Will Ferrell's new comedy Get Hard has been branded both racist and homophobic by critics as it deals with a rich white man who is sent to the terrifying San Quentin prison for 10 years. Ferrell's character approaches the only black man he knows, played by the comedian Kevin Hart, to help him prepare for life behind bars. The movie had its debut at the SXSW festival in Austin, Texas and is directed by Etan Cohen. Scroll down for video . Critics have branded Get Hard starring Will Ferrell and Kevin Hart as racist and homophobic . Will Ferrell plays James King, a one-percenter who is facing a 10-year jail term in San Quentin prison . Ferrell approaches Kevin Hart's character for advice on how to get 'hard' in advance of his prison committal . Several of those who watched the movie were disgusted by what they saw. One man addressing a question-and-answer session following the screening reportedly told Mr Cohen, who also wrote the film: 'As a fellow Jew, I've got to say that this film seemed as racist as f***.' The movie is due for release on March 27 on both sides of the Atlantic. Mr Cohen responded that he had shown the film to a number of test audiences around the same time as black teenager Michael Brown was shot dead by a police. Mr Cohen defended his movie claiming the racial humor in the work was 'a delicate balance to find... It was hard to modulate... how far to push it.' Ferrell plays James King, who is being jailed for ten years over dodgy financial dealings. Several critics blasted the movie over the stereotypical way it treated the various races behind bars . Others attacked the movie for the way it depicted gay sex and dealt with the issue of prison rape . King offers Hart's character Darnell Lewis cash to open a new car wash business if he can teach him how to be tough before entering the prison. The film pokes fun at so-called one-percenters as well as the stereotypes of black men, latinos and white supremacists who are all behind bars. Justin Chang of Variety blasted the movie claiming it had 'some of the ugliest gay-panic humour to befoul a studio release in recent memory'. In one scene, King tries to accost a gay man in a public toilet and offers to perform a sex act on him to prepare himself for life in prison. Drew McWeeny of Hitfix.com said the film was 'morally repellent' by playing 'into this idea that gay sex is somehow inherently more disgusting than regular sex'. Before the screening, Hart told people who enjoyed the movie to review it on Twitter afterwards, however, those who hated it should 'go in the middle of the street and kill yourself'. Ferrell said he did not use Twitter and asked people to send him 'handwritten notes ... on nice stationery'.

Summary: Will Ferrell plays a white financial guru who is jailed for 10 years for fraud . Kevin Hart plays the only black person Ferrell's character knows . Ferrell approaches Hart for 'training' on how to survive a prison term . Critics have blasted the movie for its racism and homophobia . Writer and director Etan Cohen defended the film saying it is a satire .


Trial: Marcin Kostrzewa (pictured today arriving at Plymouth Crown Court) allegedly broke into his neighbour's flat and took the restricted files . A Polish man who tried to sell secret nuclear submarine documents he stole from his neighbour's airing cupboard has been jailed for more than four years. Marcin Kostrzewa was sentenced to four-and-a-half years behind bars after a jury at Plymouth Crown Court took less than an hour to find him guilty following a three day trial. The court had heard how Kostrzewa broke into neighbour Shane Spencer's flat and took the restricted files. He had become 'obsessed' with Mr Spencer after finding out he worked with subs. Marcin later stole the paperwork after using English and Polish words to search Google using terms like 'spy games, spies and secret documents'. Kostrzewa then contacted the Polish embassy and tried to sell the information for £50,000 but was trapped in an undercover sting. He had denied committing the burglary between January and April 2014 and claimed he had found the contents in a bin as he was carrying out research for a spy novel. The 31-year-old claims he just wanted to get arrested so he could meet a real MI5 Agent. But jailing him for four and a half years, Recorder John Williams said: 'You are not the bumbling fool you have sought to portray in your evidence. 'In my view you are both calculating and clever. 'You stole and sought to sell documents which you understood to be sufficiently sensitive and no doubt secret to warrant a large amount of money.' He added that the loss of the documents could 'affect military operations' - though the metalworker tried to sell them to a friendly government. In a statement read to court, Mr Spencer said he had been suspended from his work at Devonport Dockyard for Babcock Marine. Aerial view: The jury heard at the time Mr Spencer was working as an engineer at Devonport (above) and was involved with designs for Trafalgar and Astute class submarines . The court heard he had lost his high level of security clearance and was thinking of moving abroad. Alexander Chalk, for the Crown Prosecution Service, said the Pole had previous convictions in his home country, including robbery and burglary. He added the documents were marked restricted, the third of five classifications at the time, below top secret and secret.

Summary: Marcin Kostrzewa, 31, took restricted files from flat next-door . Became 'infatuated' with Shane Spencer after finding out about his work . He contacted Polish embassy and tried to sell the papers for £50,000 . Jailed for four-and-a-half years after jury finds him guilty of burglary .


Nazir Afzal (above) has resigned from the Crown Prosecution Service despite being cleared of improper conduct . One of the UK's most senior prosecutors dramatically resigned yesterday despite being cleared of improper conduct. Nazir Afzal, who led the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in North West England, was accused of sending a text message to a defendant. An internal inquiry exonerated the highly experienced lawyer, who was honoured by The Queen in 2005, of any wrongdoing. But he nevertheless handed in his resignation as more senior colleagues insisted his departure is due to an 'on-going drive for efficiency'. The resignation is a direct blow to Director of Public Prosecutions Alison Saunders who has faced criticism for pursing campaign agendas instead of serving the general public. Mr Afzal proved himself to be an outspoken advocate of bringing to justice those accused of the most heinous and sometimes sensitive offences. This included a move to overturn an earlier decision on an Asian Rochdale sex grooming ring that led to a series of convictions. He said that an over-sensitivity to political correctness and 'fear of appearing racist' by 'white professionals' may have stalled justice. More recently he was responsible for the successful conviction of disgraced former BBC presenter Stuart Hall. He also led the prosecutions of Coronation Street actors Bill Roache, who was cleared of rape, and Michael Le Vell, who was also acquitted of child sex abuse. Mr Afzal took up his post in 2011 and led a huge team of about 700 lawyers, legal staff, and administrators. He was responsible for all criminal prosecutions across Greater Manchester, Lancashire, and Cumbria. Earlier this week his staff received an email earlier this week saying it had always been his intention to step down in 2015. Mr Afzal led the prosecutions of Coronation Street actors Bill Roache (left), who was cleared of rape, and Michael Le Vell (right), who was also acquitted of child sex abuse . In the four-line email, Mr Afzal said there was 'no secret reason' why he was leaving after 25 years with the CPS. After studying law in Birmingham, Mr Afzal qualified as a solicitor and worked in private practice until he joined the CPS in 1991. He began his CPS career in central London and has prosecuted and advised on many high profile cases. Mr Afzal was awarded an OBE in the Queen's New Years Honours List in 2005 for his public service and involvement with the local community. A CPS spokesman said: 'We are continuing to reduce the number of staff employed across the organisation and Nazir Afzal is leaving the Service as part of this ongoing drive for efficiency. 'This is entirely unrelated to any issue of conduct and we are satisfied that there has been no impropriety on the part of Mr Afzal.'

Summary: Nazir Afzal led the Crown Prosecution Service in North West England . Colleagues insist his departure is due to an 'on-going drive for efficiency'


A waitress got a tremendous tip and a lovely letter from a man who ordered a meal of hot dogs in honor of his dead brother's birthday on March 8 as part of a yearly ritual. The man, who was seemingly eating at Mac's Grub Shak in Spring Hill, Tennessee, ordered hot dogs at the restaurant because they were his brother's favorite meal. After he finished the symbolic franks, the man left his waitress a $36 tip because that is how old his brother Wes would have turned on Wednesday. A man left a waitress at Mac's Grub Shak in Spring Hill, Tennessee, a $36 tip in honor of his dead brother . The man left the tip after ordering hot dogs because they were his deceased brother's favorite meal . In addition to Coney Island Dogs, the man ordered two beers and a spicy Dragon's Breath burger at Mac's . In addition to the tip, the man left a note on the receipt. The server posted a picture of it online with the caption: 'This guy sat in my section tonight & left a note on the back of his receipt.' The note read: 'Today is my brother's b-day. He would have been 36 today. 'Every year I go eat his favorite meal (hot dogs) and tip the waitress his age. 'Happy B-Day Wes.' According to an enhanced version of the picture, the man also ordered two beers and a spicy burger to accompany his special Coney Island Dogs. In addition to the two pork and beef dogs, which came topped with diced onions, chili, and mustard, the man had a Goose Island IPA, a Country Boy beer and a Dragon's Breath burger. The Dragon's Breath is a half pound of premium Black Angus beef, seasoned with a special spicy blend. It comes topped with Jack cheese, crispy fried jalapenos, Sriracha mayo, and applewood smoked bacon. According to an enhanced version of the picture, the man also ordered two beers and a spicy burger . His bill came to $29.40, including tax. Mac's is operated by a father and son team who also own a catering company. Michael McCray, the son, told Daily Mail Online that he lost his brother as well and that his birthday is coming up soon. He said: 'The server the tip was written to has worked for me for several months. 'On Sunday afternoon she came to my office crying and of course I was taken by surprise. 'I asked her what was wrong and she just put the receipt in my hand. 'I read it and broke down. 'What none of my employees know is that I too lost my brother. 'In just a few weeks he would have been 28. 'It's odd that this man would choose my restaurant over any other place.' After a picture of the note was published on Reddit, one of the first commenters wrote: 'Happy birthday Wes! 'This was so absolutely heartwarming and made me smile that someone would do this. 'It rekindles my hope for people as a

Summary: Man ordered hot dogs because they were dead brother's favorite meal . Tipped $36 because that is how old brother would have been on March 8 . Restaurant appears to be Mac's Grub Shak in Spring Hill, Tennessee . In addition to his hot dog meal, man also ordered a burger and two beers . The man said he does this every year in honor of his brother's birthday .


