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77,406 | db75d0b7497056c5c42eaca54e5d1fd1c2b47e08 | Leighton Baines could return to Premier League action next weekend after the hamstring injury that forced him to withdraw from England's squad was found to be less serious than first feared. The Everton defender will not play any part in England's Euro 2016 qualifier against Slovenia on Saturday or next week's international friendly against Scotland after picking up the injury during training on Friday. However, the Toffees have confirmed that the 29-year-old is expected to be back against West Ham on Saturday 22 November. VIDEOS Scroll down to watch . Leighton Baines (L) picked up a hamstring strain during training with England on Friday . Baines speaks with England manager Roy Hodgson (C) and Everton teammate Phil Jagielka (R) A statement of the Everton official website said: 'Leighton Baines could be in contention to face West Ham United next weekend after scans revealed the full-back's hamstring injury is not as serious as first feared. 'He returned to Finch Farm for an assessment which has since showed that he has sustained a 'grade one' hamstring injury – the least significant on the scale of such injuries. 'Baines will continue to be monitored by Everton's medical team and, although he remains a doubt for next Saturday, he has not yet been ruled out of the game against Sam Allardyce's Hammers.' Arsenal full-back Kieran Gibbs will replace Baines for the Euro 2016 qualifier against Slovenia . Arsenal left-back Kieran Gibbs is the only option to replace Baines as manager Roy Hodgson did not name Manchester United's Luke Shaw in his squad listed with UEFA by the deadline on Friday. Hodgson said: 'Kieran Gibbs is the one to come in as unfortunately we had given our squad at 11 o'clock as we are duty-bound to do to UEFA and, because there were three left backs, I left him [Shaw] out of the 23 as we had 24 players at the time. As it turns out now we can't use him.' The England manager conceded that he was aware of the rule, but had hoped UEFA would show some leniency by allowing him to call up Shaw as Baines' injury occurred within half an hour of the squad list being submitted. United defender Luke Shaw was not included in Hodgson's original 23-man squad to face Slovenia . Hodgson had hoped that UEFA would show some flexibility by allowing him to call up Shaw . He said: 'I can't pretend that I think it's a great idea that you have to name 23 players almost 36 hours before the game because training injuries do occur and people do get injuries and fall sick. 'I would like to think that if you are allowed to have 23 players in your squad that you should at least have the right [to] a little bit longer than 36 hours ahead of the game. 'Having said that, I did know about the rule. My hope was that because we were only 25 minutes late when we applied to bring Luke back into the squad that maybe UEFA would look at that and say, 'It's a reasonable request and we can show some flexibility,' but they decided that wasn't possible, that the rule is the rule, and that 11 o'clock is the deadline and because the injury occurred 25 minutes past 11 we missed it.' Hart, Foster, Forster, Jagielka, Cahill, Baines, Smalling, Gibbs, Chambers, Shaw, Clyne, Milner, Walcott, Downing, Wilshere, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Henderson, Lallana, Sterling, Barkley, Rooney, Welbeck, Lambert, Berahino . | Leighton Baines was forced to withdraw from England's squad to play Slovenia and Scotland with a hamstring injury .
Everton have confirmed defender could return to face West Ham next week .
Kieran Gibbs will replace Baines against Slovenia after Roy Hodgson left Luke Shaw out of squad list submitted to UEFA . |
229,490 | b52ba1081346ecc8552e5b8689c621fbbe008e48 | 'Piles and piles' of bodies were left at a mosque in South Sudan after gunmen killed 200 civilians and wounded 400 others, a top United Nations official has said. Many victims of the ethnically-targeted massacre in the provincial capital Bentiu were children and the elderly, according to a damning report. UN humanitarian official Toby Lanzer added the killings last week were 'possibly a game-changer' in the four-month conflict and disturbing echoes of the Rwandan genocide had emerged. It is claimed rebels have used radio broadcasts to incite men to rape women of different ethnic backgrounds - similarly to the run-up to the 1994 genocide in which up to a million died. WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT . Fleeing the violence: Men, women and children are fleeing the state capital of Bentiu in South Sudan after rebel gunmen reportedly burst into a mosque last week, killing 200 people and leaving 'piles and piles' of bodies . Game-changer: People fleeing near Bentiu. It is claimed messages have been broadcast over the radio inciting men to rape women from different ethnic backgrounds in a disturbing echo of the Rwandan genocide . 'It's the first time we're aware of that a . local radio station was broadcasting hate messages encouraging people . to engage in atrocities,' said Mr Lanzer, the top humanitarian official in South Sudan. 'That really accelerates . South Sudan's descent into an even more difficult situation from which . it needs to extract itself.' Human rights investigators said hundreds of civilians were killed between April 15 and 17 when rebel forces seized Bentiu, the oil-rich capital of Unity state. The oil fields are crucial to both sides because South Sudan, the world's youngest country which only formed in 2011, gains 90 per cent of all its income from oil sales. Reports said the rebel forces were Nuer people from the Sudan People's Liberation Army, who count ousted former vice president Riek Machar among their number. The UN said they targeted non-Nuer citizens for their ethnicity - claims the rebels denied. Rebel fighter Brig Lul Ruai Koang told the BBC government allies could have engineered the slaughter as a PR exercise, saying: 'Our forces are not responsible for killing civilians anywhere in Bentiu.' Full to bursting: More than 25,000 civilians have fled to the UN camp in Bentiu, where there is just a litre of water per person per day and one toilet per 350 people. Officials warn people will die within days . Leaving: A woman carries her belongings as she flees from renewed attacks in Bentiu. The UN said there have been 'widespread human rights violations committed by both sides, not only in Bentiu, but in all areas' The world's youngest country gained independence from Sudan in 2011 after being blighted for decades by ethnic violence. But tensions rose in July last year when President Salva Kiir dismissed members of his own government, including vice president Riek Machar. An argument began in the capital Juba on December 15 between soldiers loyal to the President - one of the Dinka people - and his ousted deputy, one of the Nuer people. It soon spread to full-blown fighting and similar violence erupted elsewhere as the President accused Machar of attempting a coup. But the UN said there have been 'widespread human rights violations committed by both sides, not only in Bentiu, but in all areas affected by the ongoing conflict.' Survivors of last week's massacre claimed they were told that entering the mosque would mean they were safe. But once inside they were robbed of money and mobile phones before all non-Nuer people were mercilessly gunned down, with children and the elderly not spared from the violence. Mr . Gorgeu said his team members in Bentiu, including 12 international . staff, have treated more than 200 people wounded in the violence, . including many gunshot victims. British . Ambassador Ian Hughes said the killings were a clear . violation of international law and those behind the atrocities will be held to account. He extended that warning to those inciting violence over the radio. The UN report said: 'While some opposition commanders did broadcast messages calling for unity and an end to tribalism, others broadcast hate messages declaring that certain ethnic groups should not stay in Bentiu and even calling on men from one community to commit vengeful sexual violence against women from another community.' Slaughter: Two bodies on the road near Bentiu. Survivors of the mosque attack said they were assured they would be safe before being robbed of money and mobile phones and mercilessly gunned down . Civil war: Bodies near Bentiu. The conflict began in December after the President Salva Kiir, one of the Dinki people, dismissed several colleagues including his vice president, who is from the rival Nuer ethnic group . A million people have fled their homes since the civil war broke out in mid-December. Thousands of civilians from several ethnic groups have streamed to the UN peacekeeping base in Bentiu over the last week because many believe more violence is coming. The base now holds 25,000 people but has just a litre of water per person per day and only one toilet per 350 people. Mr Lanzer said: The risk of a public health crisis inside our base is enormous.' Raphael Gorgeu, the head of Doctors Without Borders in South Sudan, said people will die inside the UN base in coming days because of the poor sanitation and lack of water. The fighting also means tens of thousands of farmers have abandoned their crops. That means there is a severe risk of famine later this year because civilians would normally be planting in April and May, Mr Lanzer said. Gruesome: Photos emerging from Bentiu feature piles of bodies which are too shocking to show . Scene of the massacre: The location of Bentiu in the north of newly-created nation South Sudan . The UN has not spelled out clearly who exactly the victims were last week, but because ethnic Nuers carried out the killings it is likely that ethnic Dinkas were among the dead. The UN also said former residents of the Darfur region of Sudan were among those killed. Nuer residents who refused to take part in the attacks were also killed. Though thousands of people are cramming into the UN base in search of shelter, they may not even be safe there. Last week an angry mob attacked a UN base in Bor and killed about 60 people. In that case, ethnic Nuers sheltering inside bore the brunt of the attack. Mr Gorgeu said such a potential attack is a major concern for the safety of his staff but that he cannot abandon the civilians in need. He said: 'All this violence, if you look at Bor, if you look at Bentiu, it's a major, major concern. We can see the level of violence is having an unacceptably high cost on the civilian population and this must be addressed.' | UN report: 200 civilians were killed at mosque in provincial capital Bentiu .
More were killed at a hospital in the ethnic attacks by rebels last week .
Hate speeches have been broadcast on radio in echo of Rwandan genocide .
UN said broadcasts are goading men to rape wives and daughters of rivals .
A million people have fled since civil war erupted in world's youngest country .
UN says there have been 'widespread human rights violations by both sides'
Camp has just a litre of water per person per day and one toilet for 350 .
Doctors Without Borders say those inside camp will start dying within days . |
62,474 | b17407abd1013b810c3bce9e857fcb799f6f07aa | Susan Oliver, 48, is living in fear after armed robbers burst into her home in Scunthorpe where they tied her up and threatened to kill her . A homeowner was tied up by a gang of robbers who threatened her with a 12-inch carving knife before stealing her £30,000 life savings. Susan Oliver, 48, was at home in Scunthorpe in August last year when the three intruders burst into her property and carried out the terrifying raid. The balaclava-clad gang beat their victim, leaving her with a broken nose and a suspected broken cheek, before threatening to kill her if she reported the horrifying attack to police. The men, one of whom was also carrying a hammer, even threatened to cut off Mrs Oliver's toe during the hour-long ordeal. Pardeep Kandola, 23, from Walsall, West Midlands, has now been jailed for nine years and four months after pleading guilty to armed robbery. But his accomplices have still not been caught, leaving Mrs Oliver afraid of being alone in her home. She said: 'I cannot even begin to come to terms with what's happened. 'I lived in the three-bedroom property quite happily for 15 years, now I can't be home alone. 'I have post-traumatic stress disorder and am undergoing weekly counselling sessions to help me overcome the ordeal.' Grimsby Crown Court heard how Mrs Oliver was relaxing on her sofa when she heard a loud knock. When she opened her front door, the men burst in, pushing Mrs Oliver to the ground. She was also struck on the back of the head with a hammer, before being dragged across the floor. The men then tied Mrs Oliver's ankles, wrists and knees up with tape, before Kandola began brandishing the large knife he had taken from the kitchen. They then punched and threatened Mrs Oliver, as she begged for mercy. The men ran off, ransacking the property until they found her safe. She said: 'I was in so much shock I could barely comprehend what was happening, and hoped it was just a nightmare. 'The pain barely registered at the time, I was numb with terror. My hands were bound behind my back so I felt even more vulnerable. I didn't cry or scream. I just begged them not to hurt me. 'The whole time they were shouting insults at me, calling me a "white slut". I was terrified they were going to rape and kill me.' Although Pardeep Kandola (right) has been convicted for the robbery, Mrs Oliver (left) says she is terrified that two of the men have still not been caught . The gang then forced Mrs Oliver to reveal where her safe was, before ransacking each room until it was found. She added: 'I tried saying the safe was at the gym, but they knew I was lying. He knew exactly what he was after. He ransacked the upstairs rooms searching for my safe. 'Then he came downstairs to search. He found it in my study under the stairs in about ten minutes, but obviously it was locked. 'Downstairs, Kandola started slapping me round the face, demanding to know the code for the safe. 'I wouldn't tell him, and when I refused, he continued to hit me.' The men also took a £2,500 Rolex watch during the raid. But Mrs Oliver's home insurance only covered up to £2,000, meaning she has lost her savings. Kandola was caught after police found his DNA on saliva left on tape used to gag and bind Susan. Mrs Oliver has now installed CCTV in every room of her house and linked it to her smartphone so she can check rooms are empty before she goes in. Humberside Police said they were still hunting the other two men. Detective Constable Mark Lilleyman said: 'Two further arrests have been made and two men aged 30 and 24 have been released on bail as our enquiries are continuing. 'This is still very much an ongoing investigation and anyone who feels they may have information which could assist our enquiries is asked to call us.' | Gym owner Susan Oliver, 48, attacked at her home in Scunthorpe in August .
Balaclava-clad gang beat victim, leaving her with broken nose and cheek .
Pardeep Kandola, 23, from Walsall, jailed for nine years and four months .
But Mrs Oliver is terrified that his two accomplices are not yet caught . |
179,601 | 748bfcefd5c870989489953bb0552be662a4c6d8 | If Chelsea blowing key Premier League rivals out of the summer transfer water wasn’t patently obvious already, it is now. The leaders — and their £32million striker — look unstoppable. Diego Costa’s hat-trick against Swansea on Saturday was alluring in its simplicity and illustrated just what Jose Mourinho, by his own admission, had been missing: a fine, unadulterated finisher. The manager is insistent that refusing to dive headfirst into an overpriced market last summer has proved correct, instead biding his time for the right man. Diego Costa has been hugely impressive for Chelsea since joining from Atletico Madrid in the summer . Diego Costa will be looking to fill his boots against a Schalke side who lost 4-1 to Borussia Monchengladbach on Saturday. Last season’s third-placed team have yet to record a win this campaign and sit second from bottom in the Bundesliga table with a goal difference of minus four. As speculation increases about Jens Keller’s tenure at the club, the manager said: ‘We’ve just got to remain calm. We mustn’t do anything rash.’ He’s got him all right. That’s seven in his opening four games. The former Atletico Madrid bruiser, who joked that he is yet to win a header in England, is making a mockery of similar money lavished elsewhere. For all the talk about his prowess in front of goal, there is a message Mourinho wants to get across. Chelsea have bought more than just a poacher capable of nudging home a Cesc Fabregas assist from six yards. They managed to squeeze £28m out of Everton for Romelu Lukaku while doing homework on Costa properly, bringing in someone who has instantly become a leader at Stamford Bridge. Perhaps not an individual to overtly coerce performances from others, but whose battling spirit makes them follow. Jose Mourinho waited to sign Diego Costa instead of entering and inflated transfer market last summer . Diego Costa is a superb centre-forward who plays like an old-fashioned English target man. He is no lightweight soft foreigner and was incorrectly cautioned in his first game for diving at Burnley. There was evidence of the more robust nature of his play when he strongly pushed away Swansea’s Gylfi Sigurdsson after he was being held in the area. Perhaps he could have been cautioned had referee Kevin Friend been slavish to the law, but there was nothing I saw to suggest he should have been sent off. The fact he was not even booked perhaps levelled things up after his yellow card at Turf Moor. Mourinho wouldn’t have a prayer of persuading Costa to have a rest without serious cause. Last week’s hamstring complaint didn’t keep him out at the weekend and it will take something special for the 25-year-old not to be in Wednesday’s starting XI against Schalke in the Champions League. ‘The most important thing of a player’s character is what affects his performance,’ Mourinho said. ‘He was a risk and a doubt before Everton, a risk and a doubt before the Spain game (against France), a risk and a doubt before this game and he played all three. ‘He is a risk and a doubt again for next Wednesday because of an accumulation of matches but nobody can stop him.’ Mourinho has tried to have a word but it falls on deaf ears. ‘If the injury is a clear injury of course, yes, but when the doubt is there and he has not the best feelings but he feels he can, he goes (on). He knows exactly what the team needs and is ready to give,’ said the Chelsea manager. The Brazilian born Spanish striker has now scored seven goals in four games for Chelsea . ‘It is not about the modern player, it is about the modern society. The education they get, the people they have sometimes behind them, make them be a little bit more selfish in the sense of you first and the team second. ‘When you get guys with this mentality they become special and they can be an influence to the people around them.’ Like John Terry? ‘Yeah, yeah.’ Costa asserts that he is ‘adapting very well’ to life in English football. So well, in fact, that he sounded just like his skipper. Jose Mourinho said of Diego Costa: ‘When you get guys with this mentality they become special' ‘The key is the group we have,’ he said. ‘It is like a family...we are working together and the truth is that things are going very well for all of us.’ Chelsea seem to have the whole package here and even one who appears to know who ex-Newcastle striker Quinn is. ‘I am very happy to have this record. A striker has to score and I am happy that I have a little place in history,’ he said. The only blot is that Costa has not yet been out in London to immerse himself in the capital. That will come, but for now he’s the man who can do no wrong. SUPER STAT: Diego Costa is the first Chelsea player to score in his first four games for the club since John Meredith in 1928. He also beat Micky Quinn and Sergio Aguero’s record of six goals in their first four PL games. Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Courtois 7; Ivanovic 6.5, Cahill 6, Terry 5.5, Azpilicueta 6.5; Matic 6.5, Fabregas 8 (Salah 82, 6); Schurrle 6 (Ramires 46, 7), Oscar 7, Hazard 7.5; Costa 9.5 (Remy 72, 7). Subs not used: Cech, Filipe Luis, Zouma, Willian. Scorers: Costa 45, 56, 67, Remy 81. Swansea (4-2-3-1): Fabianski 6; Rangel 6.5, Amat 6 (Fernandez 46, 5), Williams 5.5, Taylor 6.5; Ki 7.5, Shelvey 6; Sigurdsson 6.5, Dyer 6, Routledge 6.5 (Montero 66, 6); Gomis 7 (Bony 76, 6). Subs not used: Tremmel, Tiendalli, Carroll, Emnes. Booked: Amat, Taylor, Shelvey. Scorers: Terry 11 (og), Shelvey 86. Referee: Kevin Friend 6. Man of the match: Diego Costa. | Diego Costa could be most impressive transfer business of the summer .
Former Atletico Madrid man has scored seven goals for Chelsea already .
Chelsea sold Romelu Lukaku for £28million to Everton .
Fernando Torres joined AC Milan on two-year loan . |
1,943 | 0598ca2f2c568b0896b26d6fa14cc3ce852d103e | Once a thriving hub of industry, the textile mill now stands abandoned but still home to hundreds of colour coordinated yarns. The looms have stood unused for decades and the mill’s machinery is rusting away. These images were taken by photographer Dan Circa, 29, after he was intrigued by the mill, located in Tal-y-bont, near Aberystwyth, Wales. Scroll down for video. Inside the old mill, located in Tal-y-bont, near Aberystwyth, where hundreds of coloured yarns remain . Disused since 1980, the mill has been untouched and boxes of yarn lay abandoned on the floor of the buildiing located in Tal-y-bont, near Aberystwyth, in Wales . The door hangs off the old mill in Tal-y-bont, near Aberystwyth, and weeds abound in the grounds. The roof has been blown away allowing woodland creatures to make their homes inside . Elizabeth and John Hughes outside the old mill, located in Tal-y-bont, near Aberystwyth, Wales which they owned and ran from the 1950s . ‘The amount of machinery and objects left behind is just something you don’t see every day,’ says Mr Circa, of Manchester. ‘It’s the kind of stuff you would expect to see in a museum. ‘I was amazed that all the shelves were all stacked neatly and orderly. ‘It was shocking to see that the history was not being preserved, everything was just sitting there.’ Cotton yarns stored in boxes ready for use and then left to their fate. From old documentation found at the mills it appears that the business closed in November 1980, and has remained unused ever since . An envelope from Shermans Pools of Cardiff. Sherman's was one of the biggest employers in the city - the firm's founder Harry, one of the most generous philanthropists . The abandoned Lerry Mills is situated at the confluence of the Ceulan and Lerry rivers. The water from the Lerry River was diverted to the mill’s two water wheels to power its machinery. It produced tweed for suit making using both water wheels from the river and employees to power the spinning machinery. Inside the old mill, located in Tal-y-bont, near Aberystwyth, in Wales. The looms have stood unused for decades and the mill's machinery now rusts away . Coffee break: A rusty tin of Lyons coffee and another can aged by the elements. No doubt used by the mill workers during their all too brief breaks . A copy of a fading newspaper lays abandoned on the floor of the mill recounts the tale of a British girl whose lover was swept overboard . Lunds of Bingley who made the reeds and shafts for the loom are still in business although they have moved from the West Yorkshire town and relocated in a West Yorkshire city Bradford . Each yarn was given an identification number so the weavers would know which to use in the abandoned Lerry Mills, which is situated at the confluence of the Ceulan and Lerry rivers . From old documentation found at the mills it appears that the business closed in November 1980, and has remained unused ever since. ‘When people see these photographs they feel pure amazement and shock,’ said Mr Circa. ‘It’s hard to believe that the building would have once been full of employees hard at work.’ Textile mills were one of the first places to use child labour during the Industrial Revolution. Cobwebs cover these abandoned yarns in the abandoned Lerry Mills. These pictures were taken by Dan Circa, 29, after he was intrigued by the mill, located in Tal-y-bont, near Aberystwyth, Wales . There's an old mill by the stream... The abandoned Lerry Mills is situated at the confluence of the Ceulan and Lerry rivers. The water from the Lerry River was diverted to the mill's two water wheels to power its machinery . Odd one out: A red yarn has somehow ended up among the green ones. Photographer Mr Circa said: 'It's the kind of stuff you would expect to see in a museum' The mill's machinery now rusts away, open to the wind and the rain. The abandoned Lerry Mills is situated at the confluence of the Ceulan and Lerry rivers. The water from the Lerry River was diverted to the mill's two water wheels to power its machinery . George Hodgson of Bradford manufactured these patented looms which were powered by the workers and the water from a local river diverted to the mill . The mill stockroom at located in Tal-y-bont, near Aberystwyth, Wales: the materials for weaving were kept to hand and sorted by fabric and colour . | Mill was abandoned in November 1980 and no one has worked there since .
Lerry Mills is situated at the confluence of the Ceulan and Lerry rivers in Tal-y-bont, near Aberystwyth, Wales .
Produced tweed for making suits and other fine garments with world-renowned machinery . |
161,473 | 5cc1a9efabd090ce83820aa47e484d1703652907 | By . Helen Pow . PUBLISHED: . 12:48 EST, 21 August 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 12:48 EST, 21 August 2013 . Interesting: Troopers spotted Leyla Denise Aykin, pictured, 27, driving 83 mph in a 70 mph zone on a stretch of I-75 near Naples last Thursday . A Florida woman has been arrested for DUI after she told the trooper who pulled her over that she was on her way to 'taste the ocean' and said she'd also like to 'taste' him. Florida Highway Patrol spotted Leyla Denise Aykin, 27, driving 83 mph in a 70 mph zone on a stretch of I-75 near Naples in the early hours of last Thursday morning. She was dangling her left foot and arm out the window of her blue 2012 Ford Focus at around 1 a.m. and as she slowed for police she took off a scarf and let it go out the window like a dove. When she got out of the vehicle, the Orlando woman did a 'wide stretch of her arms' and 'appeared high' with a 'lights on nobody home' look in her eyes, the trooper noted in his report. According to the Orlando Sentinel, when the trooper asked Aykin to place her hands on the rear of her car, she ignored him, choosing instead to kneel down and whisper a Muslim prayer. She then told him she 'wanted to taste me and gaze through me,' the trooper wrote in his report. When asked where she was heading to in such a hurry, Aykin replied 'to taste the ocean' before beginning to sing and chant. Finally, the trooper asked her if there was anyone that she wanted authorities to contact and she replied that there was. 'Jesus,' she said, according to the report. Strange behavior: Aykin, pictured, was dangling her left foot and arm out the window of her blue 2012 Ford Focus at around 1 a.m. and as she slowed for police she took off a scarf and let it go out the window like a dove . Facebook: The Facebook page of Aykin, pictured left and right, reveals similar behavior. In one post she described herself as 'an over grown mutated 5th Grader' and an 'interdimensional vajra yogini' in another . Police found a green leafy substance in her car, which she claimed was 'sting nettle' used to make tea. It later tested negative for marijuana. Two BAL tests registered 0.000 but a law enforcement drug recognition expert deemed her to be impaired, on something, and booked her on DUI charges. The woman's Facebook reveals similar behavior and in one post she described herself as 'an over grown mutated 5th Grader' and an 'interdimensional vajra yogini.' | Florida Highway Patrol spotted Leyla Denise Aykin, 27, driving 83 mph in a 70 mph zone on a stretch of I-75 near Naples around 1 a.m. last Thursday .
She was dangling her left foot and arm out the window of her blue 2012 Ford Focus and released a scarf from the car like a dove .
She later told the trooper she 'wanted to taste me and gaze through me'
A leafy green plant was found in her car but it tested negative to marijuana .
She was booked on DUI regardless . |
283,333 | fb06f2c7ea15c2b8fb02e4bb250c6894315de195 | (CNN) -- Pfc. Bradley Manning, who provided classified government documents to WikiLeaks detailing, among other things, America's undisclosed policies on torture, was found guilty of espionage on Tuesday. The verdict comes on the 235th anniversary of the passage of America's first whistle-blower protection law, approved by the Continental Congress after two Navy officers were arrested and harassed for having reported the torture of British prisoners. How have we gotten to the place where the revelation of torture is no longer laudable whistle-blowing, but now counts as espionage? The answer is that government has not yet come to terms with the persistence and transparency of the digital age. Information moves so fast and to so many places that controlling it is no longer an option. Every datapoint, whether a perverted tweet by an aspiring mayor or a classified video of Reuters news staffers being gunned down by an Apache helicopter, will somehow find the light of day. It's enough to make any administration tremble, but it's particularly traumatic for one with things to hide. That's why they tried to throw the book, and then some, at Manning. Prosecutors cast simple Internet commands known to any halfway literate Internet user (or anyone who used the Internet back in the early '90s) as clandestine codes used only by hackers to steal data. That Osama bin Laden could download these files off the WikiLeaks website (along with millions of other people) became justification for classifying the whistle-blowing as espionage, an act of war. And Manning is just one of a record seven Americans charged with violating the Espionage Act in a single administration. But prosecuting those whose keyboards or USB sticks may have been technically responsible for the revelations is futile. The more networked we become and the more data we collect, the more likely something will eventually find its way out. After all, a security culture based on surveillance and big data cuts both ways. Moreover, harsh reaction to digital whistle-blowers only increases the greater population's suspicions that more information is being hidden. In this one leaking incident, Manning exposed allegations of torture, undisclosed civilian death tolls in Afghanistan and Iraq, official orders not to investigate torture by nations holding our prisoners, accusations of the torture of Spanish prisoners at Guantanamo, the "collateral murder" video of Reuters journalists and Iraqi civilians as U.S. soldiers cheered, U.S. State Department support of corporations opposing Haitian minimum wage, training of Egyptian torturers by the FBI in Quantico, Virginia, U.S. authorized stealing of U.N. Secretary General's DNA -- the list goes on. These are not launch codes for nuclear strikes, operational secrets or even plans for future military missions. Rather, they are documentation of past activity and officially sanctioned military and state policy. These are not our secrets, but our ongoing actions and approaches. A thinking government--a virtuous one, if we can still use such a word--would treat this as a necessary intervention. Things have gone too far. But ours is a government in "present shock": an always-on, always-connected population puts the administration in a state of perpetual emergency interruption. It's not the phone call at 2 a.m. for which a president has to be prepared, but the tweet at 3, the Facebook update at 4, the YouTube video at 5, and on and on. In such a crisis-to-crisis landscape, there's no time to implement or even articulate a "grand narrative." A real-time, digital world offers no sense of mission or opportunity to tell a story. There's no Cold War to win. No moon shot to work toward. There are just emergent threats, one after the other after the other. Things just exist in the present, one tweet - or, actually, many tweets - at a time. This makes it exceedingly difficult to frame our policies and strategies with language and purpose. It's no longer a matter of walking the talk. Without the talk, there's only the walk. We have no way of judging the ethics and intentions of our government except by what it actually does. Combine this with the transparency that comes with digital technology and our leaders simply have no choice but to do the right thing. It takes more energy to prevent exposure than simply to behave consistently with the values we want to project. Just as corporations are learning that they can no longer maintain low prices through overseas slave labor without getting caught, a democratic government can no longer maintain security through torture and coercion without being exposed. Betraying our respect for human dignity only makes us less resolved as a people, and less trusted as a nation. We are just beginning to learn what makes a free people secure in a digital age. It really is different. The Cold War was an era of paper records, locked vaults and state secrets, for which a cloak-and-dagger mindset may have been appropriate. In a digital environment, our security comes not from our ability to keep our secrets but rather our ability to live our truth. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Douglas Rushkoff. | Douglas Rushkoff: Manning found guilty of espionage. Why is whistle-blowing punishable?
He says U.S. government hasn't faced it can't control info in digital age of easy access .
He says Manning exposed objectionable official actions of U.S.--not secrets, but approaches .
Rushkoff: The transparency of a digital age means U.S. has no choice but to do right thing . |
3,646 | 0a842d14099d3868d36adfdb269df65d14aa6c47 | By . Rob Preece . PUBLISHED: . 12:18 EST, 20 August 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 08:45 EST, 21 August 2012 . Tensions between Japan and China escalated further today after thousands of Chinese protesters took to the streets and overturned Japanese cars. The demonstrations were the latest in an ongoing feud between the two countries over a group of disputed islands in the East China Sea. Chinese protesters denounced Japan's claims to the islands - which are known as the Diaoyu in China and as the Senkaku in Japan. Scroll down for video . Rising tensions: Protesters in Hangzhou, China, hold placards and banners at a demonstration against Japan's claim of the disputed islands . Tokyo responded by urging China to protect Japanese citizens. The demonstrations came after 10 Japanese nationalists swam to the islands on Sunday in a tit-for-tat move following a similar landing by Chinese activists last week. Both China’s government and Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda are under domestic pressure to take a tough stance over the islands. But economic ties between the two countries are deeper than ever, and both are thought to be keen to prevent the feud spiralling out of control. Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura said that they were anxious to contain the situation. Feud: Demonstrators carrying Chinese national flags attend an anti-Japan protest in Shenzhen, southern China . 'We would like to continue to deepen mutually beneficial relations between Japan and China, keeping a broader perspective in mind,' he said. 'Regarding the protests in China, we are asking, above all, to ensure the safety of Japanese nationals (in China).' The anti-Japanese protests in part reflect bitter Chinese memories of Japan’s occupation of large parts of China in the 1930s and 1940s. Chinese mainstream media were critical of Japan, but some also suggested that violent protest was not the way to proceed. Protests: Pro-China activists in Hong Kong have also taken part in demonstrations, waving Chinese flags and chanting slogans such as 'Down with Japanese militarism' 'Japan has made a series of mistakes . in the Diaoyu Island issue, and has hurt the Chinese people’s feelings,' said the China Youth Daily. 'The . young people’s patriotism is laudable ... but for a selected number of . those who are smashing their fellows’ vehicles, damaging public . property-that shows foolishness. 'This severely disrupts social order, injures the cities’ image, and furthermore, affected China’s image.' Japan, eager to keep the feud from escalating, deported the Chinese activists within days but the fate of the Japanese protesters remains undecided. Land grab: The protests in China came after Japanese activists swam to the islands and raised their national flag on the disputed territory . Disputed: A Japanese activist waves the country's flag after landing on a group of islands known as Senkaku in Japanese and Diaoyu in Chinese . Territory: An aerial view of Uotsuri Island, one of the disputed islands in the East China Sea . | Demonstrations are the latest in dispute between China and Japan over islands in the East China Sea .
Islands are known as the Diaoyu in China and as the Senkaku in Japan .
Tokyo urges Chinese government to protect Japanese citizens . |
213,385 | a055a873c772f15af546ed802a9c961a255b0d2c | Exactly three years ago, the Italian cruise ship Costa Concordia crashed into rocks off the island of Giglio, killing 32 people. The ship was only removed from the rocky outcrop near the Tuscany island after a two-year salvage operation. But while the cruise industry has since introduced new safety regulations, nearly a third of holidaymakers still believe ships are only built for show, rather than safety. On January 13, 2012, the Italian cruise ship, Costa Concordia, capsized off the coast of Tuscany . Unsurprisingly, in the weeks following the event, many travellers were deterred from cruising, which sending bookings plummeting by 26 per cent. Since then, almost one-third (29 per cent) of respondents polled still believe that modern ships are built mostly to impress, not for safety. A further 13 per cent of respondents admit to finding safety demonstrations on ships confusing, while 8 per cent reveal that they tend not to pay attention to safety demonstrations at all. However, another 39 per cent now believe that safety is top priority on board - especially in light of the introduction of 10 new safety procedures following the tragic ordeal, according to research carried out by cruise.co.uk. In the months following the sinking, new safety procedures for cruise travel have been implemented . Bookings initially dropped by 26% following the accident and 29% still believe ships are built only to impress . New policies from The Cruise Lines International Association include advanced muster drills, which detail each passenger's designated safety station and instruct on how to fit a life jacket, as well as the harmonisation of bridge procedures. Seventy three percent of survey respondents said that they felt that safety standards have significantly enhanced over the last three years with a whopping 71 per cent even going so far as to say that they believe cruising to be a much safer means of travel than by plane. This may be, in part, attributed to the recent Air Asia and Malaysia Airlines tragedies. All respondents also claim that reports of freak accidents do not deter them from boarding a cruise ship. However, a shift in attitudes is evident - 39% of Cruise.co.uk survey respondents believe safety is top concern . Interestingly,all polled revealed that these freak accidents do not deter them from boarding luxury liners . Seamus Conlon, Managing Director of Cruise.co.uk, comments: 'The sinking of the Costa Concordia was undoubtedly one of the most tragic and avoidable incidents in the cruise industry over the past decade, and it's a hugely important day to commemorate. 'As our survey shows, despite this tragedy, British cruisers subsequently have greater confidence when travelling and this is due to the commendable safety standards that are rife within our industry. 'The Costa Concordia is an important reminder that safety is the primary concern for cruise liners, and we're confident these standards will only continue to increase over the next decade.' | January 13 marks third anniversary of the tragic sinking of the Italian ship .
In its wake, since 2012, many new safety procedures have been introduced .
However, attitudes in regards to the safety of cruise ships remains mixed . |
136,960 | 3d27922f8da3ffd661c60db6be42ad2a75864d16 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 16:55 EST, 4 June 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 16:56 EST, 4 June 2012 . A brother and sister have died in an apparent murder-suicide at an upmarket hotel in Puerto Rico. Kimberly Katherine Radcliffe, 28, was shot and killed by her brother 32-year-old Thomas Brian Radcliffe. The siblings were from Bonita Springs, Florida, according to Police Captain Diana Crispin. The two were found on Sunday in the upscale San Juan Water Beach Club Hotel in the Isla Verde tourist district. Tragedy: Kimberly Radcliffe, 28 (pictured left) was allegedly murdered by her brother Thomas before he turned the gun on himself at the San Juan Water Beach Club Hotel . Authorities said today that the . incident was still under investigation but believed that Thomas . Radcliffe shot his sister before turning the gun on himself. They had apparently been on vacation in the U.S. island territory for about a week. No motive has been released. Miss . Radcliffe is believed to have recently ended a relationship and had . been given money by her father so that she and her brother could travel, . local paper El Neuvo Dia reported. They had visited Disney World in . Orlando, Florida before traveling to Puerto Rico. A . number of vodka bottles were found in the room and the siblings were . believed to have been intoxicated at the time of the murder-suicide. The Water Beach Club Hotel is located in the historic center of San Juan and costs around $230 a night for a double room. Gruesome: The bodies of the brother and sister were found at the upmarket hotel in San Juan . Upscale: The siblings from Florida were staying at the San Juan Water Beach Hotel in Puerto Rico for a week . | Kimberly Katherine Radcliffe, 28, found at San Juan Water Beach Club Hotel with brother Thomas Brian . |
2,264 | 069f8994510aea9d7ff563ded9cf15d812e5037c | (Health.com) -- Electroshock therapy today bears little resemblance to its lurid depictions in Hollywood dramas like "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." For decades psychiatrists have used shock therapy to treat cases of depression that haven't been helped by antidepressant medications, and in recent years the treatment -- now known as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) -- has experienced something of a revival. Roughly 100,000 people in the U.S. now receive it each year. The future of ECT is in doubt, however. On Thursday, a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory panel will meet to consider whether the machines used in ECT should be more tightly regulated than they are now. If the advisory panel votes for more oversight -- and if the FDA follows the panel's advice, as it usually does -- some experts fear that access to the treatment will be curtailed. Health.com: Hysteria, demons, and more: depression throughout history . ECT machines are currently in a strictly controlled category of medical devices that includes pacemakers and prosthetic joints. As with prescription drugs, devices in this class must be approved by the FDA before they can be used on patients. But because ECT devices were already in use when the FDA put those rules in place about 35 years ago, they were exempted from the approval process. The FDA is now revisiting the status of the devices. The agency can leave ECT devices in their current class and require manufacturers to provide evidence of safety and effectiveness, which may entail new clinical trials and could temporarily limit the devices' use. Or it can rely on existing evidence and reclassify the devices to a less restrictive category that includes ultrasound machines, motorized wheelchairs, and contact-lens solution. That option would give ECT devices a pass and ensure that they remain available to doctors. The impending FDA action has reawakened the debate surrounding this controversial treatment for depression and other mental disorders. More than 1,500 organizations and individuals have filed formal comments with the FDA. Health.com: 10 things to say (and not say) to someone with depression . The American Psychiatric Association (APA) and scores of individual psychiatrists have expressed support for permanently easing the restrictions on ECT devices, because they worry that manufacturers of ECT devices may lack the funds, time, or motivation to meet new FDA requirements (by conducting new research, for instance). "It may be a major disaster," says Max Fink, MD, a professor emeritus of psychiatry and neurology at Stony Brook University Medical Center, in New York, who researched and performed ECT for 45 years. "If they want an extensive review of safety and efficacy, that means somebody has to pay for it. It becomes a very expensive proposition and there is nobody to do it unless the government supports it. The manufacturers are all small companies in the U.S. There's no General Electric for ECT devices." On the other side, patients' rights organizations and advocacy groups such as the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) have urged the FDA not to hastily reclassify ECT devices. Those groups argue that the treatment and the potential side effects -- such as memory loss and brain damage -- are serious enough to merit a thorough review. Health.com: 7 types of therapy that can help depression . And for good measure, the Church of Scientology and related anti-psychiatry groups have joined the fray, calling for an outright ban on ECT and flooding the FDA with comments that call the treatment "barbaric," "evil," and "criminal." The evolution of shock therapy . ECT was first used on a human patient in Italy in 1938, after preliminary experiments in dogs and pigs. The treatment involves delivering electric currents to the brain in order to induce a seizure, which, in turn, seems to alleviate depression. (No one knows exactly how ECT works.) Early ECT treatments were more primitive than those used today, and in some cases they did cause harm to patients, including memory loss, burns from the electrodes placed on the patient's skull, and bone fractures resulting from violent muscle contractions during the seizure. These grisly scenes are now a thing of the past, advocates of the treatment say, thanks to improvements in devices and protocols. "We have not had an injury of any kind from ECT in years," Dr. Fink says. An ECT session generally lasts no more than 10 to 20 minutes, and the bulk of that time is spent waiting for the general anesthesia to kick in and wear off. The electrical current is on for a few seconds or less, and the seizure lasts for about 20 to 60 seconds, says D.P. Devanand, MD, director of geriatric psychiatry at Columbia University's College of Physicians and Surgeons, in New York City. Health.com: What ECT feels like . The procedure is relatively drama-free. General anesthesia tends to shorten the seizures, and doctors now give patients muscle relaxants that reduce spasms and even "visible movement," says Dr. Devanand, who ran Columbia's ECT Service for 15 years. The placement of the electrodes has also been refined, making ECT much safer, according to William Narrow, MD, the APA's associate director of research. "ECT does not cause brain damage," Dr. Devanand says. "Memory loss today is very limited in most cases, and the loss is patchy and primarily for events during and just before and following the ECT course. So the patient may not remember one of the nurses on the ward but will recognize the other nurses." The treatment is very effective in the short term, Dr. Narrow says. Roughly 80% to 95% of patients experience a full remission from their depression symptoms, he estimates, although some patients need repeat sessions to keep their severe depression from coming back. And unlike antidepressants, which can take weeks to kick in, some patients start experiencing improvement after their first one or two ECT treatments. Health.com: 10 surprising facts about antidepressants . A charged debate . In 2009, the U.S. Government Accountability Office, which investigates and audits government agencies, urged the FDA to lift the grandfather clause that exempted ECT devices (and many other types of devices) from the FDA approval process. Disability and mental health advocates welcomed this development as an opportunity for ECT to receive a long-overdue review of its safety and effectiveness. If the devices are reclassified, on the other hand, "the rigorous scientific safety investigation of these devices may never take place -- preventing patients from making informed choices about their treatment," the DBSA wrote in a 2009 letter to the FDA. But the APA and other supporters of reclassification claim that ECT has been researched enough to address these concerns. "We have a growing body of evidence to support the fact that ECT is safe and effective," Dr. Narrow says. "We think it would be a waste of money and effort to go through a new application process, because the amount of research that's already been done in the past 30 years is so great." Nancy Koenigsberg, the legal director of Disability Rights New Mexico, one of many independent statewide disability agencies that have lined up against the reclassification of ECT devices, questions the quality of the existing research. "There are concerns about who's done [the] studies and whether they are, in fact, appropriate scientific studies or whether they're pushed by the APA or pushed by manufacturers," Koenigsberg says. "We're calling into question...whether the studies are, in fact, unbiased studies." The FDA's neurological devices advisory panel is scheduled to discuss ECT devices on January 27 and 28. An official decision from the FDA will come later. Copyright Health Magazine 2010 . | Roughly 100,000 people in the U.S. now receive ECT each year .
FDA meeting to consider whether machines used in ECT should be more tightly regulated .
Critics say treatment and potential side effects are serious enough to merit review . |
31,917 | 5ad43d3ebe2e19ed687b8329a9219167b639b387 | (CNN) -- No, not all men channel frustration over romantic rejection into a killing spree. But yes, all women experience harassment, discrimination or worse at some point in their lives. That's the message at the core of an ongoing Twitter conversation that emerged after a rampage last week that left six students from the University of California, Santa Barbara, dead and wounded 13 others. Elliot Rodger, who apparently shot and killed himself, left behind a robust digital footprint detailing his plan to "destroy everything I cannot have," blaming the "cruelness of women" for leading to his "day of retribution." His comments inspired Twitter users to tweet the hashtag #YesAllWomen: They shared examples of what "women must fear" even if "not all men" engage in those behaviors, according to the person believed to have created the hashtag Saturday. The person did not respond to CNN's request for comment. The hashtag -- a response to the "not all men" defense sometimes used to deflect feminist arguments -- spread quickly on Twitter, zeroing in on the subtle and explicit signals that a woman's worth is based on her availability to men. By Tuesday morning, #YesAllWomen had been tweeted more than 1 million times. Expanding the conversation . #YesAllWomen is the latest Twitter hashtag to draw attention to violence against women in a global conversation that has spread from social media to college campuses and into the White House. While most feminist-driven Twitter campaigns preach to the choir, #YesAllWomen has succeeded in drawing the mainstream -- including men -- into the conversation, feminist writer and political analyst Zerlina Maxwell said. More unique is the conversation's focus on misogyny and its negative impact on women and men, Maxwell said, pointing to tweets from men as evidence. There was backlash to the hashtag's sentiment, too. Some challenged the idea that misogyny was behind Rodger's killing spree, while others argued against the broader idea that most women face gender-based harassment. But those tweeting #YesAllWomen interpreted backlash as evidence to prove their points. #YesAllWomen's forebears include #everydaysexism, which evolved from the website Everyday Sexism. In 2011, the site launched as a place for people to share stories of gender-based harassment. Today, #everdaysexism exists as a continuous feed of examples of street harassment, and as an occasional rallying cry around petitions. It has been tweeted more than 520,000 times in the past year, according to social Web search engine Topsy. Earlier this year, Maxwell started #rapecultureiswhen in response to a Time.com op-ed calling for an end to "rape culture hysteria." The hashtag highlighted examples of victim blaming and was tweeted more than 67,000 times. With more than 1.2 million tweets so far, #YesAllWomen has far outpaced both hashtags, according to Topsy. It has drawn comments from celebrities such as Kerry Washington, Neil Gaiman and Patton Oswalt. Celebrity boost aside, #YesAllWomen's universal appeal springs from "bottom-up" personal stories instead of a single omniscient voice in an op-ed, Maxwell said. "It's not somebody on high saying this is a problem in society and everyone should fix it," she said. "It's people talking about real experiences, and each experience is validated by the next." More than Internet slacktivism . Even though #YesAllWomen grew as a counterpoint to the "not all men" argument, it's effective because it stands on its own, feminist media critic Rachel Sklar said. In fact, Rodger's killing spree shows that men can also be victims of hostility toward women: Four men were among those killed, including his two roommates, "the biggest nerds I had ever seen," Rodger said. Rodger left behind a 137-page "manifesto" in which he wrote, "I've wanted love, affection, adoration. You think I'm unworthy of it. That's a crime that can never be forgiven." "I don't know what you don't see in me. I'm the perfect guy and yet you throw yourselves at these obnoxious men instead of me, the supreme gentleman," Rodger said in a YouTube video posted the day of the killings. Sklar said his words echoed sentiments voiced by men's rights activists in online forums and social media platforms, especially Twitter. Those murmurs rarely turn deadly, she said, but Rodger's actions represent every woman's worst fears. "It's been a collective trigger for women. It's an extreme case of something we see and experience regularly as part of our lives, but it's shocking and jarring and scary to see it taken to these lengths," said Sklar, who founded the women's network TheLi.st. Despite its grim origins, #YesAllWomen advanced conversation around issues that dominate feminist circles, feminist writer Soraya Chemaly said. The hashtag sparked more discussion about rape in India and Africa, and college campus sex assault in the United States. The hashtag also forced discussion of the intersection of mental illness and misogyny in violence against women, especially in mass shootings, which are overwhelmingly perpetrated by white men. "I don't know how anyone can look at this information and not see how densely matrixed all these factors and events are," Chemaly said. "We keep seeing this pattern repeated and people seem to think misogyny or mental illness are exclusive or need to be prioritized." While there's no tangible outcome to the hashtag's spread, those involved said it's far from the typical slacktivism. It created a virtual space for women to share their stories, Chemaly said. "While there's a lot of harm that can happen online, the Internet (has been) so fundamentally transformative for women and feminists," she said. "Women who were isolated in their experiences by culture and their families for the first time can exceed those boundaries." | Elliot Rodger's misogynistic rants inspired #YesAllWomen Twitter conversation .
