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10,902 | 1efd544e0f2035fa6b806d52f99f7602750d6d66 | By . Arthur Martin . PUBLISHED: . 10:18 EST, 17 February 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 10:36 EST, 18 February 2013 . Jailed: Osas Odia, who returned to Britain after being deported, has been jailed for two years for his role in a £2.7million lottery scam . A Nigerian who returned to Britain after being deported has been jailed for his role in a £2.7million lottery scam. Osas Odia, 33, was booted out of the UK in 2005 after immigration officials discovered he was using a forged stamp in his passport to work. However, the management graduate was allowed to return on a marriage visa after marrying a British nurse. Upon returning he joined a group of Nigerian fraudsters who sent thousands of letters to people across the world telling them they had won millions on the lottery. The scam letters told readers they would have to send money to 'unlock' their huge windfall. One victim, Betty McClellan, 62, wired £264,000 to the fraudsters to release her 'lottery win'. When it never arrived, Mrs McClellan was shot dead by her husband Hersey McClellan, 63, in their Los Angeles home in 2010. He then turned the gun on himself. Meanwhile an elderly woman living in Bristol lost £312,000 after she wrongly believed she had won £1.8million on the Australian lottery. Prosecutor Andrew Evans said the loss of the money had a devastating impact on the Bristol woman. 'She was buying a new home and intended to settle the balance from the winnings she was expecting,' he told Croydon Crown Court. 'She is now living in sheltered accommodation and feels vulnerable and extremely embarrassed and her family have lost their inheritance.' Marriage: The management graduate was allowed to return on a marriage visa after marrying a British nurse . The victims included a farmer from Indiana who lost £339,000 in the hope of winning £14.9million and a Venezuelan businessman who lost £163,000. Police identified 13 victims worldwide, who each lost an average of £207,000, after they became convinced they were due huge pay-outs. Odia's role in the conspiracy was to launder some of the money which was sent by the victims through three bank accounts in his name. Victim: Betty McClellan, 62, wired £264,000 to the fraudsters to release her 'lottery win'. When it didn't arrive, she was shot dead by her husband in their Los Angeles home in 2010. He then turned the gun on himself . The Nigerian pleaded guilty to conspiring to launder criminal property and was jailed for two years on Friday. Odia, of Erith, south London, had been allowed to finish his degree before he was sentenced. Judge Jeremy Gold QC told him: 'You are a man of some ability and you have just completed a degree and I hope that means you will not be tempted to return to this sort of offending. 'You played a full part in laundering the proceeds of a sophisticated fraud.' His lawyer Paul Brill said: 'He is alarmed and upset by the nature of the fraud and did not realise people's life savings were being taken so callously in the way they were. 'His previous conviction was for a false stamp in his passport that allowed him to work. He is not workshy and has a strong work ethic.' It is understood that Odia will be allowed to stay in Britain when he is released because of his marital status. The plot's ringleaders, who spent the money on property, were jailed at an earlier hearing for conspiracy to defraud. Obinnam Nwokolo, 37, of Erith, was jailed for six years and four months and student Uchechhukwu Onuoha, 40, also of Erith, was jailed for five years and two months. Another money launderer, Sergius Ene, 44, of Ilford, was jailed for 16 months. | Osas Odia deported in 2005 after using forged stamp in his passport to work .
Returned on a marriage visa after marrying a British nurse .
Jailed for two years after pleading guilty to conspiring to launder criminal property . |
142,325 | 440e545b4243a61ed7205998944a9a7e7abcde3a | Swiss ski resorts are being forced to cut prices by up to 20 per cent in a desperate bid to lure back holidaymakers put off by the surge in the Swiss Franc which has sent prices spiralling. The Swiss franc rose nearly 30 per cent to 0.81 against the euro last week following the Swiss National Bank's decision to remove a three-year-old cap of 1.20 francs per euro. It means the cost of ski holiday essentials such as lift passes, ski hire as well as food and drink has rocketed for visitors in a country already well known for its sky high prices. The Swiss ski resort of Zermatt where local businesses are being pushed to cut prices to appeal to tourists following last week's surge in the value of the franc . In the plush resort of Zermatt for example the currency surge means a British visitor now has to pay £80 more for their week-long lift pass bringing the total to £380, while a single day pass went up by around £16 to £60. Meanwhile the cost of enjoying just a small glass of beer while taking in the majestic view of the Matterhorn mountain jumped by around £1.30 to £4.60. A glass coke rose by £1 to almost £4 and a burger and chips at a modest restaurant was up by almost £4 to £15. In Portes du Soleil a skiing area which covers 13 resorts the lift operator has cut the cost of lift passes by 15 per cent. However the Swiss Tourist board said the decision to cut prices was down to individual businesses and insisted they were waiting for the exchange rate to level out before taking any action. The currency surge means a British visitor now has to pay around £80 more for their week-long lift pass in Zermatt bringing the total to £380, while a single day pass went up by around £16 to £60. A spokesman said: 'Measures are being taken and everyone is looking at the situation but one week after the event is too early to make any decisions. As a result of the currency surge holidaymakers who had booked in Switzerland have reportedly been racing to change their travel plans with many hoping to switch to Austria where they can pay in Euros. Some speculators have even suggested that the currency surge could even spell the death knell for the Swiss Tourist Industry altogether. In a bid to keep the tourists arriving, the Zermatt tourist board reportedly sent an email to all 1,100 local businesses with advice ranging from reinstating the 1.20 franc per euro cap, offering discounts of 20 per cent or cutting prices by 10 per cent, according to Bloomberg News. The Swiss franc rose nearly 30 percent against the euro after the Swiss National Bank's announcement that it would remove a three-year-old cap of 1.20 francs per euro . Other resorts are reportedly offering similar deals. Rolf Sigg, who lives in the resort of Morgins on the Swiss-French border for 30 years, told the Telegraph: 'We live and rely on winter tourism and since the Swiss central bank stopped the exchange rate cap we haven't really known what to think – everyone is doing their own thing, introducing special offers to ensure it doesn't become too expensive for tourists. 'Visitors shouldn't hesitate to ask for discounts because we are really having to sell ourselves now as well as offering the very best quality and service.' Tourists from Europe accounted for 37 percent of overnight stays in 2013, according to latest data from the Swiss statistics office, but the country will be out of reach for many after 'SNB Day'. Last week Swiss hoteliers vented their fury on social media and politicians urged the Swiss to support the country's tourism industry, while resorts across the French border cheered a 'Godsend' as they looked forward to new Swiss clients. ‘Swiss people! Take your holidays in Switzerland!’ said Swiss tourist office chief Juerg Schmid on a twitter account. In Gstaad, hotelier Thomas Frei tweeted: ‘Great, first rejections, wanting to know the euro rate and whether we can do a better rate. While I'm at it, does anyone want to buy my hotel?’ Tourism contributes three percent of Swiss GDP and hotels and restaurants employ five percent of the labour force. The franc's abrupt surge comes weeks before European school half-term breaks which mark the height of the ski season . ‘The original forecasts predicting growth once again in the Swiss tourism industry over the next two years probably won't stand up any more,’ Christoph Juen, CEO of the Swiss hotel association hotelleriesuisse, told Reuters. That is an ‘existential threat’ to some hoteliers, he said. ‘I'm glad I'm just here for one day,’ said Amit Raj, 29 from Seville in Spain. ‘I'm definitely going to be a lot more cautious tonight and won't withdraw any more money,’ he added. Even before the decision to allow the Franc to surge, Europe's economic woes had seen the number of German travellers to Switzerland drop 19 percent over five years to 1.9 million by 2013, according to the latest available German tourism association data. In Alpine ski resorts, the economic chill has worsened in the past year as the number of Russian visitors fell sharply due to Moscow's standoff with the West over Ukraine and because of a weaker Russian rouble. Tourism from Japan has also been hit as the yen weakened. An even bigger test for the mainly small businesses in the hotel and restaurant industry could come during the summer. In the busiest summer months 2.5 million nights per month are booked by foreigners at Swiss hotels, 70 percent more than during the peak ski season, says Eurostat. | Swiss franc rose 30% against Euro and almost that against the pound .
Cost of skiing essentials like lift passes and ski hire has rocketed .
A small beer now costs £4.60, a coffee £3.50 and a burger and chips £15 .
Swiss tourist board has emailed resort businesses advising price cuts . |
276,944 | f2cab2543e87bdc5b75c5bad371b89464841e050 | A mother has spoken of the helplessness and pain she felt watching her 10-year-old daughter's struggle with anorexia after school bullies called her fat. Maxine Moss, 34, watched in horror as Jade's weight plummeted to a just 2st 13lbs - the same as an average four-year-old. Despite the warning signs, doctors labelled Jade, now 12, a 'picky eater'. Ms Moss, of Cannock, Staffordshire, said: 'I knew the signs because I'd suffered from anorexia as a child. I begged the doctors for help, but they maintained that Jade was too young to have an eating disorder. Helpless: Maxine Moss, 34, watched in horror as Jade's weight plummeted to a just 2st 13lbs - the same as an average four-year-old, after suffering from anorexia brought on by cruel taunts from classmates . The youngster's problems began in June 2012, after school bullies branded her 'fat' and 'ugly'. Upset, Jade began to feel body conscious and started to restrict her diet, secretly throwing food away. The mother-of-ten noticed her daughter's lack of appetite and spoke to Jade, who confided about her troubles at school. Ms Moss complained to teachers, who reprimanded the bullies with a verbal warning. She said: 'I told Jade not to listen to the bullies, but it was no use.' Jade continued to restrict her food intake and by September 2012, Maxine was forced to take her to the GP. Jade said: 'I knew I was getting skinny, but no matter how small I got, I still believed I was fat' But the doctor suggested Jade's lack of appetite was due to her being a 'picky eater'. A week later, she noticed Jade checking the calorie content on food packaging. Jade said: 'I knew I was getting skinny, but no matter how small I got, I still believed I was fat. 'When I brushed my hair, clumps would fall on to the carpet, and my skin was becoming flaky too.' Jade then started skipping dinner, claiming she'd already eaten at a friend's house. Ms Moss said: 'Jade now weighs a healthy five stone, but she missed months of school, and it's been difficult to catch up' At school, she was secretly throwing her lunch away, surviving on just a nibble of a biscuit. Ms Moss said: 'Even treats wouldn't tempt her. 'While her brothers and sisters ate chocolate cake for dessert, Jade would only manage an ice lolly. 'With nine children at home, it was tough to keep track of Jade's eating habits. 'I couldn't force her to eat and the doctors would do nothing. I felt helpless.' By October 2012, Jade's weight had dropped from 4st 7lbs to less than 3st, leaving her severely dehydrated and suffering liver and kidney failure. She struggled to walk, her face was gaunt and her clothes hung limply from her frail body. Her breathing was shallow and she felt faint all the time. Shockingly, Maxine could feel Jade's bones after checking her chest when she complained of pains. It was the last straw and the youngster was admitted to Stafford Hospital, where she was diagnosed with anorexia. With a BMI of just 9, Jade was dangerously underweight. She was assigned a dietician, who encouraged her to eat small mouthfuls of food. But after ten days of refusing to eat, Jade was still severely dehydrated and her organs were failing, so she was fed through a tube. Jade said: 'The doctors told mum that I was in danger of dying if I didn't eat something.' While ex-husband Graham, 41, looked after Jade's brothers and sisters, Thomas, 18, Callum, 13, Graham, 11, Calvin, 7, Ellie-Mae, 6, Summer, 4, Ocean, 3, Alex, 2, Maxine stayed by Jade's bedside. Ms Moss begged Jade to eat and even sneaked in Jade's favourite takeaway, crispy chicken and egg fried rice to encourage her. After 11 weeks, Jade started to eat small meals. Getting better: Jade with her friend Billy about to attend her school prom a couple of months after her feeding tube was removed . 'The first time she swallowed a piece of crispy chicken I wanted to cry - there was a chance my little girl would make it, she said' Jade's appetite slowly began to improve and she returned home in December 2012 weighing 3st 7lbs. For the next six months, she received home visits from nurses, who checked her weight and progress, as well as counselling sessions, which she continues to receive to this day. In January 2013 - seven months after she dropped out - Jade went back to school, but, too weak to walk, she relied on a wheelchair to get around. She could only manage small meals, so relied on her feeding tube and protein shakes for nutrition. Finally, in February 2013, Jade's feeding tube was removed. Ms Moss said: 'Jade now weighs a healthy five stone, but she missed months of school, and it's been difficult to catch up. 'It's taken us a year and a half to get here, but I'm so pleased to see my little girl smile again. 'I want other mums to know that no matter how young the child, an eating disorder can still take hold, even if they don't fully understand it themselves.' | Maxine Moss forced to watch her daughter Jade waste away .
The 10-year-old stopped eating properly after being bullied at school .
Her weight dropped to just 2st 13lbs, the same as a four-year-old .
Jade suffered dehydration and liver and kidney failure because of disorder . |
157,445 | 5793e76f5389b027ecf9df20ee6c2fbd8c948a66 | Caught: Police revealed that a Minnesota's Representative Kerry Gauthier had a sexual encounter with a 17-year-old boy . After police revealed that a Minnesota lawmaker had a sexual encounter with a 17-year-old boy, both Republicans and Democrats have banded together to ask Representative Kerry Gauthier not to seek re-election. Representative Gauthier had been hospitalized in the wake of the scandal, denying any and all interview requests. Charges will not be pressed against the high-profile politician as the sex, which occurred at a Duluth rest stop, was found to be consensual. 'I am deeply disappointed with Rep Kerry Gauthier’s conduct,' Minnesota House Minority Leader Paul Thissen said in a statement to the Duluth News Tribune. 'The conduct was wrong and no one in the DFL House caucus condones the behavior. I expect he will address these issues publicly and soon.' Previously, Republicans lobbied for his resignation. 'I believe we have given Rep. Gauthier and the Democrat caucus a respectful amount of time to address this situation on their own,' House Speaker Kurt Zellers, R-Maple Grove, said Friday. 'Rep. Gauthier’s actions are not becoming of a member of the House of Representatives, and today I am calling on him to resign from the Legislature.' Mr Gauthier was treated for shortness of breath following the public investigation of his interactions with a 17-year-old teen he met on Craigslist. The two met for a rendezvous on July 22 at the Thompson Hill rest stop around 11 p.m. The Duluth News Tribune reported that a state trooper happened upon the pair after a report of 'suspicious activity.' Police reports of the incident reveal that Mr Gauthier, 56, put out an ad for an encounter on Craigslist and the 17-year-old responded. The two walked to a wooded area behind the rest stop pavilion for five minutes, where they engaged in oral sex and touching, police records show. Bipartisan: House Minority Leader and fellow Democrat Paul Thissen, left, as well as House Speaker and Republican Kurt Zellers, right, have condemned Mr Gauthier's actions . A trooper approached Mr Gauthier on his way back from the encounter. 'It was at that time I noted his zipper was open and part of his shirt was hanging out. I asked him why his zipper was down and he said he didn’t know,' the officer wrote in his police report. 'I told him to zip it up and leave. The male seemed nervous.' Then, the trooper said, he saw the teen. 'It was at that time I noted his zipper . was open and part of his shirt was hanging out. I asked him why his . zipper was down and he said he didn’t know. I told him to zip it up and leave.' State Trooper . 'He stated that he had met an older man at the rest area after corresponding with him in a response to a Craigslist ad,' the trooper wrote. The teen told the police that his parents were unaware of his sexual orientation and begged them not to tell his family of the incident. Both men said the interaction was consensual and there was no money exchanged. The teen also told police that he lied about his age, telling Mr Gauthier he was 18 years old. 'I think it’s a private matter and I don’t need to talk about it,' Mr Gauthier said to the Duluth News Tribune following the explosive investigation. No charges were pressed against the representative as the age of consent is 16 in Minnesota. | Representative Kerry Gauthier was found engaging in oral sex on July 22 .
Police investigated whether or not there was wrongdoing in Duluth rest stop encounter with 17-year-old .
Charges were dropped, but political pressure for Representative to resign is mounting . |
154,803 | 540bacdefd5a65d12c17a139013765918336b391 | (CNN) -- Prague has not been nicknamed "Zlata Praha" or "Golden Prague" for no good reason. The well-deserved eponym is a tribute to this city that mixes architecture, history, art and beauty like no other. While not forgetting its more somber communist past, Prague has been one of the first East European cities to get a luxurious makeover. Designer shopping malls, exclusive restaurants and trendy nightclubs abound. But it is the mystical atmosphere of a Prague of past eras that leaves many visitors craving to come back. Largely untouched by the ravages of WWII, Prague is arguably the only European city with so many century-old buildings left intact for people to enjoy. All more impressive than the others, these are the historical sites you should not miss in Prague. Wenceslas Square: In 1348, King Charles IV of Bohemia (now the Czech Republic) founded the town of Prague. The King built several open areas for markets, including Wenceslas Square, previously known as the Horse Market. Named after Saint Wenceslas, the patron saint of the Czech state, the square is the largest in the city and was at the center of much of Prague's history, including the Nazi occupation, the Soviet invasion, and the Velvet Revolution. In 1969, Prague student Jan Palach set himself on fire in Wenceslas Square to protest the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia. And in 1989, during the Velvet Revolution that overthrew the Communist regime, hundreds of thousands of demonstrators gathered here to protest. Today the square has become one of the trendiest and busiest in the country. Lining Wenceslas Square are fashion stores, cafes, bars and kiosks. Above the square is Prague's Museum of Natural History, which was shot at by Communist troops when they mistook it for the Parliament building. Prague Castle: Kings, Roman Emperors and Presidents have lived in this legendary castle that overlooks the city. The castle is the largest medieval castle complex in Europe and arguable Prague's prime tourist attraction. First built in the 9th century, Prague Castle has survived wars, fires and opposing political powers. The castle complex consists of the Saint Virtus Cathedral, viewing towers, a monastery, museums and art galleries. The Czech crown jewels are also held here. After Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993, the castle became the seat of the President of the new Czech Republic. Charles Bridge: This magnificent 14th century gothic bridge over Prague's Vltava river is lined with a series of large stone statues that represent important religious figures and icons. Its construction started in 1357 under King Charles IV and finished in the beginning of the 15th century. Until the 19th century, the bridge was the only way to cross between the Old Town and adjacent areas, also known as the "Lesser Town." During the day, thousands of people traverse the bridge to watch the views of the city and enjoy the numerous street performers. Dancing House: A masterpiece of modern architecture, Dancing House was named after dancing duo Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Dancing House is also sometimes nicknamed "Drunk House" for its wavy curves. The building was constructed between 1992 and 1996 by Czech architect Vlado Milunc and world-renowned Canadian architect Frank Gehry. The top floor houses one of the city's most exclusive restaurants, Celeste. Old Town Square: Located in the heart of the Old Town, this square included Prague's gothic Church of Our Lady before Tyn, the main church of this part of the city since the 14th century. The church's towers are 80 meters high and topped by small golden spires. Another fixture of the Old Town Square is the baroque-style St. Nicholas Church. In the center of the square is a large statue of Jan Hus, a Catholic priest who was burned at the stake by the Roman Catholic Church for heresy in 1415. But the most popular attraction for visitors of the square is the famous Astronomical Clock. Astronomical Clock: Built in 1410, the Astronomical Clock still functions and provides accurate data on a number of astrological events, such as the relative positions of the sun, moon and major planets. Each hour, the clock bells and a series of moving wooden puppets come out. Below the Astronomical Clock are 12 medallions with the signs of the zodiac, added by painter Josef Manes in 1865. Prague Cathedral: Saint Vitus's Cathedral is another one of Prague's Gothic masterpieces. The Cathedral, set in the walls of the Prague Castle, was commissioned by King Charles IV and work on it began in 1344. It took nearly six centuries to complete. Today it is the seat of the Archbishop of Prague and contains the tombs of many of the Bohemian Kings. The interior features stained-glass windows from different eras. One of the cathedral's chambers was used to crown several Kings and it is said the room can only be opened with seven golden keys given to different members of parliament. Vyshehrad: The old fortress of Vyshehrad and its surrounding parks is the place where the city of Prague was originally founded and around which the city was built. It is a great place to get a sense of the history of the city. Its thick walls house the National Cemetery, where many of Prague's most illustrious citizens are buried, including Czech composer Antonín Leopold Dvorak and writer Karel Capek. | "Golden City" is a well-deserved eponym for a city that mixes history and beauty like no other .
Largely untouched by WWII, Prague's many century-old buildings have been left intact .
CNN takes you through the top historical sights not to be missed in Prague . |
182,943 | 78ed04a57ba51d0c9a410e4e0e3496d3a9fa8ebf | (CNN) -- Ukraine says it will lift restrictions on tourism in the zone around the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in 2011, formally opening the scene of the world's worst nuclear accident to visitors. A limited number of visitors already are allowed into the 30-kilometer (19-mile) exclusion zone around the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, which exploded and burned in 1986. The Ukrainian government will present a detailed plan for lifting the remaining restrictions on travel to the area December 21, said Viktor Baloga, the former Soviet republic's emergency situations minister. Background radiation in the accident zone is still well above normal. But far from being a wasteland, wildlife has rebounded in the exclusion zone and trees are reclaiming the ghost city of Pripyat, said Mary Mycio, author of "Wormwood Forest," a 2005 book on the area. "It is very moving and interesting and a beautiful monument to technology gone awry," Mycio said. The April 1986 accident killed 32 plant workers and firefighters directly, and the International Atomic Energy Agency estimates nearly 4,000 more will die of related cancers from the radioactive material released by the disaster. Currently, guides from the Chernobyl Zone Authority take about 20 to 30 people into the exclusion zone a day during the summers, said Yuri Rozgoni, whose Toronto-based travel agency, Ukrainianweb, books tours to the site. The tours typically take between five and six hours, not counting the drive to and from the Ukrainian capital Kiev, he said. While travel is no longer restricted to scientists and researchers, "The only way to enter the zone (now) is with a certified guide on a certified tour group," Rozgoni said. "That's a huge restriction." Guides monitor radiation levels and "know where the people can go and where the people cannot go," he said. Mycio said tourists should wear "something that you wouldn't mind leaving behind in case it does get dirty." But most radioactive material has sunk into the soil, and visitors receive a dose comparable to the exposure they would receive on a trans-Atlantic flight. "The only concern I would have is if too many people come in and it becomes this nuclear Disneyland," Mycio said. "That would take away from a wildlife sanctuary (that has thrived) in the absence of people." CNN's Maxim Tkachenko contributed to this report. | Ukraine will present plans to open Chernobyl next week .
Author says the site is "very moving and interesting"
About 20 to 30 people a day now visit during summers . |
194,298 | 8785b7fec62b0729a6635faef7f48877a3c05159 | LAS VEGAS, Nevada (CNN) -- Former football star O.J. Simpson will be held without bail after his arrest on robbery and assault charges, police announced late Sunday. Police released this mug shot of O.J. Simpson after his arrest. Simpson is accused of having directed several other men in an alleged armed robbery of sports memorabilia in a room at a Las Vegas hotel room. Las Vegas authorities said they have no information leading them to believe Simpson was carrying a firearm during the alleged incident at the Palace Station Hotel and Casino. Police said Simpson and other men burst into the room and walked out with the memorabilia, including some that was unrelated to Simpson, police said. "We don't believe that anyone was roughed up, but there were firearms involved," Lt. Clint Nichols told reporters. Nichols said the firearms were pointed at the victims. A reporter asked Nichols: Was "O.J. was the boss in that room?" Nichols responded, "That is what we believe, yes." Watch Simpson transferred Sunday in handcuffs » . The alleged victims were identified as Bruce Fromong, a sports memorabilia collector who described the incident as "a home invasion-type robbery," and Alfred Beardsley, who has been quoted by celebrity Web site TMZ.com as saying that Simpson later apologized to him and told him he regretted the incident. Acting on a tip, police met over the weekend at McCarran International Airport with 46-year-old Walter Alexander, of Mesa, Arizona, who told them about the alleged robbery and validated the tipster's information, Capt. James Dillon told reporters. Alexander was arrested Saturday night on two counts of robbery with a deadly weapon, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, conspiracy to commit robbery and burglary with a deadly weapon. He was released on his own recognizance and returned to Mesa either Saturday night or early Sunday morning, Dillon said. In addition, investigators are seeking four other men they believe accompanied Simpson into the hotel room, Nichols said. Nichols said, "There is a social relationship between the individuals that we identified and O.J. Simpson." Though Simpson is not accused of having brandished a gun himself, two firearms that police said were used were recovered early Sunday in one of three searches. Investigators would would not divulge where the weapons were found. Nichols dismissed an initial report that the men may have been off-duty police. "There is no truth to that whatsoever," he said. "That came as a result of some language that was used when the individuals burst into the room that led our victims to believe that they may have been police." Simpson, 60, has acknowledged taking some items that belonged to him, but he has denied that any weapons were involved. "Whether the property belonged to Mr. Simpson or not is still in debate," Nichols said. "We are still in the process of sorting that out." Nichols also said that some of the property taken had Simpson's signature. But "there was some other property taken as well," he said. "I believe there were some Joe Montana cleats and some signed baseballs and other stuff." The latest charges against Simpson mean he faces the prospect of another prosecution, more than a decade after the June 1994 stabbing deaths of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and Ron Goldman. Simpson was acquitted of murder the following year. The trial riveted much of the United States. But in 1997, a jury found him liable for the deaths in a civil case brought by the Goldman family. Simpson was ordered to pay the families a total of $33.5 million for the deaths . Goldman had gone to Nicole Simpson's Los Angeles home to return a pair of glasses the day of the slayings. Goldman's sister, Kim Goldman, said she wasn't surprised by the robbery allegations, since Simpson "thinks he can do no wrong." "He's capable of stabbing people to death, so I think robbery is nothing surprising," she said. "Normal, logical, civil-minded, law-abiding people don't storm a room with guns demanding stuff back." Fromong had testified on Simpson's behalf in the civil case, telling the court that prices for Simpson memorabilia had dropped substantially since the 1995 verdict. His testimony was part of the defense's contention that Simpson could not afford to pay the Goldmans. Simpson recently wrote a book originally titled "If I Did It" and had planned to publish it himself, but a public outcry led to the cancellation of his book deal. A bankruptcy judge subsequently awarded the Goldmans the rights to the book in light of their inability to collect the wrongful death award. The Goldmans retitled the book, "If I Did It: Confessions of the Killer." That book just hit bookstores. E-mail to a friend . CNN's Ted Rowlands contributed to this report. | No bail for ex-NFL star accused of directing men in alleged armed robbery .
Simpson faces charges of robbery, assault, burglary and conspiracy .
Alleged robbery involved sports-related items, police say .
Simpson arrested Sunday in Las Vegas, but he says items were his . |
145,478 | 481fdf416cdb37aebb63bf1e95812a65047e0e2a | By . Luke Salkeld . PUBLISHED: . 20:38 EST, 10 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 21:05 EST, 10 December 2013 . Surgeon: Dr David Berry, pictured, had been at University Hospital Wales for 18 months . A surgeon has been suspended after being linked with eight allegedly avoidable deaths. The General Medical Council’s ban on David Berry performing liver surgery follows a review of the cases of 31 of his patients. It found that ten had died and 'eight of those ten deaths were avoidable'. Concerns about the consultant were first raised through normal monitoring procedures. Mr Berry was put on restrictive practice for an internal investigation to be carried out and this led to him being suspended while he was referred to the GMC. A team from the Royal College of Surgeons then held an in-depth investigation which uncovered the eight 'avoidable deaths' linked to his work at University Hospital Wales in Cardiff. The surgeon, who moved there from the Leicester area, had been working for the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, which runs the hospital, for 18 months. Yesterday bosses revealed the full extent of their findings as the partner of one of the eight patients began legal action. Martyn Rogers, 66, from Newport, South Wales, died of blood poisoning and acute liver failure last summer. Within three days of undergoing a liver surgery procedure, his organs began shutting down and it was discovered that one of his major veins had been damaged. His death on July 25 last year came one week after Dr Berry carried out an operation to remove tumours from his liver. Maria Davies, his partner of 40 years, has instructed medical law experts at Irwin Mitchell to launch an investigation. She is concerned about the care other patients may have received. Tragedy: University Hospital Wales in Cardiff (pictured) has apologised and opened a helpline for other patients . In a statement, she said: ‘We were led to believe that the surgery would remove the tumours and ultimately prolong his life. ‘To learn that Martyn’s death could have been avoided is very difficult to comprehend and has left me feeling angry. I want to know why his treatment was not better and I am also concerned that other patients may have been affected as the report suggests poor operative skills were partly to blame. Anger: Martyn Rogers, pictured, was one of eight patients who suffered an 'avoidable' death after he developed blood poisoning . 'I would also like to know what steps are being taken by the board within the hospital to ensure no one else suffers the same unnecessary ordeal.’ A spokesman for Cardiff and Vale University Health Board said: 'A liver surgeon working at the University Hospital of Wales was fully suspended from duty in January 2013 following concerns about the outcomes of some liver patients in his care. 'The UHB commissioned a second, detailed review by the Royal College of Surgeons of the individual care of some 31 patients who underwent complex liver surgery by this surgeon, ten of whom sadly died following that surgery. 'The outcome of this detailed review showed that eight of those ten deaths were avoidable.' Medical director Dr Graham Shortland, said the UHB’s normal checks on surgeons’ clinical outcomes had identified the original concerns and no current liver patients were at risk. ‘Every death is a tragedy for the family concerned, but we do not underestimate the impact of a death in these circumstances,’ he added. ‘We would like at the outset to put on record our unreserved apologies to Miss Davies, and every family who has been affected.’ Emma Rush of Irwin Mitchell said: ‘The report into Martyn’s death is deeply concerning and Maria understandably wants answers.’ The UHB has set up a helpline number: 0800 952 0244. | Managers reviewed 31 operations by David Berry after ten patients died .
One, aged 66, died of blood poisoning and liver failure a week after surgery .
University Hospital Wales, Cardiff, has apologised and set up a helpline . |
178,037 | 727ad62001e6eea8567f1e86854bd816d72e12b3 | Goals from David Goodwillie and substitute Cammy Smith took Aberdeen to the top of the Premiership table on Thursday night — now the real challenge is for Derek McInnes’ men to stay there for as long as possible. They certainly have the opportunity to remain at the league summit for a lot longer than seemed apparent just hours before the kick-off at Pittodrie on Thursday. As Celtic’s early evening meeting with Partick Thistle fell foul of the stormy weather in Glasgow, a northern ray of light emerged for the Dons to safeguard their lead over Ronny Deila’s side. Aberdeen star Cammy Smith celebrates his late goal against St Johnstone at Pittodrie . On this form, there is no reason why Aberdeen cannot maintain what many will consider an unlikely challenge to the defending champions as they simply dominated St Johnstone virtually from start to finish yesterday. It is now eight league wins in their past nine games and six victories in a row without even conceding a goal, their best run in 23 years and surely the sort of form a credible threat is built on. This is now the latest stage of any season that Aberdeen have been top of the table since May 1991, when Alex Smith’s side led Rangers going into a fateful final day. A draw at Ibrox would have been enough to bring the league trophy back to Pittodrie but they suffered a crushing 2-0 defeat and the rest is history. How McInnes and the current generation of the club’s supporters would love to take it all the way to the last day of this campaign. However, even then, you get the feeling that the Dons manager would still be carefully claiming that the title was Celtic’s to lose, given his naturally pragmatic approach to the situation. Smith wraps up the three points for the home side with a late goal in Aberdeen . In the build-up to this match, McInnes tried his best to dampen any excitement over Aberdeen’s prospects of mounting a serious title challenge this season. The news filtering through from Glasgow that Celtic’s players would be enjoying a holiday like most other people didn’t help that quest. All of a sudden, the prospect changed from the possibility of a few hours as league leaders to one that could conceivably stretch deep into the month and beyond. Celtic’s trip to Gran Canaria in mid-January means even a win at Kilmarnock on Monday would now leave them a point behind Aberdeen, should the Pittodrie men pick up another victory at Motherwell on Sunday. The Dons players were left under even closer scrutiny yesterday in front of a large, expectant crowd, who were looking to see if they could cope with the pressure that the scenario presented. Early indications were that they emphatically could and many of the reasons why were evident as a St Johnstone side, on a similar good run of form, were more than competently dealt with. The home side played with pace, penetration and a movement that the visitors struggled to come to terms with, particularly during a blistering opening phase. The Perth club came into the game on a six-match winning streak and were undefeated in their last eight league games since losing at home to Kilmarnock in mid-October. Aberdeen's David Goodwillie (right) celebrates his opening goal with Peter Pawlett (left) Not that they were allowed to settle into any sort of attacking rhythm in front of a healthy home crowd as they were hemmed in their own half for lengthy spells during the opening 45 minutes. It had taken just six of those minutes for their highly-motivated hosts to edge in front, with a sublime piece of skill from Goodwillie required to get the better of Alan Mannus. The striker’s chest trap from Niall McGinn’s cross brought the ball under control and an extravagant overhead kick sent it soaring into the net, with the aid of a slight deflection. That was Goodwillie’s first goal since October but he should have increased that tally just a few minutes later in the aftermath of Chris Millar’s caution for pulling back Jonny Hayes. The midfielder took the resulting free-kick, picking out an unmarked Goodwillie, who guided his header wastefully wide of the target from 12 yards. For the rest of the half, Aberdeen found Mannus a frustratingly difficult barrier to their ambitions as the Northern Ireland international produced a series of impressive saves to keep the deficit down. Peter Pawlett and McGinn, in particular, had reason to curse the athleticism of a goalkeeper who somehow blocked their netbound efforts as St Johnstone struggled to repel attacks down their left flank. Brian Easton’s absence meant Dave Mackay switching to left-back, where he looked far less comfortable than usual, something which was emphasised when Millar had a go at him midway through the half. Goodwillie fires the ball past St Johnstone goalkeeper Alan Mannus and into the back of the net . Of much more concern for the visitors was the way that the Aberdeen players kept finding the space to fire attempts at their goal, where Mannus continued to excel. The best of several important saves came in 33 minutes when the elusive Hayes let fly from distance only to see the Saints goalkeeper once again make an impressive diving parry. Goodwillie did manage to beat Mannus from the edge of the area with a neat spin and shot but that also just beat the far post on its way past, while Pawlett handled before putting the ball into the net. That offence was well spotted by referee Craig Thomson as his assistant on that side was no help at all, but the fragility of a one-goal lead was made clear in the last action before the break. Wright’s side won a corner that Aberdeen did not defend with any great authority, only for home goalkeeper Scott Brown to extend his unbeaten record by blocking Steven Anderson’s overhead kick. It was a warning that clearly registered as, if anything, the Dons played with an even greater intensity at the start of the second half, with the visitors’ goal continuing to lead a charmed life. Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes applauds the fans after the victory which takes his side to the top . Quite how it took Aberdeen until stoppage time to finally confirm their victory must be the only concern for their manager, given the chances scorned. Ash Taylor, who was resolute in defence to the extent that he was given the sponsor’s man of the match award, twice headed over the bar from close range when picked out from corners. McGinn had a fresh-air swipe at the ball when any contact would have brought a goal for the hosts and Adam Rooney will not want to watch his even more embarrassing miss. Pawlett raced clear to the right touchline before putting a cross to the back post which Rooney, on the stretch, astonishingly sent soaring over the crossbar from point-blank range. It was left to substitute Smith to finally confirm the inevitable when Rooney turned provider, evading the offside trap as St Johnstone pressed for an unlikely leveller. His cross found the unmarked Smith, who was assured enough to steer his shot beyond Mannus, who was helpless for once. | David Goodwillie and Cammy Smith scored in the 2-0 victory at Pittodrie .
Aberdeen are now top of the Scottish Premiership .
Celtic's match at Patrick Thistle on Thursday was postponed . |
244,981 | c91173249644c0cd0c08d5ab1cd01997195e2550 | Parents who refuse to vaccinate their children must give up their childcare payments from the government unless care is quarantined to the home, according to a new report. This hard-line approach to immunisation is part of the recommendations handed down by the Productivity Commission's report into childcare. The report warns that access to government rebates for childcare should only be handed out if the child is fully immunised in order to protect them from preventable diseases. Parents who refuse to vaccinate their children must give up their childcare payments from the government unless care is quarantined to the home, according to the Productivity Commission's report into childcare . While parents are required to vaccinate their children to receive benefits, they can seek exemptions if a doctor signs a form showing they understand the risks to their child if they don't get vaccinated. The Productivity Commission's report now recommends rebates 'be conditional on the child being fully immunised, unless care occurs in the child's home'. Childcare centres in NSW can ban children that are not immunised and other states are currently considering similar tough stances. 'The commission makes some very important suggestions in this area. I am open to everything in the report. I am not ruling anything in or out,' Social Services Minister Scott Morrison told the Sunday Telegraph. While parents are required to vaccinate their children to receive benefits, they can seek exemptions if a doctor signs a form showing they understand the risks to their child if they don't get vaccinated . The Productivity Commission's report now recommends rebates 'be conditional on the child being fully immunised, unless care occurs in the child's home' Labor leader Bill Shorten told the newspaper the commission's recommendation were a 'common-sense measure'. 'Kids deserve to grow up safe and healthy. I'm not comfortable with the idea of subsidising people who put kids' health at risk,' he said. 'Childcare support should go to people who are doing the right thing by their child and the children they play with. Families who do the right thing by immunising their child shouldn't have to worry about whether their child is going to pick up a preventable illness at their childcare centre.' Social Services Minister Scott Morrison said he was open to anything in the report and admitted it made some very important suggestions in the area of immunisations . | Productivity Commission's report into childcare recommends stripping parents of childcare rebates if they refuse to vaccinate .
Parents are required to vaccinate their children to receive benefits, but they can seek exemptions if a doctor signs a form .
Report warns cutting back on rebates would ensure parents play collective role in protecting children from preventable diseases .
Social Services Minister Scott Morrison admitted report made some 'very important' suggestions in regards to immunisation . |
22,787 | 40b291f6c8d5fb367c7e4117dcab6f7990521023 | By . Sophie Borland . PUBLISHED: . 19:23 EST, 13 November 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 03:14 EST, 14 November 2013 . Millions more Britons could be given statins to cut their risk of heart attacks and strokes after US guidelines recommended a third of adults should take them. The new advice tells doctors to consider a patient’s lifetime risk and may result in a doubling of prescriptions. It will be closely monitored by British experts who are preparing two updated sets of guidelines on statin use. But the number of people taking the drugs in the UK is unlikely to increase by as much as in the States. On the rise: Millions more Britons could be given statins to cut their risk of heart attacks and strokes after US guidelines recommended a third of adults should take them . Dr David Wald, consultant cardiologist at Barts and the London Hospital, said: ‘The new guidelines widen access to statin treatment. ‘This recognises the effectiveness of statins in reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes, their safety and the availability of lower-cost generic statins, which makes prevention more affordable. ‘It is a sensible step forward and it would be sensible for Britain to follow by introducing policies that simplify as well as broaden access to statin treatment.’ Eight million Britons take statins, up from five million a decade ago. But experts believe many more should be on them. Heart disease – which includes heart attacks and strokes – claims 82,000 lives annually. Last year, Oxford researchers claimed 2,000 lives could be saved annually if they were prescribed more widely. Precautionary: Last year, Oxford researchers claimed 2,000 lives could be saved annually if statins were prescribed more widely . At present, GPs and cardiologists decide whether to prescribe statins mainly by looking at a patient’s cholesterol level – the fatty deposits in blood that clog arteries. But the guidance issued in America yesterday urges doctors to consider patients’ overall risk of heart attacks and strokes based on their age, whether they smoke, their weight and their gender. That may lead to more women being offered the drugs because they are more likely to have strokes than men. Statins are recommended for 15 per cent of adults in the US, but if doctors follow the guidelines they would be prescribed to 30 per cent – 22 per cent of women and 44 per cent of men. Dr Mike Knapton, associate medical director at the British Heart Foundation, said experts drawing up the guidelines for the NHS would be looking closely at the US recommendations, drawn up by the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology. But he said it was too early to say how many more patients here would take statins as a result. He said: ‘I don’t know what effect we will see but my suspicion is it will increase. ‘But I’d be very surprised if it led to a doubling in the numbers of patients.’ Experts from the Joint British Societies of Guidelines are due to publish recommendations for GPs and cardiologists on how they should prescribe statins. In July next year, the NHS rationing watchdog, NICE, will produce further guidance setting out when doctors should use them. Both are expected to tell doctors to consider patients whole-life risk of heart attacks and strokes – as in the US guidelines – rather than simply focusing on cholesterol levels. Last year there were 61million prescriptions in England for statins, which cost as little as £16 for a 12-month course. They work by reducing the cholesterol in the arteries, and are normally given to patients with high cholesterol following a heart attack, stroke or bypass. Around one million prescriptions for statins are written each week, compared with just a few thousand in 1981. Statins make up nearly a fifth of all drugs prescribed for heart and circulatory disease in England. The drugs reduce blood levels of cholesterol, which can build up inside arteries, damaging them and raising the risk of heart disease and stroke. They may also protect against other health problems, including blood clots and eye disorders, by maintaining a healthy blood supply to the brain. The most serious adverse reaction is myopathy in about one in 1,000 patients, which can result in muscle pain and weakness. | New advice tells doctor's they should consider a patient's lifetime risk .
British experts are preparing two updated sets of guidelines on statin use .
But number of people taking the drugs is likely to increase as much as in US . |
102,564 | 102aba9ffcdb329776dcee3967d58b6c7b01f148 | It was business as usual for Leo Messi as he scored a double on the first day of the season for the fourth consecutive campaign. Barcelona won their first game 3-0 against Elche despite Javier Mascherano’s red card just before the break. Messi’s characteristic brace was achieved without the suspended Luis Suarez and the injured Neymar but he had more than enough help from Madrid born youngster Munir El Hadaddi. The young striker will not be 19 until September 1 but already has Barça fans predicting a big future – if he can stay in the side when Neymar and Suarez return. Barcelona have now scored 26 goals in their last six opening matches and not since 2008 have they been beaten on the opening day. That front three of Munir, Rafinha and Messi was a clean sweep for the club’s La Masia youth academy as Barcelona kicked-off the season with the entire bench and six of the starters products of its youth system. Check back over Sportsmail's live coverage of Barcelona vs Elche here. Host commentator . Thanks for joining Sportsmail's coverage of Barcelona's 3-0 win over Elche at the Nou Camp. Keep your eyes on our website for all the latest from La Liga and the top European leagues. And remember... it's not too late to join our Fantasy Football game. You could win £1,000 every week - more than enough to fly out to Barcelona to watch Lionel Messi live! Enjoy the rest of your evening. The referee blows the final whistle and it means Barcelona open up with a win. They are also top of the league - if that's the sort of thing you read in to at this time of the season. Can Messi get his hat-trick? No probably not - as Barcelona don't look too bothered now. We can hope though. It's been a fine performance from Barcelona tonight - and the fans are recognising that by chanting Luis Enrique's name again. Unsurprisingly Messi has been brilliant - but so have debutants Munir and Ivan Rakitic. This team could take a lot of stopping this season. They have turned it down a notch now though - back into first gear for the Catalans as they see out the final minutes of the game. Adrian comes on for Pasalic. Sergio Roberto comes on to replace tonight's Barcelona captain Andres Iniesta. Lionel Messi takes the armband. It's gone a little quiet here at the Nou Camp - substitute Pedro has the best chance since Messi's second goal but he is denied by the excellent Tyton. During this lull - here's a video of the earlier 'cat' incident: . Scorer of the second goal, Munir, gets a standing ovation from the Nou Camp crowd after a brilliant debut that was capped with that great finish to tie things up at the beginning of the second half. The 68,105-strong Catalan crowd think they've seen their next big star - and who's to argue with them after that? Think the World Cup would leave Messi tired? You thought wrong. This time he beats three defenders - one of them twice - and slots the ball into the corner of the net. He latched on to Dani Alves' pass inside the area and didn't look to be posing too much of a threat until some trademark close-control took him away from multiple markers and opening up the opportunity for Messi to find the corner. Brilliant goal. Pasalic impedes Iniesta on the half-way line and goes into the referee's book. They're not throwing players forward at will anymore but Barcelona are still creating chances. Tyton flies off his line to deny Munir with his feet after Messi plays him in on goal. In fairness to the young forward the ball was stuck under his feet and he was left with little chance to finish. Jose Angel comes off with Alvaro replacing him. That second goal from Munir has effectively sewn up this game in Barcelona's favour. Now they seem happy to sit on it and keep possession - and even with 10 men they're managing that with ease. Claudio Bravo still left looking for anything to do... Two debutants combine to double the lead as the second half begins! Ivan Rakitic play in Munir with a brilliantly crafted chip and the youngster confidently fires home with a brilliant improvised finish. That should be this win sorted for Barca. Top quality all-round. Barcelona might have a new manager in Luis Enrique but this is very much the same from them. 80% possession, Messi on the scoresheet and looking shaky at the back - just like old times! What a last five minutes of that half - Lionel Messi opened the scoring as he made the pressure pay but then Javier Mascherano was sent off for bringing down Garry Rodrigues when he was through on goal on Elche's only real attack. Aside from that, the half has seen Munir El Haddadi and Andres Iniesta hit the bar - and the real star of the show: a black cat pitch invader. That changed quickly - Garry Rodrigues somehow finds himself through on goal for the so-far blunt Elche attack and Javier Mascherano drags him down as the last man. Referee Fernando Teixeira Vitienes had no hesitation in bringing out the red even as Mascherano pleaded his innocence. Professional foul - correct decision and Barca are down to 10. That should make this game a bit more interesting. The defenders can only stand and stare as Barcelona's little maestro produces a perfect first touch and runs past three of them before confidently finishing . Five years in a row he has scored on the opening night of La Liga. Easy does it. Messi plays a brilliant slide-rule ball through to Munir. He's in a great position to shoot but perhaps the 18-year-old's inexperience showed as the tried to square it to a non-existent team-mate. From a clever Ivan Rakitic free-kick Dani Alves, sporting a questionable new bob haircut, comes from deep to strike at goal. It goes just wide with Tyton stranded. 79% possession for Barca so far. Barca are getting closer and closer. Messi links up with the Spanish playmaker again and he crashes a left-footed strike from range against Tyton's crossbar. Beautiful play from the Barcelona star men. They exchange successive one-twos which bring them to the edge of the area including a couple of backheels but are eventually crowded out by the packed Elche defence. This kid is good... Debutant Munir al Habbadi latches on to Andres Iniesta's pass, turns and instinctively shoots from just inside the area, but he hits the woodwork. A brilliant effort. Barca are getting closer. What's that? You want more pictures of the cat? Oh, ok then. The Catalans are already camped deep in Elche territory tonight - and Lionel Messi is dropping deep to find the gaps that could open up their defence. Eventually they make it into the Barca half a couple of times but they're heavily outnumbered. Claudio Bravo hasn't even touched the ball yet. Luis Enrique is taking charge of his first game having previously played for Barca and after working with their youth academy. The Nou Camp crowd sing his name. Messi is playing provider here and he picks out Dani Alves' run to play him in on goal. Elche's new keeper Tyton comes out to deny him but brings down the Brazilian. Difficult decision made easier by the fact Alves was offside. Barcelona have started strong - they look sharp and we've barely seen a misplaced pass so far. With almost 10 minutes on the clock Lionel Messi goes scampering down the right wing and a brilliant turn takes him into the box before he eventually opts for a cross that doesn't quite meet the intended target. After the cat is eventually caught the ball can come into play. Barca keeping possession early on - although is that really news? There's a black cat doing the rounds of the Nou Camp pitch. Play has to stop and the cat keeps running on and off - stewards in pursuit but they can't get it into their clutches... But then a man in a fluorescent jacket comes to the rescue, but ends up dropping the cat off the pitch. So, so strange. I hope Barcelona aren't superstitious.... Here we go. Elche kick us off. Elche just about survived in La Liga last season following promotion from the Segunda division, eventually finishing just above the relegation zone in 16th. This summer saw them lose their best player, Carlos Sanchez - now of Aston Villa - but they have made some additions including the earlier-mentioned Pasalic and former Juventus winger Milos Krasic - although he misses out tonight. The club have big financial problems and are fifth favourites to go down this season. It could be a long night for Elche and their manager Fran Escriba. Chelsea loanee Mario Pasalic starts for the visitors in midfield tonight in a understandably defence-focused 5-4-1 formation. Want to know more about Pasalic? Check out Laurie Whitwell's profile of the 'next Frank Lampard' here. Six of Barcelona's first line-up of new season homegrown including the entire front three: Messi Munir and Rafinha. You might have heard the names of Bravo, Mathieu and Rakitic mentioned this summer but 'Munir' is a fairly unfamiliar name on that Barcelona team-sheet. It is in fact Munir El Haddadi - another of Barca's youth academy products. An 18-year-old Spanish forward, Munir is one of Europe's hottest properties and scored a wondergoal for Barca's Under-19 side in the final of his age group's equivalent of the Champions League final. Check it out below. Luis Enrique gives out four full debuts at the Nou Camp in a much changed Barcelona side. Gone are the likes of Xavi (benched) and Carlos Puyol (retired) and in come the new boys. Summer signings Claudio Bravo, Jeremy Mathieu and Ivan Rakitic join academy product Munir El Haddadi in making their Barca bows. | Barcelona (4-3-3): Bravo; Alves, Mascherano, Mathieu, Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, Iniesta; Rafinha, Messi, Munir .
