The University of North Florida's deputy police chief has fended off a carjacker with a gun he was given as a gift when he retired from the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. Bill Strudel, 67, was off-duty and running errands on Monday night when he stopped his SUV to buy ice from a machine, and was approached by a group of young men, including an armed 15-year-old. The teenager demanded he hand over the car and pulled out his gun, which Strudel slapped away. When Strudel tried to knock the weapon away a second time, the teenager pistol-whipped his forehead, leaving a deep gash and damaging his glasses, the Florida Times-Union reported. Not to be messed with: Bill Strudel, the University of North Florida's deputy police chief, was running errands when an armed teenage boy demanded his SUV - but the youngster got a bullet in the behind instead . But the police chief pulled his gun from his waist and fired several times, hitting the 15-year-old boy in the buttocks. He held the teen at gunpoint and several motorists stopped to help until police arrived. The youngster was taken for treatment and he is in custody. Authorities said they were determining whether his weapon was real or a pellet gun. University police Chief Frank Mackesy, who drove his deputy to the hospital for treatment, told the Florida Times-Union Strudel needed numerous stitches. 'The suspect messed with the wrong guy,' he said. 'He was responding in a way he was trained to respond. If it had been anybody else out there, I don't know how this would have turned out.' Scene: Strudel had stopped to collect ice from this machine when a group of youngsters approached him to demand his car. He was pistol whipped by a 15-year-old before he pulled out his own weapon . Support: Strudel's daughter Ashley took to Twitter on Monday to express her admiration of her father . On Facebook, Strudels' wife added that her husband has a bad wound to his nose but has been bandaged up and is doing well. His daughter Ashley added on Twitter: 'Positive of the evening, telling my dad how he's been dubbed a "badass" by multiple different people... it made him chuckle.' According to his bio on the university's website, Strudel joined the department in 2005 after serving with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office for 25 years. He has also taught at police academies. When he retired from the Jacksonville force, he was given his service weapon, as is customary when an officer leaves after years of service, according to the Florida Times-Union. 'Things you should be stupid enough to do,' his daughter added on Twitter. 'Attempt to rob a 30 year police veteran that teaches new officers to shoot. #lessons learned.'

Summary: Bill Strudel, deputy police chief for the University of North Florida, was running errands on Monday when a group of youngsters approached him . A 15-year-old boy pulled out a gun and demanded Strudel's SUV, but Strudel slapped the weapon away . After the boy pistol-whipped Strudel, the cop pulled out his own gun, shot the teenager in the behind and held him until police arrived . Strudel's weapon was given to him when he retired from the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office after 25 years of service in 2005 .


A 4,000-year-old Egyptian statue which was sold by a council for nearly £16million to an overseas buyer has been banned from leaving Britain. The statue of Sekhemka, a limestone figure which is just 30in high, was controversially sold by Northampton Borough Council for £15.76m last year to a mystery buyer abroad. But the council was accused of committing ‘a great act of folly’ by The Save Sekhemka Statue Action group, who feared the ancient relic could disappear into private ownership overseas. Sold: The statue of Sekhemka (pictured at Christie's, London last year), a limestone figure which is just 30in high, was controversially sold by Northampton Borough Council for £15.76million to a mystery buyer abroad . Now the culture minister Ed Vaizey has ordered a four-month export ban on the relic leaving the British Isles after Arts Council England ruled the sale breached standards for how museums manage their collections. That ban could even be extended to March 2016 if a ‘serious intention to raise funds to purchase the statue is made’, Arts Council England said. The statue, which dates from 2,400BC, is a tomb model of a kilt-wearing high official surrounded by his wife, son and seven offering bearings. Mr Vaizey praised the figure as a work of ‘outstanding aesthetic importance’, and ‘the finest example of its kind anywhere in the world.’ Treasure: The statue, which dates from 2,400BC, is a tomb model of a kilt-wearing high official surrounded by his wife, son and seven offering bearings. Above, the artifact picture in Christie's last year . But in July last year the council sold off the piece, which they have owned for more than 100 years, insisting it wasn’t the centrepiece of their collection. The Egyptian government called on the statue to be returned to Egypt if Northampton did not want it, and said the sale ran counter to the values and role of museums worldwide. A Northampton council spokesman said the export ban had ‘no impact’ on the council’s sale of the statue – and insisted it was a matter for the government and Arts Council England to resolve between them. Tomb model: The statue of Sekhemka, on display at Christie's, London, ahead of its sale last year . The statue of Sekhemka was found during a 19th century archaeological dig near Cairo. The tomb model shows a seated man wearing a kilt and wig, with his wife, son and offering-bearers. Sekhemka was a high level scribe who lived in the Old Kingdom sometime between 2,700BC and 2,2250BC - the period of Egyptian history when the pyramids of Giza were built. In a country that was mainly illiterate, his ability to read and write means he would have been a person of high status with access to high offices. At first, tomb statues - a sign of wealth - were reserved for the royal family. But as the economy improved, officials like Sekhemka who held high-ranking positions could afford to pay craftsmen to create likenessess of themselves for their tomb. They served two purposes: to act as a record of the

Summary: Statue of Sekhemka was sold by Northampton Borough Council last year . But some feared the relic could disappear into private ownership overseas . Now culture minister has ordered four-month ban on it leaving Britain .


Eight French nationals and two Argentine pilots were killed while filming a reality TV show when their helicopters collided mid-air on Monday in northwestern Argentina, officials said. The groups was reportedly filming for a reality show titled Dropped, where contestants are divided into two teams, dropped in the wild and forced to find their way back to civilization with no food, map or help. Helicopters take contestants to various locations. The aircraft collided while flying near Villa Castelli in La Rioja province, about 720 miles northwest of Buenos Aires, La Rioja Secretary of Security Cesar Angulo told television station TN. Two helicopters crashed Monday in the remote area of northwest Argentina, killing all 10 people on board both aircraft, authorities said . The eight passengers on board were French nationals reportedly filming the reality show Dropped. They had been divided into two teams of four . People gather near the smoking remains of a helicopter that crashed with another near Villa Castelli in the La Rioja province of Argentina on Monday . 'An explosion occurred and it's believed that they must have collided,' said Angulo. 'Aeronautical experts will have to determine that.' The helicopters took off at 5.10pm and exploded minutes later, Angulo told the Buenos Aires Herald. Angulo said there were no survivors, but said the pilots were believed to be from the provinces the provided the aircraft. One of the helicopters belonged to La Rioja while the second belonged to the neighboring province of Santiago del Setero, Angulo said. Dropped takes place in the province every year and is televised internationally, according to BBC. People walk around the wreckage of the explosion on Monday. La Rioja Secretary of Security Cesar Angulo said that they helicopters took off at 5.10pm and exploded minutes later . Angulo said that there were no survivors from the crash. It is believed, however, that the pilots are from La Rioja and neighboring province Santiago del Setero .

Summary: Crash happened near Villa Castelli in La Rioja province in Argentina . Two helicopters reportedly collided mid-air and exploded, leaving ten dead . There were no survivors, La Rioja Secretary of Security Cesar Angulo said . The eight French nationals were reportedly filming for the show 'Dropped' The pilots were believed to be from Villa Castelli and neighboring province Santiago del Setero .


The lawyer for a 17-year-old Connecticut boy charged with stabbing a classmate to death in school on their prom day says he intends to use an insanity defense. Christopher Plaskon is charged with murdering 16-year-old Maren Sanchez in a hallway at Jonathan Law High School in Milford in April 2014, just hours before the junior prom. Police are investigating whether it was related to Sanchez's refusal to be Plaskon's prom date. Lawyers for Christopher Plaskon, 17 charged with stabbing a classmate to death in school on their prom day says he intends to use an insanity defense. Plaskon is charged with murdering 16-year-old Maren Sanchez, right, in a hallway at Jonathan Law High School in Milford in April 2014, just hours before the junior prom . Plaskon's lawyer, Richard Meehan, released new court documents on Monday saying he intends to pursue a defense of 'mental disease or defect and/or extreme emotional disturbance.' Meehan has said in court that Plaskon was taking anti-psychotic and anti-anxiety medications. Plaskon is due in Milford Superior Court for a pretrial hearing on Tuesday. Sanchez, 16, was a member of the National Honor Society who was active in drama and other school activities. She had organized the dance herself and was set to be prom queen, her friends said. A witness saw Plaskon on top of Sanchez during the attack and tried unsuccessfully to pull him away, and another saw him discard a bloody knife, according to a police affidavit. Plaskon's lawyer has revealed that he intends to use an insanity defense for his client who was taking anti-psychotic meds . Plaskon, his clothes bloody, was taken to the principal's office, where an officer arrived and asked what happened. 'I did it. Just arrest me,' Plaskon replied, according to the officer. He is being prosecuted as an adult and faces up to 60 years in prison with a mandatory minimum of 25 years if found guilty of murder.

Summary: Christopher Plaskon, 17, is charged with murdering 16-year-old Maren Sanchez just hours before their junior prom in Milford in April 2014 . Plaskon's lawyer has revealed that he intends to use an insanity defense for his client who was taking anti-psychotic meds . Richard Meehan has said he intends to pursue a defense of 'mental disease or defect and/or extreme emotional disturbance' Plaskon is due in Milford Superior Court for a pretrial hearing on Tuesday .