He was knocked to the ground for just £5 by a mugger who thought he was a ‘soft touch’. But 93-year-old former amateur boxer Stanley Evans came out fighting yesterday – saying he wished he had given his attacker a right hook. The frail pensioner said he would have fought back if only the robber had launched the assault on his ‘good side’. Stanley Evans, 93, (pictured left) a former amateur boxer has said he wishes he had given his mugger, Soloman Bygraves (right) a right hook. Mr Evans was attacked waiting for the lift in his block of flats . Mr Evans (right) pictured boxing as a teenager - he went on to join the Home Guard . Mr Evans, who was attacked in the lobby of his block of flats as he returned from a shopping trip, said: ‘He went straight for me and pushed me against the wall. ‘He got me on the left hand side, which is not my good side. If it was, I would’ve given him a punch with my good arm.’ The OAP spoke as convicted robber Soloman Bygraves, 29, appeared in court over the ‘callous and sickening’ attack. He had offered to carry the frail pensioner’s shopping bags before knocking him to the floor as he lunged for his wallet. The pensioner said he would have fought back if only the robber had launched the assault on his ‘good side’ Mr Evans as a teenager (pictured left) and (right) in the Home Guard with a jewish refugee girl and dog . Mr Evans, a retired film cameraman, suffered injuries to his arm and shoulder and was left lying on the floor of his London tower block before raising the alarm. He said: ‘He was quite friendly and sympathetic and offered to carry my shopping for me. 'When I got to the door, I fumbled with my keys and felt him slip in behind me. ‘He said he knew someone on the second floor. I knew he was lying but I wasn’t going to oppose him. 'He got in the lift and then he attacked me. I was just lying there. I felt like a seal out of water, just flapping about, but eventually I got up and called the police.’ These shocking CCTV images show the moment Mr Evans was attacked as he waited for a lift . Bygraves is seen shoving the pensioner to the ground as he steals his wallet- which contained just £5 . The callous robber then casually walked from the scene, leaving Mr Evans stricken on the floor . The former assistant cameraman, who once worked with Richard Attenborough, Liz Taylor and Diana Dors, said he had previously lent Bygraves £10 when he said he needed money. But the robber returned to the Soho building and mugged Mr Evans on January 31 this year, rifling through his pockets after knocking him to the ground. Bachelor Mr Evans, who is originally from Cardigan, Wales, said he could not forgive Bygraves for the attack. ‘He was probably waiting for someone like

Summary: Former amateur boxer Stanley Evans, 93, was mugged as he waited for lift . Soloman Bygraves, 29, was caught on CCTV and made off with just £5 . Bygraves has admitted carrying out the 'callous and sickening assault' Mr Evans has now said he wishes he'd given Bygraves a right hook . Added he would have fought back if robber had attacked his 'good side'


Sally Forrest, an actress-dancer who graced the silver screen throughout the '40s and '50s in MGM musicals and films such as the 1956 noir While the City Sleeps died on March 15 at her home in Beverly Hills, California. Forrest, whose birth name was Katherine Feeney, was 86 and had long battled cancer. Her publicist, Judith Goffin, announced the news Thursday. Scroll down for video . Actress: Sally Forrest was in the 1951 Ida Lupino-directed film 'Hard, Fast and Beautiful' (left) and the 1956 Fritz Lang movie 'While the City Sleeps' A San Diego native, Forrest became a protege of Hollywood trailblazer Ida Lupino, who cast her in starring roles in films including the critical and commercial success Not Wanted, Never Fear and Hard, Fast and Beautiful. Some of Forrest's other film credits included Bannerline, Son of Sinbad, and Excuse My Dust, according to her iMDB page. The page also indicates Forrest was in multiple Climax! and Rawhide television episodes. Forrest appeared as herself in an episode of The Ed Sullivan Show and three episodes of The Dinah Shore Chevy Show, her iMDB page says. She also starred in a Broadway production of The Seven Year Itch. City News Service reported that other stage credits included As You Like It, No, No, Nanette and Damn Yankees. Forrest married writer-producer Milo Frank in 1951. He died in 2004. She is survived by her niece, Sharon Durham, and nephews, Michael and Mark Feeney. Career: A San Diego native, Forrest became a protege of Hollywood trailblazer Ida Lupino, who cast her in starring roles in films .

Summary: Sally Forrest, an actress-dancer who graced the silver screen throughout the '40s and '50s in MGM musicals and films died on March 15 . Forrest, whose birth name was Katherine Feeney, had long battled cancer . A San Diego native, Forrest became a protege of Hollywood trailblazer Ida Lupino, who cast her in starring roles in films .


Claims: Aleksandar Kovacic, pictured outside the High Court in London today, said he could barely walk after a fatal head-on collision in 2010 . A 40-year-old man who was seeking nearly £1million in damages after a fatal head-on collision will not receive any of the money after he was secretly filmed enjoying a family trip to the seaside. Aleksandar Kovacic said he could barely walk and was incapable of returning to his job as a support worker after the crash in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, in March 2010. The aspiring social worker was awarded £97,000 in damages - a fraction of the amount he sought - but is unlikely to see any of it after being ordered to pay back insurers and cover legal fees. A senior judge ruled he had 'exaggerated' his disabilities and tried to 'play-act' his way to a huge payout at London's High Court today. Aspiring social worker Mr Kovacic suffered serious injuries when 68-year-old Norma Wroe drove into the path of his car on the A422 near Newport Pagnell. Mrs Wroe died in the crash. He suffered fractures to both legs, his right arm, a rib and his back, as well as soft tissue damage, and remained in hospital for two months. He also had to undergo further surgery on two occasions after developing infections in his wounds. Mr Kovacic, from Bedford, Bedfordshire, sued Mrs Wroe's estate and her insurers, Aviva, for £900,000 in damages. Aviva admitted the crash was caused by Mrs Wroe's negligence. In his claim, which was initially supported by clinical experts, Mr Kovacic said he could barely walk, was unable to work and was suffering depression. But Aviva's suspicions were raised and he was placed under surveillance in 2013. Footage shot by private investigators also showed him driving nearly 200 miles on a day out with his family, taking his children to school and climbing in and out of his car with ease. He was also seen walking without a stick and carrying heavy items. However, he did use his stick, and appeared to limp and get in and out of a taxi with difficulty, while attending an appointment with a Harley Street medical expert for the defence. After viewing the videos, which were recorded on nine days over several weeks, Judge Neil Bidder said he was sure Mr Kovacic's description of his disabilities 'simply could not be believed'. All of the experts who had backed Mr Kovacic's case changed their opinions in light of the footage. Aviva had offered to settle his claim for £350,000, but he insisted on fighting for more in court even after his lawyers withdrew from the case. Mr Kovacic, who represented himself, told the High Court in London that the undercover footage was 'unrepresentative' and did not show him on his 'bad days'. He insisted that he could not return to his job or achieve his ultimate career aim of training to be a social worker. But Judge Bidder said the odds against him only having been filmed on his 'bad days' were 'huge'. He told the court:

Summary: Aleksandar Kovacic suffered serious injuries in head-on collision in 2010 . He sued other driver's estate and insurers, Aviva, for £900,000 in damages . Claimed he could barely walk and was incapable of returning to work . But Aviva became suspicious and placed him under surveillance in 2013 . Private investigators filmed him driving, walking and carrying heavy items . Judge ruled he 'exaggerated' his disabilities to try and win huge payout . Awarded Mr Kovacic £97,525 but he will now have to pay insurers and fees .


An aspiring singer who made it to boot camp on X Factor has become the first short-haired finalist in the Miss England pageant. Jade McQueen bagged first place in her regional competition when she beat off long-locked competitors to take home the title of Miss Surrey. And now the 24-year-old wants to demonstrate to other young women that you don't have to be 'perfect' to win a pageant. Jade McQueen is the first dark-short-haired contestant to earn a place in the Miss England finals . Jade wowed the judges at the regional contest, her first ever pageant, in a dark blue satin dress as a she shared the tale of how she delivered her sister younger sister in her family's front room. Before Jade earned her place in the Miss England final there had only ever been one other shorter-haired competitor, but even she had a traditional look. Jade says: 'There was a short-haired contestant in 2009 with blonde hair but hers was shoulder length and that was considered short. Mine is cropped so is much shorter.' Jade says that for her winning was especially important after the short-haired Miss Jamaica lost out to the long haired Miss Columbia at last year's Miss Universe final. Jade took home the crown at the Miss Surrey finals which was her first ever beauty pageant . Jade wants to demonstrate to other potential contestants that you don't have to conform to win . 'Everyone was so shocked that short hair would get in the way of winning. So I am pleased that more short-haired women are being recognised in beauty pageants now. 'I want to prove that long hair isn't the only beautiful hairstyle.' Jade, who works as a coordinator receptionist has a history of charity work which she says helped her find her way into beauty pageants. 'I'm really into charity work and I wanted to expand that so pageanting was the perfect fit. It was Jade's love of charity work that helped her find her way into pageanting, she now works with Beauty with a Purpose, a Miss World charity . 'It was researching pageanting online that I found Beauty with a Purpose (the Miss World charity) and that's what got me into the pageanting scene.' With her cropped hair and undercut Jade doesn't exactly fit the pageanting stereotype, however Jade says that her alternative looks have helped her secure modelling jobs in the past that led to her success at the Miss Surrey contest. 'I worked as a gothic model when I was younger. You are always offered cash or the pictures from the shoot and I always picked the pictures so that I was able to build up my portfolio.' Jade says that by winning a beauty pageant she hopes to show other women that you don't have to conform to a stereotype to win or even enter a contest. Jade also hopes to further her singing career having appeared on last year's X Factor . 'I want to use the way I look to promote diversity and I want to

Summary: Jade McQueen took home first prize at the Miss Surrey contest . She will enter Miss England in September as the only short-haired finalist . Jade hopes to demonstrate that you don't have to conform to be beautiful .


