Across the globe there are millions of 'letters' and 'numbers' hiding among buildings and in the landscape of the Earth. The shapes can be spotted in satellite images and include buildings shaped like the letter 'A', trees planted in the shape of an 'E' and circular marks in the landscape that resemble 'Os' or zeros. A pair of designers has created a tool to help seek out these natural and manmade shapes and is hoping to use the findings to develop software as well as a new font. The Aerial Bold project was set up by German designer Benedikt Groß and geographer Joey Lee. Their tool lets people scour Mapbox images to find letters, numbers and characters in the landscape (pictured) The project began as a Kickstarter campaign, set up by German designer and computer scientist Benedikt Groß and Californian geographer Joey Lee. They raised $11,492 (£7,630) and have since set up the Aerial Bold crowdsourcing tool. ‘While satellites orbit around the Earth taking thousands of images each day, we have limited idea about what unique features actually live on those photographs,’ said the pair. ‘Aerial Bold is as much about developing new methods of mapping features on the Earth’s surface, as it is about generating the first map and typeface of the planet. German researchers recently developed a computer system that can scan Google Earth satellite images looking for faces. Called Google Faces, it was developed by German design studio Onformative and uses an algorithm that can highlight land masses and terrains with face-like features. The system scans the world, switches to the next zoom level, and starts the scan again taking snapshots and coordinates of the faces it finds. Seeing faces and other shapes in objects and landscapes is known as pareidolia. It is also the tendency to hear hidden messages when songs are played backwards. Human eyes can spot faces, letters and numbers easily and this helps them recognise friends and see patterns. It is harder for computers to mimic this behaviour and software must be trained to do so. ‘In order to develop the smartest and robust letterform detection and classification algorithm, we need to find dozens of real world "training data" for each letter, number, or character that we are interested in including in Aerial Bold. ‘These training data include examples all of the possible shapes of "A's", "Z's", "6's", "❤'s", and so on that we might be able to see in aerial imagery.’ This database will help researchers at the Institute for Artificial Intelligence at HS Weingarten to automate what the designers call ‘the planetary search for letterforms.’ Once trained, this algorithm could be used to automatically find words and letters on images. One example could be to find business addresses using visual search - such as all shops on a Street View map where people can buy lottery tickets. The tool lets people scan through Mapbox satellite images and catalogue all the letters, numbers and characters they find. Users begin with a grid divided into 21 rectangles. The exact location of the satellite imagery isn’t

Summary: The project began as a Kickstarter campaign that was funded in November . It was set up by designer Benedikt Groß and geographer Joey Lee . They raised $11,492 (£7,630) and have since set up a crowdsourcing tool . Called Aerial Bold, it lets people scan through Mapbox satellite images . They then catalogue all the letters, numbers and characters they can find . Database will develop a letterform detection and classification algorithms .


Sierra Leone's Vice President Samuel Sam-Sumana has voluntarily decided to quarantine himself . The vice president of Sierra Leone has put himself in voluntary quarantine after one of his security guards died of Ebola. Samuel Sam-Sumana's security staff died last Tuesday, and the Vice President is now set to remain in quarantine for three weeks. Despite his quarantine, Sam-Sumana is set to become acting president later Sunday when President Ernest Bai Koroma leaves Sierra Leone to attend a EU conference on Ebola in Belgium. The Vice President will carry out his duties as president from his home, the government has said. Sam-Sumana is the highest ranking African official to be in quarantine in this Ebola outbreak, which is fast approaching a death toll of 10,000. Sam-Sumana voluntarily decided to quarantine himself for 21 days following the death from Ebola last Tuesday of one of his security personnel, according to the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation. Sam-Sumana called on all those who have been in contact with the dead man to also put themselves in quarantine, said the report. 'The Vice President opted to quarantine himself because he wants to lead by example,' Sierra Leone's Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Theo Nicol said. Sam-Sumana's dramatic quarantine comes as Sierra Leone is experiencing a rise in new Ebola cases which prompted President Ernest Bai Koroma to reinstate restrictions on Saturday. Sierra Leone recorded 18 new cases of Ebola in the week ending Saturday, up from 16 new cases last week. Despite his quarantine, Sam-Sumana,right, is set to become acting president later Sunday when President Ernest Bai Koroma, centre, leaves Sierra Leone to attend a EU conference on Ebola . This breaks the trend of declining cases in Sierra Leone. Many of the new clusters of cases are related to the capital's fishing industry. The measures re-imposed include a nighttime ban on all boats launching from shore and from commercial vehicles off-loading goods in western market areas. Naval vessels will patrol the shore and wharves. In addition there will be restrictions on ferries and health checkpoints by the police will be strengthened. Public transportation will be reinstated which limit the numbers of passengers in taxis to two in cars and four at the back of large taxi vans to reduce physical contact between passengers.

Summary: Vice President Samuel Sam-Sumana has voluntarily entered quarantine . Sam-Sumana's security guard died from Ebola last Tuesday .


It is the game which, ultimately, could define the success or otherwise of Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane’s expensive Republic of Ireland tenure. Installed amid much fanfare 18 months ago, £1million-per-year O’Neill and his assistant Keane, with a £600,000 salary, were given a remit of qualification for Euro 2016, a task made easier by the expansion to a 24-team format. Defeat against Poland at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday evening, however, would all but end hope of automatic progression to the finals in France, leaving Ireland to do battle with Scotland for the play-off berth. The mood here is not optimistic. Martin O'Neill, manager of the Republic of Ireland, needs to prove his worth with victory over Poland . O'Neill and Roy Keane (left) were given big salaries and asked to reach the 2016 European Championships . An inquest, you feel, awaits O’Neill and his regime should they fail to beat the group leaders. One newspaper described their manager as ‘bookish and vaguely befuddled’, and noted the ‘carnage’ which follows Keane. There has been a definite effort to play down the chaos around Keane this week and the No 2 gave an untypically subdued and low-key performance in front of the press. O’Neill ignored the opinion pieces which have called into question his impact since he arrived and kept all talk to football. He said: ‘The importance of the occasion should not be missed. Defeat would be a big dent in our hopes of automatic qualification. It might not decide everything, but it is very significant. We have to try to win. If the Republic of Ireland fail to beat Poland, their hopes of automatic qualification will be all but over . O'Neill and Keane take a training session at Gannon Park as the team prepare for Sunday's big match . ‘I’ve said all along that the home games will shape our destiny. This is the first of that group. We have to make them count. ‘We can change all of that (negative talk) with one result and one fantastic performance. We will not get very far with a pessimistic approach and I’m not overly concerned with what people say before the game. ‘We have given ourselves a chance (of qualification) but we will have to be right on top of our game to win this match.’ One criticism of O’Neill is that he does not know his preferred XI or, indeed, formation. He said this week that players could win a starting place should they impress at their coastal training base in Malahide. Keane hands out instructions to the Republic of Ireland players during a training session . Sunday's game takes place at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin; the Republic of Ireland's home ground . One player not guaranteed to start is captain Robbie Keane. He was dropped for the morale-shattering 1-0 defeat in Scotland in November. The LA Galaxy striker, 34, said: ‘That’s up to the manager (if I play). ‘I’ll be ready whether that’s from the bench or starting. I’m the captain, I have to set an example. ‘But

Summary: Republic of Ireland face Poland at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday . Failure to win would all but end their hopes of automatic qualification . 18 months ago, Martin O'Neill and Roy Keane were given £1million and £600,000-a-year salaries, and asked to qualify for Euro 2016 . The pair need to prove their worth when they take to the pitch on Sunday .


Tom Ince’s England future is in serious doubt after he and dad Paul took the decision to snub a place at the Under-21 European Championships this summer. Boss Gareth Southgate has warned his former England team-mate of the consequences of his son turning his back on the Three Lions. Ince Snr – England’s first black captain – has told Southgate they want to concentrate on Tom’s club career rather than represent his country in Czech Republic. Tom Ince has been left out of the latest England Under 21 squad by Gareth Southgate at his own request . Ince, currently on loan at Derby County, has been a regular under Southgate but will now not be selected . Goalkeepers . Marcus Bettinelli (Fulham) Jonathan Bond (Watford) Jack Butland (Stoke City) Defenders . Calum Chambers (Arsenal) Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur) Luke Garbutt (Everton) Ben Gibson (Middlesbrough) Carl Jenkinson (West Ham, on loan from Arsenal) Michael Keane (Burnley) Liam Moore (Brentford, on loan from Leicester City) John Stones (Everton) Matt Targett (Southampton) Midfielders . Tom Carroll (Swansea City, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur) Nathaniel Chalobah (Reading, on loan from Chelsea) Jake Forster-Caskey (Brighton and Hove Albion) Will Hughes (Derby County) Jesse Lingard (Derby County, on loan from Manchester United) Alex Pritchard (Brentford, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur) Nathan Redmond (Norwich City) James Ward-Prowse (Southampton) Forwards . Patrick Bamford (Middlesbrough, on loan from Chelsea) Saido Berahino (West Bromwich Albion) Danny Ings (Burnley) Callum Wilson (Bournemouth) That is certain to leave a bitter taste among those at the Football Association, including senior manager Roy Hodgson. Southgate said: ‘I have told Tom and Paul they need to be aware of the possible consequences of this decision in terms of how it would appear from the outside. I think they understand that. ‘I have had discussions with Tom and his dad over the last week or so and the message from both was exactly the same. I have to say I was surprised. ‘It was not something we’d been conscious of previously and it is for Tom to explain his full reasons. ‘But he feels at this moment in time he has got some priorities at club level. There is some uncertainty about where he is going to be next season.’ Southgate – speaking at Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium where he announced his squad for forthcoming friendlies with Czech Republic and Germany - added: ‘He will not be involved in the summer now. That’s because he has been through qualifying and I assumed he would have wanted to put himself on this big stage. England captain Paul Ince has his head bandaged and shirt covered in blood during a World Cup qualifier against Italy in Rome in 1997 . Southgate has warned Ince and father Paul of the consequences of the player turning his back on England . ‘I think in life you should be as open as you can to opportunities and stay in positions that lead to opportunities. Tom has decided this is an opportunity he doesn't want to take.’ Ince is currently on loan at Derby County

Summary: Tom Ince has snubbed a place at the 2015 U21 European Championships . His dad Paul was England's first black captain and won 53 caps . England U21 manager Gareth Southgate has made clear the consequences .


