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President Barack Obama made an unscheduled stop to the Bob Marley museum in Jamaica last night while on a visit to the country for a meeting with Caribbean leaders. The first president to visit Jamaica in three decades, Obama arrived in Kingston yesterday evening and was met by Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller, U.S. Ambassador to Jamaica Luis Moreno and a dozen other dignitaries. Obama promptly embraced the local color by making an unscheduled late night visit to the museum dedicated to the island's most famous son. Scroll down for video. Barack Obama made an unscheduled stop at the Bob Marley museum while on an official visit to Jamaica. The U.S. President walks around the museum with tour guide Natasha Clark during his unannounced visit. On a tour of the house where the reggae legend lived until his death in 1981, Obama, looking relaxed in shirtsleeves, was shown a trophy room where Marley's Grammys and platinum records were on display. At the same time Marley's hit song 'One Love' played over the loudspeaker. The musician's family transformed the rambling property into a museum complete with a well-equipped 80-seat theatre, a photographic gallery, and a gift shop selling T-shirts, posters and CDs and other Bob Marley memorabilia. One of the rooms Obama explored held the late reggae star's platinum records and a Grammy award. Thee president looks at selection of Bob Marley's gold records at the Bob Marley Museum in Kingston. The building was home to Marley until his death in 1981 and was converted into a museum by his family. 'What a wonderful tour,' the president told museum guide Natasha Clark. 'I still have all the albums.' Obama is in Jamaica to meet the 15-member Caribbean Community bloc. The visit is part of an official Caribbean summit seeking to reassert U.S. leadership in the region at a time when oil-producing Venezuela's economic clout may be receding. The Caribbean region collectively cheered when Obama was first elected president in 2008. Calypso and reggae songs were written in his honor, the French Caribbean island of Martinique named a road after him, and Antigua's highest mountain officially became 'Mount Obama' as the small country saluted him as a symbol of black achievement. Obama thanked the guide for a wonderful tour and told her he still owns all of Bob Marley's albums. Obama is in Jamaica to meet the 15-member Caribbean Community bloc to discuss energy and security. As the first U.S. president to visit Kingston since Ronald Reagan in 1982, Obama faces the challenge of convincing Caribbean island leaders that Washington is genuinely re-engaging after a long period of perceived neglect of its smaller, poorer neighbors. The visit is expected to be dominated by discussions on energy, security and trade with the 15-member Caribbean Community, or Caricom. Some analysts say a key reason why Washington is suddenly paying attention to the Caribbean Basin is that it wants to wean the islands off dependence on cut-rate Venezuelan oil that Caracas has long used to wield influence in the region. From Jamaica, Obama will travel to Panama to attend a Western Hemisphere summit, where Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has made clear he will confront Obama over new U.S. sanctions. Obama will also cross paths at the Summit of the Americas with Cuban President Raul Castro for the first time since the two announced a historic opening between their countries in December.
| President Barack Obama in Jamaica for a meeting with Caribbean leaders. He made an unscheduled visit to the Bob Marley museum in Kingston. Said the museum was 'wonderful' - and he still owns all of Marley's records. He is first U.S president to visit the country since Ronald Reagan in 1982.
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Ralph Lauren's daughter Dylan and her husband Paul Arrouet have welcomed fraternal twins. The 40-year-old's son Cooper Blue and daughter Kingsley Rainbow were born on Monday via a surrogate, with Dylan and her Paul, 44, confirming to People on Wednesday afternoon that they 'are celebrating the birth of their twins'. A spokesperson for the couple added to the outlet that 'her parents, fashion icons Ralph and Ricky Lauren, are overjoyed to welcome their first grandchildren and witness their daughter usher in the next generation'. Scroll down for video. Baby news: Dylan Lauren and her husband Paul Arrouet (pictured) welcomed fraternal twins into the world on Monday via a surrogate. Working mother: The new mom, who was photographed at a party thrown by the Hollywood Reporter earlier this month, named her son Cooper Blue and her daughter Kingsley Rainbow. Dylan, who is the founder and CEO of popular confectionery chain Dylan's Candy Bar, revealed in this week's issue of the magazine that she chose a surrogate because it's a 'wonderful option' and it was the way she and her husband always 'wanted to start a family'. During the interview, which took place shortly before the birth of their twins, Dylan noted that she had already come up with a few adorable nicknames picked out for her son and daughter. 'I’ve been calling them the Twinkies, the M&M’s and the Doublemint Twins,’ she said. 'Good things come in twos.' She also revealed that the twins’ nursery was decorated and ready for their arrival well in advance in case her babies were born before their due date - which they were. Family ties: Dylan posed with her older brother Andrew and their parents Ralph and Ricky Lauren in 2006. Stylish siblings: Dylan and her brother David donned their dad's designs to a party in 2010. Cooper and Kingsley's new room is covered in pastels, bunnies and complimentary blue and pink gingham, and it's not difficult to figure out where Dylan found her inspiration. 'My favorite holiday is Easter and my favorite animal is the rabbit,' she told Fox News earlier this month. Dylan married Paul, the co-founder of Marblegate Asset Management, in June 2011 at her family's Bedford Estate. The confectionery entrepreneur wore wore a handmade duchesse satin, silk tulle, georgette embroidered dress with a tiered train designed by her father. The 75-year-old designer admitted in an interview with Oprah that year that creating the gown was an emotional experience. 'I had to do something that was better than ever before. When you do something for your family or your daughter, I mean it's the only daughter I have - beautiful girl,' he said.
| The 40-year-old's son Cooper Blue and daughter Kingsley Rainbow were born on Monday. Dylan and her husband Paul Arrouet married in 2011.
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A British-born businessman has been placed on the FBI's Most Wanted list over claims he conducted a multi-million pound luxury car scam. Afzal Khan is accused of conning a string of customers and financial firms at a motor dealership he ran in the US. Federal agents hunting the 32-year-old, originally from Edinburgh, fear he may have fled the country and have offered a $20,000 reward for information leading to his arrest. Afzal Khan (pictured) is accused of conning a string of customers and financial firms at a motor dealership he ran in the US. Federal agents hunting the 32-year-old, originally from Edinburgh, fear he may have fled the country and have offered a $20,000 reward for information leading to his arrest. Khan is accused of obtaining loans from a bank for cars that he never delivered, but for which the purchaser was still responsible. Flamboyant Khan, known to his clients as 'Bobby', opened the Emporio Motor Group in New Jersey in 2013 and maintained a high profile. He appeared on US reality series The Real Housewives Of New Jersey and counted members of the show's cast among his clients. He has now been accused of a massive fraud involving super cars including Lamborghinis, Bentleys and Rolls Royces. He is accused of obtaining loans from a bank for cars that he never delivered, but for which the purchaser was still responsible. He also obtained loans for cars that were delivered, but for which neither he nor Emporio had title documents. As a result, the purchasers of these cars were liable for the loan, but could not register the vehicles. Khan also offered to sell cars for customers, and then neither returned the cars nor provided any money from car sales. Flamboyant Khan, known to his clients as 'Bobby', opened the Emporio Motor Group in New Jersey in 2013 and maintained a high profile. One financial institution is said to have lost $1.6million from its dealings with Khan and 75 customers have come forward to make complaints against him. If convicted, he could face a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a multi-million dollar fine. Khan was born in Edinburgh to Pakistani parents and moved to America more than 20 years ago. Police and the FBI attempted to arrest him at his New Jersey home at the end of October but could not locate him. He has now been placed on the FBI's 10 Most Wanted 'white collar criminals' list. In an interview he gave when he opened his car dealership in 2013, Khan boasted that he had been selling luxury cars since he was 18. He said: 'There's a waiting list for any car like this, because you can't find it, but the number of millionaires and billionaires grows every day. 'Everybody wants the next toy. This is a boutique dealership. It's like walking into a Gucci or a Fendi store.' The FBI wanted poster for Khan says he has ties to the United Arab Emirates, Canada, the UK and Pakistan, and may be found in those countries. He is described as 5 feet 10 inches and 180 pounds, with a scar on his right arm. Last week, Khan's brother Anil Iqbal was arrested by police in New Jersey investigating the alleged scam. Iqbal, 36, who was an employee at the dealership, has been charged with conspiracy to commit theft, theft by extortion, theft by deception and fencing. An FBI spokesman said: 'Afzal Khan is wanted for allegedly defrauding customers and financial institutions while he was the owner of Emporio Motor Group, a car dealership in Ramsey, New Jersey. 'From approximately December 2013 to September 2014, Khan allegedly obtained loans for vehicles that were never delivered, obtained loans for vehicles without proper title, and issued insufficient funds checks. 'Khan also allegedly offered to sell vehicles on consignment and then neither returned the vehicles nor provided any funds for the vehicle sales. 'A federal arrest warrant was issued for Khan on October 21, 2014, by the United States District Court, District of New Jersey, Newark, New Jersey, after he was charged with wire fraud. 'The FBI is offering a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to the arrest of Afzal Khan.'
| Afzal Khan accused of conning customers and financial firms in US. Federal agents hunting the 32-year-old fear he may have fled the country. Flamboyant Khan, from Edinburgh, was known to his clients as 'Bobby' He ran the Emporio Motor Group in New Jersey and appeared on reality TV.
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A recent survey has revealed that more than half of UK children don't have any veg, and 44 per cent have no fruit on a daily basis. With childhood obesity on the rise in the UK, these new figures are incredibly alarming. For more than two decades, I've been in the business of helping children get their daily fill of fruit and veg. So I wanted to share some of my feeding wisdom to help encourage healthier, happier children. It's easy to become locked in a battle of wills when it comes to dishing up healthy, nutritious food. Annabel Karmel has shred her tips on how to make children love eating vegetables. My son was a very fussy eater, so I had to think of ingenious ways to ensure he was getting a wholesome balanced diet whilst enjoying what he was eating. Truth be told, ninety percent of children go through at least one lengthy stage of fussy eating. It's so easy to feel frustrated and powerless when your child simply refuses to eat certain foods. But the key is not to give in or give up. Day in, day out, I persisted with new healthy foods, new recipes and creative ways to hide the good bits my son didn't like. In fact, it was coming up with these new and novel recipes that inspired me to create my very first book – Complete Baby and Toddler Meal Planner. While it can be frustrating when a child rejects the food we give them, it's actually the way that we deal with the situation that impact on their eating habits. It's not ideal to let your child get away with not eating certain foods in order to keep the peace. Giving your children a limited number of foods will only escalate their fussiness, and deprive them of the essential nutrients they need to grow and develop. If I am honest, hiding the good bits in a meal didn't always get past my children, but I found it really important to hide my frustrations. Instead, I gave them lots of praise when they ate well or tried something new. Remember, you are not alone! Keep trying out new ideas and eventually you will see positive results. Don't be afraid to quiz other mums on how they get their children eating healthy food. I used to share my recipes at my son's nursery and it felt so good to be able to help other mums in my position. Annabel says that parents should keep trying out new ideas with their children and eventually they will see positive results when it comes to a healthy diet. Tips for helping kids towards their five-a-day. 1. Try making your own healthy junk food using good quality lean meat for burgers, English muffins for pizza bases and a good way to coat homemade fish fingers is to dip them in seasoned flour, beaten egg and crushed cornflakes. For dessert it's easy to make fresh fruit ice lollies from fruit juice and pureed fruits. 2. Some kids can spot a hidden mushroom a mile off, so sometimes the best thing is to be up front about fruit and vegetables, tell them where they come from and why they are so good for you. Giving them facts could make them more interested about what they are eating. I used to offer a starter - a little teacup or saucer of something new that they could try that would be in addition to their main meal. 3. If your child refuses to eat anything other than junk food, don't worry. They will soon find there's not much point making a fuss if you don't react. 4. Without going to unnecessary lengths, try to make sure your child's food not only tastes good but looks good too. Make mini portions in ramekins, make chicken skewers or thread bite sized pieces of fruit onto a straw. 5. Avoid empty calorie snacks like crisps or soft drinks and keep a supply of healthy snacks on hand – maybe have a low shelf in the fridge with cut up fresh fruit and other healthy foods. When children are hungry, they won't wait. 6. Children like to assemble their own food, so you could lay ingredients out in bowls and let your child fill and fold their own wraps or choose their favourite toppings for their home made pizzas. 7. Most children adore cooking and tasks like squeezing fresh orange juice or cracking eggs are well within the capabilities of a young child. It's amazing how being involved in the planning and preparation of a meal can stimulate a child's appetite. 8. My chilled toddler meals are great for packing in the veggies – especially on those busy days. Based on my favourite cookbook recipes, they taste just like homemade and offer up to three of a child's five-a-day. Mini vegetable balls. MINI VEGETABLE BALLS (suitable from nine months) Ingredients, makes 24 veggie balls. 2 carrots, peeled and grated. 1 small courgette, grated. 75g (30z) butternut squash, peeled and grated. 1 onion, peeled and finely chopped. ½ tbsp chopped fresh thyme. 50g (2oz) mushroom chopped. 50g (2oz) parmesan, grated. 150g (5oz) breadcrumbs. 1 small egg, beaten. 1 ½ tbsp. tomato ketchup, plus extra to serve. 1tsp soy sauce. A little plain flour. 2tbsp olive oil. Method. Put the grated carrots, courgette and squash into a clean tea towel or muslin cloth and squeeze out as much liquid as possible. Tip into a mixing bowl and add all the remaining ingredients except the flour and the olive oil. Stir to combine and, using damp hands, shape the mixture into 24 little balls. Put the flour on a plate and roll the ball in it to coat. Heat the oil in a larger frying pan. Add the balls and fry for about 5 minutes or until lightly browned. You may need to do this in batches depending on the size of your pan. Allow to cool a little and serve with ketchup. Suitable for freezing so make an extra batch and save for another day. Mini turkey burgers. MINI TURKEY BURGERS (suitable from nine months) Ingredients, makes 15 mini burgers. ½ onion, peeled and chopped. ½ desert apple, peeled and grated. 1tbp chopped fresh thyme. 250g (9oz) minced turkey. 75g (3oz) white breadcrumbs. 40g (1 ½ oz) Cheddar cheese, grated. 2tbsp tomato ketchup. A few drops of Worcestershire sauce. Olive oil, for drizzling. Method. Pre heat the oven to 200C/400F/ Gas 6. Put the onion, apple and thyme into a food processor and whiz until everything is finely chopped. Add the reaming ingredients and whiz again until they are all combined. With damp hands, shape the mixture into 15 mini burgers. Place the burgers on a baking sheet lined with non-stick paper and drizzle over a little oil. Bake in the oven for 8-10 minutes, then turn over and cook for another 8-10 minutes until golden and cooked through. Veggie skeleton dip. VEGGIE SKELETON DIP. Ingredients, makes on skeleton. Sweet Chilli and Sour Cream Dip. 100g cream cheese. 100g soured cream. 2 tbsp sweet chilli sauce (or to taste) 1 tsp lime juice. Decoration. ¼ cucumber, sliced. ½ carrot, peeled and sliced in half. 3 mushrooms, sliced. 2 sticks celery. 1 red pepper, deseeded and sliced. 2 broccoli florets. A handful of salad cress. Black pitted olive, sliced. Red pepper. Method. First make the dip. Beat the cream cheese until smooth, then beat in the sour cream, sweet chilli sauce and lime juice. Cover and chill until needed. Arrange the vegetables on a board to make the skeleton (save a little of the carrot and pepper for the face). Transfer the dip to a small bowl and add the cress, olive slices, carrot and pepper to make the face. If you’ve got a jam-packed family schedule, Annabel’s delicious chilled toddler meals are perfect for those busy days. Taste tested by toddlers and packed with up to 3 of their 5-a-day, the range has been inspired by Annabel’s most popular cookbook recipes. For information and more food ideas visit www.annabelkarmel.com.
| Survey found more than half of UK children kids don't have any veg. Fussy kids are frustrating for parents when they refuse to eat certain foods. Nutritionist Annabel Karmel tells FEMAIL how to make a child like greens.
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For the 160,000 people crammed into Churchill Downs on Derby Day, picture-taking can run neck-and-neck with betting and sipping mint juleps amid a winning field of photo opportunities: sleek racehorses, daring fashion statements, celebrities and the twin spires. But this year, they'd better not use selfie sticks. Joining a growing list of museums, music festivals and sports venues around the world, the iconic Louisville track hosting the 141st running of the Kentucky Derby on May 2 has banned the pole-like contraptions that grasp cellphones and allow people a longer reach to snap their self-portraits. Churchill Downs, which hosts the annual Kentucky Derby on May 1st and 2nd, has banned the use of selfie sticks by attendees. Above, a woman poses for a normal selfie at last year's race. Selfie sticks' increasing popularity has left cultural institutions and sporting events with decisions about balancing patrons desire to photograph themselves with safety concerns (File photo, Jan. 2015) Other events such as the Coachella and Lollapalooza music festivals also have banned the photo aids. Prominent museums including the Smithsonian and the National Gallery of Art in Washington prohibit their use. Selfie sticks aren't allowed inside Yankee Stadium. Some English Premier League soccer teams make the devices off-limits, and the Australian Open tennis tournament discourages fans from using them court-side. Churchill Downs encourages selfies and the avalanche of social media attention they can generate. But banishing selfie sticks is a safety measure to protect the horses and the massive crowd on Derby Day, track spokesman John Asher said. 'I don't think it's a huge sacrifice for anybody who loves to take a selfie,' Asher said. 'You'll still be able to take a selfie. You just won't be able to take one of yourself as if your arms were nine feet long.' The popularity of self sticks has spread wildly over the past several years, sending elf-photographers armed with smartphones into the world looking to catch themselves in just the right light. Now cultural institutions and public spaces with large numbers of people have been faced with the choice of allowing the technological toys or sticking to plans that keep patrons and facilities safe. Several big name organizations have already quashed the dreams of amateur photographers looking to snap themselves with priceless art or a Premier League match, though less gadget-savvy attendees probably thank them for it. The list of places where the devices are banned already includes dozens of venues and is growing, according to Yahoo. Below are ten prominent entries. Churchill Downs in Kentucky. Coachella Music Festival in southern California. The Getty Center in Los Angeles. The Hermitage in Amsterdam. Lollapalooza Music Festival in Chicago. Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Museum of Modern Art in New York. The National Gallery in London. Premier League stadiums including those for Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham. Nineteen different Smithsonian museums in Washington DC. Yankee Stadium in New York. A spokesman for Churchill Downs said that the selfie stick ban was designed to protect horses and spectators. Above, a woman snaps a picture of her elaborate hat last year. Churchill Downs (pictured) has banned selfie sticks beyond its most popular event, Derby Day, and will not allow the devices whenever there are races. The selfie stick ban will extend beyond Derby Day to apply whenever there is live racing at Churchill, he said. Chris Scherf, executive vice president of the Thoroughbred Racing Associations, said he hasn't heard of any other US horse tracks banning the devices. But he said he wouldn't be surprised if other big tracks follow Churchill's lead. 'Actually I would expect a lot of sports to have concerns about their potential misuse,' he said in an email. At Belmont Park in New York, a review of security policies for the June 6 Belmont Stakes will include selfie sticks, said track spokeswoman Jenny Kellner. Meanwhile, the NFL is evaluating whether to allow the devices into stadiums next season, said league spokesman Brian McCarthy. Canadian inventor Wayne Fromm, who took out a selfie stick patent a decade ago, said he had no problem with Churchill's policy. A racing association official said that he wouldn't be surprised if more racetracks banned selfie sticks. Above, racegoers mingle in the courtyard near the stables at Churchill Downs last year. 'You'll still be able to take a selfie. You just won't be able to take one of yourself as if your arms were nine feet long,' a Churchill Downs spokesman said. Above, Kentucky Derby attendees sip cocktails at the event. 'It's prudent to limit its use because, even inadvertently, it could cause a problem,' he said. 'We have to roll with the punches.' Mr Fromm said he doubts such policies will hurt sales for his Quik Pod devices. 'It's like saying if you can't use your camera at a concert, does that mean people aren't going to buy cameras anymore?' he said. Another selfie-stick entrepreneur, Jacqueline Verdier, CEO of Selfie on a Stick, said banning the device from events like the Derby is a disservice to fans. 'There would have been some amazing photo opportunities that unfortunately are not going to be there,' she said. Ms Verdier downplayed safety concerns with the devices: 'Like so many other things in life, people just have to be respectful of others around them.' Natasha Jensen, a University of Louisville student planning to attend this year's Derby with friends, said she sees the track's ban as a good safety precaution, especially in the seemingly anything-goes infield. Sporting events and museums are drawn by the amount of social media attention that selfie sticks help bring, though are wary about their dangers or nuisance to other patrons. Above, a group poses in Washington DC. 'It goes get loud and rowdy,' she said. Ms Jensen, a 21-year-old criminal justice major, said she expects to spend more time taking selfies than betting at the Derby: 'I have such bad luck, I don't bet on horses very much.' She doesn't think the selfie stick ban will generate much reaction. 'I don't think it will be that big of a deal this year because they're still an up-and-coming product,' she said. Asher predicted that Derby Day will still produce plenty of creative selfies, even without selfie sticks. Churchill Downs officials worried that a selfie stick along the rail could become a distraction for horses, Asher said. And it's a day when the alcohol flows during the long racing card. 'Somebody might think it's a light saber after a little while,' Asher said, tongue-in-cheek. 'You never know.'
| Racing grounds bans selfie sticks for May 2nd Derby Day and all live races. Ban sparked by safety concerns for horses, roughly 160,000 spectators. Museums are banning the technological toys as they become more popular.
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A burglary suspect arrested at a crime scene in Alabama managed to escape by driving off in a police car despite being handcuffed. The suspect, who hasn't been named, was quickly apprehended but not before he had driven the best part of a mile, abandoned the car and attempted to flee on foot. Birmingham officers responded to a phone call about a burglary in progress on the 300 block of Memphis Street in Wylam around 8:45 a.m. on Sunday. Scroll down for video. Birmingham officers responded to a phone call about a burglary in progress on the 300 block of Memphis Street in Wylam around 8:45 a.m. on Sunday. The suspect drove less than a mile to the 4600 block of 9th Avenue Wylam where he abandoned the cop car. On searching the property police found the 28-year-old suspect inside. The man was put in handcuffs with his hands behind his back and placed him in the back of a police cruiser. While medics were treating an officer for a cut, the suspect managed to get his hands in front of him and climb into the front seat of the vehicle, Officer Scott Thurmond told WIAT. He then drove less than a mile to the 4600 block of 9th Avenue Wylam where he abandoned the car. The suspect was taken back into police custody just a block away in the 4600 block of 8th Avenue Wylam around 9:45 a.m. after witnesses pointed police in his direction. The man had been attempting to hide in weeds behind an abandoned home. He was still in the handcuffs. 'It was short,' Thurmond said of the suspect's time on the run. Investigators are still trying to determine how the suspect managed to drive away in the police vehicle while in handcuffs. The man is currently in the Birmingham City Jail. His name hasn't been released pending formal charges on Monday. The suspect was taken back into police custody just a block away from the abandoned police car in the 4600 block of 8th Avenue, Wylam around 9:45 a.m. after witnesses pointed police in his direction.
| An unnamed burglary suspect was arrested at a crime scene in Birmingham, Alabama, on Sunday. Despite being handcuffed he managed to escape by driving off in a police car. The suspect was taken back into police custody after he abandoned the car and attempted to escape on foot. The man, currently in the Birmingham City Jail, is expected to be formally charged on Monday.
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An amazing map revealed by Nasa has shown where lightning occurs most on Earth. The map reveals average yearly counts of lightning flashes per square kilometre from 1995 to 2013. And the results show that the highest amounts of lightning flashes occur in the far eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and Lake Maracaibo in northwestern Venezuela. Scroll down for video. The map above shows the average yearly counts of lightning flashes per square kilometer from 1995 to 2013. Areas with the fewest number of flashes each year are grey and purple; areas with the largest number of lightning flashes - as many as 150 per year per square kilometer (0.4 square miles) - are bright pink. The Democratic Republic of Congo was found to have the most over the period. The map was created using data from Nasa’s Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission satellite, and the Orbview-1/Microlab satellite. In the map, the areas with the largest number of flashes - up to 150 per year per square kilometre (0.4 square miles) - are shown in bright pink. The areas with the least are grey and purple. According to the satellite observations, lightning occurs more often over land than it does over oceans. And it also seems to happen more often closer to the equator. The higher frequency over land is because solid earth absorbs sunlight and heats up faster than water, so there is greater atmospheric instability - leading to the formation of storms. And Nasa’s Dr Daniel Cecil, a member of the Global Hydrology and Climate Centre’s lightning team, said the data also shows interesting trends. According to the satellite observations, lightning occurs more often over land than it does over oceans. Shown here is a passing storm over the African countryside with forked lightning on 10 October 2013. The higher frequency over land is because solid earth absorbs sunlight and heats up faster than water, so there is greater atmospheric instability - leading to the formation of storms. Shown is a storm hitting the city of Tripoli in Libya. Researchers have found that regardless of where you are in the world, lightning bolts are at their most powerful at 8am. This is because there are fewer particles in the atmosphere overnight, so it takes a more powerful charge to overcome the extra distance between these particles and release the bolt of power. For example, a large number of flashes were seen during the month of May in the Brahmaputra Valley of far eastern India. The heating and weather patterns are unstable and changeable at that time-just before the onset of the monsoon, which brings plenty of rain but much less lightning. In contrast, locations in Central Africa and Northwestern South America have large amounts of lightning throughout the entire year. Dr Cecil noted that more years of data has not necessarily brought notable big-picture differences when compared to earlier maps. ‘The longer record allows us to more confidently identify some of these finer details,' he said. 'We can examine seasonality, and variability through the day and year-to-year.’ This comparable Nasa map shows global lightning strikes from January 1998 to 2013 from the NASA/MSFC Lightning Imaging Sensor.
| A Nasa map has revealed which parts of the world experience the most flashes of lightning ever year. Democratic Republic of Congo and Lake Maracaibo in northwestern Venezuela experienced the most. According to the satellite observations, lightning occurs more often over land than it does over oceans. And lightning also seems to happen more often closer to the equator, owing to the hotter temperatures.
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Two strange, bright flashes on the surface of dwarf planet Ceres may have different origins, according to new infrared images released by Nasa. The images, captured by the Dawn probe from 28,000 miles (45,000km) away, show that a pair of mysterious spots on the dwarf planet have different thermal properties. The images were revealed as part of the first colour map of Ceres, showing variations in surface materials, and revealing the diverse processes that helped shape it. Scroll down for video. Ceres may appear to be a drab, grey world, but new infrared images suggest there is more to the dwarf planet than first thought. The latest images are the closest taken yet, and suggest that the icy body was likely once fully active. Images taken using blue (440 nanometers), green (550 nanometers) and infrared (920 nanometers) spectral filters were combined to create the map. 'This dwarf planet was not just an inert rock throughout its history. It was active, with processes that resulted in different materials in different regions,' said Chris Russell from the University of California, Los Angeles. The 'alien' spots on the surface, named feature 1 and feature 5, show up in visible light images as bright flashes in comparison to the rest of Ceres's surface. In infrared, region 1 is cooler than rest of surface, but 5 is located in a region that is similar in temperature to surroundings. Last month, scientists said this pair of mysterious bright spots could be towering 'water volcanoes', but they said they need to take a closer look to confirm this. Federico Tosi, who works on Dawn's Visible and Infrared Spectrometer, presented infrared images of the two spots, measuring their thermal properties. 'What we have found is that bright spot number one corresponds to a dark spot in the thermal image,' he said at a press conference today. Captured by the Dawn probe from 28,000 miles (45,000km) away, the images reveal that two mysterious bright flashes on the surface have different thermal properties. The upper trio is Region 1 at visible, infrared and thermal infrared wavelengths. At thermal infrared, the spot is dark - meaning it is colder than its surroundings. The lower trio represent Region 5. In thermal infrared, the spot disappears. Dawn observed Ceres completing one full rotation, which lasted about nine hours. The images show the full range of different crater shapes that can be found at Ceres' surface: from shallow, flattish craters to those with peaks at their centers. Ceres is the closest dwarf planet to the sun and is located in the asteroid belt, making it the only dwarf planet in the inner solar system. Ceres is the smallest of the bodies currently classified as a 'dwarf planet'. Scientists think Ceres may have an ocean and possibly an atmosphere. It lies less than three times as far as Earth from the sun - close enough to feel the warmth of the star allowing ice to melt and reform. The Dawn spacecraft pulled into orbit last month around the Ceres in the asteroid belt. The probe is currently on the dark side of Ceres and won't emerge until April. There is high interest in the mission because Ceres is one possible destination for human colonisation given its abundance of ice. But feature five, which appears as two separate bright spots next to each other in visible images, didn't show up in the infrared images. 'Spot number five shows no distinct thermal behaviour,' he said. Dawn is currently too far from its target to find out why this is the case, the scientists added. It may be due to having a different structure, or being made from different material. More detail will emerge after the spacecraft begins its first intensive science phase on April 23, from a distance of 8,400 miles (13,500km) from the surface, said Martin Hoffmann, investigator on the Dawn camera team. The origins of Ceres' bright spots, which have captivated the attention of scientists and the public alike, remain unknown. 'The bright spots continue to fascinate the science team, but we will have to wait until we get closer and are able to resolve them before we can determine their source,' Russell said. Recent images from the Dawn spacecraft reveal feature 5 at various angles as the asteroid rotates. The glimmers of light are visible even when they are near the edge of Ceres, suggesting that they must be high above the surface rather than at the bottom of an impact crater, as previously believed. 'What is amazing is that you can see the feature while the rim is still in the line of sight,' said Andreas Nathues, a planetary scientist at the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research in Göttingen, Germany. Ceres rotates in this sped-up movie comprised of images taken by Nasa's Dawn mission during its approach to the dwarf planet. The glimmers of light are visible even when they are near the edge of Ceres, suggesting that are on a high elevation in relation to the rest of the surface. The 'alien' mark can be clearly seen in images the icy world as the Dawn probe hurtled its way towards a rendezvous on March 6. He noted that at dawn on Ceres, the spots shine brightly, but fade as dusk draws in. According to Nature, this could mean sunlight plays an important role in the formation of the features by, for instance, heating up ice just beneath the surface and causing it blast of in a plume. Scientists have speculated that the interior of Ceres is rocky with a layer of water and ice. The leading theory now for the alien spots is that the ice is covered by a thin layer of soil that at times forms into huge 'cryovolcanoes' due to internal pressure in the asteroid. Ceres is 590 miles (950 km) across and was discovered in 1801. In January, researchers discovered that water was gushing from its surface at a rate of 13lb (6kg) per second. 'Now, finally, we have a spacecraft on the verge of unveiling this mysterious, alien world,' Dawn mission director and chief engineer Marc Rayman, of Nasa's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California said. 'Soon it will reveal myriad secrets Ceres has held since the dawn of the solar system.' Ceres is the bright spot in the centre of the image. Because the dwarf planet is much brighter than the stars in the background, the camera team selected a long exposure time to make the stars visible. The long exposure made Ceres appear overexposed, and exaggerated its size A cropped, magnified view of Ceres appears in the inset image at lower left. Dawn will be captured into Ceres' orbit in March, marking the first visit to a dwarf planet by a spacecraft (artist's impression pictured) Ceres orbits the sun in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter and is very similar to Jupiter's moon Europa and Saturn's moon Enceladus - both considered potential sources for harbouring life. The presence and abundance of water in bodies like Ceres could have relevance for the origin of life on Earth and the large-scale migration of planets such as Jupiter. One scenario suggests as the giant planets migrated they disturbed populations of small rocky and icy asteroids and comets which hit the early Earth and Moon - delivering organic molecules and water to Earth. Ceres is twice the size of Saturn's geyser-spouting moon Enceladus which is suspected of having liquid water beneath its surface. It lies less than three times as far as Earth from the sun - close enough to feel the warmth of the star allowing ice to melt and reform. Since launching in 2007, Dawn has already visited Vesta, a giant protoplanet currently located 104 million miles (168 million km) away from Ceres. The distance between Vesta and Ceres is greater than the distance between the Earth and the sun. During its 14 months in orbit around Vesta, the spacecraft delivered unprecedented scientific insights, including images of its cratered surface and important clues about its geological history. Vesta and Ceres are the two most massive bodies in the main asteroid belt. Ceres is 590 miles (950 km) across and was discovered in 1801. In January, researchers discovered that water was gushing from its surface.
| Images from Dawn reveal the mysterious spots on the surface, named feature one and feature five, in infrared. Feature one is cooler than rest of surface, but give is in a region that is similar in temperature to surroundings. Leading theory for spots is that ice covered by a thin layer of soil is exploding due to pressure in the asteroid.
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Commuters are now able to make phone calls and send texts on the Tube following the launch of new technology enabling phone calls via an internet connection. In what is the first roll out of the technology throughout Europe, the Wi-Fi Calling feature is designed to facilitate calls and texts when users have no mobile phone signal. The technology paves the way for London's commuters to chat and text inside the capital's 150 Tube stations where Wi-Fi connections are currently available. London's Underground platforms could soon be drowned in the sound of commuters chatting on their phones. iPhone users on EE will find their calls and texts automatically connect through the internet when they have no service signal. An EE spokesman said: 'Starting today, iPhone customers on EE can make and receive high quality calls over WiFi and send text messages, using their own phone number with no need to use an app - great for when a mobile signal is unavailable.' While it is already possible to make phone calls or send messages via Wi-Fi with apps such as WhatsApp and Viber, the new technology works automatically in the user's phone. After having downloaded the update, EE users on iPhone will see a Wi-Fi Calling section appear in the settings app of their phone, which must be switched to allow to enable the feature. The telecoms firm also confirmed that the new Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 edge will also have the feature on the EE network when it goes on sale this Friday. Rival networks, including O2 and Three, offer apps in order to make calls over Wi-Fi - similar to the Skype service - while Vodafone has said it will be launching a Wi-Fi calling service 'in the summer'. The telecoms firm is currently in the process of being taken over by BT in a deal worth £12.5billion that could see further combinations of technology in order to boost mobile phone reception in the future.
| Commuters are now able to make phone calls and send texts via internet. The new technology rolled out by EE can be used at Underground stations. It automatically connects to Wi-Fi when a phone signal is unavailable.
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A Darwin woman has become a TV sensation in the Philippines, earning a legion of adoring fans in southeast Asia and an award nomination for her role in the country's answer to US hit series Modern Family. After struggling to hit the big time in Australia, bubbly blonde Natalia Moon followed her dreams and moved to the Philippines in 2012. She became fluent in the local language, Tagalog, in the hope of becoming a star. Scroll down for video. Natalia Moon (pictured) learned Filipino language Tagalog to score a role on sitcom Ismol Family. The Darwin woman moved to the Philippines in 2012 after struggling to find work as an actress in Australia. Natalia Moon is also a model who has been featured on magazine cousins in the Philippines. The risk paid off as the 23-year-old, who promotes herself as 'the Barbie from Down Under', landed a major role in 2014 playing a catty maid, also named Natalia, in the new sitcom 'Ismol Family'. The Aussie, born Natalie Stewart, has taken to the role with lavish, overcoming the added challenge of performing in a new language. She fits in so well in her adopted home that she is known as 'the blonde Filipino'. The Aussie, born Natalie Stewart, has taken to the role with lavish, overcoming the added challenge of performing in a new language. The 23-year-old, who promotes herself as 'the Barbie from Down Under', landed a major role in 2014 playing a catty maid, also named Natalia, in the new sitcom 'Ismol Family' This year, she unsuccessfully auditioned for Asia's Got Talent, in the hope of representing the Philippines. With the support of her strong fan base, Ms Moon will attend the Golden Screen TV Awards on April 26 where she is nominated for Outstanding Breakthrough Performance By An Actress. With the support of her strong fan base, Ms Moon will attend the Golden Screen TV Awards on April 26 where she is nominated for Outstanding Breakthrough Performance By An Actress. The much-loved show has also received a nomination for best comedy. The multi-talented youngster from Australia's top end is also embarking on a singing career, writing and performing songs in both English and Tagalog. The multi-talented youngster from Australia's top end is also embarking on a singing career, writing and performing songs in both English and Tagalog. She fits in so well in her adopted home that she is known as 'the blonde Filipino' Ms Moon performs a very diverse range of musical styles including country, pop, R&B and rap. This year, she unsuccessfully auditioned for Asia's Got Talent, in the hope of representing the Philippines. The triple threat performed in front of judges Melanie C from The Spice Girls, Anggun, David Foster and Vanness Wu, singing Super Bass by Nikki Minaj and Rita Ora's I Will Never Let You Down. 'Acting's what I really love, but if you do that you have to do everything – I've started singing, and dancing,' she told NT News. 'But the Filipino people are so supportive, they're really accepting and warm.' Ms Moon performs a very diverse range of musical styles including country, pop, R&B and rap.
| Darwin woman Natalia Moon is nominated for a TV award in the Philippines. The 23-year-old stars in Filipino sitcom 'Ismol Family' which is entirely acted in Filipino language Tagalog. Born Natalia Stewart, the Aussie calls herself 'the Barbie from Down Under' She has a legion of adoring fans who refer to her as 'the blonde Filipino'
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Arrest: Tabitha Bennett allegedly drove her daughter to fight another girl and then encouraged the fight. A mother set up a fight between her 13-year-old daughter and a 14-year-old girl, drove her child to meet her and then encouraged them to brawl, according to police. Two bystanders recorded the fight on their cell phones as Tabitha Anne Bennett allegedly shouted at her daughter to take swings at the older girl in New Port Richey, Florida. Bennett, who is unemployed, was arrested and charged with child abuse, assault and battery offenses, Pasco County Sheriff's officials said. She is accused of sending a Facebook message to the older girl on April 12 and telling her that she was going to bring her daughter to fight the girl, according to an affidavit. She claimed that the 14-year-old girl had been bullying her daughter. Bennett allegedly drove her daughter to the area near Moog Street and Colonial Hills Drive and left the car holding a folding knife. 'The 14-year-old victim advised she thought she was going to die when she saw the defendant with the knife,' Detective William Orndorff wrote in his report. Bennett allegedly encouraged her daughter to fight the girl, yelling at her, 'Get on top of her' and 'kick her a**', according to police. 'The defendant's daughter was losing the fight at which time the defendant kicked the 14-year-old female on her upper left side and pulled her to the ground by her hair,' the affidavit said. Scene: She allegedly met the girl at this corner in New Port Richey before yelling at her daughter to fight. Her teenage daughter then climbed on top of the girl and continued to fight her, according to the report. The fight lasted about a minute, according to the affidavit, and afterwards, two bystanders posted footage of the brawl to social media. When questioned by police, Bennett allegedly admitted to encouraging the fight but denied kicking the girl - saying she may have kicked her own daughter instead, according to the affidavit. Bennett was released from jail Sunday on $10,500 bail. It was unclear Monday whether she had retained an attorney who could be reached for comment.
| Tabitha Anne Bennett 'messaged a 14-year-old girl on Facebook and told her that she would be bringing her daughter to fight the girl' She 'drove her daughter to the meeting place and emerged with a knife - which made the 14-year-old girl think she was going to die' She 'yelled at her daughter to fight the other teenager and pulled the other girl to the ground by her hair' She has been charged with child abuse and assault and battery.
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In recent years, Iceland has become an increasingly popular filming location with its majestic vistas being prominently featured in many hit TV series or Hollywood blockbusters. Despite the fact that Iceland has been used in filming as far back as 1920, well-known fantasy, sci-fi and action film directors and producers have all descended on the island nation as of late, prompting the quick development of 17 production services companies nationwide. Although the country's many stunning waterfalls and breathtaking glaciers translate beautifully to the silver screen, there are certain filming locations that consistently rank a cut above and are drawing fans of productions such as Game of Thrones, Interstellar or Prometheus. Thingvellir National Park provided the location for the North of Westeros in Game of Thrones. Fans will likely recognise the National Park as the setting of the battle of the Hound and Brienne. The black volcanic landscapes of Svartalfheim provided the filmmakers of Thor: The Dark World with the perfect otherworldly setting, as outlined in this Icelandair infographic. Meanwhile, Clint Eastwood opted to film battle scenes for both Letters from Iwo Jima and Flags of Our Fathers in Iceland – specifically along the dramatic cliffs of the Reykjanes Peninsula, just a quick drive from the capital. Scenes from Christopher Nolan’s epic Interstellar were filmed atop the blue ice glacier Svinafellsjokull in the Skaftafell National Park, which is also located near another favoured filming location: Iceland’s largest glacier, Vatnajokull. The Svinafellsjokull glacier provided a stunning setting for Christopher Nolan's epic film, Interstellar. Interstellar tells the tale of explorers who travel in search of a new planet to sustain the human race. Europe's most powerful waterfall, the Dettifoss, was used in the opening scenes of Prometheus. In Prometheus, the rushing waterfall in the background is meant to help depict the beginning of time. 'Interstellar was my second time filming in Iceland and it was another worldly experience,' the director told Film In Iceland. 'Iceland truly represents the beautiful extremes the nature has to offer.' Not to be left out, Ridley Scott scouted Europe’s most powerful waterfall, the Dettifoss, for the opening scenes depicting the beginning of time in Prometheus. And finally, Game of Thrones enthusiasts will undoubtedly recognise the north of Iceland, namely Thingvellir National Park, from Arya’s storyline and as the setting of the battle of the Hound and Brienne, in the North of Westeros. The Jokullsarlon lake, at the foot of the massive massive Vatnajokull glacier, is another favoured filming spot.
| Iceland has become an increasingly popular filming location recently. Christopher Nolan's Interstellar was shot atop the Svinafellsjokull glacier. Europe’s most powerful waterfall, Dettifoss, was featured in Prometheus. Game of Thrones producers opted to film at Thingvellir National Park. Warning: Story contains spoilers for series four of Game of Thrones.
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Shocking images have been released showing the 'horrific' conditions inside a Gold Coast caravan park with a long and checkered history of drug abuse, violence, and abject poverty. The Mudgeeraba Caravan Village is home to more than 100 people, and has been the site of a fatal house fire, stabbings, brawls, and continual violence. Queensland Police patrol the site daily due the extreme level of incidents, and ambulance officers will now only enter the caravan park, which lies just ten kilometres from the region's famous Glitter Strip, under police protection. The Mudgeeraba Caravan Village is home to more than 100 people, and has been the site of a fatal house fire, stabbings, brawls, and continual violence. Senior Sergeant Mark Anderson, from the Mudgeeraba Police Station, said that officers considered that caravan park 'safe' before midday, but that 'once residents start on the drugs or alcohol, the situation deteriorates'. 'We try and get children out of there as quickly as we can. It’s easier for us to deal with incidents if there are no children around,' he told The Gold Coast Bulletin. The conditions of the caravan park has been labelled 'horrific' by authorities, with some of the sites, which include an old bus, tarpaulins, and run-down caravans, are left without running water. The owner of the caravan park, Bob Purcell, said that the discounted rent of between $90 and $200 he offered to residents attracted a certain type of person. ‘If you have cheap rent you’re going to get some sort of problem with those sort of people,' he told A Current Affair. Senior Sergeant Mark Anderson, from the Mudgeeraba Police Station said that police try to remove children. Residents of the caravan park have told of the horrific levels of violence in the Village. ‘We’ll get up to mischief here on occasions,' he said. In 2008, a man died in a caravan fire, and in 2010, a male resident of the caravan park was charged with the stabbing of another man at the Village, reported The Courier Mail. In March last year three residents, allegedly armed with knives and baseball bats, were hospitalised after a violent brawl broke out involving 20 men, reported The Gold Coast Bulletin. Residents of the caravan park said that one of the biggest problems in the park stemmed from drugs and alcohol abuse. One residents said that much of the violence had to do with 'who's paid and who hasn't paid'. ‘There’s blues all the time, and there’s no security at all,' he said. Residents of the caravan park said that one of the biggest problems in the park stemmed from drugs and alcohol abuse. Police are called to the caravan park frequently, and called the conditions of the park 'horrific' The same man admitted he had padlocks on his gate and front door just to ward away potential conflicts. Christian volunteers from Transformations Ministries visit the caravan park regularly, and offer food supplies as well as counselling services to the residents. Program co-ordinator Mark Farrugia said that the volunteers tried to show unconditional love and that the ministry offered drug and rehabilitation service. ‘This place provides a next step from the street. It is providing roofs over people’s heads,' Mr Farrugia said. ‘Where you find a low socio-economic area you find the issues of drugs and alcohol are involved, and particularly where the drug ice is involved it escalates people’s erratic actions.
| The 'horrific' Mudgeeraba Caravan Village is home to over 100 people. Queensland Police patrol the site daily due the extreme level of incidents. It has seen a fatal house fire, stabbings, brawls, and continual violence. Ambulance officers will only enter the park under police protection. ‘We’ll get up to mischief here on occasions,' owner Bob Purcell said.
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Great-grandmother: Gloria Ross, 84, died following a stroke in hospital – after she was ignored by nurses for more than an hour, her distraught family say. A great-grandmother died following a stroke in hospital – after she was ignored by nurses for more than an hour, her distraught family say. Gloria Ross, 84, who spent 30 years in the National Health Service as a nurse, was found with a distorted face when she was visited by her grandson Wayne Wilkins, 25. But when he asked nurses at Whipps Cross Hospital, North East London, for help, they said Mrs Ross was ‘just tired’ – and told him the senior nurse was ‘on a break’. Mr Wilkins called his mother, Mrs Ross’ daughter Maxine, 49, who rushed to the hospital and pleaded with nurses to step in. It was not until an hour had passed that Mrs Ross was finally assessed by a doctor, who realised she had suffered a stroke and arranged for her to be taken to a stroke unit at Royal London Hospital. However, she never regained full consciousness and died two weeks later. Crucially, her oxygen levels were not checked until she was seen by the ambulance crew – 90 minutes after Mr Wilkins raised the alarm. They were found to be at a level where brain damage can set in. Barts Health NHS Trust, which runs Whipps Cross and was put into special measures last month over a series of failings, has begun an investigation into the treatment of Mrs Ross. The nurses’ alleged inaction occurred despite the NHS’s own campaign – launched six years ago – that uses the acronym FAST, standing for Face, Arms, Speech, Time. People are told to call 999 ‘immediately’ if a suspected victim’s face has fallen on one side, they cannot raise their arms or if their speech is slurred. Describing her mother’s appearance after the stroke, Miss Ross said: ‘Although she opened her eyes, she could not communicate and became agitated with pain, so was on morphine. It was awful watching her like that. ‘There were at least four nurses on the ward at Whipps Cross but they didn’t do anything until I hit the roof. ‘My mother gave her working life to the NHS. Although she has shown early signs of dementia, she was still very much with it, still very quick apart from memory loss sometimes. Inquiry: Barts Health NHS Trust, which runs Whipps Cross (above) and was put into special measures last month over a series of failings, has begun an investigation into the treatment of Mrs Ross. ‘What was killing me was wondering how long my mother had been there before Wayne saw her. She still recognised us when I got to Whipps Cross so she must have been wondering why nobody was coming to help her. I want other people to be aware of what happened and for the hospital to make sure it never happens again.’ Mrs Ross, a widow with four grandchildren and a great-grandchild, was being looked after by her daughter at home but was admitted to Whipps Cross after developing a urinary infection. She suffered the stroke on Sunday, March 22 and died in the Royal London on April 2. Her case comes after Barts Health Trust was put into special measures by the Care Quality Commission watchdog last month due to a catalogue of failings at Whipps Cross. A Barts Health NHS Trust spokesman said: ‘We are extremely concerned to learn of the issues raised by the family of Mrs Ross. We will be conducting an investigation.’
| Gloria Ross was found with a distorted face when grandson visited her. He raised alarm with nurses at Whipps Cross Hospital, North East London. But they said she was ‘just tired’ and that senior nurse was ‘on a break’ Later discovered she'd had stroke - and she never regained consciousness.
