Andreas Lubitz (above) had received treatment for 'suicidal tendencies' but doctors were apparently unable to tell his employer because of strict secrey laws introduced after WWII to prevent a repeat of government spying during the Nazi era . Strict German privacy laws which prevented doctors treating Andreas Lubitz from telling his airline about his 'suicidal tendencies' were introduced in response to Nazi rule. The Germanwings pilot had been forced to stop his training because of severe depression and had received psychotherapy for several years before last week's Alps disaster. But German law meant it was left entirely up to him to volunteer his mental health problems to his employer, something he failed to do with devastating consequences after tearing up a sick note for the day of the crash. The findings from the investigation have prompted heated debate in Germany on a patient's right to privacy, with Chancellor Angela Merkel proposing an inquiry to re-examine the law. Draconian legislation was initially brought in after World War Two to prevent a repeat of government spying during the Nazi era and subsequently the Stasi secret police in East Germany. This extends far beyond confidential medical data, however, to stringent protection of someone's identity, meaning many German publications only referred to Lubitz as Andreas L, even after his death. Further data protection laws traced back to 1907, which enshrines the 'right to your own picture', also mean images can only be published with the individual's consent, it was reported by the Times. With respect to medical data, the criminal code can ultimately leave doctors between a rock and a hard place. For it only allows them breach confidentiality when they have reason to believe that sharing their knowledge could prevent 'a particularly serious crime' or a threat to someone's life. They can face a year in prison if they wrongly breach privacy, but up to five years in jail for withholding 'credible information about the planning or commission' of serious acts like murder. Despite the variation in sentences, doctors have tended to favour the individual's privacy. Still reeling from last Tuesday's disaster that killed 150 people, many in Germany are now debating whether the potential to neutralise threats to public safety should trump doctor-patient privilege. A transport policy expert from Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats (CDU), Dirk Fischer, said strict confidentiality policy should be loosened when their patients work in sensitive fields. Professionals such as pilots 'should only see doctors designated by their employers,' Fischer told the daily Rheinische Post. He added that such doctors 'should be relieved of their pledge of secrecy in communication with the employer and the aviation authority'. Military vehicles arrive ahead of operations at the site of the Germanwings plane crash in Seyne-les-Alpes . A military vehicle carrying a crash site investigation team heads towards the site of the Germanwings Airbus A320 crash, in Seyne-les-Alpes in the French Alps . Member of parliament Thomas Jarzombek, also of the CDU, called for the creation of a commission of experts to study how to handle illnesses among those whose jobs mean they

Summary: Strict laws left it up to Andreas Lubitz to tell employers about health issues . But he tore up sick note on day of disaster with devastating consequences . Legislation brought in to stop a repeat of spying by Nazis and Stasi police . Debate rages in Germany over whether to loosen medical privacy laws .


Older women are dying needlessly from breast cancer because they are not offered screening on the NHS, MPs warn. They say it is wrong that women are no longer invited for mammograms once they reach 70 when they are more likely to die than those in their 50s and 60s. The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Breast Cancer also warns that an age-bias in the NHS is denying thousands of older women life-saving surgery and chemotherapy. They say attempts by ministers to end this culture have been ‘limited’, ‘disappointing’ and ‘too slow.’ The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Breast Cancer says it is wrong that women are no longer invited for mammograms once they reach 70 when they are more likely to die than those in their 50s and 60s (file image) Although the risk of breast cancer slightly declines once a women reaches 70, she is actually more likely to die from the illness than younger age groups. This is because the illness is often diagnosed in the late stages when it has already spread to the liver, brain or lungs and is difficult to treat. Experts say older women are less mindful of the symptoms than younger generations and tend to have a stoical attitude so don’t want to bother their GP . The NHS’s screening programme invites women for three-yearly mammograms between the ages of 50 and 70. Older women can still have X-rays for free but they must go to the trouble of finding a clinic and booking an appointment on their own initiative. MPs also fear that thousands of older women are being denied life-saving surgery or chemotherapy . Tory MP Steve Brine, chairman of the group, said this led women to wrongly assume that once they had passed 70 they were ‘in the clear’. He added: ‘There are generational issues. Young women are quite comfortable about talking about this whereas the older generation aren’t. ‘We are concerned at the slow pace of change. Whilst some progress has been made, there is still a lot of work to do in ensuring that older people with breast cancer receive the care, treatment and support that is most appropriate to them. 'Women should be given treatment on their fitness, not their age.’ There are 8,300 cases of breast cancer in the UK a year in women in their 70s, compared to 12,800 in their 60s and 10,600 in their 50s. 'But more than half of the 12,000 women who die of breast cancer a year are over 70. Dr Fran Woodard, of Macmillan Cancer Support, said: ‘Too often older people don’t get treatment when they need it. 'Also, older women are more likely to have the perception that they are wasting a doctor’s time, which means they can delay visiting a doctor and are therefore more likely to be diagnosed later.’ Scientists have developed a scoring system to predict the risk of developing heart disease or a stroke within ten years. The Globorisk calculator, developed to work out risk in any country, can be used for adults aged 40 and over

Summary: MPs warn it is wrong that women are not asked for mammograms from 70 . They say women aged 70+ are more likely to die than those in 50s and 60s . Group warns that NHS age-bias is denying thousands surgery and chemo . Claims attempts by ministers to end culture are 'disappointing' and 'slow'


Harry Kane has been named the Barclays Premier League player of the month for the second successive time. The Tottenham striker scored four goals, including a brace against north London rivals Arsenal and the equaliser against West Ham. Kane is only the fourth player to win the award twice in a row, joining Cristiano Ronaldo, Dennis Bergkamp and Robbie Fowler. Harry Kane's form has been the highlight of Tottenham's season so far . Kane celebrates after scoring against Arsenal in Spurs' 2-1 win at White Hart Lane . Kane scores his second goal of the match in the derby win against their North London rivals . Robbie Fowler (Liverpool) - December 1995 and January 1996 . Dennis Bergkamp (Arsenal) - August and September 1997 . Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United) - November and December 2006 . Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur) - January and February 2015 . Kane, who has been tipped to win his first England call-up later this month, said: 'I'm very happy, very pleased. It’s an honour. To win this award once, let alone twice in two months is special. 'Against Arsenal, winning 2-1, and getting both the goals was a special day for myself, for my career and for the club itself.' The 21-year-old his sights set on becoming the first man to win the award three months in a row. He said: 'To make history would be something very special. Obviously I’ve scored a couple so far this month. 'Still a few more games to go, so hopefully I’ll get a few more goals and we’ll see what happens, but I’m looking forward to the games ahead.' Kane scores from the penalty rebound to equalise against West Ham at White Hart Lane on February 22 . Kane scores past Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet in Spurs' 3-2 defeat at Anfield on February 10 . It has been a remarkable rise for Kane who only scored his first Premier League goal at the end of the season but is now third in the race for the Barclays Golden Boot with 16 goals. Kane said: 'It's happened quite fast but I have always said I had belief in myself. It was just waiting to get the chance and being patient and being ready to take it. I've been able to do that. 'I have loved every minute of playing and have loved my football so much at the moment, playing with my mates, in a great team and a great squad. I am looking forward to the rest of the games.' Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo poses with his Player of the Month award in January 2007 . Liverpool's Robbie Fowler (left) shared the Player of the Month award in January 1996 with Stan Collymore (right), while Roy Evans won Manager of the Month . Dennis Bergkamp won the Player of the Month award in August 1997 after scoring a hat-trick at Leicester .

Summary: Harry Kane scored four Premier League goals for Tottenham in February . The Spurs' striker joins Cristiano Ronaldo, Dennis Bergkamp and Robbie Fowler as players to win the award twice in a row . Kane, 21, is set for an England call-up . West Brom boss Tony Pulis was named manager of the month .


Of all the things you can roast, matchday tickets for a Championship match do not normally come high up on the list. However a Norwich City fan was left stunned when he noticed his mum had accidentally roasted 16 tickets for the Canaries' upcoming match against Brighton. Mikey Knights' mum put the tickets, worth £500, into the oven along with a chicken on Tuesday as she prepared dinner for her son. Mikey Knights' mum roasted 16 matchday tickets for Norwich's Championship match against Brighton . Mr Knights was left stunned when he noticed his mum had roasted matchday tickets worth £500 . The tickets for Norwich's away match against Brighton on April 3 came out black and unreadable after being in the oven for approximately 40 minutes. Luckily for Mr Knights, Brighton have agreed to reprint the tickets in time for the league match at the Amex Stadium. 'I went round for tea on Tuesday and my mum asked me if I was in a good mood. I said "yes",' Knights told the BBC. 'Then I was told the football tickets had got roasted. There were the tickets, roasting away nicely. I thought it was a wind-up at first, but then I opened the envelope and the 16 tickets were inside, all black. 'There wouldn't usually be this many tickets to cook, but as the match is on Good Friday more people wanted to come along. 'I've already got my train tickets, but it's a good job those didn't go to my mum's address. She might have put them in for afters.' Championship promotion hopefuls Norwich face Brighton at the Amex Stadium on April 3 .

Summary: Mikey Knights' mum put tickets into oven while preparing dinner . Matchday tickets worth £500 came out black and unreadable . Brighton have agreed to reprint tickets for Norwich's game at the Amex .


