Buckingham Palace in 2010, Prince Charles - the Colonel-in-Chief to the Mercian Regiment - wrote personally to Sgt Dennis. He wrote: 'To say that I am full of admiration for your gallantry, courage and initiative is an understatement. You are an immense credit to this country of ours which is, without doubt, more fortunate than it realises in having such dedicated people as yourself serving in our armed forces.' The letter from Prince Charles is also being sold alongside Sgt Denni's medals as is an unopened bottle of Highgrove Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky presented to him by the Royal. Pierce Noonan, of London-auctioneers Dix Noonan Webb, said: 'The Conspicuous Gallantry Cross is second only to the Victoria Cross among British combat gallantry awards. 'Just 58 have been awarded to our Armed Forces since the CGC was instituted in 1993 - a period during which our servicemen and women have been almost constantly involved in a series of major conflicts. 'That tells us how special the award is and how astonishingly brave and tenacious Colour Sergeant Dennis was when he won it.' One of the first ever CGCs, awarded to former Royal Marine Justin Thomas, from Llantwit Fadre, sold for £88,000 in September 2009. Marine Thomas, who received the medal after he single-handedly fought off more than 100 Iraqi insurgents in 2003, said he would use the money to buy a house. Another, awarded for an action in Afghanistan sold for £95,000 in 2012. The sale takes place in London on December 10. Recipient: Dipprasad Pun of the Royal Gurkha Rifles was awarded the honour after he single-handedly defeated up to 30 Taliban insurgents . The Conspicuous Gallantry Cross (CGC) is the second highest military medal that can be awarded to members of the United Kingdom's armed forces. Presented in 'recognition of an act or acts of conspicuous gallantry during active operations against the enemy', the medal was introduced in 1993 and is second only to the Victoria Cross. It was introduced after a review of the honours system as part of a drive to remove distinctions of rank in awards for bravery, replacing both the Distinguished Conduct Medal and the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal, and can also be awarded posthumously. All ranks of the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force can be awarded the CGC, with further medal-worthy acts of gallantry honoured with a bar which can be added to the medal. The CGC is silver and in the shape of a cross, with a laurel wreath underneath and is mounted on a white ribbon with blue and crimson stripes. A recipient's rank, name and unit are engraved on the reverse. Corporal Wayne Mills was the first gazetted recipient of the CGC. While serving with the 1st Battalion The Duke of Wellington's Regiment (West Riding) on UN Service in Bosnia in 1994, his patrol came under fire, from a group of Bosnian Serbs. The patrol returned fire, killing two of the attackers but became vulnerable to futher attack when they reached an open clearing. Corporal Mills then turned back into the wood and engaged the attacking group, delaying them long enough to allow the rest of his patrol to cross the clearing. Corporal Mills shot the leader of the group, causing the rest to scatter and returned to his patrol safely. Other recipients include Dipprasad Pun, a Nepalese corporal with the Royal Gurkha Rifles who was awarded the honour after he single-handedly defeated up to 30 Taliban insurgents who were storming his control post near Babaji in Helmand province in 2010. Three-time Boat Race winner and Army Captain Robin Bourne-Taylor was awarded the medal in 2010,while Royal Marine Mark Jackson ensured his receipt of the award was an extra special day by proposing to his girlfriend Rebecca Daniel after picking up his award from Prince Charles in 2011. Jackson received the award for picking up and throwing back an insurgent's grenade and lying on a comrade to shield him from the blast, while serving in Afghanistan. Double celebration: Mark Jackson of the Royal Marines goes down on one knee to propose to his girlfriend Rebecca Daniel, after receiving the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross from Prince Charles in 2011 . | Colour Sergeant Alan Dennis was awarded Conspicuous Gallantry Cross .
He had risked his life to rescue three comrades while under fire in 2009 .
Sgt Dennis broke his arm in explosion but continued to fire his rifle .
He had only just recovered from being blown up by roadside bomb .
Father-of-two selling his medals for a 'life changing' amount of money .
Says he is reluctant to sell awards, but must put family's 'welfare first'
Only 58 of the medals have been awarded since 1993 . |
67,835 | c0720767d9985d7ce6b16ff09ddeab36a94cc5b4 | Killed: Gemma McCluskie was murdered and her body left in Regent's Canal in London . The brother of EastEnders actress Gemma McCluskie was tonight charged with murder after her headless body was found dumped in a canal just hours after she attended a hospital opening ceremony. The limbless torso, found in the Regent's Canal in Hackney, East London, was confirmed to be that of the 29-year-old today. Police divers are still searching for Miss McCluskie's remaining body parts. This afternoon her brother Tony was charged with murder and will appear at Thames Magistrates' Court on Monday. The 35-year-old was arrested on Wednesday when officers raided the East London home they shared with their mother. Miss McCluskie was reported missing to police two days after she disappeared. Her body was found on Tuesday afternoon when a member of the public reported a suspicious object floating close to Hackney's famous Broadway Market near her home. A distinctive tattoo led detectives to believe the body might be that of the former soap star. Officers have this week been reviewing . CCTV footage of her attending the opening of the £650million Royal . London Hospital, in Whitechapel, East London, shortly before her . disappearance on Thursday, February 29. Final moments: Miss McCluskie attends a hospital opening ceremony last week just before her disappearance . Shocking death: The ex-TV actress looked relaxed and at ease as she took photos at the East London event . The actress, who played Kerry Skinner in EastEnders, was pictured at the hospital . event wearing a yellow long-sleeved blouse with a round neck, and . navy-blue leggings. She was also carrying a two-toned Louis Vuitton bag . with beige handles. Miss McCluskie appeared in more than 30 episodes of the BBC soap opera as teenage temptress Kerry Skinner in 2001. The part was her only high-profile . acting role and it is thought more recently she may have been acting as a . carer for her elderly mother, who lived with her and her ex-builder . brother. 'I always loved you': Gemma's former boyfriend has left a tribute to the actress . Former EastEnders co-stars Natalie Cassidy and Brooke Kinsella both appealed on Twitter for help in finding her. Their . £280,000 maisonette in Bethnal Green was last night sealed off and was . being searched by forensics officers. They also towed away the family's . 2009 VW Polo overnight for tests. Earlier this week neighbours said they were stunned by . the developments. Margaret O’Carroll, who lives two doors away, said . news of the body being found could ‘kill’ Miss McCluskie’s mother, . Pauline, who is currently in hospital suffering from a tumour. A poster appealing for information about Gemma McCluskie and right, a map showing the body was found close to Miss McCluskie's maisonette . She said the 56-year-old had been ill for several years and walked with the . aid of sticks. ‘I don’t know what Pauline would do . without Gemma,’ she added. ‘Gemma used to take her mum everywhere in her . car. The whole family are quite pleasant. 'She lived here with her mum . and her brother Tony.’ Investigation: A police diver searches Regent's Canal next to Broadway Market, East London, after Gemma McCluskie's body was found in March last year . Cordoned off: A police officer by Regent's Canal in east London where Miss McCluskie's torso was found in a suitcase after being thrown into the water in March last year . She was in hospital before Gemma's . disappearance and neighbours fear the recent revelations will have an . even greater impact on her health. A . neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: 'Their mother is very . sick with brain cancer. She is in and out of hospital but was back in . when Gemma disappeared. 'I can't think what this will do to her, it is absolutely sad, so surreal it is happening.' Tony McCluskie led police on 'a wild goose chase' following the discovery of his sister's body, the court heard . Neighbour . of 20 years John, who did not wish to reveal his full name, described . Miss McCluskie as a ‘happy-go-lucky girl’ who had never boasted about . her TV past. More than 100 people, including Miss . McCluskie’s second brother Danny, mounted a high-profile search, which . former EastEnders stars Martine McCutcheon and Brooke Kinsella helped to . promote on Twitter. Two bouquets were left close to where the body was found. One note read: ‘Gemma, we will miss you always. TV: Gemma McCluskie with Dean Gaffney in EastEnders. She appeared in more than 30 episodes of the soap . Screen star: Gemma McCluskie, left, playing Kerry Skinner alongside Michelle Ryan, who appeared in EastEnders as Zoe Slater . Thoughts and prayers: Floral tributes were left near where the torso was found . Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article. | Gemma McCluskie was last seen at home on February 29 .
Her body was found in the canal on Tuesday in Hackney .
Police divers are still looking for her remaining body parts .
Tony McCluskie will appear at Thames Magistrates' Court on Monday . |
26,353 | 4ab477d35456222314cb1c5b670753de7a374dd0 | A waitress who reported a woman to police who was consuming 'drink after drink of alcohol' while breastfeeding her child at the same time at a restaurant in Arkansas says she was fired from her job for taking matters into her own hands. Server Jackie Conners called the police to report Tasha Adams, 28, of Leslie, Arkansas, who was at a pizzeria in Conway with her newborn daughter. Conners says she felt it was ‘unacceptable’ for the mother to drink alcohol while breastfeeding her recently-born child. Breastfeeding incident: Jackie Conners, right, a former waitress at a pizzeria in Conway, Arkansas, reported Tasha Adams, left, for drinking alcohol while breastfeeding her baby . Called cops: Waitress Jackie Conners called the police to report the mother when she saw her consuming alcohol while breastfeeding her baby . For Conners, who is also a mother, what Adams was doing was not right. ‘Me, being a mom, and just seeing . something like that and seeing a baby that can't speak for itself, . having a parent do something like that is just unacceptable,’ Conners . told ArkansasMatters.com. Adams was arrested and charged . with endangering the welfare of a minor after the incident at Gusano's . Pizzeria off Dave Ward Drive in Conway on Wednesday. Her next court date is in January. A . couple days later, Conners says . she was fired for taking the situation into her own hands. However, . a manager at Gusanao’s said that was not the reason for firing her, and . declined to give more information on the matter. Fired: Conners says she was fired from her waitressing job at Gusano's pizzeria in Conway, Arkansas, for calling police on Adams . Arrest: Charges of endangering a child were dropped against Adams, seen here in her booking photo . A Faulkner County police report says the daughter was released to family members. Adams, . who lives in the town of Toad Suck, Arkansas, runs her own florist and . events company where she makes flower arrangements, cakes and wreaths. The mother-of-three claims the situation was taken out of context and 'all blown out of proportion'. She said she wanted to tell her story but that she had been advised to wait until court. 'I hate that, because people don’t know the truth. I am really a normal person.' Caring: Mother-of-three Tasha Adams, pictured with her husband and baby girl, Ana . 'No . one is seeing my side. I just want everyone to know I am . not a horrible person. I have a family to take care of, and that’s all I . care about.' According to the International Guidelines on Drinking and Pregnancy, women who are breastfeeding should not drink. The guidelines state: 'Alcoholic beverages should not be consumed by some individuals, including those who cannot restrict their alcohol intake, women of childbearing age who may become pregnant, pregnant and lactating women, children and adolescents, individuals taking medications that can interact with alcohol, and those with specific medical conditions.' Mothers are warned during pregnancy that consuming even moderate levels of alcohol can cause birth defects in their unborn child. | Tasha Nicole Adams, 28, was arrested after waitress Jackie Conners called police to report her for drinking alcohol while breastfeeding her newborn child .
Waitress Jackie Conners called police because it was 'unacceptable'
Conners says she was fired from the restaurant for taking matters into her own hands .
Adams was charged with endangering a child after the incident at a pizzeria in Conway, Arkansas, on Wednesday .
She says incident was 'blown out of proportion' and that she is 'not a horrible person' |
111,247 | 1b726470ed31cf9eb6f668b132394c7f0f2a6fe7 | They have been using Facebook and Twitter to devastating effect - even hijacking people's innocent tweets to spread their message of propaganda. And now social media users are giving ISIS a taste of its own medicine - by mounting a series of campaigns poking fun at the group. In recent weeks, a wave of tongue-in-cheek virals ridiculing the terrorist organisation have been sweeping across the internet. Scroll down for video . Lee Hurst began the hashtag #AskIslamicState, which thousands of Twitter users had soon employed to poke fun at ISIS . Under the hashtag, one user asked: 'Did you cry when Patrick Swayze died in GHOST?' While some criticise the trends as insensitive, others say it is a way to intimidate the extremist group . Recent attempts to mock the jihadists include the Twitter hashtags #ISISmovies - which saw users come up with spoof film titles ridiculing the group - and #AskIslamicState, which saw users pose satirical questions to the group in the manner of a political Q&A. As the group continue their brutal offensive, while promoting their actions online - including posting sickening footage of beheadings and crucifixions - some have criticised the humorous take on the group as insensitive. But others say it is a way to fight back at the Islamic State and make a small dent in their overwhelming social media presence. As the #ISISmovies trend swept over Twitter, Libyan-American writer Hend Amry wrote: 'Sometimes, you have to mock, to belittle. Because sometimes, belittlement is your enemy's greatest fear.' The hashtag #AskIslamicState - which trended last week - was started by comedian Lee Hurst who wrote: '#AskIslamicState When do you expect the Caliphate to be opened up for tourism?' He later tweeted: '#AskIslamicState I'm thinking of visiting, but hate the idea of missing Celebrity Big Brother. Do you show it?' Earlier this month, under #ISISmovies, users re-wrote famous film titles using an Islamic State undertone . 'Return of the Jihadi' (above), based on the Star Wars movie and 'Stoned' (below), the 2005 film about the Rolling Stones founder Brian Jones, were also tweeted by several users to mock the group . The spoof cover of Vogue which surfaced online was poking fun at the group's own magazine . Soon, thousands of Twitter users had joined in with tweets. These included: '#AskIslamicState Did you cry when Patrick Swazye died in GHOST?' One user tweeted: “#AskIslamicState Would you recommend a Burgundy or a Rhone to go with a pig’s liver & bacon casserole?; . While another wrote: “#AskIslamicState Do you think roller blinds are more effective than venetian blinds for blocking out lights ?” As the trend gathered pace, Mens Rea tweeted: 'The great thing about Twitter is nobody is safe from Trolling, even Global, Violent, Hell-Bent Jihadists [sic].' Under #ISISmovies, users re-wrote famous film titles, but with an Islamic State undertone. One of those included 'To Kill a Mocking Kurd' - a take on the book, play and film To Kill a Mocking Bird. 'Return of the Jihadi', based on the Star Wars movie and 'Stoned', the 2005 film about the Rolling Stones founder Brian Jones, were also tweeted by several users. In another online satire, Twitter users mocked up a 'Jihadi Vogue' spoof magazine cover, making fun of the group's own magazine. Earlier this month, Americans also clubbed together online to reverse one of ISIS's hastags #AMessageFromISIStoUS. It soon became #AMessageFromUStoISIS. ISIS has used online propaganda in its efforts. Rather than using a single hashtag to deliver its message, the group has instead hijacked other hashtags, including those used by World Cup fans . ISIS has used online propaganda in its efforts to spread its message. But rather than using a single hashtag to deliver its message, the group has instead hijacked other hashtags, including those used by World Cup fans. The group has also used hashtags to attack prominent figures. Previously, ISIS tweeted a picture of first lady Michelle Obama holding a sign that initially showed the hashtag #bringbackourgirls – a reference to the more than 200 kidnapped Nigerian schoolgirls. That was the edited to say #bringbackourhumvee, a dig at the American-supplied Humvees captured by ISIS in northern Iraq. | Campaigns poking fun at Islamic State have appeared on social media .
Tongue-in-cheek hashtag #AskIslamicState trended on Twitter last week .
Earlier this month, users also tweeted spoof film titles under #ISISmovies .
Some say it is a way of dealing with offensive being carried out by terrorists .
Jihadist group has widely used social media to spread its propaganda . |
41,469 | 74fc4d5e02d17d129204220dbe23fb72810bfba6 | By . Becky Evans . PUBLISHED: . 08:23 EST, 10 February 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 10:21 EST, 10 February 2013 . At just 13ft wide, this tiny house may be one of the smallest in Britain. Spread over two floors, the detached property features all the mod cons needed for comfortable living but most definitely suits a single owner. The house in Bridgwater, Somerset, has gone on the market for the not so tiny price tag of £74,950 and despite being on the small side viewers have travelled more than 150 miles to take a look. Small but perfectly formed: The tiny house has been converted from a garage and is just 13ft wide . Size isn't everything: The ground floor features a combined sitting/kitchen and dining room . Not a good size: The top floor is big enough to fit a double bed but not suitable for the tall homeowner . Estate agent Mark Franklin of Tamlyns said there has already been considerable interest in the home. He said the two-storey house, converted from a garage, is one of the most unusual they have seen. Despite its diminutive nature, the home has a sitting/dining/kitchen room, a rear hall and bathroom on the ground floor and a double bedroom on the first floor. It even boasts its own courtyard at the back. Mr Franklin said: 'We had someone come all the way down from Surrey to see it. 'There has been interest in it. 'It's very unusual - I've never dealt with anything quite like it before. 'It would suit a single person. There'll be somebody out there it would suit.' Although the price may seem high for such a small property, it represents a real bargain when compared to the cost of other properties in the area. It is in the Sedgemoor district, where the average price of a flat is £96,730 or £279,612 for a detached house. The property is currently occupied by . a tenant, on an assured short hold tenancy agreement, paying it is . understood, £400.00 per calendar month. They have indicated they would . like to stay on for the long term, having lived there for over a year . already. The estate agents said the unusual house is a perfect first-time buy. 'Further benefits' include double glazing, electric heating and a view of the canal. They do warn, however, that there is 'restricted head height' in the bedroom. The little house was converted from a garage and people have already travelled 150 miles to view it . Compact: The house only has one room upstairs but has enough space downstairs for a kitchen and bathroom . | The house in Bridgwater, Somerset, was converted from a garage .
It boasts own courtyard and combined dining/kitchen and sitting room .
Estate agents say people have travelled more than 150 miles for a viewing . |
66,517 | bca9df37b1c105d75c491459c86512055dccdedb | Yo. If that wasn’t a satisfactory opening to this article, then you might not be too impressed with the latest app taking internet by storm. Appropriately named ‘Yo’, it lets you send exactly that word to friends and, despite launching on April Fool’s Day, is apparently not a joke. In just over two months it has gained £590,000 ($1 million) in funding and now has a growing userbase of about 50,000. An app called Yo (logo pictured) is currently taking the internet by storm. Since launching in April it has amassed 50,000 users and has apparently been given $1 million in funding. The app is available to download for free on both iOS and Android and lets users send the word yo to others - and nothing else . According to the Financial Times the app took just eight hours to build but is quickly proving a hit with its ‘single-tap zero character communication tool.’ The 'Yo' app can be downloaded from the iTunes store or Google Play for free. When the app is loaded up users are asked to pick a username. Friends can then be invited to the app by text, Facebook or Twitter. When a friend's username is added, tapping on it will send them a yo. They will then receive a notification saying they have received a yo - and that's it. An additional feature involves adding the user 'WORLDCUP', which will then send you a yo every time a goal is scored in the 2014 Brazil World Cup. But you won't know who scored without checking up elsewhere. Other functionality is promised for the app in the future. The company boasts that it takes 11 taps to send the word ‘yo’ on a rival messaging service like WhatsApp compared to just two on their app. However, critics suggest the app is a sign we’re well and truly in an internet bubble like the one at the turn of the century, and it could be set to crash in a similarly disastrous manner. Yo is available now on both iOS and Android for free. There is no ability to sync with Facebook, no email address needed and no search functionality. The app simply lets you pick a username for yourself, and then enter the usernames of friends. By tapping on a name it will then send that person a ‘yo’. They will receive a notification that it has arrived - and nothing more. Some of the tongue-in-cheek reviews on the iTunes store were quick to eschew the apparent qualities of the app. ‘Since downloading Yo, all my relationships have improved and I've regrown most of my hair,’ said one reviewer. ‘Receiving a yo is fast becoming the highlight of my day,’ added another on the Google Play store. ‘So much mystery! Why is this person yo-ing me? Should I respond?’ When the app is first installed you will be asked to pick a username. You can then add the names of friends to send them a yo (left). When a yo is sent the recipient will receive a notification that they have received it (right), and nothing else. The company says it is a ‘single-tap zero character communication tool' The app’s founder, Mr Arbel, said the simplicity of the app was the reason it had already grown its userbase to 50,000. ‘It’s zero characters - you can’t get any simpler than that,’ he said to the Financial Times. ‘We have decided this is an idea with great potential.’ And the app is still evolving - users can add the username WORLDCUP, for example, to get sent a yo whenever a football team scores at the 2014 World Cup. The identity of the player and team, time of the goal and the score will remain a mystery, though, unless the user checks up elsewhere. But the app is seen by some as a sign that the latest tech bubble is set to burst. Infamously in 2000 many technology stocks lost nearly 80 per cent of their value and Silicon Valley lost 200,000 jobs, according to Think Progress, when the last tech bubble collapsed. However, that hasn’t deterred investors from getting behind Yo. The initial $1 million was supplied by investors associated with Moshe Hogeg, a CEO involved in a social network called Mobli. Whether the app continues to wide its wave of success remains to be seen. | San Francisco company's app Yo is available free on iOS and Android .
It lets users send the word 'yo' to other users - and does nothing else .
It has apparently already received $1m in funding and has 50,000 users .
Despite being released on April Fool's Day the company says it's not a joke .
But critics say it could herald the end of the modern internet tech bubble . |
100,743 | 0dcd26b228169631a18aac12e0e14671a2e2cad8 | Jailed: A Zimbabwean man has been jailed for likening a fellow pub-goer to president Robert Mugabe's bottom . A Zimbabwean man has been jailed for three months for likening a fellow pub-goer to president Robert Mugabe's bottom. Clemence Zikhali was imprisoned after a court ruled that he had broken the country's strict insult laws by calling the man 'a Mugabe's a***'. Mr Zikhali claimed in court that he had meant the comment as a joke and that he had not intended to offend the president. However, magistrate Sheila Nazombe rejected the claims and convicted the cement factory labourer of 'behaviour likely to cause public disorder'. Mr Zikhali made the remark at a bar in the small town of Gwanda, in south of the country, on the evening of Monday 4th February. In the course of an argument with the unnamed pub goer, he jokingly referred to the man as 'a Mugabe's a***', his lawyer told Bulewayo magistrates' court. The subject of the insult was a supporter of Mugabe's ruing Zanu-PF party. He reported the slur to the police. As a result, Mr Zikhali was arrested and held in police custody until his appearance at Bulewayo's magistrate's court last Friday. The three month prison sentence has outraged Mr Zikhali's family and supporters. The labourer's cousin Buletsi Nyathi said: 'We are just shocked with the sentence, it's so disturbing. We have since instructed our lawyers to appeal against the sentence.' His lawyer Norman Mangena said: 'He mentioned the president in jest while referring to a fellow patron in a bar. It was not a direct insult to the president.' Trouble: Mr Zikhali made the remark at a bar in the small town of Gwanda, pictured, in south of the country, on the evening of Monday 4th February . This is far from the first time that ordinary Zimbabweans have received harsh punishment for making seemingly innocuous jokes about the country's despotic ruler. Last February carpenter Richmore Mashinga Jazi, 48, was charged with 'undermining the authority of the president' when he mocked television pictures of the 88-year-old ruler's birthday. Mr Jazi's alleged comment of: 'Who helped Mugabe blow up his birthday balloons? Does he still have the energy?' led to police knocking on his door. At his subsequent trial, the state prosecutor claimed that Mr Jazi made the statement 'knowing that there was real risk or possibility that the statement was false' and that it could therefore 'cause hatred or contempt of the person of the President'. In 2011 Zebedia Mpofu, 52, was arrested after joking that a work colleague was only able to eat a packet of biscuits thanks to the country's main opposition party. Offend: Mr Zikhali claimed in court that he had meant the comment as a joke and that he had not intended to offend the president, pictured . The same year an opposition minister was incarcerated for calling Mugabe 'a liar' and another Zimbabwean arrested for calling Mugabe 'an idiot'. Though he is increasingly frail, Robert Mugabe, now aged 88, has ruled Zimbabwe for 33 years since its independence from Britain in 1980. Under his despotic regime, the country - once the 'bread basket of Southern Africa' - has fallen into penury. Three quarters of the country's population live on less than £1 a day. The former military leader has developed a fearsome, Soviet-style cult of personality and uses the police and courts to clamp down on dissent. Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) has long argued that Mugabe abuses the country's insult laws for political gain. | Clemence Zikhali for calling the man 'a Mugabe's a***'
A court ruled that he had broken the country's strict insult laws .
Mr Zikhali made the remark at a bar in the small town of Gwanda . |
52,704 | 9574b3e530074640d1ad86ddd487a1f273eed716 | By . Mike Dickson . Follow @@Mike_Dickson_DM . From getting lost on the Metro to badly chipping his tooth on a baguette to making miraculous mid-match recoveries from injury — strange things tend to happen to Andy Murray at the French Open. Nothing, however, could top the tale of the unexpected that would be reaching the final at the expense of Rafael Nadal, the man who has only ever lost one best-of-five-set match on clay out of 89 played. Without a head coach and largely scratching around for form prior to the event, Murray must defeat not only the eight-time champion, but also the opponent who has proved the most formidable obstacle to his ambitions at Grand Slams. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Sportsmail's Mike Dickson preview the semi-finals in Paris . All set: Andy Murray plays a volley as he takes part in a practice session at Roland Garros on Thursday . Murray’s finest career achievements have come when the Spaniard has been out of the way, either through being absent with injury (the 2012 US Open and Olympics) or Wimbledon last year, when Nadal was upset in the first round. Ahead of Friday's semi-final, Wimbledon champion Murray was honest enough to admit: ‘I’d rather it was someone else than Rafa, but it’s a great opportunity for me to go out there and play a great match and see if I can beat him.’ There had been plenty of drama even prior to Wednesday night’s extraordinary late win over Gael Monfils, with the marathon against Philipp Kohlschreiber and beating Fernando Verdasco despite letting slip 15 break points. That, coincidentally, was the number that he had when he met Nadal in the semi-finals here three years ago in going down in straight sets. It showed that he is easily capable of creating opportunities against the greatest ever clay court player. Braveheart: Murray lets out a roar after his quarter-final victory over Gael Monfils on Wednesday . Murray did so again three weeks ago when he led the Spaniard 4-2 in the decider of the Italian Open quarter-final: ‘I didn’t win but maybe if I had won a few more matches in the build-up it could have helped,’ he said. ‘I’m in a good position right now. I would have signed up for this. ‘The hunger is there. I believe 100 per cent I can beat Rafa and Novak (Djokovic), but on this surface it’s harder for me than other courts because it’s not my best and they are two of the greatest clay-court players. ‘It was hard for the two or three months after Wimbledon. As soon as I had the surgery and made that decision, motivation wasn’t an issue for these events. I had no days off for three months getting ready for the Australian Open. I didn’t need to do that. Close-run: Murray shakes hands with Rafael Nadal after their Italian Open quarter-final in Rome last month . ‘A lot of players have surgery and take three or four weeks off but I trained every single day to get ready to get myself in shape and I am seeing the benefits of doing that now.’ Murray needs a big win against one of his main rivals — he has not beaten a top-10 player since Wimbledon and only Jo-Wilfried Tsonga from the top 20 — to authenticate the claim that he is properly back. As John McEnroe said on Thursday: ‘Playing Nadal in the semis — it’s “Now let’s see how far he is going to go here”.’ Words of wisdom: Nadal speaks with coach and uncle Toni (left) during a practice session in Paris on Thursday . Far from Ivan Lendl’s absence being a handicap, it is starting to look an advantage in some ways with Murray taking responsibility for himself in a sport which always boils down to self-reliance. His success of the past 10 days makes it far less likely that he will bring a new coach in before Wimbledon. Murray and Nadal have the closest thing to a genuine friendship between the established stars of the men’s game, but theirs is also the most statistically one-sided rivalry with the Spaniard ahead 14-5. History suggests it is difficult to see that improving in the Scot’s favour on Friday. Respect: Murray lost to Nadal in three sets in their last semi-final clash at Roland Garros in 2011 . Ernests Gulbis plays Djokovic, making the tournament’s special guest appearance among the ‘Big Four’ in the semi-finals, and he has earned it. It helps that the 18th seed cares little for reputations, and his frank discourse on life and tennis after every match leaven the stolid fare generally served up by his peers. What will serve him best on Friday is his outstanding backhand among other things, and if Djokovic slips up in any way then the colourful Latvian is the kind of free spirit who will happily take advantage. Fired up: Ermests Gulbis takes on Novak Djokovic in the first semi-final at Roland Garros on Friday . | Nadal has only ever lost one best-of-five set match on clay out of 89 played .
The world No 1 is an eight-time champion at Roland Garros .
Murray took Nadal to three sets at the Italian Open last month .
The Spaniard leads the head-to-head record 14-5 .
Novak Djokovic faces Ernests Gulbis in Friday's first semi-final . |
76,088 | d7d738dfb3bb17fab47a3469df816cbbe94636b3 | The loss of a Sydney man's cat spurred him to make sure other pet owners never went through the same pain he felt when his feline 'best friend', Rango, went missing. For the past year, Sebastian Langton, 33, has been developing a GPS pet tracker that is believed to be the smallest, lightest and fully waterproof in the world. The Pod, which is a size of a cork and weighs just 29 grams, is cylindrical and can be strapped onto a pet to track its movements. Scroll down for video . The loss of Sebastian Langton's cat spurred him to create a GPS tracker for other pet owners . The Pod is no larger than a wine cork and weighs only 29 grams to ensure it can be comfortably attached to a pet's collar . To help fund the project, Mr Langton and his partner, Damien Cantelo, started a crowdfunding campaign on the Indiegogo website, which has raised more than $100,000 - double what they had set out to raise - at the time of this article's publication. The idea for the Pod came about when Mr Langton, from Kirribilli, lost his tabby cat and best friend, Rango, in 2013. He said for three days he was 'distraught' and hoping his cat of two years would return. '[Rango] was just everything to me. He was so cool,' Mr Langton told Daily Mail Australia. Rango went missing in 2013 and was later found dead on the side of the road by a stranger . Mr Langton and his partner decided to crowdfund some of the development of the tracker . So far, the campaign has raised more than $100,000, which is double their initial goal . 'We used to hangout in cafes and he used to ride on the motorbike with me to work.' Unfortunately for Mr Langton, Rango was not found alive. 'I was notified by a note pinned to a tree that said a person had found beautiful tabby cat on the side of the road,' Mr Langton said. 'It was the most heart-wrenching thing, you never get to say goodbye properly. 'I'm not saying the Pod would have saved Rango, but it would have helped me make sure he was safe. 'It would have allowed me to find him straight away and be there for him.' Mr Langton has described Rango as the 'coolest cat in the world' and his 'best friend' Rango would ride on Mr Langton's motorbike and chill out with him at cafes . The tabby cat had only been with Mr Langton for two years before he went missing . The Pod uses GPS technology which allows pets in another state or country to be detected via an application on a mobile phone or computer. Mr Langton - who had previous experience with GPS technology - said a lot of his money and his team's had gone into readying the product for launch, including research and development, product design and initial testing. The money raised by crowdfunding was for the mass production of the Pod to ensure the device was in people's hands by Christmas as well as improving it. Mr Langton said he was blown away by the support he had received for the project. 'It's fantastic. Anybody backing what you have created and supporting you, it matters a lot to me,' he said. 'It's a real passion project. It's not something I've come up with randomly.' The 33-year-old said they were also looking to align themselves with a charity so proceeds can also go to them. | Sydney's Sebastian Langton developed the Pod after he lost his cat in 2013 .
The Pod is a GPS tracker for pet owners to locate their lost animals .
Mr Langton spent a year developing it which has attracted a lot of support .
A crowdfunding campaign has raised more than $100,000 for the product . |
228,971 | b479b1648c187874c52fccdd8ba4eb26443bb5a6 | Rafael Nadal was released from a Barcelona hospital on Wednesday, two days after undergoing surgery to remove his appendix. 'Everything went well. It was simple, ordinary surgery,' Nadal told reporters after walking out alone from the Quiron Teknon hospital. Nadal gave no timetable for his return to tennis, saying he would start training when he had recovered fully. Rafael Nadal leaves hospital in Barcelona on Wednesday after his successful appendix surgery . The Spaniard attempted to play through suspected appendicitis last month. He tried to treat the condition with antibiotics before opting for surgery. Nadal's appendix was removed on Monday using laparoscopy or key-hole surgery, a statement said. Doctors said Nadal could return to full training after about a month of post-operation recovery. Because of the surgery, Nadal will miss the ATP World Tour Finals in London. Nadal speaks to the waiting pack of reporters outside the Barcelona hospital on Wednesday . | Rafael Nadal was released from hospital in Barcelona on Wednesday .
The world No 3 had surgery to remove his appendix .
Nadal could return to full training after about a month of recovery . |
96,062 | 078651742877906d6d87da2104ac349ac0fe814a | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 23:43 EST, 23 September 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 12:42 EST, 24 September 2013 . A video games sales clerk has penned a letter begging parents to think hard before buying young children a copy of the mega hit, and ultra-violent, Grand Theft Auto V. In a heartfelt letter posted to Kotaku, the game sales veteran says parents are often too preoccupied or indifferent to notice that they’re buying sex and gore-filled games for elementary school children. ‘Last week my store sold over a thousand copies of GTA V,’ he writes. ‘At least a hundred of which were sold to parents for children who could barely even see over my counter.’ Scroll down to see Grand Theft Auto V trailer... Look carefully: A game store clerk says too many parents just buy extremely violent games like Grand Theft Auto V without understanding their graphic content . The fifth installment of the Grand Theft Auto franchise hit store shelves last week. In just one day, sales reached $800 million. Game maker Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. says the launch is the biggest of any game in the company's history. Past versions of Grand Theft Auto have been derided by concerned parents and other groups as inappropriate for children and some would suggest that a game whose main objective is to cause as much property damage and bodily harm as possible is inappropriate for any age group. Nonetheless, the Entertainment Software Rating Board gives the game—as it has all Grand Theft Auto iterations—one of the strongest warnings possible: an M for mature audiences of 17 or older. A 'deeply disturbing world': The state-of-the-art game cost $270million to make and some fear its realism and ultra-violence will adversely affect children . 'Last week my store sold over a thousand copies of GTA V,' writes the sales clerk, 'at least a hundred of which were sold to parents for children who could barely even see over my counter' Much like the ratings that deem who should, and should not view certain theatrical releases, a group called the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) rates all video game releases based on sexual content, violence, and other factors. They range from E for everyone—which includes games in the vein of Mario Bros.—to Adults only, for the most explicit of games.Grand Theft Auto V, like all its previous iterations, received an M for Mature rating. This means the ESRB recommends that only people aged 17 and over play the game.But with sales of Grand Theft Auto expected to exceed the $1 billion mark, it seems unlikely if not impossible that every parent is abiding by these guidelines. The concerned game seller is afraid an ESRB rating isn’t enough. ‘Over the years, I have watched the size, story, and graphics of games evolve to provide better player immersion and realism. This is true for all kinds of games, including M-rated games,’ he writes. But not every parent understand what the ratings are. ‘When I recite the phrases from the ESRB ratings box on the back cover of an M-rated game and it just goes right over your head I feel the need to be more specific,’ the writer continues. ‘So I mention things like a game having a first-person view of half-naked strippers or that the game has a mission that forces you to torture another human being.’ Even such a forthright explanation is often not enough, he writes. ‘In response, I often hear things like, “Oh, it's for my older son" or "All his friends already have it.”’ Sales of the game support this widespread indifference to its graphic content, and the writer admits his own love for such games. Advanced: 'Over the years, I have watched the size, story, and graphics of games evolve to provide better player immersion and realism. This is true for all kinds of games, including M-rated games,¿ he writes. The writer says he tries to convey to parents the graphic nature of games like GTA. ¿In response, I often hear things like, ¿Oh, it's for my older son" or "All his friends already have it.¿¿ . ‘Then I wonder to myself how often the youngest child watches the “older son” playing and if “all his friends” were to jump off a cliff,’ he writes. 'Now this is where those of you who are not parents will sound off with "you should let them judge" or "I killed hookers in GTA III when I was five and I turned out fine." That is great. I accept your opinion. Although, when your daughter comes home from elementary school crying because someone called her a b***h, you might change your tune.' The writer ends his plea with some simple advice: listen to the person selling you a game and just pay attention to what those games contain: . ‘I just ask that you look at the box, ask an associate for guidance, or just be more involved. Lastly, when I try to describe the content and warnings of an M-rated game to you, please don't ignore me and nod while scrolling through your iPhone.’ Awfully popular: One day after its release, Grand Theft Auto V had made a record $800 million in sales . | 'Last week my store sold over a thousand copies of GTA V, at least a hundred of which were sold to parents for children who could barely even see over my counter,' says the clerk .
Grand Theft Auto V launched September 17 and made $800 million in one day .
The game has a Mature Audiences 17 and up rating but not all parents are paying attention . |
7,480 | 153025ee89223314982d254b1d08542ccdcad6d4 | (CNN) -- Six weeks after he was released from Taliban captivity, Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl spent his first day of regular duty working at the headquarters of U.S. Army North in Texas, the army said Tuesday. Bergdahl, like many soldiers at a new assignment, spent much of his day on Monday getting paperwork straightened out, spokesman Don Manuszewski said. The 28-year-old soldier spent five years in the hands of Taliban militants after he disappeared in Afghanistan in June 2009. After he was released in May in exchange for five senior Taliban members held by the U.S. military, Bergdahl has undergone counseling and been given medical care at a hospital in San Antonio. On Monday, he began his job with a unit responsible for homeland defense, civil support operations and security cooperation programs involving countries such as Canada, Mexico and the Bahamas. He will eventually be given a position commensurate with his rank of sergeant. The army spokesman has said that Bergdahl would be assigned a desk job. Bergdahl lives on base, in a two-bedroom unit in non-commissioned officers quarters. "He's just another soldier in the U.S. Army," Manuszewski said. He has two soldiers who are helping him adjust to life at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio. Bergdahl venturing off base, rubbing elbows with public . Bergdahl was a private first class when he was captured and the Army extended his enlistment and twice promoted him on schedule while in captivity. Manuszewski wouldn't say how much longer Bergdahl's enlistment would last. The news of Bergdahl's freedom initially was met with jubilation, but it quickly turned as many called for an investigation into his disappearance and captivity. Some critics accused the soldier of deserting his comrades in war. Manuszewski didn't comment on the investigation. Bergdahl has yet to be interviewed by the officer investigating his case, Lt. Colonel Alayne Conway said last week. Army general to start investigating how, why Bergdahl left base . | The sergeant will work at the headquarters of a unit based in San Antonio .
Much of his first day was spent dealing with paperwork .
