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25,642 | 489d5eaa3ef99504bbb7533baf83f60e91fd3589 | (CNN) -- The feds call industrial hemp a controlled substance -- the same as pot, heroin, LSD -- but advocates say a sober analysis reveals a harmless, renewable cash crop with thousands of applications that are good for the environment. Industrial hemp, left, looks a lot like its cousin in the cannabis family, marijuana. Two North Dakota farmers are taking that argument to federal court, where a November 14 hearing is scheduled in a lawsuit to determine if the Drug Enforcement Administration is stifling the farmers' efforts to grow industrial hemp. The DEA says it's merely enforcing the law. Marijuana and industrial hemp are members of the Cannabis sativa L. species and have similar characteristics. One major difference: Hemp won't get you high. Hemp contains only traces of delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the compound that gets pot smokers stoned. However, the Controlled Substances Act makes little distinction, banning the species almost outright. Marijuana, which has only recreational and limited medical uses, is the shiftless counterpart to the go-getter hemp, which has a centuries-old history of handiness. The February 1938 issue of Popular Mechanics magazine heralded hemp as the "new billion-dollar crop," saying it had 25,000 uses. Today, it is a base element for textiles, paper, construction materials, car parts, food and body care products. It's not a panacea for health and environmental problems, advocates concede, but it's not the menace the Controlled Substances Act makes it out to be. Watch why a North Dakota official thinks the U.S. should be in the hemp business » . "This is actually an anti-drug. It's a healthy food," explained Adam Eidinger of the Washington advocacy group Vote Hemp. "We're not using this as a statement to end the drug war." Rather, Eidinger said, Vote Hemp wants to vindicate a plant that has been falsely accused because of its mischievous cousin. North Dakota farmers Wayne Hauge and Dave Monson say comparing industrial hemp to marijuana is like comparing pop guns and M-16s. They've successfully petitioned the state Legislature -- of which Monson is a member -- to authorize the farming of industrial hemp. They've applied for federal permits and submitted a collective $5,733 in nonrefundable fees, to no avail, so they're suing the DEA. North Dakota is one of seven states to OK hemp production or research. California would have made eight until Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger last week vetoed the California Industrial Hemp Farming Act, citing the burden on law enforcement which would have to inspect hemp fields to make sure they were marijuana-free. Administration skeptical of initiatives . The DEA claims the farmers' lawsuit is misguided because the agency is obligated to enforce the Controlled Substances Act. "Hemp comes from cannabis. It's kind of a Catch 22 there," said DEA spokesman Michael Sanders. "Until Congress does something, we have to enforce the laws." The difference between marijuana, industrial hemp » . Asked if the DEA opposes the stalled House Resolution 1009, which would nix industrial hemp from the definition of marijuana, Sanders said the Justice Department and President Bush would make that call. "When it comes to laws, we don't have a dog in that fight," he said. The Justice Department has no position yet on the resolution, said spokesman Erik Ablin. The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, however, is skeptical because of the burden hemp would place on law enforcement resources. Also, hemp advocates are regularly backed -- sometimes surreptitiously -- by the pro-marijuana movement, the office alleges. "ONDCP cautions that, historically, the hemp movement has been almost entirely funded by the well-organized and well-funded marijuana legalization lobby," said spokesman Tom Riley. "All we do is ask people not to be naive about what's really going on here." Often, the hemp movement -- like hemp legislation -- is inextricably tied to marijuana. Pot advocates like actor Woody Harrelson and activist Jack Herer have double or ulterior agendas when they expound the virtues of hemp. Not so with Monson, 57. The assistant GOP leader in the state House, who returned to the family farm where he was reared in 1975, said he became interested in hemp in 1993 when scab, or Fusarium head blight, devastated his wheat and barley crops. Monson grows canola, too, but wants another crop in his rotation. Soybeans are too finicky for the weather and rocky soil. Monson also tried pinto beans, fava beans and buckwheat with no luck. "None of them seemed to really be a surefire thing," he said. "We were looking for anything that was potentially able to make us some money." Hemp, said the lifelong farmer, seemed an apt fit. It likes the climate, its deep roots irrigate soil, it doesn't need herbicides because it grows tall quickly and it breaks the disease cycles in other crops, Monson said. States follow Canada's lead . About 20 miles north of Monson's Osnabrock farm lies the Canadian border, the hemp dividing line. Just over the border in Manitoba, farmers have been reaping the benefits of hemp since 1998, when Health Canada reversed a longtime ban. In a Vote Hemp video, Shaun Crew, president of Hemp Oil Canada Inc., a processing company in Sainte-Agathe, praised Canada's foresight in differentiating between hemp and marijuana. While marijuana THC levels can range between 3 and 20 percent, Canada demands its hemp contain no more than 0.3 percent. In some hemp, the THC levels can sink as low as one part per million, Crew said. "There's probably more arsenic in your red wine, there's more mercury in your water and there's definitely more opiates in the poppy seed bagel you ate this morning," Crew said on the video. The North Dakota Legislature is convinced, as are the general assemblies in Hawaii, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Montana and West Virginia. With his state's blessing, North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson is backing the farmers and has proposed modeling North Dakota's hemp laws after Canada's strict regulations. "We weren't just going to tell the DEA to take a hike," Johnson said. "We're serious about this, and we want to do it in concert with the DEA." In a March 27 letter to Johnson, Joseph Rannazzisi of the DEA's Office of Diversion Control, said the permits were denied because the state hadn't satisfied the agency's security and logistical requirements. Security aspects require careful evaluation because "the substance at issue is marijuana -- the most widely abused controlled substance in the United States," Rannazzisi wrote. "We've been terribly brainwashed" Hemp wasn't always banned in the U.S. Jamestown Colony required farmers to grow it in 1619. Even after Congress cracked down on marijuana in 1937, farmers were encouraged to grow the crop for rope, sails and parachutes during World War II's "Hemp for Victory" campaign. Jake Graves, 81, heeded the call. Graves, whose father grew hemp in both world wars and whose grandfather grew it during the Civil War, was a teen when his father died in 1942. At the time, Graves' family was growing hemp for the Army. The Graveses continued growing hemp on their 500-acre Kentucky farm until 1945, when the market dried up after the advent of synthetic fabrics and the post-war reinvigoration of international trade. But Graves stands by the crop and its versatility and says that by lumping hemp in with marijuana, lawmakers "threw the baby out with the wash." "We've been terribly brainwashed as a society," Graves said. "Man didn't use it for all those hundreds and hundreds of years without knowing what they were doing." In the U.S., tapping hemp's versatility relies on imports. The DEA clamped down on most hemp imports in 1999 and 2001, but relented after a Canadian company sued, saying the ban violated its rights under the North American Free Trade Agreement. Though advocates considered it a victory, Johnson said hemp won't be fully utilized until it can be grown and researched stateside. "For us to grow it isn't enough. You have to build that infrastructure," Johnson said. "None of those uses is really going to develop to any great degree until we're able to grow this commodity." Johnson said the farmers' Vote Hemp-funded lawsuit has no hidden agenda. It's aimed solely at allowing farmers to grow hemp -- without going to jail because federal law says hemp and marijuana are the same. "I've got a state Legislature saying they aren't and the entire world saying they aren't. This is about a crop that is a legitimate crop every place else in the world," Johnson said. "It's not a crusade thing. It's a crop. Let farmers grow it. We don't want anyone to be growing drugs." E-mail to a friend . | Fast-growing hemp used for food, paper, textiles and car parts .
Hemp and marijuana have tetrahydrocannabinol, but the level in hemp is lower .
North Dakota is one of seven states that have OK'd production or research .
The DEA will not approve permits for two farmers in that state . |
282,980 | fa8d87fa459fd37e75da61e978295352f1a9f0f9 | The brother of President John F Kennedy's assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald, is suing the funeral home which sold the killer's coffin for £55,000. Robert Oswald, 80, has accused Baumgardner Funeral Home in Fort Worth, Texas, of acting in bad taste for selling the coffin after his body was exhumed as part of a CIA conspiracy probe. Two days after President Kennedy was gunned down as he rode in an open-topped motorcade, Oswald was shot dead by night club owner Jack Ruby as he walked through Dallas police station. Oswald was buried at the Shannon Rose Hill Memorial Burial Park in Texas in 1963, but his body was exhumed 18 years later and examined after mounting speculation about CIA involvement. The coffin of President John F Kennedy's accused assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald, is at the centre of a macabre ownership battle . Two days after President Kennedy (left) was gunned down as he rode in an open-topped motorcade, Oswald was shot dead by night club owner Jack Ruby as he walked through Dallas police station . Robert Oswald. 80, claims he is the rightful owner and said that something so 'disgusting' should not be sold. He said he paid a total of £451 to purchase a casket, vault, suit and flowers for the funeral and thought the coffin had been destroyed years ago. Allen Baumgardner, a funeral director who was part of the exhumation, kept the coffin and after failing to sell it on numerous occasions, finally found a buyer in 2010. 'His motive is to keep items away from the public. He does not want it out,' Mr Oswald's lawyer, Gant Grimes, told The Independent. President Kennedy was fatally shot by a sniper while traveling with his wife Jackie Kennedy in Dallas . The simple pine coffin is in poor condition, having suffered water damage and the ravages of time and decay . 'He appreciates there is some historical interest in things such as letters and such because [Oswald] played a significant role in US history. But this was the coffin. He bought it for his brother. He never thought he would see it again.' When the original coffin was bought by Robert Oswald, it was a gift to his dead brother and formed part of his estate. Mr Baumgardner argued that as neither Oswald's widow nor daughters had claimed the coffin, ownership was vested with the funeral home. The simple pine coffin is in poor condition, having suffered water damage and the ravages of time and decay. Robert Oswald. 80, claims that he is the rightful owner and said something so 'disgusting' should not be sold . After his death, doubts that Oswald was the true assassin quickly surfaced and some historians came to believe that he was in fact a covert U.S. intelligence agent . After his death, doubts that Oswald was the true assassin quickly surfaced and some historians came to believe that he was in fact a covert U.S. intelligence agent. The former Marine is said to have defected to the Soviet Union in 1960 promising to reveal valuable military secrets. But he was allowed back into the country less than two years later with no consequences for his betrayal. The government theory that Oswald acted alone was not enough to convince many Americans following the President's assassination, including the leader's own brother. Robert Kennedy, who was the Attorney General at the time, immediately suspected that the CIA had something to do with the President's death in Dallas. The former Marine is said to have defected to the Soviet Union in 1960 promising to reveal valuable military secrets . An anonymous bidder bought the coffin for nearly £56,450 at Nate D Sanders Auctions in California . There have been a number of other conspiracy theories involving the USSR and the Mafia, who were said to be angry with JFK after the botched Bay of Pigs invasion. When Oswald was buried, the absence of mourners meant reporters covering the burial were asked by officials to act has pallbearers and carry the coffin. But mounting speculation as to whether Oswald was inside the coffin or whether a Russian agent had been placed instead meant the pine box was exhumed and the remains checked. An anonymous bidder bought the coffin for nearly £56,450 at Nate D Sanders Auctions of Santa Monica, California, exceeded the original closing deadline by two hours. The coffin was not the only item up for auction, as several instruments used to embalm Oswald, his death certificate, an Easter card he sent to his brother were also up for sale . A section of the car seat on which President Kennedy was sitting when he was shot was also available at the auction. This photo shows the moment President Kennedy was fatally shot by a bullet in 1963. The government theory that Oswald acted alone was not enough to convince many Americans . A section of the car seat on which President Kennedy was sitting when he was shot were also available at the auction, speaking at the Rice University Stadium in 1962 . A statement from the Nate D Sanders auction house said: 'The original deteriorated coffin offered here, measures 80in long by 24in deep, with the thickness of the sides of the casket approximately one inch. Sitting on wood crate which measures 84in by 24in.' State District Judge Don Cosby of Fort Worth heard testimony and arguments in a two-day trial that ended earlier this week. Lawyers say the judge is not expected to rule before Christmas. Laura Yntema, a manager at Nate D. Sanders Auctions, said, 'It's in limbo until the case is resolved. So whatever the court tells us to do, we'll do regarding the casket. It's being kept in a secure facility, so it's safe.' | Coffin of JFK's assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald, at the centre of a legal battle .
He was shot by a night club owner two days after killing President Kennedy .
Killer was buried in 1963, but his body was exhumed in 1981 and examined .
Funeral home sold the coffin for £55,700 to an anonymous bidder in 2010 .
But his brother claims he is the rightful owner and is suing funeral home . |
252,336 | d292827e6e27303184d53c9ab67ac04c846c2322 | By . Sarah Griffiths . The Pope’s pilgrimage to the Middle East was controversial because of the holy leader’s impromptu prayer session at the West Bank’s barrier. And a playful religious disagreement also took place between Pope Francis and Israel’s prime minister, which revolved around Jesus’ linguistic skills. Benjamin Netanyahu and the Pope had a small, good natured squabble about the language spoken by Jesus Christ. Scroll down for video . Aramaic! Benjamin Netanyahu (left) and the Pope (right) had a small, humorous squabble (pictured) about the language spoken by Jesus Christ, with Israel's prime minister saying that the religious leader spoke Hebrew, while the Pope said Aramaic . Most Biblical scholars agree that Jesus and his disciples spoke Aramaic, which was the common language of Judea in the first century AD. It is likely that Jesus spoke a local Galilean dialect and the towns of Nazareth was an Aramaic speaking community. Despite the increasing importance of Greek, Aramaic was the dominant language among Jews in the Holy Land and across the Middle East until the Arab conquest in the seventh century. Aramaic words frequently pop up in Biblical text, such as 'Abba, Father, ‘and place names including Gethsemane - the place where Jesus took his disciples to pray before his arrest - are thought to have an Aramaic root. No-one really knows whether Jesus could write. Some experts believe he could speak Hebrew.Opinion is divided as to whether the religious leader knew any Greek or Latin. At a meeting in Jerusalem, Mr Netanyahu told the Pope: ’Jesus was here, in this land. He spoke Hebrew,’ in a bid to discuss the strong ties between Judaism and Christianity. To which the smiling Pope corrected: ‘Aramaic. He spoke Aramaic, but he knew Hebrew.’ Most historians accept that Jesus existed, although the events of his life are far from concrete. Dr Sebastian Brock, emeritus reader in Aramaic at Oxford University told BBC News that both leaders are correct. Hebrew was the language of scholars and the scriptures, while Jesus would have used the Aramaic tongue for his everyday conversations, he explained. Most Biblical scholars agree that Jesus (illustrated) and his disciples spoke Aramaic, which was the common language of Judea in the first century AD as well as perhaps a little Hebrew. But opinion is divided as to whether he know any Greek or Latin . Most scholars agree that Jesus spoke Aramaic in Bible, which was also the predominate language used by Mel Gibson in his film, The Passion. People also spoke Latin and Greek during the time of Jesus, while Arabic arrived later in Palestine. Jonathan Katz, stipendiary lecturer in Classics at Oxford University, does not believe that Jesus – a carpenter’s son from Galilee – would have spoken any more than a few words of Latin. The language was largely spoken by Roman soldiers and was the language of law. It is slightly more likely that Jesus would be more familiar with Greek, which was used by administrators across the Roman Empire. But again, Dr Katz does not think that Jesus would have been fluent. According to Jewish historian Josephus, Greek was seldom spoken at all in first century Israel and that it was extremely rare for a Jew to know any Greek. Despite the holy leader’s influence, it is unlikely that Jesus could write in any language, Dr Brock said. However, there is one account of Christ writing in the dust in John’s gospel. The account of events though does not stipulate which language Jesus was using, or whether he was drawing. | At a meeting in Jerusalem, Israel's prime minister told the Pope that Jesus spoke Hebrew and the Pope corrected him by saying 'Aramaic'
Historians believe that Hebrew was the language of scholars and scriptures, so Jesus probably spoke both dialects .
Christ may have spoken a few words of Latin and Greek .
No-one knows the language he spoke for sure, or whether he could write . |
174,517 | 6ddf06baeb62def7f1d9e5d8af2ddf0918084774 | By . Hugo Duncan . PUBLISHED: . 19:41 EST, 6 March 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 19:42 EST, 6 March 2014 . 'Worried': CBI president Sir Mike Rake criticised politicians who offer 'headline-grabbing policies which sometimes appear aimed at securing votes' A leading businessman last night launched a thinly-veiled attack on Ed Miliband, warning that an anti-business government would damage the economy and cost jobs. Sir Mike Rake, president of the CBI and chairman of BT, said the economic recovery is ‘increasingly being exposed to political risk’. Although he did not identify the Labour leader by name, he criticised politicians who offer ‘headline-grabbing policies which sometimes appear aimed more at securing votes than encouraging investment and job creation’. He said: ‘Business is increasingly worried about policy interventions such as on energy, banking, tax and land ownership.’ The comments, in a speech at the Lord Mayor’s Trade and Industry Dinner at Mansion House in London, were seen as a clear attack on Mr Miliband’s increasingly Left-wing agenda. The Labour leader has pledged to freeze household energy bills for 20 months if he becomes Prime Minister in a move that could cost jobs and investment and lead to blackouts. Mr Miliband has also threatened to split up the banks, reinstate the 50p top rate of tax, raise corporation tax for some of Britain’s biggest employers, and confiscate land off private developers. The range of policies has sparked panic in boardrooms across the country amid fears that a Labour victory in 2015 would herald the arrival of the most Left-wing and anti-business government since the 1970s. Sir Mike said it was crucial that private enterprise is encouraged to prosper, create jobs and drive growth in the economy. ‘The business community is a force for good, has created and is creating jobs,’ he said. ‘It’s the only way we can ensure this recovery benefits all.’ Sir Mike praised the current government for ‘sticking to its guns on tackling the deficit’ which hit a record £157.3billion under Labour. He added: ‘The government has done well in progressing a positive business tax environment and as a result we are much more competitive globally.’ But Sir Mike bemoaned the government’s failure on infrastructure - including the lack of action to increase airport capacity in the south-east of England. ‘We cannot afford further delays,’ he said. The CBI now expects the economy to . grow by 2.6 per cent this year following expansion of 1.8 per cent in . 2013 - the best performance since 2007. Sir Mike said: ‘The UK is doing better. The pace of our economic recovery has surprised us and our near neighbours.’ He urged George Osborne to ‘priorities measures to boost business investment and trade’ in the Budget this month. ‘For . business investment to flourish we need a pro-enterprise, pro-business . agenda to allow productivity to increase so that growth will mean an . actual increase in levels of prosperity for all,’ he said. Vows: Ed Miliband has pledged to freeze household energy bills for 20 months, threatened to split up the banks, reinstate the 50p top rate of tax, raise corporation tax, and confiscate land off private developers . The CBI, which represents 240,000 companies across the UK, also flagged Scottish independence as a major risk to the economy. Sir Mike said: ‘Clearly, the decision about whether or not Scotland becomes independent is a matter for the Scottish voter. But many will want to know, and are indeed now asking, what the effect of independence will be on Scotland’s economy and business environment. ‘It is the CBI’s considered view that the economic effects of independence would be deeply destabilising and create significant uncertainty which is bound to affect investment and jobs. ‘This is why we believe that Scotland and the United Kingdom stand stronger together - and weaker apart - in today’s interconnected and global world.’ A Treasury spokesman said: ‘The Government’s long term economic plan is working. But the recovery is not yet secure and the biggest risk to the recovery would be abandoning the plan that’s providing economic security for hardworking people.’ | Sir Mike Rake says economic recovery 'increasingly exposed to political risk'
He criticises politicians for 'headline-grabbing policies' to win votes .
Comments seen as attack on Ed Miliband's increasingly Left-wing agenda . |
220,496 | a96847218ec06e95f9aa3de34c287c70192a7d0e | Total fights 35 . Wins 33 . Wins by KO 24 . Losses 2 . Draws 0 . Carl Froch is close to sealing the dream Las Vegas fight with Julio Cesar Chavez Jnr that will complete his career bucket list. The 37-year-old has given thought to retiring since his stunning stoppage of George Groves in May, not least because his hopes of boxing in the world’s fight capital had apparently died with Chavez’s reluctance to face him. Those talks with the Mexican former world champion resumed at the weekend, however, and further significant discussions are scheduled for later this week. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Froch v Groves highlights . Carl Froch, 37, is close to sealing the dream Las Vegas fight with Mexican Julio Cesar Chavez Jnr . Chavez Jnr after winning the WBC World Middleweight Title bout with Sebastian Zbik in Los Angeles . Froch’s promoter Eddie Hearn told Sportsmail that the fight would likely mean Froch vacating his IBF super-middleweight world title, for which James DeGale is the mandatory challenger. Froch with his partner Rachael Cordingley after beating George Groves at Wembley . But he would then stake his WBA belt against Chavez for a multi-million payday in Vegas. Froch said: ‘I’ve said before if I can’t fight in Vegas I’ll probably call it a day. It has to be big, and Chavez Jr is that man, and I have had a good chat with my promoter and we are making good progress with that fight and hopefully we’ll have an announcement soon.’ Hearn, who believes the fight would most likely happen in early 2015, added: ‘As we all know, anything can happen in boxing, but I am hopeful that a fight can be made with Chavez in Las Vegas. ‘Chavez’s situation with his promoters, Top Rank, is complicated, but one way or the other I believe this fight will now take place. 'For Carl, it has always been his dream to fight in Vegas so it is a fight we will try hard to finalise. ‘It had seemingly died in the water, but I took a call from Top Rank on Saturday and they wanted to explore the possibilities further. 'I am now expecting to be on a conference call with Chavez’s representatives later this week where we will try to make more progress.’ If Froch vacates, DeGale will likely fight for the belt early in 2015, with Hearn considering a Wembley bout between Froch and DeGale next summer if they both emerge unscathed. VIDEO Froch v Groves highlights . The 37-year-old has given thought to retiring since his stunning stoppage of George Groves in May . | Carl Froch could complete career bucket list with a fight against the Mexican .
The 37-year-old thought about retiring since beating George Groves in May .
Talks with former world champion Chavez Jnr resumed at the weekend .
Froch’s promoter Eddie Hearn told Sportsmail that the fight would likely mean Froch vacating his IBF super-middleweight world title . |
45,193 | 7f649bd2501e02839c1b4d0eee229e986e64ae23 | The biological mother of Maria, the blonde girl found in a Roma camp in Greece, has had five of her nine other children taken into care. The Telegraph reported state authorities have taken the children from the home of Bulgarian couple Sasha and Atanas Ruseva. Sasha Ruseva, 35, was proved to be the biological mother of the four-year-old via a DNA test after an international appeal was launched to reveal the girl's true identity. Taken away: Sasha Ruseva (pictured here holding daughter Penka, two), the biological mother of Maria, has had five of her children taken from her . Maria: The four-year-old girl was found after a police raid in Farsala, Greece . Maria was found living in Farsala after a police raid two weeks ago, and Bulgarian authorities have said they will ask Greece to hand her over. Mrs Ruseva, and her two youngest children - Nasko, three, and Penka, two - were moved to housing in Stara Zagora, the regional capital 25 miles from the Roma ghetto on the outskirts of Nikolaevo where the family lived. Kosyo Kosev, the mayor of Nikolaevo, said: 'Social services have decided to settle Mrs Ruseva and her two youngest children in social housing while the other five under age will be re-homed for the time being either in a state institution or with foster families.' The couple also have a two older daughters, aged 20 and 18, who are married and have children of their own. Maria is currently being cared for by . the Smile Of The Child Charity in Athens. She will stay there until . state authorities decide what will happen to her next. Bulgaria's State Agency For Child Protection (SACP) wants Maria returned. Eva Zhecheva, head of the SACP, said: 'Bulgarian . authorities are ready to take full responsibility for Maria now that it . is known she is the child of Bulgarian nationals.' Maria will most likely be taken to a crisis centre or placed in foster care . until she is either returned to her biological family, or found a . permanent home. 'Maria will remain there until a solution is found for her upbringing – a return to her biological family, a placement with relatives, or in a foster home or state institution,' Mrs Zhecheva said. 'We are awaiting a decision from Greek authorities as whether she will be transferred to Bulgaria.' Moved: Mrs Ruseva, and her two youngest children, Nasko, three, and Penka, two, were moved to housing in Stara Zagora, the regional capital 25 miles from the Roma ghetto on the outskirts of Nikolaevo where the family lived (pictured is Sasha and Atanas Ruseva with Penka) Fake parents: Christos Salis, 39, (right) and Eleftheria Dimopoulou, 40, (left) are the Greek Roma couple with whom Maria was found in Farsala. Both have been charged with child abduction and falsifying documents . Mrs Ruseva said she wants Maria to live with her. She is under investigation for allegedly selling her child in Greece where she and her husband were working as olive pickers, before returning to Bulgaria. She denies receiving money for the child and insists she meant to return for her but 'was too poor and then another two babies came along'. Christos Salis, 39, and Eleftheria Dimopoulou, 40, the Greek Roma couple with whom Maria was found in Farsala, have been charged with child abduction and falsifying documents. Their lawyers are expected to appeal the charges and the couple have said they will apply for custody for the child they have brought up 'like their own'. DNA tests on both Dimopoulou and Salis found that they were not biologically related to Maria . | Sasha Ruseva, 35, proved to be biological mother of four-year-old .
Ruseva has been moved to social housing with her two youngest children .
Says she now wants Maria to live with her .
Maria is currently being cared for by Smile Of The Child Charity in Athens .
Greek Roma couple with whom Maria was found have been charged . |
241,331 | c465cc740f7bf68411e97ba3ada5b4d8ce0375e6 | (CNN) -- Dozens of flights were delayed at India's New Delhi airport Monday after lizards, birds and jackals strayed on to a runway to seek refuge from the monsoon rains. Kids play cricket through a downpour in New Delhi as monsoon rains came early to the area this week. Animal rescuers rounded up the critters and moved them to habitats outside airport property. But the operation delayed several flights and shut down the runway for some time, airport spokesman Arun Arora said. Kartick Satyanarayan of the conservation group Wildlife SOS said the animals descended on the runway in search of dry ground. His group works with the airport to move wildlife from airport property to a sanctuary on the outskirts of the capital. "It's been raining cats and dogs the last two days. And when it rains like this, water goes in and fills the burrows of these animals," he said. "The runway," he added, "is the only safe area. So they come out." While monsoon rains typically sweep across the subcontinent in early June, they usually do not reach the capital city of New Delhi and other regions in northern India until early July. Watch how Indians cope with monsoon waters » . They came about two weeks early in the northern part of the country this year, killing at least 20 people in landslides, home collapses and floods. The airport sits on more than 2,000 acres that, over the years, have become home to jackals, porcupines, dogs, cats and a variety of birds. Arora would not say how many flights were delayed during the rescue operation. The airport handles 13,000 domestic and 9,500 international passengers a day. "(The) numbers are speculative as it is difficult to attribute delays to bad weather, strong winds, birds or animals," Arora said. In the past, animals on the runway have disrupted flights at the airport -- particularly during the monsoon season, Satyanarayan said. "The monitor lizards -- they look frightening but they are harmless animals," he said. "But they can grow about three to four feet long. And at the velocity a plane lands, the [lizards] can still cause damage." | Jackals, monitor lizards and birds descend on runway at New Delhi airport .
Animal invasion delays flights as wildlife group comes to the rescue .
Animals take to runway to dry off and warm up after monsoon rain . |
195,231 | 88ba14317cea7f8c7e7b67cd45169e12e61fe327 | Chelsea youngster Thorgan Hazard is set for a season-long loan move to Germany, with Borussia Monchengladbach his expected destination. The 21-year-old, who is the brother of established Chelsea star Eden Hazard, has spent the last two seasons on loan at Belgium side Zulte Waregem. He won the Belgium Player of the Year award last season and was close to breaking into the national team ahead of the World Cup. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Thorgan Hazard pull off a Maradona turn . Young gun: Chelsea winger Thorgan Hazard (L) looks set for a loan move to Borussia Monchengladbach . Mr Versatile: The winger has impressed during two seasons on loan at Belgian side Zulte Waregem . Sibling rivalry: Thorgan's older brother Eden is currently starring for Belgium at the World Cup in Brazil . Schalke, Wolfsburg and Borussia Monchengladbach are all understood to have held discussions with Chelsea and the final decision is expected to be made by the player in the coming week. Monchengladbach believe that they will secure his signature, with sporting director Max Eberl telling the Rheinischen Post: ‘We were always going to make an attacking signing, no matter what the situation is with Luuk de Jong and Peniel Mlapa, and this will be Thorgan Hazard. ‘We have exchanged contracts with Chelsea and we have agreed with Thorgan, we have all agreed and now just need to sign the contracts.’ Wanted man: Hazard has attracted interest from a number of clubs in Germany and the Premier League . Is he just there because of who his brother is? Not quite – it looked . like a vanity move at first but the second of four footballing Hazard . brothers has impressed during a loan spell last season, leading him to . this point. What has he done to show his potential? He won the . Belgian player of the year award last season and narrowly missed out on . a World Cup squad spot behind Adnan Januzaj. During his time with loan . club Zulte Waregem he was subject of a poaching attempt by Anderlecht . and even briefly was named club captain in a bizarre turn of events. Will he ever make it at Chelsea? It’s . proven difficult for anyone to break through at Stamford Bridge after . loan spells. Thorgan is still a long way from being a Blues star but . Chelsea will hope this loan can act as a platform. Oliver Todd . | Thorgan Hazard is closing in on a loan move to the Bundesliga .
The Chelsea winger has spent the last two seasons at Zulte Waregem .
He won the Belgium Player of the Year award last season .
Borussia Monchengladbach believe they are close to signing Hazard . |
82,072 | e89a934660dff0f6e19273416624625195b5f430 | (CNN) -- Dr. Rajiv Shah President Obama announced Wednesday that Shah, the 36-year-old administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development, will be in charge of the overall U.S. relief effort in Haiti. "The goal of the relief effort in the first 72 hours will be very focused on saving lives," Shah said. At Shah's USAID swearing-in ceremony on January 7, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said, "One only needs to ask his wife, Shivam, the lengths to which Raj will go to achieve important goals. After all, this is a man who flew to India for one day to propose to her at the Taj Mahal when she was traveling there alone. This is also a man who summited the 14,400-foot Mount Rainier -- one of the most difficult climbs in the continental United States, and it combines the challenges of an unforgiving glacier with the unpredictability of an active volcano. That may be the best preparation Raj has for working in Washington these days." According to his USAID biography, Shah, a medical doctor and health economist, was an under-secretary at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Prior to joining the Obama administration, Shah served as director of agricultural development at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. In 2001, Shah was the health care policy adviser on the Gore 2000 presidential campaign and a member of Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell's transition committee on health. In addition, he has served as a policy aide in the British Parliament and worked at the World Health Organization. USAid.gov: Biography of Dr. Rajiv Shah . US State Department: Swearing-In Ceremony of Dr. Rajiv Shah . Jimmy Jean-Louis The Haitian native and cast member of the TV series "Heroes" was searching for his elderly parents in Haiti on Wednesday afternoon. Jean-Louis learned that a house he had grown up in had collapsed, killing several of his relatives. "I have not slept yet. The second house that I grew up in was down, and some relatives have died, from what I have been told," Jean-Louis said yesterday. "I haven't been able to reach my parents. I have heard that they are OK, but I do not know what is going on around them." Jean-Louis was born in Petionville, Haiti, where he grew up without electricity or running water. He moved to Paris, France, when he was 12 to pursue a modeling career and had supported his parents by sending money home since he started acting nearly 20 years ago. He is the founder of Hollywood Unites for Haiti, a nonprofit organization whose original mission was to provide sports and cultural education to underprivileged youth on the island. The group is now mobilizing for disaster relief. CNN: 'Heroes' actor searching for parents after earthquake . Pat Robertson The evangelical Christian, who once suggested God was punishing Americans with Hurricane Katrina, says a "pact to the devil" brought on the devastating earthquake in Haiti. Officials fear more than 100,000 people have died as a result of Tuesday's 7.0-magnitude earthquake in Haiti. Robertson, the host of the "700 Club," blamed the tragedy on something that "happened a long time ago in Haiti, and people might not want to talk about it." The Haitians "were under the heel of the French. You know, Napoleon III and whatever," Robertson said on his broadcast Wednesday. "And they got together and swore a pact to the devil. They said, 'We will serve you if you will get us free from the French.' True story. And so, the devil said, 'OK, it's a deal.' " Native Haitians defeated French colonists in 1804 and declared independence. CNN: Pat Robertson says Haiti paying for 'pact to the devil' Martha Coakley and Scott Brown With less than a week to go until a special Senate election in Massachusetts, the state's airwaves are packed with campaign ads as Democrat Martha Coakley and Republican Scott Brown battle to fill the last three years of the late Sen. Ted Kennedy's term. Groups outside of the state are supporting the two candidates to the tune of millions of dollars. Brown is hoping to become the first Massachusetts Republican to win a U.S. Senate seat since 1972. Independent Joseph Kennedy, a third party candidate who is not related to the late senator, is also in the race. The Boston Globe endorsed Coakley on Wednesday, saying the state's current attorney general is more qualified to serve in Washington than her Republican opponent. Brown, a state senator, "believes in a culture of family, patriotism and freedom" and "is a proud member of the Massachusetts National Guard, where he has served for nearly three decades and currently holds the rank of Lt. Colonel in the Judge Advocate Generals (JAG) Corps," according to his Web site. CNN Political Ticker: Coakley endorsed by The Boston Globe . CNN Political Ticker: Campaign ads flood Massachusetts TV . Brown for U.S. Senate campaign site . Coakley U.S. Senate campaign site . Teddy Pendergrass The R&B legend died Wednesday evening at a hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the city where he was born. He was 59. Pendergrass, known for smash-hit love ballads such as "Turn Off the Lights" and "Love TKO," died after a long illness, according to Lisa Barbaris, who described herself as a close friend and his last publicist. His family did not reveal details about his illness, but said it was related to complications from a 1982 car accident, Barbaris said. The crooner, affectionately known as just "Teddy" by many fans, started in music with a group called the Cadillacs in the late 1960s and was still with the group when it merged with Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, according to his official Web site. He began as a drummer, but soon became the lead singer after the group heard his powerful voice. In 1972, Pendergrass' baritone could be heard on the classic Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes song "If You Don't Know Me by Now." After going solo, Pendergrass received several Grammy nominations, Billboard's 1977 Pop Album New Artist Award, and an American Music Award for best R&B performer of 1978, Barbaris said. In 1982, Pendergrass was involved in a car accident that left him paralyzed. But he returned to the studio in 1984 in his wheelchair to record an album. Before his death, Pendergrass was working on a musical documenting his life, called "I Am Who I Am." CNN: R&B singer Teddy Pendergrass dies at 59 . What makes a person intriguing? There are people who enter the news cycle every day because their actions or decisions are new, important or different. Others are in the news because they are the ones those decisions affect. And there are a number of people who are so famous or controversial that anything they say or do becomes news. Some of these people do what we expect of them: They run for office, pass legislation, start a business, get hired or fired, commit a crime, make an arrest, get in accidents, hit a home run, overthrow a government, fight wars, sue an opponent, put out fires, prepare for hurricanes and cavort with people other than their spouses. They do make news, but the action is usually more important than who is involved in the story. But every day, there are a number of people who become fascinating to us -- by virtue of their character, how they reached their decision, how they behaved under pressure or because of the remarkable circumstances surrounding the event they are involved in. They arouse our curiosity. We hear about them and want to know more. What they have done or said stimulates conversations across the country. At times, there is even a mystery about them. What they have done may be unique, heroic, cowardly or ghastly, but they capture our imaginations. We want to know what makes them tick, why they believe what they do, and why they did what they did. They intrigue us. | 36-year-old doctor, health administrator takes lead on U.S. effort in Haiti .
Televangelist says Haitian pact with Satan brought on deadly earthquake .
Race to fill Ted Kennedy's Senate seat comes down to the wire . |
255,507 | d6b8b031ff1c477f4cc06955cc315f56768526b1 | Posters for the hit musical Spamalot jokingly announce that it was ‘lovingly ripped off from the motion picture Monty Python and the Holy Grail’. But there’s at least one man who’s unlikely to find that statement very funny. He is Mark Forstater, who produced the original 1975 film and is now suing the Monty Python team for a share of the profits from the hugely successful stage spin-off. Reunited: Michael Palin, Eric Idle and Terry Jones all gave evidence to the High Court . Mr Forstater, 69, described yesterday . as the ‘seventh Python’, claims he was promised an equal share of all . Holy Grail merchandising and off-shoots – along with stars Michael . Palin, Eric Idle, John Cleese, Terry Jones, Terry Gilliam and Graham . Chapman. Spamalot has already grossed more than £110million during a four-year stint on Broadway. Yesterday, a judge at London’s High . Court heard how Mr Forstater, of Queens Park, West London, was in . financial difficulties having been declared bankrupt. His lawyer Tom . Weisselberg said the row broke out after the ‘huge international . commercial success of Spamalot,’ which is currently running in the West . End. He said that for financial purposes, Mr Forstater should be treated as ‘the seventh Python’. The Palace Theatre in London, where Spamalot! premiered in 2006 . He told Mr Justice Norris: ‘This claim . arises out of a dispute regarding profit-sharing of revenues from the . British comedy film Monty Python and the Holy Grail. ‘Regrettably, the parties have not . been able to resolve the dispute. Mr Forstater is in difficult financial . circumstances and has been forced to bring these proceedings.’ He said the claim concerns the . interpretation of a profit-sharing agreement signed by Mr Forstater with . the Pythons’ company back in 1974, the year before the Holy Grail film . was released. The six Pythons: The comedy pioneers took on the legend of King Arthur in the 1975 film, which descended into typical Python madness within approximately 30 seconds . Victorious: Film producer Mark Forstater has won his High Court battle over royalties for the Monty Python spin-off musical Spamalot . Mr Forstater claims he signed an agreement to allow him one seventh of the Pythons’ share of any merchandising and spin-offs. The surviving Pythons claim this sum . was only ever 1/14. Exactly how much Mr Forstater is claiming was not . stated in court, but after the hearing he told the Mail he was seeking a . ‘ball-park figure’ of £250,000. Mr Weisselberg added: ‘We say it is . common ground that Mr Forstater was entitled to a share in the . merchandising and spin-off from the film. The dispute relates to the . extent of that entitlement. ‘The outrage expressed by a number of . Pythons in their witness statements as to the suggestion that Mr . Forstater was to be treated as the seventh Python is, with respect to . them, misguided.’ Jones, 70, Palin and Idle, both 69, . attended the start of the five-day hearing yesterday. They are expected . to give evidence next week. However, Cleese, 73, who lives in Monaco, . and Gilliam, 72, who is filming in Romania, will not appear. Written by . Idle, Spamalot opened on Broadway in February 2005 and moved to the West . End the following year. The sell-out musical, a comic take on the story . of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, has now returned for . another run in London. Monty Python's Spamalot! The play is inspired by the Holy Grail film from 1975 . Palin is reported as referring to the . money-spinning musical, which includes the hit number Always Look On The . Bright Side Of Life, as his ‘pension plan’. Forstater is also claiming entitlement to money from the film company Freeway Cam which owns the copyright to the Holy Grail. The hearing continues. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article. | Mark Forstater claims he is the 'seventh member' of the Monty Python gang .
Film producer of 'Holy Grail' is seeking royalties for Spamalot stage spin-off .
West End mega-hit could net him hundreds of thousands of pounds .
Michael Palin, Eric Idle and Terry Jones set to give evidence at High Court . |
220,233 | a90ba4180175a5ead8383b85b4073c3d35948cf2 | Alex Song has spoken of his excitement at facing Mario Balotelli when Liverpool travel to face West Ham - but will urge his 'brother' not to score against the Hammers on Saturday. Both players returned to the Premier League this summer after stints abroad, and the Italian scored the first goal of his Reds career in their Champions League victory over Ludogerets in midweek. And Song, who made his Hammers debut against Hull on Monday night after joining on loan from Barcelona, told The Sun that he can't wait to face Balotelli during Saturday's evening kick-off. Alex Song faces off with Hull's Gaston Ramirez during his West Ham debut on Monday night . Mario Balotelli looks focused in training as Liverpool prepare to face West Ham on Saturday . The Italian got off the mark for Liverpool by netting against Ludogerets in the Champions League on Tuesday . 'Mario is a strong player and a strong character. I love him because when people talk about him in a bad way, he can't wait to show people they are wrong. 'He goes out and it's like he says, "Look at me I am a bad guy but I can score a lot of goals". 'During games you want to be the winner and sometimes you have to do things you don't want to do. You know you have to be an example for the young kids and everyone makes mistakes. When you see guys on the pitch, you can sometimes think they are arrogant but they are not. Outside of football you see a different face on the man. Song being presented to the West Ham fans during their 3-1 defeat against Southampton . The midfielder has joined the Upton Park club on loan after two underwhelming seasons at Barcelona . And Mario Balotelli joined Liverpool from AC Milan after 18 months in Serie A . 'I have seen him do lots of things to make people smile. You can't buy smiles. At the World Cup I saw that he was doing lots of things for young people in Brazil, he was helping young kids. 'Last December I went to Guinea for a charity to help the poor and I asked him if he would sign a shirt for me. He said, "Don't worry my brother" and two days later a signed shirt from him and one from Kaka arrived. 'I have not spoken to him yet since I came back but I will talk top him during the game. I will just tell him, "Don't score. Don't score today. You can score every other week - just not today".' | West Ham midfielder Alex Song can't wait to face Mario Balotelli .
Hammers set to face Liverpool in evening kick-off on Saturday .
Both men returned to the Premier League this summer after stints abroad .
Song will urge 'brother' Balotelli not to score against West Ham . |
28,105 | 4fa9e0e87de1714b4edfa67756053e7bf21ba82b | Washington (CNN) -- As President Barack Obama prepares to deliver one of the most important addresses of his presidency, the American public remains deeply skeptical and confused about his plan to strike Syria -- what it would accomplish, and whether it is even necessary now, given the Russian proposal to place Syria's chemical weapons stockpile under international control. With many Americans saying they are still unclear about what Obama wants to do, here are five questions the president must answer before he can begin to sway the court of public opinion in his favor. 1. Now that there may be a diplomatic alternative -- the Russian plan -- why does the U.S. still need to attack? This is the most important question of the day. In a major development, Syria has reportedly accepted the Russian proposal to hand over its chemical weapons stockpile to international control, but the details of what was actually agreed to are still murky. The White House is skeptical, cautioning that it could be a stalling tactic, but said it would take a hard look at the proposal. The Obama administration has agreed to work with French President Francois Hollande and British Prime Minister David Cameron, in consultation with Russia and China, to explore the viability of the Russian proposal. These efforts will begin Tuesday at the United Nations and will include a discussion on elements of a potential U.N. Security Council resolution. A stunning turn that could silence Syria war drums . Obama told CNN's Wolf Blitzer on Monday that he still needs the threat of military action in order to force a negotiated settlement. If he can win support from Congress for an attack, that threat will be an even more effective tool. Many members of Congress are pushing a nonmilitary route. Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, sent a letter to his constituents, citing other possible options: international coalitions, economic sanctions, war-crime tribunals. Two senators are drafting a compromise resolution that would hold off on a military strike and give Syrian President Bashar al-Assad the option to sign on to the Chemical Weapons Convention within the next 45 days. If he fails to do so, then a U.S. retaliation would be warranted. The president previously failed to garner meaningful international consensus for a military strike. Russia and China blocked any action at the Security Council. And at the G20 meeting last week, the president did not come away with additional international support, although 14 nations signed on to a letter condemning al-Assad's tactics in the civil war. But with the Russian deal on the table, now even Iran has said it would support removing chemical weapons from Syria. 2. Why should the U.S. be worried about what Syria allegedly did? Is it worth going to war? Obama must make a convincing case that the use of sarin gas in Syria was a moral abomination that the U.S. and the international community simply cannot tolerate, and that allowing it to go unpunished would leave an imminent and continued threat to U.S. national security. But, simply put, Americans are sick of war. In a CNN/ORC poll released Monday, six in 10 say the Iraq war was a mistake and about half say the same thing about the war in Afghanistan. Three-quarters say the U.S. shouldn't play the role of world policeman. Additionally, nearly seven in 10 say that it's not in the U.S. national interest to get involved in Syria's civil war. So the president must provide a really good reason to intervene in another messy conflict in the Middle East, where politics are far more complex than the secular two-party system in the United States. Even more, 72%, say a U.S. airstrike would not achieve significant U.S. goals. CNN Poll: Part of Syria strike opposition is the messenger's fault . Members of Congress have spoken about the same concern. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida, said on CNN's "The Lead" last week that there is "no military intervention at this stage" that could lead to an outcome favorable to America's national security interests. As part of the president's media blitz, National Security Adviser Susan Rice said Monday that al-Assad's use of chemical weapons "threatens the national security of the U.S." and Israel. She said every time chemical weapons are used, it "raises the likelihood" that terrorists will obtain the chemical weapons, which she said puts U.S. troops and diplomats overseas at risk and opens the door for use of other "weapons of mass destruction." Obama will have to make a direct connection to national security and American interests. But after Iraq, the bar to prove a national security threat to the United States seems to be much higher. 3. What would be the endgame? Obama will have to explain to the American people the goal of military strikes. He has said his goal is not to take out al-Assad or institute regime change or even to aid the rebels, but to enforce an international treaty outlawing chemical weapons. Deterring future use of chemical weapons and degrading Assad's chemical weapons stockpile are the reason for U.S. military intervention, Rice argued. Or, alternatively, Obama needs to show how critical congressional support -- and the support of the American people -- are to bringing Syria to the negotiating table to follow through on the Russian proposal. Either way, the president will have to succinctly and clearly explain his argument to the American people. Some question if "deter and degrade" would even work. Furthermore, is it reason enough, when nearly three-quarters of Americans say a U.S. airstrike would not achieve significant U.S. goals? U.S. Senate: How they'll vote on Syria strike . The administration promises limited military action. Rice has said the U.S. is capable of a limited strike, pointing to previous military engagements that lasted just hours, including a bombing campaign against Iraq in 1998. Secretary of State John Kerry said Monday that the campaign will be "unbelievably small." The president will have to explain exactly what the endgame is and precisely what "limited" means. 4. If the U.S. attacks, what if al-Assad retaliates? This is a major risk that concerns many members of Congress. If the U.S. military attack is extremely limited and al-Assad retaliates, what are the contingency plans? Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, asked that critical question: "What if we execute this strike and then he decides to use chemical weapons again. Do we strike again?" She said it's one of her biggest concerns. Al-Assad has said he would respond. "You should expect everything," he told PBS and CBS interviewer Charlie Rose. The American people are going to want to hear contingency plans for what happens next if American strikes don't cripple al-Assad's chemical weapons use. 5. Now that Syria has said it would comply with the Russian proposal, why does the president still need to address the nation? Obama told Blitzer he isn't so convinced that Syria is telling the truth. The administration distrusts Syria and its ally, Russia, and worries that the proposal to hand over its chemical weapons stockpile is simply a tactic to buy time and derail a potential U.S. strike. While the administration indicated that it will look into Syria's offer, the president doesn't want to get burned. So he will continue to press his case for a military strike. And if Syria's offer proves empty, the president won't have lost any time waiting on the sidelines. Syria's offer, however, has the potential to make Obama's sales job either easier -- or harder. If Syria is bluffing, the president can come back to the American people and make an even stronger argument for military action. But al-Assad has at least provided the illusion that the stubborn regime is open to an alternative, making Obama's task of persuading the public to favor a military strike a little more difficult. Still, the feeling inside the White House is that, given the Russian proposal, there may now be less urgency for a vote in Congress. White House officials tell CNN that their position has been strengthened since Syria embraced the proposal to turn over its stockpiles. However, if the U.S. and the international community believe Syria will turn over the stockpiles, but then al-Assad drags his feet, fails to comply, or, worse yet, launches another attack, Obama could come back and say, "We tried the diplomatic approach, but it failed," leaving the nation and the world no other alternative but to attack. CNN's Jim Acosta, Tom Cohen, Michael Pearson and David Simpson contributed to this report. | Obama is scheduled to address the nation Tuesday night from the White House .