A high school junior has told of her anger after being suspended from school over dying her hair a 'normal color'. Savannah Keesee from Farmington, Missouri, used a Garnier brand dye kit to permanently color her auburn hair to a 'deep ultra-intense red' while she was snowed in at home with her mother. However, when the teenager returned to classes at West St. Francis County R-4 this week she was pulled out of the lunch queue and told her new coiffure violated the school's grooming code. Her mane was apparently branded 'distracting', 'bright' and 'orange' by members of staff. Scroll down for video . Before and after: Savannah Keesee from Farmington, Missouri, used a Garnier-brand dye kit to permanently color her auburn hair to a 'deep ultra intense red' while she was snowed in at home with her mother . While the school rules state that non-natural hair colors are not permitted, Savannah argues that her shoulder-length hair isn't purple, green or blue and only a little brighter than her natural shade. Her 40-year-old mother - who had a helping hand in the transformation - concurs. 'I dyed it auburn, which is what was on the box. And auburn to me is natural, just like strawberry blonde or blonde, or black or brown,' she told KTVI News. 'She just wanted it a little bit different. We had a bunch of snow days, and did some girl stuff and dyed her hair.' The mother and daughetr didn't expect any objection to the dye. However, when the teenager returned to classes at West St. Francis County R-4 this week she was pulled out of the lunch queue and told her new 'orange' coiffure violated the school's dress and grooming code. In writing: Indeed, the rules state that non-natural hair colors are not permitted . Speaking out: However Savannah argues that her shoulder-length hair isn't purple, green or blue and only a little brighter than her natural shade Her 40-year-old mother (pictured) agrees . But Savannah said that the principal told her to call her mother on Tuesday to be picked up. She then tried to return to lessons the following day but was instructed to stay at home because her hair remained unchanged. West St. Francois County superintendent Stacy Stevens said she couldn't comment specifically on Savannah's situation, but he says the hair color policy has been in place for decades. 'We try to work with the students to be fair. We don't want them out of school, we don't typically have issues with this policy. I think our students and parents are accepting of it. It's been in place a long time, and I think it's a policy that works.' Savannah refuses to dye her hair back to its original color as a matter of principal. She plans to appeal the principal and superintendent’s decision and take it before the school board. Her mother, meanwhile, wishes the school would worry about bigger issues. 'Instead of maybe picking up on the bullying, and kids who are actually causing trouble, its hair color,' she concluded.

Summary: Savannah Keesee from Farmington, Missouri, used a Garnier-brand dye kit to permanently color her auburn hair while she was snowedin at home . When the teenager returned to classes at West St. Francis County R-4 this week she was pulled out of the lunch queue . The principal said her new coiffure violated the school's dress code . Savannah was told to call her mother to be picked up . She apparently has been banned from classes until she recolors her hair .


How France manager Didier Deschamps must wish he had this group of legends to call upon in his quest for Euro 2016 glory. Thierry Henry, Marcel Desailly, Zinedine Zidane and Patrick Vieira all took to the Stade de France turf before France's defeat to Brazil on Thursday night to celebrate their position as national centurions. Together, they are four of just six players to be capped more than 100 times by Les Bleus, with Deschamps another and all-time leader Lilian Thuram making up the list. (Left-right) Zinedine Zidane, Thierry Henry, Marcel Desailly and Patrick Vieira celebrate 100 caps for France . The group are just four of the six players to have appeared more than 100 times for France . Henry (left) shares a joke on the Stade de France pitch with former international team-mate Desailly . All four players are also World Cup and European Championship winners with France . Lilian Thuram - 142 caps . Thierry Henry - 123 . Marcel Desailly- 116 . Zinedine Zidane - 108 . Patrick Vieira - 107 . Didier Deschamps - 103 . Thuram possesses 142 caps, with Henry second on 123 and defender Desailly third with 116. Zidane is next up with 108, then Vieira on 107 and finally current boss Deschamps on 103. And of the six, four started the 1998 World Cup final on the same Paris pitch where they became champions, while Vieira came off the bench during the 3-0 triumph and Henry was an unused substitute - although he was France's top scorer in the tournament with three goals. All six of them also started the final as France beat Italy 2-1 in extra-time to win Euro 2000. France coach Didier Deschamps (left) is another national centurion as they were honoured alongside French president Francois Hollande (third left) and French football federation president Noel Le Graet (third right) (Top row) Henry, Vieira and Zidane, (bottom row) Deschamps, Lilian Thuram - France's all-time most-capped player who didn't appear at the ceremony - and Desailly all in action for their country . Henry, with his ticket in hand, chats to fellow France legend Zidane ahead of the game . Henry also shared a joke with current France player Patrice Evra before the friendly at the Stade de France . Other than Thuram, the four other centurions were watching on as Dechamps' side were beaten 3-1 by Brazil, despite taking a first-half lead through Raphael Varane. Chelsea's Oscar levelled the game later in the half, before Neymar and Luiz Gustavo struck after the interval. It was a frustrating result for Deschamps, who kept his job despite seeing France crash out at the quarter-final stage to eventual champions Germany during last summer's World Cup. And with Euro 2016 set to be played on home turf, there will be precious few games for him to prepare for an assault at glory, with friendlies against Belgium and Albania in June before a trip to Wembley to face England in November. Raphael Varane headed France into a 1-0 lead against Brazil on Thursday night in Paris

Summary: Thierry Henry and Zinedine Zidane celebrate 100 caps for France . Joined by fellow centurions Marcel Desailly and Patrick Vieira . France manager Didier Deschamps is another alongside Lilian Thuram . Thuram wasn't present at the ceremony ahead of France's loss to Brazil .


Motorists in Los Angeles were stunned after a Second World War-era bomber flew low over the highway as it approached Van Nuys airport in California. The B-29 Superfortress is the same type of aircraft which bombed Hiroshima and Nagasaki to force Japan into surrendering, . The aircraft, which was built in 1945, did not take part in the war, and despite the B-29 seeing service in Korea, the aircraft, dubbed Fifi, was not involved in that conflict either. Scroll down for video . The B-29 bomber was photographed as it approached Van Nuys airport in Los Angeles as port of a nationwide tour . Extremely low and incredibly close: The aircraft was rescued in 1971 by a group of enthusiasts who returned it to flying condition . The B-29 was the bomber which delivered the first atomic bombs to HIroshima and Nakasaki and remained in service until September 1960 . The historic aircraft was discovered in 1971 and underwent a full restoration, returning it to a flying condition. The aircraft flew into Los Angeles as part of a publicity tour where fans have the ability to gent onboard the historic aircraft and even buy tickets for a short spin. A seat in the cockpit costs $1,045 while guests pay $575 for a seat further back in the aircraft. The bombadier's seat in the nose of the aircraft is the most expensive at $1,595. The aircraft is owned by the Commemorative Air Force after their members found it at the US Navy's proving ground in Chine Lake, California. The plan was being used as a target for naval gunnery. Amazingly it was not destroyed . For more than 30 years the aircraft was powered by its original engines, but they required replacing in 2006. The owners commissioned a specialist company to supply and fit some custom built engines allowing the aircraft to remain in the air. Boeing began developing the B-29 in 1939 as a long-range heavy bomber with four engines. The B-29 was the first bomber to have a pressurised cabin and it was also equipped with remote control guns . The aircraft was revolutionary as it was pressurised, meaning the crew did not have to use oxygen masks while on a mission. It was also the heaviest production aircraft at the time. According to Boeing, the aircraft also had remote control guns. Most of the B-29 fleet was involved in the war against Japan, with 1,000 bomber raids targeting Tokyo. However, the Enola Gay delivered the first atomic bomb to Hiroshima, while the Bockscar bombed Nagasaki three days later. After the Japanese surrender, the B-29 saw service in Korea and was used for anti-submarine patrols, weather reconnaissance and rescue duty. It was eventually retired in 1960. Meanwhile, the Imperial War Museum in Duxford has built a scale model of the B-29 as part of its American Air Museum. The model was constructed by local schoolchildren.

Summary: The historic aircraft was built by Boeing in 1945 and was returned to flying condition after it was purchased in 1971 . A group of enthusiasts completed a full restoration on the four-engined bomber for authorities to allow it to fly . The aircraft flew to Los Angels as part of a nationwide tour where people pay up to $1,595 for a flight experience .


Eight-time grand slam champion Andre Agassi believes American men's tennis has to 'regroup at grass roots level' if it ever wants to boast a world number one again. The United States take on Great Britain in the Davis Cup in Glasgow this weekend, hoping to avenge last year's 3-1 defeat in San Diego. World number five Andy Murray will lead the charge for Britain and goes into the first-round World Group tie as the stand-out singles player, with America's John Isner and Donald Young ranked only 20th and 47th respectively. USA legend Andre Agassi (pictured in 2009) says America must 'regroup' its grass roots tennis set-up . World number five Andy Murray will lead the line for Great Britain at the Davis Cup this coming weekend . USA's Donald Young stretches to return a shot to Ivo Karlovic during the Delray Beach Open on February 22 . John Isner of the United States plays a backhand during his third-round match at the Australian Open 2015 . It is a far cry from the days of Agassi, who lifted the Davis Cup in 1990, 1992 and 1995 alongside the likes of seven-time Wimbledon champion Pete Sampras and four-time major winner Jim Courier. The last time America produced a male grand slam winner was 2003, when Agassi won the Australian Open and Andy Roddick triumphed in Flushing Meadows. 'Being the next Andy Roddick or the next Andre Agassi will still leave you shy of winning tournaments these days. That's the truth,' Agassi told Press Association Sport. 'Will we ever have a number one player again? That's achievable, of course it is, but the four guys at the top now - Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray - they have redefined what this sport is all about over the last 10 years. 'You need something unique these days to make inroads, especially growing up in a country that doesn't have red clay courts. American tennis great Pete Sampras won the Wimbledon championship seven times during his career . Agassi has singled out Switzerland's Roger Federer as one of the 'four guys at the top now' He has also placed Serbia's Novak Djokovic on that list, pictured here at the Dubaio Duty Free Championships . Spain's Rafael Nadal returns a ball against Argentine Juan Monaco during the final of the ATP Buenos Aires . 'I don't know where Andy spent his childhood playing (he spent time in Spain as a teenager) but he plays the game like he wasn't just playing indoors. 'We don't have that in America. We have a lot of fast court players and the ones who do shine are the ones who bring a different equation. 'Isner, for example, is a monster, he's 6ft 10 plus with a huge game, so we have to regroup at a grass roots level.' Despite a shock defeat to 18-year-old Borna Coric in Dubai last week, Murray will be expected to win both his singles matches in Glasgow. That means the tie could depend on the doubles rubber, where Andy and Jamie Murray

Summary: USA tennis legend Andre Agassi says the country needs to 'regroup' He feels they are a long way off producing another world number one . Agassi has backed Great Britain's Andy Murray to impress at the Davis Cup . Murray enters the tournament off the back of a shock loss to Borna Coric .