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Fiona Cullum provided a safe haven for Hassan Hussain and Yassin James after they gunned down innocent nursery teacher Sabrina Moss. A mother who sheltered the killers of an innocent nursery teacher and lied to the police has been spared jail. Fiona Cullum, 25, provided a safe haven for Hassan Hussain as he and fellow murderer Yassin James, 20, were hunted by police for gunning down Sabrina Moss in the street on a night out to celebrate her 24th birthday. Cullum then lied to officers when quizzed about Hussain after he was arrested in 2013 over the murder in Kilburn, north west London. The men sprayed bullets at mother-of-one Miss Moss and her friends as they took cover from the rain outside a bar. Miss Moss' friend Sabrina Gachette, then 24, was lucky to survive after being blasted in the back with a sawn-off shotgun during the attack outside Woody Grill, in South Kilburn. The Old Bailey heard the shooting was part of an ongoing rivalry between two gangs. Hussain, 30, James and their getaway driver Martell Warren, 23, were last year jailed for a total of 111 years after they were convicted of murder and attempted murder. But Cullum, who sheltered Hussain and James 'hours after the murder' before telling officers she did not remember them being in her home, was today handed a suspended sentence by Judge Stephen Kramer QC. He sentenced her to 18 months imprisonment for harbouring Hussain and to 24 months for lying to police, but suspended the sentence for two years after highlighting her ‘exceptional’ personal mitigation, which included drink and drug problems. Cullum was also handed a two-year supervision order and ordered to carry out 50 hours of unpaid work. Miss Gachette, who punched the air when Cullum was found guilty of two counts of perverting the course of justice, walked out of court after hearing the sentence, as did Miss Moss' furious mother. The judge said those who help criminals to evade justice in serious cases ‘strike at the very heart of our justice system’. ‘What you did was serious and hindered the police investigation into the shooting,’ he told Cullum. Miss Moss was out celebrating her 24th birthday when she was shot dead in a street in Kilburn, north west London. The men (pictured on CCTV on the street before the attack) sprayed bullets at mother-of-one Miss Moss and her friends as they took cover from the rain outside a bar. ‘You hid behind a defence that you were so drunk or in drugs you could not recall the days in question and maintained in any event you did not see Hassan Hussain.’ But he added: ‘You have a sad background, drinking alcohol from the age of eight and taking drugs from the age of nine years old. ‘[According to the evidence] you were and are a vulnerable woman with more than your fair share of problems used by a dangerous and cruel man.’ Allowing her to walk free from court, the judge said: ‘I have taken an exceptional course with you. Go away and don’t come back again.’ Prosecutor Duncan Atkinson said: ‘This case is not concerned with who was involved in the plan to seriously harm members of the South Kilburn gang, or the shooting of Sabrina Moss and others when that plan was carried through. ‘This case, rather, is concerned with events after that dreadful incident because in the period immediately following the murder, each of these defendants took steps to assist those responsible for the shooting to evade apprehension and to deny the police evidence relating to Warren in the form of the mobile phones he had been using in the run up to and during the period of the murder, and relating to the car he had been driving.’ ‘In the case of Fiona Cullum, she provided such assistance to Hussain and James by sheltering them in the hours after the murder when the police investigation on and around Kilburn High Road was at its most intense, and then lied to the police about them when she was spoken to shortly after Hussain and James were arrested.’ Hussain (left), James (right) and getaway driver Martell Warren were last year jailed for a total of 111 years. Hussain and James turn to run after the shooting, which killed Miss Moss and seriously injured her friend Sabrina Gachette. Cullum stood trial alongside Reid Daniel (left), 24, and Matthew Bouzemada (right), 22, who were both jailed for three years after they were convicted of assisting getaway driver Warren. She told police she did not remember speaking to Hussain and that he had not been at her address. Giving evidence in court Cullum claimed she was so ‘out of it’ on drink and drugs she had no idea Hassan was sheltering in her small north London flat. ‘It is at least a possibility that in this sort of state that Hussain entered... and stayed there for however long, entirely without her knowledge, while she was sleeping off the effects of the night before,’ her barrister Rebecca Randall said. But a jury found her guilty of two counts of perverting the course of justice for sheltering Hassan and providing a false statement to police. She was acquitted of perverting the course of justice for sheltering James after the jury could not reach a verdict. Cullum stood trial alongside Reid Daniel, 24, and Matthew Bouzemada, 22, who were both jailed for three years after they were convicted of assisting getaway driver Warren. Bouzemada was also sentenced to an extra six months for breaching a suspended sentence for drug dealing. Rakheed Daniel, 21, was acquitted of perverting the course of justice.
| Sabrina Moss was gunned down in a London street on her 24th birthday. Fiona Cullum, 25, sheltered two of her killers as they evaded the police. Two murderers and getaway driver were last year jailed for 111 years. But Cullum was spared jail today and was handed a suspended sentence for harbouring a killer and perverting the course of justice.
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A man who lost his iPhone ended up finding it on the other side of the world and striking up a friendship with its new 'owner.' Matt Stopera misplaced his cellphone in New York City and the only clue that gave a whereabouts to its located was when some unusual photos of orange trees and fireworks started appearing on his Photostream. Mr Stopera said he asked himself, 'Who is this man, and why are his pictures showing up in my phone?' Instant connection: Months after Stopera lost his iPhone in New York City. It ended up in the ends of Li Hongjun in southeastern China. He received the phone as a gift. The pair eventually decided to meet up! Celebrity status: Their story got a lot of attention online and Li invited Stopera to visit. When he got to China he was granted almost celebrity-like status. Lost in the cloud: Li's pictures began showing up in Matt's iCloud and PhotoStream. The first few pics were taken in front of what looked like orange trees. The orange man: Li was actually standing in front of kumquat trees - not oranges - but the nickname 'Brother Orange' stuck. 'I noticed a bunch of pictures I hadn't taken. Like, a lot of them. They were mostly of this man taking selfies with an orange tree. To be honest, it was pretty funny but also terrifying because I didn't take the pictures,' he said. The phone had made its way half way around the world to southeastern China and into the hands of Li Hongjun. Mr Hongjun had received the phone as a gift but whoever had presented it to him forgot to wipe its contents. 'I went to the Apple Store and, sure enough, there was my old iPhone on the iCloud. Orange Man's pictures were showing up in my stream because my iCloud was still connected,' Mr Stopera said. The pictures that were being taken in China were automatically uploaded to Mr Stopera's new phone and as an editor for BuzzFeed, he began writing and Tweeting about it. Showing off: Matt was surprised by how mucy interest there was in the story. Li had even had a car sticker designed with their two faces printed on the side. Digital duo: 30-year-old restaurant owner named Li, had received the phone as a gift and began taking pictures. The images ended up on Matt's iCloud because the phone had not been erased properly. 21st century story: With the help of social media, a stolen cell phone brought two people from opposite sides of the world together and turned them into the best of friends. Going global: Users on Weibo -- China's version of Twitter -- started looking for an answer after Stopera's article was translated into Chinese and posted there. Helping hand: 'I got all of these tweets from people in China saying, 'Hey, we're going to help you find Orange Man,'' Stopera said. At one stage, his article was translated for users on Weibo, the Chinese version of Twitter, and he received Tweets from people telling him that they were going to find the new owner. 'I got all of these tweets from people in China saying, 'Hey, we're going to help you find Orange Man,'' Stopera said. Over in China, Mr Hongjun got a call from his nephew who told him his photos were all over the internet. There was so much interest in the 'lost-phone-found-friend' tale that it generated more than 75 million clicks and before long, Mr Hongjun incited Mr Stopera to come at visit. Their 'lost-phone-found-friend' saga generated more than 75 million clicks and prompted Li's invitation to visit. What a welcome! Brother Orange surprised Matt at the airport, but the even bigger surprise was all the media attention. Brother Orange: Everywhere they went, they were swarmed by cameras. They developed quite a bond. The entire China trip has been well documented through a series of Tweets and plenty of selfies and it appears that Mr Stopera was seen as quite the celebrity. They traveled around the country where the pair were treated like celebrities. Photographers seemed to follow them wherever they went. They even had a car with their faces stuck on the side! 'It's not over,' Stopera said to WTSP. 'Brother Orange has to visit me now, so that has to happen.' The pair are hoping to plan a trip for Mr Hongjun to visit the U.S. later this year. 'One of the lessons I learned is never judge a man by his selfies,' Mr Stopera said to NPR. 'Because in his selfies he looks so serious, and in real life, he was just the warmest, funniest, very smart guy.' Seeing the sights: Writer Matt Stopera and Li Hongjun aka 'Brother Orange' visit Tiananmen Square in Beijing. Don't judge: 'One of the lessons I learned is never judge a man by his selfies,' Matt Stopera says. 'Because in his selfies he looks so serious, and in real life, he was just the warmest, funniest, very smart guy' What a way to meet! Experts say it's not uncommon for stolen or lost iPhones to make their way from the United States to countries overseas where the demand for them is high - but the meeting-up part is very unusual! Firm friends: Their bromance is clear to see from the selfies they posted online from their week together.
| Matt Stopera's iPhone was stolen in a New York bar. Eventually he started seeing pictures on his new phone of a guy posing with an orange tree. After writing about it online, netizens in China managed to track him down. 'Brother Orange' then invited him to the country and the two met up.
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The first man to serve as White House social secretary, Jeremy Bernard, is leaving after four years on the job. The White House said today that Bernard would depart after a state dinner next month held in honor of the Japanese Prime Minister, confirming rumors that Bernard, 53, would soon exit the administration. The first lady said in a statement she was 'lucky to have such a talented individual on my team.' 'I am equally lucky to have made a lifelong friend in Jeremy,' she added. 'Jeremy will be missed, and Barack and I wish him the very best in all of his future endeavors.' The first lady, pictured here in November 2011 with White House Social Secretary Jeremy Bernard in Hawaii, said in a statement she was 'lucky to have such a talented individual on my team.' Obama added, 'I am equally lucky to have made a lifelong friend in Jeremy' The White House did not name a replacement for Bernard, who is also the first gay man to hold the position, nor did it explain why he was leaving. Michelle Obama spoke highly of his time on staff, however, saying, 'For the last four years, Jeremy has worked tirelessly to open the doors of the White House to as many people as possible and to make each and every event in the White House one to remember, not only for Barack and me, but for the tens of thousands of guests who pass through our doors each year.' Bernard simply stated that it's been an 'honor' to serve the Obamas and lauded the first lady for welcoming 'every guest to the White House with her signature warmth, grace and style.' 'I feel so privileged to have worked for such an extraordinary President and First Lady,' his statement read. The former California resident told the Washington Post that he planned to return to The Golden States, and he's 'really looking for some time to think about what’s next and spend some quality time with Garbo, my rescue beagle.' Bernard is pictured here catching snowflakes on the Colonnade of the White House in this February 2014 photo captured by the building's official photographer. The White House today confirmed that Bernard, 53, would depart after a state dinner next month. According to a profile of Bernard in Vogue, Bernard stumbled into politics in the early '90s while waiting tables in Los Angeles. There he met a fundraiser for then-Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton, Dave Mixner, who brought him under his wing and into Clintonland. Bernard later formed a California-based political consulting firm with his ex-boyfriend, Democratic operative Rufus Gifford, that became the vehicle for Barack Obama's West Coast fundraising during his first campaign for president. Obama rewarded Bernard for his hard work with an appointment as the White House's liaison to the National Endowment for the Humanities. He briefly served as the chief of staff to the U.S. Ambassador to France in 2010 before accepting the position of social secretary the following year with his boss' blessing. Barrier-breaking Bernard has served quietly as social secretary since February 2011, carefully avoiding the limelight, unlike his predecessor Desirée Rogers, the first African-American social secretary, who was forced out of the administration after just 13 months on the job. It was during Rogers' tenure that socialites Michaele and Tareq Salahi crashed a White House state dinner in 2009. The couple went on to start in Bravo's Real Housewives of D.C. reality TV series. No such mishaps happened during the tenure of Bernard, whose behind-the-scenes work kept the White House in shipshape during social events. His first interview since taking the job, the Vogue profile, did not hit newsstands until February of this year - his fourth anniversary as social secretary. Asked for the interview why he believes he was chosen for the job, Bernard said, 'I would imagine part of it is a trust issue. I was there from the beginning. I was a known quantity. They certainly knew that I was loyal and supportive.' This March 18 photo shows, from left to right, Jeremy Bernard, Democratic operative Karen Finney, Executive Director of the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities Rachel Goslins, and former Obama administration officals Stephanie Cutter at the ELLE and HUGO BOSS Women in Washington Power List Dinner at The Residence of the German Ambassador. Barrier-breaking Bernard has served quietly as White House social secretary since February 2011 and has carefully avoiding the limelight for the better part of his tenure. Under Bernard's watch, the White House has moved from formal printed invitations for many events to an email system. It has also shed the tradition of seating husbands and wives away from each other at dinners. Bernard told Vogue his team had received 'some criticism' for departing from the traditional seating chart, but it done in accordance with the first lady's will. 'it does bring a comfort level,' he said, of husbands and wives being allowed to sit together. 'And I believe that was part of what Mrs. Obama wanted. 'It is still the White House, still very historic and traditional, but it doesn’t have to be uncomfortable.' Speaking to the Washington Post about his impeding departure, Bernard summed up his work as making 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue 'as open as possible and to grant access to as many people as possible, especially people who had never been to the house before.' 'It’s easy to fall into patterns, and what Mrs. Obama has been able to do is have an attitude that keeps it fresh,' he said. At the time of the Vogue interview, which was conducted over several months, dating back to the beginning of November even though it was not published until February, Bernard claimed not to know what his next professional move would be and said he was focusing on the last two years of the Obamas' residency in the White House. 'The good thing about this job—and perhaps the bad thing—is that I am not able to think about the future,' he said. Bernard said that a previous White House social secretary told him 'she lost sleep toward the end because people told her she would go on to do great things next, but they never told her what.' 'She warned me that I do have to start thinking about it,' he recalled. 'I know I do; I just haven’t yet. I’m sort of putting my head in the sand.'
| White House said today that Jeremy Bernard would depart after a state dinner next month, confirming rumors he'd soon exit the administration. First lady offered a glowing review of Bernard's tenure, saying she was 'lucky to have such a talented individual on my team' and a 'lifelong friend' He is moving back to California 'to think about what’s next and spend some quality time with Garbo, my rescue beagle' White House has not yet named a replacement.
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The family of a two-year-old boy shot and killed in his home have been left outraged after a local newspaper used his death for a political cartoon about gun culture. Kaden Lum was gunned down in Bremerton, Washington, on March 28, in front of his mother by an unidentified suspect who is still on the run. Heather Kelso, who was sharing a room with the youngster's mother, Jalisa, was also killed while a neighbor visiting at the time was shot in the abdomen. Just two weeks on from the horrific incident, the Kitsap Sun printed the controversial illustration on their opinion page. It depicts Kaden as an angel next to a caricature of a devil dressed as Uncle Sam. Kaden Lum was gunned down by an unidentified suspect at his home in Bremerton, Washington, on March 28. The controversial cartoon depicts Kaden as an angel next to a caricature of a devil dressed as Uncle Sam. The wording above the cartoon of the boy reads: 'Since Kaden is an angel, then…' while 'America's gun culture' is written over the top of the devil. The boy's grandfather believes the decision to print the cartoon, designed by veteran cartoonist Milt Priggee, was in 'bad taste'. Jason Trammell, 51, told KING 5-TV that he has probably cried more times in the last fortnight than he has in 40 years. He said: 'It was in very bad taste. It was disrespectful and it was not in line with honoring my grandson's memory. The editor of the paper, Dave Nelson, defended the decision in an op-ed. 'The intent behind our commentary might be to provoke thought, but it shouldn't be to harm,' he wrote. 'I don't believe Milt [Priggee] was intending to hurt a family, though I acknowledge the pain that's followed. It's a tough one. In the cartoon, Kaden was portrayed as an angel. The boy's heartbroken father James Trammell (right) questioned what person had the 'audacity' to shoot a child and then run away. The boy's mother Jalisa Lum was also inside the home at the time of the shooting and desperatley tried to shield her son. She was not hurt. 'That portrayal isn't hurtful. You see a precious angel that a family lost and who our community shouldn't forget, just like we shouldn't forget the vexing problems that lead to tragedy.' He added that there had been a range of reactions to the illustration. The most emotional however was from Kaden's family who met Nelson to express their disgust. 'The strongest [reaction] was from a few family members of Kaden, who Monday and again Tuesday spoke with me in person passionately, angrily and with despair over the loss of the little boy and their feelings toward the cartoon and the Kitsap Sun,' Nelson wrote. 'I understand their anger, and I'm sorry that something we published led to more sorrow in a difficult time. 'Would things have been different if the cartoon published a week later, after more time to heal? If the baby wasn't illustrated so accurately? 'Was there another way to make the same point? That's what I've wrestled with, as I have with other editorial cartoons that I've declined to run over the years when one crossed a line. Police (pictured at the scene in the aftermath of the shooting) have not made any arrests in the case and do not have any suspects. 'It happens more often than you'd think. 'Milt Priggee speaks for himself through his cartoons, it's my job to decide whether to publish them. It's my job to hear the complaints, occasionally the praise, and publish the opposing viewpoints as well. 'It's everyone's job to keep having conversations that might be difficult and to pray and offer thoughts for a family and a community that's still hurting.' Kaden's mother, Jalisa Lum, was desperately trying to shield her son from the gunman when he was shot, it is reported. She was not hurt in the gunfire and later told police that she did not know the attacker. She told Fox 13: 'There are no words to describe what has been taken away. 'I grabbed the baby because I didn’t know where the gunshots were coming from, and I dove to the ground and held him.' The boy's heartbroken father, James Trammell, told Fox 13: 'You spend all this time bringing your son up, watching him progress. Then all of sudden, somebody comes and just takes it all away.' 'He [the suspect] took a baby from us, and took the mother of another child,' he added. 'What person has the audacity to pull something like that and then run?' A friend of the family Carisa Gibson has set up a GoFundMe page to help the boy's parents cover the funeral costs. It has raised nearly $7,000.
| Kaden Lum was shot at his home in Bremerton, Washington on March 28. Police have not made any arrests in the two weeks since the boy's death. Controversial illustration was published in the Kitsap Sun on Sunday. Depicts Kaden as an angel next to a devil dressed as Uncle Sam. Kanden's grandfather Jason Trammel said the decision was 'disrespectful' Editor of the paper Dave Nelson has defended the move in an op-ed.
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Ex pop star: Rev Richard coles (pictured) rose to fame as half of the band The Communards. When a high-profile vicar yesterday attacked the Tory plans to sell housing association homes as a ‘right to steal’, it might have sounded like a stern ticking off from the pulpit. But this was the Rev Richard Coles – who sits on the board of Wellingborough Homes, a housing association in Northamptonshire – and he is no ordinary churchman. Known to many for presenting Radio 4’s gentle human interest show Saturday Live, he is the supposed inspiration for the hero of the BBC church sitcom Rev. And while he might now feel free to attack others for seeking the right to buy their own home, he not so long ago felt he had the right to do whatever he chose himself, regardless of the law or anyone else’s feelings. For Coles raised eyebrows by last year publishing a frank memoir which detailed not only his rise to fame as half of the famously gay 1980s pop band The Communards, alongside singer Jimmy Somerville, but also his enthusiasm for ‘dogging’ – having sex with strangers in the open air – and for taking drugs including cocaine, ecstasy and amphetamines. He also confessed that he falsely told his friends that he was HIV positive, to generate attention and sympathy, and kept up the unpleasant pretence for five years. Coles, 52, is now a regular on TV and radio, but on Sundays he performs at his 14th century parish church, St Mary the Virgin, in Finedon, Northamptonshire. He lives nearby in a ‘rather lovely’ grace and favour vicarage provided by the Church of England. Last October he warned his parishioners to ‘brace themselves’ for the publication of his biography Fathomless Riches, and said shortly after: ‘I hadn’t realised quite how eventful my life had been until I sat down to write about it. The truth is, country parsons often have a more vivid past than you might think.’ Born in Northamptonshire to shoemaker parents, Coles was sent to public school and it was while he was a chorister there that he realised he was gay. Coles, 52, is now a regular on TV and radio, but on Sundays he performs at his 14th century parish church, St Mary the Virgin, in Finedon, Northamptonshire. Within a few years he had taken a drug overdose, saying that in the 1970s being gay ‘was like being a paedophile now – it was a life which seemed to offer only disgrace’. He moved to London, however, met Somerville, and they formed The Communards. Their song Don’t Leave Me This Way went to number one and was the best-selling single of 1986. Money poured in. But Coles remained unhappy, jealous of Somerville’s fame and feeling geeky himself. He took large quantities of drugs, apparently spending a whole year in Ibiza on speed and ecstasy, and taking LSD. He believes the ecstasy was sometimes laced with heroin. He eventually conquered his shyness with other men when he discovered a lay-by where he could meet strangers and have sex in the woods at night. He described the discovery of this dogging spot as ‘one of the great liberations of my life. Having lots of casual and anonymous sex with strangers’. He added: ‘It was extremely healing for me. Would I repudiate it? No. I had a fantastic time.’ After a theology degree Coles was ordained in 2005 and says he now leads a celibate life with his civil partner David Oldham, 37, a curate in a neighbouring parish.
| Rev Coles sits on the board of Wellingborough Homes housing association. Vicar is known for presenting Radio 4's human interest show Saturday live. Attacked Tory plans to sell housing association homes as a 'right to steal' Confessed in memoir last year that he had taken drugs including cocaine, ecstasy and amphetamines.
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A prankster who pretended he had put his girlfriend's dog in a washing machine got a very painful comeuppance after she glued him to a chair- naked. Dominika Petrinova, from the Czech Republic, was furious after her boyfriend Erik Meldik's prank, which went viral after he posted it online. The 27-year-old had burst into tears when she was told her dog Sam had accidentally been put in the wash before Mr Meldik revealed the 'joke' and that her beloved pet was safe and sound. Ouch! Erik Meldik screamed in pain as he tried to pull himself free after being glued to a chair by his girlfriend. Dominika Petrinova decided to get her painful revenge by gluing wax strips to the plastic chair after her boyfriend's previous prank where he told her that their pet dog called Sam was in the washing machine. So Ms Petrinova had decided to exact her revenge in a painful prank of her own. This hilarious video shows her setting up the gag by super gluing the waxing strips to a plastic office chair. She then cruelly promised her boyfriend, who had celebrated his birthday the day before, a special treat. Ms Petrinova then led him - naked and blindfolded - into the room and onto the booby-trapped chair. After cruelly telling him she has a birthday surprise in store, Ms Petrinova blindfolds her naked boyfriend before getting him to sit down on the booby-trapped seat. Trapped: The realization sinks in that Erik Meldik is stuck that he glued to the chair by the waxing tape on his genitals. It takes a few moments for him to realise what happened while Ms Petrinova was heard laughing in the background. Panic then flashed across his face as he clicked he was stuck to the chair by his genitals and he asked his giggling girlfriend: 'Are you kidding me? You are pranking me now? Mr Meldik, 31, cried and screamed as he tried to free himself, before he eventually ripped himself off the chair, leaving a fair portion of skin and hair behind in the process. Ms Petrinova films her partner Mr Meldik as he tries and fails in his attempts to free himself from the office chair. Mr Meldik sheds a tear when he realises that he is well and truly stuck and will have to rip himself free. The victim of the prank and his friend Cenek Styblo, 29, are known in their Czech homeland as 'the Viral Brothers' and are famous for carrying out stunts often on each other or their respective girlfriends. But Ms Petrinova said she had decided the dog in the washing machine stunt was too much, and wanted to teach her boyfriend a painful lesson that he would not forget in a hurry. She said: 'I was really upset when I thought Sam was in the washing machine, and he was running after me saying he was sorry but he clearly wasn't because he was filming it and put it all online. 'Well, now I am pretty sure he is genuinely sorry.' He screams as he uses a set of drawers to try and yank himself off the strips which are stuck to his genitals. He finally pulls himself free leaving behind a fair portion of skin behind on the waxing strips in the process. In recovery: Mr Meldik cries as he lies on the bed after the painful prank which was carried out in revenge for an earlier stunt where he pretended to accidentally have put his girlfriend's dog in the washing machine. The 27-year-old had burst into tears when she was told her dog Sam had accidentally been put in the wash before Mr Meldik revealed the 'joke' - prompting her to seek revenge.
| Dominika Petrinova glued naked boyfriend to a chair as painful revenge. Erik Meldik cried as he tried to free his genitals from the waxing strips. Eventually he had to rip himself off the chair leaving behind hair and skin. Prank came after he claimed Ms Petrinova's dog was in washing machine.
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Connected: Mohammed 'Jihadi John' Emwazi came in contact with Hizb ut-Tahrir while studying at Westminster University. An extremist Islamist group with a 'big UK support base' has joined forces with al-Qaeda in Syria, according to reports. Hizb ut-Tahrir (HT) has reportedly attacked civil activists in Aleppo alongside local al-Qaeda franchise Nusra Front, the Times has revealed. Several British men linked to ISIS, including Mohammed 'Jihadi John' Emwazi, are known to have been in contact with the group while studying at UK universities. Maajid Nawaz, the Liberal Democrats' Parliamentary candidate which the Daily Mail revealed to have been trying to touch a naked lap dancer at an East London strip club, was a member of HT for 13 years and jailed in Egypt for his commitment to the group. A spokesman for Nawaz said he denied touching the dancer ‘inappropriately’ and that the visit to the strip club was part of his stag night. One week ago, around 100 HT members, one armed with a sword, attacked activists in eastern Aleppo during an anti-regime demonstration, The Times reports. A photograph from the demonstration seen by the newspaper allegedly shows 'HT members confronting activists, while balaclava-wearing fighters from the Nusra Front stand guard'. A spokesperson for Hizb ut-Tahrir in the UK denied any involvement with the Nusra Front and al-Qaeda in Syria. Hizb ut-Tahrir (Arabic for Party of Liberation) is an international Muslim organisation which, like ISIS, advocates a single Islamic state, or caliphate, in the Middle East under Islamic law. The group is banned in many Middle East countries and also in Russia, Turkey, Pakistan and Germany but not in Australia, the US or UK. During his 2010 election campaign, David Cameron promised to ban the group, whose UK branch was founded in 1986, but the organisation is still alive and well in Britain. Hizb ut-Tahrir has been known to recruit members at British universities and evidence emerged earlier this year showing the group may have been involved in the radicalisation of ISIS executioner Mohammad Emwazi. Londoner Emwazi, known before his unmasking as 'Jihadi John', is said to have taken part in events at Westminster University where members of HT were among the speakers. Scroll down for video. Converted: Lib Dem candidate Maajid Nawaz, pictured with Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, spent 13 years inside Hizb ut-Tahrir and was jailed in Egypt in 2005 for his role in radical Islamist group. Member: Waheed Ahmed, 21, the son of a Labour councillor Shakil Ahmed who was arrested last week trying to cross into Syria, is said to be a member of Hizb ut-Tahrir. Recruiting ground: Several men linked to ISIS are known to have been in contact with Hizb ut-Tahrir while studying at British universities. Four years ago, a student connected to HT was elected president of the Students’ Union at the central London university. His vice-president also had links to the group, which raised concerns that the union had been taken over by extremists. Waheed Ahmed, 21 – the son of Rochdale Labour councillor Shakil Ahmed who was arrested in Turkey last month trying to cross into Syria with eight other Brits - is said to be a member after being recruited as a student at Manchester University. Lib Dem candidate Nawaz, prospective MP for Hampstead and Kilburn, spent 13 years inside Hizb ut-Tahrir and was jailed in Egypt in 2005 for his role in radical Islamist group. On his return to England in 2006, the 37-year-old renounced his views and set up 'counter-extremism think-tank' the Quilliam Foundation. This follows revelations by the Daily Mail this morning that the would-be MP was filmed trying to touch an exotic dancer during several private sessions at a strip club in Whitechapel, east London. Despite his prominent position in the local Muslim community, Nawaz - a married father-of-one - visited the 'gentlemen's club' during the holy month of Ramadan, the owner says. Up close: Would-be MP Maajid Nawaz with a scantily-clad lap dancer in the club in east London. Seedy: The married father-of-one asked for two private sessions at a strip club in east London. Staff said Nawaz had been pestering the girl all night and his actions had been ‘outrageous’ Nawaz can be seen repeatedly trying to make contact with the girl as she dances naked for him. Footage shows Nawaz– who calls himself a feminist and advocate of women’s rights – attempting to touch the young dancer's arms and thighs, which is against the venue’s policy. Staff said Nawaz had been pestering the girl all night and his actions had been ‘outrageous’. In the film, Nawaz can be seen repeatedly trying to make contact with the girl as she dances naked for him in a private room during two £20 lap dances. Owner Abdul Malik, the club’s owner, said he wanted the video to be seen by the public because of the way Nawaz portrays himself as a feminist and a family man. ‘He’s always talking about religion on TV and I thought, what a hypocrite,’ he said. He claimed ‘arrogant’ Nawaz acts like a ‘spokesman for Islam’ – but visited the club during Ramadan. Tory MP Nadine Dorries last night called for Nawaz to quit his candidacy. ‘In politics, you can’t advocate one cause or manner of behaviour then act differently in your personal life,’ she said. Labour MP Khalid Mahmood added: ‘The message this sends to women is not one of respect.’
| Islamist extremist group Hizb ut-Tahrir 'join al-Qaeda franchise in Syria' Jihadi John came in contact with group at Westminster University. Lib Dem candidate in strip club scandal was a member for 13 years. Maajid Nawaz was jailed in Egypt in 2005 over his work with HT. Nawaz was caught on CCTV visiting London strip club during Ramadan.
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An Egyptian court has sentenced a popular Armenian belly dancer to six months in prison for 'insulting the Egyptian flag' after she wore a tight dress in its red, white and black color scheme. The court in Agouza, west of Cairo, said Sofinar Gourian, popularly known as 'Safinaz', was fined £15,000 after being found guilty in a case raised by a private complainant. She is expected to avoid jail time, however, after paying £10,000 bail and launching an appeal against the six month prison sentence. Offending dress: An Egyptian court has sentenced popular Armenian belly dancer 'Safinaz' to six months in prison for 'insulting the Egyptian flag' after she wore a tight dress in its red, white and black color scheme. Insulting the flag was made illegal by decree under Egyptian President Adly Mansour who ruled for a year after the army overthrew an elected but divisive Islamist president in 2013. The change in law made it a crime to raise, display or sell an Egyptian flag if it is damaged in any way, or even if the colour has faded. The law also prohibits adding slogans, designs or pictures to the Egyptian flag. Ms Gourian is understood to have worn a costume made from the material taken from an Egyptian flag during a belly dancing performance in the town of Ain Sokhna in 2013. The belly dancer, who lives in Egypt, had argued that she did not insult the flag intentionally and as a foreigner was less aware of Egyptian laws. Harsh laws: Insulting the Egyptian flag was made illegal by decree under President Adly Mansour who ruled for a year after the army overthrew an elected but divisive Islamist president in 2013. The complaint against her was filed by a businesswoman and hotel owner in Mohandeseen who found the performance insulting, according to Ahram Online. Although she has been convicted of the crime, her £10,000 bail allows her to remain free until her appeal has been heard. Ms Gourian has lived and worked in Egypt for the past two years, where her act has proven to be an immediate success. The Armenian native has already appeared in several Egyptian movies, performed at society weddings and is married to an Egyptian national. Ms Gourian has previously told reporters she hopes to spend the rest of her life in the country.
| Sofinar Gourian found guilty of wearing a dress made from Egyptian flag. A court in Agouza town sentenced the belly dancer to six months in prison. Local businesswoman found the dress insulting and complained to police. Strict laws prevents the flag being displayed if damaged or tampered with.
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Chelsy Davy showcased her style credentials as she stepped out in London rocking ripped jeans and a chic blazer on Wednesday night. The ex-girlfriend of Prince Harry radiated health thanks to a bronze glow as she laughed with friends leaving an art gallery in Mayfair. The 29-year-old seemed in high spirits, smiling as she made her way down the street wearing tan wedges and a crisp white blouse. Chelsy Davy proved to be quite the fashionista as she stepped out in London wearing ripped jeans and a chic beige blazer on Wednesday night. It's the second night out this week for the party girl, who was seen laughing and joking with friend Irene Forte at the launch party for new London restaurant, The Ivy Chelsea Garden, on Tuesday. Zimbabwean Davy wore a similar look - a white layered chiffon top, as well as flattering navy trousers with zip-detail on the ankles. Davy has previously been known for her more relaxed, casual style, but it seems she is upping the style stakes and taking a more sophisticated approach to dressing now that she is approaching her thirties. The 29-year-old radiated health thanks to a bronze glow as she laughed with friends out and about in London. It's the second night out on the town for the party girl, who joined friends at the opening of cool new eatery, The Ivy Chelsea Garden, on Tuesday. The party was to celebrate the opening of the restaurant, part of renowned West End dining institution, The Ivy. Davy circulated the party with a couple of friends, in particular daughter of hotel tycoon Rocco Forte, Irene. Davy and Forte were spotted together recently at Duke of Northumberland’s estate Syon Park over the weekend for the wedding of property magnate Caspar MacDonald-Hall. At the wedding Chelsy, notably, was the gooseberry as she was seen with friend, Irene Forte and Forte's boyfriend, Jacobi Anstruther-Gough-Calthorpe. Davy is currently single after splitting up with society jeweller Charles Goode in January. The sporty socialite had a relationship with Prince Harry spanning six years until they called it a day in May 2010. The pair still remain good friends. Prince Harry with Chelsy Davy, seen in 2010 after receiving his Flying Wings from his father, dated for six years until they called it a day; the pair still remain good friends. Chelsy Davy attended the Royal Wedding of Prince William and the former Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey in 2011, proving how close her and Prince Harry remained after their split.
| Chelsy, 29, wore ripped jeans and chic blazer on night out in London. It was the second consecutive night out for Prince Harry's ex. Joined friends on Tuesday at launch of The Ivy Club, Chelsea.
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With the coffee drinking scene continuing to grow in Britain, baristas and cafe owners are putting more thought into the cakes and pasties that accompany your beverage. And while coffee matching rules are not as hard and fast as wine pairing ones, there are still some things you should consider. So the next time you order a latte and reach for a slice of cake, you might want to want to rethink your choice of dessert and have a Chelsea bun instead. The next time you order your coffee give some thought to your choice of pastry. The classic English pastry has been identified as the perfect accompaniment to a creamy latte, as well as a cinnamon swirl and a pain au raisin. And espressos are best paired with chocolate truffles or a mini raspberry coulis. Flat whites are best accompanied by a blueberry muffin, and a plain black coffee is best drunk with a glazed ring doughnut. Will Corby, from online coffee subscription company Pact Coffee, told FEMAIL: ‘It is worth remembering that the coffee used to brew different types of coffee will all have different flavour profiles so the acidity/bitterness/sweetness balance of the coffee used is something to consider when pairing it with pudding. From lattes to espresso and Americano to cafe au lait, here are Will's picks for the best puddings and pastries to accompany your cup of java. A latte (left) which has a light espresso flavour is best complemented with a Chelsea bun (right) LATTE: Cinnamon swirl, Chelsea bun or pain au raisin. Something big and hearty has to go with the light texture and sweetness of a latte. Delicate spice and toasted pastry flavours should work best, allowing you to detect the light espresso flavour through the warm milk. ESPRESSO: Chocolate truffle or mini raspberry couli. Espresso is strong and short drink, your taste buds will be exposed to very intense tastes when you drink it and any accompaniment needs to either pack an equally intense punch or complement in an alternative and cleansing way. I would suggest the chocolate truffle be paired with a fruity espresso and the raspberry couli with a more chocolatey espresso. FLAT WHITE: Muffins. A light fluffy muffin (blueberry is my choice of sweet) should accompany your flat white really well but if you are prepared to take things a little further a ham and cheese sweet/savoury muffin works even better! IRISH COFFEE: Cheese and crackers. Definitely an end of meal, post-dessert drink this is best paired with cheese - perhaps a crumbly hard cheese like a Lancashire - and sweet crackers but maybe avoid the chutney. Glazed ring doughnuts (left) will bring out the flavour profile of a plain black coffee (right) CAPPUCCINO: Amaretti. Amaretti for dipping, avoid any extra milk or other intense flavours when it comes to this drink. BLACK COFFEE: Doughnuts. Black coffee (brewed filter or with a V60 dripper) with tends to have a more delicate flavour profile than coffee brewed in other ways. Drink it with a glazed ring doughnut to make the most of the coffee flavours. AMERICANO: Baked New York cheesecake. A cheesecake and an Americano should sit together really nicely... you will generally end up with a much more developed bitterness in an Americano and the heavy fat and intense sweetness from this cheesecake should balance that perfectly. MOCHA: Marshmallows. Opt for good quality squidgy vanilla marshmallows as this drink already has all the flavour going on. It just needs the addition of a little extra sweetness and texture from the desert. Good quality marshmallows (left) will complement the strong flavours of a mocha (right) CAFE AU LAIT: Croissant. A French classic, this should really be accompanied by croissant and blackcurrant jam. CORTADO: Custard tart. An espresso cut with a small amount of milk, this coffee is Spanish or Portuguese in origin, so I would lean towards a Portuguese (custard) tart for this. MACCHIATO: Almond brittle. To go with this espresso topped with foamy milk, choose almond brittle, which has short, intense caramelised sweetness but tastes more like toffee than sugar. AFFOGATO: Best by itself. This coffee is the dessert, in which an espresso is poured over ice cream so it should require no addition! A post-dessert drink, Irish coffee (left) is best paired with a crumbly, hard cheese such as Lancashire (right) Latte: Coffee made with espresso and steamed milk. Espresso: Strong coffee made by forcing steam through ground coffee beans. Flat white: An Australian invention this is prepared by pouring microfoam (steamed milk with fine bubbles) over a single or double espresso. Irish coffee: Coffee made with Irish whisky and sugar, and topped with cream. Cappucino - Smaller in volume than a latte, a cappucino has hot milk and steamed milk foam with one shot of expresso. Affogato: Vanilla ice-cream topped with a hot shot of espresso. Americano: Espresso diluted with hot water. Mocha: A chocolate flavoured latte with espresso and hot milk. Cafe au lait: A light brown coffee with milk. Macchiato: Espresso with a small amount of steamed, foamed milk. Cortado: A Spanish version of the macchiato made with espresso and a small amount of steamed milk.
| Head of Coffee at Pact Coffee Will Corby recommends the best pairings. Have a crumbly, hard cheese like Lancashire with your Irish coffee. A delicately spiced pastry will let you detect light espresso flavour in latte.
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Britain has overtaken France to become the second biggest economy in Europe, figures showed yesterday. The UK clocked up growth of 2.8 per cent in 2014 – the strongest in the Group of Seven industrialised nations and seven times higher than France’s 0.4 per cent. According to an International Monetary Fund report, this was enough for Britain to leapfrog socialist France and become the second most powerful economy in Europe, behind Germany. The UK is expected to cement its position in the coming years as one of the fastest growing major economies in the West. The IMF is forecasting ‘solid’ growth of 2.7 per cent this year and 2.3 per cent in 2016. Scroll down for video. The UK clocked up growth of 2.8 per cent in 2014 – the strongest in the Group of Seven industrialised nations. Despite a slight downgrade for 2016 – the IMF’s initial forecast was 2.4 per cent – this is still enough for Britain to leave other EU nations trailing in its wake. Output in France is forecast to expand by 1.2 per cent this year and 1.5 per cent next year, while Germany is set to grow by 1.6 per cent then 1.7 per cent. Within the G7, only the US is expected to perform better than Britain. ‘In the United Kingdom, lower oil prices and improved financial market conditions are expected to support continued steady growth,’ the IMF said. The World Economic Outlook report, which was published yesterday, will be seen as a boost for the Conservatives ahead of next month’s General Election. The Fund also appeared to back Tory plans to return Britain to the black after years of borrowing and rising debt. It will come as another blow to Labour leader Ed Miliband who has pledged to bring traditionally Left-wing policies back to Britain – mirroring the actions of Francois Hollande in France. The French president swept to power in 2012 promising to take on the rich and big business, but the country’s economy has been in a rut ever since. Unemployment in France is 10.6 per cent compared to 5.7 per cent in Britain. George Osborne, left, said the recovery would be put at serious risk by a Labour government, as IMF chief economist Olivier Blanchard, right, warned that debt levels are 'very high' in many European countries. George Osborne used last month’s Budget to boast that Yorkshire has created more jobs than the whole of France. The Chancellor yesterday said the recovery would be put at serious risk by a Labour government propped up by the Scottish National Party. ‘These IMF growth forecasts for the UK are further proof our economic plan is working,’ he said. ‘So we must finish the job.’ IMF chief economist Olivier Blanchard warned that debt levels are ‘very high’ in many European countries and said ‘it would be desirable to decrease them’.
| The UK has overtaken France after seeing growth of 2.8 per cent in 2014. Britain has the second most powerful economy in Europe behind Germany. IMF is forecasting growth of 2.7 per cent this year and 2.3 per cent in 2016. Within the G7 only the US is expected to perform better than Britain.
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My, my. At Waterloo Napoleon did surrender. So go the opening lyrics to Abba's Eurovision winner. But it seems the message hasn't got through to the majority of us. Research has revealed that three out of four people have little or no knowledge about the Battle of Waterloo. Only just over half (53 per cent) know the Duke of Wellington led the British forces, while one in seven believe that it was the French who were victorious in 1815. Veeker's rendering of the battle between Wellington's Anglo-Dutch army and the French: Forty-seven per cent of 2,070 adults polled said they didn't know who led British forces against France in the battle. The survey, by the National Army Museum ahead of the 200th anniversary on June 18, also showed that young people are more likely to associate Waterloo with the London railway station or the Abba song than the actual battle – with one in eight of those aged 18-24 saying they'd never heard of it. Forty-seven per cent of 2,070 adults polled said they didn't know, or they thought the man in charge was either Sir Francis Drake, Sir Winston Churchill, King Arthur or even Harry Potter's wizardry mentor Albus Dumbledore. More than a quarter of all the people polled (28 per cent) have no idea who won the Battle of Waterloo, while one in seven (14 per cent) wrongly believe the French were victorious over the British. Two-thirds (67 per cent) are unaware that June 18th this year is the bicentenary of Waterloo. Now the National Army Museum, together with Waterloo 200 - the organisation approved by the government to support the anniversary - and other cultural organisations, are planning a series of events to bring Waterloo to life. Janice Murray, Director-General at the National Army Museum, said: 'Despite the Battle of Waterloo being an iconic moment in British history, UK public awareness is dramatically low. 'The National Army Museum is seeking to bridge this knowledge gap through the creation of a series of innovative pop-up events and regional exhibitions around the country making the dramatic story of the battle accessible for all.' Abba at the 1974 Eurovision song contest: Young people are more likely to associate Waterloo the Abba song than the actual battle. Young people were also likely to associate the battle with the London Station, with one in eight of those aged 18-24 saying they'd never heard of the battle. The Battle of Waterloo took place on June 18th, 1815, when British and Prussian forces, under the command of Duke of Wellington, halted the advance of French Army in Belgium. The bloody battle claimed the lives of 65,000 of the 200,000 men that took part, and saw the defeat of Napoleon, ending his reign as Emperor of France and ushering in a period of peace following years of war in Europe. The National Army Museum, based in Chelsea, west London, is currently closed for redevelopment. It is due to reopen next year.
| At Waterloo bicentenary, research shows adults know little about the battle. Only just over half polled knew the Duke of Wellington led British forces. One in eight between 18-24 said they had never heard of the famous battle. Young people likely to associate Waterloo with Abba and London station.
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Walter Scott and his passenger were looking forward to having a cookout when he was pulled over and shot dead by a South Carolina police officer, it has emerged. Scott, 50, and Pierre Fulton, his friend of several years, had met for breakfast on April 4 before Scott drove him to a church so Fulton could collect a bag of vegetables. He then took Fulton home to drop off the bag there before they both headed over to Scott's house. 'They were heading to Walter Scott's house to eventually have a cookout that afternoon,' said Fulton's attorney, Mark Peper. But as they returned home, their car was pulled over for a broken tail light in North Charleston. Scroll down for video. Heartbroken: Pierre Fulton is 'torn up' about the death of his friend, Walter Scott, on April 4, his attorney has said. The two men were heading to Scott's home on April 4 for a cookout when Scott was killed by a cop. Killed: Scott, 50, ran from his car when he was pulled over by North Charleston officer Michael Slager, right, for a broken tail light. As he ran away, Slager shot the father-of-four multiple times, killing him. Scott jumped out of the car fled the scene - and was shot multiple times in the back by officer Michael Slager in a horrifying incident captured on a passerby's cell phone camera. Peper said that his client did not know why Scott ran from the car but that he said there was no confrontation. Following the stop 'there was never a conversation between Pierre and Walter regarding the reason for the stop, what his intentions were - anything along those lines,' Peper said. Scott was behind $18,000 in his child support payments and family members have said he may have run because he was worried about going to jail. Scott, who is black, ran away and a video showed Slager, who is white, firing eight shots at Scott. Fleeing: A dash cam video still provided by the North Charleston Police Department shows Scott leaving his car after a traffic stop on April 4. His passenger said he does not know why Scott fled. Gunned down: A passerby captured this video of Slager shooting Scott dead as he tried to flee the scene. Fulton said he heard the crackle of a Taser and shots fired. From where Scott's car was parked, his client could see Slager chase after Scott but did not see him get shot, Peper said. 'As they turned the corner, he wasn't able to see anything that occurred,' he said. And while his client heard the Taser followed by the gunshots, 'he doesn't recall the timing or how many seconds between it. All that's a bit foggy', he said. Peper said his client has also given a statement to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. Family members said earlier that two were headed to an auto parts store at the time of the shooting. Peper said they may have had errands planned but his client said they were eventually heading to Scott's house. He said his client has asked for privacy so he can deal with the death of his friend. Saying goodbye: Pallbearers walk Scott's casket to his grave for his burial service on Saturday. Sadness: His heartbroken mother, Judy, is pictured leaving her son's funeral in Charleston last weekend. Fight: Activist Cornel West (center) joins protesters against police violence in Manhattan on April 14. 'He is torn up. He is a mess,' Peper added to ABC News. 'He hasn't been able to talk to anybody about this.' The father-of-four's death sparked a nationwide debate about police brutality and bias against black people after the witness' video contradicted the police account of the event. Slager, 33, had said that he felt 'threatened' by Scott during a confrontation over his Taser, but the footage revealed the civilian running away before he was shot. Scott was laid to rest last weekend. His casket was draped in an American flag and accompanied by his distraught mother, Judy. Slager has been later charged with murder and fired from the police department. He has yet to enter a plea.
| Scott was driving Pierre Fulton back to his house after taking him to a nearby church to collect a bag of vegetables on April 4. But they were pulled over for his broken tail light and Scott fled from cops. He was shot multiple times by officer Michael Slager, who was charged with his murder after a passerby released cellphone footage of the death. Fulton, who had known Scott for several years, said he does not know why his friend ran and did not see the shooting. 'He is torn up,' his lawyer said.