He will need to answer several key questions for the American public .
Poll: Many think Obama has not done a good job explaining the need to attack Syria .
New Russian proposal on Syria's chemical weapons may alter Obama's message . |
70,425 | c79f3e85c012b5f1ae4b6364aa1a33f391ab48ea | Hong Kong, China (CNN) -- They are coming from cities across China, including Beijing and Shanghai: . Students are leaving mainland China for the opportunity to study in Hong Kong instead. "We are a small elite who can afford freedom beyond China's great firewall," says "Li Cheng" from Shanghai. Li, a student at the University of Hong Kong, did not want to disclose his real name or details about his study program, fearing consequences back home. "I live in one country, but it feels like having two identities," Li said. "In Shanghai, I use special software to access sites blacklisted by the government, like Twitter or the uncensored version of Google. "In Hong Kong, I am taught to integrate these tools in my research." In the past, students such as Li would have to travel to far-away countries to get around Beijing's control of information. Now, they are taking advantage of Hong Kong's special administrative status that allows for a "one country, two systems" rule until 2047. Hong Kong is nothing like mainland China in terms of its free flow of information, freedom of speech and multiparty political system. Those differences were recently emphasized by Google's row with the Chinese government over censorship. In March, Google announced it was routing its users to an uncensored version of the internet search engine based in Hong Kong, amid speculation that Google would pull out of China entirely. China's reaction to Google's announcement . "When Google redirected its site from China to Hong Kong, it meant a lot of publicity for our free harbor," said David Bandurski, a China analyst at the University of Hong Kong (HKU). He studies censorship issues. "[Google's] move has emphasized Hong Kong's significance in China, benefiting from the rule of law and its potential as a free information hub." Many young Chinese have explored that hub since 1997 when the the British colony was handed over to China, paving the way for Chinese from the mainland to apply to universities in Hong Kong. The influx of students applying from the mainland created fierce competition to enter Hong Kong's top universities. The number of mainland Chinese applying for HKU's undergraduate program has increased more than tenfold in the past decade. In 2008, some 12,000 mainlanders applied for the 300 slots that HKU reserves for students from mainland China. Li Cheng said he considers himself very lucky to be studying in Hong Kong . "Free access to information is a need and a privilege," he said. The influx of talent such as Li could signify a brain drain for mainland China, according to Bandurski. "Without political reform, economic growth in China will decline," he said. "Talents will leave China. Students and teachers who want to have more access to information are not dissidents anymore. They are becoming the mainstream." Asia's top five universities are now located in Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan -- outstripping their rivals in mainland China -- according to a recent ranking of QS, a higher education information network company. The top mainland school was Peking University in Beijing in 12th place, down from its previous ranking of 10. See Asian university rankings . The data show that "the tide has turned," according to Paul Denlinger, an internet consultant based in Hong Kong and Beijing. "During the dotcom era [of the 1990s], head-hunters were looking for talent from universities in Shanghai and Beijing," Denlinger said. "Now they are coming to Hong Kong." With new freedom at hand, only a few fresh HKU graduates have returned to the mainland. Last year, only 3 percent of HKU graduates from mainland China returned home to look for a job. That matches the trend of Chinese students studying overseas. More than 70 percent of the more than 1 million Chinese students abroad did not return home after graduation between 1978 and 2006, according to a report by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences . Aware of this brain drain, the Chinese government has recently introduced a plan to attract highly qualified students back to the mainland promising better living standards, including favorable access to medical care. But that hasn't tempted Li Chang who, like many of his friends, wants to stay in Hong Kong. "I love my country, but I don't want to give up on my right to access information," he said. | More students are leaving mainland China to study in Hong Kong universities .
Some say it's because of the government's restrictions to the internet .
Many who leave mainland China to study elsewhere never return .
China is trying to lure highly qualified students back by promising better living standards . |
226,430 | b131989eb6ac8e485ffc5e28bd2364ac36bbe6c6 | By . Rebecca Evans . PUBLISHED: . 19:04 EST, 16 December 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 17:42 EST, 18 December 2012 . Plastic banknotes are set to be introduced in Britain, replacing the paper money used for more than 300 years. The radical overhaul could see the more durable, waterproof and harder-to-counterfeit polymer sterling notes in circulation within three years. The Bank of England has put out a £1billion tender from 2015 for the printing of notes at its press in Debden, Essex. Paper money could be replaced within three years after being used for more than three centuries . Part of this process demands that bidders are able to cope with the change from paper to plastic from the start of the contract. Since 2003, the contract has been held by De La Rue – one of only two makers of polymer notes. The company, which prints more than 150 currencies, has just produced new plastic banknotes for the Pacific island of Fiji. Plastic notes were first introduced in Australia in 1988 as a measure against counterfeiting. They have proved a success, and are apparently particularly popular with surfers who are able to keep money in their pockets without it disintegrating. Other countries to issue polymer notes include New Zealand, Romania, Papua New Guinea, Mexico and Vietnam. In Northern Ireland, a plastic fiver was introduced in 1999 to mark the Millennium. The Bank's chief cashier Chris Salmon has already said plastic notes were being looked at as a possibility to replace paper money . Plastic notes last much longer than cotton fibre-based paper ones. For instance, an Australian $5 bill lasts about 40 months, against six months for a £5 note. Polymer notes are more hygienic as they absorb fewer bacteria, harder to tear or crease – making them easier for vending machines – and waterproof, even able to survive being put in the washing machine. A key feature is a clear window, which normally contains an ‘optical variable device’ that splits light into its component colours and is extremely hard to counterfeit. Plastic notes can also contain holograms. They are also more environmentally friendly as fewer need to be produced and they can be recycled. However, they are considerably more expensive to produce and would create an initial cost as ATMs and vending machines would have to be adapted to accept them. The Bank’s chief cashier Chris Salmon had already revealed it was investigating the possibility of polymer or plastic-coated banknotes. It is understood that the Bank will initially introduce lower denominations, such as the fiver, which are in wider use so become dog-eared more rapidly. De La Rue’s chief executive Tim Cobbold said: ‘If you think about the life of a banknote, it takes quite a hammering. 'It’s being folded, it’s being crunched, it’s in and out of wallets and it could be in the wet or dry.’ But financial expert David Buik, of the retail and trading services firm Cantor Index, believes the conversion to plastic notes should not be rushed. ‘I think it’s something that needs to be more carefully thought out,’ he said. ‘Money laundering is a huge problem and if the security measures introduced could be used to make notes more traceable, then that would be very good. ‘But it needs to be applied internationally, the major countries all need to be singing from the same hymn sheet.’ A spokesman for the Bank of England said: ‘No definite decisions have been taken yet but the Bank is considering all options.’ | Overhaul could see environmentally-friendly notes introduced from 2015 .
Have proved a success since being introduced in Australia in 1988 .
Plastic lasts much longer and are more hygienic but more expensive to make . |
203,451 | 935e407731063eb0a77ed0277ef90b4074999393 | By . Jill Reilly . PUBLISHED: . 08:39 EST, 12 September 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 11:29 EST, 12 September 2012 . Claims: Jamie Kuntz says he was kicked of the North Dakota State College of Science football team for being gay . An 18-year-old freshman linesman has claimed he was kicked off a college football team for kissing his boyfriend, 65, in a press box. Jamie Kuntz was told he was dismissed because he lied about his actions, but he believes the real reason was because it was a gay kiss. He has since left North Dakota State College of Sciences in Wahpeton which he attended on a partial football scholarship. North Dakota State College of . Sciences in Wahpeton acknowledges Mr Kuntz was disciplined by the team, but . says it wasn't because he is gay. Football coach Chuck Parsons told Mr . Kuntz in a letter that he was removed from the team for lying about the . kiss. Mr Kuntz said he and his Boyfriend were in the press box at the game against Snow College in . Pueblo, Colo., over Labor Day weekend. Mr Kuntz was videotaping the game for . the team. His Wildcats were down by more than 40 points when 'the kiss . just happened,' he said. The team would eventually lose 63-17. 'People around here aren't exposed to . it,' Mr Kuntz said of homosexuality. 'People expect gays to be flamboyant, . not football players.' A teammate apparently saw the kiss . and told coaches, Mr Kuntz said. When Mr Parsons confronted Mr Kuntz on the bus . ride back to North Dakota, he told him the man he kissed was his . grandfather. 'I lied,' Mr Kuntz said. Later, he felt guilty about lying and came clean to his coach. In . a Sept. 3 dismissal letter Mr Parsons . told Mr Kuntz he was being ousted from the team under the 'conduct deemed . detrimental to the team' category outlined in guidelines in the team's . player's manual. Mr Parsons specifically noted the manual's section on . 'lying to coaches, teachers or other school staff.' Dismissed: Jamie has since left North Dakota State College of Sciences in Wahpeton which he attended on a partial football scholarship . 'This decision was arrived at solely on the basis of your conduct during the football game; and because you chose not to be truthful with me when I confronted you about whom else was in the box with you,' Parsons wrote. 'Any conduct by any member of the program that would cause such a distraction during a game would warrant the same consequences.' Mr Kuntz doesn't believe he was dismissed just for lying. 'I know if it was a girl in the press box, or even an older woman, nothing would have happened,' he said. 'If it was an older woman, I would have probably been congratulated for it from my teammates.' School officials said that they were investigating whether this was the first such instance of someone being kicked off the football team for lying. John Richman, North Dakota State College of Science president, said other players have been kicked off the team for various reasons, though he couldn't say whether any before had been booted specifically for lying. Mr Richman said he believes Mr Kuntz's case was handled 'fairly and consistently' by the athletic department. 'I'm very confident that with the information that's been provided to me by our football coach, Chuck Parsons, by our athletic director, Stu Engen, that the thought process, the facts that were reviewed, have led them to an appropriate and the right decision in this case,' Mr Richman said yesterday in an interview at the college. Mr Kuntz said he told his mother that he was gay at the same time he told her he was kicked off the team. 'I'm struggling with it,' said Rita Kuntz, choking back tears. 'I love Jamie and I'm proud of him, but I know what the school did was wrong.' Mr Kuntz said he met the man online more than a year ago. Kuntz said the man, whom he would not identify, lives in Colorado and the two have met there a few times in recent months. As far as his football career, Mr Kuntz says he's not giving up. He may pursue it as a walk-on at another university outside North Dakota. 'I miss it already,' he said. | Jamie Kuntz was told he was dismissed because he lied about his actions, but believes the real reason was because it was because it was a gay kiss .
Kuntz was videotaping the game for the team. His Wildcats were down by more than 40 points when 'the kiss just happened,' he said . |
159,321 | 59f171f29ac2e0c8452e13befe29138e4c1263da | By . Steve Nolan . PUBLISHED: . 14:14 EST, 5 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 14:39 EST, 5 December 2013 . A former security guard who posed as a wealthy investor to con £625,000 from a high-flying German businesswoman has been found guilty of fraud. Rizwan Butt, 45, tricked company chief executive Talke Stauss by pretending to be a go-between for a potential $1.5 billion dollar investment into her hedge fund. Mrs Stauss, 46, held a series of business meetings with Butt at top London hotels The Dorchester and The Ritz - not realising the bachelor had been living with his mother in a £56,000 inner city terraced house in Longsight, Manchester. Charm: Talke Stauss, left, was duped by security guard Rizwan Butt, right, into paying a $1m deposit for a bogus investment . Modest: The home in Longsight, Manchester, where Rizwan Butt lived with his mother while posing as a billion-dollar investment adviser and renting a Bentley to visit top London hotels like the Ritz . She claimed that she was so in love with Butt that she believed his story. During the two month scam Butt went on 'a charm offensive' with his knowledge of finance, talk of introducing investors from the Middle East and of having a Swiss bank account. After one meeting he drove former semi professional tennis player Mrs Stauss back to her apartment in a Bentley and later professed his love for her. When he asked for a million dollars as a returnable 'security deposit' to clinch the deal, Mrs Stauss and her husband Roman, 44, agreed to transfer the money to Butt’s bank account without carrying out any checks on his background. Trial: Mr and Mrs Stauss, who were conned out of £625,000, hid their faces as they left court . Roman Stauss, 44, said he knew paying a cash deposit was unusual but he agreed because Butt was from the Middle East . But the alarm was raised after Eddie George a fellow director at ATG Investment Managers Ltd found out about the deposit and was so worried, he himself researched Butt to discover he in fact ran a cleaning company with net assets of just £657. Mrs Stauss realised she had been duped when she returned from a business trip she had enjoyed with Butt in Shanghai with a plan to leave her husband - only to be faced by Mr George insisting her lover was a fraud. When Mrs Stauss asked for the money back, Butt - who had flown home early - sent a text message saying: 'Talke my dear. No problem my love. They should have it by five this evening. Take care love. Kisses.' Four weeks later when police caught up with Butt he was at the wheel of a black Audi Q7 carrying £1,000 in cash. He had recently bought a house for £175,000 and had a black Mercedes parked in the driveway. The Bentley turned out to be rented and before the scam he drove a 2003 Honda Accord. Before the scam, Butt worked as a security guard, lived with his mother and had bought his new house with a £30,000 deposit he borrowed from two friends. Rizwan Butt, left, had claimed he had not conned Talke Stauss, right, and the deal fell through because her investment firm did not have a relevant trading licence . Fraud: The black Mercedes in which Rizwan Butt, 45, arrived at Manchester Crown Court . At Manchester Crown Court Butt, who is the sole carer to his mother who is 72 years old and undergoing cancer treatment, showed no emotion as he was convicted of fraud by false representation after jurors took an hour and 50 minutes to reach their verdict. He claimed the $1.5b deal would have gone through but it failed as ATG did not have a relevant trading licence. He will be sentenced on December 20 and faces a Proceeds of Crime hearing. Butt was granted bail on condition he surrenders his passport and does not contact Mr and Mrs Stauss. But the judge Mr Justice Peter Openshaw said: 'The fact I have granted him bail is not in any way to be taken as any indication of sentence.' Wealth: Three of the meetings were at London's prestigious Dorchester Hotel, pictured, the court heard . The home in Denton, Greater Manchester, where Butt was living when apprehended by police . Rizwan Butt, pictured outside Manchester Crown Court, has been granted conditional bail and will be sentenced later this month . Sorry we are unable to accept comments for legal reasons. | Rizwan Butt promised high flying Talke Stauss a $1.5bn investment .
But the 45-year-old bachelor lived with his mother in £56,000 terraced house .
He told Stauss, 46, he loved her and met her at the Dorchester and the Ritz .
She paid Butt a $1m security deposit after being 'fooled by rented Bentley'
His firm in Longsight, Manchester, was found to have assets of just £657 .
The security guard bought a £175,000 house, an Audi and a Mercedes .
Butt was granted conditional bail and will be sentenced on December 20 . |
92,774 | 0356c4df0e7690d21ef211c609919b307942ef4e | Islamic State militants are employing identical torture methods used by the Syrian government they have vowed to overthrow. Prisons taken over by the Islamic extremists are now doling out the same brutal practices on their victims, which Assad's forces used to punish rebels like them for decades. Victims of ISIS claim they are now using well-known punishments like 'the tyre', the 'flying carpet' and the 'German chair'. Activists in Raqqa revealed how they were tortured using a method known as the 'shabeh', which roughly translates to 'ghost' in Arabic. It involves tying the victims' arms behind their backs using handcuffs - which are then used to hoist the body into the air, putting extreme pressure on the shoulder sockets. Hazm al-Hussein, who was tortured by an Islamic State leader once imprisoned by the regime, said: 'All you think about is the pain. Scroll down for video . Invasion: Islamic State have near-total control over the city of Raqqa (pictured), where those trying to relay images of their suffering to the outside world, are arrested and tortured . Enemy: It's thought Islamic State are copying the torture methods used by President Bashar al-Assad's (pictured) regime - who they've vowed to overthrow . Execution: Earlier this week, Islamic State threw a man off a building after accusing him of homosexuality . 'You can't think about anything else. You just have to be patient. If you get angry, they will just take your head off. You know they want to do it.' Jimmy Shahinan was given the 'shabeh' every four days for four months until his arms dislodged from their sockets. The ghost: The hands are tied behind their back with handcuffs, which are then used to suspend their bodies in the air. The German chair: Victims are strapped to a chair whose back is adjusted abruptly at will to cause extreme spinal damage. The flying carpet: Victims are strapped down to a hinged board. The ends are then brought towards each other to bend the spine. The tyre: Victims are placed inside a large tyre - rendering them immobile - before they're mercilessly beaten . According to Richard Spencer, reporting for the Telegraph in Gaziantep, it took four months for the feeling in his hands to return. The repercussions of the same torture still haunt a man simply known as 'Samir'. He twitches uncontrollably as a result, and hopes to obtain a visa so he can travel to the West for medical treatment. In Raqqa and elsewhere, Amnesty has claimed that torture in Islamic State prisons is reaching 'chilling levels'. Mr Shahinan was also punished with the 'German chair', where his body was strapped to a chair, whose back was adjusted at will to inflict extreme pain on the spine. He said: 'They hanged me upside down in an upturned chair. 'They came and did this every day for four days. This is a traditional way to torture people in Syria. They leave you there hanging for anything from two to 12 hours.' Amnesty International reports suggest the 'shabeh' has been carried out in the country for years, if not decades. Earlier this year, Islamic State fanatics left another man, Hazm-al-Hussein, hanging from his wrists for three days. Two years prior, the same man was arrested by the Syrian government who tortured him using a method called 'the tyre'. He was put inside the rim of a large tyre, rendering him immobile, before he was physically beaten. Torture: Both Islamic State militants and Assad's regime are accused of using methods of punishment known as 'the ghost', the 'German chair' and 'the tyre' Regime cruelty: A police photographer who defected from Assad's regime, earlier this year revealed graphic evidence 55,000 deaths in state-run prison cells since the start of the uprising. Inhumane: Amnesty international claim that torture in Islamic State prisons has reached 'chilling levels' The cruelty of Syrian prisons has been well documented for years - long before the revolution inspired by the so-called Arab Spring. Now, Samir claims they have made 'an art for out of torture. In another known as the "flying carpet", victims are strapped down to a board, and the ends brought towards each other to beind their spines. A police photographer who defected from Assad's side, earlier this year revealed graphic evidence 55,000 deaths in regime cells since the start of the uprising. | Punishment methods have been used by Syrian government for DECADES .
Now ISIS are copying the same brutal techniques once used against them .
They include 'the ghost' where victims are hung by their wrists for days .
One man's arms dislodged from their sockets due to constant punishment .
Another still twitches uncontrollably from torture he says IS have perfected . |
185,083 | 7bc0f7f76500e4a9e285a8879e9a8b6cea2d53c0 | Newmarket officials are searching for a rapid outcome after being left in the unsatisfactory position of having to potentially make significant changes to its prestigious Autumn 2015 two-year-old programme. The race switches will mean schedules published in diaries and calendars, important sources of information as racegoers plan visits to the Jockey Club-owned track, will be out of date. It also means further upheaval at a venue which controversially lost the Group One Champion Stakes to Ascot in 2011 much to the annoyance of many of its regular attenders. Newmarket are considering making significant changes to its prestigious Autumn 2015 schedule . Definitely moving is the Group One Middle Park Stakes, which will revert to its tradition slot during the Cambridgeshire Festival on Saturday 26 September. The one-year experiment of staging Future Champions day 24 hours before Champions Day at Ascot appears over while a new option of running the Group One Dewhurst Stakes on Saturday 10 October has still to be confirmed. Amy Starkey, Regional Director of the Jockey Club’s East Region, welcomed the new date of the Middle Park but conceded both the composition and date of other race days had still to be finalised. Starkey said: ‘We can move of the Dewhurst Stakes but it does not mean we will. We will act in the best interests of Newmarket, the Jockey Club and British racing. There are a number of options and we are working through them with the BHA.’ The latest changes have been sanctioned by the European Pattern Committee which agrees race slots on the international calendar. Brian Kavanagh (left) says the European Pattern Committee have reluctantly given their approval . Staging the six-furlong Middle Park and seven-furlong Dewhurst on the same Future Champions day card was another controversial 2011 move. The fact there should now be the traditional two-week gap between the races will be seen as a victory over the fixture-list tinkermen, who pay little attention to tradition. Brian Kavanagh, chairman of the EPC, said: ‘Having the Middle Park Stakes over six furlongs and the Dewhurst Stakes over seven furlongs on the same programme is not ideal. ‘The British authorities initially came to us with these changes and believed in them at the time. Somewhat, reluctantly the EPC gave its approval at the time and we are now going back to a preferable outcome. It is still not perfect but it is an improvement.’ The switches in the British fixture list have been allowed because the French authorities requested the Group One Prix Jean Luc Lagardere, run at the Longchamp Arc meeting, be extended from seven furlongs to a mile, so not presenting a proximity clash with the Dewhurst. Jonjo O'Neill's Holywell could run in Saturday's galliardhomes.com Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham . Meanwhile, Jonjo O'Neill's Cheltenham Gold Cup hope Holywell is a fascinating possible entry in Saturday's galliardhomes.com Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham. The gelding, a winner at the last two Cheltenham Festivals, has failed to win in his two steeplechase runs this season, unseating at Aintree in December on his last effort. But his record at the Festival means he is still prominent in the Gold Cup betting. Entries for the Cleeve, a notable trial for the World Hurdle in March, also include Paul Nicholls-trained Saphir Du Rheu, who reverts to hurdles after failing to complete on two of his three novice chase starts, Beat That, Cole Harden, At Fishers Cross, novice Blaklion, and Reve De Sivola. Trainer Oliver Sherwood is hoping his Hennessy Gold Cup winner Many Clouds can take another step towards the Cheltenham Gold Cup when he runs in the BetBright Cup Chase at the course on Saturday. | Newmarket are considering making significant changes to its prestigious Autumn 2015 schedule as Middle Park Stakes reverts to traditional spot .
The European Pattern Committee have reluctantly given their approval . |
109,609 | 194a7c42a69ed1752c50dcbd9b69ccbafc8e0217 | Ahead of this weekend's Premier League action, Sportsmail will be providing you with all you need to know about every fixture, with team news, provisional squads, betting odds and Opta stats... Here is all the information you need for Chelsea's home clash with Swansea... Chelsea vs Swansea City (Stamford Bridge) Kick-off: Saturday 3pm . Odds (subject to change): . Chelsea 2/7 . Draw 9/2 . Swansea 9/1 . Referee: Kevin Friend . Managers: Jose Mourinho (Chelsea), Garry Monk (Swansea) Head-to-head league record: Chelsea wins 11, draws 8, Swansea wins 5 . Team news . Chelsea . Diego Costa will be given every opportunity to prove his fitness ahead of the Premier League clash with Swansea after withdrawing from Spain duty with a hamstring injury. Manager Jose Mourinho may opt to hand Loic Remy his debut, following his signing from QPR, with Wednesday's Champions League fixture with Schalke in mind. Diego Costa is a doubt for Chelsea after picking up a hamstring injury while with Spain . Mourinho reported no further injury problems ahead of the fixture with the Swans, who like the Blues have begun the season with three wins from three games. Provisional squad: Courtois, Cech, Ivanovic, Luis, Fabregas, Zouma, Ake, Ramires, Oscar, Hazard, Drogba, Mikel, Schurrle, Salah, Remy, Costa, Matic, Willian, Schwarzer, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta, Christensen, Boga, Baker. Swansea . Swansea striker Wilfried Bony will be checked before manager Garry Monk finalises selection for the top-of-the-table match with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Bony was part of the Ivory Coast side which lost an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Cameroon on Wednesday evening and Monk will consider the effects of that long journey on the 25-year-old before deciding whether to name an unchanged side for the fourth successive Barclays Premier League game. Swansea boss Garry Monk will check on the fitness of Wilfried Bony before selecting him to face Chelsea . Bafetimbi Gomis stands by should Bony be rested to the bench and Marvin Emnes could join the squad for the first time this season after hamstring trouble but midfielder Leon Britton has been ruled out for at least four more weeks with a knee injury. Provisional squad: Fabianski, Rangel, Amat, Williams, Taylor, Ki, Shelvey, Dyer, Routledge, Sigurdsson, Bony, Tremmel, Fernandez, Tiendalli, Carroll, Montero, Gomis, Emnes, Bartley, Richards, Fulton, King, Kingsley, Sheehan. Key match stats (supplied by Opta) Chelsea have won all three Premier League home meetings with Swansea and are unbeaten in six overall in the competition versus the Swans (W4 D2). The Swans did win 2-0 at Stamford Bridge in the League Cup in January 2013, however, with Michu and Danny Graham on the scoresheet. Didier Drogba scored on his one previous appearance against the Swans, in a 4-1 home win back in September 2011. Diego Costa has scored four goals in three Premier League games; Fernando Torres took 39 games to reach this figure for Chelsea. Swansea have never beaten Chelsea in the Premier League but memorably triumphed at Stamford Bridge in a League Cup match in 2013, with Danny Graham taking the ball past Ross Turnbull before scoring in a 2-0 win . Only Eden Hazard (7) and Fernando Torres (5) got more goal assists for Chelsea in 2013-14 than Cesc Fabregas already has in 2014-15 (4). Chelsea and Swansea are the only two sides yet to drop a point this season (P3 W3). Gylfi Sigurdsson has scored one and assisted four of Swansea’s six league goals this season. He has assisted as many goals in three appearances this term as he did in 58 for Tottenham overall in the Premier League. The Swans have already claimed 21 per cent of their entire points total from last season (9 of 42) in only three games. Indeed Garry Monk’s side have won four consecutive games for the first time in the Premier League. This is only the second time in Premier League history that the top two sides in the table have faced off as early as this in the campaign (MD4). Then-leaders Chelsea beat second place Tottenham 2-0 in August 2005. | Diego Costa to be given late fitness test following hamstring complaint .
Spaniard's injury could hand Chelsea debut to Loic Remy .
Wilfried Bony fitness to be checked for Swansea ahead of Chelsea clash .
Bafetimbi Gomis stands by if striker is ruled unfit following internationals .
Marvin Emnes set to return from hamstring strain .
Leon Britton ruled out for further four weeks with injury . |
169,534 | 676533854d6fa901921a87693570581ff2f18398 | By . James Chapman . David Cameron said he would step down as Prime Minister if he could not guaranteed an EU referendum . David Cameron has suggested he would resign if he fails to deliver his pledge to hold a referendum on Britain’s membership after the next general election. He accepted voters were ‘sceptical’ about his promise but insisted: ‘I would not continue as Prime Minister unless it can be absolutely guaranteed this referendum will go ahead on an in-out basis.’ Mr Cameron last night also made clear that a referendum is a ‘deal breaker’ in any future coalition negotiations – insisting it could not be ditched if he were to fail to win an outright majority and seek a new power-sharing deal with Nick Clegg. ‘This is a guaranteed part of our plan... I can’t make it any clearer than that,’ he said. ‘This is a totally key part of our plan.’ The US-style 'telephone town hall' events have been quietly organised for Downing Street by PR firm inHouse Communications. V . oters are emailed asking if they would like to join a conference call with the Prime Minister. Last night's was the second time Mr Cameron has deployed the new campaign tactic. Mr Cameron has pledged to hold a referendum on Britain’s future in Europe by the end of 2017 if he remains in Downing Street, whether or not he succeeds in negotiating substantial changes in our relationship with Brussels. But he made it clear he wants to see changes to the EU’s fundamental treaties ahead of the vote in 2017. ‘I’m giving myself some time to negotiate these changes – two years after the election to fix this renegotiation,’ he told a conference call with handpicked members of the public. ‘But people can absolutely be guaranteed that if I am Prime Minister after the next election, that referendum will take place.’ His remarks come amid a growing focus on the EU ahead of next month’s elections to the European Parliament. Polls suggest Ukip are on course to win. Boris Johnson yesterday attacked the ‘continual deceit’ that Britain can control immigration while remaining members of an EU with an unrestrained right to free movement. The London Mayor said voters realised the Government was ‘not doing anything’ about ‘completely untramelled’ migration from the Continent. His intervention came as Ed Miliband’s policy guru warned Labour risks losing support to Ukip because it has become too ‘middle class’ and needs to address concerns about immigration and welfare. Boris Johnson yesterday attacked the 'continual deceit' that Britain can control immigration while remaining members of an EU with an unrestrained right to free movement . Lord Glasman, a policy adviser elevated to the House of Lords by the Labour leader, warned the support of the working classes had ‘died’ in 2010 and the rise of Nigel Farage’s party was eating into his party’s ‘heartlands’. His blunt message came as another poll suggested Ukip is on course to win the European elections on May 22, which Mr Farage has claimed will trigger a ‘political earthquake’ in Britain. Mr Johnson said Tories ‘shouldn’t be talking about what other parties are going to do about the EU’, but should focus on it being the only major party offering voters a referendum on Britain’s future in Europe. He also told Total Politics magazine that significant reforms to the right to free movement were needed to win back trust. Mr Cameron has suggested changes to the rules will be among his demands in a proposed renegotiation of Britain’s relationship with Brussels ahead of a referendum in 2017. ‘We are living in cloud cuckoo land,’ Mr Johnson said. ‘One of the reasons people are so angry about immigration... it’s the continual deceit that we can somehow solve this problem whilst remaining members of the EU. They can see there’s a massive incoherence in the argument.’ | PM suggested he would resign if he fails to deliver referendum pledge .
Would be a 'deal breaker' in any future coalition negotiations, he added .
'This is a guaranteed part of our plan... I can’t make it any clearer,' he said . |
225,394 | afdf7aef0af490bda9e81849855467bafe97e5ca | Questions surround the death of a 17-year-old Colorado girl who jumped out of a moving car and was struck dead by oncoming traffic on a major highway. Catrina Fox was sitting in the passenger seat as her mother drove on a Colorado highway when she suddenly opened the door and jumped out in the very early hours of Saturday morning. Catrina was hit by a fellow teen who was driving his 2001 PT Cruiser and died at the scene. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO . Tragic: Catrina Fox, 17, was being driven by her mother when she jumped out of the passenger seat of the car into oncoming traffic and died . Mystery: Friends and family have no clear answers about why Catrina decided to jump out of the car Saturday . Witnesses saw something on the highway immediately after the crash and swerved to avoid hitting it. After stopping to see what it was, they found the girl's mother, whose name has not been released, distraught trying to understand what happened. 'That's my daughter. Is she alive?' the woman asked Dean Krakel who stopped his car to see what was going on. He said that it was immediately clear that the girl was dead. 'I've never seen anything like that. She just got hit at full speed,' Mr Krakel told The Denver Post. 'It was horrific.' No reasons have been given for why . Catrina jumped out of the car, though police have said that they do not . believe alcohol or drugs were a factor. Her mother told investigators that the girl kicked out the door and jumped out of the moving car. Catrina worked at a Denver catering . company at the time of her death, but according to her Facebook wall she . was gearing up for a move to California. The . days before her death seemed happy and filled with good news as she . announced that she passed the first half of her high school equivalency . exam and was taken off probation for an unknown prior offence. Scene: Catrina died on Highway 285 near Kipling, Colorado . 'It feels good to be smilin again. i knew i just needed to focus on me for awhile [sic],' she wrote on January 18. Family friend Cali Shields, who owns a gardening shop in town where Catrina's mother works, was left devastated when she heard the news. She told 9news.com: 'The first thing that came to mind was her mom because she works here and I'm really close with her. 'I know she was a little bit troubled and upset about a lot of things. She was in and out of court. '[But] she started just accepting life how it was and being happy about it. I know she started to talk about plans to move to California and she was so excited.' The . boy who was driving the Cruiser that hit and killed Catrina has been . cooperating with police and immediately stopped the vehicle after the . crash. There have been no charges filed against the boy, whose name has also not been released because he is a minor. Catrina was hit by a teenage boy who was driving a 2001 PT Cruiser similar to this one . | 'That's my daughter - is she alive?' asked mother after Catrina Fox inexplicably jumped into the freeway . |
281,108 | f8276b02141576f6835277443e2bdf8477024e6f | (CNN) -- Bagpipes aren't a sound one readily associates with Greece. Yet along with the menacingly slow beat of a drum, they're the soundtrack of one of the country's more unusual historic tours. A small group, illuminated by gas lanterns, is standing at the foot of a medieval moat at the entrance to one of Europe's best-preserved medieval cities and a UNESCO World Heritage site -- the Old Town in Rhodes. A guide dressed as one of the Knights of Saint John is leading the tour, dredging up some of the island's more sinister history, including how Sultan Suleiman the Great used fallen bodies from his own army to cross the moat during the 1522 Siege of Rhodes. Experiencing the 'new' Greece . Perhaps even more surreal than this somewhat kitsch historical re-enactment is the fact that it was conceived by one of the island's most exclusive resorts: Lindian Village (Rhodes; +30 22440 35900; rooms from $213; Medieval Mystery Tour $203 per person). This year, the property launched a series of unique offerings under the heading "Experience Greece." Other excursions include a fishing expedition on a caique (a traditional wooden fishing boat), beauty treatments performed with natural Greek products (yogurt, honey and lemon) and wine tastings from small vineyards in the surrounding Dodecanese islands. Mariza Sviriadis, the hotel's managing director, says the idea came to her during the six-year economic crisis that brought much of the country to its knees. "The whole of Greece, it was like a small war," she tells CNN. While many properties on the island reacted by pushing out all-inclusive packages -- essentially keeping tourists indoors and away from local businesses in dire need of cash -- Sviriadis decided to take the opposite approach. She launched "Experience Greece" to get guests out of the hotel, and to promote sites that, though deserving, had remained under the radar for far too long. "I wanted to show that there was more to Greece than that, and more to Greece than feta cheese," she says. "The crisis forced us to change the way we were thinking, and to get creative. Before, we could be a bit arrogant. Now, we have to be the best." Nothing to lose . Sviriadis isn't alone. Throughout Greece, the recession is changing tourist offerings, giving them a new slant. "The crisis is the best thing that happened to me," says Tina Kyriakis, founder of Alternative Athens (+30 6948 405 242; tours from $60 per person). Kyriakis worked in marketing for a multinational corporation before she was laid off in 2010. Two years later, she launched her own tourism company. Like Sviriadis, she noticed that tour offerings in Athens had been stuck in a rut. "I looked around at what existed in Athens in terms of tourism and it was all very standard, very stereotypical, all 'ancient Athens'," she says. "There is so much more to Athens than just the ancient part. "It's a very complicated city and you have to get under its skin to understand it and appreciate it. So that was the concept." In addition to its quirky walking tours (among the most popular are a graffiti tour and a guided walk through the "enchanted forests" outside the city), the company pairs visitors with Athenian gourmets, who host four-course supper clubs in their apartments. She now hosts two tours a day, attracting up to 25 visitors at a time. If it weren't for Greece's economic slump, she says she might never have found the courage to start the venture. "It was the kick in the butt I needed. I could either go back to the corporate world, which doesn't have a future in Greece any more, or I could do this. "So I just jumped in and did it, because there was nothing I could lose." Beyond the package vacation . There are many regions in Greece that package tour operators miss, regions that are only recently starting to find their voice. The island of Milos is a case in point. Sure, it's home to Phylakopi, a bronze-aged settlement that lays claim to being one of Europe's oldest cities. It also possesses a history of mineral extraction that would set any geologist's heart aflutter and is where the Venus de Milo was uncovered. Yet it has been largely overlooked by tour operators, low-cost airlines and visitors alike. "We're not that kind of destination. We have small family-run hotels that focus on service and quality rather than volume," says Antonis Mallis, who runs boutique travel agency Travel Me to Milos (+30 22870 41008; packages from $40 per person per day). "We don't have hotels where you can go in and sell, sell, sell. "That's why tour operators don't like us that much. We're a headache. Mallis started his company in 2011 after leaving a lucrative position at an insurance company to return to his home island. "The majority said, 'are you crazy? You're leaving a very good, well-paying job for something like this?'" Mallis recognized that Milos had a lot to offer travelers: ancient thermal baths, underwater caves, an old pirate lair, third-century catacombs decorated with Christian murals. He also recognized that no one was talking up the island's assets, or making them accessible. "It's easy to go online and get a cheap room. It's not easy to get in-depth knowledge of a destination. "If someone contacts us, we can tell them where to go, or which way the wind is blowing that day." Mallis supplies more than weather updates. His specialty is archeology and geological tours, which highlight some of the island's incredible scenery. He's also teamed up with other vendors on the island to offer a range of sailing and hiking expeditions. He recently introduced cooking lessons that showcase the island's local cheese and produce. "As a young boy, I'd remember seeing the odd, small German group walking around the island, but that was it. Now, we have something more organized, we're reaching more markets, and we're seeing progress," he says. Other tours . Other examples of off-the-beaten path experiences abound, many introduced by local companies launched in the last few years. Eumelia . Frangiksos Karelas converted his family farm into an agro-tourism venture that includes a range of holistic activities, including yoga retreats, mountain biking, olive picking and wine making. Eumelia, Laconia; +30 21303 69814; see website for tours and prices . Biolea . Producing one of the few single-estate olive oils in Greece, this organic farm uses a traditional stone mill, and runs free tours of the grounds by appointment. Visitors get a rare glimpse into the Cretan olive oil tradition. Biolea, Crete; +30 2824 023281 . Bioporos . An organic farm on the southwest coat of Corfu, Bioporos lies between the only cedar forest in the Mediterranean and a Blue Flag beach. Visitors can eat at the organic restaurant on site, participate in farming activities, learn traditional methods of cooking (the premises doesn't use electricity) or detox with the help of magnetic therapy. Bioporos, Corfu; +30 2661 076224 . Kinsterna Hotel . Housed in a 13th-century manor and surrounded by 18 acres of olive groves, vineyards and citrus trees, the Kinsterna Hotel seems a slice of paradise. It opened its doors in 2010, and has since introduced a range of exotic activities. Guests can harvest the estate's olives and grapes (with their feet), try their hand at soap making, basket weaving or fishing, or can simply tour some of the nearby scenery, including the Jurassic era Kastania Cave. Kinsterna Hotel, Monemvasia: +30 27320 66300; rooms from $241 . Avli Hotel . Among other culinary offerings, Crete is known for its snails. At the Avli Hotel, guests can go on a morning excursion through the mountains to gather the shelled creatures, which are later served for lunch or dinner. Avli Hotel, Crete; +30 28310 58250/26213; from $241 for two nights, two people . Ikarian Winery . Located in one of the "blue zones" (one of five areas in the world known for the exceptional longevity of the local population), the friendly, family-run Ikarian Winery draws in guests with its affordable (and perhaps life-lengthening) cooking and wine courses. Food and wine seminars last up to six days (there's accommodation on the premises), though those short of time can opt for a wine tasting (served with snacks). Ikarian Winery, Ikaria; +30 22750 31151; six day courses from $400 per person . Milia Mountain Retreat . Milia Mountain Retreat, an eco-lodge in Crete, teams with Natour Lab to offer five- and seven-day gastronomy workshops that focus on the island's culinary traditions. Guests even get to play beekeeper at a local honeybee farm. Cooking lessons are broken up by nature hikes, beach bumming and a vineyard tour. Mila Mountain Retreat, Crete; +30 28210 46774; cooking workshops from $127 . | Greek financial crisis has inspired innovation in country's tourism industry .
Tina Kyriakis, the founder of Alternative Athens, offers tours of the city's best graffiti .
Antonis Mallis left a lucrative job to start a travel agency promoting his home island of Milos . |
8,150 | 170948acc50f38a4112593b1a74f09d86d3db53d | The Belgium team enjoyed the 'Red Devils Family Day' on Saturday ahead of the nations Euro 2016 qualifier against Andorra next month. Having reached the quarter-finals of the summer's World Cup finals in Brazil, only to be beaten 1-0 by eventual finalists Argentina, Marc Wilmots and Co spent time with supporters in the Belgian city of Ostend; signing autographs, posing for photos and even appearing on stage. With a squad full of Barclays Premier League stars, Chelsea frontman Eden Hazard showed off perhaps the best hidden talent as he spent time on the decks. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Belgium's Ciman beati Mignolet with incredible overhead kick . DJ Hazard: Chelsea star Eden spun the decks during Belgium's 'Red Devils Family Day' on Saturday . On their way: The Belgium squad posed for a snap on the team coach ahead of meeting their fans . Team effort: The Belgium squad stand on stage and acknowledge the many fans in Ostend . The 23-year-old played some tunes while Adnan Januzaj went head-to-head with a football freestyler as the Manchester United star bid to show who had the best skills. Everton striker Romelu Lukaku, who was joined by his 20-year-old brother Jordan, told RTBF: 'The season has started and everyone wants to be here. 'There is good competition within the national team and no one is ever sure of their place. All the players want to show off to the coach . 'The level of training is higher than at the big clubs because we play with the best Belgian players.' For the fans: Belgium skipper Vincent Kompany signs one young supporters football shirt . Skills: Manchester United star takes on a football freestyle during the 'Red Devils Family Day' Keeping it in the family: Romelu Lukaku (right) and his brother Jordan share a joke on stage . | Belgian squad entertained fans by signing autographs and posing for photos .
Eden Hazard took a turn as a DJ on the decks .
Belgium take on Andorra in their first Euro 2016 qualifier next month . |
40,389 | 71fc44bf2da63416ee6da73b68ce9bde634c8e12 | With England having flown back home from Brazil after a humiliating group stage exit, fans who stayed out to enjoy the rest of the World Cup have had to find a second team. And some have resorted to the unthinkable, supporting Germany in their quarter-final against France in Rio de Janeiro. Three fans were at the Maracana for the last-8 clash wearing England shirts, but with German flags painted on their faces. Treachery: The three fans wearing England shirts but with German flags painted on their faces . Loyal: England fans had to find a new team to follow for the rest of the tournament after an early exit . Blamed: Roy Hodgson's team failed to win a single game in Brazil, finishing bottom of Group D . The England fans were in no doubt who was . to blame for their treachery, holding up a banner which said 'Look what . you've done to us Roy'. England finished bottom of Group D after defeats to Italy and Uruguay before drawing with group winners Costa Rica. Despite the poor performances of the Three Lions the English fans in Brazil backed Hodgson's men throughout, even once they had been eliminated from the tournament. Strike one: Mario Balotelli's header saw Italy beat the Three Lions 2-1 in their opening game in Manaus . All over: Luis Suarez's two goals, and Italy's defeat to Costa Rica, sent Hodgson's men packing . | Fans wearing England shirts paint German flags on their faces .