Army spokesman wouldn't say how much longer Bergdahl will serve .
Bergdahl was captured after disappearing from his base in Afghanistan in 2009 . |
98,228 | 0a75c4f2a8a1468afbc2f2b1591d134c3cea30ec | By . Bianca London . PUBLISHED: . 09:30 EST, 17 April 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 09:30 EST, 17 April 2013 . She is the perennially cool actress whose off-duty attire is just as covetable as her edgy red carpet choices. So when Kate Bosworth was announced as the much anticipated face of Topshop in December last year, the fashion world couldn't contain their excitement. After releasing a Christmas song for the retailer and posing on the red carpet of their Los Angeles store opening, the only question on everyone's lips was: where are the clothes? Sneak peak: Kate Bosworth donned an outfit she helped Topshop design at Coachella festival this weekend . But now, we have been granted a sneak peak of Kate's work with the high-street giant, because she donned an outfit that she helped the store design at this weekend's Coachella festival.. The 29-year-old showed off toned legs . in tiny embroidered cream shorts paired with a matching sleeveless top . as she walked hand-in-hand with her fiance Michael Polish at the . celebrity-studded event in the California desert. Boho chic: Kate looked effortlessly cool in the matching cream embroidered vest and shorts . Speaking to Style.com about her outfit, she revealed: 'The design team and I thought a lot . about the festival season, and, particularly with this collection, a lot . of it was about the California girl. 'Obviously the perfect place to . wear it was Coachella.' While Kate won't be putting her name to the line like many of her predecessors, including Kate Moss, she will be working on part of Topshop's forthcoming 'Festival' project. Part of the brand: Kate appeared at the Los Angeles opening of the store but is yet to reveal further details of any clothing collections . A Topshop spokesman described this as a: '360 degree campaign that involves music, clothes, film, journeys and the attitude and energy of British festivals', which will get underway later this year. Speaking about her work with the brand Kate said: 'I have always been a . fan of the Topshop brand and it has been an honour to work with Sir . Phillip and the team.' | Actress announced as face of Topshop in December last year .
Donned embroidered cream shorts and matching top at Coachella .
Helped store design outfit and is part of their 2013 'Festival Project' |
79,422 | e1276d734931e5f35bfbbc6a0a8bd5aacb9caf0e | Swansea winger Wayne Routledge has successfully appealed against the red card he was shown against QPR on New Year’s Day and will face no further punishment. Routledge was sent off for his reaction to a strong tackle from Karl Henry in the 86th minute of the 1-1 draw, with Henry booked for the challenge. The dismissal had left Routledge facing a three-match ban but that has been lifted after his appeal was upheld. VIDEO Scroll down to see Sportsmail's Big Match Stats for QPR vs Swansea . Swansea winger Wayne Routledge looks shocked as he is sent off by referee Anthony Taylor . A Football Association statement said: 'Following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing on Friday 2 January 2015, Swansea City’s Wayne Routledge has had his claim for wrongful dismissal upheld. 'Routledge was dismissed during his side’s 1-1 draw against Queens Park Rangers on New Year’s Day for violent conduct. 'The three-match suspension has therefore been withdrawn with immediate effect.' Routledge reacts after Karl Henry (floor) had dived in recklessly to challenge on him . Routledge’s red card was one of a number of decisions from referee Anthony Taylor which upset Swansea - as QPR goalkeeper Rob Green should have been sent off for handling outside his area early in the match. Swans boss Garry Monk described Henry’s challenge on Routledge as a 'leg-breaker' and said the officials were mistaken in believing Routledge had kicked out in response. 'It’s a leg breaker,' Monk said. 'I think everyone knew in the stadium apart from the official and then the double whammy of our player getting sent off for apparently kicking out. Swansea striker Wilfried Bony consoles Routledge after he is sent off by Taylor . 'He doesn’t kick out at all. I just hope justice is done not just for us but for football in itself. 'I’m losing a bit of faith. It’s hard for us to keep faith when we continually have decisions like this, big moments within games. 'That sounds like me moaning, I’m not at all. I’m just telling you the facts. Swansea manager Garry Monk (second left) was furious with the decision to show the red card . 'I hope the red card gets rescinded because that will 100 per cent be the right thing to happen. 'We’ll be appealing for sure. My player goes from nearly having his leg broken to getting sent off, I don’t see how that can happen.' Despite the red card, Swansea mustered a stoppage-time leveller through Wilfried Bony, cancelling out Leroy Fer’s strike for the hosts. | Wayne Routledge given red card for reacting to Karl Henry challenge .
Swansea manager Garry Monk criticised referee Anthony Taylor .
FA confirm Routledge red card rescinded on Friday evening . |
195,541 | 89198b919ee12dd42ba651a1385879414edf8dea | (CNN) -- Manny Pacquiao's two-round demolition of Ricky Hatton has set up the prospect of the biggest money-spinning fight in the history of boxing. Pacquiao lands a solid right to Hatton on his way to a comprehensive victory. The Filipino knocked out the plucky but outclassed Briton in Las Vegas on Saturday night -- earning him by a conservative estimate at least $2 million dollars per minute. Hatton, who could well now hang up his gloves, will pocket more than $8 million as a consolation. Pacquiao's all-action style is popular with boxing followers and in his native Philippines the theaters which screened his fight live with Hatton were sold out well in advance with a ferocious demand for tickets. But the really big money lies in the Pay Per View (PPV) revenues generated by the U.S. Home Box Office (HBO) network. USA Today reported Monday that early indications from cable companies were that the scheduled 12-round light-welterweight bout could get as many as two million buys. Co-promoter Bob Arum was delighted with the figures especially as initial estimates were suggesting about one million boxing fans would shell out their cash. "We know based on those early numbers and based on experience the event will perform extremely well. If I had to guess, anywhere between 1.6 million and two million homes, which is a home run," he said. The record for a PPV event is the 2.4 million buys for 'Golden Boy' Oscar De La Hoya's May 2007 fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr., which generated a staggering $134 million in revenue. Mayweather, who also beat Hatton in another 'superfight' at the back end of 2007, astutely chose Saturday night in Vegas to announce he was coming out of retirement. Mayweather, nicknamed 'money' because of the enormous revenues he generates, will face Mexico's Juan Manuel Marquez on July 18 in his return to the ring. But the talk of the boxing world is an eventual match up against Pacquiao with the notional pound for pound title at stake as well as a massive pay day. "If Mayweather wants a piece of the 'little Filipino', just be my guest," Arum said before the dust had barely settled on the Hatton fight. With the flamboyant De La Hoya retired after being handed a painful beating by Pacquiao at the back end of 2008, the mantle of PPV king is set to fall to one of the two men who ended his ring career. Despite the global recession, the appetite for top prize fighting remains strong, but it is the more flamboyant characters who draw the biggest audiences. Last November's HBO clash between former pound for pound champion Roy Jones Jr. and the brilliant undefeated Welsh world champion Joe Calzaghe drew less than 250,000 buys. The only potential obstacle to a Pacquiao-Mayweather bout, the dangerous Marquez aside, is the relative sizes of the two men. Mayweather is a natural welterweight and would want a fight at 147 pounds, with Pacquiao, who started his remarkable career at light-flyweight, wanting the match at a lower weight. But big business and money is set to talk and many predict the showdown will come late this year, almost certainly in Las Vegas. | Manny Pacquiao set to make a fortune after beating Ricky Hatton in Las Vegas .
Filipino boxer proves a massive draw among Pay Per View fans in U.S.
Showdown with Floyd Mayweather Jr. looms as American comes out of retirement . |
159,235 | 59d4af8a31ab4befba8148dbc24fddb544f3d741 | 13 - Premier League appearances . 3 - goals . £40,000 - Falcao’s daily wages . £1.77m - Cost of each of his United goals in wages, not including bonuses (Each of Alexis Sanchez’s 18 goals has cost Arsenal £210,000 in wages) Radamel Falcao's agent Jorge Mendes has taken a swipe at Louis van Gaal by claiming he would prefer if the striker was playing under Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United. The Columbia international has endured a difficult time at Old Trafford following a big money loan move from Monaco. He has managed just three goals in 13 Premier League appearances and failed to impress in United's goalless FA Cup draw with minnows Cambridge United on Friday evening. Van Gaal has only twice played the 28-year-old for a full 90minutes, leading so-called super agent Mendes to suggest his player would have been better off under the former regime of Ferguson who retired following the 2013-14 season. Radamel Falcao endured another miserable night in front of goal in United's 0-0 FA Cup draw with Cambridge . The Colombia international has managed only three goals since arriving on an expensive loan deal . Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has only played Falcao for a full 90minutes twice . 'I would have liked it if Falcao was with [former Man Utd manager] Sir Alex Ferguson,' Mendes told La Sexta. 'He is a player who needs to play 90 minutes and I don't understand [why he isn't].' Mendes has previously clashed with the former Holland manager, insisting Falcao will play 'for one of the best teams in the world, if it's United or not,' after he was left out of the squad for a 1-0 defeat to Southampton. Falcao's agent believes that his player would have thrived under Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford . Jorge Mendes (left) insists that Falcao will be playing for one of the best teams in the world next season . A move to Real Madrid has been ruled out because Karim Benzema is the main striker at the Bernabeu . The Portuguese agent has, however, ruled out a move to Real Madrid becuase Karim Benzema is still the main striker at the Bernabeu. 'Falcao will play for one of the seven best [teams] in the world next, but Real Madrid have Benzema.' Mendes also revealed that Portugal defender Pepe is set to stay at Real, despite reports linking him with a January move. 'He is staying at Real Madrid. Last season the president could have sold him and he didn't,' said Mendes. | Jorge Mendes takes dig at Louis van Gaal for treatment of Radamel Falcao .
Super agent would have preferred if Colombian played under Fergie .
Move to Real Madrid has been ruled out because of Karim Benzema . |
118,694 | 2542fd0d1373b49cfada79249105b971aa117ba6 | One man is dead and another has suffered burns to 80 per cent of his body in an explosion at a Perth shopping centre. Two other men were seriously injured in the explosion at the Galleria shopping centre in suburban Morley, about 8 kilometres northeast of Perth's central business district, at about 9.30am. The cause of the explosion is unknown but lightning from a severe electrical storm has been ruled out. A spokesman for St John Ambulance said some of the injured were electrical contractors inside a Woolworths store. Three men were taken to Royal Perth Hospital with severe burns and one of the men is in a very serious condition with burns to 80 per cent of his body. He was conscious and breathing when paramedics arrived. 'All of these people are in for a long stint in hospital,' the spokesman said. All four people are believed to have been working in an area near the electrical transformer, police said. Seven News journalist Amelia Broun wrote on Twitter: 'Witnesses have described seeing 4 people running out of the shopping centre burning from head to toe. @stjohn_wa says multiple injuries'. Scroll down for video . Police and firefighters arrive at the scene of the explosion at the Galleria Shopping Centre in Morley, Perth . One man is dead and another has suffered burns to 80 per cent of his body in an explosion at a Perth shopping centre . Police, firefighters and emergency services gather at the scene of the explosion in Perth . Nine News reporter in Perth, Oliver Peterson, added: 'Witnesses say person has died. Was on fire. Tried to pour water on injured people. Explosion caused in power source.' A woman who was trying to assist the injured suffered smoke inhalation and was taken to Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. Several other people were treated for shock and smoke inhalation at the scene. WA Police said: 'About 9:30am this morning, Tuesday 3 February 2015, WA Police was called to the Morley Galleria shopping centre in relation to an explosion and fire. 'The fire has since been extinguished by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services. 'One person is confirmed deceased, and three others are being treated for injuries they received, one of which is in a critical condition. It is believed all four persons were working in an area near the electrical transformer.' Witness Jonathan McDonagh was among several people who tried to help the injured, taking off his shirt and using it to put out the flames. He described the scene as horrific, panicked and rushed. 'I came driving in and saw three people come running out ... they were on fire,' Mr McDonagh told AAP. Jonathan McDonagh witnessed the explosion at the Galleria Shopping Centre . Two other men were seriously injured in the explosion at the Galleria shopping centre in suburban Morley about 9.30am . 'I had the radio on and didn't hear the bang, but I saw a puff of smoke. 'One fella was dead on the ground. I saw another moving around, obviously not OK. 'I gave him a good helping hand, as much as I could. They were really burnt badly.' The Department of Fire and Emergency Services has cordoned off the scene. EnergySafe and WorkSafe are investigating the incident. A Woolworths spokesperson said 'the explosion was in a switchboard in part of the Morley shopping centre.' The shopping centre is still open, a spokeswoman from the Morley Galleria told Fairfax Media. Nine reporter Peterson told ABC720 Perth that the blackened site of the explosion had been sealed off from public view. 'It's very chaotic scenes down here at the moment,' he said. Firefighters cordon off the area around the shopping centre in suburban Morley . Patients injured in the blast have been rushed into Royal Perth Hospital . The explosion reportedly took place in a switchboard at the Galleria Shopping Centre in Morley, Perth . Local man Chris Spencer told the website In My Community he arrived at the Galleria shortly after the blast and saw 'one lady who was in tears outside the shop near where it happened'. Another shopper at the scene named Kiara told Daily Mail Australia: 'Half the shopping centre is shut down the Woolworths end due to no electricity.' Woolworths said in a statement that the store had been evacuated. 'This incident occurred on Morley Galleria property controlled by Federation Centres. It did not occur in the Woolworths store or area managed by Woolworths,' the statement said. 'Our thoughts are with those injured in the incident. Unfortunately we understand WA Police have confirmed there has been a fatality and our thoughts are with family and friends.' Ten fire crews, Western Power and ambulances are responding at the scene . The blackened site of the explosion had been sealed off from public view, while some parts of the centre are still open . | The blast happened at a shopping centre in Morley, near Perth .
An electricity transformer reportedly exploded .
The one dead man and three others who were seriously injured are believed to have been working in an area near the electrical transformer .
Several people were treated for shock and smoke inhalation at the scene .
'I came driving in and saw three people come running out ... they were on fire,' says witness Jonathan McDonagh . |
267,410 | e6516fac30f9a74ded67b6303908b8e000bd02e5 | By . Tania Steere . Actress: Nappies and cots are bad for babies, while tampons can make you infertile, according to a motherhood manual by Alicia Silverstone . Nappies and cots are bad for babies, according to the latest celebrity motherhood manual. Written by actress Alicia Silverstone, the teen queen of the '90s who shot to fame in the hit 1995 romantic comedy Clueless, the book details bizarre parenting techniques that have been heavily criticised by experts. Among the offerings in The Kind Mama: A Simple Guide to Supercharged Fertility, a Radiant Pregnancy, a Sweeter Birth and a Healthier, More Beautiful Beginning are a recipe for a placenta smoothie and claims that tampons cause infertility because of the ‘potential pesticide residues from non-organic cotton’. Miss Silverstone also says that parents who force their children to sleep in a cot rather than the family bed are guilty of neglect, and describes nappies as ‘pseudoscience’. And she declares she does not believe in . vaccinating babies because of friends whose children were ‘never the . same’ after receiving their jabs. The book is based on her experience of bringing up her son Bear Blu, now two. In it, the actress recommends a vegan . diet to stop meat, dairy, and processed foods tracking ‘toxic sludge’ through your uterus. She also claims the diet will ‘help prevent or . cure’ a whole host of problems including ‘PMS, insomnia, allergies, . breakouts, weight struggles, thyroid condition, lupus [and] multiple . sclerosis - while significantly lowering your risk of heart disease, . diabetes and cancer’. Miss Silverstone’s unusual approach . to parenting first came to light two years ago when she uploaded a video . of herself chewing her baby’s food before feeding him from her own . mouth, like a mother with a baby bird. But critics have dismissed her advice. In an article on the BabyCenter website, writer Carolyn Robertson said: ‘I don’t doubt the importance of eating well, be it during pregnancy, postpartum or just in general, and I’m sure Alicia has insight into the vegan lifestyle. ‘But... she shows a profound lack of . understanding, and perhaps even empathy, for mums who truly struggle to . conceive, to birth, to breastfeed, and to adjust to motherhood. Hit comedy: Miss Silverstone, the teen queen of the '90s, shot to fame in the hit 1995 romantic comedy Clueless . 'Alicia’s breezy prescription, which basically amounts to "stop stressing and eat plants", seems to seriously underestimate the reality of these struggles.’ Readers have also left critical reviews on the Amazon website. One reader wrote: ‘This book is filled with anti-science claims. Much of what it contains flies directly in the face of the evidence, and the author also goes so far as to make anti-vaccine claims. Children die as a result of not having been vaccinated. Please, publishers; stop printing this dangerous tripe.’ Another wrote: ‘I think it’s safe to say that if you’re looking for grown up, sensible, wise advice on fertility and mothering, look elsewhere.’ | Alicia Silverstone details bizarre parenting techniques in The Kind Mama .
Claims nappies are bad for babies, while tampons can make you infertile .
Also says parents who force children to sleep in cot are guilty of neglect .
Teen queen of 90s shot to fame in the hit 1995 romantic comedy Clueless .
Critics have dismissed advice, saying she shows 'lack of understanding' |
119,306 | 261c79df82a9e4955138e1807a7a7073b9649c94 | By . Mia De Graaf . PUBLISHED: . 04:35 EST, 9 September 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 08:32 EST, 9 September 2013 . Die-hard Pokémon fans are grappling to bid thousands of pounds to land the world's most expensive card, dubbed 'the holy grail'. Seller Scott Pratte is demanding a staggering $100,000 (£64,000) for the Pikachu Illustrator Card - one of just six in circulation. As of today, 2200 buyers are 'watching' the bid, which ends on 18 September. 'The Holy Grail': The Pikachu Illustrator Card is one of just six produced in the world. The owner has already rejected 427 offers for the collectible which has previously sold for $20,000 . 'Gotta catch em all!': Protagonist Ash with his trusty side-kick Pikachu. The show sparked a craze for collecting the cards to simulate Ash's quest to attain all 649 pocket monsters. But the Ebay card is one of just six . The savvy owner from Edwardsville, Illinois, is also accepting bids of more than $50,000 - and has rejected all 427 offers so far. According to eBay statistics, the item is viewed at a rate of 230 people per hour. The international Pokémon phenomenon is one of the most lucrative animation franchises in history. More... ASK TONY: 'EBay have come after my son with the heavy mob for £75 even though we can prove buyer received the item' See yoo McTintin! Hergé's hero gets a Scottish makeover as comic book is translated into dialect . Despite diminishing in popularity, the franchise is still running and releasing products, such as the 3D video game, Pokémon X and Pokémon Y, to be released in October this year. The Pikachu Illustrator card was invented as a prize for winners of Pokémon's official illustration contest in late 1997. The picture is of Pikachu, the most famous monster - a trusty side-kick to protagonist Ash. It says 'Illustrator' at the top, rather than 'Trainer' - the only card to do so. There is also a unique pen symbol in the bottom right-hand corner. Aside from the heading, all writing on the card is in Japanese. Only six of these cards exist - one of which is held by the Pokémon Group. The last recorded sale price for this card was $20,000. Schools worldwide were forced to bring in strict gambling rules in the late 1990s as children incessantly fought over the collectible trading cards sold in shops, magazines, and fast food meals. The series, part of the cartoon genre 'animé', launched in Japan in 1995. It follows Ash and his friends Misty and Brock as they fight evil with monsters, 'Pokémons', they can store in a small ball. Each Pokémon has its own special powers and different strengths. In the show, owners pit their pocket monsters against each other - the winner keeps both. As the slogan 'Gotta catch em all' suggests, the aim is to collect all 649 existing pocket monsters - a battle schoolchildren worldwide simulated using the collectible playing cards. Among the mass-produced cards, the most expensive, the Charizard, is £100 - although first-edition holographic versions can fetch up to £3,000. Even Team GB's judo star Ashley McKenzie admitted he took up the sport after a fight over his prized Charizard card. All Nippon Airways Co. painted characters from the cartoon on two jetliners - a B767 (foreground) and a B747. They appeared at Tokyo's Haneda International Airport on 2 July 1998, shortly before the craze hit Britain . International phenomenon: Schools had to create strict rules to curb children's manic enthusiasm for the show . He said: 'This Charizard was the best card. It was my life back then. 'I've gone to grab his shirt and next thing I knew I was over his shoulder.' After researching judo moves on the internet, McKenzie returned to reclaim his pricey commodity. He added: 'We spoke, we're friends, I started judo. Obviously I got my Pokemon card back.' The show was cancelled in 1998 after an incident in which 700 people were hospitalised with epilepsy symptoms . Pokémon, created by Satoshi Tajiri, started as a video game called Pocket Monsters in Japan in 1995. An instant hit, it was commissioned as a TV series in 1997. It was temporarily taken off air in 1998 after at least 700 viewers were hospitalised due to excessive use of strobe lighting and special effects in an episode on December 16 1997. People aged three to 58 suffered epilepsy symptoms for more than 24 hours. After returning to Japanese screens in April 1998, and renamed Pokémon, the series was syndicated to America - and soon became an international phenomenon. The franchise includes computer games, cards, TV shows, books, stickers, movies, toys, and even vitamins. The Pokémons were released in 'generations'. The first generation, labelled Red and Blue, consisted of the 'main' 151 characters. These reside in the fictional region of Kanto - inspired by Japan's Kanto district. The second generation, Gold and Silver, introduced 100 more Pokémon in 1999. Between 2002 and 2010, a third (Ruby and Sapphire), fourth (Diamond and Pearl), and fifth (Black and White) followed – with the sixth set to be released this year. | 2200 buyers are 'watching' the bid, which ends on 18 September .
Seller Scott Pratte has already rejected 427 bids . |
77,628 | dc1ad8fed951fc65254ab4612908996763db4f6e | Not for the first time Roy Keane has crossed a line that leaves him in extremely dangerous territory. If he offended the fair-minded majority in his first autobiography with the admission that it was his intention to severely injure Alf-Inge Haaland in 2001, his reflections in his latest book, The Second Half, will spark yet more controversy. Roy Keane (left) has released his new autobiography, The Second Half, and it has some explosive content . Keane revisits a lot of the things he talks about in his first autobiography but he also deals with new incidents . I wouldn't have missed a drug test like Rio . How I headbutted Schmeichel and gave him a black eye . I don't regret the tackle on Haaland . He didn't even own the bloody thing - Keane on the Rock of Gibraltar dispute . I knew Ronaldo would rule the world . On Clive Clarke’s heart attack . He admits to an ‘evil thought’ about the former Sunderland player, whose career was cut short by a heart attack when he was on loan at Leicester in 2007. He admits to using news of Clarke’s sudden illness to deflect the attention away from the 3-0 defeat his Sunderland side had just suffered against Luton. ‘I said that football results didn’t really matter,’ he writes. ‘And I had the evil thought, “I’m glad he had it tonight,” because it would deflect from our woeful performance.’ He also concedes that, having once joked that he was surprised ‘they’d found a heart’, he ‘sometimes forgot’ he ‘wasn’t the only person with parents and children’. The darkness of Keane’s thoughts are no less shocking however well we already thought we knew the volatile former Manchester United captain. Talented and intelligent Keane undoubtedly is. But this second book, skilfully ghosted by Roddy Doyle, offers the kind of insight that will disturb as much as it fascinates. Some might say he is simply being honest, but here is yet another example of nobody being there to save Keane from himself. The Haaland passage was apparently missed by his advisers all those years ago and here, now, is the result of Keane handling all aspects of the latest book himself. This follows his split from Michael Kennedy, a lawyer he once said he trusted with his life. Clive Clarke suffered a heart attack while on loan at Leicester City against Nottingham Forest in 2007 . Keane was managing Sunderland at the time and they were humbled 3-0 at Luton Town on the same night . Revisiting that Alf-Inge Haaland tackle . The Haaland episode was every bit as shocking; not least because of Keane’s warped sense of justice. He said he was still angry with Haaland for accusing him of play-acting when he was writhing in agony - with what was actually a cruciate injury - after kicking out at the then Leeds midfielder in 1997. So four years later, with Haaland playing for Manchester City, Keane plants his studs on Haaland’s knee. ‘I’d waited long enough,’ wrote Keane in that first book. ‘I f****** hit him hard. The ball was there (I think). Take that you c***. And don’t ever stand over me sneering about fake injuries.’ The FA responded by banning Keane for five matches and fining him £150,000. In the latest book he insists he is not the least bit sorry. Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane (right) lunges towards Manchester City's Alfe-Inge Haaland (left) Keane's right boot smashes into the knee of Haaland during the Manchester derby in 2001 . Keane stands over Haaland and shouts at him following his thigh-high lunge on the defender . ‘There are things I regret in my life and he’s not one of them,’ writes Keane, and how depressing an attitude that is. He might have the ability to inspire, and we might sometimes admire him for his fearlessness. For instance, Keane was still the United captain when he used a newspaper column to suggest his employers had treated Jaap Stam like a ‘piece of meat’ when the defender was sold to Lazio. Keane suffered a cruciate injury against Haaland's Leeds in 1997 and the defender accused him of play-acting . Keane's first book (left) was controversial but his second has gone even further . But it is the thought processes that are as alarming as they are intriguing. Take this one, for instance, on the club car he returned when he left Old Trafford. ‘I’d given back the (club) car,’ he writes. ‘I drove some f****** miles in that car. Every little victory is vital.’ Anyone who has had an acrimonious split with an employer will relate to that. They will probably find it funny, too. But coming from Keane it just offers us further evidence of how angry and aggressive an individual he can be. He offers strong opinions on anyone of note he has encountered. The Class of 2014 . Now here is a group who don’t impress Keane. ‘I wonder about the current United dressing room,’ he writes. ‘I look at the current players and they should be doing a lot better. ‘Not liking a manager can never be an excuse for not going out and doing your best. Looking at what happened to David Moyes, I can only conclude that he didn’t have a strong dressing room. He had a weak dressing room.’ Ouch. The current crop of Manchester United players 'should be doing a lot better' than they are in Keane's opinion . Peter Schmeichel scrap . The Danish goalkeeper was significantly bigger than Keane but that did not stop the Irishman leaving his colleague with a black eye after headbutting him during a drink-fuelled clash on tour. ‘Peter had grabbed me, I’d headbutted him - we’d been fighting for ages,’ Keane reveals, nevertheless saying that he ‘admired’ the goalkeeper. He explains: ‘I had a bust-up with Peter when we were on a pre-season tour of Asia. There was drink involved. The manager had a go at us as we were getting on the bus, and people were going on about a fight in the hotel the night before. It started coming back to me - the fight between me and Peter.’ Roy Keane (right), pictured here arguing with his team-mate Peter Schmeichel (third from right) in 1995, has admitted leaving the goalkeeper with a black eye after a fight during a pre-season tour to Asia . The midfielder, pictured being restrained by Paul Parker, says he headbutted Schmeichel during the fight . Patrick Vieira tunnel clash . He admires the former Arsenal captain too, and admits the towering Frenchman ‘would have killed me in a fight’ when they clashed in that infamous tunnel incident at Highbury in 2005. Angered by the sight of Vieira apparently ‘trying to bully’ Gary Neville, Keane exploded with rage. ‘I just thought: “The f******”. They were trying to bully him. They were a big team and, in the tunnel, they were even bigger. So I said to myself “Alright, let’s go”.’ Keane had an infamous tunnel bust-up with then Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira at Highbury in 2005 . Vieira (right) is someone who Keane admits he does respect though, and he thought he would get beaten up . Rio Ferdinand’s missed drugs test . As a player Keane rated Ferdinand. But he was less impressed with the then United centre half when he received an eight-month ban and a £50,000 fine for missing a drug test at the club’s training ground in 2003. ‘He suffered for it and so did the team,’ recalls Keane on Ferdinand. ‘If it had been me, and the doctor had said I had to do a drugs test, I’d have gone and done it. It wasn’t something I’d have forgotten. ‘It wouldn’t have been like collecting a letter at the office, or remembering your boots. When a doctor says you’ve got to do a drugs test, it’s not an everyday thing.’ Keane also says he cried in the car when he drove away from United one last time. But he has kind words for some too: . Rio Ferdinand (right) congratulates Roy Keane after his goal against Leeds United at Elland Road in 2003 . Rio Ferdinand pictured in 2004 after failing in his appeal against an eight-month ban for a missed drugs test . Cristiano Ronaldo the grafter . He recalls with some amusement how United’s first encounter with a then 17-year-old Ronaldo in a friendly against Sporting Lisbon left John O’Shea needing medical attention for ‘dizzy spells’. ‘We always joked with Sheasy he had actually sealed the deal by playing like a f****** clown,’ writes Keane of Ronaldo, who was signed after the game. But he admired Ronaldo enormously. ‘I liked Ronaldo straight away,’ he writes. ‘He was 17 but he was immediately one of the hardest working players at United. He was good looking and he knew it. Looking at some of the other players in front of the mirror I would think: “You f****** nugget”. But Ronaldo had an innocence to him.’ Cristiano Ronaldo caused John O'Shea to have 'dizzy spells' when Sporting Lisbon faced Manchester United in a friendly, claims Roy Keane in his autobiography 'The Second Half' Keane (centre) and Ronaldo (right) became team-mates after United signed Ronaldo . TV’s such an easy gig . Keane once said he did not have the phone numbers of his United team-mates. He also said he was not comfortable having visitors at his house, that view having been expressed after a surprise visit from then Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy. But Keane says he enjoyed the company of Lee Dixon and Adrian Chiles when he was working for television. Not that he considers such work terribly challenging. ‘It’s an easy gig,’ he writes. ‘I don’t like easy gigs. When I heard: “I liked your commentary last night”, I knew I was only talking bull**** like the rest of them. Hopefully my bull**** was a bit better.’ His latest offering will certainly have an impact. Keane says TV punditry is an 'easy gig' but that he enjoys working with Lee Dixon (left) and Adrian Chiles (right) Roy Keane: The Second Half, published by Weidenfeld and Nicolson, £20. www.orionbooks.co.uk . VIDEO Keane releases second controversial autobiography . | Roy Keane has released his new autobiography, entitled The Second Half .
Former Manchester United midfielder's book is explosive and brutally honest .
He talks about United, Cristiano Ronaldo, Alf-Inge Haaland and Patrick Vieira .
Here, Sportsmail looks at some of the main highlights of his new book . |
15,513 | 2c1ca0e446108d19c73afef606b5c39a51d6bf0c | (CNN) -- Diplomats attending the U.N. General Assembly used the spotlight and worked the sidelines in an attempt to make headway toward resolving the Syrian crisis as a graphic video emerged Friday that underscored the consequences of failure to do so. "What has the international community done to stop this carnage?" asked Turkey's foreign minister, Ahmet Davutoglu. "Literally nothing. We have yet to see a single effective action to save innocent lives." The inability of the Security Council to act, he said, "encourages the Syrian nation to kill even more people." Turkey is providing shelter for 90,000 Syrian refugees, but the rest of the world needs to do its share, Davutoglu said. "Our inability to act becomes a tool in the hands of despots and destructive regimes to demolish the cities, towns and villages, massacre civilians and make a mockery of the civilized world and the United Nations." German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle also slammed the U.N. Security Council for failing to end the violence. World leaders working for robust action against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime have hit a brick wall at the Security Council after Russia and China blocked tough resolutions. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow supports the right of people to determine their own destiny and to decide how they want to be governed. "We believe it is particularly important to carry out those transformations in a nonviolent way and without outside interference," he said. He accused those who insist on a cease-fire only by the Syrian government with encouraging the opposition. "In doing so, they push Syria even deeper into the abyss of bloody internecine strife," he said. "Russia resolutely condemns any violence, wherever it comes from, and is convinced that there is still an opportunity to undertake collective actions," he added. But Westerwelle told the assembly that the "deadlock" in the body "must not continue." "To this very day, the Security Council has failed to live up to its responsibility for people in Syria," he said. The U.N. peace initiative this year, led by former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, failed. But Westerwelle supported the efforts of his successor, Lakhdar Brahimi. "Despite the escalating violence and despite the deadlock in the Security Council, we must not stop working on a political solution," the German diplomat said. The Security Council's failures to take tough action has led dozens of Western and Arab nations -- including the United States, Australia, Canada and Turkey -- to form an initiative called the Friends of Syria. The group comprises dozens of countries working for regime change. In addition to hosting a meeting of the group on Friday, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced $30 million for humanitarian aid and $15 million to unarmed opposition groups. Here are the latest developments in the Syrian crisis. Chemical weapons moved in Syria . The Syrian government has moved chemical weapons at various sites for security reasons, the U.S. defense secretary said Friday. There has been "limited movement" at Syria's major chemical storage sites, Leon Panetta said in response to questions from CNN's Barbara Starr. But U.S. officials have said they believe that the stashes remain secured by the Syrian military. Panetta added that the United States and other countries are monitoring the sites. "We are working with countries in the region to ensure that we have the best information possible with regards to the sites and how they are being secured," he said. Violence flares in Aleppo, Damascus . As world leaders huddled at the United Nations, shelling and gunfire rang out Friday in Syria's largest city. Government forces clashed with opposition fighters in Aleppo hours after the launch of a "decisive battle" to expel regime soldiers, opposition activists said. At least 166 people were killed Friday, including 57 in Aleppo, according to the opposition Local Coordination Committees of Syria. A YouTube video said to have been shot in Aleppo and distributed by the LCC showed a boy laying on a table. His left arm had been severed at the elbow; his intestines protruded through a massive wound in his stomach; the flesh on his left leg above the knee had been torn away. He did not speak. Only the movement of his eyes revealed that he was still alive. CNN cannot verify the authenticity of the video. The state-run Syrian Arab News Agency said two children were among four civilians killed by an "armed terrorist group" firing mortar shells in Aleppo. The government also said it "inflicted heavy losses" when its soldiers confronted "terrorists" conducting other attacks. SANA didn't provide a death toll. The regime has consistently described opposition fighters as terrorists. Elsewhere, 43 people died in Damascus and its suburbs and 19 in Deir Ezzor. Others were killed in Idlib, Daraa, Hama, Homs and Raqqa. U.N. panel on Syria gets thumbs up . The U.N. Human Rights Council voted Friday to extend the mandate of the Commission of Inquiry on Syria, the entity tasked with investigating human rights abuses during the civil war. The vote -- which was held in Geneva, Switzerland -- was overwhelming, with 41 in favor. China, Russia and Cuba opposed the move. India, the Philippines and Uganda abstained. The council asked U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon "to provide additional resources, including staffing" to the commission. It also renewed its request for Syrian authorities "to cooperate fully with the Commission of Inquiry, including by granting it immediate, full and unfettered access throughout Syria." The council also condemned a May massacre in Houla, near Homs. It said government forces and its militia allies "were found by the Commission of Inquiry to be the perpetrators of outrageous and heinous crimes." Laura Dupuy Lasserre, president of the Human Rights Council, announced her two appointments to the commission: Carla del Ponte, the former prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda, and Vitit Muntarbhorn, who served the council previously as a special rapporteur. Background . The Syrian conflict broke out in March 2011 after unarmed protesters, inspired by the success of popular uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia, took to the streets demanding political reform and an end to four decades of rule by the Assad family. The movement devolved into an armed conflict after a brutal and continuing crackdown by regime forces. Since the unrest began, more than 30,000 people have been killed, the opposition Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. CNN's Barbara Starr, Hamdi Alkhshali, Faith Karimi and Joe Sterling contributed to this report. | World has done "literally nothing" to stop carnage, says Turkish official .
U.N. extends mandate of Commission of Inquiry .
Chemical weapons moved for security reasons, U.S. defense secretary says .
Clinton announces $45 million in aid to the opposition . |
203,538 | 937a10e24bf951ce67ec853b3695dd97934084ee | By . Sarah Griffiths . PUBLISHED: . 10:02 EST, 26 August 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 10:05 EST, 26 August 2013 . A Roman goblet could be an 1,600-year-old example of nanotechnology, according to experts. The mysterious Lycurgus Cup is made of dichroic glass and appears green when lit from the front and turns bright red when a light is shone on it from behind. The chalice, which is on display at The British Museum, London, uses similar techniques to 'modern' nanotechnology - the manipulation of materials on an atomic and molecular scale - which scientists believe could be used for everything from diagnosing diseases to identifying bioharzards at airports. The mysterious Lycurgus Cup is made of dichroic glass and appears green when lit from the front (pictured) and turns bright red when a light is shone on it from behind and scientists have only recently found out why. The chalice uses similar techniques to 'modern' nanotechnology . Scientists only solved the mystery of the colour-changing chalice in 1990, after being baffled by its behaviour for decades, Smithsonian Magazine reported. After putting broken fragments of glass under a microscope, scientists found the Romans had impregnated it with particles of sliver and gold, which they ground down to tiny proportions - around 50 nanometres in diameter - a thousand times smaller than a grain of salt. The precise amount of metals has lead experts to hail the Romans as 'nanotechnology pioneers' who really knew what they were doing. Archaeologist Ian Freestone, of University College London, who researched the cup and its unusual optical properties, called its construction an 'amazing feat'. The cup appears to change colour as when light hits it as the flecks of metals' electrons vibrate in ways that seem to change the colour, depending on where the observer is looking at it. Archaeologist Ian Freestone, of UCL called the cup's construction an 'amazing feat'. The chalice appears to change colour as when light hits it, the flecks of metals' electrons vibrate in ways that seem to change the colour, depending on where the observer is looking at it. Here the goblet appears red as it is lit from the inside . The chalice was used to hold drink on special occasions and experts believe that when it was filled, the behaviour of the vibrating electrons changed, as well as it's colour. Gang Logan Liu, an engineer and nanotechnology expert at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign told the publication: 'The Romans knew how to make and use nano-particles for beautiful art.' Of course scientists could not investigate the effects of the one-of-a-kind cup by filling it with liquid. Instead, they reportedly imprinted billions of little wells onto a piece of plastic the size of a postage stamp and sprayed them with gold and silver nano-particles to essentially re-create the special configuration of the cup. The scientists then poured different liquids into the wells to note the effect they had. When they filled a well with water it turned the surface light blue, while pouring oil inside turned it bright red. While the experiment may help archaeologists understand how the chalice works, it could also aid scientists in developing devices to detect pathogens in saliva or urine samples, or by identifying liquids terrorists might try and smuggle onto airplanes. The Lycurgus Cup dates from the 4th Century AD and was probably made in Rome. It shows a scene from a Greek story, where bad tempered king Lycurgus is being trapped by vines as a punishment for his latest outburst of anger. The cup is the only complete example of 'dichroic' glass, which changes colour from green to red when light shines through it. It is also one of the best examples of a 'cage-cup' from the time that is made from a solid block of glass that has been carefully carved away until the cup and the figures standing out on it are left. Sections of the figures are almost standing free and connected only by 'bridges' to the surface of the vessel. The scene on the cup depicts an episode from the myth of Lycurgus, a king of the Thracians ruling at around 800 BC. The story goes that the moody king attacked Dionysos and one of his female followers called Ambrosia who called out to mother earth and was transformed into a vine. In response to the king's bad treatment of Dionysos, she coiled herself around the king to hold him captive, while Dionysos and two friends torment him. Historians believe the myth could have been chosen to elude to a contemporary political event; the defeat of the emperor Licinius by Constantine in AD 324. | Lycurgus Cup is made of dichroic glass, which uses similar tricks to modern nanotechnology to change colour depending on lighting .