Going to the cinema once or twice a week could hold the key to preventing dementia, researchers claim. Watching a funny film with a good plot helps to stimulate the brain and prevent the build-up of harmful deposits, they believe. Crucially, discussing the film with friends afterwards helps to keep the mind active and guards against the formation of the plaques that cause Alzheimer’s. In a bid to prove their thesis, academics from Southampton University are launching a study involving 40 elderly patients - half of whom will go to the cinema once or twice a week. Scroll down for video . Researchers say watching a funny film with a good plot helps to stimulate the brain and could be the key to preventing dementia. Stock photo . They will then have a detailed discussion about the plot, the characters and what they made of the film overall over a cup of coffee or tea afterwards. Dr Roxana Carare, who is leading the research, believes this intellectual stimulation can prevent the build-up of toxins in the brain, called Amyloid-β, which lead to Alzheimer’s disease. ‘In order to keep the elimination of these toxins efficient, you need to keep the walls of the blood vessels healthy,’ she said. ‘You can do this by exercising of the brain or stimulation. ‘The films will stimulate the brain because of what you see and hear and crucially because of the discussions afterwards. ‘The bottom line is we’re trying to prevent these toxins accumulating in the brain by keeping the blood vessels pumping and brain active.’ Dr Carare, an Associate Professor in Cerebrovascular Ageing, cited the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, starring Dame Judi Dench and Bill Nighy, as an ideal film. It tells the story of seven pensioners spending their retirement in a hotel in India Patients would easily be able to relate the characters who are not dissimilar in age and it is both funny and intellectually stimulating. However, she said sci fi films were not ideal, as patients may lose concentration and find them difficult to believe. Amyloid plaques start to form as the walls of the blood vessels in the brain start to stiffen and lose their ability to get rid of toxins. To prove their thesis, academics from Southampton University are launching a study involving 40 elderly patients and will send half of them to the cinema once or twice a week. Stock photo . Some patients have weaker blood vessel walls - possibly due to their genes - and gradually, the toxins build up. They create deposits called plaques which damage the surrounding cells and cause Alzheimer’s Disease, the most common form of dementia. Dr Carare’s study is due to begin this summer and will involve 40 elderly patients who have mild memory and concentration problems, but have not been diagnosed with dementia. Half will go to the cinema or watch an older film together on a large screen once or twice a week and have a discussion for about an hour afterwards. All patients will also undergo memory and concentration assessments

Summary: Researchers say watching a funny film with good plot stimulates the brain . Crucially, discussing film afterwards helps to keep the mind active . Southampton University are launching a study involving 40 elderly patients . Dr Roxana Carare believes intellectual stimulation can prevent the build-up of toxins in the brain which lead to Alzheimer’s disease .


The Taliban have reportedly captured an former US military base in the western Afghan province of Farah. The news was released through a 16 minute video, in which dozens of Taliban fighters are shown being driven into the fortified base. The white flag of the Taliban is also shown being unfurled by one of the militants whilst another scene shows one of the group's leaders making a lengthy speech in Pashto. The white flags of the Taliban can be seen being unfurled over the buildings as the fighters swarm into the former US military base. A senior Taliban leader is shown making a speech, declaring that the military base had been liberated by the Taliban. The video shows footage of well-built fortitications of the former US base, once used to tackle the local trade in heroin in Farah province. The Taliban's exaggerated report ignores the fact that the base had not been used by NATO forces for over a year. American troops have not been operating from Bakwa base since March 2013. Multiple convoys of white estate cars are shown being driven into the compound, parking inside the fort walls. Fighters dressed in traditional Afghan dress and armed with machine guns can be seen getting out of the cars and gathering outside Bakwa district's headquarters building. Multiple convoys of white estate cars are shown being driven into the compound, parking inside the fort walls. The low quality footage was recently released in Pashto by al-Emarah media, the Taliban's official multimedia branch. The desert province, situated near the Iranian border, has become a growing area for Taliban re-resurgence. The base was reportedly captured after a lengthy siege. Growing fears remain that the Taliban are developing Farah province into their new hub for launching greater attacks on cities like Kabul. The low quality footage was poorly produced by al-Emarah media, the Taliban's official multimedia branch. According to a short statement released along with the video, Bakwa base was captured by the Taliban after a prolonged siege. The media branch also wrote: 'It is hoped that this release brings joy of our viewers.' Overexcited Taliban supporters on social media have already insisted that the radical group of jihadis will re-take Kabul soon. Farah is predominantly a desert province, with only a small local population. It was an important base for NATO troops due to its strategic location on the main highway between Herat and Kandahar. Fighters dressed in traditional Afghan dress and armed with machine guns, can be seen standing outside the base's headquarters . The news comes after Farid Bakhtawar, head of Farah's provincial council told local media about the threat posed by the Taliban in Farah province. 'The district of Bakwa is the center for weapons, dealing drugs, and the Taliban's main base in the west zone.' Growing fears remain that the Taliban are developing Farah province into their new hub for launching greater attacks on cities like Kabul. Farah is predominantly a desert province, with only a small local population. It was an important base for NATO forces after the 2001 invasion

Summary: Bakwa military base is situated in the desert province of Farah, Afghanistan . It was an important base for Nato forces, attempting to halt the local heroin trade . The white flag of the Taliban is shown being raised by the invading jihadis . A senior Taliban figure is also filmed making a speech about the 'liberation' of Bakwa. Nato troops have not been seen using the base in over a year .


A Canadian tourist with several previous child sex convictions has been sentenced to seven years in Nepal prison for sexually abusing a boy. Ernest Fenwick MacIntosh, 71, a businessman from the province of Nova Scotia, was also ordered to pay $10,000 to the victim by the judge in his ruling on Sunday, according to Lalitpur District Court. MacIntosh lured the boy, who has only one arm, to his hotel room in Lalitpur, a suburb south of the capital, Kathmandu, and repeatedly molested him, according to the Globe and Mail. Ernest Fenwick MacIntosh, 71, a businessman from the province of Nova Scotia, was sentenced to seven years in prison in Nepal for sexually molesting a boy (above Nepalese police escorting MacIntosh to his final hearing on Sunday) He arrived in Nepal on a tourist visa in August 2014 and was a frequent visitor to the children's shelter where the boy lived, and also gave the child promises of paying for a prosthetic arm while also offering him gifts and money. MacIntosh was detained by the police in December after the victim filed a complaint with police. Details of the victim were not given because he is a minor. MacIntosh previously faced 17 child sex offense convictions after being accused of sexually abusing boys in the 1970s, and the allegations surfaced in 1995, when he was living in India. However, he was not extradited until 2007 and the first of his two trials in Nova Scotia did not start until 2010. The 17 sex-related convictions against him, involving three boys, were overturned in April 2013. He was also ordered to pay $10,000 to the victim who he repeatedly molested at his hotel . Bob Martin, 57, one of six men who led to the Nova Scotia convictions said Nepalese officials finally brought a serial child predator to justice. He said: 'It's deplorable, even embarrassing, that a foreign country has to make up for the inadequacies of the Canadian justice system.' Police are investing to discover if there were any other minors involved. MacIntosh lured the boy, who has only one arm, to his hotel room in Lalitpur (above), a suburb south of the capital, Kathmandu, and gave the boy promises of paying for a prosthetic arm and also offered him gifts and money .

Summary: Ernest Fenwick MacIntosh, 71, businessman from province of Nova Scotia was also ordered to pay $10,000 to victim by judge . He arrived in Nepal on a tourist visa in August 2014 and was said to have lured boy to his hotel room in Lalitpur . Boy, not identified because he is a minor, has only one arm and was given promises he would get a prosthetic arm; he notified police about abuse . MacIntosh had 17 sex-related convictions against him for abusing boys in 1970s but were overturned in 2013 .


Banks will be hit with an extra £1billion tax until the deficit has been completely cleared, under new Lib Dem proposals. The new 8 per cent levy - which effectively strips the banks of the benefit of the Government's corporation tax cuts – will form a key plank of the party's election manifesto. Treasury Secretary Danny Alexander said the tax hike will help the next Government find the £30billion of savings after the election needed to balance the books. The Lib Dem economic spokesman Danny Alexander wants to introduce a new 8 per cent levy on banks . Like the Conservatives, the Lib Dems are committed eliminating the deficit in the public finances by 2017/18. But unlike the Tories - who say they would do it through spending cuts alone - the Lib Dems say they would seek to raise at least £8 billion through extra taxes. The annual levy on banks, which was introduced in 2010, currently brings in around £2.5billion a year. Mr Alexander's proposals are expected to take that up to £3.5billion a year. A 'mansion tax' on homes worth over £2million will raise an extra £1.5billion, and a crackdown on tax avoidance could save £6billion, the Lib Dems claim. The Lib Dem economic spokesman said: 'Failings in the banking system were a major factor in the great crash of 2008. 'That's why we have always insisted that the banks help fund repairing the economy. 'To that end, we introduced the Bank Levy which is on track to raise £8billion in this Parliament. 'With the final stage of deficit reduction requiring around £30billion of savings, it would be totally wrong for all of that to be found from cuts to public services as the Conservatives propose. 'Liberal Democrats believe that we must balance the books and do so fairly, so it is only right to reconsider whether banks are making a fair contribution to deficit reduction. 'This tax would remain in place until that job is complete.' The Tories and Lib Dems are committed eliminating the deficit in the public finances by 2017/18. But the Lib Dems want to raise at least £8 billion through extra taxes, while George Osborne (pictured) insists it can be achieved through spending cuts alone . All the revenue raised from the new bank tax will go towards paying down the deficit. The Lib Dems will push for the measure to be included in the forthcoming Budget – but if the Tories resist, it will be included in the Liberal Democrat manifesto. Mr Alexander added: 'Many banks were left seriously weakened after the crash. 'But as a result of our comprehensive range of reforms, and the strong economic recovery, the banking sector is now returning to health and profitability. 'So now is the right time to ask the sector to contribute a little more to help us balance the nation's books. That's the right way to keep our strong economy on track, and build a fairer society too.' Industry group the British Banking Association criticised the proposal, saying that banks in the UK already

Summary: Banks will have to pay a new 8% annual levy until 2017/18 to clear deficit . Tax hike will help the next Government find £30bn of savings after election . Tories and Lib Dems committed to clearing deficit within three years . But Cameron has vowed to make all the savings through spending cuts . Lib Dems want at least £8billion of new tax rises, including a mansion tax .