Germany taking on France in World Cup quarter-final .
England finished bottom of Group D . |
284,680 | fcdc05f4f9d860c715ae806283151ea40e74cc90 | By . David Kent . Smiles better: Thomas Muller posted this picture on his Facebook and Twitter accounts on Monday . Thomas Muller has recovered from a horror head injury and is ready to face the United States in Germany's final World Cup group clash. The Bayern Munich striker ended Germany's 2-2 draw with Ghana on the turf following a nasty clash of heads with defender John Boye. Muller, who scored a hat-trick in Germany's opening game match against Portugal, was left with blood pouring from the wound just above his right eye. But the striker has urged his fans 'not to worry' and says the Germans, among the favourites to win the tournament in Brazil, have targeted a place at the summit of Group G. A draw in Saturday's match against the United States will be enough for Joachim Low's side to ensure top spot. 'Thanks for the many well wishes, Muller said accompanied with a picture of his face, on his Facebook count. 'All good with me, even if I look a little like a boxer. 'Do not worry, I'm well again. My cut was expertly sewn from Doc after playing with five stitches, so I already have a clear view, even if the eye is still a little green and blue. 'On Thursday we enjoy a tough match against the USA. But what is clear: We want to be first in the group! And with your support we will make it!' Bloody mess: Muller is left on the turf with blood pouring from his head after clashing with Ghana's John Boye . VIDEO Sweden 3 v 5 Germany - Qualifying . | Muller posted the picture of his face on his Facebook and Twitter accounts .
The Bayern Munich striker sustained the head injury in the draw with Ghana .
Muller scored a hat-trick in Germany's opening 4-0 victory against Portugal .
And the 24-year-old is confident Germany will finish top of Group G . |
28,870 | 51f5f7295c68d4d0d9e503f3f487a90981530902 | ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- Marty Gardner faced strict standards when she started training to be what was then known as a stewardess in 1954 for Delta Air Lines: Being young and single were conditions for employment, and weight, girdles, hats and gloves were monitored closely. Her flying career ended after five years. Marty Gardner wore her 1955 uniform to the Delta Clipped Wings anniversary celebration in Atlanta. "You had to quit when you got married. That was the rule," said Gardner, 73, a member of Delta Clipped Wings, an organization of retired and longtime flight attendants. Still, Gardner and other members of the group that gathered this week on Delta's Atlanta, Georgia, campus to celebrate the Clipped Wings' 50th anniversary said they loved their jobs. "It was a lot of fun. We got to know the passengers," Gardner said. "A lot of times we had the same passengers back and forth." Marriage restrictions for flight attendants were relaxed after the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; men joined the ranks in the 1970s; and by 1994, Delta's female flight attendants were allowed to fly up to 26 weeks into pregnancy. As the profession and the industry have changed and grown, a sense of adventure seems to be a common thread for the Clipped Wings. Ann Chapman, 62, was a teacher before starting a 32-year career as a flight attendant in 1969. "I was teaching seventh- and eighth-grade history and geography, and I had never been anywhere," Chapman said. "And 32 years later I still haven't been everywhere I want to go." Audio slide show: Hear more about flight attendants' professional experiences » E-mail to a friend . | Delta flight attendants describe how their jobs changed over the years .
For more than two decades, flight attendants could not be married .
Delta allowed men to become flight attendants in 1973 . |
40,486 | 7246c19c83860f008ca465d944c2255c77e0a617 | PUBLISHED: . 07:20 EST, 28 February 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 08:41 EST, 28 February 2013 . It may look identical to the spirograph patterns created by children - but in fact this incredible image shows the path of a space telescope. It shows NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, which orbits our planet every 95 minutes, building up increasingly deeper views of the universe with every circuit. Its wide-eyed Large Area Telescope (LAT) sweeps across the entire sky every three hours, capturing the highest-energy form of light -- gamma rays -- from sources across the universe. Scroll down for video . This spirograph-like pattern shows the path of an orbiting telescope's field of view over the period of 51 months it spent in low Earth orbit observice a pulsar . Pulsars are neutron stars, the crushed cores of massive suns that . destroyed themselves when they ran out of fuel, collapsed and exploded. The blast simultaneously shattered the star and compressed its core into . a body as small as a city yet more massive than the sun. The result is . an object of incredible density, where a spoonful of matter weighs as . much as a mountain on Earth. Equally incredible is a pulsar's rapid . spin, with typical rotation periods ranging from once every few seconds . up to hundreds of times a second. The amazing images were captured over the 51 months the Large Area Telescope (LAT) on the Fermi gamma ray observatory was observing the Vela pulsar. 'The pattern reflects numerous motions of the spacecraft, including its . orbit around Earth, the precession of its orbital plane, the manner in . which the LAT nods north and south on alternate orbits, and more,' said Nasa. Eric Charles, a physicist at the Kavli Institute for . Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology and the SLAC National Accelerator . Laboratory at Stanford University in California, has transformed data of a famous pulsar into a mesmerizing movie that visually encapsulates the spacecraft's complex motion. The movie renders Vela's position in a fisheye perspective, where the . middle of the pattern corresponds to the central and most sensitive . portion of the LAT's field of view. 'The pattern created in the Vela movie reflects numerous motions of the . spacecraft,' says Nasa. 'The first is Fermi's 95-minute orbit around Earth, but . there's another, subtler motion related to it. 'The orbit itself also . rotates, a phenomenon called precession. 'Similar to the wobble of an . unsteady top, Fermi's orbital plane makes a slow circuit around Earth . every 54 days.' The amazing images were captured over the 51 months the Large Area Telescope (LAT) on the Fermi gamma ray observatory was observing the Vela pulsar . The movement creates beautiful patterns over time as engineers tweak to position of the spacecraft . In order to capture the entire sky every two orbits, scientists . deliberately nod the LAT in a repeating pattern from one orbit to the . next. It first looks north on one orbit, south on the next, and then . north again. An original spirograph set . Spirograph was a hugely popular children's toy in the 1970s and 70s. It was developed by British engineer Denys Fisher and first sold in 1965. The geometric drawing toy produces mathematical roulette curves of the variety technically known as hypotrochoids and epitrochoids. It was able to create a huge range of different patterns when the 'wheels' used were changed, allowing an almost limitless number of variations. A Spirograph consists of a set of plastic gears and other shapes such as rings, triangles, or straight bars. There are several sizes of gears and shapes, and all edges have teeth to engage any other piece. For instance, smaller gears fit inside the larger rings, but also can engage the outside of the rings so they rotate around the inside or along the outside edge of the rings. Patterns created using the Spirograph . Every few weeks, the LAT deviates from this pattern to . concentrate on particularly interesting targets, such as eruptions on . the sun, brief but brilliant gamma-ray bursts associated with the birth . of stellar-mass black holes, and outbursts from supermassive black holes . in distant galaxies. The Vela movie captures one other Fermi . motion. The spacecraft rolls to keep the sun from shining on and warming . up the LAT's radiators, which regulate its temperature by bleeding . excess heat into space. The LAT's sensitivity to gamma rays is greatest in the center of its wide field of view and decreases toward the edge. LAT scientists regard the effective limit of the instrument's field of view to be 78.5 degrees (red circle) from its center . | Image shows the path of NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope .
Captured over 51 months as engineers tweaked the craft's path as it observed the Vela pulsar . |
93,631 | 0462a0b82f2382a2b0b7413f4dc9b351bc386219 | Madrid, Spain (CNN) -- A Spanish court is requesting an arrest warrant for alleged Nazi war criminal John Demjanjuk. In a ruling dated January 7 but released Friday, Spanish Judge Ismael Moreno Chamarro said Demjanjuk is accused of being "an accomplice to the crimes of genocide and crimes against humanity." The indictment said more than 150 Spaniards were imprisoned at the Flossenburg concentration camp, where Demjanjuk allegedly was a guard. Sixty of them died, according to evidence cited in the judge's ruling. The ruling orders that a European arrest warrant be issued for Demjanjuk, who is currently on trial in Germany on charges of being an accessory to thousands of murders during World War II. He was extradited there from the United States in 2009. Demjanjuk lost a U.S. Supreme Court case against his deportation. His lawyers had asked the high court to consider their claims that he was too ill and frail to be sent overseas. They also raised human rights and other legal issues. In the German trial, his defense attorney there has argued that the court was imposing a "moral and judicial double standard." The retired auto worker from Cleveland, Ohio -- a native Ukrainian -- was a prisoner of war during the conflict, and would have been killed had he not done what the Nazis ordered, the defense team argued in 2009. The Munich state prosecutor brought the charges against Demjanjuk for his alleged role at the Sobibor death camp in Poland, where the Nazis and their accessories killed at least 167,000 people, according to the U.S Holocaust Memorial Museum. Relatives of victims have joined the prosecution's case in Germany. The accusations against Demjanjuk date to the late 1970s, when the U.S. Justice Department accused him of being a Nazi guard known as "Ivan the Terrible." His U.S. citizenship was revoked in 1981, and he was extradited to Israel in 1986. Demjanjuk was convicted in an Israeli court in 1988 and sentenced to death, but that conviction was overturned in 1993 amid evidence that someone else was "Ivan the Terrible." A federal court restored Demjanjuk's citizenship, ruling the government withheld evidence supporting his case. But his citizenship was revoked again in 2002 after a federal judge ruled his 1952 entry into the United States was illegal because he hid his past as a Nazi guard. CNN's Al Goodman contributed to this report. | A Spanish judge says man was a guard at a concentration camp where 60 Spaniards died .
He is on trial in Germany on charges of being an accessory to thousands of murders .
He was extradited to Germany from the United States in 2009 .
Demjanjuk's lawyers have argued that he was a prisoner of war during the conflict . |
283,344 | fb09b424314af24c1eb85460f3487b9712df25f5 | United Airlines said on Thursday that it is notifying passengers who were on flights with a man later diagnosed with Ebola and telling them how to contact federal health officials. United said it is also telling passengers that officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) believe the man could not have spread the disease during the flights because he was not showing symptoms and was not yet contagious. On September 19, Thomas Eric Duncan flew from Liberia in the heart of western Africa's Ebola outbreak zone to Belgium on a Brussels Airlines flight, according to Belgian officials. Scroll down for video . United Airlines finally informed concerned passengers on Thursday that they had been traveling on flights with Thomas Duncan, the man who was diagnosed with Ebola in the U.S. - but are not at risk . Thomas Duncan flew from Liberia to Brussels in Belgium to Washington, D.C., before finally arriving in Dallas on September 20 . United said it believes that Duncan flew the next day on United Flight 951 from Brussels to Dulles International Airport near Washington and connected to Flight 822 from Dulles to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. United officials declined to say how many passengers were on the flights. The Brussels-to-Dulles flight was on a Boeing 777 that has 266 seats, and the flight to Dallas used an Airbus A320 with 138 seats. In a statement, the airline said on Thursday that the two planes underwent their routine overnight 'thorough cleaning' after the flights, 'including cleaning of lavatories and galleys with heavy-duty all-purpose cleaners and wiping tray tables and armrests with disinfectant.' It added that 'we continue to clean and route the planes throughout our network as usual'. Duncan remained in a hospital isolation ward on Thursday. According to health officials, he became sick and went to a Dallas hospital on September 25, but was released, only to return by ambulance three days later and test positive for Ebola. The airline industry and its labor unions worked Thursday to tamp down travelers' fears about Ebola. The Air Line Pilots Association, which represents pilots at United and other carriers, said airlines have the authority under U.S. law to deny boarding to passengers who appear ill. Thomas Eric Duncan took three flights to travel from Monrovia, Liberia to his final destination of Dallas, Texas on September 20 . On September 19, Thomas Eric Duncan flew from Monrovia Airport (pictured) in Liberia in the heart of western Africa's Ebola outbreak zone to Belgium on a Brussels Airlines flight . The union said it also had 'full confidence' in procedures to contain the Ebola outbreak, including checking passengers for fever - a key symptom - at airports in western Africa. Duncan did not have a fever when he left Liberia. But authorities there said Thursday that they will charge him with lying on a health-screening form he filled out at the airport for not disclosing that he had helped carry a woman who became ill and died of Ebola. The disease is believed to have sickened more than 7,100 people in West Africa and killed more than 3,000, according to the World Health Organization. | United told passengers that the CDC doesn't believe the man could have spread the disease on the flights he took last month .
The planes underwent a rigorous cleaning process, United said Thursday . |
13,563 | 267ac43c04e3e81f34d0eba64ced1707c24d80c1 | The number of people losing their lives to malaria has halved since 2000, but experts warn the progress made in West Africa is in jeopardy as resources and funds are channeled into fighting Ebola. Fragile gains against malaria in the region have been hampered by the Ebola outbreak, which has so far claimed the lives of more than 6,300 people. In Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia malaria programmes have been suspended in some areas while resources are directed into battling the deadly virus. And the epidemic has put a huge strain on already fragile health services in the three countries, hit hardest by the worst Ebola outbreak in history. The World Health Organisation's director general Margaret Chan, said: 'The collapse of health systems has affected all core malaria interventions and is threatening to reverse recent gains.' Scroll down for video . The fight against Ebola in West Africa is 'threatening to reverse recent gains' in the battle against malaria, World Health Organisation experts have warned . While deaths from malaria have halved from 2000 to 2013, WHO director general said the collapse of health systems in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea poses a threat to the successes in fighting malaria . Across the world, malaria deaths were down 47 per cent between 2000 and 2013. Fatalities decreased 53 per cent in children under the age of five - the equivalent of averting around 3.9 million children's deaths. In sub-Saharan Africa, where 90 per cent of all malaria deaths occur, the mortality rate fell by 54 per cent - 58 per cent in under fives, the equivalent of around 3.9 million children's deaths averted, the WHO annual report revealed. But WHO experts have warned of major gaps in access to mosquito nets and anti-malaria treatments. And the UN agency said there is a 'worrying' emergency of resistance to the most commonly used insecticides. The WHO said the number of infections in sub-Saharan Africa at any one time fell 26 per cent during the 13-year period. Meanwhile, 13 of the 97 malarial countries reported no cases of the disease last year, including two, Azerbaijan and Sri Lanka, which recorded their first ever zero results. 'These are truly unprecedented results and phenomenal news in terms of global health,' said Pedro Alonso, director of the WHO's global malaria programme. He attributed the progress in large part to increasing financial and political commitment, in particular regional efforts to work together to eliminate malaria. However, despite a threefold increase in investment since 2005, malaria programmes are still underfunded - $2.7 billion (2.2 billion euros) in 2013, compared to $5.1 billion international target. Malaria programmes have been suspended in Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia - the three nations worst hit by the current Ebola epidemic, which has so far claimed more than 6,300 lives . And people suffering malaria in the Ebola-ravaged region are reluctant to visit hospital or seek medical help over fears of contracting the deadly virus . And as a result, major gaps remain. While access to insecticide-treated bed nets has improved, 278 million of the 840 million people at risk in sub-Saharan Africa still live in households without one. As many as 15 million pregnant women do not receive any preventative treatment, while 437,000 African children are still dying from the disease each year. In West Africa, since the outbreak of the current Ebola epidemic earlier this year, the focus has shifted from fighting malaria to containing the deadly virus. Health workers had been increasingly using simple tests to diagnose malaria on the spot, to better target treatments. But these have been suspended in areas rife with Ebola. And many people suffering malaria are staying away from clinics. Richard Cibulskis, lead author of the WHO's malaria report said if people 'aren't getting treated, you can be sure that mortality is going to increase. The total death toll from malaria across the three countries was expected to be about 20,000 a year before the outbreak. Mr Cibulskis said he would not predict a figure now. More than 6, 300 people have died from Ebola in the region in the past year. Aside from the direct consequences, the resurgence of malaria could also harm the fight against Ebola because the two have similar symptoms, making it difficult to diagnose the deadly virus, the WHO said. Across the world malaria deaths fell 47 per cent over the 13-year period. But the WHO has warned of major gaps in access to mosquito nets, anti-malarial treatment and a 'worrying' resistance to insecticides . UNICEF last week launched a campaign to provide anti-malarial drugs to 2.4 million people in Sierra Leone, while global aid agency Doctors Without Borders is conducting a smaller scale effort in Liberia. Another issue threatening progress on malaria across the world is the rise of insecticide resistance, which has been reported in 49 countries since 2010 - 39 of which reported resistance to two or more insecticide classes. 'Emerging drug- and insecticide-resistance continues to pose a major threat, and if left unaddressed, could trigger an upsurge in deaths,' Dr Chan added. | Worldwide malaria deaths fell 47 per cent between 2000 and 2013 .
But World Health Organisation warned recent gains could be reversed as resources and funds are diverted to help fight the Ebola epidemic .
In Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia malaria programmes are suspended .
WHO director general Margaret Chan, said the collapse of health systems in West Africa is 'threatening to reverse recent gains' against malaria .
WHO warned of major gaps in access to mosquito nets and treatments .
And said there is a 'worrying' emergence of resistance to insecticides . |
99,362 | 0bf6bcacda9f0ebe0f2a1368a26d4973615f661d | The staffing search for a Hillary Clinton campaign manager is heating up, and a Clinton spokesman acknowledged Thursday that the former secretary of state is "casting a wide net" when talking to different people about about a would-be presidential bid. Clinton met with Guy Cecil, the outgoing head of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, on Wednesday in Washington, according to Politico, and has talked with Robby Mook, a former Clinton aide, about 2016.​ Both are seen as frontrunner for the top job in a Clinton campaign. Although Clinton's spokesman said he wouldn't confirm or deny the meeting and conversations occurred, Nick Merrill acknowledged that Clinton is talking with a wide array of people about 2016. "As she decides, she's casting a wide net and wants to hear from a variety of people on a range of specific topics, from policy ideas to what a successful campaign would look like," Merrill said in an email. Democrats have repeatedly said that Clinton has yet to make up her mind, but according to people close to Clinton, there have long been four names in the campaign manager race: Cecil, Mook, Stephanie Schriock and Ace Smith. Here is what you need to know about each. Cecil: . Although Cecil, as executive director of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, was at the helm when Democrats lost the Senate in 2014, he is close with the Clintons -- particularly Bill Clinton -- and worked as Hillary Clinton's national political and field director in 2008. Cecil is an unpretentious figure and has won the trust of many on Capitol Hill. Earlier in his career he led the standard journeyman campaign life, working for campaigns in Arkansas, North Carolina and Colorado (where he led Sen. Michael Bennet's dark-horse win in 2010). Cecil has been hesitant to talk about Clinton publicly as she considers a 2016 run and did not respond to an email for this story. Mook: . The then 33-year-old political operative was seen as a man on the rise when he steered Gov. Terry McAuliffe to victory in Virginia in 2013 and is regularly mentioned by people close to Clinton as a smart choice for campaign manager. Before working for McAuliffe, Mook was the head of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and in 2008 steered the Clinton presidential campaign to wins in Nevada, Ohio and Indiana. Mook, who has a loyal following in his own Democratic circle, started his political career working for then Gov. Howard Dean in Vermont. Like Cecil, Mook has been hesitant to comment publicly on Clinton's 2016 bid. He did, however, make the most interesting splash of any of the possible campaign managers when emails he sent to a group of supporters were leaked to ABC. In the emails, which were sent to a group called the "Mook Mafia," the operative urged his supporters to "smite Republicans mafia-style." Schriock: . Schriock currently has what she calls "one of the very best jobs in American politics right now" and it wouldn't be a stretch to say Hillary Clinton probably agrees. As head of Emily's List, Schriock's goal is to help elect pro-choice, Democratic women across the country -- something Clinton regularly talks about on the stump. Schriock, the often-on-message campaign veteran, started her career as Dean's 2004 finance director, where she tapped into a new revenue stream -- the internet -- to raise money. She then went on to lead high profile Senate campaigns, including Jon Tester's in Montana and Al Franken's in Minnesota, to wins. Schriock briefed the press at last month's Ready for Hillary strategy session, where she flatly said she was "not going to talk about" a possible role in the Clinton campaign. "I am not going to talk about any conversation I may or may not be having with any candidate who may or may not be running for office," she said. Smith: . Smith, a California based consultant with deep ties to the Clinton, would be the dark horse in this field of four. While Smith led Hillary Clinton's campaign to 2008 wins in California, Texas and North Carolina, it is the list of other Democrats he has worked for that is impressive: Richard Daley, Paul Simon, Ann Richards, Dianne Feinstein, Dick Gephardt and Howard Dean, to name a few. People close to Clinton say that Smith would be a good, outside-the-beltway choice for campaign manager. Although he had deep ties to Washington -- through the people he has worked for -- Smith is based in California and has focused on the state in the last few years. And it seems like Smith is interested. "Anything Hillary Clinton asks me to do, I will do," Smith told the San Francisco Chronicle in November. "I'm a huge charter member of the Hillary Clinton fan club." | Hillary Clinton is reportedly meeting with candidates to be her 2016 campaign manager .
Sources see the short-list as 4 people: Robby Mook, Stephanie Schriock, Ace Smith and Guy Cecil . |
7,689 | 15c85881b7961b316f4395a0654322b10e95ee9b | By . Associated Press . PUBLISHED: . 00:34 EST, 2 September 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 00:38 EST, 2 September 2013 . The National Security Agency's spy program targeted the communications of the Brazilian and Mexican presidents, and in the case of Mexico's leader accessed the content of emails before he was elected, the U.S. journalist who obtained secret documents from NSA leaker Edward Snowden said Sunday. Journalist Glenn Greenwald, who lives in Rio de Janeiro, told Globo's news program 'Fantastico' that a document dated June 2012 shows that Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto's emails were being read. The document's date is a month before Pena Nieto was elected. The document on which Greenwald based the report includes communications from Pena Nieto indicating who he would like to name to some government posts among other information. It's not clear if the spying continues. Hacked: The emails of Enrique Pena Nieto, the President of Mexico were apparently looked at by the NSA . Listening in: Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff's emails and online chats were also monitored according to the latest documents . Whistle-blower: The new documents are just the latest in a series of leaks by former NSA analyst Edward Snowden . As for Brazil's leader, the June 2012 document 'doesn't include any of Dilma's specific intercepted messages, the way it does for Nieto,' Greenwald told The Associated Press in an email. 'But it is clear in several ways that her communications were intercepted, including the use of DNI Presenter, which is a program used by NSA to open and read emails and online chats.' The U.S. targeting mapped out the aides with whom Rousseff communicated and went a level further by tracking patterns of how those aides communicated with one another and also third parties, according to the document. Calls to Rousseff's office and a spokeswoman were not answered. Messages sent to a spokesman for Nena Pieto weren't immediately returned. Mexico's Foreign Ministry said had no comment. Brazilian Justice Minister Eduardo Cardozo told the newspaper O Globo that 'if the facts of the report are confirmed, they would be considered very serious and would constitute a clear violation of Brazil's sovereignty.' Making waves: The latest revelations were revealed by Guardian journalist Glenn Greenwald interviewed on a Brazilian news program . 'This is completely outside the standard of confidence expected of a strategic partnership, as the U.S. and Brazil have,' he added. In July, Greenwald co-wrote articles in O Globo that said documents leaked by Snowden indicate Brazil was the largest target in Latin America for the NSA program, which collected data on billions of emails and calls flowing through Brazil. The Brazilian government denounced the NSA activities outlined in the earlier reports. Greenwald reported then that the NSA collected the data through an undefined association between U.S. and Brazilian telecommunications companies. He said he could not verify which Brazilian companies were involved or if they were aware their links were being used to collect the data. Greenwald began writing stories based on material leaked by Snowden in May, mostly for the Guardian newspaper in Britain. Before news of the NSA program broke, the White House announced that Rousseff would be honored with a state dinner in October during a trip to the U.S., the only such full state dinner scheduled this year for a foreign leader. The move highlighted the U.S. desire to build on improved relations since Rousseff took the presidency on Jan. 1, 2011. Rousseff's office said last week that there were no plans to scrap the state dinner because of the NSA program. Detained: Last month, British authorities used anti-terrorism powers yesterday to detain Mr Miranda, the partner of Mr Greenwald, who has close links to Edward Snowden . Outrage: Journalist Glenn Greenwald said that the detaining of his partner at London Heathrow Airport was an attempt to 'intimidate' following his reporting of Edward Snowden's NSA leaks . The latest revelations were sure to increase tensions, coming on the heels of last month's detention of Greenwald's domestic partner, Brazilian citizen David Miranda, who was held for nearly nine hours at London's Heathrow airport. British authorities stopped him as he was transiting through the airport, citing their ability to do so under anti-terrorism legislation. The U.S. government was notified beforehand that Miranda was to be stopped as he returned home to Brazil after visiting Germany, where he met with Laura Poitras, a U.S. filmmaker who works with Greenwald on the NSA stories. Miranda had some of the pair's NSA documents leaked by Snowden on memory disks. Last week, senior British national security adviser Oliver Robbins offered a sweeping view of the government concerns about those documents before Britain's High Court, saying the 58,000 classified British documents were "highly likely" to describe techniques used in counter-terrorism operations and could reveal the identities of British intelligence officers abroad. Guardian Editor-in-Chief Alan Rusbridger dismissed the statement as containing 'unsubstantiated and inaccurate claims,' and questioned the danger, arguing that the government had done little to address the issue before Miranda's detention. After Miranda's detention, Greenwald promised he was going 'to write much more aggressively than before' about government snooping . | More secret documents released from NSA leaker Edward Snowden .
Journalist Glenn Greenwald made revelations on Brazilian TV show .
Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto's emails were being read .
Brazil's leader Dilma Rousseff's emails were also being looked at . |
28,618 | 513321c53f2c4e9bbf1974152c375a64b7aa6cd9 | He is being called ‘The Third Winkelvoss’. A man is suing the founders of photo sharing app Snapchat because he claims that they stole the idea from him. Frank Reginald Brown says in his lawsuit that he came up with the concept whilst working on it with Evan Spiegel and Bobby Murphy when they were students at Stanford. He alleges that things suddenly turned sour so they changed the passwords to the servers and shut him out. Stolen: Frank Reginald Brown IV, seen left, has filed a lawsuit against company Snapchat as well as its co-founders Bobby Murphy and Evan Spiegel, seen right, alleging they stole his idea for the program . Value: Analysts have valued the company that uses this ghost as its logo at $800 million . Brown was then horrified when he saw Snapchat become a huge hit with 60million pictures now being shared every day via the service. Analysts have valued the company at between $60million and $70million. Brown’s claims echo those of twins Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss, who say that Mark Zuckerberg stole the idea for Facebook from them whilst they were all at Harvard. They were given $65million in a settlement but spent four years trying in vain to get more, with their story being dramatised in the film The Social Network which was about the birth of Facebook. Snapchat lets users send photos to each other which will then be deleted after a certain period of time, typically 10 seconds. It lets people send embarrassing pictures without the worry they will be saved forever. Happier times: In September Snapchat celebrated their one-year anniversary and so had a new cake but Frank Reginald Brown was visibly not around to share it . New team: The Snapchat team posted a picture of themselves in Norway last fall, left, as well as one of the team members playing with their app, right, five months before the lawsuit was filed against them . Brown, 23, alleges that he came up with the concept before going to Spiegel, who called it a ‘million-dollar idea’. They supposedly agreed to work together and looked for somebody to write the code, so chose Murphy. The trio moved into Spiegel’s father’s house in Los Angeles where they worked on the app in the summer of 2011, the lawsuit states. Brown claims he came up with the ghost logo and the original name, Picaboo, which the trio used in the launch of July that year. The following month however they had a falling out and the lawsuit states that Brown was locked out and the other two refused to talk to him. The next month Snapchat was launched. The twins: Twins Cameron Winklevoss and Tyler Winklevoss, seen at a special screening of 'The Social Network' in New York, were given a $65million settlement after their claimed part in Facebook . As part of his claim Brown included a photo of all three men by a cake with the Snapchat logo on it, the Los Angeles Times reported. Brown's lawyer Luan Tran told the paper: ‘He wants his share of what he is entitled to’. The claims of start-up skulduggery will be all too familiar to the Winklevoss brothers, who were dubbed the ‘Wiklevii’ in The Social Network. It was in 2003 that they claimed they asked Zuckerberg to write the code on their own social network, called Harvard Connection. They alleged that he then started his own rival called thefacebook.com which went on to become the biggest website of its kind in the world with more than one billion users. Whilst they were given their $65million settlement Zuckerberg has gone on to become one of the richest men in the world. According to the latest Forbes rankings, he is the 35th richest man on Earth with a fortune of $17.5billion, although he was far wealthier before Facebook’s bungled stock market floatation. A representative for Snapchat said: ‘We are aware of the allegations, believe them to be utterly devoid of merit, and will vigorously defend ourselves against this frivolous suit. ‘It would be inappropriate to comment further on this pending legal matter.’ | Frank Reginald Brown claims he was shut out of company just after its development .
Analysts value photo sharing app between $60M - $70M .
Suit mirrors Winklevoss twins who claimed Mark Zuckerberg stole their idea for Facebook that made him a multi-billionaire . |
24,270 | 44dfe59a2260b62db230159f8283fe2eadf888e4 | Katie Hall was shocked the second she saw it: a light-bulb glowing in the middle of a room with no wires attached. Looking back, it was a crude experiment, she remembers: a tiny room filled with gigantic copper refrigerator coils -- the kind you'd see if you cracked open the back of your freezer. She walked in and out between the coils and the bulb -- and still the bulb glowed. "I said: 'Let's work on this. This is the future.'" What's the trick? "We're going to transfer power without any kind of wires," says Dr Hall, now Chief Technology Officer at WiTricity, a startup developing wireless "resonance" technology. "But, we're not actually putting electricity in the air. What we're doing is putting a magnetic field in the air." It works like this: WiTricity builds a "Source Resonator," a coil of electrical wire that generates a magnetic field when power is attached. If another coil is brought close, an electrical charge can be generated in it. No wires required. "When you bring a device into that magnetic field, it induces a current in the device, and by that you're able to transfer power," explains Dr Hall. And like that, the bulb lights up. Wireless homes . Don't worry about getting zapped: Hall assures that the magnetic fields used to transfer energy are "perfectly safe" -- in fact, they are the same kind of fields used in Wi-Fi routers. In the house of the future, wire-free energy transfer could be as easy as wireless internet. If all goes to WiTricity's plans, smartphones will charge in your pocket as you wander around, televisions will flicker with no wires attached, and electric cars will refuel while sitting on the driveway. WiTricity has already demonstrated the ability to power laptops, cell-phones, and TVs by attaching resonator coils to batteries -- and an electric car refueler is reportedly in the works. Hall sees a bright future for the family without wires: . "We just don't think about it anymore: I'm going to drive my car home and I'm never going to have to go to the gas station and I'm never going to have to plug it in. "I can't even imagine how things will change when we live like that." World outside . Beyond these effort-saving applications, Hall sees more revolutionary steps. When Hall first saw the wireless bulb, she immediately thought of medical technology -- seeing that devices transplanted beneath the skin could be charged non-intrusively. WiTricity is now working with a medical company to recharge a left-ventricular assist device -- "a heart-pump, essentially." The technology opens the door to any number of mobile electronic devices which have so far been held back by limited battery lives. "The idea of eliminating cables would allow us to re-design things in ways that we haven't yet thought of, that's just going to make our devices and everything that we interact with, that much more efficient, more practical and maybe even give brand new functionality." What's next? The challenge now is increasing the distance that power can be transferred efficiently. This distance -- Hall explains -- is linked to the size of the coil, and WiTricity wants to perfect the same long-distance transfers to today's small-scale devices. For this reason, the team have high hopes for their new creation: AA-sized wirelessly rechargeable batteries. For Hall, the applications are endless: "I always say kids will say: 'Why is it called wireless?'" "The kids that are growing up in a couple of years will never have to plug anything in again to charge it." *UPDATE (March 17) It's great to see so much discussion of this technology on social media and the comments thread. There seems to be a lot of interest in the contribution of Nikola Tesla's experiments to the development of this technology. Dr Hall discussed Tesla briefly in her interview with Nick Glass: . Nick Glass: Given that Tesla and others realized all this over a Century ago, why's it taken so long? Dr Hall: I don't think they realized exactly what we've done. They were certainly dreaming of wireless power -- there's no question about that. In those days, it was a different problem, because they were really thinking about: how do they get the power from where it's generated to where it's used. And in that case they might have been thinking about Niagara Falls generating the power and getting it to New York City -- and that's a long distance. We're not proposing that the technology we have here at WiTricity would be used for that kind of application. When we came around, power's already being transferred by wires to homes and rooms and things of that nature, so we had a much different problem, which was really just this much shorter distance. As WiTricity has mentioned on its website, its Highly Resonant Wireless Power Transfer technology is also distinct from Tesla's creations -- and is efficient enough to be economically viable. | Dr Katie Hall is developing ways to transfer power without wires .
In the home of the future, wireless energy will be as common as Wi-Fi, she believes .
The technology could lead to new and revolutionary medical devices . |
131,571 | 3620c2232cbc796470c863f6008345fb5a5260e1 | By . James Chapman . PUBLISHED: . 18:46 EST, 14 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 02:07 EST, 15 October 2013 . Business leaders will today attend a meeting of the Cabinet to unveil a blueprint for the return of powers from Brussels designed to save British firms tens of billions of pounds. In a highly unusual move, the heads of companies including Marks & Spencer and Diageo have been invited to address senior ministers in Downing Street on EU rules and regulations that are hampering economic growth. They will condemn ‘inflexible and unclear’ rules on working hours and the hiring of agency workers, onerous environmental and food labelling rules and a proposal to require 20 weeks’ maternity leave on full pay. Heads of companies including Marks & Spencer have been invited to address Downing Street on EU rules and regulations that are hampering economic growth . In all, they identify 30 areas where ‘problematic, poorly understood and burdensome European rules’ are hitting British firms, with small and medium-sized enterprises particularly badly affected. They also complain that while in the US companies can get new products licensed and to market in a matter of days, it takes weeks or months in Europe. The six business leaders on the taskforce are Marc Bolland, chief executive of M&S; Ian Cheshire, CEO of Kingfisher; Glenn Cooper, managing director of ATG Access; Louise Makin, CEO of BTG; Dale Murray, an entrepreneur; and Paul Walsh of Diageo. David Cameron will take their proposals for reform to a European summit next week in what is being seen as the first stage of attempts to renegotiate a new relationship with Brussels before holding an in/out referendum on EU membership in 2017. In a letter to other EU leaders last night, the Prime Minister said businesses had to do most of the work to kick-start growth, create jobs and foster innovation - and pointed out the European Council had agreed that removing unnecessary red tape was essential to help them thrive. ‘I firmly believe that we need to go further and faster, and we must also put business at the heart of this debate, listening to what they need to successfully compete in the global market place,’ he wrote. The Prime Minister said it was time for Brussels to 'commit to more concrete measures to get rid of the unnecessary regulation which holds our businesses, and Europe, back' The Prime Minister said it was time for Brussels to ‘commit to more concrete measures to get rid of the unnecessary regulation which holds our businesses, and Europe, back’. He added: ‘It’s vital that business can take full advantage of the EU’s single market. 'But all too often EU rules are a handicap for firms, hampering their efforts to succeed in the global race. 'Business people, particularly owners of small firms, are forced to spend too much time complying with pointless, burdensome and costly regulations and that means less time developing a new product, winning contracts or hiring young recruits. 'I’m determined to change that and to get the EU working for business, not against it. ‘At next week’s European Council, I’ll be calling for a clear commitment to sweep away unnecessary bureaucratic barriers and to unleash private sector growth - helping to secure the economic recovery for all.’ Other proposals in the business’ leaders report include scrapping EU-wide requirements for small businesses in low-risk sectors to keep written health and safety risk assessments, which would save businesses across the EU an £2.3 billion a year. The EU should abandon plans to force small businesses, such as one-man gardening firms and carpenters, to pay fees to register to collect and transport waste, even when the materials involved are harmless and the quantities small. Brussels should also fast-track measures to set a maximum cap on the fees that can be applied to card, internet and mobile payments, reducing costs for retailers and consumers. The report also argues the EU should not seek to interfere in the exploitation of shale gas, with estimates that Britain could be sitting on enough gas to meet out needs for 50 years. Simon Walker, of the Institute of Directors, said: ‘Many of these recommendations will be supported by IoD members up and down the country, who too often find their hands bound by European red-tape. Efforts which could otherwise be spent on innovation and investment are instead exhausted battling complex regulatory burdens.’ David Cameron will take the proposals for reform to a European summit next week . European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said: ‘The European Commission has been listening to the concerns of businesses’ and other stakeholders for some time, and I welcome all ideas for reducing unnecessary regulatory burdens. 'In the last five years, the European Commission has slashed the cost of administrative burdens by 32.3 billion euros [£27.4 billion GBP] and scrapped 5590 legal acts. And we are determined to go further. ‘Common rules are essential to make the single market work properly but I also want to make sure that the EU does not meddle where it should not and member states do not add additional burdens.’ | Heads of companies such as Marks & Spencer and Diageo invited .
Will address ministers on EU rules and regulations that hamper growth .
Expected to condemn 'inflexible and unclear' rules on working hours, hiring agency workers, onerous rules and maternity leave proposal . |
161,509 | 5cce3ed8dc269fdf0ebcbcf9631d5c93fd3c354f | Deal: George Osborne is prepared to sell the Government¿s shares in Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds at a loss in order to bring about the biggest privatisation in British history . George Osborne is prepared to sell the Government’s shares in Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds at a loss in order to bring about the biggest privatisation in British history. Senior Tory sources yesterday said that Labour had spent too much money on the 2008 bailouts, which injected £66billion of public funds into the failing banks. They spoke after fresh reports the Chancellor is gearing up to sell an 82 per cent shareholding in RBS and a 39 per cent stake in Lloyds. The Daily Mail first revealed in February that Mr Osborne wants to offload the shares before the 2015 election – and that he is examining the possibility of giving the shares away. That would mean acknowledging taxpayers would not get all their money back, since the share prices of the two banks currently mean the deficit on paper is £24billion. Several Treasury ministers believe a big privatisation would show the Coalition is drawing a line under the financial crisis and would boost confidence in the economy. They hope that selling off – or giving away – the shares would kickstart trading in RBS and Lloyds shares and drive up the price, allowing them to get more money back. But a minister close to the Chancellor told the Financial Times it was ‘unrealistic’ to expect the RBS share price to return to its 2008 level in the foreseeable future and the Government may have to sell while the shares were ‘under water’. Insiders say Mr Osborne is prepared to make the argument that it would be better to get some money back and move on, rather than wait around with the bank shares on the public balance sheet with little prospect of ever getting taxpayers’ money back. A senior Tory source told the Mail: ‘It is true Labour hugely overpaid for the original recapitalisation.’ For sale: The Chancellor is gearing up to sell off a 39 per cent stake in Lloyds . Bleak outlook: The Chancellor told the Financial Times it was ¿unrealistic¿ to expect the RBS share price to return to its 2008 level in the foreseeable future . It was reported earlier this week that Mr Osborne’s team hope former Labour chancellor Alistair Darling will be criticised for paying over the odds by the cross-party parliamentary banking standards commission when it reports in June. That will make it easier to argue that the Government should sell its shares under the break-even mark. Ripped off: Former Labour chancellor Alistair Darling will be criticised for paying over the odds by the cross-party parliamentary banking standards commission when it reports in June . But Mr Darling has criticised the attempt to point the finger of blame at Labour, saying that in April 2010 – just before the last election – RBS shares were trading above the price the Treasury paid. ‘I’ve not the slightest doubt all of this is a rather obvious attempt to blame the last Labour government for whatever they do,’ he said. ‘The share price we see today is largely of their own making.’ But there have also been rumours that the cross-party commission on banking standards, led by Tory MP Andrew Tyrie, might recommend splitting RBS into a ‘good’ high street bank, with a ‘bad’ bank taking on its toxic loans. The Archbishop of Canterbury, who is a member of the commission, has said he would like to see RBS broken up into a series of regional banks. Sources at RBS said any sell-off was a decision for the Government but bank bosses were not adverse to moves that hasten a return to the private sector. A Treasury spokesman said: ‘This is all speculation. We will sell our stakes when it is in the taxpayers’ interest to do so.’ | Chancellor to sell off 82 per cent of RBS and 39 per cent of Lloyds .
Tory sources say Labour spent too much money on the 2008 bailouts .
Share prices currently mean deficit on paper stands at £24billion . |
250,986 | d0d1c7c15b0c69d4540bb01d0f78456f3d8ec758 | By . Meghan Keneally . Paula Deen has decided to hit the road with a 20-city speaking tour as her latest attempt to launch a comeback following her racism scandal. The Savannah native will be touring different southern cities and hosting 90-minute shows that will be part-cooking demonstrations and part party games. 'We are going to play musical chairs and the dating game with the audience. That's the excitement of it all- my fans get to be a part of the show. I'll also invite some folks in the audience to come onstage and cook with me,' she told The Miami New Times. Back in the (virtual) kitchen: Paula Deen has announced a 20-show cooking tour that will kick off this summer as the latest leg in her comeback campaign (pictured at a food festival in Miami this February) In addition to the audience members- who will pay anywhere from $42 to $211 for tickets- she will have spousal support on stage as well. Her husband Michael will be co-headlining the tours, which start on July 21 in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. 'The crowd just loves him. He's an integral part of the show. And he will put me in my place in a New York minute! We have so much fun bantering back and forth with each other,' she said. So far, seven of the 20 talks have been announced, and are scattered between Tennessee, Texas and her hometown of Savannah, Georgia. Family support: She teased that 'you never know' who will show up at the talks- like her chef son Bobby (left)- but her husband Michael Groover (right) is co-headlining the entire tour so he will be at every show . The kick off in Pigeon Forge comes as little surprise since Deen is in the process of having a $20million restaurant built in the resort area. The rest of the tour dates will be unveiled later this week, but they are expected to remain below the Mason-Dixon line, with stops in Nashville, Tennessee and San Antonia, Texas. 'When I step out onstage, it's the most amazing feeling, y'all. I feel so alive when I walk on that stage, and I love that kind of adrenaline rush,' she told The Miami New Times. 'By going on tour, I can see all my amazing fans in different cities across the United States.' Tickets go on sale Thursday May 1 and the super fans who are willing to pay three-digit ticket prices to see the 67-year-old chef will get extra access to photo opportunities, meet-and-greets, and extra receptions featuring her signature recipes. Interactive: Deen (seen here with her son Jamie) promises to pull audience members on stage for the demonstrations and for impromptu rounds of musical chairs . The tour is just the latest in an increasingly busy schedule for Deen, who lost her Food Network show and millions in corporate sponsorships after she admitted in a deposition that she had previously used the n-word. Earlier this month, she spoke about how she was able to launch her business in Savannah at a conference for the town's tourism board. She was wearing a removable boot brace at the time, explaining how her dog had inadvertently jumped on her and caused her to break her foot. In February, she announced that a private equity investment firm poured $75million to $100million into her brand, banking on her prospects of bouncing back. | Disgraced celebrity chef will launch the tour in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee where she has a $20million restaurant in the works .
Will be helped on stage by her husband Michael but promises to pull fans up for demonstrations and kids games .