Elche (5-4-1): Tyton; Damian Suarez, Lomban, Pelegrin, Albacar, Mosquera, Adrian Gonzalez, Pasalic, Rodrigues, Coro, Jonathas .
Referee: Fernando Teixeira Vitienes .
Barcelona subs: Masip, Montoya, Bartra, Xavi, Sergi Roberto, Pedro, Sandro .
Lionel Messi opened the scoring with minutes left of the first half .
But Javier Mascherano received a red card for a professional foul too .
Luis Suarez is still serving his biting suspension so misses out . |
120,077 | 272f882006d0aa87bb1c4eda15236e46c461c6d5 | (CNN) -- High winds and snow prompted airport and highway delays in some metropolitan areas Friday, potentially snarling holiday travel plans on one of the nation's busiest travel days. Flights headed to and leaving Newark, New Jersey, one of several airports serving New York City, were at risk of delays because of high winds in the area, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Delays were also reported early in the day at New York's LaGuardia airport. CNN meteorologist Reynolds Wolf said wind could also trigger delays in Boston, Philadelphia and Washington, while snow could pose a problem in Minneapolis. By Friday afternoon, however, Newark was reporting the only weather-related delay on the FAA's web site. Traffic departing from Baltimore was slightly delayed because of volume. The nation's busiest airport, in Atlanta, was reporting business as usual Friday. The airport had been shut down, affecting some 5,200 flights, when severe weather swept the South on Thursday. Some travelers ended up spending the night at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport after missing their connections. One man told CNN Friday his wife was driving from Charleston, South Carolina -- five hours away by car, one way -- because after he spent the night in the airport, the first two flights out Friday morning were full. Meanwhile, drivers in some areas weren't having much better luck. In New Mexico, a winter storm triggered the closure of Interstates 10 and 25, the state's Department of Transportation said. Interstate 10 was closed from Lordsburg to Las Cruces, and Interstate 25 was closed from Las Cruces north to Bernardo. A winter storm warning remained in effect for much of New Mexico through 11 p.m. Friday. Up to 8 inches of new snow was likely for elevations above 7,500 feet, according to the National Weather Service, but snow was forecast for all locations. Winds were forecast to gust up to 35 mph in some areas. "Travel will be nearly impossible, at least this morning, with many road closures expected," the Weather Service said. "Conditions will gradually improve between late this morning and this evening." The same storm was also causing slippery roads in El Paso, Texas, according to CNN affiliates. Snow could also hamper travel in Colorado, especially the Boulder area, which saw 3 feet of snow on Thursday, Wolf said. South of Denver, the town of Castle Rock, Colorado, received about a foot of snow, said CNN iReporter Matthew Colver. "Luckily, my grandson is here, just graduated from Marine boot camp, and he used my snow blower to clear the driveway and walkways," Colver said. "It's 12 degrees outside now." | Newark is the only airport where weather delays are reported .
Severe weather snarled travel in the South on Thursday .
A winter storm wreaks havoc on New Mexico . |
181,059 | 7668234b8fd5cee120f86a51a3a173c0544e99cf | By . Associated Press and James Nye . PUBLISHED: . 22:53 EST, 8 January 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 03:06 EST, 9 January 2013 . After years of innuendo, speculation and accusations, Lance Armstrong is to take the route of many a disgraced public figure and offer himself up for a no-holds-barred interview with Oprah Winfrey. A special 90-minute episode of 'Oprah's Next Chapter' will air on January 17th on Winfrey's OWN network and it is widely expected Armstrong, 41, will give an emotional account of the alleged doping scandal and use of performance enhancing drugs that has ruined his once glittering career. The timing of the interview at his home in Austin, Texas will raise eyebrows as it comes just days after reports suggested that the cyclist is considering admitting publicly that he consistently cheated throughout his decade at the top of his sport in which he became a hero to millions. Lance Armstrong speaking with Oprah Winfrey in 2005 - The one time cycling legend is to give his first ever no-hold-barred interview with the chat-show queen on January 17th . According to a release posted on . Oprah's website on Tuesday, it's the first interview with Armstrong . since his athletic career crumbled under the weight of a massive report . by USADA detailing allegations of drug use by the famous cyclist and . teammates on his U.S. Postal Service teams. It's . unclear if the interview at Armstrong's home in Austin, Texas, has . already been taped. Nicole Nichols, a spokeswoman for Oprah Winfrey . Network & Harpo Studios, declined comment. Armstrong . has strongly denied the doping charges that led to him being stripped . of his seven Tour de France titles, but The New York Times reported . Friday he has told associates he is considering admitting the use of . PEDS. The newspaper report . cited anonymous sources, and Armstrong attorney Tim Herman told The . Associated Press that night that he had no knowledge of Armstrong . considering a confession. Earlier . Tuesday, '60 Minutes Sports' reported the head of the U.S. Anti-Doping . Agency told the show a representative for Armstrong offered the agency a . 'donation' in excess of $150,000 several years before an investigation . by the organization led to the loss of Armstrong's Tour de France . titles. In an interview for . the premiere airing on Showtime on Wednesday night, USADA CEO Travis . Tygart said he was 'stunned' when he received the offer in 2004. Lance Armstrong has agreed to a tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey where he will address allegations that he used performance-enhancing drugs during his cycling career . 'It was a clear conflict of interest for USADA,' Tygart said. 'We had no hesitation in rejecting that offer.' Herman denied such an offer was made. 'No truth to that story,' Herman wrote Tuesday in an email to the AP. 'First Lance heard of it was today. He never made any such contribution or suggestion.' Tygart was traveling and did not respond to requests from the AP for comment. USADA spokeswoman Annie Skinner said Tygart's comments from the interview were accurate. In it, he reiterates what he told the AP last fall: That he was surprised when federal investigators abruptly shut down their two-year probe into Armstrong and his business dealings, then refused to share any of the evidence they had gathered. 'You'll have to ask the feds why they shut down,' Tygart told the AP. 'They enforce federal criminal laws. We enforce sports anti-doping violations. They're totally separate. We've done our job.' Lance Armstrong is expected to deliver candid and clear comments on the allegations of performance enhancing drug use that have dogged his entire career and subsequent retirement . This dramatic news comes just two days after it was reported that Armstrong may be considering a change in course, dropping his years of denials and admitting that he used performance-enhancing drugs - even though such a move might be unwise. The New York Times, citing anonymous sources, reported late Friday that Armstrong has told associates he is thinking about the move. However, Armstrong attorney Tim Herman says that the cyclist hasn't reached out to USADA chief executive Travis Tygart and David Howman, director general of the World Anti-Doping Agency. A USADA spokeswoman declined comment on Saturday, while Howman was quoted by the Sunday Star-Times in New Zealand, where he is vacationing, saying Armstrong has not approached his group. Armstrong's attorney, Tim Herman, denied such an offer was made, saying: 'No truth to that story. First Lance heard of it was today. He never made any such contribution or suggestion' USADA stripped Armstrong of his seven . Tour de France titles last year and issued a report portraying the . cyclist as the leader of a sophisticated doping operation on his winning . teams. Public confessions and apologies have been the route of redemption for several athletes who have gotten in trouble. For example, Tiger Woods said he was . sorry for cheating on his wife in televised speech, and baseball slugger . Mark McGwire eventually admitted to steroid use. Yet Armstrong faces . serious legal entanglements those megastars didn't, and a confession to . doping could end up complicating matters for Armstrong - not making them . easier. The U.S. Department of Justice is . considering whether to join a federal whistle-blower lawsuit filed by . former Armstrong teammate Floyd Landis alleging fraud against the U.S. Postal Service during the years the agency sponsored Armstrong's teams. A Dallas-based promotions company has . also said it wants to recover several million dollars paid to Armstrong . in bonuses for winning the Tour de France. And the British newspaper The . Sunday Times is suing to recover about $500,000 paid to Armstrong to . settle a libel lawsuit. Despite damning evidence Armstrong has yet to admit any wrongdoing although that could be about to change . Armstrong has testified under oath . that he never used performance-enhancing drugs, which could . theoretically lead to charges if he confessed. Former U.S. track star . Marion Jones spent several months in federal prison for lying to . investigators about her drug use. And after so many years of vehement . denials and sworn statements that he never doped, at this point, what . would Armstrong gain from a confession? There would be no guarantee that . his personal sponsors would return or that the public would accept it. Is the public even interested in an Amrstrong confession? Gene Grabowski, executive vice . president of Levick, a Washington, D.C.-based crisis and issues . management firm, said 'it may be too little, too late because he's been . denying it for so long.' A confession would only work to . salvage Armstrong's reputation if he accepted full responsibility and . blamed no one else, Grabowski said. And it would have to include some . public act of atonement. 'If he does all three, he has a shot,' Grabowski said. 'You have to show people you are willing to pay a price.' The New York Times reported the . 41-year-old Armstrong may be considering a confession in an attempt to . reduce his lifetime ban from cycling and Olympic sport so he can return . to competing in triathlons and elite running events. Armstrong lost most of his personal . sponsorship worth tens of millions of dollars after USADA issued its . report and he left the board of the Livestrong cancer-fighting charity . he founded in 1997. He is still worth about a reported $100 million. Livestrong might be one reason to . issue an apology. The charity supports cancer patients and still faces . an image problem because of its association with its famous founder. And if Armstrong did confess, the corporate sponsors who abandoned him might support him again, Grabowski said. More allegations: The chief of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency said that a representative for Armstrong offered the agency in excess of $150,000 several years before the doping investigation . Armstrong was accused last October of running 'the most sophisticated, professionalized and successful doping program that sport has ever seen' 'They'll do what the public does,' Grabowski said. Betsy Andreu, the wife of former . Armstrong teammate Frankie Andreu, was one of the first to publicly . accuse Armstrong of using performance-enhancing drugs. She dismissed a potential confession from Armstrong as self-serving and too late. 'Sorry, your chance is over. You're . banned for life. It's not with an asterisk, that because you are Lance . Armstrong you get to come back,' Andreu said. 'He does not belong in . sport.' According to the code, an athlete might be eligible for a reduced punishment if he fully confesses and details how he doped, who helped him dope and how he got away with doping. Armstrong has been keeping a low profile since doping revelations ruined his once illustrious career and reputation. In November he was spotted canoeing in the warm Pacific waters just off Hawaii. The holiday island has become a regular destination for Armstrong to seek refuge, as he throws himself into training for Ironman Triathlon events. An Ironman Triathlon consists of a . 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bicycle ride and a marathon 26.2-mile run, . raced in that order and without a break. Most Ironman events have a . strict time limit of 17 hours to complete the race. | Lance Armstrong is to take the route of .
many a disgraced public figure and offer himself up for a .
no-holds-barred interview with Oprah Winfrey .
Speculation is rife that the cyclist is .
considering admitting publicly that he consistently cheated throughout .
his decade at the top of his sport in which he became a hero to .
millions .
Armstrong has vehemently denied ever doping for more than a decade .
He was accused last October of running 'the most .
sophisticated, professionalized and successful doping program that sport .
has ever seen' |
201,461 | 90d8f24cbfca4fd7259cade5415d80f1d5b6d40f | By . Damien Gayle . PUBLISHED: . 15:50 EST, 25 May 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 15:57 EST, 25 May 2012 . Rich: Top U.S. financier Robert Agostinelli was the subject of a blag by Steve Whittamore, a private detective working for News International . A private detective working for Rupert Murdoch's newspapers used a legally questionable tactic to blag a hotel bill run up by a top New York financier at one of London's swankiest hotels, records show. Private investigator Steve Whittamore, or someone working for him, tricked Claridge's in Mayfair, central London, to get a copy of a bill belonging to Robert Agostinelli. The Whittamore database entry on Mr Agostinelli is one of the few pieces of evidence to surface so far that Americans were targeted by operatives working for Murdoch's British newspapers. Allegations have surfaced that journalists or investigators working for Murdoch may have used similar tactics on celebrities visiting the U.S., but so far those allegations relate to journalists and targets based in Britain. An FBI investigation so far has turned up no evidence to substantiate allegations that 9/11 victims may have been targeted for intrusion by Murdoch journalists or investigators. Mr Agnostinelli, a U.S. citizen, runs the Rhone Group private equity firm. He is a former senior partner at Goldman Sachs and Lazard and ranks among the richest financiers in the world. Whittamore was arrested in March 2003 and subsequently convicted of trading in illegally obtained information, but did was not sentenced to serve jail time. He could not be reached for comment. The Whittamore database was put together by the Information Commissioner's Office, a government privacy watchdog, from records seized in a police raid on the private detective's office. The database indicates that Whittamore's inquiry regarding Mr Agostinelli was commissioned by Murdoch's now-defunct Sunday tabloid, the News of the World. The database shows an address for the financier on Fifth Avenue, New York City. It describes Whittamore's assignment as a 'Claridges blag'. 'Blag' is a slang word meaning that a private detective adopts a false identity in order to con information out of a targeted organisation or individual. In the U.S., blagging is known as 'pretexting'. According to the website of the Federal Trade Commission, pretexting is illegal under federal law if the purpose is to obtain 'customer' or financial information. In Britain blagging is usually illegal. But newspapers can defend themselves against legal complaints by asserting that the use of the practice in a specific case was in the 'public interest.' The Whittamore database records show that as a result of the 'Claridges blag', information was obtained about a four-day hotel stay, in a room which cost £411.25 per night. The total bill was £3,433.98. The records show that the hotel stay in question was in the month of July, but do not specify a year. Upmarket: Claridges Hotel in Mayfar, central London, where Mr Agostinelli ran up a £3,433.98 bill . Searches through media databases do not indicate that stories about Agostinelli appeared in the News of the World in the period before or soon after the police raid during which Whittamore's records were seized. Some years later, press articles did mention Mr Agostinelli as a member of a group which was interested in buying Liverpool FC, but ultimately lost out to another American bidder. Blow: Rupert Murdoch appears at the Leveson Inquiry, which is investigating the practices and ethics of the press . Mr Agostinelli appeared as No. 19 in the 2011 edition of an annual 'rich list' published by Murdoch's Sunday Times. The paper said Mr Agostinelli was now 'London-based', with estimated wealth of £625million, and counted former French President Nicholas Sarkozy as a friend. The journalist named in the Whittamore database as having commissioned the private detective to investigate Mr Agostinelli, who now works for a different newspaper, said he had never heard of the tycoon and maintained that the database entry referring to him was inaccurate. Mr Agostinelli did not respond to messages left for him at Rhone Group offices in New York and London. A spokesman for Claridges declined to comment. Murdoch's UK newspaper empire is the principal target of the Leveson Inquiry into the practices and ethics of the British press. A spokeman for News International said: 'The information ... was the subject of a report by the Information Commissioner's Office in 2006 and has been examined extensively by the Leveson Inquiry in recent months. News International has given detailed evidence on these matters.' The spokesman added: 'There is a public interest defence available for any potential breach of the Data Protection Act and you do not have the information necessary to make any judgement on specific cases. We are not in a position to comment on a specific case.' | One of the few pieces of evidence to show Murdoch papers have invaded the privacy of U.S. citizens .
Revelation was discovered in the database of work done by convicted data thief Steve Whittamore . |
285,010 | fd4ef1897578a9bfd37818b413932d7b7c0acea0 | (CNN) -- Fauja Singh finished dead last at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon on Sunday. But even though it took him eight hours, he had every reason to beam. By completing the 26.2 mile course, Singh -- nicknamed the Turbaned Tornado -- became the oldest undisputed runner to finish a marathon. He is 100. Singh, born in rural India in 1911, did not start running marathons until he was 89, after he moved to England following the death of his wife and son. He's completed eight now. "He says no one is forcing him to do it. It's his desire to do it," coach and translator Harmander Singh said Sunday in an interview with CNN affiliate CBC. "He wanted to do one when he's 100 and today's the day." Singh was a colorful sight as he started the race in his canary yellow turban and a matching T-shirt with the words " Sikhs in the City" printed across its front -- a nod to his faith. He finished more than six hours behind winner Kenneth Mungara of Kenya, who won the event for the fourth straight year. Then again, Mungara is only 38. Singh, the centenarian, already held the World Record for the 90-plus age group, completing the same race in 2003 at age 92. But until now, the title of "oldest" was the cause of some debate. The Association of Road Racing Statistician already recognized Singh as the oldest for a marathon he ran at age 93. But the Guinness Book of World Records listed someone else -- Dimitrion Yordanidis, 98, who ran in Athens in 1976. Singh says his secret is a life without alcohol and smoking, a vegetarian diet of curries and tea, and daily exercise. He walks or runs up to 10 miles a day. "I have said it before: that I will carry on running, as it is keeping me alive," Singh told the marathon website. | Singh is the oldest person to complete a marathon .
He totals eight completed marathons after starting at 89 .
Singh was born in rural India in 1911 .
He took up running after the death of his wife and son . |
192,289 | 84f6d83cd46d01c3cfe837d4039e3ffd50a28789 | By . Richard Shears . PUBLISHED: . 09:24 EST, 25 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 09:32 EST, 25 October 2013 . Peter Foster was sentenced to three years' prison for his forbidden role in the weight loss industry . Conman Peter Foster who was today still on the run from a jail sentence, has told a judge in a rambling letter that he is ‘tired’ of being Peter Foster and just wants ‘peace and quite in my life, or if not in this life, the next one.’ A day after Justice John Logan sentenced Foster to three years jail for criminal contempt of court the whereabouts of the 51-year-old self-styled international man of mystery remained just that - a mystery. But today the contents of a letter he sent to Justice Logan in the Supreme Court in Brisbane were revealed - and it contained a suggestion that he had contemplated suicide because of the official hounding he had received for his forbidden involvement in the weight loss industry. Foster, the central figure in the infamous 2002 Cheriegate scandal, when Prime Minister Tony Blair’s wife Cherie used him to buy two discounted flats in Bristol, wrote: ‘If I sound like I have had a gut full it is because I have. ‘If it wasn’t for my mother and her dependence upon me at this time of her life, I doubt I would have lasted this long. ‘As it is, I would happily follow in the steps of British fashion designer Alexander McQueen, who thought that life was pointless after the passing of his mother, who had been his rock.’ Foster said in the letter that he had not turned up for his sentencing because he thought the hearing was to be at a different date. The late fashion designer Alexander McQueen and his mother. In the letter Mr Foster said: 'I would happily follow in the steps of British fashion designer Alexander McQueen, who thought that life was pointless after the passing of his mother, who had been his rock' He has been found guilty of breaching a . 2005 Federal Court order not to be involved in any way in the weight . loss industry for five years, but he breached the order when he began . promoting SensaSlim, a weight-loss nasal spray between December 2009 and . September 2010. The . Australian Competition and Consumer Commission took him to court, but in . the letter released today Foster said the commission’s pursuit of him . was ‘vicious and malicious.’ Judge . Logan, acknowledging that Foster was ‘intelligent and eloquent, but…has . directed that to unlawful acts’, read how the conman had likened his . treatment to a rugby foul. In 2002, it was alleged but later denied . that Cherie Blair, the wife of British prime minister Tony, bought two . flats with the assistance of Peter Foster, a convicted Australian conman . Foster . wrote: ‘The offence is that a matter of months before the ending of the . five-year ban I had diligently complied with, I allegedly put my toe . from the touch line into the field of play . ‘It . reminds me of the rugby league analogy of the video referee and if you . look at something closely enough, slowly enough, often enough, you will . come up with one determination that half the country agrees with and the . (other) half of (the) country doesn’t. ‘The . allegations against me has been looked at in such slow motion, and at . such a microscopic snail’s pace, but I do not concede that I . intentionally and knowingly was in contempt of the court order. ‘I . thought, and I still believe, that my actions were not that I stepped . into the field of play, but was watching, even shouting support from the . sidelines. 'But I wasn’t on the field and I never got to touch the ball.’ Peter Foster and his girlfriend Carole Caplin, who was a close friend of Cherie Blair, in 2002 . In 2002, it was alleged but . later denied that Cherie Blair, the wife of prime minister Tony, bought . two flats with the assistance of Peter Foster, a convicted Australian . conman. A boyfriend of her friend, Carole Caplin, he allegedly negotiated a discount for Mrs Blair on the properties. She later apologised for the connection in an address on live television. The . prime minister's wife choked back tears live on air and asked for . understanding over her dealings with Foster, saying: 'I'm not . Superwoman.' | Foster in hiding for four weeks after failing to attend court for sentencing .
Hinted he wanted to die like the late fashion designer Alexander McQueen .
Also found guilty of contempt of court after failing to meet two-hour deadline .
Said he would emerge once he could be sure his mother would be cared for . |
67,861 | c085518404068cef0e7034ec7f46961c2a94c4c7 | Abandoned rowing machines are today gathering dust in basements and garages the world over. But a new design of rower that doubles up as a side table could mean this once-popular device will once again take pride of place in the home. The machine was designed by Paris-based inventor Patrick Saint-Martin who wanted to find a stylish way to store bulky gym equipment. Scroll down for video . A design of rower that doubles up as a side table could mean the aerobics machine can be hidden in plain sight . Dubbed the ‘Ram and Rower’, the wooden device can be packed up into a table with wheels to help keep it hidden in plain sight. The rower seat is stored on top of the table, with the wheels hidden beneath. Separate wheels are also attached to the underside of the table so it can be moved into place. Once the seat is removed the table can be folded out, forming the body of the rowing machine. The seat can then be clicked into place, and a foam pad placed on top. The device has been designed by Paris-based designer Patrick Saint-Martin who wanted to find a stylish way to store bulky gym equipment. Pictured on the right is the rower fully extended, and on the left, folded as a table . The rower is available in various wood finishes and is 150x25x40cm opened and when 60x50x25cm folded . The rower seat is stored on top of the table, with the wheels hidden beneath. Separate wheels are also attached to the underside of the table so it can be moved into place. Once the seat is removed the table can be folded out, forming the body of the rowing machine. The seat can then be clicked into place, and a foam pad placed on top, creating a fully-functioning rowing machine. In a video by the company, the whole process is shown to take around 20 seconds. It even has an area to prop up a tablet so users can watch videos while working out. When the user is done exercising, they can fold the rower into a side table, and use the wheels to slide it to the corner of a room. The rower is available in different wood finishes and measures 150x25x40cm opened and when 60x50x25cm folded. Starting at $2,300 (£1,520) the Ram & Row costs much more than an annual gym membership and about twice the price of a high-end home rowing machine. Starting at $2,300 (£1,520) the Ram & Row is will cost much more than an annual gym membership and about twice the price of a high-end home rowing machine . The rower seat is stored on top of the table, with the wheels hidden beneath. Separate wheels are also attached to the underside of the table so it can be moved into place . Once the seat is removed, the table can be folded out, forming the body of the rowing machine. In a video by the company the whole process takes about 20 seconds . | The device was designed by Paris-based inventor Patrick Saint-Martin .
Rower seat is stored on top of the table, with the wheels hidden beneath .
When rower seat is removed, the table folds out in a matter of seconds .
It costs around $2,300 (£1,520) and measures 60x50x25cm when folded . |
257,441 | d9300a13af0ddf077eb399c5531a4a6f29847c28 | It was a high-speed chase that lasted 20 miles, crossing state lines from Texas to New Mexico and hitting speeds of 100 miles per hour. But it ended with the unarmed female driver, 35-year-old Amy Reyna, before fatally shot by Denver City officer Ryan Taylor. Now Reyna's family are suing the local police station, claiming excessive force and wrongful death in the October 2013 shooting. Reyna was wanted for probation violations, including burglary, when she took off from police. Scroll down for video . Disturbing footage: This is the moment Denver City police officer Ryan Taylor fatally shoots Amy Reyna, 35, following a 20-minute pursuit . Amy Reyna was wanted for parole violations when she fled from police. She was also found to be under the influence of methamphetamine at the time of the chase . The chase, which occurred in October last year, was caught on dash cam. It lasted 20-minute and moved over the Texas border into New Mexico . Following the extensive high-speed pursuit, Reyna eventually pulled off the road and drove into a farm field. Her tires blew out and her car came to stop. The officers ordered she put her hands up and the moment was caught on dash-cam video. Reyna cannot be seen in the footage, so it is unclear whether she followed the orders. Officer Taylor started firing warning shots into the engine. Moments later he fires again but this time higher, with the shots going through the windshield, hitting Reyna. She was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy found methamphetamine in her system. Taylor told investigators he thought Reyna had a gun. The family of Amy Reyna have filed a lawsuit claiming her death was unnecessary and seeking unspecified damages . This footage, taken from another police car that was called in for back up, captured officer Taylor firing into Reyna's car . Officer Ryan Taylor initially fired warning shots into Amy Reyna's car, putting several bullets in the engine (pictured) But an investigation determined she was not armed. Joseph Zebas, a lawyer representing the Reyna family, said the video of the shooting does not match Taylor's statement. 'If Officer Taylor clearly had a fear for his safety, he would have taken cover,' Zebas said. A lawyer for Taylor released a statement to ABC News, saying: 'Ryan protected himself and the other officers in the situation and was not responsible for the events that occurred. Amy Reyna was.' Taylor remains on the job but may face charges in the future. ABC US News | ABC Business News . | Amy Reyna, 35, started a police pursuit in Denver City, Texas, in October 2013 .
She was wanted for parole variations, including burglary .
After a 20-mile chase that crossed over the border to New Mexico, Reyna went off-road, blowing out her tires .
Officer Ryan Taylor fired some warning shots into her engine, asking her to put her arms up, and then fatally shot her through the windshield .
He said he believed she was reaching for a gun, but Reyna was not armed .
Her family have filed a lawsuit against Denver City Police Station claiming excessive force and wrongful death .
Their lawyer said if Taylor truly believed Reyna was armed he would have taken cover . |
125,792 | 2e9c2c898a1382be22ea6a5a436088fca5dbfc67 | By . Daily Mail Reporter and Meghan Keneally . PUBLISHED: . 22:44 EST, 16 April 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 13:43 EST, 17 April 2013 . Former South Carolina Governor and current congressional candidate Mark Sanford must appear in court to answer a complaint that he trespassed at his ex-wife's home, according to court documents. The complaint says Jenny Sanford confronted Sanford leaving her Sullivans Island home on February 3 by a rear door, using his cell phone for a flashlight. Today he explained that he visited his ex-wife's home while she was out of town because he didn't want his 14-year-old son to watch the Super Bowl alone. The latest legal drama came with more backlash for the adulterous politician as the National Republican Congressional Committee announced that they would be stepping away from his campaign in light of the new revelations. Ex-couples court: Former governor Mark Sanford (left, now running for the state's open congressional seat) is accused of trespassing on his ex-wife's . Trespassing: Jenny Sanford's lawyer filed court documents stating that her ex-husband Mark repeatedly entered her Sullivans Island home (pictured) without permission . Sneaky: According to the complaint, Mark Sanford used his cell phone as a flashlight as he entered in and out of the home's rear entrance . Their decision to step back from the . campaign could serve as a fatal blow for the former Governor, as they . were reportedly debating whether or not they should spend millions to . help him beat his Democratic challenger, Elizabeth Colbert Busch. 'Mark Sanford has proven he knows . what it takes to win elections. At this time, the NRCC will not be . engaged in this special election,' the NRCC said in a statement. According to Politico, the NRCC . hadn't spent significant funds on the race up till this point, paying . only for some polling. But their injection of millions would have . certainly came as a strong show of party support for the returning . politician. The news of the court case, stemming . from a February 3 incident where Sanford reportedly was seen sneaking . out of his ex-wife's house on Sullivans Island, was validated after he . put out a statement attempting to explain the situation. Left behind: Jenny Sanford moved herself and her four sons- pictured here years before the 2009 affair- out of the governor's mansion shortly after the scandal . 'It’s an unfortunate reality that . divorced couples sometimes have disagreements that spill over into . family court,' Sanford said on Wednesday. 'I did indeed watch the second half . of the Super Bowl at the beach house with our 14 year old son because as . a father I didn’t think he should watch it alone. 'Given she was out of town I tried to . reach her beforehand to tell her of the situation that had arisen, and . met her at the back steps under the light of my cell phone when she . returned and told her what had happened.' Before ending the statement, he added a slight, hinting that darker forces may be in play. 'There is always another side to . every story, and while I am particularly curious how records that were . sealed to avoid the boys dealing with embarrassment are now somehow . exposed less than three weeks before this election, I agree with Jenny . that the media is no place to debate what is ultimately a family court . matter, and out of respect for Jenny and the boys, I’m not going to have . any further comment at this time,' he said. Picturesque: The Sanfords used their first Sullivan Island home as his gubernatorial campaign headquarters, but they sold it and Jenny bought this other Sullivans Island home (pictured) for $1.5million in August last year . Jenny Sanford says the visit violated . their divorce settlement, and Mark Sanford must appear before a family . court judge next month. The couple's divorce settlement . says neither may enter the other's home without permission. Mark Sanford . lives about a 20-minute drive away in downtown Charleston. Her attorney filed the complaint the next day and Jenny Sanford confirmed Tuesday the documents are authentic. The complaint filed by Jenny . Sanford's lawyer, Deena Smith McRackan, said that Mark Sanford has . 'entered into a pattern of entering onto plaintiff's property.' 'Plaintiff has informed defendant on a . number of occasions that this behavior is in violation of the court's . order and has demanded that it not occur again,' it read. On the trial: Jenny said that she is . purposefully trying to avoid weighing in on her husband's ongoing . congressional campaign, saying he should 'sink or swim' on his own . merits . In February of 2011, McRackan sent a . letter to Mark Sanford telling him not to trespass on Jenny Sanford's . property. A copy of that letter was also sent to the local police, . according to court filings. Jenny Sanford confirmed Tuesday that she has custody of the couple's four boys. She said the complaint has nothing to do with her former husband's efforts to rebuild his career in politics. She said it was filed with the court . the day after the incident and when a family court judge last month set . the case for the docket, it happened to be two days after the election. 'I am doing my best not to get in the way of his race,' Jenny Sanford told the AP. 'I want him to sink or swim on his . own. For the sake of my children I'm trying my best not to get in the . way, but he makes things difficult for me when he does things like . trespassing.' Divorced: Sanford is pictured in 2009 with his then-wife, Jenny Sanford. Their marriage ended in divorce after he admitted to cheat on her with Chapur . Called to court: Former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, pictured with fiancee Maria Belen Chapur, must appear in court after he was caught trespassing at his ex-wife's house . He faces Democrat Elizabeth Colbert . Busch on May 7 as he tries to regain the 1st District congressional seat . he held for three terms in the 1990s. Spokesman Joel Sawyer said the Sanford campaign had no immediate comment on the court documents. Sanford is trying to make a comeback after his political career was sidelined in 2009 after confessing an extramarital affair. As . a sitting governor, he disappeared from the state for five days only to . return and confess to an affair with an Argentine woman, Maria Chapur. He . and Jenny Sanford soon divorced and he is now engaged to Chapur who . lives in Argentina, though she has been seen on the campaign trail with . Sanford as he vies for the state's open congressional seat. Sanford . and Chapur shared their first public kiss on the night that he won the . Republican nomination in the race earlier this month. Family home: Jenny moved out of her husband's house following the revelation of his affair . Space: Jenny confirmed that she has custody of the couple's four sons . A spokesman for Colbert Busch said that the campaign had no comment on the dispute between the Sanfords. This is not the first legal dispute between the Sanfords since their acrimonious break up in 2009. Campaigning: Sanford asked his ex-wife to be his campaign manager since they made such a good pair in the past. She declined . In December of 2011, there was . another complaint against Mark Sanford brought by Jenny Sanford saying . he had not made the $5,000 yearly contribution for one of their son's . college education. Jenny Sanford said Tuesday that the matter has been resolved but would not comment further. Following their break up, Mr Sanford . took some time out of the public eye after his affair coincided with the . end of his second term as South Carolina governor. After serving in Congress from 1995 to 2001, he ran and won his first gubernatorial bid in 2002 with his then-wife Jenny at his side as campaign manager. She served as an integral advisor in all of his political campaigns. As such, her name was floated as a possible contender in the race, using her popularity and political prowess as key factors if she wanted to run as a congressional candidate in her own right. She told her husband that she was not going to run, and it came as a surprise to many that he then asked her if she would join his campaign. She declined. Even after he offered to 'pay you this time'. 'Jenny was an instrumental member of every campaign, and she did a fabulous job. She'll be missed,' he said to The Wall Street Journal in February. Now the woman at his side is 43-year-old Ms Chapur, a divorced mother of two sons who worked as a journalist in Buenos Aires. | The divorce settlement between the former governor and his ex-wife Jenny stipulates that they must have permission to be in one another's homes .
She moved out after he admitted to having an affair with a journalist in Argentina named Maria Chapur .
He was caught visiting his mistress while pretending he was 'hiking on the Appalachian trail' in 2009 .
National Republican Congressional Committee announced that they were withdrawing financial support for Sanford after trespassing allegations . |
18,574 | 3484efb1952306678dc7f91ce263f83b5ec774fd | By . Victoria Woollaston . The domination of apps such as Whatsapp, Viber and Facebook Messenger is continuing to grow, according to a new report. Researchers at Deloitte claim the average person sends seven text messages a day, compared to 46 instant messages. And, by the end of the year, they predict more than 300 billion instant messages will be sent in the UK alone. Research from Deloitte has revealed the average person sends seven text messages a day, compared to 46 instant messages. Experts predicts the number of instant message will reach 300 billion by the end of the year, and almost a quarter of smartphone owners use five or more messaging apps, such as Whatsapp (pictured) The findings come from the Global Mobile Consumer Survey 2014, which polled more than 3,600 people in May this year. A recent poll from computer-tracking software firm RetinaX studios discovered the peak sexting hours are between 10am and noon on Tuesdays. The study, which polled 4,800 people, also revealed iPhone users sext almost twice as frequently as Android users. University of Michigan researchers recently studied the sexting behaviour of 3,447 men and women aged between 18 and 24. They discovered that nearly half of the study respondents participated in sexting. Most people who reported receiving sexts also reported sending them, which the study claimed suggests sexting is reciprocal and likely happens between romantic partners. If correct, this prediction would mean instant messaging has almost doubled in popularity in just a year, up from 160 billion last year, and 25 billion in 2010. Text messages are still the most popular form of communication, but instant messaging leads on the number of messages sent. And Deloitte is also predicting that 2014 will be the first year texting will decline since it was invented in 1992. ‘During different phases of your life. You talk more and are more social,’ Deloitte’s head of technology, media and telecommunications Paul Lee told the MailOnline. ‘And generally when you’re younger and you’re looking for a relationship, you talk with more people. If correct, Deloitte's prediction would mean instant messaging has almost doubled in popularity in just a year, up from 160 billion last year, and 25 billion in 2010 (plotted on this graph). The findings come from the Deloitte Global Mobile Consumer Survey 2014 . ‘This has always been the case, it’s just text messaging replaced phone calls, and IM messages are having a similar impact on texts. ‘Instant messaging also offers new ways to communicate, so whereas before we would send a sentence to express our sentiments, people now exchange emoticons and images.’ When asked why texts and instant messages are seen by smartphone users as being so different, yet are fundamentally the same, Mr Lee said that it’s down to habits and cost. Text messages are still the most popular form of communication (as seen in this graph) but instant messaging leads on the number of messages sent overall. Deloitte is also predicting that 2014 will be the first year texting will decline since it was invented in 1992 . ‘Around 10 years ago, teenagers would visit internet cafes and send hundreds and thousands of IMs to each other. ‘That behaviour hasn’t changed, it’s just moved onto smartphones. In the same way emails are now accessible on phones. ‘Also, IMs don’t have a marginal cost, so people can be quite wasteful with the amount of IMs they send. 'Individual text messages, traditionally, came at a cost and even though the price is now lower, and in some cases is free on unlimited plans, this perception is difficult to change.’ | The findings are taken from London-based research firm Deloitte .
Average person sends seven texts a day, compared to 46 instant messages .
Deloitte predicts the number of instant messages will hit 300 billion this year .
That is almost double the amount sent last year - at 160 billion .
Almost a quarter of smartphone owners use five or more messaging apps .
Text messages are still the most popular form of communication, but instant messaging leads on the number of messages sent . |
63,597 | b49218be4edaf5fc38760540c56186b1a55df517 | Alberto Nisman (pictured) was discovered dead in his own apartment in January - a day before he was due to testify about his claims . An Argentine prosecutor's mysterious death days after he made criminal charges against President Cristina Fernandez is part of an attempt to unseat her and bring neoliberals back to power, a senior government official has claimed. Gustavo Lopez, an undersecretary in the presidency, said Alberto Nisman's death last month was part of a coup. He wrote in a statement: 'We are facing an attempted coup d'etat, that aims to get rid of the president, to end this political project that has been governing since 2003 and to restore the neoliberal conservative forces that governed for decades to reap their own benefits.' Lopez said the government of Fernandez and her late husband and predecessor Nestor Kirchner had confronted many sinister forces during their years in power such as the 'international economic interests that live from usury, weapons trafficking and money laundering.' He said: 'Now they have come to get their revenge. They cannot stand the Front for Victory (ruling coalition) winning another presidential period and if they need to provoke a political death to achieve this, they will do it.' Nisman had accused President Cristina Fernandez of covering up Iran's alleged role in the 1994 bombing of a Jewish centre in Buenos Aires that left 85 dead. His body was discovered in an apartment - a day before he was due to testify about his claim that Fernandez sought to whitewash his findings that Iran was behind the attack on the centre, run by the Argentine Israelite Mutual Association. This week, Argentine investigators revealed they had found a second person's DNA in the apartment where Nisman was found dead. Following the find, Judge Fabiana Palmaghini is calling in a person who visited Nisman the day before his body was found. The judge's office does not name the witness, but Nisman's aide Diego Lagomarsino has acknowledged visiting him on January 17. Investigators say they don't yet know if Nisman committed suicide or was killed. Last week, it was reported that investigators are trying to track down former intelligence chief Antonio Stiusso in connection with Nisman's death, but are unsure if he is even in the country. 'He was not at any of the properties registered as his own,' Oscar Parrilli, head of the Intelligence Secretariat (SI), told . reporters. Iran has vigorously denied involvement in the bombing and . Fernandez has dismissed Nisman's findings as absurd. She said . Nisman was duped by rogue agents involved in a power struggle . and killed when he was no longer of value to them. One of those spies was Stiusso, Fernandez's government has . said. Fired during a December shake-up of the SI, Stiusso had . helped Nisman with his investigation of the bombing. 'I have no doubts that Stiusso is behind all this, after the . decision of (President Fernandez) to fire him from the SIDE,' Anibal Fernandez, the president's chief of staff, said on . Twitter on Tuesday, referring to the top spy agency by its . former name. Alberto Nisman had accused President Cristina Fernandez (pictured) of covering up Iran's alleged role in the 1994 bombing of a Jewish centre in Buenes Aires that left 85 dead . Officials in Argentina were unable to locate ex-counter intelligence boss Antonio Stiusso (pictured) at three different addresses held in his name - and are unsure if he is even in the country . Thee 1994 bombing of a Buenes Aires Jewish centre, run by the Argentine Israelite Mutual Association, left 85 dead . Parrilli said secrecy laws would be lifted so thatinvestigators could grill Stiusso fully about the mysteriousevents leading up to Nisman's death. He said the presidentwanted 'the whole truth to be known.' Stiusso's spy career spanned four decades. He was one of the . most feared men in the intelligence agency, which played an . important role in the military government's 'dirty war' against . suspected Marxist rebels, union leaders and other leftists in . the 1970s. Since democracy was restored in 1983, successive governments . are widely believed to have continued to use the agency to snoop . on opponents. Stiusso, whose name is often spelled Stiuso in . Argentina, is believed to have been at the heart of its . wiretapping operations. '(Stiusso) is a key man given his ties to Alberto Nisman,' Gerardo Young, author of a book titled 'The Secret Argentina' on . the intelligence community, told television channel TN. 'He knew . perfectly what Nisman had been working on and surely knew of his . state of mind.' It remains unclear whether Nisman killed himself or was . murdered. No arrests have been made since Fernandez's remark two weeks . ago that renegade spies were behind the prosecutor's death. The scandal has dented the government's credibility ahead of . October's presidential election, polls show. Fernandez is barred . from running for a third term. | Official claims Alberto Nisman's death part of 'coup d'etat'
Nisman had accused President Cristina Fernandez of a cover-up .
Claimed she hid Iran's alleged role in 1994 bombing of Jewish centre .
Prosecutor was found dead in his apartment day before he was due to testify .
Iran has vigorously denied involvement in the bombing, which left 85 dead .
Cristina Fernandez has dismissed Alberto Nisman's findings as absurd . |
286,746 | ff84cad241ec294dc1068726505547248cb7a2c7 | How are you feeling today? Chances are, not that great... Because this morning you woke up on what has come to be known as ‘Blue Monday’ - the day of the year on which most of us feel at our lowest ebb. There is indeed not much going for the third Monday of the year. Feeling blue: The third Monday of the year is the day on which most of us feel at our lowest ebb . If you struggled with travel chaos this chilly morning, that will only have added to the woes that come from feeling poorer after an expensive Christmas and minimal hours of daylight. Added to failed New Year’s resolutions, a general drop in motivation, and the summer far away in the future, you could be forgiven for not wanting to get out of bed at all. On the plus side, we are likely to be in better form tomorrow. But for the 24 hours of Blue Monday we will just have to grit our teeth and have an early night. Miserable: People have got a lot to feel depressed about at this time of year . A report suggests that a major reason for a drop in motivation comes from the continued winter darkness after the brief highlights of Christmas and New year. A survey by Anglian Home Improvements into the impact of reduced daylight over the winter months found that the vast majority of us feel it has a negative impact on our wellbeing. Their report claims 79 per cent of us feel that limited hours of daylight has a negative effect on our mood. A spokesman for the company which quizzed 2,000 respondents said: ‘The survey shows a clear link between natural daylight, mood and motivation. ‘It’s encouraging to learn that little changes, like making sure you sit near a window or somewhere with as much natural light as possible, can make a big difference to how we feel and cope with winter.’ It has been suggested that the concept of ‘Blue Monday’ was based on junk science drummed up by a travel company as a clever ploy to have us booking holidays to sunnier climes. It is thought the date was picked out by psychologist Cliff Arnall after he came up with a scientific formula based on the length of time until next Christmas, holiday debt and the likelihood of giving up New Year’s resolutions. Mr Arnall first wrote about ‘Blue Monday’ seven years ago - in a press release for Sky Travel, a now defunct British TV travel channel. He based the theory on the ‘hibernation’ effect - a time of year when people feel tired, don’t exercise, stay indoors and eat comfort food. He has said previously: ‘It is the combination of factors that make life right now particularly uncertain. ‘There is threat of job redundancy and the cost of food and fuel are going up.’ Since the idea of Blue Monday has become well known Mr Arnall, from Brecon, Wales, has admitted the idea of a single most depressing day was ‘not particularly helpful’ because it became ‘a self-fulfilling prophecy’ and that achieving happiness and being less materialistic was a year-round aim. | Woes include travel chaos, feeling poor after Christmas and lack of daylight .