Spurs claim him as one of their own. Arsenal fans beg to differ. But it is starting to get to the point now where, for the rest of football, it doesn’t really matter. Match by match, week by week, Harry Kane is announcing himself as the kind of talent who will soon belong to all of us. Kane did not just score the two clinically taken goals that took Tottenham to victory over QPR at Loftus Road on Saturday and lifted them into the scrap for the Champions League places. He led the line with authority and verve. He was not only the best finisher; he was a constant source of creativity, too. The England manager, Roy Hodgson, watched from the directors’ box and it must surely have reached the stage now where naming Kane in his squad for the forthcoming matches against Lithuania and Italy later this month is a formality. Harry Kane celebrates putting Tottenham ahead at QPR with his first half header . Kane gets to the ball first to head home past Rob Green in the QPR goal . Kane is alert to get to the ball first and head home the opening goal of the game . Kane celebrates with team-mates after heading Spurs into the lead . Kane watches his header nestle in the back of the net after beating Green to the ball . Kane and Nabil Bentaleb walk back to their half after the goal as Bobby Zamora and Austin wait to kick off . Kane has not just knocked on Hodgson’s door. He has smashed straight through it. The sub-plot in west London was that the Tottenham striker won his personal goalscoring duel with Charlie Austin. Kane has now scored in six consecutive away games for Spurs, whose victory took them to within three points of Manchester United, the side sitting uneasily in fourth place. Kane’s 15th and 16th league goals of the season also lifted him above Austin in the goalscoring charts. Only Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero and Diego Costa, of Chelsea, have scored more. Austin did not do his own reputation any harm with another full-blooded performance brimming with threat and endeavour, but he could not prevent his team from being dragged deeper into the mire at the foot of the table. Austin crashed one left-footed shot off the underside of the bar, leaving Chris Ramsey ruing his side’s bad luck and complaining about two penalty decisions that did not go his way. QPR (4-4-2): Green 7; Onuoha 6.5, Caulker 6.5, Ferdinand 6.5, Suk-Young 6.5; Isla 6.5 (Hoilett 71, 6), Sandro 7 (Wright-Phillips 90), Henry 6.5 (Grego-Cox 88), Phillips 7; Austin 7, Zamora 6.5. Subs not used: McCarthy, Hill, Kranjcar, Comley. Manager: Chris Ramsey - 6.5 . Booked: Henry. Goal: Sandro 75 . Tottenham Hotspur (4-2-3-1): Lloris 7; Walker 6.5, Dier 6.5, Vertonghen 6.5, Davies 6; Bentaleb 7.5, Mason 7; Chadli (Lamela 79), Eriksen 6.5 (Stambouli 88), Townsend 6 (Dembele 65); Kane 8 . Subs not used: Vorm, Fazio, Rose, Soldado . Manager: Mauricio Pochettino - 7 . Booked: Bentaleb, Mason.

Summary: Harry Kane gave Tottenham the lead in the first half with a header past Rob Green . Kane added his and Tottenham's second goal in the second half when he took the ball round Green . England manager Roy Hodgson was in the stands to cast his eye over Kane and Charlie Austin . Sando pulled a goal back for QPR in the second half - but the R's could not stage a comeback . The result leaves QPR in the Premier League relegation zone while Spurs climb up to sixth .


Frustrated commuters spend the equivalent of 16 working days a year sitting in traffic jams, a survey reveals today. It says gridlock in major cities has ‘worsened considerably’ over the past 12 months. In the most congested areas, evening rush hour journeys last 80 per cent longer than they would in free-flowing traffic. Frustrated commuters spend the equivalent of 16 working days a year sitting in traffic jams, a survey reveals today. Pictured: Traffic on the M25 anti-clockwise towards the Dartford Crossing . The poll is published ahead of the Easter Bank Holiday getaway, when 16million people are expected to hit the road. It found that last year, 14 of the UK’s 17 biggest cities had worse congestion than they did in 2013. Delays at morning and evening rush hour are wasting 129 hours a year – the equivalent of 16 eight-hour working days. Belfast has the worst jams, with the average journey lasting 39 per cent longer than it would if the roads were clear. London was the next-worst city for hold-ups with average journeys taking 37per cent longer than in free-flowing traffic and 67per cent in the evening peak. 1 - Belfast: 82 per cent . 2 - London: 67 per cent . 3 - Edinburgh: 71 per cent . 4 - Brighton/Hove: 59 per cent . 5 - Manchester: 72 per cent . 6 - Bristol: 56 per cent . 7 - Nottingham: 57 per cent . 8 - Liverpool: 49 per cent . 9 - Newcastle: 51 per cent . 10 - Leicester: 52 per cent . 11 - Sheffield: 54 per cent . 12 - Leeds/Bradford: 55 per cent . 13 - Cardiff: 49 per cent . 14 - Birmingham: 50 per cent . 15 - Glasgow: 48 per cent . 16 - Southampton: 51 per cent . 17 - Portsmouth: 45 per cent . Source: TomTom Traffic Index 2015 . Other cities where gridlock has got worse include Nottingham, Leicester, Birmingham, Newcastle, Glasgow and Southampton. Bristol the only destination where jams had eased slightly in 2014 compared to 2013. Figures for Sheffield and for Leeds/Bradford ‘failed to improve’ and were about the same over the period. Analysis of 12 trillion pieces of traffic data worldwide revealed, perhaps not surprisingly, that the evening rush hour is the most congested time of day. Worldwide, the worst city was Istanbul, with average journeys taking 58per cent longer than in free-flowing conditions, rising to as high as 109per cent in the evening peak. At 55 per cent, Mexico City was the second-worst world city, followed by Rio de Janeiro which was 51 per cent. The survey was carried out by sat-nav firm TomTom, which analysed 12trillion pieces of traffic data worldwide. Its vice-president for traffic, Ralf-Peter Schaefer, said: ‘Road authorities and local governments can use traffic data to better manage traffic flow and businesses can plan smarter working hours.’ Roads over the long Bank Holiday and extended school-holiday break are set to be 'twice as busy this Easter', says traffic information firm INRIX which monitors flows on the nation's highways.

Summary: Delays at morning and evening rush hour are wasting 129 hours a year . Evening rush hour journeys can last 80% longer than in free-flowing traffic . 14 of the UK’s 17 biggest cities had worse congestion than they did in 2013 . Poll published before Easter Bank Holiday getaway, when 16m will hit road .


One of the teenagers who was captured on video as she violently beat up a fellow classmate at a Brooklyn McDonald's claims she and her friends had been planning the attack for months. Aniah Ferguson, a 16-year-old mother from Prospect Lefferts Gardens who has been arrested ten times, told authorities that she and her friends were planning to go after the 15-year-old victim because she had 'done something to a very close friend.' Ferguson was seen laughing and smiling as police led her to a car in handcuffs on Thursday. This as two more girls who were involved in the fight have been apprehended, including one 15-year-old who was taken off a plane in Atlanta as she attempted to flee the country for Jamaica. Three of the girls involved still remain at large. Scroll down for video . Arrested: Aniah Ferguson, a 16-year-old mother from Prospect Lefferts Gardens who has been arrested six times since last July, was held for the McDonald's attack . She was seen smiling and laughing as she was led away in handcuffs on Thursday . She is facing up to 25 years in prison for attacking a 15-year-old girl . Graphic cell phone footage emerged of the brutal attack on Tuesday . The two girls apprehended today include a 15-year-old girl was accompanied by her mother as she turned herself in, and the aforementioned 15-year-old who was trying to get out of the country. The New York Daily News reports that authorities had been alerted to her travel plans. As for Ferguson, her most recent arrest came last month when she stabbed her brother in the arm, and last year she was arrested after she punched her grandmother in the face and a month later when she injured an officer while resisting arrest. Despite this, her lawyer, Sarah O’Leary, is pleading for leniency now that she is being held on $500,000 bail, saying; 'She was making some efforts to better things in her life.' Ferguson, who belongs to the Young Savages gang, could be looking at 25 years in prison. The victim meanwhile has taken to social media to brag about the 'fame' the incident has brought her and has been getting support from thousands on social media. The 15-year-old wrote on Wednesday; 'Everyone Like I'm Famous Now.' On Thursday, Ferguson detailed the reason for the fight with police, saying it had been in the works since January, and that it all began when she got a call from a male friend letting her know that the victim was at McDonald's. She then left her friend's house and waited for her other friends outside the fast food chain, and once they arrived the group 'put the beats on her.' After the beating was done, Ferguson said she was 'still mad,' and that is why she began kicking the victim's head as she lay motionless on the ground. She then took her purse, make-up bag and phone and claims she threw them in the trash as she walked out. The victim, who also has links to a gang

Summary: WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT . Graphic cell phone footage emerged earlier this week of a brutal attack on a school girl that took place in Brooklyn after class on Monday afternoon . Now three of the six teenagers who was caught violently beating the girl has been arrested . Aniah Ferguson, a 16-year-old mother who has been arrested ten times, is one of six that were involved . Ferguson was arrested last month after stabbing her brother in the arm, and also stole the victim's purse and cell phone after the fight . Ferguson revealed that she and her friends had been planning the attack for months in retaliation after the victim did something to one of their friends . Two more girls were apprehended on Friday, one in Atlanta as she tried to flee the country on a plane to Jamaica .


This is the heartbreaking moment a father cradled his newborn quadruplets in his arms - just hours after his wife died giving birth to them. Carlos Morales from Phoenix, Arizona, held the babies - three girls and one boy - after his wife Erica, 36, passed away on January 15. The pair had gone through IVF fertility treatment in a desperate attempt to conceive to complete their family. But the last time Mr Morales saw his wife was when she kissed her on the head and said he loved her before going into labor at Banner Good Samaritan Hospital. Scroll down for video . Tragic: Carlos Morales from Phoenix, Arizona, held the babies - three girls and one boy - after his wife Erica, 36, passed away on January 15. Their mother would never get to meet them . The children arrived one month before her due date. Carlos Jr, Paisley, Tracy, and Erica were delivered safely but the mother went into hypovolemic shock, an emergency condition where one experiences a severe amount of blood loss. Just an hour later she died, and never got to hold them in her arms. Since then Mr Morales has been caring for the youngsters and has described the ordeal he has been through. 'We were so excited to start our family,' he told People magazine, 'And then it all came crashing down.' In the heartbreaking interview, he also described the moment the pair first met. 'I didn't speak any English and she didn't speak any Spanish,', laughing. 'But I asked her to dance and she said yes.' He then gave her his phone number, only to discover she had thrown the piece of paper out. Loving father: The children arrived one month before her due date. Carlos Jr, Paisley, Tracy, and Erica were delivered safely but the mother went into hypovolemic shock. She died an hour later . However they met each other through friends again and sparked a relationship. After marrying in Las Vegas in 2007, Mr Morales said they started trying for a baby right away. They went through a miscarriage, but were ecstatic when they found out the had a baby (before they realized it was mutiple) on the way. He told the magazine: 'Her doctor told her she had to just relax. So that's exactly what she did.' In a bid to prevent her from any undue stress, Mr Morales cooked, cleaned and made sure his wife stayed off her feet. She had been healthy throughout the pregnancy, but was admitted into hospital on January 12 because her blood pressure was high. Three days later, she texted her husband at his construction job and said doctors wanted to deliver right away. Bond: The pair got married in 2007 and tried for a baby straight away. After a miscarriage they opted for IVF. Mr Morales said 'We were so excited to start our family. And then it all came crashing down.' 'The doctor said she was having too many contractions so it was time to deliver the babies,' he said: 'We took

Summary: Carlos Morales from Phoenix, Arizona, held the babies - three girls and one boy - after his wife Erica, 36, passed away on January 15 . Pair went through IVF fertility treatment in a bid to complete their family . Children arrived one month before their due date and were delivered safely . Mr Morales said it went from being the best day of his life to the worst . Is now bringing up the children on his own and taking childcare classes . He revealed how they were discussing baby names just before she went into labor .