After putting broken fragments of glass .
under a microscope, scientists found the Romans had impregnated it with .
particles of silver and gold .
The precise amount of metals has lead experts to hail the Romans as 'nanotechnology pioneers' |
27,439 | 4dc7c309e7c8a67d4a2a2d433494776296e7bc78 | (CNN) -- German champions Bayern Munich will seek compensation from the Dutch Football Association after learning that star forward Arjen Robben will miss the start of the new season. Bayern revealed on Tuesday that the Netherlands winger will be sidelined for two months with a thigh injury he suffered in an international friendly before the start of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Robben missed the first two matches of the tournament, but the 26-year-old went on to play a key role as the Dutch reached the final before losing to Spain. He had a routine scan on his return to Munich following a post-World Cup break, revealing a torn muscle in his left thigh. "This diagnosis after my return to the club comes as a huge shock. I'm extremely disappointed, as the enforced break is a big setback for me and for the team," he told the club's website. Bayern Munich chief medical officer Dr Hans-Wilhelm Mueller-Wohlfahrt said he had brought up his suspicions after Robben suffered the injury against Hungary. "This is a serious injury. I consider it irresponsible that this injury was not more precisely diagnosed, and that Arjen was allowed to play," Mueller-Wohlfahrt said. "I personally offered my assistance in diagnosing the original injury on several occasions, but this offer was never taken up." Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said the club would be taking up the matter with the Dutch FA. "Naturally, FC Bayern Munich is extremely angry. Yet again, we as a club are having to pay the price for a player sustaining a serious injury with his national team," the former Germany striker said. "We will seek to reach an amicable settlement to this problem with the Dutch Football Association. Football's world governing body FIFA has been informed about Arjen Robben's injury, and we have requested FIFA to act as a mediator if necessary." Bayern welcomed World Cup stars such as Philipp Lahm, Thomas Mueller, Miroslav Klose and Bastian Schweinsteiger back for pre-season training on Monday, along with young Germany midfielder Toni Kroos -- who is back at the club after spending last season on loan at Bayer Leverkusen. The Champions League runners-up kick off the new German league season at home to the 2009 Bundesliga winners Wolfsburg on August 20. Meanwhile, Schalke have followed up the signing of Real Madrid striker Raul by bringing in left-back Sergio Escudero, 20, from Spanish club Real Murcia on a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee. Belgian club Anderlecht earned a place in Friday's Champions League second-round qualifying draw after beating Welsh side the New Saints 6-1 on aggregate. Striker Romelu Lukaku scored a second-half double as the Belgian champions won 3-0 at home on Tuesday night. Israeli side Hapoel Tel-Aviv also progressed with a 3-2 aggregate victory over Kazakhstan's Aktobe. Hapoel lost the away leg 1-0 but led 3-0 at halftime through Eran Zahavi, loan stiker Ben Sahar and an own goal from Khalifa Elhadj Ba before Aktobe's Murat Tleshev scored a consolation in time added on. Austria's Rapid Vienna moved into the playoffs of the second-tier Europa League with a 4-0 aggregate win against PFC Beroe Stara Zagora. Croatia international Nikica Jelavic scored twice in Tuesday night's 3-0 victory over the Bulgarian Cup holders, with Markus Katzer sealing the result. | Arjen Robben will miss the start of the German Bundesliga season on August 20 .
Dutch winger will be sidelined for two months due to a torn thigh muscle .
Bayern claim injury was suffered in international match before the 2010 World Cup .
German runners-up Schalke sign Spanish defender Sergio Escudero from Real Murcia . |
216,395 | a425cae71de91c5ad240eb92133352f3dd668896 | (CNN) -- The Netherlands gained sweet revenge for defeat in the 2010 World Cup final by trouncing Spain 5-1 in the opening fixture of Group B in Salvador Friday. Xabi Alonso had given Spain the lead from the penalty spot after Diego Costa was brought down by Stefan de Vrij before Robin van Persie equalized with a brilliant diving header. Arjen Robben then fired the Dutch in front at the beginning of the second half before de Vrij atoned for his earlier foul on Brazil-born Costa to make it 3-1 just after the hour mark. A horrible error from Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas enabled van Persie to make it four after 72 minutes and Robben burst clear of the Spanish defense eight minutes later to round off the scoring. The result is Spain's worst at a World Cup finals in 64 years and leaves little room for error in the 2008 and 2012 European champion's remaining group games against Chile and Australia. The Dutch, meanwhile, will take great confidence having overcome the team that denied them in Johannesburg four years ago. The Netherlands employed a physical approach when the sides met that night in Soccer City and there was much of the same during the opening stages at the Arena Fonte Nova as the Dutch pressed early, creating the first clear chance for Wesley Sneijder -- whose shot was blocked by Casillas. Sneijder was made to regret his profligacy midway through the first half after Costa was felled in the area. The striker, who was born a few hundred miles north of Salvador and twice capped by Brazil in friendlies, was roundly booed by many of the local fans in attendance for switching his allegiance to Spain earlier this year. Alonso ignored the animosity directed towards his teammate from the stands, however, as he drilled his penalty low to the right of Jasper Cillessen. David Silva should have doubled Spain's lead shortly after being played through by 2010 match-winner Andres Iniesta but the Manchester City midfielder's delicate chip was slapped away by Cillessen. Moments later the Netherlands were level. Daley Blind's floated long pass was met on the run by van Persie and the striker launched a flying header that looped the ball brilliantly beyond Casillas. If that was a shock to the Spanish system, worse was to follow six minutes in to the second half as the Dutch took the lead. Another Blind crossfield pass found Robben galloping into the Spanish penalty area. The Bayern Munich star displayed a deft touch to control the ball before stepping inside Gerard Pique and clipping it beyond Casillas. Van Persie then rattled the Spanish crossbar with a ferocious strike from just outside the area, and five minutes later it was 3-1. De Vrij rose at the back post to bundle the ball over the line after Casillas could not claim Sneijder's free-kick. Things would soon get worse for the Spanish captain. His terribly heavy touch following a simple backpass from Jordi Alba enabled van Persie to steal the ball and slide it into an empty net to make it four. At this stage Dutch fans could have been excused for believing they were dreaming. But more was to follow as a now ragged Spain was picked off on the break. Robben displayed his searing pace to streak clear of Sergio Ramos after 80 minutes before rounding a despairing Casillas and blasting the ball high into the unguarded net. Spain, well beaten, looked lost -- a shadow of the side which has dominated international football for the last six years. The famous tiki-taka style that has been the team's hallmark throughout this golden period was rendered useless against a disciplined, well-organized and ruthless Dutch side. Substitute Fernando Torres had a late penalty claim turned down and then took too long to convert what appeared a simple chance from three yards out that would have reduced the deficit. The Chelsea striker's ineptitude in front of goal summed up Spain's performance perfectly. "I did not expect that it would go this way, it could have been 6-1 or even more, and we had a very happy feeling," Dutch coach Louis van Gaal told reporters after the match. "This is a nice start, but we have nothing. If we do not win our next game against Australia we have made no progress, but now we are obviously in a good position." Cutting a more chastened figure was Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque who lamented his side's performance but refused to apportion any blame ahead of Wednesday's next match against Chile. "We must recognize our mistakes, but everyone fought for a better result," Del Bosque told Spanish TV station Tele 5 after the match. "I am aware that it is a very delicate time for us. Together we have to try to solve it for the next match against Chile and look for the win." Chile 3-1 Australia . A win against the in-form South Americans is no certainty for Del Bosque's charges. Jorge Sampaoli's side looked impressive in spells against Australia, winning Group B's second fixture of the day at the Arena Pantanal in Cuiaba. Barcelona star Alexis Sanchez opened the scoring after 11 minutes for La Roja, pouncing on a loose ball to place it beyond Australia goalkeeper Mathew Ryan from nine yards. Jorge Valdivia then made it two just over a minute later as he curled the ball delightfully beyond Ryan with the outside of his boot from the edge of the area, having been teed up by Sanchez. Veteran midfielder Tim Cahill pulled a goal back for the Socceroos with a trademark header after 35 minutes, and the New York Red Bulls player was denied by a smart save by Claudio Bravo shortly after. Cahill, who has now scored at three World Cups, had another header rightly chalked off for offside in the second half, but Chile always looked the more likely to score again. Alex Wilkinson cleared off the line from Eduardo Vargas after the Chilean striker had clipped the ball beyond the onrushing Ryan after 72 minutes. Substitute Jean Beausejour then ensured victory in stoppage time with a low strike from 25 yards that flew past Ryan. While no doubt frustrated by the loss, the Socceroos can take some solace from the fact that Spain's earlier collapse against the Netherlands ensures it is the reigning world champions who prop up Group B after the first round of fixtures. Mexico 1-0 Cameroon . In the day's first fixture, Mexico overcame Cameroon, the weather and some more questionable World Cup officiating to win its opening Brazil 2014 fixture. Oribe Peralta scored the only goal of the game just after the hour mark, rifling home after Cameroon goalkeeper Charles Itandje couldn't hold Giovanni Dos Santos' low shot. Two wrongly disallowed Dos Santos goals had earlier denied the Mexicans a halftime lead their enterprising performance deserved. Thursday's tournament opening fixture between Brazil and Croatia was marked by a controversial decision to award the host nation a penalty in the second half by Japanese referee Yuichi Nishimura. But Peralta's strike ensured any controversy would be avoided and El Tri would triumph on a sodden afternoon in Natal. The win put Mexico second in Group A behind leaders Brazil which triumphed 3-1 on Thursday in Sao Paulo. Cameroon, unimpressive and soundly beaten, is third above Croatia on goal difference in the four-team group. | Netherlands wins 5-1 against world champion Spain .
Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben both score twice .
Chile beats Australia in Friday's other Group B game .
Mexico defeats Cameroon 1-0 in Natal in Group A . |
34,617 | 625a2f37de83c9aa4e390dc16e0e3e08a84fde72 | By . Laura Cox . PUBLISHED: . 09:20 EST, 13 November 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 20:01 EST, 13 November 2013 . A TV newsreader was subjected to vile racist and sexist abuse after she decided not to wear a poppy during a bulletin on Armistice Day. Charlene White began receiving offensive Twitter messages hours after the ITV news programme was screened on Monday. The tweets from internet trolls labelled her a ‘black ****’ and a ‘fat ****’ – and some even told the London-born journalist, whose Jamaican father served in the RAF, to ‘go back to where you came from’. Scroll down for video . Abuse: Charlene White received racist and sexist messages for not wearing a poppy on ITV News London . One posted: ‘You don’t deserve to sit in front of the British public. Talk about disrespect! Disgraceful.’ The abusive messages came to light yesterday after Miss White, 35, wrote a response on the ITV website. The presenter, who is the patron of several charities, including Bowel Cancer UK, said she didn’t want to be seen to favour the Royal British Legion over others, so avoided wearing a poppy while on screen. Miss White, who joined ITN in 2008 and reads the ITV London News and occasional national bulletins, said: ‘In the last few days I’ve been subjected to a torrent of racist and sexist abuse as a result of me choosing not to wear a poppy on screen, while presenting for ITV News. Defence: Ms White says she is a strong supporter of military veterans but values freedom of expression . ‘It was a decision I made a number of . years ago, but the backlash this year has been far bigger and more . widespread than in previous years. ‘I support, and am a patron of, a . number of charities and I am uncomfortable with giving one of those . charities more on-screen time than others. I prefer to be neutral and . impartial on screen so that one of those charities doesn’t feel less . favoured than another. ‘Off screen in my private life, it’s different. I wear a red ribbon at the start of December for World Aids Day, a pink ribbon in October during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a badge in April during Bowel Cancer Awareness Month and – yes – a poppy on Armistice Day.’ Symbolic: But Ms White said that no one should be forced to wear a poppy in November . Miss White joins other high-profile newsreaders to take the decision not to wear a poppy on screen, including Channel 4 presenter Jon Snow, who has denounced ‘poppy fascism’. Last night, a spokesman for the Royal British Legion echoed his views, adding: ‘We take the view that the poppy represents sacrifices made in the defence of freedom, so the decision to wear it must be a matter of personal choice. If the poppy became compulsory it would lose its meaning and significance.’ A spokesman for ITV News said: ‘A majority of our journalists choose to wear a poppy. We take the view that it is up to each individual to decide if they wish to wear a poppy or not. ‘We don’t impose a requirement on our team to wear poppies for the programme as a matter of course, nor do we object if they choose to.’ | Charlene White of ITV News London says she supports Poppy Appeal but does not want to show bias to any one charity in public .
She received a torrent of online abuse following Armistice Day broadcast .
Hit back at her critics saying freedom of speech is important British value . |
68,693 | c2ce11b4ce7274ed27687482895bddc6d6e36163 | New York (CNN) -- Thousands of miles from a bloody shooting in southern France, Jewish and municipal leaders voiced concerns and vowed to bolster protections for schools, neighborhoods and synagogues while noting they have no indication any fresh, faraway attacks are imminent. Three children and one teacher were fatally shot Monday at the Ozar Hatorah school in Toulouse, an incident French President Nicolas Sarkozy called a "national tragedy." Yet its effects aren't being felt only in France. Jewish leaders, law enforcement officials and others around the world have responded with promises that security will be sound and requests that all be on the lookout for suspect activity. Sarkozy puts region on high alert . There has been no evidence, however, that there's any active threat beyond southern France -- where the Toulouse incident was the third fatal attack in 10 days to target minorities. "Just because there's something that happens there, doesn't mean there are more threats here. But we take everything very seriously," said New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg. In the United States, an official with the Department of Homeland Security said U.S. authorities are monitoring the situation in France along with European authorities, as well as looking at the prospect of attacks targeting Jews domestically. "Currently, we are aware of no specific threat to locations within the United States whatsoever," said the U.S. official, who asked not to be named. "As always, we encourage the general public to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to local law enforcement." Yeshiva University in New York issued a statement saying that "security concerns have increased as a result of the tragic shooting incident in Toulouse, France" -- urging people to "be alert to any suspicious activity or persons." Farther north in Manhattan at Park East Synagogue, director Benny Rogosnitzky said parents with children at the day school and others going in and out of the synagogue have been asked not to congregate outside. "It's certainly a concern," Rogosnitzky said, noting that the facility is on high alert as often happens after such attacks. New York police have increased security coverage at synagogues and "Jewish locations" in the city, Commissioner Ray Kelly said. Earlier, Deputy Commissioner Paul Browne had added that NYPD's Counterterrorism Bureau will assign critical response vehicles to patrol around about 20 Jewish institutions and neighborhoods. Kelly, the department's leader, said there was no specific intelligence regarding threats to places where Jewish people might gather. But he said that increasing security at such locales is "prudent," nonetheless. "We have a significant Jewish population in this city, and ... we know that we're at the top of the terrorist target list. So we're concerned about the so-called 'copy cat syndrome,' where someone might see the events unfolding in Toulouse and take it upon themselves to act out," said Kelly. Similar security measures are being taken in Washington, where Metropolitan Police Department spokeswoman Gwendolyn Crump said authorities "have directed that additional attention be provided to schools and religious institutions." There are increased patrols at Jewish schools, synagogues and neighborhoods in San Francisco as well, said police spokesman Albie Esparza. People around Jewish institutions in New York, at least, said attacks like Monday's in France raise awareness, sympathies and concerns, but it doesn't mean they're expecting it to unfold in their backyard. "You feel for these people; you would never want that to happen to anybody. But I still feel very safe and very protected," said Abby Morris, a preschool teacher at a school affiliated with New York's Central Synagogue. Still, some Jewish leaders said that added precautions are needed in light of the Toulouse and similar incidents. "In light of the incessant anti-Israel and anti-Semitic rhetoric worldwide, we urge that all Jewish institutions review their security procedures in conjunction with local law enforcement," said Dr. Shimon Samuels, director of international relations for the Los Angeles-based Simon Wiesenthal Center. Abraham Foxman, national director of the Anti-Defamation League, said that the Toulouse attack serves as a "reminder," but it does not represent any big shift in the danger or people's attitudes. He cited a poll of 1,754 Americans, released by his advocacy group in November, in which 15% of respondents held "deeply anti-Semitic views." If the ratio holds true nationally, that would equate to about 35 million Americans. This is up 3 percentage points from a poll two years earlier. The survey had a margin of error of plus/minus 2.8%. "Unfortunately, the Jewish community lives in vigilance against terrorism and anti-Semitic attacks 24/7/365 days a year," said Foxman. He noted that, before Monday, security precautions were common in synagogues and other Jewish institutions because it is a reality that such hatred exists. If anything, he says, the Jewish community needs to be even "more vigilant" in protecting themselves against attacks. "And it should be vigilant in between acts of terrorism and violence, not just when it happens," he added. "That's part of being Jewish, unfortunately, in our (world)." CNN's Greg Botelho and Carol Cratty contributed to this report. | NEW: The Jewish community needs to be "more vigilant," the ADL chief says .
4 people are shot dead at a Jewish school in southern France .
Police in New York, San Francisco and D.C. increase patrols in Jewish areas .
No official in the U.S. has indicated there's any specific threat targeting Jews . |
168,934 | 6689161b73e7a756fe6b46a01c524d9734abf9f2 | By . Alexandra Klausner . A 17-year-old Instagram photographer spends less time snapping selfies and more time taking breath-taking and often illegal views of New York City. Humza Deas, 17, spoke with New York Magazine about the growing popularity of urban exploration, the incriminating drive to take the perfect photograph of New York City, and about receiving death threats for speaking with the media. Deas and other Instagram outlaws, namely one named Last Suspect, compete against one another for followers and frighteningly gritty urban snapshots. Scroll down for video . Urban explorer: Humza Deas is most known for climbing New York's bridges . New heights: Last Suspect also spends his free time scaling bridges and skyscrapers to take the perfect photograph . Walking the line: Climbing to the top of buildings is bothe dangerous and illegal but that's what makes urban explorers who they are . Deas has 31,000 followers just trailing behind last Suspect's 51,000. New York magazine explains that both Deas and last Suspect are part of a group of Instagram users called a 'K' or someone with over 10,000 followers so that the last letter of the number of followers is replaced with a K. Not only do they shoot alike, they dress alike and can be seen wearing photographer's backpack's and Nike shoes so that they can climb the tallest building or even scale the top of a bridge. Two other well-known Instagram outlaws go by the name of demidism and Konstenn and their work reflects the same adventurous qualities. New York Magazine says urban exploration is no new trend. Adventure seekers have long been trespassing onto New York's most coveted landscapes. Instead of merely observing the structures, however, modern urban exploration has taken the social media trend with it and is becoming more and more about taking the perfect photograph than secretly enjoying city views. Urban Instagrammers are more like graffiti artists than they are the urban explorers of a decade ago. Instead of thriving on just an experience, they photograph the structures and leave their mark by posting a photo on Instagram--or leaving a little something to remember them by. Deas' name blew up on July 22 after a mysterious someone changed American flags on the Brooklyn Bridge to big white flags. Instagram Fame: Urban explorers like Last Suspect take to the streets to capture gritty shots . Every corner: Instagram outlaws like Konstenn capture photos from every creeping corner . Top photographers: Instagram outlaws have risen to skyscraper heights of social media fame . Make it shine like the top of the Chrysler!: Photographers like demisdism take beautiful and frightening images at the same time . Deas, who is known for scaling bridges, didn't change the flags but woke up to thousands of messages from fans asking him if it was him. In reality two German artists Mischa Leinkauf and Matthias Wermke changed the flags and admitted it to the New York Times this week. Deas publicly said that he didn’t change the flags but the stunt got Deas an interview nonetheless. Deas' friend Neil cuts the hair of a WPIX reporter who wanted to do an interview with an Instagram bridge-climber. Deas told the reporter the best time to scale bridges is at night and he mentioned his Instagram rival Last Suspect who he said jokingly took credit for the flag prank. He then shared a snap of Last Suspect with the words 'you shouldn't take credit for someone else's work.' Last Suspect asked his followers to later boycott Deas and Deas received death threats. Tunnel vision: Humza Deas is focused on photographing New York's most fascinating structures while flirting with danger . Camera flash: Humza Deas snaps his camera and then he's gone to explore some other urban terrain . Electrifying: Humza Deas' work shows the power and grit of New York paired with uncontrollable nature . City lights: Not only is the bridge better to climb at night so as not to get caught, it's also just plain beautiful . People accused Deas of trying to sneak his way to the top of Instagram fame by exposing coveted secrets. Believe it or not, Deas didn't start scaling buildings until earlier this year after seeing a video of Russian daredevils climbing a 2,073-foot Shanghai Tower. 'I was like, damn, this is so dangerous,' he said of seeing the video for the first time. New York magazine explains how it was so dangerous he wanted to try it out on his own. 'I’m thinking, Hey, they’re in China, they’re not in New York...I can show New York this kind of photography.' In April, Deas made the decision to climb the Brooklyn side of the Williamsburg Bridge. It only took him 15 minutes. He went on to climb the Queensboro Bridge, Hell Gate Bridge, and the Manhattan Bridge, and the Williamsburg Bridge another six times. Don't fall!: Humza Deas risks his life almost every time he takes a photograph . Light at the end of the tunnel: Humza Deas has received death threats for speaking out about his work in the past and now he keeps a low profile . Bridge over troubled water: Even though Humza Deas has made some rivals while taking photographs he still manages to take spectacular shots . He later advanced to climbing New York's tallest skyscrapers. Though Deas walks the narrow bridge between legal and illegal, he seldom gets caught and has a plan for when he does. Deas once got caught photographing a girl from the 53-floor Eventi Skyscraper on Seventh Avenue. When cops arrived, Deas told them he had a New York State Regents exam the next day and so the police let him off with a warning. 'I knew he wouldn't arrest me because I had a test in the morning,' Deas quipped. 'He's a dad.' New York Magazine reports that Deas has been trying tom keep a low profile following the white flag incident. As he and a reporter passed the Manhattan Bridge he said, 'If I really wanted to, I could do it,' 'The NYPD is not superhuman.' He suspects it's time to take a photograph: Last suspect shows off his chops by photographing this storm . Crossing the line: hen it comes to climbing bridges, no height is too tall for brave photographers like demisdism . Urban secrets: Like the urban explorers of the past, Konstenn likes to discover the unknown . His home: Humza Deas grew up in New York and his images are an homage to his city's unique architecture . | Humza Deas has 31,000 followers on Instagram .
He has only been climbing bridges and taking photos for about a year .
He once got out of being arrested by telling a cop he had a test the next morning . |
259,627 | dc21bec718b72860bff269ddc01fc57e451e15ed | (CNN) -- Former Philippine President Corazon Aquino, whose "People Power" movement pushed out longtime strongman Ferdinand Marcos less than three years after her husband's assassination, has died at age 76, her family announced Saturday. "She was the agent of change in Philippine democracy," said Ray Donato, the nation's consul-general in Atlanta. Aquino, the first woman to lead the Philippines, had been battling colon cancer since March 2008 and died of cardio-respiratory arrest at 3:18 a.m. Saturday (3:18 p.m. Friday ET), said Mai Mislang, a spokeswoman for her son, Philippine Sen. Benigno Aquino III. Funeral arrangements were being set up, Mislang said. Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has also announced a 10-day mourning period for the former president, said Ray Donato, the country's consul-general in Atlanta. "She was the agent of change in Philippine democracy, and almost all the Filipinos I know revered her during her presidency," Donato said. Aquino had been born into a wealthy family and was educated in the United States. She had not been involved in politics before her husband, opposition leader Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr., was gunned down at Manila's airport in August 1983 as he returned from exile. The political novice took over the leadership of her husband's movement after his death and challenged Marcos in a 1986 election, making a yellow dress her trademark and bolstered by the support of the country's Roman Catholic churches. Marcos had been backed by the United States, the former colonial power in the Philippines, for two decades as a stalwart anti-communist. He and his wife Imelda were friends of then-President Ronald Reagan and his wife, Nancy. But widespread allegations of electoral fraud and a mutiny by the country's military led the Reagan administration to withdraw its support, and Marcos went into exile in Hawaii. Aquino took office in a country with a $28 billion debt, widespread poverty and a persistent Marxist insurgency. She put in place a U.S.-style constitution that limited presidents to a single six-year term and survived seven coup attempts -- including one that was supressed with American help. She also oversaw the closure of the major U.S. military bases in the country before leaving office in 1992. The bases had been a bulwark of American power in the Pacific since the early 1900s and employed nearly 80,000 Filipinos, but Aquino's opponents argued the country was too dependent on the United States. Aquino announced in 1990 that it was time to begin negotiating the "orderly withdrawal" of U.S. forces. | NEW: Funeral arrangements are being set up, spokeswoman says .
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo announces 10-day mourning period .
Aquino had been battling colon cancer since March 2008 .
She took up opposition to Marcos regime after her husband's 1983 assassination . |
183,528 | 79be176484a2b4105c3fa5fb5aee083f8ddfcc46 | By . Bianca London . PUBLISHED: . 10:27 EST, 13 March 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 11:14 EST, 14 March 2014 . When it comes to most things it can be said that women wear the trousers and now we're doing it quite literally too. The high street has witnessed sales of trouser suits soar by 157 per cent after recent awards ceremonies such as the Baftas and the Oscars, where fashion's finest were championing the trend. Style icons Cara Delevingne, Kourtney Kardashian, Madonna and Ellen Degeneres have been embracing the look since the start of the New Year and the red carpets were blanketed in ladies’ tuxes. It's a man's world: The high street has witnessed sales of trouser suits soar by 157 per cent thanks to Cara Delevingne (left) and Angelina Jolie . Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie kicked off the red carpet trend with his and hers’ tuxedos at the Baftas, followed by Pharrell Williams and wife Helen Lasichanh at the Oscars while Amy Adams turned heads in a striking scarlet ensemble at the awards luncheon. Trouser suits also featured strongly on the catwalks of New York, Milan, Paris and London during fashion week - as seen at Armani and Jasper Conran - as well as being the favoured attire of front row fashionistas. Androgynous dressing is back on the style agenda but that doesn’t mean you have to look manly. 'Clean-lined suits with cuts in the right places can look feminine and flattering as shown at Jil Sander, Tods and Versace,' said fashion blogger Lydia Faye Jones. Model behaviour: Cara Delevingne and Suki Waterhouse outshone fellow attendees of the pre BAFTA party in their Burberry suits . Tux trend: Kourtney Kardashian (left) and Ellen Degeneres have been rocking this trend since the start of the New Year and the red carpets were blanketed in ladies' tuxes . His-and-hers: Pharrell Williams and his wife Helen Lasichanh arrived at the Oscars wearing a duo of looks designed by Mr Slimane . Although the look has been a celebrity favourite on the red carpet, it has crossed over into everyday wear with sales of plain black and navy trouser suits up by 157 per cent along with white shirts increasing by 105 per cent at Debenhams. It was during the 1920s that the trouser suit was first seen on a growing band of Brits who adopted a masculine style, including pantsuit, hats, and even canes and monocles. In 1996, Yves Saint-Laurent introduced his Le Smoking, an evening pantsuit for women that mimicked a man's tuxedo, firmly putting the trend on the fashion map. Tipping point: Mr . Slimane's debut collection for Saint Laurent included many updated takes . on Yves Saint Laurent's classic 'Le Smoking' suit designs . Speaking about the trend, a spokesperson for Debenhams said: 'Trouser suits are definitely back. 'Sales have been . up since January making 2014 officially the year of the trouser suit. Women are enjoying wearing clothes with a masculine edge, but which also . highlight the female figure with clever tailoring. 'The trouser suit knows no age limit with admirers of the combo . ranging from Cara and Kourtney to Angelina and Joan Collins. It's a . must-have for fashion followers all around the globe, with sales in . overseas stores also on the rise.' Black Pink Stripe Tuxedo Trouser, £10, Miss Selfridge, Tuxedo High Waist Leggings, £20, Topshop . Navy jacket, £24.99, black jacket, £14.99, both H&M . Betty Jackson designer black crepe slim leg trousers, £45, Debenhams, Mary Portas Slim leg tuxedo trouser, £20.50, House Of Fraser . | Trouser suits were all over red carpet during awards season .
Armani and Jasper Conran sent models out in trouser suits .
Can be given a rock edge like Cara or be super glam like Angelina . |
109,561 | 1939a1cf52c0e1fd167a4ecf0ad3f8e8a4f8a517 | By . Mark Duell . PUBLISHED: . 09:42 EST, 11 November 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 09:53 EST, 11 November 2013 . These dramatic images show how a powerboat racer cheated death when he crashed at more than 130mph on the same lake where Bluebird speed ace Donald Campbell was killed. Adrenaline junkie Keith Whittle had just set a new record for the Formula 2 class in his 200hp boat named Pepstar when he spectacularly flipped on Coniston Water in the Lake District. His boat somersaulted one a half times through the air before landing top-down on the water, in an accident witnessed by hundreds of spectators on Friday. Mr Whittle escaped unscathed but shaken . Scroll down for video . Dangerous: Adrenaline junkie Keith Whittle had just set a new record for the Formula 2 class in his 200hp boat named Pepstar when he spectacularly flipped on Coniston Water in the Lake District . Going up: His boat somersaulted one a half times through the air before landing top-down on the water . Flipping over: The shocking accident was witnessed by hundreds of spectators in the Lake District on Friday . Upside down: Mr Whittle was taking part in the Coniston Records Week and had reached 132mph - smashing the previous best in his of 124mph . It happened on the same stretch of . Coniston that claimed the life of speed record ace Donald Campbell, who . lost control of his Bluebird at more than 300mph in January 1967. He . already held the water speed record of 276mph and was trying to beat it. His boat was named after . the car in which his father Sir Malcolm Campbell had set what was then a . land speed record of 146mph in 1924. Mr Whittle was taking part in the Coniston Records Week and had reached 132mph - smashing the previous best in his of 124mph. Martin . Campbell, who witnessed the crash, said: ‘Your initial response is . hoping the driver gets out and he did but it is still quite shocking . when it happens. Survival: Medics looked over Mr Whittle following his accident in the boat, but 'he was fine, just a bit stiff' Damage: Mr Whittle's Formula 2 class boat is pictured here after being recovered from the lake on Friday . ‘On the lake you have several boats with divers on board and as soon as a boat goes over it is full throttle over to them. Okay: Mr Whittle escaped unscathed but shaken . ‘Most drivers carry oxygen but Keith didn’t need it, he managed to get out straight away. It all happened in an instance and he was a bit shaken up. ‘Medical staff checked him out and he was fine, just a bit stiff. They are there to set records and know the risks involved but everything worked out okay.’ Coniston Power Boat Records Week is the only event in the Powerboat Racing Calendar to bring together all classes of boat. Jim Noone, chief technical measurer, added: ‘Keith was trying hard for the record and when you’re right on the edge these things can happen. ‘But the safety element has advanced in the past ten years and crashes like this are very survivable. He was a bit shaken and a bit cold but other than that he was fine. ‘The water conditions were perfect and there were nine records set through the week and Keith had at least two of them. ‘The high speed runs are always exciting and you have a mixture of relief and elation - it was the last run of the week and certainly the most dramatic.’ Decades ago: The accident happened on the same stretch of Coniston that claimed the life of speed record ace Donald Campbell (pictured) Other crash: Mr Campbell lost control of his Bluebird at more than 300mph in January 1967 and died . Recovered: The remains of Donald Campbell's speedboat Bluebird were brought to the surface of Coniston Water in March 2011 - 34 years after he crashed while in pursuit of the world water speed record . | Keith Whittle had just set a new record for Formula 2 class in 200hp boat .
But his boat flipped one and a half times through the air in Lake District .
Hundreds of spectators watched on Friday as Whittle escaped unscathed .
Donald Campbell lost control of his Bluebird on same lake stretch in 1967 . |
6,291 | 11db852f8ce2bf718dcbf4ac12321cffda44464e | A teenager has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly hitting a policeman in a stolen Lexus following a two-hour car chase. The 17-year-old, along with two other teenage boys, allegedly stole two cars in Wynnum and Mount Cotton in east Brisbane before driving south to Logan on Wednesday. Video of the police chase shows two of the 17-year-olds speed along a road in a dark purple Lexus before mounting a footpath and knocking down a senior constable who had his gun drawn, Nine News reported. Scroll down for video . A 17-year-old male has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly hitting a policeman in a stolen car . The teen - with two others - allegedly led police on a two-hour chase in Queensland on Wednesday . The police officer was knocked to the ground by the car. He was taken to hospital with leg and shoulder injuries . The car can then be seen tearing down another road before the two teens inside decide to ditch the vehicle and attempt to escape on foot. The pair can be seen running through the backyard of a property before entering a park, but a swarm of police quickly apprehend them. The injured officer was taken to hospital to be treated for leg and shoulder injuries. Queensland Police’s Tony Wormald said the car’s wheels had been deflated by police stingers. ‘They’ve driven along motorways even though their vehicle has been damaged by the stingers and they’ve put a lot of people’s lives at risk,’ Mr Wormald said. ‘It’s stupid behaviour on their part just for a stolen car.’ Two teens in the dark Lexus ditched the car and tried to escape on foot through a backyard . They were quickly apprehended after they ran into a park and were swarmed by police officers . A police helicopter following the car via GPS tracked the Lexus to Chambers Flat, south of Logan, which allowed officers initiated the police chase. A short time before the two teenagers were arrested, a third 17-year-old driving a second vehicle – a white Toyota Camry – crashed into an oncoming car while driving the wrong way down an on ramp. It is believed the three 17-year-olds were involved in an alleged burglary in Wynnum earlier in the morning. The driver of the Lexus will appear in Beenleigh Magistrates Court on Thursday charged with attempted murder, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, failing to stop a motor vehicle and unlicensed driving. A second teen has been charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle, and the third teen was charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, unlawful use and obstructing police. They will also appear in Beenleigh Magistrates Court on Thursday. One of the teens being led by police. The three will appear in Beenleigh Magistrates Court on Thursday . A second white Toyota Camry crashed after it drove the wrong way down an on ramp . | Three teens allegedly stole two cars in Wynnum and Mt Cotton in Brisbane .
Video shows one car speed along a road before hitting a policeman .
The alleged driver of a stolen Lexus was charged with attempted murder .
Three 17-year-old males to face Beenleigh Magistrates Court on Thursday . |
221,021 | aa1ea209d0fa27801347bfa32d549d92d199f7e6 | By . David Kent . Algerian players observing Ramadan will be exempt from fasting as they prepare to take on Germany in the round of 16 in Porto Alegre tomorrow. Coach Vahid Halilhodzic says his players will receive a tailored schedule from a travelling imam to ensure they respect the holiest month of the Islam calendar but do not suffer physically. Muslims fast during daylight hours in the 30 days of Ramadan. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Nabil Bentaleb explain what Algerian fans mean to him . Exempt: Algerian players observing Ramadan won't suffer physically during the holiest month of Islam . Permission: Members of the Algeria squad won't have to fast while their World Cup campaign is underway . Promise: Coach Vahid Halilhodzic (centre) says his players will receive a tailored schedule from a travelling imam to ensure they respect Ramadan but do not suffer physically . It’s the first time these countries have met since the 1982 World Cup and the infamous ‘Disgrace of Dijon’ when West Germany and Austria conspired to produce a mutually-agreeable 1-0 win for the Germans which eliminated Algeria at the group stage. The Algerians went out despite having beaten West Germany 2-1. German striker Lukas Podolski has been ruled out with a leg injury, with Mario Gotze coming in. Out: Germany striker Lukas Podolski will not feature against Algeria and will be replaced by Mario Gotze . | Algerian players given permission to not fast during Ramadan .
Coach Vahid Halilhodzic says players will receive tailored schedule from a travelling imam to ensure they don't suffer physically .
Muslims fast during daylight hours during 30 days of Ramadan . |
54,299 | 99cb5e344cd3d9269baa458cee8c4cbf9c296f25 | By . Hayley Dixon . PUBLISHED: . 10:00 EST, 21 December 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 12:11 EST, 21 December 2012 . A 'possessive' mechanic launched a bloody attack on his lover as her two children screamed in fear because he thought she was cheating on him, a court heard today. Lee Birks, 27, was jailed for 18 months for launching the frenzied assault on Natalie Ranson as she tried to keep him away from her children who were just feet away in the bath. He had head-butted her twice in the face before pummeling her with his fists when they argued about her ex-lover and a man she was in contact with on Facebook. The beating left her needing surgery to repair her nose. Horrific: Natalie Ranson said Lee Birks made her life 'absolute hell' on the night he beat her unconscious as her children screamed in the bath. Her injuries, picture, left her needing surgery . During the attack at her home in Werrington, Staffordshire, on May 17 this year, Birks initially threw Miss Ranson's laptop against a wall and stamped on it before hurling a glass against the kitchen wall. He then punched a television in the bedroom before head-butting helpless Miss Ranson twice in the face and thumping her in the right eye causing her to lose consciousness. The attack, which left Miss Ranson with horrific facial injuries, happened just feet away from her children, aged four and 18 months. Jailing Birks, Judge Paul Glenn told him: 'You had been in a relationship from 2008. 'She described you as jealous and possessive during that relationship. Jealous: Despite being left bloodied Natalie Ranson, pictured right, was most concerned for her children who were in the bath when Lee Birks, left, flew into a rage . 'On May 17 you argued, it was about one of her ex-partners and Facebook contact she allegedly had with someone you knew. 'You had drunk alcohol and became increasingly angry and ignored a request to leave. 'This young lady was a vulnerable victim, a single mother. Her injuries were unpleasant. It was a repeated assault. 'When you head-butt people, that equates to using a weapon. The aggravating features are a conviction for a previous assault on the same victim and the presence of two young children.' After battering his lover, Birks fled the house before being arrested later that day when she came round and dialled 999. Speaking after the case, Miss Ranson, who had to undergo surgery on her nose, described a sense of relief after her 'terrifying ordeal' came to an end. The full-time mum said: 'Lee started going off on one. I just asked him to leave. I could see the anger in his eyes. Guilty: Lee Birks, pictured outside Hanley Crown Court, Stoke-On-Trent, smashed up his lovers home before head-butting her and punching her in the face . 'I was checking on the children who were in the bath. I heard a loud noise. My laptop had been slung on one side of the room. 'Lee was in a rage. I went up to the children. I came downstairs. Lee threw the glass at the kitchen wall. 'I was just asking him to leave. He then went upstairs, the children were still in the bath. I went upstairs because I did not want him anywhere near my children. 'Lee was in my bedroom. I told him to get out the house. He swung around and punched my television. It was in pieces. 'He came towards me and head-butted me. I think I lost consciousness. He head-butted me twice. My nose was pouring with blood. 'I was in a complete and utter daze. I did not know what had gone on. He then punched me to my right eye and cut me open where my eyebrow is. 'My children were screaming. I just wanted to make sure they were OK. He left. I went downstairs. I knocked on next door and asked for help. I had blood everywhere.' Birks, from Meir Park, . Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs., was jailed for 18 months at Stoke-on-Trent . Crown Court after he was convicted of assault on December 5. He was also banned from contacting Miss Ranson for three years. Miss Ranson added: 'I have got my closure now. He put me through absolute hell that night. 'My kids were in the bath and all I could think about was getting to them and making sure they were okay. 'I am still suffering because I need surgery on my nose to replace the cartilage that was damaged. I am getting on with my life now.' | Natalie Ranson, 33, needed surgery on her nose after the attack .