Seven of the 20 tour dates have been announced and all will be below the Mason-Dixon line . |
159,605 | 5a4db810ab1b9622926a38496d4d01aba9aab2eb | By . Bianca London . PUBLISHED: . 05:35 EST, 15 January 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 13:12 EST, 15 January 2014 . Are you an hourglass like Kelly Brook or rectangle-shaped like Nicole Kidman? You may think you have finally managed to figure out which body shape you are. But think again. It's time to get back to the drawing board because a new way of categorising your figure is about to land. The women of South Korea are using ‘Alphabetisation’, or matching their bodies with certain letters, to identify their shape. So which is which and what shape does everyone want to be? FEMAIL break them down one by one. The most desirable is the S-line, a body shape with ample breasts and buttocks when viewed from the side. Korean singer and actress Son Dam Bi is well-known for her S-line body. In Western culture, Kim Kardashian - who often tops polls for having the sexiest body - is the perfect example of the S-line. They got it! Kim Kardashian has an S-line - ample breasts and buttocks when viewed from the side. This body shape is know as the most desirable . The V-line - a slim and oval face narrowing towards the chin - is another coveted shape. The entire concept behind it is so your face looks smaller, which is considered beautiful in South Korea. Korean women and models often pose with their fists or peace-sign hands in front of their faces, to create this illusion; Nicole Kidman has a V-line face shape. Chiseled: Nicole Kidman possesses a V-line - a slim and oval face narrowing towards the chin. Models often pose with objects in front of their face (R) to create this illusion . There is also the X-line, is basically exactly how the letter looks: long legs and arms connected by a narrow waist. Picture the meeting point of the two lines is the waist and there you have it - or look to supermodel Cara Delevingne who possessed this athletic body shape. In South Korea, the X-line is sought after by younger women in high school or college. Famous physiques: Cara Delevingne has an X-line, which is long legs and arms connected by a narrow waist, and highly sought after by college students . The U-line, which outlines the shape of a woman’s back when she wears a low-cut dress, was showcased to perfection by Emma Watson in her questionable Golden Globes dress. The look is considered a daring and sexy one and can be accentuated by low-cut backless dresses a la Miss Watson. A back like U: Emma Watson showcases the U-line, which outlines the shape of a woman's back when she wears a low-cut dress . D-line denotes a pregnant, or pregnant-looking, stomach. Baby bump: The D-line figure depicts a pregnant woman, as shown by Kim Kardashian . B-line means a big bust and stomach. Nigella Lawson is a rather busty lady. Busty: B-line means a big bust, as showcased by celebrity chef Nigella Lawson, and stomach . The O-line, which stands for obese, is the least desired body shape amongst South Koreans. Josie Gibson weighed in at 19 stone before her incredible weight loss, classing her as obese. O-line: This letter stands for an obese body. At 19 stone, Josie Gibson was classed as obese but has since shed an incredible amount of weight . Alphabetisation is mainly reserved for women but men can be categorised as M-line for having a six-pack. The alphabet code is big business in South Korean culture and singers and actresses often refer to their body lines. The differing body lines also feature on beauty products, drinks, lingerie, music and diet supplements. 'Some of these ads insist that whatever product they’re selling will help you obtain the desired contour; others (like the beer ad) just traffic in the allure of the letter to make their product seem cool,' writes Katy Waldman on Slate.com. What shape are you? The women of South Korea are using 'Alphabetization', which matches their bodies with certain letters, to identify their shape - it is even used in marketing for beer brands (pictured) So where did the bizarre trend begin? It has been claimed that a weight-loss drink used the X waist in its marketing campaign in 2008 and it has taken off ever since. And judging by recent figures which revealed that South Koreans have more plastic surgery than any other nation, it's hardly surprising that they're such a self-conscious nation. Those in the Asian country have more treatments per members of the population, with . one in every 77 turning to the knife or needle. The figures, from the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ISAPS), show that in 2011, 15 million people across the globe turned to plastic surgery to enhance their looks. Coveted: The most popular is the S-line - ample breasts and buttocks when viewed from the side - as shown on this drinks advert . While the popularity of cosmetic surgery in South Korea may come as a surprise to many, the industry there is in fact booming. Last year, 20 per cent of women aged 19 to 49 in the capital city of Seoul admitted to going under the knife. One of the most popular surgical procedures is double eyelid surgery - which reduces excess skin in the upper . eyelid to make the eyes appear bigger and make them look more 'Western'. It is believed that the rise of the country's music industry is behind the boom, and many patients visit clinics with photos of celebrities, asking surgeons to emulate American noses or eyes. | Trend from South Korea where bodies are categorised alphabetically .
S-line - ample breasts and buttocks - is most coveted .
V-line depicts slim and oval face .
Alphabetisation is used in adverts and on beauty products . |
174,813 | 6e3fda32c96eb1906beea2d0b61505b10b31cabb | By . Kate Lyons . A woman whose four guinea pigs were brutally murdered believes the attack might be the latest attack from a 'serial pet killer'. Amanda Milligan returned to her Cairns home at 10.30pm on Friday to find the bodies of four of her guinea pigs on the driveway. One had had its throat slit, the other had its chest cut open and two others appeared to have suffered blunt force trauma, she believes from being bashed against the driveway. Amanda Milligan - pictured here with her five-year-old daughter, Candice - returned to her Cairns home to find four of her guinea pigs slaughtered . Two of the guinea pigs, Miss Aurora and Temprance, were Ms Milligan's pets and two Angel and Maisy were rescue guinea pigs. Maisy, was heavily pregnant with twins. 'I was gutted. I can't comprehend why,' she told MailOnline. Ms Milligan runs the Guinea Pig Haven Rescue Shelter and is known in the area as someone who takes in unwanted or injured guinea pigs. The incident happened on Friday and Ms Milligan believes it may the latest attack by a 'serial pet killer' She believes the assailants came in through the front gate, were confronted by her two dogs, which were then locked in the garage, before proceeding to the front of the house where the guinea pigs were kept in a table-top cage. 'We don't know if they were originally trying to break in or if the guinea pigs were the sole intent of the mission,' she said. Ms Milligan said one of her dogs and her cat were harmed in the incident and her cat is now terrified to go into the front yard. She is worried that the attacks might be the work of a serial pet killer. 'I believe there was another dog killed a couple of nights after the [guinea] pigs were killed. Someone is taking pot shots at large birds, not killing them, maiming them. It seems a little too much of a coincidence that it's been happening in the same area,' she said. Ms Milligan (left) said the attack - that left one pig with its throat slit, another with its chest cut open and two others with blunt force trauma - had 'traumatised' her children, including Candice (right) Ms Milligan, who has nine other guinea pigs, said she is worried that the assailants might return for the rest of the animals, or worse, her children. 'I have two young children, a five-year-old and a two-year-old, I'm concerned that once [the attackers] get bored of killing animals they'll go to another target – children or the elderly,' she said. Ms Milligan said the attack had 'traumatised' her two children, aged two and five. Her older daughter asked her mother if the guinea pigs had 'gone to be with grandpa', Ms Milligan's father, who passed away less than a year ago. 'It's still heartbreaking trying to explain to her that they're not coming back and that they're with grandpa now and he'll look after them,' she said. Clockwise from top left: Maisy, Angel, Temprance and Miss Aurora were all killed in the attack on Friday night . Police are investigating the incident and they are today conducting autopsies on the guinea pigs to establish the cause of death. Senior Constable Andrew Abraham described the incident as a 'very disturbed attack' and said police were looking into whether this incident might be linked to any other crimes in the area. Ms Milligan has offered a $500 reward, raised from the donations of supporters, to anyone with information about the crime. 'We need someone to pay for what they've done,' she said. Posters have been put up around the area of the attack in the hope that people might come forward with information . | Four of Amanda Milligan's guinea pigs were murdered on Friday night .
One had its throat slit and another had its chest cut open .
Ms Milligan thinks it might be the work of a serial pet killer in Cairns . |
12,786 | 2440df71d358cad8b8fc8ec3296e93aac2df7f4a | Amir Khan has become a dad for the first time after his wife gave birth to a baby girl on Friday. The former WBA and IBF light-welterweight king, and his wife Faryal, have given their daughter the Arabic name of Lamysa, which means 'soft to the touch'. Khan, 27, announced the news on Twitter and later posted two photos of himself cradling Lamysa. All smiles: Boxer Amir Khan has become a dad for the first time, after his wife gave birth to a baby girl on Friday . He tweeted: 'Faryal and I are delighted to announce the birth our first child Lamysa Khan everyone doing very well, thank you for all your wishes.' A later tweet read: 'Mine and @FaryalxMakhdoom New born baby LAMYSA. Born on 23rd May 2014 at 4:05am £Blessed'. Khan and his wife met when she was a political science student in New York and got engaged in 2012. The couple married in June last year at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel, before returning to the UK for another ceremony attended by more than 4,000 guests in Amir's hometown of Bolton. In an interview before his daughter's birth, Khan revealed he was ready to settle down and become a family man. He . said: "The past couple of years, have been crazy - fighting, boxing. I've lived that single life, but it is the right time to settle down and . be with the wife and have my own little family. Happy family: Amir, pictured with his parents and baby, gave his daughter the Arabic name of Lamysa . Daddy's girl: The former WBA and IBF light-welterweight king announced the news on Twitter . 'Becoming a dad will help with my boxing, for sure. 'The baby will keep me settled for sure . because there will be someone to look after. I'll have my wife and my . baby girl to look after.' But he . insisted he was not ready to retire from boxing as he said: 'I will have . a family to look after so I will have to be much more smart. 'I . always said I would get out at 28, but I think I will be too young. I'm . getting better and I can see I'm getting more mature and stronger.' He . added: 'I think it will be 30 plus. The wife won't be happy, but I can . go on. Even the fights I've lost, they've been knock-outs, but I've . hardly had any punishment. I've never been beaten up. 'I will know when to stop when I am making mistakes, silly mistakes.' New parents: Khan and his wife, pictured in 2013, met when she was a political science student in New York . New chapter: The couple married in June last year at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel in New York, before returning to the UK for another ceremony attended by more than 4,000 guests in Amir's hometown of Bolton . | Amir Khan becoems father as wife Faryal gives birth to baby girl .
Couple name daughter Lamysa which means 'soft to the touch' in Arabic .
Former WBA and IBF light-welterweight king announced the news on Twitter . |
73,570 | d095e25aaf73728336779918234d354f256749e7 | (CNN) -- Facebook announced on Monday it is rolling out a new feature so users can reply directly to comments left on their page. Finally. Followings months of testing, the social network aims to make navigating through conversation threads easier with the new Replies feature. This means that, instead of having to leave a response to a friend's comment way after new ones have been added, you will be able to address each individual comment. Responses will be posted under the original comment too. The site is also prioritizing comments based on engagement — the most active and popular ones will surface to the top of your posts. This will be especially helpful for pages with thousands of followers. SEE ALSO: Beyond Barrel Roll: 10 hidden Google tricks . "You and your readers will have the ability to reply directly to comments left on your Page content and start conversation threads, which will make it easier for you to interact directly with individual readers and keep relevant conversations connected," said Vadim Lavrusik, Facebook's journalism program manager, in an official blog post. "Also, the most active and engaging conversations among your readers will be surfaced at the top of your posts ensuring that people who visit your Page will see the best conversations." For now, threaded replies only apply to Facebook pages, not profiles. Users will be able to opt into the Replies through the Page admin panel. Facebook will be bringing the feature to all pages with more than 10,000 followers by July 10, 2013, but pages can turn the option off along the way. "At launch, this feature will only be available on desktop and we plan to make it available in the Graph API and mobile in the future," Lavrusik added. © 2013 MASHABLE.com. All rights reserved. | Facebook is rolling out a new feature so users can reply directly to comments left on their page .
The Reply feature aims to make navigating through conversation threads easier .
For now, threaded replies only apply to Facebook pages, not profiles . |
185,943 | 7ccb5537923f49a70243a294664786c93df78846 | Washington (CNN) -- The second-highest-ranking diplomat at the embassy of Myanmar in Washington has defected and wants to seek asylum in the United States. In a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton obtained by CNN, Deputy Chief of Mission Kyaw Win said he had "no choice" but to leave his post in protest over human rights abuses and fraudulent elections. He said he is formally seeking asylum for himself and his family because he is afraid for their lives. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland confirmed the State Department received a letter but declined to comment further about private diplomatic correspondence. Win's move is a setback for the regime in Myanmar, which held its first elections in 20 years in November. The vote drew fire from critics who said it was aimed at creating a facade of democracy. The regime had refused to allow international monitors or journalists into Myanmar for the vote but has argued the elections constitute an end to military rule and merit an easing of international sanctions. Win wrote in the letter he had held out hope for democratic reforms throughout his 31-year career, but lost confidence after last year's widely criticized elections, which largely left the military junta in control. As such, he said, he could not in good conscience continue working for the government. "The truth is that senior military officials are consolidating their grip on power and seeking to stamp out the voices of those seeking democracy, human rights and individual liberties. Oppression is rising and war against our ethnic cousins is imminent," he wrote. As a high-ranking diplomat, Win maintained ties with pro-democracy Burmese activists in Washington. In the letter he talked about the balance he had to strike between reaching out to the opposition and answering to his government. He also urged the United States to set up an international council of inquiry to investigate human rights violations in Myanmar and calls for the U.S. to implement targeted sanctions against the government and its "cronies that serve to keep them in power." He said he fears returning to the country because his efforts to improve bilateral relations with the United States have been continually rejected and "resulted in my being deemed dangerous by the government." Win also warned about threats made to pro-democracy leader and Nobel Peace Price laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, who traveled outside Yangon this week for the first time since she was freed from house arrest last November. The government warned her against engaging in political activities and issued a thinly veiled threat in a state-run newspaper that her planned first tour outside the city since her release from house arrest seven months ago could spark riots and chaos, as they did when she traveled the countryside in 2003. In his letter, Win mentions Suu Kyi's travel, warning the threats against her "must be taken seriously." The Obama administration has shifted from a longtime policy of isolation of Myanmar in favor of engagement, with little success. Last week Derek Mitchell, the nominee to be U.S. special envoy to Myanmar, said the United States is prepared to have a positive relationship with the country and would seek better international coordination in encouraging democratic reform there. Mitchell was critical of the regime's claims to have made a transition to civilian rule after last year's elections, saying at his Senate confirmation hearing that "Burma remains a country at war with itself and distrustful of others." "Burma is the poorest country in Southeast Asia and a source of great concern and potential instability in the region," he said. | CNN obtained a letter from diplomat Kyaw Win to U.S. secretary of state .
Win said he is leaving his post in protest over rights abuses and fraudulent elections .
Myanmar election in November was criticized as creating a facade of democracy .
Win warns U.S. to take threats against Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi seriously . |
1,828 | 0545f93b66b2d76798d20155d77863a001e25162 | By . Emily Crane . and Aap . A man has handed himself in almost 12 hours after allegedly running from the scene of a fatal car accident during a police chase northwest of Melbourne. Police were responding to reports that three men and a woman wearing balaclavas were allegedly trying to rob a ticket machine at Macedon railway station, about 70km from Melbourne, just before 5am on Saturday. The four people took off in a sedan and police gave chase but a short time later, officers found the car had rolled on a nearby bend. Scroll down for video . A man has handed himself in almost 12 hours after allegedly running from the scene of a fatal car accident during a police chase northwest of Melbourne . One man was killed after being ejected from the vehicle and police saw two men fleeing into dense bush, Nine News reports. Police arrested a 27-year-old Sunbury woman at the scene and she is under police guard at Royal Melbourne Hospital. 'The fact they left their friends, one dead and one injured, and fled off into the bush probably speaks volumes about their character,' Assistant Commissioner Jack Blayney said of the two men who fled. Police were responding to reports of an alleged robbery at Macedon railway station, about 70km from Melbourne, just before 5am on Saturday . The four people took off in a sedan and police gave chase but a short time later, officers found the car had rolled on a nearby bend . A Sunbury man, 30, was later arrested on a roadside at nearby Gisborne about 9.45am on Saturday. He had minor injuries and remains in police custody. But police were still looking for the second man until Saturday evening when a 32-year-old from Diggers Rest showed up at Gisborne Police Station. He was being held for questioning. Investigators believe the car lost control in wet conditions and clipped a tree. 'If the police are indicating to people that they should pull over, they should pull over. It's not worth risking your life, the life of your friends, the life of innocent members of the public and also the lives of police officers for such trivial matters,' Blayney said. One man was killed after being ejected from the vehicle and police saw two men fleeing into dense bush . Police arrested a 27-year-old Sunbury woman at the scene and a man, 30, was later arrested on a roadside at nearby Gisborne. Police were still looking for the second man when he showed up at Gisborne Police Station . | Police were pursuing a sedan with four people following reports of alleged robbery at Macedon railway station, northwest of Melbourne .
The car was found a short time later on its side early on Saturday morning .
Police found one man dead after being ejected from the vehicle .
A 27-year-old woman was arrested at scene and a man, 30, was arrested later that morning on a roadside .
Police were still looking for another man when he handed himself in at Gisborne Police Station on Saturday night . |
41,667 | 7587842d2ba2acf6065f1729d8daaabb048c419b | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 16:52 EST, 4 May 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 12:38 EST, 5 May 2013 . A Harvard professor took to the podium at a finance conference Friday and called major influencer of modern economics John Maynard Keynes wrong about his philosophies because he was gay and childless. During a question and answer session in Carlsbad, California, well-known historian Niall Ferguson was asked how he felt about the theories of English economist John Maynard Keynes versus those of Edmund Burke. What the prominent Obama critic said in response hushed the crowd of over 500. Related? Harvard professor Niall Ferguson told a group of 500 in California he believed thinker John Keynes didn't care about society because he was gay . According to Tom Kostigen, editor-at-large of Financial Advisor magazine, Ferguson made it clear that he believed Keynes was uninterested in the what was good for society, basically because of his sexual orientation. ‘Ferguson asked the audience how many children Keynes had,’ wrote Kostigen in Financial Advisor. ‘He explained that Keynes had none because he was a homosexual and was married to a ballerina, with whom he likely talked of "poetry" rather than procreated.’ Kostigen said many of the audience members took offense at the remark, but that Ferguson continued. ‘Ferguson, author of The Great Degeneration: How Institutions Decay and Economies Die,' wrote Kostigen, ‘says it's only logical that Keynes would take this selfish worldview because he was an "effete" member of society.’ Cold: Ferguson said the British economist Keynes, pictured, had selfish ideas as a result of his sexuality . It is worth noting that, though many conservatives use the term ‘Keynesian economics’ as derogatory, Keynes was not wholly liberal. Keynes, whose most famous quote is ‘In the long run we are all dead,’ once called the market system the ‘best safeguard of the variety of life’ that preserved the ‘most secure and successful choices of former generations.’ However, rather than to Keynes’ ‘selfish worldview,’ Kostigen wrote that Ferguson endeared himself during the Q&A to Burke’s ‘social contract,’ a term used largely by liberals today. Married: John Maynard Keynes' wife Lydia Lopokova was a ballerina. Ferguson said they talked about poetry rather than have children . Ferguson, a conservative former advisor to John McCain, has been a vocal critic of the Obama presidency from its beginnings. Perhaps most notably, the historian wrote a Newsweek cover story in the months before the 2012 presidential campaign entitled ‘Hit the Road, Barack,’ that many, including New York Times columnist Paul Krugman, criticized for misrepresenting facts. Since Kostigen’s May 3 post, the story has spread quickly across the web. Business Insider called Ferguson’s remarks ‘bizarre and offensive’ and the Huffington post reported that many, including Reuters finance blogger Felix Salmon, were quick to condemn them. On Saturday, Ferguson took to his personal website’s blog to make an ‘unqualified apology’ for his earlier comments. Past: Ferguson, a noted historian, was roundly criticized for a 2012 Newsweek story many say misrepresented Obama's policies . ‘I should not have suggested,’ wrote Ferguson, ‘that Keynes was indifferent to the long run because he had no children, nor that he had no children because he was gay. This was doubly stupid. First, it is obvious that people who do not have children also care about future generations. Second, I had forgotten that Keynes’s wife Lydia miscarried. ‘My disagreements with Keynes’s economic philosophy have never had anything to do with his sexual orientation.’ Ferguson went on to apologize to his colleagues, students, and friends ‘straight and gay’ who have every right to be disappointed.’ According to his website, Ferguson is the Laurence A. Tisch Professor of History at Harvard University; a Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University; and a Senior Research Fellow at Jesus College, Oxford. Sorry: A day after calling the late economist 'effete,' Ferguson apologized for his remarks on his personal blog . | Niall Ferguson reportedly called the influential 20th century economist uninterested in society's future because he was childless and 'effete'
The outspoken Obama critic has since apologized for the remarks from a California investment conference . |
95,192 | 0650ef77427fdcc036f509ca8bdeca90e843924f | Serena Cervantes has been struggling to earn her bachelor's degree for seven years. With tuition for two courses at her California university demanding $2,300, it's not the workload that has her putting off the final class she needs to graduate in May. Money is tight. The 25-year-old has worked as a maid and retail clerk to make ends meet, but she says that dating the men she encounters on Sugardaddie.com has proved to be a more lucrative endeavor. "I've had a hard time finding jobs and keeping jobs," she said. "I thought this would be a good way for me to have a relationship with someone and also make it, as these sites all say, mutually beneficial." Cervantes is just one of many students who've sought out sugar daddies online in a time of need. Dating site SeekingArrangement.com, which connects wealthy men with women looking for financial support, reports that female college students made up 44% of the site's total users in 2012. With tuition on the rise, that number will likely continue to climb. While some may compare the practice to prostitution or question the morality of trading money and gifts for affection, the people who use these sites contend that they're merely a conduit for both parties getting what they want. What's the draw? Men who engage in such relationships, many of whom are older and married, enjoy taking care of young women and assuming a mentor role in their lives, said Steven Pasternack, who launched Sugardaddie.com in 2002. "You have some guys who like to spoil and pamper their women by taking them out to nice dinners, buying them gifts. Some maybe help with the utility bills or take them on trips," Pasternack added. "And there are other guys that will have an ongoing relationship in which they'll say, 'OK, I'll give you an allowance and you can put this toward whatever your needs are.' " The average monthly "allowance" sugar daddies on the site said they shell out is $3,000, according to SeekingArrangement.com. So what do these "sugar daddies" get in return for all their generosity? Surprisingly, sex isn't a given. It's obviously on the table, says Cervantes, but there are other motivations. "Some of them just wanted to go out to eat," she said. "Some of them just wanted someone to talk to. Some of them just said outright, 'Can we (have sex) for this amount of money?' And I've said no." But she admits that sex ups the ante -- if a sugar baby consents to an intimate relationship, she's likely to get more gifts out of her benefactor. "If you look at the language of various state statutes, the terms of many of the relationships fall under the definition of prostitution," said New Jersey attorney Alex Miller, who has studied "sugar dating." Authorities shy away from prosecuting sugar websites and their users because the relationships can mirror a typical romance, Miller said. Plus, users are savvy enough not to broadcast online whether they're trading sex for cash. Sex isn't the only motivator for sugar daddies, according to Brandon Wade, the founder and CEO of SeekingArrangement.com. Some also want to help a struggling young woman. Wade, 42, (who met his wife, 27, on the site) said most of the men on the site begin communication with potential sugar babies by asking them why they're looking for a sugar daddy. He's found that women who say they need money to pay for school get asked out more often than those who admit they want cash for breast implants, for instance. While most of the sugar daddies Cervantes has met through the website prefer to arrange a per-date per diem, one married man wrote her a check for $1,600 to go toward her tuition and rent after their monthlong courtship. She said she prefers dating married men because they tend to be more paternal and offer a steadier source of income than single men. Is it prostitution by another name? SeekingArrangement.com's Wade said the men who subscribe to his site are discouraged from offering money on a per-date basis to avoid operating like an escort service. By crosschecking users' photos with those on Craigslist.com and Backpage.com, as well as monitoring conversations between members, Wade says he is able to weed out the escorts posting on his site. Atlanta-based criminal defense attorney Bernard Brody said there's no crime in paying someone solely for his or her companionship. "The crime is when you pay someone to engage in sexual conduct," he added. Read more: Pimps hit social networks to recruit underage sex workers . Kimberly Mackey, who attends college in the South, says she had one Sugardaddie.com suitor pay her $500 to have lunch with him. She said she doesn't consider herself a prostitute because she doesn't have sex with most of the men she meets through the site. The 23-year-old started engaging in relationships with older, wealthy men after moving away from home at 18. An older colleague saw she was having trouble supporting herself, so he started inviting her on golf trips with his friends and buying her gifts. The man told her, "You're only going to be young and hot for so long. Take advantage of it while you can." Mackey got used to the perks. She said sugar daddies have offered her cars, vacations and apartments, but she prefers cash. Why go the sugar route? Atlanta-based licensed mental health therapist Harrison Davis said sugar relationships are all about power and youth. On one hand, he said, these relationships remind the men of a more carefree time in their own lives. On the other hand, there's a great sense of control. "They can take things away and limit the amount of money they're going to spend on the young lady. They can steer (the relationship) into any direction they want to." Though Mackey says she's not ashamed of her unconventional part-time job, she doesn't make a habit of telling everyone about it. When her mother asks how she can afford to not work, she says her ex-boyfriend helps her pay her credit card bills, which some people might consider a sugar relationship in its own right. Cervantes, on the other hand, said her relationship with a family member suffered after she opened up about her experience dating sugar daddies: "He said, 'You're selling your body online.'" Despite Cervantes' qualms about accepting money in exchange for her companionship, she has no plans to deactivate her account anytime soon. She said she doesn't have parents who can help her pay for school, so she relies on the kindness of wealthy men out of desperation. Without the extra income, Cervantes said she'd be back at the homeless shelter she lived in for three months in 2009. "In my heart of hearts I don't really like the situation," Cervantes said. "Right now it's a survival mechanism." Sugardaddie.com's Pasternack said the relationship between a sugar baby and sugar daddy is all about perspective. "I helped my wife get through school, I pay for the bills, take her on trips, buy her nice gifts," he said. "I guess you could say a lot of married guys are sugar daddies without them realizing it. I think you can say basically any guy who wants to impress a woman is a sugar daddy." | Serena is one of many college students who've sought out sugar daddies in a time of need .
SeekingArrangement.com: Average monthly allowance for sugar babies is $3,000 .
SeekingArrangement.com: Students made up 44% of the site's users in 2012 .
Go inside the "sugar daddy/sugar baby" dating scene on "This is Life with Lisa Ling" |
144,421 | 46c571fa9d1aa4b2c92264cfa69d782009e50601 | Tokyo (CNN) -- Hackers have stolen personal information from over 1.2 million customers of the Japanese gaming company SEGA, according to a company statement. The breach occurred Friday and targeted user data from subsidiary "SEGA Pass", which is operated by Britain-based SEGA Europe Limited (SEL). The service was "illegally accessed from outside and personal information of all 1,290,755 customers of the service... were brought outside of the system," according to SEGA. The information included names, birth dates, e-mail addresses and "encoded passwords," the statement said. But the company emphasized that it "does not hold any confidential information such as credit card information." SEGA says it shut down service as soon as it confirmed the illegal access and sent affected customers an e-mail apology. The company says it is investigating the cyber break-in. SEGA published the statement explaining the data hacking in Japanese on the Japanese website only. English language users were greeted only with messages that the SEGA Pass service was momentarily down. "Sorry, the website is temporarily unavailable due to Maintenance work," one message says. "We will be up and running again soon!" SEGA advertises its privacy measures on a banner at the bottom of its website, which reads "ESRB Privacy Certified". The banner links to a privacy statement, which touts user information safeguards including "the storage of data on secure servers or computers inaccessible by modem." In April hackers stole personal user information from SONY's PlayStation Network, which had some 70 million subscribers at the time. Hackers later broke into Sony Pictures website, compromising the accounts of over 1 million users. SEGA creates games that play on SONY's PlayStation as well as on other gaming systems. Yoko Wakatsuki contributed to this report. | NEW: SEGA says the affected service does not store credit card numbers .
SEGA says the data breach included e-mail addresses and passwords .
The company shut down operations and sent out apologies .
English language users saw messages that the SEGA Pass site was down for "maintenance" |
23,899 | 43d5fde172e4ac65887762e7b7a788e9ab66c141 | By . Rob Wildman . PUBLISHED: . 13:44 EST, 2 March 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 13:44 EST, 2 March 2013 . Champions Dulwich withstood a second-half comeback from London rivals Hampton to keep on track for another triumphant day at Twickenham. Dulwich produced a mix of sharp attacking play and fierce defence to pip Hampton who dominated the second half after falling 8-0 behind. The way Dulwich played in the first half they looked set for a comfortable victory only to run out of steam in a highly-entertaining encounter at Broadstreet, the Coventry-based club who host the semi-finals in the world's biggest rugby tournament for schools. Joy: Dom Fraser and Baba Ajisebutu congratulate Ali Neden after he scored a try for Dulwich . Dulwich: Neden; Akinlotan, Charnley, Fraser, Ajisebutu; Parsons, . Anthony; Obano, Mostyn, Reason, McKimm, Stuff, Maddison, Wroe-Wright . (capt), Ibuanokpe. Subs: Fernandes, Nasir, Adebayo, Olaleye, John, Henderson, Murray. Tries: Neden . Pens: Fraser (2) Hampton: Battle; Hall, Alboni, Taverner, Burke; MccGwire, Takenaka; . Szczotka, Griffith-Jones, Lundberg (capt), Painter, Hoyle, Fulton, . Barry, Browne. Subs: Penn, Woollatt, Tyler, van der Merwe, Hewitt, Mapletoft, Tunnacliffe. Tries: Lundberg . Referee: Tom Foley. As a frantic second half unfolded, Hampton tried to take advantage of sin bin offences for Dulwich forwards Billy Mostyn and Jeremy Reason. For a short period, Dulwich were reduced to 13 men and Hampton engineered a try for captain Alex Lundberg off a line-out drive. Fly half Tom MccGwire missed the conversion. Hampton looked set to dominate only for Dulwich to increase their lead again, thanks to a second penalty from centre Dom Fraser. Dulwich had played their best rugby in the first half and led from the 13th minute when Fraser landed his first penalty goal. Some excellent team play, including Dulwich’s trademark forward drives, eventually cracked open the Hampton defence in the 20th minute, full-back Ali Neden speeding on to Fraser’s pass to score in the left corner. Fraser missed the conversion but Dulwich’s 8-0 lead proved significant as the match unfolded, Hampton finding their rhythm. Dulwich spent the vast majority of the second half on the defence, successfully snuffing out repeated Hampton attacks. Close defeat: Alex Lundberg goes over for a Hampton try . Challenge: Hampton's Alex Tavener runs into Dulwich's Dom Fraser . Centre Alex Taverner looked certain to score only for referee Dean Richards to adjudge that the Hampton player had been held up by Dulwich defenders. ‘It was the classic game of two halves,’ smiled a relieved Dulwich coach Sam Howard afterwards. ‘It’s a cliché but true. ‘In the second half we just forget how to attack and decided to defend. We did manage to grab three points when we were down to 14 men and that proved crucial. Overall, it was a good game and a credit to both teams. ‘ . Fraser accepted the combined tackle by captain Dom Wroe Wright and Neden on Taverner had been a big turning point. ‘That was a great moment and epitomised our team and the way we play for each other,’ he said. Powerful: Dulwich's Josh Ibuanokpe leaves Hampton players in his wake . Warwick: Hickman; Dean (capt), Waldron, Grantham, Berrington; Stride, . Rusher; Jones, Blake, Ley, Whidbourne, Ainsworth, Beeke, Philpot, . Rhodes. Subs: Aldersley, Parkin, Chesher, Thorne, Hughes, Allen, Ackers. Tries: Rusher . Cons: Hickman . Pens: Hickman . Northampton School for Boys: Buckler; Jeffcoate, Spittle (capt), Segun, . Fitton-Swan; Bullivant, Sanderson; Ibrahim, Cort, Dancer, O’Rourke, . Galliano, Hammersley, Hartfield, Connor. Subs: Jenkins, Martin, Stanniford, Foskitt, Eeles, Isaac, Mackay. Tries: Hartfield . Cons: Bullivant . Pens: Bullivant (2) Referee: Dean Richards. A dramatic late surge in the second half secured Northampton Schools for Boys a first appearance in a Twickenham final. Warwick led 10-0 early in the second half of a nervous contest and looked set to continue in the footsteps of the school’s 2007 team who beat Barnard Castle in the final. But NSB ultimately proved stronger after overcoming a spate of handling errors which had ruined a number of attacks. Warwick were 3-0 ahead at half-time, thanks to a penalty by full-back Joshua Hickman, and extended the lead three minutes after the break when scrum-half Andrew Rusher galloped clear off an interception near halfway. Hickman converted to give Warwick a 10-0 lead which was reduced by Bullivant’s first penalty, the fly half having missed two kicks in the first half. That taste of success gave Bullivant new confidence and he led NSB’s resurgence in the closing stages which culminated in him helping to set up Hartfield’s try, the flanker wriggling clear of Warwick defenders. Bullivant converted to level the match at 10-10. To add to Warwick’s worries No 16 Kurt Jenkins was sin binned soon afterwards and a further penalty, a minute later, brought the fly half’s winning kick. Running clear: Ollie Hartfield goes on a try scoring run for Northampton . Going forward: Devon Barrington on the attack for Warwick . Mark Lee, the long-serving head of rugby at NSB, said he feared his team were stumbling to defeat when they went 10-0 down. ‘We were starting to think it was a ‘bridge too far’ but we had to get on that scoreboard. Warwick are a good side but I never thought they were going to carve us up out wide. ‘We just needed to get some points in order to develop some confidence. We looked brilliant over on the back field in the warm up, but as soon as the opposition came on all that changed,’ he joked. ‘But the way we fought back was testimony to this side’s guts and determination. A Twickenham final is just fantastic.’ As a state school, NSB will be looking to become the first from the sector since Exeter College in 2005 to lift the Under 18s Cup. Just in time: Conor Bullivant of Northampton manages to get his pass away before being tackled . Delight: Northampton celebrate their victory at the final whistle . | Under 18s semi-final results: .
Dulwich 11 Hampton 5 .
Warwick 10 Northampton School for Boys 13 . |
72,664 | ce0c4ae6591d3c97f7f90c689b7ec8b41c7cf91b | By . Lydia Warren . PUBLISHED: . 09:40 EST, 7 August 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 20:30 EST, 14 August 2013 . The father of a teenage girl who is believed to have been kidnapped by a man suspected of killing her mother has pleaded with the man - his friend - to hand over the girl and turn himself in. Brett Anderson pleaded with suspect James DiMaggio to release his daughter Hannah, 16, adding: 'You've taken everything else.' 'Jim, I can't fathom what you were . thinking,' he said at the news conference near San Diego, California on Tuesday. 'The damage is done.' His daughter Hannah, 16, has not been seen since Sunday - when the murdered bodies of her mother, Christina Anderson, 42, and a child were found in DiMaggio's burned home in Boulevard. Hannah's eight-year-old brother, Ethan, is also missing - and authorities have suggested that the child's remains found in the wrecked house could belong to him, but they are waiting for DNA results. Scroll down for video . Missing: Authorities have issued an Amber . Alertfor Ethan Anderson, 8, and Hannah Anderson, 16, who vanished after their mother's body was found. Authorities suggested a second found body could belong to Ethan . At the press conference, Mr Anderson . also pleaded with his missing daughter, who authorities believe is in . grave danger, to run away from the family friend if she could. 'Hannah, we all love you very much,' he said. 'If you have a chance, you take it. You run. You’ll be found.' Anderson . did not make reference to eight-year-old Ethan, who was named with his . sister in an Amber Alert after the burned down home was found. Mrs . Anderson's body was found near to a dead dog in the house and after . authorities carried out further searches, the remains of a child . were also found among rubble in the garage. Worry: Their father Brett Anderson pleaded for the return of his daughter on Tuesday as he appeared at a vigil - his face filled with worry. 'You've taken everything else,' he said to the suspect . Suspect: The two bodies were found at the home of James DiMaggio, pictured left and right, on Sunday . An . autopsy was performed Tuesday, but authorities said it could still take . a few days for DNA testing to determine if the child was Ethan, Fox News reported. 'It is a . possibility that it's Ethan,' said sheriff's Lt. Glenn Giannantonio. 'Right now we just don't know. And we're praying that it isn't Ethan.' The manner of the child's death remains undetermined but officials said that Ms . Anderson had been murdered. Dimaggio, 40, lived at the house alone. He is now wanted on suspicion of murder and arson. Reports say that he was a close . family friend and shared a platonic relationship with Mrs Anderson. It . is believed the children treated him like an uncle. Authorities . have not releasing a motive for the alleged crimes, but there has been . speculation about a further relationship between he and Hannah, Fox 5 . reported. Close: DiMaggio, 40, is pictured with 16-year-old Hannah, and phone records show that they exchanged 13 phone calls prior to the abduction and house fire . Vanished: Hannah's father Brett urged her to run away from DiMaggio if she had the chance . Loved: Images on Facebook show Hannah as a fun-loving, popular teenager with a passion for dancing . Family: An image from their father's Facebook shows Ethan and Hannah when they were younger . Christina . Anderson's father, Christopher Saincome, said he had seen DiMaggio two . or three times and described him as a good friend of his son-in-law. On . Tuesday, Mr Anderson joined hundreds of family friends and neighbors at . a candlelight vigil in the parking lot of El Capitan High School in . Lakeside, where Hannah was about to start her junior year. Pink . paper cups stuffed between holes in the fence read 'Pray Hannah' and . dozens of white, blue and pink balloons lifted into the air. At the vigil, Mr Anderson and other family members address the large crowd. 'Hannah . will come back and Ethan and Tina, I love you both,' he said. 'We all . love you. I know everybody’s here for support of all three of them and I . want to thank you all. God bless.' Her Facebook page reveals a popular teenage girl with a passion for dance. She was also a gymnast on her high school team. Missed: Three of Hannah's friends sob during a vigil at El Capitan High School for the missing teen on Tuesday . Pain: Hannah's aunt, Jennifer Willis, hugs a friend during the vigil, where where the crowd let off balloons . Tears: Willis and Hannah's cousin Hallie Landy embrace during the emotional candelight vigil . Hope: Friends and relatives light candles at a vigil as they pray for the missing teenager's safe return . 'You would never see her without a smile on her face, said Marlee Friszell, 16, who attended Hannah's birthday party last week. Ethan Anderson liked to play football and baseball and go fishing, neighbors said. The Amber Alert said DiMaggio is believed to be driving a blue Nissan Versa with California license plate 6WCU986. The California Highway Patrol said the suspect could be headed to Texas or Canada. 'Realistically, . we don't know where they’re going,' Giannantonio told Fox 5. 'We're . keeping a wide net, and hopefully we’ll find them. We're looking . everywhere. We're going to work on this case until we find them.' He . is described as white, 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighing 150 pounds, with . brown hair and brown eyes, and is currently clean-shaved without the . goatee beard seen in his photo. Hunt: A policeman on duty near the burnt out property in Boulevard around 60 miles southeast of . San Diego . | Hannah Anderson has not been seen since the bodies of her mother and a child were found in home of family friend James DiMaggio on Sunday .
Authorities said 'there is a possibility' the child's body belongs to her missing brother Ethan and DNA tests are underway to confirm .
Children's father urged his daughter to run away if she gets the chance . |
135,871 | 3bc5231941cd03dc646a04c9c23f788b0d0be810 | By . Jill Reilly . PUBLISHED: . 05:20 EST, 17 January 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 12:05 EST, 17 January 2014 . In her role as Secretary of State Hillary Clinton raised possibility of giving Israel a green light to attack, it has been claimed . Hillary Clinton raised the possibility of giving Israel a green light to attack Iran when she was secretary of state, it has been claimed. She made the suggestion in 2010 when the U.S. were concerned that Israel might launch a unilateral air strike against Iran’s nuclear program, according to US sources. As officials discussed ways to dissuade the Israeli Prime Minister from taking unilateral action, it is claimed that Mrs Clinton then floated the idea that giving the green light for such a move could 'take care of the problem for' the US, one senior administration official quoted her saying reported Time. The report says that Mrs Clinton did not actually endorse the idea. It states she only raised the notion 'as one option to consider' according to one former official, who added that it was not considered inside the administration. Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates writes in his new memoir, Duty that at a January 2010 Oval Office meeting, he told Mr Obama 'he needed to consider the ramifications of a no-warning Israeli attack,” including whether the U.S. would assist Israel and how it would respond to Iranian retaliation.' Earlier this week Iranian President Hassan Rouhani boasted to a cheering crowd that the United States and other world powers 'surrendered' to Tehran with the new nuclear agreement struck in Geneva. 'Do you know what the Geneva agreement means? It means the surrender of great international powers before the great nation of Iran,' the moderate leader told a home crowd. Yesterday the White House released a summary of the deal reached between six major world powers and Iran to curb its nuclear program, responding to calls from the U.S. Congress and other groups for more transparency about what the agreement entails. Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates said at a January 2010 Oval Office meeting, he told Obama 'he needed to consider the ramifications of a no-warning Israeli attack' Revelations: Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates signs copies of his new book during a book signing at the Pentagon in Washington . Iran has denied it wants to use the program to eventually build nuclear weapons but agreed to scale it back after the international community applied strict financial and oil sanctions. The six-month preliminary deal includes some relief from the sanctions as talks continue toward a broader, long-term deal. The White House gave Congress access to the full text of technical instructions for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) but released a detailed four-page summary of the deal to the public. Tension remains between Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani . 'It is the preference of the IAEA . that certain technical aspects of the technical understandings remain . confidential,' White House spokesman Jay Carney told reporters. Wendy Sherman, the State Department's lead Iran negotiator, briefed lawmakers on the agreement on Thursday. Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates has been forced to wear a neck brace while on his book launch after breaking his first vertebrae after a fall. Mr Gates, former Central Intelligence Agency director for President George H.W. Bush and President Obama, fractured his neck after slipping on ice outside his home in Seattle at the beginning of the year. In 2008, Mr Gates broke his shoulder after slipping on ice, causing him to miss a congressional hearing. Some . walked out of the meeting saying it had heightened, rather than eased, . their concerns about negotiations between Iran and the United States and . five other world powers. 'I'm more disturbed more than ever after the briefing,' Republican South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham said. Mr Graham, a frequent critic of the Obama administration's foreign policy initiatives, is a co-sponsor of a bill opposed by the White House to slap new sanctions on Iran if it walks away from the negotiations. Iran agreed to stop production of 20 percent enriched uranium on or by Monday, Jan. 20, and to begin diluting half of its stockpile of 20 percent enriched uranium. Over the next six months, the IAEA will verify a series of other curbs on enrichment and use of centrifuges. Iran's Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant: Under the new agreement, Iran must limit uranium enrichment and open its nuclear program to daily inspection by international experts starting January 20 . Iran is not allowed to commission or fuel the Arak reactor, and must stop producing and testing fuel for the reactor, the summary said. At the end of the six-month period, Iran will agree to 'a cap on the permitted size of Iran's up to 5 percent enriched uranium stockpile,' the summary said. IAEA inspectors will visit the Natanz and Fordow uranium enrichment sites daily, including both scheduled and unannounced inspections. Inspectors will visit the Arak reactor at least monthly, up from the current pace of one every three months, or longer. Iran agreed to provide design information for the Arak reactor and other access to related facilities, the summary said. The added inspections will 'enable the international community to more quickly detect breakout or the diversion of materials to a secret program,' the summary said. The European Union, Iran, and the six major powers (P5+1) that are part of the agreement will name a joint commission of experts to work with the IAEA to implement the deal and discuss any issues that arise. The group will meet once a month. | Claimed she made the suggestion in 2010 when the U.S. were concerned that Israel might launch unilateral air strike against Iran’s nuclear program . |
17,858 | 32957be1e211d4745b28b4c8c2738b8558e478ea | (CNN) -- The guitarist stands in front of a mirror messing with his mohawk. The drummer strikes a wild tempo. The singer rips off his T-shirt and begins to scream the lyrics. Basim Usmani is bassist for The Kominas, a group that blends traditional sounds with punk rock beats. They're young. They're punk. And they're rocking both their Muslim and American worlds with their music, lyrics and style. "A lot of times people say, 'Oh wow, look, brown people playing music' [but] it's more than that," said 25-year-old Pakistani-American Shahjehan Khan, the lead singer for a Muslim punk band, The Kominas. The Boston-based band is one of a handful of Muslim punk bands that emerged in the United States in the past few years. The members of this four-person rock group with South Asian roots hold varying views on religion. One says he's an atheist; three others identify as Muslims -- both practicing and non-practicing. For them, punk music is a way to rebel against their conservative cultural upbringing and the frustrations of growing up a young Muslim in America. "We aren't [just] some alternative to a stereotypical Muslim. We actually might be offering some sort of insights for people at large about religion, about the world," said 26-year-old bassist Basim Usmani. Blending traditional South Asian rhythms with punk rock beats, they sing in both English and Punjabi. (Kominas means "scum-bag" in Punjabi, according to the band.) Their songs can be at once political, serious, satirical and insinuating. Audio slide show: On tour with Muslim punk rockers » . Their risqué lyrics and provocative song titles such as "Sharia Law in the USA," "Suicide Bomb the GAP" and "Rumi was a Homo" -- a protest song against homophobia in the American Muslim community -- have drawn the attention of Muslims, non-Muslims, fans and critics alike. "You sort of have to throw it in peoples' faces and be shocking in order to give people a different way to think about stuff," said Usmani. "These punk, metal and rap scenes - so-called extreme music scenes -- are addressing issues that mainstream music doesn't," said Mark LeVine, a professor of Middle Eastern history at University of California, Irvine, who is also a musician and author of "Heavy Metal Islam." "[Punk] allows them to rebel against society and their own culture at the same time," he said. iReport: Is Islam at odds with American values? Before the Islamic punk movement in North America had a voice, it had a story. The Muslim punk scene began to gel in 2003 when novelist and convert to Islam, Michael Muhammad Knight self-published his book, "The Taqwacores" about a fictional Muslim punk scene in Buffalo, New York. The book opens with a poem called "Muhammed was a Punk Rocker" and describes both conventional and unconventional characters including a Shi'ite skinhead, a conservative Sunni Muslim, a burka-wearing feminist punk and a Sufi who sports a Mohawk and drinks alcohol. "The punk rock kids I would hang out with weren't even Muslim," 31-year old Knight recalls. "They were so fiercely individualistic -- I wish that I could be a Muslim in that way: not be ashamed of my confusion, not be ashamed of my doubts. Just be myself and be proud of who I am." The novel's title, "Taqwacore," is a hybrid word stemming from the Arabic "taqwa," meaning "god consciousness," and "core" referring to "hardcore" -- a genre of punk music. It's now a general term for Muslim punk rock. The popularity of the book, which Knight said was born out of a search to find his identity as a Muslim-American, grew in underground youth circles and online. It didn't take long before real-life "taqwacore" bands like The Kominas began blooming across the country. "It makes sense why punk has been the music of choice for young, politically active Muslims who are musical," said LeVine. "The straight edge movement in punk which was about no drugs, no alcohol, was clean yet very intense and political. It's a way for them to rebel against their families in some extreme ways yet still be ritualistically, 'good Muslims.' " "Taqwacore" gave voice to many young Muslim-Americans who felt muted by circumstances and created an opening for bands like Al-Thawra, Vote Hezbollah, and Secret Trial Five -- an all-girl punk band out of Vancouver, Canada. In the summer of 2007, five of the taqwacore bands organized a "taqwa-tour" of the northeastern United States. They played in city after city, traveling in a green school bus with TAQWA painted on the front bought by Knight for $2,000 on eBay. This summer, The Kominas continue to strike a chord with audiences around the country, hitting cities from San Francisco to New York on a multi-city tour. The taqwacore movement has also inspired two upcoming films - a dramatic feature film based on the book and a documentary. Many conservative Muslims may peg young taqwacores as heretic for their suggestive and irreverent lyrics. But the musicians say they are just trying to show both cultures how broad the spectrum of belief can be. Like many young adults balancing their religious beliefs with American culture, some young Muslims in the United States say it's a constant struggle to be accepted in both worlds. "I had a lot of conflicted feelings growing up a Muslim in America," said 25-year-old Kominas drummer Imran Malik. "It was hard not being able to do the same things that everyone else around you is doing without feeling guilty about them." Knight, who grew up with a Catholic mother and white supremacist father, converted to Islam when he was 16. He said his message is not one of blasphemy but rather an extension of his discontent with the rigid etiquette that dictates certain practices within Islam and the stereotypes of Muslims in American. "Muslims haven't been fully accepted as Americans but the American experience hasn't been accepted as something that can contribute to the Muslim world," said Knight. Knight said writing the book helped him and others connect through shared experiences. "When I first wrote it, I felt like there would never be a place for me in the Muslim community and that has really turned around a lot," he said. "The book gave me the community I needed, it connected me to all these kids that were also confused and who also went through the things that I went through." That connection is vital to taqwacore music, bassist Usmani said. "The music is great, but the conversation is the key to all of this. The dialogue that we have inspired is really invaluable." "I don't think Islam is ever going to go away, I'm just trying to see how it best fits in my life." | A handful of Muslim punk bands have emerged in the last few years .