A blogger was hacked to death by three Muslim attackers in Bangladesh's capital because of his anti-Islamic writings, police said today. Washiqur Rahman Babu was declared dead as he was taken to a government hospital shortly after being attacked in Dhaka's Tejgaon area. Two suspects were captured and three meat cleavers were recovered, Dhaka Metropolitan Police official Biplob Kumar Sarker said. The captured suspects were students at separate Islamic schools and the third suspect fled the scene, he added. The killing took place a month after a prominent Bangladeshi-American blogger known for speaking out against religious extremism was hacked to death in Dhaka. Scroll down for video . Murdered: The body of Bangladeshi blogger Washiqur Rahman lies in a morgue at Dhaka Medical College in Dhaka after he was hacked to death in the capital allegedly because of his anti-Islamic writings . Grief-stricken: A relative of Washiqur Rahman weeps after seeing his body at Dhaka Medical College in Dhaka . A Bangladeshi policeman escorts Jikrullah (left) and Ariful Islam, two of the three attackers suspected of killing blogger Washiqur Rahman Babu . It was not immediately known what sort of blogging Babu did, Sarker said, adding that the suspects told police that they targeted him for his anti-Islamic writings. Two of the victim's cousins told reporters at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where Babu's body was being kept, that he had recently joined a travel agency in Dhaka after finishing his studies. But they said they were not aware of any blog he had kept. Local media reported that Babu had a Facebook page that contained the line 'Iamavijit', meaning he was a follower of Avijit Roy, the Bangladeshi-American blogger hacked to death last month. Roy, a Bangladesh-born U.S. citizen, died after he was attacked on Dhaka University campus when he was leaving a book fair with his wife. The killing took place a month after a prominent Bangladeshi-American blogger Avijit Roy (pictured with his wife Rafida Ahmed), who is known for speaking out against extremism, was hacked to death in Dhaka . The scene following the attack on the couple shows Ms Ahmed covered in blood. An obscure militant group, Ansar Bangla 7, claimed responsibility for the attack it said was in retaliation for his 'crime against Islam' A previously unknown militant group, Ansar Bangla 7, claimed responsibility for the attack. An Islamic extremist, Farabi Shafiur Rahman, was paraded in court earlier this month over the murder. The U.S. has sent a team of FBI investigators to Bangladesh to help probe the murder of the author of bestseller The Virus of Faith, who was visiting the city where he was born. The 43-year-old's family has accused Bangladeshi authorities of failing to do enough to protect him after he received death threats for his anti-religious writing. Islamic extremist Farabi Shafiur Rahman (centre) has been arrested and appeared in court over the murder of Avijit Roy, who was hacked to death with a machete in the middle of the street last month . Roy, the founder of the Mukto-Mona (free mind) blog, was born

Summary: WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT . Washiqur Rahman Babu was butchered 'by students from Islamic schools' Two suspects have been arrested, but a third is on run after fleeing scene . Babu was follower of Bangladeshi-U.S. bloggerAvijit Roy killed last month .


The exact details of the birth of the new royal baby next month will be forever shrouded in mystery. However, one thing is certain, unlike many other queens-in-waiting, the Duchess of Cambridge will have a fleet of medical staff and a range of drug options available to her to ensure the arrival of the new prince or princess is as pain-free as possible. By contrast, when Queen Elizabeth I was born in 1533, giving birth was considered such a dangerous practice, women were encouraged to write their wills. The evolution of childbirth: By the 1940s, men were increasingly present at the birth although the advent of the NHS in 1948, meant that more mothers than ever before were now having their babies in hospital. This vintage illustration shows a proud father meeting his newborn twins circa 1952 . Retro advertising from the 1950s also shows how attitudes towards pre and post natal care have changed over the years . Men were banished from the delivery room, as were doctors, and midwives - who had learned their trade from their own mothers - were the experts, rubbing ointment on the swollen bellies of their patients to speed up delivery and sprinkling herbs over the floor to make it smell nice and help the mothers relax. Scottish historian Ashley Cowie, who has appeared on NBC's Legend Quest, said women were often afraid of giving birth as they feared they would die. He said: 'In the 15th century it was not unusual for girls to be married between the ages of 15 and 19 and the average number of children born to one mother was between five and seven. 'Childbirth was a dangerous time in a woman's life, and most wrote wills when they knew they were pregnant. 'An ancient method of birth control was to extend breastfeeding, which is nature's way of spacing out children.' He added that upper class mothers hired women to feed their babies. 'The hand that rocked the cradle was closer to the truth than you would imagine and among the upper classes it was common to have wet nurses breastfeed so that the mother would soon be pregnant again. A sketch of a woman sitting in a birthing chair in the mid 1500s which were thought to aid nature . Queen Victoria and Prince Albert on their wedding day. The couple went on to have nine children, two of them born with the assistance of chloroform . Meanwhile, having babies in the Middle Ages was shrouded in superstition and folklore. He said: 'Several rituals surrounded medieval childbirth, including the burning of the newborn's umbilical cord. Fire was seen as a way of purifying the sinful origins of conception.' Mothers and midwives also used special birthing chairs, which women believed put them in the best position possible to deliver their baby. Leah Astbury, who is studying for a doctorate at Cambridge University and researching maternal and infant health in 17th century England, said: 'Women gave birth at home, assisted by a midwife and a group of female friends, neighbours and

Summary: 16th century women were told to make wills ahead of delivery day . In late 1600s, the placenta was placed on a newborn's head to soothe eyes . Twilight Sleep drugs meant women delivered in a stupor with no memory . During the 1970s, mums-to-be drank stout to boost iron while pregnant .


It's a photograph that captures a collision of worlds; in the foreground is one of the UK's richest society heiresses and, on the table behind her, three of the most famous people on the planet - Kanye West, Kim Kardashian and their daughter North. Whether Alice Bamford, the British heiress to the JCB farm equipment dynasty, was aware of exactly who was photobombing her image when she smiled next to her baby daughter is anyone's guess. The social media moment was taken outside Nobu, Hollywood's favourite A-list Japanese restaurant, close to where Alice owns an organic farm and restaurant. Scroll down for video . How many millionaires can you fit in one photograph?: Kim Kardashian, Kanye West and North West are caught in the back of a heiress Alice Bamford's photo with her daughter in Malibu on Sunday afternoon . Mixing with reality tv royalty: Alice Bamford unwittingly - or was it? - captured Kim Kardashian leaning in to her daughter North (left) while dad, rap star Kanye West looked on (right) Alice might well dine in one of LA's flashiest eateries, for the 39-year-old is the daughter of billionaire Sir Anthony Bamford and his wife, Lady Carole, OBE. Sir Anthony's net worth has been estimated at over £2.8billion by Forbes. The family is also behind the popular Daylesford Organics food brand. Alice is no stranger to Los Angeles having dabbled in Hollywood when she co-produced Wes Anderson's modern classic The Darjeeling Limited. She was also formerly a show-jumper, and previously owned her own record label in the early 2000s. More recently, she has run an organic farm and restaurant, One Gun Ranch, in Malibu. Completely unaware that one of the world's most famous families were going to be caught in her family snap, Alice can be seen with a wide smile, even slightly distracted by the view behind. When caught off guard by Alice at the high-profile establishment, Kim's famous family didn't appear to be quite the picture of domesticated bliss that the reality TV star would like you to believe. While the Keeping Up With The Kardashians personality may be no stranger to a selfie, it won't be the type of flattering snap that she's used to as she was pictured reaching down to pick something up from the floor. Alice Bamford, pictured with her mother Lady Carole, is heiress to a vast fortune . Alice Bamford might not compare to the Kardashian-West family in terms of global fame but the JCB heiress has certainly led a fascinating life. The 39-year-old is the daughter of billionaire Sir Anthony Bamford and his wife, Lady Carole, OBE. Sir Anthony's net worth has been estimated at over £2.8billion by Forbes. The family is also behind the popular Daylesford Organics food brand, the namesake of the farm in Gloucestershire where Alice grew up. Alice is no stranger to Los Angeles having dabbled in Hollywood when she co-produced Wes Anderson's modern classic The Darjeeling Limited. She was also formerly a show-jumper, and previously owned her own record label in the early 2000s. More recent ventures

Summary: Alice Bamford is heiress to the JCB farm equipment fortune . The family is said to be worth £2.8billion and also own Daylesford Organics . Photobombers Kanye, Kim and baby North were dining in Nobu in Malibu .


Sheffield Eagles will be back in the steel city for their Ladbrokes Challenge Cup fifth-round tie with Hull FC. The match, on Sunday 19 April, will be played at one of the Eagles' former homes, Bramall Lane. The Eagles left their temporary home at Owlerton Stadium at the end of last season and currently are ground-sharing with Kingstone Press Championship rivals Doncaster at the Keepmoat Stadium until their new stadium on the site of the old Don Valley Stadium is completed. Sheffield Eagles have been groundsharing with Doncaster at the Keepmoat Stadium this season .

Summary: Sheffield are currently groundsharing with Doncaster at Keepmoat stadium . Eagles awaiting work on their new ground to be completed . But Sheffield side will play at Bramall Lane for game against Hull FC .