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France has joined Italy and Israel in passing laws banning the promotion of extreme thinness in the fashion industry. The health reforms, which include fining agencies employing models with a BMI under 18 and criminalising pro-anorexia web content, have now passed through the upper house of parliament. An analysis of the reforms by Sarah Jackson, a research psychologist at University College London, suggested that censoring images of ultra-thin models may ease their adverse effects on young women, such as concerns about body image and behaviours such as unhealthy eating. But while some have been hailing the legislation as a 'crackdown on anorexia', the laws may be unlikely to have any such effect. The view that anorexia is caused by comparing oneself to catwalk models remains popular. But Rachel Cole-Fletcher, of Durham University says it is not a lifestyle choice and personality traits are to blame (file photo) Not a lifestyle choice. In Western Europe, around 0.5 per cent of adults are thought to be affected by anorexia nervosa. In around 10 per cent of these cases, the sufferers are men. These figures, however, are likely to be an underestimation. Anorexia has the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric illness, mostly due to organ failure and suicide. Yet, the illness is often mistaken by many as a lifestyle choice with an external cause. Despite accounts of the disorder pre-dating the fashion industry, the view that anorexia is caused by comparing oneself to a catwalk model remains popular. Likewise, while pro-ana websites insist that anorexia is a commitment, not an illness, they are highly exclusive online communities, created by and for those already showing signs of the illness. The merely curious are not welcome. High levels of perfectionism, a need for organisation and a focus on details are often observed in those with anorexia, studies have shown. Instead, the link between media endorsement of extreme thinness and the development of anorexia is neither simple nor clear. Research mentioned by Ms Jackson did find that women evaluated their bodies more negatively after viewing images of thin models. However, this effect was small and mostly determined by women's pre-existing opinions of their figures – women who were already dissatisfied with their body were most affected. As this effect was only measured at one point in time, the effects of prolonged exposure are not known, but when more images were used there was a tendency for the effect to be smaller. Perhaps, as the authors suggested, these images activated, rather than cultivated, beauty ideals. Whether the effects of media exposure on body dissatisfaction leads to changes in eating behaviour is also unclear. Another study, also cited by Jackson, looked for a link between a person's real-life media exposure and eating disorder symptoms. The results were fairly inconsistent, with some factors – such as body dissatisfaction – only corresponding to some types of media, and others – such as self-worth – showing no relationship. More importantly, the research showed correlation, not causation – it is just as plausible that women already unhappy with their bodies seek out thinness-promoting media more often. After all, if such a simple causal relationship did exist, the pervasiveness of these images in our culture raises the question of why the majority of our population is overweight, rather than underweight. In Western Europe, around 0.5 per cent of adults are thought to be affected by anorexia nervosa, but these figures tend to be underestimated, experts said (file photo) Model ban but no support. Most researchers currently view the cultural value placed on thinness as a 'background risk factor'. Meanwhile, several psychological and biological factors are implicated. High levels of perfectionism, a need for organisation and a focus on details are often observed in those with anorexia. Recent research suggests there is a lower reward response to food in the brain, even after recovery. Some of these factors seem to be influenced by genetic inheritance. Stressful experiences may then influence whether these existing factors then lead to developing the disorder. More than one risk factor will be necessary. So the legislation is likely to have little effect on the prevalence of anorexia in the general population, but it also offers no support to the models themselves. The law requires a medical certificate proving that a model has a BMI of at least 18. This is still underweight, according to the World Health Organisation. Regular weigh-ins have been only vaguely suggested and there's been no mention of an obligation to offer support to a model who fails a weigh-in. While there is some debate over whether models are at a higher risk of developing eating disorders, this career certainly encourages unhealthy behaviour. Thinness of this degree has hugely damaging effects on the internal organs, bones and brain. It can cause obsessiveness and social withdrawal even in psychologically healthy people. France has already lost a high-profile model to anorexia – yet the new laws almost encourage agencies to wash their hands of models who fall ill. Legislation banning models with a BMI under 18 is likely to have little effect on the prevalence of anorexia in the general population, but it also offers no support to the models themselves, experts have argued. In the same way, while pro-ana content is undoubtedly harmful, the new laws punish those who are in need of help. This exclusively punitive approach is likely to drive these sites further undergound. If the measures are enforced – if spot checks continue, weigh-ins aren't cheated and other countries are supportive – they may be a positive move. They may be a first step towards a culture that prioritises health over aesthetics – whether that means a dangerously small or unhealthily large body. Nonetheless, this will mostly benefit the worried well – those who, regrettably, are unhappy with their bodies, but are otherwise unlikely to develop anorexia nervosa. Claiming that these laws address one of the most treatment-resistant mental illnesses is far too optimistic. This article was co-written by Lexie Thorpe, an MSc in Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience at Durham University.
| Rachel Cole-Fletcher is a teaching fellow at Durham University - and works with students looking at cognitive traits associated with anorexia risk. Argues that rather than skinny models being to blame, other factors are. States that people with anorexia tend to have a certain personality type. And that images of thin women are unlikely to have much of an effect.
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Travel to the tropics today and you’ll experience balmy annual mean temperatures of 30°C (85°F). But travel there 2.4 billion years ago, and it’s likely you would have been subjected to Arctic-like temperatures of -40°C (-40°F). This so-called ‘Snowball Earth’ theory suggests that our planet was once entirely frozen over - and it could have implications for finding life on other frozen worlds like Europa and Enceladus. A University of Cologne scientist led research proposing a new theory. It suggests temperatures at Earth's equator were -40°C (-40°F) 2.4 billion years ago (artist's illustration shown). The reasons why the whole planet was frozen are not understood. But it could have implications for finding life on frozen moons like Europa. The research, led by Dr Daniel Herwartz from the University of Cologne, was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. It suggests that the entire Earth was subjected to a ‘deep freeze’, with the oceans turning into ice 1,000ft (300 metres) thick. This means that, were life to survive at the time, it would likely have had to remain in the water deep underground, below this icy crust. On other worlds in the solar system such as Europa, we see a similar icy crust - and are fairly confident that it, too, has a liquid ocean underground. A frozen world, similar to Earth, that is circling just one of a pair of stars could improve the chances of finding alien life. The planet, located 3,000 light years away, is twice as massive as Earth and almost exactly the same distance from its parent star as the Earth is from the sun. Named OGLE-2013-BLG-0341LBb, the planet’s host star shines 400 times less brightly than the sun. It has been described as the real-life version of ice planet Hoth featured in Star Wars sequel The Empire Strikes Back. But astronomers from Ohio State University pointed out that the same planet orbiting a sun-like star would be in the 'habitable zone' where conditions are potentially suitable for liquid surface water and life. And based on this latest 'Snowball Earth', it could suggest there are many more planets that resemble ours 2.4 billion years ago. 'These events are fascinating. We had times where we really had a completely frozen Earth,’ Dr Herwartz told Discovery News. ‘If you go now to tropical regions and you imagine thick glaciers and all the oceans frozen, it’s crazy I think, but it appears to be that this has happened.’ This theory can also help explain a period in Earth’s history known as the Great Oxygen Transition, 2.2 billion years ago. Here, oxygen levels began to rapidly rise from 0.0001 per cent of present levels to the 21 per cent of the atmosphere we see today. Rapid melting across the entirety of Earth could have given rise to these increased levels of oxygen in the atmosphere. Evidence for this latest theory comes from oxygen isotopes studied in rocks in China and Russia. The exact causes for why the entire Earth seemingly froze over are not clear, though. Speaking to MailOnline, Dr Herwatz said before 2.4 billion years ago, the climate of our Earth was ‘normal’ - similar to the climate we have today. And he said a drop in CO2 levels was likely the cause of Earth turning into a snowball. 'When CO2 drops ice caps grow large,’ he explained. ‘Because ice is white, a lot of the incoming sunlight is reflected back to space and so large ice caps cause the earth to cool even further. ‘Climate modelling suggests that at a certain critical point, the Earth freezes over completely. ‘Then, so much sunlight is reflected back to space (causing such a strong cooling effect) that the Earth becomes a snowball.’ The research, led by Dr Daniel Herwartz from the University of Cologne, was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. It suggests that the entire Earth was subjected to a ‘deep freeze’, with the oceans turning into ice 1,000ft (300 metres) thick (stock image shown) It may have been that increased glaciation at the poles produced an opposite ‘greenhouse effect’, with the added ice reflecting more of the sun’s light and making the planet ever-more cool, allowing the ice to spread. Volcanic eruptions - or even a supervolcano - could also have reduced the amount of light reaching Earth, allowing temperatures to drop. It appears that volcanic activity was ultimately responsible for helping Earth breaking free of its icy grip, though, increasing global temperatures. In fact, Dr Herwatz said the amount of melting probably caused Earth to go through a ‘supergreenhouse period’. The ‘Snowball Earth’ theory is not set in stone, though - some have instead suggested it may have been more of a slushball. In other words, parts of the planet may have been encased in ice, but open seawater would still have existed in some locations, such as near the equator. In Earth's past the continents were much closer together, and by 1.1 billion years ago they had formed a supercontinent known as Rodinia (left). Some moons in the solar system such as Enceladus (right) are covered in ice today, but believed to have oceans beneath their surface. Whether such an event could happen again, though, does not look likely. Dr Herwatz noted that 2.4 million years ago, the sun was not as strong as it is today, allowing the process to take place. But a second snowball-like even 600 to 700 million years ago, which wasn’t quite as severe, occurred when the sun was almost as strong as it is today. ‘So I don’t know why it should not happen again,’ he said. ‘All you need is an extension of ice caps to a certain threshold level. ‘[But] considering the man made input of CO2 into our atmosphere we are currently heading in another direction, hence a Snowball Earth climate is currently very unlikely.’
| University of Cologne scientist led research proposing new theory. It suggests temperatures at the equator were -40°C 2.4 billion years ago. The reasons why the whole planet was frozen are not understood. But it could have implications for finding life on frozen moons like Europa.
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The White House declined to give embattled Drug Enforcement Administration chief Michele Leonhart a vote of confidence today as two news networks reported that she would soon resign. Her anticipated departure stems from concerns that agents of the federal drug agency divulged secrets at sex parties with prostitutes that drug lords in Colombia may have staged to elicit sensitive information. Armed with. once-confidential documents, a U.S. congressional committee will. investigate the claims, a spokeswoman for the Republican majority at the House. Committee on Oversight and Government Reform told Reuters today. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO. Drug Enforcement Administration boss Michele Leonhart testifies before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform in a hearing on sexual harassment and misconduct allegations. She will reportedly resign soon. The White House declined today to praise her. The DEA declined to comment today on the reports by CBS and CNN Leonhart, who has run the agency since 2007, was expected to resign after telling the panel last week there was 'no evidence' that sensitive information had been leaked but it's 'absolutely' possible that information had been compromised. President Barack Obama's top spokesman, Josh Earnest, refused to engage speculation today about Leonhart's employment status nor would not put the weight of the White House behind her. Pressed to say whether the president retained confidence in his drug czar, Earnest said, 'We continue to have concerns about the material that was presented in the inspector general report that raised legitimate questions about the conduct of DEA officers.' Earnest was referring to the allegations of sexual harassment and sexual misconduct at. the DEA, the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service and the Bureau of. Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives that were examined in. a March report by the Justice Department's Inspector General. In a case study, the Inspector General said DEA's internal. affairs office in 2009 and 2010 received allegations from. 'former host-country police officers' that several DEA agents,. including senior supervisors, had 'solicited prostitutes and. engaged in other serious misconduct' while stationed in the. unnamed country. U.S. officials said the country was Colombia. The report said that 'sex parties' financed by 'local drug. cartels' took place over 'several years' inside offices leased. by the DEA. A DEA supervisor told the Inspector General's office. that it was 'common for prostitutes to be present at business. meetings involving cartel members and foreign officers.' The Inspector General's report also said 'prostitutes in the. agents' quarters could easily have had access to sensitive DEA. equipment and information.' It did not explicitly allege that. such materials had been compromised to traffickers. From left to right: Leonhart, Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz and FBI Associate Deputy Director Kevin Perkins are sworn in to testify. Leonhart said there was 'no evidence' that sensitive information had been leaked but it's 'absolutely' possible that information had been compromised. The House Oversight aide who spokes to Reuters said the committee's leaks. inquiry would examine the bureaucratic culture and. leadership at the DEA and other Justice Department investigative. agencies. The events with prostitutes took place between 2001 and. 2005, but U.S. officials said the DEA did not investigate them. until years later. Leonhart has also been accused by the Inspector General of not giving out stiff enough penalties for misconduct. Supplemented by two U.S. government reports, Leonhart's. testimony raised concern among the committee's members that. agents might have leaked secrets about their investigations that. found their way to the Colombian drug lords. 'It is incredibly concerning that, according to the DEA. itself, there is a clear possibility that information was. compromised as a result of these sex parties,' Elijah Cummings,. the committee's top Democrat, told Reuters. He described the DEA agents' actions as 'truly breathtaking recklessness' in a statement. The panel's members issued a statement after Leonhart's appearance saying she had 'lost the confidence' of the committee. Leonhart 'has been woefully unable to change or positively influence the pervasive “good old boy” culture that exists throughout the agency,' they said of the second woman to hold the job. 'From her testimony, it is clear that she lacks the authority and will to make the tough decisions required to hold those accountable who compromise national security and bring disgrace to their position,' the group of 22 Republican and Democratic Members of Congress wrote. Oversight committee officials disclosed to Reuters excerpts. from a once-confidential internal DEA report which quoted an. agency informant alleging that U.S. agents who took part in the. parties had compromised sensitive information. One informant, identified by the committee as 'Cooperator. 2,' was quoted in an excerpt from the DEA report alleging that. he believed a second informant ('Cooperator 1') had 'gained. information from the U.S. agents by 'getting their guard down' through the use of prostitutes and paying for parties.' The report says Cooperator 1 'bragged about the parties with. prostitutes and how he 'sold' the relationship/closeness with. the agents' to Cooperator 2. According to the report, Cooperator 1 also 'stated he could. easily get the agents to talk.'
| Anticipated departure stems from concern that agents of the federal drug agency divulged secrets at sex parties with prostitutes. Colombian Drug lords may have staged rendezvous to elicit information. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is investigating. DEA declined to comment today on her reported resignation; the White House wouldn't give Leonhart its backing. Leonhart, head of the agency since 2007, has been accused by the Inspector General of not giving out stiff enough penalties for misconduct.
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We have had cereal cafes, a porridge pop-up and a toastie restaurant so it should come as no surprise that London is about to get yet another single-item menu eaterie. The latest to open in the capital this week is the Oshun Café, which will serve £6 bowls of Brazilian superfood acai berries. The sparse menu offers four variations of berry bowls, served with different toppings and fruit accompaniments. The Native Acai Berry Bowl is topped with bananas, granola, raisin and honey. Oshun Kong (left) made with coriander, ginger, lemongrass and sprinkled with sesame seeds. Courgette, lime, sour cherries and strawberries in the Oshun Tang (right) The fruit bowls include Oshun Native made with acaí pulp, banana and honey; The Oshun Tang made with courgette, lime, sour cherries and acai pulp; the Oshun Kong featuring acaí pulp, banana, lemongrass, ginger, coriander and honey; and the Oshun Maya with acaí pulp, raw cacao, cinnamon, orange and avocado. Liane Holey, founder of the cafe said: ‘Brazil’s streets are filled with vendors blending acaí pulp with fresh bananas and then topped with honey and granola to create an innocuously addictive berry bowl. ‘Oshun Cafe wants the UK to celebrate this way of eating acaí, not as powder, dried supplements or in smoothies and pasteurised juices which have significantly smaller amounts of Açaí and preserved nutrients.” The acaí berry is a rich purple fruit indigenous to the Amazon rainforest. For hundreds of years, the small dark berries have been integral to the diet of native Amazonian people. The Acai Berry Bowl Cafe will serve four types of berry bowls. The cafe is open from seven days a week. Oshun Maya with cinnamon, raw cacao, orange and avocado with nested popcorn. The berries taste like blueberries and dark chocolate, with a distinctly earthy aftertaste. They are a favourite of celebrities such as Victoria Beckham, Oprah Winfrey and Matthew McConaughey. Due to their high level of antioxidants the berries are considered a superfood.They also contain high levels of manganese and Omega and are renowned for their weight loss qualities. Oshun Native - acaí pulp, banana and honey. Oshun Tang: courgette, lime, sour cherries and acai pulp. Oshun Kong: banana, lemongrass, ginger, coriander and honey. Oshun Maya: acai berries, raw cacao, cinnamon, orange and avocado. Speaking about the potent powder, food blogger and nutritionist Deliciously Ella said: 'Acai is unbelievably rich in antioxidants, with one of the highest levels ever tested (eight times that of blueberries and 10 to 30 times that of red wine,) as well as vitamin E and omega-3s, all of which work to stop free radical damage and keep your body. 'It’s also amazing for keeping your skin glowing and slowing down the signs of ageing.' The large seed from each berry is removed and the remaining Açaí pulp (along with its nutrients) is frozen within 24 hours of being harvested, due to the fresh berry’s short lifespan. In Brazil, acai berry bowls are eaten around the clock. Melt Room, which only serves toasties - or 'melts' as they are known - will open in Soho, London in May. Cashing in on the trend for single-item menu restaurants, Melt Room, which only serves toasties - or 'melts' as they are known - will open its doors in May. The menu will offer a variety of sandwiches, from the classic grilled cheese which will set you back £4.50 to more upmarket fillings such as slow-cooked lamb shoulder with mustard dressed greens. Nik Williamson of The Porridge Cafe. The menu is currently being finalised but there will approximately be four breakfast toasties or 'melts' as they will be called, and six signature melts. The 12-seater cafe will also serve seasonal specials and 'hero melts' with unique cheeses. Melt Room follows on the heels of Old Street's Porridge Cafe, Simply Crispy in Belfast which serves crisp sandwiches and Brick Lane's Cereal Killer Cafe. The Porridge Cafe - from the founders of The Bow Street Kitchen Nik Wiliamson and Elly Harrington - opened in early March and serves 25 types of porridge made from 11 different grains. Prices range from £2.35 for a bowl of basic porridge to £7 for the more hearty versions, with meat and vegetable toppings. The cafe serves both sweet and savoury versions of the traditional breakfast dish. In December 2014 self-confessed cereal obsessives Alan and Gary Keery launched the UK’s first cereal cafe featuring 120 cereals, 20 types of toppings and 12 varieties of milk. The identical twins’ establishment opened in Brick Lane, London and offers a menu of over 100 cereals from around the world. The duo came under fire when they first opened their cafe, for charging £3.20 for a bowl of cereal. The single-item cafe movement is not just confined to London. Belfast's Simply Crispy which opened earlier in January was the brainchild of businessman Andrew McMenamin who had planned to keep his pop-up going for just four weeks. Alan and Gary Keery launched the UK’s first cereal cafe featuring 120 cereals, 20 types of toppings and 12 varieties of milk. Belfast's Simply Crispy which opened in January is the brainchild of businessman Andrew McMenamin. But with diners queuing down the street to get their hands on the snacks, which have sold out every day, the cafe will now stay open and could even expand to other shops in Northern Ireland, Dublin, or London. 'We have managed to sell out every day - not the crisps though, the bread, the baps. We can't get our hands on enough fresh baps because everything flies out of the door,' Mr McMenamin said. Moo’d, opened by best friends Zoe Blogg and Jen Gibb in Leeds in February this year, offers 100 different cereals as well as ‘cocktails’ consisting of mixed varieties of different brands. Not wanting to be left behind, two rivals are racing to become Manchester's first cereal cafe. Black Milk Cereal Dive has confirmed it will open in Afflecks Palace this month, and according to Twitter, Cereal Central MCR is 'coming soon.' The acai berry is a rich purple palm fruit indigenous to the Amazon rainforest. For hundreds of years, these small dark berries have been integral to the diet of native Amazon people. The berries are packed with amino acids, as well as vitamins A, B, C and E and minerals such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, copper and zinc. The fruit perishes quickly after being picked, so to help preserve its goodness it is often made into acai berry juice, supplements or powder, which is often whizzed into a smoothie. According to some sites selling acai products, the berry's fibre and essential fatty acid content contribute to its ability to burn fat more efficiently, process food more quickly, cut down on cravings, and boost metabolism.
| Oshun Cafe serves four variations of Brazilian superfood, costing £6 each. Pop-up restaurant will be open from 8 to 27 April. Berries packed with amino acids, as well as vitamins A, B, C and E.
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You could have fried an egg on David Cameron’s upper lip yesterday afternoon when he appeared in sunny Bristol. The PM was speaking in a rather peculiar building – an almost empty science park on the city’s outskirts, its round atrium area filled with party activists. The space was uncomfortably hot and Mr Cameron was looking straight into a merciless, piercing, armpit-moistening sun. The prime ministerial upper lip was soon glistening. Attack of the sweats! David Cameron worked up a sweat as he made a visit to Poole in Dorset and sunny Bristol. Pictured: The Prime Minister speaks with Lilli Docherty and her daughter Dakota over lunch in a sun-drenched garden. It was such a glorious bank holiday, why on earth did Tory high command not scrap their plans, strip down to shirts and chinos and campaign on the beach at Weston-super-Mare? They might at least have found some swing voters there. But there is something clinical, immutable, rigid, unspontaneous so far about this Tory campaign. Well, all the parties’ campaigns, really. Strategists with precious plans have plotted every minute of every low-risk day and the politicians look more remote from the electors than ever. Mr Cameron was appearing alongside George Osborne, Chancellor of the Exchequer, both of them in weekday suits. On some news-management grid many moons ago it had been decided that tax was to be the theme of the day. I suppose no one guessed it might be high-summerish weather. Bank holidays are usually washouts. And so tax remained the dish du jour. The day was hailed as ‘Money Back Monday’ because it was the start of the financial year and the new, more generous tax allowances for the low-paid meant an extra £600 in people’s pockets. Mr Cameron had spent the morning in Poole, Dorset (where veteran Lib Dem MP Annette Brooke is retiring) and apparently ate a hot dog while he was there. One of the reporters who had been on his campaign bus said he had met ‘at least two voters’. He arrived at the Bristol and Bath Science Park at 4.40pm. As his battle bus approached the destination, one of his police bodyguards made plain his feelings by being spectacularly sick, poor soul. Perhaps the copper had been food taster for the hot dog. Everyone getting off the bus looked a bit green. The audience had been waiting for some time, broiling slowly in the building’s atrium. What a soulless place it was, of antiseptic design with bleached wood and long, lifeless corridors. Vast windows. An airport-style exterior. We could have been anywhere in the world – the middle of Texas, the plains of central France, or at a yet-to-open business hotel in Bulgaria. Prime Minister David Cameron and George Osborne make a speech at the Bristol and Bath Science Park. During his Bristol visit, Mr Cameron read a speech and said there was a ‘moral’ case for the Tories’ policies. Bristol has a handful of seats, local Tory MPs being Chris Skidmore, Charlotte Leslie and Jack Lopresti. Might it not have made more sense to hold a rally underneath Clifton suspension bridge – somewhere that at least had a resonance with the city? A tanned Mr Cameron dutifully made his prepared speech, saying that there was a ‘moral’ case for the Tories’ economic policies. Fetch that, Mr Archbishop of Canterbury. It was ‘frankly immoral to spend money like it grows on trees’. He said he and the Tories would spend money on ‘your family, your future’ rather than on ‘bureaucracy or bloat or the latest crackpot Government scheme’. This innovative use of ‘bloat’ as a noun was repeated three times. Don’t vote bloat. Maybe it should be their new slogan. After ten minutes he let George Osborne make a speech. Eeek. George stepped into the glare and you have seldom seen a man look so deathly pale. Shades of the sepulchre on Easter morning. A brief session of questions saw Mr Cameron being asked about recent Lib Dem eruptions – Nick Clegg calling Mr Osborne ‘a very dangerous man’ and Danny Alexander alleging that the Tories are not interested in helping the poor. Mr Cameron said it was inevitable that ‘you’ll find the minor parties saying increasingly desperate things’. He was unfazed by ‘the odd noise-off from a deputy’. Or should that be noise-off from an odd deputy?
| David Cameron enjoyed visit to Bristol with Chancellor George Osborne. Visited Bristol and Bath Science Park and earlier went to Poole in Dorset.
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Arrest: Timothy Rogalski allegedly repeatedly called Sandy Hook Elementary School on Tuesday. A man has been arrested for repeatedly calling Sandy Hook Elementary School and accusing staff members of staging the 2012 school massacre. Timothy Rogalski, from Wallingford, Connecticut, called the school on Tuesday morning and left four messages on its office answerphone. The fifth time he called, he spoke to an administrative assistant. In the calls, the 30-year-old accused staff of being behind the December 14, 2012 shooting that left 20 children and six female educators dead, according to police in Monroe. He also said the Boston Marathon bombings in April 2014 were fake, police said. Authorities traced the calls back to the home Rogalski shares with his father, about 40 miles from where the 2012 attack unfolded, and he was arrested. 'I don't think I said anything that horrible,' Rogalski said at a court appearance on Wednesday, NBC Connecticut reported. He has been charged with harassment and disorderly conduct and is being held on $2,500 bond. He was ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation and not to contact anyone at the school. He will next appear in court on April 22. Arrest: The calls were traced to his home in Wallingford, pictured, which is about 40 miles from where the shooting unfolded in Newtown in 2012. He was taken into custody and charged. Rogalski allegedly made the calls to Sandy Hook Elementary, which is operating temporarily in Monroe as a new school is built to replace the old one, and two other nearby schools. The original site of the school was demolished a year after the shootings. The gunman's home, where he shot dead his mother before going on the killing spree at the school, was also torn down in earlier this year. Rogalski's arrest does not mark the first time threatening calls have been made about the killings. In the days following the 2012 school shooting, Wilfrido Cardenas Hoffman, 31, looked up Newtown residents' phone numbers from his home in Venezuela and made more than 90 calls. Authorities said that in a few calls, Cardenas claimed to be the Sandy Hook shooter, Adam Lanza, and threatened to kill the person he had phoned. Terror: Responders gather at the scene of the mass school shooting in Newtown on December 14, 2012. The shooting left 20 children and six educators dead, as well as the gunman's mother. 'This is Adam Lanza. I'm gonna (expletive) kill you. You're dead. You're dead. You hear me? You're dead,' he said, according to authorities. Deirdre Daly, the U.S. attorney for Connecticut, said the conduct of Cardenas was reprehensible. 'These threatening calls, just two days after the tragedy, compounded the collective suffering of all of the citizens of Newtown and needlessly stressed law enforcement resources at a critical time,' she said. He was arrested in 2014, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a year in prison.
| Timothy Rogalski 'called the school five times and accused school staff of staging the shooting that left 20 children and six educators dead' Police traced the calls to his home and he was arrested. 'I don't think I said anything that horrible,' he said in court.
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David Cameron today announced plans to give millions of workers three days paid leave a year to do volunteer work. The Prime Minister said he will amend the Working Times regulations so for three days people can volunteer or serve as a school governor, and get paid in addition to their 28 days of paid holiday. But business leaders criticised the move as heavy-handed government intervention', amid doubts about how the policy would be paid for. Scroll down for video. Happy handshake: The Prime Minister met staff and volunteers at the Age UK Day Centre in Plymouth today. Prime Minister David Cameron's Big Society good deeds scheme will only affect firms with 250 or more staff. The policy will apply to workers at firms with at least 250 staff - an estimated 10 million in the private sector and five million in the public sector. Volunteers would be able to take the time to volunteer in a block or flexibly. Announcing the policy Mr Cameron said: 'This election is about building a better future for our children and grandchildren. The foundation stone of that better future is our economic security. But Conservatives know the society we build on top of that is just as important too. 'This is the clearest demonstration of the Big Society in action - and I'm proud it's a Conservative government that will deliver it.' But Simon Walker, director general of the Institute of Directors (IoD), criticised the announcement, saying the policy did not appear to have been thought through. 'Many, many businesses are already highly engaged in their local community and with charitable causes, and the IoD thoroughly supports them. Passing a law to compel firms to pay their staff to volunteer for charity is hardly in keeping with the spirit of philanthropy. 'Businesses should support their staff if they want to volunteer, but the architects of this idea cannot pretend that forcing firms to give an additional three days of paid leave will do anything other than add costs. Time off for charity work and volunteering is a matter for managers and employees to discuss between themselves, not a target for heavy-handed government intervention. 'This announcement not only undermines the Tory record on reducing business regulation, it also puts additional pressure on public sector employers, and ultimately the taxpayer. Frankly, the essence of volunteering is that it is voluntary. The IoD would welcome proposals to incentivise and make it easier for companies to facilitate volunteering, but it has to be a choice.' Mr Cameron's plan will affect around 15 million workers across Great Britain in private and public sectors. Survival expert and Television star Bear Grylls said that he supports Mr Cameron's volunteering scheme. The plan was praised by the chairman of BT Mike Rake. He said: 'Corporate volunteering is a triple win - a win for the community, a win for individuals doing the volunteering, and a win for companies.' Survival expert and TV star Bear Grylls also lent Mr Cameron his support for the scheme. 'Any initiative that encourages people to volunteer is good news,' he said. 'All of us struggle to find extra time and that's why to have firm government support that enables millions to volunteer is a huge step forward towards building solid communities all around the UK.' However, just hours after Cameron's announcement, Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said companies would not be forced to organise paid time-off for their employees, suggesting the policy would be unworkable. 'Nobody is forcing anybody to volunteer and no one is forcing companies to organise this volunteering if it causes problems to the company,' Mr Pickles told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. He added there would need to be 'a bit of give and take' with the Prime Minister's plan. The Communities Secretary insisted it would not add to costs in the NHS, with potential gaps having to be filled by extra agency workers. 'We're talking about three days and it would be worked out according to patterns of work and it will be worked out to ensure that it doesn't cause inconvenience to the health service,' he said. The former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott said Mr Pickles had given a 'car crash' interview. He tweeted: 'If yesterday's Michael Fallon interview was a car crash, Eric Pickles just caused a motorway pile-up #r4today.' Mr Pickles suggested companies would not be forced to give staff days-off for volunteering under the plan. Former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott offered his view on Pickles' interview on the Today programme. The Labour party raised concerns about the cost of the policy. Shadow minister Lisa Nandy said: 'This is a re-announcement from David Cameron that has unravelled before it's even been made. 'Giving every public servant three extra days off could cost millions of pounds but there's no sense of how it will be paid for. If just half of public sector workers took this up it would be the time equivalent of around 2,000 nurses, 800 police and almost 3,000 teachers.'
| Prime Minister announced plan to amend Working Times regulations. Mr Cameron wants workers to have three paid days off to do good deeds. He described announcement as demonstration of the Big Society in action. Immediately afterwards Eric Pickles suggested it wouldn't be enforced. John Prescott described Mr Pickles' interview as a 'car-crash'
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Residents living yards from the scene of the £60million Hatton Garden heist have revealed how they were hit by 'peculiar' power cuts on the weekend before the daring crime. They also claim to have heard ‘drilling’ noises on the evening of Good Friday, but thought at the time that this was simply a continuation of road works that had been taking place in recent weeks. Meanwhile it has also been alleged that the thieves returned a day after the initial robbery in central London to steal more loot after becoming 'greedy'. Scroll down for video. Arrival: Two members of the criminal gang, with their faces obscured, can be seen entering the building. Leaving the area: Later on, they exit the building with wheelies bins thought to be carrying the stolen loot. Scotland Yard admitted last week that an alarm first went off at the scene after midnight on Good Friday, but it was graded as 'no police response was deemed to be required'. Residents on Greville Street - near the scene close to Farringdon station - say they had suspicious power outages a full week before the heist, which they now think could be linked. Farhana Begum, 19, who lives in a flat just a ten-second walk from the raided premises, added: ‘My mum actually heard drilling on the [Good] Friday night, it was probably about 9pm or 9.30pm. ‘But there had been road works, or construction work, going on in the street for the last couple of weeks, so she thought that they may have been working late. Protection: One of the gang members carries a large plastic bag past the camera to help obscure his face. Vehicle: A white transit van used to transport the gang and their loot pulls away from outside the building. ‘But she did think it was quite weird that they would be drilling at that time. Also, about two weeks ago, so the weekend before it happened, there was an electrical cut.' Miss Begum added: ‘It was over that weekend, so before the Holborn fire [under Kingsway on April 1] as well. It happened on either the Friday or the Saturday, it was just a bit peculiar.’ Career criminal: Noel 'Razor' Smith, who has 58 convictions and spent 32 years in prison, said the group was likely brought together by a 'Mr Big' Another local resident, data scientist John Han, 26, said: ‘We heard some type of loud noise which woke us up. It was late at night on the Friday or Saturday. I can't remember which. ‘I heard some type of noise. I'm not sure what it was, but I thought they were just doing road works in the street again. But I did think to myself why would somebody be doing road works at that time?’ Former bank robber Noel 'Razor' Smith - who was responsible for more than 200 bank robberies during his criminal career - believes the group made an unplanned return to the scene after their initial break-in when they realised their robbery had not been discovered. Mr Smith, speaking after having analysed video footage of the raid, told The Daily Mirror the organised criminals would be aware of the huge risk involved in returning for more spoils, but the rewards outweighed the danger. On Saturday night, police released dramatic CCTV images of the raid in the hope of a breakthrough in the investigation. The pictures show the robbers at work over several days as they take part in the raid on the basement packed with security boxes in London's diamond district. Described as 'highly audacious' by Metropolitan Police detectives, the men - wearing Adidas tracksuits, builders' hats and high-visibility jackets - were captured entering the building through a side exit, before leaving hours later with a wheelie bin full of jewels. The gang is thought to have hidden in an office before abseiling down a lift shaft and drilling into a vault. The group left the jewellers on Good Friday after having first appeared on camera the day before. But one of the thieves then reappeared on camera late Saturday night - a move Mr Smith described as a 'huge risk'. Saturday, March 28. Thursday, April 2. Friday, April 3. Saturday, April 4. Sunday, April 5. Tuesday, April 7. Mr Smith told reporter David Collins, writing for the Daily Mirror: 'He could be out the country by now spending the rest of his life a very rich man. Instead he's come back for more. 'I don't think this was part of the plan. But criminals are greedy.' Mr Smith went on to state the raid was likely organised by a 'Mr Big' who organised an elite crew made up of Europeans and Israelis, unknown to each other, acting on his inside information. CCTV shows the gang of at least six men breaking into a basement side door at the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Ltd building. It is now known they then took stairs to the second floor, disabled a lift and abseiled down the shaft to get to the vault, avoiding security doors. The footage is from the bottom of a fire escape by the basement side door. At 9.23pm on the Thursday, just minutes after employees left for the Easter bank holiday weekend, a red-haired man wearing a baseball cap was the first to arrive and headed downstairs to the vault. A street camera then picked up a white Ford Transit van drawing up outside and men were seen dragging wheelie bins away before the van left. The men, wearing high-visibility jackets and hard hats, carried large holdalls and dragged the wheelie bins downstairs towards the vault. It is thought that one of the bins contained the 77lb drill used to bore through the 6ft-thick vault wall. On Good Friday, at 7.51am the raiders emerged through the basement side door with holdalls, tools and the bins, now believed to be filled with diamonds, cash and jewellery. The van was seen pulling up again before the men loaded it and drove off. At 10.17pm on Saturday, the cameras showed three of the men returning with holdalls and tool boxes. From 5.46am on Sunday, the gang went back and forth four times with a wheelie bin from the vault to the van. They then loaded up the van and drove off at 6.44am. In total, 72 safety deposit boxes were opened out of 999 boxes in the vault. Possible identities suggested for the thieves have ranged from Russian gangsters to former Serbian military personnel, or that they are part of the 'Pink Panther Gang' from the Balkans. Scotland Yard was branded as 'incompetent' last week after admitting it got a call at 0.20am on the Friday from a company who monitors alarms across the South East, but instead of acting on it, deemed it 'no police response required'. A police spokesman said: 'The call stated that a confirmed intruder alarm had been activated at the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Ltd. 'The call was recorded and transferred to the police's (computer) system. A grade was applied to the call that meant that no police response was deemed to be required.' He added: 'We are now investigating why this grade was applied to the call. This investigation is being carried out locally. It is too early to say if the handling of the call would have had an impact on the outcome of the incident.' In response to whether officers had spoken to residents about the power cuts and 'drilling' noises, a police spokesman declined to comment. Meanwhile, a Ukip candidate who is under investigation for handing out sausage rolls to voters has revealed that he may have lost valuables in the Hatton Garden burglary. Kim Rose, a jeweller who is standing in the Southampton Itchen constituency in Hampshire, had a box at the safe deposit hit in the raid. The 58-year-old made headlines last week when it emerged that police want to question him after a report that he tried to woo potential voters with refreshments at a party event. Mr Rose is still waiting to hear whether his was among 72 boxes which were taken in the burglary and will be interviewed by police tomorrow morning over the sausage roll claims. WHERE WERE THE GANG FROM? Speculation over the gang’s origin has been feverish. Possible identities put forward have ranged from former Serbian military personnel to Russian gangsters, or that they are members of the so-called Pink Panther Gang from the Balkans, who have carried out robberies across Europe. However, the Pink Panthers have been violent and aggressive in the past, which was not the case here. AN ACCOMPLICE ON THE INSIDE? The men reached the fire exit through an alley leading from a side street in Hatton Garden, but this alley is protected by a metal gate and the raiders would have needed a key. Furthermore, there was no sign of a forced entry through the fire exit door into the company’s premises, indicating they had a key or that someone had let them in from the inside. Another theory is that a member of the gang had rented a space within the premises. LOOT SMUGGLED OUT OF THE COUNTRY? Some believe the haul was stolen to order for the Middle Eastern market. Whoever their buyer, it is agreed by police, former robbers and crime experts that the gems are likely to have already left the country - and probably very soon after the raid. According to one former robber quoted in a newspaper at the weekend, getting the goods out of the country would be ‘a doddle’. WHAT ABOUT THE ‘KING OF DIAMONDS’? A criminal mastermind known as the 'King of Diamonds' was named last week among the prime suspects. The only known picture of the mysterious robber comes from an unsolved raid on a Knightsbridge's Graff diamond store in 2007. The Panama hat-wearing raider entered the exclusive shop after jumping out of a chauffeur-driven Bentley. He and an accomplice then pulled out guns and made off with £13million worth of jewellery.
| Locals say power cuts the weekend before raid could be linked to heist. They also tell of suspicious 'drilling' noises on evening of Good Friday. Group seen returning to scene on Saturday - a day after initial break-in. Police admit they didn't respond after alarm went off early on Friday.
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Teenagers will be encouraged to learn foreign languages by talking about tattoos, music festivals, YouTube and rap music under the latest GCSE shake-up. Teenagers will be encouraged to learn foreign languages by talking about tattoos, music festivals, YouTube and rap music under the latest GCSE shake-up. Exam board officials yesterday unveiled a draft syllabus for 14 to 16-year-olds which they said would ‘make content more contemporary’. Some students will be asked to study a review of a gritty 15-rated foreign film, while others will look at Spanish tweets on the Olympic Games. The proposals, announced by Oxford, Cambridge and RSA Examinations (OCR), aim to rid classrooms of ‘tired phrases’ which some pupils now see as outdated. The board said children were ‘uninspired’ by conventional topics like ‘my school day’, ‘my pencil case’ and ‘my family’. It said the new French, German and Spanish GCSEs would allow pupils to talk about their interests using updated content. Exam board officials also hope to ‘bring back linguistic skills’ by focusing on grammar as a component of an indispensable language ‘toolkit’. OCR languages expert Katherine Smith said: ‘This entails moving away from working too long on a clichéd topic until a student is bored with it, to working on more appealing subjects, and with an all-important shift in emphasis on the skills that they can transfer across content. ‘Current GCSE specifications have focused on preparing coursework which is more about the theme than learning the building blocks of a language. ‘This has de-skilled students and led to ‘topic fatigue’. Our new approach should fundamentally improve both the student’s enjoyment and their linguistic ability.’ The course content, which has now been submitted to Ofqual for approval, would be studied by pupils from 2016. The board said it had disposed of old topics including ‘My holiday’, ‘Aurélie and Fabian go to town’ or ‘Mathilde’s school day’. One teacher at an OCR teacher consultation said: ‘Students are not really going to meet somebody in a café in Paris and describe their entire family.’ Pupils would no longer be forced to recite phrases like ‘I have a grapefruit every morning’ and instead would be able to express views such as ‘In my opinion a discreet tattoo is an expression of your personality’. In the new draft German GCSE, there is a film review of the thriller Run Lola Run, which is rated 15 and features some mild violence. In the Spanish GCSE, students will be asked to look at tweets on the Olympic Games. Exam board officials yesterday unveiled a draft syllabus for 14 to 16-year-olds which they said would ‘make content more contemporary’ Other proposed content includes listening to a radio broadcast on rap music and discussing online gaming and YouTube. Potential topics include Cannes Film Festival, volunteering abroad and foreign food. Experts said the new content would take inspiration from methods used to teach English as a foreign language. Literature extracts will be also be studied at the request of the Department for Education, including passages from an Ionesco play. OCR also wants to abandon inflexible vocabulary lists and encourage pupils to use a smart app to help them memorise words. Ms Smith added: ‘While language teachers are pulling their hair out as their student numbers decline with languages not prioritised by the current system, captains of industry are also deeply frustrated. ‘We are passionate about getting these three core language GCSEs right to help the UK build a generation of people with the language skills that are so desperately needed.’
| Exam board officials yesterday unveiled draft syllabus for kids aged 14-16. Some students will be asked to study review of gritty 15-rated foreign film. Other GCSE pupils will look at Spanish tweets on the Olympic Games. Proposals aim to rid classes of ‘tired phrases’ now through to be outdated.
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A judge has sentenced an Oregon man to 10 years in prison on Monday for fatally stabbing his boyfriend, but the victim's mother says that's not long enough. Tony Lopez Lozano, 35, was charged with the August 2013 murder of his boyfriend, Brian Romo, after fatally stabbing Romo in the heart following an argument at their Oregon City home, The Oregonian reports. Lozano pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter as part of a plea deal and, on Monday, a judge sentenced him to 10 years in prison -- much to the dismay of the victim's mother, Kathleen Tapia. 'You took a deal: 10 years. For me, that's not long enough,' Tapia said at the sentencing. 'I don't forgive you, and I never will.' Sentence: A judge has sentenced Tony Lopez Lozano (photographed), of Oregon City, to 10 years in prison for fatally stabbing his boyfriend, Brian Romo. Lozano claimed that he was 'very intoxicated' when he killed Romo and, KTVZ reports, the fight came after a night of drinking at their home in the city's South End neighborhood. A prosecutor said that Lozano 'has pretty consistently taken responsibility for [the murder].' However, had the case gone to trial, Lozano would have claimed that Romo was physically abusive, according to the Oregonian. Victim: Brian Romo (pictured), was fatally stabbed in the heart by his boyfriend Romo following an argument at their Oregon City home. Drinking: Lozano held that he was 'very intoxicated' when he killed Romo and the fight came after a night of drinking at their home in the city's South End neighborhood. Romo's relatives said Lozano was prone to acts of violence claiming that the 35-year-old threatened to kill Romo and had stabbed him once before. Lozano apologized to the victim's family during the sentencing but told Tapia that she was abusive and he was glad he'd never see her again.
| A judge sentenced Tony Lopez Lozano, 35, to 10 years in prison for stabbing his boyfriend in the heart during a fight. Lozano pleaded to first-degree manslaughter as part of a plea deal after being initially charged with murder. Victim's mother: 'You took a deal: 10 years. For me, that's not long enough'
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She may not look it, but this 72-year-old is a master con artist. Cathryn Parker has lived under at least 74 aliases in Los Angeles, mainly those of Hollywood production workers. But after 15 blissful years skipping over legal hurdles, it all came to a grinding halt when she was stopped for a traffic violation. Police started to investigate Parker after realizing she gave the traffic officers a false name. Tracking down her house, they found she was leasing under another false name. The case quickly unraveled into one of the biggest cases of identity theft the state has ever seen. Master con? Cathryn Parker, 72, has been living as 74 different people, mainly Hollywood production staffers. 'I've been a cop for 20 years... and this is the first case where I've had this many aliases,' LAPD's Detective Danny Gore told the LA Times. He predicted Parker would have continued to operate under the various identities for the rest of her life. 'It's like a way of life. I don't know that there was an end,' he remarked. 'You have to be dedicated.' Efforts to find a phone number for Parker were unsuccessful. It wasn't immediately known if she has an attorney. As of Friday, Parker was in federal custody in Northern California, where she was wanted for probation violations. She was convicted in 2000 for federal mail fraud in Hawaii after she used the Jenny Craig Corp's corporate travel account to purchase plane tickets and then sold the tickets privately for $500 apiece. Parker has repeatedly violated the terms of her release since then and was wanted by the U.S. Marshals, according to records. According to police, she also paid utilities under false names and acquired credit cards with other people's financial information. After she serves time in Northern California, she'll be sent down to Los Angeles County to answer for the alleged identity thefts, Deputy U.S. Marshal Laura Vega said. Until that time, investigators are looking for more victims. Though the current victims only date back to 2012, Gore said he believes there could be incidents going back to 2010. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.
| Cathryn Parker, 72, gave a false name at a traffic stop in LA last month. Police realized she was also leasing her home with another name. Case unraveled to be one of the worst cases of identity theft in the state. Most of her identities are stolen from Hollywood production staffers. Anyone with information regarding the case is asked to contact the LAPD on 661 940-3851.
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ABC's World News Tonight evening newscast has officially overtaken underfire rival NBC's Nightly News in the ratings war for the first time in more than five and a half years. NBC's 288 consecutive week winning run had stetched back to September 2009 and the drop from the top spot comes two months after anchor Brian Williams received a six-month suspension for misleading viewers about his coverage of the Iraq War in 2003. According to Nielsen ratings, ABC's World News Tonight with David Muir attracted 84,000 more viewers for the week ending April 3, with the show pulling in 7.997 million viewers compared to Nightly's 7.913 million. David Muir's World News Tonight evening newscast has officially overtaken underfire rival NBC's Nightly News in the ratings war for the first time in more than five and a half years. As well as coming in the wake of Williams' suspension, the switch also follows a change in how the numbers are crunched which now prevents NBC from including repeat numbers of its newscast from overnight replays. In Williams' continued absence, well-liked veteran Lester Holt continues to fill in as substitute anchor at NBC. 'Lester Holt has led NBC Nightly News to great success over the past two months, and we continue to be pleased with his strong performance during this time,' an NBC News spokesperson said in a statement. 'We're proud of the caliber of our work and remain committed to delivering the highest quality broadcast for our audience every night.' NBC's 288 consecutive week winning run had stetched back to September 2009 and the drop from the top spot comes two months after anchor Brian Williams received a six-month suspension for misleading viewers. A source at NBC told Deadline that the news division had expected ratings volatility in the wake of Williams' suspension. The ratings race had become very tight even before Williams' high profile suspension. NBC remains ahead for the season with an average of 9.2 million total viewers compared to ABC's 9.1 million. Muir, who took over from Diane Sawyer last September, has already been the number one choice among viewers aged 25-54 for the past 14 weeks. That is the demographic upon which most news programming is sold to advertisers. World News also won the week among that demographic, 1.95 million viewers compared to NBC's 1.79 million. It's also unclear what impact, if any, ABC's ratings win will have on Holt's future on the show. Many inside NBC News continue to advocate for the well-liked veteran anchor, who has been a stabilizing force at a broadcast and a news division rocked by a series of missteps. In Williams' absence, well-liked veteran Lester Holt continues to fill in as substitute anchor at NBC and a spokesperson said the network was 'pleased with his strong performance'
| World News Tonight evening newscast has officially overtaken underfire rival NBC's Nightly News in the ratings war. NBC's 288 consecutive week winning run had stetched back to September 2009 and the drop comes two months after Brian Williams' suspension. An NBC spokesperson said the network was 'pleased' with substitute anchor Lester Holt's 'strong performance' Switch also follows a change in how the numbers are crunched and NBC is now prevented from including repeat numbers from overnight replays.