A fictional portrayal of a Muslim punk scene helped set the real-world stage .
Some conservative Muslims disapprove of the suggestive and irreverent lyrics . |
212,970 | 9fcac4a7d8a1839898fbafec01e4af08ca2d3f7e | Neil and Sonia Musselwhite trusted Gino DiCaprio (pictured), whom they had known for 20 years, when he told them he could fulfill their dreams of having a child . A serial crook jailed for stealing £12,000 from a deaf couple who thought he was helping them have children via a surrogate mother in Kenya has been ordered to pay them almost £30,000. Gino Di Caprio, 53, of Rossendale, Lancashire, was ordered to pay more than £14,000 each to Sonia and Neil Musselwhite over the scam which began in June 2011. He must also pay Mr Musselwhite's mother the same amount after conning her and her son out of almost £90,000 by persuading them to invest in bogus property deals in Kenya in a separate scam. Di Caprio told the Musselwhites, who were unable to conceive, that he could arrange for them to have the baby they longed for through his contacts in Kenya. He went with the couple to a fertility clinic in Oxford and pretended to arrange for their eggs and sperm to be sent to the African country, charging them £34 for the carriage. He then took a fee of £6,000 from them for the fabricated surrogacy, before spinning a lie that the child had Down’s Syndrome. He said that the child's condition meant that they would be unable to take it, because of their own disabilities and would also lose their money. A deal for a second baby was reached but DiCaprio extracted more money by saying the child was ill and that there had been visa complications to delay its arrival. He even sent them fake pictures of the baby, called Amy, which he had actually taken from a photographer’s website. Mrs Musselwhite gave up her job in February 2013 to prepare for the child's arrival. Police later discovered this was a picture of Di Caprio's own daughter, called Ellie. After being arrested in September last year, he was jailed for three and a half years in March for four counts of confidence fraud. The scams were said to have left Mr and Mrs Musselwhite emotionally and financially devastated. A hearing to confiscate his assets was due to be held at Reading Crown Court on Friday last week, but did not go ahead because an agreement was made in advance over the amount of money Di Caprio had available to pay back his victims. Di Caprio - who is also deaf - had known Mr and Mrs Musselwhite for almost 20 years and they regarded him as a friend. Mr Musselwhite said DiCaprio attended the Oxford fertility clinic, where he appeared to speak with the receptionist, leading them to believe that eggs and sperm held at the clinic were going to be sent to Kenya . Oscar Del Fabro, prosecuting, told the court on Friday that Di Caprio would have £44,230.59 available to pay back his victims, and that would be split three ways between them. Rebecca Randall, defending, asked for the maximum time to pay because of Di Caprio’s difficulties as a deaf man making the arrangements from prison. Di Caprio was given six months to realise his assets and pay up, with a sentence of 15 months’ imprisonment if he fails to do so within the deadline. During his trial in March, the court heard that he had 11 previous convictions for numerous offences dating back to 1982, including theft, forgery and making false statements. He was jailed for eight years in 1992 for robbing a jeweller while armed and for two years in 1999 for attempting to obtain property by deception. | Neil and Sonia Musselwhite trusted friend of 20 years Gino Di Caprio, 53 .
When couple told him they couldn't conceive, he promised to help out .
He pretended to make arrangements for a surrogate mother in Kenya .
Even took the couple to an Oxford fertility clinic as part of the elaborate con .
As they were awaiting baby's arrival, told them child had Down's Syndrome .
Agreed to arrange second surrogacy, taking £12,000 from them in total .
Also conned Mr Musselwhite and his mother in £90,000 property scam .
He was jailed for three years and must now pay £15,000 to all three victims . |
29,700 | 5475265de5d924aaeb80a2ddd5ca5b95099e55d4 | In the summer of 2007, mobile health (mHealth) was a field in its infancy. Monsoon season in Bangladesh, however, was in full swing, and with it came an enormous spike in cholera cases. I was working at a diarrheal disease hospital in the capital, Dhaka, at the time. More than 1,000 patients were rushed to the hospital on stretchers every day, most admitted to the makeshift wards of canvas tents that sprawled over parking lots and spilled into the streets. It was there that I saw my first patient die. He was a 53-year-old male, a husband and a father, emaciated and severely dehydrated. I remember struggling to place an IV into his cephalic vein, shuddering at the words repeating in my mind. He looks like a corpse. In 10 minutes he passed away, and we learned that his family had brought him on a three-day journey to the capital for treatment. They were wholly unaware that a satellite clinic had been deployed no more than 20 minutes away from their home. This was an enormous tragedy, and for years I would think about how it could have been prevented. It turned out that a solution was in place and waiting to be discovered. The key is to leverage the unprecedented communication boom that's happening today. Health: Tracking your body with technology . It is easy to forget that the mobile revolution has been a global phenomenon. Of the more than 6 billion cell phone subscriptions worldwide, 76% are in developing countries. From rural Malawi to bustling Hyderabad, cell phone coverage and penetrance have become surprisingly advanced. When I saw the potential of how we can radically transform the way we deliver health care to underserved populations, I co-founded Medic Mobile in the hopes of building new models of health care support networks from simple, SMS-based platforms. This direction opened the gateway to establishing emergency triage systems, sending medication adherence reminders, enabling home-based antenatal care, tracking community immunization and dispatching mass announcements detailing satellite clinic schedules and locations. Handheld device that saves lives . For example, in Kurnool, India, where first-year childhood vaccination rates have lingered in the 60th percentile, we worked with a local immunization center to design a mobile-based reminder system for parents. Local health workers enrolled newly pregnant women in our records and took down their cell phone number. Once the system was updated with an infant's birth date, it would automatically schedule SMS reminders to be sent to the family when it was time for a vaccination. The system also sent periodic educational messages about the importance of complete immunization and the diseases they protected against. After six months of piloting this intervention, we were already seeing dramatic improvements in vaccination rates. Mothers walked into the clinic grinning, baby in one hand, cell phone in the other. While I am focused on helping people in the developing countries, I am keenly aware that mobile health care innovations also impact people close to home. Working at Stanford hospitals, I can attest to the luxury of checking my patients' vital signs while lying in bed, or test driving in-house communication systems for consultations, which utilize smartphones rather than 1980's-era pagers. Health: Your smartphone is a pain in the neck . Mobile health development in the United States means innovating with the newest technologies, from diabetes management apps to miniature diagnostic devices, all aiming to capitalize on the potential of the latest tablets and smartphones. The possibilities are truly mind-blowing. Interestingly, U.S.-based mobile health care innovations can serve as testing beds for tools that will likely be deployed in Africa, Central and South America, or Southeast Asia in the coming years. And many SMS-based innovations gaining prominence abroad might return to the developed world as cost-effective methods of addressing fundamental problems in our overburdened health care system. I like to think that the paths of innovation are convergent. Imagine a world where, whether you're sporting an iPhone 5 or a Nokia 3100, you can remotely access your medical information, reschedule doctors' appointments, monitor loved ones' vital signs, receive secure lab results, compete for "best blood sugar control," manage tailored medication reminders, etc. That day may not be that far off. | Many of the 6 billion wireless subscriptions worldwide are in developing countries .
Nadim Mahmud: Mobile tech can radically transform the way we deliver health care .
He says doctors can easily send reminders to patients about medication, vaccination .
Mahmud: Mobile health care innovations in the U.S. are mind-blowing . |
274,722 | efe11a90dd6fd85a92f7be858b43302ac2b1d8a0 | Canadian teenager Eugenie Bouchard comfortably defeated an out-of-sorts Serena Williams 6-2, 6-1 at the Hopman Cup in Perth on Tuesday. The American world No 1's body language throughout the contest suggested she would rather have been anywhere else than on the blue hard courts in Western Australia. An on-court espresso helped spark her into life as she overcame a first set bagel to beat Italy's Flavia Pennetta 0-6, 6-3, 6-0 on Monday in the round robin mixed team event but nothing could help bring her out of Tuesday's malaise. Eugenie Bouchard waves to the crowd at the Perth Arena after claiming victory against Serena Williams . Bouchard plays a backhand on her way to victory over Williams at the Hopman Cup . World No 1 Williams shows her frustrations as she is thrashed by Bouchard on Tuesday in Perth . Sluggish footwork and uncharacteristically slow serves allowed Bouchard to break the 33-year-old with ease as the Canadian bounced back from a 6-0, 6-4 thrashing by Czech Lucie Safarova in her opener. Williams had complained of jet-lag following her previous day's efforts against Pennetta but she looked in good spirits as she teamed up with John Isner to win their mixed doubles against the Italians for a 3-0 whitewash later on Monday evening. Williams, who did not call the trainer to court on Tuesday, showed flashes of her usual brilliance against Bouchard as she went for her shots but never had the consistency, or the fight, to beat the Canadian. Canadian Bouchard plays a forehand as she comfortably defeats Williams in straight sets . American Williams plays a backhand but struggled for consistency throughout the match . Whether it was jet-lag, illness or something else, Bouchard did not care as she notched a first win over the 18-time Grand Slam singles champion in the warm-up event for the year's first major, the Australian Open, later this month in Melbourne. 'I think I played pretty solid, I'm happy I came out and put on a better show than last time, the 20-year-old world No 6 said in a courtside interview. Isner was next up against Vasek Pospisil before the quartet meet in the mixed doubles later on Tuesday. | Eugenie Bouchard beat Serena Williams 6-2, 6-1 at the Hopman Cup .
World No 1 Williams struggled throughout the match in Perth .
It is 20-year-old Bouchard's first victory against Williams . |
34,436 | 61e059f4de774fa4c70f8a3349db13e31b2cc82a | By . Jill Reilly . PUBLISHED: . 09:14 EST, 21 May 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 02:48 EST, 22 May 2013 . The brother of murder-accused Olympian Oscar Pistorius cried tears of relief as a magistrate acquitted him of culpable homicide in the death of a woman in a car accident. The magistrate ruled today that Carl Pistorius was not negligent and that Maria Barnard was driving her motorcycle excessively fast when she crashed into the back of his vehicle in 2008. The accident happened in Vanderbijlpark in South Africa's Gauteng province, an hour's drive south of Johannesburg in 2008. Tears: Carl Pistorius was told he was not negligent and that Maria Barnard was driving her motorcycle excessively fast when she crashed into the back of his vehicle in 2008 . Acquitted: Carl Pistorius, the brother of murder-accused Olympian Oscar Pistorius cried tears of relief as a magistrate acquitted him of culpable homicide in the death of a woman in a car accident . The prosecution said it had failed to prove its case and would take no further action. Pistorius' stepmother and sister hugged him in the court. His father was also seen offering him support, although his famous brother was not seen. Carl Pistorius was represented by the same lawyer as his brother, the highly-respected advocate Kenny Oldwage. Mr Oldwage said Carl Pistorius and his defence team were delighted after the drawn-out court battle . 'We are satisfied with the end of it all. We are delighted,' said Mr Oldwage. Golden couple: The photo provides a moving insight into the life of the lovers, who friends claim appeared every inch South Africa's perfect couple . 'As for Carl, I can only say he is delighted,' he told IOL News. The case attracted interest as it . came to court shortly after double-amputee Olympics star Oscar Pistorius . shot dead his girlfriend on Valentine's Day. Oscar Pistorius, 26, is charged with . premeditated murder in the shooting he says was accidental because he . mistook her for a burglar. It comes as it was today reported . detectives investigating Reeva's death have questioned a blonde . socialite over her relationship with the Blade Runner amid claims the . two shared flirty text messages and canoodled at a party. Junior . PR executive Erin Stear, 25, gave a statement to police under oath in . which she denied having an affair with Pistorius, according to The Sun. A . source told the paper: 'Erin met Oscar when Reeva was his girlfriend. They hit it off and met up again after messaging each other. She was . really excited about getting to know him.' It comes days after Oscar Pistorius revealed he will not return to the track for the rest of the year so he can focus on his looming court case. Pistorius . stands accused of premeditated murder after the death of his girlfriend . Reeva Steenkamp, who was shot dead on Valentine's Day at his Pretoria . home. The 'Blade Runner', . who was released on bail in February, will be back in court on June 4 . and is likely to stand trial before the end of 2013. But the Paralympian’s coach Ampie Louw . revealed Pistorius has turned down invitations to take part in major . international athletic events and will stay away from the track. In . the dock: Carl Pistorius was seen at his brother's bail hearing (behind left). Pistorius denies murder, claiming he shot his model . girlfriend, believing a burglar had entered their home while they slept. Tragedy: Reeva Steenkamp died after being shot in the bathroom at Pistorius' home . Blade Runner: Pistorius' coach claims the South African is not ready to head back into action . Louw said: 'We have decided as a team we are not talking [about] any training or athletics. 'We have postponed [races] for the whole year.' This week a final photo emerged of the couple snuggling tenderly on the sofa, sharing a laugh over their pet monkey. 'He was tickling her,' Pistorius' best friend Christo Menelaou, who took the picture, told South Africa's You magazine. 'They were lovers and also real friends.' Christo, 34, who said Pistorius had grown a thick beard since his girlfriend's death, added: 'He cries a lot and says over and over, "I’m sorry".' | The magistrate ruled that Carl Pistorius was not negligent in 2008 accident .
Woman died after she crashed in to the back of his vehicle .
Comes as final photo of Reeva and Oscar emerges with their monkey .
Both brothers are represented by the same lawyer, Kenny Oldwage . |
237,983 | c00783099d67c18fe0552b94db80f9992418dabb | (CNN) -- What Syria asserts is Israel's launch of two air strikes on Damascus last week presents a marked and dangerous escalation of that country's involvement in the Syrian war. Israel's intervention -- if confirmed -- also shows how the conflict has mutated from a political uprising to an internal armed struggle, and now to a regional war by proxy fiercely fought on Syria's killing fields. (Israel has a policy of refusing to confirm or deny attacks attributed to its military.) The confrontation in Syria has become more complex, more perilous, and more difficult to resolve. The Syrian struggle has not only spread into Syria's neighbors, like Lebanon, Iraq, Jordan and Turkey -- but has also become a battlefield wherein Israel and Iran are challenging each other. There is also a fierce geostrategic rivalry unfolding in Syria between Sunni-dominant Saudi Arabia and Shiite Iran, a rivalry invested and fuelled with sectarianism. A real danger exists that this complex conflict in Syria could escalate into a region-wide battle involving Syria's major allies -- Iran and Hezbollah, and Israel, other regional powers, and the Western states. Israel's alleged deepening involvement in the conflict also changes the dynamics of the political struggle in Syria in two ways. It puts the armed opposition on the defensive, because it shows them that they and Israel are indirectly battling the same enemy -- the Assad regime. And it reinforces President Bashar al-Assad's dominant narrative: that the struggle in Syria is not internal, that this is not about a domestic coalition striving to replace authoritarianism with democracy -- but rather this is a wider conspiracy spearheaded by Israel and its regional allies and Western powers. The Syrian official media has already portrayed Israel's bombings as an attempt to shore up the armed opposition and reverse the balance of power in its favor. Although the Iranian leadership has repeatedly stated that it would come to the aid of Syria if it is attacked by Israel, it is unlikely that Iran or its partner Hezbollah would retaliate directly against Israel's possible strikes. Both Iran and Hezbollah would like to avoid a regional conflict in which Israel and its allies would have the upper hand. Opinion: Is Obama failing on moral leadership? What Iran and Hezbollah would most likely do is deepen their involvement in Syria's shifting sands. In an emotional speech last week, Hassan Nasrallah, the Hezbollah top leader, stressed that al-Assad's allies will not allow Syria to fall. Now Hezbollah and Iran would become more determined than ever to prevent the removal of al-Assad from power. Bluntly put, the recent escalation of hostilities will not only prolong the deadly conflict in Syria, but has now made it an open-ended war by proxy -- one with major potential repercussions for regional and international security and peace. Israel's major goal appears to be the establishment of a red line in Syria, whereby no advanced weapons reach Hezbollah -- its archenemy in Lebanon. Israel's primary audience was Hezbollah and Iran. Israel is taking a calculated gamble that neither Syria nor Hezbollah would risk retaliation. Obama: 'Do not foresee scenario' of American boots on ground in Syria . There is a risk of miscalculation that could trigger a bigger clash. Given the risks and the dangers of a region-wide conflict, one would hope that the great powers -- particularly the United States and Russia -- would assume their historic responsibility and reach an understanding that begins the process of putting an end to the deadly struggle in Syria that has killed more than 70,000 Syrians, according to the latest United Nations estimate, and caused a humanitarian disaster. More than two years after the breakout of the Syrian confrontation there does not seem to be a military solution. It is a long war of attrition with no end in sight. Neither internal camp seems to have the means to deliver a decisive blow. Only a political solution will put an end to the shedding of Syrian blood and prevent the unthinkable: a region-wide conflict that would have catastrophic consequences. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Fawaz A. Gerges. | Gerges: Israel's alleged involvement changes the dynamics of Syrian struggle .
Iran stated it would aid Syria if it is attacked by Israel, but it is unlikely it would retaliate directly .
A political solution will put an end to the bloodshed and prevent a region-wide conflict, he says . |
231,743 | b80b83ff4036f816f2eb50a60f8851e47b112a0b | North Korean defectors are planning to attach DVDs of The Interview to 15-foot helium balloons, which they will send over the border into their home country. Fighters for a Free North Korea, led by former government propagandist Park Sang Hak, has for years used the tactic to smuggle transistor radios, DVDs and leaflets into North Korea. If all goes to plan, the latest move will see dozens of copies of the Seth Rogen movie released from South Korea and drifting for several hours before scattering over Pyongyang. North Korean defectors hold balloons carrying anti-North Korea leaflets at a park in the border town of Paju, north of Seoul. The helium balloons will be used to carry copies of The Interview into North Korea . Few people have access to any uncensored media in North Korea, but the regime is particularly opposed to The Interview as it involves a CIA plot to assassinate leader Kim Jong-un. The Human Rights Foundation in New York, founded by Thor Halvorssen, has been helping fund the balloon drops and said the next one is due in January. Halvorssen told The Hollywood Reporter that the past dozen or so drops have included copies of movies and TV shows like Braveheart, Battlestar Galactica and Desperate Housewives. Although The Interview will not be out on DVD at the start of next year, Halvorssen said copies of the comedy will be included in the drops as soon as it is. North Korean defectors, former soldiers, now living in South Korea and members of human rights foundations from the United States release balloons carrying propaganda leaflets . He added: 'Viewing any one of these is a subversive act that could get you executed, and North Koreans know this, given the public nature of the punishments meted out to those who dare watch entertainment from abroad,' Activists have for years used the tactic to smuggle transistor radios, DVDs and leaflets across the border and into North Korea . 'Despite all of that there is a huge thirst for knowledge and information from the outside world. 'North Koreans risk their lives to watch Hollywood films ... and The Interview is tremendously threatening to the Kims. 'They cannot abide by anything that portrays them as anything other than a god. This movie destroys the narrative.' The 15-foot long helium balloons are capable of reaching heights of around 16,000 feet and can drift for hundreds of miles, before timers tell them to release their loads. As well as DVDs and radios, they are also used to distribute any-regime propaganda, highlighting the severe human rights abuses and starvation suffered by the population, alongside the lavish lifestyle of the leadership. The Interview has been the center of controversy since hackers targeted Sony Pictures Entertainment, after North Korea denounced the movie, leading to speculation that the country could be behind the cyber attack. Over the summer, North Korea warned that the film's release would be an 'act of war that we will never tolerate'. It said the U.S. will face 'merciless' retaliation. Leaked versions of the pivotal scene show the dictator's head exploding after a missile hits his helicopter and engulfs him in flames. Anger over the depiction of the brutal assassination caused a hacking cell called Guardian of Peace to launch a cyber-attack on Sony Pictures, leaking thousands of damaging documents. The group also threatened terrorist attacks on the United States. The North Korean regime is particularly opposed to The Interview - starring James Franco (left) and Seth Rogen (right) - as it involves a CIA plot to assassinate leader Kim Jong-un . Leaked versions of the pivotal scene in The Interview show the Kim Jong-un's head exploding after a missile hits his helicopter and engulfs him in flames . The move led cinema chains - including the New York City location due to host the premiere - to pull out of showing the film after the hackers promised 9/11-style attacks. Officials at the Department of Homeland Security have said the attacks are not credible - but many theaters have still decided to back away from screenings. The cancelled screening coincided with celebrations in North Korea, as people took to the streets of Pyongyang today to mark the official start of Kim Jong-un's reign. People took to the streets of North Korean capital Pyongyang to mark the official start of Kim Jong Un's reign . Horns and sirens sounded in the oppressed country to mark the end of a mourning period for the dictator's father, Kim Jong Il, who died three years ago. The ceremony - in line with a Korean custom of mourning one's parents for three years - marks the true commencement of the younger ruler's reign, as the last vestiges of his father's regime fade. Since the death of his father, Kim Jong Un has indicated he wants to build the economy and improve the nation's standard of living. But he has also held firm to the North's longstanding - and extremely costly - focus on strengthening its military and developing its nuclear weapons capabilities. The ceremony in Pyongyang - in line with a Korean custom of mourning one's parents for three years - marks the true commencement of the younger ruler's reign, as the last vestiges of his father's regime fade . | 15-ft balloons are used to smuggle censored material into North Korea .
Copies of movie will drift from South Korea and scatter over Pyongyang .
Viewing certain censored movies in North Korea can result in execution .
The Interview has been center of controversy since hackers targeted Sony .
North Korea said releasing it will be 'act of war that we will never tolerate'
Theaters pulled out of showing it after hackers promised 9/11-style attacks . |
282,138 | f97494d61e7abb48e8e7dae7721bdb40da673f3d | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 18:43 EST, 10 January 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 20:08 EST, 10 January 2014 . The parents of a Virginia teenager shot by a neighbor when he accidentally broke into his home while drunk, have questioned whether he was killed in self-defense. Caleb Gordley, 16, was shot in the back by Donald West Wilder, who lives two doors away from the teenager's family in Sterling. Caleb's parents, Jennea and Shawn initially said they forgave Mr Wilder, but the release of a police report months after their son was shot has forced them to change their minds. Fatal error: Caleb was trying to sneak back into his home after drinking with friends when he entered the wrong property . 'At no point, from the . homeowner's ... testimony, the account of the events, did he ever describe . Caleb in any way being aggressive,' Mr Gordley told ABC 20/20. The autopsy report also showed that Caleb had been shot in the back, his parents said. Star: Caleb Gordley was a popular student and excellent athlete . 'If you're really in fear of danger of . your life and your family's life, why would you allow a person ... that . appeared to be dazed to you, walk right past you and then you shoot him . in the back?' Mrs Gordley said. The basketball star had crawled in a back window in the early hours. He didn't realize the house he had entered . was not his own, but one two doors away from where . he lived. After ending up in his neighbor's home, a drunk Caleb had tried to walk upstairs to where he thought his bedroom was. When Mr Wilder heard his alarm go off, . and saw a tall figure he didn't recognize, he grabbed his pistol and . confronted what he thought was a burglar. He . yelled out at the teenager but Caleb continued to walk through the . house and up the stairs, where Mr Wilder's girlfriend was sleeping. 'The homeowner said he made eye . contact with Caleb, and there was a dazed look on his face, so he knew . he was on drugs, alcohol, whatever the case may be,' Mr Gordley said. 'As he came up the steps, he said he saw no weapon, nothing like that.' According . to police reports seen by ABC, when Mr Wilder fired warning shots at . Caleb, the teenager turned to him and said: 'You just shot me.' Mr Wilder then fired up to three more shots, including one that hit Caleb in the back. Sheriff . Michael Chapman said that the incident needed to be seen in the context . of an unknown and dazed-looking intruder breaking into someone's home . at 2.30am. But the teenager's parents say their neighbor could have shot at his leg instead of aiming at his chest and head. 'He lined himself up at the perfect angle to . shoot a hollow point bullet through my son's lung and explode his chest . and then a fourth shot at his head for good measure,' Mr Gordley said. Loss: Shawn and Jennea Gordley have questioned their neighbor's actions in shooting their 16-year-old son . Close: The teenager lived in a house that looked almost identical to his neighbor's . No charges have been filed against Mr Wilder, who declined to be interviewed on 20/20. Virginia law permits homeowners to use deadly force if they feel threatened inside their own homes. 'Do I hate him? No. Do I want him put away? No, I don't think that's going to solve anything,' Mrs Gordley said. The teenager's parents say they are still waiting for their neighbor to make an apology in person. | Donald Wilder killed Caleb Gordley, 16, after mistaking him for an intruder .
Parents of high school athlete initially said they forgave Wilder .
Release of police reports made them question why son was shot in back and not leg . |
102,069 | 0f891b2282ae3e749079377de9a55096f7ed7530 | Pretoria, South Africa (CNN) -- Oscar Pistorius spoke to a friend of Reeva Steenkamp's in a "very sinister tone" Tuesday, asking her: "How can you sleep at night?" the friend's lawyer said. Kim Myers found the "unwelcome approach ... extremely disturbing," lawyer Ian Levitt said, adding that the incident had been reported to the National Prosecuting Authority. The athlete's spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a CNN request for comment. The National Prosecuting Authority confirmed that it had received a report about the alleged incident but said it was legally powerless. "In law we cannot get involved. The Myers family lawyer that made the report was advised to deal with the matter as they deem fit," said authority spokesman Nathi Mncube. Pistorius, 27, is accused of murdering Steenkamp, his girlfriend, a model, reality TV star and law school graduate. She was 29 when she was killed. He admits that he fired four bullets through a closed door in his house, killing her, but says he thought he was protecting himself from a burglar. The alleged comments to Steenkamp's friend came on the day that three neighbors testified about what they heard and saw the night the South African amputee track star killed Steenkamp. One, Michael Nhlengethwa, said that when he saw a stretcher leaving the house, "I knew she was no more." Nhlengethwa, who lived next door to Pistorius, was awakened by his wife, Eontle, when she heard a "bang" that night, he said. Eontle Nhlengethwa imitated the scream she later heard from the Pistorius home, electrifying the court with a powerful wail and then adding, "But like a man." Ricca Motshuane, the other neighbor to take the stand Tuesday, also mimicked the sound she heard, letting out two cries, one after another. Defense and prosecution lawyers moved quickly through the three witnesses, leading defense lawyer Barry Roux to suggest that he would conclude his case next Tuesday -- and joking that prosecutor Gerrie Nel should ask more questions so he wouldn't have to have so many witnesses ready. Differing accounts . Five Pistorius neighbors testified for the prosecution, and five have now testified for the defense. The defense witnesses have all described being on friendly terms with the athlete, as opposed to the state witnesses, who said they did not know him. The three who took the stand Tuesday lived closer to Pistorius than the prosecution witnesses and did not hear the same things the state witnesses heard. Several prosecution witnesses described hearing a series of gunshots and a woman screaming. The neighbors who lived closer did not, other than Eontle Nhlengethwa, who heard the single bang that woke her. There is no dispute that Pistorius shot and killed Steenkamp in his home early on the morning of Valentine's Day 2013. But if the judge believes that there was no woman screaming, it could sink the prosecution case that the couple argued before the killing, CNN legal analyst Kelly Phelps said. Two other neighbors, Johan Stander and his daughter Carice, took the stand Monday. They testified that Pistorius was desperate to save Steenkamp's life after he shot her. The South African sprinter was "praying, crying, torn apart" after shooting his girlfriend, pleading with her not to die, Stander said. Stander, the first person on the scene after the shooting, made an impassioned defense of Pistorius on the stand as he described what he saw that night. "His commitment to save the young lady's life -- when he put his finger in the young lady's mouth ... how he begged her to stay alive. ... I saw the truth that morning. I saw it. And I feel it," said Stander, who was the first person Pistorius called after killing Steenkamp. 'I've shot Reeva' He went to Pistorius' house in response to an urgent phone call from the double amputee sprinter at 3:18 a.m. on February 14, 2013, he said. "Please, please, please, come to my house. I've shot Reeva. I thought she was an intruder. Please, please, please, come quick," Pistorius begged Stander, the defense witness testified. Stander was the manager of the Silver Woods Estate, where Pistorius lived. Pistorius' defense team appears to be trying to use Stander and his daughter to buttress the athlete's account of the circumstances of the killing, after the prosecution savaged Pistorius on the witness stand. Prosecutor Nel tore into Pistorius over five days in court in April, saying the Paralympic medalist had argued with Steenkamp and killed her on purpose. He tried to force Pistorius to look at a picture of Steenkamp's head after the shooting, accused Pistorius of being selfish and possessive, and said he refused to take responsibility for his actions. Judge Thokozile Masipa must decide whether Pistorius genuinely made a terrible mistake or whether he murdered Steenkamp intentionally. Live blog: Pistorius on trial . The gripping trial has seen Pistorius break down repeatedly, crying, wailing and sometimes throwing up as the court sees and hears evidence about Steenkamp's death. Evidence has included graphic photos of the wounds; testimony from neighbors, friends, police and pathologists; and the actual door through which Pistorius fired four hollow-tipped bullets on the fateful night. Tough cross-examination . Roux has said he will call 14 to 17 witnesses. The Nhlengethwas were the sixth and seventh, and Motshuane was the eighth. Pistorius himself testified for seven days in April. The defense team is seeking to cast doubt on the state's case and needs only to show there is a reasonable doubt that Pistorius meant to kill Steenkamp. Its case will be followed by closing arguments. Masipa will decide the verdict in collaboration with two experts called assessors. South Africa does not have jury trials. If Pistorius is found guilty of premeditated murder, he faces life in prison. He could be convicted of the lesser charge of culpable homicide, which would leave his sentence at the discretion of the judge. The trial has gripped South Africa and sports fans worldwide who considered Pistorius a symbol of triumph over physical adversity. His disabled lower legs were amputated when he was a baby, but he went on to achieve global fame as the "Blade Runner," winning numerous Paralympic gold medals on the carbon-fiber blades that gave him his nickname. He also competed against able-bodied runners at the Olympics. Only those in the courtroom saw Pistorius on the stand, because he chose not to testify on camera. His testimony could be heard in an audio feed. Oscar Pistorius trial enters new phase after blistering cross-examination . Gerrie Nel: 'Bulldog' prosecutor sinks teeth into Oscar Pistorius at murder trial . | NEW: Kim Myers says Pistorius spoke to her in a "very sinister tone"
Defense witnesses did not hear the same things prosecution witnesses did .
The defense is planning to wrap up next week .
Pistorius says he mistook his girlfriend for an intruder in the middle of the night . |
81,209 | e6237fa598f00e7f9414cea852d564fbfb8d4c52 | (CNN) -- The Marine Corps' top officer says he would want to avoid housing gay and heterosexual Marines in the same rooms on base if the ban on gays openly serving in the military is lifted. "I would not ask our Marines to live with someone that's homosexual if we can possibly avoid it," Marine Commandant Gen. James Conway told a Web site in an interview posted Friday. "And to me that means we've got to build [barracks] that have single rooms." Asked about the possibility of gay and straight Marines living together, Conway told the site Military.com that he would "want to preserve the right of a Marine that thinks he or she wouldn't want to do that -- and that's the overwhelming number of people that say they wouldn't like to do so." Conway said the Marine Corps is the only branch of the armed services that houses two to a room. On Thursday, Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced that the Pentagon will start to ease its enforcement of the "don't ask, don't tell" policy prohibiting homosexuals from serving openly in the military. Among other things, Gates said the Pentagon is raising the threshold for what constitutes an appropriate level of information necessary to launch a "credible inquiry" into allegations of homosexual behavior. The change, which will take effect in 30 days and apply to all current cases, is a reflection of "common sense" and "common decency," Gates said. "These changes reflect some of the insights we have gained over 17 years of implementing the current law, including the need for consistency, oversight and clear standards," Gates said. President Obama and Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, support a legislative repeal of "don't ask, don't tell," which was first enacted in 1993. Some senior members of the military, however, have expressed concern over the impact of the ban's repeal on unit cohesion and morale, among other things. | Marine Commandant Gen. James Conway says he wouldn't ask Marines to live with gays .
He says "overwhelming number of people" don't want to share quarters .
He says Marines only branch of the armed services that houses two to a room . |
48,600 | 8925830278d16706e28d99e906c5ec9f892c5392 | (CNN) -- A Kentucky census worker who was found dead in September committed suicide and staged the scene to look like a homicide, authorities said Tuesday. The body of William E. Sparkman Jr., 51, was found September 12 near a cemetery in southeastern Kentucky's Clay County. He was wearing only socks. "A thorough examination of evidence from the scene, to include DNA testing, as well as examination of his vehicle and his residence, resulted in the determination that Mr. Sparkman, alone, handled the key pieces of evidence with no indications of any other persons involved," Kentucky State Police said. Sparkman's wrists were bound with duct tape, and a rope around his neck was tied to a tree, but his body was touching the ground, authorities said. He had "Fed" written on his chest in black ink. However, Sparkman's wrists were loosely bound in front of his body at shoulder width apart, allowing for "considerable mobility," said Kentucky State Police Capt. Lisa Rudzinski. He was also in contact with the ground, "almost on his knees," she said. "To survive, all Mr. Sparkman had to do was stand up." Lividity on the body -- marks made as blood stops pumping and settles in areas of the body -- showed that Sparkman died in the same position, Rudzinski said. His glasses were taped to his head, and that tape was underneath tape that held a rag in his mouth, she said. "Mr. Sparkman had extremely poor eyesight" and so would have needed his glasses secured, Rudzinski said. But the most compelling evidence came from the fact that Sparkman had obtained $600,000 in accidental-death insurance, which would not have paid in the event of a suicide, as late as May, she said. In addition, he told a "credible witness" of his plans to commit suicide and stage the scene to make it look like he was slain because he worked for the federal government. The details were consistent with how Sparkman died and was found, Rudzinski said. The witness did not take action after Sparkman shared his plans out of a belief that he would not follow through, authorities said. "It was learned that Mr. Sparkman had discussed recent federal investigations and the perceived negative attitudes toward federal entities by some residents of Clay County," Kentucky state police said in a statement. Police believe that Sparkman's primary motive in staging the scene was to ensure that the insurance would be paid, Rudzinski said. His motive for committing suicide or any secondary motives might never be known, she said, as Sparkman left no note. "We don't know what Mr. Sparkman was thinking or why he ultimately committed this act," she said. Autopsy results showed no evidence of any cancer or terminal illness, officials said, although it was reported that Sparkman had previously had lymphoma. Police would not say who the beneficiary of the insurance was. Forensic analysis of the writing on Sparkman's chest showed that he had written it himself, Rudzinski said. Analysts found ink dots, made by writers on completing a letter, at the top of the letters, rather than at the bottom -- as would be expected if someone had made the writing on Sparkman. Despite a search by authorities, the black felt pen used for the writing has not been found. Police do not believe that anyone assisted Sparkman, she said. Sparkman had told the witness, whom police declined to name, that he intended to dispose of some of his personal effects, including his laptop computer and other items. Police have not found those items, Rudzinski said. Toxicology tests showed that Sparkman was not drugged or under the influence of any substance, she said. The red rag removed from his mouth was similar to those found in his pocket and at the scene. DNA testing of the rags and the rope used in creating a ligature on Sparkman's neck, as well as 7 feet of discarded rope discarded near his body, found only Sparkman's DNA, she said. The police investigation is still open, and additional test results are expected in the next two to three weeks, authorities said. Authorities met with Sparkman's son and told him of their findings before publicly releasing them. "Our hearts go out to him," Rudzinski said. "He still lost his father at the end of the day." She would not say whether his son accepted the findings, saying she did not want to speak for the family. | Census worker staged scene to ensure insurance policy would be paid, police say .
Police: William Sparkman told "credible witness" of plans to stage suicide .
Sparkman, 51, was found dead in September with rope around neck but body touching ground .
Sparkman had "Fed" written on his chest; police say he wrote it himself . |
251,825 | d1f0ca49d05115760d7e2fa9bb6e981fb0f74f16 | (CNN) -- The president of a Connecticut beverage distributor said Thursday a man who went on a shooting rampage this week never filed a claim alleging racial discrimination. The girlfriend of Omar Thornton, who killed eight people and then himself, told CNN that he was being racially harassed at work. But Ross Hollander, whose family owns Hartford Distributors, said there were no grievances filed with the company or Thornton's union. "I can state to you unequivocally no racism claim was ever alleged," Hollander said at a news conference. "Nevertheless, these ugly allegations have been raised and the company will cooperate with any investigation." Kristi Hannah, Omar Thornton's girlfriend, said he first told her about racial harassment at work last summer. Hannah said her mother told Thornton to take pictures of the alleged harassment with his cell phone. He took two pictures in the men's bathroom at work, she said. She described one as his name written on a cartoon, and the other as a drawing of a hangman with a noose around its neck. Connecticut state police have the phone. Hannah's mother, Joanne Hannah, said she had heard of the cell phone photos. She said Thornton heard a co-worker say he "wanted that n****r out of there." She said Thornton told his girlfriend he had reported harassment to a company supervisor and a union representative, but nothing was done about it. "There is nothing on record of any complaints from Omar, and there had been no disciplinary actions with him prior to this," said Chris Roos, secretary and treasurer of Teamsters Local 1035. Manchester, Connecticut, police have said they have found no evidence of racial discrimination. Thornton's mother told CNN affiliate WFSB that he called her shortly after 7 a.m. Tuesday. He said he had just shot several people and planned to kill himself. She said she pleaded with him for 10 minutes not to do it. "He said, 'I killed the five racists that was there bothering me,'" Thornton's uncle, Will Holliday, told WFSB. "He said, 'That's it. The cops are going to come in, so I'm going to take care of it myself.'" Hollander said Thornton "was embraced as a member of our team." Authorities said Thornton, 34, resigned under pressure Tuesday after he was accused of stealing alcoholic beverages while on his driving route. An investigation found Thornton was stealing and selling goods to others, Hollander said. As he left that meeting, escorted by two people, Thornton said he wanted a drink of water and went into the kitchen area, Manchester Police Lt. Chris Davis said. Police believe he had brought two 9mm handguns to the building in a lunch box. In the kitchen, he pulled out the guns and shot his two escorts. Thornton then "went through the whole building in a very short amount of time" as workers cowered under desks and in "nooks and crannies" and 911 calls poured in, Davis said. "It's probably likely that he was targeting some individuals," he said. Thornton passed people without shooting them, he said. He would not say whether anyone was shot in the parking lot, but said Thornton shot through a glass door to re-enter the building. The first 911 call came in at 7:26 a.m., Davis said, and the first officers arrived within three minutes. A five-man team was sent into the building to search for the suspect within 10 minutes, he said. Thornton's body was found in a corner office area of the building by 8:15 a.m. Manchester police identified the eight slain people as Francis Fazio, 57, of Bristol, Connecticut; Douglas Scuton, 56, of Middletown, New Hampshire; Edwin Kennison, 49, of East Hartford, Connecticut; William Ackerman, 51, of Broadbrook, Connecticut; Bryan Cirigliano, 51, of Newington, Connecticut; Craig Pepin, 60, of South Windsor, Connecticut; Louis Felder Jr., 50, of Stamford, Connecticut; and Victor James of Windsor, Connecticut, who was killed on his 61st birthday. Steven Hollander, 50, of South Windsor was treated and released from Hartford Hospital. Jerome Rosenstein, 77, of West Hartford, Connecticut, was in serious condition Wednesday. Cirigliano was the shop steward for the Teamsters union and its president, Roos said. One of those killed was attempting to escape from the gunfire and drove a forklift into an electrical conduit, starting an electrical fire, Davis said Wednesday. He would not say whether that person was shot. Police also found a shotgun in Thornton's vehicle, but believe it was not used in the shootings, Davis said. Thornton was "fairly nomadic," he said, and authorities have searched his previous addresses, but found nothing of value. Thornton left no notes behind and made no comments to relatives about his plans, Davis said. But the fact that he brought the guns to the building indicates the shootings were "obviously something he was thinking about doing." Thornton had six guns registered to him, and police were attempting to account for them all, Davis said. Authorities believe the guns used in the shootings were bought at a gun dealership in East Windsor, Connecticut. CNN's Raelyn Johnson and Adam Reiss contributed to this report. | NEW: Company president said no racial complaints were filed .
Omar Thornton brought two guns with him in a lunch box, police say .
Authorities believe at least some of the victims were targeted .