Oh be still my beating heart. Here we are, standing on the gravel outside the library doors at Highclere Castle, the English stately home in Hampshire that provides the ravishing setting for the television series, Downton Abbey. We are on the very spot where Matthew Crawley asked Lady Mary to marry him in the first Downton Abbey Christmas special, broadcast in 2011. Remember when the violins soared and snowflakes fell? When Matthew got down on one miraculously recovered knee to propose? For many viewers, this was their all-time favourite Downton scene. Scroll down for video . To the manor married: Lady Carnarvon, the real-life equivalent of Downton Abbey’s Cora, in front of Highclere . ‘Well, that wasn’t my favourite scene!’ cries the Countess of Carnarvon, the current chatelaine of Highclere and the real-life equivalent of Downton’s Cora, who’s Countess of Grantham. ‘The crew were using ash to recreate the snow. It got inside the house and we had to spend ages dusting and cleaning the rooms. And the smell! Very acrid. We reached the point where we had to stop them doing it.’ Lady Carnarvon has always been quite frank about the travails of letting a film crew loose inside her beautiful home. On the plus side, there are the location fees and increased visitor traffic; the crowds paying £20 a head to goggle at the splendour of her Highclere interiors and the red velvet sofas where the Crawleys gather to take tea. ‘Yes. It’s like that show, Poke Your Nose Through The Keyhole,’ she says. On the downside, damage and disruption. ‘I do get annoyed when visitors chuck litter about, but my husband goes around picking it up. We fill black bags with the stuff.’ And since the very first day of Downton filming, when a technician smashed a much-loved green objet de vertu trinket box, she has been on red alert for transgressions. When she is not telling the crew that she pops open the champagne the minute they leave, she is issuing instructions on the correct way to move precious antique furniture. ‘You lift a girl in your arms and a chair by its bottom,’ she will say. As Carson the butler (‘Oh, I adore him, he is divine’) would no doubt agree, the problem with having high standards is that so few manage to live up to them. Another who has incurred her displeasure is Ralph Lauren. The wealthy American designer and his family recently attended a swanky dinner at Highclere, hosted by the Earl and Countess. The Laurens committed the social faux pas of taking numerous photographs of themselves grinning cheesily on the famous Oak Staircase, and elsewhere in sumptuous Highclere, then proudly posting the snaps online. Her ladyship was not best pleased. ‘My interpretation of dinner is having a meal and his interpretation is taking photographs. It seemed to get out of hand. I have to live with that.’ Has she seen the pictures? ‘No and I don’t want to, because I don’t want to be irritated by them. My idea of a nice evening is

Summary: The Countess of Carnarvon is the real-life equivalent of Downton’s Cora .


Robin McBryde has predicted 'an arm-wrestle for 80 minutes' when RBS 6 Nations heavyweights Wales and Ireland slug it out at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday. Wales assistant coach McBryde has stressed the winner-takes-all nature of a game that sees both teams featuring prominently at the tournament's business end. Ireland are two victories away from a first Six Nations Grand Slam since 2009, while Wales must triumph on Saturday to remain in the mix for silverware. Sam Warburton (right) will lead his country for a record 34th time when he takes the field against Ireland . Wales coach Warren Gatland (centre) leads his players onto the pitch at the Millenium Stadium . Wales will look to Racing Metro inside centre Jamie Roberts to get them over the gainline against Ireland . Warburton (centre) leads the warm-up as Gatland's side complete their final preparations in Cardiff . 'It's going to be an arm-wrestle for 80 minutes, and that is what we've prepared for,' McBryde said. 'Everything that goes on off the field pales into insignificance, and it's all about what happens on the day. 'They play a big pressure game, and if we can react positively to that and stay in the fight, that will give us a good chance of winning. 'There is a lot of stake. Ireland are on course for a Grand Slam, and just to get away from Cardiff with a win, that's all they will be looking to do. With regards to playing any attractive rugby, that will come second. 'That's the nature of the game at the moment, and that's how teams are wearing each other down, and unfortunately, the spectators have got to pay a price for that.' Warburton is in high spirits during the captain's run as his side prepare for visit of Joe Schmidt's side . Ireland have conceded just one try in three Six Nations games this season and an average of only nine points per time across eight Six Nations matches Joe Schmidt has overseen during his coaching reign. Ireland are also on a 10-Test unbeaten run - England were the last team to defeat them 13 months ago - and McBryde added: 'They are on a a bit of a roll at the moment. Ten wins on the bounce speaks volumes. 'This is quite a formidable Ireland team, and we are going to have to be at our best to come close to them tomorrow. Warburton and Co will be looking to avenge their 26-3 loss to Ireland in Dublin last season . 'You have got arguably two of the better teams in the Six Nations, not being disrespectful to anybody else. On our day, I think both teams are capable of beating anybody. 'With regards to motivation, we look at our own situation, and we know a win would give us an opportunity to go for the championship. 'It is a double-edged sword that one. By doing that, we beat Ireland and stop them getting a Grand Slam, but it's all about what we can achieve and gain, as opposed

Summary: Wales welcome unbeaten Ireland to the Millenium Stadium on Saturday . Ireland are two wins away from a first Six Nations Grand Slam since 2009 . Wales lost their opening game against England in round one . But wins over Scotland and France have reignited their title bid . Warren Gatland's side must win on Saturday to stay in contention .


The number of homes in which no one has a job has fallen by more than 600,000 since 2010. Official figures out yesterday also show a decline in families living wholly off state handouts. Along with a report last week showing record numbers in work, the figures provide fresh evidence that Iain Duncan Smith's reforms are nudging more welfare claimants into jobs. The Work and Pensions Secretary's apparent success was obscured however by the fall-out of David Cameron's decision to quit by 2020 – and the continuing focus on politicians' kitchens. Official figures show 15.9 households have no-one in work, down from almost 19 per cent in 2010 . Mr Duncan Smith's introduction of universal credit and a £500 a week benefit cap have been heavily criticised by the Left and the poverty lobby which claim families have been impoverished. But yesterday's figures from the Office for National Statistics indicate the reforms are helping to switch large numbers of people from a life on welfare handouts to jobs and earnings. The count showed that the number of jobless households with at least one working age adult fell from 3,763,000 in the last three months of 2010 to 3,149,000 at the end of last year. The 16 per cent drop was a result of unemployed people finding jobs and the economically inactive – those previously uninterested in working – moving into the labour market. The number of homes where no one has ever worked, the hard core of benefit-dependent individuals and families, fell from 275,000 in the final months of 2010 to 245,000 in the same period last year. There were 372,000 fewer children in jobless homes than in 2010, and the number of children in families where no one has ever worked, over 302,000 at the end of 2011, was down to 221,000 at the end of last year. Mr Duncan Smith said: 'The primary aim of our welfare reforms has been to support everyone who is able to work into jobs, to give people the skills as well as the opportunities to be part of the economic recovery. And we've seen remarkable success – with an average of 1,000 more people in work for every single day that this Government has been in power. Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith said the figures showed that almost 2million people are now enjoying the 'self-esteem and financial security that a job brings' 'In total, 1.9million more people with the self-esteem and financial security that a job brings. 'These figures reveal that the number of workless households has fallen by over 600,000 under this Government. Most significantly, there are 272,000 fewer households living in social housing without work. 'And the proportion in social housing where someone does now work with a breadwinner and a role model, is the highest since records began.' Mr Duncan Smith added: 'Behind these figures are countless stories of hard work and determination. By sticking to our long-term economic plan our welfare reforms are transforming the lives of some of the poorest families in our communities.' The worklessness count

Summary: Official figures reveal decline in families living wholly off state handouts . Suggests Work and Pensions Secretary's reforms have been successful . Iain Duncan Smith was criticised for introducing £500-a-week benefit cap . There are 372,000 fewer children in jobless homes than there were in 2010 .


The world gets a first proper look at Apple’s latest gadget tonight when the company launches its first smartwatch. With a price tag of about £220, the Apple Watch boasts a range of lifestyle functions – promising to open your car door, buy a coffee and even track your heart rate. The company hopes it will have a winner on its hands, even though sales of rival products by Samsung, LG and Sony have been sluggish and many smartwatches have a notoriously short battery life. Scroll down for video . Apple's latest gadget - the Apple Watch - will be unveiled on Monday night and comes with a price tag of £220 . However, Apple and its British design guru, Sir Jonathan Ive, plan to make the firm’s watch a lifestyle essential. Partnerships have been signed with car companies like BMW, which will allow users to open the vehicle door through the watch. It can also be paired with technology in the home and in hotel chain rooms to automatically let the user in without a key or smart card. There will be partnerships with airlines that will see the watch double as a boarding pass to allow users to sweep through airports more quickly. Importantly, it will be loaded with the new ‘Apple Pay’ technology, that will allow users to pay for a raft of purchases by waving the watch over a till point scanner. The system, which is tied in to user bank accounts, means people will buy lunch or pay for a train or bus ride without the need for cash. The watch, which will be linked to the owner’s iPhone via a Bluetooth link, will also provide a map and directions, vibrating on the wrist to warn of the need to make a turn. The first details of the watch were revealed by Apple chief executive, Tim Cook, in September last year . Importantly, it will also include a raft of health sensors and trackers, which will measure the heart rate and activity level as part of a program to boost fitness. When the first details of the watch were revealed last September, chief executive, Tim Cook, said: ‘We love to make great products that enrich people’s lives. We love to make technology more personal and allow our users to do things they never imagined. ‘We believe this new product will redefine what people expect from this category. This is the next chapter in Apple’s story. ‘It is the most personal watch ever created. It is incredibly customisable to find one that reflects your personal style and taste. It is also a comprehensive health and fitness device. ‘Being more active is being one of the best things you can do to improve your health. Apple Watch gives the ability to motivate people to be more active...or track what you are doing during the day.’ While the watch will have a starting price of around £220 it is suggested there will be a host of other premium versions, including one in gold that will cost as much as £3,325.

Summary: Apple Watch has range of lifestyle functions including opening car door . Also has software which will avoid need to pay with cash at till points . System is tied to user's bank account and can pay for trains or bus fares . Company hopes it has winner on hands after rival products' sales slumped .