#YesAllWomen has been trending since Saturday after killing spree in California .
People tweet #YesAllWomen to share examples of gender-based harassment .
Participants: Campaign drew in outsiders instead of preaching to feminist choir . |
204,020 | 941c7b7d0ed52973d8a00b98ef7575323d283137 | Today is winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, and to celebrate thousands of pagans packed the ancient site of Stonehenge. Around 1,500 people gathered at the ancient monument in Wiltshire to watch the sunrise this morning. Winter solstice is an astronomical phenomena which marks the shortest day and longest night of the year. This is caused by the tilt of the Earth’s axis, when the North Pole is tilted furthest from the Sun. Today is the shortest day of the year and to celebrate the Winter Solstice thousands of revellers packed the ancient site of Stonehenge . Tess Reddaway, 17, is one of those celebrating winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, at the ancient site of Stonehenge in Wiltshire . Senior druid King Arthur Pendragon reigned over the event and told the international crowd the event celebrates hope. Officially, Sunday was the shortest day, but the crowds gathered to celebrate this morning's sunrise as the moment the North Pole is tilted furthest from the Sun. The crowd's spirits remained undampened despite the fact heavy cloud blocked out most of the view. Senior druid King Arthur Pendragon told the BBC: 'What we're really here for is to celebrate the fact that the cycle of the world turns, and from now on the days get longer and it's the return of the sun. Revellers are wrapped up warmly as they prepare to celebrate the sunrise during the winter solstice at Stonehenge on Salisbury plain . The crowd were celebrating the sunrise closest to the Winter Solstice, which is the shortest day of the year at the ancient monument . 'It's a time of change and hope is renewed - the same message really from a pagan perspective as from a Christian perspective. 'That's what this season is all about - a message of hope.' Arthur Pendragon, real name John Timothy Rothwell, believes he is the reincarnation of the 5th century King Arthur. Last week English Heritage - which manages the stones near Salisbury in Wiltshire - reported a record number of tourists in the past year. A reveller dressed in rather unusual garb celebrates the sunrise along with around 1,500 others from all over the world . There were some bold fashion choices at the annual event - this man appears to be sporting an animal skin complete with antlers . Two weeks ago the Government announced in its Autumn Statement that it will be investing in a new 2.9km tunnel to remove the A303 from the Stonehenge landscape. English Heritage and National Trust as guardians of Stonehenge and its World Heritage Site, see this announcement as a 'truly momentous decision' in the modern history of one of the most famous places in the world. English Heritage recently announced 1.3 million people had visited the site since the opening of the £27 million visitor centre in December last year - a nine per cent increase on the previous 12 months. Senior druid King Arthur Pendragon (pictured) reigned over the event and told the international crowd the event celebrates hope . Druid, pagans and revellers all attended the event - this man shows off his ceremonial sword, robes and impressive beard . Many different cultures hold holidays, festivals, gatherings rituals on the day of the winter solstice to celebrate the shortest day of the year . Last week English Heritage, which manages Stonehenge, reported a record number of tourists in the past year since they opened a new centre . Many cultures hold holidays, festivals, gatherings rituals and other celebrations during winter solstice. According to the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids, the name for winter solstice in Druidry is Alban Arthan, which means 'The Light of Arthur'. On their website they say of the winter solstice: 'At this point the Sun is at its southernmost point almost disappearing beyond the horizon, and the days are at their shortest. 'This was a time of dread for the ancient peoples as they saw the days getting shorter and shorter. 'A great ritual was needed to revert the course of the sun. This was probably calculated by the great circles of stone and burial grounds which are aligned to this festival. 'Sure enough, the next day the Sun began to move higher into the sky, showing that it had been reborn.' Stonehenge is one of the most famous historic sites in the world. It is made up of the remains of a prehistoric ring of standing stones in the middle of a dense complex of Neolithic and Bronze age monuments, including burial mounds. Archaeologists believe it was built sometime between 3,000 BC and 2,000 BC. Stonehenge was a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986 and is legally protected as a scheduled ancient monument. It is managed by English Heritage and the surrounding last is owned by the National Trust. | The winter solstice is an astronomical phenomenon that marks the longest night and the shortest day of the year .
Around 1,500 druids, pagans and revellers all descended on Stonehenge this morning to watch the sunrise .
The crowds gathered to celebrate the moment the North Pole is tilted furthest from the Sun . |
183,821 | 7a1bb3b4d02db86aa2c4b9d1c2c14a60d37f3c2c | Italian side Parma could be forced to cancel their game against Udinese this weekend, amid reports in Italy that they are about to go bankrupt. The club's players have not been paid all season, and have threatened legal action against their employer if they do not recieve some money. According to the Italian press, Parma have just £29,500 (€40,000) left in the bank, and may not be able to pay police and stewards for Sunday's game, leading to a cancellation. Antonio Nocerino challenges Gervinho for the ball, but Parma's players have not been paid this season . Another alternative would be for the game to go ahead behind closed doors, to save on the costs of stewarding. The club have received a bankruptcy petition from the Italian government because of unpaid taxes, and have been docked a point this season for failing to pay their bills. Club president Giampietro Manenti claimed on Monday that he had paid his players, but they had still not received any money by Thursday. Parma are currently bottom of Serie A, and are taking advice from the league on whether they can complete their fixtures. Parma coach Roberto Donadoni could be without any players as they prepare to sue the club . | Parma have not paid their players this season .
Club have faced bankruptcy petition from Italian government .
Sunday's game against Udinese is currently in doubt .
Fixture may be played behind closed doors to cut costs . |
206,589 | 9779b89e8524c97b669baff2541f45b2af5174bb | 'In love': Prison governor Florent Goncalves, 42, faces a three-year sentence if found guilty of presenting an inmate with love letters and gifts . A former prison governor has appeared in a French court accused of giving special treatment to a notorious femme fatale criminal he had 'fallen in love' with. Florent Goncalves, 42, faces a three-year sentence for presenting the strikingly beautiful Emma Arbabzadeh, 23, with love letters and gifts. He regularly had sex with her in prison, but is solely being charged with illicit correspondence, and giving an inmate presents. Arbabzadeh became infamous in 2008 when she was found guilty of luring Ilan Halimi, a 23-year-old Jewish salesman, to his death at the hands of a gang of racist killers called 'The Barbarians'. Arbabzadeh, who has since been released, has since featured in a book written by Goncalves, in which she is portrayed as a 'honey-trap' femme fatale who makes men 'lose their heads'. When Arbabzadeh began a nine-year sentence at Versailles women's prison near Paris, Goncalves is said to have selected her for 'special treatment'. But Goncalves's defence barrister, Pascal Garbarini, today told Versailles Correctional Court that his client had 'simply fallen in love and did not know how to control his passion'. He added: 'If there had been no Barbarians gang, then this would never have got to court. 'The truth is, this is simply a love story - an unlikely one, but still a love story.' Arbabzadeh is herself facing a charge of receiving stolen goods, but her barrister told the court that she had solely received two mobile phone chips. Dominique Attias said: 'There are thousands of mobile phones in prisons. But these cases don't all land up in court.' Mr Attias said the sensational Barbarians case had turned Arbabzadeh into a criminal celebrity. Inmate: In 2008, Arbabzadeh was found guilty of luring a Jewish salesman to his death at the hands of a gang of racist killers called 'The Barbarians' When other prisoners learned that she was having regular sex in the prison computer room, and in Goncalves's office, they complained. This led to a police investigation, after which Goncalves, who is married with children, was forced to resign. He was able to rekindle his relationship with Arbabzadeh when she was released in 2010. She had been let out for good behaviour after having been on remand since 2006. Goncalves then wrote a book in which he discussed the affair, saying 'I did not regret it for a moment', although he admitted that it had ruined his reputation as a happy family man and 'humanitarian' prison governor. Goncalves, who had been France's youngest ever prison governor, said Iranian-born Arbabzadeh had genuinely been in love with him. In a case which shocked France, Arbabzadeh was still a teenager when, in January 2006, she used her good looks to lure Mr Halimi to a flat on the outskirts of Paris. There he was tortured for three weeks before he died. A total of 27 people were convicted for playing a part in the murder, with anti-Semitism and profiting from a failed ransom plot cited as the motive. Goncalves denies the charges. The case continues. | Florent Goncalves accused of having sex with inmate - and giving her love letters and gifts .
Inmate Emma Arbabzadeh lured Jewish salesman to his death at hands of racist killers . |
118,612 | 25262321694dce0801f94487f067258f391aa205 | Buried at the back of his ankle and the front of his sole, the disintegrated parts of a metre long worm that had been living in a man’s foot for more than four years are shown in a gruesome X-ray. The 38-year-old Sudanese migrant, who lives in Melbourne, had no idea he had the flesh eating parasite inside his body. The remains of the lengthy guinea worm are clearly shown in an X-ray taken at St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney. Scroll down for video . WARNING GRAPHIC IMAGE BELOW . The disintegrated parts of a worm are shown buried at the back of his ankle and the front of his sole . The man, who arrived in Australia four years ago, visited doctors complaining of a swollen foot after it had been painful for about a year, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. Infectious diseases physician Dr Jonathan Darby explained that the X-ray showed two pieces of curled up ‘Guinea worm’ in the man’s ankle and foot. He said the creature had probably died and started to degenerate inside the man’s body. Normally the worms live in the intestines and enter the body via larvae in infected drinking water. They dig through flesh and set themselves free through a blister on the skin. The worms dig through flesh and set themselves free through a blister on the skin . ‘That whole process can take years. It can sit inside the human body alive for years or die, degenerate, and then cause problems in the area like it did for our patient,’ Dr Darby said. The guinea worm is a nematode that causes dracunculiasis, also known as guinea worm disease. The parasite, which is found in Southern Sudan, Ethiopia, Ghana and Chad, cannot be treated but neither can it infect anyone else. The man has made a full recovery after the worm was removed during surgery. Earlier this a Chinese women was horrified to discover she had a an 8ft tapeworm living inside her. The woman, known only as Mrs Li, is thought to have picked up the worm from eating undercooked meat while travelling in South East Asia earlier this year. She has now had the worm removed but says the thought of it still makes her feel ill. She told Chinese media: ‘It’s disgusting and almost makes me faint.’ Mrs Li, who is in her 30s and lives in Xiamen, in China’s Fujian Province, visited a doctor after she started to feel unwell and noticed unusual fluids in her stools. Sometimes there are no symptoms for tapeworms but signs can include nausea, weakness, diarrhea, abdominal pain, hunger or loss of appetite, fatigue, weight loss and vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Tapeworms have a three-stage lifecycle including an egg stage where the larva first gets in the body and an adult stage at which the worm can produce more eggs. | The 38-year-old Sudanese migrant had no idea it was inside his body .
He moved to Australia four years ago and recently noticed his swollen foot .
A doctor said the creature had probably died and started to degenerate . |
264,233 | e23dda7f081ab69f5df31ca6911064c562d05024 | Skype users will soon be able to conduct voice and video calls supported by a near-real time translation technology. And while it can't yet guarantee that no fine detail will be lost in translation, Microsoft's new idea for its video chat platform surely feels like something straight out of science fiction. No longer will our hopes for such a marvel be tagged to imaginary aquatic creatures -- the Babel fish from "The Hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy" -- or improbable "telepathic fields", such as the one cast by Doctor Who's TARDIS to relay any alien language to its pilot in plain English. It all sounds, in fact, quite similar to what Klingons in Star Trek use to make their generally belligerent intentions quite clear: an unseen, but ever-present, "universal translator". "The idea that people don't understand each other, it's going to be a thing of the past," Gurdeep Pall, Corporate VP of Skype, told CNN's Richard Quest. "In the same way it's hard to imagine a world before you were able to travel to different places and quickly, whether it be in a car or a plane, we'll never think about, wow, those were the dark ages where people couldn't understand each other. That's where we're headed." Called Skype Translator, the add-on builds on the research done for Microsoft Translator, and uses a technology called Deep Neural Networks, which yields significantly better speech recognition results than previous methods. It will be available as a Windows 8 beta app before the end of the year, but Microsoft is already showing off its English to German functionality, as you can see in the video above. It is still unclear whether the service will be free for the 300 million Skype users, or will be extended to other platforms. Microsoft is not alone in its quest for a universal translator. Google already offers translation by voice in its Google Translation service and is also working on integrating real-time translation into Android. And Sigmo, a Bluetooth device that promises real time speech translation in 25 languages, went through a successful crowdfunding campaign last year. Read more from Tomorrow Transformed: . FireChat, the app that voiced Hong Kong's protests . The "green man" in your traffic lights just got new super powers . Finally, a flying car for everybody? | Skype Translator offers near-real time language translation during video calls .
A beta version will be launched as a Windows 8 app later this year .
The new technology promises improved speech recognition compared to previous methods . |
135,031 | 3aad5b3ea30ed5eb4bdbf7617f1d463b9866ef5c | (CNN) -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is sending a special envoy to South Sudan following an escalation of violence in the world's newest nation. Ambassador Donald Booth, the special envoy to Sudan and South Sudan, headed to the area Friday. "Now is the time for South Sudan's leaders to rein in armed groups under their control, immediately cease attacks on civilians, and end the chain of retributive violence between different ethnic and political groups," Kerry said in a statement. "The violence must stop, the dialogue must intensify." Also on Friday, National Security Adviser Susan Rice recorded an audio message to the people to South Sudan. "I ask each of you to make the choice for peace -- make the choice for a unified and cohesive South Sudan," she said. "Make this choice for yourselves and your children." Attackers killed two Indian army peacekeepers in South Sudan and wounded a third one in the chest, the United Nations said Friday. At least two of the 30 civilians who took refuge at the United Nations' Akobo base were killed in the attack Thursday, said Joseph Contreras, the U.N. spokesman for South Sudan. It could have been as many as 20 who died in that attack U.N. officials estimated. Their remains will be taken to the capital of Juba. Deadly clashes have raged South Sudan for days after a reported coup attempt in the capital over the weekend . President Salva Kiir blamed soldiers loyal to his former vice president, Riek Machar, for starting the violence. Casualties are in the hundreds, including soldiers, the government said. The government of neighboring Kenya will send troops into South Sudan to help evacuate 1,600 Kenyan citizens, presidential spokesman Manoah Esipisu said. An official from South Sudan's ruling party, who has just left the country, said the U.S. is not doing enough. "There was a lot of presence of troops in the city. There was a lot of injured, displaced people. Gunshots heard every two minutes, a lot is at stake, a lot needs to be done," said Choul Laam, chief of staff for the secretary general of the ruling SPLM Party. "President Barack Obama made a statement and is dispatching a special envoy to the area. I believe that's not enough. A lot of dialogue needs to be taking place. A lot of convincing needs to be taking place." Obama sent 45 service members to South Sudan to support U.S. personnel and the American Embassy. "In 2011, millions of South Sudanese voted to forge a new nation, founded on the promise of a more peaceful and prosperous future for all of South Sudan's people," Obama said in a prepared statement. "In recent years, against great odds, South Sudan has made great progress toward breaking the cycle of violence that characterized much of its history. "Today, that future is at risk. South Sudan stands at the precipice. Recent fighting threatens to plunge South Sudan back into the dark days of its past," the President said. Tensions have been high in South Sudan since Kiir dismissed his entire Cabinet, including Machar, in July. The move inflamed deep tensions between Kiir's Dinka community and Machar's Nuer community. U.N. officials have said they are worried the recent fighting is based on ethnic divisions, but the government has disputed that assertion. Eleven people have been arrested in connection with the foiled coup . CNN's Zain Verjee and Clare Hayes contributed to this report. | Kerry dispatches Special Envoy Donald Booth to South Sudan .
Fighting grows after a reported coup attempt in Juba over the weekend .
Unknown assailants attack a U.N. base in world's newest nation .
Two civilians who took refuge at the base are also killed . |
73,045 | cf230f63d4cd703667f7b51746f79aac8b039c17 | (CNN) -- FBI agents on Friday night searched the Maryland home of the suspect in the recent disappearance of an American woman in Aruba, an agent said. The search is occurring in the Gaithersburg residence of Gary Giordano, who is currently being held in an Aruban jail, FBI Special Agent Rich Wolf told CNN. Agents, wearing vests that said FBI and carrying empty cardboard and plastic boxes, arrived about 8:40 p.m. Friday. About 15 unmarked cars could be seen on the street, as well as a Montgomery County police vehicle. Supervisory Special Agent Philip Celestini, who was at the residence, declined to comment further on the search, citing the active investigation. Aruban Solicitor General Taco Stein said earlier Friday that the suspect will appear in court Monday, where an investigating magistrate could order him held for at least eight more days, order him to remain on the island or release him outright due to a lack of evidence. Giordano was arrested by Aruban police on August 5, three days after Robyn Gardner was last seen near Baby Beach on the western tip of the Caribbean island. Giordano told authorities that he had been snorkeling with Gardner when he signaled to her to swim back, according to a statement. When he reached the beach, Gardner was nowhere to be found, Giordano allegedly said. The area that Giordano led authorities to is a rocky, unsightly location that locals say is not a popular snorkeling spot. Although prosecutors have continued to identify the 50-year-old American man by his initials, GVG, they also released a photo of a man who appears to be Giordano. His attorney, Michael Lopez, also has said that his client is being held as a suspect in Gardner's death. Lopez has not returned telephone calls seeking comment. Giordano is no longer cooperating with authorities in the investigation, Stein has said. Authorities are concerned for Gardner's welfare because she has not stepped forward despite all the publicity surrounding the case, Stein said. But they have no evidence that she is dead, he said. Although officials have stopped actively searching for Gardner, they are continuing to seek evidence in the case, Stein said. Police are gathering and reviewing closed-circuit video feeds from hotels and other locations where the two were known to have been, but those materials are still being compiled and analyzed, he said. Investigators also examined Giordano's rental car but were unable to find any clues to Gardner's disappearance, Stein said. That could be because the rental-car company washed and vacuumed the vehicle before police had a chance to examine it, Stein said. The FBI is assisting in the investigation, an agency spokesman confirmed Thursday. Among other things, agents will conduct interviews in Maryland, where Gardner lives, said Richard Wolf, a spokesman for the FBI's Baltimore office. According to Aruban prosecutors, the missing woman and the suspect arrived July 31 from the United States. Gardner's friend Christina Jones told HLN's Nancy Grace that the woman had known Giordano for more than a year and flew to Aruba with him. Jones said she had some concerns about the trip, but Gardner "calmed me and said it was OK, that the trip to Aruba was what she needed." Lopez, Giordano's attorney, said Tuesday that his client came to Aruba on vacation with a female friend he had met on a dating site and has known for years. Lopez earlier said that his client had been cooperating with police. Lopez said that on his client's last scheduled day in Aruba, he asked authorities whether he needed to stay. "They didn't answer it, and on his way to the airport, they detained him as a suspect for murder," Lopez said. The Aruban prosecutors office has declined to say what evidence led authorities to suspect Giordano's involvement in Gardner's disappearance. Richard Forester of Maryland said he and Gardner have been dating for the past seven or eight months. He told HLN's Nancy Grace on Wednesday evening that Gardner wasn't the type to go into deep water, and she would more likely stay by the pool. "It's just not her to go out and snorkel," Forester said. Forester said Tuesday that before Gardner's trip, the two argued over "the circumstances of her travel" to Aruba. He last heard from her August 2 in a Facebook message, in which she said they would "work it out" when she got back. Earlier that day, Forester said, Gardner posted on her Facebook wall "this sucks," with no further explanation. She was scheduled to return to the United States on August 4, Forester said. In an interview with HLN's Jane Velez-Mitchell on Thursday -- the same day he was interviewed by authorities -- Forester described Gardner as a woman who "loved life." "She loved to be happy, loved to have fun, loved to be active," he said. "She had a very loving, warm heart." The Natalee Holloway Resource Center -- named after a young American woman whose disappearance in Aruba made international news -- said Forester brought their attention to the case Monday. The Aruban public prosecutor's office, as well as Forester, urged people in the Caribbean, the United States and elsewhere to come forward with information about Giordano, Gardner and the case. CNN's Carol Cratty, Kim Uhl and Martin Savidge contributed to this report. | NEW: FBI agents search the Maryland home of Gary Giordano, an FBI official says .
NEW: They entered the house in FBI-branded vests and carrying empty boxes .
Aruba's solicitor general says there's no sign of missing woman, no evidence she is dead .
Gary Giordano is being held in connection with Robyn Gardner's disappearance . |
104,786 | 132e88b77a71efef8e3ee4d421ca92253fb45ceb | WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The U.S. Coast Guard promised a "thorough review" Friday after a training exercise intended to have been "normal" and "low profile" wound up instead triggering concerns about the security of the president on the anniversary of the September 11 attacks. U.S. Coast Guard vessels participate in a training exercise Friday on the Potomac River. "We are going to take a good, hard look at what we did here today and ensure that, if we need to modify procedures, if we need to modify communications, we will do so in the future," Vice Adm. John Currier of the Coast Guard said. The incident began shortly before 10 a.m., when CNN journalists monitoring video from a Washington TV station saw Coast Guard vessels apparently trying to keep another vessel from passing. The Coast Guard vessels were moving rapidly in the water as the president's motorcade drove on the nearby Memorial Bridge, after a September 11 commemoration event at the Pentagon. In a Coast Guard radio transmission audible over police scanners monitored by CNN, a voice could be heard saying, "You're approaching a Coast Guard security zone. ... If you don't stop your vessel, you will be fired upon. Stop your vessel immediately." Later, someone could be heard saying "bang, bang, bang, bang" and "we have expended 10 rounds." CNN called the Coast Guard immediately after the initial reports suggesting possible trouble in the water; a spokeswoman said she had no information about activity in that area. Over the next 20 to 25 minutes, CNN made several phone calls and sent several e-mails to the USCG spokeswoman, asking for information. The spokeswoman said she was attempting to get information but was not able to get any. After CNN heard the radio transmission saying 10 rounds had been expended, CNN went to air with the story. At 10:23 a.m. ET, after CNN had aired its initial report, the spokeswoman said that she had heard the incident may have been an exercise but that she did not know the source of that information. At 11:09 a.m., CNN received a Coast Guard e-mail confirming that it was a training exercise. The Coast Guard said that a training frequency had been used for communication. Currier said that such radio transmissions generally begin with an announcement that they are training exercises but added that he did not know whether that was done in this case. Watch as Currier describes a "normal training exercise" » . Officials said that no shots were fired and that the radio announcements were a standard part of the exercise. Other agencies, including the Secret Service, which protects the president, had not been notified of the exercise in advance. The Secret Service said Obama had returned to the White House by the time reports surfaced of possible shots fired in the area. Watch how the exercise on the Potomac stirs up commotion » . Federal agency emergency operations centers were neither aware of nor notified about the exercise and began implementing response procedures as though it had been a real event, a federal source said. The report led officials at Reagan National Airport to ground flights from 10:08 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., said Diane Spitaliere of the Federal Aviation Administration. The FBI, upon hearing media reports, dispatched agents who had reached the water's edge before they learned from other law enforcement agencies that the incident was an exercise, said Supervisory Special Agent Katherine Schweit, a spokeswoman for the Washington Field Office. The Metropolitan Police Department Harbor Patrol, which is responsible for patrolling the Potomac, was not notified either, law enforcement sources in Washington said. The patrol has now demanded that the Coast Guard notify it in before carrying out any training exercises on the Potomac, the sources said. Currier said such exercises take place four times a week, and other agencies are generally not informed. Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio, was critical of the way the exercise was handled. "The anxiety caused by this situation on such a solemn day is extremely disturbing," he said in a statement, adding that he would like to hear from Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano. "It sounds very much like the left hand didn't know what the right hand was doing." Military Families United, an advocacy group, called for an investigation. The incident was "at the height of irresponsibility," the group said in a statement, adding that whoever commissioned it "should be held accountable." "These families have traveled from all over the country to convene at the Pentagon on this tragic anniversary, and this training exercise not only caused unwarranted stress for these families but it was a distraction from the purpose of today. ... This kind of incompetence and insensitivity cannot be permissible and should be addressed at the highest levels of government." Frances Townsend, a CNN contributor and homeland security adviser under former President George W. Bush, called the incident an act of "felony stupidity." The Coast Guard said in its statement, "The best way that we in the Coast Guard can remember September 11 and our security obligations to the nation is to be always ready and this requires constant training and exercise. To ensure the appropriate readiness posture we conduct training scenarios across the nation on a daily basis." Asked whether the Coast Guard's action was appropriate, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said, "That's a decision that's made by the Coast Guard." He said he saw no parallels to an incident in April, when a plane resembling Air Force One flew low over New York as part of a government-sanctioned promotional photo shoot. The incident triggered security fears and angered the White House. Regarding Friday's incident, Gibbs instead criticized the media -- specifically CNN, which reported the incident as it was unfolding. "I think, it appears as if a lot of this might have been avoided," he said, referring to what was "on television." Expressing frustration, he said to a CNN correspondent, "It's not directed at you, just writ large at CNN." "If anybody was unnecessarily alarmed based on erroneous reporting that denoted that shots had been fired, I think everybody is, uh, everybody is apologetic of that," Gibbs said. In a statement, CNN said, "Given the circumstances, it would have been irresponsible not to report on what we were hearing and seeing. As with any breaking news story, information is often fluid, and CNN updated the story with the official explanation from the Coast Guard as soon as it was provided." | Coast Guard will "take a good, hard look" at handling of exercise, official says .
FAA official: Flights delayed at Reagan National Airport for about 20 minutes .
Exercise occurs near where president observed 9/11 anniversary at Pentagon .
White House spokesman criticizes CNN for reporting event . |
270,878 | eadced0c1aff826d62e818bc46495844637c27a5 | iReporter Kenny Zhu visited North Korea in April and was able to take video footage and photos with his Google Glass during the trip (the complete iReport is here). Zhu, wearing Google Glass, said he encountered curiosity from officials and was inspected before he was allowed to take pictures with his wearable camera/computer device. "At the first sight they were able to tell it is a photography device. But without Internet -- no Internet service available for temporary foreign visitors in North Korea, the glasses are just a wearable video camera," says Zhu. "They were suspicious of the Google Glass at first though, asking me some questions about it -- how it work, what does it do, etc.. I let them played around with it and they seemed flattered and inquired no more," says Zhu. Got Google Glass? Send an iReport . A DPRK official actually accidentally recorded himself while toying with the Glass but Zhu didn't upload the photos in case there might be consequences, for them or himself. Here are the things that stood out to him the most during the trip, in his words: . 1. North Korea was using Samsung (a South Korean multinational electronics company) Air Conditioner at the DMZ (Korean Demilitarized Zone). But 99% of the air conditioners and fridges I saw are Chinese-branded. 2. The highway was extremely bumpy and I saw a decent amount of North Koreans digging -- apparently -- wild vegetables for food on both sides of the highway. 3. I met more foreigners than I expected in North Korea. Actually there were quite a few foreign (non-Asian) tour groups. I also met some Egyptians walking freely in Pyongyang. MORE: North Korea travel app opens country to armchair travelers . 4. A tour guide asked me sincerely, "Is South Korea better than North or not?" but he refused to look at the photos I took while I was in South Korea. 5. Here are some recaps of the conversation between me and the tour guide: The guide couldn't believe Seoul has more than 12 subway lines, has never heard of Kim Jong-un's "study abroad in Switzerland" experience and was surprised when hearing that the daughter of Xi Jinping was studying in the States. He knew way too [little] about Kim's wife, had heard about China's corruption but not the Sewol ferry accident. He visited China once and found out China had serious pollution issues. 6. Apple or Sony? Another guide asked us. READ: Touring North Korea: What's real, what's fake? 7. The visitors/tourists from the Chinese government dropped significantly after the Chinese government called for its officials to curb public consumption and avoid extravagance, according to the tour guide. 8. There was no button for 5/F at the Yanggakdo Hotel. 9. Automobiles I saw in North Korea are mostly Chinese (approximately 60%) -- Chery, JAC Motors, Dongfeng and King Long. About 20% are Japanese cars like Nissan and Toyota, 5% DPRK brand Pyeonghwa, 5% South Korea's Hyundai and 10% other cars like Benz etc.. MORE: How to travel to North Korea . 10. It only costs Chinese about RMB3,000 ($500) to visit North Korea but the very same trip might cost a U.S. passport holder about $3,000. | iReporter Kenny Zhu was allowed to capture North Korea using Google Glass .
Zhu made some observations after the trip -- at the DMZ, they use South Korean brand, Samsung's air con .
South Korea or North Korea? Sony or Apple? Questions the tour guides asked Zhu . |
213,247 | a029126d694521715caaf559ce2a6c7c36b3cec5 | Bayern Munich star Arjen Robben has backed his former manager Louis van Gaal to turn Manchester United into a European force. Robben, who was on Van Gaal’s list of summer transfer targets, has no doubt his Bayern and Holland boss will do the restructuring job that is required at United. ‘I was very happy for him that he won the game against QPR last weekend,’ said Robben. Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has received backing from former student Arjen Robben . Van Gaal watches Man United's Under 21s this week after his first team's 4-0 showing against QPR . ‘If you are not winning, you get the pressure but the management at United know what sort of coach they have got and I am very confident he will be successful there. ‘I have worked with Van Gaal at Bayern as well as with Holland, so I have known him for a very long time. He is one of the few coaches who can make teams play better. He makes players better. ‘He will get United back into the Champions League next season, where they belong.’ Arjen Robben replaces Thomas Muller in their Champions League win over Manchester City . Robben, who returned from injury to play in Bayern’s 1-0 Champions League win over Manchester City on Wednesday night, says City face a fight to qualify for the next phase after Roma beat CSKA Moscow 5-1. ‘Roma had a big win and it was a surprise. I looked up at the scoreboard after 20 minutes and saw it was already 3-0, so they are flying,' he says. ‘It’s hard to say (if City will go through). We are only thinking about ourselves and we want to go through, we want to win our games and be top of the group. We will give everything to do that.’ Robben made his return from injury as Bayern found a 90th-minute winner via a Jerome Boateng volley . | Bayern Munich star Arjen Robben believes Louis van Gaal can deliver success to Manchester United .
Robben played under Van Gaal at Bayern and for Holland .
The winger says Van Gaal makes players and teams better .
Robben played in Bayern's Champions League win over Man City . |
140,485 | 41ac35ea24553dcba5441d86d75c40c10a39c06b | Bangkok, Thailand (CNN) -- The death toll from the worst floods in half a century to hit Thailand continues to rise. By early Sunday morning, the number stood at 297 from two months of lashing rain, with more than 8.5 million in 61 provinces affected by the rising waters, authorities said. More rain was predicted for Sunday in some provinces and in the capital city, Bangkok. In the ancient city of Ayutthara, one of the worst-hit regions, military trucks moved slowly down the main street, cutting through a constant river of water, passing out aid to those who can get close. Anyone with a boat used it to transport aid or to help neighbors carry their possessions from flooded houses. Others used rubber tires of slabs of Styrofoam. In Bangkok, crews worked feverishly, widening canals and strengthening flood barriers to protect the city. "I have to say here that there is a lot of water coming to Bangkok but the situation not critical yet," said Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra. Asia's wet and wild summer explained . The Bangkok suburb of Sam Kok is sandwiched between the overflowing Chao Phraya River and the 2.5-meter floodwalls that are so far successfully protecting the inner and commercial part of the capital. The water here has nowhere to go and levels are rising fast. "In one or two days (flood waters) will pass through Bangkok, but the fact is that the impact of such flow would be less if the water was allowed to pass through, rather than concentrated in one area," the Flood Relief Operations Command said Sunday. Floods are an annual occurrence in the country but it has been particularly acute this year. Thais across the country are donating food, water and clothing to help the worst-hit areas. Authorities said donations have far surpassed previous years. The government said that it has received $2.07 million in donations, including from other countries, by Sunday. The United States said it is sending 26 helicopters to help the relief effort, invaluable as more roads turn to rivers and become impassable. United Nations agencies also are on standby, while the activating the World Health Organization has offered emergency health kits. CNN's Paula Hancocks and Kocha Olarn contributed to this report. | More rain is predicted in some provinces and in the capital city .
Residents in affected areas used boats, tires and Styrofoam slabs to get around .
Crews work feverishly to protect Bangkok .
The situation in the capital city "is not critical yet," the governor says . |
79,673 | e1ebb5f6b6f021be1f17e1da42e5bcb19bb77f7c | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 12:12 EST, 27 January 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 14:22 EST, 27 January 2014 . Georgina Bloomberg has introduced her baby to horseracing by taking the newborn to a Florida equestrian center. Georgina, 31, gave birth to her son Jasper Michael Brown Quintana on Christmas Eve in New York City but the baby has already become a jetsetter. Georgina was spotted cradling the little boy alongside her boyfriend, the boy's father Ramiro Quintana, at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival in Palm Beach on Sunday. Happy family: Georgina Bloomberg and boyfriend Ramiro Quintana pose with their newborn son Jasper during a trip to a Florida equestrian center on Sunday . New title: Ms Bloomberg, 31, gave birth to Jasper on Christmas Eve in New York City . Looking out for the little guy: Ms Bloomberg said that she has been 'lucky enough' to afford to hire help . Big name: The baby's full name is Jasper Michael Brown Quintana, with his two middle names as clear homages to her parents- Michael Bloomberg and Susan Brown . The couple had massive grins across their faces throughout the visit as Georgina held the baby in her arms while watching the horse jumping. They were joined by an unidentified woman at one point during the event, but the new mom was completely focused on her little baby. Jasper's early introduction to the world of horse racing comes as little surprise as both his parents are professional equestrians. 'Ramiro and I have known each other since I was 15; we met doing the same horse shows. Then in October of last year, we were both single and decided we were mature enough for a real relationship,' she told Glamour. Similar interests: Quintana and Bloomberg are both professional equestrians and met when she was 15 . Support: The new parents were joined by an unidentified woman during their Sunday visit to the horse arena . Doting: Ms Bloomberg and her friend tried to stop the baby's cries, tying his white cap on more securely to see if that helped the little tot . 'When we realized we wanted to become parents, I stopped taking birth control. (I was in Las Vegas when I realized I was pregnant—good thing I found out on the early side of the trip!)' The horse-loving pair are going to waste no time in getting their son out in the arena, and in August she revealed that she had 'one little rescued mini' named Harley she plan on giving to their son. 'We're gonna try popping a little saddle on him, and get him ready,' she told The New York Post at the time. 'We have a couple of years to get him all trained up. Solution: Jasper calmed down instantly once he got his bottle . Natural: Ms Bloomberg said that she and her boyfriend intend to co-parent the child and are very much together but she never had any desire to marry after her parent's marriage ended in divorce during her childhood . Milestone: Jasper is the first grandchild for Mike Bloomberg, Georgina's billionaire father . Happy surprise: Georgina previously revealed that while she and Ramiro started their relationship in October before realizing that she was pregnant during a trip to Las Vegas in the spring . Tropical climes: Jasper was born in New York City but the family has been in Florida for much of his life . 'I kind of always said when I first . rescued this little mini that I wanted him to be my first child's pony. It's perfect timing.' Though . Quintana and Bloomberg are very much together and will be raising the . child together, marriage is not on the horizon for the pair. Because of her parent's divorce, Georgina explained that she has never planned on getting married, telling Glamour magazine that she doesn't 'need a marriage license and a party'. That . sentiment doesn't run through her entire family, however, as her older . sister Emma, 34, has been married since 2005 though she and her husband . Chris Frissora do not have any children. Back on the party circuit: Georgina got right back into gown 12 days after giving birth, as she attended the Grand Prix Invitational hosted by Donald Trump on January 5, pictured with Melania and Ivanka Trump . Ms Bloomberg said that she has hired help, but enjoys spending as much time with the little tot as possible. 'I am lucky enough to be in a position to be able to afford help, but I really want to be involved and experience the responsibility and, of course, the bonding,' Georgina told The New York Post. 'Having a baby is something I’ve always wanted and I’m obviously going to do as much for him myself as I possibly can.' It hasn't stopped her from getting back on the social circuit, however, as she was seen earlier this month at an event at Donald Trump's Palm Beach golf course. Barely showing: The heiress attended a Humane Society benefit in mid November (seen here with her father), just shy of six weeks before her due date . Men in her life: Georgina is the younger daughter of Mike Bloomberg, who has temporarily left public life after finishing his third term as New York City's mayor, and Ramiro was her date to the Humane Society benefit . | Michael Bloomberg's daughter Georgina took her month-old son Jasper out for the first time in public .
Was accompanied by her boyfriend, the baby's father Ramiro Quintana .
The happy family went to watch the Winter Equestrian Festival in Palm Beach, Florida on Sunday .
Jasper is getting an early introduction to the sport as both of his parents are professional equestrians .
Georgina already has a pony ready for her son- and she picked out the 'rescue mini' months before giving birth to her boy . |
190,176 | 823b1679d25dd217ac91ac7181e80684e716b5ba | By . Becky Barrow . PUBLISHED: . 17:47 EST, 24 July 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 03:15 EST, 25 July 2012 . Staunch criticism: Lord Turner, chairman of the FSA, is a frontrunner to replace Mervyn King at the Bank of England when he steps down next year . Banks rip off customers and give the impression that they serve only their own interests, Britain’s top regulator warned yesterday. Lord Turner, chairman of the Financial Services Authority, said millions have lost trust in the financial services industry. He said people were ‘angry with banks and bankers’ and added: ‘They doubt banks’ values, and they doubt whether banks have their interests at heart.’ In a speech in London yesterday, he criticised the culture in the City, singling out the example of bankers drinking champagne to celebrate fiddling the Libor interest rate. He said the incident had exposed ‘a dealing room culture of cynical greed’. The only way to stop the view that these people are ‘banksters’ – a pun on the word ‘gangsters’ coined by headline writers – is for bosses to make controlling dishonest behaviour their number one job. Huge bonuses have ‘amazed and bewildered’ hard-working people, who can earn less in a lifetime than a City worker gets in a single bonus. Lord Turner, a front runner to become governor of the Bank of England when Sir Mervyn King steps down next year, told an audience of business leaders that a series of scandals had destroyed banks’ reputation. In recent weeks, Barclays’ three most senior executives have resigned over its manipulation of the inter-bank lending rate, Libor, and it has emerged that HSBC laundered billions of pounds from rogue states and drug cartels. This is on top of the £9billion mis-selling of payment protection insurance. Scandalous: In recent weeks, Barclays' three . most senior executives have resigned over its manipulation of the . inter-bank lending rate, Libor . Lord Turner warned: ‘There is far greater potential in retail financial services than in other sectors for producers to rip off consumers.’ He questioned how some bankers can go home at night thinking they are ‘a fine upstanding member of society’ when they have simply sold on toxic loans to ‘ill-informed investors’. He added: ‘Banks are only likely to earn the trust of customers and the respect of society at large if, from the very top, there is a clear message. ‘[It is] that there are many things which may be profitable, which may be within the legal rules, and which neither the customer nor the supervisor will necessarily ever spot... but which go against firm values and which the bank therefore will not do.’ He suggested that if a bank fails in the future, there should be ‘automatic sanctions’ against directors. They must prove their innocence, rather than the regulator having to prove his or her guilt. His comments came as Lord Green, the trade minister and former chairman of HSBC, yesterday admitted in a letter that he ‘regrets’ the bank’s serial money laundering. But Labour’s shadow financial secretary to the Treasury, Chris Leslie, said the letter ‘totally fails to address questions about what he knew and when’. Mr Leslie said Lord Green must come to the House of Lords to explain. | Lord Turner criticises culture of the City, singling out dealers swigging champagne as they fiddled Libor rates .
Huge bonuses have left hard-working people 'amazed and bewildered', he says .
Suggested 'automatic sanctions' against directors of any bank which fails in the future . |
80,637 | e489b3a31fab5a19586acc89a539a2565ce47a24 | By . Anna Hodgekiss . PUBLISHED: . 13:28 EST, 6 February 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 07:18 EST, 7 February 2013 . The parents of a baby boy with a killer heart defect have spoken of his gruelling battle to stay alive. Six-month-old Ted Rourke has a complex heart problem which stops oxygen being pumped around his body. The six-month-old from Macclesfield has survived two bouts of major surgery and is kept alive by a heart bypass and a feeding machine. Six-month-old Ted Rourke, with brother Milo, has already survived two bouts of major surgery and is kept alive by a heart bypass and a feeding machine . Ted has Tetralogy of Fallot, a complex heart problem which stops oxygen being pumped around his body . Despite the pain and discomfort, Ted continues to boost the spirits of his parents Sian, 31, and Nathan, 36, and big brother Milo, three, with his infectious smile. His bravery has earned him the nickname 'SuperTed' after the cartoon teddy bear. Ted's condition, known as Tetralogy of Fallot, means his only chance of long-term survival is more surgery, but doctors can only do that when his heart has developed further and is strong enough. His mother Sian, 31, arts officer for the local council, said: 'It's like living with a ticking timebomb. Without the operation, Ted will die. 'But the only way to tell he is ready for it is for the heart bypass to fail and put him close to death once again. 'Doctors say this is likely to happen by the end of the year, so we have an agonising wait.' Ted was born at Macclesfield Hospital on July 6 weighing a healthy 9lb 3oz. But checks revealed he had a heart murmur and after further tests, Ted was diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot. Ted with his mother Sian, father Nathan and brother Milo. They have nicknamed him 'SuperTed' after the cartoon teddy bear because of his bravery . Ted's only chance of long-term survival is more surgery, but doctors can only do that when the tot's heart has developed further and is strong enough . The condition, which affects about one in 3,000 babies, means a child will not live beyond their early teens without corrective surgery. Within weeks of the diagnosis, Ted's condition deteriorated rapidly and he was transferred to Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool for specialist care. He had emergency surgery when he was just five weeks old, where doctors fitted a heart bypass. But that trauma stopped Ted from eating and doctors decided on more surgery to fit a feeding tube. Ted spent two months in hospital . while his mum lived in Ronald McDonald House, which allows families to . stay near to the hospital ward. Mrs . Rourke said: 'Our lives have been on hold for the last six months and . it's been very tough on our family. We've been buoyed by the support of . our parents and friends, and medical staff in Liverpool and . Macclesfield. His mother Sian said: 'It's like living with a ticking timebomb. Without the operation, Ted will die' 'But our biggest help has been Milo, he has kept us motivated and smiling. He's a great distraction and very loving to his little brother.' Ted's forthcoming surgery is just the start of his battle for a normal life. His mother added: 'Ted's development has been affected. He is very tired all the time because of the strain on his heart. Just rolling over is the equivalent of me running a marathon. 'As he grows his heart will change and he could face even more surgery, but we are optimistic he can have a fairly normal life once he stops growing. 'He's proved to us he's a little battler, our SuperTed, so we are hoping and praying he keeps fighting.' | Ted Rourke has defect that stops oxygen being pumped around his body .
Six-month-old has already survived two bouts of major surgery .
Now being kept alive by a heart bypass .
and a feeding machine .
His bravery has earned him the nickname SuperTed, after cartoon character . |
69,594 | c545c38cc78b0448c6faf044c7294e682b598dd2 | Samoa coach Stephen Betham believes England are the complete package and is expecting a backlash from Stuart Lancaster's side at Twickenham on Saturday. England will be desperate to end a run of five consecutive Test defeats when they meet the Samoans, including four at the hands of world champions New Zealand and one against South Africa. A particularly disappointing display against the Springboks last Saturday suggests Lancaster's side are a long way off winning the World Cup on home soil next year. Betham disagrees, however. Owen Farrell makes a pass as England train at Twickenham on Friday ahead of their clash against Samoa . George Ford (left) chats to Farrell as the duo look on before Saturday's Autumn international with Samoa . 'England are pretty complete at the moment,' the Samoa coach said. 'Although they had five losses, those losses were very close and could have gone either way. 'We are expecting England to be at their strongest. Although they've had some positional changes, I'm sure the coaching staff have some tricks up their sleeve. 'England are still ranked going into the next World Cup in the top five in the world which we haven't achieved, so it is a good test for us to know where we stand.' The last time Samoa played at Twickenham was November 2010, when England had to come from behind in the second half to win 26-13. Stephen Betham is expecting a backlash from England after their poor form of late . The England players enjoyed a joke during training - they face Samoa at Twickenham on Saturday . Lancaster's side will be hoping a strong performance on Saturday can kick-start their autumn campaign ahead of a crunch final fixture against Australia. 'Are England under pressure? In any Test match there is pressure especially when you lose a few games in a row,' Betham said. 'Good sides always get up again though, and we are expecting a really fired-up English team this weekend. 'We are not there to make up the numbers - we are going there to compete.' Lancaster has made six changes to his starting XV, with George Ford set to make his full international debut at fly-half alongside Owen Farrell at inside centre. All eyes will be on England's back-line which has lacked cohesion and creativity in recent matches, but Betham insists Samoa have to focus on themselves. 'Playing Ford and Farrell together is unusual but sometimes we can get carried away with what England are doing,' Betham said. 'We can be our own worst enemies so we have concentrated a lot on what we can do better.' | England look to end a run of five consecutive Test defeats on Saturday .
They have lost four to New Zealand, and one against South Africa .