Lee Birks, 27, flew into a rage because he thought she was cheating .
Her children, aged 4 and 18 months, were screaming as he beat her . |
279,669 | f64bdc210107ff50337dd7152a04e7ab5980b41e | Scotland legend Gordon McQueen has launched an astonishing attack on Aiden McGeady and James McCarthy – insisting they deserve ‘a horrible reception’ when they appear for Martin O’Neill’s Republic on Friday night. The pair, both born and raised in Scotland, used the grandparent ruling to pledge their allegiance to the Republic of Ireland. McGeady, who was born in Paisley, represented Scotland schools as a teenager before switching while Glasgow-born midfielder McCarthy also spurned numerous approaches to declare for Scotland, telling the SFA it was his Donegal-born grandfather’s dying wish that he represented Ireland. James McCarthy was born and raised in Scotland but chose to play for the Republic of Ireland . But McQueen insists he has ‘no time’ for players who turn their backs on the country and the former Scotland and Manchester United defender wants the Tartan Army to make it as uncomfortable a night as possible for the Everton duo in Friday’s crunch Euro 2016 qualifier. ‘Will it be hard for them coming back here with Ireland? I really hope so,’ McQueen said. ‘I hope they get a horrible reception because they deserve it. ‘You’re either Scottish or you’re not Scottish - and you should know that by the time you’re 12 years of age. I’m sure somebody must have asked them to play for Scotland at some stage. ‘But, you’re born in Glasgow but then you go and play for somebody else? I hate that! What’s that all about? I’m not having that at all. I’ve got no time for these players.’ McGeady and McCarthy, who is an injury doubt ahead of Friday’s crucial encounter, were often met with a hostile reception at away grounds when they played in the SPL. But Irish ace Stephen Hunt has warned the Tartan Army that booing McGeady and McCarthy will only motivate Martin O’Neill’s side. He said: ‘I’ve played in local derbies where there is great hatred but I don’t think Ireland against Scotland qualifies as one of those. The treatment James McCarthy and Aiden McGeady get could turn the atmosphere into something more like a typical derby. ‘If they get the reception that’s expected, it will add to the tension and I know the Ireland players will respond.’ For McQueen, his anger against the pair is solely about his fervent pro-Scottishness and although he is also frustrated by players who use the Saltire as a flag of convenience. Aiden McGeady also opted to play for the Irish . ‘I played alongside the likes of Bob Wilson and Bruce Rioch, who were born in England but they always considered themselves Scottish. That’s all I want. If you feel Scottish then you’re Scottish! ‘I just hate these guys who think “I can’t get a game for England so I’ll play for Scotland”.’ McCarthy however has emerged as a major injury doubt for Friday night’s crunch qualifier. The midfielder may not be able to feature after complaining of tightness in his hamstring following a 90-minute outing in Everton’s 1-1 draw with Sunderland yesterday. Everton manager Roberto Martinez has revealed the ex-Hamilton player will undergo tests to determine his readiness for international duty. ‘We are going to assess James,’ said Martinez. ‘He was feeling his hamstring towards the end of the game but he wanted to stay on the pitch because we had used all three subs. ‘It is a bit of a concern because he had the same injury a few weeks back when he missed the game against Manchester United and it is in that area. We are hoping that it is more fatigue than a soft tissue problem. ‘We will assess him in the morning.’ O’Neill will confirm his final squad for the Scotland game today but has further concerns over centre-back Marc Wilson and back-up goalkeeper Kieren Westwood. The loss of Wilson, who limped out of Stoke’s match with Spurs yesterday with a hamstring injury, would be the more serious blow. He has been the regular partner for John O’Shea at the heart of the Irish defence in recent matches. McQueen, who was capped 30 times and is in the Scottish Football Hall of Fame, believes that with a partisan Tartan Army behind Strachan’s side, the Scots will blow the Irish away on Friday. But he admitted he will feel ‘ashamed’ if Scotland cannot end their exile from major finals and said: ‘I think we’ll beat Ireland at Celtic Park. There are certain grounds where the crowd just gets to the opposition. Celtic have had some very average sides over the years but European teams coming to Parkhead were always intimidated by the atmosphere. Gordon McQueen hopes McGeady and McCarthy are given a 'horrible reception' when they take on Scotland . ‘As long as I live I’ll never forget playing for Scotland against Wales at Anfield in 1977 in the game that took us to the World Cup finals. ‘That was intimidating. The stadium was literally bouncing, with Scotland fans everywhere you looked, even though it was their home game. We didn’t play well that night but we still won 2-0. ‘I think Gordon Strachan is showing he’s the ideal man for the Scotland job. Right now it looks as though everyone is on his side, regardless of the results. They’ve been all right but what if we end up finishing fourth in this group? ‘Personally, I think we will qualify but I would be ashamed if we didn’t because just about everybody gets to these finals – 24 countries. Surely we can do that?’ | Aiden McGeady and James McCarthy were both born in Scotland .
But they pledged their allegiance to the Republic of Ireland .
Gordon McQueen says he has no time for those who turn their back .
Scotland host Ireland at Celtic Park on Friday in a Euro 2016 qualifier . |
65,203 | b91efdfa4b7782419d12fe6ddbd75e5cd14d3798 | Adam Lanza stayed at home mostly, a witness said, playing video games such as "Call of Duty." But on December 14, 2012, he went out -- armed with 10 30-round magazines for his semiautomatic Bushmaster .223 caliber model XM15 rifle and bullets for his two handguns and a shotgun. Lanza didn't make it home alive. Nor did the 26 people -- 20 of them schoolchildren ages 6 and 7 -- he shot dead in less than five minutes, firing one bullet roughly every two seconds he was at Sandy Hook Elementary School. These were among the details spelled out Thursday in five search warrants and other material tied to the grisly shooting at the Newtown, Connecticut, school, as well as in a statement from a local top prosecutor. Together, the newly released documents help paint a clearer picture of what happened. What they don't explain is why Lanza did it. Read the documents . The quest for answers, including the one about motive, continues. State's Attorney Stephen J. Sedensky III of the judicial district of Danbury, which includes Newtown, stressed in his statement Thursday: "This is an active, ongoing investigation. No conclusions have been reached, and no final determinations have been made." At the same time, he acknowledged that the public -- including those intent on preventing other such massacres -- has an understandable, sincere desire to have information now. That's the mindset of Tim Makris, co-founder of Sandy Hook Promise, which supports "common sense solutions that make ... our country safer." Even with its limited scope, he called Thursday's document release a step forward. "The information revealed today underscores the need to turn this tragedy into transformation," Makris said. Fresh insights into Lanza, his home . Although the new documents don't provide a motive, they offer fresh glimpses into the life of 20-year-old Adam Lanza, in part by revealing what was inside the Newtown home he shared with his mother, Nancy. One person, whose name was redacted in a search warrant, described Adam Lanza as a shut-in who rarely left home and played military-style video games. That house included a gun locker that investigators found open and without signs of a break-in, Sedensky said. All the guns tied to Adam Lanza appeared to have been purchased by his mother, he added. Police also found more than 1,600 rounds of unspent ammunition inside the home, according to the documents. Gov. Dannel Malloy pointed out Thursday the mass killer left lower-capacity magazines behind, a fact that, he said, speaks to the need to significantly restrict the number of bullets that can be in each magazine. He also said assault weapons should be banned. The Newtown house also had three Samurai swords and several books -- one titled "NRA Guide to the Basics of Pistol Shooting," another about Asperger's syndrome and a third on autism -- the newly released documents show. Connecticut's chief medical examiner has said he had been told that Lanza had Asperger's syndrome. Research has not shown a link between violence and that condition, a high-functioning form of autism marked by social awkwardness. Opinion: Did we learn nothing from Newtown? Investigators also found a 2008 New York Times article about a shooting at Northern Illinois University that left six dead, including the gunman. They also took three photographs "of what appears to be a deceased human covered with plastic and what appears to be blood," a receipt for a shooting range in Oklahoma and National Rifle Association certificates for Nancy and Adam Lanza. The NRA, a gun rights advocacy group, has issued a statement saying neither Lanza nor his mother were members. Retracing what happened December 14 . The carnage began in that house. Before embarking on his rampage at Sandy Hook, Adam Lanza killed his 52-year-old mother by shooting her in the forehead as she lay in bed, a search warrant states. "There was no indication of a struggle" between mother and son, Sedensky said. Timeline of Sandy Hook shooting . From there, he drove to the elementary school -- leaving a 12-gauge shotgun in the car, police would discover -- and shot through the front entrance. The information detailed Thursday dispelled some earlier reports on what happened, Sedensky noted. Lanza wasn't wearing a bulletproof vest, for one. And besides the hallway, he fatally shot students and teachers in two classrooms, not three. When police found Lanza's body -- killed by a single, self-inflicted shot from a Glock 10 mm handgun -- they also discovered that the Bushmaster rifle was loaded with 14 bullets in its 30-round capacity magazine, plus one round in a chamber. This was one of 10 of this firearm's 30-round capacity magazines at the scene, Sedensky explained. More ammunition for the Glock and a Sig Sauer P226 9 mm handgun was also found. Three such magazines still contained 30 rounds. There were six more magazines nearby -- three of them were empty, while the others had 10, 11 or 13 live rounds in them. "One-hundred-and-fifty-four spent .223 casings were recovered from the scene," the state's attorney wrote, indicating that Lanza had fired at least that many bullets from what Connecticut authorities had described as an "assault-type rifle." A lot of bullets fired in not a lot of time. Sedensky said, "It is currently estimated that the time from when the shooter shot his way into the school until he took his own life was less than five minutes." Gun control push continues despite dwindling support . The full investigation into the Sandy Hook shooting, Sedensky said, likely will be completed this summer. After that happens, the state's attorney said he will write a report evaluating the crimes committed and whether or not anyone will be prosecuted as a result. Until then, the debate over gun control stoked by the Sandy Hook massacre continues in earnest. Obama: 'Shame on us' if Newtown doesn't bring new gun laws . Recent polling shows public support for gun restrictions has declined since the shooting. Shortly after it, 52% of Americans favored major restrictions on guns, according to a CNN/ORC International poll. That number has dwindled to 43%, a version of the same poll conducted between March 15 and 17 found. No legislation on the matter has passed yet in Washington, though gun control advocates are pushing. Mayors Against Illegal Guns on Thursday released its first television ad featuring relatives of Newtown victims urging politicians to pass tougher gun laws. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the group's co-founder, said in a statement: "We cannot afford to wait for another tragedy. It's long past time for elected officials to listen to their constituents and pass reforms like comprehensive background checks that we know will save lives." Newtown families featured in first political ad . President Barack Obama voiced a similar sentiment in remarks Thursday as part of a "national day of action" to galvanize supporters pushing for tougher gun laws. "This is our best chance in more than a decade to take common sense steps that will save lives," he said at a White House event. "If there is a step we can take that will save just one child, just one parent, just another town from experiencing the same grief that some of the moms and dads who are here have endured, then we should be doing it. We have an obligation to try." | Adam Lanza fired roughly one bullet every two seconds, a local prosecutor says .
He brought 10 30-round capacity magazines for a semiautomatic rifle into the school .
More than 1,600 rounds of ammunition were found in the house where he killed his mother .
Lanza fatally shot 20 children and six teachers at a Connecticut school before killing himself . |
233,951 | badeee08bef268dfc52fc517e40507285924a501 | Professor Green has been injured in a road accident on his way to a gig in Gloucestershire. The London rapper, real name Stephen Manderson, has posted two photos of his Instagram page receiving medical attention while lying on the roadside and in an ambulance. Although he tweeted he may have broken his leg, the 29-year-old initially tried to see the funny side as he carried on using social media. However, following his X-rays, things had clearly taken a turn for the worse, leaving the musician admitting he was feeling 'f**king depressed'. This doesn't look good: Professor Green lies on the road with a mask after being an accident in Gloucestershire . He tweeted around midnight: 'Won't know until tomorrow if its surgery or not, so f****** depressed. 'No jokes left in me this could hinder and ruin so so much. 'If I'd have fallen when the car hit me I'd be dead... Would have been my head in between the cars. 'Nearly 4 yrs to the day I got stabbed and again a full moon, something about this time of year that brings me badness.' And breathe: Professor Green in the ambulance with three paramedics . Earlier, he had explained the . incident took place when he was crossing a road and ended up 'crushed . between two Mercedes Benz vehicles. Soon . after the accident, Prof Green uploaded an Instagram image of him lying . on the road breathing on Nitrous oxide and oxygen, with an umbrella . sheltering his head from the rain. An image uploaded a short time later . showed the rapper still using the gas as he lay in the ambulance while . he was surrounded by three female paramedics. He tweeted: 'Not ideal. Someone run me over. Sorry hartpury. #notanelaborateexcuse. Joking turns to worry: Professor Green lost his sense of humour after speaking to doctors . 'Off to the hospital we go. I'm making jokes but I'm in all sorts of discomfort... Probable broken leg... 'Crushed between a @mercedesbenzuk ML63 and an SLS AMG #classy. 'As much as I love AMG's this would have been a lot less Sever if that engine wasn't so powerful. 'I know how all the gassed MC's feel now.' Jet-setter: Professor Green had arrived back in the UK on Friday after performing in Marbella, Spain on Thursday night . Disappointment: Professor Green was due to appear at Hartpury College Summer Ball . Just . half an hour earlier, he had complained about bad traffic as he rushed . to Hartpury College in Gloucs, where he was scheduled to make a personal . appearance at their summer ball. He had written around 6pm: 'Traffic is making this evening VERY difficult.' Once in hospital, his fiancee Millie Mackintosh later updated his worried fans with his condition. She tweeted around 10pm: 'Think im going to have to get a nurse outfit and a bell... #dotingwifey. 'Waiting while he's having an X-ray.. Everything is crossed!' If Professor Green does need surgery, it could affect his busy summer tour schedule and his upcoming September wedding to Millie. A statement on Hartpury College's Twitter feed confirmed Professor Green's appearance at the ball had been cancelled. It read: 'Sorry to confirm Professor Green can't be at Summer Ball tonight after car accident. Working on replacement act. Confirm details shortly.' They fortunately managed to find a last-minute replacement in rapper Wretch 32, to the delight of the hundreds of students attending the ball. Wretch 32 tweeted: 'Hartpury summer ball see you soon!!! Ah yeaaaa!!!' Prof Green had returned to England earlier on Friday after flying in from Marbella following his gig at the Tibu club. MailOnline have contacted Professor Green's representative for comment. Saving the day: Rapper Wretch 32, pictured on the Graham Norton Show earlier this month, managed to step in to replace Prof Green . Roughing it: Prof Green posted a photo of his fiancee Millie Mackintosh eating a Burger King meal in Malaga airport on Friday morning . Inseparable: Prof Green and Millie, pictured in March, are currently planning their wedding . | Rapper was on his way to appear at a Gloucestershire student ball when incident happened .
Is waiting to find out if he will require surgery .
Fiancee Millie Mackintosh is supporting the Read All About It star in hospital .
Rapper Wretch 32 offers to step in a last-minute replacement . |
206,110 | 96ce79a3e42613eb763445799451e68fa7f48c26 | (CNN)A swell of excitement is building in Australia after the nation woke up to the news it will be a wildcard entry in perhaps the biggest, brashest, most talentless singing contest in the world: the Eurovision Song Contest. "Move over Azerbaijan" was the common sentiment on Twitter as Australia mulled which of its performing artists was up to the task of waving a sequined Aussie flag in Austria in May. A few naysayers pointed out discrepancies in the world map. But if Britain's Prince Philip can have an Australian knighthood, why can't Asia-Pacific's biggest land mass muscle in on a traditionally European contest? Perhaps it's even time to change the name? Eurovision explained the logic in an effusive press statement pointing out that Australia's inclusion would help the contest "walk the talk" of this year's theme "Building Bridges." "It's a daring and at the same time incredibly exciting move. It is our way of saying; let's celebrate this party together!" said Jon Ola Sand, the contest's executive supervisor. As Dr. Eurovision -- aka academic expert Paul Jordan - points out in his blog, the contest already includes countries outside Europe. Azerbaijan? Israel? "Having a country over the other side of the world take part is entirely in keeping with the general ethos of the competition," he wrote. "Eurovision is huge down under, 3 million people watched the show last year. With so many European expats (and those Aussies of European descent) it makes sense for Australia to be invited to the party." This year marks 60 years of the contest, which will pit performers from 40 countries against each other for the honor (and the huge expense) of hosting the event in 2016. The competition is known for its kitsch songs and outlandish performances. Last year it was won by bearded drag queen Conchita Wurst. This year, Australians will be allowed to vote in the semi-finals and grand final, which is watched by some 195 million people worldwide. Some even dared to dream.... what if we win? The nation that loves Eurovision also loves to gamble. So it wasn't long before Sportingbet offered odds on who would take on the formidable task of out-Eurovisioning the experts. Early favorites were "X-Factor" entrant Samantha Jade, former "Australian Idol" winner Guy Sebastian and fellow "Idol" singer Jessica Mauboy (who performed in the interval last year). Outside bets were placed on cricketer Brett Lee and actor, producer and singer, Russell Crowe. The bookie is paying out $251.00 should Prince Philip appear on stage. Stranger things have happened. | Australia will be "one-off" entrant to mark 60 years of Eurovision .
Song contest has a huge following in Australia; three million people watched last year .
Bets being placed as to who will wave the Australian flag in Austria . |
71,166 | c9c9c409cd85beafe13fd46419607855f4b6a198 | (CNN) -- Venezuela's president has spoken with embattled Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi about a proposal to bring an international mediation team to Libya, Venezuela's information minister confirmed Wednesday. The two leaders conversed Tuesday, Minister Andrez Izarra said in a post on his Twitter account. "All the contacts that Venezuela is making with the Arab world and the entire world is for peace in Libya. Tomorrow new developments," the tweet read. Earlier this week, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said the United States' criticisms of Gadhafi had a clear aim: military invasion. "Let's not get carried away by the drums of war, because the United States, I am sure that they are exaggerating and distorting things to justify an invasion," Chavez said Monday, according to Venezuelan state media. The United States has said all options are on the table. Speaking in Caracas Monday, Chavez proposed sending an international committee to Libya to mediate and help develop a peaceful solution to unrest in the North African country. "Instead of sending marines and tanks and planes, why don't we send a goodwill commission to try to help so that they do not continue killing in Libya? They are our brothers," he said in a speech televised on the government-run network. Chavez and Gadhafi have a close relationship, having bonded partly over shared opposition to U.S. global influence. At a lavish Tripoli celebration commemorating 40 years of Gadhafi's leadership in 2009, the two leaders sat side-by-side during a two-hour military parade. That same year, a new football stadium in Benghazi was named after the Venezuelan leader. As rumors swirled about Gadhafi and his whereabouts last week, some suggested that he may be en route to Venezuela. Those reports proved to be false; the Libyan leader later spoke publicly in his country's capital. But the close ties between the two leaders remain strong. On Monday, Chavez said Gadhafi "has been my friend and our friend for a long time" in remarks broadcast on Venezuelan state television. "We must be cautious. We know what our policy is: we do not support invasions, or massacres, or anything, no matter who does it. But there is no doubt that, regarding Libya, a campaign of lies is being woven -- the same that has been woven about Venezuela for a long time," he said. The U.N. Security Council over the weekend voted for tough restrictions and possible war crimes charges against the Libyan regime. CNN's Nelson Quinones and journalist Osmary Hernandez Sosa contributed to this report. | The Venezuelan leader proposes sending a goodwill commission to mediate in Libya .
"Let's not get carried away by the drums of war," Chavez says .
Gadhafi and Chavez have a close relationship .
Chavez claims "a campaign of lies is being woven" about Libya . |
56,198 | 9f46fe9abecb7c183460e22cffb27bd18d69cd43 | Paris (CNN)Lassana Bathily, who emerged as the hero of the Paris supermarket attack, received his new French passport from the hands of Prime Minister Manuel Valls and Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve at a ceremony in Paris. The French government decided to award citizenship to the Malian-born 24-year-old supermarket employee after he risked his own life to hide customers from hostage-taker Amedy Coulibaly earlier this month. Four people lost their lives in the hostage-taking and shooting at the kosher grocery store. But the 15 people whom Bathily led downstairs to hide in a walk-in freezer stayed safe. Bathily, who describes himself as a "practicing Muslim," told CNN affiliate BFMTV he switched off the freezer, turned off the lights and told everyone to stay calm. He went upstairs, following orders from the hostage-taker, but managed to run outside and tell police about the situation in the store. In his opening speech at the ceremony Tuesday evening, Cazeneuve praised Bathily's gesture "of courage and humanity" which had become "the symbol of an Islam of peace and tolerance." Bathily, who arrived in France when he was 16, had dreamed of gaining French citizenship since his childhood. "Today, this dream is becoming true, a bit faster than expected," Cazeneuve said. Valls also paid tribute to the courage of the young man. "With you and with all the people in this room," the Prime Minister said, "we just saw one of the most beautiful images of our country." Valls also recalled the strong ties between France and Mali, a "country which saw Timbuktu being wrecked by terrorists," and which received French support in its fight against jihadism. The French military has been involved in fighting Islamist extremists in Mali and the wider Sahel region since early 2013. Both Valls and Cazeneuve emphasized the importance of keeping French citizenship open in order to remain faithful to the Republican ideal. "Welcoming new French citizens is an opportunity for the country as well as for those who become French," Valls said. Bathily then took the floor. "I thank you with all my heart for awarding me French citizenship. I am proud and moved," the young man said. "People think I am a hero, but I am not. I am just Lassana." At the end of the ceremony, Bathily received his passport together with a letter from President Francois Hollande and the "citizenship kit" distributed to all new French citizens. Coulibaly, the terrorist killed in the police operation that ended the supermarket attack, also had roots in Mali. But, unlike Bathily, he was born in France and had French citizenship. | France awards citizenship to Lassana Bathily for his actions during the supermarket attack .
"People think I am a hero, but I am not. I am just Lassana," he says . |
118,979 | 25a0da766770da01ade92dcac30d5d98c46c9177 | A paedophile who admitted encouraging young boys to strip naked and perform bizarre forfeits on camping trips has been allowed to go on holiday to Center Parcs while on bail. Ex-Scoutmaster Stephen Daniell, 48, was granted permission by a judge at Maidstone Crown Court to visit the child-friendly holiday resort as long as he didn’t 'misbehave'. The controversial decision was made by Judge Charles Byers after Daniell, from Tunbridge Wells, Kent, pleaded guilty today to six offences of indecency with a child. Decision: Stephen Daniell, who today pleaded guilty to six offences of indecency with a child, had been allowed to go on holiday to Center Parcs by judge Charles Byers, right. The booking was later cancelled by park bosses . Horrified bosses at the Elveden Forest resort in Suffolk responded tonight by cancelling the booking, insisting the welfare and safety of guests, particularly children, was 'paramount'. Daniell had asked the judge whether his bail condition of residence could be relaxed to enable him to go on a pre-booked trip from September 3 to 7. Remarking that Daniell had been 'presumptuous' in booking a holiday when he was facing a possible trial, Judge Byers added that he was “not very happy” and asked defence counsel Alan Walmsley: 'What’s he doing at Center Parcs and who is he going with?' After conferring with Daniell at the back of the court, Mr Walmsley said he was going with his wife and that the holiday dates 'were out of the school holidays'. Judge Byers, who commented that he had not himself been to Center Parcs, then granted Daniell permission. Imposing an extra bail condition that he does not have direct or indirect contact with a child under 16, Judge Byers said: 'There will be no walking up to anybody and suggesting a little chat.' He also questioned whether Daniell’s wife was aware of the court proceedings. It was confirmed that she was. Daniell, who works as a window cleaner, had been due to go on trial today for eight offences of indecency with a child but pleaded guilty before it started to six of the charges. Resort: Paedophile Stephen Daniell wanted his bail relaxed for trip to Center Parks . Child-friendly: Convicted paedophile Stephen Daniell wanted to visit the Elveden Forest Center Parcs resort in Suffolk while on bail for indecency charges . The remaining two were ordered to be left on file. Prosecutor Lucy Luttman said Daniell, who has a caution for indecent exposure, met the boys through a conservation group and the offences occurred during trips to Snowdonia National Park in Wales. Miss Luttman said Daniell would encourage them to “get naked” and play forfeit games. She said: 'One was made to skirt between the layers of the tent, which was wet with condensation, and another had to remove keys from the top of a tent using his feet.' Adjourning sentence for probation reports, Judge Byers told Daniell he had not yet 'made up his mind' as to his fate. 'I would like to know what other avenues may be open to me of a constructive nature,' he added. Center Parcs confirmed tonight that Daniell would not be welcome and that staff had no knowledge he was facing sex crime charges when the booking was made. A spokesperson said: 'The welfare and safety of our . guests, particularly children, is paramount and therefore we must act in their . best interest. 'We . feel it is only right to cancel this booking and have done so.' | Ex-Scoutmaster Stephen Daniell encouraged kids to 'get naked' and perform bizarre forfeits during Snowdonia camping trip .
Judge tells him he was 'presumptuous' in booking holiday at child-friendly Center Parcs but lets him go anyway .
Daniell told not to chat to children after promising his trip wouldn't coincide with school holidays .
Center Parcs bosses cancel booking, insisting safety of children is paramount .
Remains on bail while facing sentencing for six counts of indecency with a child . |
79,200 | e07bc6abc3f24ec87a0f8dacddc3c4e6c9efcdf1 | Nearly half of all Americans lack economic security and seriously struggle to make ends meet, a report has found. A staggering 45 per cent of U.S. citizens live above the federal poverty threshold - but do not have enough money to cover their housing, food, healthcare and other basic expenses. It breaks down to 39 per cent of all adults and 55 per cent of all children. Destitute: Nearly half of all Americans lack economic security and seriously struggle to make ends meet, a report has found (stock photo) 'This is a wake-up call for Congress, for our state policy-makers, really for all of us,' said Donna Addkison, President and CEO of advocacy group Wider Opportunities for Women's survey, which carried out the survey. She added: 'Nearly half of our nation's families cannot cover the costs of basic expenses even when they do have a job. 'Under these conditions, cuts to unemployment insurance and other programmes families are relying on right now would push them from crisis to catastrophe.' The WOW survey compared 2009 pre-tax incomes to a budget of basic and essential monthly expenses for various families that it developed along with researchers at Washington University. For example, in a budget for a family of one worker, it put housing expenses at $688 and food at $244. In a family of two workers with two young children, it assumed housing would cost $821 per month and food $707 a month. It did not include non-essentials such as holidays, recreation, hobbies, college tuition, and other common expenses of the middle class. A congressional effort to find $1.2 trillion in spending cuts over 10 years failed on Monday, raising fears that emergency benefits for the long-term unemployed would not be extended when they expire next month. Other social programmes including Medicare are also under threat as lawmakers seek to slash the nation's huge debt. Some economists said that while they agreed the debt had to be reduced, targeting programmes that helped the low income group survive the harsh economic environment was not the correct path to take. 'I am in favour of austerity, but not in this area,' said Harm Bandholz, chief U.S. economist at UniCredit Research in New York. 'This is the only austerity going on and this is hitting the long-term unemployed. It's not improving the long-term budget situation anyway.' Currently, the poverty threshold for the United States is an annual income of $22,314 for a family of four. A little more than 15 per cent of the country lives at or below that level, and the group wanted to look at the remainder, 'many of whom live on the edge and are chronically at risk of financial crisis or falling into poverty'. More than four out of 10 adult women live in households that cannot cover those basic expenses, slightly more than the proportion of men, 37 per cent. That may be because in 2009 women's median earnings were 70 per cent of men's median earnings, the group said. More than 60 percent of single women live in economic insecurity, it added. 'While married women are more likely to have economic security than unmarried women, much of the stability is attained through a husband's earnings or other household income,' the group reported, which can put those women in economic jeopardy if their husbands die or lose their job or if the couple divorces. The group also found 'that full-time work fails to provide economic security for 25 per cent of adult workers,' because of stagnating and falling wages over the last decade. 'A chief cause of economic insecurity is 1970s level wages that fail to cover modern expenses,' it said. While households with two full-time workers can help boost a family's economic security, 22 per cent of adults with children who work full-time and have a partner who also has a full-time job cannot cover basic needs. At the same time, 21 per cent of homes headed by a college graduate lack economic security. 'In the past, threats to economic security were supposedly clear - dropping out of high school, being a single parent or having a large family. In today's economy, we cannot assume we know who lacks security,' it said. | 45% of U.S. citizens don't have enough money to cover basic expenses . |
159,657 | 5a5fb0ff1f1f65e2209806a0b7df05ad3493a4ed | By . Candace Sutton For Daily Mail Australia . and Daniel Piotrowski For Daily Mail Australia . The sister of balcony death victim Warriena Tagpuno Wright will make a public plea tomorrow for information which might solve the mystery of the 26-year-old's tragic death. Reza Tagpuno will brave the glare of a media press conference at the Surfers Paradise Police Station on the central Gold Coast at 11am on Thursday. Ms Tagpuno will be the first family member of the late Ms Wright's family to be seen since her sister's dramatic and fatal fall in the early hours of last Friday morning. Scroll down for video . Warriena Tagpuno Wright, 26, died on Friday after she was last seen on the balcony of Gable Tostee's 14th floor home at the Avalon Apartment complex . Gable Tostee (far right) in his underwear at a Mr Right competition at Shooters Superclub on the Gold Coast in 2011 . Sin City manager Ty Davidson said Tostee was banned from a number of clubs, including Sin City and Vanity . Tostee was a regular at Sin City and other clubs on the Gold Coast's party strip . Nine News reported Ms Tagpuno, who flew into Queensland with Ms Wright's mother, Beth Wright, on Wednesday morning, will make her appeal in a bid for information and to gain their very private family answers and some closure. Her family's arrival came three weeks after Ms Wright landed in Australia for a much-anticipated holiday for a friend's wedding. Ms Wright's mother, Wellington church deacon Beth Wright, and her sister, Reza Tagpuno, flew into Brisbane and met with detectives from the task force investigating the young woman's death. Dressed all in black, Beth Wright - who is a senior member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Porirua, New Zealand - kept her head bowed as she and Ms Tagpuno were accompanied through the airport. Video footage that appeared on Nine News reportedly shows Gable Tostee hosting a woman in his apartment . The woman is dressed in a white top and dark-coloured skirt walking around inside an apartment . They arrived two days after the completion of a post-mortem on Warriena Wright who plunged to her death from the 14th floor of the Avalon Apartments at Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast in the early hours of last Friday morning. Ms Wright fell to her death following an evening at the home of Gold Coast labourer Gable Tostee, who she had met on dating site Tinder. She was in the final days of her Australian trip for a friend's wedding, before she was meant to be flying back to her native New Zealand. Mr Tostee, who has declined to make a statement to police about the incident, has denied via social media any involvement in Ms Wright's death. He has also hit back at reports police took footage away from his Gold Coast unit of his conquests. But footage aired on Nine News reportedly shows Mr Tostee hosting a girl in an apartment. On Wednesday, one scientific officer, a police photographer and a fire officer went up in the bucket of a cherry picker to collect fibres, human remains and DNA from the outside of the 14th and 13th floor balconies. While forensic investigations unfolded, Ms Tagpuno gave a statement at the Gold Coast police headquarters about her sister. On Tuesday, a visibly upset Ms Tagpuno said she was going through a hard time before leaving New Zealand and her sister was a 'very private person'. Since the tragedy, it has emerged the man being investigated over the death of the female tourist had been banned from a number of nightclubs in the area for being 'creepy' and filming people - including women - on his mobile phone. Gable Tostee, 28, made contact with Stephanie Angus on Tinder and sent her the alarming message 10 months ago . Ms Angus, who works as a producer in Sydney for the Channel Nine program, said she stopped messaging Mr Tostee soon after receiving this message . Mr Tostee is part of a police investigation following the death of a female tourist who fell from his apartment balcony at the Gold Coast on Friday . Gable Tostee, 28, is a regular on the Gold Coast's party strip and often visited nightclubs such as Crazy Horse, Cocktails, Club Liv, Bourbon Bar, Players, Alive, Vanity and Sin City. In a long-running Facebook thread seen by Daily Mail Australia, nine Gold Coast women recounted their run-ins with Mr Tostee. 'Woah that's so f***ed,’ one woman replied to the news that Warriena Tagpuno Wright plunging to her death after meeting Mr Tostee. Another replied: 'You would remember him hun, everyone in the [nightclub] industry does'. She added she 'always’ thought there was ‘something not right about this guy'. Another participant recalled: 'Honestly I've had so many run ins with this guy.' Yet another said: 'Omg!! I remember this dude! He was sooooo weird. Him and his mate would go home and change their shirts half way through the night.' 'OMFG. I met this guy on Tinder four months ago,' wrote another participant woman, before detailing her an encounter with him. Detectives revisit the balcony on Wednesday from which Warriena Tagpuno Wright fell to her death . People lay flowers at the Avalon Apartment building on Wednesday, Warriena Tagpuno Wright fell to her death from a 14-floor balcony last week . Mr Tostee was barred from Vanity and Sin City after staff decided they did not like his behaviour. ‘He was just creepy,’ Sin City manager Ty Davidson said. ‘He was here all the time. Everyone along here knows him. Even after he was banned, he’d come on nights when the bouncer didn’t know him and try and get back in.’ A bouncer at one of the clubs along the strip told Daily Mail Australia Mr Tostee would obsessively film events with his phone and in one case a violent incident outside a club until he was told to leave. He entered a ‘Mr Right’ male model search competition at Shooters three years ago and was banned from Vanity in 2012, and from Sin City some time after that. The latest developments in the investigation into the death of New Zealand tourist Warriena Tagpuno Wright come as it was revealed he sent another young woman a 'creepy' message that 'insinuated violence' after they connected on dating app Tinder last year. Tostee, 28, made contact with Stephanie Angus on Tinder and sent her the alarming message 10 months ago. 'The first message was "Roses are red, violets are blue. I have a gun. Now get in my van" and I thought looking back it was quite creepy,' Ms Angus told A Current Affair. 'It was quite a scary thing for him to have written to me. It was quite a strange thing and it insinuated violence and that's quite a worry.' Ms Angus said her best friend in Brisbane had also made contact with Mr Tostee on Tinder around the same time as her last year . Ms Angus said he has been back on Tinder in the days following Ms Wright's death. Ms Angus, who works as a producer in Sydney for the Channel Nine program, said she stopped messaging Mr Tostee soon after. 'I found him to be a bit sleazy and he wasn't the type of bloke I was looking to meet. He was on there for one reason and I was on there for another reason,' she said. Ms Wright, 26, died on Friday after she was last seen on the balcony of Mr Tostee's 14th floor home at the Avalon Apartment complex on the Gold Coast. Mr Tostee has been in the spotlight since police started investigating Ms Wright's death. Witnesses claim to have heard loud screaming and raised voices coming from the 14th floor on Friday. Ms Angus said her best friend in Brisbane had also made contact with Mr Tostee on Tinder around the same time as her last year. 'When we both realised it was him after seeing his photo, we were both extremely worried. It was quite a scary thing to read about,' she said. 'He came across as the sort of guy that's just out there to pick up girls.' Ms Angus said he has been back on Tinder in the days following Ms Wright's death. 'He must have more things going on in his life, most important issues that checking who he's been matched with on a dating site,' she said. Mr Tostee so far hasn't provided police with information about what happened when Ms Wright fell to her death, but Detective Superintendent Dave Hutchinson said they have obtained statements from 'a number of women'. Police were at the 14th floor of the Avalon Apartments on the Gold Coast on Tuesday as part of their investigation . Detectives have also interviewed his parents Gray and Helene Tostee at their home in a gated community in Carrara, west of the Gold Coast tourist strip. 'He has exercised his right to silence, ' Mr Hutchinson told Daily Mail Australia. Supt Hutchinson said a 'forensic procedure order' had been carried out against Tostee, which is believed to have included blood samples and a DNA swab. Asked whether Mr Tostee was a person of interest in the case, Mr Hutchinson said: 'Obviously we are investigating the circumstances of the death of a young lady who fell from the balcony of his unit. 'He is going to be part of that investigation.' His lawyer, Michael Purcell, said his client would not be making a statement to police in the foreseeable future. But Mr Tostee took to a body building forum three times on Monday to talk about the investigation. At 10.21am, he wrote on the forum: 'I've been advised not to go into details but all I will say is that I absolutely did NOT cause this girl to fall and that I am devastated about what happened to her.' 11.18am: 'Fact is I’ve taken home probably about 150 girls from clubs over the last few years. When you go out often to the same places and get drunk and talk to girls you’re bound to get noticed and hated on, and people gossip. 'Eventually it turns into Chinese whispers where people have a completely false impression of you. 'Most people who know me have been completely supportive, it's those who don't know me at all who assume the worst.' Thirteen minutes later, at 11.31am, he added, 'My reputation has already been destroyed without me saying anything at all. It’s nothing I haven’t already posted in this thread, but that’s all I have to say for now.' | Gable Tostee, 28, is a regular in Gold Coast nightclubs .
Staff said he was banned because of his strange behaviour .
