Tributes are pouring in for former Liberal prime minister Malcolm Fraser, the giant of Australian politics who died aged 84 on Friday morning. His office issued a statement confirming the news 'with deep sadness', saying he had suffered only a 'brief illness'. 'We appreciate that this will be a shock to all who knew and loved him, but ask that the family be left in peace at this difficult time,' it said. Mr Fraser was prime minister from November 1975 until March 1983. He controversially came to power as caretaker prime minister following the dismissal of Labor leader Gough Whitlam by Governor-General Sir John Kerr. Mr Fraser's party had blocked the supply of money for the government in the Senate, forcing the constitutional crisis. Gough Whitlam would dub Fraser 'Kerr's cur', although, perhaps in a sign of Mr Fraser's compassion, the two would have a rapprochement later in life. Under his leadership, the Coalition then won the largest landslide of any political party at the 1975 federal election. Prime Minister Tony Abbott today hailed Mr Fraser's service, acknowledging him and Mr Whitlam as 'fierce Australian patriots'. 'Malcolm Fraser held true to the belief that his actions were in the best interests of Australia... He was rightly proud of his government.' Scroll down for video . Malcolm Fraser was prime minister from November 1975 until March 1983. He was elected to federal Parliament when he was just 25 . In a statement, Malcolm Fraser's office said:' It is with deep sadness that we inform you that after a brief illness John Malcolm Fraser died peacefully in the early hours of the morning of 20 March 2015' You can call me (caretaker) Prime Minister: Malcolm Fraser strides down the steps of Old Parliament House, on the day Gough Whitlam was dismissed . Divisive: The method in which Malcolm Fraser rose to power did not endear him to much of the population during the politically turbulent period of the 1970s . Fraser's government won the largest majority of any party at any federal election in 1975 . In office, Mr Fraser championed a multicultural Australia, delivered self-government to the Northern Territory and established SBS and the Australian Federal Police. He was determined in confronting the 'evil' of apartheid in South Africa and began to develop economic reforms that would change the country. Following his defeat by Labor's Bob Hawke in 1983, Mr Fraser became known as an outspoken advocate of asylum seekers. He became critical of the Liberal Party - later resigning his membership - and his opinions, often broadcast on Twitter in his later years, tended to run against the grain of the modern party. Treasurer Joe Hockey told reporters: 'He supplied stability and re-assurance at a time where Australia had experienced much upheaval. 'I think history will be kinder to Malcolm Fraser than many of his critics have over the years. 'It is with deep sadness that we inform you that after a brief illness John Malcolm Fraser died peacefully in the early hours of the morning of 20 March 2015. 'We appreciate

Summary: Former Liberal prime minister Malcolm Fraser died 'peacefully' aged 84 on Friday morning . In a statement, his office said: 'We appreciate that this will be a shock to all who knew and loved him' Mr Fraser, one of the giants of Australian politics, had been suffering a 'brief illness' when he passed away . He was appointed caretaker prime minister in 1975 following the dismissal of Gough Whitlam . Under his leadership, the Coalition had blocked the passage of supply in the Senate . Whitlam famously dubbed him 'Kerr's cur' but the pair became friends later in life . His 1975 election win was the largest in Australian political history . As Prime Minister, he established SBS, opposed apartheid and championed a multicultural Australia . After office, he distanced himself from the Liberal Party and advocated for the rights of asylum seekers .


If Kim Kardashian has proven anything, it's that big bums are big business. Kim, who was officially crowned 'world's best bottom', sparked a new trend for 'bacials' - that's bottom facials - and caused a 45 per cent increase in bottom enhancing procedures over the last 12 months. And now, one high street store have created a pair of bottom-boosting jeans that promise to give you a derriere to rival the reality TV star. Debenhams has unveiled a £45 pair of bottom-boosting jeans designed by Jasper Conran. MailOnline's Hanna Flint pitted the enhancing jeans, right, against her regular jeans, left . Debenhams has jumped on the derriere enhancing bandwagon by giving customers the chance to enhance that all-important asset with a pair of £45 jeans. The new denims, designed by Jasper Conran, can add up to two extra inches to your derriere and have proved an instant success for the high-street chain. According to the store, the Shape Enhancing Jeans are said to be flying off the shelves, purchased by women looking for a more shapely figure. FEMAIL put the jeans to the test to see if they really can give you a pert posterior a la Kim or whether it's all just a clever gimmick. The new denims, right, can add up to two extra inches to your derriere compared to normal jeans, left, as modelled by 24-year-old Jenny Kershaw . Lucy Herring, 28, tested out her day-to-day jeans, left, against the bottom-boosting pair, right, which have heavier denim strategically built in to give extra bulk and curve . The secret to the new jeans' success? A clever combination of cheek-enhancing cut, expert tailoring, and heavier denim strategically built in to give extra bulk and curve, promising to turn a shapeless bottom into rear of the year. Control panels at the front also claim to flatten the tummy to emphasise the effect, while the position of the darts in the denim promise to give a flattering hourglass effect. Debenhams also say the jeans give a significant 20 degree rise in overall curvature to the rear. Speaking about the jeans, a spokesperson for Debenhams said: 'Pictures of curvy famous women, from Kim Kardashian and Nicki Minaj, to Pippa Middleton and Carol Vorderman, have helped women with prominent rears realise they have a gorgeous fashionable asset to emphasise, rather than minimise. 'Of course it is a little more difficult for women with a slimmer, straight up and down silhouette. The only solution used to be an expensive gym membership and weeks of working out, but now buying a pair of shaping jeans can offer a wonderful, instant booty boost.' The jeans promise to give a significant 20 degree rise in overall curvature to the rear, which Bianca London, 25, tested out (left: regular jeans, right: bottom-boosting jeans) According to the store, the Shape Enhancing Jeans boost bottoms thanks to a clever combination of cheek-enhancing cut, expert tailoring, and heavier denim strategically built in to give extra bulk and curve . So what did our testers think? Jenny Kershaw and Bianca London were impressed.

Summary: Debenhams now stocking the Jasper Conran Shape Enhancing Jeans . The £45 garments use panels, stitching and secret denim patches . FEMAIL pits the jeans against our regular wardrobe essentials .


Members of a middle school basketball team in Wisconsin are set to be honored with a citzenship award after they stepped in to support a cheerleader who was abused by rival fans. Desiree Andrews, who has Down syndrome, is an eight-grade student at Lincoln Middle School in Kenosha. She was performing her duties as a member of the Lady Knight's Cheerleading Squad at a game last year when some members of the crowd started picking on her. Desiree Andrews, who has Down syndrome, was performing her duties as a member of the Lady Knight's Cheerleading Squad at a game last year when some members of the crowd started picking on her . Lincoln Middle School basketball players, from left to right, Chase Varquez, Miles Rodriguez and Scooter Terrien overheard Desiree being abused they called a timeout in their game, walked off the court and confronted the bullies . When basketball players Miles Rodriguez, Scooter Terrien and Chase Vazquez overheard Desiree being abused they called a timeout in their game, walked off the court and confronted the bullies. 'A couple of us went over there and were like, can you guys just stop, that's not right,' Rodriguez told TMJ4. 'Our teammates supported us and they had our backs,' said Terrien. The incident sparked the begining of a beautiful friendship between Desiree and the boys. From then on Desiree – who they call affectionately Dee – got involved in the introduction of the starting lineup for the team. They would also walk her to class and the gym was renamed 'D's House' in her honor. 'We're all created the same. God made us the same way,' said Terrien. Desiree was performing her duties as a member of the Lady Knight's Cheerleading Squad at a game last year when some members of the crowd started picking on her . On Monday the team played their last game in the gymnasium before they all move on to high school. The match was dedicated to Dee and the team chanted, 'Whose house? Dee's house!' Desiree loved every minute of it. 'It was sweet, kind, awesome, amazing,' she said. Her father Cliff Andrews said the team's support for his daughter has 'been a godsend.' 'Those boys, I tried to talk to them in person, but I couldn't keep the tears back,' he told Kenosha News. The story has generated so much positive coverage for the school in the local area that Kenosha City council has announced that it will give the boys a citizenship award next week. They are also being considered for the mayor's youth award. The gymnasium at Lincoln Middle School has been renamed D's House in honor of Desiree Andrews .

Summary: Desiree Andrews was performing with the Lady Knight's Cheerleading Squad last year when members of the crowd started picking on her . Members of Lincoln Middle School basketball team overheard the abuse, called a timeout and walked over to confront the bullies . 'A couple of us went over there and were like, can you guys just stop, that's not right,' said Miles Rodriguez . The incident sparked the begining of a beautiful friendship between Desiree and the boys who affectionately call her Dee . The school has renamed the gym 'D's House' and the team is set to be honored with a citzenship award from Kenosha City council .