The BBC must change the way it funds itself to secure its future, the director-general warns today. In a speech to staff, Tony Hall will say he backs plans to overhaul the licence fee ‘to reflect changing times’. Lord Hall reveals he is open to a new universal levy on every household in the country – even those that do not own a television set or only watch programmes online or on catch-up services. BBC director-general Tony Hall, who says he will back plans to overhaul the licence fee 'to reflect changing times' This would lead to an estimated 500,000 extra households having to pay for a service they do not use or currently get free. The director-general’s speech at Broadcasting House in London comes just a week after a report by the MPs on the Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee said the £145.50-a-year TV licence fee system was outdated and should be replaced. The debate has stepped up a gear as negotiations on renewing the BBC’s Royal Charter in 2016 get under way. Expressing the BBC’s view, Lord Hall is expected to say: ‘We’ve always said that the licence fee should be updated to reflect changing times. ‘I welcome the committee’s endorsement of our proposal to make people pay the licence fee even if they only watch catch-up television. ‘The committee has suggested another route to modernising the licence fee – a universal household levy. Both proposals have the same goal in mind: adapting the licence fee for the internet age. Lord Hall made the speech to staff at BBC Broadcasting House, pictured, just a week after a report by the MPs on the Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee said the £145.50-a-year TV licence fee system was outdated and should be replaced . ‘I believe we need and we will need what the licence fee – in whatever form – makes happen more than ever.’ A universal tax would remove the need for the BBC to pursue those who do not pay the licence fee – a costly system that leads to a loss of between £196million - £235million a year. But ministers say the earliest it could be introduced would be 2026. A subscription system advocated by the select committee, is opposed by Lord Hall as ‘poor value’. He will warn that it could fatally diminish the BBC’s ability to compete on digital platforms with other providers such as Netflix, Google and Apple.

Summary: BBC director-general Tony Hall made a speech at Broadcasting House . Said he will back plans to overhaul licence fee 'to reflect changing times' Will be aimed at those who don't own a TV or only watch catch-up services . Estimated an extra 500,000 households will pay for a service they don't use . Comes after licence fee was branded outdated in a report by MPs last week .


Far from the prestigious homes that normally fetch well over the reserve price, three small homes in Sydney have blown realtors and buyers away, exceeding all reserve expectations. Collectively the houses pulled $1,720,000 over their reserve prices. Rob Mellor, property analyst and managing director of BIS Shrapnel, says the ‘market is getting a bit sticky’ and warns investors that their future profits may be much lower than expected if you spend more than the property is worth. ‘I feel the market has more growth in it but if growth like this happens overnight there’s a real danger for investors.’ ‘No-one pays that amount of money unless they have more money than sense,’ Mr Mellor told Daily Mail Australia. Scroll down for video . This diamond in the rough sold for a whopping $840,000 . Labelled a ‘diamond in the rough’ this quaint one bedroom cottage in Surry Hills covers a tiny 63 square metres however it managed to sell for a whopping $840,000. No bells and whistles: This tiny one bedroom cottage leaves a lot to be desired . With only one bedroom and a combined living/dining area the Surry Hills home leaves investors with a lot of renovating ahead . That’s $90,000 over the reserve and a considerable investment compared to the 500 pounds the original owner paid in the 1960’s. The eastern suburbs apartment has no ocean views but pulled an astonishing $1.4 million . Labelled a 'blank canvas' the unit on Moore Street, Coogee, will require substantial investment to renovate . Another auction for a two bedroom unit in Coogee attracted 55 registered bidders and had 150 contracts out on the property. The ground floor art deco apartment is rundown and not renovated but still managed to fetch $1.4 million. That’s an extravagant $530,000 more than the reserve price for an apartment that doesn’t even have water views. Advertised as an apartment that 'presents a restoration/renovation opportunity seldom found now in this locale' The biggest shocker of the weekend was in Sydney’s north-west suburb Gladesville where a 4 bedroom, single level brick home went under the hammer for an astounding $2.85 million. ‘It was just one of those auctions where people get caught up in the moment and it just kept going, and going, and going' With their reserve set at $1.75 million the home owners are set to pocket a massive $1.1 million over their asking price. Agent Paul Tassone from Professionals Real Estate told Daily Mail Australia the auction was full of locals who were blown away at how much the home sold for. The 4 bedroom Gladesville property was previously renting for $800 a week . ‘This was well above anything else that’s sold in the area,’ he said. ‘It was just one of those auctions where people get caught up in the moment and it just kept going, and going, and going.' ‘This was well above anything else that’s sold in the area,’ said Mr Tassone . Mr Mellor warns buyers to tread carefully in a market like this because it won’t stay this hot

Summary: Properties across Sydney going under the hammer have sold for well above their reserves . Surry Hills one bedroom cottage sells for $840,000 a shocking $90,000 over reserve . A Coogee unit with no water views attracted flocks of buyers and sold for $1.4 million, $530,000 over reserve . Gladesville home shocked buyers selling for a whopping $2.85 million, that's $1.1 million over asking price . Property analyst Rob Mellor warns overnight growth in the market could be dangerous for investors . He says many buyers won’t see a return on their investment unless they get out of the market within 18 months .


It's only logical that Kirstie Alley has been called out by Star Trek fans for paying tribute to the wrong Spock. The actress raised the heckles of Trekkies Sunday when she wrote a tribute on Twitter seemingly honoring a real-life celebrity child psychologist instead of the fictional science officer of USS Enterprise portrayed by the late actor Leonard Nimoy. 'Rest in peace Dr. Spock ... Xxxooo,' Alley wrote in a message accompanying a black-and-white still photograph of Nimoy as the half-Vulcan first officer under the command of Captain James T. Kirk. Scroll down for video . Twitter gaffe: Kirstie Alley has been called out by Star Trek fans for calling Leonard Nimoy's character 'Dr Spock' instead of 'Mr Spock' Wrong Spock: The actress (left) accidentally paid tribute to Dr Benjamin Spock (right), a celebrity child psychoanalyst who died in 1998 . The vintage image also features a young Kirstie Alley as the Romulan Lieutenant Saavik, who appears to be going in for a kiss with Nimoy's stone-faced Spock in the 1982 Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan. Alley was later replaced in the role by the actress Robin Curtis. The 64-year-old TV and film actress unwittingly eulogized Dr Benjamin Spock, a famed pediatric psychoanalyst and the author of the mega best-seller Baby and Child Care who passed away in 1998 at age 94. Fans of the successful science fiction franchise Star Trek wasted no time pointing out Alley’s mistake. Co-stars: Kirstie Alley (left) played the Romulan Lieutenant Saavik in Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan alongside Nimoy as Spock (right) Brief sci-fi career: Alley (left andf right) was later replaced in the role by the actress Robin Curtis . Team Enterprise: Nimoy (far right) portrayed the half-Vulcan, half-human science officer Spock for 47 years. This file photo shows the cast of Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan, including William Shatner as Captain James T. Kirk (center) and Alley as Saavik (second right) 'That's *Mr.* Spock. Dr. Spock was the baby expert,' user Eric Fettmann reminded the Look Who's Talking star. Another Star Trek fan Julie Smith wrote: 'ROFL Dr. Spock gave our parents advice about how to take care of us!' But others have come to Alley's defense, insisting that the actress' slip-up was just an innocent mistake. Alley, who was out of the country when Leonard Nimoy passed away Friday at age 83, defiantly responded to the flurry of tweets about her gaffe about an hour later. Outspoken: Alley, 64, has defended her tweet in a follow-up message, insisting that honorary titles notwithstanding, the sentiment was the same . Live Long and Prosper: Nimoy passed away Friday after a long battle with lung disease. He was 83. 'I'm sure Mr. Spock had PHD's in Science...anyway the sentiment is the same..jeez...hard to make gestures on here without Trek police..RIP,' she retorted. Nimoy, who played Mr Spock for 47 years, was laid to rest Sunday in Los Angeles following an intimate ceremony attended by family and close friends.

Summary: Alley, 64, mixed up Nimoy's Mr Spock with Dr Spock, calling to mind the late pediatric psychoanalyst and bestselling author Dr Benjamin Spock . The Look Who's Talking star appeared in Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan, portraying Lt Saavik . Alley defended her message in a follow-up tweet, insisting that her gaffe notwithstanding, the sentiment was the same .


Mobile phone bills should begin to fall after a watchdog ordered telecoms companies to slash the cost of calling another network. For years, mobile users have faced extra charges for so-called 'cross-network' calls to friends, family and colleagues who have a different provider. The charges, known as the 'mobile termination rate', is passed on to the customer who made the call, but also affect calls made from landline operators such as BT and TalkTalk. For years, mobile users have faced extra charges for so-called 'cross-network' calls to friends, family and colleagues who have a different provider . At the moment, these charges add 0.826 pence a minute to the usual cost of calls. However, Ofcom said yesterday that operators must slash them by more than 40 per cent over the next two years. By April 2017, mobile companies will be allowed to only charge 0.475 pence per minute extra. Matthew Howett, a telecoms analyst at Ovum, said: 'This is a good thing for the consumer. The main benefit will be to customers making calls from a fixed line, where fees are stubbornly high… so it is particularly good for the elderly.' Ofcom research has shown that older customers tend to use landlines much more than younger people. According to official figures, the vast majority of the population – 93 per cent – owns a mobile, and around three-quarters have both a landline and a mobile. Last year, around 16 per cent of adults in the UK relied solely on their mobile, and did not have a landline at all. Mobile operators have spent years lobbying to keep the mobile termination rate in place, helping to fatten their profits. The rates have been steadily reduced since the 1990s, when they were as high as 25p per minute, as mobile technology became more efficient and costs to the networks fell. However, yesterday the network operators expressed disappointment over Ofcom's decision to cut them further, and issued a veiled threat they could increase other charges to make up for the reduction. Last year, around 16 per cent of adults in the UK relied solely on their mobile, and did not have a landline . A spokesman for EE said: 'The proposed implementation puts at risk future investments and our ability to offer customers the lowest possible prices.' A telecoms source said that mobile phone companies would not be able to offer the same level of service if they do not get as much income from customers. Operators would face a choice to either allow the standards of their network and customer services to slip, or to recoup the money they have lost by increasing charges elsewhere. A spokesman for O2 added: 'There's no such thing as a free lunch. Mobile operators invest billions of pounds in their networks. The cost of handling calls from other operators comes at a cost and needs to be recovered from those operators.' Mr Howett said: 'The charges are based on the old-world of ancient switch networks. [It is time to ask] whether the system is still relevant'. Mobile operators,

Summary: Ofcom ordered telecoms companies to cut cost of calling another network . Charges - known as 'mobile termination rate' - add 0.826 pence a minute . By April 2017, companies will be allowed to only charge 0.475p per minute .