Major drop in motivation comes from continued winter darkness . |
261,656 | dee0482bbab7d62d8b897a64159286c347e3f540 | A couple have been ordered to rip down their £200,000 luxury house annexe - because it was built 20 centimetres too wide. Stephen and Mary Kindred transformed a decaying old barn in the garden of their home in Hurst, Berkshire, into a luxury building with offices, a gym and three guest bedrooms. But planning bosses have told them to tear the annexe down because it is 20cm too wide and the chimney and porch were said to be 'harmful to the countryside'. Stephen and Mary Kindred have been ordered to rip down their £200,000 luxury house annexe (pictured left) in Hurst, Berkshire, because it was 20 centimetres too wide . Mr Kindred, a heating engineer, said: 'This is a terrible joke that is fast becoming a nightmare and has cost us so far in the region of £200,000, not to mention thousands of pounds in extras caused by legal fees, red tape and the appeal to the Planning Inspectorate. 'We have not done anything wrong.' Work in the front garden of their home started earlier this year after Mr Kindred bought the former pub seven years ago. The couple reassured planning bosses they would not live in the annexe or rent it out and offered to remove the chimney and porch, but were told to appeal the order. Mrs Kindred said: 'This is very upsetting because we thought we were doing the right thing by improving the old barn, which was in a dangerous condition. We are not overlooked by anybody, nobody has complained. 'They are quibbling over 20 centimetres. And how can a chimney and porch be harmful to the countryside?' The couple transformed a decaying old barn in the garden of their home in Hurst, Berkshire, into a luxury building with offices, a gym and three guest bedrooms . Wokingham Borough Council slapped an enforcement notice on the couple in July, which gave them two months to comply or face legal action. In a hand-delivered letter, Clare Lawrence, head of the council's development management team, said the building was in an unsuitable location outside of settlement limits, in an area designated as countryside. Cllr John Kaiser, executive member for highways and planning, said: 'This isn’t the case that the owners of Fox and Hounds cottage have built a building that’s 20cm to large as claimed – it’s a much bigger issue than that and one that we have to tackle as part of our duty as the local planning authority. Quite simply, the owners have built a house in the countryside that they don’t have permission for. 'And this is not acceptable. I hope this sends a clear message that we will take action against people who flout planning laws. 'I would urge anyone who suspects someone of carrying out major work without planning permission to get in touch with the council and we will investigate.' The couple have now appealed to the Planning Inspectorate and will not know the final decision until next year. | Stephen and Mary Kindred transformed old barn into a luxury building with offices, a gym and three guest bedrooms .
They say planning bosses at Wokingham Borough Council have told them to rip it down because it is 20cm too wide .
The couple claim they were also told that the chimney and porch on the annexe were 'harmful to the countryside'
Council slapped an enforcement notice on pair in July, which gave them two months to comply or face legal action .
The couple have now appealed to the Planning Inspectorate and will not know the final decision until next year . |
26,623 | 4b976c71b488d29251842a8ef1fc768e2ebcdfb7 | By . Ryan Gorman . PUBLISHED: . 13:16 EST, 18 July 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 13:23 EST, 18 July 2013 . A Washington man may have come up with the most inventive criminal defense yet. Jeffrey Barton, of Vancouver, WA, allegedly fired his gun into the air Monday to scare off thieves. When arrested and charged with illegal aiming or discharging of a firearm, he blamed Vice President Joe Biden. Barton, 47, claims he woke up early in the morning to find robbers in his car and had no choice but to defend his property. He told me to do it: Jeffrey Barton, 47, said he only did what Vice President Biden told him to do, 'fire my shotgun into the air' ‘I just woke up at about 3 o’clock in the morning and noticed that the dome lights were on in my car and there were three people inside,’ Barton told KOIN. After freely admitting that he fired his weapon, Barton’s tale didn’t sway police. Following his arraingment, Barton said that he was simply following the vice president’s advice. ‘I did what Joe Biden told me to do, I went outside and fired my shotgun in the air,’ he told the station. Barton, of course, was referring to a YouTube town hall meeting in which Vice President Biden said that ‘if you want to protect yourself, get a double-barreled shotgun.’ Self defense: Barton claims he was defending his property from being robbed by firing his shotgun into the air . ‘I said ‘Jill, if there’s ever a problem, just walk out on the balcony here … put that double-barreled shotgun and fire two blasts outside the house,’ Biden colorfully added. Authorities have said that there is no evidence to suggest anyone was on Barton’s property, but neighbors told the station there was a loud party involving high school students the night Barton decided to blast away. Barton only previous criminal charge involved drug paraphernalia, according to court records. Attempts by Mail Online to reach Spokane District Court for further details were unsuccessful. No date has been set for Barton’s next court appearance. | Jeffrey Barton's defense refers to the vice president infamously telling a woman to 'buy a shotgun' for self-defense during a YouTube town hall meeting .
Police contend that there is no evidence anyone was on Barton's property . |
58,222 | a518d809d42a0ad7d1ae2808dcb6d328ae15210c | By . Talal Musa . PUBLISHED: . 12:51 EST, 11 October 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 10:08 EST, 12 October 2012 . Rating: . Few games successfully turn the ability to remain patient into entertainment. However, patience is by far Dishonored’s strongest virtue, a game that whisks you away to an enchanting world, before trapping you there and not letting go. You play Corvo, a trusted guard who has been framed for killing the city of Dunwall’s beloved empress and abducting her girl. Blown away: Corvo has loads of powers, many of which have deadly results . Thus the familiar story of redemption, revenge and retribution ensues. But what makes this so unforgettable, is the way Dishonored tells the tale. Playing in a first-person perspective, you can approach missions with remarkable freedom. Either go in all guns-blazing, amassing a huge body count, or use the silent approach and take your targets down non-lethally. How you choose to go about your missions directly impacts the state of the city. Many residents of Dunwall have been infected with the plague, and bloodbaths serve to worsen matters – turning the city into a darker, more dangerous place. Approach tasks more mercifully, and fewer residents become infected, and Dunwall takes on a very different appearance. The levels are brilliantly designed – each one offering true sandbox-style gameplay to allow execution of objectives to suit your gameplay style. This is complimented by Corvo’s impressive armoury and magical abilities. If you see a sewer, for example, Corvo can possess a rat and crawl through – perhaps finding a new way to reach his target. There may also be roof access, which can be exploited with his ‘blink’ teleport ability, and numerous underground tunnels. All guns blazing: If stealth is not your thing, then you can cause complete chaos . There are often so many ways to complete an assassination that you’ll spend hours trying to figure out the best way to do it. On finding your target, the game frequently gives you the chance to kill or spare them – the latter resulting in a grisly punishment. Although presented with a main objective, there are often many side quests to get involved in. These serve only to give you a greater sense of purpose and never interrupt the narrative. You’ll be awarded with Runes and other items that you can use to upgrade and unlock new powers – reinforcing the incentive to complete them. There’s more than a slight nod to Deus Ex, Hitman and the Elder Scrolls games in the way Dishonored plays. However, although some may have felt daunted by the sheer amount of optional missions offered in the aforementioned, Dishonored gets the balance just right. It’s easy to lose yourself in the world, which is not surprising, given that the visual design director is Viktor Antonov – the genius behind Half-Life 2's unique look. There’s an elegant, Tudor-like feel to the open surroundings, beautifully brought to life with the Unreal engine with very little slowdown. Have mercy? Whether this target lives or dies is left entirely up to you . Populated by the City Watch, who bear a striking resemblance to the Combine in Valve's classic, and it’s easy to see Dunwall as a Dickinsion City 17, overrun with rats. Sadly, the game’s strongest hand is in the early levels, and – following a rather obvious plot twist – you’ll see less of these beautiful archetypical surroundings, and more dingy grey fortresses. It’s in these indoor areas where your powers may feel slightly constrained. You’ll often use one just because you haven’t for a while, or be prompted through the level’s design to use a certain one. Blinking, in particular, can be quite a fiddly affair. Enemy AI is a mixed bag, too. Although they are unforgiving and are programmed to mob you on sight, many will not see you when stood just a few metres away. Also, characters can get jammed in doorways, which can break the otherwise immersive experience. However, these are relatively small gripes in a game that just misses out on classic status, offering some of the best stealth-action gaming in decades. Follow Talal On Twitter: @TalalMusa and on Facebook: Daily Mail Games. | Fantastic amount of freedom to complete missions .
Dunwall is stunning, and is teeming with intricate, memorable details .
Graphically, the Unreal engine has never looked better .
Story is slightly predictable and loses pace towards the closing stages . |
259,700 | dc3940b8a2ce1b1863cdb318aebfe36df73b679d | By . James Slack . 'Not what was intended': Labour's justice spokesman Sadqid Khan, said the European Courts were having too much influence in the UK . Labour finally admitted yesterday that its controversial Human Rights Act has left Britain’s courts ‘dancing to the tune of Strasbourg’. After years of doggedly defending the legislation, shadow justice secretary Sadiq Khan admitted the need for significant changes. In future, he said, Britain’s own Supreme Court should normally be given the final say in appeals instead of the remote European Court of Human Rights. Mr Khan added that British judges would no longer have to obey every edict although they would still have to consider rulings by the court in Strasbourg. The intervention was seen as a blatant attempt to snatch votes from the Conservatives, who are poised to unveil long-awaited reforms to human rights laws. Tory MPs said Mr Khan’s comments amounted to the first admission by Labour that the Act had caused mayhem. Dominic Raab, who has campaigned for reform, said: ‘After years of denial, Labour admit their Human Rights Act has skewed our justice system. ‘Frankly, they should be on their knees apologising to the British public for the damage done.’ Labour was in power in 1998 when the HRA was passed, enshrining the European Convention on Human Rights into British law. Since then, the measure has been blamed for blocking the deportation of countless illegal immigrants and foreign criminals as judges have slavishly adhered to Strasbourg case law. Mr Khan said this had not been the original intention. He pledged that a future Labour government would issue new guidance to stop ‘the sovereignty of our courts and the will of Parliament’ being called into question. ‘I want British courts to be clear that they don’t have to dance to the tune of Strasbourg,’ he said. ‘That’s not what was intended when the legislation was drafted and debated in Parliament in 1998. ‘It’s not good for our own domestic system of justice to be totally bound by what goes on at the European Court of Human Rights. Too often, rather than “taking into account” Strasbourg rulings and finding their own way, our courts have acted as if these rulings were binding on their decisions.’ Under . the plan, people would still be able to take their appeal cases to . Strasbourg but British courts would be able to disagree with what the . ECHR said . Labour admit its action would do nothing to resolve the thorny issue of Strasbourg’s ruling that prisoners should have the vote. Officials said the case, which dates back to 2005, is ‘too far down the line’. Mr Khan insisted that the party’s plans did not alter ‘Labour’s unswerving support for the Human Rights Act’. Justice Secretary Chris Grayling said: ‘This is just gesture politics and will do nothing to deliver the real change this country needs.’ Before Mr Khan’s admission in an article in The Daily Telegraph, shadow ministers had repeatedly defended the legislation. In 2011, Mr Khan said: ‘The Act is the most significant defence for ordinary people against state power ever passed into law. ‘When Tory ministers blame the Act, it’s usually an excuse not to sort out the problem or a cover for their own failing policies.’ As Justice Secretary in 2008, Jack Straw said he could understand public concerns but blamed a few ‘nervous’ judges. Yesterday, the Mail reported the latest controversial judgment made under the Act’s Article 8, the right to a family life. Judges ruled a nurse from Ghana who force-fed her baby to death cannot be deported after serving her three-year sentence. Ministers have vowed to appeal. Review: Harriet Harman suggested that licence fee alternatives should be looked at . Alternatives to the licence fee should be examined when the BBC’s charter is renewed in 2016, said Harriet Harman yesterday. The comments of Labour’s deputy leader are the first sign of possible cross-party support for an end to the £145.50 annual charge. Miss Harman, who is also shadow culture secretary, said: ‘The licence fee is a means to an end, it’s not an end to itself. ‘It’s not easy to see what would be better but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be looked at. ‘What we are not up for is a kind of ideological attack on the BBC because it is a public sector broadcaster.’ In an interview with Total Politics magazine, she also urged Culture Secretary Sajid Javid to appoint a BBC Trust chairman to replace Lord Patten on an impartial basis. Earlier, writer Armando Iannucci suggested the BBC could become a subscription TV service like Sky. | Justice spokesman Sadiq Khan said Britain should have final say in appeals .
Comes after years of doggedly defending the legislation .
Mr Khan said British judges should not longer have to obey every ruling .
Though he said the courts should still 'take into account' EU law . |
84,527 | efce76a150e64da737d0fe71d3ed96492f0a08f3 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . A key element to attending any football game is getting to the stadium hours in advance to grill food and drink beer in the parking lot. But anyone attending the Super Bowl in New Jersey next year will have to go without the traditional, pre-game festivities - the Super Bowl Committee announced today that there will be no tailgating allowed at this year's big game. 'You will be allowed to have food in your car and have drink in your . car,' committee Chairman Al Kelly said at a news conference on Monday. 'And provided you're in the boundaries of a single . parking space, you'll be able to eat or drink right next to your car. However, you're not going to be able to take out a lounge chair, you're . not going to be able to take out a grill, and you're not going to be . able to take up more than one parking space. And it'll all be watched . very carefully.' No tailgating for you: The Super Bowl Committee has banned tailgating at next year's Super Bowl in New Jersey . But the tailgating buzzkill isn't the only rule the committee is imposing for the Super Bowl - how fans get to the February 2 game also will be regulated. The game is expected to draw an estimated 80,000 people. But the stadium will only allow about 13,000 individual parking spaces. The solution: the committee will charter buses to shuttle fans from nine locations throughout the region to the stadium - at $51 per person. And that's after fans have, in many cases, already shelled out thousands of dollars to attend the game. No parking: In addition to tailgating restrictions, the stadium will only offer 13,000 parking spots for an estimated 80,000 fans . And don't think about taking a cab or car service to the game - no vehicles will be allowed near the stadium on game day without a parking pass. 'Nobody's going to be dropped off by black car,' Kelly said. 'You can . have a black car, a green car, a white car, a red car as long as you . have parking, and the car needs to stay on the premises the entire . time.' So maybe you'll just park further from the stadium and walk, right? Wrong. 'You cannot walk to the Super Bowl,' Kelly said. 'You can get your hotel to drop you off at one of the New Jersey Transit locations or get the shuttle to take you to a Fan Express location, but you cannot walk.' Kelly said he expects about 75 percent of ticket holders will use public transportation to get to the game, and that the reduced parking capacity is the result of a larger security perimeter needed around the stadium for a game as high-profile as the Super Bowl. Super Bowl committee Chairman Al Kelly and other organizers have dubbed this year's game the 'public transportation Super Bowl' Hosting the Super Bowl in the New York City area is a rare occurrence and has required a lot of logistical planning by city, state and league officials regarding both transportation and security. It has been dubbed by organizers as 'the public transportation Super Bowl.' James Simpson, the commissioner of the New Jersey Department of . Transportation, said 'the department will suspend all construction before . the week of the game and planned to staff Super Bowl media day and game . day at the same level it does for a weather emergency' with the goal of keeping traffic on highways and bridges moving smoothly. A February blizzard - which isn't uncommon in the northeast - could potentially throw that plan off the rails. But it would make for an exciting game. | The Super Bowl committee also has set restrictions on how people get to the game .
Fans will not be permitted to walk to the stadium .
Only 13,000 parking spaces will be available for an estimated 80,000 fans . |
58,409 | a59c0253ee5cdffa55ec5c061fb03c31109bbda2 | Beijing, China (CNN) -- China's Foreign Ministry has confirmed for the first time that President Hu Jintao will visit the United States early next year. The trip will be "profound and far-reaching for bilateral ties," state-run media reported, saying that preparations have begun for the visit. "China and the United States have maintained close communications about the visit, which will be very important and will bring far-reaching influence for bilateral relations in new era," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu said Thursday, according to China Daily. U.S. President Barack Obama referred to Hu's visit last month, while China's Premier Wen Jiabao was in New York to address the U.N. General Assembly. The countries "have to work cooperatively together in order to achieve regional peace and stability, because the world looks to the relationship between China and the United States as a critical ingredient on a whole range of security issues around the world," Obama also said at the time. Relations between the two countries have hit rough patches in the past year. Washington has been pressing Beijing to allow its currency to appreciate more freely. Some critics in the United States have accused China of manipulating the yuan, giving its exports an edge in the global marketplace. China also broke off military ties early this year over the U.S. sale of arms to Taiwan, which Beijing regards as a breakaway province. The defense chiefs for China and the United States met last week, signaling a warming of relations between the countries. Chinese Defense Minister General Liang Guanglie and U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates talked in Vietnam, while they attended a security forum of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Hu's last state visit to the United States was in April 2006, during the Bush administration. | Hu Jintao will travel to the United States early next year .
The trip will be "profound and far-reaching for bilateral ties," state-run media says .
The world needs strong ties between Beijing and Washington, President Barack Obama says .
Relations between the two countries have hit rough patches in the past year . |
220,177 | a8f735a1bd6c1de4c5bdf4598fc5a81b79741917 | By . Helen Pow . PUBLISHED: . 14:45 EST, 13 January 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 16:35 EST, 13 January 2014 . Passengers heard not one but two chilling announcements on a recent United Airlines flight from Des Moines to Denver, after their pilot suffered a heart attack at 30,000 feet. Quick-thinking nurse Linda Alweiss, from Camarillo, California, rushed to respond when crew asked over the loud speaker if any passengers had medical training. But as she was administering aid to the 'mumbling and incoherent' pilot, another, distinctly more terrifying plea was heard: 'Does anyone in the cabin have flight experience?' Thankfully, the co-pilot managed to safely land the plane at an airport in Omaha, but not before the unusual request thoroughly frightened all on board. Scroll down for video . Hero: Quick-thinking nurse Linda Alweiss, pictured left and right, rushed to respond when the pilot suffered a heart-attack mid-flight . The drama began about 20 minutes into the December 30 flight. Mrs Alweiss was flying home via Denver with her husband and 16-year-old daughter from a Christmas vacation. When the first announcement was made the registered nurse with decades of experience was first to respond. She said she found the pilot slumped over in the cockpit. 'He was sick and mumbling and was just incoherent,' she told KTLA. The pediatric intensive care nurse, who only recently re-certified her advanced cardiac life support accreditation, noticed his heart was beating irregularly and determined he'd probably suffered a blood clot or a heart-attack. Scary: Mrs Alweiss was flying home via Denver with her husband and 16-year-old daughter from a Christmas vacation when the two frightening announcements were made . Another nurse, Amy Sorenson, of Wyoming, also volunteered to assist and the pair, with the help of other passengers, pulled the captain out of the cockpit and into the galley so they had more room to work. The nurses set up a diagnostic defibrillator and administered an IV. After the co-pilot took control of the airplane, Mrs Alweiss said she turned to the woman and asked, 'You know how to land the plane, right?' And she said 'yes.' 'I felt immediately comfortable. That was just one thing I didn't have to think about, so I could focus more on what was going on with the patient,' Mrs Alweiss recounted to KTLA. But a second announcement was made, asking if there were any pilots in the cabin. 'That kind of changed the story a little bit,' Mrs Alweiss' husband, Alan, explained with a laugh. Room to work: Alweiss and another nurse, Amy Sorenson, pulled the captain out of the cockpit and into the galley, pictured, and after the flight landed safely he was met by paramedics, right, on the tarmac . The co-pilot managed to land the plane without trouble and paramedics were waiting to treat the pilot on the tarmac. 'United flight 1637, a Boeing 737 . operating between Des Moines and Denver Monday evening, landed safely in . Omaha after the captain became ill,' the airline said in a statement. 'United accommodated the customers overnight, and they continued to Denver the next day.' On the rescheduled flight the following day, Mrs Alweiss sat next to the co-pilot who informed her the pilot had survived and was being treated in the cardiac unit of an Omaha hospital. 'She did her job,' Mr Alweiss proudly told KTLV of his wife. 'She jumped at the opportunity, didn't hesitate. And she did it at 30,000 feet, knowing that the person who was supposed to be flying the plane was her patient.' | Passengers heard the chilling announcement on a December 30 United Airlines flight from Des Moines to Denver after the pilot had a heart attack .
Nurse Linda Alweiss, from Camarillo, California, rushed to respond when crew asked over the loud speaker if any passengers had medical training .
But as she was administering aid to the 'mumbling and incoherent' pilot, another, plea was heard: 'Does anyone in the cabin have flight experience?'
The co-pilot managed to safely land the airplane at an airport in Omaha, but not before the unusual request thoroughly frightened all on board .
The pilot survived and received treatment at an Omaha hospital . |
14,291 | 288d3e6c294dbb8109c404c496cd8980c9d15087 | Children trapped on a mountain by Islamic State militants in Iraq are drinking blood from their parents to stay alive, it emerged today. Their horrendous plight was revealed after some 8,000 Yazidis were finally able to escape down Mount Sinjar where they have been under siege from jihadist fighters for the last week. Those fleeing have made it to relative safety at a camp in Dohuk Province in Kurdistan, where they have told horrific stories of the 30,000 who have been left behind. Sky News correspondent Sherine Tadros, who is at the camp, said: 'One man has just told us how he saw four children die of thirst. 'There was nowhere to bury them on the mountain so they just put rocks on their bodies. 'Another man was saying the children were so thirsty, their parents started cutting their own hands and giving them blood to drink.' Desperate: Displaced Yazidis are clawing for food and drink to stay alive in the desert, with children allegedly drinking their parents' blood . Those fleeing have made it to relative safety at a camp in Dohuk Province in Kurdistan, where they have told horrific stories of the 30,000 left behind . Hundreds of other families have also made it across the border after trekking for hundreds of kilometres through sweltering temperatures to safety . They are being given food, water and medical treatment at shelters in Turkey and Syria after being driven out of their town by ISIS more than a week ago . Hundreds of other families have also . made it across the border after trekking for hundreds of kilometres . through sweltering temperatures to safety. They . are being given food, water and medical treatment at shelters in Turkey . and Syria after being driven out of their town by ISIS more than a week . ago. Some have been . forced to pay smugglers their life savings to take them on perilous . journeys across the border into Turkey, sometimes through minefields. They . are among several gruelling treks to freedom the community has taken . after they were sent scattering to the four corners by the insurgency, . which has trapped around 30,000 others on Sinjar Mountain with no food . or water. Refuge at last: Displaced Iraqis from the Yazidi community look for clothes to wear among items provided by a charity organisation at the Nowruz camp, in Derike, Syria . Fleeing jihad: Syrian Kurdish fighters battled Islamic State militants to carve an escape route to tens of thousands trapped on a mountain top . Displaced: Thousands of Yazidis have trekked for hundreds of kilometres to make it across the border after they were driven from their town by ISIS more than a week ago . Scattered: A graphic showing the various escape routes the Yazidis have taken, often through hundreds of kilometres of desert terrain, after being attacked by ISIS . Around 2,000 Yazidis have made it to a refugee camp in Derabon, a small village near Zakho on the Iraqi Kurdistan-Turkey border. But with no passports, many are having to sit tight and hope the uprising is crushed or pay smugglers to help them avoid the official border crossing at Habur. One mother who suffers agonising rheumatism told how she and her three young children waded through the Tigris River, tip-toed her way through a minefield and climbed through a barbed-wire fence to make it into Turkey. Half-way through the five-hour journey, Amal said the smuggler wanted her children to leave her behind because she was too slow, but they chose to carry her instead. The 43-year-old told The Times: 'My . sons gathered around me and they refused. We were not afraid of dying . there. We were afraid of dying at the hands of the Islamic State.' Another teenager has not been so lucky. Amer . Omar Pajo said he watched his father get shot in the head by ISIS . gunmen as they fled to the mountains and his mother later succumbed to . dehydration. Starving: Yazidi children scramble for food at the Nowruz camp in Derike, Syria after trekking hundreds of miles to escape ISIS . Suffering: Sick children from the Yazidi community wait for treatment at a clinic at the Nowruz refugee camp in Derike, Syria . Persecuted: A former senior Iraqi politician warned that the country risks becoming another Syria unless a way to preserve its unity is found . The family sold . the last of their belongings to pay a smuggler to get them to Derabon, . but now he doesn't have the $600 to pay another trafficker to get him . across the border. Meanwhile, . another 130 U.S. troops have arrived in Iraq on what the Pentagon . described as a temporary mission to assess the scope of the humanitarian . crisis facing thousands of displaced civilians trapped on Sinjar. The British Government also remained . under pressure today to consider military intervention as more aid was . delivered to the mountain top. International . Development Secretary Justine Greening confirmed that a third round of . successful UK air drops took place last night. The supplies included two C130 consignments containing 2,640 reusable water purification containers filled with clean water. More . than 500 shelter kits to provide shade in temperatures of more than 40C . (104F) were also inside the packages. There have now been five . successful drops over three nights. But . Prime Minister David Cameron has insisted the UK will not intervene . militarily - despite increasing calls from experienced commanders . yesterday for it to join the US in air strikes on IS targets. Taking shelter: Iraqi Yazidi refugees escaping from attacks by the Islamic State settle into their makeshift home in the Turkish city of Sirnak . Ms . Greening, who announced £8 million in new assistance last week: said: . 'As thousands of Iraqi people remain cut off away from their homes, we . are focused on getting help to those in need, particularly those trapped . on Mount Sinjar. 'After . last night the RAF have successfully made five drops, including . thousands of containers filled with clean water that can also be used to . purify dirty water and hundreds of shelter kits.' Islamic State, which sees Shi'ites as . heretics who deserve death, has seized a series of towns in northern . Iraq, in a sweeping advance that has left the Iraqi government reeling . and prompted tens of thousands to flee. The group has declared religious rule in a caliphate straddling Syria and Iraq, offering . both Christians and members of the ancient Yazidi sect, whom it calls . 'devil worshippers', the stark choice between conversion to Islam or . death. It came as a . former senior Iraqi politician warned that the country risks becoming . another Syria unless a way to preserve its unity is found. Hajem . Hassani, previously speaker in the Iraqi parliament, said if the . society did not come together, it would leave the door wide open to the . Islamic State (IS). He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'This is probably one of the hardest times Iraq is facing. 'If we don't come together, then probably we will open the door too wide for the IS or other terrorist organisations. 'We . need to take the control...(or) it definitely will take us to the . Syrian path if we are not very careful and finding ways to solve the . problems.' Asked whether . newly-appointed prime minister Haider Abadi understood the need for an . inclusive government, he replied: 'He should do.' Sustenance: Refugees who fled across the border wait to receive food after reaching a camp in the city of Sirnak in Turkey's Silopi district . Meanwhile, unrest continued in Baghdad, where Iraqi troops imposed heightened security as international support mounted for a new prime minister to replace Nouri al-Maliki, who has called on the armed forces to stay out of politics amid fears of a possible coup. Tanks and Humvees were positioned on Baghdad bridges and at major intersections on Wednesday, with security personnel more visible than usual. About 100 pro-Maliki demonstrators took to Firdous Square in the capital, pledging their allegiance to him. The embattled premier has grown increasingly isolated, with Iraqi politicians and much of the international community lining up behind Haider al-Abadi, a fellow member of his Shiite Dawa party tasked by the president with forming a new government that can unite the country in the face of an onslaught by Sunni militants. Widespread discontent with al-Maliki's divisive rule has reached the point where both Saudi Arabia and Iran - regional rivals often bitterly divided over Iraq - have expressed support for al-Abadi. The United States, the European Union and the United Nations have also expressed support for new leadership. But al-Maliki, whose bloc won the most votes in April elections, has thus far refused to step aside and rejected the appointment of al-Abadi as unconstitutional. Al-Abadi was selected by the main Shiite alliance which includes al-Maliki's bloc, but the Islamic Dawa party says al-Abadi 'only represents himself.' | Horrific stories of 30,000 Yazidis trapped by Islamic State jihadists emerge after 8,000 escape down the mountain .
Hundreds of families have made it across border into Turkey and Syria after trekking for days in 45C temperatures .
Minority sect has been sent scattering in all directions after Islamic State jihadists stormed their town a week ago .
Some families have been forced to pay smugglers to take them through rivers and minefields to make it to safety .
Another 130 U.S. troops have arrived in Iraq to assess the crisis facing 30,000 Yazidis trapped on Mount Sinjar .
British Government also remained .
under pressure to consider military intervention to rescue the refugees . |
178,088 | 728a78e8f6b4ddca721827c770f2389b19804af9 | Super Bowl XLVIII started out bad for the Denver Broncos. The Seattle Seahawks made sure it got worse. Seattle romped 43-8 by playing a suffocating defense and taking advantage of four Denver turnovers, including two interceptions thrown by quarterback Peyton Manning, the NFL's most valuable player for the season. The game pitted pro football's best offense, Denver, against the best defense, Seattle, but the drama disappeared early at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. On the first play from scrimmage, a bad snap went sailing past Manning and landed in the end zone for a safety, giving Seattle a 2-0 lead without running a play. Denver didn't score until the third quarter, when the game was out of reach. Seattle's defense was so strong that Denver managed only 27 yards rushing, compared with 135 for Seattle. Manning went 34 for 49 to gain 279 yards in the air, but most passes were for short yardage with his receivers quickly taken down. His counterpart, Russell Wilson of Seattle, went 18 for 26 to gain 206 yards and score two touchdowns. Fittingly, a Seattle defensive player, linebacker Malcolm Smith, was named the game's most valuable player. Seattle won its first Super Bowl in franchise history. Manning was thwarted in his quest for a second Super Bowl ring. After the safety, Seattle kicked two field goals, and Marshawn Lynch scored on a 1-yard run for a touchdown. The Seahawks' Smith intercepted Manning's second interception and returned it for another touchdown. The second half started out bad for Denver, with Seattle's Percy Harvin running the opening kickoff back for a touchdown. Jermaine Kearse caught a 23-yeard pass from Russell Wilson with 2:58 left in the third quarter for another touchdown. Wilson threw his second scoring strike to Doug Baldwin with 11:45 left in the fourth. Just before the third quarter ended, Denver got onto the scoreboard when Manning threw a 14-yard pass to Demaryius Thomas. Denver went for a two-point PAT to make the score 36-8. Denver, led by the 37-year-old Manning, has the NFL's best offense, statistically, but never got moving Sunday. Richard Sherman, the Seattle defense player who mocked San Francisco after winning the NFC championship, was never really challenged. He left with an injury in the fourth quarter. Balmy conditions on Game Day . Though the game didn't experience the blackout that hit last year's Super Bowl, fans in Los Angeles had their own visual blackout. Some fans lost cable service for a period and missed part of the second half and the halftime show, starring Bruno Mars and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Time Warner cable said in a tweet that the issue was resolved before the end of the game. A man was shot several times during a Super Bowl party at a residence in Denver, police said. The man was found outside the home, but police spokesman Sonny Jackson did not have additional information, such as what led to the shooting. The man was taken to a hospital in critical condition, and authorities do not have a suspect or a suspect description. The experts' picks . History of the Super Bowl: By the numbers . The secrets of the Super Bowl flyover . | Seattle dominates and takes advantage of Denver's mistakes .
League MVP Peyton Manning throws two interceptions .
This was the first Super Bowl victory in Seattle's franchise history .
No Seattle player has previously played in a Super Bowl . |
120,146 | 27473795aa89079fe2f5f93a6c9d26ebf69f5039 | By . Jenny Hope . PUBLISHED: . 20:02 EST, 30 January 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 20:08 EST, 30 January 2013 . Chief economist at The King's Fund John Appleby it is time to think more 'long-term' about health spending . Health and social care could account for half of all Government spending in 50 years’ time, warn leading analysts. By 2060, 50 per cent of UK public spending could be allocated to treating and caring for people - a stark rise from the 20 per cent currently spent. Analysts at The King’s Fund, an independent health policy body, based their predictions on economic growth and current levels of taxation and government expenditure. Population changes, increases in wealth and medical advances will put relentless pressure on health and social care spending in the future, says a new report. People living longer will also be a factor, but will play a smaller part than assumed. A massive rise in spending was not inevitable, said the report, but possible alternatives include controversial measures such as increased taxation or limiting the scope of publicly funded services. It calls for an ‘informed public debate’ about the choices, with ministers commissioning regular reviews of spending pressures. John Appleby, chief economist at The King’s Fund and author of the report, said ‘While there is nothing inevitable about spending on health and social care continuing to increase in line with historic trends, the pressure to spend more is likely to see it consuming an ever-larger proportion of national income. ‘It is time to think much more long-term about how much we should spend, the benefits of this spending and how it should be paid for. ‘By turning the spotlight on these issues now, we hope to stimulate an informed debate about the difficult choices ahead.’ The UK currently spends around 9 per cent of its national income on health and social care, more than twice as much as 50 years ago. This could more than double again to nearly 20 per cent by 2061, according to forecasts by the Office for Budget Responsibility. Based on projections for economic growth and current levels of taxation and government expenditure, the report estimates this would translate to around half of public spending. NHS Confederation chief executive Mike Farrar said the financial pressures ‘coming down the tracks’ meant there was an urgent need for a sustainable solution. He said ‘There is a growing consensus that the NHS must change to meet the needs of our changing population, make the most of healthcare technology, and live within its means. The UK currently spending nine per cent of national income on health and social care, more than twice as much as 50 years ago . ‘Addressing these issues will require . some tough choices and it is essential that we have open and honest . conversations with the public about what we can afford in the future and . how we will fund it. ‘We . urgently need an all-party debate about how we can establish a . sustainable health and social care system, with radical solutions very . much allowed.’ Dr Peter . Carter, Chief Executive & General Secretary of the Royal College of . Nursing said ‘The health care needs of the country are becoming more . complex and the NHS needs to adapt to these changes while maintaining its core principles.' ‘It is equally important, however, that increasingly scarce funds are not diverted from the frontline into major reorganisations. ‘Nursing staff are integral to supporting patients with long-term conditions and carrying out preventative work in communities. Removing these vital skills and services now is only going to cause greater problems, and higher costs, in the future. ‘We hope this report encourages a longer-term approach to workforce planning to ensure that there is the right number of staff and sufficient resources to effectively deal with patients’ needs.’ A Government spokesman said ‘While The Kings Fund’s predictions are speculative, we agree it is vital to look in detail at the long-term pressures placed on health spending. ‘That is why the Office for Budget Responsibility’s annual assessment of the future growth of health spending will continue to inform the decisions we take. These forecasts will help to ensure that the NHS is sustainable for the future and continues to meet the needs of the entire population.’ | Analysts at The King's Fund made prediction based on economic growth, taxation and government spending .
Population change, increase in wealth and medical advances behind trend . |
132,008 | 36b5f4b414a407af80746095e4cdc9b7402676b4 | Consumers have been warned not to eat Quorn frozen vegetarian burger patties because they may contain pieces of hard, blue plastic. Simplot Australia, the distributor of UK-made Quorn products in Australia, is recalling Quorn Meat Free Soy Free Classic Burgers, which are sold in Coles, Woolworths and Bi-Lo supermarkets across Australia. 'Simplot is greatly concerned at any risks to our consumers. This recall is being undertaken to ensure the safety of our consumers,' the company said in a statement. Simplot Australia have been forced to recall Quorn Meat Free Soy Free Classic Burgers, which are sold in Coles, Woolworths and Bi-Lo supermarkets across Australia . 'Consumers should not eat this product and should return it to the place of purchase for a full cash refund. 'We apologise for any inconvenience.' The affected boxes of frozen burgers carry the expiry date 'Best Before December 31 2014'. The Quorn Australia Facebook page has been hit by customer complaints following the revelation. 'Geez I have these often I wonder how much plastic my son and I have consumed,' Felicia Henderson wrote. Meanwhile Emily Pope said: 'I'm even more worried! I like so many others had a stockpile of these... worst thing is, [our] packet did have blue flecks and I was feeling quite awful after. I thought it was perhaps just some colour action from the packet.' A customer service representative told customers the problem was caused by an 'isolated manufacturing malfunction' at a supplier site. Consumers have been warned not to eat Quorn frozen vegetarian burger patties because they may contain pieces of hard, blue plastic . 'We are now visiting the suppliers involved in making the product to establish exactly what has happened and to take steps to prevent it happening again,' they wrote. The Quorn Classic Burgers are manufactured in the UK. Their main ingredient is mycoprotein, a highly processed type of protein developed from fungus. It was first produced in the 1980s, after more than two decades of research, over fears overpopulation would lead to global food shortages. | Simplot Australia is recalling its Quorn Meat Free Soy Free Classic Burgers .
The frozen vegetarian patties may contain pieces of hard, blue plastic .
The product is available in Coles, Woolworths and Bi-Lo supermarkets nationally . |
3,419 | 09e3b1b7dc99bda1434029378eae5a4e95b72e11 | By . James Salmon . House prices have grown at their fastest pace since the financial crisis, fuelling fears that the Help to Buy scheme is inflating a new property bubble. In the latest sign of recovery in the housing market, an influential report from Hometrack has found that three quarters of postcodes registered price gains this year. This is up from just a fifth last year. Across England and Wales, average prices rose by 4.4 per cent to £206,726 – the highest registered by Hometrack since October 2007 and a rebound from last year’s 0.3 per cent fall. House prices have grown at their fastest pace since the financial crisis, fuelling fears that the Help to Buy scheme is inflating a new property bubble . By far the biggest gains were in London and the south east, with average prices growing 9.1 per cent and 5 per cent respectively. The average price of a house in London is now £422,860, and Hertfordshire has the next highest average at £340,333. Demand for housing also soared by 25 per cent, the fastest pace for three years, while the supply of new homes fell to a record low, increasing just 6 per cent. The report said it expected ‘the momentum in house price growth to spill over into 2014 by a continued lack of supply and rising demand’. The huge inbalance lends weight to concerns that the housing market is overheating following the introduction of the Government’s Help to Buy Scheme in April, which was launched to help those with small deposits get their foot on the property ladder. But over the next fortnight leading forecasters are expected to show that the housing market has been turbo-charged by the Help to Buy scheme and a glut of cheap mortgage deals. Halifax’s latest index is expected to show prices rose 8.1 per cent in the year to December, the fastest since October 2007. Meanwhile, Nationwide is set to predict growth of 7.1 per cent, which would be the best since June 2010. This raft of data is likely to be latched on by critics of Help to Buy, ranging from business secretary Vince Cable to former Bank of England governor Lord King. They argue that Help to Buy is artificially driving up house prices – particularly in London and the south east – because there are not enough homes to cope with soaring demand. The Institute for Public Policy Research, the prominent left-leaning think-tank, also warned this weekend that the Chancellor ‘risks pumping up a fresh housing bubble with the Help to Buy scheme’. It fears a repeat of the massive build-up of household debt before 2008, which contributed to the financial crisis. But supporters of the scheme – including David Cameron – have played down the concerns.The Hometrack report shows a stark north-south divide in the housing market. The north was the only region to see a drop in prices, of 0.5 per cent, while homeowners in the north east experienced an average rise of just 0.5 per cent. In Merseyside the average house is now £149,300 and in Teesside it is £141,400. Hometrack said a ‘broader based recovery in the housing market is dependent on growth in the real economy, jobs and household incomes’. | Hometrack report found three quarters of postcodes registered price gains .
Across England and Wales, average prices rose by 4.4 per cent to £206,726 .
Highest registered by Hometrack since 2007 - fuelling fears of 'bubble' |
263,337 | e1178afd5d0464c82f75caacd5f6012e84f3e498 | Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has criticised four times world champion Sebastian Vettel for the way he reacted to failure this year. The German, who has now left Red Bull for Ferrari, ended the season without a win after dominating the previous four championships. Red Bull started the season on the back foot with an uncompetitive and unreliable Renault V6 turbo hybrid engine but Vettel's new Australian team mate Daniel Ricciardo still won three races. Sebastian Vettel failed to win a race for Red Bull last season and has now left to join Ferrari . 'I'm a super supporter of Sebastian, but I'm a little bit disappointed with his attitude, which I think has changed,' Ecclestone wrote in the foreword to the official Formula One season review. 'He's acting like a defeated guy, and he isn't - that's not his mentality,' added the 84-year-old. Ecclestone and Vettel, who won the last nine races of 2013, are close and the Briton will be happy at least to see the 27-year-old move to Maranello after achieving all his success with Red Bull. Ferrari are going through considerable change and, now on their third team principal of the year, are under pressure to perform after a dismal season in which they too failed to win a race for the first time since 1993. 'Ferrari was very disappointing, getting lost somewhere,' said Ecclestone. Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone has admitted his disappointment at Vettel's attitude last season . 'Fernando (Alonso) got a little bit like Sebastian halfway through, so I'm a little disappointed in him, too.' Spaniard Alonso has made way for Vettel and is now expected to join McLaren, who have not won a race since 2012. Mercedes won both titles this year, with Lewis Hamilton taking his second driver's championship, but Ecclestone said the sport had been lucky the Briton and his German team mate Nico Rosberg were allowed to race each other. 'It's good that Mercedes allowed them to do that,' he said. 'If not, we would have had a really lousy championship.' | Sebastian Vettel has left Red Bull for Ferrari after failing to win last season .
Bernie Ecclestone believes the German acted 'like a defeated guy'
F1 chief also expresses disappointment at performance of Ferrari . |
229,070 | b49d5e542f302d6b5970642395fdd74eabc2b64e | The former senior detective who brought two of Stephen Lawrence’s murderers to justice claims Scotland Yard chiefs have lost interest in the case. Clive Driscoll, who retired from the Metropolitan Police a few weeks ago, also alleges his successful investigation into killers Gary Dobson and David Norris was hampered by ‘disruption tactics’ from within the force. He added senior officers in the Met had discussions about holding back certain documents from the Ellison Review, the independent inquiry that looked into allegations of police corruption in the Lawrence case. Clive Driscoll brought two of Stephen Lawrence¿s murderers to justice. He claims Scotland Yard chiefs have lost interest in the case . He warned: 'One bad decision around disclosure undoes the remarkable work that police officers do up and down the country. 'For me, just be open and honest, warts and all.' Supporters of Mr Driscoll, who reached the rank of detective chief inspector and enjoyed the trust of Stephen’s parents Neville and Doreen, claim he was cruelly forced out of the Met as part of its drive to cut costs. They also say his departure reflects the force’s dwindling interest in Stephen’ s case, which has cost the force tens of millions of pounds in terms of different investigations, public inquiries and compensation to the black teenager’s family. Loss: Stephen Lawrence was 18 when he was stabbed to death near a bus stop in Eltham, south-east London, in April 1993, in a racist attack by a gang of white youths . Stephen’s close friend Duwayne Brooks, who witnessed his murder, says he has lost confidence in the Met as a result of Mr Driscolls’s enforced departure in May. But Yard sources insist the force remains committed to bringing other members of the gang who murdered Stephen to justice, and point out that with more than 30 years’ of police service, Mr Driscoll was eligible to retire on a full pension. Stephen Lawrence was 18 when he was stabbed to death near a bus stop in Eltham, south-east London, in April 1993, in a racist attack by a gang of white youths. After years of bungling and failed inquiries, Mr Driscoll eventually led an investigation that brought the case to court successfully. Dobson and Norris – two of the original five prime suspects named as Stephen’s killers by the Daily Mail in 1997 - were convicted of murder in January 2012, following a forensic breakthrough in the case. But Mr Driscoll said there had been officers inside the Met who did not want a 'successful prosecution'. He told BBC2’s Newsnight programme: 'There were certainly people I think in senior levels in the Met that weren’t enthusiastic about the investigation. I certainly felt that.” He felt so concerned about what he described as “disruption tactics” that he said he emailed some senior officers with his fears. In his interview with Newsnight, he did not elaborate on his concerns. He said relationships between the Lawrence family and the Met were as bad as they had been just after Stephen’s murder and said the Met must now be as transparent as possible to rebuild the trust of the public. He said: 'I believe we are in a position today where we have an opportunity to learn and we have an opportunity to put right some of the wrongs.” Responding to the retired detective’s claims, Duwayne Brooks told Radio 4’s Today programme yesterday (wed) that he had yet to speak to anyone from the new team of Met officers now investigating Stephen’s murder. ‘I would like to see more convictions. I would like to see everyone involved convicted,’ he said. He said he didn’t know whether he would be able to trust the police, in aftermath of Mr Driscoll’s departure. ‘The way Clive has been treated is not how I would expect the Metropolitan Police to treat somebody who has just got a conviction…a conviction nobody thought was possible,’ he said. Jocelyn Cockburn, Neville Lawrence’s solicitor, told Today: ‘Like Duwayne Brooks has said, it is unfortunate that after a successful conviction, the murder (inquiry) team that had Mr Lawrence’s full confidence has been changed. 'There is a feeling that the murder investigation is being closed down. Mr Lawrence will need some persuasion that is being vigorously pursued.’ She said Mr Lawrence is seeking a further inquiry into claims of a ‘lack of transparency and cooperation’ in the Met with the 1998 Macpherson Inquiry into Stephen’s murder, which considered whether corruption had blighted the initial inquiry into his death. ‘If Mr Driscoll is saying there were attempts to derail the (most recent) murder investigation, then I would consider that to be new,’ she added. The Met said no relevant Stephen Lawrence material had been intentionally withheld from the Ellison Review of the Lawrence case and its policy was to be open and transparent. It added it was still committed to continuing the Lawrence investigation. | Clive Driscoll led investigation to catch the teenager's killers .
He also says Met must be 'open and honest, warts and all'
He says senior figures in Met 'weren't enthusiastic about investigation . |
129,015 | 32b3b5fb5652e6cb529000df743709f80ae59d89 | A controversial scheme to pay GPs £55 for every new case of dementia on their books is leading to patients being wrongly told they may have the devastating illness, researchers warn. The initiative was launched by the NHS in the autumn to boost shockingly low detection rates and meet ambitious targets. Leading doctors and campaigners branded it ‘unethical’ and warned patients would be wrongly labelled as having dementia. Now researchers at the University of Sheffield say there is evidence these concerns have been realised. Researchers have warned that a controversial scheme to pay GPs £55 for every new case of dementia on their books is leading to patients being wrongly diagnosed. Stock photo . They have found that the number of ‘inaccurate’ referrals by GPs to memory clinics – centres to diagnose dementia – has doubled since the scheme was introduced. A study of 150 patients found that just over half – 52 per cent – who had been sent to memory clinics for scans since October were later found not to have dementia. This compares to rates of between 25 and 30 per cent before the scheme was introduced. Many had temporary memory problems brought on by depression or old age rather than dementia. Lead researcher Dr Daniel Blackburn, consultant neurologist at the University of Sheffield, said the initiative may be having a ‘devastating consequence’ on patients and families. The scheme sees practices paid £55 for every new case of dementia recorded on their lists by the end of March. GPs can either make a diagnosis themselves following a series of detailed questions or send patients to memory clinics for scans. But neither system is accurate so it follows that as more patients are sent for tests, the higher the chance of more people being misdiagnosed. Researchers are also concerned that as GPs refer more patients to memory clinics, waiting times increase ever further for those who genuinely do have the illness and need treatment. Dr Blackburn, whose study was uncovered by Pulse magazine, said: ‘We already know there are long waiting lists to be seen and if you send more people who don’t have dementia into those clinics … it slows down the process. ‘But also I think there is a risk that if we don’t analyse patients carefully enough then we are going to give people a false diagnosis.’ Meanwhile Dr Martin Brunet, a GP in Guildford, Surrey, said there was ‘no way of knowing if doctors have gamed the system’. He added: ‘Consider also that someone might have dementia, but the GP knows the memory clinic won’t turn them around before the end of March. ‘What would you do in that situation? Tell yourself that’s bad luck that the memory clinic has such a long waiting list in your area, or code them as dementia now, knowing that after the end of March you can always change the code if the specialist diagnoses something else.’ Figures show that the number of patients diagnosed with dementia has increased seven-fold since the scheme was introduced. There were nearly 35,000 recorded cases in the five months since October 2014 compared to 4,600 between April and September 2014. A study of 150 patients found that just over half who had been sent to memory clinics for scans since October were later found not to have dementia. Stock photo . Currently, around 850,000 adults in Britain have dementia but only 45 per cent have been formally diagnosed with the illness. NHS England say the scheme is only a temporary measure to improve detection rates and will stop after the end of March. Professor Alistair Burns, NHS England's national clinical director for dementia, said: 'High quality, accurate and timely diagnosis of dementia allows people to access the emotional, practical and financial support they need. 'There is absolutely no evidence to suggest the £55 scheme is leading to patients being wrongly diagnosed by GPs. 'The small study of patients visiting a memory clinic in Sheffield in 2012/13 was carried out long before the introduction of the temporary £55 financial incentive for GPs, launched in late 2014. 'It is highly unlikely a patient would be told they have dementia if the GP was not certain - if there is any doubt, the patient will be referred for a further assessment to determine the diagnosis, as is clearly happening in Sheffield.' Last week it emerged that GPs could win bonuses for prescribing fewer antibiotics. Health bosses fear the drugs are being handed out so freely that they are losing their effectiveness and they claim cash incentives will help curb their use. | Initiative was launched by the NHS to boost shockingly low detection rates .