Baby girls from well-off districts can expect to enjoy good health for nearly 20 years longer than those in the poorest towns and suburbs, according to an official analysis. It found that a newborn girl in one of the top 10 per cent of wealthy areas will live 71.3 years before her life is limited by chronic illness or disability. But a girl born in one of the bottom 10 per cent of the most deprived areas can expect only 52.4 years of life in good health. Lottery: Babies born living in the top 10 per cent of wealthy areas can expect to live up to 20 years longer without disability or chronic illness, than those in poorer areas. Baby girls in wealthy areas can expect to live healthy lives the longest . The difference means the well-off girl is likely to have a healthy life more than a third longer than that of a girl from a poor district. The figures for boys are highly similar, according to the findings charted by the Office for National Statistics. They provoked protests from poverty pressure groups, which compared health inequality in Britain with health levels in Third World countries, and complained that the wealth gap is now dragging down the health of the entire British population. World Health Organisation figures on healthy life expectancy appear to show that men and women in Rwanda can expect to live healthily to 55 and 56 respectively. The same figures, from the Global Health Observatory Data Repository, show men and women in Romania will enjoy good health to 63 and 69, while those in Russia can expect to live to 57 and 66 without serious health issues. Poor health: Baby boys born in the most deprived areas of Britain have the worst prospects having just 52.2 years of healthy living . The ONS findings for the UK say that healthy life expectancy is at its worst in the very poorest areas of the country – usually those with high levels of worklessness, benefit dependency and alcohol, tobacco and drug consumption – and that for four fifths of the population the health gap between the best off and the rest is much less marked. The figures were calculated from the ONS Annual Population Survey which checks on the lives of 320,000 people a year. For men, it said that boys born in the most deprived suburbs can expect 52.2 years of good health, compared to 70.5 years for those born in the best-off areas. It said that if the figures were adjusted by measures designed to take into account income across the population rather than just in extremely poor or rich districts, the gaps were wider – 19.5 years for women as opposed to 18.9, and 19.1 years for men as opposed to 18.3. The ONS figures showed that, above the poorest fifth of areas, newborn girls can all expect almost 60 years of healthy life or more, and boys more than 58 years. Alison Garnham, chief executive of Child Poverty Action Group, said: ‘The statistics lay bare

Summary: Girls born in wealthiest areas will live over 70 years before chronic illness . This is compared to just 52 years in most deprived areas of Britain . Office of National Statistics figures showed outlook similar for males . Healthy life expectancy in most deprived areas worse than Third World .


Parry is considered one of the country's most influential musicians and a key architect of the 19th Century English Musical Renaissance . The first known works by one of Britain's finest composers, Sir Hubert Parry, who wrote the music for Jerusalem, are being sold at auction. The 70 documents, expected to fetch up to £50,000, represent Parry's earliest surviving work and include pieces written when he was an Eton schoolboy and at Oxford. Many of the pieces have never been played in public, but a premiere before the Prince of Wales, a champion of Parry's music, is to take place in May. Parry is considered one of the country's most influential musicians and a key architect of the 19th Century English Musical Renaissance. As well as Jersualem, he wrote many famous settings for English hymns, including Repton, a well-known tune for Dear Lord And Father Of Mankind. Parry's setting of the anthem I Was Glad has been played at the Coronations of every Monarch since Edward VII and was performed at the Westminster Abbey wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, as well as the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana in 1981. In a BBC4 documentary about Parry's music, Charles said: 'It gives you tingles up the spine and tears in your eyes.' Parry's version of The Magnificat And Nunc Dimittis In D, and an anthem entitled O Sing Unto The Lord, are considered the best of the cache and will be sung for the first time by the choir at Gloucester Cathedral. Leading institutions and potential buyers, including Prince Charles, have been sent details of the auction at Chorley's, Gloucester, on May 19. It is an appropriate venue because Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry (1848-1918) grew up just two miles from Gloucester, where he learned to play the organ. Leading institutions and potential buyers, including Prince Charles, have been sent details of the auction at Chorley's, Gloucester, on May 19 . Adrian Partington, the cathedral's director of music, who examined all the manuscripts and chose the two pieces for the premiere, said: 'The pieces are beautifully well-written for his age and show a talented young composer, but they are not exceptional. I think he was writing stuff for his chums to perform at Eton and Oxford and he did it in a hurry. 'They were probably only performed informally around the piano and I suspect he just forgot about them, which is why they have been gathering dust for all these years. 'But the seeds of a great composition like Jerusalem can be found in this student work. These are beautifully shaped tunes, logical harmony and very exact but imaginative setting of the words.' Some are incomplete or jottings, but there are some important compositions which until recently were kept in storage by one of Parry's distant relatives. In later life, Parry went on to teach and later run the Royal College of Music in London, which has an archive of his work. Dr Peter Horton, a librarian at the college, said: 'The new documents are interesting because they

Summary: Works of Sir Hubert Parry, one of UK's finest composers, to be auctioned . 70 documents are expected to fetch £50,000 and include earliest pieces . Premiere of pieces will be played before the Prince of Wales in May .


This video gives a whole new meaning to the expression 'barking up the wrong tree'. Casey Lantz from Las Vegas filmed his brother's dog enthusiastically getting his teeth into park shrubbery. Footage shows the canine determinedly attacking a tree trunk and attempting to rip off branches. But despite his best efforts he fails to break off any twigs. Lantz tells the pup to get down but the creature refuses to listen. He continues to sabotage the timber. At one point the pup dangles from the tree with a branch between his jaws. After more than half a minute he shows no sign of giving up. Another video shows the dog repeating the same stunt with a different tree. Caught on camera: This video gives a whole new meaning to the expression 'barking up the wrong tree' High jump: Casey Lantz from Las Vegas filmed his brother's dog enthusiastically getting his teeth into park shrubbery . Standing tall: Footage shows the canine determinedly attacking a tree trunk and attempting to rip off branches . Disheartened: But despite his best efforts he fails to break off any twigs .

Summary: Casey Lantz from Las Vegas filmed his brother's dog enthusiastically getting his teeth into a tree . At one point the canine dangles from a branch as he bites it in his jaws .


A four-year-old girl has been found distraught and dehydrated after she was left inside a hot school bus for several hours in Victoria's west. A statement on behalf of the driver from Bus Association Victoria says the service collected the girl from her home however upon dropping her to kindergarten the driver 'couldn't locate the child.' He says he then parked at the bus depot and performed a routine check of the vehicle before leaving at approximately 9am. The four-year-old should have been dropped to Warracknabeal Memorial Kindergarten on Tuesday morning . The girl's parents only learnt of her absence upon arriving at the school to collect her at about 1:30pm Tuesday afternoon. Unable to find their daughter they contacted the bus company and the police. The driver was contacted by the bus company and was the first to the scene. He says he found the child in the bus 'in good spirits and well'. 'This is a terribly unfortunately circumstance. The child may have been asleep under the seat - but we're unsure,' says the statement. The bus driver alleges a parent of the child physically assaulted him at the depot causing him to be visibly shaken. The police confirmed they attended an incident at Warracknabeal bus depot where two men were involved in a 'scuffle'. Police were called to the scene however the investigation is ongoing and no charges have been laid. Warracknabeal was 'lucky' to be experiencing mild weather on Tuesday unlike the hot day that claimed the life of a 22-month-old child in February . Yarriambiack Shire Council chief executive Ray Campling told the ABC it's lucky the girl got out unscathed however if it was much hotter she may have been seriously hurt. Noah Krespanis was found unconscious and was unable to be revived . 'The little girl either fell asleep at the back or just slipped down between the seats and unfortunately she was left in the bus for a few hours,' he said. 'It's a sad case, but if anything it's a reasonable outcome for what could have been a drastic outcome.' This comes less than two weeks from when a 22-month-old boy was found dead after being left inside a hot car at Kyneton, just north of Melbourne. Noah Krespanis was found in a car parked outside a home on Acacia Drive in Kyneton in 31 degree heat. The car window was smashed in order to rescue Noah but attempts to revive him were unsuccessful. It's been reported that temperatures would have reached up to 60 degrees inside the car on the hot Summer day. Public Transport Victoria are investigating the bus provider Annascott Pty Ltd who is contracted to provide the Willenbrina to Warrackanbeal service. The operator says they consider this a very serious matter and will co-operate fully with the authorities. Ambulance Victoria were called in to help at least six young children locked in hot cars in separate incidents during February, and a total of 200 children in the first five weeks of 2015 .

Summary: Four-year-old girl has been locked on a bus for several hours in Warrackanbeal, Victoria . Bus driver maintains he performed routine check of vehicle before parking . Girl was 'lucky' to be found unhurt . A parent of the child then allegedly assaulted the bus driver responsible .


Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has spoken to Sportsmail's Pete Jenson ahead of their Champions League last-16 showdown with Barcelona. Here are the top 10 quotes from the interview with the Chilean boss. Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has spoken to Sportsmail's Pete Jenson . Pellegrini on Manchester City's triumphs last season going unrecognised . 'We were fighting on all fronts. We won the Capital One Cup, reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, played in the Champions League and we won the League scoring 157 goals. Liverpool only had one competition and that's an enormous advantage.' Pellegrini on Liverpool getting the attention . 'The slip from (Steven) Gerrard? They lost that game 2-0, not 1-0. If he had not slipped, does it end in a draw? We'd still have been two points ahead of them. So why was it Liverpool losing the league and not us winning it?' Pellegrini on being told to buy English players . ‘It is important to have English players but can you sign them? Can you get (Raheem) Sterling? Maybe if you go to Liverpool with £100million you can. If I want an English player in the position of (David) Silva who is there? Maybe (Wayne) Rooney, but who else?' Pellegrini on European silverware . 'Manchester United in all of that great era under (Sir Alex) Ferguson only won two Champions Leagues. Real Madrid went 32 years without winning the European Cup. It is important to be there in the later rounds but you can't think that not being there is a disaster.' Pellegrini poses with the Premier League trophy in May 2014 after he saw his team win the title . Pellegrini on Barcelona . 'You can talk about tactics and technique but if you go a man down against Barcelona, you're put in a terrible position. It is not a disgrace to get knocked out by them. Their squad, if it is not the best in the world, it is the second best. No other team can put together Leo Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez but I want to play them with 11 and if they knock us out then let that be because they were better than us.' Pellegrini on his days as a centre back before becoming a manager . 'If you want to say I was a disaster of a player then say it. But give me another disaster of a player who played almost 500 games across 14 years.' Pellegrini on Manchester City's riches . 'This year Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United have all spent more than us. People don't accept that we are trying to become a big club in a very short time. I don't think there's such a difference between the top five or six squads.' Pellegrini feels English clubs aren't helped in European competitions by the domestic fixtures during winter . Pellegrini on the festive fixture list . 'English football gives other leagues an advantage. There are some traditions you can't change, I realise that. Boxing Day is non-negotiable. But you can't play nine games

Summary: Read Sportsmail's interview with Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini . Pellegrini feels his team's triumphs last season went unrecognised . City face Barcelona on Wednesday, away in the Champions League . Pellegrini wants a fair fight at the Nou Camp to try to overturn the 2-1 loss . Gael Clichy was sent off in the first leg and Pellegrini is up for round two . CLICK HERE for all the latest Manchester City news .