President Barack Obama made jokes about himself and others at the 130th annual Gridiron Club and Foundation dinner . Getting older changes a guy, President Barack Obama says, and he admits he's getting crankier. 'Next week I'm signing an executive order to get off my lawn,' Obama joked Saturday night at the Gridiron Club and Foundation's annual dinner. On top of that, the nation's graying chief executive said he's having trouble now with his morning cup of joe. 'Coffee really disagrees with me these days,' he said, 'which is why John Boehner just invited coffee to address the joint House.' Obama's standup routine drew laughs from the audience of more than 650 journalists, lawmakers, administration officials, military officials and others at the Gridiron's 130th gathering. By tradition, Washington insiders put aside their differences for an evening of laughter, schmoozing and charity fundraising. With the president providing the gibes on behalf of his administration, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe sharpened their wits for the Republicans and Democrats, respectively. Walker is considering a run for the GOP nomination for president while McAuliffe's political connections extend to his work as Democratic Party chairman and Bill and Hillary Rodham Clinton ally. Obama targeted himself — 'Just a few years ago I couldn't imagine being in my 50s. Given my approval ratings, I still can't' — as well as people in the government and the media that cover it. Noting that Walker remarked recently that he couldn't say whether Obama was a Christian, the president said his religion taught forgiveness and cracked, 'So, Gov. Walker, salaam alaikum.' Obama said he generally likes Boehner, the House speaker, and noted talk of unhappy House Republicans planning a coup — 'or as Bill O'Reilly calls it, "reporting from the war zone."' Walker got in his own digs. 'I believe that the President of the United States loves America and every American — except Rudy Giuliani.' He also joked about his failure to finish his college degree as he envisioned himself in the White House: 'If my first term is anything like college, I won't make it through four years.' McAuliffe joined others in needling the presidential ambitions of Hillary Clinton. 'If Hillary decides not to run... I decided not to finish that joke,' he said. Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (left) and Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe (right) sharpened their wits for the Republicans and Democrats, respectively, at the dinner . He also joked, 'Are any of the Secret Service sober enough to drive me home?' The Gridiron Club and Foundation, founded in 1885, has drawn every president after Grover Cleveland to its annual dinner at least once. Obama made his third appearance on Saturday, having attended in 2011 and 2013. An early script for the evening's musical send-ups included a jab at Republicans preparing presidential campaigns, sung to the tune of 'If I Only Had a Brain' from 'The Wizard of Oz.' One stanza singled out former Texas Gov. Rick Perry: 'He'd be talking to reporters, 'bout walling up the borders/ It'd be a fine campaign./And his

Summary: The 130th Gridiron Club and Foundation's dinner took place on Saturday . During this night each year Washington insiders put aside differences . President Barack Obama made his third appearance at the annual dinner . Wisconsin Gov. Scot Walker and Virgina Gov. Terry McAuliffe joked about Republicans and Democrats during event .


A daredevil Swiss wingsuit flyer has jumped off the side of a mountain in pitch darkness and flown down past huge pillars of rock using only the light from two bright red flares. And the amazing night-time flight by Patrick Kerber, 33, was not only captured on video, but also on a slow shutter speed photo taken by photographer Christian Meier. In the picture Kerber's route appears as a glowing red line running down from the top of the 10,000-foot Titlis mountain in the resort town of Engelberg in central Switzerland to the bottom. Scroll down for video . The amazing night-time flight by Patrick Kerber, 33, was not only captured on video, but also on a slow shutter speed photo taken by photographer Christian Meier . Kerber used two superheated emergency flares on the descent down the 10,000-foot Titlis mountain . The daredevil pictured at the moment he leaped into the darkness from the summit of Titlis . And just to show how dangerous jumping with the wingsuit was, Kerber made the flight during the day, showing how a wrong turn would easily have sent him crashing into one of the rocky crags that he was flying close to as he hurtled down from the mountain top. He said: 'I wanted to do a wingsuit BASE flight at night during winter for a very long time. But somehow I never really managed to do it.' The idea became reality when they decided to try and do a single photograph on a slow shutter speed and at the same time fit a light to the jumper so that the flight down the mountain could be recorded. The first problem was that it was difficult to find a light that was bright enough to be seen from a distance of one mile away, where the camera needed to be placed. They solved it, though, by using two superheated emergency flares. These also provided some light to help illuminate the way, although the intense heat also posed a risk that they might set the suit on fire. Patrick said: 'We used flares exactly like the ones used for rescue missions or emergencies. But flares burn very, very hot and my biggest fear was burning holes or melting the suit. That would have been super dangerous. To show how dangerous the jump was, Kerber did a trial run in daylight . A slight mistake would have sent Kerber crashing into craggy rocks . The wingsuit jump produced a dramatic video, with Kerber zooming down the mountain at breakneck speed . 'There definitely was a lot of pressure. Even though we did intense testing before, I did not know for sure how it would turn out. Having fire really close to you on a wingsuit BASE flight leaves no margin for error. Everything has to be worked out.' The two photographers, Fabian Wyss and Meier, stood on the other side of the valley on the Furrenalp to take the snap. Patrick also had to wait until the torches burned out before he could open the parachute.

Summary: Wingsuit daredevil Patrick Kerber jumped off a 10,000-foot Swiss peak . First he filmed himself performing a daylight flight down Titlis mountain . Then he did the same jump at night, guided by emergency flares . A slow shutter picture of the descent shows his route as a red line .


Harry Kane is the third highest goalscorer in Europe's top five leagues with only La Liga superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi ahead of the Tottenham star. Barcelona ace Messi leapfrogged rival Ronaldo to lead the way as Europe's most potent striker by scoring a hat-trick against Rayo Vallecano to take his tally for the season up to 41 goals in 38 games. Messi, who helped his side to an emphatic 6-1 win on Sunday, has now scored 40 goals or more in each of his last six seasons. Tottenham striker Harry Kane celebrates at Loftus Road after scoring in his side's 2-1 win against QPR . Kane netted a brace in front of the watching Roy Hodgson to help his side claim a crucial win in west London . Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi leads the way after scoring a hat-trick against Rayo Vallecano . Kane's double against Queens Park Rangers on Saturday put him level with Messi's Barcelona team-mate Neymar. Both Kane and Neymar have scored 26 goals in all competitions during the course of the current campaign, with the Tottenham netting 18 Barclays Premier League goals thus far. Kane's rise has been mesmeric. The 21-year-old run riot in his side's Europa League campaign, helped his side seal a spot in the Capital One Cup final and has played a major role in Tottenham's quest to finish in the top four. He is also likely to earn his first senior England call-up later this month when Roy Hodgson, who was at Loftus Road on Saturday, names his squad to face Lithuania and Italy. Mauricio Pochettino heaped praise on his star striker after his side's 2-1 win against QPR by calling the Tottenham star 'fantastic' but stressed there is room for improvement. Cristiano Ronaldo is three goals behind Messi having scored 39 goals during the course of the season . Lyon's Alexandre Lacazette has scored 25 goals while Sergio Aguero has found the net 23 times this season . 'It was a fantastic performance, he scored two goals,' said Pochettino. 'He is young, can improve more and now it is Roy's decision. 'I don't know if (he deserves a call-up). Roy needs to decide whether this it time to pick him or not. 'I think that today was a great game, a great performance. We showed character, I am very pleased for our players.' Alexandre Lacazette, who has been linked with a summer move to England, follows closely behind Kane and Neymar, having scored 25 goals for French outfit Lyon. Premier League top scorer Sergio Aguero, Guingamp striker Claudio Beauvue, Juventus ace Carlos Tevez and Atletico Madrid's Mario Mandzukic make up the rest of Europe's deadliest top nine strikers.

Summary: Harry Kane scored a brace in Tottenham's 2-1 win against QPR . Roy Hodgson was in the stands to cast his eye over the English striker . Lionel Messi leads the way after netting hat-trick against Rayo Vallecano . Messi has scored 40 or more goals in his last six seasons .


Dressed smartly for a night out, a group of young women beam for the camera in an upmarket restaurant. All seems well, but appearances can be deceptive. When the hen party returned home, bride-to-be Melissa Grogan-Morgan logged on to the eaterie’s Facebook page and left some scathing comments about the service. Scroll down for video . Melissa Grogan-Morgan, 27 (front left), was joined by family and friends for a hen party dinner at 47 King Street West in Manchester city centre but posted negative feedback online after being disappointed with the service . Restaurant manager: Barry Hymanson and his partner Zuzana Budveselova . However, instead of apologising or offering a constructive response to the bride-to-be's review, the restaurant replied with a vicious tirade which called her group 'the chaviest worst most vile people' and 'absolute trash' Few, however, would have expected the volley of abuse that was served up by staff in return. Variously, they described the party as ‘cheap chav trash’ and ‘ugly peasants’. Miss Grogan-Morgan, 27 – at the front of the group picture on the left – had been celebrating her hen night with 17 friends and family at 47 King Street West in Manchester. But the group said they were disappointed by how disorganised the staff were and left comments about the seating arrangements and the attitude of the manager. In reply to the remarks the restaurant branded the women the worst diners ever to enter the premises. It said: ‘The chaviest worst most vile people ever to grace our restaurant. Wouldn’t know fine dining if it slapped them in their ugly faces!’ It continued: ‘Best thing ever is that they won’t return! Bottom of the barrel. Ms Grogan-Morgan, who spent £600 at the venue with the party, wrote negative feedback on the restaurant's Facebook page after being disappointed with the attitude of staff and how they split the party onto two tables . The restaurant also continued its social media rant following a review from Lynsey Herron, who organised the hen do on behalf of the bride-to-be. 47 King Street West called the group 'chav cheap trash' and 'peasants' 47 King Street West (pictured), which opened in Manchester city centre in 2011, describes itself as a provider of 'quality food and first class service' and offers a mix of 'modern upmarket French and British' cuisine . Mike Hymanson (pictured) is the owner of 47 King Street West restaurant in Manchester city centre . ‘And five out of 18 of them turned up 1 hour and 10 minutes after the booking time and expected fresh starters...are you having a laugh... What absolute trash they were. We pity the groom!’ Yesterday the Facebook page of the restaurant, which has welcomed Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal and Coronation Street star Kym Marsh as guests, had been disabled. Miss Grogan-Morgan, a customer service manager from Stoke-on-Trent, said: ‘For them to post these messages beggars belief…It’s left a bit of a shadow over the whole occasion.’ In the offending review, Miss Grogan-Morgan wrote: ‘The restaurant was nice and the food was

Summary: Melissa Grogan-Morgan, 27, attended restaurant with 17 friends and family . Bride-to-be put negative review online after being disappointed with staff . However, 47 King Street West replied to Facebook post with vicious tirade . It called the hen party 'the chaviest most vile people ever' and 'peasants' Also branded them 'ugly', the 'bottom of the barrel' and 'chav cheap trash'