A German professor has been forced to apologise for declining an Indian student's internship because of the 'rape problem' in his country. Professor Annette Beck-Sickinger's response to the application went viral after it was posted online and prompted a wave of indignation, forcing the intervention of Germany's ambassador to India. Her original response to the student's application stated: 'Dear Sir, unfortunately I don't accept any Indian male students for internships. Professor Annette Beck-Sickinger's email (pictured) stated she didn't accept any male Indian students for internships because of the country's 'rape problem' In response German ambassador to India Michael Steiner wrote a letter (pictured) stating he 'strongly objected' to her comments . 'We hear a lot about the rape problem in India which I cannot support. I have many female students in my group, so I think this attitude is something I cannot support.' This was later posted online, with the professor's and student's names redacted under the title: 'What should an Indian male student do if he is denied an internship opportunity on the basis of India being projected as an unsafe country for women?' Following the outrage which erupted, she backtracked on her comments, stating in an apology posted to Germany's embassy website that she had 'made a mistake' and apologized to 'everyone whose feelings I have hurt'. When her email came to light, ambassador Michael Steiner wrote a scathing letter rebuking her for the comments, stating: 'Let me make it clear at the outset that I strongly object to this.' He added, in reference to a notorious 2012 Dehli gang rape in which a woman died: 'The Nirbhaya case has triggered a lively, honest, sustained and very healthy public debate - a public debate of a quality that wouldn't be possible in many other countries. Germany's India ambassador Michael Steiner (pictured) condemned the professor's comments in an open letter . 'Your oversimplifying and discriminating generalization is an offence to these women and men (activists) ardently committed to furthering women empowerment in India; and it is an offence to millions of law-abiding, tolerant, open-minded and hard-working Indians. 'Let's be clear: India is not a country of rapists.' In the 2012 case he referenced, the student was savagely attacked by six men including with an iron rod after boarding a private bus on her way home from the cinema with a male friend. The woman, who legally cannot be named, died from her injuries 13 days later. The brutality of the assault and her determination to survive so she could report her attackers to police sparked large-scale street protests. Four of her attackers were convicted and given the death penalty in September after the case was fast-tracked, while a juvenile was sentenced to a correctional facility. Another died in jail after apparently committing suicide. The case sparked soul-searching about India's treatment of women and also led to initiatives to educate men about respect and equal gender rights in the deeply patriarchal country.

Summary: Professor at Leipzig University sparked outrage when declining application . The Indian student was told she wasn't accepting males from his country . She cited the country's 'rape problem' as the reason why he couldn't join . Her email triggered condemnation for 'generalisations' of all Indian men . Professor Annette Beck-Sickinger has now apologised for her comments . The row required the intervention of Germany's ambassador to India .


Police have been forced to play Prince Charming after numerous residents complained that their shoes had gone missing from their front gardens. However, they were shocked when they found over 1000 pairs of runners and slippers stashed away in a 57-year-old man's Melbourne unit. The Kilsyth thief had been caught on CCTV scouring the area where he lived for the past three months but when he invited police into his home they had no idea as to the extent of his crazy shoe robbing spree. Scroll down for video . Police have been forced to play Prince Charming after numerous residents complained that their shoes had gone missing from their front gardens . The man has stashed the shoes all over his unit, filling up cupboards with the footwear and forming massive piles in corners of his house. In the loungeroom, he hid about 50 pairs of shoes under the table and couch and hid hundreds more in the kitchen and bathroom. Police found about 600 pairs of shoes piled high under his bed and he stacked them so high that the windows in the bedroom could not be opened. However, they were shocked when they found over 1000 pairs of runners and slippers stashed away in a 57-year-old man's Melbourne unit . Police have been trying to sort through 40 bags of shoes they collected from the man's house. The shoes range from women's to men's and even children's shoes. A pair of yellow fluffy Tweety bird slippers stood out, as did a pair of expensive looking runners and some dolphin slippers. While the man has an obvious fascination with shoes, police believe he does not have mental issues. The Kilsyth thief had been caught on CCTV scouring the area where he lived for the past three months but when he invited police into his home they had no idea as to the extent of his crazy shoe robbing spree . The man has stashed the shoes all over his unit, filling up cupboards with the footwear and forming massive piles in corners of his house . Although there were over 1000 pairs of shoes, the man was reportedly only ever seen wearing one pair of shoes. His only explanation to police was that 'he just liked shoes'. 'They were in his kitchen cupboards, under his sinks, they were in the cupboards above the sink,' Leading Senior Constable Baker told The Age. In the loungeroom, he hid about 50 pairs of shoes under the table and couch and hid hundreds more in the kitchen and bathroom . Police found about 600 pairs of shoes piled high under his bed and he stacked them so high that the windows in the bedroom could not be opened . 'It really looks like he's just an old man, who is harmless. He's never been in trouble with the police before and he's just got a fascination with shoes.' 'This is just purely someone who likes shoes,' he said. While police are investigating the incident, they have taken a light-hearted approach to the investigation and

Summary: A man stole more than 1000 pairs of shoes from his neighbours' gardens . The 57-year-old man invited police into his home where they got a shock . He had stashed shoes under tables, couches and cupboards . The thief was caught on CCTV on his shoe robbing spree .


Extra-curricular: John Cridland, director general of the Confederation of British Industry, says pupils need more than just A*s . The glut of top grades at GCSE and A-level is forcing employers to focus on young people’s extra-curricular activities, according to a business leader. John Cridland – director general of the Confederation of British Industry – said his members must consider character-building elements of a candidate’s CV, rather than just qualifications. He told the Times Educational Supplement that ‘frankly everybody has A*s’ and said employers want someone who ‘stands out from the crowd’. ‘What have you done in the local theatre club? 'What have you done in the local sports club? 'What have you done to put something back into the community?’ he said. ‘[These] are just as important to employers.’ He added that most bosses ‘do not recruit on subject or qualification’ but look for ‘enthusiasm, creativity and passion’. The CBI has previously bemoaned the poor quality of candidates entering the workplace, criticising levels of numeracy and literacy. However Mr Cridland stopped short of suggesting ‘character’ should be taught as a separate subject, saying: ‘A good teacher develops these things in the classroom while teaching English.’ He added that Ofsted inspections should focus more on the all-round development of pupils. Extra-curricular: He suggests pupils look at extra activities which may impress future bosses .

Summary: John Cridland says pupils need more than just good grades to get a job . Director general of the CBI says employers want people who 'stand out' Suggests extra-curricular activities like theatre clubs key to getting a job .


Humans started dominating the planet causing irreversible damage around the year 1610, scientists claim. Experts have been divided on when mankind caused a lasting impact on the Earth's geology with some suggesting 1964 when the fallout from atomic testing became apparent. But British researchers have now pinpointed 1610 because of the impact felt by an irreversible transfer of crops and species between the New and Old Worlds. British researchers have now pinpointed 1610 because of the impact felt by an irreversible transfer of crops and species between the New and Old Worlds . The Anthropocene is the name of a proposed geological epoch that may soon enter the official Geologic Time Scale. It refers to a time in which human permanently changed the planet. According to the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS), we are officially in the Holocene epoch, which began 11,700 years ago after the last major ice age. Some experts argue we should now change the name to 'Anthropocene'. This is from from anthropo, for 'man,' and cene, for 'new'. But up until now, experts have been divided on when mankind caused a lasting impact on the Earth's geology with some suggesting 1964 when the fallout from atomic testing became apparent. Researchers at UCL said that 1610 - when William Shakespeare's Cymbeline was first performed - marked the start of the human-dominated geological epoch known as the Anthropocene. Previous epochs began and ended due meteorite strikes, sustained volcanic eruptions and the shifting of the continents. The study, published in Nature, said human actions are now changing the planet producing a new geological epoch. But to define an epoch scientists must pinpoint and date a global environmental change that has been captured in natural material, such as rocks, ancient ice or sediment from the ocean floor. Such a marker - like the chemical signature left by the meteorite strike that wiped out the dinosaurs - is called a golden spike. Comparing the major environmental impacts of human activity over the past 50,000 years against these two formal requirements just two dates were in the running - 1610 when the impact of the discovery of The Americas began to be felt and 1964. Scientists said the 1492 arrival of Europeans in the Americas, and subsequent global trade, moved species to new continents and oceans on an unprecedented level, resulting in a global re-ordering of life on Earth. They also found a golden spike that can be dated to the same time - a pronounced dip in atmospheric carbon dioxide centred on 1610 and captured in Antarctic ice-core records. Geologists have named the 1610 dip in carbon dioxide the 'Orbis Spike'. They chose the Latin word for 'world' because this golden spike was caused by once-disconnected peoples becoming globally linked. According to the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS), we are officially in the Holocene epoch, which began 11,700 years ago after the last major ice age . Humans started dominating the planet causing irreversible changes during the reign of King James I (right) and the era of Shakespeare (left), scientists claim

Summary: Date was decided on because of the impact felt by the transfer of crops . Arrival of smallpox saw 50 million native north and South Americans die . A dip in atmospheric carbon dioxide centred on 1610 was also found . Scientists argue this should now be regarded as start of Anthropocene . 'We humans are now a geological power in our own right - as Earth-changing as a meteorite strike,' the researchers said .


By . Nelson Groom for Daily Mail Australia . Updated: . 22:55 EST, 15 March 2015 . var twitterVia = 'MailOnline'; . DM.later('bundle', function(){ . DM.has('shareLinkTop', 'shareLinks', { . 'id': '2994562', . 'title': 'Woman lifts her 1.5 metre pet crocodile into the bath', . 'url': 'http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2994562/Woman-takes-pet-crocodile-bath.html', . 'eTwitterStatus': ' http://dailym.ai/1LarHQI via @' + twitterVia, . 'articleChannelFollowButton': 'MailOnline', . 'isChannel': false, . 'hideEmail': true, . 'placement': 'top', . 'anchor': 'tl'}); . }); . 14 . shares . 2 . View comments . DM.later('bundle', function(){ . DMS.Article.init('top'); . }); . Getting children into the bath is an age old hurdle for parents around the world. But a bizarre new video depicting a woman escorting her pet crocodile into a steamy bath suggests the challenge is faced by reptile owners, too. The vision, uploaded to YouTube this week, shows proud crocodile owner Vicki Lowing lifting her freshwater croc Johnie into the bath as he angrily thrashes around. The bizarre video shows proud crocodile owner Vicki Lowing lifting her pet crocodile Johnie into the bath as he angrily thrashes around . ‘C’mon buddy. There’s a girl, let’s have a bath,’ Lowing says. A previous Daily Mail report suggested 18-year-old Johnie was 1.5 metres long and weighed 12kg. Nicknamed Croc Lady in Melbourne, Lowing, 57, has owned crocodiles for nearly 40 years, and she claims she can even communicate with them telepathically. Lowing said she first became fascinated with the animals after watching a film in the 1960s, and she has never looked back. Surprisingly, the Melbourne mother has yet to suffer any injuries from all her years handling the notorious predators. Lowing said she first became fascinated with the animals after watching a film in the 1960s, and she has never looked back . Snappy families: Vicki Lowing cradles 18-year-old Johnie, who features in the latest video, on the sofa at home . The 1.5 metre freshwater croc is as welcome in the family car as they are at home .