It was planned as a publicity stunt to send a strong message that China is cracking down on illegal trade and counterfeiting. But when villagers realised officials in Xuzhou, east China's Jiangsu province, had stockpiled a 35-ton heap of fake goods to burn, they decided to help themselves before dozens of counterfeit designer shoes and clothes went up in flames. Locals fought their way to the vast pile to lay their hands on everything from fake cosmetics and computer parts to soya milk, using iron hooks and bamboo baskets to reach items, according to the People's Daily Online. Villagers descended on a vast pile of counterfeit goods collected in China that was planned to be incinerated, grabbing designer shoes and clothes as well as soya milk and other food from the 35-ton 'mountain' Word soon spread, drawing crowds of people who described the pile as a 'mountain of treasure.' Locals were seen pilfering anything they could from the vast pile, and stuffing goods and dozens of boxes into cars, trucks and even wheelbarrows. Among the items grabbed were food, healthcare products, cosmetics and computer parts. The 35.7 tonnes of counterfeit goods had been stockpiled by authorities in the city of Xuzhou where they were being kept before being destroyed. But when locals heard that the the huge pile worth 285,000 Chinese Juan (£30,500) was to be burned, they went along to have a look. When they saw that many of the items had not been incinerated yet, they started helping themselves. As word spread that many items had not yet gone up in flames, locals descended on the area . Lok Shen, 36, said: 'It was like a mountain of treasure just sitting there. 'There weren't any guards around and it seemed a waste to burn it all, so we took what we wanted.' Word spread and the place was soon swarming with looters grabbing boxes of anything they came across and stuffing them into the backs of cars, trucks and even into wheelbarrows. The public burning was just one of many that have taken place across the country as part of a crackdown on counterfeit goods, with the sign of bulldozers crashing bottles of spirits and counterfeit fireworks being set alight. Dozens of boxes were piled into the back of vans as villagers made off with their spoils, saved from the fire . The 35 ton pile was destined for the incinerator as part of China's crackdown on illegal trade and counterfeiting . Opportunists seized anything they could lay their hands on - including fake food stuffs and soya milk . This publicity stunt was planned to be slightly different, with goods being incinerated to generate energy. It was estimated that for every ton burned 550kwh of electricity would be generated. Officials in Jiangsu attempted to stop any further looting and asked people to return goods they had taken. Many people were unaware of the risks of pilfering fake items, particularly food. A local government spokesman said: 'We are looking at ways of making sure it doesn't happen again.' Boxes containing

Summary: Officials in Xuzhou collected a 35-ton pile of counterfeit items for burning . Villagers got word of the plans and went down to pile to grab items . They took fake designer handbags, shoes, cosmetics and soya milk . Several stuffed boxes of fake items into cars, trucks and a wheelbarrow . Locals described the collection of counterfeits as a 'mountain of treasure' Items were being incinerated as part of crackdown on illegal trade in China .


Two of Britain’s most distinguished actors are set to star in a £6million film ‘co-written’ by a leading figure of the Jihadi John apologist campaign group, Cage. Sir Ben Kingsley and Emily Watson will be working alongside an award-winning team in ‘The Secret Evidence’. Golden Globe-winning producer J Todd Harris is said to already be on board, and the film has commitments from Emily Watson, Sir Ben and Lily Collins. Scroll down for video . Actors Sir Ben Kingsley and Emily Watson are among stars to have signed up to the film that has been reportedly co-written by the Cage spokesman . Last night The Mail was unable to contact representatives of the stars, who are believed to have made the commitment to the movie long before the controversy surrounding Cage. The film, which is supported by civil rights group Liberty, is thought to have been co-written by former terror suspect and Cage spokesman Cerie Bullivant. He spent two years under a control order before eventually being exonerated, and the film is believed to be loosely based on his own experiences. But Mr Bullivant’s involvement became an embarrassment for the movie after the unmasking of Mohammed Emwazi as Jihadi John. Last month Cage sparked outrage by defending the London-raised fanatic unmasked as the Islamic State butcher. The group described Emwazi as a ‘beautiful and gentle’ man who was driven to radicalisation by MI5. Promotion: The leaflet for the film showing Miss Watson, Saoirse Ronan and Sir Ben Kingsley . And Mr Bullivant railed for eight minutes about the treatment he had received at the hands of the security services ‘in very similar circumstances’ to those of Emwazi, suggesting it was the MI5’s actions which had led to the brutal killer’s radicalisation. The former mental health nurse also claimed UK security forces harassed Emwazi to the point where he had ‘no options and position within UK society anymore’ in an official video for Cage. He even went as far as suggesting an alleged assault on Emwazi by the police in 2010 could be directly linked to the beheadings. Speaking to the Islam Channel earlier this month, the 32-year-old said: ‘He was looking to get married, get a good job and settle down. ‘If that had happened, if our security forces had not had stopped him, would he be cutting off heads now?’ He added: ‘We have a two year picture of a man constantly…trying to move his life forward and we see a pattern of security services stopping that. ‘We even see a pattern of the police pinning him up against the wall and strangling him. This is a chilling simile when you look at what he ended up doing to other people.’ Cerie Bullivant is a former terror suspect and spokesman for the group Cage . Bullivant was in the spotlight again earlier this month when he stormed off in the middle of a live Sky news interview claiming a question on about his feelings on the beheadings was racist. Now the filmmakers behind ‘The Secret Evidence’ appear to be trying to

Summary: Sir Ben Kingsley and Emily Watson among stars due to work on the film . It has reportedly been co-written by Cage spokesman Cerie Bullivant . The former terror suspect described Mohammed Emwazi as 'beautiful' Actors are understood to have signed up to film before the controversy .


Shaun Harrison, Sr, 55, was charged with allegedly shooting a student in the face 'execution style' A father-of-eight minister and former dean of students at a Boston high school was charged for allegedly shooting one of his students in the face 'execution-style'. The unnamed Boston English High School student survived and told police he had been selling marijuana for Shaun Harrison, Sr. for the past several months, according to Suffolk Assistant District Attorney Michael Bradley. Bradley said the student had been told by Harrison, 55, that they were on their way to a house where the student could pick up marijuana and girls on the night of the shooting. After Harrison's home was searched on Thursday police found an illegally-owned rifle and shotgun in his bedroom, which Bradley said the minister had told police were weapons he had inherited from his father. Harrison only began working at Boston English High School at the beginning of January and served as a 'community or family outreach coordinator,' school spokeswoman Denise Snyder told the Boston Globe. She said he was unofficially recognized as the 'Dean of Students'. Harrison's defense attorney Kernahan Buck said he also ran anger management and substance abuse programs at the high school. He has since been fired from the high school, according to interim school superintendent John McDonough. The Charles Street African Methodist Episcopal Church confirmed to Daily Mail Online that Harrison was an ordained Baptist minister who left the church, of which he was a member, in 2012 to form his own non-denominational church. The father-of-eight is an ordained Baptist minister and was the 'dean of students' at Boston English High School. The student allegedly told police he was selling marijuana for Harrison for the past several months . Rev. Opal Adams, an associate pastor at the church, told the Boston Globe that Harrison did anti-violence work with young people in the community. Harrison's sister Susan believes he was 'setup'. 'My brother is a good man and I don't know how this happened,' she told the Boston Globe. Harrison's son Jeremy, an anti-violence activist who worked to keep kids off the street, was arrested after shooting his girlfriend in the head while cleaning his illegally-owned firearm in 2013. She was critically wounded, according to the Boston Herald. Harrison was charged on Thursday with assault with intent to murder, aggravated assault and battery and unlawful possession of a firearm. His bail was set at $250,000 cash. Harrison ran anger management and substance abuse programs at theschool, where he has since been fired .

Summary: Shaun Harrison, 55, allegedly told student they were heading to a house where the teen could pick up weed and girls . The Boston English High School student was shot in the face but survived . Harrison ran anger management and substance abuse programs at the high school, where he has since been fired . Police discovered a rifle and shotgun in his bedroom . Has been charged with assault with intent to murder, aggravated assault and battery and unlawful possession of a firearm . Last year his son was arrested after shooting and critically injuring his girlfriend in the head while cleaning an illegal firearm .


President Vladimir Putin has accused Western spies of plotting to undermine his rule and attempting to 'destabilise' Russia before the elections at a meeting of the Federal Security Service earlier today . President Vladimir Putin has accused Western spies of plotting to undermine his rule and trying to 'destabilise' Russia before the elections. Public organisations are being used by Western security services to achieve their own goals, the Russian president said at a meeting of the Federal Security Service earlier today. He vowed that Russia would stand firm in the face of what he described as attempts to isolate the country politically and economically following the Ukrainian crisis. In the speech he said: 'The attempts by Western security services to use public, non-governmental organisations and non-political groups for their own benefit, mostly to discredit the authorities and destabilise the situation in Russia, have not stopped. 'Actions are being planned for the time before the election campaigns in 2016 and 2018.' Putin approved a law to force non-governmental organisations that engage in 'political activity' to register with the Justice Ministry as 'foreign agents' and file a report to officials every quarter in 2012. Critics claimed it was a move designed to try and silence groups that criticised his human rights record. His new comments mean that Moscow will not relax their scrutiny of non-governmental groups that receive foreign funding. Putin added that he was always open to dialogue with the opposition - but was confident the country would come out as a winner in the standoff against the West. He said: 'The situation around our country will change for the better, but not because we will make concessions, bend down or trifle with someone. 'No one has succeeded in scaring our country or pressuring it and no one will.' Putin spoke before officials and said he was confident Russia would come out as a winner in the standoff against the West . He added: 'We always listen to constructive criticism of the authorities' action or lack of action at any level and this dialogue is always useful and simply necessary. 'But it would be pointless to have debates with those who take orders from an outsider, in the interest of another country.' During the meeting Putin also praised Russian security services for thwarting the work of more than 300 foreign spies and agents, and said it was 'especially important' to tighten procedures to protect state secrets.