Former Sunderland boss Paolo Di Canio has hit out at owner Ellis Short by insisting that he and not Gus Poyet is to blame for the club’s sorry state. The controversial Italian was sacked just six games into the 2013-14 campaign despite saving the Black Cats from relegation the previous season. Poyet, too, has now been axed by Short after Saturday’s 4-0 defeat at home to Aston Villa left them one place and one point above the drop zone. Former Sunderland boss Paolo Di Canio has hit out at chairman Ellis Short over the club's relegation battle . Di Canio has been critical of Short (above), his transfer dealings and his interference in the dressing room . Di Canio celebrates his first victory as Sunderland manager, over Everton back in April 2013 . But Di Canio came out in support of his successor, claiming that billionaire American Short is responsible for Sunderland’s current plight. ‘It’s not Poyet’s fault because chairman Ellis Short is the real origin of all these troubles,’ Di Canio told Fox Sports. ‘I saved Sunderland when the club was sinking, along with my staff. I completed a true miracle, on and off the pitch. ‘We tried to change the philosophy of the team. In the two previous years, no fines were given, despite players getting drunk and partying until late, even a few days before a match. ‘I was giving fines even for (players being) five minutes late. ‘It’s fundamental, to keep order in the dressing room. I took all the responsibilities, but my project was immediately cut off. ‘It was a choice which came from above. When I was the manager, two directors chose 16 players. ‘None of them are still at the club - neither the players, nor those directors.' Sunderland manager Gus Poyet was shown the door after his team's dismal display against Aston Villa . Sunderland's Connor Wickham tussles with Aston Villa's Charles N'Zogbia during his side's 4-0 loss . Gabriel Agbonlahor celebrates his second goal as Sunderland players look dejected at the Stadium of Light . One Sunderland fan holds up a sign, calling for Poyet's sacking during the 4-0 drubbing at home to Villa . However, Di Canio believes Poyet should have done more to deal with ill-discipline in the squad and says supporters would never have streamed for the exits under his charge, as they did during the weekend loss to Villa. ‘I don’t want to blame Poyet, but if you’re afraid to fine one of your players, then you have to expect some troubles,' he added. 'This team is just looking for three worse teams to leave behind. 'When I was their manager, it never happened to see the supporters leaving the stadium before the final whistle. 'This never happened because we always played with dignity, regardless of the bad results. I don't know what's happening now, but it looks like the team is drifting. VIDEO Under-fire Poyet understands fan anger . Villa midfielder Fabian Delph slides in with a challenge on Sunderland winger Sebastian Larsson . Villa's Belgian striker Christian

Summary: Former Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio has criticised Ellis Short . Di Canio hit out at Short's transfer dealings and interference with the team . A heavy 4-0 loss to Aston Villa left Sunderland 17th in the league table . The result cost head coach Gus Poyet his job at the Stadium of Light . READ: Poyet set to be sacked by Sunderland as club line up Dick Advocaat . CLICK HERE for all the latest Sunderland news .


It seems to be a perfectly timed stunt just in time for April Fool's... with a blue-dyed fish dish taking centrestage in this takeaway. But despite appearances, this Yorkshire chippy is playing it straight. Audrey's Fish and Chips in Bridlington, East Yorkshire, is dying their batter a bright blue to mark Tour de Yorkshire's upcoming arrival, which gets under way in the town on 1 May. Trying out the dish is Audrey's Fish & Chips proprietor James Morrison and member of staff Sharon Skeggs . The fish is taking a bit of an odd battering by being dyed blue to mark the start of Tour de Yorkshire's upcoming arrival . The world's top cyclists, including British icon Sir Bradley Wiggins, will be competing and shop proprietor James Morrison hopes he and others will stop by to try their quirky new product. The blue fish will be served on the day the race begins and Mr Morrison says that, while some may not be convinced, the idea has got the seaside townsfolk talking. 'I've done a few tasters for customers and posted a few pictures on Facebook. Some have pulled their face but some have said they will give it a go,' he said. Audreys Fish and Chips in Bridlington, East Yorks . On the chippie's Facebook page, user Debra Swaryczewska Oliver posted: 'Why would u want blue fish. Doesnt look appetising.' And another customer Jason Bowers agreed, writing: 'No thank you to blue fish I prefer the traditional way.' However some customers have encouraged the move. 'I think it looks ace! I'll definitely be trying that,' Savannah Jones wrote. Mr Morrison has assured customers that the dye won't affect the taste of the dish. 'It tastes exactly the same - it still tastes great,' he said. 'Some people will just have to eat it with their eyes closed.' 'Everbody has been dressing the town in blue and yellow with bunting and blue bikes, so I fancied doing something a bit different,' he said. 'The chips are slightly yellow so I thought about adding some blue food colouring to the batter - something a bit gimmicky. 'It cooked really well. It's not the most appealing looking fish but it's got the town talking.' The three-day race will be broadcast live on ITV and is a by-product of a highly successful Yorkshire leg of last year's Tour de France.

Summary: Audrey's Fish & Chips in Bridlington, East Yorkshire introducing blue fish . Proprietor James Morrison wants to mark the start of the three-day race . Some customers encouraged the move but others are not convinced .


Andy Murray is making the most of his free time away from Davis Cup preparation by visiting Scotland's home of football, Hampden Park. The Scotsman and his teammates face the USA at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow with Murray set for an emotional homecoming with brother Jamie also in their team. The Great Britain star posted the photograph of himself posing on the Hampden Park on his Instagram page after finishing training. Andy Murray posted this photo of Hampden Park following his practice session for the Davis Cup clash . He said: 'Spent a bit of time looking around Hampden Park after practice today... Beautiful stadium..' The World No 5 helped defeat the Americans 3-1 in the quarter-finals last year and he'll be hoping for a repeat result at the weekend. Murray has an impressive record in the Davis Cup and the Scot has won 19 out 21 single matches since he first played back in 2005. The World No 5 has an exceptional record in the tournament, winning 19 out 21 previous matches . The Great Britian star also posted this on his Facebook following his first session on the match court .

Summary: Andy Murray visited Hampden Park after his Davis Cup training session . The Great Britain star plays at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow . Murray helped GB beat USA 3-1 in the Davis Cup last year . Click here for all the latest tennis news .


An American woman charged with premeditated murder in the death of her socialite mother on Indonesia's Bali island told a court on Wednesday that her boyfriend killed her mother in anger after she threatened to kill their unborn baby. Heather Mack, 19, and her boyfriend Tommy Schaefer, 21, are being tried separately by Denpasar District Court. The pair from Chicago, Illinos, are charged with murdering Sheila von Wiese-Mack last August at the St. Regis hotel on Bali and face possible death by firing squad if found guilty. Von Wiese-Mack's badly beaten body was found in a suitcase in the trunk of a taxi at the hotel. Scroll down for video . Heather Mack, 19, told an Indonesian court on Wednesday that her boyfriend Tommy Schaefer, 21, killed Shelia von Wiese-Mack in anger after she threatened to kill their unborn baby . In her first questioning in court on Wednesday, Mack, who is eight months' pregnant, said Schaefer beat her mother with a metal soup bowl after von Wiese-Mack made the threat in an argument. Von Wiese-Mack objected to their relationship. 'The blow was not so hard ... and my mother was still resisting,' Mack said. 'I asked Tommy to stop and then I ran into the bathroom.' Mack said when she left the bathroom, she found Schaefer on the bed trying to give her artificial respiration. 'Tommy said my mother was not breathing,' she said. Mack said she also tried to revive her but it didn't work. She said they panicked and thought about either calling the police or taking the body in a suitcase to the U.S. Consulate. She did not explain why they did not do either one. 'We panicked and didn't know what to do,' she said. Mack answered 'no' when the judge asked whether she wished her mother dead. Heather Mack and Tommy Schaefer, accused of murdering Sheila von Wiese-Mack, were pictured in handcuffs as they arrived for their latest court appearance in Bali on Wednesday . Heavily pregnant Mack (right), 19, and Tommy Schaefer (second from left), 21, sit in the court room in front of what is believed to be the suitcase they are accused of using to hide the body of von Wiese-Mack . Mack and Schaefer arrived in court, handcuffed together and wearing matching orange waistcoats. The pair sat in court in front of evidence believed to be a suitcase they are accused of using to hide the body of Mack's 62-year-old mother. According to the indictment, Schaefer battered von Wiese-Mack with a fruit bowl handle in her room following an argument over the hotel bill. It says Mack helped stuff her mother's body into the suitcase by sitting on it to enable Schaefer to close it. The indictment says they then placed the suitcase in the trunk of a taxi and told the driver they were going to check out of the hotel and would return, but never did. Hotel security guards are said to have seen blood spots on the grey suitcase and the taxi driver went to the police, who then

Summary: Heather Mack and boyfriend Tommy Schaefer are accused of killing her socialite mother Sheila von Wiese-Mack in Bali . Mack told a court on Wednesday that Schaefer killed her mom in anger after she threatened to kill their unborn baby . Von Wiese-Mack's badly beaten body was found in a suitcase in the trunk of a taxi at the hotel . Pregnant Mack, 19-year-old and boyfriend were handcuffed together as they arrived for trial on Wednesday .


Newcastle will watch FC Sion striker Moussa Konate in action today as they consider a summer move. The 21-year-old Senegal international, who is due to line up against Young Boys of Berne, has scored six goals in 14 games this season and Newcastle head of recruitment Steve Nixon is due to take a closer look. Konate first attracted English clubs' interest while playing for his country's Olympic side in 2012 where he scored five goals in four games and finished as the tournament's second top scorer. Newcastle United are sending their scouts to check on FC Sion striker Moussa Konate this weekend . English clubs West Ham, Fulham and Aston Villa have tracked Konate, who was on loan at Genoa last season . West Ham, Fulham and Aston Villa have all tracked his career at various stages. Newcastle have checked on Aleksandar Mitrovic at Anderlecht, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Borussia Dortmund, Marseille's Andre Ayew and Burnley's Danny Ings but fear they could miss out on all in the summer and are weighing up alternatives. Konate is quick and 6ft tall. He can play on either wing and as a central striker and replaced West Ham's Diafra Sakho in Senegal's Africa Cup of Nations squad. Newcastle have checked on Borussia Dortmund's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (left, wearing a Batman mask)

Summary: Moussa Konate has scored six times in Switzerland this season . Senegal forward an option for Newcastle United this summer . Newcastle have looked at several of Europe's top strikers . But Konate is seen as an option if other deals fail to materialise .