Summary: The video was uploaded this week by proud crocodile owner Vicki Lowing . It shows her lifting her 18-year-old pet crocodile Johnie into the bath . Nicknamed Croc Lady, Lowing, 57, has owned crocodiles for 40 years .


The name conjures up images of row upon row of dusty leather-bound books in some darkened corner of a stately home. But these days, it seems, you’re just as likely to find a ‘library’ in a three-bedroom suburban house. The quiet allure of a room filled with books, a cosy chair in the corner and a lamp or two has become a new status symbol, estate agents say. Status symbol: Many home owners are turning under-used rooms into quiet refuges from the modern world . And getting your own library isn’t too difficult. Many homeowners are simply redecorating their under-used dining rooms, which have become redundant as more families use a combined kitchen-diner for meals. Estate agents say a library is ‘aspirational’ and regarded as a retro retreat from the rest of our increasingly hi-tech homes. One in ten said there had been a rise in the number of homes being advertised with a library, the National Association of Estate Agents found. Yesterday, Mark Hayward, of the NAEA, said: ‘Having a library in your home can add a unique advantage when it comes to selling your property. It is a differentiator – a room by its very title that conveys peace, quiet and serenity that’s growing in popularity. ‘At the top-end property market, it adds a quintessential English touch, popular amongst overseas investors.’ It follows a trend for ‘shelfies’ – photographs of one’s bookshelves – which have become popular on social media websites. More than 160,000 images have been posted on the website Instagram using the hashtag ‘shelfie’, with thousands more on Twitter. Mr Hayward said many upmarket new-build homes now included library rooms as standard, while sellers were converting their spare rooms. He said: ‘The popularity of the kitchen-diner means many dining rooms are now dead space. Filling it with books and calling it a library elevates it again. ‘The books you put on the shelves are intended to reflect a lifestyle. It is filled with the books you want people to think you are reading.’ The name may evoke images of leather bound books and mahogany but libraries are increasingly common .

Summary: Libraries, a quiet retreat from gadgets, found increasingly in homes . Estate agents say rooms are aspirational and quintessentially English . Dining rooms are being traded in for the book-filled sanctuaries . Follows shelfie trend, pictures of books people own on their shelves .


Some were sickly Cambridge University scholars, others homeless wayfarers or simply the infirm. Having fallen on hard times, and being too poor to care for themselves, they all ended up receiving spiritual succour during their last days in the medieval Hospital of St John the Evangelist, set up in 1195. After they died they were buried in the hospital's own cemetery whose exact site and scale were a mystery for centuries – until a lecture hall belonging to a Cambridge college needed refurbishing. Incredible find: Archaeologists digging under a building owned by St John's College, University of Cambridge has unearthed the cemetery of a medieval hospital and the remains of 1,300 people . To their amazement, archaeologists digging under the Old Divinity School – a Victorian building owned by St John's College, which was founded in 1511 on the site of the hospital and which takes its name from it – unearthed the cemetery and the remains of 1,300 people. Details and photographs of the eerie find are made public for the first time today. Experts said it is one of the largest medieval hospital cemeteries ever discovered in Britain and, with on-going DNA analysis of the remains, will help to cast fresh light on life and death in medieval times. The archaeologists broke out the floors of the Old Divinity School and the team of 20 dug down inside each room. In a six-month dig they found some 400 almost perfectly preserved human skeletons and the partial remains of up to 900 more, all dating from the 13th to 15th centuries. Medieval mysteries: Archaeologists digging under a building owned by St John's College, University of Cambridge has unearthed the cemetery of a medieval hospital and the remains of 1,300 people . Big dig: Containing about 1,300 burials - including about 400 complete skeletons - the cemetary was found as part of the refurbishment of the Victorian building three years ago but details have only now been made public . History uncovered: Experts say it's one of the largest medieval hospital cemeteries ever discovered in Britain . As well as the 400 skeletons 'disarticulated' and 'fragmentary remains' of what could be as many as 1,000 more individuals have also been found . New light: With on-going DNA analysis of the remains found in the cemetary, experts hope the skeletons will help to cast fresh light on life and death in medieval times . Craig Cessford, of the Cambridge Archaeological Unit, said: 'It was known that the cemetery was in that area, but we didn't know for definite it was where we were working. 'It was a quite amazing find.' Most of the skeletons are of 25 to 45-year-old men. The hospital was run by Augustinian monks, and pregnant women were excluded. Mr Cessford, 45, said the skeletons were buried in neat rows and once the cemetery was full, more were buried on top. The names of the dead are a mystery, but the cemetery was found to have had gravel paths, suggesting that people visited their deceased loved ones. The bodies did

Summary: Medieval cemetery of hospital set up in 1195 found under college . St John's College was built on the site of the old hospital in 1511 . Archaeologists have discovered the remains of 1,300 people . One of the largest medieval hospital cemeteries ever found in UK .


The Secret Service has arrested two men in two separate White House security breaches that have occurred just hours apart, sparking lockdowns at the presidential mansion. On Sunday night, an unnamed suspect stepped over a bike rack situated outside the White House fence. The bike racks were installed last year following a high-profile fence-jumping incident that involved an Army veteran armed with a knife. Early Monday morning, another person attempted to walk through a gate while a construction crew were leaving. Scroll down for video . Breached: The White House, pictured Monday, has become the site of two new security breaches that took place just hours apart and sparked lockdowns . Sneak: A man tried to walk into a pedestrian entrance as construction workers were leaving the area . According to NBC, both men were taken into custody, and the Secret Service has given the all-clear at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. The agency has been tight-lipped about the two breaches, which are now under investigation. The suspects have not been named. The bike rack-jumping incident took place at around 11.30pm Sunday near the southwest corner of the presidential residence, reported MyFox DC. The male suspect was arrested and charged with unlawful entry. The breach led to a 30-minute lockdown at the White House. Just before 7am Monday, another man allegedly tried to walk into a pedestrian entrance as construction workers were leaving the area. A Secret Service agent stopped the intruder in his tracks and arrested him after a brief confrontation. The White House was placed on another lockdown that lasted only a few minutes following the second incident. The twin security breaches come just over a month after a small drone operated by a government employee accidentally crashed on the South Lawn of the White House. Agency under fire: An incident last September involving an armed fence jumper led to Secret Service director Julia Pierson's (left) resignation. Her replacement, Joseph Clancy (right), said on This Week Sunday that his agency is working to 'regain the trust' of the public . The Secret Service has come under scrutiny following a string of distressing incidents involving White House security. In September, an army veteran with a knife hidden in his pants jumped the fence and made it as far into the East Room before he was tackled. The breach led to Secret Service director Julia Pierson's resignation. Just 24 hours later, a college student drove up to the White House's security screening point and refused to leave, prompting his arrest. The White House was briefly on lockdown this past August after a toddler somehow managed to squeeze through the gates. In an interview on ABC's This Week Sunday, Joseph Clancy, the newly appointed director of the Secret Service, said his agency is working to 'regain the trust' of the public after the litany of security breaches, reported USA Today. ‘We have not received an unfair rap,’ Clancy said.’I think when you fail, and we have failed, we own it. Now, it's up to us to correct it.’ The White House has seen a string

Summary: A man was arrested at 11.30pm Sunday after jumping over bike rack near southwest corner of White House . Another person was confronted and apprehended by Secret Service agent at around 7am for trying to enter gate as construction workers were leaving . The bike rack-jumping incident led to 30-minute lockdown at the White House . The breaches come a month after small drone operated by government employee crashed on South Lawn of the White House . Secret Service Director Julia Pierson was forced to resign in October after a string of security breaches . Pierson's replacement, Joseph Clancy, said on ABC's This Week Sunday his agency is working to 'regain the trust' of the public .


A video has been released which appears to show Wayne Rooney being knocked out cold by former Manchester United team-mate Phil Bardsley. The Old Trafford captain and the Stoke defender pulled on gloves during a night-in at Rooney's Cheshire mansion last month - but Bardsley's wife Tanya dismissed the incident as a joke. With only a small space in which to work in Rooney's lounge, the pair trade light blows for just under a minute before Bardsley sends Rooney reeling. The England striker lies motionless under a chair for several seconds before the video, obtained by The Sun, cuts out. Wayne Rooney, a big boxing fan, posted this picture on his Instagram with professional boxer Paul Smith . Phil Bardsley's wife Tanya moved to defuse the furore by claiming the video had been a joke . 'Wayne had everybody worried when he hit the floor like that,' a source told the newspaper. 'He made such a thud when he went down and he was just on his back with his eyes closed, not moving. 'People were scared he had really banged his head and done some lasting damage. 'Everyone realised it was a stupid thing to do, but they just got carried away.' Bardsley's wife Tanya later hit back at the furore caused by the release of the video. She tweeted: 'Seen the sun, 2 mates havin a laugh video doesn't show Wayne jumping straight up and laughing with Phil #cleveredit.' The video is believed to have been filmed on February 22, the day after United lost 2-1 at Swansea. Rooney is wearing a pair of white Adidas gloves while Bardsley pulls on a pink pair. They appear to be sparring gloves rather than the smaller, less padded sets worn in professional fights. Neither man has a headguard on and while Bardsley is wearing shoes, Rooney is in his socks. After touching gloves, they circle each other before Bardsley throws a left hand. Rooney paws back without connecting. Bardsley is the more aggressive throughout, and tries to go for Rooney's body, pushing him back. The pair separate but again Bardsley comes on strongly, landing a right uppercut. Rooney tries to respond but misses wildly before his former team-mate bides his time and throws the shot that sends Rooney backwards, narrowly avoiding a chair as he hits the deck. The incident could leave Rooney with some uncomfortable questions to answer from United chiefs over his choice of extra-curricular activities. Given he skipper's United, the forward is a regular for Louis van Gaal's men. And the United manager is unlikely to be impressed with Rooney for partaking in such dangerous activities prior to matches and training. Rooney returned to action six days later, scoring a double against Sunderland. Phil Bardsley (centre) celebrates a Peter Crouch goal for Stoke during a win over Arsenal in December 2014 . Wayne Rooney scores a stunning header against Arsenal in the 2-1 FA Cup defeat on Monday . The Manchester United captain celebrates his goal at Old Trafford on Monday against Arsenal in the FA Cup . VIDEO

Summary: Footage has emerged of Wayne Rooney boxing with Phil Bardsley . The sparring session took place in Rooney's mansion . It happened the day after United lost to Swansea in February . They exchange light blows before Bardsley knocks Rooney down . The Manchester United striker lies motionless and the video ends . Bardsley's wife Tanya hit back on Twitter at the furore caused . READ: Rooney pokes fun at boxing video with knockout celebration! READ: Was Rooney a knockout against Tottenham at Old Trafford?