Samoa coach Stephen Betham believes that England are 'pretty complete'
He says all their losses were close and could have gone either way . |
221,896 | ab3acbb3a9096ea17cee7444e72cadbae8c855d2 | When Danny Welbeck steps out to make his Arsenal debut, he will hope to have more luck than the last two players to wear the No 23. For Nicklas Bendtner and Andrey Arshavin were last seen displaying the number on the back of their shirts for the Gunners, with any source of joy drowned out by a lack of effort and ineptitude. Welbeck inherits the number after a £16m deadline day swoop to the Emirates Stadium from Manchester United. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Arsenal's new signing Danny Welbeck in England training . Got your number: Danny Welbeck is the new No 23 at Arsenal after his £16m move from Manchester United . But who else? Andrey Arshavin signed for Arsenal from Zenit St Petersburg in January 2009 . Next up: Nicklas Bendtner wore the No 23 shirt last season after several loan spells away from the club . Before Arshavin arrived in England in a similar beat-the-clock deal, the shirt had actually been worn by some club legends. Sol Campbell and Ray Parlour to name a few, and early on the Russian's career (circa Jan 2009) looked to be heading down a similar path. A solo strike against Blackburn was followed by an incredible four goals at Anfield at Liverpool. Fans were sure the best player of Euro 2008 would maintain his form in the Premier League. But after a solid first full season at the club, performance levels dropped. As did the work-rate. The playmaker was later moved on to Zenit St Petersburg, on loan, and then on a free. Varied success: At first Arshavin looked like a star at the Emirates Stadium . Not so much: A talented youngster, the No 23 shirt didn't do much for Bendtner in North London . Having started his Gunners career successful as a youngster as No 26, the move to No 52 (rumoured to be his wage packet) for Bendtner was an odd one. The Danish striker claimed the number was 'personal' to him. He even refunded fans who bought a shirt with his previous digits on. No such explanation was given about his No 23, which he acquired after loan moves at Sunderland and (unsuccessfully) at Juventus. Wenger begrudgingly welcomed Bendtner back into his squad and while he looked thoroughly off the pace. Lazy, a liability at times, but he was of course not devoid of confidence. Two goals in the Premier League last season, one of those in the last minute against Cardiff, helped Arsenal finish in the top four. Of course Nicklas is gone now, and probably forgotten. It's now time for Welbeck to put smiles back on the fans' faces in that No 23 jersey. | Welbeck is new No 23 after signing from Manchester United for £16m .
Bendtner wore shirt last season and scored two Premier League goals .
Andrei Arshavin impressed at first but lack of effort hampered chances . |
35,443 | 64b864e408fa350ea54726142b09a76638458597 | (CNN) -- Taking the devilish element out of one of Australia's most iconic but endangered animals could save it from extinction. Evolving to be less aggressive could be the best hope for saving Tasmanian Devils in the wild, suggest scientists from the University of Tasmania, in a new study. The species is facing extinction from Devil Facial Tumor Disease (DFTD), an infectious cancer that is spread by the animals biting each other. It is believed that the cancer has wiped out over 60% of the animals since it was first discovered in 1996. While the animals are solitary they are social and meet regularly either during mating, establishing social hierarchies, or when feeding around carcasses. On all occasions they bite each other. However, the recent study led by Rodrigo Hamede, published in the British Ecological Society's Journal of Animal Ecology, led to the surprising discovery that the less a Tasmanian Devil gets bitten the more likely it is to become infected with the cancer. "Our results --- that devils with fewer bites are more likely to develop DFTD --- were very surprising and counter-intuitive," he said. "In most infectious diseases there are so-called super-spreaders, a few individuals responsible for most of the transmission. But we found the more aggressive devils, rather than being super-spreaders are super-receivers." Over a period of four years, Hamede and his research team studied the animal at two locations in Tasmania and discovered that most of the tumors found on Tasmanian Devils were located in their mouths. "This means that more aggressive devils do not get bitten as often, but they bite the tumors of the less aggressive devils and become infected," explained Hamede. There is currently no vaccine or treatment for DFTD and once infected Tasmanian Devils do not live much longer than six months. One of the study sites -- West Pencil Pine in western Tasmania -- was less badly hit by the disease, leading Hamede to feel hopeful that further research there could aid the survival of the species. "Firstly, we need to explore the genetic differences that might be lessening the impact of DFTD in the West Pencil Pine devil population," said Hamede. "Second, we need more detailed data on devil behavior to define 'shy' or 'bold' types. We could then use this information to develop a management strategy to reduce the spread of the disease by boosting natural selection of less aggressive, and therefore more resilient, devils." | Cancer spread through biting is threatening wild population of Tasmanian Devils .
New study found most aggressive were most likely to contract disease .
Currently no treatment for Devil Facial Tumor Disease (DFTD)
Estimates of 60% decline of wild population since DFTD discovered . |
192,913 | 85c0636bad91baab7fe9fd935cd1e40cefa63b3b | Tempers flared and tears were shed as several people collapsed in an overcrowded New Jersey train station while waiting in long lines to get to the Super Bowl. Emergency medical workers pushed their way through the overheated, angry crowd to treat collapsed would-be Super Bowl revelers at Secaucus Junction on Sunday afternoon only hours before the big game. Long lines were brought to a standstill by temporarily installed airport-style security machines that failed to keep up with the volume of passengers taking transit to the Super Bowl as authorities had instructed. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO . Jame packed: Football fans make their way to trains at Secaucus station in New Jersey where several people collapsed . Long lines have come to a standstill in front of airport-style security machines that apparently cannot handle the crowd volume. People were squeezed together in an enclosed stairwell. Brrr: The temperature for tonight's game is expected to be about 35 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit . Threat: Authorities say that sometimes a sniper can be more effective than an agent on the ground A sniper is pictured at the 2012 Super Bowl in Indianapolis . K-9: In addition to the snipers, law enforcement officials will be using bomb-sniffing dogs to seek out any potential security threat . 'Absolutely pathetic, the NFL had 40,000 people coming on buses, they knew there was going to be 45,000 people coming out,' Tammy Ritchie, from Vancouver, Canada, told the Star-Ledger. 'We stood in line sweating, it’s absolute horse crap. As more trains arrived, police tried to thin the sweating, jostling crowd by spreading people across the platform. Initial fan calls of "Seahawks" and "Broncos" gave way to angry shouts of 'New Jersey, your Super Bowl sucks!' Law . enforcement officials in New York and New Jersey have ramped up . security in anticipation of Super Bowl XLVIII in East Rutherford on . Sunday, utilizing just about everything in their arsenals - including . sharp-shooting snipers - to protect those in attendance from any . possible terrorist attack. 'We were stuck in the tunnel for 30 minutes, it was probably 120 degrees,' said Jeff Dunbar, from Seattle. ‘People had to take their shirts off, it was not good... people were chanting ‘Jersey sucks’ and blaming Christie.' Adding to the confusion was the lack of communication between authorities and passengers. 'Nobody is telling anybody what’s going on...people are getting sick, they’re feeling claustrophobic, there’s no air in there, there’s no water,' said Bob Dowling, of New Providence, New Jersey. 'the wait is incredible, we were back there a good one hour and fifteen minutes.' The . Super Bowl is what national security officials consider a 'level one . national security event' and may be a target for terrorists because of . the level of attention paid to the game. The added security proved to be too much for many in the crowd to handle. 'It was 120 degrees in there with no air conditioning, everybody is drenched,' said Dave Mannon, of Dallas, Texas. 'They even had to send in medics because a few people passed out... I don’t think it’s working, I think Governor Christie’s at it again.' Choked: Fans are packed in tightly as they make their way down the stairs at NJ Transit's Secaucus Junction . Mass of humanity: People stood in lines of almost an hour to transfer from buses and trains to rides to MetLife Stadium - there is usually no wait even prior to Giants and Jets games . Locked down: Police officers view football fans as they traverse the crowds . The added security measures also include high-altitude snipers working with security agents on the ground to make sure everyone is safe. If you have an active shooter or you have anyone who may have a bomb. Snipers have a better angle then anyone who is on the ground to actually . hit that target. It’s an entire team that communicates. You have . individuals who are at high altitudes inside the arena and then you have . individuals that are on the ground moving in and around the crowd,' former FBI agent Jonathan Gilliam tells Fox News. Additionally, security officials are reviewing recent terrorist attacks in other countries to determine how to prevent them from happening in the U.S. 'Certainly, we're keeping an eye on activities around the world, but as of this time, there are no threats directed against this event that we're aware of,' New York City Police Commissioner William Bratton said a security briefing in Manhattan. Because this year's Super Bowl has the distinction of relying on mass transit to take up to 30,000 fans to the game, the deadly bombings in the southern Russian city of Volograd have raised worries here, said Col. Rick Fuentes, head of the New Jersey State Police. The suicide attacks on a trolleybus and a train station that killed more than 30 people within weeks of the Winter Olympics also prompted a series of meetings among the planners for Super Bowl security, he said. Everyone waits everywhere: Football fans who finally made their way through security checkpoints were then forced to endure waits to get on train to the game . Everyone waits everywhere: Football fans who finally made their way through security checkpoints were then forced to endure waits to get on train to the game . Capacity: People already are filing into MetLife Stadium for Super Bowl XLVIII in East Rutherford, New Jersey . Target: The Super Bowl is considered by security officials to be a 'level one national security event' Local officials are counting on the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security 'to keep an eye on and brief us on those events,' Fuentes said. 'There is a concern with mass transit and we've prepared ourselves for it.' Trains, buses and cars taking fans from New York and parts of New Jersey to the stadium and back again 'are going to be scanned, they're going to be checked, they're going to be swept,' he said. In Manhattan, the NYPD is drawing on its experience securing the annual New Year's Eve celebration in Times Square, the New York City Marathon, the U.N. General Assembly and other high-profile events to secure 'Super Bowl Boulevard,' a 13-block street fair on Broadway. The department has deployed hundreds of extra uniformed and plainclothes police officers to the area. It's also relying on bomb-sniffing dogs, portable radiation detectors and a vast network of surveillance cameras to detect trouble. In the weeks leading up to the Super Bowl, the NYPD rehearsed its response to a variety of potential threats, including 'the backpack left unsecured scenario,' Bratton said. 'We are very, very well-prepared.' The state police plan to assign up to 700 troopers at the stadium on Sunday, Fuentes said. A security center has been set up in a hollowed-out building across a highway from the stadium that's slated to become a mammoth retail and entertainment complex. A 24-hour FBI command center will monitor the latest counterterrorism intelligence, said Aaron Ford, head of the FBI's Newark office. Measures have been taken to protect power grids and to make sure there's plenty of backup energy in case of another blackout like the one last year at the game in New Orleans, said Jeffrey Miller, the NFL's head of security. 'This year we're going to try to go blackout free,' Miller said. 'One thing that I've learned is that you don't want to be overconfident. You want to prepare and be ready. You just don't know what you might face on game day.' Randy Killikevc, a tourist from Tennessee who attended a Super Bowl party in Byrant Park on Wednesday, said possible threats against the Super Bowl weren't on his mind. 'If terrorists were going to strike New York why not do it on New Year's Eve? There's lots more people here (then),' he said. | Security officials consider the Super Bowl a 'level one' security event that could be a potential target for terrorists .
The heightened security is not a response to any known threat, it is a precautionary measure to guarantee the public's safety .
Security officials have been analyzing terrorist attacks in other countries so they know how to prevent similar attacks in the U.S.
Train riders say temperatures spiked to 120 degrees in waiting areas and waits topped one hour as trains kept dropping people off and lines failed to move forward . |
53,344 | 9750f9cb1c5f55dcf54c2b1d541a571db7b3ed61 | By . Keith Gladdis . PUBLISHED: . 16:36 EST, 30 March 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 10:54 EST, 31 March 2012 . A cruise ship with 1,000 people on board that was disabled by a fire and was drifting in southern Philippine waters has been repaired and is headed toward Malaysia, the Philippine coast guard said Saturday. The Azamara Quest informed the coast guard late Saturday that its power and propulsion had been restored and it was moving slowly toward Sandakan, its next destination after it left Manila Thursday, spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Algier Ricafrente said. A coast guard vessel sent to assist the cruise liner reported that it had sighted the ship from about 9 kilometers (5 nautical miles) away and was approaching it. Enlarge . Risk: The luxury Azamara Quest has more than 60 Britons on boards and is now without power drifting in the Pacific ocean after a fire in the engine room . A spokeswoman for Azamara Club Cruises said later there are 97 UK passengers onboard the ship. The ship's captain earlier said by email . to the coast guard that it needed no assistance and that everything was 'under control.' Ricafrente said that the coast guard will provide assistance to the vessel 'while it is inside our area of responsibility.' A fire broke out in the ship 8.19pm on Friday night. The flames engulfed one of . the ship's engine rooms but were quickly extinguished, Azamara Club . Cruises said in a statement. Five crew suffered smoke inhalation, . including one who was seriously injured and needed hospital care. The stricken ship was drifting Saturday in the Sulu Sea about 130 . kilometers (70 nautical miles) south of the Philippines' Tubbataha Reef, . Ricafrente said. The area lies between the Philippines and the island . of Borneo, which is divided between Malaysia and Indonesia. The Azamara Quest cruise ship is stranded near Tubbataha Reef, Philippines . 'As a gesture of goodwill and to . thank our guests for their understanding, we will be providing all . guests with a full refund for their cruise,' the company said in its . statement. 'Azamara Club Cruises will also be . providing each guest with a future cruise certificate for 100% of the . cruise fare paid for their March 26, 2012, Azamara Quest sailing.' An earlier statement from the Foreign Office said a consular team from the region would be sent to meet the ship when it docks. Contact from some of the passengers has been made onshore, Mr Scott, 45, said he had received an email from his parents to say they are now sailing towards Malaysia. 'I have just received an email - . saying that they hope to get there by Monday morning and will probably . disembark then,' he said. They have said the staff and the captain have . been fantastic.' Exotic destination: The cruise ship was scheduled to dock in Singapore after making stops in the Philippines and Malaysia . Azamara Club Cruises is part of Royal . Caribbean Cruises, which along with competitor Carnival Corp. has seen . bookings drop after high-profile cruise accidents this year. In January, . Carnival's Costa Concordia capsized off the coast of Italy, killing 32 . people. It was the latest accident in the cruise industry since 32 people died . when the Costa Concordia ran aground and capsized off the western coast . of Italy in January. A month later, a fire on the Costra Allegra left that ship without power . and adrift in waters known to be prowled by pirates in the Indian Ocean . for three days. Both Costa ships are part of Costa Crociere, a . subsidiary of Carnival Corp., the world's largest cruise operator. Tragedy: The Costa Concordia cruise ship crashed into rocks off the Italian coast earlier this year, leaving dozens dead . | 97 British holidaymakers are aboard luxury ship Azamara Quest .
Crew members suffer smoke inhalation as one needs emergency care .
All passengers to receive full refund . |
2,230 | 06833b4bb5ca596e6575b07c61561f2df3ce294a | (CNN) -- It takes seven minutes to execute a death row inmate, according to the state of Texas. Mike Graczyk poses outside the Texas death chamber prior to an execution in January. At that rate, Mike Graczyk has spent about 40 hours of his life watching men -- and a few women -- die. Graczyk, a correspondent for The Associated Press, is believed to hold a macabre record. He's almost certainly watched more executions than anyone else in the United States. "I can't possibly imagine there's been someone present at more than Mike," said Michelle Lyons, the spokeswoman for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, which uses lethal injection at its execution chamber in Huntsville. Since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976, no state has executed more inmates than Texas. And no one has witnessed more of them than Graczyk. He's on the witness list for 315 of the state's 439 executions -- more than any other reporter, prison employee or chaplain -- and no records were kept for another 80. Interactive map: See how Texas compares with other states » . In his early days, he kept count. But he eventually stopped. He didn't want to know. "In one circle, I was perceived as putting notches on my gun belt," the 59-year-old reporter said. "I didn't like that." Prison regulations in Texas require The Associated Press to be given one of the five designated media witness passes for each execution. Graczyk works in the AP's Houston bureau -- it's closest to the state's execution chamber in Huntsville. Since the early 1980s, he's made the hourlong drive north almost every time an inmate has faced the needle. The first was March 13, 1984, for the execution of James "Cowboy" Autry, convicted of shooting a female store clerk between the eyes with a .38-caliber revolver while arguing over a six-pack of beer. She died, along with a former Catholic priest that Autry killed at the crime scene. "The first time definitely leaves an impression on you," Graczyk said. There are others that stand out along the way. Graczyk remembers Bob Black, convicted of killing his wife and trying to collect the insurance money. "I walked into the death house, and he was strapped to the table and he said, 'Hey Mike, how are you doing?' It threw me for a loop." Graczyk said it's normal for him to know the name of the condemned and not uncommon for the reverse to be true. There have been others who greeted Graczyk by name with a needle in their arm. Once, while waiting to be let into the death house, a prisoner phoned him in the media holding area. It was the inmate whose execution Graczyk was about to witness. "He said, 'I just wanted to call and make sure you were OK.' I was flabbergasted." Over the years, the inmate's name has slipped from Graczyk's memory, but not the unexpected phone conversation. "I don't think he had any family to call," he said. There was Ponchai Wilkerson, who once nearly escaped from death row and, years later, coughed up a handcuff key as he lay dying from his injection. There was the "Candy Man," Ronald Clark O'Bryan -- convicted of poisoning his child's Halloween candy with cyanide -- and the gauntlet of college students wearing Halloween masks who showed up to cheer. And Karla Faye Tucker, the first woman executed in Texas since the 1800s. He remembers a network correspondent crying after her death -- and another blow-drying his hair. Of the entire death chamber ritual, Graczyk said, it's the final statements that stick in his mind. Some have been confessions. Others were denials. Poetry. Prayers. Bible verses. Curses. Emotions ranging from defiance to resignation. There was Jonathan Nobles, an electrician who stabbed two people to death. He sang "Silent Night." "Ever since then, I think of him on Christmas or Christmas Eve when I'm in church," Graczyk said. "That's the kind of thing that haunts you." The person who may come closest to Graczyk's status also felt things that haunted him. Don Reid, a writer for the AP and, before that, a Texas newspaper, witnessed 189 executions in the 1960s, when Texas still strapped inmates to "Old Sparky," the nickname for the state's electric chair. The experience changed Reid, who died in 1981, from a supporter of the death penalty to an opponent. He wrote a book, "Have a Seat, Please," chronicling that transformation. Graczyk said he doesn't worry about the mental toll of watching so many deaths. His bosses with the AP have offered counseling. He's declined. "To see someone go to sleep -- not to sound insensitive -- but the carnage at the murder scene is harder than what you see in the death house in Huntsville," he said. Over a 25-year career, Graczyk said, the executions have only been a small portion of his work. He finds balance in those other stories. As a journalist, Graczyk never answers the question when friends ask his own views on the death penalty. "I'm not sure I really know," he said. But as long as Texas keeps executing people, Graczyk said, it's important that he keep showing up. The next execution in Huntsville was scheduled for Thursday before the condemned, convicted murderer Kenneth Mosley, was granted a reprieve until September. If the execution goes ahead then, Graczyk plans to make the drive. "I would hate for the state of Texas to take someone's life and no one be there," he said. CNN's Doug Gross contributed to this report. | Texas reporter has covered executions in Texas since the early 1980s .
Graczyk stopped counting, didn't want "notches on my gun belt"
Inmates waiting to die have greeted him by name, called to check up on him .
He says he doesn't worry about the mental toll and has declined counseling . |
38,974 | 6e1c248676f75ed059207eaeab8086267d5dd3c3 | Tucson, Arizona (CNN) -- Arizonans paid tribute Friday morning to the federal judge killed in the deadly shooting rampage last weekend in Tucson. U.S. District Judge John Roll was one of six people gunned down Saturday when he dropped by U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords' meet-and-greet in a supermarket parking lot. The funeral service for the revered 63-year-old jurist was held at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Tucson. Roll's service came a day after a memorial was held for Christina Green, 9, the youngest victim of the mass shooting. In addition to the six deaths, 13 others, including Giffords, were wounded in the gunfire. Arizona Sens. John McCain and Jon Kyl, both Republicans, said Friday they will introduce legislation to name a new federal courthouse in Yuma after Roll. The courthouse is about to be built, and Roll, as Arizona's chief federal judge, recently approved the plans for the building, according to Brooke Buchanan, an aide to McCain. President Barack Obama described Roll as "the hardest-working judge" within the 9th Circuit in a speech Wednesday night at a public memorial at the University of Arizona. McCain called Roll "a man of great qualities and character." He had recommended him for the federal bench 20 years ago. Chief Justice John Roberts said Roll was "a wise jurist who selflessly served Arizona and the nation with great distinction, as attorney and judge, for more than 35 years," McCain said. President George H.W. Bush appointed Roll, a Pennsylvania native, to the bench, and he rose to become the state's chief federal judge. Two years ago, he received death threats after ruling that a $32 million civil rights lawsuit filed by illegal immigrants against a rancher could proceed, a ruling that sparked outrage from radio talk-show hosts and others. Roll was placed under protection by federal marshals for several weeks. No one was charged in the case. The jurist also received criticism recently when he asked to delay bringing felons to trial in Tucson, citing a judicial emergency. He said in a November letter to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that the ever-increasing number of federal felony arrests had overwhelmed his court. Roll also had been assigned to hear a case on ethnic studies, according to the lead attorney in the case, Richard Martinez. The case, out of Tucson, involves a new law banning certain ethnic studies programs in public schools. Tucson resident Jared Lee Loughner, 22, is facing federal charges in Saturday's attack. Police said Loughner targeted Giffords and had complained about the lawmaker for years after apparently getting a response he didn't like to a question he asked her at a 2007 event. The shooting set off a political firestorm across the country, with some pundits saying that extreme partisan politics played a role in the mass killing. On Thursday, family, friends, classmates and hundreds of mourners filled St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Tucson for the funeral service for Christina Green, the 9-year-old. All of them passed under a giant American flag that was recovered in the aftermath of the terror attacks in New York on September 11, 2001 -- the day Christina was born. Dozens of other mourners paid their respects by standing outside the church, which was filled to capacity. Obama noted Wednesday that Christina was beginning to discover the political system -- something that she saw "through the eyes of a child." "I want us to live up to her expectations. I want our democracy to be as good as Christina imagined it. I want America to be as good as she imagined it," Obama said. "All of us -- we should do everything we can do to make sure this country lives up to our children's expectations." CNN's Ted Barrett contributed to this story. | NEW: U.S. senators propose naming a planned federal courthouse after Judge Roll .
Roll's funeral comes a day after the service for the youngest victim .
Roll was Arizona's chief federal judge .
Six people were killed in the Arizona shooting rampage . |
72,452 | cd65edf52f058e13603c371a1c91c6068845b213 | A former police chief from Pennsylvania who pleaded no contest to hindering a prosecution by having sex with the alleged victim may not learn his sentence for another seven years because of an unusual plea deal that was set in motion on Monday. Scott Township Police Chief James Romano's sentencing is now on hold because he is fighting to keep his pension and, if he is denied, will be able to withdraw his guilty plea, according to The Scranton Times-Tribune. Romano was arrested last year for allegedly having sex with a witness who was set to testify against a teacher accused of sleeping with a student. Romano pleaded no contest to one count of hindering prosecution, a misdemeanor, and also agreed to resign, ending his career as a police officer. All smiles: Former Scott Township Police Chief James Romano leaves the Lackawanna County Courthouse in Scranton on Monday after hearing he may not be sentenced for seven years . James 'Jim' Romano may not start serving his sentence for hindering prosecution until 2021 after making a play for his pension. Romano, pictured here with his daughter, is believed to be divorced . However, he still wants to claim his pension. Romano will not be told whether he will get his pension from the state his 50th birthday, which is seven years from now. Since entering his plea, two judges have agreed to hold off sentencing until the pension situation is clear. Lackawanna County President Judge Thomas . Munley agreed on Monday to hold off on sentencing Romano until attorneys know for . sure that he will receive his state pension after his 50th birthday. Romano's case therefore remains open and he remains on bail. He will either be able to keep his pension or he can withdraw his no contest plea. 'We have not hidden the fact that (the pension) has been the primary issue.,' said Romano’s attorney Frank Ruggiero. 'We wanted to preserve that pension for him because he had significant time as a law enforcement officer up to that point, the point that he was charged. 'It's unique, I think it's unique but I think this case is unique because of Romano's facts and, of course, the pension.' James Romano, who was accused of having a sexual relationship with a witness in a case he was investigating in 2013, pleaded no contest in November to a charge of hindering prosecution . Romano first pleaded no contest in November to a charge of hindering prosecution. The same month, special presiding Judge Harold Kane accepted an agreement that allowed Mr. Romano to withdraw his plea if he does not receive his pension, The Time-Tribune reported. Monday marked the fifth meeting to determine if and when Mr. Romano would be sentenced, Mr. Ruggiero said. During those meetings, Mr. Ruggiero and several lawyers from the attorney general's office debated whether that agreement had been reached. Both sides agreed that allowing Mr. Romano the option to withdraw his guilty plea if there is a problem with his pension years later is unprecedented. | Former Scott Township Police Chief James Romano pleaded no contest for hindering prosecution in November .
He was accused of having sex with a witness in a case he was investigation about a teacher sleeping with a student .
Romano resigned from the force but still wanted to claim his pension .
He will not found out whether he is eligible until he turns 50 in seven years .
On Monday a judge agreed to postpone his sentencing until the eligibility is clear .
If the pension is denied Romano may be allowed to withdraw his guilty plea . |
20,624 | 3a80f7edda270f55ad6593541cd26c61389727e0 | By . Jessica Satherley . Residents in Peoria, Arizona, are outraged after police shot dead a young mountain lion that appeared in a neighbors backyard. The skinny cat wandered up to the family's back door and stared through the glass with hungry eyes on Tuesday evening as they sat down for dinner. Rebekah Coleman's family were taken by surprise by the feline and she told ABC15.com: 'He showed no fear at all. I think he was ready to do whatever it took to find a meal.' Scroll down for video . Hungry eyes: The mountain lion wandered up to the back door of Rebekah Coleman's Arizona home while her family were eating dinner . 'He had big ears, saucer-sized paws and empty green eyes', she added. But after lingering around her door for a few minutes, the hungry mountain lion jumped over Coleman's eight-foot fence to her neighbors backyard. The Arizona Game and Fish Department and police were called by a local resident and AGFD gave permission for officers to shoot the animal if needed. When officers cornered the lone cat, it attempted to flee the area and Peoria police shot it dead. Several residents in the area did not think it was necessary for the cat to be killed and has prompted outrage in the neighborhood. Melora Nivienne wrote on Twitter: 'So tragic: A terrified young mountain lion was brutally gunned down,w/the consent of @azgfd.' Outrage: Allison tweeted that he was sad to hear about police shooting the mountain lion . Animal rights: Melora Nivienne thought the shooting of the mountain lion was tragic . Scared: Rebekah Coleman (pictured) said the animal 'showed no fear at all' Another Twitter user, Allison, posted: 'Sad to hear that Peoria police shot and killed a mountain lion. Of course it was aggressive - it was probably scared.' Randy Babb from the AGFD told ABC: 'When you have a cat out in daylight acting odd like this, that's a big red flag. 'They're the things we always look for in disease cases - to see if the animal is behaving oddly. 'Often times when you get an animal that strays into a neighborhood, we will capture it and remove it.' In this case they did not attempt to capture the animal and Mr Babb says the mountain lion might have had rabies. 'Some of these animals will not display rabies for over a year, even though they're carrying the disease.' Mr Babb says he supports the authorities decision to kill the animal and said it was a potential threat to residents. Residents say they've seen bobcats before in the area but not mountain lions. Supporting the kill: Arizona Game and Fish Department worker Randy Babb (pictured) says he thinks killing the animal was the right thing to do to protect locals . | Arizona Game and Fish Department gave Peoria Police permission to shoot the animal if needed .
Mountain lion was cornered by police and as it tried to escape, officials shot it dead .
Bobcats are spotted frequently in the area but mountain lions aren't . |
155,867 | 557ae35a7d615e324d949aa9818a0c5a32d14cd9 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . and Associated Press . PUBLISHED: . 14:36 EST, 28 January 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 15:08 EST, 28 January 2014 . Another state now has a bill to consider about bringing firing squads back as an option for prisoners on death row. Lawmakers in Missouri are the latest to debate the issue as they try to come up with a solution in response to the dwindling supplies of lethal injection drugs. The squads are not the only relics from a more gruesome past that are under consideration, as electrocutions and gas chambers have also been suggested. Most states abandoned those execution methods more than a generation ago in a bid to make capital punishment more palatable to the public and to a judicial system worried about inflicting cruel and unusual punishments that violate the Constitution. Modern day firing squad: This is the execution chamber at Utah State Prison where a firing squad lines up and kills the seated prisoner . But to some elected officials, the drug shortages and recent legal challenges are beginning to make lethal injection seem too vulnerable to complications. 'This isn't an attempt to time-warp back into the 1850s or the wild, wild West or anything like that,' said Missouri state Rep. Rick Brattin, who this month proposed making firing squads an option for executions. 'It's just that I foresee a problem, and I'm trying to come up with a solution that will be the most humane yet most economical for our state.' Brattin, a Republican, said questions about the injection drugs are sure to end up in court, delaying executions and forcing states to examine alternatives. It's not fair, he said, for relatives of murder victims to wait years, even decades, to see justice served while lawmakers and judges debate execution methods. Missouri's attorney general and a state lawmaker have raised the notion of rebuilding the state's gas chamber. Earlier this month, a Wyoming lawmaker offered a bill allowing the firing squad. What remains: Four of the bullet holes from the killing of Ronnie Lee Gardner on June 18, 2010 are seen in the wood of the Utah state prison's firing squad contraption . And a Virginia lawmaker wants to make electrocution an option if lethal-injection drugs aren't available. If adopted, those measures could return states to the more harrowing imagery of previous decades, when inmates were hanged, electrocuted or shot to death by marksmen. States began moving to lethal injection in the 1980s in the belief that powerful sedatives and heart-stopping drugs would replace the violent spectacles with a more clinical affair while limiting, if not eliminating, an inmate's pain. 'This isn't an attempt to time-warp back into the 1850s or the wild, wild West or anything like that,' said Missouri state Rep. Rick Brattin . The total number of U.S. executions has declined in recent years — from a peak of 98 in 1999 to 39 last year. Some states have turned away from the death penalty entirely. Many have cases tied up in court. And those that carry on with executions find them increasingly difficult to conduct because of the scarcity of drugs and doubts about how well they work. In recent years, European drug makers have stopped selling the lethal chemicals to prisons because they do not want their products used to kill. At least two recent executions are also raising concerns about the drugs' effectiveness. Last week, Ohio inmate Dennis McGuire took 26 minutes to die by injection, gasping repeatedly as he lay on a gurney with his mouth opening and closing. And on Jan.uary 9, Oklahoma inmate Michael Lee Wilson's final words were, 'I feel my whole body burning.' Missouri threw out its three-drug lethal injection procedure after it could no longer obtain the drugs. State officials altered the method in 2012 to use propofol, which was found in the system of pop star Michael Jackson after he died of an overdose in 2009. The anti-death penalty European Union threatened to impose export limits on propofol if it were used in an execution, jeopardizing the supply of a common anesthetic needed by hospitals across the nation. In October, Governor Jay Nixon stayed the execution of serial killer Joseph Paul Franklin and ordered the Missouri Department of Corrections to find a new drug. Days later, the state announced it had switched to a form of pentobarbital made by a compounding pharmacy. Like other states, Missouri has refused to divulge where the drug comes from or who makes it. Running into problems: A number of states have had problems securing the chemicals used in lethal injections so Burns said that he thought firing squads- like those used in Utah- were the next most humane option . Missouri has carried out two executions using pentobarbital — Franklin in November and Allen Nicklasson in December. Neither inmate showed outward signs of suffering, but the secrecy of the process resulted in a lawsuit and a legislative inquiry. Michael Campbell, assistant professor of criminal justice at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, said some lawmakers simply don't believe convicted murderers deserve any mercy. 'Many of these politicians are trying to tap into a more populist theme that those who do terrible things deserve to have terrible things happen to them,' Campbell said. Richard Dieter, executive director of the Death Penalty Information Center in Washington, D.C., cautioned that there could be a backlash. Reverting back: Bruce Burns, a Republican state senator in Wyoming, said that if the chemicals used in lethal injections are not available, the state should use firing squads . 'These ideas would jeopardize the death penalty because, I think, the public reaction would be revulsion, at least from many quarters,' Dieter said. Some states already provide alternatives to lethal injection. Condemned prisoners may choose the electric chair in eight states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. An inmate named Robert Gleason Jr. was the most recent to die by electrocution, in Virginia in January 2013. Arizona, Missouri and Wyoming allow for gas-chamber executions. Missouri no longer has a gas chamber, but Attorney General Chris Koster, a Democrat, and Missouri state Sen. Kurt Schaefer, a Republican, last year suggested possibility rebuilding one. So far, there is no bill to do so. Delaware, New Hampshire and Washington state still allow inmates to choose hanging. The last hanging in the U.S. was Billy Bailey in Delaware in 1996. Two prisoners in Washington state have chosen to be hanged since the 1990s — Westley Allan Dodd in 1993 and Charles Rodman Campbell in 1994. Firing squads typically consisting of five sharpshooters with rifles, one of which is loaded with a blank so the shooters do not know for sure who fired the fatal bullet. They have been used mostly for military executions. Since the end of the Civil War, there have been three civilian firing squad executions in the U.S., all in Utah. Gary Gilmore uttered his famous final words, 'Let's do it' on Jan. 18, 1977, before his execution, which ended what amounted to a 17-year national moratorium on the death penalty. Convicted killers John Albert Taylor in 1996 and Ronnie Lee Gardner in 2010 were also put to death by firing squad. Utah is phasing out its use, but the firing squad remains an option there for inmates sentenced prior to May 3, 2004. Oklahoma maintains the firing squad as an option, but only if lethal injection and electrocution are deemed unconstitutional. In Wyoming, Republican state senator Bruce Burns said death by firing squad would be far less expensive than building a gas chamber. Wyoming has only one inmate on death row, 68-year-old convicted killer Dale Wayne Eaton. The state has not executed anyone in 22 years. Jackson Miller, a Republican in the Virginia House of Delegates, is sponsoring a bill that would allow for electrocution if lethal injection drugs are not available. Miller said he would prefer that the state have easy access to the drugs needed for lethal injections. 'But I also believe that the process of the justice system needs to be fulfilled.' | Missouri state representative Rick Brattin has proposed the move to allow firing squads .
The state's attorney general already suggest rebuilding gas chambers .
A Wyoming state senator said firing squads would be less expensive .
Comes as many states are having problems getting the rare chemicals needed to perform lethal injections .
Utah has an operating firing squad room used to kill death row inmates . |
227,577 | b2a8e1bbaf102bacaff820ee5781f2d7711a430c | (CNN) -- It took 27 years, but Gary Lauder eventually came up with what he sees as the solution to the problem of unnecessary stop signs: a new kind of road sign that tells drivers at some kinds of intersections to "take turns." Nearly three decades ago, Lauder, then a college student, was driving at a three-way intersection when he got a ticket "for not coming to a full and complete stop despite the fact that it was clear that there was nothing to stop for -- other than the hidden police officer who was shooting fish in a barrel." Now 47, and a venture capitalist in Silicon Valley, Lauder said he mulled the matter over for years but didn't focus much effort on it until his proposal to speak about it was accepted for the TED2010 Conference in Long Beach, California. Lauder's idea, described in his 4½ minute talk at TED, is that the new sign could take the place of some stop signs and, in certain circumstances, avoid unnecessary stops, saving time, fuel and carbon emissions, while promoting smooth traffic flow. He estimated that one conventional stop sign on a particular road costs $112,000 a year in fuel and lost time -- and "turns otherwise honest citizens into lawbreakers." "If I had had more time for my talk," Lauder said. "I might have included the ideas behind this quotation: 'Useless laws weaken necessary laws.' -- Charles de Secondat, Baron de Montesquieu." Read more about Lauder on TED.com . Lauder is the managing partner of Lauder Partners LLC, which invests in information technology businesses. He is co-inventor of 10 patents, mostly in the field of interactive television, and, with his wife, Laura, he created the Aspen Institute's Socrates Society, which hosts roundtable discussions. He spoke to CNN Monday. Here is an edited transcript. CNN: Your day job is as a venture capitalist. How did you get involved in the whole issue of traffic? Gary Lauder: We drive, so it's hard to ignore that experience which we all share, and while driving, one's thoughts go to how this can be improved. In particular they were driven there by having received that traffic ticket...a long, long time ago. The whole issue of stop signs making you stop for no one in particular or no one at all, which is often the case, made me think: What is this trying to achieve? And is there not a better way that might make our driving more in sync with common sense and with what's best for the environment and for the driver? So many of these stop signs are there to deal with a possibility of someone coming to the sign. Since it's only a possibility, make it more of a conditional thing -- if there's a car there, then stop, if not, don't. That seems to be a more logical approach. It's just something no one's bothered to do because this hasn't bothered anybody enough to go do it. A crisis is a terrible thing to waste, and we currently have a high level of consciousness of energy and global warming and so forth that's motivating us to do a lot of things differently and better than in the past. It's somewhat analogous to the 1970s energy crisis. That is what caused the East Coast, except for New York City, to adopt right turn on red. Most of the East Coast did not allow right on red until then and my understanding [is] it was allowed for energy saving purposes ... this approach would cause substantial savings without trading off safety. CNN: One technique that's been suggested by urban planners is the roundabout. Lauder: Roundabouts are a wonderful technology that have been well established outside of our country and they're starting to appear more and more in America, but very, very slowly. They're kind of expensive to put in and they sometimes require eminent domain [condemnation] of land around where they're put in. So it's kind of a big deal to put in. Whereas the nice thing about the sign I'm proposing is that it's probably about $200 per location, to take down the old sign and put up a new one, which is obviously a drop in the bucket and could be implemented in a very short time once it was approved. CNN: Talk about the merits of the new sign and where you think they should be placed. Lauder: This is not meant for everywhere. Its best use is for where you have a high level of traffic on the major road and only a minor level of traffic coming in on the minor road ... all the cars all day long on the major road today have to stop for those phantom cars that aren't there. This is meant for situations where you have a three- or four-way intersection that has three- or four-way stop signs. So it's meant to be placed on the major roads, not the minor road. The minor road will still have a stop sign. CNN: In the ideal case, it would accomplish what? Lauder: The idea is it would enable cars to not have to stop if there's no one to stop for, and so not stopping saves gas, which means saving pollution and it saves time, and ... there are lots of law-abiding citizens who consistently break the letter of the law by not coming to a full and complete stop. It's really unfortunate to have laws that compel one to violate common sense and violate what's best for our atmosphere and respect for our wallets. ... This would help bring the law back into sync with common sense. CNN: Do you have a name for this sign? Lauder: I call it the "take turns" sign, which unfortunately suffers from a slight ambiguity because there are two meanings of the term "taking turns." You can take a turn at an intersection, which means turning right or left, or taking turns means alternating, but I can't think of a better way to express it in our language. CNN: And beyond giving the TED Talk about it, have you proposed this to any government? Lauder: Not yet. I have been looking into how to get this idea in circulation among people where this is their job, traffic engineers ... I am in the process of looking into how to bring this idea to them, but I have not yet figured out a good way. ... I thought this type of idea might best be initiated at a forum like TED. People who attend TED or watch it online are people who enjoy new ideas and would inherently be critical but receptive to things that would improve the world. CNN: What's the reaction been since the TED talk? Lauder: Well it's been remarkable how positively it's been received, mostly in the form of comments on the site, and people posting it and reposting it. And lots of Tweets. There are some negative comments and lots and lots of misunderstanding, but by and large it's been positive. Some of the people who commented on various Web sites noted that there have been signs that urged people to take turns, but those had been in merging situations where there are two lanes that are merging into one. And that's a completely different purpose. ... So the reaction has been very positive, and that encouragement has been important to me in wanting to help make the idea into a reality. For more information on Lauder's idea, click here . | Stop signs on certain roads serve little purpose, says Gary Lauder .
He says a new "take turns" sign would be ideal for main roads that intersect with minor roads .
Lauder says the new sign would save money, fuel and time .
He says some stop signs turn otherwise honest citizens into lawbreakers . |
65,907 | bb158af2e1a268f237387c53b7e122b475927750 | By . Leesa Smith . A Hindu man was gobsmacked to find out that his favourite Golden Circle juice contains traces of meat and alcohol. Sonjoy Chakraborty, from Melbourne, discovered the shocking revelation when he decided to write to Heinz Australia after he heard that such ingredients could be found in some fruit drinks. The company replied saying that the Golden Circle long-life range was made using a clarifying agent derived from beef and that alcohol-based flavours were used across the drinks range. ‘This is wrong and unethical,’ Mr Chakraborty told GoodFood. ‘We are Hindu, beef is prohibited, alcohol is prohibited. But also I don’t want to give anything that contains alcohol to my kids.’ The clear apple juice used in the Golden Circle long life juice and drink range is made clear using a variety of clarifying agents one of which is from a beef source . Sonjoy Chakraborty was disgusted to discover traces of beef could be found in Golden Circle juice as being a Hindu his religion prohibits him to eat it . Heinz responded confirming none of the ambient Golden Circle juice range was halal suitable as they are made using either non-halal clarifying agents or contain alcohol based flavours and encouraged consumers to ‘carefully’ read the ingredients on the packaging. However the Golden Circle apple juice is labelling as containing no added preservatives and makes no mention of beef or alcohol. Mr Chakraborty replied calling on the company to come clean and explain to consumers why the ingredients were not listed on packaging. ‘In the ingredients section it says ‘all natural’,’ he said. ‘I don't think beef traces or alcohol [can] be treated as natural ingredients.’ A beef-derived gelatine was generally used to remove the ‘cloudiness’ in its apple juice, Heinz said in a statement to Fairfax Media . Spokeswoman Carolyn Fox said juice was filtered during the manufacturing process, and the final product did not contain gelatine. Heinz said 'very small amounts of alcohol' were combined with concentrated flavours for them to remain 'stable, clean and crisp' Heinz said the products met regulatory standards therefore there was no requirement to declare the processing aids, or components of flavours on the list of ingredients . Ms Fox said ‘very small amounts of alcohol’ were combined with concentrated flavours for them to remain ‘stable, clean and crisp’. ‘Alcohol has the functional purpose of allowing the flavour to disperse more readily in liquids,’ she said. ‘It evaporates from the juice during the pasteurisation process when heat is applied and if any remains in juices afterwards, it is so small that it is below detectable levels.’ She also stated that the products met regulatory standards therefore there was no requirement to declare the processing aids, or components of flavours on the list of ingredients. | A Hindu man was gobsmacked to find out Golden Circle juice contains traces of meat and alcohol .
Golden Circle long-life range is made using clarifying agent derived from beef .
Alcohol-based flavours are used across the drinks range .
Heinz said products met regulatory standard therefore there was no requirement to declare it on the list of ingredients . |
108,809 | 184cc90a87ea441a1dd94c5be90ba28c3cde6555 | By . Mark Duell . PUBLISHED: . 15:22 EST, 4 February 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 01:30 EST, 5 February 2014 . Storms could bring travel chaos to Britain later this week, with restrictions already placed on some parts of the railway network. The Met Office has issued a severe weather warning for gales and heavy rain, saying that gusts of up to 80mph were possible tonight and tomorrow. First Great Western said train services between Exeter St Davids and Penzance had been suspended due to deteriorating conditions in the South West. And Southeastern warned rail passengers in south-east England that high winds and heavy rain could lead to floods, landslips and falling trees. A 40mph speed restriction has been put in place across part of the network from 11pm tonight until tomorrow evening. Throne: Villagers contructed a make-shift throne for Prince Charles onboard a tractor trailer so he could visit the worst parts of the flood-hit village of Muchelney today . All white: A dusting of snow fell on high land in Epynt Range, Mid Wales, last night and early this morning, with strong winds making for a very cold wind-chill . Sheep may safely graze: Speckled Face ewes wait for the farmer to feed them after a dusting of snow fell on high land in Epynt Range, Mid Wales . Network Rail said speed restrictions are in place on the coastal route between Havant in Hampshire and Hastings in East Sussex. It is likely that further restrictions will be put in place on the route between London Waterloo and the south coast, a spokesman said. It comes as London Underground workers launched a 48-hour strike tonight in a row over ticket office closures, causing travel chaos in the capital. Thousands of union members walked out at 9pm, and again at the same time next week, leading to disruption to Tube services until Friday morning. Winds of up to 80mph could hit some southern and western coastal areas - and Britain can expect a series of Atlantic depressions over the week. Meanwhile, Western Power Distibution said that 6,000 homes were without power in South-West. Forecast: The Met Office has issued a severe weather warning for gales and heavy rain, saying that gusts of up to 80mph were possible tonight and tomorrow . On the lookout: The Environment Agency has issued 198 flood alerts, mostly in the South East, the South West and the Midlands - as well as 68 flood warnings . A Met Office spokesman said: ‘Heavy rain and gales sweeping in from the west later on Tuesday and for Wednesday brings the risk of further flooding. '(There will be) possible disruption to transport and power supplies. Southern England is also at risk for further heavy rain on Thursday night. 'However, there is some uncertainty about whether this area of low pressure will reach our shores. It may stay to the south of us.' The Environment Agency has issued 198 flood alerts, mostly in the South East, the South West and the Midlands - as well as 68 flood warnings. The EA said widespread rain could cause river and surface water flooding in the South and West as well as parts of the Midlands. Strong winds and large waves will increase the risk of coastal flooding along the South West and southern coasts tonight and into tomorrow, it added. It said severe flood warnings, which mean there is danger to life, are likely to be issued along the Dorset coastline for the high tide tomorrow morning. Rebuilding project: Damage to the promenade and seafront at Towan beach in Newquay, Cornwall, following the recent Atlantic storms . Destruction: Another view of damage to the promenade and seafront in Newquay, Cornwall, from the recent Atlantic storms . Beautiful reflection: A picture-postcard view of Alfriston in East Sussex - a village that has been surrounded by water since Christmas following relentless rain . The flood misery could continue for . people isolated on the Somerset Levels as forecasters have predicted . more rain for the region. Meanwhile coastguards have warned people to be particularly careful in coastal areas. ‘Rough . seas and extreme weather might look exciting, but getting too close can . be risky,’ said the RNLI's coastal safety staff officer Will Stephens. ‘So respect the water and, in particular, avoid exposed places where big waves could sweep you off your feet.’ Meanwhile, the Prince of Wales has said the ‘tragedy’ on the flood-hit Somerset Levels is that ‘nothing happened for so long’. Charles . made the remarks as he met local farmers, flood victims and emergency . services personnel who have been affected by the on-going disaster. Flooding: The Prince of Wales arrives by boat in Muchelney, Somerset, where he visited the flood-hit community to see the damage caused . Parked: London Underground workers launched a 48-hour strike tonight in a row over ticket office closures, causing travel chaos in the capital (file picture) Online notice: Southeastern warned rail passengers in south-east England that high winds and heavy rain could lead to floods, landslips and falling trees . He pledged a £50,000 donation to support flood victims, with the Duke of Westminster matching the funding with an additional £50,000. Charles's comments came amid growing anger over a perceived lack of Government action to help flood-hit areas on the Levels. Residents have begged the EA to start dredging, with many complaining they are living in ‘third world’ conditions with ‘overflowing’ septic tanks. ‘There's nothing like a jolly good disaster to get people to start doing something,’ the prince said. ‘The tragedy is that nothing happened for so long.’ The Somerset Levels suffered ‘once in 100 years’ flooding in July 2012, but has endured even worse conditions from December 2013. More than 128,000 acres have been deluged - at a huge cost to local farmers - with around 40 homes under water and 200 more cut off. | Met Office issues severe warning for gales and heavy rain, with 80mph guests possible tonight and tomorrow .