Boxing champion Errol Christie has revealed he is battling lung cancer in what he says is the toughest fight of his life. The 51-year-old former European middleweight champion has started chemotherapy, walking to a hospital near his south London home for each session to keep fit. The determined former boxer, who has never smoked, vowed that he would conquer cancer. Boxing champion Errol Christie (left) has revealed he is battling lung cancer in what he says is the toughest fight of his life . He told the Sunday People: 'I am just starting my treatment. I've had my first round of chemo and it has really been tough but I am going to beat this.' Christie's son Louie, 26, said that his father had been unwell for a while but was only recently diagnosed with lung cancer. Louie, who is also a boxer, said: 'It is a real shock because my dad has always been fit and has never smoked or drunk – it seems so unfair. 'Being who he is, he didn’t want to make a fuss when he felt unwell. He thought it would clear up. 'It was a real shock when he got the results back. We were both stunned. But he is remaining positive and has vowed to beat it. He is determined to get well. I’m very proud of how he is coping.' Christie, pictured during his memorable bout with Mark Kaylor (right) in 1985, has started chemotherapy . Explosive: Christie (right) and Kaylor got up close and personal while promoting their clash in 1985 . Christie was training amateur boxers, including X Factor host Dermot O'Leary, at Gym Box in London until last week but has been forced to put that on hold to focus on fighting his illness. Christie's son was due to make his boxing debut as a featherweight next month but this has now been put on hold because of his father's diagnosis. During his boxing career, the former champion fought 41 bouts, taking 32 wins including 26 by knockout. He suffered eight defeats, most memorably to Mark Kaylor in 1985. The infamous match was preceded by an ugly scuffle at the pre-fight conference, and when the boxing finally got underway Christie lost in nine rounds in a match where both men were floored. Although he boxed on into the early 90s, he was never the same fighter again and hung up his gloves in 1993. Christie's greatest success came in 1982 when he defeated Mow Gruciano in what was then East Germany to take the European middleweight belt. The father-of-one was involved in a scuffle with fellow former boxer Lloyd Honeyghan last October during a Boxing Writer's Club dinner at the Savoy Hotel in London. Frank Bruno had to step in to separate the pair after they squared up, but no punches were thrown. Christie said at the time: 'There was a bit of an incident with Lloyd. I don't know what planet he was on but it's different from the rest of us. No punches were thrown. He was just mouthing

Summary: Errol Christie has revealed that he has been diagnosed with lung cancer . Former European middleweight champion, 51, has started chemotherapy . The boxer, who has never smoked, vowed that he would conquer cancer .


Owners of vicious dogs will not be jailed even if their pet kills, under proposed changes to sentencing. The Sentencing Council published plans yesterday recommending that a dog owner receive a lesser sentence if the animal was provoked into the attack. An owner could also avoid prison if they tried to get their dog under control before its victim died, or if the animal killed while they were momentarily distracted or briefly lost control. Owners of vicious dogs will not be jailed if their killer animal was provoked into an attack, under proposed changes to sentencing (file picture) The changes will now be subject to a three-month consultation period. The Council is led by Lord Chief Justice Lord Thomas and sets down rules that judges and magistrates must abide by. Its report said that new guidelines are necessary to deal with the new law and guide the courts on cases ‘of the utmost seriousness involving a fatality’. However, critics accused the changes of undermining the Dangerous Dogs Act, put into force last year, which increased the maximum sentence a dog owner whose pet kills can receive to 14 years. The reformed law was brought in after 14-year-old Jade Anderson was mauled to death by four dogs when she visited a friend’s house in 2013. But the plans published yesterday say that if the dog owner or handler has ‘lesser culpability’ then a deadly attack by their animal could lead to a community sentence rather than a prison term if they are convicted under the Act. Jade Anderson, 14, was mauled to death by four dogs in 2013, prompting the introduction of the Dangerous Dogs Act . Such a sentence could mean less than a month’s unpaid work or four months of electronic tagging. The proposals recommend that the maximum sentence might go to ‘someone who has bred or trained a dog to be aggressive and uses the dog as a weapon or to intimidate people, whose dog carries out a fatal attack’. Evidence of lesser culpability, the consultation paper said, would include the provocation of the dog without any fault on the part of the owner. It would also bring a lesser sentence if the owner tried to restrain the animal, had tried to control it, could not have foreseen the attack, or had a momentary lapse of control or attention. Circuit Judge Julian Goose, a member of the Sentencing Council, said: ‘Most dog owners are responsible, care for their pets properly and keep them under control but some irresponsible owners put others at risk of injury or death and we want to ensure that the courts have the guidance needed to help them sentence offenders appropriately. ‘In drawing up our proposals, we have been very aware of the potentially devastating impact of these offences on victims. Long sentences are available for the most serious offences. Sentencers are also encouraged to use their powers where appropriate to ban people from keeping dogs or to order them to pay compensation to victims.’ Trevor Cooper of the Dogs Trust said: ‘We are pleased to

Summary: Rules would also apply if owner tried to get dog under control before death . They would also avoid jail if dog killed while they were briefly distracted . Critics say move will water down Dangerous Dogs Act brought in last year . Act raised maximum sentence to 14 years after death of Jade Anderson, 14 . Proposed changes will now be subject to three-month consultation period .


An uninterrupted two-hour canal boat journey might not be the sort of thing you’d normally sit down to watch on TV. But it will feature with a three-hour tour of the National Gallery and half-hour shows on traditional craftsmanship in a new BBC series of programmes shot in real time, designed to relax viewers. The concept has been inspired by ‘slow TV’ in Norway, which in recent years has included a seven-hour recording of a train journey, a five-day programme on boat travel and 12 hours on knitting. Scroll down for video . Relaxing: Viewers will be able to tune in to The Canal, a two-hour canal boat journey down one of Britain’s historic waterways (file picture) The three programmes will dispense with editing, voice overs and music. Viewers will be able to tune in to The Canal, a journey down one of Britain’s historic waterways. It will feature the sights and sounds of wildlife and the tow path as the boat passes, giving facts about the canal as captions in the landscape. National Gallery will be a three-hour behind the scenes tour of the gallery with Frederick Wiseman – again, with no voiceover, but taking viewers from board room meetings to exhibition spaces. Make presents three half-hour programmes showing traditional craftsmanship as skilled workers make items including a steel knife and a wooden chair. BBC Four channel editor Cassian Harrison said: ‘This surprising selection of programmes is the antithesis to the general direction much of television is going in. One of three programmes: National Gallery will be a three-hour behind the scenes tour of the gallery with Frederick Wiseman with no voiceover, but taking viewers from board room meetings to exhibition spaces . ‘Slowing everything right down gives us the time to really observe things as they happen, and this series of programmes celebrates the simple pleasures of life in the slow lane.’ The reaction to the announcement of the series - called BBC Four Goes Slow - today on Twitter was mixed. Producer Chuck Thomas joked: 'It's only a matter of time until ITV2 commissions Watching Paint Dry.' But Olympia Brown, science learning manager at the Royal Institution, said: 'Love that Cassian Harrison is doing slow TV on BBC 4. Including three hours of traditional craftmanship!' The idea for slow TV began in Norway in 2009 when producers decided to broadcast the whole journey of a long train line that runs from Oslo to Bergen to celebrate its 100th anniversary. Slow TV shows, which are known as ‘Sakte-TV’ in Norwegian, have also included a 134-hour boat trip from Bergen to Kirkenes, and a 24-hour broadcast of the first day of the salmon fishing season. Norway has attracted international attention for its series of ‘slow TV' programmes, including a live-broadcast of a seven-hour train journey and the knitting of a jumper. The concept was born on state broadcaster NRK (Norsk Rikskringkasting - which translates as Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation) in 2009 with centenary of the Bergen railway line. Rather than commission a conventional feature programme on the line, NRK instead decided to

Summary: BBC Four Goes Slow series also features three-hour National Gallery tour . Third programme will see half-hour shows on traditional craftsmanship . Series designed to relax viewers has been inspired by 'slow TV' in Norway . This has included 12 hours on knitting and a seven-hour train journey .


An 18th century folly which was converted into a luxury home and featured on TV property show Grand Designs is on sale for £2 million. Kemeys Folly, in Langstone, near Newport in South Wales, starred in the popular Channel 4 programme six years ago when it was converted into a six-bedroom luxury house - and now owners Sarah and Dean Berry have put the unusual property up for sale. The ambitious project saw the couple combine the painstaking restoration of a castellated 18th Century hunting lodge with the construction of a state of-the-art glass extension. Scroll down for video . Kemeys Folly (pictured) starred in popular property show Grand Designs six years ago. Its owners have now put the unusual home up for sale . Owners Sarah and Dean Berry have now put the unusual Grade II listed six-bedroom home up for sale for £1,999,950 . The ambitious project saw the couple combine the painstaking restoration of the old hunting lodge with a state of-the-art glass extension . The couple paid £830,000 for the tower in 2005, which was being sold by a couple who had quickly realised that there was far too much work to do, and put it back on the market. Work on Kemeys started in January 2007 and over the next year an old extension was demolished, the outside of the tower was re-pointed and the inside was stripped as much as the building's listed status would allow. Now, The Grade II listed home boasts six bedrooms, five of which have en-suite bathrooms - and including a master bedroom which takes up a whole floor of the tower and opens up on to its own roof terrace. Sitting in 23 acres of land the property also boasts a cinema room in the older part of the building and outside there is a large pool house with swimming pool and changing facilities. The folly also has four stables which back directly onto a paddock. The glass extension takes full advantage of the stunning hilltop location - on a clear day you can see 11 counties as well as the two Severn road bridges and the Bristol Channel. The owners say the surrounding woodland is perfect for long walks, and which features lots of wildlife, including deer. Something of a local landmark, the original building was a hunting lodge dating back to the 1700s and was at one point owned by the Sheriff of Monmouth. The folly is situated in the heart of the Usk Valley in South Wales and has a roof terrace which enjoys this view over the countryside . The house boasts a master bedroom and en suite which takes up a whole floor of the tower and opens up on to its own roof terrace . It was struck by lightning in 1890, rebuilt as a home in the early 1900s and was eventually converted into a house for the Sheriff of Monmouth . The couple paid £830,000 for the folly in 2005 and spent hundreds of thousands of pounds renovating it and bringing it up

Summary: Kemeys Folly, near Newport in South Wales, starred in popular property show Grand Designs six years ago . Owners Sarah and Dean Berry have now put the unusual six-bedroom home up for sale for £1,999,950 . The Grade II listed building sits in 23 acres of land and boasts a cinema room, pool house and stables . Original building was a hunting lodge built in the 1700s and was at one point owned by the Sheriff of Monmouth .