Controversial letters sent to IRA fugitives granting them an amnesty from prosecution may have been illegal, a damning Parliamentary report has found. A Commons select committee said the so-called ‘comfort letters’, which assured 187 Republican terror suspects they were no longer being hunted by the police, should never have been written. In a highly-critical report, it said the ‘one-sided secretive scheme’ – which victims said effectively handed paramilitary fighters 'get out of jail free' cards – had damaged the integrity of the UK criminal justice system. Scroll down for video . A Commons select committee has said the ‘comfort letters’ scheme which was set up by Tony Blair's (pictured) Labour government in 2000, should never have been written and may have been illegal . MPs investigating the scandal said the scheme, set up by Tony Blair’s Labour government in 2000, had caused further hurt for the families of those killed during the Troubles. At least 95 recipients were linked to almost 300 murders. But the letters – sent to the so-called ‘on the runs’ after pressure from Sinn Fein – only came to light during the trial of John Downey, the man accused of the Hyde Park bombing in 1982. The trial collapsed in February last year when it emerged the 63-year-old had been told he would not face prosecution for the blast that killed four soldiers and seven horses in London. A review by Lady Justice Hallett concluded in July that the letter scheme, established as part of the peace process, was not unlawful but that there were 'significant failures' in how it operated. Britain's then Prime Minister Tony Blair (L) meets Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams (R), and chief negotiator Martin McGuinness in 2005 - the letters were sent to so-called ‘on the runs’ after pressure from Sinn Fein . But today the Commons’ Northern Ireland Affairs Committee published a blistering report raising serious questions about the legality of the highly-divisive scheme. The report said: ‘It is questionable whether the 'on-the-runs' (OTR) scheme was lawful or not, but we believe its existence distorted the legal process. ‘We accept that there was a difficult peace process going on at the time, but believe that there still has to be transparency and accountability in government and in the legal process.’ It found that ‘damage has undoubtedly been done to public confidence in the criminal justice system’. The committee, which took evidence from 55 witnesses, including ex-prime minister Mr Blair, also blasted the decision not to appeal the Downey ruling . This had placed ‘preserving the integrity of the criminal justice system over the public interest involved in continuing the trial of someone accused of carrying out multiple murders,’ it said. IRA terror suspect John Downey (pictured) was wrongly sent an immunity letter causing his trial for for the 1982 Hyde Park bombing to collapse . The report also said the people of Northern Ireland had been ‘kept in the dark to the greatest possible extent’ by the Government. The report said that during the peace process, Sinn Fein had pushed for ‘comfort

Summary: Letters sent to IRA fugitives granting them amnesty may have been illegal . Parliamentary report has looked at controversial so-called 'comfort letters' The scheme was set up by Tony Blair’s Labour government in 2000 . They told 187 Republican terror suspects they were no longer being hunted . At least 95 of those recipients were linked to 300 murders during Troubles . MPs have now decided the letters should never have been written . Report said scheme has damaged integrity of UK criminal justice system .


While Harry Kane was scoring on his debut for England, Alvaro Morata was scoring on his first start for Spain to give the reigning European Champions a 1-0 win over Ukraine. The former Real Madrid striker, who nearly joined Kane at Spurs as part as the deal that took Gareth Bale to Spain, settled the match in the first half in what was a largely unconvincing performance from Vicente del Bosque’s team. Franco Baldini wanted Morata to move to north London but he ended up staying in Madrid before moving to Juventus last summer. His goals have helped them into the last eight of the Champions League and he took that form with him into this Group C qualifier. Alvaro Morata opened the scoring for Spain as his looped effort evades the gloves of Andriy Pyatov . Morata beats Ukraine defender Yevhen Khacheridi to loft the ball into the back of the net . Spain: Casillas; Juanfran, Pique, Ramos, Alba (Bernat 79); Busquets, Koke, Iniesta (Cazorla 74); Silva, Isco, Morata (Pedro 65) Subs not used: Albiol, Bartra, Fabregas, De Gea, Carvajal, Juanmi, Mario Suarez, Asenjo, Vitolo . Scorer(s): Morata 28 . Booked: Ramos . Manager: Vicente del Bosque . Ukraine: Pyatov; Fedetskyi, Khacheridi, Kucher, Shevchuk; Tymoshchuk, Stepanenko (Garmash 76); Konoplyanka, Rotan, Yarmolenko; Zozulya (Kravets 32, Budkivskiy 91) Subs not used: Boyko, Husyev, Morozyuk, Bezus, Rakitskiy, Oliynyk, Burda, Rybka, Rybalka . Booked: Fedetskyi, Kravets, Kucher . Manager: Mykhaylo Fomenko . Referee: Cuneyt Cakır . Playing instead of the injured Diego Costa he converted a Koke pass on 28 minutes but Spain failed to find the second and still look a long way from the form they showed when they won the Euros three years ago. They also lost Jordi Alba to a groin injury in the second half. La Roja applied all the early pressure but Isco and Morata sent their first shots wide and David Silva missed the target with a diving header 12 yards out from an Isco cross. Ukraine looked dangerous on the coutner attack in the first 20 minutes and Artem Fedetsky sent a wayward volley wide of Iker Casillas’ goal from a corner. From the edge of the area Ruslan Rotan also went close, but again Spain’s goalkeeper was able to watch the ball go wide. Spain attacked with more quality than the visitors and just before the half hour they were in front when Andres Iniesta found Koke and his first time ball sent Morata through. He held off the last defender and when Ukraine keeper Andrei Pyatov went to ground early he lofted the ball over him to score. Spain then enjoyed their best spell. Silva tested Pyatov with another shot and Iniesta began to lead Ukraine a merry dance in midfield. On the day that Xavi showed up in Qatar to sign a three-year contract Spain could easily have been reminded of how much they miss him. Pyatov looks back in despair as Spain take the lead at the Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán . Morata celebrates his first international goal on his third cap for

Summary: Alvaro Morata scored his first international goal to give hosts the lead . Spain had to survive heavy pressure from Ukraine in the second half . Spain remain three points behind Group C leaders Slovakia, who also won .


Paddy McNair admits he will fulfil his boyhood dream if he earns his first Northern Ireland cap against Scotland on Wednesday night. The Manchester United defender has been given his first taste of top-team action at Old Trafford by new boss Louis van Gaal this season. Now he is set to follow that up by making his international debut in Glasgow when Michael O'Neill's side take on the Scots at Hampden Park. Paddy McNair has made an impressive breakthrough for Manchester United this season at the back . The 19-year-old was forced to pull out of his first involvement with the national team last October due to injury, while he was an unused substitute a month later as the Irish lost 2-0 away to Romania. But he is expected to finally pull on the green jersey in the midweek friendly clash that will serve as a warm-up ahead of Sunday's crucial Euro 2016 qualifier with Finland at Windsor Park. 'It would be a dream come true if that happens,' said the teenage centre-half. 'As a young boy it is a dream to play for your country. 'I went to a few Northern Ireland games when I was very young but I don't remember too much about them. I can remember the atmosphere and hoping that one day I would be out there as well, so if I can do that on Wednesday I will be very proud.' The Northern Irishman competes with the Premier League's newest star Harry Kane at White Hart Lane . Wednesday's match will be just as important to the Scots as it is O'Neill's troops as both countries look to end their long absences from major tournaments by claiming a slot at next year's European Championships in France. While Northern Ireland are just a point off the summit of Group F after taking nine points from the first 12 available, Gordon Strachan's side are very much in the hunt themselves. They sit third in Group D, three points behind leaders Poland and level on seven with Germany and the Republic of Ireland. With that in mind, McNair does not expect an easy introduction to the international game. 'It's going to be tough,' he said. 'It's a game against another home nation and both teams want to win. It won't be a friendly. The 19-year-old has seen his game time limited in recent weeks but has done enough to earn a call-up . 'It's a game we can definitely win, though. We showed in the games in the qualifying group we can beat anybody. 'Scotland have some very good players. I've played against Steven Naismith earlier on this season and you can see why people rate him so highly.' McNair can also expect to come up against another familiar face clad in Dark Blue, with former United midfielder Darren Fletcher likely to line-up for the hosts. The 31-year-old - who quit the Red Devils in January after 12 years to sign for West Brom - played an influential dressing-room role while McNair was making his way through the Old

Summary: Paddy McNair could earn his first Northern Ireland cap against Scotland . The Manchester United admits it will be a boyhood dream to play . The 19-year-old broke into the Louis van Gaal's side earlier this season . Click here for all the latest Manchester United news .