Southeastern tells rail passengers that high winds and heavy rain could see floods, landslips and falling trees .
40mph speed restriction put in place across part of train network from 11pm tonight until tomorrow evening .
First Great Western says services between Exeter and Penzance are suspended due to deteriorating conditions .
Environment Agency issues 198 flood alerts, mostly in South East, South West and Midlands - and 68 warnings .
Storms have also left 6,000 homes without power in the South West, according to Western Power Distribution . |
126,124 | 2f052d712a2938ccb84b5468931bb17b65e53239 | By . James Tozer . PUBLISHED: . 12:42 EST, 31 August 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 13:49 EST, 31 August 2012 . It is regarded as the single finest car built by Aston Martin in the famous firm's 99-year history. So it is little wonder that this spectacular model - winner of the 1959 Le Mans 24-hour race - is set to become the most expensive British car ever. Built in 1957, the immaculate Aston Martin DBR1/2 went on sale yesterday for a staggering £20million. Iconic: This classic Aston Martin regarded as one of the finest cars of all time, has been put up for sale for a British record £20million . Racing engine: The 1957 sports car, which has been raced its entire life and meticulously maintained, has now come onto the market for the first time in years . The green two-seater is the company's most successful racing car ever, dominating motorsport in the late-1950s and the only Aston Martin to take the chequered flag at Le Mans. Yesterday an expert on the marque who saw its triumph over 50 years ago said it was 'a joy' to see its current state and that the massive price tag was no surprise. If a buyer can meet the asking price, it will be four times the previous record for the public sale of a British car, an iconic 1929 Bentley which fetched £5million at auction in June. The Aston Martin is being sold by Ascot-based Ferrari specialists Talacrest, who also handled the purchase by the present owner - who has not been named - 20 years ago. Champagne moment: Stirling Moss at Le Mans 1959 with the iconic Aston Martin, with his team Roy Salvadori, David Brown and Carroll Shelby . Founder John Collins described it as 'the holy grail of motoring' and 'the most recognisable and valuable Aston Martin in history'. 'I would say it is one of the top five cars in the world, and models of this calibre and undisputed provenance are rarely available on the open market,' he added. 'It is road registered so you can just jump in it and drive it to the local shops. 'It is one of the most successful and instantly recognisable historic racing cars in the world today and has undisputed provenance and is ready to race.' Asking price: If a buyer can meet the £20m valuation it will be four times the previous record for the public sale of a British car, an iconic 1929 Bentley which fetched £5million at auction . Spectacular: Despite its age Aston Martin historian Brian Joscelyne said 'It handles so well and can slide around corners in spectacular fashion' Success: Victories at Le Mans and Goodwood in the late 1950s makes this car one of the most iconic in motor sports . Designated DBR1/2 as it was the second of four DBR1s to be completed, its honours also include victory in the 1957 Spa 1,000 km race. The DBR1/2 is the single most successful racing car ever built by Aston Martin. After its victorious debut at the 1957 Spa 1000 km race, it scored five more victories. Most important of all was the win in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1959 in the hands of Roy Salvadori and Carroll Shelby. This high point in Aston's history came in 1959 but there was also a big victory in what was one of Sir Stirling Moss's greatest races in the Goodwood Tourist Trophy. The model is called the Aston Martin DBR1 and the /2 denotes the second of four factory models. A fifth DBR1 was built for a private handler.DBR stands for David Brown Racing, with David Brown the businessman who owned Aston Martin. Sir Stirling Moss was driving it when he won the RAC Tourist Trophy at Goodwood in 1958 and 1959. But its 1959 Le Mans triumph with Carroll Shelby and Roy Salvadori behind the wheel was its finest moment, reaching speeds in excess of 160mph. In recent years it has continued to be raced regularly, while being meticulously maintained. Aston Martin historian Brian Joscelyne, who was watching from the pit lane, said yesterday: 'It is a joy whenever I see the car because it means so much to me. 'The Aston Martins ended up coming first and second and at last, after all their hard work, Aston Martin had finally got there and won Le Mans. It was a very emotional moment for everyone. 'They were so far ahead of the next Ferrari that they could have pulled over, had a wash and a meal and still comfortably beaten won.' And he added: 'The car has been very well looked after and has had very good owners. 'It handles so well and with the right drivers can slide around corners in spectacular fashion. 'This is the model to have, it is an astonishing all-round car.' The most expensive car ever sold is thought to be a Ferrari 250GTO also driven by Sir Stirling which fetched $35million (£22million) earlier this year. Domination: During its period of success it dominated the Ferraris and Jaguars of its day and is the only Aston Martin to ever win Le Mans . Retired: Upon winning the 1959 championship, David Brown announced Aston Martin's withdrawal from the Sportscar Championship . Pricey: The £20m price tag will make it one of the most expensive cars of all time . | The iconic DBR1/2 won the 1959 Le Mans 24-hour race and was driven to victory at Goodwood by Moss .
If it meets valuation the sports car will be the most expensive in British history .
It's price is four times the sum for current British record and just under world record price for a Ferrari . |
227,752 | b2e7b4ad29e1d798de81576796e5e8197afa6b84 | (CNN) -- A former Massachusetts state chemist accused of misconduct in thousands of criminal cases was arraigned in two different courts Wednesday on additional charges relating to her alleged false claims about holding a master's degree in chemistry. In the morning, Annie Dookhan, 34, of Franklin, Massachusetts, pleaded not guilty to three counts of obstruction of justice in Middlesex Superior Court in Woburn, Massachusetts. Her next court date there is February 8 for a pre-trial conference. In the afternoon, she again pleaded not guilty to two counts of obstruction of justice in Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Massachusetts. She was released on her personal recognizance and is scheduled for another pre-trial conference there in February. Read more: Chemist in Massachusetts drug sample case lied about degree . In December, Dookhan was indicted in Suffolk County in Boston on charges relating to alleged mishandling of evidence and obstruction. Massachusetts authorities are reviewing the sentences of 1,140 people who are in prison after being convicted with evidence at least partly provided by Dookhan. She is facing charges in several counties in Massachusetts because she had previously testified in various trials in her former official capacity as a chemist. In October, police arrested the former chemist on accusations that she had lied about drug evidence she handled while working at a state police lab and pretended to hold a master's degree in chemistry from the University of Massachusetts. She allegedly "lied about the integrity of drug evidence that she analyzed," the attorney general said in a statement last year. The former chemist has admitted to wrongdoing during her nine-year employment with the Department of Public Health. Read more: Chemist pleads not guilty to lying about evidence as review of cases goes on . A preliminary investigation looked into every case Dookhan may have touched from 2003 until she left last March, and it is possible she touched 60,000 samples that were involved in 34,000 drug cases. "There will be designated court sessions in each county to hear the cases," Chief Justice Robert Mulligan said last October in a statement. "The Trial Court is fully cooperating with the prosecutors and defense counsel who are responding to these issues." State police were tipped off last July by Dookhan's co-workers at the William A. Hinton State Laboratory in Jamaica Plain who alleged her work might be unreliable. At the time, state police were taking over what had previously been a Department of Public Health drug laboratory, which certified random drug tests for the police departments in Norfolk, Suffolk, Middlesex and Bristol Counties, as well as for Cape Cod and the nearby islands. During the takeover, authorities learned from employees how they were afraid to verify the work of Dookhan, said a spokesman for the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security. Dookhan worked as a chemist in the Hinton State Lab's drug analysis unit -- which tested drug evidence submitted by law enforcement agencies across the state -- from 2003 until last March, when she resigned, according to a statement last month by Massachusetts attorney general's office. She was promoted from chemist I to chemist II in 2005. Her work was "consistently the highest in the lab among her co-workers" until June 2011, when an evidence officer discovered that 90 samples of drugs had been improperly "scanned out of the drug safe" and that Dookhan's name appeared on the control card as the primary chemist, the attorney general's office said. "The next day, when Dookhan was confronted with the log book, the initials of Gloria Philips had suddenly appeared in the book," the attorney general's statement said. Phillips was an evidence officer, according to the statement. Dookhan denied writing the initials at first, but she "later confessed to investigators" that she forged them "to cover up her misconduct," the statement said. Last July, Massachusetts State Police investigators interviewed lab employees. On August 28, Dookhan "admitted to 'dry labbing' some of the samples," the statement said. "Dry labbing" is the practice of merely visually identifying samples instead of performing the required chemical test, the attorney general said. "It was discovered that Dookhan would assemble multiple drug samples from different cases that appeared to be the same substance. She would then perform the chemical tests on a few of the samples to verify that the samples were in fact the drug she believed they were, and if those were positive, would assume all the samples were positive without performing the necessary chemical tests," the attorney general said. Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick ordered the lab to be shut down on August 30. | Former chemist, 34, faces new charges about alleged lying about master's degree .
She pleads not guilty to obstruction charges in two courtrooms Wednesday .
Last month, she was indicted in a third court, in Boston, for alleged misconduct .
It's possible she touched 60,000 samples involved in 34,000 drug cases . |
12,789 | 24420a4c6e0893cbdd53232f97f5d2a72a97be57 | (CNN) -- The PlayStation Vita is extending its reach into video and voice calling with the release of a Skype app for the mobile gaming device. The free app is expected to be available through the PlayStation store Tuesday in North America and Wednesday in Europe and Asia. It will work for both the Vita's 3G and Wi-Fi only models. The Skype app will use the Vita's front and rear cameras for video calling. The app will also run in "background mode," so users can pause a game, and then take a call. There is no functionality at this time to continue playing a game while taking a call. Since it runs in "background mode," Skype will also alert users to calls when the Vita is in sleep mode. No word yet on how it will affect the device's five to six hours of battery time. On the Skype blog, legendary gamer Fatal1ty (Johnathan Wendel) shows off the features of the new app. The PS Vita already has voice chat and text chat through its built-in Party application. However, developer Shuhei Yoshida, president of SCE Worldwide Studios, told CNN in February that there were restrictions to that voice chat by broadband providers (only one person can be on a 3G connection). "The Vita isn't a phone," he said. It appears that the Skype app may be trying to change that. Do gamers really want to be bothered during a "Unit 13" gun battle by a call from a friend? Or is this a partial admission by Sony that a dedicated games-only device may not be what users want? | Skype will be available through the PlayStation store Tuesday in North America .
The Skype app will use the Vita's front and rear cameras for video calling .
PS Vita already has voice chat and text chat through its built-in Party application . |
30,464 | 56998653c7c26dd12e95f0175634d7b52e5dd69b | By . Sunni Upal . Follow @@RSUpal . The draw for the play-off round takes place on Friday. Follow it LIVE with MailOnline Sport. Arsenal could face a tricky Champions League qualifier against the likes of Athletic Bilbao, Lille, Besiktas or Panathanaikos when the draw for the play-off round is made on Friday. Arsene Wenger's side will be one of the seeded teams in the draw along with Porto, Napoli and Bayer Leverkusen, but the unseeded teams could include a number of dangerous teams. Along with the four teams mentioned above, Athletic Bilbao will also enter the competition at the play-off round stage, but they may not be seeded if Zenit win their third-qualifying round tie against Limassol as the Russian team have a higher coefficient than the Spaniards. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Alexis Sanchez: I have joined Arsenal to win titles . Task: Arsenal must come through a two-legged qualifier in order to reach the Champions League group stage . Familiar: Santi Cazorla (left) and Nacho Monreal (right) could face Spanish opposition in the form of Bilbao . Athletic Bilbao (ESP) 54.542 - (if unseeded) Lille (FRA) 45.300 . FC Copenhagen (DEN) 45.260 . Standard Liege (BEL) 38.260 . Besiktaş (TUR) 32.840 . Dnipro (UKR) 32.193 . Panathinaikos (GRE) 30.220 . Feyenoord (HOL) 13.362 . Grasshoppers (SUI) 9.645 . AEL Limassol (CYP) 7.650 . But Andre Villas-Boas' Zenit team are the only side currently playing in the third qualifying round who can dislodge Bilbao from one of the seeded positions, meaning the likes of Lille, Besiktas and Panathanaikos will be unseeded should they qualify. The second legs of the third-qualifying round ties take place this Tuesday and Wednesday, August 5 and 6. The draw for the qualifying stages is divided into two sections - the league route and the champions route. The champions route features all the teams who won their respective domestic league last season such as Celtic, Sparta Prague and Steaua Bucharest. Tricky: Both Feyenoord and Besiktas, pictured in third qualifying round action, could face Arsenal . In limbo: Bilbao may be dislodged from a seeded spot should Zenit win their third-qualifying round tie . Sun 10 - Man City (N), Community Shield . Sat 16 - Crystal Palace (h) , Premier League . Tue 19/Wed 20 - Champions League play-off . Sat 23 - Everton (a), Premier League . Tue 26/Wed 27 - Champions League play-off . Sun 31 - Leicester (a), Premier League . The league route, meanwhile, is made up of teams who finished who did not win their league, which includes Arsenal, who finished fourth in the Premier League, Napoli, who finished third in Serie A, and Bilbao, who came fourth in La Liga. The first leg of Arsenal's qualifier will take place on August 19/20, after their opening Premier League game against Crystal Palace, with the second leg the week after. Sandwiched in between is a tough trip to Goodison Park against Roberto Martinez's Everton side on August 23. Arsenal were beaten 1-0 by Monaco on Sunday in the Emirates Cup having put five past Benfica the day before. Defeat: Arsenal lost 1-0 to Monaco on Sunday in the Emirates Cup with Radamel Falcao scoring the only goal . The Gunners take on Manchester City at Wembley this Sunday, August 10 in the Community Shield - the traditional curtain raiser for the season. Last season's Premier League top three of City, Liverpool and Chelsea are already certain of their place in the group stage. AEL Limassol 1-0 Zenit St. Petersburg . Dnipro 0-0 FC Copenhagen . Feyenoord 1-2 Besiktas . Grasshoppers 0-2 Lille . Standard Liege 0-0 Panathanaikos . (Second legs to be played on August 5 and 6) | Arsene Wenger's side will be seeded for draw which takes place on Friday .
Seeded pot will also include Porto, Napoli, Bayer Leverkusen and either Zenit or Athletic Bilbao .
Bilbao already in play-off round, but they could be knocked out of seeded pot by Zenit, who have a higher coefficient .
Celtic not a possible opponent for Arsenal should they beat Legia Warsaw .
Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea already into group stage . |
101,956 | 0f66d286c2d5c7080ce4923f6c41b6927e5ad3d2 | By . Chris Parsons and Peter Allen . PUBLISHED: . 09:43 EST, 5 April 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 04:19 EST, 6 April 2012 . French First Lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy has revealed she dons disguises so she can travel around Paris without being recognised. The wife of Nicolas Sarkozy admitted to occasionally wearing a wig so can use the Metro in the French capital without being spotted. Mrs Bruni-Sarkozy, speaking to a French political publication, also compared herself to Lady Gaga while discussing her image within the media. Born this way: French First Lady Carla Bruni said that in terms of her media image, she is like Lady Gaga . In one of her more bizarre interviews as she tried to boost Mr Sarkozy's re-election hopes, Mrs Bruni-Sarkozy, 44, said that she is often in disguise 'literally as well as figuratively'. Asked if she considered being the First Lady a difficult job, she said: 'Not really. I've been, since the age of 20, well separated from my public image. 'It's greatly helped me that I've been a model and then a singer. If I hadn't had the experience of media exposure, that would have been harder. 'Notoriety does not weight heavily on me, and then I disguise myself literally as well as figuratively. 'With a wig, nobody recognises me on the Metro. Recently, my bag was still searched on a visit to the Marine Museum.' Mrs Bruni-Sarkozy went on to discuss her apparent transformation into a loyal political wife along the lines of the late French First Lady, Claude Pompidou. Incognito: Mrs Bruni-Sarkozy said she often dons a wig as a disguise so she can freely use the Paris Metro (file picture) But she added that with her media profile, she has a very different public image. She added: 'I loved Mrs. Pompidou and I do not see that it is ridiculous to devote yourself to good works. 'Other than that, next to Mrs.Pompidou, with my experience with the media, I am Lady Gaga!' Asked directly if she deliberately played the 'ravishing idiot', Carla relied : 'I don't play anything, but I know my limits, and that's not exactly the sign of an idiot. 'Certain subjects like economics are beyond me, I won't pretend otherwise.' | French First Lady also compares herself to Lady Gaga due to her media profile . |
62,220 | b0c58280428289a0a9f97c9aabe59b53cd746659 | A mum who was persuaded to try for 'one last child' by her husband was stunned when she beat odds of two million to one - to have naturally conceived identical triplets. Melanie Thornton, 33, thought her family was complete with daughter Tia, 13, when her partner Martin, 27, talked her into trying for another child. A scan at five weeks confirmed one little 'sack' but she was astonished when medics later revealed she was expecting three identical triplet girls. Scroll down for video . New arrivals: Melanie pictured in hospital with Boe, Mika and Hope after giving birth in August last year . Melanie says Boe, Mika and Hope are happiest when they are closer together and don't like being apart . Boe, Mika and Hope were born healthy and mum Melanie has had to make some serious changes to cope with her new super-sized family. Melanie, a sales manager from Paignton, Devon, said her living room 'resembles Mothercare' with the couple bulk buying in almost 100 litres of baby formula a month for the growing babies. She has even arranged special rubbish collections to deal with more than 250 dirty nappies a week, as well as ordering a special £2,000 bumper pram for three. The Thorntons have also had to sell their Peugeot car - trading it in for a £5,000 second-hand VW Transporter. Melanie also estimates her electricity bills have doubled since the twins have been born. But the proud mum insists the mountains of dirty babygrows and endless feeds are all worth it for the adorable trio, who are happiest snuggled up together holding hands. Melanie fell pregnant with the triplets, pictured above, after being persuaded by her husband Martin to try for a second child. She said she 'thought it was a joke' when told she was expecting three babies . Melanie's 12-week scan revealed she was expecting triplets - after the previous scan had showed one 'sack' The proud mum-of-four said: 'Before the scan I had been saying something felt really different this time round. 'I said a few times "I'm sure there's more than one" but I never said anything about triplets. 'I just burst out laughing and asked "where are the cameras?" I thought it must have been a joke, a set up. 'When they were finally born it was so nice to finally see them - I didn't know who to go to first, who to touch or who to talk to first. 'Now we've got them home everyone keeps offering to come round to help me because I have three, but they are great - they all slept through the night last night. 'If I split them up though they do start to cry - the closer together they are the better.' The couple started trying for a baby early last year and found out on Valentine's Day that Melanie was expecting. Melanie said: 'I really disliked being pregnant the first time so I thought that was that, but a couple of years ago my husband said he wanted to have another baby. 'He managed to talk me into it and I had my implant removed and we were pregnant after about four months.' Mother-of-four Melanie has had to buy extra equipment for the triplets - including a three-way pram . Bulk-buys 100 litres of baby formula a month . Had to arrange a special rubbish collection for the 250 dirty nappies . Does up to 20 washing machine loads a week . Electricity bills have doubled . The special £2,000 three-baby pram had to be imported from Poland . They all currently sleep in one cot-bed together, but they have bought two more £50 second-hand beds for when they grow too big to share, along with three £80 mattresses . The family used to have a Peugeot car, but traded it in for a £5,000 second hand VW Transporter van - with extra seats added . Mother's instinct told Melanie she might be carrying more than one baby, but a private scan at five weeks reassured her, after it appeared to show a single embryo. But when they went for the 12-week scan at Torbay Hospital, medics - who thought the couple must have had IVF - told the shocked pair they were expecting three. Melanie said: 'I kept having a recurring dream where the sonographer said to me "Have you had IVF? Have you got a history of twins in your family?" 'So when we went for the 12-week scan and he said we were having triplets I thought it was a joke.' Doctors warned the family of the dangers of multiple births and for the whole pregnancy they said the smallest baby - named Hope - was unlikely to survive. 'It was stressful,' recalled Melanie. 'We'd have to go for scans every two weeks, and they would constantly warn us of the death and mortality rates for triplets. Happy Christmas! The triplets pictured dressed as Santa's Elves were all home in time for the festive season . 'They said Hope wasn't going to make it to birth. Every day onwards from then I was almost waiting for her to die. 'I was depressed for about a week and then I realised that while I was doing that she was just kicking harder and harder. I could tell where each one was. 'I thought, you know what, if she's not going to give up, then I wasn't either. The adorable trio were born at 32 weeks and four days on August 25, via caesarean section at Torbay Hospital. Boe arrived first at 2.37am weighing 3lbs and 3oz, Mika was a minute later weighing 3lbs and 1oz and Hope arrived last at 2.39am weighing just 2lbs and 13oz. After five weeks, everyone except Hope was allowed to go home, and she joined them on October 16 - her due date - after an operation to remove fluid around her brain. 'I'd looked up pictures of premature babies before so I expected them to look a bit weird, but they weren't they were perfectly formed tiny little babies,' Melanie said. 'It was amazing. My babies took up the whole room. 'It was so reassuring to see how perfect they were and they didn't need any help or anything with breathing - just a little tube for food.' Now aged 20 weeks, the siblings have already formed a close bond. 'They are such content and happy little babies,' Melanie said. 'They love to cuddle. They put their arms around each other and love to hold hands. Their favourite way to be is with Mika in the middle, and she holds both hands. 'My living room does look like Mothercare and the washing machine is constantly on. 'When I'm feeding and burping them it is a lot of balancing, and juggling and holding bottles, but of course it is worth it. 'I can't really remember life when my family was half the size.' | Melanie Thornton talked into trying for another child by husband Martin .
33-year-old mum of one was told at five-week scan she was expecting one .
Told smallest baby - Hope - was unlikely to survive .
But Boe, Mika and Hope were delivered safely last year .
Says her living room now 'resembles Mothercare'
Goes through 100 litres of baby formula a month and 250 nappies a week . |
207,938 | 99375768d97ce0f01569736fb7f66e5dd2a1e9ab | A footballer was left with a horrific injury after his chin was ripped apart by a 'bladed' stud on an opponent's boot. Gary Fawcett, 30, was attempting to stand up after a tackle when another player 'ran over' his face. He suffered a 6cm-long gash which cut down to his jaw bone and needed 13 internal and 17 external stitches. WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT . Gary Fawcett was left needing 13 internal and 17 external stitches after his face was ripped open by a bladed football boot during a match . The 30-year-old was playing for Garstang FC, against Eagley in Bolton, Greater Manchester, in the amateur West Lancashire Football League when the incident happened . Mr Fawcett, an agricultural fitter, said: 'The blade caught me on the chin and just sliced down. 'It wasn't too painful at the time. When you're playing football, your blood is pumping and the adrenaline is going. 'I ran into the changing room straight away though - I knew something was up. My friend drove me back to Preston so I could be closer to home. 'In the car it really started hurting. Blood was pouring out. We had a gauze from the medical kit which I was using to hold it together.' The incident happened last Saturday as Mr Fawcett captained his team, Garstang FC, against Eagley in Bolton, Greater Manchester, in the amateur West Lancashire Football League. Mr Fawcett, of Preston, Lancashire, had scored a goal and assisted another when he was struck down 40 minutes into the match. The player did not realise the seriousness of the injury at first and held the gash together with an instrument from a first aid kit, but he was later taken to hospital . Mr Fawcett (back row, third from right) says the incident wasn't malicious and he does not blame his opponent . Mr Fawcett (pictured before the injury) now faces an 18-month wait to find out if he will he scarred for life . He says he does not blame the opponent as insists the injury was accidental and not caused maliciously. After being taken off the pitch he was rushed to Royal Preston Hospital, where he needed three injections in both the top and bottom of the cut before the stitches. 'The stitches took a good two hours,' he said. 'I wanted him [the surgeon] to take his time. He's done a really good job but it was taking so long that the anaesthesia was starting to wear off. 'My girlfriend had joined me at the hospital but she couldn't watch the stitches. It was quite horrible.' Mr Fawcett now faces an 18-month wait to find out if he will be permanently scarred. His team went on to draw 3-3. Bladed studs were the brainchild of ex-Liverpool player Craig Johnston, who called then 'Traxion' soles and said they allowed players to run faster. He convinced sports firm Adidas to take up the idea, which they incorporated into their iconic 'Predator' boots, which sold by the thousands after their launch in 1994. The boots were promoted by footballers David Beckham and Zinedine Zidane and rugby player Jonny Wilkinson, making them hugely popular amongst youngsters. Alex Ferguson (left) called for the boots to be banned before they caused two injuries to Wayne Rooney (right), one of which required him to wear a headband to protect a gash in his forehead . Rooney was left with a huge gash in his leg after Fulham's Hugo Rodallega tackled him in 2013 . But Johnston later warned football boot firms that the blades were becoming 'lethal weapons' due to their development using different materials. His fears have since been proved right with a series of injuries. In 2001, Sunderland youth team goalkeeper Craig Turns needed 33 stitches after a bladed boot sliced open his face and, the following year, Burnley striker Andy Payton was forced to retired after needing 38 stitches in his leg. After then-Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane broke his foot in 2005, the team's then-manager Alex Ferguson called for blades to be banned. The most famous injury said to have been caused by the studs came in 2012, when Wayne Rooney needed 10 stitches after being caught by Fulham's Hugo Rodallega. The same player then needed stitches in his head last year after receiving a cut to the forehead in training. Bladed boots were championed by, among others, David Beckham but following a spate of injuries have since faced claims they are dangerous . | WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT .
Player in amateur league left with part of chin hanging off after incident .
He collided with opponent as he attempted to stand up after a tackle .
The 30-year-old didn't realise the seriousness of the injury at first .
But he later needed 30 stitches to the 6cm-long gash on his face .
Follows series of controversies surrounding the use of bladed studs . |
101,877 | 0f4870f8805f98ebb8fdef076d31d7c237bdf130 | Wayne Rooney plans to buck the trend of multi-millionaire footballers turning their backs on the game when they retire by becoming a manager. The England captain revealed his coaching ambitions as he prepared to make his 100th appearance for his country in Saturday's Euro 2016 qualifying clash against Slovenia. He said: 'It would be a big call, at this age, to say I wanted to be England manager one day — but I would love to go into management. I would love to get a job somewhere when I finish playing, hopefully, and see how it progresses from there.' Wayne Rooney will win his 100th England cap in Saturday's Euro 2016 qualifier against Slovenia at Wembley . Rooney races against Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere (right) during training at St George's Park on Friday . Rooney has decided he wants to follow in the footsteps of Roy Hodgson (right) and become a manager . Probable teams for England vs Slovenia . At the age of 29 the Manchester United striker has time on his side and says his more immediate ambition is to win a World Cup. But the fact that someone of his standing is thinking about working his way through the management ranks is a boost at a time when many recently retired stars prefer the glamour of the TV studio to learning how to be a boss by striving away in the lower Leagues. It reflects Rooney's love for the game, which he said on Friday has not changed since a brief flirtation with boxing when he was aged 14. Rooney, who started his career at Everton before moving to Manchester United in 2004, revealed he was persuaded to stay at Goodison by the club's former boss Colin Harvey. He said: 'Colin Harvey was a massive help because when I was about 14 I stopped enjoying playing football. I had enjoyed it all my life until then, but I was being told to do different things that I didn't want to do and it was down to Colin that I carried on. 'He sat me down and made me fall back in love with it. From that moment on, that's when I said to myself, "This is what I want to be doing". 'At that time I was doing boxing as well as football but that's when I stopped going to boxing and focused solely on football. Thankfully it was the right decision. Rooney, pictured scoring against San Marino, is closing in on England's goal-scoring record quickly . Rooney shows off the customised Nike boots he will wear against Slovenia in England training on Friday . The Manchester United striker enjoys as a laugh as he prepares to lead his country in their Euro 2016 qualifier . 'At that age you just want to go and play football. And then around about that age, you start getting told what different things to do on the pitch, you're learning the tactics of the game. I felt at that moment that I just wanted to go and enjoy it. I felt that it was too much and I remember going home and telling my dad that I didn't want to go any more. 'My dad was upset with me over it. And then I went in to see Colin Harvey and he was great for me. From then, I stopped going to boxing and concentrated 100 per cent on football. From then, that's when the progression was rapid for me. 'He just said he had seen players throughout his career and that he hadn't seen any player with the talent that I had, so I would be making a mistake. He said he would always be there to help me and support me. 'And he said, 'If you keep working hard, then you will be in the first team quicker than you think'. Once he said that, I thought, 'He used to be Everton manager, so he knows the game'. Thank goodness I listened to him.' Rooney has revealed how a chat with former Everton manager Colin Harvey convinced him to keep playing . Fellow strikers (from left to right) Saido Berahino, Rickie Lamber and Danny Welbeck line up alongside Rooney . Rooney will be handed this gold England cap by Sir Bobby Charlton to mark his 100th appearance . England's head coach Roy Hodgson will play his strongest team available against Slovenia on a special day for Rooney. He claimed the forward is one of the country's 'greats', adding: 'His technical and tactical qualities are a given. 'But it also takes a lot of mental strength to be an England player. You have to be prepared for periods when you're under severe scrutiny. 'You have to have a great passion for playing for your country as well. When you've played a lot of games and the criticism is coming at you, there must be a moment when you wonder whether you need all this. So you have to have that passion. 'At the World Cup the criticism affected him after the Italy game but he was still able to get himself back on track. 'The mental strength and passion to play for your country is important if you're going to be a major player. Ashley, Steven, Frank and now Wayne Rooney — I'd put all of those in that great category.' | Wayne Rooney will win his 100th England cap against Slovenia .
The striker has revealed how he almost quit football when he was just 14 .
But he now has his sights set on becoming a manager when he retires .
Roy Hodgson believes Rooney is one of England's 'greats' |
273,634 | ee77bc29bb1ccda721cfe6d77ed3ca7fa0cbf12e | By . Travelmail Reporter . More than three quarters of Brits are booking their flights online, with the majority driven by lower prices. Some 77 per cent of holidaymakers snub travel agents in favour of buying plane trips on the internet, with 77 per cent of these saying cost is their main priority. Almost two thirds (63 per cent) favour the 24-hour nature of internet booking, 53 per cent want access to comparison sites and 51 per cent say it's quicker than using an agent, according to a survey. Online trend: More than three quarters of Brits are booking their flights online . A tech-savvy one in seven of us will make all our travel plans on the move - using a mobile phone to browse, choose and pay for flights. And for young adults especially, booking via phone is 'the norm', with almost a third (28 per cent) of 18-24-year-olds always using a smartphone to shop for flights while two per cent of those aged 55 and over are giving it a try too. According to a new One Poll survey commissioned by online travel retailer Bravofly, the majority of us (53 per cent) spend less than 30 minutes making a booking and one in ten (nine per cent) whizzes through the process in just ten minutes. Tech-savvy: A third (28 per cent) of 18-24-year-olds always using a smartphone to shop for flights . When it comes to booking flights online, almost two thirds (63 per cent) favour the 24-hour nature of internet booking, 53 per cent want access to comparison sites and 51 per cent say it's quicker than using an agent. More Brits are sneaking on travel sites to make bookings during work time too. Almost a third (30 per cent) admitted using the office computer to shop for flights, and 16 per cent made reservations - compared to just ten per cent who wait until their lunch break. Young people are the most cost-aware with those aged 18-24 choosing flights purely on price - compared to 75 per cent of over 55s. According to the report, 69 per cent of Brits take five flights a year, with a lucky seven per cent booking up to 25. As a result, more than a quarter of us has an annual flights budget of £1k, while almost a third (32 per cent) spend £300 and another third splashes out £600. A well-travelled four per cent spends more than £2,000. A spokesman for Bravofly said: ‘We know that the way we choose and book flights is changing all the time - and the development of mobile-enabled travel services is making a huge impact on consumer habits. ‘What these results demonstrate very clearly is that cost, speed and convenience are everything to modern travellers - whether they're flying for personal or professional reasons.’ | Third of 18-24-year-old Brits always use smartphone to book online flights .
53% head to the net for flights so they can shop around for prices .
One in nine holidaymakers book their flights on the internet in 10 minutes . |
178,361 | 72ef047e60258552f64c85e51b63fd7f88b3a856 | By . Alex Ward and Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 21:31 EST, 24 July 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 21:35 EST, 24 July 2012 . Chick-fil-A have stopped including Jim Henson Company toys in their children’s meals due to a ‘possible safety issue.’ The restaurant appear to have pulled the Jim Henson Creature Shop toys from their meals after the company behind The Muppets severed ties with Chick-fil-A over the eatery’s anti-gay marriage stance. Chick-A-fill’s recall notice says ‘there have been some reports of children getting their fingers stuck in the holes of the puppets.’ The sign is dated July 19, one day before Jim Henson Company announced that it would not do business with them again following Chick-fil-A president Dan Cathy's comments that his company supported families headed by heterosexual couples only. Tit-for-tat? Chick-fil-A have stopped including Jim Henson Company toys in their children's meals due to a 'possible safety issue'. The recall came at the same time the Jim Henson Company severed ties with Chick-fil-A over the eatery's anti-gay marriage stance . Muppets: The Jim Henson Company, which is behind the beloved TV show The Muppets, cut ties with Chick-fil-A after the chain's president Dan Cathy, left, revealed his anti-gay marriage stance . However, it is not clear when the signs were actually put up in restaurants, reported Gawker. The Jim Henson Company had partnered with the eatery to provide toys in their kid’s meals from mid July until August 18. And following Cathy's inflammatory newspaper interview more controversial rhetoric has surfaced, according to Gawker. Cathy is heard telling attendees at . Hope Community Church in Raleigh, North Carolina, that a lack of . religion has led to ‘twisted up kind of stuff’ like 'Washington trying . to redefine the definition of marriage.' The Jim Henson Company, which is . also behind popular shows such as Fraggle Rock and Labyrinth, posted . that their were severing their ties with the restaurant on their . Facebook page on July 20. The company also said they would be . dedicating their payment from Chick-Fil-A to the charity Gay & . Lesbian Alliance Against Discrimination. Their full post, reported on the Huffington Post, read: 'The Jim Henson . Company has celebrated and embraced diversity and inclusiveness for over . fifty years and we have notified Chick-Fil-A that we do not wish to . partner with them on any future endeavors. 'Lisa Henson, our CEO is . personally a strong supporter of gay marriage and has directed us to . donate the payment we received from Chick-Fil-A to GLAAD.' 'Going forward': The Atlanta-based fast food chain released a statement on Facebook saying they will 'leave the policy debate over same-sex marriage to the government and political arena' This is the latest in a huge backlash . to comments made by the multimillion dollar empire’s president Dan Cathy . when he said his company is ‘very much supportive of the family,’ but . only when it involves heterosexual couples in an interview with the . conservative newspaper Baptist Press. As well as customer backlash, Boston Mayor Thomas Menino has vowed to block Chick-fil-A from opening a restaurant in the city. To appease disgruntled consumers . Chick-fil-A issued a statement via the company's Facebook page on . Thursday saying their restaurants ‘treat every person with honor, . dignity and respect – regardless of their belief, race, creed, sexual . orientation or gender’. The statement continued: ‘Going forward, . our intent is to leave the policy debate over same-sex marriage to the . government and political arena.’ More than 13,000 comments were posted on the company's Facebook page in response to the statement. According to the Los Angeles Times, Mr Cathy he previously said: ‘We are a family-owned business, a family-led business, and we are . married to our first wives.’ Contradictory: Mr Cathy's backing of 'traditional' families as husband and wife is a far cry from the ensuing statement from Chick-fil-A . The Atlanta-based business currently has 1,608 locations and boasts sales of more than $4billion. According to the Los Angeles Times, Chick-fil-A workers are trained ‘to focus on values rooted in the Bible,’ and the eateries nationwide are closed on Sundays. Mr Cathy said: ‘We don’t claim to be a Christian business. ‘Companies are not lost or saved, but certainly individuals are but as an organisation we can operate on biblical principles.’ In response to Chick-fil-A's Facebook statement there was a range of criticism and support for the company's position. One user posted: 'I believe that anytime a person or a . business uses their time and money to ensure that someone does not have . an ability or a right they are not acting with grace, only with selfish intent and fear.' Another posted: 'You can stop eating there if you want but I don't think he should have to change his values and beliefs. 'You want you rights to be "gay" but you want to take our right to believe what we want from us?' On Twitter user posted: ‘I shall not ever eat at chick-a-fil-a again.’ The company, founded in 1946 by . Cathy’s father, S. Truett Cathy, has also come under fire for donating more . than $3million between 2003 and 2009 to Christian organisations with a . well-known anti-gay agenda, among them the Marriage & Family . Foundation and the Family Research Council. According to a report from LGBT advocacy group Equality Matters, in 2010 alone Chick-fil-A gave nearly $2million to such causes. | The Jim Henson Company, which is behind the Muppets, have said they will never work with Chick-fil-A again .
Restaurant have recalled Jim Henson toys on a 'possible safety issue'
Fast food chain Chick-fil-A issued a statement in response to the widespread criticism of the company president Dan Cathy's anti-gay comments .
Cathy had previously said that the company is only supportive of heterosexual family values .
The company donated more than $3m between 2003 and 2009 to Christian organisations with anti-gay agendas . |
280,627 | f78e7ea582d93290753ce275454f0445c0af210d | By . Kerry Mcqueeney . PUBLISHED: . 07:44 EST, 9 August 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 10:36 EST, 9 August 2012 . A stunning pre-war Rolls-Royce that . belonged to Lord Louis Mountbatten is to be sold at auction - at a . starting price of £50,000. Lord . Mountbatten, a second cousin of the Queen, was one of Britain’s great . naval officers and the 1929 Rolls-Royce is painted in battleship grey to honour his Navy career. The . Phantom II Sedanca de Ville harks back to the golden age of motoring and . still bears Lord Mountbatten's initial on its British registration . plate LM3698. Motoring from a bygone age: The beautiful pre-war Rolls Royce Phantom owned by Lord Mounbatten is to be sold at auction . The 7.7 litre, six cylinder Roller with its body work built by the great coachbuilders Barker, stands out as a triumph of the British motor industry . The stylish luxury vehicle was delivered new to the long-serving Royal in February 1930 and he would have been driven around in it by his chauffeur, who was exposed to the elements as the front . part of the car had no roof. The . 7.7 litre, six cylinder Roller with its body work built by the great . coachbuilders Barker, stands out as a triumph of the British motor . industry. In more recent years it has been kept in the Aalholm Collection as part of the renowned Aalholm Automobil Museum in Denmark. The classic car is one of nearly 100 automobiles being sold at auction following the closure of the museum in 2007. And with its links to the Royal family, it is sure to be keenly fought over by collectors at the sale. In its catalogue description, . auctioneers RM Auctions state: 'Chassis 133WJ is paired with a Sedanca . de Ville body and a special dashboard with raised grille and bonnet to . match. 'It was delivered new . on February 24, 1930 to the Rt. Honourable Lord Louis Mountbatten, a . British statesman, Naval officer, and an uncle to Prince Philip, Duke of . Edinburgh. Lord Louis Mountbatten, a second cousin to the Queen, who was murdered by the IRA in 1979 . Royal blood: Lord Mounbatten pictured with Queen Elizabeth II on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during her silver jubilee celebrations in 1977 . 'As presented, it exhibits only minor flaws: some bubbling around the bonnet hinge and slight settling of the driver’s door. 'The upholstery is all in good condition and the undercarriage is sound, but the engine compartment could use detailing. 'It is also fitted with twin . pillar-mounted spot lamps. Understated in grey and black, it bears . British registration LM3698, clearly a cherished number since its issue . pre-dates the car’s manufacture. 'Body-colour wheel discs complement the formal appearance, although lacking on the side-mount spares. 'Not shy of appearance as is, it would benefit from either minor detailing or a complete restoration.' Original features: The interior of the pre-war Rolls Royce Phantom II Sedanca De Ville . The stately battleship grey limousine from the golden age of motoring was delivered new on 24 February 1930 to Lord Louis Mountbatten who was at the time a Naval officer . Lord Mountbatten was the last Viceroy of India as well as the first Governor-General of the independent India. In the First World War he fought as a midshipman and during the Second World War rose to Supreme Allied Commander of the Southeast Asia Theatre. From 1954 until 1959 he was the First Sea Lord and afterwards became chief of the defence staff until 1965, making him the longest-serving professional head of the British Armed Forces. He was murdered by the IRA in 1979 after a bomb was planted on his yacht off the north west coast of Ireland. Nicholas Knatchbuill, his 14-year-old grandson, was also killed along with a 15-year-old local crew member and the 83-year-old Dowager Lady Brabourne. The auction takes place in Denmark this Sunday. | The Phantom II Sedanca de Ville harks back to the golden age of motoring .
It still bears Lord Mountbatten's initials on its British registration plate .
Classic car is one of nearly 100 being sold at auction in Denmark . |
201,079 | 9052f37832fc15477c62f45ddefe472140a30176 | Philadelphia (CNN) -- Calling her husband a coward and sobbing between pleas for leniency, the wife a Philadelphia abortion doctor was sentenced to jail time Wednesday for her role in late-term abortions at the medical facility. Pearl Gosnell, 52, was sentenced to 7 to 23 months in a county prison for performing a late-term abortion, corrupt organization and conspiracy. In Pennsylvania, abortions past 24 weeks are illegal unless the health of the mother is at stake. "By choosing to take the cowardly course he did, my husband left me to make the apologies," Pearl Gosnell told Philadelphia Common Pleas Court Judge Benjamin Lerner. "My husband is in jail forever, which is where he should be." "I'm sorry for my part in this," she said, stopping to collect herself. "It's my fault I wasn't more diligent." Pearl Gosnell pleaded guilty in 2011 and has been under house arrest since. She will get credit for time served. Earlier this month, Kermit Gosnell was convicted on three counts of first-degree murder for killing babies at his West Philadelphia abortion clinic by cutting their spinal cords with scissors after their mothers' gave birth. He was sentenced to life without parole in exchange for waiving his right to appeal the convictions. Prosecutors had sought the death penalty. Doctor found guilty of first-degree murder in Philadelphia abortion case . The 72-year-old physician was also found guilty of the involuntary manslaughter in the death of Karnamaya Mongar, 41, who died of an anesthetic overdose during a second-trimester abortion at his West Philadelphia clinic. Dr. Gosnell pleaded not guilty and refused to take a plea deal, opting instead -- much to his wife's chagrin -- for a jury trial. His defense called no witnesses and he did not take the stand. Defense attorney Michael Medway called five witnesses to testify on behalf of Pearl Gosnell. Among them were Gosnell's biological children, Alexandra Gosnell, 15, a Philadelphia high school student, and Barron Gosnell, 21, who is in college. "Please don't take my mother, too," Alexandra Gosnell said before returning to her seat in the back of the courtroom, where she cried for the remainder of the hearing. Before Lerner rendered the sentencing, assistant district attorney Joanne Pescatore referenced prison calls between Pearl Gosnell and her husband, told the judge she "saw a very different Pearl." "It makes me sick," Pescatore said. "She was a major participant. She gained monetarily from these desperate women at the end of their rope." Lerner explained how he viewed Gosnell before rendering his decision. "You're not in the same position as these other women," he said, explaining how he was near tears after reading letters from the Gosnell children asking for leniency for their mother. "You were his partner. You chose to be his partner in life, and sadly, you chose to be his partner in this foul organization masquerading as a medical clinic." The medical clinic owned by Dr. Gosnell had been growing increasingly reckless, according to a 2011 grand jury report. Gosnell and nine other employees at the Women's Medical Center were charged with crimes for the illegal practices at the clinic. Eight people involved at the Gosnell's clinic have pleaded guilty to various charges, including four to murder. Among those who pleaded guilty was former Women's Medical Center employee Adrienne Moton, who was set free Wednesday. Mother shares regrets amid Pennsylvania abortion trial . "You're going home today," Lerner said while her father, brother and sister erupted in cheer. Moton, who has been in jail since 2011, pleaded guilty to third-degree murder, conspiracy, corrupt organizations and conspiracy for snipping the neck of a baby that had been delivered into a toilet. She also took a cell phone photo of 'Baby A,' who was described as close to 28 weeks old and was placed in a shoebox-like container. Trial testimony revealed Dr. Gosnell joked the baby could "walk to the bus stop." "I'm embarrassed and truly ashamed," Moton told the court between sobs. "I wasn't arrested, I was rescued." Former employee, Lynda Williams, 45, also appeared in court. However, her sentencing was postponed pending a federal case against the clinic. Williams was charged with and pleaded guilty to two third-degree murder charges in the death of a patient and a live infant, and other related offenses. Attorney Stephen Patrizio argued that Williams, a bipolar mother of three with only a sixth-grade education, needed psychiatric help, not more jail time. Gosnell's sister-in-law and former clinic employee Elizabeth Hampton, 55, was sentenced to a year's probation Tuesday for lying to the grand jury about how Mongar died. Hampton, who testified against Gosnell at trial, was the first among them to be sentenced. Opinion: Gosnell case shows why abortion rights need protection . Hampton worked at Gosnell's clinic with her common-law husband, Jimmy Johnson, who performed janitorial duties there. The couple, along with their daughter and four grandchildren, lived in a house owned by Gosnell. Hampton worked on and off at the clinic where she primarily cleaned instruments and answered phones. Johnson also testified at trial. He said that the toilets inside the clinic would be "stopped up" at least twice a week. "When I plunged it once, particles came up," Johnson said. "What kind of particles," assistant district attorney Edward Cameron asked. "An arm came up," Johnson replied. Gosnell, a family practitioner who was never board-certified as an obstetrician or gynecologist, was also found guilty of 21 counts of performing abortions beyond 24 weeks. Gosnell's co-defendant, Eileen O'Neill, 56, was found guilty of conspiracy to operate a corrupt organization and two counts of theft by deception for operating without a license to practice medicine. O'Neill, a medical school graduate, was not charged with performing illegal abortions. O'Neill is scheduled for sentencing July 15. Gosnell horror fuels fight for abortion laws . | Wife of doctor had pleaded guilty two years ago .