Thornton's girlfriend says he was racially harassed at work . |
22,662 | 40561ea7b1050a9ffdb22d95e10bf924239458fa | Nogales, Mexico (CNN) -- Their journey through the desert ended in the back of a U.S. Border Patrol van. Sitting inside the chapel of the San Juan Bosco shelter for deportees in Nogales, Mexico, Rey and Herlinda rest and wait for another chance to cross illegally into the United States with their children ages 4, 9 and 11 in tow. Temperatures in this stretch of desert that straddles the U.S.-Mexico border hover around 100 degrees. "I know that I'm putting all three of them at risk, but what else can I do?" said Rey, who says he has lived and worked in the United States without authorization on and off for the past 27 years. Until recently, he kept his family in Mexico, but he says he can no longer afford to sustain two households. "What's the motivation? When one of my kids asks for meat or (candy), I cannot just say no," Rey added. "Mexico never changes. There was poverty when I left in 1986 and nothing has changed." The deadliest trip in America? The hundreds of thousands of immigrants like Rey and Herlinda have tried to cross illegally into the United States over the past two years, even as the government steps up investments in manpower and technology to secure the nation's borders. More than 150 end up dead every year. Thousands more get deported every month, according to U.S. Customs and Border and Protection figures. But would-be immigrants keep coming. "People are still driven by economic necessity to come to the United States by whatever means they can. Some come to join family members already here, others because they are hungry," said Isabel Garcia, a public defender and a co-chair of the Tucson, Arizona-based Coalition for Human Rights. "But the fact is that very few are prepared for such a hard trip. Many have to survive days and days in the desert," she said, "and they can never carry enough water." Some make it past the desert and go on to find jobs in the United States. But on the Mexican side of the border, deportations from the United States have become so common that shelters and businesses have opened up, catering to people who've gotten kicked out of the United States. Others come back bruised, robbed by smugglers or worse, says Hilda Irene Loureiro, a Mexican merchant who runs the shelter. Loureiro says she opened up the San Juan Bosco shelter after seeing deportees huddle in the back of her shop which is located just a few blocks from the fence that divides her city from Nogales, Arizona. She decided to build a place for them to spend a few days in safety. Dozens of migrants arrive each day at her shelter for food and a chance to sleep on a soft mattress. Most of the time, she says, they leave not to go back to their homes, but to try and cross into the United States again. "They come here from all over Mexico, but now there are lots Central Americans looking to leave their countries," she said. The shelter houses more than 50,000 migrants each year. They can stay for up to three days, free of charge. Its three sleeping areas house 145 bunks, but on any given night up to 360 migrants stay there, finding room to sleep on the floor of the dining room or the chapel. Portraits of saints and other religious icon fill the chapel, where travelers say their prayers before chancing the desert again. As the national debate over immigration reform heats up, border security is a top issue on many lawmakers' agendas. But from her point of view at the border, Loureiro says she doesn't think any efforts in Washington to boost border security will have much of an impact on whether people make the dangerous journey. "The migrants are going to continue trying to get to the other side of the border no matter what. They will do this regardless of danger or consequence," Loureiro said. "They will do it because they lack economic opportunities in Mexico and they lack the education and (job) skills to get ahead." According to the office of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, in fiscal year 2013 a total of 414,397 undocumented immigrants were apprehended after crossing the border illegally into the United States. The previous year, the figure was 356,873. Arizona desert: Gateway to dreams or graveyard? For those who make it across the border, it isn't an easy journey. Thousands of would-be immigrants have died in the desert of southern Arizona in the past 10 years, according to the Pima County Medical Examiner's Office. Most of them die after suffering dehydration in the summer or fall to hypothermia in the winter. The trek can often last days, as smugglers take them through remote paths in order to avoid detection by the Border Patrol. Wild animals roam the area at night and the people the migrants paid to get them safely across often turn on them, robbing them of their money and abusing the women before abandoning them, according to authorities. "Many fall into the abuses of the smugglers, sexual abuse," said Manuel Padilla, head of the Border Patrol's Tucson sector. "The only thing that matters to them is money, not people." Padilla said Border Patrol agents often spot and rescue immigrants stranded in the desert, which is an important part of the agency's job. However, the agency also focuses on prevention, by educating would-be immigrants of the dangers involved in trying to cross the border illegally. They ask foreign diplomats at consulates in the United States to spread the word in their countries about the dangers of illegal border crossings, and they try to get the word out in Spanish-language media, Padilla said. Even so, the phenomenon of deaths in the desert has become so bad that one group of investigators labeled it a "humanitarian crisis at the border." According to the Pima County Medical Examiner's Office, in 2012 the bodies of 157 migrants were recovered in the desert. In 2013, the remains of 169 people were found there. "Since 2001 we've had around 2,200 immigrant deaths," most of them Mexican citizens, said Gregory Hess, the Pima County medical examiner. "When we find only a bone in the desert, a femur ... or an arm, it's not here for long... we take photographs and measurements and DNA" samples. Unclaimed bodies and bones are buried or cremated after about a year, he said. Searching for clues . Since a majority of the bodies belong to Mexican citizens, morgue staff are in regular contact with the Mexican Consulate in Tucson. It isn't the job Jeronimo Garcia thought he was signing up for when he joined the Mexican Foreign Service. But now he's become so used to handling human remains that he no longer feels the need to wear a surgical mask to protect himself from the stench of death. The consulate employee has become a go-to person for American authorities when it comes to finding clues about the immigrants' identities. Garcia has earned the trust of U.S. officials because of his track record over the past 12 years, helping to identify dozens of bodies. "(This one) has dental work. Sometimes teeth give us clues as to where they come from," Garcia said as he examined cadavers and bones at the Pima County morgue. "Central Americans, particularly Guatemalans, often have ornamental work done. They put copper stars on their teeth." Migrants sometimes sew documents into their underclothes, or conceal strips of paper with the telephone number of a contact in the United States or their country of origin, he says. This information can be a solid clue to track down identity. After the extensive search at the morgue, the bodies are labeled and stored in a freezer. Personal effects and identifications are also stored, as any clue could lead to the identification of a cadaver. Sometimes, there aren't many clues. If all that Garcia and the medical examiner's office have to go on is a set of dry bones, DNA testing is the only viable option. The Mexican Consulate sometimes pays for the tests when Mexican citizens are involved. For immigrants from other countries, the medical examiner's office relies on its growing ties with the New York-based Argentine Forensic Anthropology Team. The organization, which started out trying to identify remains of dissidents killed during Argentina's brutal military dictatorship, now has also collected more than 1,700 DNA samples from families in Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica and Guatemala in efforts to help find missing migrants. So far, they've identified 65 bodies. "This is never a happy ending. ... We just try to reduce the time that families have to prolong their pain," said Mercedes Doretti, who directs the organization. "What it means is ending the uncertainty of the family not knowing what happened to their relative, the suffering that everyone goes through." Journalist Julian Resendiz contributed to this report. | Despite perils of the desert, many immigrants still risk the journey .
Deported immigrants pack a shelter in Mexico, determined to try to cross the border again .
With few clues, investigators at an Arizona morgue struggle to identify bodies . |
208,759 | 9a50f69950cbc4e0997aecd05f98327cba2e1e3d | By . Stephanie Linning . A man sleeping in the back of a moving truck was given a very rude awakening when he fell out of the vehicle and on to the busy road. Nikita Bikov, 22, was dozing against the door of the truck when it came open - throwing him into the path of oncoming traffic. Incredibly, he narrowly avoided being hit by cars on the motorway near Vladimir, in western Russia, staggering to the side of the road just moments after the fall. Scroll down for video . The door of the truck (pictured right) opens, and Nikita Bikov (just seen hanging out of the vehicle) falls on to the motorway near Vladimir, Russia. Mr Bikov, 22, was dozing against the door of the truck on his way to work . Mr Bikov falls on to the road (pictured next to the truck) and into the path of oncoming cars, which swerve to avoid him. His friend, not realising what has happened, continues driving to work . His friend who was driving the truck did not realise what had happened and continued on his way to work. Cars swerved to avoid Mr Bikov, who was left winded and sore from the force of the fall. A nearby car had a dashboard-mounted video camera which captured the remarkable series of events. Mr Bikov told local media: 'I was dozing against the door of the lorry while my friend Ivan Toukov was driving. 'He was concentrating hard on the road I guess. Suddenly I felt the door of the cab fly open and the next thing I knew was I was heading for the asphalt.' 'I landed hard on my back and had all the wind knocked out of me and couldn't move. 'I was aware of these whooshing sounds - and I realised it was fast-moving traffic swerving around me to avoid hitting me. Mr Bikov, winded and sore, slowly gets to his feet. He said he was 'aware of whooshing sounds' of oncoming traffic as he lay on the road. The events were captured by a dashboard-mounted camera in a nearby car . Mr Bikov staggers to the side of the road after his fall. His friend who was driving did not realise that Mr Bikov had fallen out of the vehicle until he arrived at work and saw that he was missing . 'I managed to crawl to the edge of the road and sat there stunned. I wondered where Ivan was. He later told me didn't realise until he got to work that I'd gone. 'When he parked he asked me for a cigarette, and then realised I was missing. Police spokesman Bogdan Polyakov said: 'He was a very lucky young man indeed - first to survive the fall from the truck, then to avoid being hit by the numerous cars and lorries that were travelling behind the truck he fell from. 'We gave him a lift to work where he met up with his friend.' 'He suffered no permanent injuries.' | Nikita Bikov, 22, was sleeping against the door when it came open .
Fell into the path of oncoming traffic on a motorway near Vladimir, Russia .
The events were captured by a dashboard-mounted camera in a nearby car . |
272,618 | ed1afa471127b776cca8fdb3bed09386d280d098 | By . Zoe Szathmary . Carlos Arredondo, a volunteer in the Boston Marathon bombings who was captured in a famous image helping victim and amputee Jeff Bauman, settled a police brutality case on Tuesday. Arredondo claimed in a civil complaint seen by the Boston Herald that four Boston officers 'dragged' him to the sidewalk when he refused to move his truck from police headquarters during a 2009 funeral procession for Sen. Ted Kennedy. Officer . David Roberto, Franciso Rodriguez, Bienvendio Delacruz and Dana Lamb . '[threw him] to the pavement, facedown, and handcuffed with his arms . behind his back,' the complaint said. Settled: Carlos Arredondo is seen leaving the courthouse with wife Melida on Thursday after settling his police brutality case . Help: In this April 15, 2013 file photo, Carlos Arredondo is seen in a cowboy hat pushing Jeff Bauman in a wheel chair after he was injured in an explosion near the finish line of the Boston Marathon . Arredondo, the paper reports, refused to move because he was going to take down a flag down from a pole and wait for wife Melida. Arredondo's car was 'decorated as a shrine' for his son Alexander, who died while fighting in the Marine Corps in Iraq. Arredondo and City Hall agreed on an undisclosed sum after a five-hour mediation, the Herald says. Arrendondo, his attorney Bruce Macdonald, as well as city attorneys, did not comment. Last Saturday, Arredondo appeared alongside Bauman as a commencement speaker at Fisher College. Both received honorary degrees. In his speech with Bauman, Arredondo said 'I hope that my actions motivate others simply to love their neighbors through actions, good works and in times of need.' Congratulations! Jeff Bauman and Carlos Arredondo are seen here holding their honorary degrees from Fisher College . | Claimed four Boston police officers 'dragged' him to a sidewalk when he refused to move his parked truck during a funeral procession in 2009 for Sen. Ted Kennedy .
Said he was knocked 'facedown, and handcuffed with his arms behind his back' by officers . |
89,994 | ff8d7b6968be69825b227edc49d66446bb62c1ac | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 18:26 EST, 5 January 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 04:14 EST, 6 January 2014 . Footage: The unnamed flight attendant contacted German newspaper Der Spiegel about footage shot of his girlfriend at the spot of Schumacher's crash (pictured) Racing driver Michael Schumacher was skiing at just 12mph when he was thrown into the air and hit his head on a rock, according to a tourist who filmed the accident. A German man who was filming his girlfriend in the ski resort of Meribel has come forward to say the footage includes the moment Michael Schumacher crashed on the slopes. Detectives in France were last night trying to get a copy of the smartphone video after the man, who has not been named, went to German news journal Der Spiegel. Formula One legend Schumacher, 45, who is still in a critical condition in an induced coma, was apparently skiing at just 12mph when he hit a rock under the snow. Der Spiegel said: ‘The man, a 35-year-old flight attendant from Essen, was just a few metres from the accident site on the slopes and was filming his girlfriend. ‘In the background of the film, slightly blurred, a skier can be seen in the unprepared part between the two slopes sliding over the snow. ‘According to the man, who contacted Der Spiegel on Friday, the skier was Schumacher. He is believed to have slowed down to a speed of up to 20kph.’ Police will tomorrow check footage from a tiny digital camera Schumacher wore on his helmet, after his family handed it over. The statement corroborates claims made by Schumacher’s spokeswoman Sabine Kehm. Earlier this week she denied Schumacher had been speeding after allegations were made that he was doing at least 60km/h. She said: 'I think after having spoken with several people who have been with Michael at this moment, Michael and the group have been skiing on slopes that were normal slopes. 'Then there is a blue slope and a red slope, and in between there was a part which was deep snow, and Michael went into that. Family support: Yesterday Michael Schumacher's father, Rolf, and brother, Ralf, were seen outside Grenoble Hospital where he remains in an induced coma . 'From everything the people told me, he was not even at high speed, because it seems that he even helped a friend who just had fallen on the piste. 'So he started to ski again, went into this deep snow, and apparently, this is what we guess, has hit a rock which he had not seen when he wanted to do a curve, and he was kind of catapulted into the air and apparently, head down, hitting another rock. 'Which was extreme bad and unfortunate circumstance, and not because he was speeding too much. I have spoken with several people, and also ski teachers, and they tell me it can even happen at 10km/h. It is just very, very unfortunate.' Schumacher has been in a critical condition in intensive care since his accident in the French ski resort of Meribel a week last Sunday. His family has handed police the GoPro camera he wore on his skiing helmet at the time of his accident. Tribute: Crowds have laid tributes on the fence in his home town as hundreds hold silent vigils in Grenoble . This week it will be scrutinized by N-Tec, a research division within the police at Albertville that specialises in new technology. Schumacher’s family has kept a bedside vigil at Grenoble University Hospital. His wife Corinna, 44, and the couple’s children Gina-Marie, 16, and Mick, 14, together with his father Rolf and brother Ralf have spent long hours at his bedside in intensive care. Schumacher had a haematoma removed from the outside of his brain shortly after being airlifted to hospital last Sunday. The following day he had a two-hour operation to remove the largest haematoma within his brain and further reduce the pressure. Doctors said despite a scan showing 'a slight improvement', which enabled them to operate on Monday, the situation was critical and he has 'lesions all over the brain' and 'haematomas in the brain itself - left, right and central'. | Unnamed flight attendant, 35, contacted German newspaper Der Spiegel .
Says racing legend was skiing at just 12mph when he crashed .
It follows claims that he was doing up to 60mph before the accident .
Smartphone footage features slightly blurred skier in the background .
Formula 1 driver remains in a critical condition in an induced coma . |
198,225 | 8c9584b22b9f4c9aba5d29f1ce1b6e57cd9f66ac | (CNN) -- Mark Cavendish capped a superb week for Britain at the world cycling championships by winning the men's road race title Sunday with a trademark sprint finish. Cavendish, the pre-race favorite on a course well-suited to his talents, timed his burst to perfection to take gold from Australia's Matthew Goss with Andre Greipel of Germany taking the bronze medal. It was Britain's first men's road race title since the legendary Tom Simpson won in 1965 and took them to the top of the medals table at the championships in Copenhagen. They claimed two gold, two silvers and two bronze medals as their dominance in track cycling extended to the various road disciplines. Cavendish paid tribute to his teammates after they had paced him through the majority of the 260km race over 17 laps but with a tough uphill finish. "There couldn't be any other result after the way the guys rode today," Cavendish told Eurosport. "I'm so proud." An early breakaway gained nearly 10 minutes, but with Britain forcing the pace at the front, it was pulled back and the decisive action took place on the last lap. Tour de France hero Thomas Voeckler made a typical charge, but with time trial silver medalist Bradley Wiggins and the experienced David Millar to the fore, Britain were able to nullify his attempt. In the uphill finish, it was the Australians who moved to the front, but Cavendish came through fast near the barriers and once he hit the front there was only one winner. Milan-San Remo winner Goss closed on the line while Greipel edged out Switzerland's Fabian Cancellara for the final podium spot. | Britain's Mark Cavendish wins world road race title in Copenhagen .
Cavendish sprints to victory ahead of Australia's Matthew Goss .
Cavendish first Briton to win prestigioius race since Tom Simpson in 1965 .
Britain top the medals table in Denmark with two golds, two silvers and two bronzes . |
186,594 | 7db0bb5d3d5f02c3a0c1d012fb4b932c81db5669 | (CNN)Chocolate is on the menu and unity is the message as Republicans head to Hershey, Pennsylvania, for the first joint GOP House and Senate retreat in 10 years. But as House Speaker John Boehner and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell lay the groundwork for their agenda on Capitol Hill this year, tension from conservatives unhappy that their leaders aren't being bold enough could make things awkward. Comedian Jay Leno is slated to warm up the group on Wednesday night. But even before boarding buses to Pennsylvania, some Republicans clearly weren't ready to sing kumbaya. "I think the leadership is unified - unified in doing very little," conservative Rep. Tim Huelskamp told CNN. The Kansas Republican told CNN it was time to plot a way forward to repeal Obamacare and roll back the president's actions on immigration -- not focus on finding compromises with President Barack Obama. "They want to all get along with the President, which is not the election results," Huelskamp said about GOP leaders, adding, "that's misreading exactly the opposite of what November 2014 is about." Huelskamp was one of the 25 House Republicans who tried to deny Boehner his third term as Speaker, opposing him on a vote earlier this month. This vocal group is demanding that Boehner and McConnell go big and schedule votes on a variety of proposals to highlight a contrast with the President and congressional Democrats, even if those things don't have the chance of becoming law. Other House Republicans are fed up that this small bloc of conservatives has been able to force the debate to tack to the right, and start off the New Year with a focus on the divisions inside the party on hot button issues like immigration. "At some point our far right has got to understand that us 'regular conservatives' are not necessarily on board with what they want to do," Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger told CNN. He noted, "our caucus has got to understand that sometimes the noisiest 25 in the caucus is not a majority." In another potential headache for GOP leaders, a new group of House conservatives is setting up a formal structure to meet regularly and develop policy proposals. These members don't believe the current group that already does this - known as the Republican Study Committee (RSC) - is sufficiently independent of the leadership. The current RSC Chair, Texas Rep. Bill Flores, told CNN his group was already influencing the agenda in the House. "Look at what we've had on the floor- that's nothing but a conservative agenda," he said. The splits that have emerged in public are sure to be highlighted in closed door meetings in Hershey. Organizers have planned breakout sessions on immigration, health care and the budget process. Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, columnist Peggy Noonan, and author Walter Isaacson are also slated to address the group. But Kinzinger warned "our flanks in the party have got to understand that when you work as a team and accomplish 70%m it's way better than what we had last week," referring to the contentious debate over immigration. Republican leaders started out the year putting a priority on items conservatives wanted to tackle. The House voted on bills approving the Keystone pipeline, repealing a key provision of Obamacare, and reversing some of the Wall Street reforms the President pushed for in 2010. Right before members left for the retreat, the House approved a funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security that also attached a series of amendments nullifying the President's most recent executive action on immigration. GOP leaders also allowed a vote on a measure that went even further -- it eliminated a program that deferred deportations for so-called "Dreamers" - children of those who entered the U.S. illegally. While the bill passed, a group of 26 House Republicans opposed that amendment dealing with deportations on young people, with many saying that proposal went too far. The President had already threatened vetoes on the bulk of the GOP bills the House was passing. But at a meeting with bipartisan congressional leaders with President Obama on Wednesday there was a lot of talk about trying to focus on the things where both sides could agree. Republican aides are setting low expectations for the retreat - saying this is the beginning of discussions on the way forward on key priorities like getting rid of Obamacare, drafting major tax reform legislation, pushing jobs bills, and cutting federal spending. "It's important that we get together, open up lines of communication and unify around some goals that we have for the upcoming Congress," House GOP Conference Chair Cathy McMorris Rogers told CNN. One controversial decision leaders are still grappling with is whether or not to use a procedure known as "budget reconciliation" to try to repeal Obamacare. If they decide to use this process - one that is available for items that impact the debt and the deficit - Senate leaders would just need a simple majority to pass legislation, which gets around a likely Democratic-led filibuster on Obamacare. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, a tea-party favorite, in a speech before Heritage Foundation this week, said Congress should use "every procedural tool available including reconciliation to repeal Obamacare with 51 votes in the Senate." But other congressional Republicans argue it should be reserved for something the President could sign - like tax reform or a bill boosting infrastructure across the country. Huelskamp said if leaders decided to use that process to do tax reform instead of repealing Obamacare that would be "a very stupid Republican decision - we're going to help corporations and let the rest of these guys suffer?" One potential complication for McConnell is maneuvering his plans while three Senate Republicans - Cruz, Florida Senator Marco Rubio, and Kentucky Senator Rand Paul - are preparing possible presidential campaigns for 2016. But Rubio and Paul are skipping the retreat. | House and Senate Republicans will meet jointly for the first time in a decade .
Conservatives are frustrated with leadership . |
106,346 | 1528bbc22e497e002426878dfc429a50f9ac337c | (CNN) -- A trial date has been set for May for an Alabama man accused of killing his new bride during their honeymoon in Australia. David Gabriel "Gabe" Watson is scheduled to face murder and kidnapping charges on May 23 in an Alabama courtroom, court officials said. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Australian media dubbed Watson "The Honeymoon Killer" after his 26-year-old wife, Tina, died October 22, 2003, while the two were diving at a historic shipwreck off the Great Barrier Reef. The incident occurred about 9,000 miles from Birmingham, Alabama, where the couple had married 11 days earlier. Watson returned to the United States after his wife's death and, five years later, remarried. In that same year, 2008, he pleaded guilty in Australia to criminally negligent manslaughter. He finished his sentence there in early November and was subsequently held in immigration detention. Then, in late November, Watson was arrested in Los Angeles after a grand jury in Alabama indicted Watson on two counts -- murder for pecuniary gain and kidnapping where a felony occurred, authorities said. Those charges are based on the premise that Watson hatched the plot to kill his wife while in Alabama. Watson's lawyers have contended that authorities in Alabama manipulated a grand jury to get an indictment against their client. The lawyers have claimed that authorities based the indictment on testimony from Tina Watson's immediate family and a sole Helena, Alabama, investigator, saying of the witnesses "none could offer more than emotional testimony and hearsay." The doctrine of double jeopardy -- which says that a person cannot be tried or punished twice for the same crime -- does not apply in Watson's case, according to established legal precedent, legal experts have said. Double jeopardy does not apply because two separate sovereigns, a state government and a foreign government, were seeking to prosecute, said John Lentine, a Birmingham criminal defense attorney and law school professor. Australian authorities investigated Tina Watson's death for years, according to inquest findings in June 2008. Townsville, Queensland, Coroner David Glascow pressed for charges after determining that the drowning couldn't be deemed accidental. According to the inquest, Watson told Glascow that his new bride appeared to panic while 45 feet underwater in the reef, 42 miles off the coast of Townsville. But Glascow cited inconsistencies in Watson's statements, saying that investigators found that "some of Gabe's explanations lacked credibility." Glascow noted that Tina Watson's father, in a sworn statement, said Watson asked her to maximize her life insurance and make him a beneficiary shortly before their wedding. The insurance company confirmed Watson asked about his wife's insurance policy after her death, according to the coroner. Watson's attorneys have said that their client pleaded guilty in Australia only "for failing to rescue his wife (because) he merely did not do enough to save her." | David Gabriel "Gabe" Watson faces murder and kidnapping charges .
His then-wife, Tina, died in 2003 while the two were diving near the Great Barrier Reef .
Watson's attorneys have said Alabama authorities "manipulated a grand jury" |
92,466 | 02ef8ef8421d30723feccb5eae86e43b6b363c2c | Resplendent in beautifully embroidered dove-grey silk and a striking Phillip Treacey fascinator, the Duchess of Cornwall was every inch the royal bride when she married Prince Charles in 2005. Now the Duchess' stunning Anna Valentine gown is to be the centrepiece of an exhibition opening on Saturday at the V&A. And the Duchess of Cornwall isn't the only aristocratic bride to dust off her nuptial frock for the show. Also included is the flesh-flashing Pam Hogg frock worn by Lady Mary Charteris to her 2012 marriage to Big Pink frontman, Robbie Furze, and a truly spectacular white silk-satin gown with an 18ft train sported by Margaret, Duchess of Argyll, on her big day in 1933. Elegant: The Duchess of Cornwall's dove-grey silk Anna Valentine gown was worn to her 2005 wedding to Prince Charles and is one of the highlights of the exhibition . Supermodel style: The John Galliano dress worn by Kate Moss when she married Jamie Hince in 2011 . Spectacular: The beautiful John Galliano designed dress worn by Gwen Stefani at her 2004 wedding to Gavin Rossdale. His suit, also on show, is Hedi Slimane for Dior . Also on show is Kate Moss' John Galliano dress worn when she married Jamie Hince and a Lanvin dress Sarah Jessica Parker wore in an episode of Sex and the City. Other highlights include the dip-dyed pink and ivory John Galliano-designed dress worn by Gwen Stefani to her 2004 wedding to Gavin Rossdale and the unusual purple silk frock in which Dita von Teese married shock-rocker Marylin Manson. The gowns will join dresses dating from the 18th and 19th centuries for an exhibition entitled Wedding Dresses 1775 - 2014, which opens on the 3rd May and runs until 15th March next year. This Lanvin short wedding dress was worn by Sarah Jessica Parker playing Carrie Bradshaw in an episode of Sex and the City, left, while this purple gown by Vivienne Westwood was worn by Dita Von Teese . Intricate: The back of these dresses reveal the delicate stitching and elaborate embellishment that goes into many wedding dresses . Among the most striking is a ravishing silk brocade gown worn by a wealthy . woman named Jane Bailey to her 1780 marriage to James Wickham. Equally . impressive is the lavishly frilled, embroidered and furbelowed dress . sported by New York heiress Cara Leland Huttleston Rogers at her wedding . to Bradford Ferris Duff in 1890. But it's not all pretty dresses with stellar pedigrees. As curator Edwina Ehrman explains, the collection also gives an insight into the changing tastes of British brides over the last 300 years. 'In the 18th century, the most prestigious fabrics for a bride were those woven with expensive gold and silver metal threads,' explains Ehrman. 'This was the choice of most royal brides until Queen Victoria married in white satin in 1840. Ian Stewart specialises in 'flower bomb' dresses like this one . Ethereal: Pale grey slashed chiffon wedding dress designed by Gareth Pugh and veil by Stephen Jones, worn by Katie Shillingford for her marriage to Alex Dromgoole, left, and Norman Hartnell dress with 3.6. metre train worn by Margaret Wigham in 1933 (which she can be seen in below) Ravishing: The embroidered silk satin wedding dress was worn by Margaret Whigham for her marriage to Charles Sweeny . A Victoria corset that would have been worn under a bride's dress, left, and a wedding veil with gold detailling . Pretty: Maud Cecil and Greville Steel leaving church after their 1927 wedding (left) and bride Sara Donaldson-Hudson in a Bellville Sassoon coat at her 1970 wedding. Both dresses are in the exhibition . Unusual: . The daring satin and layered tulle wedding gown worn by Lady Mary . Charteris for her wedding to Big Pink frontman, Robbie Furze . 'However wearing white was also a status symbol. In the past white garments were very difficult to keep clean and white was associated with wealth and leisure.' Although white and similarly pale shades such as ivory and cream remain popular, as the Duchess of Cornwall's dress makes plain, other hues are becoming increasingly fashionable. Some brides, among them Dita von Teese, choose to dispense with lighter hues altogether, while others such as Gwen Stefani and Jessica Biel opt for subtly coloured gowns. 'We’ve got some excellent examples of . coloured wedding dresses in the exhibition,' adds Erhman. 'Among them are a purple dress . made by a lady’s maid in 1899, a floor-length dress made from colourful . upholstery fabric during World War II and Dita von Teese’s incredible . purple taffeta gown designed by Vivienne Westwood for her marriage to . Marylin Manson in 2005.' But while the coloured dresses are gorgeous, what really catches the eye is the social commentary offered by the rest of the collection; reflecting, as they do, the social upheaval and changing tastes that characterised the 20th century. 'The 20th century witnessed rapid social . change and increasing economic, political and sexual freedom for women,' explains Erhman. 'While most women still wanted a degree of formality in their wedding . dress, the traditional codes of dress gradually lost their power. Beautiful: The corded silk dress worn by Cara Leland Huttleston Rogersin 1890 and the silk brocade gown worn by Jane Bailey for her wedding in 1780 . Delicate: . Silk and leather 'tango' shoes bought from Peter Robinson Ltd. of . London, 1914 and worn by Phyllis Blaiberg for her marriage to Bertie . Mayer Stone . 'In the . 1960s some women celebrated the new freedoms by marrying in . mini-dresses and trouser suits and in the 1990s, the plunging, backless, . strapless wedding dress became accepted even for church weddings. 'The . etiquette of wedding dress for men also relaxed with more men choosing . to wear lounge suits and some buying wedding outfits from shops which . targeted a young and fashion-conscious market.' Modern . dresses included in the exhibition show just how much leeway . contemporary brides have, with everything from dip dye to cutaway . bodices on display. 'I do love the drama of John Galliano’s . 2002 pink and white dress for Gwen Stefani,' adds Erhman. 'It’s incredibly romantic and . slightly shocking: the dress has been designed to make it appear as if . the groom has already tried to start undressing the bride leaving her . dress in disarray. 'It’s also a glorious colour. The hem of the dress . and veil are drenched in pink which gradually fades away into white. I . also love the subtle, sensual elegance of the Ian and Marcel’s pleated . dress and coat, made for an unknown bride in 1989, which the designers . paired with veil decorated with roses drawn in silicone rubber.' From . frilled and furbelowed to silicone and rubber, the dresses on display . at the V&A might not be your average bridal gowns, but they are . certainly fascinating ones. Wedding Dresses 1775-2014, at the V&A from 3rd May 2014 until the 15th March 2015. Travel Partner Kuoni, supported by Waterford Crystal, supported by Monsoon Bridal. See vam.ac.uk for more information and tickets . Dramatic: A 1934 silk satin Charles James . wedding dress worn by Barbara Beaton and the Bruce Oldfield moss crepe . dress worn by Lisa Butcher on her 1992 big day . Colourful: . Bright dresses, such as this purple number by Vivienne Westwood that . was worn by Dita von Teese for her wedding, are becoming increasingly . popular . | The Duchess of Cornwall's dove-grey silk Anna Valentine wedding gown among highlights of new exhibition .
Wedding Dresses 1775 - 2014 opens on 3rd May at the V&A and includes dresses dating back to the 18th century .
More modern gowns include daring Pam Hogg worn by Lady Mary Charteris and Gwen Stefani's dip-dyed Galliano .
Others include a silk-satin dress with an 18ft train worn by Margaret, Duchess of Argyll on her big day in 1933 . |
152,692 | 51545eb31de8955455e2567ea867c68370dbdd6b | The stepfather of a woman held by police for three days over the shooting of two burglars said last night: 'I'd have blown their bloody heads off.' John Towell said Tracey Ferrie and her husband Andy who was also arrested had faced a gang of four men at their isolated cottage in the early hours. He said: 'Four of them came in. Andy and Tracey did what anyone would have done.' He said the law must now be changed to protect property owners who act to defend their land when it is burgled. 'Shoot their legs? I'd have blown their bloody heads off,' he declared. It comes as one of the group, Daniel Mansell, 33, from Leicester, pleaded guilty at Loughborough Magistrates' Court today to the burglary at the farmhouse in the early hours on Sunday. Held in isolation: 'Hard-working' Andy and Tracey Ferrie, from Leicestershire, were held by police for three days over the shooting of two burglars . He was remanded in custody and will be sentenced at Leicester Crown Court on September 25. Joshua O'Gorman, 27, who is also charged with burglary, gave no indication of plea and was remanded in custody to appear before magistrates on September 14. Mr and Mrs Ferrie were arrested after dialling 999 to tell police they had shot at a gang trying to break in to their 200-year-old cottage near Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. Mr Ferrie, 35, told police he grabbed the gun and fired it, hitting two of the men and forcing the others to flee. Four men were arrested at Leicester Royal Infirmary on suspicion of aggravated burglary. Last night police said Mr and Mrs Ferrie had been released on bail 'pending further inquiries'. But supporters of the ‘hard- working’ couple told of their outrage at their arrest on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm. Mr Ferrie's aunt Kathleen Merry said her nephew, who runs a caravan repair business, would have acted to protect his home and wife. Mrs Merry, from Leicester, said: 'What was Andy supposed to have done, wait to see if the men attacked him or Tracey, or worse?' It is thought Mrs Ferrie, 43, a country sports enthusiast and former model, held the licence for the shotgun used to fire at the alleged intruders. Analysis: Leicestershire Police cordoned off the stone cottage, which had reportedly been burgled several times already . Taking notes: Police were first called to the property shortly after midnight on September 2, by homeowner Mr Ferrie . Last night her mother Hazel, 63, who is married to Mr Towell, said her daughter was a keen clay pigeon shooter and confirmed she owned a gun. Mrs Towell said her daughter called from the police station, where she was being held in isolation from her husband, on Monday. She said: 'I was so relieved to talk . to her. She phoned, saying: ''Don't worry about me''. They've had . break-ins before over there. It's remote. It must have been planned.' Mr and Mrs Ferrie's MP, Tory Alan . Duncan, has spoken out in their support and described them as 'victims' who should be free to defend their property. A Facebook group set up to support them had attracted more than 3,200 supporters by yesterday evening. Kathleen Merry said that even if the . couple were ultimately released without charge, their arrests could . impact on their plans to emigrate to Australia next year. 'Andy's life . could be ruined because a gang tried to burgle him,' she said. 'It's all . wrong.' Mr Ferrie, a keen musician, sang as . half of a guitar duo called Useless Wooden Toys who were at one time a . regular on the pub circuit in and around his home town of Melton . Mowbray. A friend of the couple said they met in a village pub when Mrs . Ferrie turned up to watch him perform. Police examine a shotgun after attending reports of a shooting at the 200-year-old property . At the time she was estranged from her first husband. The Ferries married two years ago after a short courtship. A friend of the Ferries, who asked not . to be named, recalled how the couple 'ran away to a register office' to . tie the knot without telling their friends. She added: 'They are a hard-working . but private couple who do not deserve what has happened to them. Andy . isn't a violent person – he doesn't like guns or killing animals and . isn't into country sports, although Tracey grew up in the country and is . a keen shooter.' Mr and Mrs Ferrie were held after suspected burglars were shot at their home . Police stand at the front door of the property as they attend the scene of the shooting at Melton Mowbray . She said Mrs Ferrie, a saleswoman, was a 'glamorous, bubbly woman'. Last night Leicestershire Police said . two men aged 27 and 33, both from Leicester, had been charged with . burglary. They were remanded in custody to appear at Loughborough . magistrates' court today. Two other men, aged 31 and 33, arrested on . suspicion of aggravated burglary, have been bailed pending further . inquiries. The case has reignited the debate . about the rights of householders to defend themselves and their homes . from intruders and comes as the Government prepares to introduce . legislation this autumn to clarify the law on the issue. The debate . first rose to prominence in 1999 when Norfolk farmer Tony Martin shot . dead 16-year-old Fred Barras at his remote home. Barras and accomplice Brendon Fearon . had disturbed Martin in the middle of the night. The farmer was jailed . for life at Norwich Crown Court in April 2000 for murder, but his . sentence was reduced by the Appeal Court to five years for manslaughter . and he was released in 2003. Fearon, who was wounded in the leg, was jailed for three years for conspiracy to burgle. * A Second World War veteran was being hailed a hero in America yesterday after he shot dead a burglar who broke into his home with two other men. Earl Jones, 92, wasn't arrested and is unlikely to be charged in Kentucky after shooting the raider dead with a single rifle bullet to the heart. 'These people aren't worth any more to me than a groundhog,' the pensioner said after the shooting in the early hours of Monday. Mr Jones claimed he was perfectly within his rights to defend his life and his home on a 500-acre farm. Kentucky, like at least 24 other states in the US, has a 'castle' doctrine enshrined in its laws which gives residents the right to protect their homes with deadly force if necessary to prevent criminal trespass, robbery or burglary. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article. | One of the intruders, Daniel Mansell, 33, today pleaded guilty to the burglary .
Tracey Ferrie and her husband Andy were arrested after dialling 999 .
Mr Ferrie, 35, told police he grabbed the gun and fired it, hitting two men .
Stepfather John Towell said they 'did what anyone would have done'
The couple have tonight been released on bail, police said . |
27,368 | 4d93f4d0aee03f004b91c99f5c9376d3e1949358 | By . Associated Press . Baggage screeners at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport have discovered two World War I artillery shells in checked luggage that arrived on a flight from London. The Transportation Security Administration says the bags belonged to a 16-year-old and a 17-year-old who were returning from a school field trip to Europe. TSA spokesman Jim McKinney says a bomb disposal crew determined the shells were inert and no one was ever in danger. Baggage claim: Two World War I artillery shells discovered by baggage screeners in checked luggage that arrived on a flight from London at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport . Odd import: The teens told law enforcement they obtained the shells at a French World War I artillery range. It was not clear how . Suspect objects: FBI and Chicago Police officers evacuated the baggage room until the items could be clears as inert and interviewed the two minors . The teens told law enforcement they obtained the shells at a French World War I artillery range. It was not clear how. TSA explosives experts believe they are French 77 mm shells. They were seized Monday evening while the teens were transferring to a flight to Seattle. The teens were questioned then allowed to travel onward. They weren't charged. Historical artifacts: Transportation Security Administration officers at O¿Hare Airport spotted two military-grade shells in the checked baggage of two minors, who were part of a field trip returning from London . Checking out: The TSA says the bags belonged to a 16-year-old and a 17-year-old who were returning from a school field trip to Europe. A bomb disposal crew determined the shells were inert and no one was ever in danger . 'As a reminder, large munitions are not permitted to be brought on board airplanes, in carry-on or checked baggage,' TSA said in a statement. 'Small arms ammunition, including under .75 caliber and shotgun shells, can be packed in checked baggage in accordance with airline policies'. | TSA spotted two military-grade shells in teenagers' checked baggage .
Large munitions are prohibited from being carried in checked or carry-on luggage .
The shells made it across the Atlantic without detection .
The TSA contacted the FBI and Chicago police who responded and evacuated the baggage room until the items could be cleared .
The bags belonged to a 16-year-old and a 17-year-old who were returning from a school field trip to Europe .
The teens were questioned then allowed to travel onward and weren't charged . |
120,064 | 272ab0b30dc7ec405514a5841db23508d5af96f2 | Earier this week MailOnline published shocking images of the moment a wife was held at knifepoint by her jealous, abusive husband. Now the victim, Susan Mills, 40, from Margate, Kent, has appeared on ITV show This Morning to speak about her terrifying ordeal. Recalling the events that led up to her husband, Glenn, attacking her with a knife, she said: 'He came back after being on bail for a month and started drinking with my daughter in the house. Scroll down for video . Susan Mills, 40, pictured on today's This Morning where she recalled the terrifying moment her husband of 21 years held her at knifepoint and she feared she would be killed . 'I told him not to drink, not to treat me like this and he just got worse and worse. 'I was scared for my life, I thought I was going to die.' Canterbury Crown Court heard last week how the couple, who had been together for 21 years, had argued over the parentage of their child. A neighbour - who photographed Glenn, 48, grabbing Susan around the neck and holding the knife against her before calling the police - said they heard him shout: 'If I'm going down, I'm going down for something worthwhile.' Susan is seen fighting for her life as her drunken husband Glenn wielded a knife in their back garden in this picture taken by a neighbour who then called the police . Susan said of this moment when armed Glenn held her round the neck: 'I thought I was going to die' The attack took place in their garden after Susan had ran outside in a desperate bid to escape her drunk and violent husband. She was able to break free of his clutches and then fled with her daughter to their neighbour's house until the police arrived. Glenn Mills has been sentenced to three years and eight months after pleading guilty assault by beating, affray and making threats to kill . Glenn was originally charged with attempted murder but on the day of his trial pleaded guilty to assault by beating, affray and making threats to kill. He was jailed for three years and eight months and the attempted murder charge was left on the file. The court heard how he had a previous conviction in October 2012 for battery on his wife when he fractured her fingers. Speaking on today's This Morning, Susan said these were the attacks that she had been brave enough to report. She told presenters Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford: 'For the first 16 years of our relationship there had been moments (of domestic violence) but I didn't have the guts or the courage to go to the police until 2010 when he locked me in room. 'The police had to break in and charged him with false imprisonment. However I later dropped these charges as I felt scared and guilty.' Susan explained how she met Glenn when she was 18 and they fell in love. She said their relationship 'wasn't all bad, we did have happy times' but he became increasingly jealous and controlling. Susan had fled to their garden to escape violent Glenn but he followed her wielding a knife, pictured . A court heard how Glenn said 'if I'm going down, I'm going down for something worthwhile', when he threatened Susan with a knife last year, pictured . 'He was really jealous of my friends, he told me I was ugly and fat and no other man would ever want me,' she said. She added that her mother always had reservations about her husband. 'She saw the signs, she didn't like Glenn at all. When this happened last year she cried her eyes out and said "I can't believe he nearly killed you."' Susan agreed to appear on ITV to share her story after a report published today revealed that domestic abuse victims suffer on average for three years before they get help. On today's This Morning, Susan told presenters Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford, right, that victims of domestic abuse should not 'put up with it' but seek help immediately . Some women suffer more than 50 incidents of abuse before it stops and almost a quarter of high-risk victims had to go to an A&E department because of their injuries. Susan hopes her story will encourage other victims not to delay in seeking help. She urged: 'My advice would be don't put up with it, people don't change, once they start hitting you and threatening you, they won't stop. Get out now and seek help. 'Go to the police. I'm 40 now and I feel like the last 20 years have been a waste.' She added that she's had counselling and her family have been a great support so she's now trying to move on with her life. | Susan Mills, 40, from Kent, suffered years of abuse from husband Glenn .
ln one terrifying incident, he grabbed her and held a knife to her body .
A neighbour caught the attack on camera, then called the police .
Husband of 21 years, Glenn was jailed for three years and eight months .
She says to other women,'don't put up with it, people don't change' |
11,082 | 1f802d22e849b0e630b48117ba08416b03017bd1 | Preston North End goalkeeper Thorsten Stuckmann has claimed Wayne Rooney apologised for the 'dive' that won Manchester United a penalty during their FA Cup fifth-round tie. Rooney went down under a challenge by Stuckmann in the 88th minute, and the England captain scored the resulting penalty to seal the 3-1 win over their League One opposition on Monday night. Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker and Stan Collymore were among those criticising Rooney after replays showed there was no contact. Wayne Rooney touched the ball past Preston North End goalkeeper Thorsten Stuckman during the FA Cup tie . Rooney went down a moment after and several of the Preston players were unhappy with his actions . Rooney lies down on the ground before the penalty is given by referee Phil Dowd late on at Deepdale . Rooney scored from the spot-kick to put Manchester United 3-1 up on Monday night as they won the match . 'After the game Rooney told me: "Sorry, it was my chance to get a penalty. I had to use that",' Stuckmann told The Sun. England manager Roy Hodgson was forced to defend his captain and Stuckmann remains adamant it was an unfair call by referee Phil Dowd. 'I say it clear: That was no penalty,' the keeper added. 'I also believe that if the situation had happened the other way around, one of our strikers against the United keeper, the ref wouldn't have given the penalty. I have no doubt about that.' The goal was Rooney's first in 952 minutes since scoring twice in the 3-1 win over Newcastle United on Boxing Day, and United will now face Arsenal in the FA Cup quarter-finals. Gary Lineker wrote this on Twitter and discussed it further with England manager Roy Hodgson on BBC . Gary Lineker: Roy, he's your captain. Was he diving there? Roy Hodgson: No, not for me, he's just taking evasive action. If you're refereeing the game without the replays that we've seen now a number of times, I don't think any of us would have said that's not a penalty. The goalkeeper's come out that way very rashly and gone with both feet, and Wayne's touched the ball past him. Lineker: But he hasn't touched him Roy? Hodgson: Well...there you go . Kevin Kilbane: Well there’s no contact. It’s a rash challenge yes, but there’s no contact. He tries to leave his leg in there as well, just looking for it. Phil Neville: I think when the keeper’s flying in like that he has to get out of the way. And yeah you might say it’s a dive, but I think he had to get out of the way because if he had left his leg in there it’d have been a leg-breaker. Kilbane: It’s still a dive though. Neville: He had to dive to get out of the way, though. Kilbane: But it’s a dive, Phil. Neville: He had to get out of the way otherwise he’d have snapped his leg. Kilbane: He can hurdle the challenge though can’t he, and then continue his run. Neville: It’s a penalty for me – it’s a reckless challenge. Rooney (right) and Radamel Falcao watch on as they wait to kick off in the FA Cup against Preston . Louis van Gaal pictured during United's 3-1 win over Preston in the FA Cup fifth round at Deepdale . | Wayne Rooney won a penalty and scored to seal United's win over Preston .
Rooney went down under a challenge by Thorsten Stuckmann late on .
Gary Lineker and Stan Collymore were among those that criticised Rooney .
No contact was made and Stuckmann insists Rooney said sorry for it .
CLICK HERE for all the latest Manchester United news . |
30,174 | 55bc68cbf15bc1e3c8a7edbcd9304f8f3078155a | By . Mark Wilson . Celtic have completed a double transfer swoop as Manchester City’s Belgian centre-half Jason Denayer joined Aleksandar Tonev in signing in time to play in next week’s Champions League qualifier with Maribor. As anticipated, Aston Villa’s 24-year-old Bulgarian winger Tonev completed his loan move to Parkhead after completing the formalities on Monday afternoon. Celtic boss Ronny Deila then succeeded in persuading the highly-rated 19-year-old Denayer to continue his development in Glasgow in a deal thought to be similar to Tonev’s. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Celtic reject Legia 'rematch' call . New Bhoy: Jason Denayer poses with Celtic boss Ronny Deila after joining on loan from Manchester City . Tonev admitted he was thrilled to finally join the club under Deila’s management, having been sold on the switch by former Celt Stiliyan Petrov. ‘Joining Celtic is unbelievable and I feel really good about it,’ Tonev told the Celtic website. ‘I’m delighted to have joined the club and I can’t wait to meet up with my new team-mates and start playing for Celtic. Warming up: Denayer (centre) gets to grips with life in Glasgow as he trains with his new club for the first time . VIDEO Celtic reject Legia 'rematch' call . ‘I already knew all about Celtic. Everybody in Bulgaria knows Celtic. I spoke to Stiliyan Petrov yesterday and he was very happy for me. He wished me good luck and I hope I can do as well for Celtic as Stiliyan did. Double swoop: Celtic hope Aleksandar Tonev and Denayer can help them qualify for the Champions League . Tonev and Denayer will go into the squad to face Maribor in the Champions League qualifiers and become Deila’s third and fourth signings after Craig Gordon and Jo Inge Berget. ‘Aleksandar’s a very quick player and he has two good feet which he can shoot with,’ added Deila. ‘He scored a lot of goals during his time at Lech Poznan and I think he can help bring the club forward with his qualities. We can also make him better.’ New arrival: Tonev arrives in Glasgow on Monday to finalise his loan move to the Scottish champions . Getting shirty: Denayer will be aiming to develop as a player in his year-long loan spell in Scotland . Full of promise: Youngster Denayer will return to Manchester at the end of the season . | Jason Denayer and Aleksandar Tonev have joined on year-long loan deals .
Both players eligible to face Maribor in Champions League qualifier .
Bulgarian Tonev was sold on the deal by compatriot Stiliyan Petrov .