But leading doctors and campaigners branded it ‘unethical’
They warned patients would be wrongly labelled as having dementia . |
104,242 | 127d9b5b3372798c44273be0af9f60d1f4713b61 | Scotland Yard was last night facing demands to say if it has a copy of a missing dossier containing explosive claims of a Westminster paedophile ring. Campaigning MP Simon Danczuk called on the Metropolitan Police to reveal what information is in its hands after The Mail on Sunday was given the first indication that the bombshell file had been found. A Freedom of Information response about the documents – believed to name up to eight public figures involved in child sex abuse but lost or shredded by the Home Office – confirmed ‘the requested information is held’ by Britain’s biggest force. But the Yard has refused to set out exactly what information it has found – even though a fresh search is under way in Home Office archives for the missing files compiled by the late Tory MP Geoffrey Dickens. Scotland Yard has refused to set out exactly what information it has found – even though a fresh search is under way in Home Office archives for the missing files compiled by the late Tory MP Geoffrey Dickens (above) Last night Scotland Yard was told to come clean about what it has – or risk fresh accusations of a cover-up. Mr Danczuk , the Labour MP for Rochdale who has helped uncover allegations of a Westminster abuse scandal including the scale of offending by the late Cyril Smith, said: ‘The Met need to confirm or deny whether they hold what they believe to be the Dickens dossier. I think they have a duty – not just to the Home Office and the inquiry but to the public. ‘They have a responsibility to assist in terms of confirming whether the dossier exists or not. ‘It would be pretty appalling if they chose to hide the fact that they held the Dickens dossier. ‘It could be that they failed to act on what’s in the dossier and they are trying to keep a low profile in the hope it blows over.’ He made his demands after an FOI request by this newspaper gave the first hint that the Met may have the sought-after dossier. The MoS asked this March for access to files on the investigations the Met carried out into the notorious Paedophile Information Exchange and all the documents it received on the group and its members, including those sent by Dickens, who died in 1995. Last night Scotland Yard was told to come clean about what it has – or risk fresh accusations of a cover-up . The Yard’s FOI team replied in June, refusing to release the information in case it interfered with investigations, and to avoid revealing personal information. But within the five-page letter were several hints that the Met had indeed found the documents compiled by Dickens. It stated: ‘The searches located records relevant to your request… I have considered your request for information within the provisions set out by the Act and can confirm that the requested information is held by the MPS. ‘Having located and considered the relevant information, I am afraid that I am not required by statute to release the information requested. I have applied this exemption in that the names and personal details of any living individuals identified in the reports constitute personal data which would, if released, be in breach of the rights provided by the DPA.’ But a spokesman for the force said last night the admissions in the FOI response should not be taken as confirmation that the force did have the particular dossier given by Dickens to the Home Office. He said: ‘The Freedom of Information response makes it clear that records relevant to the request are held. However it does not indicate what those records are and it would be wrong to use that FOI response as confirmation that specific documents are held.’ The spokesman declined to answer specific questions on what documents it did have and when it had found them, and would only add: ‘The Metropolitan Police Service will fully co-operate with the review led by Peter Wanless and the panel chaired by Baroness Butler-Sloss and provide detail of relevant information. ‘Whilst these and live police investigations are ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment on this further.’ Dickens said on one occasion he had handed over ‘eight names of big people, really important names’ including a former friend of his. Other files were said to expose ‘paedophilia in Buckingham Palace and the diplomatic and civil services’ and a ‘top television executive’ as well as ‘child abuse and sex assaults at a children’s home’. | Campaigning MP Simon Danczuk called on police to reveal what information it has after MoS was given first indication bombshell file had been found .
Freedom of Information response about files – believed to name up to eight public figures involved in child sex abuse but lost or shredded by Home Office – confirmed ‘requested information is held’ by Britain’s biggest force . |
272,692 | ed2e8f8d347421ed4eb7ae5cb7ca75a4a75522eb | Two of the teens . accused of gunning down a promising Australian student in the street . 'just for the fun of it' were today charged with first-degree murder and . the third as an accessory. Chris . Lane, 22, originally from Melbourne, was jogging in the small town of . Duncan in Oklahoma on Friday when he was shot in the back and left to . die in the gutter. James Edwards, 15, and Chancey Luna, 16, are charged as adults with first-degree murder and are being held without bond. Michael Jones, 17, is charged with . use of a vehicle while a weapon was discharged and accessory after the . fact of first degree murder. His bond is set at $1million . SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO . Murder charge: Chancey Luna, left, and James Edwards have been charged as adults for murder . Staying in touch: Harper said that she has been in constant contact with Lane's relatives . The Australian was in the U.S. on a baseball . scholarship and was returning from a visit to his girlfriend when he was . senselessly gunned down because the teens were 'bored'. Former Deputy Prime Minister Tim . Fischer called for his fellow countrymen to think of this shooting when . they are planning a trip to the United States. 'People . (who) are thinking of going to the USA on business, vacation, trips, . should think carefully about it given the statistical facts you are 15 . times more likely to be shot dead in the USA than in Australia per . capita per million people,' he told CNN's Piers Morgan. 'It is another example of murder and mayhem on Main Street.' For . America's part, State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said that the . federal government is 'deeply saddened' by Lane's death but she did not . comment on any specific action. 'This . is clearly a tragic death, and we extend our condolences to the family . and the loved ones. We understand that local authorities are focused on . bringing those responsible to justice. Clearly, we would support that,' she said at a briefing on Tuesday. Police say it appears the boys . were keeping a log of the crimes on their Facebook pages and believe . they killed an animal before shooting Chris. They also think they were planning to kill again just four hours after his murder. James . Edwards tweeted on last Tuesday - just two days before the shooting - . that he was 'With my n*****s when it's time to start taken life's . [sic].' His Facebook . profile is filled with pictures of him making gang signs, holding guns . and wads of cash and he even has a Vimeo of him brandishing a shotgun. Chancey Luna's Facebook also features pictures of him - sometimes with Edwards - making gang signs . Police chief Ford said: 'He went by a . residence where these three boys were, they picked him as a target, they . went out and got in a vehicle and followed him. '(They) came up from behind and basically shot him in the back with a small caliber weapon, then sped away.' Witnesses saw him stumble across the road and collapse in the gutter. According to police investigators, one of the alleged killers had left a chilling message on Facebook prior to the shooting. It read: 'Bang. Two drops in two hours.' According to Sky News, the 16-year-old allegedly confessed to the killing saying it had been done 'for the fun of it'. Arrested: Chancey Luna, 16, left, and James . Edwards, 15, right, are two of the teens accused in the shooting of . Australian student Chris Lane . Charged: Michael Jones, 17, faces charges of being an accessory after murder . The three are due to face first-degree murder charges, which carry a potential death penalty in Oklahoma. Chief Ford added: 'They wanted to be Billy Bob Badasses. 'I think they were on a killing spree. We would have had more bodies that night if we didn't get them.' But two of the accused teens' parents insist they were not involved in the killing, according to News.com.au. 'That's . my baby boy,' said the mother of Chancey Luna, who is accused of firing . the single bullet from a handgun into Chris' back. She . said her son was not in a gang and could not have been the one who . pulled the trigger - as has been suggested - and doesn't even believe he . is involved in the shooting. James . Edwards' father said he didn't think his son played a part in it and, . though he admits the 15-year-old has been in trouble with the law . before, he dismissed it as 'kid stuff' and described him as a good boy. 'He's not the type of person. He likes to wrestle. He's into sports,' he said. News.com.au reports that Edwards' mother is in jail and Luna's stepfather and brother died last year. Paramedics were on the scene quickly, but the student was pronounced dead an hour after the shooting. Accused: Pictures on James Edwards' Facebook account show him with guns and giving gang signs . James Edwards' Twitter page: He posted on Tuesday - just two days before the shooting - that he was 'With my n*****s when it's time to start taking life's [sic] . Bragging on social media: A Vine video of James Edwards brandishing a shot gun and making a gang sign . Money: Pictures of bundles of hundred dollar notes are also posted on his Facebook . Chancey Luna, left, and James Edwards, right, . both have pictures on their social networking sites showing them talking . on 'phones' which are actually wads of cash . The young couple, who started dating . four years ago, had only been back in the U.S. for three days after . visiting Mr Lane's family in Melbourne. Ms Harper posted an emotional tribute on Facebook, describing their time together as 'the most amazing of my life'. She wrote: 'I love you so much babe. From 2009 until forever you will always be mine and in a very special and protected place in my heart.' She later added: 'It's a very angry yet extremely sad . time. No one deserves to die that way. Not even the boys involved. Loss: Harper and Lane had just returned from Australia three days before his death . Promising student: Lane was in the United States on a baseball scholarship and the pair had been dating since 2009 . Smitten: The couple had been together since 2009. Sarah Harper described their time as 'the most amazing of my life' 'Don't . get me wrong, I want them to rot in hell, but no one should be blindly . taken from the back so unexpectedly and without any reason.' Lane's devastated father Peter said: 'There's not going to be any good come out of this because it was just so senseless. 'There . wasn't anything he did or could have done. He was an athlete going for a . jog like he would do five or six days a week in terms of his training . schedule. 'To try and understand it is a short way to insanity.' Mr . Lane, 22, who grew up in the Oak Park area of Melbourne, was jogging . through an expensive area of Duncan, when he was shot at the junction of . Country Club Road and Twilight Beach Road. A memorial of flowers has been left at the scene. The murder has shocked residents as the town has had only one other murder the past five years. Investigation: Police cordoned off the scene around the shooting on Friday while they conducted their investigation . The three boys were traveling in a black Ford Focus with a white sticker in the front of the driver's windscreen. A . manhunt was launched after Mr Lane was gunned down, and the . investigating officers received a breakthrough when a concerned parent . phoned to say several youngsters had just threatened to kill her son. Police . quickly arrived at the scene and found a car matching the description . of the one they were looking for in an adjacent church car park. A . shotgun was found in the car, although the handgun is still missing. Ammunition for the handgun was found under the bonnet and video . surveillance footage showed the boys hiding a weapon in car's engine. | Promising baseball student gunned down on Friday after a visit to his sweetheart .
James Edwards, 15, and Chancey Luna, 16, charged with first-degree murder .
Michael Jones, 17, charged with accessory to murder .
Parents of teens accused deny their sons are involved .
Police believe they were going to shoot someone else afterwards .
One of them tweeted they were going to 'start taking lives'
Tribute from heartbroken girlfriend says 'I love you so much babe'
Flowers adorn the scene of the shooting that has left the town stunned . |
155,037 | 545c10be3ff89b1a9c8228fa25748ac209eb90ca | By . Ruth Styles . Perched on the edge of glamorous Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana Palace is one of the most exclusive hotels in the world. Beloved of the rich, famous and powerful, it has played host to everyone from Prince Charles to Marilyn Monroe during its 90 years in existence. Now the hotel has opened its doors to a team of documentary makers - and the results are eye-opening. Luxury: The Copacabana Palace in Rio de Janeiro has played host to a who's who of Hollywood and real royalty . From the guest who has 'moved in' to the hotel, along with his pet bichon frise and mountain of Louis Vuitton luggage, to the president demanding a room made up with entirely new bed linen, it seems there's no limit when it comes to pleasing the people who stay there. One regular is Marco Antonio di Biaggi, a Brazilian celebrity hairdresser who made his millions via his salon business and decamps to the Copacabana Palace each weekend. 'I was born very, very poor and I . remember when I was a teenager, I saw Copacabana Palace from the front, . and thought: "One day, I'll stay here",' he remembers. 'And I work very, very hard for it. I'm a famous hairdresser and I work 12 to 14 hours a day. There is no . secret - that's how I can afford to come to Copacabana Palace every . weekend.' The coiffeur, who lives in Sao Paulo, says the secret of the hotel's success is knowing what guests want - and delivering it before they even think to ask. Glamorous guests: Madonna spent 10 days at the Copacabana Palace and Princess Diana also visited . Regular visitor: Celebrity hairdresser Marco Antonio di Biaggi spends every weekend at the Rio hotel . Sumptuous: Baccarat crystal chandeliers decorate the public areas at the Copacabana Palace . 'Copacabana Palace is very unique,' he explains. 'I know . everybody and they know what I like. For example, in Brazil, we don't do . the eggs, we don't like the omelettes. 'We like the fresh fruit and the . pastries, and they always make the special ones I like for me.' And Mr di Biaggi is by no means alone in his appreciation of the Copacabana Palace's charms. Joining him on the guest list is a veritable who's who of real and Hollywood royalty - all of whom come with special requests. In charge of dealing with them is Anne Phillips, a glamorously coiffed and perfectly presented woman who has been working in hospitality for 60 years. 'Every hotel has a golden book, wherever they are in the world,' she explains. 'These are guest books of very VIP guests who have . stayed with us.' While most behave, not all are so considerate, among them actor Orson Welles. 'There's a story that he threw a desk out . the window during a ball because he thought his one love had been . unfaithful or something like that,' she remembers. Fine dining: Guests have the choice four different restaurants to choose from and can eat in their rooms . Comfortable: According to manager Andrea Natal, the hotel is home to the most comfortable mattresses in Rio . 'I don't know how he could throw a . desk out of the window - I really don't know how he did it.' Much better behaved were Fred Astaire and Ginger Rodgers, who immortalised the hotel in their 1933 film, Flying Down to Rio. More recent guests have included Miley Cyrus, Justin Bieber and even the King of Sweden, although as Phillips points out, King Carl XVI Gustaf isn't the first European royal to visit. 'Charles . and Diana were here,' she says. 'They stayed in the Presidential Suite. I've had Madonna here too - I . had Madonna for 10 days. 'Francis . Ford Coppola, he was very nice. And Robert de Niro, I had him . down here. And he was here when Francis Coppola was here and it was . difficult because we didn't know he was coming, so we had to manouvre a . lot and keep him happy until we could get him up to the sixth floor.' Although no room at the Copacabana Palace comes cheap, the sixth floor is where the most luxurious suites are to be found. So expensive are the rooms, the hotel won't publish the prices which means, glamorous though it might sound, keeping Hollywood's finest happy is an exhausting job. 'You do wind up working through the night . sometimes,' explains Phillips. 'Especially if, like Tom Cruise, they're keeping to California . times. Early riser: Tom Cruise insisted on being served breakfast at 4am . Immortal: Fred Astaire starred in 1933's Flying Down to Rio . Visit: Recent guests have included Justin Bieber . Fit for an A-lister! Each room boasts an elaborate granite and marble en-suite bathroom . Idyllic: The exclusive hotel boasts incredible views of Rio de Janeiro's glamorous Copacabana Beach . 'You do wind up giving them breakfast at 4am in the morning or . something like that.' With the majority of A-listers now eschewing hotels for the privacy of rented villas, what keeps them coming back to the Copacabana Palace? Manager Andrea Natal thinks she has some answers. 'Once you are inside this hotel, you feel . peaceful,' she reveals. 'We have an open-air pool, with a beautiful bar. And I think, . in this hotel, we have the most comfortable mattresses that I ever saw in . my life. 'That is something remarkable,' she continues. 'Keith Richards' wife bought . two mattresses from us. 'We have people who love to serve, to pamper people. We have to make sure guests are happy because, ultimately, that is what they're here for.' This World: Copacabana Palace, tonight at 9pm on BBC2 . | Copacabana Palace is one of the most exclusive hotels in Rio de Janeiro .
Past guests include Marilyn Monroe, Tom Cruise and Princess Diana .
Justin Bieber and Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden more recent A-list visitors .
Not every guest behaves: Orson Welles threw a desk out of a window . |
136,446 | 3c80e20879a1dbc5eab5a090532b291495e35972 | Reporters didn't want to hear about changes to Obamacare or the Keystone XL pipeline on Wednesday, opting instead to kick off House Republicans' first press conference of 2015 with questions about the white supremacy scandal that threatens to swallow Majority Whip Steve Scalise whole. House Speaker John Boehner introduced a parade of GOP luminaries to push his legislative agenda but the event quickly devolved into his worst nightmare before he offered his own defense of his third-in-command. 'I know what's in his heart,' the speaker said. 'He's a decent, honest person who made a mistake. We've all made mistakes.' SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEOS . 'WE'VE ALL MADE MISTAKES': House Speaker John Boehner defended Rep. Steve Scalise on Wednesday in a press conference that was more like a reporters' scrum . 'I REJECT BIGOTRY': Scalise is standing his ground and aims to remain Majority Whip, the third-highest ranking GOP position in the lower chamber of Congress . The press briefing started nearly 90 minutes late, and Boehner cut off questions after less than 15 minutes. It was his first confrontation with reporters over the damaging revelations since Scalise apologized in a statement for the speech, which he characterized as an unintentional lapse in a frayed and inconsistent vetting process. Scalise said after the story broke that when he was a more lowly state legislator he didn't have adequate staff to screen groups that asked him to deliver remarks. And besides, he added, his practice was to speak to any group of constituents who would hear his message against an unpopular tax proposal that was made law and later repealed. Boehner himself said Wednesday that when he was in the Ohio legislature, 'I had a half of a staffer. You get asked to speak to a lot of groups.' Scalise spoke for himself. 'I reject any form of bigotry, bigotry of all kinds,' he said in response to a question about the European-American Unity and Rights Organization (EURO), a group with strong ties to the infamous Louisiana Ku Klux Klan founder David Duke. Scalise referred reporters to his statement last month, in which he said the speech he gave was 'a mistake I regret.' 'I think that's where the story ends,' he insisted. House Republican leaders have yet to address a story line that emerged shortly after Scalise confirmed that he had delivered the tax speech in 2002. Kenny Knight, the former Duke aide who reserved the hotel hospitality suite where he spoke, said the meeting was for a civic association, not EURO. The two meetings were held in the same room, he said, hours apart. Scalise's speech, Knight recalled in an interview with The Daily Beast, was sandwiched in between a Red Cross presentation about CPR and a sheriff's department talk about local crime watch programs. FEEDING FRENZY: The first three questions – half of those Boehner's team took – were about the allegations of racism lodged against Scalise . But the White House has seized on the event to cast doubt on Republicans' ability to run both houses of Congress with Scalise as part of the leadership structure. 'Who they choose to serve in their leadership says a lot about who they are and what their values should be,' White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said on Monday. Earnest made special mention of a 20-year-old comment attributed to Scalise, who reportedly told a constituent that he was 'David Duke without the baggage.' Scalise did not directly deny making that claim, but emphasized that 'I reject bigotry of all kinds.' | Newly re-elected Speaker John Boehner cut off questions after reporters focused on the scandal instead of his policy announcements .
Scalise admitted he gave a speech in 2002 to an audience that included members of a white-power group in Louisiana .
'He's a decent, honest person who made a mistake, We've all made mistakes,' Boehner insisted .
Scalise is now the House majority whip, the third most powerful Republican in the lower chamber of Congress .
The European-American Unity and Rights Organization, a white power group some of whose members heard Scalise speak, was led by former KKK grand wizard and Louisiana pol David Duke . |
136,606 | 3cb5c9d860bcd4707bbf7b991bedd4a4b993bde2 | (CNN) -- Liverpool, the 18 time league winner and five-time champion of Europe, was humiliated by third-tier Oldham 3-2 in the FA Cup, the most famous domestic cup competition in world football. The Premier League club, which is owned by American businessman John Henry, was embarrassed by a team currently struggling towards the bottom of its own division. On a freezing cold Sunday in the north of England, around 14 kilometers from Manchester, Oldham produced one of the greatest results in its recent history to defeat the seven time FA Cup winners. Real Madrid, Barcelona or Manchester United: Which is the biggest club? Facing the likes of $35 million man Luis Suarez and a whole host of international players, Oldham turned to a man who up until 18 months ago had given up on playing professional football to try his luck at university. Matt Smith, 23, attended the University of Manchester where he gained a degree in International Management with American Studies while playing part-time amateur football. But after completing his studies, he rejoined Oldham and etched his name into FA Cup folklore by scoring twice before dislocating his shoulder in an enthralling contest. Leading 1-0 through Smith's third minute strike, Suarez equalized for Liverpool before Oldham scored two quick goals either side of the break. First, Smith took advantage of some awful goalkeeping by Brad Jones to fire home his second with Reece Wabara heading Oldham into a 3-1 lead just minutes after the interval. Sturridge joins Liverpool . Joe Allen, a $23.6 million signing, volleyed Liverpool back into the contest courtesy of a huge deflection, but Oldham held out for a famous victory. It was a return to the glory days for the club, which reached the 1994 FA Cup semifinals where it was eventually beaten by Manchester United in a replay. It was that year which also saw Oldham relegated from the Premier League -- a division which the club has not been able to return to since. Oldham, which is managed by former Arsenal and Manchester City striker Paul Dickov, will now face Liverpool's Merseyside rival, Everton. "I am left speechless by the result. We went out there wanting to battle together," hero Smith told reporters. "We rallied and thoroughly deserved the win. We proved what we can do today and we will be looking to do the same against Everton." Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, whose side is currently seventh in the Premier League, said he had no excuses following the defeat. "The FA Cup was a competition we wanted to have a go at and there is no excuse," he told reporters. "We put out a strong team capable of winning the game, but we didn't." Hazard charged with violent conduct . Oldham's triumph capped a remarkable day of cup action in England where European champion Chelsea was fortunate to escape with a 2-2 draw at third-tier Brentford. Brentford, which is less than 10 kilometers from its illustrious west London rival, had taken the lead twice, only for Chelsea to snatch an 83rd minute equalizer through $80 million striker Fernando Torres. It was an impressive showing from minnow Brentford against defending champion Chelsea, which is unbeaten in its past 25 FA Cup matches. Eden a Hazard to Chelsea's public image? Brentford, which is managed by German Uwe Rosler, will now go to Stamford Bridge for a replay in a game which is estimated to earn it around $1.6 million. The winner of that fixture will go on to play at Middlesbrough in the fifth round. James Gibson: The man who saved Manchester United -- twice . There was also drama at Leeds where the first-tier side defeated eight time winners Tottenham Hotspur 2-1. Leeds, which was relegated from the top-flight in 2004, now faces an away game at Premier League champion Manchester City. Meanwhile, Luton Town, which became the first non-league side to ever beat a Premier League team following the 1-0 win at Norwich on Saturday, will play first-tier Millwall in the next round. Manchester United will host Reading, while Arsenal will welcome Blackburn. | Premier League Liverpool crash out of FA Cup after shock defeat by third-tier Oldham Athletic .
Oldham, currently 19th in its division, won 3-2 with two goals from Matt Smith .
Chelsea needed late equalizer to claim a replay at minnow Brentford .
Tottenham suffers embarrassing defeat away at Leeds United . |
256,917 | d88798f6ae7ff9afdbad2ae4db0513928e3c0294 | A Turkish-Armenian blogger vowed to appeal a day after an Istanbul court sentenced him to more than a year in prison for blasphemy. In a phone interview with CNN, Sevan Nisanyan accused Turkey's Islamic-rooted government of politically persecuting him. "When I attacked the Islamist establishment they felt I overstepped my boundaries," said Nisanyan, who is a member of Turkey's tiny Armenian ethnic minority. "Here I am an Armenian doing something no Armenian has done in a Muslim country. This is really the height of boldness, of impudence. This is something you are not supposed to do." Read more: Group: Number of jailed journalists worldwide reaches record high . According to Turkey's semi-official Anatolian Agency, Nisanyan received a one year and 45-day jail sentence for "openly denigrating the religious values held by a certain portion of the population." Anatolian reported that Nisanyan's initial nine-month jail sentence was extended because "the crime was committed through the press." Turkey is a majority Muslim country. Nisanyan said the court cited a passage in his blog published last September that referred to the international uproar triggered by cheaply made Hollywood film called the "Innocence of Muslims." The film, which ridiculed the most revered figure in Islam, the Prophet Mohammed, sparked violent protests in Egypt and Libya. The Turkish prime minister also denounced the movie as "Islamophobic," though protests on Turkish streets were small and peaceful. On Wednesday, Nisanyan published an English translation of the passage in question from his September 2012 blog post: . "It is not 'hate crime' to poke fun at some Arab leader who, many hundred years ago, claimed to have established contact with Deity and made political, economic and sexual profit as a result. It is almost a kindergarten-level case of what we call freedom of expression," Nisanyan wrote. Since the blog was published last year, Nisanyan said, prosecutors have taken him to court simultaneously for this passage in three separate courts across Turkey. Nisanyan said he represented himself at the criminal court in Istanbul, without the help of an attorney. He acknowledged that he took a confrontational approach in his statement to the court, arguing that no one should be prosecuted for discussing the historical background of a religious figure. CNN Blog: Erdogan's troubling shift toward repression . "In consequence of his claim to have established contact with Deity, this Muhammed, who was a lowly merchant, acquired political dominion over all Arabian and gained the financial means to raise 30-thousand-strong armies," Nisanyan wrote, citing his statement to the court. "It is an incontrovertible historical fact that this person made political, economic and sexual profit from his alleged contact with Deity." In his interview with CNN, Nisanyan recognized that he was deliberately throwing fuel on the fire regarding his conviction. "I'm hoping to contribute to the ongoing debate in this country on freedom of expression and freedom of religion," Nisanyan said. "I think I'm performing a useful public service." This is not the first time people have been convicted of insulting Islam in Turkey. Last month Fazil Say, Turkey's most famous classical pianist, received a 10-month suspended jail sentence for insulting Islamic values in a series of statements disseminated on Twitter. International press freedom organizations have slammed Turkey in previous years for having more journalists in prison than any other country. On April 30, the human rights watchdog Amnesty International denounced a new package of legislation sponsored by the Turkish government. "Amnesty International believes the reform package will allow abusive prosecutions to continue, forcing still more political activists, journalists and human rights defenders to face jail sentences for carrying out their work," Amnesty wrote. According to Anatolian, the judge in Istanbul ruled "not to postpone the punishment" for Nisanyan because he has a record of prior convictions. Nisanyan served 11 months in prison a decade ago for committing building violations in the touristic Turkish village of Sirince, where he owned and operated a hotel. Prior to becoming an outspoken political blogger and newspaper columnist, Nisanyan was a prominent travel writer and hotelier who promoted the boutique hotel and bed-and-breakfast industry in Turkey. He said he is currently appealing a dozen convictions with sentences that add up to 20 years in jail. During his previous prison term, Nisanyan wrote and published a dictionary of Turkish etymology, a study of the history of words. | Sevan Nisanyan accuses Turkey's government of politically persecuting him .
His crime: "openly denigrating the religious values held by a certain portion of the population."
He says he has been prosecuted simultaneously in three Turkish courts .
Nisanyan told CNN he recognizes he was deliberately confrontational in court . |
283,600 | fb5c8c3a0dea57ff2b83c440fd6a309e1c6e5d71 | New York (CNN) -- One person died and at least seven others were injured Sunday after a three-alarm fire broke out in a New York City high-rise, authorities said. Daniel McClung, 27, was remembered by a close friend as a brilliant and beautiful person, inside and out. McClung was a playwright, a deep thinker with incredible wit and an appreciation for art and great music, said friend Dave Brown. He said McClung married his husband this past summer in Boston and that they were very much in love. The couple had recently moved into the high-rise. McClung died after being trapped in a stairwell, said a spokesman for the Office of Deputy Commissioner. The spokesman said a second victim was taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation. The 32-year-old man is in stable condition, according to police. Fire crews gained control of the blaze, which began on the 20th floor of the high-rise in midtown Manhattan, around noon, according to New York City Fire Department spokesman Danny Glover. The fire was ruled accidental and was caused by pieces of electrical equipment that were plugged into a power strip through several extension cords, Frank Dwyer, a fire department spokesman, said Monday. Witness video obtained by CNN showed flames shooting out of the building and a large plume of black and white smoke. Glover confirmed everyone had evacuated the building. He was unsure of when residents would be able to return. According to Glover, another six people showed signs of possible smoke inhalation. Fire crews received a call around 11 a.m. alerting them to the fire. 2nd body found in Minneapolis apartment building's charred remains . Arson at Chinese consulate in San Francisco a 'despicable act' CNN's Haimy Assefa and Chris Welch reported and wrote in New York City, and Mayra Cuevas wrote in Atlanta. CNN's Dominique Dodley contributed to this report. | NEW: Fire is ruled accidental, caused by electrical equipment in a power strip .
Daniel McClung died after being trapped in a stairwell, a spokesman says .
Firefighters contained the fire around noon; it broke out on the 20th floor of high-rise .
Seven others had injuries; one of them was sent to a hospital . |
40,897 | 734fb05ae0e52e518fd66dfdf5d4e83df762d94f | Los Angeles (CNN) -- Either Justin Bieber is having a wild time on his South American tour or media reports of the 19-year-old singer's antics are off the mark. Many reports barely rise above the gossip threshold, but they echo throughout the tabloids and mainstream media. What you should believe -- and why you should care -- is a raging debate online with Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and beyond. "My truth is in the music," Bieber said in a message to his 46 million Twitter followers this week. It was posted the same day his newest single, "Bad Day," released. Journalists know very little about what goes on in Bieber's private life. He is constantly surrounded by bodyguards and his representatives consistently refuse to confirm, deny or comment on any reports that surface. But that does not limit speculation, much of it based on paparazzi photos and video of the teen's comings and goings. The New York Post's "Page Six" column published several photos last weekend that the newspaper said implied the singer was enjoying the services of Brazil's legal prostitutes while on his South America tour. One photo showed a man walking out of a Rio de Janerio brothel under a blanket and surrounded by bodyguards. No face is visible, but the Post says Bieber could be identified by "his gray wraparound wrist tattoo, which is visible in some photos, and his signature sneakers." Another photo shows two women in a vehicle that the newspaper said took them from the brothel to the hotel where Bieber was staying. Minions carry Justin Bieber up Great Wall of China . Belieber Rorschach test . The media frenzy over Bieber's alleged sexcapades grew after a video appeared on YouTube on Wednesday that apparently was recorded by a young woman excited about her quiet time with the entertainer. The 15-second clip does not show Bieber doing anything scandalous. He's just sleeping. The tattoos on his arms, the earring, his baby face, short blond hair and red ball cap are all familiar identifiers. The woman pans the camera to reveal Bieber sleeping under a blanket, then points it at herself while flashing a big grin. It ends with her blowing a kiss toward him. The video is something of a Rorschach test to diagnose if you are a "Belieber," the term used for Bieber's diehard fans. They always believe the best of their idol. But un-Beliebers suggested the woman was one of the two females who left with Bieber from the brothel, although they have no way of connecting her to that night. "He didn't sleep with her," one Belieber said in one of the 7,300 comments posted under the YouTube video. "Justin brought girls back home and he threw a small party. Chicken nuggets, Doritos, a pool table etc., etc." She offered more details, though she didn't reveal how she would know anything about Bieber's actions. "The girls got their phone confiscated so they wouldn't take pictures," the fan wrote. "Obviously, because he wanted to have fun without any media around. But when all the girls left, they got their phone back. So did this girl. When this girl got her phone back she sneaked in and filmed him while sleeping. Explains why the video was so short." Bieber: "Just gotta know your truth" The truth is -- we don't know the truth. We do know that Justin Bieber is at what can be an awkward point in a teenage idol's career. He's months away from no longer being a teenager. Making the transition from kid to adult is tough enough, but Bieber has the world watching. Chasing Bieber is a popular, lucrative and dangerous sport for paparazzi. It has led several times to traffic citations for both the singer and the photographers. Punches have allegedly been thrown during confrontations. Bieber -- unlike some other teen stars -- has managed to stay out of criminal court, although he has been accused and investigated. His hit songs keep coming. His concerts sell out. And the world can't divert its eyes away from him. "Can't believe or dwell on the bs. Just gotta know your truth. U can't bring us down," Bieber told fans in a Tuesday tweet. Germany asks Justin Bieber to pay costs of caring for his monkey . | Many reports on Justin Bieber barely rise above the gossip threshold .
"My truth is in the music," Bieber says .
Newly emerged mystery video shows Bieber sleeping .
"Can't believe or dwell on the bs," the singer tweets . |
100,548 | 0d87819d09c2fd8afe8d4891fbdfaea428bab8b4 | The elusive 'God particle' discovered by scientists in 2012 has the potential to destroy the universe, Professor Stephen Hawking has warned. At very high energy levels, the Higgs boson could cause space and time suddenly collapse - and 'we wouldn't see it coming', the former Cambridge professor of mathematics says. The God particle, which gives shape and size to everything that exists, could cause a 'catastrophic vacuum delay' if scientists were to put it under extreme stress. Scroll down for video . Stephen Hawking wrote that the recently-found Higgs boson 'God particle' could destroy the universe . The God Particle could destabilise at high energy, threatening the universe, but the Cern particle accelerator is too slow to cause such a problem . A disaster like this is very unlikely for the time being as physicists do not have a particle accelerator large enough create such an experiment, but Prof Hawking's comments have excited scientists, the Sunday Times reported. The theoretical physicist wrote his thoughts on the Higgs boson in the preface to a new book, Starmus, a collection of lectures by scientists and astronomers including Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, Queen guitarist Brian May. Prof Hawking wrote: 'The Higgs potential has the worrisome feature that it might become megastable at energies above 100bn giga-electron-volts (GeV). 'This could mean that the universe could undergo catastrophic vacuum decay, with a bubble of the true vacuum expanding at the speed of light. 'This could happen at any time and we wouldn't see it coming.' The theoretical physicist wrote his thoughts on the Higgs boson in the preface to a new book, Starmus, which is released in early November this year . British scientist Peter Higgs predicted the God Particle in the early 1960s but it was only found in 2012 . The Higgs boson was a key missing piece in the jigsaw for physicists in trying to understand how the universe works. Scientists believe that a fraction of a second after the Big Bang that gave birth to the universe, an invisible energy field, called the Higgs field, formed. This has been described as a kind of ‘cosmic treacle’ across the universe. As particles passed through it, they picked up mass, giving them size and shape and allowing them to form the atoms that make up you, everything around you and everything in the universe. This was the theory proposed in 1964 by former grammar school boy Professor Higgs that has now been confirmed. Without the Higgs field particles would simply whizz around space in the same way as light does. A boson is a type of sub-atomic particle. Every energy field has a specific particle that governs its interaction with what’s around it. The professor did add sarcastically, however, that such an event is unlikely in the near future. He said: 'A particle accelerator that reaches 100bn GeV would be larger than Earth, and is unlikely to be funded in the present economic climate.' Professor John Ellis, a theoretical physicist at Cern, said: 'One thing should be made clear. The discovery of the Higgs boson at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) did not cause this problem, and collisions at the LHC could not trigger the instability, because their energies are far too low.' Particle accelerators make subatomic particles travel at greater and greater speeds as they are pumped with more energy before smashing them together. Scientists do this to try and spot tiny fragments of particles which fly off, and it is how the Higgs boson was discovered at the Cern LHC in Switzerland in 2012. In that experiment, physicists noticed unexpected debris from the collisions that fitted with what British scientist Peter Higgs had predicted in the early 1960s. The Higgs boson particle is thought to be part of the mechanism that gives matter its mass, but scientists do not fully understand it yet. The Higgs boson particle is thought to be part of the mechanism that gives matter its mass, but scientists do not fully understand it yet . | The Higgs boson 'God particle' could destroy the universe, Hawking says .
Space and time could suddenly collapse - and 'we would not see it coming'
If scientists put too much energy in the Higgs boson the universe could end .
Disaster very unlikely as physicists do not have large enough collider . |
116,692 | 22a78ef6a459e26171b351aaab1afdaf467d14d0 | (CNN) -- Thousands of lights dance across the field as holiday music plays in the air. Cars slowly wind their way through displays of elves, candy canes, reindeer and snowmen. Children ooh and aah. Adults smile peacefully. More than 8 million lights create dozens of displays at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Georgia. Miles away at home, you're on a ladder, in the freezing cold, untangling an impossible string of broken red and green bulbs. Holiday decorating isn't always all it's cracked up to be, but the professionals have it down to a science -- providing memorable experiences filled with wonder and joy. CNN spoke with Callaway Gardens, host to one of the largest holiday light shows in the south. Their technical director, Bill Ferrell, joined forces with GKI, an outdoor light distributor, to offer four more suggestions for our Five to Go list: . Fantasy in Lights at Callaway Gardens Pine Mountain, Georgia . Fantasy In Lights at Callaway Gardens opened in 1992 with five scenes. Since then, this outdoor light and sound show has become one of the brightest holiday shows in the South. More than 8 million lights create dozens of displays, 99 percent of which are designed and built specifically for Callaway. The lights require 3,500 extension cords, 32 miles of cable and more than 3,900 person-hours to install. As its Web site states: "To turn on the show, more than 1,000 switches have to be flipped every night. It takes two workers at least 45 minutes to turn on all of them." After your leisurely ride, you can check out the Christmas Village -- complete with the "Land of the Nutcrackers," the "Ornament Forest" and, of course, "Toyland." Fantasy In Lights at Callaway Gardens Tickets: $16 for adults, $8 for kids 6-12 . Ozark Mountain Christmas Branson, Missouri . You know that street in your city that goes all out for Christmas? The town of Branson, Missouri, is exactly like that, but on a much larger scale. Throughout the holidays, the entire community is illuminated with more than 5 million lights, all of which set the scene for the two-mile Festival of Lights Parkway. Ozark Mountain Christmas and Branson draw more than 1.5 million visitors to the area each year. Expect to be especially amazed this year -- Ozark Mountain Christmas is marking its 20th anniversary. Don't forget The Shepherd of the Hills Trail of Lights. The trail ends at Inspiration Tower, where visitors can climb (or take the elevator) to the top for a great view. Also available are more than 100 shows, including musicals, comedies and clean family fun. Ozark Mountain Christmas in Branson, Missouri Tickets: Free to drive around town Shows charge an admission fee . The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights Disney World in Orlando, Florida . Jennings Osborne's daughter wanted one thing for Christmas in 1986: to have their whole house covered in lights. Jennings worked to make his youngest daughter's wish come true, and eventually their display grew to more than a million lights. The family even bought the property next door to expand their hobby. Neighbors were displeased with the holiday traffic jams, however, and the Osborne's tradition was in danger of being canceled. The Walt Disney Company heard of the troubles and offered a place for the Osborne's spectacle. Now every year on New York Street at Disney's Hollywood Studios, millions of lights enchant people of all ages. The park even fills the air with "snow" to enhance the experience. The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights Admission to the spectacle is free with admission to the park . Christmas at Rockefeller Center New York . The lighting of the Rockefeller Center tree brings thousands of people out each year, including some top celebrities. But just because the lighting ceremony this year has passed, that doesn't mean it's not still a top holiday light display. More than 30,000 LED lights cover a 72-foot Norway spruce that's 40 feet around. The 8-ton tree was donated this year by a family in New Jersey. Although the tree with its crystal star is a sight of its own, Christmas at Rockefeller Center has many other attractions. You can go ice skating, visit the Radio City Music Hall to see the famous Rockettes or walk to nearby Saks Fifth Avenue -- a store that is well known for its holiday window displays. Christmas at Rockefeller Center Free to see tree . Candlelight Christmas Evenings Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina . The Biltmore Estate is a 250-room country castle that includes a library, banquet hall, 65 fireplaces, indoor pool, bowling alley and many priceless antiques. For the holidays, it's decorated from floor to ceiling. Garland covers the mantles, red ribbon swirls around windows and lights are strung from every corner. New this year is a 56-foot Norway spruce and surrounding "forest" on the front lawn that boast more than 55,000 lights. Live entertainment is another added attraction throughout the Biltmore Estate. Musicians, dancers, storytellers and marionettes will perform amid the decorations. Candlelight Christmas Evenings at the Biltmore Estate Tickets (includes daytime estate visit to Biltmore Gardens, Winery, River Bend Farm, shops and restaurants): $64 for adults, $32 for youth 10-16, 9 and younger are free . | Ozark Mountain Christmas draws more than 1.5 million visitors each year .
The Biltmore Estate decorates its 250-room country castle for the holidays .
See millions of lights at The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights .
Christmas at Rockefeller Center in New York is a tradition for many . |
214,487 | a1bbaeab24895da4cd664c97b3e05f8b37e29b06 | Washington (CNN) -- Members of Congress are quick to say they support the troops and veterans, but the number of elected officials who have served has plummeted to its lowest point since World War II. Only 20% of the 535 members of the new Congress have served in the military, 25 from the Senate and 90 from the House of Representatives. Juxtapose that with 1975, when over 70% of those elected had served in the armed forces. Pre-World War II data on veterans serving is difficult to find, according to the Senate Historical Office. With the nation currently facing two wars, one group worries about the effects the dwindling numbers may have on defense decisions. "It's not always that veterans care more about defense issues, but those politicians who have served in the military understand to a much greater degree what they are voting on," said Seth Lynn, executive director of Veterans Campaign, a group that trains veterans to run for public office. "Having members in Congress with military experience is crucial to effective civilian control of the military," Lynn added. Today, some of the most prominent voices on military, foreign affairs and veterans issues are themselves veterans. Among them are Vietnam vets Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, who was a prisoner of war for more than five years; Sen. John Kerry, D-Massachusetts; and Sen. Jim Webb, D-Virginia. Sen. Scott Brown, R-Massachusetts, is currently in the National Guard and Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, is in the Air Force Reserves. Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-California, is a veteran of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. Despite the continuous drop in the number of veterans elected to Congress, funding for veterans' issues have not taken a hit. The Veterans Affairs budget went up 16% in 2010, the largest single-year increase in over 30 years according to the department. The defense budget has also grown considerably in the last decade. "Over the past four years, Congress has elevated priorities and expanded benefits and services to all U.S. veterans to the highest levels in quality and funding in our country's history," said Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii, chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. "I believe that Congress will continue to hold veterans' issues and needs at the forefront even with a reduction of congressional members who are veterans." A government expert who studies Congress said a concern like Lynn's dates back to the country's founding fathers. "What this reflects is a classic debate of descriptive representation, meaning do I need a person that is a member of my group to adequately represent my views in Congress," said Michele Swers, an associate professor at Georgetown University. Swers believes where this matters most is in a party's ability to sway public opinion and gain credibility on its proposals, for example, the opinion of a doctor serving in Congress on the health care debate may hold more weight with the public. President Barack Obama's top military adviser voiced concerns recently about what he sees as a disconnect between the civilian and military worlds, claiming most Americans know "precious little" about the military and the military needs to work harder to justify itself to the public. "To the degree we are out of touch, I believe it is a very dangerous force," Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen said at a conference on military professionalism last week. The drop of veterans in Congress may be attributed in part to the end of the draft system in 1973, according to the Congressional Research Service, but Lynn's group says there is more to the drop off than just a decline in the number of vets in the population . "The cost of running a campaign has skyrocketed, especially with the need to buy TV commercials, and that creates a barrier of entry to people coming out of the military (who) don't have the financial ability that others in different professions have," said Lynn, whose group is trying turn the decline around. The group also claims that the increased partisanship in Congress is a turnoff for vets. "Military members have served overseas and seen that the enemy is the guy at the end of the battlefield, not the guy on the other end of the aisle," said Lynn. | 115 members of the new Congress -- 20% -- have served in the military .
In 1975, 70% of the members of Congress were veterans .