Summary: Vowed that Russia would stand firm in standoff against the West . Praised officials for thwarting work of more than 300 foreign spies .


A woman who is suspected of robbing ten banks was arrested at a traffic stop after a police officer found notes she would use during the heists. Dana Campbell, 37, was recognized by employees at a supermarket bank in Arlington who saw her on wanted posters. The suspect, who became known as the 'Black Hoodie Bandit' after 10 bank robberies, quickly left the store, though she was wanted for oustanding traffic warrants and police were able to pull her over. An officer who searched her jacket during the stop found a note that said 'This is a robbery. I don’t want to hurt anyone.' Dana Campbell, 37, was arrested for a string of bank robberies after she was recognized at a supermarket and a note was found in her car that said 'This is a bank robbery' Campbell, dubbed the Black Hoodie Bandit by the FBI, would wear gloves, sunglasses and a leather purse during her suspected heists. Similar items were found in her car this week . An officer who searched her jacket during the stop found a note that said 'This is a robbery. I don’t want to hurt anyone,' according to a news release from the FBI. The discovery led to a warrant that uncovered another note that the suspect who allegedly pass to tellers and a ledger with the names of banks robbed since November 2014, according to a news release from the FBI. She was also wanted for outstanding traffic tickets, according to the Dallas Morning News. Dates in the book corresponded to when the banks were robbed. Sunglasses, gloves and a leather purse, which featured prominently in the ten robberies, were also found. Campbell was recognized by employees at First Convenience Bank at an Arlington Kroger supermarket on Monday before she quickly hurried out of the store. The suspected robber was caught after stills from video footage were circulated. She would hand tellers notes informing them that their bank was being robbed . Campbell is thought to have robbed ten banks since November of last year, nine of which were First Convenience banks (file photo) She was previously recognized by a customer earlier this month who asked 'Are you the one who has been robbing all the banks?' before Campbell allegedly the bank. The suspect is thought to have robbed nine First Convenience Bank branches and one Woodforest National Bank in six north Texas cities. She has a previous arrest in 2012 for a theft of more than $500, according to I on Mesquite. Campbell has a preliminary and detention hearing set for April 1. The FBI says she faces a maximum penalty of 20 years and a $250,000 fine. No one was every physically injured in her robberies. The suspected robber was arrested after employees at a bank in an Arlington Krogers supermarket recognized her after wanted posters were put up following a string of robberies at the stores (pictured)

Summary: Dana Campbell, 37, recognized by employees at supermarket bank . Suspect is thought to have robbed ten banks since November last year . She quickly left store, but was pulled over for outstanding traffic warrants . Note in her jacket said 'This is a robbery. I don’t want to hurt anyone'


A man who shook his two-year-old stepdaughter so violently she fell into a coma and died, has been charged with her murder. David Adams, 25, had been charged with assault and child endangerment in November after acknowledging having shaken Thaiya Spruill-Smith, according to the authorities. He had recently been released from prison after four when his family posted a bail bond but he was rearrested on Wednesday after the Brooklyn district attorney upgraded the charges against him, according to the New York Times. Yesterday he appeared in Brooklyn Criminal Court on a charge of second-degree murder. He hung his head during his 15 minute appearance. Assistant district attorney Frank DeGaetano said in court: 'He shook her several times. Thaiya Spruill-Smith, two, was taken off life support after suffering a brain hemorrhage. Stepfather David Adams, 25, has now been charged with her murder . 'He made her hit her head. She had multiple abrasions and contusions, 17 on her head, and she had damage to the axons and neurons in her brain consistent with massive brain damage.' Thaiya had been declared brain-dead in November after Adams said he shook her and she was admitted to a hospital with bleeding in the brain, retinal hemorrhaging and bruises. The incident leading to Thaiya's death occurred on November 12 when her mum Teoka Spruill left her Brooklyn apartment for about an hour, leaving Thaiya with Adams. According to a criminal complaint, Adams told police he held Thaiya off the ground, causing her head 'to rotate forward and back rapidly several times,' and the girl's body then went limp. He again shook her, so hard her head swiveled again several times, and then her body went rigid. Thaiya was asleep when Ms Spruill returned, she said, and the child woke once during the night to ask for juice. Ms Spruill called an ambulance next morning when she heard Thaiya struggling for breath. The youngster was rushed to Brookdale Hospital shortly before 7am and despite numerous operations, doctors concluded her injuries were too severe to overcome and she was eventually taken off life support. It has since emerged that Thaiya may have been the victim of months of abuse at the hands of Adams that was investigated by New York City social services. Ms Spruill and Thaiya's father Terrell Smith disagreed over whether to donate her organs after the toddler was declared brain dead two days after the incident. A judge ordered Brookdale to keep the child on life support for at least another day to keep her organs alive until the girl's parents resolved their dispute. 'She was born with that, she's going to be buried with that, her body, her eyes - it's what makes her her,' Smith told the New York Times from Thaiya's hospital bed in Brookdale Hospital, New York. Thaiya's father Terrell Smith says she was being systematically abused by her mother's new husband . 'My daughter was born with that, and she's going to lie down with the same thing.' Speaking separately, Spruill told the paper: 'I just think it would be

Summary: Thaiya Spruill-Smith died after 'being violently shaken by stepfather' Youngster's life support had to be switched off at Brooklyn hospital after she was declared brain dead two days later following hemorrhage . David Adams, 25, has had assault and child endangerment charges upgraded to second-degree murder and appeared in court yesterday . Thaiya's father wanted her to be buried with her organs, her mother wanted to donate them to children in need . The organs now cannot be donated because 'there must be agreement among family members'


Islamic State have released a shocking new video, featuring the execution of three Kurdish prisoners in Iraq. Dressed in orange boiler suits with their hands bound behind his back, the Kurdish soldiers are each marched through the ruins of a bombed out building by an ISIS fighter. All three prisoners are then beheaded in front of a large crowd of local residents, including a number of children. Scroll down for video . The slickly made video shows the graphic beheading of three Kurdish soldiers, who were captured in the Iraqi province of Nineveh. Each time the prisoners are individually shown being forced to knees. They have all had their heads shaved and dressed in matching uniforms. The footage briefly stops to reveal the names of each prisoner,revealing their rank and background in the Peshmerga. A bearded ISIS fighter gives a speech, promising greater attacks on the Kurds if their government do not stand down in their fight against the extremist group. A variety of close up shots from different camera angles are used to show the prisoners waiting to be executed. All three prisoners were beheaded in front of a large crowd of local residents, including a number of children. Dressed in an orange boiler suits and with their hands bound behind his back, the Kurdish soldiers are each marched through the ruins of a bombed out building by an ISIS fighter. Each prisoner has had his head shaved by an ISIS militant and was forced to confess their names and rank within the Peshmerga army. A number of heavily ISIS soldiers with their faces covered in black balaclavas are shown as the camera pans away during the dreary speech. Some of the fighters appear to be standing on top of a wall, hoping to get a better view of the execution. Crowds of local residents can also be seen surrounding the man, waiting for the impending public execution to commence. The video ends with three ISIS fighters pulling out their knives and beheading their prisoner. Close up shots of the bloodied bodies are shown. Crowds of local residents can also be seen surrounding the man, waiting for the impending public execution to commence. Last September, ISIS posted a similar video showing the execution of six Kurdish soldiers in the Iraqi city of Mosul. The video ends with three ISIS fighters pulling out their knives and beheading their prisoner. Close up shots of the bloodied bodies are shown. The video was released by an official ISIS media branch in the Iraqi province of Nineveh and appears to be an attempt to scare the Kurds from fighting ISIS. In Syria, ISIS continue to enhance their barbarous reputation, executing two men in the Syrian province of Homs. Neither victims are named but one of the men is accused of apostasy and the other was allegedly found guilty of spying for the Assad regime. In Syria, ISIS continue to enhance their barbarous reputation, executing two men in the Syrian province of Homs. Blindfolded and unaware of their impending fate, the two victims were driven out

Summary: Three Kurdish prisoners are shown being beheaded in front of a large crowd . An ISIS fighter gives a speech and threatens the Kurdish government to end their fight against ISIS . All three men were members of the Peshmerga and were caught fighting in Nineveh province . Five men accused of drug trafficking were also beheaded in Mosul, Iraq .


Britain's courts are ‘seriously weakening’ the fight against terrorism by ‘trotting along’ with politically correct rulings from European judges, a new study claims. UK judges are on an ‘expansionist binge’ which has led them to implementing human rights laws made in Strasbourg on crucial national security issues including deporting terror suspects and control orders. By applying and interpreting Euro legislation, the unelected judiciary is ‘meddling’ in policy decisions made by Parliament which amounts to a ‘denial of democracy’, according to a report by the influential Civitas think-tank. It calls for a shake-up of the Human Rights Act to prevent further ‘power grabs’ by the British courts encroaching into areas that should be left to the Government and MPs. Battle: Muslim cleric Abu Qatada, described as Al Qaeda’s spokesman in Britain, was finally returned home in 2013 after a 12-year legal battle which cost taxpayers millions . The report, published today FRI, blasts Britain’s left-leaning judiciary for being ‘too willing’ to apply rulings from the European Court of Human RIghts in the UK, rather than simply taking them into account. Barrister Michael Arnheim, who wrote the study The Problem With Human Rights Law, said the situation was hampering the Government’s ability to protect our borders by fighting terrorism and illegal immigration – putting innocent lives at risk. In one high-profile case, the Court of Appeal ruled in 2008 that deporting hate preacher Abu Qatada would breach his human rights, because evidence to be used against him on trial in Jordan may have been obtained through torture. The firebrand Muslim cleric, described as Al Qaeda’s spokesman in Britain and who spouted bile on the streets on London, was finally returned home in 2013 after a 12-year legal battle which cost taxpayers millions of pounds. Meanwhile, British judges have been blasted for weakening now-defunct control orders and the replacement Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures (Tpims) which were introduced to impose rigid restrictions on terror suspects who could not be prosecuted or deported. It fuelled concern that the judiciary was chiselling away at measures to protect the UK from jihadists. 'Too willing': British judges have been accused of being too willing to apply rulings from EU courts in the UK, rather than taking them into account . There has also been outrage over cases in which criminals have avoided deportation by pleading that their removal would breach the family life clause of the European Convention on Human Rights. Among them was Aso Mohammed Ibrahim, a failed asylum seeker who ran down and killed 12-year-old Amy Houston - and fled the scene - while disqualified from driving. A judge subsequently allowed him to remain here because he had two children with a British woman. In his report, Mr Arnheim said: ‘The domestic courts are on an expansionist binge, which has never been checked by the government or parliament. ‘Continued failure to check this development will result not only in a serious weakening of national defences against terrorism and illegal immigration, but will also amount to a denial of democracy. ‘National security and the public interest actually refer

Summary: Think tank says meddling in Parliamentary policy is denial of democracy . Calls for shake-up in Human Rights Act to stop 'power grabs' by courts . Judiciary 'too willing' to apply Euro rulings rather than just considering them . Civitas criticised governments for ‘lacking courage’ to stand up to judiciary .