One has straight ginger hair, a fair complexion and deep blue eyes. The other has masses of curls, far darker skin and her eyes are a sparkling brown. With such opposing looks it’s hard to believe this striking pair are sisters. But they are much more than that – they are twins. The girls were born with radically different colouring thanks to a quirk of their mixed-race parentage. Scroll down for video . Same same, but different: Lucy and Maria Aylmer, 18, from Gloucester are non-identical twins . Lucy and Maria Aylmer’s mother Donna is half Jamaican and their father Vince is white, and together they managed to produce one white twin and one black twin. The girls were born in January 1997. Their mother was astonished when she first saw the twins, as nothing on the scans had prepared her for their different skin tones. Fair-haired Lucy, who lives with her family in Gloucester, said: ‘It was such a shock for her because things like skin colour don’t show up on scans before birth. 'So she had no idea that we were so different. When the midwife handed us both to her she was just speechless.’ Their mother, who is 47 and a warehouse worker, and their 53-year-old father, who works as a scaffolder, split up after the twins were born. Family line: The twins' mother Donna is half Jamaican and their father Vince is white, and their siblings George, Chynna and Jordan all have darker skin than Lucy and lighter than Maria . Two of a kind: The twins, who live in Gloucester, were born in January 1997 . Different strokes: 'Outgoing' Maria studies law at Cheltenham College, while 'shy' Lucy studies art and design at Gloucester College . All together: Maria and Lucy with their mother Donna and siblings George, 23, Chynna, 22, and Jordan, 21 . The 18-year-olds have three older siblings, George, 23, Chynna, 22, and Jordan, 21. Lucy said: ‘Our brothers and sisters have skin which is inbetween Maria and I. We are at opposite ends of the spectrum and they are all somewhere inbetween. Non-identical twins come from separate eggs, so inherit different genes. The girls’ half-Jamaican mother carries genes for both white and black skin. By chance, Lucy will have inherited genes for white skin and Maria will have genes that code for black skin. People with Afro-Caribbean heritage often have some European DNA, dating back in many cases to the slave trade. This increases the chance of them passing on a gene for white skin to at least one twin. ‘But my grandmother has a very fair English rose complexion, just like mine.’ She added: ‘No one ever believes we are twins. Even when we dress alike, we still don’t look like sisters, let alone twins. Friends have even made us produce our birth certificates to prove it.’ Certainly at school there were no problems mistaking the twins for one another – and no way of playing tricks to confuse their classmates. Lucy said: ‘We were in the same class, but no one

Summary: Lucy and Maria Aylmer, 18, from Gloucester are non-identical twins . Lucy has fair skin and ginger hair, while Maria is darker with curls . Their mother Donna is half Jamaican and their father Vince is white .


Julian Kremer, 49, stole almost £2million from estate agency he worked at and used cash to fund gambling habit and bought 'Laird' title . A bookkeeper stole almost £2million from his employers and used some of the money to buy a plot of land in Scotland - complete with an aristocratic title. Julian Kremer, 49, admitted fiddling the books at the estate agency he worked for in Wokingham, Berkshire, and used most of the cash to fund an internet gambling habit, a court heard. Five members of staff at Richard Worth estate agents were made redundant due to the losses while the company fell into financial ruin. Kremer, who has a husband of four years, sobbed in the dock at Reading Crown Court on Friday as he was jailed for five years after the judge described his offence as 'almost as bad as it can get'. Prosecutor Jane Davies told the court Kremer's crimes came to light on January 31, 2013, after the salaries of two employees had not been paid. She said: 'Steven Jones, the company director, made inquiries about the balances in five of the company accounts because it was believed the balances were not as they should have been.' The court heard he had altered the figures on at least two of the accounts to an inflated sum to make them look higher than they were. He was confronted by staff and admitted taking £1.9 million over a four and a half year period, from July 2008 to January 2013, and spent more than £630,000 on gambling. Mr Recorder Martin Heslop QC said: 'One of the gambling companies described him as their best customer.' Credit card bills showed payments exceeding £4,000 a month and some of the cash was spent on hotels. He also bought a small plot of land in Scotland which meant he could use the title Laird Julian Kremer and he asked for his personal details to be altered to reflect the name change. Company director, Steven Jones, who runs the company under the names Richard Worth Ltd, Richard Worth Residential Ltd and Richard Worth Holdings Ltd, told the court he had known Kremer for almost 20 years. Miss Davies said: 'Kremer stole around £250,000 a year and told Mr Jones cash flow was not improving due to debts. 'After the discovery, Mr Jones did everything he could to minimise financial ruin for the company. Kremer, who has a husband of four years, sobbed in the dock at Reading Crown Court (pictured) on Friday as he was jailed for five years after the judge described his offence as 'almost as bad as it can get' 'He had to borrow £250,000 personally and made redundant five members of staff. He took on a £1million debt which will take many years to repay. 'The business was the bedrock of his retirement planning and he doubts he will ever recover from the financial disaster.' Defending, Llewellyn Sellick said Mr Jones had sold the letting limb of the business and the other was still trading. He told the court: 'He

Summary: Julian Kremer, 49, admitted fiddling books at Richard Worth estate agents . Most of the cash was used to fund an internet gambling habit, court heard . He also bought a plot of land in Scotland so he could have title of 'Laird' Five employees were made redundant and company fell into financial ruin . Kremer was confronted by staff and said he took £1.9million in four years . He sobbed as a judge handed him a five year jail term at court on Friday .


A former Royal Marine killed fighting Islamic State extremists was last night described as a ‘one-man army’ who was ‘very angry about the Middle East’. Konstandinos Erik Scurfield, 25, was hit by mortar fire while battling alongside Kurdish forces near the Syrian city of Qamishli. He is believed to have flown to the region after becoming horrified by atrocities carried out by IS and his fellow fighters said he was the first to volunteer for ambushes and assaults. Scroll down for video . Last message: In the video message Mr Scurfield says he was in Syria of his ‘own free will’ and had gone there ‘to help’ Konstandinos Erik Scurfield (kneeling) pictured with Jordan Matson (second from right), a former US soldier . The Marine’s family, who live in a detached former farmhouse in Royston, near Barnsley, South Yorkshire, were devastated at being told of his death on Monday. In a statement, they said: ‘His flame might have burned briefly but it burned brightly with love, courage, conviction and honour and we are very proud of him.’ Last night video footage emerged of the Afghanistan veteran in Syria wearing combat gear, jeans and a black T-shirt. Speaking to the camera he says: ‘My name is Konstandinos Erik Scurfield. I came here on my own free will and I came here to help.’ It also emerged that he was questioned by police last October on suspicion of going to Syria to fight jihadists. On camera: Mr Scurfield introduces himself to the camera before giving a short message explaining why he has gone to fight Isis . Mr Scurfield (pictured), one whose fellow-fighters said he 'gave his life combating terrorism for his nation' He was preparing to fly from the US to Turkey after contacting a Kurdish group on Facebook. He was returned to his unit in Arbroath, Scotland, but decided to leave the Armed Forces before Christmas so he could travel to the war-torn region to fight. Konstandinos Erik Scurfield was stopped from joining Kurdish forces last October when he was still a serving Royal Marine. He had been training with the US Marines in California when he made email contact with a Kurdish group and arranged to travel to the frontline. But he was stopped while trying to board a flight from Los Angeles to Istanbul, a now well-known jumping off point for Syria, in October and questioned by the American authorities. His one-way ticket rang ‘alarm bells’, officials said, and his luggage, phone and laptop were examined. The Marine, who was known to be outraged by the atrocities committed by the fanatics of Islamic State, was also questioned by police on arrival in the UK and then returned to his unit, 45 Commando, in Arbroath, Scotland. It is believed he left the Royal Marines just weeks later. Mr Scurfield, known as Kosta to his comrades, is the first Briton to be killed while fighting Islamic State in Syria. The former drama student, who had ambitions to become an actor before joining the Royal Marines aged 21, was described by his comrades

Summary: Short video message gives simple reason behind going to Syria . Konstandinos Erik Scurfield was killed fighting Islamic State on Monday . Former Royal Marine is first UK national to be killed battling ISIS in Syria . Archaeologists' son told friends he went to region for humanitarian work . Former commando 'frustrated' by lack of government action against ISIS . Comrades from the group he fought with said he was a 'disciplined warrior' They said he wanted to be buried beneath an olive tree in Syria . Grieving parents say he lived with 'love, courage, conviction and honour'


Felicity Bassouls, 67, is accused of harassing former England winger Ben Cohen after he split from her daughter Abby in September last year . England rugby and Strictly star Ben Cohen is to give evidence against his mother-in-law, who is accused of bombarding him with emails and calls after he split from his wife amid rumours of an affair. Felicity Bassouls, 67, who lives in the Highlands of Scotland, is accused of harassing the former England winger after he split from her daughter Abby in September last year. The World Cup winner, 36, was facing accusations that his marriage was ended by the 'curse' of the BBC1 show Strictly Come Dancing. He had starred on the 2013 programme with Kristina Rihanoff, but denied they had a relationship. On Facebook he wrote: 'It is a sad world when two adults cannot have a friendship.' Mrs Bassouls arrived at Northampton Magistrates' Court to answer a summons of two counts of harassment without violence. One is against Cohen and one her own son, Austen Blaney, between 1 September and 29 October last year. The former Northampton Saints player is the founder of The Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation, which aims to raise awareness of the long-term, damaging effects of bullying. In a statement issued at the time of the split the couple said: 'Ben and Abby Cohen have agreed to take time apart to deal with some marital issues but remain fully committed to the welfare of their children. 'There is no third party involved, and Ben and Abby now ask that their privacy and that of their family be respected at this difficult time.' The couple have been married for 11 years and have twin daughters. Ben Cohen and his Abby (pictured together in 2003) announced their split in September last year after 11 years of marriage . The World Cup winner, 36, was facing accusations that his marriage was ended by the 'curse' of the BBC1 show Strictly Come Dancing. He had starred on the 2013 programme with Kristina Rihanoff, but denied they had a relationship . Cohen's on-screen chemistry with Kristina Rihanoff, sometimes known as ‘The Siberian siren', was widely noted in the 2013 show . Mrs Bassouls of Alness, Highland, Scotland was told her case was adjourned for a trial due to begin at Corby magistrates on 12 August. Asked if she had any comment to make outside court, Bassouls said: 'I have nothing to say at this time.' Cohen met his wife in 1995, at the age of 17, and the couple married in 2003 before having their daughters in 2008. Their split is the latest in a long list of post-Strictly break-ups. Cohen and Rihanoff perform the Rumba on Strictly Come Dancing in October 2013. The both vehemently denied they had had an affair . Susanna Reid split from the father of her three children following her appearance on the hit show, and Rachel Riley - made her split from her husband known in November - when they called time on their relationship, post-dancing appearance. Cohen's on-screen chemistry with Kristina

Summary: Felicity Bassouls, 67, is accused of harassing the former England winger . Cohen split from wife Abby after starring on BBC's Strictly Come Dancing . He'd starred on 2013 programme with Kristina Rihanoff, but denied affair .