Multi-million plan investment: US Tycoon Donald Trump at Trump International Golf Links, Scotland . US tycoon Donald Trump has unveiled plans for a new multi-million pound investment in his Scottish golf resort - despite previously vowing to halt all developments on the 200-acre site. The billionaire will be submitting a proposal for a number of additions to Trump International Golf Links, Scotland, including staff accommodation, a banquet hall and 400-capacity ballroom. The move comes two years after he threatened not to invest 'another penny' in the project over plans to build an offshore wind farm off the Aberdeen coast, which he said would spoil scenic views. In a statement released on the planning proposals, The Trump Organization claimed Swedish utility firm Vattenfall, the primary developers behind the farm, could no longer finance the project. It also said the technology 'is now widely regarded to be obsolete and outdated'. The company said that this, combined with other stakeholders withdrawing from the project, had led to confidence being restored that the 'shoreline will not be blighted' by the 'industrial energy plant'. Despite this, Mr Trump will continue his legal challenge to the decision to grant the farm planning permission off the Aberdeen coast. A spokesman denied this claim on behalf of Vattenfall, and its project partners, Aberdeen Renewable Energy group, stating that they 'want to see the scheme to come to fruition'. Mr Trump called Trump International Golf Links, Scotland, which opened in July 2012, 'one of his greatest achievements' and said his commitment to develop the site 'was stronger than ever'. The businessman is now pushing ahead with expanding the site, known collectively as the Menie Estate, with further applications for private houses and hotel rooms tabled for later in the year. His current application includes public notifications for a second gold course and additional hotel accommodation and facilities at the five-star MacLeod House and Lodge, named after his mother. George Sorial, executive vice-president of the Trump Organisation, said: 'This will be a substantial investment - it really will allow us to carry out the original vision that Mr Trump had for the entire site. Our work there is not done.' The billionaire has submitted a proposal for a number of additions to the Aberdeenshire estate including staff accommodation, a banquet hall and more rooms in MacLeod House, illustrated with an artist's impression . The move comes two years after he threatened not to invest 'another penny' in the project over plans to build an offshore wind farm nearby, which he said would spoil scenic coastal views, pictured above . News that the organization would be re-investing in the site was welcomed by business leaders. Ian Armstrong, regional director for the Scottish Council for Development and Industry, said: 'At a time when there are some economic clouds on the horizon, the announcement of the plans by the Trump Organisation for further substantial investment in their site at Menie is a great boost to the region. 'The significance of a major international investor looking beyond short-term issues and adopting a long-term view should not

Summary: Proposed builds include banquet hall, ballroom and staff accommodation . Also plans for rooms and facilities to five-star MacLeod House and Lodge . Comes two years after he threatened to stop investment in 200-acre site . Halted development because of threat that wind farm would spoil views . But now Trump claims primary backers can no longer finance the project .


Detectives investigating claims of a VIP paedophile sex ring have been passed lurid allegations relating to Enoch Powell. The late Tory MP, who was one of the most prominent and divisive politicians of the 20th century, was named in a Church of England review into historic sex abuse. The claims relate to allegations of satanic rituals, often involving the abuse of children. Scroll down for video . Allegation: Detectives investigating claims of a VIP paedophile sex ring have been passed lurid allegations relating to Enoch Powell, above . Powell is one of several high-profile names passed to Scotland Yard by Bishop of Durham Paul Butler, who is leading the review. The Bishop has also handed detectives the name of Leo Abse, the flamboyant Welsh MP who died in 2008 aged 91. Last night the Church of England confirmed that both names had been passed on to detectives from Operation Fernbridge, a Metropolitan Police inquiry into an alleged Westminster VIP paedophile network. The Right Rev Butler was given the politicians’ names by Dominic Walker, former Bishop of Monmouth, who heard the allegations when he was a vicar counselling in the 1980s. Mr Walker told senior clerics that Abse was named by three abuse survivors whom he counselled when he was a vicar in Brighton in the 1980s. He also passed on the names of two former Conservative cabinet ministers, who have not yet been publicly linked to the scandal. Mr Walker was questioned by the Right Rev Butler after the discovery of a book from 1991 in which he described counselling sessions with adult survivors. Powell is one of several high-profile names passed to Scotland Yard by Bishop of Durham Paul Butler, above, who is leading the review . ‘A number of survivors independently gave the name of a particular MP being involved,’ he said, adding. ‘I don’t believe there was any collusion in their stories.’ A Church of England spokesman said: ‘The name Enoch Powell was passed to Operation Fernbridge on the instruction of Bishop Paul Butler.’ In 1994, an investigation by the London School of Economics into 84 alleged cases of ‘satanic abuse’ in the UK between 1987 and 1992 found no convincing corroborative evidence. The claims against Powell and Abse have emerged amid mounting claims of a paedophile network involving Establishment figures, which was allegedly covered up by Special Branch. Police are to be given access to secret files held on MPs in the House of Commons archives to help their search for evidence on suspected abusers, including former Liberal MP Cyril Smith. Enoch Powell’s frontline political career ended in 1968 after he made his ‘rivers of blood’ speech warning about the dangers of uncontrolled immigration. Tory leader Edward Heath sacked him from the shadow cabinet the following day, although Powell remained a Tory MP until 1974. SIMON HEFFER: Monstrous slur against my friend . Four years before he died in 1998, Enoch Powell did me the honour of asking me to write his biography. I spoke to almost everyone alive who knew him. When he died, I had unique

Summary: Late Tory MP was one of the most prominent politicians of the 20th century . He has been named in Church of England review into historic sex abuse . Claims relate to allegations of satanic rituals often involving abuse of kids . Powell's name was given to police by Bishop of Durham Paul Butler .


President Barack Obama says he takes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu 'at his word' for saying there'd never be an independent Palestinian state as long as he's in office, but still believes a two-state solution is the key to peace in the area. Netanyahu has softened his position since making the comment just before he won re-election last week. He said in a statement on Monday that a Palestinian state would not be established on his watch. But the change in tone doesn't seem to be swaying Obama, who said he spoke to Netanyahu on the phone on Thursday. Rift: President Barack Obama says the U.S. will evaluate other options for establishing peace between the Israelis and Palestinians as a result of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's rejection of longstanding U.S. policy . 'I did indicate to him that we continue to believe that a two-state solution is the only way for the long-term security of Israel, if it wants to stay both a Jewish state and democratic,' Obama told The Huffington Post on Saturday. 'And I indicated to him that given his statements prior to the election, it is going to be hard to find a path where people are seriously believing that negotiations are possible.' Obama says the U.S. will evaluate other options for establishing peace between the Israelis and Palestinians as a result of Netanyahu's rejection of longstanding U.S. policy. Obama says he indicated to Netanyahu when they spoke this week that the U.S. continues to believe a two-state solution is the only way to keep Israel secure. The comments were Obama's first on the Israeli election outcome. He spoke in an interview with The Huffington Post. 'We take him at his word when he said that it wouldn't happen during his prime ministership, and so that's why we've got to evaluate what other options are available to make sure that we don't see a chaotic situation in the region,' the president said. The Huff Post reported Obama said he was most disappointment at Netanyahu's Election Day warning about Arab Israeli voters going to the polls 'in droves.' 'We indicated that that kind of rhetoric was contrary to what is the best of Israel's traditions,' Obama said in the interview. 'That although Israel was founded based on the historic Jewish homeland and the need to have a Jewish homeland, Israeli democracy has been premised on everybody in the country being treated equally and fairly. 'And I think that that is what's best about Israeli democracy. 'If that is lost, then I think that not only does it give ammunition to folks who don't believe in a Jewish state, but it also I think starts to erode the meaning of democracy in the country.'

Summary: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he does not support the creation of an independent Palestinian state and that it won't happen on his watch . Obama believes a two-state solution is key to peace in the area . 'We now have to evaluate what other options are available to make sure that we don't see a chaotic situation in the region,' Obama said .


The former son-in-law of late actor John Cassavetes allegedly kidnapped and raped a teenager in his remote trailer. Buck Wylde Murphy, 49, who was formerly married to Cassavetes' daughter, actress-writer Alexandra 'Xan', was arrested last week after he was discovered holding a 16-year-old girl captive at his trailer in the Californian desert. The 49-year-old allegedly lured the girl, from Staten Island, New York, to San Bernardino County by pretending he was a 19-year-old boy during online chats. Buck Wylde Murphy age 49, pictured last week in his booking photo, allegedly held a teenage victim against her will by threat of force, and sexually assaulted her in California . Actor John Cassavetes with actress wife Gena Rowlands (pictured in 1980). The couple's former son-in-law, Buck Wylde Murphy, was arrested last week over the alleged rape of a 16-year-old girl in California . Buck Wylde Murphy, 49, was arrested last week after allegedly luring a 16-year-old to a remote part of San Bernardino County, California (pictured), holding her captive in a trailer and raping her . He sent her a recording of a song which, when she opened, contained a virus that allowed him to access her personal information. Murphy then allegedly threatened to kill her family unless she flew to meet him. She went to California on February 22, leading her mother to get in touch with police. Police were unable to help so the woman got in touch with a private investigator who managed to track down the suspect. The girl was held at the trailer for five days and sexually assaulted, according to authorities. Detectives from the Rancho Cucamonga Police Department initiated an investigation into a teenaged Staten Island runaway and determined she had been in contact with Murphy since she arrived in California . The alleged victim's mother told The New York Post: 'I was hoping for the best, but when her phone was turned off and I couldn't get a hold of her, I was afraid of the worst.' Finally detectives from the Rancho Cucamonga Police Department initiated an investigation into the girl, whom it was believed had traveled to California. Detectives from the Human Trafficking Detail and Apple Valley Police Department helped and at approximately 9:10 p.m., on February 26th, detectives located the 16-year old and Murphy in his RV at the Horseman’s Center in Apple Valley. Authorities then determined that Murphy had lured the juvenile to California and arranged for her travel. Once in California, the victim was held against her will by threat of force, and sexually assaulted by Murphy over the course of several days. Murphy was arrested and booked into the High Desert Detention Center for the crimes and is being held on $1,000,000. bail. Detectives are concerned there may be other victims. His ex-wife Alexandra Cassavetes is the daughter of John Cassavetes and actress Gena Rowlands. John Cassavetes starred in movies including The Dirty Dozen and Rosemary’s Baby. The alleged rapist is the former husband of actress-writer Alexandra 'Xan' Cassavetes (pictured) Murphy is now being held on $1,000,000 bail. Authorities fear he may