Adnan Januzaj must have hoped that between Angel di Maria being sent off and Antonio Valencia's poor defending, eyes would be off him for Manchester United - but his blatant dive at Old Trafford was clear to see for everyone, including the referee. The United youngster now has five yellow cards for diving compared to four goals, and added to the embarrassment for Louis van Gaal's side in their FA Cup defeat by Arsenal with his blatant simulation attempt in the 87th minute on Monday night as the 10-man home side chased the lead. Making it into the penalty area ahead of Nacho Monreal, the Belgian went to ground in search of a late penalty but instead the only reaction Michael Oliver gave him was to dish out a yellow card. Adnan Januzaj breaks into the penalty area in the 87th minute of the FA Cup quarter-final at Old Trafford . The Belgian midfielder was being closely tracked by Nacho Monreal, who had earlier scored for Arsenal . Well clear of the defender, Januzaj bends his ankle as he begins to head for the deck in the 2-1 defeat . Januazj falls but referee Michael Oliver was having none of it and issued him with a yellow card for simulation . The referee got an earful from the Stretford End faithful and United captain Wayne Rooney but was right to caution Januzaj, who made it into the all-time Barclays Premier League top two for simulation bookings in his first full season in United's first team. Sportsmail's Graham Poll agreed with Oliver's decision and was impressed with his performance, saying: 'Oliver was brave and correct again when Adnan Januzaj clearly dived in front of the Stretford End – some players never learn.' Di Maria had already been booked for diving by Oliver, moments before he earned a second yellow card for inexplicably grabbing the official. And between him and Januzaj, the home side were left even more embarrassed at Old Trafford while Arsenal fans rejoiced in the stands - and that was already after two defensive errors was their final hope of a trophy extinguished. A bad night for Van Gaal's men. Januzaj (centre) appeals to Oliver while United's players hold their heads in disappointment at Old Trafford . Wayne Rooney tries to make his opinions known as captain of Manchester United but was unsuccessful .

Summary: Angel di Maria was sent off for Manchester United in their FA Cup exit . And Adnan Januzaj was also booked for simulation in the 89th minute . He has five yellow cards for diving and four goals for United . Belgian midfielder went down under pressure from Nacho Monreal . He was rightly shown the yellow card by referee Michael Oliver .


Wales head coach Warren Gatland says that prop Samson Lee's World Cup prospects are '50-50' after he was injured during last Saturday's RBS 6 Nations victory over Ireland. Gatland has confirmed that Lee, who was carried off just 14 minutes into the Ireland game, suffered a full rupture of his Achilles. Ospreys prop Aaron Jarvis will replace him for next Saturday's Six Nations appointment with Italy in Rome, with loosehead Rob Evans taking over from Gethin Jenkins, who has a hamstring problem. Gatland said: 'We were hoping he (Lee) was going to have surgery on Monday, but there was too much swelling, and it has been put back a week. Wales will be missing props Gethin Jenkins and Samson Lee when they take on Italy in Rome on Saturday . 'He is a 50-50 chance for the World Cup, but we are confident he has enough time to get back and be available for the World Cup. 'If things go well, he will not be far away.' Evans and Jarvis will line up against Italy, while there are call-ups on the bench for hooker Ken Owens, props Rhys Gill and Scott Andrews and scrum-half Gareth Davies, with Mike Phillips missing out. Owens features among the substitutes instead of Gloucester hooker Richard Hibbard, who had been following return-to-play protocols after taking a blow to his head during the Ireland game. Saracens forward Gill, meanwhile, gains a match-day place after only joining the squad for training on Monday, while Davies - a livewire operator and consistent try-scorer for the Scarlets - gets his chance instead of the hugely-experienced Phillips. VIDEO Wales dash Ireland's Grand Slam hopes - highlights . Rob Evans of Scarlets (right) replaces Jenkins in the squad that travels to the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday . In terms of the starting line-up, it will be Evans' full Wales debut after he went on as a replacement for Jenkins at half-time last Saturday, with Jarvis continuing instead of Lee. Wales will head to the Stadio Olimpico lying third in the Six Nations table behind England and Ireland on points difference. A comprehensive victory over Italy, though, would turn up the heat on their title rivals, with Ireland tackling Scotland at Murrayfield next Saturday, followed by England hosting France at Twickenham. Ospreys prop Aaron Jarvis has also been called up as a replacement as Wales look to win the RBS 6 Nations . Gatland added: 'It was great to get the result we wanted in front of our home supporters last weekend and to give us a chance going into the last round of action. 'Obviously, it's disappointing for Gethin and Samson, but Rob and Aaron stepped up well last weekend and we expect the same on Saturday. 'The challenge to us is to go to Italy and win, and try to win by a significant margin, but we know that's an extremely tough ask and the first job will be to simply get the result. Jenkins (right) joins Wales team-mate Aaron Jarvis in tackling Ireland's Jamie Heaslip on Saturday . 'Italy build their

Summary: Gethin Jenkins and Samson Lee both suffered injuries against Ireland . The props suffered hamstring and Achilles problems respectively . Scarlets' Rob Evans and Ospreys' Aaron Jarvis are called up . Ken Owens, Rhys Gill, Scott Andrews, Gareth Davies get bench call-ups .


MPs have accused bosses of HSBC of being ‘utterly incompetent’ and ducking responsibility for the Swiss tax dodging scandal. Chris Meares, who ran HSBC’s global private banking arm between 2006 and 2011, told the Public Accounts Committee he was not aware of alleged tax evasion taking place on his watch. Asked repeatedly whether he accepted personal responsibility for the scandal, he said he took responsibility for ‘controls failings’ which allowed the wrongdoing to occur. But he added: ‘I do not take fairly direct responsibility for individual actions of people in Switzerland that I was unaware of.' Scroll down for video . Chris Meares, who ran HSBC’s global private banking arm between 2006 and 2011, told the Public Accounts Committee he was not aware of alleged tax evasion taking place on his watch . Chief executive Stuart Gulliver and HSBC board director Rona Fairhead also angered MPs by insisting they were oblivious to the wrongdoing in Switzerland, where staff allegedly helped wealthy clients including arms dealers and a blood diamond smuggler evade taxes between 2005 and 2007. The committee’s chairman Margaret Hodge, a Labour MP, said: ‘Nobody at the bank... has deigned to accept responsibility for what was massive, illegal terrible tax evasion.’ She added: ‘Either you were incompetent, completely and utterly incompetent, in your oversight duties or you knew about it… I don’t believe you did not know.’ Her fellow committee members also expressed disbelief that HSBC’s bosses in London were unaware of what was happening in Switzerland. Conservative MP David Burrows said: ‘You are asking us to accept that Switzerland was off on a frolic on its own - that nobody in London knew what was going on’. He added: ‘I cannot believe that nobody knew the unlawful actions that were taking place in Switzerland, and if they didn’t know then they jolly well should have done. ‘What we’ve essentially got is blind eye knowledge – holding the telescope to the blind eye so that you in London didn’t see what you suspected was going on in Switzerland.’ Question time: MPs accused BBC Trust chairman Rona Fairhead as either being aware of wrongdoing or being 'utterly incompetent' HSBC’s chairman Douglas Flint has already heaped blame on Mr Meares and his predecessor Clive Bannister, the son of four-minute mile legend Sir Roger Bannister, who now runs insurance company Phoenix. Mr Flint told the Treasury Select Committee last month that the two men ‘certainly bear fairly direct responsibility’. Yesterday, Mr Meares - who is now chairman of fund manager Quilter Cheviot - rejected claims that he was being made the ‘fall guy’ by HSBC. But he was described as a ‘wholly unreliable witness’ by Conservative MP Stephen Hammond.

Summary: Former HSBC private banking boss said he was unaware of tax evasion . Chief executive Stuart Gulliver and Rona Fairhead also angered MPs . BBC Trust chairman was either 'incompetent' or aware of wrongdoing .


This is the moment a driver was rumbled in the carpool-lane with the 'most interesting' of passengers. The state trooper came face-to-face with a life sized cardboard cutout of actor Jonathan Goldsmith when he pulled over the vehicle. The debonair actor, aged in his 70s, is famed for playing 'The Most Interesting Man in the World' in the Dos Equis beer commercials. When questioned about his two dimensional travelling companion the motorist replied: 'He's my bestfriend.' Two dimensional companion: This motorist was pulled over on the Interstate by a trooper with a cardboard cut out of actor Jonathan Goldsmith . Actor Jonathan Goldsmith appearing in 'The Most Interesting Man in the World' beer commercial for Dos Equis . Motorists regularly try and cheat the lanes in a bid to beat congestion, but the traffic officers described it as one of the best scam attempts he had seen. The driver was spotted flouting the High Occupancy Vehicle Lane (HPV) on the Interstate 5 near Tacoma in Fife, Washington. The cardboard likeness was not confiscated by the trooper but the driver was warned not to use him again. The driver received a $124 penalty ticket for offence. Channeling the cardboard cutout, Washington Police tweeted: 'I don't always violate the HOV lane law ... but when I do, I get a $124 ticket.' The amusing message was retweeted more than 850 times. Vehicles using HOV lanes must be carrying at least two people. Children count as occupants but under the rules pets, infants still in the womb, inflatables and even ghosts, do not. Using dummies in these lanes has been a problem for police all over the country for years. Previously motorist have been caught using wooden creations and even plastic skeletons as fake passengers in a bid to avoid sitting bumper-to-bumper . In the past a motorist was pulled over using this wooden creation as a fake passenger on the Long Island Expressway .