Celtic manager Ronny Deila excited by Tonev deal . |
18,815 | 3540d47a01f6c6e96649528d671f4017ac0a3142 | Washington (CNN)Rudy wouldn't be Rudy if he backed down. But by amplifying his charge that President Barack Obama doesn't love America, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani appears ready to risk sullying the powerful mythology that grew around his leadership when he steadied and steeled the nation in the terrible, confusing time after 9/11. Since those fleeting days when he was a unifying figure, Giuliani has more often dealt in waspish rhetoric and savage mockery -- especially of a president he says has "failed." "America's Mayor" has gone rogue, lashing out at Democrats and liberal orthodoxy on the war on terror and saying, for example, during the Ferguson controversy last year that the biggest danger to a black child was not from a white police officer but from another African American. The latest firestorm over Obama's patriotism may complete Giuliani's political journey from the center left of the Republican Party to the conservative jungles where Sarah Palin and Donald Trump roam. "Rudy has devolved into this red meat Republican base ideologue who periodically seems to need self identification," said Douglas Muzzio, a political scientist at Baruch College and a New York City media commentator. "Maybe it is Rudy in his dotage, where he has lost whatever boundaries he once had. He sounds like a bitter old man." Giuliani seems to be relishing his moment back in the spotlight. But he's also causing awkward moments for Republican candidates limbering up for a crack at the presidency in 2016 -- a fact the White House was quick to exploit on Friday. "It's sad to see when somebody who has attained a certain level of public stature, and even admiration, tarnishes that legacy so thoroughly," said Obama's spokesman, Josh Earnest. "And the truth is, I don't take any joy, or vindication, or satisfaction from that. I think, really, the only thing that I feel is I feel sorry for Rudy Giuliani today." Democratic National Committee Chairman Debbie Wasserman Schultz also joined in, seeking to use Giuliani to frustrate the GOP's effort to short circuit controversies which could tarnish the party's image. "Now is the time for its leaders to stop this kind of nonsense. Enough," she said. Giuliani's blast, delivered in a closed door Republican dinner, and repeated in a media tour, centers on a claim that Obama was not brought up to "love" his country like most Americans. It's a familiar charge from the conservative fringe, that Obama is somehow different and doesn't view America as an exceptional paragon but is obsessed with apologizing for its failings. "I do not believe, and I know this is a horrible thing to say, but I do not believe the president loves America," Giuliani was quoted as saying by Politico. Asked by Fox News host Megyn Kelly Thursday whether he wanted to apologize, Giuliani replied: "Not at all. I want to repeat it." "I don't feel this love of America," Giuliani said. "I believe his initial approach is to criticize the United States." Giuliani dug in further in an interview with the New York Times, rejecting the idea that his remarks were born of racism. "I thought that was a joke, since (Obama) was brought up by a white mother, a white grandfather, went to white schools, " said Giuliani. "This isn't racism. This is socialism or possibly anti-colonialism," said Giuliani. Far from being chastened, Giuliani, who wore a conspiratorial grin on Fox News, seems gleeful in the firestorm. His behavior might be explained by a boxing maxim he was taught as a boy, which may also shed light on his calmness on 9/11. "My father taught me ... when you get hit in the face for the first time, you're going to panic," Giuliani said in an interview with Forbes magazine in 2011. "Instead of panicking, just accept it. Stay calm. And any time anybody hits you, they always leave themselves open to be hit." Giuliani's actions may be both a glimpse at his political philosophy and reflect a decision to wade into the political echo chamber to solidify his standing among a certain group of conservatives. "He understands political posturing, he understands the effectiveness of rhetoric," said Errol Louis, a CNN political commentator from New York. "He clearly wants to play a role on the national stage. I guess he has chosen the role of bulldog -- go after the president, attack him, make wild accusations." With a failed presidential campaign behind him, and having been out of office for a decade-and-a-half, it may be that Giuliani sees his future on the conservative talk circuit. "To the extent that Giuliani will be involved in the game moving forward, it will be as a commentator or an analyst," said Costas Panagopoulos, a campaigns expert at Fordham University, New York. "In order to do that successfully these days, it helps to be controversial, sometimes inflammatory. I am not surprised that he has become increasingly forceful in his comments in the media. He is convinced that will help him." Giuliani has rarely been known to back down. He was a Yankee fan growing up in Brooklyn, a ruthless prosecutor who took on unions and the Mob and a hard driving Republican who ran a liberal city. When he awoke on September 11, 2001, Giuliani was a polarizing figure with a large ego and a sharp tongue. He might have purged New York street crime but was starting to grate on the city's nerves at the end of his second term. Within hours, with a staggering display of calm, purpose and leadership, he had recast himself as a modern-era Winston Churchill, steadying and inspiring his people in their darkest hour. His heroics were such that he became one of those politicians who become known by a single name. Marching up Broadway, he grabbed a mike and told people to evacuate southern Manhattan. He conjured up national resolve and resistance, as a country waited hours to see its president, out of sight on Air Force One. "People tonight should say a prayer, for the people that we have lost, and be grateful that we are all here," he said in a late night press conference 12 hours after the Twin Towers came crashing down in a toxic cloud of fire and ash. "Tomorrow New York is going to be here and we are going to rebuild and we are going to be stronger from before." Making Giuliani its Man of the Year, Time Magazine said: "When the day of infamy came, Giuliani seized it as if he had been waiting for it all his life." But he struggled to meet huge expectations. His 2008 presidential campaign was a bust, plagued by poor organization and his liberal views on social issues that conflicted with the conservative base. But there was also a sense that he was playing the September 11 card too much: Joe Biden's crack that there were "only three things he mentions in a sentence, a noun a verb and 9/11" was funny because it bore more than a ring of truth. That was years ago now. But while his years of elective office are behind him, Giuliani still seems to pine for the political spotlight. So he has every incentive to keep this row going as long as he can. | Giuliani defiant about Obama comments .
Remarks could sully his 9/11 legacy . |
191,394 | 83d8ffadd1311503e3a1a3ff84aa9fd6112465c2 | By . Katy Winter . PUBLISHED: . 12:49 EST, 21 March 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 14:26 EST, 21 March 2013 . Stunning model and single mother Jourdan Dunn has opened up about facing discrimination in the fashion industry and caring for her beloved son who suffers from sickle-cell disease. Speaking in this week’s edition of net-a-porter’s digital magazine, The Edit, Dunn looks stunning in the accompanying shoot posing in a selection of current season designers including Marni, Rochas and Valentino. Praising her mother for giving her the strength to carve a career in modelling, coping with the father of her son Riley, then a few weeks old, being sent to prison for drug dealing, and Riley’s emergency hospital admissions for his blood disorder the 22-year-old admits: ‘I guess you could say that I have been through quite a lot.' Jourdan wears dress by Red Valentino, clutch by Marni, bracelet by Marc by Marc Jacobs all available at www.net-a-porter.com . Dress by Rochas, leather cuff and gold bangle by Valentino, bag by Marni all available at www.net-a-porter.com . Discovered at the age of 14 Dunn, from west London, first hit the mainstream when aged 17, she appeared on the Prada catwalk – the first black model to do so since Naomi Campbell 11 years earlier. Since then, she has appeared on the cover of Vogue Italia, won Model of the Year at the British Fashion Awards, appeared at the Olympic Closing Ceremony and fronted campaigns for the likes of Burberry, Yves Saint Laurent and Tommy Hilfiger. Shirt dress by Thakoon, belt by Lanvin, bag by Chloe, cuff by Eddie Borgo all available at www.net-a-porter.com . There were times, however, when Dunn would be on her way to castings and was called up and told to turn back because the client 'didn’t want any more black girls.' The model admits that in the past, discrimination like this has upset her but thanks to her mother she forged on, 'She always seemed to make things work without ever complaining.' Like her mother before her, Dunn, too, is a . young single mother. It was just months after she’d been crowned Model of . the Year in 2008 that she found out she was pregnant with her son, . Riley, now three. Soon after Riley was born, his . father, the model’s long-term boyfriend of five years, was sent to . prison for possession of cocaine with intent to sell. she says. Her mother helps her look after Riley, who suffers from sickle-cell disease, an inherited, non-contagious blood disorder. ‘It’s . scary every time he has what they call a ‘crisis’, you know, when he . has to be rushed to the hospital for more oxygen and blood transfusion’ Jourdan admits. Dunn is using her fame to raise awareness of the condition by supporting the Sickle Cell society. Jourdan Dunn wins the award for best model at the 2008 British Fashion Awards (left) and walks the runway during the 2012 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in 2012 (right) | 22-year-old model is the latest cover girl of net-a-porter magazine The Edit .
Dunn is a single mother to three-year-old Riley .
Riley suffers from sickle-cell disease .
Admits she has experienced racism throughout her modelling career . |
263,096 | e0c47bcdc7c5a6f9fd9b0e6270fdb2d0230513c5 | Juventus general director Giuseppe Marotta has claimed Real Madrid ARE interested in signing midfielder Paul Pogba. Carlo Ancelotti told Sky Italia that he was an admirer of the 21-year-old, but insisted the Champions League winners did not intend to make a move for the former Manchester United youngster. However, Maratto has accused Ancelotti of telling a 'white lie' and insists the Italian has made enquiries about Pogba. Juventus claim Real Madrid have shown an interest in midfielder Paul Pogba . Carlo Ancelotti has been accused of telling a 'white lie' after he denied interest in his compatriot . 'Ancelotti asked me some questions about Pogba,' he said to Sky Italia. 'He says he's not interested? Well, that's a white lie. I'm sure he has his reasons to say it's not true.' Juve are desperate to fend off interest in the French international, but Marotta insists they are powerless to stop Pogba, who has scored five goals in 16 Serie A games this season, being lured elsewhere with a massive financial offer. He added: 'We will do everything within out limits to hold on to Pogba, but we must not forget Italy is a country in transition. Juventus are desperate to keep Pogba at the San Siro but admit he may be prized away . 'The problem we have is that of offers coming in from other clubs offering him a salary that we are not able to match due to our financial situation. 'At the moment, there's no reason to believe that Pogba will definitely leave Juventus for another team, but we have to bear in mind that we cannot compete with the wages that are being paid elsewhere. We have our limits.' | Juventus insist Real Madrid have enquired about midfielder Paul Pogba .
Carlo Ancelotti had claimed they were not interested in signing Pogba .
Giuseppe Marotta has accused the Italian of telling a 'white lie' |
275,524 | f0f2bc5ba07f22df1547cd2043b5cabc985efd31 | By . Richard Shears . PUBLISHED: . 03:23 EST, 27 November 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 11:16 EST, 27 November 2013 . Verdict: Simon Gittany arrives at court with his new girlfriend during his trial. He was found guilty of murder today . The Australian businessman accused of throwing his girlfriend to her death from the balcony of their luxury Sydney apartment has been found guilty. Simon Gittany, 40, had denied murdering Canadian former ballerina and aspiring model Lisa Harnum in July 2011 after a bitter row during which a security camera had shown him dragging her back into the apartment with his hand across her mouth. Just over a minute later, she had plunged to her death - and Justice Lucy McCallum, in a damning assessment of Gittany’s character, said she did not believe his account of how his fiancee had fallen from the balcony. As the verdict was delivered in the New South Wales Supreme Court Gittany stood still while his girlfriend Rachelle Louise started screaming. Ms Louise yelled at the judge, and was taken from the court in floods of tears while Ms Harnum's family members smiled and embraced after the verdict was handed down. Crowds gathered outside the court as Justice McCallum, who had sat without a jury during the four-week-long trial, began delivering her verdict in the case which has gripped the nation. She stated that Gittany was 'controlling, dominating and, at times, abusive' of Ms Harnum. She found he lied 'with telling ease' and distorted the truth when he took the stand. 'At many times in his evidence the accused struck me as being a person playing a role, telling a story which fit with the objective evidence but which did no more than that,' Justice McCallum reported News.co.au. 'His account of what happened appeared to exist on borrowed detail. Scroll down for video . Guilty: Simon Gittany, 40, had denied murdering Canadian former ballerina and aspiring model Lisa Harnum in July 2011 after a bitter row during which a security camera had shown him dragging her back into the apartment with his hand across her mouth . 'It lacked originality and the subtlety of actual experience.' The . Crown had told the court that Gittany was domineering and had tried to . control everything his fiancee did, even the way she wore her hair and . what clothes she chose to go out in. Gittany had admitted during the trial that he was a ‘jealous partner.’ ‘She . would wear revealing clothes, sometime with no bra. I would tell her . she should continue to look beautiful but just to tone down how much she . was revealing of her body so she didn’t attract the wrong attention and . give out the wrong signals,’ he told the court. But . his defence team claimed that Miss Harnum’s struggle with an eating . disorder may have been the reason she jumped to her death. The . judge began her summing up by examining the relationship between . Gittany and his fiancee, saying she had sought to avoid being influenced . by the ‘shocking and tragic’ nature of Miss Harnum’s death. There was . no doubt, she said, that the couple loved each other. But the judge said that ‘by the time of her death, Lisa Harnum had no friends except a personal trainer and a counsellor. Struggle: The prosecutor asked Gittany if he had used his 'superior strength as a male to commit a serious act of aggression' when he dragged Miss Harnum back into their unit before her death (above) Gittany, . she said, had used CCTV cameras to monitor Miss Harnum’s movements in . their 15th storey apartment and the scrutiny she was subjected to was . ‘intrusive and overbearing.’ Judge . McCallum said the relationship reached the point when Miss Harnum . changed her Facebook status to ‘single’ and had signed a contract to . store her belongings in Bondi as she prepared to leave her controlling . fiancé. On the day that . Gittany found Miss Harnum had packed her bags, said the judge, he . reacted ‘with nothing short of rage’ and she did not accept his denial . that he had made enraged threats. ‘I have no hesitation accepting . evidence of…rage,’ said the judge. His denials were ‘manifestly implausible…he was controlling and abusive…out of control,’ she added. Gittany . sat in the dock clutching a small cup of water as the verdict was being . delivered, his new girlfriend, brunette Rachelle Louise sitting in the . public gallery. Evidence: CCTV footage shows Simon Gittany holding his hands on his head as he rides a lift moments after he threw his fiancee to her death off the 15th-floor balcony of their Sydney apartment . Gesticulating: Gittany throws his hands up in the air as he heads to the ground floor where the body of his girlfriend is lying in the street . By the end . of July Gittany’s relationship with Miss Harnum had reached crisis . point, the judge noted. ‘I do not think there can be any doubt the . accused was controlling, dominating and at time abusive.’ The . night before her death, the couple had watched Romeo and Juliet in bed . before he got up to watch porn on the morning of his girlfriend’s death. ‘I . find it difficult to believe he was watching porn’ on the morning of . the death,’ said the judge, adding she assumed he had instead got up to . monitor her emails and text messages. 'By 6am on the morning of her death, Lisa Harnum was in a state of absolute fear and despair,’ said the judge. She . referred to a witness, Josh Rathmell’ who had told the court of seeing . Gittany throwing something from the balcony, evidence, she said, that . was ‘compelling’. The judge . did not believe Gittany’s account of how Miss Harnum fell to her death - . he had told the court he had tried to grab her when she climbed onto . the balcony but had failed to stop her falling. ‘It’s difficult to . articulate my impression of that evidence except that I found him . unconvincing,’ said the judge. 'By 6am on the morning of her death, Lisa Harnum was in a state of absolute fear and despair,’ said the judge . 'At . many times in his evidence, the accused struck me as being a person . playing a role, telling a story which fitted with the objective evidence . but which did no more than that. ‘His account of what happened appeared to exist on borrowed detail.’ As . Justice McCallum’s verdict details entered their fourth hour, Gittany’s . girlfriend began to sob, while he stared straight ahead at the judge. The judge had up to that point said little that gave him any hope of walking away from the court a free man. She . said Miss Harnum could not have behaved in the way Gittany said she had . - clambering onto the balcony - without leaving fingerprints. She said it was likely that Miss Harnum was rendered unconscious before she plunged to her death. Speaking outside court, an emotional Joan Harnum told reporters 'there are no winners in this case'. 'Two families have had their lives dramatically changed forever,' she said reported Nine News MSN. 'We . will always mourn the loss of our beautiful Lisa Cecilia and are . working towards making her legacy a powerful wake-up call to young . women. 'My daughter used to say people can ask for help but children and animals cannot. 'And now young women who are caught up in situations like my daughter found herself in need a voice as well.' Gittany will face a sentence hearing in February. | Simon Gittany 40, found guilty of murdering and aspiring model Lisa Harnum .
Killed her in July 2011 after a bitter row, although he insisted she fell .
His new girlfriend shouted abuse at the judge while he stood still .
Gittany will face a sentence hearing in February . |
90,059 | ffbe16fdc3602d813f563c8c0f096497d5b33a44 | Washington (CNN) -- One of the first things President Obama did after Republicans seized control of the Senate was to announce his intention to seek new Congressional authority for military action against ISIS in Syria and Iraq to replace those passed more than a decade ago to wage the war on terror. The President said he would begin consultation with lawmakers on an Authorization of the Use of Military Force, or AUMF, while Democrats still control the Senate. But he added, "it may carry over into the next Congress." The new found enthusiasm for engaging Congress could be viewed as either olive branch to the incoming Republican Senate to answer accusations he doesn't consult enough, or a belief Republicans will be more forward-leaning on granting authority that has made some members of his own party nervous. But it precludes what is sure to be a bolder role for Republicans in U.S. foreign policy. Here are some of the things to watch as Republicans take over the Senate majority in January: . THE PLAYERS - The three Senate committees with oversight over foreign policy will now be chaired by Republicans. DEFENSE -- John McCain ascends . Sen. John McCain is widely expected to head the Armed Service Committee. He has long sat on the committee and also been its ranking member, but this will be his first time being in charge of it. As one of the staunchest critics of President Obama's Syria strategy, the gavel gives McCain a greater platform to push for more aggressive military action against but ISIS and President Bashar al-Assad. McCain would also play a key role in writing the defense authorization bill, which sets policies on everything from defense spending to weapons systems to military base closers. Although the appropriations committees control the purse strings, McCain would have a larger say in how the Pentagon spends its money. The Navy veteran has blasted the Pentagon about what he considers expensive, outdated and ineffective weapons systems, and is expected to be outspoken on reforming Pentagon spending, he has pressed to replace defense budget cuts under sequestration. Pentagon press secretary Rear Adm. John Kirby said despite McCain's criticism on the administration's handling of foreign policy issues, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel enjoys a "strong and productive" relationship with McCain. That relationship would exist despite the public ringer McCain put Hagel through during his 2013 confirmation hearings. Despite his reputation for blunt talk McCain is also known for reaching across the aisle and officials believe restoring the failed 2008 Republican presidential nominee to a position of power could see a return to the statesman-like McCain of years past. FOREIGN RELATIONS -- Corker is a deal maker . Sen. Bob Corker of Tennessee is likely to replace New Jersey Democratic senator Robert Menendez, who wasn't seen as particularly friendly chair to the Obama administration. Corker has criticized Obama for being an "unreliable ally" and blasted the president for withdrawing his request to launch military strikes last year. Corker also wants the administration to get tougher on Russian President Putin. Despite his conservative credentials, Corker is known for his willingness to work with Democrats on issues foreign and domestic and has a good relationship with Menendez, the current chair. During an editorial board with his hometown newspaper the Tennessean, Corker laid out a thoughtful argument for broad US engagement in the world and suggesting he would support an increase to the US foreign aid budget. INTELLIGENCE -- A fresh start with Burr . Sources say Sen. Richard Burr of North Carolina will likely take the gavel from Diane Feinstein, who has had a rocky relationship with CIA Director John Brennan. Their disagreement is over the agency's meddling into a Senate investigation into Bush-era interrogation techniques and a long-awaited report on the issue. The administration could actually find a friendlier chair in Burr on the interrogations report, as well as on surveillance programs and the use of drones. He also expected to be less forceful on pushing for reform of NSA data collection called for in the wake of the Edward Snowden revelations. Burr will also likely dive into the threat posed by ISIS, including improving weak intelligence on the number of foreign fighters who may have U.S. passports. SYRIA and IRAQ -- A debate on the use of force . Republicans supported President Obama's decision to order airstrikes against ISIS in Iraq and Syria this summer. And incoming Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Wednesday he is open to a Senate floor debate on a new authorization for the use of military force (AUMF). Discussion is likely to intensify over what the GOP considers a tentative and ineffective campaign against the terrorist group. Republicans charge that President Obama, by not acting sooner, contributed to ISIS growth. They have argued that defeating the group now will require more boots and Special Forces on the ground, increased airstrikes in Iraq and Syria and a no-fly zone and buffer zone in Syria. Republicans also want to more forcefully confront Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. There is also sure to be scrutiny of the administration's plan train moderate rebels. The White House has asked Congress to train 5,000 voted Syrian rebel troops to take on ISIS, and the current authorization for that program expires at the end of the year. Incoming Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Wednesday the Republicans want to revisit the discussion with the president on his strategy. That strategy could include cooperation with Iran, which would create a new sideline debate on Captiol Hill. President Obama wrote a letter to Iran's Supreme Leader pointing out the two countries both oppose ISIS. But the ongoing and troubled nuclear talks between Iran and the West stand in the way. IRAN'S NUKES -- Opposition to Obama's strategy . The deadline for an agreement between Western nations and Iran to curb its nuclear activities in exchange for easing some sanctions is weeks away. It's resolution is far from certain. President Obama said Wednesday world powers presented a "framework" to Iran for a deal. Senate Republicans are opposed to any agreement allows Iran to continue enriching any uranium and could now pass anti-Iran legislation which would effectively derail a diplomatic solution. If a deal is reached the White House could choose to bypass Congress entirely. President Obama has the authority to suspend U.S. sanctions without congressional approval, a move which could force Republicans to more forcefully confront Iran. Republican senators Corker, John McCain, and Marco Rubio have already proposed legislation that would compel President Obama to submit any deal with Iran to a full up-or-down vote, and Senator Lindsay Graham of South Carolina said he would not "tolerate" a deal with Iran without such a measure. President Obama demurred when asked on Wednesday, saying if there was a deal on the table he would engage Congress. "I think that we'll be able to make a strong argument to Congress that this is the best way for us to avoid a nuclear Iran." Democrats could also make things difficult for Obama on Iran. Proposed legislation enacting even stricter sanctions against Iran is sponsored by Democratic Sen. Robert Menendez of New Jersey and Republican Sen. Mark Kirk of Illinois. The Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act of 2013 would expand the number of blacklisted sectors of Iran's economy, expand the number of senior officials in Iran and penalize foreign institutions that do business with Iran's blacklisted entities. The White House fears such legislation would push Iran away from the negotiating table, alienate it's international partners and effectively kill the and deny President Obama what he had hoped could be one of the most important foreign policy achievements of his presidency. RUSSIA and UKRAINE -- More help for Ukraine? There may be little practical effect of a new Republican Senate on policy toward Russia. President Obama has already taking a tough line against President Putin over his actions in Ukraine. Republicans, particularly McCain, paint Putin as a dangerous enemy who must be contained and are likely to push against any future engagement with Russia and a return to a Cold War Stance. Republicans could also increase pressure on the White House to provide arms to Ukraine to defend itself against Russian aggression and increase support for Georgia and other emerging democracies in Eastern Europe. GUANTANAMO -- More difficult to close . President Obama campaigned in 2008 on closing the Guantanamo Bay detention facility, calling it a stain on America's reputation around the world. Those hopes are now all but gone. Congressional restrictions prohibit the administration from spending any Pentagon money for transferring detainees for imprisonment or trail has tied the president's hands. Republicans are the most passionate opponents of closing Gitmo and are likely to continue to thwart the closure of the facility, pressing the administration to try alleged terrorists before military tribunals. TRADE -- Possible new partners . For the White House, this could be a potential silver lining of a Republican-controlled Senate. Two key trade deals are being negotiated. The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is an expansive free trade agreement between Asian and North and South America. The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) is a broad free-trade agreement between the United States and the European Union. Republicans could make those negotiations smoother by giving the president "fast track" negotiation authority, eliminating the need for amendments Democrats are seeking on behalf of labor. While Republicans may be reluctant to hand President Obama what would be considered major accomplishments, both trade agreements could result in greater U.S. economic growth and jobs which are Republican priorities. | Obama has signaled interest in engaging Congress on the use of military force abroad .
Sen. John McCain will likely head the Armed Services Committee .
McCain and other Republicans have been critical of Obama's foreign policy . |
228,060 | b34aff284d8b674c0713c81e11bcc47b25cd2a32 | 'I really am the pope': Pope Francis had to convince a suspicious receptionist that he was the real deal . Pope Francis's informal style came down to earth when he phoned a Vatican receptionist directly and was told: ‘And I'm Napoleon.’ The new pope had announced himself when he called a Jesuit residence in Rome on Friday and got through to the switchboard, according to Bitno.net. He had been trying to contact Adolfo Nicolas, the superior general of the Pope's old Jesuit order. But the baffled receptionist - identified only as Andreas - thought he was being pranked and snapped back: ‘Oh yes? And I'm Napoleon.’ The receptionist then tried to get a genuine response from the caller he believed to be a hoaxer, asking: 'Who is it?' His holiness showed great patience dealing with the suspicious assistant and eventually managed to convince him that the call was genuine . He responded: ‘I really am Pope Francis. 'Do not worry, Andreas, just connect me with Father General, I would like to thank him for the charming letter.' Andreas apologised when he realised what he had done. One Vatican expert explained: ‘You can't really blame the poor man. No other pope would have picked up a telephone to make their own calls. An official usually calls a secretary who places the call.’ ‘The receptionist is extremely distraught but I think the new pope has a good sense of humour and will laugh it off,’ they added. Pope Francis spoke to the crowd in St. Peter's Square before saying the Angelus prayer at the Vatican . Pope Francis was greeted much more warmly by the 150,000 people who gathered in St Peter's Square . Pope Francis was greeted much more enthusiastically by crowds in St Peter's Square today when he made his first speech wishing them to 'have a good lunch' at midday. More than 150,000 people packed the famous square, . when the window was opened for the first time since Francis's . predecessor Benedict XVI gave his final window blessing last month. Breaking . with tradition, Francis delivered off-the-cuff remarks about God's . power to forgive, instead of reading from a written speech, leaving . crowd roaring in delight. | Pope called receptionist of Adolfo Nicolas who did not believe it was him .
Papal calls usually made by officials so receptionist thought it was a prank . |
181,100 | 76717b2b9a43a05c9b039909a859963aad79c890 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . Last updated at 8:46 PM on 30th September 2011 . A document obtained by the ACLU shows for the first time how the four largest cellphone companies in the U.S. treat data about their subscribers' calls, text messages, Web surfing and approximate locations. The one-page document from the Justice Department's cybercrime division shows, for instance, that Verizon Wireless keeps for one year information about which cell towers subscriber phones connect to. That data that can be used to figure out where the phone has been, down to the level of a neighborhood. AT&T has kept the same data since July 2008. A new document obtained by ACLU revealed the varying degrees to which cell phone companies keep users information. T-Mobile USA doesn't keep any information on Web browsing activity . The sheet is a guide for law enforcement, which can request the information from the carriers through legal channels. Where's Kim? Data stored by the phone companies can track movement down to a specific neighborhood . The North Carolina section of the American Civil Liberties Union obtained it through a Freedom of Information Act request, the ACLU said. Wired.com reported earlier about the document, which is dated Aug. 2010. The document was released by the ACLU Wednesday, but has been hiding in plain sight on the website of the Vermont public defender's office. It can be found there through a Google search, but only if the searcher knows the exact title of the document. A few data points from the sheet were known outside law enforcement circles, but wireless carriers have not been open about their policies. They aren't required to keep the data, and they keep the same information for varying lengths of time. Some don't keep data at all that other companies store. For instance, it says T-Mobile USA doesn't keep any information on Web browsing activity. Verizon, on the other hand, keeps some information for up to a year that can be used to ascertain if a particular phone visited a particular Web site. According to the sheet, Sprint Nextel Corp.'s Virgin Mobile brand keeps the text content of text messages for three months. Verizon keeps it for three to five days. None of the other carriers keep texts at all, but they keep records of who texted who for more than a year. The document says AT&T keeps for five to seven years a record of who text messages who -and when, but not the content of the messages. Virgin Mobile only keeps that data for two to three months. The carriers don't have recordings of calls, but keep information about calls that are made and received for at least a year. The ACLU said it believes people have a right to know how long phone companies keep records of their activities. Although the sheet is dated August . 2010, Tom Slovenski, a private investigator specializing in cellphone . data, said it is still accurate. Sprint . spokesman Jason Gertzen said he couldn't comment on the specific . figures in the sheet. Normally, he said, a subpoena, court order, or . customer consent form from a recognized law enforcement agency is . necessary for the carrier to hand out data. People who have AT&T should be aware, the ACLU believes, that data on who and when they text is kept by the company for 5-7 years . However, Sprint also responds to emergency requests, as in missing persons cases, if the police can document their need, he said. The Department of Justice did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A bill in Congress would force wired Internet service providers to keep records of the network addresses assigned to each subscriber for 18 months. That would help investigators link online activity to specific homes. But the bill doesn't apply to wireless links. A series of such bills have been proposed over the years, but haven't passed. | Document obtained by ACLU reveals each phone company's habits on saving information .
AT&T keeps records for 5-7 years of who texts who . |
13,688 | 26c7efaa46b0ff22b1d3e45c02529adc2df0da9a | Leicester have opened talks with Marseille over defender Rod Fanni and are closing on former Real Madrid midfielder Esteban Cambiasso. France international Fanni could be allowed to leave on a free transfer and is training with Leicester to establish his fitness. The 32-year-old has been linked with moves to England for the past four years and Leicester want an experienced defender to cover for Matt Upson's injury. Target: Leicester are in talks with Marseille's Rod Fanni as they look to strengthen their defensive options . Experienced: Fanni, pictured with Reims' Antoine Devaux (right), has played in France for his whole career . Fanni did not feature in Marseille’s squad for the 2-0 defeat at home to Montpellier in Ligue 1 on Sunday. Pearson is also still looking to strike agreement with free agent midfielder Esteban Cambiasso. Cambiasso, who turned 34 on Monday, also has interest from Sevilla. CLICK HERE to start picking your Fantasy Football team NOW! There’s £60,000 in prizes including £1,000 up for grabs EVERY WEEK… . Free agent: Nigel Pearson also hopes to sign former Inter Milan midfielder Esteban Cambiasso (right) VIDEO Pearson content with Leicester start . | Defender is available for just £800,000 this summer .
Nigel Pearson sees him as experienced cover for Matthew Upson .
Fanni is expected to train with the Foxes to prove his fitness . |
76,104 | d7dfdceed4a308dea1af58b22967f2d50a6c3ab3 | (CNN) -- Paul Ivy will never forget his first time seeing "Night of the Living Dead." "I was 12 years old and it was beyond cool to see zombies attacking those hapless people, smashing in windows and feasting on human flesh," iReporter Ivy remembered. "No way would my real parents let me watch that sort of thing, but it was fine with my cool comic-shop-owning hippie other parents [those parents being Jay and Helen Knowles, parents of Ain't It Cool News founder Harry Knowles]." Ever since that day in 1976, zombie movies were one of the Olympia, Washington resident's favorite genres. Like many fans, he holds the original "Dawn of the Dead" in high regard: "Except for one silly scene involving bikers throwing pies at zombies, the whole movie has great dramatic tension and a genuine feeling of horror," he said. Ivy isn't alone. Zombies have undergone a renaissance in recent years, starting with the remake of "Dawn" in 2004, and last year's surprise hit horror-comedy "Zombieland." Not only that, but "zombie walks" have cropped up all over the world lately, and they're not just confined to events like San Diego Comic-Con in California. With vampires being all the rage -- with the "Twilight" movie series and also TV's "True Blood" and "Vampire Diaries" -- it seemed only natural that zombies would be next to get their own TV series. AMC, the home of Emmy darlings "Mad Men" and "Breaking Bad," has decided to adapt the comic book series "The Walking Dead," set to premiere Sunday, October 31, at 10 p.m. ET. Ask anyone who has read the series, about a comatose Southern police officer who wakes up in the midst of a zombie apocalypse, and almost all of them will rave about it. Thus, the expectations for the series are very high. AMC had an eye-catching display (a gruesome re-creation of a scene from the first episode) as part of their massive presence at Comic-Con. They also put on a zombie walk, which was expanded worldwide on Tuesday. And, of course, the show has reached out to fans on social media, giving them oodles of information on the show before its debut. So what is it that makes fans so excited about this particular take on zombies? "I enjoy the mix of characters, with many different ages and races represented," Ivy said. "They are a cross-section of people with varying skills, not a bunch of soldiers. They must come to grips with their new world and fight to survive in it." "I think people love the source material because no character is sacred, no character is safe, and anyone -- even the most beloved and innocent people in the comic -- could be killed at any moment," said Blair Butler, comic book expert for G4's "Attack of the Show" -- and one of many fans of the book's creator, Robert Kirkman. "I hope the show manages to capture that sense of ever-present danger." "We're all big fans of the comics and have been reading them from the beginning," said Kyle Puttkammer of the Atlanta, Georgia, area "Galactic Quest" comic book stores. "'Walking Dead' and Kirkman's other series, 'Invincible,' sells very well in both our stores because we recommend it often." One of his employees even tried out to play a zombie on the show, which shoots on location in Atlanta. Robert Soto of Dallas, Texas, said the series got him back into reading comics after hearing so much about it: "It did not disappoint. It was more than just zombies. The stories were about people. They have complex relationships and as a reader you really identify with them, which makes it difficult when those characters die." Butler agrees that the humanity of the characters are what sets it apart. According to the books, "human beings pushed to the limit -- people who have been reduced to their basest instincts to survive -- are far more terrifying than any zombie," she said. Those who have had a chance to see the show early are cautiously optimistic. "The first episode should make any fan giddy," said iReporter Keith McDuffee of Cliqueclack.com. "That's not to say that it's a shot-for-page remake of the first part of the series, but there's no doubt it's respectably faithful. In fact, I'd say the changes made in the first episode are for the better." Praising the show's emphasis on humanity, not to mention its realistic makeup effects, Screenrant.com's Kofi Outlaw said it was "that rare adaptation which enhances everything that is great about its literary source material." So, the question remains: Will those who aren't as familiar with the comic book or who aren't already fans of the zombie genre tune in? One thing "The Walking Dead" most certainly is (as one might imagine), is extremely gory and violent. That would probably be tough for mass audiences, although it wasn't much of a problem for "The Sopranos." Whether the show will garner the same popularity or critical praise as "Mad Men" or "True Blood" remains to be seen. Either way, members of its devoted fan base already have their plans made for Halloween night. | New AMC series "The Walking Dead" has a passionate fan base .
Epic zombie story is based on a series of popular comic books .
Fans who have had sneak peeks are cautiously optimistic .
Violence, gore could make it a tough sell to mass audiences . |
96,035 | 077f03b5093d239dc099bc4bb63a1d1c92f13789 | Militants fighting for the Islamic State in Syria have publicly beheaded a man for allegedly practicing witchcraft - the latest in a long line of barbaric executions carried out by the terror group. The unknown man was photographed being killed by a masked executioner in a village just outside ISIS' stronghold and de facto capital Raqqa while a large crowd looked on. Precise details of the victim's so-called crime are not known, but the charge of witchcraft and 'invoking magic', and the use of an axe and wooden chopping block to carry out the beheading do little to counter claims that ISIS are little more than murderers with a Dark Age view of the world. Scroll down for video . Brutal: The unknown man was photographed being killed by a masked executioner in a village just outside ISIS' stronghold and de facto capital Raqqa while a large crowd looked on . Horror: The man was led to the execution site by militants, including one who appears to be a teenager . The beheading of the man, who has a long grey beard, bald head and appears to be in his 60s, took place in a rural area named Aldbsa, to the west the city of Raqqa. Photographs of the execution and the crowds who watched it were released by ISIS-affiliated media, and were reported by Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently - an anti-ISIS activist group based in the city who document the terror group's barbarism in its de facto capital. One image shows the elderly man being led to the execution site by militants, including one who appears to be a young teenager. Around the group are masked militants wielding assault rifles. Another image shows a bearded cleric reading out the charges against the man, before a third photograph shows him kneeling on the floor with his arms bound behind his back, his head resting on the chopping block and the axe just millimetres from his neck. A fourth and final image shows a crowd of dozens of onlookers pressed up against metal railings so they can get a closer look at the gruesome scene. Crime: A bearded cleric reads out the charges against the man before his execution for supposed witchcraft . Crowds: Dozens of onlookers press up against metal railings to get a closer look at the gruesome scene . The witchcraft execution came just days after images were released on a blindfolded man was seen being thrown to his death from a building inside Raqqa after being accused of homosexuality. The shocking images appeared to show ISIS militants hurling the man off the seven-storey building in the town of Tal Abyad in Raqqa, supposedly in punishment for him having a 'homosexual affair'. The man apparently survived the fall, but was stoned to death by a waiting crowd at the foot of the tower block. Photographs of the incident appear to show the man - who is thought to be in his 50s - sat on a white, plastic chair while blindfolded. He is surrounded by at least two masked militants, who are dressed in black clothing and army fatigues. The man is then thrown from the top of the tower block and one photograph shows him falling towards the ground, head first. | Elderly man is seen being brutally executed for 'practicing witchcraft'
Militants took him to area outside city of Raqqa to carry out beheading .
Crowd gathered to watch the man being killed by masked executioners .
Comes days after ISIS threw man off seven-storey building in Raqqa after he was accused of having a 'homosexual affair' |
230,054 | b5e9d2a97374fd29ae0c6009f0635f3941cad9cc | (CNN) -- A 57-year-old Washington man fishing from a kayak off a Hawaiian island has died after being bitten by a shark, authorities said. The man was identified by Maui police as Patrick Briney of Stevenson, Washington, about 45 miles east of Portland, Oregon. The attack took place Monday morning half a mile off a point near Little Beach in Makena State Recreation Area on the island of Maui, the Department of Land and Natural Resources said. The victim's companion, who was also on a kayak, told the department that his friend was fishing for baitfish with artificial lures when a shark bit one of his feet, which was dangling over the edge of the boat. Swimmer killed in shark attack at New Zealand beach . The man's companion, who was about 500 yards away when the attack took place, paddled over to him, tied a tourniquet to try to stem severe bleeding and called on a tour boat in the vicinity for help, authorities said. The tour boat brought the man to shore, and he was taken to a hospital. But authorities believe he died of his injuries during the boat journey, said Rod Antone of the Maui County mayor's office. Shark attack claims Brazilian teen's life . High number of shark incidents . "We offer our condolences to the family of the victim. Our thoughts and prayers are with them," said William J. Aila Jr., chairman of the Board of Land and Natural Resources. Authorities say they have closed the waters off Makena State Recreation Area following the attack. Beaches in the area remain open, but the Natural Resources Department said people are advised to stay out of the water. The area will reopen at noon Tuesday if no more sharks are seen in the vicinity, the department said. Shark attacks teen in waist-deep water . The attack is the 13th shark incident reported in Hawaii this year, and the eighth on Maui, authorities said. That's well above the state's average of four unprovoked shark attacks per year over the past 20 years. The 10 incidents reported in 2012 were unprecedented at the time, the Natural Resources Department said. "We are not sure why these bites are occurring more frequently than normal, especially around Maui," Aila said. "That's why we are conducting a two-year study of shark behavior around Maui that may give us better insights." Aila said authorities hope and expect "that numbers of incidents will return to a more normal range in the near future." In August, a German tourist died after being bitten by a shark while she was vacationing in Hawaii. 2 men bitten by sharks off Florida coast . CNN's Dave Alsup contributed to this report. | Police identify man as Patrick Briney, 57, of Stevenson, Washington .
The man was fishing from a kayak when a shark bit his dangling foot .
His companion tried to save him .
This is the 13th shark incident in Hawaii so far this year, authorities say . |
63,985 | b5aa6666f3b9fb940de835cc3014146b0d276401 | After years of controversy, the Ugandan parliament has passed a bill that punishes certain acts of homosexuality with life in prison. A Ugandan lawmaker first introduced the bill in 2009, sparking worldwide condemnation for tough measures that included the death penalty. It was briefly shelved amid the backlash. At the time, some European nations threatened to withdraw aid to Uganda, which relies on millions of dollars from the international community. Before its passage Friday, parliament adjusted the death penalty clause to life in prison for "aggravated homosexuality." It includes acts where one person is infected with HIV, "serial offenders" and sex with minors, Amnesty International said. In cases where one has HIV, the punishment applies even when the sex is consensual or protected. "Ugandans have been anxiously waiting for this bill. This day will be a good day for all Ugandans," said Benson Obua Ogwal, a member of parliament for Moroto. The bill also proposes years in prison for anyone who counsels or reaches out to homosexuals, a provision that would ensnare rights groups and others providing services to lesbians, gays, bisexual and transgender people. "The knock-on effect of passing this bill will reach far beyond gay and lesbian people in Uganda, impeding the legitimate work of civil society, public health professionals and community leaders," said Aster van Kregten, deputy Africa director at Amnesty International. Homosexuality is illegal in most African countries, where sodomy laws were introduced during colonialism. In Uganda, homosexual acts are punishable by 14 years to life in prison, according to rights activists. But lawmakers in the conservative nation sought tougher legislation, saying Western lifestyle risks destroying Ugandan family units. "This is a piece of legislation that is needed in this country to protect the traditional family here in Africa, and also protect the future of our children," David Bahati, the lawmaker who first introduced the bill, said last year. "Every single day of my life now I am still pushing that it passes." Rights groups urged President Yoweri Museveni to veto the bill. To become law, it requires his signature within 30 days. | The bill calls for life in prison for "aggravated homosexuality"
It includes acts where one person is infected with HIV, "serial offenders" and sex with minors .
The bill also proposes years in prison for anyone who counsels or reaches out to homosexuals . |
232,660 | b9403fa922c4fd59f8a70d5989a74d615e2befac | BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Abu Ahmed says he was there: An Iraqi held prisoner at Abu Ghraib by the American military when inmates were abused. Abu Ahmed says he and other inmates were held naked and forced to stand in their cells. He says he was kept naked and saw other naked inmates stacked onto a pile while photos were taken, photos that would become public and bring shame to the United States. The pain of the past few years is clearly etched on the man's face and equally obvious as he talks. It began October 1, 2003, he says, when U.S. troops came to his home and detained him during a sweep of his neighborhood. The next day, he was processed and put into Abu Ghraib prison in Baghdad. "They made us take off all our clothes, even our underwear," recalled the man who is afraid to reveal his identity, instead offering up the alias of Abu Ahmed. Watch Abu Ahmed tell his story » . "They walked us in front of all the cells, about 50 or 60 cells, in front of all the detainees, in front of the soldiers, of the female soldiers. They got us in the cells, still naked, and they locked us inside," he said, tears welling in his eyes. "They made us stand in the corner of the cell. We were not allowed to sit down. We were not even allowed to talk." See the photos of the abuse » . That treatment went on and on, Abu Ahmed said. "For 32 days I was without clothes, even if we wanted to pray, we had to pray naked." Abu Ahmed says he saw more abuse from his cell, including one of the incidents captured in one of the infamous photos. "One day, they brought three or four detainees, maybe more. They were about 40 years old or older. They took off their clothes, forced them to climb on top of each other and start taking pictures ... I saw it with my own eyes," he said. "Those detainees, I found out, were former Iraqi officers -- they brought them after a fight inside the camps, they brought them because they were very well respected inside the camp, so they humiliated them and returned them to the camp as a message to the others." The U.S. military fully admits that the treatment of Iraqis inside Abu Ghraib at that time was unacceptable by its own standards, and that detention centers in Iraq today are run on very different lines. President George W. Bush declared that the "abhorrent" acts were "a stain on our country's honor and our country's reputation." They made Americans "sick to our stomachs," he said in May 2004, soon after the photos became public. But Abu Ahmed says it is still hard for him to look at an American. "Thanks to God, I have the ability to handle worse sights. I can't blame you for everything that these people did," he said. "But, at the end, the American people are responsible for everything that happened," Abu Ahmed said, referring to the war that he believes turned his life upside down. Abu Ahmed spent a total of 20 months in U.S. custody, between Abu Ghraib and Camp Bucca, outside Basra in southern Iraq. He then returned home, where he spent less than five months with his family before being arrested again, this time by the Iraqi army in yet another sweep through his neighborhood. He says his treatment inside Iraqi facilities was even worse than what he faced at the hands of the U.S. military. His Iraqi captors, Abu Ahmed says, beat him with cables and pipes; he even had a cement block hung from his genitals. Documents issued to him by the U.S. military corroborate many aspects of his story, showing that he was in Abu Ghraib and Camp Bucca during the time he says he was. He asked us not to contact the Iraqi army to confirm details of his detention, fearing that they might arrest him again. He does not want any restitution and now works with the Iraqi government, trying to rebuild his life. Abu Ahmed has never been charged with a single crime. | Man says he was held naked in Abu Ghraib prison during 2003 abuse of inmates .
He says he saw guards stack naked prisoners in a pile and take photos .
The man also says he was held in an Iraqi jail where he was beaten, tortured .