Summary: Buck Wylde Murphy, 49, allegedly raped a 16-year-old girl at a trailer in the Californian desert . He 'lured the Staten Island girl online and then threatened to kill her family if she didn't fly out to meet him'


A federal appeals court has given new life to a Holocaust survivor's claim that the University of Oklahoma is unjustly harboring a Camille Pissarro painting that the Nazis stole from her father during World War II. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan has directed a lower-court judge to consider whether the lawsuit she threw out should be transferred to Oklahoma, saying she has authority to do so. The court's order on Thursday came as the school found itself amid a racial controversy after video of fraternity students engaged in a racist chant spread across the Internet. Dr. Leone-Noelle Meyer maintained she is entitled to Pissarro's 1886 'Shepherdess Bringing in Sheep' because it belonged to her father when it was taken by the Nazis as Germany moved across France . University President David Boren ordered a fraternity house closed and expelled two of its members after reviewing clips of the chant that referenced lynching and said blacks would never be allowed in the fraternity. The school and Boren are defendants in the lawsuit brought in 2013 by 75-year-old Holocaust survivor Leone Meyer, who lives in Paris. She maintained she is entitled to Pissarro's 1886 'Shepherdess Bringing in Sheep' because it belonged to her father when it was taken by the Nazis as Germany moved across France. Her father, Raoul Mayer, died in 1970. Swiss records show Meyer's father in Paris had owned the painting. But a Swiss court ruled that the painting's post-war owners had properly established ownership and rejected her claim. Bequeathed to OU by Clara Weitzenhoffer, the wife of oil tycoon Aaron Weitzenhoffer, the school displayed it publicly for over a decade. The painting: Swiss records show Leone-Noelle Meyer's father in Paris had owned the painting 'Shepherdess Bringing in Sheep' by Camille Pissaro . Disputed item: This Monday, May 12, 2014 photo shows a display of information on the 1886 painting 'Shepherdess Bringing in Sheep' by Camille Pissarro . The Weitzenhoffers bought the painting from a New York gallery in 1956. When she died in 2000, she donated more than 30 works worth about $50 million to the University of Oklahoma. In an emailed statement Saturday, Oklahoma University spokeswoman Catherine F. Bishop said: 'The University is continuing its efforts to work with the plaintiffs to determine all the facts in this matter, some of which may still be unknown, and to seek a mutually agreeable resolution.' Last year, Boren defended Oklahoma University's ownership, saying the school does not want to keep any items it does not legitimately own but also wants to avoid a bad precedent by automatically giving away gifts it receives to anyone who claims them. Boren and the school have opposed the lawsuit on largely procedural grounds, saying the school has sovereign immunity and that Meyer was not diligent in pursuing her claim and had sued in New York rather than Oklahoma as a 'forum shopping strategy' to avoid Oklahoma's more restrictive statute of limitations. Several Oklahoma lawmakers who authored a resolution in the state Legislature seeking to force the school to turn the painting

Summary: The court's order after video of fraternity students at the school engaged in a racist chant spread across the Internet . The school and Boren are defendants in the lawsuit brought in 2013 by 75-year-old Holocaust survivor Leone Meyer, who lives in Paris . Meyer says she entitled to Pissarro's 1886 'Shepherdess Bringing in Sheep' because it belonged to her father when it was taken by the Nazis . Swiss records show Meyer's father, Raoul Meyer, had owned the painting in Paris .


Luis Suarez is 90 minutes from his first final with Barcelona but his coach Luis Enrique could leave him out of the Copa del Rey semi-final second leg against Villarreal because he is one booking away from suspension. Suarez has now scored five goals in his last five games but Pedro, Neymar and Messi could start the match if the Barcelona manager decides he wants his £75million striker saved for the final and not exposed to the risk of a yellow card that would rule him out of it. Barcelona will have reached their 38th Spanish Cup final if they can take the 3-1 first leg result over the line. No club in Spain has made it to more finals or won the competition more often than their 26 trophies. Barcelona's all-star front three could be broken up in the Copa del Rey semi-final second leg on Wednesday . Luis Suarez (centre) has been in great goalscoring form but is one yellow card away from suspension . Villarreal have never made it to a big final and supporters were preparing for what will be one of the greatest nights in their history with yellow balloons placed on all the seats of the 20,000 El Madrigal stadium. The last time they came close to reaching a final was 2005 when Manuel Pellegrini was in charge. They lost 1-0 to Arsenal in their Champions League semi-final first leg and won a last-gasp penalty in the second game only for Jens Lehman to save Juan Roman Riquelme’s spot-kick and prevent the game going into extra time. They reached the Europa League semi-final in 2010 but were beaten 5-1 in the first leg, with Radamel Falcao scoring four and making the second game an irrelevance. Suarez scored again at Granada on Saturday but Barca may not risk him being suspended for the cup final . Pedro could come into the side to face Villarreal instead of Suarez as Barcelona bid for a 38th Spanish final . A 2-0 win would see them go through on Wednesday but Barcelona have not failed to score in a Cup game since the 2010-11 Copa del Rey final against Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid. Since then they have scored in 33 cup games. Villarreal will probably need to score three. They are at least buoyed by drawing with Real Madrid at the weekend. ‘You don’t win these games playing with your heart, you win them by being smart,’ said Villarreal coach Marcelino on Tuesday. He has La Liga’s hottest young striker at his disposal in the shape of Luciano Vietto, who has scored 18 goals in all competitions this season and weighed in with 13 assists. His agent Jorge Cyerszpiler – who was Diego Maradona’s first agent – was talking up his client's fondness for Real Madrid in the lead up to this game. Barca must beware Villareal's Luciano Vietto (centre), who is the hottest young striker in La Liga . Vietto tucks away a goal against Salzburg in the Europa League last week, and has 18 to his name this

Summary: Barcelona are weighing up whether to rest Luis Suarez against Villarreal . Uruguay striker is one yellow card away from suspension in Copa del Rey . A booking in Wednesday's semi-final would see him miss the final . Pedro could start ahead of Suarez alongside Lionel Messi and Neymar . CLICK HERE for all the latest Barcelona news .


From a flat tummy to a burgeoning bump and a tiny cry, a quirky time-lapse video sees a nine-month pregnancy condensed into a matter of minutes. Cole Cuchna, 31, from Sacramento, California, filmed his wife B Zeboski week-by-week as they geared up for their first child together. They used chalkboards to help illustrate the story by writing up the countdown in each shot. As the video progresses, the couple reveal that they're expecting a girl. At week 21 they jet away on a 'babymoon' to Hawaii and by week 35 the nursery is painted with the crib ready to go. Scroll down for video . Introducing Cole & B: From a flat tummy to a burgeoning bump and a tiny cry, a quirky time-lapse video shows a nine-month pregnancy condensed into a matter of minutes . Countdown to parenthood: Cole Cuchna, 31, from Sacramento, California, filmed his wife B Zeboski week-by-week as they geared up for their first child together - in one shot they showed their first scan . Novel idea: They used chalkboards to help illustrate the story by writing up the countdown in each shot - As the video progresses the couple reveal that they're expecting a girl . Vacation time: At week 21 they jet away on a 'babymoon' to Hawaii (left) and by week 35 the nursery is painted with the crib ready to go . Then, finally they announce: 'It's time!' Cole is seen putting up an 'introducing' sign before baby Mabel appears in her bed and is welcomed into the picture. Benson the Boston Terrier also joins the new family on screen so he doesn't feel left out. When he's not make homemovies, Cole works as a musician and a barista at a local coffee house. He also runs a parenting blog called Hype Dad. Many viewers have applauded his pregnancy time-lapse idea, deeming it 'sweet' and 'creative'. One commenter wrote: 'Oh my god, this is the sweetest thing!! Congratulations, you two!! (Benson too).' Cole and B appear to have settled into parenthood just fine. Baby Mabel was born on March 14 - one week earlier than her due date. Her proud parents added: 'Our daughter is literally a dream come true.' Multi-talented: When he's not make home movies, Cole works as a musician and a local barista . Hands-on dad: Many viewers have applauded his pregnancy time-lapse idea, deeming it 'sweet' and 'creative' Ready to pop: Finally the couple announce 'it's time!'. Cole is seen putting up an 'introducing' sign before baby Mabel appears in her bed . Fantastic four: Benson the Boston Terrier also joins the new family on screen so he doesn't feel left out . Proud parents: B and Cole can't stop smiling as they show off baby Mabel to the camera .

Summary: Cole Cuchna, 31, from Sacramento, California, filmed his wife B Zeboski week-by-week as they geared up for their first child together .


During the lengthy inquest into England’s dismal performance at last summer’s World Cup, Roy Hodgson reflected on a team that had been roughed up at the highest level. England were bullied off the ball in the opening two games against Italy and Uruguay, showing too much respect for the opposition. Hodgson demanded change. His team had been intimidated by Luis Suarez, second best to every ball, as England were dumped out of the World Cup after just six days. Luis Suarez bullied and dumped England out of the World Cup after just six days in Brazil . Roy Hodgson's side had been intimidated by Suarez in their Group D defeat at the Arena Corinthians . Weeks after the tournament, at a debrief with England’s coaches, Hodgson told his staff that they would go back to basics for the Euro 2016 qualification campaign. The old-school, British mentality was to make a return and for all the right reasons. Hodgson wanted England to be difficult to beat again. He spoke with assistant manager Ray Lewington and coach Gary Neville, telling them he wanted his new England team to have a more muscular presence on the pitch. Hodgson and Gary Neville had discussions on how they could have a more muscular presence on the pitch . The head coach wanted his team to be stronger, to concentrate on the physical characteristics of the game again after those humbling defeats against Italy and Uruguay, plus the dead rubber against Costa Rica in Belo Horizonte. Hodgson was convinced his team had gone soft, playing to the gallery as the nation demanded a side that could keep possession and stamp their personality on games in the same way as Spain, Holland, France or Germany. The outcome, after Hodgson (right) claimed he wanted to ‘bottle what I’m seeing’ during their pre-tournament training camp at Vale de Lobo in Portugal, was elimination from the World Cup. Although Hodgson wanted his team to be slick and to pass the ball with purpose, he vowed that the rough would go with the smooth for the final two years of his contract. In November, when England renewed their rivalry with Scotland at Celtic Park, the coaching staff agreed unanimously that they emerged from the physical confrontation with the upper hand. Hodgson has introduced the tenacious qualities of Aston Villa midfielder Fabian Delph to the team, encouraging him to make the meaty challenges in the centre of the park. Hodgson wanted to add some extra steel to his England squad and it game in the form of Fabian Delph . Delph has impressed for England since making his debut for England against Switzerland in Basle . ‘I do like a tackle,’ he admitted on Sunday as England continued their preparations for the prestige friendly against Italy on Tuesday. Less than a year ago, when England played the Italians in the opening World Cup group game in Manaus, Hodgson’s defence could not lay a glove on the Azzurri. Something had to change. The test for this team, with this new rugged approach, is to travel

Summary: Post-World Cup Roy Hodgson reflected on a team that had been bullied . England showed too much respect to teams and were quickly dumped out . Hodgson added some much-needed steel in the shape of Fabian Delph . New stronger England have won seven successive match since Brazil exit .