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Jason Orange shocked Take That fans around the world when he quit the chart-topping band last September but he hasn't said goodbye to them forever. Busy man: Gary Barlow is preparing for his musical Finding Neverland to open and the new Take That tour to begin. For as the remaining members Gary Barlow, Mark Owen and Howard Donald prepare to hit the road as a trio on their new tour - opening in Glasgow on April 27 - Gary has revealed to MailOnline that Jason will be proudly cheering on his former bandmates. Speaking exclusively to MailOnline ahead of the premiere of his new Broadway musical Finding Neverland on Wednesday, Gary said: 'He wants to come to the shows, he'll definitely be there. I don't think we'll be able to get him up on stage but he'll be there.' Regarding Jason's departure, Gary added: 'I think we've gotten used to it. It was very strange to start with it but it's been over six months. 'We're just so excited to hit the road. People come to a Take That show expecting an extravaganza and that's exactly what they're going to get.' However, before Gary can get back to the UK for tour rehearsals, he has the small matter of seeing his musical open on Broadway. And as he waited for the premiere to take place in New York on Wednesday, Gary admitted he was feeling equal parts nervous and excited. He said: 'It's felt like a little secret for so long and it felt like it was never ever going to happen. It feels quite weird to hand over our little baby and have everyone see it.' It was the new Late Late Show host James Corden who first put Gary in touch with Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein when he was looking for someone to write the score for his musical Finding Neverland. He'll be back: Gary told MailOnline that Jason (second left) is excited to come and see his former bandmates on their new tour. Speaking of James, Gary said: I feel like I'm going to owe him for the rest of my life and he's loving that at the moment. He's doing brilliant on The Late Late Show and if he'd have us we'd definitely go on and perform some songs from the musical.' Speaking about Hollywood supremo Harvey, Gary admitted he was surprised by how much creative control Weinstein gave him and co-writer Eliot Kennedy. 'He's someone that I'd heard about and I was really keen to meet him,' Gary told MailOnline. When he called me up I was definitely interested. 'I didn't know how he worked but now I realise he is a creative. He completely trusted our music. We've had an amazing couple of years.' And then there were three: Gary promised fans that they can expect an 'extravaganza' when they come to see the new tour. It's not goodbye: Jason Orange shocked Take That fans around the world when he quit the chart-topping band last September but he hasn't said goodbye to them forever. While Gary had a taste of Hollywood when he performed songs from Finding Neverland at Harvey's pre-Oscars party, he insisted he will be sticking to writing and not asking Harvey to cast him in a new project. 'The last time I acted was on Heartbeat in 1998,' Gary said. 'Diane, the director of Neverland, always calls me JM Gary and says she is going to get me up on stage. 'I cannot act whatsoever, so I think I'm just going to stick to writing and singing.' 'He completely trusted our music': Gary revealed Hollywood mogul and Finding Neverland producer Harvey Weinstein has been extremely encouraging since bringing him on to write the music for the Broadway musical. Big night: On Wednesday Gary's Finding Neverland had its Broadway premiere. That's what friends are for: It was the new Late Late Show host James Corden who first put Gary in touch with Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein when he was looking for someone to write the score for his musical. Meanwhile, Gary admitted he is dismayed by Louis Walsh's recent declaration that his X Factor days could be numbered and said he hopes the veteran judge doesn't leave. Barlow exclusively told MailOnline: 'I really hope he doesn't leave. To me he's the life of that show. He brings the silliness to it and that's what everyone loves. He's a big part of it behind the scenes too. I don't think they should lose him. I think what could happen is he might leave and then they'll get to auditions and send a plane for him.' Stronger than ever: Gary believes that Zayn Malik's (second left) departure from One Direction won't stop the band going on to even greater success. Just as Jason Orange's departure from Take That shocked fans, so too did Zayn Malik's recent decision to quit One Direction. But Gary believes the remaining members Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Liam Payne and Louis Tomlinson will come out it stronger than ever. Gary, who also saw Robbie Williams leave Take That in 1995, said: 'I think it's slightly easier for the band. You can lean on each other. I think it's always harder for the one who leaves. 'For One Direction it's just a transitional period. Like us their fans are very supportive.' Finding Neverland, directed by Diane Paulus, explores the Peter Pan book's back story and stars Matthew Morrison of Glee and former Frasier star Kelsey Grammer. Performances begin March 15 at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. Former co-star: Gary admitted he is dismayed by Louis Walsh's recent declaration that his X Factor days could be numbered and said he hopes the veteran judge doesn't leave.
| Spoke to MailOnline ahead of premiere of his new musical Finding Neverland. Gary was handpicked by Harvey Weinstein to write the music for the show. Said Jason's departure was 'strange' at first but Take That have moved on. Promised fans an 'extravaganza' on the new Take That tour.
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A vast underground network of pipes could be used to transport freight and deliveries in a bid to end road congestion and pollution. The government has approved funding for Cambridgeshire-based Mole Solutions to develop the idea as an alternative to the conventional systems of transporting goods by road. The plan, called the Mole Urban project, aims to reduce the level of road freight within urban areas by using freight pipelines carrying goods in capsules to edge of town consolidation centres, where they would be collected. Scroll down for video. One of the Mole Solutions capsules inside one of their pipelines at their testing site in Northampton. A graphic showing how the Mole Urban project would work by sending freight in underground pipes rather than on the road. The firm is now looking to see if the concept could be used within the town of Northampton and if results are positive, a pilot could see underground pipelines installed to transport goods. The development project is set to last nine months and if successful could be rolled out in other towns, although it is still a long way from fruition. The proposal, would see the driverless capsules propelled by a magnetic wave produced by linear induction motors. A track has already been constructed in Northampton to test the capsules with data being collected on commercial and environmental influences. However, the firm say that even irrespective of the final results for the test case, the process established in the project can be used to assess other locations that have major congestion and pollution problems caused by excess road usage. The development project is set to last nine months and if successful could be rolled out in other towns. Dr Roger Miles, head of Mole Solutions told the Independent: 'Clean water is taken into homes and dirty water is taken away and we never really see it, while huge amounts of oil and diesel are transported by pipes and underground. 'Now we want to do something similar with freight, delivering goods to buildings and taking away waste.' The concept has already had funding from the government and is also attracting support from private businesses too. The company is already one of several businesses that have attracted support from the Transport Systems Catapult, a government-funded centre set up to support innovation in transport. The Transport Systems Catapult is currently working with the UK Government and over 70 major multinationals on ‘Intelligent Mobility’ inventions with major market potential, including driverless cars, underground sensors and freight pipelines. The technology comes after Amazon announced they had been carrying out a secret research project which would see packages from the company delivered by drone. Amazon has approached the British Government about trialling its flying Amazon Prime Air service in the UK. One of its prototype delivery drones is pictured. In December 2013, the internet shopping giant’s chief executive Jeff Bezos says that he wants to use octocoptors to replace postmen and cut delivery times to just 30 minutes. Customers would have their order dropped onto their front lawn by the machine which would fly through the air from a nearby warehouse with it clasped in a metal grabber. And last month, it was reported that Amazon is said to have approached the British Government to launch a trial of the technology in Britain.
| Mole Solutions is developing the idea as an alternative to road transport. Would see capsules loaded with goods sent in underground pipelines. A test track has already been built for a nine month development project. The project has approved some government funding from DEFRA.
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David Cameron is narrowly winning the battle for floating voters, according to a major poll out today. The ComRes survey of 4,000 undecided voters found a slim majority have been more impressed with the performance of the Prime Minister than that of Ed Miliband during the Election campaign. A separate poll of marginal seats by the former Tory treasurer Lord Ashcroft suggests that Ukip’s vote is being squeezed in key constituencies as election day approaches. A ComRes survey of 4,000 undecided voters across the UK found a slim majority have been more impressed with the performance of Prime Minister David Cameron than that of Ed Miliband during the Election campaign. It also suggests Education Secretary Nicky Morgan is set to hold her marginal seat in Loughborough. Today’s ComRes survey, for ITV’s Good Morning Britain show, found that 37 per cent of floating voters have been impressed with Mr Cameron’s performance on the campaign trail so far, compared with 31 per cent who think Mr Miliband has done well. Nigel Farage was just behind on 30 per cent. Meanwhile, SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon, has impressed 21 per cent of voters on the back of her strong performance in last week’s televised leaders’ debate. Ms Sturgeon appears to have been biting her nails. Is the pressure starting to tell on Nicola Sturgeon? From the look of her hands as she met her party’s candidates in Aberdeen yesterday, it looks like the 44-year-old SNP leader has been struck by a bout of behind-the-scenes finger-chewing. Mr Cameron also suffered less badly from negative appraisals. While 49 per cent said they were ‘unimpressed’ with the Prime Minister’s performance, 54 per cent said the same of Mr Miliband. But the poll also shows that politicians have yet to shift many of the undecided voters whose support is likely to be critical in next month’s election. Just 12 per cent of the group said they had made up their minds since they were last polled in March. Another 48 per cent said they had a ‘good idea’ who they would back, while 16 per cent said they were ‘starting to lean towards a certain party’. Almost a quarter (24 per cent) said they were ‘completely undecided who to vote for’. Floating voters identified the NHS as the most important issue, followed by immigration, the cost of living and the economy. Meanwhile, Lord Ashcroft’s survey of Labour-Tory marginals suggests Mr Cameron still has a lot of work to do just to hold on to the seats he won in 2010. Of ten Tory-held marginal constituencies, Labour is ahead in four seats, with the parties tied in another. Mr Cameron also suffered less badly from negative appraisals, with 49 per cent of undecided voters saying they were ‘unimpressed’ with his performance and 54 per cent saying the same of Mr Miliband (pictured) Lord Ashcroft said the study showed Ukip’s vote was being squeezed since the same seats were polled last year. ‘The Ukip share had fallen significantly – by up to 10 points – in nine of the ten seats polled,’ he said. The decline in Ukip support has helped the Tories consolidate their grip in Blackpool North, Pendle, Gloucester, Kingswood and Mrs Morgan’s Leicestershire constituency. The Education Secretary, whose 3,744 majority is the smallest in the Cabinet, is now nine points ahead of the Labour challenger. But Labour also appears to be benefiting from the squeeze in Ukip support in some areas, moving ahead of the Tories in Harrow East and increasing its lead in the Tory-held seats of Hove, Stockton South, and Morecambe and Lunesdale. In Pudsey, West Yorkshire, Labour and the Conservatives were tied with 40 per cent each. Nigel Farage said he was not concerned about the Ashcroft polls, saying: ‘In areas where the two big parties are firing heavy artillery and we are not, it is perhaps not entirely surprising.’ Ed and Justine Miliband on the campaign trail. Ed Miliband’s wife has revealed how he led her to believe he was single when they met at a dinner party – at the home of the woman he was dating. Justine Miliband said she was furious to discover he was seeing another woman. She also described how that evening, the future Labour leader bored her by insisting on talking about economics. Mrs Miliband told the Daily Mirror: ‘I thought he was good looking and clever and seemed to be unattached. But we just went down a conversational cul-de-sac. ‘Apparently we had nothing in common. He wanted to talk about economics – one of my least favourite subjects. None of our conversations went anywhere.’ The unpromising start to their relationship was compounded when she found out he had been going out with the woman who invited them to dinner. ‘I was furious. I bumped in to him a couple of times after that, but we didn’t start seeing each other for at least a year,’ she said. Speaking while she was campaigning in Runcorn, Cheshire this week, Mrs Miliband said: ‘Canvassing in the rain always reminds me of falling in love with Ed in 2005. ‘I had never been out leafleting before and didn’t realise you had to keep your eye out for dogs on the other side of the letterbox. ‘I’d been bitten by a Doberman. Ed bandaged me up and I fell in love with him.’ Labour slammed for 'weaponising child sex abuse in campaign. Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper released figures which showed reports of child sex abuse have risen by 60 per cent over the past four years. Labour was last night accused of ‘weaponising’ child abuse after blaming the Coalition for a rise in child sexual exploitation. Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper released figures which showed reports of child sex abuse have risen by 60 per cent over the past four years, while arrests for these offences have fallen by 9 per cent. The Tories said the figures were ‘false’, and accused Labour of ‘playing politics’ with an ‘appalling crime’. They said the rise in reports was due to more awareness of the issue in light of scandals in Labour council areas such as Rochdale and elsewhere. Last night Conservative MP Julian Smith said: ‘Is there no level to which Labour won’t stoop? First they tried to weaponise the NHS, now this. It’s disgusting.’ Miss Cooper claimed the figures showed police are not able to respond to the scale of the reports, pointing out that over the past four years, almost 17,000 officers have been cut. She added: ‘[Tory] plans for deeper cuts in the next Parliament cutting over 20,000 police would be deeply damaging to the fight against child abuse.’ A Tory spokesman said: ‘Child abuse is an appalling crime, and no one should play politics with it. Labour’s conclusions are false. They are talking about the amount of crime that is reported to the police. ‘But for many people, child sexual abuse has been a hidden crime which is only now coming to light, and it is good that more people are having the courage to come forward. Rather than making up numbers about police officers, Labour should support the action we have taken to expose this evil crime, to prosecute the perpetrators and to support survivors.’
| Survey of 4,000 undecided voters found slim majority favour Prime Minister. 37% of floating voters impressed with Cameron while 31% with Miliband. Separate poll suggests Ukip’s vote is being squeezed in key constituencies.
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Mother's Day is still three weeks away, but Michelle Obama didn't need an excuse to treat her mom on Saturday. Enjoying a perfect spring day in New York City, the First Lady and 'Grandmother-in-chief', Marian Robinson, had a mother-daughter bonding lunch in Greenwich Village. The two sat down for a meal at Lupa, a small Italian eatery on Thompson Street and were looked after by owner and restaurant mogul Mario Batali. Batali was heard telling the photographers waiting out of the trattoria that the pair had the 'Chef's Roman Tasting Menu'. Girls day out: Michelle Obama is seen leaving in an SUV with her mother, Marian Robinson, after they dined at Lupa restaurant on Thompson Street in New York's Greenwich Village on Saturday. Fine dining: The two enjoyed a sumptuous five-course Italian lunch at the restaurant, before getting into a waiting SUV. Happy Mother's Day!: Marian Robinson, 76, smiles as she leaves Italian restaurant Lupa in New York City on Saturday with her daughter, Michelle Obama. On guard: White House security agents wait outside the eatery on Thompson for the First Lady and her mom to finish their lunch. Crowd control: Residents in the building above the restaurant scramble onto their fire escapes to try and grab a sight of Michelle Obama and her mom, Marian Robertson, on Saturday. Batali was heard describing Michelle as 'a happy woman'. The menu, priced at $65 per person, plus $49 with wine pairings, is a five-course set meal. It starts with a salad - Puntarelle Alla Romana - and then two pastas - Rigatoni Alla Gricia and Strozzapreti with Sugo Finto. Next comes Coda Alla Vaccinara, a rich Roman oxtail stew. The two then enjoyed a cheese platter, before Tartufo, an Italian ice cream dessert. Outside the eatery a group of bodyguards stood on the sidewalk waiting for the two. As word spread that the First Lady and her mom were dining inside, resident's in the building above the restaurant emerged on their fire escapes, keen to get a look. His work here is done: Mario Batali, owner of Lupa, jumps on his scooter after serving the two women. He was heard describing Michelle to photographers as 'a lovely woman' Lunch: Lupa is a tiny Italian eatery on Thompson Street in New York's Greenwich Village. It opened in 1999. The scene kept the bodyguards busy. After lunch the two were escorted into a waiting SUV. With official duties over, Batali was also seen leaving his restaurant, pulling out onto the street on his moped. Batali and his business partner, Joe Bastianich, have created a culinary empire together. They own 10 restaurants in New York, four in Las Vegas, two in Los Angeles and two in both Hong Kong and Singapore. Close: First lady Michelle Obama (L) applauds with her mother Marian Robinson (R) during the final day of the Democratic National Convention at Time Warner Cable Arena on September 6, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Mrs Robinson, who lives in the White House with the First Family, is known as 'Mrs R' around Washington D.C. She is said to get about town relatively anonymously, according to The Washington Post, and keeps an active social. The 76-year-old moved from her home in Chicago when Barrack Obama was inaugurated in 2009.
| The mother-daughter duo dined at Lupa in the Greenwich Village Saturday. The enjoyed a five-course Italian lunch of pasta, salad, meat and cheese by the restaurant's owner, Mario Batali. Michelle was in New York this week launching an interactive online map to encourage people to join their local 'Let's Move' program. Mother's Day is May 10.
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More than 30 drunk and disorderly University of Kentucky fans were arrested near the school's Lexington campus Saturday night after the previously undefeated team was kicked out of the NCAA tournament. The Wildcats faced off against the University of Wisconsin Badgers in Saturday night's semi-final game, breaking their winning streak with a 71-64 loss. Now, its Wisconsin heading to Monday's final to play Duke - their first final since 1941. But while the Badgers were still celebrating on the court Saturday night, violence broke out on the streets of UK's campus in Lexington where a huge crowd gathered to vent the loss. Scroll down for video. Upset: More than a thousand disappointed University of Kentucky fans gathered near the school's Lexington campus Saturday night, following the team's ousting from the NCAA tournament. Inflamed: The crowd of angry fans set fires and smashed bottles following the loss to the University of Wisconsin. Rowdy: Throughout the night, police in riot gear arrested 31 people on charges of public intoxication and disorderly conduct. Winners: The University of Wisconsin Badgers will now face off against Duke in the NCAA final on Monday - the school's first since 1941. Pictures of the anti-celebration showed a crowd of more than a thousand people in blue and white setting fires on State Street. Throughout the night, police in riot gear arrested 31 people from the 'rowdy, and at at times hostile' crowd on charges of public intoxication and disorderly conduct. Another three people were taken to the hospital for non-serious injuries. Lexington Police Department spokesman Sherelle Roberts says the situation was cleared up by 2:15am. Tense: University of Kentucky fans watch the game Saturday night on a projector set up in a backyard. Taken into custody: Lexington city officials described the crowd as 'rowdy, and at at times hostile' on their Twitter page. Out of control: A Lexington Police Department officials says the situation was cleared up by 2:15am. Slammer: Above, police cart off one of the 31 people arrested at last night's gathering in Lexington, Kentucky. 'This was a citywide effort to clear this situation ... it really requires the whole city to come together in situations like these,' Ms Roberts said. Meanwhile, University of Wisconsin fans in Madison also gathered near campus Saturday night to celebrate the big win. One man climbed a flag pole to chant 'USA! USA!' Authorities say no significant problems occurred during that gathering. Oh the misery: Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari reacts in the post game press conference after being defeated by the Wisconsin Badgers during the NCAA Men's Final Four Semifinal Saturday. Grab: Traevon Jacksonof the Wisconsin Badgers (left) defends Andrew Harrison of the Kentucky Wildcats in the second half during the NCAA Men's Final Four Semifinal at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 4. Are we gonna win?: Duje Dukan and Traevon Jacksonof the Wisconsin Badgers (front) look on from the bench with teammates late in the game against the Kentucky Wildcats. Please no: A Kentucky Wildcats fan reacts in the stands after being defeated by the Wisconsin Badgers during the NCAA Men's Final Four Semifinal in Indianapolis. The Wildcats close the season at 38-1 - two wins short of becoming the first undefeated team in college basketball since the 1975-76 Indiana Hoosiers. Instead, these NBA-ready group of Wildcats join the star-studded 1991 UNLV team as the latest to take an undefeated record into the Final Four but lose in the semifinals. Trending on Twitter: '38-and-Done.' And '38-and-1.' All easy pickins for the many detractors of John Calipari's group of 'One and Done' players, All-Americans and other future first-round and lottery picks. There are other programs with talent, though. Wisconsin has some future pros, and they came up big in the biggest game of their lives - a rematch of last year's semifinals where the Wildcats won 74-73. The Wildcats had the reputation as the team that never quits when things don't look so good - a la last week's win over Notre Dame - but Wisconsin came up clutch this time. Slam: Sam Dekker of the Wisconsin Badgers (left) drives to the basket in the second half against Aaron Harrison of the Kentucky Wildcats. Wisconsin Badgers forward Sam Dekker (left) and guard Traevon Jackson (right) jump in the air after the 2015 NCAA Men's Division I Championship semi-final game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Lucas Oil Stadium. 'They did to us what we've been doing to other teams all season,' Calipari said. 'They executed down the stretch and we didn't.' Trailing by four and gasping for breath with their hands on their knees after going 6 minutes without a bucket, the Badgers (36-3) responded with an 8-0 run to take a lead Kentucky couldn't overcome. It started with a tough, twisting shot by a future NBAer, Sam Dekker (16 points), and kept going when Nigel Hayes tipped in an air ball after the shot clock had clearly turned to '0.' No violation was called, and in a game full of shaky officiating that left both coaches screaming, it generated momentum for the Badgers and left Kentucky flat. Aaron Harrisonof the Kentucky Wildcats (right) drives to the basket against Josh Gasser(left) of the Wisconsin Badgers in the second half during the NCAA Men's Final Four Semifinal. Tied at 60, Andrew Harrison missed on Kentucky's next possession. Then Dekker spotted up for a 3-pointer that gave Wisconsin the lead for good with 1:42 left. Ahead 64-63 with 24 seconds left, Kaminsky, who was celebrating his 22nd birthday, hit two free throws. He and Bronson Koenig went 7 for 8 from the line over the last 24 seconds to seal the win. Proud: Head coach Bo Ryan of the Wisconsin Badgers looks on in the second half against the Kentucky Wildcats during the NCAA Men's Final Four Semifinal at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 4, 2015. 'Best birthday present I've ever had,' Kaminsky said. Kentucky's last, best chance came while trailing by three with 12 seconds left. But Karl-Anthony Towns received the ball in the post and got fouled. He made only one free throw, and from there, Wisconsin iced it from the line.
| The University of Kentucky's winning streak was brought to an end Saturday night with a 71-64 loss to the University of Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Badgers will now play Duke for the NCAA tournament title Monday night - their first final since 1941. A crowd of more than a thousand gathered near UK's Lexington campus Saturday night to mourn the loss. Police in riot gear arrested 31 people at that gathering on charges of public intoxication and disorderly conduct.
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A polo club in Berkshire that launched with Prince Charles as its first member has lost a legal battle with a Hollywood fashion firm in a bid to launch its own range of accessories. The Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club has quickly become one of Britain's most elite sporting venues since The Prince of Wales joined when it was founded in 1982. It's attracted royals and celebrities including Prince William and Harry, actress Stephanie Powers and Rolling Stone Bill Wyman. But attempts to cash in on this elite status by launching a brand of fashion and polo-related goods have been scuppered by the European Court after objections fromthe Beverly Hills Polo Club. Prince Charles, right and Actress Stefanie Powers are among those to have frequented the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club since it was founded in 1982. Charles was the first member of the club. Bill Wyman, bass guitarist for The Rolling Stones at the club with a friend in 1987. The ruling will be all the more frustrating for bosses at the Berkshire club, given that its rival isn't even a real polo club and openly admits to using the sport to create the perception of eliteness. The Berkshire club had applied to register its polo player logo on four classes of item including glasses, watches, jewellery and leather goods including travel bags, whips, harnesses and saddlery. But it was opposed by the Beverly Hills brand on the grounds that people could confuse the logo with their own and the case was eventually taken to the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg. While it allowed the logo on whips, harnesses and saddlery, which discerning customers were unlikely to get confused, it ruled against the Berkshire club on applications for the other items. It said: 'It is true that the polo player is facing left and holding his mallet upright, while the earlier marks the polo player is facing right and holding his mallet ready to strike the ball. 'However, those slight differences are not sufficient enough to reduce significantly the similarity deriving from the fact that both the signs at issue display the figure of a polo player astride a galloping horse,' The Times reports. In 2006, the club was also blocked from using its logo on perfume and soap after a challenge from Ralph Lauren, famous for its Polo brand, also featuring a polo player, swinging a mallet. Too similar: Logo for the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club. The Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club was founded in 1985 by music mogul Bryan Morrison, who made a fortune working with stars including Wham, Pink Ffloyd, Elton John and Robin Gibb from The Beegees. After Prince Charles became its first member, it quickly gained an international reputation and attracted stars from the music, fashion and film industries. It also became a favourite with the royals, with the late Major Ronald Furguson, father of Sarah, Duchess of York, being employed as the sponsorship manager. Founder Morrison died in 2008, having spent two years in a coma after being thrown from his pony at the club. His son, Jamie, is an England polo player and is now involved in the commercial side of the club. The Beverly Hill Polo Club was also founded in 1982 and claims that seventy percent of potential customers surveyed in the US believe that the label's name is a real polo club. Bryan Morrison, founder of the Royal Berkshire Polo Club, relaxing in the garden of his home. Royal Visits: Duchess of York, Sarah Furguson, left, and Princess Beatrice with Eliza Furguson, right, at the Royal Berkshire Polo Club. Sarah and Eliza's father, Ronald Furguson, was the club's sponsorship manager. Now internationally known, it boasts: 'The brand captures the excitement of the sport of polo along with the exclusivity of membership in a private club. 'With its highly aspirational iconic logo, the brand was immediately successful in the USA and rapidly emerged as a global brand.' Founded in 1982, it was originally the site of the Windsor Forest Stud, a racing yard that fielded horses for Royal Ascot throughout the 20th century. It’s signature race rail and gallops can still be seen today. Bryan Morrison bought it as a rundown estate in 1985, vowing to convert it into a premier polo club, but it was a monumental task for him and his team to undertake. After a rapid and total transformation, Prince Charles became the first member, attracting international interest. The first chukkas were played in 1986. Since then, Hollywood stars and rock'n'roll legends have frequented the club. Bill Wyman from the Rolling Stones, Sarah Furguson, Duchess of York, and Jodie Kidd. Founder Bryan Morrison died in 2008 after spending two years in a coma. He was thrown off his horse while riding at the club. Son Jamie, a former England polo player, is now involved in the commercial side of the club and has plans to take it into a new modern era. It's currently expanding to provide two new state-of-the-art polo fields.
| Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club attracted celebrities including Jodie Kidd, Princess Tamara Czartoryski-Borbon and Rolling Stones' Bill Wyman. European Court of Justice ruled it can't launch fashion label with its own logo because it's too similar to existing Beverly Hill Polo Club's. Rival brand admits it's not even a polo club but exploits elite sport for fashion to make customers feel they have 'membership to a club'
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Jeremy Clarkson is set to appear on the BBC again just weeks after he was sacked from Top Gear for punching a producer. The TV host will appear as a guest presenter on satirical panel show Have I Got News For You later this month. It is believed he was booked to appear on the comedy programme before he was dropped from Top Gear after a 'fracas' with producer Oisin Tymon, one of the show's producers, over a steak dinner. Scroll down for video. Jeremy Clarkson hosting a previous edition of Have I Got News For You. He is set to appear on the BBC show on April 25, just one month after being sacked from Top Gear. Clarkson was dropped from the motoring show by the BBC on March 25, but will be the guest presenter on Have I Got News For You on April 25, with filming taking place the day before. It is understood that bosses at the corporation took weeks to consider if he should be allowed to host the show before deciding saying although his Top Gear contract was not renewed, he isn't banned from appearing on the BBC. Clarkson is one of the quiz show's most frequent guest hosts, having fronted it on 11 occasions and also appearing as a panellist once alongside quiz captains Paul Merton and Ian Hislop. Last month, Jimmy Mulville from production company Hat Trick, which makes Have I Got News For You, confirmed that the former Top Gear host would appear on the show, calling him a 'fantastic broadcaster'. Clarkson was sacked from Top Gear after punching producer Oisin Tymon, pictured, after a row over a steak dinner. He told a meeting of the Broadcasting Press Guild: 'As far as I'm concerned he is hosting Have I Got News For You, the BBC has not told me what to do yet and it will be an interesting conversation. He also joked: 'Maybe we will get the producer on so he can hit Jeremy Clarkson live on television.' The show will also mark the first time that Clarkson has appeared on the BBC since the last edition of Top Gear was screened on March 8. Yesterday, it was revealed that the 54-year-old would not face prosecution over the attack, which led to his sacking from the show. Police had opened an investigation into the incident, which took place at a hotel in Hawes, North Yorkshire last month after Clarkson had been filming Top Gear in the area. However, after the victim Mr Tymon said that he did not want to press charges, North Yorkshire Police has now decided to drop the probe without taking action against Clarkson. The incident, described as a 'fracas' by BBC officials, occurred when Clarkson discovered that the hotel where he was staying could not serve him a hot meal following a day's filming. An official report found that the 54-year-old presenter punched Mr Tymon in the mouth before being dragged away by a witness, causing the producer to go to A&E for emergency treatment. He also verbally abused him for 20 minutes, blaming Mr Tymon for failing to ensure that he could get a steak at the hotel. The BBC has said that Top Gear is likely to return and continue in some form, but co-presenters James May and Richard Hammond are not expected to return. It is not yet known what Mr Clarkson's next move will be although he has been linked with a switch to another channel. With the decision not to press charges against him, the TV presenter is now free to chase new deals, which could possibly see him travel abroad to the US, where he would have faced difficulty gaining a visa if he had been convicted. However, he is set to take part in a series of Top Gear Live shows alongside co-presenters Richard Hammond and James May, although the performances will be rebranded. The BBC has said that Top Gear is likely to continue in some form, but Mr Hammond and Mr May are not expected to return. The star had received widespread public support - including from his friend Prime Minister David Cameron - in the aftermath of the fracas, and one million people signed a petition calling for the BBC to reinstate him. But BBC director-general Tony Hall said 'a line has been crossed' and 'there cannot be one rule for one and one rule for another'. Police are still investigating threats to kill Mr Hall, reportedly linked to his decision to axe Clarkson. Mr Hall, former chief executive of the Royal Opera House, took over the £450,000 BBC post in April 2013 to replace George Entwistle, who left the corporation in the wake of the Jimmy Savile sex abuse scandal.
| Presenter will be a guest host satirical quiz show Have I Got News For You. Is believed to have been booked before he was dropped from Top Gear. BBC decided that despite his sacking, he isn't banned from corporation.
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The party-loving girlfriend of footballer Johnny Manziel has come under fire on social media for refusing to give up on going out and enjoying herself now her boyfriend is out of rehab. Manziel and Colleen Crowley were spotted together in public for the first time since he entered rehab when they attended Tuesday night's Texas Rangers game. The pair appear to remain very much an item, but Crowley has been taking heat on Instagram for refusing to give up her wild ways while Manziel was being treated for his unspecified problems. Scroll down for video. Johnny Manziel was spotted at a Texas Rangers game Tuesday night days after leaving rehab. On Tuesday, Crowley posted a video on her Instagram page of the Texan socialite enjoying a drunken night out with friends. Manziel finally re-emerged on the weekend after checking into a facility on January 28 stating that he wanted to 'be a better family member, friend and teammates.' On Tuesday, Crowley - who has amassed more than 130,000 followers since becoming Johnny Football’s girlfriend - posted a video on her Instagram page of the Texan socialite enjoying a drunken night out with friends. The video seemed to enrage a number of followers who voiced their unhappiness that the undergrad at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas may not be setting the best example to someone straight out of rehab. 'F*** you for putting this up after the money man (Manziel) got out of rehab,' commented one follower. Another concerned commenter added some words of warning. 'Significant others are the #1 reason that people fail outside rehab. If you are in rehab, then you have an addictive personality and the drug councilors will atest that one addiction is as good as another for triggering an addict into relapsing.' Crowley has been taking heat on Instagram for refusing to give up her wild ways while Manziel was being treated for his unspecified problems. The party-loving girlfriend of footballer Johnny Manziel has come under fire on social media for refusing to give up on going out and enjoying herself now her boyfriend is out of rehab. Some other commenters on Crowley’s Instagram page are more forgiving. 'It's your life, keep doin you and forget the haters,' writers one supporter. The Cleveland Browns quarterback stayed away from the booze on Tuesday night and was seen sipping nothing stronger than water throughout the game. Manziel's partying had been a topic of conversation since his rookie season began last July, with some worried his drinking was a priority. According to ESPN, Manziel was 'doing great' in rehab, and had the full support of his team. Now comes the real test as offseason workouts with the team will begin next Monday, April 20. Manziel will be forced to compete with Josh McCown for the starting quarterback position, who just signed a $14 million contract with the team that covers the next three seasons. Manziel was joined by his girlfriend Colleen Crowley and sipped water throughout Tuesday night. This after a rookie season in which he saw limited game time and suffered difficult losses in his only two starts. Manziel was no doubt hoping to step out of the spotlight following the end of the Cleveland Browns season last December, but talk soon turned to whether or not the accomplished footballer might have a problem. Especially after one incident last year when, after partying until well past midnight, Manziel, who is suffering from an injured hamstring, skipped out on a Saturday morning team treatment session because he overslept, and in turn was fined by the Browns. Manziel was quick to apologize to the team for his behavior, saying; 'It’s about being accountable... instead of looking like a jackass.' And while his season may have been over at that time, many believed Manziel would still tone things down for a bit in the wake of that controversy. The athlete was in treatment for roughly six weeks before being released on Saturday. It was all the more shocking then when he was spotted partying at FDR Lounge at the Delano in Miami over the New Year holiday, alongside the likes of LeBron James and Ryan Phillippe, and then he was seen chugging champagne straight from the bottle while sitting poolside with girlfriend Crowley and some buddies poolside at the Delano. At this point, some in the sports world, chief among them columnist Skip Bayless, began to suggest that the Heisman Trophy winner needed to get help for his drinking. Appearing on ESPN’s First Take, Bayless, a noted supporter of Manziel, did not mince words as he made it very clear that in his opinion the former college star needed to deal with his drinking. 'My concern, I repeatedly said, was if Johnny continues to demonstrate that he has a problem with alcohol, and a problem with alcohol leading to partying and all that that entails, then I’m going to be out,' said Bayless. 'In talking to people in and around the Cleveland Browns, I believe Johnny Manziel continues to have a problem with alcohol. And I believe ... that it is time for Johnny to get some help. Manziel while the 2013 Heisman Trophy as the quarterback of the Texas A&M University Aggies. 'He continues to lie to his executives, to his coaches, to his teammates, to the media, and most of all, he continues to lie to himself.' He then said he would label Manziel an 'alcoholic.' Manziel was known for his partying while at Texas A&M, but said he was a changed man during the 2014 NFL Draft, noting that he had 'grown up,' before being selected 22nd overall by Cleveland. Just days into his training with the Browns however, the local press began calling him out on his partying, which they cited as the major reason for his poor performance on the field. A source told Cleveland.com at the time; 'Team officials had bought into Manziel's pre-draft promises to tone down the partying and leave his frat-boy lifestyle back in College Station, Texas, and they've been stunned by his non-stop antics.'
| Colleen Crowley, the party-loving girlfriend of footballer Johnny Manziel, has come under fire on social media for refusing to give up going out. The Cleveland Browns quarterback entered rehab in January and only left on Saturday. On Tuesday, Crowley posted a video on her Instagram page of the Texan socialite enjoying a drunken night out with friends. 'Significant others are the #1 reason that people fail outside rehab,' warned one commenter offering some words of wisdom.
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After a night of drinking there may be parts of an evening you forget - or moments you wish you could erase from your memory. But now there's an app that not only fills in these gaps in memory, it shares evidence of your drunken antics with your friends. Called Flashgap, all photos and videos taken using the app are added to a hidden album that only becomes visible the following day. The Flashgap app (pictured) is free for iOS and Android devices. Photos and videos taken on the app disappear into a hidden album after three seconds and only appear at midday the day after the event. All attendees of the event can see this album, and users can only delete photos they took themselves. Flashgap is free for iOS and Android and was created by Julian Kabab. Before a night out, one user creates an event and becomes that event's host. They can then add friends to the event at any point until the event ends. During the night, photos and videos can be taken using the app and each shot lasts for just three seconds before it disappears. Before a night out, one user creates an event and becomes that event's host. They can then add friends to the event at any point until the event ends. During the night, photos and videos can be taken using the app and each shot lasts for just three seconds before it disappears. All of this 'evidence' is added to an album that collects photos and images taken by any attendee, and this album remains hidden until 12pm the day after the event. At this point, all attendees are notified that the album is ready to be viewed. Only people who attended the event can see the album, and users can only delete the photos they took themselves. Any photos deleted from the album are deleted from all users' accounts. All of this 'evidence' is added to an album that collects photos and images taken by any attendee, and this album remains hidden until midday the day after the event. At this point all attendees are notified that the album is ready to be viewed. Only people who attended the event can see the album, and users can only delete the photos they took themselves. Any photos deleted from the album are deleted from all users' accounts. Alternatively, people can report images taken by other people if they believe the photos are inappropriate. The photos will be deleted by the Flashgap support team if the reason is legitimate, but this team doesn't have access to any of the images, the shots aren't stored on the Flashgap server and the support team can't view albums. Flashgap was inspired by the end credits of 2009 film The Hangover. In the film, starring Bradley Cooper and Ed Helms, four friends go on a bachelor party to Las Vegas but lose the groom and have to retrace their steps to remember what happened. Mr Kabab, chief executive of Flashgap said: 'We experimented with GoPros on our heads during a night out and had such fun when reliving the footage and images the next day, that we really felt our idea had some substance. Only people who attended the event (attendees list pictured) can see the album, and users can only delete the photos they took themselves. Any photos deleted from the album are deleted from all users' accounts. Flashgap was inspired by the end credits of 2009 film The Hangover (Ed Helms as Stu is pictured left, Bradley Cooper as Phil is pictured centre and Zach Galifianakis as Alan is pictured right). During the film the trio go on a stag do to Las Vegas but lose the groom and have to retrace their steps to remember what happened. 'We can all relate to going out and being guilty of not remembering an awful lot and that's how Flashgap helps people out. 'We then watched The Hangover together and the ending credits show a series of photos from the guys' infamous night and that's what really triggered our thinking. 'The idea of people reviewing their antics from the previous night is such a powerful bonding experience and it is always interesting to see everyone else's perspective from the event. In essence, Flashgap allows users to be ready for yesterday.'
| The Flashgap app is free for iOS and Android devices. Photos and videos taken on the app disappear into a hidden album. They only reappear at midday the next day and are shown to all attendees. App was inspired by the film The Hangover starring Bradley Cooper.
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Looking after someone with dementia can stretch people to their limits, and there are many in this situation. In England alone, there are more than 670,000 unpaid carers helping someone with dementia. Here, in the final week of our major Good Health series on dementia, we turn our attention to the carers and what can be done to make life easier for them and their loved ones... Scroll down for video. Looking after someone with dementia can stretch people to their limits. Here's how to make life easier. WHAT TO EXPECT. The early stages of the disease bring changes that may be so subtle that some friends and acquaintances are unaware that there is anything wrong - and this stage can continue for many years. But as the disease progresses and more damage is done to the brain, symptoms become more pronounced: difficulties with communication become more intense and issues such as getting dressed or managing day-to-day affairs become more problematic. This marks the beginning of the middle stage, the longest stage, which can last for several years. It's when the condition becomes more challenging and extra help may be needed. However, there will be good days as well as bad. The following can help . . . ESTABLISH ROUTINES. In the early stages of dementia, it's the short-term memory that's most affected, making it harder for patients to keep track of the day, or even what time of day it is. I've found that sticking to a routine helps keep someone with dementia better orientated, and gets their body clock into a rhythm. In the early stages, aim to establish fixed times of day for the following - it may help to write this on a board that's kept next to a calendar (cross it off to show what day it is) and a clock, so that they know what to expect when. In the middle stages of dementia, routines may still be useful but patients can be more prone to mood changes, so be flexible. Encourage but don't coerce. Often people with dementia may display more symptoms and anxiety as the light starts to fade. WHEN BEHAVIOUR CHANGES. The middle stage of dementia inevitably heralds changes in behaviour. This can be one of the toughest things to cope with, for at times it may seem as if the person you know and love has gone. The following are common:. Clinginess. This can be very draining as some people with dementia do not like to let their carer out of their sight. Clinginess is the return of a psychological reflex from our toddler years - a toddler will cry when their mother moves away or when a stranger approaches. As the dementia progresses, the loss of nerve cells in the brain allows old reflexes that were replaced in adulthood by more complex brain pathways to resurface. What to do: The best way to deal with it is by diluting contact - try introducing other regular carers as soon as the person being cared for starts to display any clingy behaviour. The clinging behaviour may now apply to many people, not just one. Wandering. Around 60 per cent of those with dementia wander - pacing around the house or outside of the home - and the problem is they can get lost, as the damage to the hippocampus part of the brain means they lose their sense of orientation. What to do: If they tell you they're going out don't argue but speak calmly and tell them they don't need to as they are 'staying here' tonight. Avoid busy places such as shopping centres. People with dementia may find these disorientating and when they get home this disorientation can continue and induce wandering so they may feel the urge to leave the house. Wandering about the house at night can arise from a need to go to the loo. Ensure they don't have too much fluid before bed and install night-lights to help prevent falls. Painting the walls and doors a matching colour makes it less likely that the person with dementia will find their way out. You could also consider moving the lock higher up the door to a less familiar place. You may want to consider installing movement sensors to alert you to potential problems. Anxiety. Worrying for no reason or displaying physical symptoms such as palpitations are signs that the dementia patient may be suffering with anxiety. What to do: Try to identify what's causing it - have there been more people round than normal, or have they had too much caffeine? Many of the triggers may be unavoidable, but it can help to keep their surroundings as comfortable and relaxing as possible. Put pictures and familiar possessions around them. Pleasant smells such as flowers, baking aromas and soap may trigger memories that help distract them from their anxious feelings. Playing music can also be calming. Talking to them can distract them, too. But never talk down to them or use childish language as this could make them angry. Anger and aggression. It can be confusing when someone who was once so patient and tolerant becomes prone to temper tantrums. What to do: It's important to consider any physical reasons that might be making them this way. Pain is a common cause of anger in those with dementia, as are urinary or chest infections, a stroke, or even something as simple as not having had enough sleep. If you suspect any of these is possible, then speak to a doctor. Speak to the person with dementia reassuringly, in a calm manner. Use music or a calming activity such as massaging or stroking their hand or brushing their hair to distract them. If, however, they seem aggressive do not put yourself in danger. If necessary, move back and wait for them to calm down. Keep the person busy at sundown and in the early evening. Sundowning. Often people with dementia have good and bad days but also good and bad times during a given day - and often they may display more symptoms and anxiety as the light starts to fade, becoming confused, agitated, restless or showing repetitive behaviours. This pattern is referred to as 'sundowning'. It's not clear why this happens - it's possible it's to do with a disruption to brain chemicals affecting the body clock. Two-thirds of those with Alzheimer's disease experience sundowning. It can occur at any stage of the condition, but tends to peak at the middle stage and lessen as the disease progresses. What to do: Keep the person busy at sundown and in the early evening. Avoid stimulants such as coffee or alcohol at this time of day as this may make them more excitable. A rocking chair can help as it is soothing and relaxing. It may also help to introduce more light into the room. LOOK THEM IN THE EYE WHEN YOU TALK. With dementia, the parts of the brain that normally deal with understanding, thought processing and language deteriorate. The patient may struggle with nuances and may lose their sense of humour; they may also get frustrated and cross when they can't quickly bring to mind the words they need. Furthermore, they may seem to get stuck in a loop and repeat the same question again and again. The following strategies can help tackle these issues:. Better to say: 'You seem to have put the crockery in the washing machine. Did you mean to put them in the dishwasher?' ■ Dr Souter is a retired GP and fellow of the Royal College of General Practitioners. Adapted by LUCY ELKINS from Your Guide To Understanding And Dealing With Dementia by Dr Keith Souter, published by Summersdale, £8.99. Order at www.mailbookshop.co.uk, or call 0808 272 0808, p&p is free for a limited time only.
| This is the final week of our major Good Health series on dementia. We turn our attention to carers and what can be done to make life easier. In England there are more than 670,000 unpaid carers helping someone. We explain what to if they become anxious as the light starts to fade. Bed and getting-up times. When to take medication. Meal times. Shopping days. Leisure time such as TV, radio or social times. Before you start talking always engage eye contact to help get the person with dementia to focus on you. There can be a tendency for them to look away and this makes it harder for them to concentrate on the conversation. Be careful about asking questions they may be unable to process. For example, if they're upset don't ask what's wrong as they may not know, or are unable to put it into words. Instead, tell them: 'You seem to be upset; let's think how we can make you feel better.' Finishing sentences for them can increase frustration. It's better to ask if they'd like you to find words for them if they're having difficulty. Watch their body language as this can give you clues about how they are feeling. For example, repetitive movements can mean they are anxious or scared, while withdrawing may mean they feel overwhelmed. If they're doing something obviously wrong, for example putting dishes in the washing machine or clothes in a food cupboard, don't ask them why or castigate them - the reasoning side of their brain has been affected and pointing out their mistakes will only cause them embarrassment and frustration.
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In the dock: Victorino Chua, 49, has given evidence for the first time and denied he murdered three and poisoned 18 more at Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport. A nurse today told a jury he did not murder three hospital patients and poison almost 20 others on his ward by contaminating their medicine with insulin. Victorino Chua, 49, has given evidence for the first time and denied he tampered with saline bags and ampoules at Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport in order to kill and injure people he was caring for. Chua denies murdering patients Tracey Arden, 44, Arnold Lancaster, 71 and Derek Weaver, 83, and deliberately poisoning 18 others between 2011 and 2012. The prosecution claim the defendant changed tack in January 2012 amid an ongoing police investigation and increased security when he deliberately altered drug dosages on prescription charts. His barrister, Peter Griffiths QC, today told the defendant that he would ask him some questions about his family and personal life but first would ask specific questions about the charges he faces. Focusing first on the events of summer 2011 at the Stockport hospital, Mr Griffiths said to Chua:'My first question to you is did you ever at any time contaminate any medical product with any insulin?' Chua replied: 'No sir.' Turning to the charges he murdered patients Tracey Arden, 44, Arnold Lancaster, 71, and Derek Weaver, 83, Mr Griffiths asked: 'As far as those three patients, deceased now of course, it is not suggested in this case that they were in your care at material times but I must ask ask this question, did you ever intend to kill those patients?' Chua said again: 'No sir.' Mr Griffiths said: 'Did you ever intend to cause those patients, or any patient, serious harm - that is grievous bodily harm?' Chua replied: 'No sir.' Chua has pleaded not guilty to 36 charges in all, including three alleged murders, one count of grievous bodily harm with intent, 23 counts of attempted grievous bodily harm, eight counts of attempting to cause a poison to be administered and one count of administering a poison. Deaths on the ward: (Left to right) Patients Tracey Arden, 44, Arnold Lancaster, 71 and Derek Weaver, 83, were all allegedly murdered by their nurse. Allegations: Chua is accused of killing three patients at Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport, pictured, by injecting medical products with insulin. He also told Mr Griffiths in relation to two counts that he had not contaminated a bottle of antibiotics with insulin or contaminated a saline bag with a drug named Lidocaine. Addressing the January 2012 charges, Mr Griffiths said to the witness: 'The underlying and fundamental allegations laid against you by the prosecution is that you altered the prescription charts of patients. My question is this, did you alter any of those prescription charts?' Chua replied: 'No sir.' Mr Griffiths said: 'In each of these counts, there is an added ingredient that you had an intention to injure, aggrieve or annoy. Did you ever intend to injure, aggrieve or annoy any patient?' 'No sir,' said Chua. Then he was asked about a specific alleged victim, Gillian Millar, who he is said to have attempted to administer poison to in January 2012. Mr Griffiths said: 'Gillian Millar, her prescription chart was not altered but it is alleged by the prosecution that you offered some sort of unprescribed medicine to that lady after she arrived on the ward. Did you do so?' The Filipino father-of-two replied: 'No sir.' Yesterday his trial heard he had warned there was ‘a devil’ in him in a letter, a jury heard yesterday. Document: Extracts from the 13-page note show that Chua wrote about 'a devil in me', going 'straight to hell' and being 'an evil person' making a 'bitter nurse confession' Victorino Chua penned what he called a ‘bitter nurse confession’ in which he spelled out ‘how an angel can turn to an evil person’. In 13 pages of rambling, broken handwritten English, the Filipino nurse said he might ‘explode’ at any time, adding: ‘If I will be pushed, they gonna be sorry.’ His lawyers say the document – found in his home following his arrest – is not a criminal confession but an ‘outlet for his anger and frustration’ written at the suggestion of a counsellor 12 months before the first alleged poisoning. But questioned by detectives after his arrest for changing patients’ prescriptions on the wards, the 49-year-old said: ‘Sometimes I snap’. Dependant on painkillers, sleeping tablets and antidepressants, Chua also wrote that he sometimes felt like killing himself, but feared he would ‘go straight to hell no questions asked’. Chua denies murder as well as 24 counts of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent, eight of attempting to administer poison, one of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and one of administering poison. The trial continues. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.
| Victorino Chua, 49, denies murdering patients at Stockport hospital in 2011. Filipino nurse also accused of poisoning 18 more at Stepping Hill hospital. Denies injecting insulin and other poisons into bags of medicine on ward.