He also used to film patrons on his phone, including women .
Tostee has been questioned but not charged over Warriena Tagpuno Wright's death .
Women have taken to Facebook to recount their experiences with Tostee . |
40,661 | 72c039c6692e7f721c62f4ad6aeaf8740b830cc3 | FERNANDO DE NORONHA, Brazil (CNN) -- Forty-one bodies have been recovered from the crash of Air France Flight 447, the Brazilian Navy Command and Aeronautical Command said Tuesday. Brazilian military personnel on Tuesday carry the remains of one of the passengers of the Air France crash. Sixteen bodies pulled from the Atlantic Ocean Tuesday were taken to Fernando de Noronha for transportation Wednesday afternoon by helicopter to the air base in Recife, Brazil. The 25 bodies previously found were put aboard a Brazilian frigate. Searches for the remaining bodies will continue overnight, the navy and aeronautical command said in a written statement. The Airbus A330 crashed in the Atlantic Ocean June 1 en route from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to Paris, France, carrying 228 passengers and crew. The first bodies were recovered about 320 kilometers (200 miles) northwest of the Brazilian archipelago of Saint Peter and Saint Paul; Tuesday's recoveries were 80 kilometers (50 miles) away. It was not clear whether the bodies had drifted in the 1-2 knot currents or whether their separation suggested that the jet may have broken apart in the air. Watch bodies being returned to land » . Meanwhile, the French, who are leading the investigation, were increasing their naval efforts. The nuclear submarine Emeraude was expected to reach the search area Wednesday to search for wreckage, including the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder. And the French sent two tugs towing 40 tons of recovery equipment, a surveillance ship and a ship equipped for amphibious operations. The United States is also sending equipment to help with the search. Watch challenges faced by search crews » . Brazilian authorities said the plane debris will be taken to France for investigation but the bodies would undergo forensic tests in Recife. The cause of the crash is not known, but investigators are looking at the possible role of airspeed sensors known as Pitot tubes, among other factors. Air France has agreed to replace the sensors on its Airbus A330 and A340 jets, a pilots' union said Tuesday. The airline said Saturday that it began replacing its fleet's sensors last month. Another Air France pilots' union, ALTER, has advised its pilots not to fly planes until their Pitot tubes are replaced. ALTER, the smallest of three Air France pilots' unions, would not say what percentage of the carrier's pilots it represents. Watch an explanation of what could have caused the crash » . The biggest union, SNPL, said Tuesday it has accepted Air France's assurances that no Airbus A330 or A340 will take off unless at least two of its three Pitot tubes have been replaced. Union spokesman Eric Derivry added that there is no indication that the Pitot tubes caused the accident. Air France said over the weekend that it began to notice in May of last year that Pitot tubes sometimes briefly iced up at high altitude on A330s and A340s. That caused "a loss of airspeed data," according to the airline -- that is, the pilots didn't know the plane's speed. Air France decided to replace all its probes starting April 27, following laboratory tests earlier in the year, the airline said. That is the program the pilots say the airline has promised to complete within days. The location of the crash has not been determined, because ocean currents have moved the bodies and debris. Map of Flight 447's flight path » . The ocean depth where the debris and bodies have been found varies, but averages about 3,000 meters (nearly 9,900 feet) deep, according to the University of New Hampshire/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association Joint Hydrographic Center. The search area covers 200,000 square km (77,220 square miles), nearly the size of Romania, Brazilian officials said. Brazilian officials emphasized Monday that finding bodies was their main priority. The French are in charge of finding the voice and data recorders. Fourteen aircraft -- 12 Brazilian and two French -- were participating, along with five Brazilian ships and one French frigate. The U.S. Navy will contribute two high-tech acoustic devices to listen underwater for the emergency beacons that are attached to the voice and data recorders. The "towed pinger locators," which help search for emergency beacons on downed aircraft to a maximum depth of 20,000 feet -- will be placed aboard two French tugs that are part of the search efforts, the official said. CNN's Karl Penhaul, Ayesha Durgahee, Niki Cook, Jim Bittermann and Barbara Starr contributed to this report. | First bodies recovered from the crash of Air France 447 returned to land .
Air France agrees to replace within days speed sensors, pilots' union says .
Air France said it began replacing parts in April .
The location of the crash has not been determined . |
176,749 | 70cefd93a9eae3c37bcb4d470daac49febac2e08 | By . Tara Brady . PUBLISHED: . 13:33 EST, 26 February 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 02:38 EST, 27 February 2013 . Jailed: Lewis Robert McDonald veered across carriageways and went the wrong way round a roundabout while drunk . A coach driver who took passengers on a terrifying 70-mile journey while drunk has been jailed for nine months. Lewis Robert McDonald, 68, of St Helen's, Merseyside, veered across carriageways and drove the wrong way round a roundabout forcing other drivers off the road during the journey from Liverpool to Penley in November last year. The horrified passengers, members of a primary school PTA who had been on a shopping trip, screamed at McDonald to get on the right side of the road while drivers hooted their horns. As the coach went over The River Dee, the passengers feared they were going to end up in the river. When the coach eventually stopped, a motorist who had followed for 15 miles jumped on board and seized the coach ignition keys to stop McDonald driving any further. According to police, when they arrived to arrest him, McDonald said: 'That's me finished.' A breath test three hours after he set off from Liverpool showed McDonald, a coach driver for 40 years, had 58 microgrammes of alcohol in his breath compared to the legal limit of 35. Mold Crown Court heard how the 49-seater coach had been booked by the PTA of Madras Primary School in Penley to take 30 adults and four teenagers on a shopping trip to Liverpool One. McDonald was an hour late picking them up in the morning because he could not find the village but at this point no-one was concerned about his driving to Liverpool. However, prosecuting barrister Caroline Harris said he was 15 minutes late collecting them in the evening. Headmistress Lynda Houston later described how on the M53 McDonald drove in the middle lane at about 20mph. On the M56 the coach started swinging from side-to-side in a rocking motion causing passengers to panic. As the coach reached the A483, other drivers decided to take action and sounded their horns as McDonald changed lanes a number of times for no apparent reason. A passenger explained how he turned off the dual-carriageway and drove the wrong way around a roundabout 'as if he was not aware that the road was there.' Drunk: Lewis Robert McDonald said he had not touched a drop for weeks but had a relapse . Route: Lewis Robert McDonald veered across carriageways and drove the wrong way round a roundabout forcing other drivers off the road during the journey from Liverpool to Penley in November last year . Passenger Sue Chadwick was so scared she put her mobile phone in her bag in case it got lost if the coach turned over. Motorist Michael Clarke followed the car for 15-miles because he was so concerned by McDonald's erratic driving. His wife rang the police and when the coach stopped at Penley he seized the ignition keys. McDonald said he had not touched a drop for weeks but had a relapse and had returned home during the day for a couple of tumblers of whiskey and coke. 'You have one and then you have two don't you,' he told police. Oliver King, defending, said his client had a strong work ethic and was a professional coach driver for 40 years. He also described him as a devoted family man, adding: 'He will never get behind the wheel again. 'He is sorry and ashamed for what happened.' Day out: The passengers were members of the PTA at Madras Primary School in Penley . Horrified: Members of the PTA at Madras Primary School (pictured) were terrified during the journey . A prison sentence at his time of life would be very difficult to serve, said Mr King. He added that McDonald had never been to custody before and his 22-year-old grandson, who suffered from MS, had recently died of a heart attack. | Lewis Robert McDonald had been a coach driver for 40 years .
The 68-year-old was driving members of a school PTA home from Liverpool .
Before he took to the wheel he had been drinking whiskey and coke .
McDonald said he had not touched a drop for weeks but had a relapse . |
68,361 | c1dca47d843cc37a9f41eb57ed4da5f2c2d90f01 | By . Louise Cheer . Looking more like a stealth aircraft because of its black paint job, Boeing's highly anticipated first Dreamliner 787-9 has been handed over to Air New Zealand at a glitzy ceremony in the United States. New Zealand's national carrier became the first airline to receive the Rolls-Royce powered, fuel-efficient passenger plane when it was unveiled in front of hundreds of aviation enthusiasts at the Future of Flight museum near Seattle on Thursday. In line with the country's all-conquering All Blacks rugby union side, the aircraft was decked out in the dark hue with the iconic silver fern breaking up the uniformity on its tail. Scroll down for video . The new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner delivered to Air New Zealand was the first of its kind . Boeing delivered its first 787-9 to Air New Zealand in front of a crowd of thousands of media and guests . It was painted in New Zealand's signature colour of black with the iconic silver fern on its tail . It took 12 painters five days and about 350 litres of paint to complete the sleek look. Inside the 63m-long plane, the theme continues with its passenger seats covered in black upholstery contrasted with a violet colour for the backs of the chairs and television screens installed in the head rests. When full, the Dreamliner's two economy cabins will fly a total of 263 passengers along with 18 business class ticket holders and 21 in premium economy, with a range of 15,372km. The difference between the 787-9 and its sister Dreamliner model is mostly cosmetic. Its body is more than 6m longer than the 787-8 and will fly up to 40 more passengers an additional 830km using 20 per cent less fuel and 20 per cent lower emissions than similar-sized airplanes. Like the earlier model, it will also continue to offer passengers features such as large windows, roomy stow bins, modern LED lighting, higher humidity, a lower cabin altitude, cleaner air and a smoother ride. The plane is 63m-long with a wingspan of 60m, with a cruise speed of more than 900km and range of 15,000km . It was unveiled at the Future of Flight museum near Seattle in Washington in the United States . The new aircraft boasts a capacity of 302 passengers, with 18 business class and 21 premium economy seats . So far, Boeing has received 409 orders for the 787-9 from 26 airlines worldwide, which is almost 40 percent of all 787 orders. The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner will makes its maiden flight in October, flying from Auckland to Perth - one of three international routes including Auckland to Tokyo and Auckland to Shanghai. Air New Zealand CEO Christopher Luxon said the delivery of the 787-9 was the start of an exciting new era for the airline. 'It's a privilege to be the global launch customer for this aircraft and our team is looking forward to flying it home to New Zealand,' he said. It will make its maiden voyage with Air New Zealand in October from Auckland to Perth . There are lie-down beds in business class (left) as well as ones in the crew cabin for long-haul flights (right) Inside the plane's black theme continues with dark hued upholstery on on-board passenger seats . It took 12 painters five days and about 350 litres of paint to cover the plane in black . 'The 787-9 is a real game changer and we can’t wait for our customers to experience it.' Boeing's John Wojick said the delivery was a tribute to the hard work and dedication of the organisation's employees. 'Air New Zealand was a perfect partner for us in developing the 787-9, given its innovative spirit, unique mission requirements and geography,' the senior vice president of Global Sales and Marketing said. 'The 787-9, combined with Air New Zealand's exceptional onboard service, will set them apart from the competition by providing an unrivaled flying experience.' The plane is confirmed to fly three different international flights from Auckland to Perth, Tokyo and Shanghai . Air New Zealand currently has 10 of these planes on order with Boeing, and replace the current 767 fleet . | The 63m-long plane was revealed at a ceremony near Seattle .
It took 12 painters five days and 350 litres of paint to complete the job .
The plane flies 302 passengers and has a cruise speed of 902 km/h .
It is more than 6m longer than its predecessor, the 787-8 .
It will first take to the skies in October, flying from Auckland to Perth . |
280,030 | f6c6637f0b178fc44e97e57715a5ca29b6e3bd52 | Thieves have stolen eight shoes belonging to Holocaust victims from a museum in Poland, the latest in a series of thefts targeting memorials to those killed in Nazi concentration camps during World War II. The shoes were stolen from a permanent exhibition at the Majdanek State Museum in Lublin, spokeswoman Agnieszka Kowalczyk-Nowak told CNN on Wednesday. The museum displays 280,000 shoes belonging to Holocaust victims in a former barracks building on the grounds of the former concentration camp. The theft was uncovered when a security guard noticed Thursday that one of the cabinets used to display the shoes had been broken into, Kowalczyk-Nowak said. This triggered a count that revealed that eight shoes had been stolen. Holocaust artifacts bear witness . The theft was reported to police, and a criminal investigation is ongoing, she said. It comes less than a month after an iron gate with the notorious Nazi slogan "Arbeit Macht Frei," which translates to "work sets you free," was stolen from the former Dachau concentration camp in Germany. The Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial museum condemned that theft, saying: "While we do not know who is behind the theft of the sign, the theft of such a symbolic object is an offensive attack on the memory of the Holocaust." The famous "Arbeit Macht Frei" sign at the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp in Poland also was stolen in 2009. It was discovered shortly afterward cut into three pieces. The concentration camp in Lublin, popularly known as Majdanek, housed Jews from Poland and across occupied Europe, as well as Soviet prisoners of war and political prisoners from Poland. According to the museum website, of an estimated 150,000 inmates who entered Majdanek, 80,000 people, including 60,000 Jews, were killed. "In order to remove the traces of the crimes, the corpses of those who died and the murdered were burnt on pyres or in the crematorium," it states. eBay removes purported Holocaust memorabilia from site, apologizes . | Eight shoes belonging to Holocaust victims are taken from a museum in Lublin .
A cabinet containing some of 280,000 shoes displayed at the museum was broken into .
Some 80,000 people, among them 60,000 Jews, were killed at the Majdanek camp . |
55,929 | 9e861b62b3fc12dc10ea006d9ae9ee4fd12ee87c | (CNN) -- The Miami Marlins are not playing in this year's World Series. So why was a guy sitting behind home plate at Kauffman Stadium, home of the Kansas City Royals, in a bright orange Miami Marlins jersey at Games 1 and 2? That mystery man is Laurence Leavy. He is the Marlins Man. And he loves watching sports in person and up close. Leavy, 58, is a compensation lawyer who lives in Miami. He isn't married and doesn't have any children, giving him extra disposable income to attend high-profile sporting events in high-profile seats. He told CNN he's been to 27 Super Bowls, and he recently told The Miami Herald that he has been to more than 200 NBA playoff games and at least 85 World Series games. The event that triggered Leavy to start attending so many games was a breakup. He says he was in a relationship with a woman who didn't like sporting events. "So when I stopped seeing her, I decided I'm going to start going to stuff I'm watching on TV. That was about 15 years ago, and I've been doing it ever since." He is a Marlins season ticket holder, with two seats -- you guessed it -- behind home plate at Marlins Park. He also has four tickets in the first row by first base. He says gives those away to his employees or strangers before games. If you've been watching the World Series, you couldn't help but see Leavy among the sea of blue in Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City. His presence in orange caused buzz online and on social media. "Nobody ever noticed me when I used to wear like a Yankees hat or a Cowboys jersey or anything like that, and I used to wear Marlins teal," Leavy said. "But in 2012, when I went to the World Series for the Giants game, people noticed me wearing an orange Marlins jersey behind the Giants bench, and that's kind of how the whole thing started with people knowing who I am and what I did." But it's different this time. More people have noticed him. His recent fame has caused a spike in his followers on Twitter. His handle, @Marlins_Man, has jumped from roughly 175 followers to more than 6,700 in the last three days. On Thursday, Leavy said he knew he was in for a ride when he saw himself on the front page of Wednesday's USA Today. So why is he getting noticed by so many now? Leavy said he thinks things got big because of the color contrast with the Royals blue. Wearing an orange Marlins jersey that looks like it could glow in the dark didn't go over well in Kansas City. Leavy said the Royals asked him to move or change clothes, and he refused. The Royals didn't immediately respond to CNN's request for comment, though the club has denied this happened, according to other reports. "It's a wonderful experience, and I've decided I want to keep doing this, so I am going to keep doing it," Leavy said. "I've been asked a lot recently, 'Are you going to keep doing this?' And I said, 'Why not?' So I'm doing this." Leavy will be in San Francisco for Game 3 on Friday, although he may not be as easy to spot among the Giants' faithful wearing orange. But keep an eye out for him. He'll be in the second row, on the aisle, behind the catcher. CNN's Joe McCurdy contributed to this report. | Laurence Leavy likes to attend high-profile sporting events in high-profile seats .
A breakup with a woman who didn't like sporting events pushed him to go to more games .
"That was about 15 years ago, and I've been doing it ever since," he says .
His presence in bright orange at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City caused a buzz online . |
221,202 | aa5b29834e4c733de29a6287ff3f56aa9cebcc85 | At first glance, it looks like a perfectly normal helicopter. But Northrop Grumman’s new MQ-8C Fire Scout is missing one key thing - a pilot. The craft, shown off at a trade show this week, has been stuffed with electronics so it can be flown as a drone - but with all the same capabilities as a normal helicopter. Mockup of an MQ-8C Fire Scout from the Northrup Grumman display at the Sea-Air-Space Expo 2013 . The MQ-8C Fire Scout looks almost identical to a normal helicopter - but is in fact a drone . The ultimate drone in numbers . The MQ-8C Fire Scout is a fully autonomous, fourblade, single-engine unmanned helicopter. 'It will carry an array of . reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition (RSTA) sensors to . support warfighters’ demands for enhanced situational awareness,' the . firm said. 'The craft combines the best of two proven air systems in a low-cost, fast-fielding package,' said the defence firm. Earlier this year the US Navy awarded Northrop Grumman a $71 million contract to procure six additional MQ-8C Fire-X variants, for a total of 30 aircraft. George Vardoulakis, vice president for tactical unmanned systems with Northrop Grumman's Aerospace Systems sector said, 'this contract provides significant momentum for the work Northrop Grumman and its supply chain partners are doing to meet the Navy's requirements.' An artist's impression of the MQ-8C Fire Scout in action . The drone is based on a Bell 407 . helicopter, which is often used by hospitals, news organizations, movie . studios and law enforcement agencies worldwide. Over 1,000 have been sold, with over 3 million accumulated flight hours - but now it is undergoing a radical conversion. 'Fire Scout supports both maritime and land-based missions, . taking off and landing on aviation-capable warships, and at prepared . and unprepared landing zones in proximity to ground troops. A scale model of the MQ-8C Fire Scout was revealed, and it is hoped the real thing could be flying this year . The complex electronics that can pilot the helicopter remotely . | MQ-8C Fire Scout will be used by US Military as a surveillance drone .
Has same capabilities and range as a Bell 407 Helicopter . |
119,064 | 25c38cf4bab42ec25d0e0a0e387f9d0d3ebc441e | Andy Murray opened his Valencia Open challenge with a 6-3 6-3 win over Jurgen Melzer, although his performance failed to inspire in the Spanish city. In a match littered with poor serves and unforced errors, the third seed, who won the title here in 2009, just about held the edge to progress through to a second-round meeting with Italy's Fabio Fognini. Murray is playing in his fifth consecutive tournament, having won in Vienna last weekend, and is looking to secure his place at the ATP World Tour Finals next month, but will have to improve significantly if he is to better the result of rival David Ferrer, who is the top seed in Spain and aiming to bump the Scot from his current eighth place in the Race to London. Andy Murray defeated Jurgen Melzer to move a step closer to securing his ATP World Tour Finals spot . Murray keeps his eye on the ball as he looks to return a shot from Austria's Melzer . 7. Tomas Berdych (CZE) - 4,105 . 8. Andy Murray (GBR) - 3,885 . ------------- . 9. Milos Raonic (CAN) - 3,795 . 10. David Ferrer (ESP) - 3,775 . 11. Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) - 3,555 . *Standings on Wednesday October 22 . Murray, who came into the contest with a 6-0 head-to-head record against the Austrian, looked settled in the early stages and was a break up in just the third game when Melzer put a weak forehand into the net. However, his serve then went off the boil and a double fault from the Scot gave his Austrian opponent an immediate break back, although Melzer's wide return in game five again put Murray in the driving seat. Murray battled once more to hold his next service game but this time the outcome was more favourable as the third seed took a 4-2 lead. And although the world No 10 continued to perform below par, the occasional flash of brilliance - coupled with an ill-timed and costly double fault from Melzer - saw the Scot secure the opening set in 41 minutes. It was Melzer who drew first blood in the second set, breaking in the opening game with a tidy forehand across the court. Murray was far from at his best against Melzer but managed to beat the Austrian in straight sets . Murray currently occupies the last Race to London but faces competition from Spain's David Ferrer . It was not a match for tennis purists, with too many unforced errors and ugly shots from both sides of the net, and it was no surprise when Murray broke straight back after Melzer fired wide. An upturn in form then looked on the cards when Murray won his next two service games to love, and his fortunes improved further in game six when he fought back from 0-40 to break once more. Melzer's temper spilled over and the world number 121 smashed his racquet frame in frustration, earning a warning from the umpire. Yet the Briton could not hold on to his advantage, and another poor forehand found the net to leave the set back on serve. The topsy-turvy nature of things continued as a lazy, under-hit shot from Melzer gifted his opponent one more break and left Murray serving for the match. And although he did it the hard way, saving two break points, the Brit eventually emerged the winner thanks to another error from Melzer. | The Scotsman won in straight sets against Austria's Jurgen Melzer .
Andy Murray is eighth in the current race for London standings .
David Ferrer is hoping to take Murray's Race to London spot . |
205,328 | 95ca69dfbbaf2b4944ea5eb9730f95b2a825e191 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . When workmen botched the job of building her new home and left her £160,000 out of pocket, Carol Sullivan knew exactly what to do. The 50-year-old lawyer went on a bricklaying course – and then built the house herself. She said she had no choice but to learn the construction skills after losing the money she had saved to transform her bungalow into a luxury home. Resourceful: Carol Sullivan built her own dream home from scratch after enrolling on a week-long bricklaying course . The rogue tradesmen bungled the . building of the foundations and exterior walls for the new house, . leaving a shell that had to be demolished for safety reasons. Mrs . Sullivan tried to get her money back through the courts, but the . builders disappeared with nothing in their bank account. Devastated but . undeterred, she enrolled on a week-long £250 bricklaying course and set . about building the house from scratch. Shell: Rogue traders left Carol Sullivan with a wreck after botching the rebuilding of her bungalow . Under construction: Carol Sullivan managed to learn enough in a week-long bricklaying course to mean she could start rebuilding her home . She . went on to learn the basics of plumbing and carpentry on similar . courses. A year to the day after she began work she moved into the . detached four-bedroom house, now said to be worth £1million. The . property in Kempshott, near Basingstoke, Hampshire, cost her £180,000 to . build on top of the money she had already lost. Mrs . Sullivan said that all had appeared to be going well with the original . building work until a cold snap of weather. ‘To my horror the mortar . started to fall out of the new walls,’ she said. ‘The builders said . there was nothing wrong.’ Troubles: Torrential rain battered the building project before Mrs Sullivan could get a roof on the home - flooding the ground floor . Plumbed in: Mrs Sullivan also enrolled on a plumbing course and installed, left, underfloor heating and pipework . Finishing touches: The four-bedroom home build by Carol Sullivan, pictured nearing completion, is now valued at £1million . But . a test by the Institute of Builders showed the workmen had used only . one shovel of mortar for every 19 shovels of sand – a normal ratio would . be four or five to one. Mrs . Sullivan said: ‘I was totally gutted and ordered the builders to leave . the site immediately. I got the foundations checked and they too weren’t . sufficient. 'Because the house was unsafe I had no choice but to . completely knock it down. ‘I . didn’t do anything with the site for a while and then one day I said to . my husband, Viv, “Can it really be that hard to lay bricks?” Dream home: Mrs Sullivan installed a luxury kitchen in her £1million, four-bedroom home in Basingstoke, Hampshire . 'I found a . week-long course that started the following Monday for £250. Viv was . very supportive and came with me. ‘Normally . these courses teach you to build a garden wall, an arch and a chimney . breast. I said to the tutors that I’d like to learn how to build a . house. I knew it would be a huge challenge but I didn’t have any other . choice.’ She put her job as a . divorce lawyer on hold to get up at 6am and spend the day laying bricks . from Monday to Friday, with Mr Sullivan, 58, helping her at weekends. Determined: Cowboy builders left the lawyer, 50, without a home but she turned adversity into triumph by learning the skills to build the house herself . ‘A . year to the day since I started we moved in,’ she said. ‘At that point . the house was just a shell. I did everything from the plumbing to the . electrics to the carpentry. 'The only things I couldn’t do was the . roofing, levelling the concrete and the plaster work. ‘I’m over the moon. I could have chucked it all in but I stuck at it and have the house of my dreams.’ | Carol Sullivan was homeless after cowboy builders wrecked her bungalow .
Construction firm disappeared and court action to recover the money stalled .
The lawyer, 50, enrolled on a week-long course teaching trade skills .
She built a £1million 'dream home' from scratch in Basingstoke, Hampshire .
Within a year she turned a crumbing flooded shell into a four-bedroom home . |
178,777 | 7373096b4c4d28b8ac008c25da77081053628bb6 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 22:58 EST, 4 March 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 05:18 EST, 5 March 2013 . This intrepid pet rabbit has been racking up the hare miles visiting beauty spots stretching from Edinburgh to the Isle of Skye with his owner. Mini lop rabbit Jared has toured many of Scotland's most famous sights with Korrasut Khopuangklang, often taking in the views from his vantage point in a basket attached to the front of the law student's bicycle. Over the past three years Mr Khopuangklang has photographed his pet at attractions including Edinburgh Castle, Glencoe, and the beaches of North Berwick, and the final year student has now put London on the pair's list of places to visit. Scroll down for video . Intrepid: Jared the bunny has visited a host of Scottish tourist destinations, riding along in the basket on his owner's bicycle . Following his nose: The bunny takes a trip through Holyrood Park in Edinburgh with his owner Korrasut Khopuangklang . The travelling is all done without a hutch as Mr Khopuangklang usually carries Jared along on his bike or in the car. The Edinburgh University student says Jared takes it all in his stride. He said: 'He just loves to sit completely still and be photographed. He's very patient. Taking in the view: The bunny is seen sitting on the grass at Trotternish on the Isle of Skye in this photograph . Posing: Jared perches overlooking the water in Dunblane, Scotland . 'Patient': Final year law student Mr Khopuangklang poses against a picturesque backdrop with Jared, his mini lop rabbit . 'When I take him out to the park he sits in a basket on the handlebars of my bicycle. 'He loves the outdoors and doesn't mind being in the car on the longer journeys.' Jared has also become a bit of a star on YouTube with his unflappable photo session sitting in a flower pot. And the roving rabbit's sightseeing salad days look set to continue as Korrasut plans to take him further afield. He said: 'He loves travelling and I'd like to take him to other places. 'He'd look great posing at Stonehenge or in front of the Houses of Parliament, although that might be too far for him.' | Pet rabbit has visited a host of beauty spots including the Isle of Skye .
Mini lop rabbit Jared travels in basket on his owner's bicycle . |
118,280 | 24b7c980204fb7e683252280f34d63e9dab7622f | By . Mark Duell . A 15-year-old boy has died of leukaemia just hours after his classmates went on strike when their school banned them from wearing charity bracelets to support him. Joel Smith, a Year 11 pupil at Bilton School in Rugby, Warwickshire, died last Thursday evening - one day after police were called in when 100 students walked out of lessons. The schoolchildren had been told they could only wear 'Team Joel' beaded bracelets - made and sold by his family to raise funds for the Teenage Cancer Trust - on a non-uniform day next month. Tragic case: Joel Smith, a Year 11 pupil at Bilton School in Rugby, Warwickshire, died last Thursday evening . Controversy: Police were called by teachers when 100 pupils walked out of lessons at Bilton School in Rugby, Warwickshire, after being told they could only wear 'Team Joel' bracelets (pictured) on a non-uniform day . Pupils who wanted to wear the . wristbands in support of Joel at other times were told they would be violating the uniform policy. But last Wednesday, pupils mounted a protest on . the school field. A Bilton . School spokesman said: ‘We will continue to work with our students and . families to support the whole school community at this extraordinarily . sad and difficult time.’ The school added that it would say nothing more ‘out of our deepest respect for Joel Smith’s family’. Joel’s . friends took to Twitter to express their sadness at his death. Charly . McLeod said: ‘Rest in paradise Joel - heaven has granted another perfect . angel. Gone but never forgotten. Team Joel.’ Made by his family: Wristbands in support of leukaemia sufferer Joel Smith and the Teenage Cancer Trust . Showing their support: Pupils at Bilton School in Rugby showed whose side they were on last week . And . Cheryl Edwards wrote: ‘R.I.P Joel. Lost his battle to cancer. Never to . be forgotten, always in our hearts. My thoughts go out to his family and . friends.’ 'We will continue to work with our students and families to support the whole school community at this extraordinarily sad and difficult time' Bilton School spokesman . Following the . strike last Wednesday, mother Emma Howell told the Daily Mirror that she . would be backing her daughter Laura's participation in it, despite her . missing a mock examination. She . said: 'I support my daughter. The only resolution I can see is if the . school back down because the pupils are very passionate about this, and I . can’t see them letting it go.’ The . school said it had responded several weeks ago to a request from the . children to have a non-uniform day for Joel, and he had requested that . pupils wear blue and white coloured clothing. Support for staff and pupils: A Bilton School statement said it was an 'extraordinarily sad and difficult time' Reasoning: The school said it had responded several weeks ago to a request from the children to have a non-uniform day for Joel, and he had requested that pupils wear blue and white coloured clothing . Firm stance: Bilton School refused to let its pupils wear a charity bracelet in support of the pupil every day . This . was planned for April 11, but the school also told pupils that the . bracelets could only be sold and worn on that day - a policy which caused much anger among the children last week. A . spokesman said: ‘We spoke to students and said that they could show . their support by attaching the bracelets to bags or keys but not wear . them as bracelets, in order to comply with our policies. ‘This . has been the topic of quite extensive social media comment over the . last two days, culminating in a call from students and parents for . students to strike yesterday [last Wednesday]. ‘Although . this was a largely peaceful event, we called the police who supported . us in evaluating the safety of staff and students, which is paramount to . us.’ Punishment: The school said it explained to the students how it was helping Joel and his family, and those who quickly returned to lessons would make up the lost learning time during detentions . Doing their bit: The school said it had responded several weeks ago to a request from students to have a non-uniform day for Joel, and he had requested that students wear blue and white coloured clothing . The school added that . it then told pupils how it was helping Joel and his family - and the . many of them who quickly returned to lessons would make up the lost . learning time during detentions. But . the spokesman continued: ‘There were a small minority of students whose . actions can only be described as anti-social and potentially dangerous . who used this as an opportunity to be disruptive. ‘These . students were putting pressure on others not to go back into classrooms . and contacted the press. We will be evaluating the actions we will be . taking with these students over the next few days.’ The Facebook page 'Spotted: Rugby Town' had been inundated with angry comments when the ban on bracelets was announced, with some people branding the decision 'disgraceful'. | Joel Smith died last Thursday, one day after pupil protest on Wednesday .
Police called in when 100 pupils left lessons at Bilton School in Rugby .
Told they could only wear 'Team Joel' bracelets on a non-uniform day .
School says it's supporting pupils and families at 'sad and difficult time' |
11,407 | 207224ddaeb57ae77f91cd645f70a1a67485ff53 | A former senior psychologist with the NYPD has been arrested and charged with trying to kill her husband last year during a staged home invasion. Mother-of-two Emily Dearden, 46, from Yonkers, New York, turned herself in after her spouse Kenneth, 47, filed a lawsuit earlier this month claiming she shot him in the back of the head in November, 2013, 'execution-style' so she could be with her married lover. She was charged with attempted second degree murder during an arraignment hearing on Friday where she posted $150,000 bail and was ordered to stay away from her husband. On November 14 last year, real estate developer Mr Dearden was found with gunshot wounds at his large home in the well-to-do area where the couple lived with their two daughters. Court papers said he woke up with a 'searing pain in his jaw' before noticing the bed sheets were covered in blood. Emily Dearden, 46, has been charged with second degree attempted murder after her husband Kenneth, 47, filed a lawsuit claiming she tried to kill him so she could run off with her married lover . Dearden handed herself in to authorities last week following the shooting at their $500,000 Yonkers, New York, home last year (left). Her latest mugshot is pictured right . The couple, pictured with their daughters, on a family vacation. Mr Dearden claimed in a restraining order lawsuit that his wife tried to kill him in a staged home invasion . Mr Dearden then found his wife on the floor downstairs, claiming she had been hit in the head by an intruder. He also realized that the home's alarm he had set hours before had been turned off and only his wife knew the code. Mitchell Schuster, Mr Dearden's lawyer, told The Journal News that his client understands why it has taken so long for charges to be filed and is continuing to cooperate with detectives. He told the paper: 'We were always confident the authorities would go through the process and take the steps necessary to ensure an arrest. We're happy with the results so far.' Her lover was named as Warren Roudebush, of Texas, who allegedly ended his own marriage, according to court documents seen by The New York Post. Calls to Mr Roudebush's home went unanswered on Friday. According to the Supreme Court lawsuit: 'With [Kenneth] no longer in the picture, [Emily] could avoid a contentious divorce, keep the marital home and never admit the marriage infidelity to any family and friends.' No one has been charged in the shooting at the home, worth more than $500,000 according to records, where the couple live with their young daughters. Calls to the Dearden family home were not answered on Friday. Authorities investigating the property developer's home in Yonkers last year after Mr Dearden was shot in the head and alerted authorities. His wife was on the floor of the property claiming she had been hit by an intruder . According to Lohud.com, Mrs Dearden filed for divorce in August. The Westchester District Attorney's Office was unable to comment due to an ongoing criminal investigation. In a CBS report from November 2013, Mr Dearden was alert and talking when paramedics arrived at his home after he called 911. Detectives at the time did not believe that his injury was self-inflicted. A dog, believed to be the family's Rottweiler, did not react during an alleged home invasion last year . His wife, Emily, an NYPD psychologist was treated at the scene for a minor head wound. Mr Rearden's lawsuit reportedly said that his wife claimed she had been 'knocked out' by an intruder. During the home invasion, according to the lawsuit seen by The Post, the family's alarm didn't go off and the alleged intruder didn't set off the pet Rottweiler. Mr Dearden's lawsuit also reportedly claimed that his wife refused medical treatment and washed the bed sheets and her nightgown while he was in hospital. He also reportedly claimed that his wife met her lover for coffee the next morning. Police would not say who fired the weapon or if it was an accident or a crime. Emily Dearden was questioned last November but not charged. Mrs Dearden is also a professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in Manhattan. MailOnline was awaiting a comment from Emily Dearden's lawyer, Paul B. Bergman, on Friday. Yonkers police Lt. Patrick McCormack told The Post that the case was 'complex'. MailOnline was awaiting a response from Yonkers police on Friday. Meister Seelig & Fein, listed as Mr Dearden's attorneys on court documents, were unavailable for comment when contacted by MailOnline on Friday. Mr Dearden, who is originally from Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, is President for Development at real estate company, Metro Partners and is also President of the Yonkers Downtown/Waterfront Business Improvement District. Metro Partners website lists him as a former investment banker at JPMorgan Chase. Mr Dearden filed a temporary restraining order against his wife earlier this month where he made explosive allegations that she had been the one to shoot him last year . | Kenneth Dearden Jr, 47, filed a lawsuit claiming wife Emily, 46, shot him in November 2013 'execution-style'
Woke up to find bloodied bed sheets at their home in Yonkers, New York .
His wife was lying on the floor downstairs and said an intruder hit her .
Lawsuit filed this month claimed his wife met her lover for coffee the morning after the shooting .
Mr Dearden survived but was forced to undergo several surgeries .
On Friday the mother-of-two handed herself in and appeared in court . |
171,515 | 6a00d629bc94f0a356c0b4c06788d0c7621ab091 | By . Suzannah Hills . PUBLISHED: . 04:45 EST, 24 July 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 04:51 EST, 24 July 2013 . This bride certainly made an entrance by turning up to the wedding in a fire engine after her original transport burst into flames. Irini Georgiou, 23, was on her way to her traditional church ceremony in a 1969 vintage Plymouth Barracuda car when smoke began to billow from the engine. Clutching her bouquet and dressed in a long white gown, Irini, her father Michael Georgiou, 48, and two bridesmaids were forced to jump out of the burning vehicle. Way to make an entrance: Irini Georgiou, 23, arrived at her church wedding in a fire engine after her original transport burst into flames . Rescue: Irini Georgiou and her wedding party were given a lift by firefighters after her transport, a 1969 vintage Plymouth Barracuda, began smoking before bursting into flames . Fire fighters rushed to the scene and managed to extinguish the blaze - even rescuing bottles of champagne from the boot. But Irina and her wedding party were left stranded without a way to get to Christ Church at Little Heath, near Brookmans Park, Hertfordshire. So the fire fighters offered to give her lift - sweeping her up to the church in style on Sunday, complete with flashing blue lights. Teacher Irini, of Potters Bar, Hertforshire, said: 'I was just laughing at first, I'm quite a laid back person, I was just thinking "can this really be happening to me?" 'The firefighters were simply great and we thank them so much for getting me to church. 'This is one big day we'll never forget!' Her groom, Phillip Critoph, 24, was delighted and relieved to see her - as she finally turned up just 30 minutes late. A day to remember: Irini Georgiou, 23, pictured with her father Michael Georgiou, 48, after firefighters got her to her wedding ceremony in Hertfordshire just half an hour late . Special day: The rest of Irini Georgiou's wedding on Sunday to Phillip Critoph, 24, went smoothly . The builder added: 'I was a bit worried, because Irene was a little bit late, but it was quite exciting.' Her father, Mr Georgiou added: 'We just didn't know how we were going to get to church. 'But the fire brigade came to our rescue as they put away their pumps and offered Irene and I a lift. 'We certainly arrived in great style - albeit 30 minutes late!' But there was not enough space for all of them in the fire truck so one of the fire fighters transported the bridesmaids in a separate car. Mr Georgiou continued: 'One of the firefighters had to go in a Nissan Micra with the bridesmaids and they were over the moon about that. 'We had a few panic-stricken moments ' but it all worked out OK in the end.' The happy couple had two days to recover from their excitement before they jetted off to Greek sunshine island Rhodes today on a two-week honeymoon. Retro: The 1969 vintage Plymouth Barracuda had been decorated with blue ribbons for the special day but didn't get very far before the engine began to smoke . | Irini Georgiou, 23, was on the way to .
her wedding in a 1969 vintage Plymouth Barracuda car when the engine started billowing with smoke .
Firefighters extinguished the blaze - even saving champagne from the boot .