She was accused of performing late-term abortion .
Her husband, Dr. Kermit Gosnell, was convicted of three counts of first-degree murder . |
64,244 | b6701d2cc819ab4757e618d39101acde585979a2 | Jury selection begins on Monday in the trial of the man accused of fatally shooting a former Navy SEAL who was depicted in the Oscar-nominated film American Sniper. More than 260 potential jurors reported to district court in the Texas town of Stephenville, southwest of Fort Worth this morning. Former Marine Eddie Ray Routh is charged with capital murder in the deaths of 38-year-old Chris Kyle and Kyle's friend, 35-year-old Chad Littlefield, two years ago at a luxury resort's shooting range in a rural area about 25 miles southeast of Stephenville. The trial is expected to start on Wednesday. Eddie Ray Routh (pictured left in uniform and right) is the former Marine accused of killing 'American Sniper' Chris Kyle and Chad Littlefield on February 2, 2013 . Chris Kyle, a former Navy SEAL and author of the book American Sniper, pictured in 2012. Kyle and his friend, Chad Littlefield, were fatally shot at a shooting range southwest of Fort Worth, Texas in 2013 . The film American Sniper is based on Kyle's 2012 memoir. He left the Navy in 2009 after four tours in Iraq. Judge Jason Cashon told potential jurors during a jury qualification process last week that they wouldn't be dismissed just for seeing the movie or reading the book. The judge decided on Monday that there were too many potential jurors in court to allow the media to take photographs. Instead of a typical Erath County jury pool of 175, about 800 jury summonses were sent out, district clerk Wanda Pringle has said. Several hundred people who weren't eliminated due to exemptions or other factors took part in last week's screening. The group was narrowed during that process after potential jurors were dismissed for a variety of reasons, including some who said pretrial publicity had already led them to a decision in the case. Defense attorneys plan to pursue an insanity defense. Prosecutors won't seek the death penalty, but will ask for a sentence of life in prison without parole if Routh is convicted. Family members have said Routh, 27, struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder after leaving the Marines in 2010. The small arms technician served in Iraq and was deployed to earthquake-ravaged Haiti. Kyle took Routh to the shooting range after Routh's mother asked if he could help her son. About two hours after they arrived at Rough Creek Lodge and Resort on February 2, 2013, an employee discovered the bodies of Kyle and Littlefield at the remote range. In the meantime, authorities say Routh drove to his sister's house in Kyle's truck, telling her and her husband that he'd killed Kyle and Littlefield. His sister told police that Routh 'was out of his mind saying people were sucking his soul and that he could smell the pigs'. Eddie Ray Routh, an Iraq war veteran who was battling post-traumatic stress disorder, is scheduled to stand trial in the slayings of two men at a gun range near Stephenville, Texas (pictured) Eddie Ray Routh and his mother, Jodi, in an undated picture. Routh, an Iraq war veteran, is charged with capital murder . | More than 260 potential jurors reported to district court in the Texas town of Stephenville, southwest of Fort Worth this morning .
Former Marine Eddie Ray Routh is charged with capital murder in the deaths of Chris Kyle and Kyle's friend, 35-year-old Chad Littlefield .
Judge told potential jurors last week that they wouldn't be dismissed just for seeing the movie American Sniper or reading the book . |
120,464 | 27ac5d5e54b33d65680ca59cf9e6b35db5911e37 | (CNN) -- Delvin Barnes, who allegedly abducted a Philadelphia nurse's assistant and held her for three days, made a court appearance Friday to plead not guilty to kidnapping charges. He was indicted Thursday, according to the Philadelphia U.S. Attorney's office. Carlesha Freeland-Gaither's abduction on November 2 was captured on a surveillance video in Philadelphia and sparked a manhunt involving the FBI, Philadelphia police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the U.S. Marshal's Service. Freeland-Gaither, 22, was found in Jessup, Maryland on November 5. Barnes, 37, was arrested that same day after police tracked him down using his car's GPS device. Barnes allegedly forced the victim to lie bound and cold in the trunk of his car as he drove from Philadelphia to Maryland, court documents said. When he was arrested in Maryland, he was in the back seat of his car, lying next to the victim. If convicted, Barnes faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. A month before Barnes allegedly abducted Freeland-Gaither in Philadelphia, he hit a teen with a shovel in Virginia and stuffed her into the trunk of a car, authorities said. Before he appeared in court for the alleged Philadelphia abduction, he was booked and processed in Virginia in connection with the other alleged kidnapping. Maryland extradited him to Virginia, where he was booked and processed Thursday night. Freeland-Gaither was abducted after she got off a bus in Philadelphia's Germantown-Penn Knox area. As she walked the few blocks to her home, the suspect's car passed her and quickly parked. A man then got out and met Freeland-Gaither at an intersection, Philadelphia police Chief Inspector Dennis Wilson said. Then her abductor pounced. Surveillance video showed Freeland-Gaither forcibly led away to a car after a brief tussle on the ground. During the struggle, her glasses and cell phone fell to the road. She kept fighting -- even breaking a passenger side window -- but the car sped away. Barnes admitted to the abduction, according to a criminal complaint. The alleged abductor left behind a string of clues. A day after the kidnapping, the suspect allegedly used her ATM card at a machine in Aberdeen, Maryland. The same day, he allegedly used her card to make a purchase at a convenience store. Police released surveillance video of both transactions. A car dealer identified Barnes from the videos and alerted authorities that he had placed a GPS device in the suspect's car because of concerns about his bad credit, authorities said. The GPS device in the suspect's car is used to alert customers when they're behind on payments and also allows dealers to track down the vehicle and stop it, said PassTime USA CEO Stan Schwartz, the head of the company that made the unit. Barnes, who made his initial court appearance in Philadelphia on Wednesday, will be tried there before being turned over to authorities in Virginia. The 16-year-old victim in the Virginia case was sexually abused and doused with bleach and gasoline before she managed to get away, police said. In Virginia, Barnes is charged with abduction, forcible rape and malicious wounding with a chemical, among other charges. CNN's Faith Karimi and Greg Botelho contributed to this report. | NEW: Delvin Barnes pleads not guilty to kidnapping change .
He was indicted in the kidnapping of a nurse in Philadelphia .
He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted .
Barnes is also charged in alleged abduction of 16-year-old girl in Virginia last month . |
109,335 | 18ef969d2b2115c1f559fa06181e2652906b66cf | (CNN) -- Severe storms including tornadoes struck Illinois late Thursday afternoon, knocking out power, damaging buildings and spawning floods, the National Weather Service reported. On Thursday night, storms and high winds swept across Tennessee on Thursday night, pelting Nashville with rain and hail and putting thousands in the dark. Large sections of the Midwest and South were under tornado watches Thursday evening as powerful and fast-moving storms pushed through the region, with flooding and building damage in Illinois. The Weather Service had preliminary reports of as many as eight tornadoes in central Illinois late Thursday afternoon. In the town of Mechanicsburg, seven outbuildings were reported destroyed and one house had minor damage. WICS TV, a CNN affiliate in nearby Springfield, reported that one camper was knocked over and the woman in it slightly injured. About 24,000 people in Illinois lost power at one point Thursday afternoon and night, reported utility Ameren Illinois. Effingham and Champaign counties in Illinois reported flooding but no injuries or water rescues. "We have some power lines down and a little water in the road in some places," said Pam Jacobs, the director of the Effingham County Emergency Management Agency. She said they had no reports of injuries or stranded vehicles. John Dwyer, the emergency management coordinator for Champaign County, reported some road flooding and standing water in farm fields. A portion of State Route 150 between Mohamet and the county line was shut down. He said the flooding was caused by the 3 inches of rain Thursday coupled with the snow melt. The National Weather service said radar indicated rainfall of 3 to 4 inches per hour. A flash-flood warning was issued until 11:30 p.m. CT Thursday for the area. The Illinois State Police reported that fog caused a serious wreck on Interstate 57 in northeast Illinois, involving at least 27 tractor trailers and passenger cars. Authorities said they received reports of multiple injuries, but nothing life-threatening. In Tennessee, Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division reported that 4,450 customers lost power at the peak of outages in Shelby County, Tennessee, which includes the city of Memphis. As the storm moved east across Tennessee, winds knocked down dozens of trees in Nashville, reported CNN affiliate WSMV. The station said trained weather spotters reported 1-inch hail and 95 mph winds. Tornado and severe thunderstorm watches were in effect for a large area of the south-central United States, including much of Kentucky and Indiana, as well as Illinois, Tennessee, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. No reports of injuries or deaths were available Thursday evening. | NEW: Power knocked out to about 24,000 customers in Illinois .
NEW: Rain and hail fall on Nashville, downing trees .
National Weather Service reports twisters in Illinois .
Major flooding reported in Effingham and Champaign counties, Illinois . |
262,052 | df68a5120d97f18922cf16504c468948a469f126 | Rafael Nadal put his recent woes behind him as he eased to victory in his first-round match at the Australian Open on Monday. Nadal's 2014 season had ended with defeat by 17-year-old Borna Coric in Basle and this year on tour began with a shock loss to world No 127 Michael Berrer in Doha. But the Spanish world No 3 was in fine form in his opener at the first Grand Slam of the year in Melbourne as he took just one hour and 50 minutes to beat Mikhail Youzhny 6-3, 6-2, 6-2. Rafael Nadal salutes the crowd after winning his first round match against Mikhail Youzhny . Nadal celebrates his straight-sets victory over Youzhny in the first round . Nadal said: 'It was a very positive result for me. I think a very good start is very important. 'Always before the first match you always have the doubts, especially in the situation I'm arriving here. Every match is very important for me today. It was a comfortable victory that gives me some confidence.' Nadal has never lost a set in the first round here in Melbourne and never on Monday did that run look like ending on the Rod Laver Arena. Russian world No 49 Youzhny can be a wily opponent but the 32-year-old has struggled in recent times to match the level of consistency he once had when he was ranked as high as No 8 in the world. Nadal hit a total of 37 winners throughout the match and sealed the win with a volley before showing his clear delight in celebration, pumping his first after picking up his first official victory of the year. Nadal of Spain plays a backhand on his way to his first round victory over Youzhny . Russia's Youzhny had no answer as Nadal brushed him aside in straight sets . Nadal had cautiously downplayed his chances prior to the tournament but there is no doubt that he has the benefit of a kind draw from this point until a possible semi-final meeting with Roger Federer. However, the 14-time Grand Slam champion still feels he needs to shake off the rust after only playing nine tour matches since July due to a wrist injury and appendix surgery. Nadal said: 'You can practice a lot. I did. I practised I think enough and with the right attitude, but at the end what you need is matches. You practice very well, but you don't have matches under your shoulders. 'You cannot play with the right confidence, with the right competitive spirit, because you need to feel that. All the practices, you don't get that. The only way to get that is having matches. 'That's why this victory today is very important, and every time that I am on court competing is a big help for me to try to be back on the right level that I want to be.' Next up for Nadal in the second round is American world No 112 Tim Smyczek, who beat Luke Saville 7-6 (7-2), 7-5, 6-4. | Rafael Nadal made a winning start to his Australian Open campaign .
The Spaniard has struggled for form and with injuries in recent weeks .
The third seed needed less than two hours to beat Mikhail Youzhny .
Click here for more tennis news .
READ: Nadal attends annual party in Melbourne ahead of Australian Open . |
54,655 | 9ad10c57ee2c2d35e57d2be632632f4c1b5e0c31 | (CNN) -- Neglected by humans for almost two decades, New World Mall in Bangkok has attracted a slightly different clientele. Happily swimming among dilapidated storefronts and waterlogged escalators, koi and tilapia feast on fish food sold by enterprising locals and thrown by tourists who continue to descend on the surreal scene. Built in 1982, the New World shopping mall survived only 15 years before trouble came calling, according to the Bangkok Post. In 1997, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration demolished seven of the mall's 11 floors after it was found that the owner obtained permission for only four. The demolition, and a fire in 1999, left the mall roofless. Open to the elements, the mall's ground floor became a pond filled with years of accumulated rainwater -- and clouds of mosquitoes. To remedy this obnoxious and potentially hazardous problem, people in the area decided to introduce fish species known to prey on flies. And just like that, a miniature ecosystem was born in the abandoned mall. At first, there were only 10 to 20 regular visitors to the pond, local noodle vendor Jae Toom told the Bangkok Post. Toom said that most of these people were there only to feed the fish. "But since photos of the pond were shared on Facebook last week, many more outsiders have come to visit," said Toom. "And that was when the BMA began to have problems with the fish pond." On Monday, a Bangkok Metropolitan Administration official declared the building condemned and ordered barricades erected to keep the public out, the Bangkok Post reported. City officials cited health risks and structural instability as possible risks to visitors. The administration hopes to determine whether New World is safe for public use by the end of July. If the structure is deemed unsafe, the plan is to raze it and relocate its aquatic residents to a far less interesting home. A fascination with abandoned buildings . 10 abandoned hotels . Photographers find beauty in 'states of decay' | An abandoned mall in Bangkok is clogged with fish .
Facebook brought the situation into the public eye .
Authorities fear health and safety hazards . |
88,036 | f9d5ba597d9907c98d3522e002134b8d1704cbca | The only lifeline one tiny, isolated Alaskan island has to the rest of the world is cut off, leaving snowed-in residents deprived of any food, mail or deliveries of any kind. The single helicopter that normally supplies Little Diomede Island, population around 100, has been out of commission for servicing for three weeks. Even the hardy native hunters who populate the tiny speck of land 2.4 miles from Russia are having trouble bringing home game because of nasty weather conditions. And that leaves residents scrambling to meet basic needs as the winter wears on. Scroll down for video . Getting hungry: Nasty conditions and a broken down helicopter have left the 170 or so residents of isolated Little Diomede Island in Alaska with their cupboards running bare . 'In our store, it's pretty bare. We do have a bunch of food here at the school, which will last for a while,' Andrea Okbealuk, who works at the school on Little Diomede, told the Anchorage Dispatch News. On Tuesday, hungry community members ate alongside schoolchildren at the Diomede School. The last flight of the Boeing Bölkow BO-105 helicopter to Diomede arrived in January. Since then, cupboard, mailboxes and even baby models have steadily emptied. 'It is hard when there's no milk...When you've switched your baby to regular canned milk to whole milk, to nonfat milk, to two percent milk, and then to nonfat milk again, and then now to powdered milk, it upsets the baby's stomach,' said Okbealuk. 'A couple of us are going to that now.' While the helicopter that residents are accustomed to has not touched down in weeks, the people of Little Diomede have since gotten airborne visitors. Isolated: The tiny village perched at the edge of what is basically a mountain jetting out of the Bering Sea rely on routine visits from a helicopter paid for by federal dollars and an area non-profit for food, supplies and mail . In their backyard: The blip of an island, seen here from a satellite, lies just 2.4 miles from Big Diomede Island, which is a part of Russia . This past weekend, an Army National Guard Blackhawk had to medivac a pregnant 18-year-old girl out to a hospital in Nome. While they were there, the crew learned of a critically ill 2-year-old child. That child was also flown out for treatment. Chris Schuldt, program director at the helicopter operator Erikson Aviation, told the ADN the helicopter will be back to flying its regular route very soon. 'We've had some maintenance on the aircraft, but the goal is to return it to service in the next one to two days,' he said Tuesday. 'Pending weather, [the helicopter] will return to Nome and begin operations as soon as that's complete, [and] make sure our aircraft are in the top condition before we begin flying passengers and cargo again.' Native village: Little Diomede lies 135 miles from Nome, Alaska. Nearly all the residents are Ingalikmiut Eskimos . Reprieve: Residents have been sharing in the bounty of food available at the school and expect the helicopter to finally return within days . | Little Diomede, population 100, has seen its cupboards running empty since January when its only helicopter was grounded for maintenance .
Cold hardy residents have even been largely unable to bag game because of dangerous ice conditions this winter . |
146,807 | 49d948c741a8b8cc5198dcd963f25957dd5ceb51 | (CNN) -- In the age of digital audio, what does good old-fashioned radio still have to offer? Teca Lima, the voice of RadarCultura, consults the Web site before talking into the mic. Plenty, according to the creators of RadarCultura, a community-based Web site and a daily three-hour AM radio program broadcast from Brazil's São Paulo. "Radio is 'now,'" says 22-year-old Brazilian André Avorio, who implemented the Web site. "[Radio] is generally quick and live. This adds a special dynamic to the medium. Moreover, it is still one of the most popular means of mass communication in Brazil. Combining it with the power of the Internet can result in many new possibilities." RadarCultura is an experimental project of the Padre Anchieta Foundation to promote public participation in audio-visual programming, eventually aiming to fuse its radio, television and Web programs into a single interactive, real-time platform. Like many online music sites, RadarCultura is always looking for new music and emerging talents, but its primary focus is to preserve the memory of the Brazilian repertoire by resurfacing classic, forgotten or unknown songs. The Padre Anchieta Foundation also happens to boast the biggest archive of Brazilian music in Brazil, including more than 15,000 songs dating from the 1920's to the present. "Making it easy to search through the vast archive of songs was an important feature since version one of the Web site," says Avorio. Producer Alceu Maynard observes two types of RadarCultura members: "There are people who listen to the show because they are fans of Brazilian music. There are others who like to produce the content on our site -- they collaborate actively with suggestions, playlists and all aspects of programming." Meanwhile, RadarCultura team members Alceu, speaker Teca Lima and project manager Lia Rangel are busy podcasting interviews, moderating conversations, blogging, twittering and keeping the site relevant. Old media gets new blood . True to its non-visual origin, RadarCultura's Web site is strictly text-based, with icons that link to votes and streaming audio. And true to its Web-based platform, the site has adopted, and adapted, all Net-native systems for its daily operations. The site itself runs on the free Drupal content-management system, which allows content to rank and flow according to input and feedback from the site's online community. Members who wish to contribute their own audio material to RadarCultura's archive must either podcast it themselves first, or else they may upload it to the U.S.-based Archive.org to clear it of online rights. Given the quantity of music aired from the ever-expanding repertoire, copyright issues are the most common pretext to negotiation, most notably with ECAD, a privately owned civil society for the collection and distribution of copyright managed by 10 Brazilian music associations. Online, however, RadarCultura distributes the entirety of its streaming content under a Creative Commons license. The team has also been experimenting with the free CoveritLive software to enable live blogging, chatting and Twittering among audience, presenters and guests during its online coverage of radio and TV events, including the popular Roda Vivo TV show. RadarCultura's first live event coverage in February 2008 was of Campus Party Brasil, a seven-day tech-fest that saw people camping out in tents with broadband cables while sharing ideas and technological innovations. In April 2008, RadarCultura struck again with its live coverage of Virada Cultural, Brazil's largest cultural event, including art performances and exhibits in the streets of São Paulo during 24 continuous hours, attracting some 4 million people. "I came up with the idea of inviting the audience to report directly from the streets using their mobile phones," says Avorio. "A telephone system was installed, and the calls from the participants were automatically recorded. Our non-stop production team listened to every recording as they arrived and not only immediately published them online but geo-localized them on an interactive map of São Paulo. "It was RadarCultura's first truly collaborative coverage, as the audience produced most of the interviews and reviews, of not only the main attractions of Virada Cultural, but also the very obscure ones that otherwise would not be covered by the mainstream media." Next: Music for the masses, on demand . But still much remains to be done with RadarCultura's original content -- music. "Due to legal restrictions, it has been very difficult to exploit many of the possibilities previously imagined for the RadarCultura Web site, like listening online to playlists or to the thousands of songs in the archive," Avorio reflects. "Live radio has been a great success and will remain so for a long time, but it is now clear the value of on-demand content -- whenever you want it, wherever you are, on whatever device you have handy -- from the iPod to your mobile phone." RadarCultura's Web site not only introduces Brazilian music and culture to the international online community, it brings its programming well beyond the limited broadcasting range of the station's native São Paulo to the rest of Brazil. In a nation notorious for violence rooted in social inequality, the democracy of the Web -- not unlike radio -- is a welcome new medium of communication. "Certainly São Paulo is the most 'wired' city in the country, but the Internet and the possibilities associated with it have reached the most distant towns," says Avorio. "It is amazing the value that such a technology delivers to a country in a fast development pace such as Brazil -- from education to more subtle ways of social inclusion." For Gioconda Bordon, Padre Anchieta Foundation's radio coordinator, RadarCultura's most memorable moment took place on December 17, 2008, when the program celebrated its first anniversary. "We had here in our studio the great composer Tom Zé, a very well-known musician, singing and talking live with a very young singer, Mallu Magalhães, a teenager, actually," she recalls. "The listeners were as happy as we were and, of course, as moved as the two artists were. It was a day in our history." | RadarCultura is a daily 3-hour radio program and community Web site .
Its father foundation boasts the biggest archive of Brazilian music in Brazil .
Web site invites members to create playlists, vote on, suggest music for air .
RadarCultura also covers live culture and technology events . |
261,221 | de5085c5f5ab163da8c84efc93948d79702675df | British expat Garin Dart, 41, who left his pregnant wife and son in Japan in May is now living in Yorkshire and says he was threatened by Japanese mafia . A British businessman who was feared dead after he disappeared in Japan is safe and well and living in Yorkshire. Friends of events company manager Garin Dart, 41, believed he had been kidnapped or killed when he abandoned his pregnant wife and their four-year-old son with no warning eight months ago. Japanese and British authorities launched a manhunt for the popular ex-pat, who had lived in Tokyo for 10 years, and friends ran online and poster campaigns to find him. But police in Tokyo dropped their investigation when they discovered he had withdrawn £40,000 from his company and left the country. In fact, Mr Dart is alive and back in Britain after going on the run. He claims he was forced to flee secretly after being threatened by the Japanese mafia. Mr Dart had been a successful businessman, whose company Bluesilver put on lavish events for international businesses and the Japanese royal family. He also co-founded an aid charity in the wake of the 2011 tsunami. His high-flying lifestyle meant he took several exotic holidays a year with wife Yukako, 39. But his habit of frequenting five-star hotels and restaurants brought him into contact with mafia bosses. He said: ‘We would go out drinking to bars and clubs. They would have a lot of contacts and with my contacts in the hospitality industry we would be welcomed wherever we went. ‘It was a mutually beneficial friendship.’ Mr Dart said he was aware of his friends’ backgrounds but never did business with them. ‘You go out socially with a few people and you find out there a few bad lads in the bunch, but you don’t get involved,’ he added. ‘I just took them at face value, they seemed nice.’ But his life turned upside-down when one ‘gangster’ drunkenly informed him of plans to murder another friend. He warned the friend so he could escape, but claims he was then threatened by the gangster who had let slip the information. ‘He said he would kill me and hurt my pregnant wife and son,’ he said. ‘It was terrifying. I feared something would happen to my family and I knew I was in trouble.’ Abandoned: Mr Dart left his pregnant wife Yukako, 39, left, and four-year-old son, pictured, in May . Family he left behind: Garin Dart, pictured with his wife and elder son, enjoyed a luxurious lifestyle in Japan . Mr Dart kept his ordeal from his friends and family while he offered the mafia £30,000 to drop the threats. He withdrew £40,000 from his business, keeping £10,000 aside ‘just in case’. But when he handed the cash over, he claimed the mafia made further threats and warned him to ‘disappear’. He said: ‘I couldn’t go to the police, it wouldn’t have helped. ‘If the mafia say they will kill you, they will. But if they say you are safe, you are safe. ‘When they said they would leave my family alone if I disappeared, I believed them.’ Mr Dart fled to Thailand the same day wearing only a t-shirt and jeans, without a word to his wife or business partners. ‘The biggest mistake I made was I . didn’t get in contact with anybody,’ he said. ‘If I was thinking . straight I would have sent a message to my family and colleagues saying I . was in trouble and needed to go away. ‘But . I didn’t know what to do, I was scared. I turned my phone off. I didn’t . log in to any of my online accounts. I was worried the mafia would find . me.’ Mr Dart, pictured on holiday in Hawaii with his wife in 2010, ran a successful events management firm in Tokyo . Now: Mr Dart has been back in the UK since October, but has not yet met his younger son, born a few weeks ago . Within days Mrs Dart had reported her husband missing and his father Robert, 64, had contacted the Foreign Office. A fortnight later police told the family he had left the country, but would not reveal where he had gone because of strict Japanese privacy laws. After months on the run through southeast Asia, he was finally persuaded to contact his family by a stranger whom he spilled his story to in a street café. He said: ‘My money was running out. My options were narrowing. I was feeling suicidal. ‘After a while the fear for my life had died down, but then I had the fear and guilt over what happened to my family. I thought what are they going to think of me?’ After contacting his sister Samantha, 44, through Facebook, he found the courage to speak to his father in Lincolnshire over the phone and was convinced to return to England. ‘I couldn’t speak to my wife or my mother. It was just too emotional,’ he said. 'After a while, the fear for my life had died down, but then I had the fear and guilt over what happened to my family. 'I thought: "What are they going to think of me?"' - British expat Garin Dart, 41, who fled his Tokyo home eight months ago . Mr Dart arrived in the UK in October and found a job within a month. He has since got back in touch with his wife. He said: ‘She was upset. She was angry that I hadn’t got in touch. That is the biggest thing I regret. ‘She is OK now but we had some pretty heavy conversations the first few times we talked. It is still difficult, she is still angry.’ Mrs Dart had the couple’s second child, a boy, a few weeks ago. Mr Dart does not know when he will meet his son as he fears he can never go back to Japan, but hopes to meet his wife soon. Mr Dart said: ‘I don’t know about the future. In Tokyo I had a great lifestyle. I had a couple of nice cars on the drive, houses, a great business. I had my wife and child. ‘There has been speculation about why I left, but that is not something I would have run away from for £40,000. ‘I wouldn’t have wanted any other lifestyle. I worked hard to make that happen.’ In July Tokyo police said they had stopped looking for Mr Dart and that there had been no criminal complaints against him. Mr Dart insists he was entitled to the money he took through sales of shares. His family have since paid it back. A Foreign Office spokesman confirmed he was ‘no longer missing’. Mr Dart enjoyed a glamorous social life in Japan but says it meant he often mixed with members of the local mafia . | Garin Dart, 41, abandoned pregnant wife and son without warning in May .
Brit, who lived in Japan for a decade, withdrew £40,000 and fled country .
Popular expat left wife, Yukako, 39, and four-year-old son without warning .
Wealthy businessman now says Japanese mafia threats made him leave .
Mr Dart says he enraged mafia by warning a friend they wanted to kill him .
He claims they said they would not harm his family if he disappeared .
Mr Dart is now living and working in Yorkshire but says wife is 'still angry' |
95,044 | 061f908cad9e2b78b303cdf3556132e74cf449e7 | Ryan Lochte knocked Olympic icon Michael Phelps off his perch on Saturday with a brilliant performance to win the men's 400m individual medley. But just minutes later, in the women's version of the event, a 16-year-old Chinese prodigy performed an even more amazing feat as she smashed the world record and left her competitors far behind. Ye Shiwen posted such a good time that her final 50m was in fact faster than Lochte's performance in the men's event, at just 28.93 seconds. Her achievement was so unprecedented that it even led some broadcasters to question whether Ye had benefited from underhand practices. Record breaker: Ye Shiwen knocked five seconds off her personal best and broke the world record by more than a second as she stormed to gold in the 400m individual medley in the London Olympics . Beaten: Ryan Lochte, pictured, was slower than Ye over the last 50 metres of his own medley race . BBC presenter . Clare Balding asked former British Olympian Mark Foster, who was in the studio . as a pundit: ‘How many questions will there be, Mark, about somebody who . can suddenly swim so much faster than she has ever swum before?’ Chinese swimming has previously been . tainted by drug scandals – another 16-year-old world champion tested . positive for doping last month – but Foster sought to play down any . suggestion of cheating. He said: ‘It was a five-second best . time and it was the way she did it as well. Bearing in mind she is 16 . years of age, and when you are young you do some big best times… it can . be done.’ Miss Balding’s question provoked a storm among BBC viewers on Twitter, with many praising her for daring to even hint at the possibility of cheating, but many criticising her for tainting the Chinese swimmer’s achievement and some even calling for her sacking. @aliwillson was outraged at Miss Balding's query, and said:'Ye . Shiwen sets world record and Clare Balding immediate intimates she . doping. Who the hell does she think she is?! #BBC pls fire her ASAP' Whereas @ImroTseng felt that Balding not questioning other record breakers' success in years gone by was unfair. But others applauded her for simply questioning how Miss Ye was able to record such an impressive time, and beat the world record by such a margin. Sky's . cricket pundit and presenter David Lloyd was among them. @BumbleCricket simply said: 'Clare Balding a brilliant broadcaster' Angered: Some users took to Twitter, with @aliwillson even calling for Miss Balding's sacking . Unfair: This user believes Miss Balding was wrong to broach the subject in Miss Ye's case . Defence: Others, including David Lloyd, hailed the broadcaster for her comments . Ye's total time was 4:28.43, a world . record which was three seconds ahead of her closest rival and five . seconds quicker than her own personal best. While . Lochte, 27, was 23 seconds faster than Ye overall, he took 29.10 . seconds to complete the final 50m freestyle lap of the race, 0.17 . seconds slower than the Chinese teenager. The American star said he admired . Ye's achievement, and even suggested that she might be able to beat him . in a head-to-head race. 'We were all talking about it last night at dinner, it is pretty impressive,' Lochte said on Sunday. 'She's fast, if she was there with me, maybe she would have beaten me.' Ye herself was humble in response to her record-breaking swim, and put it down to the quality of her coaching. Medal winners: Ye Shiwen shows off the gold alongside the United States' Elizabeth Beisel, left, and compatriot Li Xuanxu following the final . Proud: Ye attributes her success to the training she has received since being identified as a potential champion . 'I think it is because I have had very good training recently, which is why I got this result,' she said. 'I am so excited, this is like . something out of a dream. Before the final I didn't sleep so well, but . it didn't effect my performance, I have trained hard.' The champion added: 'I am very young and I am sure I will just get better.' Last night the BBC defended Miss . Balding’s comments, insisting: ‘The Chinese swimmer had just knocked . five seconds off her personal best to break a world record; in her role . as a presenter it is Clare’s job to ask the experts (in this case Mark . Foster), how she managed to do it. There was absolutely no implication . of doping.’ The success of China, which won more . gold medals in the pool on the first day than it did in the whole of its . own Olympics in Beijing four years ago – prompted further questions, . with some fearing China’s sudden resurgence is a throwback to days of . the 1994 Rome world championships, when its drug-powered women swept to . 13 of the 16 available golds. Questions: Appearing alongside former British Olympian Mark Foster, BBC Commentator Clare Balding questioned whether Ye had benefited from underhand practices . Publicity: Ye's achievement is sure to catapult her into the top rank of Chinese sports stars . In June Chinese state media said . 16-year-old Li Zhesi, part of the country’s winning team at the 2009 . World Championships, had tested positive for a performance-enhancing . drug, EPO, which boosts the body’s oxygen supplies. The Chinese, who point out that their . athletes are regularly tested, have gone to great lengths to ensure . there is no chance of any of their athletes failing dope tests in London . and are said to have even imposed a ban on them eating the food . prepared at the Olympic Village. Miss Ye began her illustrious career . when she was plucked from a primary school classroom. Teachers in China . are trained to look out for pupils with promising physical attributes . and noticing the seven-year-old had unusually large hands and long legs, . her teacher alerted the local government sports officials. She left home to begin an intensive . training regime at one of China’s 3,000-plus state-run and funded ‘medal . factories’, designed to transform talented youths into ruthless . sporting machines. Congratulations: Ye Shiwen hugs Xuanxu Li after her victory at the Aquatics Centre at the Olympic Park . Sensation: Ye Shiwen managed to swim the final 50m length in the race in . a time of 28.93, a time that was quicker than the men's champion Ryan . Lochte . Disappointed: Lochte shakes hand with Michael Phelps after they won silver in the 4x100m relay . Aged just 12, she was selected for the national team. She took her trainers by surprise at the World Championships in Shanghai last year, producing a devastating freestyle triumph in the 200m individual medley. Her trajectory caught Communist Party propagandists by surprise, but they have since given her the kind of profile usually afforded to more established stars. ‘Her career has been rocket-like. She’s one of the other great discoveries following the 2008 Beijing Olympics,’ the Communist Party’s newspaper of choice, the People’s Daily, declared. | Chinese swimmer Ye Shiwen smashed world record by a second and her own personal best by five .
Last 50m was slightly faster than men's gold medallist Ryan Lochte .
U.S. star hails teen's 'impressive' achievement and says she could beat him .
But British presenter controversially suggests win could be down to doping . |
31,805 | 5a7ddd5138897513b94adbe7417946305d78a082 | (CNN) -- A growing religion in southern Africa is posing a threat to the survival of wild leopards. For the Nazareth Baptist Church, also known as the Shembe, leopards are seen as a symbol of pride, beauty and wealth, while their skins are viewed as essential attire for church elders who wear them around their necks during traditional ceremonies. A mixture of Christianity and Zulu culture, the Shembe is one of the biggest traditional religious groups in South Africa with around 5 million members. There are fears from conservationists that as the church grows, Africa's leopards, already listed as "near threatened" by the International Union Conservation of Nature (IUCN), will be pushed towards extinction. "From visiting a few of these (church) gatherings, you realize that it's not 92 or 100 or 200 (leopard skins). We are talking about thousands of leopard skins," said Tristan Dickerson, a conservationist at the Phinda Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal province. Dickerson first found out about the Shembe in the course of helping with a police investigation, after a pile of at least 92 leopard skins was uncovered during a village raid. Many of those skins had been tailored into clothing meant for the church group. Besides being killed by farmers trying to protect their livestock, 150 leopards are legally targeted by trophy hunters each year. But increasingly poachers kill them to profit from their use in traditional medicine and ceremonial dress. "What we are finding is that they are actually being targeted, instead of it being by-catch from the illegal bush meat trade," Dickerson said. "They are actually putting poisons out to target leopards because there is such a high demand for leopard skins now." The feline species is protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, or CITES, and the sale or possession of its parts is illegal in South Africa. Those who wear it as traditional gear, including Zulu royalty and high-profile individuals like President Jacob Zuma, are required to have permits issued by the state. But at Shembe church gatherings, trade in skins is done openly with no law enforcement. Dickerson's attempt to solve this conflict of tradition and conservation has taken him to China where he has been trying to find a suitable fake fur alternative for church members. "I went to Beijing and spent a week there, meeting with factory representatives to try and develop this fur into the level that was needed and the quality that was needed," Dickerson said. And the quality is crucial, because while the church's leadership has warmed to the concept of fake leopard skins, they still have to approve of the product. Dickerson says the church's followers will only be converted to fake items if the leaders say it is acceptable. On a recent trip to Ekuphakameni, South Africa, where the church was founded, Dickerson visited a church gathering and showed his fur samples to a senior preacher. "It's beautiful, but it's not the real thing," said the preacher, Mhlanubanzi Mjadu. "It's like a blanket. After some time, it will wear out. Real leopard skin can last for more than 20 years." Mjadu said he had no idea trade in leopard parts was illegal, and he did not know that the leopard was a threatened species. He said that as an elder he could not wear a fake costume, but he could see a place for fake fur in the church as membership continued to swell and the prices of leopard skin seemed to be rising. "It will help the congregation and protect the leopard from extinction," he said. Dickerson is also hoping that church followers who cannot afford the real thing would find the cheaper version an enticing alternative, but so far they have not shown enthusiasm. At the gathering in Ekuphakameni real skins were being sold for $440 each. "We are improving the product as we speak," Dickerson said. "If we can get one of the leaders to wear one of these things and say to the people, 'This is accepted from now on, we do not wear real leopard skins anymore, we have an alternative,' that statement... would be the pinnacle of this whole project." | Followers of the Shembe religion in southern Africa strive to wear leopard skins during church gatherings .
Poachers increasingly kill leopards to profit from their use in traditional medicine and ceremonial dress .
A conservationist is trying to produce a suitable fake fur in China for church members .
Church elders and followers have been resistant to using fake fur so far . |
71,546 | cac8ffc214e68ad0499baa1ca46c83275e62d5e2 | Doctors have determined that the serious eye injuries sustained by a 17-year-old girl in a car crash were actually from the airbag. The teen, from Michigan, was a passenger in a car that was rear-ended. She was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident and did not suffer any injuries. However, after being taken to hospital as a precaution, she complained of having blurry vision. Doctors reviewed her eyesight, according to a study in The New England Journal of Medicine, and found she was 20/20 in the right eye and 20/25 in the left. A 17-year-old girl presented to the emergency department with blurred vision and the sensation of a foreign body in both eyes immediately after being in a motor vehicle accident in which airbags were deployed . The patient, a passenger, was wearing a seatbelt when the vehicle she was in rear-ended a rapidly decelerating car on a freeway. She sustained no other injuries, and no other occupants of the vehicle were injured . They then put a fluorescent dye into her cornea in order to view the eyes through a blue filter. It was then found that the mesh pattern from the airbag had been imprinted on both of her eyes. The girl's left eye also suffered a corneal abrasion. 'When we looked at her under a magnified view, we could see that there was this very unusual imprint on the surface of the cornea … a rather dramatic-looking picture of the imprint of the nylon mesh pattern of the airbag cover,' Dr. Jonathan Trobe, an ophthalmologist at the University of Michigan, told Live Science. 'It’s quite interesting to see that the airbag deployed so quickly that she didn’t have time to close her eyes.' Airbags are fitted into cars to prevent injury, however have been known to cause ones of their own . Fortunately, she was given an erythromuycin ointment that cleared the problem after two weeks. The Blaze reported that General Motors recently recalled about 33,000 Chevrolet Cruze cars for potentially defective airbags after a woman went blind in one eye due to a deployment gone wrong. Other car makers with airbags supplied by Takata — Honda, Mazda and Nissan — also issued recalls due to the possibility they could explode . | Teen, 17, sustained no other injuries in the accident in Michigan .
Doctors used a fluorescent dye to find the airbag imprint .
General Motors recently recalled about 33,000 Chevrolet Cruze cars for potentially defective airbags . |
86,138 | f45a18fe46ed430dc4928e0f0e6683ff11539f2f | By . Daniel Miller . PUBLISHED: . 12:32 EST, 12 July 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 20:06 EST, 12 July 2012 . A car which belonged to one of the biggest names in the history of Hollywood cowboy films is set to fetch more than £130,000 when it goes under the hammer in a UK auction. With its impressive Hollywood history and a whopping a 7.7L engine, the incredible Rolls Royce Phantom I Playboy Roadster is expected to cause a stampede of interest from film buffs around the world. Auctioneers estimate the hammer will fall in excess of £120,000 for the 1927 model once owned by Tom Mix, one of Hollywood’s finest stars during the 1920’s. Star car: This stunning Rolls Royce Phantom I Playboy Roadster, which belonged to silent movie cowboy Tom Mix, is expected to sell for £130,000 at auction . Cowboy Tom was the biggest names of the Hollywood silent film generation, appearing in a staggering 291 films between Between 1909 and 1935. He bought the car in 1933 and spruced it up with the latest features to ensure that it was special enough to be driven by a star such as himself. Former owner: Actor Tom Mix appeared in a staggering 291 films between Between 1909 and 1935 . The headlights were lowered, the wings underwent a radical updating, a fog light was added and an ultra-modern radio was built into the dash. Despite being 85 years old, the beautiful motor still has a top speed of 90mph enough to send any bidder sailing happily into the sunset. The lot is due to go under the hammer at Coys specialist motor auction this Saturday at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire, and has been drawing lots of attention from film fans with enough cash to splash. Potential bidders have also been impressed by the chance to own a car with such a dazzling Hollywood history outside of the US. Tom was fatally injured in a car crash with his other classic car, a Cord L29 in 1940 but this was not the end of the Rolls’ big screen roles. Warner Brothers snapped up the car after Tom’s death and it spent the next three decades making appearances in some of their classic films. The Hollywood great Robert Redford got behind the wheel of the Rolls Royce in the 1965 film Daisy Clover. Since then two collectors have carefully maintained the Phantom to the pristine condition that it’s now being sold in. Coys’ auctioneer, Chris Routledge said: . 'The valuation on this car is about what we’d expect but because of the . brilliant history that comes with it, the sky really is the limit for . how much this car will sell for. Stampede: With its impressive Hollywood history and a 7.7L engine the vintage motor is drumming up a lot of attention from film buffs around the world . The beautiful car will go under the hammer at Coys specialist motor auction this Saturday at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire . Horsepower: The Roller's massive 7.7L engine is in pristine condition . At the wheel: The car was driven by Robert Redford in the 1965 film Daisy Clover . Custom job: Film star Mix personalised the car by lowering the headlights and updating the wings. A fog light was added and an ultra-modern radio was built into the dash . Film producers Warner Brothers snapped up the car after Tom's death and since then two collectors have carefully maintained the Phantom . 'It’s the only car of this type in the world so we’ve had a lot of interest from Japan and America. 'The only reason that we have this car is because it’s coming from a deceased estate, otherwise it’s unlikely that anything of this sort would ever come up for sale. 'It’s always fascinating in this line of work when a car like this comes up for sale. 'It’s very exciting especially because of it’s California and Hollywood links.' Thomas Edwin 'Tom' Mix was Hollywood's first western megastar appearing in an incredible 291 films between 1909 and 1935. A real-life cowboy, he worked as a ranch hand and was an excellent shot and and expert with a lasso. His first film The Cowboy Millionaire, was released on October 21, 1909 after which his popularity exploded. As his fame grew he was able to command hefty sums for his appearances. Screen cowboy: Tom Mix riding his horse in 1925 after he had become Hollywood's first western megastar . Married five times, his style would go on to define the Hollywood western genre and influence future screen cowboy's such as Ronald Reagan and John Wayne. It was on the afternoon of October 12, 1940, that the 60-year-old Mix, was driving another of his cars, a 1937 Cord 812 Phaeton,on Arizona State Route 79 near Florence. He had been visiting Pima County Sheriff Ed Nichols in Tucson but had stopped at a gambling and drinking den the Oracle Junction Inn, . He was reportedly driving at around 80mph when he rolled the car into a gulley. On the package shelf behind him was an aluminum suitcase containing a large amount of cash as well as traveller's cheques and jewels. It reportedly slammed into back of the head, shattering his skull and breaking his neck. He was killed instantly. There is a small memorial stone marking the site of his death and the nearby gully is named 'Tom Mix Wash'. Mix famously appears on the cover of the Beatles album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band designed by Peter Blake. Tom Mix on the cover of the Beatles album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band designed by Peter Blake . | Stunning vintage car was later owned by Warner Brothers .
It appeared in films such as Inside Daisy Clover and The F.B.I. Story .
Will go under the hammer at Blenheim Palace this Saturday . |
234,223 | bb37f491d213178da2b8141e51ad081360fba0d9 | (CNN) -- According to popular wisdom, attempting to reinvent the wheel is the ultimate in design folly. But this didn't stop object designer Duncan Fitzsimmons from giving it a go. When he sat down at his desk to begin work on the Morph Wheel, Fitzsimmons took on the design challenge -- and the results might just turn out to be revolutionary. In both senses of the word. The Morph is a detachable wheelchair wheel that can compress to around half of its original width. It is designed to provide greater flexibility and mobility to the estimated 65 million people around the world who need a wheelchair. The folding wheel was originally created as a folding bicycle wheel by Fitzsimmons when he was a graduate student at the Royal College of Arts in London. But calls from the wheelchair community suggested to him that the design would possibly be more useful to wheelchair users. "When people say 'is this reinventing the wheel?', that's a phrase that everyone knows," Fitzsimmons says, "but it's really redesigning the wheel to make it just a little bit better. That's really what you're trying to do when you're designing any product." The main advantage of the Morph, the designer says, is that it can fit into small spaces, allowing wheelchair users greater flexibility when traveling by car, train or airplane. "This project started out by looking at the problems caused by large wheels if you're looking at folding bicycles, or the space needed for a folding wheelchair," says Fitzsimmons. "Having a small wheel or a large wheel dictates the entire design of the wheelchair and what you can do with it. If you can fold a big wheel up into a smaller space, then suddenly for the first time you can get the best of both worlds. You can have a wheelchair that has all the advantages of having a large wheel, but can also be stored into a much smaller space." David Constantine co-founder of Motivation, a charity that aims to help people with mobility impairments, says that in his view the Morph wheel could be useful in both developed countries and the developing world. "I can see all kinds of uses for this," says Constantine, "certainly in the context of the US and more developed countries ... car boots, airplane lockers, any sort of small space you might want to pack a small chair into. "Not everybody uses a chair every day, so if it has got quick-release wheels and you fold the chair up and you fold these down flat storage is easy for people who don't use a wheelchair all the time. "In the context I work in developing countries, if it's low-cost enough, people often live in one room with the whole families, so they often want a folding wheelchair just to keep it out of the way when they're either in bed or sat on the floor cooking, and so again, something that packs down as small as this would be extremely useful." The Morph wheel has received awards around the world, including the transport category at the London Design Museum design of the year awards 2013, and the 2013 Popular Science Best of What's New award in the Health category. Morph Wheels are available online from Maddak. Andrew Stewart and Matthew Ponsford contributed to this article . | London-based designer invents foldable wheel for wheelchair users .