Heavy rains can be drastic for rural farmers, damaging produce and in some cases even threatening their survival. But one West Australian farmer decided to see the lighter side of a torrent of rainwater that fell on his property on Sunday. Jordan Lynch, who owns a grain farm four kilometres east of Merredin, readied a surfboard, skiis and camera in an opportunistic bid to go 'skurfing' - a hybrid of surfing and water skiing-on the freshly formed lake, reports ABC. Jordan Lynch took a surfboard, skiis and camera down to the freshly formed lake after heavy rains on Sunday . The farm had received 60mm of rain, causing the creek to overflow, a highly infrequent occurrence. 'I've only seen it flow twice before in my life, in 16 years, so I thought you can't miss an opportunity like that, so I grabbed my surfboard an my ski and gave it a go behind the four wheeler' he said. Mr Lynch said skurfing typically involves the rider being towed by a quad bike, a role he was hoping some friends would fill. But he had some trouble roping his friends in for the dangerous pursuit, and he was left to ask his neighbours to tow him on a four wheel drive. 'We were probably going for a kilometre then it got a bit boggy,' he said. Mr Lynch said he has been skurfing for over a decade, swooping in whenever neighbouring lakes are filled up. 'Baandee Lake is pretty close to here, you can't get to the surf very often in Merredin, so I started skurfing behind the boat,' he said. 'Skurfing' typically involves the surfboard rider being towed by a quad bike, but this time Mr Lynch used a neighbours four wheel drive . The West Australian grain farmer said he has been skurfing for over a decade, swooping in whenever neighbouring lakes are filled up . Another unorthodox water sport making a splash with rural farmers is barefoot water skiing. Last month, the first ever Forbes Barefoot Water Ski Tournament was held in central New South Wales. Forty competitors took part in the contest, some of them travelling from up to 100km away. The tournament is now poised to become an annual event.

Summary: Jordan Lynch received 60mm of rain on his property on Sunday . He got his neighbours to tow him on a surfboard over a fresh lake . Mr Lynch said he has been 'skurfing' neighbouring areas for a decade .


There are currently more than 16,300 nuclear weapons in the world – enough to kill everyone on the planet 100 times over. Now an interactive infographic has been created that tracks the number and history of nuclear weapons in the nine nations responsible for many of these warheads. They include the US, UK, Russia, France, China, India, Pakistan, Israel, and North Korea. Between them, these nations possess 10,000 nuclear warheads, 4,100 of which are active. To view the interactive infographic click here . There are currently more than 16,300 nuclear weapons in the world – enough to kill everyone on the planet 100 times over. Now an interactive infographic has been created that tracks the number and history of nuclear weapons in the nine nations responsible for many of these warheads . The latest infographic uses data from the 'Nuclear Notebook', which since 1987 has tracked the number and type of the world's nuclear arsenals. 'I don't think people truly understand just how many of these weapons there are in the world,' said Rachel Bronson, executive director of the Bulletin, who publishes the notebook. 'The interactive is a way to see, immediately, who has nuclear weapons and when they got them, and how those numbers relate to each other. 'It is a startling experience, looking at those comparisons.' Russia and the US have most nuclear weapons, followed by the UK and France, according to the graphic. It creators, Hans Kristensen and Robert Norris, from the Federation of American Scientists say that in the past, host countries have learned of foreign nuclear weapons on their soil from the Nuclear Notebook. The left image shows a pock-marked landscape which is the the result of decades of nuclear weapons testing in the Nevada desert. There are currently more than 16,300 nuclear weapons in the world – enough to kill everyone in on the planet 100 times over. Pictured on the right is a mushroom cloud rising above the Nevada desert in 1953 . 'For instance, Japan - which was the target of two atomic bomb attacks and has a law against nuclear weapons on its territory - learned from the Notebook that there were US nuclear weapons on Chichi Jima and Iwo Jima,' the authors write. '[It also learned] about an enormous and varied US nuclear arsenal on Okinawa, US nuclear bombs stored on the mainland at Misawa and Itazuki air bases, and nuclear-armed US Navy ships stationed in Sasebo and Yokosuka.' Data for the US on the interactive map has been compiled using declassified documents from the US government, many of which were obtained using Freedom of Information requests. They combined this with figures from congressional hearings, specialty magazines, and confidential sources. 'Creating estimates for other nuclear-armed states can be more challenging because not all provide as much information as the United States,' the authors write. For instance, Britain and France have published some information about their arsenals, but much is still unavailable. A self-propelled suface to air missile during a drill shown in a North Korean drill . North Korea appears poised to

Summary: It reveals stockpile changes in the US, UK, Russia, France, China, India, Pakistan, Israel, and North Korea . Between them these countries have 10,000 nuclear weapons, around 4,100 of which are believed to be active . Graphic uses data from the 'Nuclear Notebook', which since 1987 has tracked the number of world's WMDs . Russia and the US have the most nuclear weapons, followed by the UK and France, according to the graphic .


Just as I can't travel to Liverpool without thinking of The Beatles, so I can't travel to Los Angeles without thinking of The Beach Boys. Their songs of beaches, baggies, boards and bikinis painted a picture of a sun-kissed paradise, and their voices sounded as bright and as laid-back as California itself. This time I was travelling specifically to discover the people and places that inspired the band. I started in Hawthorne where the three Wilson brothers - Brian, Carl and Dennis - were raised, and joined up with guitarist Al Jardine and vocalist Mike Love to form a group. The Beach Boys were famously non-surfers but that didn't stop them tapping into the sun, sea and sand culture of the Golden State . The Wilson family home on 119th Street, where the boys taped their first single Surfin' in 1961, was demolished to make way for Interstate 105. The rest of the street remains though, its neat lawns, porches and fluttering flags reminders of the group's clean-cut All-American origins. A redbrick memorial now stands at the site of the Wilson house, with a bas-relief frieze showing the group carrying a surfboard and a plaque noting that the music conceived here 'broadcast to the world an image of LA as a place of sun, surf and romance'. Hawthorne is indeed a place of sun (263 days a year) but no surf and little romance. It's a charmless city that expanded on the back of the post-war aviation industry (Los Angeles International is only five miles away). I could see why the teenagers of the 1950s would get 'bugged' driving 'up and down the same old strip'. Hawthorne Boulevard, with its low-rise jewellery shops and furniture stores, is no place for the young. The Pizza Show (13344 Hawthorne) added a splash of colour when it arrived in 1956 and became a home from home for the fledgling Beach Boys. Now run by the son of the original owner, it retains its kitsch medieval Italian interior, with wrought iron chandeliers, tiled awnings and mock grilled windows. Surfin' safari: The town of Huntington Beach, where the surf is year round, is known as Surf City USA . Foster's Freeze (11969 Hawthorne), another gathering place, is a blue-roofed fast-food outlet that offers FOOD from one service hatch and ICE CREAM from another. When I arrived Louie Louie, a 1963 hit by The Kingsmen, was playing over speakers in the overhang. This was the very 'hamburger stand' where Brian Wilson saw a girl pull up in her father's Thunderbird and had the inspiration for Fun Fun Fun. Hawthorne High School, around the corner on El Segundo Boulevard, is where the Wilson boys and Jardine attended. The Beach Boys came back to play the 1969 prom and honoured the institution in their song Be True to Your School. The nearest surfing beach to Hawthorne is Manhattan, but the best is Huntington Beach, better known as Surf City USA. Here the sand is soft, the surf is year-round, and the broad beaches stretch for more than eight miles. The

Summary: A trip though California to discover what inspired the blassic band . There is no drive better suited to a Beach Boys soundtrack than the Pacific Coast Highway, says the Daily Mail writer .


When Avery Wallace was born, doctors told his parents: 'It's a girl'. But from a very young age, the youngster from Los Angeles knew it simply wasn't the case. The transgender 15-year-old knew he was a boy from the age of two, setting his physical 'parts' aside. Writing for CNN, he has described how he knew he was male long before he discovered the terms 'gay' and 'sexuality', and the difficulty he encountered with other people's perceptions growing up. He also urges parents to let children set out their path - no matter their gender. Avery Wallace (right) poses for a picture with his sister Riley in 2002 at the age of three. He claims he knew he was a boy when he was two . His parents let him cut his hair short for his preschool graduation, even though he was wearing a dress . Describing life as a toddler, he said: 'I was a little boy expressing myself based on what was in my heart and mind - not yet distorted by biology, other people's confusion, or fear. 'No matter how many times I was told differently, I was a boy and the people that mattered knew it too, for the most part.' He said he first heard the term 'gay' in second grade, even after he had his first 'girlfriend', and remembered how one year 'a penis' was at the top of his Christmas list. However he feared people may perceive him as 'different' when he learned homosexuality was considered by some to be abnormal. 'I knew I liked girls and I was technically a girl, biologically, but I was a boy and my feelings about girls were normal boy feelings. I was not gay - but try to explain that to someone without his or her eyes glazing over.' At the age of seven he started to prefer wearing boys clothes and by eight, he was playing baseball . Avery was elected class president in the fifth grade by his peers. He strongly stated that he was a boy and the 'people that mattered knew it too, for the most part' He is pictured at age 10 with short, curly hair. By now he was living the life of a boy, but the word transgender hadn't formed part of his vocabulary . Avery described how he was able to become the boy he wanted, because he grew up in a house that taught him to 'love anyone I wanted to.' 'That said,' he added. 'I knew being gay wasn't a bad thing, but I also knew it didn't describe me. I was a straight boy who liked girls and there is nothing wrong with that, either.' When he entered middle school, he grew out his hair and started to wear dresses as to avoid the 'emotional torture'. But in 2012, when he was 12, he told his parents he was transgender. He is now undergoing hormone therapy treatment after attending a number of group sessions, and has urged people to consider categorizing people into boys and girls more

Summary: When Avery Wallace was born, doctors told his parents: 'It's a girl' However the teenager said from a young age he knew this wasn't the case . The 15-year-old knew he was male before he learned the term 'sexuality' As a little boy he expressed himself based on his 'heart and mind' He cut his hair short at pre-school and wore boy's clothes at age 7 . Avery told his parents he was transgender in 2012 and is now undergoing hormone treatment .