Paris Saint-Germain's Serge Aurier is the subject of UEFA disciplinary action after posting a video on Facebook criticising the officiating in the French side's Champions League tie with Chelsea. PSG prevailed on away goals, but only after Dutch referee Bjorn Kuipers had sent off Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the first half of the last-16 second-leg tie, which finished 2-2 on the night and 3-3 on aggregate at Stamford Bridge last Wednesday. Aurier, currently out injured, declared his frustration with the decision - saying 'referee, dirty son of a b***h' - and now faces the prospect of a sanction from European football's governing body. PSG's Serge Aurier is the subject of UEFA disciplinary action after posting a video on Facebook . Aurier now faces the prospect of a sanction from European football's governing body . PSG's Aurier could face trouble from UEFA for posting the video as he was injured on the night . Aurier, out injured for PSG's visit to Chelsea, said 'referee, dirty son of a b***h' on the video . A UEFA statement read: 'Following an investigation by the disciplinary inspector, UEFA has today announced that disciplinary proceedings have been opened against the Paris St Germain player Serge Aurier, following comments he made on social media after the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second-leg match between Chelsea FC and Paris Saint-Germain played in London on March 11. 'Charges: Insulting acts - Art. 11(1), 11(2) and 15(1d) of UEFA disciplinary regulations. 'The case will be dealt with by the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body on March 19.' Referee Bjorn Kuipers reaches for his pocket to send off PSG's Zlatan Ibrahimovic last Wednesday . Kuipers sent off Ibrahimovic in the first half of the last-16 second-leg tie for his foul on Oscar (bottom)

Summary: Serge Aurier posted a video on Facebook criticising the officiating in PSG's Champions League tie with Chelsea last Wednesday . Dutch referee Bjorn Kuipers sent off Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the first half . Aurier said 'referee, dirty son of a b***h' on a video posted afterwards .


A new technique that involves folding the stomach into pleats is being tested as a potentially less risky form of weight-loss surgery. It involves no incisions, the entire procedure can be done via a tube passed down the throat and the patient can go home the same day. Weight-loss surgery, also called bariatric surgery, is available on the NHS to those who are morbidly obese with a body mass index (BMI) of over 40 — or to those who have a BMI of 35 to 40, but whose weight is causing a serious, obesity-related health complaint, such as type 2 diabetes. Scroll down for video . The new surgery does not require any incisions to be made and involves folding the stomach into pleats, shrinking it and preventing it expanding to accommodate food . Thousands already have the surgery each year and, recently, the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence proposed that those newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes who have a BMI of 30 or above should be considered for it, too. Currently, the procedures most often performed involve using a gastric band that reduces the stomach size, so less food is needed to make you feel full, or a gastric bypass. This involves re-routing the stomach to join a lower section of the intestines, reducing the size of the stomach and bypassing part of the small intestine, cutting the amount of calories and nutrients absorbed. The other option is a sleeve gastrectomy, involving removal of part of the stomach. However, these all involve incisions in the abdomen, which carries risk of infection (affecting around one in 20), blood clots in the legs or lungs and internal bleeding, each of which affects around one in 100. Patients also need to stay in hospital for a least a night, if not longer. The new technique, called Primary Obesity Surgery Endolumenal, is less invasive and, researchers say, causes less post-operative pain, has reduced risk of infection and leaves no external scars. The surgeon works through a tube or endoscope, which goes down the throat into the stomach. Once in place, it is used to gather up the stomach wall and lining. A stitch is pushed through the gathered tissue and ‘anchors’ placed on either side to hold the fold in place. The process is repeated, making several folds to shrink the stomach and prevent it expanding to accommodate food. The technique has already been tested in small trials in Europe. In a Spanish study, 22 patients reported feeling full faster after the procedure and, after a year, had lost an average 62 per cent of their excess weight. Most returned to work without bandages or signs of surgery within two to three days, unlike traditional bariatric surgery, where it can take weeks or months to resume normal activities. In a Spanish study, most of the patients returned to work without bandages or any signs of having had the surgery within two to three days (file image) Around 300 people are now taking part in a new trial to further test its efficacy

Summary: It is called Primary Obesity Surgery Endolumenal and is far less invasive . Technique folds the stomach into pleats, preventing expansion for food . The whole procedure is done via a tube that is passed down the throat . Most people can return to work within two or three days of the surgery .


Anis Ben-Hatira used his super powers for good after the Hertha Berlin striker celebrated scoring against Schalke by donning a Spiderman mask in support of an eight-year-old fan battling cancer. The Tunisia international netted the opener in his side's 2-2 draw in the Bundesliga on Saturday before racing to the bench to retrieve the mask and pointing out young Jannik in the crowd. Ben-Hatira has been visiting the stricken youngster at a Berlin hospital since October when the pair made a pact shared on his Instagram account, which also includes pictures of the two wearing super hero masks. Anis Ben-Hatira dons a Spiderman mask after scoring in Hertha Berlin's 2-2 draw with Schalke . Ben-Hatira opened the scoring on his return to the Hertha Berlin side following injury . He said: 'We decided to fight against his illness together. In such moments I realise: a healthy person has 1,000 desires. A sick person just one. 'Cute guy: you promised me to recover and I promised to stay on your side during the chemotherapy. I will visit you regularly. 'In less than six months we will stand in front of the fans at the Olympic stadium and celebrate your recovery.' While Ben-Hatira was cautioned for his celebration, Jannik received a rapturous response from the crowd before being allowed on the pitch to meet some of his own heroes. The Hertha Berlin striker opened the scoring against Schalke with an athletic finish . Ben-Hatira then raced to the bench to retrieve a Spiderman mask for his gesture . The Tunisia international did not seem to mind picking up a caution for his troubles . Ben-Hatira led eight-year-old Jannick around the pitch amid rapturous applause after the game .

Summary: Hertha Berlin drew 2-2 with Scahlke in their Bundesliga clash on Saturday . Anis Ben-Hatira celebrated his goal by putting on a Spiderman mask . Gesture was in support of eight-year-old fan battling against cancer .


He may have only been looking for a bit of attention, but this cheeky lion cub bit off more than he could chew when he nipped his father's bum. The lion cub was trying to initiate a play fight with his father Xerxes by jumping on his back at Seattle Woodland Park Zoo in Washington, USA. But he took things one step too far by taking a quick bite, causing the fiery animal to let off an almighty roar. The cub backed away with his tail between legs the cub and quickly bounded away to join his two brothers. Scroll down for video . A cheeky lion cub bit off more than he could chew when he nipped his father's bum to get some attention in a Washington zoo . The cub was trying to initiate a play fight but took things a step too far by taking a bite, causing father Xerxes to let off an almighty roar . Photographer Scott Williams captured the play fighting and saw one of the curious cubs put his head into his father's mouth . All three cubs, Tandie, Gandia and Mandla, were later seen playing with their mother Adia in their enclosure. Photographer Scott Williams captured the play fighting and said: 'They wrestled with both parents and tried to get rides on their backs. 'The cubs Tandie, Gandia and Mandla were playing and testing their hunting prowess when one suddenly bit Xerxes on the bum. 'The father did roar but the young cub didn't back off until a second much larger roar. 'A short time later they were lying next to each other watching mum doing her nails by clawing a tree. 'Fortunately mum Adia and dad Xerxes are great parents and teach their cubs new things daily.' The lion cub was trying to initiate a play fight with his father Xerxes by jumping on his back at Seattle Woodland Park Zoo in Washington, USA . All three cubs, Tandie, Gandia and Mandla, were later seen playing with their mother Adia (pictured) in their enclosure . The playful cubs wrestled with both parents, Adia and Xerxes, and tried to climb on their backs in a bid to get more attention . Photographer Scott Williams captured the play fighting between the cubs at Seattle Woodland Park Zoo in Washington, USA . The young cubs were dwarfed by their parents and they wrestled and played within the enclosure at the Washington zoo . Photographer said: 'The cubs wrestled with both parents and tried to get rides on their backs. The father did roar but the young cub didn't back off until a second much larger roar' The photographer said: 'Fortunately mum Adia and dad Xerxes are great parents and teach their cubs new things daily' A short time later the cubs lay next to their parents in the enclosure and watched as their mother did her nails by clawing a tree .

Summary: A cheeky lion cub bit off more than he could chew when he nipped his father's bum to get some attention . He was trying to initiate a play fight with his father Xerxes by jumping on his back, but too things too far . The male lion cub backed away with his tail between his legs after his father let off an almighty roar . Photographer Scott Williams captured the play fighting at Seattle Woodland Park Zoo in Washington .


These magnificent snow-capped mountains, found deep within a country very few Western tourists dare to visit, are virtually untouched. Every year a handful of adventurous skiers are brave enough to make the long trek to Bamyan, in Central Afghanistan, even though it’s one of the most dangerous countries in the world. Those who make the trip are being inspired by locals, who are some of the poorest people on the planet, and joining in a grassroots effort to grow the sport in Afghanistan and develop the region into a destination for tourists. Scroll down for video . A local man learns how to snowboard with ski tourists in Bamyan Province in Central Afghanistan . With so few tourists visiting and a small local population, the mountains are virtually untouched . Organisations and companies have launched a programme to develop the sport in Afghanistan . Foreigners may picture Afghanistan as a hot, arid land thanks to images shown on television during a decade-plus war that followed the 9/11 attacks in America. But Bamyan, which lies on the Silk Road that cuts through Asia, is a picturesque setting in the winter thanks to the snow-covered Hindu Kush mountains, one of the least explored ranges in the world. For years, locals have been using primitive skis fashioned from planks of wood and homemade poles to go up and down the mountains, which are home to peaceful minority groups. They’re now being joined by more Westerners who are looking for adventure, including a select few who are trying to improve their lives. A professional snowboarder from Australia leaps over a donkey and locals during a film shoot . A grassroots effort is underway to transform Bamyan into a destination for ski tourists . Organisations and companies are introducing modern equipment and training, and providing jobs to locals. The Aga Khan Foundation launched the programme in 2008, with Swiss brand Volkl providing equipment and training for locals, and the Swiss ski resort of St Moritz raising funds and inviting two Afghan skiers to the Alps for training. In 2011, Untamed Borders, a British tour operator, became the first company to take ski tourists to Afghanistan. Since then it has been bringing 10 to 20 foreign skiers to the mountain range every year, taking great care with respect to safety and security, said co-founder Kausar Hussain. With no ski lift or rope tow, skiers must hike up the mountain before skiing back down . But Bamyan, which lies on the Silk Road that cuts through Asia, is a picturesque setting in the winter . Each holidaymaker pays £1,700 for a 10-day trip, which includes accommodation, food, local transport and instruction from an internationally qualified ski guide. They are usually joined by local guides as well. Mr Hussain said: ‘The ski conditions are good. Very dry powder. Afghanistan does have a high risk of avalanches, so on many days we have to stick to low elevations. ‘In Bamyan, in winter it is cold, it snows. However there are many more clear days when in Europe. In the summer it

Summary: A few adventurous ski tourists make the trek to Bamyan every year . British travel company offers guided 10-day tours for £1,700 . Locals and tourists compete in Afghanistan's only ski race . Organisations are trying to develop the region's tourism industry . Skiing programme offers jobs and training to local residents .