Lord Mandelson feared he would have to break in to 10 Downing Street after civil servants told him it would be inappropriate for him to be seen entering the front door after the last Election. Gus O'Donnell, the then Cabinet Secretary, told the Labour peer it would be wrong for senior Labour aides to been seen entering No10 while talks were still ongoing about which political party would form the next Government. This is one of the explosive scenes from a political drama that sheds new light on the historic negotiations which led to the creation of the Coalition Government, having been based on interviews with key figures in the talks including George Osborne, Lord Ashdown, Gus O'Donnell and Lord Mandelson. No joke: Mark Gatiss plays Lord Mandelson in the drama 'Coalition' - it airs on Channel 4 on Saturday . Explosive: A scene from the political drama that sheds new light on the historic negotiations which led to the creation of the Coalition Government . In one scene Gordon Brown, who is still Britain's Prime Minister even though he does not have an overall majority, heads off to No10, joking: 'Before they lock us out.' But a furious O'Donnell tries to divert the PM's entourage of cars when he receives a call telling him they are almost at the gates.He tells Mandelson: 'Peter, just wait a minute. This is the seat of Government. You are not the Government. You can't use Downing Street for party political purposes.' A furious Mandelson, played by Mark Gatiss, says: 'F***ing civil servants. We are going to have to break in.' O'Donnell is forced, however, to allow the PM through the gates when Mandelson reminds him that Brown is 'actually and not just technically' the Prime Minister. But the peer and other senior party aides were forced to enter No10 through the back door of the Cabinet Office – and then found that all their computer passwords had been changed. Coalition is on Channel 4 on Saturday at 9pm.

Summary: Cabinet Secretary told Labour peer could not enter with coalition talks on . One of the explosive scenes from political drama on historic negotiations . Mandelson is played by Mark Gatiss on Channel 4 show 'Coalition'


A goodbye to the giraffes, a lingering look at a pregnancy scan and even a meeting with Lionel Richie. These touching pictures show the final wishes of terminally-ill patients fulfilled thanks to the work of a Dutch hospice. And most are simple, everyday pleasures - a trip to the zoo, a tour of museum or indulging in a good meal. The Ambulance Wish Foundation Netherlands, with the help of hundreds of volunteers, professional paramedics and comfortable stretchers, aims to give every patient the attention they deserve and bring a little light to their final days. Here are just a few of the wishes they have granted... Scroll down for video . Cancer patient Mario, 54, says goodbye to the giraffes at Rotterdam Zoo, whose enclosure he used to clean . This woman's wish came true when she met Lionel Richie after he performed at Amsterdam's Ziggo Dome . One terminally ill woman's last wish was a visit to the hospital to see the scans of her unborn grandchild . All this terminally ill man (pictured with his teddy bear) wanted for his wish was to go home again . Wrapped up warm, this patient, from dirksland, wanted to enjoy the stunning views of Rotterdam from the Euromast tower . Volunteers took this patient for a delicious fish supper in a restaurant in Scheveningen . Even the most extravagant requests are met, like this man's wish involving a yellow Lamborghini Diablo . A costumed worker entertains a smiling patient on her classic wish for a three-day trip to Euro Disney . A woman with bowel cancer say goodbye to her horse in Best, a village in the south of the Netherlands . Although no longer able to fly, volunteers took this man for a last look at his aircraft at Soesterberg . This football fan watched his team, Feyenoord Rotterdam, play a match from the comfort of his stretcher . A terminally ill taken to say goodbye to the horses on the horses refugee camp in Soest, Germany . Despite the snowy weather, a patient enjoyed a visit to the Royal Burgers' Zoo in Arhem, Netherlands . Volunteers took a woman, pictured with her daughter and grandson, who is no longer mobile, to the zoo . This terminally ill man was able to spend the day with young daughter at Rotterdam Zoo . A touching photograph captures the moment a terminally ill says goodbye to her, who is also sick . A 27-year-old mother smiles as she returns to Poland to spend her final days with her husband a baby . This woman took a friend to enjoy the aromas of the Market Hall in Rotterdam for a final time . For her final wish, this woman, from Port Denison, took a couple of friends to see War Horse in Apeldoorn . This cancer patient, from Pernis, wanted to sail again, so his stretcher was taken on boat in Flushing . This woman's last wish was to enjoy an evening cruise along the canals of Amsterdam with her family . Despite no longer

Summary: Ambulance Wish Foundation fulfils final wishes of terminally ill patients . Thanks to 200 medical volunteers, patients taken on outing of their choice . And most wishes are simple, everyday pleasures enjoyed one last time .


A French teacher from Florida has been suspended for five days without pay after she was accused of calling her 14-year-old Muslim student a 'raghead Taliban' when he walked into class wearing a hoodie. The administrative complaint filed against Maria Valdes also claimed that, when the teacher called on on Deyab-Houssein Wardani, she once asked 'Okay the Taliban, what is the answer?' It also alleged that the Cypress Bay High School teacher would say 'Ah no! The Taliban is here' when he walked into the classroom and would refer to him as a 'terrorista,' which is Spanish for terrorist. Scroll down for video . A French teacher from Florida has been suspended for five days without pay for allegedly calling her 14-year-old Muslim student Deyab-Houssein Wardani (pictured) a 'raghead Taliban' Deyab-Houssein, who did not know the Taliban referred to a terrorist organization until he asked his parents, said the other students in his class laughed at the nickname. 'I would not expect this from a teacher, teachers are supposed to set an example for their students,' he told the Sun Sentinel. 'It's very sad that people still think like that, that all Muslims are your average daily terrorist.' Valdes will also have to undergo a diversity training program. The punishment is not enough for Deyab-Houssein's father Youssef, who said that, at a minimum, he believes the teacher should have been suspended for a year without pay - if not fired. Wardani said the five-day suspension amounted to a 'vacation'. He made his anger loud and clear after the punishment was passed down at the Broward School Board's meeting on Tuesday. The father told school administrations they should 'all be removed for bullying,' according to Local 10. Superintendent Robert W. Runcie, who filed the administrative complaint after he was notified of Valdes' alleged comments, said the matter was taken 'very seriously' and was addressed with the 'appropriate sense of urgency'. 'I take a lot of exception to any statement, or suggestion that somehow this administration and school board did nothing or was ever lax in our response', he said, according to the Miami Herald. The punishment is not enough for Deyab-Houssein's father Youssef, who said that, at a minimum, he believes the teacher should have been suspended for a year without pay - if not fired . During the meeting Runcie, a Jamaican immigrant, said that he had personally been affected by racism. He shared the story of when he watched his mother get shot in the face by a man who blamed Jamaican immigrants for his inability to get a job. Wardani said this was not the first time his son, who is half Lebanese and half Moroccan, has experienced discrimination. In the fourth-grade a school bus driver who knew Deyab-Houssein was Muslim told him 'we're going to wipe you off the face of this planet and turn you into dust and sand,' Wardani told the Sun Sentinel. Although the school board voted unanimously to discipline the teacher, Wardani was not done fighting after the meeting was over. 'I promise you for

Summary: Florida French teacher Maria Valdes would allegedly say 'Ah no! The Taliban is here' when Deyab-Houssein Wardani walked into class . Administrative complaint claimed she also called on him in class by asking 'Okay Taliban, what is the answer?' Valdes received a five-day suspension and must undergo diversity training . Wardani's father Youssef believes the teacher should have been suspended for at least a year - if not fired . District administrators said the degree of punishment that could be leveled against Valdes was limited because of a teachers union agreement .


Rangers caretaker manager Kenny McDowall would welcome the return of Ally McCoist to first-team duties. But McDowall is not sure what plans the new-look Ibrox board have for the remainder of the season. McCoist was placed on garden leave by the outgoing regime on December 21, after triggering a 12-month notice period with his resignation. Rangers caretaker manager Kenny McDowall (right) would welcome the return of Ally McCoist (left) Former Rangers manager McCoist pictured in the crowd recently and he could potentially return . Rangers' Scottish Championship title bid was already floundering by then but they have since won only three out of nine matches and slipped to third place as well as going out of both major cup competitions. McDowall briefly met new board members on Friday following the Dave King-led boardroom takeover but no new talks are planned as the former Celtic reserve coach prepares for the visit of fellow play-off hopefuls Queen of the South on Tuesday night. When asked whether he would welcome McCoist's restoration, the reluctant manager said: 'If it was Ally, obviously I came with Ally, so obviously that would appeal to me. But it's a difficult one to answer because the board have their own ideas and it's totally up to them. 'Gordon Durie has come up and been fantastic. Gordon didn't expect to be put in the position he got put into. Ian Durrant got put down to the youth department, which wasn't the best thing to happen to Ian. I would like to look at getting Ian back to work alongside myself and Gordon. McCoist was placed on garden leave by the outgoing regime in December and McDowall became caretaker . Rangers caretaker manager McDowall speaks to his squad on Saturday ahead of their away match . 'Jim Stewart is obviously there as well, the goalkeeper coach, and Jim has done some extra stuff as well. We have all had to muck in during a difficult period and we have all done our best to keep going and keep in contention for promotion.' New board members, who include Paul Murray, Douglas Park and John Gilligan, are reported to be meeting former Fulham boss Felix Magath, who is a Rangers shareholder. 'They are quite entitled to speak to whoever they want to speak to regarding the manager's situation,' said McDowall, who is also serving his notice. 'I will just wait and see and carry on with my duties. I'm getting paid to take the team and I will carry on my duties until I'm told otherwise.' Those duties have been more of a burden for McDowall than any other feeling, by his own admission and demeanour, but he will at least have the support of a potentially full Ibrox on Tuesday. Rangers players pictured in training after their 0-0 draw with Cowdenbeath on Saturday in the Championship . Rangers goalkeeper Lee Robinson dives during the training session with the club sitting third in the table . Thousands of Rangers fans have ended their boycott of the club, which was designed to force the old

Summary: Kenny McDowall is not sure what plans the new-look Ibrox board have . The Rangers caretaker manager would welcome an Ally McCoist return . McCoist was placed on garden leave by the outgoing regime in December .