West Brom boss Tony Pulis insists he has no problem with his Aston Villa counterpart Tim Sherwood following the latter's comments about the size of the two Midlands duo. Prior to Tuesday's Barclays Premier League clash between the teams, Sherwood - a contender to take over as Baggies boss in the recent past - described Albion as a 'good little club' before expressing his delight at having landed the manager's job at a 'massive football club' like Villa. Then, after his side won 2-1 in the game at Villa Park, Sherwood again made an apparent dig at West Brom, saying they will 'have to improve' for the next meeting - Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final at the same venue - if they are going stop the hosts triumphing again. West Brom manager Tony Pulis insists he does not have a problem with Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood . Sherwood said West Brom were a 'good little club' ahead of Aston Villa's 2-1 win against the Baggies . But Pulis said ahead of this weekend's derby: 'That is Tim - there are no problems with me or the chairman at all. 'Tim is Tim and he will be good fun for everyone around the West Midlands for the time he is at Aston Villa I'm sure.' Pulis stressed West Brom will not need to use either the words of Sherwood, for whom the win on Tuesday was his first since taking the Villa post last month, or the disappointment of their defeat in that game to generate any additional motivation for Saturday's contest. With his players only one match away from a Wembley semi-final, Pulis - a beaten FA Cup finalist in 2011 as Stoke boss - said: 'I don't need to pin that (Sherwood's comments) up in the changing room. 'We have a good group of lads here and they will want to win the game as much as Villa will. 'I don't think we need any (extra) motivation. It's a local derby, it's the quarter-final of the FA Cup and it's absolutely wonderful that we've got to this stage. These are big games that everybody should look forward to and we will certainly be looking forward to it. 'We've got as good a chance (of winning the competition) as any of the eight teams left in there. 'You go and ask Bradford. They will fancy winning it as well.' West Brom defeated non-league side Gateshead 7-0 in Pulis' first official game in charge of the Baggies . Pulis' first game officially in charge of West Brom following his appointment in January was the 7-0 FA Cup third-round victory over non-league Gateshead at the Hawthorns. Since then, Albion's run in the tournament has also seen them win 2-1 at Birmingham and 4-0 at home against West Ham. Overall, the Baggies have lost only twice in their 11 games in all competitions under Pulis so far. And asked if he had underestimated Villa on Tuesday night, the 57-year-old said: 'I have great respect for every club and every team. 'From the third round right

Summary: Aston Villa host West Brom in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup . Tim Sherwood's Villa side defeated West Brom on Tuesday . The Villa manager said Tony Pulis' West Brom were a 'good little club' Pulis has downplayed comments by describing Sherwood as 'good fun' CLICK HERE for all the latest West Brom news .


Michael Johnson will return to Cincinnati after an injury-hit year with Tampa Bay. The defensive end, 28, put pen to paper on a four-year deal, $20million deal. With $6m guaranteed this year, Johnson will also receive $7m from his $43.8m deal with the Buccaneers, ESPN report. A third round pick in 2009, Johnson spent his first five years with the Bengals but joined the Buccaneers on a big-money deal last year. Marvin Lewis made it a priority to bring Michael Johnson back to Cincinnati to bolster their pass rush . But his productivity was hindered by injuries, with just four sacks in 14 games. Consequently, he joined Josh McCown and Anthony Collis on general manager Jason Licht's unwanted list. The move frees up $2m cap space. 'I'm thankful for the Buccaneers giving me an opportunity to come down there and learn,' Johnson said on a conference call. 'I'm going to always cherish all of the memories - the highs and the lows. You can't appreciate the highs without the lows.' 'This last year was a character-building year. I don't count it as a bad year. So I come back to Cincinnati with a different mindset and a different outlook on things.' Johnson was also coveted by the Minnesota Vikings, but chose not to be reunited with the Bengals' former defensive co-ordinator Mike Zimmer.

Summary: Johnson spent the first five seasons of his career with the Bengals . He headed to Tampa Bay in free agency a year ago, signing a five-year, $43.8m contract . But things did not work out in Florida with several injurioes hampering his productivity . Johnson was released by the Bucs and heads back to the Bengals on a four-year, $20m deal .


Looking at someone who is overweight or obese can alter our sense of smell to make the scent of the world around us appear less pleasant, scientists have found. Researchers discovered viewing images of fat people caused participants in a study to rate odour samples as smelling worse - even though they were actually fragrance free. The scientists believe the effect may be caused by inbuilt negative bias that many people have towards those who are overweight and obese. Does looking at this image of an obese man on a bench conjure up a foul odour? You may have an inbuilt prejudice if it does, according to a new study by scientists at the University of California, Los Angeles . Surprisingly they also found that those who had a higher BMI themselves tended to give the scent samples a lower rating. This suggests that people who have their own weight problems are perhaps also the harshest critics of others who are fat. Sit ups help tone your stomach, while squats strengthen your legs and bottom - but love handles are particularly difficult to shift. Now scientists believe they have discovered a way to ‘melt’ the excess white fat in muffin tops by turning it ‘brown’. While white cells are responsible for muffin tops and flab in general, brown fat cells convert excess energy in food into heat. To make white cells behave like brown ones, researchers at the University of Bonn discovered a new signalling pathway. By experimenting on mice, Professor Alexander Pfeifer from the Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University Hospital Bonn discovered a new signalling pathway for a molecule called adenosine. Adenosine is known to activate brown fat cells, and is typically released during stress. The adenosine signal is transmitted by the adenosine receptor A2A. If adenosine binds to this receptor in brown fat cells, fat burning is significantly stimulated. The researchers transferred A2A receptors from brown fat cells to white fat cells in mice and found they started to burn more fat. Dr Ayako Tomiyama, an assistant professor of psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles, said: 'You wouldn’t think that not liking someone’s weight could then be seen in a totally different sensory modality. 'It makes us think how else is weight stigma affecting our lives that we don’t even know about? 'This is the first step in proving that the consequences of weight stigma could be very widespread in ways that we don’t even know.' The researchers conducted two studies by showing participants two sets of images of people who were either overweight or normal weight. As they viewed each image, participants were asked to smell a container of lotion tinted with different food colourings and rate the scent. Each container was actually fragrance free and contained the same lotion. The researchers, whose work is published in the International Journal of Obesity, found that when images of overweight or obese people were displayed on the screen, participants gave worse ratings to the scent samples. Images of average sized or thin people produced ratings deemed

Summary: Scientists at the University of California, Los Angeles conducted the study . Participants rated smells worse when they looked at images of fat people . People who were overweight themselves judged the scents more harshly . Psychologists say it may be the result of an inbuilt bias against obesity . They say subconscious disgust at obesity may manifest as sense of smell .


Missing: The painting was stolen by the Gestapo from Julius Priester's Vienna home in 1944 . A multi-million pound masterpiece by 16th century artist El Greco has been reunited with its rightful owners more than seven decades after it was stolen by the Nazis. El Greco's 'A Portrait of a Gentleman' had been missing ever since the Gestapo raided the collection of Jewish banker Julius Priester in 1944. Mr Priester, a prominent art collector, had fled to Paris with his wife Camilla six years before, when Austria was annexed into Germany as part of the Anschluss in 1938. The couple, who moved to Mexico City two years later, never gave up hope of finding the 50 precious works which had been stolen. When the war ended in 1945, Mr Priester set about trying to recover his collection - a hunt his heirs took up on his death in 1954. That determination to trace it has been rewarded after a 70 year search, when it was discovered on sale through a London art dealer last year. Although the value of the painting's value is unknown, the world record price for an El Greco is £9.2million. But it seems the emotional reward may have been even greater. When they were finally reunited with the oil painting, Mr Priester's heirs were thrilled to see it was still in the same frame it had when it was hanging above the dresser in the couple's Vienna dining room. Anne Webber, co-chair of the Commission for Looted Art in Europe, which helped reunite the Priesters with the painting, revealed they were 'absolutely delighted' to get it back. 'It was very moving when they saw it for the first time - it was still in the same frame it was in when it hung in Mr Priester's apartment,' she said. 'It has taken more than 70 years to reunite the painting with its rightful owners and we are delighted for the family.' Mr Priester's art collection, comprising of pieces by celebrated artists including Peter Paul Rubens and Anthony Van Dyke, was just one of many plundered from wealthy Jews on direct orders from Hitler. When the Nazis were defeated in 1945, Mr Priester set about trying to track down the whereabouts of his stolen art. He spent the best part of a decade searching for the art, working with the Austrian authorities to spread the word around the world. Reunited: The painting, which hung in the dining room, pictured, is still in its original frame . In 1953, the Austrian Federal Police wrote to Mr Priester to say his missing El Greco painting had been sold by the Gestapo to New York art brokers Knoedler, arriving in the city in 1952. However the dealer Frederick Mont refused to comply, denying all knowledge of the painting and thereby halting the investigation. Domenikos Theotokopoulos, better known as 'El Greco', was born in 1541 in Crete, into a wealthy family. He began his career as an 'icon painter', and by 1563, he was described as a 'master'. About four years later, he

Summary: El Greco's 'Portrait of a Gentleman' seized by Gestapo from Vienna in 1944 . Belonged to Jewish businessman Julius Priester, who fled country in 1938 . One of 50 works taken from the family collection by Nazis during the war . Later revealed the painting had been sold to a New York art dealer in 1952 . But the dealer denied all knowledge - and was only rediscovered last year . The El Greco has now been returned to the family in its original frame .