The top U.S. military advisor is concerned about a disconnect between the military and civilians . |
146,698 | 49b4eebef8df62b7bbdcdc285311205627806ce3 | By . Associated Press . and Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 22:22 EST, 21 February 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 01:33 EST, 22 February 2014 . Authorities say four Oregon teenagers accused of shooting a fellow high school student with a BB gun and carving a swastika into his forehead had spent an evening sketching out ideas for torturing him. According to an affidavit filed Tuesday, the February 10 attack went as planned, until they released the 16-year-old boy to pull cash from an ATM. He fled to a nearby store instead and called police. The teen told investigators he was lured to the shed by 15-year-old Jenna Montgomery. There, he said 15-year-old Blue Kalmbach shot him with a BB gun and used a box cutter to cut the swastika. Scroll down for video . Tried as an adult: Mugshot of Jenna Montgomery who is accused of luring the victim. Accused: Blue Christian James Kalmbach (left) and Jess Taylor (right) are being held on a $3 million bail bond . A similar attack was portrayed in the 2009 World War II movie 'Inglourious Basterds.' All five teens attend the same southeast Portland high school. On the morning of the alleged assault, Montgomery spoke with the victim there and asked to hang out after school. They walked behind a house nearby, according to the affidavit, and Montgomery led him to a shed in the backyard. Waiting inside were Kalmbach, 17-year-old Jess Taylor and a 14-year-old boy. 'Mr. Taylor stated that he helped formulate the plan to torture (the victim),' Multnomah County assistant district attorney Chris Ramras wrote in the affidavit, 'and assisted by writing down several ideas.' Kalmbach pointed a gun - later identified as a BB gun - at the victim and told him to take off his shirt. No glory: The attack may have been inspired by the film Inglourious Basterds . Nazi hunters: The Tarantino film stars Brad Pitt as the leader of a band of Nazi hunters who carves swastikas into Nazis' foreheads . Jenna Montgomery allegedly told police that she and the three other accused concocted the plan the night before the attack and agreed that she would be 'the bait' Scene: The shed where the violent assault occurred, which is behind a house in southeast Portland. Four teens have been charged . Police have said they are struggling to determine a motive for why the teens allegedly lured Dustin Murrain to this shed and brutally attacked him . The victim told investigators that when he complied, Kalmbach shot him in the chest, the groin and one of his hands. Then Kalmbach used a box cutter to cut the swastika into the victim's forehead, according to the affidavit. When Murrain questioned what his attackers wanted, they demanded he return with a skateboard and money, the affidavit said. They rifled through his pockets and stole his iPod, the papers said. Murrain managed to escape and fled to a nearby auto service shop for assistance. He was taken to OHSU Hospital for treatment. Police then located the suspects at 3266 S.E. 111th Ave. Montgomery told investigators that she and the boys had concocted . the scheme the night before and that she was to be the 'bait' to lure . Murrain to the shed, the affidavit said. 'She stated that they had all discussed a plan to lure him over to torture him,' the affidavit said. Kalmbach, . in an interview with police detectives, admitted he had shot Murrain in . the chest and groin, carved a swaskika into his forehead and had forced . him to eat cat feces, the affidavit said. Police have suggested the victim had been perceived as a bully and the four saw the attack as retaliation. Freaky: A Facebook photo of Jenna Jean Montgomery. The 15-year-old allegedly admitted to police she and three other boys had concocted the plan and that she was 'the bait' Horrific: The teens stand accused of using a boxcutter, similar to this one, to carve a swastika-like insignia into the head of Dustin Murrain . Murrain was rushed to OHSU Hospital for treatment after finally fleeing the shed . Attorneys for Taylor, Montgomery and . Kalmbach could not be reached for comment Friday afternoon. It was . unclear who is representing the 14-year-old boy. The . three who are 15 and older have been charged as adults. They each face . about 20 counts, ranging from kidnapping to robbery and assault. The . 14-year-old will be prosecuted in juvenile court per Oregon criminal . law. John Bier, principal of David Douglas High School, said Friday the alleged attackers and their victim were 'only vaguely involved' with the school - one student was headed to an alternative high school, and the rest had spotty attendance records. The bait: Jenna Montgomery admitted luring the victim to a house where the three boys attacked him . Violent: Blue Kalmbach (left) attacked the victim and carved a swastika into his head, while Jess Taylor (right) helped formulate the plan . 'They had basically chosen not to attend,' Bier said. 'We were trying to reel them back in, but they were really not having it.' He said the 3,000-student school has not experienced more students seeking counseling since the alleged attack. Bier . said investigators told him that the five teenagers were all friends at . one point, but had a falling out. He said the victim initially was . lured to the shed with a promise of drugs and sex. A Portland Police Bureau report that Bier referred to was not available Friday. Authorities have not commented on a possible motive. 'It reaches a level that's disturbing,' Bier said. 'Our staff, our students are shocked. They're appalled.' | Four teenagers allegedly tortured Dustyn Murrain, 16, with a BB gun and a crowbar, then used a box cutter to carve a swastika in his forehead .
The attack is similar to those carried out in the Tarantino film Inglourious Basterds .
Police say Jenna Montgomery, 15, Jess Taylor, 17, Blue Kalmbach and an unnamed 14-year-old plotted the attack the night before .
Montgomery allegedly lured Murrain to a shed in Southeast Portland where three other teenagers .
Murrain managed to escape and get help following gruesome attack .
Police say the attack may have been retaliation against Murrain, who they allege was a bully .
Group arrested and charged with kidnap, assault, robbery and menacing .
All except the fourth suspect, an unnamed 14 year-old, to be prosecuted as adults and remanded in custody with a $3 million bail bond each .
They each face about 20 different counts . |
37,209 | 6972e71c96ab13d7f881ea03915744d6c0fdb499 | Perth, Australia (CNN) -- Danica Weeks says she just couldn't take it anymore. So she did what no other relative of those missing on Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 could do: She made the 10 minute drive from her home near Perth to the nerve center of the search for the missing plane at Royal Australian Air Force Base Pearce, and asked what they were doing to try and find her husband. "I've seen what they're doing and have been taken over the process and I feel so privileged that I'm here now, that I'm right on and close to the search and that I can ask the questions," Weeks told CNN in an interview at her home Friday. "And I feel so much for the families that are abroad -- in Beijing, Kuala Lumpur, the U.S. and everywhere else -- all families, that they can't be here." Weeks' 39-year-old husband, Paul, a mechanical engineer, was on Flight 370. He was headed to Mongolia on a project and expected to be home to celebrate his son Jack's first birthday in a few weeks. "Sometimes I catch myself, you know, seeing the excitement of him coming home and I have to get ... that out of my brain quick because I can't let myself go to that level of excitement ... it's only going to make me crash further when I find out the real truth, which we're all expecting will be the plane has crashed. But until that point and we have something concrete, I can't grieve." said Weeks. But seeing the international search effort firsthand has given Weeks a measure of comfort, she said. Still, she does have nagging doubts about the lack of evidence and the amount of guesswork that has driven the investigation so far. The search goes underwater . "This area -- where they are now -- if it's there, they're going to find it, but it's a big question that everybody's got. Is it the right area? It's a calculated guess," she said. "So the hardest process for me is understanding that a commercial airline can just go black. That someone can just turn off all communications, all matter of tracking an airline and it can just disappear. And this is the mystery." Weeks says her two sons, Lincoln, 3, and 11-month-old Jackson are too young yet to understand what's happened to their father and for that, this mother says she's grateful. Still, there are questions from her 3-year-old that are difficult to hear and answer. "We find the brightest star and he says, 'Goodnight, Daddy, I love you. See you in the morning for breakfast.' And that breaks my heart. "The other day I was going to work and (her son) said, 'Are you going off to work forever like Daddy?' and I, I obviously had to reassure him that I wasn't. So, I think that he's getting, he's getting it, that dad is gone and not coming back." said Weeks. Weeks said she has complete confidence in the search team and believes that if searchers are looking in the right place, they will find something. And for that reason she says it's crucial that the international mission keep going for as long as it takes. "We need something -- the families need something. We need answers -- not just for me, but for my children. They will ask questions. I think the world wants to know because it's such an unusual, extraordinary thing to happen. So we have to just fight for answers," she said. What happens when the pinger's batteries die? Weeks has tried to keep a sense of normalcy around her home for her boys. She's continued working and takes the boys out on frequent outings to family and friends. She said she owes it to them and to her husband to get to the bottom of what happened. She is realistic, she said, and knows there's a chance they may never find out what happened to Flight 370. "I've thought of that possibility, yes. Am I willing to accept that right now? No. I'm not at that point. Because if this was me on that plane, Pauly would be fighting, going everywhere, asking every question, chasing down to find out what happened to me -- for our sons and for himself," said Weeks. "So I just have to do my utmost right now, and keep going to find the truth. This will all encompass me, completely." | Paul Weeks was on a business trip aboard Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 .
Weeks has tried to keep a sense of normalcy around her home in Perth for her sons .
Still, there are questions from her 3-year-old that are difficult to hear and answer .
"We find the brightest star and he says, 'Goodnight daddy, I love you. See you in the morning for breakfast" |
55,512 | 9d5e925304ff7368e53708f8d1228030eb31649c | On paper, the 1974 version of "The Great Gatsby" had everything. It starred Robert Redford, the biggest, most glamorous movie star of the era. The screenplay was by Francis Ford Coppola, coming off writing Oscars for "The Godfather" and "Patton." The art direction was sumptuous, and the costumes -- which helped launch a new craze for 1920s-inspired fashion -- were designed by the then little-known Ralph Lauren, among others. And yet the movie, though a box-office success, fell far short of the novel. Critics at the time roasted it, and it's been largely forgotten since its release. There are lots of reasons that the 1974 "Gatsby" hasn't become a film classic equal to the book's literary status. The actors were, perhaps, miscast: Redford a little too perfect given Gatsby's rough edges, Bruce Dern too unpolished for rich Yalie Tom Buchanan. Director Jack Clayton may have paid more attention to the opulent settings than the relationships between the characters. And then there's the shadow of Fitzgerald himself, with his lyrical language, so enticing on the page and so difficult to translate onto celluloid. But Hollywood hasn't given up. Like the green light across the bay that forever taunts the book's title character, F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic 1925 novel holds out the promise of a dream: turning the Great American Novel into the Great American Movie. After all, it has everything -- a love story, sex, money, crime, great themes, lush settings. The latest attempt, a 3-D version starring Leonardo DiCaprio and directed by "Moulin Rouge's" Baz Luhrmann, opens Friday. Luhrmann has steeped himself in both Fitzgerald and the Jazz Age. He immersed himself in Fitzgerald's biography. He read previous drafts of the novel. He even has a reason for using rock and hip-hop music on his soundtrack: The seemingly anachronistic sounds are the equivalent of jazz in the novel's 1922 setting, when the music was "referred to as an African-American fad," the director told The New York Times. But does it matter? Is "Gatsby," finally, that dreaded word in Hollywood -- "unfilmable"? "The language in 'Gatsby' is almost like poetry," says Louis Giannetti, emeritus film professor at Case Western Reserve University. "How do you translate that into cinematic terms?" Entertainment vs. high school . It's never easy. Novels and motion pictures are distinct forms of storytelling, points out Everest Entertainment's Tom Heller, who helped produce the films "Precious," "127 Hours" and the current "Mud." A book takes place largely in the reader's imagination; a movie makes concrete choices, down to the casting. Moreover, it can be tough for a film to translate the internal thoughts of characters and narrators into action -- turning subtext into text, in other words. Len Cassuto, an English professor at Fordham University, says he admires the film version of "The Remains of the Day" for taking Anthony Hopkins' passive butler and turning him into a fascinating film character. "The (actors) could bring that inner turmoil into sight nonverbally," he says. "It's a pretty big risk to write that as a movie." Still, says Heller, any literary work can be made into a film, given the right hands. If there's a risk, he observes, it's when filmmakers adhere too closely to a classic or popular book, resulting in an airless dramatization -- not a full-bodied film. "There's a danger that it can be perceived as something that's good for you," he says. "Films work best when they're extremely entertaining. An audience might look at a film that's adapted from a novel and think that they're in a high school class." Indeed, it's a Hollywood truism that some of the best movies are made from energetic potboilers. "The Godfather" is usually Exhibit A: a fine, pulpy novel turned into a great film thanks to Coppola's attention to theme, photography and character. Nevertheless, certain producers have been particularly eager to snap up prestigious literary properties and worry about the cinematic issues later. Scott Rudin, in particular, is well-known for his literary tastes, having optioned Cormac McCarthy's "No Country for Old Men," Michael Chabon's "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay," Jonathan Safran Foer's "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" and Jonathan Franzen's "Freedom" over the years. Not all of them have worked out, however. How to throw a 1920s party worthy of Gatsby himself . Adapting to challenges . Indeed, it's not just literary pedigree that may make a book "unfilmable." Moviemakers may be wary of subject matter, technological challenges, even the mood. A talked-about book might only sell 50,000 copies; a movie has to sell millions of tickets. So there's a reason Hollywood took the tragic ending of "The Natural" and turned it into a scene of feel-good fireworks. Who, besides a bunch of hubris-fascinated English majors, wants to see the book's (spoiler!) fallen, weeping Roy Hobbs "excluded from the game and all his records forever destroyed"? Those challenges need not be a death sentence at the box office or with critics, however. "The Natural" had a successful run. John Ford's version of "The Grapes of Wrath" eliminated a symbolic suckling scene, toned down the politics, changed the ending and became a classic. McCarthy's brutal "No Country for Old Men" is full of horrific violence (not to mention the author's distinctive terse writing). Yet the Coen brothers managed to make an Oscar winner out of the material, helped in no small way by Javier Bardem's chilling performance as Anton Chigurh. "Midnight Cowboy," "The English Patient," "The Lord of the Rings," "Life of Pi" -- all had their issues, whether cultural, literary or technological, and all ended up successful and award-winning films. The key is that everybody has to be on the same page (pardon the pun), says screenwriter Karol Hoeffner, who's adapted works by authors such as Danielle Steel . "For the best adaptations, you have a partnership," says Hoeffner, who teaches at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. Moviemaking is a team effort, and if the screenwriter, director and producer are at loggerheads, the final product will suffer, she says. And you have to follow your own muse, she adds. Hoeffner's original work, including books for young adults, is far different from Steel's romances, and she knew she'd have to make Steel's melodramatic dialogue more film-friendly. "But," she says, "I was convinced I could tell the story." Marketing muscle . Which brings us back to "Gatsby." Luhrmann has the creative partnerships: Pal Craig Pearce wrote the screenplay and Luhrmann's wife, Catherine Martin, tackled the production design. He's tried a different angle, getting at "Gatsby's" famous distance by making Nick Carraway's character -- now in a sanitarium -- the novelist. And, not unimportantly, he has the marketing muscle. After all, a primary reason Hollywood keeps adapting certain novels is the built-in sales factor. "Gatsby" is on countless high school reading lists and sells hundreds of thousands of copies a year. There's a curious audience already waiting. In addition, the book is being backed by a marketing blitz that would make Fitzgerald, a former advertising man, proud. Brooks Brothers, Tiffany, hotels, even an ice-cream manufacturer have climbed aboard the "Gatsby" bandwagon. Will all that appeal to a summer movie audience generally filled with teenagers? It's certainly shrewd, says Mary Simonson, a film and media studies professor at Colgate University. "As I watched the trailer, I thought, 'This is for 16-year-olds,' " she says. "All of this is about gearing this toward high school and college students who may not have any notion of who Fitzgerald was or what the book actually was. "They're not going to care too much about whether this is a well-done adaptation," she adds. "They're going to care about whether it's a Hollywood blockbuster." | New version of "The Great Gatsby" one of many attempts to bring classic to the screen .
Book's lyrical prose, point of view make adaptation difficult .
Movies are different art form, and filmmakers have to remember that, says producer .
"Gatsby" benefits from well-known title, marketing ties . |
229,338 | b4f422d76ed1e7e4fcb21218295f44a5c89e492c | Arrest warrants have been issued for two Americans accused of stealing adult and infant body parts from a museum inside a Thai hospital and trying to ship them to Las Vegas. But the two men have already left Thailand despite being interviewed by police. The Americans, Ryan Edward McPherson and Daniel Jamon Tanner, told police they wanted to surprise their friends back home, Royal Thai Police Deputy Commissioner Gen. Ruangsak Jritake said Monday. It's unclear whether McPherson or Tanner have attorneys. So far, they have not able to be reached for comment. A delivery company uncovered the macabre shipment. On Saturday, a DHL office in Thailand's Pathum Thani province called police after workers there were scanning shipments and discovered the body parts inside three packages. The packages contained five acrylic plastic boxes, Ruangsak said. One box contained an infant's head; another contained a baby's left foot, which was sliced into three pieces, the police official said. The other acrylic boxes contained an adult heart and adult skin. Flea market claim . Over the weekend, police said they had talked to an American who was trying to send the parcels to the United States but couldn't bring any charges against him because they weren't sure what laws applied to the case. At the time, police said the American told them he found the infant body parts at a night flea market and that he had paid about $100 for them -- though he could not remember where the market was located. But on Monday, authorities revealed more details on the case. All the body parts were stolen from the Siriraj Medical Museum within Bangkok's Siriraj Hospital, the largest hospital in Thailand, Ruangsak said. The body parts were taken from the forensic medicine museum and anatomical museum. Police said closed-circuit video from the hospital showed two men identified as McPherson and Tanner. "The two foreigners definitely visited our museum, but we cannot see from the CCTV camera that they stole those items," said Udom Kachintorn, dean of the hospital's faculty of medicine. "It is evidence that confirms the two foreigners are linked to the missing items." Police said they were also investigating whether museum employees or other local people were involved in the theft. Arrest warrants issued . A Thai criminal court approved arrest warrants for the two men on charges of theft from a government hospital, as well as breaching customs law, police said Tuesday. If convicted, McPherson and Tanner could face up to seven years in prison or a fine of up to 500,000 Thai baht ($15,200). But the Americans have already left Thailand for Cambodia. Thai police said they would send the arrest warrants to the Bangkok office of Interpol, the international police agency, to try to trace the men. They also said they were in touch with Cambodian police directly and had asked the FBI, through the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok, to gather information on the packages' destinations. Officials at the U.S. embassies in Thailand and Cambodia said they were aware of reports about the case but couldn't comment, citing privacy concerns. Black market for body parts . The bizarre discovery is not the first time infant remains have been found in Thailand. In 2010, more than 2,000 illegally aborted fetuses were recovered at a Buddhist temple in Bangkok. Infant body parts can be bought on the Thai black market. Some Thais practice black magic and believe that supernatural power comes from infant body parts, if the rites are performed by monks or sorcerers. They believe that having the items provides protection and business success and can ward off bad luck. In 2010, police said the smell of decay led investigators to the Phai-nguern Chotinaram temple in central Bangkok, where they discovered more than 2,000 illegally aborted fetuses. Three people were arrested, including two morticians who were charged with hiding bodies. According to the hospital museum website, for 120 years, "Siriraj Hospital has collectively gathered an enormous compilation of medical equipments and tools, anatomical and clinical specimens including important artifacts and archives relating to the history of medicine in Thailand." | If convicted, the two Americans could face 7 years in prison or be fined $15,200 .
The two suspects have left Thailand and are now in Cambodia .
Thai police are contacting Interpol and Cambodian police to try to trace them .
Officials: The body parts were stolen from a hospital; video shows the two Americans . |
55,732 | 9df57641dd314fc27a07fd0bba05fbb729bd0e15 | When no one wanted to build the world's tallest and fastest water slide, Jeff Henry built it himself. So when Verrückt was completed, and it was time to test the 168-foot coaster in his Kansas City, Kansas, water park, the choice of test riders was rather easy. The guinea pigs: Henry, owner of Schlitterbahn Waterparks and Resorts; Henry's assistant; and head designer John Schooley. "It was terrifying," Schooley said. "It was great fun, but it was actually terrifying." The slide finally opened to the public on Thursday, July 10, after several weeks of delays. Technical glitches forced the original May 23 opening date to be pushed back three times, a park spokesperson said. Officially certified by Guinness World Records in May, Verrückt -- which is German for "insane" -- is 5 feet taller than the previous record holder, a water slide at a Rio de Janeiro country club. Verrückt is precisely 168 feet 7 inches tall. To put that free fall in perspective, it's longer than a plunge at Niagara Falls. Schooley stressed, however, that the ride is more than a single drop, calling it an "extreme thrill" without comparison. "You have three or four experiences on the ride," he said. "There is a 3-second free fall before you get launched into a weightless situation for a few seconds, and then you come down like a roller coaster and have a long splash down." The origins of Verrückt are as extreme as the ride itself. According to Schooley, owner Henry was at a trade show and simply decided he wanted to build the tallest, fastest water slide at one of his five Schlitterbahn water parks. He immediately shopped the idea to vendors, who declined, but he refused to be denied. "He decided to build it himself," Schooley said. "We have long experience in building water park rides and developing new technology. Our park in Kansas City doesn't have a height restriction so we decided to put it right here." Top 10 U.S. water parks making a splash . Officials say top speeds on Verrückt will reach 40-50 miles per hour, slightly slower than originally anticipated. The ride's rafts have also been scaled back from four-person rafts to three-person rafts. "We always ride our rides first," Schooley said. "And we found out it was too steep and too short. So we were able to redesign it from what we learned. We tore down two-thirds of the slide and rebuilt it into the design we have now." "It would have been relatively easy to do (just one drop) a long run-out, but to shoot you back over another hill was extremely challenging," Schooley said. Schiltterbahn is already home to the Master Blaster, an uphill water coaster over 1,000 feet in length. Verrückt combines that uphill excitement with the thrills of a true water slide. If you're brave, hop on the raft and take the plunge. Schooley is confident the new ride will attract thrill seekers from across the world. "We have multiple volunteers to be the first to ride it," he said. "Roller coaster enthusiasts will have to try it ... it has a great potential draw." And there's one more issue: the stairs. The climb is "pretty challenging," Schooley said. "I think its (about ) 260 steps to get to the top." That's about 17 stories. | World's tallest water slide to open in Kansas City, Kansas .
It features a 168-foot plunge with top speeds of 50 miles per hour .
Head designer: "It was great fun, but it was actually terrifying." |
142,780 | 44a84006c76757802045e8957cefe015dfea40ff | A man has died in a tragic surfing accident off the coast of Western Australia after he was injured by a surfboard. The 51-year-old was at Surfer's Point in Prevelly near the Margaret River when either the nose or fin of his board is said to have damaged the main artery in one of his legs causing massive blood loss. The father-of-two was dragged ashore by fellow surfers The Daily Telegraph reported, and others on the beach performed CPR on the man for nearly half an hour. A 51-year-old man has died at popular break Surfer's Point in Prevelly near the Margaret River in WA . From NSW, the surfer was on holidays in WA with his father, wife, and children, and one witness said the man's elderly father was watching on from the carpark when the grisly scene unfolded. 'You just wouldn't believe it because the swell was 2m, the winds were only light, and Surfers Point is always powerful but it wasn't as powerful as it gets,' Darrly Naidu told The Daily Telegraph, speaking of the horrible circumstances in which the man died. He also told of how two men brought the 51-year-old to shore after they saw him wipe-out, and found him with blood pooling around him in the water. The surfer - from NSW but holidaying in WA - was transported to hospital but died shortly after . Another witness who spoke to the website said the man was losing a lot of blood from what could have been his femoral artery - which is the main supply of blood to the lower half of the body. St Johns Ambulance paramedics arrived at the scene just after 11am, after reports the man had been injured. The 51-year-old was rushed to Margaret River Hospital by emergency services according to the ABC, but died a short time later. West Australian Police media told Daily Mail Australia a report is being prepared for the coroner. | The man died at Surfer's Point in Prevelly near the Margaret River in WA .
The 51-year-old is said to have been hit by his own or another's surfboard .
He was rushed to hospital by paramedics but died a short time later .
The surfer was from NSW, believed to be holidaying in WA . |
129,227 | 330231dbecece502abdc7f1bd2a211cffd4a236e | By . Richard Spillett . The son of a Government minister has quit the Royal Marines after admitting assaulting two men in a row over racist slurs. Benjamin Grant is the son of Tory Sport and Tourism Minister Helen Grant MP, who described seeing him awarded his green beret three years ago as 'one of the proudest days of her life'. But the 22-year-old has quit the Armed Forces after a fight outside a nightclub for which he escaped immediate punishment following a judge's finding he was provoked. Scroll down for video . Former Royal Marine Benjamin Grant lashed out over alleged racial abuse outside a nightclub. A judge gave him a conditional discharge because of the 'very exceptional circumstances' of the case . Grant, who served in Afghanistan with the Marines, left the elite Corps after being involved in a fracas outside a night club in Barnstaple, North Devon in November last year. He was serving as a driver with the Commando Logistics Brigade at RMB Chivenor and had just returned from a four-week exercise on Salisbury Plain when he went out clubbing with friends. He was caught on CCTV punching a 20-year-old birthday party reveller in the face after accusing him of racially insulting him and pushing another man away as he tried to separate them. A jury at Exeter Crown Court cleared Grant and fellow marine James Stott of causing grievous bodily harm to bystander Ryan Behn, 19, who suffered a broken jaw in the melee. Grant, who gave his address as the £1.8 million family home in Surrey, had previously admitted assault by battery on Jack Yarde, 20, and Curtis Wenham, 19. He was given a two-year conditional discharge by the judge today. Judge Phillip Wassall said: 'You are of good character until that evening. I am quite satisfied you only acted in that way because you were on the end of vile and objectionable racist taunts. Grant's mother is Helen Grant, the Tory Sport and Tourism Minister who is widely considered to be a rising star in David Cameron's cabinet . 'You should not have pushed Mr Wenham out of the way or struck Mr Yarde with a punch. It is very difficult for anyone who is not from a minority ethnic group to understand how hurtful it is to be called a P*** b****** or worse. 'Such are the extenuating features that I am making a conditional discharge in the light of very exceptional circumstances.' The judge made no order for compensation because Grant was 'subjected to such outrageous provocation'. Grant's mother, Helen, is one of David Cameron's A-listers who became Conservative MP for Maidstone and the Weald at the last election. She has served as a junior minister at the Ministry of Justice, where her responsibilities included women, equality, and victims' rights. The incident involving her son broke out on a pavement in Barnstaple, Devon when Grant got into an argument with Mr Yarde, who he said had repeatedly called him a 'P*** c***'. CCTV showed Mr Yarde shout something as Mr Wenham stepped in to try to keep them apart and Grant then pushed him away before punching Mr Yarde in the face and grabbing Mr Behn in a headlock and dragging him to the ground. Grant was then chased by Mr Yarde and Mr Wenham. Mr Behn got up but was then felled by a blow from Mr Stott. Grant, of Tadworth, Surrey, and Stott, 30, of York, denied causing grievous bodily harm to Mr Behn and were found not guilty at Exeter Crown Court after a week-long trial. Defence barristers had argued it was impossible to say who had inflicted the broken jaw and that both were acting either in self defence or in defence of the other. The prosecution said the two men were acting together in a joint enterprise but the CCTV showed Stott was not even in the picture when Grant started the fight. Grant claimed he reacted to racist abuse from Mr Yarde. He said he had experienced racial 'banter' in the Marines, including being called 'Terry Taliban', but this abuse was different. He said: 'I don't take offence at racial banter but it is different if someone who you don't know says it in a nasty way. I am not going to take it. 'I took my coat off because I was going to confront him and ask him what his problem was and why he was saying this. If he had said sorry I would 100 per cent have walked away.' A jury at Exeter Crown Court cleared Grant of causing grievous bodily harm after a week long trial . He added: 'He used the same words again and his friend was keeping me back. He grabbed me and was telling me to eff odd. I pushed Mr Wenham away and punched Mr Yarde in the face. 'I got Mr Behn in a headlock and got him to the floor. I did not hit him. I grabbed him because I saw his hand come up in my peripheral vision. I had no quarrel with him or Mr Wenham.' Grant said he has left the Royal Marines since the incident and is now working as a civilian and has a girlfriend who is eight-months pregnant. Mr Yarde told the jury he could not remember making any racist comments. Stott, who is a special forces medic, said he had not been with Grant in the club but came out to see him being attacked and had rushed to his aid. He thought Mr Behn was about to corner Grant. He said he hit him to prevent him doing so. | Benjamin Grant, son of Tory Helen Grant MP, served in Afghanistan .
He said he lashed out at man who racially abused him outside nightclub .
The 22-year-old admitted assault and was cleared of causing GBH .
A judge has now said he was 'outrageously provoked' by racial abuse .
He will escape punishment unless he commits another offence in two years .
Court hears he has since left the Marines and is preparing to be a father . |
132,307 | 371a2f12ccc554a3b311b8549439de69d2970b21 | Julie Bishop may be behind her leader but one of Tony Abbott's team has become the first to openly call for the Prime Minister to resign. West Australian backbencher Dennis Jensen has called for the Liberal Party to move to oust Mr Abbott, adding 'the more quickly you do this, the better'. 'I believe that it is necessary that this is brought to a head and lanced,' Dr Jensen told the ABC on Tuesday. West Australian backbencher Dennis Jensen has called for the Liberal Party to oust the Prime Minister, saying: 'He is not focused on policy. He is not focused on strategic direction. He is focused more on tactics and tactical policy' He said he had informed Mr Abbott of his lack of support on January 23 via text message after deciding the party was 'not governing as we should be…there is no strategic direction, the policy is not consistent and coherent'. 'He is not focused on policy. He is not focused on strategic direction. He is focused more on tactics and tactical policy,' Dr Jensen said of the Prime Minister, according to the ABC. The backbencher said that while he did not want to be seen as the person 'pulling the trigger', he knew of a number of MP's who 'feel similarly', adding: 'I thought it was time to strike to start things moving,' Fairfax reports. Dr Jensen was involved in calling the first of the Liberal spills in 2009 that ultimately saw Mr Abbott installed as the party's leader. Now, Mr Abbott is under pressure to improve his performance. Dr Jensen's (left) comments come just hours after Foreign Minister Julie Bishop made a definitive statement to Cabinet saying she will not mount a leadership challenge against Tony Abbott (right) Two Queensland MP's, including Warren Entsch and Mal Brough, plan to resolve the leadership problem when the party room meets in Canberra next Tuesday . 'I have issues and I'm hoping to work through with the prime minister,' Mr Brough said. 'The matter needs to be resolved and if Tuesday is the appropriate time for people to talk about it ... then it's for them to say so.' It comes just hours after Foreign Minister Julie Bishop made a definitive statement to Cabinet on Tuesday afternoon saying she will not mount a leadership challenge against Mr Abbott. Her announcement was made in order to quiet speculation she was counting numbers to unseat the Prime Minister after reports surfaced that she had refused to give an assurance to Mr Abbott that she would not run against him in a spill for the Coalition leadership. 'I am not campaigning for the job of Prime Minister, I will not challenge the leader,' she told Cabinet, Sky News reports. 'I am not ringing the backbench asking for support, I'm not counting numbers.' No challenge: Tony Abbott met with Foreign Minister Julie Bishop on Sunday afternoon and asked her not to run against him for leadership of the Liberal party . Mr Abbott has been under heavy fire since announcing his decision on Australia Day to knight Prince Philip and reports that he met with Ms Bishop on Sunday seek a guarantee that he enjoyed her full support. Treasurer Joe Hockey told reporters after leaving the meeting to address the RBA interest rate cut: 'I have no doubt at all that Julie Bishop is absolutely 100 per cent supportive of the Prime Minister.' It comes after Mr Abbott was ambushed by TV host Leigh Sales after she stepped out of the studio to question him at a childcare centre. Tony Abbott was visiting the Little Pines Centre in Sydney with his wife Margie on Tuesday when he was ambushed by ABC 7.30 host Leigh Sales over leadership speculation . In the fiery exchange, veteran journalist Sales asked Mr Abbott if he would 'bring on a spill' to put an end to speculation about the Liberal leadership . The Prime Minister refused to answer when Sales asked him if he had sought assurance from Ms Bishop that she wouldn't challenge him. 'Look, Julie and I have lots of talks, as you'd expect. We're friends, we're colleagues, we're part of the leadership team and we support each other,' he said. In the fiery exchange, Sales asked Mr Abbott if he would 'bring on a spill' to put an end to speculation about the Liberal leadership. 'You're the speculator, Leigh, not me,' Mr Abbott hit back. Sales pushed Mr Abbott saying 'I assure you that a lot of people on the backbench are speculating as well, Prime Minister.' 'Leigh, the thing is that we were elected because people were sick of chaos. That's why we were elected – people were sick of chaos,' Mr Abbott said. 'And what I am determined to do is give Australia back the certainty and stability that people crave. People want a government which is focused on doing the right thing by them, not focused on itself.' Sales poked fun at his repeated attempts to dodge the tough questions when she tweeted a photo of Mr Abbott playing with children at the Little Pines Centre with his wife Margie. 'The PM @tonyabbottmhr taking a few tricky questions from the punters,' the caption read. The ABC told Daily Mail Australia that Sales liked to get out of the studio as much as possible and went to press conferences from time to time. Mr Abbott and his wife Margie visited the childcare with local member Craig Laundy to talk about the government's jobs and families package . Ms Bishop says she is not counting numbers and his not calling backbenchers . The press conference was streamed live on the ABC and some took to social media to comment on Leigh Sales' showing up to question Mr Abbott . The ABC said Sales liked to get out of the studio as much as possible and went to press conferences from time to time . Mr Abbott also refused to deny reports he met with Ms Bishop and asked her not to mount a challenge when he appeared on Channel Seven's Sunrise on Tuesday morning. 'I think people find all that insider Canberra stuff boring,' he told Channel Seven's Sunrise. 'I have meetings with Julie Bishop all the time.' When asked repeatedly if he asked Ms Bishop not to challenge, Mr Abbott said: 'I'm not going to play these Canberra insider games'. 'What (people) are looking for is politicians who are not endlessly navel gazing, not fighting amongst themselves, but are getting on with the government of this country,' he said. Ms Bishop reportedly refused the commitment because she was angered by news reports at the weekend that she had told Mr Abbott she wouldn't challenge. Julie Bishop, NSW Premier Mike Baird (left) and the United Kingdom's Secretary of State Philip Hammond (right) signed the Lindt cafe condolence book on Monday following the Sydney siege . Ms Bishop and United Kingdom's Secretary of State Philip Hammond signed the siege condolence book at Martin Place for the victim's of the Sydney siege . Treasurer Joe Hockey dismissed reports Ms Bishop declined to give a commitment. 'Unsourced gossip,' he said when asked about the Sky News report on Channel Nine's Today show. It comes as Mr Abbott made it clear during a major speech in Canberra on Monday that he would not give up the top job amid speculation of a leadership challenge. 'We were elected in 2013 because the Australian people rejected chaos,' he said. 'It's the people that hire and frankly it's the people that should fire.' The Prime Minister has been shaken by various blows in recent weeks, including the Liberal National Party loss at the Queensland state election at the weekend. Mr Abbott said of Ms Bishop: 'She's a friend of mine, Julie's my deputy, she's been a terrific deputy, been a terrific minister, I believe I have her full support.' Treasurer Joe Hockey dismissed reports Ms Bishop declined to give a commitment . Mr Abbott was also widely criticised for knighting Prince Philip on Australia Day. With leadership speculation rife in recent days, Mr Abbott warned on Monday that his government must not repeat the mistakes of the past as he dumped his Paid Parental Leave scheme. 'The Rudd-Gillard-Rudd years cannot become the new normal lest Australia join the weak government club and become a second rate country living off its luck,' he said. 'I never came into politics to be popular.' He also made mention of Ms Bishop saying: 'She's a friend of mine, Julie's my deputy, she's been a terrific deputy, been a terrific minister, I believe I have her full support.' | West Australian backbencher Dennis Jensen called for the Liberal Party to oust Tony Abbott .
'He is not focused on policy. He is not focused on strategic direction. He is focused more on tactics and tactical policy,' Dr Jensen said of Mr Abbott .
It comes just hours after Julie Bishop ruled out leadership challenge against the Prime Minister .
Mr Abbott reportedly met Ms Bishop on Sunday seeking a commitment she wouldn't run against him for the Liberal leadership .
The Prime Minister refused to deny the reports on Tuesday morning .
ABC 7.30 host Leigh Sales fired questions at Mr Abbott during a press conference at a Sydney childcare centre . |
108,098 | 175f383b07aa6585c3fdf6cf86a2a64991d6d409 | Each week Sportsmail gathers up the ratings from our team of reporters to provide the best Premier League starting XI of the day. Chelsea won a nine-goal thriller at Goodison Park as Jose Mourinho's side beat Everton 6-4, while Stoke upset Manchester City 1-0 at the Etihad Stadium. Formation: 4-4-2 . GK: Asmir Begovic, Stoke City (vs Manchester City), 7.5 . Chris Wheeler at the Etihad Stadium . Begovic made a fine reflex save from a Yaya Toure chance in the second half and was solid throughout his clean sheet performance. Safe hands: Stoke City goalkeeper Asmir Begovic gets down low to save a shot from Sergio Aguero . RB: Phil Bardsley, Stoke City (vs Manchester City), 7.5 . Chris Wheeler at the Etihad Stadium . Phil Bardsley is looking to be a terrific signing with another good showing at the Etihad on Saturday. CB: Gary Cahill, Chelsea (vs Everton), 8 . Dominic King at Goodison Park . Will be furious that he has come off the pitch having conceded three goals. Some of his tackling and intercepting was of the highest class and kept Lukaku under lock and key. In the air: Chelsea defender Gary Cahill (centre) clears the ball as Steven Naismith looks on . CB: Jason Shackell, Burnley (vs Manchester United), 8 . Ian Ladyman at Turf Moor . A terrific performance from the Burnley captain. Led by example. Authoritative all afternoon. LB: Erik Pieters, Stoke City (vs Manchester City), 7 . Chris Wheeler at the Etihad Stadium . Erik Pieters' assist for Mame Biram Diouf was the 500th assist by a Dutchman in the Premier League. RM: Nathan Dyer, Swansea (vs West Brom), 8 . Riath Al-Samarrai at the Liberty Stadium . Dyer took just two minutes to give Swansea the lead and scored his second in the 71st minute as he slid a low shot past Ben Foster. CM: Nemanja Matic, Chelsea (vs Everton), 8.5 . Dominic King at Goodison Park . An absolute monster. Gets better every time you see him and by the end of the season he will be saluted as the finest defensive midfielder in the country. Scored the decisive fourth, too. CM: Morgan Schneiderlin, Southampton (vs West Ham), 8.5 . Martha Kelner at St Mary's Stadium . Morgan Schneiderlin could not muster the mental strength to play for Southampton a few weeks ago, such was his desire to leave the club. But he committed himself to the task at hand, scoring twice to secure victory for his team. On target: Southampton's Morgan Schneiderlin (left) celebrates after scoring against West Ham . LM: Wayne Routledge, Swansea (vs West Brom), 7.5 . Riath Al-Samarrai at the Liberty Stadium . Routledge executed a stunning half volley from the edge of the area in the 24th minute. CF: Diego Costa, Chelsea (vs Everton), 9 . Dominic King at Goodison Park . He is a match winner, plain and simple. If he carries on at this rate, he will get close to 30 goals this season. Needs to eliminate the unnecessary squabbling with opponents though. Star man: Diego Costa earned a rating of 9 for his performance in Chelsea's 6-3 win against Everton . CF: Mame Biram Diouf, Stoke City (vs Manchester City), 8 . Chris Wheeler at the Etihad Stadium . When Mame Biram Diouf received the ball midway inside his own half, even he could not have dreamt how it would end. He embarked on a run which ended with the ball flying off his right boot and through the legs of City goalkeeper Joe Hart. | Chelsea striker Diego Costa was Saturday's star performer with a rating of 9 .
Morgan Schneiderlin was on target twice to secure victory for Southampton against West Ham .
Burnley captain Jason Shackell led by example against Manchester United . |
128,250 | 31bf1ec616e7d2c43e569c2d11247b248951c1f2 | (CNN) -- An amusement park ride in California broke down Wednesday afternoon, stranding its passengers 300 feet in the air, a police spokesman said. The riders were lowered to the ground after being trapped for more than two hours. About 20 people were on the ride at Knotts Berry Farm, Cpl. Andy Luong of the Buena Park Police Department said. First reports of the situation came in to authorities about 4:45 p.m. (7:45 p.m. ET). The WindSeeker also malfunctioned on September 7, CNN affiliate KABC reported. According to the amusement park's website, the ride has 32 two-person gondolas attached to metal arms, which spread out once the riders gets to 301 feet. Passengers, who can dangle their legs, travel eight times in a circle for one minute. "Due to the long airtime, riders will experience a spectacular sense of weightlessness," the website claims. KABC reported that when the ride broke nearly two weeks ago park crews manually lowered the gondolas over the course of a couple hours. The WindSeeker was designed and built by a Dutch company, Mondial. | NEW: Riders back on ground after being stuck for more than two hours .
Ride can swing people through the air 30 stories high .
About 20 people were stuck for more than two hours .
Ride also malfunctioned on September 7, CNN affiliate reports . |
63,090 | b33c7e7e39e8dc39fee68b1171b6773ccb53e61e | (CNN) -- The City of Brotherly Love isn't exactly embracing the news that one-time quarterback phenom and convicted dogfighter Michael Vick is joining their Philadelphia Eagles. Former Atlanta Falcon Michael Vick, right, was known more for his elusiveness than his throwing prowess. Vick's agent announced Thursday that the former Atlanta Falcon signed a two-year deal with the Eagles, which reportedly could be worth more than $6 million. He won't be able to play a regular season game until week six in October, and then, only if the National Football League fully reinstates him. "Too bad they don't have him for the whole year," Eagles fan Charles James told CNN affiliate philly.com. The NFL indefinitely suspended Vick in August 2007 after he pleaded guilty to a federal charge of bankrolling a dogfighting operation in Virginia. Vick, 29, left a Kansas prison in May to serve the last two months of his 23-month sentence in home confinement. Some Eagles fans don't think Vick's punishment was sufficient and were trying to unload their game and season tickets on craigslist.com, making it clear they were less than eager to see Vick in Philly green. iReport.com: What do you think of Vick's return? A post from one irked fan looking to peddle two lower-level season tickets said: "The last thing my son and I want to see is Michael Vick in an Eagles jersey. We made up our mind to sell the tickets ... $3000 cash gets the tickets. Any info feel free to ask, serious buyers only, I want the deal done fast." Lower-level season tickets were selling on an unrelated auction site for as much as $10,000 a pair. Bob Jenkins of northeast Philadelphia predicted most Eagles fans -- known to be some of the nation's most demanding -- won't be badmouthing the decision. "The only people who won't be quiet are the people who don't like the Eagles," Jenkins told philly.com. "Of course, they're going to be talking because he's going to be throwing some touchdowns." Despite Jenkins' assumption, it's unclear what role Vick will play on the team. A gifted athlete known more for his dazzling runs than his pinpoint throws, Vick's last season in 2006 was a bit of a disappointment to Atlanta fans. The Falcons finished 7-9, and Vick had a completion percentage of 52.6. He also threw for 2,474 yards, more than 1,000 fewer yards than the Patriots' Tom Brady, who completed 62 percent of his passes, and almost 2,000 yards behind the Colts' Peyton Manning, who completed 65 percent of his tosses. However, Vick also ran for 1,039 yards, the most ever by a quarterback. Mike Giunta of Tabernacle, New Jersey, told CNN affiliate WPVI-TV in Philadelphia that signing Vick would spawn "dissension" among the Eagles, who made it to their conference championship last season, losing to the Arizona Cardinals. Giunta predicted the move would create consternation between Vick and five-time Pro Bowl quarterback Donovan McNabb. "McNabb's going to be looking over his shoulder constantly now," Giunta said. McNabb said in a Thursday news conference that he welcomed the addition of Vick and he "pretty much lobbied to get him here because everybody deserves a second chance." Several Eagles fans concur. One of them, Leroy Emerson of north Philadelphia, told philly.com, "That was the best move the Eagles ever made, one of the best." Some fans, however, were licking their wounds and pointing to the most severe dogfighting allegations leveled against Vick: that he hanged dogs from trees, electrocuted and drowned them. The Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals have both skewered Vick. The latter alluded to Vick being a "psychopath" earlier this year and released a statement Friday saying, "Millions of decent football fans around the world are disappointed" in the Eagles. "PETA certainly hopes that Vick has learned his lesson and feels truly remorseful for his crimes -- but since he's given no public indication that that's the case, only time will tell," the statement said. Upon being conditionally reinstated to the NFL last month, Vick acknowledged making "terrible mistakes" and said he had used the past two years to re-evaluate his life. The Humane Society of the United States has said Vick also offered to work with the organization on its anti-dogfighting campaign. To some Eagles fans, though, the nature of Vick's crimes is too much to forgive. "I'm just a little upset with it because I'm such an animal lover," Susan Wilson of Pitman, New Jersey, told WPVI. Kelley Williams of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, told the station that she, too, had trouble accepting Vick's signing. "I think he should be out of the NFL altogether," she said. Sports talk shows already are predicting that Vick can redeem himself only by making big plays, and at least some of the Philadelphia faithful concur he can shut up his critics on the field. "If they keep him," fan James told philly.com, "he'll be the man." | Michael Vick signs deal with Philadelphia Eagles, could play in October .
Craigslist ticket seller says he, son don't want to see "Vick in an Eagles jersey"
Several Eagles fans tell CNN affiliates they are excited by prospect of Vick's arrival .
Animal lovers still reluctant to give Vick a chance after almost two years in prison . |
260,494 | dd5434092c6eabf52b19c74e29af85455f9c4c26 | A Tom Brady fan so rabid he had the quarterback's helmet tattooed across his head has been busted for possession of Spice, a synthetic marijuana. Victor Thompson, 45, was arrested by St. Petersburg cops last month when he let them search his pockets. Thompson had been seen trespassing outside a community center. Victor Thompson, 45, was arrested by St. Petersburg cops last month when he let them search his pockets and they found synthetic marijuana . He even has the name of the manufacturer, Riddell, across his forehead plus an NFL logo and small American flag. The word Patriots is across the back . The Smoking Gun review of the police report revealed that Thompson claimed he was unaware the drug was banned in Florida as it was still legal in his home state of New Hampshire. He told police he bought it from 'a black male for $15' at a park downtown. He had only just moved to Florida three weeks before the bust. He has a 'tattoo head-patriots football helmet' according to the 'Scars, Marks, Tattoos, or other distinguishing features' section of the police report. The tattoos create the effect that he is wearing a New England Patriots helmet with Brady's number 12 on it as well as the word 'Patriots' across the back of his head. Thompson's extensive head tattoos form a Patriot's football helmet with quarterback Tom Brady's number . Not quite identical: Tom Brady needn't worry anyone mistake Thompson for him . He even has the name of the manufacturer, Riddell, across his forehead plus an NFL logo and small American flag. A man who cares about detail, he even included a tiny, green dot to show that the helmet is electronically fixed to receive plays transmitted from the sidelines. His tattoos were so intriguing - and extensive - police had him pose for four separate booking photos. Thompson is being held in the Pinellas County jail. | Victor Thompson told St. Petersburg cops he had just moved to Florida and didn't know the drug was illegal there .
Thompson was searched after trespassing outside a community center .