He has never been charged with a crime . |
84,385 | ef5af2cc4b4ef3ee1a743bb62be3942cda2bbb88 | Ahead of this weekend's Premier League action, Sportsmail will be providing you with all you need to know about every fixture, with team news, provisional squads, betting odds and Opta stats. Here is all the information you need for Chelsea's home clash with Aston Villa... Chelsea vs Aston Villa (Stamford Bridge) Kick-off: Saturday 3pm . Odds (subject to change): . Chelsea 2/9 . Draw 5/1 . Aston Villa 11/1 . Referee: Phil Dowd . Managers: Jose Mourinho (Chelsea), Paul Lambert (Aston Villa) Head-to-head league record: Chelsea wins 51, draws 32, Aston Villa wins 51 . Team news . Chelsea . Diego Costa is set to return to Chelsea's starting line-up, despite his hamstring travails, for the Premier League clash at home to Aston Villa. Striker Costa, who has scored seven Premier League goals this season, was rested for the midweek Capital One Cup defeat of Bolton, in which Chelsea made nine changes from the side which began the draw at Manchester City. Diego Costa (right) is set to start upfront for Chelsea against Aston Villa on Saturday . Manager Jose Mourinho is likely to revert to the majority of the side which started at City, although Brazil midfielder Ramires (abductor muscle) is out for at least another week. Provisional squad: Courtois, Cech, Ivanovic, Luis, Fabregas, Zouma, Ake, Ramires, Oscar, Hazard, Drogba, Mikel, Schurrle, Salah, Remy, Costa, Matic, Willian, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta, Christensen, Boga, Baker, Schwarzer. Aston Villa . Aston Villa hope to be close to full strength against Chelsea on Saturday after a virus hit the squad last weekend. A number of players were affected by a bug before, during and after their 3-0 Barclays Premier League defeat by Arsenal. Christian Benteke (centre) won't be risked as he steps up his recovery from a ruptured Achilles . However, manager Paul Lambert believes the illness has cleared up and that only captain Ron Vlaar (calf) and strikers Christian Benteke (Achilles) and Libor Kozak (broken leg) are unavailable. Provisional squad: Guzan, Given, Hutton, Baker, Okore, Clark, Senderos, Bacuna, Lowton, Cissokho, Cleverley, Westwood, Delph, Sanchez, Richardson, Cole, Grealish, N'Zogbia, Weimann, Agbonlahor, Bent. Key match stats (supplied by Opta) Chelsea have scored 27 goals in their last seven Premier League home games against Aston Villa, including a 7-1 win and an 8-0. Aston Villa have attempted just eight shots on target in five Premier League games this season; fewer than any other side. 10 of the 13 points (from nine games) that Jose Mourinho has taken against Aston Villa in the Barclays Premier League have come at Stamford Bridge. Diego Costa (11) has had three more shots on target in the Premier League than Aston Villa (8) this season. Chelsea players celebrate with Branislav Ivanovic after the defender scored the Blues' winner against Aston Villa in a 2-1 Premier League victory at Stamford Bridge last season . Only two of Andre Schurrle’s 10 Premier League goals have come at Stamford Bridge. Villa are the only Premier League team yet to concede an away goal this season. Seven different nationalities have scored for Chelsea in the Premier League this season, a wider spread than at any other club. Chelsea have kept only one clean sheet in their last six Premier League games. Thibaut Courtois has kept only one clean sheet in his opening five Premier League games, three fewer than Petr Cech (4) did in his first five. Aston Villa have not won three Premier League away games in a row since April 2010. | Chelsea face Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon at Stamford Bridge .
Diego Costa is expected to start upfront for Chelsea .
The Blues are still without Ramires due to an abductor injury .
Aston Villa hope to have number of squad fully fit after illness .
Christian Benteke is still unavailable as he recovers from ruptured Achilles .
Chelsea have scored 27 goals in their last seven Premier League home games against Villa .
Villa have not won three league away games in a row since April 2010 .
Diego Costa (11) has had three more shots on target in the Premier League than Aston Villa (eight) this season . |
60,001 | aa7481fe5efca6043173947e7d3ac158d6931e2b | With four bedrooms and grand designs for a playroom, it would seem Euan Blair and his wife Suzanne’s new marital home will have everything they need. But nothing is ever simple when it comes to the Blair family and their properties. Because the family have also purchased a one-bedroom mews cottage immediately behind the London house. Latest acquisition: The £1.2million one-bedroom mews cottage in London bought in Cherie's name in . It expands the Blair property empire, headed by Euan’s parents Tony and Cherie, to ten homes. The small but stylish cottage cost £1.2million and was bought eight months after the Blairs paid £3.6million for the six-storey Grade-II listed Georgian townhouse. The two houses are back-to-back and have interlocking floors in a rear extension block which could in theory be knocked through to create a single five-bedroom home. Next door: The adjoining townhouse worth £3.6million which was purchased eight months ago . Euan, 30, and Suzanne, 26, married last year and have yet to move into their new home while expensive renovations are carried out. There is no mention of Suzanne’s name on the title deeds of her home. The townhouse was bought jointly by Euan and Cherie, 59, while the mews house is owned solely by Cherie. Both Euan and his mother are named as directors of a company set up in connection with the mews property. Former investment banker Euan, said to be eyeing up the safe Labour seat of Bootle, near his mother’s childhood home in Merseyside, has been granted planning permission from Westminster Council for a sumptuous refurbishment of the townhouse. The Blairs’ architect, Simon Templeton, told the council during the planning process: ‘We are keen to return the property to a beautiful condition, while being mindful of the needs of the young couple that will occupy the property, and provide for the possibility of a future family.’ He outlined plans for a playroom and two ‘family bathrooms’. A pencil sketch entitled ‘For Euan & Suzanne’ shows proposals for a £100,000 Bulthaup kitchen, as favoured by celebrities such as Robbie Williams and Kim Kardashian. The two-storey mews property at the back had been on the market for several months before the Blairs snapped it up. The Blairs would need planning permission if they wanted to knock the two properties together. Or they could become buy-to-let landlords and rent out the mews home for an estimated £3,000 a month. Together, the two houses cost £4.8million – even more than Tony and Cherie Blair paid for their £3.65million Connaught Square house, dubbed a ‘mini No 10’. It is perhaps no surprise that they have bought the two latest houses with the help of an ever-growing mortgage from Lloyds Bank. The millionaire couple have bought homes for their three eldest children, although the ones for Nicky, 28, and Kathryn, 26, cost considerably less at £1.35 million and £975,000 respectively. Euan married Suzanne last September at South Pavilion, the Blairs’ £9million Grade-I listed mansion in Buckinghamshire. New residents: Euan, 30, and Suzanne, 26, married last year and have yet to move into their new home while expensive renovations are carried out . Portfolio: The former Prime Minister's current home in Connaught Square, London, worth £3.6million . London expansion: The family purchased another home behind the Connaught Square property in Archery Close . Modern exterior: The former leader was also believed to have bought two two flats in this Panoramic Luxury Apartment Block on Park Row, Bristol . Desireable? Cherie Blair bought a property for her daughter Katherine in the upmarket area of North Marylebone . Country escape: Tony and Cherie quietly added the South Pavilion in Wotton Underwood to their ever-expanding portfolio. It was also the venue for their son Euan's wedding . Rural: The family also bought Greenville Cottage, next-door to the £5.75million South Pavilion . | Small London cottage was bought eight months after next door property .
Interlocking floors in the rear extension could create a five-bedroom house .
Euan, 30, and Suzanne, 26, married last year and have yet to move into their new home while renovations are carried out . |
84,760 | f07e6a9cbaf1b63132960f17d915957e52057e0d | They say they have the best (or, breast) of intentions. The director of a Gold Coast clinic which is today performing a record 23 boob jobs has defended its 'Super Friday' stunt, after it copped criticism from local doctors who were concerned it trivialised medical procedures. Christyna Kruczaj, the director of the CosMediTours clinic at Surfer's Paradise, told Daily Mail Australia the clinic was not like a production line. Discounted boob jobs will be offered on the Gold Coast to compete against patients heading to Asia . 'It's very far from a factory line,' Ms Kruszaj said. 'Because of the numbers people are obviously tagging it as something demonic or something.' 'It's not a factory line, it's based on surgeons per theatre and when it's feasible for them to do so.' Ms Kruczaj told Daily Mail Australia the record breaking breast augmentation attempt was being held to shine a spotlight on the Gold Coast as a destination for medical tourism. Christyna Kruczaj (pictured right) is the the director of the CosMediTours based on the Gold Coast . In recent times, thousands of Australian women have flocked to Thailand in for cut-price cosmetic surgery packages each year. Dr Shaun Rudd, from the Australian Medical Association's Queensland branch, told local newspaper the Gold Coast Bulletin he could not support the event. 'Quality and safety are very important aspects of any work we do and to somehow trivialise these procedures doesn't sound like an appropriate thing to do,' Dr Rudd was quoted saying. Gold Coast girls Natalie Kernke, Anna Thomsen and Noi Aasen all travelled to Thailand to get their boob jobs through CosMediTour . 'Surgery is not something that should be taken lightly.' Operations at the clinic are run by qualified plastic surgeons and Ms Kruszaj said today's program was well-structured and in line with medical safety regulations. She said self image is the main reason why her clients choose to get breast implants. 'Self image is the number one factor, absolutely.' The surgery in Queensland's Broadbeach is teaming up with plastic surgeons to offer cheap procedures . 'Everyone wants to look nice, whether they want to have big beautiful breasts or whatever that may be,' she said. 'It's a personal choice.' The clinic has received many customers from the Gold Coast as well as clients from as far away as Western Australia, South Australia, the Northern Territory and Victoria. Ms Kruszaj said she had received support from the local community about her attempts to muscle in on the medical tourism market. 'The Gold Coast must be open to all kinds of tourism', she said, whether that be whale-watching for plastic surgery. She said 'time will tell' whether the clinic will attempt to break today's record. | Cosmetic surgery clinic will perform a record 23 breast ops in 24 hours .
They have defended the stunt and said 'it's very far from a factory line'
Stunt is trying to stop Australians flocking to Thailand for cheap surgery . |
35,072 | 63ad96d173003042283283daaddb1de9c75851dd | Some armed with swords, some carrying hockey sticks, defiant Sikhs stood guard outside their temples last night. More then 700 men, some in their 80s, took to the streets to protect the homes, businesses and places of worship in Southall, West London. The residents rallied together in a show of unity against looters echoed in other parts of the country as ordinary Britons attempted to reclaim the streets. Resistance: Dozens of Sikhs stage a display of defiance against the rioters outside London's largest temple in Southall yesterday . 'Protection': A large group gathers on the streets of Eltham as crowds form intent on warding off looters in London . On patrol: The Met Police have been forced to warn people against forms of vigilante justice following the crowds of people forming intent on 'protecting the streets' Pictures of the crowds emerged as the Met Police today urged the public against forming groups intent on vigilante justice. Many of those who gathered in the late night public patrols had done so after becoming frustrated by the lack of police response to the riots. A survey of British adults has revealed that one in three would support the police's use of live ammunition on rioters. The poll of over 2,500 adults also . showed that nine out of ten Britons believe police should be able to use . water cannons to deal with the growing unrest. The YouGov survey for the Sun showed widespread support for the various police tactics available. Over three quarters 77 per cent) of those surveyed also support using the army ho help deal with the situation. And worryingly for the government, over half (57 per cent) think David Cameron has handled the riots badly. A massive 85 per cent are also convinced that the majority of rioters will go unpunished. It was only on Monday night that police tactics changed and armoured vehicles called Jankels were used to disperse the crowds. Large groups gathered in . Enfield, north London, and Eltham, south east London, last night and joined . police in patrolling the streets. One video filmed in Enfield shows a huge crowd surge through the streets near the London suburb's Southbury Road station. But while many pictures this week have shown crowds clashing with police in destructive stand-offs, the video clearly shows officers and crowds running in the same direction in a bid to ward off looters. However, Met Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Steve Kavanagh told Sky News: 'What I don't need is these so-called vigilantes, who appeared to have been drinking too much and taking policing resources away from what they should have been doing - which is preventing the looting. 'These are small pockets of people. They're frustrated, they're angry, and that's totally understandable. 'The sadness of those images through the night and the night before last will affect everyone. 'But the support that we need is to allow those officers to prevent looting and prevent crime. 'I have personally spoken to members of our community and business owners, who have lost their livelihoods. I want communities to engage with us, and support us. 'We have seen some outstanding acts of courage, youth workers, community leaders, teachers and alike taking to the streets with our officers to stop those people out there from breaking the law and persuading them to go home. 'Ironically, when you see those images with no police available, the police are now having to go and do the vigilantes as well as the other problems that they've got. That needs to stop. Not in our town: Large groups of people run through Enfield, north London intent on 'protecting the streets' from rioters . Reclaiming the streets: The group made their way through Enfield flanked by police officers during the late night patrol . David Cameron's statement today praised 'the best of Britain' who have cleaned up looted towns and pledged to support the Met Police. The Prime Minister described society as 'broken and sick' before giving the go-ahead for police to use water cannons on rioters. Mr Cameron also used his speech to highlight the 'big problem with gangs in our country'. He said that 'nothing is off the table' when it comes to options for restoring law and order. Mr Cameron said: We have seen the worst of Britain but I also believe we have seen some of the best of Britain: the million people who have signed up on Facebook to support the police; communities coming together in the clean-up operations.' The Facebook group 'Supporting the Met Police against the London rioters' had just just under 900,000 members on Wednesday lunchtime. 'I do not support vigilantism and we do not want to see more violence on our streets. I would urge everyone to remain calm.' One of those involved in the Enfield . patrol, Nick Davidson, told Sky News: 'We've had enough of the police . just standing there... while people are looting and ruining the whole . area. 'Everybody here pays tax and we've all had enough of it. We're sickened by the police doing absolutely nothing. 'They're not policing our streets, we have to police them.' One . man in his 20s, who would not give his name said: 'We won't stand for . it. If anyone wants to come down here and start looting tonight, let . them try - we'll be ready for them. 'We're here to protect the town. What went on last night was a disgrace. It shouldn't be allowed.' In Southall, the locals rallied to . keep the rioters at bay following reports of a planned attack on the . area. It is just a few miles from Ealing, which was targeted on Monday . night. Each of the Sikh temples was guarded by around 200 men. Amarjit Singh Klair from nearby Hounslow, who helped rally the men, said: ‘We are working along side the police, they’re doing what they can but they are stretched. ‘Why shouldn’t we defend our homes, businesses and places of worship? This is our area. There’s lots of talk about it kicking off here. But we’re ready for them.’ Hooded youths could be seen scouting the area but appear to be have frightened off. Only a handful of police could be seen patrolling the area. The Sikh community were running a military style operation to protect themselves after almost 100 rioters tried to attack the heart of the area early on Tuesday. With few police around, elders at London’s largest Sikh temple in Havelock Road resorted to telephoning male worshippers for help. Should BlackBerry Messenger be banned after 'inciting' the riots? Should BlackBerry Messenger be banned after 'inciting' the riots? Now share your opinion . Last night groups of Sikh men stood guard at different parts of the town, keeping in touch via their mobiles. One man in his 20s said: ‘They caught us off guard last night but we still managed to get people together to protect the area. We saw them putting on their balaclavas preparing to jump out of three cars but we charged at them and managed to chase them off.’ Turkish shopkeepers who stood guard outside their businesses and chased off looters on Monday night have been hailed as heroes. When . the gangs of youngsters arrived to wreak havoc in Dalston, East London, . on Monday night, the men, armed with baseball bats, snooker cues and . even chair legs, sent them packing. Trouble . started about 8.30pm when a group of 15 youths set fire to a bus. Later . another mob of around 20 arrived. Kebab shop owner Omer Asili, 29, . said: ‘The police were telling us not to chase them, but it was only . down to us that they went away.’ On guard: Groups of Sikh men stood around different parts of the town, keeping in touch via mobile phone to crush any potential trouble . | Met Police warn public against use of vigilante justice as crowds of football fans patrol roads intent on 'protecting the streets'
Warning comes as murder probe launched in Birmingham after deaths of three men 'killed while protecting community from looters'
Hundreds launch public patrols following claims riot police teams were told to 'stand and observe' looters rather than confront yobs . |
278,730 | f51bc756f048da8ce8c2c54c3bd736f2633bfde7 | (PEOPLE.com) -- After suffering the miscarriage of their 20th child, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar will hold a memorial service on Wednesday, December 14, for the baby girl they have named Jubilee Shalom Duggar. The reality TV stars of TLC's "19 Kids and Counting" had discovered on Thursday at a routine ultrasound appointment that their 20th child, due next April, no longer had a heartbeat. Advised by her doctor to let the miscarriage occur naturally, Michelle, 45, was being cared for at home by her family. Following the miscarriage late Sunday night, Michelle began to feel lightheaded and as a precaution was taken to the hospital, where she was kept for observation, according to a family spokesperson. Michelle is recovering well and expected to return home later on Monday, the spokesperson adds. RELATED: Michelle Duggar Resting at Home, Plans to Name Child . "We have had many tears today," says Jim Bob Duggar, 46. "This is life, and I understand that we are going though something that many others have. You think about the what-ifs, but God gives us strength to go on. We won't be able to see this child's life and the phases that we've seen for our other children, but we know we will see this child in heaven one day. We are thankful for each child, and we are blessed to have the children we have here and the ones we will meet someday in heaven." Jubilee Duggar's memorial service will be for friends and Duggar family members, who on late Sunday already held a private service in their home. "We would like to thank everyone for their prayers, emails and outpouring of love," Jim Bob wrote in a letter he shared with PEOPLE. "As our whole family is grieving, we also know that God promises to work all things for good in our lives. Our prayer is that Jubilee's passing will help us all realize that this life is short, and our relationship with Jesus is the most important thing. He gives us a peace in our hearts as He guides us through whatever we might face." Though the family is in mourning, Jim Bob says they are grateful for the health of youngest daughter, Josie, who turned 2 on December 10. Josie survived against all odds after being born at just 25 weeks and 1 lb., 6 oz. and has developed normally with no lasting impairments. "We were looking forward to this birthday because it is a milestone for her," he says. "It is wonderful that she is with us and doing so well." See full article at PEOPLE.com. © 2011 People and Time Inc. All rights reserved. | Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar will hold a memorial service for their 20th child .
Following the miscarriage Sunday night, Michelle was taken to the hospital .
Michelle is recovering well and expected to return home later on Monday . |
86,348 | f5119dfd16333638b819c6e4086f3d8eb5fe7050 | By . Chris Waugh . Follow @@ChrisDHWaugh . England bowling coach David Saker heaped praise on his bowlers as they closed in on victory over India at the Ageas Bowl - a result that would see Alastair Cook's side win a Test for the first time in 11 months. James Anderson quickly claimed the final two wickets of India's first innings during the morning session before England rapidly scored 205 for four to leave the tourists needing a world record 445 runs to win the third Test. Cook and England have failed to win in their last 11 Tests but brilliant spin bowling from Moeen Ali and Joe Root reduced the Indians to a perilous 112 for four at stumps. On the brink: England are closing in on victory against India at the Ageas Bowl thanks to their bowlers . Proud: England bowling coach David Saker was full of praise for his bowling unit on day four . The tourists need 333 to win - having already lost their top four batsman - or they must survive a full fifth day with just six wickets left to scrape a draw. Saker told Sky Sports 2: 'The impressive thing has been their attitude. They’ve got stuck in and just gone and done their work and the results have come with that and that’s testament to this group. 'We’ve got a young group, pretty much other than Jimmy (Anderson) and Stuart (Broad), who have been really good in the way they have led us in theis Test.' With a particular mention for Anderson, who finished the day with figures of none for 13 from eight second-innings overs to go with his first-innings haul of five for 53, Saker added: 'He’s gone back to that magnificent control. 'We know he’s got the skill but if he backs that up with the control and putting the ball in difficult position for the batters, he always gets those rewards. Unit: Moeen Ali (left) and James Anderson (centre) were both pivotal to England's good bowling performance . 'We had a big chat about making sure we put the ball in a position where it is tough for the batsman, and we then use our skills to maybe move the ball and that’s pretty much what’s happened so far this game.' And Saker is confident that his men can get the job done on Thursday and finish off the tourists to level the series 1-1. He said: '(It’s about) running in and delivering the ball hard at a length, hitting the stumps as many times as you can and looking for the pads and the outside edge. 'It was pleasing today because we did have a couple of half appeals with inside edges hitting the pads and we got past the outside edge a bit. 'It’s still going to be tough work for the seamers, there’s no doubt about it.' Acknowledgement: James Anderson (left) took two wickets on his 32nd birthday to secure a five-for . | Saker praised the 'attitude' of his squad as 'they got stuck in' against India .
England reduced India to 112 for four at stumps on day four at Ageas Bowl .
They had earlier scored 205 for four to put themselves in a strong position .
James Anderson took two wickets on his birthday in India's first innings .
Spinners Moeen Ali and Joe Root shared three wickets in India's second .
India need to score a world record 445 or survive with just six wickets left . |
209,151 | 9ad88da220f4e6025b54642f691d7c6b1a5bb2c8 | The teenagers who were sexually assaulted by former New York Yankee Chad Curtis have filed a complaint alleging members of the school board were 'devoted to him' even after his sex conviction. Curtis, 46, is currently serving seven to 15 years in prison after a Michigan jury convicted him of criminal sexual misconduct in 2013 while he was a coach at Lakewood High School. He sexually assaulted three young girls - two of whom were only 15 at the time - in the weight room of a high school where he was a volunteer coach. According to the teenagers who have filed the complaint with the U.S. Department of Education members of the school board acted improperly and sent him jail house prayers. Abuse: Chad Curtis, is currently serving seven to 15 years in prison after a Michigan jury convicted him of criminal sexual misconduct in 2013 while he was a coach at Lakewood High School . Forgiveness: In a shocking jail house interview in 2014, from Harrison Correctional Facility in Michigan, the staunch Christian repeated his claims that his victims made the allegations up . Four students have filed a federal lawsuit against Curtis and the school district. Evidence uncovered during that process included text messages and emails that are part of the complaint. According to NBC, the complaint highlights the fact that school board member Brian Potter wrote to Curtis after the first molestation charge was made in 2012. Potter wrote to the ex-outfielder: 'Some words of encouragement that have been running through my mind. 'You have lived and continue to live a righteousness life that no on[e], or no word can take away. Nothing can separate you from our father. Praise God.' During his glittering decade-long career, Curtis received acclaim for hitting a walk-off home run during Game 3 of the 1999 World Series. He also played for a half-dozen teams but has maintained he is innocent and that the girls lied about being groped and violated during secret sports massage sessions. Curtis retired from professional baseball in 2001 at the age of 32. He was previously athletic director at another school district before being dismissed for reasons unknown, which Curtis explained as differences with the administration. In a shocking jail house interview in 2014 from Harrison Correctional Facility in Michigan, the staunch Christian repeated his claims that his victims made the allegations up. Describing one of his victims, then a 15-year-old sophomore, he declared: 'She'll wake up, throw up her hands and just say, 'I can't do it anymore. And when that happens, I have every intention of forgiving her.' Career: During his glittering decade-long career, he received acclaim for hitting a walk-off home run during Game 3 of the 1999 World Series . Support: Curtis hugged his wife center, and children after the verdict was read out during his trial . But his victims said members of the school board including Potter and fellow board member Gary Foltz also supported him with post-conviction character references. In addition, they acted as members of his 'prayer team.' The victims' lawyer, Douglas Fierberg said that the school board's support for Curtis occurred despite some of his victims being harassed for coming forward about the abuse. This was particularly difficult as two of them still attended Lakewood school. The complaint said Curtis 'was revered at Lakewood both for his celebrity, and for the persona as a 'man of faith' he perpetuated at the school, and at a nearby church. 'This blind devotion to Curtis is evident throughout Curtis's tenure at Lakewood, and in all of Lakewood's dealings with Curtis and Curtis's victims.' In addition the victims said that they did not receive any protection after they made the allegations against him. In response to the complaint, Lakewood Superintendent Mike O'Mara said he could not comment because of pending litigation. However, the school's lawyers told NBC that it had no idea Curtis was molesting the students before they came forward and immediately cooperated with police and barred him from school. A spokesman for the Education Department said an assessment of the complaint is ongoing. | Curtis is serving seven to 15 years in prison for criminal sexual misconduct .
He sexually assaulted three young girls two of whom were only 15 .
The ex-outfielder for the Yankees turned coach for Lakewood High School . |
7,117 | 1429817ff3b8da2fef24fd0b415fd8bb1da8d439 | Injured Arsenal star Jack Wilshere was up with the lark on Friday morning as he recovered from his ankle operation on Thursday. The 22-year-old faces quite some time on the sidelines, but that was not enough to dampen his spirits as he kicked back and watched the latest sporting news. Cup of tea in hand and his his foot neatly wrapped in bandages, the Gunners midfielder took to social media to show his fans that his mind is still in the game. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Arsene Wenger: Jack Wilshere is out for three months . Jack Wilshere showed off his bandaged ankle as he recovered from Thursday's surgical procedure . On Thursday Wilshere posted a picture of his ankle in a cast after the operation and insisted he will return soon . Posting a picture on his Instagram on Friday, the England midfielder, who was injured in a challenge with Manchester United defender Patrick McNair, was laid up on a couch with his crutches at his side. Not wanting to miss a minute of the action, Wilshere wrote: 'Early morning catch up on @SkySportsNewsHQ.' The injury has led to Wilshere becoming the subject of criticism, with one media outlet saying he has 'brittle ankles.' The image Wilshere shared on his personal Instagram account showing Paddy McNair's challenge . Letting loose on his Instagram account once again, the Arsenal man showed an image of the challenge with Paddy McNair that led to his injury. 'As this picture clearly shows' most people/players would have broken their ankle if someone tackled them like this. 'Luckily I have 'loose joints', not brittle' and only damaged ligaments #Fool #GetTheFacts,' Wilshere finished. On Friday, Wenger said of the midfielder: ‘He’s prepared and focused to come back and finish the season well. 'I think he will be back at the end of February, beginning of March and he will focus on coming back to rehab, having a strong rehab, and then I’m sure he will help us to do well until the end of the season’ The midfielder posted a similar image after his last ankle surgery, on the other foot, in 2013 . Wilshere was injured during Arsenal's 2-1 defeat by Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium last Saturday . Wenger does not believe the 22-year-old's persistent injury problems are a result of how he plays: ‘I think his injury is just a consequence of a tackle that is very bad but not malicious because I don’t think that McNair wanted to hurt Jack,’ added Wenger. ‘He has joints that are quite lax and he deals very well with kicks and tackles. This was too hard. When you see it again, I don’t think that anybody would have escaped without surgery in this tackle.’ Wenger confirmed that Wilshere is frustrated by another injury: 'He is very down. He is a football man who loves the game. On the other hand he is very strong as well and has learnt to deal with adversity from a very young age. The midfielder has been beset by injuries, and will have missed 119 weeks of football by the time he returns . VIDEO Arsenal handed double injury blow . ‘He always comes out stronger and when I spoke with him he is already determined, it is already in his mind the final sprint to the season. He is a very strong boy.’ Ahead of their trip to West Brom on Saturday, Wilshere's injury leaves Arsenal with three recognised senior midfielders — Aaron Ramsey, Mathieu Flamini and Tomas Rosicky. The Gunners will also be monitoring the fitness of captain Mikel Arteta (calf) and Yaya Sanogo (hamstring) following their 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday. Wilshere was injured by this tackle from Paddy McNair during last weekend's defeat by United . Wilshere was clearly in pain after the tackle and it is unlikely that he will be back for Arsenal before March . October 24 2009 - Ankle - until Dec 2 (5 1/2 weeks) Jan 8 2010 - Hamstring - until Feb 9 (4 1/2 weeks) November 14 2010 - Back - until Nov 23 (1 1/2 weeks) August 1 2011 - Ankle - until Oct 27 2012 (65 weeks) February 9 2013 - Hip - until Feb 16 (1 week - missed 0 games) March 3 2013 - Ankle - until April 13 (4 1/2 weeks) May 20 2013 - Ankle surgery - until July 4 (6 1/2 weeks) October 31 2013 - Ankle - until November 10 (1 1/2 weeks) Jan 24 2014 - Ankle - until Feb 8 (2 weeks) March 5 2014 - Ankle - until May 11 (9 weeks) October 26 2014 - Ankle/ilness - until Nov 9 (2 weeks) November 22 2014 - Ankle - Up to four months (16 weeks) Total: 119 weeks injured . Wishere's Arsenal and England team-mate Danny Welbeck consoles his colleague after the tackle . | Jack Wilshere posted a picture whilst recovering from an ankle surgery .
The 22-year-old also responded to claims he has 'brittle ankles'
The Gunners star was injured in tackle with Paddy McNair on Saturday .
Wilshere will be out until at least February following an operation .
Arsenal midfielder has missed 119 weeks in total through injury .
Wilshere has only appeared in 95 league games in the past five years . |
133,555 | 38b4d675205277a4f76350c09a17fc54c8349933 | (CNN) -- Michael Strahan loves the mega-romantic film "The Notebook," isn't afraid to admit his fear of snakes, supports same-sex marriage and makes Kelly Ripa giggle like no one else. Is it any wonder he's a media darling? The former NFL star is a rising star of another sort these days with gigs as co-host on the popular morning show "Live with Kelly and Michael," as a sports commentator and now reports that he may be joining "Good Morning America." Michael Strahan on verge of joining 'Good Morning America' It's an interesting trajectory for the 6-foot-5-inch, gap-toothed Strahan, who spent his entire professional athletic career playing for the New York Giants and proudly sports a Super Bowl championship ring. Strahan grew up in Germany, the son of a military man, and briefly played high school football after his family sent him to the States to live with relatives. After playing for Texas Southern University, he was drafted by the New York Giants, where he played from the 1993 to 2007 season. He enjoyed a 15-year career in the NFL and after retiring in 2008, Strahan followed the route of many former athletes by venturing into sports commentary and signing on as an analyst with Fox Sports in 2008. He also ventured into the world of acting with commercials for various entities including Vaseline, Subway and with the very short-lived Fox sitcom "Brothers," which premiered in 2009. But it was multiple appearances guest-hosting on the then "Live with Regis and Kelly" morning show that helped him secure a spot as co-host in 2012 after Regis Philbin retired. The pair have become favorites among fans with their easygoing chemistry and obvious adoration for each other. "He really gets it," Ripa told Katie Couric in an interview in 2012 after Strahan was selected following a massive search for her new co-host. "He gets what we're about." "It's how it is all the time," Strahan said of his relationship with Ripa, whom he calls his work wife. "What you see on camera is what you get behind the scenes." The former jock has also scored in his personal life. After two previous marriages, the second of which was so explosive it provided plenty of fodder for the New York tabloids, Strahan has been engaged for the past few years to Nicole Murphy, who has five children from her marriage to actor Eddie Murphy. Between Strahan and Murphy, the pair have nine children in their blended family. Appearing on "Live with Kelly and Michael" in 2013 to promote her reality show "Hollywood Exes," Murphy shared 10 things most people didn't know about Strahan, including the fact that he can't "stand to be tickled," once had a pet pig and "Michael loves to spoon." Such romance is to be expected from a man who is very open about his love of at least one "chick flick." " 'The Notebook' gets me every time," Strahan told Elle magazine. "It's a great love story. Boy from the wrong side of the tracks. They get on each other's nerves, but they can't live without each other. It almost makes me shed a tear." Now it looks as if Strahan may be about to bring all that personality to "Good Morning America." He previously filled in for the show's anchor, Robin Roberts, when she was on sick leave. | Strahan has gone from pro athlete to media darling .
Kelly Ripa has had praise for him as a co-host .
He is engaged to Eddie Murphy's ex-wife . |
219,216 | a7bda3fa89c445ce5fc96dfa08eee9b018ed5ae2 | Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud is confident he will return stronger from his three-month injury lay-off and can forge a dynamic strike partnership with England forward Danny Welbeck. Giroud, 28, has recovered more quickly than expected since suffering a freak broken leg when challenging for the ball in the closing stages of the 2-2 draw against Everton on August 23. Manager Arsene Wenger revealed the France international could even be in contention for Saturday's Barclays Premier League showdown against Manchester United, although next weekend's trip to West Brom is perhaps a more realistic target given the player's lengthy absence. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Sportsmail's Premier League preview: Arsenal vs Man United . Olivier Giroud (left) believes he can form a clinical partnership with Danny Welbeck (centre) for Arsenal . Giroud has had a lengthy period on the sidelines after breaking a leg against Everton in August . Arsene Wenger (left) brought Welbeck to Arsenal from Manchester United in the summer for £16million . The recruitment of Welbeck from United on transfer deadline day has looked a sound investment, with the 23-year-old having scored five goals in 12 appearances while Giroud continued his recovery. Giroud, though, believes rather than be in direct competition, the pair have the technical ability to develop a clinical partnership. 'After an injury of three months, you need to have a good rhythm back - you think you are fit, but the competition is everything. I will need a couple of games to be 100 per cent, but mentally and physically I am close,' Giroud said. 'It was the first time for me I have been out for three months, but it was good for my mentality, because I feel I will be back stronger, with more determination - and the doctor told me even my bone will be stronger.' Giroud, who plundered 22 goals last season, added: 'I think we needed (to buy) another striker, especially when my injury came. 'Danny has done really well up to now, but I am not worried that we have bought Danny. 'I think we will have a good understanding on the pitch and can play together, that is the main thing, we are quite complementary. 'It is a plus for us, and it will be good for the competition within the group, we will give our best every week. Welbeck celebrates scoring against Arsenal (right) in 2012 before making the move to London this summer . Welbeck challenges Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain for the ball in Arsenal's training session . 'We have our best years in front of us as a team, with the quality we have in the squad, now we have the quantity also, that is why I cannot wait to come back.' Giroud has been a frustrated spectator from the sidelines, unable to help his team-mates as Arsenal struggled to deliver regular results, despite the impressive form of summer signing Alexis Sanchez. The France forward, who is helping promote the new 4K Microtising campaign from Sony, believes Arsenal must learn to rediscover their composure once the hard work of getting control of a game has been done. 'We need consistency, but we also need to know how to close out the game after winning it, like against Anderlecht and Swansea away,' said Giroud. 'I could not believe what I was watching (against Anderlecht), that is one of our weaknesses, we don't know how to close the game when we are winning. 'We must just stay at the back and not take too much risk, I don't know where it comes from, but we need to improve ourselves in this way. 'Tactically, we all defend together, we are all attacking together, so it is all about the balance of our team, you cannot just target the defenders. 'Maybe we need more support for the defence when you are winning the game, just stay and don't go (forward) any more.' Arsenal sit sixth ahead of Saturday's showdown with Manchester United, but Giroud has not given up yet on mounting a title challenge through 2015. 'It is only November, there are still a lot of games left to play, the main thing is to take maximum points against the big teams,' he said. 'Chelsea have got a good advantage, but you never know.' Olivier Giroud features in the new 4K Microtising campaign from Sony, the smallest ever advertising in football. It demonstrates the extreme detail of 4K television technology by showing that every minute detail on the pitch can be seen. | Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud has been out of action since August 23 .
The Frenchman suffered a freak broken leg in a challenge for the ball .
He is excited about the prospect of linking up with Danny Welbeck .
The 28-year-old believes they are capable of forming a clinical partnership . |
117,423 | 23a1601ecc3886246bc41011d36f8455f6d9bf33 | Police across America are killing more people than FBI statistics show, it has been revealed today. An official tally misses hundreds of fatal shootings by law-enforcement officers between 2007 and 2012 . More than 550 killings by police were not reported to the FBI over the five-year period, according to fresh analysis. Official FBI statistics miss out hundreds of fatal shootings by law-enforcement officers between 2007 and 2012 (file picture) It comes amid calls for greater transparency over such killings after Michael Brown was shot dead by police officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson, Missouri, in August. The Wall Street Journal asked for the internal records on fatal shootings by police from America’s 110 biggest police departments and received figures from 105 of them. The newspaper says it counted up 1,800 such killings from the figures supplied between 2007 and 2012. But this was about 45 per cent more than the FBI’s figure for ‘justifiable homicides’ in those departments which was 1,242. The Journal says its findings show that ‘it is nearly impossible to determine how many people are killed by the police each year’. It quotes Alexia Cooper, who studies the FBI data in her position at the Bureau of Justice Statistics, as saying: 'Does the FBI know every agency in the U.S. that could report but has chosen not to? The answer is no. There have been calls for more transparency over fatal shootings by police after the death in August of Michael Brown in Ferguson (file picture) 'What we know is that some places have chosen not to report these, for whatever reason.' Local law-enforcement agencies are not necessarily required to provide the FBI with records, including data showing which killings were carried out by police, cbsnews reports. The Journal quotes an FBI spokesman as saying that the agency uses 'established statistical methodologies and norms' when reviewing data sent to it by agencies. He said the FBI then checks the information it is given and asks each agency 'to correct or verify questionable data'. Cbsnews quotes Lori Lightfoot, a lawyer with experience of investigating police shootings for the Chicago police department, as saying: 'A police officer is not like a normal citizen who discharges their weapon. 'There is a presumption that somebody who is a peace officer, and is thereby authorized to use lethal force, used it correctly.' | More than 550 killings by police not included in FBI figures between 2007 and 2012 .
Analysis of 105 police departments shows there were 1,800 such deaths over the five-year period .
But this was 45 per cent more than FBI's figure for those departments . |
59,613 | a94802555098c2d71e68cedfbead6621d728b19f | (CNN) -- Suppose that shortly after 9/11, when it became clear that Osama bin Laden and other members of al Qaeda were responsible for the attacks, President Bush had made the following announcement: . "Those responsible for these attacks are cowardly, vicious murderers, and we will pursue them to the ends of the earth to capture them. They are not warriors, they are criminals, and they will be treated accordingly. And once we catch them, we will bring them back to the United States and put them on trial right there in lower Manhattan so that a jury of 12 fair-minded New Yorkers can decide their fate." Such an announcement would not have been controversial in the slightest and undoubtedly would have been met with widespread approval. After all, putting terrorists on trial in federal court is how we always dealt with terrorists, including the first group of murderers who tried to blow up the World Trade Center. But President Bush didn't say that. Instead, on November 13, 2001, he announced that those responsible would be tried in military commissions, and declared that "it is not practicable to apply in military commissions . . . the principles of law and the rules of evidence generally recognized in the trial of criminal cases in the United States district courts." Like many Americans, I did not adequately consider the implications of that statement at the time. More of us should have challenged the president to explain why it was impracticable to apply regular principles of law and rules of evidence to these criminal suspects. In hindsight, it appears likely that the president's real concern was that he knew he had authorized the CIA to detain suspected terrorists in secret prisons and subject them to harsh interrogation methods. Those grossly abusive techniques would taint potential statements and pose a challenge for future criminal trials. Whatever his motivations, the president's decision to jettison the civilian courts in favor of military commissions was a grave misjudgment that diminished our stature in the world and ultimately accomplished nothing. As I witnessed as a military defense lawyer at Guantanamo Bay, the military commissions of the Bush administration were, indisputably, a catastrophic failure. Not a single person responsible for any major terrorist attack was tried. The countless millions of dollars and man-hours devoted to the commissions yielded only three convictions of minor figures, two -- David Hicks and Salim Hamdan -- who received token sentences and were then released. Neither of these defendants was convicted of a traditional war crime, but of providing material support to terrorism, a crime more appropriately tried in federal court. Since 9/11, many Americans have been tried and convicted of this same offense in federal court and received considerably longer sentences than Hicks or Hamdan. The third detainee who was convicted, Ali Hamza al Bahlul (whom I was assigned to represent but who refused to be defended), received a life sentence. Having sat through the trial, I'm quite confident the prosecutors could have achieved the same outcome in federal court. The convictions of Hamdan and al Bahlul are now on appeal. Because of the many flaws in the law and procedures under which these men were tried, it is by no means certain that their convictions will be upheld. In November 2009, Attorney General Eric Holder made the decision that President Bush should have made eight years earlier, announcing that the 9/11 suspects would be tried in federal district court. This was more than just a symbolic repudiation of Bush era policies -- after eight years of failed efforts to prosecute the men in military commissions, during which hundreds of other terrorists had been tried and convicted in federal court, it was the only logical choice. Unfortunately, Holder also announced that other detainees would be tried in military commissions, creating a two-tiered system of justice. So far, the attorney general has failed to offer any principled basis for which defendants are sent to which forum, leaving many with the disturbing impression that the decisions are based on political, rather than legal, considerations. The latest news reports suggesting the administration is close to reversing itself has only reinforced this view. It's true that the Military Commissions Act of 2009, the third version of the military tribunals, is a substantial improvement over the previous version of the law, which has hastily passed in 2006 in response to the Supreme Court's ruling that the original military commissions created by executive order were unconstitutional. Indeed, "the principles of law and rules of evidence" that generally apply in U.S. criminal courts now largely apply to military commissions, ironically proving false President Bush's original justification for the creation of the military commissions -- the alleged impracticability of applying such principles and rules. Yet, even with improvements, the commissions are still a completely untested criminal justice system. The implementing regulations for the new law have yet to be published. The secretary of defense has failed to appoint a new Convening Authority or a new Chief Defense Counsel for the military commissions. The first hearings under this law have been plagued by confusion and delay, and there's every reason to believe that will continue. How much longer should the families of the 9/11 victims have to wait for justice? Perhaps there are sound practical and logistical reasons why the 9/11 trial should not take place in lower Manhattan; that is debatable. But there are no valid reasons why the 9/11 trial should not take place in a federal court under federal law. Let's show the world what distinguishes Americans from our enemies: our reverence for the rule of law and our respect for human rights and due process, even for those we despise. Let the alleged 9/11 co-conspirators have their day in court under fair, time-tested and internationally accepted laws, rules and procedures. If they are guilty of the appalling crimes of which they are accused, the capable prosecutors of the Justice Department (who have far more experience than their military counterparts) will prove it. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of David Frakt. | Obama administration now reconsidering trying 9/11 defendants in court .
Former military defense lawyer David Frakt says terrorists have long been tried in court .
Military commissions don't have the courts' long record of achievement , he says .
Frakt: Let's show the world our "reverence for the rule of law" |
258,488 | da8d3ec4e51d0c4efdac13dca6173e9be7d768c8 | By . Lucy Waterlow . PUBLISHED: . 12:20 EST, 12 August 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 05:33 EST, 13 August 2013 . Carla Bruni may no longer officially be the first lady of France but she can still command worldwide attention. The model turned musician, 45, has given an interview to television show 'CNBC Meets...', hosted by Tania Bryer, in which she reveals all about her whirlwind romance with former French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, and how their lives have changed since he lost power. The couple raised eyebrows when they tied the knot just three months after meeting at a dinner party in 2008 not long after he had divorced his second wife, Cécilia. Revelations: Carla Bruni was interviewed by Tania Bryer for U.S. TV show 'CNBC Meets...' Insight: The model turned musician revealed how her family's life has changed since her husband lost power . But Carla, who has a son, Aurelien, 11, from a previous relationship with the French philosopher Raphael Enthoven, said she just knew it was 'a match'. In the interview that will air on Wednesday night, she said: 'It was love at first sight. I must say, we left the dinner party together. People were like... (laughs) and we got married three months after.' Speaking about what attracted her to the 58-year-old, who has three sons from his previous relationships, she said: 'I don't know, his intelligence, his charisma, his kindness, his way of talking.' Love at first sight: The wife and mother spoke of her whirlwind romance with Nicolas Sarkozy . She added: 'What is it about someone we love? It's hard to tell, I can see how many qualities he has but, is love coming from that? No. I think it's a match, so you know. It's a sparkle. I think it's a mystery.' During his reign as president, Carla gave birth to their daughter, Giulia in October 2011. She said as a result it was a 'relief' when her husband then lost the 2012 election to Francois Hollande. She said: 'I was very happy to leave and I . was very happy to spend five years at Elysee. I was also relieved . because my man is so much like a hundred percent person. I thought . he might get a little rest and go back to a normal . life, have more time for the children. 'One of his children already has . children themselves so my husband is a grandfather so now it's . like a really nice family life. I must say it's nice because the . pressure goes off and that's really pleasant.' Leaving office: While she enjoyed being France's first lady, Carla said it was a relief when her husband wasn't re-elected last year . The pressure being off has allowed Carla to return to modelling - recently posing in a campaign for Bulgari - and further her music career. This summer she released her fourth self-penned studio album - Little French Songs. She said she gets her inspiration 'from life' and confessed that one number on the album is a love song for her husband, even though she didn't name it after him. She explained of the song 'Mon Raymond': 'Of course (my husband) he's not called . Raymond, he's called Nicolas, but I thought Raymond is a good name. It's very old fashioned, it's very French. The real Raymond: Carla told Tania who her love song is really about . 'I said "I make a song about . you called Raymond, you don't mind?" He said, "non" and then sometimes I . call him Raymond for fun!' She added: 'It's just a love song. Describing him - how I see him how I feel about him. It's funny . because he's been such a public person and so this song is maybe a . little bit of a private eye on him.' CNBC Meets Carla Bruni will air on CNBC on 14 August at 10pm . | The model turned musician was interviewed on 'CNBC Meets...'
She spoke of her whirlwind 'match' with the former president .
Couple have more time for five children since he lost power .
She's written him a love song on her new album . |
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