Tim Sherwood has expressed his relief at Aston Villa's crucial victory against West Brom and claims the three points are so important, that he'd rather them than his wife win the Euro Millions jackpot. Christian Benteke's last-minute penalty earned the former Tottenham boss his first win in charge as Villa climbed out of the Premier League relegation places. During the game, Sherwood was a bundle of energy on the touchline but could hardly bear to watch as his Belgian striker kept his cool to slot the ball past Ben Foster. VIDEO Tim Sherwood: Told the wife I'd take three points over lottery jackpot . Sherwood appeals to the referee after Matt Lowton was brought down by Ben Foster in stoppage time . The Aston Villa boss looks to the heavens as his side pressed for a winner against West Brom at Villa Park . Sherwood celebrate with his staff after Christian Benteke's penalty sealed a vital victory for his strugglers . Sherwood went through an emotional rollercoaster and held his pulse to the Aston Villa fans . 'It's incredible, a fantastic feeling to win. My wife said she did the Euro Millions and gets £54million if she wins. I said I'd rather take three points and I genuinely mean that,' he said on BT Sport. 'It's brilliant to win because in the first games we were not that fantastic, but we were vastly improved today. We need to improve but we are making ground. I think it's important the guys spark the crowd. We did that early by pressing off the ball. 'We mixed the game up at times by going long and short and we gave fans something to cheer about. This is a big club at the wrong end of the division.' Sherwood says he'd rather take the three points then his wife win the Euro Millions jackpot . The 2-1 result also ended a seven-game losing run for Villa and lifted them out of the Barclays Premier League relegation zone. Sherwood felt his pulse and gestured to the Villa fans as he walked off and believes the strugglers are fighting again. 'I was saying we're alive. There were people who wrote us off but we're alive and kicking. People will look at that result but the performance was great,' he said, with Villa three points clear of the drop zone. It was a tense affair throughout the 90 minutes and Sherwood appeared to show every kind of emotion . Benteke scored in the league for the first time since December and Sherwood admitted the striker had told him exactly what he would do with a penalty. He said: 'Goalscorers are there to be shot down and it takes a brave man to stand up there. I asked him before the game if he gets a penalty what he was going to do. 'He said 'I'll wait until the goalie goes down and I'll roll it in the corner'. I was still peeping through my fingers.' Gabby Agbonlahor opened the scoring and had two cleared off the line, while also

Summary: Tim Sherwood professed he was happier with Aston Villa's three points against West Brom than he would be if his wife wins the lottery jackpot . Christian Benteke scored an injury time penalty to hand Villa the win . The 2-1 result ended a seven-game losing run for Sherwood's new side . Tony Pulis defended goalkeeper Ben Foster after his error lost the game . Click here for all the latest Aston Villa news .


The Australian Grand Prix was nothing short of disastrous for McLaren, despite the fact the team spirit was clearly high before the first race of the season. Pictures of preparations behind the scenes in Melbourne show replacement driver Kevin Magnussen playing a clever practical joke on his team-mate, Jenson Button. As Button stood on the scales to take his weight ahead of the Formula One curtain-raiser, Magnussen sneakily put his foot on the scale to add an extra few pounds on to Button's weight. Button finished 11th in the Australian Grand Prix and was the only driver not to take a point in the race . Magnussen had engine failure on the formation lap as he deputised for Fernando Alonso . But the images show that Magnussen was caught in the act, as Button turned around to see his team-mate's foot hanging in the air. Magnussen was standing in for Fernando Alonso in the first race of the Formula One season, after Alonso was ruled out of the opener with concussion sustained in a crash in pre-season. The 22-year-old Magnussen was left frustrated by his car at the race, though, as he suffered engine failure on the formation lap. Alonso was absent from the first race of the season as he continues to recover from concussion . Alonso is scheduled to compete in the next race of the season in Malaysia on March 29 . And Button did not have too much more luck. He was the only man to finish the race and not take a point in 11th. McLaren will be hoping for better fortune providing Alonso returns as planned from his concussion for the Malaysian Grand Prix on March 29. VIDEO Hamilton cruises to victory in Australian GP .

Summary: McLaren did not take a point in the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne . Jenson Button finished 11th and team-mate Kevin Magnussen withdrew . But pictures before the race show the drivers were in good spirits .


A football match was called off after just 58 seconds when the referee realised he could not see his linesmen due to intense fog. The top-of-the-table clash between St Austell and Bodmin in Cornwall on Wednesday had already been delayed due to poor weather when referee Neil Hunnisett decided to get on with the game. But it was called off less than a minute later, making it one of the shortest games in football history. A top-of-the-table clash between St Austell and Bodmin in Cornwall on Wednesday had to be called off after just 58 seconds due to intense fog which blanketed the pitch . Referee Neil Hunnisett had already been forced to delay the game due to the poor weather, and was keen to get on with the Carlsberg South-West Peninsula match, but eventually had to concede defeat . Local league official Mike Sampson said: 'When we arrived in St Austell it was hard to see out of the windows. I had to put my glasses on to eat my pasty.' He added: 'We only knew the game had kicked off because the whistle went. The linesman put his flag up and it took the referee 58 seconds to see him.' Home team St Austell said they would refund all 150 fans who turned out for South West Peninsula League game. Mr Hunnisett defended his decision to start the game and claimed: 'I've officiated in worse. I wanted to see if the fog would clear.' He told BBC Radio Cornwall: 'I could have called the game off when I got to the ground. 'My two assistants and assessor went along with my decision to start. However, just prior to kick-off it was very apparent I had probably made the wrong decision. Spot the players: Concealed somewhere in this image are the match officials and starting 11 players from both teams lined up shortly before the kickoff . Mr Hunnisett was forced to end the game when he realised he couldn't see his linesmen, making it one of the shortest games in football history . 'Do I feel bad? Of course I do. I was looking forward to this game as it's a big appointment and I am aware that St Austell have a bottleneck of fixtures too.' Mr. Sampson added: 'The fans were very good about it. St Austell refunded all their money and everybody was very good about it. 'It was a very important game in the league. 'St Austell's games are piling up, they'll be playing three or four times a week come the end of the season, so to be fair to the referee he tried everything he could to get it on.' Local league official Mike Sampson, who came to watch the match from the touchline, said he only knew the game had started after hearing the referee's whistle as he couldn't see the centre circle . This game is not the quickest to be called off, as a 1998 World Cup qualifier between Scotland and Estonia finished after three seconds when the Estonian team boycotted in

Summary: Game between St Austell and Bodmin was already delayed due to weather . Referee tried to start match but had to stop after failing to see linesman . Spectators said they only knew game had started due to ref's whistle .


Police will be barred from leaving suspects to languish on bail for months or even years, Theresa May pledged yesterday. Detectives would face a 28-day time limit which could only be extended under strict rules in the Home Secretary’s shake-up. Her proposals would lead to the biggest reform to police bail in 30 years if the Conservatives win the upcoming General Election. Home Secretary Theresa May pledged to stop police from leaving suspects on bail for months and said the Tories would introduce rules blocking the extension of bail beyond three months unless magistrates approved . Mrs May’s promise comes amid mounting anger that forces are abusing their powers by keeping people in a lengthy legal limbo – only to decide eventually not to press charges in many cases. There has been an outcry over a string of high-profile cases where celebrities and journalists have been left on bail for long periods, often with strict curbs. Currently there are no restrictions on how long a person can be on police bail. The Tories propose to introduce an initial limit of 28 days. Any decision to re-bail for a total of up to three months would have to be approved by a police officer of superintendent rank or above. Any application to extend pre-charge bail beyond this would have to be approved by a magistrate, said Mrs May. Last year, DJ Paul Gambaccini, 65, told of his ‘12 months of horror and trauma’ at having his name dragged through the mud before being told he would not face historic sex assault charges. Jim Davidson also lashed out at the system after being arrested under Operation Yewtree. The comedian, 61, was kept on bail for eight months before being told he would not face any charges. Mrs May said it was wrong for a person to languish on bail without being charged. ‘I have been clear it is simply not acceptable for individuals to spend months, and in some cases years, on pre-charge bail with no system of review only for charges never to be brought,’ she added. Under her plan, there would be a presumption to release a person without bail. Mrs May said it was unacceptable that people like DJ Paul Gambaccini (pictured) had been kept on bail for 'months and in some cases years'. He was told after 12 months that he would not face sex assault charges . Mrs May said: ‘These measures ensure that decisions to release suspects with pre-charge bail conditions are taken only where it is necessary or proportionate.’ But police and prosecutors have warned a limit could hamper complex cases, such as inquiries into fraud or historic sex abuse. Each year, around 303,000 suspects are typically placed on police bail with about 19,600 on bail for more than six months. Police can keep a suspect for 24 hours for questioning after arrest before seeking a further period of detention from a judge. In practice, they often quiz a person then release them on bail to return for interview at a later date. Conditions can apply, such

Summary: Police will not be allowed to keep people on bail any longer than 28 days . A senior-ranking officer will have to sign off applications for extension . The proposal was announced by the Home Secretary Theresa May today . Comes after radio DJ Paul Gambaccini attacked abuse of pre-charge bail . He was 'parked' on bail for 12 months only to be released without charge . The ordeal cost him £200,000 in earnings because he was suspended .