A bench warrant has been issued in Maryland for civil rights icon Walter Fauntroy. The 82-year-old pastor and former Congressman, who was a trusted aid to Martin Luther King Jr., has had his passport revoked as a result of the warrant. Fauntroy is believed to be somewhere in Africa, according to friends and family. The warrant stems from an event to celebrate the inauguration of Barack Obama in Maryland in 2009 that Fauntroy was involved in organizing. Warrant: Walter Fauntroy, a trusted aid to Martin Luther King Jr., is wanted over his involvement in an event for the 2009 Presidential Inauguration and a $50,000 check he wrote for the function that bounced. He is seen here with the Rev. Al Sharpton in Washington in August 2010 . According to WUSA9, he and some others hired vendors for the function, however the party never actually happened. A $50,000 check he wrote to cover expenses then bounced. If and when Fauntroy re-enters the country, he will be arrested. Bench warrants are usually issued by judges for persons deemed to be in contempt of court. Suspicions were raised about Fauntroy's possible disappearance in November when he missed the funeral of fellow civil rights activist and friend Marion Barry, who served three terms as mayor of the District of Columbia. He then failed to participate in any events related to the 50th anniversary of Selma. Flashback: Walter Fauntroy - seen center right with Martin Luther King Jr. (left) at the White House in 1965 - is believed to be on the run, with a bench warrant issued for his arrest . Historic: Walter Fauntroy raises Marion Barry's hand in victory after Barry won his campaign for a seat on the school board on November 1, 1971 in Washington, DC . Civil Rights icon: Walter Fauntroy and Coretta Scott King talk to a D.C. police officer while protesting outside the South African embassy in 1984 . Fauntroy started going to Africa, first to Libya - where he claimed to have a relationship with Qaddafi - before traveling to Nigeria and Dubai. Friends and family report they don't know why Fauntroy would be in Africa. They have also questioned his mental state, living accommodations, and believe he has no source of income, WUSA9 reported. In 1959, Fauntroy became pastor of the New Bethel Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., succeeding his mentor, Reverend Charles David Foster, who had just passed away. Walter Fauntroy, a pastor and former civil rights leader (seen here in 1969) is now wanted over his involvement in an event to celebrate the inauguration of Barack Obama in Maryland in 2009 . Disappeared: Fauntroy listens here as President Barack Obama speaks during a dedication ceremony at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial on October 16, 2011 . The following year Martin Luther King and Wyatt Tee Walker asked him to become the District of Columbia branch director of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). Fauntroy accepted and became the civil rights organization’s lobbyist in Congress until 1970. He lobbied for the passage of the Civil Rights

Summary: Bench warrant issued for Walter Fauntroy, 82, in Maryland . Former pastor was a trusted aid to Martin Luther King, Jr. Wanted over his involvement in a 2009 Presidential Inauguration event . The event never happened, and a $50,000 check Fauntroy wrote bounced . He has not been seen since last year and is believed to be in Africa .


A police community support officer has been left devastated after arriving at the scene of a fatal crash and discovering the 10-year-old victim was her nephew. PCSO Lisa Crocker, 39, was on duty when she was called to the collision involving her young nephew Samuel Crocker in Crediton, Devon. The 'generous and kind' schoolboy was knocked down as he walked into the town centre to visit a friend on Saturday afternoon. He was taken to Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital in Exeter but later died from his injuries. His family said a 'bright light had been extinguished'. PCSO Lisa Crocker, 39 (right), was on duty when she was called to the collision involving her young nephew Samuel, 10 (left), who was knocked down while walking to meet a friend in Crediton, Devon, on Saturday . Cameron Trivett, 24, of Crediton, has been charged with causing death by careless driving and failing to stop after a collision. He will appear at Exeter Crown Court later this month. It has now emerged that Mrs Crocker, who is part of Devon and Cornwall Police's neighbourhood team in Crediton, arrived at the scene to discover the victim was her brother's son. Chief Inspector Matt Lawler said: 'Clearly this is an absolute tragedy for the entire family. 'No-one in the force knew the connection until Lisa arrived at the scene and recognised Samuel. 'There has been a great deal of support locally for Lisa and many local people have been asking if she was personally connected to the incident. 'In order to allow her to focus on supporting her family, Lisa has asked us to confirm her involvement and thereby end the speculation. Mrs Crocker, 39, (pictured) was unaware her young nephew was involved in the collision until she arrived at the scene. The youngster later died in hospital . 'While she has been inundated with messages, Lisa would like everyone to focus on Samuel, not on her connection to the events of last Saturday.' Emergency services were called to the scene of the crash at about 1.30pm on Saturday after Samuel was struck by the white Vauxhall Combo van. Following his death, his family led an outpouring of tributes to him. In a statement, they said: 'On Saturday afternoon our life was turned upside down when our darling Samuel was knocked down while on his way to visit his friend. 'Later that night the bright light that was Samuel was extinguished. 'We all miss our little 'mole' so much and can't begin to imagine how we move on from the devastating situation we are in now. 'Someone so small has left a massive hole that can never be filled, but he will always be remembered for his cheeky, fun-loving nature and we are grateful to have had him in our lives, albeit for such a short time.' A book of condolence has since been opened at Landscore Primary School where Samuel was a pupil. Gary Read, the school's headteacher, said: 'Samuel was a truly decent young boy - honest, attentive, generous, loyal and kind. 'To be

Summary: Samuel Crocker, 10, was knocked down by van and later died from injuries . His auntie PCSO Lisa Crocker was on duty at time and called to crash site . 40-year-old was unaware her nephew was crash victim until she attended . Schoolboy had been walking into town to meet friend when crash occurred . Devastated family said: 'The bright light that was Samuel was extinguished'


As he watched President Obama deliver his sixth State of the Union address, Dr Ben Carson reportedly called him 'a psychopath'. The 63-year-old neurosurgeon - who is believed to be preparing for a Republican presidential nomination next year - allegedly made the comments while watching the address with his chief advisor Armstrong Williams. Williams had remarked that Obama looked 'elegant' on the night. To which Carson replied: 'Like most psychopaths. That's why they're successful. That's the way they look. They all look great.' Scroll down for video . Ben Carson (left) called Obama a well-dressed 'psychopath' as he gave the State of the Union address . Carson's comments were reported by GQ in an article which added that 'casually branding the president a psychopath is exactly the sort of talk that strikes a chord—and just the thing that has made Carson a sensation in the GOP.' Later in the conversation, Carson had apparently exclaimed that Obama sold Americans 'a lie'. He reportedly said: 'He's trying to sell what he thinks is not true! He's sitting there saying, 'These Americans are so stupid I can tell them anything.'' And it's not the first time Carson has courted controversy with his critical comments of the president since he entered politics two years ago. After Carson's advisor said the President (pictured) looked 'elegant' delivering the address, Carson reportedly responded: 'Like most psychopaths. That's why they're successful' He has previously said that Obamacare is 'the worst thing that has happened in this nation since slavery'. Earlier this month, he argued that homosexuality is a choice because some people enter prison straight and leave gay. And last month, Carson told the Conservative Political Action Conference near Washington, D.C. that the Democrats now see African-Americans' support as an entitlement and choose to 'keep them suppressed and cultivate their votes.' Born in inner-city Detroit, Carson overcame his circumstances to become a surgeon. He became famous as the first surgeon to successfully separate conjoined twins joined at the head. In recent years, his focus has been on politics - and he is known for being an outspoken conservative Republican.