The man who has been charged with murdering a pregnant Food Network star and her husband was a key suspect in the disappearance of a teenage boy 15 years ago, it has been revealed. Robert Jason Owens, 36, a construction worker from North Carolina, was booked on two counts of first-degree murder, the murder of an unborn child, larceny and breaking and entering on Tuesday. His charges are in relation to the supposed murder of his Leicester neighbors, celebrity chef Cristie Schoen Codd, 38, a season 8 finalist on Food Network Star, and her husband Joseph Codd, 45. The couple, whose bodies have not been found, were likely killed on Thursday, according to police. Owens allegedly returned to their home on Sunday and stole their laptop, jewelry and a handgun. Now, it has emerged that Owens was a 'primary suspect' in the 2000 disappearance of Zebb Quinn, 18, who vanished while he was going to look at a car for sale in Asheville with Owens, then 21. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO . Linked: Robert Jason Owens, 36, who has been charged with murdering a pregnant Food Network star and her husband, was a key suspect in the disappearance of Zebb Quinn (pictured) 15 years ago, it has emerged . Suspect: Sheriff Van Duncan said Owens (pictured) was a 'primary suspect' in the 2000 disappearance of 18-year-old Quinn, who vanished while he was going to look at a car for sale in Asheville with Owens, then 21 . Believed dead: Owens has been charged with the murder of his Leicester neighbors, celebrity chef Cristie Schoen Codd (left), 38, a season 8 finalist on Food Network Star, and her husband Joseph Codd (right), 45 . Quinn, who has not been seen since the night of January 2 that year, was captured on surveillance video buying sodas with Owens at a convenience store after he got off work at Walmart at 9pm. The pair then drove away separately. But they were apparently heading to the same destination to look at a Mitsubishi Eclipse for sale that Quinn was interested in buying, police told Fox Carolina. Owens later told police that a short while later, Quinn flashed his headlights at him and the two pulled over. Quinn then went off to return a page, before returning in a 'frantic' state, Owens said. Cancelling the pair's plans to see the Mitsubishi, Quinn reportedly told Owens he needed to leave and drove off, bumping into his friend's truck on his way. Since that moment, he has been missing. On January 3, Quinn's mother, Denise Vlahakis, filed a missing person's report. Two weeks later, the alleged victim's car, a 1990 Mazda Protégé, appeared in the parking lot of a nearby restaurant. Bizarrely, a live puppy was inside the vehicle, which was situated at The Little Pigs Barbecue near a hospital where Vlahakis worked. A pair of lips were also drawn on the car's back windshield. Unanswered questions: Quinn (left), who has not been seen since the night of January 2, 2000, was captured on video buying sodas with Owens

Summary: Robert Jason Owens, 38, was 'primary suspect' in Zebb Quinn cold case . Zebb, 18, vanished while going to look at Mitsubishi with Owens in 2000 . Boy, who worked at Walmart in North Carolina, has not been seen since . Owens questioned by police, but they never had evidence to charge him . Now, construction worker has been charged with murder in recent case . Allegedly killed neighbors - a pregnant Food Network star and husband . Couple, whose bodies have not been found, were 'murdered Thursday' Owens also reportedly stole a laptop, jewelry and a gun from their home . Mrs Codd had just announced she would be catering on the set of The Big Short starring Brad Pitt, Ryan Gosling, Christian Bale and Steve Carell .


Alan Pardew has backed Crystal Palace defender Scott Dann to carry on improving and challenge for a place in the England squad in the near future. England boss Roy Hodgson opted for Phil Jagielka, Gary Cahill, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling as his four centre back for the upcoming internationals with Lithuania and Italy at the end of the month. But Dann has been in impressive form for Palace in recent months as they moved away from relegation danger. Scott Dann has been in brilliant form for Crystal Palace recently and could be in line for an England call . Alan Pardew has back his centre back to keep improving and draw Roy Hodgson's attention to him . But Pardew says that Dann, 28, has his best years ahead of him and can carry on improving. He said: ‘He is a good age and is coming into his prime age as a centre half and he has a lot of experience under his belt at this level. ‘He has not surprised me in terms of his character because he plays with an honesty in every game. He has been very impressive since I have been here and his confidence is high. He hit a pass out to a left winger at the weekend that Glenn Hoddle would have been proud of. ‘He has some good players in front of him and they have a lot more experience at that top level than he does. ‘I don’t think he should be disappointed he has not made this squad. He is playing well at the moment and it is there for all to see. What will be, will be, but his best years are still in front of him.’ For Pardew personally, he would love to see a Palace player called up to the England squad. Wilfried Zaha was the last Palace player to be called up to the England squad back in 2012 and Pardew says his players must find their place in the Premier League first. Dann is 28 but Pardew says he has his best years ahead of him and has been impressed by his character . Charlie Austin, who was also left out of the England squad, loses out in an aerial challenge to Dann . Wilfried Zaha was the last Palace player to be called up for England in 2012 in his previous spell at the club . Pardew would love to see a Palace player called up to the England squad during his time as manager . Harry Kane’s rapid assent into Hodgson’s squad is something that Pardew admires and hopes he can unearth someone of his quality. He added: ‘There have not been too many Palace players in the England squad in recent years and it would be nice to get someone in that squad. Sometimes when a team has just been promoted and you are in your second year, you have not got the foundations yet to be proven to show you are good enough at that level. Harry Kane has won a place in the

Summary: Alan Pardew says he would love to have players in the England squad . Manager believes Scott Dan can continue to impress and win a place . Phil Jagielka, Gary Cahill, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling all in latest squad . Wilfried Zaha was last Palace player to make England squad back in 2012 . Pardew gives credit to Harry Kane for his rapid rise through the ranks .


The harsh winter has authorities in a Michigan village using explosives to break up dangerously thick river ice for the second year running. Michigan state officials were called in to the village of Sebewaing on Thursday to clear the ice with explosive charges to prevent the blocked river from flooding. The U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and other agencies conducted the operation to clear the Sebewaing River. Authorities in the Michigan village of Sebewaing are using explosives to break up dangerously thick river ice for the second year running . The ice has reached 23 inches thick on places and poses a flood risk, so officials decided to try and clear the ice between the village and the mouth of the Sebewaing River where it flows into Saginaw Bay . The village of Sebewaing is 95 miles north of Detroit in the area known as the 'thumb' of Michigan, due to the shape of the state often being referred to as looking like a glove or a hand. The plan was to break up the ice from the North Center Street Bridge to the mouth of the river, where it flows into Saginaw Bay - a distance of approximately 3,000 feet. Explosives were used during last year's harsh winter to break up the river ice for the first time since early 2001. The thickness of the ice in 2014 was 24 inches, and officials say that this year the ice has already reached 23 inches thick. The Huron Tribune reported that officials have warned residents that upon completion of the work on Thursday, river ice will be unsafe for any kind of use — especially vehicles. The U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and other agencies conducted the operation . In 2014 the ice was 24 inches thick when explosive charges were used to clear it. It was the first time since 2001 that authorities has to resort to this measure .

Summary: The harsh winter has authorities in a the village of Sebewaing, Michigan, resorting to using explosives to clear dangerously thick river ice . If it gets too thick, river ice can cause flooding. It reached 24 inches thick in 2014, and is currently 23 inches thick . Before last year explosives had not been used since 2001 . The Army Corp of Engineers joined various state and local agencies called in to deal with the problem . Local authorities have warned that after the operation river ice will be unsafe for any kind of use — especially vehicles . The latest winter storm is causing havoc from Texas to New England, with a state of emergency declared in Kentucky .


Police have released a CCTV image of a man they would like to speak to in connection with a spate of attacks on pensioners sneezing in Carlisle . A thug is believed to be randomly attacking pensioners shopping in the street who dare to sneeze. Police have received five reports of a man slapping people in Carlisle town centre who sneezed, including from a 65-year-old woman who was hit on the head. Officers have released CCTV images of the man they are looking for, who is targeting 'innocent members of the public.' They said the offence was certainly unique, and they were treating it incredibly seriously. The first reported incident occurred took place on February 19 between 11.15am and 11.30am outside the Andalusian bar in Warwick Road in Carlisle. The victim was a 65-year-old woman who was slapped on the head after sneezing. On 17 March an 82-year-old woman was also targeted by a man, who police believe is the same attacker. PC Mike Watson, of Cumbria Constabulary said: 'This is certainly a unique type of incident and one that is being treated seriously by ourselves. 'The offender is assaulting innocent members of the public and that sort of behaviour will not be tolerated. 'We would also like to appeal to anyone who may be a victim to come forward as your information could bring this offender to justice. 'We would like to speak to the person pictured in the CCTV image in connection with these offences. 'We appeal to anyone who recognises him to make contact, any information provided could be crucial to our investigation.' Other reports of incidents included a 77-year-old woman from Carlisle being attacked on February 24, and a 67-year-old man being targeted at the town's bus station on March 4. Just three days later a 65-year-old woman was attacked in The Lanes Shopping Centre. Most of the attacks took place between 11am and 12.30pm on each of the days. The man is said to be targeting people in Carlisle town centre, slapping them when they sneeze . As well as the five reports, police have been informed of two further incidents where the victim has not yet come forward. The man is believed to be in his 50s. Shoppers in Carlisle are said to have been confused by the incident. Gemma Prosser, 19, a trainee shop assistant, said: 'We heard as it happened in the town centre and at first we just thought it was a bit weird. 'When you think about it, it is really awful because anyone can sneeze at any time and it's not your fault.'