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Cheesy slogans such as ‘reach for the stars’ could be detrimental to pupils, it has been claimed. Carl Hendrick, head of learning and research at Wellington College, Berkshire, has attacked the ‘tidal wave of guff’ in classrooms. These ‘missives in mediocrity’ often tell pupils to ‘live your dream’ and ‘you can do it’ and ‘be all that you can be’. Cheesy slogans such as ‘reach for the stars’ on posters in schools could be detrimental to pupils, it has been claimed. Above, a stock image of a motivational poster. But the glossy notices are ‘often reductively misinterpreted as “you can achieve anything if you believe”’. Mr Hendrick argues that schools should concentrate on boosting pupils’ confidence by teaching them well and providing ‘clear and achievable paths to academic success’. Writing in a blog, he claimed that motivational posters ‘sit alongside a set of approaches that may well be doing more harm than good’. But Vic Goddard, headmaster of Passmores Academy in Harlow, Essex, and star of Educating Essex, told the Times Educational Supplement he is a fan of the posters. Mr Hendrick argues that schools should concentrate on boosting pupils’ confidence by teaching them well and providing ‘clear and achievable paths to academic success’. Above, a stock image of three confident pupils. He has one outside his room saying: ‘I am not telling you it is going to be easy, but I am telling you it is going to be worth it.’ It comes as teachers have been told they must not talk about getting fat or compliment colleagues on losing weight in front of pupils, Government-backed guidance said. They should also avoid discussing ‘unflattering photos of celebrities’, how ageing ravages people’s looks and ‘fat-shaming’ youngsters. The advice is supposed to help pupils develop positive body images amid ‘society’s intense focus on physical appearance’.
| Cheesy slogans could be detrimental to pupils, a researcher claimed. Carl Hendrick said glossy notices are often 'reductively misinterpreted'
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Patents have already hinted that Apple is looking to boost the cameras in future models of the iPhone and iPad, but its latest acquisition confirms it. The tech giant has bought Israel-based Link Computational Imaging in a deal reportedly worth $20 million (£13.5 million). LinX makes 'multi-aperture' cameras small enough to fit into smartphones and tablets that come with depth-sensing technology - as seen on HTC One's M8 duo-camera. Scroll down for videos. Apple has bought Israel-based Link Computational Imaging in a deal reportedly worth $20 million (£13.5 million). LinX makes 'multi-aperture' cameras small enough to fit into smartphones and tablets that come with depth-sensing technology. This technology could be added to the next-generation iPhones and iPads. Rather than capturing a flat 2D image, the technology is able to sense the depth of each object in a photograph. This lets people refocus an image after its been captured, or measure the dimensions of a room, for example. 'Utilising state-of-the-art multi aperture imaging technology that combines innovative image processing [with] advanced sensor and optics technology, our cameras set new standards for image quality parameters such as low light performance, refocusing and more,' said the firm. Rather than capturing a flat 2D image, the technology is able to sense the depth of each object in a photograph. This lets people refocus an image after its been captured or measure the dimensions of a room, for example. HTC One M8's version combines an UltraPixel and a Duo Camera. The first sensor captures the image, while the the second captures depth information. Once a photo is taken there are four editing options called Ufocus, Foregrounder, Seasons and Dimension Plus. These use depth information in different ways to make photos look more professional. Meanwhile, computers with Intel's RealSense 3D camera can recognise and respond to facial expressions and hand gestures so users can interact with them more naturally. It is already fitted to a range of laptops including the Asus N551JQ and Asus X751LD, and last week Intel's boss Brian Krzanich unveiled a version designed for smartphones and tablets. 'LinX cameras are significantly smaller than any camera on the market today, leading the way to DSLR performance in slim handsets.' HTC One M8's version of the technology combines an UltraPixel sensor with a Duo Camera. The first sensor captures the image, while the the second captures depth information. Once a photo is taken there are four editing options called Ufocus, Foregrounder, Seasons and Dimension Plus. These use depth information in different ways to make photos look more professional. For example, Ufocus lets users switch the focal point of an the shot, even if they appear blurry in the original picture. Foregrounder and Seasons lets users add effects such as a zoom, blur, snow and rain to an image. While Dimension Plus uses data from both cameras to let people change the perspective of the photo by tilting the phone. Microsoft's Kinect uses similar technology, as does Intel's RealSense 3D camera. Computers with Intel's RealSense 3D camera can recognise and respond to facial expressions and hand gestures so users can interact with them more naturally. It is already fitted to a range of laptops including the Asus N551JQ and Asus X751LD, and last week Intel's boss Brian Krzanich unveiled a version designed for smartphones and tablets. Apple has confirmed the acquisition but not revealed any more details. Its latest marketing campaign has been designed to showcase just how good the cameras are on its iPhone 6 range. Rather than capturing a flat 2D image, the technology is able to sense the depth of each object in a photograph. This lets people refocus an image after its been captured or measure the dimensions of a room, for example. Similar technolgoy is seen on the HTC One M8 (pictured) in the form of its Duo Camera. LinX's website said its state-of-the-art multi aperture imaging technology combines image processing with advanced sensor and optics technology. Sensors are pictured. 'Our cameras set new standards for image quality parameters such as low light performance, HDR, refocusing, and more,' said the firm. And if a patent awarded earlier this month is anything to go by, the camera on the iPhone 7 could take even better photos. The papers, originally filed in 2011, detail a three-sensor camera that splits light to boost the number of pixels it can manage. The patent is called 'Digital camera with light splitter' and explains: 'A digital camera component is described that has a light splitter cube having an entrance face to receive incident light from a camera scene. 'The cube splits the incident light into first, second, and third colour components that emerge from the cube through a first face, a second face, and a third face of the cube, respectively. Computers with Intel's RealSense 3D camera can recognise and respond to facial expressions and hand gestures. The technology is already fitted to a range of laptops and last week Intel's boss Brian Krzanich unveiled a version designed for smartphones and tablets (refocusing examples pictured) 'First, second, and third image sensors are provided, each being positioned to receive a respective one of the colour components that emerge from the faces.' Put more simply, instead of using a standard single sensor to collect the data of an image, the proposed system uses mirrors to split the incoming light in three, namely green, red and blue. These beams of light are then projected onto three sensors. A patent filed by Apple in 2011 and awarded earlier this month details a three-sensor camera (illustrated) that uses mirrors to split incoming light in three - namely green, red and blue. These beams of light are then projected onto three sensors. Each sensor can then collect and use more pixels per photo compared to a single sensor. This would ultimately boost the quality of the images including how vivid the colours appear and how sharp the image is. The patent is called 'Digital camera with light splitter' and explains: 'A digital camera component is described that has a light splitter cube having an entrance face to receive incident light from a camera scene. 'The cube splits the incident light into first, second, and third colour components that emerge from the cube through a first face, a second face, and a third face of the cube, respectively.' Put more simply, instead of using a standard single sensor to collect the data of an image, the proposed system uses mirrors to split the incoming light in three - green, red and blue. These beams of light are then projected onto three sensors. Each sensor can then collect and use more pixels per photo compared to a single sensor. This would ultimately boost the quality of the photos including how vivid the colours appear and how sharp the image is. Each sensor can then collect and use more pixels per photo compared to a single sensor. This would ultimately boost the quality of the photos including how vivid the colours appear and how sharp the image is. It includes the kind of sensors and technology seen on professional cameras. The files also explained that these mirrors could stabilise the image and direct the light in a way that accounts for shaking hands, for example. In its iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, Apple added a new sensor with so-called Focus Pixels to its 8MP iSight camera. It also improved its facial detection and exposure control. Focus Pixels use a bespoke image signal processor to collect more information about an image, including lighting, to provide faster autofocus. To showcase how good this technology Apple has launched a marketing campaign that only uses images shot on its latest handsets. Each photograph is accompanied by a caption on the online gallery, which says where it was taken, whether an app was used to improve the shot and a tip about why it is a good photo, which amateurs could use to boost their photographic prowess. For example, an image of a man in a field of sunflowers says: 'Photographing a subject from behind can add wit to a photo. Here, the subject and the flowers are both facing away from the camera.' Similarly, photographer Dan Rubin recently produced a range of photos for fashion brand Vida, each shot on the iPhone. To showcase how good this technology is, Apple has launched a marketing campaign that only uses images shot on its latest handsets. Each photograph (examples pictured) is accompanied by a caption on the online gallery, which says where it was taken and whether an app was used to improve the shot. Photographer Dan Rubin recently produced a range for Vida (pictured), each shot on the iPhone.
| Apple has bought LinX in a deal worth around $20 million (£13.5 million) Tech giant has confirmed the acquisition but not revealed any more details. LinX makes 'multi-aperture' cameras small enough to fit into phones. Rather than capturing a flat 2D image, the technology is able to sense the depth of each object in a photograph and lets people refocus the shot.
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A dilapidated country mansion in the Scottish Highlands that was once the secret love nest of Coco Chanel and the Earl of Grosvenor has gone on the market for £3million. The Rosehall Estate near Inverness boasts a 22-room main house along with 700 acres of land and five separate out buildings. It was built in the 1820 but its most colourful period of its history was during the 1920s after it was bought by Hugh 'Bendor' Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster. The main house on the Rosehall Estate near Inverness in the Scottish Highlands, which was once the secret love nest of the Duke of Westminster and Coco Chanel. The main house, pictured, has 22 rooms, which is set in 700 acres of land along with five separate out buildings that are on the market for £3milllion. The house has not been lived in for more than 60 years and is now in a dilapidated state, right. Its most colourful history was when it was used as a secret love nest of the Duke of Westminster and Coco Chanel, left,. The super-wealthy land owner would spend his summers at the property with the fashion designer, with whom he had an affair between 1923 and 1929. Miss Chanel would love to fish on the estate's river, catching more than 50 salmon, according to former Prime Minister Winston Churchill, who stayed with her at the property. She redesigned the whole of the building's interior, making the property unique in the UK and despite leaving the home 85 years ago, a number of the rooms still bear her work. One of the rooms inside the main house, which still has the remants of the hand-blocked wallpaper shipped in from France by the French designer. The French designer painstakingly decorated each room in subtle, elegant hues, much of it based on the look of her Paris apartment. A dilapidated bathroom in the main house. The estate, in the Scottish Highlands near Inverness, was originally built in 1820before being bought by the Duke. The downstairs vaults of the main house. It is on the market for £3million but also requires millions more to be spent on a full restoration. The French designer painstakingly decorated each room in subtle, elegant hues, much of it based on the look of her Paris apartment. She had hand-blocked wallpaper shipped in from France, and oversaw local workmen as they put together simple fireplaces. Churchill, a friend of the Duke of Westminster, stayed at the mansion in 1928 as he recuperated following an illness. In letter to his wife, Clementine, the future PM described both Chanel and the main house as 'very agreeable'. As well as the main house on the 700 acre estate, it also comes with five outbuildings including a cottage set near to a wooded area. More of the outbuildings that come as part of the Rosehall Estate. Former Prime Minister Winston Churchill also stayed there while recuperating from illness. He wrote: 'The air is most exhilarating, keen and yet caressing. Coco got three fish yesterday. 'This morning it is raining, which is good for fishing. We all play Bezique so that the time is not burdensome. 'Coco is here in place of Violet. She fishes from morn till night, and in two months has killed 50 salmon. She is very agreeable - really a great and strong being fit to rule a man or an Empire. 'Bennie is very well and, I think, extremely happy to be mated with an equal - her ability balancing his power. We are the only three on the river, and have all the plums.' But the years and the harsh weather hasn't been kind to the estate and it has not been lived in for 60 years. Set within the 700 acre estate is a lake and an island. Churchill wrote in a letter how Miss Chanel would love to fish on the estate's river, catching more than 50 salmon. The estate's herb garden growing a selection of produce. The estate is regarded as one of the most expensive properties in Scotland after going on the market for £3million. The view across the Highlands from one of the windows of the main house. It is being marketed by Lonfon-based estate agents RE/MAX, who suggest it could be turned into a family home or luxury hotel. It now requires millions spent on a full restoration and, when ready, it could be returned to a stunning family home or converted into a luxury hotel. The estate has been put on the market with London-based RE/MAX for £3 million - making it one of the most expensive properties for sale in Scotland. It is thought that the Duke and Miss Chanel were introduced in 1923 when the fashion designer was 40 by British socialite Vera Bate Lombardi. The Duke is said to have lavished her with expensive gifts, extravagant jewels and costly art and even provided her with a home in London's prestigious Mayfair. However, he is thought to have been devastated when she turned down his proposal of marriage, when she reportedly said: 'There have been several Duchesses of Westminster, there is only one Chanel.'
| The Rosehall Estate near Inverness boasts a 22-room main house, five separate buildings and 700 acres of land. The Duke of Westminster would spend his summers at the property with French fashion designer Coco Chanel. She redesigned the whole of the property's interior and painstakingly decorated each of the estate's rooms.
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It was a fishing trip with a very big catch – namely the £9 homemade rowing boat in which the two anglers ventured out on to the open sea. Built with discarded scraps from house conversions including loft insulation board and polystyrene, it was glued together with silicone sealant. Amazingly, the 6ft vessel held together long enough for the men to set up their rods and haul in some fish. But they were scuppered when an oar snapped 200 yards off Jaywick, Essex, and they had to call 999. The bungling fishermen who had to be rescued from their DIY boat, who have been named as Aaron Jones, right, and Jamie Toms, left. The DIY boat used by a pair of fisherman, who had to be rescued by a lifeboat crew. The men cobbled it together using insulation boards, scrap plywood, laminate flooring, coat hangers and silicone glue. The anglers had already taken the boat out to sea the day before their rescue without any problems. They got the materials to build the boat for free and spent £9 on silicone glue to hold the boat together. A lifeboat crew arrived to find neither man wearing a lifejacket, and one unable to swim. Despite the experience, one of the men yesterday pledged to return to the water with another homemade boat. Jamie Toms, 27, a self-employed builder, said: ‘I’m already thinking about doing it again but next time I’ll get a little engine instead of oars. ‘The boat itself was solid – it was waterproof. We took it out the day before and we were in it for two or three hours and it floated, no problem. The long and the short of it is that this time one of the oars snapped. They were proper oars but one snapped at the join so we were stranded with only one oar. ‘I only called 999 as I was worried for my mate as he can’t swim. He was panicking and shaking because it was cold, so I was more concerned for his safety than my own. ‘If it was just me out there I would have tried to swim to shore. What’s the worst that could happen? I would have drowned.’ The boat was put together by Mr Toms’s friend Aaron Jones, who scavenged 4in-thick insulation board, polystyrene and scrap wood. The DIY boat during its construction. The pair used scrap wood that they had found and spent just £9 buying silicone adhesive. As well as using scraps of wood, the pair also made a DIY anchor using a 15 metre rope and a lump of scrap iron. After rescuing the men, who were found without lifejackets the RNLI crew had to bring the boat to the shore. After the rescue, Clacton RNLI returned the fishing equipment to the pair before they destroyed the unseaworthy boat. One of the men, named as Jamie Toms, who had to be rescued. Coathanger wire was used to make the rowlocks, the rings on either side of the boat that provide the pivot for the oars. The only outlay was £9 on the sealant to glue and waterproof the craft. Mr Jones, who is also in his 20s, refused to comment yesterday. But Mr Toms added: ‘We’re just two lads who were bored and wanted to make a boat – why not? It’s better than going out and doing drugs and committing crime. 'Obviously I said thanks to the lifeguards and sorry for being a bit of an idiot and going out with no safety gear. ‘I was quite calm as I’d already been in that situation before so I knew what to do. ‘In about 2006 me and a few mates bought a rubber dinghy and got p***** up as we wanted to see how far we could get out before needing to be rescued.’ The pair, from Jaywick, lost their anchor, made from scrap iron, in the rescue. But they did come home with a dogfish, two cod and three crabs. Joff Strutt, of Clacton RNLI, said the lifeboat crew had been stunned by the men’s stupidity. The boat was destroyed.
| Two men had made the DIY boat at their home using scrap wood and glue. But the pair became stranded from the shore after their oars snapped. Rescuers were stunned to see a homemade boat being taken out to sea.
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A lottery winner who thought her husband was playing an April Fools' Day prank when he told her they had scooped £53million has returned to making lunches for pensioners a week after their big win. Angela Maxwell said she would not give up her five-hour shift preparing meals at the lunch club at Coningsby Community Hall in Lincolnshire despite winning millions of pounds. The 67-year-old was seen arriving there yesterday morning, just days after her husband Richard stunned her with the news they had won £53million. Scroll down for video. Angela Maxwell has returned to her shift at a local lunch club for pensioners a week after scooping £53million with her husband Richard. Asked what they planned to do with the money last week the couple, who have two adult children, said they would buy a new minibus for pensioners in the community. Otherwise they intended to carry on as normal, they said, with the occasional splurge on holidays and designer clothes. Mrs Maxwell had just returned from her shift at the community hall with a stack of dirty tea towels for washing last Thursday when she learned of the win. At first she said she thought her husband was playing an April Fools' Day prank, she said at the time. 'I just didn't believe it, then he showed me the numbers on the website and I dropped the basket of tea towels on the floor,' she said. 'I then just sat down in the chair for about half-an-hour stunned.' Despite becoming an overnight multimillionaire, Mrs Maxwell said she would not stop working at the lunch club where pensioners are served a two course meal for £3. She spent more than four hours at the club yesterday, the Mirror reports, leaving shortly before 3pm after the sitting. Mrs Maxwell said she would not give up her role at Coningsby Community Hall (pictured) where she prepares meals for pensioners. The couple said they would not change their lives too drastically despite the windfall, describing themselves as 'simple people'. 'Winning this amount of money would change anyone but we are going to try and stay grounded and live the way we've always done,' Mr Maxwell, a cancer survivor, said last week. As well as a new minibus for local pensioners, the Maxwells said they would spend their money on upgrading the family to First Class on a forthcoming holiday to New Zealand. Mr Maxwell, an avid golf fan, said he would also like to tour the world to attend tournaments and competitions. 'Richard says he wants to travel round the world watching sport. I can go with him but I don't think I'll be watching any sport. 'It'll be retail therapy for me,' added Mrs Maxwell. The couple said they planned to use the money on buying a new minibus for local pensioners and upgrading their family to First Class on an already planned holiday to New Zealand.
| Angela Maxwell returned to Coningsby Community Hall yesterday morning. The 67-year-old and her husband won £53million in last week's lottery. Couple said they planned to spend money on a new minibus for local OAPs. Mrs Maxwell volunteers for the council preparing meals for pensioners. She returned to the lunchtime club yesterday morning despite the windfall.
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A woman from Nova Scotia who has a prosthetic leg may have started off on the wrong foot with someone who shares a parking lot with her. Despite receiving weekly angry notes on her windshield scolding her for parking in a handicap space, Natasha Hope-Simpson said she felt flattered that someone mistook her for someone who could walk normally. 'I have a video of you walking away from your car on numerous occasions, you are not HANDICAPPED! The next time you park here I will forward the Video's to police with your license plate number. YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELF!!!!,' reads one of the fuming letters Hope-Simpson received. Scroll down for video. Hidden disability: If Natasha Hope-Simpson wasn't holding a cane in this photograph, one might not be able to tell she was missing a part of her leg because she wears a prosthetic limb that helps her walk. Flattering note: Even though this letter left for Natasha Hope-Simpson on her windshield is filled with venom and anger, she viewed it as flattering because someone could not tell she was missing her leg. Hope-Simpson became disabled after her leg was crushed in a tragic hit-and-run accident in 2013 and she lost a part of her left leg below the knee. She has a handicap permit on her car but that was not enough to convince a furious onlooker that Hope-Simpson has a true handicap. 'I'm kind of flattered about that, because I've been working pretty hard on my walk to make it look natural,' she told CBC. AOL reports that Hope-Simpson is an artist and has accepted her loss by taking in an opportunity to create wearable art. With the help of the founders of the Alleles Design Studio, McCauley Wanner, 27, and Ryan Palibroda, 32, Hope-Simpson gets to sport funky prosthetic creations below her left knee and even helps to design them. Wearable art: Natasha Hope-Simpson turned her handicap into an opportunity to create art and helped to create the design on her prosthetic leg. CBC spoke with Tova Sherman who serves as an advocate for people with disabilities and who was heartbroken when hearing about the angry note. According to Sherman, disabilities come in many forms and just because on the surface someone doesn't seem disabled, it doesn't mean that they aren't. 'It's really none of our business whether they run out of the car, or crawl out of the car. Great example is people who live with fibromyalgia — chronic pain — it is episodic, meaning it comes and it goes,' she says. She says even someone with a disability like fibromyalgia who looks normal may be fine one day and not be able to lift their arms the next. Hope-Simpson says she doesn't know how many times she has been recorded or who left her the note but it seems as though she has managed not to put too much weight on the incident. All types of disabilities: Natasha Hope-Simpson, pictured with a friend, has a disability but because her prosthetic leg was covered, someone thought she was lying about being handicapped.
| 'I have a video of you walking away from your car on numerous occasions, you are not HANDICAPPED!,' reads a note to Natasha Hope-Simpson. Hope-Simpson became disabled after her leg was crushed in a tragic hit-and-run accident in 2013 and she lost a part of her left leg below the knee. Instead of being upset by the note, Hope-Simpson says she is flattered because someone couldn't tell she was handicapped.
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It has been more than a month since much-loved teacher Sharon Edwards graced the halls of her school. While her students at Coutts Crossing Public School on the NSW north coast hold on to the hope the mother-of-three will turn up to school again one day, the police focus has shifted to treating the teacher's disappearance as a homicide. Ms Edwards was last seen on March 14, after she caught up with friends at the local Good Intent Hotel. Investigators, including forensic officers and the dog squad, returned to her home in Grafton on Monday with a crime scene warrant. Police also went back to the nearby suburb of Lawrence, where Ms Edwards and her husband, John, still own their family home on Neill St. Sharon Edwards, 55, was last seen between 10pm and 11pm on Saturday March 14 in Grafton, NSW. Pictured from left: Her son Zac, husband John, son Eli, Ms Edwards and her third son Josh. The family made an emotional appeal for information as police said it was a homicide investigation. Detectives say she was last seen alive at her Grafton home that night and have traced her last known whereabouts to the Lawrence area in the early hours of March 15. Son Eli Edwards said his father saw Ms Edwards early on Saturday night at their Grafton home. He then went back to Lawrence and said he didn't see Ms Edwards there, Eli said. When his father went to see her at the Grafton house on the Sunday morning, her car was left parked in her driveway and the clothes she had been wearing on March 14 were thrown in the washing basket in her bedroom. However her phone and bag were gone. There was no sign of forced entry at her Grafton home on the NSW north coast and it has left her family despairing and fixated on their many unanswered questions regarding her disappearance. Sharon Edwards, 54, posted a smiling image of herself in front of a sunrise on the morning she disappeared. It was first noticed Ms Edwards was missing when she failed to show up for a class she was due to teach. The unexplained disappearance has rocked the tight-knit family who have likened the situation to 'something out of a movie'. 'That is the worst part - we don't know. We have no answers,' Eli said. 'My old man's taking it pretty hard and I guess we are all just going through stages.' Eli last heard from his mother on March 14 when he sent her photographs of his baby daughter, who Ms Edwards adored. Mr Edwards appeared in Grafton Local Court on Monday on unrelated unregistered firearm possession charges. Ms Edwards had taken on a new literacy and numeracy job this year at Coutts Crossing Public School and was working on Pinocchio the musical, friend Tracy Hunt told AAP. 'She is just great with all the kids and all the different ages, she is one of those teachers that always have time for them,' Ms Hunt said. 'She was very well-loved ... she is very well-loved.' Ms Hunt said some students had been asking where Ms Edwards was. 'The worst part is there is nothing you can say, because no one knows anything,' she said. 'You just have to hope she is going to turn up safe and sound.' Police forensically examined three properties - one in Grafton and two, including a vacant block, in nearby Lawrence. The 55-year-old was last seen between 10pm and 11pm on March 14, after spending the afternoon with close friends at the Good Intent Hotel in Grafton on the north coast. It was first noticed Ms Edwards was missing when she failed to show up for a class she was due to teach. Police and family say they hold 'grave concerns' for her welfare as it is extremely out of character. Ms Edwards is described as being Caucasian, with a fair complexion, short blond hair and medium build. Strike Force Burrow will investigate the circumstances of her disappearance, comprising of detectives from the Coffs/Clarence Local Area Command and Northern Region. Investigators are appealing for community assistance to find her and anyone with information about her whereabouts is urged to contact Grafton Police Station on 02 6642 0222 or Crime Stoppers. Ms Edwards is described as being of Caucasian, with a fair complexion, short blond hair and medium build. Strike Force Burrow will investigate the circumstances of her disappearance, comprising of detectives from the Coffs/Clarence Local Area Command and Northern Region. Investigators are appealing for community assistance to find her and anyone with information about her whereabouts is urged to contact Grafton Police Station on 02 6642 0222 or Crime Stoppers. The 'dedicated' primary school teacher didn't turn up to work at Coutts Crossing Public School on Monday morning and her husband reported her missing the next day. Police and family say they hold 'grave concerns' for her welfare as it is extremely out of character.
| Sharon Edwards, 55, was last seen on Saturday in Grafton, NSW. Police focus has shifted to treat her disappearance as a homicide. Son Eli says family are struggling to come to terms with disappearance. Forensic officers have returned to her home with a crime scene warrant.
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Two kayakers died, and another remains hospitalized in serious condition, after a sudden Seattle storm with 35mph winds overturned their boats during a church-organized trip. Mandi L. Walkley, 39, and Jacob M. Austin, 52, were in the Dungeness Bay, where swells were as high as 3ft, for one to two hours before they could be rescued by the Coast Guard. Both passed away after they were transported to nearby hospitals. William D. Kelley, 50, who was also rescued by the Coast Guard, has improved from critical to serious condition. His pastor, Bill Bowers, said Kelley is 'not able to speak at the moment'. Mandi L. Walkley, 39, (left) and Jacob M. Austin, 52, (right) died after a sudden storm in Washington's Dungeness Bay hit their church kayaking trip. 'He's got a tube down his throat,' Bowers, who is with the Mountain View Church in Tumwater, told the Seattle Times. 'But I've talked with his wife, and they're hopeful. He's squeezing their hands and blinking at them.' Fellow kayaker William D. Kelley, 50, remains hospitalized. His condition has improved from critical to serious. Walkley, Austin and Kelley were part of a group of seven people who set out on Saturday for an excursion along Washington's Dungeness Spit. According to Sgt. Lyman Moores of Clallam County Sheriff's Office, forecasts had predicted there would be stormy weather the day of the scheduled trip a week ago and that an advisory had been issued a day before. 'No one should've been out there in a kayak,' he said on Sunday. But, according to fellow kayaker Dennis Caines, the terrible weather 'came up all of a sudden' and took the group by surprise. 'We weren't ready for it,' he said. And a video the friends took during the trip shows that the weather was calm as they paddled to the New Dungeness Lighthouse for a lunch break, according to King 5 News. Caines and the group left the lighthouse around 1.30pm. He told King 5 that within 10 minutes of the wind picking up, he and his wife Linda 'couldn't see anybody or another kayaker anywhere'. The couple, who were riding in a tandem kayak, and two other people with the group paddled safely back to shore. Walkley, Austin and Kelley were stranded in the water for one to two hours before they were rescused by the Coast Guard. They had been part of a group of seven that were kayaking along the Dungeness Spit (pictured) Dennis Caines, who was also on the trip, said the weather was calm as the group stopped at the New Dungeness Lighthouse (pictured) for lunch. But minutes after they got back in the water, the wind picked up. At around 2.30pm, Walkley, Austin and Kelley were spotted by a lighthouse attendant, who notified the Coast Guard. The Navy also provided a rescue chopper. Caines said that everyone in the group wore life jackets, and that both he and his wife were also wearing wetsuits. According to Moores, the lifejackets weren't enough to protect the kayakers from the Bay's cold water, which was measured at 49 degrees on the day of the accident. Moores said that kind of temperature could shut down the human body 'in a matter of minutes'. 'These people weren't prepared for the conditions,' he told the Seattle Times. 'They were just wearing cotton clothes.' But, according to Caines, the kayaks the group used were also well-outfitted. At 17-feet long, they had rudders, which help keep the boat straight during waves and winds, as well as rain skirts and pumps designed to keep water out. Pastor Bowers told the Seattle Times he was unaware if the trip's organizers had known about the storm forecast, but said 'no one on that trip would have done anything if they thought it would put them into danger'. Caines and his wife Linda, who were riding with the group in a tandem kayak, said that within 10 minutes of the wind picking up they couldn't see anyone else in their group. And Walkley's mother Janeen said her daughter 'always took precautions', even leaving her own kayaks at home to use the larger kayak designed for the sea. 'Knowing Mandi, if she knew the weather was going to be that nasty, I don't think she would've gone,' Janeen said. According to Caines, the group had known and liked Walkley and Austin, neither of whom were part of the Mountain View Church - which organized the trip for both members and nonmembers. 'We lost two good friends and one is struggling,' Caines, who called Walkey 'such a beautiful person', told King 5 News. 'It just feels unreal,' said Linda Caines. 'People we were friends with, that were there, and then they weren't.'
| Mandi L. Walkley, 39, and Jacob M. Austin, 52, had been in the Dungeness Bay for one to two hours before the Coast Guard could rescue them. They both passed away from their injuries after being hospitalized. William D. Kelley, 50, was also rescued by the Coast Guard and has improved from critical to serious condition. Weather was predicted to be stormy on Saturday and an advisory had been issued on Friday, according to the sheriff's office. But friend Dennis Caines, who was kayaking with the group, said the weather had been calm earlier that day.
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The father of two British jihadis who were killed while fighting in Syria has left the UK and travelled to Libya in a bid to find his eldest son and bring him home. Abubaker Deghayes, 46, has left his home in Brighton in an attempt to rescue his son Amer, who travelled to the Middle East in January last year. The 21-year-old has been fighting for the organisation Jabhat al-Nusra, a group affiliated with al-Qaeda, who are battling the Islamic State and Syrian forces. Abubaker Deghayes, whose two sons died while fighting in Syria. He has now left his home in Brighton to travel to the Middle East to bring home his remaining son Amer, who is also in Syria. Mr Deghayes eldest son Amer, who is fighting for the Jabhat al-Nusra, a group affiliated with al-Qaeda, who are battling the Islamic State and Syrian forces. He has not been in contact with his father. Mr Deghayes two younger sons were killed fighting Syrian government forces in two separate incidents last year. Abdullah, 18, was killed last April after suffering a bullet wound to his stomach and Jaffar, 17, was reported dead six months later after being shot in the head during a battle in Aleppo. And after not hearing from Amer, who is also in Syria, for nearly four weeks, he says he is on his way to the country to rescue his son. Mr Deghayes has insisted he has not 'run away' to join the fight and has informed British authorities of his intentions to rescue his last-remaining son. It is believed he is with his brother Omar Deghayes, with the pair currently in Tripoli, the capital of Libya, after travelling via Italy and Tunisia. Omar was previously held by the US as an enemy combatant at the notorious Guantanamo Bay detention centre between 2002 and 2007, but was released without charge. Speaking from Libya, Mr Deghayes said: 'I am in Tripoli at the moment in Libya. 'It looks and sounds like I have run away from the authorities but I didn't leave until I informed them, through my lawyers, what I was intending to do. 'I will go and try to bring Amer home. I told people that I have been going to Syria long before the government started to change its stance on people going out there.' Mr Deghayes younger sons Abdullah, left, and Jaffar, right, who were both killed in separate incidents while fighting in Syria. Jaffar Deghayes was spotted leaving Gatwick Airport for Syria with three other men from the Portsmouth area. Mr Deghayes found out that his first son, Abdullah, had died in Syria when his eldest son Amer called him and told him. It is not the first time he has pleaded with his sons to come home, and he once travelled to Turkey and met Jaffar and Abdullah to try and stop them from entering Syria, but failed. His dramatic rescue could also be in vain as in November Amer said he wouldn't come back to the UK until 'all Muslim lands are liberated' and that jihad was 'not for tasters.' Mr Deghayes also insisted that he could have easily joined the fighting if he wanted to, but chose not to because he disagrees with war. He added: 'If I wanted to join the fighting, I could have done so easily. But out of personal belief and nature, and not the government, I haven't. I don't like wars and bloodshed. 'I am fine and all is well. I shall be back in Brighton soon.' Mr Deghayes is a trustee of a local mosque in East Sussex, and is a controversial figure, who once said a suicide attack on Tony Blair could be morally justified. He was secretly recorded at a mosque in 2006 branding the then prime minister and US president George W Bush ‘legitimate targets’. He previously insisted that his three sons were not 'terrorists' but had travelled to Syria to defend 'those who are weak'. Amer Deghayes (centre, in grey) was the first of his family to leave for Syria, telling his parents he wanted to be an aid worker. Brother Abdullah (front left) and Jaffar (front right) followed soon after. The Deghayes brothers while they were young. Their family insist they went to Syria to help the weak. He said his sons had been 'stubborn' about travelling to Syria after seeing videos of the atrocities online. In a film released last year, Amer said he had no intention of returning to Britain, adding: ‘My work here is not done. I came here to give victory to the people and make sure that they receive justice, and we still haven't reached the goal yet.’ He added: ‘I'm in the Syrian civil war because I believe it's my duty to fight here ...The Muslim nation is like one body. If one part complains, the other parts react, so I don't see it as a Syrian conflict. I see it as an Islamic conflict.’ Since Amer travelled to Syria, he has been in regular contact with his father and mother Einas Abulsayen via Skype. It was during two such phonecalls that be broke the news that his brothers had been killed. The first call came in April. Speaking about Abdullah's death at the time, Mr Deghayes said: 'Amer told me Abdullah advanced into territory of the Syrian army then a sniper shot him in the chest. Mr Deghayes is believed to have travelled to Libya with his brother Omar, pictured, who was previously held by the US as an enemy combatant at the notorious Guantanamo Bay detention centre. 'He fell on the ground and looked at the sky and laughed. You feel he died a good death as a Muslim. As a martyr, he goes to paradise. But at the same time you feel sad for the loss.' Meanwhile when Jaffar died six months later, he added: 'Amer sent me a message via the internet. All I know is that (Jaffar) was fighting against Assad and was killed in battle. ‘I don't know much else. I can only hope and pray to God to accept him and have mercy on him.’ The Brighton father's attempt to rescue his son comes as reports suggested a 17-year-old girl from Brighton was stopped at Gatwick Airport, West Sussex, on suspicion of attempting to join jihadis in Syria. The teenager is described as a close friend of the Deghayes family. Sussex Police have urged members of the public with concerns or information about anyone planning to travel to Syria to contact them. The force said in a statement: 'The Government advice continues to be that no one should travel to these war zones and that the most effective way to help the affected population is through humanitarian support.'
| Abubaker Deghayes has left Brighton to go and rescue his eldest son Amer. His two younger sons Abdullah and Jaffar were killed in Syria last year. Amer is also in Syria fighting ISIS and the country's government forces. Mr Deghayes insists he has not 'run away' to join the fight and just wants Amer home.
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As California struggles with a devastating drought, huge amounts of water are mysteriously vanishing from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta — and the prime suspects are farmers whose families have tilled fertile soil there for generations. A state investigation was launched following complaints from two large agencies that supply water to arid farmland in the Central Valley and to millions of residents as far south as San Diego. Delta farmers don't deny using as much water as they need. But they say they're not stealing it because their history of living at the water's edge gives them that right. Still, they have been asked to report how much water they're pumping and to prove their legal rights to it. Scroll down for video. Drought: In this photo taken Friday March 27, 2015, low-flow water emitter sits on some of the dry, cracked ground of farmer Rudy Mussi's almond orchard in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta near Stockton, California. Resources: Rudy Mussi watches his grandson, Lorenzo, 20 months, tries to turn a water valve on his almond orchard in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (March 2015 file photo) At issue is California's century-old water rights system that has been based on self-reporting and little oversight, historically giving senior water rights holders the ability to use as much water as they need, even in drought. Gov. Jerry Brown has said that if drought continues this system built into California's legal framework will probably need to be examined. Delta farmer Rudy Mussi says he has senior water rights, putting him in line ahead of those with lower ranking, or junior, water rights. 'If there's surplus water, hey, I don't mind sharing it,' Mussi said. 'I don't want anybody with junior water rights leapfrogging my senior water rights just because they have more money and more political clout.' The fight pitting farmer against farmer is playing out in the Delta, the hub of the state's water system. With no indication of the drought easing, heightened attention is being placed on dwindling water throughout the state, which produces nearly half of the fruits, nuts and vegetables grown in the U.S. A large inland estuary east of San Francisco, the Delta is fed by rivers of freshwater flowing down from the Sierra Nevada and northern mountain ranges. Located at sea level, it consists of large tracts of farmland separated by rivers that are subject to tidal ebbs and flows. Most of the freshwater washes out to the Pacific Ocean through the San Francisco Bay. Some is pumped — or diverted — by Delta farmers to irrigate their crops, and some is sent south though canals to Central Valley farmers and to 25 million people statewide. The drought now in its fourth year has put Delta water under close scrutiny. Twice last year state officials feared salty bay water was backing up into the Delta, threatening water quality. There was not enough fresh water to keep out saltwater. Mussi, a second-generation Delta farmer, said Central Valley farmers have long known that in dry years they would get little or no water from state and federal water projects and would need to rely heavily on groundwater. In June, the state released water stored for farmers and communities from Lake Oroville to combat the saltwater intrusion. Nancy Vogel, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Water Resources, said 'thousands of acre-feet of water a day for a couple of weeks' were released into the Delta. An acre-foot is roughly enough water to supply a household of four for a year. The fact that the state had to resort to using so much from storage raised questions about where the water was going. That in turn prompted a joint letter by the Department of Water Resources and U.S. Bureau of Reclamation calling for an investigation into how much water Delta farmers are taking — and whether the amount exceeds their rights to it. 'We don't know if there were illegal diversions going on at this time,' said Vogel, leaving it up to officials at the State Water Resources Control Board to determine. 'Right now, a large information gap exists.' Some 450 farmers who hold 1,061 water rights in the Delta and the Sacramento and San Joaquin river watersheds were told to report their water diversions, and Katherine Mrowka, state water board enforcement manager, said a vast majority responded. State officials are sorting through the information that will help them determine whether any are exceeding their water rights and who should be subject to restrictions. 'In this drought period, water accounting is more important to ensure that the water is being used for its intended purpose,' said U.S. Bureau of Reclamation spokesman Louis Moore. Mussi, a second-generation Delta farmer whose family grows tomatoes, wheat, corn, grapes and almonds on 4,500 acres west of Stockton, said Central Valley farmers have long known that in dry years they would get little or no water from state and federal water projects and would need to rely heavily on groundwater. 'All of a sudden they're trying to turn their water into a permanent system and ours temporary,' Mussi said. 'It's just not going to work.' Shawn Coburn farms 1,500 acres along the San Joaquin River in Firebaugh about 100 miles south of the Delta. As a senior rights holder, he figures he will receive 45 percent or less of the water he expected from the federal water project. On another 1,500 acres where he is a junior water rights holder, he will receive no surface water for a second consecutive year. 'I don't like to pick on other farmers, even if it wasn't a drought year,' said Coburn. 'The only difference is I don't have a pipe in the Delta I can suck willy-nilly whenever I want.'
| As California struggles with a devastating drought, huge amounts of water are mysteriously vanishing from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The prime suspects are farmers whose families have tilled fertile soil there for generations. Delta farmers say they're not stealing it because their history of living at the water's edge gives them that right. California's water rights system has historically given senior water rights holders the ability to use as much water as they need, even in drought. Gov. Jerry Brown has said that if drought continues this system built into California's legal framework could be changed.
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Most people, when scooping a massive win on the pools or national lottery, might follow the advice of a grey-suited financial adviser and buy a good-sized house, a reasonably flash car, take a couple of nice holidays and then live off the income from what’s left. But the story of Viv Nicholson — who died on Saturday aged 79 — is an exuberant lesson in what happens when you ignore all the advice and just blow the lot. When Viv, a cake-factory worker from Castleford in Yorkshire, and her coal miner husband Keith won £152,319, 18 shillings and 8d on the Littlewoods Pools in 1961 — the equivalent of around £3 million today — she announced that her life from now on would emphatically be neither sensible nor boring. Scroll down for video. In the money: Viv and husbandKeith receiving their chequefrom Bruce Forsyth in 1961. Throwing her arms wide open towards the assembled Press in the plush surroundings of the Grosvenor House Hotel in London, the petite 25-year-old blonde charmed the world with an unapologetic joie de vivre, declaring that the money would indeed change her life. ‘Just imagine,’ grinned Nicholson. ‘I am going to buy masses of dresses and suits and coats. Brigitte Bardot won’t stand an earthly once I get cracking. There’ll be new clothes, too, and presents — dozens of them — for our three children.’ And then — in a phrase that decades later became the title of a hit musical starring Barbara Dickson — she famously announced that she was going to ‘spend, spend, spend’. Unbeknown to the media, Viv was so poor that she couldn’t even afford a pair of tights for the press conference, and had to borrow her sister’s. She was earning just £7 a week at the factory, and her husband the same amount in night shifts. When the couple got the train to London to collect their cheque, she was astonished to see so many people at King’s Cross rushing towards her compartment. ‘I thought: “Oh, I didn’t realise there were so many people who wanted to catch a train,”’ she said later. ‘That is how naive I was. They were reporters.’ The story of Viv Nicholson — who died on Saturday aged 79 — is an exuberant lesson in what happens when you ignore all the advice and just blow the lot. After the cheque presentation ceremony at the Grosvenor House, she collapsed into the arms of the man who had handed the couple their massive winnings — Bruce Forsyth. The following morning her ecstatic face and the headline ‘Spend, Spend, Spend’ were plastered over nearly every newspaper in the land. Soon after breakfast, Viv was good to her word — she went out and started on her mission. For her new wardrobe, there was only one place to go — across Hyde Park to Harrods. And of course, in the style of every pools and lottery winner, Viv bought the car of her dreams. In her case, the motor was as ostentatious as her bumptious personality — a pink Cadillac. And she dyed her hair to match. The couple quickly moved out of their semi-detached council house on Kershaw Avenue, and into an £11,000 upmarket sprawling ranch-style bungalow complete with swimming pool in the well-to-do Leeds suburb of Garforth. ‘The neighbours hated us and our noise,’ she admitted. ‘Mind you, we did party, party, party . . .’ The children were sent to private schools — the one sensible thing she did was to set up a trust to pay for their education — and Keith even bought a racehorse. It was a display of feckless extravagance at odds with an early Sixties Britain yet to escape the shadow of Fifties austerity. For a short while, all seemed well, and the family travelled through the U.S. and Europe, when such globetrotting seemed impossibly exotic. But without anyone to guide them — the counselling on offer to today’s lottery winners was nowhere to be seen — the young couple were overwhelmed by the wealth those eight score-draws had brought them. Their new home, which they called Ponderosa after the ranch in TV western Bonanza, was the scene of riotous parties and its built-in cocktail bar was an unheard of luxury for the mid-Sixties. The couple’s propensity for bubbly was such that Viv was known to wash in it. When they weren’t partying at home, they were knocking it back at the local pub, the Miners Arms. Viv also claimed they had to buy a new luxury car every six months, as she pranged them so often. ‘I used them to learn to drive. I was awful at reversing and would always reverse into somebody’s plant pot or door.’ Their spending was frittered away not just on motors, but on clothes and a lifestyle to match. Their new-found fame bought access to the celebrities of their day, and the couple rubbed shoulders with the likes of Leonard Rossiter, Joan Collins and even Mae West. And they had to look the part. Viv Nicholson pictured outside the West-End production of 'Spend Spend Spend' in 2000. For some, Viv’s behaviour encapsulated the nascent consumer culture that was heralded by Harold Macmillan’s famous words from a few years before that the British people had ‘never had it so good’. Although Viv was undeniably susceptible to such commercial pressures, there were other problems. ‘When we first won the money all we did was drink,’ she admitted. ‘I used to fall over, I was falling from one table of drinks to the next for the first month or two.’ As well as struggling to cope with their excessive penchant for alcohol, both Keith and Viv struggled to adjust to a strange new social life. Old friends and neighbours were jealous of their wealth and resentful of their hedonistic lifestyle. It didn’t help that Viv had a temper, and she and Keith often fought. ‘Keith hated it,’ she later confessed. ‘I used to throw things at him when I lost my rag.’ But such incidents would soon seem trivial. In January 1965, Keith was killed after losing control of his powder-blue Jaguar on the A1, and skidding down an embankment. Keith’s uncle, Frank, also died. That crash not only robbed Viv of a husband, but it also took away what remained of their wealth. Barbara Dickson (left), star of the musical Spend Spend Spend and Viv Nicholson, upon whose life story the musical was based. By then, the couple had blown half of their winnings, and in the wake of his death, Harold Wilson’s Labour Government with its punitive tax system helped itself in death duties to the remaining half. ‘Even his watch,’ Viv would bitterly recall. Within little more than four years, Viv had gone from rags to riches to rags again. What she did have left were her looks and a certain celebrity, so she soon found herself singing Big Spender — what else? — in a strip club in Manchester. However, the managers wanted more from Viv than just her voice, and insisted she should strip at the end of the song. Viv agreed, but only if she could keep her underwear on. Her request was refused, but Viv was defiant. ‘I kept my knickers and bra on,’ she recalled. ‘I was frogmarched into the back and told: “You’ll do it properly tomorrow or you’re sacked.”’ Viv still refused to strip, and the following night was indeed sacked. ‘I earned £50, which didn’t even cover the petrol there and back,’ she said, ‘I couldn’t do it; I wasn’t a stripper.’ Viv also spent time with lawyers to claw back some of the fortune taken by the taxman. She recovered a few thousand, quickly spent in the way that Viv knew best — on booze and the high life. To find some security, Viv remarried, and did so in her unique style three times in quick succession. She moved to Malta to start a new life, but a punch-up with a policeman put paid to that, and she was deported. Without a bean and back in Castleford, Viv tried to commit suicide, and was admitted to a mental institution. But soon she picked herself up, as she always had. In 1977, she published her autobiography called — naturally — Spend, Spend, Spend. This was turned into a BBC play, in which Viv was memorably portrayed by actress Susan Littler. In 2011, she suffered a stroke, after which she was afflicted by dementia. But, despite it all, Viv never rued a single day. In 1984, Morrissey, lead singer of The Smiths, selected a vintage photo of Viv to grace the sleeve of the band’s latest single, Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now. And in 1999, that West End musical took off, earning Viv a hefty £100,000 in royalties. One might have thought that by then Viv would have learned her lesson. But no, she spent it, mostly on drink, which nearly killed her. After a spell in hospital, she recovered, and found stability in becoming a Jehovah’s Witness and working in a perfume shop in Wakefield. In 2011, she suffered a stroke, after which she was afflicted by dementia. But, despite it all, Viv never rued a single day. ‘Would I do it all again — you bet I flaming would,’ she said. ‘I bought designer clothes, I travelled, I gave my kids a good education and I had a ball. I’ve packed more into my life than 20 people. I have no regrets.’ Of course, it is easy for us to judge how Viv spent her life. For while her story is a parable on the perils of avarice, and how money really doesn’t buy happiness, it is also a lesson in the corrupting influence of celebrity. Famous and feted as she was, her money brought more entertainment for the rest of us than it did for her. Even so, isn’t there a part of us all that wants to do as she did — to throw off the shackles of responsibility and convention, and spend, spend, spend?
| Viv won £152,319, 18 shillings and 8d on the Littlewoods Pools in 1961. Afterwards announced her life would no longer be sensible or boring. Said she would 'spend, spend spend' in phrase that prase that became the title of a hit musical.