They then got Irini to the church in style - driving her there in a fire engine . |
111,647 | 1bf8abed5d423e2680ecd9421efb41fb900dbb49 | Paris (CNN) -- U.S., European and Arab leaders delivered a strong warning to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi on Saturday, saying he must stop attacking his own people or else face international military action. The warning, announced by French President Nicolas Sarkozy at the end of a last-minute meeting in Paris, came as Sarkozy revealed French fighter jets were already flying over rebel-held areas of Libya to protect the population. "If there is not an immediate cease-fire and withdrawal of the forces that have been attacking civilian populations in the last few weeks, our countries will have recourse to military means," Sarkozy said, adding that all participants at the meeting endorsed the warning. French planes fired on a Libyan military vehicle Saturday evening, according to the French Defense Ministry. Participants at the meeting in Paris agreed on an urgent need to act. They agreed to use "all necessary means, in particular, military means" to enforce a United Nations resolution authorizing the use of force against Libya, Sarkozy said. Gadhafi, however, "has totally ignored this warning," Sarkozy said. Sarkozy called it the "murderous madness" of a regime that has "forfeited all its legitimacy." At the same time he spoke, Sarkozy said the French air force is opposing any aggression by Gadhafi's forces against the population of rebel-held Benghazi. "As of now, our aircraft are preventing planes from attacking the town," Sarkozy said. "Other French aircraft are ready to intervene against tanks." Sarkozy said enforcing the U.N. no-fly zone through military action is not in order to impose a specific outcome -- such as regime change -- but is instead "in the name of the universal conscience that will not endorse such crimes." U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton echoed that idea, saying the purpose of enforcing the U.N. resolution is "to protect civilians from their own government." Sarkozy said Gadhafi still has a chance to "avoid the worst" if he complies "immediately and unreservedly" with the demands of the international community. "The doors of diplomacy will open once again when the aggression stops," he said. Sarkozy's comments came at the end of Saturday's meeting, which included delegations from the United States, Canada, European Union and Britain, along with Iraq, Morocco, the United Arab Emirates and the United Nations. In a communique, leaders said they have a long-term commitment in the area. "We assure the Libyan people of our determination to be at their side to help them realize their aspirations and build their future and institutions within a democratic framework," the statement said. British Prime Minister David Cameron, who was at the meeting in Paris, said participants decided to make Gadhafi face the consequences of his actions. "Colonel Gadhafi has made this happen," Cameron told the BBC. "He has lied to the international community. He has promised a cease-fire, he has broken that cease-fire, he continues to brutalize his own people, and so the time for action has come. It needs to be urgent." As they met, participants were "aware of the news reports" coming out of Libya that show Libyan government forces moving toward Benghazi, a senior U.S. State Department official told reporters. "Time is pressing," Herman Van Rompuy, president of the European Council, told the meeting Saturday. "Action is needed now to protect the population." Clinton said Gadhafi's forces "face unambiguous terms" and that a cease-fire must be implemented immediately. "That means all attacks against civilians must stop," she said after the Paris meeting. "Troops must stop advancing on Benghazi and pull back from Ajdabiya, Misrata and Zawiya. Water, electricity, and gas supplies must be turned on to all areas. Humanitarian assistance must be allowed to reach the people of Libya." Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, another participant at the meeting, proposed the use of the NATO base in Naples as a command center for allied action in Libya, a spokesman for the Italian leader said. CNN's Elise Labott, Jill Dougherty and Hada Messia contributed to this report . | NEW: Leaders say they will be at the side of Libyan citizens .
France fires on Libyan military vehicle .
International leaders warn Gadhafi to stop attacking his own people .
Sarkozy calls it the "murderous madness" of the Libyan regime . |
116,431 | 224a93710bad1e63c332dd4a5dabe07e7f5c21c9 | By . Harriet Arkell . PUBLISHED: . 08:11 EST, 25 September 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 11:53 EST, 25 September 2013 . Weighing around 500 pounds and with sharp claws and teeth, Alaskan black bears are bigger and scarier than most. But when this large black bear strolled into the bar of an Alaskan hotel on Monday night, it hadn't counted upon coming face to face with.... an angry barmaid. As the vast creature strolled into the Alaskan Hotel and Bar in Juneau, bar worker Ariel Svetlik-McCarthy screamed at it: 'No, bear, get out. No, you can't be in here'. Scroll down for video . Here it comes: The bar's CCTV shows the bear strolling past the windows as it heads for the historic Alaskan Bar . Quick drink: The bear is seen sauntering into the bar as if it does the same thing every day . And, astonishingly, the bear simply turned around and walked back out. The hotel and bar manager C. Scott Fry said he watched the omnivorous animal walk down the sidewalk and past the historic hotel's lobby. He said: 'And as soon as he got to the bar door, it made a left and walked in like he wanted to have a beer. ' But Ms Svetlik-McCarthy was having none of it, and screeched very effectively at the bear. The hotel has now put video footage of the incident on its Facebook page under the caption: 'Ariel yelled at him and he listened! Yes, we have tough bartenders! After the incident in the Alaskan state capital, a bear expert said it was lucky the animal did as it was told. Area management biologist Ryan Scott with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game told ktoo.org that he'd heard of bears visiting Bartlett Regional Hospital and private homes. Luckily for the beer drinkers in the Alaskan capital of Juneau, the bear picked a Monday night so the bar was empty . When it hears Ariel Svetlik-McCarthy screeching at it to do as it's told, the obedient bear turns tail and walks away . Taking no prisoners: Barmaid Ariel Svetlik-McCarthy, pictured with pet, did not want the bear in her bar . But he said bears going inside buildings is rare. 'Sounds to me like they did great, and it’s good news the bear did oblige,' Scott said. Luckily for Ms Svetlik-McCarthy, black bears in Alaska tend to feel sluggish rather than ravenous at this time of year. According to Bear.org, September means ripe acorns which means bears fill up on them and are consequently less hungry and less of a threat to humans. Towards the end of the month they start to go in to hibernation, and don't wake up until spring. | 500lb black bear casually sauntered into Alaskan Bar & Hotel in Juneau .
Bar tender Ariel Svetlik-McCarthy screeched at it to leave - and it did .
Bear expert Ryan Scott says: 'It is good news the bear obliged'
Black bears can weigh more than 500lbs and eat humans when hungry . |
186,447 | 7d846fc0ff60417046c0e1df6781e1fe774769f3 | (CNN) -- Many observers gazing upon the current bloodshed in the Middle East have wondered aloud if we are seeing the disintegration of the nation-state boundaries established in the region nearly a century ago. But the crises in Iraq and Syria have simply laid bare a phenomenon that has been under way for quite some time. What's more, this process is now almost certainly irreversible, and will lead to a radically different Middle Eastern map than we have known. In the heady early days of the Arab Spring, many people imagined that the Arab world might finally be entering a period of greater democratization, one that would inevitably lead -- so the thinking went -- to greater social unity. That didn't happen. The "people's revolution" in Egypt was subverted, and the fledgling democracy movement in Bahrain was crushed with Saudi military assistance. But more devastating than that is the ongoing fracturing of nations into their historical component parts. The world may be focused on the rifts in Iraq between its Shiite, Sunni and Kurd communities -- but the same "Balkanization" has already occurred in Libya, which is now effectively split into three de facto states. Almost surely next on the chopping block is Syria. Syria's savage civil war has divided the nation into a patchwork of government and rebel-held zones, and there is now talk within Bashar al-Assad's embattled regime of slicing off the Alawite-dominated western portions of Syria to create a more defendable mini-state. READ MORE: Map of Iraq's sectarian divide . Just how did we get here? To answer that, one would do well to look at a map of the region during the Ottoman Empire. In order to keep the peace and hold together their fantastically diverse and far-flung realm, the Ottoman sultans devised a clever system known as the "millyet." So long as they pledged ultimate allegiance to the sultan and paid their taxes, the empire's various religious and ethnic communities were allowed to largely govern themselves. It was hardly a trouble-free arrangement, but this system of autonomy was probably what enabled the weak Ottoman Empire, the proverbial "sick man of Europe," to survive into the twentieth century. That all ended in 1914, when the Ottomans joined forces with Germany and Austro-Hungary in World War I. To the rival empires of Great Britain and France, the Ottoman lands now became known as "the Great Loot," the last great frontier for European control and economic exploitation. Of course, Britain and France first had to win the war -- and well into 1915, they displayed scant ability to do so. In desperation, the British forged a secret agreement with Emir Hussein, the ruler of the Hejaz region of western Arabia, to raise an Arab revolt against the Ottoman Turks. In return, Hussein and his rebels were promised independence for virtually the entire Arab world. READ MORE: The terror group taking Iraq by storm . No sooner had Britain made the pact with Hussein, however, than it surreptitiously entered into negotiations with France. Under the terms of the secret Sykes-Picot Agreement, the future Arab independent nation was to be relegated to the wastelands of the Arabian Peninsula -- oil hadn't been discovered there yet -- while Britain and France would take possession of most everything else. Continuing in this vein, Britain also penned the Balfour Declaration, encouraging Jewish emigration into the Palestine region of Syria, an initiative that would ultimately prove to be the catalyst for the creation of Israel. This double-cross of the Arabs was not fully revealed until the postwar Paris Peace Conference, then put to paper in the 1920 San Remo Agreement. Despite the furious protestations of Arab nationalists, greater Syria was divided into four parts -- Palestine, Trans-Jordan, Lebanon and modern-day Syria -- with the British taking the first two, the French the latter. Even more volatile, as events would soon prove, were British machinations in Iraq. In their first negotiations with Emir Hussein, the British had asked for "special administrative arrangements" in those southern regions of Mesopotamia where oil had been discovered. But by the war's end, oil had also been discovered in the north and, with the promise of Arab independence long discarded, the British simply joined three of the Ottoman's semi-autonomous regions together and called it a country. Through their blithe hubris, British and French imperialists had built themselves a volcano and then sat atop it. For the next three decades, they managed to weather the periodic eruptions of Arab rage by propping up pliant local leaders or rushing in troops to quell the inevitable revolts. But by the early 1950s, their sway in the region had collapsed along with their empires. Into the vacuum stepped a generation of ardently nationalist military dictatorships that would eventually stretch from Libya all the way to Iraq. But how did this transmogrify into the chaos and dissolution we see in the region today? I think the answer lies in a subtler, more psychological, legacy of the "order" that was imposed by the European powers a century ago. READ MORE: How Iraq crisis may redraw borders . Ever since that grand betrayal, the Arab world has tended to define itself more by what it is opposed to -- colonialism, Zionism, Western political and cultural imperialism -- than what it aspires to, and even if Arab leaders have capitalized on this culture of grievance to channel popular discontent away from their own misrule, it is a mindset that has become internalized. In twenty-five years of covering conflict zones around the world, I've found that guerrillas or dissidents most everywhere can articulate what they are fighting for; in the Middle East, by contrast, it is almost always an articulation of what they are fighting against. One result, I believe, is that there's little in the way of consensus going forward once the existing order of things -- artificially-imposed or otherwise -- has been swept aside. Instead, a vacuum is created, and the "Arab street" fills it by turning to those allegiances that predated the object of their rage: their faith, their clans, their tribes. While the result is less devastating in a place with a strong national identity like Egypt -- there, the lack of consensus simply means the "people's revolution" can be gradually smothered -- in an "artificial" nation like Iraq, a centrifugal force takes over that, once given full power, is almost impossible to reverse. We are now at that point in Syria. Since none of its warring factions can be militarily defeated -- and the various regional powers backing their respective proxies will see to that -- the slaughter there will continue until the creation of de facto mini-nations. In Iraq, Kurdistan is already independent in all but name, and has no reason to give it name lest its chief protector, Turkey, become alarmed. The only larger question is whether ISIS -- the Sunni terror group that has taken Iraq by storm in recent weeks -- will manage to consolidate its current hold in the center of the country and join it to the great swath of eastern Syria it controls. Perversely, there may soon come a time when both the Shiite-dominated regime in Baghdad and the Alawite-dominated one in Damascus both decide such a terror-state might be the best way to be rid of their Sunni enemies. Surely the biggest surprise thus far has been the relative calm in Jordan, a nation cut from whole cloth by the European powers after World War I. Despite concerns that it too will fall into the abyss, Jordan might well be saved by the need for all its warring neighbors to have a "Switzerland" in the neighborhood. What might explode next? Here, the old map of the Middle East actually offers some solace. We're simply starting to run out of places that the European imperialists screwed up. The views expressed in this commentary are solely those of Scott Anderson. | Anderson: Conflicts in the Middle East are disintegrating region's post-World War I borders .
British, French imperialists "built volcano in Middle East and then sat atop it"
World may be worried about "Balkanization" of Iraq, "but that's already happened to Libya"
Anderson: We're running out of places that European imperialists screwed up . |
58,482 | a5d527bf7efd75a32c9884d728bb3e9f423467b6 | Philadelphia has become the first city in America to ban 3D-printed guns amid fears such bootlegged firearms could fuel a surge in violent crime. Lawmakers of America's fifth biggest city passed a bill on Thursday, six months after the blueprint for the 3D gun known . as the Liberator was made available online by the group . Defense Distributed. In May, the State Department demanded the . design be taken offline on the basis that they could violate possible . arms trafficking violations, but not before it was downloaded more than . 100,000 times. 'It’s all pre-emptive,' spokesman Steve Cobb, director of legislation for bill-author Kenyatta Johnson, told Philly Magazine. 'It’s just based upon internet stuff out there.' No toy: It comes six months after the blueprint for the 3D gun known as the Liberator was made available online by the group Defense Distributed . New technology: An Ultimaker 3-D printer. The blueprints, that can be produced on a 3-D printer costing as little as $1,000, were seen as a breakthrough because no one has previously designed such a weapon that could withstand the pressure of firing modern ammunition . According to FBI crime statistics, Philadelphia reported 331 murders in 2012, ranking it among the most violent cities in the US. The decision comes a week after the Liberator was deemed a serious safety and security concern after a gun printed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms exploded before it was even fired. The blueprints, that can be produced on a 3-D printer costing as little as $1,000, were seen as a breakthrough because no one has previously designed such a weapon that could withstand the pressure of firing modern ammunition. Dangerous city: According to FBI crime statistics, Philadelphia reported 331 murders in 2012, ranking it among the most violent cities in the US . The bureau released the results of its tests on the Liberator after posting a series of videos on the tests to YouTube. The weapon was found to have the power to penetrate several inches of flesh as well as a human skull. 'The . bottom line is, the penetration results demonstrated that the Liberator . is a lethal weapon,' Earl Griffith, chief of ATF's firearms technology . branch told the Huffington Post. 'The .380 bullets fired from the Liberator penetrate sufficiently to reach vital organs and perforate the skull.' The ATF printed several versions of the gun using different materials. Explosive: The Liberator made from Visijet exploded during testing . The gun printed in a plastic material called Visijet exploded during the test. But a gun rendered in a stronger plastic known as ABS shot eight rounds without any problems. '[The . testers] quit after eight rounds, but there was no issue with the . firearm at that point,' ATF spokesperson Tim Graden told Forbes. Authorities . say the guns are a particular concern because they're made of plastic . which is undetectable, meaning they could be brought into areas where . weapons would normally be banned such as airports, schools and courts. Depending . on the metal detector, a bullet might not be enough to set it off, and . the only way the gun itself could be detected would be with an X-ray . machine, which aren't used in many facilities. The gun manages to bypass the . Undetectable Firearms Act by including a metal block in its make-up. However, the metal part of the gun doesn't play any part in its function . and could be removed. Undetectable: Authorities are concerned that plastic 3-D guns could be brought into places such as schools or government buildings where metal detectors wouldn't find them . New threat: A Liberator pistol next to the 3D printer on which its components were made. The single-shot handgun is the first firearm that can be made entirely with plastic components forged with a 3D printer . The . Undetectable Firearms Act of 1988 expires early next month, and there is . a push to have the law updated to account for printed plastic guns. New York Congressman Steve Israel told the Washington Post that he's making a 'last-ditch effort' to renew and update the law. 'It would be unfathomable to me if we are not able to renew thiws law right now,' he said. ATF . spokesperson Tim Graden outlined the bureau's concerns to Forbes: 'One, . they do work. Two, they’re not reliable, and three, they’re . undetectable,' says Graden. 'And that’s a safety and security issue because they can make their way into secure facilities.' | Comes 6 months after blueprints for world's first printable gun went online .
Called The Liberator, it can be made on a printer costing less than $1,000 .
But official experts deemed it a safety risk after one exploded during tests .
Philadelphia is one of most violent cities in US with 331 murders last year . |
224,709 | aef3cbc3a0bc4548c488f6e00b5071f639a7f834 | (CNN) -- Life tends to be simpler, slower, safer in Abbottabad than in many Pakistani cities. Drivers take their time on the winding mountain roads. Streets are largely empty at night, with people routinely turning in by 9 p.m. And violence found in tribal areas near the Afghanistan border, in the disputed territory of Kashmir, and denser cities including Lahore and Islamabad typically has no place in Abbottabad. Until Monday morning, that is. That's when Abbottabad went from a sleepy northern Pakistani city 50 kilometers (31 miles) north of the Pakistani capital of Islamabad to the site of a bloody and historic firefight. There, in a city heavily populated with Pakistani army personnel, a handful of American special forces executed a daring 40-minute raid in which they killed Osama bin Laden, the world's most well-known terrorist leader. The electricity was out in Abbottabad early Monday, recalled city resident Sohair Athar. This was not an especially unusual occurrence, he said. Nor was the buzz of a helicopter overhead, especially given the abundance of such flights since massive floods ravaged the region. But the freelance software engineer, who also owns a coffee shop in town, noticed the helicopter didn't land immediately, as they usually do. Instead it hovered, prompting him to write on his Twitter feed: "Go away helicopter - before I take out my giant swatter :-/." Shortly thereafter, Athar -- who had come to the typically restive city of Abbottabad in part for peace and security from Lahore -- heard a loud explosion. "I thought to myself, I had moved all the way to Abbottabad from Lahore only to avoid bomb blasts and violence, and now this had even followed me even here," Athar told CNN. Fayez Noor, a 24-year-old student at the Institute of Information and Technology, heard three explosions in all. After the first one at 1:08 a.m., he texted a friend to ask him what happened. The last -- coming just three minutes later -- was the biggest. "My house, which is three kilometers (two miles) away (from the bid Laden compound), shook and the glass in the windows rattled," Noor recalled. Helicopters were seen, too, heading out. Noor said that one flew over his house, while Sahndana Syed, a doctor in the city, saw one final chopper flying off very low. "Initially, I was too afraid to go out," Syed said. "I was terrified." But within just a few minutes, by 1:15 a.m., the power was back on. "I did not think much of it, other than these were odd occurrences," recalled Athar. "I shut my laptop and walked away." As people went to sleep, Pakistani TV stations reported it was all part of a Pakistani military exercise. It was not until after dawn that the facts became evident: one of the world's most wanted fugitives, bin Laden, had been living in their midst and was now dead, killed by U.S. forces. "It came as a big surprise," said Syed, the 28-year-old doctor. "Nobody knew." By the next day, the blockage of streets around the housing compound where bin Laden lived was the most visible reminder of the raid. Residents talked over tea about the fact the mastermind of the September 11, 2001, and other attacks, just a few hours earlier, had lived in their midst -- and that a foreign military, too, had descended on their city. Noor said that some in Abbottabad are angry at the Pakistani government, not just for letting other nation's military strike in their hometown but also for the fact its own military, despite having a major base down the street, never acted on its own. Still, for the talk, the college student said that it didn't take the city long to return to normal. "The truth is, we're all going about our lives as though nothing happened," said Noor. "I went to college today (with) my friends here, and traffic is at is always is." | Residents say Abbottabad is simpler and safer than most Pakistani cities .
They recalled helicopters flying overhead early Monday and several blasts .
Many hours later, news came out bin Laden had lived and was killed there .
There is talk about the historic development, but life returns to normal . |
233,642 | ba78e2c50dd33b6c97a9bae930a2a98c6139866b | Film fans will soon be able to walk in the footsteps of their favourite Hollywood stars – as English Heritage is set to offer special tours of the fairy tale castle used to film highly anticipated blockbuster, Into The Woods. The film's producers took full advantage of England's rich history when scouting for locations, including selecting picturesque castles and ruins for the set. To celebrate the January 9th release of Into the Woods, Dover Castle in Kent will be offering themed guided tours from January 10. Film fans will soon be able to tour the real-life fairy tale castle used as the backdrop for Into the Woods . Chris Kline and Anna Kendrick were spotted last year filming at Dover Castle . The tours will showcase the areas which featured most prominently in the film and explore the real life stories of the kings and queens who resided there. Into The Woods is the big screen adaptation of the award-winning Broadway musical and features an all-star cast, including Meryl Streep as the Witch, Anna Kendrick as Cinderella and Johnny Depp as the Wolf. And the English monument also plays a starring role, as it was transformed to play a key location within the story. The famous wedding scene in the musical was filmed at the historic Kent attraction . Dover Castle in Kent will begin offering themed tours on January 10, following the film's January 9th release . The film tells the tale of a childless couple who set out to end a curse placed upon them by a vengeful witch, encountering characters from well-known fairy tales along the way. Anna Kendrick was spotted in wedding attire at the location . One of the most spectacular castles in the country, Dover Castle became the setting for a fairy tale castle, which is home to a handsome prince in the story. King Henry II's magnificent Great Tower and Inner Bailey walls took centre stage for scenes set at 'the King's Palace', and one of its grand gateways adorned with a curtain of flowers provided the backdrop for a 'Royal balcony moment' at Cinderella's wedding to her Prince. Becky Smith, General Manager at Dover Castle, said: 'The team here was very involved in working with the location team and we thoroughly enjoyed the experience. 'It's not every day you get to witness a giant causing an earthquake, or get to host a fairy tale ball!' 'We had to strike a careful balance between the needs of our visitors, the protection of the historic buildings in our care and the film-makers' requirements, which I feel we achieved very well. 'This is a fantastic opportunity to show off the majesty of Dover Castle in a high-profile, British-made film. 'We're really excited to see how Henry II's splendid Great Tower looks on the big screen and it just goes to prove that the best fantasies are inspired by reality.' Although located high above the coast in real life, in the film the castle lies at the edge of the woods, so a woodland scene was created from lorry-loads of trees, shrubs and greenery on the grass banks within the castle's outer walls. Atmospheric night-time scenes were filmed here, with only burning torches to light the way, while another dramatic scene saw an earthquake strike the castle. The tours will showcase the areas that featured most prominently and also recount the real life royal stories . The romantic ruins of Waverley Abbey in Surrey were also used in filming Rapunzel's scenes for the movie . The romantic ruins of England's first Cistercian Abbey, Waverley Abbey in Surrey, were also transformed, this time into a fitting storybook tower where Rapunzel, played by MacKenzie Mauzy, was held captive. 'The sets had the sense of a fairy tale, but at the same time were very real and haunting,' says Mauzy. 'Our set designers did such an amazing job that it was hard to tell the difference between my character's tower and the ruins of the Abbey, itself. You instantly become part of that world, because it seemed so real.' Dover Castle has also recently provided the filming location for Avengers: Age of Ultron and Hollow Crown, starring Benedict Cumberbatch. | Dover Castle provided location for Cinderella's castle in Into The Woods .
Scene of pivotal 'royal wedding' balcony moment in the musical adaptation .
To celebrate the January 10 release of the film, special tours will be offered . |
135,675 | 3b8ae948bdc74d9a693f69535d6e19dcac512d1b | By . James King . Anyone traveling through Nekoma, North Dakota - a stone's throw from the Canadian border on the way to the exact middle of nowhere - might be shocked to find an enormous pyramid jutting above the horizon. As well they should be - this is North Dakota, not Egypt. But this American pyramid was once home to one of the United States military's anti-ballistic missile defense system with the Cold War-era goal of shooting down Soviet missiles before they ever reached their intended targets - and likely killing thousands of Americans. The Nekoma pyramid is part of a cluster of military facilities once known as the Stanley R. Mickelsen Safeguard Complex, named after U.S. Army Air Defense Commanding General Stanley Mickelsen. Scroll down for video . Middle of nowhere: This pyramid was part of the U.S. missile defense system located in Nekoma, North Dakota . Operational: The complex, known as the Stanley R. Mickelsen Safeguard Complex, became fully operation in 1975 . Radar: The pyramid building at the Complex is a radar facility that scanned the sky for any incoming objects that could harm the U.S. Armed and dangerous: While operational, the pyramid was armed with 30 Spartan missiles and 16 of the shorter-range Sprint missiles . Construction of the Complex was completed in 1975. The Complex's pyramid served as its Missile Site Radar base that essentially scanned all directions in search of airborne objects that may pose a threat to the U.S. The pyramid-shaped radar facility was complete with 30 Spartan missiles and 16 of the shorter-range Sprints missiles, all of which were held in underground launch silos. The location of the pyramid is cryptically explained as 'Northeast of Tactical Road; southeast of Tactical Road South' - a sparsely populated section of one of the most sparsely populated states in the U.S. As a whole, the Complex was armed with launch and control pads for 30 LIM-49 Spartan anti-ballistic missiles, and 70 shorter-range Sprint anti-ballistic missiles in support of the Army's Safeguard anti-ballistic missile program. Video from YouTube . Launch sites: The facility held ICBMs in several underground launch bunkers scattered throughout the Complex . General: The Complex is named for Stanley R. Mickelsen, a former commanding general of the U.S. Army Air Defense Command . On February 10, 1976, the site was officially deactivated - after less than a year of being operational. The Library of Congress, however, has a stunning set of images that shows the various states of construction and completion. The photos were taken for the government by photographer Benjammin Halpern and initially reported by Gizmodo. In all, the complex provided launch and control for 30 LIM-49 Spartan anti-ballistic missiles, and 70 shorter-range Sprint anti-ballistic missiles . The radar and site remain in service today as the Perimeter Acquisition Radar Characterization System (PARCS), located at Cavalier Air Force Station . Short-lived: The complex was deactivated on 10 February 1976 after less than a year of operation. | The Stanley R. Mickelsen Safeguard Complex became operational in 1975 .
The Complex's high-tech radars were housed in a pyramid-shaped building in rural Nekoma, North Dakota .
The Complex was designed to detect Soviet missiles .
In 1976, just a year after it became operational, the Complex was closed . |
272,087 | ec6d8ea3d1721e9bd5a4897554d8fa81f042481b | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 07:32 EST, 29 March 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 19:45 EST, 29 March 2013 . Smiles: Giuseppe Morello (pictured), 43, began an affair with the woman, a 47-year old widow, after the death of her husband . A teaching assistant had to get police to restrain her ‘insatiable’ lover after she dumped him for being too demanding in the bedroom. The 47-year-old mother of three, who was looking for love after the death of her husband, began a whirlwind romance with Italian waiter Giuseppe Morello, 43. But she broke off their passionate affair because she grew tired of the pressure to have sex with him ‘morning, noon and night’. Morello was devastated by the split and tried to win her back. He bombarded her with as many as 20 texts a day, telling her: ‘My life is over without you.’ He also turned up at the school where she worked and tried to woo her in front of the staff and pupils. Eventually police had to step in to stop his Casanova campaign. Morello struck up a relationship with the unnamed woman last September, after he served her at the Ciao Baby Italian restaurant in Egerton, near Bolton. After the first few weeks of the relationship they even rented a house . together. However, she soon noticed that he was ‘possessive and . clingy’. Neil White, prosecuting, told Blackburn magistrates’ court: . ‘It turned into a situation when he was extremely possessive, jealous . and arguments occurred. She felt pressured by him to have sexual . intercourse every night, and then in the mornings, and afternoons as . well. She felt she couldn’t meet his sexual demands. ‘She ended the relationship after six weeks because of the constant pressure to go to bed with him. ‘He began to text and phone and pester her, telling her how much he loved her. ‘He . continued to be controlling and possessive, and there were constant . demands for sex, with him sulking whenever she refused.’ The police were called in last November after the couple had a blazing row. They removed Morello from the house and warned him not to come back or contact her again. He . also received a caution for assault. ‘After that she received in excess . of 20 text messages a day and countless phone calls,’ said Mr White. ‘She . ignored these but he also turned up outside her home. And, on a couple . of occasions, he was outside the school where she works as a teaching . assistant and tried to engage her in conversation.’ Ciao Baby: Morello had struck up a relationship with the mother-of-three last September after he served her at the Ciao Baby Restaurant, in Egerton, near Bolton . Police decided . to arrest Morello in February when he turned up at the woman’s house – . while officers were there taking her statement. Yesterday Morello admitted harassment, and was told not to contact his former lover under the terms of a restraining order. He will also have to complete 200 hours of unpaid work, as well as paying £145 in costs and a victim surcharge. In . mitigation his lawyer, Damian Pickup, said: ‘He accepts that he . bombarded her with text messages and phone calls, but these were not . threatening. All he wanted to do was tell her how much he loved her and . ask if there was a way back for them. He was simply declaring his . undying love and seeking answers to what was going on between them. ‘He says it was the language of love and nothing more.’ But district judge Peter Ward told him: ‘Bombarding someone with text messages, even saying “I love you” is harassment. ‘It takes two people to be in a relationship. ‘I’m . prepared to accept that the text messages were not particularly . threatening. Nevertheless, it is harassment because she didn’t want this . relationship to continue.’ | Giuseppe Morello, 43, began affair with the widow, 47, after husband's death .
She ended affair because of Morello's demands for sex three times a day .
He tried to win her back by sending 20 texts a day and turned up at school .
One text said: 'My life is over without you, I will go to prison for you'
Ordered not to contact her after admitting harassment at Manchester court . |
117,560 | 23cae47109eb1ce77d878dc4acb1aa40a108098d | Rosie Skinner gets through at least two large sponges a week. But rather than scrubbing her car or cleaning her bathroom, the 19-year-old is addicted to eating them. The teenager has suffered the strange addiction since she was five years old. A student from Epson, Surrey, Miss Skinner cuts the sponges into small pieces and sucks on them throughout the day, in the same way most teenagers snack on chocolate or crisps. Pica is the name given to a condition in which people eat objects which are not suitable to be consumed and have no nutritional value. Rosie Skinner, 19, craves eating sponges and gets through around two a week. 'I have always loved the smell of a wet sponge. I crave that damp taste and feeling in my mouth,' she says . Miss Skinner now eats at least two large sponges a week (pictured right). At 10 years old (pictured left) she lost her tooth in a sponge, and at 13 had surgery to remove a big ball of sponge from her stomach . Miss Skinner (pictured left) says she doesn't feel confident revealing her habit around other people. Her family, and boyfriend Callum, 18 (pictured right) say she is 'mad' People have been known to eat dirt, glass, pain and sand, as well as household objects like carpets, candles and sponges. Miss Skinner, who attends Reigate Sixth Form College, said: 'I have always loved the smell of a wet sponge. 'I crave that damp taste and feeling in my mouth. 'I like the texture as well, it's a bit like eating cake. 'I might try one with some icing on one day. If I have a stressful day I love to treat myself to snack on a sponge to relax.' Pica can cause a range of serious complications if the person eats something that is poisonous or indigestible. And in Miss Skinner's case the bizarre habit has resulted in her being admitted to hospital. When she was 13, she had to have an operation to remove a large ball of sponge from her stomach. Pica is an eating disorder that is characterised by the desire to eat items with little or no nutritional value. These can include stones, sand, paint and dirt. It is most common in people with learning disabilities and during pregnancy. It can cause a range of serious complications if the patient is eating something that is poisonous or indigestible. She said: 'It was a bit of a weird situation. I started having stomach aches and then they developed into really severe pains. 'I was rushed to hospital where doctors removed a ball the size of a small mouse from my stomach. 'The doctor's said it was a bit weird and they told me to stop eating sponge. 'I tried to do what the doctors told me, but I can't fight my cravings entirely. Now I just chew it for a while and spit it out.' Miss Skinner also once lost a tooth in a sponge when she was ten years old. She said: 'I was eating a sponge and my tooth came out in it. It took me a while to explain to my mum why it was in a sponge.' Miss Skinner, who favourite sponges are those available at hardware store Wilko, said she is trying to kick the habit for good. She said: 'I even take little sandwich bags to college with pieces of sponge in it so I can eat it during my lectures. 'I would like to quit, but I still haven't grown out of the habit yet. 'I thought about buying a proper luxury sponge from the sea, but that would be taking things too far. 'I'm not very confident doing it around people - I know it's weird. 'My family and my boyfriend, Callum, think I'm mad, but I don't mind, it's just part of who I am.' Doctors told Miss Skinner to stop eating sponges, but she finds it difficult to resist the cravings. If she has a stressful day, she likes to snack on a sponge to relax . 'I would like to quit, but I still haven't grown out of the habit yet,' Miss Skinner says . In August MailOnline reported the story of two sisters from Bradford who regularly eat candles and second-hand books. Adele, 50, began eating candles as a child. She now eats around two inches of wax every day, much like many people tuck into a chocolate bar. She says candles are an emotional crutch - and the 300 she has eaten in her lifetime have apparently never caused her any health problems. 'When I was eight or nine I started sniffing fire lighters,' she told ITV's This Morning. 'I then started nibbling on candles and have done ever since.' For her twin sister Anita, also 50, Pica struck later in life - when she was pregnant 24 years ago. 'I began having cravings for things that smelled like old bus tickets,' she told presenters Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes. 'When I found the smell again, it was in an old book - and I haven't been able to stop since. 'The older the book, the better it tastes. I just love really old books. It's like eating a chocolate bar.' She now scours charity shops looking for ripe old tomes - and is unbothered by the germs and dust they may be harbouring. Sisters Anita (left) and Adele (right), both 50, from Bradford, regularly eat candles and second-hand books. They consume these peculiar items in the same way other people snack on chocolate . | Rosie Skinner, 19, cuts sponges into pieces and eats them during the day .
She manages to get through around two large sponges a week .
Pica syndrome is a condition where people eat unsuitable objects, like sponges, carpets and other household objects, with no nutritional value .
Had to have surgery to remove a large ball of sponge from her stomach .
Was told to quit, but doesn't know if she can resist her cravings . |
119,907 | 26fc376564229b50b3d4042ba210c1a33fb84258 | (CNN) -- Maria Sharapova has pulled out of the season-ending WTA Championships in Istanbul after suffering successive straight-sets defeats. The Russian lost to China's Li Na 7-6 (7-4) 6-4, who had herself not won a match, or even a set, since August. It was a match that ebbed and flowed as Li came from 2-4 down in the first set to force a tie-break, which she won despite losing the first four points. Li, who this year became the first Asian Grand Slam winner after victory in the French Open, then fought off a late Sharapova surge when 5-2 up to take the second set 6-4. The defeat followed Sharapova's capitulation against U.S. Open champion Sam Stosur 6-1, 7-5 on Wednesday. "I really wasn't thinking about too much during the match," Li was quoted as saying on the WTA's official website after the match. "I'm so happy I was able to beat Maria because she's a top player, and also today was my first match ever at the Championships, so I want to thank all the crowd here for supporting me." But for Sharapova, who has struggled with an ankle injury but had the chance to become world number one with victory in Istanbul, there were some positives to be taken from two defeats in two days. "I just have to be pleased that I recovered quickly enough to allow myself a chance of playing here," she told AFP. World number one Caroline Wozniacki crashed to defeat in her second red group match, losing 6-2 4-6 6-3 to Russia's Vera Zvonareva. In a repeat of last year's semifinal, which Wozniacki won in straight sets, Zvonareva, 27, hit 49 winners to overpower her Danish opponent in two hours and 18 minutes. "We always have tough matches and this one was very tough too, three sets as usual," Zvonareva said of the pair's first meeting since the final of the Qatar Open in February, which she won 6-4 6-4. Despite losing, Wozniacki, 21, is now guaranteed to finish the year at the top of the world rankings courtesy of Sharapova's withdrawal. Elsewhere fourth seed Victoria Azarenka carded a victory in her first match of the Championships with a 6-2 6-2 defeat of U.S. Open champion Sam Stosur. Azarenka has now won all five of the matches she has played against Australia's Stosur, sealing success on Wednesday in one hour and 17 minutes on her fourth match point. Stosur, seeded seventh, was broken four times in the match and will need to bounce back quickly in order to repeat her semifinal appearance at last year's tournament. Azarenka, eliminated at the group stage of the event in 2010, was delighted with her form in the match. "I feel great," she told the WTA's official website after scoring a sixth straight-sets triumph in a row. "I wasn't expecting to play so well in my first match here. It was getting close in the end, we had a really close last game. "Sam started to really go for every shot with nothing to lose, and I backed up a little bit. She made some incredible shots. But I stayed strong. I had to work for it. I'm glad I finished it now." | Maria Sharapova has quit the end-of-season WTA Championships in Istanbul .
The Russian had lost in straight sets to China's Li Na .
It was Sharapova's second straight-sets defeat in two days .
Elsewhere Victoria Azarenka beat U.S. Open Sam Stosur . |
163,580 | 5f866450aa3d96014a9eea74a8be77384ab29951 | By . Mark Duell . PUBLISHED: . 06:28 EST, 3 January 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 10:04 EST, 3 January 2013 . A benefits cheat who claimed to be partially blind and disabled faces jail after being caught driving. Kelvin Kalloo, of Dunstable, Bedfordshire, claimed nearly £100,000 in handouts from Brent Council and Central Bedfordshire Council over six years before being caught by the authorities' investigators. The married 34-year-old was caught out after being spotted driving three different cars and working no a market stall in Watford, Hertfordshire, jurors at Harrow Crown Court were told last month. Benefit cheat: Kelvin Kalloo, of Dunstable, Bedfordshire, claimed nearly £100,000 in handouts from Brent Council and Central Bedfordshire Council over six years before being snared by the authorities' investigators . Kalloo told both councils he was partially blind and a car crash left him unable to walk unaided. But investigators from the councils found that he had 'no apparent issues with his sight', the court heard. They also found he was capable of walking without any help. Kalloo claimed £70,000 in benefits from Brent between 2002 and 2008 and £27,000 from Bedfordshire between 2002 and 2006. He also made a further fraudulent claim to Bedfordshire between 2009 and 2010 for £5,700. Kalloo claimed the payments in the form of direct payments for a carer to look after him, but the court was told that he opted to 'arrange his own care' rather than have the council provide it. The carer was in fact his wife – but Kalloo did not even need any help and was perfectly able to walk, drive and work without any assistance. He also owned four homes, which were rented out. He was arrested in October 2008 after investigators became suspicious and visited his home. Officials at both councils worked together after the arrest - and Brent's legal team eventually brought him to justice. They also found he had several bank accounts with thousands of pounds in them. Trial: The married 34-year-old was caught out after being spotted driving three different cars and working at a stall in a market at Watford, Hertfordshire, jurors at Harrow Crown Court (pictured) were told last week . Last week, after a seven week trial, Kalloo was found guilty of 10 counts of fraud. He will be sentenced on January 30. Brent Council's deputy leader Councillor . Ruth Moher said this week: ‘Fraud against the social care system . directly affects some of the most vulnerable members of our community. 'It is unfair that while times are hard for many, a very small minority think it's OK to make fraudulent claims for benefits and services' Councillor Ruth Moher, Brent Council's deputy leader . ‘We are determined to root out fraud in this and all our services and take the strongest possible action against fraudsters. ‘We will not be deterred by the prospect of complex, lengthy investigations and will continue to prosecute those individuals who seek to line their own pockets at the taxpayers' expense and those in genuine need. ‘It is unfair that while times are hard for many, a very small minority think it's OK to make fraudulent claims for benefits and services.’ | Married Kelvin Kalloo, 34, of Dunstable, .