Tattoos also include a tiny American flag and NFL logo . |
172,095 | 6abd645a14d17fc28b0c44ca5e4e9c7b9dc4fa61 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 13:35 EST, 13 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 09:22 EST, 14 December 2013 . Tis the season to be jolly, but keep it away from the escalator or you may just end up like this hapless bunch. Network rail has released CCTV footage of unlucky passengers taking slapstick-style tumbles down escalators in a bid to keep Christmas revellers safe this festive season. The footage taken at the newly refurbished Birmingham New Street shows passengers, falling down the silver stairs in a surprising amount of different ways. Scroll down for video . Taking a tumble: Network Rail has released footage of passengers falling down escalators in a Christmas safety crackdown . The people most at risk are those carrying large amounts of Christmas shopping and those who may have over-indulged on the mulled wine. Whether passengers are in a rush, . carrying heavy luggage or wearing heals, the video entitled 'Escalator . Escapades' aims to make aware to rail travellers the dangers of . escalator. The number of people hurt on escalator is down by more than 20 per cent compared with the previous year - however the same causes of incidents remain. Risk: A shopper heavily laden with bags sets off up an escalator at Birmingham New Street station . Fall guy: The unlucky passenger takes a tumble ending up flat on his back at the foot of the escalator . The unlucky passenger is carried up the stairs until a member of staff rushes to his aid and pushes the emergency stop . Latest figures show that more than 400 . people took a tumble on an escalator at the 17 biggest and busiest . stations managed by Network Rail, including Birmingham New Street, . London Paddington, Leeds and Edinburgh Waverley. Ian Prosser, Director of Railway Safety at the Office of Rail Regulation said: 'We welcome Network Rail's latest campaign to raise awareness of safety risks from slips, trips and falls on escalator within Britain's railway stations. 'This is a timely reminder that a seasonal mix of alcohol, presents, luggage and in some cases high heels can leave rail users more prone to injuries, especially over the festive period.' Trip: A young woman stumbles at the top of an escalator and falls flat on her face . Recovery: A man helps her up to the top, saving anymore embarrassment for the passenger . Safer option? A woman steadily grabs onto the hand rail as she makes her way up from the platform . Should have taken the stairs: She loses her footing and begins to tumble down the escalator . Clinging on: With no one around to help, she manages to pull herself up and carry on her journey . | Seasonal mix of Christmas shopping and alcohol is a recipe for disaster . |
71,766 | cb6887bbd362fb957f724c253c712f43f0d5c161 | (CNN) -- Monday I did an interview in the Election Center with Sen. John McCain's campaign spokesman Tucker Bounds. The interview was about Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's experience and readiness to be commander in chief. The interview became a bit of a lightning rod. CNN's Campbell Brown interviews McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds. Over the last few days, I have received thousands of e-mails. For those who didn't see the interview, you can read it or view it below. McCain's campaign got upset about that interview. McCain officials told CNN I had crossed a line and they canceled a scheduled appearance by McCain on "Larry King Live." I don't think the interview was over the line. Neither does CNN. And neither do most of you who e-mailed me this week. Thank you, all of you who e-mailed me, including those who disagree. We're always interested in getting past talking points and exploring the issues in any political interview. You have a right to know the people you are voting for. Our pledge to you on this program is to ask the tough but fair questions and to try to get answers. REAL answers. Here is a transcript of the interview: Watch Brown interview Bounds » . BROWN: We have Tucker Bounds joining us who is a spokesman for the McCain campaign. We want to have an opportunity to talk to him a little bit about this. And, Tucker, you there? BOUNDS: Yeah, Campbell. Can you hear me? BROWN: Good. Yeah. We got you in the chair. I'm glad you're with us. Thanks so much for taking time and joining us tonight. I want to begin by asking, you know, what we've been discussing before you sat in the chair, Gov. Palin sharing a difficult personal story today, the news her unmarried teenage daughter is pregnant. She plans to have the baby, to marry the father. Explain to us when John McCain first learned about this. BOUNDS: He learned about it during the vetting process before his selection. He did not consider it a disqualifier. Gov. Palin has a long record of reforming Alaska, taking on the establishment for 13 years. She started out as a civic activist in the PTA, went to the city counsel, on to the mayor of her small town, took on big oil in the oil and gas commission in Alaska then to the governor's office where she's made serious bipartisan reforms. That's the reason she was selected. Certainly her personal family matters never disqualified her from serving public office, serving a higher office in a cause greater than herself. That's John McCain's message. She fits it perfectly and we're happy to have her. BROWN: Tucker, though, this obviously putting this young woman, Bristol Palin, smack in the media spotlight at what's already got to be a very challenging time in her life, I mean, how do you respond to people who wonder why her mother would have subjected her to this kind of scrutiny by accepting this high-profile position? BOUNDS: I think Gov. Palin understands that these are serious times. We have serious challenges and it's time to shake up Washington. It was the reason she was happy to take John McCain's invitation to go to Washington, make the changes that Americans needs and Americans depend on. She's an expert on energy. She understands we need an all of the above energy approach that includes the alternatives and the renewable fuels. This is an important decision. I think it's dangerous to confuse her civic decision to get involved and make a difference in the country with a family matter -- . BROWN: I understand that. I recognize that. In an ideal world, it would be private. You know, this is a presidential campaign. Nothing is private. The world is watching. And if we, you know, as much as everyone might want to give this young woman her privacy, you know that's not going to happen. And so you do risk putting her through an incredibly difficult process by accepting this job if you're her mother. You can't deny that, right? BOUNDS: The Palin family made clear in their statement that they were hoping and continue to hope that this will be a private family matter. That was their intention from the very beginning. Media inquiries and attention are going to happen in the campaign. They understand that. It's important for us as we have a conversation with voters of how we can change Washington, how we can move forward and take on the big challenges that Americans expect of their public officials that we keep a private matter private among their family. Certainly all of us, certainly the members of the media would expect that from Americans. That's the way we're proceeding. BROWN: Tucker, foreign policy experience has been a huge issue in this campaign because you guys made it a big issue, pointing out John McCain has far more experience than Barack Obama and nothing in your view is more important than the campaign. I don't have to tell you there's a feeling out there by some that you're not holding your VP pick to your own standard, the standard you define. So explain to us why you think Gov. Palin is ready to be commander in chief. BOUNDS: Gov. Palin has the good fortune of being on ticket with John McCain who there is no question is the most experienced and shown proven judgment on the international stage. He understands foreign affairs. BROWN: We know all that about John McCain, Tucker. I asked you about her. We all know the role of the VP as John McCain defined it is to be able to step into the job of the presidency on day one. I'm asking you about her foreign policy experience. BOUNDS: Yeah, Campbell, there are a number of people supporting Barack Obama's candidacy and feel he's experienced enough to take on the Oval Office. Our feeling is -- . BROWN: You're not answering my question -- . BOUNDS: Just as much experience as Barack Obama. BROWN: OK. So does she -- you -- what I'm saying is that you set a different standard by arguing how important it was with John McCain. No one's arguing with you he has much more experience than Barack Obama, so I'm trying to get someone from the campaign to explain to me what foreign policy experience or qualifications she has that would allow her to be ready to be commander in chief if something should happen to Sen. McCain. BOUNDS: Well, Campbell, let me be clear. I don't think there should be problem explaining her experience. She has executive state level experience. She's been in public office reforming Washington. She's been in executive office longer and in a more effective sense than Barack Obama's been in the United States Senate. She's been the commander of the National Guard of the Alaska National Guard that's been deployed overseas. That's foreign policy experience. BROWN: If I can interrupt for one second because I've heard you guys say this a lot. Can you tell me one decision that she made as commander in chief of the Alaska National Guard, just one? BOUNDS: Yeah. She's made -- any decision she has made as the commander of the National Guard that's deployed overseas is more of a decision Barack Obama's been making as he's been running for the president for the last two years. BROWN: So tell me. Tell me. Give me an example of one of those decisions. I'm curious, just one decision she made in her capacity as commander in chief of the National Guard. BOUNDS: Campbell, certainly you don't mean to belittle, every experience, every judgment she makes as commander -- . BROWN: I'm belittling nothing. I want to know one judgment or one decision. I want to know what one decision was. I'm not belittling anything, I am curious. BOUNDS: As she makes a decision how to equip or how to command the national guard in Alaska, that is more -- . BROWN: But Tucker, those are the Pentagon's decision, that's Gen. Petraeus, that's the White House. BOUNDS: Pardon me? BROWN: No governor makes decisions how to equip or deploy the National Guard. When they go to Iraq, those are decisions made by the Pentagon. BOUNDS: Campbell, on factual basis, they certainly do. In Alaska, if I have an emergency in your state, the National Guard is under the command of the governor. That is more of a command role than Barack Obama has ever had. I would argue John McCain and Gov. Palin between the two of them have far more command experience in military than either of the candidates on the Democratic side. I do want to argue this is about the top of the ticket. Ultimately when people go into the ballot box and decide between Barack Obama and John McCain, they will decide between John McCain's record of reforming Washington and Barack Obama's rhetoric on the campaign trail, doesn't have a lot of experience, certainly has no command or military experience, which both our candidates have. That's an important distinction I think voters will make the right call in November. BROWN: All right. Tucker, I'm just going to give it to you, baby. We'll end it there. BOUNDS: Appreciate it. BROWN: I appreciate you coming on and taking the time to have this debate. I think it's important. People don't know a lot about her. They want to understand her qualifications as much as possible. We're not beating you up here. We're not trying to. We're just trying to educate ourselves and educate our viewers. So I really do appreciate your time and thank you for your time coming on. | Brown asks McCain spokesman about Sarah Palin's experience .
Interview generates thousands of e-mails to Brown .
McCain camp says she crossed a line, cancels a CNN appearance . |
207,846 | 991b29f5633fb75cab375d0078c71821bde7189e | This was a point celebrated wildly by the 2,600 Wales fans inside the King Baudoiun Stadium. A shirts off, flag-waving party spurred by trance music blaring from the sound system. Gareth Bale went topless too, chucking his yellow jersey into the crowd along with Ashley Williams, Aaron Ramsey and others. Usually such scenes of euphoria are reserved for cup final victories and relegation survivals. Rarely have they been preceded by a 0-0 draw. But it was understandable, Wales had come to the nation ranked fourth in the world, their toughest destination on the road to qualification for Euro 2016, and left with their unbeaten record still intact. Gareth Bale throws his shirt into the crowd after helping Wales earn a 0-0 draw with Belgium in their Euro 2016 qualifier . Wales players huddle together after weathering a Belgium storm to stay top of Group B . Bale and Aaron Ramsey share a joke after maintaining their four-game unbeaten run in qualifying . Belgium 4-2-3-1: Courtois 7; Vanden Borre 6, Lombaerts 7, Alderweireld 7, Vertonghen 7; Witsel 6, Fellaini 5; Chadli 5 (Benteke 62’ 6), De Bruyne 6, Hazard 7; Origi 6 (Mertens 73’ (Januzaj 89’)) Marc Wilmots 6 . Wales 4-4-1-1: Hennessey 7.5; Gunter 6.5, Chester 8.5, A Williams 8, Taylor 6.5; Allen 7.5, Ledley 6, Cotterill 5 (G Williams 46’), Ramsey 5; Robson-Kanu 6 (Huws 90’); Bale 7.5 . Booked: Allen, G Williams, Ledley, Hennessey . Chris Coleman 7 . MoM: Chester . Referee: Pavel Kralovec (Czech Republic) Player ratings from LAURIE WHITWELL in Brussels . It appeared for a fleeting moment at the death like it was being snatched away, when Christian Benteke’s header was saved by Wayne Hennessey and caused havoc in the six-yard area. Axel Witsel got a touch to divert the ball towards the Welsh net but as it rolled Bale, of all people, arrived to clear from danger. That swing of the boot, in the sixth minute of injury time, was just as important as any he has delivered at the other end of the pitch for his country. A star player scrapping it out. The lengthy added time came due to Dries Mertens needing treatment after being knocked out by an accidental collision with George Williams. He left on a stretcher only 16 minutes after coming on. Joe Allen required medical attention earlier in the second half, when Marouane Fellaini led a dangerous forearm into his face in a tussle for the ball. Allen had seemingly irritated the Manchester United midfielder by knocking him down five minutes beforehand. Lucky for Fellaini the only red came from Allen’s lip, which was still bleeding as the Liverpool player boarded the team coach. He played down the incident, as did his manager. It will be sore heads of a different kind this morning for those Welsh fans who crossed the Channel, sunk beer in the bars of Brussels during the day, and continued to do so into the night. It really was an immense release of energy from that section of this great bowl of a ground when the final whistle sounded. The point was secured by totemic defending from captain Ashley Williams and James Chester, who is growing into his role in this team. Time and again the pair of centre-backs weathered Belgian attacks, clearing and heading all that came their way. It was by no means a Belgian onslaught, thanks to Allen’s fine work in midfield, and Bale went close with two free-kicks and a trademark run and shot. Chris Coleman will be pleased, too, about the nous used at certain moments. True, this was not an expansive display but he wants his players to be streetwise when they are unable to show style. ‘It's a fantastic result,’ said Bale. ‘I think we started a bit slow, but in the second half we showed a bit of character and true courage – that’s massive for us. The fans were incredible.’ His clearance? ‘You have to do those things! Everyone will do everything and we all work for each other.’ Wales now have eight points from four games, the kind of ratio that will get Coleman’s side to France and a first major tournament since 1958. Bale had the first chance, in the 14th minute, sizing up a free-kick from 25 yards and striking over the wall. Thibaut Courtois sprang to his left to palm wide. Belgium and Wales's star players - Eden Hazard (L) and Gareth Bale (R) respectively - warm up ahead of the game . Wales supporters lay a patchwork of flags at the King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels . Bale (C) leaps in the air to stretch his muscles as both sides take to the pitch . That sparked Belgium’s best period. Eden Hazard dribbled through three Wales defenders and brought a good save from Hennessey. The Crystal Palace goalkeeper, unwanted by Neil Warnock, made an even better one minutes later, racing from his line to deny Nacer Chadli after Divock Origi’s clever flick set him clear. Nicolas Lombaerts then cracked a shot against the post from a corner and as the ball rebounded it hit Origi and trickled wide. But in the second half Belgium, World Cup quarter-finalists last summer, were subdued for long periods and Wales had the better chances. Bale rekindled memories of his 2010 hat-trick in the San Siro with a run down the left and shot from a tight angle. The ball whistled wide. Hal Robson-Kanu then tested Courtois from range. ‘Belgium have players who can create chances from nothing so we knew we had to ride our luck a little bit,’ said Coleman. ‘But we were stubborn and it was a courageous performance. ‘The momentum is there. That team in 2002 was a hell of a good team, littered with Premier League players. The front three was (John) Hartson, (Craig) Bellamy and (Ryan) Giggs – that's not bad – but we never did it.’ The challenge now for Wales is to make this result worthwhile and give those supporters something seismic to celebrate. One of Belgium's mascots sported a natty mohican haircut (and wiinked at the camera during the line-up) Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini (2L) takes the ball past Bale's outstretched boot . Arsenal midfielder Ramsey (L) takes the ball past Fellaini to almost open the scoring in the first-half . Bale takes an on target free-kick from around 30yards in Wales' best goalscoring opportunity in the first -half . The Real Madrid superstar reacts after seeing his first-half free-kick saved by Thibaut Courtois . Belgium counter-attacked after Bale's free-kick with Hazard going on a jinking run that almost ended with the opening goal . Totenham defender Jan Vertonghen winces in pain after taking a knock to his back early on in the game . Tottenham forward Nacer Chadli gets past James Chester before seeing his shot saved by Wayne Hennessey . Gareth Bale clears a corner as Belgium ramp up the pressure in their Euro 2016 qualifier with a succession of attacks . Ramsey jumps out of a challenge from Belgium defender Nicolas Lombaerts - who struck the post with a superb shot in the first-half . Manager Chris Coleman (R) gives instructions from the sidelines as Wales weather a first-half onslaught from Belgium . Chelsea keeper Courtois gets down to save a shot from Bale at the beginning of the second-half . Southampton defender Toby Alderweireld (R) challenges Ramsey for the ball after the interval . Fellaini was fortunate to escape without a caution for what appeared to be an elbow to Joe Allen's (R) face . The referee uses his 'magic spray' as Wales are forced to defend another Belgium free-kick . Wales star player Bale reacts after seeing his second-half effort sail over the target . James Collins (L) steals the ball from Vertonghen as Wales withstand the pressure as the game reaches its closing stages . Substitute Dries Mertens was taken off on a stretcher after being knocked unconscious from a clash of heads with George Williams . Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke reacts after almost breaking the deadlock after replacing Chadli . The world's most expensive player celebrates victory after clearing off the line in the dying minutes of extra-time . | Belgium were held to a goalless draw by Wales in their Euro 2016 qualifier in Brussels .
Premier League players Thibaut Courtois,Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen, Marouane Fellaini, Eden Hazard and Nacer Chadli started for Belgium .
Red Devils defender Nicolas Lombaerts came closest to opening the scoring after his effort struck the post .
Gareth Bale almost scored with a first-half free-kick and later cleared the ball off the line at the death .
A four-game unbeaten start leaves Chris Coleman's side top of qualifying Group B . |
34,472 | 61f6ac99dd41a8cf3e02d53bce30da1bd08a56af | By . Alex Ward . PUBLISHED: . 09:39 EST, 25 March 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 10:52 EST, 25 March 2013 . Going to the fridge to butter some toast, a woman was shocked by what she found crawling among her groceries. Staring back at her was an exotic spider, believed to have travelled more than 6,000 miles from India in a box of grapes. Beverley Cooper, 52, screamed when she saw the two-inch female Indian wolf spider, which experts believe is pregnant, in the fridge at her home in Glenrothes, Fife in Scotland. Friend in the fridge: Beverley Cooper found this Indian wolf spider in her fridge. Experts believe the female spider is likely to be pregnant and travelled more than 6,000 miles from India . Her husband David Cooper, 60, rushed downstairs and caught the spider, capable of giving a nasty bite, in a glass before calling the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). The female spider is now living at the Edinburgh Butterfly and Insect World. Mr Cooper, a former schoolteacher, said: 'I heard my wife screaming and when I went to see what was wrong I discovered the spider sitting on the wall of the fridge. It was odd looking and I immediately knew it wasn't a normal house spider. ‘I think being in the cold had slowed it down as it wasn't moving very quickly and was relatively easy to catch. ‘I thought it would jump at first, but it was quite lethargic from being in the fridge. 'I'm really glad the spider has found a new home as it's certainly been through quite a journey, wherever it came from.' Shock discovery: Beverley Cooper (left) screamed when she saw the exotic spider in the fridge starring back at her and after rushing to her aid, husband David (right) caught it in before calling the Scottish SPCA . Mrs Cooper, a co-ordinator with Fife Council said: ‘I got a huge shock. I think all of Glenrothes heard me screaming. ‘It was 11pm and David was feeling peckish so I went to the fridge to get bread and butter for toast. ‘As soon as the light went on I saw . this hairy spider staring back at me. It looked enormous to me and I . just started screaming. ‘It was like no spider I’d seen . before as it was hairy and had big beady eyes, like a tarantula. But I . didn’t want to squash it. I don’t like to kill anything but it would . also have made a horrible mess of my fridge.’ SPCA animal rescue officer Kieran Smart said: 'The spider was found in the fridge, next to a box of grapes which originated from India, so the chances are it has come home in the Cooper's shopping.' Andrew McDonald, general manager of Edinburgh Butterfly and Insect World said: ‘We think the spider could be pregnant. ‘It is hard to tell with a small spider, but we are pretty sure it is.’ Kevin Thom, from Edinburgh Butterfly and Insect World, said: ‘This spider isn't deadly but if (someone was) bitten, it would leave a real sting. ‘Although it's not much bigger than the average house spider, it definitely isn't from Britain. ‘It has different markings and, unlike house spiders, its eyes are at the front of its head, helping it to hunt and escape danger.’ Found all over the world, Wolf spiders venom is not deadly to humans but can cause mild pain and swelling. While the wolf spider has a lifespan of no more than two or three years, it is hoped that the new female will contribute to a new generation of the spiders at the centre. Mr Macdonald said: ‘We think we will have this spider for maybe 12 to 18 months, but hopefully we will keep the offspring and have another generation.’ Anyone who finds an exotic creature such as this should call the SPCA Animal Helpline on 03000 999 999. Growing family: The wolf spider is now living at the Edinburgh Butterfly and Insect World (pictured) and it is hoped that it will contribute to a new generation of spiders at the centre . | The Indian wolf spider is believed to have travelled more than 6,000 miles in a box of grapes .
While the species are known to pounce on their prey, this spider was easy to catch because it was lethargic from being in the cold .
It is now living at Edinburgh Butterfly and Insect World . |
176,663 | 70b67252694097a65693121d5401105caf0ebade | A Conservative MP who claims that he was falsely accused of sexually assaulting Nigel Farage’s ‘former mistress’ has spoken for the first time about how the incident cost him his marriage and family. Andrew Bridgen said that Annabelle Fuller, a Ukip spokeswoman, had ‘ruined his life’ after claiming she was groped on the balcony of his Westminster flat in June 2011. Police were told by an informant last month that Miss Fuller, 32, had concocted the claim after stealing his phone and later confessed she had ‘stitched him up’. Annabelle Fuller (left) who was named as a mistress of Nigel Farage (an allegation that they both deny) went to the Westminster flat of Tory MP Andrew Bridgen (with wife Jackie, right) and claimed that she was groped on his balcony. Mr Bridgen was arrested but the case was dropped within days and says the incident ruined his life and cost him his marriage . Last week it emerged that detectives have launched a formal investigation into the matter, and Miss Fuller could face being prosecuted for perverting the course of justice if the claims are proven. After leaving the House of Commons on June 8, 2011, Mr Bridgen stopped for a drink at the Marquis of Granby pub opposite his flat. He said that going to the pub ‘was probably the biggest mistake of my life’. After being introduced to Miss Fuller and meeting a civil servant at the pub, who was a mutual acquaintance, the three later went back to Mr Bridgen’s flat. Mr Bridgen said that Miss Fuller used the bathroom a number of times to make phone calls and on one occasion began complaining about a man she called ‘the bane of my life’. He said: ‘She added something about the difference between a girlfriend and a mistress is that a girlfriend can start to relax after the third or fourth date, but a mistress has to be perfect all the time.’ Mr Bridgen, 49, who now lives apart from his wife Jackie and their two sons, said he couldn’t talk much more about the incident because of an ongoing police investigation. After the balcony incident, Miss Fuller left the flat and within hours police had arrested Mr Bridgen. He spent ten hours being quizzed at a police station, where he had a DNA swab and his blood taken. The case was dropped within days when Miss Fuller gave police a statement saying that her behaviour could have been construed as flirting. Later that month, she chose to break the anonymity which is afforded to alleged victims reporting sexual offences to tell her story to a national newspaper. In that interview she claimed she grazed her head as she ran barefoot from the flat and a security guard made the call to police after seeing her distressed. She said she didn’t know Mr Bridgen was an MP when she met him in the pub and only took the MP’s phone and Commons security pass as evidence of where she had been. She added she never wanted the case against the MP to go ahead and that she had been left ‘suicidal’ after Mr Bridgen threatened to sue over the false accusations. Six days after the incident, police told him they would not be pursuing the complaint, Mr Bridgen said, but the damage to his reputation had been done as his name was already in the news. ‘Every time you Google my name that incident comes up,’ he said. Ukip leader Nigel Farage. Nikki Sinclaire, a transsexual former Ukip MEP, claimed that Annabelle Fuller was Mr Farage's mistress, an allegation that they both deny . ‘She waived her anonymity to give her salacious version of what happened. 'I never had the option of my name not appearing. ‘I was a falsely accused man with nowhere to hide. ‘Those two-and-a-half hours with Annabelle Fuller have ruined my life. 'The events of that night and the huge media intrusion of my wife and children that followed led to the end of my marriage.’ He added: ‘I believe the moment I was introduced to her as an MP I was targeted.’ Last month, MEP Nikki Sinclaire – a former Ukip member – used parliamentary privilege to claim that Miss Fuller had been Mr Farage’s mistress. The pair have always denied the claims. Mr Bridgen added that he completely sympathised with former deputy speaker Nigel Evans, who was cleared in court of rape and other allegations on Thursday. A police spokesman last night said: ‘The Metropolitan Police received information relating to an alleged false claim of sexual assault. 'The man who was the subject of the allegedly false claim was informed that this has now moved forward into a formal police investigation.’ Last night, Annabelle Fuller said: ‘I have not been arrested, interviewed or questioned by police in regard to this matter.’ Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article. | Andrew Bridgen, MP met Annabelle Fuller in a pub across the road from his Westminster flat .
He says going to pub for a drink was 'biggest mistake in my life'
Police arrested politician but case was dropped within days .
She ran barefoot from flat taking MP's phone and security pass with her .
Claims that she did not know Mr Bridgen was an MP when she met him . |
73,545 | d08545c4688f204a8362762fd101b07a7045bb07 | Refusing to buckle to violent protests demanding more action, Turkey's foreign minister insisted Thursday his nation "is on Kobani's side" -- referring to the Syrian border town in imminent danger of falling to ISIS -- but still won't unilaterally send ground troops to save it. Time may be running out. Smoke rose over Kobani, a Kurdish enclave in Syria that's a stone's throw from the Turkish border, as U.S. warplanes pounded ISIS targets from above while Kurdish fighters tried to fend off the Islamist extremist group from below. But ISIS isn't backing down. It seems to have wrested control of one-third of Kobani, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a London-based monitoring group. Speaking alongside visiting NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu stressed his country vehemently opposed ISIS and its actions in Kobani and elsewhere. Like it or not, Turkey is already knee deep in the regional unrest, having taken in more than 1.5 million people from Syria and Iraq, including some 200,000 Syrians from the Kobani region in the past two weeks. Cavusoglu said Turkey supports the U.S.-led airstrikes against ISIS, though he stated these can only be so effective. "Maybe you can stop them for a short period but you cannot clean the whole region from ISIS or some other terrorist organizations," the foreign minister said. "You need to take into consideration all options, including an operation on the ground." The group that could help beat ISIS . That's what protesters around Turkey and outside of it have demanded, warning innocent people will be killed in mass -- much like what ISIS has been accused of in many other communities around Syria and Iraq, since it stepped up its armed campaign to take over territory amid Syria's yearslong civil war -- if something drastic isn't done. There are ongoing talks about what the international approach to the crisis could look like. "Once there is a (common) decision, Turkey will not be reluctant to do its part," Cavusoglu said. "It is not realistic to expect Turkey to conduct a ground operation on its own," Cavusoglu said. Who's doing what in the coalition battle . Erdogan lashes out against protests calling for action . This position won't satisfy those who have hit the streets around Turkey in recent days. They've chanted, marched and clashed with authorities using tear gas and other means. "We want more airstrikes, we want a clear message," said Rebar Hajo, a Syrian Kurdish politician. "... The massacre is about to happen, and we have to act very ... promptly and intensify our attacks on them." According to Anadolu, the nation's semiofficial news agency, 30 people have been killed since Wednesday across eight locations during what it calls the "illegal protests." This figure does not include six killed Thursday in Bingol, including two police officers shot while "doing damage assessment from the protests." Dozens more have been injured in the protests nationwide, including at least three police officers in Istanbul alone. Agriculture Minister Mehdi Eker said 116 people had been arrested in connection with the violence and another 294 face charges for curfew violations. President Recep Erdogan criticized the demonstrations, claiming they were tied to connected to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party and aimed to "manipulate perceptions of Turkey's policies," according to another Anadolu story. In a statement, he vowed that Turkish authorities will go after those behind "these acts of violence, vandalism and looting." Turkey's tough choice: Take on ISIS or the PKK? "Turkey will never tolerate any traps against our peace, stability or sense of brotherhood," Erdogan said. At the same time, the Turkish government says it stands with Kurds on both sides of the Syrian border unnerved by ISIS' advance. Cavusoglu rejected the suggestion that Turkey had hung back, saying it has "never acted reluctantly on this issue. " He also denied "discrimination on a sectarian basis" -- i.e., not choosing to act because Kurds were the primary victims in Kobani -- was in play in Turkey's decisions. Last week, Parliament passed a resolution last week authorizing action against the terrorist group. The main opposition party, the Republican People's Party, said it will back this motion to authorize the army's ground operations as long as it is limited to rescuing Kobani and repelling ISIS. Witnesses: ISIS' gets reinforced, situation 'very bad' If ISIS manages to take Kobani, it will control a complete swath of land between its self-declared capital of Raqqa, Syria, and Turkey -- a stretch of more than 100 kilometers (62 miles). The United States wants Turkey to do more, U.S. administration officials said, and is urging Turkey to at least fire artillery at ISIS targets across the border. Witnesses inside Kobani told CNN that airstrikes Wednesday had been welcome but that the situation worsened Thursday. One fighter said that the situation was "very bad" and that ISIS had received reinforcements, in the form of a "large" number of fighters and vehicles, overnight. The fighter said ISIS troops have re-entered the eastern side of the city and called for the U.S.-led coalition to launch airstrikes there, where the onslaught is greatest. He said there had been only two strikes Thursday morning. A media activist also in the town described intense street-to-street fighting around the Kurdish security forces' headquarters, near the center of Kobani, as well as in the south of the town. He also called for more airstrikes against ISIS, saying the two so far Thursday were not enough. The U.S. military announced Thursday that it had launched six airstrikes south of Kobani, destroying two buildings, one tank, one heavy machine gun, as well as hitting one large and two small groups of ISIS fighters. Another three airstrikes north of Kobani hit two small ISIS groups and destroyed two buildings. This was on top of other coalition efforts to go after the Islamist extremist group, including a pair of U.S. airstrikes near Sinjar in Iraq. Oil and crime make ISIS rich . | Report: 30 die amid protests; 2 police assessing protest sites also killed .
Group: ISIS controls about one-third of Kobani, a Kurdish enclave near the Turkish border .
Syrian Kurd: "The massacre is about to happen, and we have to act very ... promptly"
Minister: Turkey will do "its part" against ISIS, but won't dispatch ground troops solo . |
24,669 | 45f2ca4166ee3f285e11ff217255a9b382143fce | (CNN) -- Tokyo Governor Naoki Inose announced his resignation Thursday after admitting he received money from a hospital operator prior to his election last year. "I have confirmed my determination to resign as Tokyo Governor," he said during a press conference after handing in his letter of resignation to the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly. Inose admitted to receiving 50 million yen (U.S. $480,150) from Tokushukai, a hospital operator involved in vote-buying allegations. "I should not have borrowed the money," Inose said. He said it was a personal loan and not in any way linked to his election campaign. He added that the money has already been returned. "I have tried hard to demonstrate my accountability, but unfortunately it wasn't enough to clear away suspicions against me." The governor was seen to have played a crucial role in securing Tokyo's successful bid to host the 2020 Olympics in September, The Japan Times reported. "I don't want to further interrupt the operations of the administration as Tokyo prepares for the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics," he said at the press conference. "I offer a deep apology," he said, bowing deeply. It is likely that a special election will be arranged to choose Inose's successor in the coming February, according to The Japan Times. | Tokyo Governor Naoki Inose resigns after admitting involvement in money scandal .
He admitted receiving 50 million yen from a scandal-hit hospital operator .
Inose says he does not want to interrupt operations as Tokyo prepares for the 2020 Olympics . |
266,766 | e587a60072c9d33db56e6f9ef317b591eadb8592 | By . Catherine Eade . While efforts to find missing Malaysian passenger plane MH370 continue, the families of passengers have begun to receive initial compensation payments of $50,000 (£30,000). Six Malaysian families and one Chinese family have received the money to date, according to Malaysian deputy foreign minister Hamzah Zainudin. Zainudin stressed that the government has not yet declared the plane lost, but says talks with 40 more Chinese families are already underway to ascertain they are . the rightful claimants. Missing: The news echoes the surroundings of the Malaysia Airlines flight that disappeared in March. Pictured, Malaysia Airlines aircraft parked on the tarmac at Kuala Lumpur International Airport . Hamzah heads a committee to support . the missing passengers' next-of-kin and says full payment to the families - who can claim can claim up three times the initial amount - will be made later. Under International Civil Aviation Organisation rules, passengers' families can claim up to US$175,000 (£103,000), regardless of fault, in a plane crash. Malaysia Airlines' insurer, a consortium led by Germany's Allianz, is making the payments. Flight MH370 veered . off course during a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on March 8 and . is believed to have crashed into the Indian Ocean far off the west . Australian coast. The search area has changed several times, but no sign of the aircraft, or the 239 people aboard, has been found. Countries involved in the search, including Malaysia, Australia, United States, China, Japan, Britain, South Korea and New Zealand, have carried their own costs to date. Meanwhile during talks between Malaysia and Australia on cost-sharing for the search, a Malaysian official claimed that both countires would split the bill 50/50. But Australian Transport Minister Warren Truss declined to say whether the country was considering an even split of the bill for a search that could take months, if not years, and cost tens of millions of dollars. The government expects to spend 90 million Australian dollars (£49 million) on the search by July 2015. Countries are continuing to negotiate on how to fund the next phase of the sonar search of almost 56,000 square kilometers (21,600 square miles) of seabed beneath water up to 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) deep. Countries involved in the search, including Malaysia, Australia, United States, China, Japan, Britain, South Korea and New Zealand, have carried their own costs to date. But Malaysian government lawmaker Jailani Johari, chairman of Malaysia's Liaison, Communication and Media Committee, told reporters in Kuala Lumpur this week that future costs 'will be shared 50-50' between Malaysia and Australia. The Australian government has repeatedly said it owes it to families of the passengers and crew aboard Flight 370 to do all it can to solve the mystery of the airliner's disappearance. It has placed no time limit on how long the search will continue. A Chinese survey ship is mapping the ocean floor ahead of a sonar search for wreckage by specialist deep-sea private contractors. That search is expected to begin in August and take eight to 12 months. Truss said China, the homeland of most of the missing passengers, was continuing to carry its own costs for the survey work. But China is under no legal obligation to help pay the multimillion-dollar bill for the private contractors. | Seven families so far have received compensation .
Families of all 239 passengers are entitled to claim up to $175,000 (£103,000)
Malaysian official says Malaysia and Australia 'will split cost of search 50/50' |
241,705 | c4d30f874f26ade80ad87604cb7ad3afb269e513 | Washington (CNN)One day after focusing on lost e-mails at the IRS, the House Oversight Committee learned Wednesday that the Environmental Protection Agency is also having trouble recovering e-mails the committee wants as part of a separate investigation. McCarthy: "There is a challenge" EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy told the Republican-led committee that the agency cannot access some e-mails belonging to a biologist who worked on a controversial mining project assessment. It is a hard drive problem, but McCarthy was careful to not call it a "hard drive crash" or destroyed hard drive. "I don't believe this is a missing hard drive issue," McCarthy told the panel, "There is a challenge getting access to the data on it... I'm still hoping we recover all those e-mails." "I heard similar testimony yesterday," replied Rep. Mark Meadows, R-North Carolina, dryly referring to the committee's Tuesday hearing about a critical crashed hard drive at the IRS. Investigation into mine report . With the EPA, the committee is investigating whether the biologist involved, or anyone else at the agency, colluded with environmentalists to produce a negative assessment of a mining proposal in Alaska. A separate investigation by the agency's inspector general is also underway. The environmental assessment concluded that the Pebble Mine project could significantly harm the sockeye salmon fishery in Bristol Bay. As a result, in February, the agency essentially froze the permitting process for the mine as it reviews options for the area. McCarthy insisted the agency is trying to recover the biologists' missing e-mails, but also tried to downplay his role in the mine assessment. "He's not a decison maker in this process," she said. "He inputed into the science assessment that's been fully peer-reviewed. We have not made any decision on Bristol Bay, we've just taken a first step." "But he could have colluded..." fired back Meadows. "Which is why it's important the (inspector general) finish his report," McCarthy replied. Did the EPA break the law? Meadows pressed McCarthy on whether the agency broke federal records-keeping law. "Were all his emails preserved according to the Federal Records Act or was a law violated?" McCarthy answered that the EPA notified the National Archives and Records Administration about the hard drive problem Tuesday. "I think we have notified the appropriate authorities that we may have some e-mails that we cannot produce that we should have kept." Issa (re)threatens contempt charge . During the same hearing, Oversight Chairman Darrell Issa, R-California, also demanded that the agency turn over documents that the committee subpoenaed last year. "You have not complied with the subpoena," he told McCarthy. "I am telling you, the time to comply is now. If it is not complied with... this committee will consider and vote on contempt." Issa has made this threat to McCarthy before, but indicated Wednesday that he expects a response within days or he is ready to act on the contempt charge. By the end of the hearing, McCarthy and Issa agreed to let their staffs work behind the scenes. "I hope that over the next few days our folks and your folks can resolve this with all the e-mails," Issa concluded. E-mails: Ex-IRS official Lois Lerner queried Sen. Chuck Grassley invitation . Top IRS official beats back Republican barrage . | EPA head tells House committee that the agency is having trouble recovering requested emails .
"I heard similar testimony yesterday," congressman says, referring to IRS' lost emails .
EPA's lost emails part of alleged collusion probe involving agency and environmentalists .
Committee chairman threatens contempt charge if requested documents not delivered . |
41,297 | 747a99b279ae5ae2497704005f0e8965ff05bbfd | (CNN)Last weekend, a 17-year-old apparently committed suicide in Ohio. And because she was transgender, many assigned a political or social or religious narrative to her story before even fully recognizing her death. A disturbing trend when you consider the string of recent dramatic and, it must be said, senseless deaths that have crowded the nation's headlines. Looking through the agenda-driven prisms that helped define 2014, they all appear disconnected. But when we pause, we can see they are anything but. Consider what happened earlier this month, when Kathleen McCartney, president of Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts, sent a campuswide email in support of students protesting grand jury decisions not to charge the police officers who killed Michael Brown in Ferguson and Eric Garner in Staten Island. In it she said: "We are united in our insistence that all lives matter." Later, McCartney was forced to apologize. You see, because she didn't specifically say "black lives matter," she was accused of minimizing the pain and experience that was specific to the black community. I would argue "all lives matter" is every bit as revolutionary of a rallying cry and should hardly be said in shame. I thought about her apology after a man who was reportedly mentally ill drove from Baltimore to Brooklyn and shot two police officers in the head while they were at work. And I'm thinking about her apology now as my heart aches over the suicide of Leelah Alcorn, the teenager who took apparently took her life on Sunday. "The only way I will rest in peace is if one day transgender people aren't treated the way I was, they're treated like humans, with valid feelings and human rights," she wrote on Tumblr hours before stepping in front of a tractor-trailer on Interstate 71. She also wrote: "my death needs to mean something," obviously feeling her life did not. If you fail to see the connection between Alcorn, the fallen police officers, Brown and Garner, then you are missing something important about what binds a society. Laws and culture form sturdy beams, but the foundation of civilization is empathy. It is a slender but invaluable thread that allows us to communicate with those who speak a different language, explains why men double over at the sight of a male being struck in the groin, why our own eyes fill with tears at others' sorrow and loss and why laughter is contagious. Our innate ability to identify with the needs and experiences of others -- to have compassion, empathy -- is the very thing that makes us human. Thus, the less empathy we have for others -- the less "all lives matter" to us -- the less civilized we become. The less civilized we become, the less human we are. Of course, the notion that "all lives matter" does not speak directly to the implicit biases that have led to the criminal justice system's mistreatment of people of color. It does not highlight the sacrifices law enforcers make or the dangers they face each day. "All lives matter" does not note the discrimination and ostracization of transgender people that apparently led to the torment felt by Leelah Alcorn -- discrimination and ostracization that even occurs within the larger lesbian, gay and bisexual community. But it does remind us that before we are black, white, Christian, liberal or gay, we are human. Because in the end, the lapses in humanity that led to each of the high-profile deaths that have rocked our culture may be different in their particulars, but they are the same in the pain experienced by loved ones left behind. Over my 20-plus years as a journalist, I have covered numerous deaths. I can tell you about the agony in the eyes of the mother of Matthew Shepard, the 21-year-old gay man who was pistol-whipped, tied to a fence and eventually died back in 1998; it is similar to the pain in the eyes of Trayvon Martin's mother. The cries I heard at the memorial service for Michael Brown this past summer were as hard to hear as the cries I heard at a service for Wes Leonard, a 16-year-old who collapsed and died on his high school's basketball court three years ago. Again, the circumstances surrounding each death are vastly different from one another. But when a parent buries a child, the hurt is hard to differentiate. There is a time to dissect mitigating circumstances, but it should not come before experiencing humanity and learning something from how we feel. It is a constant struggle to hold on to what connects us. Especially when so many forces -- politics, media, religion -- flood in to demonize our differences, alienate one group of people from another, drown our compassion and leave our very humanity gasping for air. A 17-year-old transgender girl took her own life during the holiday season. Before we point fingers assigning blame, can we at least pause long enough to think about the meaning of a girl's lost life? To mourn? To feel? To be human? | LZ: Transgender teen killed self. Many make it social, political story; we should see humanity .
He says in reaction to deaths of cops, Garner, Brown, empathy falls away, agendas take over .
LZ: In these and teen's death, we too often show lapse in crucial empathy that binds us . |
186,306 | 7d5552ac941997ac51574df395ac59a9b51a2357 | Lord Monson says outcome of probe is 'ludicrous' Peer calls for a full murder investigation to be launched . By . Stewart Maclean . PUBLISHED: . 08:32 EST, 11 July 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 08:33 EST, 11 July 2012 . Lord Monson has told of his fury after a Kenyan investigation ruled the country's police were not responsible for the death in custody of his son Alexander. The British lord, 57, said it was 'ludicrous' that officers connected to the case had been cleared.He spoke out after the family was informed an internal investigation had ruled no officer was responsible for the death in May of former Marlborough College pupil Alexander Monson, 28. Lord Monson, left, has vowed to fight for justice for his son Alexander, right, who died in police custody in Kenya in May this year . The peer's son died in hospital in the port city of Mombasa on May 19 after he allegedly suffered serious head injuries following his arrest outside a nightclub.Lord Monson today called for a full murder investigation to be launched into the tragedy after a Kenyan CID probe cleared all police officers connected to the case.In a statement he said: 'The Criminal Investigation Department report into Alexander's death is plainly ludicrous. 'If the son of a Kenyan official had died in such circumstances, we would not be where we are now. 'In the face of global scepticism about the credibility of the Kenyan police authorities, we stood back to allow Mr Mohamed Amin, Director of Criminal Investigations, to conduct a full and thorough investigation into Alexander's death. 'Yet his report states he has absolutely no idea how Alexander died.' Lord Monson said the Kenyan police report confirmed the opinion of two pathologists that his son was killed by a blow to the head. Alexander Monson had lived with relatives in Kenya for two years after graduating. He was arrested on suspicion of drugs offences on May 19 outside a nightclub in the coastal resort of Diani and taken to a local police station, where the family claim he was subjected to a violent attack. Mr Monson was taken to hospital hours later and died while handcuffed to a bed. Several police officers from the station were temporarily moved to other duties pending a police probe into the tragedy.However Lord Monson today said the police investigation had offered no evidence on who was responsible for his son's death. Alexander Monson was taken to Diani Police Station following his arrest on May 19, he later died at the local Palm Beach Hospital . He said: 'Mr Amin's report concedes and reconfirms the pathologist's conclusion that Alexander was killed by blunt force trauma to the head and that the government analyst found no drugs in his body.'But it provides no information whatsoever on who was responsible for the fatal injury.'In fact, any detail at all is conspicuous by its absence, despite Mr Amin's claim to have interviewed and recorded statements from 26 witnesses.'Mr Amin even fails to mention that the pathology report stated Alexander had defensive wounds on his left forearm and severe swelling of the groin, injuries consistent with known police torture methods in Kenya.'Lord Monson said his family would fight to ensure his son's death was investigated as murder.The hereditary peer, who works as a journalist, flew to Kenya following the tragedy.In his latest statement he vowed the family would continue their fight despite the police report.He said: 'We have said from the very beginning that Alexander was brutally killed in police custody which is made perfectly clear by the two autopsy reports.'Mr Amin's report only serves to reinforce our view. And yet not a single arrest has been made.'We strongly disagree with Mr Amin's final statement that in his opinion "the circumstances surrounding the death of the deceased (Alexander) can best be determined by a public inquest".'What must be conducted instead is a murder inquiry which must be opened immediately and the suspects who were responsible for Alexander at the time of his incarceration must be arrested, charged and tried in a court of law.'He added: 'This is a setback for us but it is not the end of the road.'We are confident that there are people of integrity and influence in Kenya who will help us get justice for Alexander.'If the Kenyan police authorities do not have the stomach to investigate themselves, the case should be handed to another body which does not have existing relationships with the culprits.'A body that is both independent and fearless in its pursuit of the law.' | Lord Monson says outcome of probe is 'ludicrous'
Peer calls for a full murder investigation to be launched . |
99,387 | 0c00fc8d175dab0766290dd98c70ecd55ca196d9 | (CNN) -- Officials declared a state of emergency Saturday after a powerful predawn earthquake struck near Christchurch, New Zealand, sending people into the streets as windows exploded, water mains broke and buildings crumbled. No deaths were immediately reported. The Christchurch City Council declared a state of emergency in response to what it called "significant damage," just hours after the 7.0-magnitude earthquake rattled residents. The order allows authorities to force evacuations and prohibit entry into areas believed unsafe. Officials in Selwyn, a rural district near where the quake hit, also declared a state of local emergency. A curfew from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. was in place, and the army was assisting local police to ensure there is no looting. Roughly 100 people were being treated for minor bumps and cuts after the strong quake, hospital officials said. Two people suffered more serious injuries. "The house felt like it was on wheels, like it was rolling around on marbles," resident Hadlee Wright told CNN's Rick Sanchez. Pictures that Wright took of the city before daybreak showed collapsed buildings and streets littered with bits of brick and rock. The facade of one structure was almost entirely torn off. Power was out in the northwest part of the city, while water and sewage services have been affected in several regions, the Christchurch Civil Defense Group said in a statement. Roads also were damaged. Images taken by Jimmy Le Comte, and sent to CNN's iReport, showed flooding in New Brighton, a Christchurch suburb. In one, a giant crack cuts across a road. The quake had a magnitude of 7.0, down from an initial assessment of 7.4, the U.S. Geological Survey said. It struck about 35 miles from Christchurch, a city with a population of some 386,000 people on the east coast of South Island. An aftershock with a magnitude of 5.7 struck not far from the epicenter about 20 minutes later, the survey said. A man in his 50s was hit by a falling chimney, while another suffered serious injuries after being cut by glass, said Michele Hider, a spokeswoman with Christchurch Hospital. Sebastian Koga, a hospital neurosurgeon, said roughly 100 people were being treated for minor injuries. He was not aware of any deaths. "We've had a flood of lacerations and minor head injuries, but nothing that could not be handled," Koga said. Civil Defense Minister John Carter said the country's prime minister is headed to Christchurch to assess the earthquake damage. "We don't know entirely what level of issues we're dealing with at the moment. We're still getting reports on it, but it has been extensive," Carter told CNN affiliate TVNZ. "We were lucky that the impact on the people from a death point of view has not been what it could have been under normal circumstances." The earthquake struck at 4:35 a.m. Saturday (12:35 p.m. ET Friday), when few people would have been out and about. Police said there was some initial looting activity, but that it was quickly brought under control. A man who was at the international airport in Christchurch described the scene. "The entire terminal started shaking," he said. "I knew it was an earthquake. There was not much you could do at that point." Authorities evacuated the airport, he said, adding that he saw minor damage. Reinier Eulink, general manager of the Holiday Inn in Christchurch, said there is damage around the hotel corridors and "big cracks in the walls." "It was a big big long jolt, and the building moved a lot," he said. The 13-floor building, with about 150 rooms, was about 40 percent occupied, and he estimated that 80 or more people were staying at the hotel at the time. Power was knocked out, but emergency power came on, Eulink added. People were milling around in the hotel lobby, trying to get warm during the chilly Southern Hemisphere winter. The quake was 7.5 miles deep, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said the event is not likely to generate a tsunami. Prime Minister John Key told CNN affiliate TVNZ it would likely be some time before the full cost of the quake could be calculated. He sought to reassure residents. "We're not going to let Christchurch suffer this great tragedy on its own," said Key. CNN's Nick Valencia, Mark Bixler, Joe Sterling and Katy Byron contributed to this report. | NEW: Prime minister says government will not abandon Christchurch .