Two firemen who took a selfie while standing in front of a blazing shopping mall are facing the sack after 17 people died in the fire. Ilya Bykov, 30, and Rostislav Krylov, 28, were called to the incident at the Admiral centre in Kazan, Russia, on Wednesday. Around 55 people including two emergency workers were seriously injured in the fire, which is thought to have started in a cafe next door. Ilya Bykov, 30, and Rostislav Krylov, 28, took a selfie while standing in front of a blazing shopping mall in Russia and are now facing the sack after 17 people died in the fire . Officials were alerted to the photograph after it was posted on social networking site VKontakte. The men may now face disciplinary steps, authorities said. The fire was at first tackled by a lone security guard but as it raged out of control he phoned the emergency services. Around 500 riot police were eventually deployed to stop members of the public entering the building. The photograph attracted lots of attention on the site with users criticising the two men. Around 55 people including two emergency workers were seriously injured in the fire. It was not immediately known how many people were missing . Firefighters try to extinguish the huge fire at the Admiral centre in Kazan, which is 720 kilometres (450 miles) east of Moscow . Yegor Tokaryev wrote: 'Christ! People are dying in there and these men are smiling and taking photos!! They are there to save lives.' And Svetlana Kapustina wrote: 'It makes me sick to think that while those poor people were burning to death these two were treating it as some sort of joke. 'Shame on them.' Red mannequins and other debris from the shopping centre were piled up outside while firefighters looked on . Many of those injured in the fire were hurt as they tried to save their shopping, according to local media reports . It is thought that the blaze, which burnt most of the building to the ground, began in a cafe situated next to the shopping centre . A spokesman for the Regional Emergency Situations Department said: 'Most of the emergency workers called to the scene did their job competently and efficiently. 'These two are not characteristic of those who work hard every day, tirelessly saving lives. 'We are looking into the circumstances behind the photo and if it is found that the actions of these two firemen put people's lives at risk they shall be fired and criminal proceedings brought against them.'

Summary: 55 people also injured in fire at the Admiral centre in Kazan on Wednesday . Emergency services called after fire started in cafe next door, reports claim . Selfie by Ilya Bykov and Rostislav Krylov posted on website VKontakte . Both men could now face disciplinary action, emergency services said .


A Chinese motorist paid a hefty price for lane-cutting after the driver he overtook slammed the accelerator - and ended up on the other car's bonnet. The accident, caught on the dashboard camera of a third vehicle, in Chengdu City, capital of south-west China's Sichuan Province, left both cars needing to be towed to a garage. The video, which was posted online, shows the moment Fai Chu, 28, driving a silver Audi, cut in front of businessman Kang Niu - forcing him to brake suddenly. Scroll down for video . Dash-cam footage captured the moment a Chinese driver was forced to brake after a silver Audi cut in front . But the driver of the black Nissan Teana Kang Niu took offence at the lane-cutting and put his foot down . After briefly braking, Mr Kang, 39, who was driving a black Nissan Teana, took offence at Mr Fai's actions - and decided it was his right of way and put his foot down, causing a pile-up. But, instead of bashing the silver Audi into its own lane, the incident left the black Nissan on top of the Audi's bonnet, leaving both cars were stranded. Another motorist Cong Chuang, said the men then got out of their cars and blocked traffic as they argued. The 27-year-old said: 'They could have tried to sort it out themselves but instead they got out of their cars and started shouting at each other, and arguing for several minutes blocking the traffic for everybody.' Police arrived a short while later and arrested both drivers. But instead of forcing the silver Audi back into its lane, the Nissan ended up on top of the Audi's bonnet . Cong Chuang said the drivers got of their cars and began arguing, until police arrived to arrest both of them .

Summary: Accident caught on dashboard camera of a third vehicle in Chengdu City . Kang Niu, driving black Nissan, took offence when silver Audi cut in front . He put his foot down and his car ended up on a top of Audi's bonnet .


Rare photos have emerged of the primitive and isolated compound Osama Bin Laden lived in until a Western bombing campaign forced him to flee. The images resurfaced last month during the terrorism conspiracy trial in New York of Al Qaeda lieutenant Khaled al-Fawwaz, a communications conduit for the terrorist organisation in London in the mid-1990s. They were taken by Palestinian journalist Abdel Barri Atwan, who was invited to the hideout in 1996 as part of Bin Laden's ploy to spread his message of hate to the Western world. The 9/11 mastermind had declared war on America and planned a media campaign to garner international attention. Scroll down for video . Image: Osama Bin Laden holds a Kalashnikov rifle in Tora Bora, a mountainous region of Afghanistan, in November 1996. The Al Qaeda leader spent years developing a network of tunnels and caves in the area . On message: The terrorist mastermind had, by this point, declared war on the United States and tried to use international press coverage to spread the word . Perception: The militant would sit in front of Islamic books when recording his video messages to make it seem like he was intellectual . Entourage: A smiling Bin Laden is seen walking around Tora Bora surrounded by bodyguards, loyal followers and family members . Lair: The rare images of Bin Laden in his home setting were released as part of the trial of Al Qaeda lieutenant Khaled al-Fawwaz, a communications conduit for Al Qaeda in London in the mid-1990s . Companion: He sits alongside Syrian-born ideologue Abu Musab al-Suri, a Bin Laden ally who once ran training camps inside Afghanistan . It included his first television interview for CNN's Peter Arnett and Peter Bergen in 1997 and a sit-down for ABC News' John Miller a year later. 'He wanted media exposure,' Atwan told CNN's Bergen for his 2006 book, The Osama Bin Laden I Know. 'He wants to say, "Now I am an international figure; I'm not just a Saudi. I am aggrieved at Americans who are occupying Saudi Arabia who are desecrating the Holy Land"', said Atwan. He was seen making video announcements in front of shelves of Islamic books - in a bid to make him look intelligent - and was captured with a wide grin as he strolled around the isolated compound. For several years, he developed an intricate network of caves and dwellings 14,000ft up in the White Mountains. He discovered the area during the anti-Soviet war in the 1980s, and decided to settle and set up the compound in 1996 - when the Taliban had taken control of Afghanistan. Bin Laden chose the location because of its proximity to the border with Pakistan, while the rugged terrain meant it would be difficult for opposition forces to attack on foot. The system of caves and underground passages meant he would also be protected from air attacks. He told Atwan during the interview: 'I feel really secure in the mountains.' According to reports Bin Laden would spend hours on long hikes through the mountains, always carrying

Summary: Images taken by journalist Abdel Barri Atwan in 1996 released in trial of Al Qaeda lieutenant Khaled al-Fawwaz . Shows 9/11 mastermind's compound in mountainous region of Tora Bora, including a two-bedroom mud hut . Developed an intricate network of caves and tunnels to avoid detection and acted as protection during air strikes . Reports suggest he would go on day-long hikes across the mountains surrounded by bodyguards . He fled the area near the Pakistan border on horse back in 2001 when US forces closed in on him .


Police are hunting a masked gang who raided a Birmingham swingers club - attacking a man and a woman and sending semi-naked customers fleeing into the street. Three thugs targeted Tudor Lounge, based at the 400-year-old Stratford House in Highgate, just after 9.30pm on Wednesday, March 19. One man, aged 53, was punched to the ground, while a woman was pushed during the raid at the timber-framed, Grade II listed property - built in 1601 in the reign of Elizabeth I. Masked men stormed the Tudor Lounge swingers venue in Birmingham, pictured, during terrifying raid . The venue advertises itself as the leading and most exclusive 'swingers and fetish club in Birmingham . The raiders left the club empty handed but several customers were forced onto the street in their costumes . The gang fled empty-handed but the raid added to local concerns about the business, which has temporary planning permission as a private members' club from Birmingham City Council. The raiders did not appear to be armed when they stormed the historic venue. One resident, who asked not to be named, said: 'Masked men ran into the club and we then saw lots of customers, half-naked or wrapped in towels, pouring out into the street. 'Residents feel the club is potentially attracting a criminal element to the area. 'It's not what people had in mind when they settled here. 'We feel the planning application for a private members' club was a very clever one in that those who even knew about it did not realise it would be a swingers' club. 'It seems to be busy most nights and Saturday night particularly so. 'Residents are now having problems parking their own cars, there have been some incidents of parking rows with visitors to the club. 'There's been some lewd behaviour in the area around the club, people coming out kissing and all over one another. 'There's been a lot of occasions where cars of men are cruising around. 'A lot of young girls live close by and parents are worried their children could be propositioned. 'There's also concern about property values going down.' West Midlands Police confirmed they are investigating the raid where one man was punched in the head . A woman, not pictured here, was pushed to the ground but was fortunately uninjured by her shocking ordeal . The club features several bedrooms and Jacuzzi-style baths which can be shared by several people . The Birmingham Mail revealed in January how Stratford House had been converted into the swingers club. And earlier this month the council told the tenants to carry on swinging after concluding no planning breaches had taken place. But the violent raid has renewed opposition to Tudor Lounge. Locals are now planning a petition claiming they were not consulted properly about the club, which is sited near Calthorpe School grounds, a park and homes. The resident added: 'We know this kind of club exists all over the country but think it should not be based in a residential area. 'It should be in or close to

Summary: The raiders left the Birmingham swingers' club empty handed after the raid . A man in his 50s was punched in the head and a woman pushed over . Police believe three men ran into the club on March 18 around 9.30pm . Locals fear the controversial club will bring down the price of their houses .


Alice Springs is an arid region in central Australia, positioned some 1500km from the nearest beach. Locals may not have any waves to catch, but they have managed to quench their thirst for surfing with an unorthodox daredevil-friendly pastime. Hilarious GoPro footage shows a group of young larrikins towing themselves on surfboards from utes on the muddy waters of Ilparpa claypans, just south of Alice Springs. Scroll down for video . The video shows the young larrikens towing themselves on surfboards from utes on the muddy waters of Ilparpa claypans . One of the men behind the video, Philip Drummond, said his friends were inspired after going to a 21st birthday party on the Gold Coast. ‘We got a taste for surfing there, then we brought some surfboards back home and took them down to the claypans,' he said. 'We didn’t have much surfing experience, but we picked it up as we went along.’ After several years of trial and error, the friends have refined act to be somewhere between wakeboarding and water skiing. ‘We started off pretty slow at about 15 km per hour or so, but once we built up our confidence we were goingup to 40 kmph,’ he said. The video was filmed over four days in the middle of last year, a time when the Red Centre was experiencing torrential rain. The group of friends were inspired after going surfing at a 21st birthday party on the Gold Coast . After several years of practice, the daredevils have refined act to be somewhere between wakeboarding and water skiing . ‘The claypan retains water very well, but there are few points of the year when we have that much water. We need to capitalise when we get the chance,’ Drummond said. Drummond said none of his friends have suffered any serious injuries from the claypan surfing. When asked if it was legal, he said it was a ‘grey area.’ ‘It’s government land we’re using, but there are our-wheel drives tearing up there all the time. I don’t think what we do is any more damaging,’ he said. The friends have slowly built up their confidence and speed, reaching up to 40km per hour . Despite being seen in the video taking a heavy fall, Drummond said none of his friends have suffered any serious injuries from claypan surfing .