Summary: Trooper spots cardboard passenger in a vehicle using the carpool-lane . Pulled motorist over on the Interstate 5 in Tacoma in Washington . Discovers cutout of star of The Most Interesting Man in the World beer ad . Vehicles using the carpool lane need to be carrying at least two people . Officer allowed driver to keep likeness but issued $124 fine for the violation .


Dinner with Arnold Palmer on Thursday night clearly agreed with World No 1 Rory McIlroy. All those indifferent rounds in Florida so far this year were swept aside on Friday as the Northern Irishman notched up five birdies in a row at one point on his way to a superb 66 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. It was the first time in eight rounds in the Sunshine State this year that he had broken 70 and what a way to do it. From out of the pack, the 25 year old is now bang in contention for a morale-boosting victory in his last scheduled start before his attempt to complete the career Grand Slam at the Masters next month. Rory McIlroy hit a second round of 66 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational on Friday . It was the first time in eight rounds in Florida this year that the World No 1 had broken 70 . McIlroy looks to have played himself back into form ahead of the Masters next month . ‘I’m just feeling more comfortable day by day, and it was great to see a few putts finally drop,’ said McIlroy, whose performance drew a glowing tribute from his good friend and playing partner, Rickie Fowler. ‘After what I saw today and the fact he’s clearly the best player in the world, he has to be the favourite for the Masters,’ said the American, who was pipped at the post to both The Open and USPGA Championships last year by McIlroy. ‘That course suits his game. He didn’t start out hot today but when he gets it going as he did on the back nine, it’s hard to hang with him. If he continues to play like that, he will be ready for Augusta, for sure.’ Fowler was right when he said nothing appeared to be happening for McIlroy over his front nine, the inward half on the course. In fact, he’d played much better on the first day, when he opened with a 70. But after finally getting a putt to drop at the second, and enjoying a small stroke of fortune at the third, where his pulled drive carried a water hazard by just a couple of yards, it all started to click. A good wedge to the third green set up a birdie and then came his third in a row at the par five fourth. At the fifth his wedge shot finished 18 inches away and then came another birdie at the long sixth, where he got up and down from a greenside bunker. ‘It’s a lovely feeling when you get on runs like that and the game suddenly feels very easy,’ he said. Fowler's good friend and playing partner Rickie Fowler admitted McIlroy is now favourite for the Masters . McIlroy had five birdies in a row in Dubai earlier this year but this was the first time he had enjoyed such a run in an event on the PGA Tour, and it electrified the huge galleries at Bay Hill. By this stage he had

Summary: Rory Mcilroy five shots behind leader Morgan Hoffman at Bay Hill . World No 1 had dinner with Arnold Palmer on Thursday night . Rickie Fowler says McIlroy must be favourite for the Masters next month . First time in eight rounds this year that McIlroy broke 70 in Florida . Matt Every one shot behind Hoffman - Ian Poulter one behind McIlroy .


An ironic venue choice has been made by the Liberal National Party's for the International Women's Day event. The annual luncheon event is set to be held at the exclusive men's-only club - the Tattersall's Club in Brisbane on Friday. The oldest and most prestigious membership club in Brisbane boasts that those who wish to sign up will enjoy unlimited possibilities, luxury services and the opportunity to join 'an influential network of like-minded members'. But if you aren't a man, you need to be a relative or friend of a member to be privileged enough to walk through the door and relish in these perks. The exclusive men's-only club - the Tattersall's Club in Brisbane is the ironic venue of choice for the International Women's Day event hosted by the Liberal National Party on Friday . An LNP spokesman said the venue was chosen due to availability, price and flexibility and location. Opposition Leader Bill Shorten asked Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who is also the Federal Minister for Women, to comment on the topic during Question Time at Parliament House on Wednesday. Mr Abbott replied that the venue choice should be deemed as a positive move - saying the last sexism barrier had been broken down. 'Admit women! Isn't that fantastic? At last, this bastion of chauvinism has admitted women and they've done it on International Women's Day because of the Liberal National Party, Fairfax reported him as saying. Prime Minister and Minister for Women Tony Abbott looking very smug after saying the venue choice was a sign that his party is 'smashing the glass ceiling yet again' 'Good on the Liberal National Party, smashing the glass ceiling yet again.' 'I say congratulations and thank God that bastion of old-fashioned chauvinism has finally collapsed like the walls of Jericho at the trumpet cry of the Liberal National Party,' he said . Parliamentary Speaker Fiona Simpson, who is the keynote speaker at the luncheon, did not seem bothered by the event being held at a club where women aren't allowed to join. 'I'm less troubled by openly 'male only' clubs or openly 'women only' gyms than I am by areas of society that have a veneer of equality but which hide structural impediments or unconscious bias that block women from opportunities,' she said told the Brisbane Times. Parliamentary Speaker Fiona Simpson, who is the keynote speaker at the luncheon, is not fussed by the venue choice .

Summary: Liberal National Party's International Women's Day event will be held at an exclusive men's-only club in Brisbane . Prime Minister and Minister for Women Tony Abbott says the venue choice was a sign that his party is 'smashing the glass ceiling yet again' Women are only allowed in club if they are a relative or friend of a member . The lunch will be held at the Tattersall's Club from 11.45am on Friday, two days before International Women's Day on March 8 .


FA chairman Greg Dyke has called for a public debate between the four candidates for the FIFA presidency and offered to host the event at Wembley. Dyke made his wish for a TV inquisition known during an awkward weekend in Sepp Blatter’s company at the rules-deciding IFAB meeting in Belfast. The FA have made clear their strong opposition to the FIFA president serving a fifth term. Meanwhile, in a separate move, Sky and the BBC have made a joint approach to Blatter and rivals Prince Ali of Jordan, Luis Figo and Michael van Praag to stage such an event. FA chairman Greg Dyke has called for a public debate between the four candidates for the FIFA presidency . The TV networks — through leading sports news broadcasters Paul Kelso and Richard Conway — have written to the contestants outlining their ambitious proposals for a live, hour-long debate in the UK with an audience of fans representing all 209 FIFA member nations. This fans’ congress would provide questions, with others drawn from football supporters via the Sky and BBC websites, and Facebook, to ensure maximum interaction. All four challengers have been promised equal time and emphasis to present their manifestos and visions for FIFA’s future. Blatter has yet to respond to the Sky-BBC letter but it is highly unlikely he’ll agree to such public exposure. His three opponents will all be in favour. Sepp Blatter has yet to respond to the Sky-BBC letter but it is unlikely he’ll agree to such public exposure . The official photo of the IFAB summit shows Greg Dyke seated between, of all people, Sepp Blatter and Thailand’s Worawi Makudi, whose presence at Belfast’s Cullodon Hotel as a representative of the Asian Football Confederation was bizarre in the extreme. Makudi has an acrimonious history with the FA and is under investigation by FIFA’s ethics committee for breaching World Cup bid rules. It’s understood Makudi played no part in the rules debate. FIFA said Makudi was selected by the AFC to attend and is innocent of any code violations until found guilty. The home nations are in disagreement as to whose turn it is to take the FIFA British vice-presidency . The 2011 gentlemen’s agreement between the four home nations, which declares it is Wales’s turn to take the FIFA British vice-presidency, continues to cause ructions. The three other countries believe the agreement was nullified by a new statute that has all UEFA associations involved in the vote at the Congress later this month. But Welsh president Trefor Lloyd-Hughes says he has a signed contract in his possession that declares no change can be made in the rotation pledge unless there is unanimous agreement. Meanwhile, England’s David Gill, persuaded by UEFA president Michel Platini to stand for that FIFA place against Lloyd-Hughes, has written to all UEFA countries outlining his plans. To spice up their battle, Wales are still annoyed that a UEFA ExCo, including Gill, voted for Hampden Park over the Millennium Stadium as one of 13 venues to stage Euro 2020. It’s believed Gill rated the Cardiff

Summary: Greg Dyke wants a public debate between the four candidates for the FIFA presidency and has offered to host it at Wembley Stadium . BBC and Sky are also keen to host a debate between the candidates . The home nations are in disagreement as to whose turn it is to take the FIFA British vice-presidency . BBC appear to have plagiarised Cricinfo in an online live text report .


Faf du Plessis overcame an early test of nerve and patience to score 82, AB de Villiers made 65 not out and David Miller struck a vividly aggressive 49 as South Africa posted 281-5 Tuesday in a Cricket World Cup semifinal against New Zealand which has been heavily affected by rain. Showers forced the players from the field after 38 overs, with South Africa 216-3. When players returned an hour and 54 minutes later the match had been shortened from 50 to 43 overs per innings. South Africa added 65 runs in the five overs available after the resumption, leaving New Zealand to score 298 under the Duckworth-Lewis system to reach a World Cup final for the first time and after their seventh semifinal appearance. Neither side have made the World Cup final, but that will all change in Auckland and you can follow all the action with our scorecard. TEAMS: . New Zealand: Brendon McCullum (capt), Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Grant Elliott, Corey Anderson, Luke Ronchi, Daniel Vettori, Matt Henry, Tim Southee, Trent Boult . South Africa: Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock, Faf du Plessis, AB de Villiers (capt), Rilee Rossouw, David Miller, Jean-Paul Duminy, Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir . Referees: Ian Gould (Umpire), Rod Tucker (Umpire), Nigel Llong (TV umpire), David Boon (Match referee)

Summary: Neither New Zealand nor South Africa have reached a World Cup final . But one side will break their duck as they face off in the semi final . New Zealand bring a 100 per cent record into the match in Auckland . South Africa won the toss and elected to bat first . CLICK HERE to read our match report from Auckland .