Two people are being treated for serious injuries .
A 7.0-magnitude earthquake hit the east coast of the South Island early Saturday .
Roads and buildings were damaged . |
120,634 | 27e795d99164a2372106c9e1f118cc19258e41a2 | By . Mark Duell . Last updated at 1:31 PM on 1st September 2011 . It’s almost ten years since terrorists flew two planes into the World Trade Center twin towers and killed more than 2,500 people. But many artefacts such as mobile phones, aeroplane engines and even a New York police car door survive to tell the tale of 9/11 at the Newseum in Washington D.C. The museum is expanding its war on terror exhibition with more artefacts from 9/11 and other terrorist attacks that have never previously been seen on public display. Memorials: Mobile phones and other communication devices found in the rubble from the September 11 attacks in 2011 on the World Trade Center are displayed as part of a new exhibit in Washington D.C. News wall: The damaged antenna from the North Tower of the World Trade Center and newspaper front pages about the September 11 terrorist attacks are seen in an exhibit at the Newseum . ‘I think the most powerful pieces here are the most personal,’ the Newseum’s Cathy Trost told CNN. ‘The things that people put in their pockets that morning not knowing that this was going to be a day that changed their lives forever.’ The Newseum, which charges admission fees of $22 for adults, is a 250,000 sq ft museum covering five centuries of news and features a 74ft marble engraving of the First Amendment. Its new exhibition, the ‘War on Terror: The FBI's New Focus’, will open on Friday after the museum chose 60 pieces of evidence the FBI had in storage for terror trials, reported CNN. On display: Artefacts from the September 11 attacks, including pieces of the engines and landing gear of United Airlines Flight 175, which hit the South Tower of the World Trade Center, are at the museum . Main exhibit: 'War on Terror: The FBI's New Focus', illustrates the story of the FBI's changing mission after 9/11 . This includes large pieces of an aeroplane that were not destroyed when it crashed into the World Trade Center in 2001. ‘I think the most powerful pieces here are the most personal. The . things that people put in their pockets that morning not knowing that . this was going to be a day that changed their lives forever' Cathy Trost, Newseum . A battered but intact wallet belonging to Ruth McCourt, of Connecticut, is on show. She was with her four-year-old daughter, Juliana, visiting Disneyland, on board the second plane that hit the World Trade Centre, reported CNN. A picture of the mother and daughter on the beach can also be seen. ‘A lot of family members want to make sure there are public displays because they don't want people to forget what they lost that day,’ Newseum senior vice president Susan Bennett told CNN. Remembered: The Newseum worked closely with FBI agents, as well as 9/11 journalists and experts, to put together a picture of the events of the day itself and the following investigation . More: The museum is expanding its war on terror exhibition with more artefacts from 9/11 and other terrorist attacks that have never previously been seen on public display . The mobile phones are particularly poignant because rescue workers could hear them ringing as desperate relatives and friends called in the hope that people on the other end might still be alive. The Newseum worked closely with FBI agents, as well as 9/11 journalists and experts, to put together a picture of the events of the day itself and the following investigation. ‘There's a theme in the stories of how the FBI's changed,’ an FBI spokesman told CNN. ‘We're more of a national security organisation, threat-based intelligence. And we want to prevent.’ | New war on terror 9/11 exhibit opens on Friday at Newseum in Washington .
Wallets, aeroplane engines and New York police car door all on show .
Museum worked with FBI to select 60 pieces of evidence from terror trials . |
55,541 | 9d73338e4a30dc1490e14ff063dc2c793b100eff | author] . PUBLISHED: . 06:06 EST, 30 April 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 07:05 EST, 30 April 2013 . Karen Croule, 54, was left fighting for her life after a freak accident on her allotment left her severely burnt . A woman who suffered horrendous burns has become the first in world to have her injuries treated with Botox. Karen Croule, 54, was left fighting for her life after a freak accident at an allotment near her home in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, left her ablaze. She suffered burns to her face, neck and hands and needed several skin grafts. Amazingly, she pulled through but was left with a constant itch, which is common for burns sufferers. In a world first, doctors have cured the itch by giving her injections of Botox. The doctor believes that the treatment was successful because the Botox injections reduce sweating and it is the damaged sweat glands that cause the itching. The mother-of-two said: 'The itching was driving me crackers. I wasn't sleeping so I couldn't go back to work. I became really depressed. I couldn't see an end.' The itching sensation is caused by nerves re-growing, or by dry skin due to the lack of natural oil produced because oil glands are often damaged by the burn. As the nerves grow and start to receive and send messages, they can create a severe itching sensation. Mrs Croule, a family support worker, was enjoying a day out with her family at her allotment when a stray spark from a garden chimney set her jacket alight, causing an instant fireball. Her quick-thinking son pushed her to the ground to try to put out the blaze but she had already suffered horrendous burns. Mrs Croule was taken to the specialist burns unit at Nottingham's Queen's Medical Centre by air ambulance. She said: 'I had to be operated on sat up and needed lots of skin grafts. They had to rebuild my neck. I was on a lot of morphine and it was all horrendous, but the staff were fantastic.' She suffered serious burns to her face, neck and hands and needed several skin grafts. But as the burns healed, she was left with an unbearably itchy neck which meant she was unable to sleep . Mrs Croule even had to have balloons placed underneath the skin of her neck to stretch it - this created undamaged skin that could be used to repair the wounds. Medics would not allow her to look at her injuries and no mirrors were allowed in her room. She said: 'They said I had to come to terms with it when I was ready.' After a month in hospital she was allowed home and saw her disfigurement for the first time. She said: 'I just burst into tears.' But as her wounds healed, she started experiencing itching day and night. She said: 'Once I started, I couldn't stop. I'd often draw blood. I was desperate.' Doctors tried various treatments but nothing worked. It was then that consultant plastic surgeon, Mr Peter Brooks, came up with the idea of using Botox. Consultant Peter Brooks thought he could relieve the itching using Botox injections. Mrs Croule was the first person in the world to have this treatment for burns . He said: 'Botox can be used to treat . various things. There are lots of good medical uses for Botox including . sweating. It's not just used for cosmetic surgery.' He had been researching the subject for . some time and asked Mrs Croule if she would like to take part in a trial . - the first of its kind in the world. Mrs Croule had balloons placed under her skin to stretch it as a way of creating new undamaged skin . She said: 'I was quite taken aback . when Mr Brooks mentioned Botox. I just thought celebrities used it but I . was willing to try anything. 'I had relief as soon as I had the first injection. There was no itching whatsoever. 'It was a total life saver because I could start sleeping. Now, I'm back at work. I've got my life back. 'I'm not sure if it's made me look any younger though!' Mr Brooks said: 'Botox blocks muscle contraction and reduces sweating. People with burns often have their sweat glands destroyed but the nerves are still there, which could, I believed, be the cause of itching. 'I put those things together and thought there was a good chance Botox would work. 'Karen had relief almost immediately. We have now treated over 50 patients successfully without problems.' The hospital is now planning to run a trial across the world to show Botox is better for chronic burns itching than any other treatments are. The Queen's Medical Centre will lead the trial and there will also be centres across the UK looking into the effects. | Karen Croule was left fighting for life after a bonfire spark ignited her jacket .
She suffered burns to her face, neck and hands and needed skin grafts .
As the burns healed they were so itchy that she couldn't sleep .
She became the first person to have burn scar itching treated with Botox .
Works by reducing sweating as damaged sweat glands are cause of itching . |
215,652 | a322d524c982fc5eec9f65cf9de0923b2b694c3b | By . Tom Roddy for MailOnline . Iker Casillas celebrated 15 years since making his debut for Real Madrid and could be in line to face rivals Atletico. It was under John Toshack in a 2-2 draw with Athletic Bilbao in September 1999 that the highly decorated Spanish keeper made his first-team bow. Casillas, now 33, enjoyed a decade of success for both club and country, captaining Spain to successive European titles in 2008 and 2012, and lifting the World Cup in South Africa four years ago. Anniversary: Today marked 15 years since Iker Casillas made his debut for Real Madrid . In the famous white of Real, Casillas has won three Champions League medals, five La Liga titles and two King's Cups. It was under the management of Jose Mourinho, however, that Casillas lost his place as Madrid's first choice keeper. Having usually found regularity in the first team, Casillas soon became a rarity. When Carlo Ancelotti took Mourinho's seat as manager in 2013, the Italian continued to pick Diego Lopez as his goalkeeper in La Liga but used Casillas in Europe. Golden generation: Casillas was part of Spain's formidable side in 2010 . Iker Casillas lifted the European trophy (left) in 2008 as Spain beat Germany 1-0, and two years later he raised the World Cup in South Africa (right) Despite Lopez's departure to AC Milan this summer, competition for the number one jersey remains high as Ancelotti brought in Keylor Navas, who impressed for Costa Rica in Brazil this summer. But Ancelotti has reinstated Casillas as his number one and the 55-year-old manager has signalled that he will remain there. 'He (Casillas) has never lost our confidence,' Ancelotti explained in a news conference. 'We congratulated him today for his anniversary with Real Madrid and we wish him the best for the future. We have the same confidence in him as always.' Jose Mourinho (left) famously dropped Iker Casillas but he has been reinstated by new manager Carlo Ancelotti (right) Iker Casillas (left) now has competition from the talented Costa Rican keeper, Keylor Navas (right) That confidence may have wavered, however, had it not been for Sergio Ramos' late goal against Atletico in the Champions League final in May. Real went on to win their tenth European title but were been minutes away from letting it slip away to their local rivals after Casillas' early mistake allowed Diego Godin to put Atletico in front. Had Diego Simeone's side had a player guarding the back post, Casillas could have found himself in a very different position. They didn't, and Ramos' equaliser may have saved more than Casillas' blushes. Should the Spaniard feature, it will be his 684th appearance for Real, who is third on the all-time list behind Raul (741) and Manolo Sanchis (710). | Iker Casillas, 33, made his debut for Real in September 1999 .
With 683 appearances, he is third on Real's all-time list .
The Spaniard lost his place to Diego Lopez under Jose Mourinho's management .
He was reinstated by Carlo Ancelotti in his second season as manager at the Bernabeu . |
218,225 | a6848683a36d40b150d5c2c57ff02f2b93c45bc5 | In a maneuver straight out of the Cold War, a Russian fighter jet purposely flew 100-feet in front of the nose of an American spy plane in April, US officials confirmed on Monday. The fly-by over the Sea of Okhotsk between Russia and Japan was described by one US official as 'straight out of a movie'. The same US official said the Russian jet put the lives of the US Air Force RC-135U in danger and called it 'one of the most dangerous close passes in decades.' Close-call: A Russian Su-27 fighter jet intercepted an American reconnaissance plane in international airspace over the Pacific in late April - defense officials confirmed on Tuesday . Army Col. Steve Warren, the spokesman, said the Russian Su-27 fighter flew across the nose of the U.S. Air Force RC-135U aircraft, coming within about 100 feet, while in international airspace over the Sea of Okhotsk . Army Col. Steve Warren said the US reconnaissance aircraft - which was in international air space - did not take any evasive measures. The Russian pilot maneuvered his jet in a way that exposed its belly to the American crew, he said, apparently as a way of showing that it was armed. Warren said there was no radio communication between the two planes' crews. He said Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, both raised the matter later with their Russian counterparts. Cold war: The near air-collision happened in April off the coast of Russia over the Sea of Okhotsk . According to CNN, the United States did not reveal the incident publicly, but Chuck Hagel and his Russian counterpart Sergey Shoygu discussed the issue. Warren said he could not explain why the incident, which happened April 23, was not made public earlier. Asked why the Pentagon didn’t disclose the incident until it was reported on Tuesday by the Washington Free Beacon, spokesman Warren said, 'I don’t have a good answer for you.' Retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Thomas McInerney, a former commander in Alaska, voiced his concerns about the provocative Russian action. 'The dangerous intercept by a Russian Su-27 is far worse than we experienced during the Cold War,' McInerney told the Washington Free Beacon. 'In my four plus years as the Alaskan North American Aerospace Defense region commander at the height of the Cold War, we never saw such recklessness by the USSR.' At the highest level: US Defense Secretary spoke to his Russian counterpart Sergey Shoygu (right) about the incident - but the near-miss was kept secret . It is the latest source of concern for U.S. officials since a heightening of U.S.-Russian tensions following Moscow's intervention in Ukraine. In mid-April a Russian Su-24 fighter made low-level passes over a U.S. Navy ship in the Black Sea. An RC-135U is a highly specialized reconnaissance plane known as 'Combat Sent.' There are only two such planes in the U.S. Air Force; both are assigned to the 55th Wing at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska. Their crews are from the 45th Reconnaissance Squadron and the 97th Intelligence Squadron of the Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency. The 'Combat Sent' aircraft are equipped with communications gear designed to locate and identify foreign military radar signals on land, at sea and in the air. The crew is composed of two pilots, one navigator, two airborne systems engineers, at least 10 electronic warfare officers and six or more technical and other specialists. | Near mid-air collision occurred in April over the Sea of Okhotsk - 60 miles off the coast of Russia - but in International air space . |
142,441 | 4434e7a3bd34ff0b947d1ef0eac00deea82c6683 | By . Lydia Warren . A set of 62-year-old conjoined twins from Ohio are preparing to become the world's longest living duo as they hit a massive milestone this weekend. Ronnie and Donnie Galyon, the oldest living conjoined twins, will overtake the age of their heroes, Thai twins Chang and Eng Bunker, as they turn 62 years, eight months and seven days on Friday. The Bunker twins died in North Carolina in 1874 aged 62 years, eight months and six days. Then later this year, the duo from Beavercreek, Ohio hope to be recognized as the world's oldest ever conjoined twins as they reach their 63rd birthday. Guinness World Records says the . record is held by Giacomo and Giovanni Battista Tocci, who were born in . Italy in 1877 and lived to be 63 - although their exact date of death . in 1940 is unknown. Scroll down for video . New record: Donnie, left, and Ronnie Galyon, 62, walk to get water inside their Beavercreek, Ohio. They are hoping to be recognized later this year as the world's oldest conjoined twins . Together: The men play a Nintendo Wii at the home. The brothers, born October 28, 1951, are hoping to be recognized later this year as the world's oldest conjoined twins, when they turn 63 . Duo: Donnie, left, turns off a light. The twins have four arms and four legs between them . The Galyon twins, who are joined at the waist and face each other, are throwing a party Saturday to mark overtaking their heroes, Mlive reported. They . have four arms and four legs and separate hearts and stomachs but share . a lower digestive tract, a groin, a rectum and penis, over which Donnie . has control. The . twins were born healthy in Dayton, Ohio in October 1951 but stayed in . the hospital for two years as doctors tried to figure out how to . separate them. But when they said they could not guarantee both babies . would survive an operation to part them, the parents said they would . stay as they were. The men agree that was the best decision. 'The good Lord made us,' Ronnie said. 'Let our savior do it.' Comfortable: A company in Michigan made the twins a bed - before that, they slept on top of each other . Visitor: Donnie, front, and Ronnie feed their dog, Mickey, inside their Beavercreek, Ohio home . Loved: The men live in a separate part of their brother Jim's home. He is pictured kissing Ronnie . From . the age of four, the twins supported their family by performing in . carnival sideshows in the U.S. and circuses . throughout Central and South America. When they tried to return to . school, teachers told them to leave because they were too distracting to . the other students. They continued their work at circuses in . Central and South America where they performed magic tricks and were . treated 'like rock stars', their brother Jim told Mlive. Jim Galyon, the twins' brother, on the public's reaction to the men . They retired in 1991 aged 39 and moved to Beavercreek to be close to Jim, who is younger by 11 years. In 2010, they battled poor health when Ronnie suffered a viral infection that . caused blood clots in his lungs and Jim wanted them to move in with him, but his . home was not handicapped-accessible. A family . friend contacted . the Christian Youth Corps, which helped accommodate the house for the . twins' needs, including a kitchen, wife hallways, oversized bathroom and . shower. They also received a custom-designed bed from Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan, which Ronnie said allowed him to 'sleep like a baby'. Helping out: Their younger brother Jim Galyon, left, helps Donnie and Ronnie take off their socks . Heading out: Jim and his wife Mary use a joystick to control the wheelchair carrying the twins . Happy: Donnie, left, and Ronnie said they are glad their parents didn't opt to separate them as babies . Brothers: They admitted they get into arguments but also share hobbies such as fishing and baseball games . The bed is comprised of two backrests that face each other and let the men sit with their legs splayed out. It is far preferable to their days of sleeping on top of each other in a queen-sized bed, they said. The updated home has meant that their health has improved dramatically in the past four years, their brother said. He says they no longer need help getting up and moving around. He said that he and his wife love having his big brothers living with them. 'That's . kind of giving it back right now,' he said. 'I don't do it because of that, but I . feel that way. They paid for us all growing up.' Mary added: 'A . day doesn't go by that I don’t hear "I love you" and "Thank you". If you spend time around them, you can't help but love them.' Younger years: The Galyons are pictured in their family's Dayton, Ohio on their third birthday in October 1954, after their parents decided they would never be operated on . They sometimes fight but also enjoy going fishing together as well as heading to baseball games, fairs and restaurants, which they can access on their customized wheelchair, their brother said. While out and about, people often stare or approach them to ask questions, the men said. Some people have mocked them, but others have paid their restaurant bills and spoken kindly to them. 'You see the warmest of hearts, and you see the coldest of hearts, and a little bit in between,' Jim said. Conjoined twins occur once in every 200,000 live births and the survival rate is between five and 25 per cent. They form when the developing embryo starts to split into two, but stops before the process is complete. | Ronnie and Donnie Galyon hope to become the world's oldest conjoined twins in October, when they turn 63 .
This weekend they are celebrating overtaking the age of their heroes, Thai twins Chang and Eng Bunker, who died in North Carolina in 1874 .
Later in the year, they hope to overtake Italian twins Giacomo and Giovanni Battista Tocci who died aged 63 in 1940 .
The men, who made money for their family at circuses when they were growing up, live with their brother in Ohio in a custom-made home .
They have two sets of arms and legs and their own hearts and stomachs but share a lower digestive tract and a penis, which Donnie controls . |
16,561 | 2efa04a16070fae224349079750baab5221ed5f8 | Claims that Jeremy Clarkson’s ‘offensive’ Falklands number plate was a coincidence were crumbling yesterday as it emerged a second ‘joke’ plate was found in the same car. The controversial Top Gear presenter – along with co-hosts James May and Richard Hammond, and their crew – had to flee Argentina last week after locals were angered by the ‘H982 FKL’ plates, an apparent reference to the 1982 Falklands War. The BBC insisted they had not even realised the meaning behind the Porsche 928GT’s plates until three days into filming. They were removed when locals complained. Scroll down for video . Jeremy Clarkson and fellow presenters Richard Hammond (left) and James May (right) were forced to flee Argentina last week after their convoy was attacked by locals furious over Clarkson's number plate . However, that defence was undermined yesterday by the fact that a set of plates saying BE11 END had been found inside the sports car, which has been abandoned by the crew along with other vehicles. A spokesman for the BBC has admitted the second set had been planned for a sequence in the show, but were not used. And yesterday the dealer who sold the Porsche to the BBC complete with its original H982 FKL plates admitted the show’s staff knew the car’s registration number before they completed its purchase. In another twist, an Argentine judge is now reportedly considering whether to begin a criminal inquiry into unauthorised ‘plate changing’ on the vehicle – after it was found with the registration HI VAE. The offence carries a jail sentence of up to three years. The anger was sparked by the H982 FKL plate, which locals say was a reference to the 1982 Falklands War . The Porsche was sold to the BBC by classic car specialist Mark Waring, 54, of Cheam, Surrey, through his dealership Rennsport Classics Ltd. He had advertised it with the plates masked. Asked about how interested the BBC were in the number plate, Mr Waring said: ‘I’m not prepared to discuss that.’ But he denied claims he had been gagged, saying he never discussed any clients. Asked whether he suspected the Top Gear team were delighted when they discovered the Falklands reference in the car’s plates, Mr Waring said: ‘I wasn’t aware it was Top Gear buying the car, just the BBC.’ Argentinian Police have now revealed they have found another set of offensive number plates in the car . It emerged last night that Top Gear had sent one of its mechanics to inspect the car – and that a researcher went to pay for the car, meaning the team had ample opportunity to spot the ‘Falklands’ plate. But executive producer of the show Andy Wilman insisted all were surprised when its significance was pointed out on the internet three days into filming in Argentina last month. Mr Wilman also suggested he would refuse to answer to the Argentine legal system if charged over using fake plates on the car, saying he had feared for his life and they had no choice than to switch. The new number plate revelation came when local police searched the car Top Gear left behind after the show’s 29-strong crew crossed into Chile on Thursday last week. Jeremy Clarkson flew back to Britain from Chile after the incident and has since claimed the number plates' apparent reference to the Falklands War was a coincidence . But an official in Argentina claims the new plates show the presenters were planning to 'provoke' locals . The car's seller said he was contacted by Top Gear, who told him to forward any media enquiries to them . The cars were attacked near the Argentine city of Ushuaia after pictures of the number plate emerged online . The cars (pictured during filming) have since been impounded by the Argentinian police, who are investigating whether any offence was committed when the plates were switched . The anger the plates have generated in Argentina is the latest scandal to hit Jeremy Clarkson and the BBC . | Number plates spelling out 'BE11 END' found in car which sparked anger .
Discovery throws into doubt Clarkson's claim 'Falklands' plate were fluke .
Car dealer who sold car to Top Gear says he has been contacted by show .
Top Gear team forced to flee Argentina last week after anger over plates .
Clarkson has insisted plates' reference to Falklands War was coincidence .
MP says any BBC cover-up to protect Clarkson would be 'unforgivable' |
21,708 | 3db5b7121de8f8465d7035253815cc37c9ea0d4f | By . Sarah Griffiths . From children to high-flying businesses executives, fold-up scooters are a popular way to get around town quickly, but they're often bulky and awkward to carry. Now there’s a new design of scooter that's so tiny, it folds up to the size of an A4 piece of paper. A university student created the award-winning scooter by linking pieces of aluminium with a cable, which when tightened, pull them together to support an adult’s weight. The scooter was designed by London-based student George Mabey. It works by linking parts of aluminium with a cable which, when tightened, pull them together to support an adult's weight. At its smallest, the scooter (pictured) is approximately 8-inches wide and 11-inches tall - the same size as an A4 piece of paper . The scooter folds down to the size of an A4 piece of paper. It is so small it can fit in a rucksack or handbag. The lightweight scooter weighs less than 11lbs (5kg) and will be on display at an exhibition at London South Bank University from Saturday. There are no immediate plans to release the scooter. In fact, George Mabey’s design is so small it can fit inside a handbag, and could go on sale soon. The 22-year-old from Southampton recently won the top prize at the Power of Aluminium Awards, which celebrates innovative uses of the metal. His scooter weighs less than 11lbs (5kg) and has gone on show at London South Bank University as part of its Product Design and Engineering Product Design degree show. The lightweight scooter (pictured with its designer George Mabey) weighs less than 11lbs (5kg) and will be on display at an exhibition at London South Bank University from Saturday. There are no plans to release the scooter as yet . The product (pictured) recently won the top prize at the Power of Aluminium Awards, which celebrates innovative uses of the metal. Mabey picked up his award at a ceremony hosted by the Aluminium Federation, and held at the Houses of Parliament . The scooter (pictured) will be a lightweight alternative to the current foldable bikes used by commuters . Just like a conventional scooter, it . measures 37 inches (95cm) in height when fully extended, but folds up to . a tiny 11.7inches (29.7cm) in length and 8.3inches (21cm) in width when . collapsed – exactly the same size as a sheet of A4 paper. ‘The . innovative design will fetch a premium price on the market,’ said Alan . Arthur, marketing and communications executive at the Aluminium . Federation. ‘Nothing else out there at the moment folds away this small and it could even fit in a handbag. ‘Aluminium weighs a third of steel and now Jaguar and Land Rover cars are made from the metal. ‘Based on some of the premium fold-away bikes, like Brompton Bicycles, this product will sell for several times that of a standard scooter - so up to and over £1,000.’ George picked up his award and prize of £1,000 at the ceremony, which was hosted by the Aluminium Federation and held at the Houses of Parliament. Mabey said: ‘Having my work acknowledged at the awards and recognised by the industry is the icing on the cake. It’s a great way to finish my time at university.’ Simon MacVicker, president of the Aluminium Federation who hosted the awards, added: ‘This year’s awards have really demonstrated the immense talent among young people. The creativity is outstanding.’ | Scooter was designed by George Mabey of London South Bank University .
It works by linking .
parts of aluminium with a cable which, when tightened, pull together to support an adult’s weight .
Scooter folds to the size of an A4 piece of paper and weighs 11lbs (5kg)
However, there are no immediate plans to release the vehicle . |
252,465 | d2c127471bfa09a63493e70e69d078acf093e8d9 | A pregnant Michigan woman is demanding justice after she walked into a police station to report that she was hit in the face by an officer - and was all but ignored by the supervisor on duty. Andrea Dingess, who says he is six months pregnant, posted a video on Facebook of the shocking indifference shown by the supervisor at the Lincoln Park, Michigan, Police Department when she demanded to press charges against the officer. The video has become a massive hit since it went live on May 15 - shared by more than 71,000 people and counting. Scroll down for video . This supervisor repeatedly refused to take a report from Andrea Digness that she was assaulted by a police officer . Ms Dingess says she was six months pregnant when she was hit in the face . At one point, the supervisor sarcastically asks: 'What do you want me to do, go out there and arrest him?' Ms Dingess responds: 'Yeah! That's what you do to normal people when they assault people.' Despite repeatedly asking to file a formal complaint, the officer at the desk dismisses her and refuses to take a report. Ms Dingess says she was assaulted when she was stopped by an officer, who wrote her a ticket for not having ID. When she pulled out he ID and protested the ticket, she says the officer threw the ticket in her face - and then hit her in the face. She claimed she has two witnesses, friends who were in the car. They were the ones who accompanied her to the police station. One of them filmed the encounter. At one point, Ms Dingess tells the officer: 'You're telling em an officer has a right to assault a pregnant woman?' The supervisor replies: 'I don't believe he did that.' She repeats herself: 'He just hit me in the face and I need to file assault charges.' It's unclear whether Ms Dingess continued to press her case - the video cuts off abruptly. | Andrea Dingess says she was struck in the face by an officer in Lincoln Park, Michigan .
A supervisor at the police station refused to take a report about the assault .
Ms Dingess' Facebook post has been shared 71,000 times since May 15 . |
231,949 | b84f318514d47a7f62da66dd7c12fc4285e42c83 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . Last updated at 9:55 AM on 18th November 2011 . When Michael McTigue returns home after a hard day’s work, he opens his front door and steps back more than 70 years. For the 45-year-old bus driver is a one-man time-warp from the 1930s. His clothes and semi-detached home are all in keeping with his obsession with Britain on the eve of World War II. A vintage telephone stands on the hall . table beside an exquisite art deco lamp, just a foretaste to the living . room that’s packed with mirrors, clocks, ornaments and picture frames . from the era. Houseproud: Michael relaxes by the wireless in his front room as neighbour Pam tries out the 1938 Hoover . All mod cons: Left; a dial telephone would have been the latest thing . and the lamp the height of fashion and There’s a copy of his favourite . paper on the chair and right; a jumble of 1930s wooden-shafted golf . clubs, straw boaters, a metal RAF case, leather suitcases . . . and even . a banjo . Mr McTigue is never seen wearing anything out of keeping with his favourite era — except in the cab of his bus. He doesn’t own a washing machine and instead laborious scrubs his clothes outside in a dolly tub then squeezes them through a mangle. His Hoover dates from 1938. ‘I’m really a time traveller who lost his way,’ he says. ‘But I’m 45, so it’s too late to change now! I just love the era, it was a much simpler time.’ Mr McTigue’s home, in Riddleton, West Yorks, was unmodernised when he bought it seven years ago — the couple who had owned it since it was built in 1936 had lived there for more than 50 years. Since then he has set about collecting suitable antiques, old newspapers and knick-knacks from car-boot sales. He . says: ‘My clothes are from the era, too. But as I’m 6ft 4in I’ve had to . get most of them tailor-made using authentic materials, as there . weren’t many people my height in the 1930s,’ he explains. Squeezy does it: Hand-scrubbed clothes are wrung through the mangle before being hung out to dry . Mr McTigue’s favourite period is 1939 and the early months of the war. He and a group of fellow enthusiasts, including neighbour Pam Robinson, gather for soirees and even stage re-enactments of Home Guard exercises. Antique wirelesses and gramophones are dotted about the house, playing 78s by Thirties bandleaders such as Geraldo and Ambrose. Mr McTigue does, however, have a refrigerator and a television — albeit a black-and-white model made in 1947. ‘People think I’m a lunatic, but it’s just my passion,’ he adds. Full rations: The store cupboard, left, is packed with vintage bottles, . tins and even dried peas. Names include Brasso, Turnwright’s Toffee, . Luaka Tea, Oxo and Mansion polish. And right, an air raid warden's . outfit hangs on the landing near a Bakelite radio ideal for tuning into . Churchill's speeches . And so to bed: A candlewick bedspread (no duvet) on the heavy carved dark wooden bedstead . Home sweet home: One of the few 1930s semis to have escaped a makeover . | Clothes, home and possessions reflect Britain on the eve of World War II .
45-year-old bus driver handwashes laundry with dolly tub and mangle and Hoover dates from 1938 . |
245,616 | c9e94f63dcaf3b0f77c3e3500aa2ef280293cf46 | By . Paul Bentley . PUBLISHED: . 13:01 EST, 9 May 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 14:43 EST, 9 May 2013 . A woman searching for April Jones on the morning after she disappeared saw Mark Bridger on a hill close to his home clutching a black bin bag. Carwen Sheen was driving with a friend at around 9am on October 2 looking for the five-year-old when she saw the former abattoir worker holding the bag close to his Land Rover, which he had left by the side of the road with its door open and the engine still running. The bag was rolled up in his hand, with the end hanging down, and today the witness told the court: 'There was something in it, not very big,'. April vanished while playing with her friend near their homes in Machynlleth, Powys, Mid Wales, on October 1 last year. The prosecution say April was abducted by Mark Bridger, 47, who drove her off in his Land Rover and murdered her . She recognised Bridger and added: 'I was driving down and I came round the corner and I've seen his vehicle with the door open. 'I was with a friend. She made a comment: "What's he doing there?" 'I've seen him coming down the side of the bank. He was holding a black bin bag. It was like it was wrapped up. 'It was rolled up. It was wrapped like a sausage. There was a bit at the end hanging down like it hadn't been tucked in properly. 'We spoke in the car and then Mark just drove past and that was the last I'd seen of him.' Mrs Sheen saw Bridger on a road close to Ceinws, where he was living at the time. The defendant nodded in the dock as the black bin bag was discussed and mouthed the word 'yes' when his barrister, Brendan Kelly QC, confirmed with the witness that she had seen the black bin bag in his hand. The court also heard from a neighbour who saw Bridger reversing into his drive after April went missing the previous evening. Paul and Coral Jones arrived today at Mold Crown Court to hear more evidence in Mark Bridger's trial . His employer Cheryl Harper also gave evidence, saying she met him on the following morning. They discussed the fact that the community was out searching for the schoolgirl, who suffered from cerebral palsy, she added. A local postman also spoke to Bridger, telling the court he 'asked him if he had seen and heard about the news'. 'He [Bridger] appeared quite shocked. He asked me what sort of vehicle they were looking for,' the postman added. A witness to the conversation said Mark claimed not to have seen the news because he did not have a television. 'Mark looked genuinely surprised,' the man added. The heartbroken parents of April, Paul and Coral Jones arrived in court today to hear more evidence in the trial, both sported pink ribbons that they had begun wearing when their daughter disappeared. The evidence comes after a schoolgirl told how alleged killer Mark Bridger asked her for a sleepover on the day April went missing. The murder trial jury heard how the 10-year-old girl said she was approached by Bridger just hours before April vanished outside her home. Former abbatoir worker Bridger allegedly asked the girl - a friend of his daughter - if she wanted to sleep over at his house. CCTV shows April Jones at a leisure centre just hours before her disappearance, which has been shown to the jury during the trial of Mark Bridger for the abduction and murder of the schoolgirl . In a taped police interview played to court she said she was speaking to her mother about going on her bike when Bridger approached. She said: 'Mark drove up and put his window down and started talking to me. 'My friend was there with me and watching him talk to me, he wound down the window and heard what I said to my mum about going on a bike ride. 'He asked me if I could go and have a sleep over with his daughter at his house, his daughter is a friend of mine, she is 10 as well. 'It was odd that he offered me to come for a sleep over, I said: "Oh that would be great". 'And he said: "Well that's sorted then". 'He didn't say anything else to me and didn't ask what time or day. He drove off the estate and we went on a bike ride.' The girl said she spotted Bridger 10 minutes later lying down in his LandRover with a newspaper over his lap and talking into a walkie-talkie. The girl said: 'He was lying down to his side, not hiding, you could see him. 'He was in the driver's seat and I walked past on the pavement on the other side. 'He didn't say anything but he put his thumbs up to me, he carried on lying down. 'He was speaking into the walkie talkie but I couldn't hear what he was saying. 'He was looking at the newspaper, he wasn't trying to hide the walkie-talkie but it was really odd. 'I smiled at him and rode really fast home - because he was acting really odd.' The jury were taken by coach to visit the white cottage named Mount Pleasant, the former home of defendant Mark Bridger in Ceinws, Mid Wales who is on trial for the abduction and murder of the five-year-old . Floral tributes have been left outside the former home of Mark Bridger in Ceinws, Mid Wales. The defendant claims he does not know what he did with April's body because he was drunk . The schoolgirl told the officers she had never slept over or played at his house. She said it was 'odd' that he asked because she had never stayed at Bridger's daughter's house before. The schoolgirl said she saw April playing on her bike before she vanished. She saw her cycling down a hill with her friend and playing by the garages where she was last seen alive. The 10-year-old - who was sat in a school uniform - wept as she was interviewed by officers. At the beginning of the interview a specialist police officer told her: 'You are not in any trouble at all but we really need your help. 'We are trying to find your friend April Jones. So thank you for helping.' Mold Crown Court also heard from the 10-year-old's mother who heard Bridger in the background while she talked to her daughter on the phone. She said: 'My daughter phoned me from her mobile phone at 5.47pm I asked her where she was and she said she was by the garages with her friend. 'It was during this conversation I heard a man's voice in the background. 'I thought it could be my husband, I asked my daughter: "Who are you talking to? Is that daddy?" 'She told me it was Mark Bridger at this point I didn't think any more about this.' The mother told the court how on the evening April vanished children knocked at her door to say she had been kidnapped and could they help search. April, who suffered from cerebral palsy, was playing outside her home in Machynlleth, Powys, when she was allegedly snatched by father-of-six Bridger . Elwen Evans QC, for the prosecution, read the statement of Eleanor Holt, deputy head at Machynlleth Junior School, who saw the defendant at a parents' evening hours before April was allegedly snatched. She said she spoke to Bridger regarding his daughter, who was a pupil at the school. She said: 'I think something gave me the impression that he might have had a couple of drinks due to his manner but I couldn't be sure of this. 'I couldn't smell any alcohol on his breath.' Another teacher, Sian Calben, said she saw Bridger talking to a teenage girl and two younger girls while he was at the parents' evening. She said: 'Mark seemed very chatty and full of himself on Monday - as if he wanted to make his presence felt more than usual.' The court also heard from numerous witnesses who had seen Bridger and his car 'to-ing and fro-ing' around the estate around the time that April disappeared. April was playing outside her home in Machynlleth, Powys, when she was allegedly snatched by father-of-six Bridger. The jury has heard that April's blood was found in Bridger's his cottage in the village of Ceinws, three miles from Machynlleth, with the DNA of a child's skull in ashes taken from the woodburning stove. April's body was never found despite the largest search operation ever staged by British police. The prosecution claims Bridger snatched and murdered the youngster, who had cerebral palsy, in a sexually motivated attack. The defendant claims he knocked her down in his car by accident and cannot remember what he did with her body because he was drunk. Bridger, 47 denies murder, abduction and perverting the course of justice. The trial continues. Sorry we are unable to accept comments for legal reasons. | Carwen Sheen claims that she saw Mark Bridger holding a bin bag 'wrapped up like a sausage' the day after April Jones disappeared .
Witnesses tell Mold Crown Court how they discussed five-year-old's disappearance with accused murderer .
Schoolgirl alleges Bridger, 47, asked her for a sleepover on the day April disappeared .
Defendant denies murder, abduction and perverting the course of justice .
Claims he knocked April down by accident and cannot remember what he did with her body because he was drunk . |
215,898 | a379d164e68c283160096d697e8bb22c886dfa71 | By . Chris Brooke . PUBLISHED: . 06:41 EST, 5 March 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 20:54 EST, 5 March 2013 . A pub landlady who underwent a gastric bypass operation has become so thin she must eat a mountain of food every day to stay alive. A rare complication of the slimming surgery caused Julie Dunbar’s body to stop absorbing the nutrients it needs. In 12 months, her weight plummeted from 20st 7lbs to a skeletal 6st – and she ended up in hospital dangerously malnourished and close to death. Scroll down for video . Piling it high: Julie Dunbar has to eat 5,000 calories a day after weight loss surgery left her severely undernourished . Full-time job: Ms Dubar says her daily calorie requirement (pictured) means she is 'constantly eating' and spends at least £200 a week on food . Doctors told her the only solution was . to eat 5,000 calories a day – more than double the recommended daily . amount for women and far more than she ever used to eat – because her . body can ingest only a fraction of the nutrients she takes in. Her daily menu includes half a block . of cheese, a packet of smoked salmon, a packet of biscuits, nuts, fruit, . cake, a curry or shepherd’s pie for dinner and bags of sweets. Miss Dunbar, 51, of Leeds, West . Yorkshire, said: ‘It’s a full-time job. Our food bill is phenomenal. It . must cost about £200 to feed me a week. ‘It was enjoyable at first but now it’s a pain and I hate it. Even if I don’t feel like it I still really need to eat.’ Ms Dunbar, 51, decided to have weight loss surgery after her weight crept up to 20st 7lb . Malnourished: Ms Dunbar's weight plummeted to 6st after surgery and she had to be fed through a tube . In 2010, Miss Dunbar paid £10,000 to . have the biliopancreatic diversion with a duodenal switch operation at . the private Spire Hospital in Leeds. In this type of weight-loss surgery . a large part of the stomach is removed and the small intestine . re-routed. The object is to reduce the amount of time the body has to capture calories and absorb fat. Following the operation, her weight dropped so quickly that her sister Karen, 50, was inspired to have the same procedure. But while the sister’s weight levelled . off at 10st, Miss Dunbar’s continued to drop at an alarming rate. She . said: ‘It was an absolutely awful time. In the pub, people looked at me . and thought, “She is not going to make it”. Then and now: She says she now eats far more than when she was overweight . ‘My face was like a skeleton and it was totally sunken in. There wasn’t an ounce of flesh on me.’ She was so malnourished she developed Wernicke Encephalopathy, . normally seen in alcoholics, people with HIV or those who have been . starved, leaving her with memory loss and balance problems. BREAKFAST: . Three cups of coffee with milk . Two egg omelette with 175g of cheese (around about half a block) Two yoghurts . Bowl of crunchy nut cornflakes . DINNER: . Thai curry with rice, roast dinner, shepherd's pie . SNACKS THROUGHOUT THE DAY: . A whole packet of parma ham or smoked salmon . Chicken liver parfait on toast . Cheese and biscuits . 100g of cashew nuts . Biscuits and chocolate . Lots of fruit . Water, milk and Lucozade . Bags of sweets, especially jelly beans and fruit pastels . A huge piece of cake in the middle of the night . Miss Dunbar added: ‘Looking at . pictures of myself is like looking at a picture of an African child that . is starving. I’m just bones. ‘I went into hospital to lose weight and I came out as a different person.’ Miss Dunbar underwent two more . operations last year to increase her stomach size to aid the intake of . nutrients, but nothing else can be done to maintain a healthy weight . apart from eating. She is now a healthy eight stone but has to continue to eat as much as she can to ensure she continues to gain weight. 'To combat the illness, I need to absorb as much as I can from food,' she said. 'For example, whereas a normal person would consume about 30-40g of protein a day, I need to take 125g in to get my levels up to where they should be. 'It has completely changed me as a person. 'At the beginning I was really happy, because I was dropping lots of weight. 'But then it's supposed to stop and it just didn't. 'There was no light at the end of the tunnel - it was an absolutely awful time. Now, thanks to her huge calorie intake, she has managed to prevent her condition from worsening. | Julie Dunbar, 51, had weight loss surgery after her weight hit 20st 7lb .
Lost 14 stone in a year and became dangerously malnourished .
Needed tube feeding and three more ops to partly undo stomach reduction .
Now has illness resulting from severe malnourishment and lack of vitamins .
Has to eat 5,000 calories a day to get enough nutrients to stay alive . |
232,824 | b9729e18c284e2ebfe9ffa01bd65012e6800d97a | By . Hayley O'keeffe . PUBLISHED: . 07:04 EST, 24 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 09:17 EST, 24 December 2013 . A Kenyan death row inmate chopped off his own penis after missing out on a presidential pardon. After telling fellow prisoners that he would not need the organ anymore, Francis Karuri chopped off the appendage and then continued his work, before passing out on the floor in his cell. He was discovered by guards and taken to the Kenyatta Nation Hospital to be treated for the wound, and unconsciousness due to loss of blood. File photo: Francis Karuri (not pictured) chopped off his own penis in protest at not being freed from prison . But, perhaps due to the fact that the injury was caused 13 hours before, the organ was unable to be attached by medics. The inmate, who has so far served 15 years in prison was following proceedings of the Uhuru ceremony where 50 prisoners were sent free. He was hoping that his name would be read out on a list of inmates which would be released in time for Christmas. But President Uhuru Kenyatta had not included Mr Karuri, and the prisoner took the drastic action. The Daily Star . reported that friends of Mr Karuri said that he had been looking . forward to seeing friends and family, and had expected to be released. In Kenya it is a state tradition for the president to grant pardons to a set number of inmates on national holidays. At . the ceremony the names of those who will receive a pardon are read out, . and many eagerly wait to hear if they are on the list. Despite being on death row, it is likely that Mr Karuri will spend the rest of his life in prison. Human Rights organisations are currently lobbying for the death penalty to be abolished in the country. President Uhuru Kenyatta (pictured) did not read out the inmate's name on a traditional list of pardons . | Francis Karuri continued to work after inflicting injury on himself .
Inmate had thought he would be given a presidential pardon .
Penis was unable to be reattached by doctors 13 hours after incident . |
27,810 | 4ed4a5fc09a18cf933e62591e91c4f3548d5cfe0 | By . Alasdair Glennie . PUBLISHED: . 19:00 EST, 24 April 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 02:32 EST, 25 April 2013 . Tom Daley looked a little starstruck by his companion, a peroxide blonde pop singer known as Lemon . They look like a young couple intent on some fun. And Olympic diver Tom Daley and his companion didn’t seem to mind who knew it. The 18-year-old, whose exploits in the pool have earned him millions of female fans, seemed rather starstruck himself as his friend, a peroxide blonde pop singer known as Lemon, struck a pose in cropped T-shirt, denim shorts and boots. Whether he was trying to teach her to dive or she was showing off some dance moves was not entirely clear. They spent the day skimming stones on Plymouth Hoe before buying ice creams and sitting in a park. At one point, Lemon laughed as she planted her vanilla cone on Daley’s nose. It is thought Daley met 19-year-old Lemon, whose full name is not known, on the set of his ITV show Splash! earlier this year. Yesterday his spokesman said the pair are not dating. Dressed in knee-high leather boots, tiny denim shorts, cropped T-shirt and studded leather jacket, Lemon certainly stood out from the crowd. Daley opted for a far more conventional ensemble of jeans, T-shirt and trainers. But their contrasting dress-styles did not stop them having a good time. As they clambered over rocks to escape the rising tide, Lemon clung onto Daley’s arm for support. Later in the day, the pair drove off together in his car. Pop singer Lemon laughs as she plants her vanilla cone on Daley's nose . Lemon’s agent refused to comment on whether she is in a relationship. On Lemon’s website, she said she was a ‘Singer/Songwriter and dancer.’ She added: ‘I put on a show. Get ready for the LEMON invasion.’ Describing her music as ‘urban commercial pop’ she said her home town was: ‘Wherever you want me to be’. Online videos of her live performances show her dressed in suspenders and a tank top on stage. Olympic diver Tom Daley's exploits in the pool have earned him millions of female fans . | Tom Daley seemed rather starstruck by the blonde pop singer Lemon .
The pair spent the day skimming stones on Plymouth Hoe .