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An Arizona man who suffers from an extreme case of a tumor disorder in which his body is covered in noncancerous lumps said he finally has a feeling of belonging. Bob Heslip, 50, suffers from Neurofibromatosis type 1, or NF-1, which is caused by a gene malfunction that causes the bubble-like bumps to appear all over his body. However, he says he feels comfortable in his skin for the first time in his life now that he has joined the Venice Beach Freakshow where he has met performers including a bearded lady and America's smallest couple. 'When I met the performers, there was a feeling of belonging. I felt at home,' Heslip told The Huffington Post. Scroll down for video. Bob Heslip (pictured), 50, who suffers from Neurofibromatosis type 1, or NF-1, has joined the Venice Beach Freakshow and said for the first time in his life he feels comfortable in his skin. The noncancerous lumps began appearing on his body around puberty and became more severe as he aged. Heslip, who works at a Dollar Tree in Tuscon, said around eight months ago he was on vacation with his family in Los Angeles when they saw the Freakshow, as his daughter is a fan of the TV show. Todd Ray, the owner, saw Heslip and recognized his condition as NF-1 and began talking to him. 'I went to the front, took off my shirt and the crowd went crazy,' Heslip told the Huffington Post. He accepted Ray's offer to join the show as the 'Bubble Boy' a few weeks ago and said it gives him the platform to talk about his condition to people who otherwise just stare. For Heslip, the tumors on his body began appearing around puberty but became more severe as he aged. He noted that when he got married 25 years ago he did not have any bumps on his face, but now he does. 'I don't feel a lot of pain from the bumps,' Heslip told The Huffington Post. 'I have a large bump on the side of my body that used to be very sensitive, but not so much now.' To have the tumors surgically removed is not an option for him as he said it is not guaranteed that they will not grow back or possibly grow back larger than before. Heslip said: 'When I met the performers, there was a feeling of belonging. I felt at home' Staying in hiding from the public is also not an option as he has a family including his wife and children to support. Ray said that some people will see Heslip's hands and will not want him to touch their items while he is working because they think he is contagious. As Heslip manages his job in Tuscon and his new role as a performer, he feels comfortable in his skin for the first time in his life because of the Venice Beach Freakshow. The job which he works on the weekends is also making it possible for him to talk to others about NF-1. 'I want to teach people that it's not taboo to ask questions. I'm OK talking about it,' he told the Huffington Post. 'My son and oldest daughter also have this condition and my speaking out about it gets them excited. They know my attitude is positive.' Heslip joins performers including Asia Ray, Morgue, Jessa the Bearded Lady, Larry the Wolf Boy and Miss Sunshine as part of the Venice Beach Freakshow (pictured above) Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1) is one of the most common inherited neurological disorders affecting around one in every 3,000 people. NF-1 ranges from mild to severe and can cause more symptoms in some people than in others. The condition primarily affects the skin, the nervous system and the eyes, and most people with NF-1 have recognizable signs before the age of 10. The most common symptoms include six or more light brown skin spots (café au lait spots), freckles in unusual places, such as under the arms and in the groin, colored bumps on the iris (Lisch nodules) and Neurofibromas. Regardless if the NF-1 gene change was inherited from a parent or is newly affected, every person who has an NF-1 gene change has a 50 per cent chance of passing it on every time they have a child. Genetic testing for the NF-1 gene is available and can be coordinated for families in which testing would be appropriate. Source: Johns Hopkins Medicine.
| Bob Heslip, 50, suffers from Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1) Condition causes noncancerous lumps to appear all over his body. He accepted offer to perform at freakshow on weekends as 'Bubble Boy' Other performers include bearded lady and America's smallest couple. He said: 'When I met the performers, there was a feeling of belonging'
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She typically commands attention. But on Tuesday, Kim Kardashian was cropped out of a photo for what may be the first time ever. The 34-year-old reality TV star was captured dining in a non-kosher restaurant in the Holy Land alongside her husband, rapper Kanye West, 37, and Jerusalem's mayor, Nir Barkat, on Monday. Following the outing, Mr Barkat posted a photo of him and the famous couple on his Twitter page, writing that he had joined Kanye and Kim 'to toast and celebrate hosting them in our beautiful city.' However, the next day, only Kanye and Mr Barkat were pictured in the photo, reprinted in an article on the ultra-Orthodox news site, Hakikar. Kim, meanwhile, was obscured by a copy of the $692 bill. Scroll down for video. Cropped out: On Tuesday, Kim Kardashian was removed from this photo of her dining at a non-kosher venue with her husband, Kanye West, and Jerusalem's mayor, Nir Barkat, by the ultra-Orthodox news site, Hakikar. Original: In the original photo (pictured), posted to Mr Barkat's Twitter feed, Kim can be seen chatting with the mayor and Kanye. However, in the altered pictured, her face and body were obscured by a copy of the $692 bill. And in another photo, the Keeping Up with the Kardashians star - who was captured sitting at the dinner table, with one hand touching her glossy brunette locks - was reportedly blurred out,. The article itself - which condemned Mr Barkat for dining at a non-kosher venue and for the pricey bill (including tip) - referred to Kim as 'the wife' of singer Kanye, the Washington Post reported. Ultra-conservative Jewish news organizations typically avoid printing photos of women because they deem them sexual in nature - and have cropped other famous females out of photos in the past. Kim and Kanye were visiting the Israeli capital on Monday with their 22-month-old daughter, North, and Kim's sister, Khloe, in order to baptize their little girl at the site of Jesus Christ's crucifixion. Although they were perhaps not portrayed favorably in the Hakikar article - which was headlined 'Barkat hosts famous couple in non-kosher restaurant' - not all of the press shared the same view. Other photographers enthusiastically followed reality TV's first family as they visited Jerusalem's Old City - the reputed location of Jesus's death - to go to the Armenian church, St James Cathedral. Blurred out: In another photo (pictured), the Keeping Up with the Kardashians star - who was captured sitting at the dinner table in Jerusalem. with one hand touching her glossy brunette locks - was reportedly blurred out. Celebratory meal: The article itself - which condemned Mr Barkat for dining at a non-kosher venue and for the pricey bill (including tip) - referred to Kim as 'the wife' of singer Kanye. Above, Mr Barkat's initial tweet. Clearly overwhelmed and honored by the pilgrimage, Kim took to Instagram to share a couple of pictures from inside the holy building, revealing the family had had an early start to visit the site. 'Good morning Jerusalem! We woke up really early to see the site where the crucifixion of Jesus Christ took place,' she wrote. The image showed the ornate interior of the 12th century church. A second shot posted on the star's Instagram page showed herself and Kanye crouching under the statue of Jesus Christ on the crucifix. But as it was heavily filtered, the couple were hard to see. The centuries-old church in the Holy Land was the location of choice for the Kardashian-Wests for the baptism of their toddler daughter. And as they approached the building, they fended off fans. Archbishop Aris Shirvanian, an Armenian church official who appeared slightly perplexed by all the commotion over the high-profile couple, revealed the family had arrived for a baptism ceremony. Baptisim: Kim and Kanye were visiting the Israeli capital on Monday with their 22-month-old daughter, North (seen with Kim), and Kim's sister, Khloe, in order to baptize their girl at the site of Jesus Christ's crucifixion. Interior: Clearly overwhelmed and honored by the pilgrimage, Kim took to Instagram to share a couple of pictures from inside the holy building (pictured), revealing the family had had an early start to visit the site. Heavily filetered: One shot (pictured) posted on the star's Instagram page showed her and Kanye crouching under the statue of Jesus Christ on the crucifix. But as it was heavily filtered, the couple were hard to see. 'Kim Kardashian's daughter will be baptized and become a Christian officially and a member of the Armenian church,' Shirvanian said, adding: 'All I know is that she's a famous personality.' A source told E! that Khloe, who attended the ceremony in sneakers and ripped jeans, is North's godmother while the priest acted as her godfather (which is an option where there isn't one). The insider described the ceremony as 'so special'. North was dressed in a white gown and her father was wearing the same colour. Kim opted for a striped wrap-around dress and flat sandals. Afterwards, the family dined with Mr Barkat at Mona Restaurant. Members of the family had touched down Monday in the Holy Land via private jet for what was described as a private two-day visit. Hakikar's decision to obscure Kim is not the first in the world of ultra-Orthodox newspapers. Holy trip: Kim and her husband, who is holding North, walk inside Armenian St James Cathedral in Jerusalem. Ceremony: The centuries-old church in the Holy Land was the location of choice for the Kardashian-Wests for the baptism of their toddler daughter. And as they approached the building, they fended off fans. Famous: The family walk on the grounds of the Cathedral of Saint James in Jerusalem's Old City on Monday. In January, Israel's The Announcer digitally removed female politicians from an iconic image of world leaders marching through Paris following the Charlie Hebdo terror attack, the Post noted. The newspaper cropped the front-page picture to exclude Danish Prime Minster, Helle Thorning-Shmidt - and airburshed out German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo. At the time, it was reported that the women were likely removed from the historic image, taken on January 11, so the newspaper would not offend its highly devout Orthodox readers. Swiss President, Simonetta Sommaru, was left as a blur behind a crowd of faces, while the EU's foreign affairs and security chief, Frederica Mogherini, was left out entirely. The women were among 40 world leaders who lined arms with their male counterparts to lead a million people through Paris, in a statement of international solidarity following the massacre. Another 'controversial' photo: Hakikar's decision to obscure Kim is not the first in the world of ultra-Orthodox newspapers.In January, Israel's The Announcer digitally removed female politicians from an iconic image of world leaders marching through Paris, following the Charlie Hebdo terror attack. Above, the original photo. Altered: The newspaper cropped the front-page (above) picture to exclude Danish Prime Minster, Helle Thorning-Shmidt - and airburshed out German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo.
| Kim Kardashian was dining out with Kanye West and Jerusalem's mayor. Mayor posted photo of him and the famous couple on Twitter on Monday. Image then printed on an ultra-Orthodox news site - but Kim was left out. Instead, photo only showed Kanye and Mayor Nir Barkat chatting at table. Ultra-conservative Jewish news media consider photos of women sexual. News site, Hakikar, condemned Mr Barkat for dining at non-kosher venue. It also reportedly criticized the $692 bill (including tip) at Mona Restaurant. Kim and Kanye baptized toddler daughter, North, in Jerusalem's Old City.
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The boat that sank in the Mediterranean killing 400 migrants capsized when desperate passengers surged to one side because they thought they were about to be rescued, it emerged yesterday. Survivors said the two-deck vessel ‘flipped’ after a commercial ship was spotted and men on the deck ran to one side, the sudden movement and weight pitching them into the sea. Hundreds of terrified women and children sheltering from the cold in the hull were trapped and died as water surged in and the boat turned upside down. Saved: Dozens of migrants are brought ashore at Corigliano harbor in Italy after they were rescued from a shipwreck which killed 400 others. The trauma of their ordeal is clear to see as the African migrants wait to be assess by medics after disembarking from their coastguard vessel. Survivors told charity workers that as many as 400 others perished and Italian coastguards said today that no more had been found alive. The commercial ship was unaware of the unfolding disaster and went on its journey, leaving men, women and children in the water before an Italian naval vessel arrived at the site some 80 miles south of the island of Lampedusa. Dazed, scared and exhausted survivors, including several children, were taken to Lampedusa and ports in Sicily, Calabria and Tunisia. Two babies on the harbour side were wrapped in blankets – one in a makeshift cot – and carried in the arms of aid workers. As searches continued for survivors yesterday, Federico Fossi, a UN refugee agency spokesman in Italy, said 145 people had been rescued, all from sub-Saharan countries, and nine bodies had been recovered. Joel Millman, from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), said: ‘According to testimonies, at least one-third of the passengers were women and children. At the time of the shipwreck, they were staying in the hull of the boat to be better protected from the cold. ‘When the men on the deck became restless and started moving about because a rescue boat was beginning to approach them, the boat capsized and water flooded the hull. Women and children died immediately.’ The death toll is the largest in the region since October 2013 and came as 42 boats, coming mainly from Libya and North Africa and carrying 5,110 migrants – including 317 unaccompanied children – were rescued in just 48 hours trying to make the hazardous crossing to Europe. Perilous journey: In a tragic twist, the boat appears to have overturned because of the excitement caused by the sighting of rescuers. Lucky few: Coastguard spokesman Filippo Marini said they had not found any more 'survivors or anything else to indicate more victims' Shell-shocked: A man is escorted by an Italian Financial police from the tanker Maria Bottiglieri at the port of Corigliano Calabro. As the survivors were brought ashore, Amnesty International accused the EU for scrapping rescue operations in the Mediterranean. Health checks: Rescued men, women and children are processed after arriving at the southern Italian port of Corigliano in Italy. The disaster has focused attention on the controversial decision to stop Italian naval patrols – which last year rescued 170,000 migrants – and replace them with a smaller European policing and surveillance mission. Yesterday the British-based Save the Children called on the leaders of UK political parties to commit to ‘restart the rescue’ operations. Save the Children chief executive Justin Forsyth said: ‘Our political leaders cannot ignore the fact that without search and rescue we are allowing thousands of innocent children and their families to drown off the coast of Europe. ‘How many thousands must die this summer before Europe acts?’ Recent good weather in the Mediterranean and renewed violence in Libya have prompted a big increase in the numbers trying to reach Italy. Many who make it have told horrific stories of their barbaric exploitation by people smugglers, who they accuse of rape, murder and torture. One 17-year-old Eritrean boy told Save the Children officials: ‘In Libya we only ate once a day. ‘We were continuously beaten up, in some cases with iron bars. I saw people cut off the heads of Christian people.’ Officials say the disaster has taken the number of migrants lost at sea in the area this year to 900, compared with 17 in the same period last year. An increasingly violent and chaotic situation in Libya has added to the problem, with unpoliced ports allowing people smugglers a free hand. Italian Red Cross operators give first aid to immigrants as they arrive in the Italian port of Messina in Sicily. Italian coastguards intercepted 42 boats on April 12 and 13, carrying 6,500 migrants attempting to make the hazardous crossing to Europe. Recent good weather has prompted a spike in the number of migrants attempting to reach Italy, many of them on overcrowded vessels.
| Overloaded ship capsized off the Libyan coast on the treacherous journey across the Mediterranean on Sunday. Around 150 were brought to Italy after being rescued – but survivors said at least 400 other migrants had died. Amnesty International accuses EU of 'clearly threatening thousands of lives' after scrapping rescue operations.
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Eight years after their son was brutally murdered by the man he loved, Sue and Charlie MacDonald are still wondering what they could have done differently to prevent his death. The couple raised Gareth and his three brothers in the tiny isolated welsh village of Rhewl-Mostyn and now regret that they didn't teach him to be more 'streetwise.' 'Gareth wasn't street wise, he was too trusting and as a parent, that's where you think maybe I've failed him,' Sue reveals on the latest episode of TV show Britain's Darkest Taboos. Scroll down for video. Charlie MacDonald is still grieving for the son he lost eight years ago at the hands of his conman lover. Gareth met Glen Rycroft, 37, of Salford, Manchester, in a gay online chat room and they started a dating in 2005. Over the course of their relationship, Rycroft conned Gareth out of thousands of pounds and when his lover finally got wind of his theft and deceit and threatened to go to the police, he murdered him. Gareth was only 30 when he was killed in 2007. Rycroft had lured him to a Travelodge at Heston services on the M4 near Heathrow airport on September 15, 2007, where he fatally hit him over the head with a fire extinguisher. When Gareth's body was discovered, Rycroft claimed he had not been with Gareth that evening and said a rent boy was to blame. But police were able to gather enough evidence to prove Rycroft was involved - including internet searches on his computer on the best way to kill a man by striking him on the head. Gareth, pictured, was killed at the age of 30 after he discovered his boyfriend was conning him and his family out of money. Rycroft was found guilty of murder in 2009 and sentenced to life in prison, serving a minimum of 25 years. Eight years later, Sue and Charlie and still dealing with their grief and are still blaming themselves for failing to see Rycroft's true colours before it was too late. Sue said he seemed like a 'caring man' when Gareth first brought him home to meet them. 'He just came over as a caring person and nothing was too much trouble. He was a charmer,' she said. Gareth and his parents weren't the first to have been taken in by Rycroft. When he met Gareth, he was actually on probation having been released from prison for committing fraud. In his twenties, he had scammed friends and family out of thousands of pounds by pretending to have cancer and organising fundraising events where the money for 'charity' went straight into his pocket. He worked as an air steward for British Airways and also conned strangers and colleagues by telling them he could make them money through an investment opportunity he had been given by the company. Through his fictitious investment opportunity and cancer con he made thousands of pounds which he used to fund a lavish lifestyle, going on exotic holidays and driving expensive sports cars. Such was his love of the high life and charming manner - which hid his true deceitful personality - he was dubbed 'the real Talented Mr Ripley' when he appeared in court after the character made famous by Matt Damon. Debbie Henley, a former colleague of Rycroft explains: 'Glen had forged a letter head from British Airways, saying that British Airways were offering employees and friends and family the opportunity to invest in British Airways, whatever they invested they would get three times back within six months. 'Glen went around the local community offering this investment, to whoever he could. They didn't have a lot of money themselves they were vulnerable. 'He was going on holiday in Barbados and running around in soft top cars, he lived the high life with other people's money.' It was Debbie who eventually suspected Rycroft's investment opportunity was not all it seemed after she became embroiled in his cancer con. She and other friends believed he was dying of the disease as he had been shaving his own head and cracking blood capsules in his ears to make it appear he was having seizures. When Debbie realised Rycroft wasn't a cancer victim and was conning his friends into donating money, she reported him to the police. This lead to his four year imprisonment for the cancer and British Airways investment scams. A friend who fell victim to Rycroft at this time said: 'The effects of Glen’s callous acts will impact on us for a long time to come. Glen Rycroft was jailed for life for murdering Gareth by striking him round the head with a fire extinguisher. She continued: 'Glen systematically targeted friends and family who were more than willing to help and support a friend in need. For our loyalty and trust, we were rewarded with betrayal and a lot of heartache.' But these victims were luckier than Gareth, who paid with his life after being conned by Rycroft. While the conman was committing his crimes in Salford, back in Wales, Gareth had started a relationship with a woman and had two daughters. However, he struggled with his sexuality and the couple separated when Gareth realised he was gay. He started seeking a relationship with a man at the same time Rycroft was released from prison and they began their relationship with Gareth oblivious of his lover's criminal past. Rycroft began to con Gareth out of money and convinced Sue and Charlie to also give him money. Charlie said he promised them a 'holiday of a lifetime' and they gave him hundreds of pounds towards a deposit as they had no reason to suspect their son's boyfriend wasn't honest. 'He told me he was with the airline business and he was quite wealthy,' Charlie said. The couple were told he said he could get a luxury holiday on the cheap through his connections and discounts but they'd have to pay a deposit. During the course of his relationship with his son, they paid Rycroft thousands and Charlie admits that after a while he began to think 'this fella has taken us for a ride.' It was a conclusion Gareth also eventually came to and when he confronted his lover and threatened to go to the police, he was murdered. Sue said they were stunned when they were told their son's body had been discovered with fatal head wounds. 'You feel as though it’s not happening, that it’s in a book or a film or something and somebody is going to come along and say, you know it's not real. And you think like that for a long time, that it’s not real,' she said. Now Rycroft has been brought to justice and jailed, the parents are trying to move on and keep their son's memory alive for their grandchildren. Charlie said: 'It doesn't get any easier, you just learn to cope differently with it. Gareth would say life's for living and that's what he did - he lived life to the full, he enjoyed life, he loved people.' Britain's Darkest Taboos is on the Crime and Investigations Channel Sunday at 9pm.
| Gareth MacDonald was murdered by Glen Rycroft in 2007. Fatally struck across head with fire extinguisher by his lover. He'd discovered Rycroft had been conning him and his family out of money. Gareth's parents wish they could have prevented their son's death.
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Nestled in eastern Long Island is a sleepy little town called Yaphank where the streets have cozy names like Oak and Park, names that hide a dark past: they once bore signs like Hitler and Goebbels Streets. Yaphank, in the 1930s, appeared as a haven for Americans--most of them of German heritage--who sympathized with the causes of the Third Reich. In fact, it was largely founded as a Nazi camp, one of several scattered across the U.S., where the children in the German American Bund (AKA American Nazis) could fish, swim, hunt and learn about things like eugenics. Scroll down for video. Nazi camp: Yaphank, Long Island was once home to a camp for Nazis where like-minded individuals could drink beer and learn about eugenics. Camp Siegfried was founded by the American Nazi group, the German American Bund. The group set up pro-Nazi camps where they could put on military demonstrations, teach their children about fascism and enjoy the outdoors. Today, Yaphank is still a town on Long Island. Missing now, though, are the homes with swastikas built into the brick work and hedges, pro-Hitler parades and, of course, the Nazi camp. That camp was founded in 1935 by Friends of New Germany, writes Dangerousminds.net. That group went on to become the German American Bund. The Bund in Yaphank, as it did in similar communities in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and New Jersey, organized military demonstrations where they waved both the American and Nazi flags. In an article published in the Long Island History Journal, Stony Brook University historian Ryan Shaffer describes a typical day at Camp Siegfried thusly:. 'Locals from Yaphank, Jamesport, Aquebogue, and Riverhead visited the camp to drink beer, join in the festive atmosphere walking or driving down Hitler Street to salute American and Nazi flags.' Shaffer writes that 'support for Nazi Germany in the United States was a unique blend of German and American ideology rather than just a foreign import.' However, members had to be Aryan and were united in their belief that those with German blood would lead America into a 'new era.' Adolf Hitler Street: Yaphank once had streets named Adolf Hitler, Goebbels and Goering as well as Berliner and Hamberger. Most of the names have since been changed, but the county still retains the original maps. Swastika hedge: Gone now, too, are the swastikas that once adorned the lawns and buildings of the camp and town. 'Locals from Yaphank, Jamesport, Aquebogue, and Riverhead visited the camp to drink beer, join in the festive atmosphere walking or driving down Hitler Street to salute American and Nazi flags,' notes Stony Brook University historian Ryan Shaffer. In the years leading to America joining the Allies, the FBI and New York police started to keep an eye on the Bund in Yaphank. Photos that only recently became available were mainly taken by New York police and can be viewed here. The FBI once noted that Yaphank contained 150 to 300 children who 'used to wear a uniform like that of the Hitler Youth in Germany.' Things fell apart for the Bund in 1941 after the U.S. declared war on Germany and open support of Hitler became criminal. The bund's leader Fritz Julius Kuhn was imprisoned for tax evasion and embezzling and the group faded into obscurity. In Yaphank, Camp Siegfried was shut down and taken over by the German-American Settlement league, which still runs it today, according to untappedcities.com. The park is apparently for private use only. A German American Settlement League sign reads 'Private community -- members and guests only.' The street names like Hitler, Goebbels and Goering have gone. Adolf Hitler Street is now Park Street, Goering is now Oak and Goebbels is Northside Avenue. Nazi salute: In the run-up to 1941, the FBI and NYPD kept close tabs on the Bun. The FBI once noted the Yaphank had 150 to 300 children who 'used to wear a uniform like that of the Hitler Youth in Germany'
| Yaphank in Long Island was founded in part by the German American Bund, a pro Nazi group that flourished in the 1930s. They established Camp Siegfried in 1935 as a place for like-minded Aryans to drink beer, hold military demonstrations and learn about eugenics. Yaphank remains a town in Long Island, but gone are the roads once called Adolf Hitler Street, Goebbels and Goering.
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Brisbane's Anglican Archbishop has joined a local Catholic priest in calling for Queensland's controversial 'gay panic' homicide defence to be scrapped. Speaking after his Easter Sunday mass, Archbishop of Brisbane Phillip Aspinall said he supported Father Paul Kelly in his calls for the Homosexual Advance Defence to be removed from Queensland common law. The defence means a murder charge may be reduced to manslaughter if the defendant establishes their victim 'came on' to them, and the killing was in self-defence. Brisbane's Anglican Archbishop has supported calls for Queensland's controversial 'gay panic' homicide defence to be scrapped. 'I think Father Paul Kelly is on the right track, well and truly,' Dr Aspinall said. 'I don't think it's reasonable to murder someone who approaches you sexually. Violence is never a constructive response.' Dr Aspinall also appealed to those who resorted to violence at recent anti-Islam rallies, as well as a individuals behind an apparent spate of church vandalism in Melbourne. 'Whenever people feel threatened, there is a natural human tendency to react out of fear,' he said. 'That's exactly what we have to resist.' Archbishop Phillip Aspinall said he supported the calls for the Homosexual Advance Defence to be removed. Anglican Archbishop of Brisbane Phillip Aspinall baptises an infant at an Easter Sunday mass in Brisbane. Scores of worshippers congregated at Brisbane's St John's Cathedral to mark the most important date on the Christian calendar. Incense mingled in the warm Queensland air as Dr Aspinall urged followers to honour the spirit of resurrection in their everyday lives. 'When mistakes we make bring things off the rails and it looks like were going to land in a mess of guilt and shame - there is life beyond all that,' Dr Aspinall said.
| A Catholic priest has called for the 'gay panic' laws to be removed. An Archbishop said he supports the homicide defence to be scrapped. Homosexual Advance Defence means a murder charge may be reduced to manslaughter if the defendant establishes their victim 'came on' to them.
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They have long claimed to be the only genuine political party – fighting the manipulated PR of the main Westminster parties. But Ukip’s reputation for telling it straight was left in tatters this morning after the party’s deputy leader was caught posing for a photograph to make him look more educated – in front of a photoshopped library clutching a picture book. Mr Nuttall, Ukip’s education spokesman, appeared in the party’s manifesto in thick-rimmed glasses holding a book called ‘British Rebels and Reformers’. The vintage hardback is listed on Amazon as a 48-page illustrated history book from 1942. Scroll down for video. Paul Nuttall, Ukip’s education spokesman, appeared in the party’s manifesto in thick-rimmed glasses holding a book called ‘British Rebels and Reformers’ - a vintage hard-back picture book. Mr Nuttall stands in front of shelves stacked full of books – many of which, on closer inspection, are the same and have been photoshopped to make the library look bigger. After being ridiculed on Twitter, the MEP joked that the photoshop allegations were not true: ‘I just have two copies of every book.’ The bizarre row capped a day of confusion for Ukip after the party's immigration spokesman appeared to contradict her own border policies. Suzanne Evans appeared to contradict a flagship policy on banning non-skilled workers after telling the manifesto launch that the party did not want to 'pull up the drawbridge' but only 'control who walks over it'. Mr Farage hoped to get Ukip's election campaign back on track, promising help for first-time buyers, military veterans, small businesses and hospital patients. The books behind Mr Nuttall were clearly photoshopped, appearing in mirror image next to each other. The Ukip deputy leader later took to Twitter to joke about the allegations, insisting he just had 'two copies of every book' But the attempt to present a more professional image risks being over-shadowed by falling poll ratings, rivals openly vying for the Ukip leadership and chaos over the party's flagship immigration policy. In remarks which risk angering supporters opposed to immigration, Mrs Evans said: 'Ukip is not anti-immigration. Immigrants are not the problem. It's our current immigration system that is the problem. Nigel Farage unveiled Ukip's manifesto in Thurrock, Essex, this morning. 'We will not pull up the drawbridge, we will simply start to control who walks over it.' Today it emerged Ukip has abandoned hopes of winning dozens of seats at the General Election and is now targeting just ten. The party reduced the number of constituencies where it is concentrating resources as it loses ground in the polls. A party strategist said 'something extraordinary' would now need to happen for it to win in places outside its target list. In a speech in Essex, Mr Farage claimed Ukip could hold the balance of power after May 7. He said: 'We are the only party with the self-confidence and belief in this nation that we actually believe that not only could we, but that we should, govern our own country, make our own laws and negotiate our own international trade deals. 'We are the only party standing in this General Election saying we want a trade deal with Europe, we want to be good neighbours with our European friends, but we desperately seek a referendum so that we can set this country free from political union. 'There is no third way. There is no renegotiation of any value that is to be had in Brussels. Our position is perfectly clear - We want our country back.' He set out key polices he would demand as a price for supporting a Tory government. They include:. An in/out referendum on Britain's EU membership 'as soon as possible' An Australian-style points-based immigration system. More than 2 per cent of GDP to be spent on the armed forces. Guaranteed jobs in the police, prison, or border force for anyone leaving the forces after 12 years. Ukip leader Nigel Farage passes UKIP deputy chairwoman Suzanne Evans during the launch of the party's election manifesto this morning. Mr Farage set out key polices he would demand as a price for supporting a Tory government including an in/out referendum on Britain's EU membership 'as soon as possible' Waive stamp duty on new homes worth up to £250,000 built on brownfield sites. No income tax on the minimum wage up to £13,000, a new 30p tax band on earnings between £45,300 and £55,000, with the 40p tax band kicking inn at £55,000. However in the latest sign of policy chaos, the manifesto includes a pledge to limit net migration to 50,000. Mr Farage has previously warned caps and targets are 'ludicrous' and over-ruled his immigration spokesman Steven Woolfe who said the party would put a figure on the number allowed into the UK. Meanwhile Suzanne Evans, the party's deputy chairman, appeared to ditch a key policy on banning unskilled migrants in the space of just 60 seconds.
| Ukip have claimed to be the only party fighting Westminster political PR. But the deputy leader Paul Nuttall posed for a photoshopped picture. Mr Nuttall was pictured clutching a vintage picture book from 1942. Rows of books are behind him - photoshopped to look like there are more.
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A senior high school in China has installed metal bars on all balconies after two pupils committed suicide in six months. Web users suggested the fence was put up by school authorities to prevent more pupils from jumping off the building, the People's Daily Online reports. Hengshui No 2 Middle School is an 'exemplary school' in Hebei Province in central China. With nearly 10,000 pupils and more than 500 teachers, the boarding school is well-known for its outstanding academic achievement. Behind bars: Hengshui No.2 Middle school is accused of making itself look like a prison in order to prevent students from committing suicide. A large number of the school's pupils are admitted by top universities every year, which inspires parents from across the country to send their children to study there in order to have a 'bright future'. Two pupils from the school plunged to death, one in October and one in March. Both were reported to be third-grade pupils, who were at their final year at Hengshui before taking the university entrance examination. Pictures of the school's new balcony fence first appeared last week on Weibo, China's equivalent of Twitter. A Weibo user named 'Nicky Wu from the East' posted this set of images on April 16th. 'In order to prevent pupils from jumping off the building, Hengshui Middle School has spent a fortune,' wrote the user. Tragic: Two pupils from the school have plunged to death since last October, causing public outcry. Another user named Mr Chen Zonghe commented: 'This is indeed a school, but in order to stop pupils from taking their lives, it has made itself look like a prison.' Causes of the two suicides were not officially reported by Chinese media, but many suspect they were linked to the aggressive teaching style the school is famous for. The campus is run with a military-style management. All students must get up at 5:30 and study 10 hours a day. All meals must be finished within 15 minutes and toilet breaks are less than three minutes, according to Xinhua News Agency. Students are given one holiday every three weeks. Stressful: Banners are hung throughout the campus to impress pupils that only success is allowed. Various videos online also show how the school trains pupils like exam machines. Banners are hung throughout the campus, bearing inspiring slogans such as 'key to the success of the university entrance examination is to succeed in every day, every subject and every question'. In an 'oath-taking ceremony' held for the third-grade, thousands of pupils are seen standing on the playground wearing uniforms yelling 'I must succeed' unanimously and repeatedly. The education authority of Hengshui told Chinese media they have noticed the pictures of the so called 'anti-suicide bars' in No 2 Middle School and they are currently investigating the case.
| Metal bars have been fitted to close off balconies facing central court at Hengshui No 2 Middle School. Two students have plunged to death on campus since last October. The school is well-known for its highly stressful environment. All students must get up at 5:30am and study for 10 hours a day.
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An elderly couple died in a freak accident after the woman fell down the stairs in a desperate attempt to save her partner who had also tripped. Mary Murphy, 66, is thought to have tried to grab hold of John Wood, 67, when he stumbled at the top of the stairs, but slipped herself and the pair fell to their deaths. Their bodies were found by paramedics on Wednesday in the hallway of their terraced home, after concerns were raised about their welfare. Mary Murphy, 66, and her partner John Wood, 67, died after falling down the stairs at their home in Failsworth, Greater Manchester. Police initially thought the deaths may be suspicious, but after investigating they believe it was a ‘bizarre and tragic’ accident. It is understood that Miss Murphy, a retired office clerk, had lived at the property in Failsworth, near Oldham, all of her life, having looked after her elderly parents. In recent years she struck up a close friendship with Mr Wood. The retired couple were devoted to each other and attended a prayer group, though it is not known whether either pensioner had any children or close relatives. Miss Murphy had been a regular worshipper at nearby St Mary’s RC Church, where priest Father John McKeown described her as ‘very kind and well-liked’. He believes the accident occurred because the stairs at her home are very steep and she used a walking stick to get around. Both Miss Murphy and Mr Wood were also overweight and suffered from severe mobility problems. He said: ‘Mary was not very good on her feet. If one of them tripped while they were trying to get down then this could have brought the pair of them tumbling down. It’s absolutely tragic.’ The couple's home was cordoned off as police forensic investigators were seen going into the property. Residents spoke of their sadness at the couple’s deaths, with one saying: ‘It is the most shocking thing to happen – that a simple slip could cost them both their lives. They were devoted to each other. They will be really badly missed in the community because they were such a force for good.’ Another said: ‘It is very upsetting and we are in mourning. I would see them at mass on Sunday, they were always smiling and you could tell they loved each other.’ Detective Inspector Lewis Hughes from Greater Manchester Police said: ‘This is an extremely bizarre, albeit tragic incident and our thoughts are with the couple’s family and friends.’ Emergency crews were first called to the terraced house 10.50am on Wednesday and discovered two bodies at the bottom of the stairs.
| Mary Murphy, 66, and John Wood,67, died falling down stairs at her home. Pensioner is believed to have come to aid of her partner, 67, who tripped. Detectives described the incident as 'extremely bizarre' and 'tragic' Ms Murphy, a regular worshipper, was described as 'kind and well-liked'
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More than 25 women have been airlifted from Royal Navy ships because of pregnancy. One ship - HMS Ocean – even had five pregnant sailors removed in emergency 'medevacs' during the last nine years, a Freedom of Information request revealed. And at least one woman was airlifted from HMS Illustrious, which was nicknamed 'HMS Lusty' by the crew before it was decommissioned last year. More than 25 women have been airlifted from Royal Navy ships because of pregnancy, including at least one woman from HMS Illustrious (above), which was nicknamed 'HMS Lusty' by the crew before it was decommissioned last year. Eighteen other ships - including HMS Dragon, HMS Enterprise and HMS Richmond - had emergency evacuations, data obtained by The Sun showed. A Ministry of Defence spokesman confirmed there was a strict 'no touching' rule in place at sea, which suggests the women conceived before boarding the ships or during leave. The data comes nine months after commander Sarah West, the first woman to captain a Royal Navy warship, was flown back to the UK following claims she had a sexual relationship with a member of her crew. An unnamed captain was appointed in her place and a military investigation was launched into the 42-year-old's conduct. A Ministry of Defence spokesman confirmed there was a strict 'no touching' rule in place at sea, which suggests the women conceived before boarding the ships or during leave (stock image above) Navy sources said Ms West left HMS Portland for ‘personal reasons’. The Ministry of Defence would not confirm what these reasons were or what action she would face. Women have been serving on Royal Navy ships since 1990 and in 2014 around 9 per cent of personnel were female. Last May three women made history by becoming the first female submariners to serve in the Royal Navy. Nearly 100 female British soldiers were sent home from Afghanistan after finding out they were pregnant. Ninety-nine servicewomen on operations were flown back to the UK between January 2006 and December 2013, a Freedom of Information request revealed. Sixteen women were removed from Afghanistan in 2013 due to pregnancy while 18 were sent home in 2011, the data showed. A further 102 women were evacuated from Iraq. Strict military rules ban mothers-to-be from serving in war zones. The women were flown back on flights usually reserved for injured troops and the true figure could be higher if others travelled via routine flights. Troops are reminded by senior officers to check they are not pregnant before they fly to the front line - but are not made to do pregnancy tests. Most of the babies would have been conceived before the mother left the UK but a small number of women may have become pregnant on tour. A Ministry of Defence spokesman said at the time: 'The small numbers of personnel who discover that they are pregnant on operations are returned at the first convenient opportunity.'
| HMS Ocean had five women removed in nine years, according to new data. At least one sailor airlifted from HMS Illustrious, nicknamed 'HMS Lusty' MoD spokesman confirmed there was a strict 'no touching' rule in place.
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The price of olive oil is expected to rocket as forestry officials in southern Italy yesterday began cutting down thousands of olive trees infected with a deadly bacteria. The xylella fastidiosa bacteria has ravaged olive trees in the Puglia region and contributed to a 35 percent drop in the region's olive oil production last year. Its spread has so alarmed the EU that France announced a boycott of Puglian fruit and vegetables, while its effect on production will mean shortages in the supply of olive oil and is likely to lead to higher prices for shoppers in Britain and around the world. An Italian forestry official stands guard as workers begin chopping down an infected olive oil tree. Police officers were also on hand to maintain order after protesters attempted to stop the trees' destruction. A forestry official walks past the fenced-off remains of an olive oil tree destroyed in an attempt to stop the spread of the disease. A forestry worker cuts through the stump of a tree infected with the deadly xylella fastidiosa bacteria. Puglian growers have opposed the government's destruction plan, saying it won't stop the bacteria's spread. However, Puglian growers have opposed the government's slash-and-burn plan, saying it won't contain the bacteria's spread. Several dozen protesters tried unsuccessfully yesterday to block the first seven trees from being felled in Oria, near Brindisi, even climbing the branches and shouting 'assassins.' Eventually, the first seven trees were cut down and are to be burned today, with more to follow. Many of Italy's oldest olive groves, some dating back 500 years, have been infected by the bacterium, which causes plants to shrivel, leaving them incapable of bearing fruit. Puglia, a region in the heel of Italy, produces about 11million tons of olives a year, more than a third of the national crop, and they are used to make some of the country's best oils. The initial area to be culled is 20,000 acres – about 30 sq miles – between Lecce to Brindisi. It contains around 11million trees, according to Unaprol, the largest consortium of growers. It is feared that unless drastic action is taken to fell the groves, the bacterium will spread to other olive-producing regions of Italy such as Tuscany and Umbria, and even to other Mediterranean countries. Last month Vytenis Andriukaitis, the European Commissioner for Food Safety and Security, said he was 'profoundly concerned by the gravity of the situation'. He added: 'We have to take decisive measures with immediate effect. Naturally it is very painful for the growers but it is necessary to remove all the affected trees, it is the most effective measure.' The bacteria (right) causes plants to dry out, leaving shrivelled stumps that are incapable of bearing fruit. Pictured left are protesters sitting in the branches of an olive oil tree earmarked for destruction. The microbe, first identified in the Americas, has now infected 800,000 trees in Salento, the southern half of Puglia, the heel of Italy. Below is a summary of the Italian virgin olive oil market worldwide, according to Unaprol (organisation of Italian oil producers), showing the main importing countries:. USA: Italy holds a market share of 51 per cent, with exports up 2 per cent in 2013. AUSTRIA: Italy is the market leader in 2013 with a 48 per cent share. BRAZIL: Italy is the fourth-largest virgin oil supplier to Brazil with 7 per cent of the market, following Portugal, Spain and Argentina. CANADA: Italy is in pole position with a market share of 70 per cent in 2013. CHINA: Italy is the second-largest virgin oil supplier. In 2013, the market share was 21 per cent. KOREA: Italy is the second-largest virgin oil supplier. JAPAN: Italy is the market leader in 2013 with a 45 per cent share and a growth of 6 per cent. HONG KONG: Italy is the main virgin oil supplier. INDIA: Italy is the second-largest virgin oil supplier on the Indian market after Spain. RUSSIA: Italy is the second-biggest virgin oil supplier with a 26 per cent market share. SINGAPORE: Italy is the main virgin oil supplier, with an increase from 2012 to 2013 both for the volume and for the value. Source: Olive Oil Times.
| The xylella fastidiosa bacteria has ravaged olive trees in Puglia region. Its spread has so alarmed the EU that France has boycotted the fruit. Yesterday officials began destroying trees affected by the deadly disease. Protesters failed in an attempt to stop the government-ordered destruction. The spread of the bacteria is expected to cause olive oil prices to rocket.
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Visitors to a metro-Detroit museum have a chance to get an up-close look at the chair Abraham Lincoln was shot in at Washington D.C.'s Ford's Theatre in 1865 next week as the museum puts it center stage. The red, worn chair will be removed from its enclosure at Dearborn's Henry Ford Museum and displayed in an open plaza on April 15 as part of the museum's observance of the assassination's 150 anniversary. Two days earlier, it will be onstage when renowned historian and Lincoln expert Doris Kearns Goodwin delivers a sold-out lecture at The Henry Ford. The chair in which Abraham Lincoln was shot has been on display at The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan, for 85 years. On April 15, it will be removed from its encasing to be displayed for the 150th anniversary of the assassination. Abraham Lincoln (left) was shot in Ford's Theatre in Washington D.C. on April 14, 1865 by pro-Confederacy actor, John Wilkes Booth (right). Lincoln died from his injuries the next day. The chair has a dark stain on the back, which many visitors believe to be blood from the shooting. But historians at the museum say that the stain is oil from other people's heads who sat in the chair before Lincoln. Lincoln's chair has been part of the museum started by pioneering automaker Henry Ford - no relation to the theater-owning Ford family - since its founding 85 years ago. The government removed it from the theater and held it as evidence, and it ended up at the Smithsonian Institution. The wife of a theater co-owner petitioned to reclaim it, then sold it at auction to an agent working for Henry Ford. Henry Ford also bought the Logan County Courthouse where Lincoln practiced law in Illinois in the 1840s and moved it to the outdoor area next to his museum known as Greenfield Village. For decades, the theater chair was housed in that courthouse. Around 1980, the chair was placed inside the museum, where it's now part of the 'With Liberty and Justice for All' exhibit. 'Lincoln was one of Henry Ford's heroes - when he decided he wanted to have this village, he wanted to collect Lincoln stuff as an educational tool,' said curator Donna Braden. 'The courthouse is pretty much the first thing Henry Ford acquired related to Lincoln and the chair came soon after.' A playbill from Our American Cousin from the night President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated on April 14, 1865 is shown on display at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn. A copy of a hand colored 1870 lithographic print by Gibson & Co. provided by the U.S. Library of Congress shows John Wilkes Booth shooting U.S. President Abraham Lincoln as he sits in the presidential box at Ford's Theatre. A copy of a 1865 lithographic print by Currier & Ives provided by the U.S. Library of Congress shows the same event from a different angle. Many visitors wonder whether dark spots on the back of the chair are Lincoln's blood. Not so, say museum workers: The stains are oil from other people's heads who sat in the chair before that fateful night when Lincoln was shot by a pro-Confederacy actor, John Wilkes Booth. Steve Harris, a historic presenter at the museum, tells passers-by that Lincoln's head would have been positioned much higher than the stain because he was 6ft, 4in tall. Taking in objects from the final hours of two important American lives is a major draw to the museum. The Henry Ford also owns the limousine President John F. Kennedy was riding in when he was fatally shot in Dallas nearly a century later. Museum officials say the chair and car are among the most visited artifacts in the museum, along with the bus Rosa Parks rode in when she refused to give up her seat to a white rider and helped spark the civil rights movement. Ford's Theatre in Washington D.C. has arranged the presidential box identically to the way it was the night Lincoln was shot through the doorway. Abraham Lincoln's iconic silk top hat, which he was wearing the night he was assassinated, is part of the museum display at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C. Goodwin, author of 'Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln,' told The Associated Press that the chair will offer an extra 'dimension' to her words and the experience of those in the room. 'There's an intimacy to it that catapults you back in time,' she said. 'And hopefully, along with that, you're not just thinking of the death but the life that made it worthwhile.' Museum visitor Jeff Buczkiewicz stood before the chair, peered silently into the glass-enclosed case at the rocking chair, then snapped pictures for posterity. 'You just get drawn into these things,' said Buczkiewicz, 47, who came from suburban Chicago with his family to the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan. 'It is a tragic part of our history and our country. I think it's important to take it all in.' Milestone anniversaries seem to add to the impact of objects like the chair and limo. About 8,000 people visited the limo on November 22, 2013, a free-admission day marking the 50th anniversary of JFK's assassination, so the chair is likely to draw plenty of visitors on the Lincoln anniversary, which also has free admission. The single-shot Deringer pistol John Wilkes Booth used to kill Abraham Lincoln is displayed at the Center for Education and Leadership at Ford's Theatre in Washington. 'It really is about the power of the artifact,' said Patricia Mooradian, president of The Henry Ford, as the entire history attraction is known. 'It's less about the artifact itself than the symbolic nature of the artifact that represents a great paradigm change in the history of our country,' she added. Buskiewicz has also visited Dealey Plaza in Dallas where Kennedy was assassinated. 'You just have to try to take it in when you're in those areas,' he said, but he wonders 'why we gravitate' toward places and things associated with these types of events. Goodwin, whose book helped inspire Steven Spielberg's movie, 'Lincoln,' says that standing before iconic yet everyday objects provides a deep experience that transcends the moment that made them famous. 'In some ways, it's more familiar when it's a chair, a bus or a limo,' she said. 'There's something about the tangibility of these things.' The chair in which Lincoln was show is regularly displayed in an encasing at The Henry Ford Museum. For the 150th anniversary it will be taken out of the encasing.
| The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan, has had chair for 85 years. The worn, red chair, from Washington D.C.'s Ford's Theatre, is usually kept in an enclosed case but will be put in an open plaza on April 15. Abraham Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth on April 14, 1865. The Henry Ford Museum also holds the limo in which John F. Kennedy was shot and the bus Rosa Parks rode when she refused to give up her seat.
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Oklahoma introduced a law allowing it to use nitrogen gas to kill death row prisoners if lethal injections aren't available. Governor Mary Fallin signed into law a bill approving nitrogen as an alternative method of death, giving Oklahoma four different ways to enact its death penalty. The method, which involves pumping a chamber full of nitrogen and leaving a prisoner's body to die from lack of oxygen, has been touted as 'foolproof' by supporters, in the wake of the embarrassingly botched lethal injections. Scroll down for video. Gas chamber: The state of Oklahoma has legalized killing death row in-mates with nitrogen. This 1999 file photo shows an Arizona correctional officer explaining his state's execution method. Executions in the state are currently on hold while the Supreme Court ponders whether the three-drug mix now favored by Oklahoma is constitutional. The pause follows an infamous execution last ear, which saw officials struggle to administer a the poison to an inmate, who writhed on the gurney in pain for some 43 minutes before finally dying. Nitrogen - which has never been used to execute humans before - is now the state's second choice. The new bill, effective from November 2015, moves the electric chair back from second preference to third, while firing squad becomes a distant fourth choice if all other methods are unavailable. Proponents tout that nitrogen killings will be 'fast and painless' for inmates - and also say the method is 'foolproof' as it requires no medical expertise or complex procedures. In a statement issued as the bill was signed, Fallin, a Republican, said: 'Oklahoma executes murderers whose crimes are especially heinous. 'I support that policy, and I believe capital punishment must be performed effectively and without cruelty. The bill I signed today gives the state of Oklahoma another death penalty option that meets that standard.' The bill authored by Republican Rep. Mike Christian and Republican Sen. Anthony Sykes had passed the state House on an 85-10 vote and cleared the Senate on a 41-0 vote. Christian, a former Highway Patrol trooper, said: 'The process is fast and painless - it's foolproof.' Opponents say there's no way to know whether the method is painless and effective. 'It just hasn't been tried, so we don't know,' said Rep. Emily Virgin, a Democrat from Norman who opposes the death penalty. The changes come after a botched execution last year in which Oklahoma was using a new sedative as the first in a three-drug combination. State officials tried to halt the lethal injection after the inmate writhed on the gurney and moaned. He died 43 minutes after the process began. Adam Leathers, spokesman for the Oklahoma Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, released a statement blasting the new law. 'This is not only a grotesque waste of resources but indicative of a corrupt value system,' he said. 'It is sad to know that our State's collective bloodlust is so unabated that our leadership feels the need to spend resources to put a back up system into place so State sponsored murder can go on uninterrupted.' The problematic execution was blamed on a poorly placed intravenous line and prompted a lawsuit from Oklahoma death row inmates, who argue that the state's new drug combination presents a serious risk of pain and suffering. The U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments later this month. The lack of readily-available lethal injection drugs - and problems with stocks the states do have - has vexed several other states. Utah brought back the firing squad earlier this year in response to a drugs shortage, while Tennessee reinstated the electric chair.
| Governor Mary Fallin signed bill allowing nitrogen execution into law. Chamber is pumped full of gas, and body dies from lack of oxygen. Method will become Oklahoma's second choice after lethal injection. Supreme Court is due to rule on whether current execution drugs are legal. If gas execution is not available, state will use electric chair or firing squad.