A suspended Roman Catholic priest who authorities say dealt pounds of methamphetamine and bought a sex shop to possibly launder his drug money is asking a federal judge for leniency when he is sentenced next week. Monsignor Kevin Wallin's public defender filed a sentencing request in federal court in Hartford on Monday citing Wallin's three decades of charitable service as well as more than 80 letters of support, including one from the late New York Cardinal Edward Egan. Wallin, 63, dubbed 'Monsignor Meth', pleaded guilty in 2013 to a methamphetamine conspiracy charge and agreed to a potential prison sentence of 10 to 11 years. Kevin Wallin, 63, dubbed 'Monsignor Meth', pleaded guilty in 2013 to a methamphetamine conspiracy charge and agreed to a potential prison sentence of 10 to 11 years . Already imprisoned for the past two years, he is now asking for a sentence of no more than four years in prison followed by a year of home confinement, 500 hours of community service and drug treatment. Sentencing is scheduled for March 24. 'The record evidence demonstrates that Kevin Wallin is an extraordinary man whose remarkable character and acts have touched thousands of people,' Wallin's public defender, Kelly Barrett, wrote in the sentencing request. 'Kevin tragically became a methamphetamine addict. He fell from grace and did criminal wrong, but has confessed his crimes and has been working hard to atone for them.' Barrett wrote that Wallin's numerous accomplishments include serving as pastor of St. Peter's Parish in Danbury and the Cathedral Parish in Bridgeport, volunteering with a variety of community groups, helping found an AIDS ministry program, leading an inner city charity group, serving on the Danbury Cultural Commission and serving on the board of directors of Sacred Heart University. Egan, who died earlier this month, was bishop of the Diocese of Bridgeport from 1988 to 2000. He praised Wallin in a letter to the court. Wallin bought the Land of Oz & Dorothy's Place adult video and sex toy shop in North Haven and had apparently intended to launder drug proceeds . 'He was outstanding in the fulfillment of his assignments and in his concern for people in need,' Egan wrote. 'Father Wallin was held in highest regard as a dedicated clergyman and an outstanding citizen as well.' Federal prosecutors say Wallin committed serious crimes and most people convicted of conspiring to sell meth are sentenced to at least 10 years in prison. Federal investigators said Wallin had associates in California send him methamphetamine beginning in late 2008 or early 2009. By 2011, Wallin's partners were sending him one to three pounds of meth a month and Wallin was running the drug operation out of his apartment in Waterbury, investigators said. Wallin also bought the 'Land of Oz & Dorothy's Place' adult video and sex toy shop in North Haven and apparently intended to launder drug proceeds that totaled in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, federal agents said in court documents. Wallin served as the pastor at St. Augustine's in Bridgeport for nine years before taking a sabbatical

Summary: Kevin Wallin, 63, dubbed 'Monsignor Meth', pleaded guilty in 2013 to a methamphetamine conspiracy charge . He agreed to a potential prison sentence of 10 to 11 years, but has asked a federal judge for leniency when he is sentenced next week . Already imprisoned for the past two years, he is now asking for a sentence of no more than four years in prison followed by a year of home confinement . Wallin bought the Land of Oz & Dorothy's Place adult video and sex toy shop in North Haven and had apparently intended to launder drug proceeds .


Brazil's 1-0 victory against Chile may have been an ill-tempered affair, but the Selecao squad seemed in high spirits during a night out in London on Sunday night. Neymar enjoyed an evening at Novikov restaurant before heading to Kensington club Boujis, where former Black Eyed Peas star apl.de.ap was also in attendance. Neymar posed for pictures with fans while clutching a can of energy drink before heading into the popular nightspot while Chelsea star Willian was accompanied by his wife Vanessa Martins. Neymar enjoyed a night out at South Kensington club Boujis following Brazil's friendly against Chile . Chelsea winger Willian was also out on Sunday night but didn't join Neymar at the club . Willian, Douglas Costa and even Brazil boss Dunga were also out in London, although they didn't join Neymar later on at the nightclub. Earlier on Sunday, Barcelona star Neymar hit out at the 'UFC' style bully-boy tactics deployed by Chile during his side's 1-0 friendly victory at the Emirates on Sunday. The 23-year-old was on the end of some tough tackling throughout the ill-tempered clash and was lucky to escape injury following a nasty stamp from Chile midfielder Gary Medel. The former Cardiff City man seemed to tread on Neymar's ankle following a challenge in the first half, but escaped with even a yellow card. Douglas Costa (left) also tagged along, wearing a matching Mickey Mouse hooded top and cap . Willian was accompanied by three friends including his wife Vanessa Martins (right) Brazil boss Dunga (left) and his Brazil team were joined by Black Eyed Peas star apl.de.ap (right) Neymar and Co enjoyed an evening at Novikov restaurant before heading to Kensington club Boujis . Roberto Firmino (left) scored the only goal of the game to hand Brazil a 1-0 victory on Sunday . Neymar watches on after tangling with Gary Medel as the Chile star appears to stamp on the Brazilian . 'This wasn't a game of football,' Neymar said. 'It's meant to be football not UFC. The referee is there to stop these things from happening, but there were four referees and none of them saw anything! 'It seems we have to suffer. I am a sufferer.' A Roberto Firmino strike was enough to seal victory for Dunga's side, who have now won eight games in a row since their disappointing World Cup exit. The Barcelona star is evidently in pain after Medel's stamp on Neymar's leg at the Emirates stadium . Remarkably referee Martin Atkinson didn't punish the stamp by Medel as Neymar was left writhing .

Summary: Brazil stars head to Kensington club after 1-0 friendly win against Chile . Neymar enjoys meal at Novikov restaurant before heading to Boujis . Barcelona forward was joined by Willian, Douglas Costa and boss Dunga . Neymar hits out at Chile for 'UFC' style tactics against Brazil . 23-year-old was on the end of nasty stamp from Gary Medel .


Family and friends of an Indian woman who was stabbed to death while talking on the phone to her husband have gathered to pay their final respects to the mother. Prabha Arun Kumar, a 41-year-old mother and IT professional, died after she was seriously injured by a 'sharp edge instrument' on a public walkway between Argyle Street and Amos Street in Parramatta, Westmead in Sydney's west last week, just 300 metres from her home. Her relatives, including her husband Arun Kumar and her 9-year-old daughter Meghana were among the mourners in Bangalore, India today who gathered to remember Prabha's life. Scroll down for video . Prabha's daughter 9-years-old, Meghana (L) and husband Arun Kumar (R) perform a puja as they pay their last respects by the coffin of Prabha Shetty during her funeral in Bangalore, India . The identity of her assailant and reason for the attack still remains unknown and Prabha's family have pleaded with the attacker to come forward . 'I say this to the person who did this: you have taken my sister's life, please step forward, get help, and get your life back,' Mrs Kumar's brother, Shankar Shetty, told a press conference in Sydney on Thursday. 'I'm still coming to terms with the fact I have lost my much loved sister. The pain I've felt since my sister's death has been unimaginable. Prabha Arun Kumar, a 41-year-old mother and IT professional, died after she was seriously injured by a 'sharp edge instrument' Her relatives, including her husband Arun Kumar and her 9-year-old daughter Meghana were among the mourners in Bangalore, India today who gathered to remember Prabha's life . 'My sister was a loving wife, mother, daughter and a sibling. She was loved by many.Tragically Prabha will never see her daughter grow up. 'I appeal to anyone who has any information to contact police. Please help detectives catch whoever has killed my sister.' Mrs Kumar's husband, Arun Kumar, also made a brief appearance in which he begged the public to come forward with any information. 'I'm a husband and the father of a young girl who has lost her beloved mother. I cannot describe to you the pain I presently feel,' Mr Kumar said. 'My wife was the most caring and beautiful soul. She was planning to buy a little penguin toy and send it to our daughter in India, but she will never be able to do that. I know that we can't bring her back, but I want whoever killed my gorgeous wife to be brought to justice.' Hundreds of people attended a candlelight vigil and retraced Mrs Kumar's steps at Parramatta Park on Wednesday night, in tribute to the IT firm Mindtree employee, four days after she died. The identity of her assailant and reason for the attack still remains unknown and Prabha's family have pleaded with the attacker to come forward . Prabha Arun Kumar, a 41-year-old mother and IT professional, was fatally stabbed in the neck only 300 metres from her home on Saturday night . 'Tragically Prabha will never see her daughter

Summary: Relatives of Prabha Arun Kumar have gathered to pay their final respects . Prabha died after being stabbed in the neck with a sharp object . The 41-year-old was on the phone to her husband and 300m from home . Her devastated brother told a press conference in Sydney: 'Prabha will never see her daughter grow up' Her husband demanded justice for 'whoever killed my gorgeous wife' Police have not been able to identify a motivation for the random attack .


Hidden in a vault in Marrakesh, it has been one of the most highly-anticipated albums in music history. And tonight, after six years, the Wu-Tang Clan finally opened the handcrafted silver box that holds their unheard record Once Upon A Time In Shaolin - before sealing it away once more. In an attempt to break free from the Spotify and YouTube era of freely-shared music, rap's most influential collective is selling the 31-track double LP to one bidder for millions of dollars. After a private online-only sale this month through art dealers Paddle8 - which employs Britain's Princess Eugenie - the buyer cannot share the album for at least 88 years. DailyMail.com was there with the group's de facto leader RZA, producer Cilvaringz, a small group of prospective buyers and half a dozen selected fans in Queens, New York City, for the first and last time any of the album would be played before the year 2103. Scroll down for video . Unprecendented: This is the Wu-Tang Clan's record Once Upon A Time In Shaolin that was played on Monday night to a small group before it is sold and kept secret until the year 2103. It has been six years in the making . The record comes in a silver, jeweled box with a specially-designed wax seal and a leather-bound book . The box: It was displayed for potential buyers who are expected to pay millions to obtain the sole incarnation . The Staten Island-born group revived the East Coast as an epicenter for hip hop in the early 1990s . Confirming the rumors that she would make a guest appearance, Cher's voice bellowed out during the 13-minute extract. And though it wasn't played, DailyMail.com understands it to be true that Barcelona FC players also make a cameo appearance. Typical of the group's first record 36 Chambers, it features styles that shook the music scene in 1994 - soul samples, clips of dialogue from movies, and fierce rapping over sound effects of rain and thunder. Reiterating its own grandeur, there are regular skits and pieces of dialogue that say, 'this has never been done before.' All of the Staten Island clan's eight living members appear on it - but had no idea what they were recording when they laid down their parts. The record casing was handcrafted from silver and wood by artists in Morocco, with a seal designed and printed by wax-smiths in Serbia. 'This has never been done before,' RZA told DailyMail.com after playing the record. 'Music is just handed out now, the industry is in crisis. People feel like they deserve to have it for free. This is art. You can take a picture of the Mona Lisa but that's not art. 'The same with this: you can never reproduce it - this is the final thing.' The pre-sale event played up to the idea. Those invited were subjected to airport-style security checks, and electronic devices were confiscated. In a dark room, buyers spoke to auctioneers as light symphony music played. The nickel silver and jeweled case with

Summary: Wu-Tang Clan is selling new album for millions of dollars via Paddle8 . Sole buyer cannot share much-anticipated double LP for at least 88 years . On Monday night, group played the album to a few in Queens, New York . DailyMail.com among those to hear it for first - and last time before 2103 . RZA described the music as 'exclusive' and 'piece of contemporary art' Cher appears on the record because 'who didn't have a crush on Cher?'