They then bought ice creams which they ate sitting in a park . |
282,376 | f9b9a28d284a592879b5c49a498457ca42ef5ff0 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 22:44 EST, 10 December 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 01:23 EST, 11 December 2012 . Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is reportedly ready to move on after the sad death of his former wife, and marry his actress girlfriend Cheryl Hines. According to Radar Online, the environmental lawyer, 58, is planning to propose to Hines, 47, who is famous for playing Larry David's wife in Curb Your Enthusiasm. Kennedy's second wife, Mary, was found hanging in the family barn in Bedford, New York, in May this year - he had filed for divorce in 2010. Coming engagement: Robert F Kennedy Jr is reportedly ready to propose to actress girlfriend Cheryl Hines . 'Robert has already bought an absolutely stunning engagement ring and is now in the stages of planning the perfect scenario in which to propose to Cheryl,' a source said. 'He knows she is the woman he wants to spend the rest of his life with and he wants to seal the deal as soon as possible and prove to her how serious he is.' The source claims that 'Robert is aware that it hasn't even been a year yet since Mary killed herself and he doesn't want Cheryl to be subjected to any negative backlash, she's an innocent party in this whole mess and he wants to shield her from any criticism as much as humanly possible.' Radar adds: 'His and Mary's divorce was . close to being finalized at the time of her death, and Robert says he . would have likely already married Cheryl by now if he didn't have to . deal with the suicide and its aftermath. Estranged: Kennedy had filed for divorce from second wife Mary in 2010. She committed suicide at the family barn in May 2012 . 'Although he accepts that publicly he has to maintain an appearance of mourning, he points out that their marriage had been over for a long time at the time of Mary's death and he is more than ready to move on now and marry again.' There was bitter acrimony following Mary's suicide. Kennedy sent his 16-year-old daughter Kyra, one of couple's four children, to live with Hines in Los Angeles. He then had Mary's body exhumed and moved to a more remote part of the same graveyard. It was reported Mary had been struggling . with depression, had doubts about her future, financial problems and . difficulties dealing with the bitter divorce from Kennedy. He had . started a new and media-friendly relationship with actress Hines. Innocent party: Kennedy claims he doesn't want any negative backlash against actress Hines . Radar Online claims: 'Robert doesn't want to appear to be insensitive, but he believes he has the right to get on with his life, and his relationship with Cheryl is an integral part of that. 'He has discussed his intention to marry again with his family but hasn't broached the issue with his kids yet. 'Robert is confident though that they will accept it and be happy for him, and if that's not the case he maintains that they will eventually learn to accept it.' | RFK Jr reportedly ready to make Cheryl Hines his third wife .
Source claims that he 'doesn't want to appear insensitive, .
but he has the right to get on with his life' |
164,041 | 60221b3984bcc2054797906d0c2ca5eb3dbea258 | By . Associated Press and Thomas Durante . PUBLISHED: . 16:43 EST, 8 January 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 17:42 EST, 8 January 2013 . These are the pictures of the tragic young twins whose lives were both cut short, along with two other women, in a horrific murder in an Oklahoma apartment building on Monday. The women's identities were released on Tuesday as police investigate the grisly deaths in a crime-ridden neighborhood in Tulsa. The victims were identified as Rebeika . Powell and Kayetie Melchor, 23 - both mothers of young children - and Misty Nunley, 33; . and Julie Jackson, 55. Tragic twins: Rebeika Powell, left, and Kayetie Melchor, right, were shot to death on Monday . Murdered: The bodies of Rebeika Powell, left, and twin sister Kayetie Melchor, were found in the apartment building with two others . Mystery: Police have not yet determined a suspect or a motive in the killings, which occurred in a crime-ridden area of Tulsa . Mothers: Both of the twins had young children when their lives were tragically cut short on Monday . Also in the apartment was a 3-year-old boy who is believed to have witnessed the entire shooting. He was unharmed. In an interview with CBS News, Rebeika and Kayetie's grief-stricken father, Larry Powell cried out: 'My life's gone. My kids are gone.' Aside from the twins, did not say how the women knew each other or if they were related. Detectives and officers were 'beating the bushes' to figure out what happened, police spokesman Leland Ashley said Monday. He added: 'Right now, we have no clear-cut suspect. I don't want to strike fear in the community tonight, but we do have an individual or individuals who murdered four people. Do we know if there was a motive, like a jealous lover? We don't know that. We can't say if it was random or if someone knew [the victims].' According to reports, police and EMS . workers were called to the apartment near 61st Street and Peoria Avenue . at 12:36 p.m. after an unidentified person stumbled across the corpses. Innocent: Police lead two children to a police car after an unidentified 4-year-old was found unharmed among the dead bodies of four women . On scene: Sgt. Dave Walker, head of the Tulsa Police Department's homicide unit, leads an investigation into the mysterious deaths . Heartland: Police told reporters that such violent crimes as uncommon to the Oklahoma city . At the run-down apartment complex, bed sheets or cardboard hang as improvised draperies in many windows behind a black wrought-iron gate. The guard shack is empty and signs read 'Curfew 10 p.m. for everyone, everyday' and 'Photo ID required to be on property.' Three of the units are burned out and boarded up with plywood. Riverwood has long been plagued by crime, and Tulsa police say there were two murders in the Fairmont Terrace Apartments in 2012. Residents say gunfire and break-ins are part of the pattern of their everyday lives. 'We're in the eye of the storm,' says Charles Burke, a 48-year-old construction worker. 'You're on your toes. You can't be too careful.' Neighbor Jamie Kramer, a 28-year-old mother of two young children, has lived at the apartment complex for 10 years. She said the crime seems to come in cycles and that things had been pretty quiet for several months until Monday. 'It escalates and goes back down, it escalates and it goes back down,' she says. 'Usually, it's bad when it gets hot.' Mystery: Officers have canvassed the area for witnesses but have yet to determine a motive or lead . Neighbor Ladawn Mack, a 25-year-old cashier, says she's used to seeing police cars in the street, and that Monday's quadruple homicide is enough to make her take extra precautions. 'We have a house alarm and I've always had a gun for my home,' Mack said. Resident Alexis Draite, 20, recently moved to Tulsa from Oklahoma City, believing it to be safer. Her strategy for staying alive: 'Lock the doors, lock the cars and don't stay outside longer than you need to.' 'The victims were shot multiple times,' Tulsa Police Officer Jillian Roberson told NBC News. Police immediately began canvassing the area trying to find any witnesses to the crime, aside from the child who is believed to have been in the residence when the shooting occurred. Anyone with information on the case can contact Crime Stoppers at 918-596-COPS. | Victims identified as twins Rebeika Powell and Kayetie Melchor, 23; Misty Nunley, 33 and Julie Jackson, 55 . |
90,013 | ff9fab67f1526f41e521ce5a24e537db9e25273a | Former world champion boxer Antonio Cermeno was kidnapped and killed in his native Venezuela amid ongoing violence, police said Tuesday. Cermeno, a WBA super bantamweight and featherweight champion in the 1990s, was found shot to death today on a road in the central state of Miranda, local police chief Eliseo Guzman said. Guzman said Cermeno and other relatives were kidnapped Monday night near the La Urbina neighborhood in east Caracas. Warrior: in this Dec. 21, 1996 file photo, . Venezuela's Antonio Cermeno, left, fights Japan's Yuichi Kasai in a WBA . Junior Featherweight Championship bout in Las Vegas. Cermeno was found shot . to death in Venezuela . Heyday: Boxing promoter Don King (R) pictured with Cermeno, who retired in 2006 with a 45-7 record . The relatives were able to escape to . safety when the kidnappers stopped to refuel the car, but the former . boxer remained captive, Guzman said. Cermeno, 44, retired in 2006 with a 45-7 record. The blog BoxingScene reported Tuesday that Cermeno was snatched Monday night near the hotel Makro La Urbina, where he was staying with his family. His body turned up early this morning along the Caucagua-Higuerote Highway. Born in 1969 in Rio Chico, Cermeno was proclaimed the WBA champion after defeating Puerto Rican boxer Wilfredo Vazquez in 1995. After his retirement from professional boxing, Cermeno devoted his time to charity work and promoting young athletes as part of the program Street Boxing in Venezuela. More violence: A man on a motorcycle was pictured last week moving Venezuelan beauty queen and student Genesis Carmona after she was fatally wounded by a bullet to the head during a protest against Venezuelan government on February 18 . Too young: The 22-year-old Miss Tourism 2013 was gunned down while taking part in a demonstration against the goverment of President Nicolas Maduro in Valencia . His slaying comes on the heels of the killing of beauty queen Genesis Carmona, 22, who was shot in the head by members of the armed militias known as 'colectivos' who opened fire on a demonstration in Valencia last Tuesday. In early January, popular soap-opera actress and former Miss Venezuela Monica Spear, 29, and her husband, 39-year-old Thomas Henry Berry, were killed by robbers. The couple were returning to the capital city of Caracas with their 5-year-old daughter when they were ambushed and shot dead. The high-profile slayings highlight spiraling violent crime in Venezuela, which is one of the spurs to opposition protests that have rocked the South American country in recent weeks. The United Nations ranks Venezuela's homicide rate as the fifth highest in the world. Ambushed: Popular soap-opera actress and former Miss Venezuela Monica Spear (left and right), 29, and her husband, 39-year-old Thomas Henry Berry (left), were killed by robbers in Venezuela last month . Nation divided: A youth walks under a large Venezuelan flag during a rally organized by workers of the National Telecommunications Company or CANTV to show support for the government in Caracas . The non-government Venezuelan Observatory of Violence estimates the country's murder rate has quadrupled in 15 years of socialist rule. Also on Tuesday, Mario Briceno Iragorry, the mayor of the coastal Venezuelan city of Maracay, said that an anti-government protester was found dead inside a supermarket during a violent clash. Details about the man were not immediately available. His death brings the toll to at least 16 since a series of protests that began February 12. The protests have declined in recent days and the capital was largely free of barricades on Tuesday. Chaos: Demonstrators run through clouds of tear gas launched by riot police at the end of an anti-government government protest in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday . Please for help: A demonstrator holds a homemade poster in front of a cordon of National Bolivarian National Guard during a protest near the Cuban embassy in Caracas, Venezuela Tuesday . Fury: Protestors urge motorists to honk their horns during a rally near the Cuban embassy agaisnt what they consider the communist nation's interference in Venezuela's internal affairs . Allegiance: A woman and girl wave a Venezuelan flag from their apartment as they watch a march by workers from the National Telecommunications Company CANTV pass below their apartment in Caracas Tuesday . Opponents of President Nicolas Maduro have been staging countrywide protests that the government says have left more than a dozen dead and at least 150 wounded. Authorities have detained 579 people, of whom 45, including nine police officers and members of the National Guard, remain in custody, Attorney General Luisa Ortega Diaz said. The opposition blames Maduro's administration for the country's high crime rate and economic troubles and says his socialist-inspired polices have led to shortages of basic goods and inflation above 50 per cent, among the world's highest, despite the country's vast oil reserves. The president blames the violence on right-wing opponents of his government, accusing them of receiving support from abroad. Flaring tempers: A student throws a burning object during a protest in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday night . Unrest: Demonstrators participate in a protest against the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Altamira, east of Caracas, Monday . | Antonio Cermeno, 44, WBA super bantamweight and featherweight champion in the 1990s, was found shot dead on a road in Miranda state .
Retired boxer and philanthropist had been kidnapped with his family from their hotel in east Caracas .
Cermeno's death comes a week after slaying of 22-year-old beauty queen Genesis Carmona during protest in Valencia . |
143,179 | 45289be7ca13c911da35184883851c66aff5cb6f | Manny Pacquiao took time out of his negotiations with Floyd Mayweather Jnr over a possible $300m mega-fight to sing Disney's Let It Go. The 35-year-old welterweight boxer showed his softer side by belting out the Disney song which features in 2013 feature film Frozen. Pacquiao has revealed in the past that he enjoys singing when he is away from the boxing ring. Passionate: Manny Pacquiao belts out a rendition of Disney theme tune Let It Go . The Filipino, who is scheduled to fight Chris Algieri in November, appeared on Fox Sports to sing a NFL tribute song earlier this week. Pacquiao has released two music albums during his career behind the mic and featured on a collaboration track in 2013. The southpaw fighter is confident of finally landing a fight with Mayweather after years of discussions between the two camps. Pacquiao said on the possibility of fighting the unbeaten American: 'There are serious negotiations with the Mayweather camp and my promoter.' When asked if the fight would take place in May, he added: 'Probably for next year.' | The boxer enjoys singing during time away from the ring .
Manny Pacquiao has released two albums during his career behind the mic .
The Filipino is hoping to fight Floyd Mayweather Jnr in 2015 . |
134,539 | 3a013e0e34852ec1592a2aafbdaae38d9ca01b82 | A designer is turning roadkill into high-end fashion in an attempt to prove that it is possible to source cruelty-free fur. Patricia Paquin, the Vermont-based founder of fashion label Petite Mort, picks up discarded animal carcasses from the side of the road and turns the skins into a variety of beautiful fur accessories, from leg warmers to hand muffs which are all made to measure and range in price from $380 to $1,000. 'It's so much a part of everyday life to see these animals,' Paquin told Modern Farmer of her decision to start working with roadkill. 'Who of us doesn't look away? You don't want to see it because when you fully soak in the meaning of what happened, it's emotionally draining.' 'It's ethical': Designer Pamela Paquin uses roadkill carcasses to create her designs in order to prove that it is possible to source ethical fur . And while some might be shocked at Paquin's slightly bizarre choice of materials, she points out that more than seven times as many animals die as a result of being hit by a car every year, than are killed for their fur each year. According to Culture Change, 1 million animals a day are killed by cars - or 365 million a year - in comparison to the 50 million which die as a result of fashion's ever-present need for fur. 'The scale of it is so overwhelming — you can't possibly wrap your head around the suffering that went into those numbers,' Paquin added. So high are America's roadkill numbers, that there has been a serious increase in the number of people turning to discarded roadside carcasses as a cheap source of meat. Last year saw a surge in 'roadkill cuisine' which is being marketed by experts as the 'ethical way to eat meat'. When it comes to fashion, however, Paquin's set-up is completely unique, and something which has been years in the making. Cash for carcasses: Pamela's custom-made designs range in price from $380 to $1,000 . Having finally decided to take the plunge and set up her business - after returning to the US following a seven-year stint living and working in Denmark - Paquin turned to a local taxidermist in Vermont, who taught her how to skin the discarded animals. 'We both had a shot of whiskey, I put some peppermint oil under my nose, and we found a branch in the woods to hang this thing from,' she said of her first experience skinning an animal - a raccoon which she had found at the side of the road. 'It was super intense.' While the process of preparing the furs might seem slightly brutal, Paquin's love and respect for animals is evident. Drawing on her Native American heritage, the designer blesses each body with a prayer to honor the animal spirit, before returning them to nature, leaving the animals in the woods near her studio. 'It was super intense': Pamela asked a local taxidermist to teach her how to skin the animals properly . And it seems that the fashion industry is staring to cotton on to the idea of ethical fur; Paquin's business is booming and orders for her bespoke roadkill designs are coming in thick and fast. Thus far, she has fashioned everything from hats to gloves out of her roadkill furs, marking each one with a specially-designed silver disc so that they know it is a one-of-a-kind, ethical product. 'People need to look at the fur and say okay, that’s Petite Mort, it’s an ethical fur,' she says of the distinctive label. | Pamela Paquin founded fashion label Petite Mort in an attempt to show animal-lovers that it is possible to source cruelty-free furs .
The Vermont-based designer blesses each animal using a Native American prayer to honor its spirit . |
124,917 | 2d76322196d1472e0f62f18c3c2b57d3ab356c8d | By . Lucy Waterlow . PUBLISHED: . 06:31 EST, 17 May 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 09:21 EST, 17 May 2013 . Harriet Harman's Older Women’s Commission is seeking to redress the balance of men and women over 50 in prominent roles in TV. Their research has found that just five per cent of the presenters on our screens are women aged 50 plus, as 'older women fall into a black hole in broadcasting' and are 'airbrushed' from our screens when they age. Anna Ford, 69, for one, has complained that is all down to ageism and sexism and that women should . not be 'shown the door' as soon as they have a grey hair or wrinkle when . the same doesn't apply to men. But one female commentator is far from sympathetic. Freelance journalist Carol Sarler said these women who now have 'sour . grapes' about their lack of opportunities on telly only have themselves . to blame. Too late to complain: Carol Sarler, left, said women like Anna Ford, right, should have spoken out about sexism in TV in their youth . Writing today in The Times, . she says they should have thought about their career longevity in their youth - when they instead were happy to trade on their looks in order to get ahead of 'plainer' women. She said: 'The problems didn't start when on-screen women got older; they started when they were 25 and perfectly happy to muscle past their . plainer-Jane colleagues by primping and preening themselves into what . passes for contemporary beauty: big eyes, glossed lips, defined breasts, . dieted hips.' She said that women such as Joan Bakewell and Selina Scott 'tacitly colluded' with the TV tradition that women were not there to 'present the news but to decorate it.' And so they shouldn't be surprised that their greying hair and wrinkled skins means this is no longer a possibility. 'Thinking man's crumpet': Joan Bakewell, left, and Selina Scott shouldn't have traded on their looks when they were younger . 'They sold their souls to the Devil decades ago and now comes playback,' as Carol puts it. She adds that women like Ms Ford should not resent the men like David Dimbleby and John Simpson who are still on TV in their twilight years. She said it's 'irrelevant' that these men now look like 'dinosaurs' because they were never hired for their looks in the first place. Labour deputy leader Miss Harman wants the lack of older women on TV to be readdressed. Women take note: Older men like David Dimbleby remain on TV because they were hired for their knowledge, not their appearance . She said: 'It is not that women aren’t there. It . is that they get to a certain age, then they find they are near the exit . and they get pushed out the door.' Miss Harman previously raised the issue of ageism in TV in parliament in 2009 when Arlene Phillips, 66, was sacked from the panel of Strictly Come Dancing in favour of Alesha Dixon, 30. 'I think it's absolutely shocking that Arlene Phillips is not going to be a judge on Strictly Come Dancing. And as equality minister, I am suspicious that there is age discrimination there,' she said at the time. Figures released by Miss Harman's commission this week reveal that the BBC employs just 25 women aged over 50 out of 413 regular presenters. Pushed out: Arlene Phillips, left, was replaced with a younger model on Strictly Come Dancing, while Esther Rantzen said she would 'collapse in shock' if she was offered a mainstream presenting job . This is better than Channel 5 and ITN, who do not employ any older women presenters at all, and Sky News, which has only one. Former Countryfile presenter Miriam . O’Reilly, 56, who won a landmark ageism case against the BBC in 2011, . said the latest figures were 'shocking'. Meanwhile, Esther Rantzen, 72, told the Daily Mail that the figures didn't come as a surprise to her as she would 'collapse in shock' if she was offered another . mainstream presenting job. She said older women were only given 'token' roles. But Ms Sarler believes rather than bemoaning the system, change has to come from women themselves. She said today's generation of presenters should consider their long-term careers when they are younger and rely on their knowledge, not their appearance, to get ahead. She explained: 'As the men have proved, start as you mean to go on and you go on longer.' | Just 5% of the presenters on our screens are women aged 50 plus .
Out-of-work older female presenters cry sexism and ageism .
But Carol Sarler says it's their own fault they're no longer in demand .
They should have traded on knowledge, not appearance, in their youth .
Instead they 'preened' themselves to 'decorate' the news . |
248,506 | cd88768bdbae173876a73598f37a835ef4f54f70 | The Philadelphia Eagles are on the brink of elimination from the playoff race after a 27-24 loss to the Washington Redskins. Kai Forbath kicked a 26-yard field goal with five seconds remaining to snap the Redskins' six-game losing streak. The Eagles lost their third in a row to fall to 9-6. They need the Dallas Cowboys to lose their final two games to have a shot at repeating as NFC East champions. Mark Sanchez turned the ball over twice as the Eagles' season continues to unravel . Washington won for the first time in seven games as the NFC East turned in the Dallas Cowboys' favour . Mark Sanchez committed two turnovers for the Eagles, including an interception that led to the winning field goal. The Redskins improved to 4-11. Robert Griffin III returned as the Washington starter and won in his first complete game in more than a year. He went 16 for 23 for 220 yards with one interception. In Santa Clara, California, the 49ers looked set to eliminate the Chargers from the play-off hunt when quarterback Colin Kaepernick completed an astonishing 90-yard touchdown run late in the third, the second longest by a QB in NFL history. The Chargers were down by 14 points after three quarters but Rivers responded magnificently, throwing two touchdown passes, the second an 11-yard effort to Malcolm Floyd with just 29 seconds left to send the game to overtime and they eventually won 38-35. The result does not guarantee San Diego (9-6) a spot in the play-offs, but it gives them a fighting chance. 'I was the main reason we were in that big hole (at half-time), but it's awesome to fight back to win,' Rivers said. 'We said this is the first round of the playoffs for us. We won the first round. We've got a long way to go though.' | The Eagles lost 24-27 in Washington - their fourth defeat in six .
The Redskins won their first in seven after Kai Forbath's late field goal .
The Dallas Cowboys can wrap up the NFC East with a win against the Colts .
Mark Sanchez turned the ball over twice and Cody Parkey missed two field goal attempts . |
129,627 | 3390f51bf3bc24dd87e672c37a567957506ed85f | (CNN)The arduous search for a missing technology executive and five others feared dead after a suspicious fire destroyed a mansion in Annapolis, Maryland, could take days, fire officials said Tuesday. The 16,000-square-foot waterfront house belonged to executive Don Pyle, chief operating officer for ScienceLogic, company spokesman Antonio Piraino said. Pyle was believed to have been at home with his wife, Sandy, and four grandchildren. The sheer size of the structure and the fact that three-fourths of the building had collapsed into the basement, with piles of deep-seeded debris still smoldering, compounded the search, said Anne Arundel County Fire Capt. Robert Howarth, who is leading the investigation along with a team from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. "Your looking at five standard houses put together," he said. "This is more of commercial fire than it is a residential fire. There are a lot of businesses that aren't 16,000 square feet. That adds to it." Pyle had not been heard from on Monday, and his colleagues at ScienceLogic were "hoping for a miracle," CNN affiliate WJLA-TV in Washington reported. By midday Tuesday, fire officials had not been able to search the still-burning ruins, Howarth said. Heavy equipment is being moved in over the next 12 hours to aid in the search for victims and clues -- a process that could take days. "We have some very unique challenges with this house," Howarth said. "The construction of the house contained a lot of very heavy materials. We're looking at some steel beams that weigh in the area of 7 tons." When the first firefighters arrived on the scene early Monday, they received conflicting reports about whether the family may have been out of town. But after interviews with relatives, it was determined that six members of the family were not accounted for, Anne Arundel County fire officials said. "We still do not have 100% proof that they're in this house," Howarth said. Fire officials said they were alerted to the fire about 3:30 a.m. Monday. About 80 firefighters responded. The ATF national response team responded because the fire was deemed suspicious, Howarth said. The burned-out home is being treated as a crime scene until investigators figure out the cause, he said. The Anne Arundel County Fire Department said crews had difficulty knocking down the blaze because the house is secluded, apparently with no fire hydrants on the scene. Photos the fire department posted on Twitter showed hoses stretched for long distances. Capt. Russ Davies, Anne Arundel County fire spokesman, said it took hours for fire department tanker trucks and a fire boat on an adjacent creek to bring the fire under control. Pyle's company bio described him as a industry veteran who has held multiple CEO positions, with more than 25 years' experience in information technology infrastructure software and hardware management. Pyle told The Washington Post last year that after holding positions in a family business he decided to look for an "industry that was in its infancy and something that would have growth potential." He started in a sales position in a firm that connected computers over transmission lines, and later sold both hardware and software components for the Internet. Pyle told the newspaper he eventually moved from sales to sales management to general management positions. In 1992, the company went public and was sold to Cisco Systems five years later for $4.2 billion, according to the Post. CNN's Ralph Ellis, Shimon Prokupecz and Lindy Royce contributed to this report . | Fire destroyed a 16,000-square-foot mansion, a fire official says .
Technology executive Don Pyle owned the house .
Search for people missing after mansion fire could take days, fire official says . |
52,843 | 95e19259e747a745803ca14d2ebf310a71f9acbd | By . Lucy Osborne . In her application to take part in Miss England, Danielle Tyler wrote of how her greatest achievement in life is her three-year-old daughter. She was ecstatic to be accepted into the beauty pageant – only to have her dreams dashed weeks later when she was told she could not participate after all. The reason? Because she is a mother. Scroll down for video . Furious: Danielle Tyler, pictured here with her daughter Annelise, was kicked out of the Miss England because they are against mothers competing . Model: 'I was really upset when I found out and very annoyed about it,' says Danielle, pictured here . The 23-year-old said the organisers of the 86-year-old competition informed her it is against their policy to accept entrants who have children. Miss Tyler, who is a full-time mother to Annelise and has taken part in some modelling projects, said: ‘I had started to get really excited about the competition. I was really upset when I found out, it’s a disgrace. 'I am a proud young mum and I even said in my application that my biggest achievement was having my daughter. ‘It was only when a friend mentioned their “no children” policy I decided to question it and that is when I was notified by email that I could no longer take part – despite having been accepted two weeks before. It is an outdated rule.’ Proud: 'I even said in my application that my biggest achievement was having my daughter,' says Danielle . Disappointed: Danielle, left and right with daughter Annelise, had her initial application for Miss England accepted and spent two weeks rallying support from friends and family to qualify for the next stage . Sweet: Danielle, mother to Annelise, pictured here, claims she was told that despite being accepted she could no longer continue in the competition, due to Miss England's policy of entrants not being allowed to be mothers . Determined: Danielle hasn't let her experience discourage her ambition and she has now qualified for the Miss Midlands final of Miss Great Britain, which does allow mothers to enter . Stunning: Modelling shots of Danielle, who has qualified for Miss Great Britain after being shunned from Miss England on account of being a mother . Director of Miss England Angie Beasley said: ‘Miss World and Miss England are both run by mothers who value highly normal family values. It is unfair on the child and her family to take the mother away for the year while she travels the globe. ‘It raises issues about who would take care of the child. Surely it seems obvious to anyone that for a mother to devote herself fully to a role such as Miss England it would be unfair on any child.’ Miss Tyler, from Belper, Derbyshire, has not let the experience discourage her and has qualified for the Miss Midlands final of Miss Great Britain, which does allow mums. She added: ‘I am delighted Miss Great Britain has a positive attitude towards mothers.’ | Danielle Tyler, 23, from Derbyshire was initially accepted for the competition .
Two weeks later she was notified by email of their 'no children' policy .
'My biggest achievement was having my daughter,' says Danielle . |
278,032 | f431c30eebd7d5ce9d2c84da8b4069e38815ed16 | David Cameron has claimed the fight against Islamist extremism was a 'generational' battle . A shocked David Cameron tonight hit out at the ‘absolutely disgusting, despicable’ murder of US hostage Steven Sotloff, after a video was posted online showing his apparent beheading. It comes just two weeks after an almost identical video was posted online showing the killing of US journalist James Foley. The Prime Minister was addressing Tory MPs in a private meeting in Parliament when gloating ISIS executioners released the footage. At the end of the meeting of the Conservative backbench 1922 committee, Mr Cameron was seen looking at his blackberry before emerging to address journalists. He said: ‘I’ve just seen the news. It is an absolutely disgusting, despicable act.’ The killer is believed to a British jihadist nicknamed ‘John’ by captives who was responsible for the first beheading. In the video he says: ‘I am back, Obama, and I am back because of your arrogant foreign policy towards the Islamic State, because of your insistence on continuing your bombings and ... on Mosul Dam, despite our serious warnings. ‘Just as your missiles continue to strike our people, our knife will continue to strike the necks of your people.’ The extremist also warns other governments against entering ‘this evil alliance of America against the Islamic State’. It comes just 24 hours after Mr Cameron outlined a fresh crack down on extremists returning from the Middle East to wage war on Britain. He told MPs in a Commons statement that police will be given the power to seize the passports of terror suspects trying to join jihadists fighting in Iraq and Syria. He also revealed the Government was considering new powers to force jihadis living in the UK to relocate, while airlines will be compelled to hand over passenger lists before flights take off. New laws will be considered to prevent terrorists returning to 'wreak havoc' on the streets of Britain by removing their citizenship if they are fighting for ISIS abroad. The Prime Minister also admitted the Government would 'continue to consider' what further action Britain could take against the ISIS fighters in the Middle East - including what 'military measures we might take'. Mr Cameron was asked directly if he was 'open to the idea of direct military participation in airstrikes'. He replied: 'I don't rule anything out. I don't think we should.' He added: 'We should consider everything.' The Prime Minister only last week warned that ISIS was now a ‘greater threat to our security’ in Britain than ‘we have seen before’. American journalist Steven Sotloff was murdered by an ISIS extremist, according to a video released online . Mr Sotloff's murder follows the killing of his compatriot James Foley last month . US journalists Steven Sotloff (left) and James Foley (right) were held hostage for years by ISIS fighters looking to ransom them for millions of dollars . Mr Cameron said the first murder was ‘clear evidence, not that any more was needed, that this is not some foreign conflict thousands of miles from home that we can hope to ignore’. He said: ‘The ambition to create an extremist caliphate in the heart of Iraq and Syria is a threat to our own security here in the UK." The first film showed Mr Foley, 40, who worked for organisations including Agence France-Presse and went missing in Syria in 2012, kneeling in a desert-like environment at an unknown location as an ISIS fighter stands by his side dressed in black and with his face covered. Speaking with an apparently English accent, the killer accused America of ‘aggression towards the Islamic state’, adding: ‘You have plotted against us and gone far out of your way to find reasons to interfere in our affairs. He said further actions in Iraq by America ‘will result in the bloodshed of your people’. Mr Cameron told MPs yesterday that the Government needed to tighten rules monitoring extremists at home and abroad . Mr Cameron said ISIS was trying to carve out a ‘terrorist state’ which posed a greater threat to Britain than al-Qaeda or the Taliban. He said: ‘The ambition to create an extremist caliphate in the heart of Iraq and Syria is a threat to our own security here in the UK.’ Mr Cameron added: ‘What we are facing in Iraq now with Isil (Islamic State) is a greater threat to our security than we have seen before.’ | It comes just two weeks after compatriot James Foley was beheaded .
The Prime Minister learnt of the killing after addressing Tory MPs tonight .
It comes just a day after he outlined a fresh crack down on extremists . |
42,032 | 7693784afa0dc37610960b2196f08ac9b6bf4230 | Washington (CNN) -- As Republican candidates attack one another on the campaign trail, Republican outside spending groups are taking aim at President Barack Obama over failed energy company Solyndra. Given such easy targets as the poor state of the economy and mortgage foreclosures, why take aim at Obama on Solyndra? Both parties view Obama's ethical standards and his personal likability among his greatest strengths with voters, and deep-pocketed GOP groups want to change that image. They see Solyndra as a way to erode the president's brand as ethical and honest. Since the fall, two Republican outside spending groups have collectively spent $9.4 million on four ads attacking Obama for his administration's $535 million loan to Solyndra. The ads accuse the president of being part of "typical Washington" and engaged in "politics as usual." The latest assault, a 30-second spot by Karl Rove-advised Crossroads GPS, says the Obama "gave his political backers billions." At first look, the ads seem to challenge the president over spending and the role that government should play in the economy. But they also make a more emotional appeal, attempting to imprint in voters' minds that the Obama of 2012 is not the same candidate who ran in 2008 on the promise to "drain the swamp" in Washington. Put simply, the ads seek to undermine the perception that Obama is an ethical politician. Tim Phillips, president of Americans for Prosperity, which spent $8.4 million airing Solyndra-themed ads, said, "We have a president who proclaimed he was going to be different, and it turns out he is not. He is just the same old, same old we've seen from politicians in both parties over the years." Phillips said the administration "has not lived up to its own lofty rhetoric" and believes the president "is using tax dollars by the bushel-full to promote his ideology, an ideology that leads to cronyism." Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has picked up on theme, telling a Jacksonville, Florida, crowd Monday: "He practices something I call crony capitalism, and instead of it being driven by the market and consumers, it's driven by politicians." This strategy is what you'd call attacking a perceived strength. A November ABC News/Washington Post poll suggested that 57% of Americans believe the president is honest and ethical. And operatives on both sides of the aisle acknowledge that Obama remains well-liked personally even when his job performance numbers are low. Some operatives say that could count for a point or two in a close race and could be meaningful in November. Steven Law, CEO and president of American Crossroads and Crossroads GPS, explained that voters who are still impressionable include independents, "soft" Democrats and Republicans who voted for Obama in 2008 but now "feel a deep sense of disappointment." Law said his research shows while this group of voters believes the president is "not up to the job," they're still "looking for signs of success" and "want to validate their decision" to vote for him. At the same time, he says Obama "is starting to own part of the D.C. dysfunction" and these voters "fault (the president) for failing to clean up Washington." That's where these ads come in. "When (the president) says he wants to change rules of game to help people, what it looks like is Solyndra," Law said. "It reminds people that his interventions lead to failure and poor results and wasting money." As the president tries to run away from Washington, these ads attempt to anchor him in the swamp. All this is not lost on the Obama campaign. The Solyndra ad war prompted the Obama team to play defense. Its first ad of the election was a spot reacting to Americans for Prosperity's Solyndra ads, calling them "ads (that) fact checkers say are not tethered to the facts." The Obama campaign ad continues, "Independent watchdogs call this president's record on ethics unprecedented" and "President Obama kept his promise to toughen ethics rules and strengthen America's energy economy." Despite this seemingly defensive posture, Democratic operatives are adamant the president's record on ethics -- dating back to his days in the Illinois Legislature -- makes him unshakable on this count and Republican groups can throw millions at him without making a dent. Expect those millions to flow. The groups plan to keep their messaging -- they call it "advocacy" -- going. Together, Americans for Prosperity, American Crossroads and Crossroads GPS raised more than $100 million in 2011. | Republican outside groups have spent $9.4 million on ads critical of President Barack Obama .
Ads accuse Obama of being part of "typical Washington" and engaged in "politics as usual"
Strategy attempts to erode public's belief that Obama is honest and ethical .
Democrats: GOP groups can throw millions at Obama without making a dent . |
83,164 | ebcf0eda18a95d0bab184a4949f4b45cf1072225 | The trial of a high-profile Chinese activist accused of organizing protests against official corruption wrapped up after a one-day hearing on Wednesday, his lawyer told CNN. Prosecutors alleged that Xu Zhiyong "gathered a crowd to disturb public order" after a series of small protests when demonstrators unfurled banners in Beijing calling for officials to publicly declare their assets, lawyer Zhang Qingfang said. Zhang added that said Xu could face up to five years in prison if he is found guilty. The lawyer did not know when the verdict would be announced but said he assumed his client would be found guilty because of the political nature of the case. Xu founded the New Citizens Movement, which calls for official transparency and rule of law. In court, Xu tried to read a prepared statement highlighting the goals of the movement and declaring his innocence but was interrupted by the judge when he spoke about wanting top leaders to be transparent about their assets, his lawyer said. "Calling on officials to reveal their assets was our effort to promote the country's anti-graft system," Xu said before being removed from the courtroom, according to his lawyer. "More than 137 countries and regions in the world have established such systems, why can't China? What are those 'people's servants' afraid of?" The trial has attracted widespread attention and authorities have come down hard on international media covering the case. A CNN crew was prevented from approaching and filming the court house and CNN's Beijing correspondent, David McKenzie, was kicked, pushed and punched by Chinese security before being forced into a nearby van and driven away. Embarrassing revelations . Xu's trial began amid new and potentially embarrassing revelations about the wealth of China's elite. The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists reported that close relatives of China's top leaders own offshore companies in international tax havens. The report said that confidential files showed that President Xi Jinping's brother-in-law and the son of former Premier Wen Jiabao had set up companies in the British Virgin Islands. While not illegal, the findings shed light on the wealth of the country's leaders at a time when President Xi is intensifying his campaign against high-level corruption, the report said. Groundbreaking causes . Xu was arrested on July 16 after spending more than three months under house arrest at his Beijing home. A former law lecturer at the Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Xu has a reputation for taking on groundbreaking legal causes. He has campaigned for death row inmates and families effected by a poisoned milk formula scandal in 2009. Searches for Xu's name and "constitutional rule" were blocked on Chinese microblogs and search engines. In December, John Kerry, U.S. Secretary of State, appealed for Xu's release and that of other activists. | NEW Trial of Chinese anti-corruption activist Xu Zhiyong wraps up .
Authorities came down hard on international media covering the trial .
CNN correspondent says he was kicked, pushed and punched by Chinese security .
Trial comes amid potentially embarrassing revelations about the wealth of China's elite . |
44,943 | 7ea7b2df270b77d7786d04e98c3ca69b2295d3c2 | By . Harriet Arkell . PUBLISHED: . 04:49 EST, 1 February 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 12:28 EST, 1 February 2013 . When Craig Parkinson had thousands of pounds worth of equipment stolen from his farmyard, the police took a statement, gave him a crime reference number, and drew up a list of the missing items. But when a week later they appeared no nearer to catching the culprit, Mr Parkinson decided to take matters into his own hands. The farmer and part-time mole catcher logged onto internet auction sites and searched first for a pressure washer similar to the one that had been stolen. Farmer Craig Parkinson, left, traced thief Christopher Taylor, right, after Taylor put his stolen goods on eBay . £15,000 haul: When Lancashire police raided Taylor's home, they found goods from several other burglaries . Not only did he find someone trying to sell a model identical to his, but when Mr Parkinson clicked on the seller's other photographs, he saw boxes of his stolen gear lined up in the background. After duping the seller into agreeing to a viewing, Mr Parkinson carried out a secret reconnaissance of his property - then handed over his dossier of information over to police. Officers acting on Mr Parkinson's information raided the home of Christopher Taylor in Southport, Merseyside and arrested him and recovered the stolen goods. Inquiries revealed he had carried out 15 other raids. During the raid officers found items worth around £15,000, including two expensive mountain bikes, that had been stolen from more than a dozen West Lancashire farms. This week Taylor, 27, was jailed after admitting burglary at Liverpool Crown Court. Father-of-two Mr Parkinson, who owns a flock of 60 sheep and runs a separate mole catching business in Tarleton, Lancashire said: 'I was delighted to get the stuff back but I was very disappointed in the initial police reaction. This image shows the van used by Christopher Taylor to steal goods from Craig Parkinson's Lancashire farm. Valuable farm equipment: Christopher Taylor was caught after he advertised the goods for sale on the internet . 'They go on about rural crime killing business in the countryside and I agree with them, but it seemed they weren't taking this burglary seriously enough. 'I'm sure what I did is no different to the old days of victims of burglary going round the second-hand shops to see if their stolen stuff is up for sale. But I do wish police would do their bit more too. 'I'm sure that if I had not done what I did, I probably wouldn't have got my stuff back.' Mr Parkinson discovered around £4,000 of machinery and stock had been stolen from one of his outbuildings in an overnight raid last September. Among the items taken were tools, fencing and containers. He initially reported the theft to Lancashire police but lost patience when they had not tracked the thief down, and decided to do some digging for himself. Within minutes of logging on to eBay, he saw his Ryobi pressure washer being sold by a man in Southport. Other photographs posted by the vendor showed boxes of farming equipment stolen from Mr Parkinson's farm piled up in the background. DIY detective: Craig Parkinson traced his stolen goods himself after he says the police failed to find the thief . Taylor's lawyer said he was unemployed and in financial difficulties when he stole the farming equipment . Mr Parkinson said: 'I couldn't believe the gall of him when I saw pictures of my stuff for sale. 'In the pictures, I could even see the rest of my stuff in boxes in the background. I said to my wife, Eve: "Come and look at this, it's unbelievable!". 'It was amazing that all of my stuff had been stolen and just days later I could see it all brazenly up for sale on the internet. I certainly didn't hold out much hope that I would ever see any of the items again but there it all was.' 'I rang the police to tell them about my lead and yet no one called me back. I was so worried I might lose my lead I sent the seller a message on eBay saying I was interested in buying the pressure washer. 'Amazingly he sent me a message back saying it was fine to take a look and gave me his address so I could come and view it.' Mr Parkinson then staked out the house, noting down vehicle registration numbers of cars coming and going from the property and trying to see if he could spot any of his stolen items. Another image of the vast array of goods stolen by Christopher Taylor, who is now in jail after admitting burglary . He printed out all of the pictures from eBay and gave them to Skelmersdale CID with his other information. He added: 'I told them "That's all of the evidence, now go out and arrest them". 'It wasn't particularly difficult what I did; I was just so frustrated that no-one in the police seemed to be taking the case seriously.' 'I was really disappointed in the police but mainly I just wanted to stand up for small businesses. I didn't think that they were taking the burglary seriously so I took matters into my own hands. 'To me £4,000 is a lot, and I know that most of the time victims of crime like this don't get the stolen items back. 'I'm pleased he's been caught: these yobbos need to know that their behaviour is not acceptable.' At Liverpool Crown Court Taylor was given a five-month prison sentence plus an additional eight months after inquiries revealed he carried out his raids whilst under a suspended jail term for wounding. His lawyer Michael Hagerty said Taylor had been unemployed and in financial difficulties at the time of the offences. Sgt Steve Monk, from Lancashire Police, said: 'The warrant was issued after we received community intelligence. We are always grateful for this and do rely on local residents helping us to fight crime.' | Farmer Craig Parkinson, 48, found the man who raided yard on the internet .
Thief Christopher Taylor, 27, was advertising stolen goods on auction sites .
Mr Parkinson tricked thief into giving his address and gave dossier to CID .
Taylor jailed after admitting several burglaries at Liverpool Crown Court . |
165,367 | 61d8d31589cbb2c1bb7045f23b9f9cb47d2038a2 | Shoe trouble: Part of Imelda Marcos' shoe collection, left behind after she and her dictator husband were driven out of the Philippines, has been badly damaged by termites, floods and general neglect . She is famous for amassing a prized shoe collection that most women would kill for. But part of Imelda Marcos' shoe stash, left behind after she and her dictator husband were driven out of the Philippines, has been badly damaged by termites, floods and general neglect, officials said today. The Marcoses fled the Philippines at . the climax of the army-backed 'people power' revolt in 1986 and left behind staggering amounts . of personal belongings, clothes and art objects at the palace, including . at least 1,220 pairs of the former first lady's shoes. Among the damaged shoes are a pair of white Pierre Cardin heels, the sole of one destroyed by termites. Other shoes have . been warped out of shape or messed by stains. Hundreds of pieces of late strongman . Ferdinand Marcos' clothing, including the formal native see-through . Barong shirts he wore during his two-decade rule, have also begun to . gather mould and fray after being stored for years without protection at . the presidential palace and Manila's National Museum, officials added. Ironically, more than 150 boxes of . clothes, dress accessories and shoes of the Marcoses were transferred to . the National Museum for safekeeping two years ago after termites, . humidity and mould threatened the apparel at the riverside palace. There they deteriorated further as the . fragile boxes were abandoned in a padlocked museum hall that had no . facilities to protect them. Last month the pieces were further damaged . by tropical storm rains from a gushing leak in the ceiling, museum . officials said. Mould: Among the damaged shoes in the former First Lady's collection were these white Pierre Cardin heels . Damage: Ironically more than 150 boxes of clothes, dresses and shoes of the Marcoses were transferred to Manila's National Museum for safekeeping two years ago but were damaged in a flood last month . Lost relics: As well as shoes, long gowns, known as 'Terno', once worn by Imelda Marcos, are among the items to be damaged . Museum staffers, who were not aware the boxes contained precious mementoes from the Marcoses, opened the hall on the fourth floor of the building after noticing water pouring out from under the door. They were shocked to see Marcos' shoes and gowns when they opened the wet boxes, officials said. Workers hurriedly moved the boxes to a dry room and some were later brought to a museum laboratory, where a small team of curators scrambled to assess the extent of the damage, a process that may take months given the huge volume of the apparel. Some items have obviously been damaged by termites and mould beyond repair, according to museum curator Orlando Abinion, who is heading the effort. Impressive: Just some of the 3,000 plus shoes in the former First Lady's collection . Archives: As this 1986 picture shoes Imelda Marcos' shoe stash was stored on shelves in the basement of the Malacanang Palace in Manila before being transferred to the National Museum . 'We're doing a conservation rescue,' Abinion said. 'There was termite infestation and mould in past years, and these were aggravated by last month's storm. 'It's unfortunate because Imelda may have worn some of these clothes in major official events and as such have an important place in our history,' he said. Imelda Marcos, now a member of the House of Representatives, was not immediately available for comment Sunday. Shoe lover: Imelda Marcos' shoe collection became a symbol of excess in the Southeast Asian nation. Her love of shoes extended to other objects as well, as this 1999 picture, right, of her shoe-shaped telephone shows . Extravagant: Imelda Marcos, seen left in 1970 leaving Claridges in London to meet the Queen and right dropping off her son at school in England, claimed many of her shoes were gifts from Filipino shoemakers in suburban Marikina city, the country's shoe-making capital . The 83-year-old's massive shoe collection, said to be in the region of 3,000 pairs, including top U.S. and European brands, astounded the world and became a symbol of excess in the Southeast Asian nation, where many still walked barefoot out of abject poverty. After the 1986 revolt, Aquino had Imelda Marcos' shoes displayed at the presidential palace as a symbol of the former first lady's lavish lifestyle. The shoes were then removed from public view and stored in the palace basement when Aquino stepped down in 1992. Imelda Marcos claimed many of the shoes were gifts from Filipino shoemakers in suburban Marikina city, the country's shoemaking capital, for endorsing their products. Death: Mrs Marcos' husband Ferdinand Marcos died in exile in Hawaii in 1989 . Wrecked: Hundreds of pieces of the late Ferdinand Marcos' clothing, including his formal native Barong shirts, have also begun to . gather mould and fray after being stored at the . presidential palace and National Museum . Irreparable: National Museum curator Orlando Abinion called the damage to the Marcoses possessions 'unfortunate' as they had an important place in Manila's history . Marikina officials borrowed 800 pairs of her shoes in 2001 for a shoe museum, which has become a tourist spot. Massive flooding, however, damaged dozens of pairs of Marcos' shoes in Marikina in 2009. About 765 pairs, including famous brands like Gucci, Charles Jourdan, Christian Dior, Ferragamo, Chanel and Prada, survived the Marikina floods. The shoes still look remarkably new due to meticulous museum care, which includes displaying them in airtight and dust-free glass cabinets in an air-conditioned gallery, away from direct sunlight. The shoe collection draws a daily crowd of 50 to 100 Philippine and foreign tourists, who almost always leave in awe, museum manager Jane Ballesteros said. 'The first word they utter is "Wow," followed by the question, "Was she able to wear all of these?" 'When I say, yes, look at the scratches on the soles, the next reaction is, "Really?" It's amusing. Her shoes never fail to astound people years after.' Ferdinand Marcos . died in exile in Hawaii in 1989 and his widow and children returned . home years later. | Part of Imelda Marcos' famous shoe collection, some of her dresses and husband's clothes damaged by bugs and flood water .
Mrs Marcos left at least 1,220 pairs of shoes behind when she and dictator husband were driven out of Philippines in 1986 revolt .
765 pairs of Marcos' shoes remain undamaged in Marikina's shoe museum . |
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