Summary: Carson is believed to be preparing for Republican presidential nomination . Allegedly made the comments to his chief advisor Armstrong Williams . Williams said Obama looked 'elegant' to which Carson reportedly replied: 'Like most psychopaths. That's why they're successful'


A teenager has become the first cancer patient in Britain to have a metal port fitted to his head so doctors can blast drugs directly at his brain tumour. James Willetts, 17, had the titanium socket - which was created by a 3D printer - bolted to his skull after traditional treatments failed to halt his aggressive brain tumour. A 'plug' is screwed into the port which allows chemotherapy drugs to be pumped into the tumour along four hair-thin catheters with pinpoint accuracy. James Willetts has now become the first British cancer sufferer to have be fitted with a 'skull socket' The 17-year-old had the titanium socket - which was created by a 3D printer - bolted to his skull after traditional treatments failed to halt his aggressive brain tumour . James is one of only three cancer sufferers in the world to receive the risky treatment, called 'convection-enhanced delivery' (CEH), which has not even reached stage one trials. 'The first thing that I thought was that I was going to be like Robocop,' he said. 'But I actually don't really notice it. 'I can feel it when they connect it but once it has connected it is fine. It doesn't hurt. 'When they screw it in I can here a scrapping noise inside my head.' James, of Taunton, Somerset, was diagnosed with Glioblastoma in January 2014 after complaining of migraines and stress. James underwent a 12 hour operation at Frenchay Hospital in Bristrol in February to remove the tennis-ball sized tumour, leaving him with short-term memory loss and restricted use of the left side of his body . A 'plug' is screwed into the port which allows chemotherapy drugs to be pumped into the tumour along four hair-thin catheters with pinpoint accuracy . He underwent a 12 hour operation at Frenchay Hospital in Bristrol in February to remove the tennis-ball sized tumour, leaving him with short-term memory loss and restricted use of the left side of his body. Although most of the tumour was cut out, it was attached to his thalamus in the centre of his brain and some couldn't be removed safely. Following the operation, he began oral chemotherapy, radiotherapy and was enrolled on a stage 2 drug test called Avastin from a French pharmaceutical company. But none of the treatments worked and the tumour began to regrow, leaving the family with few choices. Fortunately for the teen, he was then selected to take part in the CEH trials carried out by neurosurgeon Professor Steven Gill at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children. A 3D titanium port was fitted to James' head at Southmead Hospital, Bristol, in late October with treatment beginning in November. He undergoes treatment for several hours over two days, after which he is discharged for six weeks before receiving another dose. The teen, pictured after the operation, is one of only three cancer sufferers in the world to receive the risky treatment, called 'convection-enhanced delivery' (CEH), which has not even reached stage one trials . James' father Simon does not blame the NHS for not funding

Summary: James Willetts, 17, was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour in 2014 . He has now become the first British cancer victim to have a 'skull socket' James has a small titanium port- created by a 3D printer- bolted to his head . The risky technique allows chemo drugs to be blasted directly at tumour .


The Archbishop of Adelaide has been charged with covering up child sex abuse. It is alleged Philip Wilson tried to hide abuse carried out by another priest in the 1970s, The Australian reported. Wilson was appointed archbishop for the South Australian capital in 2011. Philip Wilson has been charged with covering up child sex abuse carried out by a priest in the 1970s . The charge comes after it was revealed the senior figure in the Catholic Church did not report priest Jim Fletcher who was accused of paedophilia while they were working in the Maitland region, north of Sydney in New South Wales. Fletcher ended up serving prison time from 1989 to 1991 after he was convicted of raping a 13-year-old boy. Five years later, the convicted paedophile died. A Special Commission of Inquiry conducted last year handed down that Fletcher 'had an extensive history of perpetrating child sexual abuse in the diocese, exclusively abusing young males, particularly altar boys'. Philip Wilson arrives to give evidence during the Royal Commision into child abuse at the Federal Court in Adelaide last year . It is thought Wilson is the most senior Catholic official in the world to face charges of this nature (pictured above is St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican) Wilson is thought to be the most senior Catholic official in the world to face charges of this nature and if sentenced, could face up to two years behind bars, News Corp reported. NSW police said a 64-year-old man was charged after allegedly concealing 'a serious offence regarding child sexual abuse' in the Hunter region. The charge is the result of an investigation by Strike Force Lantle, which since 2010 has probed allegations of concealment of child abuse by former and current clergy attached to the Maitland-Newcastle Diocese of the Catholic Church. Police said a future court attendance notice related to the matter was served in South Australia on Tuesday. It comes as the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse continues in Sydney. Ian Paterson, the former headmaster of Sydney's Knox Grammar School, gave evidence . A former Roseville College student, Lucy Perry, accused Dr Paterson of touching her on the buttocks, which he denies . The matter is listed for Newcastle Local Court on April 30. This charge comes as the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sex Abuse continues in Sydney. Explosive claims have been made during the hearing, including allegations of extensive abuse carried out at Knox Grammar School on Sydney's North Shore. Dr Ian Paterson, the school's headmaster from 1969 to 1998, admitted to impeding a police investigation into allegations of paedophilia from teachers while he was giving evidence earlier this month. While a former Roseville College student, Lucy Perry, told the inquiry about an incident where she claims Dr Paterson touched her on the buttocks during a joint rehearsal of a musical with Knox. But the former headmaster has vehemently denied the allegation, saying he 'absolutely not' touch Ms Perry in 1989 when she was 15. Sorry we are not currently accepting

Summary: Adelaide Archbishop Philip Wilson has been charged with failing to report child sex abuse in his diocese in the 1970s . He has been the archbishop of the South Australian capital since 2011 . In the 1970s, Wilson did not report abuse carried out by another priest . If convicted of the crime, Wilson faces face up to two years behind bars .


Ronald Koeman has had worse birthdays. On the same day he turned 52, Southampton kept themselves in the hunt for European football, and it was gift-wrapped by Burnley themselves. Shane Long’s first strike in the Barclays Premier League since November and an own goal by Jason Shackell did the trick against a Burnley team threatened with being sent back to where they came from last season. As for Southampton it will take some doing to get rid of them. Just when Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United thought Champions League qualification was primarily a scrap among themselves, this served as a reminder. Shane Long opened the scoring with his first goal in the Barclays Premier League since November . Long celebrates putting Southampton ahead in the 37th minute against Burnley on Saturday . Southampton (4-2-3-1): Forster 6 (K. Davis 14, 7.5); Clyne 6, Fonte (c) 6, Alderweireld 6, Bertrand 8; Schneiderlin 6, S. Davis 6.5; Mane 6.5, Tadic 6 (Wanyama 46, 6), Long 7.5; Pelle 6.5 . Subs not used: Yoshida, Gardos, Djurcic, Ward-Prowse, Elia . Manager: Ronald Koeman 7 . Goals: Long (37), Shackell (OG 58) Booked: NONE . Burnley (4-4-2): Heaton 6; Mee 6, Schakell (c) 5, Duff 5.5, Trippler 6; Barnes 6 (Wallace 82), Arfield 6, Jones 5.5, Boyd 6.5; Vokes 6.5 (Jutkiewicz 74, 6), Ings 5.5 (Sordell 88) Subs not used: Gilks, Kightly, Keane, Reid . Manager: Sean Dyche 6 . Goals: NONE . Booked: NONE . MATCH RATING BY KIERAN GILL AT ST MARY'S STADIUM . Jason Shackell's own goal at St Mary's.Click here for our match zone service . ‘The boys gave me the best present for my birthday,’ said Koeman, who was serenaded by the St Mary’s crowd with their rendition of Happy Birthday. ‘A good win. An important win. Three points. Nice present.’ Yet it was horribly tense at times, as it should be against a team fighting for their Premier League lives. Burnley, fresh from beating Manchester City last week, made the Saints sing for their supper. Southampton moved to within a point of Liverpool, albeit a game ahead, and did so without Fraser Forster, the keeper with the most clean sheets in the Premier League this season. No sooner had the game got started than it was interrupted when Forster, named in Roy Hodgson’s England squad this week, had to be carried off on a stretcher after 14 minutes following an innocuous challenge by Sam Vokes. There was nothing in it as the Burnley striker tried to block the goalkeeper’s clearance but Forster was replaced by the 38-year-old Kelvin Davis, and Koeman does not think he will be able to feature for England this month. Burnley shot themselves in the foot in the 58th minute when Jason Shackell diverted Ryan Bertrand's cross into his own net . Burnley defender Jason Shackell looks dejected after scoring an own goal against Southampton . Yet Southampton made do without Forster, and Long settled their nerves on 38 minutes. A deflected low drive by Nathaniel Clyne from the right corner of the penalty area somehow found the

Summary: Shane Long scored his first goal in the Barclays Premier League since November to put Saints ahead . Jason Shackell diverted Ryan Bertrand's cross into his own net for second Southampton goal . Keeper Fraser Forster had to be carried off on a stretcher following an innocuous challenge by Sam Vokes . Manager Ronald Koeman was serenaded by the St Marys crowd with their rendition of Happy Birthday .


For the first time in a decade, astronomers have found dwarf galaxies orbiting the Milky Way - an unprecedented nine in total. They range in distance from 95,000 to 1.2 million light-years, and each contain far fewer stars than our galaxy. Crucially, though, the dwarf galaxies could help test theories of dark matter and perhaps bring us a step closer to detecting the elusive particles. Move the slider below to see an image of the southern sky before and after the new dwarf galaxies are added . Astronomers have found nine new dwarf galaxies in orbit around the Milky Way. They are the first to be discovered orbiting our galaxy in more than a decade. This image shows the previously known Magellanic Clouds with six of the nine newly discovered dwarf galaxies above the Paranal Observatory in Chile . The discovery was made by a team of astronomers at the University of Cambridge using data from the Dark Energy Survey, a five-year project to photograph the southern sky in extreme detail. The nine dwarf galaxies were spotted in the night sky in the southern hemisphere, near the Large and Small Magellanic Cloud, which are the largest dwarf galaxies in the Milky Way's orbit. Astronomers have discovered that a strange ring of distant stars may actually be part of our galaxy, making it 50 per cent bigger at 150,000 light-years wide. This is based on re-analysis of a distant ring that surrounds our galaxy, which the astronomers think is now actually part of it, and could have been disturbed by other dwarf galaxies. The team of scientists from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York studied the Monoceros Ring, which is a long ring-like filament of stars that ‘wraps’ around our galaxy three times. ‘The discovery of so many satellites in such a small area of the sky was completely unexpected,' said Dr Sergey Koposov of Cambridge’s Institute of Astronomy, the study’s lead author. ‘I could not believe my eyes.’ The newly discovered objects are each a billion times dimmer than the Milky Way, and a million times less massive. This makes them incredibly difficult to find, even in our galactic neighbourhood. Dwarf galaxies are the smallest galaxy structures in the universe, and can contain as few as 5,000 stars - whereas the Milky Way has around 200 billion. Importantly, though, they are thought to contain 99 per cent dark matter and just one per cent observable matter. This means they should be useful to test cosmological theories of dark matter, which makes up 25 per cent of all matter in the universe but is yet to be detected. ‘Dwarf satellites are the final frontier for testing our theories of dark matter,’ said Dr Vasily Belokurov of the Institute of Astronomy, one of the study’s co-authors. ‘We need to find them to determine whether our cosmological picture makes sense. Finding such a large group of satellites near the Magellanic Clouds was surprising, though, as earlier surveys of the southern sky found very little, so we were not expecting to stumble on such treasure.’ The

Summary: University of Cambridge astronomers have found new nine dwarf galaxies in orbit around the Milky Way . They are the first to be discovered orbiting the Milky Way in a decade since dozens were found in 2005 and 2006 . There are nine in total, ranging in distance from 95,000 to 1.2 million light-years . Each is a billion times dimmer and a million times less massive than the Milky Way, and contain much fewer stars . But they are thought to be 99% dark matter - which could help confirm theories of its presence in the cosmos .