Summary: A man has been targeting pensioners in Carlisle who have been sneezing . Police have received five reports from people who have been attacked . In one instance a 65-year-old woman was slapped on the head by a man . Other attacks have been on pensioners who have sneezed while shopping . Police have released a CCTV image of man they believe is responsible .


Real Madrid will need to play with intensity for 90 minutes and not just the first half if they are to have a chance of beating Barcelona in Sunday's La Liga 'Clasico', according to Real coach Carlo Ancelotti. Ancelotti praised his side for their performance before the break in Sunday's 2-0 win at home to Levante but said he was concerned by the way his players relaxed and let the visitors off the hook in the second period. A Gareth Bale double, his first goals in 10 matches, had put Real in control by halftime and they appeared to be cruising to a big win but Levante pushed Real hard in the second half and had chances to get back into the game. Gareth Bale scored his first goals in 10 games to help Real Madrid to a 2-0 win over Levante on Sunday . Bale has received a lot of criticism, but silenced his doubters with a La Liga double at the Bernabeu . It was not the dominant performance Real needed to silence their critics after three matches without a win but at least meant they will only be a point behind Barca when they run out at the Nou Camp. 'The whole team showed more desire and focus and they all understood what they had to do,' Ancelotti told a news conference. 'We did that in one part of the match and on Sunday we need to do that for the whole match,' added the Italian. Both goals were scored in the first half, and Carlo Ancelotti says they must have 90 minutes of intensity . Real Madrid travel to the Nou Camp to face Barcelona in their next match; a potentially title-deciding game . 'We played with confidence in the first half, the second worries me a bit. 'We were more relaxed and played a more horizontal game. We lacked verticality.' Bale, in particular, looked like he had a point to prove against Levante after he was one of the players targeted with whistles by Real fans upset with the team's recent poor form. Ancelotti said Bale's resurgence may have something to do with the return to action of midfielder Luka Modric, who he played with at Tottenham Hotspur, after a four-month injury layoff. Barcelona have been in brilliant form and are now top of La Liga after winning at the weekend . Real Madrid have slipped behind Barcelona to second in La Liga, and need to win to regain first position . 'Bale looked more motivated and more hungry,' Ancelotti said. 'The presence of Modric offers more depth for Bale to link up with his team mates. 'They know each other well, they played together at Tottenham, and there's no doubt that Bale is more comfortable with Modric on the pitch.' Real have the rest of the week to prepare for Sunday's showdown at Barca, who take a 2-1 lead into their Champions League last 16, second leg at home to Manchester City on Wednesday.

Summary: Real Madrid beat Levante 2-0 on Sunday, with two first-half goals . Carlo Ancelotti was disappointed his side relaxed in the second half . The Madrid boss did say that his team showed more desire and focus . Real Madrid travel to Barcelona on Sunday for a crucial Clasico . CLICK HERE for all the latest Real Madrid news .


Human rights lawyers smeared British soldiers with false accusations of the torture and murder or innocent Iraqis, a government dossier claims. A report drawn up on the Prime Minister's orders claims Public Interest Lawyers (PIL) pursued claims against soldiers despite realising the allegations of abuse might have been 'untrue'. It comes after a public inquiry spent £31million exonerating British soldiers of claims they went they went on a killing and torture spree following a fierce battle in southern Iraq in 2004. Scroll down for video . 'False claims': The government may take legal action against Public Interest Lawyers and its chief lawyer, Phil Shiner, left, over allegations the firm smeared British soldiers with false allegations of torture and murder. Right is a picture of the aftermath of the Battle of Danny Boy shown to the five-year Al-Sweady inquiry . After five years of investigations, the Al-Sweady inquiry in December concluded there were some breaches of the Geneva convention following the battle. But it also ruled allegations of murder and torture were based on 'deliberate lies, reckless speculation and ingrained hostility'. Now the government is gearing up to sue law firms for millions of pounds in legal costs and calling for the PIL's chief lawyer, Phil Shiner, to be struck off. The MoD's dossier, seen by at least two Sunday newspapers, accuses PIL and another law firm, Leigh Day, of continuing to pursue the case even after evidence emerged that the allegations may be untrue. It suggests PIL had doubts about the credibility of its clients' evidence as early as March 2013 but failed to withdraw the allegations for another 12 months, Tim Ross of the Sunday Telegraph reported. That led investigators to take evidence from around 100 further witnesses, costing taxpayers an extra £780,000, the paper reported the Government's dossier as saying. It is also alleged that PIL used a local 'agent' to trawl Basra for potential victims, a breach of a ban on solicitors touting for business that brought hundreds of extra claims against the Army. The Birmingham-based law firm even continued to represent one claimant in a separate judicial review after he admitted to Al-Sweady investigators he had lied about his sister dying on the battlefield, the dossier alleges. Leigh Day are accused of failing to disclose a key document for six years, according to the Sun on Sunday. Thorough investigation: British soldiers with an Iraqi detainee following the Battle of Danny Boy in May 2004. Claims troops rounded up civilians for a killing and torture spree following the battle were dismissed . The claims came after the Battle of Danny Boy on May 14 2004, a fierce firefight which erupted when insurgents from the Mahdi Army ambushed a patrol of Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. Their reinforcements, the 1st Battalion of the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment, were also ambushed and after three hours of fighting 28 Iraqi fighters had been killed. Claims which subsequently emerged that enraged British soldiers had tortured and executed innocent local people in the aftermath of the battle were dismissed by the Al-Sweady inquiry, which

Summary: Al-Sweady inquiry spent £31million probing the claims against soldiers . Government claims lawyers pursued claims they knew were made up . Dossier alleges they used local 'agent' to trawl Basra for new claimants . As a result the inquiry was prolonged for an extra year, the MoD claims . Government lawyers may sue law firms for millions in legal costs .


Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen has urged Harry Kane NOT to play for England Under 21's this summer. Kane is set for his first senior call-up later this month for the games against Lithuania and Italy. But the plan then is for Kane to drop down back into the Under 21's for this summer's European Championships in the Czech Republic. Harry Kane is likely to be included in England Under 21's European Championship squad in the summer . Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino has already warned the FA he wants talks with the FA before giving them his blessing to call-up Kane this summer. And Vertonghen, who played in the tournament in 2007, says the 21-year-old, who has played 41 games already this season, should skip the tournament in preparation for next season. The Belgian said: 'It’s difficult for me to judge. Of course England want him. He is a brilliant striker and he can be the main man, but I think he needs his rest for next season. Jan Vertonghen (right) believes the striker should stay at home and instead prepare for next season . 'It’s his call and I know a player always wants to play but sometimes you have to be careful. It’s a difficult one because last season I played with injuries, but sometimes you just can’t. You have to think about what’s going to come. It’s his decision and it’s a totally different situation from when I played in 2007. Did that benefit my development as a player? It’s hard to tell. 'I enjoyed playing for my country because I never played international football at youth level. 'So that was my first tournament as a Belgium player and I enjoyed it. It was in Holland and I played in Holland for Ajax at the time, so for me it was brilliant.' Kane rounds Rob Green in the Queens Park Rangers goal to double Tottenham's lead on Saturday . The striker has been in terrific form and continued his goalscoring run with two goals at Loftus Road .

Summary: Harry Kane is to lead England Under 21's in the European Championships . Tottenham team-mate Jan Vertonghen has urged the striker to not play . The Belgian believes Kane should prepare for the following season instead . Click here for all the latest Tottenham news .


The two young girls who stabbed one of their classmates and left her for dead are now facing 65 years in prison. A judge has ruled that Anissa Weier, 13, and her friend Morgan Geyser, 12, of Waukesha, Wisconsin, will be tried as adults as they stand trial for their attack on Peyton Leutner, 12, who nearly died. Both girls have been charged with attempted first-degree intentional homicide. Now, defense attorneys for the girls have scheduled hearings in hopes of moving their cases back to juvenile court. Scroll down for video . Morgan Geyser (left) and Anissa Weier (right) will be tried as adults for stabbing a classmate . Peyton Lautner (above) was stabbed 19 times in the woods on May 31, 2014 . Morgan is seen with blood on her shirt during the interrogation (above) This as recent interrogation video of Anissa, then 12, and Morgan 12, released last month showed the two calm and collected as they spoke with authorities. Morgan describes seeing the fantasy character in her dreams, while Anissa claims she saw him in real life after they stabbed their classmate, Peyton 19 times before leaving her in the woods on May 31, 2014. Peyton was saved when she was able to crawl out and get help from a passing bicyclist. In a video, obtained by WISN, the girls both say they told Peyton they wanted to go bird watching, this after planning their attack on the school bus. 'People who trust you become very gullible,' Morgan told police. 'And it was sort of sad.' Anissa is more emotional during her interview, wiping away tears at one point. 'We told her we were going to get help,' she told police about the moments after the two stabbed Peyton. " 'But we weren't. We were going to run and let her pass away. So we ran.' The girls were running off to find Slender Man, and were later picked up walking along a highway off-ramp, and Morgan had a knife in her backpack. In the interrogation video, Morgan can also been seen with blood on her shirt, which she has photographed at one point. She also begins singing to herself at one point during the six-hour interview, and told police of her plan; 'You have no idea how difficult it was not to tell anyone. I knew we'd get in trouble.' When she described the actually stabbing, she said; 'It just sort of happened. It didn't feel like anything. It was like air.' Anissa said at one point Slender Man would kill their families if they did not kill Peyton . Morgan and Anissa said they stabbed their friend to appease the Slender Man . As for Slender Man, Morgan described him as a man with 'tendrils that are very sharp.' 'I see him in my dreams,' she told police, . Anissa said in her interview that she did not have the same visions as Morgan, but knew she had to kill her friend for the Slender Man. 'I decided to go along, tag along, to prove the skeptics

Summary: Anissa Weier and her friend Morgan Geyser will stand trial as adults for stabbing a fellow classmate and are facing 65 years in prison . This as police interrogation video recently released showed Anissa, then 12, and Morgan, 12, explaining why they stabbed a friend 19 times . The girls, from Waukesha, Wisconsin, attacked Peyton Lautner to appease the Slender Man, planning out their actions on the school bus . Peyton survived the attack, and the girls were picked up a few hours later walking along a highway off-ramp . In the video, Morgan said she saw Slender Man in her dreams, while Anissa said she saw him when Morgan stabbed Anissa . Both girls face a count of being a party to attempted first-degree intentional homicide .