Bedfordshire, eventually caught .
Spotted driving three different cars and working at a market in Watford .
Told two councils he was partially blind and car crash left him disabled .
Arrested in October 2008 but it's taken four years to bring him to justice .
Found guilty of 10 counts of fraud and will be sentenced later this month . |
90,218 | 0014c9152df6d0221bb4b3e5e7d3e5679345ef4e | By . Sarah Griffiths . PUBLISHED: . 05:13 EST, 19 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 07:54 EST, 19 December 2013 . A type of rock that often contains diamonds has been found in Antarctica for the first time, hinting at mineral riches in the vast, icy continent where mining is banned. Australian scientists are confident of finding the precious gems but none have been recovered yet and there is little prospect of a diamond rush as the continent is protected. The team of researchers found kimberlite deposits around Mount Meredith, in the Prince Charles Mountains in East Antarctica. A type of rock called kimberlite (pictured), which often contains diamonds has been found in Antarctica, hinting at mineral riches in the icy continent where mining is banned. No diamonds have been found yet, but if they are, they might look a little like this diamond crystal, found in South Africa, which is pictured on kimberlite . ‘It would be very surprising if there weren't diamonds in these kimberlites,’ Greg Yaxley of the Australian National University in Canberra, who led the research, said. Kimberlite is a rare rock where diamonds are often found, which is named after the South African town of Kimberley - the site of a late 19th-century diamond rush. However, this does not mean that people will flocking to Antarctica to mine diamonds any time soon as it is not only forbiddingly cold and remote but also protected by a treaty that preserves the continent for scientific research and wildlife, from penguins to seals. The 1991 environmental accord has banned mining for at least 50 years. ‘I don't think it's terribly practical that anyone could actually explore successfully and, personally, I hope that mining does not take place,’ Dr Yaxley said. Others geologists doubted the find held much commercial value. The team of researchers found kimberlite deposits around Mount Meredith, in the Prince Charles Mountains in East Antarctica. Another smaller mountain is pictured . Dr Robert Larter, a British Antarctic Survey geophysicist, said: ‘It is important to note that the study does not report discovery of a commercially-viable deposit or even actual diamonds. What it reports is the discovery of rocks of the type that often host diamonds.’ Less than 10 per cent of the deposits of similar kimberlite are economically viable, said Teal Riley of the British Antarctic Survey. ‘It's a big leap from here to mining,’ he told Reuters. The Antarctic Treaty is binding only on its 50 signatories, but it has the backing of major powers, including the United States and China. Many expect the ban on mining to be extended in 2041. ‘There is likely to be little opposition to an extension of this prohibition, despite the potential discovery of a new type of Antarctic "ice"’ Nature Communications, the journal which published the study, said in a statement. But another expert said the future is not so clear. The team of researchers found kimberlite deposits around Mount Meredith, in the Prince Charles Mountains, East Antarctica. The region is forbiddingly cold and remote but is also protected by a treaty that preserves the continent for scientific research and wildlife, from penguins to seals . Gold, platinum, copper, iron and coal have also been found in Antarctica and diamonds are already mined today in some of the world's colder reaches of northern Canada and Siberia. Kevin Hughes, of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research, said: ‘We do not know what the Treaty parties' views will be on mining after 2041 or what technologies might exist that could make extraction of Antarctic minerals economically viable.’ Dr Riley said there was a fine line between geological mapping and prospecting with an eye to mining. Russia, the Ukraine and China, among other countries, have been more active in surveying Antarctica in recent years. Demand for diamonds is likely to outpace supply in coming years as few new mines are being discovered to provide the newly wealthy in countries such as China with Western-style jewellery. Demand for diamonds is likely to outpace supply in coming years as few new mines are being discovered to provide the newly wealthy in countries such as China with Western-style jewellery. A huge oval diamond estimated to be worth $28-35million is pictured . The last major find was Rio Tinto's Murowa mine in Zimbabwe in 1997. Diamonds are formed under immense heat and pressure around 100 miles (160 km) below the earth’s surface in the molten rock of its mantle. Millions of years later, they are brought to the surface in powerful eruptions and preserved in the distinctive igneous rock formations called kimberlites. The kimberlite deposit is also confirmation of how continents drift. The region of East Antarctica was once part of a continent known as Gondwanaland, connected to what is now Africa and India, which also have kimberlite. People will flocking to Antarctica to mine diamonds any time soon as the continent is protected by a treaty that preserves it for scientific research and wildlife. Rio Tinto's diamond mine quarries in Lac de kimberlite field in the Northwest Territories in Canada (pictured) prove it is possible to mine in cold places . | Scientists led by the Australian National University in Canberra found kimberlite deposits around Mount Meredith in East Antarctica .
The team of researchers are confident of finding diamonds but none have been recovered yet .
If a gem is found it is unlikely to spark a diamond rush as Antarctica is protected by a treaty that preserves it for scientific research and wildlife . |
233,943 | badd29f7e890a6d724cbb6700a276ef0fcd08c12 | NEW YORK (CNN) -- Cleashindra Hall was 18 and in the most exciting time of her life when she disappeared in May 1994, a week after her senior prom. Cleashindra Hall was two weeks shy of her high school graduation when she disappeared. She had spent hours preparing for the prom, choosing the perfect dress and getting her hair and nails done. She was an honor roll student and would give the commencement speech at her high school graduation in two weeks. Hall wanted to be a pediatrician and was looking forward to attending Tennessee State University to study pre-medicine. But all that came to an abrupt halt after 8:30 p.m. May 9, 1994, when she left her after-school job at the home office of Dr. Larry Amos in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. It was the last time she was seen. She usually called home when finished work, and one of her parents would pick her up. She spoke to her mother on the phone just after 8 p.m. Her mother expected her to call again soon for a ride home. She never did. Watch how phone calls play a role in this case » . Laurell Hall fell asleep waiting for her daughter's call. She awoke abruptly at 1 a.m., realizing that her daughter had not called and had not come home. Amos, Hall's employer, told police she had left his house at 8: 30 p.m., getting into a car with someone he assumed was giving her a ride. The next day, Hall's parents reported her missing. "It's been very frustrating for us. We feel that police didn't do everything they could have done at the beginning, when she first went missing," Laurell Hall said. "We had to wait 24 hours in those days before police would take a missing persons report." It disturbs Laurell Hall that the home where her daughter was last seen was not searched for nearly two weeks after her daughter vanished. "I don't understand why police could not search the home immediately to make sure there was no sign of a struggle there," Hall said. "Maybe they would have found her press-on nails or hair extensions there; who knows?" Amos did not return CNN's phone call seeking comment. Police say the house was full of people the night Hall was working there. Lt. Terry Hopson of the Pine Bluff Police Department said a search of the Amos home did not turn up any evidence that Hall was injured or attacked there. "We do believe she left that house that night with someone she was acquainted with," Hopson said. He did not elaborate. "We have spent many hours and manpower on this case over the years and continue to diligently investigate this case and developing leads," Hopson said. He hinted that police have some idea of what happened to Hall that night but are seeking forensic evidence to support their theory. Police said they obtained phone records from the Amos home for the hours when Hall was working there. But they won't say who, if anyone, may have spoken with Hall on the phone besides her mother. Both family and police say Hall was not the type to go somewhere without telling anyone. She also had no reason to escape her life and was not a troubled teen. Police consider the disappearance to be suspicious and believe that foul play is involved. However, they have no clues as to who might have abducted her. There is no description of the vehicle that may have picked Hall up from the Amos home, though police believe that if she got into a car with someone, it would have been someone she knew. According to family and friends, Hall did not have a boyfriend. Police did question and administer a polygraph to a boy in the community who Hall liked and was friendly with. The polygraph results are unclear, and police interrogation of the boy and their search of his vehicle did not provide any leads. When Hall disappeared in 1994, cell phone triangulation and other technologies commonly used in missing person cases today weren't available. Police say they have no forensic evidence in this case. Their only hope is that someone comes forward with a tip after all these years. Cleashindra Hall is black, stands 5'8" tall, weighs 120 pounds and has dark short hair, dark eyes and a surgical scar on her left knee. She was last seen with her hair in a ponytail, wearing a white shirt and short set with navy polka dots and stripes, white socks and small stud earrings. Police urge anyone with more information regarding the whereabouts of Cleashindra Hall to call the tip line at 870-543-5111. More than $10,000 in reward money is offered. | Cleashindra Hall hoped to be a pediatrician .
She disappeared after leaving doctor's office where she worked .
Honor roll student was two weeks shy of high school graduation .
Tip line: 870-543-5111. Reward exceeds $10,000 . |
98,640 | 0b04734c712b4c182449d13c7e606f0970b2a036 | A woman was jailed for eight years by a British court Friday for her part in the kidnap of her own daughter. Karen Matthews and Michael Donovan were both involved in the plot to kidnap Shannon. Nine-year-old Shannon Matthews was locked in an apartment for 24 days after going missing from her home in February last year. After a massive police investigation, Karen Matthews, 33, was found guilty last month of kidnap, false imprisonment and perverting the course of justice. She was sentenced at Leeds Crown Court in West Yorkshire, northern England, the British Press Association reported. Her former partner's uncle, Michael Donovan, 40, was also convicted of the same offences and received an eight-year jail term, PA said. Prosecutors say Donovan abducted Shannon as she was on her way home from school in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire. They claim he gave her Temazepam -- a type of sleeping tablet -- and travel sickness pills and kept her tethered to an elasticated strap attached to a roof beam through a loft hatch when he went out. Meanwhile Matthews kept up a "wicked and dishonest lie" as her daughter became the subject of a massive police search operation and a reward fund offered by a local newspaper grew to $50,000, jurors were told. Donovan planned to release Shannon and then "discover" her, prosecutors said. According to PA, Matthews told five versions of what happened to Shannon, ranging from being a distraught mother whose daughter had gone missing to blaming the crime on her former partner Craig Meehan and other members of his family. It also emerged in court that Donovan abducted one of his own daughters after he became involved in a custody battle with his former wife, PA said. | Girl, 9, drugged, tethered, as part of kidnap plot staged by mother and uncle .
Karen Matthews, 33, and Michael Donovan, 40, jailed for 8 years .
Guilty of kidnap, false imprisonment and perverting the course of justice .
Prosecutors say Shannon was tethered to roof beam, given sleeping tablets . |
6,863 | 1376d22917a0c57df2e3e43bcd2c4331ce59a813 | A man who dedicated all his free time to giving back was tragically killed on Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. Dionel Ramirez, of North Amityville, New York, pulled up to a local 7-11 and left his car running while he ran in to get a coffee and food to bring to a local soup kitchen. As he was inside, a man jumped in his car and began to drive away, so Ramirez ran out in front of the car. The thief ran over Ramirez, a 69-year-old U.S. Army veteran, and kept driving. Scroll down for video . Tragedy: Dionel Ramirez (above) was killed when a carjacker ran him over with his own car . Do-gooder: It all happened at a 7-11 (above) as Ramirez ran in to grab food to hand out to the homeless . Ramirez was pronounced dead later in the day at Southside Hospital. 'It’s just crazy what happened,' Ramirez’s daughter Michelle told 1010 WINS’ Darius Radzius. 'I thought it was just going to be another normal day, especially after Thanksgiving.' The car was later found abandoned nearby and the police investigation is ongoing. Michelle just wants to thief brought to justice, especially after losing such a special man. 'He came from a county that was poor, he wants to give back to the people that are less fortunate,' she said. Shattered: His daughter Michelle (above) said that her father dedicated his life to giving back . Det. Lt. Kevin Beyrer believes there were eyewitnesses and he has encouraged anyone who may have seen this tragedy to contact authorities immediately. Anyone with information is asked to call Homicide Squad detectives at 631-852-6392 or call anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. | Dionel Ramirez of North Amityville, New York, stopped at a 7-11 early Friday morning to grab food to feed the homeless .
As he was in the store, a man jumped in his car and tried to drive off .
Ramirez jumped in front of the car and the thief ran him over, killing him .
Their is an ongoing investigation, but no suspects at this time . |
87,105 | f72dc29199b7f316327039bed33f949267c651a2 | Roy Keane snubbed Ryan Giggs in his best Manchester United team, saying: 'a great career doesn't mean you're a great player' Gary Neville, who Keane called United's 'weak link', would only make the bench . Patrick Vieira and Keane couldn't agree on a left-back for their Arsenal-United composite XI . By . Jack Gaughan . PUBLISHED: . 11:07 EST, 9 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 08:19 EST, 10 December 2013 . David Beckham, but not Ryan Giggs, made it into Roy Keane’s Manchester United XI because he ‘challenged’ Sir Alex Ferguson - and not just as a result of marrying a Spice Girl. The former England captain had well-known disputes with his manager, notably about the company he was keeping, before moving to Real Madrid in 2003 and makes an all-star cast - almost all of whom had their differences with Ferguson. Keane, talking in an ITV documentary with Patrick Vieira, had Ruud van Nistelrooy and Eric Cantona leading the line, with no room for Gary Neville - pipped to a right-back slot by Paul Parker. There were also slots for Jaap Stam, Paul Ince and Cristiano Ronaldo. VIDEO Scroll down to see Keane and Viera at loggerheads over battles at Old Trafford . Stand up: Roy Keane picked his Old Trafford dream team, most of whom had a fiery temper . Shunned: Keane omitted Paul Scholes (left) and Ryan Giggs (right) from his all-time XI, both of whom didn't stand up to Sir Alex Ferguson . Hairdryer moment: David Beckham was included as he was the 'better player' ‘You know you don’t win league titles by having choir boys in your dressing room,’ Keane said. ‘These boys did challenge the manager in different ways. Becks challenged the manager, but because you marry a certain woman doesn’t mean you’re challenging the manager. Far from it. ‘I think the manager’s got to understand that we’ve got different personalities in our dressing room but maybe that’s why we are winning trophies.’ Giggs was excluded to make room for Ronaldo, with Keane reasoning: ‘Having a great career doesn’t mean you’re a great player, I think there is a big difference. ‘I’m not saying Giggsy wasn’t... do I leave Ronaldo out? One of the world’s greatest players? Do I leave Becks out? I just couldn’t feel like I could leave Becks out.’ Out: Paul Parker was preferred to Gary Neville (above) at right-back . ROY’S UTD DREAM TEAM . GK: Peter Schmeichel . RB: Paul Parker . CB: Gary Pallister . CB: Jaap Stam . LB: Denis Irwin . RM: David Beckham . CM: Paul Ince . CM: Roy Keane . LM: Cristiano Ronaldo . ST: Eric Cantona . ST: Ruud Van Nistelrooy . Vieira was also asked for the best Arsenal XI while he was at the club, which wasn’t quite as controversial. Thierry Henry and Dannis Bergkamp both made it, unsurprisingly, while wingers Robert Pires and Freddie Ljungberg - so effective during the Invincibles year - got the nod too. Interestingly, Vieira claims that Ashley Cole was a ready-made Arsenal captain had he not left for Chelsea in 2006. Talking about when Cole moved to Stamford Bridge, Vieira said: ‘I was quite surprised to be honest. I tried to fight it a little bit because I wanted him to stay. ‘Ashley was supposed to be the next Arsenal captain because he was a player from the youth, grew up to the club and to let him go and see him go was disappointing.’ Surprised: Patrick Vieira (left) wanted Ashley Cole (right) to be Arsenal captain before his Chelsea move . Legend: Of course, record goalscorer Thierry Henry makes the XI . PATRICK VIEIRA’S ARSENAL DREAM TEAM . GK: David Seaman . RB: Lauren . CB: Tony Adams . CB: Sol Campbell . LB: Ashley Cole . RM: Freddie Ljungberg . CM: Patrick Vieira . CM: Emmanuel Petit . LM: Robert Pires . ST: Dennis Bergkamp . ST: Thierry Henry . The pair then had to create a dream team made up of the two squads, with the main bone of contention coming at left-back. Keane fought hard for Denis Irwin’s inclusion while his rival argued the case of Cole. Amusingly they couldn’t agree. ‘You’d have Denis Irwin in there every day of the week,’ Keane said bullishly. ‘No,’ was the straight reply. ‘Ashley is...’ Vieira started before being cut off. ‘Never heard any off the field stuff (with Irwin),’ smiled Keane. Eventually both players were named. Meeting minds: Roy Keane (right) and Patrick Vieira came together for an ITV documentary . Beckham was omitted from that side after Vieira insisted on Pires coming in on the right-hand side. ‘Pires over Becks? Jesus, Patrick!’ The two had themselves patrolling the middle of the park. ‘I’ll put myself in there, that’d be good. Ill probably be sent off,’ Keane said. Vieira: ‘Can you imagine? You would be sent off one week I would be sent off the next.’ These two received 21 career red cards between them. Wing wizards: Robert Pires (left) and Cristiano Ronaldo (right) make the combined XI . Genius: Eric Cantona makes up a deadly front two . COMBINED TEAM . GK: Peter Schmeichel . RB: Lauren . CB: Tony Adams . CB: Jaap Stam . LB: Ashley Cole/Denis Irwin . RM: Cristiano Ronaldo . CM: Roy Keane . CM: Patrick Vieira . LM: Robert Pires . ST: Thierry Henry . ST: Eric Cantona . Best of enemies: Keane and Vieira had a series of bust-ups during their respective careers . Both looked back on now may seem like missed opportunities to play abroad. Vieira was within a whisker of joining Real Madrid while Keane says he had a couple of options. ‘I was really close to leaving to Madrid the year before I left. The deal was done between the two clubs so when it was time for me to leave I changed my mind because I believed that I wanted to stay at Arsenal, I wanted to finish my career at Arsenal. ‘I didn’t see any reason to leave, I don’t know if it was lack of courage to go. If I knew I was leaving the year after I was going to Madrid. Keane added: ‘When my contract ran down on a couple of occasions I spoke to a couple of clubs, Bayern Munich, Juventus. I was very tempted I have to say but like yourself there was a bit of fear. ‘Contracts were agreed but I just never felt strong and want to go for it because I was very happy at United.’ Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira were talking in a documentary titled: Keane and Vieira - Best of Enemies, ITV4 10pm Tuesday. | Roy Keane snubbed Ryan Giggs in his best Manchester United team, saying: 'a great career doesn't mean you're a great player'
Gary Neville, who Keane called United's 'weak link', would only make the bench .
Patrick Vieira and Keane couldn't agree on a left-back for their Arsenal-United composite XI . |
101,794 | 0f2f6a83d9d2aae1ba624247a7f3611196228a15 | By . Larisa Brown . PUBLISHED: . 08:12 EST, 2 November 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 10:37 EST, 2 November 2012 . One prisoner every week has been freed by mistake from British jails including murderers and sex offenders, alarming new figures reveal. Officials blamed the blunders on errors such as inmates having the same name as others who were supposed to be freed, incorrect documents and prison sentences calculated wrongly. A staggering 369 prisoners have been released by mistake since 2005, according to figures released by the Ministry of Justice following a Freedom of Information request by MailOnline. One prisoner every week has been freed by mistake - including seven prisoners from London's high security Belmarsh prison, pictured . While most of the prisoners have now been recaptured – a worrying 34 of these were still on the run in July this year. Ten of those released by mistake in total were convicted sex offenders – though seven of these were returned to custody. At least 18 of these prisoners were held in Category A prisons, holding prisoners deemed to be highly dangerous to the public or national security. Many prisoners in Category A prisons will be in there for life sentences, including for murder, rape, or acts of terrorism. Although just because they were held in Category A prisons, does not mean they were classed as Category A prisoners, according to the Ministry of Justice. But the department admitted earlier this week that one Category A prisoner was among eight prisoners still on the run currently after escaping from British jails. Sadiq Khan MP, Labour's Shadow Justice Secretary, lambasted the figures as ‘shambolic.’ He told the MailOnline: ‘The safety of communities up and down the country is being placed at risk as one prisoner a week is wrongly released. ‘If it wasn't bad enough that these prisoners are being wrongly let out, what makes it worse is that so many aren’t being recaptured.’ The figures, which exclude immigrants being detained and include both convicted prisoners and those on remand, show that from 2007 to 2010, the number of prisoners released in error from jail doubled from 36 a year to 72. In 2011 this figure dropped to 41. Seven prisoners have escaped from London’s high-security Belmarsh prison since 2007. One of these prisoners was released wrongly just last year. The prison reportedly currently holds terror preacher Abu Qatada and in the past serial killer Peter Tobin amongst other high profile inmates. 14 prisoners were wrongly released from jails across the country in the first three months of this year – more than one prisoner every week. 10 of these have still not been returned to jail. One prisoner was released wrongly from Belmarsh prison last year - a high-security prison - which reportedly currently holds terror preacher Abu Qatada and in the past held serial killer Peter Tobin, right, amongst other high-profile inmates . The total figure for prisoners released by mistake covers from 2005 up until March this year and the figures of those still on the run refer to those still on the run in March. The Ministry of Justice refused to give details of the nature of the crime committed by a Category A prisoner who was released in error in November 2008, because they said it risked identifying the individual. Javed Khan, Chief Executive of Victim Support, said: ‘Victims and witnesses of crime expect justice to be done and for sentencing to prevent reoffending. ‘Clearly, this cannot happen if prisoners are released early by mistake. ‘These errors undermine public confidence in the justice system, and represent a failed opportunity to turn more offenders into law-abiding citizens.’ In 2009 Jason Bethell was released from Chelmsford jail by mistake after being remanded in custody on a charge of murdering John Smith, 58, in Essex. He later handed himself in to police before appearing at Chelmsford Crown Court where he was found not-guilty and cleared of the charge. Former murder suspect Jason Bethell, left, was released by mistake before he handed himself into the police and was cleared of the charge and right, Anthony Joseph, who killed Richard Whelan, hours after being released in error . Terence Clegg was released from prison in Durham in October 2008 instead of his father, who shared the name and was held at the same jail. Raheem Ahmed was wrongly freed in Birmingham in August 2007 after serving a week of a six-month sentence for violent affray. The late delivery of a photograph was blamed. Anthony Joseph stabbed to death Richard Whelan on a bus in Islington, North London, hours after being released in error from HMP Forest Bank in July 2005. Child abduction charges against him had been dropped as officials were unaware of an outstanding warrant for his arrest for burglary. The prison that released him, in Manchester, was unaware there was an arrest warrant out for him. And the police holding the arrest warrant, just a few miles away in Liverpool, did not know he was in custody because computer records had not been updated. Bobby Phipps had been released from Manchester’s Strangeways jail in November 2004 after only four days on remand when facing six charges of attempted murder. He was released after a prison officer failed to update paperwork correctly. The 22-year-old was rearrested and given a life sentence. The Ministry of Justice said not all of the prisoners released in error were required to be returned to custody. A Prison Service spokesperson said: ‘We take public protection extremely seriously and this type of error is a rare but regrettable occurrence. ‘The Prison Service has developed robust procedures to deal with such situations and the majority of those who are released in error are returned to custody very quickly.’ | A staggering 369 prisoners have been .
released by mistake since 2005 - including 10 sex offenders - and 34 in .
total were still on run in July .
Officials blamed blunders on errors such as inmates having same name as others who were supposed to be freed and incorrect documents .
One Category A prison inmate on run after escaping from British jail .
Seven prisoners have been wrongly released from London's high-security Belmarsh prison since 2007 - one of these was just last year . |
258,709 | dad4d8f3e69456c6935ec537d02b6ab5b2c888b9 | By . Kerry Mcdermott . PUBLISHED: . 11:21 EST, 28 May 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 01:39 EST, 29 May 2013 . A dancer with a reputation as the 'bad boy' of ballet has blamed an unspecified 'health issue' for walking out on a production of Midnight Express days before opening night. Sergei Polunin, 23 - who hit the headlines when he unexpectedly quit the Royal Ballet last year - apologised for his shock exit from the show with Peter Schaufuss' company in April ahead of its London premiere. The Ukrainian star joked that he was 'pretty certain' he would make it to the stage for his new show, Coppelia at the Coliseum in the West End in July. Apology: Ukrainian ballet star Sergei Polunin said his shock exit from the production of Midnight Express was down to a 'health issue' Speaking at a press conference today, Polunin said: 'The only thing I can say is there was a health issue and I couldn’t say anything at that time.' He added: 'I apologise to the audience because I couldn’t even explain at that time.' Asked if he could explain now, he said: 'Not yet, maybe one day I will.' Polunin, who has performed in Russia since April, said: 'In Russia it’s great because you can concentrate 100 per cent on your work. There are not as many distractions as London or in the West.' Schaufuss said he was 'delighted' Polunin was coming back to the London stage and described him as a great dancer. 'Bad boy': The 23-year-old dancer is seen in action on stage in a Royal Ballet production of Sleeping Beauty in 2011 . Asked if the pair had made up, Polunin said he was not 'friends' with Schaufuss, but said they had a professional relationship. He said: 'I always respect Peter as a dancer and as a director, we’ve never made friends, but I still respect him. 'I think it’s important for professionals to do work even if you don’t become friends.' Asked about his reputation as the bad boy of ballet, Polunin said: 'It’s not being bad, it’s just trying to find yourself.' | Sergei Polunin walked out on production in April ahead of London premiere .
The 23-year-old dancer apologised but would not elaborate on 'health issue'
Ukrainian hit headlines when he unexpectedly quit Royal Ballet last year . |
143,808 | 45f91e9f8577e3a7d800c8b21c1787a3d2d91f2e | Hong Kong (CNN) -- Now that Facebook is friends with Wall Street, this journalist is giving her timeline a rethink. I rejoiced when it launched Facebook Pages, as this was a chance to build a professional presence on the network separate from my personal feed. I was also riveted by the work of Wael Ghonim, the Egyptian internet activist and Google executive who devised the "We are all Khalid Said" Facebook page after a businessman who died in police custody last year. The page helped spark the revolution that toppled Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. The faces of Egypt's "Revolution 2.0" And I was thrilled when Facebook hired a dedicated journalist-program manager to build ways for reporters to be more socially savvy. But now Facebook will answer to its shareholders as a publicly traded company. To keep Wall Street happy, it will have to make more money -- quarter after quarter. Journalists have to face up to the fact that we -- along with about 800 million Facebook users worldwide -- are the product being sold. How you help Facebook make billions . Reporters have invested countless hours updating their Facebook feeds. Take a look at NBC's Ann Curry who joined Facebook in 2008. She regularly posts updates on big international stories. In recent days, she's been quoting Eleanor Roosevelt and photos of her commuting life in New York City. She currently has more than 519,000 subscribers. And then there's me with a Facebook page that deserves to stay in the archives as I stubbornly refuse to add a subscribe button. I post daily about works of journalism that have caught my eye to a small but valued audience. Timeline: Mark Zuckerberg's rise from child prodigy to Facebook billionaire . By contrast, CNN has been embraced by the Facebook community in a big way. With more than 3.5 million fans, the network's Facebook page is one of the world's most popular news brands. But is Facebook an essential tool for journalists? When Facebook wakes up to a new reality as a publicly traded company on Friday, journalists will have to ask: "Why are we here?" I use social media to do three things: find out what stories matter to people around the world, interact and tune in with my viewers, and cover newsmakers who are increasingly getting social. I turn to Twitter for real-time information, especially during breaking news. I turn to Google+ for thoughtful conversation around stories I share. Infographic: How we use Facebook . As for Facebook, I believe its strength can be summed up in the marketing jargon that makes me squirm: "personal branding." It feels like a fan convention. My fans are more interested in a photo of me posing with a light saber on Star Wars Day than a fresh link to a developing story out of China. I've worked hard to cultivate a more sophisticated level of discourse on Facebook, which is something established reporters like Nicholas Kristof have been able to achieve with great success. But my Facebook page remains a fan zone, and I've come to the conclusion that Facebook is a social tool for engagement and not journalism. Facebook is all about consumer engagement -- the engagement of nearly a billion consumers. That's why advertisers can't ignore it. And here's where it cuts to the heart of my profession. Journalists have been flocking to Facebook to create content and connections on a platform that the company can use for all time. Not only that, we're feeding an advertising rival that's only going to get bigger after Friday's IPO. I'm not quite convinced that Facebook is a must-buy for journalism. After the IPO, I may be holding on to my account, but I'll be holding off on any extra contributions to the site. | Facebook set to go public this week with a multi-billion dollar Initial Public Offering (IPO)
The social network's 800 million users are the product being sold, says Stout .
Stout: Facebook has become a social tool for engagement and not journalism .
"My fans are more interested in a photo of me posing with a light saber on Star Wars Day" |
277,783 | f3d722216bb891f729f386e5cbbaca1a7463ff1e | By . John Mcgarry . Ronny Deila's first taste of European football ought to serve as a blow to the solar plexus of anyone who doubts his capacity to make the quantum leap from tiny Stromgodset to Celtic Park. The autumn of 2011 paired the Norwegian minnows with no less a side than Atletico Madrid in the third qualifying round of the Europa League. For those observers unaware of the near miracle he was overseeing in the small city of Drammen, the tie had the whiff of a turkey shoot about it. A squad boasting the likes of Ramadel Falcao and Diego Forlan would surely get the job done with something to spare. So went the theory anyway. VIDEO Scroll down for Celtic manager Deila's first training session with the squad . Up for the cup: Celtic boss Ronny Deila is looking forward to facing KR Reykjavik in the Champions League second qualifying round . The Spaniards got there in the end. A 2-1 win the first step, it transpired, on a road that would see them lift the trophy the following spring. Stromgodset succumbed in the end by the same score on home soil a week later but both they and their young manager had more than made their mark. So much for the Vincente Calderon eating them up and spitting them out. Deila’s men played on the front foot from the off in Spain, leaving the Primera Liga giants wondering exactly what had his them. For their young manager, it was a night when an appetite for such jousts became insatiable. ‘That was my biggest moment in football ever,’ Deila recalled on Monday. ‘We played a fantastic game. I have played in Cup Finals, but for me that international stage against a good team when we played well gave me a very good feeling. ‘It was 59 per cent to 41 per cent (possession for Atletico). It was possible because we did it. We played well and had a big chance to make it 2-2. At home we had them under pressure – but the difference is how effective you are. All smiles: Deila and his assistant manager John Collins (right) are preparing for their first season at Celtic . ‘They had Diego Forlan in their side and although he didn’t want to play after the South American Championships, they needed him because they did not want to miss out. ‘You see the skills they have when taking chances – that’s the difference between teams at that level. ‘I hope that I will get many feelings like that at Celtic – that’s why I came here. ‘I looked at the Barcelona game and, although Celtic didn’t win, the atmosphere was unbelievable. That’s why you are in football. ‘You want to win trophies, but the moments at matches when you experience good things with fans and players is also special.’ Deila’s raison d’etre is currently to give himself and his new club as much chance of tasting such occasions this season as is humanly possible. Commendably, the Norwegian didn’t try to paint KR Reykjavic as something they weren’t yesterday.Celtic’s inaugural opponents in this year’s quest for the group stage will be more than competent. Deila would expect nothing less from a side sitting fourth in their league after nine matches. The reigning Icelandic champions will be match fit, too, and given their country’s progression to the World Cup play-offs last year, unlikely to be gripped by an inferiority complex, either. So close: Deila came close to knocking Spanish side Atletico Madrid out of the Europa League while at Stromgodset . Nonetheless, while not a gentle trip to the Welsh valleys, it’s hardly a tie to have the Scottish champions hiding under the bed. ‘That’s true – Celtic is expected to win,’ Deila added. ‘Icelandic football has improved a lot in the last few years. It is unbelievable what Iceland has achieved in football – and handball, as well. ‘That’s the two sports they are good at. Almost everyone gets involved at an early age. ‘I think in many ways Icelandic football is ahead of many other countries. ‘But I think their league is much lower quality than the national team because so many players go abroad. The most successful club in Icelandic football. They won the last of their 13 titles last year. They’ve been managed by former Iceland international Runar Kristinsson since 2010. WHERE DO THEY PLAY? The KR-vollur. With a capacity of 2,781, it’s not one of Europe’s more intimidating arenas. It also boasts a grass park, which is one less thing for Celtic to worry about. WHAT CAN CELTIC EXPECT? An uncompromising and athletic outfit. Given that Icelandic football adheres to a summer season, they’ll also be match fit. After nine games, they sit fourth in the table — three points off the pace. ANYONE WE WOULD KNOW? Kjartan Finnbogason was on Celtic’s books between 2005 and 2008, although he didn’t play a game. Former Middlesbrough man Gary Martin plays up front for them. WHAT’S THEIR RECENT EUROPEAN HISTORY? This will be their sixth successive campaign. Last year, in the Europa League they saw off Northern Ireland’s Glentoran 3-0, before losing 6-2 on aggregate to Standard Liege. A DECENT DRAW THEN? Could be better, could be worse. The dream trip to Wales or Northern Ireland to face TNS or Cliftonville didn’t materialise. but neither did the horrific prospect of facing Malmo. ‘They are hard-working players with a good team spirit. They will be well organised, too. But we are Celtic. We should be a better team than them over two matches. Now it’s all about doing everything right in pre-season to get the squad as best physically and mentally prepared for these games. ‘We will try to do everything right in Austria to build up the physical shape of the players as quickly as possible and in the best way, without getting injuries. Then we will be very focused on this game.’ Celtic fly to Austria for a two-week training camp this Sunday but, if his schedule allows, Deila intends to watch the Icelandic side in action. While familiarising himself with the KR players is top of his agenda, their coach Runar Kristinsson needs no introduction from his time playing in Norway. ‘I played against him many times, he was a very good player,’ Deila added. ‘I don’t remember much about the games against him but he was a good player. He was a central midfielder and went on to Belgium afterwards. I know he was a big star with Lillestrom.’ Deila has spent the past week growing accustomed to his new surroundings but the relative peace he’s enjoyed will this morning be shattered by the return of the bulk of his squad for pre-season training. He intends it to be a convivial and informative affair. ‘It’s important to get settled and tell players how things are going to be,’ he said. ‘That’s what we will do first and then we can start working. ‘Then the exercises will not be high intensity because we have been away a long time. We will get to know each other and take it from there. ‘I don’t think we will change much – but some things will be different. Maybe we will meet up a little bit earlier so we can plan things before training. Settling in: Deila has been getting used to his new surroundings in Glasgow since being named Celtic boss . ‘We will talk about what the training will consist of so we all have an idea of what we will focus on on the pitch. ‘Everything is about training. You train as you play. If you have good preparations then the players will develop. The staff will work hard to make it as short and simple as possible so players can use energy on the pitch. ‘The players have to feel that I can trust them and they must also have fun. If they do that then things will happen – I know it.’ | Celtic will play Icelandic side KR Reykjavic in the Champions League second qualifying round .
Deila came close to knocking Atletico Madrid out of the Europa League while at Stromgodset .
The recently appointed Bhoys boss is relishing the prospect of playing in Europe's elite club competition . |
60,860 | acec54cbf371f13d9677a53697314299272b6ea9 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 16:54 EST, 12 February 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 05:19 EST, 13 February 2013 . Police discovered human remains off the coast of Maine on Sunday that may belong to one of two college students who disappeared from the area in December. Zachary Wells, 21, of Burlington, Vermont, and Prescott Wright, 23, of Barnstable, Massachusetts, went missing near Cape Porpoise - where the remains were found - in the early morning hours of December 20. The remains were transported the Maine Medical Examiner's Office for identification, which could take several days. Missing: Zachary Wells, 21, (left) and Prescott Wright, 23, (right) vanished after a party on December 19 . Police discovered human remains off the coast of Maine on Sunday that may belong to one of the two college students who disappeared . Wells and Wright were last seen by friends drinking beer at Wells' home . in Kennebunkport, Maine around midnight on December 19. But when one of Wells' roommates went downstairs to turn off a radio at 4 a.m., neither man was there. The two men had left their cellphones and wallets at the home. They were students at The Landing School in Arundel, Maine, where they were learning boat building and yacht design. When the men failed to show up for classes on Thursday and Friday, administrators at the school contacted police. Authorities found no signs of a disturbance at the home, Sanford said, and searches of the nearby area did not turn up any clues . Authorities found no signs of a . disturbance at the home, Sanford said, and searches of the nearby area . did not turn up any clues. Only one of the men owns a vehicle, and it remained parked in the driveway of the house. Rescuers searched every . inch of the waters off Cape Porpoise in Kennebunkport by air, land and sea and have found . only a set of clothes that may have belonged to one of the friends. The disappearance of the two friends baffled authorities. 'There's no one area to pinpoint . because we don't know where they might have gone,' said Sanford, calling . it one of the strangest cases he has ever seen. Students: They attend The Landing School, pictured, where they study boat building and yacht design . Both men were expected to head to their home states for the holidays. 'These are two students without a history of disappearing or unexplained absences,' Robert DeColfmacker, president of the Landing School, told the Portland Press Herald. No trace: Wright, pictured, and Wells left their cell phones and wallets at the home . Sanford said authorities do not know when or . how Prescott and Wells left the home but assume they left together. 'We have no idea how they left, or why,' he said. 'The whole thing is perplexing to us.' He added that they had searched the nearby water due to its proximity to the home and had no 'hard facts' that suggested had actually gone there. The friends were supposed to be . returning to their home states for the holidays. Wells is from . Burlington, Vermont, and Wright is from Barnstable, Massachusetts. Wright's . family has not commented on the disappearance, but Wells' father, Jim . Wells, told the Press Herald that everyone he has met in Maine has been . helpful. 'I have nothing to add other than to say [Zachary] is a great kid,' he said. Wells is white, 5-feet, 8-inches tall and around 150 pounds with black . hair, hazel eyes and a surgical scar on his neck. Wright is white, 6-foot-4, around 200 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes. Anyone with information is asked to call the Kennebunkport Police Department at 207-967-2454. | Zachary Wells, 21, and Prescott Wright, 23, were last seen at a house party in December .
Left their phones, wallets and vehicles at the house .