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Hilary Border, 54, stole £20,000 from her dementia-stricken mother, pictured outside Nottingham Crown Court. A 'wicked' daughter who stole £20,000 from her dementia-stricken mother and spent it on herself instead of paying care home fees has been spared jail. Hilary Border, 54, from Newark, Nottinghamshire, had power of attorney over her 83-year-old mother Dorothy's affairs when her health deteriorated. The mother-of-three was required to pay £300-a-week for the 83-year-old's care but when it doubled to £600 the money was either late or stopped being paid at all. Care home staff tried to contact Border over an outstanding £16,000 debt over two years before reporting her to police. She pleaded guilty to fraud on the basis she took £20,000 between October 2012, and November 20 last year, despite the fact that prosecution said it was £39,500. Border was sentenced to 16 months in prison, suspended for two years, at Nottingham Crown Court yesterday. Judge Andrew Hamilton said: 'You stole money from your mum. You were trusted to be her power of attorney to deal with her money. 'It was wicked to steal from someone who was in a care home. 'The owners of the care home seem to have taken pity on your mum. Others might not have been so charitable. 'She has dementia and doesn't appreciate the wickedness of her daughter, how you have betrayed her trust and stolen her money.' Border was also made subject of an eight-month home curfew and ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work. The court heard Border's mother suffered from angina, sclerosis of the liver and seriously low blood pressure. Defence attorney Ian Way said Border had taken a small amount of money to ease financial pressures in her own life and the fraud had then escalated. He added: 'She is 54, of good character. 'She is thoroughly ashamed for what she has done and full of self-loathing..' Border was sentenced to 16 months in prison, suspended for two years, at Nottingham Crown Court (pictured) yesterday.
| Hilary Border, 54, pleaded guilty to fraud and has been spared jail. She stole £20,000 from dementia-stricken mother and spent it on herself. Mother-of-three refused to pay £16,000 in care home bills for Dorothy, 83. She has been spared jail and ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work.
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A mother of a baby boy was arrested 27 years after his body was found wrapped in a blanket inside a Sainsbury's bag floating on a village pond. Police exhumed the boy's body from his grave in Norfolk last year after the case came up for periodical review. A DNA sample eventually led them to his mother. The woman, who has not been named, was arrested on suspicion of infanticide but the charge was dropped after she explained how the baby had been stillborn and that she had concealed the pregnancy from her family and friends. She explained how she had placed her dead baby in the pond in the village of Weasenham St Peter on June 5, 1988, just a few days before it was found by teenagers on a Sunday afternoon outing. Scroll down for video. Unsolved case: A police officer searches Windmill Pit, the Norfolk pond where the baby boy's body was found back in 1988. The boy's body was exhumed by officers as part of a case review, with DNA samples leading police to the boy's mother. He has now been reburied at Weasenham St Peter church, Norfolk. Police said they have ruled out any foul play and the woman remains on bail while the CPS decide whether to charge her with failing to register a birth and preventing a lawful burial. During the original investigation, police had been unable to identify the mother and villagers carried out a collection to raise money to pay for the baby's burial at 13th century St Peter's Church in the village. A report in the Eastern Daily Press from 1988 tells how the body was found floating on the pond. But after the body was exhumed in April last year, DNA taken from his leg bone was put through the national police database which found a match for a possible relative of one of the parents. Detectives examined that person's family tree and identified the woman who admitted being the boy's mother. A police spokesman said: 'In this case it was not clear how the baby died despite a post mortem examination and the circumstances surrounding the death remained the focus of the investigation. 'Thanks to advances in DNA we were able to trace the mother of the baby and during interview the woman revealed she had concealed her pregnancy from family and friends and delivered the baby by herself. 'Sadly the baby was delivered stillborn and we are satisfied there was no third party involvement or foul play.' Det Insp Andy Guy, of Norfolk Police who led the investigation said the DNA was compared to five million samples on the national database. He said: 'It came back with a match of a family member and by looking at that family we were able to find a lady of the right age. 'We went to see that individual and she told us she was mum. She was arrested on suspicion of infanticide. 'We were then given an account by the lady concerned who gave details about the birth and details only the mother would know to myself and the officer who interviewed her. 'The pregnancy was concealed from everybody. She didn't tell her family, her close friends, she gave birth in secret. The baby was stillborn.' The woman told officers how she placed her dead baby in the pond, known locally as Windmill Pit, before it was found by a group of teenagers. The boy was originally buried without a name but a support group for parents of stillborn children raised the money for a new headstone giving his name as Peter after the name of the church. A second post-mortem carried out on the remains last year found no evidence of foul play. An inquest held in 1988 body also failed to establish a cause of death. The baby boy was re-buried in the churchyard on June 5 last year - the 26th anniversary of his discovery - he was named Peter after the name of the church. Det Insp Guy said police were now satisfied that nobody else had been involved at the time. He added: 'This has been unsolved for 27 years. By using the latest techniques, we've solved something which has been a mystery for a long time.' 'We don't ever give up. All the unsolved cases we have going back to the 60s are still on our books and they're reviewed at regular intervals.' Det Insp Guy said the small team of officers involved in the case had 'mixed feelings' after bringing the investigation to a final close. He said: 'From a police officer's perspective, it's fantastic. From a human perspective you can only have empathy for the woman and imagine how terrible it was for her.' The grave of the baby was originally marked by a simple wooden cross, which read: 'In loving memory of unknown baby boy. Born and died 1988.' A support group called Hana's Gift for families who have suffered a stillbirth has now paid for a new headstone giving his name as Peter. The inscription reads: 'In loving memory of baby Peter, June 1988. A sweet little child, lost but then found, to bloom and grow in Heaven's playground. There is no foot so small that it cannot leave an imprint on the world.' Tranquil: The pond in the village of Weasenham St Peter, Norfolk, as it is today. Karen Murray-Tye who set up Hana's gift charity after her daughter was stillborn in 2006, said: 'It was quite hard to find the right words, but I thought the 'lost but found' fitted the circumstances. 'I hope she sees we've tried to do the best for him as we have for Hana. It would be lovely if it made her think she could have some support if she came forward.' Norfolk coroner's chaplain Chris Copsey said: 'When the coffin was exhumed all that was left was a little plaque that said 'unnamed baby boy'. 'It seemed terrible to bury an unnamed baby boy so I took the name of the church, St Peter's church.' Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.
| Baby boy's remains were exhumed last year after case came up for review. DNA led police to the mother who was arrested on suspicion of infanticide. But the charge was dropped after she explained the baby was stillborn. CPS may now charge her with failing to register the birth and preventing a lawful burial.
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Jailed: Paramedics found Kyle Hargreaves kissing a girl on a stretcher in the back of the ambulance. An 18-year-old who assaulted a paramedic after he was caught trying to have sex in an ambulance has been jailed. Paramedics found Kyle Hargreaves kissing a girl on a stretcher in the back of the vehicle, which had been called to an address in Grimsby, Lincolnshire. The ambulance crew had left the doors open while they collected a 92-year-old man with chest pain from inside the property. They returned to find Hargreaves and the girl, who has not been named, lying on top of each other. When confronted by paramedic Michael Newman, Hargreaves said: 'What's your problem? We are just trying to have sex'. The teenager then punched Mr Newman three times as the patient was being carried out to the vehicle. Hargreaves, of Immingham, Lincolnshire, pleaded guilty to assaulting Mr Newman and breaching his Antisocial Behaviour Order by using threatening behaviour towards him. He was jailed for two years and eight months at Grimsby Crown Court. The court was told that the ambulance responded to the call shortly after 10pm on February 15. One of the crew left the back doors of the ambulance open, which is normal practice, when he brought a chair inside for the man. In the few minutes the crew were away, Hargreaves and the girl, sneaked inside. When paramedic Michael Newman returned to the vehicle, he found Hargreaves and the girl kissing on the stretcher. He said they appeared to have been drinking. He told them to get out of the ambulance because the crew needed to take the patient to hospital. Hargreaves told him they were 'trying to have sex'. The teenager threatened the crew before punching Mr Newman three times in the face, the court heard. The 92-year-old man, who was still in the carry chair, was protected by an ambulance technician and the patient's son at the time. The panic button on the crew's radio was used to alert the police. The girl who was with Hargreaves bit ambulance technician William Heron on his hand. Mr Newman suffered a huge black eye, a cut to his nose and a nose bleed. Hargreaves spat saliva and blood into Mr Newman's face. The crew restrained Hargreaves until the police arrived by holding him down. Another crew was sent out to take the pensioner to hospital. Judge David Tremberg branded the punching and spitting assault on the paramedic 'disgusting' and 'uncivilised' behaviour towards a paramedic who was just doing his job. Craig Lowe, mitigating, said Hargreaves had a long history of offending and he faced longer custodial sentences if he did not tackle his drinking. After the hearing, Steve Pratten, of the East Midlands Ambulance Service, said: 'This was a disgraceful act, not only to attack an emergency ambulance crew while they were engaged on their duties and were trying to look after a patient, but it was also completely selfish and completely irresponsible because of what they were trying to use the ambulance for. 'We are very pleased with the sentence. We think it reflects the serious nature of the incident. 'We are also pleased that the Crown Prosecution Service has worked with us and Humberside Police in being able to get a conviction. Call out: The ambulance crew had left the doors open while they collected a 92-year-old man with chest pain from a property on Dixon Avenue, Grimsby (pictured). They returned to find Hargreaves and the girl inside. 'It sends a clear message that any form of violence and aggression to any of our staff will not be tolerated.' Mr Pratten said the pensioner needed to go to hospital but did not suffer any serious effects from being caught up in the violent incident. 'Both of our staff have been supported by East Midlands Ambulance Service through counselling and occupational health services. 'The technician who was bitten on the hand had to have a series of injections. 'Both crew members returned to work the following day for their shifts, a sign of their professionalism and dedication in returning to work and taking no sickness time. Hargreaves admitted separate matters of robbery and theft against a newsagents on the same day. The ASBO had been made at Grimsby Youth Court on February 25, 2013.
| Kyle Hargreaves was caught kissing a girl on a stretcher in the ambulance. When confronted, the 18-year-old replied 'we are just trying to have sex' He punched paramedic Michael Newman three times and spat in his face.
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Muhammad Naviede, 60, (pictured outside the Old Bailey in 1995) was killed instantly in a plane crash. A banking fraudster with links to Cherie Blair was killed instantly in a plane crash minutes after he sent a text saying his aircraft was going down, an investigation has revealed. Muhammad Naviede, who was jailed in 1995 for nine years for a £45million fraud, died after his Piper Tomahawk aircraft plummeted into a field near Padbury in Buckinghamshire. The 60-year-old, whose daughter is a former X-Factor contestant, sent a text to a relative shortly before the crash on August 20 last year saying: 'I'm in a plane out of control and it's going down.' An investigation by the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) said the message was 'unusual' as the leased plane did not enter a spin until after it was sent. The experienced pilot had also tried to call the same relative before writing 148 characters within 25 seconds in a text - something the AAIB said would require 'considerable dexterity'. The report said: 'The pilot had accumulated considerable experience in a variety of aircraft in the years that he had been flying. He was familiar with the Piper Tomahawk aircraft and was in recent flying practice. 'It was suggested in his final text message that he had lost control of the aircraft, to such an extent that he did not expect to survive. 'However, after this message was sent, the aircraft continued in flight for more than two minutes, before entering a spin from which it did not recover.' Investigators found no fault with the aircraft and said weather conditions were unlikely to have caused the crash. Mr Naviede, of Regent's Park, London, had previously undertaken aerobatic training, meaning he 'would have recognised, and been able to recover from, a spin', according to the AAIB. The investigation also revealed the father-of-two had not booked a final destination for the fatal flight. Mr Naviede, whose personal wealth was once estimated to be £117million, was the former head of trade finance company Arrows, which collapsed owing more than £100 million to overseas banks and other creditors in 1991. He was the father of model and 2007 X-Factor contestant Raquelle Gracie, who was in girl band Hope, and had a record with Pharrell Williams. The girls initially auditioned for the fourth series as solo artists but judge Louis Walsh told them to re-audition as a band and they made it to the live shows where they came fifth. His Piper Tomahawk aircraft plummeted into a field near Padbury in Buckinghamshire in August last year. The pilot had written a 148 character text within 25 seconds - something the Air Accident Investigation Branch said would require 'considerable dexterity especially in an aircraft that may have been out of control' Ms Gracie, who is married with an 18-month-old daughter, is now a yoga teacher and continues to sing after previously hosting an online news and gossip series on website Dipdive, created by will.i.am. His brother was the former Government race advisor Nighat Awan, who entertained Mrs Blair at her multi-million pound home in Cheshire in 2004. In 1995, a jury at the Old Bailey convicted him of seven charges of fraudulent trading, obtaining property and services by deception and making false statements to obtain bank facilities. On the day of the crash, Mr Naviede had flown the Piper PA-38 Tomahawk from Elstree, Hertfordshire, to Turweston Aerodrome before heading on to White Waltham airfield near Maidenhead, Berkshire. He was then due to return to Elstree, but at 4.55pm Mr Naviede telephoned the aerodrome to say he would not be returning that day and did not book an alternative destination. The plane took off from White Waltham shortly after 5pm, heading north, and when he was just south of Buckingham, he began to fly in a circle for almost an hour at between 2,500ft and 4,700ft. His daughter Raquelle Gracie (far right) came fifth in the 2007 series of the X Factor with girl band Hope. It was at this time he made a number of calls on his mobile telephone and at 6.31pm he unsuccessfully tried to call the relative who he then sent the final text to. Investigators suggested that two minutes later he still had 'at least control of lateral flight'. The aircraft then turned to the left as the pilot sent out a 'Mayday' distress call, saying: 'Lost control of the aircraft and it's gone into a spin.' Mr Naviede then confirmed his location to the controller before saying: 'I can't control it.' Mr Naviede's brother was former Government race advisor, Nighat Awan, who entertained Mrs Blair at her multi-million pound home in Cheshire in 2004. The AAIB report said: 'It was apparent, from the witness accounts and the on-site evidence, that the aircraft had entered a spin from which it did not recover. 'The time elapsed during the pilot's final radio transmissions, together with the rate of descent deduced from the NASA videos, suggested that the spin was likely to have started from a minimum height of 2,500ft, and probably higher.' The report also highlighted strange aspects of Mr Naviede's behaviour on the day, although people who spoke to him said he appeared 'chatty, friendly and relaxed'. Investigators wrote: 'There were a number of events which took place in the course of the afternoon which represented unusual actions on the part of the pilot. 'It appears the pilot made a change of intended destination prior to leaving White Waltham. 'Having booked out for Elstree he subsequently called them to advise he would not be returning there. He did not book out to any other destination. 'After departing White Waltham and flying north for about half an hour, he flew in a large circular pattern for almost an hour. 'Although somewhat unusual, this may be explained by the need to re-charge the aircraft battery.' Mr Naviede, who had more than 3,000 hours of flying experience, died instantly in the crash and a post-mortem examination carried out on his body revealed he died as a result of multiple injuries. A date has not been set for an inquest but it is likely to take place in May with a jury.
| Muhammad Naviede died after his Piper Tomahawk aircraft crashed in field. The 60-year-old sent text to relative shortly before plane span out of control. Air Accident Investigation Branch investigation says message is 'unusual' His daughter was on X Factor and brother entertained Cherie Blair at home. The father-of-two was jailed for nine years in 1995 for a £45million fraud.
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A humble wooden deckchair recovered from the doomed Titanic has sold for £100,350 at auction. The Nantucket wooden chair, which once sat on a first-class promenade of the ill-fated ship, was salvaged by a search team from the Atlantic Ocean after the Titanic sank in 1912. Dubbed 'one of the rarest types of Titanic collectable', the chair is too fragile to sit on, but has been carefully preserved, having been owned by a British collector for the past 15 years. A 103-year-old deckchair recovered from the wreck of the Titanic is expected sold for £100,000 at auction. The ship's log records six or seven deckchairs being picked up and taken back to port in Halifax, Nova Scotia. One was given by a crew member to Captain Julien Lemarteleur, who had previously worked on board the Mackay-Bennett. The anonymous seller kept it by a large window overlooking the sea at his home on the south coast, never sat on it due to its fragile state and instead used it as a display item. It was sold yesterday at Henry Aldridge and Son auction house in Devizes, Wiltshire, to a UK buyer. Andrew Aldridge, of auctioneers Henry Aldridge and Son, described the piece as one of 'the most important [bits] of Titanic memorabilia around'. He said: 'It is incredibly rare to find something of that size that was on Titanic, was salvaged and that still exists today. Six or seven recovered deckchairs were stacked on the deck of the Mackay-Bennett as it arrived in Nova Scotia. Titanic (above) sank with the loss of 1,522 lives four hours after it struck on iceberg at 10.20pm on April 14. It has a five pointed star on top of it, which was the emblem of White Star Line - the company that owned the Titanic. He said that he was 'very, very pleased' with the price. The chair is made of teak wood and has an adjustable footrest at the front. It is 57 inches long, 23 inches wide and 35 inches tall. It has a five pointed star on top of it, which was the emblem of White Star Line - the company that owned the Titanic. Upon his death in 1973, Capt Lemarteleur gave the chair to colleague Captain Robin Lee. The current owner acquired it in 2001. Sold with the chair was an in depth 'provenance package' that authenticates history and association with Titanic. Captain Julien Lemarteleur (above), who collected the chair from the Mackay-Bennett more than 100 years ago. It includes a signed affidavit from Margarete Pennington, who was Mr Lemarteleur's housekeeper in the 1960s. In it she states: 'I personally saw the deckchair that Captain Lemarteleur told me about on many occasions. He said that various pieces of debris taken from the ocean including this Titanic deckchair he acquired. 'I recognise the chair as the same chair I saw in the captain's garage and of which the captain identified as coming from the Titanic.' Craig Sopin, 57, a lawyer from Philadelphia, owns one of the world's largest collections of Titanic memorabilia. He also authenticated the chair and said: 'It isn't often that one has the opportunity to acquire such an important part of Titanic's story. 'For such a significant item to have such a meticulous chain of custody is nothing short of astonishing. Its history can be traced from the auction house back to Titanic itself.' Titanic sank with the loss of 1,522 lives four hours after it struck on iceberg at 10.20pm on April 14. A ship, the Carpathia, picked up more than 700 survivors in lifeboats hours later and took them back to New York. White Star Line chartered four ships, including the Halifax-based cable-laying vessel the Mackay-Bennett, to recover the bodies.
| Chair was on first class deck when ship hit an iceberg in April 1912. Found by Mackay-Bennett crew members while clearing up the wreck. Previously owned by English collector who kept it in sea-view window.
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Turkey has blocked access to Twitter and YouTube after they refused a request to remove pictures of a prosecutor held during an armed siege last week. A Turkish court imposed the blocks because images of the deadly siege were being shared on social media and 'deeply upset' the wife and children of Mehmet Selim Kiraz, the hostage who was killed. The 46-year-old Turkish prosecutor died in hospital when members of the Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C) stormed a courthouse and took him hostage. The DHKP-C is considered a terrorist group by Turkey, the European Union and US. Scroll down for video. A Turkish court has blocked access to Twitter and YouTube after they refused a request to remove pictures of prosecutor Mehmet Selim Kiraz held during an armed siege last week. Grief: The family of Mehmet Selim Kiraz grieve over his coffin during his funeral at Eyup Sultan Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey. He died in hospital after he was taken hostage by the far-left organisation. Two of his captors were killed when security forces took back the building where the far-left group was holding him. Gunshots were heard and smoke could be seen rising from the scene at the end of the six-hour stand-off. Mr Kiraz, a father-of-two married to a judge who also worked at the courthouse, was targeted for his part in an investigation into the death of Berkin Elvan. The 15-year-old was severely wounded after being hit on the head by a tear-gas canister fired by a police officer during anti-government protests in Istanbul in June 2013. After spending 269 days in a coma, Elvan eventually died on March 11 last year. His death, and the subsequent investigation, have since become a rallying point for the country's far-left. Gathering: Prosecutors, lawyers and judges stand near a statue of Lady Justice during the funeral ceremony. A British national, of Polish origin but who has not been named, was arrested on Saturday as part of an operation against the Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front, according to reports. A Foreign Office spokeswoman said this morning: 'I can confirm that a British national has been arrested in Turkey and that we are offering consular assistance.' Before imposing the blocks on the websites, Turkish authorities had tried to prevent newspapers printing images taken during the siege last week. The newspapers were accused by the government of 'spreading terrorist propaganda' in sharing the images of the hostage-taking. Presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said: 'This has to do with the publishing of the prosecutor's. picture. What happened in the aftermath (of the prosecutor's. killing) is as grim as the incident itself. 'The demand from the prosecutor's office is that this image. not be used anywhere in electronic platforms. 'The wife and children of prosecutor Kiraz have been deeply. upset. The images are everywhere.' He added: 'A request has been made to both Twitter and YouTube for the. removal of the images and posts but they have not accepted it. and no response has been given. 'That's why. this decision has been taken through a court in Istanbul.' Critical: Prosecutor Mehmet Selim Kiraz was taken to hospital with gunshot wounds but died of his injuries. Strength of feeling: Elvan has since become an icon for the Turkish far-left and his supporters accuse the authorities of covering up the circumstances and perpetrators of his death. Google said it was working to restore service to the YouTube. video-sharing site, which it owns. Twitter also said it was. working to restore access for its users. Facebook said it had complied with a Turkish court order requiring it to restrict access to some content or face a block on its service. A company spokesman said it would appeal the order. Turkey's telecoms regulator could not immediately be reached. and there was no statement on its website. This is not the first time that Turkish authorities have imposed blocks on social media sites and networks. In the run-up to local elections in March 2014 blocks were imposed after recordings circulated allegedly revealing corruption among senior officials. Figures provided by Twitter revealed that Turkey filed more requests to remove content from the social network than any other nation between July and December 2014.
| Turkish court imposed blocks as images of siege shared on social media. Images 'deeply upset' wife and children of hostage Mehmet Selim Kiraz. Prosecutor, 46, died in hospital after hostages stormed a courthouse. Two of his captors were killed when security forces took back the building.
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An aspiring model sobbed uncontrollably yesterday as she was convicted of luring a professional gambler to his death. Leonie Granger, 25, targeted playboy Mehmet Hassan, 56, after spotting him flashing a roll of £50 notes at a casino in London’s West End. The honeytrap killer used her good looks to befriend the poker player, who showered her with gifts, cash and trips to fancy restaurants. Scroll down for video. Killing: Leonie Granger, left, has been found guilty of manslaughter over the death of Mehmet Hassan, right. But after going back to his flat with him one night she made her excuses and left the door unlocked so her boyfriend and a second thug could get inside. They tied up the father of three and kicked him to death as they ransacked his home to find his hidden winnings. Police found damning mobile phone footage of Granger and the men laughing and throwing around £50 notes. Yesterday, Granger wept as an Old Bailey jury cleared her of murder but found her guilty of the manslaughter of Mr Hassan. Lure: Granger, pictured with Mr Hassan in the casino, took advantage of him being a 'soft target' Her boyfriend Kyrron Jackson and his friend Nicholas Chandler, both 28, were convicted of murder, robbery, false imprisonment and firearms offences. The men were leading members of a gang who twice held up a South Kensington casino at gunpoint weeks earlier. Violence erupted in the dock within moments of the verdicts as Chandler swore at the judge and sparked a scuffle. He was dragged out in handcuffs. Granger cowered in the corner of the dock, shouting: ‘Are you mad?’ at a woman prison officer as she pulled shut the door to prevent anyone escaping. The tattooed killer was a care worker at a home in Gillingham for elderly dementia patients. But the ‘party girl’ toured West End nightspots every evening dressed in daring outfits with plunging necklines, stalking wealthy revellers. Granger wept in the dock as she was found guilty of luring Mr Hassan to his death in March last year. Haul: Chandler is pictured throwing around £50 notes which he stole from Mr Hassan. Granger was found guilty by a majority of 10 to two. She met Mr Hassan at Palm Beach Casino, Mayfair, in February last year and introduced herself as ‘Rachel’. They exchanged phone numbers and he asked her out, texting: ‘Maybe with your brains and my money we can make you into a great player.’ The next month the pair met up for drinks and gambling. Mr Hassan won £2,000 and gave her £1,000 ‘spending money’. A taxi driver overheard Granger talking on her mobile phone, reporting: ‘This guy is a professional gambler. He has never worked a day in his life.’ The next time the pair went to a casino, Mr Hassan told staff he was on a date and appeared tipsy on champagne. Other employees remembered joking that the kissing couple should ‘get a room’. At midnight, they went back to Mr Hassan’s Islington flat – where police believe Granger helped Jackson and Chandler get inside before leaving. As she was driven home, another taxi driver heard her say: ‘Don’t tell me the money’s not there. I saw it … look in the drawer … look under the cabinet.’ Facing jail: Jackson, left, and Chandler, right, have both been convicted of murder. Gang: Granger, left, helped Kyrron Jackson, centre, and Nicholas Chandler, right, rob and kill the gambler. The accomplices met up later that day and were filmed spraying a room with £50 notes, while Jackson, wearing a gas mask, stuffed cash into his underwear. Police found Mr Hassan lying in a pool of blood after his family had raised the alarm. His knees and ankles were bound and there was a shoe print on his cheek. Investigators found he had suffered a ‘vicious and sustained attack’ – probably as his killers demanded to know where he hid his money. Honeytrap: Granger, 25, convinced the 56-year-old victim she wanted a relationship with him. 'Couple': The pair are pictured together in the Palm Beach Casino in central London before Mr Hassan's death. They fled with £3,000, his TV and mobile phone, but were caught after Granger’s phone records were examined. Speaking after the verdicts yesterday, Mr Hassan’s family said his murder will ‘haunt them forever’. His daughter Stephanie Hassan added: ‘Every day we miss him and we love him.’ Granger admitted being part of a honeytrap robbery plan. She was convicted of manslaughter and false imprisonment. Jackson and Chandler were convicted of murder, robbery and conspiracy to falsely imprison – as well as two other casino robberies. All three will be sentenced on April 28. Entrance: Granger and Mr Hassan going in to the Palm Beach Casino together.
| Leonie Granger, 25, convinced Mehmet Hassan she was interested in him. She went to his flat with him and let in her boyfriend Kyrron Jackson and his accomplice Nicholas Chandler. They kicked Hassan to death and stole some of his gambling winnings. Granger has been convicted of manslaughter as the two men were found guilty of murder.
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A man had to be airlifted to the hospital after being bit by a shark Friday afternoon while spearfishing on the coast of Florida. The bull shark took a bite out of his back, torso and head, according to witnesses in Palm Beach, Florida. Blood covered the boat which was anchored off the Jupiter Inlet, a hot spot for fishing. Horrific: This is the man who was bitten by a shark on the right side of his head as well as his back and torso. The victim, who has not been identified, was airlifted to St Mary's Medical Center's trauma unit. An update on his condition wasn't immediately available. The man had a cobia fish and sling-type spears aboard the boat, where he was fishing with a man and a woman, who both spoke Spanish. 'He was bleeding quite a bit,' witness Peter Pinello told WPBF. 'It looks like a shark had gotten him in the torso. You could see his wetsuit was embedded in it, and it looked like it took a good chunk of it out.' The man was spearfishing off Jupiter Inlet when he was bitten, according to ABC affiliate WPBF-TVin West Palm Beach. Pinello told WPBF he saw the victim when he was being brought back to shore. Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Battalion Chief John Vanek told WPBF that the victim was bitten on the head but was conscious when he was flown to the hospital. Bull sharks are common near the coast, particularly in Florida, with a preference for water less than 100 feet deeo. They target their prey in murky water where they are not easily visible. According to a study on the behavior of sharks at the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science, bull sharks are attracted to colorful clothing - but have the ability to recognize brightly-colored netted traps.
| Victim had been fishing off Palm Beach's Jupiter Inlet when he was bitten. Witnesses said blood covered the boat, he was bitten in the head. Unidentified victim was conscious when he was airlifted to hospital.
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INXS guitarist Kirk Pingelly and his surfing champion wife Layne Beachly won their case against a disgruntled neighbour who wanted to stop the redevelopment of their northern beaches home. The couples Queenscliff neighbour, Wendy Goyer, claimed her 'small but charming view' would be obstructed if Mr Pengilly and Ms Beachley's addition was built. The pair's three bedroom home was purchased in 2007 for $2.6 million and features extensive views of Freshwater and Queenscliff beaches. Scroll down for video. Winners are grinners: The couple have been embroiled in a legal battle over additions they'd planned to make to their home which their neighbour argues will 'destroy' her views. Warringah council approved plans for additions to be made to the 762 square metre home back in August 2013, despite an assessment revealing Ms Goyer's views would be 'destroyed'. In a letter to the council Ms Goyer said the sea views were a major reason she invested in the property, adding it gives the home charm, Fairfax reported. 'I simply fell in love with the view of the ocean complete with the occasional sailing boats and whales passing,' she wrote. The council initially suggested the couple withdraw their plans and reconsider a way they could 'preserve the views' of the neighbouring property. The council initially suggested the couple withdraw their development and reconsider their plans in a way that could 'preserve the views' of Ms Goyer's property. Mr Pengilly and Ms Beachley said there are no possible 'practical' alternatives that would maintain the 'unique design integrity' of the building while also giving them the room they require'. The couple argued Ms Goyer's views are 'at best only a glimpse' from her bedroom. Mr Pengilly and Ms Beachley argued Ms Goyer's views are 'at best only a glimpse' from her bedroom. Justice Rachel Pepper dismissed Ms Goyer's case on Wednesday. She said Ms Goyer's views were not 'extensive or iconic' and that they were already at risk of being built out because of the streets subdivision arrangement. While Justice Pepper said she had 'sympathy' for Ms Goyer, she was not in a position to challenge the development approval. Subsequently, Ms Goyer was ordered to pay the costs of the council as well as the couple's legal fees. The judge ruled Ms Goyer's views were not 'extensive or iconic' and they were already at risk of being built out because of the streets subdivision.
| Kirk Pingelly and Layne Beachley have won their legal dispute. The couple were caught in a legal battle over redeveloping their home. Neighbour Wendy Goyer said developments would 'destroy' her views. She said the picturesque views were a major reason she bought the home. The court ruled her views werent 'iconic' and were already at risk of being built out.
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Former president Bill Clinton said he is 'proud' of wife Hillary Rodham Clinton's presidential bid for the 2016 election. The comment was said while on a visit to Oklahoma City and is the first he's made about his wife's second presidential campaign, according to CNN. The former secretary of state and first lady kicked off her campaign, which was launched last week, in Iowa and will move on to New Hampshire on Monday. Bill Clinton made the comment in Oklahoma City on Sunday where he was speaking at a ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of the car bombing that killed 168 people at the Alfred P Murrah federal building in 1995. In his first public comments on his wife's 2016 presidential bid, Bill Clinton, pictured here in 2004 with Hillary Clinton, said 'I'm proud of her' while on a visit to Oklahoma City. 'I'm proud of her,' Bill Clinton said of his wife to CNN reporter Ryan Nobles. Bill Clinton was in Oklahoma City to speak at a ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of the car bombing that killed 168 people including 19 toddlers at the Alfred P Murrah federal building. He addressed hundreds of people gathered at the site of the federal building to commemorate the dead, hailing the city as an example to the world of a strong and compassionate community. The service for survivors, victims' families, and other citizens began at 9.02am with a 168-second moment of silence followed by a reading of the names of those killed. 'I mostly came here to thank you today,' Clinton said. 'For a whole country you burned away all the petty squabbles in which we engaged leaving only our basic humanity. 'I prepared for this day yesterday in New York by taking Hillary to see our daughter and son-in-law and my about to be seven-month-old grandchild. 'Hillary and I bathed her and fed her and put her to bed. I looked at her in that crib so I could remember how you felt, those of you who lost your loved ones.' Visibly emotional, he wiped his eyes as he drew parallels between the 'evil' behind the Oklahoma City bombing and the terrorism of Boko Haram in North Africa, ISIS in Iraq and Syria, and lone wolf militants in cities such as Paris. 'For 20 years you have honored the memories of your loved ones, you have inspired us with the power of your renewal, you have reminded us that we should all live by the Oklahoma Standard,' Clinton said at the service. Hillary Clinton will spend Monday and Tuesday in New Hampshire, returning to the state that handed her a 2008 primary victory early in the bruising nomination struggle won by Obama. Clinton's supporters say her recent comments, particularly on inequality, do not reflect a shift in position. In her 2008 primary campaign, Clinton stressed the need to help families struggling economically and she criticized hedge fund investors, oil company profits, drug company subsidies and trade agreements. Hillary Clinton launched her presidential campaign last week. After spending three days in Iowa, she's off to New Hampshire for two days starting on Monday.
| While visiting Oklahoma City, Bill Clinton said 'I'm proud of her', in reference to Hillary Clinton's presidential bid. This is the first comment he's made about his wife's campaign. Bill Clinton was in Oklahoma City to mark the 20th anniversary of the bombing that 168 people including 19 toddlers in federal building. Hillary Clinton kicked off her campaign in Iowa last week and will move on to New Hampshire on Monday.
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The full horror of 'crime and punishment' under the Islamic State is laid bare in a document which sets out a list of harsh penalties for anyone who falls foul of the terror group's strict interpretation of its own laws. Top of the list is 'death' for anyone who insults God or his messenger or blasphemes against Islam. Adulterers who engage in a sexual relationship are to be stoned to death, while couples who have an affair without sexual contact can expect the more lenient punishment of 100 lashes and 'banishment' from the community. Crucified: The list of ISIS' gruesome punishments dictates that 'spying for disbelievers' is punishable by death - a fate this man suffered by being publicly crucified. Stoned to death: The terror group broadcast this image of a man and women being stoned to death for having sex before marriage, as the barbaric list which surfaced on an ISIS propaganda website proclaims. Barbaric: It allegedly pertains to the IS-held territory in Aleppo but their brutal punishments have taken place in various places, including the death of this man in Raqqa, Syria after he was accused of being gay. Those guilty of 'highway robbery' face crucifixion and offences such as drinking wine or 'calumny', making slanderous comments, each attract the punishment of 80 lashes. Homosexuality is also to be punished by 'death for the penetrator and the receiver' while thieves will have their hands severed from their arms. The growing threat to the Islamic State from spies inside the group's controlled territory has forced the religious leaders to impose a summary death penalty to all those found guilty of 'spying for the interests of the disbelievers'. IS claims the list of 'religious punishments' is a 'warning and deterrent' to the kufr, or disbelievers and infidels. Many of the punishments have already been carried out by IS. Public crucifixions in the IS stronghold of Raqqa in northern Syria have become common-place while pictures of stonings and gay men being thrown from buildings have been widely circulated on social media. The new list of religious punishments pertains to the IS-controlled province of Aleppo and claims to be based on Sharia law. Death: Images which emerged last month a of a large bloodthirsty crowd who gathered to watch a young victim who was accused of being gay hurled off a mutti-storey building by ISIS fighters. Depraved: And only last week, militants fighting for the Islamic State in Iraq released gruesome footage showing an accused thief's hand being hacked off by an industrial guillotine. It reads: 'Therefore, the Islamic State, believing in God - Almighty and Exalted is He - who has sent down the Book, and regarding as kufr [disbelief] the nations united to wage war on the Lord of the Lords, and regarding as kufr [disbelief] the judgements / rulings put in place by those created from the soil, pledges to God - Almighty and Exalted is He - to rule by His Shari'a in His land among His servants even if the disbelievers hate it. 'Thus we would like to make clear to the people the hudud [religious punishments] of God- Almighty and Exalted is He- as a warning and deterrent.' The document pronounces: 'And indeed we make the people fear their Lord and call them to enter into His mercy by embracing His commands and adhering to His prohibition orders for that is the best outcome in that. 'Sharia law': The new list of religious punishments pertains to the IS-controlled province of Aleppo and claims to be based on Sharia law. 'And there is nothing better in the one judged if he does not submit to the law of the Lord and there is nothing better for the one who judges if he does not judge/rule his servants by the ruling of God. 'And indeed the Islamic State will not compromise on this great attainment for whose sake it has offered hundreds of martyrs from its pious and pure sons, but rather it has established the law of God among its soldiers, and it has brought judgements even of death without exception among them.' The number of fighters leaving home to join al-Qaida and the Islamic State group in Iraq, Syria and other countries has spiked to more than 25,000 from over 100 nations, according to a new U.N. report. The panel of experts monitoring U.N. sanctions against al-Qaida said in the report obtained Wednesday by The Associated Press that its analysis indicates the number of foreign terrorist fighters worldwide increased by 71 percent between mid-2014 and March 2015. It said the scale of the problem has increased over the past three years and the flow of foreign fighters 'is higher than it has ever been historically.' Foreign fighters: The UN estimates the number of fighters leaving home to join ISIS militants - such as the Londoner dubbed Jihadi John (pictured) - has risen to over 25,000 from over 100 nations. The overall number of foreign terrorist fighters has 'risen sharply from a few thousand ... a decade ago to more than 25,000 today,' the panel said in the report to the U.N. Security Council. The report said just two countries have accounted for over 20,000 foreign fighters: Syria and Iraq. They went to fight primarily for the Islamic State group but also the Al-Nusra Front. Looking ahead, the panel said the thousands of foreign fighters who traveled to Syria and Iraq are living and working in 'a veritable `international finishing school' for extremists,' as was the case in Afghanistan in the 1990s.
| ISIS claims the horrifying list of punishments is a 'warning' to disbelievers. It pertains to Syrian province Aleppo and claims to be based on Sharia law. Penalty for insulting God, his messenger or the religion of Islam is death. Thieves' hands are chopped off, adulterers are publicly killed by stoning. List says committing 'calumny' - or slander - is punishable by 80 lashes. Islamic State's brutal executions are common on its social media channels.
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This is the moment a paedophile was caught by police after grooming a girl he believed to be 14 on the internet. Asylum seeker Jafar Adeli, who is of Afghani origin, was snared by a paedophile vigilante group called Letzgo Hunting. Married Adeli, 32, arranged to meet someone he believed to be a young teenage girl after engaging in sexual conversations online and sending an indecent image of himself. Asylum seeker Jafar Adeli who was arrested at a bus station in Leicester after thinking he was going to meet a 14-year-old girl for sex. Adeli had been duped by paedophile vigilante group Letzgo Hunting and police were waiting to arrest him when he turned up at the bus station. The vigilante group filmed the meeting, which showed Adeli putting his head in his hands when he realised he had been tricked. Adeli agreed to pay for 'Amy's' bus fare to make the 13-mile journey from Hinckley, Leicestershire, to Leicester, where they had arranged to meet. When he arrived, he had three condoms in his pocket. But instead of being greeted by a schoolgirl, Adeli was confronted by police who arrested him immediately while the vigilante group filmed his reaction. The video of his arrest on December 10 has been posted on Facebook and viewed more than 10,000 times. In the footage, Adeli is asked to show his identification to police as he looks up at the officer in disbelief. He pauses before telling officers his name. The officer says: 'I am arresting you on arranging and facilitating child sex offences.' Adeli bows his head and puts his hands over his face before he is led away by police. On Wednesday Adeli was jailed for 27 months at Leicester Crown Court after he admitted attempting to meet a girl under 16 after grooming her online. 'Amy' was in fact a vigilante named John who was pretending to be a young girl. Alan Murphy, prosecuting, told the court: 'The man, John, acts as a self-appointed paedophile hunter carrying out covert internet investigations, trying to identify and expose those who would prey on children using the internet. 'He and colleagues used to film such confrontations and put them on the internet, but now they've changed their way of handling matters and contact the police when there's been a meeting arranged.' Mr Murphy said the vigilante had set up a bogus online profile in December claiming to belong to a girl called Amy from Hinckley. Within days, Adeli had made contact and the pair started talking online and exchanged texts and images on their mobiles. The court was told that Adeli had thought he had been chatting to a schoolgirl named Amy, when in fact he had been talking to a member of Letzgo Hunting called John. Yesterday he was jailed for 27 months at Leicester Crown Court after admitting attempting to meet a girl under 16 for grooming. Although Amy's profile said she was 18, Mr Murphy said that during the conversations the man who was posing as Amy made it clear that she was in fact 14. Adeli claimed to be 28. During the online chats, 'Amy' said: 'Sorry, you're too old for me.' The prosecutor said Adeli replied: 'I know, but we can be friends and talk.' Mr Murphy added: 'The conversation became sexual, with the defendant leading the way. He asked if she would perform sex acts upon him, suggesting it in the most explicit terms. They made arrangements to meet after two days.' Navinder Sekhon, defending, described the meeting as a 'preparatory offence and not a completed one' and said that Adeli felt 'deep-seated remorse'. Mr Sekhon told the court that Adeli cared for his sick wife and 'wishes to be reunited with her'. Adeli, who has lodged an appeal to remain in the UK, was placed on a ten-year sexual offences prevention order. Judge Philip Head, sentencing said: 'It was your intention to have full sexual activity with someone you believed to be 14 and something you know to be a crime in this country. 'You were grooming this person for sexual activity.' The Letzgo Hunting group has caught dozens of paedophiles by posing as young girls online, arranging meetings and then alerting the police. In court Mr Murphy said it had been 'made clear' that the police didn't support the group's actions but once they had been given information about an offence they had to investigate it. Adeli has lodged an appeal to remain in the UK and was also placed on a 10 year sexual offences prevention order.
| Jafar Adeli thought he had been chatting to a 14-year-old girl he met online. Arranged to meet the girl at a Leicester bus station so they could have sex. But he had been duped by paedophile vigilante group Letzgo Hunting. Was arrested and now been jailed for attempted to arrange a child sex offence.
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Nuts are a source of useful nutrients and have other health benefits - just this month, a study found that peanuts can increase the levels of friendly bacteria in the gut and ward off food poisoning. Here, we look at some of other the plus points... Brazils. One of the best dietary sources of the mineral selenium. Two Brazil nuts provide 100 per cent of our daily required dose of 75 micrograms. Selenium is needed for the production of antibodies, important for a healthy immune system, and the hormone thyroxine, needed to regulate metabolism. Researchers have also found it activates an antioxidant that helps reduce the risk of bladder and prostate cancer. Almonds. You need to eat just ten almonds to get your daily requirement of calcium (700mg) You need to eat just ten almonds to get your daily requirement of calcium (700mg), important for healthy bones. They are also rich in vitamin E, which helps improve the condition and appearance of your skin. Almonds are high in fibre, too. Eat them with the skin on as this contains antioxidants that help protect body cells from inflammatory damage. Cashews. A good source of iron. A 30 g serving provides around 2 mg: a woman needs 14.8 mg a day and a man 8.7 mg. However, iron from cashews is not as easily absorbed as iron from meat, says dietitian Dr Sarah Schenker. 'Vitamin C boosts absorption of iron from non-meat sources, so eat cashews with a kiwi fruit, in a salad with peppers and tomatoes or with a small glass of orange juice.' Walnuts. These are rich in plant-based omega 3 fatty acids and antioxidants, which have been shown to reduce the risk of the eye condition age-related macular degeneration, and cognitive decline. In a two-year study, researchers at the University of Barcelona are looking at the effects of eating 28 g of walnuts (seven shelled nuts) every day in preventing these conditions. Walnuts have also been shown to help protect against heart disease. Peanuts. Technically, these are legumes, as they grow underground, but a study published last month in JAMA Internal Medicine found they are in the same nutritional league as 'tree' nuts. They are packed with fibre and protein, so keep you feeling satisfied. 'They are nutrient dense and have a low glycaemic index, which means they help stabilise blood sugar levels,' says Dr Schenker. A handful of peanuts contains 180 calories, but Dr Schenker says the calories in nuts are over-estimated. 'They are not that easily absorbed, so you receive only two-thirds of their potential energy.' Vitamin C boosts absorption of iron from non-meat sources, so eat cashews with a kiwi fruit. Mixed nuts. A handful (28g) of mixed nuts a day reduces the risk of heart disease by 29 per cent and cuts the risk of dying from cancer by 11 per cent, according to a 2013 study in the New England Journal of Medicine. A 30-year study of 120,000 people also showed the more often they ate nuts, the lower the risk of premature death, thanks to the various health benefits. A study found the more often people ate nuts, the lower the risk of premature death.
| Peanuts can increase the levels of friendly bacteria in the gut. Almonds are rich in vitamin E, which helps improve the look of your skin. Walnuts have lots of plant-based omega 3 fatty acids and antioxidants.
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The woman who came up with a neon sign that has welcomed countless visitors to 'fabulous Las Vegas' since 1959 has died. Betty Willis, credited with designing the 'Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas' sign, died in her Overton, Nevada, home on Sunday, according to an obituary on the Virgin Valley & Moapa Valley Mortuaries' website. The 91-year-old artist's often-copied sign sits in a median in the middle of Las Vegas Boulevard south of the Strip. Betty Willis in her Las Vegas home on December 30, 2004, with a replica of the sign she designed in 1959 to lure tourists. She died aged 91. The 'Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas' neon sign, here outlined in pink lightbulbs in honor of breast cancer awareness month, became a major tourist attraction. 'It's the most recognizable icon in the world,' said Danielle Kelly, executive director of The Neon Museum in Las Vegas, where the signs of Sin City's past are retired and on display. The welcome sign's design, which doesn't have a copyright owner, has become a fixture on travel tchotchkes from Vegas and everywhere else, Kelly said. She has a T-shirt from San Francisco with that city's name swapped in for Las Vegas in front of the sign's recognizable shape, she said. 'The fact that everyone loves that sign and its design after all these years is a testament to Betty's talents,' Clark County Commissioner Steve Sisolak said. 'There is probably no bigger Las Vegas icon than that sign.' In 2009, the sign was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Kelly called Willis' designs dazzling and said her personality was akin to a strong, fast-talking female lead in movies like 'His Girl Friday.' 'A little salty, a little irreverent,' Kelly said with fondness. 'I thought she was a classic broad.' Willis, born in 1923 in the small town of Overton northeast of Las Vegas, worked as a commercial artist in Los Angeles before returning to Las Vegas, where she worked for sign companies and designed the famous diamond-shaped beacon of flashing lights. The sign has become such a popular photo backdrop that a parking lot for cars and tour buses in the middle of the street was expanded in 2012. Willis also designed neon signs for the Moulin Rouge casino and Blue Angel motel in Las Vegas. The iconic neon sign has welcomed tourists to Las Vegas since 1959. Willis also designed neon signs for the Moulin Rouge casino and Blue Angel motel. Wedding photographer Sergio Lopez, left, take pictures of newly-weds Joseph Buangan and his wife Joyce, with the 'Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas' neon sign in the background.
| Artist Betty Willis designed the famous neon sign in 1959. The sign sits in a median in the middle of Las Vegas Boulevard south of the Strip and is a popular tourist attraction. In 2009 it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. No one owns the copyright to the sign, so it is often imitated and appears on all kinds of souvenirs in Las Vegas and elsewhere.