Morph wheel can compress to almost to almost half its original width .
Invention could provide greater flexibility when traveling by train, car or airplane .
Foldable wheel received design award from the London Design Museum . |
151,021 | 4f419a021e63e4b79bd985a1746f21f2a13627a9 | By . Matt Blake . PUBLISHED: . 07:04 EST, 28 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 03:32 EST, 29 October 2013 . A brother died in a car crash yesterday as he rushed to hospital upon hearing his sister had fatally shot herself - less than six months after he killed his stepfather in a gunfight. Ricky Tucker, 20, was speeding to St. John Hospital, in Detroit, to be by his sister Brenda's bedside after she shot herself during a bout of depression at around 2am on Sunday. But his car veered out of its lane and collided with an oncoming Chevrolet Suburban killing him and leaving the driver of the SUV with minor injuries, police said. Tragic: Brenda Tucker (left) had shot herself in a bought of depression and her brother Ricky (right) was speeding to be at her side at the hospital when he died in a car accident . Crash: Ricky Tucker's car, right, veered out of its lane just after 2am on Sunday and collided with an oncoming Chevrolet Suburban killing him and leaving the driver of the SUV with minor injuries . Thirty minutes earlier, Miss Tucker, 21, had threatened suicide inside the Texas Bar on Kercheval, - owned by her family - before pointing the gun at her chest and pulling the trigger. 'She grabbed a gun, and I took it away from her head,' her uncle, Eddie Falbo told the Detroit News. 'Others were talking to her. I came out the door and heard, "pop". It was terrible. There were about eight to ten people in the bar; everyone heard it.' Ricky Tucker, who was in the bar at the time then drove to the hospital to check on her, police said, unaware that she was already dead. Double loss: Relatives are now trying to raise money for the funeral costs . Family tragedy: He was rushing to see sister Brenda Tucker, 21, who had threatened suicide inside the Texas Bar - owned by her family - before pointing the gun at her chest and pulling the trigger . 'He probably didn’t know she had died and he was rushing to the hospital to see how she was doing,' police spokesman Kelly Miner said. 'He left the center (lane) and struck an SUV and, when they took him to the hospital, he died on arrival.' Relatives have set up a memorial page and are trying to raise money for funeral costs. The incident marked the third death in the family during the past six months, Mr Falbo said, adding that Ricky Tucker fatally shot his step-father in self-defense. 'The boy - the one who just died - killed his step-dad; they were shooting back and forth, and he killed him in self-defense,' Mr Falbo told the News. 'The police let him right out of jail, because (his step-father) was shooting at him. 'Three people in one family killed in six months,' he added. 'These kids' mother is going through hell.' | Ricky Tucker, 20, was racing to Detroit hospital when he crashed into SUV .
Brenda, 21, who suffered from depression, had just shot herself in chest .
Their uncle said Ricky had shot step-father in self-defence six months ago . |
69,648 | c57156b4145ac1bab5b14f0e1ace16a45fa9c9ec | By . Associated Press . and Alexandra Klausner . A man twice convicted of killing a woman and eight children at a birthday sleepover in the city's deadliest house fire was sentenced Friday to 35 years in federal prison. Antun Lewis, 30, had asked the judge in U.S. District Court in Cleveland for mercy and expressed condolences to the families of the victims, some of whom he knew. He said someone committed the crime 'but it's a lie that person was me.' Lewis, a convicted drug dealer, was deemed ineligible for the death penalty because of a mental disability. His attorneys presented evidence he has an IQ of 70 or less. Antun Lewis, 30, of Cleveland, twice convicted of killing nine people in Cleveland's deadliest arson fire was sentenced to 35 years behind bars . A memorial back in 2012 was made on the steps of the burned-out house where 9 people were burned to death by Antun Lewis . Under federal sentencing guidelines, he could have been sentenced to life for his arson conviction.The . fire killed 33-year-old Medeia Carter, four of her children and four . other youngsters attending a birthday sleepover on May 21, 2005. Killed in the fire were four of Carter's children: 15-year-old Davonte Carter, 13-year-old Moses Williams, 12-year-old Maleeya Williams and 7-year-old Fakih Jones. Also killed were Media Carter's 34-year-old sister, Sheria Carter, and Sheria's son Antwone Jackson, 14. Collins identified the other victims as Jackson's cousin Ernest Tate, 13, and a friend, 13-year-old Miles Cockfield. Carter's mother, Evelyn Martin, also spoke at the hearing, recounting the horrific events of that late night and early morning. Six of the eight children who died were Martin's grandchildren. She said she rushed to the house when she learned of the fire, pushed through a crowd and screamed one question over and over: 'Where are my babies?' 'I had to stand there and watch them bring them out one by one,' Martin said. She recalled seeing some of her grandchildren zipped in body bags and the horrible sight of skin falling off one of her grandsons, who later died. Malee'ya Williams (left) and Moses Williams (right) were two of the young victims in the horrific house fire in Ohio in 2005 . The deadly fire killed 33-year-old Medeia Carter (pictured), four of her children and four other youngsters attending a birthday sleepover on May 21, 2005 . Faith Jackson (left) and Devonte Carter (right) were killed in a fire during a sleepover . 'I hope you live long enough so all the skin falls off your damned body,' she said, glaring at Lewis, who did not look at her. Authorities said Lewis, upset over a drug debt, doused the three-story building's first floor with gasoline. Judge Solomon Oliver said he had trouble believing Lewis set the fire over a drug debt and called the case the toughest he has heard in 20 years on the federal bench. He said he had to weigh various factors, including the public's safety and Lewis' disabilities, in deciding on an appropriate sentence. 'This will keep him off the streets for a very long time,' he said. Lewis has long maintained he was at home, several blocks away, when the fire started. His attorneys have said that there was no drug debt and that he passed two polygraph tests. But after the sentencing, U.S. Attorney Steven Dettelbach called Lewis a 'coward in the night.' 'Nothing can ever erase the pain this defendant caused,' he said. Cleveland fire Battalion Chief Patrick Mangan stood in the middle of the courtroom and gave a victim's statement, graphically describing what confronted him and his colleagues when they rushed into the home hoping to save lives. The images, he said, still haunt him. Shuantavia Mitchell (left) and Earnest Tate (right) died in the horrific Ohio fire while they were having a sleepover . 'There's no answer on this Earth for what happened that night,' he said. Rosalind Golden, whose 13-year-old grandson, Miles Cockfield, was killed in the fire, looked at Lewis and told him he had deprived the world of a wonderful person. 'I don't mean to cry every day,' she said, fighting back tears. 'I pray to God just not to cry today.' The judge presided over Lewis' first trial, in early 2011. While a jury convicted Lewis of a count of arson, the judge overturned the verdict because of concerns about the reliability of jailhouse informants who testified against him. The defense portrayed the jailhouse snitches as witnesses willing to say anything in return for lighter sentences. The 6th U.S. District Court of Appeals upheld the judge's ruling in February 2012 and ordered that Lewis be given a new trial. The appellate judges pointed out that one witness had a 30-year criminal record and a sixth-grade education, bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder and had spent half his life between state hospitals and prisons. That witness also gave numerous inconsistent and contradictory statements about the night of the fire to investigators and at trial, and phone records showed some of them were inaccurate, the judges said. Prosecutors used some of the witnesses during the second trial, in December 2013, and a jury returned another guilty verdict. Lewis testified in his own defense at the second trial. | Antun Lewis, 30 was not eligible for the death penalty because he had a mental disability and an IQ of 70 or less .
Lewis is also a convicted drug dealer .
The fire killed 33-year-old Medeia .
Carter, four of her children and four other youngsters attending a .
birthday sleepover on May 21, 2005 . |
118,137 | 248c1b03476f9ff7867f84d5d28c85eaa2c5b3f2 | A 21-year-old has posted a video of the sagging skin he was left with across his body after his dramatic weight loss. John David Glaude, from El Cajon, California, used to weigh 360 lbs, but dropped to 200 lbs through diet and exercise. He posted the video online to show people that although he now has sagging skin - which makes him insecure - he is proud of his achievements - and finally has a much-wanted girlfriend. John David Glaude, 21, has posted a video of the sagging skin he was left with across his body after his dramatic weight loss . He says that although his arms look good when he flexes them as he works out - the reality is there is still loose skin . Glaude pulls down the skin on his arms which is not noticeable until he shows it to the camera . John David Glaude, from El Cajon, California, used to weigh 360 lbs, but dropped to 200 lbs through diet and exercise over seven months . 'Being overweight, you're obviously very self-conscious about how you look,' he says. 'Losing the weight, I'm not as self conscious when I have a layer over my skin. 'I'm comfortable clothed, but I'm not that comfortable unclothed.' Glaude, whose Facebook lists him working at Starbucks, undresses in front of the camera, revealing the excess skin he has gained since losing weight. He posted the video online to show people that although he now has sagging skin, which does make him insecure, he is proud of his achievements . 'You should never let loose skin stop you from going for your dream,' he says. 'Loose skin and all, I am happy with where I have come from and where I'm at now . He says: 'If you put your mind to it, you can accomplish great things! I was 360 pounds, sad, alone, and had no clue how to make myself any happier' Gaude says his legs have the worst flapping skin and it sometimes falls under the legs of his shorts . He said he wanted to post the video so he could manage his insecurities about his body and inspire others to do the same. 'You should never let loose skin stop you from going for your dream,' he says. 'Loose skin and all, I am happy with where I have come from and where I'm at now. 'This is who I am and I'm proud of it.' He says: 'If you put your mind to it, you can accomplish great things! I was 360 pounds, sad, alone, and had no clue how to make myself any happier. A before and after shows the 21-year-old's impressive weight loss over seven months . Glaude poses with a friend in the shirt he used to wear until he embarked on the weight loss regime . 'Then one night my whole life changed, I decided I was done being morbidly obese and hating myself. 'I knew I was worth more than I was giving myself credit for. 'The path is was going down, I was going to die in my thirties. He says he decided to stop eating fast food and drinking soda and realized that a healthy diet was key to his weight loss. 'A few months after that I got a gym membership, and I never looked back,' he says. Glaude says that although the gym was initially intimidating, several times other members came up and congratulated him on his efforts. He admits at one point he lost his motivation and stopped going to the gym for about five months, but he was able to continue losing weight because still ate healthily. Glaude used to often post on his Facebook wall that he was lonely but he now has a girlfriend as of last month. Glaude with his new girlfriend. He previously spoke in Facebook posts about how he wanted a girlfriend . The new couple pose in photos posted on Facebook - they only became 'official' on Facebook last month . | John David Glaude used to weigh 360 lbs, but dropped to 200 lbs .
Lost the weight through diet and exercise over seven months .
Posted the video to tackle his insecurity and show others he is happy .
Glaude has finally got a girlfriend after a lifetime of obesity . |
174,712 | 6e2037c00eb26b47708930c25e023d6724a11cd8 | (CNN) -- David Petraeus, who has wandered for months in his own private wilderness, is superbly poised for a major comeback. Why? Because he has apologized, and it appears that he means it. Americans like that. Compared with some other American public figures toppled by scandal, Petraeus is coming back the right way. Unlike Richard Nixon after Watergate, Petraeus has offered a clear, sincere sounding public apology. Nixon squirmed and sweated and prevaricated for years after he hurled himself out of the White House, but he could never find in himself enough manhood and public relations common sense to declare the simple words that might have saved his presidency in the first place: "I made some major mistakes, I acknowledge them unreservedly, and I ask the nation to consider forgiving me." Similarly, a John Edwards comeback was never going to happen. Not only did he get tangled up with another woman while his wife was dying of cancer, he denied it, and then a "love child" appeared in the tabloids, as did a chatty mistress. Then Edwards offered TV quasi-apologies so weird and painful to watch that America decided just to switch him off permanently, shaking him off like a bad dream. In contrast, Republican U.S. Sen. David Vitter's career seemed doomed by a call-girl scandal in 2007, until he held a press conference, took responsibility for his actions and asked for forgiveness. Result: He was re-elected in 2010, and is now considered a front-runner for the Louisiana Republican gubernatorial race in 2015. Photos: Public figures, private missteps . Other polarizing figures have come back from messy, highly chaotic personal lives, like Bill Clinton, Newt Gingrich and Rudy Giuliani. It ain't easy. When I interviewed Petraeus for my book about the Iraq War a few years ago, I held a healthy dose of skepticism about his reputation as the man who turned the war around with the "surge." I felt that momentum for a turnaround had already developed before Petraeus got back to Iraq in early 2007, thanks in part to the Iraqi Awakening movement of 2006 and its American supporters, largely fairly junior U.S. military officers in Anbar Province, like Capt. Travis Patriquin and his colleagues. The funny thing was, Petraeus told me he thought pretty much the same thing himself. That impressed me. Either he is a self-aware man with a dose of humility or a shrewd manipulator of his audience. Either trait will serve him well. I doubt we'll see Petraeus in a straight government job anytime soon. The circumstances of his CIA departure were just too messy. But other than public service, the world is his oyster, thanks to the towering reputation he had before the scandal. Petraeus might even run for office someday. Given his intelligence and communication skills, and the often wretched choices voters are presented with, he might even have a shot. After that, would a President Petraeus be in the cards? A real long shot. But don't laugh too hard. Stranger things have happened. For now, though, he is well-positioned to become a highly sought-after TV pundit, corporate board member, Silicon Valley partner, you name it. He might write a big book about his career and military insights. He'll be courted by Hollywood and the press. In the right Hollywood hands, his book might even make a hell of a good movie. He will give big speeches on the national security issues of the day, and might even advise a president or two again someday. Americans seem to have limited patience for public figures who lie, cheat, steal or make spectacles that make everyone look silly. But when people foul up in a spectacular fashion, especially when it involves a personal matter, Americans will give them a break and a second chance -- as long as they stand up like a man or a woman, admit they screwed up, say they're sorry and look like they damn well mean it. Welcome back, Gen. Petraeus. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of William Doyle. | David Petraeus has apologized for his extramarital affair since resigning from the CIA .
William Doyle: Petraeus is superbly poised for a major comeback .
He says Americans will give public figures a second chance when the apology is sincere .
Doyle: Other than public service (for now), Petraeus can do anything . |
103,466 | 116bbee4bc9fabce63bc8217937352e4574549c3 | (CNN) -- A Mali separatist movement on Sunday said it was prepared to act against Islamic militants following the destruction of three sacred tombs in Timbuktu, and called on the United States and France "to help us kill them." The tombs, a 15th-century shrine to Muslim saints, are part of a UNESCO World Heritage site in Timbuktu. UNESCO on Saturday condemned the destruction and called for it to stop. The U.N. agency, which sponsors cultural, scientific and educational programs to further peaceful relations between nations, has received reports that three of the site's 16 mausoleums were "completely destroyed," UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova told CNN on Sunday. They are the mausoleums of Sidi Mahmoud, Sidi Moctar and Alpha Moya. Islamic militants set fire to sacred tombs in Timbuktu . Timbuktu Mayor Ousmane Halle said that Muslims on their way to Friday worship at the tombs were stopped and threatened by armed men from Ansar Dine, a militant group that seeks to impose strict Sharia law. Ansar Dine has threatened to continue the destruction. "It's very, very bad for the Azawad people and the whole world what Ansar Dine has done in Timbuktu. We condemn it completely," Moussa Ag Assarid, spokesman for the Tuareg rebels' National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad, or MNLA, said Sunday. The group promotes a separate state it calls Azawad. "We are ready and preparing to right with these terrorist organizations," Assarid said. "We will move soon, and (are) taking our arms and vehicles and material, but we still need help." The MNLA claims Islamist extremist groups including Ansar Dine, Boko Haram and al Qaeda have seized control of Timbuktu along with the towns of Gao and Kidal, and have killed top MNLA leaders there. "We call on the USA, France and all other countries who want to stand against Ansar Dine, Boko Haram and al Qaeda who are now holding Timbuktu, Gao and Kidal to help us kill them and help the people in those cities," Assarid said. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is "concerned by the worsening security and humanitarian situation in northern Mali" and reports of the destruction, his office said in a statement. "Such attacks against cultural heritage sites are totally unjustified," the statement said. Witnesses said the destruction began on Friday. "The militants broke the doors and wooden gates to the grave and then used the cloth inside to set fire to the tomb," said Sankoum Sissoko of Timbuktu. "They started chasing people away, telling them they shouldn't worship a saint, a human being." The World Heritage Committee on Thursday accepted the request of Mali's government to place Timbuktu on the list of endangered UNESCO sites. That request was reportedly what angered the militants, who accused UNESCO of cooperating with the government. Timbuktu's treasures at risk . France, the former colonial power in Mali, also condemned the attack, calling for an end to the violence. Mali was plunged into chaos by a military coup in March that ousted former President Amadou Toumani Toure. Since then, the Tuareg rebels and the Islamists have taken advantage of the uncertainty to attempt to seize control over the northern portion of the nation. Rebels burn Timbuktu tomb . CNN's Brian Walker contributed to this report. | Tuareg rebels say they want the United States and France to help .
Three tombs at a UNESCO World Heritage site in Timbuktu are reported destroyed .
Islamist militants say they will continue the destruction . |
56,085 | 9ef7c61be3ae295968b5a2acdbf0ca72796c13d5 | Could this be your next wallet? Analysts say the ribbons spotted at the top of this iPhone prototype point to an 'NFC' chip inside . The iPhone has already replaced digital cameras, MP3 players and portable games consoles for most owners. Now it could be about to replace your wallet. The next iPhone, which is believed to launch in just two weeks time, is expected to come with a built-in chip which can serve as your credit or debit card for small payments. Eagle-eyed fans looking at leaked images of the internals of the device have spotted what they believe is an NFC chip within the phone. NFC is seen as the successor to the chip-and-pin, serving as a small contactless card which can be waved against scanners at tills to automate a payment. Some debit cards already have this feature installed, and certain retailers such as Pret a Manger already use the technology. Other . phones have come with in-built NFC, with Google making a big play for . the market with its 'Wallet' accounts in the United States. But . recent history shows that Apple needs to embrace a technology before it . sees widespread adoption among the public, and it could take an . 'iWallet' feature to spark a new payment system into life. 9to5Mac, . which has credible sources within the notoriously-secret Apple, has . found references to NFC code within iPhone prototypes, and they have . spotted 'NFC connectors' within purported images of the phone's . hardware. 9to5 speculates that 'Apple could tie . in with a payment processor like Citibank’s PayPass system for credit . card transactions - or it could become a payment processor of sorts with . its hundreds of millions of credit cards already on file at iTunes.' NFC has other useful benefits to users, . such as instantly transferring documents or images between phones simply . by tapping them together, as demonstrated by rival Samsung's 'Beam' feature on the recent Galaxy 3. With the launch expected within the . next few weeks, other news includes flat-screen maker LG Display . announcing production of screens expected to be for the new phone and . images showing the notorious new 'dock connector', which is a . slimmed-down version of the power and data port seen on previous . generations of iPhones and iPads. The 'NFC' chip is believed to be located on the top left of the phone, underneath the sticker in the left image, and the image on the right shows the 'NFC cables' in close-up . Leaked: This picture purports to show the the flex cable components for Apple's iPad Mini and iPhone 5 incorporating the new smaller dock connector, headphone jack and home button connector . Is this the new iPhone cable? This image purporting to show the new gadget's lead was leaked on Twitter by Veister, a charger making company . The company is rumoured to be equipping the next iPhone with a larger screen after Samsung Electronics unveiled its latest Galaxy smartphone with a 4.8-inch touch-screen. Sources have said that the panels for the new iPhone will be 4in corner to corner - 30 per cent bigger than current iPhones. The iPhone screens will also be . thinner than previous versions with the use of so-called in-cell panels . which embed touch sensors into the liquid crystal display, eliminating . the touch-screen layer found in current iPhones. It is believed the iPhone 5 will be . announced on September 12, with pre-orders opening immediately. The . phone itself is expected to launch just over a week later on September . 21. However, Apple fans in the UK may have to wait another two weeks until October 5 before getting their hands on a phone. Apple are notoriously secretive and . have not even revealed what they will call their next iPhone. It could . be 'iPhone 5', or it may follow this year's spring iPad launch and . simply be called 'the new iPhone'. Leaks from the website iMore, which . has strong sources 'close to Apple', earlier this month suggested the . entire next generation of iDevices, including the iPod Nano, iPod Touch, . iPad Mini and future versions of the iPad, will use the new port. The site believes a special connector . will be released to connect older accessories - such as docking stations . and speakers - to newer versions of the range. The 'nano-SIM' slot, containing the . SIM card which connects a phone to the carrier network, has also been . redesigned to be thinner, although this will be unlikely to cause much . disruption to users as networks will provide replacements SIMs if . necessary. Change: This picture is believed to show a prototype case for the new iPhone, with its new connector design which is set to make every existing accessory completely obsolete . | iPhone expected to have NFC chip that could turn it into a credit card .
Successful launch could spark a revolution in how payments are made .
Will take on Google which already offers wallet feature is some of its Android phones .
Apple expected to unveil phone on September 12, followed by UK launch in early October . |
2,997 | 08b330a011dc129ada473c0bd6eb087c35f8a6f7 | It has been long admired that cats can always land on their feet but this one feline has the added benefit of an extra six toes to keep her steady. Natasha, the ginger tabby, was a stray on the streets of New York before she was adopted at the age of nine by Shirley Belwood and the pair emigrated to Wimborne in Dorset ten years ago. The cat has a rare condition which left her with oversized paws and 24 toes - six more than the average feline. Natasha, the ginger tabby, has a rare condition which means she has oversized paws and six extra toes . But Natasha, who is now 19 and spent a year looking after herself on the Upper West Side, has seven toes on both front paws - two more than normal - and five on her hind paws instead of four. Ms Belwood, who has two other cats, said the extra digits has made her clumsier than most cats. 'If you give her certain toys, she can't play with them properly,' she said. 'It's so funny, she looks so awkward because she just can't grab them. 'I heard her crying for ages outside my apartment window in New York and I just had to find her. 'She's got a lot of attitude and she's quite the character but we're so close. She doesn't do as much these days as she has diabetes, but she's still so frisky and cranky - a typical New Yorker. 'The nurses at the vets say she "swears a lot" at them whenever she goes. That just shows what she's like.' Natasha was adopted by Shirley Belwood ten years ago and the pair emigrated from New York to Dorset . Ms Belwood added that she gets on with her other two cats but Natasha prefers a quieter life. 'She does like to keep herself to herself, she's an older lady now and likes peace and quiet,' she said. The world record for the cat with the most toes is currently held by a Canadian cat named Tiger who has an impressive 27. Some polydactyl cats have problems with joint growth, the forming of legs and nail beds and extra thick claws fusing together. They are sometimes referred to as 'Hemingway cats' because author Ernest Hemingway became a famous fan of them after being given a six-toed cat by a ship's captain. Kittens Fred (left) and Ned (right) are polydactyl cats with 54 digits between them. Fred has 10 more than a usual cat and Ned has eight extra toes . Cats born with more than the average number of toes have the congenital physical anomaly known as polydactyl - a dominant genetic trait. The word is Greek in origin, with 'poly' meaning 'many' and 'daktylos' meaning 'digits'. Normal cats have a total of 18 toes, with five toes on each front paw and four toes on each hind paw but polydactyl cats can have as many as eight digits on their front and hind paws. The condition seems to be most commonly found in cats along the east coast of North America and in South West England, Wales and Kingston-upon-Hull. Polydactyl cats were popular with Nobel Prize-winning writer Ernest Hemingway, who collected more than 50 after he was given his first cat named Snowball by a ship's captain. After his death in 1961 his Florida home was turned into a museum and home for his cats. It is because of his love of the animal that they are fondly referred to as 'Hemingway Cats'. They are also referred to as 'mitten cats' because the extra digits on their front paws can make it seem as though they are wearing mittens. Polydactylism is a condition that can also affect humans and dogs. | Tabby Natasha was a stray on streets of New York when she was rescued .
Shirley Belwood took her and emigrated with her to Dorset ten years ago .
Natasha has a rare condition where she has oversized paws and more toes .
The 19-year-old has seven toes on front paws and five on her hind paws .
World record for cat with most toes is held by Canadian cat named Tiger . |
225,618 | b025c5f06cc4ccc55d034dedfe53fd7fb3d8376a | (CNN) -- As criminal attorneys, we know that tragic cases very often bring festering social issues into public view. Bill Cosby was right: The Trayvon Martin case brings to the surface troubling questions not only about race but also about the role of handguns in our society. Now that the shooter, George Zimmerman, has been charged with second-degree murder, his defense under Florida's "Stand Your Ground" law will become the focus of discussion. This law is grounded in a factual error and a deeply flawed principle. The factual error is that a proliferation of handguns makes us safer. The flawed principle is that somehow the right to bear arms needs to be enlarged to a right to resolve disputes with guns. The notion that guns make us safer is a fallacy. People with guns in their homes are much more likely to be killed with their own gun -- by accident, domestic violence or suicide -- than to use it ever against an intruder, according to Arthur Kellermann, writing in the New England Journal of Medicine. Similarly, people who carry guns are more likely to be shot and killed than those who are unarmed. A University of Pennsylvania study found that people carrying guns were 4.5 times more likely to be shot and 4.2 times more likely to be killed. That study's author, Charles Branas, has speculated that one reason may be that guns give carriers a sense of empowerment that causes them to overreact in tense situations. That may be precisely what happened in the case of Zimmerman. Florida's Stand Your Ground law changed the previous understanding of self-defense in a simple way. Traditionally, one could only claim self-defense if there was no reasonable chance to retreat from a situation where one felt threatened. The revised law says if you feel threatened with imminent great bodily harm, you may use force, including guns, against the person you find threatening, even if there is a reasonable opportunity to retreat. What this invites is the settling of personal disputes with guns, as evidenced by a 300% increase in the number of killings by private citizens justified by "self-defense" in Florida since the law passed. Most murders involve young men, often as both shooter and victim, as in the Trayvon Martin case. Young men, of course, often get in conflicts where they are threatening one another: that is, where both of them are trying to scare the other with "imminent great bodily harm." Florida's law may allow one of those chest-bumping young men, without consequence, to end the mutual dispute by shooting the other dead on the street. When it is over, the only witness may be the shooter, and his version of events will presumptively control. There is no morality in this rule. Nothing in our Constitution even vaguely promotes the redress of grievances with guns; the "redress of grievances" clause of the First Amendment has nothing to with the "right to bear arms" described in the Second Amendment. Rather, what the Constitution protects is the ability to redress our grievances by petitioning our government. There may be no more damning indictment of our society than this: We too often seem to be equipping our young men with the guns and excuses to kill one another, rather than the safe schools and knowledge it takes to frame a good and righteous petition. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the writers. | Writers: "Right to bear arms" does not include a right to use guns in disputes .
Gun owners most likely to be killed by their gun, writers say, and more likely to be shot .
Disputes solved with guns, they say, and justifiable homicides tripled since Florida law enacted .
After a person is killed, the only witness may be the shooter, writers say . |
32,200 | 5ba42916bb3aab7036b2b73ff438d9027c63174f | HONG KONG, China (CNN) -- On the eve of what was to become the biggest sale ever of a Chinese contemporary painting, Trevor Simon wanted to get the word out about "Execution," a painting he had hidden from everybody. The painting had been stored in a London warehouse for more than a decade after arriving from Hong Kong. "Not a single person in the world had seen it other than me for more than a decade," said the 36-year-old investment banking strategist by phone from London on Thursday. That includes his mother and the woman he loves. Beijing artist Yue Minjun's painting, inspired by the bloody crackdown on Tiananmen Square in 1989, sold for 2.9 million pounds ($5.9 million) Friday night in London. The sale exceeded the 2.15 million pounds ($4.37 million) paid in June for the previous record, Yue's "The Pope." Simon remembers seeing the oil painting at Manfred Schoeni's gallery in Hong Kong during the late 1990s and how it fascinated him at first sight. "As soon as I saw it, my whole self changed," he said. "I realized that this stood for everything that was going on at the time, so I was stunned into silence literally. I saw what was happening in China. I was rising in banking, and I saw an execution of people who were smiling. "I saw that was what was going on in banking." Schoeni and Simon were already on friendly terms, and Schoeni had wanted to show him "Execution," which had been covered up. But when Simon insisted he wanted the painting, he recalled Schoeni telling him it wasn't going anywhere and was not for sale. But Simon said he would not leave and remembered saying: " 'Fine, have a drink with me.' And maybe I loosened his head a bit. After a couple hours, I struck a deal." A junior investment banker in his 20s at the time, Simon would spend $250,000 Hong Kong dollars ($32,200), or two-thirds of his annual salary, on "Execution." The painting reflected what he felt was going on in the world in which he worked: a soulless place. "While you can apply a good mind, the job eats your life. You spend 14 hours in the markets. A week in Paris, a week in London running around. No life. My girlfriend didn't want to be with me: 'I can't have you.'" She'd leave him and has since become engaged to someone else, he said. "It was not only an image of an execution of characters in front of the walls of Tiananmen, but an execution of me," he said, describing himself as "committed to this painting." Under the terms of the deal he struck with Schoeni, the painting was to be "out of sight for five years" and shipped to London, Simon explained. He described the painting -- at 3 meters (10 feet) wide and 1.5 meters (5 feet) high -- as "monumental," "physical," and "like a wall." He put "Execution" in a box, shipped it out of Hong Kong to London. "And it hasn't moved since that day. It's in a crusty warehouse behind a main road." He finds a key distinction between "Execution" and Francisco de Goya's "The Third of May, 1808: The Execution of the Defenders of Madrid" and Edouard Manet's "The Execution of the Emperor Maximilien of Mexico." In those, he said, "that's murder, true assassination of a political figure. But here [with "Execution"], it's far more potent. Because they're killed by culture." The laughing was a "response to unimaginable persecution," he said. "You don't know what the hell else to do. You're nervous. You're not laughing, 'Ha ha hee hee.'" As for the underwear, Simon said, "You're stripped down, you're defenseless. Even worse, you're being shot with cultural forces, not bullets." And while the man on the far right of Manet's painting cocks the gun and delivers the coup de grace, the figure in "Execution" has a similar role, said Simon. "He's wearing a generic T-shirt -- the guy who's delivering the last shot to be delivered into the heartland of Chinese heritage." Yue's painting was in keeping with "cynical realism," the term coined by art critic Li Xianting to describe post-Tiananmen artists disillusioned by and critical of Chinese society, Simon said. When asked if he, as a young 20-something, ever harbored doubts or questioned his sanity about dishing out a large portion of his salary for this work, Simon replied: "No, no, no, no. I knew. I stood there. You just know. You just absolutely know beyond all doubt that the theme is something special. "This art was a representation of all the ambition and all the anxiety that had been held back behind the Chinese wall and was now allowed to live, allowed to go free. "I knew without a millionth of a doubt that that was the story of China on canvas." Simon said he would probably cry if he and Yue met. "He's an immensely brave man, anyone who paints like this. None of his paintings are as politically dangerous as this." Simon left the painting in a box in the warehouse and never brought it out or hung it up, despite having other work elsewhere in his house. For one thing, Schoeni was murdered in 2004 in the Philippines. Simon felt that it was because Schoeni was involved in championing the works of people from "repressive" countries. The painting became a mental crutch for him. He determined that he would walk out on the most important job he could think of in investment banking, one that earned him more than a million dollars a year. "The painting helped me leave the job because I could see a country being executed and surviving, and so maybe I could too," he said in a follow-up email. Simon had left Hong Kong for "the lion's den," as he put it, in London, where he felt further "executed by the politics and chaos one step below the top rung of the bank." The very top was where the more rational and humanity prevailed, he said. "All the rest is scratching and positioning and seldom is the best thing done." He'd leave his job. That was five years ago, and while he is still involved in finance, he works on his own now, he said. Selling the painting brings Simon full circle to being "un-Executed," he said. Yue's got a new museum and is being recognized by the Chinese government. "He's no longer repressed by China. And I'm no longer repressed by commercial ambition. It's about doing it the right way," Simon said. "The value of this piece is not the dollar value. It's lovely to have that extra money. But the real value, should I die tomorrow morning, has already been placed in my heart," he said. "I'm not laughing at being shot at. What I'm most proud of is the courage to live. "God gave me talents. I'm going to use them for good, not for money. Not for trading." But first, he plans to get the girl back. | Beijing artist Yue Minjun's "Execution" sold for record 2.9 million pounds ($5.9M)
In the painting, Simon saw metaphor for himself and his life in the bank world .
Simon spent two-thirds of his annual salary on the painting in the 1990s .
Under deal, Simon kept painting out of sight, shipped it out of HK to London . |
119,413 | 26414eb37133554ee569af737ce5ac0421e620ec | New York (CNN) -- A New York woman who pretended to have terminal cancer to pay for an extravagant wedding and honeymoon has been ordered to give back thousands of dollars she received from sympathetic donors. Jessica Vega, 25, pleaded guilty last month to the scheme and was indicted on fraud and grand larceny charges as well as one misdemeanor. After spending eight weeks in jail, Vega was ordered by Orange County Court Judge Robert Freehill to return the $13,368.48 she gained in gifts and donations while posing as terminally ill. She was also sentenced to 300 hours of community service and five years of probation, according to a statement from the New York Attorney General's Office. "I am pleased that the community members, who felt so compelled to generously help a neighbor in need, will be given back their hard earned money," Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said in a statement. Victims of Vega's scam are expected to begin receiving compensation in the coming weeks. Officials say the scheme lasted from January 2010 to June 2010 and involved eliciting gifts from a bridal couture shop and a high-end restaurant. Vega was married in May 2010 after claiming she only had a few months to live. She allegedly "went to Aruba for her honeymoon with expenses paid for by people touched by her story," according to the indictment. The man Vega married, who was not named in the indictment, is not facing charges. Attorney General's Office spokeswoman Jennifer Givner said the man says he was not involved in the scheme. | Woman feigned terminal cancer to get donations for extravagant wedding and honeymoon .
Jessica Vega pleaded guilty last month; indicted on fraud and grand larceny .
She was sentenced to 300 hours community service and 5 years of probation . |
195,279 | 88c8565be317082997660cb5852c39fc87c228da | Chinese authorities on Friday blocked access inside the country to the English and Chinese websites of The New York Times after they published an article reporting that family members of Premier Wen Jiabao had amassed a fortune worth billions of dollars. Citing corporate and regulatory records, The Times said it had pieced together evidence showing that Wen's relatives have controlled assets worth at least $2.7 billion, often hiding their names "behind layers of partnerships and investment vehicles involving friends, work colleagues and business partners." China reacted angrily to the report, preventing people inside the country from visiting the two Times websites or searching for the terms "New York Times" and "Wen Jiabao" on popular social media platforms. Big Brother still watching: Internet censorship on the up . "It's trying to blacken China's image and has ulterior motives," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said in a response to a question about the article, which mentioned Wen's son, daughter, younger brother and brother-in-law as being among those who had grown rich during Wen's time in power. Asked about the decision to block the websites, Hong replied: "China regulates the Internet in accordance with laws and regulations." The Chinese government tries aggressively to control the flow information inside its borders about sensitive topics like unrest in Tibetan areas and criticism of senior officials. It strictly manages the output of domestic news media outlets and has a history of shutting off access to international news websites. Chinese authorities have blacked out the broadcast signal for international television stations like CNN and the BBC when they have aired sensitive reports about the country. The Times story about Wen's family's wealth comes at a particularly delicate time for the ruling Communist Party, only a matter of weeks before the start of the 18th Party Congress, at which the country's next set of top leaders will be announced. Opinion: New 'democracies' failing if speech isn't free . Authorities have stepped up security in Beijing, where the congress, part of a once-in-a-decade leadership transition, will take place. This transfer of power has already been complicated by the dramatic and damaging scandal involving the former high-flying official Bo Xilai and his inner circle. In a country where official corruption is widespread, the top leadership is particularly sensitive to suggestions that its members or those close to them have become unusually wealthy. The growing divide between rich and poor after two decades of torrid economic growth has added to that defensiveness. The Times article on the wealth of Wen's relatives comes four months after Bloomberg News reported that the extended family of Vice President Xi Jinping, the presumptive next top leader of China, had accumulated business interests worth hundreds of millions of dollars during his rise up the Communist Party ladder. Chinese authorities cut off access to the Bloomberg News website following publication of the article, which was also based on public documents. The blocking of the Times websites Friday also takes place four months after the introduction of the Chinese-language site, which the company said at the time was "intended to draw readers from the country's growing middle class" through a mixture of reporting by Chinese journalists and Times articles translated from English. The Times cited a company spokeswoman as expressing disappointment Friday that web access had been cut off. "We hope that full access is restored shortly, and we will ask the Chinese authorities to ensure that our readers in China can continue to enjoy New York Times journalism," said Eileen Murphy, according to The Times. "We will continue to report and translate stories applying the same journalistic standards that are upheld across The New York Times." The servers that host both the English and Chinese sites of the Times are outside mainland China, according to the news organization. Heavy hand of China's sensors fuels online frenzy . | N.Y. Times: Evidence shows Wen's relatives have controlled assets worth at least $2.7 billion .
"It's trying to blacken China's image and has ulterior motives," a Chinese spokesman says .
The story comes at a particularly delicate time for the ruling Communist Party .
Official corruption is widespread in China, and the gap between rich and poor is growing . |
198,334 | 8cbc2e15507dd3f0093708c0d85f465ff87fade8 | (CNN) -- Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei may not be allowed to leave his native China, but his art is free to travel the globe, and some of it is now on display in Washington. "Ai Weiwei: According to What?" marks the first North American exhibition of Ai's work. His art sprawls around an entire floor in the Smithsonian Institution's Hirshhorn Museum. The outspoken artist, blogger, filmmaker and architect is perhaps best known for helping design the famous "Bird's Nest" Olympic stadium for the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing. Some of the artwork on display includes photos taken of the stadium while under construction. Ai later said he regretted his work on it because instead of the venue becoming a place for all, it became a place for the elite. Ai was on his way to Hong Kong in April 2011 when he was taken into custody at Beijing's international airport and detained for 81 days amid a government crackdown on political activists. His studio in Beijing was raided, and his wife and several employees were taken into custody for questioning. Seven weeks after Ai was taken into custody, state news agency Xinhua reported that Beijing police said his company evaded a "huge amount of taxes" and "intentionally destroyed accounting documents." Ai Weiwei loses tax evasion appeal . "My detention was an extreme condition for any human to endure. Many, including my family and the people who know me and care about the incident, were frustrated by the lack of an explanation or reason," Ai said in a statement to the museum. "Going through these events allowed me to rethink my art and the activities necessary for an artist," he said. Ai was released on one year's probation in June 2011, with heavy restrictions imposed on his movements. The Chinese government still holds his passport. Ai's criticism of the Chinese government gained attention following the 2008 Sichuan earthquake that left nearly 90,000 people dead or missing. Many of the victims were students who died when their poorly constructed schools collapsed on them. Ai has compiled a list of more than 5,000 of those students. Part of the list is on display at the museum, accompanied by audio of people reading the names of the students. Ai Weiwei will not be silenced . Ai also has a work called "Snake Ceiling" on display, made of hundreds of backpacks latched together in the shape of a snake. These are meant to represent children's backpacks left behind after the earthquake. Ai said he saw numerous piles of backpacks outside schools when he traveled to Sichuan following the disaster. Some of the works take a personal tone, with pictures of Ai at a hospital following surgery to relieve pressure on his brain following what he said was from a beating by Chinese police. A medical scan shows the damage caused to his skull and brain. The exhibit will be on display at the Hirshhorn through February before it moves on to other venues in the United States and Canada. And having this work on the doorstep of policy-makers certainly isn't lost on museum officials. "Ai Weiwei's art and his activism resonate far beyond the art world and encourage an expanded dialogue on crucial social, cultural, and political issues of the day," said Hirshhorn Museum Director Richard Koshalek in a catalogue detailing the exhibit. Ai Weiwei paints bleak picture of his and China's future . Despite the personal toll his work has taken on him, Ai said the struggle has been worth it. "The struggle is worthwhile if it provides new ways to communicate with people and society," Ai said. CNN's Alexis Lai contributed to this report. | Dissident artist Ai Weiwei's work is now in Washington at the Hirshhorn Museum .
Ai's most famous work is the "Bird's Nest" stadium from the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing .
"Ai Weiwei's art and his activism resonate far beyond the art world," museum officials say . |
169,387 | 672c74f73ec200533916e163f30a3ab88b72bfc0 | By . Deborah Arthurs . PUBLISHED: . 09:14 EST, 6 June 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 11:55 EST, 6 June 2012 . The Jubilee weekend may be over, but the Queen showed no signs of slowing down as she attended a lunch with Commonwealth heads of state this afternoon. Looking impossibly fresh faced and elegant in purple jacket and floral dress by Stuart Parvin, the monarch displayed yet again the strength, stoicism and enduring energy that has won back the nation's affection over the past year. The Queen, whose car passed human rights protesters on her way to the lunch, attended the event alone, as the Duke of Edinburgh remained in hospital with a bladder infection. Boundless energy: On the fifth day of Jubilee celebrations our heroic . Queen is greeted by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, . Kamalesh Sharma as she arrives for a Commonwealth Heads reception and . lunch . Beaming: . The Queen, who admitted in a public address made on Monday evening that she was 'humbled' by the enthusiasm with which . the nation marked her Jubilee, looked delighted to be continuing the . celebrations . Immaculate: As ever, the Queen looked perfectly turned out in her floral Stuart Parvin dress and purple jacket . She was joined by more than 70 . guests and leaders from across the association of nations, including Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife Samantha. Yesterday the Prime Minister hailed the Queen 'a real inspiration', saying she had 'great resilience'. He said the Jubilee weekend celebrations had revealed 'the best of Britain'. 'We’ve seen people coming together in . tremendous unity and spirit to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee, but we’ve . also seen a great resilience; people wanting to celebrate, even though . the weather’s been pretty bad, and an extraordinary resilience on behalf . of her Majesty, who in spite of all the problems and difficulties has . kept going, and with such incredible spirit. She’s a real inspiration.' Joie de vivre: The Queen has seemed to thoroughly enjoy the Jubilee celebrations from start to finish . The monarch and her luncheon guests arrived to angry scenes as hundreds of Tamil and human rights . campaigners gathered outside Marlborough House in central London in . opposition to Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse’s presence at the . meal. Their chants echoed around the forecourt as guests arrived. Mr Rajapakse was jeered as he swept . through the main gate in a Range Rover. His car did not carry a flag . because of security concerns. The Queen seemed relaxed as she was . handed a bouquet by nine-year-old Aduke Badale, the daughter . of a member of the Commonwealth Secretariat staff. The Queen spent a brief moment with . Mr Rajapakse and appeared to fleetingly shake hands with him as she met . guests at a reception in the Blenheim Saloon inside Marlborough House. Heads of state and representatives . from Australia, Canada and the African nations were welcomed by . Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma. Controversial: The Queen upset human rights protesters by greeting Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapaksa, left, and his wife Shiranthi Rajapaksa during a reception prior to the Diamond Jubilee Commonwealth lunch . Gift: The Queen is handed a bouquet by nine-year-old Aduke Badale, daughter of a member of the Commonwealth Secretariat staff, as she arrives at the lunch . Warm welcome: The Queen is greeted by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Kamalesh Sharma . Cordial greeting: The Queen meets New Zealand Prime Minister John Key at Buckingham Palace today . As his mother hosted a lunch for 70 at Marlborough House in central London today, Prince Charles attended his own engagement - but his was a touch less formal. Prince Charles left London early this morning to make a trip to the Ayrshire where he paid a visit to Scotsheep 2012, an agricultural show held at Dumfries House. Wearing a cream jacket - a departure from the green Barbour jacket he usually favours - he moved between the stands, chatting to local farmers and posing for photographs. The prince is a patron of Campaign For Wool, an organisation set up in support of the wool trade, which was exhibition at the event. Country gent: Prince Charles swapped his formal attire for a natty cream jacket - a departure from his usual green Barbour jackets - as he attended Scotsheep 2012, an event for Scottish farmers held at Dumfries House . Worthy cause: Charles is a patron for the Campaign For Wool, an . organisation initiated by the Prince of Wales in 2008 to lend support to . the wool industry . | Monarch hosted Jubilee lunch for heads of Commonwealth states in central London today .
Queen's car passed Tamil groups protesting against decision to welcome Sri Lankan President to event .
After lunch Queen paid a visit to the Duke of Edinburgh's in hospital . |
84,007 | ee498ffc821601728f2657d554ee7d70bad549d7 | Hundreds of foreign nurses hired by the NHS are quitting after a few months in the job, figures show . Hundreds of foreign nurses hired by the NHS are quitting after a few months in the job, figures show. Understaffed hospitals are increasingly having to recruit from Spain, Portugal and Italy because of a severe lack of home-grown nurses. Managers are spending hundreds of thousands of pounds hiring nurses in batches of 20 to 30 at a time at specially-arranged recruitment fairs. But an investigation has found that 943 of the 5,680 nurses recruited over the last two years have since quit. This includes Aintree Hospital, in Liverpool where all of the 14 nurses hired from Spain in 2012/13 left, many returning home. In East Kent 21 out of 26 had departed. Often nurses find it difficult to settle in due to the language barrier, different healthcare system and weather. Leaving close family at home is also an important factor. The figures obtained by the Nursing Times under the Freedom of Information Act also showed that 13 trusts lost at least half of the foreign nurses hired in the last two years. About 20,000 nursing posts are vacant. This is partly a result of the Government slashing the number of nurse training posts by 15 per cent since 2010. That led to fewer coming up from university. Katherine Murphy, chief executive of the Patients Association, said the figures highlighted how recruiting overseas nurses was only a 'temporary, short-term measure.' 'This money would be far better spent here, training and supporting our own nurses to deliver the high quality care that patients deserve. We hear from patients on our helpline that there are real issues with nurses from other countries, including problems with communication and a lack of understanding of processes and procedures. 'We are concerned that poor English skills may lead to mistakes and misunderstandings when patients are trying to explain their problems.' Aintree Hospital, Liverpool, saw all of the 14 nurses hired from Spain in 2012/13 leave, many returning home . Dr Peter Carter, chief executive of the Royal College of Nursing, said: 'The last couple of years have seen increasingly desperate attempts to plug the gap with more nurses from overseas, who have undoubtedly made a huge contribution and kept the NHS afloat. 'Some of the sums spent on recruiting staff have been ludicrous and the fact that Trusts are not able to keep hold of them is a natural result of years of lackadaisical workforce planning in the NHS.' A Department of Health spokesman said: 'Since May 2010, we have 21,300 more permanent clinical staff working in the NHS, including 9,500 more doctors and nearly 8,000 more nurses on our wards. 'We've also invested in leadership training to create a new generation of senior nurses, and we're running a campaign to get experienced nurses who've left the profession back to work – with over 1,300 signed up.' | Understaffed hospitals are recruiting from Spain, Portugal and Italy .