A high-risk convicted sex offender with a history of preying on children and the elderly who fled Canada for Seattle in 2013 has been arrested in connection to the rape of a 69-year-old woman. Michael Stanley, 49, made headlines in October 2013 when he cut off an electronic-monitoring ankle bracelet and crossed the Canada-US border unchallenged. He's an American citizen, and US authorities said they had no reason to arrest him. Canada decided not to ask for his extradition, and he registered in Seattle as a Level 3 sex offender. Busted: Michael Stanley (pictured left and right), 49, was arrested Friday for a sexual assault involving an elderly woman. The sex offender made headlines in 2013 when he cut off a electronic monitoring bracelet and fled from Canada for Seattle . Vile crime: Stanley served 32 months for luring two mentally challenged boys into an apartment, lighting a crack pipe, blowing smoke in their faces and then sexually assaulting them . Stanley, formerly of Edmonton, had a criminal record in Canada that dated back 25 years. Before he fled, he had most recently served 32 months for luring two mentally challenged boys into an apartment, lighting a crack pipe, blowing smoke in their faces and then sexually assaulting them. Stanley spent nine years in prison in the 1980s for the aggravated sexual assault of a wheelchair-bound 82-year-old woman in Lethbridge, Canada, reported CBC.ca. Precedent: Stanley spent nine years in prison in the 1980s for the aggravated sexual assault of a wheelchair-bound 82-year-old woman . The 49-year-old ex-convict also has a history of kidnapping children from playgrounds. Parole board documents also described a case in which Stanley broke into a 69-year-old woman's apartment while she was sleeping and sexually assaulted her. The King County Sheriff's Office said he was arrested last Friday morning after entering the woman's home, in the Skyway neighborhood south of Seattle, through a window. No weapons were used, but the victim sustained what the sheriff's office described as minor injuries. Prior to that, authorities said, Stanley had been meeting his requirements as registered sex offender, including checking in weekly as required and providing an accurate account of where he was staying each night. Stanley, who is homeless, was being charged Monday and no court appearance was immediately scheduled, said Dan Donohoe, a spokesman for the King County Prosecutor's Office. He said prosecutors would request that bail be set at $1million. Stanley ran into trouble soon after arriving in Seattle in fall 2013. He was arrested on misdemeanor charges of harassment and resisting arrest after he threatened someone who asked him to be quiet. He was sentenced to seven months in jail.

Summary: Michael Stanley, 49, crossed the Canada-US border in 2013 after removing his electronic monitoring bracelet . Canada did not ask for his extradition, and he registered in Seattle as Level 3 sex offender . Stanley served nine years in 1980s for sexually assaulting 82-year-old woman in Canada . Before he ran away to Seattle, Stanley spent 32 months in prison for assaulting two mentally challenged boys .


A federal judge blocked Nebraska's gay marriage ban on Monday, but the decision will not take effect for a week and the attorney general's office immediately appealed to the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The American Civil Liberties Union of Nebraska sued the state in November on behalf of seven same-sex couples challenging the ban, which passed with the approval of 70 percent of voters in 2000. In addition to prohibiting gay marriage, the ban also forbids civil unions and legalized domestic partnerships. The ban means that same-sex couples miss out on medical and financial benefits available to heterosexual married couples, U.S. District Judge Joseph Bataillon said as he issued the injunction. Legal fight: The ACLU of Nebraska sued the state in November on behalf of seven same-sex couples challenging the ban. ACLU of Nebraska Executive Director Danielle Conrad is seen speaking February 19 . 'All of the plaintiffs have further demonstrated psychological harm and stigma, on themselves and on their children, as a result of the non-recognition of their marriages,' he said in the 34-page ruling. 'The plaintiffs have been denied the dignity and respect that comes with the rights and responsibilities of marriage.' Bataillon rejected the state's argument that the ban reflects the will of a majority of voters and promotes family stability. He said he believes the U.S. Supreme Court will ultimately endorse same-sex marriage rights, which have been upheld in four appellate districts. 'The notion that some children should receive fewer legal protections than others based on the circumstances of their birth is not only irrational — it is constitutionally repugnant,' he said. His order blocking the ban takes effect March 9. Bataillon previously struck down Nebraska's gay marriage ban in 2005, saying it violated the constitutional rights of gays and lesbians. An 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel reinstated the ban in 2006. According to the court's online records, the Nebraska attorney general's office filed an appeal straight after Bataillon issued the injunction. A spokeswoman for Republican Attorney General Doug Peterson said attorneys in their office were reviewing the ruling and would issue a statement later Monday. Missouri, Arkansas and South Dakota have appeals against stays on same-sex marriage bans pending before the 8th Circuit. Gov. Pete Ricketts, a Republican, said the majority of Nebraskans voted for the constitutional amendment. 'The definition of marriage is an issue for the people of Nebraska, and an activist judge should not substitute his personal political preferences for the will of the people,' Ricketts said. Opposition: Gov. Peter Ricketts, a Republican, said the majority of Nebraskans voted for the constitutional amendment which banned same-sex marriage . Couple: Susan Waters, left, and Sally Waters are seen February 24. They were legally married in California in 2008, are among the couples suing to overturn the ban . Susan and Sally Waters of Omaha, who have been together for 17 years and were legally married in California in 2008, are among the couples suing to overturn the ban. They returned to their native Nebraska in 2010. Sally Waters was diagnosed with terminal

Summary: A federal judge blocked Nebraska's gay marriage ban on Monday . The decision will not take effect for a week and the attorney general's office immediately appealed to the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals . The ACLU of Nebraska sued the state in November challenging the ban, which passed with the approval of 70 percent of voters in 2000 .


Ravel Morrison has been training with his new club Lazio as he moves on from being released from West Ham United. The Hammers terminated Morrison's contract early in February and he is set to begin a four-year deal with the Rome-based club in the summer after signing a pre-contract agreement earlier this year. While Morrison is unable to play for his new side until the 2015-16 season, manager Stefano Pioli has seen fit to introduce the 22-year-old to his training sessions in a bid to help the new signing get used to life in the Italian capital. Ravel Morrison is now training with Lazio ahead of joining the Italian club after leaving West Ham United . Morrison was pictured at the club's Formello training base getting into the groove of things having not made a first-team appearance since December 6 when he turned out for loan club Cardiff City against Rotherham. Morrison only made two appearances under Hammers boss Sam Allardyce this season; with his last outing coming in a 3-1 home defeat to Southampton back on August 31. A series of disciplinary problems had hampered his progress at Upton Park and he was loaned to Birmingham, Queens Park Rangers and Cardiff City - with his three-month deal at the latter cut short earlier in December. However, the England Under 21 international will now look to resume his career in Italy next season. Morrison had personal troubles in England and was criticised by manager Sam Allardyce for his attitude . Morrison celebrates scoring for West Ham last season in a Capital One Cup tie at Upton Park .

Summary: Ravel Morrison is set to sign a four-year contract with Lazio this summer . Former West Ham star has been training with his new club in Rome . Morrison is unable to play until next season but has met his team-mates .


Masa Vukotic was murdered in a random attack at a Melbourne Park last Tuesday . In the lead up to the funeral for random stabbing victim Masa Vukotic, the school girl's mother has shared her 'heartache' after her daughter's tragic death. Natasa Vukotic has publicly paid tribute to her 'funny, intelligent and kind-hearted' 17-year-old for the first time since she was killed at a Melbourne park near Doncaster last Tuesday. 'The loss of Masa has left a heartache that will never heal, but her love has left us with memories that no on can take from us,' Ms Vukotic said, according to the Herald Sun. 'She will be remembered for her bright smile and her inspirational attitude to life… she was our everything.' A funeral for the teenager, who was killed just five minutes from her home at 7pm while exercising at the park, will take place on Thursday with hundreds of people expected to attend. Devastated friends and family have organised numerous pink-themed parades and marches for Masa, who was known to have loved 'Lolita Japanese fashion', with her mother thanking the public for their support. Hundreds of flowers, stuffed toys, cards and candles have also been left at the scene of the tragedy by loved ones and strangers alike, who have also paid tribute to 'beautiful Princess Marci' on Facebook. Masa Vukotic (left) with her mother, Natasa Vukotic (right) described the family's heartache at her murder . A funeral will be held for the 'Lolita Japanese fashion' loving 17-year-old on Thursday . Her mother, Natasa (pictured far right with her three children) publicly paid tribute to Masa on Wednesday . Sean Price, 31, was charged with murdering Masa, along with committing six other crimes, at Melbourne Magistrates Court last week. Police allege he went on a rampage of rape, assault and an attempted car-jacking in the hours after he is accused of killing the 17-year-old and before he handed himself into police. Ms Vukotic's grief-stricken father, Slabvoljub Vukotic, locked eyes with Price during the court hearing while sitting just 10 metres away from the accused. In a Facebook event post for the memorial tribute, Ms Vukotic's friends wrote: 'On the 28th of this month, we will be holding a memorial for our dear friend. Please, invite your friends to come. No alcohol or drugs are permitted as this is strictly a memorial event. Marci needs to be remembered - her name needs to be known. She was an amazing influence on so many lives.' The teenager was killed just five minutes from her home at 7pm while exercising at the park . Hundreds of flowers, stuffed toys, cards and candles have also been left at the scene of the tragedy by loved ones and strangers alike . The memorial picnic will be held at Queen Victoria Gardens and will be called 'Princess Marci's Royal Picnic'. Her friends are asking people to wear pink or 'Lolita Japanese fashion' as an ode to Masa's style, or something 'rabbit-related' as she was so fond of her pet rabbit, Roger. 'The world has certainly

Summary: Natasa Vukotic publicly remembered her teenage daughter for the first time . An open funeral will be held for the 17-year-old daughter on Thursday . Masa died after being stabbed at a Melbourne park five minutes from her home . Sean Price, 31, has been charged with her brutal murder . Hundreds of flowers, stuffed toys, cards and candles have also been left at the scene of the tragedy by friends and strangers alike .