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Thousands of motorists have been fined or had their cars towed away after falling foul of new rules following the switch to digital tax discs. Many are buying used cars unaware that the old paper documents are now automatically cancelled when a vehicle changes hands. Ignorant that they must fork out for a new digital one – even if the existing paper disc is months from expiry – rising numbers of drivers are falling prey to clampers. Scroll down for video. Thousands of law-abiding motorists have had their cars clamped because they were unaware of major vehicle tax rule changes. File photo. Critics allege that the DVLA has been operating a 'money-making scam' after figures yesterday showed clamping soared after the paperless system was introduced in October last year. Many say the authority was too quick to penalise motorists without first warning that their car was not taxed. Drivers have faced bills of up to £800 to get their impounded vehicles back. The Government abolished the paper tax disc (pictured) last autumn. The DVLA was accused of 'heavy-handed and Draconian' behaviour yesterday after figures showed its use of clamping rocketed by 60 per cent from about 5,000 vehicles a month before the changes to 8,630 last month. With no right to appeal against the fines to an independent body, drivers have little choice but to pay up. The DVLA is estimated to be making millions of pounds a year because it receives double road tax payment – from both the seller and the buyer. Christopher and Marianna Webb, from Bridport, Dorset, were hit with an £822 bill to get their Ford Focus back after returning from holiday to find it had been impounded for non-payment of vehicle excise duty. The couple decided to swap their cars with each other and informed the DVLA of the change in ownership, without realising it meant the tax for both vehicles would be cancelled. Mr Webb, 56, told The Guardian: 'I feel they are very heavy-handed. Why did they not send a reminder letter?' Pete Hallam, whose car was also clamped, said: 'This is shady practice and reminiscent of the car parking wheel clampers a few years ago. It is a money-making scam.' Paul Watters of the AA said there had been only limited publicity from the DVLA about the changes to the vehicle tax system. 'There are a lot of people who are not aware of this – some may think they are covered because they see there is a tax disc on the windscreen,' he said. 'Clamping is quite heavy-handed and Draconian. Before they clamp they should try to get in touch with these people if they can.' A DVLA spokesman said: 'The changes have been widely publicised and we write to every vehicle keeper to remind them of the new rules before the vehicle tax expires. 'We also write to every new vehicle keeper when they buy a used vehicle to inform them that they must tax the vehicle before they use it. 'In addition, if a driver does not tax their car we will send a warning letter to remind them to tax as they are at risk of enforcement action.'
| Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency abolished paper tax disc last autumn. Car tax now automatically cancelled whenever vehicle changes ownership. Official figures show use of clamping soared from about 5,000 vehicles a month before the changes to well over 8,000 now. Critics say many targeted are innocent drivers unaware of rule change.
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A businessman in suburban Detroit is under fire from unhappy neighbours after hanging a Confederate flag and nooses at his two properties in the area. Robert Tomanovich, who owns Robert's Discount Tree Service in Livonia, Michigan, first hung a noose from a tree and a Confederate flag, printed with the slogan 'I ain't coming down,' on a fence at his home. When neighbours complained, a second noose appeared on a tree outside his tree-cutting business which operates at a second property on the same street. Robert Tomanovich is under fire from unhappy neighbours in Livonia, a suburb of Detroit, after he hung a Confederate flag and nooses at his two properties in the area. Tomanovich first hung a noose from a tree and a Confederate flag, printed with the slogan 'I ain't coming down,' on a fence at his Michigan home. Tomanovich, 55, has denied his actions are racist, although an employee has admitted that the second noose was a deliberate move to antagonise locals. 'One hundred fifty years after Abraham Lincoln's death, we are still going through these kind of atrocities. A hangman's noose and a Confederate flag?' neighbor Mary Greer toldWXYZ. Another local complained that at least one of the nooses was hung from a tree small enough for a young child to climb. When the local TV network attempted to speak to Tomanovich on Friday he refused, although his wife Lindy tried to explain the noose as a tribute to a dead friend. 'Robert has a friend that died in that way (hanging himself), and that's in memory of his friend,' she told WXYZ. 'There's no crime in hanging a noose.' An unnamed employee was qick to take credit for the noose at Tomanovich's business. 'Screw 'em... We're gonna put more up,' he said. Tomanovich, 55, has denied his actions are racist and said he simply liked the colors of the Confederate flag, but has since taken it down. Wife Lindy told local media that the noose was a tribute to a friend of her husband who had hung himself. On Monday, Tomanovich spoke to the Daily News and said accusations of racism were 'stupid.' 'I know black guys, I have black friends. We're all laughing at this stupidity. Do you know how many white guys were hung back in the day? This isn't racist. But all of a sudden it's out of control.' He said he had put up the Confederate flag because 'I like the colors'. Tomanovich also said he has since taken down the nooses and flags, but refused to apologize. 'I don't need to defend this to nobody. My business is doing very well,' he said. 'I only want this story to get bigger. I want people to know I'm not a racist.' A second noose was hung on a tree outside Robert's Discount Tree Service in Livonia, Michigan, after neighbours complained about the first one. An unnamed employee took credit for the noose at Tomanovich's business said, 'Screw 'em... We're gonna put more up'
| Robert Tomanovich first hung a noose and a Confederate flag, printed with the slogan 'I ain't coming down,' on a fence at his Michigan home. Neighbours complained so an employee of Tomanovich's hung a second noose outside his tree-cutting business. Tomanovich said he simply liked the colors of the flag and his wife claimed the noose was a tribute to a dead friend of her husband. He has since taken down the nooses and flags, but refuses to apologize.
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A German pensioner who is expecting quadruplets said she went in search of sperm and egg donors when her youngest of 13 children told her: 'I want to have a little brother or sister.' Annegret Raunigk, 65, was plunged into a vortex of travel and trials thanks to the wish of daughter Leila, who turns ten this year, but says she is not bothered about what people say about her decision to have more children so late in life. Their scheduled births for the schoolteacher from Spandau, Berlin, is just weeks away - but there are major fears that the health risks for her unborn quads will spike massively if they are induced early. Babies on the way: Annegret Raunigk, 65, and her nine-year-old daughter Leila are seen during a recent ultrasound filmed for an upcoming documentary about how the teacher is preparing to welcome the quads. Annegret, meanwhile, is weathering the debate centred on the rights or wrongs of her decision to both become pregnant and raise the children with cool detachment. 'There will obviously be cliches bandied about,' she said, 'and I find that quite strenuous. But I have always been a person who says live and let live and it is not for the opinion of others but for me. 'I have enough experience of childbirth not to be afraid. I am not scared actually, I am just hoping to stay healthy and fit. If others are mega-prim about this I believe they have no interesting lives themselves and therefore it no longer bothers me. I think this is the right choice.' 'She is a very strong, very fit woman,' Her doctor, Kai Hertwig tells MailOnline. 'I hope she can come to full term, I think she can. She is very well placed to be a fit mother for these babies. The schoolteacher from Spandau, Berlin, is set to become the world's oldest woman to give birth to quads. Ms Raunigk and her large brood are seen during an appearance on German television in 2005. 'The pregnancy so far makes no distinction between the body of a younger or older person but quadruplet pregnancies are always a high burden. 'We of course are keeping a close watch on the cardiovascular system. We all have little or no experience with such a pregnant woman in this age group, but I can say that this is certainly going very well.' Thrombosis, her heart, her circulatory system - these are the areas causing concern for the unborns in the run-up to delivery day. 'But she is highly motivated and this positive psychological mood is optimally important, the rest is not in our hands,' added her gynaecologist. Both were speaking in a clip released by the RTL TV network which is airing her story on Monday night. One woman who had a child at 42 tells the programme: 'I met her and found her to be a very sympathetic and intelligent woman. 'As a 56-year-old woman who raised a just-pubescent son, it is hard to imagine why she would want to have quads. I also wonder how she can meet the needs of her growing children, especially as the children will have no father.' It was mentioned in the publicity clip released by RTL that her fertility treatment - including both donated eggs and donated sperm - would never have been greenlighted in Germany. Two countries where treatment for women of such an advanced age is allowed were stated as Ukraine and America. All her 13 children, ranging from Leila to a daughter of 44, were sired by five different fathers.
| German primary school teacher is in 21st week of pregnancy and 'feels fit' Pregnant through artificial insemination using donated eggs and sperm. In 2005, she gave birth to her youngest daughter Leila, at the age of 55. Children - eldest of whom is 44 - are by five different fathers.
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A birthday gift for 24-year-old man at a Florida speedway ended in tragedy when he plowed the $220,000 Lamborghini he was driving into a guardrail, killing his 36-year-old passenger. Tavon Watson was taking racing advice from instructor Gary Terry on Sunday when he lost control of the Italian supercar at the Exotic Driving Experience at Walt Disney World in Florida. Father-of-one Terry died at the scene while Watson was rushed to Celebration Hospital near Lake Buene Vista for treatment where he was later declared stable. 'Guess who's driving a Ferrari 458 Italia LSTRF today?': Watson uploaded this picture to Facebook yesterday in celebration of his birthday with this message: 'But really. I thank you Lord for keeping in your presence long enough to endure another day that just so happens to be my birthday' Victims: Tavon Watson (left) was driving the Lamborghini on Sunday and Gary Terry, (right) his passenger, was pronounced dead at the scene. Drive: According to his LinkedIn Terry was the operations manager at the Richard Petty Driving Experience at Walt Disney World. Outdoors: Terry, 36, originally hails from Michigan and brought his love of adventure to his new home in Kissimmee, Florida. Father: Gary Terry is pictured here with his wife, Kathy and their daughter who appears to have celebrated her first birthday in May of last year. Tragic: Gary Terry, 36, died and his driver was hospitalized after their Lamborghini crashed at Disney world. The day out at the track was a present from Watson's wife and he posted a picture of himself next to a red Ferrari on the tarmac just hours before the fatal collision. 'Guess who's driving a Ferrari 458 Italia LSTRF today?' wrote Watson. 'That's right that's right. I ma drive all the cars they have in one day. Because I'm a gangsta like that. Lol.' Later that afternoon, Watson crashed the Lamborghini Gallardo he was driving , killing Terry who was the operations manager at the Richard Petty Driving Experience at Walt Disney World. Driving days at the track start at $99 and can cost as much as $2,500 for a full race experience with in-car video. The track is operated by Petty Holdings which also has Exotic Driving Experience franchises at speedways in Atlanta, Dayton Beach, Charlotte, New Jersey and Texas. Named after the NASCAR legend, Richard Petty, the experience lets fans drive European supercars or NASCAR vehicles at close to their top speeds of 200mph around an oval. 'It's kind of scary to think accidents do happen even though they are rides and there are precautions,' said visitor Autumn Stevenson to WFTV. The Exotic Driving Experience attraction lets racing fans be drivers or passengers in luxurious cars such as Lamborghinis, Porsches or Ferraris. Package: Thrill seekers can pay up to $2,500 to experience a day driving an Italian supercar such as a Lamborghnin Gallardo (pictured above) As part of the package, visitors are accompanied by a professional driver who sits in the passenger seat providing racing advice. It is believed that was what Terry was doing when he was killed in the Lamborghini. The racing track is just south of the iconic Magic Kingdom. 'We offer our deepest sympathies to those involved in today's tragic accident,' said Andrea Finger, spokesperson for Walt Disney World Resort. According tot he Orlando Sentinel, Petty Holdings LLC also offered its best wishes to the victims and their families. 'On behalf of everyone in the organization, it is with a very heavy heart that we extend our deepest sympathies to those involved in today's tragic accident in Orlando.' The Exotic Driving Experience, along with its sibling track, the Richard Petty Driving Experience, was slated to close this summer at Disney World for unrelated reasons.
| The Exotic Driving Experience park lets racing fans drive top-end cars. Gary Terry, 36, died in the crash and was on the passengers side. Tavon Watson, 24, was driving and was taken to hospital for treatment. Day at the racetrack was a gift from Watson's wife for his birthday. Disney World spokesman said driver 'lost control' of the Lamborghini.
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Celebrities and music lovers gathered on Friday in the southern California desert for the beginning of the annual Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival - the first big arts and music festival of the summer season. As in previous years, the 16th edition has attracted large crowds as festival goers danced around in the sun while performers including the headlining act AC/DC was scheduled to take the stage as well as musicians such as Azealia Banks, Tame Impala, Alabama Shakes and Interpol. This year's lineup includes rapper Drake, Florence and the Machine, FKA Twigs, David Guetta, The Weeknd, Kasabian, alt-J and Toro y Moi among others. Scroll down for video. Festival goers dance in the Sahara tent during day one of the 2015 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club on Friday. A pair of friends enjoy the warm weather while in the southern California desert during the music festival. Music fans Riley, Emily and Michaela from Orange County enjoy the warm weather as they dance during Coachella. Musicians Sean Lennon (left) and Charlotte Kemp Muhl of The Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger pose onstage. Life mimics art as attendees pose for photos at the 'EarthMover,' by Christian Ristow one of many art installations on display. Music lovers and mavericks enjoy the live music at the Do Lab at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. A wave of celebrities began documenting their travels and capturing their fun while at the festival on Friday including models Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner, actor Scott Eastwood and actress Annabella 'Bella' Thorne. While they enjoyed the sunshine, attendees were donned in warm-weather gear from tank top and shorts to swimsuits, while others took the opportunity to bring out their eclectic best. Actress and model Annabella 'Bella' Thorne shared photos on her Instagram from Coachella with the caption 'it's just starting' Kendall Jenner runs through a crowd of people at Coachella with pal Hailey Baldwin as they were among several celebrities in attendance. Party time:Scott Eastwood kicks back with a Heineken and friends at the Coachella beer gardens. Music fans dance in the Sahara tent while at the Empire Polo club on Friday. Musical acts include AC/DC, Interpol and Alabama Shakes. Actor Blake Anderson (center) and recording artist Tyler, The Creator (right) were among the many celebrity sightings on Friday. Festival goers and celebrities gathered for the beginning of the festival with headlining act AC/DC scheduled to perform on Friday. Attendees jump in front of the Papilio Merraculous art installation by Poetic Kinetics on April 10, 2015 in Indio, California. The festival began early Friday afternoon featuring both music and a wide array of art installations such as Papilio Merraculous, a massive structure resembling a worm, created by Poetic Kinetics. Coachella as usual includes two weekends this year with identical lineups from April 10-12 and April 17-19. The art and music festival, which is considered the tastemaker of U.S. music events, attracts around 175,000 people each year and sells out quickly. Last year, it grossed $78million, according to industry monitor Billboard Box Office. Coachella and two other longstanding US festivals, Bonnaroo in Tennessee and Lollapalooza in Chicago, both have their roots in 1990s alternative culture and market themselves as staging grounds for emerging stars. Recording artist Azealia Banks takes the stage as part of the first day of the festival's line up. American pop rock band Haim, made of sisters Este, Danielle and Alana Haim, gather for a picture during Coachella. Music fans and free spirits displayed their eclectic style during Coachella on Friday with quirky outfits. The Pulp Pavilion art installation by Ball-Nogues Studio is photographed and enjoyed by festival goers on day one of the festival. Music fans take a break from dancing and gallivanting in the sun to pose for a selfie during Coachella. A couple of friends relax on the grass as they pose for a picture during the festival which attracted a massive crowd. With a better view than others, festival goers on the shoulders of friends jam to the live performance during Coachella on Friday. Attendees revel in the loud beats at the water-drenched dance floor at the Do Lab during the first day of the festival.
| Celebrities and music fans gathered in the southern California desert for the annual music and arts festival. This year's musical acts include AC/DC, Drake, Florence and the Machine, alt-J and Toro y Moi. Festival runs in two weekends including April 10-12 and April 17-19.
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Disbelief. That’s what you feel when you meet a rhino in the wild. You just can’t come to terms with the fact that you and he are sharing the same air, the same continent, the same century. I’ve had close-up experience with three of the world’s five surviving species of rhino: the white rhino looks like the main battle tank of an extra-terrestrial army, while the black is more like a hot-rod armoured car. The greater one-horned rhino, meanwhile, sometimes called the Indian rhino, looks as if it’s been riveted together from pieces of boiler-plate. Surely they can’t be real. You feel as if you’ve slipped back into the Jurassic era and were looking at some great horned dinosaur, for they couldn’t possibly be part of the 21st century. It’s as if the creatures of the past had suddenly invaded the present, as if the Lost World of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle had been found again. Scroll down for video. Guarded: A four man team of armed guards now protects Sudan the Northern White Rhino who is the last male of his species. But then you think: hang on a minute. These rhinos are nothing to do with dinosaurs or with any vanished world. They’re mammals, just like you and me, and they’re as admirably adapted for the current century as we are. They’re as modern as a child born yesterday: part of our present, not part of our past. Yes, give them a fair crack of the whip and they’d be as successful as any of the big creatures we have left on our planet, for in many countries the wild places they depend on are still in fine shape and perfectly capable of supporting any number of rhinos. So why are we running out of them? Why does the last surviving male of the northern sub-species of the white rhino now live under a 24-hour guard? Why has he been stripped of his horn? Why is it that we seem to be on the brink of losing an entire race of rhinos? Threatened: Sudan is the target of poachers looking to sell rhino horn which can make up to £47,000 a kilo. This is the lonely rhino, known as Sudan, guarded day and night by rangers who risk their own lives as they try to keep him from poachers. Even without his horn, his keepers in the Kenyan reserve of Ol Pejeta fear for his safety. It seems like madness —because it is madness. A rhino’s horn is made from keratin, the same stuff as fingernails. You could collect your nail clippings and try to sell them, claiming that they were magic and capable of curing all kinds of things. You could try selling your keratin at £47,000 a kilo. You probably wouldn’t find many takers, but it’s no more absurd than selling rhino horn for the same purposes and price. People will pay an absurd amount for an absurd product because of an absurd belief: that rhino horn is the most wonderful kind of medicine. Today, the wildlife business — including the sale of rhino horn — represents the third-largest illegal trade in the world, after arms and drugs. It offers a considerable opportunity for criminals, because the authorities don’t enforce the laws against it with anything like the same seriousness as they do with weapons and narcotics. And there is huge — and growing — demand. In 2007, 13 rhinos were poached and killed in South Africa. The horns were removed and they were sold on the Asian medicine market. Dangerous: The rangers are aware they are risking their lives to protect the enormous animal. Failure: But attempts at breeding have been unsuccessful - and Sudan is now getting old. Last year in South Africa 1,215 rhinos were poached and killed. That’s one every eight hours. We’re running out of rhinos. The massacre is taking place across Africa and into Asia. It’s driven by money, and the more horn costs the more desirable the stuff becomes. Prestige, status, vanity and belief in magic drive the trade in rhino horn. The fact that it’s useless for anyone but a rhino has no bearing on demand. Rhino horn has for centuries been part of traditional Chinese medicine, and it’s used to treat disorders of the blood. It’s never been used as an aphrodisiac: that’s a fantasy from bewildered Westerners. Increasing prosperity in China has led to higher demand. But as the South African poaching figures show, the market has jumped from steady but borderline sustainable to completely crazy, which has put rhinos on the fast-track to extinction. That’s largely because of the entry of a new player: Vietnam. The country’s new wealth has kick-started a craze for rhino horn. They take a much more free and easy attitude to its powers there: it’s regarded as a cure for cancer, and it’s also used a pick-me-up after a big night. The effects of a powerful hangover can, people believe, be controlled — all it takes is one very rich man and one very dead rhino. Can the trade possibly be stopped? There are two ways of doing so: policing the poaching, smuggling and sale with more commitment, and reducing the demand in the places where people buy the stuff. In 2012, the South African and Vietnamese governments signed a memorandum of understanding, agreeing to work with closer co-operation to stop the trade. You can see how well that’s worked. In Vietnam a non-governmental organisation called Education for Nature in Vietnam (ENV) is trying to make rhino horn uncool. It has a public service announcement with Vietnam’s great singing diva, Hong Nhung, standing by a poached and dehorned corpse telling the Vietnamese not to use rhino horn. And in another sequence, a comedian plays a rich man trying to impress the girls with his hideously expensive chunk of horn. The most beautiful girl says: ‘It impresses no one, especially not me.’ ENV runs a hotline for information about rhino horn use and a database. It also has good contacts in government and works on policy. The organisation has plenty of young volunteers and a good deal of their work is making rhino horn unthinkable for the next generation. It gets some of its funding from the excellent London-based organisation Save The Rhino — of which I’m a patron. Extreme measures: Rangers have even cut off the rhino's horn - but they fear it won't be enough. Hungry: Feeding time in Sudan's enclosure - he spent most of his life in a Czech zoo. There are also many good projects for rhino conservation in Africa and across the world. The Luangwa Valley in Zambia once held 4,000 black rhinos: they were poached out over 20 years and declared extinct in Zambia in 1998. Five years later, a project to release captive-bred black rhinos began: there are now 34 roaming free in the valley. Most problems with conservation come from the rising human population, and with it, the destruction of habitat. In so many parts of the world, we are running out of room. But there’s plenty of room left for rhinos in Africa. Conserving rhinos should be easy, yet they’re going extinct not because of overcrowding but from human folly. Rhinos are being killed because of belief in a discredited form of magic and the simple love of showing off. And yet you can go out into the wild areas of the world, especially in Africa, and still get close to these vast beasts. I once spent a day in Zimbabwe tracking a big male black rhino on foot and when at last we found him it seemed this might have been a mistake. There he was, 20 yards away, looking at me looking at him. One of those moments of eternity. But after a while he relaxed and got on with his life, snacking on bushes. Big solid, fast and armed with that wonderful great bodger on his bonce, he’s a modern creature fully equipped for the modern world, if only we’d let him get on with it. But we’re killing him off with money, greed, political inertia, incompetent policing, superstition and deadly vanity. So, a suggestion if you happen to be suffering from a hangover and wish to cure it. Try biting your nails. It’s every bit as effective as a dead rhino.
| Sudan is guarded day and night by rangers to keep him from poachers. His horn has been removed to stop it being lost to illegal trade. Rhino horn fetching as much as £47,000 per kilo as demand grows.
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Book of the week. NATURALISTS IN PARADISE: WALLACE , BATES AND SPRUCE IN THE AMAZON. By John Hemming. (Thames & Hudson £19.95) Back in 1961 three young Oxford graduates set off to explore the Iriri river in a remote part of the Amazon. One of them, Richard Mason, became the last Englishman to be killed by an uncontacted tribe, when he was murdered with bows and arrows. The second, Kit Lambert, went on to manage The Who. But for the third, John Hemming, the trip was the beginning of a lifelong fascination with the region, and a distinguished career writing about it. Bird of paradise: A musician wren. More than 50 years on, that same fascination still shines out of every page of Naturalists In Paradise, the compelling story of an earlier trio of young British explorers. At first sight - and several subsequent ones - 'paradise' mightn't seem the obvious word to describe the Amazon basin in the mid 19th century. A huge anti-government uprising had destroyed much of whatever infrastructure there had been. River transport, the only kind available, still relied on getting the local Indians to do the paddling - or, when faced with waterfalls and rapids, the heavy lifting. Flooding could cause chunks of land, some of several acres, to come hurtling down the river, smashing everything in their way. And of course, there was a spectacular array of biting and stinging insects - including mosquitoes, which nobody had yet linked to malaria. Nonetheless, for naturalists as driven as Alfred Russel Wallace, Henry Bates and Richard Spruce, a paradise is exactly what the Amazon was. Even after being attacked by a particularly nasty species of wasp, Spruce wrote of his admiration for 'their beauty, ingenuity and heroic ferocity'. These days, the image of 19th-century British travellers is perhaps of public-school types airily bossing the natives about, possibly from a sedan chair. Well, not in this case - because Wallace, Bates and Spruce were all classic examples of Victorian self-improvement. None was from a rich family and none went to school beyond 14. All, however, soon set about the urgent task of educating themselves. At 15, Bates was working 13 hours a day, six days a week, as a hosiery apprentice. Fortunately, that didn't prevent him from learning Greek, Latin, French, Drawing and Composition at the local Mechanics' Institute in Leicester, or from developing a passion for natural history. Naturalist Richard Spruce. The young Wallace loved nothing better than to curl up with the poetry of Milton or Dante - until he discovered the joys of plant classification. Aged 17, Spruce carefully listed 403 species of plants near his Yorkshire home, before surrendering to the seemingly irresistible appeal of mosses and liverworts. When Wallace and Bates met in Leicester in 1844, apparently at the public library, they immediately realised they were kindred spirits. Four years later, still in their early 20s and having found a London agent to sell any specimens they sent back, they sailed to Brazil, which was already recognised as an ecological treasure-trove. In fact, after a few months together, the pair amicably separated. (Bates preferred to stay in one place for months at a time, while Wallace liked to go wherever his more impulsive nose led him.) A year later, Spruce arrived to begin his own Amazon adventures, bumping into the others only occasionally. What followed was a story - or three stories - of quietly stirring heroism. Sad to say, in the port of Bélem where they landed, the biggest difference from England that Wallace and Bates noticed was the comparative lack of drunkenness. Once they headed inland, though, they were in another world entirely. They were also among people either puzzled or amused that they had come so far just to collect some plants and animals. In general, the Indians proved remarkably hospitable, as well as astonishingly skilful boatmen. Not all tribal traditions were to English tastes - including the one where the dead were buried in the village's huts, dug up a month later, cooked, pounded into a powder, mixed with alcohol and drunk by the assembled company. The non-Indian locals, meanwhile, were a distinctly mixed bunch. In one village, Bates was amazed to come across a man whose mud-hut contained a library of well-thumbed Latin classics. In another, Wallace was both shocked and delighted by a cheerfully dissolute priest. As an Amazon explorer himself, Hemming describes the endless hardships almost matter-of-factly, which only makes it clearer how hair-raising they were. Even so, when it comes to understatement, he's still no match for the three Victorians. After Wallace shot part of his own hand off, he confessed to feeling 'rather miserable'. Later, he described the ants eating him alive as 'not the most agreeable companions'. Above all, though, these men collected: gathering specimens of every conceivable type, no matter what condition they were in. 'With bleeding feet and an empty stomach, I found the journey sufficiently toilsome,' wrote Spruce of one trip. 'But this did not prevent me gathering plants' - although, on a wimpier note, when he was 'near dying of hunger' he did collect only in the afternoons. Then there was the equally tricky business of preserving the specimens in wet jungle conditions until they could be packaged up for the journey to London. As Hemming emphasises, it's almost miraculous that so much of what the three collected made it back in such good condition. Bates alone managed to send 14,712 species, with the number of specimens naturally far higher. The biggest loss, in fact, came when the boat on which Wallace was travelling home in 1852 caught fire, destroying his notebooks and the live animals he'd brought with him. Happily, he was rescued after only a week in an open boat 700 miles from land. A lesser man might well have been discouraged by the experience. Yet within two years, Wallace was off again, this time for eight years of collecting in Asia. There, he also developed a theory of natural selection that Charles Darwin realised was virtually the same as the one he himself had been sitting on for two decades - and so quickly set about writing The Origin Of Species. 'I could never have approached the completeness of his book,' Wallace generously declared when it was published. Meanwhile, back in Amazonia, Bates and Spruce were still collecting away... Hemming tells the story of this extraordinary trio without hype, wisely content to let the facts and their own reflections speak largely for themselves. He does, however, add the occasional telling update: we learn that some of the tribes that helped the three men are sadly now extinct. But perhaps the most striking moment of all comes with a short footnote on page 106 that reminds us how much the world has changed. Having sailed through a series of thunderstorms, Spruce gets separated from his companions on a jungle trek and fears he's going to die. But then, deep in the lonely forest, he hears something he's long dreamed of hearing: a musician wren, which sings like a music box. 'Modern readers,' the footnote reads, 'can hear this bird by visiting www.xeno-canto.org and searching for “musician wren”.' Try it. I guarantee that it will brighten your day.
| Naturalists In Paradise tells the tale of an early trio of British explorers. In 1961 the young Oxford graduates set off to explore the Iriri river. Alfred Russel Wallace, Henry Bates and Richard Spruce found a paradise.
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The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) are warning the public that scammers are making calls falsely claiming to fundraise, abusing people’s goodwill as NSW is ravaged by wild weather. The public have been alerted to the heartless scheme via an important notice issued on the NSW SES Facebook page. ‘The NSW SES does NOT request donations from the public,’ NSW SES assure the public. ‘We will never call and ask for money. ‘If you are receiving calls of this nature, please be advised it is a scam.’ The public have been alerted to the heartless scheme via an important notice issued on the NSW SES Facebook page. NSW SES have received more than 6500 requests for help since the storms began on Monday, with flash flooding, trees down and power outages across the Sydney, Newcastle and Hunter regions. A small white hatchback was crushed by a fallen tree in Redfern in Sydney's inner city overnight. NSW SES have received more than 6500 requests for help since the storms began on Monday, with flash flooding, trees down and power outages across the Sydney, Newcastle and Hunter regions. People have reacted with disgust to the attempt to con people out of their money, condemning those responsible for trying to benefit from a crisis. ‘We had a call today! Thought it was weird they had to call in the middle of the craziness!’ wrote Melissa Bateup. ‘Some idiot tried to do a door knock at mine (this afternoon) saying they were SES but with no docket book or collection tin,’ claimed Colin Small. It's not often you see a car parked up a tree, but this was the case in Newcastle during the storm. Winds of at least 100km/h lashed parts of the east coast, causing this tree to fall on a car in East Gosford on NSW's Central Coast on Monday with a driver and passenger inside. They were treated for only minor injuries. ‘His mate was hiding behind a tree. Needless to say I didn’t give them anything and told them to get off my property.’ ‘It did seem odd that they would call so late and want me to use my credit card. Thank you for the warning,’ commented Deanne Overall. ‘I got a call today and the girl wasn’t even near being professional about it and kept laughing nervously. It didn’t feel right,’ agreed Nicole Amber. ‘Oh my god! Who are these absolute mongrels that take advantage of these sorts of situations!’ wrote Belinda Weston. Buses and other traffic were stopped after a tree fell across a main road in Surry Hills in Sydney's inner city. A contingent of 22 ACT SES volunteers will travel to NSW on Wednesday morning to assist with the severe weather effort. Manly Dam is dangerously close to full capacity as heavy rain continues to hammer down. A flood warning has been issued and NSW SES have warned that residents may be evacuated in some areas of Sydney’s Northern Beaches, particularly near Manly Lagoon. An evacuation centre for Manly residents has been set up at Harbord Diggers Club. Narrabeen residents have been advised that another centre is available at Pittwater RSL at Monva Vale. NSW SES can be contacted on 132 500 and an infoline has been set up on 1800 227 228. 000 should only be called for emergencies. In Avalon on Sydney's Northern Beaches fallen trees and telegraph poles blocked roads and caused significant damage to property. A large eucalyptus tree crashes down near a house blocking the entrance at Avalon Beach in Sydney.
| NSW SES warns scammers are phoning people claiming to fundraise. The State Emergency Service say they never call and ask for money. People have responded with disgust at the heartless. Con artists are taking advantage of people's goodwill as NSW is facing severe weather conditions. NSW SES have received more than 6500 requests for help since Monday.
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A popular Twin Cities radio host has revealed her year of terror after she was stalked by a stranger who bombarded her with emails, calls and presents, including bottles of wine and sausages. Maria Lucia detailed her year-long battle in a letter to fans on The Current's website on Wednesday as she explained she would be taking some time off from the station following the ordeal. The alleged stalker, Patrick Henry Kelly, from Eden Prairie, has been charged in the case and is set to go on trial next week. He faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted. 'This has been a tough year for me,' Lucia, 44, wrote in the online letter. Terrified: Patrick Henry Kelly, left, allegedly repeatedly violated a restraining order radio host Mary Lucia, right, had taken out against him after he sent her letters, emails and gifts to her home and workplace. 'My life over the last year has involved a series of restraining orders, seemingly endless calls to 911, the installation of security cameras at home, and police photo ID line-ups. 'I've been constantly looking over my shoulder, dead-bolting doors, and jumping when someone rings my doorbell or my motion lights go off.' It began when Kelly, 56, wrote Lucia a letter about his dead dog and she responded sympathetically in March 2014, the Star-Tribune reported. He then started sending her 'delusional' e-mails and calling her on her personal numbers. He also sent her gifts, including flowers, sausages, candy and a picture of a man in a mask, to both her home and her workplace, according to court records. In July, she filed for a restraining order against him. 'He believes we are in a relationship,' she told the court. 'He got ahold of my cellphone # somehow and left me a message about getting together this weekend. He's unstable and delusional.' Fears: Lucia posted this letter detailing her terrifying ordeal to The Current's website on Wednesday as she explained to fans why she would be taking some time off work for a while. She was granted the restraining order, which prevented him from being within two city blocks of her Minneapolis home, but he allegedly went on to violate it on multiple occasions. 'I wake up thinking of you and repeat before bed,' he allegedly wrote in one handwritten note he sent Lucia. 'This feeling is so real to me! Just can't ignore it anymore.' He left candles, a bottle of wine, a frog calculator and flowers at her home - allegedly violating the restraining order five times between August and October 2014. 'Do you know what it's like to feel unsafe watching a band at First Avenue?' Lucia wrote online on Wednesday. 'To worry any time a stranger approaches you? To not be able to sleep or eat properly? That's what my past year has been like. 'I've made a 21-year career on the radio in this town being honest and authentic, and now I'm deathly afraid to reveal too much of myself on the air.' Scary: Lucia, pictured, said she was always looking over her shoulder or fearful when a stranger approached her because of how Kelly allegedly bombarded her with letters and emails saying they should be together. After the incessant contact, station officials alerted the St. Paul police department, which launched an investigation before turning it over to Minneapolis authorities. Kelly was charged last October with a single count of stalking for violating the court order. He could go to prison for up to 10 years as well as a $20,000 fine if he is found guilty at his trial, which starts on Tuesday. Lucia did not say how much time she will be taking off but said she plans to return 'soon'. Minnesota Public Radio issued a statement on Thursday saying it supports Lucia 'completely in her decision to take a leave of absence'.
| Twin Cities radio host Mary Lucia wrote a letter to her fans on Wednesday saying she would be taking some time off work following her ordeal. She described how she has 'constantly been looking over my shoulder' after a stranger began contacting her incessantly from March 2014. Patrick Henry Kelly 'repeatedly called her at work and home and wrote her letters saying they should be together' He 'left gifts including wine, candles, a calculator and food at her home' After repeatedly violating a restraining order she had taken out against him, he was charged last year and goes on trial next week.
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It's the festival that fashion forgot - and this weekend celebrities were leading the bad-taste brigade at Coachella. Revellers at the arts and music extravaganza in the Californian desert are known for their 'out there' outfit choices but this year festival-goers wore ever more outlandish looks. Yet even among the acres of exposed flesh, lame pieces, mesh maxi dresses, skintight patterned leggings and leotards, a few stars' dubious style still managed to stand out. Scroll down for video. Another pair are trussed up in neon tutus and floral-adorned bras. One man decided to ditch all the outfit-choosing hassle and simply dressed up as a mummy, wearing a full bodysuit in the scorching sun. Neon swimming hats were among some of the colourful outfits on display at Coachella this weekend. Jaden Smith, 16, wore a floral-print tunic that seemed to resemble a tiered dress. Will Smith's son Jaden Smith, 16, was spotted in a floral-print tunic worn over, what looked like a wrap around skirt. Later he swapped it for another all-black tunic, which he teamed with a bright red floral headband and retro silver-framed round sunglasses. While pal Kylie Jenner was photographed in nude-coloured hot pants - which looked like they came from brother-in-law Kanye West's latest catwalk show - and hiking boots, and later a bizarre black lace body stocking, with festival-inappropriate lace-up heels. The teen also sported an array of out-there hair choices: first opting for a shocking cotton-candy shade, and later her signature jet-black hair in sections of gothic silver plaits. Reality star Kylie Jenner, 17, shared a picture of herself wearing nude hotpants and hiking boots on Instagram... ...and was later pictured wearing see-through black body stocking with festival-inappropriate lace-up heels (right), with boyfriend Tyga (middle) and sister Khloe (left) Double offender! Jaden Smith was pictured later on in the second weekend of Coachella sporting bright floral headgear and odd eyewear. Paris Hilton, who is often pictured wearing a maxi dress, went for a busy blue version with a deep V-neck that almost dipped to her navel. But her accessories were the real fashion faux pas and included sunglasses with rose gold details at each corner and a pair of embellished cat ears. Khloe Kardashian showed her commitment to the new fringing trend in an an all-white skin-tight dress with a dangerously high thigh-split and matching jacket with heavily fringed sleeves. Singer Katy Perry went for a demure look in a tent-like rose coloured layered dress, which she wore with a thick tribal neckpiece. Paris Hilton, 34, sports bizarre rose-petal cat ears at the second weekend of the Coachella festival in Indio, California. Fringing queen: Khloe Kardashian, 30, threw some shapes in a fringed coat and a dress with a dangerously high thigh-split. Katy Perry, 30, and posse opted for a mix of boho and pastel prints, but the real eye-catcher was Perry's alarmingly chunky tribal necklace. But while most of the famous festival-goers committed crimes to fashion, they looked positively demure compared with their fellow merrymakers. It seemed neon was very much the obsession of the weekend, with many people turning up in an array of bright tiny outfits and accessories, including flower-adorned swimming caps and tutus. One man, who looked slightly worse for wear, sported a thigh-skimming Peter Pan costume, no shoes and muddy feet, with a child's Wellington boot around his neck as a necklace. Others sported brash prints with clashing headgear, and women - and men - showed an abundance of skin in painfully-tight shorts. One woman paired a Vietnamese traditional hat, as well as an oriental fan with a body suit and a completely sheer maxi-skirt. A few attendees simply opted for strange headgear and accessories in order to up the ante, with a neon battery-powered fur hood, excessively-adorned veils and heavy-duty hair jewellery. The boy who never grew up? One man opted for a Peter Pan costume as well as bare feet and sported a child's Wellington boot as a necklace. One couple went with clashing prints, including tropical fish and bizarre headgears and goggles. Cheeky! Another few revellers shed the layers in the California heat, and showed off an abundance of skin. One woman paired a Vietnamese traditional hat and oriental fan with a black body suit and a revealing sheer maxi-skirt. Lights up! A woman sports an odd pink neon battery-powered fur hood with her lace yellow dress. Some attendees sported an array of bizarre heavy-duty veils and hair accessories. Some festival-goers opted for seemingly uncoordinated looks, with one woman sporting pineapple print leggings, glitter plimsolls, a fringed slogan top, carrying a flag emblazoned with marijuana symbols. One man decided to ditch all the outfit-choosing hassle and simply dressed up as a mummy, wearing a full head-to-toe bodysuit, with holes cut for his eyes, in the scorching sun. It also seemed that gold lamé was the choice fabric of the weekend, with a few revellers trussed up in it, whether it was a crimped cape or skin-tight hot pants. Clash-tastic! A woman sports an uncoordinated look, with pineapple print leggings, glitter plimsolls, a fringe slogan top and other apparel emblazoned with a marijuana symbol. One woman dances in the heat in a crimped gold lamé cloak. Another man is seen sporting strange gold leaf transferable tattoos on his chest. Another festival-goer shows off an abundance of skin in a black crop top and tiny gold lamé hot pants.
| Various fashion faux pas committed at the arts and music festival. Jaden Smith wore a tunic dress, Paris Hilton donned cat-ear headband. Revellers wore neon swimsuits, a Peter Pan costume and garish leggings.
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A man killed more than 1,000 dogs in Russia as revenge as he believed the strays were responsible for giving him tuberculosis, a trial heard. Danila Kislitsyn told police it was his duty to eliminate dogs from the streets around Vladivostok as they posed a threat to people and needed to be wiped out. The 31-year-old would travel around the south-eastern Russian city using poisoned sausages and setting traps to kill strays and occasionally even people's pets. Danila Kislitsyn (pictured at his trial) has been found guilty of killing 1,000 dogs by giving them poisoned sausages. Officials heard the attacks were revenge as he blamed the animals for him contracting tuberculosis several years previously which had left him in a weakened state. He was arrested as part of a campaign by animal-rights activists who had spent two years monitoring Kislitsyn who would sometimes kill as many as a dozen dogs a day. Kislitsyn had to be sent for psychiatric tests ahead of the trial but was found fit to stand. But animal charities were furious when Judge Olga Yerokhina handed Kislitsyn a fine of just £200. The trial heard that Kislitsyn, pictured with a police officer at his trial, claimed it was his duty to eliminate stray dogs from the streets saying they posed a threat to people and needed to be wiped out. Judge Olga Yerokhina sentenced the 31-year-old, who also believed dogs were to blame for him contracting tuberculosis, to pay just £200 for the canine genocide. Activist Sarah Pirogova from the charity Animal Defender said: 'He was responsible for a dog genocide in his neighbourhood, sometimes a dozen bodies of dead dogs could be spotted on the streets in single day. 'He says he only targeted strays but very often people's pets were also poisoned after eating a piece of sausage that he had laced with poison.' Activists tested the sausages and found that not only were they poisoned, they also contained tablets designed to stop the dogs vomiting so that they could not throw up the lethal food. She added: 'We tried to confront him about it but he was extremely violent and would use spray before running off, so we finally decided to hand a report to police. 'We are disappointed with the result but hope that he will not want to pay another fine and will now stop what he has been doing.'
| Danila Kislitsyn killed more than 1,000 dogs in Russian city of Vladivostok. Trial heard he had used poisoned sausages and traps to kill the strays. Blamed dogs for his tuberculosis and claimed 'threat' needed eliminating. Animal charities were furious when Kislitsyn was given fine of just £200.
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The lingerie model whose sexy pregnancy selfies turned her into an overnight internet sensation has already snapped the first photo of her trimmed and toned post-baby physique in 'granny panties' - just four days after giving birth to her son. Sarah Stage, a 30-year-old from Los Angeles, came under fire during her pregnancy for posting a string of selfies showing off her seemingly rock-hard abs, with some critics claiming that maintaining such a tiny figure could be damaging to her unborn child. But her son James Hunter was born at a healthy eight pounds and seven ounces last Tuesday. And only days after welcoming her son into the world, Sarah donned black bikini briefs and a patterned bra for her latest snaphsot, which she shared on Sunday with her 1.6 million Instagram followers. Scroll down for video. Proud mama: Underwear model and animal rights activist Sarah Stage shared this picture of her post-baby body on her Instagram account on Sunday - just four days after giving birth to her son James Hunter. Ready to go: The 30-year-old revealed that she gained 28lbs during her pregnancy, before noting that she was looking forward to getting back to the gym. '[Four] days post baby. Total pregnancy weight gain was 28 pounds. I'm excited to resume my workouts in [five] weeks! #JamesHunter #HealthyBaby #GrannyPanties,' captioned the picture, highlighting her weight gain, which fell within the 25 to 35lbs range that doctors doctors recommend for average-weight women. The image has earned more than 40,000 likes since it was posted, with many commenting on her post-baby body and her healthy son. 'Proud of you hot momma. You put the critics to rest. You look fabulous and have a handsome baby,' one person wrote, while another added: 'Holy moly! What a legend! The baby's weight puts all the critics to rest.' Over the weekend, Sarah also posted a heartwarming photo of herself wearing a long-sleeve floral romper as she cradled her newborn in his nursery, writing: 'So happy #JamesHunter.' Look of love: Sarah gazed adoringly at her newborn son in this photo she posted on Saturday. So precious: Sarah shared this adorable picture of her newborn baby, James Hunter, on Instagram. Meanwhile, the first pictures of her baby boy were released last week. Sarah shared the adorable snapshots on her Instagram page. One, which shows a close-up of her son's face, said: 'Love at first sight #jameshunter.' The first ever picture of James featured the newborn in an adorable fox outfit. Sarah commented on the photo: 'James Hunter (4/14/15) 8.7lbs/22 inches of HEALTHY baby! 'Thank you for the positive support throughout my journey... It's just beginning!!! #JamesHunter #Healthy' During her pregnancy many people commented that they felt Sarah's unusually trim figure could be damaging to her unborn child, but it seems their fears were unfounded. Baby bump: Sarah took her last pregnancy selfie (pictured) at 39 weeks on April 13, writing: 'Still waiting'. The 30-year-old gave birth James the next day. Baby boy: Sarah posted this precious picture of James to her Instagram on Friday commenting that it was 'love at first sight' Sarah confirmed to E! that she welcomed her son last Tuesday, revealing that her baby boy was 22 inches long at the time of his birth, adding: 'He's a big healthy boy and he got an APGAR score of eight to nine.' An APGAR score, which stands for Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, Respiration, is a quick method for assessing the health of a newborn, with scores of seven or above being considered normal. Sarah famously documented her changing figure via her Instagram page throughout her pregnancy, earning herself a huge number of fans - as well as a fair share of critics - in the process. Although the new mother came under fire last month as more and more critics spoke out against toned figure, their comments never stopped the model from sharing numerous photos of her toned abs. Nap time: In this gorgeous snap, James is seen sleeping in a giraffe costume. Last Tuesday Sarah shared a photo of two In-N-Out burgers, writing, 'Cravings,' although its not clear as to whether or not she enjoyed the meal before or after she gave birth. The lingerie-clad model snapped her last pregnancy selfie, which she captioned: 'Still waiting #9months [sic],' the day before she welcomed her son into the world. The snapshot of her in a black bra and thong underwear has been liked over 40,000 times since it was posted, and has earned nearly 4,000 comments. And Sarah, who is of European and Costa Rican descent, took to Instagram earlier this month to share a photo of growing belly during the last weeks of her of pregnancy, writing: '10 days until we meet #BabyJames.' But while a large number of comments made about Sarah's figure were critical, many women noted that they found Sarah's pregnancy body to be motivation to work out and live a healthy lifestyle. Model off duty: Sarah took plenty of selfies in her underwear throughout her pregnancy; here she posed at 37 weeks on March 27. Haters gonna hate: Sarah, who came under fire for her being tiny and toned throughout her pregnancy, told her critics to unfollow her if they have a problem with her pictures. Toned physique: Sarah snapped this photo of herself flaunting her barely-there baby bump at 38 weeks on April 6 - 10 days before she was supposed to give birth to her son. 'I'm completely inspired to go to the gym first thing in the morning. You look absolutely gorgeous @sarahstage #amazing [sic],' one fan wrote. 'You look absolutely lovely. Hats off to you for being fit and taking care of yourself!' another added. 'If I ever have children, I'm inspired by you to treat my pregnancy the very same way. I'm sure James will be amazing! Congratulations.' Others compared their figures to Sarah's pregnancy body, with one woman writing: '10 days before giving birth?! Lord Jesus help us all! I look like this after dinner [sic].' 'I look like that after a good meal or two,' someone else commented. Meanwhile, some people suggested that her son would be as tiny as she is - although it has since been proved that there was no need to worry. Pregnancy pals: Sarah, then at 36 weeks, and her friend, at 39 weeks, compared their growing bellies for this playful picture on March 22. Baby style: Sarah shared this cute photo of matching father and son Timberland boots before the birth of her son. 'Baby James will come out the size of her phone case,' one person commented, referencing the model's bear-shaped cell phone cover. When she's not sharing lingerie selfies, the new mother regularly shared pictures of her son's nursery and his future wardrobe. Last week, Sarah shared an adorable photo of matching father and baby sized Timberland boots, writing: 'Daddy & baby shoe game [sic].' And despite her critics, Sarah refused to hide her then-eight-month pregnant body in maternity clothes. Flaunt it: Sarah refused to wear baggy clothes during her pregnancy and instead opts for figure-hugging dresses like the one she wore in this picture on March 28. Looking good: Sarah wore this sexy black dress on a 'date night' when she was 37 weeks pregnant on March 31, just two weeks before James was born. She shunned baggy dresses and instead dressed her bump in fitted Lycra or nothing at all. The fitness fanatic loves hitting the gym and often captures photos of herself working out, as well as following a healthy diet of quinoa, spinach and chicken. Clearly not letting her growing baby bump get in the way of her career, Sarah continued to proudly model whilst carrying. Two weeks ago, she shared a sexy snapshot of herself in black underwear and responded to her haters. 'BTW If you don't like my pics then unfollow me,' she wrote. 'I'm excited, happy and enjoying every second of my pregnancy. Can't wait to meet James! #NFG #37weeks [sic].'
| Sarah Stage, 30, welcomed son James Hunter into the world last Tuesday. The baby boy weighed eight pounds, seven ounces and was 22 inches long. During her pregnancy Sarah was criticized for her trim figure and abs.
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