Al Qaeda received about $1million from the Central Intelligence Agency when the Afghan government used money from a secret fund to pay a ransom for a kidnapped diplomat in 2010. Abdul Khaliq Farahi was the Afghan consul general in Peshawar, Pakistan, when he was kidnapped in 2008 and handed over to Al Qaeda. He was released two years later after Afghanistan paid the terrorist group a $5million ransom, a fifth of which was from the CIA, the New York Times reported. Scroll down for video . The CIA money Al Qaeda got was part of a $5million ransom to free consul general Abdul Khaliq Farahi (above) Letters about the CIA payments were found during the 2011 Navy SEALS raid that killed Osama Bin Laden . The bulk of the CIA payments were made while former President Hamid Karzai (left) was in power but they have slowed down since Afghan President Ashraf Ghani (right) took over in September . The money came from an Afghan government fund that received secret monthly cash deliveries from the CIA, the Times reported. The deliveries were made to the presidential palace in Kabul. Letters about the ransom payment were found during the 2011 raid by US Navy SEALS that killed Osama Bin Laden at his compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan. The letters were submitted as evidence during the trial of convicted terrorist Abid Naseer (pictured) In a June 2010 letter to Bin Laden, Atiyah Abd al-Rahman, Al Qaeda's general manager, wrote: 'God blessed us with a good amount of money this month'. He wrote the money would be used for weapons, operational needs and payments to families of Al Qaeda fighters held in Afghanistan. The communications were submitted as evidence in the trial of Abid Naseer, who was convicted this month in New York of supporting terrorism and plotting to bomb a shopping center in Manchester, England. Bin Laden had at first been concerned about the ransom payment, fearing the CIA knew how the money would be used and had tainted it with poison, radiation or a tracking device. He suggested the money be converted to another currency to 'be on the safe side'. The money the CIA delivered while President Hamid Karzai was in charge was used to buy the support of warlords, legislators and others, as well as expenses for clandestine diplomatic trips and housing for senior officials. Afghan officials reportedly said the payments have slowed since Ashraf Ghani became president in September. The CIA declined to comment on the report. In addition to the Al Qaeda correspondence, the story was based on conversations with Afghan and Western officials.

Summary: Money was part of $5M ransom to free consul general Abdul Khaliq Farahi . Farahi was kidnapped in 2008 and released two years later after payment . Letters about payment found in Navy SEALS raid killing Osama Bin Laden . Al Qaeda used cash for weapons, operational needs and other payments .


Almost half of all eight year olds and a third of children aged five have fillings or teeth missing because of tooth decay. Furthermore in 2013, 46 per cent of 15 year olds and 34 per cent of 12 year olds had 'obvious decay' in their permanent teeth. While high those figures do represent a slight reduction over the course of a decade, when the comparable figures were 56 per cent and 43 per cent respectively. The latest figures, published by the Health and Social Care Information Centre, reveals children are so embarrassed by their rotting teeth that they try to avoid smiling or laughing. Scroll down for video . The Child Dental Health Survey has revealed almost half of all eight year olds and a third of children aged five have fillings or teeth missing because of tooth decay . Various levels of decay affect different parts of the tooth, the initial stages wearing away at the enamel, while more serious forms attack the dentine and pulp, pictured . The survey of more than 13,500 children and nearly 10,000 dental examinations found dental decay was most pronounced in lower income families - where children are eligible for free school meals. Of those a sample size of 9,866 were surveyed and underwent an examination. Around 40 per cent of five year olds from more deprived families had tooth decay, compared with 29 per cent from less deprived families. In addition, 59 per cent of 15 year olds from deprived families had tooth decay, compared with 43 per cent from better off families. Meanwhile Northern Ireland is uncovered as the childhood tooth decay capital of the UK, with 72 per cent of 15 year olds suffering oral disease. In England that figure is 44 per cent, and Wales it is 63 per cent. But while remaining high, the levels have fallen since 2003 when the comparable figures were 78 per cent, 55 per cent and 65 per cent, respectively. The Child Dental Health Survey reveals a promising trend, experts said, with the extend and severity of tooth decay in permanent teeth of children aged 12 and 15 falling. The Child Dental Health Survey examined the prevalence, severity and extent of dental caries, also known as tooth decay. Each tooth is classified based on how decayed it is. Three components qualify as different levels of decay. They are: . But they warned large swathes of the childhood population 'continue to be affected by disease, and the burden of disease is substantial in those children that have it'. Tooth decay was still found in 34 per cent of 12-year-olds (compared to 43 per cent in 2003) and 46 per cent of 15-year-olds (56 per cent in 2003). Just 38 per cent of children were classed as having good overall oral health, meaning they had no obvious decay, no tooth surface loss into the dentine, which is the layer under the tooth enamel, and no tartar. In July the HSCIC published figures that showed the number of admissions for dental problems, among five to nine year

Summary: Child Dental Health Survey shows 46% of 15 year olds and 34% of 12 year olds had 'obvious decay' in their permanent teeth . Slight reduction in cases over the last decade, but experts warn large number of children 'continue to be affected by disease' Children said they are so embarrassed by their teeth they won't smile .


Former football coach Shane Hughes, who is accused of repeatedly raping a 12-year-old girl . A former Chelsea children's football coach has appeared in court accused of repeatedly raping a 12-year-old girl. Shane Hughes, who is believed to have worked for the Premier League club's Community Foundation, faces 14 counts of raping the girl. The alleged rapes dates back to 2011 and relate to one female victim, who is now aged 16. The 30-year-old, wearing a blue suit, with a white shirt and no tie, stood emotionless in the dock while Guildford Crown Court heard the charges laid out against him. Judge Christopher Critchlow said the charges against Hughes relate to when he was a football coach. He explained: 'These are allegation concerning his role as a football coach and what he did in that capacity.' The court was also told that Hughes, of Lenham in Kent will deny the charges against him. Gordon Ross, prosecuting, said: 'The defendant at the moment faces 14 charges of rape in relation to a claimant under the age of 13. 'The incidents date back to 2011 and thereafter. 'The early indication is that this will be a contested matter with a complete denial of any sexual activity.' Hughes was granted conditional bail to return to Guildford Crown Court on May 22 for a plea and case management hearing. An order was made banning Hughes from contacting the alleged girl victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons. Hughes was granted conditional bail at Guildford Crown Court, pictured, and will return on May 22 for plea case management . Formed in 2010, the Chelsea Foundation is an independent charity working within the community, which includes coaching courses for children. The club have declined to comment on the case but a source told the Sun on Sunday: 'He had worked for the foundation and not for the club or its youth set-up directly.' The case continues. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.

Summary: Shane Hughes, 30, is accused of 14 counts of rape relating to one victim . The allegations date back to 2011 when he worked as a football coach . Hughes appeared at Guildford Crown Court to hear charges against him . He was granted conditional bail and will appear in court again in May .


The new Rangers regime have suspended Derek Llambias, Barry Leach and Sandy Easdale from the club’s football board pending an investigation. The move against the last remnants of the old order at Ibrox came four days after Dave King and his allies swept to power with an emphatic EGM victory. That shareholder vote saw chief executive Llambias and finance director Leach – associates of Mike Ashley - removed from the PLC board. Sandy Easdale was not a PLC director but had been chairman of the football board. It’s understood all three are no longer welcome to visit Ibrox. Chief executive Derek Llambias (left) has been suspended by Rangers 'pending an investigation' Details of the investigation under way have not been disclosed, but King pledged last Friday to take a thorough look into how the business had previously been run and to examine contracts already in place. Leach was last month criticised after a disparaging remark about the Three Bears consortium – who made a rival funding offer to Ashley’s £10million loan - appeared in leaked minutes of a meeting with the Rangers Fans Board. The consortium then called for Leach to ‘become subject to his employers disciplinary processes and ultimately dismissed for gross misconduct’, adding that ‘it is our view that he has brought the club into disrepute’. A statement from Rangers yesterday confirmed the suspensions and the new make-up of the football board. Dave King's new era post-Mike Ashley (left) has started with direct action to the board of directors . ‘Rangers Football Club announce today that Derek Llambias, Barry Leach and Sandy Easdale have been suspended from their duties pending an investigation,’ it said. ‘It is also noted that Mr Llambias and Mr Leach, along with Sandy Easdale, have been advised that a resolution to remove them as directors of the Company has been received by the Company. A meeting may be required for this purpose but it is hoped that this will not prove necessary. ‘Acting Chairman Paul Murray, fellow directors Douglas Park and John Gilligan, and the Club’s Head of Football Administration Andrew Dickson have been appointed to the Board of the Company.’ In response, Easdale’s spokesman insisted they were ‘surprised’ at the announcement, adding: ‘We also note that they talk about an investigation. Sandy Easdale welcomes that as he has absolutely nothing to fear.’ The development came as Rangers beefed up their new-look PLC board, with the appointment of London-based financial businessman John Bennett – once a member of the Blue Knights consortium - and Rangers Supporters Trust spokesman Chris Graham as non-executive directors. Solicitor James Blair – of Rangers First - has also been announced as company secretary to further recognise the work done by the two main fan ownership groups. Kyle Hutton (right) challenges for the ball during Rangers' disappointing 0-0 draw at Cowdenbeath . Bennett and Graham join Murray, Gilligan and Park on the PLC board. King has delayed his own appointment but intends to become chairman subject to gaining ‘fit-and-proper’ approval from both the financial authorities and the SFA. Sandy Easdale’s brother James

Summary: Dave King was voted on to the Rangers board on Friday . Derek Llambias and Barry Leach suspended 'pending an investigation' Llambias was chief executive with Leach finance director . Sandy Easdale has also been suspended as chairman of the club board .