But one in six of nurses recruited over the last two years have since quit .
A Liverpool hospital saw all 14 nurses hired from Spain in 2012/13 quit .
Language barrier and different healthcare system makes it hard to settle . |
32,220 | 5bae5aa6c6056152ed31df06804bf40b864770fa | Workers in the U.S. are more likely to develop depression after losing their jobs than those in Europe. A new study has revealed job loss is associated with depressive symptoms both sides of the Atlantic. But the effects are much stronger in America - perhaps due to less generous benefits systems, it has been suggested. U.S. workers suffer more depression after losing their jobs than European ones do, research suggests . The Harvard study discusses how the 'Great Recession' of 2008 caused significant job losses in both Europe and the U.S., with particularly strong consequences for older workers. Among people aged 50 to 64, unemployment rates rose from 3.1 per cent to 7.3 per cent in the U.S., and from 5.4 per cent to 6.15 per cent in the EU. The researchers speculate that iIncome loss may have particularly devastating consequences for the retirement plans of older workers. Prior evidence has also suggested job loss among older workers is associated with poorer health, increased substance abuse, and increased depression risk, they add. The study, led by Carlos Riumallo-Herl and published in the International Journal of Epidemiology, is the first to compare how these associations differ across countries. The researchers used data on 38,356 people from the Health and Retirement Survey (HRS) and the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) covering the years 2004 to 2010. The findings could reflect the more generous benefits systems in Europe . Surveys were carried out via questionnaire face-to-face in Europe and over the phone in the U.S., and covered 13 European countries – including Spain, France and Italy - and the USA. At each interview, individuals were classified into four broad categories – employed, unemployed and looking for work, retired, or disabled. The reasons for job loss were also gathered - due to the worker's firm or plant closing down, due to redundancy, or job loss for another reason. And the individuals’ levels of depression were also recorded. The results showed overall job loss was associated with a 4.8 per cent increase in depression scores in the U.S., and a 3.4 per cent increase in Europe. However, when job loss due to plant closure was looked at separately, depressive symptom scores increased by 28.2 per cent in the U.S. as compared to 7.5 per cent in Europe. The role of wealth also differed across the two regions. Dr Riumallo-Herl said: ‘In the USA, the impact of job loss is significantly stronger for those with little or no wealth than for wealthier individuals and the impact of job loss due to plant closure was stronger than in Europe. ‘In contrast, we observed significant but weaker effects of job loss on depressive symptoms in Europe, which were not modified by pre-existing levels of wealth.’ The researchers suggest the results could reflect the more generous benefits systems in Europe. | Job loss linked to 4.8% rise in depression in U.S., and 3.4% rise in Europe .
When job loss is due to plant closure depression increases 28% in the U.S.
In this situation, depression scores increase by 7.5% in Europe .
This could be because of more generous benefits systems in Europe . |
168,362 | 65c0e0d9942aa67b6df3af80634baf9db74b93ab | By . Associated Press Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 20:10 EST, 14 August 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 20:10 EST, 14 August 2013 . A wildfire has threatened hundreds of homes after destroying more than a dozen others outside the resort town of Park City. The lightning-sparked blaze was among several in the West where fires have devoured dry grass and brush and burned to the edges of small communities since Tuesday. Shifting winds in Utah pushed the fire toward homes in a subdivision about 10 miles outside Park City. Tragic: Idaho farmer Bill Corlett lost 100 cattle in the wildfires . Cemetary: A backhoe is used to bury some of the 100 cattle Bill Corlett lost during a wildfire northwest of Fairfield, Idaho. Corlett's home was destroyed in the blaze . Destitute: A sign posted by the remains of Bill Corlett's home that burned during a wildfire . It destroyed a dozen homes on . Tuesday, plus another home overnight. Fire officials say it also burned . 20 outbuildings and several vehicles and boats. The fire began near a populated area and had grown to 2,000 acres, or nearly three square miles, by last night. About . 250 homes northeast of Park City remain threatened, including some . along a golf course in the gated community of Promontory. Residents . who hoped to return home last night aren't likely to be allowed back in . until tonight at the earliest, said Utah fire official Mike Eriksson. Some were allowed to pick up pets and medication early yesterday. Steady . winds and rising temperatures stoked the fire yesterday afternoon, . sending large clouds of brownish-black smoke into the sky. The fire was . still only about 25 percent contained, said Utah fire official Mike . Eriksson. 'The winds haven't been helping out with this fire,' Eriksson said. 'It's definitely growing.' Blaze: This aerial shot shows the blackened landscape surrounding a home destroyed by the wildfire near Rockport, Utah . Scorched: The land around this destroyed home in Utah has been razed by the wildfire . The lighting strike that ignited the blaze on Tuesday shook Kim Alderman's convenience store, and flames were visible within a few minutes. The fire then spread into the gated communities of Rockport Ranches and Rockport Estates, mostly middle-class homes used as primary residences, said Alderman, owner of the Rafter B Gas N' Grub in Wanship. Brenda Child was at a nearby lake with her six-year-old grandson when she saw the flames. She raced home in her car and ran into the house with her shirt covering her mouth to avoid breathing in the smoke. She grabbed her dog, computer and insurance policy and left. When she was allowed to return yesterday, she found the 3,000-square-foot house she and her husband moved into three months ago untouched. 'I was absolutely horrified that our house was going to be gone,' Child said. Several helicopters and one large DC-10 tanker plane worked the fire, dropping fire retardant. More than 100 people were assigned to help fight the fire. In west-central Utah's Skull Valley, more than 20 structures had been threatened by the Patch Springs Fire on Tuesday. Crews made progress and officials said the structures were no longer threatened by the 16-square-mile blaze. On guard: Firefighters keep watch at the perimeter of the Elk Complex fire near the small mountain community of Pine, Idaho . Spreading: Firefighters try to push back the flames on the edge of the Elk Complex fire near the small mountain community of Pine, Idaho . More than 250 firefighters were working to contain the largest blaze in Utah, which jumped across the border into Idaho. The lightning-caused State Fire has charred almost 36 square miles in steep and rugged terrain. It was 50 percent contained. In Idaho, fire crews prepared to capitalize on favorable winds and lower temperatures to continue burnout operations around the small mountain community of Pine, where the Elk Complex remained the nation's number one firefighting priority. The lightning-caused fire has burned across more than 175 square miles and destroyed structures in the community of Fall Creek, fire spokeswoman Ludie Bond said. A wildfire near Glenwood Springs, Colorado, prompted a small number of evacuations, according to Garfield County Sheriff's Office spokesman Walter Stowe. The Red Canyon Fire was threatening 20 structures and was 10 percent contained yesterday. Meanwhile, health district officials in northern Nevada were monitoring air quality concerns due to smoky haze from a wildfire in the Tahoe National Forest more than 60 miles away. | More than a dozen homes destroyed in Idaho and Utah wildfires .
The fire was ignited by a lightning strike on Tuesday .
Hundreds of people have been evacuated . |
10,055 | 1c808dc175df4016e16bd947f4a6a9c6584dcc5f | By . Jaya Narain . PUBLISHED: . 05:17 EST, 11 April 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 19:01 EST, 12 April 2012 . Caught out: Radio presenter Burden has hit out over the BBC's move to Salford . Many BBC staff have never made a secret of their disdain for their new northern base. But one presenter has taken the sniping to a new level...by making an on-air joke accusing the Corporation’s neighbours in Salford of being light-fingered. The gaffe came when BBC Five Live breakfast show host Rachel Burden was interviewing Olympic cycling hopeful Laura Trott, who won two gold medals at the Track Cycling World Championships in Melbourne, about her success. But when Miss Trott, 19, joked about accidentally leaving the medals in her car, Miss Burden quipped: ‘What? Around here?’ The suggestion that the car was at risk of being broken into caused fury among radio listeners in Salford, who help to pay 35-year-old Miss Burden’s wages through the licence fee and say the city is being unfairly reviled as a crime hotspot by BBC staff. Edward Reid, a legal worker, said of Tuesday’s interview: ‘It’s time presenters like Rachel kept their prejudices to themselves rather than airing them to listeners. She is employed to do a job, not pass snide remarks about an area which she knows little or next to nothing about. Grow up.’ Joanna Smith, 29, a clerical worker, said: ‘It’s just ignorance really. Salford does have a reputation as a hard city but so has London – they need to get a grip.’ Salford MP Hazel Blears said of Salford Quays, where the BBC is based: ‘I go down there on a regular basis and there’s always a lot of activity. It seems like a safe place to be. In any urban environment you get the odd incident.’ This week it emerged that BBC managers have offered staff in Salford personal security guards to escort them to their cars and tram stops from their studios. However, crime rates for Shepherd’s Bush, home to the BBC’s White City London headquarters, are higher than in Salford, and its figures for violent crime and robbery are way above the national average. Furthermore, recent figures show that although Salford remains slightly above the national average for violence and robbery, crime there has dropped. The BBC’s move to Media City in Salford Quays – where about 1,600 staff are now based, has been riddled with gaffes and controversy, with many presenters refusing to move. BBC Breakfast presenters Sian Williams and Chris Hollins both refused to make the change and have since been replaced. Left behind: Laura Trott, centre, with her gold medal following at the Track Cycling World Championships in Melbourne, Australia . Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson blasted the BBC’s move last year, describing Salford as ‘a small suburb with a Starbucks and a canal with ducks on it’ and said that he would resign if the motoring programme was moved north. Miss Burden, a mother-of-three, last year said she was ‘excited’ by the prospect of a move to the North and a new base in Salford. But she revealed she and her partner would not be selling their four-bedroom London home in Ealing, valued at £650,000. ‘London prices are likely to rise faster than other parts of the country so we want to hold on to it and let it out,’ she said. Double winner: Laura Trott with her Gold Medal after winning the Women's Omnium during day four of the 2012 UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Melbourne, Australia . She added that she was looking forward to settling in an upmarket Cheshire village with good schools and an easy commute to Salford. She said: ‘I was surprised prices in Cheshire aren’t much cheaper for a similar-sized house to our home, although the gardens are larger. It may not be easy to find a home that ticks every box so we are likely to rent first.’ A spokesman for BBC North said: 'During a light-hearted moment at the end of the interview with Laura Trott, an off-the-cuff remark was made. No offence was intended and we’re sorry if anyone was upset.' Burden's remarks follow reports that a number of staff have been warned over their safety following the move to Salford. Corporation chiefs have offered personal security guards to escort men and women to their cars and tram stops from the studios. And an extraordinary email intended to reassure staff about on-site security will serve only to increase fears, with a BBC executive admitting she has been looking at site security ‘following a couple of incidents’. In a move costing an estimated . £1.5billion, the BBC has relocated 2,500 staff across five departments . including Sport, Children’s and Radio 5 Live to the Media City site. BBC Breakfast made its Salford debut . on Tuesday, while Blue Peter and Match of the Day are among the . programmes which air from the futuristic complex. Fears: The BBC's £200m Media City development in Salford. Staff were told that it was a 'different kettle of fish' from West London . Incidents there over the past year include: . The offer of personal security applies . particularly for those working late at night or early in the morning. In a leaked email intended to reassure staff about on-site safety, Rhian . Roberts, head of development for Radio 5 Live and Sports Extra, said . the measures had been tightened after incidents affecting staff. ‘I’ve been looking at on-site security . on 5 Live’s behalf following a couple of incidents – and also the . reality that Media City is a different kettle of fish to W12.’ The BBC’s buildings at White City have . private car parks manned by security and which require a pass to enter, . while the Tube station is yards away. Concerned: Rhian Roberts, left, head of development for BBC Radio 5 live and Sports Extra, said Salford was a 'different kettle of fish' to west London and there has been an offer of personal security for those working late . By contrast, the Salford Quays area . has open access as a number of businesses operate in the area and is . relatively deserted after normal working hours. The site is patrolled by . security guards on foot and on Segway electric two-wheeled vehicles. In the same email, Tony Chebrika, the . head of security for Peel Media Group – which owns and polices the site – . said he could ‘arrange for escorts’ for frightened staff. Mr Chebrika . also reassured staff that the site had 300 CCTV cameras, guards on . constant patrol and a 24-hour control room. In spite of these precautions, . however, a wide range of crimes were reported by BBC employees since . last year including assault, spray-paint damage and thefts. Paul Newman, head of communications . for Peel Media, said that the Salford complex includes more than 50 . commercial businesses – including Costa Coffee, Wagamama and Prezzo – . and 378 apartments. He said: ‘From day one our policy has . been to, on request, offer escorts to people who want to get to their . cars or the tram stop, particularly late at night.’ The crime rate has dropped in Salford . in recent years but remains slightly above the national average for . violent crime and robbery. Upping sticks: Bill Turnbull and Susanna Reid present BBC Breakfast, just one of the programmes that has been forced to relocate to the north . Leafy: BBC Television Centre in White City, west London, where staff had previously been based before the move to Salford . Last year a student staying at a hotel in . Salford Quays was shot dead in what police described as an ‘unprovoked . attack’. However, crime rates for the Shepherd’s Bush area around White . City are higher than Salford and its figures for violent crime and . robbery are well above the national average. John Merry, leader of Salford City Council, yesterday pointed out that crime was not unique to the city. ‘This is just scaremongering,’ he . said. ‘It is not unusual for complexes like MediaCityUK to have high . levels of security, whether in Salford, London or any other city.’ BBC Breakfast presenters Susanna Reid . and Bill Turnbull were teased yesterday over their move to Salford. Shaun Ryder, of the Happy Mondays, said: ‘I only live four minutes away . ... great to have you on in the North.’ When Ryder started asking Turnbull . where exactly in Cheshire he would be living, the presenter replied: . ‘Careful’, acknowledging that the travel and residential arrangements of . BBC broadcasters in the North are intended to be kept off screen. Turnbull then joked: ‘All back to Shaun’s for some breakfast – he’s closest!’ | Guards to escort staff to their cars and tram stops after host of attacks .
BBC personalities, including Breakfast presenters, work at £1.5bn facility . |
148,655 | 4c3a528f76c1e88049d348fed5466639e945fed0 | (CNN) -- Former Vice President Al Gore will not face prosecution on an allegation of sexual assault from 2006. The allegation, brought forth by Molly Hagerty, claims Gore sexually abused her during a professional massage at the Hotel Lucia in Portland on October 24, 2006. CNN policy is to not name the alleged victim in a sexual abuse case, unless the person has come forward publicly to the media. Hagerty told her story to the National Enquirer. The Portland Police Bureau did not recommend prosecution "due to a lack of credible evidence," according to the Multnomah County district attorney's office. "After evaluating the materials submitted by PPB I have concluded that I agree with the assessment that a sustainable criminal case does not exist," Senior Deputy District Attorney Don Rees wrote in a memo Friday. "Ms. Hagerty's detailed statement ... is insufficient to support a criminal charge given other contradictory evidence, conflicting witness statements, credibility issues, lack of forensic evidence and denials by Mr. Gore." Gore's office in Nashville, Tennessee, released a statement saying the former vice president was pleased with the finding. "Mr. Gore unequivocally and emphatically denied this accusation when he first learned of its existence three years ago," the statement reads. "He respects and appreciates the thorough and professional work of the Portland authorities and is pleased that this matter has now been resolved." An attorney for Hagerty did not immediately return a call for comment. According to the district attorney's office, Portland police first became aware of the allegations in December 2006, when Hagerty's attorney said his client had been subjected to "unwanted sexual contact" by Gore. After a series of canceled meetings with investigators, Hagerty's attorney told police the matter would be handled strictly as a civil case and no police complaint would be filed. After Hagerty's allegations were published in the National Enquirer this summer, Portland police opened a full investigation, Rees wrote. Portland police submitted their findings to the district attorney's office on Tuesday and did not recommend prosecution. The district attorney's office noted several deficiencies in the case: . "Ms. Hagerty, who has red hair, states she called Mr. Gore immediately following the alleged incident and told him to 'dream of redheaded women' seemingly in contradiction to her assertions that she was terrified of Mr. Gore," Rees wrote. The DA's office also said Hagerty did not provide medical records she claimed were related to the case, despite repeated requests. Rees also wrote that Hagerty failed a polygraph examination and was apparently paid by the National Enquirer for her story. | District attorney's office cites numerous "deficiencies" in the alleged victim's case .
Portland police recommended no prosecution .
DA's office cites "lack of credible evidence"
Alleged incident took place during 2006 massage . |
101,329 | 0ea000df344f80c0f5d2a788cde9a036200b1b69 | A wedding photographer says she is furious after Ukip activists accidentally printed her mobile number on a giant billboard, leading to her receiving a number of abusive phone calls. Alexandria Hall, 30, said she had been sworn at and dubbed a racist after her telephone number was displayed on the mobile advertising hoarding as it drove around Surrey. Ukip have blamed a 'printing error' for the mix up, which saw Ms Hall's contact details used on the poster proclaiming 'Vote Ukip - let's get our country back', and criticising the Conservatives for not fixing potholes in the county. Wedding photographer Alexandria Hall says she is furious after Ukip activists accidentally printed her mobile number on this giant mobile billboard, leading to her receiving a number of abusive phone calls . Ms Hall, from Walthamstow, east London, said she had been harassed with the calls since Saturday, and had thought at first that it was a joke - until she started receiving abuse over the phone. 'At first I thought it was a joke,' she said. 'But then people started phoning calling me a racist and swearing at me for no reason. 'Now every time the phone rings I get anxious because it's not nice being harassed by people being so aggressive.' Ms Hall said she was sworn at and called a racist by angry callers who rang her by mistake . She only realised what had happened when a local councillor called her to discuss potholes, and later found photographs of the billboard - complete with her phone number - were being circulated on Twitter. Ms Hall said when she spoke to an officer from the party, she was given an apology and told the error was down to a mistake by the printing company. 'Then the Ukip officer suggested that I could forward the callers on to the correct number as if I was some sort of admin service,' she said. She says the mix-up may mean she has to change her phone number, and with it the marketing material for her photography business. 'I told him this is seriously detrimental to my business as a photography as this is my work phone and I've spent loads of money marketing it,' she said. A Ukip spokesman told MailOnline that Ms Hall's number had been displayed on the billboard after a 'printing error', and that she had accepted the party's apology. 'It was a printing error,' he said. 'I do know someone responsible phoned her up as soon as there was a mistake and apologised profusely. Everyone is human and these things happen. 'It was only up for 24 hours over the weekend and it has gone down now.' He added: 'We are embarrassed by the situation and sorry for the inconvenience.' Ukip campaigners with party leader Nigel Farage in May last year. A spokesman for the party said the mistake was down to a 'printing error', and an officer had apologised to Ms Hall . | Alexandria Hall's mobile number displayed on billboard in Surrey .
Her number was printed on poster criticising Tories for county's potholes .
Mobile hoarding proclaimed 'Vote Ukip - let's get our country back'
Wedding photographer says she was harassed by callers and called racist .
Ukip has apologised to Ms Hall, 30, for the 'printing error' |
64,561 | b758c7d3a984e38aa71271d196f174a2b3d76040 | By . Jill Reilly, Ryan Kisiel and Chris Greenwood . PUBLISHED: . 11:09 EST, 16 June 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 01:30 EST, 17 June 2013 . Quizzed: Senior Liberal Democrat peer Lord Rennard has been interviewed by police under caution over allegations he sexually harassed women party activists . Liberal Democrat peer Lord Rennard was questioned by police yesterday over a ‘torrent’ of claims that he harassed and indecently assaulted women. The party’s chief executive was questioned under caution for several hours over allegations he molested young activists. The claims surfaced in February when it emerged that a number of woman activists and party workers had complained of unwanted advances by Lord Rennard, who presided over ‘training’ weekends attended by hundreds of female party hopefuls. Some claimed he tried to entice them to his bedroom. One threatened to blow the whistle at a tribunal before she was paid off. Others said they were left ‘shamed and humiliated’. His solicitors said in a statement: 'We can confirm that Lord Rennard agreed to meet with the police and that he welcomed his first opportunity to refute the basis of allegations made against him.' The allegations, which surfaced on . Channel 4 in February, came from Miss Smith, Bridget Harris, a former . special adviser to Nick Clegg, and two unnamed women. Mr Clegg said the report made . ‘sobering reading’ and said there was ‘no excuse’ for what had happened . over 20 years in the party’s corridors of power. Others say they were left ‘shamed and humiliated’ during his alleged campaign of sexual harassment. One alleged he put his hands where . they had ‘no business being’ and another branded him ‘repugnant’ for . allegedly forcing his hand up her dress as they posed for a photo. Lord Rennard has said he was ‘deeply shocked’ by the allegations and described them as a ‘total distortion’ of his character. But last week Nick Clegg admitted he failed to respond vigorously enough to a series of sexual . harassment complaints about his party’s former chief executive. A formal inquiry was triggered by the . allegations surrounding Lord Rennard, pictured (left) after a meeting in . Bangkok in 2010 and (right) at this year’s parliamentary pancake race . The . Deputy Prime Minister ‘made mistakes’ over the allegations against Lord . Rennard, according to a highly critical report into attitudes to women . among senior Liberal Democrats. Mr . Clegg conceded that ‘women had been let down’ after the independent . report said he should have ‘asked more questions’ when the claims – . which Lord Rennard denies – arose five years ago. Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg admitted his party had failed women for 20 years . There were several missed chances to hold an investigation, the report added. The inquiry into the wider culture of . the Liberal Democrats spanning two decades was launched after the . Rennard claims surfaced earlier this year. Aside from the complaints by four . women against the peer, witnesses reported 32 other sexual harassment . and discrimination incidents – including one where a male . parliamentarian had made inappropriate advances to a very young male . worker. City fund manager . Helena Morrissey – who wrote the report – admitted she was . ‘shocked’ at the party’s failure to live up to its ideals of equality . and liberty, adding: ‘You have got to practise what you preach’. Mrs . Morrissey, who found evidence of ‘low level sexism’, said: ‘Mistakes . were definitely made. They . were made by Nick Clegg, Danny Alexander and Jo Swinson. 'You can make a . mistake and learn from them, it’s different from setting out to . mislead or to do something wrong.’ But she added: ‘I am not exonerating . Nick Clegg.’ A formal . inquiry should have immediately been launched by Mr Clegg into the . allegations of improper conduct involving Lord Rennard when they were . raised by women in 2008, she said. Mr . Clegg said the report made ‘sobering reading’ and said there was ‘no . excuse’ for what had happened over 20 years in the party’s corridors of . power. He added that it illustrated that . ‘stretching over a 20-year period a series of mistakes were made which . left a number of women feeling seriously let down and for that there is . absolutely no excuse whatsoever’. Alleged victim Alison Smith has said she decided to go public because Lord Rennard appeared back on the scene . Criticism: The Lib Dem leadership was quickly accused of turning a 'blind eye' when party activist Bridget Harris spoke to Channel 4 News . Mrs Morrissey also singled out Liberal Democrat ministers Jo Swinson and . Danny Alexander for adopting an ‘informal’ approach to the complaints . which was ‘ultimately not sufficient’. The inquiry was triggered by the allegations surrounding Lord Rennard . but it was widened to include how the party dealt with other complaints . of sexism and harassment. It spanned complaints from up to 20 years ago. Mrs Morrissey said it . would not be fair however to hold the party to the same standards for . events of decades ago that are expected today. Her report said former leader Charles Kennedy’s ‘relatively relaxed . management style’, compared to his predecessor Lord Ashdown’s, . ‘contributed to Chris Rennard’s power base’. Paul Burstow, the party’s chief whip at the time, was also told of the claims about Lord Rennard in 2008. Businesswoman Helena Morrissey said Mr Clegg should have ordered a formal inquiry into allegations of sexual harassment against Lord Rennard . But the allegations did not surface publicly until this year, when Channel 4 interviewed two alleged victims. At the time, the party denied that Mr Clegg had any knowledge of specific allegations about Lord Rennard. He was also quick to criticise the ‘self appointed detectives’ of the . media as newspapers also investigated the potential scandal. Mrs Morrissey said there had been ‘no malicious attempt’ to cover up the . claims but that the way they dealt with them had been ‘haphazard’. The . Deputy Prime Minister had not launched a formal inquiry because he . believed the alleged victims had not requested one and wanted to keep . their anonymity, she said. Mr Clegg told the inquiry: ‘The natural course of action had been to . challenge Chris [Lord Rennard] in respect of the allegations and this . was duly done. He then denied any wrongdoing and the affair was dropped . since none of the complainants wished to …substantiate their . allegation.’ Mrs Morrissey admitted she was ‘shocked’ by some of the complaints, such . as one Lib Dem councillor aggressively cornering a female staff member. Mrs Morrissey criticised the ‘tendency for the party to try to “handle” complaints rather than to fully and properly investigate them in a . timely, professional manner.’ Scotland Yard is investigating allegations against the peer – who has denied any wrongdoing. Lord Rennard declined to comment. Mr Clegg said he would implement all the recommendations made in Miss . Morrissey’s report ‘without delay’ and had asked her to check on . progress in 12 months. He admitted the party had to do more, adding: ‘We must be a party where . even a hint of sexism is taken seriously; where every allegation of . harassment is dealt with properly; and where there can be no fear that . power or position can be abused.’ Sorry we are unable to accept comments for legal reasons. | Voluntarily attended south London police station today .
Lord Rennard has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing .
Number of woman activists and party workers made allegations of unwanted advances, but when they reported the claims little action was taken . |
72,405 | cd3cb0154836c4ab976eeb4098b79e1ce5ce3188 | By . Jill Reilly . PUBLISHED: . 04:32 EST, 13 February 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 14:27 EST, 13 February 2013 . A Tibetan protester in monk's robes doused himself with gasoline, set himself ablaze and chanted anti-China slogans as he ran down a street in Nepal's capital this morning. His demonstration outside the Buddhist holy site, the Boudhanath stupa, is the latest in a string of self-immolations protesting China's rule over Tibet. Witnesses in Nepal said the man entered a cafe in Kathmandu's Boudhanath district - home to many . Tibetan Buddhist temples and monasteries - and asked to use the . bathroom. WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES . Protest: A Tibetan monk burns after he set himself on fire in Kathmandu, Nepal earlier today. It was the latest in a string of self-immolations protesting China's rule over Tibet . Street protest: The man has yet to be identified, but appeared to be about 21 years old - he is currently in hospital . After spending some time there, he went onto the street and lit himself on fire. He . ran a few steps, covered in flames and chanting slogans against China, . before collapsing in front of the mammoth Boudhanath stupa, one of the . holiest Buddhist sites in the world, surrounded by prayer wheels and . decorated with colourful streams of prayer flags. The site is centre of Tibetan culture in Kathmandu and has become a focal point for tourists to visit. The dramatic protest marked the 101st . time since 2009 that a Tibetan monk, nun or layperson has set . themselves on fire, according to officials from the Tibetan exile . government, based in India. Assistance: Police official Keshav Adhikari said police and residents were able to put out the flames and rush the man to a hospital . Chanting: The monk chanted slogans against China, before collapsing in front of the mammoth Boudhanath stupa, one of the holiest Buddhist sites in the country . Boudhanath Stupa is the largest stupa in Nepal and the holiest Tibetan Buddhist temple outside Tibet. For centuries it has been regarded as the most important landmark along the Tibet-Kathmandu trade route. It is the centre of Tibetan culture in Kathmandu and rich in Buddhist symbolism. It is also a popular tourist site and many regard it as the national symbol for Nepal. The holy site attracts pilgrims from all over the world. In 1979, Boudha became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Prayer services are held in the stupa and surrounding gompas and when the sun sets, the whole community comes out and a religious observance is held around the stupa. The . protesters are calling for Beijing to allow greater religious freedom . and the return from exile of their spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, who . lives in India. Tibetan exiles say 99 of the protesters set themselves alight in ethnic Tibetan areas inside China. Another man died after setting himself on fire last March in the Indian capital of New Delhi. Police official Keshav Adhikari said police and residents were able to put out the flames and rush the man to a hospital. Dozens of police in riot gear surrounded the hospital where the man lay in critical condition. Adhikari said the man had yet to be identified, but appeared to be about 21 years old. Wednesday . marked the third and one of the most important days of the Losar . festival, which is celebrated by the Tibetan community. Many Tibetans in . Nepal visit Boudhanath for the event. Prasant . Tamang, a waiter at the Golden Eye Cafe, said he found a gasoline . bottle, a jacket and a bag in the cafe's bathroom. Tamang said the man . appeared normal and calm. 'He looked like the hundreds of . Tibetans who came to Boudhanath today and I did not suspect he was going . to set himself on fire,' Tamang said. Penpa . Tsering, speaker of the Tibetan exile parliament in India, said that . with China cracking down on self-immolations inside Tibet, Tibetans were . beginning to move their protests to other countries. 'It's unfortunate, and each life is . precious, but regular modes of protest are taken away from Tibetans, and . they are expressing their discontent in this extreme way,' he said. Horror scene: Nepalese bystanders look at the area where a Tibetan monk sets himself on fire . Presence: Dozens of police in riot gear surrounded the hospital where the man lay in critical condition . Thousands of Tibetan exiles live in Nepal and occasionally protest against China. The . Nepalese government has banned such demonstrations, saying it cannot . allow any activities against friendly nations to take place in Nepal. Nepal also allows Tibetans to pass . through Nepal, traveling from their homeland to Dharmasala, India, where . the Dalai Lama lives and the government in exile is based. Communist troops occupied the Himalayan region of Tibet in 1951. Beijing says it has been part of China for centuries, but Tibetans say it was independent for much of that time. The Dalai Lama fled the region in 1959 as Chinese troops crushed protests against communist rule. Emotion: A Tibetan woman wipes her tears during a function organized at the Tibetan monastery in Boudhanath Stupa to mark the third day of New Year or Losar celebration in Kathmandu . Reflection: Exiled Tibetan monks offer a prayer at the Tibetan Monastery . Gathering: Tibetans participate in a function organized at the Tibetan monastery today . | Latest in a string of self-immolations protesting China's rule over Tibet .
Man has yet to be identified, but appeared to be about 21 years old .
Collapsed in front of Boudhanath stupa, one of the holiest Buddhist sites . |
25,694 | 48ca622b6ea178b8182659d2ee7362e095531924 | By . Bianca London . Tennis fan Pippa Middleton is used to being the centre of attention when it comes to celebrity spotting at ball games. But today the Duchess of Cambridge's sister was upstaged by a real tennis superstar, as Maria Sharapova cheered from the crowd just inches away from her at the Queen's Club in London. Fresh from celebrating her French Open win at Roland Garros on Saturday the Russian ace was in London to see Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov play Great Britain's James Ward during the Men's Singles match on day two of the Aegon Championships at the Queens Club in West Kensington. Maria Sharapova (top left) and Pippa Middleton (bottom right) were both at London's Queen's Club on Tuesday . The glamorous pair were there to watch Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov beat Great Britian's James Ward during their Men's Singles match on day two of the Aegon Championships . Maria, 6.2", arrived after Pippa, and was seated just a few rows behind the author. While the Russian player, 27, was dressed casually in light blue jeans, a slogan T-shirt and a loose, striped jacket, Pippa had opted for a more ladylike look, showing off her recently cut 'lob' (long . bob) hairstyle, which she wore in loose curls. Pippa, 30, also wore a Tory Burch white dress with intricate blue and green floral details, which she accessorised with a CH Carolina Herrera Minueto bag and oversized sunglasses. Just like thrifty sister Kate, Pippa has worn the dress before. She wore it last year in a summer themed photoshoot for Waitrose magazine. On the brand's website, the dress' description reads: 'Just in time for summer, the Talley Dress is an effortless, work-to-weekend style made in soft stretch poplin with a tailored look. Both women wore dark black sunglasses but their spectactor style is generally quite different with Pippa choosing a ladylike Tory Burch dress and Maria dressing down in ripped jeans and a T-shirt . Tennis champion Sharapova was sat just behind author Pippa . 'The sleeveless silhouette has a straight fit on top, a figure-defining banded waist and a full, flared skirt that is universally flattering. Wear it with pumps or sandals for easy warm-weather chic.' Pippa's shorter hairstyle is winning the seal of approval of top style experts. Celebrity make-up artist Rachel Wood, who works with Mariah Carey, Vanessa Hudgens and Louise Roe, was full of praise for the socialite's new look. 'I always think a good few inches chop . makes hair look thicker and healthier,' she told MailOnline. 'Pippa's . long locks were starting to look stringy so I like the new do! This cut gives more structure to her . cheekbones which looked a lot rounder with lengthier locks and I'm . loving the extra highlight she added to her make-up to accentuate them.' Nice tan! Pippa showed off a sunkissed glow in her floral Tory Burch dress at the tennis . Simple accessories: Pippa worn her summery dress with oversized sunglasses and a simple black leather satchel as she joined friends at the tennis . Tennis fan: Pippa, who has attended Wimbledon with sister Kate over the years, sat down to enjoy the casual pre-Wimbledon warm-up . Chit chat: Pippa's stockbroker boyfriend Nico Jackson was no doubt at work so the party planner was instead joined by a male friend . Known as the pre-Wimbledon warm-up, the 2014 AEGON Championships at London's Queen's Club will see some prominent contenders, including Andy Murry, play. Australian Open winner Stanislas Wawrinka, Tomas Berdych, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Lleyton Hewitt will also play. The schedule is notoriously loose and the order of play is only ever agreed the night before. Pippa was last seen out and about in London a month ago, along . with brother James, 27, girlfriend Donna Air, and friend Tom Kingston, having dined out at Trishna . restaurant in the capital after Pippa attended a party for supermarket . Waitrose. In good spirits: A tanned Pippa was all smiles as she showed off her shorter lob (long bob) on the summery June day in West London . Summer style: The Tory Burch dress doesn't show the price on the site but describes itself as 'an effortless, work-to-weekend style made in soft stretch poplin with a tailored look' Pippa recently suffered a set-back after her column in The Telegraph was axed after just six months. According to Us Weekly, a source at the paper said that . readers 'just weren't into' her fortnightly Sports and Social pieces, . which touched on various themes from boxing and rowing to shucking . oysters and flipping pancakes. 'There was a lot of negative mail coming in after each column and there . were too many off-limit subjects for her,' said the source. 'They ran out of ideas.' Pippa's . most recent piece for the Telegraph was published on March 29. It . featured a recipe for a pasta dish, which she said was 'perfect for . post-exercise recovery.' In . another article called 'Pippa: turning crêped crusader for Pancake . Day,' she explored London to find which restaurants make the best . pancakes for Shrove Tuesday. Big tennis fan: Pippa Middleton and Nico Jackson watched last year's Wimbledon Championships Men's Singles Semi-final, which saw Novak Djokovic take on Andy Murray . Keeping it in the family: Pippa often watches the tennis with brother James, left, and sister Carol . Sister act: Pippa and Kate watched Federer Vs Murray on centre court together at Wimbledon two years ago . | Pippa, 30, and Maria, 27, watched Aegon Tennis Championships at the Queen's Club .
The Russian player is celebrating victory at the French Open on Saturday .
Pippa chose a ladylike outfit while Maria dressed in jeans and a T-shirt .
Aegon Championships are known as pre-Wimbledon warm-up .
Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov beat GB's James Ward in Men's Singles . |
280,137 | f6e975d056e47835c917bcc4762f7bcbdaf7ad28 | (CNN)One small crowdfunding investment online, one giant leap for South Africa? At least that's the intention behind the Africa2Moon Mission which aims to muster enough money through internet donations to send a probe to the lunar surface within a decade. The project has been proposed by the Foundation for Space Development South Africa, a non-profit based in Cape Town that seeks to increase awareness around space education and research. By reaching for the stars (or moon, in this case), the idea is to energize the youth of South Africa and beyond and to boldly take the continent where its never gone before. "We aim to inspire, to educate and then once the mission has started up, to do research and science," the organization's chief executive, Jonathan Weltman, told CNN. The mission's website proudly states that the probe could even be programmed to beam pictures of the experiments it undertakes to classrooms all across Africa. Online campaign . But how will these ambitious plans be turned into reality and how likely are they to succeed? Weltman concedes that most people still regard an African nation going to the moon as a remote prospect. However, Afirca2Moon has the backing of a number of South African universities and the South African Space Association among others. Funds have been rolling in via an online donation page over the last month and the target is to reach $150,000 by the end of January to ensure the first stage goes ahead. As of publication, the mission has raised $21,600. If succesful, this initial cash will be used to develop a full lunar program as well as undertake an associated feasibility study. Outreach and public participation events to garner publicity and create engagement will also be arranged. Beyond this stage, suggestions from the scientific community around the world will be considered as to what experiments the probe should be designed to carry out. For example, should it orbit the moon or should it take the shape of a vehicle that can land on the surface and take samples? "Our research must fit in with the rest of the world in terms of making a contribution of getting a better understanding of the moon and the needs that the global community has," Weltman said. Educational prospects . While the ultimate goal is to follow the likes of the U.S., the USSR, India and China in getting up close to the lunar landscape, it's the journey to that point that most interests Weltman and the FSDSA given their focus on education. Studies have shown that countries like South Africa lag behind those in Europe and Asia in terms of the number of higher education graduates and PhD students they produce. According to an article penned by Weltman on the Africa2Moon website, meanwhile, one in nine African graduates also leaves the continent after completing their studies. This has a damaging long-term impact on the continent's development and economic prospects. But an eye-catching mission to the moon could help reverse these trends, Weltman believes. "The benefits won't only come in a decades time when the data starts to come through," he said. "If we can get somebody into science, if we can get somebody to ask how are they going to get to the moon and somehow get them interested in any of the sciences and engineering, that's our job done." The great African space race . A number of African nations have invested in space programs in recent years. South Africa, Nigeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria and Egypt have all launched satellites to aid the likes of communications technology, navigation technology, agriculture, disaster management and mining. The likes of Ghana, Uganda, Angola, Ethiopia and Kenya have also voiced their commitment to follow suit with space programs of their own. On top of this, the Square Kilometer Array project in South Africa's Karoo desert will be the largest and most powerful radio telescope on earth when it comes online. Construction on SKA -- which some have compared to CERN's Large Hadron Collider -- is set to begin in 2018. In a December interview with CNN, Harvard University professor and co-chair of the African Union's High-Level Panel on Science, Technology and Innovation, Calestous Juma, told CNN that such projects were vital to creating valuable and highly skilled workforces on the continent. Others, however, have asked whether space programs or complex science projects are where African countries should be placing their focus given the many other problems facing the continent. This is not a point of view Weltman has much sympathy for. Removing the plaster . "There's no denying there's poverty," he said. "There's Ebola in western Africa, there's religious unrest, there are a lot of trials and tribulations facing our continent and they do need to be dealt with." "But if we pool everything into aid, it's just a plaster or a band aid that doesn't fix the problem." Instead, Weltman suggests a more ambitious and joined up strategy that includes space ambitions will prove more fruitful in the long term. "We have to have education. Education leads to opportunity and opportunity will lead to economic empowerment," he explained. "Beyond education you have to have skill retention. Its no good creating an educated group who then migrate to better shores. Then you lose that skillset and you lose those future leaders because you're not providing for them." "If we don't do that what chance do we ever have of standing shoulder to shoulder so that one day people saying 'Africa goes to Mars' is as normal as saying 'America goes to Mars,' he said. More from Marketplace Africa . Robotics revolution hits classrooms . | Non-profit aims to start process for African lunar probe .
Aim of the project is educational as well as scientific .
Increasing number of African nations are investing in space programs . |
71,254 | ca017fe45e945f53f169316a43b9b0fef9987a3d | Gareth Colfer-Williams was one of more than 1,200 infected by measles in the Swansea area . A young father who was not inoculated against measles as a child died from the disease during an epidemic in Swansea. More than 1,200 people were infected by the virus in the South Wales outbreak. The epidemic last November hospitalised more than 80 young people who had not had the vaccine at the height of the MMR scare. An inquest at Swansea Coroners Court heard how Mr Williams died after he had complained of suffering from a rash on this body, fever and hallucinations, to doctors. He had been advised by . doctors to rest at home, take paracetamol and stop taking . detoxification medicine he had started, in case he was reacting to it. Mr Colfer-Williams was concerned about his four-year-old daughter Dakota and made sure she had the jab. He was said to be vulnerable to infection as he had begun a detox two weeks before his death after suffering from alcohol problems. Consultant pathologist Dr Maurizio Brotto said at 5ft 8in, Mr Colfer-Williams was 'very underweight' weighing just 7st 7lbs. Mr Colfer-Williams' death in April came seven months after the outbreak of the disease last year. A major vaccination programme was launched during the outbreak as parents were warned children could suffer anything from an eye disorder to deafness, brain damage, or death. Mr Colfer-Williams was not inoculated against the disease as a child. He and his partner Cairo Oneim (pictured right) ensured their 4-year-old daughter Dakota was protected against infection . The 25-year-old died at his home in Swansea. He had been advised by doctors to rest at home, take paracetamol and stop taking his detoxification medicine in case he was reacting to it . Gareth Colfer-Williams was infected by measles and died from giant cell pneumonia . Speaking after the case Mr . Colfer-Williams' mother Angela said her son's fiancee Cairo Oneim and . daughter Dakota, were devastated by his death. 'He was a wonderful son and a wonderful father, uncle and brother. Cairo and Dakota are having a terrible time.' Dr Brotto told the inquest Gareth was positive for measles and died from giant cell pneumonia caused by the disease. He said: 'Measles is a viral infection which doesn’t kill you but it can lead to giant cell pneumonia.' The epidemic was contained at . the end of last month after 95 per cent of children in Swansea and the . surrounding areas received the vaccination. | Gareth Colfer-Williams, 25, is the only person to die in Swansea's measles epidemic .
Died days after he was sent home by doctors despite complaining of a rash on his body .
25-year-old died seven months after 1,200 people were infected in last November's outbreak . |
91,112 | 012fa7982597236bcdc14a848a774abc094491b1 | By . Lucy Buckland . PUBLISHED: . 03:29 EST, 7 February 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 11:28 EST, 7 February 2013 . Straight-talking TV presenter Jeremy Kyle has revealed he feared he would die after being diagnosed with testicular cancer. The father-of-four, who suffers from obsessive compulsive disorder, said he had put off visiting a doctor after discovering a lump in December, believing he was just being 'paranoid'. After cancelling his first appointment with a doctor, he was later diagnosed with cancer just before Christmas and underwent surgery the following day. Scroll down to see Jeremy in action . Tearful: Jeremy Kyle returned to work on Wednesday and was moved to tears by the audience's support . The 47-year-old said the support of his devoted wife Carla helped him through the treatment, which included chemotherapy and removal of a testicle. He told The Sun: 'It's been a horrific time - a very sobering experience - but now I just feel lucky to be alive. 'I feel lucky that I'm here for family and can see my kids grow up. 'To be honest, I thought, 'That's it, I'm dead'. The phone call I made to Carla was one of the most difficult of my life.' Frightened: Jeremy said when he was diagnosed he thought his life was over . Think: Jeremy looked like he lost weight since his cancer diagnosis . Kyle, who has now been given the all-clear and returned to work, said doctors told him he could have died within 18 months if the lump remained unchecked. In a sombering interview Kyle, who has just launched his show in America, said this Christmas was a difficult time as he watched children Alice, nine, Ava, seven, Harry, three and 22-year-old daughter Hattie from a previous relationship, open presents. Former gambling addict Kyle admitted he thought it would be the last year he would be able to be with his family - a sobering thought for the chat show host. Terrifying: Jeremy Kyle has revealed he thought he would die after being diagnosed with testicular cancer and said the phone call to his wife Carla (pictured) was the hardest of his life . 'It has been the hardest two months of my life': Jeremy revealed his battle with cancer left him fearful over his future . Further tests revealed that the cancer had not spread to other parts of his body, but he was ordered to undergo chemotherapy as a precaution, which he described as 'like having a permanent migraine' and as if he had been 'shot in every limb'. Kyle, who launched his show in the US in 2011, returned to filming for his ITV show in Manchester to a standing ovation. Jeremy told The Daily Mirror: 'It has been the hardest two months of my life. I have had absolutely amazing support. Thank you all – it is overwhelming really. Devoted: Jeremy said his wife of ten years Carla has been an incredible support . 'And just so you know, I only have one testicle left. But I’ve got a false one and it only cost £289.99!' Visibly shaken Kyle wiped away tears as the audience applauded his return to the studio where he interviewed Amy Winehouse’s ex Blake Fielder-Civil on his relationship with the singer. Jeremy said he is grateful that he has survived his terrifying cancer battle and added although he was paranoid everyone will be looking at his trousers, he would rather have a prosthetic testicle than not be around to see his four children grow up. Testicular cancer usually affects men aged between 15 and 44. The most common symptom is a painless lump or swelling in the testicles, though others include a 'heaviness' or dull ache in the scrotum. It is relatively uncommon, accounting for just one per cent of all cancers in men, and unusual in that it tends to affect younger men. Around 2,090 men are diagnosed with testicular cancer every year in Britain. White men are five times more likely to develop it than black men. It is not understood why. The number of cases of testicular cancer in Britain has doubled since the mid-1970s. Again, the reasons are not known. Testicular cancer is one of the most treatable forms of the disease. More than 95 per cent of men with early stage testicular cancer will be completely cured, and there is an 80 per cent survival rate even when it spreads to other tissue. Deaths are relatively rare, with around 70 men dying from it in Britain each year. Treatment includes chemotherapy and the surgical removal of the affected testicle, which should not affect fertility or the ability to have sex as the other testicle increases sperm production. | Admitted he put off going to doctors after discovering a lump .