Summary: The footage was captured in Ilparpa claypans, just south of Alice Springs . It shows the group of friends towing themselves on surfboards from utes . Philip Drummond said his friends were inspired after surfing in Queensland . But there are only a few times a year when the claypan has enough water .


It has sold more than 20 million copies since it was written two centuries ago and has had generations of schoolgirls swooning over the ultimate romantic hero. But the great unspoken background of Jane Austen's world is that both Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley in Pride and Prejudice got rich from the slave trade, says author Joanna Trollope. The novelist, speaking at the Festival of Literature in Dubai, dispelled the myth about Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley being the perfect men and described the 'very dark underbelly' to Austen's books. She said: 'Why does Mr Bingley in Pride and Prejudice have all this leisure to sort of drift between Netherfield and London? The great unspoken background of Jane Austen's world is that both Mr Darcy (pictured, Colin Firth) and Mr Bingley in Pride and Prejudice got rich from the slave trade, says author Joanna Trollope . 'He is a young man with means because of the slave trade. The slave trade is lightly touched upon in several of the novels but not very heavily. 'What built Pemberley? Pemberley was built, one imagines, on proceeds of the coal mines in Derbyshire. What was the life of an 18th century miner like? Not much fun.' Trollope, 71, decided to shatter the illusion surrounding Austen's heroes after being approached by publishers Harper Collins to write an updated version of Sense and Sensibility for the Austen Project in 2013. The series marked the 200-year anniversary of the author's most popular work, Pride and Prejudice. Pride and Prejudice describes how Mr Darcy earned £10,000 a year - more than £200,000 in modern money - while Mr Bingley inherited £100,000, the equivalent of £2 million today, and raked in another £5,000 a year, or £100,000 in modern money. But in her adaptation, Ms Trollope, whose reinvented characters say things like 'totes amazeballs', had to make one crucial change - she gave her protagonists jobs. 'The only huge change I had to make was people had to work,' she said at the festival. (on Saturday). 'In her novels, nobody works because the unspoken backdrop was the great commodity of the late 18th and early 19th century was sugar, which is not a million miles away from slavery. 'There is a very dark underbelly to these stories, which is why I still get so irritated when people insist on treating Jane Austen as if it was like the lid of a Quality Street tin, all sprig muslin and 'oh la sir'. 'There is none of that. It's tough stuff and clever women were doomed to a sort of infantilism because there was no career except marriage, which is why the women in her novels sabotage each other so disgracefully.' Despite her reservations about how Austen's heroes made their money, Ms Trollope said she ended the project thinking the author was 'an absolute genius'. She said: 'There she was, the second daughter of a not very distinguished or noisy country parson in Hampshire, and she was writing for her own pleasure, her own satisfaction. 'How did she know, out of some

Summary: Joanna Trollope says it is the reason his job is never mentioned in novel . She wrote an updated version of Austen's Sense and Sensibility in 2013 . Says Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy reveal 'dark underbelly' to author's work . Oscar winner Colin Firth played Mr Darcy in the TV series aired in 1995 .


Melanie Stoddart, 38, from Prestwich in Greater Manchester, died of compression sickness shortly after arriving in the Maldives . A British tourist struck down by 'the bends' on a scuba diving trip in the Maldives died after it took nine hours to get her to a decompression chamber. An inquest heard Melanie Stoddart, 38, died of decompression sickness shortly after arriving in the Indian Ocean island for a 12-day holiday with her boyfriend. There was a delay in Ms Stoddart receiving medical help because there was initially no boat or plane to take her to hospital. And upon her arrival at hospital, medics did not even treat her for decompression sickness, the inquest into her death was told. Her parents, Peter, 68, and Irene, 64, slammed the 'sheer incompetence' of the authorities in the Maldives and warned other tourists to 'take note' before booking a similar trip. The inquest in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, heard how Ms Stoddart, an experienced diver from Prestwich in Greater Manchester, had arrived in the Maldives on April, 1, 2012 with her boyfriend Steve Greathead. She had been on the same holiday the previous year. On the third day of her organised trip, she was in a party of 12 holidaymakers and two instructors who went to Vaavu Atoll for the last scuba dive of the day just after 3pm. The inquest was told she returned to the surface after about 30 minutes and asked for medical help as she was feeling unwell. Doctors were called and she was taken to the exclusive Alimatha Aquatic Resort nearby. When it became clear her condition was deteriorating the resort's doctor said she needed to be taken to a decompression chamber, but there was no transport available. A speed boat only arrived from neighbouring Bandos Island, more than 40 miles away, when insurance checks had been carried out. A doctor sedated Ms Stoddart, but decided she was not stable enough to be put in a decompression chamber. She was then transferred for a second time by boat six miles to the capital of Male where CT scans of her head and chest were taken at the ADK Hospital. But at 2.15am the next morning she went into cardiac arrest and died half an hour later. Doctors were called and she was taken to the exclusive Alimatha Aquatic Resort (pictured) nearby . The court heard how Ms Stoddart, an experienced diver, had arrived in the Maldives on April, 1, 2012 with her boyfriend Steve Greathead. She had been on the same holiday the previous year . Initially a post-mortem examination proved inconclusive and it took specialist tests carried out on samples of brain tissue to detect damage caused by nitrogen bubbles being present in her blood stream. Divers' disease, or 'the bends', is a condition caused from dissolved gases coming out of solution into bubbles inside the body on depressurisation. Consultant Pathologist Dr Andrew Hitchcock told the hearing that the minute damage caused by the bubbles and a ruptured left ear drum suggested Ms Stoddart had decompression syndrome. Her father, Peter Stoddart, of

Summary: Melanie Stoddart, 38, died of decompression sickness on Maldives holiday . Delay in her getting medical help as no transport to take her to hospital . Then at hospital, medics did not even treat her for decompression sickness . Her parents slammed 'sheer incompetence' of the authorities in Maldives . Coroner recorded a narrative verdict and warned other holidaymakers .


Two American tourists have been arrested for carving initials into the Colosseum in Rome. Before they were spotted, the women, 21 and 25, were able to carve a J and an N into a brick wall on the first floor of the west side of the Colosseum. After carving the eight-inch high letters, the women posed together for a selfie. The women, just two of six million tourists that flock to the Colosseum every year, used a coin to engrave the letters, La Stampa reported. They are said to have broken away from their tour group before - but other tourists saw what had happened and alerted security. Police charged the women with 'aggravated damage on building of historical and artistic interest', according to Republica. After they were caught, the women apologized to Piazza Dante police and Captain Lorenzo Iacobone. They said: 'We apologize for what we did. We regret it but we did not imagine it was something so serious. 'We'll remember for a lifetime.' According to the Guardian, the section damaged dates back to the 1800s - a key period of restoration. A spokesman for the Special Superintendency for the Archaeological Heritage of Rome is quoted as saying: 'It’s not an original wall but it’s nevertheless antique.' With approximately six million visitors to the Colosseum each year and ever-increasing staff cuts, policing the site has become a major problem. Sadly many of the stones bear the unsightly engravings of tourists keen to leave their mark. The Californians’ lawbreaking comes little over three months after a Russian tourist was caught carving a 25cm letter into the Colosseum. The 42-year-old was given a four-month suspended prison sentence and a €20,000 fine, although owing to a lack of funds he has not paid the penalty. Two tourists from the United States were caught engraving their initials at the Colosseum in Rome, Italy . The women were charged with 'aggravated damage on a building of historical and artistic interest' on Saturday . He was said to be the fifth tourist seen defacing the Colosseum in 2014. A father and son from Australia and teenagers from Brazil and Canada were also caught out last year. Built in the first century CE, the Colosseum is a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization World Heritage Site. In order to make the UNESCO list, a site must have a special cultural or physical significance. The Colosseum, which is also called the Flavian Amphitheatre, was named after a colossal statue that once stood nearby. The structure 'accommodated games of great popular appeal, such as hunts and gladiatorial fights' until the end of the Ancient Age, according to the Special Superintendency for the Archaeological Heritage of Rome. The organization adds: 'The building was, and still is today, a show in itself. 'In fact, it is the largest amphitheatre not only in the city of Rome but in the world, able to offer stunning sceneries as well as services for spectators.'

Summary: The women, aged 21 and 25, broke away from their tour group on Saturday . Tourists used a coin to carve eight-inch high letters J and N into the wall . Both charged with 'damage on a building of historical and artistic interest' They have reportedly apologised saying that they 'regret' their actions . Built in first century CE, the Colosseum is a UNESCO World Heritage Site .


Louis van Gaal hit out at Angel di Maria after the Argentinian was sent off for grabbing referee Michael Oliver's shirt in Manchester United's FA Cup quarter-final defeat by Arsenal. The Gunners set up a semi-final meeting against either Reading or Bradford thanks to a 2-1 win over 10-man United at Old Trafford. Former United striker Danny Welbeck returned to haunt Van Gaal by scoring the winner after Wayne Rooney had equalised Nacho Monreal's opener. Premier League referee Michael Oliver shows Angel di Maria a red card during FA Cup clash at Old Trafford . Di Maria was shown a second yellow card after pushing Oliver shortly after receiving a yellow card . Manchester United summer signing Di Maria trudges off the Old Trafford pitch after his dismissal . The main talking point from the match was the latest episode in what has been a largely disappointing start to Di Maria's career at Old Trafford. After being cautioned for simulation, the former Real Madrid midfielder remonstrated with referee Oliver and then grabbed the back of his shirt and yelled at the official when he had turned his back on him. Replays showed the first booking on Di Maria was harsh and Aaron Ramsey had pulled the player back, but the £60million man's actions thereafter deserved sanction, according to Van Gaal. 'I think he's touched the referee and that's forbidden in every country, so he has no excuses,' the United manager said. 'In Spain he knows that he doesn't touch the referee, but that is also in his emotion. 'I've already spoken with him, he knows my opinion but also I have to see on the video.'

Summary: Angel di Maria was given second yellow card for pushing Michael Oliver . The Manchester United playmaker received first yellow for dive . Danny Welbeck scored second-half winner to eliminate his former side .