Police do not suspect foul play but searches have turned up nothing . |
146,249 | 491ec8178a7f38ab7630d66b3d826bac5e302c4b | (CNN) -- Manchester United confirmed Friday that star striker Wayne Rooney has extended his contract with the club. The new deal, which commits the 28-year-old to Old Trafford until June 2019, is reported to be worth £300k ($500k) per week. The announcement puts an end to months of speculation about Rooney's future following interest from Jose Mourinho's Chelsea last summer with further bids expected to come at the end of this season. Not any more. Confirmation that Rooney was staying put can be considered a minor victory for former Everton boss David Moyes following a turbulent first season in charge of United after succeeding Alex Ferguson. "Wayne has been the best player in England since I put him into the Everton first team in 2003. Since becoming United manager in July last year, I have enjoyed working with him and seeing just how he has developed his incredible talent," Moyes said in a statement. "With his ability, his experience and his desire to succeed, he is a vital part of my plans for the future and I'm absolutely thrilled he has accepted the challenge." Moyes has overseen a stuttering league campaign this year with eight losses from 26 games so far leaving United languishing in seventh place. Calamitous exits from both domestic cup competitions have only added to the sense of turmoil. While United are still involved in this year's Champions League -- they play Greek champions Olympiakos is the first leg of their last 16 tie next Tuesday -- they remain an outside bet to qualify for next season's competition. In an interview published on his website Friday, Rooney appeared unfazed by this fact saying it wasn't "a massive concern" for him. "This is because I know the direction that this club is going in, and if we don't make it this season then we will come back stronger and claim a Champions League spot next season. Let's not forget we still have a chance this year ..." Rooney also expressed his delight at signing a new contract. "This is one of the biggest clubs in the world and to know that I will be playing here for the majority of my career is something that I'm looking forward to. I'm happy that everything is now finalized and I can carry on concentrating on my football," he said. Rooney has played 430 games for United and won five Premier League titles and a European Cup since joining from Everton in August 2004. He is currently fourth on United's all-time list of top scorers with 208 goals -- 41 short of Bobby Charlton's mark of 249. | England striker commits future to Manchester United in deal worth reported $500k per week .
United manager Moyes delighted to keep striker after months of speculation about his future .
Rooney says missing out on Champions League next season not a "massive concern" |
256,138 | d790bc9af2387c4e09f1f8b78b43894c518c6ec1 | Just two weeks ago, Yasir was regularly strapped into an explosive vest and handed a pistol, an AK-47 and a radio to stand guard at an ISIS base in the eastern Syrian city of Deir Ezzor. Yasir -- not his real name -- is just 15 and an ISIS child soldier. When we first met, he was clearly nervous, his hands slightly quivering as he picked up his cup of tea. Understandable, given all he has been through and the twisted mental maze he is trying to navigate. Yasir had followed his father to be with the al Qaeda-linked al-Nusra Front. When ISIS took over their area, father and son swore allegiance to ISIS. "I spent a month without seeing my family or anyone that I knew," Yasir recalls. "It was forbidden to see or speak to anyone." He says there were about 100 children and for a month they were kept isolated from all that they knew and loved, and not allowed even to see or speak to their families. Rather, they were entrenched in intense religious indoctrination. There were daily lessons on the violent and radical version of Islam practiced by ISIS. Rigorous military training was also a daily feature of their lives. He says: "We used to crawl under webbing. There was fire above it, and we would be firing our weapons. We would jump through large metal rings and the trainers would be firing at our feet and telling us if we stop we will be shot." He says the trainers would have them run for 2 kilometers. "I was very careful not to stop running, I didn't stop, even if I was exhausted, out of breath, I didn't stop." ISIS posts videos and pictures on the Internet bragging about its so-called "cubs of the Islamic State." While there are no firm numbers on how many children are part of ISIS, the United Nations says there are confirmed reports of children as young as 12 undergoing military training. Yasir admits he missed his parents. It was the first time he had stayed away from them, but he says he and the other boys would laugh, joke and talk about their training. After a month he was sent home and began to regularly report for duty. "When we arrived they gave us guns and the explosive belt and the radio," he says. "We would get calls from the checkpoints alerting us [when] the ISIS VIPs were coming. Anyone who wasn't a VIP, we would pick up our guns and stop them." But his mother would beg him to leave. Yasir says: "She would say that I am too young. 'Please leave, you have nothing to do with this.' I would tell her that this is the jihad that we all must do." He says the first time he saw a beheading he didn't eat for two days, repulsed by the scene but not the actual act. He admits he was afraid the explosive belt he wore would accidentally detonate if he was hit by shrapnel. He also felt proud, strong and filled with a sense of purpose. But his father realized he had to save his son and himself. He decided to defect and tricked Yasir into leaving with him for Turkey. Yasir says: "I was asking him 'why are you doing this? What happened?' My father turned to me and said they are not on the right religious track." The Yasir we met appears to have a gentle demeanor, but he's clearly confused, struggling to define what is right and wrong, and wrest himself from the psychological damage ISIS has done. He initially says he wants to go back to ISIS because his friends are there, and he defends some of the strict interpretations of Islam, but he also says: "I am discovering over time they have no religion." Toward the end of our interview, he tells us he regrets having joined them. Yasir has a chance to emerge from the hold of ISIS, to return to the Arabic and math-loving schoolboy he was before the war. But that is not the case for the other children firmly in the grasp of ISIS, living under their rule, easily manipulated and lured toward the terrorist organization. | Yasir, 15, trained with ISIS in Syria .
He had military training and religious indoctrination .
His father helped him escape into Turkey .
But now Yasir is torn between school and returning to ISIS . |
226,076 | b0c286f1015d6802e143beb1b5cda7a201e92a8d | By . Chris Parsons . Last updated at 2:03 PM on 29th November 2011 . An afternoon drive down to the coast may be a relaxing way to pass the time, but if you get too close to the tide it can get messy very quickly. One driver paid a hefty price for some slightly wayward parking when his car was swept into the Bristol Channel during high tide in Mumbles, Swansea yesterday. Worse still for the male driver, coastguard crews have since been unable to recover his silver Vauxhall Corsa and say it could be floating 'anywhere in the Bristol Channel.' All at sea: The headlights of the submerged Vauxhall Corsa can be seen beneath the waters off the Mumbles, Swansea. The car became stuck in sand after heading down a slipway . The man and his wife managed to get out of the car long before it became submerged on the slipway to the water's edge on Monday afternoon. However, despite a two-hour attempt emergency services were unable to recover the hire car. Now a warning has been issued to vessels in one of Britain's busiest shipping lanes. Going, going, going: Waters swirl around the Corsa just before it floated away at high tide. Coastguard officials said it could now be 'anywhere along the Bristol Channel' Officials fear the brand-new vehicle could now have floated all the way to the Devon coast. A spokesperson for the Maritime Coastguard Agency said a man and his wife who drove down the slipway called the coastguard rescue team when their car became submerged. The spokesperson said: 'The Martime Coastguard Agency helped the woman from the car when the water was one foot from the front of the car. 'Because the car had been driven on to soft sand it got stuck.' A spokesperson for Swansea Coastguard added: 'A local recovery service was called out, but they were unable to recover the vehicle. 'We broadcast navigation warnings every four hours, and in that broadcast today we have asked vessels to look out for a silver Vauxhall Corsa. 'It is possible it could be anywhere in the Bristol Channel. 'Police went down to the slipway at 2am on Tuesday and it was nowhere. 'The last time it had been seen it was actually floating away. 'I wouldn't rule it out turning up on the North Devon coast at somewhere like Ilfracombe, or Lynton. Anything is possible with the sea currents.' | Hire car got stuck in sand then swept out to sea during high tide .
Coastguard: 'It could be anywhere the Bristol Channel' - one of Britain's busiest shipping lanes . |
234,420 | bb783c5c484eea94d87a021d4f3d74f1e73971cd | The widow of Chris Kyle, the SEAL subject of the blockbuster American Sniper, is scaling back her public appearances to promote the film following backlash. Taya Kyle was cutting back on interviews following criticism from filmmaker Michael Moore and others, The Star Tribune reported. The movie, starring Bradley Cooper as Kyle, Sienna Miller as his wife and directed by Clint Eastwood, has already earned $90.2million at the box office, setting a record for the highest-earning January opening. Scroll down for video . Taya Kyle (pictured with Bradley Cooper to the right, last week) widow of 'American Sniper' Chris Kyle, has curtailed her media appearances following criticism of the movie about her husband which broke box office records . Mrs Kyle with her husband Chris Kyle before his death in 2013. His best-selling autobiography American Sniper has been turned into a Hollywood blockbuster tipped for Oscar success . The film tells the story of Mr Kyle, a sniper, who was credited with saving hundreds of American lives by making 160 confirmed kills, the most in U.S. military history. After retiring from the military, Kyle was shot dead at a gun range in Texas in 2013 by a soldier he was trying to help who was suffering from severe PTSD. Despite the box office success and Oscar buzz, the subject matter of American Sniper has drawn critics including director Michael Moore, who tweeted on Sunday: 'My uncle was killed by a sniper in WWII. Only cowards would do that 2 him, others.' The filmmaker later backtracked after an onslaught of criticism. Moore claimed on Monday that he was not talking about either Kyle or the film, pointing out the fact that he didn't mention either directly. 'Hmm. I never tweeted 1word bout AmericaSniper/ChrisKyle. I said my uncle killed by sniper in WWII; only cowards would do that 2 him, others,' Moore said. One of those who strongly criticized Moore was Medal of Honor recipient Dakota Meyer, Fox reported. Meyer, a Marine vet who was awarded the medal for his bravery during the Battle of Ganjga in Afghanistan, said of Moore: 'I'm sure that his grandfather who died serving this country is rolling over in his grave knowing that his grandson is using him to justify him calling U.S. service men cowards. 'I’d be willing to bet that at some point during his grandfather’s service, he was watched over by U.S. snipers, and probably had his life saved more than once by U.S. snipers during the war.' Chris Kyle, who was credited with saving hundreds of American lives by making 160 confirmed kills, which is the most in American military history, before his death in 2013 . However, despite the film's defenders, it appears that representatives for Mrs Kyle and the movie were somewhat squeamish about putting her in front of the press. The co-chair of a St Louis synagogue speaking event told The Star Tribune that Mrs Kyle's reps 'are cutting off her press. They will allow us to schedule some interviews but only related to promoting our event'. She added: 'Because of this, any questions related to the current murder trial [involving the disturbed U.S. veteran who killed Kyle] and the Ventura trial are off the table.' The email referred to the defamation lawsuit brought last year by former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura against Kyle's autobiography. Ventura was awarded $1.8 million in July. A federal jury decided that the 2012 best-seller written by Kyle defamed Ventura in its description of a bar fight in California in 2006. Kyle wrote that he decked a man whom he later identified as Ventura after the man allegedly said the Navy SEALs 'deserve to lose a few'. The case is currently on appeal to the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Kyle's killer, U.S. Marine Corps vet, Eddie Ray Routh, is set to stand trial in February. Filmmaker Michael Moore appeared to criticize the movie and Kyle in a tweet on Sunday - but later backtracked on his remarks . Earlier this week, Mrs Kyle paid tribute to audiences who have flocked to cinemas to watch the film. Taya Kyle has thanked movie-goers for 'being willing to watch the hard stuff' in the war drama and says she often cries thinking about the support she has received. With the film of his life tipped for Oscar success, Mrs Kyle, had thanked audiences in a post on Facebook. She wrote: 'I am overwhelmed with gratitude and my heart is full. American Sniper has broken records, which follows such an honest path of Chris's life. 'We never expected anything and were always in a moment of stunned silence at the response from all the beautiful people in this world. 'I also just want to cry and cry and honestly have today. I think that's what happens when I don't have the words. The only thing I can say is thank you. Thank you for the love and support of our military. 'Thank you for being willing to watch the hard stuff and thank you for hearing, seeing, experiencing the life of our military and first responders. 'I put them together because the battlefields may be different but the experience is the same on many spiritual levels.' The film, which is based on Mr Kyle's autobiography of the same name reveals not only how he became so successful, but also how the trauma of fighting in Iraq never left him. In the post she also gave an emotional tribute to her late husband and admitted that she still misses him every day. She added: 'To Chris: I miss you and yet I know you are here. 'You are the man who I couldn't have even dreamt of because you were/are better than I could have dreamed, the love of my life, my friend, partner and the man who laughed with me through the pain and found joy in the smallest and best parts of life. 'I hope you see the love and good we will do together in whatever God has planned for the rest of the journey. Thank you for loving me. 'You are with me and I love you is all I can say. I can only say it simply, because there aren't words enough to express it all.' The film tells the story of her husband who was raised in rural Texas and started out working as a cowboy. He applied to join the SEALs but was turned down because a rodeo accident had left him with metal pins in his arms. However, in the late Nineties, the unit relaxed its entrance requirements and Kyle was put through the fearsomely tough selection and training regime. In 2003, he was deployed to Iraq where he made his first long-distance kills even though he had not been trained as sniper. Spotting his obvious talent, the military sent him to SEAL sniper school, where he was taught how to perform warfare's loneliest and most controversial job. In 2004, Kyle was posted to Fallujah, west of Baghdad and a major battleground of Iraqi insurgency, and it was during the battle for that city where he first made his mark. However, it was in 2006 in Ramadi, a city in central Iraq, that Mr Kyle gained his nickname as 'The Legend' from his fellow SEALs. One day, while positioned on a roof, Kyle watched a moped coming down a street. Riding it were two men, one of whom dropped a backpack into a pothole. Realising that it contained an improvised explosive, Kyle took a shot at the speeding moped from a range of 150 yards. The bullet hit one of the riders, passed through him, and hit the other. In 2009, after four tours of Iraq, Kyle retired. He had not only shot more of the enemy than any other American sniper but had also gained himself a chestful of medals, including three Silver Stars for gallantry. In February 2013 he and a friend, Chad Littlefield, took 25-year old Eddie Ray Routh to a remote shooting range in Glen Rose, Texas. Before they reached the range Routh, 25, shot both men dead and stole Kyle's customized pick up truck. Routh's family claimed he was suffering from PTSD and had mental issues. His trial on two murder charges begins in February. | Taya Kyle, widow of Chris Kyle, is cutting back on interviews following criticism about the blockbuster movie .
American Sniper broke box office records this weekend and is tipped for Oscar success .
Film is based on her husband's life as the deadliest sniper in U.S. history . |
260,040 | dcb786bc42329e1b4ffe3280bd591331b3c1ad5a | By . Jill Reilly . PUBLISHED: . 07:15 EST, 9 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 08:10 EST, 9 October 2013 . The United States is leaning toward withholding most military aid to Egypt except to promote counterterrorism, security in the Sinai Peninsula that borders Israel, and other such priorities, a U.S. official said today. The official said U.S. President Barack Obama had not made a final decision on the issue, which has vexed U.S. officials as they balance a desire to be seen promoting democracy and rights with a desire to keep up some cooperation with Egypt's military. The military on July 3 overthrew President Mohamed Morsi, who emerged from Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood movement to become the country's first freely elected president last year after the February 2011 fall of longtime authoritarian ruler Hosni Mubarak. Anger: Cairo university students and members of the Muslim Brotherhood shout slogans against the military in front of Cairo University in Cairo . Protests: Cairo university students and members of the Muslim Brotherhood carry a banner with the four-fingered symbol of Rabaa, representing the six-week sit-in in Cairo that was disbanded by the military on August 14 . Devastated: Egyptian government employees clean up outside the Rabaah al-Adawiya mosque, where supporters of Egypt's ousted President Mohammed Morsi had a protest camp in Nasr City in August . Morsi supporters and security forces have repeatedly clashed since, including on Sunday, one of the bloodiest days since the military took power, with state media reporting 57 people dead. After Morsi's ouster, the Obama administration said it would suspend about $585 million (364 million pounds) in military assistance to Egypt pending a wider policy review. The U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the Obama administration was now leaning toward continuing to withhold most of that, with the exceptions described above. The official said the United States was also leaning toward continuing some economic aid to Egypt, but chiefly funds that go to nongovernmental groups rather than to the government itself. A second U.S. official, also speaking on condition of anonymity, said a decision on the aid was likely to be made public by the end of the week, although he noted that an announcement has been repeatedly postponed. Future: The official said U.S. President Barack Obama had not made a final decision on the issue . Egypt for decades has been among the largest recipients of U.S. military and economic aid because of its 1979 peace treaty with U.S. ally Israel, which agreed to withdraw from the Sinai Peninsula it seized from Egypt in 1967 as a result of the pact. The United States has long provided Egypt with about $1.55 billion in annual aid, including $1.3 billion in military assistance. The removal of Morsi has left Obama with an acute dilemma: whether to get tough with the army for toppling a democratically elected president, albeit an Islamist who had few friends in Washington, or whether to acquiesce in his overthrow. U.S. officials have said there has been a sharp debate within the administration for months over the issue, with one saying that the Pentagon had argued for continuing military aid, while others urged a significant reduction. At the U.N. General Assembly on September 24, Obama appeared to split the difference, saying the United States would maintain constructive ties with Egypt's interim government despite its anti-democratic moves - including an emergency law and restrictions on opposition parties, the media and civil society. He also suggested that some military aid would depend on the interim government embracing a more inclusive democracy. Meeting: Jordanian King Abdullah II (left) and Egyptian interim President Adli Mansour (right) review honor guards at AL-Hummer Royal offices, in Amman, Jordan . Trip: Mansour arrived from Saudi Arabia as part of his first overseas tour since he replaced deposed Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in early July . 'Going forward, the United States will maintain a constructive relationship with the interim government that promotes core interests like the Camp David Accords and counterterrorism,' he said, referring to the U.S.-brokered agreements that led to the Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty. 'We'll continue support in areas like education that directly benefit the Egyptian people,' he added. 'But we have not proceeded with the delivery of certain military systems, and our support will depend upon Egypt's progress in pursuing a more democratic path.' Earlier on Tuesday, CNN quoted a U.S. official as saying that an 'accumulation of events,' including the recent violence, had led to the decision on a 'full suspension' of aid, a report the White House denied. 'The reports that we are halting all military assistance to Egypt are false,' Caitlin Hayden, a spokeswoman for the White House National Security Council, said in a statement. "We will announce the future of our assistance relationship with Egypt in the coming days, but as the president made clear at (the U.N. General Assembly), that assistance relationship will continue." The Pentagon declined all comment. Ominous: Bloodstains are seen on the ground in Ramsis street, in downtown Cairo following clashes between Egyptian riot police and Muslim Brotherhood supporters at the weekend. It is unclear who the flip flops belonged to and whether they lived or died . Bloody: The attack comes after dozens died last weekend in clashes involving security forces, supporters of Mursi's Muslim Brotherhood and their opponents . Hospital: In a separate incident, an explosion near a state security building in South Sinai killed two people and injured 48, medical sources said. A witness said the explosion was caused by a car bomb . Vanessa Murray, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Defence Security Cooperation Agency, which oversees foreign military aid and sales, earlier told Reuters there had been no change in policy or status regarding Egypt. Officials at General Dynamics Corp, which makes M1A1 tank kits for Egypt, and Boeing Co, which is building Apache helicopters for the Arab country, said late on Tuesday they had not been notified of any decision to halt military aid. There was no immediate comment from Lockheed Martin Corp, which is building F-16 fighter jets for Egypt. Shipments of four F-16s have already been halted temporarily, and eight more jets were due to be delivered in December. Two former government officials familiar with foreign military sales have said the Obama administration is likely to curtail certain high-visibility weapons sales such as the 12 Lockheed Martin Corp F-16s due to be delivered to Egypt this year to send a message to the military. The planes could be fairly easily adapted for sale to other countries, they said. | Official said President Obama had not made a final decision on the issue .
Trying to strike balance between democracy and cooperation with military .
Obama administration said it would suspend about $585 million after ouster .
US to continue support 'in areas like education'
Some economic aid to Egypt could be given to nongovernmental groups . |
128,694 | 324abb259b6713a3a05cc22e955abddeb0f68120 | The officer who left an Indian man paralyzed was responding to a call reporting a suspicious man in the neighborhood who was not seen breaking any laws. A caller said a 'skinny black guy' with a toboggan hat was walking in the neighborhood and peering toward garages, recordings show, in the Madison, Alabama neighborhood. Sureshbhai Patel was taking a walk in his son's neighborhood when Officer Eric Parker arrived, and then body checked him, leaving him now paralyzed. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO . Horrific: This is the moment Sureshbhai Patel, 57, was appredended on the sidewalk in Madison, Alabama . Brutal: Madison Police Officer Eric Parker cannot communicated with Mr. Patel and decides to body slam him onto the ground to incapacitate him . Seriously injured: Officer Eric Parker tries to pick up Mr. Patel, but they quickly realize that something has gone wrong and that he needs medical attention . Action: Officer Eric Parker has been fired over the incident, the department revealed on Thursday . This as video of the moment the Indian grandfather was slammed to the ground by the police officer and sent into paralysis has been released. Newly-released dash-cam footage shows Patel being thrown onto the sidewalk last Friday, just two weeks after he flew to the town from India to visit his 17-month-old grandson. As Mr Patel undergoes surgery to his vertebrae, and his son files a lawsuit against the department, Madison Police Chief Larry Muncey confirmed Officer Parker, will be fired over the incident. In the footage, released on Thursday, Mr Patel can be seen standing on a sidewalk in Madison with two officers, handcuffed. After a few moments, one lifts him off the ground and slams his head into the floor. Despite being lifted up and dusted down, Patel could not stay on his feet - and after two operations no his vertebrae, remains partially paralyzed. On Thursday Madison police confirmed one of the police officers captured in the footage has been charged with assault and will be fired. Patel, who doesn't speak English, had only been in the country for two weeks. He had flown to Alabama to help take care of his 17-month-old grandson. He is being treated in Huntsville Hospital and has limited movement in his right leg but his family fear he may never leave. Horrifying: Sureshbhai Patel has been left temporarily paralyzed after he was frisked and pulled to the ground . The 57-year-old, who had only been in the United States for two weeks, has limited movement in his right leg but his family fears he may never be able to leave the hospital . Two officers initially responded to a complaint a 'suspicious person' was looking in garages around the neighborhood which residents say is usually quiet. The caller said they did not recognize Mr Patel and claimed he was walking on other people's property. When they arrived on the scene he said 'no English', and told them his son's house number. The initial police report claimed Patel resisted arrest, prompting the officers to use brute force. Apologizing for the incident, Madison Police blamed a 'communication barrier'. Quiet suburb: Officers initially responded to a complaint a 'suspicious person' was looking in garages around the neighborhood. His attorney has claimed there was nothing suspicious 'other than he has brown skin' Anger: His son Chirag, who paid for him to fly over from the small Indian village of Pij, said bringing his father over to the US was a dream. He was surprised at the attack as he believes its a good neighborhood . His son Chirag, who paid for him to fly over from the small Indian village of Pij, told AL.com: 'This is a good neighborhood. I didn't expect anything to happen. 'He was just walking on the sidewalk as he does all the time. They put him to the ground.' 'It is a dream for me because I came from a very poor family and I worked so hard here.' Hank Sherrod, an attorney for the family, told the site: 'This is broad daylight, walking down the street. There is nothing suspicious about Mr. Patel other than he has brown skin. 'This is just one of those things that doesn't need to happen.' The police statement read: 'The subject began putting his hands in his pockets. Officers attempted to pat the subject down and he attempted to pull away. The subject was forced to the ground, which resulted in injury.' A GoFundMe account has been set up to help pay for Mr Patel's medical bills. The goal is to reach more than $25,000. Untouched: The clothes his father had laid out on his bed in preparation for his stay are left folded up . | Sureshbhai Patel, 57 was slammed onto sidewalk in Madison, Alabama by Officer Eric Parker who was responding to a call about a 'skinny black man'
Footage shows him being lifted, thrown down, then unable to stand .
Cops say they approached him and he said to them 'No English'
They started a search but he 'pulled away' - prompting them to use force .
Mr Patel is partially paralyzed despite two operations on his vertebrae .
Had been in the United States for two weeks, his family fear he may not leave the hospital . |
13,293 | 25c5cc4b0c6c583100a17ed0c973fdc7bca48130 | (CNN) -- A far-right party recorded the biggest ever share of the vote for a political party in Switzerland's history on Monday, after a controversial campaign that blamed foreigners for much of the country's crime. A Swiss People's Party supporter waves a sticker featuring the Swiss flag during Sunday's elections. The nationalist Swiss People's Party headed by Christoph Blocher rode a wave of anti-immigration sentiment to gain 29 percent of the vote. The Green Party also scored well in Sunday's vote winning 20 seats in the 200-seat National Council, Switzerland's lower house of parliament. It previously held six seats, making this the Green Party's best ever showing. The Social Democrats remain the second-largest party, despite dropping to 43 seats after gaining 19.5 percent of the vote, while the People's Party added seven extra seats, taking its total to 62. The nationalists dismissed criticism of their campaign -- derided as racist by leftist groups -- and insisted that they were only trying to address legitimate public concerns. "Public security in Switzerland is in danger. We have a lot of foreigners committing crimes. And the Swiss people are very sensitive to that," Gregor Rutz, the party's Secretary General told CNN. The gains made by the nationalists will not result in radical changes to the make-up of the government, however, since Switzerland is run by a form of consensus politics. Under the Swiss system, a multi-party coalition runs the country by convention with ministers appointed from the main parties. Although the make-up of the government will stay almost unchanged, political analysts said the success of the People's Party and its hostile rhetoric reflected a growing, but worrying trend in Switzerland. "This may be a surprise for those outside of Switzerland but not for us," Hans Hilter, a political scientist at Bern University, told CNN. "This type of very negative campaigning has been a feature of previous campaigns by them (the People's Party) and reflects concerns among a wide number of people that immigration levels are too high." Foreigners comprise a quarter of the Swiss workforce and make up around 20 percent of the population of more than 7 million. The immigrant community is dominated by Albanians, Bosnians, and Turks, though most were denied a vote in Sunday's election because of the difficulty of gaining Swiss citizenship. On the streets of this Alpine country, the polarizing campaign provoked accusations of racism against the Swiss People's Party and rioting in the capital Bern. Blocher's party was widely criticized after an ad campaign featuring a poster of a white sheep kicking a black sheep off the Swiss flag. The party also called for immigrant families to be thrown out of the country if their child committed a crime. In this usually tolerant country, the hardline approach proved popular as voters unhappy at rising immigration levels handed the Swiss People's Party the best-ever election result, surpassing the Radical Democrats' victory of 28 percent of the vote in 1919. At the same time as the nationalist gains, the country elected its first black politician to the National Council, Ricardo Lumengo, who accused Blocher's party of "scapegoating". "They are showing that we foreigners are responsible for everything that is bad and we found that they are just simple arguments. We condemn it," he told CNN. Lumengo, who came to Switzerland as an asylum seeker from Angola, added: "It shows that in this country there is no social justice. A part of the population, they are living well, they have a good salary. But a big quantity of the population, they are living in the phenomenon of the working poor." E-mail to a friend . CNN's Frederik Pleitgen contributed to this report. | Nationalists ride anti-immigrant wave in Swiss elections to win record share .
Switzerland to be ruled by coalition under system of consensus government .
Swiss People's Party called for a law to throw out entire immigrant families .
Greens, also in coaltion, make gains by appealing to environmental concerns . |
132,456 | 37495bbcd42173a7f542ae4c802bd3947a907d42 | By . Dan Bloom . PUBLISHED: . 07:58 EST, 4 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 12:14 EST, 4 December 2013 . With Manchester United wallpaper on the walls and an Alvin and the Chipmunks DVD on the chest of drawers, it looks like a typical 10 year-old boy's bedroom. But these images show the moment police in riot helmets carried out a dawn raid, sweeping into his room and arresting him on suspicion of burglary. He is believed to be one of the youngest targets of a dawn raid and was held along with his 37-year-old father as part of a crackdown on gangs in Coventry. Scroll down for video . Child: Police in Coventry have arrested a burglary suspect aged just ten in a dawn raid. Footage shows officers searching his drawers next to a pack of biscuits, a games console and an Alvin and the Chipmunks DVD . Dawn raid: Police swept into the house belonging to an alleged crime family just after 6am yesterday . Arrest: A heavily tattooed man was shown being arrested. The boy and his father, 37, were both held as burglary suspects. One alleged raid took £400,000 of Apple gadgets from a warehouse in Leicester . Computer equipment, phones, clothing and a substance were seized by police from the property in Wood End, Coventry. The pair were questioned in connection with a house burglary on September 9 in Lapworth Road, which is in their neighbourhood, and bailed yesterday pending further enquiries. Detective Inspector Nick Dale, speaking outside the house, said: 'We believe this family are responsible . for considerable crime and disorder within this community, and members . of the community are intimidated by their activities. 'We're . here to send a message that this is not acceptable. It's not acceptable . that people are intimidated within their own neighbourhoods and we will . take action. 'It . must be incredibly frustrating for hard-working, law-abiding members of . the community to see people who have no legitimate income living . apparently beyond their means. 'They . might be able to afford a nice car or expensive clothes and there will . be question marks over how they have afforded that lifestyle.' The father and son were arrested as part of an 'intensive assault' on gangs who allegedly raided 'numerous' shops and pubs in Coventry. Detective Inspector Nick Dale said: 'It must be incredibly frustrating for hard-working, law-abiding members of the community to see people who have no legitimate income living apparently beyond their means' DVDs found in the house included the violent comic book-style film Sin City. Several items were seized by police . A gang also stole £400,000 worth of Apple iPads, iPods and iPhones from an electronics warehouse in Leicester. West Midlands Police seized computer equipment, phones, clothing and 'a substance' from the home during yesterday's joint raid just after 6am, a spokesman said. The video released by the force shows officers in blue riot helmets using a battering ram to smash through the front door, which had been reinforced. A heavily-tattooed man with his tracksuit top half-open, believed to be the boy's father, is seen being put in handcuffs. And officers are pictured searching through clothes in the boy's bedroom drawers next to a half-eaten packet of biscuits, a games console and several DVDs. Officers questioned the youngster on suspicion of being involved in a burglary of a nearby house on September 9. His father was quizzed on suspicion of conspiracy to commit burglary. Battering ram: The moment police started forcing open the reinforced door of the house in Coventry . Officers in blue riot helmets burst through the door within seconds and arrested the 10-year-old just after 6am . Police are seen searching the boy's room next to a flat screen TV and Manchester United wallpaper . The boy was only just old enough to be arrested, as in England and Wales children only reach the age of criminal responsibility when they turn ten. Before that they cannot be arrested or charged with a crime, even for violent or sexual offences. Yesterday's operation came two weeks after a number of other dawn raids on nearby homes. Detective Inspector Dale said: 'We want the community to sit up and take notice of our efforts to tackle organised crime. Law-abiding citizens can rest assured we’re taking strong action against suspects, whilst criminals should be asking themselves: "am I next?" 'We’ve embarked on an intensive . assault on Coventry’s crime gangs. These are individuals who seem to . think they’re above the law, are involved in anti-social behaviour and . who often "rule" their communities through intimidation. No-one should . feel threatened or worried in their own community. 'We’re . determined to cut the criminal cancer from our communities and would . urge members of the public to back our efforts by reporting any concerns . or suspicions they have to us. 'We would like to encourage people to . come forward with information about activities whether it be crime or . disorder and that information will be taken seriously and will be . investigated. 'One of our . jobs in an investigation like this is to establish whether the lifestyle . of the person has been funded through crime and if it has, then we will . be seizing the property that has been obtained as a result. Anyone with information which could help should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111. Sorry we are unable to accept comments for legal reasons. | Father and son both accused of burglary after raid by police in riot helmets .
Video by West Midlands police shows officers searching 10-year-old's room .
Footage shows Alvin and the Chipmunks DVD, clothes and flat screen TV .
Police: 'We believe this family are responsible for considerable crime' |
80,228 | e35de0707780de2888a3253940c86fb0163cc115 | MADRID, Spain (CNN) -- A Moroccan court sentenced a Moroccan man to 20 years in prison for his role in the Madrid train bombings of 2004, in a case built on evidence from Spanish police, a Spanish court spokeswoman said Friday. Abdelilah Hriz (left) is escorted to the anti-terrorist court in Sale, near the Moroccan capital, Rabat. The sentence against Abdelilah Hriz was announced late Thursday. Hriz, in his early 30s, was arrested in Morocco last January on a Spanish warrant for participation in the attacks that killed 191 people and wounded more than 1,800 on Madrid commuter trains. He was convicted of "constituting a criminal group to carry out a terrorist act" and "complicity in the destruction of transport systems" and "participating in the premeditated assault," said the spokeswoman for Spain's National Court in Madrid. Morocco and Spain do not have an extradition treaty and it is believed to be a rare instance in which Morocco tried one of its nationals for a crime committed abroad, said the spokeswoman, who by custom is not identified. The main trial of the train bombing defendants was held in 2007 at the National Court in Madrid, resulting in numerous convictions. Spain's Supreme Court last summer ruled on appeals, which left a total of 18 convictions, including 14 Islamic militants and four Spaniards, the latter for trafficking in explosives used in the attacks. But Spanish authorities have long said that a few suspects remained at large, and Hriz was one of them. Spain has sought Hriz since 2005, after DNA tests indicated he had been present at a rural home near Madrid where authorities say the bombs were assembled, and at a suburban Madrid apartment where seven suspected terrorists blew themselves up, three weeks after the attacks as police closed in on their hideout. Spanish news reports said Hriz admitted that he had been in Spain from October 2003 to March 2004 but that he denied the charges against him in court in Sale, Morocco, near the capital, Rabat. The Moroccan prosecution sought life in prison against Hriz, Spanish media reported, but the court decided on a sentence of 20 years. Spain's National Court expressed "satisfaction" at Morocco's "complete collaboration" in the case, the spokeswoman said. The cooperation included a visit to Morocco by Spain's main investigating magistrate for the train bombings. | Abdelilah Hriz arrested in Morocco last January on a Spanish warrant .
DNA tests indicated he had been at a Madrid house where bombs were made .
Hriz convicted in Morocca in a case built on evidence from Spanish police .
2004 Madrid bombings killed 191 people and wounded more than 1,800 . |
258,961 | db2995458e1a790c3e16ce5e35e714531cf6eb37 | An unsettling video has emerged purporting to show Islamic State fighters bartering over Yazidi women at a slave girl 'market'. The terror organisation recently boasted of enslaving women from the Iraqi ethnic minority, and the men appearing in the clip explain it is 'slave market day'. The clip shows the men negotiating the price of the women, with blue and green-eyed young girls fetching a higher price. Scroll down for video . Disturbing: The clip begins with this bearded Islamic State fighter explaining it is slave 'distribution day' 'We should have our share': ISIS have said captured Yazidi women are divided 'according to Sharia law' One unidentified man, pictured left, says he is searching for a girl while another man sitting next to him laughs . Who wants to sell? A man asks who has a slave to sell and one is quickly found and negotiations begin . Exchange: The seller quickly reveals he is happy to part with his young slave girl for Glock pistol . Haggle: But the buyers want to know what the girl looks like before they name a price . It starts with one man saying to the camera: 'Today is the slave market day. Today is the day where this verse applies: 'Except with their wives and the (captives) whom their right hands possess, - for (then) they are not too be blamed'. He added: 'Today is distribution day God willing. Each one takes his share.' Another then says: 'I swear man I am searching for a girl. I hope I find one.' The men laugh and another says: 'Today is the day of (female) slaves and we should have our share.' Bartering begins after a seller is found, who says he is happy to sell his slave for a Glock pistol. Sellers offer prices, with one going as high as five banknotes. Subtitles on the clip explain that one banknote is probably the equivalent of 100 dollars. Barter: The men begin to negotiate a price with the seller, with some offering money and one offering a gun . Picky: But the buyers explain the price depends on the young girl's looks and they will need to check her teeth . But the buyers explain the price they are willing to pay depends on looks and they will need to verify the girl is to their liking. One says he would need to check the teeth of the 15-year-old being auctioned, and explains: 'If she doesn't have teeth, why would I want her?' The video was shot in Mosul, Iraq's second largest city, which was seized by ISIS in June, according to Al Aan TV - who translated the clip into English. The group have been reported as saying that Yazidi women and children captured during the offensive in Sinjar town were divided among fighters 'according to sharia law'. Valuable: Blue and green eyes are preferred by the men, who say they will offer a higher price . The men offer money in terms of banknotes, which an English translation says is around 100 dollars . Teeth: But negotiations later stall when it appears the girl, thought to be aged 15, may be missing some teeth . Last month, a young Yazidi woman forced into sex slavery by the Islamic State claimed militants raped her 30 times in just a few hours. The unidentified woman is understood to have been kept as a prisoner of the jihadists somewhere in western Iraq having been captured by ISIS during the Sinjar massacre in early August. She allegedly told the fighters she had been raped so frequently that she could no longer use the toilet, adding the ordeal has been so harrowing that she plans to commit suicide even if freed. And a 15-year-old girl told how she escaped militants by drugging and shooting two husbands who bought her as a slave. The teenager, who has been kept anonymous to protect her family, was one of hundreds of women from the Yazidi sect who extremists kidnapped after overrunning their homes on Iraq's Mount Sinjar. The UN have confirmed that thousands of Yazidis were slaughtered when ISIS swept through northern Iraq in August. Researchers concluded that more than 5,000 Yazidi were gunned down in a series of massacres by jihadists. Thousands of women are also being held in makeshift detention centres, where they either been taken away and sold into slavery or handed over to jihadists as concubines. The clip begins with one man addressing the camera: Today is the slave market day. Today is the day where this verse applies: 'Except with their wives and the (captives) whom their right hands possess, - for (then) they are not too be blamed'. Today is distribution day God willing. Each one takes his share. Another then says: I swear man I am searching for a girl. I hope I find one. Another adds: Today is the day of (female) slaves and we should have our share. The bartering begins with the words: Who wants to sell? The seller's reply: I want to sell. Why? I pay three banknotes (Subtitles explain one banknote is probably 100 dollars) I buy her for a pistol. The price differs if she has blue eyes. The seller replies: I will sell her for a Glock! I pay five banknotes. It depends on how she looks like. If she is 15 years old, I have to check her... Check her teeth. If she has green eyes... If she doesn't have teeth, why would I want her? | Terror group boasts it has enslaved women from Yazidi sect .
Men explain it is 'slave market day' and say they will have 'their share'
Price depends on looks, eye colour and good teeth .
Seller reveals accepts a Glock pistol as exchange for one girl . |
Subsets and Splits
No saved queries yet
Save your SQL queries to embed, download, and access them later. Queries will appear here once saved.