Straight-talking presenter been given the all clear after chemotherapy and removal of a testicle .
Father-of-four said he feared this Christmas would be his last .
'I am paranoid people will be glancing at my trousers, but at the end of the day, who cares?'
Returns to work tearful and visibly slimmer . |
149,086 | 4cc488aed965b420ad7e08c59f31a6112d6ac8f5 | (Mental Floss) -- There's no need to page Doctor Doolittle for this case. Here are the amazing, true stories of four animals that could speak for themselves. 1. Hoover the Seal . In 1971, George and Alice Swallow found a baby seal just off the coast of Maine. The little guy appeared to be orphaned, so they took him home and kept him in their bathtub. For the first few days, they tried to feed him ground mackerel, but he refused to eat. Once he trusted his new parents, though, he began eating so voraciously they compared him to a Hoover vacuum cleaner and the name stuck. When he got too big for the tub, Hoover was moved to a small pond behind the Swallows' house. After only a few months, Hoover was eating more fish than his human caretakers were able to provide, so they contacted the New England Aquarium in Boston, hoping the facility had room for him. When introducing the seal to the aquarium, George mentioned that Hoover could talk. Of course no one believed him at the time. A few years later, though, researchers at the aquarium noticed that Hoover's guttural sounds really did seem to be forming words and phrases. He was often telling people to "Get outta here!" or asking, "How are ya?" He could say his name and a few other phrases, all with a thick Bostonian accent. Once the word got out that the Aquarium had a talking seal, he became a media sensation, making appearances in Reader's Digest, The New Yorker, National Public Radio, and even on Good Morning America. Sadly, Hoover died of natural causes in July 1985 at the ripe old age of 14. He was so admired that he received his own obituary in the Boston Globe. He left behind several offspring, but none possessed his unique gift for gab. 2. Blackie the Cat . Search YouTube for "Talking Cat" and you'll find thousands of videos of fluent felines. But in 1981, a talking cat was a bit harder to come by. So when Carl Miles of Augusta, Georgia, trained his cat Blackie to say, "I love you" and "I want my mama," they took their act on the road. Throughout the early 1980s, Blackie made paid appearances on local TV and radio programs, and even hit the big time with a spot on the network TV show That's Incredible. However, as the novelty wore off, Carl and Blackie ended up performing on street corners, asking for donations from passersby. After some complaints from locals, police informed Carl that he would need to get a business license in order to keep up Blackie's street show. Carl paid the $50 fee for a license, but something about it rubbed him the wrong way. So Carl sued the city of Augusta, under the pretense that the city's business license code mentions many types of occupations that require a license, but a talking cat show was not one of them. But that wasn't the only issue Carl had --he also claimed the city was infringing on Blackie's First Amendment Right to Free Speech. Carl lost his case, but he appealed the ruling until it came before a federal court. The argument was finally closed when three presiding judges declared that the business license ordinance allowed for other, unspecified types of businesses to require a license, which would encompass a talking cat performer. As for the First Amendment violation, the courts said the law did not apply because Blackie was not human, and therefore not protected under the Bill of Rights. Furthermore, there seemed no good cause for Carl Miles to be the one to bring the suit in the first place. If Blackie felt his rights were being violated, as a talking cat, he should have been the one to say something. Mental Floss: Animals that were put on trial . 3. Alex the Parrot . Alex, an African gray parrot, was purchased from a Chicago pet store in 1977. Dr. Irene Pepperberg bought the one-year-old bird to see if she could teach a parrot to understand language in a similar manner to chimpanzees and gorillas that had been taught American Sign Language. At the time, it was believed that a large brain, like a primate's, was necessary to acquire language. By comparison, a parrot's brain is about the size of a walnut, so it was believed that mimicry was the best we could hope for. Instead, the work of Pepperberg and Alex (an acronym for Avian Learning EXperiment) before his sudden death in 2007, has changed the perceptions of many in the scientific community. According to Dr. Pepperberg's research, this avian Einstein could identify 50 different objects, knew seven colors and shapes, and many different kinds of materials like wool, paper, and wood. For example, hold up a blue block of wood and Alex could tell you the shape, the color, and even what it was made of. However, he also grasped more complex concepts that required a higher level of thought and understanding. Put a handful of red and yellow blocks on a tray and ask him how many were yellow, he could tell you the correct answer. If you then asked him how many of those same blocks were green, he would say "none." Furthermore, hold up two blocks of different colors and different sizes and he could tell you which was bigger. Maybe the term "birdbrained" isn't such an insult after all. Despite the loss of Alex, the Avian Learning Experiment goes on. Dr. Pepperberg's latest feathered pupil is Griffin, another African Gray, that was born in 1995. In 2007, Animal Planet tested Griffin against kids at a Boston preschool on the basics of object recognition, colors, and shapes. It was determined that Griffin was about as smart as a three-and-a-half year old human. Not bad for having a brain the size of a walnut. Mental Floss: 10 technologies we stole from animals . 4. Lucy the Chimp . When she was only two days old, Lucy, a chimpanzee, was purchased by the University of Oklahoma and sent to live with Dr. Maurice Temerlin, a noted psychologist, who, along with his wife, raised the little chimp as if she were their own human child. Lucy was taught how to eat normal meals at the table using silverware. She could dress herself, often choosing to wear skirts just like her "mother" did. She could even make tea for her "parents" and the team of researchers who trained and cared for her. Dr. Robert Fouts, one of the groundbreaking psychologists who taught American Sign Language (ASL) to Washoe the chimp in 1967, helped Lucy learn to communicate using around 250 ASL signs. Lucy could not only give the signs for objects like airplane, ball, and food, but she could also express her emotions with her hands, often "saying" when she was hungry, happy, or sad. Lucy had become so close to human in most every way that she only found human men, not male chimpanzees, sexually attractive. It was pretty clear that, in her mind anyway, she was the same as her parents. It's a sad fact that once a captive chimp has reached about four or five years old, their immense strength can become a danger to their human caretakers. Often they need to be placed in a zoo, a lab, or some other facility better equipped to handle primates. In this case, the Temerlins raised Lucy as their daughter until 1977, when she was almost 12 years old, before they finally felt like they had to find her a new home. After much deliberation, they decided upon a nature preserve in Gambia on the west coast of Africa. They, along with research assistant Janis Carter, flew with Lucy to her new home to help ease the chimp into the wild. However, it was not going to be as simple as they'd hoped. At the preserve, Lucy was put in a cage at night to protect her from predators. She had only ever slept in a bed inside a nice, quiet, suburban home, so the jungle was a completely new and frightening environment for her. She was also scared of the other chimps, strange creatures she had only encountered a few times before in her life, preferring to stay close to her parents and Janis whenever she could. She wasn't eating because her food had always been delivered to her on a plate; she didn't even understand the concept of foraging. When her parents suddenly became distant and weren't providing her with the life she had always known, Lucy became confused and sad. She would often use the sign for "hurt." And she lost much of her hair due to the stress of her new situation. Realizing that Lucy would never move on if they stayed, her parents left her behind after three weeks. Janis agreed to stay for a few weeks longer, but it was soon clear that Lucy couldn't change who she was. And so, Janis never left. Mental Floss: How do you transport a whale? Janis helped found a chimpanzee sanctuary on an abandoned island in the middle of the Gambia River. She took Lucy and other chimps that had been raised in captivity and lived with them on the island, teaching them skills they would need in the wild, like finding food and climbing trees. For most, the new lifestyle quickly became second nature. But for nearly eight years, Lucy refused to give up her human ways. She wanted human food, human interaction, and to be loved by, what she considered, one of her own kind. It wasn't until Janis stopped living on the island that Lucy was finally able to accept her new life and joined a troupe of chimps. Whenever Janis visited the island, Lucy was still affectionate, still used sign language, but thankfully, she always went back with the chimps into the forest. Sadly, Lucy's decomposed body was discovered in 1987. Her exact cause of death is unknown, though some believe she was killed by poachers. Others say it was probably something less spectacular, like an attack by a dominant male or an illness. There's one thing that no one who knew her wonders about, though, and that's the fact that Lucy never really believed she was anything less than human. For more mental_floss articles, visit mentalfloss.com . Entire contents of this article copyright, Mental Floss LLC. All rights reserved. | Chimp raised by humans learns sign language; signs "hurt' after left at nature preserve .
Hoover the seal tells aquarium visitors, "Get outta here!" or asks "How are ya?"
Blackie the cat taught to say, "I love you" and "I want my mama"
Alex the parrot competes with kids on object recognition, colors, and shapes . |
139,775 | 40bac3eab6c83c69966b1410cbc3b4c64adc4f34 | Hidden: The cameras may be a hard-to-spot grey - which critics say will do little to slow drivers down . Speed cameras to catch motorists driving in excess of 70mph are to be installed along motorways for the first time. So-called stealth cameras – which may be grey rather than bright yellow – will be placed on stretches of some of the busiest routes, including the M1, M6 and M25. Previously, motorway speed cameras have been situated mainly on stretches undergoing roadworks, in order to enforce variable speed limits for safety reasons. Some ‘safety camera partnerships’ have also placed them in vans parked on bridges above the carriageway. Speed cameras to catch motorists driving in excess of 70mph are to be installed along hundreds of miles of motorway for the first time. New so-called ‘stealth cameras’ - which may be grey rather than bright yellow - will be placed on stretches of some of the most important motorways including the M1, M6 and M25. Previously, motorway speed cameras have mainly been situated on stretches undergoing roadworks, in order to enforce variable speed limits for safety reasons. Some ‘safety camera partnerships’ have also placed them in vans which are parked on bridges above the motorway. The Highways Agency is looking at the widespread introduction of cameras to target drivers exceeding the maximum allowed speed of 70mph. According to officials, this will prevent jams and allow better traffic flow by controlling speed limits and opening hard shoulders to traffic during busy periods. But motoring groups claim the introduction of cameras is not about road safety but about generating income through fines. 'Traffic flow': The Highways Agency says the plan will allow better traffic flow on busy routes, such as the M25, pictured . A recent poll in Autocar found that 94.6 per cent of motorists admitted driving in excess of 70mph while on the motorway. Critics have pointed out that less visible cameras will have no impact on actually slowing drivers down. It recently emerged that the Highways Agency has launched a consultation over the speed limit on a section on the M1 between Derbyshire and South Yorkshire. It could see its speed reduced to 60mph for 12 hours a day - between 7am and 7pm - because of fears that congestion is reducing air quality and would be policed by cameras and police patrols. Yesterday Roger Lawson, of the Alliance of British Drivers (ABD), said: 'We are opposed to speed cameras in general. 'The evidence of their success in promoting safety is not good and in reality what is happening now is that the police are using speed cameras to fund their other activities through speed awareness courses.' He added: 'If these cameras are grey . rather than yellow they are going to be harder to spot and so will have . no impact in slowing traffic down. If there is a good reason for the . traffic to be slowed down then the cameras need to be as visible as . possible.' Generating income: Motoring groups say the cameras for routes such as the M6, pictured, are an attempt to make money . The ABD has called for an increase in the upper speed limit on motorways to 80mph. This was considered by ministers but appears no nearer to becoming law. The new cameras, dubbed Hadsec3 (Highways Agency digital enforcement camera system) will be and running along more than 100 miles of motorway within two years, with the further roll-out eventually covering at least 400 miles. Since 2010, some police forces have cut back on their use of speed cameras because the tickets can cost too much to process. But digital technology has made it cheaper and easier to install, monitor and collect information from cameras. A spokesman for the Highways Agency said: ‘These are not stealth cameras they are more visible that they were before. These motorways are not about speed limits. 'They are about smoothing the traffic flows and increasing capacity.’ The spokesman said the new cameras would be signposted and added: 'The onus is on the driver to abide by the speed limit.’ | Highways Agency plans to coat hundreds of miles of motorway with cameras .
The cameras, which may be grey, are usually used around roadworks .
Officials say the cameras will control traffic and prevent jams .
But critics say the move is meant to extract money from drivers . |
53,776 | 9880666126c7836dbe99b0b42becfee3dcab88cf | It has been a monumental seven months for Ashley Gardner. After a lengthy fertility battle, she and husband Tyson finally conceived - quadruplets. Now, for the first time, she has held all four of their three-week-old daughters. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO . The first time! Ashley Gardner has finally held all four of her three-week-old daughters for the first time . Ecstatic: The gasped that it all felt so real now as husband Tyson captured the touching moment on camera . The moment was captured in a heartwarming video by Tyson. With Ashley sat on a sofa, a team of three nurses helped carry each child - and their mobile milk tubes - to rest in her arms. Tearfully looking down at the two sets of identical twins - Indie and Esme, and Scarlett and Evangeline - she gasped: 'I can't believe I have four kids!' She gave birth to four 2lb baby girls 12 weeks early on December 29. After one week of trepidation, tracking their condition, the were visibly gaining their strength in a neonatal ward. So happy: The couple from Pleasant Grove, Utah, conceived all four girls after a lengthy fertility battle . One week old: The quads born to Ashley and Tyson Gardner of Utah - Indie, Esme, Scarlett and Evangeline - at one week old, now as much a viral craze as their mother did with her priceless pregnancy news video . Gaining strength: The two sets of identical twins are steadily improving, though they've experienced a bump or two long the way . 'If our hearts could explode from love they would': A week after they were born 12 weeks early, Ashley and Tyson Gardner are learning how to care for their fragile premie quadruplets . 'If our hearts could explode from love they would have already,' Ashley wrote on the Facebook dedicated to their journey. 'Everyday I don't think it's possible to love them any more than I already do and then the next day I find that I do!!!' Though faced with some bumps in the road, especially for the lightest baby Indie, but the couple are looking to their faith to stay strong. 'God has a plan for us, and he's trusted us with four babies,' Tyson Gardner said. 'We have faith in him, and we have faith in each other.' The Gardners spent eight years battling infertility and gave birth with the help of in vitro fertilization. Proud father Tyson posted that the new mom and four daughters 'were doing incredible' after the birth which was a one-in-70-million chance. 'God has a plan for us, and he's trusted us with four babies,' Tyson Gardner said. 'We have faith in him, and we have faith in each other' Tyson and Ashley Gardner smile while answering questions during a press conference on their new quadruplets at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center in Provo, Utah . Ashley and Tyson Gardner, of Pleasant Grove, said they've gotten congratulations from people around the world after the four babies were delivered via cesarean section . Quads! Ashley Gardner, who spent eight years battling infertility, has received an incredible late Christmas present after delivering four healthy baby girls . Miracles: She gave birth 12 weeks early to two sets of identical girl twins named Esme, Evangeline, Indie and Scarlett . Mr Gardner, from Pleasant Grove, Utah, also thanked the doctors and nurses who delivered the babies. The couple have been sharing messages on a Facebook page charting the pregnancy, saying they are 'overjoyed' and that all four girls appear to have inherited their father's dark hair. The Gardners also shared that they will be featured on a TV series on the TLC network about the pregnancy, birth of their 'quad squad' and adventures over the coming months. The Gardners documented the pregnancy on YouTube, Facebook and a family website. Mr Gardner wrote: 'We can't wait to have you all along on this journey!' Photos of the couple looking shocked after receiving the news about their multiple babies gained wide attention online, and a Facebook page they set up for the babies has nearly 350,000 likes. 'People identify with our story. There are hundreds, thousands of people that struggle with infertility,' Tyson Gardner said. 'Our story's a story of hope.' 'It was scary at first, and then, you know, the second you see the babies' faces and hear them cry, it just is, it's all worth it,' Ashely Gardner said, according to the Deseret News. Doctors made the decision to deliver the babies by C-section after Ashley started experiencing contractions early. The couple became an internet sensation after they made a video earlier this year showing their startled but ecstatic reaction to the news that they had four babies on the way. The couple have been sharing messages on a Facebook page charting the pregnancy, saying they are 'overjoyed' and that all four girls appear to have inherited their father's dark hair . Proud new father Tyson Gardner posted this picture of his wife Ashley with the message: 'Moms saying Hello to Esme! Incredible day! God is real people!!' Mrs Gardner with her husband (left) and their medical team alongside one of their daughters who was born on Sunday and weighs around 2lbs . Ashley Gardner (left), pictured after giving birth by Cesarean section on Sunday, is now mom to four baby girls, Indie, Esme, Scarlett and Evangeline. Her proud husband Tyson with Dr Minton (right) Mrs Gardner, who suffers from endometriosis - a condition which sees cells from the lining of the womb grow in other areas of the body - said she was shocked but excited to discover she was pregnant with quadruplets. The couple wrote in a Facebook post: 'We were so blessed to be able to do IVF the month of June! They put 2 eggs back and both split! That's right, we are having quadruplets! The odds of both eggs splitting are literally 1 in 1 million.' Since then, the couple have posted regular updates on the progress of the pregnancy, including themed snaps of Ashley in costume for Halloween and Christmas. The quadruplets' survival was called a 'miracle' after emergency surgery was needed to stop contractions when Ashley was around 20 weeks pregnant. The couple flew to a specialist center at Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital, where Ashley was admitted for surgery in late October. Doctors managed to stave off the earlier delivery after an intense operation, which allowed the unborn babies vital extra weeks to bolster their chances of survival. The couple posted a picture shortly before the birth with the message: 'Santa let the elves take over for a bit today so he could come visit us in the hospital!! #happy29weeks' Festive: The couple, pictured above at Christmas just days before Ashely's contractions started, kept their huge Facebook following updated with topical pictures . Mr Gardner said doctors told his wife she needed immediate surgery after it appeared her cervix had started to open and she could be going into early labor. Surgeons also managed to cure two of the girls of their twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), which could have resulted in developmental problems. In October, the Gardners posted on Facebook: 'It went great. Dr. Chmait smiled and said, ''This has been a good day!'' 'Our tears have been replaced with relief and continue to pray for the babies safety and continued 'baking' for a good long time!!' The couple, who say the babies are doing 'great' and receiving 'fabulous care', have promised more updates when possible. How many?! The image above shows the moment Ashley discovered that her fertility treatment had gone rather better than she had expected . Unlikely: Ashley says that the chances of her conceiving the four girls - and them surviving to be born - is around 70million-to-one . | Ashley and Tyson Gardner welcomed their four daughters on December 29 .
Two sets of twins Esme, Evangeline, Indie, Scarlett born 12 weeks early .
On Sunday, three weeks after the birth, Ashley held them for the first time .
The couple from Pleasant Grove, Utah, became a viral sensation after releasing a video of Ashley's reaction to learning she was carrying quads .
Gardner had struggled to get pregnant then conceived via IVF . |
64,688 | b7b9c26ca42dc6c19853ba8c832746130b6418b5 | Radamel Falcao has thanked Manchester United for taking a gamble on him. The Colombia striker has admitted to being affected by the cruciate ligament injury which cost him a place at the World Cup last summer but confirmed he wants to commit his future to United after they signed him on an initial loan from Monaco. Speaking to Onda Cero, Falcao said: ‘Manchester United were the ones that gambled on me when it was very difficult to do so. It has been a very difficult year, not just in my professional career. VIDEO Scroll down to watch a parrot that squawks 'gol de Falcao' every time he scores... Radamel Falcao celebrates his first Manchester United goal against Everton at Old Trafford on Sunday . Falcao has thanked United for taking a gamble on him and says he wants to stay at Old Trafford . VIDEO Falcao wants long-term United stay . ‘What happened at the start of the year [his serious knee injury] affected me in every way, but it has also helped me grow as a human being, to think about many things, to mature.’ United signed Falcao on a season-long loan deal from Monaco with an option to buy in place. The parties have reportedly agreed personal terms and the permanent transfer would cost £43million. The 28-year-old added: ‘In terms of my thoughts and plans for the future, I want to stay at Manchester United for the coming years. ‘I’m still going to need some time to be OK, but I am feeling very comfortable and very good on the pitch, in harmony with myself, with the ball and with football.’ Falcao (second left on his United debut against QPR) says he is feeling more comfortable back on the pitch . Falcao’s departure prompted protests from fans at Monaco and he can understand their frustration following his exit, and that of James Rodriguez to Real Madrid. He said: ‘Maybe it’s understandable because of the expectations that were generated last season. Now they have lowered their spending and kept the foundations. 'They have changed the policy and now rely more on young players who can get good results. ‘I am very thankful to them for the good and bad moments, it all made me grow.’ Falcao’s Monaco departure prompted protests from fans and United's new striker says he understands why . | Radamel Falcao's cruciate ligament injury cost him a 2014 World Cup place .
The Colombian wants to stay with Manchester United for the 'coming years'
Falcao left Monaco during the summer and says: 'Manchester United were the ones that gambled on me when it was very difficult to do so'
'It has been a very difficult year not just in my professional career,' he adds . |
145,440 | 4812a6c1e6e23d2ba4965b9324fc22f507f67ec6 | Lord Rennard humiliated Nick Clegg yesterday by defying his second request for an apology for making unwanted advances to female party activists. As the women who complained about the Lib Dem peer’s behaviour claimed they had been ‘branded liars’, party leader Mr Clegg again tried and failed to wring a statement of regret from him. The complainants are now considering taking legal action for having their ‘reputations trashed’ after the party let its former chief executive escape punishment. Unrepentant: Lib Dem peer Lord Rennard has humiliated Nick Clegg . They accused Lord Rennard of sexually . inappropriate touching when he was the Lib Dems’ chief executive and . also involved in candidate selection. On Wednesday, a review of the case found their claims were ‘credible’ and that he should apologise for ‘violating their space’. But . the QC appointed to investigate, Alistair Webster, said the claims did . not pass the tough, burden of proof threshold set in criminal cases. As . a result there were no grounds on which to expel him from the party but . both Mr Webster and Mr Clegg said Lord Rennard should say sorry. The . peer refused to do so and retains his position on a key party policy . board. He is also likely to have the Lib Dem whip reinstated at a House . of Lords meeting on Monday. Yesterday . Mr Clegg tried again when he told LBC radio that Lord Rennard should . now ‘do the decent thing’. ‘He should apologise,’ said Mr Clegg. ‘I think it is a matter of very real regret – to put it mildly – that, so far at least, he hasn’t chosen to apologise.’ Nick Clegg last night risked civil war in his party as he insisted Lord Rennard should not rejoin the Lib Dem group in the Lords unless he apologises over sexual harassment allegations . But the women involved are so furious at the leaderships’ impotence they have rebuffed Mr Clegg’s attempts to speak to them. One Lib Dem activist said last night: ‘It is infuriating to think that we are effectively being branded liars.’ And . one complainant said she wanted to think ‘very seriously’ once the . ‘heat’ had died down whether she and others should take legal action. Their anger intensified after Lord Carlile, a senior QC, said his friend Lord Rennard had ‘nothing to apologise for’. ‘Astonishingly . the Liberal Democrats, our party, which has committed against secret . justice has refused to allow either Lord Rennard or I as his legal . representative ever to see Alistair Webster’s report. What kind of . justice system is that?’ he told BBC Radio 4’s Today. Mr Clegg was also pressed on his LBC radio show on whether he had failed to deal with the complaints about Lord Rennard. Current and former Lib Dem activists took to Twitter to condemn the ruling that Lord Rennard will face no further action . He . admitted that ‘the buck stops with me’ and added: ‘The party as a . whole, and myself as leader, we’ve got to take responsibility, [we] . failed to respond to the concerns first raised.’ Susan Gaszczak, a Lib Dem campaigner, waived her anonymity last night to claim she too had been a victim of Lord Rennard. Revealing that Mr Clegg had phoned her to apologise, she told Channel 4 News: ‘He needs to be firm. 'We . should not be calling for women to resign, we should be calling for . Rennard’s resignation. [And] he has not been found not guilty, either. 'Someone needs to man up here and do something about this.’ Another . alleged victim, Alison Smith, said: ‘The investigation has no . credibility with either side and the party needs to start again from . scratch, this time with transparency.’ Lord . Paddick of Brixton also angered victims by appearing to blame their . ‘reluctance’ to come forward years ago for the lack of action. He . added in an article for the Liberal Democrat Voice website: ‘Justice . works both ways, however difficult that may be to take.’ Lord Rennard did not respond to calls from the Daily Mail. By Andrew Pierce . NICK Clegg sought to limit the damage over accusations of a cover-up yesterday by insisting that Rennard will not be given any meaningful public role in the party. It was a hollow claim. Not only will Rennard be back in his usual place on the party’s benches in the House of Lords as early as Monday, he will also be at the next meeting of the party’s influential Federal Policy Committee later this month. Far from being exiled to its outer reaches, the party’s former chief executive will be a key figure helping the policy committee to devise the Lib Dems’ 2015 election manifesto. Lord Rennard said he now plans to return to his roles in the party after the conclusion of the last report into his behaviour . ‘Chris (Rennard) is a member of that committee, whatever the leadership may want,’ said one of the disgraced peer’s friends last night, ‘and he will give it the benefit of all his experience.’ To the dismay of Mr Clegg and his supporters, who hoped he might quietly drift behind the scenes, Rennard is also planning to stand for re-election to the policy committee in October (elections happen every two years). Buoyed by the 100 letters of support submitted to the internal inquiry by senior party members, Rennard is confident he will be re-elected. And if, as expected, he wins the support of the majority of the party’s 43,000 activists, his victory will be announced during the Lib Dem autumn conference in Liverpool, guaranteeing even more damaging headlines. A Lib Dem spokesman said last night: ‘It’s true we can’t stop Lord Rennard attending the Federal Policy Committee meetings, nor can we stop him running for re-election to the committee if he wants to.’ It is a statement that underlines the deep divisions in the party over the Rennard affair and the sense of anger and frustration in the Clegg camp at the outcome of the investigation by the leading QC Alistair Webster. The impotence of the party leadership is underlined by the fact that Mr Clegg’s call for a public apology from Rennard has been summarily rejected. ‘They wanted to hang Chris out to dry and failed,’ said another senior Lib Dem. ‘This is the worst of all worlds for us, as Chris is wounded but not fatally.’ Rennard’s friends have mocked the inquiry for its secrecy and ineffectiveness. Lib Dem President Tim Farron said Lord Rennard should apologise . Under Lib Dem rules, Mr Webster was not allowed to speak to any of the ten women who made the sexual harassment allegations against Rennard, and they were allowed only to submit written statements. And this is a party that prides itself on equality and transparency! Rennard’s critics say there are two main reasons he has escaped without sanction. First, the Lib Dem party is inherently chauvinistic. An investigation last year by City fund manager Helena Morrissey after the Rennard affair first broke, found the party failed to live up to its ideals of equality and liberty, and that there was a culture of ‘low-level sexism’ with reports of widespread ‘sexism and misogyny’. Second, no individual has ever wielded more power and influence or instilled more fear within the Lib Dems than the overweight, balding and bespectacled Rennard. He is nicknamed Rasputin, after the mystic who mesmerised the Russian Imperial Court under the last Tsar, and he still has immense influence. A former party agent, he rose to become director of campaigns and elections between 1989 and 2002 and chief executive until 2009. When Clegg became party leader, he made clear he wanted get rid of Rennard – who had masterminded general election campaigns for Paddy Ashdown and Charles Kennedy – and put his own man in the job. ‘Chris was regarded as too close to Ashdown and Kennedy and therefore too Left wing and too liberal. Having served two leaders, he was also seen by Clegg’s people as too powerful, too set in his ways,’ explained a source. When Rennard eventually quit as chief executive in 2009 the official explanation was ‘health reasons’. The truth was he went because the Lib Dem leadership realised the growing number of sex-pest allegations against their married chief executive meant his position was unsustainable. Mr Clegg, who was glad to see the back of Rennard, was confident the allegations would never see the light of day, which explains why no action was taken. It was a bad miscalculation and, given the fury of Rennard’s alleged victims over the ‘whitewash’, the row can now only escalate. To try to draw a line under the controversy, the party leadership has told MPs not to go on the airwaves. But not everyone is listening. Tim Farron, the ambitious party president, has been quick to speak out, for example. ‘While this process has not found to a criminal standard of proof that Lord Rennard acted with indecent intent,’ he said, ‘It is clear that he did not behave in the way that a chief executive should behave. Lord Rennard must reflect on his actions and apologise to the women involved.’ Mr Farron, who is no fan of Nick Clegg, hopes to be the next Lib Dem leader. And the more mud that sticks to Clegg over the Rennard affair, the more likely that is to happen. | Report by QC Alistair Webster says Lord Renard 'invaded personal space'
But allegations could not prove he brought the party into disrepute .
Nick Clegg made clear Lord Rennard will play no part in the 2015 election .
But female activists and candidates say they are 'ashamed' at the ruling . |
273,496 | ee4b1d322c656b6a5e84669070b328d277a8beca | By . Rob Cooper . PUBLISHED: . 11:49 EST, 15 March 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 12:13 EST, 15 March 2012 . A Scottish farmer will lose a crop of 15million daffodils which bloomed early - because he can't get enough people to pull them out of the ground in time. Mark Clark says severe winter weather which hit England in February delayed the flowers by a fortnight, while in Scotland they arrived a week early. As a result, crops arrived at the same time north and south of the border. Blooming nightmare: Mark Clark's daffodils arrived a week early while English crops were ready two weeks late. As they are ready at the same time, the market has been flooded with flowers . The market price will be so low that it won't be worth Grampian Growers in Montrose, Angus, pulling the flowers out of the ground. And despite there being 234,000 people unemployed in Scotland, Mr Clark has struggled to recruit pickers locally because they don't want to do the back-breaking work. There are currently 100 pickers working at the farm - but Mr Clark needs closer to 500 to bring the crop in. Despite placing adverts in local newspapers and in job centres he has not found enough workers. He is set to lose £300,000 because the daffodils cannot be picked in time. Frustration: A solitary daffodil picker, Zanna Svgatoduha, 24, works a Grampian Growers daffodil field. Mark Clark needs around 500 workers - he has only 100 . Warm weather in Scotland meant the crop was ready for picking one week earlier than expected. Mr Clark said: 'We’ve lost about 25 per cent of our volume because of the weather. That’s 1.5 million of our bunches, each containing 10 blooms, completely wiped out. 'Every single day that we don’t have enough pickers helping out, we are losing 150,000 to 200,000 bunches. 'It looks like it’s going to cost us just over £300,000, which is absolutely devastating. 'We were looking for a cold week last week, so that the growth of our daffodils will halt, but it just never happened. Pick your own: Mark Clark inspects his crop. If they aren't pulled out of the ground soon the market will already be flooded with flowers and the price will plunge . 'Instead we had really mild weather last week which has continued from November, December time. 'When you look back at the whole winter we’ve not even had one spell of particularly cold weather.' He added that the weather had conspired to bring the Scottish and English picking seasons together. With all the flowers coming at once, the market has been saturated and the price has tumbled. He added: 'Even when we finally get some pickers we’re going to lose money, the market value will be so low. 'Our main competitors for growing . daffodils are down in Lincolnshire and Cornwall. Down there they had . that very cold weather front from Serbia in early February. 'Lincolnshire even reached -15, -16 . degrees which put their crops on hold for two weeks. This has meant that . it’s brought our picking seasons together. 'Even if the market wasn’t flooded we . don’t have any pickers anyway, because they’re all still down in . Cornwall and Lincolnshire. 'We are probably ten days earlier than . what we normally would be. We started picking on March 2 when on . average we start on March 12. Normally, the English production would be . much further on at that time.' Frustration: Mark Clark is still waiting for travelling teams of pickers to arrive in Scotland to pick his crop . | Despite 234,000 unemployed people in Scotland, farmer Mark Clark can't find people to do the back-breaking work .
Delay in picking flowers will cost him £300,000 in lost revenue . |
41,757 | 75c5273032e16918a183befdb28ed1d5c517df56 | By . Peter Allen . PUBLISHED: . 11:18 EST, 2 August 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 13:22 EST, 2 August 2012 . A bronze statue of multi-millionaire heiress Carla Bruni-Sarkozy dressed up as a 'worker' has caused outrage after being placed in the centre of a Paris suburb. The bizarre work of art has been 'camouflaged' since it was delivered to Nogent-sur-Marne at around 6am on Tuesday morning. It was originally intended to celebrate the career of a former supermodel-turned-pop singer who became France's first lady after marrying French President Nicolas Sarkozy's in 2008. Inspiration: The sculpture was originally intended to celebrate the career of a former supermodel-turned-pop singer who became France's first lady . But since Mr Sarkozy's election defeat in May, the couple have been mired in deep controversy. They . disappeared from their Paris home a month ago, the night before . anti-corruption police raided the mansion, together with two offices . linked to Mr Sarkozy. He is . suspected of accepting illegal cash payments from Lilian Bettencourt, . the L'Oreal heiress and France's richest woman, in return for tax . breaks. Uncanny: The 90,000 euro (£75,000) statue portrays the Italian-born Ms Bruni-Sarkozy as a 'plumassiere' - a woman worker from one of Nogent's former feather factories . With neither Mr . Sarkozy nor Ms Bruni-Sarkozy seen nor heard from for weeks, local . council officials in Nogent have admitted to being 'deeply embarrassed' by the statue. 'It has not . only been described as hideous, but it honours a very rich woman whose . husband is facing corruption allegations,' said one. 'It's well . camouflaged at the moment, and not many people have noticed it, but the . official unveiling is going to be difficult.' The . 90,000 euro (£75,000) statue portrays the Italian-born Ms Bruni-Sarkozy . as a 'plumassiere' - a woman worker from one of Nogent's former feather . factories. A crane lowers the work: With neither Mr Sarkozy nor Ms Bruni-Sarkozy seen nor heard from for weeks, local council officials in Nogent have admitted to being 'deeply embarrassed' by the statue . Winched into place: One socialist politician said it was 'an insult to the Italian feather workers' But today it was covered in masking tape and hidden from public view as the row about it rumbled on. William Geib, a local Socialist politician, said portraying Ms Bruni-Sarkozy as a working woman was 'grotesque'. He said: 'It's an insult to the Italian feather workers, to give them the face of an extremely rich person. I have nothing against Carla Bruni-Sarkozy but she does not represent workers.' Even Ms Bruni-Sarkozy's own staff had questioned the significance of the statue when she was first lady, with a spokeswoman saying: 'Carla isn't Joan of Arc or General de Gaulle. Carla is a former model.' Beginning to sweat: Ms Bruni and husband Nicolas Sarkozi disappeared from their Paris home a month ago, the night before anti-corruption police raided the mansion, together with two offices linked to the former president . Despite this, Ms Bruni-Sarkozy admitted to modeling for the statue's sculptor, Elisabeth Cibot. Now an inauguration of the statue has been penciled in for September 21st, but neither Ms Bruni-Sarkozy nor her controversial husband will be in Nogent. 'She was not invited and will not be present,' said Jacques Martin, the mayor of Nogent and a member of Mr Sarkozy's UMP party. Money for the statue was originally set to come from taxpayers, but Cogedim, a local building company, are now thought to have covered the cost. The Sarkozy family, including the couple's baby daughter Giulia, are thought to have headed to Canada before the police raids in June. Their lawyers claimed they would be back within two weeks, but more than a month later they are still away, and thought to be staying with wealthy friends. | The bizarre work of art was delivered to Nogent-sur-Marne at around 6am on Tuesday morning .
It was originally intended to celebrate the career of a former supermodel-turned-pop singer who became France's first lady .
But since Mr Sarkozy's election defeat in May, the couple have been mired in a swell of corruption allegations .
Even local .
council officials in Nogent have admitted to being 'deeply embarrassed'
by the statue . |
23,471 | 42ab0385b3bb93236804c2abc9ff261b6ec79872 | By . Steve Nolan . PUBLISHED: . 06:04 EST, 25 October 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 06:06 EST, 25 October 2012 . Reginald Davies, 78, was found guilty of abusing four girls between 1949 and 1973 at Kingston Crown Court in Surrey . A former soldier with the Royal Engineers has been found guilty of sexually assaulting four young girls in what is thought to be the oldest criminal case in UK history. Reginald Davies, 78, committed the attacks between 1949 and 1973 but was only extradited from Australia and brought to justice after two of his victims confronted him in 2008. The Welshman, who also served with the Royal Dragoons, was convicted of 13 offences, including the rape of a girl under the age of 12 all committed when he was aged between 15 and 39. Two of his victims were present at Kingston Crown Court in south west London and wept as the verdict was read out. He will be sentenced on Friday with Judge Susan Tapping warning him that he faced a 'substantial sentence'. During the trial, prosecutor Hanna Llewellyn-Waters said Davies 'preyed on the innocence' of the four girls, who were aged between nine and 16 at the time. She said: 'You relied on their fear that they would not be believed and told them that they would be taken away from everything they loved.' The former miner abused his victims in South Wales before moving to Australia in 1974. He was confronted by two of his victims in 2008 while they were on holiday in the country and a third victim later came forward to police, who found the fourth woman after an investigation was launched. Davies was arrested last July at his adopted home of Wanneroo on Australia’s west coast and extradited in September last year. Two of Davies' victims were present at Kingston Crown Court, pictured, and wept when the guilty verdict was read out . The pensioner was found guilty of two . charges of child rape, two charges of attempted rape, eight counts of . indecent assault and one count of indecency with a child. He was cleared of one charge of child rape and one charge of attempted rape. Judge Tapping said Davies - who was living in Hertfordshire with his wife during the trial - would have to sign the sex offenders register, and adjourned sentencing until Friday. Reginald Davies, pictured outside court, he will be sentenced on Friday,with Judge Susan Tapping warning him that he faces a 'substantial sentence' Mark Kimsey, defending, asked for bail to allow him to 'get his house in order' but Davies was remanded in custody. Following the verdict Hilary Ryan, senior Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) lawyer, said: 'This is one of the oldest cases of historic sexual abuse and rape ever prosecuted by the CPS, dating back to 1949. 'I hope this conviction serves as an important message to people who have been the victim of crimes such as these that they should come forward regardless of when the offence occurred.' Detective Inspector Tessa Philpott, of Scotland Yard’s Child Abuse Investigation Command, added: 'When Reginald Davies emigrated to Australia in 1974, he thought that he had left behind not only the UK, but also the horrendous catalogue of abuse he committed against four small children. 'I would imagine he thought his past would never catch up with him, and he would never face justice, but, thanks to the bravery of his victims, his past did catch up with him, and today he faces justice. 'I hope that this will go some way towards helping his victims, whose lives have been blighted by him, to move forward in some small way. 'I also hope that his extradition from the other side of the world and conviction give other victims the confidence to come forward and report their experiences to the police.' | Reginald Davies abused the girls when he was aged between 15 and 39 .
He was only brought to justice when he was approached by two of the victims in his adopted home of Australia in 2008 . |
221,082 | aa310d0653703d8d4bf8b2566290bf97ca901dff | Andy Murray gave Rafael Nadal a sobering start to the new year on Friday by handing him a crushing defeat, although a new injury concern prevented it from being a perfect afternoon for the Scot. The French Open champion, playing for the first time since October after undergoing surgery on his appendix, was hammered 6-2, 6-0 by Murray in the season's unofficial curtain raiser in Abu Dhabi. While Nadal was shown how much work he needs to catch up, Murray's only concern after a highly impressive display was some stiffness in his left shoulder. 'It's sore and I've never had that issue before, I'll see how I wake up,' said the 27 year-old Scot. Andy Murray celebrates as he thrashes Rafael Nadal in the semi-final of the Abu Dhabi exhibition event . Nadal plays a forehand during his last-four clash against Murray at the World Tennis Championship . He will have a precautionary scan in the hope that it is nothing more than early season aches before he is scheduled to play in what is nominally the final of the Mubadala exhibition event against Novak Djokovic. Murray had looked contrastingly sharp to Spain's finest, who has only played seven matches in all since Wimbledon, and clearly lacks match sharpness and fitness. Having played a surprisingly tough two and a half hour match against Feliciano Lopez the day before, the world No 6 came back out and thumped Nadal - giving him a first win of sorts against a player from the top three since undergoing back surgery in September 2013. It already looks clear that his time spent in Miami last month with Amelie Mauresmo was no less rigourous than previous training blocks under the guidance of Ivan Lendl. Murray stretches to play a volley at the net as he storms to victory in Abu Dhabi . A general view of the stadium in Abu Dhabi's Zayed Sport City as Nadal takes on Murray . 'You never know how you are going to feel until you get out on the match court,' said Murray. 'Today was an improvement and I'm pleased. All the hard work is paying off. 'There were a lot of long games, it shouldn't really have been that scoreline. He had a lot of game points but I was able to win the important points.' Nadal did threaten the Murray serve, but could not convert one of his twelve break points in a match of proper intensity. On many occasions when he pressured Murray he threw in unforced errors to let him recover. This is what happens when you have not played much and he will doubtless improve, but it is unlikely that the official ATP season opener in Qatar next week will be enough to get him fully firing in time for the first Grand Slam of the year, which begins in Melbourne on January 19. Murray scrambles to his right to play a forehand back to his Spanish opponent . Nadal approaches the net to play a volley in the semi-final exhibition match in the United Arab Emirates . While no ranking points are at stake Murray will already have been encouraged by beating Nadal so easily, especially after the drubbing received at the hands of Roger Federer in the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in November. Little, in truth, can be read into these kind of events, but what should be encouraging to Murray is the way he moved so well at this embryonic stage of the season. There were fewer forays to the net than the previous day, but then Nadal's groundstrokes are not what you want to test your volleying skills against. Murray's serve did look vulnerable at times but, like his vanquished opponent, he knows that many aspects can be sharpened up with a volume of matches. | Andy Murray beat Rafael Nadal 6-2, 6-0 in the semi-final clash .
It is his first win against a top-four player since July 2013 .
Murray will take on Novak Djokovic in Saturday's final .
The British No 1 complained afterwards of stiffness in his shoulder . |
99,915 | 0cbee20c5dde779a3681d3a7d40616f4808c02c4 | A spokesman for the Clinton Foundation, founded by Bill in 2001, said it would review foreign donations if Hillary runs for president . A charity founded by former President Bill Clinton has defended receiving donations from foreign governments even as Hillary is tipped to join the next race for the White House. The Clinton Foundation recently lifted a self-imposed ban on foreign donations and launched a $250million endowment drive, receiving money from the likes of Saudi Arabia and Oman. And today the organisation, which is run by Bill and Hillary along with daughter Chelsea, defended the practice, saying they would review it if any presidential campaign was launched. A spokesman said the non-profit receives support from 'individuals, organizations and governments from all over the world' and that its programs improve the lives of millions of people. The spokesman added: 'Should Secretary Clinton decide to run for office, we will continue to ensure the foundation's policies and practices regarding support from international partners are appropriate, just as we did when she served as secretary of state.' According to the Wall Street Journal the foundation has received money from the United Arab Emirates and a Canadian government agency promoting the Keystone XL pipeline. The Post found the foundation had raised nearly $2billion since it launched in 2001. About one-third of the foundation's donations of $1million or more came from foreign governments or entities based outside the United States, the Post analysis found. The charity has since agreed to disclose its donors online and noted in the statement that it has a 'record of transparency that goes above what is required of U.S. charities.' The foundation has said its Clinton Global Initiative has improved the lives of 430 million people in 180 countries since 2005. The foundation stopped raising money from foreign governments in 2009 when Hillary became Obama's secretary of state amid concerns over a conflict of interest. However, once Hillary left the post in 2013 this embargo was dropped and the foundation began its endowment push to provide 'long-term stability'. A spokesman for the Republican National Committee, Michael Short, said the 'alarming rate at which these contributions are now coming in presents a massive conflict of interest problem.' The charity stopped accepting foreign donations at the request of Obama officials while Hillary was secretary of state, but started again with a $250million endowment drive after she left the post in 2013 . | Charity handed money by United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Oman .
Stopped accepting foreign money while Hillary was secretary of state .
As she left post in 2013 it ended ban and started $250million funding drive . |
254,854 | d5e10e6aaab4c0d2294f2f6ec7f8c2ea89a87212 | By . Chris Hastings . and Peter Henn . Attack: Maxine Peake on Silk, accused of backing 'fat cat lawyers' The BBC has been plunged into a row over political bias after one of its popular dramas was apparently used as a platform to criticise Government policy. Tory MPs are furious that BBC1 courtroom drama Silk – which has more than five million viewers – has taken a stance against proposals to cut the legal aid bill, which currently costs taxpayers £2 billion a year. The row was sparked by last Monday night’s episode, when one of the show’s characters delivered a strongly worded attack on plans by Justice Secretary Chris Grayling to trim costs by £220 million a year. Barrister Caroline Warwick QC, played by Frances Barber, said: ‘I am sick and tired of being exhausted because there is no legal aid for juniors, which means I stay up all night every night working on complex trials only to be told I’m a fat cat by a government full of the fattest cats in the history of fatness.’ The cost of legal aid led to accusations that ‘fat cat’ lawyers are enriching themselves at the taxpayers’ expense. But some leading legal figures say the cuts will see the less well-off lose access to justice. Both Maxine Peake, who stars as the show’s campaigning barrister Martha Costello, and Peter Moffat, its writer and creator, have taken part in protest marches against the reforms. On Friday, Miss Peake and Moffat – a former barrister – launched a fresh assault on the policy when they appeared on BBC Breakfast to talk about the decision to end Silk after three series. A 'save legal aid' protest logo, worn by those who have taken part in the marches . Peake wore a Save Legal Aid badge during the interview and Moffat described the proposed cuts as ‘deep and savage’. Bob Neill, the Conservative vice-chairman and MP for Bromley and Chislehurst, said he would be raising his concerns with the BBC Trust tomorrow. A BBC spokesman said: ‘While Maxine and Peter are both keen advocates of the legal profession any personal views that they have relating to this matter are separate from the drama, characters and the BBC.’ | Tory MPs furious that courtroom drama took stance against legal aid cuts .
Legal aid bill currently costs taxpayers £2 billion a year .
Accusations that ‘fat cat’ lawyers are richer at the taxpayers’ expense . |
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